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Sunday, May 19, 2019 FOOTBALL Ramadan 14, 1440 AH ‘Special’ farewell GULF TIMES for Robben and Ribery as Bayern win Bundesliga SPORT Page 3

GOLF It’s just the way it goes: Tiger misses halfway cut

AFP since an emotional green jacket week began his body requires Bethpage triumph last month at Augusta more recovery time than in his National. youthful prime. But he doesn’t Asked if he had managed to expect too much more for a full s it turns out, magical practice enough for the event, recovery. comeback victories Woods replied, “Definitely “There’s no reason why I require more practice not.” can’t get up to speed again and A and rest time than Ti- “Just don’t feel well and just crank it back up,” he said. “I’ve ger Woods has had since win- not able to do it. But resting got to start feeling a little bit ning the Masters last month for would be better, so I would have better first before that hap- his 15th major title. energy to play,” he said. pens.” The next major oppor- So the 43-year-old US star “It’s a nice problem to have. tunity for Woods will be next was disappointed but realistic I’ve enjoyed being the Mas- month’s US Open at Pebble after missing the cut at the PGA ters champion again and the Beach, where Woods won the Championship just a month af- PGA was a quick turnaround 2000 US Open to launch a run ter ending his 11-year major win and unfortunately I just didn’t of four major wins in a row. He’s drought. play well.” Woods needed nine likely to play the Memorial, “It’s just the way it goes,” holes on Friday to finally reach hosted by Jack Nicklaus, ahead Woods said. “Unfortunately I a fairway, birdies at six and the of the US Open. But first, some made too many mistakes and par-5 13th negated by bogeys on rest to get back to a mental and just didn’t do the little things I the next hole and an emotional physical peak. need to do. 40-foot birdie putt at the ninth “We’ll do that first and then “I had a couple three-putts. I wiped out by three bogeys to start cranking it back up again,” didn’t hit wedges close. I didn’t Tiger Woods of the United States begin the back nine. Woods said. “I just wasn’t mov- hit any fairways today. Did a lot plays a shot from a bunker on “I didn’t do all the little ing the way I needed to. That’s of little things wrong.” the 13th hole during the second things I need to do correctly to the way it goes. Woods fired a three-over par round of the 2019 PGA Cham- post good scores and put my- “There’s going to be days and 73 to finish 36 holes on five-over pionship at the Bethpage Black self in position to shoot good weeks where it’s just not going 145, one stroke over the cut line, course in Farmingdale, New York. scores,” Woods said. to work, and today was one of in his first competitive rounds Woods emphasised when the those days.”

SPOTLIGHT NO STOPPING SAMBA The Qatari lived up to expectations with a decisive victory over Rai Benjamin in the pair’s first head-to-head battle

Qatar’s Abderrahman Samba on his way to winning the the 400m hurdles in Shanghai yesterday.

“I was good until (hurdles) 9 and 10 - I wish I 100m in 11.03 seconds despite fracturing her could have those hurdles back - but it’s fi ne, it’s wrist playing laser tag two weeks ago, hold- the season opener so I can’t really complain too ing off Nigeria’s Blessing Okagbare (11.07) and much,” said Benjamin, whose 47.80 run was also double Olympic champion Elaine Thompson the second fastest of his career. (11.14). “I didn’t go out too strong, he just had it at the “I was expecting to perform better,” said Ja- end and I didn’t. I just have to go home and work maican Thompson, after her fi rst 100 since on some things and come back.” midway through last year. Qatar’s Abderrahman Samba with the Qatari Meanwhile, Noah Lyles exploded over the “I will be seeking better performances.” national flag celebrates winning the 400m fi nal third of the race to win a thrilling men’s Olympic and world champion Omar McLeod hurdles at the Shanghai Diamond League 100m in a personal best 9.86 seconds, pipping held off local Xie Wenjun to win the Shanghai meet yesterday. fellow American Christian Coleman in a photo- 110m hurdles for the fourth straight year, cross- fi nish. ing the line in 13.12 seconds before collapsing to Coleman, in his fi rst outing of the year, tore the track in tears. out of the blocks and looked to have the race un- “It was diffi cult for me to compete today,” the Agencies for the Olympic Games in Tokyo 2020, after full advantage of. Three strides later, Samba der control at halfway until Lyle’s storming fi n- Jamaican said. “My auntie Tracey died yester- Shanghai his teammate Abubaker Haydar, who fi nished was in the lead for good, padding his advantage ish caught him with a dip at the line. day ... I just wanted to fi nish, win and get the fourth in the 800m race held in Doha in April. as he cleared hurdle ten before crossing the line World indoor sprint champion Coleman was job done.” Fred Kerley led fellow Americans Already in the spotlight as the key protagonist in 47.27, the second fastest time of his career in awarded the same time, the best of the year so Michael Cherry and Nathan Strother across atar’s Abderrahman Samba, who last in the meeting’s most eagerly anticipated face- just his second race of the season. And he did it far, and the top four all went under 10 seconds the line to win the men’s 400m in 44.81, while year dominated the 400m hurdles, off , Samba lived up to expectations with a deci- on less than a handful of restless hours or sleep with Akani Simbine of South Africa third (9.95) Bahrain’s Salwa Eid Naser clinched the women’s once again stole the show with an- sive victory over Rai Benjamin in the pair’s fi rst after losing a battle with jetlag. and last year’s winner Reece Prescod of Britain one-lap race in 50.65 ahead of Diamond League other superb performance to highlight head-to-head battle. “To be honest with you, I couldn’t sleep last fourth (9.97). debutant Sydney McLaughlin. theQ IAAF Diamond League meet in Shanghai Running to the Qatari’s outside in lane fi ve, night,” Samba said. “I fell asleep this morning at “I said to my coach in warm-up ‘today is the Another fast fi nisher was Yomif Kejelcha, yesterday. Benjamin, the third fastest 400m hurdler of all- about 7 and got up at 10:30. But I’m so happy. day’,” said Lyles. who kicked on the fi nal lap to lead an Ethiopian The win, coming after his Asian champion- time, took the early lead, leading Samba, his- It’s my second fastest time so I think the season “I feel hot. I knew if I got out of the blocks and podium sweep in the men’s 5,000m in 13 min- ship gold medal in Doha last month, was ample tory’s second fastest ever, by about half a stride will be great again like last year.” It was his 12th if I was anywhere close, I knew I could come late utes 04.16 seconds – the best of the year so far. warning to his rivals that he will be the fi rm fa- until the pair reached the fi fth hurdle. straight victory. for the win.”If the 100m augured well for the Morocco’s Rababe Arafi also ran a world lead- vourite to the win the IAAF World Champion- Samba briefl y pulled ahead, but Benjamin Only eight other men have ever run faster, season in the sprints, the other most highly an- ing time in the women’s 1,500m in four minutes ships gold in Doha later this year. kept up the pressure through the turn as they Benjamin, who clocked 47.02 last year, among ticipated race of the evening, the men’s 400m 01.15 seconds, and there was a world leading With this result, Samba became the second approached hurdle nine. There, Benjamin lost them. Despite his late-race dip in fortunes, the hurdles, did not disappoint either. distance in the men’s javelin with German An- member of Qatar’s Athletics Team to qualify his rhythm, giving Samba an opening he took 21-year-old was pleased. American Aleia Hobbs won the women’s dreas Hofmann’s 87.55 metres. Gulf Times 2 Sunday, May 19, 2019 GOLF

ON A ROLL FOCUS Spieth shuts down grand slam talk at Koepka shades Bethpage Black

Reuters in contention on Sunday), at that Bethpage, New York point it will just be more of trying to win a golf tournament. “It won’t matter what tourna- ever mind completing ment it is. I’ll be pleased to be in Woods at historic the career grand slam, contention.” Jordan Spieth is sim- Spieth’s old cross-handed Nply happy to be back putting touch did the trick on on the leaderboard, especially at Friday. He took only 23 putts, and a major, as he plays his way back at one stage had six successive from a mini-slump. one-putts. Without a top-20 fi nish this Putting alone, however, is un- year, Spieth shot four-under-par likely carry him throughout the PGA Championship 66 to grab a share of second place weekend on a course as diffi cult after the second round at the at Bethpage. PGA Championship at Bethpage “I still need to hit more fair- Black on Friday. ways,” he said, acknowledging He has the largest 36-hole He will have to do something that his recent swing changes are special over the weekend to catch a work in progress. lead in modern major history. runaway Brooks Koepka — who “I played most of 2017 with has a record seven-stroke half- just one swing thought... and it’s It’s also the lowest 36-hole score way lead over the Texan and working back in that direction Adam Scott. but it was far enough off to make in major history by two shots Victory today would make it pretty diffi cult. Spieth the sixth player to com- “It’s just harder on the tees to plete the modern grand slam of fully trust it... especially in cer- all four majors — the Masters, tain situations in majors. Doing a PGA Championship, US Open pretty good job this week so far.” and British Open. Some former players, includ- Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan, Jack ing six-times major champion Nicklaus, Gary Player and Tiger Nick Faldo, have critiqued Spi- Woods are the only players to eth’s swing recently, but the have achieved the milestone. 25-year-old is trying to block out Spieth won the Masters and the noise. US Open in 2015 and the Brit- “I don’t look at what any of ish Open in 2017, but insisted the experts say because I be- thoughts of completing the slam lieve in our team enough to know had not entered his mind. that we’re working on the right “Certainly hasn’t,” he said. things,” he said. “I haven’t been in contention “I have no issue with the clut- on a Sunday since the (British) ter. It’s just annoying to talk Open last year. If I’m able to (be about negativity a lot.”

Brooks Koepka of the United States walks to the 12th tee during the second round of the 2019 PGA Championship at the Bethpage Black course in Farmingdale, New York.

AFP a game and a dedication that he needed to he’s an athlete. He played other sports Asked about how he blasted out of tall Bethpage play well and he’s doing that.” and he could have easily been a baseball weeds, Koepka said, “That’s why I go to Woods edged Koepka by a stroke last player. Players like that who come to golf the gym.” month to win the Masters, ending an 11- generally hit the ball far because a baseball Asked about his putting, Koepka said, here wasn’t a ceremony and year major win drought for his 15th career bat is so much heavier than a golf club.” “I feel as comfortable as I’ve ever felt Brooks Koepka says he needs major title. He won the fi rst 14 with big Koepka dismisses the hurry to anoint putting this week. I feel every time I even plenty more major wins to match 54-hole leads and sees Koepka able to do him as the new Tiger, even as he admits he slide the putter right behind the ball it’s Tiger Woods, but the aura of golf the same now. has a great chance to win his fourth major lined up perfectly.” Tinvincibility has been passed, at least ver- “He’s driving it 330 yards in the mid- in his past eight starts today. And he admits he learned by playing bally. dle of the fairway. He’s got 9-irons when “I’ve got 11 more to go or 12 more to go alongside Woods in the past not to watch It happened at the PGA Championship most of us are hitting 5-irons, 4-irons, before that happens,” Koepka said. him as he had on television as a child. after defending champion Koepka fi red and he’s putting well,” Woods said. He shot the lowest round by any Woods “All I did was watch him for nine holes. a fi ve-under par 65 at Bethpage Black “That adds up to a pretty substantial playing partner in a major since Woods That’s what I grew up doing,” Koepka on Friday to seize a seven-stroke lead on lead and if he keeps doing what he’s do- turned professional in 1996. said. “And you can’t do that. You’ve got to Jordan Spieth of the United States plays his shot from the third tee 12-under 128. ing, there’s no reason why he can’t build “You have to bring your game when focus on your own game.” during the second round of the 2019 PGA Championship at the It’s the largest 36-hole lead in mod- on this lead.” you’re with him,” Koepka said. And it’s clear Koepka has learned from Bethpage Black course on Friday. ern major history. It’s the lowest 36-hole Woods can see himself in Koepka. Koepka said that when Woods shook Woods when you have a lead to keep go- score in major history by two shots. “Relative to the fi eld, I was about that his hand after the round he said, “Keep it ing. And it’s clear Woods, Koepka’s playing long early in my career, when you’re able up. Great playing, and fi nish it off strong.” “I’d like to see that lead grow as large as Aussie Scott doesn’t see Kopeka partner the past two days who missed the to hit the ball much further than other Koepka said it wasn’t even a great day it possibly can,” Koepka said. “I still have cut with scores of 72 and 73, sees what players,” Woods said. lamenting two bogeys. to go out there and do what I’m supposed as unbeatable at PGA happens when a new generation learns “I was never that big. I was 130 pounds. “I didn’t strike it that good. But the to do, keep putting the ball in the right AFP, Bethpage: Australia’s win in his eight most recent from his legend. But we’re both able to generate speed. I way I hung in there today and battled it, I spot. Adam Scott isn’t going to roll major starts. It’s like when Tiger “At 29 he has got many more years didn’t have muscle. I did it through whip think was probably more impressive than “Make sure you don’t make any double over and let runaway 36-hole Woods won his first 14 major ahead of him where he can do this,” and timing. (his 63), not having your A game but still bogeys and I should have a good chance of leader Brooks Koepka win the titles from 54-hole leads. Woods said. “He paid his dues. He found “Brooksy has just got pure power and being able to shoot a great score.” winning the championship.” PGA Championship without “It has to come to an end eventu- putting up a serious fight. ally, that good front-running,” The 2013 Masters winner Scott said. “Let’s hope it’s not 12 BOTTOMLINE nearly matched Koepka’s day-old years like Tiger’s front-running Bethpage Black course record lasted.” Scott started his day 63 before settling for a six-under with stunning birdie putts from par 64 on Friday and a share of 25 feet at the first hole, 38 feet second with Jordan Spieth at at the second and 27 feet at seven shots adrift entering the the par-3 third then added a third round. 14-footer at the fifth. Thai Jazz, Korean Kang take Defending champion Koepka, “I came out and they just started also winner of the past two US rolling in and didn’t think much Opens, has the largest lead in about it. I felt good with it,” Scott modern major golf history after said. “It was a great start. Man- two rounds, and the lowest 36- aged to keep it going for a lot of diff erent PGA success paths hole total in major golf history at the day.” AFP The unheralded Asian land supporters yelling Jazz’s name, or “I don’t think I’m really fully back 12-under 128. But like everyone Scott birdied three of the first Bethpage contenders fi nd themselves at least trying to. from last week yet, so I’m just going to else, the US star is only half five holes on the back nine and unexpectedly among the 36-hole “My fi rst time ever getting a crowd try to rest,” Kang said. done. thoughts of super-low scores leaders in this week’s major like this, shouting my name. I don’t He’s shunning the nightlife to better “Yeah, I know he has won three drifted into his head before real- hailand’s Jazz Janewattananond showdown at Bethpage Black know how to react to it. This is my fi rst focus on Bethpage. majors. I know he seems impen- ity in the form of a two-foot par is loving the crowds and intense time for the shouting,” Jazz said. “I played really well last week so I re- etrable at the moment in this miss at the par-3 17th produced atmosphere of the PGA Cham- with my own ranking, so that feels pret- “They give me some really funny ally try to be as calm as I can be, because position, but at some point he’s his lone bogey and a 64. Tpionship while South Korea’s ty good to be here,” he said. “You feel names. I try not to remember it. They I have to play another event this week,” got to think about it,” Scott said. “I thought, whether it was low or Kang Sung is trying to chill out after like you belong.” did try. It didn’t come out right. he said. “I have next week off so I can “If he didn’t have a hot day possible leaving the 15th green, winning his fi rst US PGA title. Jazz has been soaking in the New York “It’s great, coming out here, interact- have a celebration next week. I pushed it tomorrow, the gap narrows and 16, 17, 18 are actually very get- The unheralded Asian contenders atmosphere on and off the course. ing with all the crowds. It’s crazy. I love back a little bit because I’m really trying there’s pressure over whatever table,” Scott admitted. “It was a fi nd themselves unexpectedly among “I go out with my friends. Take me it. I just want to remember everything.” to concentrate on playing this week.” lead he might have or might not fleeting thought. Not happening the 36-hole leaders in this week’s major out to see all of Manhattan, what’s it Jazz’s real name is Atiwit but he goes His friend Danny Lee, a South Kore- on Sunday. at the end of the day. I was very showdown at Bethpage Black, both on all about,” Jazz said. “So many people. by the nickname given him by his mu- an-born New Zealander also on 138 af- “Hey, if the guy can just keep happy to get up-and-down for 64 two-under 138 after on Friday’s second And the buildings. It’s like a (concrete) sic-loving father. ter 36 holes, is happy to see Kang’s hard doing that for another two days, on the last. round. jungle. “I like all kinds of music,” he said. work pay off . then there’s not much you can “I’ve just got my head into a good World number 72 Jazz, a 23-year-old “Kind of a wow moment. Maybe I “Maybe the name helps.” “It’s not just the last week. He has do. But I think someone, hope- place this week. I feel like my from Bangkok, missed the cut in last didn’t get over that. I didn’t feel the Winning helps too and Kang collected been playing good all year,” Lee said. fully me, will chip away tomor- game’s in a really great place. If year’s British Open in his only other pressure on the golf course.” his fi rst US PGA victory last Sunday at “His long game has gotten a little bit row and sneak up in the right I can get out of my own head a major start and earned this one for his Jazz holed a 23-foot birdie putt at the the Byron Nelson tournament. Kang better than what it used to be. And he has direction.” little bit and just play and swing, I ranking. par-3 eighth and a 16-footer at the par- would have been higher but closed with always been a good chipper and putter so Koepka seeks his fourth major think good results are there.” “It’s the fi rst event I did in America 3 14th on his way to a 68, with Long Is- back-to-back bogeys. I’m not surprised.” Gulf Times Sunday, May 19, 2019 3 FOOTBALL

SPOTLIGHT FOCUS Bayern coach Kovac insists ‘Special’ farewell for he will not be sacked

AFP Berlin

ayern Munich coach Robben and Ribery as Niko Kovac insisted he would still be in charge next season after wrap- pingB up the Bundesliga title with a 5-1 win over old club Eintracht Frankfurt yesterday. Kovac has been under increas- ing pressure of late, and reports Bayern win Bundesliga earlier this week suggested that he would be shown the exit door even if he won a league and cup double this month. Nine points behind Dortmund in December, Bayern lost just one game between January and May Bayern immediately denied the rumour, and Kovac defi antly AFP insisted that he would remain Berlin in his job yesterday. “I am con- vinced that I will continue,” he said. Asked about the report, he ranck Ribery hailed a “special” said he had “other, fi rst-hand moment as he and Arjen Robben information”, suggesting that he both scored in their fi nal game had been given a job guarantee by at the Allianz Arena yesterday to the Bayern hierarchy. wrapF up a 5-1 win over Eintracht Frank- Bayern fans chanted Kovac’s furt and a seventh successive Bundes- name as the clock ticked down liga title. “It was a special moment, but on their title-winning victory. also a diffi cult one,” Ribery said. “That touched me, because I “These were my last moments at the am a human being of fl esh and Allianz Arena, with the fans and with blood,” Kovac said. “I want to my team, after being here for 12 years. thank the whole crowd.” There is a time for everything and you Bayern president Uli Hoeness have to accept it.” said he had heard the chants, but The fairytale farewell for club icons refused to confi rm whether Ko- Robben and Ribery saw Bayern end an vac would stay. “I heard them, unusually tight title race two points and they did me good,” he said. ahead of rivals Borussia Dortmund, who “I have never involved myself in beat Borussia Moenchengladbach 2-0. this discussion and I won’t do so “You couldn’t write a better fi nale than now on the day of our triumph.” that,” said Bayern coach Niko Kovac. Nine points behind Dortmund in De- AUDI FENDS OFF BMW cember, Bayern lost just one game be- BID TO GRAB BAYERN tween January and May as they bounced SPONSORSHIP back to be crowned German champions German high-end car giant for the 29th time in their history. Rob- BMW said it had dropped plans ben and Ribery, who will both leave the to sponsor its hometown foot- club at the end of the season, came off ball team Bayern Munich, with the bench against Frankfurt to score rival Audi successfully fending Bayern’s fourth and fi fth goals and end off the bid to crowd it out. “We Dortmund’s hopes of pulling off a fi nal have ended the talks and will not day miracle. become sponsors of FC Bayern,” Their departure marks the end of a a spokesman said. glistening decade of success for Bay- Audi boss Bram Schot would ern, who are now set for a major squad not be budged from the Volkswa- overhaul ahead of next season, having gen subsidiary’s contract to already signed World Cup winners Ben- sponsor Bayern until 2025, off er- jamin Pavard and Lucas Hernandez. ing the club massively improved Kingsley Coman gave Bayern a dream terms, with payments of 60mn start, slotting home a Thomas Muel- euros a year plus other elements ler through ball after just four minutes. of the deal adding up to more There was brief hope for Dortmund than 1bn over a 12-year period as both they and Frankfurt scored ei- ther side of half-time. After Gladbach Bayern Munich players Arjen Robben (front left), Rafinha (centre) and Franck Ribery celebrate with the trophy after winning the Bundesliga title in Munich. (Reuters) dominated the fi rst half, Jadon Sancho smashed in the opener for Dortmund, Mukiele had equalised Milot Rashica’s and Reus doubled the lead after the opener. Leipzig-bound coach Julian break. Nagelsmann will leave Hoff enheim POINTS TABLE In Munich, Sebastien Haller bundled without European football, meanwhile, Read as: played, won, drawn, lost, goals for, Mainz 34 12 7 15 46 57 43 in a shock equaliser at a corner just af- after Mainz came from behind to snatch goals against, points): SC Freiburg 34 8 12 14 46 61 36 ter the break, but Bayern responded a late 4-2 win and knock Hoff enheim Bayern Munich 34 24 6 4 88 32 78 furiously, and David Alaba restored the down to ninth. Schalke 34 8 9 17 37 55 33 lead in a matter of minutes. Dortmund’s Daniel Brosinski and Jean-Paul Boe- Borussia Dortmund 34 23 7 4 81 44 76 Augsburg 34 8 8 18 51 71 32 hopes lay in tatters when Renato Sanch- tius cancelled out fi rst-half goals from RB Leipzig 34 19 9 6 63 29 66 VfB Stuttgart 34 7 7 20 32 70 28 es blasted the ball in from close range to Ishak Belfodil and Andrej Kramaric, Bayer Leverkusen 34 18 4 12 69 52 58 score his fi rst Bundesliga goal and put before Boetius and Jean-Philippe Ma- Hanover 34 5 6 23 31 71 21 Bayern 3-1 up. teta snatched the win in injury-time. Moenchengladbach 34 16 7 11 55 42 55 Nuremberg 34 3 10 21 26 68 19 Ribery and Robben each came off the Wolfsburg will join Gladbach and Wolfsburg 34 16 7 11 62 50 55 Note: The top four teams qualify for the Champions League; bench to standing ovations in the sec- Frankfurt in the Europa League after E Frankfurt 34 15 9 10 60 48 54 fifth, sixth and seventh-placed teams qualify for the Europa ond half, and Ribery danced through a Wout Weghorst hat-trick and goals Werder Bremen 34 14 11 9 58 49 53 League the Frankfurt ranks to seal the title on from Robin Knoche, Daniel Ginczek, -- The bottom two teams are relegated automatically 72 minutes, before Robben completed a Elvis Rexbechaj and Josip Brekalo saw Hoff enheim 34 13 12 9 70 52 51 fairytale afternoon with a 78th minute them thrash Augsburg 8-1. Dusseldorf 34 13 5 16 49 65 44 -- The club which finishes 16th plays a two-legged relegation play-off against the third-placed team in the second division tap-in. The defeats for Gladbach and Julian Schieber picked up a consola- Hertha Berlin 34 11 10 13 49 57 43 Frankfurt saw Bayer Leverkusen sneak tion goal for Augsburg before a Kevin into the fourth Champions League spot Danso own-goal completed the rout. Eintracht Frankfurt 1 (Haller 50); Schalke 61) Nuremberg 1 (Lowen 69); Mainz 4 behind RB Leipzig, as they won 5-1 At the other end of the table, Stuttgart from Marco Terrazzino, Luca Wald- 0 VfB Stuttgart 0; Borussia Moencheng- (Brosinski 66-pen, Boetius 83, 90, Mateta away to Hertha Berlin. Valentino Lazaro held Schalke to a 0-0 draw, and Nico- schmidt and Vincenzo Grifo, before Ed- cancelled out Kai Havertz’s opener but lai Mueller’s late goal was not enough uard Loewen netted a consolation goal ladbach 0 Borussia Dortmund 2 (Sancho 90+3) Hoff enheim 2 (Belfodil 12, Kra- Julian Brandt and a Lucas Alario hat- for relegated Hanover, as Rouwen Hen- for Nuremberg. 45, Reus 54); Hertha Berlin 1 (Lazaro 34) maric 34); VfL Wolfsburg 8 (Weghorst 21, trick ensured a comfortable win for nings and Kenan Karaman fi red Fortuna Bayer Leverkusen 5 (Havertz 28, Alario 37, 55, Knoche 41, Ginczek 57, Rexhbecaj Leverkusen. Duesseldorf to a 2-1 win. BUNDESLIGA RESULTS 38, 72, 88, Brandt 54); Werder Bremen 2 60, Brekalo 85, Danso 89-og) Augsburg Third-place RB Leipzig lost 2-1 to Mid-table Freiburg dispatched bot- (Rashica 35-pen, Pizarro 88) RB Leipzig 1 (Schieber 81); Fortuna Dusseldorf 2 Bayern Munich 5 (Coman 4, Alaba 53, Bayern coach Niko Kovac Werder Bremen, 40-year-old Claudio tom club Nuremberg 5-1, Nils Petersen 1 (Mukiele 86); SC Freiburg 5 (Terrazzino (Hennings 56, Karaman 60) Hanover 1 Sanches 58, Ribery 72, Robben 78) celebrates after winning the Pizarro grabbing the winner after Nordi adding a second-half brace to goals 7, Waldschmidt 34, Petersen 54, 56, Grifo (Mueller 78) Bundesliga title. (Reuters)

BOTTOMLINE ON A ROLL Bravo named Qatar Football Lyon win fourth straight Champions League

Reuters Association Technical Director Budapest van Bravo has been appointed Technical Director of the Qatar Football Association orwegian Ada He- (QFA). Bravo’s latest appointment comes in gerberg fi red Olym- the wake of developing junior football in Qa- pique Lyon to their Itar, who won the Asian Cup earlier this year. fourth straight Wom- The Qatar national squad – that includes a Nen’s Champions League title with number of Aspire Academy players – stunned a fi rst-half hat-trick in a 4-1 win powerhouses of Asia to become continental over Barcelona in yesterday’s fi - champions in February this year. nal at Budapest’s Groupama Are- Bravo is the Director General of Aspire Acad- na. Lyon established their domi- emy where he overseas the football development nance from the outset and took incentives for junior players. Bravo has been in a fi fth-minute lead when Dutch Qatar for a number of years now. Aspire Acad- winger Shanice van de Senden’s emy’s success in delivering quality players is at- low cross was confi dently con- tributed to the plans out in place by Bravo for verted by Budapest-born German more than a decade. international Dzsenifer Marozsan Prior to joining the Aspire Academy, Bravo was to the delight of the Hungarian Director of Strategy at Real Madrid CF, one of the fans in a 19,487 crowd. world’s most accomplished sports institutions. Nine minutes later Hegerberg Lyon players celebrate after winning the Women’s Champions League in Budapest. (Reuters) At Real Madrid, Bravo was in charge of heading made no mistake from another the Club’s strategies and initiatives on both the low cross from Van de Senden it was 3-0 in the 19th minute completed her hat-trick on the It was a damage-limitation business and sports fronts with two main goals: after England’s Lucy Bronze had when Amel Majri’s low ball from half-hour after the overlapping exercise for Barca in the second continue to lead the industry as the world’s high- set up the counter-attack with a the left was driven home fi rst Bronze whipped in a ball from half and they gained some con- est revenue grossing football club and restructure strong breakout from the back. time by 2018 Ballon d’Or winner the right and Hegerberg took full solation when substitute Asisat Real Madrid’s sports practices to return to sports Barca were struggling to get any Hegerberg. advantage of the opportunity to Oshoala pulled a goal back in the success. kind of foothold in the game and The Norwegian forward then beat Sandra Panos again. 89th minute. Gulf Times 4 Sunday, May 19, 2019 FOOTBALL

FA CUP FOCUS Tearful Allegri says City thrash Watford Juventus ended his trophy-rich reign

AFP 6-0 to complete Turin assimiliano Allegri fought back tears as he revealed yesterday that it was Juven- Mtus’ decision to end his fi ve-year reign during which he guided the domestic treble Serie A giants to 11 trophies. “We looked at the future of Juventus and the club decided to move in a diff erent direction next Sterling scores a hat-trick, while David Silva, de Bruyne and Jesus also netted year without me,” the 51-year- old told a press conference at French World Cup winner Blaise the Allianz Stadium. “But that Matuidi. The pressure to bring doesn’t change anything. We the much-desired trophy back have grown together and it is the to Turin for the fi rst time since right moment to leave the club in 1996 was also alleged to be part the best possible way.” of the fall-out, and club chair- Juventus have already wrapped man Andrea Agnelli said the fi nal up their record eighth consecu- decision had been his. tive title, which was Allegri’s “This was the most diffi cult fi fth in as many years. He also decision I have made during my lifted the Coppa Italia on four time at Juventus,” said Agnelli, occasions since replacing Anto- who sat alongside Allegri in the nio Conte in 2014, and reached press conference. “After the de- two Champions League fi nals. feat against Ajax, I was sincerely The former AC Milan and thinking of continuing with Max. Cagliari boss — who had one year It was hard to understand to- left on his contract — said he ac- gether that it was the right time cepted the club’s decision as he to bring an end to one of the most tried not to cry in front of his extraordinary cycles in Juve’s team, who were sat in the front history.” rows of the press conference. “In Agnelli refused to answer professional life, there are times questions concerning the next when we separate,” he said. coach, while Allegri remained The split comes after a report- vague about his future. “I don’t ed spat with directors including know, we’ll see, maybe a break former Juventus legend Pavel would be good for me, but maybe Nedved and Fabio Paratici over as early as July 15, I’d like to go what direction the club should be back in,” he said. “It’s going to taking. Despite signing Cristiano depend on me, what’s going on. Ronaldo from Real Madrid last I have to evaluate the things that summer the Bianconeri failed to will be off ered to me.” make it past the quarter-fi nals Allegri’s fi nal home match in of the Champions League for the charge will be today’s Serie A second successive season. clash against Atalanta. “Tomor- They were humiliated by mod- row, we have to celebrate... We est-spending Ajax despite a star- have to celebrate because these studded side including Ronaldo, last fi ve years have been abso- Argentina’s Paulo Dybala and lutely wonderful.”

Zidane the boss as Bale set for Manchester City’s Vincent Kompany (second left) lifts the trophy as he celebrates winning the FA Cup with his teammates at the Wembley Stadium in London. (Reuters) fi nal game at Real Madrid AFP It could have been very diff erent for Gomes. City control then turned into to- son, and introduce De Bruyne 10 minutes London the Hornets had Roberto Pereyra not tal dominance as a gloriously crafted sec- into the second half. Jesus’ unselfi shness Madrid: Zinedine Zidane hinted going to be changes. But I don’t missed the fi rst big chance of the game ond gave Watford a mountain to climb. allowed the Belgian to end an injury-rav- yesterday that Gareth Bale know what is going to happen.” after Watford pounced on one slack Bernardo Silva’s curling cross picked aged season on a high by rounding Gomes could make his last appearance Madrid face Betis at the anchester City completed the pass by Oleksandr Zinchenko to spring a out Jesus at the back post and the Brazil- to fi re City’s third into an empty net. And for Real Madrid today after Santiago Bernabeu in their final fi rst ever domestic treble in counter-attack. Gerard Deulofeu fed the ian’s eff ort was heading in before Sterling the roles were reversed for City to rub saying he would make changes match of a campaign that will English football in emphatic Argentine, but City goalkeeper Ederson snatched his 24th goal of the season by more salt into Watford wounds 22 min- this summer ahead of the final see them finish third, behind fashion by dispatching Wat- raced from his goal to make a fi ne save smashing the ball over the line. Veteran utes from time when De Bruyne’s pass match of their miserable La both Barcelona and Atletico Mford 6-0 at Wembley to claim the FA Cup with his trailing leg. goalkeeper Gomes was making what is released Jesus in behind to get the goal his Liga season. Bale fell out with Madrid, and trophyless after be- yesterday. Raheem Sterling scored a hat- “In the fi nal these kind of things make expected to be his fi nal game before he performance deserved. Zidane towards the end of ing knocked out of the Copa Del trick, while David Silva, Kevin de Bruyne the diff erence,” added Guardiola. “Eder- plans to become a pastor in retirement. Sterling then added another landmark the Frenchman’s first spell in Rey by Barca and the Champi- and Gabriel Jesus also netted to cap a glo- son saved us at a key point at the begin- Watford were left praying for a mira- in the fi nal 10 minutes by becoming the charge and their relationship ons League by Ajax. rious campaign with the biggest margin ning of the game, because 1-0 would have cle that never came, but the 38-year-old fi rst player since 1953 to score a FA Cup has quickly soured again, with Zidane has pledged to make of victory in a FA Cup fi nal since 1903. been really diffi cult for us.” briefl y kept his side in the game either fi nal hat-trick as he converted Bernardo the Wales attacker starting just changes once the campaign Watford’s wait to win their fi rst ever Watford were also left angered as a side of half-time with saves from Riyad Silva’s low cross and then fi red home at five times since the coach’s is over, with several players major piece of silverware goes on, but af- handball shout for a penalty against Vin- Mahrez and Jesus. Deulofeu had been the second attempt three minutes from return in March and left out including Bale expected to be ter going behind they had little answer to cent Kompany was not looked upon fa- Watford’s star of a remarkable semi-fi nal time. City have now won all 11 meetings completely for Real’s last two sold, and defended his right to Pep Guardiola’s relentless champions as vourably by referee Kevin Friend or the comeback from 2-0 down against Wolves between these two sides by a combined matches against Villarreal and make the big calls. “It’s my deci- the Catalan picked up the 27th trophy of Video Assistant Referee. And Javi Gra- and had the chance to spark the game score of 38-6 since the club’s Abu Dhabi Real Sociedad. sion,” Zidane told reporters. his coaching career. “It was an incredible cia’s men also played a big part in their back into life just before the hour mark, takeover a decade ago. Questions will Zidane said Bale would be in “That is clear as water. I’m fi nal for us and we have fi nished an in- own downfall for City’s fi rst goal on 26 but scuff ed his shot wide. And again Wat- continue to be asked of the legitimacy of the squad against Real Betis on the coach and I will always do credible year,” said Guardiola after adding minutes from which Guardiola’s men ford’s profl igacy was quickly punished. how City amassed such a great side with Sunday but, asked by reporters what I want to do. If not, I’ll the FA Cup to City’s Premier League and never looked back. City’s strength in depth was in evi- UEFA, FIFA and FA investigations pend- if it would be his last game for leave. For signings and those League Cup titles. “To all the people at The diminutive fi gures of David Silva dence as Guardiola could aff ord the lux- ing into City’s conduct off the fi eld. But Madrid, he said: “I don’t know, sorts of things we have people the club a big congratulations, especially and Sterling both won headers against ury of leaving Sergio Aguero on the bench on it they cannot be questioned as one of I can’t tell you. It’s the season who work on them but we work the players because they are the reason taller defenders before the ball broke for Jesus, as a reward for the Brazilian the greatest England has ever produced finale and next year there are together.” why we have won these titles.” for the Spaniard to fi re across Heurelho who started every FA Cup game this sea- and have the medals to prove it.

LA LIGA Valencia fi nish fourth, Griezmann jeered on last Atleti match

AFP and Munir El Haddadi extinguished “We had to highlight the work of the Madrid Bilbao’s own hopes of European foot- gladiators who are leaving,” Simeone ball next season. Instead, Sevilla are said afterwards. “Their greatest legacy joined by Espanyol, whose fans invaded is not the titles won, it is their com- alencia held their nerve to the pitch when the full-time whistle mitment and respect. I love them very secure La Liga’s last Cham- blew at Cornella, where a 2-0 win over much.” pions League place yester- Real Sociedad means the Catalan side Simeone has dismissed fears of a day as a 2-0 victory over Real clinched seventh. mass exodus, despite both Diego Go- VValladolid ended Getafe and Sevilla’s Getafe sat fourth for 23 minutes din and Griezmann already announc- hopes of snatching fourth. over the course of the afternoon, af- ing their departures, with the likes of Getafe had to better Valencia’s result ter Francisco Portillo pulled an early Rodrigo, Juanfran and Filipe Luis all at the Estadio Jose Zorrilla as they faced shot into the corner, but news soon fi l- expected to follow. Villarreal, while Sevilla needed beat tered through that Valencia had scored If this was to be their farewell outing Athletic Bilbao and hope both Getafe against Valladolid, Carlos Soler capi- for Atletico, it was an underwhelm- and Valencia lost. talising on a mistake by Kiko Olivas. ing fi nale as impressive Levante could Sevilla held up their side of the bar- From there, everything went Valen- have been out of sight before they were gain by seeing off Bilbao 2-0 but Getafe cia’s way as Rodrigo gave them a two- eventually pegged back by the away drew 2-2 and Valencia won, meaning goal cushion, shortly after Villarreal’s side. it is Marcelino’s side who reach the Vicente Iborra had nodded in an equal- Simeone’s side fi nish second with Champions League for a second con- iser against Getafe. 76 points. They come in above Real secutive year. A brilliant header from Nemanja Madrid for a second consecutive year They sit seven points behind Real Maksimovic looked to have given Getafe but will end up 13 points behind Barce- Madrid, who play Real Betis at home on a winning fi nish but even that was de- lona, if the Catalans win away at Eibar Sunday, and 15 adrift of second-placed nied them when Gerard Moreno’s an- today. Atletico, who earlier drew 2-2 away gled shot bobbled its way in after some at Levante, with Antoine Griezmann clumsy handling by David Soria. LA LIGA RESULTS jeered in his fi nal match for the club. Earlier, Griezmann was barracked by Levante 2 (Cabaco 6, Roger 36) Atletico Valencia’s Champions League fans during his last game for Atletico Madrid 2 (Rodrigo 68, Camello 79); chances looked slim after they were and Rodrigo might have scored his fi nal Espanyol 2 (Rosales 58, Wu 65) Real knocked out of the Europa League by goal for the club as they came back from Sociedad 0; Getafe 2 (Portillo 13, Arsenal two weeks ago and even slim- Valencia’s defender Gabriel Paulista (left) and midfielder Daniel Wass celebrate after their win over Real Valladolid in the La two goals down to draw with Levante. mer when a miserable start to the sea- Liga at the Jose Zorrilla stadium in Valladolid, Spain, yesterday. (AFP) Griezmann received whistles at the Maksimovic 76) Villarreal 2 (Iborra 43, son left them 15th after 15 games, a City of Valencia Stadium from the vis- Gerard 87); Valladolid 0 Valencia 2 (Soler scrap for survival more likely than a fi nal fl ourish if they manage to beat a place and the Europa League comes as bill is more than 10 times smaller than iting fans, who were also heard chant- 36, Rodrigo 52); Sevilla 2 (Ben Yedder 44, dash for the top four. physically and mentally drained Barce- a disappointment for Getafe, even for Real Madrid’s. ing “out, out, out” before goals from Munir 90+2) Athletic Bilbao 0 But Marcelino stayed and oversaw lona and win the Copa del Rey on May a team promoted to the top fl ight only Sevilla qualify for the Europa League Sergio Camello and Rodrigo ensured Playing today: Real Madrid v Real Betis the recovery, which could now have a 25. After 11 weeks in the top four, fi fth two seasons ago whose annual wage too, fi nishing sixth after Ben Yedder Atletico ended the season with a point. (1000 GMT), Eibar v Barcelona (1415) Gulf Times Sunday, May 19, 2019 5 SPORT

NBA FOCUS Antetokounmpo, Harden, George Bucks rout Raptors fi nalists for NBA MVP award

AFP to take 2-0 lead Los Angeles ‘Mentally, we were ready for this game. Once the game started, we did a great job setting the ilwaukee Bucks forward Giannis An- tetokounmpo and Oklahoma City tone. We knew Toronto was going to come and try to play hard and try to get one at our place’ Thunder forward Paul George are among the fi nalists for the both NBA’s MMost Valuable Player and Defensive Player of the Year honours. The league announced the three-man lists of fi nalists for its 2018-19 regular-season awards on Friday. Antetokounmpo and George are joined by Hou- ston Rockets guard James Harden in the running for league MVP. Harden was the MVP for the 2017- 18 season, and he fi nished runner-up to Thunder guard Russell Westbrook in 2016-17. Neither Antetokounmpo nor George has won an MVP award. The third fi nalist for Defensive Player of the Year is Utah Jazz centre Rudy Gobert, who won the hon- our last year. The Rookie of the Year fi nalists are Dallas Mav- ericks guard Luka Doncic, Phoenix Suns center De- andre Ayton and Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young. The candidates for Coach of the Year are the Mil- waukee Bucks’ Mike Budenholzer, the Denver Nug- gets’ Michael Malone and the Los Angeles Clippers’ Doc Rivers. Budenholzer captured the award in 2014-15 when he was with the Atlanta Hawks. Two Clippers players, forward Montrezl Har- rell and guard Lou Williams, are up for Sixth Man Award, along with Indiana Pacers forward Doman- tas Sabonis. Williams earned the award in 2014-15 and 2017-18. The fi nalists for Most Improved Player are Sacramento Kings guard De’Aaron Fox, Brook- lyn Nets guard D’Angelo Russell and Toronto Rap- tors forward Pascal Siakam. George was selected Most Improved in 2012-13, and Antetokounmpo was honoured in 2016-17. Antetokounmpo, 24, averaged 27.7 points, 12.5 rebounds and 5.9 assists – all career highs – in 72 games this season. George, 29, played 77 games and posted career-high averages of 28 points, 8.2 re- bounds and a league-leading 2.2 steals. His average of 4.1 assists matched his career best. Harden, 29, led the league with a career-best 36.1-point scoring average that topped the NBA. He added 6.6 rebounds, 7.5 assists and two steals while playing 78 games. The voting for all awards was done by a panel of sportswriters and broadcasters. The hardware will be handed out in a ceremony at Barker Hangar in Los Angeles on June 24.

Pacers’ Evans banned for at least two years

Indiana Pacers guard Tyreke Evans has been dismissed from the NBA for violating the league’s Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks attempts a shot in the fourth quarter against the Toronto Raptors during game two of the Eastern Conference Finals of the 2019 NBA Playoff s anti-drug programme, the NBA said Friday. Under at the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Getty Images/AFP) the program, the 29-year-old who averaged 10.2 points per game last season and was due to AFP great job setting the tone. We knew 39, at halftime, with Ersan Ilyasova 13 shots from the fi eld. Norman able Player award announced on become a free agent can apply for reinstatement Los Angeles Toronto was going to come and try contributing 15 of his 17 before the Powell added 14 off the bench, but Friday along with Houston’s James in two years. The Pacers said they were informed to play hard and try to get one at our break and Malcolm Brogdon 12 of they were the only Raptors to score Harden and Oklahoma City’s Paul on Friday of Evans’s disqualification from the place.” his 14 off the Bucks’ bench in the in double fi gures. George. league. “We take these matters seriously and iannis Antetokounmpo Antetokounmpo played a key fi rst half. “We didn’t play very well to- But he said the honour was far will reach out to Tyreke to off er our support,” scored 30 points and role in setting that tone – with a Overall the hosts’ reserves out- night,” Raptors coach Nick Nurse form his thoughts – despite the the Pacers said in a statement. Evans has played grabbed 17 rebounds to dunk, an emphatic block on Rap- scored Toronto’s 31-11 in the fi rst said. “We were just a step too slow. chants of “MVP! MVP!” that fans 10 seasons in the NBA and was Rookie of the lead the Milwaukee Bucks tors centre Marc Gasol and another half and 54-39 overall. We settled in with some space and rained on him in the fourth quar- Year in 2010. He was drafted by the Sacramento Gto a convincing 125-103 victory dunk in the opening minute of the Six Bucks players scored in dou- gave them some confi dence early, ter after he drove for a layup, drew Kings with the fourth overall pick in 2009 and over the Toronto Raptors Friday for contest. ble fi gures, and coach Mike Buden- and you just can’t do that.” a foul and converted the free throw has also played for the New Orleans Pelicans and a 2-0 lead in the NBA Eastern Con- “I know every night when the holzer said it all started with An- with 5:51 to play. Memphis Grizzlies. According to the NBA’s guide- ference fi nals. game starts my teammates are tetokounmpo. MVP FINALIST “I don’t care about that right lines, a player can be dismissed and disqualified The top-seeded Bucks, who ral- looking at me,” Antetokounmpo “I think everybody fed off of Gi- Milwaukee notched their sixth now,” said Antetokounmpo, who from the league for testing positive for a drug of lied to win game one of the best- said. “I think it defi nitely gave the annis and how he started the game,” straight win in these playoff s and scored 11 points in the fourth quar- abuse, or if he is convicted of or pleads guilty to of-seven series, never trailed and team a lot of energy.” Budenholzer said. their sixth post-season victory by ter. “I care about going to Toronto the use, possession or distribution of a drug of led by as many as 28 points to dou- The Bucks made sure the Rap- Kawhi Leonard led the Raptors at least 20 points – tying an NBA and focusing for game three.” abuse. However, the NBA, NBA teams, and the ble their lead in the series, which tors never got a sniff , roaring to an with 31 points. He came out fi ring record. The Bucks’ only defeat this That’s exactly what the Raptors Players Association are prohibited from publicly moves to Toronto for games three 18-point lead in the fi rst quarter on in the third quarter but despite his post-season came in game one of plan to do, too. disclosing information regarding the testing or and four on Sunday and Tuesday. the back of nine quick points from aggression the Raptors never got the second round against the Bos- “They’ve done what they were treatment of any NBA player under the anti-drug “Mentally, we were ready for Nikola Mirotic and a 12-0 scoring the defi cit below 13. ton Celtics. supposed to do and protected their programme, other than to announce a player’s this game,” Antetokounmpo said. run late in the period. Kyle Lowry fi nished with 15 Antetokounmpo was one of three home court,” Nurse said. “Now suspension or dismissal from the league. “Once the game started, we did a Milwaukee led by 25 points, 64- points, connecting on just four of fi nalists for the NBA Most Valu- we’ve got to go and do the same.”

MLB Bryant bashes three homers as Cubs rout Nats Reuters et. It scored Jason Heyward, who broke an Chicago RESULTS 0-for-22 slump with a single to centre, for a 3-0 lead. Cubs 14-6 Nationals Rendon notched his seventh long ball to hicago’s Kris Bryant slugged three Astros 3-1 Red Sox trim the defi cit to 3-2 in the home half of the home runs and drove in fi ve runs, Yankees 4-3 Rays third. and the Cubs hit six homers in a 14-6 Bryant’s ninth homer to left-centre off re- Athletics 7-2 Tigers rout of the host Washington Nation- liever Justin Miller made it 5-2 in the seventh. alsC on Friday. Blue Jays 10-2 White Sox Kurt Suzuki brought the defi cit to 5-3 with Bryant clubbed his third homer – and Marlins 8-6 Mets an RBI single in the bottom of the seventh, fourth hit – in the ninth inning. He went and reliever Carl Edwards Jr.’s balk with Ger- Phillies 5-4 Rockies deep in each of the fi nal three frames, joining ardo Parra up to bat scored Suzuki and ad- Sammy Sosa (2002) as the only Cubs players Orioles 5-1 Indians vanced Dozier to third. to homer three innings in a row. Rangers 7-3 Cardinals However, an errant pitch by Edwards later Bryant, 27, also had a three-homer game in Braves 12-8 Brewers in the at-bat bounced in front of home plate, Cincinnati on June 27, 2016. and the pitcher retrieved the ball and forced Cole Hamels (4-0) tossed fi ve innings of Dodgers 6-0 Reds Dozier out of the baseline for the fi nal out of two-run ball as the Cubs broke a two-game D’backs 7-0 Giants the inning. losing streak behind an 18-hit attack. Twins 7-1 Mariners Chicago blew the game open in a fi ve-run Bryant went 4-for-6, Willson Contreras eighth inning. had four hits including a two-run homer, Angels 5-2 Royals Schwarber ended a 13-pitch at-bat with Albert Almora Jr. and Kyle Schwarber hit Pirates 5-3 Padres his sixth homer with Almora on base, and two-run blasts, and Javier Baez extended his Bryant followed with a solo shot. career-high hitting streak to 15 games with Nationals starter Max Scherzer (2-5) Mark Zagunis had an RBI single, and an- two hits. wasn’t sharp, giving up three runs in six in- other run scored on a Turner throwing error. Cubs fi rst baseman Anthony Rizzo re- nings. Scherzer tried to get out of a fi rst- Bryant’s and Contreras’ homers highlighted a turned to the lineup after missing four games inning jam after Schwarber worked a four- four-run ninth. The Nationals got two back due to back stiff ness. He went 1-for-5. pitch walk and Bryant hit a single – his 26th in the bottom of the ninth on a Dozier double. Washington’s Anthony Rendon popped consecutive game reaching base – but Baez a two-run homer, and Trea Turner fi nished stroked a two-out double for his fi rst career 2-for-5 with a stolen base in his return after hit off Scherzer and a 1-0 lead. Washington Nationals shortstop Trea Turner a 39-game absence caused by a broken fi nger. In the second, Almora launched an 0-2 forces out Chicago Cubs third baseman Kris Brian Dozier had three hits and two RBIs changeup by Scherzer deep into the left fi eld Bryant during the first inning at Nationals for Washington. seats for his fourth homer – a 445-foot rock- Park. PICTURE: USA TODAY Sports Gulf Times 6 Sunday, May 19, 2019 SPORT

NHL RUGBY Cane’s return creates good World Cup Blues get even with headache for Hansen

Reuters of-year tour last year, although Wellington his ability to compete physi- cally was questioned as the All Blacks pack were dominated penside fl anker Sam by the big England and Ireland 2-1 win over Sharks Cane played a solid forwards. 41 minutes off the The 25-year-old, who is bench on his return 1.88m tall and about 100kg, ‘That’s a great honour obviously. I’m toO Super Rugby at Eden Park has put a lot of that criticism yesterday, handing All Blacks to bed this Super Rugby season having a lot of fun back here playing coach Steve Hansen a pre- and arguably been New Zea- World Cup boost and an envi- land’s form player. with this team. They’re doing a great job’ able selection quandary. Savea’s speed has always in Game 4 Cane’s run-out for the distinguished him from other Waikato Chiefs in their 23-8 loose forwards but his already loss to the Auckland Blues was impressive ability to make his fi rst since he broke a bone ground after contact in his in his neck in the All Blacks’ ball-carrying has improved 32-30 win over South Africa in this year. Pretoria last October. His work off the ball - he “I was a little bit nervous turned and chased down runa- coming in obviously, but I just way Otago Highlanders winger tried to remember why you Tevita Li to saved a certain fi rst played rugby and try in April - has been top in the start it’s just to go notch while his defence and out there and have some fun,” contact at the breakdown have Cane said. also been noticeably more “It’s just been about setting physical. small goals and chipping away Such has been the level and at them until you achieve the standard of his play that fi nal one of getting back on the few believed Cane would pitch. It has been challenging take the New Zealand number but a good test for me.” seven jersey back when he re- His return will doubtless turned. prompt numerous heated de- The dilemma for Hansen is bates in the rugby-mad coun- that until his injury Cane was try as to whether Hansen will one of the most aggressive and slot the 27-year-old straight consistent defenders in the All back into his starting side Blacks - excelling at his job ahead of their title defence in without any fuss like his pred- Japan. ecessor in the position, Richie Cane’s injury opened the McCaw. door for the explosive Ardie If Cane comes through the Savea to shake off the super- season with no fi tness con- sub role that had previously cerns, both should be on the defi ned his international plane to Japan, but Hansen will career, with 24 of his 37 test have to think hard as to who appearances coming from the will be his starter, especially bench. for their World Cup opener Savea was fi rst-choice on September 21 against the openside fl anker on the end- Springboks in Yokohama.

Texans release tight end Griffi n

The Houston Texans have The Texans drafted tight end released veteran tight end Kahale Warring in the third Ryan Griff in, multiple outlets round out of San Diego State reported Friday, three weeks hours before Griff in was after he was arrested in Nash- arrested, after taking Jordan Ivan Barbashev (third left) of the St. Louis Blues celebrates with his teammates Jay Bouwmeester (second left), Colton Parayko (left) and Alexander Steen after scoring a goal ville, Tennessee, for allegedly Akins (third round) and against San Jose Sharks during the first period in game four of the Western Conference Finals during the 2019 NHL Stanley Cup Playoff s in St Louis, Missouri. (Getty Images/AFP) punching a hotel window. Jordan Thomas (sixth) in the Griff in, 29, was charged with 2018 draft. AFP swept the Hurricanes in four one goal and we gave up two. Burns’ one-timer from the left scored four power-play goals vandalism and public intoxi- The team also signed vet- Los Angeles games in the Eastern Conference What are you going to do about point. while Eakin was in the penalty cation after he was arrested eran Darren Fells, formerly fi nals. it?” “It irks me when you use words box, eventually winning 5-4 in April 26, the night of the of Cleveland, Detroit and Binnington posted his 10th Barbashev’s fi rst playoff goal like that, because this team has overtime. second and third rounds of Arizona, in March. he St. Louis Blues, bu- win in the playoff s to set a Blues gave the Blues a 1-0 lead just 35 played four or fi ve elimination In Game 7 against Colorado, a the NFL draft, which was held Meanwhile New York Giants oyed by 29 saves from record for most wins in one seconds into the contest. games. Not moments - games,” coach’s challenge from San Jose in Nashville. left tackle Nate Solder will goalie Jordan Binning- post-season - passing Brian El- His shot from the left de- Sharks coach Peter DeBoer said, resulted in Colorado’s apparent He sustained a bloody left miss off season workouts as ton, held on for a 2-1 vic- liott (2016) and Roman Turek fl ected in after St. Louis forward per ESPN.com. “Twelve to 15 game-tying goal in the second hand in the incident and was he recovers from arthroscopic Ttory over the San Jose Sharks on (2001). Alexander Steen forced San Jose periods of elimination hockey period being overturned. Of- released a day later on $1,750 surgery to remove bone spurs Friday to level the NHL Western “That’s a great honour obvi- defenseman Brent Burns into a against Vegas, against Colorado fi cials determined that Gabriel bond, with a court date set for in an ankle, NFL Network Conference fi nals at two games ously,” Binnington said. turnover. in Game 7, so I think it’s a ridicu- Landeskog was off side on the May 31. reported on Friday. apiece. “I’m having a lot of fun back Bozak made it 2-0 on the lous statement. play while changing at the Griff in was entering the final He is expected to be ready to Ivan Barbashev and Tyler Bo- here playing with this team. power play with 2:07 remaining “You know what? We’ve bench, a rare - if correct - call. year of a three-year, $9 million take part in training camp this zak scored fi rst-period goals for They’re doing a great job. in the period when Sharks de- found a way. And we’ve faced a And then offi cials missed extension signed in March of summer. St. Louis and the Blues with- “They limited their chances fenseman Justin Braun kicked a lot of adversity. We’ve had calls an obvious hand pass from the 2017. He was set to count $2.7 Solder, 31, played the first stood a second-period on- tonight. We played a complete loose puck between Jones’ legs. go against us, and we’ve had calls Sharks’ Timo Meier that led to million against the cap, but seven years of his career slaught to bounce back from a game. I just tried to do my job.” “Gave up two quick ones but go for us, and we’re still stand- Erik Karlsson’s game-winning Houston will save all of that with New England before disheartening overtime loss on Tomas Hertl scored, and Mar- we battled, we had our chances,” ing. For anybody to minimize goal in overtime in Wednesday’s figure. he signed a four-year, $62 Wednesday. tin Jones made 20 saves for the Pavelski said. that, I think is disrespectful to 5-4 decision in St. Louis. NHL A sixth-round pick by the million deal with the Giants in The Sharks will try to regain Sharks. The Sharks controlled the our group and what we’ve done.” video policy does not allow for Texans in 2013, Griff in had 24 advance of the 2018 season. the advantage in the best-of- “We had some good chances puck for long stretches of the In Game 7 against Vegas, offi - hand passes to be reviewed, un- catches for 305 yards in 14 He started all 16 games. seven series when it shifts back and we can get a little better,” San second period, out-shooting the cials gave Knights forward Cody less the puck goes directly into games (11 starts) last season. The Giants will be counting to San Jose for game fi ve on Sun- Jose captain Joe Pavelski said. Blues 11-8. Eakin an excessive fi ve-minute the net. Through six seasons, he has on Solder to help improve the day. “If we can get him (Binnington) Hertl scored a power-play major in the third period; the “I don’t know if there’s ever 136 catches for 1,491 yards protection of the quarterback The winner of the series will moving a little bit, some of our goal on a rebound to make it 2-1 NHL later apologized to Golden been a lucky team who’s won,” and seven scores in 77 games after Eli Manning was sacked take on the Boston Bruins in the opportunities (might go in). at 6:48 of the third period after Knights general manager George Sharks forward Evander Kane (36 starts). 47 times last season. Stanley Cup fi nals. The Bruins “But he played well, gave up Binnington made the save on McPhee for the call. San Jose said, per ESPN.com.

BASKETBALL CSKA and Anadolu Efes reach Euroleague fi nal Reuters gave CSKA an 89-85 lead, with Cory Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain Higgins coolly sinking four free throws in the fi nal minute to send CSKA through. The opening match saw Anadolu Efes ontinental basketball heavy- stun their more heralded cross-town ri- weights CSKA Moscow and vals Fenerbahce, who sorely missed their fi rst-time fi nalists Anadolu Efes injured Italian forward Luigi Datome. Istanbul will clash for the Eu- The 26-year old Larkin, who had Croleague title today after beating their fringe roles at several NBA clubs, put last respective rivals in contrasting fashion season’s runners-up to the sword with a on Friday. majestic performance and Serbian guard CSKA rallied to edge last season’s Vasilije Micic added 25 points in a lop- champions Real Madrid 95-90 in a spec- sided contest. tacular Final Four contest after Anadolu Anadolu Efes scored 14 three-pointers Efes thumped city rivals Fenerbahce 92- and dominated the boards as they col- 73 on the back of 30 points, seven assists lected 41 rebounds to Fenerbahce’s 21, and as many rebounds by guard Shane carving out a 45-40 halftime lead after Larkin. CSKA got sweet revenge on Real their rivals had nosed ahead 20-19 at the for losing last season semi-fi nal, having end of the fi rst quarter. Larkin scored the turned the tide in the last fi ve minutes opening seven points for his team in the after trailing by as many as 13 points in second half and although Fenerbahce the second half. briefl y cut the gap to 57-53, Anadolu Efes Their guard Sergio Rodriguez came off pulled away to 64-55 shortly afterwards the bench to torment his former club Real and never looked back. with 23 points and his tally was matched “For me, to be able to do something by Frenchman Nando De Colo, while for- like this in my second season in Europe, ward Will Clyburn added 18. it’s amazing,” Larkin told reporters. “It was a tough game but we always “Hopefully now we can continue to knew it was going to be,” De Colo said make some history for our franchise and in a courtside interview. “We never gave win the championship. Not a lot of peo- up, we did a great job tonight and now we ple expected us to be here when the sea- have to shift our focus for Sunday’s fi nal.” son started, and we’re hungry to prove A 7-0 run forced the fi nal twist as it people wrong.” CSKA Moscow players and off icials celebrate their EuroLeague semi-final victory over Real Madrid at the Fernando Buesa Arena in Vitoria. (AFP) Gulf Times Sunday, May 19, 2019 7 CRICKET

INTERVIEW FOCUS World Cup can’t come soon enough Perfect mix of skills for Stokes

AFP boost for England, bidding to Nottingham, United Kingdom win the World Cup for the fi rst time, as it showed they could get out of a tight spot when their en Stokes is desperate ‘Plan A’ of blistering run-scor- and pace USP of our to get England’s World ing by their specialist batsmen Cup campaign under was not enough to win a game. way after guiding the “It’s always nice to get some Bteam to a series-clinching win time out in the middle and it’s over Pakistan. good to take some positives for- Stokes held his nerve follow- ward with the World Cup just ing a top-order collapse with an around the corner,” said Stokes. innings of 71 not out as England “As everyone knows, we gen- attack, says Shami eventually chased down a target erally seem to have a stinker of 341 in the last over of Friday’s somewhere in a series,” the Dur- ‘I don’t believe in making too many changes and neither do I underwork or overwork fourth one-day international at ham star added. “This could Trent Bridge. Victory gave Eng- have been that game for us but my body. Had been constantly in touch with the physio and whatever I feel, I always land an unassailable 3-0 series the confi dence we’ll take from lead ahead of Sunday’s fi nale at losing four quick wickets then tell the physio honestly so that the team doesn’t suff er’ Headingley. But for multi-for- still fi nishing off the game will mat players such as Stokes this stand us in great stead. IANS may be the least of England’s “The most confi dence I’ll take New Delhi achievements in a home season from that was being there at the featuring both the World Cup end. The one thing I wanted to and an Ashes series. do and not throw it away when ho would have “We were talking about this, we got to that winning position.” thought that after I think it might have been last A lively pace bowler when the 2015 World Cup night, how lucky we are as play- fully fi t, Stokes has sent down when Virat Kohli ers to be involved in a home a mere 13 overs during the Pa- Wand boys fl y down to England World Cup and home Ashes in kistan series ahead of Sunday’s to compete in the 2019 Cup, it the same summer, it’s very excit- match in Leeds. would be the Indian bowlers ing to think about,” said the all- Stokes saw his bowling in this and not the batters who would rounder. “I just want it to start. year’s Indian Premier League be the talking point. “We wanted to make sure our restricted by a hamstring injury But the change in perception focus was on this series and not and he is currently managing an did not happen overnight. It be thinking about the World Cup elbow problem. has taken a couple of years for and we’ve done a great job so far. With the likes of Jofra Archer, the Indian team management “We’d love to take the (Paki- Mark Wood, Liam Plunkett, to create a pool of fast bowl- stan) series 4-0 but, whatever David Willey and Tom Curran all ers who have the perfect mix of happens, it is a clean slate after keen to prove their worth ahead skills and pace to push opposi- Headingley and we need to con- of the World Cup, England do tion batsmen on the backfoot. centrate on the World Cup.” have plenty of other pace-bowl- If Kohli has a champion death Stokes’ innings was a timely ing options. bowler in Jasprit Bumrah, the captain has a genuine fast bowl- er who can swing the ball at top OPINION speed in Mohamed Shami. Not to forget the swing maes- tro in Bhuvneshwar Kumar. As a captain, Kohli could not have Shaun Marsh feels asked for a better pace battery as India look to stay true to the favourites tag and win their his Test career third 50-over title. Not just the team, but even cricket fanatics in the country may be over cannot wait for the trio to un- leash themselves on opposi- IANS tion batsmen and senior-most Melbourne pacer Mohamed Shami sums it up best. Speaking to IANS, Shami said enior Australia batsman that it was a matter of pride for Shaun Marsh believes the whole bowling unit to be that his Test career might considered a strength of this be over with the new World Cup squad. cropS of players cementing their Having seen batsmen domi- places. nate the scenes in Indian cricket Marsh, 35, was axed from Aus- over the years, Shami said it was tralia’s Test team last summer like a dream come true that this after a barren series with the bat team boasts of one of the best against world No.1 side India. pace-bowling attack that India He was subsequently not has ever produced. picked against Sri Lanka in the “In the last 20 or 30 years, following series. if you look back at the history “It is highly unlikely now with of Indian cricket, it has always Kings XI Punjab’s Mohamed Shami in action during an IPL match. (IANS) the guys coming in and perform- been dominated by the bats- ing how they did against Sri men. You cannot really blame ple talk about our bowling unit Shami said that he kept in the team so that they know how “I hadn’t been playing white- Lanka,” Marsh told The Courier the bowlers because the wick- as one of the best - a thing that constant touch with the Indian exactly the body is working. ball cricket for a while but in the Mail when asked if he feels he ets that were prepared in India wasn’t heard much, but is now team physio Patrick Farhart and This understanding in the In- series against Australia, I gained will play another Test. were also not helpful towards called our strength,” he ex- discussed how his body was re- dian team is really good and that in confi dence and just looked “I had a crack at it. They gave the bowlers. Things have start- plained. sponding to the rigours of play- helps,” he said. While Shami will to keep that going even in the me every opportunity to get it ed improving in the last fi ve to But fast bowling is not an art ing in the T20 league. More than be the guiding light for the Indi- IPL. Also, playing consistently right over the last 12 months af- seven years and to be honest that comes naturally to a human the games, it is the scheduling an attack in the upcoming World for KXIP helped me. Getting to ter the Ashes when I played re- it has been a process and not body and the chances of inju- that takes a toll on the body. Cup, there was a phase in the play day-in day-out helps you ally well. something that has happened ries are high. That is where the “I don’t believe in making last two years when it was felt perform and get the right mo- “Unfortunately, it did not overnight. We have been bowl- physio and medical team comes too many changes and neither that the pacer from Bengal had mentum. work out for me but the guys ing as a unit and that helps. in and ensures that a fast bowler do I underwork or overwork become a red-ball specialist. “I was just waiting for an op- who came in did well and proba- “The best part is that along is not overworked as that in- my body. Had been constantly But Shami says that he was portunity as I had a good record bly deserved a crack at the (2019) “I just did not have that with variety, we have an attack creases chances of an injury. in touch with the physio and waiting for his opportunity in white-ball cricket. Waited Ashes,” he said. throughout my career. Look, I that can bowl fast. Having skills In fact, going into the just whatever I feel, I always tell the and knew that when given the for almost two years and I had Marsh has featured in just 37 am still really proud of what I and pace together is the USP concluded Indian Premier physio honestly so that the team chance, he would have to grab it it in mind that when I did get Tests since 2011 due to poor form achieved. I played Tests for my of this side as that somewhere League, skipper Virat Kohli doesn’t suff er. No team should with both hands. He says that it the chance, I will show what I and injury. country and played in some increases the confi dence of the had time and again warned the suff er due to an individual. So, was all about reminding people could do. Always knew that I “I just did not manage to fi nd wonderful series wins. There attack. To be honest, it is like a Indian players not to overwork I believe it is important that that his white-ball record is just can adapt to the shorter format the consistency that good players were some lows, but also some dream that has come true and I themselves and be smart and you keep a transparent relation as enviable as his red-ball per- and bowl the line and length re- have,” said Marsh, who has scored great highs which I will cherish feel very proud that today peo- manage their workload. with the doctor and physio in formances. quired to succeed,” he revealed. six Test centuries and 10 ducks. forever,” he added.

SPOTLIGHT Roy reveals baby drama aft er century against Pakistan AFP my family,” added Roy, who returned out at the end will give him lots of event now just a matter of weeks Nottingham, United Kingdom to hospital after a three-wicket win, confi dence. It was great to see him away. “With the bat, with the ball, although his daughter’s condition is play in that fashion,” said England I love his character. He just wants not believed to be serious. stand-in captain Jos Buttler. to be involved in the game, he had a ason Roy was at a loss to “It was my little one. We had Wicket-keeper Buttler, leading fantastic day,” added Buttler. explain how he had scored to take her to hospital at 1:30 in the side while regular captain Eoin Curran, however, might have a match-winning century the morning. I stayed there until Morgan served a one-game ban for been run out for six had either Pa- against Pakistan following 8:30am, came back for a couple of the team’s slow over-rate in Bris- kistan or the umpires spotted that anJ overnight visit to hospital with hours sleep and got to the ground tol, also praised Roy by saying: “It’s a second direct hit in the same pas- his baby daughter. just before warm-up and cracked great to watch Jason go about his sage of play had dislodged the one Roy’s superb 114 was the cen- on.” work too. He’s been in great form remaining bail as he scrambled to trepiece of England’s chase as they England were cruising to a target and he was desperate to go on to his complete a run. beat Pakistan at Trent Bridge on of 341 while Roy was at the crease hundred.” Pakistan captain Sarfraz Ahmed, Friday to go 3-0 up with one to play but, after comfortable wins at While Roy was named man-of- who did not appeal for the Curran in a one-day international series. Southampton and Bristol, his dis- the-match, the award could have run-out was left regretting that Yet Roy’s eighth century at this missal sparked a collapse that saw gone to his Surrey team-mate Tom decision but the wicket-keeper level came in trying circumstances, three wickets lost for seven runs in Curran. was arguably more frustrated by his with the Surrey opening batsman 10 balls. And when Moeen Ali was The paceman took four for 75 in team’s succession of costly fi elding saying he’d been more worried out for a duck, England were 216 for Pakistan’s 340 for seven, includ- errors. about daughter Everly than piling fi ve. ing the wicket of century-maker “We had enough runs on the up the runs. Babar Azam, and, batting at No 8, board and if we fi eld well we win “It was a very emotional hun- ‘SOAK UP THE PRESSURE’ made 31 in a key stand of 61 with this game,” said Sarfraz. dred. I didn’t see it coming,” Roy But Ben Stokes’s unbeaten 71 even- Stokes. “The coach told me (about the told BBC Radio’s Test Match Spe- tually saw England win with three It all strengthened Curran’s case run-out). I thought both bails had cial. balls to spare. for a place in tournament hosts come out, I hope that if the third “I had a bit of a rough morning so “For Ben to soak up that pres- England’s fi nal 15-man squad for umpire seen it on the television he England’s Jason Roy celebrates his century during the fourth One Day International against this one is a special one for me and sure, come through it and be not the World Cup. with the showpiece would tell the umpires as well.” Pakistan at Trent Bridge in Nottingham. (AFP)

Sunday, May 19, 2019 GULF TIMES SPORT

TENNIS Aspetar and PSG organise second ‘Striving for Nadal downs Tsitsipas Excellence’ summit in Paris Doha: Aspetar, the ortho- paedic and sports medicine to reach fi nal, Konta hospital and Paris Saint- Germain are co-organising the second edition of ‘Striving for Excellence’ summit scheduled to take place tomorrow and on Tuesday at the Parc des Princes stadium in Paris. The two-day international faces Pliskova for title summit is dedicated to sports performance, sports medicine and analytics. brings together world’s leading experts and ‘I played a solid match against a good player who is winning a lot of matches on this surface’ internationally renowned researchers. Participants will AFP address a range of topics Rome including tailoring training sessions to individuals, injury prevention and the role of efending champion Rafael tracking data in improving Nadal swept past Greece’s team performance. Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-3, 6-4 to Aspetar renowned experts advance to his 50th Masters participated in the summit led fiD nal and fi rst on clay this season at the by Dr Abdulaziz Jaham al-ku- Italian Open yesterday. The eight-time wari, Chief Executive Off icer, Rome winner had been stunned by Tsit- including Dr Hakim Chalabi, sipas, seeded eighth, in the semi-fi nals Assistant Director General for at the Madrid Open last weekend. International Medical Aff airs, But the 32-year-old Spaniard was Prof Gerard Saillant, Dr Ulrike clinical on the red clay of the Foro Ital- Muschaweck, Dr Cristiano ico, winning through in 1hr 42min to Eirale, Dr Yorck Olaf Schu- reach the fi nal for the 11th time. “It’s an macher, Dr Mathew Wilson, important victory for me,” said Nadal. Dr Johannes Tol, Dr Gian- “I played a solid match against a good nicola Bisciotti, and Dr Zarko player who is winning a lot of matches Vuckovic on this surface. Last week I didn’t play The international summit is very well in Madrid. Today I did better.” a leading platform for discuss- Nadal, seeded second, was playing ing the best ways to optimise his fourth straight semi-fi nal, but had athlete and team perform- not managed to go further on clay this ance and perfectly aligns with season. But he has not dropped a set so Aspetar’s mission. far this week and next plays either world The conference will bring number one Novak Djokovic or Argen- together global experts and tine Diego Schwartzman, who meet in specialists in diff erent major the second semi-fi nal. football leagues, sports medi- Nadal’s run to the Rome fi nal comes cine and sports analytics. just a week before he starts his assault Organising such meetings on a 12th French Open title at Roland reflects Aspetar’s focused Garros. “The feeling is that I am play- strategy to be a global leader ing better every week, every day. That’s in sports medicine and exer- important for me,” he said. “It’s not a cise science by 2020 and to drama to lose in semi-fi nals. The main assist athletes both to achieve thing is recover my level. I say in Madrid maximum performance and I was playing better, then I played a bad fulfil their full potential. match in the semi-fi nals, true. The summit follows the “But my feeling, especially after my Britain’s Johanna Konta is ecstatic after her win over Dutch Kiki Bertens in the semi-finals of the Italian Open in Rome yesterday. (AFP) recent success of the loss against (Dominic) Thiem in the International Conference semi-fi nals of Barcelona, I think my to explain his performance as he fell to Karolina Pliskova in 88 minutes. Sakka- ner Kiki Bertens 5-7, 7-5, 6-2 after al- said Konta. “She’s able to perform on all on Medicine and Science in personal feeling improved and my en- his fourth defeat in fi ve matches against ri, a 39th-ranked Rome qualifi er, had most three hours to set-up a Sunday surfaces. She’s able to really show up to Athletics held in Doha from ergy came back a little bit. I’ve been Nadal. “I’m just trying to realise what I won her fi rst WTA title on clay at the fi nal clash with Pliskova. every match. She’s very diffi cult to play May 3 to 5t and organised through some tough moments after In- did wrong,” said Tsitsipas, “because, I Moroccan Open when she beat Britain’s Dutchwoman Bertens, the sixth seed, in that sense because she has a big serve, by Aspetar and attended by dian Wells. Recovery of the knee again... mean, it was just one break in each set, Johanna Konta. “I think I ran out of gas,” had advanced to the semi-fi nals after she has big shots, but she’s also back- hundreds of medical person- was not easy to come back and to pre- if I’m not wrong.” said the 23-year-old. world number one Naomi Osaka of Ja- ing it up with being incredibly astute nel who benefited by hearing pare myself the right way.” Fellow Greek Maria Sakkari’s run was Konta, ranked 42, fought back from pan retired with a hand injury before on court. It’s a fi nal of a tournament, so from a selection of world-re- Tsitsipas, meanwhile, who lost the also halted in the women’s tournament a set down to seal victory on her fourth their match on Friday. “Karolina’s been you’re not going to have an easy match nowned speakers and experts Madrid fi nal to Djokovic, was at a loss as she fell 6-4, 6-4 to Czech fourth seed match point against Madrid Open win- at the top of the game for years now,” whoever you play.” in the field of athletics.

FOCUS MOTOGP Ewan ends run of near-misses Marquez matches Rossi pole record at Le Mans, then crashes to win Giro eighth stage sprint AFP “Today was one of those days youngest rider to take pole in a Le Mans, France when it wasn’t funny to be a rider MotoGP, were left disappointed. AFP because in these conditions you The Yamaha-SRT rookie will Pesaro, Italy don’t know whether to stick on set off from 10th on the grid. The orld champion Marc wet or dry tyres,” said Marquez second row of the grid features Marquez drew lev- who holds a one-point advantage Italian trio Andrea Dovizioso ustralia’s Caleb Ewan celebrated el with Valentino over Suzuki rival Alex Rins in the (Ducati), Rossi (Yamaha) and wildly after storming a bunch Rossi’s record 55 overall standings. Rins trailed in Franco Morbidelli (Yamaha- sprint to win stage eight of the WMotoGP poles with the quick- only 19th yesterday. SRT). Riders will be keeping a Giro d’Italia yesterday after com- est time in yesterday’s qualify- “With this light rain it’s re- careful watch on the weather for ingA close to victory three times already in the ing for the French Grand Prix at ally hard. In qualifying we knew the race which is due off at 1200 opening week. Chief contenders for overall Le Mans. The session was staged we had to push on the fi rst lap GMT. In Moto 2, Spain’s Jorge Giro victory, Britain’s Simon Yates, form in changeable conditions which when there was the least water on Navarro of Speed Up grabbed favourite Primoz Roglic, Italy’s Vincenzo made tyre choice a complex af- track. Then with more water on pole from Switzerland’s Thomas Nibali and Colombian climber Miguel An- fair, as underlined by Marquez track it got more diffi cult,” added Luthi on a Kalex with compatriot gel Lopez all fi nished in the bunch with the posting the fastest lap only to Marquez after his third pole in Alex Marquez, also on a Kalex, same time on the run from Tortoreto Lido to then fall off his Honda. fi ve races this season. “I’m happy taking third spot. World champi- Pesaro. The Spaniard quickly climbed with this pole because it was a onship leader Lorenzo Baldassari Italy’s Valerio Conti, of the UAE Emirate back on board to continue un- day where you could easily start of Italy starts in seventh. Team, who took the pink jersey on stage six, scathed having posted his pole- from the back if you weren’t care- Scotland’s John McPhee remains in the overall lead for a third day. securing time of 1min 40.952sec ful. Now we see what the weather claimed pole in Moto 3 from Tony The 24-year-old Ewan, of the Lotto-Soudal early in the session when the does tomorrow!” Arbolino of Italy and Japan’s Ai team, produced an astonishing burst of pow- circuit was still relatively dry. He French fans eager to see home Ogura in a Honda front row lock- er to relegate Italy’s Elia Viviani to second was joined on the front row by hope Fabio Quartararo replicate out. McPhee became the fi rst and Bora-hansgrohe’s Pascal Ackermann, Ducati duo Danilo Petrucci and his fi ne performance in qualify- rider to progress from Q1 to then who has two wins on this Giro, to third. Jack Miller for today’s fi fth leg of ing in Jerez a fortnight ago, when go on to take pole position in the “I have a lot of pressure to win races (since Team Lotto rider Australia’s Caleb Ewan (second) sprints to victory in the eighth stage of the season. the 20-year-old became the sport. his move from Michelton-Scott) and to win the 102nd Giro d’Italia cycling race, 239km from Tortoreto Lido to Pesaro. (AFP) here means the absolute world to me,” said Ewan, who had fi nished in the top fi ve on ted he was roundly beaten by a stronger man I was well protected. I think I will keep the three occasions in the fi rst seven stages of on the day. “He looked really strong. You can Maglia Rosa also tomorrow after the time this year’s Giro. see how strong he accelerated in the sprint. trial,” he predicted. The day was marked by two powerful roll- Caleb was the strongest today,” he said after ers launching a sustained long-range break the race. Today’s stage could prove to be key EIGHTH STAGE RESULTS with a 34.8km individual time-trial awaiting from the opening minutes with Marco Frap- 1. Caleb Ewan (AUS/Lotto) 5hrs 43min 32sec., porti and Damiano Cima spending 200km the riders with poor weather and undulating 2. Elia Viviani (ITA/DEC) same time., 3. Pascal out in front. The diminutive Ewan’s new terrain expected on the road to San Marino. Ackermann (GER/BOR) s.t., 4. Fabio Sabatini team had spent much of the day keeping tabs Providing an extra twist today will be a 6.5 on their long range escape however, signal- % incline over one of the fi nal sections, a po- (ITA/DEC) s.t., 5. Manuel Belletti (ITA/AND) s.t., ling their intent and the powerfully built tential foretaste of the mountainous sections 6. Arnaud Démare (FRA/FDJ) s.t., 7. Davide Sydneysider was overcome with emotion af- which have been packed in to the latter part Cimolai (ITA/ICA) s.t., 8. Marco Canola (ITA/ ter several near misses so far. of the Giro. Team Ineos, formerly Team Sky, NIP) s.t., 9. Giacomo Nizzolo (ITA/TRE) s.t., 10. “We have been trying to win every day, have two climb specialists in Tao Geoghe- Rudi Selig (GER/BOR) s.t. and I’m happy to repay the team,” said the gan Hart and Pavel Sivakov, both of whom Overall standings: 1. Valerio Conti (ITA/UAE visibly relieved Ewan, nicknamed the Pock- recently impressed at the Tour of the Alps, Emirates) 35hrs 13min 06sec, 2. Jose Joaquin et Rocket. “I wasn’t feeling that good, so I primed for the latter stages of the Tour and Rojas (ESP/MOV) at 1:32, 3. Giovanni Carboni waited and had a good kick and came round both fi nished safely in the pack again today. (ITA/BAR) 1:41, 4. Nans Peters (FRA/ALM) 2:09, them (Akermann and Viviani).” Overall leader Conti said he wanted to keep 5. Valentin Madouas (FRA/FDJ) 2:17, 6. Amaro This was Ewan’s second stage win on the the home fans happy by keeping hold of the Antunes (POR/CCC) 2:45, 7. Fausto Masnada Giro, two years after his fi rst and he also has Pink Jersey. (ITA/AND) 3:14, 8. Pieter Serry (BEL/DEC) 3:25, a Vuelta win on 2015 but has yet to clinch a “It was a hard fi nale today because of dan- 9. Audrey Amador (CRC/MOV) 3:27, 10. Sam win on the Tour de France. Ackerman admit- gerous downhills. But I have a big team and Oomen (NED/SUN) 4:57,11 Honda’s Spanish rider Marc Marquez competes during qualifying for the French MotoGP yesterday in Le Mans, northwestern France. (AFP)