FOOTBALL | Page 2 TENNIS | Page 10 It’s Real vs Andy Murray To Advertise here Call: 444 11 300, 444 66 621 City and dumps Raonic, Atletico vs Federer beaten Bayern by Tsonga

Saturday, April 16, 2016 FOOTBALL Rajab 9, 1437 AH ‘Miracle’ Klopp GULF TIMES brings belief back to Liverpool SPORT Page 4 FOOTBALL/QSL SPOTLIGHT Qatar Sports Club Lekhwiya pip Mesaimeer

By Sports Reporter enough heart in recent weeks to Doha suggest they’ll have enough to chal- lenge for promotion from the Qa- relegated aft er tar Gas League next season. Their ekhwiya rounded off their points tally, however, is the lowest Qatar Stars League season in the QSL since Al Sailiya took only with a 2-1 win over bottom four during the 2003/04 season. side Mesaimeer yesterday. Meanwhile, Al Khor ended their LLekhwiya had already sealed fourth season on a high, defeating Al place and yesterday’s victory only Gharafa 1-0 in a feisty game. Al Khor helped them bag three points with- grabbed the only goal of the tie ten Wakrah draw out any improvement in their posi- minutes from time through South tion. Korean defender Heo Jae-won, who Wakrah came out rejuvenated in the second half and a moment of magic from Mesaimeer took the lead early as scored his fi rst goal for the club. they aimed to claim only their sec- Jean Fernandez’s side where the midfielder Mouhcine Moutouali saw the Blue Waves take the lead in the 51st minute ond win of a miserable maiden sea- better team and created two clear son in the QSL. Erivelto Silva put cut chances in the fi rst half. First By Sports Reporter Qatar Sports Club with honours even at 0-0. Rodion Gacanin’s men in front in up Heo Jae-won’s acrobatic eff ort Doha players react after Wakrah came out rejuvenated in the the ninth minute with a header for brought a good save from Gharafa their draw with second half and a moment of magic his eighth goal of the season. keeper Yousef Hassan. Wakrah yesterday. from midfi elder Mouhcine Moutouali Lekhwiya huff ed and puff ed, and At the stroke of half-time, Bra- atar Sports Club have been saw the Blue Waves take the lead in fi nally got their equaliser in the 70th zilian striker Madson’s rasping free relegated to the Qatargas the 51st minute. A swift turn of pace minute. Mohammed Muntari lev- kick was pushed onto the post. The League for the fi rst time saw the Moroccan attacker breeze past elled the game with a fi ne run and ball fell kindly to the onrushing in their history following three Kings defenders before a com- shot. Waleed Mohyaden. However the de- aQ 1-1 draw with Al Wakrah yesterday posed fi nish past stopper Mohamed And Djamel Belmadi’s men fender lacked composure and sent evening. Daniel Carando’s header in Mubarak. grabbed a winner in the 87th minute his shot well over the bar; the fi rst the 54th minute wasn’t enough for Se- Qatar SC sprang into action, and when Afi f hammered the ball into half ended honors even at 0-0. bastio Lazaroni’s side to claw their way grabbed an equalizer just two minutes the roof of the net after a scramble Al Khor grabbed a deserved win- out of trouble despite Al Kharaitiyat later. A superb cross from Vecchio was inside the Mesaimeer box. The goal ner in the 80th minute. A sharp losing 3-2 to Umm Salal. met by the head of Carrando. His ef- was Afi f’s fi rst of the season. Waleed Mohyaden cross found its The Kings showed their attack- fort crushed onto the underside of the The result confi rmed fourth spot way to Heo Jae-won who was un- ing intent as early as the fi rst minute. bar, before being bundled in by Hassan for Lekhwiya, who will face champi- marked in the box. The South Ko- Carrando’s snap shot from outside the Dicho. ons Al Rayyan in the Qatar Cup. rean defender stabbed the ball into box was comfortably taken by Hassan With Al Kharaitiyat losing, Qatar SC Mesaimeer fi nish the campaign the back of the net, to the delight of Dicho in the Wakrah goal. Qatar SC just needed a winner to confi rm their with only six points but have shown head coach Jean Fernandez. slowly grew in confi dence in the fi rst status in the QSL for another season. half, but lacked the killer instinct in Lazaroni willed his side on to pour front of goal. forward in attack, and could have paid Indeed Carrando was guilty of miss- dividends had central defender Rafi k ing two golden opportunities to put his Halliche been able to stretch a little side in the lead in the space of a minute. further and poke the ball into the net First a pinpoint free-kick from Vecchio from a fi ne Emiliano Vecchio cross. found the Argentine hit-man, but his Despite pushing forward, the Kings poked eff ort drew a good save from where open on the counter attack, and Hassan Dicho. A minute later a Sha- Argentine striker Sasha could HAVE neen Ali cross fell to Carrando but his put the tie to bed had his fi erce shot tame shot was again claimed by Hassan found the back of the net and not rat- Dicho. tled the cross-bar. Midfi elder Emiliano Vecchio was Increasingly Qatar SC where looking pulling the strings in the Kings mid- desperate and piled players forward to fi eld, with the former Colo-Colo man get that one crucial goal. It proved to be knocking the ball into the Wakrah too little too late for the Kings, as the box. Unfortunately for him none of his referee blew the fi nal whistle sending team-mates were on hand to score the Qatar SC to the Qatar Gas League for vital opener, and the fi rst half ended the 2016/2017 season.

BOTTOMLINE

El Jaish take second spot Action from the QSL match between Lekhwiya and Mesaimeer yesterday. PROMISE aft er 2-2 Sadd stalemate Blatter ‘available to By Sports Reporter Doha Al Sadd coach Jesualdo Ferreira defend FIFA’ at US looks dejected after his side l Jaish took second place in failed to beat El Jaish yesterday. the Qatar Stars League after a corruption trial thrilling 2-2 draw with Al Sadd at the Qatar Sports Club Stadi- Eum. Al Rayyan had sealed the fi rst spot But on Thursday, the US judge AFP weeks ago, leaving other teams to battle Zurich overseeing the corruption scandal it out for lower placings. postponed setting a trial date until Yesterday, Abderrazak Hamdal- after prosecutors share the bulk of lah opened the scoring for El Jaish in ormer FIFA president Sepp evidence being collated in the mas- the thirteenth minute. The Moroc- Blatter told AFP yesterday sive investigation. can striker received a cross at the edge he “is available” to appear as Blatter, with European football of the box and then bulldozed his way a witness at a United States chief Michel Platini, was banned through the Al Sadd defence before trialF into mass corruption at world from all football activities for eight putting his shot away from inside the football’s ruling body. years in December over an infamous six-yard box. The goal takes Hamdal- “Yes. When they need me to de- two million Swiss franc ($2 million, lah’s tally to twenty one goals this sea- fend FIFA, I will be available,” Blat- 1.8 million euro) payment Platini son making him the top scorer in the ter said, when asked if he would be received in 2011 from the then-FIFA QSL. prepared to attend the trial into the president. Al Sadd then made a quick comeback sweeping bribery scandal that has The suspensions were cut to six in the second half scoring two goals in sparked an unprecedented crisis in years in February. quick succession. The equalising goal world football. Blatter, since replaced as FIFA came from captain Xavi Hernandez in Baghdad Bounedjah gave Al Sadd the right footed swerving shot gave Kha- during a corner kick and the ball fell US prosecutors were hoping the president by Gianni Infantino, is the 56th minute. Abdelkarim Hassan lead in the 75th minute. The Algerian lifa Ababacar, El Jaish’s goal keeper, no to him just inside the box before he hearing of 39 offi cials and marketing awaiting a date for an appeal against sent in a cross which Xavi slotted into striker received the ball outside the chance. smashed it into the goal on a half volley. executives accused of soliciting and his ban to the Court of Arbitration the goal from a narrow angle as he slid box dribbled it in, cut past a defender In the seventy eighth minute El Jaish The draw gave El Jaish 48 points af- receiving tens of millions of dollars for Sport (CAS). into the six-yard box. before sending it into the goal from in equalized through Lucas Mendes. The ter 26 matches, while Al Sadd fi nished in bribes and kickbacks would begin Platini was told yesterday his CAS Just moments after the fi rst goal, between two defenders. The powerful Brazilian defender was left unmarked third on 47. in February 2017. appeal will be heard on April 29. Gulf Times 2 Saturday, April 16, 2016 FOOTBALL

DRAW REACTION Bayern wary of ‘monsters of It’s Real vs City and passion’ Atletico Atletico vs Bayern in CL semi-fi nals Atletico, winners over defending champions Barcelona in the quarter-finals, and Bayern have met once before in European action, in the 1974 final AFP “He’s perhaps one of the best Berlin coaches in the world. “Over ten years Atletico didn’t beat Real Madrid, then Simeone ep Guardiola (pictured) arrived and changed all that.” and Xabi Alonso think Bayern’s veteran Spain inter- Bayern Munich will have national midfi elder Alonso said their work cut out when the Germans can expect a tough Pthey face ‘monsters of passion’ test in Madrid and only a good Atletico Madrid away in their performance will silence the local Champions League semi-fi nal, support. fi rst leg. “Like Pep, Simeone has a lot Madrid host the fi rst leg at their of passion. He’s a good coach, cauldron-like Vicente Calderon but we’ll have to blend all of that stadium on April 27 before the re- out and focus on ourselves,” said turn leg at Munich’s Allianz Arena Alonso. on May 3. “If we play well, then the at- “The atmosphere there is the mosphere won’t be a deciding best in Europe,” Bayern’s Guar- factor. diola said of the Atletico ground in “They don’t concede many a press conference in Munich. goals and there is always an un- “I am very curious about this believable atmosphere for home game, it will be big experience for matches. all the players and the fans there “We want to make sure we get a will support their team for the full good result from the fi rst leg.” 90 minutes,” added Guardiola. Sammer says Bayern will face He has a perfect record of seven two ‘monsters of passion’ in Champions League semi-fi nal Atletico and Simeone. appearances in seven years with “It will be extreme against both Barcelona (from 2008-2012) Atletico and we have a lot of re- and Bayern (2013-16). spect, but we also have a few play- But Guardiola was full of praise ers who can stop them and limit for Atletico’s Argentinian coach the tempo,” said Bayern director Diego Simeone, who steered his of sport Matthias Sammer. team to the 2014 Champions “Atletico are monsters of pas- League fi nal and knocked Barce- sion, they are honest and authen- lona out in the quarter-fi nals. tic, from what I have seen.” While Atletico’s forwards Fern- Bayern host Schalke on Sat- ando Torres and Antoine Griez- urday in the Bundesliga holding Clemente Villaverde, Managing Director of Atletico Madrid (L) shakes hand with Andreas Jung of Bayern Munich after the draw of the UEFA Champions League semi-finals in mann tend to grab the headlines, a seven point lead over second- Nyon, Switzerland, yesterday. Guadiola said Madrid’s Uruguay placed Borussia Dortmund. defender Diego Godin and Slov- Sammer says Bayern cannot af- AFP Bayern have met once before in European FIXTURES having a great season and we were able to enian goalkeeper Jan Oblak are the ford to give any more points away Nyon, Switzerland action, in the 1974 fi nal. The Bundesliga knock them out. reasons they concede few goals. in their bid to become the fi rst side ran out 4-0 winners in the replay fol- 1st leg “We are optimistic, but I repeat the key Guardiola praised Simeone, club to win four straight Bundes- lowing an initial 1-1 draw. April 26: Manchester City (ENG) v is solidity.” who took charge in 2011, for turn- liga titles. ep Guardiola avoided his future Bayern striker Robert Lewandowski Real Madrid (ESP) Emilio Butragueno, Real’s director of ing Atletico from Spanish league He is convinced Dortmund’s employers as Manchester City said the Bundesliga team would be wary April 27: Atletico Madrid (ESP) v institutional relations, said City would be also-rans to the team which hum- dramatic 4-3 defeat to Liverpool were yesterday drawn to play Real of Atletico. Bayern Munich (GER) very motivated given they had never made bled Champions League holders in the Europa League quarter- Madrid in the semi-fi nals of the “@Atleti did show the strength in the 2nd leg the last-four before. Barcelona. fi nal, second leg, will only serve ChampionsP League while Atletico Madrid match with Barcelona. We must maintain May 3: “In the semi-fi nals any opponent will “I never trained with him or to boost their domestic perform- Bayern Munich (GER) v will face the Spaniard’s Bayern Munich. maximum concentration,” the Polish in- Atletico Madrid (ESP) be a great team and we are speaking about played against him (during my ances. “I say with full conviction; Guardiola takes over as City boss next ternational tweeted. May 4: Real Madrid (ESP) v Man- players of the highest quality that can set- career), I don’t know him and I’ve Dortmund will not give any more season after three years at Bayern in which Bayern’s Spain international Javi Mar- chester City (ENG) tle a game themselves in (David) Silva, spoken to him perhaps twice,” said points away,” he said. he has steered the Bavarian giants to the tinez added: “That will be a diffi cult game The final will take place at Milan’s (Kevin) De Bruyne and (Sergio) Aguero,” Guardiola. “Their mourning from yester- last four in Europe on each of his three against a strong opponent.” San Siro stadium on May 28. Butragueno told BeIN Sports Spain. “But his players do exactly what day will be converted into energy, years in charge. Clemente Villaverde, Atletico’s director “We need to play two games at a very he wants and they follow him so Saturday’s game against Schal- “Spanish teams are always strong in the of football, called on his team to “maintain high level if we want to get to the fi nal in without any doubts. ke is like a fi nal for us.” Champions League and I have seen in the that reliability we have shown all season”. team that has won the competition the Milan.” Asked whether it was the best last few years how strong Atletico are in For outgoing Manchester City boss most times. “But we have got this far and draw possible for Real, Butragueno said: the Spanish league,” Guardiola said. Manuel Pellegrini, the semi-fi nal will be we want to keep dreaming.” “I remember being here exactly a year ago ELECTION “They have a good mentality under a return to the club he managed in 2009- Begiristain added: “They have shown and everyone said afterwards we had been their coach (Diego) Simeone and have 10. City’s only games against Real, un- that in the second leg at the Bernabeu they very lucky to avoud Bayern and Barca, but good players going forward in (Fern- beaten in their last eight games against can be unstoppable. Juventus ended up eliminating us. ando) Torres and (Antoine) Griezmann. English clubs and in the semi-fi nals for “We need to be solid defensively, as we “The two games will be very evenly bal- German FA votes Simeone is one of the best coaches in the a record sixth successive time, were in have been in the Champions League re- anced. We can think playing at the Bernabeu world and his team is one of the best in the 2012-13 group stage. They drew 1-1 at cently against Dinamo Kiev and PSG. gives us a certain advantage. But this is our Europe.” home and lost 3-2 away. “Clearly they (Real) are (favourites), sixth consecutive semi-fi nal and in the fi ve politician Grindel Atletico, winners over defending cham- City’s sporting director Txiki Be- this is their 26th semi-fi nal, their sixth previous to this we have played away fi rst pions Barcelona in the quarter-fi nals, and giristain said: “It’s a great tie against the in a row, but we are very capable. PSG are three times and never made it to the fi nal.” as new president BOTTOMLINE AFP 2006 World Cup fi nals. Munich Grindel will attend Germany’s Euro 2016 matches in France as the world champions look to add he German Football As- the European crown to their Bra- sociation (DFB) yesterday zil 2014 World Cup triumph. PSG coach Blanc claims his job voted Reinhard Grindel, a But behind the scenes, he must member of Germany’s repair the damage done to the Tparliament, to become the 12th DFB’s reputation both at home president of the scandal-hit body and abroad, plus settle the inter- behind the world champions. nal squabbles between the DFB’s is always under threat The 54-year-old, the only can- amateur and professional repre- didate running to head the Ger- sentatives. AFP signed at PSG,” Blanc told a press con- man FA, was voted in with 250 After his appointment, Grin- Paris ference yesterday. ‘yes’ votes with only four dele- del basked in the applause, tak- “You know that a coach is always in gates voting ‘no’ and one absten- ing congratulations from German the hot seat, the only thing that gives tion at an extraordinary general legend Uwe Seeler and the coach- aurent Blanc (pictured) claimed you immunity from that is winning, meeting in Frankfurt. ing staff . yesterday that his job has been and the last game we lost, and did not His position now needs to be He insisted the meeting is a in danger since he joined Paris qualify.” ratifi ed at the next annual Ger- new start. Saint-Germain as coach, after PSG are still well-placed to success- man FA conference on November “This extraordinary meeting Lhis team bowed out of the Champions fully defend their trio of domestic tro- 4. is a turning point which means League with a quarter-fi nal defeat to phies, having already wrapped up the He replaces Wolfgang football will take centre stage Manchester City. Ligue 1 title in record time, and with a Niersbach, who resigned last No- again,” said Grindel. The Frenchman led PSG to a domestic French League Cup fi nal and a French vember in the wake of the scandal “The next stage will have a treble of Ligue 1, French Cup and French Cup semi-fi nal to look forward too. around the awarding of the 2006 sporting aspect and I will be with League Cup titles last season, but the They will look to take out their Eu- World Cup fi nals. the players during the European main objective for the club’s billionaire ropean frustrations on Caen when they Grindel, a former lawyer and championships. owners, Qatar Sports Investments, re- return to league action at the Parc des journalist, will now stand down “I have international obliga- mains to conquer Europe. Princes today. as a member of the Bundestag, tions at congresses with UEFA The capital city side became the Infl uential midfi elder Marco Ver- Germany’s parliament, for An- and FIFA. fi rst team to ever exit the Champions ratti missed Tuesday’s second leg at the gela Merkel’s CDU party, and step “But essentially we need to League in the quarters for four succes- Etihad Stadium, and Blanc says that a up to the top role having been make sure that all the mandates sive seasons with a 3-2 aggregate loss comeback for the injured Italian is not treasurer of the DFB for the last from the (DFB’s) strategy papers to City. imminent. three years. are carried out. After expressing his delight at avoid- “Marco is following his programme, Grindel has stepped in after “It’s about working on the sub- ing ‘the ogres of European football’ in every day is an extra step forwards for Niersbach resigned over accusa- stantive issues and we will do so Barcelona and Bayern Munich in the last him, but a return against Caen on Satur- tions the DFB used a slush fund with great energy.” eight, Blanc is now under pressure after day is inconceivable for me,” Blanc said. of 10 million Swiss franc (6.7 mil- But Grindel has been criticised failing to make the most of the supposed Verratti has not played for the club lion euro, $8 million, according to for keeping a low profi le when favourable draw. since a 4-1 league win over Reims on the exchange rate at that time) in the 2006 World Cup scandal fi rst “I have been in danger ever since I February 20. 2000 to buy the right to host the broke. Gulf Times Saturday, April 16, 2016 3 FOOTBALL

PREVIEW SPOTLIGHT Leicester must win title to go down in Leicester promise history: Ranieri no let-up in quest for EPL crown Tottenham, should Leicester win, could find themselves 10 points adrift by the time they kick-off away to Stoke on Monday AFP a healthy lead into their fi nal fi ve London games of their season, starting with West Ham. Their success was recognised laudio Ranieri (pic- this week when three Foxes tured) warned his players - N’Golo Kante, Riyad Leicester City players Mahrez and Jamie Vardy - were yesterday that their re- included on the shortlist for the Cmarkable Premier League title PFA player of the season award. challenge will be forgotten unless And Ranieri says it is impos- they claim the trophy. sible to choose between the trio. The Foxes are odds-on favour- He said: “I am very proud be- ites to fi nish the season on top cause they deserve it. They are after mounting the most amaz- doing a fantastic performance ing title bid in the history of the in every match and I hope one of Premier League. them can win. But despite their season cap- “They are like three sons for turing the imagination of the me. If one son wins I am very football public, the manager has happy.” insisted they will only go down in Last weekend’s victory at history if they hold off the chal- Sunderland secured a top-four lenge from Tottenham Hotspur fi nish for Leicester which, bar- and claim top spot. ring a Champions League title “We made a good story, but for Manchester City, guarantees to make something you will re- a place in the Champions League member in 30 or 40 years we qualifi ers. have to win,” said Ranieri, whose But Ranieri is still refusing to side host West Ham United on discuss a title challenge until his Sunday. players have gone a step further “We don’t achieve anything and secured automatic entry to yet. We have to fi ght to achieve the group stages. the Champions League. He said: “I love to hear the “Football is very strange. If Champions League music but you weren’t here in Leicester but now we have to fi ght again. somewhere else, maybe Chelsea “No, we are in the ‘previews’ or Manchester United, with sev- but we have to fi ght again to en points more, you would say ‘it achieve the Champions League. is fi nished’. “I am very focused on the next “At this moment you don’t game. I want to focus on West think this. Why? Because we Ham. are Leicester. We have to fi ght “You have a short memory. and we have to be focused and What we have now is the quali- strong.” fi ers of the Champions League Jamie Vardy celebrates with Riyad Mahrez after scoring the first goal for Leicester City during their English Premier League soccer match against Newcastle United at St James’ Leicester have lost just three - one match. I want to play six Park in Newcastle in this November 21, 2015 file photo. Both players have made the shortlist for the Professional Footballers’ Association Players’ Player of the Year award. games all season and will carry matches.”

AFP the back of the club’s performances this Their fans have already won a ‘victory’ At the other end of the table, Nor- London season—said there was no great mystery of sorts after a social media campaign wich will relegate basement club As- Pochettino calls for trust in offi cials to the team’s unity. forced offi cials to pull Leicester-based ton Villa before the Birmingham side “There isn’t a secret to the dressing- referee Kevin Friend from their match face Manchester United on Saturday if Reuters, London: Tottenham the referee and Pochettino eicester’s Danny Drinkwater has room camaraderie, it’s just that we’re a amid concerns he might be perceived to they avoid defeat in the early kick-off Hotspur manager Mauricio agreed with his north London insisted there will be no change bunch of lads that get along,” said the favour Stoke because of the Foxes’ posi- match against fellow strugglers Sun- Pochettino has urged for trust counterpart. in the club’s approach as they 26-year-old former Manchester United tion. derland. to be placed in match off icials “We never complained and I eye a remarkable Premier League trainee. Such is Leicester’s rock-solid form Today will also see Manchester City after Leicester City fan Kevin want to say that we trust the titleL success. Three Leicester players—Vardy, Riyad that Tottenham’s hopes of landing a look to continue their quest for a top- Friend was replaced as the referee. It wasn’t our decision. The Midlands club were 5,000/1 out- Mahrez and N’Golo Kante—made up 50 fi rst English title since 1961 are hang- four place against fallen champions referee for Spurs’ Premier I think we need to trust and siders to be crowned champions of Eng- percent of the six-strong shortlist an- ing by a thread and Spurs defender Toby Chelsea. League clash with Stoke City on I trust in all the referees. The land before the season started. nounced this week for the Professional Alderweireld said: “The title is diffi cult. Fixtures (1400 GMT unless stated) Monday. decision is maybe diff icult to Yet they now lead England’s top fl ight Footballers’ Association Players’ Player Leicester has everything in hand. Today: Chelsea v Manchester City Neil Swarbrick will referee the understand,” Pochettino told by seven points from second-placed of the Year award. “However, we want to win the last (1630 GMT), Everton v Southampton, fixture as second-placed Spurs, reporters on Friday. Tottenham Hotspur and head into this The trio are all set to be in action fi ve games to increase the pressure on Manchester United v Aston Villa, New- who are chasing a first league “If Kevin, on Monday, will be weekend’s match at home to West Ham against a West Ham side who will be Leicester and keep the pursuers behind castle v Swansea, Norwich v Sunder- title since 1961, look to close the referee I would be happy. needing just three wins from their fi nal looking to revive their top four ambitions us,” added Alderweireld, who scored in land (1145 GMT), West Bromwich Albion the seven-point gap on leaders It’s not a problem. It’s diff icult fi ve league games this season to com- following the disappointment of an FA Spurs’ 3-0 win over Manchester United v Watford Leicester with five games left. for me because I don’t manage plete a stunning title success. Cup quarter-fi nal replay defeat by Man- last time out. Tomorrow: Arsenal v Crystal Palace Arsenal manager Arsene very well the language, and I Foxes manager Claudio Ranieri has chester United at Upton Park in midweek. Arsenal host London rivals Crystal (1500 GMT), Bournemouth v Liverpool Wenger had said the Premier can make a mistake about this. fostered a strong bond within the squad Tottenham, should Leicester win, Palace looking to cement third place as (1230 GMT), Leicester v West Ham (1230 League was setting a danger- But on some point I agree with at the King Power Stadium, but Drink- could fi nd themselves 10 points adrift by they try to assure themselves of Cham- GMT) ous precedent by replacing Arsene.” water—one of several Leicester players the time they kick-off away to Stoke on pions League football for a 19th consec- Monday: Stoke v Tottenham (1900 to have gained England recognition on Monday. utive season. GMT)

BOTTOMLINE Holders’ curse continues in Champions League

By Ed Aarons curse would fi nally end? in the fi nal thanks to Basile Boli’s winning goal quarter-fi nals. A 4-3 defeat on aggregate to Ju- League because it is more and more competitive The Guardian Having thrashed 1986 champions Steaua Bu- but were thrown out of the following season’s ventus in the last four set up an all-Italian fi nal, compared to the past,” Carlo Ancelotti, who was charest the previous year (perhaps fi ttingly in a competition after president Bernard Tapie was with Milan eventually triumphing on penalties. a midfi elder in the 1989 and 1990 Milan sides fi nal held at Barcelona’s home stadium), Milan’s found guilty of bribing French club Valenci- The holders then failed to get anywhere near and has also won the competition three times victory in 1990 under Arrigo Sacchi was hardly ennes FC into throwing a league game. retaining their title for the next fi ve seasons as as a manager told Goal.com after Barcelona’s It’s now more than a quarter of a a surprise. A team boasting the talents of Dutch That left the way clear or Milan to claim a Milan (twice), Porto Liverpool, and Barcelona elimination on Wednesday. trio Rijkaard, Marco Van Basten and Ruud Gullit third title in just fi ve seasons by thrashing Bar- were eliminated at the quarter-fi nal stage or “When we won it in 1989 and 1990 there were century since a club successfully and a commanding defence comprising Mauro celona 4-0 in Athens. Fabio Capello’s side made worse. After their victory over Chelsea in the not a lot of games to reach the fi nal and to win, defended their status as Tassotti, Franco Baresi, Alessandro Costacurta it all the way to the fi nal in Vienna the next year all-English fi nal in 2008, Manchester United and not a lot of teams. In the past, there was only European champions. Why has and Paolo Maldini were heavy favourites to join but were shocked by Patrick Kluivert’s winner were on the brink of making history when they one team for each country who could play in the the long list of clubs to have won back-to-back for Louis van Gaal’s young Ajax team, thus be- met Barcelona in the fi nal in Rome 12 months Champions League and now there are three or the trophy known as ‘Old Big European titles before then. ginning a run of near misses over the next three later. But the Catalans - beginning a spell of four teams from each country. Because of this, it Ears’ become harder to hold on In the old days, it was a common occurrence. seasons that saw the previous year’s winners dominance under Pep Guardiola - won 2-0. is more competitive and more diffi cult to win it.” to than a wet bar of soap? Real Madrid (fi ve), Benfi ca (two), Internazion- defeated at the fi nal hurdle. First Ajax were un- José Mourinho’s Internazionale stopped If even a side hailed by some as the greatest- ale (two), Ajax (three), Bayern Munich (three), able to repeat their heroics, losing out on pen- Barça in the semi-fi nals the following season yet ever to grace a football pitch couldn’t do it, we wenty six and counting. Barcelona’s Liverpool (two), Nottingham Forest (two) had alties to Juventus before Borussia Dortmund the Portuguese’s departure to join Real Madrid may be waiting a long time. exit from the Champions League on all been there before Milan. But after Sacchi’s shocked the Italian giants with a 3-1 victory in saw the Italians beaten by Schalke in the last Wednesday night at the hands of Atléti- side, who were also beaten to the Serie A title the fi nal in Munich. eight. Barcelona were again the main benefi ci- European Cup holders - how they have co Madrid means Milan’s victory over the previous season by Diego Maradona’s Na- Dortmund made it to the semi-fi nal in 1998 aries as they defeated United in the fi nal once fared since 1990 TBenfi ca back in May 1990 thanks to a solitary poli, were eliminated in the quarter-fi nals 4-1 but were beaten by Real Madrid, who went on to more but Chelsea’s shock victory in the 2012 Finalists (5): Milan 1995, Ajax 1996, Juventus goal from Frank Rijkaard’s was the last time the on aggregate by Marseille, the sequence was defeat Juve in the fi nal, only to be dumped out edition’s semi-fi nal ended hopes of consecutive 1997, Manchester United 2009. reigning European champions managed to re- broken. The French side ended up reaching the of the 1999 edition by an Andrei Shevchenko- titles. Within months, they had become the fi rst Semi-finalists (7): Borussia Dortmund 1998, tain the trophy aff ectionately known in some fi nal, only to lose on penalties to Red Star Bel- inspired Dynamo Kyiv. Manchester United’s team to leave the competition as title holders, Real Madrid 2002, Milan 2004, Barcelona 2010, quarters as ‘Old Big Ears’. grade in Bari. attempts to retain the trophy in the fi rst edition with Bayern gaining revenge in 2013 for losing Barcelona 2012, Bayern Munich 2014, Real Less than a month ago, it seemed unthinkable Twelve months later, after the Yugoslavs of the new century also fell fl at, a brilliant hat- the fi nal in their home stadium 12 months ear- Madrid 2015. that Luis Enrique’s side would not at least be in were eliminated at the new inaugural Champi- trick at Old Traff ord from Real Madrid’s Ron- lier by defeating Dortmund to claim the trophy. Quarter-finalists (7): Milan 1991, Red Star contention to break the vicious cycle that has ons League quarter-fi nal group stage, Barcelo- aldo helping the Spanish side progress from the They were eliminated the following season in 1992, Real Madrid 1999, Manchester United enveloped the holders since that balmy night in na claimed their fi rst European title after beat- quarter-fi nals on their way to recording their the semi-fi nals by eventual winners Real Ma- 2000, Bayern Munich 2001, Inter 2011, Barce- Vienna almost a quarter of a century ago. Arse- ing Sampdoria at Wembley. But their attempts eighth title in 2000. drid and, incredibly, the cycle was repeated yet lona 2016. nal had just been dispatched 5-1 on aggregate as to retain the trophy the following season were Bayern took over the mantle of champions again 12 months later as Juventus made it to the Last 16 (5): Barcelona 1993, Porto 2005, Liver- Barça’s feted El Tridente forward line of Lionel ended in the second round against CSKA Mos- having beaten Real in the semi-fi nals but their fi nal thanks to a 3-2 aggregate win, only to lose pool 2006, Barcelona 2007, Milan 2008. Messi, Luis Suárez and Neymar each scored cow, meaning they didn’t even qualify for the hopes of emulating the 1974-76 teams were out in the fi nal against Barcelona. Group stages (1): Chelsea 2013. at the Camp Nou. Surely this was the year the group stage. Marseille went on to beat Milan dashed by Real the following season in the “I think it’s diffi cult to win the Champions Disqualified (1): Marseille 1994. Gulf Times 4 Saturday, April 16, 2016 FOOTBALL

SPOTLIGHT FOCUS Benzema hurt by France omission, ‘Miracle’ Klopp says Zidane

AFP this European Championships, Paris we all know the player he is and what he can bring. “On a sporting level, those eal Madrid coach Zin- that love football can be disap- brings belief edine Zidane said yest- pointed, but at the same time serday that compatriot I told him that he will have an and star striker Karim exciting end to the season. It is RBenzema has been hurt by his important for him and he needs omission from the France squad to rally quickly.” for the European Champion- However, Zidane appeared to ships due to a sex-tape scandal. be more critical of the decision Benzema was indefi nitely sus- to leave out France’s top active back to Liverpool pended from the France team in goalscorer in international foot- December after he was placed ball when asked if Atletico Ma- under criminal investigation drid’s Antoine Griezmann’s fi ne Klopp revealed that he had invoked the spirit of the club’s unforgettable comeback over an attempt to blackmail form could compensate for Ben- France teammate Valbuena in re- zema’s absence. from 3-0 down to beat AC Milan in the 2005 Champions League final in Istanbul lation to a sex-tape. “I am not saying this about Both the player and the French Griezmann, I am saying it for the AFP Football Federation announced team in general that you need all London It›s Reds vs Villareal on Wednesday he will not be se- your strongest players to go as far lected by Didier Deschamps for in the competition as possible.” Holders Sevilla have been drawn the tournament on home soil Zidane’s more immediate n his fi rst press conference as Liv- against Shakhtar Donetsk in the starting on June 10. concern is putting more pressure erpool manager last October, Jurgen semi-finals of the Europa League “I am not going to comment on Barcelona at the top of La Liga Klopp said that he wanted to turn the yesterday, with Villarreal meeting on the decision, that is not my as they return to league action club’s supporters from “doubters into Liverpool in the other tie. place, but I can speak about the away at struggling Getafe today. Ibelievers”. player because I spoke with him Real will face Manchester City Four-time record champions Sevilla The evidence of his side’s thrilling required a penalty shoot-out to see after,” said Zidane, who won a in the Champions League semi- Europa League quarter-fi nal comeback off Athletic Bilbao on Thursday as World Cup and European Cham- fi nals after a Cristiano Ronaldo against Borussia Dortmund suggests that Shakhtar crushed Braga. The first- pionships with France as a play- hat-trick overturned a 2-0 fi rst he is well on his way. leg is in the Ukraine but will not be er. leg defi cit against Wolfsburg in Liverpool trailed 2-0 and 3-1 at Anfi eld played in Donetsk due to the ongo- “He is very disappointed be- midweek to squeeze into the last on Thursday, only for second-half goals ing conflict in the country. cause he really wanted to play four 3-2 on aggregate. from Philippe Coutinho, Mamadou Sakho Liverpool needed a famous come- and Dejan Lovren to engineer a scarcely back to down Borussia Dortmund 5-4 believable 5-4 aggregate victory that left on aggregate having trailed 4-2 with SERIE A club stalwarts comparing Klopp to their less than half an hour remaining in greatest ever manager. the second-leg. On the other hand “When Jurgen Klopp was appointed, Villarreal, who host the first-leg, had everyone in England thought it was a great little trouble in disposing of Sparta Crucial Inter visit for job,” former Liverpool centre-back Mark Prague. Lawrenson, who contributed to fi ve league The draw keeps alive the chance of title triumphs in the 1980s, told BBC radio. an all-Spanish final as in 2012 when title-chasing Napoli “There’s touches of (Bill) Shankly in Atletico Madrid defeated Bilbao 3-0. there. He’s a really, really good fi t and he The semi-final ties will be played has raised this average team.” April 28 and May 5. The final is in AFP qualifying spot, have not given Ever the romantic, Klopp spoke in rev- Basel on May 18. Rome up their hopes of reaching Eu- erential tones about Anfi eld’s “special rope’s premier club event next atmosphere” prior to his fi rst game there season. against Rubin Kazan in the Europa League mind the 3-1 win over Olympiakos earlier apoli’s Serie A title cre- Defender Danilo D’Ambrosio in October. in that season’s competition that culmi- dentials face the acid told Mediaset on Thursday: But a drab 1-1 draw played out in front nated in a decisive 86th-minute goal by test on a trip to In- “It’ll be a delicate game because of a hushed crowd dampened some of the Steven Gerrard. ter Milan today when they’re (Napoli) fi ghting for top early enthusiasm and Klopp was at pains Klopp took something of a gamble Nrecord-chasing striker Gonzalo spot and we’re aiming for third afterwards to assert that he should not be against Dortmund by replacing injured Higuain sits out the second of a place. seen as the saviour of English football. midfi elder Jordan Henderson with Brazil- four-game ban for the visitors. “It’s never an easy match—it “I don’t think at this moment I should ian forward Roberto Firmino. Higuain, whose 30-goal never has been—but we want to come here and change the world of foot- It looked a costly miscalculation as league tally so far leaves him just get the result and secure three ball,” he said. “I’m not strong enough, not Dortmund raced into a 2-0 lead, but Klopp fi ve short of Gunnar Nordahl’s points.” smart enough.” stuck to his guns in the second half and all-time Serie A record for AC In Higuain’s absence, Manolo Six months later, the headlines on the was rewarded with the 48th-minute Origi Milan, was handed the untimely Gabbiadini hit Napoli’s opener in sports pages of Britain’s newspapers on goal that set the tone for the late crescen- sanction two weeks ago after a a 3-0 defeat of Verona last week. Friday suggested that Anfi eld has indeed do. spectacular meltdown at Udi- Ahead of Saturday, they also found its new messiah. It was, in Klopp’s own phrase, “fi ght- nese. welcome Senegal defender Ka- “Merseyside miracle,” said the Daily ing football”—“rainy day, heavy pitch, The former Real Madrid strik- lidou Koulibaly back from injury. Mirror. “Klopp’s miracle,” was the verdict 5-5, everybody is dirty in the face and goes er is only set to return in time for While a win for Napoli would of local newspaper the Liverpool Echo. Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp celebrates during his team’s match against home and cannot play for weeks after”. Napoli’s fi nal three games of the keep their faint hopes alive, it The Times called it: “The miracle of An- Borussia Dortmund on Thursday. Well, 5-4. season, beginning with a home could spell the end of Inter’s un- fi eld”. Where the atmosphere had been The ease with which Dortmund cut Liv- fi xture against Atalanta on May likely Champions League bid and as fl at as a pancake in that game against 2014 under Klopp’s predecessor Brendan ter a sense of symbiosis between crowd erpool apart revealed defensive shortcom- 2. By then, the dream of a fi rst give Roma extra incentive for a Rubin Kazan, against Klopp’s former club Rodgers. Right from the start, Klopp made and team—a strategy that reached a diz- ings that Klopp will have to address, with scudetto in 26 years could be tough trip to Atalanta. Dortmund it crackled with an intensity no secret of his desire to harness the power zying apogee against Dortmund. Sakho’s poor positioning a factor in all over for Maurizio Sarri’s men, Roma are unbeaten in 11 that recalled the stadium’s greatest Euro- of the Anfi eld crowd. The BBC called it “one of the most dra- three of the German side’s goals. whose shock 3-1 defeat to Udi- games, since a 1-0 defeat to Ju- pean nights. The massed ranks of fl are- He was derided in December for lead- matic comebacks Anfi eld has seen”. But his players now have precious mo- nese two weeks ago left them six ventus in late January, but Ata- wielding fans who assembled in the street ing his players in a salute of the Kop after Klopp revealed that he had invoked the mentum and that intangible, all-impor- points behind leaders Juventus. lanta—one of Italy’s best-sup- to greet the Liverpool team bus prior to Divock Origi’s 96th-minute equaliser had spirit of the club’s unforgettable come- tant element that was the calling card of Juventus are fully expected ported teams—have won their the game, meanwhile, brought to mind rescued a 2-2 draw against mid-table West back from 3-0 down to beat AC Milan in both Klopp’s great Dortmund team and to stretch their unbeaten run to past two home outings including the frenzy of excitement provoked by the Bromwich Albion. the 2005 Champions League fi nal in Is- the fi nest Liverpool sides of yesteryear: 23 games against a Palermo side a shock 2-1 defeat of AC Milan a team’s tilt at the Premier League title in But it was all part of his attempts to fos- tanbul and the fi ghtback also brought to belief. that is in full crisis mode follow- fortnight ago. ing yet another coaching switch A Roma defeat would obvi- that sees Davide Ballardini re- ously be welcomed by Inter, but BOTTOMLINE turn to the Sicilian club. former Roma and Italy defender Defeat for Napoli coupled with Vincent Candela believes the a win for Juve would leave the capital side can aim even higher champions nine points in front and snatch the league’s second, with fi ve games to play and vir- automatic Champions League tually secure a fi fth consecutive spot from Napoli. league trophy for the fi rst time “We have to win in Bergamo, La Liga giants Barcelona seek since 1935. no matter what happens with Napoli president Aurelio De Napoli, and then we’ll see what Laurentiis on Wednesday broke happens,” he told RomaTV. the club’s ongoing boycott of the media—following protests Today reaction to alarming slide at unfair reporting in Italy—but Bologna vs Torino (1300), Carpi only to say: “I haven’t received vs Genoa (1600), Inter Milan vs AFP 7-0 on their last visit to the of Barcelona when they travel any off ers for Higuain.” Napoli (1845) Barcelona Camp Nou during Neville’s reign across the Spanish capital to face But the mood at the club is Tomorrow in February. struggling Getafe. said to be defi ant ahead of the Atalanta vs Roma (1030), Fioren- “Barcelona aren’t the same Former Argentine interna- weekend’s top fi xture at the San tina vs Sassuolo, Verona vs arcelona host Valencia as when we played against them tional Juan Eduardo Esnaider Siro. Frosinone, Juventus vs Palermo, tomorrow desperately and, with our strengths, we will will take charge of Getafe for the Inter, in fourth at six points Udinese vs Chievo (all 1300), in need of a win to arrest try to get a good result,” said de- fi rst time as Fran Escriba was behind third-placed Roma, who Lazio vs Empoli (1600), Sampdo- a slide of three defeats fender Jose Luis Gaya. sacked on Tuesday after a 12- hold he fi nal Champions League ria vs AC Milan (1845) inB four games and prevent los- Atletico could even draw level game winless run saw Los Azu- ing their grip on the La Liga title with Barca at the top of the table lones drop into the relegation race. before kick-off at the Camp Nou zone. The Catalans still lead Atleti- as they host relegation threat- “The Real Madrid game is co Madrid by three points with ened Granada at the Vicente fundamental for us. They will Berlusconi receives Chinese bid for six games remaining, but were Calderon. arrive here euphoric fancying AC Milan dumped out of the Champions Diego Simeone’s men have their chances in La Liga and the League by Atletico on Wednesday the most favourable run-in Champions League, but I want Milan: AC Milan president riere dello Sport speculated as their quest to deliver a second with four of their remaining six to take the game to them,” said Silvio Berlusconi received an that it could be from either consecutive treble was killed off . games at home. Esnaider. off er from China to take a ma- internet entrepreneur Robert “It is clear we are not in our However, they still need At the bottom, Levante real- jority stake in the seven-time Li or He Xiangjian, who made best moment of the season,” said Barca to drop points in at least istically have to beat Espanyol European champions with an his fortune in producing air Barca defender Gerard Pique. two games due to their inferior on Friday if they are to have any agreement not far away, Ital- conditioning. “In the world of football per- Barcelona’s Argentinian forward Lionel Messi reacts during the head-to-head record with the chance of beating the drop. ian media reported yesterday. Both men are among the 10 fect seasons don’t exist. Champions League quarter-final second leg football match against Catalans. According to sports daily Cor- richest in China, according to “We need to keep going in the Atletico Madrid on April 13. Fernando Torres will return Today riere dello Sport, the proposed the 2015 Forbes rich list. two competitions we have still to the Atletico line-up after be- Getafe vs Real Madrid (1400), deal would be for 70 percent After finishing ninth and in play.” Barca in particular need “We need to lift ourselves be- the game in a much more re- ing suspended for the Barcelona Las Palmas vs Sporting Gijon of the club, worth around 400 eighth in the last two seasons a reaction from their star front cause we still have two very at- laxed state after Alvaro Ne- return leg after scoring in each of (1615), Eibar vs Real Sociedad million euros ($45.1 million). in Serie A, Milan are struggling three of Lionel Messi, Neymar tractive goals to obtain,” added gredo’s last minute winner his last three appearances. (1830), Celta Vigo vs Real Betis Gazetta dello Sport though again this season and sit sixth and Luis Suarez, who have gone Barca coach Luis Enrique. against Sevilla last time out Real Madrid also booked (2005) reported the deal is worth in the table, meaning that off the boil at the business end of However, Barca’s only change moved them nine points clear their place in the last four of the Tomorrow between 600 and 700 mil- they will again miss out on the the season. from the 11 that started at the of the relegation zone in Pako Champions League in midweek Malaga vs Athletic Bilbao lion euros, equivalent to a Champions League. Messi hasn’t netted for fi ve Calderon in midweek is likely Ayestaran’s first home game thanks to Cristiano Ronaldo’s (1000), Sevilla vs Deportivo la majority, but did not elaborate Cristian Brocchi took over games, whilst Neymar has also to come in goal where Claudio in charge since replacing the hat-trick to overturn a 2-0 fi rst Coruna (1400), Rayo Vallecano further. from the sacked Sinisa failed to score from open play as Bravo will replace Marc-Andre sacked Gary Neville. leg defi cit against Wolfsburg. vs Villarreal, Atletico Madrid vs The identity of the bidder is Mihajlovic as manager earlier Barca have won just once in their ter Stegen. The visitors also have revenge And Zinedine Zidane’s men Granada (both 1615) Barcelona not known for certain, but Cor- this week. last fi ve matches. Valencia can also approach in mind having been thrashed can close to within one point vs Valencia (1830) Gulf Times Saturday, April 16, 2016 5 SPORT

INDIAN PREMIER LEAGUE De Kock, Mishra star with bat and ball as Delhi rout Punjab Opener Quinton de Kock blasts unbeaten 59 after Amit Mishra’s 4-wicket haul as Delhi cruise home by 8 wickets

IANS Mishra and the leg-spiner struck in New Delhi his fi rst delivery. Left-handed bats- man Marsh danced down the track, Delhi Daredevils opener Quinton IPL organisers only to miss the line before being De Kock hits a boundary during his line up Bangalore eg-spinner Amit Mishra’s stumped by De Kock. unbeaten 59 yesterday. (AFP) 4/11 proved crucial as Delhi Mishra dealt a double blow in as venue for fi nal Daredevils thrashed Kings his second over, removing skipper XI Punjab by eight wickets Miller (9) and Maxwell (0). While AFP Lin an Indian Premier League (IPL) left-hander Miller was trapped New Delhi contest at the Ferozeshah Kotla in front of the wickets in the fi rst here yesterday. ball of the ninth over, Maxwell was After Delhi won the toss and holed out by Carlos Brathwaite at ndian Premier League organisers have opted to fi eld, Mishra, coming in long-off . announced plans to switch the final to bowl in the seventh over, rocked Mishra’s next victim was right- Ifrom Mumbai to Bangalore following Punjab’s boat. When he started his hander Vohra, who moved back at the Bombay High Court’s order of shifting spell, they were 37 for one in six the crease while fending off a sharp matches from the drought-hit western state overs, and at the end of his three- googly. of Maharashtra. over haul, the visiting side was 59 Following this, the tail-enders The cities of Mumbai, Pune and Nagpur for fi ve in 11 overs. His victims in- tried their best but the damage was were under question after the judges said cluded Shaun Marsh (13), David already done. Spinner Jayant Ya- all matches due to be held after April 30 Miller (9), Glenn Maxwell (0) and dav and fast bowler Chris Morris must be moved out of the state. Manan Vohra (32). chipped in with a wicket each. IPL chairman Rajeev Shukla and repre- Punjab batsmen showed lack of During the chase too, Delhi were sentatives of the Rising Pune Supergiants and intent and discipline and fell one in control, thanks to De Kock. At Mumbai Indians met in New Delhi yesterday after another. Opening batsman the start, he went through some to propose the venue for the final, which will Vohra was the only one who showed anxious moments. He not only need ratification by the league’s governing the will for a fi ght even as his team lost his partner Shreyas Iyer (3) council. “We will propose before the Govern- was restricted to 111/9 in 20 overs. early but also survived following a ing Council that Final and Qualifier 1 be shifted In pursuit of the low total, Delhi dropped catch at square leg by Vijay to Bangalore while Qualifier 2 and Eliminator were led by South African opener when the left-hander was at seven to Kolkata,” Shukla told reporters. Quinton de Kock (59 not out), who in the fi fth over bowled by left-arm Supergiants have listed Visakhapatnam shared a 91-run stand for the sec- spinner Axar Patel. as their alternative venue, though the fran- ond wicket with Sanju Samson (33) De Kock tried to forge a partner- chise requested that they play one match in 10.4 overs, as the hosts over- ship with Samson and they were in Pune on May 1 due to a short turnaround. hauled the target with 6.3 overs successful in doing so. They scored They also play at home on April 29. and eight wickets to spare. De Kock at a decent pace and took their total Mumbai will decide on their alternative milked nine fours and a six of the 42 to 28 for one in six overs. venue tomorrow from their available op- deliveries he faced. Growing in confi dence, the duo tions of Jaipur, Raipur and Kanpur. It was Delhi’s fi rst win in two put out their attacking shots and “After speaking to the franchises, we matches, while Punjab suff ered reaped a lot of runs - highlighted by have given them four options: Raipur, their second loss on the trot. three fours hit off Patel in the eighth Jaipur, Kanpur and Visakhapatnam. Mumbai In the match between the teams over. Indians have asked for time till day after who have lost their fi rst matches, Samson took confi dence from his tomorrow (to give their preference),” Shukla Punjab failed to gather any mo- partner and hit leg-spinner Pra- said. “Pune has given Visakhapatnam as its mentum right from the start. In deep Sahu for a maximum, before preference. We will put the proposal of Pune the second over bowled by left-arm thrashing Maxell with two consec- team before the governing council.” spinner Pawan Negi, Zaheer Khan utive fours. By this time, Delhi were The court order followed a petition filed dropped Vohra’s catch at the point 79/1 in 11 overs. by a non-profit group challenging the liberal and as the ball neared towards the Knowing, they are very much in watering of pitches at a time when the state boundary, the openers decided to control, De Kock turned the heat on is reeling under a severe drought. take three runs. Punjab’s pace spearhead Mitchell Earlier, the Board of Control for Cricket But Murali Vijay was found to Johnson, who went for two fours in India (BCCI) had sought to reassure the be short of the crease as the relay and a huge six, which completed judges, saying only treated sewage water throw between Zaheer and Karun the South African’s fi fty in 38 deliv- will be used to water the grounds. Nair reached wicketkeeper De Kock eries. Later, Samson was bowled by Both the aff ected franchises were willing in time for the stumps to be dis- Patel but it was a matter of just 12 to donate 50 million rupees ($750,000) to lodged, leaving the team at eight for runs and De Kock and Negi made it drought relief programmes if the matches one in 1.3 overs. with ease. could be kept in the state. The current edi- Even though Zaheer seemed to be Brief scores tion of the IPL, famous for its fireworks and lethargic while dropping the catch, dancing cheerleaders, kicked off on April 9 the veteran left-arm seamer main- Kings XI Punjab: 111/9 (Manan with 60 matches spread across 10 venues. tained a tight line and length. The Vohra 32; Amit Mishra 4/11, Zaheer The popular tournament has been plagued captain conceded only 14 runs in his Khan 1/14) lost to Delhi Daredev- by controversies ever since its inception four overs, taking a wicket. ils: 113/2 in 13.3 overs (Quinton de in 2008, with corruption and match-fixing After the powerplay overs, which Kock 59 not out, Sanju Samson 33; cases often taking centre-stage. yielded 37 runs, Zaheer brought in Sandeep Sharma 1/6) by 8 wickets

Griffi th, Hick named GOLF Australia coaches for ODI series in Windies Donald, Grace set early pace at RBC Reuters Melbourne

estern Australia bowling coach Heritage; Day lurks a stroke back Adam Griff ith and former England Wbatsman Graham Hick will join the Reuters ish where he contended in The Mas- Australian side temporarily for their one-day Hilton Head Island, South Carolina ters, the fi rst of four major champi- triangular series in the West Indies in June. onships in 2016. “It is always tough Justin Langer will take the side to the to play the week after a major cham- Caribbean to give regular head coach Dar- ormer world number one pionship,” he said. “I wasn’t pleased ren Lehmann a break before their tour of Sri Luke Donald, who consid- with how I hit it on Sunday (at Mas- Lanka in July and August. ered quitting professional ters). So I came in here on Monday to “We are excited to have Adam join the golf last May after a form get in a good hitting session.” slump,F gave himself a welcome boost team for the tour of the West Indies,” Leh- mann said of Griff ith’s appointment for the by charging into a tie for the fi rst- June 3-26 tournament, which also includes round lead at the RBC Heritage in Lee keeps Hawaii lead South Africa. “West Australia have some South Carolina on Thursday. Australian Minjee Lee fi red a bogey- talented young fast bowlers that have devel- Englishman Donald, whose most free six-under-par 66 on Oahu’s Ko oped under Adam’s watch and it’s great to recent tournament victory came at Olina course on Thursday to take a be able to off er him the chance to work with the 2013 Dunlop Phoenix in Japan, two-shot lead after two rounds at the the Australian side under Justin Langer.” birdied three of his last eight holes to LOTTE Championship in Hawaii. Australia are looking for a full-time bowl- fi re a fi ve-under-par 66 at the pic- Lee, who fi nished in a tie for 13th ing coach after former international quick turesque Harbour Town course on Branden Grace of South Africa last year, took advantage of calm af- Craig McDermott stepped down following Hilton Head Island. tees off during the first round ternoon conditions and rode a strong the World Twenty20 tournament in India That’s a step in the right direction of the RBC Heritage at Harbour mid-round stretch to seize control. earlier this month. for a player who said attempts to re- Town Golf Links in Hilton Head The 19-year-old birdied three suc- The 38-year-old Griff ith played 50 first- build his swing had ultimately hurt Island, South Carolina. (AFP) cessive holes from the par-four 11th class matches for Tasmania as a right-arm his game, costing him sharpness in before parring the last fi ve to fi nish at fast-medium bowler but his career was his short game and putting. Harbour 10-under, two better than American curtailed with serious injuries before he Town might be just the place for plugged lie under the lip of a bunker whole day to shoot 67.” place (on the greens), it’s pretty Katie Burnett. retired in 2010 and took up a coaching role Donald to reverse his fortunes. He guarding the front left of the green. Donald, who has not triumphed on much the same golf course. It was “I holed a couple of nice putts at Western Australia in 2011. owns fi ve runner-up fi nishes in the After taking an unplayable, Day the PGA Tour since the 2012 Transi- nice to get off to a solid start.” (today) and just got my momentum “The opportunity to work with Australia’s Heritage, the most heart-breaking a did well to splash out to six feet tions Championship while his world American Bryson DeChambeau, going on the front nine,” Lee told premium bowlers is incredibly exciting,” Grif- defeat to Matt Kuchar’s chip-in from and sink the putt for a bogey and ranking has plummeted to 95th, was making his professional debut this reporters. “I birdied eight and nine, fith said. “The West Indies and South Africa a bunker two years ago. an opening 67, fi nishing level with delighted to make a good start at a week after ending his amateur career so I think the momentum carried on have some of the most destructive white Donald racked up six birdies and Americans Matt Kuchar and Tony venue where he has been a runner- with a tie for 21st at last week’s Mas- through the back nine.” ball batters in the world and preparing to a lone bogey in cool, blustery condi- Finau, and Swede David Lingmerth. up on three occasions. ters, opened with a 70. Burnett is at eight-under-par af- play them in Caribbean conditions will be a tions to end the day level with South “It was a little bit unlucky but I “This year, and even last year, I’ve Grace, playing the Heritage for the ter matching Lee’s 66 also in the af- great challenge.” African Branden Grace, a seven-time shouldn’t have been in that bunker been looking for a tournament where second time, also fi red six birdies and ternoon. South Korea’s Su-Yeon Jang Former England batsman Hick, who is the winner on the European Tour who is in the fi rst place,” Day, who has won I can get in contention and hopefully a bogey to grab his share of the lead in is third at seven-under-par. World national cricket centre’s high performance still seeking his fi rst PGA Tour title. twice in his last three PGA Tour starts, pick up a win,” said the 38-year-old. tricky, windy conditions. number one Lydia Ko stalled with an coach, will also join the side as an assistant Australian world number one Ja- said. “I’m just glad I got a bogey out “It’s always nice to come back to fa- “It was not the best ball-striking even-par 72 and is one-under-par coach in the West Indies. son Day was also at fi ve-under with of it. I had played good up until that miliar places where you’ve been very day, but nothing’s easy on a day like for the tournament. Michelle Wie Hick has worked at the national cricket just one hole to play but got an un- point so I’m not too disappointed ... successful. You feel a little bit more today with the wind blowing all over improved on her opening round 80 centre for the past three years. fortunate break at the par-four 18th not the way I wanted to fi nish but I of a comfort level and even though the show,” Grace said. with a one-over-par 73 but failed to when his second shot ended up in a played very nicely throughout the they did a little restoration to this Day is coming off a respectable fin- make the cut at her hometown event. Gulf Times 6 Saturday, April 16, 2016 SPORT

SPOTLIGHT ON THE SIDE Kobe Bryant was selling merchandise Lakers quickly by the bucketful

MCT Seattle

obe Bryant scored big shift attention to on and off the court Wednesday. While the Lakers Kstar was pouring in 60 points in his career fi nale, Staples Center concessionaires sold a record $1.2 million worth of Kobe mer- chandise, ESPN reported. next season The previous record, accord- ing to the report, was $1 million in Led Zeppelin stuff sold at a ‘I don’t think talent around here and on this team is an issue. It’s just about finding the London concert in 2007. File picture of Kobe Bryant. chemistry and playing for each other and not playing for ourselves’ Headlines Miami ice At SportsPickle.com: “Sourc- The Heat scored 62 fi rst-half MCT es: Baseball playing under 11 new points Wednesday night _ and Los Angeles unwritten rules for 2016 season.” then just fi ve in the third quarter - At TheKicker.com: “Karl to blow a 24-point halftime lead in Malone: ‘The ‘96 Jazz would a 98-88 loss to the Celtics. ne day after Kobe Bryant capped sweep today’s Jazz.’ “ On the plus side, we like Mi- his 20-year career, the Los An- ami’s chances of winning the geles Lakers had their exit in- Inside job 2016 Fire and Ice Award. terviews with the team’s brass From USC football star to Tro- ThursdayO as the franchise began to turn the jans athletic director: Mike Gar- Talking the talk page and decide which of its players will be rett ... Pat Haden ... Lynn Swann Cubs pitcher John Lackey, to part of a major rebuilding process. ... the Chicago Sun-Times, after The assumption is that the Lakers will “So when’s it my turn?” asked getting credit for the win despite rely on their young nucleus of rookie O.J. yielding six runs in six innings in D’Angelo Russell and second-year play- a 14-6 victory: “With our off ense ers Julius Randle and Jordan Clarkson. Stat of the Week you don’t have to be perfect, but The Lakers’ staff also likes the progress Reds center fi elder Billy Ham- I’d like to be better than that.” Larry Nance Jr. and Anthony Brown ilton recorded the fastest home- Comedy writer Alex Kase- made in their rookie seasons. run trot ever recorded - 16.2 sec- berg, on Bryant’s 60-point fi - Now that group has to take the next onds - in a 5-3 loss to the Cubs on nale: “Now, I don’t want to say step, which is something Bryant suggest- Monday. Utah rigged the game for Kobe, ed to the youngsters, telling them after To put that in perspective, but Custer played better defense Wednesday’s season fi nale that they all Hamilton could have run the against Sitting Bull.” need to work together to improve. bases twice and still beaten the Brad Dickson of the Oma- “I think after this year, we kind of see Red Sox’s Mo Vaughn - who ha (Neb.) World-Herald, after we have to do it together,” Randle said clocked a record-slow 32.94 in Manny Pacquiao announced he Thursday. “I don’t think talent around 2014 - to home plate. is fi nished with boxing: “It’s un- here and on this team is an issue. It’s just clear if this means he’s retired or about fi nding the chemistry and playing Heard in passing going to fi ght Floyd Mayweather for each other and not playing for our- Kobe Bryant unloaded a Jr. again.” selves.” whopping 50 shots to score his Russell was the second overall pick in 60 points. Toy story the draft and his rookie season was wildly “He says he’s looking for- Cyber-thieves in China some- up and down. ward to retirement,” noted Seth how tricked toymaker Mattel He opened the season as a starter, only Meyers, “and his teammates are into wiring them $3 million. to be benched by coach Byron Scott and looking forward to fi nding out “So, how’d you guys like to be later went back to starting again. what the ball feels like.” my agent?” inquired Greg Hardy. Russell was also involved in a major story off the court when he secretly re- corded teammate Nick Young talking CONFLICT about women who were not his fi ancee in File picture of Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers celebrating with Marcelo Huertas #9 against the Utah Jazz. a video shot earlier this year and leaked to a gossip site this month. The incident left Lakers General Manager Mitch Kup- as confi dent that they’ll return. his contract for $11.1 million, he sounded Russell in a bind with his teammates and chak and Scott met with players at their After the video incident, Russell said resigned to not being with the Lakers Carmelo Anthony other players around the NBA. practice facility to give them input on the he had to apologise to regain his team- next season. Through it all, the 20-year-old Russell expectations for next season after the mates’ trust. “I just want to play basketball again,” said he has grown. team had a franchise-worst 17-65 record. On Thursday, Russell said he wished he Young said. “I just want to enjoy getting tired of waiting for “Everybody was just thrown into a pot Clarkson is one of the building blocks, had not made that statement because “I out there and playing the game I love. I and expecting gold to come out,” said but he’ll be a restricted free agent looking don’t feel like I lost my teammates’ trust.” know the Lakers are going to make deci- Russell, who plans on playing in the sum- for a big pay raise from the $845,000 he “I feel like my teammates have been sions for the Lakers.” Knicks to succeed mer league. “We struggled all year trying made this season. very supportive,” Russell added. “And Young added, this season was a “tough to fi gure out roles, just what guys could “I feel confi dent that I’ll be back here,” Kobe has done a great job of being there one” professionally and personally. MCT do. I feel just like it was the warmup and I Clarkson said. “I want to be here.” for me. I don’t feel like it aff ected me the “I’m glad this season is over. Now I get Greenburgh feel like next year we’ll have a better taste Veterans Roy Hibbert, Metta World way I carried myself.” to go and unwind and clear my head and of what guys are capable of.” Peace, Ryan Kelly and Robert Sacre aren’t As for Young, who has two years left on just have fun,” he said. armelo Anthony is con- fl icted about his future. BOTTOMLINE He wants to win with the Knicks, but isn’t sureC it’s going to happen. After what he called an open and honest exit interview with team president Phil Jackson and general manager Steve Mills on Can Warriors’ Stephen Curry Thursday, Anthony said “as of now” he’s not planning to waive his no-trade clause. But he chal- File picture of New York Knicks lenged management to improve forward Carmelo Anthony. the Knicks to the point that be unanimous NBA MVP? they’re a perennial contender postseason, to get to the play- By Carl Steward, MCT hind his coach, Kerr, and War- his plus-minus of 1,022 (12.9 while Anthony is still an All- off s,” Anthony said. “To not ex- Oakland, California riors consultant Steve Nash to per game), second only to Green Star. perience that over the past three shoot better than 50 percent on in the league. Among other ad- “As of right now I’ll be here,” seasons, it makes you question all shots, 45 percent on 3-point vanced statistics, he handily led Anthony said. “No conversa- a lot. It makes you think a lot. It his may be the ultimate shots and 90 percent from the the league in true shooting per- tion has taken place as far as me defi nitely put a lot of things into statement of Stephen free-throw line. centage, win shares and value leaving or me wanting to leave. perspective. Curry’s individual reg- Of the 66 players in league his- over replacement player. I think everybody knows how I “I want to win. I want to be ular-season brilliance: tory who have averaged 30 points Of course, the 3-point num- feel about being here with this able to be in that situation, and TIf Houston’s James Harden had or more a game, Curry did it in bers are utterly ridiculous. organization in New York, play- that position to compete at the an NBA Most Valuable Player the fewest average minutes (34.2). Breaking his own NBA record ing for the Knicks. highest level.” vote, even he would probably be And how’s this for shot selection by 116 is almost unfathom- “It’s just a matter of how do Anthony said he wasn’t sure if forced to cast it for Steph. balance? Over 79 games, Curry able, and consider this _ only 48 we get better? How do we move it would ever happen while he’s The stats say it. The Warriors’ made 402 3-point baskets and other players in the league made forward? How do we take advan- in a Knicks uniform. record says it. And Steve Kerr said 403 2-point baskets. Everyone as many as the 116 he broke the tage of this window that I have? “I don’t know, to be honest it after the Warriors closed out the focuses on the 3’s, but Curry also record by, and only six had more I think that’s the main question: with you,” Anthony said. “What regular season, framing Curry’s made a career-best 254 layups (at than half of Curry’s 402. Of How can we take advantage of is successful for us as the New year as “one of the most amazing a 69 percent clip), nearly double those six, none shot a better per- this window? How can we take York Knicks? I think that is kind seasons that anybody has ever had the number he had only two sea- centage than Steph’s 45.2. advantage of this situation that of the question that we have to in the history of the league.” sons ago. He even set a personal So what drove this man to be we have that’s in front of us?” ask ourselves as a whole organi- The big question now is standard for dunks with seven. so much better than he was last Anthony also said he thinks zation. Not just winning another whether anyone will have the The numbers go on and on. season, when he was fairly phe- the Knicks should have an open 15, 16 games than we did this nerve or nitwit quotient not to Curry had 169 steals and led the nomenal? Curry tried to put it in coaching search with “multiple year, playing for the eighth seed. vote for Curry to win the award league in that category for the context on his own. considerations.” But Jackson said Is that success? Or being a top this year. It’s signifi cant, be- fi rst time. He missed only 37 of “Obviously, they’re numbers he’s promised an interview only seed in the Eastern Conference, cause there has never been a 400 free-throw attempts to lead that I’ve worked for and tried to to interim coach Kurt Rambis being a top team in the NBA, is unanimous MVP winner. Shaq- Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors gestures in the first the league in percentage from elevate my game to that level,” he and likely would hire someone that success? uille O’Neal and LeBron James half against the Memphis Grizzlies. the line for the second straight said. That 50-40-90 club, that’s he knows and with whom he has “Winning a championship is came the closest, falling a single season (90.1). Ten NBA teams something that I fi nd pretty spe- “compatibility.” always the ultimate success, so fi rst-place vote shy. anointing LeBron as the best. be the hardest to explain, and never saw him miss one, in- cial. To be able to shoot volume Anthony, who will be 32 next I think we got to put things in Curry got all but 30 of the “I get it if it’s a gag and you tied to ego in some sense.” cluding the San Antonio Spurs, and accuracy and all that kind of month and has three years left on perspective and fi gure out what fi rst-place votes last year and want to vote against him, but Indeed, Curry will be even against whom he was 21-for-21. stuff , that’s something that’s why his contract, made the playoff s success means to this organiza- Harden got 25 of those. James ... out of all the MVPs, he’s the tougher to deny. He’s already the Rebounds? With 430, Curry I shoot all the reps that I do, and go his fi rst 10 years in the league. tion right now.” got the other fi ve. It’s hard not one who has the most improve- reigning MVP for the defending had 89 more than last year playing out and play the way that I do. But the Knicks missed out the Anthony thinks the Knicks can to see all of those votes moving ment,” TNT analyst and former league champions and he mark- in one fewer game, and set anoth- “The other stuff is just ... I past three seasons. be in the running for the top free over to the Warriors’ star guard, Warrior Chris Webber said edly upped his performance level er personal high at 5.7 per game, want to be great and I want to Jackson was hired to provide agents. Kevin Durant, DeMar but when you have 130 writers Thursday. “Usually there is some in 2015-16 for a club that won 73 which was third best in the league be the best I can be,” Curry con- stability and a winning culture, DeRozan and Mike Conley head and broadcasters casting bal- sentimental reason (to vote for games. In fact, no MVP in league among point guards behind Okla- tinued. “And I think I’ve found but the Knicks went 17-65 and the class. Jackson said agents lots, there is bound to be one someone else), but he has that. history has improved his scoring homa City’s Russell Westbrook a way in these last couple years 32-50 in his fi rst two full sea- have told the Knicks they want to rotten egg. It’s not a way to make Usually there is a statistical rea- average per game by as much as and Sacramento’s Rajon Rondo. to just keep getting better and sons. Some view this season as play with Porzingis, but that the a name for one’s self, though, as son, he has that. I don’t see how Curry did (23.8 to 30.1). Curry’s assists were down, keep doing little things that you progress, but Anthony doesn’t, team has a lot of holes. CNN’s Fred Hickman found out a true humble, basketball fan can But that’s just one facet of but much of that was a function might not see in the summer and and said the organization has to “We’re in a skills race,” Jackson in 2000 not voting Shaq No 1, vote against Steph. I agree with it. In virtually all aspects of his of teammate Draymond Green in the off days that really helped defi ne what success is. said. “That’s what we’re work- and likewise, the Boston Globe’s Reggie (Miller, that Curry won’t game, Curry improved. He be- handling the ball a lot more. my confi dence when I’m out “We still haven’t made ing toward: getting players skilled Gary Washburn in 2013 not be unanimous). But that would came only the third player be- Perhaps a truer indicator was there on the fl oor.” progress enough to get to the enough to perform in this game.” Gulf Times Saturday, April 16, 2016 7 SPORT

SPOTLIGHT NHL Sharks draw fi rst Spieth Masters blood against Kings tumble pales to

Manziel meltdown Joe Pavelski (8) of the San Jose Sharks celebrates his goal. MCT right circle, setting the stage for Los Angeles his game-winner. Manziel is an addict who also happens to be in self-denial, which is always the worst Game 2 is set for Saturday night at Staples Center. Perhaps kind. He is always up for the next party, which is the reason he is unemployed today he highlight package it will settle down a bit after a between the Los Ange- roller-coasterish start to the se- By George Diaz les Kings and San Jose ries. Orlando, Florida Sharks on Thursday This was fi rst playoff game be- Tnight was something you usually tween the Kings and Sharks since see at the end of a long, hard- they met in the opening round et’s be honest: Who doesn’t like to fought playoff series with an in 2014, in which the Kings ral- peek at the occasional train wreck? overlay of sweeping music. lied from a 3-0 series defi cit and We live in a rubber-necking soci- There was often brilliant goal- went on to win the Stanley Cup ety in cyberspace, where anyone tending, plenty of hard-hitting, for the second time. Lis a tweet or misstep away from infamy. own goals, goal-saving stands One of the big themes head- Cue recent implosions involving Jordan and savvy playmaking from un- ing into the playoff s was how the Spieth and Johnny Manziel. likely sources. All that, and mo- Kings would handle the Sharks’ Spieth got the yips on the 12th hole and mentum changes worthy of a third-ranked power play. shot his way out of a Masters title. Man- classic. But Kings Coach Darryl Sutter ziel has been off the straight-and-narrow Cut, print and move on. earlier downplayed the regular fairway for quite some time, with every Only the Kings and Sharks will season. TMZ, YouTube and Twitter update. be moving on ... to Game 2. “I think, the playoff s, every- Here’s the huge diff erence: Game 1 between the longtime body resets,” Sutter said after Spieth will survive this thing. Manziel rivals managed to meet the hype Thursday’s morning skate. “If may not. Thursday night, as San Jose twice you’d look at past playoff s, for These are two very diff erent implosions. rallied from defi cits, scoring example, I know when we played Spieth had a moment — haven’t we all? — the fi nal two goals to defeat the New Jersey in the fi nals (in 2012), when the golf gods break us. If I had a dollar Kings, 4-3, in the opener of the they were coming off a regular for every time I yipped a putt, chip shot or Western Conference quarterfi - season where they had, I believe, drive, I’d be a rich man. Spieth didn’t do so nals at Staples Center. the best penalty killing in the badly himself, pocketing $880,000 despite “We just weren’t sharp,” Kings history in the National Hockey those Masters miscues. wing Dustin Brown said. League, and in playoff s they had It was a classic smorgasbord of golf The game-winner came from the worst. proving it is a game for masochists. His Sharks captain Joe Pavelski only 17 “So it just tells you about the fi rst shot went into the water. His second seconds into the third period as he changes, and what happens a lot shot went into the water. His third shot beat Kings goalie Jonathan Quick in playoff s, it just becomes more went into a sand bunker. “Leaking oil,” on a wraparound. It was Pavelski’s magnifi ed.” as the golf people say, only to crash and second goal of the game. burn. That’s the simple description. Results Spieth will be defi ned by the quadru- The Kings iced the puck in ple-bogey on the 12th hole, and the Twit- the opening seconds of the third Flyers 0 Capitals 2 ter trolls that reveled in his misery, but period to set up the faceoff back Islanders 5 Panthers 4 not forevermore. in their own zone. Pavelski then Wild 0 Stars 4 Spieth remains one of the best golfers won the draw cleanly against Sharks 4 Kings 3 in the game. He remains a Masters cham- Johnny Kings center Anze Kopitar in the pion (2015) at only 22-years-old. This, Manziel too, shall pass. “I just didn’t take that extra deep NASCAR breath,” he said. “This one will hurt. It will take a while.” blessings, your prayers. He looks, acts, and being out of control.” As Spieth learns to exhale, Manziel Jordan talks and slurs like an alcoholic. And Manziel, unfortunately, doesn’t keeps imploding every which way possi- Spieth He is an addict who needs help. He also have a clue about that line of demarca- Rookie Elliott looks ble. Drew Rosenhaus — Manziel’s second happens to be an addict in self-denial, tion. We all know how NFL GM’s feast agent in the off season — has quit repre- which is always the worst kind. He is al- on fi lm. They watch incessantly, trying senting Johnny Football. He will come ways up for the next party, which is the to pick up on nuances and the skill sets of to build on solid back, within a fi ve-day window, provided reason he is unemployed today. prospects. Manziel enters a drug and alcohol treat- Dropped by LeBron James’ marketing Manziel is giving them plenty of fi lm. ment facility. agency, dropped by his agents, and most Not Johnny Football. Johnny Drunk. Texas fi nish “I wasn’t walking into an easy situa- signifi cantly, dropped by the Cleveland Johnny Party. Johnny on the Rocks. John- tion, but it has descended,” Rosenhaus Browns. They took Manziel with the 22nd ny Alcohol. Johnny in Denial. MCT told SiriusXM NFL Radio. “It has con- pick of the 2014 NFL draft, only to see “Anywhere I get picked up, bro, is a Charlotte sistently gotten worse.” him devolve into a dark comedy act airing blessing,” he says in the TMZ video. Rosenhaus is perceived as a high-pow- regularly on TMZ.com. He didn’t specify whether he was talk- er agent who loves attention. This time “I don’t think there is anything ing about an NFL team, or some party he No. 24 just kept he is spot on. yuks, the memes and the GIFs, and come wrong with partying,” he told TMZ street in America. climbing the leader- Manziel deserves all the attention in to terms with the fact that, at 23, Manziel when stopped in front of The Nice Guy Jordan Spieth suff ered a fl esh wound. board at Texas Motor this narrative that may end with a tragic is a lost child. nightclub in West Hollywood recently. The bleeding may never stop for Johnny Speedway last Saturday twist. It’s time to move on from the yuk- Manziel needs your good wishes, your “There’s a diff erence between partying Manziel. night.T It started in 40th, the back of the pack, where driver Chase Elliott had to begin the race after BASEBALL a transmission change. Twenty laps later, it had climbed to 24th. By lap 100, it was in 11th and by lap 120, 10th. Chase Elliott. For one lap, it was at No. 1. The 24 fi nished in fi fth in the was fourth and Kasey Kahne fi n- Duck Commander 500, Chase El- ished eighth. Stroman outpitches Eovaldi as liott’s fi rst career top-fi ve fi nish in “It was great to see Chase up the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. there,” Dale Earnhardt Jr. said af- “It was a solid night,” said El- ter the Texas race. “I got to race liott, son of 1988 Cup Series with him a little bit, and his car champion Bill Elliott. “Obviously was doing some great things, and Yankees fall to Jays I hated to have to start in the back, he was driving a really good line.” MCT runs and six hits over fi ve innings. Results but I think having a good qualify- Elliott and his team are not Toronto Thursday night he allowed ing eff ort allowed us to get good pit content with the success they’ve four runs, seven hits and two Yankees 2 Blue Jays 4 selection. I think that helped us try had so far. They want more. walks over 6 2/3 innings with Reds 1 Cubs 8 to gain spots throughout the night, It showed in an aggressive pit nasty splitter helped eight strikeouts. Orioles 3 Rangers 6 but the biggest thing was just hav- strategy toward the end of the Nathan Eovaldi navi- He took a 2-0 lead into the Royals 6 Astros 2 ing a good car. I was really happy race in Texas. gate and at times dom- fi fth where things changed Diamondbacks 2 Dodgers 5 with it.” During the next-to-last cau- inate one of baseball’s quickly. After retiring Chris It was an impressive perform- tion on Lap 289, Elliott got just bestA lineups through four in- Colabello to start the inning, ance for the rookie, but not nec- two tires while most took on four. nings Thursday night. former Yankees catcher Russell struck out in the second, slapped a essarily surprising. It got him up to second when the But the pitch fl attened out on Martin worked a six-pitch walk. grounder to second where Goins, Before being sent to the back next caution came out at Lap him at a couple of inopportune Eovaldi got Ryan Goins to fl y to ranging to his right, made a slid- of the pack, Elliott qualifi ed 295. During that caution, Crew times in the innings that fol- center for the second out, but ing stop but had no play as the ball fourth. The night before, he’d Chief Alan Gustafson brought lowed, leading to the Yankees’ leadoff man Kevin Pillar yanked skittered away. The infi eld single fi nished fourth in the Xfi nity race Elliott in for four fresh tires with 4-2 loss to the Blue Jays at Rog- a double off the third-base bag, loaded the bases for Carlos Bel- in Texas. sights set on catching the leader ers Centre. putting runners at second and tran. The right fi elder got ahead Elliott, 20, leads the rookie in the fi nal 32 laps. A three-run homer by reign- third for Donaldson. 2-and-1 before bouncing one to of the year standings with 87 But there was no catching Kyle ing AL MVP Josh Donaldson The third baseman then ri- second, too slow for Goins to turn points, 13 more than second- Busch, who ran away from the with two outs in the fi fth turned fl ed a 1-and-0 splitter into the a double play as Beltran hustled place Ryan Blaney. He’s ranked fi eld on the fi nal restart. a 2-0 defi cit into a 3-2 Toronto second level in dead center, an down the line. Rodriguez came in 14th in the point standings with “It was just Alan’s decision to lead and Troy Tulowitzki’s solo area visited by few baseballs in on the 4-6 force play to make it four top-10s in seven starts, and come back, and it was a quick blast in the sixth made it 4-2. this building, for his fi fth homer 1-0. Chase Headley worked a walk he won the pole at this year’s decision. He didn’t have a lot That was enough for Toron- to give the Blue Jays (5-5) a 3-2 to load the bases and a wild pitch Daytona 500. of time,” Elliott said. “Those to ace Marcus Stroman, who lead. Tulowitzki jumped on a brought in Teixeira to make it 2-0. “My guys have been bring- crew chiefs are put in a posi- turned in his best outing of the fi rst-pitch splitter an inning lat- The Blue Jays looked as if ing such fast race cars to the race tion, they’ve got to make a call young season. Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Marcus Stroman (6) pitches er for his second homer. they’d get on the board in the track every week since Daytona,” in a hurry. ... I respect them for Stroman (2-0), other than a against the New York Yankees in the second inning. Both starters matched zeros bottom half but Eovaldi pitched Elliott said after fi nishing eighth what they do because that’s (a) ragged 34-pitch fourth inning over the fi rst three innings be- out of trouble. He walked Jose at Phoenix International Race- tough, tough spot to be in, but as that saw the Yankees push two Stroman, who retired the fi nal 11 ning. Roberto Osuna blew away fore the Yankees broke through Bautista with one out and Edwin way in March. I’ve said, we’re a team. I’m going runs across, was terrifi c. The batters he faced, struck out three the Yankees in a perfect ninth for in the fourth, the 34-pitch in- Encarnacion ripped a double At Texas, Elliott, who became to support his decision, right, 24-year-old right-hander, who and walked two. The Yankees his fourth save. ning ballooning Stroman’s total down the leftfi eld line. Tulow- driver of the No. 24 car after Jeff wrong or indiff erent, so I was had 5.40 ERA after his fi rst two only reached base in two of Stro- Eovaldi (0-1) was better than to 69. itzki, however, swung at the fi rst Gordon’s retirement, was sur- happy we did it and we tried to starts but brought a 4-1, 2.43 man’s eight innings. in his fi rst start of the year, April Stroman hit Alex Rodriguez pitch he saw and popped to short rounded by his three Hendrick make the most of it.” career ledger in against the Yan- The Yankees (4-4) had three 7 against the Astros, when he got with a pitch with one out and and Eovaldi struck out Michael Motorsports teammates in the Up next: Bristol Motor Speed- kees, allowed just those two runs hits overall, two of them in the the no-decision in an 8-5 victory, Mark Teixeira followed with a sin- Saunders with a splitter for the top 10. Dale Earnhardt Jr. fi n- way, where Elliott fi nished in the and three hits over eight innings. fourth and none after that in- a game in which he allowed fi ve gle to right. Brian McCann, who third out. ished second, Jimmie Johnson top 10 of both races last season. Gulf Times 8 Saturday, April 16, 2016 SPORT

SPOTLIGHT Wedded bliss puts British couple on course for Rio Olympics Badminton golden couple They won the Hong Kong Chris and Gabrielle Adcock Open just two months after are hoping their synchronicity tying the knot, followed by the on and off court can help lead Commonwealth Games gold them to mixed doubles gold at in 2014. From heroes to now the Rio Olympics. They were also the first The British married pair, Britons to win a title at the ranked seventh in the world, badminton tour’s year-end told AFP that with no mixed event, the Super Series finals, doubles team currently domi- last December in Dubai. nant, the event will be wide “Of course, we’re better now open in Rio. than we were before we were “We want a medal, same as married but that’s because buckling under the everybody else. In the mixed we’ve had another two years doubles, it’s very open right of playing badminton, improv- now, lots of winners over the ing, training hard and playing last four or five Superseries tournaments together,” Chris tournaments,” said Chris, 26, said. at the Singapore Open. “I don’t think (getting married Gabrielle, 25, added: “It’s has) got us any better, we’re amazing that we can get just more experienced.” doping scandals medals for Britain in mixed He added: “We’ve already doubles, but I’ve got my own proven that we’re one of motivation goals and I just the world’s best by winning Once hailed as indomitable heroes, Bulgarian weightlifters are now buckling under want a medal myself. Superseries events and being “It’s very exciting times and (in) the top eight in the world the burden of one too many doping off ences. The national sport has been deprived we’re still so young. We’ve got for three years straight.” a long, long time left in the The Adcocks are not the only of all funding and clubs cannot aff ord even shoes game.” couple to find love on the The Adcocks have known each badminton court. AFP other since they were children Chinese star Lin Dan married Sofia competing on the national age former world champion Xie group circuit, but their biggest Xingfang in 2012, after he successes have come after successfully defended his p! Up! Up!”—the exhausted they married in 2013. Olympic title in London. cries of athletes thrusting heavy bars into the air echo through Bulgaria’s national weightlift- Australian team has ‘mojo’ back, Uing centre in the capital, Sofi a. says coach But no matter how hard they train, the men and women here cannot push away Australian swimming has its “We will never talk about med- the painful truth that Bulgaria’s reputa- “mojo” back in the lead-up to als or records.” tion in the sport lies in tatters. the Rio de Janeiro Olympics, Australia’s swimmers have Once hailed as indomitable heroes, according to Jacco Verhaeren, previously been criticised for Bulgarian weightlifters are now buckling but the head coach warned his their bravado, with former under the burden of one too many dop- team not to get too excited by world champion James ing off ences. The national sport has been their rankings. Magnussen and his 100 metre deprived of all funding and clubs cannot The nation’s top swimmers freestyle relay team mates aff ord even shoes. wrapped up a successful talking up their gold medal The ex-communist country—which Olympic trials on Thursday credentials months before has produced 36 Olympic weightlifting and the 34-member squad London. medallists—is reeling from seeing all its bound for the Aug 5-21 Games Though raging favourites, lifters excluded from the Rio Olympics in Brazil includes 10 boasting Magnussen was pipped for the in August after 11 athletes tested positive the year’s best times in their individual title by American for the banned drug stanozolol in March. events. Nathan Adrian, while the The anabolic steroid, used to add The encouraging results have relay team failed to make the muscle bulk and enhance strength and raised hopes the team can podium. performance, has cast a shadow over in- restore Australia’s swagger A review of the London flop ternational sport—especially weightlift- in the Olympic pool after the later found evidence of a ing—for half a century. Bulgaria has had London 2012 Games squad “toxic” culture around the one of the worst records. managed only a single title in team, with allegations of The March episode was the latest in a their worst medal haul in 20 drunkenness and bullying. string of doping scandals in recent years. years. Appointed in a coaching As professionals trade barbs over “I think swimming has got its shake-up after the review, who’s to blame, reverence has given way mojo back which is a great Dutchman Verhaeren has to mockery. thing,” Verhaeren told report- worked hard to restore morale “Bulgaria’s doping team was caught ers in Adelaide. and veteran swimmer Alicia weightlifting,” sports commentators “But rankings going into an Coutts, who amassed five quipped following the latest scandal. Olympics don’t mean much. medals at London and will But the joke does not make everyone “What it means is that you are compete in her third Olympics laugh. “Everything just ended,” lamented competitive. in Rio, said the team had come Diyan Minchev, remembering the crush- “The job now is to keep eve- a long way. ing moment when he and his team were A female athlete lifts weights during a training session at the Bulgaria’s national weightlifting centre in Sofia. ryone relaxed and make sure “It’s nice to see that camarade- banned for between nine and 18 months they do the job. rie around the pool,” she said. in the stanozolol aff air. all funding for the Bulgarian weightlift- prospects, even pushing some into or- Supplements are a necessity because “We trained for years and then it all ing federation in the stanozolol after- ganised crime to make ends meet. the body cannot recover without vita- crumbled.” math. Kishkilov’s own successful coaching mins and minerals and “the pressure is Adams secures chance to defend title Minchev and his colleagues feel hard The move has hit clubs across the career was crushed in 2008 when anoth- too big”, he said. done by. They say they had no way of country, pushing some to the brink of fi - er doping scandal, ahead of the Beijing “But the error is that medication at Rio Olympics knowing their herbal supplement con- nancial ruin. Games, saw 11 Bulgarian lifters fail tests. bought from certain producers is not British flyweight Nicola Ad- the first Briton since Harry tained traces of the illegal substance. In a gym in Asenovgrad, 170 kilome- The country’s weightlifting federation tested. Sometimes it can contain banned ams, the first female boxer to Mallin in 1924 to win two Ol- The national coach, Ivan Ivanov ad- tres (105 miles) southeast of Sofi a, coach temporarily lost its licence and withdrew substances,” Kishkilov added. win an Olympic title, secured ympic boxing gold medals. mitted the pills were not checked. People Lachezar Kishkilov said he has not been the entire team from the Olympics. There is some light at the end of the her place at the Rio Games Mallin won the middleweight close to sports circles say the underfund- paid for six months. He eventually took a coaching job in tunnel, however: while Bulgaria will miss yesterday by reaching the title in Antwerp in 1920 and ing means it does not have proper testing There’s no cash to cover even the most Azerbaijan, bringing his best lifter, Boy- the Rio Games, most of the national team final in her weight division at retained it in Paris four years facilities. basic necessities for his team of young anka Kostova, with him. are now allowed back in competition. a European qualifying event later. Unbeaten as an amateur, Sabotage, not malice, was to blame, weightlifters—from vitamins and shoes The 23-year-old nabbed the world title Three, including 15-year-old Nadezh- in Turkey. the London policeman never insisted Ivanov, an Olympic gold winner to travel expenses for competitions. for Azerbaijan in the women’s 58kg class da-Mey Nguen, are at the European The 33-year-old London 2012 fought as a professional. and four-time world champion who was “If the bottom of the pyramid is last year. Championships being held in Norway gold medallist outscored Nor- While Adams progressed, stripped of a silver medal at the 2000 crushed, how do they expect results from Kishkilov, who has since moved home until Saturday. way’s Marielle Hansen in the Ireland’s Olympic lightweight Sydney Games for doping. the top?” the 54-year-old said. again, says the Bulgarian weightlifting She was the youngest national team 48-51kg semi-finals in Samsun. (60kg) champion Katie Taylor He was one of three Bulgarian medal “It’s sheer magic that we can still pro- federation now treats him like “a traitor”. member to have been banned over the The top two women in each of suff ered a shock defeat—her winners, one gold, who failed tests at duce champions.” stanozolol controversy. three divisions qualify for the first loss in nearly five years. Sydney. The whole team was sent home. Behind Kishkilov, trophies gather dust ‘TOTAL NEGLECT’ “There are hard times in every sport, Rio Games. Beaten by Azerbaijan’s Yana “Someone tainted the product to ruin on a shelf while the walls feature black- Kishkilov said the federation’s “total just like in life. I managed to fi ght through Adams, who was also the first Alekseevna, she will have us,” he told AFP about the stanozolol af- and-white photographs of past sporting neglect” of the sport—including failing it somehow,” she told AFP in between female boxer to win gold at another chance to qualify at fair, adding defensively: “We will keep heroes. to ensure appropriate testing of supple- lifts at a recent training session. Asked the Commonwealth Games, the world championships in fi ghting.” The end of the communist regime left ments—has caused the recent doping what keeps her going, she paused for a now has a chance to become Kazakhstan in May. But it’s an uphill battle as the state cut many Bulgarian athletes without future scandals. moment then snapped: “Will!

BOTTOMLINE Budapest looks at more frugal Olympics

Reuters lems. Prime Minister Viktor Orban has largest lake and a popular resort in the “The whole process can be up to 10- Budapest been criticised by EU allies for moves to west of the country. 20 years long. We saw that in London, reshape the judiciary and tighten con- What Hungary lacks in facilities will where the games were won by Tony trol on media as well as his hard line mostly be built by 2024 regardless of Blair but the closing ceremony was ungary is plying Olympic on migrants. The London Games in the Olympics, which means much low- done by David Cameron.” authorities with visions of a 2012 cost an estimated $26 billion - but er Olympics-specifi c costs, Borkai said. 2024 games played out from those Games are often mentioned as a “This is not money we throw away,” NECESSARY? the elegant Danubian capital good example for the widespread use of Borkai said. Even when the Olympics were not seri- HBudapest to the shores of Lake Balaton, temporary facilities. ously on the agenda, Hungary invested eschewing the extravagance of recent Beijing 2008 costs ran to nearly $40 LOW VISIBILITY in its sports infrastructure. years in a turn to a more modest global billion. Athens 2004, at $16.7 billion, The bid has had limited international The Orban government has sup- sporting celebration. is widely seen as an example for inef- visibility, with little social media pres- ported a veritable building spree in re- Hungary is wagering its off er of a fi ciency and Sochi 2014’s $50 billion ence. Moreover, Rio and its political cent years despite growing resistance more frugal summer games than those budget drew scorn for exuberance. and social turmoil could work against among some voters. Even the country’s that might be off ered by richer rivals There have been signs of even some Budapest. National Stadium is being torn down Los Angeles, Paris and Rome will bet- bigger cities, such as Boston, baulking “It is likely to be a case of the IOC to make way for a 65,000-seat football ter refl ect the spirit of the International at taking on the ever increasing burden. going for a safe choice, one with ex- arena by 2019. Olympic Committee’s Agenda 2020 - a “The IOC (will) invite potential can- perience, infrastructure and fi nancial A spectacular swim complex is under new policy seeking a return to simpler didate cities to present an Olympic clout,” said an Olympic consultant who construction by the Danube for next values and smaller price tags. project that best matches their sports, has worked for bid and host cities, on year’s World Aquatics Championships A return to more modest, functional economic, social and environmental condition of anonymity. - seen as a key opportunity for Buda- facilities, less lavish ceremonies, could long-term planning needs,” the IOC The likelihood of coming up short, pest to make its mark weeks before the break the hold of bigger cities like, this said in Agenda 2020. however, does not deter Hungarians, 2024 Olympic Games are awarded in year, Rio De Janeiro, which with its eco- is smaller than Budapest. The IOC “There have been maybe twenty cit- Chief among other points, venues are said several people involved with the September 2017. nomic and political troubles has high- wants to make that possible again.” ies around the world that had a chance now welcome beyond the host city to bid. The green-liberal party LMP (Poli- lighted the hazards of hosting. The 2024 Games will be the fi rst time to host the Games, and they rotated,” better use existing facilities or sustain “Winning the games for a fi rst time tics Can Be Diff erent) is among the “The IOC returns to its roots,” said that principle is put into practice, and Hungarian Olympic Committee Chair- new ones. bidder is always a huge challenge, but few opponents of the Budapest Games Balazs Furjes, the Hungarian govern- the IOC hopes 11-digit price tags for man Zsolt Borkai told Reuters. Hungary has targeted its bid to ex- you can only win the Games if you at home, largely because they see the ment’s commissioner for the Games. facilities that would go largely unused “At last smaller cities have a shot ploit Agenda 2020 features. It involved entered the race,” said Attila Szalay- Games as unaff ordable. LMP Budapest “Antwerp, Stockholm, or Helsinki once after the Games will become a thing of now.” eleven cities, including sailing and golf Berzeviczy, founder of the Budapest Council member Antal Csardi said he hosted very successful Olympics; each the past. Hungary is not without its own prob- near Lake Balaton, Central Europe’s Olympics Movement. would prefer the Games in the 2030s. Gulf Times Saturday, April 16, 2016 9 SPORT

4th Qatar National Arabian Horse Show for Individual Owners

Abdul Aziz al-Subae presents the winners trophy to the connections of Rahaf Al Zobara who was adjudged as the winner in the Class 1A for Yearling Fillies in the 4th Qatar National Arabian Horse Show for Individual Owners at the Qatar Equestrian Eng Misfer al-Hajri presents the trophy to the connections of Luluat Al Safinat, who was adjudged as the winner in Class Federation Indoor Arena yesterday. PICTURES: Juhaim 2B for two-year-old fillies.

FORMULA 1 / CHINESE GRAND PRIX SPOTLIGHT Haas boss lays Raikkonen leads into F1 ‘whiners’

AFP Shanghai

he boss of American- way as Ferrari owned newcomers Haas launched a withering attack on “whining” TFormula One rivals yesterday, blasting them as drama queens for crediting his team’s success to their links with Ferrari. Gene Haas spoke out after dominate practice Frenchman Romain Grosjean fi nished sixth in Australia last month on his debut for the team Teammate Vettel second in practice, while Rosberg third for Mercedes and went one better in Bahrain in a fairytale start in Formula one— even if Mexican Esteban Gutier- challenge any team to take a rez has yet to score. complete Ferrari car with all the Earlier this week in Shang- parts and just try to run it.” hai, Grosjean claimed detractors He added: “They’re very com- were “jealous” of the team’s suc- plex cars. Having the parts is only cess—an accusation repeated, one part of the puzzle.” with interest, by a defi ant Haas. Haas even produced a sheet of “This place is a soap opera,” paper detailing a list of parts his the 63-year-old told reporters. team makes itself for its two For- “It’s sour grapes. A lot of the mula One cars. teams at the back really don’t “We’ve proven we are well know what competition is. within all the guidelines the FIA “They’re getting maybe a lit- publishes,” he said. “The fact tle too fat and happy,” he added. we’re doing something that is “I guess there are a lot of whiners diff erent, what’s wrong with in F1 that talk about our success. that? “We never came into this “If you’re a driver and you can (sport) to run at the back. We fi gure out how to go around a want to compete, and that’s what turn faster than the guy next to we’re going to do. If people don’t you, who do you give the credit like that then that’s their prob- to? The guy who is slower, or the lem, not my problem.” guy who is faster?” Haas have a close partnership Grosjean placed 14th and 16th with Ferrari, which has prompt- in Friday’s free practice in China ed some critics to label them while Gutierrez was 20th and “Ferrari B-team”. 21st after both the Mexican’s rear But Haas showed he has lit- brakes caught fi re in the after- tle time for the sport’s political noon session. sniping. Grosjean followed his robust “I don’t know what they are thoughts on Haas’s critics with complaining about, quite frank- some more straight-talking ly,” he said. “There have been about tyre manufacturer Pirelli a lot of obstacles to get to this following Friday’s practice. point and now we’re here, we’re “The Pirelli tyre limits have not going away. They’d better get been ridiculous today for tyre used to that. pressure,” he fumed. “You just “There’s an assumption that don’t get any feeling, it’s like because we’re using Ferrari parts a piece of wood—it’s just not that it makes easier. But I would driveable.”

Horner sceptical of F1 engine breakthrough

Formula One is ‘nowhere near’ an agreement to ensure all teams Ferrari driver Kimi Raikkonen heads out of the pits during the second practice session for the Chinese Grand Prix in Shanghai yesterday. (AFP) have access to competitive and cheaper engines from 2018 and time is running out, Red Bull principal Christian Horner warned Reuters German rivals in the afternoon with their vourites, despite Ferrari’s session-top- day fi fth, the Australian, fourth in the yesterday. Shanghai runs on the fastest, red-walled, super- ping eff orts. morning, setting a time 1.247 seconds The governing International Automobile Federation (FIA) has soft compound tyre, making that session The German team have won 34 of the adrift. asked the four engine manufacturers to come up with a plan by just the second time this season that a last 40 races and started the last eight on McLaren driver Fernando Alonso, the end of April to ensure no team was left without power units imi Raikkonen set the pace Mercedes has not fi nished at the top. pole. cleared by doctors to compete in tomor- in future. ahead of Sebastian Vettel in “It’s been quite a tricky day,” Raikko- row’s race after a fi nal round of medical “I think it’s a complex situation, but fundamentally there were Friday practice for the Formula nen said. CHINESE HAT-TRICK tests following the morning session, was four criteria that were requested by the governing body to be One Chinese Grand Prix as the “I don’t know if it’s the conditions or Rosberg, who leads the standings by 17 11th. met to ensure stability moving forward,” Horner told reporters at KFerrari pair dislodged the dominant Mer- the wind or something but I was sliding points from Hamilton, heads into Sun- The Spaniard, forced to miss the last the Chinese Grand Prix. cedes duo. a lot and obviously not feeling very nice. day’s race gunning for his sixth straight race in Bahrain due to injuries sustained “As we sit here now, we are not anywhere near having met any of Finn Raikkonen, a former winner for “Once we put the supersoft tyres on win, while the Briton is aiming to com- in an accident last month in Australia, those criteria,” he added. Ferrari in China, jumped to the top of the we have more grip from the tyres and that plete a hat-trick of Chinese Grand Prix completed 42 laps over the entire day. “I think unfortunately what will happen, as is often the case with order with a one minute 36.896 second helps. For whatever reason we’ve been victories. Friday afternoon’s running was un- these things, (is that) time will run out at the end of the month lap in the second session, beating Ger- quite struggling apart from the supersoft Hamilton, who has the most wins of eventful compared to the morning’s ac- and nothing will be achieved, nothing will change.” man team mate Vettel by 0.109 seconds. tyre.” anyone in China, however will have his tion. The FIA and the sport’s commercial supremo Bernie Ecclestone Ferrari were tipped pre-season to chal- Championship leader Nico Rosberg work cut out as the highest he can start The opening 90-minutes were head- have threatened to introduce a cheaper independent engine if lenge Mercedes’ two-year dominance was third for Mercedes, 0.237 seconds off the race from is sixth. lined by two red-fl ag stoppages as Wil- manufacturers fail to reach an agreement. and the Italian team desperately need a Raikkonen’s benchmark. “It wasn’t a bad day but it wasn’t a liams driver Felipe Massa and Renault’s The main criteria were for a power unit supply to cost 12mn euros trouble-free weekend if they are two live Team mate and world champion Lewis spectacular day,” said Hamilton, who Kevin Magnussen both suff ered high- ($13.56mn) per season, for the supply to be guaranteed, perform- up to that promise after suff ering reli- Hamilton, who heads into Saturday’s spun twice in the morning session at the speed left-rear tyre failures while run- ance gaps to narrow and engines to be louder. ability issues in the season’s opening two qualifying session with a fi ve-place grid Shanghai circuit’s turn 11. ning on the soft-compound rubber. Red Bull struggled to secure an engine for this season after fall- races. penalty for a change of gearbox, was “Ferrari are quick, which means we’re Following an investigation, the sport’s ing out with long-term engine supplier Renault. Raikkonen and Vettel initially appeared fourth, 0.433 seconds adrift. going to have a race which is exciting. tyre supplier Pirelli confi rmed none of They eventually reached a deal to continue with the French to be struggling, with the Finn in particu- Rosberg had set the fastest time ahead “Seems that we’re going to have a big- the failures were tyre-related. manufacturer after Mercedes ruled out a supply, Ferrari off ered lar repeatedly complaining over the radio of Hamilton in Friday morning’s inter- ger fi ght than we ever have,” said Hamil- Massa’s problems were caused by a only an old engine and Honda’s interest was vetoed by sole about his car’s handling. rupted opening session and Mercedes ton. wheel-rim failure while a problem with the partners McLaren. But the duo turned the tables on their head into qualifying and the race as fa- Red Bull’s Daniel Ricciardo ended the suspension caused Magnussen’s failure. Gulf Times 10 Saturday, April 16, 2016 SPORT

TENNIS / MONTE CARLO MASTERS SUPER RUGBY Barrett guides Murray dumps Hurricanes to big win over Rebels

AFP with a commanding 29-8 lead. Melbourne The Hurricanes continued to dominate in the second half but Raonic to set up the Rebels lifted their defensive ellington fl yhalf intensity and it took until the Beauden Barrett 60th minute for the visitors to scored two tries as score, fl anker Ardie Savea crash- he guided the Hur- ing over after a wealth of posses- Wricanes to a 38-13 win over the sion. Melbourne Rebels in their Super Barrett then crossed for his Rugby clash in Melbourne yes- second when he brilliantly re- Nadal semi-fi nal terday. gathered a charged down kick to Barrett put himself in prime race away and score under the position for the All Blacks posts. Tsonga brings injury-comeback week for Federer to a halt with a 3-6, 6-2, 7-5 win number 10 jersey with a sublime Rebels winger Cam Crawford display in the Victorian capital. scored a consolation try right on AFP The Hurricanes scored six fulltime, but the home side were Monte Carlo tries to two in a dominant per- well beaten by a rampant Wel- formance that keeps them in lington outfi t. touch with New Zealand confer- “We got what we deserved to- ndy Murray will play for a place ence leaders the Waikato Chiefs. night,” Melbourne captain Nic in his fi rst Monte Carlo Masters The Hurricanes are now four Stirzaker said. fi nal today when he takes on re- points behind the Chiefs on the “We had a bit of an off night surgent clay king Rafael Nadal. ladder, with the two teams to and were defi nitely not accurate AThe Scotsman will put his tennis to meet in Wellington next week- in a lot of areas. the test on the dirt against Nadal, after end. “I would like to see the terri- crushing an under-done Milos Raonic “We’re really looking forward tory stats—it didn’t feel like we 6-2, 6-0 yesterday in their quarter-fi nal. to that so we’ll enjoy tonight and were in their half at all. Fifth seed Nadal, who has struggled for rest up, but we know how much “The inability to get out of our form in the last 18 months, looked back those home derbies mean to us,” own half killed us.” to his best as he beat French Open cham- Barrett said. pion Stan Wawrinka 6-1, 6-4. The Rebels, who last week DAGG STARS AS CRUSADERS Frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga made history by beating the MAUL JAGUARES brought the injury-comeback week for NSW Waratahs in Sydney for the Israel Dagg made a triumphant Roger Federer to a screeching halt as the fi rst time, would have gone into return to Super Rugby as the eighth seed rallied past the Swiss 3-6, the match full of confi dence after Canterbury Crusaders downed 6-2, 7-5. drawing level with the Brumbies Argentina’s Jaguares 32-15 in Tsonga will face a semi-fi nal against col- at the top of the Australian con- Christchurch yesterday. ourful 13th-seeded compatriot Gael Mon- ference. The 49-Test fullback scored a fi ls, who beat Marcel Granollers 6-2, 6-4. The Rebels held their own in the brace as the Crusaders ran in fi ve Federer, out for more than two months fi rst 20 minutes and even took an tries to two for a bonus point win after a knee operation, was unable to early lead when winger Dom Ship- that maintains pressure in a tight overcome Tsonga after easing through his perley scored out wide from a Jack New Zealand conference. fi rst two matches of the week. Debreczeni kick ahead. It was the sixth win on the trot The Swiss was not pleased in defeat, But the Hurricanes struck for the seven-time champions but said that the knee, which underwent back soon after when Victor Vito and Dagg provided the impetus surgery in early February, had so far held crossed following a superb break as the Crusaders raced to a 22-3 up well as he returned from a two-and-a- from Barrett up the centre of the half-time lead, scoring one try half-month absence. park. and setting up another. “It was a good match. It was nice to A Reece Hodge penalty put He followed up with a spectac- play an intense match. I’m happy how the Rebels back in front midway ular solo eff ort after the break to the body reacted. So many good things Switzerland’s Roger Federer leaves the court after losing his match against France’s Jo-Wilfried Tsonga during the Monte-Carlo ATP through the half but they held on end hopes of a Jaguares revival, this week. It’s all positive for me. I need to Masters Series tournament in Monaco yesterday. (AFP) for barely a minute, a Cory Jane try brushing off two defenders as he spend more hours on the court. It’s better giving the Hurricanes a lead they raced to the line. than other beginnings of the clay-court against the 2014 winner. playing the last two matches. If I am able the match, failing to fi nd a single ace in never looked like surrendering. The 27-year-old, discarded for season. It’s good after an injury.” The disappointed fourth seed ended to do it, I hope to have my chances,” Nad- his 66-minute defeat. A Barrett intercept under the last year’s World Cup then side- Nadal, winner of eight straight Monte with 29 unforced errors while dropping al said. Murray said that while his win might posts made it 22-8, before full- lined with a shoulder injury, is a Carlo titles from 2005-2012, holds the serve four times. “I lost a lot of matches before the fi nal not have been pretty, it still gave him back Jason Woodward crossed certain contender for an inter- edge over the second-seeded Murray, “It was not a good day, I rushed at the last year. Was not a low point. Was a good confi dence after struggling through his two minutes before the break to national recall if he can maintain having beaten him in the 2009 and 2011 beginning and I wasn’t able to put my tournament for me last year in Madrid. I fi rst two contests this week. send the visitors into halftime such blistering form. semi-fi nals. game into place,” Wawrinka said. “I really was able to play at a very good level for “I’ve played a lot of tennis, though it “Every day is a diff erent story,” Nadal need to work on two or three things that I some matches. has all not been of the highest quality,” said. “The last three games of the fi rst want to improve.” “I’m going to try to my best to play the said the 28-year-old. set was the only moment Stan didn’t play right level.” “I’ve been able to learn from my pre- well. Obviously he played with too many MURRAY IN COMMAND Murray was always in command vious matches. Today I served one of my mistakes. The match with Murray will be a re-run against Raonic, who has been suff ering best matches. I’m looking forward to the “But the beginning of the match and of the Madrid fi nal from last May, when with the return of a right leg injury which semi-fi nals.” the second set was a good match. Both of the Briton shocked the 14-time major troubled him at the Australian Open two Murray’s win improved his head-to- us played good points. He had more mis- champion. months ago. head record against Raonic to 5-3 as he takes than me.” “Andy played a great match today, I Raonic, playing a third consecutive backed up a semi-fi nal win over the Ca- Nadal raced to victory in 77 minutes need to be ready to play the way I am Monte Carlo quarter-fi nal, was never in nadian in Melbourne.

Depleted Czechs, Swiss battle in Fed Cup semis

AFP bacterial infection from last September, Hingis in singles as well as doubles to losing twice, but she said she would Paris the Czechs will count on 18th-ranked back up Timea Bacsinszky, with 129th- step up again “if the circumstances Karolina Pliskova as they bid for a fifth ranked Viktorija Golubic the only other require it”. title in six years. alternative. France are chasing a first finals appear- efending champions Czech Re- Pliskova won both singles rubbers be- “Of course the absence of Belinda Ben- ance since 2005 and go into their tie public will have to make do with- fore teaming up with Barbora Strycova cic is a big loss, but my three players on clay in Trelaze as heavy favourites Dout leading duo Petra Kvitova to overcome Romania 3-2 in February, have the potential,” said Guenthardt, in against surprise semi-finalists the and Lucie Safarova for this weekend’s and those two will be joined by 61st- quotes carried by Swiss media. Netherlands. Fed Cup semi-final against Switzerland ranked Denisa Allertova and veteran “We could have called up other players Kristina Mladenovic and Caroline Garcia in Lucerne. Lucie Hradecka, who is 10th in the but that wouldn’t have made the team teamed up to win the doubles at Char- However, the hosts also suff ered a hefty doubles rankings. any stronger.” leston last week, while the presence blow as Swiss number one Belinda The Swiss toppled a Germany team Switzerland are eyeing their first Fed of Alize Cornet ensures France have Bencic pulled out of the tie with a back featuring Australian Open champion Cup final since 1998 when Hingis, then three players inside the top 50 at their injury that will require the 19-year-old to Angelique Kerber in round one, but at the peak of her powers, was part of disposal. rest for at least four weeks. coach Heinz Guenthardt has opted the side that lost 3-2 to Spain. In contrast, the Dutch, who dumped out With two-time Wimbledon cham- against naming a replacement for the The 35-year-old, still number one in the Russia to reach the last four for the first pion Kvitova struggling for form and sidelined Bencic. world in doubles, played her first full time since 1997, have just one repre- Safarova sliding down the rankings Without the world number 10, Switzer- singles match since 2007 in last year’s sentative inside the world’s top 100 in Jerunimo de la Fuente (centre) of the Jaguares is tackled by Israel as she grapples with the impact of a land could be forced to turn to Martina World Group play-off against Poland, Kiki Bertens (96). Dagg (right) of the Canterbury Crusaders during their Super Rugby match in Christchurch yesterday. (AFP)

BOTTOMLINE ‘Sauna’ sevens as Singapore returns as host

AFP Organisers will keep a close told reporters after a training ses- Singapore eye on ticket sales for the event ‘IT WAS PRETTY HOT’ sion. on Saturday and Sunday at the Singapore’s return to the world But Fiji coach Ben Ryan said the 55,000-seat National Stadium, as series comes just a week after the conditions would suit his play- op-level sevens returns to Singapore tries to make a name for Hong Kong leg, the traditional ers, who train in high humidity on steamy Singapore for the itself on the sevens circuit. showpiece of the annual circuit their Pacifi c island home. fi rst time in a decade this “After the 10-year hiatus, the and regarded as the dress rehears- “Some of the other teams might weekend as rugby looks event has changed a lot, as has al for Rio owing to its format, pro- have a lot of trouble or worry Tfor another foothold in Asia and Singapore,” Rugby Singapore fi le and large crowds. about the humidity, but for us, Sa- teams fi rm up their plans for the chairman Low Teo Ping told AFP. Singapore, the tiny but wealthy moa and maybe one or two of the Rio Olympics. “Sevens rugby is now an Olym- Asian city-state, has been at pains other sides, it’s not going to be an Two-time Rugby World Cup- pic sport, and Singapore now has a to position itself as a centre for issue at all,” Ryan told AFP. winner Sonny Bill Williams will ultra-modern high-tech stadium sports and already hosts a Formula New England Patriots Super press his Olympic bid with New to host the tournament,” he said. One grand prix and tennis’s WTA Bowl-winner Nate Ebner is ex- Zealand but Australia’s Nick “The sevens will create a lot Finals. pected to play for the USA as he “Honey Badger” Cummins is out of curiosity about the sport and Singapore’s tropical heat and makes a late run for the Olympics with an ankle injury as the sevens hopefully fi nd new fans and humidity are likely to be a factor in rugby, the sport of his youth series nears its conclusion. players. We see this as being the this weekend in a sport that re- before he switched to American With only two more stops af- growth of the sport.” quires elevated fi tness levels and football. ter Singapore, Fiji lead the 10-leg Singapore already hosts some where lung-busting runs are una- After Singapore, the sevens world series from New Zealand “home” games of the Sunwolves, voidable. series heads to Paris and then after they established themselves the Tokyo-based Super Rugby “It was pretty hot out here, it’s London before the Rio Games in as Olympic favourites by beating team which made its debut in the like playing in a sauna. But the August, where rugby will end its their rivals in last week’s Hong 15-a-side provincial competition good thing is everybody has to 92-year absence from Olympic Fiji’s players attend a training session ahead of the Singapore Sevens on Thursday. (AFP) Kong fi nal. this year. play in the same heat,” Williams competition. Gulf Times Saturday, April 16, 2016 11 SPORT

VOLLEYBALL It’s Al Arabi all the way Maaouia Lajnef’s boys lost only one match—against Al Ahli in their fourth game—during their entire campaign

By Sports Reporter Doha

l Arabi capped a success- ful Qatar Volleyball League (QVL) season with a win over Police in the last round at the AlA Arabi Stadium yesterday. Arabi, who had captured their 25th QVL title with a 3-1 (21-25, 25-16, 25- 21, 25-22) victory over arch-rivals Al Rayyan in the penultimate round of the league last Monday, came back from behind to beat Police 3-2 (17-25, 25-17, 21-25, 25-22, 15-12) to complete their dominance by winning their 16th con- secutive match. This year was unlike the last three years when Rayyan had emerged vic- torious. This season, Maaouia Lajnef’s boys showed consistency, losing only one match during their entire cam- paign. Their only loss came against Ahli in their fourth game. “It was a superb season for us. We had our plans for the season and we executed it properly,” Arabi coach La- jnef’s told Gulf Times. “It was a tough game today. It was diffi cult to keep motivation intact after winning the league couple of days back,” he said. “In the beginning we did not play at our level. But slowly, we regained our fl ow and we won, making fewer mis- takes. I am happy with my boys’ per- formance throughout the league as we lost only one match and fi nished the campaign on a high,” he said. Talking about the upcoming Qatar Cup and Emir Cup, he said: “We are confi dent of good show as we will be planning to hire a professional player for the Cups.” Cuban Osman Camejo scored 23 points for the winners, while Ibra- Qatar Volleyball Association president Khalid Ali al-Mawlawi distributed the trophy and prizes to Al Arabi, who rallied after losing the first game to down Police 3-2 (17-25, 25-17, 21-25, 25-22, 15-12) him scored 22. Police’s Williams Diaz scored a match-high 34 points. but then Hindawi served out to lose the Earlier in the evening, GCC champi- match. Al Rayyan coach Igor Arbutina Al Rayyan beat Al Ahli in an ons Rayyan overcame Al Ahli Club in fi ve said, “We’re delighted to win the match. earlier match to finish second. sets to fi nish second. Eight-time cham- For us, it was really important to recover pions Rayyan maintained pressure on the from the defeat and some injury prob- rivals, keeping the lead mainly through lems against Arabi in the last match. Al Russian Dmitriy Ilinykh, Mubarak Dahi Ahli played a good game, but in the end, Waleed and Cassiano De Toni. we managed a 3-2 victory and it shows Al Ahli, the former three-times we’re serious till the end. runners-up, fought back with Kenyan The Rayyan coach lauded Arabi for star Philip Maiyo and Ibrahim Hinda- asserting their supremacy. “Al Arabi wi dominating the net with power- played well and consistently through- packed spikes. They won the second out the season and deservingly claimed and fourth sets to force the decider. the league title. Our last match, in Rayyan lifted their game a couple of which our main player (Ilinykh) was notches up in the tie-break and from 5-5, injured, was the turning point for us. If they rose to 7-5, which helped them con- we had won that match, today’s game trol the proceedings. At 10-9, Mubarak would have been quite important. fi red a smash on the sidelines. Suddenly, “But we tried our best this season. Al Rayyan reeled off three more points to Now we’ll focus on the Cups and hope- set up the match-point with Al Ahli’s Id- fully, we’ll be reinforcing our team with ris Sharqi not being able to time his jump another professional.” and a smash by them landing out. Qatar Cup will be played from April Al Ahli had an uphill task of saving 22 to 28, while Emir Cup is scheduled fi ve match-points. They collected two from April 30 to 13. Six-member Qatar boxing team SEALINE CROSS-COUNTRY RALLY leaves for GCC Boxing Ch’ship Garces, Vinagre to race in Ford Ranger

By Sports Reporter Doha

MAS South Racing is pre- paring to run a Ford Rang- er at next week’s Sealine Cross-Country Rally, Qa- tar’sD third round of the FIA World Cup for Cross-Country Rallies, which starts out of the Losail Inter- national Circuit on Monday morning. The team that has run Ford Rang- ers on the last three Dakar rallies for Lucio Alvarez and the former WRC duo of Federico Villagra and Xavier Pons, has entered the all-Chilean crew of Hernan Garces and Juan Pablo Vinagre in Qatar. Garces has tackled the Dakar Rally on two occasions, but this is his fi rst foray into the Middle East. He also won last year’s Atacama Rally in South America, a round of the CODESUR South American Championship. Chile’s Hernan Garces is taking part in a DMAS South Racing Ford Ranger. “This is a superb opportunity for Hernan and Juan Pablo to take part Spanish driver Fernando Alvarez Tuesday’s second stage begins at in the Sealine event for the fi rst time and his Argentinean navigator Lu- Al-Kharrara and fi nishes close to the and give everyone at DMAS South ciano Gennoni fi nished 17th in the bivouac in Losail after 345.39km. Stage Racing another superb opportunity Conarpesa-backed vehicle and the three, on Wednesday, April 20, starts to continue the development of the Venezuelan duo of Nunzio Coff aro from Sealine–to the south of Doha– Ford Ranger,” said South Racing’s and Daniel Meneses steered the and is the longest of all the stages at managing director Scott Abraham. Team Azimut Venezuela car to 16th. 355.69km. The fourth selective section The Qatar Boxing Federation has entered a six-member team to take part in the 3rd GCC Boxing “It is a long and diffi cult rally. The Teams will tackle fi ve selective runs for 354.56km between Al-Shaba- Championship, which begins in Riyadh, the capital of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, today. The five-day event navigation is very tricky and the sections in the Qatar deserts over de- na and Sealine on Thursday, April terrain is varied. It will be a good manding off -road terrain that spans 21 and the fi nal section of 348.21km concludes on April 20. Hassan al-Mohannadi is heading the Qatari contingent, which is also accompanied test for the whole team.” the length and breadth of the gas- starts out of Rawdat Rashid and runs by national boxing coach Juanito Carlos Basnueva. Two boxers, Jamal Mubarek and Mohamed Gamber are Less than two weeks ago, the rich Middle Eastern state. The fi rst to a fi nish close to the bivouac at Sea- representing the national team for the first time. The other boxers are Hozam Nabaa, Hakan Erseker, Telasi Germany-based team reached section starts out of Al-Zubarah, to line on Friday, April 22. This precedes and the veteran 34-year-old Abdul Lateef. The team left for Riyadh yesterday. the fi nish of the gruelling fi ve- the very north of the peninsula, and the ceremonial fi nish and post-event day Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge. runs for 229.53km on Monday. press conference at the Losail circuit. Saturday, April 16, 2016 GULF TIMES SPORT

FOCUS Rugby fast catching the imagination of Qataris ‘If you look at it, rugby is almost like an amalgamation of a couple of other sports. There is a wrestling element to it, there is a running element to it and then there is also a loose boxing element in that that you have to dodge and attack. I like that about it. It’s also a very masculine’

By Mikhil Bhat Doha Rakan Mutawaa Mubarak al-Malik

aybe renaissance is too big a word, but rugby in Qatar is defi nitely undergoing a churn. MAfter staying dormant on the nation- al scene for many years, post the par- ticipation in rugby sevens at the 2006 Asian Games, the new Qatar Rugby Federation (QRF) has already sent a na- tional team to an international sevens tournament, hosted the country’s fi rst sevens league and starting today, will host Iran and Lebanon in a tri-nations Asian Division III Championship. All this furious activity has created a buzz in a sport that was largely left to clubs and expat communities in recent years. And while players from fi ve clubs have found a place in the national 15s team that will play Iran and Lebanon, with regional club competition regulars Doha RFC being represented heavily with 15 players, fi ve Qatari nationals stand out—Abdulaziz al-Dosari, Abdul Karem al-Muhannadi, Mubarak al-Malik, Talal Mujalli and Rakan Mutawaa. All their stories are diff erent, yet so similar on many levels. For instance, all of them played a dif- Abdulaziz Abdul Karem Talal Mujalli country, these men have a lot of re- more and more people playing the sport.” ferent sport before rugby tried and then al-Dosari al-Muhannadi sponsibility and pressure. Al-Malik adds, “We need to boost a converted them. “There is pressure for all of us – Qa- culture of sport in Qatari society; a pro- Al-Dosari played volleyball, al-Mu- taris or non-Qataris. After all, we are all gramme to increase awareness around hannadi had made it to national teams representing Qatar and that is impor- the schools of Qatar.” in handball and volleyball, Mujalli dab- tant. We have played well together. We “In my opinion, anything you do, can bled in basketball, al-Malik played should be able to do well. This is a big be unsafe if you don’t know what you handball while Mutawaa made a switch challenge for us,” Mujalli, who studied are doing,” Mutawaa says. “If you un- from American football. mechanical engineering at CNA-Q and derstand the fundamentals of anything, The Asian Games that Doha hosted now works with Qatargas, says. you can play it at a safe level. Of course 2006 was when rugby sauntered into Al-Muhannadi adds, “We hope there are going to be injuries, but that the lives of at least three of these fi ve more Qataris will come and join us. It can be in any sport.” players. “A friend introduced us to this is a hard game. They need to come and The job at hand for the boys, being game. Because it was a new game, it watch, and enjoy the game. If they en- coached by DRFC veteran Aaron Palm- was all through word of mouth,” says joy watching the game, they will enjoy er, is tough too, even though Qatar has Talal Mujalli, who led the Camels 2 side playing the game.” fared better than both the teams when- in the recently-concluded Qatar Rugby time for players to come forward and gamation of a couple of other sports. Whenever I could, I would want to go Mutawaa has a diff erent take on it. ever they have played together in the Sevens League. join,” the 31-year-old adds. There is a wrestling element to it, there outside and play with my friends, have “Frankly, it is a big opportunity. I just last few years. “They needed some players for In fact, Mujalli and al-Dosari were is a running element to it and then there a reason to hang out. I would even play think that if we do good in these match- “Iran and Lebanon teams are strong rugby. We were 44 of us, chosen from among those who drifted away from the is also a loose boxing element in that with my sisters when I was younger. es, there is so much that can happen. I and they have experience, but we also among other sports, and then after sport, before there was renewed inter- that you have to dodge and attack. I like Whenever I wanted to have fun, playing am actually looking forward to that.” have excellent elements in the team,” training, they chose the sevens team for est in 2011 when the Asian 5 Nations that about it. It’s also a very masculine.” a sport was the easiest thing to do,” says “There are players who have just says al-Malik. 2006, while the rest returned to their was being hosted in the neighbourhood. With the general perception being Mutawaa, who works at Muntajat as a started from little to no experience. But “We had practice today. And the original sports.” “Moving from sevens to 15s was good that it is a very tough sport, how did the Learning and Development Executive. we also have players from the opposite team is looking great, and I am so ex- Al-Dosari and Al-Muhannadi were news for me. Sevens requires a lot of families react? The 24-year-old was spotted while side of the spectrum. They have played cited to play. Good things are to come,” part of the team that played Asiad, speed, while 15s requires a lot of team- “Everyone in my entire family, from he played American football in Qatar. this sport their whole life. Because of Mutawaa says. while Mujalli missed out on a spot due work, even as both are very tough for- the oldest to the youngest have refused The next thing, off went the helmets this range, it allows people to learn dif- All of them are confi dent of the sport to a minor injury. mats,” says al-Dosari. rugby because of the way it looks,” says and the shoulder pads and other pro- ferent ways. Someone with no experi- catching up. “There are people who like “I had a few friends who used to play Around the time, al-Malik, then a al-Muhannadi, who works with Le- tective gear, and it was all six feet two ence gets to see and learn best rugby challenges. In two to three years’ time, this game back in 2005. They used to 24-year-old, found his way on to the khwiya, with a big laugh. inches of Mutawaa playing only rugby. possible,” Mutawaa adds. we will see that the sport has developed always harass me to come and check scene too. “It was a great honour to “They called me crazy,” Mujalli adds. “I was till recently playing in the There are impediments, no doubt. well here,” Mujalli says. out this game, but I never did. Till one represent my country. I went to Dubai “But it has changed since then. Now it’s American football team, and I was the Mujalli’s brothers, for instance, Mutawaa adds, “Let’s just put it this day I actually did. I sort of liked it and in 2011 for the Asian 5 Nations and we just a matter of an odd ice bag if I am captain. Everyone knew that and sup- dropped the idea of playing after look- way. Qatar has given me so many oppor- then joined them,” says 28-year-old al- won. I thank God for being part of a feeling sore after playing,” he smiles. ported that. But when I switched to ing at their brother’s icing ritual. Mu- tunities. This is why I love Qatar so much. Muhannadi. winning team then and also being a part Al-Malik agrees. “Now they are the ones rugby they understood that here rugby jalli just laughs at the thought. This is a big opportunity right here.” Since 2006, al-Dosari, who works at of the team now,” he says. to support me before anyone else does.” is more well-known. They are just very “There needs to be awareness about the Ministry of Labour, says number of As to how it started for al-Malik, “I Perhaps this conundrum was some- happy that I have an opportunity to the game and about the rules. Without Asia Rugby Championship Qatari nationals have dwindled down only wanted to experience a sport that thing Mutawaa did not face given his play,” says Mutawaa, who has a Bach- explaining the rules and explaining the Division III schedule fast. “We were some 30-35 of us but I had heard of by chance. I liked the fact time in the United States and his time elor’s degree in History and Politics. game it is diffi cult to attract people to slowly they pulled away from the game there is speed, strength, intelligence,” playing American football. With the QRF, under the leader- this game,” says al-Muhannadi. April 16: Qatar vs Iran because there was no real support. Now the winger says. “While I was younger, I would always ship of president Yousef al-Kuwari and “It has slowly started to change un- April 19: Iran vs Lebanon we are down to 15-20 players, but now Mujalli, who plays prop, adds, “If you want to get out and play. Not neces- general secretary Ali al-Malki, trying der the new federation, in the last eight April 22: Qatar vs Lebanon there is more support. This is really the look at it, rugby is almost like an amal- sarily American football, but anything. to boost the profi le of the sport in the months. And in the future we will surely see Venue: Aspire Rugby Track

RALLYING Al-Attiyah eyes fourth Sealine Rally triumph By Sports Reporter at the top of the points’ standings. will be competed at home and we are Doha “This event is very special to me and confi dent that the team can earn a sec- it’s important that I achieve a good re- ond major win in three weeks. sult,” said al-Attiyah. The competition is strong, of course, verdrive Racing continues its “The team did a superb job in Abu but Nasser knows the deserts well in hectic Middle Eastern tour Dhabi and I enjoyed driving the car Qatar and has an impressive record with three Toyota Hiluxes very much. This is a diff erent rally al- here, both at the Sealine Rally and in entered in next week’s Sea- together, far more technical, and there the special stage events in the regional lineO Cross-Country Rally, round three is far more responsibility on Matthieu rally championship.” of the 2016 FIA World Cup for Cross- with the navigation.” Competitors tackle fi ve selective Country Rallies. The fi ve-day event Overdrive Racing won the Sealine sections in the Qatar deserts over de- starts on Monday (April 18) and fi nish- event in 2012 with Nasser and Span- manding off -road terrain across the es on Friday afternoon (April 22). ish navigator Lucas Cruz Senra and are length and breadth of the gas-rich Fresh from claiming a stunning vic- chasing their second outright success. Middle Eastern state. The fi rst stage tory with the Belgium-based team at Last year, Reinaldo Varela and Marek starts out of Al-Zubarah, to the very the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge two Dabrowski brought their Toyota Hilux- north of the peninsula, and runs for weeks ago, Qatar’s Nasser Saleh al- es to the fi nish in third and fi fth overall. 229.53km on Monday. Attiyah drives the fi rst of the cars and Dabrowski and Jacek Czachor crew a Tuesday’s second special stage of heads an impressive 45-car entry and second Overdrive Racing Toyota Hilux 345.39km begins at Al-Kharrara and competitors from 29 nations. in Orlen Team colours in this year’s fi nishes close to the Losail bivouac. The Qatari and his French navigator event. They fi nished eighth overall at Stage three, on Wednesday, April 20, Matthieu Baumel were in superb form the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge, after starts from Sealine and is the longest of in the United Arab Emirates and took running inside the top fi ve early on. all the stages at 355.69km. advantage of the strength and reli- The Poles will be chasing the podium The fourth stage runs for 354.56km ability of the Overdrive Toyota Hilux to on this occasion. between Al-Shabana and Sealine on beat their nearest rivals by an impres- Qatar’s Khalifa al-Attiya and his Thursday, April 21, and the fi nal sec- sive 32min 13sec. French navigator Jean-Michel Polato tion of 348.21km starts out of Rawdat That success has given al-Attiyah crew a third Overdrive Toyota Hilux. Rashid and runs to a fi nish close to the the outright lead in the FIA World Cup “Everyone in the team is looking bivouac at Sealine on Friday, April 22. standings and he is confi dent that a forward to the challenge of the Sealine This precedes the ceremonial fi nish fourth victory on the Sealine event in Rally immensely,” said Overdrive Rac- and post-event press conference at the fi ve years will strengthen his position ing’s CEO Jean-Marc Fortin. “Nasser Losail circuit on Friday afternoon. Qatar’s Nasser Saleh al-Attiyah (left) and co-driver Matthieu Baumel would be aiming to win the Sealine Rally for a fourth time.