NBA | Page 7 TTENNISENNIS | Page 11 Curry-less Federer pulls Warriors out of Madrid whip Trail with back Blazers injury Tuesday, May 3, 2016 CRICKET Rajab 26, 1437 AH Pathan is Knight GULF TIMES of the night as KKR win SPORT Page 5 AFC CHAMPIONS LEAGUE El Jaish confi dent as they take on Saudi’s Al Ahli ‘We want to continue our good performances and hopefully we can get the three points tomorrow’ Agencies Jeddah resh from their recent success in the prestigious Qatar Cup, El Jaish are brimming with con- fi dence as they take on Saudi FArabia’s Al Ahli in the Asian Champi- ons League today. With 10 points from fi ve matches, El Jaish are already assured of the top place in Group D, but Al Ahli will have everything to play for as they target a spot in the last 16 by fi nishing second. For that to happen, however, the Saudi giants, who have six points from fi ve matches, will have to beat El Jaish and also hope UAE’s Al Ain don’t defeat Uzbekistan’s Nasaf in the other Group D fi xture today. As things stand now, Al Ain, Al Ahli and Nasaf are all in the race for the sec- ond spot, but El Jaish coach Sabri Lam- ouchi was in no mood for any conces- sions on the eve of the match yesterday. “It will be defi nitely a hard match,” said Lamouchi. “We are up against one of the best teams in Saudi Arabia, who have re- cently won the league title. However, we are ready for anything and hopefully the team will be ready for the match. Lamouchi added that despite already wrapping up their spot in the knock- outs, El Jaish won’t be stepping off the accelerator. El Jaish players celebrate their win over Lekhwiya in the recent Qatar Cup final. (Right) Jaish coach Sabri Lamouchi (right) celebrates his team’s win. “We achieved the fi rst step which was qualifying from the group but this our best as this is the last match for us is expected to return to the starting own slim ambitions to advance, a fur- morrow in order to control the match. good side and we respect them because will not stop us from trying to win the in the group stage,” said Al Ahli coach line-up for Al Ain’s must-win meeting ther point adrift. We need to play with good organisation they are one of the strongest teams in match. We want to continue our good Christian Gross. “We are playing against with Uzbekistan’s Nasaf. “We have a big challenge ahead of us in order to achieve our target, which is the UAE,” said Berdiev. “The match will performances and hopefully we can get a good side who have already secured Attacking midfi elder Abdulrahman because we must get the three points in the three points.” be very hard but we will be fi ghting in the three points tomorrow,” he said. their place in the knockout stage. has yet to score in the group stage and order to get the second ticket from the Nasaf are bottom of the group but, order to achieve our target. Al Ahli will be without injured mid- “We will try to play with the best for- missed the 1-1 draw between the teams group,” said coach Dalic, whose team with fi ve points from their fi rst fi ve “We came here with only one thing fi elder Waleed Bakshwn who suff ered mation possible. The match will not be in Uzbekistan on Matchday Five due to lost 3-2 against Fujairah in the domes- games in the group stage of this year’s on our minds and that is to win the a ligament injury in training last week easy because we are playing against a suspension but will be available after tic league on Friday. competition, are only two points be- match and qualify. We know that the although the blow has been softened by team who recently won a title in Qatar. serving a one-game ban. “The draw in the previous [ACL] hind Al Ain and coach Ruziqul Berdiev match will not be easy because we are the return from suspension of Fahad al- I hope that we will put in a strong per- Al Ain are in second place in Group match [against Nasaf] gave us an im- is setting his sights on victory against playing against a strong team and in Yamani. formance and get the necessary three D on seven points and just one point portant point because it was against a the 2003 winners. front of their fans. But we are hoping “El Jaish are a strong team and they points.” ahead of third placed Al Ahli from Sau- strong team. We have prepared well for “We know the weaknesses and that we will put in a strong perform- have a good coach but we will be giving Meanwhile, Mohamed Abdulrahman di Arabia with Nasaf, harbouring their and hopefully we can score early to- strengths of our opponents. They are a ance and get the three points.” BOTTOMLINE Emir Cup Trophy tour makes its fi rst stop By Sports Reporter welcome from the school children Saoud Bin Abdulrahman Kindergar- The tour also included gift distribu- Doha who displayed diff erent dance per- ten for Boys said: “We are honoured tion and a briefi ng session about the formances and shows to express their to welcome the Emir Cup Trophy in tournament and football in general. enthusiasm for the tournament. our school today and extend our grati- The students were invited to attend ollowing the success of previ- Nahida al-Zaghlool, Physical Ed- tude to the QFA for all their eff orts in the matches and take part in the dif- ous Emir Cups’ Trophy Tours, ucation teacher in Al Hikma Inter- involving all segments of the commu- ferent community events which QFA school children of Al Hikma national Kindergarten commented: nities in this important tournament. is organising in the lead up to the fi nal International Kindergarten “We thank the QFA for organising We are proud to be part of this historic match. The fi nal match is set to take Fand Saoud Bin Abdulrahman Kinder- the Emir Cup Trophy Tour and mak- moment and wish to take part in next place on May 20 in Jassim Bin Hamad garten for Boys were invited today to ing a stop in Al Hikma International year’s trophy tour.” (Al Sadd Stadium). be part of the fi rst stop of the Emir Cup Kindergarten to allow the children Not only did the students have a The trophy tour is scheduled to Trophy Tour. to participate in the biggest football chance to hold the prestigious trophy, make stops at various schools in Doha The Qatar Football Association event in Qatar.” they also had the opportunity to take in the upcoming days to allow as many The Emir Cup Trophy makes a visit to Saoud Bin Abdulrahman Kindergarten for boys (QFA) delegation received a warm Najwa al-Yazeedi, vice principal of memorable pictures with it. schools to take part in the Emir Cup. and (left) Al Hikma International Kindergarten. Gulf Times 2 Tuesday, May 3, 2016 FOOTBALL PREVIEW IN SHORT Bayern’s Milan date would hamper Germany’s Euro plans Germany team manager made diff icult, we have to Oliver Bierhoff says their admit that.” Bayern will need preparations for Euro 2016 will Germany play their first match be aff ected if Bayern Munich of Euro 2016 in Lille on June 12 beat Atletico Madrid to reach against Ukraine, having also the Champions League final drawn Poland and Northern on May 28. Ireland in Group C. The world champions start A Bayern victory on Tues- training on May 23 in Ascona, day could force a repeat of Switzerland, to prepare for the 2012, when the Bavarians to defy history to European championships in lost the Champions League France, from June 10-July 10. final in Munich to Chelsea on The Germany squad will meet penalties, which complicated up two days after the German Germany’s plans for Euro 2012 Cup final in Berlin between in Poland and Ukraine. Bayern and Borussia Dort- “Already in 2012, the play- mund on May 21. ers arrived in three diff erent But should Pep Guardiola’s groups and that could happen beat Atletico today Bayern overcome their 1-0 again,” said Bierhoff . deficit from the first leg in “Monday would see the arrival Tuesday’s semi-final return of the first group, those who Unless they want to risk a penalty shoot-out, Bayern Munich must become the against Atletico, they will played in the German Cup reach the Champions League final would come a day later first team in 71 matches to beat Atletico Madrid by more than one goal final in Milan on May 28. and those from the Champi- That would mean Bayern’s ons League final would come Germany stars, such as Thomas a good week later.” Mueller, Jerome Boateng, Even if Bayern fail to reach the Manuel Neuer and Mario Champions League final, mid- Goetze, would only join up with fielder Toni Kroos could still Joachim Loew’s team a week be involved with Real Madrid, after the rest of the Germany who play Manchester City in squad start their preparations. Wednesday’s other semi-final. “Of course, we hope FC Bayern Loew, who will celebrate a and it’s players go through, decade as Germany head the experience is also impor- coach after Euro 2016, will tant for those in the national name his squad for France at team,” Bierhoff told Kicker.