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Friday, May 18, 2018 FOOTBALL Ramadan 2, 1439 AH Griezmann fi res GULF TIMES Atletico to Europa triumph SPORT Page 3 RECOGNITION Al Duhail’s Msakni scoops Belmadi and Almoez complete Duhail sweep winning Best and U23 best player award Player awards respectively

By Sports Reporter ing excellent results at both domes- Doha tic and continental levels. Belmadi was named as the QNB Stars League’s best coach for the l Duhail’s Youssef Msakni months of February, March and was adjudged as the Best April, 2018. He has achieved a lot Player of the 2017-18 sea- in football — at both club and son at the Qatar Football country levels. Belmadi made it big AAssociation’s end-of-season awards at the regional level when he led Qa- ceremony at the Qatar National tar to the Gulf Cup triumph in 2014, Convention Center yesterday. beating Saudi Arabia in the fi nal. The Tunisian beat off the chal- Four of Lekhwiya’s league ti- lenge from teammate and South Ko- tles (2010-11, 2011-12, 2016-17 and rean playmaker Nam Tae-hee and 2017-18) came when Belmadi was at Al Sadd’s Spanish midfi eld star Xavi the helm. Hernandez. Rising star beat his Du- Unsurprisingly, Al Duhail’s hail teammate Bassam al-Rawi and bagged the award Al Sadd’s Salem al-Hajri for the Un- for the Best Coach, while Duhail’s der-23 award. Almoez is one of the Almoez Ali was named as the Best prominent players of Al Duhail even Under-23 Player. though he is only 21 years of age. He Al Duhail’s Youssef El Arabi was played an instrumental role in their presented with Mansour Muftah two title triumphs this season. Award for being the top-scorer at Almoez, who was voted as the best the QNB Stars League. The Moroc- Under-23 player last season as well, can striker scored 26 goals, one more is having an outstanding season this than his captain Msakni. time too. He scored crucial goals and Msakni was a key fi gure in Al provided many assists to El Arabi Duhail’s triumph in the QNB Stars and Youssef Msakni (25). League with an unbeaten record. The wily striker has a vital role He played the captain’s role to per- in Algerian coach Djamel Belmadi’s fection and fi nished as the second- scheme of things. He has sound best scorer in the tournament with technique and physical abilities, and 25 goals, one less than teammate El is highly talented. Arabi. Almoez is a graduate from the As- Together, they contributed 51 pire Academy in 2014. He is also an of Al Duhail’s tally of 86 goals, the important member of the Qatar Ol- most by any side. The nearest was ympic as well as national team. He Al Sadd’s 68 goals. The Tunisian at- had emerged as the best player when tacking midfi elder was named the Qatar fi nished third at the Asian best player in September, November, U-23 Championship in China early December and February and that this year. speaks volumes for his performance. El Arabi was delighted to win the Msakni missed Duhail’s trium- top-scorer award. “I’m very happy phant campaign in the as that we won the QNB Stars League he was out with a cruciate ligament title with an unbeaten record. I’m injury. He was operated upon in the also happy that I could become the US last week and is recuperating. top scorer for the second successive The injury ruled him out of the next season. This would motivate me to month’s FIFA World Cup in Russia. perform well in future,” said El Arabi. Belmadi made it really big with The wily forward said Duhail Duhail this season by guiding them wants to win the Amir Cup. They to the QNB Stars League and Qatar will take on Al Rayyan in fi nal to- Cup triumphs. Belmadi held off last morrow. season’s winner Jesualdo Ferreira of “We want to win all titles — the Al Sadd and of Al Amir Cup and AFC Champions Rayyan. League. The team is very strong this The Algerian is a shrewd tactician, season as you can see from the re- Al Duhail’s Youssef El Arabi (second from left), who lifted the Mansour Muftah Award for being the top-scorer at the QNB Stars League, takes a selfie with Best U23 Player Award who has consistently been produc- sults,” he said. winner and teammate Almoez Ali (left) and Best Coach Award winner Djamel Belmadi (right) during QFA’s end-of-season awards ceremony yesterday. PICTURE: Anas Khalid

SPOTLIGHT Italy great Buff on calls time on 17-year Juve career

AFP Liverpool, Real Madrid and Saint-Germain. , Italy Buff on fi le “I’d like to get out of my comfort zone and to test myself in more complicated situations that Name: Gianluigi Buff on JUVENTUS: FIFA Confederations Cup: I don’t know,” said Buff on. uventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buff on an- Date of birth: Feb. 28, 1978 Total games played: 655 Bronze medal 2013 “That’s a way of seeing what you’re made of nounced yesterday that he will leave the Age: 40 years games played: 471 and I’ve never been afraid of a challenge. Turin giants after 17 years but did not as ex- Place of birth: Carrara, Serie A (9): 2001-2002, RECORDS “I’m certainly not someone who thinks it’s pected declare the end of his playing career. Tuscany (Italy) 2002-2003, 2011-2012, Most caps for Italy: 176 right to end my career in who knows what third or JBuff on, 40, captained Juventus to a seventh fourth division. I am a competitive animal and I Height: 1.91 m (6ft 3in) 2012-2013, 2013-2014, 2014- Second-most appearances straight Serie A title and fourth consecutive 2015, 2015-2016, 2016-2017, in Serie A: 639, behind Paolo won’t be able to live or feel at ease in that situation. Italian Cup triumph this season. PLAYING CAREER 2017-2018 Maldini’s 647 “My fear was to reach the end of the Juventus “To end this adventure with two new victories TEAMS: (1): 2006-2007 Joint record for World Cup adventure as someone who people just put up was important,” the Italian told a press confer- Parma 1995-2001 Italian Cup (4): 2014-2015, appearances (5): 1998, with or a player who had lost it.” ence at the Allianz Stadium. Juventus 2001-2018 2015-2016, 2016-2017, 2017- 2002, 2006, 2010, 2014 It was a rollercoaster season for Buff on with Italy’s most capped player with 176 appear- INTERNATIONAL: 2018 Italy failing to qualify for the World Cup fi nals ances, Buff on also confi rmed he would not play Italy 1997-2018 Italian SuperCup (5): 2002, AWARDS for the fi rst time in six decades. again for the Azzurri, ruling out an expected Caps: 176 2003, 2012, 2013, 2015 Serie A Goalkeeper of the His fi nal Champions League game ended in international farewell on June 4 in a friendly Year: 1999, 2001, 2002, another fi asco last month as he raged into the against the Netherlands. The former Parma PLAYING HONOURS INTERNATIONAL 2003, 2005, 2006, 2008, night at the referee after being sent off late in a goalkeeper will make his 640th Serie A appear- PARMA: FIFA World Cup: 2006 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 semi-fi nal defeat by Real Madrid. ance against Verona tomorrow. Italian Cup (1): 1998-1999 winner UEFA Goalkeeper of the Year: Buff on is facing a UEFA ban for his verbal Italy defender will take over Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buff on poses for Italian SuperCup (1): 1999 European championship: 2002-03, 2016-17 abuse of English referee , whom the role of captain. pictures with fans after a news conference in UEFA Cup (1): 1998-1999 2012 runner-up Runner-up Ballon d’Or: 2006 he said had “a rubbish bag for a heart”. Buff on said he would like to take more time to Turin, Italy, yesterday. (Reuters) European titles for both club and country are refl ect on his future, which could be either on or the only major ones missing from his collec- off the pitch. “What am I going to do? Saturday, “Until 15 days ago, I was sure to stop playing, esting was made to me by (Juventus) president tion, I will make a defi nite and certain decision.” tion as Juventus fi nished runners-up twice in I’m playing a match and it’s the only thing that’s but I received some exciting proposals, both on (Andrea) Agnelli.” According to the Italian press, Buff on has re- the Champions League and Italy were beaten by certain,” he continued. and off the pitch. Off the pitch the most inter- “Next week, after a few days of calm refl ec- ceived off ers from top European clubs including Spain in the 2012 European Championships. Gulf Times 2 Friday, May 18, 2018 FOOTBALL

SPOTLIGHT FOCUS Guardiola Injured Payet left out of signs new deal at Man City World Cup squad The Guardian Manchester

City's Mendy called up despite having hardly featured for since returning from a serious knee injury ep Guardiola has signed a two-year con- AFP (Wolves/ENG) tract extension at Man- Paris Dimitri Payet (centre) is Forwards: Sadio Mane (Liverpool/ENG), chester City, taking him toP the end of the 2020-21 season. in tears after he picked Keita Balde (Monaco/FRA), up a muscle injury during (Rennes/FRA), Moussa Konate (Amiens/ If Guardiola sees out the con- arseille star Dimitri Payet Wednesday's Europa FRA), Ismaila Sarr (Rennes/FRA), M’Baye tract he will have spent fi ve years was left out of France’s League final that Niang (Torino/ITA), (Bursas- at City, longer than his spells as World Cup squad an- Marseille lost 3-0 to por/TUR), (Stoke/ENG) manager of Barcelona or Bay- nounced by coach Didier Atletico Madrid. (AFP) ern Munich. The 47-year-old, MDeschamps yesterday, completing a whose deal had one season to FIERY BENATIA LEADS miserable 24 hours for the playmaker. HOPES AT WORLD CUP run, won the in The former West Ham United player Fiery Juventus defender April and said then that his “en- was forced off with a hamstring injury took centre stage yesterday as Morocco ergy and strength to keep going” in the fi rst half of Marseille’s Europa coach Herve Renard named his 23-man would help to determine wheth- League fi nal defeat against Atletico squad for the World Cup. Benatia, fresh er he signed an extension. Madrid on Wednesday, and that fi tness from helping Juventus to the Italian He left Barcelona after four doubt persuaded Deschamps to leave league-cup double, is one of 19 play- seasons as manager (plus a pre- him out of the squad of 23. ers in the squad who ply their trade in vious year in charge of the B “Dimitri Payet was a serious candi- Europe. He seems set to be not too far team) to take a sabbatical and date for a place in the squad. He played from the headlines in Russia after a dra- spent three years at Bayern be- the fi rst half-hour (against Atletico), matic campaign in Italy which saw club fore joining City in 2016. but he aggravated his injury, and the re- coach telling him Refl ecting on the contract ex- covery time needed for that type of in- to “shut up” during a match. tension, Guardiola said: “I am so jury is three weeks,” Deschamps said af- It was also former Bayern Munich happy and excited. It’s a pleasure ter revealing his squad live on television star Benatia who conceded the contro- to be able to work here. I enjoy station TF1’s evening news programme. versial late penalty which gave Real Ma- working with our players every “But as it is a muscle injury, there is a drid a place in the Champions League day and we will try to do our best risk of a relapse.” semi-fi nals at the expense of the Ital- together in the coming years. As Payet was one of France’s stars at ians in April. a manager, you have to feel good Euro 2016, when they reached the fi nal Morocco are in Group B at the World to be with the players – and I feel as hosts before losing to Portugal. But Cup fi nals which get underway on June good. I will focus on the desire he has also fallen victim to the number 14 along with Spain, Portugal and Iran. of my players to become a better of attacking options available to Des- Morocco last played at the World Cup team and every day that’s what champs, who did call up Payet’s Mar- : N’Golo Kante (Chelsea/ Anthony Martial (Manchester United/ENG) have qualifi ed for the World in 1998. I will try to do – to improve on seille teammate Florian Thauvin along ENG), Blaise Matuidi (Juventus/ITA), Cup for the fi rst time since reaching the the pitch and improve our play- with the excellent Lyon captain Nabil Steven N’Zonzi (Sevilla/ESP), LIVERPOOL’S MANE INCLUDED IN quarter-fi nals on their debut in 2002, MOROCCO SQUAD: ers. We have a young squad with Fekir. (Manchester United/ENG), Corentin Tolisso SENEGAL WORLD CUP SQUAD when they stunned reigning champions Goalkeepers: Mounir El Kajoui (CD an average age of 23 and we want Elsewhere, Manchester City left- (Bayern Munich/GER) Liverpool forward Sadio Mane will lead France 1-0 in the opening match of the Numancia/ESP), (Girona/ to keep taking steps forward back Benjamin Mendy was called up Forwards: Ousmane Dembele (Barcelona/ Senegal’s hopes at their second World tournament. ESP), Ahmad Reda Tagnaouti (IRT/MAR) and maintain the levels we’ve despite having hardly featured for Pep ESP), Nabil Fekir (Lyon), Cup appearance in Russia next month, They begin their 2018 campaign Defenders: Medhi Benatia (Juventus/ achieved this season.” Guardiola’s side since returning from a (Chelsea/ENG), Antoine Griezmann (Atleti- after coach Aliou Cisse announced his against Poland in Moscow on June 19, ITA), Romain Saiss (Wolverhampton/ENG), serious knee injury. France open their co Madrid/ESP), Thomas Lemar (Monaco), 23-man squad in yesterday. before further Group H matches with Manuel Da Costa (Basaksehir/TUR), Badr World Cup campaign against Kylian Mbappe (Paris Saint-Germain), Mane will be expected to provide the Japan and Colombia. Benoun (RCA/MAR), (Fener- in the Russian city of Kazan on June 16. Florian Thauvin (Marseille) majority of the team’s attacking threat SENEGAL 23-MAN SQUAD: bahce/TUR), (Real Madrid/ The 1998 World Cup winners will also 11-man reserve list along with Monaco striker Keita Balde, Goalkeepers: (Rennes/ ESP), (Lille/FRA) take on Peru and Denmark in Group C. Goalkeeper: Benoit Costil (Bordeaux) with West Ham midfi elder Cheikhou FRA), Khadim N’Diaye (Horoya/GUI), Alfred Midfielders: M’barek Boussoufa (Al FRANCE SQUAD Defenders: (Saint- Kouyate and Everton’s Gomis (SPAL/ITA) Jazira/UAE), (/ Goalkeepers: Hugo Lloris (Tottenham Etienne), (Crystal Palace/ also included. Defenders: (Napoli/ITA), NED), Youssef Ait Bennasser (Caen/FRA), Hotspur/ENG), (Marseille), ENG), Kurt Zouma (Stoke City/ENG — on The 26-year-old Mane has scored 19 (/TUR), Kara (Feyenoord/NED), Younes (Paris Saint-Germain) loan from Chelsea/ENG), goals in all competitions this season for Mbodji (Anderlecht/BEL), Moussa Wague Belhanda (Galatasaray/TUR), Faycal Fajr Defenders: Lucas Hernandez (Atletico Ma- (Barcelona/ESP) Liverpool, helping Jurgen Klopp’s side (Eupen/BEL), (Bordeaux/ (Getafe/ESP), (Schalke 04/ drid/ESP), (Paris Saint- Midfielders: (Paris Saint- fi nish fourth in the Premier League and FRA), (Valenciennes/FRA), Salif GER), (Leganes/ESP) Germain), Benjamin Mendy (Manchester Germain), Moussa Sissoko (Tottenham reach next week’s Champions League Sane (Hanover/GER) Forwards: Khalid Boutaib (Malatyaspor/ City/ENG), Benjamin Pavard (Stuttgart/ Hotspur/ENG) fi nal against Real Madrid. Midfielders: (Stoke/ENG), TUR), (Saint Pauli/GER), GER), (Marseille), Djibril Sidibe Forwards: (Sevilla/ Goalkeeper Khadim N’Diaye, who Idrissa Gueye (Everton/ENG), Cheikhou (RSB/MAR), (Monaco), Samuel Umtiti (Barcelona/ESP), ESP), Kingsley Coman (Bayern Munich/ plays for Horoya in , is the only Kouyate (West Ham/ENG), Cheikh N’Doye (Standard Liege/BEL), (Ajax Raphael Varane (Real Madrid/ESP) GER), (Arsenal/ENG), African-based player to make the list. (Birmingham/ENG), Alfred N’Diaye Amsterdam/NED)

WORLD CUP OPINION Youthful England have to believe, Arteta has qualities to be says manager Southgate Arsenal manager: Wenger

AFP lack of Englishmen playing regularly in the Reuters Premier League. “We pick from 33% of the London league which is quite a unique situation, but there is excitement with where we are go- ngland manager Gareth Southgate ing.” ikel Arteta has “all insisted his 23-man squad is built to Capped 75 times, Hart, would have been of the qualities” to win now rather than building for the England’s most experienced player had he become the next Ar- future, despite picking his country’s been selected. Hart, 31, started only half of senal manager, ac- thirdE youngest ever squad for a World Cup. West Ham’s Premier League games this sea- Mcording to Arsene Wenger who Veteran goalkeeper Joe Hart and Arsenal son and conceded 39 goals in his 19 league is leaving the London club after midfi elder Jack Wilshere were among the appearances in a loan spell from Manchester 22 years in charge. British me- big names to miss out on Southgate’s squad, City. dia reported that former Arsenal whilst 19-year-old uncapped Liverpool full- However, Southgate insisted Hart’s inter- captain Arteta has emerged as back Trent Alexander-Arnold was included. national career isn’t over should he secure a clear favourite to take over from “We are not picking young players be- permanent move away from City, where he Wenger. cause we are trying to buy ourselves time, has fallen down the pecking order, and get “He has all the qualities to do we are picking young players because we back to his best. “If he’s playing well for his the job, yes and I think as well he believe they are the best,” said Southgate England you can write any tournament off ,” club why wouldn’t I select him? He has an is one of the favourites,” Wenger, yesterday. “Maybe it is brave to take players he added. “We know teams that win tourna- important career decision this summer and who signed Arteta for Arsenal in without the number of caps, but we have to ments normally have more caps than we do, we hope he can be back playing at his very 2011, told beIN Sports. “He was give these guys belief.” have more appearances in semi-fi nals and best,” said Southgate. a leader, and he has a good pas- Former England striker Gary Lineker fi nals than we do. That’s where we want to Hart wasn’t even selected in Southgate’s sion for the game and he knows joined a host of pundits in calling on South- head and that’s what Germany, Spain, Brazil stand-by list with Burnley’s Tom Heaton in the club well, he knows what is gate to “write off ” any hopes of lifting the and Argentina have done in junior and sen- reserve for club teammate Nick Pope, Jack important at the club and he was Mikel Arteta (left) with Arsene Wenger World Cup in Moscow on July 15 in favour ior tournaments. Butland and Jordan Pickford. Southgate captain of the club.” of blooding youngsters. However, Southgate “We have great faith in them. They lack clarifi ed that had been his call, rather than Spaniard Arteta, 36, took up a opinion I would have given it. “He was here with his mother said he resisted the temptation to name en some big match experience, but how are Hart’s refusal to be on stand-by. role in Pep Guardiola’s coaching Because I want my club to con- and we were very close. Then even younger squad by ruling out the likes of they going to get that? I don’t want to limit “(It was) my decision,” he added. “I think staff at Manchester City in 2016 tinue to do well and continue to Man United came in and they had Fulham’s Ryan Sessegnon and what they think is possible. We need to en- if you were the number one and asked to ful- but has never managed a team, a play at the top. But they didn’t Carlos Queiroz at the time, who of to pick those that on joy the ride and embrace the tournament.” fi l that role I think it is a very diff erent chal- lack of experience that has raised ask me, so that takes the weight was their coach. United played form are best placed to succeed in Russia. Southgate did concede, however, that lenge and I think the best thing for Joe now concerns among Arsenal sup- away from me.” against Sporting Lisbon and Ro- “I don’t think when you’re involved with his job has been made much harder by the is to get his future sorted out this summer.” porters. Wenger, however, be- naldo was outstanding and they lieves Arteta could benefi t from FAILED RONALDO BID IS signed him. his own fi rst-team coaches, like WENGER’S BIGGEST “You could imagine at the time Steve Bould and , ARSENAL TRANSFER REGRET what it would have been like to who are still at the club. Meanwhile, Wenger said fail- have Thierry Henry and Ronaldo ‘comfortable’ back in training “I left a lot of experience be- ing to sign has together... That would certainly hind me, people who were with his biggest transfer regret in his have changed a little bit the his- Rio de Janeiro: Brazil’s star forward Kaka. “I felt good, comfortable,” he said. me like Steve Bould who has six almost 22-year-reign at the Pre- tory of my stay here as well.” Neymar said yesterday he feels “comfort- “Clearly there’s some fear but I’m losing it years experience, and Jens Leh- mier League club, the 68-year- Wenger said the north Lon- able” back in training ahead of the World bit by bit.” mann too,” Wenger added. “Un- old has said. Wenger signed some don outfi t were unable to com- Cup, after more than two months out with Responding to online questions from fortunately, some other staff left. of the league’s best players dur- pete with United’s 12mn pounds a broken foot bone. Brazilian fans are fans, Neymar said he’d even trade his fre- (Arteta) has been an assistant ing his reign, including Thierry ($16.23mn) off er for the Portugal crossing their fingers that the world’s most quently changing hairstyles for an all-over of Guardiola as well, so overall I Henry, Robert Pires, Cesc Fabre- international. “There is always expensive player will be 100% fit for their shave if Brazil could win in Russia. “If we think he has the qualities.” gas and Mesut Ozil, but Arsenal something you could have done team’s bid to win a record-extending sixth win, I’ll do whatever you want,” he said. Wenger, however, is staying lost out on signing Ronaldo to ri- diff erently, but the problem of world title in Russia. Neymar was injured on February 25 out of the club’s search for his vals Manchester United in 2003. negotiations is to know when you And the Paris Saint-Germain goal- playing for PSG against Marseille in Ligue successor. “I don’t want to infl u- Ronaldo went on to help Unit- give in and when you don’t give scoring machine said his first sessions with 1. The 26-year-old underwent surgery on a ence that publicly because for me ed win three league titles along in,” Wenger said. the ball are going well. “I started training bone in his right foot in Brazil at the start I believe it is important that they with an FA Cup and Champions “Once we were at 4.5mn with the ball, making passes, hitting it,” he of March. make their choice in an objective League triumph, before joining pounds, we were still in nego- said in an interview on Facebook with Des- Brazil kick off their World Cup against way and after once they make a Real Madrid in 2009. “The ob- tiations... so we were very close. impedidos, the football chat and comedy Switzerland in Rostov on June 17. Their decision I will support him,” he vious player (that we missed out But Man United went to 12mn channel started by former Brazilian great group also includes Costa Rica and Serbia. said on) that comes to mind is (Cris- pounds, which we could not af- “If the club had asked my tiano) Ronaldo,” Wenger said. ford at the time.” Gulf Times Friday, May 18, 2018 3 FOOTBALL

SPOTLIGHT Griezmann fi res Atletico Madrid to Europa triumph Atletico’s victory comes after agonising defeats to Real Madrid in the Champions League finals of 2014 and 2016

AFP Lyon

ntoine Griezmann was the hero for Atletico Madrid as the French striker scored twice in their 3-0 win over MarseilleA in Wednesday night’s Europa League fi nal in Lyon, allowing his club to win the trophy for the third time in nine seasons. It is Griezmann’s fi rst major title with Atletico, and a fi tting way to bow out if he leaves at the season’s end, with Bar- celona tipped as his next destination. Griezmann — brought up in Macon, just 70 kilometres from Lyon — scored once in each half, his lethal fi nishes coming either side of Marseille los- ing Dimitri Payet to injury, the French team’s captain coming off in tears. Griezmann now has 29 goals this season, although it was Gabi’s late strike that sealed the victory. “This is a reward for me after I left home aged 14, for all the work I have put in, the suff ering,” said Griezmann, who has spent his whole career in Spain but had only previously won one Spanish Super Cup. Atletico’s triumph comes after ago- nising defeats to Real Madrid in the Champions League fi nals of 2014 and 2016. They had previously won the Eu- ropa League in 2010 and again in 2012, the latter coming just six months af- ter Diego Simeone’s appointment as coach. Simeone, who had to watch from the stands due to a touchline ban, called the victory a reward for his side’s hard work and even expressed hope that Griez- mann could be convinced to stay. “This was just confi rmation of what Griez- mann has been doing year after year,” said the Argentine. “I hope he is happy with us. I have no doubt that there are certain things that could make it more likely that he stays. He has played three fi nals with us, has won two, and so that shows that he is not far away from his objective of regu- larly playing fi nals. We are not far away in sporting terms from teams who are more powerful than us.” Marseille had been desperate to win the second European trophy in their history, on French soil, 25 years af- ter beating AC Milan in the inaugural Champions League fi nal. But it was a fl at night for their huge support, who threatened to ruin the occasion by lighting fl ares and setting off fi recrack- ers at one end of the stadium, with some even being thrown onto the pitch towards the end. The game carried on regardless, with Rudi Garcia’s side well beaten. “We let our chance go in the fi rst half. Firstly, we had the best chance to go ahead, and Atletico Madrid players celebrate with the trophy after winning the UEFA Europa League at the Parc OL stadium in Decines-Charpieu, near Lyon, on Wednesday night. (AFP) secondly an error from us meant we fell behind,” said Garcia. “The scoreline is but they will look back on the evening up often against an Atletico side who Zambo Anguissa, deep in midfi eld, ential player who had been struggling fi nding Koke and then latching onto the harsh but the better team won.” with regrets. went on to keep their 34th clean sheet rather than clear long. The Camerooni- with a hamstring problem ahead of the return ball before lifting a deft fi nish Atletico were the favourites against a They had started well and had a great this season. an’s attempt at a touch was awful, and game, came off crying just after the over Mandanda and in. Substitute Ko- Marseille side whose continental cam- chance to open the scoring inside four Marseille were then punished for Gabi pounced on the loose ball, sending half-hour. stas Mitroglou nearly pulled one back, paign had begun in the third qualifying minutes, Valere Germain shooting over sloppy play as they fell behind in the Griezmann through to fi nish. OM then conceded again just four his header coming off the post, before round last July. Just being in this fi nal after being slipped in by Payet. It was 21st minute. Goalkeeper Steve Man- Things got worse for Marseille when minutes after the restart. Gabi’s low drive in the 89th minute was an achievement for Garcia’s team, the kind of chance that does not come danda opted to pass to Andre-Frank Payet, their captain and most infl u- It was a glorious goal, Griezmann made it 3-0.

Griezmann dismisses transfer FOCUS talk aft er ‘dream’ final European success a deserved reward for Simeone Lyon: Antoine Griezmann said in the Champions League and it it was not the time to think wasn’t to be, but this time it was AFP Falling behind against Atletico is usu- about his future after leading my turn,” said the striker, who Lyon ally fatal, and so it proved for the French Atletico Madrid to a 3-0 victory had not previously won a major side. Simeone’s team are so well-drilled over Marseille in Wednesday’s trophy with the club. that the coach’s absence from the touch- Europa League final in Lyon. He was in the Atletico side or a club like Atletico Madrid, line was no problem — a suspension “Now is not the time to talk that lost on penalties to Real success never comes easily, but meant he had to watch from the stands. about my future. I need to just Madrid in the Champions Wednesday’s Europa League fi - This may be less prestigious than the enjoy this moment, having won League final in 2016 and lost nal victory over Marseille served Champions League, but Simeone has toF underline just how far they have trav- now won six titles with the club, includ- a title, and celebrate it with the the European Championship fans,” said Griezmann after pick- final with France that summer. elled in the years since Diego Simeone ing a UEFA Super Cup and a Spanish ing up the man-of-the-match Wednesday’s win came against became coach. The fi ery Argentine said Super Cup. That puts him level with the award for scoring the Spanish Marseille, the club he supported the 3-0 win over the French side in Lyon, tally of the legendary Luis Aragones, like side’s first two goals. as a youngster, but he said beat- achieved thanks to Antoine Griezmann’s Simeone a former player who went on to The France star has been ing them did not in any way take brace and a late Gabi goal, meant “much coach the club. tipped to leave Atletico at the the shine off his evening. more than just winning a trophy”. Sime- Simeone won a league and cup double end of the season after four “It’s not hard, because I am one took over a club that had been in a as a player with Atletico before eventually years in the Spanish capital, selfish. I had lost finals, I left near constant state of disarray for more returning to his homeland to cut his teeth with speculation that he will join home at 14 to win titles and than a decade and almost immediately in coaching, but it is in the Spanish capital Barcelona. “It is a dream for me today I had the chance to win a revived their fortunes. that he clearly feels he belongs. “Atletico to win a title. We had a chance trophy.” But after one Europa League, one Copa Madrid for me is an important place in my del Rey and a title in his fi rst two Atletico Madrid’s Argentinian coach Diego Simeone celebrates with his daughter after life, not just in sporting terms,” he said. and a half years at the helm, the last few the UEFA Europa League final win over . (AFP) “I grew as a player at this club. I came seasons had been defi ned more by the back at an important moment in my life, near misses. Two Champions League fi - the club’s third Europa League triumph ning the cup.” and without doubt returning gave me a nal defeats in agonising fashion against in nine years, while also keeping them on Griezmann’s goal in London in that sense of balance and peace. This is not city rivals Real Madrid in 2014 and 2016 course to fi nish above Real in La Liga. semi-fi nal against Arsenal set Atletico just about winning the Europa League, had many thinking Simeone might be “It has been a diffi cult season, but win- on the way to beating the Premier League no, it’s much greater than that. It’s about tempted to accept an off er from one of ning the Europa League is much more club, and it was testament to how far they hard work, eff ort, making ourselves com- Europe’s super clubs. than just winning a trophy, it validates have come under Simeone that they were petitive, winning again and again.” Yet the 48-year-old has toughed it out all our hard work, our determination,” the favourites to win that tie. That relentlessness means Simeone through a FIFA-imposed transfer ban, a Simeone said after Wednesday’s game. They clearly justifi ed their favourites will not take his eye off the ball before disappointing Champions League group- “Last season we reached the semi-fi nals tag against Marseille too, with a typical this weekend’s fi nal La Liga game against stage exit earlier this season and a Janu- of the Champions League, and this sea- Atletico performance — happy to soak up Eibar, when a draw will secure second Atletico Madrid’s Antoine Griezmann and his family celebrate with ary window when the club sold a clutch son we started that competition badly, the pressure and wait for an opposition spot and allow Atletico “to continue be- the trophy after the UEFA Europa League final. (AFP) of valuable squad members. He has led but we showed our manliness against Ar- error, from which Griezmann put them ing a nuisance” to their more powerful Atletico into their new stadium and to senal and that set us on the way to win- ahead. rivals. Gulf Times 4 Friday, May 18, 2018 FOOTBALL

SPOTLIGHT Ranieri leaves Nantes aft er one year Sanchez seeks familiar in charge Nantes, France: French first-division club Nantes yesterday confirmed that manager Claudio Ranieri would be leaving at the end of the season after one year in charge. FA Cup lift off at United “The club and the coach have decided to separate by mutual agreement,” presi- dent Waldemar Kita said in a Sanchez has so far failed to deliver for Man United — scoring just three times in 17 appearances statement. “We thank Claudio Ranieri and his staff for all AFP the work they have done London this season and wish them lots of success in their next projects,” Kita said. lexis Sanchez heads to Wem- The divorce has been an bley for tomorrow’s FA Cup open secret and the Canar- fi nal against Chelsea hoping ies have not hidden their Athe magic of the cup will again search for a replacement prove the inspiration needed for the with former player Jocelyn Chilean to kickstart a slow start to his Gourvennec linked to the Manchester United career. position. Sanchez is no plucky underdog. He “I had a good time here reportedly signed the most lucrative with you. I hope Nantes will contract in Premier League history continue to progress,” Ranieri when penning a four-and-a-half year said. The 66-year-old coach, contract at Old Traff ord in January. who led Leicester City to an However, the home of English foot- unexpected English Premier ball and its end-of-season showpiece is League title in 2016, will be where Sanchez has often shone bright- on the Nantes bench for est. Sanchez arrived at United from Ar- the last time for the season- senal to much fanfare as his mid-season ending home game against signing was a rare victory for United Strasbourg tomorrow. over cross-city rivals and Premier Ranieri arrived last sum- League champions Manchester City mer after Portuguese coach this season in winning the race for the Sergio Conceicao left sud- his signature. denly for Porto. The signing Yet, Sanchez has so far failed to de- of a famous coach signalled liver on that expectation — scoring just that Kita wanted Nantes to three times in 17 appearances. take a step up. The first part By a distance his most important goal of the season seemed to for United came in the FA Cup semi-fi - justify the gamble. Nantes nal last month as his equaliser propelled were third after 10 games and Jose Mourinho’s men to a 2-1 win over stayed in the top five well into Tottenham and his third FA Cup fi nal in the second half but a plunge four seasons in England. in form has dropped them He scored in the 2015 and 2017 fi - to 10th. nals to inspire Arsenal to victories over Aston Villa and Chelsea. It was also SALAH’S BOOTS BECOME Sanchez’s eighth goal in eight appear- MUSEUM EXHIBIT ances at Wembley for club and country. Mohamed Salah fever has Mourinho has been a fi erce defender swept Britain since his arrival of his marquee recruit with the Portu- with Liverpool’s goal machine guese blaming the timing of his move earning two players awards for Sanchez’s inability to yet hit top Alexis Sanchez (centre) signed the most lucrative contract in Premier League when penning a four-and-a-half year contract at Manchester United in January. (AFP) and now a pair of his boots form. “What is wrong is that he came at are to sit alongside Egyp- the worst moment of the season... that’s players in the winter market because four years. Tomorrow will be his 301st “He’s not afraid to take responsibil- Despite his workload, Sanchez has tian artefacts at the British why I don’t like the winter market very of the period of adaptation, especially game in the past fi ve seasons for club ity,” Mourinho added. “Not afraid to try made a habit of ending the season Museum. The 25-year-old much. I think this was a chance that we with attackers.” and country. On international duty in to make things to happen, when he feels strongly in FA Cup fi nals. Should he re- Egyptian — who set a new didn’t want to lose and we took it,” said Mourinho’s hunch that next sea- March, he admitted that toll had left that he’s not as dangerous as you’d like peat his feat from last season by beating Premier League scoring Mourinho. son will see a signifi cant improvement him “psychologically and emotion- him to be, he drops back, he tries things, Chelsea and join very esteemed compa- record last season with 32 — “Hopefully next season he will be is helped by Chile’s failure to qualify ally exhausted”, especially when at his he tries to come to building-up areas. ny by scoring in a third fi nal, Sanchez’s will have his boots on display better, which is what we think is going for the World Cup, handing Sanchez best, Sanchez’s game relies on explosive When he makes mistakes, he tries to mistakes since arriving in Manchester in arguably the finest ancient to happen. I am not a big fan of buying a fi rst tournament-free summer for bursts to get beyond defences. compensate immediately.” will be forgiven and forgotten. Egyptian collection outside of the country itself. The donation — by ROUND-UP adidas — is to celebrate Salah’s winning the Premier League Golden Boot. “This acquisition brings the British Don’t ask me to coach again Poacher-turned-gamekeeper Museum’s world-famous Egyptian collection right up to date,” purred Neal Spencer, when I’m 80: Heynckes Rubiales new Spanish chief the British Museum’s Keeper of Ancient Egypt and Sudan. uis Rubiales, a former on allegations of collusion, 2016, having also won the 2008 “The boots tell a story players’ union fi re- embezzlement and falsify- and 2012 European champion- of a modern Egyptian icon, brand, was elected as ing documents and spent two ships in a glittering interna- performing in the UK, with a the new president of weeks in custody before being tional career which saw him truly global impact. Displayed Lthe Spanish football federation released on bail. capped a national-record 167 amidst the statues of ancient (RFEF) yesterday, replacing times. Casillas, who claimed pharaohs, we now show the the controversial Angel Maria CASILLAS TO STAY WITH three Champions League titles boots with which Mo Salah Villar who stepped down in PORTO FOR NEXT SEASON with Real Madrid, won his fi rst won the Golden Boot for December. Rubiales, 40, polled Spanish goalkeeping great Iker trophy with Porto this term Liverpool.” 80 votes to 56 for rival Juan Casillas has extended his stay as Sergio Conceicao’s side Salah is not finished yet, Luis Larrea who was treasurer at Porto for another season fi nished seven points clear of though, as he heads to the during Villar’s 29-year rule and after winning the Portuguese Benfi ca. Champions League final on who had been acting as interim league title, he announced yes- Saturday next week in Kiev president. terday. Casillas, who captained WAGNER QUITS GERMANY against holders Real Madrid He was best known for lead- Spain to World Cup glory in AFTER WORLD CUP SNUB and thence to Russia lead- ing two player strikes — the 2010, joined Porto from Real Bayern Munich’s out-spoken ing Egypt’s line in their first fi rst in 2011 which lasted for Madrid in 2015 and regained his striker Sandro Wagner has World Cup appearance in 28 15 days and fought to resolve place in the team in the second reacted to his surprise omission years. the issue over unpaid wages half of this season after being from Germany’s provisional The boots will go on dis- and the second in 2015, which dropped in favour of Jose Sa. World Cup squad by retiring play next week in the run up required judicial intervention, “I’m going to go one more from international duty. to the Champions league final and was centred on television year with Porto. No doubt this Wagner, who made his debut and will be displayed next to rights. is a fl ourish with which to end in 2017, helped an inexperi- footwear from ancient Egypt Rubiales led the AFE players a great season,” he wrote on enced squad win the Confed- and adjacent to a selection union from 2010 until 2017. Twitter. Casillas, who will turn erations Cup in Russia last July of gold pharaonic jewellery. Villar was forced to resign last 37 on Sunday, agreed to lower and has scored fi ve goals in just In 2016, the British Museum year from the post he had oc- his salary in order to stay at the eight internationals. launched its Modern Egypt cupied since 1988 following his Estadio do Dragao, according “I would lie if I said that I am Project to bolster its collec- arrest as part of a corruption to Portuguese daily Jornal de not disappointed, the World tion of contemporary mate- The 73-year-old Jupp Heynckes took charge of Bayern Munich in October for his fourth stint. (AFP) investigation. Noticias. Cup would have been a great rial from modern Egypt. He was detained in July He last played for Spain in thing,” said Wagner. AFP ment for next season. “It is an to Berlin for the fi nal and the Berlin incredibly labour-intensive, message is clear. “If we have to around-the-clock job,” said say goodbye to our coach, then FOCUS Heynckes, who holds the record we want to do that with the upp Heynckes brings of 1,037 German league games double,” said Bayern chairman the curtain down on his as a player or coach. “Being Karl-Heinz Rummenigge. fourth spell as Bayern coach at Bayern is a great op- Meanwhile, Bayern star Tho- Juventus’ Buff on ‘sorry’ for referee rant Munich coach tomorrow, portunity — but also a huge mas Mueller is struggling to be warningJ the German giants not commitment.” fi t for tomorrow’s game as he is for that,” said Buff on. AFP to call on him again when he’s However, he insists there will suff ering from gastroenteritis. Turin “I am extremely sorry about that, as over 80. Heynckes takes charge of be no return for a fi fth stint as The 28-year-old missed train- 23 years of Champions League career, I was Bayern for the fi nal time in the coach. “FC Bayern should not ing yesterday while winger Ar- never sent off or suspended, so I feel that I German Cup fi nal against Ein- ask again when I’m 80, that was jen Robben, who has a groin ianluigi Buff on yesterday apolo- behaved fairly and in a sporting manner with tracht Frankfurt whose current defi nitively it for me,” said Hey- strain, and Joshua Kimmich, gised for his referee rant after Juven- everyone. If I saw the referee again, I would boss Niko Kovac will take over nckes. “I will not have with- with a mild infection, trained tus’s Champions League quarter- give him a hug and say that he should have the Munich hot seat. drawal symptoms and no bore- separately. “I’ll fl y to Berlin, but fi nal exit against Real Madrid last taken more time with that decision in such an The 73-year-old Heynckes dom, I have a lot of hobbies.” whether I can play is still open,” Gmonth. The 40-year-old has been charged important game for us and for me,” said Buf- took charge in October for his Heynckes says he is looking Robben said. by UEFA over his comments about referee fon. fourth stint when Carlo Ance- forward to watching football as With one eye on next month’s Michael Oliver, who awarded the Spaniards “With the feelings, emotions and disap- lotti was fi red. He could bow a fan alongside his wife Iris and World Cup, Bayern fans’ main a late penalty and dismissed the Juve captain. pointment of the situation, I behaved in a way out with the league and cup dog Cando at the family home in hope for the fi nal at Berlin’s Ol- Cristiano Ronaldo slotted home the pen- that was not usual for me. The referee gave double after Bayern won the Schwalmtal, near Moencheng- ympic Stadium is that Germany alty to give Real a 4-3 aggregate victory after me a red card — which I still don’t understand Bundesliga title by a massive ladbach. “That’s what makes captain and goalkeeper Manuel the Serie A champions had staged a remark- your kids, having your drink and eating your — and you (the press) rather than focusing on 21 points. “We want to put in a me happy, so it’s easy for me to Neuer will make his comeback able comeback to wipe out a 3-0 fi rst-leg crisps”. my comments, should look at behaviour from good performance for the fans quit the job.” after eight months sidelined by defi cit at the Santiago Bernabeu. European football’s governing body said the offi cial that was not really consistent. A and create another highlight,” Heynckes oversaw his last a fractured foot. The 32-year- A fuming Buff on had raged that English- the case will be dealt with on May 31. “After few days later I was sorry to have off ended the said Heynckes. He also off ered training session in Munich on old is expected to start on the man Oliver had a “rubbish bin for a heart” that match, I went beyond the limits with the referee, because at the end of the day he is a a warning to Kovac, his replace- Thursday before the team fl ew bench with Sven Ulreich in goal. and should “sit in the stands with your wife, things I said about the referee and I apologise human being who does a very diffi cult job.” Gulf Times Friday, May 18, 2018 5 SPORT

NBA NHL Golden Knights defend their fortress Rockets dominate in win over Jets

Reuters ing a deafening roar from the Las Vegas raucous crowd that waved white “battle towels” throughout the contest. fter splitting the fi rst Wing James Neal scored and to level series 1-1 two games of the West- later assisted on Alex Tuch’s ern Conference Finals eventual game-winner while with the Jets in Win- goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury nipeg,A the Vegas Golden Knights put in another stellar post- returned home to a hero’s wel- season performance, making 33 come on Wednesday and put on saves to secure the win. a show worthy of their spot near The gritty victory was the lat- the Las Vegas Strip with a 4-2 est for a squad that proudly refer with Golden State win. to themselves the “Golden Mis- The victory pushed the Gold- fi ts”, owing to a roster comprised ‘Total team eff ort. we played harder and smarter than game one. That was the only diff erence’ en Knights’ advantage to 2-1 over of players let go by other teams the favoured Jets in the best-of- prior to last year’s expansion seven series as the team continue draft. to defy the odds in their inau- The castaway crew has re- gural season with the support sponded with a fearless, fast- of their vocal and colourful fan paced style that has won fans’ base. hearts and put them two wins The party started well before away from being the fi rst expan- the puck dropped as Elvis and sion team since the 1967-68 St. Wonder Woman impersonators Louis Blues to reach the Stanley mingled with fans outside the Cup Finals. T-Mobile Arena near Knights- “We all came here with the themed glitter and tattoo sta- right mindset,” Neal told report- tions on a sweltering day in the ers after the win. Nevada desert. “Our coaching staff is great. Once inside, the 18,477 in at- They gave us a chance to play, tendance were treated to a surre- and gave us chances to do things al pre-game show where an actor we haven’t in the past.” dressed in knight’s armour used “It’s fresh there for us to grab a a sword to split a massive jet pro- hold, and we ran with it,” he said. jected onto the ice in two, whip- “Whether you have three ping the crowd into a frenzy. Stanley Cups or your fi rst time in Fans were just getting situ- the playoff s, everyone has some- ated when centreman Jonathan thing to prove.” Marchessault scored just 35 sec- The Knights host the Jets in onds into the contest, unleash- Game Four on Friday.

Harden, James, Davis named MVP fi nalists Houston Rockets guard James Harden, Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James and New Orleans Pelicans forward Anthony Davis were named finalists for the NBA’s Most Valuable Player award, the league announced Wednesday. The winner will be announced during the awards show on June 25, four days after the NBA draft. Harden, who finished second in last year’s voting behind Russell Westbrook, and Davis are looking to win the award for the first time. Harden also finished second in 2014-15 behind Stephen Curry, three spots ahead of Davis. Harden, 28, averaged a career-high and league-leading 30.4 points per game. He also contributed 8.8 assists and 5.4 rebounds per game while leading Houston to the league’s best record. Davis, 25, averaged a career-high 28.1 points, 11.1 boards and 2.6 blocks, along with a personal-best 2.3 assists per game. At 33, James would be the oldest player to win the award since a James Harden of the Houston Rockets shoots against the Golden State Warriors in the second-half of game two of the Western Conference Finals of the 2018 NBA Playoff s at 35-year-old Karl Malone did so in 1998-99. Only one player in his 30s Toyota Centre in Houston, Texas. (AFP) has won the award since then: Steve Nash did so at 30 and 31. A four-time winner of the award (‘08-09, ‘09-10, ‘11-12, ‘12-13), James AFP intentions early. Their seven a Houston team that led the they came out and played a 14 of his 22 points in the fi rst will finish in the top five of MVP voting for the 13th consecutive sea- Los Angeles fast-break points in the open- league with 65 regular-season great game. They got every- half for Houston. Trevor Ariza, son. He has finished second twice and third three times in that span, ing quarter more than doubled wins. “I don’t want to be can- body going. We got what we de- another who struggled in game and he finished fourth last season. the three they mustered in all of tankerous,” D’Antoni said. “You served. They kicked our butts, one, added 19 points and Chris He finished the regular season with averages of 27.5 points, 9.1 he Houston Rockets game one. Houston connected have one of the best off enses of no other way to say it.” Paul scored 16 for the Rockets. assists and 8.6 rebounds per game, with the latter two figures equal- ramped up the intensity on three-of-10 from three-point all time, at least, with Golden Kevin Durant led the Warri- “Defensively we were more ag- ing or exceeding career highs. on Wednesday, power- range in the fi rst period while the State and we’re trying to prove ors with 38 points, but Stephen gressive. We were smarter,” said Davis was also named a finalist for Defensive Player of the Year, ing past the NBA cham- Warriors were zero-for-seven we’re up there with them. Curry was the only other Gold- Harden, whose Rockets travel to alongside Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert and Philadelphia 76ers Tpion Golden State Warriors and coughed up seven turnovers. You’re not going to come in and en State player in double fi gures Oakland for game three on Sun- center Joel Embiid. Gobert finished second last year to Draymond 127-105 to level their Western Up 26-21 after one quarter, change the way you play. with 16. Klay Thompson scored day with renewed confi dence. Green. The Sixers and Jazz also have representatives in the Rookie Conference fi nals series at one the Rockets wouldn’t trail from “We are who we are. We just just eight points, Draymond “We still made some mistakes of the Year race, guards Ben Simmons and Donovan Mitchell, re- game apiece. there. They led 64-50 by halft- did it better and longer.” Green six and Andre Iguodala that we can get better at,” Hard- spectively. Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum is the third finalist Houston’s Most Valuable ime, with four players already in Warriors coach Steve Kerr fi ve. Curry connected on seven en said. “We know how tough it in that category. Player candidate James Harden double fi gures as they stepped said the Rockets’ energy made of 19 shots from the fl oor, mak- is to win (at Golden State) but Dwane Casey, who was voted as the league’s coach of the year by scored 27 points and pulled up the pace and tightened the all the diff erence. “I just think ing just one of eight three-point we’re ready for it.” his peers before being fired by the Toronto Raptors last week, was down 10 rebounds. Eric Gordon defensive screws. this game was a matter of the attempts in what he called a The winners of the series will named a finalist for the off icial award voted on by sportswriters and added 27 off the bench as fi ve “Everything was fueled off Rockets bringing the force “frustrating night.” face either the Cleveland Cava- broadcasters. He is joined by Utah’s Quin Snyder and Boston’s Brad players scored in double fi gures our defense,” Gordon said. “We that’s necessary to win a game Overall the Warriors were liers or Boston Celtics in the Stevens. for a Rockets team chastened by hit the open man at the right and we didn’t,” Kerr said. just nine of 30 from three-point NBA Finals. The Celtics lead the Rockets guard Eric Gordon, Raptors guard Fred VanVleet and Los a 119-106 series-opening defeat time and guys were knocking “We had seven turnovers in range. They fi nished the game Eastern Conference fi nals 2-0. Angeles Clippers guard Lou Williams are finalists for Sixth Man of on their home fl oor on Monday. down shots and when we play the fi rst quarter. We set the tone with 15 turnovers - 11 of those “For us right now the most the Year, which Gordon won last year as Williams finished third. Wil- “Total team eff ort,” Harden that way it’s just a fun game.” early with our own play and al- coming before halftime, by important game is game three,” liams won the award in 2014-15. said. “We played harder and Rockets coach Mike D’Antoni lowed them to get some confi - when most of the damage was Paul said. Houston’s Clint Capela, the Brooklyn Nets’ Spencer Dinwiddie and smarter than game one. That said there was no major change dence and some easy buckets in done. “That’s a tough environment the Indiana Pacers’ Victor Oladipo are finalists for Most Improved was the only diff erence.” in strategy -- just more inten- transition. PJ Tucker, who scored just to play in there. But we are who Player. The Rockets signalled their sity and better execution from “But give them the credit one point in game one, scored we are and we’ll be ready.”

MLB Houston Astros’ Verlander shuts out Angels AFP he got was enough the way he ni and Upton – were a combined Anaheim, California was pitching. Evan Gattis’ two- 0-for-12 in the game. run homer off Angels starter Richards (4-2) retired the fi rst Garrett Richards in the second two Astros hitters in the second ustin Verlander threw a inning was all the Astros could inning before an error by the fi ve-hit shutout Wednes- muster, but it was all they would third baseman Cozart allowed day night, leading the need. Josh Reddick to reach base. Houston Astros to a 2-0 The Angels threatened in the Gattis followed and connected victoryJ over the Los Angeles An- eighth inning after a single by on a 95 mph fastball on an 0-1 gels in Anaheim, California. Ian Kinsler and double by Kole count, hitting his fourth homer It was Verlander’s fi rst shut- Calhoun with one out. of the season. out since August 2015, when With the potential tying runs Richards was sharp for the rest he was with the Detroit Tigers on second and third, Verlander of his outing, but he got the loss and he blanked the Angels. He threw a called third strike past despite allowing two unearned notched his fi rst complete game pinch hitter Luis Valbuena, then runs on four hits and one walk in since 2016. got Mike Trout to hit a come- seven innings. Verlander struck out seven backer on a check swing to end He struck out four and made and walked one while making 118 the inning. 91 pitches. pitches as the Astros took two of The Angels had to know they three in the series. could be in for a long night con- RESULTS The 35-year-old right-hander sidering only two players in their Astros 2 Angels 0 earned the victory after going starting lineup – Zack Cozart Rangers 5 Mariners 1 winless in his previous three (.333) and Albert Pujols (.276) Phillies 4 Orioles 1 starts, including losses in his – went into the game with a Pirates 3 White Sox 2 past two. lifetime average of at least.200 Blue Jays 12 Mets 1 However, it wasn’t as if he had against Verlander. Indians 6 Tigers 0 been struggling – in those three In fact, Trout (2-for-23), Jus- Cardinals 7 Twins 5 starts, he allowed a total of two tin Upton (1-for-12) and Cal- Rays 5 Royals 3 earned runs in 20 innings but houn (2-for-25) were under.100 Brewers 8 Diamondbacks 2 was victimised by a lack of run against him, and things didn’t Marlins 6 Dodgers 5 support. change much Wednesday. Reds 6 Giants 3 Verlander didn’t get much The Angels’ 1-2-3 hitters in Red Sox 6 A’s 4 Houston Astros starting pitcher Justin Verlander in the second inning of the game against the Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium of Anaheim, support on Wednesday, but what the lineup – Trout, Shohei Ohta- Braves 4 Cubs 1 California. PICTURE: USA TODAY Sports Gulf Times 6 Friday, May 18, 2018 CRICKET

INDIAN PREMIER LEAGUE SPOTLIGHT captain Kohli says the beard stays De Villiers, Moeen Lanka’s Mathews, Lakmal AFP Bangalore cleared for West Indies tour Sri Lanka’s former skipper Angelo Mathews and medium ndia cricket captain Virat pacer Suranga Lakmal have Kohli insisted yesterday been declared fi t for the three- he will not be shaving off match Test series against the his famous beard any time West Indies, the cricket board keep RCB alive to Isoon. said yesterday. The 30-year- The 29-year-old batsman, old all-rounder and Lakmal who said he still cleans his were doubtful after a spate of own cricket shoes despite be- injuries. They were, however, ing one of the world’s highest included in a 17-man squad for paid athletes, has in recent the tournament which begins years become a style icon be- on May 30 with a three-day cause of the beard. warm-up match. fi ght another day A fan asked Kohli at a pro- “A fi tness test was carried motional event whether he out this week and the duo has skipper Williamson’s superb innings goes in vain would ever get rid of his care- been given the clearance to go fully trimmed bristles. ahead with the tour,” Sri Lanka IANS “I don’t think so, I really like Cricket said in a statement. Bengaluru it,” replied Kohli who will next Sri Lanka will miss opener month play for English county Dimuth Karunaratne who Surrey to prepare for India’s fractured a fi nger while bat- oyal Challengers Ban- tour later this year. ting in the nets earlier this galore kept their playoff “I think it suits me. So I month as he prepared for a hopes alive as Sunrisers don’t want to get rid of it. limited-overs domestic tour- Hyderabad’s skipper Looking after it is not that dif- nament. KaneR Williamson (81 off 42) and fi cult because the beard oils ’s (62 not-out have come in and it’s very easy. Rajput named interim off 38) blistering knock went in A little bit of beard oil and it’s coach of Zimbabwe vain in a crucial Indian Premier in place. But when it gets too Lalchand Rajput has been League (IPL) clash at M Chin- big and thick then obviously I named interim coach of Zim- naswamy Stadium yesterday have to trim it. That’s the only babwe, with his fi rst assign- It was once again Williamson, thing. But no, I would not get ment a triangular Twenty20 who along with Pandey forged a rid of it.” series against Australia and crucial partnership to take Hy- Beards became almost ubiq- Pakistan in July derabad on the verge of another uitous in the Indian team until Rajput was in charge of In- nail-biting win. However, it was last year when a small group dia when they lifted the inau- the hosts who clinched the issue of players including Hardik gural World Twenty20 in 2007 by 14 runs to keep their playoff Pandya and Rohit Sharma said and also had a successful spell dream alive. they would shave to break the with Afghanistan. He was Chasing the massive 219- stranglehold. Kohli’s then- confi rmed as coach in a state- run target, Hyderabad openers girlfriend, and now wife, Bol- ment by Zimbabwe Cricket Shikhar Dhawan (18) and Alex lywood actor Anushka Sharma yesterday. Hales (37) took their side to a went onto social media to The 56-year-old takes over quick start, accumulating 47 declare “you cannot” when from Heath Streak, who was runs in the fi rst fi ve overs. questions were asked about sacked in March after Zimba- However, the decent start the Indian captain’s style. bwe’s failure to qualify for the was short-lived as Yuzvendra Kohli is now one of the Cricket World Cup in England Chahal drew the fi rst blood for most featured celebrities in and Wales next year. the hosts in the sixth over when television advertising but Former opening batsman Dhawan came down the track he said the only must in his Rajput played two tests and but chipped back to the bowler. wardrobe was a pair of white four One-Day Internationals With addition of another 17 runs sneakers that he cleans every for India, and was also previ- in Hyderabad’s scorecard, AB de two weeks. “I clean my cricket ously the head of the country’s Villiers took a stunning catch shoes as well,” he said. National Cricket Academy. at deep midwicket to pack back Hales off a . Skipper Williamson and Pan- Warner to play Sydney club cricket dey then took the command, taking their side to touch the Disgraced former Australian vice-captain will three-fi gure mark in 11.3 overs. start his road to redemption by playing club cricket with Syd- Meanwhile, the Hyderabad ney’s Randwick Petersham, off icials said. captain slammed his half-cen- The opener is serving a year-long ban from state and interna- tury off 28 balls, helping his side tional cricket for his part in a plan to use sandpaper to tamper inch closer to the target. with the ball during the third Test in South Africa in March. But The duo went on to forge a he is free to play at club level and is set to make a return to the crucial 135-run partnership for field in September. the third , lifting the visi- Randwick Petersham club president Mike Whitney, a former tors to 199 runs in 19.1 overs. Test fast bowler, said Warner will play in at least three of the first With 19 needed off the nalfi four matches of the season. over, Mohamed Siraj jolted Hy- Royal Challengers Bangalore batsman AB De Villers plays a shot during the 2018 match against Sunrisers Hyderabad at “We’re delighted to have him. He’s one of the best players derabad dismissing the visiting The M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru yesterday. (AFP) Australia has had since World War II,” he told the local Southern skipper to bring back Bangalore Courier newspaper on Wednesday. in the game. RCB’s innings which fell apart and Moeen changed the com- heat by meting out some special Grandhomme (40 from 17; 4x1, “He’s been speaking to one of our club off icials and he has com- Williamson’s knock was laced after the early loss of the open- plexion of the innings in no time, treatment to Thampi. 6x4) and teenaged Sarfaraz Khan mitted to the first three or four rounds of the season. Why it is with seven fours and fi ve sixes. ing duo of Parthiv Patel (1) and with both batsmen trying to The English southpaw mer- (22 not out from 8; 4x3, 6x1) lit only three or four rounds at this stage I don’t know.” Pandey and incoming bats- skipper Virat Kohli (12). outscore each other as it started cilessly smacked Thampi for a up the stadium with some late Warner has also been linked with playing in the Northern Ter- man Deepak Hooda could only Put in to bat, Parthiv failed to raining boundaries at the Chin- boundary to bring up his maid- order fi reworks, to ensure the ritory’s limited-overs Strike League. Whitney, who played 12 manage fi ve runs off the final fi ve take advantage of the dropped naswamy Stadium. en IPL half century off just 25 home side crossed the 200-run Tests for Australia, said he emailed Warner shortly after he was deliveries as the hosts sealed the chance off the very fi rst ball and De Villiers started with two balls before Afghan leg-spinner mark with a quick-fi re 34-run banned in April to tell him the door was open. match by 14 runs to keep them departed off the fi nal ball off consecutive boundaries off Rashid came back to break the stand.For the tourists, Rashid afl oat in the league. , caught by Sid- Shakib Al Hasan before sending partnership in a span of three once again emerged the pick of For Bangalore, Chahal, Siraj dharth Kaul at third man. the other Hyderabad bowlers to balls. Rashid fi rst saw the back the bowlers with fi gures of 3/27, and Ali bagged one wicket each. Kohli followed his opening the leather hunt, before Moeen of de Villiers brilliantly caught while Siddharth and Sandeep FOCUS Earlier, de Villiers and Moeen partner soon after adding 32 joined the party by welcoming by Dhawan at deep backward chipped in with two and one Ali smacked breezy half centu- runs with de Villiers, as the India rookie pacer with square before packing Moeen , respectively. ries to help Bangalore overcome skipper’s struggle with the spin- two consecutive sixes. one ball later, caught behind by a shaky start and post a mam- ners continued in this edition of In no time, the South Afri- Shreevats Goswami. Brief Scores: Royal Challengers Toss could be axed moth 218/6 against Hyderabad the IPL. The right-hander at- can veteran brought up his half With both the set batsmen Bangalore 218/6 (AB de Villiers in a must-win tie. tempted to slog ’s century in mere 32 balls, when back in the dug out, the visitors 69, Moeen Ali 65; Rashid Khan De Villiers (69 from 39 balls; fuller length delivery hoping for he pulled medium pacer Kaul sniff ed at a smaller total when 3/27) beat Sunrisers Hyderabad for Ashes to reduce 4x12, 6x1) and Moeen (65 from a googly only to fi nd his stumps for a boundary before Moeen, they packed an in-form Man- 204/3 ( 81, Man- 34; 4x2, 6x6) put on a 107-run re-arranged. who was dropped on 23 by Dha- deep Singh (4) cheaply. ish Pandey 62 not out; Moeen third wicket stand to resurrect Struggling at 32/2, de Villiers wan off Sandeep, turned on the But New Zealander Colin de Ali 1/21) by 14 runs. home advantage

The Guardian of green, seaming surfaces, PREVIEW London which were felt to be promot- ing medium pace, hindering spinners and not replicating ext summer’s Ashes conditions encountered at series in England Test level. could be the fi rst The ICC cricket commit- in 141 years of Test tee, chaired by India’s former to face Ncricket to be played without spinner Anil Kumble, will also the toss taking place as the look to devise a points system International Cricket Council for the Test championship in considers ways to reduce the which the top nine teams play impact of home advantage in three series at home and three bottom-placed Delhi Daredevils its World Test Championship. away over a two-year period – IANS their bench. In such a scenario, the likes of Manjot England’s attempt to wres- not all plays all – with the top New Delhi Kalra, Gurkeerat Mann Singh, may get tle the urn back from Australia two teams in the league con- a look-in. Delhi’s bowling on a fl at Kotla wicket was in 2019 is set to be the fi rst se- testing a showpiece fi nal. massacred by the Royal Challengers Bangalore in the ries of the new nine-country Meanwhile, the England hennai Super Kings will eye the top spot on previous match and they will be hoping for a better ef- competition. According to ES- and Wales Cricket Board has the points table when they face bottom- fort from the likes of Trent Boult and Co. PNCricinfo, the ICC’s cricket been warned by the former placed Delhi Daredevils in a dead rubber committee will debate remov- Somerset chairman Andy Indian Premier League (IPL) match today. TEAMS: ing the toss when it meets in Nash that the 18 fi rst-class CChennai, who sit at the second spot in the Mumbai at the end of May. counties and Marylebone Delhi Daredevils: Shreyas Iyer (C), Rishabh Pant, points-table, qualifi ed for the play-off s. So in the Glenn Maxwell, Gautam Gambhir, Jason Roy, Colin The panel, which operates Cricket Club could form a upcoming match, the Mahendra Singh Dhoni-led Munro, , Amit Mishra, Prithvi in an advisory capacity and breakaway body akin to foot- side would like to brush up some areas of concern Shaw, Rahul Tewatia, Vijay Shankar, Harshal Patel, can only make recommen- ball’s Premier League or rug- ahead of the play-off s stage. Avesh Khan, , Daniel Christian, dations to the ICC chief ex- by’s Premiership. The department seemed sorted out as Jayant Yadav, Gurkeerat Singh Mann, Trent Boult, ecutives’ committee, is due to Nash stood down as an ECB their opening combination of and Manjot Kalra, Abhishek Sharma, Sandeep Lamich- consider whether the option board director last month cit- Shane Watson played sensibly. The lower-order, hane, Naman Ojha, Sayan Ghosh, Liam Plunkett, to bat or bowl fi rst should be ing issues over the manage- which included West Indian , Dhoni Junior Dala. given to the visiting captain to ment style of its chairman, and have also contributed handsome- Chennai Super Kings: Mahendra Singh Dhoni encourage fairer pitches. Colin Graves, and a belief that ly and would like to continue the same. (C), Suresh Raina, , , A similar tweak has been in both the new 100-ball tour- The pace attack will once again rely on Lungi Harbhajan Singh, Dwayne Bravo, Shane Watson, place in the County Champi- nament and mooted com- Ngidi, David Willey and . Delhi, on Ambati Rayadu, , K M Asif, Kanish onship since 2016, whereby pensation payments for Test the other hand, will once again hope to entertain Seth, , Dhruv Shorey, Murali Vijay, Sam the away captain has the op- grounds that miss out on the fans with fi reworks from Rishabh Pant, skipper Billings, Mark Wood, Kshtiz Sharma, Monu Kumar, tion to either bowl fi rst or have hosting matches could “pro- Shreyas Iyer, Prithvi Shaw and Jason Roy. Chaitanya Bishnoi, , , Shar- the toss. This was brought mote eight counties as the fi rst With nothing to lose, Delhi is expected to test dul Thakur, N Jagadeesan, David Willy. Chennai Super Kings have already made it into the playoff s. in to cut down the number among equals”. Gulf Times Friday, May 18, 2018 7 SPORT

CYCLING / GIRO D’ITALIA TENNIS Nadal marches Ireland’s Bennett past Shapovalov challenge in Rome

DPA Carreno-Busta, who rallied past Rome Aljaz Bedene 6-4, 6-7 (3), 6-2. Argentina’s fi fth seed Juan wins rainy stage, Martin Del Potro will not be join- afael Nadal’s third- ing them, after he retired with a round victory was groin complaint at 2-6, 5-4 up in stamped with authority the second set against Belgium’s as he overcame a con- David Goffi n. fiR dent start from Denis Shapo- In the women’s draw, defend- valov to reach the quarter-fi nals ing champion Elina Svitolina of the Italian Open in Rome yes- continued the defence of her Yates keeps lead terday. Italian Open title after battling The 16-times Grand Slam back from a set down to beat winner secured a 6-4, 6-1 vic- Daria Kasatkina. ‘I guess these were favourable conditions for an Englishman... also for an Irishman’ tory against his Canadian oppo- After a bad start on the clay, nent, who is regarded as one of Ukraine’s world number four se- the rising stars in the next gen- cured a 0-6, 6-3, 6-2 victory in a eration of tennis. hard-fought contest to reach the Shapovalov staked his claim as quarter-fi nals. a promising young talent when he Angelique Kerber will be Svi- beat Nadal in the Rogers Cup last tolina’s opponent in the last year in Montreal — but that was eight after the German former on a hard court, and he knew he world number one dispatched faced a much tougher task on clay. Maria Sakkari of Greece 6-1, 6-1. However, the 19-year-old took Current world number one Si- a bold approach, matching Nadal mona Halep is likely to keep her stroke for stroke from the base- status as the top-ranked play- line with his forehand, until a er after she entered the quarter- costly backhand error let the fi nals without hitting a ball. world number two pull away Her opponent Madison Keys with a break and seal the fi rst set. withdrew from their match on Nadal, who will be aim- Thursday morning due to a right ing to collect his 11th French rib injury. Open title at Roland Garros this Reaching the last eight was month, stepped it up a gear in the half the battle of staying at the second and moved ahead confi - top of the rankings, but Ha- dently. lep will need to go further than Shapovalov, ranked 29 in the number two Caroline Wozniacki world, won a game on his own to retain her position. serve but it was a mere consola- Fifth seed Jelena Ostapenko is tion as the Spanish clay court also through after securing a 2-6, king racked up four straight 6-3, 6-4 victory over Britain’s games to book his place in the Johanna Konta to book her place. quarter-fi nals. Ostapenko, who will begin the Nadal will play Fabio Fognini defence of her French Open title next after the Italian moved later this month, adopted a more into the last eight with a 6-4, aggressive game after dropping 6-4 triumph over Germany’s Pe- the fi rst set and wrapped up the ter Gojowczyk. match on a powerful and accu- Fourth seed Marin Cilic is rate serve. safely through as he completed Venus Williams, seeded a 6-3, 6-4 win over France’s Be- eighth, is out after a 6-2, 7-6 (3) noit Paire to meet Spain’s Pablo loss to Estonia’s Anett Kontaveit.

Bora-Hansgrohe’s Irish rider Sam Bennett celebrates as he crosses the finish line to win the 12th stage of the Giro d’Italia in Imola, Italy, yesterday. (AFP)

AFP his compatriot’s pace. The early fi ve-man breakaway with tain stage fi nish at Monte Zoncolan. Imola, Italy Bennett, winner of the seventh stage riders from three Italian teams — Marco last Friday at Praia Mare, broke away in Frapporti, Jacopo Mosca, Eugert Zhupa, STAGE 12 RESULTS (top 10) the fi nal 400 metres at the end of the Mirco Maestri and Manuel Senni — were 1. Sam Bennett (BOR) 4hr 49min 34sec reland’s Sam Bennett of the Bora 214km fl at and twisty stage that fi nished also caught by the peloton 20km from the 2. Danny Van Poppel (LNL) s.t team won the 12th stage of the Giro on the Imola motor racing circuit. line. 3. Niccolo Bonifazio (BAH) s.t d’Italia for his second win of this Dutch rider Danny Van Poppel and Belgian Tim Wellens pushed ahead 4. Baptiste Planckaert (KAT) s.t. year’s race in wet and slippy condi- Italian Niccolo Bonifazio fi nished second under the driving rain but his 20-second 5. Jurgen Roelandts (BMC) s.t. Itions yesterday. and third respectively after being taken lead slipped away on the fi nal climb. 6. Michael Morkov (QST) s.t. Britain’s Simon Yates of Mitchelton- off guard by a late surge by the 27-year- Bennett is the third rider to take two 7. Manuel Belletti (ANS) s.t. Scott holds the overall leader’s pink jer- old Irishman. stages in this year’s race after Yates and 8. Clement Venturini (ALM) s.t. sey, which he claimed a week ago, ahead “It was a tough fi nal for a bunch sprint. Italian sprinter Elia Viviani. 9. Florian Senechal (QST) s.t. of reigning champion at There were two guys up front. I didn’t The Italian, who leads the sprinters’ 10. Enrico Battaglin (LNL) s.t. 47sec, with Frenchman Thibaut Pinot know how much energy they had left so I points competition, was caught out by a OVERALL STANDINGS (top 10) third at 1min 04sec. went early because I didn’t want to let the change in pace and weather in the fi nal 1. Simon Yates (MIT) 51hr 57min 55sec “I guess these were favourable weather stage get away from me,” said Bennett. 15km and found himself distanced by the 2. Tom Dumoulin (SUN) +47sec conditions for an Englishman. And also “I just went for it. I didn’t know if I peloton. 3. Thibaut Pinot (FDJ) +1:04 for an Irishman,” said Yates. would hold the lead. I think it’s a nicer Bennett’s victory slashed Viviani’s lead 4. Domenico Pozzovivo (BAH) +1:18 “It was a very diffi cult fi nal. I think a win than the fi rst one.” in the cyclamen jersey competition to just 5. (MOV) +1:56 few guys underestimated it, myself in- Slovenian Matej Mohoric, impressive 22 points. 6. George Bennett (LNL) +2:09 cluded.” in the descent following the fi nal climb, Today’s 13th stage should suit the 7. Rohan Dennis (BMC) +2:36 Four-time winner Chris and Colombian Carlos Betancur made a sprinters again over a mostly fl at 180km 8. Pello Bilbao (AST) +2:54 Froome is stuck down in a disappointing break but were reeled in with 500 metres between Ferrare and Nervesa della Batt- 9. Patrick Konrad (BOR) +2:55 12th place, more than three minutes off to go. aglia, on the eve of the gruelling moun- 10. Fabio Aru (EAU) +3:10 Spain’s Rafael Nadal serves against Canada’s Denis Shapovalov during their Italian Open match in Rome yesterday. (AFP)

RUGBY Ferrari told to change wing mirrors Australians battling ‘soft touch’ perception: Cheika for Monaco Halo-mounted wing mirrors will remain legal in Formula One Reuters “We’ve got to have our own way of but Ferrari must change the fixings used in Spain last weekend Sydney eliminating that perception that we’re a before next week’s Monaco Grand Prix, the governing FIA said soft touch so we won’t get those penalties yesterday. The International Automobile Federation posted a against us or those things won’t happen.” clarification to teams saying they could legitimately design mir- allabies coach Michael Not only did Moody, who was subse- rors to minimise any negative aerodynamic eff ects but benefits Cheika believes Australian quently banned for two weeks, escape should be minimal. In the interests of better visibility, teams players are battling a per- on-fi eld punishment for his assault on were told last month they could fix mirrors to the halo head ception that they are a “soft Beale, he almost immediately scored a try protection device that encircles the cockpit and that became Wtouch” and need to up their levels of ag- which helped the Crusaders battle back mandatory this season. Ferrari’s solution pushed the boundaries, gression to alter it. to win 31-29 in Christchurch. with winglets above the mirrors that were fixed to the halo, and With New Zealand teams having run Cheika said his former team could not raised suspicions they were designed to produce an aerodynamic up a 39-match winning streak against blame the referee’s decisions for failing advantage. The Italian team, second in the championship, were Australian opponents in Super Rugby to break the winless streak against the allowed to race in Spain with the mirror arrangement because it heading into the weekend, there has been reigning champions. was not seen as a clear breach of the regulations but something plenty of soul-searching about what “You’re 29-0 up, you’ve got to go on that needed clarifying. needs to change on the western shores of and fi nish that,” he added. the Tasman Sea. The Queensland Reds have the next Rins staying at Suzuki MotoGP team One suggestion made in local media chance to end the streak against the Wel- was that Australian players were not as lington Hurricanes today, even if the for two more years crafty in dealing with match offi cials as Waratahs are probably a better chance to their New Zealand counterparts. beat the Otago Highlanders at home to- Spanish rider Alex Rins has signed a two-year extension with Su- The theory was fuelled by the lack of morrow. zuki, the MotoGP team announced yesterday ahead of the French on-fi eld punishment for All Blacks prop Cheika said Waratahs fullback Israel Grand Prix at Le Mans. Rins made his MotoGP debut last year and Joe Moody for striking Kurtley Beale in Folau remained very much in his plans for is now signed up until the end of 2020. The 22-year-old had his the head when the Canterbury Crusad- the June series against Ireland. first top flight podium this year with third place in Argentina in ers came from 29 points down to beat the “We’ve just got to fi re up in games. It it, not through any foul play but through Flyhalf Quade Cooper, who has been April. “Alex is growing and improving fast, and knowing that we New South Wales Waratahs last weekend. doesn’t matter about whether we’ve been aggression.” frozen out at the Reds and is playing club will have a long time together allows everybody to concentrate “Maybe there’s a bit of perception that hard done by or not, that’s the attitude “The Kiwi teams... good on them, if rugby in Brisbane, would have to be play- and work even harder to achieve important results with him,” we’re a soft touch,” Cheika said on Fox we’ve got to have in all games. that’s their thing, good on them, get into ing Super Rugby if he wanted to add to his said team manager Davide Brivio in a statement. Sports. “We’ve got to get fi red up and get into it,” he added. 70 Test caps, the coach added.

Friday, May 18, 2018 GULF TIMES SPORT

FOCUS SPOTLIGHT Al Arabi sign 2022 WC ‘amazing Syrian defender opportunity’ for Ahmed Saleh players, fans: Gullit ‘Tournament in November and December means players will be at their physical best’

By Sports Reporter wake of decision of the club Doha management, headed by Sheikh Khalifa bin Hamad bin Jabor al- Thani, to strengthen the squad. l Arabi have recruit- The 28-year-old, who last ed Syrian defender played for Chinese club Henan Ahmed Saleh for the Jianye, started his senior career upcoming season. with Syria’s Al Jaish. He is also AThe Dream Team, who fi nished a regular with his national team. seventh in the QNB Stars League Al Arabi will have their pre-sea- with 24 points, had earlier re- son camp in Slovenia this year as tained the services of Croatian well. They will play some friendly coach Luka Bonasic for one more matches there as Bonacic aims to season. get his players in good shape well Saleh’s signing comes in the before the start of new season.

Younousse-Tijan start Itapema Open beach volleyball with win

Former AC Milan star and Netherlands captain Ruud Gullit recently took a tour of Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy’s Pavilion at Al Bidda Tower.

utch legend Ruud Gullit is Gullit, who represented the Nether- understands the passion for football in England but I want to watch him perform amazed at the rapid infrastruc- lands at the 1990 FIFA World Cup, also the country and region. at the same level over the coming years,” ture progress being made in praised Qatar’s compact tournament “People love the game in this part of said Gullit. Qatar and has praised the coun- plans. The maximum distance between the world. I have met a lot of Arabs and “Messi and Ronaldo have been doing try’sD compact tournament plans for the stadiums will be just 55km in 2022, while I always feel their passion and love for this for quite a few years so Salah has to 2022 FIFA World Cup. fans will have the chance to attend more football.” know that reaching the top is diffi cult but The former AC Milan star, who was than one match per day during the early Looking ahead to this summer’s tour- staying there is even harder. Things will in Doha working as a pundit for beIN stages of the tournament. nament in Russia, Gullit is disappointed be tougher for him at the World Cup and Sports, recently met executives from the “It will be a lot easier for the players as his home nation won’t be represented af- his country shouldn’t expect too much as Supreme Committee for Delivery & Leg- they will hardly have to travel at all,” said ter failing to qualify for the fi nals for the it will become a burden on him.” acy (SC), the organisation responsible for Gullit, who is now assistant manager of fi rst time since 2002. In their absence, Gullit also mentioned next weekend’s delivering the infrastructure required for the Netherlands national team. “Also, the Gullit is backing four nations to be among UEFA Champions League fi nal, which the 2022 FIFA World Cup. tournament being held in November and the contenders for the trophy. will be contested by Real Madrid and And after taking a tour of the SC’s Leg- December means players will be at their “France and Germany both have a Liverpool. “Real Madrid have capitalised acy Pavilion at Al Bidda Tower, the former physical best. I think a lot of stars will great chance, while Brazil will be seek- during the critical moments in recent Netherlands captain said he was amazed emerge.” ing revenge after the embarrassment of matches,” said Gullit, who lifted the Eu- at the work being done to deliver the Arab Gullit, the 1987 Ballon d’Or winner, 2014 when they lost heavily to Germany ropean Cup twice with AC Milan in 1989 world’s fi rst FIFA World Cup. continued: “The fans will also benefi t in the semi-finals. Spain also has the and 1990. “Every time I visit Qatar I fi nd some- from not having the hassle of moving a quality and ability to go far in the tour- “We saw what Real Madrid are made of thing new,” said Gullit, who led the Neth- lot. From the hotel, to the metro, to the nament.” in the quarter-fi nal against Juventus and Qatar’s Cherif Younousse and Ahmed Tijan celebrate their win erlands to success at the 1988 UEFA Eu- stadium, in half an hour. They will then Gullit also advised Egyptian fans not the semi-fi nal against Bayern Munich. over Chile’s Marco Grimalt and Esteban Grimalt to win the group ropean Championship. be able to catch the metro at the end of to heap too much pressure on Mohamed They have the tools to hurt teams but they opener 27-25, 29-27 in the four-star Itapema Open at the Meia “Even though I visit Doha on a regular the game to watch another match. This is Salah after his sterling debut campaign at also had a bit of luck. I always say the best Praia Beach in Itapema, Brazil. They will play against Dutch third basis, I see obvious progress every time. a major strength and diff erent to previous Liverpool. coaches need a bit of luck – and Zinedine seeds Alexander Brouwer and Robert Meeuwsen to decide the Look at the airport, hotels and Lusail tournaments.” “He has to enjoy what he has achieved Zidane has been very successful and also Group B topper. City. It’s really amazing.” Through regular visits to Qatar, Gullit this season. He has been the best player in lucky at times.” (SC.qa)

BOTTOMLINE New coach Banide no stranger to Umm Salal, says club vice-president

By Sports Reporter Doha

renchman Laurent Banide has agreed to coach Umm Salal in the coming season, the club’s vice-president and football headF Sheikh Tamim bin Mohamed al- Thani has said. Banide is expected to reach Doha soon and take charge of Umm Salal, who fi nished fi fth in the QNB Stars League. “We chose Banide because we found him as the best person to coach our side in the next season. Moreover, he is no stranger to Umm Salal with whom he won the Emir’s Cup. We’re counting a lot on him in the coming season,” said Sheikh Tamim, adding the club was not happy with their performance in the QNB Stars League this season. Umm Salal lost out to Al Gharafa in the race to fi nish fourth and thereby qualify for the Qatar Cup. Umm Salal vice-president and football head Sheikh Tamim bin Mohamed al-Thani and (right) new coach Laurent Banide. The offi cial thanked former coach Talal El Karkouri for his services and February 2. The former Morocco de- with many clubs even though he did not negative results. cruitment of new players in co-ordina- we’ll find a new player to replace Tu- wished him success in his future en- fender was familiar with Qatar football, have a great time with Al Khor. Sheikh Tamim spoke about Umm tion with technical staff . nisian Oussama Darragi,” said Sheikh deavours. having played for Qatar SC and Umm Al Khor had started the season under Salal’s preparations for the new season. “Three of our foreign professional Tamim, who also congratulated Al El Karkouri was appointed to replace Salal. Banide before Tunisian Nassif al-Baya- “The team’s pre-season camp will be players (Ivorian Yannick Sagbo, Syr- Duhail and Al Sadd for qualifying for Egyptian Mahmoud Jaber following Sheikh Tamim pointed out that Ba- wi, the new coach of Al Kharaitiyat, in Slovenia (July 9-24), where we’ll play ian Mahmoud Mawas and Moroccan the AFC Champions League quarter- their goalless draw with Al Arabi on nide had achieved remarkable success took over the reins following a series of four friendly matches. We’ll fi nalise re- Adel Rhaili) will continue. However, finals.