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Friday, May 5, 2017 CRICKET Sha’baan 9, 1438 AH Gabriel scalps fi ve as GULF TIMES Pakistan collapse in a heap in 2nd Test SPORT Page 7 ATHLETICS/DOHA DIAMOND LEAGUE Doha Diamond League schedule 19:14: 1500m Men Venue: Suhaim bin Hamad 19:25: 800m Women Stadium (Qatar Sports Club) 19:35: 200m Women today: 19:45: Triple Jump Men 19:50: 18:00: Shot Put Women 100m Hurdles Women 18:15: Pole Vault Women 20:05: 3000m Steeplechase Women 18:45: High Jump Men 20:25: 100m Men No bar too high 18:50: 800m Men Regional 20:35: 400m Hurdles Men 19:03: 400m Men 20:45: 3000m Steeplechase Men 19:05:Javelin Throw Men

SPOTLIGHT as Barshim goes Gatlin and De Grasse for world record ready for Doha clash Star Qatari high-jumper faces a crucial year as more glory beckons

By Anil John ban’s mark was certainly on his radar. Doha Inevitably, that was the case yes- terday also. “I’m really excited to kick off the hree years ago, Mutaz season here at home in Doha. It’s Barshim asked Meryl Streep been a while as I haven’t been com- if she could get a part for him peting in the winter. I love high jump, Tin a movie she was starring I can’t stay away from it that long! in. They happened to be seated next I’m really excited, I’ve been work- to each other at a dinner gala in Doha ing really good and I hope this is the and the star struck Barshim was itch- year that I’m going to break the world This file photo taken on August 16, 2016 shows gold medallist Jamaica’s Usain ing to kick-start a conversation with record!” Barshim said. Bolt (C) posing with silver medallist USA’s Justin Gatlin (L) and bronze medallist arguably the most-loved and admired There’s an air of expectancy that Canada’s Andre De Grasse on the podium of the men’s 100m at the Rio Olympic Hollywood actress of all time. this could be the year when Sotomay- Games. “I’m a huge fan of movies and I told or’s record would fall and success at Meryl she should take me along to star today’s Doha Diamond League meet- AFP The South African, 23, ran 9.92sec in her next Hollywood fi lm. She said, ing could be the harbinger of glad Doha in March, the second fastest time of yes, sure, and started thinking up a tidings later in the year which also the year so far. character for me. I told her I might go sees London hosting the IAAF World His early season form has been su- to Hollywood after I’ve fi nished high Championships in August. hey fi nished second and third perb, dipping under 10 seconds fi ve jumping,” Barshim said later. Barshim is history’s second high- in last year’s Olympics 100m times and winning his country’s 100m “We were joking, of course. It est jumper but he has never won at fi nal and today Justin Gatlin title ahead of Wayde van Niekerk. was a great experience spending the the Doha Diamond League, an anom- and Andre De Grasse renew The women’s 200m will be contest- evening chatting and having fun with aly he would like to correct. theirT rivalry in the Diamond League ed by the gold and silver medallists Meryl,” he added. “I am comfortable with the way I season-opener in Qatar. from Rio — Jamaica’s Elaine Thomp- But what happened next was have jumped so far. My coach is hap- The sprint race is not the only stand- son and Dafne Schippers from the not a joke and it certainly shocked py with it. It’s (the new season) here. out event of the now-traditional Doha Netherlands.Last year’s bronze med- Barshim out of his wits. Streep and Time to keep going. I am ready to go. curtain-raiser for the league — this allist in Rio, Tori Bowie from the US, is her sculptor husband Don Gum- I will do my best. Hopefully it will be year spread over 14 meetings in 13 dif- not in Doha but has already made her mer said they knew he was Mutaz a good start to the 2017 campaign,” ferent countries — but is given an ex- presence felt by clocking the year’s Barshim, a successful athlete, with he said. tra edge coming as it does in a World fastest time so far, 22.09sec. several medals in international “There are familiar faces for the Championship season. In recent years in the Doha leg of competitions. fi rst round. Over here I have support Both athletes will have their eyes the Diamond League, some of the best “They both seemed to love the of my family and friends. My mom on London in August, when they will performances have come in the mid- high jump and both knew a lot about will be present in the stands as an ex- take on the legendary Usain Bolt in dle and long-distance races. my results – I was just surprised they tra motivation.” his international farewell, but for now This year could prove the same. knew about me!” Barshim said. He has already cleared 2.35m in battle commences in Doha. All three female 800m fi nalists The Qatari is even more famous Jeddah at the GCC Championships Canadian De Grasse, 22, is Bolt’s from Rio — South Africa’s Caster Se- now thanks to his silver medal at the but faces competition from Erik Ky- heir apparent and has already said menya, Burundi’s Francine Niyonsaba Olympics in Rio last year. His legacy nard of the US, the 2016 Diamond that he wants to “spoil” the legen- and Kenya’s Margaret Wambui — will as a national and Arab sporting icon Trophy winner, and Robbie Grabarz dary’s Jamaican’s goodbye to athlet- race today. They will be joined by is already etched in stone but in his of Great Britain, who shared the ics. Ethiopia’s Genzebe Dibaba, a former heart of hearts he is aware that he bronze with Barshim at the 2012 Ol- De Grasse also claimed silver to Bolt 1500m world-record holder who has needs that one giant leap that would ympics. in the 200m in Rio. chosen an extremely tough fi eld in catapult him to global superstardom. Barshim said he was on the verge The controversial Gatlin, 35, has which to make her 800m debut. That leap, which in mathematical of getting rid of a back injury that already struck an early season blow, In the 3000m steeplechase, Ken- terms means bettering his own per- had been nagging him for years and is anchoring his American team to vic- yan-born Bahraini runner Ruth Jebet, sonal best of 2.43m by a little more now jumping off his full run-up tory at the IAAF World Relays in Nas- who won gold in Rio, will make her than two centimetres to beat the near “I can’t say I have 100 percent re- sau last month, De Grasse’s Canada season debut. 25-year-old record of 2.45m held by covered from that back injury I had. bombing out in the fi nal. She is also the current world record Cuban great Javier Sotomayor, how- It’s a stress back in my lower back. The pair will be joined in Doha by holder with a time of 8mins 52.78. ever, has so far proven a bar too high Once that happens, you have to be another former Jamaican 100m world Off the track, there’s another clash for him. careful. I think I am 95 percent recov- record holder — and last year’s Dia- of Olympic gold and silver medallists Qatar’s Olympic silver medallist high-jumper Mutaz Barshim poses at the City At media events he is invariably ered. I just have to practice more and mond League winner — the evergreen from Rio, when Greece’s Ekaterini Ste- Center Mall during a media event ahead of today’s Doha Diamond League asked if he is targeting Sotomayor’s build more muscle around that area Asafa Powell and yet another rising fanidi takes on America’s Sandi Morris meeting. PICTURE: Noushad Thekkayil record, and he would say that the Cu- and I have to keep moving.” star, Akani Simbine. in the pole vault.

BOTTOMLINE Champs charm the public at City Center Mall

By Sports Reporter opener Dafne Schippers added: “We are hosting the Diamond Doha “I love the atmosphere here. The League opener in Doha this Friday with weather’s perfect for quick running a new and refreshed ambition to share and I feel good so I just can’t wait to get our passion for sport and our culture oha’s City Center Mall came stuck in” with Qataris and the world. alive this morning as lucky After further contributions, Chris- “This ambition is rooted in our abil- members of the public were tian and Michelle were asked if the role ity to reach out and engage communi- Doff ered the rare opportunity of presenter was more diffi cult than ties so what better way than to inspire to interact with global athletics icons their day jobs as athletes. In a light- them in advance with the world’s very ahead of today’s Diamond League hearted response Michelle said: “I’ve best athletes. opener. been training for years to be an athlete “Athletics has the power to connect Four Olympic and World Champi- and this is my fi rst time in this role so people in common purpose, create ons, including Qatar’s national high I’d defi nitely have to say that it is more lasting friendships and inspire people jump treasure Mutaz Barshim, Jamai- diffi cult than being on the track!” through exceptional human endeavour ca’s sprint sensation Elaine Thomp- Mohammed Eisa al-Fadala, Gen- in a way that few other sports can. son, Germany’s Thomas Rohler and excitement of athletics to a wider au- for tomorrow’s meet on everyone’s tiny! It’s also a wonderful feeling to be eral Secretary of the Qatar Athletics “We hope that people will be in- Dutch athlete Dafne Schippers came dience. mind. Elaine Thompson said: here in Doha. It’s my fi rst time and I’m Federation (QAF) expressed his pride spired by meeting these fantastic ath- together to answer questions, pose for With members of the public inquisi- “It’s good to be the fastest woman really looking forward to some excite- at bringing the athletes and Diamond letes today and they’ll be encouraged selfi es and sign autographs, in a fun tively looking on, discussion jumped in the world. Even though everywhere ment tomorrow night” League directly to the wider public. He to attend tomorrow’s meeting and and lively session designed to bring the across topics with performance targets I go in the world, everyone says I’m so On returning to Doha for the season said: hopefully take up the sport.” Gulf Times 2 Friday, May 5, 2017 FOOTBALL

SPOTLIGHT EPL PREVIEW Tottenham look to crank up pressure Wenger ready to on Chelsea

Reuters Spurs at White Hart Lane. Manchester Spurs fought back from 2-1 down in stoppage time, with two Kane goals, to claim a 3-2 f Chelsea needed any re- win in November and Ham- make peace with minder that there is still mers defender Winston Reid work to be done to secure a knows the England forward second title in three years, will be a threat again. Ithe Premier League schedule “When we played them at should ensure there is no com- White Hart Lane, he didn’t placency in Antonio Conte’s have a shot on target for 89 squad. minutes, then out of nowhere Second-placed Tottenham he had scored a penalty and old foe Mourinho visit West Ham United today another goal from open play and a win for Mauricio Pochet- and they had won the game,” tino’s team would cut the gap he said. to leaders Chelsea to just one Chelsea start as clear fa- ‘I think I try to respect everybody and I do not want to make a case of any person’ point ahead of the Blues’ Mon- vourites against second-bot- day game against relegation- tom Middlesbrough but they threatened Middlesbrough. will have noted the fi ghting Both the title-chasers are spirit shown by Boro in their in buoyant mood after crucial 2-2 draw with fourth-placed wins last weekend with Spurs Manchester City on Sunday. triumphing over Arsenal in In the battle for Champions the North London derby and League qualifi cation, third- Chelsea winning 3-0 against placed Liverpool are at home Everton at Goodison Park in on Sunday to Southampton — a the toughest game on paper of club they have raided for sev- their run-in. eral players in recent seasons “We keep going, it’s hard — while fi fth-placed Man- to do anything else. We can’t chester United take on Arsenal, control what Chelsea do, we in sixth. Manchester City will just have to keep winning our expect to get back to winning games,” said Spurs forward ways, after three games with- Harry Kane, who scored in the out a victory, when they host 2-0 win over Arsenal to take his Crystal Palace tomorrow. league tally to 21 for the season. Sam Allardyce’s team, how- “We have another Lon- ever, are unlikely to roll over as don derby on Friday night and they still need points to secure hopefully we can win that, their safety after their home drop it down to one point and loss to Burnley last Saturday. see what happens... We’re At the bottom of the ta- playing as well as we ever have ble, Hull City will be hoping done in the Premier League.” to pull further away from the Tottenham have won nine drop zone when they face al- consecutive league games but ready-relegated Sunderland, West Ham will remember that while Swansea, in 18th and they were only minutes away two points adrift of the safety from doing what no team has zone, face a tough home game managed this season — beating against Everton.

AFC punishes Guangzhou over ‘British dogs’ banner Chinese giants Guangzhou Evergrande escaped yesterday with a fine and a suspended two-match stadium ban from Asia’s foot- ball governing body after supporters unfurled a “British dogs” banner during a match in Hong Kong. The anti-independence banner, which read “Annihilate British dogs, destroy HK inde- pendence poison” in Chinese, was held up during Evergrande’s 6-0 AFC Champions League win over Hong Kong’s Eastern on April 25. The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) had last week charged Guangzhou Evergrande “under Article 58 for discrimi- Arsène Wenger (left) and Jose Mourinho clash in 2014 when Arsenal played at Chelsea. nation and Article 65 relating to spectator misconduct”. “Guangzhou Evergrande were ordered to play two future match- AFP Wenger told reporters: “I am fi ve points below United and six the Europa League a priority. Frenchman, who has been in es in AFC club competitions which they host in China PR without London open always in life for every- behind Manchester City, with a “I take every competition se- charge at Arsenal since 1996. spectators, with both matches suspended for a probationary thing, you know, for peace. game in hand on both. riously,” he said during yester- “You know, when you are such period of two years,” it said in a statement yesterday. “But what is important when “It just shows that everybody day’s pre-game press confer- a long time at a club like I am, The Chinese side was also fined $22,500. rsenal manager Ar- you are a competitor is that you has moved up,” said Wenger, ence at Arsenal’s London Colney like Ferguson was, it is a little bit AFC warned that the suspended sanction would be automati- sene Wenger says he give absolutely everything to win whose side will face Chelsea in training base. “The only thing like when you have children. You cally enforced should any new violations occur. is prepared to bury the the next game.” the FA Cup fi nal. “The number I always did over the years was want them to be happy. Former British colony Hong Kong became a semi-autonomous hatchet with old foe Wenger, who has never beaten of clubs that can fi ght at the top to use the League Cup to give “Even when you are not there Chinese territory 20 years ago, but independence sentiment has JoseA Mourinho ahead of Sun- Mourinho in the league, was re- is bigger this season and the dif- chances to young players. We anymore, you want them to be been running high following mass protests against Beijing. day’s home game with Manches- minded of his relationship with ference between the teams is always treated all the other com- happy.” The game was played in a hostile atmosphere in Hong Kong’s ter United. former United manager Alex smaller. As soon as you are not at petitions seriously.” Reminded that he had vowed Mong Kok Stadium, near where rioting erupted last year which Wenger regularly clashed Ferguson, which shed its initial your best, you can lose.” Wenger is still to announce to make an announcement on involved pro-independence activists. with Mourinho during the Por- spikiness to become corial. With Sunday’s game sand- what he will do at the end of his future in March or April, Fans from both sides hurled obscenities and gave each other the tuguese’s two stints as Chelsea “My relationship with Fergu- wiched between the two legs of the season and has faced calls Wenger joked: “That means I middle finger, with the Evergrande fans heard chanting “Traitor!”. manager, the rivalry spilling over son mellowed, yes. We have re- United’s Europa League semi-fi - to stand down from disgruntled was wrong!” One Eastern supporter displayed Hong Kong’s colonial-era flag, into a touchline shoving match spect,” Wenger said. nal against Celta Vigo, Mourinho supporters. He added: “I don’t want to which features Britain’s Union Jack, while others booed and during an October 2014 game at “I think I try to respect every- has indicated he will rest players United’s struggles in the post- speak about my personal case swore at the Chinese team. Stamford Bridge. body and I do not want to make for the trip to north London. Ferguson era have been held up any more.” Evergrande, the two-time Asian champions and winners of the The pair resume hostilities at a case of any person. I think it as a warning to fans calling for Wenger revealed midfi elder last six Chinese Super League titles, were in trouble with the AFC the Emirates Stadium with their is important that I focus on my Xhaka doubt Wenger to go, but he says his de- Granit Xhaka is likely to miss only last year. The then defending champions were fined and sides competing for a place in own team, the performance of Wenger said that if Arsenal parture could prove to be a good Sunday’s game after taking a forced to play their first Champions League game of the season the Premier League top four. my team and forget all the rest.” fail to qualify for next season’s thing. kick to the calf in last weekend’s behind closed doors for a string of off ences, including wearing Asked if peace could be made Arsenal approach the week- Champions League he will fol- “It can as well go better from 2-0 defeat at derby rivals Tot- the wrong sponsor’s name on their shirts during the 2015 final. with United manager Mourinho, end in sixth place in the table, low Mourinho’s lead by making when I leave one day,” said the tenham Hotspur.

COMMENT Don’t say I don’t care, says Arsenal’s Ozil

AFP I am a player who can make the Wenger’s future is also up in London diff erence. You have to deal with the air, but Ozil says his future is that. not tied to that of his manager. “There will always be criti- “It does not only depend on rsenal playmaker cism and there will always be the manager,” he said. Mesut Ozil has de- praise. But what matters is what “Of course he was the one who fended himself against the manager tells me. I have said convinced me to join Arsenal criticism of his attitude that numerous times. and he was a main factor for me andA says his nonchalant body “But what I can’t understand to come here. He is a very expe- language can be misleading. is when people say: ‘Look, he rienced coach who made Arse- Ozil, 28, has been a periph- does not push any more’ or ‘He nal one of the best clubs in the eral fi gure as Arsenal’s season does not run enough.’ If you look world. has hit the skids, with Arsene at my numbers, you can see I run “You must have respect for Wenger’s side slipping from the a lot and I show a good attitude.” him because he is a great man- top four and being thrashed 10-2 Wenger defended Ozil on ager. But I do not decide whether on aggregate by Bayern Munich Thursday after it emerged the the manager stays or not. What’s in the Champions League. He former Real Madrid star had important for me is that we de- produced another poor display kicked a door in anger after being velop as a team and reach our in Arsenal’s 2-0 defeat at derby selected for a drugs test follow- goals.” rivals Tottenham Hotspur last ing the defeat at Spurs. Ozil also revealed he had re- weekend, but says people who “I am sorry that he kicked the ceived a lucrative off er from the say he does not care are wrong. door, but I can understand,” the Chinese Super League. “Some people like me, some Arsenal manager told his weekly He said the off er was “tempt- people don’t,” the Germany press conference. ing”, but decided to turn it down. playmaker told the Goal website. “I don’t think his frustration “Money is not everything,” he “Some people look at my body was towards the drug test. It was explained. language and think I don’t care. towards the fact that we lost the “I want to win titles and I have But that’s me. I won’t change my game and that is the only expla- my goals I want to achieve. That body language or my style of play nation I have.” is more important than money. drastically any more. Ozil’s contract is due to expire That’s why I said from the be- “Expectations on me were in 2018 and he is yet to sign a new ginning that China is not an op- Arsenal’s German midfielder Mesut Ozil (L) and Arsenal’s Brazilian defender Gabriel react to the first goal by Tottenham Hotspur’s English very high everywhere because deal. tion for me.” midfielder Dele Alli during the English Premier League match at White Hart Lane in London on April 30, 2017. (AFP) Gulf Times Friday, May 5, 2017 3 FOOTBALL

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE SPOTLIGHT PSG to bid 70 mn euros for Aubameyang Monaco outclassed AFP wants to eventually join Real Berlin Madrid or at least play in the Spanish league, but he has family in Paris. The striker has aris Saint-Germain three years left on his Dort- are poised to make a mund contract, but has hinted 70-million-euro ($76.5 he may leave at the end of the mn) off er to Borussia season and the German club but Higuain warns PDortmund for striker Pierre- has not ruled out selling him. Emerick Aubameyang, a report Amid numerous reports in in Germany said on yesterday. Germany about a move to the A source close to PSG said French capital, ex-Germany no bid was imminent and striker Lukas Podolski says it denied Bild reports that the would be a good move for Au- French-born hot-shot, who bameyang. has scored 35 goals this season, “He comes from France, Juve not there yet has already met PSG director speaks the language, his fam- of football Patrick Kluivert in ily is there,” Podolski wrote in a Paris. Aubameyang, 27, could column for Bild last week. ‘We have not won anything yet, so we mustn’t get carried away. I always kept calm. I reportedly earn up to 14 mn “But he has to ask himself: euros per season at PSG, twice do I have the same feeling as in knew everyone had faith in me and that hard work is always rewarded in the end’ his current salary. Dortmund? Dortmund are set to re- “He is the superstar at ceive an off er from PSG when Borussia. Saint-Germain has their season fi nishes after the lots of them. Plus Dortmund is German Cup fi nal on May 27 also among the top eight to 10 against Eintracht Frankfurt, clubs in the world and he en- reports said. The Gabon in- joys certain liberties there. ternational, who was born in “Would he get the same at France, has repeatedly said he another club?”

Maradona set for India visit ahead of U-17 WC Football legend Diego Maradona is set to visit the soccer- crazy city of Kolkata in September ahead of the FIFA Under-17 World Cup being hosted by India. The Argentine superstar will participate in a charity football match against Kolkata’s greatest cricket export and former Indian captain Sourav Ganguly, the event promoters told AFP. Maradona — who was given a hero’s welcome when he first visited the eastern Indian city in 2008 — will also be presented with a lifetime achievement award in West Bengal state. “It is such an honour for me to be able to make this trip. Kolkata is a very special place and I have good memories from my trip there many years ago, the fans were fantastic,” Maradona posted on his Facebook page. “#India is a very passionate football nation, and I look forward to meeting a whole new generation of fans while continuing to spread the overwhelming love that I have for this beautiful game.” Football is hugely popular in Kolkata, with fans closely following international matches, despite India’s dominant obsession with cricket. The city has also hosted Brazilian great Pele, who last visited in 2015. Maradona’s visit is expected to build enthusiasm for the U-17 World Cup, which India is hosting for the first time this October.

India breaks into FIFA top 100 after 21 years The Indian men’s football team yesterday climbed to the 100th Juventus’ forward from Argentina Gonzalo Higuain (black jacket) celebrates with teammates after their 2-0 win over Monaco during the UEFA Champions League semi-final first spot in the latest FIFA world rankings — their best rating in leg match at the Stade Louis II stadium in Monaco. (AFP) more than two decades. Despite having a population of well over one bn, India languishes as a footballing minnow, ranked AFP pursuing since August has been fence to be impermeable, with They are a fearsome team and 13 home games and scored in 41 equally alongside Nicaragua, Lithuania and Estonia in a global Monaco to get to Cardiff and we are just Gianluigi Buff on majestic as ever the only way to beat them was consecutive matches at the table headed by Brazil. one step away,” said Higuain, in goal. playing the way we did.” Stade Louis II since November India — where the national pastime of cricket is something of who was applauded off by the The 39-year-old, making his Buff on also praised coach 2015. an obsession that squeezes other sports out of the running — wo-goal hero Gonzalo home support in Monaco. 149th European appearance, Massimiliano Allegri for his “They were more clinical than last made the top 100 in 1996, reaching an all-time high of 94, Higuain urged his Ju- He now has 31 goals this sea- denied Kylian Mbappe and Rad- decision to bring Andrea Bar- us — with two or three chances before plunging. The boost in ranking comes after India beat ventus teammates to son following his 90 million-eu- amel Falcao in the fi rst half and zagli into a three-man defence, they scored and we couldn’t put Cambodia 3-2 in Phnom Penh on March 22 in a friendly clash keep their feet on the ro ($98mn) transfer from Napoli, produced a stunning fi ngertip thwarting Monaco’s attack and any of ours away. Buff on made before edging out Myanmar 1-0 in Yangon on March 28 during Tground after a brilliant 2-0 win helping Juve close on a potential stop from Valere Germain late allowing Dani Alves to wreak some incredible saves,” said Mo- an AFC Asian Cup qualifying match. Head coach Stephen Con- in Monaco on Wednesday that treble. on. havoc down the right. naco coach Leonardo Jardim. stantine congratulated his side on the milestone, but warned left them on the brink of the Higuain, who ended a seven- Juventus, who welcome Mo- “Gigi showed that he is still He missed marauding Ben- them against complacency ahead of important matches. Champions League fi nal. game run without scoring in the naco to Turin for the second leg a great goalkeeper. He always jamin Mendy at left-back and “As long as we keep heading up the ladder I am happy. It Argentine striker Higuain was Champions League knockout next Tuesday, have now gone does it in big games, and Hi- now Monaco must attempt to points out that we are heading in the right direction,” the set up by Dani Alves to open the stages, added: “We have not won over 10 hours without conceding guain scored two lovely goals. become just the third team ever 54-year-old Englishman was quoted as saying by the All India scoring in the 29th minute and anything yet, so we mustn’t get in the Champions League and But to get results everyone needs to overturn a home fi rst-leg def- Football Federation (AIFF). then converted an Alves cross carried away. I always kept calm. Buff on has kept clean sheets in to work hard. You need to make icit in the Champions League. “There are major matches ahead and we cannot take things just before the hour as Juve I knew everyone had faith in me all fi ve matches in the knockout sacrifi ces and track back and he “It is diffi cult but we need to lightly. There’s no place for complacency,” said Constantine, claimed a seemingly decisive and that hard work is always re- rounds. did that too,” said Allegri. keep believing. The best thing who took charge of the Indian team in 2015. victory in the semi-fi nal fi rst leg warded in the end.” “In every game I want to show Juventus could wrap up a is to believe it is possible, even India will play a friendly against Lebanon on June 7 and then at the Stade Louis II. Juventus were immense in all that I deserve to play at this level record sixth consecutive Serie if we only have a fi ve % chance.” an Asian Cup qualifier against Kyrgyzstan on June 13. The Italian champions have areas against a Monaco side who despite my age. I work hard eve- A title this weekend, when they In the meantime, Monaco will The team has won 11 of their last 13 matches, including an un- the fi nal in Cardiff on June 3 in have lit up Europe this season ry day for this. The day I quit, I face city rivals Torino, while switch their focus back to their off icial match against Bhutan, scoring 31 goals in the process. their sights, with a showdown with their brand of attacking want people to be sad about it,” Lazio await in the Italian Cup attempt to win the French title “It’s pleasing that we are presently ranked 100. At the same against holders Real Madrid, football. remarked Buff on, twice a beat- fi nal. — they play Nancy on Saturday time, we need to stay aware of the challenge in hand. The AFC Higuain’s former side, looking en fi nalist in the Champions To put their performance in and need two wins from their Asian Cup Qualifiers UAE 2019 are an acid test for us,” said probable. Buff on still going strong League. the principality into context, last four league games to become Kushal Das, AIFF general secretary. “The dream we have been The hosts found the Juve de- “We had the right approach. Monaco had won their previous champions.

FOCUS Spanish court orders Neymar to stand trial for fraud

AFP The case initiated with a com- of two years or less are habitually Barca star to fi nd himself em- Madrid plaint from Brazilian investment suspended for fi rst time off end- broiled in problems with the company DIS, which owned ers in Spain. Spanish authorities. 40% of Neymar’s sporting rights However, DIS also recom- Five-time World Player of the arcelona forward at the time of his transfer. mended that Neymar be banned Year Lionel Messi and his father Neymar and his par- DIS received just 6.8mn eu- from playing football during any were given 21-month suspended ents will stand trial over ros — 40% of the 17mn euros fee judicial sentence. jail sentences in July 2016 for tax alleged fraud and cor- paid to Santos — with the com- In July 2016 a judge ruled that fraud relating to the player’s im- ruption,B making the Brazilian pany claiming it was cheated out irregularities in the transfer were age rights. the latest football superstar to of its real share because part of detected, but said it was an issue Barca’s Argentine defender have to take the stand, a Spanish the transfer fee was concealed by for a civil court, not a criminal Javier Mascherano also agreed court ordered yesterday. Barcelona, Santos and the Ney- court to settle. a one-year suspended sentence The National Court also or- mar family. But the court suspects But prosecutors successfully with authorities for tax fraud dered Barcelona president Josep Santos was actually paid 25mn argued the player and his father earlier this year. Maria Bartomeu and his prede- euros, which would mean DIS were aware of potentially fraud- The off -fi eld upheaval hasn’t cessor Sandro Rosell to be sent to was cheated out of 3.5mn euros. ulent dealings between Barce- aff ected Barca, Neymar’s sign- trial over alleged fraud and cor- Barcelona originally published lona and Santos to the detriment ing being an undoubted sporting ruption over Neymar’s transfer the transfer fi gure as 57.1mn eu- of DIS to fully overturn that success as he has formed one of from Santos in 2013. ros ($62.3mn), with 40mn euros decision. The decision to order the most fearsome strike part- They will stand trial for “busi- of that given to the player’s family Neymar to stand trial is another nerships of all-time with Messi ness corruption and fraud”, the and the rest to Santos. blow to the image of the Spanish and Luis Suarez. court said in a statement. giants and the player himself. Barca have won back-to-back The two clubs, Barcelona and Jail term sought Barcelona hoped to bring an Spanish league and Cup doubles Brazil’s Santos, were also or- DIS has called for fi ve-year end to the murky aff air when the with the trio and won the Cham- dered to stand trial. Neymar’s sentences for Neymar and his club agreed to pay a 5.5-million- pions League in 2015. arrival from Brazil’s Santos has parents, who acted as the play- euro fi ne in a deal with prosecu- Neymar signed a bumper new been a huge success for the er’s representatives, eight years tors in June to settle a separate deal with the club to extend Spanish champions on the pitch for Rosell and Bartomeu plus a case and ensure the club avoided his contract until 2021 in July but a judicial nightmare off it. mammoth 195mn euro fi ne for trial on tax-evasion charges over 2016 despite admitting he held The 25-year-old striker is be- Barca. Spanish prosecutors have the transfer. talks with Paris Saint-Germain ing investigated in Brazil and recommended that Neymar be amidst interest from a host of Spain over his headline move to handed a two-year jail sentence Messi sentenced top European clubs in luring him La Liga. and fi ned 10mn euros. Sentences Neymar is far from the only away. Gulf Times 4 Friday, May 5, 2017 SPORT

GOLF BASKETBALL Rule change allows players to wear Johnson eyes Wells religious headgear

Reuters ber 2014, granting exceptions Hong Kong at national level. It’s central board approved a modifi cation to the rule after receiving a re- asketball players will port in January. Fargo victory and be allowed to wear The Mid-Term Congress sin- headgear for religious gled out, as an historical mo- reasons after world ment, a test game in Iran on April governingB body FIBA yesterday 13 that featured women wear- approved a new rule to come ing hijabs and “marked the fi rst into eff ect from October 1. time men witnessed a women’s “The new rule comes as a re- sporting event in person.” sult of the fact that traditional FIBA said the new rule, entry into elite club dress codes in some countries, which would also allow tur- which called for the head and/ bans and yarmulkes, would or entire body being covered, minimise the risk of injury ‘I’m still, after two looks at the course, trying to figure out exactly how to go about it’ were incompatible with FIBA’s while ensuring uniform was of previous headgear rule,” FIBA a consistent colour. said in a statement. Qatar’s The headgear must be black women’s team withdrew from or white, or of the same domi- the 2014 Asian Games in South nant colour as that of the uni- Korea after being denied permis- form, and the same colour for sion to wear the hijab on court. all players on a team. The decision, which over- It must not cover any part turns a 20-year ban on re- of the player’s face entirely or ligious head coverings that partially, can have no opening was originally imposed for or closing elements around the safety reasons, was ratifi ed by face and neck or pose a danger Swiss-based FIBA’s Mid-Term to any player. Other sports, Congress in Hong Kong. FIBA including soccer, already al- began a two-year revision low players to wear headgear and testing period in Septem- during matches.

Nastase slams ‘small-minded’ Wimbledon over Royal Box snub Former Romanian world number one Ilie Nastase called Wimble- don organisers “small-minded” after they announced he would not be invited to the Royal Box at this year’s championships. The 70-year-old was provisionally banned from all International Tennis Federation (ITF) events after verbally abusing opposing team members and the umpire when he captained Romania in a Fed Cup tie against Britain last month. The former French and US Open champion had already run into trouble after making a derogatory comment about world number one Serena Williams’ unborn child ahead of the World Group II playoff tie in Constanta. “What does Wimbledon have to do with what I said about Serena and at the match in Romania?” Nastase told Romanian website ProSport. “If I did something stupid at Wimbledon then I’d understand... But in this case, I don’t get it. “In 1973, when everyone else refused to play at Wimbledon (because of a boycott by the Association of Tennis Professionals) but I did — does that not count for something?

Ko, Ariya among top seeds for LPGA Match Play event Dustin Johnson plays his shot from the fourth tee during the Pro-Am for the Wells Fargo Championship in Wilmington, North Carolina. (Getty Images/AFP) World number one Lydia Ko and Thailand’s third-ranked Ariya Reuters Retired NFL QB Romo vying to qualify for 2017 US Open “I needed a break. Felt I need- Jutanugarn are among the top seeds for the LPGA Lorena Wilmington, North Carolina ed to see my family and spend Ochoa Match Play event. Retired Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo is with a 71, but had to withdraw because delays some good time with them. South Korean-born New Zealander Ko, who withdrew from an excellent golfer and has some spare time these due to inclement weather led to a conflict with “Then last week was a re- last week’s LPGA Texas Shootout with a left eye infection, tops orld number one days, so he will try to qualify for the 2017 US Open. Cowboys’ practices. ally intense week with training the rankings for the 80th week in a row entering the 64-player Dustin Johnson re- Romo is one of more than 9,000 players who USGA rules require that players have a handicap and getting myself back com- event, the LPGA’s first match-play tournament since 2012. turns to competi- signed up for the US Open. index “not exceeding 1.4” to be eligible to enter as petitive again, fi red up to play Ko, who turned 20 last week, meets Mexico’s Ana Menendez in tive action at this He is scheduled to play an 18-hole local qualifier a qualifier. this week and next (at the Players a first-round match while Ariya opens against American Amy Wweek’s Wells Fargo Champion- Championship), and have a short Monday at Split Rail Links and Golf Club, which Romo did not play golf for a while after undergo- Anderson but faces a possible second-round match against ship needing a win to join an elite is outside Fort Worth, Texas. If Romo plays well ing back surgery at the end of the 2013 NFL sea- three-week focus of putting in sister Moriya Jutanugarn, who opens against Canada’s Alena group that includes some of the enough in that event to advance, he would com- son. But he began playing seriously again this year. the hard yards and trying to get Sharp. South Koreans Park In-Bee, ranked sixth, and Chun game’s greatest players. pete in sectional qualifying in June. He played with his father in the Azalea Invitational a result.” In-Gee, ranked fourth, are also top seeds in their brackets Johnson has been sidelined Romo attempted to play his way into the US Open in Charleston, S.C., last month and shot 78-77-77, Eagle Point is being used for in a showdown that trims the field to 32 and 16 the first two due to a freak accident on the three previous times. missing the 54-hole cut. the event this year because the days, then off ers two rounds each on Saturday and Sunday to eve of last month’s US Masters He tried in 2010, 2011 and 2012 and got as far as Soon after that event, it was announced that he regular venue, Quail Hollow in decide a champion. but a triumph at Eagle Point the sectional qualifying in 2010. In the 36-hole would join the CBS NFL broadcast team for the Charlotte, is hosting the PGA Park, who won the 2015 Ochoa Invitational stroke-play crown would make him only the fi fth sectional qualifier seven years ago, Romo opened 2017 season. Championship, the year’s fi nal but missed last year’s event with a thumb injury, opens against golfer in PGA Tour history to major, in August. Taiwan’s Chien Pei-Yun while Chun’s first foe is Belgian Laura win four or more consecutive The course is unfamiliar to Gonzalez Escallon. starts. February,” a grinning Johnson, good... I’ve practiced enough to bruised back since slipping on most of a fi eld that includes China’s seventh-ranked Feng Shanshan is a second seed in Should Johnson prevail over who grew up in nearby South compete.” a staircase in Augusta, former defending champion James Ko’s quarter of the bracket while South Koreans — number a fi eld that includes fi ve-times Carolina, told a news conference Byron Nelson set the tour world number one Scott has Hahn and eight of the world’s top nine Jang Ha Na, 10th-ranked Park Sung Hyun and number 12 major winner Phil Mickelson and on Wednesday. record for with 11 successive vic- been enjoying time with his 20 golfers and has required more Kim Sei-Young — own the other second seed slots. Spain’s Car- world number 11 Adam Scott, “I was on a good roll, playing tories in 1945, while Woods, Ben wife and young daughter in Swe- preparation than usual ahead of lotta Ciganda is the defending champion of the event, which he would be the fi rst player to the best golf of my career leading Hogan and Jack Burke Jr. are the den. Thursday’s opening round. last year was a stroke-play event. record four consecutive victo- into Augusta. only other players with at least “I put a lot into my game the “I’m still, after two looks at “I love match play. I’m very comfortable with the format,” ries on the PGA Tour since Tiger “Obviously I haven’t played four. month leading into the Masters,” the course, trying to fi gure out Ciganda said. “I played so many match-play events when I was Woods in 2007-08. much or done a whole lot of While Johnson has been fo- said Scott, who fi nished equal exactly how to go about it,” said an amateur. We play a lot in Europe so I like the format.” “No one’s beaten me since practising, but the body’s all cused on healing his badly ninth at Augusta. Scott.

ASPIRE QATAR MASTER BEACH VOLLEYBALL

Top seeds Jeff erson Santos Pereira and Cherif Younousse of Qatar defeated Hong Kong’s Lau Tsz Ho Kelvin and Wong Pui Lam 2-0 (21-11, 21-11) in their Pool ‘A’ match to enter pre-quarter-finals of Aspire Qatar Master Beach Volleyball at Aspire Park yesterday. (R) Second–seed Australian pair of Chris McHugh and Damien Schuman defeated Iran’s A. Poursagari and A. Vakili 2-0 (21-15, 21-16) in their Pool ‘B’ match. PICTURES: Jayaram Gulf Times Friday, May 5, 2017 5 SPORT

NBA NHL Penguins pip Capitals despite Cavs cruise past missing Corsby Raptors, Leonard shines for Spurs Leonard also delivered eight assists and seven rebounds for the Spurs, who now travel to Houston for games three and four of the best-of-seven second round Olli Maatta #3 of the Pittsburgh Penguins collides with Tom Wilson #43 of the Washington Capitals in Game Three of the Eastern Conference Second Round during the 2017 NHL Stanley Cup Playoff s AFP LeBron James at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Los Angeles reaches another playoff scoring milestone Agencies Fleury, who made 36 saves and Pittsburg became the 15th goaltender in awhi Leonard scored a game- AFP, Los Angeles: Cleveland the NHL to reach 60 playoff high 34 points as the San Anto- Cavaliers star LeBron James passed wins. Washington goalie Braden nio Spurs defeated the Houston Kareem Abdul-Jabbar on Wednesday he Pittsburgh Pen- Holtby stopped 15 shots. Rockets 121-96 on Wednesday for second place on the NBA’s all-time guins overcame the Kto level their NBA playoff series at one absence of star center Ducks 4, Oilers 3 (OT) playoff scoring list on Wednesday and game each. now has No. 1 Michael Jordan in his TSidney Crosby to beat Ryan Getzlaf had two goals Leonard also delivered eight assists sights. the Washington Capitals 3-2 in a and two assists, including a and seven rebounds for the Spurs, who James moved ahead of Abdul-Jabbar pivotal Game Four of their East- helper on Jakob Silfverberg’s now travel to Houston for games three (5,762 points) with his 27th point ern Conference semi-fi nal at goal at 45 seconds of overtime, and four of the best-of-seven second in a 125-103 Cleveland win over the PPG Paints Arena on Wednesday. as Anaheim rallied from two round Western Conference series. Toronto Raptors in game two of their The victory gave the Penguins goals down to defeat Edmonton “We were focused,” Leonard said. “We best-of-seven playoff series. a commanding 3-1 lead in the and even up their best-of-seven lost by 30 points last game so we didn’t Jordan heads the list with 5,987 points best-of-seven series. Game Five series at 2-2. want to disappoint the fans.” but James could pass him with an is in Washington on Saturday. Getzlaf stole the puck in the San Antonio’s win could prove to be extended run this postseason with the Crosby, who led the NHL with Oilers’ zone and made a cross- costly because of an injury to guard Tony Cavaliers, who are seeking their third 44 goals in the regular season, ice pass that Silfverberg ripped Parker. The Frenchman had to be carried consecutive finals appearance. missed the game after suff ering a into the net past goaltender Cam off the fl oor by teammates with 8:43 re- “I have taken advantage of the oppor- concussion early in Game Three. Talbot. The road team has won maining after suff ering a left leg injury. tunity I have been given,” said James, Pittsburgh built a 2-0 lead on all four games in the western Meanwhile, LeBron James reached an- who finished with 39 points Wednes- goals by Patric Hornqvist and Conference semi-fi nal series. other milestone and the Cleveland Cava- day. “It was always my dream as a kid Jake Guentzel, blew that by giv- With his second goal of the liers nailed 18 shots from beyond the arc to be part of this league. I seen I had a ing up quick-strike goals to Evg- contest – Getzlaf’s 36th career en route to a 125-103 rout of the Toronto gift and I didn’t take it for granted. And eny Kuznetsov and Nate Schmidt playoff marker – he surpassed Raptors in their East playoff series. I still don’t even at 32. and took a 3-2 lead into the third Teemu Selanne as the Ducks’ all- San Antonio led 97-83 at the time of “I been in this league for 14 years. I period after Justin Schultz scored time leading post-season goal Parker’s injury. The incident took place had some great teammates, I been in on a power-play. scorer. when Parker missed a short layup and the postseason for 12 straight years so The Capitals dominated the Anaheim unleashed 21 shots in landed underneath the Rockets’ basket. those guys and coaches I had put me third but could not beat Pitts- the second period, when it scored He had scored 18 points before leaving in positions to be successful. burgh goaltender Marc-Andre twice to tie the game at 2-2. the game. “When you hear a name like Kareem who has done so many great things, San Antonio’s win could prove to winning championships in the 1980s be costly because of an injury to and how many points he put up. I Thomas draws inspiration from sister’s death guard Tony Parker. The French- didn’t actually get a chance to watch man had to be carried off the fl oor him growing up but I read about his Reuters, Boston: Isaiah His coaches and teammates said by teammates with 8:43 remaining accomplishments, so it is pretty cool.” Thomas has been the Boston they were in awe of how Tho- aft er suff ering a left leg injury James has been enjoying a superb Celtics’ best player all season mas has responded to adversity, playoff , averaging 33.2 points, 9.8 re- but the point guard has ramped including having a front tooth Parker clutched his left knee as he lay bounds, 8.0 assists, and 2.6 steals per up his production in the playoff s dislodged during the Game 1 win on the fl oor. He was carted off by team- game coming into Wednesday. despite playing only days after in the series, where he scored mates Dewayne Dedmon and Dejounte Those number are actually higher his sister died in a car crash. 33 points. Murray and did not look up as the crowd than his regular season totals of 26.4 Since the April 15 crash, Thomas The injury led to hours of dental chanted his name. points, 8.6 rebounds, 8.7 assists, and has produced several inspiring surgery on Monday and Tues- “I just hope he is OK because we need 1.2 steals per game. performances, most recently a day but did not sideline him for him the next game,” Leonard said. James is seventh in regular-season 53-point outing on Tuesday, a ca- Tuesday’s game. Parker is expected to undergo an MRI scoring with 28,787 points while Ab- reer high that gave the Eastern “What else is there to say?” scan on Thursday. dul-Jabbar is first with 38,387 points. Conference’s top-seeded Celtics Celtic head coach Brad Stevens Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said of a 2-0 lead in their best-of-seven said after Tuesday’s win. Parker, “It is not good.” semi-final series with the Wash- “There’s a point today when he LaMarcus Aldridge scored 15 points for series when trailing 0-2 and are now a ington Wizards. was not feeling good at all and the Spurs while Jonathon Simmons add- Kawhi Leonard of the San Antonio Spurs drives against Clint Capela of the Houston dismal 1-6 in game two’s on the road. Asked where he found the was having a tough day, and I ed 14 points and Danny Green scored his Rockets during Game Two of the NBA Western Conference Semi-Finals at AT&T Center DeRozan, the Raptors’ leading scorer inspiration to play the best thought he was going to really 12 points all in the fi rst half. in San Antonio on Wednesday. this season, was limited to fi ve points on basketball of his career, Thomas have to gut this one out,” he In Cleveland, James became the NBA’s two-of-11 shooting. did not hesitate.“It’s my sister, said. “And he not only guts it second all-time leading scorer in the Miller and Manu Ginobili to become the and I live with the results. Just blessed “It sucks. To lose like we did,” DeRo- it’s her birthday today — happy out, he ends up with 50. Pretty postseason with a 39 point performance fourth player in league history to make I’m able to make a few plays tonight to zan said. “Now I just have the added time birthday — she would have been impressive,” he said. as the Cavaliers crushed the Toronto 300 playoff three-pointers in a career. help us win another game.” having to wait till Friday night to redeem 23 today,” he said on the court Teammate Al Horford, who set Raptors in game two. And he now has 89 playoff games with Kyrie Irving added 22 points and 11 myself.” in Boston. “Everything I do is for key screens to free up the 5’ 9” James nailed a three pointer in the sec- at least 30 points, which moved him past assists for Cleveland, who also received her and she is watching over me, (1.75m) guard late in the game, ond half to surpass Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Kobe Bryant. Only Jordan (109) has more. 18 points from Channing Frye. Iman Results so that’s all her.” praised Thomas’ poise. (5,762 points) for second place. Michael James scored 17 points in the third Shumpert came off the bench to score 14 (all series best-of-seven): Thomas said basketball is a “He’s just steady, steady, steady Jordan is fi rst with 5,987 playoff points. quarter to give Cleveland a 99-73 lead for the Cavaliers, who easily won game welcome distraction from the and just the credit goes to him,” “You fi nd somebody to stop LeBron in heading into the fourth. one 116-105 on Monday. Eastern Conference real world. “The only thing about he told reporters. these moments, I’ll give you $100,” To- “I’m feeling pretty good,” James said. The Raptors were led by Jonas Valan- Cleveland 125 Toronto 103 it is that when I leave this gym, I “After going through all that he’s ronto’s DeMar DeRozan said. “My teammates do a great job of putting ciunas who had 23 points. All-Star guard (Cleveland leads series 2-0) hit reality and she’s not here. So been going through with the The win gives Cleveland a 2-0 series me in position. My coaching staff do a Kyle Lowry scored 20 points but injured that’s the tough part. But when tooth and everything I just don’t lead but game three is in Toronto on Fri- great job of putting me in position to be his left ankle in the third quarter and was Western Conference I’m in this arena, I can lock in and think a lot of guys would have day. successful. out of the game for good by the fourth. San Antonio 121 Houston 96 I know everything I do is for her.” even played this game.” James also joined Ray Allen, Reggie “And, I put a lot of work in on my craft The Raptors have never won a playoff (Series tied 1-1)

BASEBALL Judge shines as Yankees rally past Blue Jays

Agencies ond inning and belted a two-run homer in the Chris Young and Dustin Pedroia each had New York Astros’ four-run sixth. It was his eighth home an RBI for Boston, which has taken two of the run of the season. fi rst three contests in the four-game series. Pe- Morton (2-3) followed a strong outing droia was 1-for-3, moving into a tie with Harry aron Judge hit his major-league- against the Oakland Athletics earlier this Hooper for eighth on Boston’s all-time hits leading 13th home run and scored the homestand with six solid innings. The Astros list, with 1,707. tying run in the seventh inning as the backed him with four home runs — solo shots Pomeranz (3-1) allowed fi ve hits and walked New York Yankees rallied from an early by Carlos Correa and Brian McCann and two- two while striking out seven. Craig Kimbrel four-runA defi cit and posted an 8-6 victory over run blasts from Gonzalez and Josh Reddick. struck out the side to notch his American the Toronto Blue Jays on Wednesday night. League-leading 10th save in the ninth. Judge had his fi rst career three-hit game — METS 16, BRAVES 5 with a single in the fi rst, a two-run homer in Jose Reyes had two hits and fi ve RBIs to spark CUBS 5, PHILLIES 4 the third and a single in the seventh, when the New York’s 20-hit attack in a rout of Atlanta. Willson Contreras’ two-out pinch-hit dou- Yankees scored three times off Joe Biagini (0- Every player in New York’s starting lineup ble keyed a four-run sixth inning as Chicago 1). had a hit and seven players had multiple hits, claimed a come-from-behind victory over Matt Holliday also hit a three-run homer as with left fi elder Michael Conforto, catcher Philadelphia. New York won for the 16th time in 21 games. Rene Rivera and fi rst baseman T.J. Rivera each Contreras laced a 1-1 pitch from left-handed Four relievers combined on fi ve scoreless in- picking up three. reliever Joely Rodriguez into the left-fi eld cor- nings, with Dellin Betances (3-1) recording Reyes was 2-for-4 with a double and ner to drive home Ben Zobrist and Jason Hey- four outs for the victory and Aroldis Chapman matched his career high with fi ve RBIs, which ward with the tying and go-ahead runs. The posting his sixth save. he last accomplished in 2003. The 16 runs set Cubs’ Jake Arrieta (4-1) earned his second vic- a season best and the 20 hits matched a season tory in three starts. ASTROS 10, RANGERS 1 high for the Mets. Wade Davis, the fourth Chicago pitcher, faced Charlie Morton produced his second con- four batters in a scoreless ninth for his seventh secutive quality start while Marwin Gonzalez RED SOX 4, ORIOLES 2 save. The Phillies’ Jerad Eickhoff (0-3) took the continued his early-season power surge as Josh Rutledge drove in two runs and Drew loss, sailing through fi ve innings before getting Houston bashed Texas. New York Yankees right fielder Aaron Judge (99) hits a home run against the Toronto Blue Jays in Pomeranz tossed 5 1/3 innings as Boston de- into trouble. Gonzalez doubled as part of a four-run sec- the seventh inning at Yankee Stadium. PICTURE: Noah K. Murray – USA TODAY Sports feated Baltimore. Gulf Times 6 Friday, May 5, 2017 SPORT

MOTORSPORT HORSE RACING Fancied Classic Empire draws post 14 F1 star Alonso for Kentucky Derby

AFP passing three rivals in the last Los Angeles furlong for the victory to secure his fancied place in the Run for the Roses. After winning last completes Indy ddsmakers favourite year’s Breeders Cup Juvenile, Classic Empire drew Classic Empire was expected to the number 14 post be a Derby stalwart, but a dis- Oon Wednesday for the appointing third-place show- 143rd running of the Kentucky ing last February at the Holy Derby, the leadoff race in Amer- Bull Stakes and an abscess on ica’s Triple Crown thoroughbred the colt’s front right hoof forced horse racing series. trainer Mark Casse to send the 500 rookie test Classic Empire is a 4-1 favour- horse to Florida. ite in the fi eld of 20 for tomor- While recovery took longer row’s $2mn showdown of three- than anticipated, the Arkansas The 35-year-old Spaniard is skipping this year’s Monaco Grand Prix, a race year-olds over 1 1.4 miles (2km) Derby win secured Classic Em- at Churchill Downs in Louisville, pire as the horse to beat in Ken- he won in 2006 and 2007, to compete in the 101st Indianapolis 500 Kentucky. tucky. McCracken, a second-favour- “We couldn’t be in a better ite at 5-1, will start just outside place,” Casse said. AFP Classic Empire from the number Todd Pletcher, trainer for Chicago 15 gate while another 5-1 horse, Florida Derby winner Always Always Dreaming, starts from Dreaming, hopes for another the fi fth chute. Irish War Cry, at Derby win after Super Saver in wo-time Formula One cham- 6-1, departs from the 17th slot. 2010. He also trains 20-1 Tap- pion Fernando Alonso passed Only 12 horses have swept the writ, who starts between Wood his Indianapolis 500 rookie Derby, Preakness and June’s Bel- Memorial winner Irish War Cry Torientation test programme on mont Stakes in the same year to and McCraken and 30-1 Patch, Wednesday, taking about an hour to clear capture US fl at racing’s Triple who leaves from the far outside his way to drive in the May 28 race. Crown. The most recent of those post. Lookin at Lee (20-1) drew The 35-year-old Spaniard is skipping was American Pharoah in 2015 to the rail, which has not produced this year’s Monaco Grand Prix, a race he snap a drought that had lasted a Kentucky Derby winner since won in 2006 and 2007, to compete in the since 1978. Ferdinand in 1986. 101st Indianapolis 500. Classic Empire, owned by Longshots in the fi eld are 50-1 Alonso made his fi rst IndyCar test runs John Oxley and ridden by French Fast and Accurate, leaving from at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, get- jockey Julien Leparoux, won the third gate from the rail, and ting his fi rst taste of the famed 2.5-mile the Arkansas Derby on April 15, 50-1 Sonneteer, in the 12th slot. (4km) oval. “It was fun,” Alonso said. “At this mo- ment, everything looks good. Now it’s time to start the real thing.” 2000 Grand National winner Papillon dead at 26 Alonso will make his IndyCar debut in an orange-painted, Honda-powered London: Papillon, the horse “It’s sad news but he gave me entry from McLaren, the team for which that gave Irish jockey Ruby the greatest day of my racing he drives in F1. The car was prepared and Walsh his first Grand National life when he won the Grand will be supported by Andretti Autosport, win in 2000 at the first attempt, National with Ruby on in 2000. the IndyCar team owned by former F1 has died at the age of 26. That’s 17 years ago now but it racer Michael Andretti. Walsh, who also won the race at doesn’t seem that long ago,” “He gets it,” Andretti said. “He’s one Aintree in 2005 with Hedge- Walsh’s trainer and father Ted of the best in the world and you can see hunter, was 20 at the time. told racinguk.com. why. He had a little bit of understeer in that run and he adjusted his line because of the understeer. “He’s the real deal. I think he’s going to SPOTLIGHT be really strong this month.” Alonso needed only 51 laps to speed through three phases of work for new- comers, showing control and comfort at Kiwi rugby league ever increasing speeds until he reached a competitive level in the open-wheel ve- hicle. team have spine to Alonso turned 10 laps between 205- 210 mph, 15 from 210-215 mph and 15 above 215 mph to demonstrate his profi - test Australia ciency. “I think it’s a good way to start, to build speed,” he said. “It was diffi cult at AFP beginning to reach the minimum speed. Sydney The next stages felt good, not because of the speed but because of the laps. You’re able to fi ne-tune the lines: up- trengthened New Zea- shift, downshift, which gears to use in land are bidding to end the corner.” a losing four-match run A day after preparing in a racing simu- against Australia while lator, Alonso said his confi dence grew EnglandS pit their World Cup with every lap. By the end of his day, muscle against the bruising Sa- Alonso had completed 110 laps with a top moans in a Test extravaganza speed of 222.548mph (358.156km/hr). Down Under this weekend. “The simulator is quite realistic. You The Kiwis, who haven’t beaten have the fi rst impression of how it’s going the Kangaroos since 2015, fancy to be,” Alonso said. “But the real car is a their chances in Friday’s match unique feeling. When you have to go fl at in Canberra buttressed by an all- out in the corner, it’s not the same.” star spine of New Zealand War- Neither is driving in traffi c, which will riors NRL quartet Kieran Foran, provide a much diff erent challenge on qualifying May 20-21, so Alonso must drivers championship in 2005 and 2006. likes Alonso’s chances for success. Shaun Johnson, Roger Tuivasa- race day. juggle F1 and Indy commitments, includ- Andretti, the son of former Indy “He’ll have to learn by fi re from a lot of Sheck and Issac Luke. “Running alone is quite OK. We’ll see ing next week’s Spanish Grand Prix. 500 and F1 champion Mario Andretti, it,” said Marco Andretti of Alonso. “But The New Zealanders, led by in the next weeks,” Alonso said. “So far a Alonso has 32 wins and 97 podiums in will field six cars in the race, includ- he’s asking the right questions. He’ll be Melbourne Storm prop Jesse good experience. Now is the real deal.” F1, his most recent triumph coming at the ing defending champion Alexander fi ne. He’s a race car driver. He’ll leave to- Bromwich, have plenty of for- Indy 500 practice begins May 15 with 2013 Spanish Grand Prix. He won the F1 Rossi and son Marco Andretti, who day pretty confi dent.” wards fi repower with Dally M co-winner Jason Taumalolo, NZ’s Simon Mannering Russell Packer and Martin Tau- BOTTOMLINE pau off the interchange bench. making the long trip to Australia While the Kangaroos have for a one-off Test against the won 16 of the 18 mid-season fi fth-rated Samoa in Sydney on Tests against the Kiwis since Saturday. 1998 and are favourites, they are England’s Australian coach without experienced pair Greg Wayne Bennett stirred de- Inglis and Matt Scott, who are bate about eligibility with his Andretti sees spark in Alonso injured, while superstar stand- selection of Australian-born off Johnathan Thurston has been duo Chris McQueen and Chris Reuters which is basically road racing,” don’t get too spooked. “A lot of battling a calf niggle. Heighington in his squad to face Indianapolis added Andretti. elements will come into play at “You just look at the results. the Pacifi c islanders. “It’s not that he is going to be that point.” The entire Indy- When you’ve had a number of But England and Canterbury foreign to 220 mph plus but what Car experience, which involves results go against you, it’s hard Bulldogs forward James Graham ario Andretti sees he is going to be foreign to is cor- massive fan interaction with the not to have that doubt there,” has defended the call-ups. the same spark in nering at 220mph plus. drivers, is also likely to be a cul- veteran Kiwi back-rower Simon “If you have got guys that Fernando Alonso “That’s the part that obvious- ture shock for Alonso, who will Mannering said. “That’s defi - want to represent their heritage Mthat drove him to ly he is going to have to deal with also have the added distraction nitely a thing of the past. You put or a part of where they’re from take on all comers at race tracks and learn how to approach it.” of spotters throughout the race. it to one side. then I’m all for that and I’d ac- around the world and said he be- McLaren will enter the race Spotters, who are perched on “In 2015 when we had a pretty tively encourage that,” Graham lieves the Spaniard is a threat to with a Honda-engined Indy the roof of the grandstands, pro- consistent team and managed to said. win the Indianapolis 500. car run by Andretti Autosport, vide a running commentary to get a result against a tough Aus- “We live in a very multicul- Alonso set the motor racing owned by former McLaren driv- keep drivers appraised of poten- tralian team. tural society, people travel, peo- world abuzz last month when he er Michael Andretti, who put tial trouble spots and danger. “I “Everyone is pretty famil- ple are born and live in diff erent said he had been granted clear- together a detailed game plan for think the toughest thing for him iar with each other and we have countries, so I’m all for them ance by his McLaren Formula Alonso that began in a simulator. will be able to feel comfortable some combinations there with wanting to play for England.” One team to miss the Monaco Alonso impressed on Wednes- enough with a spotter in his ear,” the (numbers) nine, six, seven England are fi elding seven Grand Prix and race in the 101st before Alonso settled into the Despite Alonso having won day as he quickly got up to speed said Andretti. and one all being at the same club NRL-based players in their Indy 500 on May 28 in pursuit of cockpit of an IndyCar for the 32 grands prix and two drivers with a fastest lap of 222.548 mph “To understand all of that and (the Warriors).” Skipper Cam- squad, including South Sydney’s the sport’s famed ‘Triple Crown’ fi rst time on Wednesday. “Some championships, the 35-year- (356.825kph) but Andretti said take advantage because he has eron Smith will become only powerhouse forward Sam Bur- — a Formula One title and Indy drivers are very happy specialis- old was required to undergo In- there was still a lot for him to never had a spotter in his ear the second player behind Darren gess, while among the 18-man 500 and Le Mans wins. ing. I wasn’t. dyCar’s rookie orientation pro- learn. “As you get closer to qual- when he is driving. Lockyer to play 50 Tests for the Samoan squad 16 of them play While Graham Hill is the only “I see the same spark in Alonso. gram on Wednesday in order to ifying then he is going to have to “It can be annoying. Kangaroos when the hooker lines at Australian clubs and the other driver to achieve the feat, An- “I commend him for doing get used to the unique envi- start fl irting with the limit of the “As a driver, I would tell my up for his 34th consecutive Test. two play their trade for the New dretti also stands alone as the this. I know how he feels because ronment of oval racing at the car. That’s when it gets precari- engineer you know what keep “I pride myself on my resil- Zealand Warriors. only driver to win a Formula One this was always my challenge to famed 2.5 mile (4km) Brickyard ous,” said Andretti. the comments down, just let me ience and making sure that I train In the countdown to October’s world championship, an Indi- go into somebody else’s sand- course. “At these speeds when you’re drive. hard and have myself physically World Cup in Australia and New anapolis 500 and Daytona 500. box and see if I could win at their “Here you have constant high fl irting with the limits of the car “I want just enough informa- and mentally prepared for every Zealand, Papua New Guinea take “I embraced the challenges own game. speed on a super speedway and and ready to go then you have to tion. I didn’t want information match I play, particularly the on the Cook Islands and Tonga that’s why I did it because I was “There’s nothing better than it is incredibly diff erent from have a pretty good feel. “That’s overload. “Spotters sometime representative football,” Smith face seventh-ranked Fiji also in curious,” Andretti told Reuters that.” what his (Alonso’s) specialty is when you’ve got to watch so you go blah, blah, blah.” said. Third-ranked England are Sydney on Saturday. Gulf Times Friday, May 5, 2017 7 CRICKET

WI VS PAK, 2ND TEST INDIAN PREMIER LEAGUE Windies level series Delhi push Gujarat out of as Pakistan fall play-off s race

IANS ing at 10/2 in the second over. But sen- New Delhi sible innings from the duo helped Gu- jarat to get out of troubled waters. under Gabriel’s spell Gujarat got off to a poor start as they elhi Daredevils rode on some lost swash-buckling openers Dwayne clinical hitting from Rishabh Smith (9) and Brendon McCullum (1) in Fast bowler takes a five-for as visitors are wrapped up for 81 on final day Pant and Sanju Samson to the second over of the innings. thrash Gujarat Lions by seven McCullum was the fi rst one to de- wicketsD in a high-scoring Indian Pre- part. The New Zealand batsman got an mier League (IPL) match at the Feroze- outside edge off pacer Kagiso Rabada shah Kotla here yesterday. and Rishabh Pant then completed the Chasing a mammoth 209, the left- rest of the formality by taking a superb right combo of Pant (97) and Samson catch. (61) plundered the Gujarat bowlers all Off the very next ball, Shabaz Na- over the park to raise a 143-run stand deem did a brilliant job in the fi eld, of mere 63 balls to overhaul the target coming up with an accurate direct with 15 balls to spare. throw to dismiss Smith. With this win, sixth-placed Delhi With the visitors reeling at 10 for 2, kept their hopes of qualifying for the incoming batsmen Raina and Karthik play-off s while Gujarat, languishing in then stepped up to tackle the situa- the penultimate spot, are already out of tion and thrashed the Delhi bowlers all the race. around the park. It was a steady start for Delhi as San- The duo forged a brilliant 133-run ju Samson and skipper Karun Nair (12) partnership for the third wicket before scored 24 runs in three overs but on the Raina was run out by Rabada in the 14th fi fth delivery of the third over, Nair was over. A slight miscommunication be- sent back to the pavilion by medium tween Karthik and Raina helped Delhi pacer Pradeep Sangwan. break the partnership. Trying to pull a short delivery Nair In-form batsman Aaron Finch (27) found an edge that perfectly landed in then joined Karthik and both batsmen wicketkeeper Dinesh Karthik gloves. tried to rev up the innings. But soon The fall of wicket brought in Pant, Karthik was sent back to the pavilion by who along with Samson created havoc pacer Pat Cummins. among Gujarat’s bowlers. While trying to play over mid-off , Both batsmen added 143 runs for Karthik mistimed the ball and Correy second wicket in just 10.3 overs before Anderson took a stunning one-handed Samson was dismissed by Ravindra catch to dismiss the Delhi wicketkeep- Jadeja in the 14th over. er. Samson’s 31-ball innings comprised With the score at 158 for 4 in 15 overs, seven sixes. middle-order batsman Ishan Kishan Unperturbed by the fall of Samson’s (4), who joined Finch, failed to click as wicket, Pant continued to beat the he was also dismissed by Cummins in leather but with three runs short of his the 18th over. West Indies’ Shannon Gabriel (second from right) celebrates the wicket of Pakistan’s Azhar Ali (left) with his teammates on Day Five of the second Test at Kensington century, Pant was sent packing by Basil With two overs remaining, Finch Oval in Bridgetown, Barbados, yesterday. (AFP) Thampi. played some good strokes and he was Pant, who slammed six boundaries also supported by Ravindra Jadeja (18) AFP on boundary to trigger the Caribbean ruled “not out” to vociferous appeals K. Powell c wkpr Ahmed b Abbas 6 and nine sixes in his 43 ball innings, got but just when things seemed good for Bridgetown, Barbados side’s celebrations. but replays following a challenge S. Hetmyer b Amir 22 a nick and wicketkeeper Karthik made the visitors, Finch was caught at fi ne “We knew we had a chance once we showed an inside-edge that lobbed to S. Hope c Ali b Shah 90 no mistake to grab the ball. leg. Wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant took a got a lead over 150,” said Gabriel as he Shai Hope at gully and sent the Paki- R. Chase c and b Shah 23 With pace of the game perfectly set diving catch off Rabada to dismiss the hannon Gabriel produced an savoured the success. “I just concen- stan captain back to the pavilion with- V. Singh b Abbas 32 by the former batsmen, middle-order Australian batsman. outstanding eff ort of consist- trated on bowling the right areas at pace out scoring. S. Dowrich c Shafiq b Yasir 2 batsmen Shreyas Iyer (14) and Corey James Faulkner was also dismissed ently fast bowling to lead the and everything worked out for me and He was joined just a few minutes J. Holder c Younis Khan b Shah 1 Anderson (18) then completed the pro- in the last over by Corey Anderson. But West Indies to a 106-run vic- the team. This was a total team eff ort.” later by Asad Shafi q when the new D. Bishoo c Ali b Shah 20 ceeding comfortably without any hic- then Jadeja fi nished off the things in toryS over Pakistan 80 minutes after Gabriel started the rout with the batsman edged his second delivery for cups. style by slamming two huge sixes in the A. Joseph c Amir b Shah 7 lunch on the fi nal day of the second wicket of fi rst innings century-maker Powell to take the catch at fi rst slip at S. Gabriel not out 0 For Gujarat, Sangwan, Thampi and last two deliveries of the fi nal over. Test at Kensington Oval in Barbados Azhar Ali as the opening batsman the third attempt. Extras (b-16, lb-2, nb-1, w-3) 22 Jadeja took one wicket each. For Delhi, pacers Rabada and Cum- yesterday. miscued an attempted pull for Shim- “West Indies deserve all the credit for Total (all out, 102.5 overs) 268 Earlier, put in to bat, crafty knocks mins scalped two wickets each. Set a target of 188 after leg-spinner ron Hetmyer to take a diving catch at the way their bowlers performed today Fall of wicket: 1-8 (Powell), 2-41 by skipper Suresh Raina and Dinesh Yasir Shah’s seven for 94 wrapped up midwicket. but I felt we let the match get away from (Hetmyer), 3-97 (Brathwaite), 4-155 Karthik helped Gujarat post a challeng- BRIEF SCORES: Gujarat Lions 208 for the home side’s second innings at 268 Joseph, sharing the new ball with us by letting them get so many runs in (Chase), 5-235 (Hope), 6-235 (Singh), ing 208 for 7 against Delhi. 7 (Raina 77, Karthik 65; Rabada 2-27) at the start of the day, the tourists were Gabriel, struck in the very next over the second innings,” said Misbah. 7-236 (Holder), 8-252 (Dowrich), 9-261 Raina (77) and Karthik (65) came to lose to Delhi Daredevils 214 for 3 (Pant never in contention after the pace bar- when Babar Azam fl icked at a leg-side “Our intention was to bat normally (Joseph), 10-268 (Bishoo) the crease when the visitors were reel- 97, Samson 61) by seven wickets rage on a deteriorating pitch led by delivery for wicketkeeper Shane Dow- and put away the scoring opportuni- Bowling: M. Amir 21-8-44-1 (1w), M. Ab- Gabriel, whose innings fi gures of fi ve rich to snare the chance and consign ties but they never really came early bas 25-6-57-2 (2w), Y. Shah 39.5-12-94-7, for 11 contributed to Pakistan’s demise Pakistan’s brightest batting talent to enough for us to get going.” S. Khan 17-0-55-0 (1nb) for just 81 off 34.4 overs. the indignity of a “pair.” Pakistan were in danger of their It equalled the lowest total ever in Joseph should have also accounted lowest-ever total when Shehzad and Pakistan 2nd Innings a Test innings at the venue set by In- for Ahmed Shehzad but the opening Shadab Khan fell shortly after lunch A. Ali c Hetmyer b Gabriel 10 dia, also in a losing eff ort chasing 120, batsman, who enjoyed generous slices at 36 for seven. However Ahmed and A. Shehzad lbw Joseph 14 against the West Indies in 1997 and of luck in scoring 70 in the fi rst in- Amir took them past the ignominious B. Azam c wkpr Dowrich b Joseph 0 leaves the series at 1-1 going into the nings, was missed at fi rst slip edging low of 49 in a 42-run stand that only Y. Khan lbw Holder 5 fi nal Test in Dominica starting next an attempted drive. delayed the inevitable. Misbah ul Haq c Hope b Gabriel 0 Wednesday. That disappointment was replaced Gabriel was brought back into the A. Shafiq c Powell b Gabriel 0 Troubled by injuries and no-balls by even more jubilation in the West In- attack to the break the partnership S. Ahmed c Chase b Holder 23 throughout his comparatively brief dies camp though, as Holder replaced with the wicket of Amir and complet- S. Khan c Dowrich b Holder 1 career, the burly fast bowler earned the Gabriel and immediately earned the ed a fi ve-wicket innings haul when he M. Amir c Singh b Gabriel 23 Man of the Match award with overall prized scalp of Younis Khan. Adjudged bowled Shah for the fourth duck of the Y. Shah b Gabriel 0 fi gures of nine for 92, the third-best LBW by on-fi eld umpire Richard Ket- innings. M. Abbas not out 0 by a West Indian against Pakistan. tleborough, Younis challenged the de- It was then left to Holder to fi nish off Extras (b4, lb1, nb3) 8 Only wicketkeeper-batsman Sar- cision only to have it confi rmed by the the match with the wicket of Ahmed Total (all out; 34.4 overs) 81 fraz Ahmed and fast bowler Mohamed television replays. even if it meant denying Gabriel a fi rst Fall of wickets: 1-10 (Ali), 2-11 (Azam), Amir, who contributed 23 each, of- With Joseph tiring, Gabriel was re- ten-wicket match haul in Test cricket. 3-27 (Younis Khan), 4-30 (Misbah), 5-30 fered any resistance to Gabriel, Al- called into action to replace the gan- (Shafiq), 6-35 (Shehzad), 7-36 (Shadab zarri Joseph (two for 42) and Jason gling Antiguan and the burly Trinidad SCORECARD Khan), 8-78 (Amir), 9-81 (Shah), 10-81 Holder (three for 23), the West Indies and Tobago tearaway responded with WEST INDIES 1st Innings 312 (Ahmed) captain having the satisfaction of tak- two critical wickets in the space of PAKISTAN 1st Innings 393 Bowling: S. Gabriel 11-4-11-5 (1nb), A. ing the fi nal wicket when Ahmed was three deliveries. WEST INDIES 2nd Innings (o/n 264-9) Joseph 12-1-42-2, J. Holder 11.4-4-23-3 Delhi Daredevils’ Rishabh Pant (foreground) in action during their Indian Premier caught by Roston Chase on the long- Captain Misbah ul Haq was fi rst K. Brathwaite c Younis Khan b Shah 43 (2nb) League match against Gujarat Lions in New Delhi yesterday. (AFP)

ENG VS IRE, 1ST ODI Ireland’s Porterfi eld puts Afghan adventure behind him

AFP minute. He’s a good bowler and he’s fi eld. “But to play them in England is “He (Morgan) did a lot of things for Bristol, United Kingdom just burst on (the scene). He’s fresh and obviously going to be special. Irish cricket when he was there and he’s it takes a little while to negate that. “Any Irish-English sporting occa- moved on and he’s done really well for “When we did, we won.” sion is a great event. But ultimately it himself. reland captain William Porter- Conditions in Bristol may not be comes down to how we approach the “We played Under-13s together. I fi eld was confi dent yesterday his so spin friendly and Porterfi eld said: game and not what the occasion is.” think he was 11 and I was 12. We chat a side’s recent defeats by Afghani- We’ve just got to keep the same attitude With Test status in sight, Porterfi eld lot, we are pretty good mates.” stan would have no lingering eff ect that we had throughout the six weeks in denied there was extra pressure on Ire- Today’s match will see Porterfi eld Ion this week’s one-day internationals India. land. playing at a ground he knows well against England. “We didn’t get the results necessarily “Any time we are playing, that kind from his three years with Bristol-based The Irish were beaten 7-2 by fellow we wanted but how we approached the of external pressure is always lingering county Gloucestershire. Test aspirants Afghanistan across three games and how we went into them, was there anyway,” he said. Ireland coach John Bracewell also formats in India during a tour that end- really pleasing.” “We always want to put in big per- had a spell in charge of Gloucestershire ed last month. Today’s match will see Ireland play formances because we know where and Porterfi eld, who joined rival Eng- But Porterfi eld said Afghanistan’s England in England for the fi rst time, Irish cricket wants to go.” lish county Warwickshire in 2010, said: teenage leg-spinner Rashid Khan, now with Sunday’s concluding match of the “It’s a great little ground and it’s nice to starring in the Indian Premier League, short series taking place at Lord’s. ‘GOOD MATES’ be back. had eff ectively been all that separated For Ireland, who famously beat Eng- Porterfi eld has known England’s Dub- “That will make it slightly easier, the two teams. land in Bangalore at the 2007 World Cup lin-born one-day captain Eoin Morgan knowing the dimensions, what hap- “There was one diff erence in the thanks to a whirlwind hundred from since they were schoolboy cricketers pens with the wind, things like that, it sides and that was Rashid Khan,” Por- Kevin O’Brien, it is another landmark oc- in Ireland and the pair have remained can help.” terfi eld told reporters at Bristol, the casion on the road to Test status, which friends. Refl ecting on his time with Glouces- venue for today’s fi rst of two ODIs could be granted by the International The 32-year-old Porterfi eld tried to tershire, he added: “I just really enjoyed against England. Cricket Council next month. play down the impact of their latest it. It was my fi rst taste of county crick- “If he played for either side, that “We’ve played them (England) a few meeting by saying: “It’s special for Irish et, walking into a professional set-up. side wins. We’ve seen what he can do Ireland’s William Porterfield (right) takes part during nets yesterday ahead of their times in Ireland and in world tourna- cricket, who’s fl icking the coin, doesn’t “I’ll always be grateful to Gloucester- and what he’s doing out in India at the match against England in Bristol. (Reuters) ments,” said opening batsman Porter- really matter.” shire for giving me that opportunity.”

Friday, May 5, 2017 GULF TIMES SPORT

HORSE RACING FOOTBALL / EMIR CUP Nam Tae-hee powers Lukasek helms Lekhwiya into semis

By Sports Reporter Djahab to Doha brace by Nam Tae-hee powered Qatar Stars League champions Le- khwiya to a 3-1 win over AlA Khor in the quarter-fi nals of the Emir Cup yesterday. Nam has been chiefl y instru- smashing win mental in Lekhwiya’s success over the years and the Korean sensation showed he still had Jalmoud, Rasi and Littlemissblakeney win other cup races enough reserves of energy as the hectic domestic season ap- proaches its fi nal straight. Lekhwiya, who will now take on Al Rayyan in the last four of Qatar’s most lucrative tourna- ment, thus stayed on course for a treble, having also won the sea- son-opening Sheikh Jassim Cup last year. Al Khor just about managed to avoid relegation from the Qatar Stars League and were no match for Djamel Belmadi’s men even though they looked a trifl e off colour. They missed several chances before Nam found the net from the centre of the box with a low Winners of The Late Saeed Bin Ahmed Al Kuwari Cup pose after Al Shahania Stud’s Rasi won the race yesterday. PICTURES: Juhaim volley just two minutes into the second half after the fi rst session By Sports Reporter had ended goalless. Doha Nam, who also helped Le- khwiya qualify for the last 16 of the Asian Champions League, Lekhwiya’s Nam Tae-hee (right) in action against Al Khor during their l Jeryan Stud’s Djahab was unstop- was simply in a class of his own Emir Cup quarter-final yesterday. PICTURES: Noushad Thekkayil pable in a smashing Club Breeders as he tormented Al Khor with his Trophy victory at the Qatar Rac- sublime skills. onrushing goalkeeper Baba Dji- from the box proved futile. ing and Equestrian Club turf track One such moment of magic bril’s head before half-volleying That was the best they could yesterday.A fetched Lekhwiya their second it into the net. do, but they still had no respite Tomas Lukasek gave Hadi al-Ramzani’s goal when his perfectly weighted Al Khor pressed hard to stay from Nam as he took advantage ward a go-ahead two furlongs out in the lob from just outside the penalty relevant and were given a lifeline of the Al Khor defence to move seven-furlong race for three-year-old Pure- area found Yousef Msakni in the in the 76th minute when Kuwaiti forward in search of the equalizer bred Arabians, and the she blitzed away for a 57th minute. striker Sultan al-Enezi struck and scored from a long-ranger massive 14-length victory. The Tunisian calmly collected from close after several attempts in stoppage time to seal the out- Hassan al-Matwi-trained Raqee, ridden the ball and lobbed it over the by Lekhwiya to clear the ball come of the match. by JP Guillambert, was a comfortable sec- ond, 11 lengths ahead of Ibrahim al-Malki- trained Qaswarah, ridden by Saleem Golam. In Abu Dhalouf Cup, a Thoroughbred Handicap event for fi llies and mares rated Tomas Lukasek rides Al Jeryan Stud’s Djahab to victory in the Club Breeders Trophy. 76-90, al-Malki-trained Littlemissblak- eney did well under Golam to hold her own reer win on his second outing ever with Jean (Alberto Sanna). Won by: 2 ½, 2 ½, ½. Owner: against Jassim Ghazali-trained Hillside Baptiste Hamel guiding the colt, trained by Ali bin Saeed Aljafali al-Nuaimi. Trainer: Dream for her fi rst Qatar win. Alban de Mieulle, to victory in the Umm Bab Yousef Bentaher. Golam, who had won four races on Cup, a mile-long race for three-year-old Race 2: 1. Founder (Marvin Suerland), 2. Wednesday, had his mount settle behind Local Thoroughbreds. China Club (Tomas Lukasek), 3. Pale En- Injaaz Stud’s Ventura Shadow, who had an- Al-Malki-trained Mister Lal was sec- chantment (Anas al-Seyabi), 4. King of Doha other al-Malki charge, Fadak, for company ond under Golam, ahead of early leader (Alberto Sanna). Won by: 1 ¾, ¾, 1. Owner: Zu- at the front. Queen Maouya, with Almotasem al-Balushi hair Mohsen Zuhair. Trainer: Zuhair Mohsen. On to the home stretch in the seven fur- astride. Race 3: 1. Black Treacle (Marco Monteriso), long race, Golam found a gap between the Osama al-Dhafa’s Black Treacle fi rst 2. Hatchet Harry (JP Guillambert), 3. Angel two early leaders and went through to take win this season was with jockey Marco Of The Night (Alberto Sanna), 4. Soebroto the advantage but Tadgh O’Shea had Hill- Monteriso, who guided the six-year-old to (Marvin Suerland). Won by: Nk, 3 ½, 1 ½. side Dream surge forward and alongside Lit- victory in the Class 6 Thoroughbred Handi- Owner: Osama Omar al-Dhafea. Trainer: tlemissblakeney. cap event for horses rated 46-60. Osama al-Dhafa. The latter, however, held by a head, to win The gelding had fi nished away from the Race 4: 1. Jalmoud (Jean Baptiste Hamel), 2. the penultimate race of the day. top in his last couple of races, but yesterday Mister Lal (Saleem Golam), 3. Queen Maouya Al Shahania Stud’s Rasi won The Late he did well to edge out Injaaz Stud’s Hatch- (Almotasem al-Balushi), 4. Al Watan (Gerald Saeed Bin Ahmed Al Kuwari Cup, a Pure- et Harry at the post, while Alberto Sanna Avranche). Won by: ¾, 5, ¾. Owner: Umm bred Arabian Conditions event, by smallest helmed Deborah Mountain-trained Angel Qarn. Trainer: Alban de Mieulle. of margins, edging out Hamad al-Jehani- Of The Night to third. Race 5: 1. Rasi (Tadgh O’Shea), 2. Lucky trained Lucky Sand at the post by a short In the two maiden races that started the Sand (Gerald Avranche), 3. She’ris (Alberto head for a win. race day, Yousef Bentaher-trained Montaser Sanna), 4. Messine De Sinuhe (Almotasem Ghazali’s ward, who fi nished outside the top and Zuhair Mohsen’s Founder registered al-Balushi). Won by: Shd, ½, Nk. Owner: Al four only once in Qatar since December 2014, their fi rst career win respectively. Shahania Stud. Trainer: Jassim Ghazali. stayed midfi eld for the bulk of the race even as Montaser shed his maiden status under Race 6: 1. Littlemissblakeney (Saleem Mekhbatt and Carab set the pace up front. Gerald Avranche’s ride in the six-furlong Golam), 2. Hillside Dream (Tadgh O’Shea), 3. In the fi nal two furlongs, Rasi moved into Local Thoroughbred Maiden Plate event, Tea Leaf (Jean Baptiste Hamel), 4. Second contention alongside Lucky Sand and Mes- while Marvin Suerland guided Founder to Life (Abdulla Faisal). Won by: Hd, 1 ¼, 1 ½. sine De Sinuhe, trained by Ghazali’s son, his fi rst career win in 12 starts in the Class 6 Owner: Hassan Ali Abdulmalik. Trainer: Mohamed. Thoroughbred Maiden Plate event. Ibrahim al-Malki. Eventually, Rasi did enough to win for the Race 7: 1. Djahab (Tomas Lukasek), 2. Raqee third time this season, while Julian Smart’s RESULTS (JP Guillambert), 3. Qaswarah (Saleem She’ris edged out Messine De Sinuhe by a Race 1: 1. Montaser (Gerald Avranche), 2. Mu- Golam), 4. Samhan Al Shajaa (Tadgh O’Shea). neck for a top three fi nish. saiter Bu Thaila (Saleem Golam), 3. Zurich Bu Won by: 14, 11, 1 1/4. Owner: Al Jeryan Stud. Umm Qarn’s Jalmoud raced to his fi rst ca- Thaila (Jean Baptiste Hamel), 4. Al Thakhira Trainer: Hadi al-Ramzani. Lekhwiya’s Yousef Msakni (left) celebrates his goal with teammates yesterday.

MIDDLE EAST RALLY CHAMPIONSHIP Al-Attiyah in lead aft er Dead Sea super special stage

Agencies so I know the cars well. This car has a replaced Emad in the driving seat. “I start at 09.09hrs and will be repeated Dead Sea, Jordan little more power.” started rallying as a driver in the Jordan in the afternoon from 13.03hrs after a The best of the rest and the leader in Rally in 1992 and switched to co-driv- return to the Dead Sea Service Park at MERC 2 was Jordanian driver Marouf ing in 2002. I can pass on that experi- midday. atar’s Nasser Saleh al-Attiyah Abu Samra at the wheel of his Mitsubi- ence to my younger brother now,” said and French navigator Mat- shi Lancer Evolution IX. Khaled Juma 50-year-old Imad, who fi nished second STANDINGS thieu Baumel cruised into fi nished third, 3.1 seconds behind, and on the opening round of this year’s Na- 1. Nasser Saleh al-Attiyah (QAT)/Mat- a lead of 11.3 seconds at the Kuwait’s Meshari al-Thefi ri and Saudi tional series after the duo won the se- thieu Baumel (FRA) Ford Fiesta R5 Evo2 FIAQ Jordan Rally after the opening two- Arabia’s Rakan al-Rashed rounded off ries in 2016. 1min 51.5sec kilometre Samarah super special stage the top fi ve. Seven of the nine cars in the FIA 2. Marouf Abu Samra (JOR)/Malek Hariri on the shores of the Dead Sea yesterday Asem Aref was given the honour of event were permitted to start with ad- (JOR) Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX 2min evening. running fi rst on the road in his little Re- visory messages issued by rally offi cials 02.8sec The late arrival of his support truck nault Clio, and he and navigator Musa in connection with the lack of suitable 3. Khaled Juma (JOR)/Emad Juma (JOR) meant that the 10-time winner of the Djiyerian carded the target time of 3min protective roll cage padding, as per 2017 Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X 2min 05.9sec Hashemite Kingdom’s premier mo- 05.7sec. FIA appendix J of the technical regula- 4. Meshari al-Thefiri (KWT)/Nasser al- tor sporting event had been unable to Cars were fl agged away from the tions. Kuwari (QAT) Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X test his new Ford Fiesta R5 Evo 2 until start ramp by Prince Feisal al-Hussein, There were three other minor issues 2min 08.3sec after scrutineering yesterday morning. chairman of Jordan Motorsport. (tinted windows, no external trigger 5. Rakan al-Rashed (SAU)/Jarkko Kal- It was, therefore, a cautious Qatari who “We have looked at the entry and I and no external circuit breaker) that liolepo (FIN) Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX carded the fastest time of 1min 51.5sec guess we should be targeting second contravened appendix J, but all nine 2min 14.1sec over a stage that was held in near dark- place and at least a place on the podi- cars were permitted to start by rally 6. Salem al-Thefiri (KWT)/Ahmed al- ness adjacent to the ceremonial start. um,” said Abu Samra. stewards. Khatib (JOR) Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X “We made a little test today, may- “I intend to be careful, take no risks Ziad Miqdad dropped down into the 2min 19.8sec be 35km, with the car on a section of and make sure that we give ourselves National Rally to join Ahmad Shaban, 7. Ihab al-Shorafa (JOR)/Yousef Juma gravel track that was used in the WRC the chance of a good fi nish. I consid- Salamah al-Gammaz and Nasser (JOR) Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX 2min from the old Turki stage and the car felt ered using the Skoda, but it was impos- Khanfar – all four are driving Mitsubi- 41.6sec great,” said al-Attiyah. “I need to fi nish sible to get a part I needed to ensure I shi Lancers. 8. Essam al-Nejadi (KWT)/Anwar al- this rally. The championship is short could use it.” Today, teams will tackle two loops of Sharrah (KWT) Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX and the problems in Qatar mean that Khaled and Emad Juma are com- fi ve stages in the Dead Sea and Jordan 2min 44.3sec maximum points are important here. I peting in a Mitsubishi Lancer Evolu- Valley areas. Runs through Panorama, 9. Asem Aref (JOR)/Musa Djiyerian have been driving Fords for many years, tion and younger brother Khaled has Syagha, Rama, Bahath and Suwayma (JOR) Renault Clio 3min 05.7sec Prince Feisal al-Hussein flags Nasser Saleh al-Attiyah at Jordan Rally start.