TABATA IS QFA PLAYER of the YEAR ONCE AGAIN Al Rayyan Striker Wins the Best Player Award a Second Time, Thanks Teammates; Fossati Adjudged Best Coach

Home , Farhaan Behardien, Martyn Waghorn, Rishi Dhawan, Rodrigo Tabata

SUNDAY, MAY 22, 2016

Ten-wkt haul for Anderson Nadal favourite at French Open James Anderson takes 10 for 45 as Clay king Rafael Nadal is back at Roland TENNIS Sri Lanka lose by inns and 88 runs PAGE 31 Garros with no Roger Federer to face PAGE 30 FRENCH OPEN

EMIR HOSTS LUNCHEON BANQUET FOR LEKHWIYA, AL SADD PLAYERS AND OFFICIALS

The Emir HH Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al Thani hosted a luncheon banquet at the Emiri Diwan on Saturday honouring the football teams and the technical and administrative officials of Lekhwiya Sports Club – the champions of Emir Cup – and the runners-up Al Sadd Sports Club, in addition to representatives of the tournament sponsors and a number of sports and media personalities. Special Representative of the Emir HH Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad al Thani also attended the function. The Prime Minister and Minister of Interior HE Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa al Thani and HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad al Thani, President of Qatar Olympic Committee, also attended the luncheon banquet. (QNA) TABATA IS QFA PLAYER OF THE YEAR ONCE AGAIN Al Rayyan striker wins the best player award a second time, thanks teammates; Fossati adjudged best coach

IKOLI VICTOR time with El Jaish. We are a DOHA hardworking team that be- lieves in team spirit. We won THE soccer season in Qatar the Qatar Stars Cup and still ended on Saturday with Al in the Champions League.” Rayyan’s attacking midfielder Tabata, who also won the Rodrigo Tabata capping an award in 2012, said: “This impressive 2015-16 by win- award means a lot to me and ning the Qatar Football Asso- for my team. I scored so many ciation (QFA) Best Player of goals because I got great sup- the Year award for a second port from my teammates. I time at the Qatar National want to thank the entire Al Convention Centre (QNNC). Rayyan management, fans, QFA President Sheikh Ha- coach and teammates.” mad bin Khalifa bin Ahmed al Meanwhile, 23-year-old Thani presented the award to Al Sadd defender Abdelkar- Tabata. eem Hassan retained the best The 36-year-old Brazilian young player honour for a sec- Qatari international slammed ond year running. 21 goals and essayed ten assists The best fans award went to for Al Rayyan who clinched the Al Rayyan supporters, who the Qatar Stars League title for cheered the Lions and played a the first time in 21-years. key role in the team’s success. “I am very happy to be pre- The best club administra- sented with this award. I want tion of the season was won by to thank all my teammates El Jaish, who finished in second and a special appreciation to place in the Qatar Stars League. my wife, whom I dedicate this A postmortem award was award to,” Tabata said on win- given to late Mohammed al Lan- ning the honour. Tabata also gawi for his contribution to the earned $200,000 with the media and sport in the country. Gold Trophy. The Football for All award Al Rayyan boss Jorge Fos- was given to Jeem Cup Tour- Al Rayyan’s Rodrigo Tabata speaks after receiving the QFA best player award from QFA President Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa bin Ahmed al Thani at the Qatar National Convention sati was adjudged the best nament organisers for staging Centre on Saturday. (PHOTOS: HANSON K JOSEPH) coach, ahead of Yousuf Adam a tournament that attracted of Al Ahli and Sabri Lamouchi school boys from about ten of El Jaish, who guided Jaish different countries. to Qatar Cup title. A special Recognition Speaking after the pres- Award for home grown talent entation, Fossati said, “I am was given to Meshaal Abdulla very happy and emotional to for his impressive contribu- receive this award for the third tion to the Qatar Stars League time. I am a good coach be- for reaching a century of goals cause I have a great bunch of this season. The award came people around me. My players, with a QR100,000 cash award. technical staff and my club of- Speaking after the award, ficials deserve this award. I Meshaal said: “It is a major think the Al Rayyan team had achievement being the third a great season. There’s a lot of Qatari player to achieve that promise for the future.” milestone of scoring 100 goals. El Jaish mercurial Moroc- I am happy for the award and can striker Abderrazak Ham- more pleased for receiving the dallah and Al Rayyan’s live wire award from the person that Rodrigo Tabata shared the Best launched my career.” Scorer’s Award with 21 goals This has been a special sea- apiece. son for football in many ways. The duo received a Silver The teams played well and many Trophy and $100,000. The matches dished out quality stuff. award was presented to them The pressure created by teams by Egyptian legend Mohamed on one another was amazing. Aboutrika. This raised the quality of The former Chinese football in the country. One of Super League striker of the finest moments this sea- Guangzh R&F said: “I am son was Lekhwiya’s winning very happy with this award. I the Emir Cup on Friday for the want to thank my teammates first time with a comeback 2-2 and technical staff for the draw in regular time before support. I have enjoyed my clinching it 4-2 on penalties. Rodrigo Tabata, Abdulkareem Hassan, Abderrazzak, coach Jorge Fossati and other winners with the QFA officials. 30 Sunday, May 22, 2016 Sports TENNIS TENNIS Wawrinka ends long wait Dutch qualifier wins STARS OF THE DAY for home title Nuremberg tournament Switzerland’s Stan Wawrinka raises the trophy after Dutch Kiki Bertens celebrates her win in the final defeating Croatia’s Marin Cilic 6-4, 7-6 (13/11) to win against Colombian Duque-Marino during the WTA the Geneva Open ATP 250 tennis tournament final on tennis tournament in Nuremberg, Germany on Saturday. (AFP) Saturday. (EPA)

SPIETH BACK IN FORM? Rafa’s back at Roland Spieth shines, Crane leads at AT&T Byron Garros with no title to Nelson event

AFP heading into another major WASHINGTON championship. I’m finding defend, no Roger to face the rhythm with the putts and REIGNING US Open cham- that’s a really good feeling.” pion Jordan Spieth fired a Spieth began off the 10th five-under par 65 on Friday tee Friday and made his first Nadal won the title at Roland Garros every year from 2005-08 and from 2010-14 to achieve the lowest 36-hole birdie putt from 10 feet at the start of his PGA career at 12th hole only to stumble with AP his hometown Byron Nelson his lone bogey at the par-3 13, PARIS Championship. missing a five-foot par putt. World number two Spi- He answered with a 21-foot THROUGH the years, Ra- eth, who began coming to the birdie putt at 14. fael Nadal grew accustomed Dallas event as a child, stood to a couple of givens at the on 11-under 129 at TPC Four French Open: He would arrive Seasons to share second place as the defending champion, alongside Spain’s Sergio Gar- and Roger Federer would be cia and US compatriots Brooks somewhere in the draw, often Koepka and Bud Cauley. awaiting a showdown in the American Ben Crane, seek- final. ing his sixth career PGA victo- This time around, neither ry, sank a 14-foot birdie on his is the case. final hole to grab the halfway Federer withdrew a few lead on 128 with a 63, but it days before Sunday’s start of was Spieth’s performance that the clay-court Grand Slam raised eyebrows the most. tournament, ending his The 22-year-old Texan record run of 65 consecutive missed the cut last week at major appearances. the Players Championship, “For the fans, for the tour- his first event after a last-nine Jordan Spieth looks on from the nament, for the world (of) ten- meltdown cost him a second first tee during Round Three at nis, in general, is ... very nega- consecutive wire-to-wire Mas- the AT&T Byron Nelson in Irving, tive news, no?” Nadal said. ters victory and handed Eng- Texas on Saturday. (AFP) Nadal won the title at Ro- land’s Danny Willett a green land Garros every year from jacket. Closing out his first nine 2005-08 and from 2010-14 “The Masters felt like it with three birdies in a row, — a record nine in all, beating was quite a while ago,” Spieth Spieth tapped-in from two feet Federer in four of those finals said. “Well, I mean, two tour- at the par-5 16th, drained a 35- — but returns to town trying naments ago. It does feel like a foot stunner at 17 and an im- to earn back the trophy after while, though.” pressive 11-footer at 18. relinquishing it in 2015. Spieth, who will defend his On the front nine, Spieth US Open crown next month at made eight pars and a tap-in Oakmont, managed his best birdie at the par-5 seventh. He Nadal, who owns 14 major Byron Nelson finish to date in missed his only green in regu- championships in all, 2010 when he shared 16th at lation on his final hole but es- could face No. 1 Djokovic age 16. caped with a par. in about two weeks in the “It will be fantastic. I’m “I’m putting myself in excited thinking about it right good positions off the tee,” semifinals — on what now,” Spieth said of the week- Spieth said. “Started to find a would be the Spaniard’s end. little rhythm at the end of the 30th birthday. “I need to come back from round. A bit fortunate with how I played last week and that. Hopefully I can tie those play myself into a rhythm in closer to the hole.” He is seeded fourth. “It’s a tournament that I know I can play well,” said Nadal, who lost in the quar- terfinals to Novak Djokovic a Chinese racer Li flown to year ago. “If I am playing well, I know I can do good things.” Nadal, who owns 14 major hospital after F3 crash championships in all, could face No. 1 Djokovic in about DPA Li’s car somersaulted two weeks in the semifinals SPIELBERG, AUSTRIA through the air while Tvet- — on what would be the Span- er’s car was hit again by iard’s 30th birthday. CHINESE driver Li Zhi Cong Brazilian Pedro Piquet, the Asked about that mile- was taken by helicopter to son of three-time Formula stone, Nadal waxed philo- hospital after his car flew One world champion Nelson sophical. through the air following a Piquet, who careered into “You know, time never collision during a Formula 3 the barriers. stops. Nobody stops the time,” Spain’s Rafael Nadal looks on during a training session ahead of the French tennis Open at Roland Garros stadium in Paris on Saturday. (AFP) race in Spielberg, Austria on A statement by motor- he said. “That’s not a good Saturday. sport federation FIA said: “A thing, but at the same time, I first round in Paris. “I need to Steffi Graf for the most in the always over the next 15 days, former minister for health Li has been diagnosed serious incident has occurred am happy with my life. I en- just keep going.” Open era, which started in but there is an added incen- and sport, Roselyne Bach- with “multiple broken bones during Race 1 of Round 4 of joyed all these years on the Other things to know 1968. tive for some players: the Rio elot, after she said on a televi- in his heel, which will re- the FIA Formula 3 Euro- tour, and I hope to keep enjoy- about the French Open, which de Janeiro Olympics. The ATP sion show the player’s seven- quire surgery in the near fu- pean Championship, involv- ing the next couple of years.” begins Sunday: SECURITY STEPPED UP and WTA rankings of June 6 month injury absence in 2012 ture,” according to his team ing car number 18 Zhi Cong After dealing with health From patdowns at en- — the day after the men’s final probably was due to a positive Carlin, after crashing into Li (CHN), number 3 Ryan problems and a crisis of con- SERENA’S ‘DROUGHT’ trance gates to a 25 percent in Paris — will be the basis for drug test. the back of American Ryan Tveter (USA) and number 5 fidence last season, Nadal has Much was made of Serena rise in the number of security Summer Games qualification. Tveter’s car, which had spun Pedro Piquet (BRA). been playing better on his fa- Williams’ title in Rome last agents, there is an obvious in- CHEATING off and back onto the track “Following on-track vourite red clay of late. weekend being her first tro- crease in protective measures DOPING TALK A report about whether at the Red Bull Ring. evaluation, Zhi Cong Li and He is 19-4 on the surface phy in nine months. She does at the tournament, about six Two recent events put the tennis was doing enough to The team added Li, 22, Ryan Tveter were trans- this season, including titles at not consider that gap a big months after terrorist attacks topic of performance-enhanc- investigate possible corrup- also had “four fractured ferred to the circuit’s medi- Monte Carlo and Barcelona. deal. “I guess when you win around the French capital. ing drugs on the table in ten- tion stirred things up at the vertebrae which do not re- cal centre. One driver was Not bad, but not up to his all the time, if you go a cou- “I notice more security pret- nis. Maria Sharapova’s posi- start of the Australian Open quire surgery,” and that he initially unconscious, but old standards. In his past two ple of tournaments and don’t ty much everywhere,” No. tive test for meldonium and in January. While the chat- was “alert and speaking with both drivers were conscious tournaments, Nadal lost in win them, it’s like you’re in a 2-seeded Agnieszka Radwan- provisional suspension are ter has mostly subsided, the team personnel.” on arrival at the medical the Madrid semifinals to Andy drought,” Williams said. ska said. keeping her out of the field at French Open revoked the Tveter went to hospi- centre.” Murray, and the Rome quar- She is the defending cham- a tournament she won in 2012 wild-card entry granted to a tal for assessment and has The race was ended after terfinals to Djokovic. pion and seeded No. 1 at Ro- OLYMPIC PUSH and 2014. French player, Constant Les- been discharged with heavy the crash almost six minutes “A lot of tournaments in a land Garros, and another title A Grand Slam tournament And Nadal filed a defa- tienne, because the Tennis bruising to his knee, the before it was scheduled to row playing well,” said Nadal, would be her 22nd at a Grand is a Grand Slam tournament, mation lawsuit in Paris last Integrity Unit said he violated Volkswagen-backed Carlin conclude, with the results at who faces Sam Groth in the Slam tournament, equaling so there is plenty at stake as month against France’s a rule. said. that stage allowed to stand. China dominate South Korea to win Uber Cup final out of sync with repeated back in the win column as approval of the pair’s spir- China rarely surrendered command drop shots in the 14-21, 21- she exhausted Kim Hyo- ited performance as their 13, 21-10 victory. min, moving the shuttlecock teammates rushed onto the over the court during its 3-1 triumph “Every step in the team across the court at will dur- court to celebrate the vic- match is one step for my- ing the 21-13, 21-12 rout. tory. in front of a packed home crowd self,” Li told a news confer- Following the win, Wang The South Koreans, who ence after the match, add- downplayed her individual were aiming to end their AFP ing she planned to celebrate efforts and Olympic ambi- six-year drought at the Uber KUNSHAN, CHINA court during its 3-1 triumph “quietly” after the week-long tions as Rio approaches, Cup, were unable to find in front of a packed home tournament. saying she was proud to be their groove during the tie OLYMPIC champion Li crowd in the eastern city of Sixth-ranked doubles “fighting for our team, for and suffered in the absence Xuerui led the Chinese na- Kunshan, near Shanghai. team Jung Kyung-eun and our national team”. of their second singles play- tional squad to victory over Li, the world number Shin Seung-chan from South Chen Qingchen and Tang er Bae Yeon-Ju, who was South Korea at the Uber three, brushed off an early Korea prevented a white- Yuanting delivered the third sidelined by an ankle injury Cup final in China Satur- deficit after dropping the wash, powering through a and final victory in the best sustained on court on Friday day, securing the country’s first game to seventh-ranked 16-21, 21-17, 25-23 scrap of five series by beating night. 14th world badminton team Sung Ji-hyun. against the world number Chang Ye-na and Lee So-hee China has won three- championship title in domi- The Olympic gold medal- four China duo of Tian Qing in straight sets, 21-14, 21-16. straight Uber Cups and 14 nant fashion. list rallied back for the win and Zhao Yunlei that clocked Li Xuerui (centre) of China holds the trophy after the women’s finals With the championship in total since the team first China rarely surren- by controlling the pace and in at 94 minutes. group match in the Uber Cup badminton tournament in Kunshan, sealed, the fans in attend- started competing in the dered command over the keeping the South Korean Wang Shixian put China eastern China’s Jiangsu Province on Saturday. (AFP) ance unleashed a deafening tournament in 1984. Sports Sunday, May 22, 2016 31 Ten-star Anderson banishes painful Sri Lanka memories AFP SCOREBOARD LEEDS ENGLAND (1ST INNS): 298 JAMES Anderson may have SRI LANKA (1ST INNS): 91 SRI LANKA (2ND INNS; OVERNIGHT 1-0): been in tears when Sri Lanka D. Karunaratne c Bairstow b Anderson ...... 7 won their last Test at Heading- K. Silva c Bairstow b Anderson ...... 14 ley two years ago but the Eng- K. Mendis b Anderson ...... 53 land paceman was all smiles D. Chandimal b Ali ...... 8 A. Mathews c Bairstow b Broad ...... 5 BCCI Secretary, Anurag Thakur after a crushing victory over L. Thirimanne c Root b Finn ...... 16 the islanders at Yorkshire's D. Shanaka c Bairstow b Anderson ...... 4 arrives to file his nomination headquarters on Saturday. R. Herath c Broad b Finn ...... 4 papers for BCCI President polls Anderson finished with D. Chameera c Compton b Finn ...... 0 at BCCI headquarters in Mumbai S. Eranga not out ...... 2 on Saturday. (PTI) match figures of 10 for 45 as N. Pradeep b Anderson ...... 0 England completed an innings Extras: (lb5, nb1) ...... 6 and 88-run win over Sri Lanka Total: (All out, 35.3 overs, 174 mins) 119 inside three days to go 1-0 up Fall of wickets: 1-10 (Karunaratne), 2-35 (Silva), 3-79 Thakur to be (Chandimal), 4-93 (Mathews), 5-93 (Mendis), 6-101 in the three-Test series. (Shanaka), 7-111 (Herath), 8-117 (Chameera), 9-118 It was all a far cry from (Thirimanne), 10-119 (Pradeep). appointed as events in Leeds in 2014 when Bowling: Anderson 13.3-5-29-5; Broad 13-0-57-1; England last man Anderson Finn 8-0-26-3 (1nb); Ali 1-0-2-1; youngest BCCI Result: England won by an innings and 88 runs. was reduced to tears after his Man-of-the-Match: Jonathan Bairstow (ENG) gutsy tailend resistance ended Series: England lead three-match series 1-0 president off the penultimate ball of the Super Series: England 4 pts Sri Lanka 0 pts. match as Sri Lanka won by Toss: Sri Lanka. AFP 100 runs to seal their first Test MUMBAI series win on English soil. “On a pitch that’s helping This time, however, it was a the bowlers, conditions helpful INDIA'S cricket board was set very different story as England for the bowlers, cloudy all week to announce its youngest ever enforced the follow-on against – not nice for batting – so those president after it said Saturday a Sri Lanka side who collapsed two guys deserve a lot of credit that current secretary Anurag to 91 and 119 all out after the for getting us into the position Thakur was the sole candidate hosts had made 298 featuring we got into and then all four for the post – one of the most man-of-the-match Jonathan seamers did a fantastic job.” powerful in world sport. Bairstow's 140 on his Yorkshire Many pundits had predicted The Board of Control for home ground and a Test-best 86 that a Sri Lanka side without Cricket in India (BCCI) said from opener Alex Hales. retired Kumar Sangakkara and in a statement that Thakur, “It’s very different,” An- Mahela Jayawardene would 41, was the “only” nomination derson told Sky Sports when struggle against the moving ball and would be announced as its asked to compare his emotions in English conditions and skip- new chief following a meeting with those of two years ago. England’s James Anderson (left), who finsihed with match figures of 10 for 45, and Jonny Bairstow after winning the first Test instaga per Angelo Mathews made no in Mumbai on Sunday. “It’s nice to put that to bed Sri Lanka at Headingley, Leeds, on Saturday. England won the match by innings and 88 runs. (REUTERS) attempt to minimise the scale of “He will be officially de- well and truly. We were frus- this loss. “It was a bad game for clared elected as the President of trated last time by Sri Lanka, start here and hopefully we This match saw Lancashire up to sixth in the all-time “The knocks from Jonny us,” said the Sri Lanka captain. the BCCI for the remaining term losing that series when they can carry that on at Durham swing specialist Anderson, al- standings with 443 wickets. Bairstow and Alex Hales – it’s “We've got to bounce back 2014-17, tomorrow at the Spe- were last over here. (where the second Test starts ready England's most success- “It’s been a good week for just shown how crucial they've really hard. We can’t let our- cial General Meeting,” said the “We’ve got off to a good on Friday) next week.” ful Test match bowler, move us,” said Anderson. been to this win. selves down.” statement issued late Saturday. Thakur, who is a member of parliament for the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party and a close ally of Indian Prime Dhoni helps Pune Minister Narendra Modi, suc- Gujarat outclass Mumbai ceeds Shashank Manohar who stepped down earlier this month sign off with a to become the first independent chairman of the International Cricket Council (ICC). mind-blowing finish to qualify for the play-offs The top post at the cash-rich BCCI is regarded by many as the most powerful in global cricket. IANS ing distance of a win. IANS without losing any more wick- The board benefits from huge VISAKHAPATNAM Opening the batting, Ra- KANPUR ets to take the team past the TV deals that allow it to effec- hane, who scored a 15-ball 19, 100-run mark after 12 overs. tively run the ICC with its allies, SKIPPER Mahendra Singh fell to pacer Sandeep Sharma LEADING from the front, skip- The duo put up a crucial Australia and England. Dhoni's 64 not out off 32 de- after forging a 35-run opening per Suresh Raina (58) smashed 75-run partnership for the liveries turned it around for stand with Australian Usman a much need half-century to fourth wicket before Buttler Rising Pune Supergiants as Khawaja (30 off 29). Bailey guide Gujarat Lions to a six was dismissed by a superb the debutants ended their In- failed, scoring a 11-ball 9 be- wicket victory over Mumbai caught and bowled by West dian Premier League (IPL) fore being stumped by Wrid- Indians in the Indian Premier Indian Dwayne Bravo. Pakistan pacer campaign with a four-wicket dhiman Saha off Patel. League (IPL) here on Saturday. victory over Kings XI Punjab Next in, Saurabh Tiwary The win saw Gujarat climb SCORES Amir applies here on Saturday. (17) added 31 runs for the to top of points table with 18 fourth wicket with Khawaja points from 14 games and Mumbai Indians 172/8 for UK visa SCORES before falling prey to off-spin- qualify for play-offs. SCORES (N Rana 70; Dwayne Bravo ner Gurkeerat Singh. He was Batting first, Mumbai In- IANS Kings XI Punjab 172/7 caught by Farhaan Behardien dians rode on Nitish Rana's Kings XI Punjab 172/7 2-22, P Kumar 2-24, D Smith LAHORE (M Vijay 59, G Singh 51, at deep cover in the 12th over. 36-ball 70 to post 172/8 in 20 (M Vijay 59, G Singh 51, 2-37, D Kulkarni 2-41) lost to Gurkeerat, who smashed a overs. In reply, Gujarat dis- Gujarat Lions 173/4 in 17.5 PAKISTAN paceman Moham- H Amla 30, R. Ashwin 4/34) 30-ball 51 in Punjab's innings, played an all-round show with H Amla 30, R. Ashwin 4/34) mad Amir is waiting to find out lost to Rising Pune dealt another blow off the last the bat as they chased down lost to Rising Pune overs (S Raina 58; R. Vinay whether he will be permitted to ball of the same over to dis- the target posting 173/4 with Kumar 2-17). tour England after submitting Supergiants: 173/6 (MS miss Khawaja. 13 balls to spare. Supergiants: 173/6 (MS his visa application to the high Dhoni 64, U Khawaja 30, Struggling at 80/4, skipper Mumbai are now on the Dhoni 64, U Khawaja 30, commission in Islamabad. T Perera 23, G Singh 2/15). Dhoni and all-rounder Irfan sixth spot with 14 points from 14 T Perera 23, G Singh 2/15). Mumbai were 120/4 in the Amir could be denied a Pathan (2) joined forces but games and are all but knocked 14th over then. Despite the visa for his country’s upcom- pacer Rishi Dhawan removed out of the last four race. wicket of Buttler, Rana played ing tour of England, follow- Dhoni, who smashed four the latter with a slower deliv- Chasing a challenging his natural game with Kieron ing his conviction in the 2010 fours and five sixes, clobbered ery to be caught by Saha. target of 172, Gujarat got off Pollard (9) at the other end. spot-fixing controversy. left-arm spinner Axar Patel for Next in Perera, whose 58- to a poor start losing opener Gujarat Lions’ Brendon McCullum (left) and Suresh Raina during The impressive innings by Amir pleaded guilty to three sixes and a four in the final run stand with Dhoni turned Aaron Finch (0) in the very their 95-run partnership against the Mumbai Indians at Green Park Rana came to an end in the spot-fixing charges and was over to not only take Pune over out to be the cornerstone of second ball of the innings. But Stadium in Kanpur on Saturday. (AFP) 17th over with Bravo dismiss- banned from cricket for five the line but finish at the penulti- Pune's win, was dismissed by his opening partner Brendon ing the left-handed batsman. years as well as being required mate spot in the IPL table. pacer Mohit Sharma – caught McCullum (48) and incoming along with Raina made sure the fending champions off to a good But by then Mumbai were to spend six months in a juve- Placed at the bottom and behind by Saha. batsman skipper Raina played team came close to victory line. start in the first three overs. But over the 150-run mark. En nile offenders’ institute, with already out of contention for Earlier, riding on skipper a well, sneaking in with ones, Raina who was looking to Dhawal Kulkarni got the much route his maiden IPL half- this criminal record meaning a the play-offs, the match was Murali Vijay and Gurkeerat's twos, and boundaries to take good to finish the game for needed breakthrough in the century, the young left-handed return to the UK is at the dis- an inconsequential affair for brilliant half centuries, Punjab team past 90-run mark in his team was dismissed in the fourth over dismissing Rohit to batsman struck seven bounda- cretion of the government. both sides. reached 172 for seven in 20 eighth over itself. 13th over but his team was have Mumbai at 33/1. ries and four sixes with a strike “I have written a letter to Chasing 173, Pune were off overs. Electing to bat, Punjab The 95-run partnership well on course to victory line His opening partner New rate of over 194. the high commissioner seek- to a poor start losing in-form got off to a steady start with for the second wicket came to with 120-plus score. Zealander Martin Guptill (7) too Pollard too headed back ing special and sympathetic opener Ajinkya Rahane and openers Vijay and Hashim an end in the 10th over when In the dying overs, Smith fell cheaply followed by Krunal to the pavilion in the 18th consideration on Amir’s visa,” incoming batsman George Amla putting on 60 runs be- Harbhajan Singh dismissed and Ravindra Jadeja (21 not Pandya (4) without troubling over to help Gujarat make a Pakistan Cricket Board chair- Bailey in quick successions. fore the South African veteran McCullum. But Raina played out) held onto take Gujarat the opposition bowlers much. comeback into the game in man Shaharyar Khan was That was before Dhoni's fire- fell prey to Ashwin. his natural game to put pres- over the line. With three quick wickets, the death overs. quoted as saying on Saturday. works started. In his attempt to accelerate sure on the opposition and he For Mumbai, R. Vinay Ku- Mumbai were struggling at Dwayne Bravo (2-22), “The England and Wales The Ranchi stumper the scoring rate, Amla, who hit brought up his half-century in mar (2-17) was the pick of the 45/3 inside the powerplay. Praveen Kumar (2-24), Dwayne Cricket Board is also assist- got ample support from Sri four boundaries and a six in 30 balls. Dinesh Karthik (3) bowlers. But incoming batsmen Rane Smith (2-37) and Dhawal ing and are in touch with their Lankan Thisara Perera, who his 27-ball knock, tried to hit too fell cheaply. Earlier put into bat, skipper and Jos Buttler (33) held their Kulkarni (2-41) were the pick of home department, so we hope chipped in with a 14-ball 23 a short ball over the in-field Dwayne Smith (37 not out) Rohit Sharma (30) got the de- nerves and played sensibly the Gujarat bowlers. for a positive response.” to forge a 58-run sixth wicket only to be caught by Bailey at stand to take the team to sniff- midwicket. Kohli & Co take on Daredevils in virtual knock-out IANS ata Knight Riders (KKR) and tons to score 865 runs from 13 partment has slowly started their skipper Zaheer and senior RAIPUR Mumbai Indians too have 14 matches this edition but also to improve with the spin-pace leg-spinner Mishra to counter points each with just one match surpassed Suresh Raina to be duo of Yuzvendra Chahal and RCB's batting prowess. AS the Indian Premier League to go in their league stage. the highest run-getter in the Shane Watson taking 16 wick- The team's success will (IPL) gears up for its business Going into Sunday's en- lucrative tournament. ets each so far. also depend on all-round- end, a confident Royal Challeng- counter, it will be a battle Kohli, who defied a split England's Chris Jordan ers Chris Morris and Carlos ers Bangalore (RCB) will lock between RCB's strong bat- webbing to notch his fourth showed glimpses of his im- Brathwaite to not only restrict horns with a rejuvenated Delhi ting line-up, consisting of century of the IPL, has lately pressive best in the last outing. RCB's fireworks but also wield Daredevils for a virtual knock- the dangerous trio of Kohli, found support from his open- Despite a poor start, RCB the willow at the Shaheed Veer out clash here on Sunday. Chris Gayle and AB de Vil- ing partner Gayle. have pulled off four wins in Narayan Singh International On a roll after notching liers and Delhi's bowling led The West Indian power- the last five matches to be on Cricket Stadium. three consecutive wins, RCB by the seasoned Zaheer Khan hitter found his touch at the the verge of a play-off spot After leading the team to are at the third spot with 14 and Amit Mishra. right juncture while South and one more win should a six-wicket win on Friday, points from 13 matches while Bangalore will once again African de Villiers has been give them a passage from the Delhi’s hopes on the batting Delhi have as many points but bank on their skipper, who has equally successful in destroy- league stage. front will be on Karun Nair, are placed sixth in the table, turned into an epitome of con- ing the opposition bowlers' On the other hand, coming alongwith the likes of in-form Rising Pune Supergiants captain MS Dhoni (right) and his partner lagging behind the Virat Koh- sistency with the willow. economy rates. back from a last ball thrilling South African stumper Quin- R Ashwin greet each other after their team’s victory over Kings XI li-led side only in net run-rate. The Delhi right-hander Considered the team's win over Sunrisers Hyderabad, ton de Kock, Rishabh Pant and Punjab at the ACA-VDCA Stadium in Visakhapatnam on Saturday. (AFP) Two-time champions Kolk- has not only smashed four weak link, the bowling de- Delhi will depend heavily on Sanju Samson. 32 Sunday, May 22, 2016 Sports Magic name ex-Pacer bench boss Vogel Saints owner Tom Benson says heirs Dallas Cowboys eye 2018 Draft at new as new coach tried to kill him Frsco headquarters NEWS FRANK Vogel, coach of the Indiana Pacers for the past five TOM Benson, owner of the NFL New Orleans Saints and NBA New THE Cowboys are hoping to bring the 2018 NFL Draft to their seasons, was named Friday as coach of the NBA Orlando Orleans Pelicans, has accused his heirs of trying to kill him as a new headquarters in Frisco, Texas, that will feature a 12,000- IN BRIEF Magic. The 42-year-old American, also a former assistant bitter family dispute grew nastier. Court documents filed this week seat indoor stadium. According to the Dallas Morning News, coach with Philadelphia and Boston, replaced Scott Skiles, revealed part of Benson’s deposition transcript from last March the Cowboys are in discussions with the NFL to host the draft who resigned last week after the Magic went 35-47 in his only and told he testified his accusation in a legal fight with daughter at The Ford Center at The Star in Frisco, AT&T Stadium in campaign as coach. (AFP) Renee Benson and grandchildren over his business empire. (AFP) Arlington or both facilities. (REUTERS) Impressive Lightning hold off late Penguins rally to level series Tampa equalised the best-of-seven Eastern Conference final 2-2 with game five on Sunday

AFP Chris Kunitz stuffed in a re- WASHINGTON bound shot just 1:55 later. The Penguins removed RYAN Callahan scored after Fleury in the final 90 seconds only 27 seconds and the Tam- for an extra attacker in a bid to pa Bay Lightning held off a fu- net the equaliser, but could not rious Pittsburgh rally for a 4-3 complete the comeback bid. victory on Friday to level their “It’s hard to chase a four- National Hockey League play- goal deficit,” Sullivan said. off series. “They were the more deter- The Lightning equalised mined team in the first half the best-of-seven Eastern Con- of the game. We made a run ference final 2-2 with game at them in the third period five on Sunday at Pittsburgh but there was just not enough and game six on Tuesday in time.” Tampa. Tampa Bay goalie Andrei The Penguins-Lightning Vasilevskiy made 35 saves, 13 winner will face the Western of them in the hectic last pe- Conference champion, either riod. the San Jose Sharks or St. “Playing a little too safe Louis Blues, in the Stanley Cup in the last few minutes,” said Finals. Lightning defenseman Jason “We played the first two Garrison. “They have lines that periods really well,” Tampa can roll and they showed it. Bay defenseman Victor Hed- They aren’t going to sit back. man said. They have a lot of firepower. “A little nerve wracking When we get a lead we have to there in the third period but it keep it.” doesn’t matter how, we got it Coming off a 4-2 home- done and we’re moving on.” ice thumping by Pittsburgh in Down 4-0 through two pe- game three, Tampa Bay took riods, the Penguins replaced the game-four lead only 27 sec- goaltender Matt Murray, the onds into contest as 31-year- team’s playoff stalwart through old right wing Ryan Callahan two rounds, with Marc-Andre netted the second-fastest goal Fleury, who had been the regu- in Lightning playoff history. lar starter but had not played Andrej Sustr, a Czech de- since March 31 due to a con- fenseman, gave the Lightning cussion. a 2-0 lead with 5:32 remaining “He was solid. He was in the opening period. moving good. He made some Jonathan Drouin boosted good saves,” Penguins coach Tampa Bay’s lead to 3-0 on a Mike Sullivan said of Fleury, power-play goal with 5:22 re- who made seven saves. maining in the second period, “We’re down four goals. adding to the Penguins’ woes Victor Hedman #77 of the Tampa Bay Lightning celebrates with Andrei Vasilevskiy #88 after defeating the Pittsburgh Penguins in Game Four of the Eastern Conference Final 4-3 When you make a change like after they failed on two extra- during the 2016 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida on Friday. (AFP) that, sometimes it has an im- man chances of their own ear- pact on your team.” lier in the middle period. While Fleury silenced the Pittsburgh defenseman Lightning, the visiting Pen- Kris Letang picked up a dou- Rain disrupt guins rallied to throw a scare ble-minor penalty, serving into Tampa Bay. four minutes in the box, and Arrieta continues superb run as track activity Pittsburgh snapped the Drouin struck with one minute shutout streak 78 seconds into remaining in the second penal- Friday for the third when Phil Kessel ty to dim the Penguins’ come- Chicago Cubs beat Giants 8-1 scored his eighth goal of the back hopes. post-season. Tyler Johnson added his All-Star race Russian winger Evgeni sixth goal of the playoffs for the til Infante had the first of four scoreless innings and Prince Malkin found the net with 8:47 Lightning just 3:10 later to put The Cubs won in Arrieta’s 22nd consecu- straight one-out hits. Fielder provided the offense AP remaining in regulation to Tampa Bay ahead 4-0 entering tive start going back to last season, with CC Sabathia came off the with a two-run double to lead CONCORD, NORTH CAROLINA lift Pittsburgh within 4-2 and the third period. disabled list to pitch six innings the Texas Rangers to a 2-1 vic- their ace going 16-0 over that stretch and become the eighth player tory over the Houston Astros. RAIN washed out all track in the modern era to win 100 Lewis (3-0) allowed four activity on Friday at Char- games or more with two teams, hits and struck out six to pick lotte Motor Speedway, which AP doubled in a three-run sixth and the New York Yankees beat up his first win since April 29. will now try to cram it’s All- Curry’s sore right elbow not SAN FRANCISCO inning off Jose Quintana to the Oakland Athletics 8-3. Jake Diekman struck out Star weekend into one day. lead the Kansas City Royals to Carlos Beltran doubled two in a perfect eighth and The steady showers limiting him on court JAKE Arrieta continued his a 4-1 victory over the Chicago three times and drove in three Sam Dyson gave up an RBI forced NASCAR to call off the impressive pitching and Kris White Sox. runs, Jacoby Ellsbury added single to Colby Rasmus with scheduled Sprint Showdown, AP seems quite surprised nobody Bryant provided the power as Orlando added an RBI sin- two RBIs while Ronald Tor- two outs in the ninth before a race that will send five OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA tried to catch him, and one fan the Chicago Cubs beat the San gle an inning later and Dillon reyes had a two-run triple dur- striking out Evan Gattis for drivers not already qualified clicked a photo. Francisco Giants 8-1 on Friday. Gee (1-1) allowed a run over ing a five-run fourth inning to his third save. for the All-Star race, into the A black sleeve protecting his “I saw it once. Not a lot of The Cubs won in Arrieta’s five innings for his first victory help the Yankees to their sec- Patrick Corbin struck out main event. The Truck Series sore right elbow, MVP Stephen help, that’s all I’ll say,’’ he said, 22nd consecutive start go- since 2014. The Royals won for ond straight win. seven and Chris Herrmann race also was postponed. Curry insists he’s fine after yet noting the front row, “they’re ing back to last season, with the fifth time in seven games The win was Sabathia’s homered with three RBIs for Both events were re- another postseason injury. the first responders. It’s kind their ace going 16-0 over that and moved within 3 1/2 games 100th in New York pinstripes. the Arizona Diamondbacks scheduled with the $1 mil- Curry banged his right el- of coming at them pretty quick. stretch. They won on the road of the AL Central-leading He also had 106 victories with in an 11-7 victory over the St. lion All-Star Race still sched- bow on what he thought was The row behind ... I wanted to for the 24th time in 29 games White Sox. Cleveland to join an illustri- Louis Cardinals, and Melvin uled to go off later. NASCAR a metal platform after div- do a crowd surfing kind of deal. as they ended San Francisco’s Quintana (5-3) who entered ous list of players that includes Upton Jr. hit a two-run hom- set the showdown field by ing into the stands at the 2:54 They weren’t ready.’’ eight-game winning streak. with an AL-best 1.54 ERA, gave Hall of Famers Nolan Ryan er in the bottom of the ninth points. mark of the first quarter during After already losing their su- Arrieta (8-0), who leads up one hit while facing the and Greg Maddux to win 100 inning to lead the San Diego The lack of track time on on Wednesday night’s 118-91 perstar point guard for parts of the majors with a 1.29 ERA, minimum 15 batters through or more with two teams. Padres past the Los Angeles Friday could be problematic Game 2 win over the Thunder. the first two rounds because of allowed four hits, struck out five. He retired 11 straight un- Colby Lewis pitched seven Dodgers 7-6. for many race teams. NAS- That evened the best-of-seven ankle and knee injuries, nobody eight and walked one in seven CAR only announced the Western Conference finals at wants him hurt again. innings. format for the All-Star race one game apiece as the series Some teammates and oth- Bryant was 2 for 5 with four on May 6, and the rules were shifts to Oklahoma City for Sun- ers in the organisation have RBIs, including a three-run not given to teams until ear- day night’s Game 3. suggested Curry not repeat that homer to left off Jake Peavy (1- lier this week. “It’s fine. The swelling went frightening dive, and it did take 5) that highlighted a five-run The Sprint Showdown is down, so no worries,’’ he said him a while to get up - silencing outburst in the second inning. divided into three segments, following Friday’s practice. “It’s Oracle Arena. Chris Davis hit a tiebreak- and the winner of each seg- sore just because of the impact. “For the most part other ing, two-run homer in the sev- ment will advance into the The spot it’s at doesn’t affect the than split decisions you don’t enth inning — one of four in All-Star race. An additional range of motion, so I can shoot really weigh the options or the the game by the Orioles — and two drivers will get into the and dribble and do all I need to risks when you’re chasing a Baltimore defeated the Los An- All-Star race on a fan vote. do. It’s uncomfortable but not loose ball,’’ he said. “Obviously geles Angels 9-4. The All-Star race already necessarily pain. ... It’s nice to I would rather stay on the floor Mark Trumbo also hit a has 15 drivers in the field. have three days in between to as much as possible. It’s kind two-run blast, and Joey Rick- All drivers who won a race get your body right.’’ of dangerous but I don’t know ard and Manny Machado add- last year are eligible, as well Curry said after the game how you can play hard and do ed back-to-back solo shots for as past All-Star race winners the elbow was so swollen “it what you need to do in those the AL East leaders who im- Tony Stewart, Jamie Mc- looks like it has a tennis ball on situations, 50-50 balls, with any proved to 8-7 away from home. Murray, Ryan Newman and top of it.’’ doubt in your mind, ‘all right, Angels starter Hector San- Kasey Kahne. Yet Curry had plenty left, protect yourself,’ especially in a tiago gave up Baltimore’s first The All-Star race will be scoring 15 straight points in less playoff situation.’’ three homers before being 113 laps divided into three than 2 minutes during a third- Thunder star Kevin Durant ejected in the third inning for segments. The first 50-lap quarter frenzy on his way to 28 thought the MVP did all he gesturing to home-plate um- segment will require drivers points. He made 5 of 8 3-point- could once it was clear he was pire John Tumpane about how to make a minimum two-tire ers and shot 9 for 15 overall. going into the seats. he was calling balls and strikes. pit stop under green. The “It’s fine. Nothing wrong,’’ “It’s kind of a weird thing Mychal Givens (3-0) al- drivers then will be required coach Steve Kerr said. “There because you don’t want to fall lowed two hits and no runs in 1 to do a minimum two-tire pit doesn’t appear to be any swell- on the fans, but you don’t want 1/3 innings. Jose Alvarez (1-2) stop during the first break ing.’’ to fall straight to the ground. took the loss. and start the second seg- Curry has watched the re- So he did a good job protecting Omar Infante, Paulo Or- Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Jake Arrieta throws in the first inning of a baseball game against the San ment the way they come off play of his plunge, and still himself,’’ Durant said. lando and Lorenzo Cain all Francisco Giants in San Francisco on Friday. (AP) pit road. Sports Sunday, May 22, 2016 33

NEWS Violence mars Hibs’ first IN BRIEF Union grab MLS East lead with stoppage-time win Scottish Cup in 114 years WASHINGTON: Richie Marquez scored on a volley in the first minute of second-half stoppage time Friday to give the Philadel- phia Union a 1-0 Major League Soccer victory over DC United. The trophy presentation was delayed by over 30 minutes in order to clear the pitch A perfect cross from the right side by French forward Sebastien Le Toux set up the right-footed shot by Marquez that produced the 23-year-old US defender's first goal in 31 MLS contests. With the victory, the Union seized the lead in the MLS Eastern Conference at 5-3-3 for 18 points, one more than New York City FC. City can reclaim the top spot Saturday with a victory over the New York Red Bulls in the first Big Apple derby of the season. Should City falter, the Montreal Impact could move into the top spot in the East with a Saturday victory over Orlando City. Visiting United fell to 3-5 with four drawn, sixth in the East table on 13 points. (REUTERS)

Barcelona, Nike announce record $174 million sponsorship agreement BARCELONA: Barcelona agreed a "long-term" contract extension with American sportswear giants Nike on Saturday, which will reportedly see the Catalan club surpass Manchester United with the most lucrative kit-sponsorship deal in the world. Barca said the details of the deal will be revealed and rati- fied at the club's next general assembly. Catalan sports dailies Sport and Mundo Deportivo reported, however, that the world champions could make up to a staggering 155 million euros ($174 million) a season. That would dwarf the current £75 million ($109) a season, 10-year deal Manchester United agreed with Adidas last year. "FC Barcelona and NIKE, Inc. have extended their current sponsorship deal, which was due to end on 30 June 2018," Barcelona said in a statement. "The long-term agreement is a landmark in global football and builds upon a highly successful partnership. (AFP)

It's grim up north for Japan leaders Kawasaki TOKYO: J-League leaders Kawasaki Frontale were lucky to escape with a point at lowly Albirex Niigata on Saturday as the obdurate northern Japanese held the visitors to a goal- less draw. Hibernian’s David Gray lifts the trophy after winning the William Hill Scottish Cup final match against Rangers at Hampden Park, Glasgow, on Saturday. (REUTERS) Frontale, who lead the first division by a point from Kashi- ma Antlers after 13 first-stage matches, could have left with AFP home in stoppage time to spark commend Rangers fans for the just achieved," Stubbs said. threatened to add another with egg on their faces had Albirex substitutes Hiroshi Ibusuki and GLASGOW wild scenes amongst the Hi- restraint they showed under se- "It's disappointing and we Stokes, Cummings and John Yuta Ito been more accurate in the closing minutes. bernian support, who flooded vere provocation." don't want to see it, but from McGinn all coming close. Kawasaki survived, however, and improved to 28 points HIBERNIAN ended their 114- on to the pitch at full-time The trophy presentation our point of view it was a fantas- However, the Gers conjured while seven-time Japanese champions Kashima closed the gap year wait for the Scottish Cup to celebrate. But ugly scenes was delayed by over 30 min- tic game and we managed to do up an equaliser with their first after a late goal from Brazilian striker Caio gave them a 3-2 with a last-minute 3-2 win then followed as rival support- it and show a little bit of bottle." meaningful attack of the game away win over Nagoya Grampus. over Rangers on Saturday but ers clashed on the pitch with Rangers, who pipped Hibs through veteran Miller. Niigata, expected to be involved in a dogfight at the end of the final was marred as rival mounted police called in to sep- The game appeared to be to the Championship title, were James Tavernier sent a teas- the season, are marooned just above the relegation zone on fans fought on the Hampden arate them. heading to extra time handed a boost with the return ing cross in to the Hibs box and 11 points. (AFP) Park pitch. Rangers condemned the vi- before captain David Gray of top-scorer Martyn Waghorn the 36-year-old outmuscled the Rangers claimed their play- olence. "Rangers Football Club headed home in stoppage to the starting line-up following Hibs defence to bullet a header ers and staff were assaulted and is shocked at the disgraceful time to spark wild scenes a lengthy injury lay-off. beyond Conrad Logam. David Ginola expected to fully recover they were so fearful for their behaviour of Hibs fans at full- amongst the Hibernian Stubbs left James Keating Their lead was almost short- after heart surgery safety that they were unable to time," said a club statement. on the bench in favour of on- lived as Stokes saw his effort collect their losers medals at the "Rangers players and staff support. loan Celtic striker Stokes. from 30 yards out smack the PARIS: The surgeon who operated on David Ginola said the presentation. Hibs had taken a were assaulted by these fans The Irish international base of the post a minute later. former France winger "almost died" after having a heart attack third-minute lead through An- who invaded the pitch, and in utes in order to clear the pitch soon repaid his manager's faith Hibs bombarded the Rang- while playing soccer. thony Stokes but Rangers went the interests of their own safety but this was of little concern to in him as he fired home the ers goal in the run up to the Professor Gilles Dreyfus told The Associated Press on into the break level following could not return to the pitch for a Hibs side who claimed a Eu- opener. Strike partner Jason break with Foderingham pull- Friday that Ginola was in good condition a day after undergoing Kenny Miller's 27th minute the medal presentation. ropean spot for the first time Cummings played Stokes down ing off saves to deny Stokes and a quadruple heart bypass operation and was expected to make headed equaliser. "There can be no place for since 1902. Hibs manager Alan the left wing and the striker Cummings before the former a full recovery. Andy Halliday fired Rang- the violent behaviour witnessed Stubbs said he wouldn't let the raced at the retreating Rob Ki- sent a header wide of the tar- The 49-year-old Ginola was airlifted to the Monaco cardiot- ers in front for the first time in at the end of the final and Rang- scenes at the end take the shine ernan and James Tavernier in get from close range with the horacic center on Thursday after collapsing on the field in the the 64th minute with a superb ers fully expect the Scottish off his side's victory after they the Rangers rearguard before goal gaping. Stokes forced Fo- Riviera town of Mandelieu. Dreyfus said he would remain in the strike before Stokes headed Football Association and Police made up for the disappointment slotting an angled shot beyond deringham in to another save hospital for about 10 days. "He was incredibly lucky," Dreyfus Hibs level in the 80th minute. Scotland to launch an investiga- of missing out on promotion to Wes Foderingham. Rangers, shortly after the break and Liam said in a phone interview. "He was fortunate to receive a heart The game appeared to be tion to find out where security the Scottish Premiership. without a competitive game for Fontaine headed wide as Hibs massage immediately, and that was essential in preventing heading to extra time before measures failed and why. "It's not going to take away three weeks, looked off the pace looked to pick up where they brain damage. Emergency services arrived on site eight min- captain David Gray headed "The club would like to the satisfaction of what we've in the early exchanges as Hibs had left off. utes later. There is a set of factors that saved his life." (AP) Griezmann one of the world's top three: Simeone THE BEAUTIFUL GAME

AFP Atletico to upset the odds and Los Blancos ran out 4-1 winners MADRID reach a second final in three after extra-time. seasons. "He has worked very Yet, despite the presence of ATLETICO Madrid coach Di- hard, pushed himself and three-time World Player of the ego Simeone hailed star for- knows how to listen," Simeone Year Cristiano Ronaldo, the ward Antoine Griezmann as said on Saturday. world's most expensive player "one of the best three players in "The best way to improve in Gareth Bale and the likes of the world" as Atletico prepare in any job is to listen. Without Karim Benzema and Luka Mo- to face local rivals Real Madrid doubt he is one of the best three dric, Simeone expects the Real in next Saturday's Champions players in the world." to play on the counter-attack. League final. The majority of the stars will "In the Champions League Griezmann has enjoyed his be on Real's side as Atletico aim that is clearly the route they best ever goal-scoring season to avenge their defeat in agonis- have chosen," added Simeone. with 32 goals in all competi- ing fashion in the final two years "I expect an opponent that tions. However, the French ago by winning the competition will wait for their opportunity. international has been particu- for the first time in Milan next The presence of Casemiro in larly effective in the Champions weekend. midfield has given them a lot League as his double against Simeone's men were on of power defensively and in the Dancers perform before the DFB Pokal final match between Barcelona in the quarter-finals course for victory in Lisbon un- Champions League they have Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund at the Olympiastadion in Atletico Madrid’s coach Diego Simeone attends a training session at the and vital away goal at Bayern til Sergio Ramos headed Real played on the counter-attack." Berlin on Saturday. (REUTERS) team’s training camp in Majadahonda, Spain, on Saturday. (REUTERS) Munich in the last four allowed level deep into injury time and Villa owner wants team promoted, to help soccer in China cer superpower and several mize injuries — areas in which ter foundation in football than Xia bought Aston Villa, which was high-profile firms have bought he said other clubs he visited other business areas we've re- stakes in clubs, including performed better than Villa. cently entered," Xia said. relegated from the EPL for $87 mn Atletico Madrid and Manches- He also intended to use data He targeted a swift return ter City. But until now, no one to award financial bonuses to to the Premier League but AP back to the domestic industry had acquired entire clubs. players. ruled out "burning money" to BEIJING has been the most efficient To help improve the game "This isn't different from bring success like Manchester route," Xia said, adding that he in China, Xia said he is already management science," Xia said City, whose Qatari owners have THE little-known business- would establish extensive pro- in talks to bring junior high and in one of several allusions to his pumped in millions. Although man who bought Aston Villa grams for Chinese players to high school players to train in business experience. he has publicly stated he would is hoping to improve both the train at Aston Villa. Birmingham this summer. He compared Aston Villa spend 50 to 60 million pounds English club and Chinese soc- Improving Chinese soccer, A soft-spoken businessman to an undervalued business on player transfers, Xia backed cer in general. he said, "is actually our biggest who studied at Harvard and suffering from "several years away from the figures on Fri- Xia Jiantong, who goes objective." the Massachusetts Institute of substandard management" day, saying he would consult by the English name Tony, Xia bought Aston Villa, of Technology, Xia heads the and could achieve its poten- with the new coach he was in told The Associated Press he which was relegated from the Recon Group, which owns Lo- tial with better direction from the process of hiring. intends to use cutting-edge Premier League after a dismal tus Health Group, the world's the top. "We want Villa in its genes management theory and sports season in which they finished second largest maker of the Questioned about his lack to be sustainable and healthy, science to bring Villa to the pin- last, for $87 million. He denied food additive monosodium Xia Jiantong, the new owner of Aston Villa, gestures as he walks back of soccer credentials, Xia said including in academy develop- nacle of the European game — that the deal involved any gov- glutamate. Lotus lost $78 mil- to his office after talking to reporters in Beijing recently.(REUTERS) he has looked into the business ment," Xia said. "If you look at and then bring those lessons ernment or corporate backers lion last year, according to for 10 years and has diligently all the money-burning clubs back to China. aside from his business con- Shanghai stock exchange fil- eight prospective clubs, includ- He said he pledged to de- studied the second-tier English they're showing problems right "In China's going-out strat- glomerate, the Recon Group. ings. Another subsidiary pro- ing teams in Spain and Italy, ploy better technology to moni- Championship, the league in now. On the international level, egy, it's been proven that buy- Chinese President Xi Jin- duces digital hardware for ur- before settling on Villa, which tor players' on-field perform- which Aston Villa will compete Spain and Germany couldn't ing foreign firms with know- ping recently urged the coun- ban infrastructure. he said attracted him with its ance, track statistics and gauge in next season. sustain their success with just how and then bringing that try to become a global soc- Xia said he considered "mature" academy system. physical workloads to mini- "I actually think I have bet- one superstar." 34 Sunday, May 22, 2016 Sports CSKA win Russian league, Dynamo down for first time

“All those five seconds, who has been splitting his time Iranian star striker Sardar Az- It is CSKA’s third title in four seasons, (my heart) was stopped,” with the Russian national team moun are among several per- CSKA coach Leonid Slutsky this season but is under pres- sonnel already being linked earning them a place in the Champions said of the double save. “Eve- sure to go full time with Russia with transfers elsewhere in the League group stage next season rything’s great.” ahead of the 2018 World Cup. summer. Akinfeev said he acted on It is CSKA’s third title in Besides Zenit, Europa AP to an early lead to win 1-0 at instinct to keep out the initial four seasons, all under Slut- League places go to fourth- KAZAN, RUSSIA Rubin Kazan, knowing that if shot from Igor Portnyagin and sky’s leadership, earning a placed FC Krasnodar, whose Rubin had equalised Rostov Denis Tkachuk’s follow-up. place in the Champions League striker Fyodor Smolov topped CSKA Moscow fought off a would have taken the title on “What can I say about it? I was group stage next season. the league with 20 goals, and challenge from surprise title the head-to-head record. lucky,” Akinfeev said. Runner-up Rostov, which Spartak Moscow. contender FC Rostov to win Alan Dzagoev scored the Both teams could have beat Terek Grozny 2-0, goes Zenit beat Dynamo 3-0, the Russian Premier League vital goal for CSKA with a scored more, with Rubin’s into the Champions League with former Dynamo star Al- for the sixth time on Saturday, fierce shot in the 19th minute Mijo Caktas rattling the bar qualifying rounds, while reign- exander Kokorin among the while Soviet-era giant Dyna- after a defensive lapse from in the first half, and CSKA’s ing champion Zenit heads for Ahmed Musa (left) of CSKA Moscow celebrate with coach Leonid scorers. It was the first rel- mo Moscow was relegated for Rubin, and goalkeeper Igor Zoran Tosic hitting the post the Europa League in third. Slutsky (centre) and a teammate. egation in Soviet or Russian the first time. Akinfeev preserved the lead shortly before the break. That ends a remark- football history for Dynamo, Roared on by thousands of with a spectacular double save Winning the title could be able season for Rostov, which season and has maintained a severe financial problems. the club of Soviet goalkeeping traveling fans, CSKA held on in the 86th. the last act at CSKA for Slutsky, barely survived relegation last shock title challenge despite Coach Kurban Berdyev and great Lev Yashin.

Argentina call COPA DEL REY FINAL (KING’S CUP) on Messi, England’s Kane Aguero for and Vardy Copa but Barca, Sevilla eye Tevez snubbed hope for Turkey AFP double honours BUENOS AIRES chance ARGENTINA coach Gerardo Martino named his 23-man The two went head-to-head in the squad for the Copa America on Friday, pinning his hopes Premier League title race and best on Lionel Messi and Sergio scorer’s for Golden Boot award Aguero but ignoring Carlos Tevez. AFP parently a reference to his Idolised by his Boca LONDON team’s pursuit of Leicester -- Juniors club and popular and when Spurs’ 2-2 draw at throughout Argentina, Tevez TOTTENHAM Hotspur strik- Chelsea gifted the Foxes the was overlooked in favour er Harry Kane hopes to get an title, Vardy retaliated with a of Gonzalo Higuain who opportunity to partner Jamie picture of Mufasa, head of the smashed a record 36 goals in Vardy when England tackle pride in the Disney animated Serie A this season with Na- Turkey on Sunday in the film ‘The Lion King’, sliding to poli. first of their three Euro 2016 his death. Argentina are looking for warm-up matches. But Kane said: “We had a a first major international ti- Kane’s 25 Premier League bit of banter over social me- tle in 23 years having lost two goals earned him the Golden dia, but everything is all good. recent finals -- to Germany Boot, with Vardy finishing the “Winning the Golden Boot at the 2014 World Cup and campaign one goal behind af- is always nice. It’s something against Chile in last year’s ter inspiring Leicester City to I’m very proud of, but noth- Copa America. their fairytale title triumph. ing has really been said about This year’s Copa Ameri- The pair have started just that. ca Centenario, marking the one England game together “He won the Premier 100th anniversary of the -- last October’s 3-0 win in League, so there isn’t much I South American confed- Lithuania -- but with Wayne can really say!” eration Conmebol, will be Rooney and Marcus Rash- With his United and Liv- played in the United States ford on FA Cup final duty erpool players absent, Hodg- from June 3-26. with Manchester United this son had only 19 members of It will feature four teams weekend and Daniel Sturridge his 26-man squad at his dis- from the Concacaf region expected to be rested after posal for training on Thursday including the United States playing for Liverpool in the ahead of Sunday’s match at and Mexico. Europa League final, they may the home of Manchester City, Argentina are in Group be aligned together again at which is followed by games D at the tournament and the Etihad Stadium. against Australia and Portu- face Chile (June 6), Panama “Jamie has had a fantas- gal. (June 10) and Bolivia (June tic season and scored a lot of But Liverpool’s captain 14). goals, so if we are playing to- Jordan Henderson took part gether it will be very exciting,” after being an unused substi- Sevilla’s coach Unai Emery (right) and midfielder Vitolo during the press conference after a training session in Sevilla on Saturday. (AFP) Kane told reporters at Eng- tute in his club’s 3-1 loss to Se- land’s St George’s Park train- villa in Basel on Wednesday, Ronaldo ing centre this week. which followed a month-long In a thrilling season-opening European Super Cup final, Barca edged Sevilla 5-4 “We are different sorts of absence with a knee injury. doesn’t care players. He has got a lot of Chelsea centre-back Gary AFP pace and can run in behind -- Cahill also trained, having about money, MADRID that will probably allow me to missed the first session of the drop off and get into space. get-together with a knock. he wants to be NEWLY-CROWNED Span- “If the manager puts us to- Turkey are gearing up for ish champions Barcelona face gether we will be ready to go their first major tournament first: Ancelotti Sevilla, fresh from winning and try to score as many goals since reaching the semi-finals their third consecutive Europa as we can.” at Euro 2008, having failed to IANS League, as both seek more England manager Roy qualify for Euro 2012 and the MADRID glory in the Spanish Cup final Hodgson is expected to ap- last two World Cups. on Sunday. Another success- proach Euro 2016 with a two- Fatih Terim’s side face Former Real Madrid head ful campaign for both sides man strike-force operating in Croatia, the Czech Republic coach Carlo Ancelotti has praised will end as it began after Barca front of a midfield diamond, and defending champions the football club’s star striker edged Sevilla 5-4 after extra- although he has also utilised a Spain in Group D at Euro Cristiano Ronaldo’s profession- time in a thrilling season- 4-3-3 system on occasion. 2016, after scraping through alism and affirmed that money opening European Super Cup With Rooney, England’s qualifying as the best of the does not motivate the Portugal final. captain and record goal-scor- nine third-place teams. captain. Indeed, Barca could end er, now operating in a midfield Sunday’s game could fea- Ronaldo spent two years the season with four trophies role for United, there could be ture an international debut under Ancelotti’s wing at Real, in total having also claimed the an opportunity for Kane and for quicksilver 18-year-old FC and lifted the Champions League Club World Cup in December. Vardy to form an enduring Nordsjaelland winger Emre together in May 2014 before the Barca captain Andres Ini- partnership up front. Mor, who was born and raised coach was removed from his post esta laughed off suggestions The two went head-to- in Denmark, but switched al- 12 months later. that a La Liga and Cup dou- head in the Premier League legiances to Turkey -- the land Ancelotti revealed in an in- ble is the minimum require- title race and Vardy, 29, of his parents -- earlier this terview with Financial Times on ment for the Catalan giants to bared his claws on social me- year. Friday that the former Manches- ease the pain of their Cham- dia in response to a photo- “I think he is a player out ter United striker would stay at pions League exit to Atletico graph posted on Instagram by of the ordinary,” said Ter- the Real Madrid training base Madrid at the quarter-final 22-year-old Kane. im. “I decided to give him a until 3 a.m. taking an ice bath, stage last month. However, Barcelona’s midfielder Andres Iniesta at a press conference at the Sports Center FC Barcelona Joan Gam- Kane’s image showed chance and Turkey can gain a “even though he had (model the Spanish international per in Sant Joan Despi, Barcelona on Saturday. (AFP) four lions on the prowl -- ap- very interesting player.” and former partner) Irina Shayk did admit Barca’s success of waiting for him at home”. winning six La Liga titles and Calderon. by the Spanish government cause Barcelona feed off win- “He does not care about three Copas del Rey in the By contrast, Luis En- before Barca successfully ap- ning titles, but our strength is money, he just wants to be the past eight years has provoked rique’s men have had a free pealed that decision through our desire,” he added. first,” he said. Ancelotti added a relentless demand for more week since Luis Suarez’s hat- the courts. “These moments come that not all players shared Ronal- trophies. trick in a 3-0 win at Granada “Very few things surprise around very rarely for us. How do’s fanatical attention to detail. “When you win a league retained their league title. me in this country,” said En- many times have Barca won The Italian, who will be taking it’s impossible for it to be a Enrique insisted he ex- rique. the Cup? Loads. We haven’t, over the reins at German club bad season. It will always be a pects to win, but warned that “In the end the logical but for us to play in tomor- Bayern Munich when Pep Guar- good season,” Iniesta said on Sevilla’s experience in finals thing has happened and the row’s final is a gift that we will diola steps down to leave for Saturday. could pose Barca problems. freedom of expression for happily unwrap.” Manchester City, admitted that “This team always has “I am an optimist, I think everyone has been respected.” Barca are expected to name some flexibility is essential for the obligation to win in a fi- we are going to win,” he said. All three previous meet- an unchanged team from the the job of coaching -- as is crack- nal. We fight for all the titles “Sevilla have brilliantly ings between the sides this side that started at Granada ing the whip when necessary. each season, sometimes we won again the Europa League season have been settled by with Enrique afforded the lux- “There are things where you win and other times we don’t, final and they have the chance one goal as Sevilla won 2-1 at ury of choosing from a squad can be elastic, and things where but the obligation to win is to do the double too which is home in October in La Liga free of injuries and suspen- you must be strong. If the play- permanent. “It is like that in very important for a team like before Barca claimed victory sions. ers say, ‘coach, we have a tough every game we play, so imag- Sevilla. by the same scoreline at the Sevilla are without the week, can we stay in bed one ine what it is like in a final. “They keep winning ti- Camp Nou in February. suspended Steven N’Zonzi more hour?’ that is OK. But “The club doesn’t al- tles. With us they are one of “We have their respect be- and Timothee Kolodziejczak, when I have a meeting before the low errors, dips or not win- the teams most used to play- cause we have earned it when whilst Benoit Tremoulinas and game, you must be on time,” the ning things and this will not ing finals and that will make we’ve faced them,” said Sevil- Michael Krohn-Dehli remain AC Milan legend said. change.” tomorrow a very attractive la coach Unai Emery. sidelined by injury. “At Chelsea, we had a meet- Sevilla appear to have the match.” And Emery is keen to pile However, Spanish inter- ing at 10.30 a.m. and Didier significant disadvantage of The action off the field has the pressure on Barca as fa- national goalkeeper Sergio Drogba was not there. I don’t having beaten Liverpool in been dominated by a political vourites despite Sevilla’s fan- Rico and captain Jose Antonio know if it was traffic or what. He the Europa League final just row in the build up as Catalan tastic cup record in the three Reyes could return after miss- came at 11. He didn’t play,” Ance- five days before facing Barca separatist flags were initially years since he took charge. ing out against Liverpool in England manager Roy Hodgson during the press conference in St lotti concluded. at Atletico Madrid’s Vicente banned from the stadium “They need this title be- midweek. George’s Park, Burton on Trent, on Saturday. (REUTERS) Sports Sunday, May 22, 2016 35 Mohannadi announces Rossi back on pole for Italian bid for ITTF presidency MotoGP The QTTA president aims to be the first Arab to head the global body since its founding in 1926 It was a return to pole for Rossi in VICTOR BOLORUNDURO Italy for the first time since 2008 DOHA AFP "In all the practice sessions, THE Qatar Table Tennis As- LUCO DI MUGELLO for some reason, we couldn't sociation (QTTA) President take advantage of using a new Khalil Ahmed al Mohannadi ITALY'S nine-time world cham- tyre like the other riders and has announced his candidacy pion Valentino Rossi delighted in qualifying I did my best for the position of president his home crowd by storming to over three laps but there is still of the International Table pole position for Sunday's Ital- something that's not good on Tennis Federation (ITTF) ian MotoGP at Mugello. the bike that we need to discov- during the election which The 37-year-old will line up er for tomorrow, especially on will be held in Dusseldorf, in the first row with Spaniard braking," said world champion Germany, in May 2017. Maverick Vinales (Suzuki), who Lorenzo. Mohannadi, who is pres- will be his teammate at Yamaha Spaniard Marc Marquez, ently the deputy president of next year, and fellow Italian An- second in the championship, the ITTF, is equally the Vice- drea Iannone (Ducati). five points behind Lorenzo, President of Arab Table Ten- It was a return to pole for clocked the fourth fastest time nis Association as well as the Rossi in Italy for the first time and will start just behind the Vice-President of Asian Table since 2008, when he achieved Italian. Tennis Union. his last victory on the Tuscan "It's a shame that on the If the QTTA head wins circuit. "Here it's crucial to start last lap I made a mistake when the election, which will also on the front row and the at- I was improving my time, so choose new office bearers, mosphere generated by all this tomorrow I'll try to have a very he will be the first Arab to crowd is always fantastic," said good race in order to finish on hold the exalted position of Rossi. the podium. It won't be easy," the head of the world’s larg- "I'm very, very happy be- said Marquez. est sport federation, with 222 cause it has been a long time In Moto 2, Britain's Sam member countries, as well as since I last had pole here in Lowes of Kalex, second in the its eighth president since its Mugello, in the last years I was championship, is on pole for inception in 1926. always struggling a lot." the sixth time in his career and It will be the Yamaha rider's third this season, ahead of Ja- 53rd pole in MotoGP and 63rd pan's Takaaki Nakagami and Germany’s Thomas Weikert of his career, the same as his Lorenzo Baldassari of Italy. is the current ITTF presi- teammate Jorge Lorenzo, win- Italy's Romano Fenati of dent, after taking over ner of the French Grand Prix, KTM will start from pole in who starts from the second row. the Moto3 category, the third from Canadian Adham Spaniard Lorenzo, the of his career beside compatriot Sharara in 2014. QTTA President Khalil Ahmed al Mohannadi (right) receives the ITTF Merit Award on the sidelines of the World Team Table Tennis Champion- championship leader, will start Andrea Migno and Malaysian ships held in Kuala Lumpur in March. behind compatriot Vinales, 17-year-old Khairul Idham who as at the Qatar MotoGP Pawi, surprise winner this sea- Germany’s Thomas Weik- all the national bodies and I in 2005 before becoming its will again start on the front row. son in Argentina. ert is the current ITTF presi- believe I have a good chance deputy president in 2014. dent, after taking over from of winning come next May,” “Table tennis is devel- Canadian Adham Sharara in Mohannadi said. oping at a fast pace and the 2014. Mohannadi, who became game is spreading widely. I Speaking to Qatar Tribune the first Arab to be presented am putting myself forward as about the decision, Mohannadi with the ITTF merit award a candidate that will not only said he decided to vie for the on the sidelines of the Per- move the sport to the next position after due consultation fect World Team Table Ten- level but also help in acceler- with the Qatar Olympic Com- nis Championships held in ating the development of the mittee (QOC) under the lead- Kuala Lumpur in March, said game on a global scale,” Mo- ership of HE Sheikh Joaan bin he will officially file his nomi- hannadi added. Hamad al Thani who not only nation papers during the Rio Meanwhile, Qatar is gave the approval but also sup- Olympic Games. equally bidding for the 2020 ported his bid. “I believe the experience World Team Table Tennis “I’m happy with the sup- I have garnered over the Championships. port and approval for my bid years in the various posi- Doha hosted the maiden by HE Sheikh Joaan bin Ha- tions I have served will come World Championships in mad al Thani and for the con- handy in moving the federa- 2004 while the 2018 edition fidence he and the QOC board tion and our sport forward,” of the biyearly tournament have in me regarding my can- said the sport administrator will be held in Halmstad, didature for the presidency of who joined the board of ITTF Sweden. The 2016 edition this noble body. I have devel- in 2001 and became an Ex- was held in Kuala Lumpur, Italian Moto GP rider Valentino Rossi of Movistar Yamaha celebrates oped a good relationship with ecutive Committee member VYING FOR THE PRESIDENCY: Khalil Ahmed al Mohannadi. Malaysia. his pole position at the Italian GP in Scarperia on Saturday. (EPA)

EUROPEAN SWIMMING CHAMPIONSHIPS India's Mary Kom sees Cseh, Pellegrini golden at Europeans hopes of Rio dashed AFP from a distance, according to AFP NEW DELHI the Press Trust of India. LONDON The Indian boxer contin- INDIAN sporting star and five- ued to throw herself at Nimani LASZLO Cseh clinched his time world boxing champion who adopted defensive tactics 14th European gold and first Mary Kom Saturday saw her to frustrate Kom, the news international 100m butter- dream of qualifying for the Rio agency said, with the German fly title as Federica Pellegrini 2016 Olympics end after losing declared the winner. powered to a fourth straight a crucial bout at AIBA Women's "I am extremely happy af- 200m freestyle crown at the World Boxing Championships. ter today's bout," said Nimani. European Championships on Kom, who won a bronze "Mary Kom is a very strong Saturday. medal at the London 2012 Ol- boxer and a legend in our Cseh's time of 50.86secs ympics, lost 0-2 to Germany's sport but I was concentrated propelled him to the top of Azize Nimani in the second and focused until the last sec- the rankings as he became the round of the tournament in onds to accomplish my goal. I only man inside 51 seconds the 51kg weight category in knew I could win if I followed this year and booked a pos- Kazakhstan. my instructions and found sible showdown with Michael She needed to reach the my rhythm. Now I want to be Phelps and Chad Le Clos - Ol- semi-finals of the champion- world champion." ympic and world champions ship to qualify for her second Kom secured a spot at the respectively - in Rio de Janeiro successive appearance in Ol- 2012 London Olympics at the this summer. ympics. same tournament before win- "It was a good swim but Kom took off aggressively ning a bronze medal for her I feel I have much more in against her German opponent, country at the Games that who kept her at bay by fighting year. RESULTS

MEN 100m butterfly 1. Laszlo Cseh (HUN) 50.86secs, 2. Konrad Czerniak Paltrinieri eager for pool (POL) 51.22, 3. Mehdy Metella (FRA) 51.70 200m backstroke 1. Radoslaw Kawecki (POL) 1min 55.98secs, 2. Yakov Yan Toumarkin (ISR) 1:56.97, 3. Danas Rapsys Italy’s winner Federica Pellegrini (centre), second placed Femke Heemskerk of the Netherlands (left) and third placed France’s Charlotte Bonnet duel with Sun (LTU) 1:57.22 show their medals after the Women’s 200m Freestyle final at the European Aquatics Championships in London on Saturday.(AP) 50m breaststroke REUTERS 1. Adam Peaty (GBR) 26.66secs, 2. Peter John yet in a continental record of 14 Stevens (SLO) 27.09, 3. Ross Murdoch (GBR) 27.31 meet ahead of 10-time cham- to his 100m gold, repeating at halfway, but his second 50m from the outset but she could LONDON minutes 34.04 seconds. He had 4x200m freestyle relay pion Alex Popov, the Russian the double feat of Berlin two was more than half a second not shake Pellegrini, who sat been inside the world record be- 1. Netherlands (NED) 7mins 07.82secs, 2. Belgium GREGORIO Paltrinieri is count- (BEL) 7:08.28, 3. Italy (ITA) 7:08.30 former freestyle great, and years ago. quicker than any of his rivals on the Dutchwoman's shoul- tween the 1,100-1,400 mark. Ukrainian medley great Yana Cseh had already produced and he closed out the double der before coming at her down ing on China's 2012 Olympic Only Sun, who won his Ol- WOMEN Klochkova but now Cseh pulls a stunning performance in ahead of Konrad Czerniak of the final length. Heemskerk swimming champion and 1,500 ympic gold in the same Lon- 200m freestyle ever further away from such the 200m where he became Poland and Frenchman Me- was ahead going into that last freestyle world record holder don pool four years ago with 1. Federica Pellegrini (ITA) 1min 55.93secs, 2. Sun Yang to stand up and show Femke Heemskerk (NED) 1:55.97, 3. Charlotte luminaries. the second fastest man in his- hdy Metella. Pellegrini reeled stroke only for Pellegrini to a world record 14:31.02, has Bonnet (FRA) 1:56.51 Other winners on the pe- tory in a textile suit, splitting in Dutchwoman Heemskerk out-touch her by a fingertip in what he's made of at the Rio swum faster and Rio promises 1500m freestyle nultimate night at the Lon- 18-time Olympic champion on the final stroke to retain her 1:55.93, 0.04secs ahead. Games in August. to be a duel between the two 1. Boglarka Kapas (HUN) 15mins 50.22secs, 2. don Aquatics Centre included Phelps and his 2012 conqueror 200m freestyle title. The Italian said: "To be The Italian won world outstanding distance swim- Mireia Belmonte (ESP) 16:00.20, 3. Maria Vilas championship gold last year in Vidal (ESP) 16:01.25 Italy's Pellegrini, who won her Chad Le Clos. Pellegrini introduced her- honest, I'm a little bit surprised mers. 50m backstroke fourth consecutive 200m free- In a long-course career dat- self on the international stage at how things went today. I had the longest distance in the pool, "I hope he's there," Pal- 1. Fran Halsall (GBR) 27.57secs, 2. Mie Nielsen style title by a fingertip from ing back to 2004, the 30-year- at the 2004 Olympics in Ath- a tough preparation before in a with Sun's lane empty after his trinieri, 21, told reporters on (DEN) 27.77, 3. Georgia Davies (GBR) 27.87 Femke Heemskerk, Hungary's old had collected five Olympic, ens, winning 200m silver nine training camp and I didn't ex- shock withdrawal from the final Saturday at an appearance for Boglarka Kapas completed 12 world and 21 European med- days after turning 16. pect this result at all." in Kazan, Russia. swimwear brand Arena. the distance freestyle double als but no 100 butterfly golds. Since then there have been Heemskerk said: "I'm China's most successful "Last year I wanted him to for Rio in this event as well," with an emphatic victory in the Second behind Le Clos in trips to the podium at six con- very disappointed about the male swimmer, now 24, said be in the final, I wanted to race warned Cseh. 1500m and Poland's Radoslaw the last two World Champion- secutive World Championships 0.04sec margin. It's not the he had felt uncomfortable while a final against him. I was ready The Hungarian was the Kawecki won his third succes- ships, Cseh had also picked up - including two to the top step first time I've lost to Federica warming up. for a direct showdown. I know most decorated swimmer in sive 200m backstroke gold. two straight European silver - before Olympic silver from in a close race. "Shortly be- At this week's European he's the greatest distance swim- individual events in Euro- Britain's Adam Peaty add- medals. 2004 was upgraded to gold fore the race my suit tore but I championships, Paltrinieri mer, he was one of my idols pean history coming into the ed the 50m breaststroke title On Saturday, he was third four years later. Heemskerk led stayed positive and cool." swam the second fastest 1,500 when I was younger." 36 Sunday, May 22, 2016 Sports Elseify aims for big show in Rio Follow Qatari double world Jr champ’s journey & Olympic dreams on various social websites

TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK FOLLOW QATAR “There’s an expression that DOHA goes “The world is smiling at Follow Team Qatar on social media: you” and winning my first Jun- QATAR’S hammer thrower Facebook: ...... QatarOlympics ior World title in Barcelona I Ashraf Elseify will head for Twitter: ...... Qatar_Olympic really felt like the whole world the 2016 Olympic Games in Instagram: ...... Qatar_Olympic was smiling at me – I had never less than three months in Rio Snapchat:...... Qatar_Olympic felt that way before.” De Janeiro as a champion. Website: .....http://www.olympic.qa/en/ His success has not come The prodigal Elseify has won Pages/Rio2016.aspx without sacrifices, which El- two consecutive world junior seify is quick to point out that championships titles in 2012 renowned Aspire Academy for he is happy to make: “I started and 2014 and currently holds his massive development as an training at a young age and I the junior world record with athlete: sacrificed a lot of things like go- an impressive 85.57m. “My experience in Aspire ing out with my friends, stay- Elseify shares his story of Ashraf Elseify of Qatar Academy started in 2010 when ing out late – I missed out on success and sacrifice in a new I was still young and I learned a lot of social gatherings for ‘Olympic Dreams’ film which will compete across six sports – a lot from it. I matured in As- my sport,” Elseify said, adding can be found on the Qatar Ol- athletics, swimming, shooting, pire Academy and developed “But ultimately once you win, ympic Committee’s (QOC) so- handball, equestrian and table my academic and sporting you don’t feel like you sacri- cial media channels http://bit. tennis. As they finalise their skills,” he said, adding, “It felt ficed anything at all. It is an ly/1XBAEqE. preparations to compete in the like home to me. I learned amazing feeling.” Over 10,000 athletes from most important competition of how to be a leader, how to deal The 21-year-old athlete will 206 nations will descend on Rio their young lives, the QOC has with people in my life and I head to his first ever Olympic de Janeiro for South America’s launched a #YallaQatar public also learned English at Aspire Games with a plethora of ex- first Olympic Games. A global support campaign across its so- Ashraf Elseify during his work-out in a bid to get himself ready for the upcoming Rio Olympics. Academy.” perience under his belt, having TV audience of 4.8 billion will cial media channels to encour- Under the tutelage of coach set history yet again in the 2015 share the raw emotion, intense age the whole nation to get be- talent was quickly recognized. Elseify, who lost his father thing new. He taught me what Malyukov, who coached the IAAF World Championships drama and unrivalled pride as hind Team Qatar’s athletes and “In 2010, the head coach asked at a young age, has a close bond the hammer throw really is and Russian throwing team at the after becoming the first Qatari athletes stretch themselves to celebrate their incredible feats. me to test Ashraf and so I gave to coach Malyukov and it is this about proper technique and 2008 Beijing Olympics, Elseify athlete to qualify for the ham- the absolute limit of their abil- The Olympic Dreams film him a few exercises and after relationship that forms the ba- training.” went from strength to strength; mer throw final. ity and showcase the very best series will profile each team his first attempt I was sure he sis of the hammer thrower’s The young hammer throw- he won gold in the 2012 Asian For Rio 2016, Elseify has of humankind in the true spirit and athlete, and explore the had potential to become an success: “I started training er is one of three Aspire Acad- junior championships in Co- one goal in mind: “Competing of Olympism. highs, lows, motivations and incredible athlete. I had prom- with coach Malyukov in 2010, emy alumni that have qualified lombo, Sri Lanka, set a new in my first Olympic Games is Amongst them will be the dreams of Qatar’s Olympians ised the federation that Ashraf when I first took up the ham- to Rio 2016, with other two world junior record with an in- really important to me. I will biggest team that Qatar has on their journeys to Rio. would throw over 80 metres mer throw. He is not just my being high jumper Mutaz Essa credible 85.57m, and won con- give everything I have in Rio ever sent to an Olympic Games Thanks to the keen eye of but I was wrong,” coach Ma- coach he is like a father to me. Barshim and middle distance secutive world junior titles in and my goal is to make Qatari since their debut in Los Angeles experienced coach Alexey Ma- lyukov said, adding, “he threw I learned so much from him, runner Abubaker Hayder Ab- Barcelona in 2012 and Eugene, people happy. It is an honor for 1984. As many as 34 athletes lyukov, Elseify’s unmistakable over 85 metres.” and every day I learn some- dulla. Elseify credits the world- the USA in 2014. me to represent them.” Lingard’s late strike brings Man U FA Cup cheer

AFP LONDON It was United’s first FA Cup win since 2004, allowing captain JESSE Lingard's extra-time thun- Wayne Rooney and Michael derbolt earned Manchester United Carrick to complete their col- a record-equalling 12th FA Cup as lection of domestic medals, Louis van Gaal's side came from behind to defeat Crystal Palace 2-1 in and took them level with Saturday's final at Wembley. Arsenal, winners in 2014 and In a rematch of the 1990 final, 2015, as the most successful which United won after a replay, un- clubs in the competition’s illus- derdogs Palace took the lead in the trious history. 78th minute when Jason Puncheon slammed home, only for Juan Mata to equalise less than three minutes The Palace substitute made an later. impact. His corner from the left was With the tie heading towards headed away by Fellaini, but Joel penalties, substitute Lingard drilled Ward helped the ball back into the a stunning volley past a motion- box and Puncheon brought it down less Wayne Hennessey in the 110th before blasting a vicious left-foot shot minute to end United's 12-year wait past De Gea at his near post. to lift the FA Cup and give their sup- Pardew celebrated with a touch- porters something to cheer about at line dance, but within three minutes the end of a tumultuous season. Palace's lead had vanished. It was United's first FA Cup win Rolling back the years, Rooney since 2004, allowing captain Wayne did superbly to reach the byline on the Rooney and Michael Carrick to com- right before digging out a cross that plete their collection of domestic was chested down at the back post by medals, and took them level with Ar- Fellaini for Mata to strike a volley that senal, winners in 2014 and 2015, as rattled between Ward's feet and crept the most successful clubs in the com- over the line. petition's illustrious history. United lost Smalling when the But while Van Gaal celebrated his England centre-back received a sec- first trophy in English football, and ond yellow card for hauling Bolasie United's first major honour since Alex back by his ankle as he lay on the turf. Ferguson retired in 2013, it may not The teams exchanged chances be enough to keep him in a job follow- in the second extra period -- De Gea ing the club's failure to qualify for the thwarting substitute Dwight Gayle Champions League. with his feet, Carrick heading wide Instead United, who lost Marcus -- before United academy graduate Rashford and Marcos Rojo to injury Lingard, a 90th-minute replacement and Chris Smalling to an extra-time Manchester United’s Wayne Rooney and Michael Carrick lift the trophy as they celebrate after winning the FA Cup against Crystal Palace at the Wembley Stadium in for Mata, claimed a piece of FA Cup red card, will go into the Europa London on Saturday. (REUTERS) history. League, along with West Ham United, Valencia's drilled cross was after United's Wembley win freed up the south London club in 1990 and play back for a free-kick despite Con- pronounced after half-time as Van header. cleared by Damien Delaney, but the an extra qualifying berth. overseen West Ham's defeat on pen- nor Wickham jumping to his feet Gaal's men succeeded in pinning Injuries then deprived United ball popped up for Lingard, who sent Palace manager Alan Pardew, alties by Liverpool in 2006. and racing into the box after being Palace back, and they hit the wood- of Rojo and Rashford, with Matteo a volley whistling into the top-left meanwhile, met with FA Cup heart- United enjoyed the best of the first dragged to the turf by Smalling, who work twice in the space of eight min- Darmian and Ashley Young coming corner before tearing off his shirt and break for the third time, having been half, but Pardew was infuriated when was booked. utes through Marouane Fellaini's on, while Puncheon came on for Yo- racing towards the United end in glee- on the losing side against United with referee Mark Clattenburg brought United's control was even more drilled effort and Anthony Martial's han Cabaye. ful celebration. Simeon & Simon ready to attack in Italian Grand Prix TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK race, I will try to come back and DOHA Since they were only seven to battle for a top ten position tenths of a second slower again. It’s difficult to overtake XAVIER Simeon and Julian than Sam Lowes on pole on this track, so I will try to Simon are ready to attack position, Simeon and focus on a good start and to be and battle their way towards consistent with my lap times,” the front at the Italian Grand Simon believe in their he added. Prix in Scarperia on Sunday. chances to fight for a top Simon said after getting In a tough and hard-fought result well within the point 20th spot with 1:52,754, “I am Moto2 qualifying session, rankings. happy with my rhythm and I’m the QMMF Racing Team rid- happy with my time. I tried to ers made it to 19th and 20th do a good lap at the beginning places, but even though they time, we went in fact quite fast and I set my time in only the are not satisfied with their and we improved quite a lot third lap. In the end I couldn’t grid positions, both riders are since this morning. We finished improve further, but I have a happy with the set-up of their the day just 0.7 seconds from very good feeling for tomor- Speed Up bikes. pole position, but we are down row. I think it will be possible Since they were only seven in 19th place! The gap is very to make a good race, because tenths of a second slower than small, but of course we can’t be the gap to the top guys is very Sam Lowes on pole position, satisfied with our position on small. Simeon and Simon believe in the grid. “The most important thing their chances to fight for a top “My bike is not bad in will be full concentration for result well within the point terms of agility, but I lose a lot the best possible start and for rankings. of time on the main straight. a string of fast opening laps. Simeon, whose 1:52.743 Even when I have slipstream, I want to thank the team for fetched him 19th place, said, I am not fast enough. Maybe a job well done this weekend. “This category is incredible. I this made the difference for our We are ready to race,” Simon think we didn’t make a bad lap position in qualifying. In the added. Xavier Simeon during the Moto2 qualifying at the Italian Grand Prix in Scarperia on Saturday.