Attiyah Claims Record-Breaking 13Th Victory in Jordan Rally

Bottas claims Pole, Hamilton second ahead of Azerbaijan Grand Prix PAGE 19

SUNDAY, APRIL 28, 2019

Qatari duo Tijan, Younousse in line for bronze at Xiamen Open PAGE 19 ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE MAN UTD VS CHELSEA Attiyah claims record-breaking 13th victory in Jordan Rally

Kuwari and Abu Samra finish second and third respectively; Kuwait’s Thefiri takes crushing MERC 2 win; Lebanon’s Kahy wins MERC 3

TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK DEAD SEA (JORDAN)

NASSER Saleh al Attiyah sur- vived a suspension scare on the first run through the Amar special stage and went on to secure a record-breaking eighth successive and 13th outright victory in the Jordan Rally on Saturday. Seemingly coasting to victory with a massive lead of over five minutes in their Autotek- run Volkswagen Polo GTI R5, Attiyah and French co-driver Matthieu Baumel were forced to limp through two stages with broken suspension and Nasser Saleh al Attiyah in action during the Jordan Rally on Saturday. Nasser Saleh al Attiyah with co-driver Matthieu Baumel on the podium. sufficient repairs were made to enable the duo to reach the fin- and maintained the pressure Thefiri and Qatari navigator RESULTS ish with an eventual winning on their rivals in the title race. Nasser Al-Kuwari were the margin of 4min 08.2sec on this Their consolation was win- class of the MERC 2 field. The 2019 Jordan Rally – positions after SS21: 7. Shadi Sheban (JOR)/Ameer Nassif (JOR) Mitsubishi 1. Nasser Saleh Al-Attiyah (QAT)/Matthieu Baumel Lancer Evo IX 4hrs 37min 07.8sec second round of the 2019 FIA ning day two and collecting defending champion was able (FRA) Volkswagen Pole GTI R5 3hrs 00min 48.5sec Middle East Rally Champion- an additional championship to ease his pace over the clos- 2. Abdulaziz Al-Kuwari (QAT)/Marshall Clarke (GBR) 2019 FIA Middle East Rally Championship – stand- ship (MERC). point. ing kilometres and still man- Škoda Fabia R5 3hrs 04min 56.7sec ings after round 2 (unofficial): The result marked Atti- Al-Kuwari said: “We are aged to cross the finish line in 3. Marouf Abu Samra (JOR)/Malek Hariri (JOR) Ford 1. Nasser Saleh Al-Attiyah (QAT) 77pts Fiesta R5 3hrs 06min 27.6ec 2. Abdulaziz Al-Kuwari (QAT) 61pts yah’s 71st MERC win in the happy to finish second. We fourth overall with a massive 4. Meshari Al-Thefiri (KWT)/Nasser Al-Kuwari (QAT) 3. Meshari Al-Thefiri (KWT) 33pts 212-event history of the re- knew that Nasser was going winning margin of 1hr 04min Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X 3hrs 20min 08.8sec 4. Marouf Abu Samra (JOR) 25pts gional series since its incep- faster every time. We are hap- 25.2sec. 5. Henry Kahy (LEB)/Musa Djiyerian (JOR) Škoda Fabia 5. Hamed bin Eid Al-Thani (QAT) 24pts tion in 1984. Baumel has now py with our pace with different Al-Thefiri said: “We go 3hrs 57min 36.7sec 6. Nasser Khalifa Al-Atya (QAT) 19pts 6. Khaled Juma (JOR)/Emad Juma (JOR) Mitsubishi 7. Khalid Al-Suwaidi (QAT) 16pts won 19 MERC rallies. tyres and a different set-up. It slowly, slowly today to take Lancer Evo X 4hrs 24min 34.0sec Attiyah said: “Today was was difficult to start a proper care of the car. There is no a special day for us. We had rally after such a long time. By point to push more. It is a dif- a few problems but we man- the end of the season, I hope ficult rally. You never know, Ruwahi and Qatar’s Nasser sensor issue that had given Al- aged to fix everything. I am to have our speed again.” at any time, you could have a Khalifa Al-Atya failed to re- Attiyah the late scare on Fri- so happy to win and to lead The Jordanian crew of problem.” turn to action under Rally 2 day evening. The car was actu- the Middle East Champion- Marouf Abu Samra and Malek Lebanon’s Henry Kahy for a further 10 special stages ally running low on fuel after ship after winning in Qatar Hariri were rewarded with a continued the defence of his on leg two that included two a misjudgement by the team. Winners on the podium after the Jordan Rally. and now here in Jordan. The podium finish in their Ford MERC 3 title in impeccable runs through the Suwayma, Nevertheless, the Qatari suspension issue was a worry. Fiesta R5, the Amman driver style with a fine category win Mahes, Rawda, Amar and began his challenge in Su- increasing his advantage over succumbed to his own techni- We had three gravel shocks enjoying his return to the in- and fifth overall with Jorda- Nebo specials. wayma with a lead of 4min third-placed Abu Samra to cal issues before the start of (shock absorbers) and one ternational spotlight as he nian co-driver Musa Djiyerian Ruwahi retired with car 21.2sec over Al-Kuwari. The 1min 15.7sec. the first Rawda special. His tarmac, one and the balance confirmed another top three in his nimble Škoda Fabia. damage after his opening latter’s lead over Abu Samra Asem Aref was the first demise lifted Al-Aufi into fifth was completely different. It finish for the host nation. The other three finishers stage accident on Friday and had grown to 58.5 seconds casualty of the day from the after Feghali lost three min- was not easy to have all the Abu Samra added: “The all came from Rally 2 after re- Al-Atya withdrew on medical after the Jordanian had been international rally; the Re- utes in the test. parts because this was a new podium means a lot for me tiring on Friday. Khaled and grounds with a shoulder issue awarded a 10-second time nault Clio driver lost second At 19km in length, Ma- car.” and the fans in Jordan. I said Emad Juma set some fastest after his steering woes on the penalty by rally stewards. in MERC 3 with technical is- hes was the longest stage of Fellow Qatari Abdulaziz al to a lot of guys before the start MERC 2 times in their Mit- second loop of day one’s stag- Attiyah set the target time sues shortly after the start this year’s rally and Al-Atti- Kuwari and British co-driver that it was a long rally and to subishi during the day and es. Fourteen FIA cars and six of 6min 15.1sec in the opening of the Suwayma stage. Ihab yah crossed the finish line in Marshall Clarke were waiting build their speed step-by-step. finished in sixth place. national machines, therefore, 11.74km stage and beat Al- Al-Shorafa followed his fel- 15min 22.1sec. Another quick- to pounce if Attiyah’s troubles It looks like no one was listen- Jordan’s Shadi Shaban and restarted. Kuwari by 19.2 seconds to ex- low countryman into retire- est time enabled the Qatari to worsened and the Škoda Fa- ing. I enjoyed the rally a lot.” Ammer Nassif finished seventh. Volkswagen technicians tend his lead to 4min 40.4sec. ment after the stage finish and reach the refuelling point with bia R5 crew finished second Kuwait’s Meshari Al- Only Oman’s Abdulla Al- confirmed that it wasn’t a fuel The latter’s consolation was Saudi Arabia’s Said Al-Mouri a lead of 5min 30.3sec.

Al Bayt Stadium sets new turf-laying record Qatar lead GCC Swimming Championship in Kuwait

QNA DOHA

QATAR swimming team claimed the ﬁrst place in age groups competitions at the 2019 GCC Swimming Champi- onship in short course (25 me- tres) held in Kuwait on Friday. Qatar clinched 27 medals including 16 gold medals, 10 silver medals and one bronze medal. The Qatari team included Abdulaziz al Obaidli, Yousef al Khulaiﬁ, Fares al Saidi, Ahmed Samara, Mohammed Mahmoud, Omar Ashraf, Mo- The Al Bayt Stadium, the giant tent structure in the northern city of Al Khor has set a new turf-laying record of six hours, 41 minutes and 43 hamed Fahd, Khaled Fahad, secs. The previous record was held by the Al Wakrah Stadium of nine hours, 15 minutes. The Al Bayt Stadium, a 60,000-capacity arena, will Karim Salah, Tamim Moham- and Walid Dalloul. The Qa- along Ibrahim al Rumaihi as host matches right through to the 2022 FIFA World Cup semi-finals. The stadium design honours Qatar’s past and present, while keeping med, Ali al Naimi, Abdullah tari delegation was headed by manager of the team, coaches one eye on the future of the community. The top tier of seating in the stadium will be removed following the 2022 World Cup and donated Ahmed, Saif Adel, Ibrahim Khalid Abdullah, member of Nasser al Saqiri, Omar Kha- to developing nations that need stadium seating – a lasting reminder of Qatar’s World Cup legacy. Ahmed, Abdulrahman al the board of directors of the dash, Anton Rodionov and Khunji, Abdullah al Khunji Qatar Swimming Association, Shukri al Qafasi. Sports Sunday, April 28, 2019 17

Lee leads News Los Angeles Thiem suprises in brief Open by Woods says it is possible to reach get one shot Nicklaus’ record LOS Angeles: Tiger Woods believes he can still catch Jack AFP Nicklaus and his record of 18 major titles after ending a dec- LOS ANGELES Nadal to reach ade-long drought with a win for the ages at Augusta National. The 43-year-old stunned the sporting world this month by MINJEE Lee, who is seeking completing an epic comeback from spinal fusion surgery to her fifth title on the USLPGA capture his 15th major and his first since the 2008 US Open. Tour, fired a two-under 69 in But his fairytale fifth green jacket has put Woods firmly the second round of the Los back in pursuit of the all-time record of 18 major wins by Angeles Open to take a one- Nicklaus. “I always thought it was possible, if I had everything shot lead over Nanna Koerstz Barcelona final go my way,” Woods said in an interview with streaming service Madsen. GOLFTV. The fourth-ranked Lee, of “It took him an entire career to get to 18, so now that I’ve Australia, had an eagle, two had another extension to my career -- one that I didn’t think I birdies and two bogeys to had a couple of years ago -- if I do things correctly and every- reach seven-under 135 on Fri- thing falls my way, yeah, it’s a possibility.” day at Wilshire Country Club. “I think it’s a second-shot golf course, so obviously it’s Kenya’s Kiptum out of London Marathon pretty generous off the tee,” with biological passport ban said Lee, who is from Perth. “If you have solid iron play PARIS: World half marathon record holder Abraham Kiptum then it’s really going to help has been provisionally suspended by the Athletics Integrity Unit you. I think that’s what I’m (AIU) for an Athlete Biological Passport (ABP) violation, the AIU good at. That’s what is really said on Friday. helping me.” London Marathon organisers said Kenyan Kiptum had left Lee was tied for third last London and will not take part in Sunday’s race. week in Hawaii for her third “The AIU confirms a provisional suspension against Kenyan top-three finish of the season. long-distance runner Abraham Kiptum for an Athlete Biological On Friday, she holed a Passport (ABP) violation under the IAAF (International Associa- wedge from 114 yards out for tion of Athletics Federations) Anti-Doping Rules,” the AIU said eagle on the par-four 14th. in a statement. “Out of all the ones that I The passport uses blood tests to detect the likelihood of have been close to making, I doping rather than testing for specific substances. The AIU think that’s the only one that states provisional suspensions are mandatory under IAAF anti- I actually saw drop into the doping rules. hole,” Lee said. “It was pretty cool to see it happen for the first time.” Olympic champ van Niekerk supports Denmark’s Madsen was Semenya in IAAF battle second after a four-under 67. “If you hit a good drive you JOHANNESBURG: Wayde van Niekerk has backed fellow get rewarded and you don’t Olympic gold medallist Caster Semenya in her battle with the have too far on the green, but IAAF over female eligibility rules, saying on Friday that “it goes if you’re a little bit off-line Austria’s Dominic Thiem returns the ball to Spain’s Rafael Nadal during his ATP Tour Barcelona Open semi-final tennis match victory in Barce- beyond track and field”. then it gets hard,” she said. lona on Saturday. (AFP) The Olympic 400-metre champion told reporters on the Morgan Pressel (66) and sidelines of the South African championships near Johannes- Mexico’s Gaby Lopez (68) REUTERS RESULTS secutive Barcelona Open title. nian goes through to Sunday’s burg that Semenya “is fighting for something” far greater. were tied for third at five un- BARCELONA Twice Barcelona champion final where she will face the “Caster is fighting for something beyond just track and field der. BARCELONA OPEN Nishikori beat Medvedev in the Czech Republic’s Petra Kvi- athletics -- she is fighting for women in sports, in society and I Lee’s Australian compa- DOMINIC Thiem knocked Results from the ATP Barcelona Open on Saturday final of the Brisbane Interna- tova. respect her for that. (x denotes seeding): “I support the hard work and talent she has put into the triot Hannah Green got off to a favourite and 11-times cham- Semi-finals tional in January but the Rus- “I’m really sorry I’m not roaring start by making birdie pion Rafael Nadal out of the Dominic Thiem (AUT x3) bt Rafael Nadal (ESP x1) sian took an early advantage able to compete for the semis sport,” said Van Niekerk, who withdrew from the meet, fearing on three of the first six holes to Barcelona Open with a stun- 6-4, 6-4 by breaking the world number today,” Osaka said. “I unfor- cold, wet conditions could threaten his recovery from a knee get to nine under. ning 6-4 6-4 victory in Satur- Daniil Medvedev (RUS x7) bt Kei Nishikori (JPN x4) seven in the seventh game. tunately got injured yesterday injury. But Green, also from day’s semi-final, avenging his 6-4, 3-6, 7-5 Medvedev comfortably saw and I was waiting till today to “With what she believes in and what she is dreaming of, Perth, went five over in the defeat by the Spaniard in last WTA STUTTGART out the set but was pegged back see if I could get better. I have got a lot of respect for her. I hope and pray that every- final 12 holes to finish with a year’s French Open final. Result from the WTA tournament in Stuttgart on by the Japanese, who won five “But unfortunately, I thing just goes from strength to strength for her.” disappointing two-over 73 and The Austrian will meet Saturday (x denotes seeding): games in a row to take the sec- didn’t. I’m really sorry for eve- Semenya, who has refused to discuss the battle with the Semi-finals is four shots back of the lead. 23-year-old Daniil Medvedev Anett Kontaveit (EST x8) bt Naomi Osaka (JPN x1) - ond set and make an ideal start ryone that came out and I hope world governing body, will learn her fate next week after legally She had a double bogey in Sunday’s final after the Rus- walkover to the decider. to see you next year and I hope challenging proposed changes to International Association of after finding the water on a sian also pulled off a surprise Petra Kvitova (CZE x3) bt Kiki Bertens (NED x6) 7-6 Medvedev, ranked 14th, to play next year.” Athletics Federations (IAAF) female eligibility rules. par-four and also had three by edging out fourth seed Kei (7/3), 3-6, 6-1 soon broke back to level the The two-times Grand Slam bogeys. Nishikori 6-4 3-6 7-5 in a tight BUDAPEST ATP match and as both players con- champion had pulled off an “I just hit a really bad shot match. Results from the ATP tournament in Budapest on sistently held their serve a tie- epic comeback from 1-5 down Bhullar wins GIA’s outstanding achieve- and got into the water,” Green Thiem had lost his last Saturday (x denotes seeding): break looked inevitable. in the final set on Friday when ment as player award said of No. 17. “Couldn’t really two matches against world Semi-finals But Medvedev earned the she beat Croatian Donna Vekic Matteo Berrettini (ITA) bt Laslo Djere (SRB x5) 6-4, get myself out of jail, but defi- number two Nadal, at Roland 6-2 first match point with a down- 6-3 4-6 7-6(4) despite strug- NEW Delhi: Arjuna awardee and star Indian golfer Gaganjeet nitely did not have the putter Garros as well as a thrilling Filip Krajinovic (SRB) bt Pierre-Hugues Herbert (FRA) the-line winner and needed gling on the clay surface, mak- Bhullar won the outstanding achievement as a player award at rolling as much as I would’ve five-setter in the U.S. Open 6-2, 6-2 only one opportunity, clinching 45 unforced errors. the fourth edition of the annual India Golf Industry Association (GIA) awards at the Delhi Golf Club here on Friday. liked. Had a couple three- quarter-finals, but he won WTA ISTANBUL ing an entertaining match that Saturday’s other semi-final putts, so that was pretty disap- their last meeting on Spanish Results from the WTA tournament in Istanbul on lasted two hours and 25 min- went the distance as world The GIA awards were held along with the 8th India Golf & pointing.” soil, beating the Mallorcan in Saturday (x denotes seeding): utes when Nishikori found the number three Kvitova beat Kiki Turf Expo (IGTE), South Asia’s largest golf trade show. last year’s Madrid Open. Semi-finals net with a forehand. Bertens 7-6(3) 3-6 6-1 in an Kapurthala-born Bhullar won the 2018 Fiji International, Marketa Vondrousova (CZE) bat Barbora Strycova a European Tour event, and also holds the rare distinction of The Austrian, ranked fifth (CZE) 6-2, 6-1 Sunday’s final will be Med- engrossing physical battle that in the world, broke Nadal to Petra Martic (CRO x6) bt Margarita Gasparyan (RUS) vedev’s third of 2019 but his clocked two hours. becoming the youngest golfer on the Asian Tour to achieve nine take a 3-2 lead in the opener 6-1 - retired first final on clay. “I’m always playing three- career victories on tour. and held in the next game setters with Kiki so I didn’t “It’s a great feeling to win this award in the midst of impor- thanks to a stunning crosscourt match but Nadal dug deep to Osaka pulls out expect anything easier today,” tant people representing the industry in India. Marquee events, forehand winner before seeing earn three break points only to World number one Naomi Kvitova said after she reached like the Indian Golf & Turf Expo, do a great job of getting golf out the set. lose each one, Thiem levelling Osaka has pulled out of Satur- her fourth final of the year. “I’m professionals and authorities on one platform and is the right He broke Nadal again in the game with an ace after a day’s semi-finals at the Porsche just glad I was able to stay in step towards strengthening the game in India,” said Bhullar the fifth game to lead 3-2 and marginal call from the umpire. Tennis Grand Prix in Stuttgart the rallies and return her serve. after receiving the award. edged towards victory by tak- He sealed his fourth career after failing to recover from an “I really had to be patient Vijay Divecha and Nonita Lal Qureshi were awarded for their ing a 30-15 lead before Nadal victory over Nadal in 12 match- abdominal injury she suffered and I had to wait for a good contribution to golf coaching. While Divecha has coached star pulled himself back into con- es with a softly-struck back- in her quarter-final match. shot to go for the winner. Over- golfers, like Anirban Lahiri, Chikkarangappa and Udayan Mane; tention by winning the next hand which the Spaniard had The top seed’s withdrawal all, I was pretty good on the Qureshi, a fomer Arjuna awardee, is known for her contribution three points. no chance of reaching, ending gives her opponent Anett Kon- legs (to move around the court) in India both as an international player and a coach. Minjee Lee of Australia in action. Thiem was serving for the Nadal’s chances of a fourth con- taveit a walkover and the Esto- today.” Durant nets 50 as Warriors advance to NBA second round

assists, Stephen Curry scored game. The Golden State star also tied the 24 points and Andre Iguodala “Sometimes you come contributed 15 points off the across special people and record of most points in first half bench for the Warriors, who it doesn’t matter what you won three road playoff games send to them,” Williams said. AFP Durant was at a loss to in the same series for first time “There’s no scheme. There’s LOS ANGELES explain his masterful perfor- in franchise history. nothing you can do. mance on Friday. The Warriors put the “We tried everything. It KEVIN Durant scored a play- “I am just out there playing. brakes on Clipper reserves Lou didn’t work. off career high 50 points as I was so lost in the game I am Williams and Montrezl Harrell, “Even the game he came the Golden State Warriors not really thinking about any- who had done so much damage out, he was like ‘I’m Kevin blasted their way into the sec- thing else but winning the pos- against them in the two Clip- Durant, you all know who I ond round of the NBA playoffs session. It is tough to explain. I pers victories. The pair came in am’. That’s a bold statement to by clobbering the Los Angeles am just in it,” he said. leading Los Angeles in scoring make when you are going to see Clippers 129-110 on Friday. The Warriors advance to during the series at 24.4 and 20 some guys who are extremely Durant made history by face the Houston Rockets, be- points, respectively. competitive. equalling the most points ginning on Sunday in Oakland. Williams scored eight “It wasn’t a lack of effort on scored in the first half of a Houston was already in Oak- points on a horrific three-for-21 our part. He’s an all-world pro- playoff game with 38 of his 50 land waiting for the Warriors shooting, and Harrell was lim- fessional and he proved it.” coming in the opening half. He to finish the series so they can ited to just 10 points. Danilo Gallinari had 29 tied former Phoenix Sun star start the second round on Sun- Special player points, Shai Gilgeous-Alex- Charles Barkley who scored 38 day. “He’s Kevin Durant. We ander scored 22 and Beverley of his 56 points in the first half Durant said the Rockets are didn’t roll over. We didn’t just finished with 11 points, 14 re- of a series clinching win over going to be a whole new chal- say, come on, just give us 50 bounds and seven assists in the Golden State 25 years ago. lenge. “They are a talented ball tonight,” said Clippers Patrick loss. “That was one of the great club with a lot of high IQ play- Beverley. “He’s a hell of a play- performances I’ve ever seen in ers that shoot well and pen- er. The shots he took, he made RESULT Result from the first round of the NBA playoffs on Friday my life,” Warriors coach Steve etrate well so we got our work some tough shots.” (all series best-of-seven): Kerr said. “He’s the ultimate cut out for us.” Williams described Durant Western Conference Golden State Warriors forward Kevin Durant (left) shoots past Los Angeles Clippers guard Patrick Beverley weapon because there’s no de- Draymond Green had 16 as “a special” player who is un- Golden State 129 Los Angeles 110 during the NBA Western Conference Playoffs basketball game six at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, fense for Kevin.” points, 14 rebounds and 10 guardable when he is on his (Golden State wins series 4-2) California on Friday. (EPA-EFE) 18 Sunday, April 28, 2019 Sports

ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE Zidane wants attacking strength amid Hazard and Spurs’ top-four hopes hit; Neymar rumours AFP MADRID

ZINEDINE Zidane said Satur- day that he hopes Real Madrid Saints safe, Cardiff beaten will bolster their attack this summer, doing little to deflate Southampton secured speculation surrounding moves Antonio scored themselves Premier League for Neymar and Eden Hazard. football for another sea- “I have a clear idea what I the only goal on son after they drew 3-3 with want to do,” Zidane told report- Bournemouth. ers. “The profiles and every- 67 minutes to Shane Long, James Ward- thing. I do not have every name, leave Tottenham Prowse and Matt Targett but I have clear idea what I want scored the goals to earn a to achieve next year and we are just three points point for Southampton. working on it. That proved to be enough “Our intention is to have ahead of Chelsea for safety after Cardiff were more strength in attack.” beaten 1-0 at relegated Ful- Since returning to man- DPA ham, Ryan Babel scoring the age Real in March, Zidane has LONDON winner from 25 yards for a voiced his admiration for stars third straight victory under such as Chelsea’s Eden Hazard TOTTENHAM Hotspur still Scott Parker. and Paul Pogba at Manchester have work to do to secure a “The last three games United. This week another star top-four spot in the Premier has been a massive improve- linked to Real, Neymar, gave an League after they suffered a ment,” Babel said. interview in his native Brazil in surprise 1-0 defeat at home to “Where has it come from? which the Paris Saint-Germain West Ham on Saturday. Good question.” star said he dreamed of playing Michail Antonio scored Cardiff hit the bar in in- with Hazard. the only goal on 67 minutes to jury time through Junior Zidane was asked if playing leave Spurs still third but just Hoilett but the result leaves for Real was a dream come true. three points ahead of Chelsea them still three points behind “Yes, for many players,” he and four ahead of Arsenal, Brighton & Hove Albion with replied. “They know that this both of whom play on Sunday. two games to go. Brighton club is important and many Cardiff City’s survival play Newcastle later Satur- want to play here one day. It’s hopes took a big knock as they day. natural.” lost 1-0 at already-relegated “We had our chances,” The theme continued when Fulham, while Southampton Cardiff goalkeeper Neil Ether- Zidane was asked if Hazard and are safe after a 3-3 draw with idge said. “It is a tough one to Gareth Bale would be compat- Bournemouth. take. Both teams were tenta- ible. Manchester City can go tive and we came out on the “All good players are com- back above Liverpool at the West Ham’s Michail Antonio (right) celebrates with his teammate Robert Snodgrass after scoring against Tottenham Hotspur during an English wrong end of it. patible,” he said, going on top if they win at Burnley on Premier League match at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London on Saturday. (EPA-EFE) “We felt we had to get to refer to Youri Djorkaeff, a Sunday. something from game, we team-mate when France won Victory for Spurs would ham’s new stadium. tunity in the second, he took had a very good feeling, fan- “We came here and put our- haven’t. It was never in our the 1998 World Cup and Euro have all but sealed their place “It is a fight, it is a race, it with aplomb. tastic season and we’re arriv- selves in history and it is only hands. Hopefully Newcastle 2000. “They said I was not in the top four but West Ham with two games to play,” Tot- Antonio and Issa Diop ing in a good way,” Pochettino right West Ham did it. They do us a favour and we are in it compatible with Djorkaeff. made them pay for missed tenham manager Mauricio both went close to a second for said. are a big rival for us, it goes at the end.” What nonsense.” opportunities, with Antonio Pochettino said. “We knew West Ham while the closest “Today (was) the opposite way back, so to be the first Diogo Joto scored the As for Bale, who is expected producing a moment of real that before.” Tottenham came was when way. First half we deserved it, team to win here is great and winner as Wolves pinched a to leave in the summer, “at the skill before rifling the ball The visitors could also substitute Vincent Janssen second half they deserve it.” the fans love it.” 2-1 victory at Watford, while end of the season you will see home. have taken the lead them- saw a header cleared off the Antonio said West Ham de- “We have two games left. Crystal Palace drew 0-0 with what we are going to do. I’m The goal made West Ham selves in the first half but line by Fabian Balbuena. served their win. Hopefully we will finish the Everton in the day’s other sure he’ll keep playing until the the first side to win in Totten- when Antonio got his oppor- “After Brighton everyone “It is beautiful,” he said. season strong.” match. end of the season”. Dortmund coach Favre gives up on Roma breeze past Cagliari to go fourth in Serie A REUTERS ly in their league fixtures over store’s shot striking the cross- ROME the next two days. bar before an Edin Dzeko effort title after derby defeat to Schalke Cagliari launched an ex- deflected off Cagliari captain AS Roma edged ahead in Serie traordinary recovery when Luca Ceppitelli and came back AFP Dortmund on the hour mark A’s tight race for Champions these two teams met in August off the post. BERLIN when captain Marco Reus was League qualification as a 3-0 last year, coming back from two Roma eventually got their sent off for a studs-up challenge home win over Cagliari on Sat- goals down to draw 2-2 in the third when goalkeeper Ales- BORUSSIA Dortmund coach on Suat Serdar and Caligiuri urday sent Claudio Ranieri’s final six minutes despite having sio Cragno smothered an effort Lucien Favre said he had given curled the resulting free-kick side into fourth place. two players sent off. from substitute Diego Perotti up hope of winning the Bun- into the top corner. Federico Fazio and Javier However, they showed no into the path of Kolarov, who desliga title after a red card for Marius Wolf then became Pastore scored inside the open- signs of offering such a chal- made no mistake from close Marco Reus and a Daniel Ca- the second Dortmund player ing eight minutes before Alek- lenge this time around as Fazio range. ligiuri double saw Dortmund sent off, once again for a reck- sandar Kolarov added a third rose unmarked to head in after Elsewhere, Empoli’s chanc- lose 4-2 to Schalke in the Ruhr less challenge on Serdar. late on as the visitors offered just five minutes. Pastore, mak- es of avoiding relegation took derby. Axel Witsel pulled one back little resistance. ing his first league start since a hit in the early kick off when Reus was the first of two for Dortmund with five minutes The victory means Roma September, doubled Roma’s they surrendered the lead to Dortmund players sent off in remaining, but their hopes were now have 58 points, two ahead advantage three minutes later lose 3-1 away to Bologna. The five second-half minutes as crushed a moment later when of AC Milan and Atalanta on 56. with a curling finish from the Tuscan side are four points Schalke came from behind to Breel Embolo fired in Schalke’s However, both those sides edge of the box. adrift of the safety zone in 18th hand Bayern Munich a golden fourth. can restore a one-point lead The home team continued place with four games remain- opportunity to win their sev- Elsewhere, RB Leipzig over the capital club by beating to threaten and were twice de- ing. enth straight league title. secured Champions League Torino and Udinese respective- nied by the woodwork, with Pa- League leaders Bayern can qualification with a 2-1 win over now pull four points clear at the Freiburg, while fourth-place top with three games to go with Eintracht Frankfurt were held a win at relegation-threatened to a 0-0 draw by Hertha Berlin. Nuremberg on Sunday. Schalke’s Salif Sane reacts after scoring against Borussia Dortmund dur- Freiburg’s Vicenzo Grifo be- Quick read Asked on Sky Germany ing their German Bundesliga match in Dortmund on Saturday. (EPA-EFE) came the first opposing player whether the title race was over, to score in Leipzig since Febru- Klopp hopeful on Firmino fitness for Barcelona clash Dortmund coach Favre said: penalty after a handball deci- to do, cut their arms off?” ary, cheekily converting a free- “yes, of course”. sion against Julian Weigl. “The people who invented kick before goalkeeper Peter LIVERPOOL manager Juergen Klopp sounded hopeful that his striker Roberto Firmino, who missed Friday’s Dortmund took the lead Favre railed against the de- these rules, I don’t know how Gulacsi was ready. 5-0 Premier League win over Huddersfield Town, will be fit to face Barcelona on Wednesday. The Merseysid- in style on 14 minutes, Jadon cision, saying that new regula- they look at themselves in the Yet goals from Timo Werner ers, who have moved back to the top of the English league table, take on the Spanish giants in the first leg Sancho setting up Mario Goetze tions on handball were “the big- mirror.” and Emil Forsberg gave Leipzig of their Champions League semi-final at the Nou Camp and the loss of Firmino would be a significant one. with a splendid chip over Schal- gest scandal in football”. Two minutes later the visi- a sixth straight win. The 27-year-old Brazilian was replaced by Daniel Sturridge in the Liverpool lineup on Friday after picking up a ke’s back line. “Football is making itself a tors sent the Signal-Iduna-Park Werder Bremen’s hopes of muscle injury in training on Thursday. However Schalke drew level laughing stock,” said the usually into shock as Salif Sane rose at a qualifying for Europe suffered a “Bobby trained yesterday completely normally. It was not high-intensity we just had to work on set-pieces just two minutes later, Daniel reserved Swiss. corner to put Schalke ahead. blow as they lost 4-1 at Fortuna a little bit and here and there a couple of things. It happened in the last situation of training and he felt a Caligiuri converting a contested “What do they want players Double disaster struck for Duesseldorf. muscle a little bit. Now the official diagnosis is he has a small tear in a small muscle,” said Klopp.(REUTERS) Pogba, Hazard futures cast cloud over Champions League chase for Man Utd, Chelsea AFP top six opposition to do so. not from City or title challeng- sibility of a move. they can get a FIFA transfer ban MANCHESTER, UNITED KINGDOM However, whether Pogba ers Liverpool to make the PFA Meanwhile, plenty of play- either overturned or suspended. and Hazard will be around next team of the year this week, but ers in United’s bloated squad Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri MANCHESTER United and season no matter their clubs’ for such a precocious talent and cannot be moved on due to their has repeatedly called for more Chelsea’s chances of a top four fate in the next three games is a world cup winner much more lavish wages. from Hazard, but his 19 goals Premier League finish will de- very much in doubt. is demanded. Many in Manchester, and 13 assists are what have pend largely on Paul Pogba or The two could be team- His last goal from open play though, would not be heartbro- kept a side short on creativity Eden Hazard inspiring their fal- mates next season with specula- came the last time United and ken to lose Pogba should United still in the running for Cham- tering sides over the finish line. tion linking both with a move to Chelsea met in the FA Cup back recoup the then world record pions League football next sea- French midfielder Pogba Real Madrid. Both have voiced in February. After exploding £89 million they paid Juventus son, either via the top four or and Belgian captain Hazard their appreciation for Real boss into life early in Solskjaer’s care- for him in 2016. winning the Europa League. will line up on opposite sides on Zinedine Zidane and publicly taker reign, Pogba has returned By contrast, losing Hazard In the prime of their ca- Sunday as United try to arrest flirted with the idea of a move to to the peripheral force he was could be ruinous for Chelsea reers, Pogba and Hazard believe a run of seven defeats in nine the Spanish giants. A combo photo shows Chelsea’s Belgian midfielder Eden Hazard and for much of Jose Mourinho’s and unfortunately for the Lon- the Champions League stage is games. Eleven years on from con- Manchester United’s French midfielder Paul Pogba (right). Both team’s time in charge at Old Trafford. doners, of the two, he looks where they belong. Fourth-place Chelsea, three testing the Champions League chances of a top four EPL finish will depend largely on Paul Pogba or However, it is emblem- more likely to move to Madrid. But the current states of points ahead of United in sixth, final, the prospect of losing their Eden Hazard inspiring their faltering sides over the finish line.(AFP) atic of the huge challenge that Hazard has just one year United and Chelsea mean that can realistically end the Red landmark talent is a sign of the lies ahead of Solskjaer that the left on his contract meaning while moving to Madrid offers Devils’ chances of Champions times for both clubs. ers. five seasons and that’s not good players he is keen to keep hold Chelsea risk losing him for free a guarantee of top-level Euro- League football next season but Defeat to Manchester City “That’s the reality that we enough,” said United boss Ole of such as Pogba and David de if they do not let him leave this pean football, sticking around must end their own run of seven in midweek saw United fall 25 are in. We are now round about Gunnar Solskjaer on Friday. Gea are running down their summer and will be unable to in Manchester of west London straight away league defeats to points behind the league lead- where we have been the last Pogba was the only player contracts, opening up the pos- recruit a replacement unless does not. Sports Sunday, April 28, 2019 19 Younousse, Tijan Bottas on Azerbaijan in line for another Grand Prix pole AFP BAKU

VALTTERI Bottas took pole position ahead of teammate Lewis Hamilton as Mercedes bronze medal secured a front row lockout for Sunday’s Azerbaijan Grand Prix. In treacherous cooling conditions on the The Qatari pair demanding Baku street circuit, the Finn pro- duced an outright record lap in one minute lose Xiamen and 40.495 seconds to outpace the champi- Open semis to onship leader and defending world champion by 0.059 seconds. sixth seeds It was Bottas’s first pole in Baku and the eighth of his career. For Mercedes, it was a fourth consecutive one-two in qualifying. Sebastian Vettel was third for Ferrari TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK while his team-mate Charles Leclerc, who Finnish Formula One driver Valtteri Bottas (left) DOHA had been fastest in practice, crashed out of Mercedes AMG GP celebrates as he took when he rammed into a wall, during the Q2 pole position together with his teammate Brit- QATAR’S Cherif Younousse part of a prolonged and incident-hit qualify- ish driver Lewis Hamilton after the qualifying and Ahmed Tijan will be look- ing session. of the Formula One Grand Prix of Azerbaijan in ing to add another FIVB Beach The session lasted almost two hours over- Baku on Saturday. (AFP) Volleyball World Tour bronze all after big accidents for both Leclerc and in medal to a pair they have al- Q1 for Robert Kubica of Williams. was wrecked after running over a loose drain ready bagged as they clash “I am really happy with that,” said Bot- cover at high speed in opening practice, with Italian giant-killers En- tas. “It was a nice lap and Ferrari has been which was abandoned and cancelled. rico Rossi and Adrian Caram- really strong. Obviously Charles was out by Bottas was the first pace-setter in Q1 be- bula in the Four-Star Xiamen a mistake and as a team we feel really good fore Vettel responded. Bottas then reclaimed Open third-place playoff on to be where we are now. It’s all about small top spot before Leclerc, in 1:41.426, blew his Sunday. margins.” rivals away. At this early stage, Hamilton was Max Verstappen was fourth for Red Bull 12th before bouncing back to third. The seventh seeds first ahead of Sergio Perez of Racing Point, Daniil The Baku straight is the longest on the Kvyat of Toro Rosso and British rookie Lan- calendar and rewards power at a circuit disposed of sixth seeds do Norris of McLaren. where 75 per cent of the lap is run at full Polish Piotr Kantor and Antonio Giovinazzi was eighth ahead of throttle. Bartosz Losiak 21-17, Alfa Romeo teammate Kimi Raikkonen with Almost immediately after the chequered 24-22 in 43 minutes. They Leclerc taking 10th despite not running in flag, Kubica lost control of his Williams af- followed it up with a big the session. ter clipping a wall at Turn 8, the castle inside comeback victory over “I am stupid, I am stupid,” said Leclerc af- corner, and spearing across track into the third seeds Aleksandrs ter his smash into the same wall that claimed barriers. Kubica’s Williams earlier in the session. It was a heavy impact, but he was unhurt Samoilovs and Janis Qatar’s Cherif Younousse tries to block Spain’s Pablo Herrera Allepuz during their Xiamen Open semi-finals Kubica’s accident was further bad news and apologised to the team. Smedins from Latvia (3) in Xiamen, China on Saturday. for the luckless Williams team. This accident resulted in a 15-minutes 17-21, 21-18, 15-12. On Friday their British rookie driver delay, which meant drivers faced running to strong winds and lost the RESULTS George Russell escaped unhurt when his car into a falling sun and colder temperatures. Earlier at the Guanyinshan match and the opportunity Beach, Younousse and Tijan, with 17-21, 17-21 defeat. ROUND 2 Anders Mol / Christian Sorum Norway (1) 18-21, who won the third place in It was really a topsy-turvy Match 41: Anders Mol / Christian Sorum Norway (1) 21-18, 17-15 (0:48) def. Sam Pedlow / Sam Schachter Canada (19) 29-27, Match 50: Cherif Samba / Ahmed Tijan Qatar (7) def. the Katara Open in Doha and day for the major seeds. After 21-19 (0:45) Aleksandrs Samoilovs / Janis Smedins Latvia (3) the Vienna Major last season the third eliminator, top three Match 42: Pablo Herrera / Adrian Gavira Spain (5) def. 17-21, 21-18, 15-12 (0:47) after forming the team, were seeds had been forced out of Taylor Crabb / Jake Gibb United States (10) 21-19, Match 51: Oleg Stoyanovskiy / Viacheslav Krasilnikov 14-21, 15-10 (0:40) Russia (4) def. Alexander Brouwer / Robert Meeuwsen Rajasthan cruise past SRH on the way to their first final the tournament. Match 43: Cherif Samba / Ahmed Tijan Qatar (7) def. Netherlands (9) 21-13, 21-15 (0:30) after winning two matches in Rossi and Carambula are Piotr Kantor / Bartosz Losiak Poland (6) 21-17, 24-22 Match 52: Enrico Rossi / Adrian Carambula Italy (27) the day. also in good form, having ac- (0:43) def. Michal Bryl / Grzegorz Fijalek Poland (2) 19-21, IANS fectively while Steven Smith could rise to the occasion as The seventh seeds first dis- counted for 16th seeds from Match 44: Aleksandrs Samoilovs / Janis Smedins 21-19, 15-7 (0:49) JAIPUR also chipped in with 22 runs Rajasthan bowlers jolted visi- posed of sixth seeds Polish Pi- Germany Julius Thole and Latvia (3) def. Clemens Doppler / Alexander Horst to help their side cross the line tors at regular intervals after Austria (17) 21-18, 21-15 (0:36) SEMI-FINALS otr Kantor and Bartosz Losiak Clemens Wickler in three ab- Match 45: Oleg Stoyanovskiy / Viacheslav Krasilnikov Match 53: Pablo Herrera / Adrian Gavira Spain (5) def. A good bowling effort followed with five balls to spare. For the duo’s departure. 21-17, 24-22 in 43 minutes. sorbing sets in the pre-quar- Russia (4) def. Alison Cerutti / Alvaro Filho Brazil (23, Cherif Samba / Ahmed Tijan Qatar (7) 21-17, 21-17 by some valuable top-order Hyderabad, Shakib Al Hasan, Jaydev Unadkat, Shreyas They followed it up with a big ter-finals. Then they shocked Q2) 21-15, 21-18 (0:37) (0:35) contribution with the bat Rashid Khan and Khaleel Gopal, Varun Aaron and Os- comeback victory over third second seeds Michal Bryl and Match 46: Alexander Brouwer / Robert Meeuwsen Match 54: Oleg Stoyanovskiy / Viacheslav Krasilnikov helped Rajasthan Royals seal Ahmed picked a wicket each. hane Thomas picked two wick- Netherlands (9) def. Andre Loyola / George Wanderley Russia (4) def. Enrico Rossi / Adrian Carambula Italy seeds Aleksandrs Samoilovs Grzegorz Fijalek of Poland 19- Brazil (22, Q1) 21-15, 21-11 (0:31) (27) 21-14, 21-19 (0:33) a comfortable seven-wicket Earlier, some disciplined ets each for the home side. and Janis Smedins from Lat- 21, 21-19, 15-7 before reaching Match 47: Enrico Rossi / Adrian Carambula Italy (27) win over Sunrisers Hyderabad bowling by Rajasthan had via (3) 17-21, 21-18, 15-12. the semi-finals. def. Julius Thole / Clemens Wickler Germany (16) Sunday’s fixtures in an Indian Premier League helped them restrict Hy- BRIEF SCORES: 21-16, 20-22, 15-12 (0:54) Bronze Medal Rajasthan Royals (161/3 in 19.1 overs - Then pitted for a spot in Just like the Qatari team, Match 48: Michal Bryl / Grzegorz Fijalek Poland (2) def. Match 55: Cherif Samba / Ahmed Tijan Qatar (7) vs. (IPL) tie at the Sawai Mansin- derabad at 160/8. the final against fifth-seeded the Italians fumbled against Peng Gao / Yang Li China (8) 21-12, 15-21, 15-12 Enrico Rossi / Adrian Carambula Italy (27) gh Stadium, here on Saturday. Despite a valiant 75-run Sanju Samson 48 not out; Liam Livingstone Spaniards Pablo Herrera Russians Oleg Stoyanovskiy (0:44) Ajinkya Rahane (39), stand between opener David 44; Shakib Al Hasan 1/26) beat Sunrisers and Adrian Gavira, the 2016 and Viacheslav Krasilnikov, Gold Medal Liam Livingstone (44 off 26) Warner (37 off 32) and Man- Hyderabad (160/8 in 20 overs - Manish ROUND 3 Match 56: Pablo Herrera / Adrian Gavira Spain (5) vs. Pandey 61; David Warner 36; Jaydev Unadkat champions, the Qatari duo the fourth seeds, and were Match 49: Pablo Herrera / Adrian Gavira Spain (5) def. Oleg Stoyanovskiy / Viacheslav Krasilnikov Russia (4) and Sanju Samson (48 un- ish Pandey (61 off 36), no made some costly errors due beaten 14-21, 19-21. beaten off 32) contributed ef- other Hyderabad batsman 2/26) by 7 wickets. Saeed Abusharib, Hajar Mohamed Skeet winners after thrilling finals

and sixth, respectively. Hajar Mohamed had 99 during the qualifying rounds, which were topped by Reem al Sharshani and Sarah Mo- hamed, who shot 113 each. But the latter had the strange final as she was the first one to bow out, after getting 11 in the first 30 shots. Later in the finals, Mo- hamed shot brilliantly and got the better Sharshani 46-45 to land the gold medal. Hanan Haji secured the bronze medal, hitting 38. Amal al Rafea was fourth with 27 and she was followed by Lulwa Hamad Amir shooting and archery women’s Skeet winner Hajar Mohamed al Mulla (18). Caption (centre) with silver medallist Reem al Sharshani (left) and bronze The Skeet competitions medallist Hanan Haji with QSAA official in Losail on Saturday. were held for junior men and women. Fahad al Anzi fired 99 TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK third highest qualifier in which to win the gold medal, while DOHA Abusharib had suffered a nar- Hamad Ghanim al Saad was row 2-3 defeat. But he more second with 67. The junior SAEED Abusharib and Hajar than made up for it in the women’s crown was bagged Mohamed put up a splendid medal round and bagged the by Ghalia al Malki, who hit display in the Skeet finals and title. 89. Fatma al Sherawi won the won the gold medals at the Former Asia champion silver medal, beating Amna al Amir Shooting and Archery and double Olympian Rashid Sherawi 74-71 in a tight battle. Championship at the Losail Hamad Saleh, who emulated The men’s 10m running Ranges on Saturday. his recently-ended Al Ain target was won by Mohammed It was a closing day today World Cup qualifying perfor- Abu Taima. He beat Moham- and Abusharib, the fourth best mance and shot 124, managed med Subhi in the final and the qualifier, found some superb a bronze medal with 43 hits. bronze medal went to Salman. hand-and-eye coordination to Masoud Saleh Hamad, the The women’s gold medal was (Top) Men’s Skeet gold medallist Saeed Abusharib (centre), silver medallist Sheikh Mohammed Salman al Thani (left) and bronze medallist edge Sheikh Mohammed Sal- second best qualifier with 120, claimed by Amal Mohammed Rashid Hamad Saleh with QSAA officials at the Losail Ranges on Saturday. (Above) Podium winners of other events with TournamentDirector man al Thani 55-54 in a thrill- was fourth, hitting 35 targets, who shot a new national re- Ibrahim al Mohannadi after the prize distribution on Saturday. ing end to emerge the winner. while Rashid Mohamed al cord of 374. Both were earlier involved Hajri (24) and Khalid Rashid Tournament Director delighted with the high level duced. “We’re pleased with the hope our shooters are ready Korea and try to secure Olym- in a shootoff to decide the al Muhannadi (14) were fifth Ibrahim al Mohannadi was this year’s championship pro- quality of the championship. I and soon they will go to South pic quota berths for Qatar.”