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Thursday, April 25, 2019 CRICKET Sha’baan 20, 1440 AH Gayle named in GULF TIMES West Indies squad for World Cup SPORT Page 7

ASIAN ATHLETICS SPOTLIGHT Samba sets out goals for the El-Seify’s silver season – and the world record boosts Qatar on is one of them fi nal day of action Musaab Ali wins 1500m bronze while the men’s 4x400m relay quartet also finish on the podium after India were disqualified for jostling and obstruction

By Mikhil Bhat the gold ahead of 2017 winner and com- Doha patriot Yang Chen (61.87) in the women’s discus throw. Thailand’s Subenrat In- s he begins to set out on as 2018. We didn’t want to saeng (58.20) won bronze. his 2019 season, Ab- change too much since 2018 eam Qatar concluded the 23rd Eight years after winning his fi rst Asian derrahman Samba, was so great. But we will make edition of the Asian Athletics medal, a silver, Syria’s Majdeddin Ghazal Athe world’s top-ranked some very small changes. Not Championship with a silver and fi nally stepped on to the top podium yes- 400m hurdler, says he’ll follow a big things. Because the season is two bronze medals on the fi nal terday, with a 2.31m eff ort in men’s high very simple plan. So simple, it’s very long.” dayT yesterday, with the men’s 4x400m jump with Qatari World Champion Mutaz almost a copy/paste of the 2018 He said it’s too early to con- relay team, Ashraf El-Seify and Musaab Barshim in the audience. campaign that propelled him fi rm how many races he’ll con- Ali making it to the podium. Defending champion Chitra P won In- into the international spotlight. test this year, but thinks the Overall, Qatar won two gold medals, dia’s third and last gold of the champion- “I began last season with 47.9 numbers will be similar to last something they had missed out on doing ships, when she retained her 1500m title, and I fi nished the season with season: about 10 in his specialty, last time in 2017, besides a silver and three beating Jakarta runner up Gashaw Tigest 46.9,” he said, speaking with re- some relays legs for the Qatari bronze. (4:14.81) for the gold. porters soon after his sizzling national team, and a handful of In front of a noisy crowd at the state- In the fi rst fi nals of the day, Japan’s 47.51 performance at the Asian fl at 400m. of-the-art Khalifa International Stadium, Ayako Kimura won her second women’s Athletics Championships in Most immediately, he’ll be the former World U20 champion El-Seify 100m hurdles crown when the 30-year- Doha on Monday (22). “This year back in action in the 4x400m had led his event with a 73.27m eff ort be- old ran a 13.13 seconds for Japan’s second I started with a 47.5, so I want to relay here today (24), and then fore Tajikistan’s Dilshad Nazarov came up gold at the Championships. fi nish with 46.5.” again at the IAAF World Relays with a 73.28 on his fourth attempt. Two-time Asian Games champion, He even elaborated further. “I Yokohama 2019. Nazarov, who had lost to El-Seify in the China’s Xie Wenjun was in his elements think maybe more than one sec- No matter the number, or the 2018 Asian Games, then stamped his au- with a clean run, even as many around ond.” towering goals he’s set for him- thority with a 76.14m on his fi fth to even- him clipped hurdle too many in the 110m One second last year, another self, Samba says he doesn’t allow tually win his fi fth Asian gold. hurdles fi nal yesterday. second this year. That seems a himself to get weighed down by “It took me some time to fi nd my The 2015 Asian Championships winner logical approach for an athlete pressure. rhythm because it was cold today but beat compatriot Liu Xiang’s champion- who is still very new to his event “All of the Diamond Leagues, in general it happens with the ham- ship record from 2011 by one hundredth and, for all intents and purposes, all the races I compete in, I com- mer throwers to slowly fi nd a big throw,” of a second in a time of 13.21 seconds. only embarking on his second pete because I enjoy competing. El-Seify said after the event. “I want to Yaqoub al-Youha won the third medal full year as a professional ath- I don’t have any pressure.” throw 80m this season, that is my aim. If I for Kuwait with a national record 13.35 lete. The only diff erence is that That attitude is a contribut- make it here in Doha at the World Cham- seconds, edging out Kuei-Ru Chen (13.39) his plan would land him well un- ing factor to why, at the age of pionships, I could be placed in a high po- of Taipei. der Kevin Young’s 46.78 world just 24, he’s already become an sition.” Bahrain’s Salwa Naser chased down record set at the 1992 Olympic inspiration to some of his con- Earlier in the evening, the men’s India’s V. Velluvakoroth, who had held a Games in Barcelona, more than temporaries. 4x400m relay quartet of Ashraf Hus- healthy gap on the back straight, in the three years before Samba was In Monday’s Asian Champi- sein Osman, Abubaker Haydar Abdalla, fi nal lap of the women’s 4x400m relay born. onships fi nal, he dragged four Bassem Hemeida and Abderrahman for her fourth gold of the championships. “Yes,” the Qatari superstar of the next fi ve fi nishers to life- Samba took bronze, with Japan taking the India had to settle for silver in a time of confi rmed, “the world record is time bests, Chen Chieh of Chi- gold. 3:32.21, one tenth of a second behind one of my goals this year.” nese Taipei, the silver medallist, India had crossed the line second ahead Bahrain. Those are lofty aspirations by among them. of China and Qatar, but were later dis- Earlier in the day, Naser beat the a man who is already the second “It’s an honour to race against qualifi ed for jostling and obstruction, and 17-year-old championship record in fastest hurdler of all time. He him here,” said Chen, who both China and Qatar were upgraded in 200m by one tenth of a second in a time lowered the Asian record all the clocked 48.92, his fi rst foray into their positions. of 22.74 seconds. Naser had won gold in way to 46.98 last season and ex- sub-49 second territory. “My Qatar’s fi rst medal of the day was cour- her specialized 400m event on the fi rst tended his unbeaten streak to 11 goal this season is fi nish close to tesy Musaab Ali, who won the bronze in Ashraf El-Seify of Qatar in action on way to a silver medal in the hammer throw on day, and then was part of the winning with his victory here on Monday. Samba.” the men’s 1500m after a photo was pulled the final day of the Asian Athletics Championships. PICTURE: Noushad Thekkayil 4x400m mixed team on Tuesday. It was the sixth fastest perform- As he listened to Samba de- out for the decision between him and Kazakhstan’s Olga Safronova too won ance of his career, but no one clare that he’s out to improve a India’s Ajay Kumar Saroj. Eventually, a know I can run fast starting from the Dia- Zhenye of China raced to a gold win- her third medal of the competition, hav- else has ever run so fast this early full second over the course of the last-ditch eff ort by Saroj earned him the mond League here in Doha. My goal for ning time of 20.33 seconds, ahead of Yuki ing won the 100m and then a silver in the in the season. season, a wide smile turned into silver with both the runners fi nishing in the season is to be ready for the World Koike (20.55) of Japan. Bahrain’s Yaqoob 4x100m, fi nishing second behind Naser. “I’m happy about that – It’s a laugh. Why did he laugh? season’s best 3:43.18. Bahrain’s Abraham Championships.” Salem (20.84) picked up a bronze beating India’s Dutee Chand out-leaned Bah- fast, but I’m thinking about “Because I believe he can do Rotich took the gold in 3:42.85. In a heartbreaking turn of events, Femi Lebanon’s Noureddine Hadid by a whisk- rain’s Edidionh Odiong for a bronze with something much faster than it,” Chen said. “Yesterday in the heat, I went in front Ogunode’s 200m race came to an agonis- er at the fi nish line. both running 23.24. this. But yes, it’s a great start.” If Samba sticks to his timeline, from the beginning but in the end I hardly ing end courtesy what looked like a ham- This was China’s last and ninth gold Bahrain’s Birhanu Balew and compa- He arrived in solid early sea- that could come soon after his qualifi ed. So today we decided to play the string niggle 70-odd metres out from the of the championships, which put them triot Albert Rop locked the top two spots son form. He sped to a 44.60 return to this same track on 27 waiting game and push hard in the end. fi nish line. The Asian record holder had on top of points table with a total of 294 in the men’s 5000m respectively, with career best in the 400m fl at in September as a poster boy for the The gold was within my grasp but I didn’t complained of a left hamstring problem points. Hiroki Matsueda of Japan taking bronze. Pretoria on 9 April, a perform- IAAF World Athletics Champi- make it,” Ali said after the run. on Tuesday after the semi-fi nal run. On the fi eld, a championship record ef- Qatar’s Yaser Bagharab ran a personal ance he characterised as a very onships 2019, when the opening He added: “Overall I am content, I At the fi nish line, the 2013 winner Xie fort of 65.36m saw China’s Bin Feng take best 13:56.30 for a seventh place fi nish. pleasant surprise. round of the 400m hurdles gets “I didn’t believe it. I said, ‘this underway. is not possible’. It was easy in “It’s a good feeling here, when the last 100. I’m so happy with you’re winning in the same sta- RESULTS CHECK that. I was excited. I think it was dium where we will have the FINAL MEDAL TABLE (top 7) a great, great start for the 2019 world championships, at home. season. It was good preparation It’s making me excited to race Women 4x400m 1. Majdeddin Ghazal (SYR) 2.31m 2. Ajay Kumar Saroj (IND) 3:43.18 for the Asian Championships – here again.” There’s a long time Discus Throw 1. Bahrain 3:32.10 2. Takashi Eto (JPN) 2.29 3. Musaab Ali (QAT) 3:43.18 and we have the World Relays between now and then – fi ve Gold Silver Bronze Total 1. Bin Feng (CHN) 65.36m 2. India 3:32.21 3. Naoto Tobe (JPN) 2.26 Hammer Throw soon. So it was good prepara- months and a couple days, in fact 2. Yang Chen (CHN) 61.87 3. Japan 3:34.88 Long Jump 1. Dilshod Nazaroc (TJK) 76.14m 1. Bahrain 11 7 4 22 tion.” – but Samba quickly dismissed 3. Subenrat Insaeng (THA) 58.20 200m 1. Yuki Hashioka (JPN) 8.22m 2. Ashraf El-Seify (QAT) 73.76 He said his coach, the 400m any suggestions that he might be 1500m 1. Salwa Naser (BRN) 22.74 secs 2. Yaoguang Zhang (CHN) 8.13 3. Sukhrob Hodjayev (UZB) 72.85 2. China 10 13 7 30 hurdles guru Hennie Kotze, starting too fast too early. 1. Chitra Palakeezhunnikrishnan 2. Olga Safronova (KAZ) 22.87 3. Changzhou Huang (CHN) 7.97 5000m 3. Japan 5 4 9 19 didn’t introduce any major “We’re still in heavy training, (IND) 4:14.56 3. Dutee Chand (IND) 23.24 200m 1. Birhanu Balew (BRN) 13:37.42 changes to their training routine so I feel as though we didn’t real- 2. Gashaw Tigest (BRN) 4:14.81 Men 1. Zhenye Xie (CHN) 20.33 secs 2. Albert Rop (BRN) 13:37.57 4. India 3 7 7 17 coming into 2019. With the IAAF ly start the season. I feel like this 3. Winfred Mutile Yavi (BRN) 4:16.18 110m Hurdles 2. Yuki Koike (JPN) 20.55 3. Hiroki Matsueda (JPN) 13:45.44 5. Uzbekistan 3 0 2 5 World Athletics Championships is competition with training for 100m Hurdles 1. Wenjun Xie (CHN) 13.21 secs 3. Yaqoob Salem (BRN) 20.84 4x400m relay Doha 2019 on home soil loom- the season. We opened with 44.6 1. Ayako Kimura (JPN) 13.13secs 2. Yaqoub al-Youha (KUW) 13.35 Men’s 1500m 1. Japan 3:02.94 6. Qatar 2 1 2 5 ing large, they found no reason in the 400 and 47.5 in the 400m 2. Jiamin Chen (CHN) 13.24 3. Kuei-Ru Chen (TPE) 13.39 1. Abraham Kipchirchir Torich 2. China 3:03.55 7. Kazakhstan 1 4 3 8 to fi ddle with what has already hurdles. I’m working on this plan 3. Masumi Aoki (JPN) 13.28 High Jump (BRN) 3:42.85 3. Qatar 3:03.95 worked exceptionally well. with my coach. So I think we will “We did everything the same keep improving.” (iaaf.org) Gulf Times 2 Thursday, April 25, 2019 SPORT

FORMULA 1 Bottas out for Baku revenge

Reuters “For sure I would prefer to still no margin for error. Baku be leading but that’s the situa- Like Bottas, Ferrari will also tion now and if I keep perform- be hoping to make a statement. ing well I can turn it around,” Already 57 points behind altteri Bottas (pic- said Bottas, who trails Hamilton Mercedes in the overall stand- tured) has a score to by six points with 18 races re- ings, the pre-season favour- settle as he heads into maining. ites have a meagre haul of two Sunday’s Formula One “So that’s going to be the third-place finishes from the VAzerbaijan Grand Prix deter- goal for Baku,” added the Finn, first three races and cannot af- mined to make up for a lost win who was on pole in China but ford to lose any more ground. and regain the championship dropped behind Hamilton at New recruit Charles Leclerc, lead from Mercedes teammate the start. smarting from being ordered to Lewis Hamilton. Mercedes head into Sunday’s move over for four times cham- The Finn was leading around race, the fourth since Azerbai- pion Sebastian Vettel in China the streets of Baku last year jan joined the calendar in 2016, and denied a maiden Formula when a puncture three laps from as favourites after three one- One win by engine trouble in the end handed victory to Ham- two finishes — the strongest Bahrain, will be especially fired ilton instead. start to a campaign since Wil- up. The circuit holds a special The Briton went on to win 10 liams in 1992. emotional significance for the more races on his way to a fi fth They have also won two of Monegasque, who won a 2017 title while Bottas ended the sea- the three races in Azerbaijan, Formula Two race from pole son demoralised and with zero even if it has not been a par- position in Baku only days after wins. ticularly happy hunting ground the death of his father. The 29-year-old has come for Hamilton. Last year’s vic- “Baku is a demanding track, back from the winter stronger tory was his first podium ap- but I can’t wait,” said the and looking more of a match for pearance there. 21-year-old, who also scored his teammate, even if Hamilton Nothing can be taken for his fi rst Formula One points has returned to the top of the granted at a circuit that has there last year with sixth place standings after chalking up his served up some thrillers in for Sauber. “I simply love it and second win of the season in Chi- the past, mixing ultra-long I’ve always performed very well na on April 14. straights and tight corners with there.”

ASIAN ATHLETICS PICTURE FOCUS SPOTLIGHT Ministry of Interior holds workshop on high-risk matches

QNA ing to geographical and cultural Doha diversity. He added that the participants will be able to see a diverse spectrum of the charac- workshop on man- ters and habits of the game fans aging and organising through these experts who will high-risk matches draw a complete picture of the Akicked off yesterday at level and nature of the risks that the Ministry of Interior head- occur during the matches and quarters, which is organised by how to deal with them. the training unit of the secu- Al-Dosari said Project Sta- rity committee of the Supreme dia is working to refi ne Qatar’s Committee for Delivery & Leg- expertise and prepare them to acy (SC), in co-operation with present them to the global com- Project Stadia of the Interna- munity, to give a clear message tional Criminal Police Organi- of the national capacity and sation (INTERPOL), in order to readiness to deal with these ma- develop capabilities and security jor events. skills in the preparation for the Al-Dosari said this work- 2022 FIFA World Cup. shop will take place in diff erent The workshop includes learn- countries of the world during ing about the international ex- the next phase, to see the dif- periences in this fi eld, which are ferent geography and fan styles. presented by a group of experts He confi rmed that Stadia has and specialists from six coun- global experience in the fi eld of tries and FIFA, representing a support and security in major wide range of relevant experi- sporting events and it is impera- ences. tive to transfer them to diff erent Director General of the Sta- countries to benefi t from them. dia Project Falah Abdullah al- The two-day workshop will Dosari said the workshop aims cover a number of topics, such Members of the Qatar team celebrate on the podium with their bronze medals after the 4x400m relay final in the Asian Athletics Championships at the Khalifa International to learn from the experiences as the defi nition of the stadium Stadium yesterday. of these experts, fi nd out how management system, models of to deal with risky matches, and Portuguese security manage- exchange lessons learned in dif- ment of high-risk matches, se- ferent environments. curity measures before, during DOHA BANK FETES INDIAN WINNER He added that the participa- and after high-risk matches, tion of experts from Qatar, Co- preparations and planning for lombia, Portugal, Spain, Croatia the matches, exchange of infor- and Turkey, as well as experts mation, implementation of se- from FIFA will enrich the work- curity measures and the nature shop with a range of experiences of threats and possible solutions and diverse practices accord- to counter them. (QNA)

Farah slams Gebrselassie over theft at hotel

London: Britain’s Mo Farah, the Ethiopian. who will be running in the “I want to inform you that I’m London Marathon on Sunday, disappointed you have not criticised fellow distance-run- made any eff ort to find my ning great Haile Gebrselassie stolen money, and especially for failing to help him after he my watch,” he wrote. was robbed at a hotel in Addis “I have tried to contact you Ababa owned by the Ethiopian. by telephone several times. Farah, third last year and fac- Know that I am not responsi- ing a monumental challenge ble for what I say during the to overcome Kenya’s world press conference in London record holder and defending and what influence it will have champion Eliud Kipchoge in on your personality and your Sunday’s race, said around business.” 2,500 pounds ($3,230) — in He signed off : “Sir Mo.” four currencies — two mobile Gebrselassie’s agent Jos Syria’s Majdeddin Ghazal celebrates after winning gold in the high phones and a valuable watch Hermens said the former world jump yesterday. presented to him by his wife record holder, who is president were stolen from a locked suit- of the Ethiopian Athletics case in his room while he was Federation, would issue a out on a training run on his 36 response in due course, while birthday on March 23. the hotel in question, the Yaya Farah said he got little help Africa Athletics Village, did from hotel staff in dealing with not respond to a request for the issue and even less from comment. Farah will need all Gebrselassie, a national icon his focus to be back on the task in Ethiopia after a stunning in hand on Sunday as although track career that earned him the race is widely seen as two Olympic golds and four something of a head-to-head world titles over 10,000m and between him and the peerless several world records. Kipchoge, the Briton is only “He didn’t respond even the eighth-fastest man in the though that’s his hotel,” four- field and his best of 2:05.11 is times Olympic champion Farah almost four minutes adrift of Indian athlete Gomathi Marimuthu, who won the 800m gold at the Asian Athletics Championships in told reporters at the London Kipchoge’s astonishing world Doha, was honoured by Doha Bank at a function held yesterday. CEO Dr R Seetharaman presented a Marathon launch yesterday. record of 2:01.39, set in Berlin. memento to her to mark the occasion. “It’s a proud moment for the Indian athletes team as the Indian Farah was so furious that The Kenyan, who has won 10 woman athlete Gomathi Marimuthu won the Gold in 800 metres race for women at the 23rd Asian Ath- Gebrselassie ignored his of his 11 marathons, including letics Championship 2019 being held in Doha now. Congrats to Gomathi, and I’m sure there are others repeated texts and calls that the 2016 Olympic Games, is in our team to make India proud at this international championship. Chak De India,” said Dr Hiroki Matsueda (front) competes with others in the men’s he shared the last he sent, that seeking an unprecedented Seetharaman. 5,000m race . threatened to publicly shame fourth London win. Gulf Times Thursday, April 25, 2019 3 FOOTBALL

SPOTLIGHT La Liga to be Real’s number one priority next season: Zidane

AFP because we try to fi ght on all fronts at Thibaut Courtois has shaken off a Madrid this club, but our bread and butter will thigh injury and is available to face be La Liga.” fourth-placed Getafe today, meaning Barcelona’s 26th league title were to Zidane must again decide between the inedine Zidane said yesterday be confi rmed late last night if Atletico Belgian and Keylor Navas. Zidane was La Liga will be Real Madrid’s Madrid are beaten at home to Valencia. loyal to Navas during his fi rst stint in top priority next season after If Atletico avoid defeat, Barca can wrap charge and has said again that next sea- they were mathematically ruled it up with a win at home to Levante on son there will be no debate about his Zout of the title race with fi ve games left. Saturday. fi rst-choice goalkeeper. Barcelona’s victory over Alaves con- “We have 33 titles,” Zidane said. “What I would like to do I won’t say,” fi rmed that Madrid cannot be crowned “Barca are doing well, I will admit when Zidane said. “I would like a lot of things champions given they sit 16 points be- a rival is doing well, but in history, Real but sometimes they are not done, hind the Catalans with only 15 still to Madrid has more league titles. But they sometimes the opposite even. But this play for. have been doing better lately and we is not the time to talk about this today. Despite incredible success in the need to change the dynamic.” Thibaut is available and so is Keylor.” Champions League, it means Madrid Madrid are likely to be busy this Zidane said Vinicius Junior is not have now won the Spanish title only summer, with Gareth Bale heading a yet ready despite returning to training once in seven years while Barca are on long list of players who could depart after almost two months out with an the cusp of securing their fourth in the while Chelsea’s Eden Hazard is among ankle ligament injury. “He won’t get last fi ve, and eighth in 11. “For us next those expected to arrive. “Even if we any minutes tomorrow, he has to work year, the league must be our number always work together with the club, again,” Zidane said. “We have to give one priority,” Zidane said. the coach has a say in relation to play- him time.” “It’s the longest competition, it’s ers and the profi les of players he wants,” Getafe’s remarkable bid for Champi- the one that cannot be missed and I’m Zidane said. “There has not been much ons League qualifi cation has them sit- going to put that in the heads of my recruitment during the last two or three ting two points ahead of both Valencia players. It will be our bread and butter years. This year there will certainly be a and Sevilla. They beat Sevilla 3-0 at for sure, without devaluing the rest, little more.” home on Sunday.

LA LIGA AFC CHAMPIONS LEAGUE Champs Kashima Messi rested as win stunned, Lopes fi res Jeonbuk to last 16

AFP as Brazilian international Renato Seoul Augusto scored a penalty and made the second goal in a de- over Alaves edges served 2-0 win over Thailand’s eigning Asian cham- Buriram United. In wet and cold pions Kashima Ant- conditions in Beijing, the Chi- lers slumped to a shock nese Super League leaders domi- 1-0 home defeat by nated but Buriram held out until GyeongnamR FC yesterday on the 55th minute when Thai in- a great night for South Korean ternational Sasalak Haiprakhon Barca closer to title sides against Japanese opposi- handled in the box and Augusto tion the AFC Champions League. stepped up to ram home. Kashima looked a shadow Beijing, who have started the ‘It is an immense joy to be in this position after so many months of work’ of the side that became Asian league season with six straight champions last year as they re- wins, sealed all three points AFP linquished control in Group E when the 31-year-old Augusto Barcelona to Shandong Luneng, who won picked out Ba Dun to head in 1-0 at Johor Darul Tazim via from close range. Two weeks ago, Graziano Pelle’s fi rst-half goal to the 2018 AFC Champions League arcelona were set to win La Liga go top on eight points. winners Kashima had needed late last night if Atletico Madrid Fellow Koreans Jeonbuk Mo- two stoppage-time goals to claim lose to Valencia after a 2-0 vic- tors stand on the verge of the last a 3-2 victory over Gyeongnam tory over Alaves gave them a 16 after a man-of-the-match after having been 2-0 down and 12-pointB lead at the top of the table. performance from Ricardo Lopes reduced to 10 men. Lionel Messi started on the bench at gave them a 2-1 win against But there was no repeat of Mendizorrotza on Tuesday night in a Urawa Red Diamonds in Group G. those heroics as Gyeongnam move that made clear just how comfort- Lopes opened the scoring in the gave themselves a qualifi cation able Barca are in this title race, its con- 12th minute, capitalising on a de- lifeline when Takahiro Kunimo- clusion surely now only a matter of when fensive error to lash an right-foot to latched onto Jordon Mutch’s rather than if. Should Atletico avoid de- rocket into the bottom corner. deep cross in the 63rd minute. feat to Valencia at the Wanda Metropoli- The Brazilian then turned pro- Gyeongnam remain third in tano, the Catalans will still be crowned vider just after half-time, cross- Group E with two games to play, champions on Saturday at the Camp Nou ing from the left for giant striker two points behind Kashima, who with a victory over Levante. Kim Shin-wook to head home at have seven, and three adrift of They could even have it wrapped up the near post. A missed clear- Shandong, their next opponents. before kick-off on Saturday if Atletico fail ance by captain Hong Jeong-ho Shandong’s Pelle, this season’s to take at least four points from Valencia allowed Shinzo Koroki to pull leading AFC Champions League and Real Valladolid, the latter whom they one back against the run of play scorer, continued his deadly face a few hours earlier on Saturday. “It’s in the 58th minute, but Jeonbuk form in front of goal as he bagged an incredibly valuable win,” coach Ernes- survived a nervy fi nale to take all his sixth in four matches to give to Valverde said. three points in the top-of-the- the Chinese side a hard-fought “In the end however much as people say table clash. victory against the Malaysian the league is won, it has to be achieved on Jeonbuk now need just one win champions. The former South- the fi eld. We are at the gates now, needing from their last two matches to ampton and Italy poacher bun- three points more with four games ahead. guarantee a place in the knockout dled home from inside the six- It is an immense joy to be in this position phase. Urawa’s defeat enabled yard box in the 22nd minute after after so many months of work.” Beijing Guoan to move into sec- Song Long’s cross had created Real Madrid, who play their game in ond, two points behind Jeonbuk, confusion in the Johor defence. hand against Getafe today, sit 16 points adrift in third. Alaves stay eighth, their hopes of a Europa League spot fading fast. Messi came on as a substitute in the 61st minute shortly after his team had scored twice, Carles Alena guiding one into the corner before Luis Suarez, in Messi’s ab- sence, took and dispatched a penalty. Valverde leaving out his captain and star player, presumably with an eye on next week’s Champions League semi- fi nal against Liverpool, was a luxury Bar- celona have earned and can aff ord. Liver- pool, still jostling with Manchester City Barcelona’s Carles Alena (right) celebrates with teammate Luis Suarez after scoring a goal against Deportivo Alaves during the La in the Premier League, are unlikely to feel Liga match at the Mendizorroza stadium in Vitoria, Spain, on Tuesday night. (AFP) the same sort of confi dence when they face Huddersfi eld on Friday. with Ousmane Dembele and Suarez. the area but it was his run down the right woodwork, his shot well saved by Pa- “The idea at half-time was to play Leo Alena, the 21-year-old Spaniard, that created Alena’s opener in the 54th checo, and Coutinho drove wide late on. because the result was not clear,” Valverde scored his second La Liga goal and showed minute. After a neat exchange with Ar- Two was enough for the win and, possi- said. “But regarding the Golden Boot and again why many believe he could be a key turo Vidal, Sergi played inside, through bly, the title. that sort of thing, we are only focused on fi gure for Barcelona in the years to come. the legs of Suarez and to the feet of Alena. what we have to do to win. Leo has a lot Suarez’s goal, meanwhile, was his 21st He controlled and placed the ball coolly SPANISH LA LIGA RESULTS in the league and marks the fourth con- into the corner. Six minutes later, and one of individual challenges ahead but today Huesca 2 (Gallego 54, Avila 57) Eibar 0 it was time to rest.” secutive season in which he has passed before the introduction of legend Messi, Real Valladolid 1 (Herrero 67) Girona 0 Other players were preserved too. Jordi the 20 mark for Barca. He might have Suarez doubled the lead from the spot. Alaves 0 Barcelona 2 (Alena 54, Suarez Alba, Clement Lenglet and Arthur Melo scored earlier but shot straight at Fernan- Umtiti bundled in on the line and as VAR 60-pen) all began on the bench, allowing Sam- do Pacheco when sent clear in the open- checked him for off side, Alaves’ Tomas uel Umtiti more minutes as he recovers ing stages, while Coutinho followed up Pina was shown to have handballed mo- Playing today: Sevilla v Rayo Vallecano from a knee injury, while the struggling but his rebound was blocked. ments before. (1830), Real Sociedad v Villarreal (1930), Philippe Coutinho started in a front three Sergi Roberto fi red over from inside Suarez made no mistake. Messi hit the Getafe v Real Madrid (2030)

Lazio fans hold fascist fl ash mob ahead of Milan semi-fi nal Rome: Neo-fascists believed to be Gazzetta dello Sport reported. A clash between them at the San Siro social media. Milan’s mayor Giuseppe hardcore fans of Serie A side Lazio A short video circulating on social earlier this month finished with Milan 1-0 Sala said the police were investigating held a far-right flash mob ahead of last media shows the group holding up the winners and scuff les on the pitch after Wednesday’s flash mob and insisted the night’s Coppa Italia semi-final second banner, signed ‘IRR’ in a reference to the home players held up the shirt of northern Italian metropolis “is and will leg against AC Milan, according to media the Irriducibili — Lazio’s hardcore ‘ultra’ Lazio player Francesco Acerbi to their remain forever a profoundly anti-fascist reports. supporters who have a long history of own fans like a trophy. city”.In Italy “apology for fascism” is a Their faces masked by a long banner hard-right politics. Milan midfielders Tiemoue Bakayoko crime, but some cases have been thrown reading “Honour to Benito Mussolini”, The flash mob came a day before and Franck Kessie were fined a total of out in recent years on freedom of the group sang fascist songs and per- Italy’s Liberation Day, celebrating the 86,000 euros ($97,000) for the incident. speech grounds. formed the Nazi salute near the city’s end of Nazi occupation, and ahead of a Meanwhile, a video of racist chants February’s first leg of the semi-final Piazza Loreto, where the defeated dicta- match in Milan already marked by ten- directed at Frenchman Bakayoko by a between the two sides at the Stadio Gyeongnam’s Lee Kwang-Jin (left) fights for the ball with Kashima’s tor’s body was strung up in 1945, the sion between the two teams. The Serie group of Lazio fans also circulated on Olimpico finished goalless. Kazuma Yamaguchi during the AFC Champions League Group E match in Kashima, Japan, yesterday. (AFP) Gulf Times 4 Thursday, April 25, 2019 FOOTBALL

PREMIER LEAGUE Chelsea manager Sarri charged with Eriksen keeps Spurs on misconduct London: Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri has been charged with misconduct by the Football Association following his late dismissal in Monday’s 2-2 draw with course for top four fi nish Burnley. The 60-year-old Ital- ian has until Friday to answer to the charge. Win lifts Tottenham three points clear of fourth-placed Chelsea and four ahead of Arsenal in fifth Sarri’s assistant Gianfranco Zola claimed after the match AFP that the decision to send his London compatriot to the stands was unfair as he “was just trying to tell our players to get in auricio Pochettino admitted position”. his tired Tottenham stars “Maurizio Sarri has been are pushing themselves to charged with misconduct in their limits after Chris- relation to his behaviour in Mtian Eriksen’s superb late strike sealed the 94th minute of Monday’s a hard-fought 1-0 win over struggling (22/04/2019) Premier League Brighton on Tuesday night. fixture between Chelsea and Pochettino’s third-placed side domi- Burnley,” read an FA state- nated from start to fi nish at the Totten- ment. “The Chelsea manager ham Hotspur Stadium, but a combina- has until 18:00 (1700 GMT) on tion of brave Brighton defending and Friday (26/04/2019) to provide poor fi nishing kept the match in the bal- a response.” ance until the 88th minute. Sarri’s expulsion comes as Eriksen fi nally ended Brighton’s stub- pressure mounts on him to born resistance with a sensational long- deliver Champions League range drive that lifted Tottenham three football for next season. points clear of fourth-placed Chelsea His compatriot Antonio and four ahead of Arsenal in fi fth. Conte was sacked after failing “The team are not as fresh as we to do so last season. Chelsea wanted, not just legs, but minds, so we occupy the fourth and final have to congratulate the players. I’m qualifying place but the two so proud of them,” said Pochettino. dropped points at home “Brighton were a really brave opponent. against lowly Burnley could The most important thing is we be- prove costly. lieved, we didn’t give up.” They are only a point better Although Arsenal can close the gap to off than Arsenal, who can leap- one point if they win at Wolves late last frog them if they get at least a night, this was a vital result in Spurs’ bid draw at Wolves late last night. to qualify for next season’s Champions Sarri’s last resort may come League via a top four fi nish. Tottenham in winning the Europa League have now won all four games in all com- — Chelsea play German petitions at their plush new arena, scor- outfit Eintracht Frankfurt in ing eight goals without reply. the semi-finals — with Arsenal This was the most frustrating fi x- as potential opponents in the ture at the £1bn ($1.3bn) ground as the final should the Gunners beat hosts looked hamstrung without injured Valencia. striker Harry Kane until Eriksen came to the rescue with his ninth goal of the sea- son in all competitions. But Pochettino was delighted with the way his players kept plugging away right to the end despite the draining ef- fects of their hectic fi xture list. “There were more than 20 attempts and the Tottenham Hotspur’s Christian Eriksen (centre) celebrates after scoring the winner in the 88th minute during the Premier League match against Brighton. (AFP) reward is massive,” he said. “It is three very important points and to be in a league games and sit just one place and nearly teed up Dele Alli with a low cross, controlled a high ball in the six yard box Pochettino sent on much-maligned good position in the table.” three points above the relegation zone. but Lewis Dunk slid in to clear off the and fl icked goalwards, only to see Shane striker Vincent Janssen for his fi rst ap- Tottenham can take another step to- They have failed to score in their past line at the last second. Duff y scramble it off the line. Duff y pearance in 20 months. wards securing their top-four berth in seven games in all competitions and are Pochettino’s decision to pick Fern- threatened at the other end when his Janssen didn’t make much of an im- Saturday’s crucial London derby against in severe danger of being caught by third ando Llorente as his main striker forced header forced Tottenham keeper Hugo pression, but Tottenham kept pressing West Ham before focusing on the fi rst bottom Cardiff in the fi ght to avoid rel- Son Heung-min out to the fl anks when Lloris into action for the fi rst time early and, with their 29th shot, Eriksen fi nally leg of the Champions League semi-fi - egation. the South Korean had been so deadly in in the second half. landed the knockout blow in the 88th nals against Ajax next week. “We must Defeats for Arsenal and Manchester a more central role in recent weeks. The Danny Rose’s fi erce 20-yarder was minute. be confi dent, the team are doing a fan- United, combined with Chelsea’s draw move left Tottenham a little short of well saved by Mat Ryan, while Toby Al- Setting his sights from 25 yards, the tastic eff ort after tough games against against Burnley, had given Tottenham pace and penetration as they laboured to derweireld’s luck was out as well when Denmark midfi elder lashed a powerful Manchester City,” Pochettino added. a welcome lift following their 1-0 loss break down Brighton. the Tottenham defender’s low drive hit strike with his left foot that beat Ryan at The fi nale was painful for Brighton, at Manchester City on Saturday. With Spurs were denied by more last-ditch a post, rolling along the line and away his near post and sparked wild celebra- who have won only two of their last 15 Brighton defending deep, Lucas Moura Brighton defending when Alli deftly to safety. Desperate for a breakthrough, tions.

FOCUS SPOTLIGHT FA welcomes players’ Southampton’s Long breaks fastest goal record AFP castle against Manchester City in 2003. anti-racism manifesto Watford, United Kingdom Christian Eriksen scored after 10.54 sec- onds for Tottenham against Manchester AFP of play. We would encourage the United last season. London protocol to be used rather than a outhampton striker Shane Long The strains of Elton John’s Rocket Man player or players walking off as we scored the fastest goal in Premier had barely fi nished booming over the believe that this is the best way to League history on Tuesday night loudspeakers when Long gave South- manifesto signed by remove the burden from players.” Safter netting just 7.69 seconds ampton lift-off . The goal actually came England star Raheem The FA also agreed there into his side’s 1-1 draw at Watford, who from Watford’s kick-off as Roberto Sterling and fellow should be “radical change at the snatched a point thanks to Andre Gray’s Pereyra played the ball from the centre- footballers to combat top” in terms of BAME coaches, late equaliser. Long’s record-breaking circle back to Cathcart some 40 yards racismA in the sport received a employees and leaders. “We have goal came immediately after the kick-off from his own goal. positive response from English set ourselves the target to reach when he blocked a clearance from Wat- As the centre-back attempted to clear football’s governing body yester- 16 per cent BAME employees by ford defender Craig Cathcart, allowing up fi eld, Long charged it down and raced day. However, the Football Asso- 2021 (from 13 per cent) and 11 the Republic of Ireland international to through before lifting in his landmark ciation (FA) recommended that per cent in leadership positions dink a cool fi nish over Ben Foster. goal. The Saints could have scored more if players are racially abused and (from 5 per cent).” The 32-year-old’s eff ort surpassed the with Nathan Redmond and Ryan Bertrand want to walk off the pitch in pro- In terms of representation on previous fastest Premier League goal, both hitting the woodwork. test — as some have intimated their own board, the FA said it scored by Tottenham defender Ledley Redmond was also denied by a good they will do in the future — they met Sport England’s code for King in 9.9 seconds against Bradford in save from Foster and Long headed two leave it to the referee and do not sports governance with regard December 2000. other presentable chances off target. take the decision unilaterally. to women (30% of the board) but “It’s a record, is it?” Long said with a grin Watford dominated after the break and Sterling, the victim of sev- there was no similar recommen- after the game. “Straight from the kick-off Abdoulaye Doucoure attempted to con- eral instances of racial abuse this dation for BAME representatives. we wanted to put them under pressure. 99 vert a cross from Kiko Femenia but could season, said teams whose fans “The FA’s Board is attended times out of a hundred you block it and it only bundle the ball into Angus Gunn’s racially abused players should be by The FA’s inclusion advisory doesn’t work but this time it did.” arms. Christian Kabasele felt he should docked nine points in the mani- board chair, Paul Elliott, and also Long’s historic goal, just his fourth this Southampton’s Shane Long (left) scores against Watford. (Reuters) have been awarded a penalty after a shove festo published in Tuesday’s edi- has Rupinder Bains as a Board season, didn’t prove to be the winner at by Long in the area, but referee Mike Dean tion of The Times. Director; but we would welcome Vicarage Road after Gray’s 90th minute “It’s nice to have a record like that, ered that his 19-year record had been thought otherwise. Southampton could It also called for more black, specifi c targets for BAME repre- equaliser for the FA Cup fi nalists but but it would have been nicer if it was the broken. not hang on and Gray swept home from Asian and minority ethnic sentation across sport.” nonetheless moved them six points from winning goal,” Long added. King was After King’s goal, the next fastest strike close range to lift Watford up to seventh (BAME) people in positions of The FA said its chairman Greg the relegation zone with three matches watching Tottenham’s game against in Premier League history was scored by and keep Hasenhuttl’s men looking over power within football, more Clarke had succeeded in get- remaining. Brighton on Tuesday when he discov- Alan Shearer after 10.52 seconds for New- their shoulders a little longer. severe punishments for racist ting UEFA to agree to review its abuse and greater action by so- approach to discrimination and cial media organisations, spon- would help study new options. ROUND-UP sors and traditional media. Clarke’s action followed the ra- The FA responded with a cial abuse directed at Sterling and lengthy statement on Wednes- Danny Rose in particular during day saying they agreed “com- the Euro 2020 qualifi er in Mon- FIFA bans eight for life over match-fi xing pletely with the manifesto’s tenegro in March. The FA claimed statement that players have a that much of what was in the IFA issued eight lifetime bans defender George Owino Audi received a INIESTA NAMED CAPTAIN for Kobe last May in a historic J-League fundamental right to a workplace manifesto regarding punishment to current and former players 10-year ban and a fi ne of 15,000 Swiss AT VISSEL KOBE deal worth a reported $30mn a year. free from discriminatory abuse”. of clubs whose fans chant racist and an agent yesterday after francs (13,165 euros). Barcelona legend Andres Iniesta has The 34-year-old plays alongside fel- “Currently there is a proto- slogans has been implemented they were found guilty of match FIFA said it opened disciplinary been handed the captain’s armband at low veterans former Germany striker col for players to follow if they for a while. “Since 2013 there manipulation.F Former Sierra Leone proceedings after a vast investigation J-League outfi t Vissel Kobe, the club Lukas Podolski and former Barca and hear discriminatory abuse which has been direct liability for dis- captain Ibrahim Kargbo and ex-Trinidad into various international matches that announced, part of a shake-up following Spain teammate David-Villa. is designed to both protect the criminatory behaviour in relation and Tobago defender Keyeno Thomas Singaporean Wilson Raj Perumal, a the sacking of their manager last week. Vissel were expected to mount a seri- player and also to ensure that the to mass chanting,” it said. “The were among those suspended from all convicted match-fi xer, had attempted to The club tweeted a picture of Iniesta ous challenge for the J-League title with matter can be investigated im- manifesto also asks for clubs and football-related activities over attempts manipulate for betting purposes. “This holding the armband announcing him as the 34-year-old’s arrival but are lan- mediately and the appropriate countries to be put into ‘special to rig matches at international level. large-scale investigation was conducted the new captain, with Japan international guishing in mid-table with just 10 points steps taken,” it said. measures’ in the case of repeat World football’s governing body also by FIFA over several years through its defender Daigo Nishi and midfi elder Ho- from eight games so far. The mediocre “This can include the referee off enders. The FA works to create banned former players from Benin, integrity department and in coopera- taru Yamaguchi named as co-captains. start to the season cost manager Juan stopping the game and allow- action plans with clubs for any of- Afghanistan and Cuba, as well as Zim- tion with the relevant stakeholders and World Cup-winning Iniesta, who lifted Manuel Lillo his job, the club announcing ing the players to leave the fi eld fences, not just repeat off ences.” babwean agent Kudzanai Shaba. Kenyan authorities,” read a FIFA statement. 32 major trophies with Barcelona, signed his departure last week. Gulf Times Thursday, April 25, 2019 5 SPORT

NBA MLB Cubs start fast, Lillard buzzer-beater get big hits to seals Blazers thriller bury Dodgers

Reuters two-run, opposite-fi eld shot New York into the left-fi eld bleachers. It was Rizzo’s fourth homer of the season and his fi rst since April 12. nthony Rizzo and Javier Los Angeles snapped the shut- to knock out Thunder Baez each homered, out in the third when Turner hit Jose Quintana regis- an RBI double to center. The hit In the Eastern Conference, Raptors and 76ers set up a heavyweight playoff tered his third straight scored Austin Barnes, who led qualityA start, and the Chicago off the inning with a walk and Cubs coasted to a 7-2 win over advanced to second on a sacrifi ce the visiting Los Angeles Dodgers bunt by Maeda. on Tuesday night. The Dodgers pulled within 6-2 Willson Contreras added a in the seventh on an RBI ground- three-run double for Chicago, out by Taylor. which won for the sixth time in Baez quickly responded in seven games. the bottom of the seventh with Justin Turner and Chris Taylor an opposite-fi eld blast over the drove in one run apiece for Los right-fi eld wall. He leads the Angeles. The Dodgers have lost team with seven home runs. two of three since posting a six- The Dodgers loaded the bases game winning streak. with one out in the eighth but Quintana (3-1) held the Dodg- could not take advantage. Cubs ers to two runs on four hits in left-hander Kyle Ryan struck seven innings. The left-hander out A.J. Pollock and prompted a walked two and struck out seven, groundout by Cody Bellinger to and he pushed his streak to 16 end the threat. scoreless innings over two-plus starts before he allowed a run in RESULTS the third. Dodgers right-hander Kenta Detroit 7-4 Boston Maeda (3-2) surrendered six runs Miami 3-1 Cleveland on seven hits in four innings. He Cincinnati 7-6 Atlanta walked three and fanned fi ve as his ERA ballooned from 3.80 to Baltimore 9-1 C White Sox 5.20. Arizona 2-1 Pittsburgh The Cubs pounced on Maeda S Francisco 7-6 Toronto to seize a 4-0 lead in the fi rst. Contreras started the scoring Detroit 4-2 Boston with a two-out, bases-loaded Tampa Bay 5-2 Kansas City double to left fi eld that scored NY Mets 9-0 Philadelphia Ben Zobrist from third base, Kris Bryant from second and Baez St. Louis 4-3 Milwaukee from fi rst. Daniel Descalso dou- C Cubs 7-2 LA Dodgers bled in the next at-bat to drive in Houston 10-4 Minnesota Contreras. Washington 6-3 Colorado In the second, Chicago added two more runs to make it 6-0. NY Yankees 7-5 LA Angels Zobrist hit a leadoff single for the Oakland 11-5 Texas Damian Lillard (second from left) of the Portland Trail Blazers reacts after hitting the game-winning shot in Game Five of the Western Conference quarter-finals against the second straight inning, and Rizzo San Diego 6-3 Seattle Oklahoma City Thunder during the 2019 NBA Playoff s in Portland, Oregon, on Tuesday. (AFP) followed two batters later with a

fi nished with 17. the Raptors swept to an emphatic 115-96 AFP RESULTS Los Angeles It was a disappointing end to the sea- dismissal of the Orlando Magic to also Toronto 115-96 Orlando son for Westbrook, who added a triple win their series 4-1. double comprising 29 points, 11 rebounds Joel Embiid led the Sixers with 23 points amian Lillard sank a three- Philadelphia 122-100 Brooklyn and 14 assists. at Philadelphia’s Wells Fargo Center. pointer on the buzzer to cap a Denver 108-90 San Antonio Paul George led the Thunder scoring The Sixers were always in control after 50-point display as the Port- Portland 118-115 Oklahoma City with 36 points, adding nine rebounds and surging into a 17-point lead at the end of the Dland Trail Blazers completed a three assists in a losing eff ort. fi rst quarter. They led 60-31 at half time as late fi ghtback to send Russell Westbrook Lillard meanwhile revealed that Port- Brooklyn’s challenge eff ectively collapsed. and the Oklahoma City Thunder crashing sinking a three-pointer from long-range to land had been motivated by Oklahoma Embiid was again immense for Phila- out of the NBA playoff s on Tuesday. seal a 118-115 win and a 4-1 series victory. City’s exuberant celebrations after their delphia, hauling in 13 rebounds to go with Needing a win to keep the best-of-sev- “Sometimes it’s your turn to go through win in game three. his points tally. en series alive, Oklahoma City appeared something, and when you keep fi ghting, “They were out there doing all these cel- Five other Philadelphia players made to be on their way to forcing a game six and keep working through it, and stay to- ebrations,” he said. “After one win, that was double fi gures, with Ben Simmons scor- after overturning a nine-point defi cit at gether, there’s a reward waiting for you,” what they decided to do. We were like, OK, ing 13 points and Tobias Harris 12. JJ the end of the third period to open up a Lillard said after the win. we want to win four games, and then there Redick and James Ennis III added 11 15-point lead in the fourth quarter. Earlier, Lillard had kept Portland in con- won’t be nothing to talk about.” apiece. Jonathon Simmons fi nished with But a sensational burst of scoring tention almost single-handedly, playing Portland will face either Denver or San 10 from the bench. Chicago Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo (right) celebrates with left hauled the Blazers back within striking all 24 minutes of the fi rst half and knock- Antonio in the next round. The Nuggets Embiid believes the Sixers have the tal- fielder Ben Zobrist after hitting a home run against the Los Angeles distance as their home fans at the Moda ing down 12 of 18 shot attempts to score 34 took a 3-2 lead in their series after a 108- ent to mount a championship-winning Dodgers in Chicago, United States, on Tuesday. (USA TODAY Sports) Center roared them on. points by the break. 90 win earlier on Tuesday. playoff campaign. Lillard levelled the score at 115-115 with His fi rst-half exploits appeared to have “We think we can win it all,” Em- a driving layup and when Westbrook caught up with him as the Blazers fl agged SIXERS, RAPTORS ROMP biid said. “Obviously, it’s going to take a subsequently fl uff ed a chance to restore in the third period. In the Eastern Conference, the Toronto lot. You’ve got some great teams in the NBA Oklahoma City’s lead with 18.3 seconds But the Portland talisman led a mes- Raptors and the Philadelphia 76ers set up league, we’re about to play one of them,” Lakers, Lue meeting again: report left, Portland ace Lillard was left with a merising late rally to fi nish with 50 points, a heavyweight playoff battle after com- the Cameroon international added. chance to grab the win. seven rebounds and six assists. pleting comfortable series victories. “We just gotta take it one game at a time The Los Angeles Lakers will interview Tyronn Lue for a second The 28-year-old point guard took his Maurice Harkness added 17 points, The Sixers sealed a 4-1 series win after but we understand that we got all the talent time Wednesday about their coaching vacancy, the Los Angeles time, eating up the fi nal few seconds before Enes Kanter added 13 and C.J. McCollum routing the Brooklyn Nets 122-100 while we need, especially to win it all.” Times reported Tuesday. The report said Lue will sit down with team co-owner Jeanie Buss for the first time and with general manager Rob Pelinka for the second time. Lue and Pelinka met NHL last Friday. Lue, who turns 42 on May 3, compiled a 128-83 record and won the 2016 NBA championship as head coach of the Cleve- land Cavaliers. He was fired this season after an 0-6 start. Lue is not the only candidate linked to the job formerly held by Luke Walton, who parted ways with Los Angeles earlier this month and Sharks make Knights pay for penalty became head coach of the Sacramento Kings. Sources told ESPN that former Brooklyn and Milwaukee coach Jason Kidd inter- viewed with Pelinka and team executive Kurt Rambis on Monday. Reuters RESULTS New York Boston 5-1 Toronto NFL arclay Goodrow scored San Jose 5-4 Las Vegas Suspended WR Gordon signs contract with 1:41 remaining tender with Pats in overtime, and the bly and bleeding Pavelski had to host San Jose Sharks, be helped off the ice by several Although Josh Gordon is still suspended indefinitely by the NFL, whoB scored four goals on a fi ve- players. the wide receiver signed his restricted free agent tender with minute power play midway Couture scored just seven the New England Patriots, according to multiple media reports through the third period, rallied seconds into the penalty to cut on Tuesday. By signing the contract tender, Gordon ensures that to pull out a 5-4 victory in Game the defi cit to 3-1, and Hertl if he becomes eligible to play at any point this coming season, 7 and wrap up their fi rst-round made it 3-2 just 49 seconds it will be with the Patriots. The 28-year-old is set to earn up Western Conference playoff later with a defl ection of an Erik to $2,025,000 on the one-year deal, but only if he plays all 16 series over the Vegas Golden Karlsson shot. games. Gordon had his season cut short last year after playing 11 Knights on Tuesday night. Couture tied it 2 1/2 minutes games for the Patriots when the league issued his indefinite sus- Goodrow came in from the later with his sixth goal of the pension in December for violating his conditional reinstatement right circle and got around de- playoff s, and Labanc then gave under the NFL’s substance-abuse policy. After breaking into the fenseman Brayden McNabb, San Jose a 4-3 lead 28 seconds NFL with the Browns in 2012 and making the Pro Bowl after the then beat Marc-Andre Fleury later with a wrist shot from the 2013 season, Gordon missed the entire 2015 and 2016 seasons on his blocker side for the game- left circle that beat Fleury on his due to suspensions related to substance abuse. winner. blocker side. San Jose, which overcame It marked the fi rst time in NFL a 3-1 series defi cit for the fi rst the series that there was a lead Rams exercise Goff ’s fi ft h-year option time in franchise history, will change and capped a span of play Colorado in the Western four goals in 4:01 by the Sharks, The Los Angeles Rams exercised quarterback Jared Goff ’s fifth- Conference semifi nals. The Av- the eighth-fastest four goals by year option on Tuesday, putting him under contract through alanche, who eliminated the Pa- one team in any playoff game. 2020. The option, which is guaranteed only for injury, will pay cifi c Division champion Calgary San Jose Sharks’ Barclay Goodrow (right) celebrates with teammates Marc-Edouard Vlasic (centre) and The four power play goals in one Goff an estimated $22.8mn. He is set to make $4.3mn in base sal- Flames in fi ve games, will play Joe Thornton after defeating the Vegas Golden Knights during overtime in game seven of the first round period also tied an NHL record. ary in 2019, part of a rookie contract worth $27.9mn over the first Game 1 at San Jose on Friday. of the 2019 Stanley Cup Playoff s in San Jose, United States, on Tuesday. (USA TODAY Sports) Vegas pulled Fleury for an ex- four seasons. Goff , 24, has been named to two Pro Bowls in two Logan Couture scored two tra attacker with 1:59 remaining seasons since the arrival of head coach Sean McVay, throwing for goals, Kevin Labanc had a goal a franchise record with 58 saves, Fleury fi nished with 43 saves. Eakin was given a fi ve-minute and then tied it with Marches- 8,492 yards, 60 touchdowns and 19 interceptions over that span. and three assists for the fi rst stopped 34 shots. Vegas, behind goals by Karls- major and game misconduct sault’s goal with 47 seconds to He helped the Rams reach Super Bowl LIII in February, but strug- multi-point playoff game of Jonathan Marchessault, Max son, Eakin and Pacioretty, ap- for a crosscheck on Joe Pavel- go off a pass from Smith to send gled as Los Angeles fell 13-3 to the New England Patriots. Now his career, and Tomas Hertl Pacioretty, William Karlsson peared to have the game fi rmly ski at the end of a faceoff that the game into overtime. through three NFL seasons, Goff is eligible for an extension, and had a goal and an assist for San and Cody Eakin scored goals and in control until Eakin’s penalty sent Pavelski pin-wheeling and It was the fourth straight the Rams have previously been aggressive about locking up their Jose. Martin Jones, coming off a Mark Stone and Reilly Smith at the 9:13 mark of the third pe- ended with Pavelski smash- game in which Marchessault draft picks well before they approach free agency. Game 6 victory in which he set had two assists apiece for Vegas. riod. ing his head off the ice. A wob- scored a goal. Gulf Times 6 Thursday, April 25, 2019 SPORT

GOLF SPOTLIGHT Top spot just number for Ko as she eyes Day vows to bring third LPGA win

AFP my father. My father was boxer, Los Angeles so hard always.” Ko stresses being happy as a key to her recent success, calling orld number one golf “a really small thing in my diff erent mindset Ko Jin-young, life” but adding “and then out of with fi ve top-three my personal life always happy.” Wfi nishes in seven Asked what makes her happy, starts this season, seeks her third Ko said, “family and my dog and LPGA title of the year when the God and friends and food,” in Los Angeles Open starts today. that order. Her dog Daebak re- The 23-year-old South Korean mains in South Korea, so wasn’t won last month’s LPGA Found- with her when she took a trip to to Presidents Cup ers Cup, captured her fi rst major Arizona to see the Grand Canyon crown earlier this month at the after her Inspiration title. ‘I’ve made mistakes with regards to not mentally being there’ ANA Inspiration and could claim “After ANA I go to Grand Can- her third title in fi ve starts this yon and then some canyons. I Reuters week at par-71 Wilshire Country don’t know names. A lot,” she Melbourne Club. said. “Monument Valley some- Ko jumped atop the rank- thing and then a lot. But I was ings with her major win at Ran- able to confi rm that there was ormer world number one cho Mirage, but is philosophical a God. Really amazing in Grand Jason Day is determined about her breakthrough. Canyon. Really amazing.” to bring a more positive “It’s really an honour to be Ko was a runner-up defending mindset to the Presi- number one,” Ko said. “But any- her title at the Women’s Austral- dentsF Cup in Melbourne this one can climb to the number one, ian Open in February and last year after struggling to produce so that’s just a number.” month’s Kia Classic and third his best for the Internationals Some chase the dream of world in the HSBC Women’s World team in four consecutive losses number one from childhood, but Championship but only shared to the United States. Ko was not among them even as 17th at last week’s Lotte Cham- The Australian has reaped she idolized such South Korean pionship in Hawaii. only seven points from his 20 stars as Park In-bee and Ryu So- Her best US fi nish last year matches in the biennial team yeon and practised with her fa- was second at LA and she’s glad tournament and is still both- ther. to be back. ered by his 2015 performance in “I grew up, maybe 10, 11 years “I’m happy always play- South Korea where he claimed old, and I’m looking at Grace ing in LA — lots of Korean fans only a half-point as the Interna- Park or Jiyai Shin and Hee Kyung and then lots of Korean food,” tionals were pipped 15.5 — 14.5. Seo or So Yeon, Inbee as well,” Ko she said. “Also weather is re- In line to qualify for his fi fth said. “They are the players. I’m ally perfect. Course condition is Presidents Cup at Royal Mel- just amateur, so I want to try. I amazing. Everything is good. I’m bourne in December, Day said he need a little bit more practice. looking for good position in the needed to “pick up the slack” as “So I had lots of practice with tournament.” a now senior member of a team looking to break a seven-tour- nament losing streak. “I’m the fi rst one to put my hand up in regards to that be- cause unfortunately, it has to start at the top, and I’ve made mistakes with regards to not mentally being there,” he told reporters at the Zurich Classic. “You can obviously see my re- sults in Korea and I wasn’t men- tally there unfortunately with regards to being there for the team when I needed, performing for the team. “That was one Presidents Cup that we had a very good oppor- tunity to win, and sometimes you have to look at leadership and ask the questions why, and for me, I made the mistake and I FOCUS need to understand we’ve got 11 other guys on the team that are trying just as hard or trying even harder than myself, so I’ve got to Rugby legend pick the slack up, too.” Day will partner countryman Adam Scott at the PGA Tour’s Wilkinson leaves Zurich Classic, one of a number of prospective Internationals pairings teeing off at the team- In this April 10, 2019, picture, Jason Day of Australia looks on during the Par 3 Contest prior to the Masters at Augusta National Golf Club in fear behind him based tournament under the Augusta, United States. (AFP) watch of captain Ernie Els. AFP “I love my life but it’s got Scott is not one of the top to his depth of experience at four Presidents Cups — in 2015 Royal Melbourne. “You know, you have to play London nothing to do with the content,” 10-ranked Internationals play- Royal Melbourne. when they halved a four-ball “I think we’re a hell of a team,” as a team member and do what’s he said. ers who secure an automatic Day and Scott, who have both match against Phil Mickelson he said. “I’ve tried to push for it best for the team, but I would “It’s the opposite. When I was berth in the team but the former carried the world number one and Zach Johnson. to happen more often, but there defi nitely push for this pairing, onny Wilkinson’s last part of the World Cup-winning Masters champion is highly ranking and each won majors, Scott hoped they would are a lot of diff erent opinions certainly in Australia. I think it’s second drop goal to win team I had never felt so empty as likely to be a captain’s pick due have only been paired once in rekindle that partnership at and things to happen. very formidable.” the Rugby World Cup for I did afterwards. England in 2003 earned “When we won a couple of himJ iconic status but left him championships, at Toulon, I left NFL feeling empty and unable to and there was no sunset waiting cope. for me to stroll into. The former England fl y-half “I found that getting rid of who turns 40 next month told this idea that I was an important Cardinals eye quarterback Murray with Draft top pick the Daily Mail that he turned into person, I could have a brand new a ‘horrible’ person who was un- world. AFP liberations. happy in the spotlight and beset “I look at rugby and think, New York “I’ve never been the biggest guy by fears of the unknown. ‘Would I go back?’ Not a chance.” on the fi eld, I’m always the small- It was only after he quit the He equates the moment Mike est guy on the fi eld,” said Murray. game and began life away from Catt kicked the ball into touch uarterback Kyler “I’ve said it multiple times: I feel the spotlight that he began to fi - to seal victory for Clive Wood- Murray, the Heisman I’m the most impactful guy on the nally fi nd happiness. ward’s side over hosts Australia Trophy winner as fi eld and the best player on the “I thought I had done every- back in 2003 to being in a shop QAmerican football’s fi eld at all times. thing it was possible to do at 24. I with loads of money to spend. top collegiate player, is expected “That’s just the confi dence thought I was the man. I realised “You’re on the brink of some- to be selected today by the Ari- I have in myself and my team- I couldn’t have been further from thing, incredible things await zona Cardinals with the top pick mates have in me. I’ve always the truth,” he said. but you’re not there yet,” said in the NFL Draft. had to play at this height. Eve- “I started trying to control eve- Wilkinson. The three-day event to al- rybody’s trying to make it out to ryone else. You ask anyone around “It’s the most beautiful sense. locate new talent to NFL clubs be something, but at the same me at that time, I was horrible. But “It’s a bit like being in a shop begins tonight in Nashville, time, I just go out there and play life is amazing now.” with pocketfuls of money. You Tennessee, with the Cardinals the game I love.” Wilkinson, who has recently make your choice, you buy ex- selecting fi rst thanks to last sea- Should the Cardinals select welcomed into the world his fi rst actly what you want, but it’s son’s NFL-worst 3-13 record. someone else, the other high- child, says retirement has taught not as good as before when you While the Cardinals have est-regarded prospects are de- him he can be a much happier haven’t committed. been silent about their plans, fensive tackle Quinnen Williams person in disappearing into the “I feel like that now. When I was quarterbacks have been selected of Alabama and defensive end background and not having to playing I feared the hell out of the with the number one pick in 15 Nick Bosa of Ohio State. cope with daily adulation as he unknown. My life is full of the un- of the past 21 NFL Drafts and Bosa’s preparations for the did in his playing days. known now, and it’s exciting.” Murray has the talent to entice draft meanwhile has been the Arizona to continue that trend. subject of a social media contro- Murray, whose maternal versy, with the defender wiping grandmother was born in South his Twitter account of a series Korea, completed 260 of 377 of posts which criticised former passes for 4,361 yards and 42 NFL quarterback Colin Kaeper- touchdowns with only seven nick and others which praised interceptions last season for President Donald Trump. Oklahoma, which reached the In this September 8, 2018, picture, Oklahoma quarterback Kyler Murray looks downfield for an open The San Francisco 49ers are national championship playoff s. receiver against UCLA at Memorial Stadium in Norman, United States. (TNS) set to select second overall, fol- He also ran 140 times for 1,001 lowed in order by the New York yards and 12 touchdowns, bring- giving up any ideas of a baseball Draft pick. Murray’s draft status has Jets, Oakland Raiders, Tampa ing the run-pass threat that has career to focus on his NFL eff ort. “Football has been my love been dogged by questions over Bay Buccaneers, New York Gi- made several NFL quarterbacks The Oakland A’s had taken and passion my entire life,” whether he is physically big ants, Jacksonville Jaguars, De- a tough challenge for defensive Murray with the ninth pick in Murray tweeted. “I was raised enough to forge a successful ca- troit Lions, Buff alo Bills and units in recent years. last year’s Major League Base- to play QB, and I very much look reer in the NFL. Denver Broncos. Murray, 21, was also a col- ball Draft but he walked away forward to dedicating 100% of At 5ft 10in (1.77m), Murray is The reigning Super Bowl lege baseball star outfi elder for from their off er of $4.33mn myself to being the best QB pos- relatively short for a quarter- champion New England Patriots the Sooners baseball team who (3.84mn euros) for the chance at sible and winning NFL champi- back, a factor which has report- receive the 32nd and last pick in announced in February he was more than $30mn as a top NFL onships.” edly weighed on some teams de- the fi rst round. Gulf Times Thursday, April 25, 2019 7 SPORT

IPL CRICKET WORLD CUP Gayle and Russell in Windies squad, De Villiers stars as Pollard misses out

AFP Narine. Pollard, a veteran of St. John’s, Antigua and Barbuda 101 ODIs, and Narine both last played 50-over cricket for the Caribbean outfi t in 2016. he West Indies named Narine, who also opens the Royal Challengers star players Chris batting in the IPL for Kolkata, Gayle and Andre Rus- is suff ering with a finger injury sell in their 2019 World and does not feel able to play TCup squad yesterday, although the longer limited-overs for- allrounder Kieron Pollard was mat. “We had a lot of dialogue among those left out. with Sunil and he assured us he Big-hitting opening batsman would love to be playing for the Gayle returned to the Wind- West Indies, but he has a very beat Kings XI Punjab ies one-day international side sore fi nger,” added Haynes. in their 2-2 series draw against “He’s getting treatment af- ‘The game changing partnership was Marcus and AB. They brought us to 200 which looked highly unlikely’ top-ranked England earlier ter every IPL game, and he can- this year, scoring two hundreds not bowl 10 overs and is strug- Agencies and two fi fties in four innings. gling to bowl four.” Bengaluru Russell did not feature against Other big names to miss England and has been strug- out included Dwayne Bravo, gling with injuries, playing a who has been in the interna- avdeep Saini’s fabulous limited role with the ball in the tional wilderness since 2016, penultimate over kept ongoing Indian Premier League and Marlon Samuels. Young RCB afl oat as they beat for Kolkata Knight Riders. batsmen Nicholas Pooran and Kings XI Punjab by 17 But he has been in fi ne form Shimron Hetmyer were in- Nruns in their IPL match at the M with the bat, and will bring vi- cluded, as was Evin Lewis, who Chinnaswamy Stadium yesterday. tal power hitting to the middle missed the England series, at After setting a target of 203, order for the two-time world the expense of John Campbell. the home team kept picking champions in England and Lewis is likely to open the up wickets at important mo- Wales. “I spoke with Andre batting with the 39-year-old ments to derail the visitors eve- about four days ago and he as- Gayle, who is just 252 runs away rytime they threatened to chase sured me that he’ll be OK for from breaking Brian Lara’s all- the runs down. Eventually, the the World Cup,” said West In- time ODI West Indies record equation came down to KXIP dies chief selector Robert Hay- and will retire from the for- needing 30 off the last two overs; nes. “He just has a couple of mat after the tournament. The they could only score 12 and fi n- niggling injuries.” Windies get their campaign ished at 185-7. Interim coach Floyd Reifer, underway against Pakistan at Earlier in the evening, Royal who replaced the sacked Rich- Trent Bridge on May 31. They Challengers Bangalore scored ard Pybus earlier this month, can amend their squad until their third 200-plus total of said Russell was in the squad May 23, but director of cricket the season riding on the back of mainly as a batsman for a team Jimmy Adams said there were AB de Villiers’ 82 and Marcus who had to come through qual- no plans to do so after the Stoinis’ 46, and their unbeaten ifying. “Looking at the IPL, warm-up tri-series with Bang- 121-run partnership. he’s been scoring a lot of runs, ladesh and Ireland in Dublin. There were three parts to so we’re going to use him as a “I hope no one gets injured, RCB’s innings: fi rst, Parthiv Pa- batting allrounder,” said Reifer. but this squad is for the World tel scored a fl urry of boundaries “We’ll have to manage his Cup in England,” said Adams. against the new ball and helped injuries between games.” his team to a brisk start, then SQUAD: Jason Holder (capt), the cautious consolidation when NARINE OUT INJURED Andre Russell, Ashley Nurse, the KXIP spinners were in op- Despite the Windies changing Carlos Brathwaite, Chris Gayle, eration, and fi nally the carnage their rules regarding interna- Darren Bravo, Evin Lewis, at the backend when de Villiers tional players needing to play Fabian Allen, Kemar Roach, and Stoinis shredded the KXIP in their domestic competitions Nicholas Pooran, Oshane quicks. to qualify for selection, there Thomas, Shai Hope, Shannon RCB scored 70 runs in the were no places in the squad Gabriel, Sheldon Cottrell, Shim- powerplay, added 29 in the next for Pollard or spinner Sunil ron Hetmyer. seven overs, and added a further 103 runs in the fi nal seven overs Royal Challengers Bangalore batsman AB De Villiers plays a shot against Kings XI Punjab in their 2019 Indian Premier League match at the – 64 of those in the last three M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore yesterday. (AFP) overs. For Kings XI Punjab, the wickets were shared by four of Dhoni to rest before WC if back trouble worsens and had to stay put at the non- the fi ve bowlers used. The two striker’s end for the remaining spinners were the most eco- India’s Mahendra Singh Dhoni World Cup coming up, I have to some time off .” Dhoni has played four deliveries. nomical – returning combined will not hesitate to take time off keep in mind that I can’t really 341 one-day internationals, scor- The standout feature of de fi gures of 8-0-46-2, while the before World Cup if his niggling get injured,” Dhoni said of his ing 10,500 runs at an average of Villiers’ knock was how quickly pacers leaked 150 runs in their back problem worsens during injury after Chennai’s six-wicket just under 51, and his glovework he picked the length and got into twelve overs combined. the ongoing Indian Premier victory over Hyderabad on makes him the first-choice wick- position to take toll; he was bru- In their chase, Kings XI Pun- League (IPL), the stumper-bats- Tuesday. “There’s a bit of stiff - etkeeper in the limited-overs tal on anything that was short – jab threatened. But every occa- man has said. ness. There was a bit of spasm format. even marginally – and deposited sion when they had their noses Chennai Super Kings skipper at the start of the tournament India’s 2011 World Cup winning the delivery into the stands. He Chris Gayle (left) and Andre Russell. ahead and had momentum with Dhoni missed last week’s defeat but there’s no spasm as of now. captain has scored over 300 scored 22 off 18 balls off the two them, a set batsman would be by Sunrisers Hyderabad due to I’m used to playing international runs in nine ODIs this year, with spinners, and scored 60 off 26 dismissed. Several batsmen got a back spasm and the 37-year- cricket with some kind of pain. four half-centuries, including balls off the three quicks. USA, Oman secure ODI status for fi rst time off to starts but not one made a old is unwilling to risk a serious “If you wait to be 100% before three in a row during the tour of “Yeah, we’ve won four of the 50, 60 or 70. Nicholas Pooran’s injury that could rule him out of you play a game maybe you’d Australia. fi ve. Could have been fi ve out of The United States yesterday and the Netherlands in having 46 (28 balls, 1 four, 5 sixes) and the World Cup starting in Eng- have to wait five years before The IPL ends on May 12. India fi ve. We were just looking to en- sealed one-day international temporary status. After an KL Rahul’s 42 (27 balls, 7 fours, land and Wales on May 30. you play the next game. It’s begin their World Cup campaign joy the cricket and tonight was a status for the first time with opening loss to Oman, the US 1 six) were the two top scores in “It’s holding up, it’s not showing something I can aff ord to do. If against South Africa in South- great example of having fun. The a third straight victory at the beat Namibia and Papua New the chase. signs of getting worse. With the it gets worse, I’ll definitely take ampton on June 5. game changing partnership was World Cricket League Division Guinea to leave themselves For RCB, Umesh Yadav (3- Marcus and AB. They brought Two event in Namibia. one win away from their 36) and Navdeep Saini (2-33) us to 200 which looked highly The Americans, whose only target. Former West Indies were the pick of the bowlers. after his captain (and opener) all too well that his team needed following over. The South Afri- unlikely. We thought 175 would previous experience of ODI batsman Xavier Marshall hit They had 36 runs to defend in Virat Kohli was dismissed at the him to stay at the crease and can brought up his half-century have been good,” Virat Kohli said. cricket was at the 2004 Cham- 100 as the Americans made the fi nal three overs, responded start of the fourth over. 35-1 at backed himself to do the damage in the eighteenth over – getting pions Trophy, thrashed Hong 280-8 batting first yesterday, brilliantly, conceding 6, 3 and that stage, RCB lost three wick- in the later overs. there in 35 balls. BRIEF SCORES Kong by 84 runs to wrap up a with Hong Kong managing 9 from overs eighteen, nine- ets in a very short span to fi nd After crawling to a run-a-ball Then there was carnage; he hit Royal Challengers Bangalore: top-four place in the six-team just 196-7 in their run chase. teen and twenty. Marcus Stoinis themselves at 81-4 at the end of 25, de Villiers teed off when Ank- Mohamed Shami for three con- 202-4 (Parthiv Patel 43, AB de competition. There will be 20 Oman have also secured their and Moeen Ali were the other the ninth over. it Rajpoot was brought back into secutive sixes in the nineteenth Villiers 82*, Marcus Stoinis 46*) ODI nations after the end of ODI status, leaving Namibia, wicket-takers; Stoinis dismissed De Villiers took stock of the the attack in the fi fteenth over; over, and added one more big hit defeated Kings XI Punjab: 185-7 the tournament, with the top Papua New Guinea, Canada Mayank Agarwal, while Moeen situation, realised the need was he collected a four and a six off to his tally at the start of the fi nal (KL Rahul 42, Mayank Agarwal four sides to join Scotland, the and Hong Kong to fight it out accounted for Rahul’s dismissal. for him to knuckle down and ride that over, and collected another over. de Villiers took a single off 35, Nicholas Pooran46, Umesh United Arab Emirates, Nepal for the remaining two places. AB de Villiers came out to bat out the next few overs. He knew six off Murugan Ashwin in the the second ball of the fi nal over, Yadav 3-36) by 17 runs.

TENNIS Nadal battles back in Barcelona to beat Mayer AFP AZARENKA OUSTS Barcelona ZVONAREVA IN STUTTGART Turin outplays London to host ATP Finals from 2021 Belarusian Victoria Azarenka made a winning return to Stutt- Turin’s Pala Alpitour stadium Chairman and President, said since London began hosting afael Nadal survived an gart with a 7-5 6-4 victory over was named yesterday as the in a statement. The event the tournament – the jewel in early scare at the Barce- Russia’s Vera Zvonareva in what new venue for the ATP Finals features the world’s top eight the ATP’s crown – in 2009. lona Open yesterday by was an engrossing battle in the from 2021-2025, drawing a singles players and doubles Despite this success, the coming from a set down fi rst round of the Porsche tennis line under London’s long ten- teams and off ered $8.5 million ATP announced in August toR beat Argentina’s Leonardo May- Grand Prix yesterday. ure as host of the year-ending in prize money last year, when that it was inviting bids from er and seal his place in the last 16. Azarenka, a former world tournament. Alexander Zverev stunned other potential hosts, a move Nadal, who is attempting to win number one, was pushed in the Men’s governing body the ATP Djokovic to win the title. backed by Novak Djokovic, the tournament for a record 12th opening set, especially by Zvon- said in a statement on that “We look forward to bringing the world number one and time, was made to work hard for areva’s fi rst serve, but fought Turin was picked ahead of the ATP’s flagship season-end- President of the ATP Player his 6-7 (7/9), 6-4, 6-2 victory as back to break her four times in the Manchester, Singapore, Tokyo ing event to tennis’s growing Council who has won the title the world number two avoided a match. and London, marking the fanbase in Italy for the first five times in London. surprise defeat ahead of the start The last time the pair met was first time in the tournament’s time,” Briton Kermode added. “It’s still a few years away but of the French Open next month. in 2011 when they were both 50-year history that it will be Milan has hosted the Next Gen I know that the players will Fellow Spaniard David Ferrer now ranked in the top 10. “We’re both staged in Italy. Finals for the top eight players be very excited to compete awaits Nadal in the next round, major champion also made an ear- An early break at the start of the in completely diff erent stages of The Pala Alpitour, opened in aged 21 and under for the past there, and I also hope to be with a place in the quarter-fi nals at ly exit in Monte Carlo earlier this second sent Nadal on his way and our careers, we’re both moms,” 2005 for the Winter Olym- two years, while Rome hosts a part of what will be a very stake. Nadal has won all of his last month. he served out at 5-4 to take the Azarenka said. “I think I’m play- pics, is Italy’s largest indoor Masters 1000 clay court event special event,” the Serb said in four meetings with Ferrer. A poor game allowed Nadal to match to a decider. ing better than I used to before, I sporting arena, with a seating in May in the buildup to the Wednesday’s statement. Mayer, ranked 63rd in the world, break to love at 4-3 in the fi rst set Mayer seemed to have lost belief believe I’m much more of a com- capacity of 12,350. French Open. Turin will become the 15th had never beaten a top-fi ve oppo- but Mayer hit back for 5-5 and held as he dumped a simple backhand plete player than I used to be. I’m “Italy provides us with one Turin has a hard act to follow city to host the tournament, nent in 15 attempts but was more on for a tie-break. Nadal looked volley into the net, allowing his in the process of building my game of the strongest and most as the ATP Finals have been which since starting in Tokyo than a match for a nervous-look- in control after recovering from opponent to seize a crucial break up again.” established tennis markets hugely popular with players in 1970 has had a 13-year stint ing Nadal in the opening set. 3-1 and 4-2 down to set up two set at 2-2. From there, the momen- The 29-year-old, a two-times in Europe and has a proven and fans at the O2 Arena, in New York, a six-year stay in Nadal will be gunning for title points but he squandered both be- tum was set as Nadal whipped a Australian Open champion, also track record for hosting world where aggregate attendances Frankfurt and spells in Hano- number 12 at Roland Garros too fore Mayer took his chance at the forehand down the line for 5-2 had to overcome jet lag after com- class tennis events,” Chris have routinely reached a ver, Lisbon, Sydney, Houston, and this recovery will have given fi rst time of asking, a booming and then served out to complete a peting in the Fed Cup semi-fi nal in Kermode, ATP Executive quarter of a million each year Shanghai and London. him much relief, after the 17-time forehand enough to clinch the set. hard-fought win. Australia at the weekend.

Thursday, April 25, 2019 GULF TIMES SPORT

RASSAN WINS CLUB CUP SPRINT FEATURE

Yousef Ahmed al-Rabeea al-Kuwari (seventh from left) and Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club Racing manager Abdulla Rashid al-Kubaisi (second Al Moatasem al-Balushi rides Rassan to Club Cup (The Late Saeed Bin Ahmed Al Kuwari) from right) with the winners of the Club Cup (The Late Saeed Bin Ahmed Al Kuwari) after Rassan won the six-furlong sprint at Al Rayyan Park victory yesterday. yesterday. PICTURES: Juhaim

SPOTLIGHT FOCUS Seven Qatari members in OCA standing committees Al-Attiyah eyes he Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) announced the names of presi- dents and members of Tits standing committees for the term from 2019 to 2023. Seven Qatari nominees were selected as members in the OCA 13th title at standing committees including Ishaq al-Hashemi in Sports Com- mittee, Alanoud Saaed al-Mesnad in Women and Sports Committee, Hamad al-Obaidli Alanoud al-Mesnad Nasser Saleh al-Attiyah in Ath- letes Committee, Hamad Yousif al-Obaidli in Media Committee, Saif Mohamed al-Naemi in Edu- Jordan Rally cation Committee, Rashid Saed Adiba in Sport For All Committee and Abdul Wahab al-Musleh in Qatari ace is the defending champion and a 12-time winner in Jordan Medical Committee. The OCA consists of 18 stand- ing committee including Advi- sory Committee, Athletes Com- mittee, Culture Committee, Coordination Committee, Edu- Ishaq al-Hashemi Saif al-Naemi cation Committee, Ethics Com- mittee, Entourage Committee, and Sports Committee . Committee (QOC), was elected Finance Committee, Informa- The QOC aims to promote in- Vice-President of the Olympic tion and Statistics Committee, tegrated sport system that con- Council of Asia (OCA) for west International Relations Commit- sists of highly qualifi ed and pro- Asian for a term from 2019 to tee, Media Committee, Medical fessional Qatari cadres as per it’s 2023 during the OCA 38th Gen- Committee, Peace Through Sport strategy to develop the Olympic eral Assembly meeting held in Committee, Rules Committee, movement in the country. Bangkok, Thailand in March Sports Committee, Sports For Dr Thani bin Abdulrahman 2019 under the chairmanship of All Committee, Sports And Envi- al-Kuwari, the Second Vice- the OCA President HE Sheikh ronment Committee and Women President of the Qatar Olympic Ahmad al-Fahad al-Sabah.

FOOTBALL Abdullah Abdulghani & Bros holds reception for Amir Cup Trophy tour

Qatar’s ace driver Nasser Saleh al-Attiyah and his co-driver Matthieu Baumel on their way to winning the recent Qatar International Rally.

By Sports Reporter Dead Sea, Jordan Nasser al-Attiyah

he Jordan Rally, round two of the 2019 FIA Middle East Rally Cham- pionship, gets underway at Abdali Boulevard in the heart of Amman Ttoday evening. The ceremonial start will take place from 19.15hrs and gives spectators the opportunity to see the cars and drivers in the capital of the Hashemite Kingdom before the on-stage action switches to the sinuous gravel trails of the Dead Sea and Jor- dan Valley areas on Friday and Saturday. Offi cials at Jordan Motorsport have com- pleted the repairs and tweaks to the special stages, following recent inclement weather conditions, and a favourable weather fore- Hamad al-Thani, Rights and licensing Specialist from QFA, RK Murugan, acting CEO of Abdullah cast for the weekend lays the foundations Abdulghani & Bros. Co and senior off icials at the Amir Cup Trophy grand reception at Al Abdulghani Tower. for two days of classic rallying action near to the lowest point on earth. mir Cup Trophy tour amongst fans, while giving them football player, Amir Cup matches Qatari ace Nasser Saleh al-Attiyah is the was given a grand the opportunity to celebrate by bring out the best in every team defending champion and a 12-time winner reception at Al Ab- taking memorable pictures with and coaches. The chance of re- of the Jordan Rally. His French co-driver showroom category after his win in Qatar “Recce went very well and then we had dulghani Tower by Ab- the iconic trophy. ceiving the trophy from none Matthieu Baumel has won the event on fi ve last month. Speaking of the recce, he said: documentation today and then some test- dullahA Abdulghani & Bros. Co. Launched in 1972 and held other than His Highness the Amir occasions, but both are trying to clinch a “The stages are very good and the tracks are ing. Henry is feeling confi dent with the (AAB), sole agents for Toyota ve- annually in April and May, the is often described as a dream by fi rst success in their new Volkswagen Polo in perfect condition, not like last year when notes and the car. Last year was his fi rst time hicles in the State of Qatar. The Amir Cup is the most popular players. Abdullah Abdulghani & GTI R5. we had the late rain and it was very slip- behind the wheel of the Škoda. After one grand ceremony was attended event in the country that receives Bros. Co. as part of its corporate Fresh from winning the recent Merzouga pery. It is good for me. The goal is maximum year with the car, he is feeling good, espe- by Hamad al-Thani, Rights and remarkable interest from vari- policy, has been always support- Rally in Morocco with al-Attiyah at the points and maximum speed, fl at out on the cially here in Jordan. The weather forecast licensing Specialist from QFA. ous passionate fans of all ages ing major activities in the country, helm of a lightweight Can-Am Maverick X3, fi rst loop, to kill off my rivals and to win is good. We have missed the sun in Jordan in The Trophy was received by RK and nationalities. Abdullah Ab- be it sports, cultural, social, edu- Baumel said: “I am really surprised. Despite again.” recent days…” Murugan, Acting CEO and Sen- dulghani & Bros. Co. has been cational, etc, with the intention the weather, the organisers have done a very Henry Kahy of Lebanon is the defending Today, attention focuses on the ceremo- ior Offi cials from Abdullah Ab- supporting the prestigious tour- to provide a strong national feel good job. All the tracks are well prepared. It FIA MERC 3 champion and his Jordanian nial start for the Jordan Rally in the heart of dulghani & Bros. Co. nament for many years as the and show their respect to the great is going to be a nice rally. I think we will beat co-driver Musa Djiyerian said: “Full credit Amman at Abdali Boulevard. Several drivers The trophy tour is part of a Amir Cup “Offi cial Car”. nation of Qatar. AAB is a leading the best times on some stages this year be- to the organisers. Amazing stages. You can- will attend the pre-event press conference long-standing tradition that Since the very beginning, the company in the Qatari Automo- cause the piste is well prepared.” not even see that the stages were damaged on the start podium from 18.15hrs and cars aims to build excitement ahead Amir Cup had enjoyed a special tive sector with customers appre- Reigning MERC 2 champion Meshari at all. It will be fl at out for us in the front- will then cross the start podium in reverse of the fi nal match and raise place in the county’s national ciating the quality, durability & al-Thefi ri of Kuwait also leads this year’s wheel drive category. order from 19.15hrs. awareness about the tournament sports calendar. A dream for any reliability of Toyota products.