SPORT Saturday 27 April 2019 PAGE | 17 PAGE | 19 Nicklaus’ Jordan Rally: record in Qatar’s Tiger Woods’ Al Attiyah crosshairs takes early lead Amir Cup: Al Arabi, Al Gharafa in quarters ARMSTRONG VAS The teams went into the half THE PENINSULA time break with Al Gharafa leading 2-1. Al Arabi and Al Gharafa marched On resumption, Al Gharafa into the quarter-finals of the 2019 added a third one through a spot Amir Cup, following their wins kick conversion with Ahmed over Umm Salal and Al Khor Alaaeldin beating Al Khor keeper yesterday. all ends up six minutes into the In matches played at the Grand second half. Hamad Stadium, Al Arabi trounced Seven minutes later, Al Ganehi Umm Salal 3-1 while Al Gharafa added his second goal of the stormed to a resounding 5-2 over match. Al Khor. Al Khor kept on fighting and In the quarter-finals, Al Arabi managed to reduce the margin will take on Al Rayyan while Al with seven minutes to go for the Gharafa will meet Al Sadd. final whistle with Bezerra getting In today’s last pre-quarter- his name on the scorers’ list for the finals, Al Shanaiya take on Second second time in the match. Division club Al Markhiya SC while An injury time goal from Mehdi Al Ahli meet Qatar SC. Taremi however dashed Al Khor’s Al Gharafa made their inten- hopes of making a last minute tions clear right from kick off and bounce back with a long range were successful in scoring in the goal. very sixth minute of the match and The event offers a chance to there after scored at regular lower division teams to test their intervals to have the match very mettle against the big guns in a bid much under their control. to be present in the final on May Abdulaziz Hatem opened the 16. scoring for Al Gharafa and scored Both the semi-final matches a second one in the 58th minute of will take place at Jassim bin Hamad the match. Stadium on May 12 and 13. Al Gharafa scored the second This year’s final will be held on one in the 30th minute through May 16 at Wakrah Stadium. The Ahmed Al Ganehi to make it 2-0 final will also bring down the cur- with an half an hour gone into the tains on the nine-month long match. football season in Qatar. Players vie for the ball during the Amir Cup pre-quarter-final match between Al Arabi and Tiago Bezerra pulled one back Last year, Al Duhail won the Umm Salal yesterday. TOP: Al Gharafa’s Mehdi Taremi (left) is congratulated by team-mates in the 37th minute to keep Al Khor Amir Cup defeating Al Rayyan after the Iranian forward scored their fifth goal against Al Khor in yesterday’s Amir Cup match. in the match. 2-1. Malinga shines in Al Suwaidi continues to dazzle in Mumbai’s 46-run the final round of Hathab Series win in Chennai IANS CHENNAI THE PENINSULA DOHA Chennai Super Kings (CSK) once again missed the presence of their regular skipper M S Dhoni Qatari rider Salmeen Sultan Al as the defending champions had to taste a Suwaidi continued to shine in the 46-run defeat against Mumbai Indians in their final round of the Hathab Equestrian return fixture at the M A Chidambaram Tour with another flawless ride on Stadium, yesterday. Cantaro 32 as he sealed his second It was the Mumbai bowlers, who came all Big Tour win within 24 hours at the guns blazing on a slow , to wrap up the Al Shaqab Arena yesterday. home side, who were chasing a modest 156-run The Qatar Armed Forces owned target, on a paltry 109 runs. gelding clocked a time of 72.01 secs Lasith Malinga starred for the visitors with in the first round of the Big Tour figures of 4/37, while Krunal Pandya and Hardik 130.140cm class as Al Suwaidi Pandya bagged couple of each. Chennai bagged QR4,200 in prize money. It opener Murli Vijay was the only one to show was his third podium finish in the some resistance as he managed to contribute final leg of the 12-round series. a 35-ball 38. On the opening day of the Chasing the target, Chennai were off to a event, Al Suwaidi won the first and worst-possible start as Malinga dismissed third places in the Big Tour on opener Shane Watson (8) before Hardik Pandya Guilder’s Empire Of The Sun and The podium winners of the Medium Tour on the second day struck to send back Suresh Raina (2). Cantaro 32 respectively. of the final round of the Hathab Series, pose for a photograph Chennai’s middle-order also fell like a pack In yesterday’s feature event, with the officials at the Al Shaqab Arena, yesterday. of cards as they lost Kedar Jadhav (6) and Dhruv Aslan 69 with Nasser Al Ghazali fin- Shorey (5) cheaply. Things turned ugly for the ished second behind Al Suwaidi, HATHAB EQUESTRIAN TOUR: 12TH ROUND hosts when Bumrah picked Vijay in the 12th clocking 73.73 to win QR3,375. over, leaving Chennai reeling at 66/6. Surya- Carport, with Faleh Suwead Al Ajami SMALL TOUR, TWO ROUNDS WITH JUMP OFF kumar Yadav took a stunning catch of Vijay at in the saddle (75.17 secs) was placed (1ST RND), 100/115CM, PRIZE MONEY QR5,000 backward point off a Bumrah . Dwayne third and won QR2,625. (Rank/Horse/Rider/Time (Faults)/Prize money) Bravo (20 off 17) and Mitchell Santner (22 off Nasser Al Ghazali’s What A 1: Henrico, Ghanim Nasser Al Qadi, 52.94, QR1,250 20) were involved in a short 33-run partnership Pleasure conceded four errors on 2: Dusty, Khalifa Abdulla Al Khaldi, 54.77, QR1,000 for the seventh wicket and kept Chennai’s slim its way to complete the round, but 3: Fudine, Ghanim Nasser Al Qadi, 57.89, QR750 hope of winning alive. was the fastest among the top five 4: Vlacido, Mohammed Nasser Al Qadi, 58.08, QR500 However, Malinga broke the partnership (67.51). 5: Alegro 84, Mohammed Al Ghazali, 58.09, QR350 as the Sri Lankan pacer’s slower delivery took Winner Al Suwaidi rounded up a leading edge off Bravo’s bat and the pacer the top five with a ride that lasted MEDIUM TOUR, TWO ROUNDS WITH JUMP OFF (1ST RND), moved a couple of steps backwards to take an for 67.80 secs (four errors) on Guil- 120/130CM, PRIZE MONEY QR10,000 easy catch. The Mumbai bowlers then rattled der’s Empire Of The Sun to add 1: Apple Bee, Mohammed Saeed Haidan, 58.98, QR2,500 the lower middle-order with ease as Deepak further QR1,050 to his prize bag. 2: Daydreamer EC, Saeed Nasser Al Qadi, 62.45, QR2,000 Chahar (0), Harbhajan Singh (1) also failed to Earlier, Ghanim Nasser Al Qadi 3: Numero Uno – T, Mohammed Sultan Al Suwaidi, 64.21, QR1,500 bring any relief. Malinga put the final nail in the guided Henrico in an error-free ride 4: Ambre De Beaufour, Mohammad Hazim Abara, 65.29, QR1,000 coffin after picking Santner in the 18th over to to win the first round of the Small 5: Libya 2, Shk. Khalifa Al Thani, 69.92, QR700 set up a comfortable victory for Mumbai. Tour, 100/115cm class. Mohammed Earlier, some disciplined by Saeed Haidan and Apple Bee com- BIG TOUR, TWO ROUNDS WITH JUMP OFF (1ST RND), Chennai restricted Mumbai to a modest 155/4 pleted two rounds with jump off in 130/145CM, PRIZE MONEY QR15,000 as Rohit Sharma contributed a 48-ball 67. the first round of Medium Tour 1: Cantaro 32, Salmeen Sultan Al Suwaidi, 72.01, QR4,200 Salmeen Sultan Brief Scores: 120/130cm class in 58.98 secs to win 2: Aslan 69, Nasser Al Ghazali, 73.73, QR3,375 Al Suwaidi and Mumbai Indians: 155/4 (Rohit Sharma 67, the top prize of QR2,500. 3: Carport, Faleh Suwead Al Ajami, 75.17, QR2,625 Cantaro 32 during Evin Lewis 32; Mitchell Santner 2/13) Today is the final day of the last 4: What A Pleasure, Nasser Al Ghazali, (4) 67.51, QR1,875 the Big Tour Chennai Super Kings: 109 all out in 17.4 round of the Tour. 5: Guilder's Empire Of The Sun, Salmeen Sultan Al Suwaidi, (4) 67.80, QR1,050 competition yesterday. overs (Murli Vijay 38, Mitchell Santner 22; Lasith Malinga 4/37) SATURDAY 27 APRIL 2019 SPORT 17 Nicklaus’ record in Tiger’s crosshairss REUTERS streaming service GOLFTV. Everything was going Woods birdied the next “They never knew golf NORTH CAROLINA “So now that I’ve had Woods’s way during his final hole to grab the lead and held to be a good thinghing in my lifelife another extension to my round in Augusta, a win, he his nerve despite a logjam of and only the only thing they Tiger Woods said Jack Nick- career -- one that I didn’t said, that had yet to sink in. contenders. remember is that it broubroughtght laus’s record of 18 major think I had a couple of years The former world number He will make his first start this incrediblee amount of pain championships is in his sights ago -- if I do things correctly one was two shots behind the since the Masters at the May to their dad and they don’tdon’t following his triumph at the and everything falls my way, leading Francesco Molinari at 2-5 Wells Fargo Champi- want to ever wanwantt to see Masters as he enjoys a career yeah, it’s a possibility.” the 12th at Augusta National onship in North Carolina their dad in pain,” he “extension” after a prolonged “I’m never going to say it’s when the British Open where he will bid to match said. period of injury woes. not, except for a couple of champion opened the door by Sam Snead’s all-time record “And so to now In his first comments since years ago when I couldn’t finding water en route to a of 82 PGA Tour victories. have them seeee ththisis winning his 15th major title walk,” he said with a laugh. double-bogey. However, Woods said he side of it, thehe and fifth green jacket, the “Now I just need to have “It went from a one-horse was just happy to show his side that I’vee 43-year-old American said he a lot of things go my way, and race with all of us kind of two children the positive side experiencedd always thought Nicklaus’s who’s to say that it will or will chasing Francesco, to now of a career that was derailed for so manyany mark was reachable, provided not happen? That’s what the Pandora’s box is opened up by personal problems and a years of my life,ife, his career was long enough. future holds, I don’t know. The playing 13, where... there’s at litany of back injuries that but I had a battleattle “It took him an entire only thing I can promise you least seven with a legitimate convinced many the best to get back to this career to get to 18,” Woods is this: that I will be chance to win the tournament golfer of his generation was point, and it feels good.” Tiger Woods said in an interview with prepared.” with six holes to go.” done. Leclerc leads Ferrari 1-2 in incident filled session

REUTERS BAKU Williams to seek compensation

Charles Leclerc set a scorching after drain drama in Baku pace on an incident-packed Friday at the Azerbaijan Grand REUTERS Russell won at the Baku street Prix, the Monegasque faster BAKU circuit last year on his way to the than team-mate Sebastian Formula Two title but Kubica has Vettel in a Ferrari one-two on The struggling Williams Formula never raced there before and Wil- the practice timesheets. One team will seek compensation liams need all the track time they The 21-year-old lapped the from Azerbaijan Grand Prix organ- can get. The session was red flagged six km circuit through the isers after a loose drain cover and then abandoned just 12 minutes streets of Baku with a best time wrecked George Russell’s car when into the scheduled 90 as organisers of one minute 42.872 seconds, he ran over it at speed in yesterday’s and track officials worked to check 0.324 quicker than Vettel. first practice. some 320 manhole covers and carry The Ferrari pair were com- The shocked 21-year-old rookie out repairs. fortably clear of closest chal- was unhurt in the incident between “They’re going to fix it (the lenger Lewis Hamilton, the Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc turns two and three but the chassis track) now but of course it shouldn’t championship leader and five in action during practice had to be replaced, sidelining the have happened,” said Red Bull’s Max times world champion, who was ahead of the Formula Briton until today’s final session Verstappen. “Running over a cover 0.669 seconds slower than One F1 Azerbaijan before qualifying. like that at 300 kph is not nice.” Leclerc’s best in his Mercedes. Grand Prix at the Baku Some estimates put the likely Race director Michael Masi said Max Verstappen was fourth City Circuit, yesterday. cost to Williams of the damage at a preliminary investigation indi- for Red Bull ahead of Hamilton’s more than half a million dollars. cated one of the clamps beneath the team mate Valtteri Bottas in “There clearly should be some manhole had failed. In more far- fifth. the strongest start to a season Yesterday’s second session the Toro Rosso. Pierre Gasly, recompense,” a disappointed cical scenes, the mobile crane truck Leclerc, ordered to move for any team since Williams in was still interrupted by red flags who spun multiple times, was deputy team principal Claire Wil- carrying Russell’s stricken Williams over for Vettel in China and 1992. Pre-season favourites as drivers got to grips with the ninth for Red Bull, while rookie liams told Sky Sports television. back to the pits then hit the denied a maiden Formula One Ferrari have managed only a circuit. Canadian Lance Stroll, Lando Norris rounded out the “I know that there’s precedent, underside of a sponsor hoarding victory by engine trouble in pair of third place finishes and a 2017 podium finisher with top 10 for McLaren. Haas I believe were compensated spanning the track, leaking Bahrain, was also fastest in the are already 57 points behind Williams in Baku, was the first Several other drivers spun after it happened to them in Sepang hydraulic fluid onto the car. day’s first practice that was their rivals in the overall casualty of the unforgiving track or went off. (Malaysia) a few years ago so clearly Ferrari’s two drivers were the abandoned after a drain cover standings. when he clouted the barriers Hamilton was nearly we are going to be talking to them only ones to set a time, with Charles came loose. The Italian squad marked and broke the front suspension involved in an incident with (the circuit) but I can’t put a number Leclerc ahead of Sebastian Vettel. That incident seriously themselves out as the early team of his Racing Point car. Kevin Magnussen, the Dane’s on it at the moment,” she added. Replays showed the Monegasque damaged George Russell’s Wil- to beat following Friday’s Daniel Kvyat’s session also Haas almost clipping the front The former world champions running over the cover, potentially liams, with the Briton missing running, however. ended with his Toro Rosso in the wing of the Mercedes as the are already facing plenty of dislodging it, just before Russell. the second session. Leclerc looked already to barriers, its front suspension Mercedes overtook. problems with an uncompetitive car Five-times world champion and The Ferrari drivers were the have the edge at a track where mangled. The Russian, cele- Hamilton currently leads that is some way off their rivals’ overall leader Lewis Hamilton, only two to set a time in the he scored his first Formula One brating his 25th birthday, was the overall standings by six pace and that was late to testing. winner in Baku last year for Mer- opening practice. points last year and in 2017 won still sixth. points from team mate Bottas They are last in the standings cedes, did not seem to mind the lack Mercedes have opened the a Formula Two race from pole Spaniard Carlos Sainz was with 18 of the season’s 21 races, and neither Russell nor Polish team of action, however. season with three one-two fin- position just days after his seventh for McLaren ahead of including tomorrow’s round in mate Robert Kubica have scored a The second practice session ishes in as many races, marking father’s death. Thailand’s Alexander Albon in Baku, still to run. point in three races this year. started as scheduled. Three former Watson retires from BBL to end Australian career winners to AFP club and I sincerely wish everyone the level and then in domestic as a sigsig-- SYDNEY absolute best for the upcoming seasons.” nificant contributor to the Big Bash. officiate at Despite his age, Watson remains a “Talented, skillful and powerful,ful, All-rounder Shane Watson retired from force to be reckoned with. Shane was a devastating batsman at hishis World Cup ’s Twenty20 Big Bash League He smacked a century from just 62 best.” yesterday, but will continue playing select balls for the Thunder against the Brisbane Watson played more than 7000 overseas tournaments. Heat last season and hit 96 off 53 balls for international and domestic matches AP DUBAI The 37-year-old, who quit interna- the Chennai Super Kings in the Indian in total, scoring over 25,000 runs and tional cricket in 2016, stood down as Premier League this week. claiming in excess of 600 wickets. Sydney Thunder’s captain and all-time top chief executive Kevin He is the only Sydney Thunderer Three former Cricket World Cup winners are run-scorer to spend more time with his Roberts congratulated him on a “dynamic batsman to score more than a 1,00000 among the 16 umpires and six match referees family. career”. runs and head coach Shane Bond calledlled who will officiate at the tournament “I have so many amazing memories “Shane Watson was one of the most him “the ultimate professional”. beginning in late May in England and Wales. that I will savour forever with the one exciting short-form players ever to grace “He cared about the team andd the The 48-match event will be held from standout being our (tournament) win in a cricket field,” he said. players and was hugely respected inn the May 30 to July 14, with the top 10 one-day 2016,” he said. “In a career which spanned almost two dressing room. We’re really going to miss international sides competing. “To my team-mates, I have played with decades Shane made a major contribution what he brings to the team and he willill bebe The International Cricket Council yes- so many great people and cricketers at the to Australian cricket firstly at international a big loss.” he said. Shane Watson terday said the opening match between England and South Africa at The Oval will see David Boon as match referee, Kumar Dhar- masena one of the two on-field umpires and as the third . Billings ruled out of England duty with injury Boon was a member of the Allan Border- led Australia side that won its first World Cup AFP played 15 one-day internationals, had World Cup, taking place in England title in 1987. LONDON been in line to face both Ireland in and Wales from next month. Dharmasena was part of Arjuna Rana- next Friday’s one-off ODI and “Sam has seen a specialist this tunga’s champion team of 1996 and Reiffel Sam Billings was ruled out of Pakistan in a Twenty20 match two morning, where he underwent a scan was a World Cup winner for Australia under England’s limited-overs matches days later. to assess the extent of his injury,” said Steve Waugh in 1999. against Ireland and Pakistan with a The 27-year-old now joins a list Kent director of cricket Paul Downton. England’s , also named to the dislocated left shoulder yesterday. of injury concerns for head coach “The scan highlighted significant officiating squad, was England’s wicketkeeper Wicketkeeper Billings was Trevor Bayliss which also includes damage to his shoulder, meaning he in the 1983 World Cup. injured in the opening over of Kent’s Eoin Morgan, Jason Roy, and Joe will require surgical intervention. Cricket World Cup officials: One-Day Cup match against Gla- Denly. “This surgery has been scheduled Match Referees: Chris Broad, David morgan on Thursday, his first With England’s first-choice wick- for next week and it is anticipated Boon, Andy Pycroft, Jeff Crowe, Ranjan appearance of the season for his etkeepers Jos Buttler and Jonny that he will be back to fitness within Madugalle, Richie Richardson. county after a stint with the Chennai Bairstow both being rested, Foakes three to five months.” Umpires: , , Super Kings in the Indian Premier is now in line to make his interna- Fellow England international , , Ian Gould, League. tional white-ball debut. Ollie Pope also needs surgery. , , Surrey’s Ben Foakes has been Kent announced Billings would The Surrey batsman, who has Nigel Llong, , Sundaram Ravi, called into the England squad to require surgery and would be side- played two Tests for his country, dis- Paul Reiffel, , , Michael replace him. lined for between three and five located his shoulder while fielding Gough, Ruchira Palliyaguruge, . Sam Billings Though not in the 15-man squad months, which would rule him out during the One-Day Cup match with for the World Cup, Billings, who has of any potential involvement in the Essex on Tuesday. 18 SPORT SATURDAY 27 APRIL 2019 Guardiola urges caution from City AFP Burnley -- and in my two pre- LONDON English Premier League vious seasons going to Burnley Fixtures (1400 GMT unless was incredibly tough.” Manchester City and Liverpool stated) City, who amassed a record are showing no signs of letting Today haul of 100 points last season, up in their thrilling Premier Tottenham vs West Ham still dropped two at Turf Moor in League title race but their (1130), Crystal Palace a 1-1 draw. flawless form contrasts sharply vs Everton, Fulham vs Behind the top two, Tot- with the struggles of the teams Cardiff, Southampton vs tenham look well set to secure a chasing a top-four finish. Bournemouth, Watford fourth straight season of Cham- Manchester United host vs Wolves, Brighton vs pions League football, opening Chelsea tomorrow hoping to Newcastle (1630) up a four-point gap on fifth- arrest an alarming slide of seven Tomorrow placed Arsenal thanks to a hard- defeats in nine games in all Leicester vs Arsenal (1100), fought 1-0 win over Brighton on competitions. Burnley vs Manchester City Tuesday. But it is only thanks to the (1305), Manchester United Spurs can widen that lead poor form of Maurizio Sarri’s vs Chelsea (1530) over their north London rivals men and Arsenal, who have suf- even further when West Ham fered back-to-back defeats travel to the new Tottenham against Crystal Palace and when already relegated Hud- Hotspur Stadium on Saturday Wolves, that United remain in dersfield visit Anfield on Friday. hoping to become the first vis- the hunt for Champions League “Now it’s clear we are one iting team to score at the fifth football next season, just three point behind City and we knew time of asking in the club’s new points off the top four. for a long time if we win our next home. United’s latest defeat to City two games then the decision will Arsenal could then move into on Wednesday lifted the be made in the last matchday, the top four early on Sunday if defending champions one point and that’s quite special,” said they can cure their travel Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola (right) gestures to his players during the English Premier ahead of Liverpool with three Klopp on Thursday. sickness and shore up a dismal League football match against Manchester United at Old Trafford in Manchester, north west England, games left for both sides. City are not in action until defensive record at Leicester. Wednesday. That stretched City’s winning Sunday, when they travel to A point would be enough to streak in the league to 11 games, Burnley, and manager Pep Guar- edge Unai Emery’s men above into the top four. I haven’t been appetite for European football Cardiff’s chances of catching with the last slip-up by either of diola is wary of his side getting Chelsea on goal difference planning on playing on Thursday with seventh enough for Europa Brighton and avoiding the title contenders remarkably too over-excited at clearing what before Sarri’s team kick off at nights (in the Europa League) yet. League qualification if City beat relegation. now nearly two months ago, was expected to be the toughest Old Trafford, where United will We just have to make sure we Watford in the FA Cup final. The Welsh side, third from when Liverpool were held at hurdle left at Old Trafford on aim to end a near nine-hour give ourselves a chance on Wolves are in pole position bottom, trail Brighton by three Everton. Wednesday. drought without scoring from Sunday.” and travel to Watford on Sat- points and have an inferior goal Liverpool have already sur- “I know people are going to open play. The prospect of Europa urday seeking revenge for their difference, but travel to already passed their club-record points talk about how beautiful we are, “We need more quality on League football may not be FA Cup semi-final collapse after relegated Fulham before tally in the Premier League era, how handsome we are,” said Sunday,” admitted United boss enticing for Solskjaer but blowing a 2-0 lead in the final 11 Brighton, who have not scored with 88, and Jurgen Klopp’s side Guardiola. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. Watford, Wolves, Everton and minutes. for seven games, host Newcastle are expected to retake top spot “But now we have to go to “Of course we want to get Leicester are all showing their And it is a huge weekend for today. Neymar Spurs boss banned for Guardiola says City, Liverpool Pochettino says three CL Ajax weekend matches over have set new EPL standards off is ‘not fair’ AFP referee rant AFP towards the magical century, they want to stay there you -- if you want to compete you LONDON MANCHESTER which City achieved last season, have to improve the standard. have to do that. AFP to be assured of lifting the It was easier before, everyone “I’d sign to maintain that Tottenham boss Mauricio LAUSANNE Pep Guardiola says Manchester trophy. can lose to anyone.” - level, I’d sign to do what we Pochettino says it is “not fair” City and Liverpool have raised “The standards we created The demanding City have done again in the Premier that Ajax have the weekend off Neymar was suspended for the bar in what is required to last year at Manchester City, manager, still in the hunt to League, I don’t expect more. ahead of their Champions three Champions League win a Premier League title after people know that you have to win a first-ever domestic “To push each other, League semi-final while Spurs matches by UEFA yesterday for a blockbuster campaign by both be close to 100,” he told treble in English football, is knowing the others are at the face a testing Premier League a foul-mouthed tirade at match teams. reporters yesterday. “Before it already challenging his same level. Find out what we match against West Ham. officials following Paris Saint- If both sides win their was 90. players to maintain their can do to win the game, after Spurs host their London Germain’s shock exit from this remaining three games, Liv- “This standard was last standards next season. work harder, respect the oppo- rivals today ahead of the first season’s tournament to erpool would finish the cam- season, we helped Liverpool to And he invoked the nents, improve on what we’ve leg of their European last-four Manchester United. paign on 97 points -- the third- achieve it this year and Liv- names of some legendary done this season. That’s the only clash against Ajax at home on The Brazil star missed the 3-1 highest tally in the Premier erpool helped us to keep going, stars from other sports to try way I know.” Tuesday. Champions League second leg League era -- and still fail to so thanks to Liverpool we are and give them an example of Guardiola, whose side Dutch football authorities last 16 defeat on March 6 through end their 29-year wait for an competing. how they must maintain their travel to Burnley on Sunday, postponed this weekend’s Ere- injury, but told match officials “to English top-flight title because “Liverpool know that to win status at the top of the also explained his decision to divisie fixtures to give Ajax go fuck yourselves” on social City would have 98. you have to make a lot of points. Premier League. leave England defender John more time to prepare for the media after watching on from the It is a far cry from the That’s what we communicate “You know when Usain Bolt Stones out of his squad entirely game. sidelines at the Parc des Princes. 1996-97 campaign when Man- to anyone. makes 100m race -- that’s the for the recent 2-0 victory at “It is difficult. I understand Neymar was found guilty of chester United won the cham- “Next season, Chelsea are standard and the others have Manchester United. that in this type of situation eve- “insulting/molesting acts pionship with just 75 points. getting better, Man United, Tot- to achieve it,” he said. Stones has struggled to ryone can have an opinion,” against match official”, That means, according to tenham. At the end when you “Like, Jack Nicklaus, Tiger maintain a regular place in Spurs boss Pochettino told European football’s governing Guardiola, that future cham- are 25 points above United, 22 Woods, that’s the same. One Guardiola’s high-flying team reporters at his pre-match press body announced in a statement pions will need to be aiming points ahead of other ones, if hundred points in a season this season. conference on Friday. after opening an inquiry into his “I know the Premier League outburst on March 22. and the FA tried to help us to The 27-year-old, who will prepare the semi-final. now miss half of PSG’s group “But the Premier League is stage matches in the Cham- completely different to the pions League next season, was Barca want La Liga trophy ‘boost’ Dutch league. Football in angry with the award of a Europe is completely different decisive injury-time penalty to England.” which Marcus Rashford scored ahead of Liverpool semi-final Pochettino, whose side to send United through. are third in the Premier “It’s a disgrace. They get League, said Ajax would have four guys who don’t understand AFP The Barcelona coach said be at Camp Nou, ready to make more time to prepare and football to watch a slow motion BARCELONA that it would be impossible for a presentation if Barcelona would be avoiding risk by not replay in front of the TV,” his players to put the Liverpool clinch the title, and that he won’t, playing. Neymar wrote in Portuguese on Clinching La Liga before their game entirely out of their minds out of respect to Levante. “When you play Saturday Instagram after the game. Champions League semi-final when they face struggling “I hope that tomorrow the and you must play Tuesday, and He had watched on incred- with Liverpool would give Levante. president of the federation has you compete in a derby game ulous from the sidelines as Barcelona a “very powerful” “But I want to set that apart, work to do,” said Valverde. playing for big things, the con- United were awarded the spot- boost, coach Ernesto Valverde especially because of the impor- “It would be nice. It has centration and effort is kick for a debateable handball said yesterday. tance I give tomorrow’s game. never been done in La Liga, that massive,” he said. via the video assistant referee The runaway Spanish league We would like it to be the excla- a team receives the trophy “You can always have some (VAR) system, allowing leaders are nine points clear with mation point on the league.” when it wins, as happens in problems. But it’s not a com- Rashford to fire United into the four games to play. “The fact that our club has other leagues.” “We give a plaint. Only the fact is that I quarter-finals on away goals. They will seal the title if won so many in this space of lot of value to the league think it’s not fair. Neymar was reportedly so Atletico Madrid lose today time, says a lot about how seri- title, which is what the 20 “Like it would be if it was enraged by the decision to give afternoon or if they beat visiting ously we take it,” he said. teams were all pursuing the opposite. If we had one the penalty that he had to be Levante in the evening. If both But it would be the first time from the start,” Val- week to prepare the semi-final restrained by PSG staff to stop games are drawn, that would since 2011 that Barcelona have verde said. and Ajax played Saturday, it him entering the referee’s also be enough for Barcelona clinched the title at home. “We know that would be the same in my dressing room. United were ahead of Liverpool’s first-leg visit “We have the opportunity to there are other tro- mind.” Tottenham’s hectic given the spot-kick after on Wednesday. win the title, to be able to cele- phies, like the fixture schedule makes it hard Presnel Kimpembe was judged Valverde admitted that he brate it with our fans, and that is Spanish cup or for their game against the to have handled Diogo Dalot’s might rotate some players, but, an incentive and no one wants the Champions Hammers to be played at shot. PSG made Neymar the he added, “we have four days to lose.” League, that another time. world’s most expensive player until the Liverpool game and I Traditionally, the Liga cham- depend on Echoing a similar sched- in 2017 by signing him from know that winning tomorrow pions have had to wait to receive specific uling complaint from Barcelona for 222 million euros with what it means to win a title the trophy. moments,” Pochettino before their last-16 as they stepped up their bid to is something very powerful This year that might change. he said. tie against Borussia Dortmund, win a maiden Champions looking ahead to Wednesday’s Spanish media has reported both Spurs defender Danny Rose League title, but they have now game, much more than any that the Spanish Football Feder- earlier this week said English lost in the last 16 in three fatigue we may suffer.” ation president Luis Rubiales will teams should be helped out by straight seasons. the authorities. SATURDAY 27 APRIL 2019 SPORT 19 Jordan Rally: Al Attiyah takes early lead

THE PENINSULA 2019 Jordan Rally DEAD SEA JORDAN Positions after SS11:

Nasser Saleh Al Attiyah and 1. Nasser Saleh Al Attiyah Matthieu Baumel were in a class (QAT)/Matthieu Baumel (FRA) of their own after 11 special Volkswagen Pole GTI R5 stages of the 2019 Jordan Rally 1hr 26min 21.1sec in the Dead Sea and Jordan 2. Abdulaziz Al Kuwari (QAT)/ Valley areas yesterday. Marshall Clarke (GBR) Škoda The Qatari is bidding for a Fabia R5 record-breaking 13th victory at the second round of the FIA 1hr 30min 42.3sec Middle East Rally Championship 3. Marouf Abu Samra (JOR)/ (MERC) and guided his Autotek- Malek Hariri (JOR) Ford Fiesta run Volkswagen Polo GTI R5 to R5 the fastest time on each of the 1hr 31min 30.8sec day’s gravel stages until an alarm 4. Meshari Al Thefiri (KWT)/ ruined his chance of completing Nasser Al Kuwari (QAT) a clean sweep on the final super Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X special stage of the day. 1hr 35min 28.8sec The outcome was a massive 5. Said Al Mouri (SAU)/Amr lead of 4min 21.2sec for the Refai (SAU) Mitsubishi Lancer 14-time regional champion and Evo X 21 consecutive stage wins in this 1hr 40min 42.7sec year’s rally series for the Polo. 6. Alex Feghali (LEB)/Joseph Al Attiyah said: “Last stage I Matar (LEB) Mitsubishi Lancer see small alarm. I see fuel Evo VIII pressure. I decide just to go 1hr 47min 14.8sec easily. Maybe we run without 7. Zakariya Al Aufi (OMN)/ fuel. The gauge only shows zero, Ammar Al Balushi (OMN) so I decide to finish the small Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX stage without push. I am happy 1hr 48min 56.5sec we are here now. I am quite Qatar’s Nasser Saleh Al Attiyah in 8. Henry Kahy (LEB)/Musa happy. It is fantastic to win all rampant form in Jordan Rally yesterday. Djiyerian (JOR) Škoda Fabia the stages except for the super INSET: Nasser Saleh Al Attiyah 1hr 56min 57.6sec special. We are learning a lot with this car.” Fellow countryman the end and his rival had throttle Bin Eidan fell by the wayside a bit slow but happy with my Ford Fiesta R5 until they retired Jordan National Rally Positions after SS11 Abdulaziz Al Kuwari made a slow issues. with mechanical issues after the pace after six years.” after eight stages. Today, teams start on his return to the Abu Samra said: “I am feeling fifth stage. Lebanese rookie Alex will tackle two loops of five 1. Tareq Al Taher (JOR)/Samer Hashemite Kingdom for the first good and relieved at the same Saudi Arabia’s Said Al Mouri Feghali gained in confidence as special stages, starting with the Issa (JOR) Mitsubishi Lancer time in three years at the wheel time. I am glad we made it to the returned to Jordan for the first the day progressed, benefiting 11.74km of the Suwayma stage Evo VI of a Škoda Fabia R5 with British service at the end. I have a time in six years with navigator from navigator Joseph Matar’s at 09.36hrs. Crews then tackle 1hr 50min 28.3sec co-driver Marshall Clarke. problem with the throttle sensor. Amr Refai and held fifth overall experience, to reach the night the Mahes (19.00km), Rawda 2. Salameh Al Gammaz He held second place, 48.5 At the end of the day I have and second in MERC 2 after halt in a fine sixth place and (12.68km), Amar (8.56km) and (JOR)/Ghaith Wreikat (JOR) seconds in front of the Jordanian enjoyed it and the gap is not that finding a competitive pace on the third in MERC 2. Nebo (9.52km) stages before the Mitsubishi Lancer Evo V crew of Marouf Abu Samra and much between us on an interna- second loop of five stages. Qatar’s Nasser Khalifa Al midday regroup and service at 1hr 51min 20.4sec Malek Hariri in a Motortune Ford tional rally.” He said: “I have my confi- Atya battled on through the pain the Dead Sea. 3. Ziad Miqdad (JOR)/Husam Fiesta R5, after both drivers had Meshari Al Thefiri found dence back. Six years since my barrier with steering issues after All five specials are repeated Jamzawi (JOR) Mitsubishi lost time with flat tyres on the himself out alone with a massive last Jordan Rally and five years a puncture. He and experienced from 13.37hrs before the cere- Lancer Evo VII second loop. Al-Kuwari also sus- MERC 2 advantage of 5min since my last rally, I am trying to Italian co-driver Nicola Arena monial finish at the Dead Sea 1hr 58min 08.2sec tained some car damage towards 13.9sec after fellow Kuwaiti Saleh get used to the pace notes. I am held sixth overall in a Motortune from 18.00hrs.

Japan’s Naomi Osaka returns the ball Nadal edges closer to ATP to Croatia’s Donna Vekic during their quarter-final match at the WTA Tennis Grand Prix in Stuttgart, southwestern history at Barcelona Open Germany, yesterday.

AFP “I was able to find a way to first when he broke in the BARCELONA win, my game is coming together opening game. That was enough now. I’m happy for today’s to claim the first set. Rafael Nadal held off Jan- match.” Japan’s two-time Bar- In the second, Nishikori Lennard Struff 7-5, 7-5 in the celona Open champion Kei wasted eight break point Barcelona Open quarter-finals Nishikori won a clay slugfest chances in his opponent’s first yesterday to move closer to with Roberto Carballes Baena three service games. setting an ATP record as the first 6-4, 7-5 to move into a Bar- Fourth seed Nishikori finally player to win the same event 12 celona semi for a fourth time. broke for 6-5 though as Car- times. Nishikori will take on balles Baena suffered his Nadal must first get through Russian Daniil Medvedev on Sat- mishap. today’s semi-final between urday after the seventh seed “It was frustrating missing either 2017 finalist Dominic stopped lucky loser Nicolas Jarry on those break points, I twice Thiem or Argentine Guido Pella. of Chile 6-3, 6-4. had 40-0,” Nishikori said. “Men- Nadal took an hour and three Nishikori, the winner here in tally it was not easy at all. quarters to overcome Struff, in 2014 and 2015, served out for “But I knew I was playing their first meeting. victory after his 104th-ranked well, I tried to stay steady even “It’s difficult to face someone opponent slipped in the penul- through he was pushing me, I for the first time,” Spain’s 17-time timate game and appeared to just tried to play my tennis. Grand Slam champion said. strain a right thigh muscle. “In the second he started to “It was important that my - Pounding groundstrokes - play better, the last two games serve was solid today. I’m feeling After Carballes Baena took an were very good tennis for me.” better in my game and hope to injury time out before returning Nishikori has won two of his Osaka hits back at critics keep improving here at home.” to court, Nishikori wrapped up three matches against Nadal is regaining his swagger the win. Medvedev, including the after losing last weekend in the “In the first set, everything Brisbane final in January. Monte Carlo semis to Italy’s was working well for me,” “Medvedev is a tough player, with thrilling Stuttgart win Fabio Fognini. Nishikori said. he’s got a great serve, good reach Nadal stands a perfect 11-0 “I was hitting my forehand and he moves well,” said AFP because that costs energy,” she in Barcelona semi-finals. heavy, which I think you need Nishikori. STUTTGART, GERMANY WTA Stuttgart said. Results from the WTA “I’ve played two good to do on clay.” “I’m expecting many long “I just told myself I didn’t matches here after my first,” he The contest quickly turned rallies. I need to play aggressive World number one Naomi Osaka tournament in Stuttgart want to come away from here said, “The confidence is growing into am exchange of pounding if I want to have a chance at has hit back at her critics after yesterday (x denotes with any regrets.” In Saturday’s - and victories certainly help. groundstrokes, Nishikori striking winning.” fighting to a dramatic comeback seeding): semi-final, Osaka will face either win over Donna Vekic to reach Quarter-finals Estonia’s Anett Kontaveit or Naomi Osaka (JPN x1) bt Rafael Nadal of Spain Barcelona Open: Results her first career clay court semi- former world number one and in action during the Donna Vekic (CRO) 6-3, Quarter-finals final in Stuttgart yesterday. two-time major winner Victoria Barcelona Open The 21-year-old Japanese 4-6, 7-6 (7/4) Kiki Bertens Azarenka. yesterday. battled back from 1-5 down in (NED x6) bt Angelique Osaka cannot lose her Rafael Nadal (ESP x1) bt Jan-Lennard Kerber (GER x5) 6-3, 6-4 Struff (GER) 7-5, 7-5 the final set to beat Vekic 6-3, number one spot in Stuttgart, but 4-6, 7-6 (7/4) but denied that she Petra Kvitova (CZE x3) bt she will be looking to keep a Anastasija Sevastova (LAT Dominic Thiem (AUT x3) bt Guido was struggling this year. healthy points lead over world x7) 2-6, 6-2, 6-3 Pella (ARG) 7-5, 6-2 “I don’t know why people number three Petra Kvitova, are saying I am having a bad who also won her quarter-final Kei Nishikori (JPN x4) bt Roberto season,” she said. “I won the didn’t bother me. You can tell on Friday. Carballes Baena (ESP) 6-4, 7-5 Australian Open, right?” because I get antsy on court, Kvitova overcame a rocky Despite securing her second whereas before, if I made a start to beat Latvia’s Anastasija Daniil Medvedev (RUS x7) bt Nicolas Grand Slam title in Melbourne, mistake, I would just act on it.” Sevastova 2-6, 6-2, 6-3. Jarry (CHI) 6-3, 6-4 Osaka had not reached a semi- “When I am at my best, I wake “It was really difficult today, final since then before her up wanting a new challenge. In but I am very happy to be in the Budapest ATP Results thrilling fightback in Stuttgart, this phase, I felt like I was semi-final. I feel good and Quarter-finals having suffered early exits in waking up just wanting to win.” healthy,” said Kvitova. Pierre-Hugues Herbert (FRA) bt Attila Dubai, Indian Wells and Miami. Osaka said that she had tried In the semi-final, the Czech Balazs (HUN) 6-3, 6-4 She admitted that the to “think logically” when she will face Dutch sixth seed Kiki defeats, and the pressure of found herself on the brink of Bertens, who beat home Filip Krajinovic (SRB) bt Borna Coric being number one, had affected defeat in Friday’s favourite and reigning Wim- (CRO x2) 6-4, 7-5 her. quarter-final. bledon champion Angelique “I would be lying if I said it “I try not panic anymore, Kerber 6-3, 6-4.