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Wednesday, May 3, 2017 FOOTBALL Sha’baan 7, 1438 AH Attacking Monaco GULF TIMES face Juventus wall in Champions League semis SPORT Page 2

FOOTBALL/ EMIR CUP SPOTLIGHT Rayyan look to Sorin: That night at salvage season the Khalifa Al Rayyan, who have won the Emir Cup six times, take on changed seven-time winners Gharafa today in the quarter-finals my life

Flashback: Sorin with the 1995 FIFA World Youth Championship trophy at the Khalifa International Stadium.

By Matthias Krug fl ag. It was a spectacular atmosphere. I Doha can imagine that passion will multiply many times over by the time Qatar host the 2022 FIFA World Cup.” wenty-two years after lifting The 1995 tournament turned out to the 1995 FIFA World Youth be the launching pad for Sorín’s senior Championship title in Qatar as career, during which he also captained Tthe captain of Argentina, Juan Argentina at the 2006 FIFA World Cup Pablo Sorín still remembers in vivid in Germany. detail a country intensely passionate With Khalifa International Stadium Al Rayyan coach Michael Laudrup (L) and his Al Gharafa counterpart Habib Sadegh speak to the media yesterday. At bottom, Lekhwiya boss Djamel Belmadi and about football and the Khalifa Interna- now nearing completion and ready key player Ali Afif pose in front of an Emir Cup banner. tional Stadium which, he says, changed to become the fi rst 2022 FIFA World his life. Cup Qatar stadium to open its gates to By Sports Reporter “Winning the FIFA World Youth the public, the former left-back said Doha Championship in Qatar was one of the he would love to re-visit the stadium best days of my life,” Sorín told www. where his career kicked off . sc.qa in an exclusive interview. “A World Cup in Qatar will be unique l Rayyan will have to lift “We were the fi rst Argentina side in terms of the technology and the out- themselves up and make since Diego Maradona’s team to win the standing projects which the country one last-gasp eff ort for title. The Khalifa Stadium and that fi nal builds to surprise the world,” he added. Aglory if they are to redeem in 1995 against Brazil changed my life, “I’d love to return to the stadium their pride as Qatar’s domestic season because we all returned to Argentina as which is so special to me and my team- draws to a close with the Emir Cup. champions of the world.” mates, to meet old friends again and After winning the 2015-16 Qatar He continued: “I can still remember come to watch the World Cup, and per- Stars League with fi ve matches to the warmth of the night, the moon in haps even see Argentina lift the trophy spare, the Lions have been dogged by the sky and the tournament in Doha we again in Qatar.” inconsistency and poor luck with the surprisingly won, even though no one For Sorín, the current crop of Argen- result they just about managed to fi n- had counted us among the favourites. tina players is good enough to repeat the ish in the top four this season. “Qatar at the time was already grow- feat last achieved by Diego Maradona’s They were also knocked out by Al ing as a country, you could see the con- team at Mexico 1986: “The current gen- Sadd 3-2 in the Qatar Cup last month, struction cranes starting to come up, eration around Messi deserves to win leaving them with only the Emir Cup and you felt the basis for the develop- the World Cup title. Our generation was to ensure they don’t fi nish without a ment you see now. We were treated very unable to win that elusive title at senior piece of silverware this season. well and there was a fantastic organisa- level, and I wish and believe that this Seeded directly into the quarter-fi - tion of the tournament.” hugely talented generation can win it. nals by virtue of their fourth place fi n- With current Colombia coach José “They have won the Under 20 World ish in the Qatar Stars League, they take Pékerman giving instructions from the Cup, the Olympic Games, and have on Al Gharafa today at the Al Sadd Sta- sidelines, Argentina marched into the come so close on three occasions to a dium hoping for a change of fortunes. fi nal with a commanding 3-0 semi- major title. Very small details decided “The Emir Cup is considered the Al Rayyan have won the Emir Cup seven times which is a great record to ensure we fi nish well and keep the fi nal win over a Spain side which in- those matches, so I believe that this most coveted trophy in Qatar and it six times, the last being in 2013 when to have. We last won the Emir Cup title to ourselves,” said coach Djamel cluded Real Madrid’s star trio of Raúl team has the potential to make the fi nal is every team’s dream to win it,” Al they edged out Al Sadd 2-1 in the fi nal. in 2012 and there’s no reason why we Belmadi. González, Fernando Morientes and step. Of course they need to take it one Rayyan coach Michael Laudrup said “Al Rayyan have a great history and can’t do it again this time,” he added. Under Belmadi, Lekhwiya have won Míchel Salgado. step at a time, and qualify for Russia at a press conference yesterday. I am sure it will be a great motivator,” Meanwhile, Sheikh Jassim Cup and three of their fi ve Qatar Stars League In front of a sold-out Khalifa Inter- 2018, in whatever way it takes.” “It’s true that we have not been said Laudrup. league champions Lekhwiya will take titles, making the Algerian one of the national Stadium in the fi nal, Argentina The former Barcelona and PSG de- at our best this season but the play- Al Gharafa coach Habib Sadegh on Al Khor tomorrow (Thursday) as most sought-after coaches in the re- defeated Brazil 2-0 and it was Sorín that fender was eff usive in his description of ers are not short of motivation. They said his team won’t be overawed by they chase a treble to wind up the sea- gion. lifted the trophy. Throughout the tour- Messi – the player he has seen develop are pretty keen to make the season Al Rayyan’s troika of Rodrigo Tabata, son. They should not face many prob- nament, 455,000 spectators followed from close quarters in the dressing room count,” Laudrup added. Sergio Garcia and Sebastian Soria. They failed to qualify for last week’s lems seeing off Al Khor who just about the games, and Sorín remembers the from the start of his Argentina career. Al Rayyan did well to give Al Sadd “We respect all players. They are Qatar Cup fi nal after being knocked survived relegation from the Qatar fans as a standout feature of the tourna- “I remember Messi as a youngster at a fright in the Qatar Cup semi-fi nals obviously Al Rayyan’s main players out by El Jaish in the semis. But the Stars League. ment. Germany 2006, and you could see he before bowing out 3-2 in a thriller. but we are pretty much capable of de- fact they qualifi ed for the last 16 of the “One thing that stays in my mind was diff erent, a very unique talent. We There were also thrashed 5-1 by the fending ourselves,” said Sadegh who prestigious Asian Champions League Fixtures was the incredible passion for football treated him like a rare jewel, because UAE’s Al Wahda in the AFC Champi- replaced Portuguese Pedro Caixinha, has given their morale a major boost. Emir Cup QFs among the fans in Qatar. At the time Di- you could see his projection. There is no ons League. now with the Glasgow Rangers. Lekhwiya, of course are the defend- Today: Al Rayyan vs Al Gharafa, ego Maradona was in everyone’s minds, doubt now that he is the best player in But Laudrup said they had to forget Al Gharafa fi nished fi fth in the Qa- ing champions and would be aiming 6.45pm, Al Sadd Stadium so the neutrals in the crowd were sup- the world. His intelligence on the pitch about those results. tar Stars League to miss out on the to keep the trophy with themselves Tomorrow: Lekhwiya vs Al Khor, porting us and I could see many Argen- sets him apart from the others, you “We can’t agonise over what is in Asian Champions League but Sadegh before they start the next season un- 6.45pm, Al Sadd Stadium tina fl ags, and also fans from Argentina. could see that in the recent El Clasico the past,” said the Danish, Barcelona said his team were all geared to make a der the name of Al Duhail Sports Club Friday: Al Sadd vs Al Kharaitiyat, “I remember it was full that day in the win in Madrid. He is the complete play- and Real Madrid legend. “We have bigger impression in the season-end- following their merger with El Jaish. 6.45pm, Lekhwiya Stadium stadium, and all throughout the stands er, has incredible speed, fi nishing, pass- to make the most of what is there in ing tournament. “As this is the last season we will be Saturday: El Jaish vs Umm Salal, you could see the white robes of the ing vision, and sees the games much be- front of us.” “We have won the tournaments playing under the Lekhwiya we want 6.45pm, Lekhwiya Stadium traditional dress, and then our national fore others do.” Gulf Times 2 Wednesday, May 3, 2017 FOOTBALL

PREVIEW MONACO VS JUVENTUS 9:45PM QATAR TIME EUROPA LEAGUE Celta plan more pain for exhausted Attacking Monaco Manchester United face Juventus wall Even Barcelona could not score in two games against them so it will be complicated for us: Monaco’s Kamil Glik. Juve have conceded just two goals in this campaign

Manchester United’s Portuguese manager Jose Mourinho.

AFP need to look for emergency solu- Madrid tions at centre-back. Mourinho has been critical of Jones and Smalling’s unwilling- ose Mourinho must patch ness to play through the pain up an injury ravaged Man- barrier and doesn’t expect them chester United squad as the to rush back meaning right- English side’s quest for Eu- back Mateo Darmian, midfi elder ropaJ League glory faces its stiff est Michael Carrick or 19-year-old test yet with a semi-fi nal, fi rst leg Axel Tuanzebe could deputise at trip to Celta Vigo tomorrow. the heart of the defence. The Portuguese manager de- “That’s my personal opinion, scribed United’s nine-match I don’t think they will (be fi t) but April schedule as “not human” I know the players I choose will after another disappointing 1-1 give everything. It doesn’t mat- home draw in the Premier League ter if I go with Darmian or Car- against relegation threatened rick or Axel, I trust the boys.” Swansea City on Sunday. The visitors will have Paul His side’s schedule doesn’t get Pogba and Marouane Fellaini any easier, though, with six more back available, whilst Juan Mata games to come over the next 19 could make his comeback from days in a bid to seal Champions groin surgery after being an un- League qualifi cation either by used substitute against Swansea. winning the Europa League or Celta, by contrast, have had the squeezing into the top four of the luxury of resting up Eduardo Ber- Premier League. izzo’s preferred XI for the majority “If we beat Celta, we have the of their recent La Liga games as the fi nal and, in this moment, it is Galicians concentrate on trying to obviously hypothetical,” Mour- win a fi rst ever major trophy. inho told the United website. “We also know what’s at stake “The Europa League fi nal is - not only that you win the Eu- on the Wednesday and we play ropa League, which is huge, but against Crystal Palace on the Sun- you can also win a place in the day. Before that, we play South- Champions League,” Celta strik- Monaco’s French forward Kylian Mbappe Lottin (C) controls the ball during a training session yesterday in La Turbie, near Monaco. ampton away a few days before, so er John Guidetti told UEFA.com. we would be playing the fi nal with “You have dreams about that.” Reuters a 5-0 French Cup semi-fi nal thrashing by disastrous consequences.” And the former Manchester Paris Paris St Germain last week, has a defen- The English giants are without City man would revel in ending sive worry with midfi eld dynamo Tiemoue top scorer Zlatan Ibrahimovic United’s chances of winning the Bakayoko doubtful due to a broken nose. due to cruciate ligament damage. Europa League for the fi rst time. onaco have scored plenty of Monaco have shone in Europe and at Meanwhile, Luke Shaw and Eric “As they say “Manchester is goals this season and boast home this season and their domestic ti- Bailly added to United’s defensive blue” and that’s how it will be one of European soccer’s tle hopes received a welcome boost when woes as they join Phil Jones, Chris when we visit there as well, be- most exciting newcomers a nervous PSG side lost 3-1 at Nice on Smalling and Marco Rojo on the cause we are Celta Vigo and we Min striker Kylian Mbappe but that might Sunday, leaving the club from the French sidelines, meaning Mourinho will will try to keep the city blue.” not be enough to break down the defen- Riviera three points clear at the top with sive wall of Juventus in the Champions a game in hand. League semi-fi nals. Juventus, meanwhile, are closing in on Mbappe, 18, has scored 18 goals in a record sixth straight Serie A title and Players union want Muntari yellow quashed his last 18 competitive games, includ- can turn to their European history for in- World football players’ union rights to approach referee ing three in the 6-3 aggregate win over spiration, having won the showcase club FIFPro urged Italian football Daniele Minelli, as the first Borussia Dortmund in the last eight. competition twice, in 1985 and 1996. powers yesterday to quash point of reference, to make his The pacy forward provides a symbol Juventus players pose during a training session in Vinovo, near Turin, yesterday. Monaco, by contrast, reached the Sully Muntari’s yellow card for grievances known and seek a for the rise of a fi ne counter-attacking Champions League fi nal only once, in leaving the pitch over the week- solution,” it said from its head- team featuring other dangerous players Kamil Glik said ahead of today’s fi rst leg the favourites. 2004, losing 3-0 to a Porto side coached end, after fans hurled racial quarters outside Amsterdam. such as Colombian marksman Radamel in the principality. “Monaco have technical and tactical by Jose Mourinho after a great run featur- abused at the Ghanian player. FIFPro urged Italian football au- Falcao. The Italian champions, who advanced qualities as well as talented young players,” ing wins over Real Madrid and Chelsea. Muntari, 32, could now face thorities to “hear Muntari’s ver- It takes more than that, however, to to the last four with an aggregate 3-0 Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri said. The sides have faced each other twice disciplinary measures after de- sion of events, investigate why impress Juventus, the tightest defence in win over Barca, were held to a 2-2 draw “They do not have the same history as before on the Champions League stage ciding to leave the field seconds the situation was mismanaged, Europe’s top club competition with just at Atalanta in a rare defensive mix-up in Juventus but that does not mean it will be with Juventus winning both ties, in the before full-time — a decision and take firm action to ensure two goals conceded in this campaign. Serie A on Friday. easy for us to make it to the fi nal”, he added. 1998 semi-fi nals and the 2015 quarters. that earned him a second yel- this never happens again.” “Even Barcelona could not score in two Their pedigree and record for being While Allegri can rely on a fully-fi t Juventus have never been eliminated low card, and then a red, from “No player should ever feel games against them so it will be compli- impregnable when it matters, however, squad, his Monaco counterpart Leonardo by a French team in 11 previous meetings referee Daniele Minelli. the need to take matters into cated for us”, Monaco’s Poland defender suggest Juventus should be regarded as Jardim, criticised for fi elding a B-team in in European club competitions. “FIFPro believes Muntari’s yel- his own hands, as Muntari low card should be rescinded,” clearly felt obliged to do, by the Dutch-based union said in abandoning the match or tak- BOTTOMLINE a statement. ing spectators to task for inap- “Muntari was well within his propriate behaviour,” it said.

From has-been to Monaco hero, LA LIGA Stumbling Sevilla Falcao savours career revival upset by Malaga in AFP mier League, with Manchester That has allowed Falcao to bury Monaco United and then Chelsea, yield- the memory of a diffi cult fi rst sea- ed just fi ve goals. son in Monaco, cut short by a seri- Andalusian thriller The Daily Mail labelled him “a ous knee injury that saw him miss ismissed as a crocked rich man with a broken reputa- the World Cup in Brazil. Reuters has-been after a disas- tion”, while The Daily Telegraph It was the start of all his prob- Madrid trous spell in England, highlighted how he had been lems, and when Monaco faced Radamel Falcao will paid the equivalent of £800,000 Juventus in the Champions savourD the Champions League ($1 million) per shot by Chelsea. League quarter-fi nals in 2015, alaga stunned Sevilla anthem more than most before He was left out of the Colom- Falcao was warming the bench with two late strikes Monaco and Juventus face off in bia squad for last year’s Copa at Old Traff ord. in a 4-2 win on Mon- today’s semi-fi nal fi rst leg. America too, but that reputation Monaco had just wanted rid of day to leave Jorge The Colombian striker will has been restored this year in Falcao and his burdensome pay MSampaoli’s side still at slight risk captain the principality club stunning style. packet at that point. of slipping out of the top four in against the Italians — whose “I think it’s all about confi - However, in January this year La Liga. own star striker Gonzalo Hi- dence and having a regular run they were pleased that he stayed Despite two goals from Franco guain was once his colleague at in the team. The rest takes care despite a reported 60 million- Vazquez, Sevilla’s defeat leaves River Plate — at the Stade Louis of itself,” Falcao told UEFA.com euro off er from China’s Tianjin them on 68 points, three behind II as they attempt to take anoth- recently. Quanjian. third-placed Atletico Madrid, but Malaga’s defender Juan Carlos er step towards a possible Ligue 1 It is not just about what hap- Falcao has just a year left on now only fi ve clear of fi fth-placed celebrates after scoring. and Champions League double. pens out on the pitch in Leon- his Monaco contract but for now Villarreal — and they still have to Monaco have won admirers ardo Jardim’s free-fl owing side, he is only focused on a glorious visit Real Madrid on May 14. the 77th when Diego Llorente everywhere this season thanks though. end to this season. Vazquez opened the scoring at planted a header into the top to the exciting brand of football Monaco’s Radamel Falcao arrives for training. He is also fi nally settled in the Two wins from their last four La Rosaleda in the 30th minute corner before substitute Juankar played by their young team, and glitzy Mediterranean principality. league games should be enough after breaking through from added the decisive fourth, snap- the likes of Kylian Mbappe, Ber- 27 last year. ing that he would get back to “I feel loved by the club and for them to take the French ti- midfi eld, before playmaker Pablo ping up the rebound after San- nardo Silva and Thomas Lemar More than nine months on he his best form. Nobody believed by the fans. My teammates sup- tle from Paris Saint-Germain, Fornals equalised for the hosts dro’s late penalty was saved. will be targets for the continent’s has 28 goals in all competitions it but now we have the proof,” port me and I am very happy at while a fi rst Champions League eight minutes later with a rocket Llorente, whose goal helped giants in the summer. and has now scored 45 in 50 Eu- Monaco’s vice president Vadim the club and in the city, enjoy- crown would top it all. from outside the area. move Malaga up to 12th, said: “The But all of them will admit the ropean appearances, putting him Vasilyev told French television ing this moment,” he said before “Not many players get the Sandro Ramirez put Malaga ball just came to me and I took it role played by the 31-year-old ahead of German great Gerd Mu- station TF1. the quarter-fi nal, second leg win chance to play in a Champions ahead early in the second half well. It’s good to get a big win like Falcao has been vital. eller as the most prolifi c player against Borussia Dortmund. League semi-fi nal. I don’t know but Vazquez levelled in the 57th this in front of our home fans.” He scored in a 2-1 defeat to ever in continental competition. LOVED “My family are also enjoying if I’ll get another opportunity so minute of a fi ercely contested Sevilla midfi elder Vazquez Fenerbahce in Istanbul as their “I have always believed in This time a year ago Falcao was being here and I think these cir- I want to make the most of it. It clash after latching on to a loose added: “We only have ourselves campaign began in the third Radamel and right from the start considered a busted fl ush after cumstances have allowed things is a dream,” said Falcao, twice a ball in the box. to blame. We made mistakes that qualifying round fi rst leg on July of the season I was already say- two seasons on loan in the Pre- to go well on the fi eld.” Europa League winner. Malaga moved back ahead in you cannot make.” Gulf Times Wednesday, May 3, 2017 3 FOOTBALL

SPOTLIGHT Best goal I have has said. scored, admits Can Second-placed Tottenham can keep their title chase Emre Can admitted his alive and cut the lead at the sensational bicycle kick that top to one point if they beat secured Liverpool a crucial 1-0 West Ham and Chelsea fum- win over Watford in their Pre- ble against Middlesbrough mier League clash on Monday three days later. Top-four race not was his best ever goal. “We just have to try to finish The 23-year-old German strong,” Kane told British international — who took his media. tally to five for the season “We’ve got another game Fri- — produced his moment of day night and it’s good to play magic in time added on in the first. Hopefully, we can drop first-half. the gap to one point and then “I have never scored a goal see what happens.” over yet: Klopp like that — maybe when I was Kane said that Tottenham younger. That is the best goal knew the pressure of playing I’ve ever scored,” Can told Sky later as they often played after ‘We have pressure until the end of the season, but that’s a positive pressure. It means Sports. “I saw the space and I champions Leicester City in ran behind and my first thought the closing stages of last sea- we are fighting for something. So we’ll do everything for the points we can get...’ was that I wanted to head it, son and eventually faltered. then I didn’t think too much. “We know what it’s like from “But the most important thing when Leicester were playing was three points after know- last year before us, and even ing what happened yesterday. today, that it’s good to play It was a big game for us. first and put the pressure on,” “Everything is in our hands. he added. If we win the three games we “It will be a tough game away are in the Champions League. from home but hopefully we We are confident. If we can get that win, put that pres- perform how we can perform sure on and just wait and see.” then we can do it.” Tottenham lost 1-0 at West Liverpool manager Jurgen Ham last year but beat their Klopp was in awe of what he London rivals at White Hart termed the ‘spectacular’ goal. Lane earlier this season. “Emre has played really well in the past few weeks but he Ibrahimovich knee could still play better... How- surgery successful, ever I don’t think he can ever informs his agent score a better goal than that,” Klopp told Sky Sports. Manchester United striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic has under- Liverpool’s Coutinho gone surgery on his damaged hopeful of quick right knee and will make a return aft er leg injury full recovery, his agent Mino Raiola said yesterday. Liverpool midfielder Philippe United’s leading goalscorer Coutinho is hopeful of suff ered knee ligament dam- returning to action soon after age during the 2-1 Europa sustaining a dead leg during League quarter-final win over the club’s 1-0 Premier League Anderlecht last month and has victory over Watford on Mon- been ruled out for the rest of day, the playmaker has said. the season. The 24-year-old limped off the The 35-year-old Swede, whose pitch in the first 15 minutes of contract expires at the end the match at Vicarage Road of the season, travelled to and was replaced by Adam the United States to undergo Lallana but manager Juergen surgery at the University of Klopp said that the Brazilian Pittsburgh Medical Center and had not been badly injured. has started his rehabilitation. “He has a dead leg, hopefully “Zlatan Ibrahimovic has under- it’s not too serious but of course gone successful knee surgery. it’s really painful and no chance He will make a full recovery (he could continue). Everybody and has not suff ered a career- could see he tried hard, but no ending injury,” Raiola said in a chance,” Klopp told reporters statement. after the game. “Zlatan has started rehabilita- Coutinho posted a picture on tion at UPMC and will remain Instagram with German team under the care of Dr. Fu and mate Emre Can, whose spec- Dr. Musahl throughout his tacular overhead kick secured recovery.” all three points for Liverpool. Ibrahimovic had previously “Thanks to all for the support. addressed the injury on In- It isn’t serious,” Coutinho stagram and vowed to come wrote in the caption. back stronger, while United Liverpool’s Emre Can scores a superb scissor-kick goal against Watford during their English Premier League match at Vicarage Road. Liverpool, who are third in the team mates wore his and table, host Southampton in defender Marcos Rojo’s names AFP “So we’ll do everything for the points “People wondered what was wrong But the hosts came within millimetres the league on Sunday. on their training shirts prior to Watford we can get, but it won’t be easy. with him, but we needed him in these of snatching a stoppage-time equaliser their 2-0 Premier League win “If people think we already have the moments. He said, ‘I’m going to try.’ when centre-back Sebastian Prodl thun- Spurs will take title over Burnley on April 23. three points against Southampton then “Sometimes he wasn’t as good as he dered an eff ort against the crossbar. race down to the wire, iverpool manager Jurgen Klopp they’ve not seen them play this season. could have been, but now those problems “I said to the players after the game, if says Chelsea’s Matic Man United willing told his players to gird their loins Another really strong side. are sorted, he’s physically strong and he they want to kill me, that’s a good way to to play juniors in last for the Premier League run-in af- “Nobody can take these points away can build on these performances. try it. I thought I felt something in this Chelsea midfielder Nemanja league game, says ter they retained control of their from us tonight and now we have time to “And if he can score goals like this it area,” Klopp said, gesturing to his heart. Matic thinks Tottenham Mourinho Ltop-four destiny with victory at Watford. work and prepare for the Southampton makes even more sense.” Watford manager Walter Mazzarri, Hotspur will take the race for Emre Can’s stupendous mid-air scis- game (on Sunday).” whose side remain 13th in the table, said the Premier League title right Manchester United will field a sors kick earned Liverpool a 1-0 win at Can settled proceedings in fi rst-half MAZZARRI BEMOANS BAD LUCK the fi nal score was not an accurate refl ec- down to the wire, making the weakened team for their last Vicarage Road on Monday that provi- stoppage time, meeting Lucas Leiva’s Liverpool lost playmaker Philippe tion of the game. run-in far more diff icult for the Premier League game of the sionally gave them a three-point cushion fl oated pass with a picture-book volley Coutinho to a dead leg early in the game, “If you look at all Liverpool’s games, West London club than it was season against Crystal Palace over Manchester City in third place. that fl ew past Watford goalkeeper Heu- which saw Adam Lallana make his return they usually create fi ve or six clear two years ago. if they qualify for the Europa Victory in Liverpool’s last three games relho Gomes. from a month-long lay-off as a 13th- chances,” said the Italian. In the 2014-15 season, Chelsea League final, manager Jose — against Southampton, West Ham Can has battled a niggling calf problem minute replacement for the Brazilian. “Today we hardly conceded any chanc- and Manchester City were Mourinho has said. United and Middlesbrough — will guar- for the past 12 months and Klopp praised Klopp off ered no prognosis on Coutin- es and we also had a couple of chances, so level at the top in January but Fifth-placed United are a point antee them a Champions League berth, the Germany midfi elder for gritting his ho’s condition, only to say that the injury overall it was a good performance. City faded to finish fourth well and a place behind Manches- but Klopp said there was still much work teeth and fi ghting through it. — sustained in a collision with Watford’s “I usually don’t like to speak about behind the champions. ter City and their qualification to be done. “If he couldn’t be positive after this Adrian Mariappa — had been “really luck, but today we were completely un- Serbian Matic does not expect for next season’s Champions “We need to stay focused, we need to goal, something would be wrong,” Klopp painful”. lucky. any similar reprieve in this League through a top-four fin- stay concentrated,” said the German. said with a smile. Liverpool also hit the bar through a dip- “Apart from Prodl’s shot against the campaign. ish depends on either City or “We have pressure until the end of the “He’s a good player. He’d had a calf ping Lallana volley and Watford goalkeeper crossbar, there were two incorrect off - “I think this year is more diff i- third-placed Liverpool slipping season, but that’s a positive pressure. It problem, but we couldn’t leave him out. Heurelho Gomes had to make several sec- sides against (Stefano) Okaka and (Troy) cult,” he told London’s Evening up in their remaining games. means we are fi ghting for something. We had a lot of talks about this. ond-half saves to keep them at bay. Deeney. We played a really good game.” Standard. “We finished 2015 With four league matches left, eight points clear of Man City. United are yet to play second- I’m not sure this will be the placed Tottenham Hotspur BOTTOMLINE case with Tottenham. and sixth-placed Arsenal but “I’m sure they will not give up can also book a Champions until end of the season. At this League spot by winning the moment it’s hard, but we will Europa League. see. Each time we win, they They face Spanish side Celta win, two years ago that was Vigo away in the semi-final not the case.” first leg tomorrow. Kluivert Jr following dad’s path Chelsea face the bottom two “If we beat Celta, we have AFP tin told football magazine Four- “He possesses speed and clubs in the league as well as the final (on May 24) and, in Amsterdam FourTwo recently. courage, and knows how West Bromwich Albion and this moment, it is obviously The father was more of a to pass,” former Ajax great Watford in their four remain- hypothetical,” Mourinho told penalty area predator and a real Sjaak Swart said of the ing games. the club’s website. ore than twenty number nine. younger Kluivert. “It’s hard Tottenham travel to West Ham “The Europa League final is on years after the “He possesses speed and to believe that he’s just 17” United and host Manchester the Wednesday and we play football world wit- courage, and knows how to United before taking on cham- against Crystal Palace on the Mnessed the school- pass,” former Ajax great Sjaak His main strength seems to pions Leicester City and end- Sunday... so we would be play- boy Patrick Kluivert lead Ajax Swart said of the younger Kluiv- be in his mazy runs and dribbles ing their season at Hull City. ing the final with disastrous to Champions League glory his ert last month. “It’s hard to be- into the box that he has honed “This season is hard. We win consequences,” the Portu- son Justin is bidding to help the lieve that he’s just 17.” since his days in the youth ranks and Tottenham win, they are guese added. Dutch giants into the Europa Justin — the second of four sons where his father was head coach. always close,” Matic added. “Maybe I can bring (youth League fi nal. — made his Ajax debut in January Fans have picked up on the “But the important thing is team coach) Nicky Butt and Justin Kluivert, 17, is turning 2017 and has since played in the feel good vibe of the whole thing that we are playing well, we his team to play against heads in the Ajax red and white right wing slot of the classic Ajax with Matthijs de Ligt, also 17, take points and we will see if Crystal Palace and hopefully and some say he’s even more 4-3-3 formation. making a fi rst team impact as a they can drop some points they (Palace) don’t need the skilful than the father, who went There was a wave of nostal- defender plucked from the youth “They have some diff icult game to stay in the division on to enjoy a top level career gia in the Netherlands in March ranks and cast into the spotlight. games, home and away, so eve- because it would be very, very with AC Milan and Barcelona when he scored his fi rst top- “This will pay dividends in rything is open until the end.” bad if they needed the points and who is now sports director fl ight goal ten years to the day the coming years,” estimated and we played with the Under- at Paris Saint-Germain. after his father’s fi nal strike as a Dutch daily newspaper Alge- Tottenham targeting 23s.” Midfielders Paul Pogba He even looks the spitting professional with Lille. meen Dagblad. West Ham win to pile and Marouane Fellaini will image of his father in that un- Given his background, fans A recent altercation with PSV pressure on Chelsea return to action against Celta. forgettable fi nal, running on to will doubtless be praying he Eindhoven’s Juergen Locadia “Fellaini and Pogba will be Frank Rijkaard’s pass to give Ajax can do something in the Europa shows the youngster has found Tottenham Hotspur must beat back for that game so there a 1-0 1995 European fi nal win League against Lyon in their the guts to play alongside men. West Ham United on Friday are a little bit more in terms of over Milan before he had even semi-fi nal fi rst-leg today. “I’m young, but I demand night to reduce the gap with options so we will give every- left school. Ajax coach Peter Bosz says his respect. After the match we Chelsea and hope the Premier thing we have,” Mourinho said. “I like it when I am compared starlet is “a product of the Ajax can have a laugh and relax, but League leaders falter under United travel to Arsenal in the to my dad. He had a great career, system and terribly eff ective on not out on the pitch,” Kluivert pressure, striker Harry Kane Premier League on Sunday. and I hope to have one too,” Jus- Ajax Amsterdam’s player Justin Kluivert attends a training session. one-on-ones”. warned. Gulf Times 4 Wednesday, May 3, 2017 SPORT

BOXING GOLF Aussie young gun Smith has major Joshua backed credentials — coach to replicate ‘Woods eff ect’ ‘The Joshua eff ect is very similar to the Tiger Woods eff ect in golf, where people who are not so interested suddenly become interested...’

Cameron Smith of Australia reacts after putting in to win in a sudden-death playoff during a continuation of the final round of the Zurich Classic at TPC Louisiana in Avondale, Louisiana.

Reuters terview by the green, eventually Melbourne mumbling: “I can’t even talk, I’m sorry.” Had he missed the putt, it ameron Smith un- would have hardly mattered for derlined his enor- him, suggested Field, describ- mous promise with his ing a player who never gets too breakthrough win at down on himself and tends to theC Zurich Classic of New Orle- leave the game on the course ans team event and the Austral- when he steps off it. ian tyro has the all-round game Smith is also unlikely to be for major success, according too fazed by any extra attention to his long-time coach Grant as he makes his way through the Field. rest of the season. The 23-year-old’s triumph in “It doesn’t bother him too a playoff with Swedish partner much. His nature is to go about Jonas Blixt at TPC Louisiana on his business,” said Field. Monday put him in esteemed “He doesn’t go for the lime- company in his native Australia. light. He doesn’t sort of go Only Jason Day and Adam chasing stardom as such. Any- Scott have claimed a US Tour thing that comes his way, he event at a younger age among will have earned. Smith’s compatriots. “Over time we will see what Both Day and Scott have gone happens. At the moment we’ve on to win majors and claim the just got to enjoy where he’s at.” world number one ranking since Smith turned professional in their breakthroughs in America 2013 and it wasn’t long before and a number of pundits feel he made a splash, grabbing a Brisbane-born Smith could be top 10 fi nish in his fi rst US Tour cut from the same cloth. event at the co-sanctioned Although reluctant to put too CIMB Classic in Kuala Lumpur much pressure on his charge, in 2014. Anthony Joshua poses for a photograph with his team after the fight against Wladimir Klitschko on Saturday. Field, who has worked with He raised eyebrows with his Smith since he was 11 years old, fi nish at the 2015 US Open, AFP ‘I’ll beat Joshua with one arm tied behind my back ‘ in sport, period. He’s number one,” said feels the high expectations are smashing a three-wood from London the veteran English sports impressario. justifi ed. the fairway of the par-fi ve 18th “It can also have an eff ect on other “I don’t think he has a real at Chamber Bay to within inch- AFP, London: Tyson Fury taunted agreed, the momentum behind an all- boxers, on the whole concept of boxing weakness,” the Gold Coast- es of the hole. eavyweight champion Anthony Anthony Joshua yesterday by insisting British clash for the world heavyweight as a sport, of the social benefi ts and of based coach told Reuters in an The tap-in eagle put him into Joshua can be a “fl ag-bearer” he could beat the world heavyweight title could prove hard to stop. the opportunity that exists for kids that interview on Tuesday. a tie for fourth and gave him his for boxing in the way Tiger champion with “one arm tied behind my “Styles do make fights but I am sure I live the right life. On a social level it’s a “There’s nothing in his game fi rst taste of the US Masters last Woods was for golf, according back”. can beat AJ (Joshua) with one arm tied watershed moment in terms of percep- that really lets him down. year, where he made the cut but Hto one of Britain’s top sports promoters. tion for the sport.” “Especially, he has an amaz- struggled on the weekend. Shortly after his thrilling 11th-round stop- behind my back,” Fury said in a Sky Joshua was widely acclaimed for page of Wladimir Klitschko at London’s Sports interview from his training base Hearn, a lifelong boxing fan, said last ing short game which was evi- Smith has not qualifi ed for his stunning 11th-round stoppage of Wembley on Saturday, Joshua ‘called in Marbella, on Spain’s south coast. weekend’s bout was one of the best he dent over the last few days as next month’s US Open but Wladimir Klitschko in a world heavy- out’ fellow British heavyweight Fury by “I have been out of the ring as long as could recall and was fi t to be ranked well. Monday’s win secured him a weight title bout at London’s Wembley saying: “Fury, where are you at, baby?” Klitschko but the diff erence is, I am not alongside the classic 1970s trio of heav- “When things get tough (at spot in next week’s prestig- Stadium on Saturday. While Joshua and Ukrainian veteran 41, I am 28.” yweight fi ghts between Muhammad Ali the majors) you need to rely on ious Players Championship The former Olympic champion vic- Klitschko retained a respectful tone Reflecting on the Wembley epic, Fury, and Joe Frazier. that and it’s a huge skill for him at TPC Sawgrass in Florida, a tory’s was soon heralded as a boxing towards one another both before and who labelled Joshua a “pumped-up “I’ve been following fi ghts since I was to have. short drive from the Austral- classic, with the 27-year-old Briton now after their epic fight, the same cannot be weightlifter”, said: “It was an excellent nine years old, listening and studying the “It’s also his attitude and be- ian’s home base at Jacksonville holding several versions of the world said of Joshua’s relationship with Fury fight, very entertaining and enjoyable game and it delivered on all fronts,” said lief in his abilities is second to Beach. heavyweight title. which has been marked by a series of and I was screaming for AJ to smash Hearn, who took time out from presiding none. All those combined, who Another big stage looms with “All sports need fl ag-bearers,” said back-and-forth taunts. him. over snooker’s World Championship in knows what that will entail in his debut British Open at Royal Barry Hearn, the chairman of Match- Fury dramatically beat Klitschko on “I wonder what people would be saying his role as chairman of World Snooker, to the future.” Birkdale in July, which was room Sport, an agency whose boxing di- points in a world title fight in November today if Klitschko had done him in the be at ringside. The fi nish at TPC Louisi- sealed by a joint runnerup fi n- vision, headed up by his son Eddie, man- 2015 and once held both the Interna- sixth. “I think it was one of the best heavy- ana was delayed due to a long ish behind fellow 23-year-old ages Joshua. tional Boxing Federation (IBF) and World “I was screaming, pulling my hair out — weight fi ghts. I always thought Ali-Fra- thunderstorm, leaving Smith Jordan Spieth at the Australian “The Joshua eff ect is very similar to Boxing Association (WBA) belts now or what little hair I’ve got left — because zier — the trilogy was the best, but of and Blixt to battle the American Open in November. the Tiger Woods eff ect in golf, where held by Joshua. I was worried it would cost us millions! course there was only one knockdown in duo of Kevin Kisner and Scott Having honed his game on people who are not so interested sud- But he hasn’t boxed since, with mental “He (Joshua) showed he can get the fi rst one, (the 1971 ‘Fight of the Cen- Brown in a long, tense playoff some rustic Queensland golf denly become interested, where young health problems forcing him to relin- dropped and come back, which is what tury’ at New York’s Madison Square Gar- on Monday. courses when growing up, people become aspirational to fol- quish his titles, while his licence to box champions are made of. He showed he den which Frazier won on points). On the fourth extra hole, Smith should have no major low in someone’s footsteps,” added the was subsequently suspended by the can recover from taking big shots.” “I spoke to (former champion) Evander Smith stuck his approach to bother with the vagaries of links 69-year-old Barry Hearn, who made his British Boxing Board of Control. However, Fury added: “There’s only one Holyfi eld on Saturday night and said inside three feet at the par-fi ve golf, Field said. name managing snooker star Steve Davis Fury, however, could have his licence fight out there, the biggest fight in the to him, ‘Can you remember a world ti- 18th and calmly tapped in. “They’re not the most mani- before branching out into boxing and returned at a hearing next week and world and everyone knows that. It is the tle fi ght when both heavyweights went Having kept a check on his cured and perfect golf courses darts. if Klitschko does not want a re-match heavyweights, it is me and AJ, no one down?’, and between us we couldn’t. I emotions during the tense fi nal (here)... You’ve got to learn to “For that they need a role model and with Joshua or terms for one cannot be else. was going back in my mind to the Jack holes, an overwhelmed Smith deal with diff erent situations Joshua is the fi nest role model I have seen Dempsey era (of the 1920s),” said Hearn. was speechless during a TV in- and create diff erent shots.”

LOCAL FLAVOUR Aspire’s school football festival a success

By Sports Reporter form for talented youngsters to showcase their the Qatar national team Mansour Muftah also Doha skills and support their athletic development attended the event. He stayed until the closing and sporting potential. It comprises an impor- ceremony to congratulate the winning team on tant part of the Academy’s mission to produce their victory. spire Academy celebrated the end of leading local athletes. He praised the tournament organisers and its annual School Festival Football Participating schools competed in two cat- commended the Academy on the role it plays Tournament 2017 in Aspire Dome, the egories – one for independent schools and one in encouraging young athletes to play sports. Aworld’s largest indoor multi-purpose for private schools. Commenting on tournament, Nasser al-Ahbabi, dome. The festival was attended by a number of Head of the Football Skill Development Centre In all, 32 local independent and private senior representatives from Aspire Academy (FSDC) Administration, said: “This festival re- schools took part in the tournament. Al Furqan including Badr al-Hay, Director of Education fl ects the eff orts made by the FSDC to identify School clinched the title after a convincing vic- and Student Care, Ali Sultan Fakhroo, Director and develop young players all-year round and tory against Al Wafaa School in the fi nal. Young of Corporate Services, Jassem al-Jaber, School highlights the success of our ongoing partner- student Hussain Ali Hussain from Al Wafaa Principal, Saeed al-Marri, Football Aff airs Man- ship with local schools to support young emerg- School was named as the tournament’s ‘Best ager, Nasser al-Ahbabi, Head of the Football ing talent.” Player.’ The festival was organised by Aspire Skill Development Centre (FSDC) Administra- Al-Ahbabi also praised the team from Aspire Academy’s Football Skill Development Centre tion and Muneera al-Abdullah, Finance Man- Academy for their dedication and diligence in (FSDC) and featured young students born in ager. In addition, a number of coaches from the ensuring the success of the tournament, ex- 2009 who competed in matches held simulta- Academy refereed the matches and oversaw the pressing his thanks to Fatima al-Nuaimi, Ghada neously from 9:00am to 12:00pm. students’ participation. al-Mas and Ghada Saliba, Football Administra- The tournament is designed to provide a plat- Former footballer and all-time top scorer for tors at the FSDC at the Academy. Gulf Times Wednesday, May 3, 2017 5 SPORT

NHL Penguins lose Crosby to head injury, game to Capitals

AFP the best-of-seven Eastern Conference ally a hockey play... he’s coming down Washington second round series to 2-1 entering and Nisky has to go to the back post game four Wednesday in Pittsburgh. because the puck is coming around. Sullivan said he was confi dent the It’s just hockey. It’s a hockey play. Un- efending Stanley Cup cham- Penguins, who have overcome injuries fortunately he got hurt.” pion Pittsburgh’s hopes for a much of the season, could cope with Asked about Ovechkin’s stick to repeat crown suff ered a ma- the setback of losing one of the NHL’s Crosby’s head, Trotz said, “Was there jor setback Monday with a superstars for a long period of time. a penalty?” and after citing several headD injury to NHL goals leader Sidney “We’re hopeful that won’t be the plays concluded, “I’m not going to get Crosby in a 3-2 overtime loss to Wash- case but I think this group has so much into all that.” ington. character and talent that we’re able Penguins captain Crosby, named a to endure the injuries,” Sullivan said. ‘He’s a fantastic player’ fi nalist for the NHL’s Most Valuable “We did it tonight. And we’ll continue Crosby has sparked the Penguins Player trophy earlier in the day, was to do it.” to two Stanley Cup titles and Canada helped off the ice after taking a cross- Crosby was struck in the helmet to the past two Winter Olympic gold check to the head from Washington by the stick of Washington star Alex medals plus last year’s World Cup of defenseman Matt Niskanen in the fi rst Ovechkin and was falling off -balance Hockey crown. But he also a history period. to the ice when he was hit solidly in the of concussions that raises major con- The 29-year-old Canadian, who led head by Niskanen. cerns of a long-term absence from the the NHL with 44 goals this season, did “I hope he’s OK. I certainly didn’t Pittsburgh lineup. not return to the contest and Penguins mean to injure him,” Niskanen said. “I Crosby suff ered severe hits to the coach Mike Sullivan had no update on wasn’t even trying to cross check him head from Washington’s Dave Steck- Crosby’s status or condition after the with a serious amount of force.” el and Tampa Bay’s Victor Hedman game. Niskanen, a former Penguin, re- within the fi rst fi ve days of 2011, caus- “I’d rather not share my opinion ceived a fi ve-minute major penalty ing concussion symptoms that side- on it,” Sullivan said of the play that and 10-minute misdonduct penalty lined Crosby the remainder of the sea- injured Crosby, who has a history of for the blow, which he said came be- son and playoff s. concussion complications. cause Crosby was trying to make a play He only played 22 regular-season The Capitals seized a 2-0 lead be- as he fell. games in the 2011-2012 campaign as a fore the Penguins equalized with two “He’s trying to make a play he’s get- result of lingering symptoms. late third-period goals only to fall on ting lower and lower and that’s what “He’s one of the best players in the a power-play goal by Washington’s happened there,” Niskanen said. world,” Trotz said. “He’s a fantastic Kevin Shattenkirk 3:13 into over-time. Capitals coach Barry Trotz defended player. That’s a big hole no question, Pittsburgh Penguins Sidney Crosby is helped off of the ice by trainer Chris Stewart after Crosby suff ered an apparent injury against That trimmed the Penguins’ lead in Niskanen, saying, “I thought it was re- but they have got a lot of resolve.” the Washington Capitals during the game three of the second round of Stanley Cup playoff s. PICTURE: USA TODAY Sports

NBA MLB Conforto leads Mets to 7-5 win over Braves Cavaliers, Rockets By Marc Carig ond save. For the Mets (11-14), Newsday it was their third win in four games, with the only defeat coming in a 23-5 shellacking to erry Collins often in- the Nationals on Sunday. vokes the 24-hour The bounceback came af- rule. That’s how much ter that embarrassment, and time he allows a player against the Braves’ Julio Te- romp in 2nd round Tto sulk. The Mets manager heran, who entered the game tried following the edict on 4-0 with an 0.91 ERA in his Monday, when the pain of the last seven starts against the previous day was still fresh. Mets. The latest had come last That’s when the Mets Wednesday, an 8-2 Braves vic- watched Noah Syndergaard tory at Citi Field in which the leave with a lat injury that later righty allowed just two runs in sent him to the disabled list, 6 1/3 innings. playoff openers the fi rst gut punch in a humili- But even the Mets’ great tor- ating loss to the Nationals. So mentor couldn’t keep it going before the Mets began a four- forever. The end of that domi- ‘I think a lot of our mistakes we were able to cover up for because our energy level was high’ game set against the Braves on nance arrived on Monday night, Monday, Collins put on a new lost in the fl urry of a fi ve-run face and focused on surviving fourth inning in which the Mets AFP “There are no individual ef- without their ace. sent 10 men to the plate. Washington forts here,” Harden said. “I’ve “Somebody’s got to pick it Neil Walker and T.J. Riv- been proud of that all year.” The up,” Collins said, before the era delivered run-scoring hits. Rockets went 12-of-27 from Mets beat the Braves, 7-5. Reyes grounded out to knock eBron James sparked de- 3-point range in the fi rst half, The Mets posted just a .387 in another run. And Conforto fending NBA champion already hitting more shots from winning percentage all-time ripped a two-run single to right Cleveland over Toronto beyond the arc than in any fi rst- at Turner Field. But they made to give the Mets a 6-1 advantage. while James Harden round contest. Kawhi Leonard good in their debut at that ven- It proved enough to cover Lpowered the Houston Rockets led San Antonio with 21 points ue’s replacement, SunTrust for Gsellman, the 23-year-old to an epic rout of San Antonio in and 11 rebounds but the Spurs Park. righty who has looked nothing second-round playoff openers made only 31-of-84 shots from Michael Conforto hit a lead- like the pitcher who bailed out on Monday. the fl oor. off homer and later ripped a an injury-riddled rotation late James scored 35 points and two-run single as part of the last year. He has instead been grabbed 10 rebounds while Kyrie ‘A high flying team’ Mets’ fi ve-run fourth inning. part of the problem, making it Irving added 24 points and 10 In Cleveland, the Cavaliers He fi nished with three RBIs easy to question whether his assists and Kevin Love had 18 scored 10 consecutive points to and upped his average to .333, star turn last year was merely a points and nine rebounds as grab a 22-11 edge and stretched a good sign as he carries a fl uke. In fi ve starts this season, the Cavaliers ripped the visit- it to 38-20 early in the second larger burden in the absence of Gsellman has completed six in- ing Raptors 116-105 in their quarter. Up 62-48 at half-time, Yoenis Cespedes. nings just once. best-of-seven Eastern Confer- they led by as many as 25 points Jose Reyes hit his third hom- The rest of his outings have ence matchup. “The energy was on the way to victory. “I thought er in his last fi ve games, a solo been slogs, littered with base- phenomenal,” James said. “We they were the quicker team and shot in the eighth inning that runners. Lately, he’s also been pushed the ball, passed the ball we have to match that,” Raptors came after he was robbed of lacking velocity. like we wanted.” coach Dwane Casey said. two hits earlier in the game. Satisfi ed that the issue did Four-time NBA Most Valuable Irving scored 16 fi rst-half The homer gave the Mets not signal a potential injury, Player James hit 13-of-23 shots points while James had 13 and a critical insurance run and the Mets turned to Gsellman. from the fl oor and 7-of-8 from Love 11. “We want to continue to served as the latest sign that But even in the warmth of the the free throw line while Tristan move the ball, share the ball and Reyes may be emerging from South, his two-seamer still Thompson contributed 11 points make everybody feel comfort- his horrendous slump to be- lingered in the low 90s, leav- and 14 rebounds for the Cava- able with what we’re trying to gin the season. Starter Robert ing it vulnerable when he was liers, who James warned will be do,” James said. Gsellman won for the fi rst time forced to challenge hitters. better in game two. The Raptors, who fell to 1-12 this season, though his ERA rose “I feel like I’ll be a lot better on in playoff series openers, were to 6.75 after he nearly squan- RESULTS Wednesday,” James said. “Little led by 20 points from Kyle Lowry dered a big lead. Brewers 7 Cardinals 5 bit of rhythm here and condi- and 19 from DeMar DeRozan. He departed in the sixth with Reds 4 Pirates 3 (10 innings) tioning there, I think a lot of our “They get big spurts and we two on, nobody out and the Mets 7 Braves 5 mistakes we were able to cover fi ght back. We have to fi nd ways Mets leading 6-3. Royals 6 White Sox 1 up for because our energy level to eliminate the spurts,” Lowry The two runners he left would Rays 4 Marlins 2 was high.” said. “We know they are going to score and he was charged with Tigers 7 Indians 1 Harden had 20 points and 14 be a high-fl ying team that likes fi ve runs in fi ve-plus innings. Orioles 5 Red Sox 2 assists while Trevor Ariza scored to get up and down. But we have But fi ve relievers pitched Blue Jays 7 Yankees 1 23 points and Clint Capela con- to fi nd a way to not let them get four scoreless frames and pro- Astros 6 Rangers 2 tributed 20 points and 13 re- going.” tected the lead, with closer Giants 4 Dodgers 3 bounds as the Rockets dumped Los Angeles Clippers forward Jeurys Familia earning his sec- Phillies 10 Cubs 2 the host Spurs 126-99 to start Blake Griffi n underwent surgery their best-of-seven Western Monday to repair the plantar Conference series. plate of his right big toe, the team “It’s just one win,” Harden announced a day after being said. “It’s a good win but we’ve ousted from the NBA playoff s. got to be ready for game two. Robert Anderson, a foot and They’ve got a lot of fi ght in them. ankle specialist, performed the We missed a few shots. We’ve operation in Charlotte, North got to play better in game two.” Carolina. While the Clippers did The Rockets sank a team play- not give a timetable for Griffi n’s off record 22 3-pointers on 50 recovery, he is expected to return attempts, infl icting the most in time for pre-season training 3-pointers allowed by the Spurs camp in October. in playoff history. San Antonio trailed by as many as 39 points in Results the team’s largest game-one de- Second-round playoff games feat in playoff history. The Spurs (all series best-of-seven) 69-39 half-time defi cit was Western Conference their worst in playoff history. Cleveland Cavaliers LeBron James shoots during the second half of Game One of the NBA Eastern Conference At San Antonio “We lost and they won and semi-finals against the Toronto Raptors at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. (Getty Images/AFP) Houston 126 San Antonio 99 they played better,” Spurs coach (Houston leads series 1-0) Gregg Popovich said. “We com- their fi rst playoff meeting since State, which opens the second 25. The Rockets had 30 assists Eastern Conference peted but I don’t think we ex- 1995, were two of the three win- round Tuesday against Utah. on 40 baskets, their passing and At Cleveland New York Mets centre fielder Michael Conforto gets high fives in ecuted in a very wise manner.” ningest teams in the NBA this A 15-2 run to open the second fast pace humbling the veteran Cleveland 116 Toronto 105 the dugout after hitting a lead off home run against the Atlanta The Spurs and Rockets, in season, both trailing Golden quarter put Houston ahead 49- Spurs. (Cleveland leads series 1-0) Braves during the first inning. PICTURE: USA TODAY Sports Gulf Times 6 Wednesday, May 3, 2017 SPORT

FOCUS ATHLETICS Record-holders receive apology Step back for Asia’s from taskforce chief

Reuters If the proposal is accepted, London current records failing to meet the guidelines would no longer be offi cially sanctioned al- nnocent athletes worried though they would remain on power broker that their world and Euro- the “all-time list”. pean records will be struck O’Callaghan said he had off received an apology spoken to Radcliff e and Brit- Iyesterday from the offi cial who ain’s triple jump world record proposed the radical anti- holder Jonathan Edwards, an- doping plan. European Ath- other athlete who could be af- letics’ taskforce chair Pierce fected because his mark was set O’Callaghan said he accepted in 1995. Sheikh Ahmad that some record-breakers The offi cial compared the would be “collateral damage” changes to English football re- under the measures which sug- vamping its structure to incor- gest resetting pre-2005 marks. porate the Premier League in The proposal, which was an- 1992 or rugby union’s Six Na- nounced by European Athletics tions emerging out of the Five on Monday, was immediately Nations tournament in 2000. condemned by several athletes “We hope people look at it in with Britain’s Paula Radcliff e that vein, rather than stripping branding it “cowardly”. great athletes like Paula of their “Apologies to the athletes, records,” he said. we never intended to damage “Unfortunately, Paula ran their reputation and legacy,” her records in a golden period O’Callaghan told BBC Radio. that happens to be two years Under the plan, any athlete before the technology moved breaking a record would have on. to have been drug-tested many “People should not look times in the lead-up. A sample at Paula’s records and throw taken afterwards would have to them in with doping records — be available for retesting for 10 she achieved her performance, years. European Athletics’ rul- as did Jonathan, with 100 % ing council has accepted the integrity.” project team’s recommenda- The IAAF has only stored tions, which it wants to be ex- blood and urine samples since tended to world records. 2005. Other world records un- Radcliff e faces having her der threat would include Mike 2003 women’s marathon world Powell’s 1991 long jump mark record of two hours 15 min- of 8.95m and Hicham El Guer- utes 25 seconds expunged, but rouj’s 1998 1500m time of 3 O’Callaghan said there was a minutes 26.00 seconds. bigger picture. There is no suggestion that “It (The proposal) is in- any of these athletes took tended to give the public belief drugs. and credibility in what they are Another British athlete, Ste- watching in the sport,” he said. ve Cram, weighed into the con- European Athletics will for- troversy on Tuesday, dismiss- ward a report to the Interna- ing the plan as a “PR exercise”. tional Association of Athletics Under the proposals, Cram’s Federations (IAAF), which will 1985 mile and 2000m Europe- study it at its Council meeting an records would be removed in August. from the books.

Nike’s African trio target Reuters Kuwait’s royal family and former biggest controversies in World Hammam, with the enmity be- man and Gianni Infantino before sub-two hour marathon Hong Kong Secretary General of the Organi- Cup history when he came down tween the pair fuelling an esca- the Swiss emerged victorious. sation of Petroleum Exporting from the stands to summon lation in the battle for control of Sheikh Ahmad’s infl uence This weekend, aided by a host of technological and environ- Countries (Opec), Sheikh Ah- his players from the pitch until the Asian game. seemed to be at its peak but, mental advances, three carefully-selected elite African athletes fter almost a decade as one mad has been involved in power the referee agreed to disallow a The Kuwaiti’s camp had while he was making waves on will attempt to run the first sub-two hour marathon. The ‘Break- of the game’s main power games of one sort or other for France goal at the 1982 fi nals. greater success two years later the global stage, there was con- ing2’ project is the latest enterprise of American sportswear brokers, Sheikh Ahmad most of his adult life. The son shared his father’s when the Sheikh Ahmad-backed troversy at home. giant Nike and has split opinion in the world of athletics, not to al-Fahad al-Ahmed al- In recent years, they have passion for football, even if his Prince Ali bin Hussain defeated He endured a very public fam- mention physiology. In one camp are the ‘purists’, who claim SabahA stepped away from his in- been played out in the sport- involvement in the game outside Bin Hammam ally Chung Mong- ily feud that saw him handed a that the host of benefits being bestowed on the runners, includ- volvement in world football on ing realm, where his acquisition Kuwait was initially on an infor- joon to become Asia’s FIFA Vice suspended six-month prison ing revolutionary shoes, a pack of interchangeable pacemakers Sunday as the US Department of of jobs alone is evidence of his mal basis. President’s position in 2011. sentence for quoting remarks by and a non-traditional course, mean the attempt is a marketing Justice probe into FIFA’s aff airs huge infl uence. His titles include As head of ANOC, he was a key He then backed incumbent the country’s ruler without per- gimmick. In some ways this is possibly the worst time to start claimed another victim. President of the Olympic Coun- supporter of Thomas Bach when Sepp Blatter against Bin Ham- mission in 2015. The conviction shouting about fast marathon times with Kenya’s Rio Olympic His decision came after US cil of Asia (OCA), member of the the German replaced Jacques mam in the FIFA presidential was later quashed. Kuwait was and London marathon champion Jemima Sumgong’s recent Court documents made refer- International Olympic Commit- Rogge as president of the IOC in election later the same year, a also banned by FIFA and the IOC positive doping test landing a body blow to the event. Nike, ence to a Kuwaiti Olympic of- tee, President of the Association 2013 and it was in an attempt at poll from which the AFC Presi- over government interference and others, however, insist projects like ‘Breaking 2’ show that fi cial as being involved in the of the National Olympic Com- kingmaking that he fi rst stepped dent was ultimately barred. in sport stemming from Sheikh a combination of talent, training and technology can produce bribery case of FIFA’s audit and mittees (ANOC), President of into the spotlight in football. Sheikh Ahmad was a key sup- Ahmad’s domestic issues. astounding results without the need for chemical assistance. compliance committee member, the Asian Handball Federation porter of Bahraini Sheikh Salman The immediate impact of his Many people are intrigued to see just how much diff erence such Richard Lai. and Honorary President of Ku- PUBLIC BACKING when he was elected president of decision to withdraw from all a collection of ‘marginal gains’ can make and suggest that, at a Sheikh Ahmad has “strongly” wait Football Association (KFA). After years orchestrating the AFC in 2013 following Bin of his football positions means time when athletics is reeling from relentless bad news, such a denied any wrongdoing and In football, Sheikh Ahmad sat campaigns behind the scenes Hammam’s lifetime ban from next week he will not stand for quantum leap in human endurance, arguably the greatest in the said he resigned the positions on FIFA’s Reform Committee through his Olympic connec- the game for corruption. re-election for the FIFA Coun- sport’s history, is something to be welcomed and celebrated. he held in football to avoid “dis- and the Executive Committee of tions, he publicly backed Sheikh Two years later, he won a place cil, which replaced the Execu- Below we look at the key aspects of the project. tractions” for the Asian Football the Asian confederation. He was Salman bin Ebrahim al-Khali- on the FIFA Executive Commit- tive Committee, when the AFC Kenyan Dennis Kimetto set the current record of two hours, Confederation (AFC) as well as appointed President of the OCA fa’s failed 2009 attempt to oust tee and backed Blatter as the meets for its congress in Bahrain. two minutes, 57 seconds in Berlin in 2014, which is about four global governing body FIFA. at the age of 27 in 1991, succeed- then-AFC president Mohamed Swiss saw off the challenge of As he retains his place at the minutes faster than it was in 1988. Kimetto’s time works out to Whether it will end for good ing his father Sheikh Fahad who bin Hammam from his seat on Sheikh Ahmad’s former protege top table in the Olympic move- 4:41.5 minutes per mile; a sub-two would require less than 4:35 the fabulously wealthy Kuwaiti’s had been killed in the Iraq inva- the FIFA Executive Committee. Prince Ali. ment, however, the likelihood per mile — an improvement of about seven seconds per mile, or involvement in football’s power sion of Kuwait the previous year. The move was the fi rst of a In the lead-up to last year’s that he exercises no future in- around 2.5%. games is open to question. Sheikh Fahad, then president series of proxy battles between FIFA presidential election, he fl uence on the world of football On the face of it, that appears an impossible leap. A high-ranking member of of the KFA, sparked one of the Sheikh Ahmad and Qatari Bin was courted by both Sheikh Sal- looks slim.

SPOTLIGHT Aussie great Jackson reveals painkiller ‘nightmare’

AFP “For me, that was pain kill- who won three gold medals at the Sydney ers, you know? And sleeping pills, 2008 Beijing Olympics, said she generally. “Oh my god it was just a also confronted personal demons. nightmare. “You are now in this position of asketball great Lauren “So, having to get off everything being 25 to 30 and having no clue Jackson has revealed her was really, really, really hard.” what you’re going to do with the “nightmare” of prescrip- Jackson, the fi rst non-Ameri- next 50 years of your life,” she told tion drug dependency as can and the youngest woman to the ABC. “And all your peers and theB star centre and other promi- be named Most Valuable Player in everyone else around you has al- nent Australian athletes detailed the United States’ WNBA league in ready gone through that when they the diffi culties of adapting to life 2003, said she also suff ered depres- were 17-18 at uni, fi guring it out, after sport. sion and urged more support for re- and now they’re in their journey. The four-time Olympic medal- tiring athletes. “They are like working to be a list, who retired last year after al- “The government puts in a lot doctor or whatever and you’re like, most 20 years due to injury, said of money into making us as fi nely- ‘I have no idea what I want to do’.” she misused medication in a bid tuned as possible so that we can win Former Test and one-day crick- to continue her glittering interna- medals at Olympic Games, world eter Nathan Bracken had an ac- tional career and then struggled to championships and things like complished career that was cut get off it. that,” she said. “It’s a bit like being short by injury in 2011, and he too “I mean, to be honest, I really put out to pasture when you retire. has struggled with the vacuum in don’t want to even talk about what There has to be just a little bit more his life. “I remember times you’d I was on publicly, but it was enough support through that process.” just sit there and... I felt a failure. to make me go... I had to stop,” The post-career struggles of I went from, I could provide for she told broadcaster ABC’s Four former top athletes has gained my family to all of a sudden, days Corners programme on Monday prominence in recent times with where, yeah, I couldn’t,” he said. evening. several high-profi le stars strug- Several sporting bodies, includ- “You’re getting paid a lot of gling, notably swimmer Grant ing Basketball Australia, the Aus- money to perform, and when Hackett who sought help for men- tralian Swimmers’ Association and you’re a franchise player or some- tal health problems. the Australian Cricketers’ Associa- one that is expected to perform day tion, said welfare programmes were in, day out, you do what you have to Personal demons now either part of their agenda or This file photo taken on August 9, 2012 shows Australian centre Lauren Jackson going up to the basket against the US during their do to get by. Fellow swimmer Stephanie Rice, in the planning. London 2012 Olympic Games women’s semi-final match in London. (AFP) Gulf Times Wednesday, May 3, 2017 7 CRICKET

INDIAN PREMIER LEAGUE SPOTLIGHT Bangladesh ban Delhi keep play-off s bowler for conceding 92 off four balls dream alive with AFP of a bowler’s regular six-ball over. Dhaka Axiom opener Mustafi zur Rahman smashed three fours off Sujon’s four legitimate balls to take his side home in angladesh yesterday imposed just 0.4 overs in Dhaka. a 10-year ban on a bowler who The cricket board also imposed a deliberately lost a match by ten-year ban on another bowler, Tasn- win over Sunrisers conceding 92 runs off just four im Hasan, and blacklisted his club Fear legalB deliveries in protest at umpiring Fighters after they threw a separate decisions. match in similar fashion. With their third win, Delhi move up to sixth spot with six points Sujon Mahmud from Lalmatia Club “We have found in our investigations was found guilty by the Bangladesh that the bowlers bowled wides and no- Cricket Board of bringing the game into balls deliberately to damage the image disrepute. of our cricket,” the board’s disciplinary Lalmatia Club were barred indefi - committee chief Sheikh Sohel told a nitely from competition, with their press briefi ng. coach, captain and manager punished “In neither case would a win or loss with fi ve-year bans from the Dhaka have mattered for the promotion or rel- Second Division League. egation of their respective clubs.” In a 50-over match last month, Lal- Lalmatia Club secretary Adnan Rah- matia Club were dismissed for just 88 off man had admitted Sujon bowled the 14 overs before opponents Axiom Crick- wides and no-balls as a protest against eters reached 92-0 off four legal balls. poor umpiring. Sujon bowled 13 wides and three The secretary alleged the umpires no-balls in the fi rst over, all of which did not even allow his team captain to reached the boundary and cost his side see the coin after the toss. 80 runs. The BCB also suspended for six Batsmen can score off such illegal months the umpires overseeing both deliveries but they do not count as part the discredited matches.

England’s Finn out to impress selectors in Ireland series

England fast bowler Steven Finn is hoping to impress the selectors during the two-match one-day series against Ireland after being left out of the Champi- ons Trophy squad. Mark Wood, Liam Plunkett, David Willey, Jake Ball, Chris Woakes and Ben Stokes will lead the England attack in next month’s tourna- ment on home soil. “These matches (against Ireland) are an opportunity,” Finn told reporters. “They are going to be hard fought... and they are an opportu- nity for me to remind England that I am still there are ready to go if they need me at any stage.” Finn, 28, was a regular in England’s Test side last year but missed parts of the season through injury. “At the moment I am in and out and that is something that just happens as you go through your career,” Finn said. “You will have peaks and troughs in form and when you are on the periphery of England all the time, you just have to deal with the disappointments, which sometimes can be hard to take — it is just the way it goes.” The two one-dayers against Ireland will be played on Friday and Sunday. Sri Lanka can win Trophy, says bowling coach Donald

Sunrisers Hyderabad’s Yuvraj Singh (right) scored an unbeaten 70 in a losing cause against Delhi Daredevils in their IPL match in New Delhi yesterday. (AFP)

IANS Karun Nair (39 off 20) putting on 40 in the previous ball got a toe crusher to and help the visitors accumulate 71 New Delhi runs before medium pacer Mohamed cannon into the southpaw’s stumps. runs in the last fi ve overs. Siraj packed back Samson. The right-handed duo batted well to The left-hander made the most of Samson, who had faced 19 balls by put 37 runs for the third wicket before South African Kagiso Rabada’s poor elhi Daredevils kept their now and struck two boundaries and being separated by Siraj. line and length, clobbering him for a chances of qualifying for the a six off Siraj’s fi rst delivery of the Pant’s dismissal brought together four and six off consecutive balls in Indian Premier League (IPL) match, was undone by a slower one all-rounder Corey Anderson and Iyer, the 18th over. play-off s alive after beating in the bowler’s second over which who was at his destructive best, clob- All-rounder Moises Henriques (25 SunrisersD Hyderabad by six wickets at Shikhar Dhawan latched on comfort- bering two consecutive sixes off Yu- not out) played the perfect second fi d- the Ferozeshah Kotla here yesterday. ably at cover point. vraj Singh, before Purple Cap holder dle to Yuvraj as the left-right combo On paper, it was a mismatch be- Nair looked in good touch during his Bhuvneshwar Kumar packed Iyer back added an unbeaten stand of 93 runs for tween Daredevils and Sunrisers but brief stay, which saw the ball crossing with a slower bouncer. the fourth wicket from 51 deliveries. the hosts put on a collective batting the boundary on fi ve occasions be- Anderson then took on the re- Skipper David Warner (30 from 21) eff ort to register a win with fi ve balls sides twice over it. sponsibility and with new man Mor- and Dhawan (28 from 17) gave the visi- to spare. The right-hander could add 32 runs ris, wasted no time in using the long tors a fl ying start, putting on 53 runs Famed South African paceman Allan Donald began his appointment yesterday With their third win in the tourna- for the second wicket with wicket- handle. With 24 needed off the last before pacer Mohamed Shami in his as Sri Lanka’s interim bowling coach, declaring the squad has the potential to ment, Delhi moved up to the sixth spot keeper-batsman Rishabh Pant (34 off three overs, Anderson clobbered Bhu- very second delivery cleaned up the claim victory in next month’s Champions Trophy. Donald was hired by the Sri with six points while Hyderabad are 20) before the fi rst strategic time-out vneshwar for a six and a four off back Aussie, who struck four boundaries Lankan cricket board as a fast bowling consultant ahead of the tournament in still at the third spot with 13 points af- once again saw the dismissal of a bats- to back balls before Morris sent Kaul and a six over backward point. England. “The Sri Lankan attack has what it takes to win the tournament,” he ter their fourth away loss in the tour- man, this time in the form of Nair. outside the park to take Delhi within New Zealander Kane Williamson told reporters at the cricket board headquarters. “Sri Lanka has a lot of skills. nament. Medium pacer Siddharth Kaul, who sniffi ng distance of the win. (24 from 24) along with Dhawan added Lot of leadership with the ball... what is there to be scared of?” Donald said his All-rounders Corey Anderson’s was clobbered for a six and a four in his Earlier, Yuvraj Singh (70 not out 22 runs before the fi rst strategic time- was an “inspirational role” and he would be working closely with the squad quick-fi re 24-ball unbeaten 41 and very fi rst over by Nair, got his knuck- from 41 balls) made the most of the life out did the trick for Delhi, in the form to assess their individual goals, health condition and personalities. Sri Lanka Chris Morris’ 7-ball 15 helped Delhi leball to send the right-hander back he got on 29 when he was dropped by of the southpaw’s wicket. head coach Graham Ford, a fellow South African, has been preparing the 15- raise an unbeaten 41-run fi fth wicket caught by Bhuvneshwar Kumar at Samson at deep square, to propel Sun- man squad led by Angelo Mathews for the 50-over tournament starting June stand to register the much-needed long-off . risers to 185/3 after being sent to bat. BRIEF SCORES: Delhi Daredevils 189 1. Donald will work with Sri Lankan pace bowling coaches Chaminda Vaas, win. With both the openers back in the The Punjab batsman, who initially for 4 (Anderson 41 not out, Nair 39; Champaka Ramanayake, Ravindra Pushpakumara and Nuwan Zoysa. Donald Chasing a mammoth 186, Delhi dug-out, the onus was on Pant and struggled to put bat to ball opened up Siraj 2-41) beat Sunrisers Hyderabad was one of Test cricket’s top fast bowlers between 1992 and 2002, taking 330 were off to a decent start with Sanju new man Shreyas Iyer (33 off 25) but with two glorious straight drives be- 185 for 3 (Yuvraj 70 not out, Warner wickets in 72 Tests at an average of 22.25. Samson (24 off 19 balls) and skipper Siraj, after getting clobbered for a six fore bringing up his fi fty in 34 balls, 30; Shami 2-36) by six wickets

WI VS PAK, DAY 3, 2ND TEST West Indies respond aft er Ali ton, Misbah out for 99

AFP nings lasted almost fi ve hours in which he An entertaining afternoon session that pro- Bridgetown, Barbados faced 201 balls, striking two sixes and nine duced 103 runs for the loss of four wickets was fours. It was also the fi rst time he was dis- in direct opposition to the tedium of the morn- missed in the series after two unbeaten innings ing, where 54 runs came off 26 overs as Ali and isbah-ul-Haq missed a Test cen- in Kingston. Misbah batted with almost exaggerated care on tury by one run for the second His surprise demise broke a brisk 57-run a pitch showing increasing signs of wear and of- consecutive match but Azhar Ali partnership with Asad Shafi q after earlier add- fering disconcertingly variable bounce. completed three fi gures as Paki- ing 98 with Ali, the opening batsman reaching Mstan reached 329 for seven at tea on the third a painstaking 13th Test century shortly after SCORECARD day of the second Test at Kensington Oval in lunch before he was caught at the wicket off WEST INDIES 1st innings 312 Barbados yesterday. Devindra Bishoo for 105, the leg-spinner’s PAKISTAN 1st innings (o/n: 172-3) Deprived of the landmark when left strand- third success of the innings. A. Ali c Dowrich b Bishoo 105 ed on 99 not out in the fi rst innings of the fi rst Ali’s marathon eff ort occupied seven-and- A. Shehzad c Hope b Bishoo 70 Test in Jamaica, the Pakistan captain appeared a-half hours during which he faced 278 deliv- B. Azam c&b Gabriel 0 destined to accomplish the feat on this occa- eries, stroking just nine boundaries in an in- Y. Khan c Gabriel b Bishoo 0 sion, only to be dismissed in a bizarre manner. nings characterised by considerable discipline Misbah c Hope b Holder 99 Misbah’s exit triggered a mini collapse in and patience. A. Shafiq lbw b Holder 15 which three wickets fell for 13 runs just before Buoyed by Misbah’s departure, West Indies S. Ahmed c K. Powell b Gabriel 9 the interval after Pakistan eclipsed the West enjoyed further success just before tea when S. Khan not out 0 Indies fi rst innings total of 312. wicketkeeper-batsman Sarfraz Ahmed be- Extras (b-6 lb-14 nb-11) 31 Having survived an optimistic appeal for came fast bowler Shannon Gabriel’s second Total (for 7 wickets, 125 overs) 329 lbw against his West Indian counterpart Jason wicket, edging an attempted drive to Kieran Fall of wickets: 1-155 A. Shehzad,2-156 B. Holder the ball before, Misbah attempted to Powell at fi rst slip. Azam,3-161 Y. Khan,4-259 Az. Ali,5-316 Misbah- pull out of the way of the next delivery which Then off the very last ball of the session, ul-Haq,6-325 S. Ahmed,7-329 A. Shafiq lifted sharply and came off the glove for Shai Shafi q was ruled leg-before to Holder, giving Bowling: S. Gabriel 27-5-73-2 (nb 9), A. Joseph Hope to gleefully hold the catch at second slip. the medium-fast bowler impressive fi gures of 17-5-36-0, R. Chase 19-2-74-0 (nb 1), J. Holder Pakistan’s Misbah-ul-Haq (left) and Azhar Ali of Pakistan run between the wickets on Day Three of the His typically phlegmatic, unfl ustered in- two for 23 off 23 miserly overs. 23-11-23-2 (nb 1), D. Bishoo 39-11-103-3 second Test at Kensington Oval in Bridgetown, Barbados, yesterday. (AFP)

Wednesday, May 3, 2017 GULF TIMES SPORT

BEACH VOLLEYBALL Olympians Pereira, Younousse lead home challenge at Qatar Masters

By Sports Reporter of the Tour, Pak Bara Master in Satun, Doha Thailand. The duo had defeated Indonesia’s Ade Candra Rachmawan and Moham- op Asian beach volleyball play- ed Asfi ya 21-9 21-15 in the fi nal. In the ers will be in action in the Asian semi-fi nal, Pereira and Younnouse had Volleyball Confederation (AVC) defeated the Australian pair of Chris Beach Tour Qatar Masters, McHugh and Damien Schumann 18-21 Tstarting today at the Aspire Park. 21-13 15-8. Twenty-four top teams from 13 It could have been an all-Qatar fi nal. Asian countries will be divided into However, Indonesians Rachmawan and eight pools in the four-day event that Ashfi ya had eliminated Qatar’s top- will conclude on Saturday. seeded pair of Julio do Nascimento and The event is being jointly organ- Ahmed Tijan in straight sets 21-15 21-15 ised by the Qatar Volleyball Associa- in the semi-fi nal clash. tion (QVA), Qatar Olympic Committee Apart from Do Nascimento and Ti- (QOC) and Aspire Zone. jan, Qatar will have a third team too — The prominent teams are from Indo- former GCC beach volleyball bronze nesia, Iran, Australia, Kazakhstan and medallists Abdelaziz Khallouf and Qatar. Tamer Abdelrasoul. Qatar teams, training under the Khallouf is reuniting with Abdelrasoul guidance of new coach Mariano Ba- after more than one and a half years as the racetti, will be led by experienced Ol- latter is returning after a leg injury. After ympians Jeff erson Pereira and Cheriff recovering from the injury, Abdelrasoul Younousse. Pereira and Younousse had had played in the regular season and is Three Qatar teams — Jeff erson Pereira-Cheriff Younousse, Julio do Nascimento-Ahmed Tijan and Abdelaziz Khallouf-Tamer Abdelrasoul — will take part in the four-day combined well to win the opening leg now back to beach volleyball. tournament, which starts today at Aspire Park. PICTURE: Jayaram

FOCUS Anti-Doping Lab Qatar Bournemouth’s Annual Symposium Wilson hopeful of recovery at Aspetar ‘I hope I can return to Qatar in a more active fashion to represent England in 2022’

Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club (QREC) general manager Nasser Sherida al-Kaabi speaks on Day One of Anti-Doping Lab Qatar’s (ADLQ) 7th Annual Symposium at The Torch Hotel in Doha yesterday. The two-day symposium titled ‘Anti-Doping in Humans and Animals: Biomarkers & Threshold Substances’ was opened by Dr Mohamed bin Ghanim al-Ali al-Maadheed, chairman of ADLQ’s Board of Trustees.

SPOTLIGHT MERC 2 title wide open heading into Jordan showdown

Agencies Thefi ri, while the experienced Dead Sea, Jordan drifting champion Saeed al- Mouri joins Rakan al-Rashed from the neighbouring Kingdom ntries may be thin on the of Saudi Arabia. ground in this year’s FIA The host nation’s hopes of Middle East Rally Cham- claiming the MERC 2 crown and pionship, but the hunt pushing for an overall podium forE success in the region’s com- fi nish rest with Khaled Juma, a petitive MERC 2 championship returning Ma’rouf Abu Samra, for production-type NR4 cars is Ihab al-Shorafa and Ziad Miq- fascinating. dad. AFC Bournemouth striker Callum Wilson (left) recently completed a three-week treatment plan at Aspetar. Heading into this weekend’s The new FIA safety issue with three-day FIA Jordan Rally at fuel tanks that saw several cars By Sports Reporter medicine and exercise science. It’s also bilitation and training. Players have all ing a really positive season. Remaining in the Dead Sea, Qatar’s Rashid al- refused a start at the opening Doha great to get away to a new location where they need here from gym facilities, pools the premier league is a massive achieve- Naimi tops the standings by nine round in Qatar in February has you can concentrate fully on recovery to weights training, which complements ment.” points from Kuwait’s Meshari al- been put back to the start of the without the pressures associated with the treatment process to ensure a quicker Commenting on his expected recovery, Thefi ri. 2018 season. It means cars that FC Bournemouth striker Cal- your home base.” recovery. he added: “I don’t want to put a times- But al-Naimi has decided to were demoted to running in a lum Wilson recently completed He added, “My family is also here with “The state-of-the art equipment and cale on things but I’m hoping to be back switch his attention to a limited makeshift National Rally in Qa- a three-week treatment plan at me in Doha on a brief vacation from Lon- technologies also allow for monitor- by pre-season. I’ve progressed tremen- programme of events in the FIA tar, or even refused a start, are Aspetar, one of the leading or- don and they’ve immensely enjoyed their ing and assessment to course correct my dously in these two and a half weeks, and European Rally Championship now able to participate for the thopaedicA and sports medicine hospitals, stay, taking advantage of the great en- treatment plan as we go along, which has I can already see that my muscles have this year and that has opened the remainder of the season. in Doha. tertainment options Doha has to off er. made all the diff erence in making sure my massively improved, as did my strength door for al-Thefi ri to press on to That is scant consolation to The 25-year-old striker’s season ended Knowing that my family is here while I’m body gets exactly what it needs to heal.” and diet regiment.” try and drill home his advantage the crews who were not able to prematurely after he ruptured his left an- undergoing rehabilitation has been very This is Wilson’s second cruciate knee On another note, Wilson expressed his over the 18 special stages that start in Doha. That decision re- terior cruciate ligament in training last motivating.” ligament injury and experts have ruled opinions regarding Qatar’s hosting of the stand in his way in the Jordan sulted in the event having only February, bringing him to Aspetar for Praising his stay in Aspetar, Wilson him out for at least six months, mark- World Cup 2022 saying, “I think Qatar is Valley and Dead Sea areas on Fri- two FIA fi nishers – the lowest treatment and rehabilitation. said, “My experience with Aspetar has ing the end of his season. “I think for me, properly equipped to host the World Cup, day and Saturday. number in the history of an FIA During his stay at Aspetar, Wilson been excellent and very productive so far. personally, six goals in 20 games is not as can be seen from the projects that are While the Kuwaiti and his new international rally. benefi ted from the expertise of Aspetar’s I’ve been here for two and a half weeks good enough. I set high standards for my- currently being developed, like the Kha- Qatari navigator Nasser al-Ku- Yesterday and today the teams renowned specialists in sports medicine, and I enjoyed every minute of it. The self and, unfortunately, my goal-to-game lifa International Stadium next door and wari start as favourites to snatch are to complete their reconnais- sports science, orthopaedic surgery and coaches working with me are on a mis- ratio wasn’t as good as what it could’ve the Rail system that’s being built under- an MERC 2 lead to take to the Cy- sance of the special stages that rehabilitation. As part of the hospital’s sion to help me achieve my maximum been this year as a result of the injury. If ground. I hope I can return to Qatar in a prus Rally in June, the duo face they face in the two-day route eff orts to assist athletes in achieving their performance and full potential and I al- not for the injury, I could have changed more active fashion to represent England eight rivals in Jordan – four from on Friday and Saturday, although maximum performance and full poten- ready feel the diff erence. I have numerous some of my tactics and improved my in 2022.” the host nation, two from Saudi the event gets underway with a tial, Aspetar’s team took Wilson through people to thank here for making me more game,” Wilson said. Wilson’s visit comes shortly after As- Arabia and a further two cars new timed two-kilometre super a comprehensive treatment process to knowledgeable about my body and more He added, “The hardest thing about petar marked its 10th year anniversary from Kuwait. special stage on the shores of the assess his injury and prepare a treatment aware on how to protect it from injury out being injured is not being able to do what in April. Wilson took the opportunity to The MERC 2 section is cost- Dead Sea at 19.30hrs tomorrow plan to get him back on the fi eld as soon on the fi eld. I’ll take this knowledge with you love doing. Injury prevents you from congratulate the hospital, saying, “I’d eff ective and attractive to ama- evening. as possible. me back to England to aid me throughout training every day and playing matches also like to congratulate Aspetar for hit- teur teams and various deriva- In a demanding and compact Speaking about his decision to choose my career.” with your teammates, which is tough ting the 10-year mark. I hope it will have tives of the Mitsubishi Lancer route of 602.62km, 237.96km Aspetar, Wilson said, “There was really He added, “The facilities at Aspetar are because football is my passion. I’ve al- many more successful years ahead. Its Evolution dominate the category. will be against the clock includ- no better place for me to come for con- truly world-class and fantastic. They are ways wanted to be a football player, so the impressive growth will have all the best Al-Thefi ri’s competition from ing two runs through the feared sultation and treatment than one of the designed as a one-stop-shop for athletes hardest part is when that is taken away players in the world fl ock in for treat- his own country comes from 31.01km of the Jordan River stage world’s leading institutions in sports to receive treatment, go through reha- from me especially when my team is hav- ments in no time.” Essam al-Nejadi and Salem al- on Saturday.