SPORT Saturday 12 May 2018 PAGE | 18 PAGE | 19 McLeod vows to This is ‘just do Shanghai hurdle the start’, hero Liu proud says Salah Al Duhail edge 10-man Four uncapped players in Sri Al Sadd 1-0 to reach final Lankan squad CHINTHANA WASALA THE PENINSULA for Windies tour

REUTERS DOHA: Al Duhail rode on a brilliant goal by Almoez Ali against 10-man Al Sadd to make it to the final of the Amir Cup. COLOMBO: opening batsman In a thrilling semi-final which took place at the Al Mahela Udawatte has been called into Sadd Stadium yesterday, Ali scored the winner in the a 17-man test squad for next month’s 68th minute when he beat Al Sadd goalkeeper Saad tour to West Indies, along with three Abdulla Al Dosari from close range inside the box. other uncapped players, Kasun Rajitha, The semi-final saw the Qatar Cup finalists con- and Asitha Fernando. fronting each other in an aggressive manner and several The 31-year-old Udawatte will hope incidents of unwanted confrontations and provoca- to get his first opportunity in the longest tions during the match. format, more than 10 years after his In the 28th minute, Al Sadd’s forward Hassan Al one-day international debut in West Haydos went down in what appeared to be a foul play Indies. by Dami Terawari, and the referee opted to go for the Regular opener Dimuth Karu- Video Assistant Referee (VAR) and the appeal was naratne remains on the sidelines with denied. a fractured finger, and fast bowlers Seconds before the half-time break, Al Sadd suf- Dushmantha Chameera and Nuwan fered a huge blow when their feared defender Pradeep are out with back and ham- Abdelkerem Hassan was shown the red card by the string issues respectively. referee following a rough tackle on a rival player. The national selectors have also The teams were locked goalless at the end of half included senior players time. and but their partici- Al Duhail took the advantage of the extra man and pation in the tour is subject to fitness. made several attempts to score in the second half. “Mathews and Lakmal are not unfit Just after Ali scored, Al Duhail almost doubled the as such,” Sri Lanka’s chief selector lead when skipper Luiz Martin Jr. struck from outside Graeme Labrooy told ESPNcricinfo. the box with a brilliant kick in the 70th minute, only “In fact they are fit, but we wanted to see the ball bounce off the goal post. to see if they were match-fit. The team Al Duhail will now eye their third domestic title is at a training camp in Pallekele, so after enjoying the silverware in the QNB Stars League we’ll give them until May 14 before we The referee shows the red card to Al Sadd’s Abdelkerem as well as Qatar Cup. make a final decision on those two Hassan (right) during the Amir Cup semi-final played They will confront the winners of today’s second players.” semi-final between Al Gharafa and Al Rayyan on May at the Al Sadd Stadium yesterday. RIGHT: Al Duhail’s The first of three tests begins on 19. Almoez Ali in action. Pictures: Mohamed Farag June 6 at Queen’s Park Oval, Port of Spain. Full squad: (), Mahela Udawatte, , Kusal Janith Ambitious Al Gharafa eye Amir Cup final Perera, , Roshen Silva, Angelo Mathews, Niroshan Dick- ARMSTRONG VAS are fully focused on reaching winning their respective Sadd Stadium because this during the QNB Stars League, wella, , Dilruwan THE PENINSULA the final. All my players are last-16 matches. stadium is air condi-condi LaudruLaudrup pointed out that this Perera, , Jeffrey ready to give their best and Al Rayyan coach MMichaelichael tionedtioned aandnd mmatchatch is completely different Vandersay, Lahiru Gamage, Kasun DOHA: Al Gharafa want to end they are ready for the chal- Laudrup said all the playersplayers makesmakes pplayinglaying ffromrom the League meeting Rajitha, Suranga Lakmal, Lahiru the Amir Cup final drought lenge of Al Gharafa,” he added. are focused in reachingng tthehe conditionsconditions bbecauseecaus of the circumstances Kumara, Asitha Fernando. when they take on Al Rayyan Al GharafaGharafa aalonglong finalfinal ofof AAmirmir CupCuup bbyy betterbetter atat ththisis in wwhichhic the game was played, in the semi-final of the pres- withwith AAll RayyRayyan,an, wwinninginning oveoverr AAll time,”time,” hehe alalongong with the motivation for tigious championship here at Al Sadd and Al Gharafa. ssaidaid dduringuring tthehe playerspla to reach the final Al Sadd Stadium today. Duhail,Duhail, the “We“We are lookinglooking to a press ggame.ame. IPL: Buttler Coach Bulent Uygun’s side firstfirst fourfour fin-fin- qualifyqualify for the final,final, aandnd conference.conference. AskedAs as to whether the finished fourth in the QNB ishersishers ooff thethe I am happyhappy thatthat the OnOn thethe laclackk of silverware for the club leads Rajasthan Stars League and the Turkish QSLQSL were semi-finalsemi-final wiwilllll bbee loss againstagainst Al is caucause of concern, he said: tactician is looking forward to direcltydireclty seeseededded playedplayed at AlAl GharafaGharafa “Not winningw the champi- a fierce and competitive semi- into tthehe Amir CuCupp oonshipnship is not a matter (of to thrilling win final match. pre-quarters. AllAll cconcern)oncer for me alone, the idea AGENCIES “We seek to qualify for our the four sidsideses of a ffootballo team game is not first Amir Cup final in seven livedlived up to the rrelatedelated to only one person, and years. We are fully focused. top billinbillingg byby the offofficial. It is the team as a JAIPUR: rode a heroic The players are ready to play adadvancingvancing whole,who consisting of the batting effort by Jos Buttler to edge out well and attain the goal of iintonto thethe technicaltet and adminis- Chennai Super Kings (CSK) by four qualifying for the final,” Uygun qquarter-uarter- Al Rayyan coach Al Gharafa coach trative staff and in a nail-biting Indian Premier said while speaking on the eve finalsfinals afterafter Michael Laudrup Bulent Uygun players.” League (IPL) encounter at the Sawai of the match. Mansingh Stadium yesterday. “We promise to give our Buttler batted through the innings best and hope the crowds to help Rajasthan overhaul a stiff come in large numbers to 177-run target with just one ball to go. support and we will not dis- Having opened the Rajasthan along appoint them. The support of with England star Ben Stokes, Buttler the fans is an important part,” continued to defy the CSK bowlers even stressed Uygun. as wickets fell at the other end. He “The competition will be remained unbeaten on 95 runs off just fierce and competitive, and we 60 balls, hitting 11 boundaries and a couple of sixes along the way. Despite the defeat, CSK continue to hold on to the second spot with 14 points from 11 matches. They trail league leaders Sunrisers Hyderabad by four We seek to qualify points. Rajasthan are eighth in the for our first Amir 10-team table with 10 points from 11 Cup final in 10 matches. Earlier, a decent batting effort years. We are fully helped Chennai post a fighting total of focused. The players 176/4 against Rajasthan Royals, but it was not enough to prevent Rajasthan are ready to play from winning well and attain the Brief Scores: goal of qualifying Chennai Super Kings: 176/4 (Suresh Raina 52, Shane Watson 39; Jofra Archer Al Gharafa players in action during a training session for the final: Al 2/42) ahead of their Amir Cup semi-final against Al Rayyan Gharafa coach Rajasthan Royals: 177/6 in 19.5 which will be played at the Al Sadd Stadium today. Bulent Uygun overs (Jos Buttler 95 , Stuart Binny 22). 18 SPORT SATURDAY 12 MAY 2018 Volleyball: Al Ahli aim surprise win over Al Rayyan in Amir Cup final

ARMSTRONG VAS THE PENINSULA

DOHA: A big volleyball feast is on the cards when Al Ahli and Al Rayyan clash in the final of the Amir Cup today at Qatar Volleyball Association Indoor Hall court at 7pm. For Slovenian star Tine Urnaut of Al Ahli Club and Al Rayyan Club’s French player Earvin N’Gapeth, it willbe strange situation as they will be pitted against each other in Qatar but in Italy are team-mates of Modena Volley. Urnaut said of the upcoming final: “It’s the first time that we are playing against each other as Modena teammates. It is a really strange situation. The The players, captains and coaches of Al Rayyan and Al Ahli pose for a picture on the eve of the Amir Cup Volleyball final at Qatar Volleyball Association Indoor Hall today rules are changed in Qatar, at 7 pm. allowing only one pro in a team.” This is the first time that Al had played for Al Rayyan Club N’Gapeth, playing in Qatar Club are hot choice for the title. and keen to finish the season on helped us reach the final. Also Ahli have made it to any final, but they lost the semi-finals to for the first time, said: “I’m happy Al Rayyan Club have ruled a high. coach Igor has prepared all of the last one was in the 2012-13 El Jaish said: “I already knew to be part of the Al Rayyan team the season with an iron fist. They “In every tournament, I set a us for each match well. Con- season. about some players from Al Ahli and the event. I hope we win the just dropped one match against target for the team. I’m very gratulations to all for making “I’m happy to be playing for like Alaoui and Ali Asadi. They final which will be not only a big Qatar Sports Club and have won proud that my team is able to it to the final. Al Ahli Club and the progress till have many young and talented achievement of Al Rayyan Club everything their eyes fell on. match my expectations. The “We’ve a difficult final now has been fantastic. I know players. Also they have good but also for the Qatar Starting from the Super Cup Amir Cup is also a very special against a champion team like that Al Rayyan are the best team coach Igor. He is one of the best volleyball.” victory against Police, they pro- event for us and we’ll try to write Al Rayyan. We want to tell our in the season, having won eve- coaches that I know. Truly, both teams took the gressed to claim the QVA League, a new history,” he added. fans that we’re ready and we rything. We’re confident that “‘The coach has done an game to new levels when they with the prestigious Arab Clubs Captain and coach of Al need their support in the final,” we’ll fight for each ball and point. amazing job to build a strong qualified for the final with 2-0 Championship, the Qatar Ahli Club Assam Ahmed Mahmoud added while talking Also we’ll try to do everything team in Al Ahli. Also I know that wins over Al Arabi Club and National Tournament and the Mahmoud said: “This is the to journalists. that we can and make attempt all our players are ready and Qatar Sports Club. Qatar Cup. first Amir Cup final for us in This is the third final between to win the cup.” committed to make the match Featuring in the 26th final, Al Rayyan coach Carlos 22 years. All the players have Al Rayyan Club and Al Ahli Club Two seasons before, Urnaut memorable,” Urnaut added. the 12-time winners Al Rayyan Schwanke is proud of his team contributed immensely and in the Amir Cup.

Brazilian Alves Olympic champ McLeod vows to out of World Cup do Shanghai hurdle hero Liu proud after knee injury AFP AP In women’s sprinting, two-time world champion Dafne Schippers of SHANGHAI: World and Olympic the Netherlands will be strong SAO PAULO: Brazil right back Dani Alves will hurdles champion Omar McLeod favourite in the 200m in the absence miss the World Cup, leaving the five-time (pictured) wants to put on a blistering of the injured Jamaican star Elaine World Cup champions without one of their display in Shanghai today in homage Thompson.Looming as a tasty battle main leaders and question marks about his to the Chinese city’s athletics hero Liu in Shanghai will be a showdown replacement. Xiang. between pole vaulters Sam Kendricks Alves injured his right knee on Tuesday in Liu is retired but the Shanghai of the United States and his French the French Cup final win with Paris Saint- native remains a Chinese sports icon rival and world-record-holder Renaud Germain. PSG say his anterior cruciate lig- because his 2004 Olympic hurdles Lavillenie. ament detached. The Brazilian Football Con- gold medal was the country’s first in Like McLeod, Kendricks is pur- federation said in a statement yesterday he men’s track and field. suing a Shanghai treble after victories needs surgery, and there won’t be enough time Liu, now 34, was also a 2007 in 2016 and 2017. for him to recover for the World Cup. world champion, though his brilliant Kendricks, 25, went on to land his Brazil’s first game in Russia will be on June career petered out because of per- first six-metre vault last June back 17 against Switzerland. sistent injury and he retired in 2015. home in the United States and then Alves was examined by Dr. Rodrigo But Chinese spectators may see saw off Poland’s Piotr Lisek and Lavil- Lasmar, who said there was no alternative to shades of Liu in McLeod during Sat- and race and hurdle. “He was just an But they will have to upstage lenie to win gold at the world surgery. urday’s Diamond League meeting -- inspiration and I’ve heard that I hurdle current world champion Justin Gatlin championships. “It was noted it is impossible to call Dani the affable Jamaican certainly hopes just like him, so I draw a lot from him,” of the United States. But Lavillenie, the older man at 31 Alves for the period of preparation, friendlies so. said the 24-year-old McLeod, touted Also in a strong field is the and a former Olympic champion, beat and, consequently, the World Cup,” the CBF McLeod, who is chasing a third as a viable successor to Usain Bolt as Canadian speedster Andre De Grasse, Kendricks earlier this year for a third said. successive 110m victory in Shanghai, the pre-eminent Jamaican athletics who is working his way back from a world indoor title. Lasmar and CBF coordinator Edu Gaspar said yeserday: “They show a good star. nine-month hamstring injury layoff Kendricks, who seduced the media were expected to talk about the decision later appreciation for hurdles here and I There will meanwhile be home that ruled him out of last year’s world in Shanghai with his laid-back charm, Friday in Paris. Alves played for Brazil in the want to go out there and show my hope in the men’s 100m in the form championships. said he was anticipating “a dogfight”. last two World Cups and has 107 appearances appreciation for their appreciation of of reigning Shanghai champion Su He could only finish sixth in the But he was full of respect for his for the team since his 2006 debut. hurdles. Bingtian, the world indoor 60m silver 200m in Doha last weekend at the French foe, saying: “It Is always very The front-runners to be his replacement “Liu Xiang was one of the reasons medallist and China’s fastest man, and opening Diamond League meet of the special when I get to answer a were Manchester City’s Danilo, Corinthians’ why I got into running in the streets Xie Zhenye. season. question about Renaud. Fagner, and Bayern Munich’s Rafinha. Refs missed 2 late calls in Celtics win AFP game-tying layup with 14.6 missed a travelling vio- being drafted in 2014 and seconds remaining. lation on Celtics guard suffered a knee injury last NEW YORK: Philadelphia The report said Baynes Marcus Smart with 1.5 season, is expecting to 76ers star Joel Embiid was made “contact to Embiid’s seconds remaining when make great strides after right in thinking he was arm that affects his shot he intercepted Ben staying healthy and playing fouled with 14.6 seconds attempt near the rim.” Simmons’ desperation full- 71 games in the 2017-18 left in his team’s season- “I mean the play court pass from the campaign. ending playoff loss to the unfolded, and I mean the opposite baseline. “This is my first year Boston Celtics, the NBA refs, they had a great game, That call would have going into a summer confirmed on Thursday. I thought they were great given Philadelphia the ball healthy,” he said. “I think In the league’s Last tonight,” Embiid said after back. next year is going to be an Two Minute Report on offi- the game that saw the The despite the disap- MVP type season for me. ciating in the late stages of Celtics advance to play the pointment of their playoff “I want to be a leader. the Celtics’ 114-112 Cleveland Cavaliers in the exit, the young 76ers were Being an MVP candidate triumph, the league said Eastern Conference finals. sounding a note of shows you bring your team game officials missed two “But I mean I felt like optimism after an overa- to where it has to go, and I key calls against Boston. there was something on chieving season that want to be that type of guy. Celtics center Aron that last play, but you can’t included 52 regular-season “I have a lot of room to Baynes should have been really do anything about it. wins and their first playoff grow - post moves, ball JJ Redick (17) of the Philadelphia 76ers fouls Marcus Smart (36) of the Boston Celtics called for a shooting foul But they did a great job the series victory since 2012. handling, passing. But I during Game Five of the Eastern Conference Second Round of the 2018 NBA Playoffs when Sixers big man whole night.” The report Embiid, who missed his think it starts with my Embiid attempted a also confirmed officials first two seasons after body.” at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts on Thursday. SATURDAY 12 MAY 2018 SPORT 19

Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton during first Rain wipes practice of Formula One Spanish Grand Prix out first day in Barcelona, Spain yesterday. of Ireland’s Mercedes sets the Test debut pace in Barcelona AP DUBLIN: Ireland had a wet welcome to test yesterday with the opening REUTERS the Circuit de Catalunya in could intervene if their rivalry seconds on the soft tyres, a “I have zero comforta- day of its inaugural one-off one minute 18.259 seconds on risks overheating again in remarkable 0.849 faster than bility... I’ll take it for now but Test match against Pakistan BARCELONA: Formula One the soft tyres. Sunday’s race. Hamilton who won from pole in the long term l can’t con- completely wiped out by bad world champion Lewis Australian Ricciardo, Vettel, who will be in Spain last year. tinue to rely on it.” weather. Hamilton returned to the top whose car has some eye- chasing his fourth successive Hamilton has not felt fully Home hero Fernando The Irish will become the of the timesheets in second catching aerodynamic pole position on Saturday, comfortable with his car and Alonso started the weekend 11th nation to play the longest Spanish Grand Prix practice upgrades for the start of the was fourth and Hamilton’s recognised that his champi- a morale-boosting sixth, format, yet heavy overnight yesterday, with the charging European season, ended the team mate Valtteri Bottas onship advantage owes a lot behind Raikkonen, with his showers and further light rain Red Bulls of Daniel Ricciardo session 0.133 seconds slower fifth. to luck. McLaren displaying a heav- and strong winds in the and Max Verstappen hot on after crashing in the morning Vettel’s team mate Kimi “At the moment, I am ily-revised three-pronged morning prevented the five- his heels. while Verstappen was third. Raikkonen suffered a power punching below my weight nose -- one of several con- day game from starting on The Briton, who leads the The two Red Bulls collided unit problem. and that is not sufficient to spicuous upgrades around the time. championship by four points in Azerbaijan two weekends Bottas set the day’s overall win a world championship,” pit lane. The teams went to lunch from Ferrari’s Sebastian ago and are under close fastest lap in the opening the four-time champion had The Spaniard later slipped without a ball bowled in the Vettel after four races, lapped scrutiny by team bosses who session with a time of 1:18.148 told reporters on Thursday. back to 12th. grounds of Malahide Castle, just north of Dublin. The continuous steady drizzle turned to a huge downpour shortly after 2 p.m. NHL: Jets march local time and the game was called off for the day after a into Western Johnson off to strong start pitch inspection less than an hour later. Conference finals The International Cricket Council awarded Ireland Test REUTERS status in June last year. and shares lead at Players Only 11 Irishmen have NASHIVILLE: Home-ice played , one for AFP advantage was no advantage I feel like it would be dreaming, as Australia in the very first Test in the match-up of the NHL’s that’s too hard. This is just the first in 1877. two best regular-season PONTE VEDRA BEACH, UNITED round. I’m going to keep working Fast bowler , teams. STATES: Dustin Johnson got off to hard.” who achieved his Test Paul Stastny and Mark a strong start but still has work to Former Players and Masters ambition for England in 2014 Scheifele scored two goals do to hang on to his world number champion Sergio Garcia was seven- and returned to Ireland in each on Thursday night, and one ranking as six players shared under with two holes to play, 2016, is part of the golden the Winnipeg Jets won their the lead on Thursday at The Players thanks in part to a run of five generation of Irish cricketers first Game 7 since moving Championship. straight birdies from the eighth who have been rewarded from Atlanta seven years ago, Johnson headlined the leading through the 12th. with places in the first Test eliminating the Nashville pack on six-under par 66 -- his Garcia then undid his then squad. Predators from the Western lowest opening round PGA Tour bogey-free round in hitting the They include 39-year- Conference semi-finals with score in 13 months. woodwork guarding the island old , Kevin and Niall a 5-1 verdict at Bridgestone Joining Johnson atop the lead- green at the famed par-three 17th, O’Brien, Gary Wilson and Arena in Nashville, Tenn. erboard at TPC Sawgrass in Ponte his ball disappearing into the water. captain William Tyler Myers also tallied for Vedra Beach, Florida, were fellow A year ago, Garcia had the Porterfield. Winnipeg, while Connor Hel- US Open winner Webb Simpson, crowd roaring with delight on day Pakistan’s team includes lebuyck made 36 saves, Chesson Hadley, Matt Kuchar, one with a hole-in-one at 17. legspinner Shadab Khan, who including 21 in the third Patrick Cantlay and in-form Swede On Thursday he walked off with took 10 wickets in a warmup period. Alex Noren. a double-bogey five and then win over Northamptonshire. P.K. Subban scored the Johnson, who has been world bogeyed the last to finish in a group only goal for the Predators, number one for 64 weeks, is under of 14 players on 68 that also who became the ninth Presi- siege by those ranked from second included third-ranked fellow Bangladesh dent’s Trophy winner in the through fifth, and he answered the Spaniard Jon Rahm and world last 10 years to not win the challenge with a bogey-free round. number five Justin Rose of England. Stanley Cup. Chicago was the “I definitely want to keep the Tiger Woods’s return to TPC disappointed only team to pull off the number one title, but I still have Sawgrass included a 20-foot eagle double in 2013, which was a three more days of golf, and I’m at the par-five ninth. Bu he undid at cancelled lockout-shortened season. going to have to play really well if a solid display in finding the water Myers initiated the scoring I want to keep the number one off the tee at the last on route to Australia tour at 8:41 of the first period with spot,” the 33-year-old said. closing bogey and a level par 72. a wrister from the far right Kuchar, fueled by a birdie- Jordan Spieth struggled in goal line that somehow eagle-birdie run at the 10th, 11th posting a shock three-over 75 that AFP squeezed between the post and 12th, moved to seven-under included a 12th hole eagle promptly and goalie Pekka Rinne, his with birdies at 15 and 16, but a followed by a double-bogey at the DHAKA: Bangladesh cricket third of the playoffs. Stastny bogey at the last dropped him into very next hole. authorities yesterday made it 2-0 at 10:47 with a Dustin Johnson of the leading group. Phil Mickelson, playing expressed disappointment rebound, also at a bad angle. the United States A further six players, including alongside Woods and Rickie after Australia called off a Steady Winnipeg pressure plays a shot on the defending champion Kim Si-woo Fowler, ended his round in tour by the Asian nation this paid off at 17:50 of the second 18th hole during of South Korea and were a stroke shocking style. year because it was not when Blake Wheeler teed up the first round back on 67. The 47-year-old was even par financially viable. Scheifele in the left circle. of The Players Kim, the youngest winner of the after back-to-back birdies at the The Tigers were to play Scheifele wired a wrister past Championship Players, matched the lowest 11th and 12th, but proceeded to post two Tests and three one-day Saros to restore a two-goal in Ponte opening round by a defending a horror run from the 14th of a internationals in Australia in lead. Vedra Beach, champion established by Jack double-bogey, bogey and two August and September. Stastny upped the margin Florida on Nicklaus in 1977. further double-bogeys, including “Australia communicated to 4-1 with a man-advantage Thursday. “I liked my score in the first finding the water at 17, in an to us that the series could not marker at 11:59 of the third round, but I can hit it better,” Kim eventual seven-over par 79. be arranged for financial period, and Scheifele tacked said. It was Mickelson’s highest score reasons. It is very unfor- on his 11th goal of the posts- “I’m fine, good,” he said, but since a similar first round 79 on route tunate as we were hoping eason into an empty net at added he wasn’t yet thinking about to missing the cut in last August’s PGA that the series would be a 17:27. a repeat title. “If I was to win again, Championship. good playing opportunity for our players,” Bangladesh Cricket Board chief executive Nizamuddin Chowdhury told AFP. ThisThis is ‘just the start’, says Salah Bangladesh have not visited Australia since 2008 AFP player of the season by both “I’m very happy here, eve- Salah, who was last month when they played three the club’s fans and his team- rything is fine,” he said. crowned Professional Foot- one-day internationals. LONDON: MohamedMohamed SaSalahla mates before boarding a flight “Of course I have got ballers’ Association players’ The minnows have not has reassured Liverpool fansfa to collect the Football Writers’ ambitions for the future with player of the year, won the played a Test in Australia hishis stunning ffirstirst season is Association’s award in Liverpool. As you can see we writers’ award ahead of Kevin since 2003. “just thethe bbeginning”eginning” ooff hhisis titimem London. had a great season, now we De Bruyne and Harry Kane. Cricket Australia chief at the club despite speculationspeculatio The 25-year-old has are in the Champions League Speaking in London, he executive James Sutherland over interest ffromrom ReaReall MaMadrid.dri scored 43 goals in all compe- final and everyone is excited. said: “I was here four years ago told the Cricinfo website that TheThe EEgyptiangyptian collectedcollecte titions since arriving from “It is just the start. This is (with Chelsea) and a lot of the Test series could not be awardsawards in LiverpoolLiverpool ono Roma last summer, a return my first year here and it is the people were saying he couldn’t arranged as it coincided with ThursdayThursday aafterft that has seen him heavily same for some other players. play in the Premier League. I Australia’s football season beingb ein linked with Spanish giants It is just the beginning.” left Chelsea but it was always and it was difficult to find a votedvote Real Madrid, who face Liv- Liverpool cannot focus all in my mind to come back to broadcaster. erpool in the Champions of their energies on Real just make them wrong. So I make The BCB chief executive League later this month. yet, with the battle for a place them wrong. said Bangladesh had pro- But Salah, who needs just in next season’s Champions “I’m not the same player. I posed a shorter series but did one more goal to become the League still not settled. improved a lot in Rome but I not get a response from Aus- outright record-holder for the A point in their final match, can’t say everything is me. The tralian authorities. most strikes in a 38-match at home to Brighton on Sunday, team-mates are maybe dif- Bangladesh hosted Aus- season in the Premier League, will be enough to secure a top- ferent. The coach is tough and tralia for a two-Test series Mohamed Salah appears content with life at four finish, after which all eyes they always help me inside and last year which ended in a the club. turn to Kiev. outside the pitch.” draw.