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Monday, April 10, 2017 FOOTBALL Rajab 13, 1438 AH Neymar sees red GULF TIMES as Barca let Real Madrid off hook SPORT Page 4 AFC CHAMPIONS LEAGUE Crunch AFC matches for Lekhwiya, Rayyan QSL champions Lekhwiya face undefeated Esteghlal Khouzestan at home while Rayyan take on Persepolis, in Tehran, in the AFC Champions League

By Sports Reporter out suspended midfi elder Abdulkar- Doha eem Salem but will have Victor Caceres available after suspension. Rayyan drew with Al Arabi in their fter the euphoria of having QSL encounter while Iran Pro League won the Qatar Stars League leaders Persepolis warmed up for the crown, Lekhiwya will look to clash with a 2-0 victory over Paykan. carry that momentum into Atheir Asian Champions League en- FIXTURES: counter today. They take on Iran’s Es- Persepolis vs Al Rayyan 5:30pm teghlal Khouzestan, who have been Venue: Azadi Stadium, Tehran undefeated in their campaign so far, at the Abdullah bin Khalifa Stadium. Le- Lekhwiya vs Esteghlal Khuzestan 6:30pm khwiya, who themselves are unbeaten Venue: Abdullah Bin Khalifa Stadium, Doha File picture of Rayyan coach Michael Laudrup. so far, can leapfrog their opponents and grab the top spot in Group B if they can register a win today. In the three matches that Lekhwiya have played so far, they have won one and have two draws. In their previ- ous match against Khouzestan, which took place in Ahwaz, the home team had scored an early, eighth minute goal through striker Hassan Beit Saeid. But Lekhwiya restored the parity through striker Ismail Mohamed within three minutes and that’s how the score re- mained till the fi nal whistle. Though the Qatar team returned with a valu- able point, Mohamed Tresor was sent off after two bookable off ences and that means that the defender will miss this match today. The other worry for Belmadi will be the absence of their main striker Yusef el-Arabi due to a shoulder injury. The Lekhwiya players during training yesterday. PICTURE: Shemeer Rasheed Moroccan, with his 24 goals, is the top scorer this season in QSL. But the con- Mashhad in the Iran Pro League. in each category – win, draw and loss. fi dence of coming from a 2-1 win over Al When the two sides met last at the Jas- Ahli in the QSL should boost their con- RAYYAN LOOKING FOR A REPEAT sim Bin Hamad Stadium in Doha, it was fi dence going into this match. And the In the other match involving a Qatar the visitors who took the lead, as early advantage of playing at home. team, Rayyan will be looking for a re- as in the sixth minute. But Rayyan skip- Esteghlal Khouzestan have enjoyed peat performance when they take on per Rodrigo Tabata equalised in the 19th an unbeaten start to their maiden conti- Persepolis in their Group D encounter minute and then Sergio Garcia scored nental campaign and won their previous today at the Azadi Stadium. In their the winner in the 88th winner. The away encounter 1-0 against Al Jazira. If previous encounter, the Qatar side has three points from that victory had seem they can avoid defeat in Qatar, they will defeated their Iranian opponents 3-1. them climb to the top of the group. edge ever closer to round of 16. Michael Laudrup’s Rayyan are cur- However it will not be an easy outing But the Iranian champions go into rently top of their group, having won for Rayyan, having lost all fi ve of their the fi xture having not won since early two matches and lost one. Persepolis, previous visits to the Islamic Republic March and on the back of a 2-1 defeat to on the other hand, have notched up one of Iran. Laudrup will have to do with-

MARATHON Kenyan Mr and Mrs win in Paris AFP Paris

aul Lonyangata won the 41st Paris marathon yesterday with his wife Purity Rionoripo tying up the women’s race to make Pit a memorable day out for the Kenyan couple in the French capital. Lonyangata recorded his biggest career win in a time of two hours six minutes and 10 seconds despite losing valuable time when doubling back after missing the penultimate water station. Paul Lonyangata (L) crosses the finish line to win the 41st Paris Marathon in Paris His compatriot, pre-race favourite as does his wife Purity Rionoripo (R) to make it a memorable day for the couple. Stephen Chebogut, came in second at 2hr 6min 56sec, with Solomon Yego gong’s failed dope test. In the women’s race Rionoripo was completing the all-Kenyan podium in Sumgong was the fi rst Kenyan woman followed across the line by her compa- third at 2hr 7min 13sec. to win an Olympic gold in the marathon triot Agnes Barsosio at 2hr 21:02 with “I feel good now as my aim was to when she triumphed in Rio last year. Flomena Cheyech (2hr 21:23.) complet- come here to win,” said Lonyangata who The 32-year-old, who is also the ing the podium. was going one better after taking second reigning London Marathon champion, “It’s great for my wife, I’m very in the Paris half-marathon in March. tested positive for the banned blood proud of her,” beamed happy husband With Paris bathed in spring sunshine booster EPO in a test by the Interna- Lonyangata. “I’m so happy, it’s a great Rionoripo made it a red letter day for the tional Association of Athletics Federa- day for me to win and to beat my per- couple, the 23-year-old setting a new tions (IAAF) in her native Kenya. sonal best,” said Rionoripo, who had record time of 2hr 20min 50sec to smash Lonyangata, 24, made his decisive last year’s winner Visiline Jepkesho her personal best by almost four minutes. move after the 35km marker, surging (fourth) among the more fancied con- The couple’s success put a smile clear of Chebogut in the Bois de Boul- tenders in her slipstream. She lowered back on the face of Kenyan athletics 48 ogne to add Paris to his previous mara- the previous women’s Paris marathon hours after the shock news of Olympic thon wins in Shanghai in 2015 and Lis- record time set by Ethiopia’s Feyse Ta- marathon champion Jemima Sum- bon two years earlier. dese of 2hr 21:06 in 2013. Gulf Times 2 Monday, April 10, 2017 CRICKET

FORMULA 1 STAR Verstappen rockets Hamilton beats to China podium Vettel for Chinese

Grand Prix victory Red Bull’s Dutch driver Max Verstappen gestures on the podium. AFP ly competition because in front Shanghai of us they are too quick and be- ‘What I said to Sebastian as I left the last race... I said I’m coming back in the next one. hind us they are too slow. “We are working very hard to When I got on the podium it was like ‘I told you’: said Lewis Hamilton yesterday s Lewis Hamilton cel- try and close the gap but it’s not ebrated victory at the that easy. But we will keep push- Chinese Grand Prix ing hard.” Ayesterday, much of the Verstappen in 2015 became the paddock talk was about Max Ver- youngest driver to compete in a stappen’s astonishing third place Formula One race at 17 — an age for Red Bull. when many teenagers have yet to The 19-year-old, whose ag- receive their driver’s licence. gressive driving has made him He was up against it in Shanghai a Formula One fan favourite, after qualifying in 19th place on blitzed through the fi eld after Saturday due to engine problems, starting in 16th on the grid, over- later bumped up to 16th after pen- taking no fewer than nine cars on alties assessed on other drivers. a dizzying fi rst lap alone. “I didn’t have a lot of track The young Dutchman unsur- time for car balance because I prisingly was named Driver of barely did qualifying,” said Ver- the Day after fi nishing behind stappen, who fi nished fi fth in the only Hamilton’s Mercedes and drivers’ standings last year. Sebastian Vettel’s Ferrari. “I was not expecting a podium “Nine cars is quite a lot for one fi nish at all.” lap, but of course I’m very happy His third place duplicated his that it worked. That’s of course result in Brazil last year when he very positive especially after recovered from 16th to reach the starting at 16. It was a great, en- podium in heavy rain, prompt- tertaining race,” he said. ing team Red Bull chief Christian When it was suggested to Horner to call it “one of the best him that his fi rst lap resembled drives I’ve seen in Formula One”. something out of a video game, Although several drivers, in- he replied: “More or less! It felt a cluding Vettel, have turned team Results & Standings bit like that.” radios blue complaining about “It was defi nitely one of the Verstappen’s aggressive style, RESULTS best,” said Verstappen, who be- Hamilton called the Dutch- 1. Lewis Hamilton (GBR) Mercedes came the youngest driver to win man “a real breath of fresh air”. 2. Sebastian Vettel (GER) Ferrari a Formula One race at last year’s The Briton added: “I honestly 3. Max Verstappen (NED) Red Bull Spanish Grand Prix aged 18 years hope that Red Bull can improve 4. Daniel Ricciardo (AUS) Red Bull and 228 days. through the season because a 5. Kimi Raikkonen (FIN) Ferrari “This is defi nitely in my top third element in the fi ght for the 6. Valtteri Bottas (FIN) Mercedes fi ve. We still need to work very championship would make it 7. Carlos Sainz Jr (ESP) Toro Rosso hard to catch up,” he added. “We even more exciting.” More excit- 8. Kevin Magnussen (DEN) Haas are at the moment in a very lone- ing is defi nitely welcome. 9. Sergio Perez (MEX) Force India 10. Esteban Ocon (FRA) Force India 11. Romain Grosjean (FRA) Haas GOLF: MASTERS 12. Nico Huelkenberg (GER) Renault Mercedes’ British driver Lewis Hamilton celebrates after winning the Formula One Chinese Grand Prix yesterday. 13. Jolyon Palmer (GBR) Renault 14. Felipe Massa (BRA) Williams Reuters list of drivers with most rostrum results. the pits to change to dry weather tyres. 15. Marcus Ericsson (SWE) Sauber Spieth will need to Shanghai “What I said to Sebastian as I left the His gamble backfi red when Antonio Retired last race... I said I’m coming back in the Giovinazzi - standing in for Pascal Wehr- Fernando Alonso (ESP) McLaren. next one. When I got on the podium it lein at Sauber - crashed, bringing out the Daniil Kvyat (RUS) Toro Rosso dig deep to win ewis Hamilton mastered Shang- was like ‘I told you’.” actual safety car two laps later. Stoff el Vandoorne (BEL) McLaren hai’s changing conditions and Hamilton, who fi nished second to Vet- The four-times world champion found Antonio Giovinazzi (Italy) Sauber stayed clear of squabbling rivals tel in Melbourne, heads into the next race himself bottled up behind Ricciardo and Lance Stroll (Canada) Williams Lto win the Chinese Formula One in Bahrain in a week’s time tied on points his slower team-mate Kimi Raikkonen, Grand Prix yesterday. with the German. Mercedes, meanwhile, costing him valuable time. STANDINGS The Briton eased his Mercedes across lead the constructors’ standings by one As the trio squabbled for position, Drivers the line 6.2 seconds ahead of Ferrari’s Se- point over Ferrari. Hamilton pulled clear at the front. 1. Lewis Hamilton (Britain) 43 bastian Vettel. Hamilton started from pole position, By the time Vettel managed to get past, 1. Sebastian Vettel (Germany) 43 Max Verstappen, who started 16th, but the conditions were a bit of a lottery with a series of spectacular overtak- 3. Max Verstappen (Netherlands) 25 fi nished a surprise third to hand his Red for all the drivers with the track damp in ing moves that included banging wheels 4. Valtteri Bottas (Finland) 23 Bull team their 100th podium. patches but drying quickly. with his former teammate, Hamilton was 5. Kimi Raikkonen (Finland) 22 It was Hamilton’s 54th career win and He kept the lead off the line ahead of too far ahead. “The safety car came just 6. Daniel Ricciardo (Australia) 12 a record fi fth in Shanghai. Vettel, who came under investigation for when I was about to start to feel that the 7. Carlos Sainz Jr (Spain) 10 But it was the triple champion’s fi rst lining up out of position on his grid slot. dry tyre was a lot quicker,” Vettel said. 8. Felipe Massa (Brazil) 8 this season and returned Mercedes to the The German, though, stayed second, “So I couldn’t use the momentum, the 9. Sergio Perez (Mexico) 8 top of the podium after Vettel won last fending off Valtteri Bottas in the other advantage and I lost a lot of positions. 10. Kevin Magnussen (Denmark) 4 month’s season-opening race for a resur- Mercedes, who had started third. “But then I had a very exciting race.” gent Ferrari. Lance Stroll, the 18-year-old rookie, Ricciardo fi nished fourth for Red Bull, Constructors “I’m so happy with my fi rst win of the spun off the track on the fi rst lap after mak- crossing the line just 0.8 seconds behind 1. Mercedes 66; 2. Ferrari 65; 3. Red year and I can’t believe it if I’m honest,” ing contact with Force India’s Sergio Perez. Verstappen after hassling the Dutchman Bull 37; 4. Toro Rosso 12; 5. Force India Jordan Spieth of the United States lines up a putt on the 16th green. said Hamilton after the race, which also The Canadian beached his Williams in in the closing stages of the 56-lap race. 10; 6. Williams 8; 7. Haas 4 ; 8. Renault handed him his 106th podium, putting the gravel, bringing out the virtual safety Raikkonen crossed the line a frustrated 0; 9. Sauber 0; 10. McLaren 0 AFP happens at the end, we will have him joint second with Alain Prost on the car. Vettel took the opportunity to dive into fi fth. Bottas fi nished sixth. Augusta a chance to win with a really good round tomorrow. “I knew if I could work my way BOTTOMLINE ordan Spieth has used the somehow back to close to par in same grit and resilience that second round, I know I can he needed after a back- shoot 10 under over two rounds nine Sunday meltdown because we’ve done it before.” lastJ year to rally from a 10-stroke Spieth birdied the par-3 sixth defi cit into Masters contention and closed the front nine with once again. back-to-back birdies. Rose, Garcia share Masters lead The 2015 Masters and US Open AFP Seve Ballesteros. “Hopefully he roy, a four-time major cham- champion fi red a four-under par ‘WIN OR GO HOME’ Augusta will help me a little bit,” Garcia pion, shot 71 to stand on 216 and 68 Saturday to share fourth place After sinking a tense 10-foot par said. “His help is always welcome. was not confi dent of a victory with fellow Americans Ryan putt at the par-3 12th — the same Hopefully he helps a little bit to- that would complete a career Moore and Charley Hoff man af- hole where he made a quadruple ergio Garcia, winless in morrow from up there and tomor- grand slam. ter 54 holes to stand on four-un- bogey last year to doom his re- 73 prior majors, shook row we’ll have something good to “I’m going to need to probably der 212, two back of co-leaders peat title hopes — Spieth bird- off a Masters legacy of celebrate.” play the round of my life tomor- Justin Rose and Sergio Garcia. ied the par-5 13th and 15th holes third-round setbacks Asked what advice he thought row to have a chance,” said McIl- “Kind of the way this year has before ending a run of 29 bogey- SaturdayS to match Rio Olympic he might get from Ballesteros, roy, who shot 65 in the 2011 fi rst been, slow starts and just grind free holes with a bogey at the champion Justin Rose for the who died of brain cancer in 2011 round and 66 on Sunday in 2015. it out to come from behind,” said par-3 16th. lead entering the fi nal round. at age 54, Garcia replied, “Be- “I’ve shot low ones here before. Spieth, who won at Pebble Beach “It’s hard to be more resil- Garcia has gone a combined lieve in yourself, try to enjoy as My lowest round here, I’m not earlier this year. ient than we were last year after 38-over par to average 75 in 13 much as possible, try to have fun sure it’s going to be low enough.” “I’ve come back and won tour- number 12. That was by far the prior Masters third rounds. and do your best.” Garcia birdied the fi fth and naments before, all the way from most resilient I’ve ever been on a But this time he fi red a two- Eighth-ranked American sandwiched a birdie at the par- six back on the PGA Tour, so I can golf course in my life,” Spieth said. under par 70 to match the best Rickie Fowler, one stroke back in 5 eighth between bogeys but draw off those experiences.” Spieth had been the 54-hole of those rounds from 2002 to third after a 71, hopes to win the added birdies at the par-5 13th After an opening 75 that fea- leader in his fi rst three Masters join England’s Rose in Sunday’s fi rst green jacket awarded since and 15th and parred in, sinking a tured a quadruple bogey at the starts but must rally to win this fi nal pairing with a great chance the death of his idol, Arnold testy six footer at the last. 15th, Spieth was 10 strokes off one or even sustain his run of at a long-sought dream. Palmer, last September. “Just fi ghting hard,” Garcia the lead. top-two-only fi nishes. “Got to go out there and be- “It would be special,” Fowler said. “I kept fi ghting with all I had. If he wins, it would be the “Might free me up a bit, be- lieve in myself again as much Justin Rose of England celebrates a birdie on the 18th hole in third said. “We’re going to go out and It’s about staying patient. I hit greatest 54-hole victory fi ght- ing behind,” Spieth said. “I plan as I’ve been doing, be patient round play during the 2017 Masters golf tournament at Augusta. give it our all for him.” some good shots on the back nine back in Masters history, eclipsing to play aggressive because at this and don’t freak out even if I do Australia’s Adam Scott, the coming in. It was good to see.” those of seven strokes by Tiger point, it’s win or go home. So you something wrong,” Garcia said. at Augusta National. you’ve got to pick your mo- 2013 Masters winner, was sev- At 13, Garcia gave a look of de- Woods in 2005 and Nick Faldo in pull off the shots and you make Rose, the 2013 US Open win- “I liked my confi dence on the ments. That game plan worked enth on 213 with 2011 Masters spair watching his ball in the air. 1990. the putts. ner, birdied fi ve of the last seven greens. They were rolling per- well for me today and I’m sure it champion Charl Schwartzel of It appeared to plunk into Rae’s “After the fi rst round, I “I want to give myself a chance holes to shoot 67 in ideal con- fectly,” Rose said. “I just stayed will again tomorrow.” South Africa another stroke Creek but clung to the far bank, couldn’t ask for much bet- for that to be enough. And if I ditions to join the 37-year-old with it and everything began to Garcia could end his major adrift with England’s Lee West- allowing him to chip it inches ter than this,” Spieth said. “We don’t, then so be it. Finishing Spaniard, this week’s only player click into gear on the back nine. drought Sunday on what would wood and Belgium’s Thomas Pi- from the pin for a tap-in birdie. fought back tremendously to fi fth versus 10th doesn’t mean with three sub-par rounds, on “You’ve got to be aggressive at have been the 60th birthday of eters on 215. “Got a great break on 13,” he have a chance to win this golf much to me, so that frees me up six-under 210 through 54 holes times, but this is a course where his idol, the late Spanish legend World number two Rory McIl- said. “That was good to see.” tournament and no matter what a bit.” Gulf Times Monday, April 10, 2017 3 FOOTBALL

PREMIER LEAGUE IN BRIEF Ibrahimovic feels ‘like Ibra sparks for Man Utd, Benjamin Button’ Ageless striker Zlatan Ibra- himovic said he felt like fi lm character Benjamin Button after taking his tally for the season to Everton’s Lukaku shines 28 goals in Manchester United’s 3-0 win at Sunderland. Ibrahi- movic, 35, opened the scoring in Lukaku took his tally to 23 goals with a brace as Everton ended Leicester’s six-game winning run the 30th minute of yesterday’s game at the Stadium of Light, rolling Billy Jones and crashing a shot into the bottom corner from the edge of the box. “The older you are, the more experienced, the more intelli- gent and you don’t waste energy on things you don’t need,” Ib- rahimovic said. “I feel like Ben- jamin Button. I was born old and will die young,” he added, citing the 2008 Brad Pitt fi lm about a man who ages in reverse. Ibrahimovic’s goal means he has now scored 250 times since turning 30.

BAYERN SWEAT ON HUMMELS AFTER KNOCK Bayern Munich are sweating on the fi tness of Mats Hummels for Wednesday’s Champions League home clash against Real Madrid after the Germany defender injured his ankle in training yesterday. The centre-back was left on the bench for Saturday’s 4-1 Bundesliga drubbing of Borussia Dortmund in Munich hav- ing been rested by coach Carlo Ancelotti for the quarter-fi nal, fi rst-leg, match against Real. But Hummels let out a cry after injuring his right ankle in training session and was taken away on a golf cart after treat- ment, leaving Bayern waiting to see how bad the injury is. If Hummels is ruled out of the Everton’s Romelu Lukaku (right) scores past Leicester City’s goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel during the Premier League match at Goodison Park in Liverpool, north west England, yesterday. (AFP) Allianz Arena clash against Real, Jerome Boateng and Javi Mar- AFP yards for his 18th goal of the league campaign. brighton’s free-kick from wide on the left embar- tinez will resume their centre- London POINTS TABLE Sunderland then lost Larsson to a furiously con- rassed Joel Robles to put Leicester ahead. back partnership. tested straight red card after referee Craig Pawson But Lukaku equalised in the 23rd minute, head- There is some good news for (played, won, drawn, lost, goals for, goals decided the Swede’s challenge on Ander Herrera ing in an exquisite cross by Ross Barkley, and after Bayern as Germany forward vergreen Manchester United striker Zlatan against, points): had been unduly reckless. The hosts’ hopes of a Phil Jagielka had headed in from a corner, Lukaku Thomas Mueller was back in Ibrahimovic likened himself to fi lm char- Chelsea 31 24 3 4 65 25 75 comeback evaporated within 46 seconds of kick- smashed in his second with over half an hour to training after missing their acter Benjamin Button after inspiring his Tottenham 31 20 8 3 64 22 68 off in the second half as Luke Shaw fed Mkhitaryan play. “We did really well. In away games we have to last two matches with an ankle team to a 3-0 victory at Premier League Liverpool 32 18 9 5 68 40 63 to drill a low, angled shot beyond Pickford’s dive. do the same. We want to fi ght against (fi fth place) injury. Germany goalkeeper basementE club Sunderland yesterday. Substitute Rashford completed the scoring late Manchester United and (sixth place) Arsenal. We Manuel Neuer faces a race Man City 31 18 7 6 60 35 61 Ibrahimovic, 35, opened the scoring with his Man Utd 30 15 12 3 46 24 57 on, exchanging passes with Ibrahimovic and ar- need to win much more games,” said Lukaku. “My- against time to be fi t to face the 28th goal of the season and after Seb Larsson had Arsenal 29 16 6 7 61 36 54 rowing a low drive into the bottom-left corner. self and Ross (Barkley) have played together many Spanish giants and has not yet been sent off for Sunderland, goals from Henrikh Everton 32 15 9 8 57 36 54 United play Anderlecht in Brussels on Thursday in times. In his new position he can create more. resumed training after a minor Mkhitaryan and Marcus Rashford completed vic- West Brom 32 12 8 12 39 41 44 the fi rst leg of their Europa League quarter-fi nal. Hopefully we can deliver more in the upcoming foot operation. Ancelotti has tory. “I feel like Benjamin Button. I was born old Southampton 30 11 7 12 37 37 40 Sunderland have lost six and drawn one of their games.” said he expects both Mueller and will die young,” Ibrahimovic said, citing the Watford 31 10 7 14 36 52 37 last seven games and now lie 10 points adrift of Koeman said he was pleased with his team’s per- and Neuer to be fi t for Wednes- 2008 Brad Pitt fi lm about a man who ages in re- Leicester 31 10 6 15 39 51 36 safety, relegation to the Championship looming formance particularly the displays of Lukaku and day’s key game with the return verse. In the day’s other game, league top scorer Burnley 32 10 6 16 32 44 36 closer with each passing week. “Today the result Barkley, who had come in for some criticism after leg in Madrid on April 18. Bayern Romelu Lukaku took his tally to 23 goals with a Stoke 32 9 9 14 34 47 36 was helped by the referee,” said Sunderland man- the Merseyside derby. “We played some fantastic already had a scare on Saturday brace as Everton ended Leicester City’s six-game West Ham 32 10 6 16 42 57 36 ager David Moyes, the former United boss. football in the fi rst 45 minutes, really good team as Robert Lewandowski came off winning run with an entertaining 4-2 victory. Bournemouth 32 9 8 15 45 59 35 “Manchester United were playing well, but the performance today. We had great movement be- clutching his shoulder against United extended their unbeaten record to 21 league Crystal Palace 30 9 4 17 39 50 31 red card was a decision that went against us. We tween the lines. “Lukaku and Barkley didn’t need Dortmund in the second-half games and climbed to fi fth place in the table, four Hull 32 8 6 18 33 64 30 keep going. We have another home game next Sat- to respond (but) they showed today they are fan- after scoring twice. points below fourth-place Manchester City, who Swansea 32 8 4 20 37 67 28 urday (against West Ham United) and we have to tastic football players. Two players on a high level The German giants’ top-scor- have played a game more. Middlesbrough 31 4 12 15 22 37 24 try and win it.” but the whole team played well.” er later said he hopes to be 100% “The result was good,” said United manager Jose Sunderland 31 5 5 21 24 55 20 Everton drew level with sixth-place Arsenal, Leicester, who visit Atletico Madrid on Wednes- fi t to face Real and only came off Mourinho, whose side will return to sixth place if Note: Top four qualify for Champions League; having played three more games, after thwarting day in the fi rst leg of their Champions League as a precaution. Lewandowski Arsenal win at Crystal Palace today. “We resisted teams finishing fifth to seventh qualify for Europa Leicester manager Craig Shakespeare’s quest for quarter-fi nal, remain 11th. has scored 38 goals in all compe- the results of yesterday when Manchester City and League; bottom three relegated to Championship a sixth successive league win and seventh in total. titions for Bayern this season — Liverpool won. They left us in a position of ‘yes or Home-grown 18-year-old midfi elder Tom Davies RESULTS seven in the Champions League no?’ It was ‘yes’.” be fi t for the visit of leaders Chelsea next Sunday. put Everton ahead after only 31 seconds following Everton 4 (Davies 1, Lukaku 23, 57, Jagielka 41) — and is the Bundesliga’s top United were without goalkeeper David de Gea Ibrahimovic broke the deadlock on the half-hour a dart into the box by Kevin Mirallas. Leicester 2 (Slimani 4, Albrighton 10); Sunderland 0 scorer having netted 26 times so due to a minor hip injury, with Sergio Romero at the Stadium of Light, fending off Billy Jones and Demarai Gray released Islam Slimani to level in Manchester United 3 (Ibrahimovic 30, Mkhitaryan 46, far this season. deputising, but Mourinho expects the Spaniard to whipping a low shot past Jordan Pickford from 20 the fourth minute and six minutes later, Marc Al- Rashford 89)

SERIE A Wenger demands united Arsenal for crucial run-in London: Arsene Wenger team already destabilised by Crotone dent Inter’s Euro hopes believes Arsenal can still enjoy the failure of Alexis Sanchez an uplifting finale to their trau- and Mesut Ozil to sign new con- AFP tone midfi elder with his chest. matic season if they maintain a tracts. Ozil said on Sunday that Milan Inter’s fi rst chance of the half came unified front starting at Crystal he won’t make a decision on his in stoppages, when Cristian Ansaldi Palace today. Wenger has been future until Wenger’s situation fl ashed a header across the face of goal. under siege like never before in is clearer. “It’s not just impor- iego Falcinelli hit a dramatic D’Ambrosio pulled Inter back into it when recent weeks as angry Arsenal tant for me, but for the whole fi rst-half brace to dent Inter he volleyed home Geoff rey Kondogbia’s fans demand the Gunners boss club,” Ozil said. “It’s important Milan’s hopes of European foot- nod-down at a corner past Alex Cordaz be forced to step down after to know if he stays or if he goes. ball as Crotone launched their from close range. yet another underwhelming We need to think towards next SerieD A survival bid with a gutsy 2-1 win But the Inter defender, who signed a campaign. season. He’s very important. yesterday. A week after a 2-1 home defeat new contract extension until 2021 in mid- A section of Arsenal’s sup- In my career I’ve always made to Sampdoria extinguished any realistic week, was lucky to go unpunished after port staged their latest protest decisions not just because of hopes of qualifying for the Champions upending Falcinelli in spectacular fashion against Wenger during Wednes- clubs, but managers too.” League, Inter’s chances of even qualifying on the edge of the area moments later. day’s 3-0 victory over West Aware of the depressing for Europe are now hanging by a thread. Somehow, Gianpaolo Calvarese waved Ham United as they stayed vibe around his club, Wenger Falcinelli beat Samir Handanovic from play on and the referee responded to Cro- away from their Emirates acknowledged the West Ham the penalty spot on 19 minutes and the tone coach Nicola’s angry protests by Stadium seats until the 13th win was essential to restore on-loan Sassuolo striker completed his sending him to the stands. minute to signify the number morale and he hopes the way brace three minutes later to leave Inter Inter fi nally had some momentum, but of years since they last won his players stuck together will stunned as they headed in for the half- Eder’s strike came off the far post and the Premier League. It is also 11 be repeated at Selhurst Park in time interval. Rodrigo Palacio fi red straight at Cordaz years since Arsenal reached the another crucial London derby. Inter defender Danilo D’Ambrosio re- on the turn. At the other end Handanovic Champions League final, with “Look, I feel we came out duced arrears in the 65th minute, but af- dived to parry Maxwell Acosty’s curling the chances of lifting either of of a very diff icult period and ter a string of late misses Stefano Pioli’s drive on the counter, but his eff orts went those major trophies appearing what we have shown is that men had to settle for a 10th league loss AC Milan’s Fernandez Suso) celebrates with teammates after scoring against Palermo for nothing when Ivan Perisic then Mi- further away than ever after we are united and focused and that, coupled with AC Milan’s 4-0 win during the Italian Serie A match at the San Siro stadium in Milan. (AFP) randa fi red wide in the dying minutes. their domestic travails and a determined to do things right over Palermo, could cause considerable European humiliation against again,” Wenger said. “That damage to their European hopes. secured their record sixth consecutive ary came away at Chievo last week, RESULTS Bayern Munich. Wenger has so was questioned for a while AC Milan had Suso, Mario Pasalic, scudetto yet. when Falcinelli hit an 82nd minute win- Sampdoria 2 (Fernandes 5, Alvarez 71) far refused to confirm whether and I think we gave the right Carlos Bacca and Gerard Deulofeu to Goals by Federico Fazio and Mohamed ner. Yesrerday, the Calabrians had Inter Fiorentina 2 (Rodriguez 60, Babacar 89); he will sign an extension to his response. We have to show thank for the goals in a solid San Siro dis- Salah gave Roma a 2-0 fi rst-half lead at in disarray from kick-off . A Gary Medel Bologna 0 Roma 3 (Fazio 26, Salah 41, contract, which expires at the that focus now until the end of play that moved the Rossoneri up to sixth Bologna and striker Edin Dzeko tapped handball following a mistimed his chal- Dzeko 75); Cagliari 2 (Borriello 19-pen, Han end of the season. “I cannot the season. There’s still a lot to place. Milan are now just two points be- home an easy third on 75 minutes as Lu- lenge on Falcinelli gave Crotone a 19th 90+5) Torino 3 (Ljajic 33, Belotti 39, Acquah tell you now (if a decision will fight for. That is what’s at stake hind Atalanta, in the fi nal Europa League ciano Spalletti’s men restored their six- minute spot-kick that Falcinelli fi red past 54); Crotone 2 (Falcinelli 19-pen, 22) Inter come before the end of the basically.” qualifying spot, with Inter moving the point defi cit. Handanovic, who got a touch on the ball. Milan 1 (D’Ambrosio 65); AC Milan 4 (Suso 6, season) because I don’t know, I Both Petr Cech and David other way to sit four points behind the Napoli are now seven points further Three minutes later Falcinelli sprung Pasalic 19, Bacca 37, Deulofeu 70) Palermo am focused on our next game,” Ospina are likely to miss out high-fl ying Bergamo side. behind, and were travelling to Lazio for a the off side trap on a Marcello Trotta ball, 0; Udinese 3 (De Paul 20, Zapata 31, Rubinho Wenger said this week. again today due to injuries, so Although leaders Juventus moved nine late match last night, for a high-risk game drawing handanovic out before lobbing 39) Genoa 0 The endless specula- Emiliano Martinez will start in points clear of the pack with a 2-0 win that will see the hosts move to within a the ball into the empty net. Handanovic On Saturday: Empoli 1 (El Kaddouri 9) tion about the beleaguered goal for Arsenal after making over Chievo on Saturday night, when point of third place with a win at the Sta- denied Marcus Rohden down low with Pescara 1 (Caprari 31); Atalanta 1 (Cristante 67-year-old’s future has been his first appearance since 2014 Gonzalo Higuain hit his second brace in dio Olimpico. his legs and moments later Joao Miranda 73) Sassuolo 1 (Pellegrini 36); Juventus 2 an unwanted distraction for a against West Ham. as many outings, the Turin giants haven’t Crotone’s fi rst league win since Janu- made a goalline clearance from the Cro- (Higuain 23, 84) Chievo 0 Gulf Times 4 Monday, April 10, 2017 FOOTBALL

LA LIGA SPOTLIGHT Barca loss means Neymar sees red as nothing: Juve coach Allegri

Malaga shock Barca AFP as many outings to see Allegri’s Milan men go nine points clear. But in a match that saw Juve play- maker Paulo Dybala sparkle, Juve Real can now aff ord to lose to Barca in two weeks’ time and still win the title assimiliano Allegri missed chance after chance in played down the im- front of goal. portance of Barce- “It was a diffi cult game, but we lona’s shock league knew it would be like that. Chie- Mdefeat at Malaga on Saturday vo are a tough side, but we’ve got as Juventus prepare to meet the the three points,” said Higuain, La Liga giants for the fi rst time who could have added to his 23rd since losing the 2015 Champions and 84th minute strikes only to League fi nal. fi re inches wide of the upright Juventus host Luis Enrique’s late in the second half. men in Turin tomorrow in what For Allegri, an ugly win is still is the sides’ fi rst meeting since worth three points and he said the Catalans humbled Allegri’s Juve “better be ready” to make men 3-1 in Berlin two years ago. Barca’s next away trip one to for- The Italians have improved since get as well. “We better be ready, then and, having began this sea- because it’s a quarter-fi nal. We son’s competition among the respect Barcelona but we go title favourites, head into quar- into this game knowing we have ter-fi nal confi dent of at least a great chance to make the next earning a fi rst-leg victory. But round,” he added. any psychological boost off ered “We have to make it tough for by 10-man Barcelona’s shock them. When we get a chance to 2-0 defeat in Malaga was rejected attack, we will, and when we by Allegri, who expects Barca to have to defend we’ll do that as be back to their clinical best. “It’s well. It’s simply a case of work- not worth taking into considera- ing hard.” tion, because Barcelona are used Higuain, who set a 36-goal to playing these games (in Eu- record in Serie A while with Na- rope),” Allegri told said. poli last season, took his Serie “For me, it’s the same Barce- A tally for the season to 21 in 32 lona. When you have players like games. The former Real Madrid (Lionel) Messi, (Andres) Iniesta, striker added: “Now, we’ll start (Luis) Suarez, and Neymar, you thinking about Barcelona, and of don’t mess up games very often.” recovering so we’re in top condi- Juventus warmed up for to- tion. “We’re relaxed, it will be a morrow’s clash with a cagey 2-0 hard game against a really great win over Chievo, Gonzalo Hi- side but, just as we respect them, guain hitting his second brace in they’ll also have respect for us.”

Malaga’s players celebrate after their win over Barcelona at La Rosaleda stadium in Malaga, Spain, on Saturday night. (AFP)

AFP left to rue letting Sandro Ramirez join Malaga for free the yellow cards is special,” said Enrique. “We have to Madrid last summer. Sandro exposed some awful defending have be very careful in some games because there were from Jeremy Mathieu to sprint clear on goal and slot past some ugly challenges from behind that went unpunished Marc-Andre ter Stegen at his near post. and tying boots was.” eymar was sent-off as Barcelona lost further Malaga also had the better chances of the second-half Moreover, as well as missing next weekend’s visit of ground on Real Madrid at the top of La Liga in a fi lled with controversy as Juanpi shot straight at Ter Ste- Real Sociedad, Neymar could be banned for El Clasico shock 2-0 defeat to Malaga on Saturday night. gen when clean through. Neymar had been shown his against Real Madrid on April 23 after sarcastically ap- Real are now three points clear and have a game fi rst booking for delaying a Malaga free-kick whilst tying plauding the offi cials after he was sent-off . Nin hand despite Antoine Griezmann’s classy fi nish fi ve his shoelaces and stupidly charged into Diego Llorente 25 Barca’s defeat meant Real’s disappointment earlier in minutes from time snatching a 1-1 draw for Atletico Ma- minutes from time to see red. the day was short lived. Pepe’s towering header early in drid earlier at the Santiago Bernabeu. The hosts then had a goal wrongly ruled out for off - the second half looked to have Real heading fi ve points However, Real can now aff ord to lose to Barca at home side when substitute Adalberto Penaranda fi nished off clear at the top in the Madrid derby. in two weeks’ time and still have a fi rst title in fi ve years a fl owing counter-attack. However, Barca were also in- However, Griezmann rounded Keylor Navas to slot in their own hands. furiated with referee Gil Manzano when he somehow home at the near post fi ve minutes from time. “No matter what the table is like Madrid-Barca is al- awarded a free-kick on the edge of the box when Sergi ways an attractive game, but winning La Liga depends on Roberto had been brought down clearly inside the area. RESULTS winning all the points beforehand,” said Barca boss Luis Malaga fi nally picked off the 10 men in the final minute Granada 1 (Ponce 65) Valencia 3 (Zaza 19, 21, Mina 55); Es- Enrique. “Today we had a very good opportunity and we when Pablo Fornals unselfi shly squared for Jony to panyol 1 (Piatti 56) Alaves 0; Real Madrid 1 (Pepe 52) Atletico couldn’t take the points.” smash home from close range. Madrid 1 (Griezmann 85); Sevilla 4 (Jovetic 1, Sarabia 9, Cor- Neymar picked up the fi rst red card of his Barcelona After the match, Enrique claimed his star names lack rea 32, Ben Yedder 88) Deportivo la Coruna 2 (Kakuta 4, 25); career for two bookable off ences as the Catalans were protection from referees. “I think the interpretation of Malaga 2 (Sandro 32, Jony 90) Barcelona 0 Juventus’ Italian coach Massimiliano Allegri. (AFP)

QSL FINAL ROUND FIXTURES ANNOUNCED BUNDESLIGA

Doha: The Qatar Stars League has an- face Al Wakrah at Arabi stadium; Al Rayyan stadium. Al Kharaitiyat will be looking to nounced the fixtures for the final round will face Al Khor at Al Sadd stadium. maintain their form in the league when Stocker helps Hertha of the 2016/2017 season. Matches are set Umm Salal and Al Arabi, who are still they take on fifth place Al Gharafa with the to take place next Friday and Saturday. All in danger of dropping into the relegation tie set to take place at Al Khor stadium. games will kick-off at 6:20 pm to ensure play-off will play each other at Qatar SC The QSL season will then come to a fair play for all sides. stadium, while Al Ahli will face already- close with champions Lekhwiya set to Berlin end losing streak On Friday, four games will be held involv- relegated Muaither at Ahli stadium. lift the coveted QSL falcon shield after ing sides who could finish eleventh in the On Saturday three games will take place. their match against already relegated Al AFP standings and be involved in a relegation Al Sadd will take on El Jaish in what will Shahania. The tie has been switched to Berlin play-off with Qatar SC the second placed be an early dress rehearsal for the Qatar Lekhwiya stadium at the request of the side in the Qatar Gas League. Al Sailiya will Cup, with the tie taking place at Al Sadd league leaders. wiss winger Valentin Stocker had a hand in both goals as Hertha Berlin ended their three-match losing streak with a 2-0 Bun- desliga win over Augsburg yesterday. MESAIMEER, MARKHIYA IN EMIR CUP SECOND ROUND SHertha climb back up to fi fth after victory at Ber- lin’s sun-drenched Olympic Stadium to keep their European hopes alive following straight defeats to Cologne, Moenchengladbach and Hoff enheim. Stocker played a key role as his attempted shot was headed home by US international John An- thony Brooks for the opening goal on 12 minutes. The Swiss international then netted his own goal, profi ting from good play by Hertha’s strikers Vedad Ibisevic and Salomon Kalou. Ibisevic held off two defenders to stab a pass through to Kalou, who spotted Stocker unmarked in the area and presented the right winger with a tap-in on 37 minutes. Kalou could have netted a late third, but failed to get a clean connection on his shot. The defeat keeps Augsburg 16th in the table — amongst the relegation places — and their plight was compounded later when Ingolstadt cut the gap behind them to a point by beating bottom side Darmstadt 3-2. On Saturday, Robert Lewandowski overtook Berlin’s Valentin Stocker (left) and Augsburg’s Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in the race to be the Kevin Danso vie for the ball during the Bundesliga Bundesliga’s top-scorer this season by netting match yesterday. (AFP) twice in Bayern Munich’s 4-1 thrashing of Borussia Dortmund. Runaway league leaders Bayern domi- for a second yellow card. Leipzig’s victory was a nated the clash of Germany’s giants and the win big step towards direct Champions League quali- leaves them 10 points clear with six games left as fi cation next season and they are now seven points Munich edge closer to a fi fth straight league title. ahead of third-placed Hoff enheim, who crashed to The defeat leaves Dortmund, who host Monaco a 2-1 defeat at Hamburg. in the Champions League quarter-fi nals tomorrow, Mesaimeer are through to the second round of Emir Cup fourth in the table and 18 points behind Bayern. RESULTS Second division champions Al Markhiya beat Al Shamal 1-0 to after a surprise 2-1 win over Qatar SC yesterday. Yussuf Poulsen’s 93rd-minute goal gave 10- Hertha Berlin 2 (Brooks 12, Stocker 37) Augsburg 0l; reach the second round round of the Emir Cup. PICTURES: Noushad Thekkayil man RB Leipzig a 1-0 victory at home to Bayer Ingolstadt 04 3 (Gross 20, Cohen 68, Suttner 72) Darm- Leverkusen after captain Willi Orban was sent off stadt 2 (M. Vrancic 33, 39-pen) Gulf Times Monday, April 10, 2017 5 SPORT

NHL Wild enter playoff s on bit of a roll

By Michael Russo months ago, few would have goals and 47 points and Char- you, I really think Martin Hanzal got to be consistent to be able Star Tribune (Minneapolis) predicted the Wild would fi nish lie Coyle, who hit a second-half has been a big addition,” coach to be second in the whole con- with the second-best record in slump, had a career-high 56 Bruce Boudreau said. ference. Numbers don’t lie. You the very competitive conference points. On the back end, Jared Over a full season with the get what you deserve. It says a inally, the Wild can catch and a franchise-record 49 wins Spurgeon, Jonas Brodin and Wild, Hanzal would have been lot about the team since Game 1 a breath. and 106 points. Matt Dumba all established ca- on pace for 53 points. Over the all the way to here. Now it’s just After playing the The Wild fi nished with points reer-highs in points. last 14 games, he won 61.5 per- about getting better and prepar- most games in the NHL in seven of eight games (5-1-2). “It’s a great step,” General cent of his faceoff s. He was ter- ing ourselves.” sinceF the trade deadline, with “When we talked to Decem- manager Chuck Fletcher said. rifi c on the penalty kill. The Wild And that’s the key. The Wild the most back-to-backs and ber and January, the way we felt “Really, that’s the group that’s tied for fi rst in the NHL with 13 feels it patched its game, which not getting more than a day be- is the way we still feel now,” said going to take this team over go- players with at least 10 goals and fell apart in so many areas last tween games in fi ve weeks, the defenseman Ryan Suter, who is ing forward. That’s going to be tied for third with fi ve players month, together the last half- Wild have hit the fi nish line with tied with Jason Zucker with a the core of our team for the next with at least 50 points. dozen games. The elephant in Saturday night’s regular-season league-high plus-34. “We have seven, eight years. They’re going “For this 82-game schedule, the room continues to be Dub- fi nale at Arizona and can reset a lot of confi dence in the guys to have to be the ones that lead, we were one of the best teams in nyk’s declining play in March, before opening the fi rst round of and in our group. We have a team that have to be our top players. the league, and I think we have but the team believes he showed the playoff s at home this week that can do something special. “Like Granlund, he’s not a one of the best balanced scoring good signs of reemerging the against former Wild coach Mike “This last month has been secret anymore. He’s getting in the league,” Boudreau said of a past few weeks. Yeo and his St. Louis Blues. good for us. I think it’s helped tough matchups and he’s bat- team that had with a franchise- Because of the rough four-win us grow as a team. You got to see tling through and fi nding ways record 266 goals, at least four RESULTS March, it’s easy to forget that six what people are made of.” to produce. The signs these guys goals in a game 34 times, at least Maple Leafs 5 Penguins 3 weeks ago, the Wild were one From Dec. 2 to Feb. 28, the have shown this year bodes well fi ve goals in a game 22 times, a Senators 3 Rangers 1 of the NHL’s most consistent Wild went 30-6-3, including a for the present and the future. second-best goal diff erential of Blues 5 Hurricanes 4 (shootout) teams. They hadn’t lost two in franchise-record 12-game win- But the playoff s are a diff erent plus-58 and three players among Capitals 3 Bruins 1 a row since November, led the ning streak. At the All-Star animal.” the top-four in the NHL in plus- Oilers 3 Canucks 2 West in goals, goals against, save break, the Wild had the best Mikko Koivu had his best sea- minus. Sharks 3 Flames 1 percentage and shooting per- record in the West. son since 2010-11; Eric Staal, For the second time in fran- Islanders 4 Devils 2 centage and were considered by Several players had breakout who scored his team-best 28th chise history, the Wild will open Jets 2 Predators 1 many as legitimate Stanley Cup seasons, highlighted by Mikael goal Saturday, had his best sea- the fi rst round at home. Kings 3 Blackhawks 2 (overtime) contenders. Granlund’s career-high 26 goals son since 2011-12; and Devan “It’s not an easy thing to do in Wild 3 Coyotes 1 Sure, nobody is thrilled the and team-leading 69 points. Dubnyk, the league’s top goalie this league, in this conference, in Flyers 4 Blue Jackets 2 team let a chance to win its fi rst Nino Niederreiter had a career- statistically through February, this division,” Koivu said. “That Canadiens 3 Red Wings 2 (OT) Mikko Koivu (No 9) of the Minnesota Wild and Shane Doan of the regular-season conference and high 25 goals and 57 points, was one of four NHL goalies to says a lot about the consistency Stars 4 Avalanche 3 (shootout) Arizona Coyotes shake hands following the NHL game at Gila River division title slip away. But six Zucker had a career-high 22 win 40 games. “And I’m telling that we’ve been having. You’ve Panthers 3 Sabres 0 Arena in Glendale, Arizona. (Getty Images/AFP)

NBA MLB A’s Graveman fl irts with no-hitter, Durant shakes off settles for 6-1 win against Rangers

By John Hickey his chances continued to work East Bay Times well for him in his second start rust in return, leads of the season. The fi rst bat- ter the Rangers put up, Carlos endall Graveman’s Gomez, lined out to center, but fl irtation with no- Texas wouldn’t get another hit fame wound up ball to the outfi eld until the on the wrong side of fourth inning as Graveman’s theK wall. Even so, he was more sinker produced grounder af- than the Rangers could handle ter grounder. Through fi ve in- Warriors to victory as the A’s beat Texas 6-1 in one nings, the only base runner of the best-pitched games of Graveman allowed was a one- the early season. out walk to Rougned Odor in ‘Even if he’s not shooting well, he’s going to score points’ Graveman and Rangers’ the second inning. starter Yu Darvish were locked Graveman had a chance to in a scoreless tie through fi ve turn a double play after fi elding By Carl Steward an issue. innings. The A’s broke through a Jonathan Lucroy grounder, The Oakland Tribune Perhaps the most notewor- with a run set up by a Ryon but a throwing error gave Texas thy stat of the night simply was Healy double to chase Darvish two men on with one out. No the minutes played. Kerr said in the sixth, then added an- matter. Graveman came back evin Durant wasted no he would play Durant in short other run off reliever Tony to induce yet another grounder, time re-introducing bursts upon his return, but he Barnette in the seventh. To that this one off the bat of Joey Gal- himself to the Golden played 11 seconds short of the point, Graveman had allowed lo. It was another comebacker, State Warriors, Oracle fi rst eight minutes and then just one walk to Texas, his sink- and this time Graveman’s KArena and the rest of the NBA played the fi nal 8:53 of the sec- er producing an endless string throw to Semien at short began Saturday night. On the team’s fi rst ond quarter. of routine ground ball outs. He an inning-ending double play. possession, he power-drove to the In short, he actually led the started the bottom of the seventh The A’s had a couple of basket and threw down a thun- Warriors in time played in the with back-to-back strikeouts, chance to score early after derous one-handed reverse dunk. fi rst half, and who expected but Mike Napoli picked on a Semien walked twice, each Whoa. Welcome back, K.D. that? Durant may have been sinker that didn’t and hammered time reaching second base. But for the duration of his sur- forced into additional minutes it out to left-center to end both And in the fi fth, Rajai Davis prising 31-minute stint, it became when the man who took over the no-hitter and the shutout. doubled with one out, but he clear that Durant is not quite Su- many of his minutes while he Graveman gave up a second was picked off , the fi rst time, perman. That eye-popping open- was out, Matt Barnes, sprained hit but pitched out of the in- remarkably, that Darvish had ing slam notwithstanding, the his right ankle with nine minutes ning, preserving the 2-1 lead. ever picked a runner off base. veteran forward showed it may to go in the second quarter. It To that point, a dozen of the So Oakland was scoreless take a little more time to get back looked like a bad one. 21 outs he recorded were on through fi ve innings, but fi nal- into a fl ow, let alone an All-Star He left the game fl oor imme- grounders and another fi ve ly broke through in the sixth. rhythm. But at least he got plenty diately and was in the process of came on strikeouts. He was up Matt Joyce walked, Healy dou- of it for starters. getting X-rays. to 85 pitches at that point and bled just inside the left-fi eld Durant scored 16 points on 6 As the game progressed, Du- it seemed likely he was done line and with one out, Stephen of 15 shooting and added 10 re- rant seemed to get more com- for the night Before Santiago Vogt’s slow grounder to second bounds and six assists in an oth- fortable, and it may have actually Casilla could take over in relief base brought Joyce home with erwise lopsided and forgettable been a good thing when Pelicans for Graveman, however, the A’s the game’s fi rst run. 123-101 victory over a New Orle- backup center Alexis Ajinca presented their starter with RESULTS ans Pelicans team playing with- clobbered him on a baseline shot the gift of three more runs. LA Angeles 5 Seattle 4 out its two big stars, DeMarcus attempt and knocked him to the Jed Lowrie had an RBI dou- San Diego 2 San Francisco 1 Cousins and Anthony Davis. fl oor early in the fourth quarter. ble with the help of the winds Arizona 11 Cleveland 2 Making it that much more Durant got up smiling, and whipping in right fi eld, and Colorado 4 LA Dodgers 2 forgettable was Stephen Curry then calmly went to the line and Yonder Alonso followed that Oakland 6 Texas 1 sitting on the bench in street sank a pair of free throws. with a rare homer off a left- Chicago Cubs 11 Milwaukee 6 clothes with a left knee contu- If Kerr was looking for per- handed pitcher, Dario Alvarez. Kansas City 7 Houston 3 sion and assorted bumps and formance over result, he at least Of his 40 career homers, that Miami 8 NY Mets 1 bruises from a rough night in got it in the second half after a was just the seventh off a lefty Pittsburgh 6 Atlanta 4 Phoenix on Wednesday. spotty fi rst two quarters. for Alonso. Oakland went on to Philadelphia 17 Washington 3 For the record, Klay Thomp- The Warriors fl at-out rolled add a fi nal run in the ninth on a Tampa Bay 3 Toronto 2 son led seven players in double the undermanned New Orleans Rajai Davis double and Marcus (11 innings) fi gures with 20 points as the squad 39-22 in the third quarter Semien RBI single. Baltimore 5 NY Yankees 4 Warriors won their 14th straight to blow an eight-point lead at Graveman’s emphasis on St. Louis 10 Cincinnati 4 game - the longest winning intermission to 25 entering the throwing the sinker the ma- White Sox 6 Minnesota 2 streak in the league this year – to fourth period. jority of the time and taking Detroit 4 Boston 1 up their record to 66-14. Hey, it With Curry out, it was an- counts, just like all the others. other superior all-around night But in reality, all the absences for Andre Iguodala, who scored and total lack of stakes essen- 15 points on 7 of 10 shooting to tially rendered this game the go with fi ve rebounds, and fi ve Durant Return Exhibition, to the assists. Shaun Livingston, who degree that coach Steve Kerr said started for Curry, was also very beforehand he didn’t even really good – 14 points, and he, too, care about the outcome. made 7 of 10 shots. He was more concerned with Ian Clark came off the bench the quality of the Warriors’ play and scored 17 points while back- – and specifi cally, how the qual- up center JaVale McGee made ity of Durant’s play – than the 8 of 10 shots, most of them lob result. dunks, and fi nished with 16. Well ... Kevin Durant (No 35) of the Golden State Warriors goes up to slam dunk the ball against the New Orleans His jumper looked rusty. He Pelicans in the first quarter of their NBA game at ORACLE Arena in Oakland, California. (Getty Images/AFP) RESULTS didn’t do anything too notice- Celtics 121 Hornets 114 able defensively and he basically specifi c instructions from Kerr: he’s not shooting well, he’s going On that count, he at least Portland 101 Jazz 86 looked like he was trying to re- Work the back end, not so much to score points. But the whole didn’t look like a liability defen- Warriors 123 Pelicans 101 acclimate his way through a real the front end. thing when we start our playoff sively, which was of some mild Bucks 90 76ers 82 NBA game for the fi rst time in “I told him defense and re- series next week, we have to be concern. The toughest thing to Heat 106 Wizards 103 fi ve weeks. bounding,” Kerr said. locked in defensively. That has to come back after a Grade 2 MCL Pacers 127 Magic 112 Starting pitcher Yu Darvish and catcher Jonathan Lucroy of the But Durant did enter his fi rst “I’m not concerned about the be his focus tonight and the next left knee sprain is lateral move- Clippers 98 Spurs 87 Texas Rangers confer during the second inning of a MLB game game since February 28 with off ense, for good reason. Even if two nights before Game 1.” ment, but that didn’t seem to be Nets 107 Bulls 106 against the Oakland Athletics in Arlington, Texas. (AFP) Gulf Times 6 Monday, April 10, 2017 SPORT

TENNIS/ DAVIS CUP BADMINTON China’s Lin grabs fi rst ever win in Kyrgios, Goffi n shine Malaysia Open

AFP advantage in the fi rst game. Kuching, Malaysia This allowed Lin to storm back into contention with six straight points to win 21-19. hina’s Lin Dan, a two- Lin continued his domina- as Belgium, Australia time Olympic cham- tion in the second game, stay- pion, yesterday en- ing focussed and sticking to gineered a brilliantly long rallies to build a lead of Cruthless strategy against arch- 11-8. Lin’s strong challenge for rival Malaysian world number points saw Lee in the fi nal shot one Lee Chong Wei to win his hitting the shuttle wide, al- fi rst ever Malaysia Open bad- lowing Lin to take the second minton title. game 21-14. set up semi-fi nal clash Showing no sign of fatigue, As has become the norm 33-year-old Lin pushed Lee, for the Chinese player, Lin ‘I am very happy, I knew David had the level but you have to deliver and he did’ one year his senior, from back dropped his racket, fl ung off to front, forcing the recent All his shirt and collapsed to the England Open winner into un- fl oor to rejoice in a victory that Reuters forced errors to bag a win 21- had eluded him in 2006. London 19, 21-14 in 55 minutes. The Chinese star has never The two badminton veterans been able to win in Malay- started cautiously, and Lee, the sia. Lin reached the fi nal three avid Goffi n sent Bel- favourite in the tournament, times but was defeated by Lee gium into the their began securing points with his in 2005 and 2006 and by Chen second Davis Cup killer cross-court smashes. Long in 2015. In 2006, Lin was semi-fi nal in three But Lin kept his calm, re- one point away from the title yearsD yesterday with a decisive sorting to long rallies, swift as he led 20-13 in the deciding victory over Italy’s Paolo Lorenzi returns and precision net play game, but Lee staged a phe- in Charleroi. to defeat Lee. With the unex- nomenal comeback to win 23- Goffi n’s 6-3 6-3 6-2 triumph pected victory, Lin has now 21 at the same venue. in front of a boisterous home won every major title the sport Although he went down in crowd gave Belgium a 3-1 lead has to off er. straight games this time, Lee and sent them into a home semi- “My main target was to vowed to return stronger. fi nal against Australia who also break my jinx at this Malaysian “It wasn’t my best perform- wrapped up victory over the Open. We both played well and ance today. I lost some con- United States thanks to Nick showed a high level of bad- fi dence after losing the fi rst Kyrgios’s defeat of Sam Querrey. minton. Me are Lee are both game, but overall I am satisfi ed France sealed victory over ageing, and so I cherish every with my overall performance Britain on Saturday and will face moment we play each other in to have made the fi nal,” he said. Novak Djokovic’s Serbia who a big tournament,” he said. The Malaysia Open began also saw off Spain in two days. Although partisan, the Tuesday in Kuching, the capi- Belgium, beaten by Britain crowd cheered both ageing tal of Sarawak state on Borneo in the 2015 fi nal, had been one icons, boosting the morale of island. point away from beating Italy on the shuttlers who demonstrat- Meanwhile, Taiwan’s Tai Tzu Saturday only for Joris de Loore ed agility and power play and Ying emerged champion in the and Rubens Bemelmans to lose reminded critics that they are women’s singles. their doubles against Simone not ready to retire. The world number one was, Bolelli and Andreas Seppi having Lee began the contest as the however, made to work hard had a matchpoint. attacking player, pushing Lin for her win, defeating Spain’s Any hope of an Italy come- to make unforced errors, but he Carolina Marin 23-25, 22-20, back were snuff ed out by Goffi n could not hold on to his 19-15 21-13 in a 85-minute triumph. though who was ruthless against Lorenzi as he took his record to 13 wins in 14 Davis Cup singles matches. “I am very happy, I knew David had the level but you have to deliver and he did. He played Belgium’s David Goff in reacts after winning his singles match against Italy’s Paolo Lorenzi. (Reuters) a very professional match, han- dling the nerves,” Belgium skip- per Johan van Herck said. India seal 4-1 win over Uzbekistan in Davis Cup “I think we have a really good team. Australia do too... we have India sealed a 4-1 win against Uzbekistan 6-3 6-2 in just over an hour to put India Ismailov 7-5 6-3 in a hard-fought second the home advantage. We have a in the second round of the Davis Cup Asia/ 4-0 ahead. “The tie was already sealed so I reverse singles. Ismailov said he was glad he chance to beat them. Oceania Group I tie in Bangalore yesterday to focused on a few things,” Ramanathan said could give his side a consolation win in the “This doesn’t have to end advance to the World Group playoff . after the game. “I did not want to commit a last rubber. “In the first match (on Friday) I here. We are going to go into the The Indians had clinched an unbeatable 3-0 lot of double faults and I wanted to return was nervous. But today I gave my best to semi-fi nal with a lot of ambition lead on Saturday after Rohan Bopanna and better. I played smart and all the eff ort paid give one victory to my team,” said the player, and try to reach our second fi nal N. Sriram Balaji thrashed Farrukh Dustov and off ,” added the 22-year-old. ranked 406 in the singles. The Indians will in three years.” The semi-fi nals Sanjar Fayziev in the crucial doubles rubber. However, the home side’s hopes of a clean now play the World Group playoff in Septem- Lin Dan of China poses with the trophy following his singles final will take place in September. In the first reverse singles Sunday, India’s sweep were dashed when Davis Cup debu- ber against an opponent that will be decided victory over Lee Chong Wei of Malaysia at the Malaysia Open Earlier a much happier Kyr- Ramkumar Ramanathan outclassed Fayziev tant Prajnesh Gunneswaran lost to Temur later through a draw in London. Badminton Superseries in Kuching yesterday. (AFP) gios sent Australia into the semi- fi nals when he beat Querrey in the fi rst of the reverse singles team’s leader and he had been champion Roger Federer to the ally deliver, it feels pretty good. Groth and John Peers in fi ve sets. Kasatkina, Ostapenko to meet in fi nal in Brisbane yesterday. Kyrgios’s happy to accept the challenge. brink in the semi-fi nals in Miami “Obviously the way I’ve been But Kyrgios, who has been in 7-6 (7/4), 6-3, 6-4 win gave the Kyrgios, who once confessed to last week and has made the fi nal playing for the past two months superb form this week, was too Daria Kasatkina and Jelena Ostapenko will both be battling for a Australians an unassailable 3-1 not enjoying the game, said he was four in three of his last four tour- has created an expectation these good for Querrey and wrapped first WTA title when they meet in the final at Charleston yester- lead over the US before John Isn- in a much better place now and his naments. couple of days,” he added. “It up the match in two hours, fi ve day. Latvia’s Ostapenko out-lasted 11th-seeded Croatian veteran er won the dead rubber 7-6 (7/5), recent results refl ected his mind- He said that during this run of was a lot of relief to get through.” minutes. The victory will go a Mirjana Lucic-Baroni 6-3, 5-7, 6-4, while Russia’s Kasatkina rallied 6-3 over Sam Groth. set. “I’m playing better, but I’m good form he had always had one Kyrgios and Jordan Thomp- long way to winning over an for a 3-6, 6-2, 6-1 win over Germany’s Laura Siegemund. After The controversial Kyrgios, just in a happier place,” he said. eye on the Davis Cup. son put Australia in the box seat Australian sporting public who dropping the opening set, Kasatkina dominated the rest of the whose on court behaviour has led “I’m going out and playing the “I’ve been looking forward to when they won the opening have grown tired of the world match, reeling off one run of nine games before converting her to a host of criticism from fellow game how it’s meant to be played. this tie for a long time now,” he singles on Friday, with Thomp- number 16’s behaviour. fourth match point after two hours and 20 minutes. Siegemund players, commentators and fans, “I haven’t been going back to said. “I always had one eye on it. son scoring an upset win over His past was all but forgot- took a medical timeout in the third set for treatment on her was the model of decorum and the hotel hating the game or just When I was in the States I always American number one Jack Sock ten by the packed crowd at the right thigh and said a pair of lengthy matches took a toll on her. dedication in his two matches. trying to get through every day. knew I had to come here and play before Kyrgios downed Isner. Pat Rafter Arena, who chanted Ostapenko, who ousted Caroline Wozniacki in the quarter-finals, The 21-year-old revealed later “I’m trying to get better every two big matches. “It’s a bit (of) The Americans hit back in the his name as he ran to Hewitt and will be playing in her third career singles final, having lost in the that Australian captain Lleyton day, and that’s a massive diff er- a relief. It’s one thing to say I’ve doubles on Saturday with Sock carried him around the court in title matches at Quebec in 2015 and at Doha last year. Hewitt had asked him to be the ence.” Kyrgios pushed eventual been preparing for it but to actu- and Steve Johnson downing delight.

RUGBY Fiji claim record 17th Hong Kong Sevens title

AFP lione Nasoko who was named player year to try and claim their fi rst sevens Hong Kong of the fi nal. title in Hong Kong. “There’s huge expectation with But the Blitzboks remain top of the Fiji — they are the world champions, standings with 145 points, with Fiji efending champions Fiji the Olympic champions for a reason,” leapfrogging England to claim second clinched a record 17th Hong Baber said. place on 122 points with three events Kong Sevens title yesterday “When you look back on your ca- still to play. after blowing away South reer as a coach or player, there are mo- Coach Neil Powell said he had AfricaD to hand new coach Gareth Ba- ments where perhaps things didn’t go fi elded a young squad after losing ber a victory in his former home town. so right, and they make perhaps com- several experienced players to injury The Pacifi c islanders recorded a ing back to the scene of the crime and but admitted his team was beaten badly-needed fi rst win on the world doing it well that bit more special.” “fair and square”. series this season as they fi nally van- He added: “I love being here in Hong Kong was the seventh of 10 quished a post – Olympic hangover, Hong Kong... I thoroughly developed tournaments in the global series, with after taking gold in Rio last summer. my coaching here and now I come Singapore hosting the next leg before Baber has been under huge pres- back and put it out for everybody to it ends in May in Paris and London. sure after taking over mid-season see with a great group of people and a “They (Fiji) will defi nitely come from Ben Ryan, who enjoys legendary great country as well.” out guns blazing in Singapore to see status in Fiji after guiding them to Sevens is Fiji’s national sport and if they can close that gap — we need their fi rst-ever Olympic medal. the team enjoy a phenomenal record another strong performance in Sin- His team triumphed in the city he in Hong Kong, winning fi ve of the last gapore next weekend,” Powell said. used to call home when coach of tour- six tournaments. Australia overcame a talented USA nament hosts Hong Kong, with whom Fiji captain Osea Kolinisau said: side — who overpowered England in he agonisingly missed out on secur- “Every young Fijian grows up dream- the quarterfi nals and pushed South ing promotion to the world series last ing to play one day in Hong Kong.” Africa to extra time in the semis — to year. He added: “I’m stoked for Gareth. claim third place. But there was no hint of nerves as I know he’s been under the thumb, a USA coach Mike Friday admitted he he returned to the biggest venue of lot of pressure, people questioning was frustrated with the loss but add- the sevens circuit. His charges swept his credentials... it’s special for him ed: “It’s an unbelievable sevens tour- away South Africa 22-0 with four un- to come back to Hong Kong and to get nament, unbelievable carnival and answered tries, including two spec- his fi rst title.” celebration of rugby, and the world tacular second-half scores from Ka- South Africa must wait another does come to play here.” Fiji players celebrate after winning the Hong Kong Rugby Sevens Tournament yesterday. (AFP) Gulf Times Monday, April 10, 2017 7 SPORT

Go Sport Dukhan Climbers Race

Farhan Farizi (centre) of Giant RBS lifts the winner’s trophy after topping the men’s A category in the Go Sport Dukhan Climbers Race, eighth round of Royal Air Maroc League, on Friday. Julien Periard (left) of Carbon Wheels Racing and Fred Watson of Rasen Velostar Isora Sosa Caballero of Carbon Wheels Racing (centre) topped the women’s A category ahead of finished second and third respectively. second-placed Julie Melville (left), also of Carbon Wheels Racing, and Perrine Fages.

CRICKET / INDIAN PREMIER LEAGUE SPOTLIGHT Mumbai script QATAR’S GOLDEN stunning win WEEKEND Aisha al-Suwaidi wins against Kolkata 10m Air Rifl e junior gold Pandya brothers and Rana help Mumbai pick up a four-wicket victory

IANS Together Krunal and Rana added 23 Mumbai runs in good time for the fourth wicket but KKR dealt the hosts another time- ly blow. umbai Indians pulled off a Rajpoot was in the thick of things thrilling four-wicket win again, managing to get a thin edge off against Kolkata Knight Krunal who tried to work the ball fi ne Riders (KKR) to continue down the leg side with keeper Robin Mtheir dominance over their rivals at the Uthappa pouching a regulation catch. Wankhede Stadium here yesterday. At 97 for 4, Keiron Pollard had a Chasing 179 for victory, Mumbai job to do when he joined Rana in the — who have won 13 times in their 18 middle. The big-hitting West In- meetings so far with KKR — were al- dian though failed to conjure up any ways up against it, losing wickets at magic as KKR bowlers Kuldeep, Chris regular intervals. Woakes and Narine bottled up the pair But a late onslaught from left- towards the end of their essay. hander Nitish Rana (50; 29b; 5x4, 3x6) Trying to up the ante, Pollard went and poor bowling at the death by Trent for a heave but could manage as far as Boult and Ankit Rajpoot saw the men substitute Rishi Dhawan at third man. in purple throw away the tie which There was no stopping Rana though. they should have won. In the 18th over, the Delhi lad made Rajpoot (3 for 37) bowled well until Boult leak 19 runs with Hardik Pandya the 19th over, which went for 19 runs. also joining the party. Boult, KKR’s pace spearhead, had a There seemed to be no respite for forgettable outing going for 47 runs in Rajpoot as well before the Kanpur me- his four overs without taking a wicket. dium pacer sent the dangerous Rana Mumbai got off to a fl ying start as back in the hut as the latter tried to their openers Parthiv Patel (30, 27b; make room for himself but holed out 3x4, 1x6) and Jos Buttler joined hands to Narine at point. At the end of the for a 65-run association for the fi rst Mumbai Indians’ Hardik Pandya (centre) celebrates with teammates after over, Rajpoot had conceded 19, leaving wicket. winning the Indian Premier League (IPL) match against Kolkata Knight Riders in Boult to defend 11 runs in the last over, Patel, who has the third-worst av- Mumbai yesterday. (AFP) which he eventually couldn’t. erage in the IPL for anyone to have Earlier, a rampaging Manish Pandey opened in the at least 20 innings, stumps with the ball straightening raised a few eyebrows by sending led with an unbeaten 81, as KKR over- looked to be settling down as the Gu- from off stump towards middle for a Rana ahead of him at No.3, lasted just came mid-innings hiccups to post a Qatar’s Aisha al-Suwaidi (rear, centre) won the 10m Air Rifle junior gold jarat Ranji Trophy winning captain simple leg before wicket decision. six balls before Sunil Narine brought challenging 178 for 7. at the Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Women’s International Shooting slog-swept chinaman Kuldeep Yadav Buttler, who was looking good for his about the third leg before wicket of the Championship in Al Ain, the United Arab Emirates, yesterday. Al-Suwaidi for a huge six over wide long-on be- 28 (22b, 1x4 2x6), followed suit in the innings. BRIEF SCORES: Kolkata Knight scored 410.8, while Norway’s Jenny Watne with a score of 409.7 won the fore the left-arm spinner got the back next over, Rajpoot removing the Eng- In came Krunal Pandya, who starred Riders 178 for 7 (Pandey 81 not out; K silver, while Kazakhstan’s Veoletea Starostina claimed bronze with 408.9. of the 32-year old. land wicketkeeper who played across with the ball (3 for 24), with his team Pandya 3-24) lose to Mumbai Indians Qatar’s Aisha al-Mutawa (404.2) finished fourth. Parthiv looked to sweep down the line getting LBW in the process. in a spot of bother losing three wickets 180 for 6 (Rana 50, H Pandya 29 not the leg side again coming across his Skipper Rohit Sharma (2), who for just nine runs. out; Rajpoot 3-37) by 4 wickets Abdulrahman al-Nasr wins FOCUS gold in Asian Youth Sailing Hyderabad outplay Gujarat for second win

IANS Bhuvneshwar. Put in to bat, Gujarat the ball ended up in the hands of Vijay Hyderabad opener Jason Roy’s 21-ball 31 threatened Shankar at deep mid-wicket. Hyderabad early. But Rashid, with his With half their side back in the pa- discipline and guile, applied the brakes. vilion, all eyes were on Karthik, who eg-spinner Rashid Khan Struggling opening batsman Bren- was playing brilliantly in the middle. (3 for 19) and seamer Bhuv- don McCullum was trapped leg before But Ashish Nehra smashed Gujarat’s neshwar Kumar (2 for 21) put wicket with a googly from Rashid in hopes as he dismissed Karthik with up impressive bowling per- the fi fth over. a short ball which saw the batsman Lformances to help Sunrisers Hydera- In the next over, Roy, who slammed trying to scoop and being caught by bad (SRH) outplay Gujarat Lions (GL) fi ve boundaries, was the next batsmen wicketkeeper Naman Ojha. by nine wickets and register their to go. Roy was caught by Dhawan at Dhawal Kulkarni (1) was run out by second consecutive win in the Indian the midwicket off a delivery from Bhu- Rashid in the same over. With two overs Premier League (IPL) here yesterday. vneshwar to leave his side at 37 for 2. remaining and Gujarat reeling at 117 for Thanks to the heroics of 19-year-old Skipper Suresh Raina (5) and Aaron 7, the lower-order only managed to add Afghan slow bowler Rashid and India Finch (3) also failed to step up to the 18 runs. Basil Thampi scored 13 runs and medium pacer Bhuvneshwar, the de- occasion as both were adjudged leg Gujarat Lions totalled 135 for 7 in their fending champions restricted Gujarat before wicket off Rashid in back-to- allotted 20 overs. Lions (GL) to a low total of 135 for 7 at back overs. The total proved to be no challenge the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium. With Gujarat tottering at 57 for 4 for the likes of Warner and Henriques, The target never appeared to be in nine overs, wicketkeeper-batsman who dominated Tejas Baroka, Basil a challenge for the hosts, who rode Shikhar Dhawan (9) fell to Praveen Dinesh Karthik (30) and Dwayne Thampi, Raina, Dhawal Kulkarni and on pyrotechnics from captain David Kumar, the power-hitting by Warn- Smith (37) played sensible innings by Praveen Kumar. Warner (76 not out off 45 deliveries) er and Henriques meant that it was rotating the strike and punishing the Qatar’s Abdulrahman Khalid al-Nasr (left) won gold in the ASAF Youth Sail- and Moises Henriques (52 not out off smooth sailing for Hyderabad. bad balls. BRIEF SCORES: Gujarat Lions ing Cup final yesterday. Al-Nasr, only 15 years old, dominated his competi- 39 balls) to maul the ineffi cient and Warner whacked six fours and four They built a 56-run partnership for 135 (Smith 37, Roy 31; Rashid 3-19, tors despite his young age. Al-Nasr’s win adds a new achievement to Qatari inexperienced Gujarat bowlers, giv- sixes, while his fellow Australian Hen- the fi fth wicket to steady the fort before Bhuvneshwar 2-21) lose to Sunrisers sailing, which has been on the rise lately. Recently in the GCC competition ing Hyderabad an easy victory with 4.3 riques hit six fours. Smith ran out of patience and decided Hyderabad 140 for 1 (Warner 76 not that took place in Kuwait last month, Qatar won a gold and silver medal. The overs to spare. Hyderabad were put in fi rm control to take on Bhuvneshwar. The West In- out, Henriques 52 not out) by nine feat was achieved by Hassan al-Tamimi and Fares al-Bakry. Even though opening batsman during their bowling by Rashid and dian failed to pick a slower delivery and wickets

Monday, April 10, 2017 GULF TIMES SPORT

MOTOGP BASKETBALL / EMIR CUP Gharafa thrash Vinales wins again Qatar SC, Arabi edge out Shamal as Marquez crashes By Sports Reporter quarter before closing out the Doha match in emphatic fashion. Al Gharafa scored 22 points from turnovers, while Qatar l Gharafa continued Sports Club could only manage Rossi and Crutchlow their impressive show- 10. Al Gharafa’s bench too played ing in local basketball a major part with 25 points, while complete the podium by thrashing Qatar Qatar Sports Club substitutes in Argentina SportsA Club 102-74 in the Emir could only manage fi ve. Cup yesterday. Qatar Sports Club’s Edward AFP After narrowly missing out Justice however top-scored in Termas de Rio Hondo, Argentina on the league title to El Jaish, the match with 29 points. Al Gharafa had made amends In another match, Adamu by winning the Qatar Cup in Saaka scored 33 and Osaro Adako averick Vinales won the March and now look poised for and Souleye Ndour contributed Grand Prix of Argentina yes- a domestic double as the season 20 each as Al Arabi fought off a terday, extending his lead in heads towards its close. late challenge from Al Shamal to the world championship hav- Yesterday, Al Gharafa were win 92-86 Ming also triumphed in the season-opener in great scoring form with Saad Al Shamal trailed throughout in Qatar. Abdulrahman’s 23 points an- and were 10 points in defi cit at Spanish rider Vinales, on a Yamaha, choring them to a commanding the end of the second quarter inherited the lead on the fourth lap when victory. (50-40) but never gave up trying. world champion and pole-sitter Marc As many as four other Al Ghara- In the end though, Al Arabi man- Marquez crashed out on his Honda, his fa players registered scores in the aged to hold on to their advan- machine careering spectacularly into the double fi gures, a key factor in their tageous position to seal victory gravel at turn two with sparks fl ying off win. Michael Taylor (19), Sammy with a bit to spare. the tarmac. Monroe (18), Salem Abdelqader Harat Mohamed was the top Valentino Rossi, racing in his 350th (15) and Salem Abdulla (11) all scorer for 31, while Nikola Vaso- grand prix, took second place on the played their part as Al Gharafa led jevic contributed 17. second factory Yamaha ahead of Cal from the start. Tomorrow, Al Ahli play Al Crutchlow on a Honda having slipped They enjoyed an 81-55 advan- Rayyan, while Al Wakrah meet by the Briton six laps from home. It was tage after the end of the third El Jaish. a third career victory in the elite class for the 22-year-old Vinales who switched to Yamaha from Suzuki for this season. “Marquez started very strong and when he fell I said to myself that I needed to get as many points as possible. I am happy,” said Vinales who has a perfect 50 points after two races, 14 ahead of Rossi. Marquez was not the only three-time Yamaha rider Maverick Vinales (centre) celebrates upon winning the Grand Prix of Argentina ahead of teammate Valentino Rossi world champion to suff er embarrass- (left) and Cal Crutchlow on a Honda at Termas de Rio Hondo circuit, in Santiago del Estero, Argentina, yesterday. (AFP) ment. His compatriot Jorge Lorenzo crashed out on the fi rst lap as the Span- iard’s miserable start to life as a Ducati rider continued. He started the race on the sixth row on the grid having struggled home in a disap- pointing 11th place in Qatar two weeks ago. Honda also saw their second factory rider Dani Pedrosa crash out on the same bend that had claimed Marquez except he had the meagre consolation of lasting until the 12th lap. “I felt strong and in amazing form but I don’t know what happened. I just made a mistake,” said Marquez. All three class winners from Qatar tri- umphed in Argentina with Italy’s Franco Morbidelli taking the Moto2 honours and Spain’s Joan Mir coming home again in fi rst place in Moto3. Morbidelli, tiding a Kalex, fi nished ahead of Portugal’s Miguel Oliveira and Thomas Luthi, also riding Kalex ma- Honda rider Marc Marquez slides through the gravel after falling from his bike during the MotoGP race at Termas de Rio Hondo chines, both of whom benefi tted from circuit, in Santiago del Estero, Argentina, yesterday. (AFP) a fall suff ered by Alex Marquez — the Al Gharafa’s Saad Abdulrahman (left) in action during the match against younger brother of Marc — on the last lap. 3. Cal Crutchlow (Honda) 41:48.814 2. Valentino Rossi (Yamaha) 36 pts 3. Miguel Oliveira (KTM) 33 pts Qatar SC yesterday. Abdulrahman scored 23 points in his team’s win. Mir, 19, riding a Honda, saw off Brit- 4. Alvaro Bautista (Ducati) 41:51.583 3. Andrea Dovizioso (Ducati) 20 pts PICTURE: Othman Iraqi ain’s pole sitter John McPhee and fellow 5. Johann Zarco (Yamaha) 42:00.564 Moto3 (top three) Spaniard Jorge Martin. It was a third ca- 6. Jonas Folger (Yamaha) 42:03.301 Moto2 (top three) 1. Joan Mir (Honda) 38:33.377 reer win for Mir. 7. Danilo Petrucci (Ducati) 42:05.106 1. Franco Morbidelli (Kalex) 39:50.036 2. John McPhee (Honda) at 0.261 SPOTLIGHT 8. Scott Redding (Ducati) 42:10.540 2. Miguel Oliveira (KTM) at 1.683 3. Jorge Martin (Honda) 0.339 RESULTS AND STANDINGS 9. Jack Miller (Honda) 42:10.725 3. Thomas Luthi (Kalex) 10.551 Standings (top three) MotoGP (top 10) 10. Karel Abraham (Ducati) 42:11.463 Standings (top three) 1. Joan Mir (Honda) 50 pts 1. Maverick Vinales (Yamaha) 41:45.060 Standings (top three) 1. Franco Morbidelli (Kalex) 50 pts 2. John McPhee (Honda) 40 pts Ooredoo sponsors 2. Valentino Rossi (Yamaha) 41:47.975 1. Maverick Vinales (Yamaha) 50 pts 2. Thomas Luthi (Kalex) 36 pts 3. Jorge Martin (Honda) 32 pts Qatari rally drivers MOTORSPORT and riders for 2017

By Sports Reporter Two more wins for al-Khelaifi in Doha oredoo yesterday an- nounced that its pop- ular Ooredoo Speed Qatar Touring Car Championship Team is growing with theO addition of three Qatari mot- orsports drivers, as the company By Sports Reporter register another win. continues to develop Qatari tal- Doha “This was defi nitely the most chal- ent and promote sports. lenging race in the championship. I was Thanks to the sponsorship stuck behind cars as I started from the agreement, Ooredoo will sup- bdulla al-Khelaifi stamped his back of the grid and by the time I man- port rally drivers Adel Abdulla authority on the Qatar Touring aged to pass them, Mansour was leading and Mohamed al-Harqan, and Car Championship by winning by ten seconds. I had to push really hard motorcycle rider Saeed al-Sulaiti his sixth consecutive race at the to reach him. By the eighth lap I noticed throughout the 2017 racing sea- LosailA International Circuit. that he had some mechanical issues, so I son, which will include several Al-Khelaifi was the fastest driver dur- overtook him and was able to fi nish fi rst,” important races. Adel Abdulla is the champion in ing free practice and he started on pole said the winner. The competitors will receive T2 category of the FIA World Cup position for the fi rst race of the weekend. Al-Hajiri had to be content with sec- Ooredoo branding on their ve- for Cross-Country Rallies. The Toyota driver took the lead and held ond place. “It was a great race but for hicles, helmets and jumpsuits as it till the chequered fl ag, fi nishing almost the fuel starvation I had by the end of part of the sponsorship. in the region.” two seconds ahead of Mahmoud al-Kha- the race. I am happy to be on the podium Speaking about the sponsor- Adel Abdulla has won a laf in second place. again though. Fantastic championship ship, Ooredoo Qatar’s Commu- number of titles and is the cur- “Having started from pole position, I and I am happy that every round is get- nity and Public Relations director rent T2 FIA World Cup for got the lead and then tried to increase the ting more and more challenging as new Manar Khalifa al-Muraikhi said: Cross-Country Rallies champi- gap right from the start of the race. I then drivers join us,” said al-Hajri. “Off -roading has been a part of on. Saeed al-Sulaiti participated planned to save my tyres for the next race Al-Khalaf fi nished the race in third. “It Qatar’s culture for many years. in the 2016 Superbike World however Mahmoud was always in my rear is always interesting to do a reverse grid We’re delighted to add Adel Ab- Championship and recently view mirror so I had to drive as fast as I race. Starting from the back was very dulla, Mohamed al-Harqan and won the third round of the Qatar could. I am glad to have fi nished fi rst,” challenging and exciting to try and pass Saeed al-Sulaiti to the growing Superstock 600. Mohamed al- said al-Khelaifi after the fi rst race. Abdulla al-Khelaifi (also inset) in action during Round 3 of the Qatar Touring Cars the other drivers. I am very happy to fi n- Ooredoo Speed Team, which al- Harqan placed third in the 2016 As for al-Khalaf, this was the fi rst time Championship at the Losail International Circuit. ish third and looking forward to the next ready supports superstars such FIA T2 World Championship and he fi nished second and was happy with round in May,” he said. as Mohamed al-Mannai, Abdul- as a deaf rider, Ooredoo and Mo- the result. “I am very happy to fi nish and making the race harder for all com- grid, the competition was stronger and In the second race, Karama ended in rahman Ahmed Fakhroo, Ahmad hamed aim to inspire people with second for the fi rst time. I really tried to petitors. I am hoping to get stronger in more challenging for all the drivers. Al- fourth place and el-Dib fi nished again in Shaheen al-Muhannadi, Mashel special needs. catch up to Abdulla but I over heated the the coming rounds. Being the defending Khelaifi , who started in the fourth row, the fi fth place. al-Naimi, Fahid al-Sowaidi and Ooredoo’s sponsorship is a tires by the middle of the race and had to champion had put me under a lot of pres- was stuck behind cars during the fi rst Trophies were presented by QMMF our brand ambassador Nasser al- part of several initiatives the cool them down. But overall it was a good sure but I will surely return back stronger. couple of laps and it was only in the third Executive Director, Sultan Zaher al-Mor- Attiyah. company has undertaken to en- and a clean race,” said al-Khalaf. Looking forward to the next race in two lap, he was able to get himself into second raikhi. “We hope supporting and pro- courage sports education and Omran Karama who started the race in weeks’ time,” Karama said after the po- position – behind race leader behind al- After this third round, al-Khelaifi is moting such talented national inspire more young people to third place, fi nished in the same position. dium. Hajri. now leading the championship with 87 sportsmen will inspire the next take-up sport. The company is a “The race was extremely tough today but Mansour al-Hajri fi nished in fourth The order was maintained till al-Hajri’s points. Al-Hajri is second with 79 and generation to get involved in major supporter of sport across I’m very happy to be on the podium again. place and Adham el-Dib in fi fth position. car was struck by mechanical problems Karama third with 68. The next round sports, as well as connect and all levels, grass-root, national The hot climate was aff ecting the cars In the second race, with the reverse allowing al-Khelaifi to overtake him and will be on the 22nd April. engaging with motorsport fans and international.