Established 1961 27 Sports Wednesday, May 30, 2018 Curry, Durant spark Warriors over Rockets to reach NBA finals

Rockets ace James Harden finished with 32 points

LOS ANGELES: Stephen Curry inspired a second- “There’s no quit in them. We saw where the bar was half fightback as the reigning champion Golden State this year, but we just couldn’t quite get there. “We’ll Warriors booked their fourth consecutive NBA finals take our summer off and then we’ll try it again next appearance with a 101-92 victory over the Houston season.” Rockets on Monday. Curry scored 27 points with Kevin Durant adding 34 ‘EXTREMELY FRUSTRATING’ as the Warriors advanced to an unprecedented fourth Rockets ace James Harden, who finished with 32 NBA finals meeting in a row against LeBron James and points, said his team’s second-half performances in the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Warriors’ Western games six and seven had decided the fate of the Conference finals game seven victory in Houston hand- series. “One half of basketball. Two games, six and ed them a 4-3 series win, and came after the Rockets seven. We just didn’t have the same energy that we had led by as many as 15 points in the first half. had in the first half, the pace,” Harden said. “It’s The Warriors had looked vulnerable after a slug- extremely frustrating.” gish first-half performance Earlier it looked as if that saw them trail 54-43 Houston were ready to snap at half-time. But just as the Golden State-Cleveland they have done through- monopoly, shrugging off the out the playoffs, the injury absence of Chris Paul Warriors found an extra The second to make a fast start. The gear in the third period, Rockets swarmed over the with Curry and Durant half was vaunted Warriors offense to suddenly finding their keep the visitors firmly on range from three-point unbelievable the back foot. distance to come roaring The Warriors looked HOUSTON: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors drives against Clint Capela #15 and James Harden back into the contest. nervous from the outset, #13 of the Houston Rockets in the third quarter of Game Seven of the Western Conference Finals of the 2018 “Basketball is a 48- with a string of early mis- NBA Playoffs at Toyota Center on Monday in Houston, Texas. — AFP minute game and no matter how badly we played, how takes that included two turnovers. Durant missed three many shots we missed, there’s always time to turn it free throws in a row early on as Houston gradually around,” Curry said. “The second half was unbelievable. pulled into a 24-19 first quarter lead. point range. A miserable first half for Golden State Two more quick threes from Curry gave the Happy to be back in the finals.” A disgusted Kerr told a courtside television inter- saw Eric Gordon make it 54-43 on the stroke of half- Warriors a nine-point advantage at 72-63, and from The Warriors outscored the Rockets by 33-15 in the viewer it was the “one of the worst quarters of basket- time with an aggressive driving layup. their the NBA champions were too strong as an third quarter, surging into a double-digit lead that they ball we’ve ever played.” The pressure continued in the Yet Golden State flicked the switch after the break, increasingly desperate Houston chased the game. never looked like surrendering. Rockets coach Mike second, with Clint Capela outstanding on defence for and Curry and Durant soon began raining down buck- Kerr later said there had been no hint of panic at D’Antoni meanwhile attempted to put a brave face on a Houston with a string of rebounds. ets from distance. A Durant three-pointer tied it at 61- halftime as the Warriors trailed. “I just tried to remind loss which came after his team had battled into a 3-2 The Rockets pulled away in the second, with 61 and Curry then struck with a three of his own to them that at halftime it was an 11-point game, and lead earlier in the series. Harden to the fore as the hosts moved 15 points clear give Warriors a 64-61 lead, the first time they had led that’s two minutes. If we get a couple of stops and a “I couldn’t be prouder of our team,” D’Antoni said. with both Durant and Curry struggling from three- since a fleeting 9-7 advantage early in the first. few threes we’re back in it,” Kerr said. — AFP

Balotelli scores as Mancini starts Italy reign Reaching FIFA WCup has with a victory special taste among Arab fans KUWAIT: Arab football has real- Again, the team left the champi- ized many of its local and regional onship from the group stages, suf- ST GALLEN: got new Italy achievements since inception but fering two defeats. The Moroccans coach off to a winning start qualifying for the World Cup has a are facing a tough challenge in next by scoring the opener in a 2-1 win over Saudi special taste among football fans, as month’s World Cup because their Arabia in a pre-World Cup friendly in Saint only eight Arab teams made it to the group include Portugal, Spain and Gallen on Monday. Saudi Arabia face hosts globe’s most watched football cham- Iran. Russia in the opening match of the tourna- pionship since 1930. Tunisia’s first participation in the ment on June 14 while four-time champions Qualifying for the World Cup is a World Cup was in 1978 in Argentina, Italy stay home following their failure to qual- key challenge for Arab national foot- where it achieved the first victory ify for the first time in 60 years. ball teams. Egypt was the first Arab for an Arab and African team by Made the scapegoat for Italy’s first-round and African team to play in the sec- beating Mexico 3-1. However, the exit from the 2014 World Cup, Balotelli’s four- ond World Cup in 1934, but no Arab Tunisians left the World Cup from year Azzurri hiatus ended when he was teams made it to the championship the group stages after being beaten recalled by Mancini, appointed six months ST GALLEN: Italy’s forward Mario Balotelli (R) controls the ball during the international since until Morocco brought back by Poland by one goal and ended after Italy’s shock failure to qualify for Russia friendly football match between Italy and Saudi Arabia at stadium in St Arab participation in the 1970 cup in their clash against then West following a playoff defeat to Sweden. Gallen on Monday. — AFP Mexico. Germany goalless. The Tunisians, It took the 27-year-old Nice striker just 21 No Arab team played in the 1974 better known as Eagles of Carthage, minutes to get on the scoreboard with his first against the 67th-ranked Saudis. Mancini opt- striker scored the second when he turned in a World Cup in Germany, but Tunisia moved to the round of 16th in the goal for Italy since netting the winner against ed for a 4-3-3 formation with Gianluigi rebound ten minutes later. managed to qualify for the next 1998 World Cup in France, but left England at the 2014 World Cup. Substitute Donnarumma in goal and Sassuolo winger Al-Shehri pulled Saudi Arabia back into championship in Argentina in 1978. the 2002 World Cup that was jointly Andrea Belotti added a second midway Matteo Politano handed his full debut. the game four minutes later taking advantage Saudi Arabia and Tunisia are the two hosted by South Korea and Japan through the second half before Yahya Al- Balotelli came out firing early with the Nice of defensive error by Davide Zappacosta. Arab countries with most appear- from the group stages. Shehri pulled one back for the Saudis follow- striker heading just wide off a Leonardo Leganes winger Al-Shehri picked up a Salem ances in the World Cup, five times The Eagles of Carthage also qual- ing Italian defensive blunders. Bonucci cross. Al Dawsari flick and fired past the outrushing each. Algeria made it to the World ified for the 2002 World Cup in “I’m satisfied with the first half-perfor- He finally found a way through with a low Donnarumma into an empty net. After Cup four times, Egypt three, and one Germany, 2010 in South Africa and mance. The difficulties of the second half drive under the outstretched arms of Saudi Donnarumma denied Fahad Al Muwallad a time for each of Kuwait, the United 2014 in Brazil. They were knocked were down to tiredness due to the extra fit- goalkeeper Mohammed Al Owais for his 14th late equaliser Italy held on for their first win Arab Emirates (UAE) and Iraq. out from group stages in the three ness training we’ve been doing over the last goal in 34 appearances. Napoli winger Lorenzo since their 1-0 World Cup qualifieraway to Egypt meanwhile played a single championships. Tunisia’s group in few days,” said Mancini. “Saudi Arabia are Insigne nearly added a second minutes later Albania on October 9, which was followed by match in the 1934 World Cup. this year’s World Cup includes approaching peak form because they are after picking up a pin perfect cross but defend- two draws and two defeats. “In the second It was defeated by Hungary 4-2 Belgium, Panama and England. going to the World Cup. I wasn’t angry about er Yasir Al Shahrani blocked. An Alessio half we held our own against one of the best to leave the tournament, which was Kuwait was the first Arab and Asian the goal we conceded. I thought it was down Romagnoli bicycle kick flew just wide with teams in the world,” said Saudi coach Pizzi. won by Italy for the first time in its team to qualify for the World Cup in to fatigue.” Domenico Criscito rattling the the crossbar. “Although they are not in the World Cup, they history. Egypt, also known as Spain in 1982. Mancini said Balotelli’s performance was have a great coach, an unparalleled history.” Pharaohs, disappeared from World The Blue equalized with then “pretty good”. “Balotelli can do better, much ‘OPEN WOUND’ Belotti added: “The failure to reach the Cup competitions for 56 years until Czechoslovakia but lost to France better, but I thought he did pretty good in the Both Mancini and Saudi coach Juan World Cup is something that continues to playing in the 1990 edition. The and Algeria to be eliminated from first half. He scored a goal, which is important Antonio Pizzi made substitutions in the sec- hurt, it’s an open wound. “We must start again Pharaohs played three games in the group stages. Algeria also played in for a striker, but of course he can do more.” ond half with Balotelli making way for Belotti and build our self-confidence, which I think is group stages, two draws and one the 1982 World Cup but was Italy have dropped to their lowest ever after 58 minutes. And the 24-year-old Torino what we saw tonight.” — AFP loss and thus left the championship. knocked out from the first round. world ranking of 20th, but were in control Egypt qualified for this year World The Algerians, the Desert Worriers, Cup in Russia, due between June 14 played in the 1986 World Cup in and July 15, and was in the same Mexico but was unlucky to also opening World Cup fixture against Australia in campaign. Fekir won his 11th cap, starting for group of Russia, Saudi Arabia and leave the tournament from the first Fekir helps Kazan on June 16. his country for the first time since he also suf- Uruguay. Morocco was the second round. “The game maybe didn’t meet all my fered a bad knee injury in a friendly in Portugal Arab team to qualify for the World The 2014 World Cup in Brazil saw France to expectations, but we controlled it well, got the in September 2015. Cup, in 1970 in Mexico. During that a different Algerian team. The Desert breakthrough before half-time and our move- The 24-year-old is coming off a fantastic tournament, Morocco played three Worriers beat South Korea 4-2 and ment was good, so there were plenty of good season at Lyon and was given his chance by matches in group stages but lost two equalized with Russia to move to the comfortable win things to take from it,” said Deschamps. Deschamps in a role supporting Giroud. Fekir of them and could not qualify for the round of 16th. However, the France’s strength in depth, showcased here curled an early free-kick just wide and next round. Algerians lost to Germany by over Ireland on a night of torrential rain, thunder and light- struck the post for the French However, the Moroccans did a thrilling one goal to leave the cham- ning, means they are among the contenders to in a first half held up at one point by a pitch better job in the 1986 World Cup in pionship. The 1986 World Cup saw win the World Cup, 20 years after becoming invader who gave chasing security staff the Mexico, qualifying for the round of Iraq competing for the first time, but world champions on home soil. runaround on the sodden surface. PARIS: and Nabil Fekir were 16th to the first Arab and African the Lions of Mesopotamia lost all However, bigger tests lie in wait than that The opening goal came in the 40th minute, team reaching this stage. Morocco, three matches and was eliminated. on target as France stepped up their World provided by Martin O’Neill’s Ireland side. The Giroud bundling the ball in at the third attempt Cup preparations by beating the Republic of in that tournament, drew against The United Arab Emirates (UAE) visitors started with seven players who turned following a Fekir corner. Fekir made it two a England and Poland but beat made it to the 1990 World Cup in Ireland 2-0 in Paris on Monday evening. out in the English Premier League this season, minute from the break, collecting a pass from Chelsea striker Giroud bundled in the opener Portugal 3-1. Italy. The Emiratis lost all three but they hardly got near the ball all evening. the ever-dangerous Kylian Mbappe just inside However, they lost to Germany 1- games. Saudi Arabia made an at the , and Lyon captain France were not at full strength, with goal- the area, turning and hitting a shot on his Fekir-who has been linked with a move to 0 and were eliminated. Morocco, achievement by moving to the round keeper , , N’Golo Kante weaker right foot that was parried by Doyle. also known as Lions of Atlas, quali- of 16 in the 1994 World Cup in the Liverpool-got the second just before the and starting on the bench. However, the unfortunate goalkeeper could break, with a helping hand from Ireland goal- fied for the 1994 World Cup in the US but lost 3-1 to Sweden in the Raphael Varane has not yet joined up with the only send the ball up into the air before it spun US, but left the championship from second round. The Green Falcons keeper Colin Doyle. squad after winning the Champions League over the line. Despite the best efforts of It was a very comfortable victory for Didier the first round where the team suf- also reached the World Cups in with Real Madrid at the weekend. Mbappe-who had a goal disallowed for offside fered three straight defeats. 1998, 2002 and 2006. They were Deschamps’ side in the first of three friendly However, Deschamps handed a fifth cap to France failed to add to their lead in a second matches before they head to Russia. Les Bleus The 1998 World Cup in France eliminated from group stages in the , the Manchester City left- half regularly interrupted by substitutions also saw Morocco’s participation. three championships. — KUNA will also host Italy in Nice on Friday and the back who has hardly played since suffering a before the rain made conditions increasingly United States in Lyon on June 9, with their serious knee injury at the beginning of the farcical towards the end. — AFP