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Wednesday, May 17, 2017 CRICKET Sha’baan 21, 1438 AH Supergiant stun GULF TIMES Mumbai to reach maiden IPL fi nal SPORT Page 7 FOCUS Fans in for an ‘experience’ at Khalifa stadium: offi cials From a new lighting system and intricate roof designs to fan zones, Friday’s Emir Cup final is expected to be a treat

The newly-renovated Khalifa International Stadium. PICTURES: Noushad Thekkayil

By Sports Reporter world with such a facility. The Khalifa panels in place. Doha International Stadium will give specta- Corporates can take advantage of a tors a new experience and the lighting beautiful corporate box area, which is system, including the roof lighting sys- spread over three layers, and provide a ans at the Emir Cup fi nal be- tem, is capable of showcasing a variety perfect view of the magnifi cent pitch. tween Al Sadd and Al Rayyan, of colours.” The renovated stadium has more which will be hosted at the re- He added: “The energy-effi cient seats for the specially-abled, and the developed Khalifa International LED lighting systems reduce costs and design ensures a good view from all po- Stadium,F will be in for an unforgettable improve safety and crowd fl ow with sitions. experience, offi cials told journalists well-lit areas in and around the sta- The LOC will announce the ticket yesterday during a tour of the complex. dium.” prices for the match at a press confer- The visit was arranged by the Local According to the offi cial, the new ence today and will also give an insight Organising Committee of the Emir Cup features are in full compliance with on match day operations and general Final 2007 to apprise journalists about FIFA requirements and include an ad- information for the fans. the new facilities at the stadium. ditional seating stand on the eastern Additionally, the Community En- Khalifa International Stadium part of the stadium, innovative cool- gagement team under the Supreme project manager Mohamed Elamin Ab- ing technology to keep spectators and Committee for Delivery & Legacy (SC) dullah Ahmed said the lighting system players comfortable throughout the showed various community groups the installed at the stadium is one of the match, and a sports museum within the fan zone area, which will feature food best in the world. venue. and drinks kiosks, while entertainment “This lighting system is a world- The entire spectator area has a new will be available to the public during the class design feature, allowing visually roof, which features an intricate net of match on Friday. stunning light shows to be created in- German- and Italian-made steel ten- On the big day, as many as 19 expatri- side and outside the stadium,” Moham- sion cables. ate communities will take centre stage ed said. These cables, weighing 4,000 from 3.30pm-6.30pm in fan-related “There are not many stadiums in the tonnes, have been put up to hold the 92 activities for families in the fan zone.

BOTTOMLINE Khalifa stadium symbolises sporting excellence: former Saudi football boss

any Arab and Gulf football stars hold He continued: “I fi rmly believe that Khalifa In- unforgettable memories of Khalifa In- ternational Stadium will keep up its magnifi cent ternational Stadium, which originally role as the beating heart of sporting tradition in opened in 1976 and has played a piv- Qatar, embracing football fans from all over the Motal role the region’s sporting history. world, looking forward to the start of the 2022 The former president of the Saudi Arabian Foot- FIFA World Cup Qatar.” ball Federation (SAFF), Ahmed Eid, witnessed the The winner of the best goalkeeper award at the opening of the historic arena. In an interview with Gulf Cup of Nations in 1970 added: “Football in its SC.qa, he expressed his happiness over the com- core depends on bold decisions, and the redevel- pletion of the redevelopment of the fi rst proposed opment of this arena is truly a gigantic step in the host venue for the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar. journey towards 2022. The fi rst ever tournament He said: “I have witnessed great events staged at in the Middle East region, which we will all en- this sports venue, particularly the fi fth Gulf Cup of sure is a success at all levels without exception, is Nations in 1976, which proved to be a golden mile- driven by the passionate desire to develop football stone in the history of the game across the region.” worldwide.” Being one of the most celebrated goalkeepers Reminiscing about the history of the Gulf Cup in the region, Eid represented the Saudi national of Nations, Eid said: “The fi rst chapters of the Gulf team on 25 occasions during his playing career. Cup of Nations actually started with Faisal bin Fa- Later he plied his trade for diff erent clubs, includ- had Stadium, then with Khalifa International Sta- ing Al Ahli Club, until he was elected to run the dium, and later on with King Fahad International football governing body in his country and presid- Stadium.” ed over SAFF for fi ve years, from 2011 until 2016. He concluded: “When we remember those by- “Today, after being fully renovated and expand- gone days, we realise that those arenas played a ed, and with the introduction of state-of-the-art crucial role in sporting innovation, with the best cooling technology, which is unprecedented in the example being the fi fth Gulf Cup of Nations that region, we are genuinely grateful and appreciative was hosted by Khalifa International Stadium, as of those who stand behind this remarkable accom- well as the 1992 edition that Qatar won.” Ahmed Eid (third from right), QFA president Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa bin Ahmed al-Thani (fourth from right) and other off icials attend the opening plishment,” he added. (SC.qa) of the Khalifa International Stadium recently. Gulf Times 2 Wednesday, May 17, 2017 FOOTBALL

PREMIER LEAGUE SPOTLIGHT Chelsea legend Fabregas foils Watford Terry undecided about playing future

AFP wherever that may be. Genuinely in Chelsea title party London I haven’t made any decisions of yet and I’m evaluating all my op- tions at the moment.” helsea icon John Terry Terry, who has captained 'We have the possibility to win 30 games and we have to try to reach this target' scored in what is likely to Chelsea on a record 579 occa- be his penultimate game sions, said he had never intended for the newly-crowned in trying to prevent younger tal- Cchampions and suggested unless ent from breaking through whilst a good off er came along he might he blocked their way. “I never retire after Sunday’s fi nal Pre- wanted to be that player that was Chelsea’s manager Antonio Conte mier League match. kind of hanging about, stopping (left) embraces midfielder Cesc The 36-year-old — who has the younger players from coming Fabregas after their win over spent 22 years at the club win- through,” said Terry, who is un- Watford in the Premier League ning 15 trophies including this likely to make the starting line- at Stamford Bridge in London on season’s title — opened the scor- up for the FA Cup fi nal against Monday night. (AFP) ing in the 4-3 win over Watford Arsenal on May 27th. at Stamford Bridge his 67th goal However, Terry, capped 78 in 716 appearances for the Blues. times by England, admitted Sun- Terry, who hadn’t started a day’s home game against rele- league game since September gated Sunderland — where a win 11 last year, slightly blotted his would see Chelsea become the copybook in handing their op- fi rst Premier League champions ponents the equaliser sixty sec- to win 30 games in a 38 match onds later. Terry has been linked campaign. “It’s going to be tough. with a move to Premier League Tonight was tough but next week side Bournemouth whilst Swan- I’m going to be in bits,” said Ter- sea manager Paul Clement who ry. Terry, whose achievements worked with the former England on the pitch were often marred defender at Chelsea has also de- by his behaviour off it, told the clared an interest, but he inti- BBC his defensive blunder in let- mated to Sky Sports he had not ting Etienne Capoue make it 1-1 yet had an off er that might per- should serve as a lesson to young suade him to keep on playing. children. “It was a crazy minute. “I still haven’t ruled out Sun- I got on the scoresheet and a day being my last game and retir- minute later made a mistake and ing,” said Terry, who announced let him (Capoue) in. Mixed emo- in mid-April he would be leaving tions,” said Terry. “I’m delighted the club. “It depends if the right to get on the scoresheet. But any off er comes along I will sit down young kid watching, if in doubt and consider it with my family — get it out. That’s what I should whether that’s here, abroad, or have done.”

AFP have to try to reach this target now.” Batshuayi was rewarded for his title- drilling a crisp shot into the bottom-left London Conte made nine changes to his start- clinching goal at West Bromwich Albion corner. After Willian, freed by Hazard, ing XI and having kept faith with the on Friday with a fi rst league start in Chel- had seen a shot fi nger-tipped wide by same tight group of fi rst-teamers for the sea blue and it was after he had seen a Watford goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes ear- ubstitute Cesc Fabregas scored vast bulk of the season, it was little sur- shot defl ected wide that the hosts took a ly in the second half, the ‘one for you, one an 88th-minute winner as new prise their understudies looked a little 22nd-minute lead. for me’ pattern of scoring was repeated. Premier League champions Chel- undercooked. From Willian’s right-wing corner, Kurt In the 49th minute, Kenedy’s defl ected sea edged Watford 4-3 in a richly It was the fi rst time Chelsea had con- Zouma headed the ball against Terry, who shot ballooned into the air and was su- entertainingS game at Stamford Bridge on ceded three goals at home since a 3-0 loss reacted sharply to hook the ball in off the perbly controlled by Ake, who squared to Monday night. Skipper John Terry, who to Manchester City in April 2016, but Fa- left-hand post for his fi rst goal since Jan- Batshuayi for a tap-in. will leave Chelsea at the end of the sea- bregas’s strike took them to 90 points for uary last year. Terry has now scored for Two minutes later, Janmaat looked to son, crowned his 716th game for the club only the third time in the club’s history. Chelsea in 17 successive Premier League instigate a one-two with M’Baye Niang with the opening goal, but was then at With an FA Cup fi nal against Arsenal seasons. Unfortunately for the Chelsea on the Watford left and when the ball fault as Etienne Capoue equalised. on May 27 to tune up for, their fans will captain, he would play a role in another came back to him off Zouma, he burrowed After Cesar Azpilicueta and Michy expect to see a more familiar starting goal less than two minutes later, inadvert- into the box, stepped inside Ake and fi n- Batshuayi put Chelsea 3-1 up, Daryl Jan- line-up in Sunday’s fi nal game at home ently helping Watford to end a sequence ished with aplomb. maat and Stefano Okaka hit back, but to relegated Sunderland, after which they of six away games without scoring. Okaka equalised in the 74th minute Fabregas kept Antonio Conte’s men on will receive the league trophy. When Nathan Ake failed to get enough with practically his fi rst touch after com- course to become the fi rst team to win 30 Walter Mazzarri’s Watford, who had purchase on a headed clearance, Terry ing on, slamming home after Zouma games in a 38-game English top-fl ight Sebastian Prodl sent off in stoppage time attempted to nod the ball back to Asmir failed to cope with Tom Cleverley’s cross season. “I like to see this type of game for two bookable off ences, have now lost Begovic, only for Capoue to steal in and from the right. But Fabregas’s entrance because it’s funny to see both teams score fi ve league games in succession. “There send a header past the advancing Chel- dynamised Chelsea and after he had four and three goals — in this stage of the were some positives, some not so posi- sea goalkeeper. Parity did not last long, twice been denied by Gomes, he settled season, when you’ve won the league!” tives, but overall it was a good game and however, as Eden Hazard’s 36th-minute the game, sweeping Willian’s cut-back said Chelsea manager Conte. “We have I’m proud of my team,” said Mazzarri, corner was headed clear only as far as into the bottom-left corner from the edge Chelsea captain John Terry celebrates with teammates after scoring the possibility to win 30 games and we whose team remain 16th. Azpilicueta, who took a touch before of the box. against Watford on Monday. (Reuters)

I’d have been sacked at ‘big club’, ITALIAN CUP says Man City boss Guardiola Treble-chasing Juventus need Manchester, United Kingdom: Pep Guardiola (right) has suggested the results of his first season as Manchester City manager would have seen him sacked by either Barcelona or Bayern to focus for fi nal against Lazio Munich. Guardiola won 14 trophies in four sea- sons as manager at the Nou Camp, and seven in AFP three years with Bayern. He never finished lower Foligno, Italy than second while in charge of Barcelona, while winning the Bundesliga in each of his three seasons in Germany. But the Spaniard has found assimiliano Allegri has called for life more diff icult in England. treble-chasing Juventus to make Guardiola can finish no higher than third in amends for failing to secure the this season’s Premier League, which will be the Serie A title last weekend, by Mbeating Lazio in the Italian Cup fi nal today. lowest final placing of his managerial career. He will also end the campaign without a trophy for Juventus, who face Real Madrid in the Cham- the first time as a coach. He has acknowledged pions League fi nal on June 3, needed just a that he needs to do better if he is to avoid being point at Roma on Sunday to secure a record labelled a failure in the Premier League. “I had sixth consecutive Italian league title. pressure when I became manager at Barcelona, But a stunning 3-1 reverse has left the when I had no reputation to defend myself increasingly-shaky Turin giants just four with,” Guardiola said Monday. points ahead of Roma with two games re- “At that club, if in six months you don’t win, maining, adding unwelcome pressure ahead you are really out. At Barcelona or Bayern of their bid for a third successive league and Munich, you have to win by far. If not, they don’t Cup double and, in turn, an unprecedented give you a second chance. Here they gave me club treble. Juventus will claim an all-time Serie A record of six consecutive titles if they beat relegation- a second chance and we will try to do it,” he “It will serve us well, because we have to threatened Crotone in Turin next Sunday. (AFP) added. “In my situation at a big club: I’m sacked. get right back on our feet for Wednesday and I’m out. Sure. Definitely. At the clubs I worked have the pressure. I put it on myself, to come then again for Crotone,” Allegri said at the of their last three league outings, shipping six Allegri is set to welcome Paulo Dybala back at before, I would not be here now, but here we here, to prove myself, that I am able to do it with Stadio Olimpico, where Lazio will be hoping goals in the process. to his starting line-up, after the Argentina have a second chance and we will try to do it a fantastic club. One team was better, Chelsea, for a similar result against the champions. “Lately, we’ve conceded a little more than front man came off the bench against Roma, better than this season.” so congratulations to them, they deserve by far “I’m not worried. On the contrary, we have we usually do in terms of our defence, al- but is still sweating on the fi tness of hard- Guardiola joined City on a three-year contract to win the league. Tottenham, the second team, to remain focused on our objective and un- though over the course of a season these working Croatian front man Mario Mandzu- in July after leaving Bayern Munich, and still has played outstanding football again when they derstand where we went wrong so we avoid things can happen,” said Juve defender Le- kic (back). In a bid to end Lazio’s four-year the full backing of club owner Sheikh Mansour beat Manchester United on Sunday. They played the same mistake in future. It’s one step at onardo Bonucci. “We should have wrapped wait for silverware, coach Simone Inzaghi and chairman Khaldoon al-Mubarak. He admits amazing. The gap is big in terms of points. But a time: now, we’ve the Cup fi nal, then we’ll up the title tonight (Sunday), now we have to rested a number of key players, including he has needed time to adjust to English football when we played against those teams, the gap concentrate on the league and, lastly, the make sure we go and win the Cup on Wednes- defender Stefan De Vrij and striker Sergej — speaking several times this season about the was not too big and we are going to shorten it Champions League.” day and do the same against Crotone.” Milinkovic-Savic, for a trip to Fiorentina that high number of contenders for the Champions next season.” Juventus will claim an all-time Serie A With six Cup wins but their last coming in ended in a 3-2 defeat last Saturday. League spots, and revealing surprise at how Guardiola reckons his players have been good record of six consecutive titles if they beat 2013, Lazio’s record in the competition pales The reverse had no bearing on Lazio’s challenges that are fouls in Spain are allowed to enough to have achieved more this season, relegation-threatened Crotone in Turin next in comparison. league position following their recent quali- go unpunished in the Premier League. But he is but have paid the price for not being ruthless Sunday. But, after losing shape, composure Juventus have won 11. And though former fi cation for next season’s Europa League, so adamant he will get it right at City — because he enough in attack, and for being too generous and ultimately the chance to celebrate secur- Juventus striker Ciro Immobile, who has hit may well pay dividends. However, Inzaghi — will not be given forever if he does not. in defence. Vincent Kompany’s return from a ing the scudetto at the home of their arch ri- 22 league goals for the high-fl ying capital the brother of former AC Milan striker and “If what happens next season is not going series of injury troubles have given City a more vals, the pressure is now on to make sure there club, he belives the “perfect match” can put a coach Filippo — is now sweating on the fi t- well, I’ll have one more year of my contract. If solid look, but the manager remains concerned. is no repeat. dent in Juve’s ambitions. ness of midfi elder Marco Parolo (knee) and it’s not going well, they are going to change “I have to be honest, I notice we are having Winning a treble, seven years after Inter “They (Juventus) are a great side. They’ve Belgian defender Jordan Lukaku (thigh) after manager,” Guardiola said. “What is the pres- problems in the boxes and we didn’t solve it so Milan achieved the feat under the helm of reached the Champions League fi nal,” said both pulled up injured in Florence. “It’s not sure? Last season, this season, next season, all I have to analyse it myself this summer,” said Jose Mourinho in 2010, has been Juve’s ambi- Immobile. “We know how strong they are so what we wanted,” Inzaghi said. “But that’s all the managers in the first five or six clubs they Guardiola. tion all season. But the pressure is beginning we’re obviously very concentrated on the fi - part of football. I hope we get both back for to tell. Juventus have drawn two and lost one nal. We knew we’ll need the perfect match.” the fi nal.” Gulf Times Wednesday, May 17, 2017 3 FOOTBALL

SPOTLIGHT FOCUS Man United predict record Grieving Pogba to miss revenue AFP London

anchester United predicted a record rise in annual rev- Southampton trip enue to between M£560mn and £570mn in their latest quarterly fi nancial fi gures ‘I think that his dad’s funeral has to be between Tuesday and Wednesday in France’ released yesterday. United had previously told in- AFP vestors to expect revenue of be- London tween £530mn and £540mn for the 2016-17 fi nancial year. Broadcast revenue for aul Pogba will miss Manchester United’s the quarter rose by 12.9% to game at Southampton today after being £31.4mn, largely due to the Pre- granted compassionate leave following the mier League’s new bumper tel- death of his father, manager Jose Mour- evision rights deal taking eff ect. Pinho has revealed. “I don’t think (he will be avail- “We are forecasting better Paul Pogba’s father, Fassou able),” Mourinho said, in comments published on Antoine, passed away last full-year fi nancial perform- the United website. Friday following a long-term ance than expected and as such “I think that his dad’s funeral has to be between illness. (AFP) have raised our revenue and Tuesday and Wednesday in France. I don’t think profi t guidance for the year,” said that Paul has the conditions to play. We have left United executive vice-chairman him completely free to be back when he thinks Ed Woodward in a press release. he’s ready.” Pogba’s father, Fassou Antoine, passed “We look forward to a strong fi n- away last Friday following a long-term illness. ish to 2016-17, both on and off Pogba was left out of the squad for United’s 2-1 the pitch.” defeat at Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday. After United failed to qualify for this visiting Southampton, United fi nish the Premier season’s Champions League, League season at home to Crystal Palace on Sun- but their exploits in the Europa day before tackling Ajax in the Europa League fi nal League have helped them to in Stockholm on May 24. record strong fi nancial results. Mourinho has repeatedly complained about They have won the League Cup the diffi culty of juggling his resources and made in Jose Mourinho’s fi rst season sweeping changes to his team for the defeat at as manager and will face Ajax in Spurs and the 2-0 loss at Arsenal that preceded it. the fi nal of the Europa League, He joked it would have been even worse had ref- the only tournament they have eree Michael Oliver not sent off Ander Herrera in never won, on May 24. March’s FA Cup quarter-fi nal at Chelsea — an in- They must win the Europa cident he blamed for United’s 1-0 defeat. League to qualify for next sea- “The accumulation of the games, I never had son’s Champions League, having that,” said Mourinho. “You know that in all of my failed to secure a top-four fi nish career I was never (knocked) out of European com- in the Premier League. United petitions in the group phases and in the last 16 I will see a 30% reduction in their was out only once. So I reached the semi-fi nals 10 sponsorship deal with Adidas — times. “I go always until the end of the competi- a loss of £21mn — if they do not tions. In the League Cup I normally go far. In the reach the Champions League, domestic competitions, cups, I won in Spain, in It- spread out over the remaining aly, in Portugal, so I normally have a lot of matches. eight years of the contract. But like this I never have. This situation of you play United will receive 6.5mn eu- a fi nal and the game that you should play that day ros in prize money if they win the is going to be postponed until the last week! This is nal.” Mourinho said the fi xture congestion meant Injuries have robbed United of Zlatan Ibrahi- announced yesterday. Jose Mourinho’s United and Europa League and 3.5mn euros crazy. And I repeat the same — thank you Michael he is having to adopt an “a la carte” approach to his movic, Marcos Rojo, Luke Shaw and Ashley Young. Pep Guardiola’s City will meet at Houston’s NRG if they lose the fi nal. The club’s Oliver, because we were out in the FA Cup. Because players’ schedules. “Sometimes you need a day off But Mourinho said defender Timothy Fosu- Stadium on July 20 as part of the International operating expenses rose 27% to if we go to the FA Cup semi-fi nals, it would be a to- and they don’t know what a day off is,” he said. Mensah might overcome a shoulder injury in time Champions Cup friendly tournament. £129.8mn, partly due to the con- tal disaster. I don’t know when we would be play- “So this is a period in one week when I have to for the Europa League fi nal. He also said he expects They had been due to play each other in Beijing, tracts off ered to new signings ing that game.” give one day off and now I give a day off to (An- to pick Sergio Romero, United’s Europa League China last year, but the game was called off due including Paul Pogba and Zlatan He added: “And on top of that, the accumulation tonio) Valencia (against Tottenham). It has to be. goalkeeper, in one of their last two league games. to concerns about the pitch. United last played in Ibrahimovic. of big injuries — not small, not the injuries that you And against Crystal Palace two or three more and Houston in 2010, when they beat an MLS All-Stars United also hired a signifi cant say ‘OK, hamstring, two weeks’ — no, it’s surgery, against Southampton two or three more and that’s MAN UTD AND MAN CITY team 5-2. United’s pre-season tour of the United number of new non-playing boom, boom. One knee, another knee. Another to try to arrive in the fi nal in the best possible con- TO MEET IN HOUSTON States also features games against the LA Galaxy, staff members. Net debt rose by foot. Just big surgeries. So fewer players and fewer ditions.” Having missed out on a top-four place Manchester United and Manchester City will face Real Salt Lake, Barcelona and Real Madrid. City £17.6mn to £366.3mn, which players and fewer players. It’s very diffi cult, really in the league, United must beat Ajax to qualify for off in a friendly in Houston, Texas in July in the fi rst will play Real Madrid in Los Angeles and tackle the club said was due to the very diffi cult. But we are there and we go to the fi- next season’s Champions League. Manchester derby on foreign soil, the two clubs Tottenham Hotspur in Nashville. strengthening US dollar.

LA LIGA ROUND-UP ‘We have won nothing PSG’s Cavani wins French players’ yet’ Zidane warns Real player of the year award

AFP Paris Saint-Germain’s Uruguayan striker Madrid Edinson Cavani was voted French players’ player of the year on Monday with Mo- naco striker Kylian Mbappe winning the eal Madrid must hold their nerve in the under-21’s title. Cavani has fl ourished in the La Liga title run-in coach Zinedine Zi- absence of departed Zlatan Ibrahimovic and dane warned yesterday ahead of the has notched up 35 league goals so far since catch up game against Celta Vigo. Real moving into the centre forward slot from areR level on 87 points with bitter rivals Barcelona the wing where he was exiled while the giant but because Barca enjoy a better head-to-head Swede was around. record Zidane’s charges need four points from With two games of the season to go, Cav- their two remaining ties with Vigo and Malaga at ani has 48 goals for PSG in all competitions, the weekend. two short of the French record of 50 set by “We don’t feel like champions. We’re not go- Ibrahimovic last season. The award comes ing to relax. We’ve not won anything yet,” Zidane during a tough season for Paris who were hu- said. “It’ll be diffi cult because Celta are a good miliated by Barcelona and appear to have lost team. We know that they’re a good opponent and their league title to Monaco. The 30-year- it’ll be diffi cult, just like it was against Sevilla and old edged Monaco midfi elder Bernardo Silva will be against Malaga.” into second while Lyon striker Alexandre “I can assure you we need to maintain our fo- Lacazette was third. Mbappe, just 18, has had cus,” he said also confi rming that Cristiano Ro- a sensational break out year, especially since naldo would only join the Vigo action if needed. the winter break, while his coach at Monaco, “He’ll be with us tomorrow,” Zidane confi rmed. Leonardo Jardim, won the coach’s award. “Isco, Cristiano Ronaldo and Lucas Vazquez AWARD WINNERS Paris Saint Germain forward Edinson Cavani after receiving the French players’ Ligue 1 Player will play if they have to. They’ll do their best not Best player: Edinson Cavani (PSG); Best of the Year award during a ceremony in Paris on Monday night. (AFP) to get a card. You have to be positive,” he said. Real under-21: Kylian Mbappe (Monaco); Best female also face a date with Juventus in the Champions player: Sakina Karchaoui (Montpellier); Best visit Leicester City tomorrow and fi nish the paying tax on income from his image rights. League fi nal in 18 days time where they will hope coach: Leonardo Jardim (Monaco) season at relegated Hull City on Sunday. Under Spanish law any sentence under two to have their lynchpin Ronaldo fi ring on all pis- Dream team (4-3-3): Danijel Subasic (Monaco); years for a non-violent crime rarely requires tons. The French coach was asked if he thought Djibril Sidibe (Monaco), Kamil Glik (Monaco), FALCAO, COENTRAO IN a defendant without a previous conviction to he was appreciated by the giant Spanish club. Thiago Silva (PSG); Benjamin Mendy (Monaco), SPANISH TAX EVASION LAWSUITS serve jail time. “I think everyone is happy with me and that’s Jean-Michael Seri (Nice), Marco Verratti (PSG), Spanish prosecutors said they had fi led it. Right now I’m not thinking about the future. Real Madrid’s coach Zinedine Zidane. (AFP) Bernardo Silva (Monaco); Alexandre Lacazette lawsuits against Colombian striker Radamel BEBETO’S SON OLIVEIRA Right now I’m not worried. When I get in to the (Lyon), Edinson Cavani (PSG), Kylian Mbappe Falcao and Portuguese defender Fabio Coen- JOINS SPORTING LISBON changing room I enjoy everything that I see and all told they would stand trial in an investigation (Monaco) trao for allegedly hiding millions of euros The son of Brazil’s celebrated 1994 World do, nobody will take that away from me,” he said. into the 2013 transfer. Best goal: Memphis Depay (Lyon) against Tou- in income from the tax offi ce. AS Monaco’s Cup winner Bebeto, Mattheus Oliveiro, The current Barcelona president feels the play- louse (29th round of games) Falcao is suspected of failing to correctly has joined Sporting Lisbon on a fi ve year BARCELONA PRESIDENT SITTING er and Barcelona are victims of a confl ict of inter- declare 5.6mn euros of income earned from contract, the topfl ight Portuguese side TIGHT DESPITE NEYMAR TRIAL ests between Brazilian tax authorities and Santos. SPURS’ ROSE HAS KNEE image rights between 2012 and 2013 while announced yesterday. The 22-year-old at- Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu insist- Neymar’s arrival from Santos has been a huge SURGERY AFTER SETBACK he was at Atletico Madrid, Madrid’s regional tacking midfi elder moves from Sporting’s ed yesterday he would remain in his post despite success for the Spanish champions on the pitch Tottenham Hotspur left-back Danny Rose prosecutor said in a statement. domestic rivals Estoril after starting his his upcoming date with a judge concerning the but a judicial nightmare off it. The case initiated has undergone exploratory surgery on his left Coentrao, who plays for Real Madrid, is career at Rio de Janeiro side Flamengo. Neymar transfer case. with a complaint from Brazilian investment com- knee after a setback in his recovery, the Pre- accused of hiding nearly 1.3mn euros in in- Oliveiro was just days old when his father “To all those who have said that the manage- pany DIS, which owned 40% of Neymar’s sport- mier League club announced. The England come earned from his image rights between — full name Jose Roberto Gama de Oliveira ment team or myself are thinking about resign- ing rights at the time of his transfer. international, 26, sustained medial ligament 2012 and 2014, it added. The two players are — helped Brazil win their fourth World Cup. ing, I say we haven’t the slightest intention of do- DIS received just 6.8mn euros — 40% of the damage during Tottenham’s 0-0 draw at suspected of using a web of shell companies Bebeto, now a Rio state legislator, scored ing so,” the 54-year-old Bartomeu told the clubs 17mn euros fee paid to Santos — with the com- Sunderland on January 31. in the British Virgin Islands, Ireland, Colom- three goals in that triumphant campaign in stake-holding fans known as ‘socios’. pany claiming it was cheated out of its real share He had been expected to return before the bia and Panama to avoid taxes on the income the United States. After his goal against the “We feel we are in a legitimate position to con- because part of the transfer fee was concealed by end of the season, but with the rehabilitation from their image rights. A Spanish court last Netherlands in the quarter-fi nals in Dallas tinue making decisions for the club and we shall Barcelona, Santos and the Neymar family. process taking longer than expected, he has year found Barcelona’s Argentine striker Li- he melted hearts worldwide with his famous continue with enthusiasm and energy.” The court suspects Santos was actually paid gone under the knife and will not be back un- onel Messi and his father Jorge guilty of three ‘baby cradle’ celebration for his newborn son Bartomeu took over in 2015 after predecessor 25mn euros, which would mean DIS was cheated til next season. Wales international Ben Dav- counts of tax fraud resulting in a suspended Mattheus. Portuguese media suggest Ol- Sandro Rosell was forced out amid the scandal out of 3.5mn euros. Barcelona originally pub- ies has been deputising at left-back in Rose’s 21-month prison sentence for both men. iveiro joins Sporting in a deal worth around surrounding the transfer of brilliant Brazil cap- lished the transfer fi gure as 57.1mn euros, with absence. Spurs’ 2-1 win over Manchester It ruled Messi had defrauded the Spanish 2mn euros, with a 60mn euro get out clause. tain Neymar. Ten days ago Neymar, his former 40mn euros of that given to the player’s family United last weekend confi rmed they will fi n- tax offi ce of almost 4.2mn euros from 2007- After two seasons with Estoril he has scored club Santos, Barcelona, Bartomeu and Rosell were and the rest to Santos. ish second behind champions Chelsea. They 09 by using a web of shell companies to avoid six goals in 56 appearances. Gulf Times 4 Wednesday, May 17, 2017 SPORT

SPOTLIGHT TENNIS ATP to trial new format in Milan No wildcard for AFP the baselines, generating “a re- Paris laxed fan-friendly atmosphere”. The ATP said the aim of the changes was designed “at creat- he ATP is to trial radi- ing a high-tempo, cutting-edge, cal rule changes includ- and TV-friendly product”. ing shorter sets at the “(They) are geared towards at- inaugural end of season tracting new and younger fans Sharapova at the Ttennis fi nals for up and coming into the sport, while at the same players in Milan, the sports’ rul- time retaining the sport’s tradi- ing body announced yesterday. tional fan-base.” The tournament, featuring ATP president Chris Kermode the world’s best players aged 21 added: “We’re excited to be and under, will introduce fi rst to bringing something new to the four game sets, with a tie-break table with this event. at 3-all. “This event is not only about French Open The best of fi ve set matches the next generation of players, “does not alter the number of but also about the next genera- games required to win a match tion of fans.” ‘You can get a wild card when you return from injury but you cannot get a wild card (12) from the traditional scoring He stressed that the ATP re- format,” the ATP said. mains “acutely aware of the tra- when returning from a doping suspension. I appreciate the media impact of Maria Shorter warm-ups, a shot ditions in our sport”. clock to curb time wasting, a no- “We will be sure to safeguard but in conscience, it was not possible to go beyond the application of the rules...’ let rule for serves and a limit of the integrity of our product when one medical time out per player assessing if any changes should per match are other changes eventually be carried forward ‘I am very sorry for Maria, planned for Milan. onto regular ATP World Tour and very sorry for her fans’ Players will be allowed to com- events in the future,” he said. Two-time champion Maria Sharapova municate with their coaches at The Milan tournament with will miss Roland Garros this year after certain times, and spectators $1.275 million (1.15 million euros) the French tennis federation denied will be granted “free movement” in prize money runs from No- her a wild card, FFT president Bernard during matches, except behind vember 7-11. Guidicelli said yesterday. “Nobody can deprive her of her two ti- tles at Roland Garros, but today I can’t grant her the wild card requested,” Japan’s Mitsuhashi Australia’s Kyrgios out Guidicelli said on Facebook Live. banned for life from of Italian Open with “The titles won here, she won within tennis for match-fi xing injury, reports say the rules without owing anything to anyone. Japanese tennis player Junn Nick Kyrgios withdrew from “I am very sorry for Maria, and very Mitsuhashi has been banned the Italian Open in Rome yes- sorry for her fans. They might be very for life and fined $50,000 terday with a hip injury local disappointed and she might be disap- after being found guilty of media reported. pointed. But it is my responsibility and match-fixing and betting Kyrgios was due to play my mission to respect the high stand- off ences, the Tennis Integrity Spain’s Roberto Bautista Agut ards of the game to be played without Unit (TIU) said yesterday. in the first round in Rome, but any doping,” said Guidicelli. Mitsuhashi, who peaked at was replaced by lucky loser 295 in the singles rankings in Alexandr Dolgopolov. NOT WELCOME 2009, was accused of asking Kyrgios needed treatment The federation chief had hinted Joshua Chetty, a player he had for a hip complaint during his Sharapova would not be welcome coached, to approach a com- first-round win over Marcos after agreeing with comments made petitor during an International Baghdatis in Spain. by Andy Murray in March, in which the Tennis Federation (ITF) event in Briton said she should have to work South Africa in November 2015. Former world number her way back to the top. Using Chetty as an intermedi- 10 Monaco hangs up “I know the media dimension of Maria ary, Mitsuhashi off ered the his racket and I’m measuring the expectations of player $2,000 to underper- the public and sponsors, but in all con- form in a singles match and Argentina’s Juan Monaco science it didn’t appear possible to me $600 in a doubles match, the announced his retirement to go beyond strict application of the TIU said. The player rejected from professional tennis on world anti-doping code,” he explained the off er and reported the ap- Monday at the age of 33. yesterday. proach to the TIU. Monaco, who reached his high- “The code doesn’t have rules regard- Mitsuhashi placed 76 bets on est ranking of number 10 in the ing wild cards. These invitations are matches between October and world in July 2012, won nine given at the discretion of the organis- November 2015 and refused to ATP singles titles during his ers.” cooperate with the anti-corrup- career, eight of them on clay. tion body’s investigation, which He also won three doubles This file photo shows Russia’s Maria Sharapova reacting during her French Open match against Australia’s Samantha Stosur. are also off ences. titles. She had taken it for medical reasons for Reuters on Facebook, FFT President Bernard her fi rst tournament back, her ranking, most of her career. Paris Giudicelli announced that the 2012 and now at 211, was not high enough for her Sharapova’s return has been dogged 2014 champion would play no part in this to gain an automatic place in the tourna- by criticism with several leading players CYCLING: GIRO D’ITALIA year’s tournament which starts later this ment, leaving the FFT with an awkward voicing their disapproval at the decision wice former champion Maria month. decision to make. of WTA tournament organisers in Stutt- Sharapova was surprisingly “You can get a wild card when you The news will be a big blow to former gart, Madrid and Rome to grant her a snubbed by French Open organ- return from injury but you cannot get a world number one Sharapova. wildcard for those tournaments. Dumoulin fl ies to isers, who opted against handing wild card when returning from a doping She had said she would “play the junior She reached the semi-fi nals in Stuttgart Tthe Russian a wildcard into this month’s suspension,” Giudicelli said. “I appreci- competition” if it meant she could com- but was beaten by Eugenie Bouchard in claycourt grand slam yesterday. ate the media impact of Maria, I appre- pete at the French Open — a tournament Madrid. She is also sweating on her place at pink, Quintana The 30-year-old, who returned from ciate the broadcasters’ expectations but that has provided some of her greatest Wimbledon with the cut-off for direct en- a 15-month doping ban last month, had in conscience, it was not possible to go career moments. tries into the main draw on Monday. been expected to be fast-tracked into the beyond the anti-doping code and beyond Sharapova rocked the tennis world She needs a semi-fi nal run in Rome drops to second qualifying competition for a tournament the application of the rules... when she announced last year that she this week to claim a main draw spot at already without a host of leading players “She might be very disappointed, had tested positive for heart drug meldo- Wimbledon by right. including Serena Williams. but it’s my responsibility to protect the nium at the Australian Open after failing Her opening round win means that However, in a French Tennis Federa- game,” Giudicelli added. to realise it had been added to WADA’s she should have a guaranteed slot in the tion (FFT) news conference broadcast Despite a semi-fi nal run in Stuttgart in list of banned substances. Wimbledon qualifying tournament.

TENNIS: ROME OPEN Djokovic persists in opener By Agencies Rome Time away has been key for Federer, Nadal, says Corretja Dutch cyclist Tom Dumoulin from Team Sunweb. our-time champion No- Roger Federer and Rafa Nadal have been able to stop,” Cor- vak Djokovic persisted have returned to tennis in blis- retja told TennisWorld website. AFP whose technical fi nish prompted past a confi dent clay- tering form this season because (www.tennisworldusa.org) Montefalco, Italy a number of riders to crash. court player yesterday they were able to recharge “The moment they have been After climbing to victory on duringF his Internazionali BNL the summit fi nish at Blockhaus during injury layoff s last year, able to stop and refresh them- d’Italia opener, beating British former world number two Alex selves, they have found that utchman Tom Dumou- on stage nine Sunday, Quintana qualifi er Aljaz Bedene 7-6(2), Corretja has said. strength again.” lin cruised to victory in — covered from head to toe in 6-2 on Court Centrale in Rome. Nadal, the winner of 14 grand Corretja said world number the 10th stage time trial pink — dropped to second overall Djokovic is coming off his slam titles and the 2008 one Andy Murray and number of the Giro d’Italia yes- at 2:23 behind Dumoulin. best result at an ATP World Tour Dterday to claim the race leader’s His fellow Dutchman, Bauke Olympic gold medallist, and two Novak Djokovic are show- Masters 1000 tournament this Federer, who has won 18 ing signs of wear and tear. pink jersey from Colombian Nai- Mollema (Trek), failed to fi nish season, a semi-fi nal run at the grand slams, were sidelined “Andy lacks that freshness and ro Quintana. among the top ten but remains Mutua Madrid Open last week for long periods last season as Djokovic is three quarters of Dumoulin, of the Sunweb third at 2min 38sec, nine seconds (l. to eventual champion Nadal). they battled injury. the same. Although they have team, fl ew over the rolling, 39.8 ahead of Frenchman Thibaut Pi- But the World No. 2 had to over- Both players have hit the played fewer games, they km course in the Sagrantino not (FDJ). come some early rust against ground running in 2017, with really lack a little mental fresh- wine-growing region to fi nish in Although the race for the pink Bedene, who has enjoyed his Federer adding the Indian ness,” he added. a winning time of 50min 37sec jersey will be decided in the best stretch on clay during re- Wells and Miami Open titles “When they are playing, those and live up to his name as the climb-heavy third week of the cent months, including a fi nal to this year’s Australian Open eff orts take their toll.” ‘Butterfl y of Maastricht’. race, Dumoulin was delighted run at the inaugural Gazprom crown while Nadal, who lost Federer on Monday said he Britain’s Geraint Thomas with a stage win that boosts his Hungarian Open in Budapest to the Swiss in the Melbourne was pulling out of this month’s (Sky), still nursing a sore arm chances of maintaining his chal- last month. Park final, has won in Monte French Open to avoid playing from the eff ects of a crash on lenge. The Serbian was broken at the Serbia’s Novak Djokovic returns the ball to Britain’s Aljaz Bedene Carlo, Barcelona and Madrid. on clay this season as part of stage nine, was second at 49secs, “It’s a nice gap to go into the start of the match, but quickly during the ATP Tennis Open tournament yesterday. “Everyone is surprised that eff orts to prolong his career, with Luxembourg’s former race mountains with,” said Dumoulin. recovered Bedene’s advantage. Roger and Rafa have returned, while Nadal will be bidding for leader Bob Jungels (Quick Step) “But like Nairo Quintana showed They both held serve until the from the Serbian. The 29-year- the ATP World Tour Masters but the key I think is that they his 10th Roland Garros title. in third at 56sec and Italy’s de- on (stage nine to) Blockhaus, he’s tie-break, when Djokovic out- old Djokovic clinched his fourth 1000 title in Rome in 2008, fending champion Vincenzo the better climber, and a lot can played the British No. 3 Bedene, match point opportunity when ‘11, ‘14-15, will meet one of two Nibali (Bahrain) sixth, at 2min happen in the third week. who netted a forehand to con- Bedene sailed a forehand long Spaniards in the third round, The 25-year-old Carreno Busta who won the Argentina Open title 07sec. “But this win is in the pocket. clude the 56-minute opener. after one hour and 46 minutes. 15th seed Pablo Carreno Busta or won 76 per cent of his fi rst-serve on clay in February (d. Nishikori), Movistar climbing specialist It was already a pretty successful Djokovic then broke Bedene Bedene, in addition to reach- Roberto Bautista Agut. points in the 75-minute fi rst- replaced Aussie Nick Kyrgios in Quintana was expected to lose Giro for us, but now we have the again to start the second set, ing the Budapest fi nal on clay, Carreno Busta evened his round win. the main draw. Kyrgios withdrew signifi cant time to pre-stage stage win and the jersey.” coming through in a 13-point also won back-to-back ATP FedEx ATP Head2Head series Bautista Agut broke lucky loser because of a hip injury, the same favourite Dumoulin, and kept Today’s stage is a medium game that fi nished when Bedene Challenger Tour titles on clay against Frenchman Gilles Simon Alexandr Dolgopolov four times injury that forced him to with- to the formbook over a rolling mountain stage over 161 km from couldn’t handle a return of serve last month. Djokovic, who won at 2-2 with a 6-3, 6-3 victory. to advance 6-4, 6-2. Dolgopolov, draw last week in Madrid. route from Foligno to Montefalco Florence to Bagno di Romagna. Gulf Times Wednesday, May 17, 2017 5 SPORT

NBA NHL Kessel ends goal drought as Penguins Boston Celtics down level series

AFP guys, but we don’t have to win New York a game 7-6. We can win a game 1-0, just like we did tonight, as long as we make sure that we hil Kessel scored the embrace that challenge. Wizards to set up only goal as the Pitts- “Most importantly, we’re a burgh Penguins won a team that doesn’t beat itself. tense battle with the We make sure that we stay fo- POttawa Senators 1-0 to square cused. We take what the game their best-of-seven series on gives us out there.” Monday. Sullivan was unfazed by Kessel rifl ed his shot past Kessel’s wild demeanour on Craig Anderson’s left pad with the bench. Cleveland showdown 6:55 left in the third quarter to “It tells me he’s invested. settle an attritional game at the Like, I love that about the guy. PGG Paints Arena. He’s always like that,” Sullivan ‘Everybody gave it their best and it turned out for us tonight’ Ottawa had won Saturday’s said. “I think our players get a opener 2-1 to take a 1-0 lead in kick out of him, quite honestly. the series. He’s a vocal guy. He’s an emo- AFP But Kessel — who was seen tional guy, and he’s all in. He New York gesticulating wildly to his team wants to win. mates throughout the game — “So when he comes back ended a three-game scoring to the bench, if he thinks he elly Olynyk scored 26 drought to make it 1-1 head- wanted a puck or he was open, points from the bench ing into Game in Ottawa on he lets a player know. I don’t as the Boston Celtics Wednesday. think there’s anything wrong outmuscled the Wash- Pittsburgh were indebted to with that.” Kington Wizards 115-105 to clinch a superb display from Marc- The win came at a cost for their Eastern Conference semi- Andre Fleury, who made 23 Pittsburgh, which saw both fi nal series on Monday. saves to record his second right wing Bryan Rust and Jus- Olynyk produced a superb clean sheet in three games tin Schultz leave the game early display of shooting from dis- which have given up only two with apparent injuries. tance as Boston pulled clear of goals. Rust headed to the locker the Wizards in the late stages of Anderson meanwhile made room after a crunching hit the game to take the series 4-3 28 saves for Ottawa but could from Dion Phaneuf in the fi rst and set up a Conference fi nal do nothing about Kessel’s period while Schultz was in- clash with Cleveland. well-struck winner. jured after crashing into the Isaiah Thomas topscored for Penguins coach Mike Sul- boards following contact with the Celtics with 29 points and livan paid tribute to his team’s Mike Hoff man. weighed in with 12 assists while versatility after the victory. Sullivan was unable to pro- Al Horford (15), Jae Crowder (14) “What I love about this vide an injury update after the and Marcus Smart (13) also made group of players is we can win game. “I haven’t had an op- double fi gures. diff erent ways,” Sullivan said. portunity to get to our medical But it was Olynyk’s remark- “We have some talented staff ,” he said. able display off the bench that proved decisive as the Celtics clinched their fi rst Eastern Con- Alonso happy aft er Indy 500 practice ference fi nals berth since 2012. Olynyk had entered the game Fernando Alonso shrugged off searing temperatures to post the averaging only 8.3 points per fastest rookie time during practice for the Indy 500 at Indianapo- game in the playoff s but deliv- lis Motor Speedway yesterday. ered a career-high playoff per- The Formula One star, who jetted into the United States less than formance when it mattered. 24 hours after finishing 12th in the Spanish Grand Prix, completed “A friend called me and said 36 laps on the famous oval at a best average speed of 221.63mph. ‘Be at your best when your best The former Formula One world champion admitted he had is needed’ and my best was feared the blazing hot sunshine and temperatures around 90 de- needed tonight,” Olynyk said af- grees Fahrenheit (32 degrees Celsius) might be a problem before ter the win. climbing into his McLaren-Honda-Andretti. “Everybody gave it their best “I was a little bit concerned about the temperature, as it was and it turned out for us tonight,” much hotter today than at the test we did here on May 3rd,” added the 26-year-old Canadian Alonso said. power forward. “But the car felt as good as it did at the test, and I was able to Olynyk described the series make some setup changes without losing the confidence in the win as a “a team eff ort.” car.” “It was hard work, that was a Under Indy 500 rules, practice sessions and qualifying are tough seven-game series. Both governed by top average speed. The opening session is for rook- teams played tough – we just ies and returning drivers who have not raced in the event for a kind of outlasted them at the end significant time. there. We’re lucky to move on,” Alonso’s top average speed was just faster than compatriot Oriol Olynyk said. Servia, who had an average speed of 220.75mph and Ed Jones, Boston, who had the top seed who was third quickest with a time of 210.29mph. going into the postseason, now Alonso’s session was interrupted by a suspension glitch which host NBA champions Cleveland, Boston Celtics’ Kelly Olynyk celebrates after Celtics 115-105 win over the Washington Wizards in Game seven of the NBA Eastern Conference denied him the opportunity to practice driving in traff ic. the second seeds, on Wednesday. semi-finals at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. (Getty Images/AFP) “Everything went very smooth. The last half an hour maybe we Cleveland – who have not had some issues with the rear suspension, and we could not dropped a game in the playoff s have raised their game in the 20 points while John Wall and came in the third quarter when ton’s cushion and although Beal complete the programme that we had planned to run a little bit – got the better of Boston over postseason. Markieff Morris scored 18 each. the Celtics trailed by fi ve points was able to keep Washington in in traff ic at the end of the day, so we missed that part,” Alonso the course of the regular season, “I think they’re playing better No other Washington player with 5:39 left in the period. touch, Olynyk’s inspired display said. “But over all, it was an amazing day. winning 3-1 over four games. this year than they did last year,” made double fi gures, highlight- Yet Boston rallied brilliantly proved the diff erence. “I’m happier than the first day with the car because I was able But Olynyk believes Boston Stevens said. “I’ve seen them ing the team’s threadbare rela- to outscore Washington by 21-9 The Canadian drained all fi ve to feel some of the setup changes that we were planning in the will have more than a fi ghting play before. We played them four tive lack of options off the bench. over the rest of the quarter to of his opening shots at the start morning. chance of being competitive times. I think they’re better than Wall meanwhile made only one build a lead they would never re- of the fourth quarter and also “But we did not do much running in traff ic, so that’s still the thing against the Cavaliers. any of the four times they played of eight attempted three-point- linquish. added fi ve rebounds and four as- that I need to go through in the next couple of days. But I did two “We’ve just gotta keep play- us.” ers. Thomas hit two superlative sists before exiting the court to a or three laps behind some cars that were going out of pit lane, ing our brand of basketball and The defeat marked another “I hate losing, especially (be- three-pointers while Marcus raucous ovation from the home and it was good fun.” we’ll see what happens,” Olynyk frustrating end for Washington. cause) we felt like we were the Smart added another in a 1:13 crowd. Alonso, who is skipping the Monaco Grand Prix to race in the said. Bradley Beal exploded for 38 better team,” Beal said. “You spell that put the Celtics up for Thomas led the post-match Indy 500, is due to practice all week before entering qualifying at Celtics coach Brad Stevens points but it was not enough credit them because they played good. plaudits. “Kelly was MVP to- the weekend, hoping to reach Sunday’s Pole Day. The Indy 500 said his team faced a daunting to overcome the Celtics rugged their tails off .” A further 9-2 run at the start night,” Thomas said. “He did it takes place the following week on May 28. challenge, stating the Cavaliers defense. Otto Porter Jr added The decisive passage of play of the fourth maintained Bos- all.”

MLB Diamondbacks hit 3 homers in 8th, beat Mets

By Marc Carig shot to pinch hitter Daniel Descalso. On April 28, Jacob deGrom limited the Newsday In one inning, the Diamondbacks Nationals to three runs in seven innings. transformed a 1-1 tie into another No Mets starter has recorded an out in bullpen-induced rout, while sending the the seventh inning since. In the 14 games here reached a point on Monday skidding Mets (16-21) to their fi fth con- that followed, the starting rotation com- night when the only options were secutive loss. bined for an ERA of 7.54, with a stagger- bad ones. For manager Terry Col- The Mets appeared to catch a break in ing 5.1 walks per nine innings. The length lins, it came in the seventh inning, the eighth, when Goldschmidt’s homer of the average start: 4 2/3 innings. Twhen righthander Zack Wheeler allowed a was ruled a ground-rule double. Replay On Monday, that streak reached 15 leadoff single. showed the drive struck the yellow line games, though Wheeler at least gave the That’s when it became clear that the in center instead of clearing it. But even Mets a chance. fate of the New York Mets would be that call wasn’t enough to spare the Mets, As he did on Sunday with Jacob de- placed in the shaky hands of a burned- who got a two-run shot out of Wilmer Grom, Collins allowed Wheeler to begin out bullpen. One inning later, the Mets Flores in the ninth, though it was mostly the seventh inning, hoping to squeeze endured their recurring nightmare, with cosmetic. perhaps three more outs out of a starter an overwhelmed Hansel Robles absorb- Rene Rivera gave the Mets a 1-0 lead before turning things over to a bullpen ing the brunt of the punishment in a 7-3 in the second inning, poking a single to that has been weakened by early overuse. loss to the Arizona Diamondbacks. right. He set a career high by extending For the third time this season, Wheeler Robles retired the fi nal man in the sev- his hitting streak to nine games, though it allowed one run or fewer in his start. enth, then allowed the Diamondbacks was the Mets’ only hit against Diamond- The rest of the Mets rotation has accom- to stage a home run derby in the eighth, backs starter Zack Godley. plished the feat only twice. the beginning of a six-run outburst. Two Meanwhile, Wheeler’s eff ort went to batters after Paul Goldschmidt narrowly waste. Though he allowed seven hits in RESULTS missed a go-ahead solo homer, Robles six-plus innings, he gave up only one run Astros 7 Marlins 2 served up a three-run shot to Yasmany on Jake Lamb’s solo shot in the sixth. Indians 8 Rays 7 Tomas, who crushed a 97 mph fastball After missing two seasons coming Braves 10 Blue Jays 6 off the batter’s eye well above the 25-foot back from Tommy John Surgery, Wheeler Diamondbacks 7 Mets 3 fence in straightaway center. showed encouraging signs. He averaged Angels 5 White Sox 3 Three batters later, Jeff Mathis drilled a 95 mph with his fastball and threw 108 Mariners 6 Athletics 5 two-run shot off Robles, who has yielded pitches, his most since coming back. He Giants 8 Dodgers 4 nine runs in his last two outings. Josh struck out six and walked one, delivering Padres 6 Brewers 5 (10 innings) Arizona Diamondbacks Jeff Mathis (right) celebrates with Brandon Drury after hitting a solo home run in the eighth Edgin entered only to surrender a solo a rare quality start for the Mets. inning against the New York Mets at Chase Field. PICTURE: USA TODAY Sports Gulf Times 6 Wednesday, May 17, 2017 SPORT

SPOTLIGHT NEW LOOK Eight new faces in Ireland squad for 2024 Olympic fi ght USA, Japan reland head coach Joe challenging the younger players Schmidt yesterday named to cope with the heat and foreign eight uncapped players in conditions as well as the speed his 31-man squad for next and physicality of test rugby.” Imonth’s tour of the United States One additional player will be set to go to the wire and Japan. added to the squad following this With 11 players on British weekend’s domestic matches. and Irish Lions duty, eight new ‘Both cities have the Olympic tradition, both cities have the venues we need, both faces have been brought in: John IRELAND SQUAD Cooney, Dave Heff ernan, Rory Finlay Bealham (Connacht), Joey cities have very dedicated and motivated teams that want to lead that’ O’Loughlin, Andrew Porter, Carbery (Leinster), Jack Conan James Ryan, Rory Scannell, Jacob (Leinster), Andrew Conway Stockdale and Kieran Treadwell. (Munster), John Cooney (Con- Ireland play the US Eagles in nacht), Keith Earls (Munster), New Jersey on June 10 before Cian Healy (Leinster), Dave two Tests against Japan, who will Heff ernan (Connacht), Paddy host the 2019 World Cup and Jackson (Ulster), Dave Kilcoyne play Ireland in the pool phase, in (Munster), Dan Leavy (Leinster), Shizuoka on June 17 and Tokyo Kieran Marmion (Connacht), Luke on June 24. Marshall (Ulster), Luke McGrath “With 11 players due to tour (Leinster), Tommy O’Donnell with the British and Irish Li- (Munster), Jack O’Donoghue ons, plus a number of injuries (Munster), Tiernan O’Halloran to experienced internationals, (Connacht), Rory O’Loughlin the summer tour squad includes (Leinster), Andrew Porter (Lein- plenty of youth,” Schmidt said. ster), Garry Ringrose (Leinster), “There is a real freshness to Rhys Ruddock (Leinster), James the group, including the coach- Ryan (Leinster), John Ryan (Mun- ing staff , so we’re looking for- ster), Niall Scannell (Munster), ward to what will be a very chal- Rory Scannell (Munster), Jacob lenging summer tour. Stockdale (Ulster), Devin Toner “We have retained a sprinkling (Leinster), James Tracy (Leinster), of experienced players, some of Kieran Treadwell (Ulster), Josh whom may yet be called up to the van der Flier (Leinster), Simon Lions, but the focus is really on Zebo (Munster)

Saunders hopes Fury can make undercard for title defence WBO middleweight champion and that’s boxing. He is good Billy Joe Saunders has backed for the sport and it would be former world heavyweight a shame to see it taken away champion Tyson Fury to resolve from him. his doping issues and fight on “There wasn’t a day when he the undercard for the Briton’s wasn’t up early in the morn- title defence against Georgian ing ready to go out, running Avtandil Khurtsidze in July. by the beach... Everything is Fury was charged by UK there with Tyson, it just needs Anti-Doping (UKAD) last June putting back together.” for allegedly consuming a Saunders also said that Fury performance-enhancing drug. would be more popular than He vacated his titles, admitted British world heavyweight to battling depression and his champion Anthony Joshua The Paris 2024 Promotion campaign seen here on the Montparnasse tower as the IOC Evaluation Commission visits Paris, before a vote for the 2024 Summer Olympics. license was revoked in Octo- had he displayed a more per- ber pending an investigation. sonal side to the media. AFP to host the Olympic Games,” Baumann be kept waiting outside the venue whilst nomination, and who is the same age as The former WBA, WBO and IBF “You only see the media side Paris added at his team’s closing press confer- then-US president Barack Obama’s se- our co-president Tony Estanguet.” heavyweight champion, who of Tyson, what the man puts ence in Paris, which last hosted the Ol- curity detail swept the building having Macron is a strong supporter of the has not fought since beating out there,” Saunders said. ympics in 1924, Los Angeles in 1984. fl own in to give his support to Chicago. Paris bid to host the Olympics for the Wladimir Klitschko to win the “When you know him person- he fi ght between Los Angeles and “Both cities have the Olympic tradi- It was said to have cost Chicago votes. fi rst time in a century and even before titles in 2015, maintained his ally, he’s diff erent. If he was to Paris to host the 2024 Summer tion, both cities have the venues we need, Sunday’s investiture he had telephoned innocence prior to a UKAD show that side, he’d be loved Olympics is set to go the wire after both cities have very dedicated and moti- MACRON CONFIRMED IN LIMA Olympic chief Thomas Bach to confi rm hearing scheduled for last more than Anthony Joshua. the head of the IOC’s inspection vated teams that want to lead that.” “Emmanuel Macron told Patrick Bau- his support. week that was subsequently “He’s 28 years old and never teamT heaped lavish praise on both cities. But Baumann added: “Both cities are mann that he would defi nitely be in On Monday, he told Paris mayor Anne postponed. been arrested. I’m 27 and have Patrick Baumann said neither city diff erent. These two cities have the ca- Lausanne for the IOC’s debriefi ng and Hidalgo the bid stimulated the kind of “Mentally, Tyson is out of the been arrested 12 times, so he’s presented a risk, saying it came down to pacity to organise the Games. also in Lima on September 13,” said Paris national optimism he hopes to generate dark place which worried me. got a better record than me. a choice of the 95 members of the Inter- “But these cities, because they’re in dif- bid team member Guy Drut, France’s during his mandate. We had long chats and, like He’s a good family man, not an national Olympic Committee (IOC) be- ferent countries with diff erent cultures, 110m hurdle champion at the 1976 “I’m right with you on your venture for me, realised that what we do is animal.” tween “two diff erent visions” on how the have diff ering visions. It’s one of the key el- Games. the Olympics, Paralympics and the 2024 box,” Saunders told reporters Unbeaten Saunders (24-0) Summer Games be held. ements. IOC members will have to choose Macron’s commitment to securing the objective,” he declared. of his compatriot while pro- will meet the 38-year-old Baumann also refused to be drawn on between one vision or the other.” Olympics was underlined by his one- Baumann, whose team publish their moting his fight on Monday. Khurtsidze (33-2-2) at the whether the confi rmed presence at the Baumann insisted that it did not matter hour meeting with the IOC taking place report in Lausanne on July 5, said that the “It all comes down to there Copper Box Arena in London decisive vote in Lima on September 13 of whether the respective delegations were just two days after his inauguration as “marriage between the Games and Paris being only one thing for him on July 8. newly-installed French President Em- “made up of X or Y” when asked about France’s youngest president at 39 years of was absolutely obvious”. manuel Macron could hand Paris the ad- Trump, but at the same time praised his age since Napoleon. Ever the diplomat, the Swiss head of vantage should US counterpart Donald team’s meeting with Macron, saying it “This is evidence of commitment. It is the world basketball federation added: Trump not be present for Los Angeles. showed “strong, solid support” from all not just a word, there is a unity up to the “The bid team responded to all our ques- CONTROVERSY Baumann did say, however, that Ma- strata of French public authorities. highest level of the state,” suggested Par- tions — all our remarks, as was the case in cron’s presence would mean the Paris Los Angeles bid chairman Casey is 2024 co-president Bernard Lapasset, Los Angeles last week.” bid enjoys “visual and tangible” support Wasserman has admitted they are cau- former head of rugby union’s governing The two bid cities will next be in action from both the government and country. tious about asking Trump to Lima, re- body the IRB, now World Rugby. when they are called up to present their Ben Johnson advert “We’re fortunate that we have two counting the “very bad” stories from the “This could help our candidacy for candidacies to the wider IOC on July 11- city candidates who do not present ma- 2009 vote in Copenhagen when some sure - the new president, who receives 12 before decamping to Lima for the de- jor risks that we’ve been able to highlight IOC members were said to be furious to the commission just two days after his cisive vote. slammed for

RUGBY ‘glorifying cheats’

AFP “They’re glorifying a drug Sydney cheat and they’re paying a known drug cheat a huge princely sum of money” controversial commer- England begin Six Nations title cial by an Australian drug cheat.” sports betting compa- Johnson was stripped of his ny featuring disgraced 100-metre gold medal in the sprinterA Ben Johnson has been 1988 Seoul Olympics after test- slammed by the government for ing positive to steroids. defence against Italy glorifying drug cheats. The Canadian is joined in AFP has been criticised for making life The 90-second advert by the advert by a range of drug- London more diffi cult for away supporters gambling fi rm Sportsbet intro- cheating stereotypes, including a in particular, by hosting Italy in duces Johnson, at a desk sur- cyclist in a yellow jacket, a mus- 2018 and Wales in 2019. rounded by a medal and a trophy, cular swimmer and a Hulk-like ngland will start the The 2019 fi xture list also has as the 1988 Olympic gold med- body builder. defence of their Six Na- England away to Ireland on the allist while attempting to make The Australian Sports Anti- tions title away to Italy, opening weekend — a poten- light of the scene by superim- Doping Authority said it had it was announced yes- tially key game in deciding the posing “*For 48 hours” below registered an offi cial complaint. terdayE after organisers published title-winners. the fallen star. “This advert makes light of the fi xtures for both the 2018 “When it comes to perform- the use of performance enhanc- and 2019 Championships. FRIDAY NIGHT FIXTURES ance enhancement Ben really ing drugs in sport and sends the Eddie Jones’s men begin their Friday night rugby remains a knows his stuff , which is why he completely wrong message that 2018 campaign in Rome on Feb- part of the competition in both is happy to endorse Sportsbet’s the use of drugs in sport is nor- ruary 4 against an Italy side who, seasons, with France hosting new juiced-up Android app,” the mal,” the doping watchdog said although they fi nished bottom Italy in 2018 and Wales in 2019. narrator says, claiming the fi rm’s in a statement. and without a win, briefl y caused The fi nal round of matches phone betting application was “This advertising campaign England problems with their ‘no- on March 16, 2019 sees Italy putting “the roid into Android”. belittles the achievements of ruck’ ploy at Twickenham during at home to France, Wales wel- Australian Sports Minis- clean athletes and denigrates this season’s Six Nations. coming Ireland to Cardiff and ter Greg Hunt blasted the ad as those who work to protect clean England are then at home to England taking on Scotland at “sending a message that cheat- sport across the world.” Wales before travelling to Edin- Twickenham. ing’s okay and should be reward- Sportsbet laughed off the con- burgh for a Calcutta Cup clash “We are delighted to confi rm ed and laughed at and glorifi ed”. troversy. “The outrage is so severe against Scotland and playing the fi xture dates for the 2018 “They’re glorifying a drug you could roast a marshmallow on France away before concluding Championship, coming shortly cheat and they’re paying a known it,” the fi rm said on its website. their Championship at home to after a record-breaking 2017 drug cheat a huge princely sum “There was just one problem Ireland on March 17 — the mid- England head coach Eddie Jones watches his players during training. edition,” Six Nations Rugby of money,” he told radio station with all of this public outrage dle game of ‘Super Saturday’ chairman Pat Whelan said in a 2GB late Monday. though. The public didn’t seem when all six teams are in action. with Wales at home to Scotland second and third rounds, de- to better replicate what happens statement. “So it’s an insult to clean ath- to be outraged at all. In fact, Ireland, who denied England on the same day. spite the likes of England’s 2003 at rugby union’s major global “We enjoyed record fi gures letes and, frankly, my view is people kinda liked it,” Sportsbet back-to-back Grand Slams this The Championship has re- World Cup-winning coach Clive tournament. across TV and digital and look they should pull the ad and they added, pointing to dozens of so- year, begin their Six Nations mained a seven-week competi- Woodward calling for it to be France will continue to fl y the forward to continuing that trend should pay the same amount to cial media posts endorsing the away to France on February 3 tion, with rest weeks after the shortened into a fi ve-week event fl ag for Friday night rugby, which over the next two seasons.” junior sport as they paid a known commercial. Gulf Times Wednesday, May 17, 2017 7 CRICKET

INDIAN PREMIER LEAGUE FOCUS Indian women blast record 320-run Supergiant stun opening stand

AFP game, which they won by 249 New Delhi runs. Sharma, who hit 27 fours and two sixes during her 160- ball innings, helped India to ndia openers Deepti Shar- 358 for 2 in their 50 overs. Ire- Mumbai Indians to ma and Poonam Raut put on land were bundled out for 109. a record one-day interna- Sharma’s knock was the In- tional 320-run partnership dia’s highest in women’s crick- Ias their country routed Ireland. et and second only to Austral- The mammoth stand was the ian Belinda Clark’s 229 not out best in women’s cricket and on the all-time list. surpassed the men’s ODI record The record ODI stand for any for an opening partnership of wicket is held by the West In- reach maiden fi nal 286 between Sri Lanka’s Sanath dian pair Chris Gayle and Mar- Jayasuriya and Upul Tharanga lon Samuels who put on 372 for against England in 2006. the second wicket in a World ‘It’s very heartening for me to do well against such a big team on such a big stage’ The match, part of a four- Cup match against Zimbabwe nation series in Potchesfroom, at Canberra in 2015. South Africa, saw the fi rst With four wins from four IANS 300-plus stand in a women’s matches, India are the only un- Mumbai ODI. The previous best was beaten side in the tournament 268 between England’s Sarah with wins over South Africa, Taylor and Caroline Atkins Ireland (twice) and Zimbabwe. ising Pune Supergiant against South Africa in 2008. The Mithali Raj-led India are rode on fi ne half-cen- Sharma (188) and Raut (109) on a 16-match winning streak turies from Manoj Ti- played out for 45.3 overs dur- and one win away from equal- wary and Ajinkya Ra- ing their epic stand after In- ling Australia’s record of 17 haneR and impressive off -spin dia elected to bat in Monday’s consecutive ODI wins. bowling from teenager Wash- ington Sundar (3/16) to defeat Mumbai Indians by 20 runs in the fi rst qualifi er and enter their maiden fi nal of the Indian Pre- mier League (IPL) yesterday. Tiwary (58), Rahane (56) and Mahendra Singh Dhoni (40 not out off 26) helped Pune post 162/4 in 20 overs. Sundar, 17, then ran through the Mumbai top-order as the hosts could only score 142/9 at the Wankhede Stadium. Medium pacer Shardul Thakur (3/37) created problems for Mumbai at the death overs. Having fi nished the league India’s openers Deepti Sharma (R) and Poonam Raut. stage in the top position, Mum- bai on Friday will have another chance to enter the fi nal as they will face the winner of the Elimi- Mandhana returns to India squad nator match between Kolkata for Women’s World Cup Knight Riders and defending Smriti Mandhana, the India Women opener, is set to return to in- champions Sunrisers Hyderabad ternational cricket after a long injury lay-off . She was yesterday - who face-off today. named in the squad to travel to England for the ICC Women’s Two-time champions Mum- World Cup in June and July. bai are too good a side to fl ounder The Mithali Raj-led side qualified for the tournament finishing as the way they did against Pune. the winner of the ICC Women’s World Cup Qualifier in Sri Lanka After asking Pune to bat, Mum- earlier this year, beating South Africa Women in the final. bai had a near-perfect start, re- Mandhana was ruled out of the qualifier after sustaining a liga- moving in-form Rahul Tripathi ment tear during a WBBL match for Brisbane Heat and, since (0) and captain Steve Smith (1) in then, hasn’t played a competitive match. the opening two overs. She was aiming to make a return in time for the World Cup. New Zealand pacer Mitchell She is the only change from the squad playing the Women’s McClenaghan drew fi rst blood for Quadrangular Series in South Africa, with Devika Vaidya, the all- the hosts, cleaning up Tripathi rounder, missing out after picking up an injury during a practice for his fi rst duck of the IPL, on the match ahead of the quadrangular. last ball of the opening over be- Poonam Raut retains her place following impressive returns in fore a leading edge off Sri Lankan Rising Pune Supergiant’s Washington Sundar (second from right) celebrates the dismissal of Mumbai Indians Kieron Pollard with teammates the quadrangular on her comeback. She had been selected for Lasith Malinga got skipper Smith during their Indian Premier League qualifier match in Mumbai yesterday. (AFP) the South Africa tour based on strong domestic returns, help- walking , with Pune at 9/2. ing Railways retain the domestic one-day title while finishing With the visitors in desper- played out fi ve overs inconse- managed to post 162/4. udu (0) pulled straight into the the pressure of mounting re- second among the top run-getters in the inter-state Twenty20 ate need of a partnership, Ra- quentially before the Bengal During the chase, opening hands of Steven Smith at short quired run-rate, Hardik Pandya tournament. hane and Manoj did the job for batsman took the attack to the batsman Parthiv Patel (52 off 40) midwicket. (15) and Parthiv fell in the 15th Jhulan Goswami, who recently became the leading wicket-taker them, helping the odd ball to opposition. held one fort as he executed his Smith got hold of another over bowled by Thakur. With in Women’s ODIs, will lead the pace attack that also features the boundary as Mumbai main- Continuing his fi ne run with strokes perfectly from the start. catch at the same position to Mumbai needing 60 runs off fi ve Shikha Pandey and Mansi Joshi. Jhulan Goswami, who recently tained a perfect line and length. the willow, Manoj fi rst slogged However, Lendl Simmons’s send back Kieran Pollard (7) as overs, the task proved too much became the leading wicket-taker in Women’s ODIs, will lead the The right-handed pair went at a good length ball off Mc- wicket opened the fl oodgates Pune had Mumbai on the mat, for the lower-order batsmen. pace attack that also features Shikha Pandey and Mansi Joshi. on to add 50 runs off 44 deliver- Cleneghan to get to his half- for Mumbai. Patel’s straight with the scoreboard reading 51/4 “It’s very heartening for me to Jhulan Goswami, who recently became the leading wicket-taker ies with Manoj playing the per- century off 45 deliveries before drive off a slower delivery from in eight overs. do well against such a big team in Women’s ODIs, will lead the pace attack that also features fect second fi ddle to the local taking the bowler to the clean- medium pacer Shardul Thakur Parthiv, who was playing well, on such a big stage in front of a Shikha Pandey and Mansi Joshi. boy Rahane, who got to his half- ers. Dhoni too joined the party, was fi nger-tipped by the bowler was then joined by Hardik Pan- packed crowd. This is for my par- Pandey has had good returns in South Africa so far with 13 century off 39 balls. clearing the Kiwi twice in the before the ball hit the stumps as dya (14) but the pair could only ents, their prayers are the rea- wickets to her name, including 5 for 20 in the warm-up against Just when things began to fall penultimate over. Simmons was found to be short forge a 24-run stand for the fi fth son I did this,” man of the match Zimbabwe. in order for Pune, leg-spinner Mumbai skipper Rohit Shar- at the non-striker’s end, with wicket as the latter hit a ball from Washington Sundar said. Nuzhat Parween, who made her ODI debut on Monday, has been Karn Sharma jolted the visi- ma threw the ball to his death- Mumbai at 35 for 1 in 4.3 overs. medium pacer Lockie Ferguson included as a back-up wicketkeeper. tors, by trapping Rahane, who over specialist Jasprit Bumrah After the wicket, Sundar then straight into the hands of Dan- BRIEF SCORES Squad: Mithali Raj (capt), Harmanpreet Kaur, Smriti Mand- by now had helped the ball to the for the fi nal over, but with Dhoni had his impressive bowling spell. iel Christian at long-on, with Rising Pune Supergiant 162 for hana, Veda Krishnamurthy, Mona Meshram, Poonam Raut, boundary on fi ve occasions and at his attacking best, young Rohit Sharma (1) was adjudged Mumbai at 75/5 in 11.1 overs. 4 (Tiwary 58*, Rahane 56, Dhoni Deepti Sharma, Jhulan Goswami, Shikha Pandey, Ekta Bisht, once over it. Bumrah was clobbered twice out lbw as he went for the sweep With Mumbai still behind 40*) beat Mumbai Indians 142 Sushma Verma, Mansi Joshi, Rajeshwari Gayakwad, Poonam The fall of Rahane brought in of the park as the fi nal two overs shot and missed the ball which the target by 88 runs, it was a for 9 (Parthiv 52, Sundar 3-16, Yadav, Nuzhat Parween. Dhoni who, along with Manoj, yielded 41 runs for Pune, who hit the pad, while Ambati Ray- huge task for the hosts. Under Thakur 3-37) by 20 runs.

PREVIEW In-form SRH favourites against struggling KKR

IANS seemed to have peaked too early. Kuldeep Yadav have been on runs from 11 matches with a cou- Bengaluru The likes of Chris Lynn and song, but will have to stop red- ple of half-centuries. Sunil Narine will have their task hot David Warner. cut out at the top of the order Sunrisers, on the other hand, Squads olkata Knight Riders with the likes of India seamer won eight games while lost fi ve Kolkata Knight Riders: Gautam (KKR) will have to get Bhuvneshwar Kumar on song in their 14 league games to end Gambhir (captain), Darren Bra- back to their winning having 25 scalps this seasons in the league stage at third position vo, Trent Boult, Piyush Chawla, ways when they take on 13 games and pacer Mohammed with 17 points. Nathan Coulter Nile, Colin De Kdefending champions Sunrisers Siraj, who was bought for Rs 2.6 The team cemented their Grandhomme, Rishi Dhawan, Hyderabad (SRH) in the Indian crore by SRH after his brilliant play-off s berth on the back of Sayan Ghosh, Sheldon Jackson, Premier League (IPL) Eliminator bowling in domestic matches, a resounding eight-wicket win Ishank Jaggi, Kuldeep Yadav, at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium taking four wickets in the must- over Gujarat in their last league Chris Woakes, Chris Lynn, Sunil here today. win game against Gujarat Lions match. Narine, Manish Pandey, Yusuf The winner of of the match to help Hyderabad qualify for the Skipper Warner has been Pathan, Ankit Rajpoot, Suryaku- will face the loser of Qualifi er 1 play-off s, in their ranks. at his imperious best, scoring mar Yadav, Robin Uthappa and between Mumbai Indians and Afghanistan spinner Rashid 600-plus runs in back-to-back Umesh Yadav. Rising Pune Supergiant on May Khan has also been a revelation, seasons. 19 in Qualifi er 2, which will de- bagging 17 wickets so far. He was the league’s second- Sunrisers Hyderabad: David cide the second participant of Besides Lynn and Narine, KKR highest run-scorer during the Warner (captain), Tanmay Agar- the fi nal on May 21. have Manish Pandey and Robin franchise’s maiden triumph last wal, Ricky Bhui, Bipul Sharma, KKR, who lost four out of sev- Uthappa, who have scored 396 year. Southpaw Shikhar Dhawan Ben Cutting, Shikhar Dhawan, en matches in the latter half of and 386 runs respectively. has found form too. Eklavya Dwivedi, Moises Hen- the season, will have to play out Gambhir too was in form Dhawan has scored 468 runs riques, Deepak Hooda, Chris of their skins to make it to the in the fi rst half of the season so far this season, which forced Jordan, Siddarth Kaul, Bhuv- second qualifi er. but seemed a off -colour in the selectors to pick him for the up- neshwar Kumar, Ben Laughlin, In the last game against Mum- business end and the skipper, coming ICC Champions Trophy. Abhimanyu Mithun, Mohammad bai Indians, their batting looked who is placed in the third spot Hyderabad would also like Yu- Nabi Mohammed Siraj, Mus- to have run out of patience and in the most runs list with 454 vraj Singh, who started the sea- tafizur Rahman, Ashish Nehra, were guilty of poor shot selec- runs, will hope to led from the son with a bang hammering 70 Naman Ojha, Rashid Khan, Vijay tion more often than not. front. not out in the tournament open- Shankar, Barinder Sran, Pravin Sunrisers Hyderabad’s Rashid Khan (centre) leaps into the air as he celebrates the wicket of Gujarat Lions KKR were the team to beat As far as KKR’s bowling is er against Bangalore, to get runs. Tambe, Kane Williamson, Yuvraj batsman Aaron Finch with teammates Moises Henriques (right) and Vijay Shankar during the 2017 Indian early on in the season but they concerned, Umesh Yadav and He has aggregated only 243 Singh. Premier League (IPL) match in Kanpur on Saturday. (AFP)

Wednesday, May 17, 2017

GULF TIMES PICTURES: Qatar Olympic Committee SPORT

Ahead of the Emir Cup fi nal at the recently-renovated Khalifa International Stadium... Mustafa gets nostalgic about ’92 Gulf Cup win Former striker talks about Al Annabi’s first major international title

n Friday, the redevel- oped Khalifa Inter- national Stadium, the fi rst completed stadiumO for the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar, will resonate with the fans cheering on their teams during the 2017 Emir Cup fi nal. One among them, former Qatar and Al Arabi striker Mubarak Mustafa, will perhaps be getting nostalgic about that historic moment in December 1992. Khalifa International Stadium was the venue for the fi rst major international title claimed by Al Annabi – the 1992 Gulf Cup of Nations. Sebastiao Lapola’s side had bagged the fi rst place in the 11th edition of the tournament after the support they need. fi nishing runners-up in the previ- his country progressing to the I want to thank Qatar for ous edition in Kuwait in 1990. For quarter-fi nal of the Barcelona Olym- providing everything a Mustafa, the taste of international pics earlier that year, including the player could ask for.” victory was even sweeter because headed winning goal in a 1-0 triumph The man who grew up in of the passionate crowd support over Egypt, Mustafa followed it up Umm Ghuwailina, a stone’s received by the home team at the with an impressive showing in the throw away from Al Arabi, sold-out venue. Gulf Cup of Nations. In the tourna- says the 2022 FIFA World Cup “Looking back at the 1992 Gulf ment played in round-robin format, has helped put Qatar fi rmly on Cup of Nations, one saw the true he helped Qatar edge Bahrain for the the sporting map. meaning of fan support,” the top spot. “During our days, we used 44-year-old said. “I will never forget how happy I to go to Brazil and other coun- “The Qatari fans’ attendance had was after winning the title,” recalled tries to train,” he said. made the tournament amazing. After Mustafa, an integral part of the Al “When we mentioned we our victory, the happiness in Qatar Arabi side, who had fi nished runners- were from Qatar they were was overwhelming. It was our fi rst up at the Asian Club Championships confused as they had not heard Gulf Cup victory and it came at Kha- of 1994. about the country. Today when lifa International Stadium.” Mustafa is all praise for the you mention you are from Qatar, The tournament was a special one QFA for looking after the current they immediately start talking for the Qatari football legend, who generation of national team players. about 2022. Everyone knows had just broken into the national “The best facilities are available Qatar now and as athletes this team that very year at the age of 19. at home to today’s national team makes us proud.” Having played an important role in players – stadiums, pitches and all (SC.qa)

ISLAMIC SOLIDARITY GAMES SPOTLIGHT ‘Disappointed’ al-Attiyah promises Fift y One East-Sony extend Emir to bounce back Cup partnership by three years

By Sports Reporter popular sport in Qatar. We are proud to Doha extend our long-term partnership with the QFA in support of the positive impact sport plays in bringing together commu- ifty One East, Qatar’s favour- nities and the signifi cant role it has on the ite department store, and Sony lives of our youth. Middle East and Africa, have an- “This new three-year sponsorship nounced a milestone three-year highlights our commitment of being a partnershipF with the Qatar Football As- positive catalyst towards achieving the sociation (QFA), strengthening their sup- nation’s sporting aspirations, support- port as Offi cial Sponsor for the Emir Cup. ing its position as a leading destination The long-standing seven-year part- for global excellence, as Qatar prepares nership with QFA will extend from 2017 to host the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar. I to 2019, reaffi rming their commitment to encourage football fans, Qataris and ex- the country’s blossoming sporting agen- pats, to attend the fi nal match and sup- da, specifi cally football the most popular port their favourite club.” sport attracting fans from across the state This year, the Emir Cup celebrates its of Qatar. 45th edition as one of the most highly an- The announcement was marked with a ticipated events in the country. Since the Nasser Saleh al-Attiyah at Islamic Solidarity Games in Baku. press conference at QFA’s headquarters at very beginning, the Emir Cup has enjoyed Al Bidda Tower. a special place in the country’s national Agencies Almutairi, 48, a four-time Ol- QFA president Sheikh Hamad bin Kha- sports calendar. The chance of receiv- Baku ympian from Saudi Arabia. lifa bin Ahmed al-Thani said, “Our stra- ing the trophy from none other than His Considered one of the best tegic relation with Sony-Fifty One East Highness the Emir is a dream that brings marksman in Asia, where he started 7 years ago; the extension of this out the best in every team. lympic bronze med- won three continental champi- partnership for another three years is an For the fi rst time on May 19, the Emir allist and two-time onships (2001, 2002 and 2006), indication of the deep-rooted relation- Cup 2017 fi nal will be hosted at the newly Dakar Rally winner 46-year-old al-Attiyah also has ship we have. Our partners have prepared renovated 40,000 seat Khalifa Interna- Nasser Saleh al-At- an impressive CV when it comes a comprehensive promotion plan for the tional Stadium – one of the landmark tiyahO promised “to come back to automobile racing as he won Emir’s Cup in its 45th version in a diff er- venues set to be used at the 2022 FIFA stronger” after the Qatari marks- the demanding Dakar Rally twice ent and innovative style, and that indi- Darwish Holding chairman and managing director Bader Abdullah al-Darwish (left) and World Cup Qatar. man failed to deliver at the Is- in 2011 and 2015 as well as many cates the responsibility and big role they QFA president Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa bin Ahmed al-Thani at a press conference to The Emir Cup provides fans with a lamic Solidarity Games in Baku other races in the PWRC, WRC- play. With Fifty One East, we always look announce the partnership. tournament to celebrate the best in Qa- yesterday. 2, MERC and CCRWC champi- for innovative and creative promotion tar’s sporting talent. The event is con- With just 112 points in fi ve onships. campaigns that attract Qataris and expats Darwish Holding chairman and man- wish added, “Football acts as a universal tested every season by 18 Qatar Stars rounds, al-Attiyah fi nished 11th “I arrived just one day before to the matches.” aging director Bader Abdullah al-Dar- language across the globe and is the most League (QSL) and Second Division teams. in the qualifi cations, three points the Baku event and I hadn’t prac- away from a place in the fi nal of tised in a while. I lost the feeling”, the men’s skeet event. he admitted. Shooting is not easy “I shot very badly,” he was and you need to be able to focus quoted as saying to AFP-Serv- on this. I’ve been doing a lot of Qatar Football Awards nominees announced ices by Baku2017.com. “But I rally lately: two weeks ago, I was wasn’t that far from the fi nal. still sitting at the wheel,” he said. he board of trustees for the Qatar National Convention Centre (QNCC) in (Lekhwiya), Jesualdo Ferriera (Al Sadd), League (QSL) season will be awarded I’m disappointed, of course. But This result is not all bad, he Football Awards, headed by Education City on Saturday. Sabri Lamouchi (El Jaish) to Lekhwiya striker Yusef El Arabi, who I also hadn’t been shooting for a admitted, as it would help him TQatar Football Association (QFA) THE FINAL NOMINEES ARE: Player of the Year: Xavi (Al Sadd), scored 24 goals this season. Additionally, while so it’s not that bad of a re- “prepare for the World Champi- president Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Best U23 Player: Almoez Ali (Lekhwi- Hassan Haydos (Al Sadd), Nam Tae Hee for the first time ever, Referee of the Year sult, all things considered. I hope onships in Moscow in Septem- bin Ahmed al-Thani, has approved the ya), Yousef Hassan (Al Gharafa), Salem (Lekhwiya) will also be awarded on the evening in to come back stronger next time.” ber”. final nominees ahead of the ceremony, al-Hajri (Al Sadd) The Mansour Muftah Award, which is recognition for the best referee over the The skeet fi nal in Azerbaijan But not before heading to Ka- which is set to take place at the Qatar Coach of the Year: Djamel Belmadi given to the top-scorer in the Qatar Stars course of the domestic football season. was dominated by veteran Saied zakhstan for the rally.