CRICKET | Page 5 NNBABA | Page 7 Pakistan Cavs sweep coach Arthur into East Finals, warns against Thunder level indiscipline Spurs

Tuesday, May 10, 2016 FOOTBALL Sha’baan 3, 1437 AH Toni exits pursued by GULF TIMES deserved fanfare and tears in fair Verona SPORT Page 2

FOCUS DEVELOPMENT Losail circuit club Platini loses opens new karting, mini moto track

By Sports Reporter For karting, the minimum age is 15 appeal, will quit Doha years old and any participant under the age of 18 needs permission signed by a legal guardian for the activity. To take osail Circuit Sports Club has part in the karting it is compulsory to announced the opening of its bring a helmet along for safety reasons. outdoor karting and Mini Moto If not available, the circuit can provide track for this summer. you one upon availability. LThis outdoor activity hopes to en- For the Mini Moto track, any partici- UEFA presidency courage more young locals and expats pant should bring their own bike and to participate in these weekend events safety equipment. lined up for them and give them the A 15 minute session will cost QR100, ‘I resign as president of UEFA to pursue my fight before the Swiss courts’ chance to discover the fun and thrill of and a helmet mask will be available as karting starting this month and con- per availability for a non-refundable tinuing all through Ramadan. The ven- fee of QR15. ue will be open starting May 12 and will A cafeteria service will be provided at take place every Thursday and Friday the VIP car park and the Paddock res- until July 1 from 18:30 to 22:30, after taurant for the convenience of partici- which the track will close until further pants and guests. notice. Ramadan timings for this event will SCHEDULE be from 20:30 to 23:30 May: 12, 13, 19, 20, 26, 27 For both the activities, the registra- June: 2, 3 tion will be done directly at the venue, Ramadan timings (20:30-23.30) at the VIP Car Park of the Losail Inter- June: 9, 10, 16, 17, 23, 24, 30 national Circuit. July: 1

SPOTLIGHT Emir Cup semis and Michel Platini’s ban wasn’t revoked by Court of Arbitration for Sport but his suspension was reduced from six years to four. (Reuters)

AFP The pair is the highest-profi le Europe “to show unity”, the ANP news Blatter was running against Mo- fi nals ticket info out Lausanne casualties in an unprecedented set agency said. hamed Bin Hammam of Qatar and of corruption scandals within world The ruling means Platini will be there has been speculation that Blat- By Sports Reporter prestigious tournament in Qatar will football, which has seen dozens of barred from presiding over the Euro ter approved the payment to Platini to Doha kick off at 7pm on Friday, May 20, at Al ichel Platini will quit as long-serving FIFA executives arrested 2016 that opens in his native on secure the Frenchman’s backing in the Sadd Stadium. Regular tickets for the the head of European and charged with corruption. June 10, a tournament which he helped election. fi nal are priced at QR50. football after a sports tri- organise until he was provisionally While the sports tribunal made no s many as eight locations will The eight ticket locations include: bunal yesterday rejected UEFA SUCCESSION suspended by FIFA in December. judgement on Blatter’s motivation for be selling Emir Cup fi nals Gulf Mall (entrance from gate 2; Mhis fi nal appeal against his ban from Platini, once the front-runner to suc- approving the payment, it dismissed tickets, it was announced by 4-10pm), Landmark Mall (near food football over a suspect $2mn payment ceed Blatter as the most powerful man UNETHICAL, DISLOYAL Platini’s claim that the funds were the Qatar Football Associa- court; 6-8pm), Villaggio Mall (in front he received from FIFA. in the sport, said in a statement that Platini and Blatter have both denied justifi ed back pay for work performed Ation (QFA) yesterday. of Go Sport; 4-10pm), Souq Waqif The Court of Arbitration for Sport following the ruling he had no choice any wrongdoing. They have insisted a decade earlier. The semi-fi nals and fi nals matches (near basement parking; 4-10pm), (CAS), where Platini appealed against but to resign from UEFA. the $2.0mn was part of a legitimate The court “was not convinced by are scheduled to play on May 13 and 20 LuLu Hypermarket Airport branch his sanction, reduced his suspension “As agreed with the national asso- oral contract for consulting work per- the legitimacy of the payment, which respectively at the Jassim bin Hamad (4-10pm), LuLu Hypermarket Al Khor from six years to four, saying the pen- ciations, I resign as president of UEFA formed by Platini. was only recognised by Mr. Platini and Stadium (Al Sadd Sports Club). branch (4-10pm), LuLu Hypermarket alty initially imposed by FIFA’s ethics to pursue my fi ght before the Swiss The CAS ruling noted that Plati- Mr. Blatter”, the ruling said. The semi-fi nals tickets have been Al Gharafa branch (4-10pm), and Fnac committee was “too severe”. courts to prove my probity in this ni had a valid consulting contract It described Platini’s conduct as priced at QR50 for the VIP category and Qatar (Lagoona Mall; 10am-10pm). But the court said it was “not con- case,” he said. with FIFA signed in 1999 - with an “not ethical or loyal”. at QR10 for the regular category. Tick- Organised by the QFA, the champi- vinced” that the $2mn (1.8mn euros) He called the CAS ruling “a pro- agreed salary of 300,000 Swiss francs Blatter is under criminal investiga- ets for these matches can be bought on onship this year kicked off on April 18 payment Platini received from FIFA in found injustice”. ($300,000) per year—which termi- tion in Switzerland over the transac- match day starting 3pm at the ticket and is played across four stadiums — Al 2011 was legitimate. UEFA’s executive committee is to nated in 2002. tion and other aspects of his manage- booth located near the spectators’ main Arabi Stadium, Qatar Sports Club, Le- FIFA’s tough punishment of the meet in Basel on May 18, before the But, the $2.0mn he received from ment of FIFA. entrance near the VIP parking. khwiya Stadium and Al Sadd Stadium. French football legend was “justifi ed Europa League fi nal, when it will set a FIFA in 2011, “was not based on any Platini has given evidence in the In the fi rst of the two last-four stage The partners of this year’s Emir Cup in view of the superior functions car- date for an election to replace Platini. document established at the time of probe with the status of someone be- matches, Al Rayyan will take on Al Sadd include, Shell (Lead Partner), Sony/51 ried out by Mr. Platini... the absence of In a statement noting the CAS rul- the contractual relations” and did not tween a suspect and a witness. at 5:30pm, while Lekhwiya will face El East (Offi cial Partner), Nike (Offi cial any repentance and the impact that this ing, UEFA said it will not appoint an match the amount left unpaid at the Blatter was replaced as FIFA’s presi- Jaish at the later match that starts at Supplier), Ooredoo (Offi cial Telecom- matter has had on FIFA’s reputation”. interim president. end of the contract, CAS said. dent in February by Gianni Infantino, 8pm. munication Partner), AAB Toyota (Of- The payment was ordered by world The head of the Dutch football asso- The ruling from the three-judge Platini’s former number two at UEFA, The QFA allocated a total of eight fi cial Car), Al Kass (Offi cial Broadcast football’s disgraced ex-president Sepp ciation Michael van Praag, a possible panel highlighted that Blatter author- who has vowed to turn the page on an ticket locations to make buying tickets Partner), The Look Company (Brand- Blatter, who was also brought down contender to replace Platini, declined ised the payment four months before a era within world football plagued by for the fi nal match as accessible as pos- ing Partner), Aamal (Partner), and Qa- over the infamous transaction. to comment on the ruling but called on FIFA presidential election. scandal and graft. sible for all fans. The fi nal of the most tar Airways (Offi cial Exclusive Carrier).

PLATINI FILES 1976-1987, 41 goals Euros, ending a four-year spell in charge. International honours: European champion 1984 1998 - Platini turns himself into an accomplished Name: Michel Platini Coaching career: France national team 1988-1992 football administrator and politician. He is joint Nationality: French Personal honours: head of the organising committee for the World Date of birth: June 21, 1955 Ballon d’Or - 1983, 1984, 1985 Cup held in France and won by the hosts. Place of birth: Joeuf, France Platini also holds the record for most goals (9) 2007 - He becomes UEFA president, a role he Position as a player: Midfielder/playmaker scored in a European Championship in 1984 would keep for more than eight years. Playing career: 2015 - Platini is given an eight-year ban from all Clubs: Nancy (1972-1979), Saint-Etienne 1979-1982), Key moments in Platini’s career footballing activity by FIFA, later reduced to six Juventus (1982-1987) 1972 - Frenchman Platini starts his football career in years, for a “conflict of interest” over a suspect Major club honours: European Cup: (1985, Juven- his home country with Nancy, going on to also play twomn Swiss franc ($2mn) payment authorised by tus); European Cup Winners’ Cup: (1984, Juventus); for Saint-Etienne and Juventus. former FIFA leader Sepp Blatter. French league champion (1981, Saint-Etienne); 1984 - The attacking midfielder leads France the 2016 - The 60-year-old’s appeal to the Court of Italian league champion: (1984, 1986, Juventus); European Championship title, and also wins his Arbitration for Sport against his ban only sees the French Cup: (1978, Nancy); Italian Cup: (1983, second of three consecutive Ballon d’Or awards. duration cut to four years. Platini announces his Juventus) 1992 - He resigns as coach of the France national resignation from the UEFA presidency on Monday, France national team: 72 caps (captain 50 times) team after his side bow out in the first round of the May 9. Fans with their Emir Cup tickets at Souq Waqif. Gulf Times 2 Tuesday, May 10, 2016 FOOTBALL

SPOTLIGHT exits, pursued by deserved fanfare and tears The first Italian to win the European Golden Shoe retires from game after helping Verona beat champions Juventus

Hellas Verona’s forward Luca Toni reacts after having played his last match, the encounter against Juventus at Bentegodi Stadium in Verona. (AFP)

By Paolo Bandini had announced his retirement. This was to be injuries and lost form, Toni had scored only fi ve he scored on Sunday. “This was the most beau- fi eld pass of his own to pick out Federico Viviani, Theguardian.com his last professional match. times before Juventus came to visit at the week- tiful goal of my career,” Toni said at full time. who smashed his shot into the top corner. The question of what comes next has troubled end. His determination to sign off on a brighter “Because it’s the goal that closes my career.” Juventus pulled a goal back with an injury- him. Toni walked away from football for a short note was clear from kick-off , as he launched He fi nishes with 324 goals across all competi- time penalty but Verona held on to win 2-1. The uca Toni has scored some special goals period in 2012, resolving that it was more im- himself against the champions’ rotated back tions. Gazzetta billed Toni recently as “the last result might not have mattered but Toni’s part in over the last 22 years. A double for portant to spend time with his partner, Marta, line. He nearly opened the scoring in the 38th great Italian centre-forward” – and in a season it most certainly did. against Ukraine in the 2006 World Cup after their fi rst child was stillborn. minute, thudding a left-footed shot into the when no domestic player has scored more than Substituted in the 85th minute so that he quarter-fi nal, keeping his country on Gradually, though, she encouraged him back post. Moments later, Alex Sandro clattered into 13 times in Serie A, that description does feel could receive a standing ovation, the forward Ltrack to win the competition. Thirty-one strikes into the game. As Toni confessed to Gazzetta Eros Pisano inside the box. Verona were award- rather apt. returned to the pitch at full time for another. He for Fiorentina in the preceding Serie A cam- dello Sport in 2013: “Running after a ball, scor- ed a penalty – and there was no doubting who The goals themselves, though, are only part was most certainly not the only person at the paign, making him the fi rst Italian to win the ing goals, celebrating and suff ering in a stadium would take it. of the picture. Toni was a true centre-forward: Bentegodi with tears in their eyes. European Golden Shoe. has been my whole life.” Toni later confessed to having felt a little anx- one who used his power and presence to hold Toni has represented 15 diff erent clubs in his That scandalous overhead kick for Vicenza What a life it has been. Besides the World Cup, ious as he stepped up to the spot, unsure wheth- the ball up, fi ght off defenders and bring team- professional career and is beloved by supporters against Bologna back in 2000, during his fi rst Toni has also won the and the DFB- er to shoot right or left. Instead, he settled on mates into play. He reminded us of such traits in at many of those. In Verona, however, the aff ec- season of top-fl ight football. None of those, Pokal. He was the German top fl ight’s leading a third path: chipping the ball right down the the buildup to Verona’s second on Sunday. tion feels especially strong. He has been with though, felt as magical to Toni as the goal he scorer in 2007-08 and has been crowned Serie middle. A “cucchiaio” or “spoon”, as they say Toni was in a tight spot when he received Hellas for only three years and yet he is their all- scored on Sunday night. A goal in a game that A’s twice – most recently last in Italy – although as one press box wag pointed the ball, facing towards his own penalty area time leading scorer in top-fl ight matches. mattered not at all. season, when he became the oldest player to out, Toni’s size 12 boots made this one more like as his team attempted to break out of its half. A banner hung by supporters on Sunday pro- Toni’s Verona were bottom of Serie A, with achieve such a feat. Toni has met the target he a ladle. The striker has deployed this technique Quick wits and even quicker feet were required claimed Toni to be the new “deputy-mayor” – relegation long since confi rmed. Their oppo- set himself two years ago, of crossing the 300- before. Toni earned Verona a draw away to Milan to elude a pair of opponents, Toni drawing the because not even 48 goals in three seasons could nents, Juventus, had been crowned champions goal threshold before he retired. Not bad for a last March with a cucchiaio, confessing after- ball under his heel to wrongfoot Stefano Sturaro earn him promotion above Danish great Preben last month. Neither team had anything to gain late bloomer, whose career only truly took off at ward that it was something he had been deter- before pivoting around Leonardo Bonucci and Elkjaer. Another one said simply: “clone him”. from winning this match, nor anything to lose the age of 26, when he hit the back of the net 30 mined to try before he retired. then releasing Artur Ionita with a gorgeous out- If only it were that easy. “I’m not very nor- in defeat. For Toni, however, this was one fi nal times for Palermo in Serie B. If that goal was made special by its San Siro side-of-the-boot through ball. mal,” confessed Toni at full time. How grateful chance to make a memory. At 38 years old, he This has been a diffi cult fi nal season. Between setting, then it paled in comparison to the one The Moldovan followed up with a super cross- Italian football has been for that fact.

FOCUS Ekeng death inquiry reveals faulty Tottenham fi nishing above arch rivals ambulance equipment : An inquiry into the ment issued late on Sunday Arsenal would be a ‘good feeling’: Kane death of Dinamo Bucharest that the investigation had midfielder Patrick Ekeng has revealed defibrillators with By Sachin Nakrani would be a “one-off ” were Spurs to fin- revealed that the ambulance expired batteries in some Theguardian.com ish above Arsenal this season, Kane add- company that took him to ambulances belonging to the ed: “That’s his opinion, they are going to hospital had faulty equipment company, and medicine used in want to fi nish above us next season and and medicine beyond its expiry resuscitation procedures that arry Kane has called on Tot- we will be trying to fi nish above them. date in some of its vehicles, Ro- had expired. tenham Hotspur to end their We want to fi nish as high up as we can, mania’s interior ministry said. The results of an autopsy - in season on a high by beating we are not going to focus on anything The 26-year-old Cameroon which a Cameroon doctor also Newcastle next Sunday, espe- but ourselves. We will fi nish the season international collapsed on the took part - are expected to be Hcially as doing so will guarantee the “re- strong and next season will go and they pitch from a suspected heart published today. Ekeng’s agent ally good feeling” of fi nishing above Ar- to win the title again.” attack shortly after coming on also criticised the treatment senal for the fi rst time since 1995. Spurs’ Sunday’s defeat to Southampton was as a 62nd-minute substitute received by the African player. 2-1 defeat to Southampton on Sunday not only Spurs’ third successive match in a match against Viitorul “The ambulance arrived was their third successive match with- without victory but also the third in a Constanta. He was pronounced late,” Hasan Anil Eken told local out victory and has seen a team who were row in which they have thrown away a dead two hours after the media. “Actually there were pushing Leicester City for the Premier lead. The team look understandably jad- incident. After his death, world three ambulances around the League title less a month ago now in dan- ed after a campaign in which they have soccer players’ union FIFPro stadium but none of them had ger of completing the campaign in third. delivered high-intensity performances raised concerns about the a defibrillator.” Mauricio Pochettino’s men can secure on a regular basis and Kane admits that level of first-aid treatment for Prosecutors in Bucharest second place by winning at St James’ tiredness has crept into the squad . footballers in , saying announced on Saturday they Park during this coming weekend’s fi nal “It has been a long season, we have “it is clear that some Romanian had opened an enquiry into round of fi xtures, when Arsenal, who are been fi ghting hard mentally and physi- clubs have a history of skimp- Ekeng’s death amid criticism of two points behind Spurs in third, play cally but I still think we looked good out ing on medical facilities”. the treatment he received. Aston Villa at the Emirates Stadium. ‘celebration’ has been in existence since for the fans. We all know what it means – there,” said the forward. The interior ministry said Last Friday, shortly before Given Spurs’ superior goal diff erence, a 2002 and is something Pochettino has we haven’t won the league this year, but “We played good football, it is just in it had suspended the licence Ekeng’s death, about 500 draw against Newcastle is also likely to called on the faithful to there is still a lot to play for and that is recent weeks, as people have seen, we of private company Puls for people protested in Bucharest keep them above Arsène Wenger’s side. not obsess about, but Kane fully appre- defi nitely one thing. haven’t fi nished teams off . We have been at least 30 days and imposed against conditions in Romanian Such as been the number of years since ciates their desire to see it banished once “So the fans are urging us on, they were going ahead and then maybe a lack of fines totalling 23,800 lei hospitals after public pressure Spurs last fi nished above their local rivals and for all. great but just disappointed we couldn’t concentration. ($6,039.38) following an inves- prompted the health ministry in the top fl ight that Arsenal supporters “It would be a really good feeling [to do that [against Southampton] but there “We know what we are capable of, tigation of its equipment and to publish data showing that have created a phrase – St Tottering- fi nish above Arsenal],” he said. is still one more game and we will try our what squad we have got here and we are the professional qualifications roughly 20 percent of tested ham’s Day – to mark the exact moment “It was not something we focused on hardest. It is in our hands, we just have to confi dent. We want to fi nish strong and of its staff . hospitals were using diluted in a season when they can no longer at the start of the season but now we are win at Newcastle and then it’s job done.” win our last game and take that into next The ministry said in a state- disinfectants. mathematically catch their team. The here it would be good, it would be good Asked about Wenger’s assertion that it season.” Gulf Times Tuesday, May 10, 2016 3 FOOTBALL

PREMIER LEAGUE Barca to to play friendlies Man Utd out to ruin West against Leicester, Ham’s Boleyn farewell Liverpool Barcelona: Barcelona will play friendlies against newly- United can pip their cross-town rivals to a top-four spot if they win their last two matches crowned English champions Leicester AFP and Liverpool in August, the Manchester Spanish giants announced yesterday. The current lead- anchester United have ers will play Leicester at the glinting incentive of a Stockholm’s Friends Arena Champions League place in on August 3 and Liverpool their sights as they prepare three days later at a venue Mfor an emotion-charged Premier League to be decided, Barca said. contest at West Ham United today. Barcelona will play a first Manchester City’s 2-2 draw with Ar- pre-season game on July senal at the weekend means that United 30 against Celtic in Dublin can pip their cross-town rivals to a top- as part of the International four spot if they beat West Ham and Champions Cup. then prevail at home to Bournemouth on Sunday. An FA Cup fi nal date against KNEE INJURY LEAVES Crystal Palace follows, suddenly mak- GUNDOGAN’S CITY ing United manager Louis van Gaal’s SWITCH UP IN AIR horizon a great deal sunnier, but with Borussia Dortmund say Ilkay West Ham playing their last ever game Gundogan’s knee injury has at their venerable Boleyn Ground home, left a question mark over a United can expect to face ultra-moti- potential transfer, with the vated opponents. Germany midfielder heavily Speaking before City’s draw with linked to Manchester City. Arsenal, Van Gaal said: “It’s still very The 25-year-old is set to tough. Now we have to play away to miss the rest of the season, West Ham United and we’ve seen al- including this June’s Europe- ready in the quarter-fi nal of the FA Cup an championships in France, (when United won 2-1) that it’s not so after dislocating his knee cap easy. So we have to repeat that win. in training with Dortmund. “West Ham are a very good team—it’s His current Borussia not for nothing they’re in the top six of contract expires in June the table. We were lucky in the cup. I 2017, but he has been linked think we deserved to win, but we were to a transfer to Manchester lucky West Ham had a goal disallowed to work with their incom- in the last minute.” ing manager Pep Guardiola, Marcus Rashford was United’s inspi- after Gundogan’s agent met ration on their last trip to the Boleyn City’s director of sport Txiki Ground in April, opening the scoring Begiristain in Amsterdam in with a fi ne individual eff ort, and the March. But Gundogan’s latest 18-year-old striker is expected to return injury has now cast doubts to the starting XI after being rested for over a possible switch. Saturday’s 1-0 win at Norwich City. “Ilkay is currently still in Centre-back Daley Blind should re- shock (after getting injured). turn as well, having also been rested How things go with him, we at Carrow Road, but forward Anthony will have to wait and see,” Martial and full-back Matteo Darmian Dortmund’s director of sport are doubts. Martial was withdrawn Michael Zorc told German from the starting XI against Norwich daily Bild. Gundogan has after complaining of muscular discom- been capped 16 times by fort in the warm-up, while Darmian was Germany, but already missed stretchered off with an ankle problem. his country’s triumph at the United’s FA Cup win ended West 2014 World Cup because of a Ham’s hopes of bowing out at the Bo- Juan Mata scored Manchester United’s winner against Norwich City during the English Premier League match on Saturday. (AFP) long-term back injury. leyn Ground with a piece of silverware A year’s extension to his and the east London club’s chances of a ing places to seventh following South- “I keep saying the gap between us and to fi nish high. With two games to go , up the road in Strat- Dortmund contract is out top-four fi nish are also eff ectively over ampton’s 2-1 win at Tottenham Hotspur the top four is bigger than the gap be- we are talking about Europe. It’s in our ford, but for fans, local residents, staff of the question, meaning following Saturday’s unexpected 4-1 on Sunday and Liverpool are now just a tween us and Southampton and Liver- hands. It’s there for us.” and players, leaving the club’s ancestral Gundogan may have to sign a defeat at home to Swansea City. point behind them after winning 2-0 at pool below,” West Ham manager Slaven Win, lose or draw, today’s game is home will be an almighty wrench. long-term deal with Borus- It was West Ham’s fi rst home defeat home to Watford. Bilic said, prior to Southampton’s win sure to be an occasion soaked with nos- “We’re itching to get back out there sia if a possible transfer falls in the league since August—a run of 15 Seventh place could yield a Europa at White Hart Lane. talgia as West Ham bid farewell to the and put things right, of course we are,” through. “An injury would be games—and left a Europa League berth League spot at the season’s end, but “That’s the gap that worries me and 35,016-seat Boleyn Ground, which has said captain Mark Noble, whose West the worst reason to extend as their only realistic target for the end only if Manchester City fi nish in the top that’s the gap I’m still concentrating on. been the club’s home since 1904. Ham career began in July 2003. “It’s the a contract,” said Dortmund’s of the season. four and United beat Palace in the FA But we have a game on Tuesday and we Exciting times lie ahead with an im- last game ever at this place and it’s go- coach Thomas Tuchel. West Ham slipped out of the qualify- Cup fi nal and fi nish in the top fi ve. are still in a brilliant position. We want minent move to the 60,000-capacity ing to be special.”

SPOTLIGHT FOCUS City coach Pellegrini pins hopes Ranieri wins Bearzot award on favour from West Ham as Italy’s coach of the season

AFP Reuters Manchester Rome

utgoing Manchester City man- laudio Ranieri was honoured as Italian ager Manuel Pellegrini strived to football’s coach of the season yesterday for put on a brave face after his team’s his extraordinary achievement in guiding chances of Champions League unsung Leicester City to the most unlikely qualifiO cation were compromised by a 2-2 ofC Premier League triumphs. draw with Arsenal. Sunday’s result at the Two days after lifting the English football’s big- Etihad Stadium means that City can only gest prize, the 64-year-old was back in his home fi nish in the top four if Manchester United city of Rome to collect the Enzo Bearzot award, drop points in their two fi nal games or if named in honour of Italy’s late 1982 World Cup- Arsenal lose at home to bottom club Aston winning coach and given annually to the country’s Villa on the fi nal day. best manager. Dropping down to the Europa League He also received the Palma d’Oro (Golden Palm), would represent a wretched legacy for Pel- the top honour that the Italian Olympic Committee legrini, who led City to the Champions can bestow on any coach. At the Committee’s head- League semi-fi nals for the fi rst time this quarters in Rome, Ranieri seemed overwhelmed by season, but with United facing a testing trip his reception as he had a special message for the to West Ham United today, he said it was young sportsmen and women who had been in- Leicester City manager Claudio Ranieri with the important not to abandon hope. vited to the awards ceremony. “First, never give the Enzo Bearzot award for the best Italian coach “We have not fi nished the season,” he Manchester City coach Manuel Pellegrini waves to fans after his last league game. (Reuter) up; secondly, always keep going forward; thirdly, of the season in Rome. (Reuters) said. “Of course if you don’t depend just don’t think of sport as something that will earn you on what you can do it is more diffi cult, but blame the supporters who left early. “I was We had a strong concentration in recent money but think about sport as something that will teenager and hopes that his new venture, chris- we will see after Tuesday what will happen disappointed not to win the game,” said the games. Our character has been questioned a keep you united,” he told them. tened the V9 Academy, will give a helping hand between Manchester United and West Ham. 62-year-old Chilean, who succeeded Rob- few times this season and we gave the right Six coaches have won the Bearzot award since to players who do not have access to professional “I think we deserve to be in the Cham- erto Mancini in 2013. response today, that’s on the pitch. But its introduction in 2011, but Ranieri is only the coaching structures. “I was told I was too small, pions League next year because we have “Winning the three points was a very overall, we have the best results against the second to be recognised for an achievement out- that I was not ready for the physicality of scholar- had 37 games in the spot of Champions good way to say goodbye. I have had three top-four teams. That doesn’t come without side the Italian game. Carlo Ancelotti won in 2014 ship,” Vardy said. (League), so I hope that we are not going to unforgettable years here that I want to ana- character.” after leading Real Madrid to their 10th European “I don’t think anyone can be told if they’re good lose that spot in the last game.” lyse in this moment. We can do it next Sun- The only point of concern for Wenger was Cup win. It may not be the end of the awards that enough at 15 or 16, when you still have so many years Pellegrini gives way to Pep Guardiola at day (at Swansea City). But the best way to a knee injury sustained by Danny Welbeck seem bound to be heaped upon the popular, modest to grow and develop. That was my reason. Probably the season’s end and his 57th and fi nal home fi nish with our fans is winning this game that forced him off midway through the Ranieri, with Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi hundreds were told the same and had to drop down league game was to prove a dispiriting aff air. and we couldn’t do it.” fi rst half. The former Manchester United saying last week that he would propose awarding as well. Hopefully we can fi nd them, get them to the City led twice, through Sergio Aguero’s Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger left the forward will undergo a scan on Monday and him a top honour from the State. academy and get them through. I have done it. That eight-minute opener and a classy 51st- stadium in a much happier mood after see- the results will be eagerly awaited by both is there for people to see it can be done. minute Kevin De Bruyne strike, only for Ar- ing his side move to the brink of qualifying Wenger and manager Roy Hodg- VARDY LAUNCHES ‘V9 ACADEMY’ “With the players we get on and if they put the senal to reply on each occasion through Ol- for the Champions League for the 19th suc- son, who names his squad for Euro 2016 on Leicester City’s star striker Jamie Vardy launched hard work in—and it will be hard, it will not be ivier Giroud’s header and Alexis Sanchez’s cessive season. Victory over Villa will secure Thursday. “I hope we have not bad news, his own academy yesterday and pledged to give easy—we will give them Premier League-standard crisp fi nish. The stadium was half-empty third place and Arsenal could yet pip local that it’s not a meniscus (injury),” Wenger non-league footballers a chance to follow in his training and coaching. We can give them a chance by the time Pellegrini took to the pitch to rivals Tottenham Hotspur to a runners-up said. “He has a little sign of that. Danny’s a rags-to-riches footsteps. to make the step up.” Applications for the academy, deliver a short farewell speech. spot behind Leicester City if they beat Villa strong boy. At half-time I looked at him and Vardy, 29, was playing in England’s seventh tier which will run free, week-long courses at Man- It was an underwhelming send-off for and Spurs lose at Newcastle United. he was very down, so he must have pain. and working part-time at a factory six years ago, chester City’s training centre during the close sea- an understated man who has brought a “It is in our hands now, but we have seen Good news is that he will not be out for the but is now an England international whose 24 goals son, are being accepted from this month. The fi rst Premier League title and two League Cups again today we just want to fi nish the job,” Euro and bad news would be that he’s out. fi red Leicester to glory in the Premier League. intake of 42 players, aged between 17 and 33, will to the Etihad Stadium, but he refused to Wenger said. “We have to keep the focus. But I don’t know. I’m an optimist.” He was released by Sheffi eld Wednesday as a join up with the academy next year. Gulf Times 4 Tuesday, May 10, 2016 FOOTBALL

EURO 2016 Coach Deschamps sets sights on more host nation glory The 47-year-old who hails from Bayonne, has been building towards the Euro climax

AFP Paris

aving scaled the international football heights as a player, Didier Deschamps now has his sights set on leading France to European Championship gloryH on home soil as coach. Deschamps was captain of the French team that won the World Cup at home in 1998 and also led Les Bleus to glory at Euro 2000, so could hardly be better placed to handle the pressure and expectation that comes with being in charge of the Euro 2016 hosts. When asked by sports daily L’Equipe if he felt France—also winners in 1984 -- could lift the Henri Delaunay trophy for a third time in July, Deschamps said: “We will go into it with that objective. We can be humble and ambitious.” The 47-year-old who hails from Bayonne, the capital of the French Basque Country and very much rugby territory, has been building towards the Euro climax. Exiting the 2014 World Cup in at the quarter-fi nal stage was accepted, especially as some of the performances were encouraging and there was none of the off -fi eld problems that marred previous major tourna- ments for the French. But an exciting young team is now expected to deliver at Euro 2016. It has not been all plain sailing for Deschamps, who has had to deal with a sex-tape blackmail aff air involving Karim Benzema. “Nothing shocks me anymore,” he said, but he must hope the decision to drop the Real Ma- drid striker from the squad does not come back to bite the national federation. Nevertheless, public opinion appears to back the decision and Deschamps has plenty of other attack options. Unless things go badly wrong, Deschamps will be in charge through to the 2018 World Cup in Russia, even though he has hinted at missing the day-to-day rush of club management. “I am fl ourishing,” he told L’Equipe recently Coach Didier Deschamps (right) was captain of the French team that won the World Cup at home in 1998 and also led Les Bleus to glory at Euro 2000, so could hardly be better placed to handle the when asked if he were still enjoying himself. “I pressure and expectation that comes with being in charge of the Euro 2016 hosts. (AFP) am privileged. I would like to spend more time with my players, as would all national coaches, and won the trophy again with Juventus in 1996. but I live very well with my duties. My objective His coaching CV is remarkable too, featur- is the Euro and I am focused exclusively on that.” ing a Champions League fi nal appearance with ‘High security’ Paris Euro 2016 fan zone plan unveiled Schooled at Nantes under the legendary Monaco in 2004 and a French title triumph with coach Jean-Claude Suaudeau, ‘DD’ was part of Marseille in 2010. He departed OM under a Paris: Paris mayor Anne Hidalgo said yesterday will be implemented to monitor and protect the France remains in a state of emergency in the France side that famously suff ered a gut- cloud in 2012, though, and might have done the the Euro 2016 fan zone in the French capital site, which will be “completely barricaded” and the wake of the co-ordinated series of shoot- wrenching last-gasp loss to to miss same from the national team until a dramatic would be operated under the “highest stand- subject to a “double access control system”, he ings and bombings in Paris in November that out on qualifying for the 1994 World Cup in the play-off win over Ukraine saw them snatch ards of security” as it prepared to accommo- added. killed 130 people in attacks claimed by the United States. qualifi cation for the last World Cup. date over 90,000 football supporters. Systematic pat-downs, metal detectors, Islamic State group. The heartache marked a generation, with the “If we had been eliminated in the play-off s The Paris fan zone, the largest in France for demining services and video surveillance will The Paris fan zone will feature eight giant exception of Deschamps, who recovered to lift against Ukraine I would undoubtedly have a dif- this summer’s European Championships, will form part of the security operation while police screens and a “new dimension” 420 m2 (4,520 the World Cup at the Stade de France in 1998 ferent life today,” he told L’Equipe. be located in an area approximately the size will be supported by an additional 400 private square feet) TV screen which will be erected in and then the Euro two years later. He won the Deschamps has always been considered as of 30 football pitches close to the iconci and security guards deployed around the site. line with the Eiff el Tower. The venue will also be last of his 103 caps in September 2000 and re- having luck on his side. France were certainly popular tourist attraction Eiff el Tower. The government announced last month fully equipped with Internet access. tired from playing a year later at the age of just handed a fortunate draw for the Euros, fi nd- “The party has begun,” said Hidalgo, with it was doubling the security budget for fan The venue will stage concerts on days 32, bringing a premature end to a glittering ca- ing themselves in the same group as Romania, the start of the June 10-July 10 tournament just zones—which are set to welcome up to eight without matches, with French DJ David Guetta reer as a defensive midfi elder. Once described by Switzerland and Albania. Supporters of Les over one month away. million supporters in the 10 host cities across kicking off the festivities on June 9 and British Eric Cantona as a “water carrier”, he captained Bleus will hope that the lucky breaks fall for De- “The highest standards of security thus far” France—to 24 million euros ($28 million). rock band Muse set to play there on June 28. Marseille to Champions League glory in 1993 schamps all the way to the fi nal on July 10.

SPOTLIGHT ROUND-UP Swiss football banking Heynckes turns down Guardiola’s on Xhaka at Euro 2016 invite to title party with Bayern

AFP AFP on June 5. They open their Euro 2016 Group Munich Munich B campaign against Slovakia in Bordeaux on June 11 before playing neighbours England in Lens fi ve days later and then tackling Russia ulti-million dollar transfer rumours ayern Munich’s treble-winning in Toulouse on June 20. surround Granit Xhaka (right) which former coach Jupp Heynckes has is increasing pressure on the Swiss turned down Pep Guardiola’s invite FIFA’S ROCHA LOSES FINAL APPEAL midfi elder to perform at the European to help celebrate the club’s historic AGAINST US EXTRADITION MChampionship fi nals. fourthB straight German league title this Sat- Switzerland’s top court yesterday rejected Despite being just 23, the rising star has been urday in the Bavarian capital. ex-FIFA offi cial Julio Rocha’s bid to block his capped 40 times, with former Swiss national Heynckes, 71, steered Bayern to the 2013 extradition to the United States, where he has coach Ottmar Hitzfeld branding Xhaka a “young treble of Champions League, German Cup been charged with a raft of corruption-relat- (Bastian) Schweinsteiger,” in a widely quoted and Bundesliga titles before his successor ed off ences. comparison to the German football great. Guardiola became head coach for the 2013/14 Rocha, the former president of the Nica- Xhaka’s performances with the Bundesliga’s season. The Spaniard continued Heynckes’ raguan Football Federation and a FIFA devel- Borussia Monchengladbach and previously with success by steering Bayern to the German opment offi cer, was among the seven people Swiss club Basel has not gone unnoticed. league title in each of his following three sea- arrested in a raid in May last year at a luxury British media have reported that Arsenal have sons in charge. Zurich hotel by Swiss police acting on a US off ered Monchengladbach $34 million (30 million Bayern have won this season’s Bundesliga warrant. euros) for Xhaka, but the German club is appar- title, making them the fi rst club to win the He agreed to be extradicted to his native ently holding out for more. Liverpool and Bayern German league title four years in a row. But Nicaragua, where he also faced graft charges, Munich are also believed to be watching the Swiss Heynckes has turned down Guardiola’s in- but the Swiss justice ministry gave priority to lynchpin. Wherever he eventually lands, Xhaka vite to join the party this Saturday at the Al- Bayern’s former coach Jupp Heynckes the US request, which Rocha fought. is expected to emerge as a key player in Switzer- lianz Arena, after the fi nal game of the season After his appeal against US extradition land’s drive to beat low expectations and make a at home to Hanover 96, in what will be the day get-together on May 24 and Bale is due failed in a lower court in March, Rocha lost run at the European Championship. Spaniard’s fi nal home game before coaching to line up for Real against Atletico Madrid in another legal battle yesterday when Switzer- Xhaka was born in Switzerland, but like other Manchester City next season. the Champions League fi nal in Milan on May land’s Federal Tribunal confi rmed the legality key players on the Swiss side, has Albanian- “Many thanks for the invite, but the par- 28. In his absence, the stand-out names were of his transfer to US jurisdiction. Kosovar roots. His parents were among some ball softly towards the keeper. Swiss TV com- ty belongs to Pep,” Heynckes told German Swansea City centre-back Ashley Williams, “Complaints raised against the judgment 300,000 Kosovars who moved to Switzerland to mentator Sascha Ruefer questioned if Xhaka had daily Bild. “Not just because of the fourth the captain, Arsenal midfi elder Aaron Ram- (of the lower court) are unfounded,” said a escape the territory’s brutal independence war missed deliberately because of his Albanian roots. (straight) title, but also because it will be his sey and Joe Allen of Liverpool. statement from Switzerland’s highest court. with Serbia in the 1990s. The comments were roundly rejected, with farewell party.” Bayern were confi rmed the The announcement of the squad was de- US prosecutors have accused Rocha of tak- That has put Xhaka along with Swiss teammate the team and most media dismissing any doubts 2015/16 Bundesliga champions after Satur- layed by four hours to allow Coleman time to ing bribes in exchange for the sale of sports and Stoke City star Xherdan Shaqiri at the centre about Xhaka’s allegiance. But Xhaka has also day’s 2-1 win at Ingolstadt, after which Guar- check on the fi tness of players who sustained marketing rights for World Cup qualifi ers of a touchy—and sometimes xenophobic—debate played a role in fuelling speculation that he may diola made his invitation. “Of the four cham- injuries over the weekend. Crystal Palace when he led the Nicaraguan federation. in the federation over the national side’s identity. prefer to compete with another nation’s crest on pionship titles, I only helped with one, so a midfi elder Joe Ledley was selected despite His transfer to New York is likely to be car- Countless Swiss fans simply want to see the his chest. In multiple media interviews, he has quarter, Pep took the other three and that is being forced off with a knock after coming on ried out in the coming days, Swiss justice best possible players on the pitch. made clear that full recognition of Kosovo’s na- a great achievement,” added Heynckes, who as a substitute in his side’s 2-1 win over Stoke ministry spokesman Folco Galli told AFP. But the country, perhaps more so than some tional team by FIFA could inspire him to play for turned 71 yesterday. City in the Premier League on Saturday. Rocha is the last of the so-called FIFA sus- other European nations, is known for anti-mi- the territory where his parents were born. The only uncapped player was 21-year- pects to remain in Switzerland. The six others grant sentiment which has at times seeped into Kosovo is not a United Nations member and BALE LEFT OUT OF old Bristol City striker Wes Burns. Coleman, arrested last May and two suspects seized in public discussion about the football team. FIFA has only cleared its team to compete in TRAINING SQUAD who has led Wales to a fi rst major tourna- December have all be extradited to the United A 2012 World Cup qualifying match against Al- friendlies. Xhaka will therefore be playing for Real Madrid forward Gareth Bale was not ment since the 1958 World Cup, will whittle States or their home countries. bania was a fl ashpoint moment. Switzerland when their Euro 2016 bid starts on included in the 29-man Wales squad an- his squad down to the required 23 players on It was the May 2015 raids that unleashed With Switzerland leading 2-0 in the 84th June 11 against Albania, a team that could include nounced by manager Chris Coleman yes- May 31. an unprecedented scandal at FIFA, which has minute, Xhaka had what appeared to be an un- up to 6 Swiss-born players, including Xhaka’s terday for a pre-Euro 2016 training camp in Wales play their fi nal pre-tournament seen 40 people charged with graft-related contested shot at the Albanian net, but sent the brother, Taulant. . Wales head to the Algarve for a fi ve- friendly game against in Stockholm off ences by US prosecutors. Gulf Times Tuesday, May 10, 2016 5 CRICKET

SPOTLIGHT AGAINST Mohsin questions PCB’s decision to No compromise on appoint Arthur

IANS The former Test opener, who Lahore: also acted as PCB’s chief selector, further said that he declined the board’s off er to head the selec- ormer coach Mohsin tion committee as the team man- discipline, warns Hassan Khan questioned agement failed to get the desired the Pakistan Cricket results from the teams which he Board’s decision to ap- selected in the past. Fpoint South African Mickey But Khan said that he had Arthur as the head coach, saying made it very clear to the PCB he he could transform the team to was ready to accept head coach a winning unit if given another or mentor role. chance at the top job. “Believe me I had never given new Pakistan coach Khan, under whom the Pa- importance to money as I always kistan team remained unbeaten wanted to serve Pakistan cricket in in eight Tests, further said his the best possible manner. Former ‘I will be tough on discipline and that’s the way we can get better and better results. record as coach speak volumes of PCB chairman Ijaz Butt was full his ability to turn the fortunes of of praise of my abilities and even I want everybody to start playing for the team and I don’t want any selfish players...’ the outfi t. Zaka Ashraf asked me why I am “I don’t know what was cook- not demanding raise in my meagre ing in PCB chairman and others’ salary. I told him very clearly that mind and why they ignored my money does matter but I am not off er of taking responsibility of bothered about demanding raise coaching green caps once again. I in my salary, rather I wanted to had challenged them to hand over help Pakistan team to scale down same group of players, who are on new heights,” he said. a very low and not performing, “I had no complaints, as I was I would completely transform not asking for the head coach them and turn them into winning job for personal gains, rather unit,” Khan was quoted as saying for national interest. If they feel by The Nation on Sunday. a foreign coach could get the “I had made them very clear best out of Pakistani players, that my services are available my best wishes and prayers like for the national cricket team,” past are always with the team,” he added. he added.

IN SUPPORT Anderson confi dent Sri Lanka won’t ‘crush’ him again

This file photograph shows Mickey Arthur, addressing media representatives following conciliation talks over his dismissal as Australian cricket coach in Sydney.

AFP on players’ poor discipline, and Arthur Arthur said he will also be tough on fi t- day in Australia starting in December. In Karachi warned in a telephone interview from ness and fi elding. between they will face New Zealand and Perth, Western Australia, that he will be “Our bowling is good, but we need to world T20 champions the West Indies. cracking down. lift our batting massively,” he said. The two series against top tier teams File picture of England pacer James Anderson (C). akistan’s newly appointed crick- “I will be tough on discipline and that’s “I will also be tough on fi elding and England and Australia on their home turf et coach Mickey Arthur put his the way we can get better and better re- fi tness and need players who can play will be “tough”, Arthur said. AFP letting a situation drift again. future charges on notice yester- sults,” the 47-year-old said. long-term, and these issues are non- “For Pakistan players, those condi- London “It was gutting really and day, warning he would not com- “I want everybody to start playing negotiable.” tions are trying, but I want the team to be hopefully we’ll not be in that sit- Ppromise on discipline, fi tness and fi eld- for the team and I don’t want any self- But he also said he required boldness up for the challenge. uation again this time,” said An- ing ahead of tough tours in England and ish players around,” he said, calling for in his players. “I also want players who “Without a doubt we will go to win... ngland paceman James derson, England’s all-time most Australia. “proper values and boundaries”. aren’t prepared to be bullied,” he said. If the players show improvement, then I Anderson is optimistic successful Test bowler, with 433 Arthur, who successfully coached his Discipline is not a strong point for Pa- Arthur, who was sacked as Australia’s know I am doing my job.” that whatever happens in wickets to his credit. native South Africa from 2005-2010 kistan’s notoriously volatile players. coach 19 months into the job in 2013, will Arthur said the “sheer challenge” of the the upcoming Test series “With a change of coach and before migrating to Australia, replaced Talented opener Ahmed Shehzad and be Pakistan’s fi fth foreign coach after Ri- Pakistan coaching role—regarded as one of againstE Sri Lanka neither he nor a few diff erent players in there Waqar Younis, who resigned following middle-order batsman Umar Akmal were chard Pybus, Bob Woolmer, Geoff Law- the toughest and most turbulent in inter- captain Alastair Cook will feel as as well, the last 12 months have Pakistan’s disastrous World Twenty20 both left out of the squad’s boot camp son and Dav Whatmore. national cricket—“really excited me”. “crushed” as they did during the been a real breath of fresh air.” campaign in India last month. training session ahead of July’s tour of He will take charge ahead of the Eng- “I know everything about the job, but tourists’ 2014 triumph. Anderson, 33, said he felt His appointment is part of wholesale England due to disciplinary issues. land tour, where Pakistan play four Tests, what I know more is that there is huge The teams begin a three- Cook’s increasing command changes Pakistan made to lift the team, Senior batsman Younis Khan also had fi ve one-day and a Twenty20 interna- passion (for) cricket and there is enor- match series at Headingley on had been evident during both which has slumped to ninth in one-day to apologise after he was served with a tional matches between July 14-Septem- mous talent in Pakistan and I think if we May 19, the ground where, two last year’s Ashes win and the and seventh in Twenty20 rankings. show cause notice following his protest ber 7. can get proper structure in place then we years ago, Sri Lanka clinched a subsequent Test series triumph The dismal slide is mainly blamed over umpiring in a domestic tournament. They also play three Tests and six one- can really get this team far away,” he said. dramatic 1-0 win in what was in South Africa, comparing the then the second of a two-Test control the Essex opener now campaign when Anderson was has in the dressing room to that IPL dismissed off the penultimate of successful Australia captains ball of the match. Allan Border, Mark Taylor and “To get within two balls I did Steve Waugh. feel crushed at the end of it,” said Anderson. “It had been a long “It was gutting really and game and we came so close.” hopefully we’ll not be in England, thanks mainly to that situation again this Bangalore eke out one-run win Moeen Ali’s maiden Test hun- time,” said Anderson, dred, nearly saved the game hav- England’s all-time most ing seen Sri Lanka cling on for a successful Test bowler, with draw at Lord’s. 433 wickets to his credit But the damage at Headingley over Kings XI Punjab had been done on a fourth day “I think Cooky’s done a fantas- Agencies the Royal Challengers Bangalore a slight adjustment and release where Sri Lanka captain Angelo tic job. Certainly since Trevor’s Mohali bowlers something to defend. the ball from the back of his Mathews made a superb 160 come in he’s taken more respon- Drives down the ground, pulls hand. and, signifi cantly, shared a stand sibility,” said Anderson, speaking in front of square and lofted The googly ensured that Mill- of 149 for the eighth wicket with at Lord’s on becoming an ambas- he Royal Challengers scoops from one knee; this man er was nowhere near the pitch. tailender Rangana Herath. sador for Brut Sport Style. Bangalore kept their has no peers when in this kind of Lokesh Rahul duly obliged and Cook’s tactically naive ploy of “He’s the guy that people look playoff aspirations alive mood. moved Miller’s season from be- feeding Mathews runs in order up to and he’s in charge. Obvi- after securing a dramat- So great has Virat Kohli’s form low par to outright poor. to get at Herath backfi red spec- ously Trevor’s given him that re- Tic one- run victory over bottom been this season that many were Most of the talk before this tacularly. sponsibility so that’s been good. side, the Kings XI Punjab in Mo- starting to consign AB de Vil- match concerned the misaligned The England skipper repeat- “All the teams I’ve ever played hali yesterday. liers to a support act. But when abilities that each team has edly stationed four men on the in it’s always been the coach at the Chasing 176 for victory, the Kohli’s struggling innings came shown throughout the tourna- rope for the fi rst four balls of forefront, so for the captain to be Kings XI will lament the fact to an end when he mistimed to ment. an over only for Mathews to re- in charge, from what I hear that’s that, once again, their batsman short extra cover for 20 from 20 The Kings XI Punjab have spond by going on the off ensive, the way the Australians did it all failed to gel as a unit. Murali Vi- balls in the 8th over, you some- been a fantastic bowling team with 16 of his eventual 25 fours the way through their success. jay, not for the fi rst time, was left how knew that de Villiers would without much coming from coming off the last two balls of “So yes possibly he (Cook) is looking at his teammates, yearn- take his rightful place in the their batsmen while RCB, who an over. better equipped to deal with sit- ing for a batting partner who spotlight. possess the most destructive At the end of a draining match, uations like that day against Sri could provide some substantial Vijay was full of praise for the batting unit in the competition, Anderson had to choke back tears Lanka now. support from the other end. superstar South African in his have struggled to restrict teams while afterwards Cook, whose “But days like that aren’t just The Indian international is in post-match comments, but will – their bowlers were the most approach was widely criticised, down to him, you need your bowl- a diff erent batting league than File picture of RCB batsman AB de Villiers. no doubt be looking at his own expensive in the tournament, especially by Australia great ers to perform, senior players to his teammates at the moment foreign imports with glaring going at 9.45 per over, before the Shane Warne, pondered resign- step up and actually help out and and if his side had one or two Shane Watson (2-22 from 4). is that his bowlers are in fi ne eyes. start of this match. ing the captaincy. I think everyone just disappeared more players of his ilk, they’d Marcus Stoinis atoned for a form. Restricting RCB to 175 is David Miller’s poor season But Anderson feels the grow- then into a hole in the fi eld. surely be title contenders. poor display in the fi eld earlier, no easy feat, and were it not for a continued and only he will know Brief Scores: Royal Challengers ing authority Cook has been “It was everyone’s fault that He valiantly carried his side which included a drop catch and trademark AB de Villiers knock, what he was thinking when he Bangalore 175 for 6 (De Villiers given by England’s Australian day. So the way you get rid of within reach of the fi nish line, expensive bowling, by almost that total would have been much decided to charge down the 64, Rahul 42, Cariappa 2-16) coach Trevor Bayliss, who took situations like that is by the scoring 89 from 57 balls, includ- winning it at the end, scoring 33 smaller. crease to his very fi rst ball. Yus- beat Kings XI Punjab 174 for 4 charge for the team’s 2015 Ashes captain learning from those ing twelve 4s, but holed out to from 22. His 64 from 35 wasn’t titanic, vendra Chahal (2-30 from 4) had (Vijay 89, Stoinis 34*, Watson triumph, means there’s no dan- sorts of days and the players long off from the bowling of What will irk Vijay the most but it was an AB classic and gave all the time in the world to make 2-22) by one run ger of his longstanding skipper have to do that as well.” Gulf Times 6 Tuesday, May 10, 2016 SPORT

SPOTLIGHT IN SHORT Report alleges Russian doping at Sochi Games

A whistleblower who helped step of the anti-doping proc- lift the lid on the drugs scan- ess in Sochi”. Hotshot Hagino dal engulfing Russian athletics Although Rodchenkov did not said on US television on to talk to 60 Minutes, report- Sunday that state-sponsored ers said they had listened to doping extended to Russian the taped conversations and competitors at the Sochi heard him discuss “the Sochi Olympics. list” of doped medallists. Vitaly Stepanov, a former Stepanov and his wife, banned employee of Russia’s anti- athlete Yuliya Stepanova, were targets ‘hero’ Phelps doping agency who is now key figures in a German televi- living in the United States, told sion documentary claiming the CBS network’s 60 Minutes systematic doping in Russian programme that he had been athletics—allegations later told of a doping cover-up dur- supported by an investiga- ing the 2014 Winter Games by tion by a World Anti-Doping Grigory Rodchenkov, former Agency independent com- head of the now-discredited mission. in Rio Olympics anti-doping lab in Russia. The International Association Russia’s sports minister, of Athletics Federations sus- responding to a preview pended Russia in November, ‘I was just this daredevil long-shot. I was aiming to win a medal but I went into that of the interview, had said with the IAAF council due to Saturday that the allegations decide in June if the country’s race with doubts clouding my mind... But this time there will be no luck involved’ that at least four Russian gold athletes can compete in Rio. medallists in Sochi were using US Anti-Doping Agency chief steroids, were “speculation.” Travis Tygart told 60 Minutes In the complete interview he doesn’t believe Russian that aired Sunday, Stepanov athletics has done enough to said he had recorded more warrant reinstatement and than 15 hours of conversa- USADA is “not in favor” of Rus- tions with Rodchenkov, who sian athletes competing in Rio. told him that officers of “They can’t come at the Russia’s FSB security service expense of clean athletes’ “tried to control every single rights,” he said. Gosper would like to see Russian athletes compete in Rio Kevan Gosper, a leading what’s been happening and a Olympic off icial and a member change of heart, a change of of the ethics board of world culture and a commitment to athletics governing body the the future and still see them IAAF, would like to see Rus- participate rather than be ex- sia’s track and field athletes cluded,” Gosper told Reuters compete at the Rio de Janeiro at a sports integrity forum in Games in August. Melbourne on Monday. As the IAAF examines whether “I think exclusion gets you to lift the Russian federa- nowhere. But it’s up to the tion’s suspension, Gosper, the IAAF itself to make that judg- influential Australian honorary ment. They’ve got a very good member of the International process of investigation so Olympic Committee, said it I’ll observe that and see what was his personal hope that comes out of it,” the former their athletes would not be Olympic medal-winning excluded. sprinter added. An IAAF taskforce is looking “But personally, I don’t like into the progress of Russia’s the idea of excluding good anti-doping programme athletes because there’s a following the suspension problem in that sport.” the federation imposed in Last month, Russian sport November after allegations of announced reforms it hoped state-sponsored doping in a would restore the credibility This photo shows Japan’s gold medal hope Kosuke Hagino swimming during a public workout in . report commissioned by the of its anti-doping eff orts. World Anti-Doping Agency The five-strong taskforce will AFP aim is to win gold in the 200m and 400m where he won four gold medals, includ- mer and is very dangerous,” said Hagino. (WADA). report their findings to the IAAF, Tokyo medley, and I have a chance to medal in ing a pulsating 200m freestyle victory “But there will be other swimmers look- “For a country as big and whose Council will then rule at the 200m freestyle too—and the 4x200m over Chinese giant Sun Yang. ing to make a name for themselves too, important in world aff airs, its meeting in Vienna on June relay.” “I can’t wait.” like Japan’s Daiya Seto.” let alone sport, as Russia, I 17 whether to allow Russian nce a “daredevil” outsider with But Hagino expects fi erce competition Hagino makes no secret of his admira- Hagino’s upward trajectory was halted would rather see a solution to athletes back into the fold. a toothy grin, Japan swim sen- from Olympic legend Phelps, 30, and his tion for Phelps, the most decorated Ol- last year after he fell off a bicycle and sation Kosuke Hagino insists fellow American Lochte, 31. ympic athlete of all time with 22 medals fractured his elbow, forcing him to miss Anti-doping MP selected for Kenya’s there will be no excuses if he “Everyone comes to the Olympics from three Games, 18 of them gold. the world championships—a chastening failsO to beat boyhood idol Michael Phelps in top condition but those two will be “Phelps was always someone I looked experience, but one he insists made him provisional Olympic marathon squad at the Rio Olympics. the biggest challenge,” he said. “Mental up to,” he said. “I used to watch him on stronger. Wesley Korir, a Boston marathon champions Eliud Kip- The 21-year-old, who edged Phelps to toughness will be key. It’s important to TV—when he won eight gold medals in “I felt helpless,” he said. “It was so hard marathon winner, anti-doping choge and Jemima Sumgong, claim bronze in the 400 metres individu- hang in until the last 15 metres and then 2008 in Beijing, and in Athens in 2004. not to be able to compete. I was hoping to activist and serving parlia- New York marathon champion al medley behind gold medallist Ryan Lo- squeeze out every last ounce of power.” “But when I get in the water I want to win a gold medal and give myself mo- mentarian, was selected for Stanley Biwott and women’s chte in London four years ago, told AFP Hagino, set to emerge from the shadow beat him,” Hagino added with no trace of mentum before Rio so it was a big blow. Kenya’s provisional Olympics world half marathon record he is targeting double gold in Brazil this of countryman Kosuke Kitajima after the sentimentality. “But on the other hand it’s made me marathon squad on Monday. holder, Florence Kiplagat, who summer. former Olympic champion failed to qual- “Of course, even if the dream comes stronger mentally and I’m confi dent I’ll Korir, who spearheaded a finished third in London. “Back then I wasn’t even thinking,” ify for Rio, added with a laugh: “Phelps true and I win gold, I’ll still be a long way peak at the right time.” campaign for a bill to crimi- Kipchoge—a former world Hagino said in a poolside interview at Ja- and Lochte have longer arms than me so behind Phelps. Hagino’s ambitions, however, stretch nalise doping, was among 5,000 metre champion and pan’s National Training Centre. with my little body I want to be a head in “But that’s why the Olympics are so well beyond Rio with Tokyo hosting the 10 male and female athletes Olympic silver medallist— “I was just this daredevil long-shot. Of front at that point.” special. I’ve swum against him several next Summer Olympics in 2020. selected by Athletics Kenya hopes to become the second course I was aiming to win a medal but I times but you only get the chance at the “To think that the Tokyo Olympics is ahead of August’s Rio Olym- Kenyan man to win an Olym- went into that race with doubts clouding NEW KID ON THE BLOCKS Olympics once every four years. Not just next is a real thrill,” he said. “Obviously I pics, with three men and three pic gold in the marathon, after my mind. Dwarfed by six-footers Phelps and Lo- Phelps, but Ryan Lochte too.” will never be like Kitajima or be able to do women to make the final cut. the late Samuel Wanjiru. “I was lucky to fi nish with a medal in chte on the blocks, Hagino stands at fi ve Brazilian Thiago Pereira, who pipped what Phelps has done. “I am honoured and promise “That is the only medal I am London, but this time there will be no feet, nine inches (1.75m) but suff ers no Hagino for silver behind Lochte in the “Hopefully one day kids will think: ‘I to do my best to raise the yearning for,” said Kipchoge. luck involved,” he added. inferiority complex. 400m medley in London, will also be a want to be like Hagino’—but I have a lot name of my Cherangany con- Current world record holder “I’m going there to win so it’s a totally “It’s a buzz to race against them,” said threat at his home Olympics. to do before that happens.” stituency and the Kenya flag Dennis Kimetto and former diff erent feeling to four years ago. The Hagino, star of the 2014 Asian Games “Pereira has always been a great swim- Now to see what happens. high during the Olympics. I champion Wilson Kipsang am excited to be the first-ever have been left out of the sitting Member of Parliament squad after both failed to BOTTOMLINE anywhere in the world to get finish at the Beijing world the opportunity to run at the championships last August. Olympics,” Korir said. Athletics Kenya has asked all Kenya is expected to put in selected runners to confirm a strong showing at the Rio their availability by Tuesday, Olympics, picking from a ahead of a three-month long strong set of top-flight runners high altitude training camp in Potent, at 54 years, sets sights on that includes current London Iten, in north-western Kenya. ‘Thin models’ Germany miss Rio relay chance fi ft h shot at Olympic glory Germany will not have a and Olympic champions. women’s 4x100m freestyle Lambertz says the German Reuters gun-maker, but has earned more Potent regularly does light team at the 2016 Rio de Ja- quartet lacks muscular power, Melbourne respect than money from the weights to try to minimise the neiro Olympic Games with the compared to the likes of the sport and has only a few minutes nagging of tired muscles but has national head coach complain- reigning world 100m freestyle to chat during his lunch-break little need to exercise his mind ing their quartet look like ‘thin champion, 21-year-old Austral- aving won his du- before returning to his post in with mental gymnastics. models’. ian Bronte Campbell. els with Father Time, spare parts distribution. Being ‘in the zone’ seems to The German team of Annika “Compared with the world’s top 54-year-old Warren His company aff ords him the come easily and naturally for Bruhn (23), Anna Dietterle (swimmers), our girls look like Potent (pictured) has fl exibility to tour, however, and Potent who fi rst started sport (19), Helen Scholtissek (19) thin models, not athletes,” Lam- Hlittle fear of competing with the his decades of experience means shooting when a high school and Paulina Schmiedel (23), bertz told German daily Bild. young guns at the Rio de Janeiro he has little need to spend count- teenager and was immediately failed to swim the qualifying “They couldn’t swim the times, Olympics where the silver- less hours fi ring away at training. hooked. time for the Olympics at last they clearly lacked the power. haired Australian will train his “When I do train, I don’t go “Right down to the last couple August’s world championships “If they had given a good ac- sights on gold in the 50 metre out to the range to fi re hundreds of seconds of aiming, I could not in Kazan. count of themselves in Berlin, rifl e prone. and hundreds of shots,” he said. tell you what I’m thinking of. No The quartet then failed to we would have sent them, but Potent clinched Australia’s “I try to shoot as perfect a shot idea,” he said. swim the necessary stand- they are not competitive.” fi rst Olympic medal in a rifl e as I can. And I think that’s what “I think I’m just concentrat- ard times at last weekend’s But the German quartet re- shooting event with bronze at keeps me in the game. It’s basi- ing on the actual aim, and when national trials in Berlin. jected Lambertz’s accusations. the 2008 Games and embel- cally keeping the whole thing the aim’s correct, the fi nger au- They will now not be allowed a “I think it’s unfair to compare lished his ‘late bloomer’ status simple, literally lining up three tomatically fi res the shots.” final opportunity to make the our figures with the world’s with a fi rst individual world circles and pulling the trigger.” Australia’s oldest confi rmed Olympic mark at the European best, most of whom are five or title in 2014, a trifl ing 28 years Olympian at Rio, Potent is also championships in London, six years older and at the peak after winning the team crown PHYSICAL TOLL on the same team as the young- from May 9-22, with head of their careers,” Dietterle told in 1986. Potent’s event may be the ‘lying est in 16-year-old Aislin Jones coach Henning Lambertz Bild. As he prepares for a fi fth Ol- Sydney marksman told Reuters time not too excited because I down’ category of shooting yet who has booked her ticket in the insisting: “they have already Scholtissek says on top of her ympic campaign, Potent now in an interview. know I have a job to do.” it’s anything but relaxed. women’s skeet. had enough chances”. swimming training, she regu- sits atop a world rankings domi- “I’m still doing really well As both an elite shooter and a Toting a gun weighing more Jones, her country’s youngest The last time Germany won an larly hits the weights. “This nated by men half his age. in competition where a lot of full-time worker for a global en- than 6 kg and trying to re- ever Olympic shooter, was born Olympic gold in the event was year, I have spent ten hours in “I’m pinching myself. I’m 54 people lean towards it being a gine manufacturer, Potent gen- main dead still for 60 shots in just seven months before Potent’s 20 years ago in Atlanta and the weights room and slogged now and I’m currently ranked younger person’s sport now. erally has his hands full. a 75-minute match exacts a big maiden Games appearance at the Australia are the reigning world away,” the teenager said. number one in the world,” the “I am excited. But at the same He enjoys sponsorship from a mental and physical toll. Sydney 2000 Olympics. Gulf Times Tuesday, May 10, 2016 7 SPORT

NBA SPOTLIGHT Pistons confi dent heading into draft Cavaliers sweep into By Vince Ellis “From that standpoint we Detroit Free Press were pretty prepared, and I think it kind of helped Stan through- out the season kind of knowing illanova senior Dar- what these guys need, knowing run Hilliard was not where they are, knowing they among the 60 players can do and can’t do and how to receive a spot in last they’ll grow over the next few East Finals, Thunder Vyear’s NBA draft combine. years,” Wright said. At the age of 22, there were The Pistons have a fi rst- concerns the lefty scorer was rounder (18th overall) and sec- close to his ceiling. He wasn’t on ond-rounder (49th overall) in the draft boards of some teams, this year’s draft, which occurs but the Pistons assigned Hilliard June 23. a fi rst-round draft grade. But the Pistons signaled they They used their second-round were willing to move out of what pull level with Spurs pick (38th overall) to select the is considered a weak draft when 6-foot-6 shooting guard in the they gave up a protected fi rst- 2015 NBA draft. rounder in the rescinded trade ‘Atlanta didn’t give us anything. That’s the type of test you want in the playoff s’ Hilliard’s playing time was for Rockets power forward Do- inconsistent and he needs to de- natas Motiejunas. velop physical attributes, but he And with a track record of DPA displayed a good shooting touch being active on the trade mar- Los Angeles and a nice all-around off ensive ket combined with the obvious game as a rookie. need for ready-to-contribute It looks like a plus pick for the players at power forward and he Cleveland Cava- Pistons scouting department. point guard, it’s safe to say the liers took the hits and “I think he had certain quali- Pistons will be on the phones in punched a ticket to the ties and attributes away from their third off -season under Van Eastern Conference fi - basketball that were kind of in Gundy. nalsT after sweeping away the line with what we’ve outlined Atlanta Hawks for the second and what we want to be about,” There was criticism of consecutive season. Pistons assistant general man- the Johnson pick. He was Kevin Love hit eight triples ager Brian Wright told the Free selected eighth by the en route to 27 points with 13 Press last week. Pistons, but many thought rebounds, LeBron James hit a “As you evaluated the bas- Duke swingman Justise huge jumper with 39.2 seconds ketball piece, there were a lot of Winslow should have been left, and the visiting Cavaliers things that he did well that fi t the choice knocked out the Hawks 100-99 well with the other players on on Sunday in Game 4 of their our roster, and then when you But don’t assume the Pistons semi-fi nal series. break down the physical aspect will trade the pick. “The close-out game is the of it and how he could develop, “Whether it’s for a player or as hardest game,” Cavs coach Ty- he had considerable growth left a part of trades, we’ll have a to- ronn Lue said. “They gave us even though he was 22 and a tally wide-open door on that and everything they had but we senior.” be aggressive in our discussions stuck with it. We were tested to- Add in the promise of fi rst- with teams of that nature, but at night. If you want to be a cham- round pick Arizona swingman the same time good players have pion you got to get hit and we Stanley Johnson, and the Pis- been drafted at that pick and we took their punches.” tons have the confi dence of one feel that we’ll be in position to Cleveland awaits the winner successful haul to carry them draft a player that we like if we of the Toronto-Miami series. into the upcoming draft sea- keep the pick,” Pistons general The Raptors lead 2-1 with game son, which gets in full swing this manager Jeff Bower said. 4 Monday in Miami. James col- week with the combine in Chi- And that’s where Wright, four lected 21 points, 10 rebounds cago. collegiate scouts and two inter- and nine assists, while Kyrie There was criticism of the national scouts enter the pic- Irving also netted 21 for the top- Johnson pick. He was selected ture. seeded Cavaliers, who are 8-0 eighth by the Pistons, but many Wright acknowledges the in the post-season following thought Duke swingman Justise draft is an inexact science. sweeps over Detroit and Atlanta. Winslow should have been the But so far, so good. “That was a hell of a series,” choice. “You’re gonna have ups and an emotionally-drained Irv- The jury remains out _ Wins- downs struggles with everybody ing said. “Atlanta didn’t give us low had a promising rookie sea- throughout the course of their anything. That’s the type of test son as well for the Heat with the careers _ just like we have strug- you want in the playoff s. We’re No. 10 pick. gles in our everyday lives, but I going into the Eastern Confer- But the Pistons trusted their think the information that you ence fi nals with a load of confi - process. gather along the way helps you dence.” President-coach Stan Van manage how to deal with that, The Cavs are coming together Gundy said toward the end of the how to see some things coming at the right time. LeBron James (No 23) of the Cleveland Cavaliers attacks the basket against Kyle Korver (No 26) and Kris Humphries (No 43) of the Atlanta season that Johnson and Hilliard and how to manage that whole “We’re in a great rhythm Hawks in Game Four of the Eastern Conference Semi-finals during the 2016 NBA Playoff s at Philips Arena in Atlanta. (Getty Images/AFP) performed exactly as expected. thing,” Wright said. right now,” said James of fellow superstars Love and Irving. “We diff erent. “They hurt us with possession after James missed us everything they had,” Love The second-seeded Spurs know exactly where we want to their (77) threes. When every- a three-pointer with 14.5 sec- said. “It came down to a two- were led by Tony Parker’s 22 be on the fl oor and it’s trickled body can shoot the ball like that onds left. The speedy Schroder minute game and we made the points, Kawhi Leonard had 21 Ottawa hire Boucher as coach down to the team.” it puts our team in a tough spot picked up the ball and raced up plays at the end. It was a great and LaMarcus Aldridge con- Lu agreed: “We hit our stride the entire series.” court but slipped in the lane on a series for us to close out.” tributed 20. The Ottawa Senators have hired Guy Boucher to replace Dave Cam- at the right time. The last 3-4 The desperate Hawks led by pump fake. He was quickly met Elsewhere: “Kevin was great, he was eron as head coach, the team said on Sunday. Boucher, who was weeks we played well and it’s 12 in the fi rst half and 97-96 in by Thompson and James, forc- Oklahoma City Thunder fantastic,” San Antonio coach fired by the Tampa Bay Lightning during the 2012-13 campaign and carried over.” the fourth quarter before James ing a jump ball with 2.8 ticks to 111, San Antonio Spurs 97: Gregg Popovich said. “They spent parts of the last three seasons coaching in Switzerland, had Germany’s Dennis Schro- was credited with the go-ahead go. James easily won the jump Kevin Durant tied his playoff out-toughed us in the fourth signed a three-year contract, the Senators said. der scored 21 points while Paul layup when Millsap was whis- over the shorter Schroder, tip- career-high with 41 points, quarter and with Durant having The announcement comes a day after Bruce Boudreau agreed to Millsap had 19 with nine re- tled for goal-tending with 1:16 ping it into the right corner Russell Westbrook had 14 with great night got them the game.” take over at the Minnesota Wild. Boudreau had also interviewed bounds for the fourth-seede left to play. The Hawks looked where teammate J.R. Smith and 15 assists, and the Thunder Results with the Senators, according to Canadian media. Hawks, who were swept by the to regain the lead but Tristan Al Horford battled for it. stormed past the visiting Spurs Eastern Conference “We wanted a great coach and this process yielded our top pick,” Cavs in last year’s conference Thompson blocked a Schroder Instead, Millsap picked up to square their Western Confer- At Atlanta Senators owner Eugene Melnyk said in a statement. fi nals. “We wanted to beat his layup try, and James dropped in the loose ball and threw up a ence semifi nal series at 2-2. Cleveland 100 Atlanta 99 “Following a detailed evaluation of all coaching candidates, there team so bad,” Millsap said, “It a jumper over Millsap opening desperation heave that missed Dion Waiters netted 17 points (Cleveland wins series 4-0) was overwhelming consensus that Guy was our top candidate.” left a bad taste in our mouth up a 100-97 advantage. after time expired. while Steven Adams had 16 with Western Conference The Senators missed the playoff s for the second time in three years last year. This year we thought A layup by Schroder out of “We knew they were going 11 rebounds as the third-seeded At Oklahoma City this past campaign. we had them fi gured out but a timeout pulled the Hawks to give us their best shot and Thunder outscored their guests Oklahoma 111 San Antonio 97 they did something completely to within one. They regained punch us in the mouth and give 66-44 in the second half. (Series tied 2-2)

NHL Lightning shut out Islanders to clinch series

The Sports Xchange “This is a great accomplishment of their opportunities,” Islanders New York for this team,” Hedman said. “I don’t coach Jack Capuano said. “You know think too many people picked us to we came in here (Sunday), I thought get this far, especially considering the game plan was good. We surren- en Bishop continues to the injuries.” dered 18 shots even strength, and, I save his best for the biggest Hedman gave the Lightning a 1-0 mean, if you asked me that going in games and on Sunday the lead at 13:49 of the fi rst period when we would take it. Tampa Bay Lightning goal- he took control of a loose puck and “We gave up seven on our power tender’sB best ended the New York Is- beat Islanders goalie Thomas Greiss play, but you know we just couldn’t landers’ season. at the near post. fi nd a way here these last few games Bishop had 28 saves and recorded Lightning center Brian Boyle to score some goals. At the end of the his fi fth career shutout in the Stanley scored his third goal of the postsea- day, like I said, you have to get more Cup playoff s as the Lightning earned son at 18:41 in the fi rst period to make than one, and we didn’t get any (on a 4-0 win against the Islanders in the score 2-0. Sunday).” Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Defenseman Matt Carle went be- Kucherov added a goal at 4:40 in second round series on Sunday. hind the net and passed the puck to the third period on a breakaway to The Lightning won the best-of- Boyle, who snapped a shot past Gre- give the Lightning a 4-0 lead. seven series 4-1 and advanced to the iss above his shoulder. Greiss made 21 saves for the Is- Eastern Conference Finals to face “Start to fi nish, we played really landers. the winner of the series between the well,” Boyle said. “We were hard on “It is defi nitely going to sting for a Washington Capitals and Pittsburgh pucks, we made sure we got the puck while,” Greiss said. Penguins. in deep, we didn’t turn it over in the “It was a tough loss and a tough “I think we learned last year we neutral zone and give them many op- loss in the series. I think it was a very had a couple series where we had portunities. We played a great game. tight series for a 4-1 series. chances to close them out at home “Obviously, one we needed to, and “We could have easily won some and we kind of let them slip,” Bishop again Bishop was there for us.” games at home and came (to Tampa said. “We really wanted to take pride Hedman’s second goal came on Bay) and have done diff erent kind of in closing teams out this year.” a Lightning power play at 4:22 in things. It will sting for a long time, Defenseman Victor Hedman the second period. Jonathan Drouin but you have to get over it.” scored twice while Nikita Kucherov made a backhand pass that banked The Islanders were held to just had his ninth goal of the postseason off the boards, and Hedman scored one goal in the fi nal two games of as the Lightning advance to the con- on a one-timer from the right circle the series. Center John Tavares was Victor Hedman (No 77), Jonathan Marchessault (No 81) and Ben Bishop (No 30) of the Tampa Bay Lightning celebrate a series win ference fi nals for the second consec- to make the score 3-0. held without a point in the fi nal four over the New York Islanders at the end of Game Five of the Eastern Conference second round during the 2016 NHL Stanley Cup utive year. “(The Lightning) took advantage games. Playoff s at Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida. (Getty Images/AFP) Gulf Times 8 Tuesday, May 10, 2016 SPORT

BASEBALL SPOTLIGHT Wright dominates Chapman ready to in Red Sox victory get back to ‘I always thought they should put a bunch of butterflies in the cage’ pitching

Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Steven Wright pitches By Pete Caldera “What do you want me to do, against the New York Yankees in the ninth inning on his The Record (Hackensack, NJ) you want me to throw a fi t?” way to a complete game victory at Yankee Stadium. The Miller said evenly, after once Red Sox won 5-1. PICTURE: USA TODAY Sports again praising Chapman’s addi- here’s a chance Monday tion. night that the bullpen “He’s an established closer, phone will ring at Yan- he’s a guy that throws incredibly kee Stadium, giving hard, he’s got incredible stuff TAroldis Chapman the call he’s and he’s got a great track record,” waited so long to receive. Miller said. “There’s no reason to “First of all, I want to say that think he doesn’t make us better.” I’m super excited and I’m happy Girardi hadn’t announced that the manager has given me yet how he’d handle the set-up that vote of confi dence,” Chap- duty between the right-handed man said Sunday through an Betances and the lefty Miller, interpreter of stepping into the though “it could be benefi cial closer’s role, now that his 30- to use it as a matchup sort of game MLB suspension has been thing even though both of them served. have been extremely successful “At the same time, I’m very against either side,” Girardi said. humbled by (Dellin) Betances Either way, the manager and (Andrew) Miller moving planned to chat with the duo down the order to allow me to about their updated roles. pitch the ninth.” “Your hope is on every night The left-handed Chapman’s you have at least one of them entry - featuring a 100-mph available (to close a game),” Gi- fastball - gives the Yankees an rardi said. electric, late-inning relief trio, Chapman sought to close an- one they envisioned since trad- other subject, saying he was ing four prospects to get him speaking generally - and not in from Cincinnati in December. terms of his suspension - when But that deal was made at a he told the New York Times in discounted price, following the Sunday’s edition that Latin play- serious matter of Chapman’s ers were often targeted due to violation of MLB’s domestic vio- their money and status. lence policy. “As a Latin player, we come Chapman, 28, was never to this country, we don’t know charged in the October 30 matter the language, we don’t know at his Miami-area home when he laws, and sometimes we can was alleged to have pushed and become a target by people who choked his girlfriend and later, are really trying to take advan- alone, fi red eight shots from a tage of us or really get us in a handgun inside his garage - one bad situation where sometimes of which exited a window. we don’t understand much,” Commissioner Rob Manfred Chapman said. “That’s what I emphasised the use of a fi rearm meant by that.” in handing down the suspension. During his suspension, Chap- “I learned a lot from it. It’s man - a Cuban expatriate - com- part of life to keep on learn- pleted the long process of be- ing,” Chapman said Sunday, coming a US citizen. “This is the though he quickly darted from country that has given me such a the subject. “The good thing unique opportunity,” said Chap- is it’s something that is behind man, who spent the past fi ve me now and I want to focus on weeks toiling in extended spring By Pete Caldera Wright had a two-hit shut- into the fi rst row of right-fi eld before the game. But overall, With his two homers on Sun- baseball, being here with my training. He watched the Yan- The Record (Hackensack, NJ) out going until the ninth, when seats. But after a mound visit “you try to look for the ball up day night, Ortiz now has 52 for teammates and having the op- kees games whenever he could Brett Gardner homered to right from Larry Rothschild, Severino and you try to square one up.” his career against the Yankees, portunity to contribute (and) to on TV or his iPad. with two outs. Wright complet- retired 10 straight Red Sox be- Before the season began, Or- matching Carl Yastrzemski’s hopefully win.” “It was a long time, but I feel or old time’s sake, may- ed the game. fore Ortiz launched his fourth- tiz announced that 2016 would career total. That’s good for Manager Joe Girardi never de- great,” Chapman said. “I feel be the Yankees should After Brian McCann’s pop fl y inning solo home run. be his fi nal year as a player sixth all time for opponents viated from his mid-January de- ready.” have let Aaron Boone dropped into left fi eld for a fi rst- Ortiz led off the seventh with - a retirement that can’t hap- against the Yanks; Hank Green- cision to have Chapman assume Chapman’s Bronx stay might take a swing. inning single, Wright did not his ninth homer of the year, his pen soon enough to suit the berg is next on the list (53) fol- the closer’s role from Miller, be brief; he’s eligible for free FBoone famously solved Tim allow another hit until Starlin fi fth versus the Yankees (11-18). Yankees. lowed by Manny Ramirez (55). who saved 36 games in 2015 and agency after the season. Wakefi eld’s knuckleball on an Castro led off the seventh with a Charged with four runs in Ortiz now has 11 home runs is 6-for-6 in saves this season - “As of right now,” Chapman October night in 2003, hitting a ringing double. 6 2/3 innings, Severino also in his past 29 games against the RESULTS without yielding an earned run said, “I can tell you I’m very home run that beat Boston and By then, the Red Sox (18- struck out nine batters. Xander Yanks since June 29, 2014. Since LA Dodgers 4 Toronto 2 in 12 appearances. happy to be here.” delivered the Yankees to the 13) had a 4-0 lead and Cas- Bogaerts hit an eighth-inning the start of the 2003 season, Texas 8 Detroit 3 World Series. tro wound up getting himself solo homer off Chasen Shreve. the Red Sox are 13-22 versus Cleveland 5 Kansas City 4 On Sunday night, Boone picked off third base by catcher Entering Sunday’s game, the Yankees in games that Ortiz Milwaukee 5 Cincinnati 4 AROLDIS CHAPMAN was up in the ESPN broadcast Ryan Hanigan. It was the sec- Wright was 2-1 against the Yan- does not play. Philadelphia 6 Miami 5 booth, watching Steven Wright ond such egregious baserun- kees with a 1.50 ERA in three On April 29, Ortiz’s eighth- Arizona 5 Atlanta 3 take apart the Yankees with his ning miscue by Castro since appearances - two of them inning, two-run homer off Del- (11 innings) knuckleball while David Ortiz Thursday, when he was picked starts - covering 18 innings. lin Betances snapped a 2-2 tie Baltimore 11 Oakland 3 had a similar impact with his off second by Baltimore catcher The Yanks hadn’t faced him and sent the Red Sox to a 4-2 White Sox 3 Minnesota 1 bat. Matt Wieters late in a 1-0 loss. since Aug. 5, when Wright victory, one that started a three- Houston 5 Seattle 1 Ortiz crushed two of Boston’s In salvaging the fi nal game struck out a career-high nine game sweep at Fenway Park. Pittsburgh 10 St. Louis 5 four homers in a 5-1 Red Sox of a three-game series, Boston batters in a four-hit, eight-in- Ortiz also homered in Bos- Chicago Cubs 4 Washington 3 win at Yankee Stadium, where took a 2-0 lead in the fi rst in- ning victory at the Stadium. ton’s April 30 win against the (13 innings) several of the 41,869 fans might ning on Dustin Pedroia’s two- In preparing to face a knuck- Yanks, and he homered off Tampa Bay 3 LA Angels 1 have had a better chance at run homer. leballer, “I always thought they Michael Pineda in Friday’s fi rst Colorado 2 San Francisco 0 making contact off Wright than That towering fl y ball off Luis should put a bunch of butter- inning - his fi rst at-bat at the NY Mets 4 San Diego 3 Joe Girardi’s lineup. Severino (0-5) barely made it fl ies in the cage,” Girardi joked Stadium this year. Boston 5 NY Yankees 1

NFL Aspiring Seau looks to make his own impact

By Helene Elliott He had a solid career as a defen- was a clone of him.”That bond is why present shadow. “My biggest thing is I at Boston University’s Center for the Los Angeles Times sive end and outside linebacker at Ian misses him keenly now. “I went to don’t want people to feel like I’m here Study of CTE. Mary Seau wants to Nevada, where he racked up 10 sacks his grave sometimes throughout this because of my uncle’s last name,” Ian launch low-cost seminars for fami- and 18.5 tackles for loss last season, whole entire process and said, ‘Uncle, said. “I want them to say I did this on lies of those aff ected by brain trauma, he resemblance between Ian but he didn’t hear his name called on man, I wish you were here to tell me my own, and just being able to be in to help them understand the disease’s Seau and his late uncle, pro draft day. By contrast, Junior Seau was what to do,’ “ Ian said. “I’d sit there the same conversation as my uncle, terrible impact and make informed football Hall of Famer Junior chosen fi fth overall by the Chargers hoping he gives me an answer. He nev- just playing football, that’s a blessing. choices. Seau, is in determination more in 1990 out of USC, launching a stel- er does. But it was cool. I wish he was I’m here to make a name for myself as Her research leaves her knowledge- Tthan DNA, more striking in their love lar career as one of the game’s premier here to talk me through this and sort of well.” able about the risks her son faces. “I of family, football and the ukulele than linebackers. ease all this pain.” Mary Seau worked two or three jobs would have to say 50 percent of me, I in their facial features. Three years into retirement he shot It’s too early to evaluate the chances to support Ian’s football, basketball am worried,” she said. “But it’s not like Ian Seau, one of 19 undrafted rookie himself in the chest and died on May Ian will stick with the Rams and follow and track pursuits and Shannalei’s he’s not playing in the NFL because I free agents who participated in the 2, 2012. Doctors concluded he had suf- a ukulele next to you.’ I got my uke out his uncle by playing at the Coliseum as volleyball. She believes that without will always be worried wherever my Rams’ rookie mini-camp last week fered from chronic traumatic enceph- here. Whenever I’m stressed out I can the team returns to Los Angeles fol- baby-sitting help from Shannalei and kids go. If they’re working as civilian in Oxnard, isn’t as tall or muscular as alopathy, a degenerative disease found just play that. Just small things he gave lowing an absence of two decades. The without developing a tough skin when employment, getting to the grocery his uncle, who played 13 of his 20 NFL in the brains of people with a history of me of that nature.” rookies spent the fi rst few days easing parents at La Costa Canyon told Mary, store, it’s no diff erent than playing in seasons in San Diego. Ian Seau, slightly severe or repeated brain injuries. Ap- To avoid causing a fuss, Junior Seau into their surroundings and preparing “You need to go back where you came the NFL.” shorter at 6-foot-2 and a bit lighter at proximately 90 former NFL players would arrive unannounced the few to work with the veterans. He likes the from,” Ian would not be where he is Ian accepts those risks. “It scares 250 pounds, doesn’t have his famous have tested positive for the disease. times he attended Ian’s games at La Rams’ 4-3 defense and “great defen- now. me, but football is something that a relative’s athleticism. His strengths While uncle and nephew were close, Jolla Country Day School and La Costa sive line, a great defensive culture in She’s excited, of course, but she lot of people do not only to make a are less visible. Ian said Junior rarely spoke of football Canyon High in Carlsbad. “Watch- general.” He believes he can also play saw the downside of football through good living for themselves but putting “I’m a really hard worker. It’s not or its pitfalls. ing Ian play football, even basketball, middle linebacker if asked. “He re- her brother’s suicide. One reason themselves in a position to make an easy to make me quit. I rarely quit,” “He tried to keep his professional he pulled me aside and said that he ally would like to do this not only for she works nights as a coordinator in impact on people’s lives,” he said. Ian said. “I go out there and I’m going life diff erent from his social life and reminds me how I used to play, when himself but to let Junior know that he the emergency room department at “That’s what the Rams have blessed to compete. I’m going to claw and try his family life. He never really talked I played basketball and football,” said didn’t give up, that he’s the only one Scripps Encinitas is so she can spend me with. I’m out here and I’m able to and stay a part of this organization, so to me about playing in the NFL,” Ian Mary Seau, Junior’s sister and a sin- that didn’t give up,” Mary Seau said. days developing the nonprofi t Mary get my name out there and try to infl u- whatever I have to do, I’m going to fi nd said. “He just told me, ‘Hey man, when gle mother to Ian and daughter Shan- This is his chance to be seen in his Seau CTE Foundation, which aims ence some kids to make better deci- a way to stay on this team.” you’re in the league make sure you have nalei. “Junior could not believe that he own light, not in his uncle’s ever- to raise money to support research sions in life.” Gulf Times Tuesday, May 10, 2016 9 SPORT

ARABI IN EMIR CUP VOLLEYBALL FINAL

Defending champions Al Arabi entered the final of the Emir Cup volleyball defeating Police 3-0 (25-20, 25-17, 25-20) in the second match of the best-of-three playoff semi-final at the Ali Bin Hamad Al Attiyah Arena yesterday. (Right) In the second semi- final playoff El Jaish defeated Al Rayyan 3-2 (25-20, 20-25, 25-20, 19-25, 15-8) in the second game to level the series 1-1. The third game will be played on Wednesday. PICTURES: Jayaram

BOXING RUGBY Crusaders’ quiet progress faces Mayweather raises noisy obstacle in Dunedin

Reuters of form that propelled them to Wellington the last of their seven titles in prospect of possible 2008. “The Crusaders are now he title playing like their champion aspirations of both the sides of the past,” columnist Canterbury Crusaders Phil Giff ord wrote on Fairfax and Otago Highland- Media at the weekend. “Their Ters will get a reality check on run of victories makes them Friday when the two clash in the current standard-bearers McGregor bout what could be the defi ning amongst the Kiwi teams.” game of the regular season. That claim should be tested The Crusaders won their by the Highlanders after they ‘I didn’t let a sport retire me. I was able to retire from a sport and quit on my own terms’ eighth successive game last produced the type of perform- Friday with a clinical 38-5 vic- ance against the Chiefs in tory over the Queensland Reds Hamilton that drove them to to move to the top of the Super their fi rst title last season. FLOYD MAYWEATHER Rugby table on 37 points from They nullifi ed the home nine games. side’s high octane game The Highlanders then went with superb tactical kick- out and executed a tactical ing, scrambling defence and kicking game plan to perfec- patient use of the possession tion 24 hours later to beat the they did not kick away. previously high-fl ying Waika- This week’s clash is also the to Chiefs 26-13. Crusaders’ fi rst game against a The Chiefs also have 37 New Zealand side since week points and are third in the two when they beat the Blues Australasian group but have 28-13, and given the quality of played an extra game. The the local derbies, it should give Highlanders have 32 points a better indication of their cre- from 10 games. dentials. While much of the attention New Zealand teams have in the fi rst half of the season won all but two of their 14 was on the Chiefs, who un- games against Australian op- til a month ago were running position this season and lost rampant with a high tempo just three of 17 against teams game that has yielded a com- in the South African group. petition-leading 47 tries, the “It should be berserk down Crusaders were cruising below there and the players love it,” the radar. Crusaders assistant coach It was not until they de- Tabai Matson told Fairfax Me- stroyed the ACT Brumbies dia in Christchurch on Mon- 40-14 in Canberra on April 24, day ahead of their clash. however, that people truly no- “It should add to the inten- ticed Todd Blackadder’s side sity of the battle. It is going to were starting to show the type be a doozy.”

Scotland reveal 27-man squad

Scotland head coach yesterday announced what Reuters he did recently allude to a comeback in an he described as a “tight” 27-man squad for the two-Test tour of Los Angeles interview with Showtime, bringing along CONOR MCGREGOR Japan in June. with it whispers of a possible rematch The squad is largely comprised of the players who featured at against Manny Pacquiao. last year’s World Cup, where they beat Japan 45-10 in the pool loyd Mayweather continues to Dubbed ‘The Fight of the Century’ by stage, and this year’s Six Nations. stoke the fi res of a possible return promoters, their long-awaited showdown But Glasgow centre Mark Bennett was not included as he is hop- to the ring after the retired multi- on May 2 last year was a disappointing af- ing to earn a place in Great Britain’s sevens teams for the Rio de division champion dropped hints fair, as Mayweather easily outpointed his Janeiro Olympics. ofF a potential bout against outspoken Irish Filipino opponent in a low-key and ultra- “Being a two-match tour, rather than three, allows us to take a mixed-martial arts fi ghter Conor McGre- defensive encounter. smaller squad—a tight group—though opportunities still remain gor. However, one more win would put May- for other players to come in,” Cotter said in a press release. With a recent report claiming the two weather ahead of heavyweight great Rocky “This squad still has a lot of work to do to get better and this is headliners were discussing a fi ght, May- Marciano, who also retired with a perfect another opportunity to analyse our last game against Ireland weather advanced the speculation on the 49-0 career record. and the RBS 6 Nations Championship as a whole, in order to sidelines of the Canelo Alvarez and Amir “It’s not important,” Mayweather told move forward.” Khan clash in Las Vegas at the weekend. FightHype.com of the record. “I didn’t let Scotland play Japan, the 2019 World Cup hosts, at Tokyo’s Toyota “It’s possible. It’s possible. There was a a sport retire me. I was able to retire from a Stadium on June 18 before tackling the Brave Blossoms again at name that was shot at me,” Mayweather sport and quit on my own terms.” the Ajinomoto Stadium a week later. told FightHype.com. “But the rumours UFC featherweight champion McGre- Scotland squad for tour of Japan that y’all have been hearing (are) the ru- gor was dropped from his rematch against Backs (12): (capt, Gloucester/ENG), mours I started. It may not be a rumour. welterweight Nate Diaz at UFC 200 in July (Glasgow), (Glasgow), (Wasps/ENG), Keep your fi ngers crossed.” for refusing to attend a news conference to Alex Dunbar (Glasgow), (Glasgow), Duncan Taylor The 39-year-old American retired last promote the event. (Saracens/ENG), Damien Hoyland (), September after accumulating a 49-0 McGregor, who was choked into sub- (London Irish/ENG), (Glasgow/SCO), record during a 19-year career that pro- mission in a non-title bout against Diaz in (Harlequins/ENG), (Glasgow) duced world titles in fi ve weight divisions March, subsequently hinted that he could Forwards (15): (Edinburgh), WP Nel (Edin- and earnings in excess of $800 million. retire before making an aborted attempt to burgh), (Exeter/ENG), Rory Sutherland (Edinburgh), He has hardly faded from the scene, get back on the card. (Edinburgh), Stuart McInally (Edinburgh), Fraser Brown however, and Mayweather appeared at In response to speculation about a pos- (Glasgow), (Glasgow), Richie Gray (Castres/FRA), Tim ringside following boxer Adrien Broner’s sible meeting with Mayweather, the Irish- Swinson (Glasgow/SCO), John Barclay (Scarlets/WAL), David Den- victory over Ashley Theophane last month. man tweeted a mock promotional poster of ton (Bath/ENG), John Hardie (Edinburgh), (Glasgow), Broner then verbally challenged May- the two fi ghters face-to-face with the cap- Ryan Wilson (Glasgow) weather, who laughed off that taunt but tion “MMA Vs Boxing.” Gulf Times 10 Tuesday, May 10, 2016 SPORT

GOLF / PGA TOUR GOLF / LPGA TOUR Ariya overcomes Hahn beats Castro nerves to become fi rst Thai LPGA winner in playoff to win AFP with one hole remaining slip Los Angeles through her fi ngers at the 2013 LPGA Thailand. Her triple bogey resulted in her fi nishing one shot riya Jutanugarn fought behind. off back nine nerves to It was also a special win for par the 18th hole Sun- another reason as her mom was day and win the Yoko- in attendance on the US Moth- Wells Fargo title hamaA Tire Classic, becoming the er’s Day. The Thai Mother’s Day fi rst Thai player to win on the is August 12. LPGA Tour. “Thank you for my mom for ‘It’s crazy to call myself a two-time PGA Tour champion’ Ariya started the fourth round being with me all the time to with a three-stroke lead and de- support me and happy Mother’s spite a roller-coaster ride she Day,” said Ariya. managed to close with an even- Lewis, who has won 11 times par 72 to claim her fi rst victory. on the LPGA Tour, has now gone “It was so tough. I can’t con- 49 tournaments without a win. trol anything. My legs were Her runner-up fi nish Sunday shaking, my hands were shak- was her 11th-second-place fi nish ing,” Ariya said. during her title drought. The 20-year-old from Bang- South Korean Ryu So-Yeon, kok fi nished at 14-under 274 to who led after 36 holes, had a 72 beat South Korea’s Amy Yang and fi nished at 10-under 278. and Americans Morgan Pressel First round leader Laetitia Beck and Stacy Lewis by one shot and of Israel also shot 72 to fi nish fi nally reach the winner’s circle with three others six shots back after three top-10 fi nishes this of Ariya. year. Yang had a 67, Pressel and LEADING FINAL ROUND Lewis both shot 68 as the trio SCORES fi nished tied for second at 13-un- 274 - Ariya Jutanugarn (THA) der. 70-69-63-72 Ariya needed a par on the fi nal 275 - Amy Yang (KOR) 71-68-69- hole to get the victory, and her 67, Stacy Lewis (USA) 71-68-68- drive on the 18th hole went into 68, Morgan Pressel (USA)69-68- the left rough. 70-68 Her second shot fell short of 276 - Caroline Hedwall (SWE) the green but landed above a 75-65-68-68 bunker. Ariya chipped to within 277 - Candie Kung (TPE) 69-72- fi ve feet before sinking her par 70-66, Park Hee-Young (KOR) putt. 71-70-69-67, Ryann O’Toole It wasn’t the way she drew (USA)70-67-68-72, Minjee Lee it up, but Ariya fi nally broke (AUS) 67-70-68-72 through after a couple of near 278 - Brittany Lang (USA)71- misses. She has twice held 54- 70-70-67, Gerina Piller (USA)71- hole leads but failed to convert 68-69-70, Ryu So-Yeon (KOR) those to wins. 70-65-71-72 Earlier this season at the ANA 279 - Carlota Ciganda (ESP) Inspiration, the fi rst major of the 74-72-68-65, Pornanong Phatlum year, she led by two shots with (THA) 75-65-70-69 three to play in the fi nal round 280 - Cydney Clanton (USA)71-71- but bogeyed her fi nal three holes 68-70, Yan Jing (CHN) 73-68- to lose to Lydia Ko. 69-70, Sarah Jane Smith (AUS) Ariya was just 17 years old 70-70-70-70, Laetitia Beck (ISR) when she let a two-stroke lead 65-73-70-72

James Hahn celebrates after winning the Wells Fargo Championship on the first playoff hole at Quail Hollow Club in Charlotte, North Carolina, on Sunday. (AFP)

AFP the victory as Castro was in trouble right They were joined by overnight leader Fowler had more to regret, after a Charlotte, North Carolina away in the playoff , sending his tee shot Rickie Fowler, who carded a 74, and An- round that included a double-bogey at into the stream guarding the fairway. drew Loupe, who signed for a 71. the seventh and three bogeys. His third shot from the bank landed in Castro had seized the lead with a birdie “Obviously it sucks,” Fowler said of ames Hahn parred the fi rst hole of a the shoe of a spectator near the green and at 15, but bogeyed 16 and 17 to let Hahn his collapse. “It’s disappointing knowing sudden death playoff on Sunday to after his chip rolled past the pin he settled move one ahead. where my game was at coming into today. beat Roberto Castro for the Wells for a bogey. Hahn missed a chance to close it out in I felt really good about being in the fi nal Fargo Championship title and end “It’s crazy to call myself a two-time regulation when his seven-footer for par group and getting the job done. But yeah, monthsJ of misery on the PGA Tour. PGA Tour champion,” Hahn said. “To do at the 72nd hole failed to drop. some little off swings off the tee and then America’s Hahn arrived at Quail Hol- this on the fi rst playoff hole is amazing.” Castro then salvaged a par from the catching that mud ball on seven—not ex- low in Charlotte, North Carolina, this Both Hahn and Castro fi nished 72 right rough at 18 to force the playoff , but he actly good fortune.” week having missed eight straight cuts. holes at nine-under 279, one shot in front couldn’t master the notorious hole again. He hadn’t produced a round in the 60s of England’s Justin Rose. LEADING FINAL ROUND SCORES since February. Hahn, who earned his fi rst career title FOWLER COLLAPSE 279 - James Hahn (USA) 70-71-68-70, He had to fi ght back tears after sink- via a playoff at the 2015 Northern Trust Eighteen was tough on McIlroy as well. Roberto Castro (USA) 71-66-71-71 ing a four-foot par putt at Quail Hollow’s Open in Los Angeles, bogeyed the 18th in He was four-over on the hole for the 280 - Justin Rose (ENG) 70-70-69-71 demanding 18th to seal his second career regulation to cap a 70 while Castro closed week, including a bogey there on Sunday. 281 - Phil Mickelson (USA) 69-70-76-66, title. with a 71. Rose carded a 71 for solo third “Any time you walk off the golf course Rory McIlroy (NIR) 73-69-73-66, Andrew “Eight straight missed cuts is tough,” place on 280. and soot 66, you can’t be too disappoint- Loupe (USA) 65-71-74-71, Rickie Fowler Hahn said. “You start to question your- Five-time major winner Phil Mickel- ed,” said McIlroy, who nevertheless re- (USA) 71-68-68-74 self—are you good enough, will it ever son and Northern Ireland’s Rory McIlroy gretted that he “had a chance on the back 282 - Lucas Glover (USA) 71-70-70-71 Ariya Jutanugarn of Thailand celebrates with her sister, Moriya, on the happen again?” led a group on 281, both climbing up the nine to post a number for the guys to at 283 - Danny Lee (NZL) 72-71-73-67, Fabian 18th hole after winning the Yokohama Classic in Prattville, Alabama, But he needed only a routine par for leaderboard with 66s. least think about, and I didn’t”. Gomez (ARG) 75-69-69-70 on Sunday. (AFP)

HORSE RACING Big day winners take season-ending honours

By Sports Reporter Doha

fter 53 race meetings at the Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club, as the fi nal list of cham- pions emerged, what became veryA evident is winning the big ones counts the most. With the titles of the best owners, trainers and horses being decided on prize money, performing on the big day was very crucial. And over the season, meetings like the Qatar International Derby and HH The Emir’s Sword Raceday gave the competitors an edge over the others in the fray. Khalifa bin Sheail al-Kuwari topped the owners’ list having bagged 23 win- ners, with the total prize money earned at QR4.68million. HH Sheikh Moham- ed bin Khalifa al-Thani was second in the list, while HH Sheikh Abdullah bin Khalifa bin Sheail al-Kuwari emerged as Harry Bentley rides Spaghetti to a win in the HH The Emir’s Silver Sword. Spaghetti picked up the honours among the four- Khalifa al-Thani’s Umm Qarn complet- the leading owner. year-old Purebred Arabians. PICTURES: Juhaim Jassim Ghazali is the top trainer. ed the top three. This was also the first time that era Baron and HH The Emir’s Silver breds category but also the overall HH Sheikh Mohamed’s big race win- bred Arabian, and four-year-old and Harry Bentley brushed aside a setback the owner’s list was topped by an in- Sword winner Spaghetti. All three standings. Among the three-year-old ner was Julian Smart-trained Gazwan, older Arabians. early in the season when an ankle injury dividual Qatari owner and not a big horses are trained by Jassim Ghazali, thoroughbreds, Opera Baron emerged winner of the HH The Emir’s Sword Gazwan’s trainer Smart was second sent him out of action for a few weeks farm. who retained the Champion Trainer as the winner. (Gr1 PA). in the trainers’ list behind Ghazali, to retain the Champion Jockey title. Al-Kuwari’s big race winners were title. Spaghetti picked up the honours Gazwan fi nished second only to The while Frenchman Alban de Mieulle, Bentley rode many of al-Kuwari-owned HH The Emir’s Trophy winner The Dubawi colt The Blue Eye not only among the four-year-old Purebred Blue Eye, a thoroughbred, in the overall who works with HH Sheikh Abdullah’s winners to top the lists, ahead of Richard Blue Eye, Al Biddah Mile topper Op- topped the four-year-old thorough- Arabians. standings but emerged as the top Pure- Umm Qarn, fi nished third. Mullen and third-placed Adrie de Vries. Gulf Times Tuesday, May 10, 2016 11 TENNIS

SPOTLIGHT IN FORM Madrid win a great Seeds progress in boost: Djokovic Rome as injured

Tsonga pulls out File picture of Novak Djokovic of Serbia. AFP within a week of each other in Rome May, 1987 — fi rst met in Madrid This is not something good to be a little bit injured before Roland Garros. I hope I will in a 2006 round of 16 when the event was played on hardcourt. have the chance to recover quick enough to prepare as good as possible’ ovak Djokovic heads for Djokovic won it in three sets Rome this week cred- and set up his longstanding rivalry AFP iting an unscheduled with the Spanish-trained Scot. Rome pause in his claycourt “We both strived to be at the Nseason with helping him clinch a top, we’ve known each other since record 29th Masters title. we were 12. I think you can see pair of men’s seeds booked sec- The world number one defeat- already in those junior days that ond-round spots at the Rome ed long-time rival Andy Murray both of us have serious intentions Masters yesterday as French- 6-2, 3-6, 6-3 on Sunday to win to conquer the tennis world and man Jo-Wilfried Tsonga pulled the Madrid Masters for a second try to make a serious mark. theA plug on his participation due to a time. “I’m very pleased that I have training injury. Djokovic, 28, was forced to rest developed a great rivalry with The sudden adductor problem with after losing his fi rst clay outing of somebody that I’ve known since less than a fortnight left before the the season, going down in Monte a very long time and some- French Open is not good news for the Carlo to Czech Jiri Vesely. body that I have a very good and seventh seed. But he credited the pause with friendly relationship with on and On court there were wins for Canadian actually helping his game as he off the court.” tenth seed Milos Raonic, and 11th seed decompressed after winning Djokovic has defeated Mur- Richard Gasquet as second seed Andy four early-season titles—Doha, ray in all four of their clay-court Murray landed in Rome after splitting the Australian Open and Indian meetings as he added the 2016 from coach Amelie Mauresmo a day after Wells and Miami Masters. Madrid trophy to the title he he lost the Madrid fi nal to Novak Djoko- “I had an amazing opening earned fi ve years ago in the Span- vic. four months of the season. The ish capital. Tsonga said he would work to be fi t for early exit in Monte Carlo hap- He has now won 33 of the the start of Roland Garros. pened for a reason—I needed past 35 sets against top 10 oppo- “I was sick when I left Madrid for two some time to really recharge my nents—a stretch of 15 matches. days, and I came here and I tried to play a batteries,” said Djokovic. He’s also won fi ve of the past six little bit to see how it goes,” Tsonga said. The Serb called his three-week and 10 of the past 14 Masters ti- “This morning I just stretched a little stoppage “more than enough tles. bit my adductor.” to get some freshness and new The Belgrade native won Tsonga lost in the Madrid third round breath, on the court and get 912,900 euros ($1.04 million) on to Raonic and played a Monte Carlo ready for Madrid. Sunday and victory in Rome will semi-fi nal against compatriot Gael Mon- “I came to Madrid early, got make him the fi rst man to win fi ls last month. used to the conditions, and $100 million in prize money. “This is not something good to be a played a really fantastic tourna- Murray will fall to three in the little bit injured before Roland Garros. ment that will defi nitely serve as world in the new rankings on I hope I will have the chance to recover a great confi dence boost before Monday behind Roger Federer quick enough to prepare as good as pos- Rome and of course the French after failing to defend his title. sible.” Open, where I want to arrive in “He played unbelievable at the Raonic defeated Italian Marco Cecchi- the best possible shape.” start, sometimes that can hap- nato 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 to line up a massive The world number one cap- pen,” said Murray. challenge against Nick Kyrgios in the tured his fi fth trophy of 2016 as “I don’t think it came down next round. he defeated defending champion to luck today. He was just a little Kyrgios hammered Italian wild card Murray for the 12th time in their bit more solid at the end of the Salvatore Caruso 6-1, 6-2 after reaching last last 13 matches to stand at an match when he needed it.” the semi-fi nals in Estoril and the Madrid overwhelming 23-9 in their ca- In Rome, Djokovic, Rafael quarter-fi nals in his last two clay events. reer head-to-head. Nadal and Federer have been “Clay is probably my least preferred File picture of Jo-Wilfried Tsonga of France wiping his head between points during his US Open quarterfinals match. Djokovic and Murray—born drawn in the same half. surface, to be honest. But I actually don’t play too bad on it. I think it suits my game Key Results “I’ll take some time to consider the quite well,” the Australian said. next steps and how we progress from COMPLAINT “It gives me time to set up and really go MENS here, but I’d like to thank her for every- for my shots and then execute. If you’ve Guillermo Garcia-Lopez (Spain) beat thing she has done, she’s been an invalu- got a good serve you can serve for any Fabio Fognini (Italy) 6-1 7-6(2); An- able member of the team.” surface.” dreas Seppi (Italy) beat Vasek Pospisil The relationship was interrupted last Aussie media rips Kyrgios said he had not spoken with (Canada) 7-6(5) 7-6(2); 10-Milos Raon- year as the Frenchwoman took time away slumping Bernard Tomic, whose habit of ic (Canada) beat Marco Cecchinato to have a child, joining Murray by becom- giving away matches and not trying his (Italy) 6-4 4-6 6-4; Nick Kyrgios (Aus- ing a new parent last August. into ‘king of the best is becoming a major cross to bear for tralia) beat Salvatore Caruso (Italy) 6-1 Since then, her appearances in the the Aussie. 6-2; 11-Richard Gasquet (France) beat team camp have been limited. “I haven’t really been hanging out Julien Benneteau (France) 6-3 6-0 In women’s play, 1999 champion Ve- excuse’ Tomic with Bernard or speak to him too much,” nus Williams, the 12th seed, started with Kyrgios said. “I’m sure something is not WOMEN a defeat of Coco Vandeweghe, 6-4, 6-3 as AFP right. Monica Puig (Puerto Rico) beat Russian Darya Kasatkina put out Czech Sydney “He doesn’t want to push it I think a 15-Elina Svitolina (Ukraine) 6-1 4-6 16th seed Karolina Pliskova 6-4, 6-4. couple weeks out from the French. that’s 6-1; Madison Keys (U.S.) beat Andrea “That was my fi rst time playing against the main target, and obviously Wimble- Petkovic (Germany) 6-4 6-1; Heather Coco. I hit with her a little bit at Fed Cup roubled tennis star don following after.” Watson (Britain) beat 14-Sara Errani but I was not really sure what to expect.” Bernard Tomic was Heavy hitters Kyrgios and Raonic (Italy) 6-4 3-6 6-0; 10-Lucie Safarova William said. slammed by Australia’s stand level at 2-2 in their series, with the Italy’s Sara Errani lost to Britain’s Heather (Czech Republic) beat Francesca Schi- “I imagine that on the clay I have a lit- media as “the king of the Australian winning the last two at Wim- Watson yesterday in Rome. tle bit more advantage, just having played excuse”T yesterday with “a heart avone (Italy) 6-3 6-2; Misaki Doi (Ja- bledon last summer and Miami in March. pan) beat Alize Cornet (France) 7-6(2) more matches on clay. I think that helped the size of a peanut” after his lat- France’s Gasquet advanced past com- two years with Mauresmo. 6-1; Darya Kasatkina (Russia) beat a lot.” est on-court antics at the Rome patriot Julien Benneteau 6-3, 6-0. “I’ve learned a lot from Amélie over the 16-Karolina Pliskova (Czech Republic) Roland Garros fi nalist Lucie Safarova, Masters. Murray meanwhile had broken ground past two years. She’s been a calming in- 6-4 6-4; 12-Venus Williams (U.S.) beat the tenth seed, started with a defeat of Tomic, who made headlines as the fi rst major ATP player to work with fl uence in the team and we’ll miss having CoCo Vandeweghe (U.S.) 6-4 6-3 veteran Italian wild card Francesca Schi- last week when he turned his a female coach, which he did for almost her around,” Murray said in a statement. avone 6-3, 6-2. racquet the wrong way to face a match point in the Madrid Mas- ters fi rst round against Fabio “You’re a man already with BOTTOMLINE Fognini, lasted just eight minutes a reputation for having a heart in his opening clash in Rome on the size of a peanut, one who has Sunday. been given extraordinary talent, The much-criticised Aussie but no gumption to go with it, no world number 22 retired after a ability to guts it out,” he said. medical timeout when he was “What is in it for you to carry leading French opponent Benoit on as you do? What is in your Mauresmo and Murray split Paire 2-1, saying he had been head? ... It embarrasses your “feeling bad all night”. country.” AFP The 36-year-old, who was the “I’ve learned a lot from The 23-year-old has a cata- Tomic brazenly told his post- Rome fi rst woman to coach a top male Amelie over the last two logue of lax commitment in match news conference in Ma- player, has not been seen around years, both on and off the matches, which has earned him drid: “I don’t care about that the practice courts with Murray court,” said Murray. the tag of “Tomic the Tank En- match point. Would you care if ndy Murray and Amelie for several months. “She’s been a calming gine,” and he was savaged in the you were 23 and worth over $10 Mauresmo announced “I’ve learned a lot from Amelie infl uence in the team and Australian press. million?” yesterday that they had over the last two years, both on we will all miss having her “Desire, passion, fi ght and a The Herald said Tomic had mutually agreed to end and off the court,” said Murray. around strong work ethic—all qualities made Aus$2,570 ($1,900) a theA Frenchwoman’s two-year “She’s been a calming infl u- you’d like to see in your emerg- minute in Rome based on his stint as coach of the two-time ence in the team and we will all Murray claimed his maiden ing and established tennis stars,” prize money as a fi rst-round major champion. miss having her around. clay-court trophy in Munich last the Herald Sun said in an opinion loser,. Under Mauresmo’s tutelage, “I’ll take some time to con- year, and backed it up by beating piece. Last weekend Tomic and fi ery Briton Murray won seven titles, sider the next steps and how we Rafael Nadal on the red dirt for “Instead, we’re treated to tan- compatriot Nick Kyrgios were including his fi rst two on clay, progress from here, but I’d like to the fi rst time in the Madrid Mas- trums, arrogance, moods and at warned that their on-court be- and reached the fi nal of the Aus- thank her for everything she has ters fi nal. times utterly shocking attempts haviour could threaten their tralian Open in 2015 and 2016. done, she’s been an invaluable The 28-year-old surrendered at justifying continual brattish places in the Australian team for “Working with Andy over the member of the team.” that crown to top seed Djokovic behaviour. the Rio Olympics in August. last two years has been a fan- The biggest improvement in on Sunday, but only after push- “Yep, we’re looking at you Australian chef de mission tastic experience for me,” said File picture of Andy Murray and coach Amelie Mauresmo. Murray’s game under Mauresmo ing the Serb hard to force a tight Bernard Tomic,” it added in a Kitty Chiller described Tomic’s Mauresmo in a joint statement has come on clay. deciding set. story headlined “King of the ex- behaviour in Madrid as “appall- with Murray on her Facebook for me. I wish him and team well in June 2014, after the player and As well as the fi nal appear- He also took the world number cuse” which scornfully listed his ing”. page. and I hope he goes on to win Czech Ivan Lendl decided to part ances at Melbourne Park, which one to fi ve sets in a semi-fi nal top 10 career excuses in an “ev- Tomic has won just one match “I’ve thoroughly enjoyed be- many more titles.” ways. both ended in defeats to Novak loss at Roland Garros last year. er-expanding rap sheet”. on clay this season in a worrying ing part of the great team of Mauresmo, who is a former She took some time off last Djokovic, Murray twice pro- The fi nal loss in Spain saw Sydney Morning Herald col- indication of his poor form just people he has around him. Dedi- world number one and also a summer whilst pregnant with gressed to the French Open last Murray lose the world number umnist Peter FitzSimons said two weeks out from the French cating enough time along with two-time Grand Slam champi- her son, with Swede Jonas Bjork- four after he started working two ranking, that he regained Tomic was embarrassing his Open, the second Grand Slam of the travel has been a challenge on, took over as Murray’s coach man fi lling in in her absence. with Mauresmo. last year, to Roger Federer. country. the season.

Tuesday, May 10, 2016 GULF TIMES SPORT

WORKERS CUP Just days aft er father’s funeral , player returns to play fi nal Gulf Contracting Company player Morris Wendo was keen on playing the final because “my father would have wanted” me to

orris Wendo of Gulf Con- tracting Company (GCC) might have ended up on the losing side in Friday’s MWorkers Cup fi nal. However, by coming on as an early substitute just days after the death of his father, the 26-year-old Kenyan won the hearts of his team- mates and was compared by his team management to an all-time sporting legend, Indian cricketer Sachin Ten- dulkar. Wendo returned home on April 13 af- ter his father Charles passed away fol- lowing a stroke. He returned just four days before the fi nal and told www. sc.qa he would have stayed back longer with his mother, four brothers and fi ve sisters had it not been for the desire to feature in the fi nal of the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy- sponsored tournament. “I wanted to come back and be with my team when I heard that they had won the semi-fi nal,” he said. “This is such an important tournament for my organisation and myself. Winning would mean claiming silverware in the host country of the 2022 FIFA World Cup.” He continued: “I spoke to my family and my brothers said I should go and try to win the trophy as that was what my father would have wanted.” GCC’s English coach Andy Clayton changed the formation during the fi rst half, from 4-4-2 to an attacking 4-3-3 by bringing Wendo on. And, thereaf- ter, thanks to his link-ups with off en- sive partners Eric Ojwang and Dennis Ndege, his side dominated possession and created a number of chances. In the penalty shoot-out, Wendo’s shot hit the top of the upright and came down vertically but failed to cross the line. But regardless of the result, his team bosses were simply delighted to have him back among their ranks. GCC team manager Sebastian Thomas told www.sc.qa that Wendo had called from Kenya stating his intention to come back for the fi nal, and the team manage- ment provided him the return ticket. “We were thrilled that he was com- ing back so soon after laying his father to rest,” he said. “That sort of commitment is hard to fi nd and we were all hoping that he could win the fi nal for his Dad. I was reminded of Tendulkar going back to Mumbai for his father’s funeral from England while playing the 1999 ICC World Cup and returning a few days later for a must-win group game.” stage. However, by returning to don in the team meeting,” Thomas contin- he stepped out on to the pitch as a substi- We have done well to be in the fi nal “And in 2022 I want to lift Coincidentally, Tendulkar had re- national colours at the time of per- ued. “Our coach Andy is aware of Ten- tute and then took his penalty? “None at and we have next year to set the record the big trophy out here in Doha. My Dad turned after his father’s funeral to sonal grief, Tendulkar added a sub- dulkar’s achievements in cricket and it all,” said Wendo. “I wanted to do it for my straight.” was a huge fan of Maradona and I am of feature in India’s group game against stantial layer to his now iconic status helped him to motivate the team. The Dad, my coach and teammates. Morris says he is bidding farewell to Messi. Hopefully in 2022, another Ar- Wendo’s nation, Kenya. Although In- as one of Asia’s greatest sporting he- parallel also struck a chord with our “But things didn’t go according to the 2016 Workers Cup with two wish- gentina star will emerge to win the tro- dia won that game they crashed out roes. Qatari owner.” script. It happens. After all, worse es, one for 2017 and the other for 2022. phy and my children will be fans of his.” of the tournament later in the group “I made a mention of this incident So was there any additional pressure as things have happened to me recently. “Next year, I will lift that trophy,” he said. (SC.qa)

SPOTLIGHT Kharaitiyat FIA vice-president at WTCC’s round in Morocco to retain head coach Ooredoo Amir Osim announces l Kharaitiyat’s head of football Mansour Musa Emir Cup fan Ahas confirmed that his side will be changing three professional players in the competition summer, in an interview with QSL online. “Hassan Abdel-Fattah, Yahia By Sports Reporter Kebe and Issiar Dia are set Doha to leave the club per the conclusion of their contracts at the end of the season,” oredoo yesterday announced the Musa said. launch of ‘Ooredoo Fan Cup’ to cel- The loss of Yahia Kebe will ebrate the passion that Qatar has for be a particular blow for its sporting teams during the most prestigiousO tournament of the year, the Emir Kharaitiyat as the striker from Burkina Faso scored an Cup. impressive 15 goals this term The competition, which was launched in for the Thunders. collaboration with the Qatar Football Associ- Musa also confirmed that ation (QFA), aims to help raise awareness and both head coach Amir Osim excitement for the upcoming Emir Cup fi nal, and Brazilian defender set to be held on May 20. Domingos will be staying The Ooredoo Fan Cup has been designed with the side going into the to allow football fans across Qatar to vote for new season. “Both Osim their favourite Emir Cup participating team, and Domingos will stay with and the team with the most fan points at the Kharaitiyat. We see them as end of the contest will be announced the win- key personnel in the squad,” ner of the Ooredoo Fan Cup before the fi nal Musa added. match of the Emir Cup. Musa then elaborated about All Emir Cup fans can vote for their team by the team’s pre-season training simply posting a video or photo on the dedi- camp. “We have confirmed cated website www.ooredoo.qa/fanscup or Slovakia at this stage. The record a message at the dedicated Fan Cup club board is meeting in the booth in Landmark Mall. next few days to confirm the The booth will include an interactive room finer details of the preseason FIA vice president Nasser Khalifa al-Attiyah (left) with representative of Ministry of Youth & Sport and Marrakech Crown Al Sayed Al Arabi Hassan where fans can record their participation in preparations.” during the fourth round of the 2016 World Touring Car Championship, hosted by Circuit International Automobile Moulay El Hassan in Marrakech from the contest and will be open until May 18 from Al Kharitiyat avoided relega- May 6-8. Talking on the sidelines of the event, al-Attiyah said, “The Ministry of Youth & Sport has been supporting motorsport in Morocco very well and 10am to 10pm every day. tion to the Qatar Gas League is pushing it on to a global map. I have experienced this personally during my presence at this event, having seen senior off icials attending the event. As the main telecommunication partner on the final day of the season, This gives a good impression about the future of motorsport in Morocco. The awareness about motorsport is very much there among the youth. It is and three-year sponsor of the Emir Cup, finishing in twelfth place with a good indicator that the kingdom is on the right track. We as international off icials support this approach, which also highlights Mena’s position as an Ooredoo is encouraging as many people as a tally of 27 points. eff ective region under FIA.” possible to attend the matches, support the teams and enjoy the incredible atmosphere.