MONDAY, MAY 16, 2016

Sunrisers near playoffs Murray wins Rome Masters Sunrisers Hyderabad score a thumping Andy Murray downs Novak Djokovic to become INDIAN win to inch closer to IPL playoffs PAGE 31 the first Briton to win Rome MastersPAGE 30 KKR VS ROYAL CHALLENGERS Al Shaqab’s Mourtajez, Mekhtaal race to win at Deauville TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK crack. We left him time after his Khalifa bin Mohammed al At- DOHA race in Doha. This defeat actu- tiyah, Al Shaqab Racing General ally made him stronger. Now, he Manager, said Al Shaqab’s inter- IN presence of HE Sheikh should go to Goodwood (Qatar national victories are in favour of Joaan bin Hamad al Thani, International) and then defend Qatar’s equestrian sport. the Deauville racecourse saw his title in Longchamp. After “Congratulations to Qatar”, Al Shaqab’s horses continue that, he could take his revenge said Attiyah. “Such victories their winning run in Europe in Doha next year.” wouldn’t have been possible with two more titles being won Sir Bani Yas finished a without the support and com- by Mekhtaal and Al Mourtajez good second in front of Prada mitment of HE Sheikh Joaan on Sunday, demonstrating the T. The two other representa- bin Hamad al Thani for contin- excellence of Qatar’s eques- tives of Al Shaqab Racing – ued success of Al Shaqab and trian sport. AJS Rudainah and Laft Nethar Qatar’s equestrian in general. The races were sponsored – claimed the fourth and fifth “His Excellency’s presence by the Qatar Racing and Eques- places respectively. on two days in a row reflects trian Club (QREC) as part of the such support and commit- partnership between QREC and Impressive Mekhtaal ment as well as the invaluable Deauville racecourse. wins Prix Hocquart Al Shaqab Racing’s Al Mourtajez signs another Group success at the Qatar Coupe d’Europe des Chevaux Arabes (Gr1 PA) on Sunday at role he fulfils in this respect. Trained by Thomas Fourcy, The Al Shaqab Racing owned Deauville. (Right) HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad al Thani with officials at the Deauville racecourse in France on Sunday. “We do wish all the best and ridden by jockey Julien colt Mekhtaal won from pil- and success for the other Auge, Al Mourtajez travelled lar to post the Prix Hocquart the whole race and in the fi- win his first Group race. Claude Rouget always liked the time he needed.” Qatari horse owners as just behind his colour partner (Gr2) race. Ridden by Gre- nal straight, the Jean-Claude Harry Herbert, racing this colt. He is beautifully our ultimate goal is to enhance Laft Nethar. Fourcy said, “He gory Benoist in the lead, Me- Rouget trained colt kept de- manager for Al Shaqab, said, trained. He is a slow bird and Victories in favour of the standing of Qatar’s eques- is an exceptional horse, a true khtaal seemed relaxed during taching himself from the lot to “It was impressive. Jean- Jean-Claude Rouget gave him Qatar’s equestrian: Attiyah trian sport.” F1 MAX FOR DUTCH TEEN Eighteen-year-old Verstrappen FACT FILE Name: Verstappen becomes youngest ever First name: Max Born: Sept 30, 1997 winner in Spain Place: Hasselt (Belgium) AFP RESULTS puncture at the end was just Nationality: Dutch BARCELONA salt in the wounds. SPANISH F1 GRAND PRIX “I don't want to come across Height: 1.80m TEENAGER Max Verstap- 1. Max Verstappen (NED/Red Bull) as a bad sportsman and, what- pen became Formula One's 1hr 41min 40.017sec ever happened on the track, Weight: 67kg youngest winner on Sunday 2. Kimi Raikkonen (FIN/Ferrari) at 0.616sec Max crossed the line first. I'm when he took full advantage 3. Sebastian Vettel (GER/Ferrari) 5.581 bitter, but not at Max.” F1 career 4. Daniel Ricciardo (AUS/Red Bull) 43.950 of a spectacular first lap crash Red Bull team boss Chris- 5. Valtteri Bottas (FIN/Williams) 45.271 Grand Prix starts: 24 that eliminated both Mer- 6. Carlos Sainz Jr (ESP/Toro Rosso) 1:01.395 tian Horner said: "We are as cedes cars to claim a memo- 7. Sergio Perez (MEX/Force ) 1:19.538 much in shock as anyone is... F1 career rable triumph in the Spanish 8. Felipe Massa (BRA/Williams) 1:20.707 We knew there was a chance Grand Prix. 9. Jenson Button (GBR/McLaren) 1 lap when both Mercedes went off, Total points: 87 In his maiden outing with 10. Daniil Kvyat (RUS/Toro Rosso) 1 lap but what Max has done is un- Red Bull following his unex- 11. Esteban Gutierrez (MEX/Haas) 1 lap believable. Teams: Toro Rosso (2015- pected promotion from Toro 12. Marcus Ericsson (SWE/Sauber) 1 lap “He made a two-stop, which 2016 - up to Russian Rosso, the 18-year-old Dutch- 13. Jolyon Palmer (GBR/Renault) 1 lap was right on the limit, and it 14. Kevin Magnussen (DEN/Renault) 1 lap man showed supreme com- worked beautifully for him. It GP); Red Bull (2016 - 15. Felipe Nasr (BRA/Sauber) 1 lap from Spanish GP) posure under pressure as he 16. Pascal Wehrlein (GER/Manor) 1 lap is fantastic for F1 to have a new resisted all attacks to claim a 17. Rio Haryanto (INA/Manor) 1 lap winner - a youngster on the top stunning victory in only his step at 18. He can't even drink Debut GP: Australia 24th F1 race. the champagne!” 2015 (Toro Rosso) He became the youngest finished second ahead of Vettel. Vettel was generous to race winner, at 18 years and Verstappen's maiden win his successor as the young- 1st win: Spain, May 15 228 days, replacing four-time on his Red Bull debut was the est winner. “Many congratu- 2016 champion Sebastian Vet- first in the sport by a Dutch- lations to Max, it is a great tel who had also taken that man and the first by the team achievement to win your first Highest grid position: record as a Red Bull driver. without Vettel involved in one race and this is his day.” 4th (Spain 2016) Verstappen, heralded as of their cars. Raikkonen, whose second the sport's hottest property, Verstappen's father Jos, place finish lifted him to sec- World drivers champion- proved he has everything re- who on Saturday had an- ond behind Rosberg in the ship: 12th (2015) quired to be a future world nounced he was standing drivers' championship, said: champion, but owed some of down as his son's manager. "I am happy for Max, but dis- Career before F1: his good fortune also to Red Valtteri Bottas came home appointed for myself. Bull's decision to put him on fifth for Williams ahead of “But that's racing. We tried 2005-2013: karting a three-stop strategy while his Carlos Sainz in a Toro Rosso, and we tried. I was fast and I got 2014: 3rd F3 European senior team-mate Daniel Ric- Sergio Perez of Force India, close, but it was not enough.” ciardo was on a two-stop plan. Felipe Massa in the second Raikkonen, a 36-year-old Championship (10 wins, That prevented the Aus- Williams, Jenson Button of veteran of 235 Grands Prix, Red Bull F1 driver Max Verstappen of The Netherlands with the Spanish Grand Prix trophy at the Circuit 7 pole positions) tralian from turning his early McLaren Honda and Daniil added: "I raced against his de Catalunya in Montmelo, near Barcelona on Sunday. (REUTERS) control of the race into victory Kvyat on his return to Toro father. In Formula One! And after the opening lap collision Rosso. that is scary..." between championship leader Ricciardo was under- In an extraordinary race, Nico Rosberg and his Mercedes standably frustrated. there was drama from start to team-mate Lewis Hamilton “It's mixed emotions for finish, had left them fuming in a grav- me,” he said. leader Rosberg and Hamilton Unbelievable, says the young el trap at Turn Four and out “I was leading and then were scrapping for the lead of the race. was pulled to a three-stop when they wrecked the team's AFP Ricciardo eventually came strategy and had to pass three hopes of another one-two BARCELONA home fourth, despite suffering cars - that wasn't the plan. triumph and revived bitter a puncture on the penultimate “In hindsight, it was memories of their collision in RECORD-BREAKING teen- 65th lap, behind the two Fer- wrong. Not to be on the po- the 2014 Belgian Grand Prix ager Max Verstappen han- raris of Kimi Raikkonen who dium - that sucks for me. The on Turn Four. dled his triumphant arrival as a global sports star with the STANDINGS same cool aplomb he showed behind the wheel on Sunday. DRIVERS ...... POINTS Mobbed by microphones 1. Nico Rosberg (Germany) Mercedes ...... 100 and cameras, he beamed with 2. Kimi Raikkonen (Finland) Ferrari...... 61 pleasure just as he had while 3. Lewis Hamilton (Britain) Mercedes ...... 57 4. Sebastian Vettel (Germany) Ferrari ...... 48 steering his Red Bull car to a 5. Daniel Ricciardo (Australia) Red Bull ...... 48 maiden victory – and a place 6. Max Verstappen (Netherlands) Red Bull ...... 38 in sports history – at the Span- 7. Felipe Massa (Brazil) Williams ...... 36 ish Grand Prix. 8. Valtteri Bottas (Finland) Williams ...... 29 9. Daniil Kvyat () Toro Rosso ...... 22 10. Romain Grosjean (France) Haas ...... 22 “This is all a bit unbelieva- CONSTRUCTORS ...... POINTS ble for me. I was hoping to Max Verstappen competes at the Circuit de Catalunya in Montmelo, near Barcelona on Sunday. (AFP) 1. Mercedes ...... 157 enjoy myself, but my target 2. Ferrari ...... 109 3. Red Bull - TAG Heuer ...... 94 was to finish on the podi- he is now not only the young- man by his Ferrari team-mate him, a new car, a new team 4. Williams-Mercedes ...... 65 um if I could. Not to win!” est man to race in Formula Kimi Raikkonen, a 36-year-old and a new world of expecta- 5. Toro Rosso - Ferrari ...... 26 One, but also the youngest to veteran of 235 races – to Ver- tions and pressure. It also 6. Haas - Ferrari ...... 22 7. Force India - Mercedes ...... 14 score points, finish on the po- stappen's 24 – who had also, as meant he was no longer free to 8. McLaren ...... 12 “Mmmm!” he said. “Yes – it dium and win a race, taking he reminded him, raced in F1 join a rival team. “I don't have 9. Renault ...... 6 tastes very nice. But this is all a all of those records from four- against his father. the words to explain it,” he said. 10. Sauber - Ferrari ...... 0 bit unbelievable for me. I was time champion Sebastian Vet- Almost incredibly, Ver- “I was in good company hoping to enjoy myself, but my tel, who had set them when he, stappen had only joined the on the podium because Kimi target was to finish on the po- too, was a Red Bull driver. Red Bull team a week earlier, raced against my dad and The car of Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team’s British driver Lewis Hamilton, who suffered a crash, is towed dium if I could. Not to win!” On Sunday, Vettel finished in a shock promotion from the that's funny! He reminded me, after the start of the Spanish Formula One Grand Prix at the Circuit de Catalunya on Sunday. (AFP) At 18 years and 228 days, third, separated from the Dutch- Toro Rosso outfit. It was, for too. It's nice isn't it? 30 Monday, May 16, 2016 Sports

ROME MASTERS ACTION Day sets 36-hole record, maintains lead at Players Championship

The Australian finished his storm-delayed second round with a 66 to set the 36-hole record at 15-under 199

AP in the final round. PONTE VEDRA BEACH, FLORIDA “That would just ruin eve- rything,” he said. “That won’t JASON Day saw The Players make it fun for ... we were out Championship at its easiest and there for nearly six hours today toughest, all in the span of nine trying to play 18 holes. They hours on Saturday on what felt made the course pretty much like two golf courses. nearly unplayable. If they do He set a record when it felt make it like that, then I’m just like a shootout. going to have to grind my hard- He was even stronger when est to win the tournament, and the TPC Sawgrass turned into a I’m OK with that. battle for survival. “I won’t stop until it’s done, And when a long, wild and and I can rest after that.” utterly exhausting day was fi- It wasn’t unplayable for nally over, the world’s No. 1 everyone. player could take solace that he Ken Duke in the round of a still had a four-shot lead. lifetime made six birdies over “I want to say this was the his last seven holes for a 65, toughest day I’ve ever had to which was more than 10 shots play in my life,” Day said after better than the average score. gutting out a 1-over 73 going He was tied for second with into the final round. “I want to Hideki Matsuyama, who made win this tournament so bad. I seven birdies in his round of 67. really do. ... But right now, I’m Joining them at 10-under 206 just trying to focus on trying was Alex Cejka, who shot a 72 BIRTHDAY SWAG: Britain’s Andy Murray celebrates after winning the Rome Masters men’s final match against Novak Djokovic of Serbia at the ATP ennisT Open at the Foro Italico in to play well tomorrow. I mean, that felt much lower. Rome on Sunday. (AFP) that’s all you could do is just try “I don’t know what they did to survive.” to the golf course overnight, but The difference between it was playing like a US Open,” morning and afternoon was Cejka said. “It was just light- more like night and day. ning-fast greens.” Murray seals Rome title Day finished his storm- Sixth of the 76 players who delayed second round with a made the cut had a double bo- 66 to set the 36-hole record at gey or worse. 15-under 199, and it appeared There were 149 three- he would take aim at more putts — or worse — in the third records. And then it all changed. round. Sergio Garcia took six win over weary Djokovic The PGA Tour rolled the greens putts from just off the sixth one more time. The wind picked green. Paul Casey took five putts up. The air dried out. The sun from about 8 feet on the 15th baked out the course. hole. There was rare a lag putt. The win makes Murray the first Briton to win at the Foro Italico in the Open era Suddenly, the greens were The putts wouldn’t stop rolling. like putting on glass. “A 10-foot putt felt like it DPA in the fourth round. Day four-putted from 18 was 60 feet away,” Day said. ROME Williams and Keys were feet for a double bogey. He There was still the tradi- competing in the first Rome made another double bogey tional trouble at the Stadium ANDY Murray celebrated his final between Americans since two holes later. But right when Course. Russell Knox hit three 29th birthday with a long- 1970, when Billie Jean King it looked like he would fall vic- shots in the water on the island- sought 6-3, 6-3 victory over top beat Julie Heldman. An Ameri- tim to the fierce conditions, the green 17th and made a 9 that rival Novak Djokovic to win the can pair last played a final on 28-year-old Australian played ruined his round (he shot 80) Rome Masters on Sunday. clay at the , 2002, the final 10 holes with three and his chances. Kevin Chap- The first Briton to win at the when Serena beat her sister Ve- birdies and seven pars to reach pell had to play his second Foro Italico in the Open era will nus. 14-under 202 and keep his big shot with his feet on the planks return to second in the rankings Keys held a 3-1 lead in the lead. framing the water on the 18th on Monday with the French first set before being overhauled More than excited about a hole. Having made two eagles, Open starting next Sunday. by Williams. The set went to chance to win the PGA Tour’s he closed with a double bogey A frustrated Djokovic, a tiebreaker, with Williams premier event, he is worried to fall six shots back after a 70 drained of energy after three claiming the lead after 71 min- about facing similar conditions that felt a lot better. hours on court in a late-night utes under grey skies with rain semi-final on Saturday against holding off. Kei Nishikori, let his temper Williams opened up a 3-1 erupt in heated discussions on margin in the second set but lost changeover with the chair um- her way briefly as Keys clawed pire. back, winning eight straight The top seed complained points for 2-3. repeatedly about slippery lines But the surge was not due to rain, saying he had twist- enough, with the experienced ed his ankle three times and Williams regaining control and asking that play be stopped - in- DOMINANT SERENA: Serena Williams holds the trophy after winning the final match during the WTA Tennis breaking for 5-2. stead it carried on in the damp Open tournament against compatriot Medison Keys at the Foro Italico in Rome on Sunday. (AFP) Keys had a final moment atmosphere. with her break as Williams Djokovic’s prize money where light rain forced spec- Williams had not lifted a concentrated. served for the match; the (equivalent of 297,719 dol- tators under umbrellas in the trophy since Cincinnati on Au- “I feel really good about 21-year-old challenger went lars) for runner-up leaves him second set while just two kilo- gust 23. She defeated her com- Paris. After my first few rounds down a game later to lose with just short of becoming the first metres away near the Vatican, patriot for the third time as she here, I started feeling better. I’m a forehand return wide down 100-million-dollar man. showers poured down. won the 70th title of her career feeling pretty fit. So, I’m looking the line. Murray’s title win in just Murray will also be celebrat- in just under 90 minutes. forward to it.” “Everyone says I looked re- over 90 minutes was his third ing a victory over Djokovic after “It feels great to win a title, Williams claimed the hon- ally calm and relaxed. I wasn’t,” on clay and second at the Mas- losing 12 of his last 13 against especially on clay,” Williams ours in Rome in 2002 and more Keys said. “No matter how ters 1000 level after winning the world number one. said as she prepared to shift her than a decade later as she won many times you play Serena, Madrid a year ago over Nadal. focus to the French Open start- in 2013 and 2014. you always go in and you can Since the start of last sea- Williams claims fourth ing next Sunday. She draws level with four- just feel her presence. That’s Jason Day of Australia, looks at his shot on the ninth green during the son, the Scot has compiled a Rome title to end nine- “I’m very content with this time winners Conchita Mar- always an extra thing that you third round of The Players Championship golf tournament on Saturday. 29-3 record on the dirt. He month drought victory. It’s an important one tinez and Gabriela Sabatini, have to be worried about during Day had two double-bogeys and a bogey in the first nine holes.(AP) had lost all four of his previous Serena Williams broke a for me. My patience was really with that pack trailing five-time the match. clay matches against Djokovic, title drought stretching to last great. I wasn’t stressed out. I winner Chris Evert, who played “For me today it really who still leads their career se- August as the top seed won an wasn’t rushing too much. seven finals. wasn’t so much about how big ries with a comfortable 23-10 all-American final over Madi- “I was able to do what I The 34-year-old Williams the tournament was or anything record. son Keys 7-6 (7-5), 6-3 to claim practised, that’s what really had reached finals in two of like that. It was really just want- dominate group Murray broke three times the Rome Masters for a fourth helped me out. I’m ready for three previous events this sea- ing to go out and do my best and and fired 24 winners in a match time on Sunday. Roland Garros now, I’m very son, save Miami where she lost give my best performance.” play at Thomas,

AFP champions will face off next SHANGHAI against France on Monday. Later Sunday, Malaysian Roglic wins Giro TT, Brambilla still in pink THE Chinese men and wom- icon en’s teams won handily at the proved to be the evening’s bet- AFP billa, were affected by a spell line, in the process taking opening round of group play at ter shuttler as he squared off GREVE IN CHIANTI, ITALY of rain. the pink jersey from Dutch- the Thomas and Uber Cups on with ’s Toby Penty with Roglic said he only felt man Tom Dumoulin and Sunday, as they kicked off the a 21-15, 21-11. SLOVENIAN Primoz Roglic a “few drops” but the Slov- leaving the Giant rider fur- world badminton team cham- Led by Lee, the Malaysians claimed victory in the ninth enian’s race was not without ther down the overall stand- pionships on home soil. fired a strong opening salvo in stage of the Giro d’Italia on mishaps either. ings after a number of his In early Thomas Cup action, the tournament by pushing past Sunday, a 40.5km time-trial “After approximately ten rivals also counter-attacked. top-ranked shuttler the English team with a 4-1 win. in the Chianti wine-produc- kilometres, I lost my compu- The Italian, who rides led the Chinese men’s squad The only sour note came when ing region. ter and my bottle.” for Etixx, admitted those ef- in a 5-0 rout over Mexico with doubles team Italy’s Gianluca Bram- He also claimed that forts had left him short of a dominating 21-12, 21-7 per- and fell 18-21, billa retained the race lead- in his “first time trial over resources but did not stop formance against Lino Munoz, 21-13, 17-21 to England’s Peter er’s pink jersey by just one 10km” he had “lost motiva- him giving everything in a while world number six Tian Briggs and Tom Wolfenden in a second after the scenic race tion” and “decided to take it bid to spend Monday’s rest Houwei finished off Job Castillo back and forth affair. against the clock which end- easy”. day basking in the glow of 21-7, 21-12. In Uber Cup competi- ed in Greve in Chianti. “But I was feeling fan- the pink jersey. In doubles action, tion, runaway favourites China Austrian Matias Brandle tastic uphill so I just pushed “I spent a lot of of energy and swept Lopez swept , thanks to stel- (IAM) finished second on and pushed for the fun of it,” yesterday when I attacked Andres and Luis Ramon Gar- lar performances from world the stage, 10sec back, with he said. and went full gas all day. It rido 21-12, 21-15, and number three Li Xuerui and teammate Vegard Stake “I was really slow and was the same today: alone amd starched Mu- number four Wang Yihan, who Laengen in third at 17sec. unlucky at the beginning but Slovenian cyclist Primoz Roglic of LottoNL - Jumbo team celebrates again, full gas again and noz and Castillo, 21-3, 21-9, in dispatched their challengers in Former four-time world very fast and lucky at the end on the podium after winning the 9th individual time trial stage of nothing to lose,” he said. 32 minutes flat. straight sets. time-trial champion Fabian because I only felt a drop (of 99th Giro d’Italia, Tour of Italy, on Sunday. (AFP) “Everything went well. “The Chinese are so fast. We Tang Yuanting and Yu Yang Cancellara (Trek) was fourth rain) or two while the rid- I kept the pink jersey. Un- learned a lot,” said Castillo in salvaged a win after dropping at 28sec. ers after me got the pouring Brambilla, among the well-deserved stage win on til now everything has gone comments posted by the Bad- the second set against Malay- A number of the late rain. This is strange, very late starters as overnight Saturday after taking a late well in the Giro. It’s an minton World Federation. sia’s Vivian Hoo Kah Mun and starters, including Bram- strange.” race leader, had claimed a solo attack all the way to the amazing feeling.” The nine-time Thomas Cup Woon Khe Wei. Sports Monday, May 16, 2016 31 SUNRISERS STAND TALL The Hyderabad team thrash KXIP, are all but through to playoffs Krunal’s blitz

IANS departure saw Yuvraj Singh MOHALI stride out to the middle and the in MI’s big win local lad used his knowledge of SUNRISERS Hyderabad the conditions to good effect and strengthened their position led the visitors to victory. his dismissal came after seamer at the top of the points table Patel (1/26) and Sandeep Mumbai Indians Bumrah had Jean-Paul Duminy with a seven-wicket win over Sharma (1/35) were the only (9) caught by wicket-keeper Jos Kings XI Punjab at the Punjab Punjab bowlers to earn a wicket. outclass Delhi Buttler in the 13th over. Cricket Association Stadium Earlier, Hashim Amla end- D’devils by 80 runs Chris Morris played a 16- here on Sunday. ed his run of form in spectacu- ball 20 in the end but was not Chasing a challenging lar fashion to lead the hosts to IANS enough as his side surrendered 180-run target, Hyderabad a challenging total of 179/4 in VISAKHAPATNAM to a dominant Mumbai side. clinched victory with two balls their 20 overs. Earlier put in to bat, openers to spare thanks to some late Playing in his first IPL, RIDING on promising all- Rohit Sharma (31) and Martin display of powerhitting by Yu- the South African veteran rounder Krunal Pandya's quick- Guptill (48) helped the defend- vraj Singh and Ben Cutting. smashed 96 runs off 56 deliv- fire 86, followed by an impres- ing champions get off to a de- Coming together with four eries to register his first half- sive bowling performance, cent start scoring 45 runs with- overs to go and the visitors century of the tournament. Mumbai Indians outclassed out losing any wickets after the still needing 41 runs, the duo Out of his previous three Delhi Daredevils by 80 runs in completion of powerplay. exploited some poor bowling matches in the IPL, the 33-year- an Indian Premier League (IPL) Hard-hitting left-hander by Punjab pacers Sandeep old had managed to reach dou- match here on Sunday. Krunal who was promoted up Sharma and Mohit Sharma as ble figures only once. Batting first, Krunal the order at No.3 to keep the Hyderabad finished at 180/3 Opening the innings along smashed his maiden IPL half- run flow going, did not disap- in 19.4 overs. with Murali Vijay, Amla went century to guide the defending point his team. He was well Yuvraj remained unbeaten on to become the mainstay of champions to massive 206/4 supported on the other end on 42 runs off 24 balls with the Kings XI innings. He bat- in 20 overs. by experienced Kiwi batsman three boundaries and an equal ted till the final over, produc- In reply, Delhi lost wick- Guptill as the duo played sen- number of sixes. Cutting, who ing crucial partnerships of 65 ets at regular intervals as they sibly to help team cross the hit the winning runs, was not runs and 54 runs with Gur- were bundled out for 126 in 19.1 80-run mark after 10 overs. out on 18 off 11 balls. keerat Singh and Wriddhiman overs. The win ensures Mumbai The duo smashed 23 runs Sunday's result saw Hy- Saha, respectively. keep their play-off hopes alive as in the 13th over bowled by leg- derabad take a two-point lead Hitherto known as a tech- they climbed to the third spot in spinner Imran Tahir to take over second-placed Kolkata nically correct batsman more the points table. team over 100-run mark in Knight Riders with 16 points comfortable in Test cricket, Chasing an imposing tar- style. Krunal then - with a cou- from 12 matches. the experienced right-hander get of 207, Delhi got off to a ple of big blows - brought up Punjab, meanwhile, virtu- showed he can adapt to the poor start losing opener May- his maiden IPL half-century in ally kissed goodbye to their 20-over format as well with ank Agarwal (8) in the sec- just 22 balls. chances of making it to the some superb improvised shots ond over itself. His opening The impressive 96-run play-offs as they remained which were a treat to watch. partner Quinton de Kock (40) partnership for the second second from bottom with His superb effort with played positively from there wicket came to an end in the eight points from 12 matches. the bat earned him the Man- on but lost partners at the 15th over. Despite wickets at The visitors had seen their of-the-Match award. Amla other end as Karun Nair (8), the other end, Krunal smashed chase get off to a promising start missed out on what would Sanju Samson (6) fell cheaply it to all parts of the ground, but with opener David Warner go- have been a well-deserved to have the visitors in trouble eventually in the 18th over, ing great guns. His fellow open- century when he attempted to at 60/3 in eighth over. Chris Morris finally got rid of er Shikhar Dhawan seemed to hit the fourth ball of the final As the required run-rate the 25-year-old to put a check be in good touch with 22-ball over out of the park. But he climbed high with every ball on the run flow. 25 which included four hits to could not get the timing right bowled, de Kock trying to up the During his maiden IPL the ropes before being run out and could not get enough bat scoring rate also fell to left-arm half-century, the left-handed due to a superb piece of fielding on it and holed out to David spinner Krunal in the 10th over. batsman struck seven bounda- by Mohit Sharma. But Deepak Warner at long-off. The South African prom- ries and six sixes. Hooda (34 off 22) continued to With Amla going great guns, ising opener in his 28-ball in- SCORES: Mumbai Indians: give Warner good support from Punjab had a quick start to their nings struck four boundaries 206/4 in 20 overs (Krunal the other end as the Australian innings before the in-form Vijay and two sixes. Pandya 86; Chris Morris 2/34) continued to go after the Punjab (6) fell to a slower delivery by Incoming young batsmen beat Delhi Daredevils 126 in bowling. But Warner's habit of Mustafizur Rahman thanks to Sunrisers Hyderabad batsmen Ben Cutting (right) and Yuvraj Singh embrace after their win over Kings XI Rishabh Pant (23) played a 19.1 overs (Quinton de Kock standing deep inside the crease a poorly executed shot. How- Punjab in the IPL at the Punjab Cricket Association Stadium in Mohali on Sunday. (AFP) short innings but failed to con- 40; Jasprit Bumrah 3-13, Krunal cost him dearly when he at- ever, Saha (27 runs off 23 balls) vert the start into a big one as Pandya 2-15). tempted to flick an Axar Patel and Gurkeerat (27 off 20 balls) SCORES delivery off his pads but his back helped Amla to maintain the foot hit the wicket, dislodging scoring rate. Sunrisers Hyderabad 180/3 in 19.4 overs (David Warner 52, Yuvraj Singh 42 n.o., the bails in the process. David Miller produced an Deepak Hooda 34; Axar Patel 1/26, Sandeep Sharma 1/35) beat Kings XI Punjab Warner scored 52 runs off unbeaten cameo of 20 runs off 41 deliveries with five bounda- just nine deliveries as the hosts 179/4 in 20 overs (Hashim Amla 96; Bhuvneshwar Kumar 2/32) ries and a six. The Australian's ended innings on a strong note. D/L Method is rubbish: Fleming

PTI “It needs to be addressed. KOLKATA There's no willingness to change. It's not made for a T20 EXPRESSING complete dis- game. It's just ridiculous really pleasure at the Duckworth- and until it's addressed you Lewis Method, Rising Pune just hope the sky doesn't open Supergiants coach Stephen up,” Fleming said. Fleming termed the ICC ap- The Supergiants, who are proved rule for rain-truncated out of race for a last four berth, games as “rubbish” stating suffered after they were set to that a change is needed. defend 66 from nine overs as “Duckworth-Lewis is rub- per D/L method, a target Knight bish. As soon as you get to D/L, Riders knocked off in five overs. the game is over. I've been say- On a slow and turning ing that for years. The others wicket, Supergiants crawled to have said it as well but there's 103/6 in 17.4 overs with skip- no point carrying on too much per MS Dhoni in the midst about it,” a disgusted Fleming of one of his slowest innings said after his team's campaign of eight not out from 22 balls turned from bad to worse los- when rain interrupted. But the ing to KKR by eight wickets on Kiwi defended the ‘Captain IPL team Kings XI Punjab co-owner Preity Zinta with husband Gene Goodenough during the IPL match Saturday. This was RPS' 9th Cool’ and said they could have MI batsman Krunal Pandya during his knock of 86 runs off 37 balls against Sunrisers Hyderabad in Mohali on Sunday. (PTI) loss in 12 games. got (a par) score of 135-plus. (7x4; 6x6) at ACA-VDCA Stadium in Visakhapatnam on Sunday. (AFP) Kohli is a great player, I admire him a lot: Williamson

IANS runs off just 55 balls against IN AWE OF future of Test cricket after MUMBAI Gujarat. “He (Kohli) is a great the advent of T20, the right- player. He is a player certainly handed batsman said, “Above NEW Zealand skipper and whom I admire a lot, obviously “It is his (Virat Kohli’s) all T20 cricket increases the Sunrisers Hyderabad star like a lot of others do. ability in T20 cricket interest in the game, which batsman Kane Williamson “It is his ability in T20 crick- and other formats and has an effect in the Test cricket heaped praise on Indian run- et and other formats and how he how he adapts from one as well. But as we know Test machine Virat Kohli, saying adapts from one format to the format to the other all cricket, the story is increasing that the Royal Challengers other all round the world is an round the world is an day by day. With the day-night Bangalore captain is a great incredible thing,” Williamson incredible thing.” Test coming up, it is a new player whom he admires a lot. said in an interview. concept. But there is always India Test skipper Kohli “Consistent as he is in T20 Kane Williamson interest in T20 cricket more.” has been in the form of his life cricket, there may be no other The Kiwi also praised IPL over the past couple of months player like him at the moment, teammate Muztafizur Rah- for his national side as well but, well, there is David Warn- the latter returned to the side man and termed the promising as his Indian Premier League er who is also able to do that; with some good scores follow- Bangladesh seamer as an excep- (IPL) franchise, RCB. it is also about keeping the ing his ankle injury which he tional talent. “He (Muztafizur) is After winning the man benchmark for other players sustained at the World T20. an exceptional talent, so young of the tournament award in to strive to,” he added. “Yuvraj has been great. It is RCB captain Virat Kohli arrives in as well, coming in and being the recent World Twenty20, The 25-year-old, who led the always nice to have him in the Kolkata on Sunday for the next New Zealand skipper and Sunrisers Hyderabad’s star batsman Kane so clear about what he wants the Delhi-born batsman has Kiwis to the semi-final stage in team and part of the squad. His IPL Match. (PTI) Williamson. to bowl at the death and use of smashed three centuries in the the World T20, is known to be a contribution within the team change ups, which all the bats- ongoing ninth edition of the calm and composed skipper. has been exceptional, also to New Zealand in all formats opportunity to lead the country as a leader and as a player is men are struggling with. I know cash-rich IPL and is the lead- When asked to comment mention his batting ability. Cer- will take over the Test captain- in all three formats. The team a transition period and as a as we have faced him at the nets. ing scorer with 677 runs. on Kohli's aggressive nature tainly when he has got the op- cy from compatriot and bat- was lead by Brendon for a cou- leader he has had an impres- “His ability to bowl the After bringing up his maid- on the field, he said, "I think portunity he has gone out and ting legend Brendon McCul- ple of years now and now we sion on number of guys. So I yorker, he is special, so it is for- en T20 ton against Gujarat he is comfortable the way he is, played to the team's plan and lum and will lead his country have to take the team forward. will look to do what's best for tunate to have him in our side. Lions, he followed it up with and plays the game his way." played very well,” he said. in all formats of the game. But there are a lot of challenges the team and take the side for- And I have no doubt that he will a second against Rising Pune Williamson also lauded IPL The Tauranga-born bats- He viewed this as a big chal- ahead and also will be exciting," ward and ultimately continue do better things throughout his Supergiants and on Saturday. teammate and India's veteran man, who has been in great lenge ahead of him. "It is a privi- he said. the good culture that we have.” career and international cricket The 27-year-old blasted 109 batsman Yuvraj Singh, after form over the past year for lege and an honour to have the “Without him (Brendon) When asked about the as well,” Williamson concluded. 32 Monday, May 16, 2016 Sports Wary of rust, Cavs sweat in gym while awaiting next round

AP finally know they’ll host Game their shooting touch. for us because the team could high level, he can take a lot INDEPENDENCE, OHIO 1 of the Eastern Conference To combat any rust, Lue push each other. It was fun. of mileage off of his body and finals on Tuesday night. All has made sure his team I thought it brought us even just kind of seeing and figur- EVEN coach Tyronn Lue that’s left to be determined is worked on its conditioning. closer together as a team.’’ ing out the flow of the game. came off the floor sweat- whether they’ll play Miami or They’ve been running and The nine-day break could “I don’t think he’s been in ing on Saturday. Don’t think Toronto. The Heat and Rap- lifting and lifting and run- most help the 31-year-old this position before and it’s for a second the unbeaten tors will play Game 7, with ning. James, who had to carry the been great for him.’’ Cavaliers have been loung- the winner earning a shot at On Wednesday, the Cavs Cavs a year ago. He’s averag- After they quickly dis- ing around the past week as the 8-0 Cavs. endured a grueling work- ing a career-low 23.5 points patched Detroit in the first they’ve waited for their next Cleveland hasn’t played out supervised by strength so far as Kyrie Irving and round, the Cavs didn’t play opponent. since May 8, when it com- and conditioning coach Kevin Love have stepped up. for a week before their “Guys have been re- pleted its second consecutive Derek Millender. The brutal, “LeBron is letting the matchup against the Hawks. ally busting their butt in the postseason sweep, ousting 40-minute session included game come to him,’’ Lue said. And although they won Game gym,’’ forward Channing Frye an Atlanta Hawks team that time on a punishing piece “When he wants to be aggres- 1, it wasn’t easy. Cleveland said as beads of perspiration was grounded by the Cavs’ of cardiovascular exercise sive and he sees fit to be ag- blew an 18-point lead before streaked the sides of his face. battalion of 3-point marks- equipment that left many of gressive when the teams have making plays in the closing Unblemished and seem- men. The Cavs dropped 77 the players too tired to run. a good run or whatever they minutes and holding on. ingly unstoppable through 3-pointers in four games, and “That was pretty tough,’’ may have, then he just takes With little margin for er- the first two rounds of the they’re hoping the long break Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) celebrates his team’s forward Tristan Thompson over the game. And with ror, Lue doesn’t want any playoffs, LeBron James & Co. between series won’t cool off victory over the Atlanta Hawks, recently. said. “But I thought it was great Kyrie and Kevin playing at a drop-off this time. Peterson likens MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL ACTION Erik Jones wins Vikings’ Bridgewater Xfinity race to Tom Brady Arrieta does it REUTERS at Dover for

MINNESOTA star running back Adrian Peterson, who re- again as Chicago $100,000 bonus cently said the Vikings can win it all this season, compares quarterback Teddy Bridgewa- ter’s game to Tom Brady. Jones led a race-high 76 laps in his Joe Peterson feels the 23-year- Gibbs Racing Toyota old Bridgewater is ready to Cubs beat Pirates come into his own as a third- year starter while making the AP wasn’t too worried about it. I comparison to the four-time DOVER, DELAWARE knew we had a good car and Super Bowl champion quar- knew that as long as we got a terback of the New England ERIK Jones won the Xfinity decent restart, we would be Patriots. Series race on Saturday at able to hold it off. “He reminds me of a Tom Dover International Speed- “Enough guys stayed out Brady because Tom Brady is way and took a $100,000 on old tires with us that we great at those mediocre pass- bonus from the series’ Dash- were in a good spot and it all es,” Peterson said on Friday’s 4-Cash programme. worked out.’’ Pro Football Talk Live on NBC Four drivers were eligi- Wallace had also pitted Sports Radio. ble for the bonus on Satur- under the caution, and in a “Those short passes and day, and Jones won it for backup car for Roush Fen- midrange passes and that’s ex- the second time this season. way Racing, finished a ca- actly what Teddy does as well. There’s one more Dash-4- reer-best second. He’s the type of guy that needs Cash race, at Indianapolis “We were kind of in the the receiver that runs routes this summer. cat-bird seat, wishing Erik and that’s at a specific location Jones led a race-high 76 would mess up,’’ said Wal- that you’re practicing. laps in his Joe Gibbs Racing lace, who still considered the “So I feel like with the ad- Toyota and he was cruising to runner-up finish fulfilling. ditions that we’ve made to the the win until a caution came Bowman, in his first race offensive line and of course me out with 11 laps remaining of the year, led 33 laps before envisioning what I’ll be able to because Brendan Gaughan finishing third. He knew he bring to the offense as well I spun. The yellow flag ate up wasn’t going to catch Jones think that’s going to make his Jones’ lead over Alex Bow- once the caution came out, job a lot easier. With that he’ll man, who pitted under the so the pit stop for new tires feel more comfortable and he caution for four tires. was strategic by his JR Mot- can really get back there and Jones did not pit and ad- orsports team. just play his game. So I’m ex- mitted he was worried about “We didn’t have the short pecting big things from Teddy the strategy. run speed we needed,’’ Bow- this year.” “At first I couldn’t see man said. “We put four tires The Vikings reached the how many came to pit road, on at the end trying to win playoffs last season for the first I was a little anxious to see the thing rather than settle time in three years as Peterson how many came and how for second.’’ returned to the field following many stayed out,’’ he said. Justin Allgaier finished his 2014 suspension. “Fortunately enough stayed fourth to give JR Motor- The Vikings will be seek- out to make it viable for us sports two cars in the top ing more from their offense to win.’’ four. Ty Dillon was fifth and as they try to build on an 11-5 Jones was the leader on Elliott Sadler sixth in anoth- season in 2015. the restart with five to go, er JRM Chevrolet. and Bowman was fourth. Joey Logano, the only But Jones got a nice push full-time Sprint Cup Series from Darrell Wallace Jr. that driver in the race, finished allowed him to break free of seventh. Nationals to Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Jake Arrieta (49) is cheered by the crowd after the eighth inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Wrigley Field in the pack. Jones later thanked “We just weren’t fast to- Chicago, Illinois, on Saturday. (USA TODAY SPORTS) Wallace for the push. day. Straight up,’’ Logano retain GM “You’re welcome for that said. “We may have missed restart, Erik,’’ Wallace said at the beginning part of the Mike Rizzo The Cubs have won 21 straight games in which Arrieta was the starting pitcher as Jones was doing a cel- race and made some adjust- ebratory burnout. ments to get better but, gosh, through 2018 AP Miami’s Marcell Ozuna Louis 5-3. to seven Jones didn’t stress when we were just slow. There is CHICAGO and JT Realmuto each drove Kazmir allowed five hits, games by beating Detroit 9-3, the caution came out and in- no good answer behind it. AP in two runs to give the Mar- struck out seven and walked staying top of the AL East. stead just tried to focus on We could have lucked into WASHINGTON CHICAGO’S Jake Arrieta lins a 7-1 win against Wash- one. He was nearly flawless Jonathan Schoop hit a winning the race. a second-place finish if we struck out 11 batters in eight ington to earn a split of the until giving up a two run solo shot in the seventh and “It’s not the first time were fourth instead of third THE Washington Nation- innings to extend the Cubs’ double-header. homer in the ninth. his second career slam in the it’s happened to me, unfor- on that last restart because als picked up the contract record winning streak with Ozuna had five hits over Adrian Gonzalez hit a eighth to finish with a career- tunately,’’ Jones said of the the inside lane doesn’t go. option for Mike Rizzo that him on the mound, as the the two games, extending his home run to lead off the high five RBIs. late flag. “If I remember the That would have been a keeps the president of base- hosts beat Pittsburgh 8-2 hitting streak to 14 games. fourth inning and Corey. The Tigers have lost 11 of first time, I was pretty upset lucky second though and not ball operations and general on Saturday to further boost The Nationals won the Seager, who had three hits, their past 12 games. and this time I was pretty representative if what we manager with the organisa- their already big lead in the opener 6-4 behind six strong ripped a solo home run in the San Francisco’s Buster calm and collected and had out there.’’ tion through the 2018 sea- National League standings. innings from Stephen Stras- seventh. Posey hit a two-run double in son. The Cubs have won 21 burg, who improved to 6-0 The New York Yankees the ninth inning and Hunter Terms of the agreement straight games in which Ar- this season. edged the Chicago White Sox Pence had his 200th career were not disclosed. The Na- rieta was the starting pitcher, Washington’s star slugger 2-1 due to strong perform- home run to lead the Giants tionals exercised the option extending a franchise record. Bryce Harper missed the sec- ances by its bullpen trio Del- to a 5-3 win over Arizona. before the June 15 deadline. Chicago is now nine ond game after the Nation- lin Betances, Andrew Miller Los Angeles’ Albert Pujols Rizzo joined the or- games clear of the Pirates als dropped plans to appeal and Aroldis Chapman. hit a three-run homer in the ganisation in 2007 and was and St. Louis in the NL Cen- the one-game suspension in- The Yankees used the ninth inning to fuel a second named GM in 2010, the same tral division, while Washing- voked in an ejection earlier in three in the same game for rally in the Angels’ 9-7 win year he selected Bryce Harp- ton’s lead in the NL East was the week. the first time this year, and over Seattle. er No. 1 overall in the first- trimmed to one game after Texas’ Drew Stubbs they held Chicago scoreless Philadelphia’s Tyler year player draft. Washing- splitting a double-header homered with two outs in the while striking out eight bat- Goeddel threw out Eugenio ton won the NL East in 2012 against Miami. Philadelphia 10th inning to give the Rang- ters. Suarez at the plate, with and 2014. moved up to second ahead of ers a 6-5 win against Toronto. Boston’s David Ortiz dou- catcher Cameron Rupp hold- “We are pleased with the the New York Mets, who lost The Blue Jays had rallied bled with two outs in the 11th ing onto the ball despite a job Mike has done over the at Colorado. with consecutive homers in inning to cap a big day per- heavy collision, to end the past nine years,’’ Nation- In the American League the ninth to force extra in- sonally and lift the Red Sox game and give the Phillies a als owner Theodore Lerner West, Texas moved within nings: Justin Smoak hit a two- to a 6-5 win against Houston. 4-3 win against Cincinnati. said in a statement released half a game of the lead when run shot and Troy Tulowitzki Ortiz earlier hit his 513th San Diego’s Derek Nor- Saturday. “He and the base- Drew Stubbs homered in the followed with a tying homer career homer, moving into ris and Melvin Upton Jr. hit ball operations team have 10th inning to lift the Rangers off Texas closer Shawn Tolle- 20th on the all-time list, edg- back-to-back solo homers in worked tirelessly to help over Toronto. son, who has a woeful 7.07 ing ahead of Ernie Banks and the top of the 12th inning to build this organization into Chicago’s Arrieta im- ERA and has blown two of his Eddie Mathews. lift the Padres past Milwau- one of Major League Base- proved to 7-0 this season past four save opportunities. ‘Big Papi’ also hit a try- kee 8-7. ball’s elite clubs. We are for- and is 18-0 in 20 outings dat- Colorado’s DJ LeMahieu ing triple in the ninth inning. Tampa Bay’s Matt An- tunate to have him.’’ ing back to last season. The and Tony Wolters had two Houston led 5-4 with two driese pitched his first career Rizzo was promoted to reigning NL Cy Young Award hits and drove in two runs outs in the ninth when Ortiz shutout to steer the Rays to a president of baseball opera- winner for top pitcher gave apiece to help the Rockies hit a triple just past the diving 6-0 win against Oakland. tions during the 2013 sea- up three hits in his eight in- beat the Mets 7-4. center fielder. It was his first Atlanta’s Mike Foltyne- son. nings and lowered his season The Rockies have won triple since 2013. wicz pitched a career-high “It feels good,’’ Rizzo earned run average to 1.29 three successive home games In the 11th, Xander eight scoreless innings to said after Saturday’s dou- per nine innings. for the first time this season. Bogaerts singled with two guide Atlanta past Kansas bleheader. “We started from Anthony Rizzo belted a Mets manager Terry Col- outs and advanced on a wild city 5-0. ground zero here and we towering three-run homer in lins also was ejected for argu- pitch before Ortiz hit a drive Minnesota ended an built ourselves something the fourth to give the Cubs the ing in the third inning. off the base of the center-field eight-game skid with a 6-3 that we believe in, that we lead for good and they went Los Angeles’ Scott Kaz- wall for his 600th career dou- win at Cleveland, led by Ervin Erik Jones, driver of the #20 Reser’s Fine Foods Toyota, celebrates in Victory think is special. I’m proud to on to improve to 5-0 against mir pitched 8 2/3 innings to ble. Santana, who gave up just Lane after winning the NASCAR XFINITY Series Ollie’s Bargain Outlet 200 at be a part of it.’’ the Pirates this season. guide the Dodgers past St. Baltimore stretched its one run in six innings. Dover International Speedway on in Dover, Delaware on Saturday. (AFP) Sports Monday, May 16, 2016 33

NEWS Ibrahimovic breaks PSG IN BRIEF Drogba scores fourth goal of season in Montreal draw record in Nantes romp MONTREAL Former Chelsea standout Didier Drogba scored on a half-volley in the third minute and Eastern Conference leader Montreal played to a 1-1 Major League Soccer draw on Saturday with visiting Philadelphia. It was the fourth deadlock The Swede broke the 37-goal single season PSG record with a brace at the Parc des Princes in a row for the Impact, with Drogba’s fourth goal of the season being matched by the Union’s CJ Sapong in the 21st minute. Montreal moved to 4-3 with four drawn to stay one point ahead of Philadelphia atop the MLS East table. Gambian striker Kekuta Manneh scored in the 12th and 70th minutes and set up another goal to lead Vancouver to a 4-3 victory at Toronto. Sebastian Giovinco scored twice for Toronto, who has a team record 30 career goals for the Canadian club. Congolese striker Cedrick Mabwati scored for Columbus in a 1-1 draw with visiting Colorado, while Lee Nguyen and Femi Hollinger-Janzen scored to give New England a 2-0 victory over Chicago.

Dick Advocaat named as assistant to Netherlands coach Blind THE HAGUE Veteran coach Dick Advocaat has been appointed as assistant to Danny Blind ahead of the Netherlands’ tough qualification campaign for the 2018 in Russia. The Dutch football association announced 68-year-old Advocaat’s appointment late Saturday, saying he will join the squad for a training camp in Portugal next Sunday as it pre- pares for friendlies against Ireland, Poland and Austria. The Netherlands is rebuilding after failing to qualify for this summer’s European Championship in France. Advocaat has twice been head coach of his country’s national team and twice assistant coach. He also has led na- tional teams including South Korea, Russia, Belgium and clubs including PSV, Rangers and Sunderland. Blind says, “It is good that we can call on his experience and know-how. I’m looking forward to working with him.”

Football great Pele saddened by Brazil’s political woes ahead of Olympics MADRID Brazilian football legend Pele has said he is very sad- dened by the political turmoil in his country and expressed the hope there will be a “big government” in place in time for the Rio in August. “Thanks to football, with my teammates, we succeeded in Paris Saint-Germain’s Zlatan Ibrahimovic holds the trophy on the podium after winning the French L1 title at the Parc des Princes stadium in Paris on Saturday. (AFP) making Brazil known to the whole world,” said Pele, who played in three World Cup-winning teams between 1958 and 1970, in AFP record 38th a minute from time reference to Ibrahimovic’s Fri- If there was one player de- ic and Di Maria combined to comments published on Sunday. PARIS from Javier Pastore’s cross to day tweet in announcing his termined to ruin the party it set up Lucas Moura for a sim- However “now... the huge political confusion worries me end a match-long quest that departure: “I came like a king, was Nantes goalkeeper Max- ple second two minutes before and greatly saddens me”, the 75-year-old said in an interview ZLATAN Ibrahimovic headed had looked set to frustrate him. left like a legend.” ime Dupe, who made a reac- the break -- PSG’s 100th league with the daily La Vanguardia, published in the football-mad city home a minute from time to “I’m feeling very emotional. If anyone had been in any tion one-handed save to deny goal of the season. of Barcelona in northeast Spain. break Paris Saint-Germain’s Today is a very special day af- doubt who the night was about, a close-range Ibrahimovic flick PSG notched their third on “The only thing I can hope for is that we have a big govern- single season scoring ter four years together winning that was surely dispelled in the before then thwarting the big 52 minutes as Dupe parried a ment in place for the Olympic Games... and that we win gold in record in a 4-0 rout of Nantes lots of trophies,” said Ibrahi- 10th minute when the ground Swede when one-on-one as fierce Ibrahimovic free-kick, the football,” the former Brazilian sports minister added. on Saturday. movic. “Thank you ‘Ibracadab- as one rose to applaud their tal- even the linesman seemed un- only for Marquinhos to win With the title long wrapped ra’, these four years will remain ismanic import. willing to spoil the festivities. a sprint between three home up and a French Cup final in my heart.” Wearing the number 10 PSG’s desire to tee up their players to tap in the rebound Bayern Munich star Ribery not against bitter rivals Marseille Ibrahimovic said he hoped jersey, Ibrahimovic acknowl- stand-in captain for the night with not a yellow shirt reacting. interested in France return to come a week later, the night PSG would keep on winning, edged the crowd as Nantes took on comic proportions 10 Ibrahimovic had a shot de- was all about Ibrahimovic and adding: “Without Ibra it’s dif- obligingly waited patiently for minutes from half-time. flected behind for a corner as BERLIN Franck Ribery has said he has no intention of playing his quest to break the 37-goal ficult, but it’s possible!” almost a minute before taking a When faced with a clear he took on three defenders and for France again, according to an interview he gave to Sunday’s single season PSG record at the It was the perfect end to free-kick. Ibrahimovic notched shooting opportunity inside Dupe twice dived to his side to Sport Bild. “I have no desire whatsoever to play for France any Parc des Princes. his last match at the Parc in a his first goal as he played the the box, Di Maria wiggled and beat away shots before the big more,” said the 33-year-old Bayern Munich winger. Starting the game with PSG shirt before leaving for ball out wide on the right to An- twisted in trying to find Ibra- Swede lifted another chance “I closed this chapter with the announcement of my retire- 36 goals, the Swedish striker pastures new and he was im- gel Di Maria, before sprinting himovic rather than strike at over the bar as he became in- ment in 2014. “I’m only thinking about my Bayern career, I feel equalled the 1997-98 club mediately substituted, but not to the back stick where he was goal. creasingly desperate. good here and I’m enjoying my football.” record of Argentine Carlos Bi- before his children ran onto able to chest home the Argen- PSG finally switched back But Pastore picked him out The former Marseille player represented his country 81 anchi in the 18th minute with the pitch wearing PSG replica tine’s cross on his knees from into the rich vein that had seen with a minute left to the sta- times, scoring 16 goals. Back in mid-March he had hinted he his 37th of the season. shirts bearing the names King six yards out without a yellow- them romp to the title with two dium’s delight as Ibrahimovic was open to a France recall, saying he wanted to speak to the Ibrahimovic then netted his and Legend on their backs -- a shirted defender in sight. months to spare as Ibrahimov- fulfilled his quest. national team coach Didier Deschamps first. But Deschamps replied by pouring cold water on any such notions, saying: “There’s no reason to sacrifice a place for him.” Ribery claimed his sixth German title this season since Celtic celebrate title win with Motherwell rout joining Bayern in 2007.

AFP utes later. Motherwell goalkeeper PITCH INVADER ARRESTED GLASGOW Ryan Christie drilled home Conor Ripley made a string of his first strike for the Hoops saves before his goal was final- CHAMPIONS Celtic capped in the 59th minute before ly breached in the 21st minute off their season in style with debutant Jack Aitchison, the following a fine strike from a 7-0 thrashing of Motherwell youngest player ever to play a Tierney. The Celtic wing-back at Parkhead before they were competitive match for Celtic, collected a pass from Roberts presented with the Scottish scored with his first touch in and dodged a couple of chal- Premiership trophy. the 77th minute just seconds lenges along the edge of the Kieran Tierney grabbed his after replacing Rogic. box before drilling a low shot first goal for Celtic with a su- It was the perfect send-off into the bottom corner. perb strike in the 21st minute for departing manager Ronny Celtic scored a stylish sec- before Australian international Deila as Celtic finished the sea- ond five minutes later as Arm- Tom Rogic tapped in a second son 15 points ahead of Aber- strong latched on to a clever just five minutes later. deen, who lost 4-0 at home to flick to race in to the box but Stand-in skipper Mikael Ross County. saw his effort come back off the Lustig then headed home from “It was like I had dreamed base of the post to Rogic, who a corner in the 28th minute to of,” Deila said. “It was a good Celtic players celebrate winning the with the tapped into the empty net from leave the Motherwell defence performance from a young trophy at Celtic Park in Glasgow on Sunday. (REUTERS) five yards out. stunned. team who I think are the future Lustig, captaining Celtic There was no let up in the of this club. McGhee said he had been op- “Ultimately as a team we in the absence of Scott Brown, second half as Stuart Arm- “It was 7-0, a sunny day timistic of getting a positive didn’t work hard enough and then headed home a third from strong scored a superb 50th and a very good atmosphere so result before the game. looked as if we had already close range at the back post af- A pitch invader is escorted off the pitch during Arsenal-Aston Villa minute goal before Patrick it was a perfect ending for me.” “I didn’t see that coming,” downed tools ready for the ter Ripley had come for Arm- match at the Emirates Stadium in on Sunday. (REUTERS) Roberts made it 5-0 four min- Motherwell manager Mark a stunned McGhee admitted. summer.” strong’s corner and missed. Higuain feels Napoli adoration but doubts on future persist On Sunday, it was elevat- much, he always told me what full significance. The Argentine took his goals tally for ed to the highest levels -- one I had to do to improve and I “This season I have felt the church installed a large screen always listened,” said Higuain. love. I feel loved here more the season to 36 in 35 games to to the right side of the altar to “It’s difficult to compre- than I did at any other club I’ve show Higuain’s goals to the hend but I hope it will all sink been,” he said. broke a 66-year-old record congregation with the Champi- in soon. After I scored the third Maradona, who earlier AFP ons League soundtrack playing goal and the whole team came this season blasted Sarri after ROME stood since 1950. Throughout in the background. to hug me, I felt immense joy.” a shaky start to the campaign, the league’s history, the season Napoli’s win also secured Although Napoli missed posted a message on Twitter HISTORY-MAKING Gonzalo has variously featured between the runners-up spot and di- out on winning a first title in which read: “Thanks guys for Higuain has declared his love 16 and 20 teams. When Nor- rect entry to the Champions 26 years in a season that saw the satisfaction you’ve given to for Napoli but left doubts dahl scored 35 goals in 1950 it League, but when asked if he the club win the highest ever a city which lives and breathes hanging over his future as ru- was in a period (1948-1952) of would be at the club next sea- number of points -- 87 - Hi- football. And for this record- mours persist of a possible 20 teams, before the league re- son Higuain was coy. guain’s feat and Napoli’s re- filled season.” move to the Premier League. verted to 18 for 1952-1967. “We want to think back on turn to Europe’s top table has A return to the Champions Higuain hit a hat-trick in At a packed San Paolo sta- the extraordinary season we’ve helped make amends. League should be enough for a dramatic 4-0 win over rel- dium Higuain defied torrential just had. The team and the Ecstatic fans showed their Higuain, who was bitterly dis- egated Frosinone on Saturday rain to produce an overhead whole city deserve to soak it all appreciation at the San Paolo appointed when Napoli were to take his league tally for the kick from the edge of the area up,” said Higuain. Napoli’s Gonzalo Higuain celebrates after scoring a goal during a Serie with a rendition of a song usu- beaten in last summer’s play- season to 36 in 35 games, in the to score his record-setting 36th Having joined Napoli from A match at the Naples San Paolo stadium, Italy, on Saturday. (AP) ally reserved for Maradona. off preliminary round by Ath- process breaking a 66-year-old goal. Higuain’s feat has revived Real Madrid on a five-year deal “Oh mamma, mamma, letic Bilbao, to stay at Napoli. Serie A record. memories of the last Argentine worth 40 million euros ($45 Maurizio Sarri this season, goal on Saturday, Higuain im- mamma... I’ve seen Higuain.” But if he decides to quit AC Milan forward and Swe- to steal the hearts of the Azzur- million) in 2013, Higuain has having failed to reach the same mediately ran to hug Sarri on Reports in Italy say it has not Napoli for pastures new over den legend Gunnar Nordahl’s ri fans -- Diego Maradona, who relaunched his career in Italy, heights when Rafa Benitez was the touchlines. been sung at the stadium since the summer, the love of Na- record of 35 goals in a single, helped steer them to their two although the big improve- in charge. “I want to thank Maurizio Maradona’s time at the club, poli’s fans could quickly turn to 20-team Serie A season had titles in 1987 and 1990. ments have come under coach When he scored his third Sarri... he has helped me so and Higuain understood the anger. 34 Monday, May 16, 2016 Sports GUARD OF HONOUR FIFA reformer warns Infantino showing signs of ‘Blatterism’

AFP GENEVA

FIFA’S new President Gianni Infantino is using the authori- tarian tactics of ex-leader Sepp Blatter, a top reform advocate told AFP on Sunday, after the resignation of FIFA’s audit chief. Mark Pieth, a Swiss crimi- nal law professor who has led reform drives at FIFA, made the comments after the head of the world body’s independ- ent audit committee, Do- menico Scala, quit in protest FIFA President Gianni Infantino at what he called an attack on FIFA’s reforms. ter were undermined because Infantino “has dropped Blatter controlled who the the mask,” of a reformer, Pieth probes would target. told AFP. “He is showing his In similarly eroding the real motives and his real per- autonomy of FIFA’s independ- sonality.” ent committees, especially the Pieth further accused In- ethics panel, Infantino could fantino of not respecting the also render those institutions need for checks on power. toothless. “For me, it’s falling back to Infantino “is trying to es- the worst times of Blatterism,” tablish total control,” added Leicester manager Claudio Ranieri walks out to a guard of honour from the Chelsea staff before the game at Stamford Bridge in London on Sunday. (REUTERS) the Swiss professor said. Pieth. Scala stepped down on Pieth, who is close to Scala, Saturday, voicing concern over said the spat with Infantino a measure that gave the FIFA was in fact tied to disputes over Council control of the nomina- the new president’s salary. Leicester end remarkable tion of members of independ- Infantino told journalists ent oversight bodies such as on Friday that his compensa- its ethics committee and audit tion had not yet been decided. and compliance committee. According to Pieth, who The measure was ap- did not disclose his source for season with Chelsea draw proved at this week’s congress the information, Infantino is in Mexico City, the first since upset that FIFA’s remunera- Infantino replaced Blatter as tion committee, which includ- president. ed Scala, determined his an- Arsenal secure 2nd place, Tottenham lose 5-1 to Newcastle, finish third in the Premier League FIFA said the measure was nual salary at 2 million Swiss only intended to give the FIFA francs ($2 million, 1.8 million AFP while Gray worked Thibaut place in the English Premier council powers to fill empty euros) without the prospect of LONDON Courtois with a firmly hit League, one point ahead of seats on the key committees a bonus. right-foot strike. their north London rivals. until the next Congress in “The fact is Infantino re- DANNY Drinkwater struck But Chelsea finished the Giroud’s first goal came 2017. It said Scala had made fused to sign the contract,” and a stunning late equaliser as half on top, visiting goalkeep- in the 5th minute on a header “baseless” claims. had been pressuring Scala to Leicester City concluded their er Kasper Schmeichel twice from a Nacho Monreal cross. But Pieth argued that eth- resign in the wake of the flap, fairytale Premier League cam- denying Fabregas and saving The Frenchman raced to his ics investigations under Blat- Pieth said. paign with a 1-1 draw against spectacularly from Willian hat trick within the space of outgoing champions Chelsea and Baba Rahman before an three second-half minutes at Stamford Bridge on Sunday. offside flag denied Pedro Ro- with Mesut Ozil and Hector Cesc Fabregas’s penalty driguez an opener from Wil- Bellerin providing the assists put Chelsea ahead, but Drink- lian’s low cross. in the 78th and 80th minutes, Bayern celebrate title in water crowned his return from Ranieri sent on Jeff Sch- respectively. Mikel Arteta add- suspension by levelling with a lupp and Shinji Okazaki at ed Arsenal’s 4th in stoppage dipping 25-yard effort in the half-time as Leicester re- time. Aston Villa finished the Munich town hall balcony 82nd minute to ensure that verted to their familiar 4-4-2 season in 20th place. manager Claudio Ranieri did shape, while Hiddink looked Tottenham blew its chance not taste defeat on his return to the future in the second to finish second in the English to his former club. half with the introductions of Premier League following a Beaten only three times Ruben Loftus-Cheek, 20, and 5-1 final-day thrashing at rel- over the whole campaign, 18-year-olds Tammy Abraham egated 10-man Newcastle on Leicester finished the season and Fikayo Tomori, who made Sunday. Newcastle went 2-0 10 points clear of second- Danny Drinkwater celebrates scoring a goal for Leicester City during a his debut. up before halftime through place Arsenal, with long-time Premier League match in London on Sunday. (REUTERS) Fabregas broke the dead- and Ale- pursuers Tottenham Hotspur lock in the 66th minute, send- ksander Mitrovic in the 19th a point back in third. They Leicester’s players were sea fans in the Shed End held ing Schmeichel the wrong way and 39th minutes. also equalled a club record of granted a guard of honour by up signs bearing the number from the spot after Schlupp Erik Lamela pulled one 12 consecutive league games their hosts as they took to the 26 as the home ground chant- had been penalised for flying back for Tottenham in the without defeat. pitch beneath bright sunshine ed: “John Terry, we want you in towards Nemanja Matic. 60th, and things looked bright- Chelsea finished 10th, 31 in west London, while Ranieri to stay!” But Leicester, fittingly, er for Spurs when Mitrovic was points off the pace, and while was presented with a memento The former England cap- had the final say as Drinkwa- sent off for Newcastle for a bad Guus Hiddink said his good- by Chelsea, the club who had tain, sitting behind the dug- ter gathered a pass from Sch- challenge on Kyle Walker in byes after his second stint as sacked him 12 years previ- outs, acknowledged the dis- lupp and hit a sweet drive that the 67th. interim manager, there re- ously. play with a raised hand. flashed past Courtois and into However, a goal from Wi- mains uncertainty over the fu- While the home fans said Perhaps with next season’s the bottom-left corner. jnaldum, followed by strikes ture of captain John Terry. hello again to Ranieri, they Champions League campaign An Olivier Giroud hat trick from Rolando Aarons and Suspended for Leicester’s also bade farewell to Hiddink, in mind, Ranieri used the oc- gave Arsenal a 4-0 victory over Daryl Janmaat condemned visit, the 35-year-old was set to who gives way to Italy manager casion to test out a new sys- relegated Aston Villa on Sun- Tottenham to its worst defeat take part in the post-match lap , and implored tem that saw Riyad Mahrez day. of the season. The result drops of honour but has yet to reveal Terry not to end his time at the and Demarai Gray flank lone The result, combined with Tottenham into 3rd place. whether he will sign the one- club on 703 appearances. striker Jamie Vardy in a 4-1-4- Tottenham’s 5-1 defeat against Despite the result, New- year contract extension that On minute 26 -- reflecting 1 formation. Newcastle, means that Arsenal castle finished 18th and is rel- the club offered him this week. Terry’s squad number -- Chel- Vardy put two efforts wide, finishes the season in second egated. Josep Guardiola, head coach of Bayern Munich, celebrates winning the German Championship title on the town hall balcony at Marienplatz in Munich, on Sunday. (REUTERS)

DPA turn to Germany’s loveliest bal- MUNICH cony” if they win so they could Manchester United game abandoned “have another party, when we BAYERN Munich celebrated can really let our hair down.” their record fourth straight Coach Pep Guardiola cel- after suspect package found title in traditional ebrated on the balcony with style on Sunday when they ap- his family as he bids goodbye peared on the city’s town hall to the club after three years balcony in front of 10,000 jubi- in charge before joining Man- The suspect package was eventually lant fans. chester City. Bayern were presented However, he said he had dealt with but there was no official with the trophy at the Alli- regrets over not reaching the word on what it was anz Arena after Saturday’s 3-1 Champions League final dur- home win over Hanover but ing his tenure. DPA was no official word on what it the civic reception is a chance “I haven’t achieved what LONDON was. this team and these players “A controlled explosion deserve - a Champions League MANCHESTER United’s has just been carried out with- Coach Pep Guardiola cel- final,” the Spaniard said hav- Premier League game with in the stadium by bomb dis- ebrated on the balcony ing been knocked out in three Bournemouth was abandoned posal experts at Old Trafford,” with his family as he bids straight semi-finals. Sunday after a suspect pack- Greater Manchester Police goodbye to the club after “Deep in my heart I hope age was found at Old Trafford. said. that Carlo can do it in his time Fans were evacuated from A public address an- three years in charge in charge,” Guardiola added of two of the stands prior to kick- nouncement about 30 min- before joining Manchester his successor Carlo Ancelotti. off. “The decision to abandon utes before kick-off told fans City. Like last year, Bayern’s the Manchester United versus in the Stretford End and Sir title-winning women’s team AFC Bournemouth match was Alex Ferguson Stands to leave General view outside Old Trafforf Stadium in Manchester after the match was abandoned on Sunday, (REUTERS) were also in attendance at the taken after the police advised the stadium. Supporters in the for the wider city to revel in the town hall, with the men don- of the necessity to deal with a Sir Bobby Charlton and East inconvenience caused to fans ranged fixture by 19 goals to on the final day of the season club’s success. ning lederhosen and the ladies suspect package,” the Premier stands were told to remain we are sure, in the circum- make up a three-point deficit are meant to be played at the “Every year it is great. Even dirndls. League said in a statement. calm and stay in their seats. stances, they will appreciate and crucially a far inferior goal same time. With the Cup final if it is four years in a row, it is Bayern winger Arjen Rob- “When it comes to matters Television pictures showed the need to do so,” the Premier difference. on the horizon, finding a date still something special,” club ben, whose season has been of security it is obviously right police with sniffer dogs walk- League said. United are sixth behind for the rearranged game could chairman Karl-Heinz Rum- ravaged by injury, was part of that Manchester United and ing through the stands and the The match could have Southampton on goal differ- be complicated. menigge said. the celebrations and said he the Premier League place the abandonment was announced been important for United’s ence and are set to play in the “The Premier League will Bayern have one last game would come back stronger. safety of supporters and em- shortly after. Champions League hopes but Europa League instead. They seek to rearrange the fixture this season, the German Cup fi- “Next season is important ployees foremost.” “It is always the last resort fourth-placed Manchester City also face Crystal Palace in the as soon as practically possible nal against Borussia Dortmund for me,” the Dutchman said. “It The suspect package was to abandon one of our fixtures drew 1-1 at Swansea, meaning FA Cup final on Saturday. and will advise fans accord- next Saturday, and Rum- has been a difficult time for me eventually dealt with but there and while we apologise for the United need to win the rear- Premier League games ingly,” the league said. menigge said they might “re- mentally.” Sports Monday, May 16, 2016 35 Bolt eases US quarters spot in doubt into Olympic buildup with after Germany defeat Cayman win The Germans beat the Americans 3-2 with a last-minute goal by Holzer at the ice hockey worlds AP ST. PETERSBURG

GERMANY beat the United States 3-2 on a last-minute goal by Korbinian Holzer at the world ice hockey championship on Sunday, putting American qualification for the quarterfi- nals in doubt. Anaheim Ducks defense- man Holzer hasn't scored for the last two seasons in the NHL, but he made no mistake with a perfectly positioned shot from the blue line to beat US goal- tender Mike Condon. It was a bitter ending for a US team which had dominated puck possession, recording 33 shots against 14 for the Ger- mans. The third defeat in six games leaves the US fourth in Olympic and World Champion Usain Bolt. Group B, one place behind Ger- many with one game remaining REUTERS races to get sharp. against fifth-placed Slovakia. CAYMAN ISLANDS "So I'm not worried, just The top four advance to the about working up to the top quarterfinals. Germany took the SPRINT king Usain Bolt took now. lead on Patrick Hager's power- his first stride toward the goal "Now my coach (Glen Mills) play goal in the first before Jake of an unprecedented Olympic can analyse the race, see what McCabe tied the game for the threepeat at the Rio de Janeiro we need to do, see what we US, but Germany responded Games with a modest 10.05 need to work on and move from almost immediately with a goal second run and an easy victory there." Bolt conceded he still for Christian Ehrhoff. at the Cayman Invitational on had work to do before Jamai- Auston Matthews' power- Saturday. ca's Olympic trials at the end of play goal early in the second Starting in lane four, the Ja- June. made it 2-2, before Holzer won maican had a moderate start in "I wanted to run fast, I was the game for Germany with half his season-opening race before feeling good in training. But you a minute remaining in the third. stepping away from the field in never know because running in In Moscow, beat the last 60 metres and cruising the previously unbeaten Czech to the tape. Republic 2-1 in a shootout. The Bolt's time was the third The Jamaican had a mod- Czechs remain top of Group lowest in a career boasting the erate start in his season- A and are sure of a spot in the 100 and 200m titles at the last opening race before step- quarterfinals, but a win in regu- Germany’s players celebrate after their victory against the USA at the World Championship in St. Petersburg on Sunday. (REUTERS) two Olympics along with golds ping away from the field in lation would have guaranteed a in the 4x100 relays. the last 60 metres and first-place finish and top seed- Finland are now the only un- RESULTS Marchand’s pass from behind Koskinen lost a shutout with But the 29-year-old was cruising to the tape. ing for the quarterfinals. beaten teams in the world the goal to give Canada a 2-0 7:29 remaining when Pierre- satisfied with his first test since Tomas Plekanec scored the championship. GROUP A lead at the first break. Edouard Bellemare netted last year's world championships opening goal for the Czechs in At Moscow Edmonton winger Tay- a consolation on a two-man in Beijing, where he added an- the second, but Morten Madsen Canada rout Slovaks to Sweden 3 Norway 2 lor Hall and Winnipeg center powerplay. other three titles to his honour training and running at a track scored for Denmark early in the extend winning ways Russia 5 Switzerland 1 Mark Scheifele added a pow- In a clash of minnows in roll before calling a premature meet is two different things. third on a power play caused by prevailed over 2002 title- Latvia 2 Kazakhstan 1 erplay goal apiece in the sec- Group B played in Saint Pe- end to his season. "It's all about race fitness, an unnecessary too many men winners Slovakia 5-0 in their ond, while Brassard complet- tersburg, promoted Hungary "I'm just glad I got out of that so like last year, I need to get a penalty for the Czech Republic. world championship Group B GROUP B ed Slovakia’s whitewashing needed only 17 shots to beat one injury-free, It's a season- few more races under my belt Denmark held on through encounter to record their fifth At halfway into the third period. Belarus 5-2 to record their first opener so you never know what and by trials time I'll be ready overtime for the shootout de- win in as many matches in Saint Finland 3 France 1 In the early Group B match win at the worlds in 77 years. to expect," Bolt told reporters I'm sure." spite being outshot 41-21 over Petersburg on Saturday. Hungary 5 Belarus 2 two-time former champions Janos Vas scored two after beating Jason Rodgers of On the other side of the the whole game. Michal Repik's Derick Brassard of New Canada 5 Slovakia 0 Finland beat France 3-1 to shorthanded goals as Krisz- St. Kitts and Nevis (10.12) and world, American Justin Gatlin missed second shot for the York Rangers collected a goal maintain their 100-percent tian Nagy, Balasz Sebok, third-placed compatriot Kemar showed he remains one of Bolt's Czechs meant Nicklas Jensen and an assist, while Cam Talbot record. Esa Lindell, Florida and Vilmos Gallo netted one Bailey-Cole (10.18). biggest obstacles to Olympic could secure victory for Den- produced 18 saves for a shutout Morgan Rielly put Canada into Panthers’ Alexander Barkov apiece to secure Hungary’s "I haven't run all season so glory with a 9.94 second run to mark on the next shot. setting Canada on their way to the lead with a shot from the and Patrik Laine all scored first success since an 8-1 vic- I expected to be rusty, and just win the 100m at the Diamond The Czech loss means that a 15th consecutive win at the blue line, while Colorado center in the second period to put tory over Belgium on Febru- like last season, I need more League meeting in Shanghai. Group A leaders Canada and worlds. Toronto rear guard Matt Duchene scored off Brad Finland 3-0 ahead. Mikko ary 3, 1939.

RUSSIA DOPING SCANDAL WBC postpones Wilder-Povetkin Russia has doping problem and is ‘sorry’: Mutko fight after failed drug test AP Stiverne in January last year. MOSCOW For Povetkin (30-1), it is his first world title challenge since drop- Russian sports minister apologises HEAVYWEIGHT champion ping a unanimous decision to Deontay Wilder's title defense Wladimir Klitschko in 2013. over doping, pleads for Rio entry against Alexander Povetkin has Wilder had made allega- been postponed by the WBC af- tions against Povetkin in an AP "We have done everything ter the Russian challenger failed interview last year with USA MOSCOW that has been asked of us by the a drug test. Today. Wilder said he believed IAAF in order to be reinstated," The WBC says the May 21 the Russian to be "on some kind RUSSIA has a "problem" with Mutko added. "It would be un- fight in Moscow is off, pending of steroids" but said he was still doping and is "very sorry" that just to demand all these chang- an investigation, with no back- willing to fight him. its cheating athletes were not es and measures, witness them up date. Povetkin's promoter Andrei caught sooner, the country's happen, and then still punish "Keeping the priority of Ryabinsky told Russia's Tass sports minister said. Russia's athletes." safety and also the principle of news agency on Friday that Russia, a track and field Setting out Russia's anti- justice, the WBC will continue his fighter had tested positive powerhouse, was suspended doping reform agenda, Mutko the investigation into the case," in April, but that only "leftover by the IAAF in November fol- said aspiring Olympians will the WBC said in a statement. traces of at a very lowing a WADA panel report undergo three anti-doping con- "Consequently, the event low concentration were found." that found state-sponsored trols carried out by the IAAF, as scheduled for May 21 in Mos- These traces, Ryabinsky said, cheating. well as any additional testing cow is hereby officially post- were the result of Povetkin tak- "Serious mistakes have in qualifying competitions, and poned." ing meldonium in September been made by the federation that its anti-doping agency in It added that "the WBC will last year before it was banned. management, along with ath- Moscow is being supervised by be releasing more information Athletes in several sports letes and coaches who have two "international experts" ap- in the coming days regarding have avoided suspensions for broken anti-doping rules and pointed by WADA last month. the final ruling on the matter." meldonium positive tests under neglected the principle of fair "We will do everything hu- Povetkin's promoter has new World Anti-Doping Agency play," said Vitaly Mutko, writ- manly possible to ensure our said the substance found in an guidance issued in April — if the ing in British newspaper The athletes are a part of clean, April test was meldonium, the concentration of the heart drug Sunday Times. "Let us be clear. fair and enthralling Games," stamina booster for which ten- is low enough to indicate they We are ashamed of them." he said. nis star Maria Sharapova and did not take it after January 1. "We are very sorry that ath- Mutko's contrition con- dozens of other athletes in ex- It is not clear whether such letes who tried to deceive us, trasts with his combative at- Soviet nations have tested posi- guidance will apply in the case and the world, were not caught titude in recent remarks for a tive since it was banned from of Povetkin. The WBC works sooner. We are very sorry be- Russian audience. Jan. 1. with the Las Vegas-based Vol- cause Russia is committed to Speaking last week to state Russia Minister of Sport, Tourism and Youth policy Vitaly Mutko. Wilder, an unbeaten Ameri- untary Anti-Doping Associa- upholding the highest stand- news agency R-Sport, Mutko can (36-0), had been due to tion, which often follows WA- ards in sport and is opposed to said that Vitaly Stepanov, a ympics in Sochi in 2014 that Meanwhile, Russia says it away as many as 100 original make his fourth defense of the DA's example but is not under anything that threatens the Ol- former anti-doping officer and included exchanging bottles of supports retesting drug test samples, or what punishment belt he won against Bermane its supervision. ympic values." key whistleblower whose evi- tainted urine samples for clean samples from the 2014 Sochi athletes might face if their sam- Mutko did not, however, ad- dence featured in the WADA ones through a concealed hole Olympics after accusations it ples are found to have been in- mit any involvement in doping report, "was chased out of (Rus- in the wall of the Sochi lab. The operated a mass doping pro- terfered with in the laboratory. by the Russian government, a sia) like a scoundrel" and sug- doping program reportedly in- gram at the games. Rodchenkov has offered to central charge in both Novem- gested he was part of a plot to , the assist in retesting, and to iden- ber's WADA report and recent smear Russia's reputation. former head of the Russian anti- tify any samples which may allegations that test samples Stepanov says he and his Mutko did not, however, doping laboratory, told the New have been tampered with. The were switched at the Sochi Ol- wife left Russia because they admit any involvement in York Times he switched tainted International Olympic Commit- ympics. feared for their safety after dis- doping by the Russian gov- urine samples for clean ones tee said on Friday it will discuss Russia will discover on June closing details of performance- ernment, a central charge for athletes allegedly identified the offer with the World Anti- 17 whether its athletics federa- enhancing drug use and subse- in November’s WADA report by the Russian government as Doping Agency. tion has met the reform criteria quent cover-ups. being part of a state doping sys- Russian officials have de- to return to competition in time Russia was plunged into an- tem. nied operating a doping pro- for the Rio de Janeiro Olympics. other doping scandal this week, volved at least 15 Russian medal “It all needs to be retested,” gram or influencing the test- "We do not deny having a when the former head of Mos- winners. Mutko told the state R-Sport ing, and Mutko’s deputy, Yuri problem in Russia, and we are cow's anti-doping lab, Grigory Russian officials have de- news agency on Saturday. Nagornykh, has suggested Rus- doing everything possible at Rodchenkov, detailed in The nied the allegations and threat- “That’s easiest.” sia could sue the Times. Three state level to eradicate doping, New York Times how Rus- ened to sue the newspaper. The It is far from clear how any gold medalists named in the including punishing athletes sia operated a state-sponsored World Anti-Doping Agency will retesting could work since Rod- Times report have denied dop- In this October 2013 file photo, Alexander Povetkin (centre) is and coaches," Mutko wrote. scheme during the Winter Ol- investigate. chenkov told the Times he threw ing. weighed during the weigh-in session in Moscow, Russia. (AFP) 36 Monday, May 16, 2016 Sports

(Left) A grand view of the Vodafone Arena in Besiktas, Istanbul, the first smart stadium in Turkey. (Right) Vodafone Qatar Chief Operating Officer Mohamed al Sadah (left) with Vodafone Turkey CEO Gökhan Ögüt at the agreement signing event in Istanbul. Strategic MoU by Vodafone Qatar

bring expertise and innovation million people expected to Vodafone Arena will act as a all the content that fans dream Deal signed with Vodafone Turkey & to Qatar from all parts of one “At Vodafone we are com- travel to the Middle East’s first model for Vodafone Qatar for of – including interviews, of the world’s largest telecom- mitted to bring expertise World Cup, the level of con- the smart stadium infrastruc- match statistics and live up- Vodafone Arena for smart stadium munications companies and and innovation to Qatar nectivity and sharing will be tures that are planned to be dates on other games. Moreo- technology to provide the country with a from all parts of one of exceptional. Innovative tech- built at eight stadiums that ver, spectators and visitors on world class telecommunica- the world’s largest tele- nologies enabling fans to stay will be used during the 2022 match days are offered an end- tions infrastructure that sup- communications compa- connected during the tourna- World Cup in Qatar. At Voda- to-end digital experience. ASIF IQBAL ter smart solutions like that in ports the Qatar 2022 World ment will form a large part of fone Turkey, we will share our Mahmud Awad, Chief ISTANBUL Turkey to the eight new stadi- Cup and Qatar National Vi- nies and to provide the delivering an unforgettable smart stadium know-how and Business Officer at Vodafone ums that would be constructed sion 2030,” Mohamed al Sa- country with a world class experience for those inside the experience with Vodafone Qa- Qatar, said, “Vodafone’s lead- VODAFONE Qatar has signed for the World cup 2022 in Qa- dah, Chief Operating Officer telecommunications infra- 2022 venues.” tar, providing them with all the ing internet of things (IoT) a Memorandum of Under- tar. at Vodafone Qatar, said at the structure that supports Gökhan Öğüt, CEO, Vo- support they need,” Ogut said. platform that is available in 40 standing (MoU) with Voda- Under the agreement, agreement signing event. the Qatar 2022 World Cup dafone Turkey, said the com- Vodafone Arena’s smart markets was launched in Qa- fone Turkey and Beşiktaş JK, Vodafone Turkey will work According to Sadah, the and Qatar National Vision pany’s largest investments stadium provides a glimpse tar two months ago as part of Turkey’s leading football club, closely with Vodafone Qatar smart-stadium in Turkey is 2030,” Vodafone Qatar includes Vodafone Arena, into the fan experience of the our direction to bring all that’s to accelerate the transfer of to develop and enhance Vo- one if its kind and Vodafone Turkey’s first smart stadium. future. At every home game innovative to the country.” knowledge, expertise and dafone Qatar’s smart stadium Qatar is very optimistic of win- COO Mohamed al Sadah “We have built the Vodafone played by Turkish Super He said such technologies technological know-how from technology proposition and ning the bid to offer the smart said at the agreement Arena as one of the world’s League side Beşiktaş JK, more are set to become a funda- the Vodafone Arena to Qatar. the practical implementation solutions to all the stadiums signing event. most advanced technological than 40,000 fans have access mentally important element in The Vodafone Arena is of it. for the WC 2022. infrastructures in the heart of to Wi-Fi, 2G, 3G, and 4.5G the infrastructure/stadia and Turkey’s first smart-stadium “The agreement with our Talking about the need for ity. The ability to share videos, Istanbul and Turkey as a mon- ready broadband network venues being built for major based in Beşiktaş, Istanbul sister company is yet another smart stadiums in the country, pictures and messages with ument of our Digital Transfor- connections, rich-content dis- sports events across the region and the MoU is aimed at giv- step of Vodafone Qatar to Sadah said, “As Qatar’s 2022 people online will be an im- mation vision.” plays on the 850 video walls, – from the IAAF World Athlet- ing the telecom operator an bring innovation and smart World Cup preparations ac- portant aspect of the fan expe- “And now we feel quite and Vodafone Arena mobile ics Championships in Qatar in edge over its competitors in its solutions to Qatar. At Vo- celerate, so will fans’ expecta- rience in six and a half years’ excited to export this smart application, as well as interac- 2019, the Qatar 2022 World bid to provide similar or bet- dafone we are committed to tions for super-fast connectiv- time and with more than a infrastructure to Qatar. The tive HD screens that broadcast Cup and beyond. Toyota – Lexus official car for Emir Cup 2016 Mexico latest

TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK DOHA to join SIGA LEXUS cars will transport the VIP guests and Toyota Coasters TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK tion with the ICSS, Mexico is will carry fans during the final DOHA joining the multi-stakeholder of the premier football event of coalition of the SIGA to help Qatar, the Emir Cup, on May THE Government of Mexico accelerate the adoption of 20. - through the National Au- international standards and Abdullah Abdulghani & thority of Physical Education best practices that will lay the Bros. and the Qatar Football and Sport (CONADE) - has proper foundation for ensur- Association (QFA) announced become the latest to express ing a strong future for sport. the agreement for the Emir its support to the Sport Integ- “Governments must pre- Cup 2016. rity Global Alliance (SIGA), an serve the role of sport in socie- As part of the QFA’s pro- independent coalition of over ty and there is no better way to motional campaign for the 60 leading organisations rep- do this than by working closely tournament, the Emir Cup resenting sporting interests in with the members of this coa- Trophy was hosted at Toyota business, governments, inter- lition.” main showroom ahead of the national organisations, NGOs Congratulating the work final match and was attended and other key stakeholders. developed by the CONADE, by AAB and QFA officials. The The SIGA membership is Emanuel Macedo de Medei- trophy tour is part of a long- rooted in 12 core principles on ros, coordinator of SIGA, standing tradition that aims to sport integrity that were for- CEO of ICSS EUROPE and build excitement ahead of the mally adopted last month in co-founder and former CEO of final match and raise aware- Madrid, in a meeting hosted the EPFL (European Profes- ness about the tournament by the Spanish government. sional Football Leagues) said: amongst fans, while giving Supporters of the SIGA are “As a newly-launched infor- them the opportunity to cel- working towards the develop- mal alliance with a common ebrate by taking memorable ment of standards in three ar- goal of driving key reforms in pictures with the iconic tro- AAB and QFA officials during the Emir Cup’s stop at the Toyota Tower in Doha. eas - financial integrity, good the sport industry, SIGA wel- phy. governance and sports betting comes Mexico to our coordi- Held annually in April and the Emir His Highness Sheikh opment of the football scene tionship between Abdullah ing sponsor for Emir Cup. integrity. These standards nated global effort to tackle May, the Emir Cup is a pre- Tamim bin Hamad al Thani. in Qatar and we look forward Abdulghani & Bros. and the “The relationship between and best practices are being corruption in sport.” mier football event in Qatar Mansoor al Ansari, QFA to building on this significant Qatar Football Association is the Qatar Football Associa- developed with the goal of “The concept for the SIGA which whips up tremendous Secretary-General, com- partnership. not a recent relation, rather tion and Abdullah Abdulghani widespread adoption across emerged in 2015 in the wake passion and interest in fans mented: “We are pleased to “The fact that we have an extension of very produc- Bros. is historic relationship the sport sector, followed by of various high profile scan- since its inception 1972. welcome on board once again a partnership that has been tive years historically, as be- that spans over 10 years. This effective monitoring and en- dals which served as an urgent Football fans from all over Abdullah Abdulghani & Bros. in place for many years only ing ‘sponsoring partners’ for in fact did not come from void, forcement. call to action. The SIGA or- the country attend the final Toyota - Lexus as the Of- serves to underline the sig- the Emir Cup another year in but from a sincere desire be- Alfredo Castillo Cervantes, ganisations and their leaders match, not only to see the ficial Car for the Emir Cup nificance of the Emir Cup,” he 2015-16 season. We are proud tween the two parties to work Head of CONADE, the Mexi- are working collaboratively to high profile game but to also 2016. This is a continuation added. to represent Toyota and Lex- together towards a new ho- can Government’s authority move the sport sector into a have the honour of attending of a fruitful partnership that Serdar Toktamis, CEO of us as official ‘Official Car’ for rizon of positive and mutual on sport in Mexico said: “Fol- new age of transparency and a match with the presence of started years ago for the devel- AAB, stressed that the rela- this invaluable event and be- benefit.” lowing our positive coopera- accountability.”

EL JAISH & LEKHWIYA GET READY FOR THE AFC CHAMPIONS LEAGUE ENCOUNTER

Qatar Stars League runners- up and Qatar Cup cham- pions El Jaish are getting ready for their upcoming AFC Champions League last 16 stage double leg against Lekhwiya, to be held in Qatar on Tuesday. The Sabri Lamouchi’s El Jaish had a work-out at the Qatar University ground on Sunday. Lekhwiya, coached by Djamel Belmadi, may be without striker Moham- med Muntari in the crunch match. The Qatari inter- national striker suffered a blow during their 2-1 Emir Cup semi-final victory against El Jaish and was examined at Aspetar.