FFOOTBALLOOTBALL | Page 2 AATHLETICSTHLETICS | Page 7 Al Gharafa Bolt-inspired drub Blake puts Sports Club to one hand on secure fourth CWG title

Monday, April 9, 2018 FORMULA 1 Rajab 23, 1439 AH Ferrari’s Vettel marks GULF TIMES 200th race with thrilling victory SPORT Page 4 EQUESTRIAN / GLOBAL CHAMPIONS TOUR FOOTBALL Duhail and Qatar’s Bassem claims Tunisia star Msakni ruled second spot behind out of WCup Tops-Alexander Tops-Alexander and Bassem were the only riders who pulled off a double clear

Al Duhail Youssef Msakni receives the QNB Stars League winning shield from Qatar Football Association vice-president Saoud al-Mohannadi on Saturday. The Tunisian will miss the 2018 World Cup after suff ering a cruciate ligament injury.

AFP

unisia forward Youssef Msakni has been ruled out of the World Cup af- Qatari rider Sheikh Ali al-Thani cheers compatriot Bassem Mohamed on. ter agonisingly suff ering a cruciate ligament injury while playing his fi nal Grand Prix winner Brash — to qualify sixth place fi nish in Miami. Tleague game of the season. for the Super Grand Prix which will In a statement yesterday, his club, Qatar’s Al take place at the GC Prague Play Off s TOP SIX RESULTS LGCT MIAMI Duhail, said Msakni would not play until Octo- this December. BEACH ber at the earliest after injuring his knee. Victory was by no means assured 1. Edwina Tops-Alexander (AUS) on “Msakni will be absent for six months, and for the Australian rider. “I didn’t California with this injury he... will be absent from par- even know until 11am that I was go- 2. Bassem Mohamed (QAT) on ticipation with his national team in the World ing to ride her today. We all work hard Gunder Cup in Russia,” read the statement. and sometimes is pays off . You have 3. Darragh Kenny (IRL) on Cassini Z The World Cup begins on June 14. to believe in yourself,” said Tops-Al- 4. Pieter Devos (BEL) on Claire Z The 27-year-old, who had been instrumen- Qatar’s Bassem Mohamed rides Gunder at the Grand Prix of Miami Beach, part of Global Champions Tour, on Saturday. exander, who missed the majority of 5. Eduardo Alvarez Aznar (ESP) on tal in helping Tunisia qualify for the fi nals, last year’s Tour as she was pregnant Fidux announced on his Instagram page that he was By Sports Reporter for a record third championship title. than three seconds off Bassem’s and took a break from riding until 6. Gregory Wathelet (BEL) on Coree “very sad” to miss the tournament. Doha The ever-consistent Bassem Mo- time, handing her victory and September 2017. His absence is a major blow to Tunisia’s hamed and Gunder put in the fi rst €100,000, the lion’s share of the “I watched some of Bassem’s TOP SIX FROM GCL hopes of progressing from a group also includ- clear of the jump-off , making ab- class’s €300,000 prize-fund. Other round on the screen (in the warm- 1. Prague Lions: Anna Kellnerova, ing , England and . atar’s Bassem Mohamed solutely sure every rail stayed up. than Tops-Alexander, Bassem was up) and I knew he could have gone Gerco Schroder Msakni was the team’s top scorer with three fi nished second with his It was a cautious, tactically ridden the only other rider who pulled off faster,” added Tops-Alexander, who 2. Valkenswaard United: Alberto goals in the team’s successful fi nal qualifying 12-year-old gelding Gunder round that did the job and put him a double clear. He was richer by has partnered California since taking Zorzi, Bertram Allen round for Russia. at the Longines Global at the head of aff airs with only one €40,000. Ireland’s Darragh Kenny the ride from Egypt’s Abdel Said 3. Aces: Jérôme Guery, Julien Tunisia, known as the “Carthage Lions”, play ChampionsQ Tour Grand Prix of Miami rider left to jump. But it wasn’t pedal rounded out the podium after an un- in 2016. “Still, I didn’t think I’d won their fi rst game against England in Volgograd Epillard Beach in Florida on Saturday. to the metal — as that one rider was lucky fence down with Cassini Z. or that I was going that fast and I kept 4. New York Empire: Georgina on June 18. The Olympic rider fi nished behind the formidable Tops-Alexander, who The overall LGCT Ranking bat- looking at the screen to check.” Bloomberg, Scott Brash Msakni injured himself playing in a match ’s Edwina Tops-Alexander, had the advantage of complete intel tle is already an intense aff air, with Meanwhile in the team event, Glo- 5. Scandinavian Kings: Christian against Al Sailiya on Saturday, which saw his Al who reigned supreme, triggering the about the course as the last to jump. Britain’s Brash leading the charge for bal Champions League, Sheikh Ali Ahlmann, Leopold van Asten Duhail team crowned as Qatari league champi- prospect of a thrilling contest with Her round on the 11-year-old Es- the 2018 season. Tops-Alexander is al-Thani and Bassem Mohammed 6. Doha Fursan Qatar: Sheikh Ali al- ons, fi nishing ahead of second-placed Al Sadd, current ranking leader Scott Brash prit mare California shaved more the second rider — after Mexico City led Doha Fursan Qatar to a creditable Thani, Bassem Mohammed captained by Barcelona great Xavi Hernandez.

BOTTOMLINE Qatari champs set to delight home crowd at Doha

By Sports Reporter ries in Doha. promises to be a thrilling javelin fi nal, Manangoi of , who will draw huge Doha Haroun will line up in an incredibly featuring reigning Olympic champion interest as he drops down to the shorter strong fi eld that features last year’s world Thomas Rohler of , reign- distance in Doha. silver medallist of the ing world champion , Abdalla will start his 2018 outdoor eam Qatar will be out in full Bahamas and 2017 Diamond League also of Germany, reigning World silver campaign full of confi dence following force at this year’s Doha Dia- champion of . medallist and 2018 Diamond League his gold medal-winning performance at mond League with 2017 world Another rising Qatari star, Mohamed champion Yakub Vadlejch of the Czech the 2018 Asian Indoor Championships. bronze medallist Abdalleleh Nasir Abbas, will also be looking to get Republic, and reigning Olympic silver Meanwhile, teammate Hairane enters Haroun,T 2017 his outdoor season off to a strong start medallist Julian Yego of Kenya. the 2018 season following a successful winner Abderrahaman Samba and ahead of this year’s Asian Games in In- Rohler stole the show and wowed the 2017 that saw him win gold at the Asian Olympian and World Championship donesia. The 2014 U20 Asian Champion crowds at last year’s Diamond League Indoor and Martial Arts Games in Ash- fi nalist Ahmed Bader Magour in the claimed bronze behind Haroun at this when he threw the second furthest dis- gabat and silver in both the 800m and 14-strong squad for the May 4, 2018, year’s Asian Indoor Championships with tance in history and broke the IAAF 1500m at the Asian Championships in event. a personal best time. Diamond League record with 93.90m. Bhubaneshwar. Tickets for the event, which will be “I was so proud to win bronze for Qa- Bader used his incredible experience of Other Team Qatar athletes compet- held at Qatar Sports Club, are on sale tar in the World Championships fi nishing fi fth in that historic competi- ing on May 4 include 2010 Youth Ol- now online at https://bit.ly/2GVnHqN last year but I want to achieve even more tion to win gold at the 2017 Islamic Soli- ympic Games silver medallist and 2012 and at Virgin Megastores. success in the future,” Haroun said. “This darity Games in Baku, and will be looking World Under 20 Champion, Hamza Young talent, 21-year-old Haroun, season is big and important one for me to gain further experience competing Drioch, who will join Asian Under got his 2018 season off to an electric and I have been training hard and stay- Abdalleleh Haroun won his first senior outdoor honour with bronze at the London against the very best in the world in May. 20 5000m and 3000m Steeplechase start at the Asian Indoor Champion- ing very focussed on achieving my goals. IAAF World Championships in August last year. He will be joined by aspiring Team Qatar Champion Adam Ali Mousab and Said ships in Tehran in February when he I can’t wait to get out on the track at Qa- athlete, Mohamed Ibrahim Kaida. Aden in the Men’s 1500m; 2018 Asian became the fi rst back-to-back win- tar Sports Club and compete in front of Diamond League, beating reigning Ol- last year’s IAAF World Championships. Two Team Qatar athletes, Jamal Indoor silver medallist in 1500m and ner of an Asian indoor 400m title. The the home crowd in the Diamond League. ympic Champion, of Samba, 22, will be looking to over- Hairane and Abubaker Haydar Abdalla, 3000m, Yaser Salem Bagharab, and 2016 Under-20 world champion and This always motivates me to push myself the USA, by over a second with a time of come his disappointment and use will feature in an exciting Men’s 800m, 2012 Under 20 3000m steeplechase world Indoors silver medallist claimed harder and achieve even more and I hope 48.44s. The two will go head-to-head the experience from last year’s World which includes 2017 World silver and champion, Hashim Mohamed Salah, his fi rst senior outdoor honour last year that I will make everyone proud.” again this year but will face further Championships when he entered the bronze medallists of who will both go in the men’s 3000m with bronze at the London IAAF World Samba stunned an incredibly strong challenges from last year’s Diamond fi nal hurdle in a medal position but and of Kenya steeplechase, and 2010 Asian Games Championships, and will be hoping to fi eld of experienced athletes in only League champion Kyron McMaster of stumbled to fi nish in seventh place. respectively, 2017 Diamond League bronze medallist Rashid Ahmed al- continue his fi ne form in the fi rst Dia- his third attempt at the 400m hurdles the and ’s Aspire Academy’s 22-year-old grad- Champion of Botswana, Mannai, who will compete once again mond League meeting of the 2018 se- to storm to victory in last year’s Doha , who claimed silver in uate Ahmed Bader will line up in what and World 1500m Champion Elijah in the . Gulf Times 2 Monday, April 9, 2018 FOOTBALL

QFA to hold Emir’s Cup draw on Wednesday SPOTLIGHT Duhail success QNA The 12 QNB Stars League clubs in held at 6.30pm on Tuesday at the tions to build a festive like atmosphere Doha addition to four teams from the sec- Suhaim bin Hamad Stadium of Qa- for the fans. ond division will participate in the tar Sports Club. This year’s Emir’s The Qatar Football Association due to hard work, draw on Wednesday. The clubs will be Cup will be held at fi ve venues Qatar (QFA) is ready to stage the 46th edi- he Qatar Football Associa- distributed in the draw according to Sports Club Stadium, Al Arabi Sta- tion of the HH the Emir’s Cup after tion (QFA) will be holding their ranking in the QNB Stars League dium, Abdullah bin Khalifa Stadium completing all preparations for the says Belmadi the draw for the 46th edi- and the Second Division League. and Jassim bin Hamad Stadium in tournament kick off . Ttion of the HH the Emir’s Cup The fi rst round of tournament will addition to the Khalifa International Various committees associated with with the participation of 16 clubs. QFA kick off with a match between the Stadium. the organisers are working round the has invited all Qatari clubs in addition fourth and fi fth place in the second HH the Emir’s Cup will also include clock to complete preparations for the to sports personalities to attend the division standings, these are Muaith- Trophy Tour with organisers visiting draw ceremony that will be telecast live draw ceremony. er and Al Shamal. The match will be schools and government organisa- on all sports channels in the country.

QNB STARS LEAGUE Al Gharafa drub

By Sports Reporter tar Cup by winning two games! Doha What primarily makes the league diff erent is that you’ve to be pre- pared to win all 22 games,” he Qatar Sports Club jamel Belmadi has said. attributed Al Duhail’s The Algerian was extremely success in the QNB delighted with his team’s per- DStars League to just formance. one thing: Hard work. “We beat a lot of records, a lot Al Duhail, maintaining an un- of statistics, which is amazing. It beaten record, clinched their shows how the club works. We sixth Qatar Stars League title and won six titles in the last eight to secure fourth fi rst after they were formed by years and it is not easy. It’s a lot of merging Lekhwiya with El Jaish. hard work from everyone at the Al Gharafa now eligible to take part in Qatar Cup tournament Four of them (2010-11, 2011-12, club. From the players, the ad- 2016-17 and 2017-18) came when ministration, the support staff . Belmadi was at the helm. The So it’s a great achievement,” said Red Knights had sealed the title Belmadi. after Week 20 with an unassail- “The most special thing about able lead. this triumph is that we did it “Hard work was the secret of by being unbeaten. In the AFC our success. Winning the league Champions League also, we is a diff erent matter altogether. played fi ve games and won all. You can’t win it just like that. Our young players are doing very You’ve to work harder and stay well. So everything is working focused week in, week out and well for us. make winning a habit,” said Bel- “The only sour note is the in- madi. jury to Youssef Msakni. He isn’t a “We had started strongly pre- striker, so to score so many goals paring for the QNB Stars League is amazing. Both Msakni and in the pre-season with special (Youssef) El Arabi deserved to be focus on the fi tness aspect of the top scorer,” he added. players. At the same time, we Tunisian attacking midfi elder made sure they stayed mentally Msakni emerged as the second- fi t as well. best scorer in the tournament “You got to work on a daily with 25 goals, one less than basis for a weekly-once game on team-mate and Moroccan striker an average. You can lift the Qa- El Arabi.

TRI-SERIES Aspire Academy Under-18s champs

Al Gharafa players celebrate their win over Qatar Sports Club yesterday. Bottom picture shows Al Rayyan's Sebastian Soria in action against Al Ahli.

By Sports Reporter QSL STANDINGS Doha Team P W D L F A D Pts l Gharafa secured Al Duhail 22 19 3 0 86 27 +59 60 fourth position of Al Sadd 22 16 1 5 68 25 +43 49 2017-18 QNB Stars Al Rayyan 22 13 4 5 54 39 +15 43 By Sports Reporter mates from the Academy as Al Gharafa 22 10 5 7 43 34 +9 35 League standings with Doha they headed into the half-time aA comfortable 3-0 win over Qa- Umm Salal 22 8 9 5 33 34 -1 33 break. Al Sailiya 22 8 4 10 40 42 -2 28 tar SC in their Week 22 match at Al Arabi 22 6 6 10 30 42 -12 24 The momentum began to home yesterday. Al Gharafa will Al Khor 22 7 3 12 24 39 -15 24 spire Academy’s U-18s swing Aspire’s way during the be now eligible for the Qatar Cup Al Ahli 22 6 4 12 25 43 -18 22 emerged victorious second half, and in the 48th starting later this month. Qatar SC 22 6 4 12 24 46 -22 22 in the latest Tri-Se- minute Nasser al-Yazidi equal- Al Gharafa fi nished on 35 Al Kharitiyath 22 4 4 14 29 62 -33 16 ries tournament after ized. Sensing victory the Aspire Al Markhiya 22 2 7 13 19 42 -23 13 A points, two above Umm Salal, competing against teams from boys upped the ante and raided who were held 1-1 by Al Markhi- Etoile du Sahel from Tunisia the Etoile du Sahel goal, looking ya in simultaneous kick-off . Go- Soria (90+2). and FC Nasaf from Uzbekistan. to take the lead for the fi rst time ing into the match, the fi ght for Jouhen Beitsoun got Al Ahli’s The Aspire Academy Under- in the match. the fourth position was between consolation goal in the 80th 18’s began the tournament with It wasn’t long before that these two teams, who were level minute. an accomplished 2-0 win over happened when substitute on 32 points. Al Rayyan had started the visitors from Uzbekistan cour- Mohamed Bahrameni scored Wesley Sneijder (45th minute) game slightly on the back foot tesy of goals from Abdalaziz for the home side in the 50th and Mehdi Taremi (68th and as Mohsin Al Yazeedi came close al-Hasia (on 20 minutes) and minute. Etoile du Sahel were 85th minutes) scored the goals. with a volley. That early pressure Ahmed Haaga (on 60 minutes). stunned, and before they were Al Gharafa made their inten- stretched hands of al-Abbasi. goal by Bilal Mohamed saved Al Al Markhiya’s Saleh Badr al- was not to last though as Tabata When Etoile du Sahel and FC able to respond Aspire Acad- tions clear from the start and The star Dutch attacking mid- Markhiya’s blushes as the rel- Yazidi unleashed a superbly- got his side’s fi rst of the night. A Nasaf drew 2-2 on the second emy struck again in the 52nd created chances as they domi- fi elder, signed before the start egated side held Umm Salal to a taken curling left-footed drive nice move ended with Moutaouli day of the Tournament, it be- minute with Ahmed al-Ganehi nated ball possession (56 per of QNB Stars League’s second 1-1 draw at the Al Ahli Stadium close to the half-hour mark that pulling the ball back from the came clear that the team from netting their fourth goal. cent at half-time and 54 per cent phase, took his total tally to nine yesterday. was punched by a diving Malick. right byline with Tabata on hand Aspire Academy were in with Aspire Academy U-18 head at full time). goals. Mahmoud Mawas opened the Surprisingly, The Oryxes had to drive it home. a good chance of defeating the coach Hedider Abderrazak was Brazilian midfi elder Diego Al Gharafa thus compensated scoring for Umm Salal in just more of the ball by the end of As both sides approached the visitors from Tunisia, and with full of praise for his side. Com- Amado was blocked by a div- for playing out a 1-1 draw with the second minute, clipping a fi rst half. end of the half, Al Rayyan were it a shot at winning the Tri-Se- menting on the game, he said: ing Sataa al-Abbasi, keeping the Qatar SC in the fi rst phase. loose ball into the net from close Umm Salal had a good chance able to double their lead and ries tournament. “The boys showed immense Qatar SC goal in place of regular Al Gharafa brought in Mehdi range as Al Markhiya goalkeeper to increase the lead, but Mahir take a cushion into the break. On April 4, the Academy character to come back from a custodian Jassim al-Hail, be- Taremi at the start of second ses- Muntata Khuroob could not ef- Issa completely mistimed his Tabata drifted a centralised free- Under-18 team – several of two-goal defi cit against a solid fore Qatar international Ahmed sion, but the pace of the match fect a save. It was the Syrian’s snap-header before an open goal kick over the Al Ahli defence to whom make up the national opponent. This was an inter- Alaaeldin had a header against slowed down a bit. However, the third goal of the season. with keeper Muntata embarrass- Moutaouli, whose looping head- U-19s team due to compete in esting Tri-Series. Our game the side netting. Iranian striker doubled their lead In the 11th minute, Al Markhi- ingly out of position. er from an acute angle found its the Asian Confederation fi nals against FC Nasaf provided the Al Gharafa’s Assim Madibo with an opportunistic eff ort. ya’s Leonardo de Souza attempt- Bilal drew level for Al Markhiya way into the far corner. later in the year – engaged their kind of challenge we expect then hit straight to al-Abbasi They were without Venezue- ed a bicycle kick from the edge of in the 73rd minute with a snap- Into the second half and Taba- North African counterparts in from opponents from Central and Amado fumbled with the re- lan defender Rubert Jose due to the box, but his feeble shot was header from close range, causing ta was on hand again as he slot- the fi nal match of the tourna- Asia. And Etoile du Sahel gave bound. his thigh muscle injury sustained easily pocketed by Umm Salal Umm Salal to lose ground in their ted past the keeper from the edge ment. The boys from Sousse us exposure to players from the The Cheetahs fi nally broke during a recent training session, goalkeeper Baba Malick, who bid for the fourth position. of the area. in the Sahel region of Tunisia Arab world that we can expect the deadlock on the stroke of but that did not have an impact had a good game. Meanwhile, Al Rayyan ran out Eventually, Al Ahli came into dominated the early exchanges to face in the AFC U-19 fi nals in half-time whistle when FIFA as Qatar SC forwards failed to In the 21st, Umm Salal’s Ramy comfortable 4-1 winners over Al life with a sustained period of and took a 2-nil lead in the fi rst October. All in all, it was great World Cup runner-up and UEFA make inroads into the rival ter- Fayez was booked for bring- Ahli. pressure on the Al Rayyan goal. 30 minutes of the game. preparation for us and I’m very Champions League winner Snei- ritory. ing down Eric de Oliveira with The home team’s goals came Their eff orts were rewarded Thirteen minutes later how- pleased with how we kept bat- jder brought out all his experi- Taremi struck again towards a rough sliding tackle that was through Rodrigo Tabata (18th when Beitsoun was able to latch ever, Ahmed Haaga started the tling and pulled ourselves back ence and found the net with a the end to complete the tally. quickly noted by referee Abdul- and 50th minutes), Mohsine on to a free-kick and volley the comeback with a well taken from defeat to ultimately win direct free-kick past the out- Meanwhile, a second-half rahman al-Jassim. Moutaouli (44th) and Sebastian ball home. goal that gave hope to his team- this Tri-Series tournament.” Gulf Times Monday, April 9, 2018 3 FOOTBALL

LA LIGA PREMIER LEAGUE Messi hat-trick as Welbeck double Barcelona equal deepens Saints woes

AFP Arsenal’s priority for the rest of unbeaten record the season. London And Southampton took full Ronaldo’s 24th goal in 15 games for Real Madrid this year not enough to earn his advantage of a sloppy start from anny Welbeck inspired the hosts in the 17th minute. side a derby victory as a Griezmann equaliser secures Atletico a 1-1 draw Arsenal to a sixth A Cedric cross from the right straight victory with did not look particularly danger- two goals and an assist ous, but goalkeeper Petr Cech inD a hot-tempered 3-2 home win and defender Shkodran Mustafi over Southampton, to leave the left it to each other and Long Saints still rooted in the Premier nipped in to poke home. League relegation zone. Arsenal responded well, The England forward had not though, and Pierre-Emerick Au- scored a single league goal since bameyang brought them level September last year, but proved with his sixth goal in eight ap- the catalyst for a much-changed pearances for the Gunners as he Arsenal side ahead of their Eu- fl icked home Welbeck’s pass. ropa League quarter-fi nal sec- Welbeck put Arsenal ahead ond leg at CSKA Moscow on seven minutes before the break Thursday. when he accepted a pass from Saints remain three points Alex Iwobi on the left and adrift of safety despite taking shrugged off challengers be- the lead early on through a Shane fore unleashing a shot that was Long goal and then levelling at helped past Alex McCarthy by a 2-2 when Charlie Austin scored defl ection off Maya Yoshida. just seconds after coming on as a Long had the ball in the net substitute. again early in the second half, But Welbeck had the last word defl ecting in a long-range eff ort by heading in the winner mo- from Cedric, but the forward was ments after he had missed a marginally off side. much easier chance. An equaliser was coming, And he hopes a late season re- though, and was netted by sub- turn to form could help force his stitute Austin in the 73rd minute way into England’s World Cup after Cedric had burst into the squad. box to square the ball for a tap- Southampton’s survival hopes in. suff ered another blow when de- Welbeck missed a great chance fender Jack Stephens was sent to put Arsenal back ahead when off for an off -the-ball clash with he fi red over from three yards out Jack Wilshere in stoppage time, after Wilshere had hooked the with Arsenal’s Mohamed Elneny ball across goal. also shown a red card for shoving But he made no mistake nine Cedric Soares in the face. minutes from time when he Sixth-placed Arsenal close to headed Iwobi’s to the within two points of Chelsea, back post beyond McCarthy. who hosted West Ham United Meanwhile, Chelsea’s faint later on Sunday, but remain well hopes of a top-four fi nish in off the pace in the race for a top- the Premier League suff ered a Barcelona’s Argentinian forward Lionel Messi (C) celebrates after scoring his hat-trick against Deportivo Leganes at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona on Saturday. four fi nish. potentially fatal blow as Javier Despite Arsenal’s recent re- Hernandez’s late equaliser gave Reuters herme Arana bundled the ball into his do’s equaliser but, in truth, he was quiet vival, the Emirates Stadium was struggling West Ham a 1-1 draw. Barcelona own net to put the home side ahead to- for long periods here, a pale shadow of again far from full as fans voted Antonio Conte’s side wards the end of the fi rst half and Vin- his confi dent, marauding best. with their feet against Arsene went ahead through Cesar cenzo Montella’s side fell apart after the Bale’s early glancing header found Ro- Wenger’s refusal to end his 22- Azpilicueta’s fi rst-half strike at arcelona forward Lionel Messi interval. naldo free at the back post but from fi ve year stay in charge as manager. Stamford Bridge. scored a hat-trick in a 3-1 win Meanwhile, Cristiano Ronaldo’s 24th yards the Portuguese lacked his usual Wenger made seven changes But Chelsea missed a host of over Leganes on Saturday which goal in 15 games for Real Madrid this year ruthlessness and hit the excellent Jan from the side that beat CSKA 4-1 chances to increase their advan- took the Catalans 12 points clear was not enough to earn his side a derby Oblak. in their quarter-fi nal fi rst leg on tage and were made to pay when atB the top of La Liga and also meant they victory yesterday as an Antoine Griez- The best of a handful of dubious Thursday with securing a return Hernandez came off the bench to equalled a Spanish top-fl ight record of 38 mann equaliser secured Atletico a 1-1 penalty claims followed, with Juanfran to the Champions League by snatch the leveller with 17 min- games without defeat. draw. bringing down Toni Kroos after the Ger- winning the Europa League now utes left. Messi curled in from a free kick to Ronaldo followed up last week’s bril- man was quickest to the ball. Referee break the deadlock in the 27th minute. liant bicycle kick against Juventus with a Xavier Estrada Fernandez waved away Five minutes later the Argentine doubled poacher’s fi nish at the Santiago Bernabeu the swarm of white shirts rushing to- the lead, taking one touch to control a but Griezmann’s strike keeps Atletico in wards him. through ball from Philippe Coutinho be- pole position to fi nish second in La Liga. Atletico looked threatening on the fore delivering a cool low fi nish. They retain their four-point cushion break and Diego Costa could have scored Nabil El Zhar pulled a goal back for over Real while this was perhaps the per- when set free by a superb Koke pass but 14th-placed Leganes in the 68th minute. fect result for leaders Barcelona, who are the striker, ignoring Griezmann in the However, Messi made sure Barca kept all now 11 points clear at the top. middle, saw his angled fi nish tipped the points by hitting his third with three It not only tightens Barca’s grip on around the post. minutes left, controlling the ball on his the title but will likely bring forward the After a period disrupted by niggling chest and calmly chipping goalkeeper point when the Catalans are mathemati- fouls and loose touches, Real fi nished Ivan Cuellar from close range. cally certain to be champions, with the well before the break as Marcelo’s curving Barca have not lost in the league since ‘clasico’ still a possible coronation day shot rattled the crossbar and Dani Carva- going down 2-0 at Malaga on April 8 last Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo controls on May 6. jal’s fi red follow-up again met Oblak. year and the win saw them match Real the ball against Atletico Madrid at the Griezmann’s goal came on his 200th A game that looked in danger of drift- Sociedad’s unbeaten run between 1979 Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid. appearance for Atleti while Ronaldo’s ing towards a stalemate sparked into life and 1980. Ernesto Valverde’s side are also was the 500th in the 161 league matches after half-time with two goals in four undefeated in the Champions League this at the top, Valverde continued to resist played between these two city rivals. minutes. campaign. talk about his side being champions- In comparison to recent versions of Ronaldo scored the fi rst as Bale’s “It’s a historic record which gives you elect. this fi xture, which have included Cham- hanging cross was misjudged by Lucas an idea of how competitive the team is,” “When you start to feel like you are the pions League fi nals, Cope del Rey fi nals Hernandez at the back post, allowing the Valverde told a news conference, stress- champions, that’s the moment you begin and league games with both sides vying striker to volley in his 23rd league goal of ing that the record also belongs to pred- to make a mistake,” he said. for the championship, this at times had a the season. Arsenal’s English striker Danny Welbeck (R) celebrates scoring ecessor Luis Enrique, who oversaw the “We still haven’t won anything and rather low-key feel. But Atleti were soon level. Griezmann against Southampton at the Emirates Stadium in London yesterday. fi rst seven games of the unbeaten run at there’s still a danger we won’t win it. We Real coach Zinedine Zidane, with one slipped in Lucas and then continued his the end of last season. have to keep fi ghting until the end, just eye on the Champions League quarter- run so he was perfectly placed to slide “I can’t explain how we have done it, all like our other rivals.” fi nal second leg against Juventus on home the rebound after Keylor Navas had SCOTTISH LEAGUE we try and do is focus on always winning Sevilla suff ered a humiliating 4-0 de- Wednesday, started with Luka Modric parried. the next game.” feat at Celta Vigo as their former striker and Karim Benzema on the bench, the Real were more aggressive in the search The Catalans are top of La Liga with 79 Iago Aspas struck a hat-trick in a ram- latter coming on to spare Ronaldo the fi - for a late winner but Atleti dug in. Bale points after 31 games and have a 12-point pant second-half display. nal half an hour. almost had it but put a diffi cult header Celtic one win from advantage over second-placed Atletico forward Aspas scored all his Gareth Bale was given 90 minutes, wide, while Sergio Ramos nodded past Madrid, who visit champions Real Ma- goals in the space of 21 minutes, taking perhaps not the most positive indicator from a corner and saw his curling free- drid in a local derby on Sunday. his La Liga goal tally this season to 19. for his chances of a start in midweek. The kick tipped over by Oblak. If only Ronaldo seventh straight title Despite the huge margin his side have Sevilla’s 20-year-old defender Guil- Welshman supplied the cross for Ronal- had still been on the fi eld to take it. AFP maining. Glasgow Rodgers made fi ve changes to SERIE A the side that were disappoint- ingly held 0-0 at home by Dun- eltic manager Brendan dee in midweek.Manchester Rodgers blamed Ham- City loanee Patrick Roberts was Last-gasp Napoli keep title ambitions alive ilton’s plastic pitch for one of those to come into the a lacklustre perform- side for his fi rst start since No- Cance even though his team won vember and immediately made AFP on 73 minutes had put the relegation right and the ball won’t go in. hosts. Earlier, Adem Ljajic scored the 2-1 yesterday to move one win an impact by teeing up Callum Milan battlers from Verona ahead, with Chievo “But they kept pushing and the logical only goal for Torino to ensure former from a seventh straight Scot- McGregor to open the scoring goalkeeper Stefano Sorrentino making conclusion was to win the match.” club Inter Milan missed the chance to tish title. Leigh Griffi ths came after just three minutes. a string of saves including from a Dries Juventus’ 4-2 win over Benevento on move third. off the bench to score the win- Hamilton are involved in a ast-gasp goals from Arkadiusz Mertens penalty. Saturday had opened up a seven-point Inter could have overtaken Roma after ner after Hamilton had been re- four-way battle to avoid the Milik and Amadou Diawara kept But Milik headed in the equaliser with advantage as the Turin giants chase a the capital club lost 2-0 at home against duced to 10 men in the fi rst-half drop at the other end of the ta- Napoli’s Serie A title ambitions one minute of normal time to go with seventh straight title. Fiorentina on Saturday. by Darren Lyon’s red card. ble. alive as a 2-1 win over Chievo yes- Guinean midfi elder Diawara grabbing the But the gap is now back to four points But Luciano Spalletti’s side now risk Despite falling well short of But the home side battled Lterday maintained the pressure on reign- winner deep into injury time. with just seven games remaining as Na- dropping out of the Champions League the standards they set in win- back into the game to equal- ing champions Juventus. “We won a game that we deserved to poli continue to push for a fi rst Scudetto places with Lazio — two points behind ning a domestic treble without ise when Rakish Bingham Maurizio Sarri’s title-chasers looked win,” said Sarri. since 1990. in fi fth — travelling to Udinese later on suff ering a single defeat last showed Celtic’s sluggish back destined to remain seven points behind “It had seemed cursed, as we had 31 Despite dominating Napoli had little Sunday. It was the fi rst time that Torino season, Rodgers’s men enjoy a line a clean pair of heels to run Juventus as they trailed until the 89th shots on goal, missed a penalty, hit the to show for their eff orts, with Stepinski coach Walter Mazzarri had faced his 13-point lead over Rangers and through and slot past Scott minute at their San Paolo Stadium. woodwork. It was one of those classic breaking through on Chievo’s fi rst real former club Inter since being fi red in No- Aberdeen with fi ve games re- Bain. Polish striker Mariusz Stepinski’s goal games where the team does everything chance after sloppy defending by the vember 2014. Gulf Times 4 Monday, April 9, 2018 SPORT

FORMULA 1 MOTOGP Miller’s tale: Aussie takes stunning Vettel marks 200th pole

AFP taken pole position. Termas de Río Hondo, Argentina “I decided to try the slick tyres but it was too risky. As soon as I exited the pit I realised that if I ustralia’s Jack Miller touched the wet side of the track race with thrilling took a shock maiden the risk of crashing was great,” pole position for the admitted Marquez. Argentina MotoGP on ’s Andrea Dovizioso, on a SaturdayA after a daring last- factory Ducati and the winner of lap gamble in the damp of the the opening round in Qatar last Thermes de Rio Hondo circuit. month, was eighth with team- Miller, riding for the Pramac mate Jorge Lorenzo in 14th. Ducati team, edged out Dani Nine-time world champion GP victory Pedrosa on a factory Honda with Valentino Rossi, on a Yamaha, French rider Johann Zarco, on a was down in 11th spot. ‘I am happy. It was damage limitation. I started ninth so third is not that bad...’ Yamaha Tech 3, completing the “It was a diffi cult day for me, front row. “It was very wet, I al- because in these conditions – AFP most crashed several times,” said when you have to go out on the wet Sakhir, Bahrain 23-year-old Miller who clocked tyre, but the asphalt is becoming 1min 47.153sec with Pedrosa at dry – I’m in a lot of trouble. I can’t 0.177sec back after gambling on push, because every time I try to ebastian Vettel marked slick tyres. “It’s a great satisfac- push more I feel the front close,” his 200th Formula One tion and for this I want to thank said the 39-year-old Italian. race with a thrilling and the team that did a great job both brilliantly-judged vic- during the winter tests and dur- GRID toryS for Ferrari in yesterday’s ing these fi rst two race weekends. 1st row dramatic Bahrain Grand Prix. “I felt confi dent to try to get 1. Jack Miller (AUS/Ducati The four-time ex champion, back on track with slick tyres. Pramac) 1:47.153, 2. Dani Pedrosa on severely-worn tyres, came It was not easy, especially in the (ESP/Honda) at 0.177, 3. Johann home narrowly ahead of Valtteri two turns that were still wet. I Zarco (FRA/Yamaha Tech3) Bottas and the Finn’s Mercedes thought, it’s time to go all-in. It 0.212 teammate Lewis Hamilton in a was the right choice that’s why 2nd row nail-biting fi nish to an intrigu- I’m really very happy.” 4. Tito (ESP/Ducati ing contest. His performance brought ad- Avintia) 0.528, 5. Alex Rins (ESP/ French rookie Pierre Gasly miring glances from his rivals Suzuki) 0.590, 6. Marc Marquez took a stunning fourth place for with Pedrosa describing the (ESP/Honda) 0.601 the Honda-powered Toro Rosso Australian’s pole performance as 3rd row team ahead of Kevin Magnussen “incredible”. 7. Aleix Espargaro (ESP/Aprilla) of Haas. World champion Marc Mar- 0.692, 8. Andrea Dovizioso It was Vettel’s second win in quez was 0.611sec off the pace (ITA/Ducati) 1.094, 9. Maverick as many races this season, the on his Honda to stand at sixth in Vinales (ESP/Yamaha) 1.891 49th of his career and extended the time charts. It’s the fi rst time Selected his lead ahead of Hamilton in since the race’s appearance on 11. Valentino Rossi (ITA/Yamaha) the drivers’ championship to the world championship sched- 2.173, 14. Jorge Lorenzo (ESP/ 17 points after the Englishman ule that the Spaniard had not Ducati) 2.910 delivered a dazzling drive from ninth on the grid to fi nish only six seconds adrift. Both have SPOTLIGHT won four championships and, this season, are battling to se- cure an historic fi fth title. “Wow!” screamed Vettel as Clarke off ers to help he crossed the line. “These tyres were done – they were done for the last 10 laps. I came on the Australia aft er ball radio to say everything was un- der control, but that was a lie! I thought Bottas would catch me tampering bans and I just tried to keep it as clean as possible.” Ferrari’s German driver Sebastian Vettel raises his trophy on the podium after winning the Bahrain Formula One Grand Prix at the Sakhir Reuters newspaper yesterday. Bottas said: “We were on the circuit in Manama yesterday. (AFP) Gold Coast, Australia “I can’t just sit here and do harder compound and I knew nothing. I feel I owe the game too there was a chance. I tried to The race began with tem- RESULTS ond. Bottas fi nally pitted after much. I’ve experienced a lot of catch him, but it was just not peratures falling from 29 and 21 laps, in a 3.8 seconds stop for ormer captain Michael great things in but some enough. Extremely disappoint- 35 degrees Celsius respectively 1. Sebastian Vettel (GER/Ferrari) 1hr 31min 59.491sec, 2. Valtteri Bot- medium tyres that were expect- Clarke has off ered to help tough times as well. “I’ve got the ing.” for air and track. Vettel made a tas (FIN/Mercedes) at 0.699sec, 3. Lewis Hamilton (GBR/Mercedes) ed to see him complete the race the embattled Austral- experience to help these young Hamilton, who started ninth clean start and Bottas swept past 6.512, 4. Pierre Gasly (FRA/Toro Rosso) 1:02.234, 5. Kevin Magnussen – while both Ferrari ran on softs. ian cricket team ‘in any players and that’s where our fo- after being given a fi ve-place Raikkonen to split the Ferraris on In the lead, Hamilton was 5.3 way’F he can as they deal with the cus should be right now until the (DEN/Haas) 1:15.046, 6. Nico Huelkenberg (GER/Renault) 1:39.024, penalty for a gearbox change, the opening lap. 7. Fernando Alonso (ESP/McLaren) 1 lap, 8. Stoff el Vandoorne (BEL/ seconds clear of Vettel after 22 fallout of ball-tampering bans to other guys come back.” said he was satisfi ed. “I am hap- This lifted spirits for Mer- McLaren) 1 lap, 9. Marcus Ericsson (SWE/Sauber-Ferrari) 1 lap, 10. Es- laps, an advantage trimmed to captain and vice- Australia’s next international py,” he said. “It was damage lim- cedes, but Hamilton, down in teban Ocon (FRA/Force ) 1 lap, 11. Carlos Sainz Jr (ESP/Renault) half a second by lap 25 with Bot- captain David Warner. commitment is a limited-overs itation. I started ninth so third is ninth to resist a charging lunge 1 lap, 12. Sergio Perez (MEX/Force India) 1 lap, 13. Brendon Hartley tas fi ve seconds adrift in third. Smith and Warner were tour of England in June. not that bad...” by Verstappen at the start of lap (NZL/Toro Rosso) 1 lap, 14. Charles Leclerc (MON/Sauber) 1 lap, 15. A frustrated Vettel fi nally banned by Cricket Australia for Clarke later Tweeted a clarifi - But it was not all good news two. Romain Grosjean (FRA/Haas) 1 lap, 16. Lance Stroll (CAN/Williams) 1 burst past the defensive Hamil- 12 months, while opening bats- cation in which he said his con- for Ferrari as Vettel’s teammate From 15th on the grid, the Red lap, 17. Sergey Sirotkin (RUS/Williams) 1 lap. ton, on his original tyres, to re- man Cameron Bancroft received tact with Cricket Australia chief Finn Kimi Raikkonen failed to Bull driver had reached the top gain the lead on lap 26. Hamilton a nine-month ban for ball tam- executive James Sutherland had fi nish after colliding with a me- ten, but his luck ended when he Championship standings then pitted, also for mediums, pering during last month’s third been generally supportive in na- chanic at a pit stop. banged wheels with Hamilton Drivers which left both Mercedes on a test against . ture and the off er of help could The mechanic was taken to and punctured his left rear tyre. 1. Sebastian Vettel (GER) 50 pts, 2. Lewis Hamilton (GBR) 33, 3. Valt- one-stop strategy and Ferrari Wicketkeeper Tim Paine, mean “mentoring the under 14s”. the circuit medical centre with As the Dutchman idled back to teri Bottas (FIN) 22, 4. Fernando Alonso (ESP) 16, 5. Kimi Raikkonen requiring another stop each. who was a surprise recall for the “Let me make very clear that I a suspected broken leg. Both the the pits, his Red Bull teammate (FIN) 15, 6. Nico Huelkenberg (GER) 14, 7. Pierre Gasly (FRA) 12, 8. With further stops required, Ashes series against England last have not sent any formal off er to Red Bulls of Max Verstappen and Ricciardo slowed and stopped Daniel Ricciardo (AUS) 12, 9. Kevin Magnussen (DEN) 10, 10. Max Ver- Ferrari’s problems were com- year, took over the captaincy in James Sutherland to come back Daniel Ricciardo also retired af- at the side of the track. A Virtual stappen (NED) 8, 11. Stoff el Vandoorne (BEL) 6, 12. Marcus Ericsson pounded after 36 laps when the short term. and play cricket,” he wrote from ter the opening laps. Safety Car was deployed. (SWE) 2, 13. Carlos Sainz Jr (ESP) 1, 14. Esteban Ocon (FRA) 1 Raikkonen came in and inad- The 37-year-old, who retired India, where he is working as a Nico Hulkenberg was sixth Verstappen pitted and re- Constructors vertently ran over a mechanic as at the end of an unsuccessful media pundit. “I sent him a mes- for Renault ahead of Fernando joined, but his race was over 1. Ferrari 65 pts, 2. Mercedes 55, 3. McLaren 22, 4. Red Bull 20, 5. he pulled away. It was his second Ashes tour of England in 2015, sage as a friend off ering to help Alonso and his McLaren team- when, like Ricciardo, he stopped Renault 15, 6. Toro Rosso 12, 7. Haas 10, 8. Sauber 2, 9. Force India 1. unsafe release of the weekend said he would consider return- Australian cricket in ANY way I mate Stoff el Vandoorne. and retired. and his third in a race. ing in any capacity to help out could. I won’t be in the Marcus Ericsson grabbed two This left Hamilton to make Unaff ected, Vettel pushed to Cricket Australia (CA). nets in India in preparation for a points for Sauber by fi nishing up places and after slipping to Ocon in one move. Vettel pitted Two laps later, Raikkonen also make the most of an emergency “I would do anything to help comeback and, as I have always ninth ahead of Esteban Ocon, 10th he regained ninth and then after 19 laps, passing the lead came in for a Ferrari pit-stop one-stop strategy, resisting Bot- the Australian cricket team,” he said, the game owes me nothing, who was 10th for Force India. passed Alonso, Hulkenberg and to Bottas, and rejoining fourth. that elevated Hamilton to sec- tas all the way to the fl ag. told Australia’s Daily Telegraph I owe it everything.”

INDIAN PREMIER LEAGUE Rahul, Nair guide Punjab to win against Delhi IANS But with 29 runs needing in 27 KKR beat RCB by four Mohali balls, Nair was sent packing by pacer Daniel Christian. While try- (KKR) rode on ’s all-round show ing to pull powerfully over mid- and Sunil Narine’s whirlwind 19-ball 50 to beat Royal Challengers pener Lokesh Rahul’s , Nair could not connect Bangalore (RCB) by four wickets in an (IPL) (51) fastest fi fty in the properly and found Boult standing clash yesterday. Indian Premier League on the boundary rope who took a In front of a packed Eden Gardens and co-owner Shah Rukh Khan, (IPL) history and Karun regulation catch. In his 33 ball in- part time off -spinner Rana (2/11) picked up the big wickets of AB de Nair’sO explosive fi fty helped Kings nings, Nair slammed fi ve bounda- Villiers and skipper in successive deliveries to reduce the XI Punjab beat Delhi Daredevils by ries and two sixes. visitors to 127/4 in 14.3 overs. six wickets in the second match The fall of wicket brought in Later, Mandeep Singh’s 18-ball 37 helped RCB to a challenging 176/7, yesterday. Marcus Stoinis (22 ), who, but mystery spinner Narine – used eff ectively as a destructive Chasing modest target 167, Ra- along with Miller, then rotated the opener by KKR since last season – made light of the target with a hul slamming 50 of just 14 balls, strike till the end and made sure fiery 19-ball 50 (4x4, 5x6) along with Rana who scored a vital 25-ball gave a fl ying start to his team be- their team reached the fi nish line. 34 to steer the hosts over the line with seven balls to spare. fore being dismissed for 51 off Earlier, put in to bat, Delhi Dare- Narine brought up his fifty in 17 balls only to perish two balls later Trent Boult in the fourth over after devils posted 166/7 with newly- without adding to the tally, his wicket pocketed by Umesh Yadav. Mayank Agarwal (7) fell cheaply. In appointed skipper Gautam Gam- While Narine and vice captain Robin Uthappa (13) associated for a the fi rst over, Rahul smashed Boult bhir (55) scoring handsomely for 49-run stand for the second wicket, newly appointed skipper Dinesh for 16 runs. the team. Apart from him, wick- Karthik, who was unbeaten on 35 off 29 balls, joined hands with Yuvraj Singh also joined the par- etkeeper-batsman Rana for a 55-run partnership for the fourth wicket. ty and hit a couple of boundaries and all-rounder Morris (27) also For RCB, Yadav (2/27) bowled well to bag the wickets of Narine but could not continue for long as contributed to the cause. For Pun- and Uthappa (13) while English pacer Chris Woakes (3/36) was the he was dismissed by jab, Mohit Sharma and Mujeeb Ur pick of the bowlers, picking up the wickets of big-hitting Australian in the 10th over. Rahman scalped two wicket each. opener (5), (6) and (15). Middle-order batsmen Nair and David Miller (24 not out) then Brief scores: Delhi 166/7 (Gautam Brief scores: vs Kolkata Knight Riders (Sunil Narine 50, Nitish Rana came and played carefully. Nair Gambhir 55; Mujeeb Ur Rah- 34; Chris Woakes 3/36, Umesh Yadav 2/27 beat Royal Challengers was at his best, thrashing Delhi man 2/28) against Punjab: 167/4 Bangalore: 176/7 (Brendon McCullum 43, AB De Villiers 44, Mandeep bowlers at will while Miller was (Lokesh Rahul 51; Rahul Tewatia Kings XI Punjab batsman KL Rahul raises his bat after he completes his half-century against Delhi Daredevils Singh 37; R. 2/30, Nitish Rana 2/11). rotating the strike. 1/24) in the 2018 Indian Premier League in Mohali yesterday. (AFP) Gulf Times Monday, April 9, 2018 5 SPORT

NBA NHL Benn’s hat-trick leads Stars past Kings Nuggets stay alive, Kari Lehtonen stopped 34 shots Reuters Los Angeles in what will likely be his fi nal game for Dallas. He’s a 34-year- old pending unrestricted free amie Benn collected his agent, and the Stars have hitched second hat-trick of the their goaltending future on Ben week to lead the Dallas Bishop. Stars to a 4-2 win over the Alec Martinez scored both Los eliminate Clippers LosJ Angeles Kings in NHL action Angles goals in the second pe- Saturday night in Los Angeles. riod, the fi rst at 3:42 on a point- ‘At this time of the year, it’s all about finding a way to get wins’ While the victory for the Stars shot blast through more traffi c at Staples Center meant fi nish- than you’ll fi nd on a California ing the season on a positive note freeway during rush hour, and despite missing the playoff s, the the second with a one-timer of loss keeps the Kings in a wild- a cross-ice pass from Michael card spot, and they will face the Amadio at the 12:27 mark. Pacifi c Division-champion Ve- Quick stopped 14 of 18 shots. gas Golden Knights in the open- ing round of the Stanley Cup Rangers fire coach Vigneault Playoff s. after missing playoff s With the Stars already lead- The New York Rangers have ing 1-0, Benn netted his fi rst of fi red head coach Alain Vigneault the night at 8:40 of the open- after missing the playoff s for the ing frame to double the lead. Esa fi rst time in eight years, the team Lindell’s point shot caromed off announced on Saturday. the end boards and bounded all The decision was revealed fol- the way to the front of the net, lowing the team’s 5-0 season- where Benn was on the spot to ending loss to the Philadelphia bat it out of the air and into the Flyers. cage behind Kings goalie Jonath- The Rangers fi nished dead last an Quick. in the Metropolitan Division, Benn’s second of the night with just 77 points, and will be came at 11:35 of the opening an observer of the post-season frame. Tyler Seguin knocked for the fi rst time since the 2009- the puck off the stick of a Kings 10 campaign. defender deep in off ensive ter- Vigneault spent fi ve seasons at ritory, and the ensuing scramble the helm, compiling a 226-147- ended when Benn slid the biscuit 37 record in the regular season into an open net. with a playoff record of 31-30. Benn’s natural hat-trick The 56-year-old Vigneault marker came at 13:57 and made it took the Rangers to the Stanley a 4-0 lead. Off a rush, Benn raced Cup season during his fi rst sea- through the slot and redirected son in New York in 2013-14. a perfectly executed pass from The team lost to the Los Ange- Alex Radulov for his 36th goal les Kings in fi ve games. of the season. Benn fi nished the season with seven goals in the RESULTS last three games and a fi ve-game Bruins ...... 5 Senators ...... 2 point-scoring streak in which Avalanche ...... 5 Blues...... 2 he collected eight goals and 10 Flyers ...... 5 Rangers ...... 0 points. Ducks...... 3 Coyotes...... 0 Devin Shore opened the scor- Wild ...... 6 Sharks ...... 3 ing for Dallas with an unassisted Stars ...... 4 Kings ...... 2 marker seven minutes into the Oilers ...... 3 Canucks .....2 (SO) aff air, fi rst stripping the puck Jets ...... 4 Blackhawks ...... 1 from Christian Folin just inside Capitals ...... 5 Devils ...... 3 the Los Angeles blue line and Flames ...... 7 Golden Knights 1 then burying a backhand on his Predators ...... 4 Blue Jackets...... 2 breakaway. Maple Leafs ...... 4 Canadiens ...... 2 Radulov collected three as- Panthers ...... 4 Sabres ...... 3 sists for the Stars, while goalie Islanders ...... 4 Red Wings 3 (OT) LA Clippers forward Montrezl Harrell drives to the basket between Denver Nuggets guard Devin Harris (No 34) and Denver Nuggets forward Paul Millsap (No 4) during their NBA game at Staples Centre in Los Angeles. PICTURE: USA TODAY Sports

AFP Done’ basketball. We’re get- off ence we’ve played all year, “I don’t think I have been The Thunder are battling Los Angeles ting it done. Going into tonight, not necessarily our best de- more proud of a group, maybe with a number of teams for the we’d been playing good de- fence, but to be a good team you ever, than I have been of this fi nal playoff berths in the West- fence. We controlled the game, have to have balance.” group,” said Clippers coach Doc ern Conference. ill Barton scored won all four quarters, another The stage is now set for the Rivers. Carmelo Anthony tallied 22 31 points as the big step in the right direction.” Nuggets’ season-ending game points for the Thunder, includ- Denver Nuggets With the off ence leading the against the Timberwolves in Win streak snapped ing some clutch three pointers. kept their playoff s way some nights and the de- Minneapolis on Wednesday. Elsewhere, Russell West- James Harden had 26 and Whopes alive with a 134-115 vic- fence on others, the Nuggets Minnesota, which holds the tie- brook and Paul George com- Chris Paul chipped in 17 points tory over the Los Angeles Clip- have regained control of their breaker over the Nuggets, hosts bined for 48 points as the for the Rockets in the loss. pers on Saturday. playoff destiny. Memphis today. Oklahoma City Thunder In Oakland, Anthony Dav- Nikola Jokic fi nished with 23 They will reach the post- “Our guys have really taken pulled away in the fourth is carried the load down the points, 11 rebounds and 11 as- season if they win their last two that to heart,” Malone said. quarter to beat the Houston stretch en route to 34 points sists as the Nuggets won their NBA games. The Nuggets fi n- “There’s a belief in that locker Rockets 108-102. as the New Orleans Pelicans fi fth straight to move into a tie ish the regular season at home room, a lot of positivity. I think Oklahoma City was behind snapped a 10-game losing with the Minnesota Timber- against Portland on Monday we’re all in, 100 per cent, be- by one point with seven min- streak to Golden State with a wolves for eighth place in the night. lieving in each other.” utes to go before going on an 126-120 win over the Warriors. Western Conference with two On Saturday, Denver started The loss eliminated the 11-0 burst. games to play. Both teams are quickly on the attack, making struggling Clippers from the The host Rockets scored RESULTS 45-35. 10 of their fi rst 12 shots. postseason race as they lost for fi ve straight points with less Denver ...... 134 LA Clippers ...... 115 “At this time of the year, it’s “I think overall - off ensively, the fourth time in the past fi ve than a minute left to get within Milwaukee ...... 115 New York ...... 102 all about fi nding a way to get defensively, controlling our games. fi ve, but George made two free Brooklyn ...... 124 Chicago ...... 96 wins,” Nuggets coach Mike turnovers - I think we’re play- The loss ends a string of six throws to clinch the win and Oklahoma City 108 Houston ...... 102 Dallas Stars left wing Jamie Benn (right) celebrates with centre Tyler Malone said. ing overall our best basketball,” straight post-season appear- snap Houston’s 20-game home New Orleans ...... 126 Golden State .....120 Seguin after his third goal of the NHL game against the Los Angeles “We’re playing ‘Get-It- Paul Millsap said. “Not our best ances for the Clippers. win streak. San Antobio ...... 116 Portland ...... 105 Kings. PICTURE: USA TODAY Sports

MLB Rangers win aft er Gallo moved down in lineup By Evan Grant year – and eventually scored. In Gallo’s fi rst plate appear- force more fastballs Gallo’s way. The Dallas Morning News Then he broke a personal ance, Marcus Stroman made it DeShields, however, was lost for 0-for-18 skid with a two-out, easy on him to be patient, walk- at least a month in the second two-run double in the fi fth in- ing him on four pitches. Stroman game of the season with a broken he Rangers on Saturday ning. followed by walking Beltre’s re- bone in his hand. tried to make Joey Gallo After watching the off ense fl ail placement, Jurickson Profar, on Nothing really developed for comfortable. around for 10 days as he tried four pitches two. A ground ball Gallo along those lines. Short of handing him Gallo in the No 2 spot, manager and a sacrifi ce fl y got the Rang- He saw fastballs 51.4 percent Ta hot chocolate and building him Jeff Banister decided to end the ers a 1-0 lead. of the time, which was actually a nice fi re, they did everything experiment. At least for now. But the Rangers were 0-for- up a bit for the small sample size they could. Namely, they moved Perhaps whenever Delino 8 with runners in scoring posi- compared to last year (45.7 per- him back to the middle of the or- DeShields gets back to the lineup tion when Gallo came up with cent). But it was still 68th of 102 der on an otherwise frigid night. and adds a stolen base threat at two outs in the fifth to face AL qualifi ers. He began the day 3 It did wonders for him, probably the top of the lineup, the Rang- Stroman again. Gallo, who also for 19 (.158) against fastballs this more than the black balaclavas ers will reconsider. For now, they walked in his second plate ap- season. he and all the other Rangers for need production. And dropping pearance, lined a ball just inside There were a number of the third coldest game in Globe Gallo to a more “comfortable” first base for a two-run double. changes to the Rangers lineup Life Park history. It was degrees spot seemed the best route. Profar and Juan Centeno each Saturday, but much of that was 42 at game time, with a wind “You want a still-developing followed with run-scoring sin- due to giving Beltre. Banister chill of 35. It’s hard to get com- young player to be as comfort- gles to give the Rangers a 5-0 said the move of Gallo out of the fortable in that. able as he can be,” manager Jeff lead. It was their biggest lead of No 2 spot, however, did not have Mike Minor made it even Banister said. “Without Delino, the season. to do with Beltre getting the day rougher on Toronto with an as- the dynamic changes for our It was a big change for Gallo. off . The Rangers had planned to sortment of 94-mph fastballs lineup. This was a case of me He had taken all 39 of the Rang- give Beltre a day off this weekend and a good changeup. He didn’t thinking, maybe we can back off ers’ plate appearances in the No and chose Saturday over Sun- allow a hit through four innings the fl ame a little bit right now 2 spot. He is hitting .184 with a day because of the cold weather. and allowed just two while be- and allow Joey to get in more of .574 OPS. The Rangers rank 26th Rougned Odor moved into the coming the second Rangers a comfort zone.” in the majors for both stats at the No 2 spot. starter this year to get through In the No. 2 spot, Gallo had No 2 spot. “He’s been there,” Banister six innings. seemed a little less patient than The Rangers had bet that with said. Gallo found a way to put eve- he was a year ago. He looked for DeShields at the top of the order, “He’s had some success there. rybody at easy. Pushed back to the fi rst fastball he got and tried they could create more oppor- He can run a little and it gives us the No 5 spot for the first time to drive it the other way. But, he Texas Rangers right fielder Shin-Soo Choo is greeted at the dugout by shortstop Elvis Andrus after scoring in tunities for Gallo. If DeShields that option ahead of Elvis (An- this season, he was in the mid- didn’t get a ton of fastballs. And the fifth inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at Globe Life Park in Arlington. PICTURE: USA TODAY Sports was on base, Banister thought drus). He has swung the bat OK dle of the Rangers’ two rallies when he did, they often weren’t the stolen base threat might get and he’s been getting better.” in a 5-1 win over Toronto. He in the strike zone. only 3.59 pitches per plate appear- fl ed because the Rangers opted day off this season. It meant tak- opponents to loosen up their ex- On Saturday, though, it was began the second inning with They resulted in lazy pop fl ies. ance; he averaged 4.21 in 2017. to give Adrian Beltre, celebrat- ing the usual No. 4 hitter out of treme shifts. And the threat of Joey Gallo who looked to be do- a walk – just his second of the Gallo began the day averaging The lineup was more shuf- ing his 39th birthday his fi rst full the lineup. DeShields running might also ing just fi ne. Gulf Times 6 Monday, April 9, 2018 SPORT

DAVIS CUP EMIR CUP BASKETBALL Shamal, Gharafa record wins Spain join , ally seal a comfortable win. By Sports Reporter Doha For Al Khor, Khobi Williamson scored 25, while Issac Mack and Dominique Lacy had 17 and 16, athew Bryan-Aman- respectively. ing scored 30 points In another match, Al Gharafa and Dominic Davon put it past Al Sadd 88-73 with chipped in with 20 as Sammy Monroe top-scoring for in semis MAl Shamal saw off Al Khor, 81-71, the winners with 29. in the Emir Cup basketball tour- Al Sadd led 22-19 after the nament yesterday. fi rst quarter but Al Gharafa es- Al Shamal led for more than 35 tablished control after that and minutes of the game as they won never looked back. all quarters and rarely faced any Abdulrahman Saad with 23 trouble. and Travis Franklin with 21 also Al Shamal were 22-19 ahead excelled for Al Gharafa. aft er epic Ferrer win after the fi rst quarter but and For Al Sadd, captain Mus- kept on increasing their lead as tafa Fouda scored 22 and Darrius ‘There were times when I lost a bit of control because the match was tough, I had not the match progressed to eventu- Oldham 19. competed for a long time and to maintain the level of the first set was complicated for me. But in general it was a very important match and I am very happy’

Al Shamal’s Mathew Bryan-Amaning (left) vying for the ball with Al Khor’s Dominique Montes Lacy as Hrvoje Puljko looks on during their Emir Cup basketball tournament match yesterday.

BOXING

Spain players celebrate winning their Davis Cup quarter-final against Germany in Valencia yesterday. (Reuters) Al Haymon is against

AFP “But in general it was a very Hugues Herbert had cruised to a important match and I am very straight-sets victory over Fogni- a UFC fi ght, says happy.” ni and Simone Bolelli in the dou- Nadal was forced to retire bles on Saturday to put France in afael Nadal thrashed from his quar- control, despite Fognini’s bad- Mayweather Alexander Zverev as ter-fi nal against Marin Cilic tempered four-set win against Spain set up a Davis in January but, back on his fa- Jeremy Chardy. AFP Mayweather, who has often Cup semi-fi nal against voured clay, the 16-time Grand Croatia will host the United Los Angeles used a retirement ruse as a way holdersR France with a dramatic Slam champion showed lit- States in the other semi-fi nal in to sell tickets to his title fi ghts, fi ghtback against Germany in tle sign of rust against Zverev, September, after Cilic thrashed said people should know he is Valencia yesterday. whom he has now beaten four Mikhail Kukushkin 6-1, 6-1, 6-1 loyd Mayweather says if not serious when he says this The world number one’s 6-1, times out of four. in Varazdin. he fi ghts again it will be will be his last time in the ring. 6-4, 6-4 win in Valencia drew It was also the 24th consecu- The world number three had in a mixed martial arts “Retirement has been great, the tie level at 2-2, before vet- tive match Nadal has won in the already cruised past Dimitry bout but added he’s not but as you know and everyone eran David Ferrer battled to a Davis Cup. Popko in straight sets on Friday, focusedF on getting in the ring knows, I go into retirement and I marathon 7-6 (7/1), 3-6, 7-6 He beat Kohlschreiber in and yesterday’s win wrapped up again with Conor McGregor. come back,” he said. (7/4), 4-6, 7-5 victory over straight sets on Friday after a 3-1 last-eight success for the “McGregor has other things to Mayweather did not give any Philipp Kohlschreiber to fi nish Zverev had overcome Ferrer. hosts. deal with,” Mayweather said Sat- details about who he might seek the job. Germany then took a 2-1 lead “From the beginning till the urday. Mayweather told Show- to fi ght. Two breaks in each set were when Tim Puetz and Jan-Len- France’s Lucas Pouille (left) celebrates with teammate Jeremy end I played on a rather high lev- time sports that if he comes out “I can do whatever I want, enough for Nadal to seal an im- nard Struff won the doubles Chardy after winning the Davis Cup quarter-final tie against Italy’s el ... constant pressure, superior, of retirement it would be against when I want to, and how I want pressively comfortable victory rubber against Feliciano and Fabio Fognini at the ‘Valletta Cambiaso’ in Genova yesterday. (AFP) aggressive,” former US Open the wishes of his trusted adviser to,” he said. over world number four Zverev Marc Lopez. champion Cilic said. Al Haymon. He added it would McGregor crossed over to in what was only the 31-year- But Nadal kept up his end of Champions France motor on World number 11 Pouille, who The US were the only team to have to be for the right amount boxing in August and May- old’s second outing since re- the bargain yesterday and Elsewhere, defending cham- had beaten Andreas Seppi in fi ve progress without losing a rub- of money and at the 145 pound weather knocked him out in the turning from a hip injury. the 36-year-old Ferrer pions France booked a home sets on Friday, came from be- ber, after Jack Sock and Ryan division in UFC. 10th round of the second-high- Nadal said after the match he showed all of his trademark semi-fi nal against Spain as hind to see off Fognini 2-6, 6-1, Harrison’s doubles win over Bel- “It is possible I do come back, est grossing fi ght in history. is still regaining sharpness. never-say-die qualities to keep Lucas Pouille claimed a hard- 7-6 (7/3), 6-3 and send Yannick gian debutants Sander Gille and but if I do come back, it has to be Mixed martial arts star Mc- “The fi rst set was fantastic,” Spain’s hopes of a sixth Davis fought win over Fabio Fognini in Noah’s France into the semis for Joran Vliegen on Saturday. in the Octagon,” said Mayweath- Gregor was arraigned Friday Nadal said. Cup title alive. Genoa to give the visitors a 3-1 the third time in four years. Last year’s losing fi nalists Bel- er, who has never fought in the on charges including felony “There were times when I Kohlschreiber twice fought victory in the tie. “18 months ago, he was play- gium struggled without their UFC before. criminal mischief and assault, lost a bit of control because back from a set down, but former “I won without playing my ing for the fi rst time, and now top-ranked players David Gof- “I spoke with my team, I spoke following a melee outside at a the match was tough, I had not French Open runner-up Ferrer best Tennis, those are the best he is our leader on and off the fi n and Steve Darcis, leaving the with (adviser) Al Haymon. Al UFC sponsored media event in competed for a long time and to broke in the 11th game of the de- types of victories,” Pouille said court,” captain Noah said of Americans with a straightfor- Haymon says no. New York City that left fi ght- maintain the level of the fi rst set cider and held his nerve on serve after his fi rst Davis Cup win over Pouille. ward task to reach the semis for “If I do come back, Showtime ers injured and a bus window was complicated for me. after almost fi ve hours on court. a top-20 player. Nicolas Mahut and Pierre- the fi rst time since 2012. and CBS have to be involved.” smashed.

GOLF Reed, McIlroy chase history, green jacket at Masters AFP start, that will be enough to keep exhausting matches we ever shot back as both chase their Augusta, me hanging in there. played,” Reed said. fi rst major crown. “If I can stay within two or “The biggest thing I was able ’s Henrik Stenson, the three going to the back nine, to pull from it is I was head-to- 2016 British Open winner, was ory McIlroy takes aim that’s when things can happen head with Rory and able to put fi fth on 209 with two-time Mas- at a career Grand Slam out there.” together a really good round. ters champion Bubba Watson while leader Patrick Reed could become the fi rst When he tried to make a counter and fi rst-time major win hope- Reed eyes Augusta Na- player to shoot four rounds in I was able to always stay ahead fuls Marc Leishman of Australia tionalR records and a fi rst major the 60s at the Masters and has and keep going.” and Tommy Fleetwood of Eng- title in Sunday’s fi nal-round a chance to break the 72-hole McIlroy will draw inspiration land on 210. showdown of the 82nd Masters. course record of 18-under 270 from memories of a 2011 melt- An emotional back-nine dra- shared by Tiger Woods and Jor- down in the fi nal round of the Fight for World No 1 ma with golf history at stake was dan Spieth. Masters, when he fi red an 80 Jack Burke owns the record set to unfold in cool, overcast “I almost feel like I can kick to squander a potential wire- Masters last-round comeback conditions among the Georgia it into another gear and go even to-wire win. “I’ve given myself to win at eight strokes, which pines with Reed atop the leader- deeper,” Reed said. “If I hit that another chance, another shot at means three-time major win- board at 14-under 202 through one shot, I can pump myself up doing something special,” McIl- ner Jordan Spieth and 2017 PGA 54 holes and last-pair partner and try to get going and try to fl ip roy said. Championship winner Justin McIlroy three strokes adrift. that switch.” “Seven years have gone by. Thomas need a record rally from “We’re both trying to do McIlroy outscored Reed by To fi nally get the opportunity 211. World number one Dustin something pretty special,” McIl- two strokes each day when play- again to see if I can put all those Johnson, the 2016 US Open win- roy said. ing alongside Reed on the fi rst wrongs right is something I’m ner faces an even tougher chal- Northern Ireland’s McIlroy two days of the 2014 Masters, looking forward to.” lenge from 212. can capture his fi fth major title but the biggest memory of them Reed isn’t the only golfer who Thomas and Johnson are also and his fi rst green jacket to com- as rivals was from the 2016 Ry- could continue a run of fi rst time fi ghting for the number one plete the career Slam, at least der Cup at Hazeltine, when US major winners that has seen ranking, which Thomas would one win in each of the four major fi rebrand Reed edged Europe’s eight of them capture titles at take with a victory no matter championships. McIlroy 1 up in an epic clash. the past nine majors. where Johnson fi nishes. “I want to keep the pressure “It’s probably one of the best American Rickie Fowler was Rahm and Spieth also have a on him,” McIlroy said. matches we ever played. It was third, fi ve strokes adrift on 207, chance at overtaking them both Patrick Reed of the US celebrates chipping in for an eagle on the 15th hole during third round play of the “If I can get off to a good solid probably also one of the most with Spaniard Jon Rahm another for number one with a triump 2018 Masters golf tournament at the Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia, US. (Reuters) Gulf Times Monday, April 9, 2018 7 SPORT

FOCUS INDIA ROUND-UP Women’s TT team, Bolt-inspired Blake shooter Bhaker, lift er puts one hand on Punam bring in golds Commonwealth title ‘Usain told me, ‘Yohan, you’ve got to win or else you can’t go back home’’

Team India players Manika Batra, Mouma Das and Madhurika Patkar celebrate on the podium after winning gold in the women’s team table tennis competition at the 2018 in Gold Coast, Australia, yesterday. (Reuters)

IANS Chanu, Sathish Sivalingam and Gold Coast, Australia Venkat Rahul Ragala in clinching gold medals here. Vikas registered a total of he Indian women’s ta- 351 kg which included 159 kg in ble tennis team clinched snatch and 192 kg in clean and a maiden gold, while jerk. Punam Yadav and Vikas Out of these medal-winning TThakur continued winning in the performances, the triumph of weightlifting events and shoot- the table tennis women stands ers Manu Bhaker, Heena Sidhu out. Singapore came into this and Ravi Kumar bagged med- match as the defending cham- als as the country took its medal pions and have won the event at tally to 12 on the fourth day of every edition since it was fi rst the 21st Commonwealth Games introduced in 2002 while India’s (CWG) yesterday. best display was a runner-up Singles star Manika Batra won fi nish in Delhi in 2010. two matches as the women’s In the fi rst rubber, World table tennis outplayed highly- No.58 Batra upset World No 4 fancied Singapore 3-1 to win an Tianwei Feng 3-2 (11-8, 8-11, elusive gold medal, while veteran 7-11, 11-9, 11-7) to take the 1-0 boxer MC Mary Kom and the lead. Mengyu Yu outplayed mixed badminton team assured Madhurika Patkar (3-0) 13-11, the country at least of a bronze 11-2, 11-6 to equalise 1-1. and a silver respectively. The doubles pair of Mouma The highly successful day – Das and Patkar defeated Mengyu which saw both the men’s and and Yihan 3-1 (11-7, 11-6, 8-11, the women’s hockey teams earn 11-7) to hand India a 2-1 crucial crucial victories – was started by advantage. Batra then outplayed Bhaker and Sidhu, who won gold Yihan (3-0) 11-7, 11-4, 11-7 to seal and silver medals in the women’s the historic win that helped India 10m Air Pistol event respectively. maintained their fourth spot in Haryana’s 16-year-old Bhaker the medal tally, behind Australia ’s Yohan Blake (centre) competes in the men’s 100m heats during the in Gold Coast, Australia, yesterday. (AFP) produced a spectacular perform- (81 medals), England (47 medals) ance, setting a new CWG record and (32 medals). AFP medallist, while English sprinter Asha mer throw and ’s Joshua Chep- squad,” said Stephanie Morton, who won with a total of 240.9 points in the The success also rubbed on Gold Coast, Australia Philip was fastest into the women’s fi nal. tegei, the world silver-medallist, won the the women’s keirin. fi nal round. Her performance at the badminton team, which as- Coe earlier insisted that athletics had men’s 5,000m in 13min 50.83sec. “We’ve got no prima donnas or people the debut was 6.9 points bet- sured at least of a silver medal by plenty of talent to remain in a healthy In the pool, Cate Campbell won the who are hard work. That environment is ter than experienced compatriot reaching the fi nal after defeating amaica’s Yohan Blake had the state after Bolt, the eight-time Olym- 50m butterfl y to lead Australia to a three- really fl ourishing on the track. We get be- Sidhu, who registered 234 points Singapore 3-1. words of ringing in his pic champion, 100m and 200m world gold haul, but there was a major shock hind each other and support each other. for her fi rst medal at the CWG. World No.2 Kidambi Srikanth, ears as he dominated the sprints record-holder and 2014 Commonwealth when Scotland’s Duncan Scott produced And that internal competition, it’s work- Ravi’s bronze medal in the London Olympics medallist Sai- on day one of the Commonwealth relay gold-medallist. a thunderous fi nish to upset a heavy- ing wonders.” 10 metre air rifl e event ensured na Nehwal and the mixed dou- GamesJ athletics yesterday. “Are we going to replace Usain Bolt? weight fi eld in the 100m freestyle. Elsewhere, Olympic champion Max that India bag its third medal on bles pair of Ashwini Ponnappa Despite chief Sebastian Probably not, because you don’t replace “I’m speechless to be honest, and that Whitlock of England stumbled to sixth in the opening day of the shooting and Satwiksairaj Rankireddy all Coe slamming the “obsession” with Bolt, Muhammad Ali,” said Coe. doesn’t happen often. The main thing the men’s fl oor gymnastics and fi nished competitions here. He shot a to- won to seal India’s passage to the Blake said he was inspired by the now- “But Marvin Hagler and Manny Pac- there was to execute my own race,” said second in the pommel horse as his cam- tal of 224.1. fi nal where they will meet Ma- retired Jamaican showman as he qualifi ed quiao and (Julio Cesar) Chavez and the Scott, 20. paign fell fl at. Then the weightlifters took laysia today. fastest for the fi nal. great boxers came through.” Steven Kari slammed the fl oor in de- charge, with Punam (69kg) and Also assuring at least a medal “Usain told me, ‘Yohan, you’ve got As the athletics competition opened, ‘NO PRIMA DONNAS’ light and hurled his belt into the crowd as Vikas Thakur (94kg) winning gold was fi ve-time world champion to win or else you can’t go back home,’” Australia’s Dane Bird-Smith won the Australia’s track cyclists, resurgent after he won the men’s 94kg weightlifting to and bronze medals respectively. Kom, who registered a convinc- said Blake, adding that Bolt also posted a men’s race walk, but Claire Tallent was their 2016 Olympics fl op, ended the com- earn Papua New Guinea their fi rst gold of Punam lifted a total of 222 kg ing 5-0 victory over Megan Gor- touching message on Instagram saying: “I left in tears after she was disqualifi ed petition with another three golds and were the Games. which included 100 kg in snatch don of Scotland in a 48kg quar- believe in you.” while leading the women’s race. Fellow only denied a clean sweep when Scotland’s Australia’s Dane Sampson clinched and 122 kg in clean and jerk. ter-fi nal. Blake eased to 10.06sec in his semi- Aussie Jemima Montag took gold. Mark Stewart won the 40km points race. victory in the 10m air rifl e — but only just England’s Sarah Davies took sil- World Championship bronze fi nal to top the timesheets ahead of Englishman Nick Miller hurled a “There has been a lot of work behind — despite producing his worst score on ver with 217 kg, while Apolonia medallist Vikas Krishan entered England’s , the 2014 silver- Games-record 80.26m to win the ham- the scenes, but we have such a great his fi nal shot of the gold-medal shootout. Vaivai of Fiji lifted 216 kg for the the quarter-fi nals of the men’s bronze. middleweight (75 kilogram) cat- The 22-year-old Punam from egory with a hard fought vic- SWIMMING Vanarasi joined fellow weight- tory over Campbell Somerville of lifters Mirabai Chanu, Sanjita Australia. Great Scott! Heavyweights battered David calls time on in 100m freestyle stunner Commonwealths AFP le Clos. Gold Coast, Australia “Fair play to Duncan. I could see him AFP going to change. You also redis- coming from behind and it was like Gold Coast, Australia cover things and start trying to ‘please no, please no!’ But it’s a personal push to improve. The exciting cotland’s Duncan Scott punched best time for me so you can’t complain.” part is what we can get from the well above his weight by bagging a Golden girl Campbell romped to vic- quash legend next face of squash.” stunning Commonwealth Games tory in the 50m fl y, clocking 25.59 after said the Commonwealth David added: “I gave it my all gold in the men’s 100 metres free- winning the 50m free and helping set a Games in Australia will and that’s all you can do. Joelle styleS yesterday in the biggest swimming world record in the 4x100m fi nal earlier probably be her last after has been really consistent, it was upset so far. in the meet. theS Malaysian was beaten in the going to be tough to beat her. In a frantic fi nish, the slender 20-year- “I’m really stoked with that one,” she semi-fi nals yesterday to dash her “I gave it my best but some- old mowed down Olympic champion Kyle said, after leading an Aussie clean sweep. dreams of a third straight gold. times your best is not enough.” Chalmers and South African superstar “I picked up the 50m butterfl y as a bit The 34-year-old, who spent a David, the eight-time world Chad le Clos with a sizzling last 25 metres of a joke towards the end of last year for record 108 consecutive months champion, will face Tesni Evans to win in 48.02 seconds. World Cups — then I qualifi ed for Com- (2006-2015) on top of the offi cial of Wales today for bronze, in Later, Australian fl yer Cate Campbell monwealth Games and it suddenly didn’t women’s world rankings, was what is her sixth Commonwealth romped to her third title of the Games in become such a joke.” well beaten 3-1 by ’s Games. She won singles gold at the women’s 50m butterfl y as the host Olympic champion Adam Peaty backed Joelle King, the second seed. Delhi 2010 and Glasgow 2014. nation fi nished the day on 12 swimming up his 100m breaststroke gold by topping The best that David, the third “Of course losing today is dis- gold medals — well clear of second- the qualifying for the one-lap fi nal in a seed, can now hope for is bronze. appointing, but I need to focus placed England’s fi ve. Games record of 26.49. “I think it will probably be my on the bronze medal now,” said Scott, who had already pocketed three Elsewhere, Kylie Masse completed a last Commonwealth Games,” David. bronze medals in the Gold Coast pool, backstroke double by storming to gold in said David, as she approaches the King plays number four seed slapped the water and let out a roar of de- the women’s 200m in a Games record of end of her glorious career. Sarah-Jane Perry of England for light after fl ooring heavyweights le Clos 2:05.98. “The new generation is always the title. and Chalmers to win Scotland’s fi rst-ever Duncan Scott of Scotland (left) celebrates his win while Chad Le Clos of South Africa The 100m world champion led a Ca- Commonwealth title in swimming’s blue looks on in the men’s 100m freestyle swimming event yesterday. (Reuters) nadian one-two from teenage sensation riband event. Taylor Ruck (2:06.42), who pocketed her “I’m speechless, it doesn’t happen very ning his country’s fi rst swimming gold in “He’s an awesome gentleman and one sixth medal of a breakout meet, as Aus- 2018 CWG medals table (top 10) often,” said Scott, whose skinny build be- Australia. that a sport like swimming really needs. tralia’s Emily Seebohm took bronze. lies a ferocious competitive spirit. “And I’m sure he’s going to become a It’s good to beat him but he’s an incred- Australian Mitch Larkin added the G S B T G S B T “I just stuck to what I’m good at and great himself, if he’s not already a great.” ible athlete.” 50m backstroke crown to the 100m he 1. Australia 31 25 28 84 6. New Zealand 4 7 6 17 that’s bringing it home, so I just stayed Scott revealed that le Clos, who is Le Clos and Australian Chalmers tied won last week, while the home team 2. England 19 19 9 47 7. South Africa 4 1 4 9 quite composed and let Chad le Clos go chasing a butterfl y treble in Australia, for silver in 48.15. set another Games record to win the 3. Canada 7 15 10 32 8. Wales 3 4 3 10 out and tried to hunt him down.” had been the fi rst to shake his hand. men’s 4x200m freestyle relay, anchor 4. India 7 2 3 12 9. 2 0 2 4 “He’s beaten the god of swimming, “He was the fi rst person to say con- ‘PLEASE NO, PLEASE NO!’ leg Mack Horton stopping the clock in 5. Scotland 6 7 10 23 10. Malaysia 2 0 1 3 Michael Phelps,” added Scott after win- gratulations,” said Scott. “It’s unbelievable, I’m very proud,” said 7:05.97.

Monday, April 9, 2018 GULF TIMES SPORT

FOCUS Al-Sulaiti clinches second straight Qatar Superstock ‘There are no words to describe my feelings winning the championship again... (my) results were better than last year’

By Sports Reporter Doha SPOTLIGHT

atar’s Saeed al-Sulaiti clinched the Qatar Superstock 600 title for the second time in a row after an event- ful last round at Losail Internation- alQ Circuit on Saturday. Al-Khelaifi races In the fi rst race, Mishal al-Naimi, who had topped Superpole on Friday, led the race for the fi rst seven laps before al-Sulaiti overtook him and raced to a victory. Al-Naimi, who wasn’t feel good all week, to hat-trick of felt very week during the race causing him to lose concentration. Al-Naimi had to settle for fourth place in the race behind second-placed Abdullah al-Qubaisi and third-placed Nasser al-Malki. QTCC crowns Al-Naimi couldn’t take part in the sec- ond race due to his medical condition, which meant that al-Sulaiti had secured the cham- pionship. Al-Qubaisi secured the victory in the second race ahead of al-Sulaiti, while Hungarian rider Balint Kovacs completed the podium. “There are no words to describe my feel- ings winning the championship again. It has been a very tough season, but the perform- ance and results were better than last year, QMMF general secretary Abdulrazak al-Kuwari (left) presents the winner’s trophy to Qatar winning more races than last year. When I Superstock 600 champion Saeed al-Sulaiti at the Losail International Circuit on Saturday. crashed in round 2 and 4 I thought that the championship would be very diffi cult. Reach- ing the last round one point behind Mishal was a lot of pressure, but at the end of the day we just focused and took the victory. I want to thank to everyone who stood with me, my team, friends, everyone who motivated me and worked really good in the set-up,” beamed al-Sulaiti after his victory. “I would also like to thank QMMF (Qatar Motor and Motorcycling Federation), (presi- dent) Abdulrahman al-Mannai, Losail Circuit Sports Club (LCSC) and Khalid al-Remaihi for this great championship and their support during the season and to Ooredoo for spon- soring me and believing in me.” QMMF general secretary Abdulrazak al-Kuwari (centre) presents the winner’s trophy to Abdullah Despite a retirement from the deciding al-Khelaifi (right) as second-placed Hamad al-Asam applauds after the final round of the Qatar race, al-Naimi had a good season overall. Touring Car Championship (QTCC) at the Losail International Circuit on Saturday. “In general, we had a very good season. Until the last round I had the chance to win By Sports Reporter fi ght and I was the most consistent so that was the championship. I felt sick mid-week and Doha what secured the title for me.” today, in the fi rst race, I felt very dizzy. I went In the fi rst race, al-Asam started from pole but to the medical centre after the fi rst race and it couldn’t hold on to his lead and al-Khelaifi took was a diffi cult decision not to take part in the atar’s Abdullah al-Khelaifi lifted the lead to cross the line in the front. Al-Asam second race as I was not fi t enough but I didn’t his third straight Qatar Touring Car held on to second, with John Ralph making to his want to take any risk for me and for the rest of Championship (QTCC) title in style fi rst ever podium in third place. the riders,” al-Naimi said. winning both the races in the fi nal “I changed the whole set up of the car from the “Many thanks to QMMF and Losail Circuit roundQ of the series at the Losail International third round onward and it started working per- Sports Club for this great championship and Essa al-Mutawa (centre) was the first winner of the QSTK Trophy, ahead of Sheikh Soud al-Thani Circuit on Saturday. fectly and I started making it to the podium. In to Ooredoo for supporting me all this time. I (left) and Kuwait’s Mohamed al-Zaidan. Al-Khelaifi had already secured the champi- the fi rst race, I started good and fought with al- hope to come back stronger next season and onship in the penultimate round, and with no Khelaifi but I made a mistake and he passed me. fi ght for the title again.” ance over the weekend, which was the best of challenging and our goal is that more interna- pressure, he went on to win both the races of the So then my goal was to hold on to the second place Al-Sulaiti had 211 points in the standings, his season. “Today’s round was the best of the tional riders will join us for the next season. fi nal round and end the season with 186 points in and bring the car home safe,” al-Asam said. followed by al-Naimi and al-Malki with 180 championship. Hosting it at night was much “I want to thank Losail Circuit Sports Club the fi nal standings. “In the second race, I was already second and 165 points respectively. better than during the day. Finally, I was able for all the support, also thank the Minister However, the fi ght was on for the second spot, overall, so I had no pressure. Overall it was a suc- In QSTK Trophy, Essa al-Mutawa and to secure the second position in the champi- of Culture and Sports, HE Salah bin Ghanem with Hamad al-Asam and Adham El Dib gun- cessful season and I hope the next one is much Sheikh Jassim al-Thani won the two races onship as there was no chance to fi ght for the bin Nasser al-Ali for all the support, and all ning for the runner-up fi nish in the champion- better and we fi ght for the championship.” respectively, while the former was the fi rst victory after my crash in the previous round. the riders and drivers that joined this season. ship going into the fi nal round. In the second race, despite the reverse grid, winner of the category ahead of Sheikh Soud In the second race there was a possibility to Thanks to QMMF and Losail International Al-Asam fi nished second in both the races to al-Khelaifi won again, with al-Asam and El Dib al-Thani. Kuwait’s Mohamed al-Zaidan was fi ght for the second position but there was Circuit staff for all their work to complete a grab the runner-up spot in the championship. A in second and third place respectively. third overall. nothing to gain, so I preferred not to risk and successful season.” gearbox problem meant that El Dib had to settle “I had a good qualifying session on Friday but “I am very happy to take the QSTK Trophy fi nish the race.” LCSC vice president and general manager for fi fth place in the fi rst race and third place in at the beginning of the fi rst race, I lost the fourth championship. It was a long season for me, QMMF general secretary Abdulrazak al- Khalid al-Remaihi was happy with this sea- the standings. gear again and I spanned. So I stayed out of the especially because I was coming back after Kuwari presented the trophies to the winners. son’s riders and the growing popularity of “It was a great championship. It was really track for a second to check whether I had the rest two seasons. I tried to get my fi tness back and “This year has been very successful for all the the championship. “I want to congratulate fun. No pressure so I did whatever I could as I of the gears. The car was working and I fi nished we did it. Next season I will join the QSTK participants in both the championships. In all the participants for their great perform- had nothing to lose,” al-Khelaifi said. “First race fi fth. In the second race, I knew I didn’t have the category with the top riders and this will Qatar Superstock 600 the competition has ance, thrilling and exciting show they have was easier for me as I started from the front row fourth gear and so I was going to be very slow. make me work harder and more challenging been stronger between all the riders and it put up this season. The number of riders has but in the second race, with the reverse grid I did But I am happy to fi nish third overall this sea- for me, it will be great. Thanks to QMMF and became exciting for all the participants,” al- increased and for next season, one of our ob- my best and took any chance I got. And that was son,” El Dib said. Losail Circuit Sports Club for organising this Kuwari said. jectives is to bring in more international rid- the key because if you wait little bit then it be- Trophies to the winners were presented by Qa- championship and all the support,” said al- “We have seen the participation of foreign ers. Thanks to QMMF, Sponsors, Pirelli and comes very hard to overtake. It was a really chal- tar Motor and Motorcycling Federation (QMMF) Mutawa. riders from Kuwait, Oman, France and Hun- the Minister of Culture and Sports for their lenging championship with so many drivers to general secretary Abdulrazak al-Kuwari. Sheikh Soud was happy with his perform- gary and this makes the championship more support,” he said.

Al Rayyan lift ninth Qatar Volleyball League title

Qatar Volleyball Association (QVA) president Ali Ghanim al-Kuwari presents the winners’ trophy to Al Rayyan players in the presence of other off icials after their win in the Qatar Volleyball League on Saturday. Al Rayyan defeated Police 3-1 (21-25, 25-15, 25-17, 25-17) on Saturday in their last Qatar Volleyball League match to remain unbeaten with 50 points. This was the ninth league title for Al Rayyan and it came after a gap of two seasons. Police finished runners-up with 46 points while Al Arabi came third. PICTURES: Othman Iraqi Al Rayyan players hoist their Brazilian coach Carlos Schwanke after their victory on Saturday.