FOOTBALL | Page 2 NBA | Page 6 El Clasico Warriors To Advertise here Call: 444 11 300, 444 66 621 fi tting scene escape Jazz in for Cruyuff ’s OT for record Barca send-off 68th victory

Friday, April 1, 2016 CRICKET Jumada II 23, 1437 AH England promise GULF TIMES ‘all guns blazing’ in World T20 fi nal SPORT Page 4 CRICKET Simmons blitzes India and seals Windies’ T20 fi nal spot ‘We said this before the tournament that Chris is under pressure, he is our best Twenty20 player but we have 15 match-winners in this side’

Reuters delighted after his team proved they can win without SCORECARD Mumbai Gayle fi ring on all cylinders. “We said this before the tournament that Chris is India under pressure, he is our best Twenty20 player but we R. Sharma lbw b Badree ...... 43 ate replacement Lendl Simmons led a charmed have 15 match-winners in this side.” A. Rahane c Bravo b Russell ...... 40 life to blast 82 not out and carry West Indies Earlier, the West Indian bowlers began strongly, al- V. Kohli not out ...... 89 to a seven-wicket win in the last over against lowing the home team just six runs in the fi rst couple MS. Dhoni not out ...... 15 India in the second semi-fi nal of the World of overs but India then took control in front of a sta- Extras (lb 1, w 2, nb 2) ...... 5 Twenty20L yesterday. dium fi lled to the brim with fans wearing the team’s Total (for 2 wickets, 20 overs) ...... 192 Simmons was caught twice at the Wankhede Sta- blue jersey. Did not bat: S. Raina, M. Pandey, H. Pandya, R. Jadeja, dium, on 18 and 50, but both times the bowlers had India, the inaugural champions in 2007, dropped R. Ashwin, J. Bumrah, A. Nehra Fall of wickets: 1-62 overstepped for no-balls and he made the hosts pay under-performing opener Shikhar Dhawan and the (Sharma), 2-128 (Rahane) dearly for their mistakes as West Indies set up a fi nal move paid off as Rohit Sharma (43) and Ajinkya Ra- Bowling: Russell 4-0-47-1, Badree 4-0-26-1, Brathwaite against England on Sunday. hane (40) put on 62 for the fi rst wicket. 4-0-38-0, Benn 4-0-36-0, Bravo 4-0-44-0 Earlier, Virat Kohli continued his rich vein of form That laid the perfect foundation for Kohli, who led West Indies by smashing an undefeated 89 to guide India to 192 for his side into the last four with 82 not out against Aus- J. Charles c Sharma b Kohli ...... 52 two after they were put in to bat. tralia in the previous match, as he compiled a third C. Gayle b Bumrah ...... 5 West Indies lost the dangerous Chris Gayle and unbeaten half-century in the tournament. M. Samuels c Rahane b Nehra ...... 8 Marlon Samuels early in their reply but opener Kohli began nervously, twice going close to being L. Simmons not out ...... 83 Johnson Charles kept them in the hunt with a 36- run out, but made the opposition pay for failing to A. Russell not out ...... 43 ball 52 and a third-wicket stand of 97 with Sim- take their chances. Extras (lb 3, nb 2)...... 5 mons. He struck 11 fours and a six in his 47-ball knock, Total (for 3 wickets, 19.4 overs) ...... 196 The right-handed Simmons plays for Mumbai in putting on 66 for the second wicket with Rahane and Did not bat: D. Ramdin, D. Bravo, D. Sammy, C. the Indian Premier League and was only called into an unbroken 64 for the third with captain Mahendra Brathwaite, S. Badree, S. Benn Fall of wickets: 1-6 (Gayle), the squad two days ago as a replacement for the in- Singh Dhoni (15 not out). 2-19 (Samuels), 3-116 (Charles) jured Andre Fletcher. Dhoni said the toss was crucial and the evening dew Bowling: Nehra 4-0-25-1, Bumrah 4-0-42-1, Jadeja 4-0-48- He cracked seven fours and fi ve sixes in 51 balls made it tough for his spinners to grip the ball. 0, Ashwin 2-0-20-0, Pandya 4-0-43-0, Kohli 1.4-0-15-1 and added an unbeaten 80 with Andre Russell for the “It was a bad toss to lose,” he added. “That (dew) Result: West Indies won by seven wickets fourth wicket to take West Indies home with two balls makes it very diffi cult for us. Toss: West Indies to spare. “We also have a history of not doing very well when Umpires: Ian Gould (ENG) and Richard Kettleborough Russell, known for his powerful hitting, contrib- it comes to the spinners bowling with a wet ball.” (ENG) uted 43 off 20 deliveries. West Indies’ women also reached the fi nal as cap- TV umpire: Marais Erasmus (RSA) “We knew it was a 200 wicket and halfway in the tain Stafanie Taylor scored 25 and took three wickets Match referee: Chris Broad (ENG) dressing room I kept telling the boys that India are 10 to help defeat New Zealand by six runs and set up a Reserve umpire: Michael Gough (ENG) runs short,” said West Indies skipper Darren Sammy, fi nal against champions Australia on Sunday.

TWEET BEAT

“Great great great!!! Well done Windies!!! #silence seat games all the way through great for the fans.” over the Proteas the same Wankhede Stadium #wankhede#WestindiesvsEngland#ICCWT20#finals •England seamer Stuart Broad ground. proud to be West Indian.” “Tough luck boys. It was a good match and well “@imVkohli didn’t deserve that finish, a great player •West Indies legend Brian Lara fought! Best wishes to West Indies and England for with a spirit to match who nearly won the game on “What a game!! I’ve never seen anything like it. @ the finals.” his own.” westindies will need next 2 days to get over celebra- •Sachin Tendulkar •Former England all-rounder Andrew Flintoff tions tonight #WT20” “Wow! If Gayle doesn’t get you Simmons will! @ “Another top game in Mumbai, good wicket always •Former Australian fast bowler Glenn McGrath. westindies in the #WT20 final.” produces high quality contest. Congratulations @ “U19 WC winners and now both Men and Women’s •Lord’s cricket ground westindies a real show of resilience #wt20.” teams in the #WT20 finals...how good is that @ “Why is everybody surprised the windies won when •Ex-Australian Test star Tom Moody westindies Awesome 2016 !!! eng chased down 225?” “Once again the hosts don’t win the ICC World T20 Lendl Simmons celebrates with a teammate after powering West Indies past India •Ex-Sri Lanka international Russel Arnold •Former South African batsman Herschelle #jinxed #WT20.” in the second semi-final of the World T20 cricket tournament in Mumbai yesterday. “What a #T20WorldCup this has been! Edge of the Gibbs recalling England’s group stage win •Former England county player Simon Hughes. West Indies will now take on England in the title decider in Kolkata on April 3.

FOOTBALL Al Wakrah aim to avoid relegation in QSL

By Sports Reporter of players in the Qatar national last Group B qualifying match for Doha team. This shows how much the World Cup in Russia. They quality they have, but they have returned only on Wednesday had many players on interna- leaving them little time to re- tional duty and this could be an group. “We have plenty of play- l Wakrah face former advantage for us. ers out this week and they have QSL champions Le- “Al Wakrah are fi ghting for only just returned from long khwiya today evening their QSL status for another fl ights with a few players injured knowing that three season, and will be without star we will try our best with the Apoints will eff ectively secure striker Sasha (Sebastian Saez) players we have,” Belmadi said. their status in the QSL for an- for the match. It is a big blow for When pushed on the injured other season. us, but we will have to overcome players, Belmadi remained coy. The Blue Waves are currently this.” As for Lekhwiya, they “I cannot tell you right now, but eleventh in the QSL standings, head into the clash off the back three players have come back just four points away from the of a 3-2 defeat to top-4 rivals Al with knocks and will face a late relegation zone, and head coach Sadd. Head coach Djamel Bel- fi tness test. One player who will Mauricio Larriera was clear madi was eager to stress that this be out is Mohammed Moussa about the task at hand for his will not be an easy game for the through suspension.” side. Red Knights. Despite the lack of key play- “Al Wakrah are facing one of “Al Wakrah are not an easy side ers at his disposal, Belmadi was the best teams in Qatar, with the to play, they are fi ghting to stay confi dent his side can confi rm best players,” he told reporters at in the league. We need to win the their status in the Qatar Cup by his pre-match press conference. game to confi rm our status in the fi nishing among the top four. Larriera praised the quality top 4, it will a tough game.” ad- “I will be shuffl ing the squad of the Lekhwiya side and noted mitted the Algerian tactitian. in this game, with our Champi- the recent international break Lekhwiya had a host of inter- on’s League commitments. I am could be an advantage for his national players on duty playing confi dent we will be able to get side. “They have a large number Al Wakrah coach Mauricio Larriera speaks to the media ahead of his team’s crucial match against Lekhwiya. for Qatar against China in their three points.” Gulf Times 2 Friday, April 1, 2016 FOOTBALL

SPOTLIGHT QATAR STARS LEAGUE Jaish take on relegation-threatened El Clasico fi tting Qatar Sports Club scene for Cruyff ’s

El Jaish coach Sabri Lamouchi (L) and Qatar Sports Club coach Sebastiao Lazaroni during the pre-match press conferences. Barca send-off PICS: Othman Iraqi El Jaish vs Qatar Sports Club Lekhwiya Stadium, 6:15pm ‘He leaves behind a very important legacy... We want to copy and improve this style El Jaish take on relegation year-old. threatened Qatar Sports Club “Our main target now is sec- of play which combines results and a spectacular attacking football’ at the Lekhwiya stadium on ond place. Our president, our Friday. The coaches of the administration and our team teams spoke at a pre-match are all focused on this. So right press conference yesterday. now we are only focused only El Jaish are currently in on this match and only after second place with forty-three this match can we focus on points from twenty-three the Nasaf match in the Cham- games. They won their last pions League,” said Lamouchi game against first placed yesterday. Al Rayyan and they will be Qatar Sports Club are still hoping to continue their good battling it out in the drop form against Qatar SC. zone. However, a win against Sabri Lamouchi, the head El Jaish will give their sur- coach of El Jaish, is confident vival hopes a major boost. in his team’s ability ahead of The Kings have twenty-two the game.“Following the last points from twenty-three match in the league against games which leaves them in Al Rayyan we know that our thirteenth position. destiny is in our hands. We Sebastiao Lazaroni, the head are doing our best to keep coach of Qatar SC, spoke the second position. Qatar SC about the importance of the is fighting relegation and it’s three points,“We need the vic- going to be a diff icult match,” tory in this match. We need all said the Frenchman. our strengths for this match. El Jaish are also competing in We know that El Jaish are in the AFC Champions League the Champions League and and according to Lamouchi, in second place but I think the team is relishing the Qatar SC has the capacity to challenge. “We are in a good overcome this challenge.” situation now. We are in the “Our main challenge is that we champions league, we are need 3 points. We know that fighting for second place in El Jaish have a good team but the QSL and after few weeks if you look at our form since is the Emir Cup. Now is the January it gives us hope. We money time, our season starts need to fight for the victory as now,” added the forty-four- it is necessary for us.”

Clash of attacking sides as Gharafa meet champions Rayyan

A woman leaves a tribute during a memorial event for Dutch soccer player Johan Cruyff at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona, Spain.

AFP brilliance of Lionel Messi, Andres Ini- having scored a combined 107 times this same way he had to win three Ballon Madrid esta and Xavi Hernandez on the pitch season. d’Ors as the world’s best player during and astute coaching of Frank Rijkaard, Yet, Barca weren’t always a hugely the 1970s. Pep Guardiola and Luis Enrique from the succesful behemoth supported by mil- “Messi is the one that runs the least he self-styled biggest game in touchline. lions of fans around the world. and in that he is the best pupil of Cruyff ,” world football takes on a diff er- Yet, they are all united by a style and When Cruyff arrived as a player from added Guardiola. ent signifi cance tomorrow as philosophy implemented by Cruyff over Ajax in 1973, Barca hadn’t won the league A popular call has risen amongst Barca Barcelona pay homage to leg- 20 years ago that continues to serve Barca in 13 years. fans for the club to rename the Camp Nou Tendary former player and coach Johan today. On his return to the Catalan capital as a in Cruyff ’s honour. Cruyff for the visit of Real Madrid in El “To talk about Cruyff is to talk about coach he won four consecutive Liga titles Yet, perhaps the best homage came Clasico. football at its best,” said Enrique, as the and delivered the club’s fi rst European from this Barca side on the fi eld when Over 90,000 fans will take part in a Barca squad joined over 60,000 fans in Cup in 1992. Messi passed a penalty into the path of pre-match display reading “thank you paying their respects at a memorial set He was Barca’s most successful ever Suarez to slot home in a 6-1 rout of Celta Al Rayyan coach Jorge Fossati (L) and Gharafa coach Pedro Johan” ahead of Barca’s fi rst match since up for Cruyff at the Camp Nou this week. coach with 11 trophies before being over- Vigo in February. Caixina during the pre-match press conferences. the Dutch great passed away at the age of “He leaves behind a very important taken by his former captain and pupil The move was reminiscent of one of 68 last week after a short battle with lung legacy, a legacy that this club will per- Guardiola’s 14 in four glorious years in the Cruyff ’s most famous moves as he Al Rayyan vs Al Gharafa Al Sadd Stadium, 8:30pm cancer. petuate. charge between 2008 and 2012. and Jesper Olsen played a one-two for Reigning QSL champions take cian noted. Barca host Madrid 10 points clear of “We want to copy and improve this “I didn’t know anything about football Cruyff to score when playing for Ajax on Al Gharafa in what prom- This is not the first times their eternal rivals in the La Liga title race style of play which combines results and until I knew him,” Guardiola told Catalan against Helmond Sport in 1982. ises to be a clash of the QSL’s the coaches have faced off , and on the verge of a sixth league title in a spectacular attacking football.” radio station RAC1. “It makes you happy for people to re- attacking sides. Al Rayyan with the head coaches play- eight years. Rarely has any side displayed such “He opened our eyes to how to be dif- member you after so many years. It’s have run away with the league ing each other in the Copa Moreover, they are favourites to be- spectacular attacking football as the Bar- ferent, that is why we are his followers. It lovely—the things football gives you,” this season, however recently libertadores competition. “We come the fi rst side ever to retain the ca 2015/16 version. was a priviledge to be able to enjoy him as Cruyff said afterwards. they have dropped points have played before, in South Champions League—a feat that would Madrid’s visit off ers the chance to a coach, above all for the knowledge he Yet, as Madrid travel to the Camp Nou drawing with Qatar SC 0-0 America and it is exciting to deliver a fi fth European Cup in 11 years. stretch an unbeaten run in all competi- gave us.” trailing in Barca’s wake, it is what he gave and stuttering to their second renew rivalries in this game.” Barca’s little more than a decade of tions to 40 games with Messi and strike Cruyff ’s ideals placed an emphasis the Catalan giants that will prove his defeat of the season in round Gharafa have been training dominance has been propelled by the partners Luis Suarez and Neymar already on technique over physical power in the lasting legacy. 23 losing to El Jaish. hard in international week and Head Coach Jorge Fossati Caixinia is confident his side stressed his side used the in- can get the victory. “We have BOTTOMLINE ternational break eff iciently; prepared well for this tie, both “We used the time in our best teams play attacking football way, the group has trained and I am hoping for a exciting well and we are optimistic for game for the fans, I am confi- the final games of the season.” dent we can get the win.” Al Rayyan go into the tie after Caixinia also had some words suff ering only their second for Thamer Jamel, the newly Ibra not out of PSG yet: agent defeat of the season, and Jorge designated right-back who Fossati is sure his shuff led has got two goals in two AFP including from China. I’m not “I have received off ers side will be going for the win. games for his side. “Jamel Paris saying for how much, but it is a from every continent in “It is not easy after winning is a very competent player, huge sum,” Raiola told Gazzetta the world, including from the league, we are trying the he can attack very well and dello Sport in an interview. China. I’m not saying for players are doing their best. As that is why he is at right-back aris Saint-Germain strik- He added that PSG are “doing how much, but it is a huge I said I will be giving opportuni- now. He needs to develop his er Zlatan Ibrahimovic has everything possible to try and sum,” said Raiola ties to players who have not defensive play but I believe he not ruled out remaining make him renew (his contract). regularly featured this season. can be a very useful player for with the French champi- Paris remains an option.” took a cheeky swipe at the Serie They will be giving their best to this team.” Pons despite a wealth of off ers from With Ibrahimovic on the A club’s fi lm-producing presi- win this tie” Fossati admitted. With the top 4 out of the around the world including three books, PSG have swept the past dent Aurelio De Laurentiis. To conclude Fossati had some equation, the former Santos from clubs in Serie A, his agent three league titles, the Swede “But there, all they’re good at kind words for his opponents Laguna coach was eager to said yesterday. continuing a tradition that has is making fi lms.” on Friday evening at Al Sadd use the remaining games as Ibrahimovic is set to become seen him win championships With Ibrahimovic on his way stadium; “Gharafa are one of preparation for the domestic one of the transfer stories of the with Juventus, in 2005 and 2006 out of PSG, the French capital the best teams in the league, cup competitions. “We are summer when his contract with (although both were revoked due club have been linked to Na- they have changed their play- now looking at these set of the cash-rich French Ligue 1 to a match-fi xing scandal), Inter poli’s on-form Argentine striker ers and they have continued games as preparation for the club expires this June. (2007, 2008, 2009), Barcelona Gonzalo Higuain. playing good football. This Emir Cup. Our squad needs The Swedish marksman’s (2010) and AC Milan (2011). But De Laurentiis reiterated will be a tough game, but Al to be in the best possible agent, Mino Raiola, said he has re- Ibrahimovic has yet to play in Higuain “is going nowhere” on Rayyan will play with the same form and these games will be ceived several off ers including one England’s Premier League and Wednesday and Raiola said the mentality to win always.” preparations for this phase” “huge” one from China and three Raiola claimed that “all the big ongoing oil price crisis could see For Al Gharafa, they were held he said yesterday morning. from Italy’s top fl ight, where Ibra- clubs there, with the exception the Qatar-backed French giants to a frustrating 1-1 draw with Al himovic won titles with Juventus, of Manchester City, where (Pep) tighten their belt this summer. Sailiya before the international “We are now looking at Inter Milan and AC Milan. Guardiola is the coach, have “In Paris, things have break. Head coach Pedro these set of games as But the Dutchman said Ib- knocked on my door”. changed. I don’t know if they Caixina had plenty of praise preparation for the Emir rahimovic, who will lead the And despite persistent rumours would be prepared to spend 90m for his opponents. Cup. Our squad needs to Swedish charge at this summer’s claiming Ibrahimovic could re- euros (for Higuain): the price of “Firstly I would like to con- be in the best possible Euro 2016, has not ruled out re- turn to Italy, Raiola appeared to oil has plummeted and the Emir gratulate Al Rayyan, and it form and these games maining in France. brush them under the carpet. is counting his pennies. will be an honour to play Mr will be preparations for “I have received off ers from Sweden and PSG forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic attends a training session “All the big clubs want him, “That’s another reason they Fossati” the Portuguese tacti- this phase” every continent in the world, on the eve of the friendly between Sweden and Czech Republic. even Napoli,” said Raiola, who want to hold on to Ibra.” Gulf Times Friday, April 1, 2016 3 FOOTBALL

SPOTLIGHT DISASTER Neville’s Valencia voyage of discovery Tottenham try to doomed to fail step up pressure on leaders Leicester File picture of then Valencia coach Gary Neville.

‘There are only a few games left and it’s important now that we perform well again AFP those which are required by this Valencia club,” Neville said in a statement at Tottenham and we take how we played with England back to the club’ after his dismissal. Even those statistics are pad- ary Neville’s unhappy ded by three wins in Cup ties tenure at Valencia was against third-tier Barakaldo and brought to a sudden struggling Granada, as well as a halt on Wednesday as 10-0 aggregate rout of Rapid Vi- Gthe Spanish club announced he enna in the Europa League. had been sacked after just four Neville won just three of 16 La months in charge. Liga games in charge to see Los Neville’s fi rst foray into senior Che tumble from four points off management after limited experi- the Champions League places ence as an assistant to Roy Hodg- when he arrived, to six points son with England was a risky one above the relegation zone with from the day the shock announce- a tough fi nal eight games of the ment of his appointment was season to come. made in early December. Cup runs briefl y prolonged his On the back of a hugely suc- stay, yet even they ended in ma- cessful 20-year playing career jor disappointment. with Manchester United, Nev- The 7-0 thrashing at the hands ille had gained widespread praise of Barcelona in the fi rst leg of the for his astute analysis as a Sky Copa del Rey semi-fi nal was de- Sports pundit in his homeland scribed by sporting director Jesus before taking up the challenge Garcia Pitarch as one of the worst off ered by Valencia’s Singapo- results in the club’s history. rean owner, his business partner Elimination from the Europa and friend Peter Lim. League at the hands of a fellow The hiring of an untried coach La Liga side with far fewer re- who didn’t speak Spanish and sources in Athletic Bilbao earlier the close personal relationship this month closed the door to any between Lim and Neville raised salvation for a miserable season suspicions straight away in Va- at the Mestalla. lencia. Neville will be succeeded for “I would question it as a neu- the remainder of the season by tral observer,” Neville said him- Pako Ayestaran. self on the day he was presented The hiring of Rafael Benitez’s as the club’s new coach. former assistant to translate “I’d be sceptical and I would Neville’s ideas to the squad in want to be proved otherwise. February coincided with Valen- Anyone who has any doubts, cia’s only upturn in form in re- concerns, reservations, they’ll cent months. only be removed if we win foot- “I’m the head coach of Valen- ball matches.” cia, I will be the head coach of Ultimately, he didn’t win Valencia for the rest of this sea- enough even to see out his short- son. If I leave, Pako will leave,” term contract until the end of the Neville said at the time of sug- File picture of Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino shaking hands with Harry Kane after his team’s match against Aston Villa in the Barclays Premier League. season. gestions Ayestaran had been “I would have liked to have hired with eyes to replacing him. DPA Full-back Ben Davies told reporters dence going into the clash with South- “We know it’s going to be diffi cult continued the work I started Neville’s trust in Ayestaran, London this week that this is the time to prove ampton. against Watford because we only played but understand that we are in his old friend Lim and his own they belong at the top. “The (goals) can only be good for my them recently and they knocked us out a results business and in the 28 ability to turn around a sink- “We have a big couple of games coming confi dence,” he said. of the FA Cup, but we’re hungry for re- games (W10, D7, L11) they have ing ship in Spain was ultimately ith games running out up now,” he said. “These games are where “We’ll be going back to training this venge.” not been to my standards or to misplaced. for them to catch leaders champions are made. It’s a big few weeks week and coming off the back of these At the other end of the table, Aston Leicester City, Tottenham’s coming for us and we need to get points. two goals, hopefully I’ll be scoring again Villa host Chelsea without a manager push for the Premier League “The opportunity to be in a title race is at the weekend.” after manager Remi Garde left by mutual UNFAIR Wtitle moves up a notch this weekend as not something every player gets. You just Arsenal, 11 points behind Leicester but consent earlier in the week. they travel to Liverpool tomorrow. have to revel in, enjoy it and hopefully it with a game in hand, have not given up Second-bottom Newcastle Unit- Victory would cut the gap to just two all pays off in the end. Fighting for titles hope and as they prepare to face Watford, ed travel to fourth-bottom Norwich points but Spurs have lost on their last is exactly where I want to be.” defender Nacho Monreal believes they chasing points for survival, but will Top US female three visits to Anfi eld. Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp is have the quality to go close. be without goalkeeper Rob Elliot, who Teenage midfi elder Dele Alli, whose per- considering resting Brazilian midfi elder “We’re aware that we don’t just de- suffered a knee injury on international formances have been at the heart of their Philippe Coutinho, who is due to return pend on ourselves - that’s obvious,” he duty. players complain improvement this season, said he hoped to from international duty in Paraguay only told Arsenal’s website. Sunderland, one point better off than carry over the form he showed for England later on Thursday. “Right now we’re in third place. Even Newcastle, host West Brom while Crystal in their win over Germany last weekend. Leicester, meanwhile, host Southamp- if we do win all eight games that doesn’t Palace, seven points above the drop zone of wage bias “There are only a few games left until ton on Sunday, with leading goalscorer mean we’ll be champions, but what does but not out of trouble, are away to West the end of the season and it’s important Jamie Vardy looking to continue his stun- depend on us is winning those eight Ham. AFP Germany’s World Cup cham- now that we perform well again at Tot- ning season. games. Manchester City travel to Bourne- New York pion men’s team was paid $35 tenham and we take how we played with Vardy scored for England in both their “We’re coming off the back of two re- mouth, Manchester United host Everton million in prize money. England back to the club,” Alli told the 3-2 win in Germany and their 2-1 defeat ally good performances, the most recent and Stoke meet Swansea in the weekend’s “We believe now the time is team website. by the Netherlands and is full of confi - of which we won. other matches. ive members of the right because we believe it’s a re- reigning Women’s World sponsibility for women’s sports, Cup champion United specifi cally women’s soccer, to BOTTOMLINE States team said yester- really do whatever it takes for dayF they have fi led a complaint equal pay and equal rights and against the US Soccer Federation to be treated with respect,” Solo alleging wage discrimination, said in the interview with the To- insisting they should be paid the day show. same as their male counterparts. Morgan, in an Instagram post- Barely four months before the ing, said that beyond money, the Ferguson pleads for patience American women are set to try and women wanted greater respect, win a fourth consecutive Olympic citing the quality of playing fi elds AFP team you are, if you have players Teenage striker Marcus Rash- gold medal at Rio de Janeiro, play- as an issue. A scheduled match Manchester missing of that calibre it has to ford, a locally-born 18-year-old, ers are taking a major stand. last December in Hawaii against have an impact on the team. has led the way with fi ve goals in “I think that we’ve proven our Trinidad and Tobago was called off “The other aspect which is eight appearances. worth over the years. Just com- due to poor fi eld conditions. ormer Manchester Unit- always easy to forget there are “You have to give him credit, ing off of a World Cup win, the “This is not only about equal ed manager Alex Fergu- also fi ve new players in their he’s given nine young players pay disparity between the men pay—we get paid less than half of son has urged everyone fi rst season at United, and two their debut. I think the future and women is just too large. And our male counterparts—but also connected to the club to are young players in (Anthony) is good,” Ferguson said of Van we want to continue to fi ght,” equal treatment,” Morgan wrote. haveF “some patience” as current Martial and Memphis (Depay) Gaal. World Cup Most Valuable Player “We deserve to play in top-notch, boss Louis van Gaal tries to bring and their promise is good,” the “Rashford is an example of Carli Lloyd said in an interview grass-only facilities like the US the glory days back to Old Traf- 74-year-old Scot explained. what I think is Manchester Unit- on NBC’s Today show. Men’s National Team, not danger- ford. “You have to have some pa- ed. They are the one club in Eng- Lloyd, Megan Rapinoe, Rebec- ous turf fi elds. We want to have United have yet to win any sil- tience being a Manchester Unit- land who will always identify a ca Sauerbrunn, Hope Solo and decent travel accommodations. verware since Ferguson retired ed fan and they have shown that Rashford and give a young kid a Alex Morgan fi led the complaint “We have dedicated our lives to in 2013 after guiding the English over the years; in Matt Busby’s chance — there is no better club with the Equal Employment Op- this sport and our country and we giants to 28 trophies in 26-and- time, in my time,” said Fergu- in England at giving young kids portunity Commission. love soccer and our fans. We think a-half-years in charge. son in a reference to celebrated a chance. “Five players signed the com- it’s time for employers to truly ad- Immediate successor David Scottish predecessor Matt Bus- “Rashford is a sensation and plaint, but the decision to fi le was dress the inequality and do not Moyes was sacked after less than by, who brought success to Old one of the best in years.” whole-heartedly supported by the only what is fair, but what is right. a season in charge in May 2014 Traff ord in the 1950s and 1960s. Meanwhile Ferguson had a entire team,” Sauerbrunn tweeted. “We decided to do this for all and this term has seen Dutch File picture of then Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson. “For 150 years of history it is warning for incoming Manches- The women’s team won last of the little girls across the coun- manager van Gaal come under worth having a couple of years ter City manager Pep Guardiola, year’s World Cup in Canada, de- try and around the world who intense pressure after United look forward to, but that hasn’t had: Phil Jones has played only on the quiet side of success be- who will bid to return United’s feating Japan 5-2 in the champi- deserve to have a voice, and if we went out of the Champions stopped the chorus of criticism seven games this season, Ash- cause they will always come “noisy neighbours” after guid- onship game at Vancouver, while don’t leverage the voice we have, League at the group stage and over what many fans see as a lack ley Young, (Antonio) Valencia, back and come back strong.” ing current club Bayern Munich the US men’s team lost in the we are letting them down.” were knocked out of the Europa of attacking football. (Luke) Shaw, these are big loss- and former side Barcelona to round of 16 at the 2014 World In a statement to several me- League by arch-rivals Liverpool, However, Ferguson, in an es.” SENSATIONAL RASHFORD domestic and European success. Cup in Brazil. dia outlets, US Soccer said it was having already been beaten in interview with Sky Sports on Ferguson, whose career total United’s injury crisis has seen “Man City have made a real The US women earned just $2 “disappointed” by the move. the League Cup by second-tier Thursday, said: “It is dead easy of 49 trophies (he won 11 while van Gaal turn to the youth set- coup in getting him but Pep million in prize money, which “While we have not seen this Middlesbrough. to be critical. in charge of Scottish club Aber- up for fi rst-team players, the won’t fi nd it easy, English foot- the federation distributed to complaint and can’t comment United, however, are now just “You have to be realistic deen) makes him British foot- manager maintaining a tradi- ball is not easy,” he said of the the women and the organisa- on the specifi cs of it, we are dis- a point off the top four and have about some things—the number ball’s most successful manager, tion that started with the ‘Busby Spaniard’s imminent arrival in tion, while the losing men’s team appointed about this action,” the a FA Cup semi-fi nal replay to of injuries he (van Gaal) has added: “It doesn’t matter which Babes’. the Premier League. picked up $9 million. federation said. Gulf Times 4 Friday, April 1, 2016 CRICKET

SPOTLIGHT INJURY New Zealand media England promise rue loss to England ‘all guns blazing’ in T20 fi nal New Zealand’s captain Kane Williamson (C) walks on the field during ‘We will meet them with all guns blazing. We had a lot of negative feedback and to be the first semi-final against England. in a World Cup final now has hopefully got a few more people on our side’ AFP prentices trumped them,” he Wellington wrote. He added that “England have morphed into a side with swag- ew Zealand media have ger and chutzpah”, since their likened Eoin Morgan’s Wellington humiliation, rating England team to Frank- them a good chance of winning enstein’s monster, say- the decider on Sunday against Ning they turned the Black Caps’ either India or the West Indies. own game plan against them to Johnstone said the heavy loss win the World Twenty20 semi- was a “limp” end to a campaign fi nal on Wednesday. that saw the Black Caps cruise While acknowledging England through the group stages unde- were the better team and deserved feated, including wins over Aus- the seven-wicket win in New tralia, India and Pakistan. Delhi, Kiwi pundits said the seeds The New Zealanders have of the result were sown when the shown they can advance deep sides met in Wellington last year at into limited-overs tournaments the Cricket World Cup. but are yet to reach the next level In that match, eventual fi nal- and win a 50-over or T20 World ists New Zealand trounced Eng- Cup. land by eight wickets, prompt- However, Kane Williamson ing Morgan’s men to review proved himself an able captain their style and emulate the Black for the post-Brendon McCullum Caps’ aggressive tactics. era and the promising young spin “There was an element of duo of Ish Sodhi and Mitchell Frankenstein to New Zealand’s Santner excelled. departure from the Twenty20 Former Black caps paceman World Cup,” Fairfax New Zea- Simon Doull said Williamson’s land’s Duncan Johnstone wrote. men exceeded expectations, fi - “This was an England team nally showing they could play in that the Black Caps turned into a Indian conditions, and should monster. And the monster came not be judged too harshly. back to destroy them.” “We’ve had a good tourna- The New Zealand Herald’s ment and adapted to conditions Andrew Alderson said England really well, I don’t think this is a also mimicked the Black Caps by failure,” he told Radio Sport. taking the emotion out of their “Today’s game will be disap- cricket, delivering “a clinical pointing, but if you’d told me dissection which wouldn’t have at the start of the tournament looked amiss in an operating that we’ll go there and make the theatre”. semi-fi nals of the T20 World “If the Black Caps could be Cup on the sub continent, I’d deemed ‘the masters’, their ap- have said ‘no way’.” England’s Jason Roy celebrates after scoring a half-century during the World T20 first semi-final match between England and New Zealand in New Delhi.

AFP World T20 in Bangladesh culminating in world’s largest cricketing arenas, and Roy the semi-fi nal, while underlining their WOMEN New Delhi a tame defeat to the Netherlands. quickly abandoned his half-hearted at- excitement at making the fi nal. The turn-around has been remarkable, tempt to portray it as just another match. “It’s something we are extremely with England ironically seeking to emu- “This game is another game of crick- buzzing for.. We can’t wait,” he said. ashing opener Jason Roy late the more aggressive style of cricket et—it just happens to be at Eden Gardens Their achievement was widely hailed West Indies beat pledged that England would that was pioneered by New Zealand un- in a world cup fi nal in front of 100,000 by the British press who said England come out “all guns blazing” in der their former captain Brendon Mc- people,” he said. had transformed themselves from be- Sunday’s World Twenty20 fi - Cullum. “It’s going to be an incredible experi- ing a “laughing stock” to potential world New Zealand to nalD as they look to complete their head- Players such as Roy, Joe Root and Ben ence but we are going to go out there and champions. spinning transformation from cricket’s Stokes have come to epitomise what play our natural way and the brand of “Only a year after England were sent laughing stock to champions. Morgan has called a “brash” new style cricket we have been playing for the last packing from the 50-over tournament enter fi nal Just one year ago, England were licking of play that has seen England score more year or so.” with the world’s mockery ringing in their their wounds after an ignominious exit sixes than any other team in the tourna- England, World T20 champions in ears, they are pinching themselves at the from the 50-over World Cup in which ment. 2010, have been accused in the past of near-absurdity of it all,” Wisden editor they failed to beat any team apart from developing a siege mentality on tour un- Lawrence Booth wrote in the Daily Mail. minnows Scotland and Afghanistan. NEGATIVE FEEDBACK der no-nonsense coaches such as Dun- Roy’s innings “was the perfect exam- But after crushing New Zealand in Sunday’s fi nal in Kolkata will pit England can Fletcher and Andy Flower. ple of the aggressive and free-wheeling Wednesday’s semi-fi nal in New Delhi, against the winners of yesterday’s second The scars left by Kevin Pietersen’s style of cricket that England have played Eoin Morgan’s England are now only semi-fi nal between the hosts India and a acrimonious sacking in 2014 after a dis- in the past year,” John Etheridge wrote in one step away from becoming the fi rst West Indies side who beat England at the astrous tour of Australia have also taken The Sun, highlighting the huge contrast two-time world champions in the game’s group stage. time to heal. with the “humiliation” of 2015. shortest format. “Whoever it is, we will meet them with And former England skipper Michael New Zealand’s bowlers had no answer all guns blazing,” Roy told reporters, af- ‘PINCHING THEMSELVES’ Vaughan described England’s quali- as Roy raced to 78 off 44 balls at the top of ter England cruised to their target of 154 But Morgan and England’s Australian fi cation for the fi nal as a “remarkable the order, rapidly taking the game away with nearly three overs remaining. coach Trevor Bayliss have encouraged achievement”. from a team that won all four of their pre- “We had a lot of negative feedback players to go out and enjoy themselves “It is a joy to watch England play with vious matches in the tournament. from a few people and to be in a World on the fi eld, while a trip to the Taj Mahal skill, execute sensible tactical plans and England were widely ridiculed for their Cup fi nal now has hopefully got a few pointed to a new sense of adventure off it. bully the opposition,” Vaughan wrote in New Zealand wicketkeeper Rachel Priest (L) looks on as West Indies demise in 2015, which came a year af- more people on our side.” Roy said the team had been “extremely the Telegraph. cricketer Britney Cooper plays a shot yesterday. ter their embarrassing exit from the last The fi nal is at Eden Gardens, one of the chilled out” in the dressing room during Now to see what happens. IANS (22) and skipper Suzie Bates (12) Mumbai held on by playing sensibly to BOTTOMLINE help team post 42/1 in the bat- ting powerplay. spirited West Indian An electrifying throw by side produced an all- Deandra Dottin uprooted the round performance to stumps at the non-striker’s end outclass New Zealand forcing Devine head back to the byA six runs in the second semi- pavilion in the seventh over. Shane Warne blasts Australia fi nal at the Wankhede Stadium New Zealand suff ered yet an- here yesterday to enter the fi nal other blow in the same over as of the women’s World Twenty20 skipper and in-form batswoman cricket tournament. Suzie was caught by Shaquana Batting fi rst, riding on Britney Quintyne off the bowling of Afy selectors for latest T20 failure Cooper’s quickfi re 48-ball 61, Fletcher to have the team strug- Reuters much rather than sticking with “It upset the balance of the the West Indies posted a com- gling at 49/3. Sydney what’s been a proven formula,” team,” he said. “Those two guys petitive 143/6 in 20 overs. Next up, two new batswomen the 46-year-old told cricket. had been batting together for a In reply, New Zealand were Amy Satterthwaite and Sara com.au. yesterday. long time. They have done well never in control of the game as McGlashan made the best use ustralian spin great “Because we had so much in Twenty20, they’ve done well they lost wickets at regular in- of the batting friendly wicket to Shane Warne (right) talent in our team and so much in one-day cricket. Suddenly tervals and could manage only notch up 50-run partnership for has blamed his coun- skill, they thought ‘it doesn’t they got split up. 137/8 in their 20 overs. the fourth wicket in just 48 balls try’s latest World matter what the combinations “That Finch-Warner part- Stafanie Taylor (3-26), to help the team bring up 100 in Twenty20A failure on selectors, are we’re still going to do OK’.” nership, it’s an intimidatory Shaquana Quintyne (1-11), Afy 15th over. criticising the decision to tinker Shane Watson started ahead factor before a ball was bowled Fletcher (1-20) and Shamilia But two wickets of Satter- with the lineup and not playing of Finch in the opening loss and people would have worried Connell (1-22) were the pick of thwaite and McGlashan off suc- Aaron Finch and John Hastings to New Zealand and win over about Finch and Warner.” the bowlers for the West Indies. cessive balls in the 17th over in matches. Bangladesh, but the former Warne said he also thought The West Indies women will proved costly for New Zealand Australia were knocked out in skipper returned to open with Hastings should have started now take on Australia eves (who as wickets tumbled from there pool play after losing to India on Usman Khawaja for the win over ahead of seamer Josh Hazle- earlier defeated England in the on to hand over the game to the Sunday after a brilliant unbeaten Pakistan and India defeat with wood, who took one wicket for a fi rst semi-fi nal) in the summit West Indies. knock of 82 by the ICC’s top- Warner coming in at three. combined 64 runs in the match- clash of the tournament at the Brief scores: West Indies Wom- ranked Twenty20 batsman Virat Warne, who took 708 test es against India and Pakistan. Eden Gardens on April 3. en 143/6 in 20 overs (Britney Kohli secured a famous victory wickets with his leg-spin and “Hastings is a better option in Chasing a challenging tar- Cooper 61; Sophie Devine 4-22, by the hosts in Mohali. another 70 in Twenty20 inter- a Twenty20 game because of his get of 143, New Zealand got off Morna Nielsen 1-14) vs New Zea- Finch, ranked second on the list, nationals, could not understand yorkers,” he said. to a disappointing start as West land Women 137/8 in 20 overs had formed a destructive partner- why Australia had split up an “He’s just about the best we Indies pacer Shamilia Connell (Sara McGlashan 38; Stafanie ship with David Warner, accord- opening pair that had helped have. We were one-dimen- cleaned up opener Rachel Priest Taylor 3-26, Shaquana Quintyne ing to Warne, but the duo did not India as Australia’s wait for a fi rst “Our selection was wrong... win the 50-over World Cup on sional by not playing Hastings (6) in the second over. 1-11, Afy Fletcher 1-20, Shamilia open together in four matches in Twenty 20 title goes on. we messed around with it too home soil last year. all the time.” From there on, Sophie Devine Connell 1-22) Gulf Times Friday, April 1, 2016 5 SPORT

TENNIS BOXING Roach keen as Djokovic braves Pacquiao mulls Olympic bid

AFP cussed the prospect of fi ghting in Los Angeles Rio with Pacquiao—and revealed back spasms to he had even off ered to work for free. eteran trainer Fred- “If they let him in the Olym- die Roach has vowed to pics I told him I’d train him,” back Manny Pacquiao Roach said. “He said ‘You know if the boxer decides to there’s no pay for that right?’ I Vtake advantage of rule changes said ‘No problem!’. which could see professional “If Manny wants to go to the reach Miami semis fi ghters allowed to take part in Olympics and get his country a this summer’s Olympics. gold medal I’d be behind that. Djokovic, trying to match Andre Agassi’s record of six Miami titles with his third in a row, Pacquiao said yesterday he is Pro athletes compete in other yet to decide on whether he will sports at the Olympics, so why will play Belgian 15th seed David Goff in today for a berth in Sunday’s final pursue a spot in the Philippines not? Olympic team, appearing to pull “I don’t agree with it but that’s back from an earlier statement to the way life is.” AFP in which he said he would be Roach meanwhile dismissed honoured to fi ght in Rio. concerns that allowing profes- “I’m not saying a yes or a no,” sionals to fi ght against untested Pacquiao told reporters. “I’m not amateurs could be risky. closing the door. I have to think “What’s dangerous about it? A about it and I’m still thinking three-round fi ght or a 12-round about it. It’s good to let profes- fi ght? It’s still boxing. People talk sionals in the Olympics.” about the diff erence between The eight-time world cham- pros and amateurs. But good pros pion said earlier this month he come from the amateurs,” Roach had been “personally invited” to said. Rio by Wu Ching-Kuo, president However Roach’s view was of the International Boxing As- not shared by Pacquiao’s vet- sociation (AIBA) -- the govern- eran promoter Bob Arum, who ing body for amateur boxing. branded the AIBA’s proposals as Proposed changes to AIBA “insane”. statutes, set to be put to a vote at “I think the idea of profes- a special congress of AIBA con- sional boxers in the Olympics the federations at the end of May, way it’s been proposed is insane,” could leave Olympic eligibility in Arum, 84, told AFP. the hands of the national boxing “You can’t have top profes- federations. sional fi ghters competing in the Pacquiao, who is preparing for Olympics against raw amateurs. what is being billed as his fare- To mix them up is wrong. well fi ght against Timothy Bra- “People say ‘Well in other dley in Las Vegas on April 9, is sports we allow professionals to planning to transition into Phil- compete in the Olympics.’ But ippines politics when he hangs boxing is not other sports. It’s a up his gloves. hurt sport. It’s dangerous. However the prospect of be- “To put an unheralded kid coming his nation’s fi rst ever from Nigeria in the ring with a Novak Djokovic of Serbia hits a backhand Olympic gold med- Manny Pac- against Tomas Berdych of the Czech allist is likely to be quiao? You Republic during Day 10 of the Miami a powerful lure should be Open at Crandon Park Tennis Center in for the 37-year- sentenced Miami on Wednesday. old. to jail for The Phil- doing ippines has something won a total like that. of nine bronze “I don’t think the and silver medals AIBA has thought this at the Olympics since through. And to do it at the 1928 games in Am- the last minute like this is sterdam, fi ve of them in terrible. The Olympics are AFP and I was able to fi nish the match.” Berdych surrendered a break to open semi-fi nals, downing US 22nd seed Mad- boxing. a few months away. I don’t Miami Asked if he had any worries the spasms the second set but Djokovic fi rst reached ison Keys 6-3, 6-2. Roach told AFP on know what they’re think- might become a long-term issue, Djoko- for his lower back in the next game but The German second seed, the last Wednesday he had dis- ing.” vic said: “No concerns. None at all.” held and broke again to end the match. of the top 12 remaining, is 1-6 lifetime op-ranked defending champion On the women’s side, reigning Austral- “Overall, this is the best match I’ve against Azarenka, but won their most Novak Djokovic withstood back ian Open champion Angelique Kerber, played in the tournament,” Djokovic said. recent meeting in the Australian Open SETBACK spasms throughout the second the second seed from Germany, and two- “I feel better than I did last year at the quarter-fi nals on the way to the title. set Wednesday to defeat Tomas time Australian Open champion Victoria same stage. I’m hoping I can keep the “We have played some really tough BerdychT 6-3, 6-3 and reach the ATP and Azarenka of Belarus advanced to a Thurs- same trajectory.” matches,” Kerber said. “I know I have to WTA Miami Open semi-fi nals. day semi-fi nal showdown. Djokovic won his 11th Grand Slam title play my best tennis against her. I will be Indian star Kom Djokovic, trying to match Andre Agas- Both have fi nals wins over top-ranked two months ago at the Australian Open ready.” si’s record of six Miami titles with his Serena Williams this year, Kerber at the and also has crowns this year at Indian Eighth-ranked Azarenka, who won the third in a row, will play Belgian 15th seed Australian Open and Azarenka at Indian Wells and Doha. 2009 and 2011 Miami titles, will jump to misses Rio chance David Goffi n on Friday for a berth in Sun- Wells. Goffi n matched his semi-fi nal run from fi fth in the world next week. day’s fi nal. Berdych lost his 10th consecutive Indian Wells by downing French 18th seed Azarenka could become only the third The 28-year-old Serbian won his 14th match to Djokovic, whose domination Gilles Simon 3-6, 6-2, 6-1. woman to win back-to-back in Miami AFP local hero with chants of “Jia consecutive match at the hardcourt event of their career rivalry reached 23-2. Ber- “Feeling great,” Goffi n said. “Confi dent humidity and Indian Wells desert heat af- New Delhi you!”, which literally trans- and his 28th out of 29, but needed a gritty dych’s last victory over Djokovic was in a for the rest of the week and the season.” ter Steffi Graf in 1994 and 1996 and Kim lates as “Add oil!” but roughly performance after back pain began early 2013 Rome quarter-fi nal. But he is 0-3 against Djokovic, losing in Clijsters in 2005. means: “You can do it!” in the second set, prompting him to have “If you have that many head-to-head, the 2013 French Open fi rst round and at “If I win, that’s great,” Azarenka said. ndia’s five-time world box- Kom struggled to connect, massage therapy before serving in the it can help, but not substantially,” Djoko- Cincinnati in 2013 and 2015. “But right now I’m looking to the semis.” ing champion and sporting falling briefly to her knees at sixth game. vic said. “He’s going to be very dangerous but I Two-time Grand Slam champion Svet- emblem Mary Kom lost to one point in the fourth round, “Due to windy conditions on the court, Djokovic blasted a crosscourt forehand like my chances,” Djokovic said. lana Kuznetsova meets Swiss 19th seed Ren Cancan of China yes- but will have two more chances it was hard to fi nd a good rhythm to serve,” winner to break Berdych for a 3-1 lead and Former world number one Azarenka Timea Bacsinszky in the other semi-fi nal. terday,I missing a key chance to to qualify for Rio at the world Djokovic said. “I had a little bit of a spasm held from there to claim the fi rst set, in defeated British 24th seed Johanna Konta The 30-year-old Russian has won both qualify for the Rio 2016 Olym- championships in May and in in the back but (the trainer) did a great job which the Czech had 21 unforced errors. 6-4, 6-2 while Kerber cruised into the their previous meetings. pic games. a competition in Azerbaijan in Ren—three times a world June. champion herself—won a The 33-year-old, a star in In- GOLF unanimous decision from the dia, was the subject of a 2014 judges in their women’s fly- Bollywood biopic and won gold weight semi-final at the Asia in that year’s Asian Games in Oceania Olympic qualifying South Korea. tournament on home turf in She beat the world silver Qian’an. medallist Nesthy Petecio of the Women finalists at the event Philippines to reach the semi- Ko in top form heading into get a place in the Olympic tour- finals of the Qian’an tourna- nament whether they win or ment. Ren, 29, won silver at the lose, so Thursday’s victory se- London 2012 Games, the first cured Ren’s ticket to Rio. time women’s boxing appeared fi rst major of 2016 Chinese fans cheered on the in the Olympics.

AFP Thongchai sets sights on becoming an old Master in September with a victory at Los Angeles the Evian Championship, break- AFP, Singapore: Evergreen Thongchai Jaidee be- ously, I would just be looking at making the cut. ing Morgan Pressel’s record as the lieves he can conquer the game’s young tyros and “Now, my target is to win the tournament... not just youngest major winner. orld number one become Asia’s first US Masters winner at Augusta the Masters but in every tournament that I play in.” With that achievement out of Lydia Ko is riding next week—at the age of 46. Thongchai finished 37th and 55th the last two the way, Ko has a simple aim this high heading into All the talk before the year’s first Major, which years at Augusta and says he is now ready to make week at Rancho Mirage. this week’s fi rst ma- begins at Augusta National on April 7, has been the breakthrough, with his advancing years giving “I think my goal is to have my jorW of the year, but the New Zea- personal best fi nish at ANA,” said about 22-year-old defending champion Jordan him an edge in experience. land teenager says she’s under no Spieth, 28-year-old world number one Jason Day “Last year, I played good and this year I think I will Ko, whose best fi nish in the event pressure at the ANA Inspiration in and four-time Major winner Rory McIlroy, 26, the have more experience,” he said. was equal 25th in 2013, when she the California desert. world number three. “I know about the pin positions, I remember every was still an amateur. So far in 2016 Ko has yet to fi n- But the Thai is coming off his most successful hole at Augusta National. I know where to miss it “That’s a good start. I didn’t ish outside the top 15 in six global season in 2015, which saw him rise to a career-high and where you can’t miss it.” strike the ball very well last year, starts, defending her title in the 28th in the world. He also recognised the talent of the new breed so hopefully I’ll be able to hit a New Zealand Women’s Open in At more than double Spieth’s age, Thongchai says taking the world of golf by storm. few more fairways and give my- February on the Ladies European he’s not showing up merely to make up the num- “The new players are very, very good,” acknowl- self a good chance.” Ko knows Tour. bers—he wants to take the winner’s famous green edged Thongchai. “They have the right basics and a strong showing on the Dinah She notched her 11th LPGA ti- jacket from the twenty-something brigade. they have new technology to help them. Shore Tournament Course can set tle at the Kia Classic in Carlsbad, “Why not? For me I will try to win. I know it’s diff i- “These days, there are professional golfers at the a tone for the rest of a season that California, on Sunday. cult but you need to have targets,” said Thongchai age of 16 years old. When I look back at my own this year includes the added gloss But the 18-year-old hasn’t in an Asian Tour release issued yesterday. life, I sometimes joke and ask why was I born of golf’s return to the Olympics, fared especially well at this cham- “When I get there, my goal will be to win. Previ- early?” in Rio. “I can’t believe it’s already pionship in three prior appear- been six months since our last ances. major and I know I’m obviously She fi nished tied for 51st at was chasing Annika Sorenstam’s under par and speculation was break through for her fi rst major. really looking forward to this Mission Hills last year—when she record for consecutive rounds swirling as to when she would She eventually ticked that box week,” Ko said. Gulf Times 6 Friday, April 1, 2016 SPORT

NBA SPOTLIGHT Jackson quits aft er knees scupper Rio bid Warriors escape Reuters better but I wanted it to so badly. Sydney “I’m not going out the way I wanted to go and I didn’t want my career to be cut this short. ustralian basketball But I’m grateful that I got to great Lauren Jackson achieve what I did in this sport announced her retire- and all over the world, especially ment yesterday after with the Opals (Australia na- Jazz in OT, earn doctorsA said her battered knees tional team).” were not up to the rigours of Jackson, who helped the Opals contesting for a fi fth Olym- win the 2006 world champion- pic medal in Rio de Janeiro this ships, carried the Australian fl ag year. during the opening ceremony at The 34-year-old power for- the 2012 London Games, refl ect- ward, who won two Women’s ing her position as a leading light National Basketball Association for the sport. record 68th victory (WNBA) championships with The 196 cm (6ft-5in) New the Seattle Storm, suff ered a torn South Wales native was fi rst anterior cruciate ligament in De- called up to the Australian team ‘I love our competitive spirit, their incredible display of competition and fight night after night’ cember with her knee joint later when she was 16 and went on to becoming infected. become one of the greats of the Doctors told her last week she game. would not make the Aug. 5-21 She won three Most Valuable Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson (R) Games in Brazil and had advised Player Awards in her 12 seasons dribbles the ball in front of Utah Jazz guard Rodney her to undergo reconstruction in America and remains the only Hood during the second half at Vivint Smart Home surgery, meaning a 14th opera- foreigner to claim the prize. Arena. PICTURE: USA TODAY Sports tion on her knees and no chance She also played for clubs in of adding to her three Olympic Russia, China, Spain, South Ko- silvers and one bronze. rea and at home in a standout ca- “I think it was a bit of a shock reer. “For sure she’d be missed,” to hear that... but the writing Opals skipper Penny Taylor said was on the wall,” Jackson told earlier this week. reporters in Canberra on Thurs- “She is iconic for Australian day, fl anked by her international sport, let alone basketball. But team mates and coach. for basketball, not many, if any, “I knew it wasn’t going to get have done what she has done.”

Yao elected to Hall of Fame Former Houston Rockets center Yao Ming will be joining the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, multiple media outlets reported Wednesday. The announcement will come this weekend in Houston during the Final Four when the 2016 class is unveiled. The 7-foot-6 Yao played nine seasons in the NBA with the Houston Rockets after starting his career in Shanghai in the Chinese Basket- ball Association. He was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2002 NBA Draft. Foot and ankle injuries forced Yao to cut short his career in 2011, but he averaged 19.0 points, 9.2 rebounds and 1.9 blocked shots per game and was named to the NBA All-Star team eight times. Yao is considered responsible for basketball’s growth and popularity in his native China. A game featuring Yao and the Rockets against Yi Jianlian and the Milwaukee Bucks in 2007 in China drew 200m television viewers across the country in one of the most watched games in NBA history.

Contrite Russell issues apology you’re in for a fi ght,” Green said. (63-12) topped the 37-0 by the nearly blowing a 20-point third DPA RESULTS over Young fi lming incident Los Angeles “We’re not one to make excuses. 1995-96 Chicago Bulls during quarter lead. Zach Randolph We didn’t have it but we did their record 72-10 season. topped Memphis (41-34) with Los Angeles Lakers rookie point guard D’Angelo Russell admitted Toronto 105 Atlanta 97 enough to get the win.” •LA Clippers 99, Minne- 26 points. he felt “sick” during a public apology he issued on Wednesday for Denver 109 Memphis 105 he Golden State War- The defending NBA champi- sota Timberwolves 79: Chris •Toronto Raptors 105, At- secretly filming team mate Nick Young talking about women other Milwaukee 05 Phoenix 94 riors were pushed but ons need to win fi ve of their fi nal Paul had 20 points, 16 assists lanta Hawks 97: DeMar DeRo- than fiancé Iggy Azalea. LA Clippers 99 Minnesota 79 managed to pull out a seven games to break 1995-96 and eight rebounds, and the vis- zan scored 26 points, Kyle Low- The video shows Russell filming Young while asking questions Dallas 91 NY Knicks 89 victory and the run for Chicago Bulls’ all-time record iting Clippers (47-27) crushed ry had 17 with 11 assists, leading about being in relationships with other women. Young and Azalea, San Antonio 100 Orleans 92 Tthe record books continues. of 72-10. “We need to play every the Timberwolves (25-50) for the Raptors (50-24) to a fran- an Australian rapper, announced their engagement last June. Golden State 103 Utah 96 (OT) Reigning league MVP Stephen game like it’s our last,” Thomp- their fourth consecutive victory. chise-record 50th victory after It is unclear how the video became public but it has reportedly Sacramento 120 Washington 111 Curry scored six of his game- son said. “At the same time, we •Dallas Mavericks 91, clipping the visiting Hawks. Jeff caused a team-wide rift within the Lakers, who have had a woeful LA Lakers 102 Miami 100 (OT high 31 points in overtime, and can’t look at 72 or 73 wins, we New York Knicks 89: J.J. Ba- Teague had 18 points for Atlanta campaign and are mired at the bottom of the Western Conference the Warriors escaped with a need to live in the present.” rea scored 26 points, including (45-31), which had won its pre- standings with a 15-59 record. 102-96 victory over the feisty The Warriors trailed 82-74 and Rodney Hood added 20 for the go-ahead layup with 49.9 vious four games. “I’m as sick as possible. I wish I could make things better right Utah Jazz on Wednesday for a midway through the fourth the Jazz (37-38), which fell into a seconds left, and the Maver- •Sacramento Kings 120, away but I can’t,” Russell told reporters prior to Wednesday’s game franchise-record 68th win of the quarter but closed on a 15-7 seventh place tie with Houston icks (37-38) edged the visit- Washington Wizards 111: De- against the Miami Heat. season. “Nothing went our way run. Thompson’s 3-pointer, off and Dallas in the Western Con- ing Knicks. Carmelo Anthony Marcus Cousins had 29 points, “It wasn’t something for everyone else to see. (Nick and I ) talked a for most of the night but they a Shaun Livingston rebound ference play-off race. “Our guys scored 31 points for New York 10 rebounds, fi ve steals and little bit. I let him know my apologies. I don’t know if they were ac- kept fi ghting and that’s why they squared it at 89-apiece with competed their butts off ,” Jazz (30-50), which lost Spanish four blocks, and the Kings (30- cepted. That was an incident of playing too much goes wrong.” have this incredible record,” 15 seconds left. The Jazz had a coach Quin Snyder said. “We guard Jose Calderon to a quad 45) dropped the visiting Wiz- Sources told ESPN that some team mates had lost trust in Russell Warriors coach Steve Kerr said chance to win it in regulation played so hard and played well. injury in the fi rst half. ards (36-39) three-and-a-half due to the incident and that it helped contribute to a 48-point loss of the league-best 68-7 mark. “I but Green blocked Mack’s shot. Give them credit. We gave them •Milwaukee Bucks 105, games out of the fi nal play-off to the Utah Jazz on Monday, the worst in franchise history. love our competitive spirit, their “Klay hit the big shot to get a second shot at it, and Klay Phoenix Suns 94: Khris Mid- berth in the Eastern Conference. Young, 30, has not played in 10 games but also spoke on the incredible display of competi- us to overtime and Draymond Thompson knocks it down.” dleton scored nine of his 26 •LA Lakers 102, Miami incident on Wednesday. “Me and D’Angelo handled the situation tion and fi ght night after night.” made a great defensive stop,” Elsewhere: points with 7 ½ minutes left, Heat 100: Julius Randle’s short we have in a private matter. I think it’s something we really do need Klay Thompson tossed in 18 Kerr said. Knotted at 93-apiece, •San Antonio Spurs 100, and the Bucks (31-44) snapped tie-breaking hook shot with 1.9 to sit down and talk about,” Young said. “That’s about it. What hap- points, Harrison Barnes had 15 Curry took over in overtime, New Orleans Pelicans 92: a fi ve-game slide after shading seconds left in overtime lifted pened is what happened. We gotta work on it.” while Draymond Greeen fi n- with six quick points, giving the Argentine Manu Ginobili scored the visiting Suns (20-55). the lowly Lakers past the visiting Russell, 20, the Lakers’ second overall draft pick, has come on late in ished with 13 for the Warriors, Warriors a 99-93 lead. After 20 points, and the Spurs won an •Denver Nuggets 109, Heat. Jordan Clarkson led the the season and is averaging 13.1 points and 3.4 assists. who outscored their guests 14-7 forcing Gordon Hayward into NBA-record 38th straight home Memphis Grizzlies 105: Lakers (16-59) with 26 points. The franchise is hoping Russell can become their focus when Kobe in the extra session for their 13th a turnover, Curry assisted on game to start a season after Will Barton scored 25 points Dwyane Wade topped Miami Bryant retires at the end of this season but the latest incident has win in the last 14 games. “Com- Green’s thunderous dunk to seal beating the injury-decimated and the visiting Nuggets (32- (43-31) also with a game-high raised questions about his maturity. ing into this building you know the win. Hayward had 21 points, Pelicans (27-47). San Antonio 44) held off the Grizzlies after 26.

FOCUS Mastering English is a step forward for Magic’s players

By Josh Robbins from videogames, from American mu- the start of his college career at South- Orlando Sentinel Evan Fournier (left ) and Nikola Vucevic sic and from playing alongside Ameri- ern Cal. (right) have mastered English, and Fournier’s cans in Barcelona. So he understands why Fournier comfort with the language has helped him Hezonja’s command of the lan- sometimes has been reluctant to be n a pair of recent games, Evan become more of a leader. guage has improved over the last nine vocal. Fournier did something he months, and he said he has no trouble “In a game, you’ve got to talk fast would’ve been reluctant to do last around town understanding people. and you’ve got to be loud,” Vucevic season and perhaps even a few Even now, though, he has room to said. “You’ve just got to get comfort- Imonths ago. improve. able with the language and everything. Against Miami, he gathered his Or- “In my English, I still stop some Sometimes it takes time, and it can lando Magic teammates for an on- ways, sometimes, because I’m trying kind of be a mental hurdle. You just court huddle, spoke in an urgent tone to fi nd a word,” Hezonja said. “That’s don’t feel as comfortable expressing and exhorted everyone to withstand a not my language. So sometimes it’s yourself.” Miami Heat run. Versus Chicago the hard. But the more that I talk to them, English is no problem for Vucevic next night, he did something similar it’s getting proper.” now. And Fournier’s English is better on the Magic bench during a timeout. Hezonja’s eagerness to learn English than perhaps Fournier realizes. Fournier has been willing to accept has helped endear him to the Magic. On Saturday, after the Bulls whittled a leadership role, but until recently, he As his ability to speak the language has down an 18-point halftime lead to nine felt a barrier to being vocal. Because improved, he’s started to kid around points midway through the third quar- he grew up in France, he didn’t start to with his teammates. ter, he felt compelled to say something learn English until the Denver Nuggets The funnier the joke, the more after his coach called a timeout. drafted him in 2012. When he wants to quickly he talks. “I was just really upset and let the say something to teammates during a Several other Magic players can re- English remains the dominant lan- Ersan Ilyasova, who is from Turkey, “He just gets going,” center Dewayne guys know,” Fournier said. “No hard game, he occasionally struggles to fi nd late to what Fournier has experienced guage inside the Magic locker room, speaks English, but he can also speak Dedmon said. “You don’t know what feelings at all. It’s a part of being com- the precise English words. And when with the language. The team, like the but it’s not the only language. some Spanish and Catalan with He- he’s talking about. You just smile and petitive. Everybody was OK.” he fi nally conjures the correct phrases, rest of the NBA, has evolved into a Fournier and Nikola Vucevic, a dual zonja since they spent their early parts nod _ that’s a nice thing to do.” His teammates understood him per- the proper time to say something occa- melting pot of diff erent cultures. On citizen of Montenegro and Belgium, of their careers playing for FC Barce- Vucevic knew only a smattering of fectly. One by one, they chimed in, too. sionally has elapsed. the opening night of this season, NBA often talk to each other in French. lona in Spain. English when he moved to the U.S. in The Magic extended their lead to 18 “It happens sometimes,” Fournier rosters featured a total of 100 interna- Rookie Mario Hezonja of Croatia can Hezonja knew enough English to get 2007, at the age of 16, to spend his sen- points within a few minutes. said. “I’ll want to [say] some stuff , but tional players from 37 countries and speak to Vucevic in the languages of by when the Magic drafted him in June. ior year of high school in Simi Valley, Learning English, and feeling more it’s too complicated.” territories. their Eastern European countries. And He already had learned some English Calif. He was hesitant to speak even at comfortable with it, has its benefi ts. Gulf Times Friday, April 1, 2016 7 SPORT

FOCUS Who bears responsibility for Red Wings’ woes?

By Helene St James Better to fi gure out a way to berg has scored once the last 19 Detroit Free Press win some games than count on games. Brad Richards has one others to lose as an avenue to the goal the last nine games. playoff s. A bright spot this past stretch fter their latest disap- March saw the Wings lose eight has been the power play, which pointing game, one De- of 14 games, repeatedly learning contributed three goals at Mon- troit Red Wings player a lesson about how much it hurts treal in converting for a sixth off ered that they just when they don’t play well de- straight game. The diff erence ranA out of time to make some- fensively. Petr Mrazek buff ered between now and the fi rst fi ve thing happen. the pain earlier in the season, months of the season, said Defenseman Mike Green but now the goaltender has been both Zetterberg and coach Jeff might as well have referred to the pulled two consecutive starts Blashill, is delivering pucks and Wings’ situation overall. and fi ve times since mid-Febru- bodies to the net. If they’d have Their next game, Friday at ary. Jimmy Howard should get done more of this earlier in the home against the Minnesota the start Friday and, if he plays season, the Wings would likely Wild, marks fi ve games and well, may play again Saturday at have a few more victories and counting to the end of the regu- Toronto, though that’s uncom- wouldn’t be on the outside of the lar season. The best thing that mon in back-to-back situations playoff picture as the last week of happened to the Wings as they that involve travel. the regular season approaches. lost Tuesday at Montreal (they There’s responsibility to go The Wings did nearly pull off took Wednesday off , common around the locker room twice, a rally in Montreal, using their practice after playing twice in though. The defensemen haven’t power play to turn a 2-0 defi cit two days) was that the Boston been good enough in their own into a 3-2 lead before the Cana- Bruins lost, too. zone, nor active enough of- diens fought back to win, 4-3. The Wings didn’t gain any fensively. Among the forwards, Carry over the momentum that ground in the Eastern Confer- Gustav Nyquist’s goal in Mon- saw the Wings outshoot the Ca- ence playoff race, but they didn’t treal was his fi rst in 12 games, nadiens, 34-19 over the last two lose any, either, remaining one and only his fourth in the last 33. periods, shore up defensively, point behind the third-place Tomas Tatar has four goals the and there’s time yet to make a Bruins in the Atlantic Division. last 24 games. Henrik Zetter- playoff date. Detroit Red Wings’s Riley Sheahan (15) celebrates his goal against the Buff alo Sabres.

NHL BASEBALL Royals’ Kennedy exits last spring Flyers get standings outing early because of boost aft er defeating hamstring issue By Rustin Dodd The Kansas City Star

he sight was ominous. The reasoning was simply precautionary. Starter Ian Kennedy walked off the mound ear- Capitals in shootout ly Wednesday after throwing just three innings Tand 43 pitches in his fi nal outing of the spring. The offi cial reason was listed as hamstring tightness. Kennedy said he ‘It’s better. The foot isn’t a problem. It doesn’t hurt anymore. I’ve got no more excuses’ expects to make his fi rst start of the season Tuesday, when the Royals play the New York Mets at 3:15 p.m. at Kauff - man Stadium. “We were going to be cautious with it,” Kennedy said. “It’s just a spring training game. I know our goal is to start on Tuesday.” As the Royals lost 5-1 to Texas in their fi nal game at Surprise Stadium, Kennedy allowed two earned runs in three innings before the hamstring ailment surfaced near the end of the third. Kennedy landed awkwardly on his left foot during his second-to-last pitch. For a moment, he said it felt like a cramp. He returned to warm up before the bottom of the fourth. But after experiencing some minor discomfort, the Roy- als’ training staff opted to shut him down. Kennedy was only slated to pitch four innings. Instead, he walked back to the dugout with trainer Nick Kenney. “I just felt like it was cramping up, and I just wanted to be careful,” Kennedy said. “And Ned (Yost) was just like: ‘You’ve only got one more inning anyway.’ So that was the plan. Just to be cautious.” Kennedy joked that he may have drunk too much cof- fee. But he had a reason to be concerned: A year ago, he strained a hamstring in his season-opening start for the San Diego Padres. The injury forced him to the disabled list. It lingered for much of the fi rst half, limiting his ef- fectiveness. When the Royals signed Kennedy to a fi ve-year, $70 million contract in the off season, they inspected the health of his hamstring. Kennedy passed the tests. He said he’s experienced no recurring issues. Even on Wednesday, he said the discomfort felt diff erent. “I’ve had the hamstring before, and it doesn’t feel like” it did Wednesday, Kennedy said. “Not even close to what I did before. So that’s good. (We’re) just trying to be careful with it, more than anything.” The injury marked the only tangible drama in the Roy- als’ fi nal offi cial game of the Cactus League. The club will have a day off Thursday before fi nishing its spring with a two-game set Friday and Saturday against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field in Phoenix. Most of the regulars will return to Kansas City by Saturday morning, preparing for opening night against the New York Mets on Sunday. Edinson Volquez is set to start the opener, while Kennedy is slotted to take the mound in the second game of the series. On Wednesday, Royals manager Yost said he Goalie Steve Mason (No 35) and Pierre-Edouard Bellemare (No 78) of the Philadelphia Flyers celebrate after defeating the Washington Capitals at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, did not envision having to shuffl e his rotation to protect Pennsylvania. The Philadelphia Flyers won in a shootout. (AFP) Kennedy. “We’re going to see where he’s at,” Yost said. “We’ve By Sam Carchidi the team’s top power-play unit since Feb. 29. It was Ovechkin’s 44th goal _ and 31st in Holtby, an All-Star selection this season, got 48 hours to make a decision, if we want to adjust The Philadelphia Inquirer Schenn has 11 goals in his last 24 games. 41 career games against the Flyers. made 13 fi rst-periods saves, while Mason (Yordano) Ventura’s load or Chris Young’s _ whatever Giroux’s assist gave him 515 points, putting Both teams had great scoring chances had 11 stops. we want to do. But we’re going to wait tomorrow and see him ahead of Reggie Leach for 12th place on in the second period. A minute into the Since returning from a foot injury, right where we’re at.” he Flyers’ road to the playoff s got a the team’s all-time list. period, Brayden Schenn was in alone but winger Voracek had just two points in six The Royals have the luxury of three days off during the little smoother Wednesday night at The Flyers have six games left, including was stopped by Holtby. Two minutes later, games entering Wednesday. But he was in fi rst week. If Kennedy needed more rest, the Royals could the electric Wells Fargo Center. Wednesday’s showdown in Detroit. Holtby denied Matt Read from point-blank the middle of a handful of scoring chances slide Ventura or possibly Young into Tuesday’s start and They shocked powerful Washing- With Washington on a power play be- range. in the opening period. push back Kennedy to at least April 8. Young is scheduled Tton in a shootout, 2-1, and moved two points cause of a Wayne Simmonds tripping pen- With 15:30 to go in the second, Ovechkin “It’s better. The foot isn’t a problem. It to start Friday in Phoenix before returning for the fourth ahead of idle Detroit in the battle for the alty, Nicklas Backstrom fi red a shot off the had Mason beaten, but his right-circle shot doesn’t hurt anymore,” Voracek said before game of the season April 9. Ventura will pitch Saturday Eastern Conference’s last wild-card spot. left post with 3:57 remaining in overtime. bounced off the left post. the game. “I’ve got no more excuses.” and make his regular-season debut April 8. Steve Mason made 29 saves and stopped The Flyers survived the penalty. The Flyers had eight of the second-peri- Added Voracek: “I expect to be a diff er- For now, the Royals do not think a change will be neces- both shots in the shootout. The Flyers are With 1:06 to go in overtime, Holtby od’s fi rst nine shots, including one by Cous- ence-maker tonight and down the stretch.” sary. Neither does Kennedy, who struck out four Rangers now 3-8 in shootouts, while the Capitals are stopped an all-alone Shayne Gostsibehere ins that Holtby turned aside from the paint. He had fi ve fi rst-period shots, but Holtby on Wednesday. He fi nished the Cactus League with a 6.30 4-2. after some great passing by Giroux and Jake Midway through the second, Jake Voracek had all the answers. ERA. Nick Cousins and Sam Gagner scored on Voracek. fed an all-alone Michael Raffl in front, but Washington clinched the league’s highest The results followed his spring theme. For most of the Flyers’ only shots in the shootout. The Flyers had not allowed a power play Holtby again made a big stop. point total on Monday, but the Capitals said March, Kennedy has been plagued by inconsistent fast- In a game that had a playoff feel, the Fly- in about 129 minutes, but Washington con- The Flyers failed to connect during the they wanted to remain sharp heading into ball command and a propensity to give up homers. The ers’ fi rst power-play unit picked an oppor- nected when Brandon Manning went to the only power play in the fi rst period. Holtby the playoff s and that Wednesday’s game was latter can be blamed, in part, on the hitter-friendly con- tune time to score its fi rst goal in more than box for hooking. made three saves during the power play, important because the Flyers could be their ditions of the Cactus League. The former will need to be a month. The penalty occurred late in the second including a nice stop on Wayne Simmonds fi rst-round opponent. sharper in the coming weeks. For now, Kennedy is focus- Brayden Schenn redirected Claude Gir- period and carried into the third, and Alex from the slot. RESULTS ing on making his start Tuesday. oux’s drive past goalie Braden Holtby with Ovechkin scored on a left-circle tracer with The Flyers’ fi rst power-play unit has not Ottawa 2 Winnipeg 1 “I’m still going to approach it that way,” Kennedy said. 5 minutes, 28 seconds left to tie the score at 18:32 left in regulation. Just eight seconds scored since Feb. 29 in a 5-3 win over Cal- Philadelphia 2 Washington 1 (SO) “I’ve got the day off (Thursday). I’ve got an extra day’s 1. It was Schenn’s 25th goal, and the fi rst for remained on Manning’s penalty. gary. Anaheim 8 Calgary 3 rest, so that’s good.”

Friday, April 1, 2016 GULF TIMES SPORT

FORMULA ONE FOCUS Mercedes eye Ferrari challenge in Alonso ruled out Bahrain, qualifying issues await

DPA end a four-race losing streak to of Bahrain race Sakhir, Bahrain team-mate Rosberg dating back to last season. Hamilton has won the last two ercedes managed a fl oodlit grands prix around the one-two through 5.412-kilometre track in Sakhir Nico Rosberg and but Rosberg, chasing his maiden Lewis Hamilton in world title, is currently the man Mthe Formula One season-opener in form. with broken ribs but both drivers are expecting a “We’ve stepped up our game strong challenge from Ferrari at once again with a fantastic car,” Sunday’s Bahrain Grand Prix. he said. “But Ferrari were a real The Spaniard’s absence from the second race of the season paves the way for the And the sport is prepared for threat all weekend in Melbourne further controversy regard- and it’s clear that we’ve got a big team’s Belgian reserve Stoff el Vandoorne to make his race debut ing the qualifying system which battle on our hands, so we have to ended in an empty-track farce keep pushing very hard. when it was fi rst presented to the “It was great to win the fi rst public two weeks ago. race - but the aim is to come out “I’m excited at the thought of on top at every step of the way more races like Melbourne (in the this season, starting this week- Australian Grand Prix),” world end. There’s a long way to go.” champion Lewis Hamilton said. Vettel fi nished third in Aus- “There are going to be week- tralia but is aware mere podium ends where we’re a few seconds fi nishes will not suffi ce in his up the road from Ferrari, races bid to become fi ve-time world where it’s wheel to wheel and champion and secure a fi rst title races where they might be ahead. with Ferrari. We really don’t know - and that’s “Step for step we’re trying to exciting.” close the gap,” Vettel, who won In addition to the threat from in Bahrain 2012 and 2013, said. the Italian team’s Sebastian Vet- “Last year we were quite strong, tel, Hamilton is also looking to the car this year is stronger still.”

SWIMMING More doping tests or less viewers, world champion warns

Reuters going to ruin the sport otherwise. London Olympic champions shouldn’t be someone who has cheated to get there.” wimming authori- The 21-year-old, preparing for McLaren HondaF1 team Driver Fernando ties need to increase the Olympic trials next month, said Alonso speaks to journalists at the Sakhir circuit number of doping tests to he could become a victim of asso- in Manama ahead of the Bahrain Formula One preserve the sport’s cred- ciation if he was successful at the Sibility and stop fans turning away, Aug. 5-21 Rio de Janeiro Games. Grand Prix. Alonso will not take part in this weekend’s Grand Prix in Bahrain for medical according to Britain’s triple world “It’s ruining the reputation of reasons following his dramatic, death-defying champion and double world all sports,” he said. “If it happens crash at the Australian GP. record holder Adam Peaty. any more people are going to be The World Anti-Doping looking on TV and saying, ‘he’s a Agency (WADA) is investigating cheat’. allegations of Russian state dop- “If I win Olympic gold and ing and an alleged cover up of people look at me as a cheat be- positive tests in China that have cause I’ve won, it’s hugely dis- rocked the sport. respectful.” Russian sport was China, who issued warning thrown into turmoil last year penalties to two swimmers on when a WADA report exposed Monday who failed tests, and endemic cheating and corruption Reuters He said he had undergone scans in Spain The Honda-powered team said the Bel- McLaren revealed this week that the Russia have denied cover up in Russian athletics, resulting Manama last week that had revealed a ‘small pneu- gian would be at the Bahrain circuit on Fri- impact in the fl ying crash had been suffi - claims. in the country being suspended mothorax’ on the lung as well as rib frac- day, in time for fi rst practice with Alonso cient to crack Alonso’s moulded seat, al- Peaty, the 50 and 100 metre from international competition. tures. staying on to lend his support. though they played down the signifi cance breaststroke world record holder Russia’s track and fi eld team cLaren’s Fernando Alonso was “Because of that...with the G-forces Alonso’s crash in Melbourne, after col- of that. who won three golds at last year’s could miss the Olympics if the ruled out of the Bahrain Grand (there is a risk) that the fracture could liding with Mexican Esteban Gutierrez’s “The fact that the seat cracked but was world championships in Russia, country fails to overturn the ban Prix yesterday after revealing move into the lung,” he explained. Haas in the March 20 season opener, pro- not broken means it did its job well,” a said testing needed to be weekly but Peaty was against blam- he had broken ribs and suf- The governing International Automo- vided a moment of high drama with the spokesman said. “It fl exed helpfully, as it to prove the sport was clean. ing entire nations for the alleged feredM a lung injury in a crash in Formula bile Federation (FIA) said a repeat chest race red-fl agged before an eventual re- was designed to do, and it effi ciently ab- “I know testing week-on-week swimming problems. One’s Australian season-opener on March scan had been requested before the Chi- start. sorbed a lot of the energy of the accident.” is expensive, but what is more ex- “Hopefully I’ll line up against 20. nese Grand Prix and the results would be The Spaniard, a double world champi- Former champions McLaren, who have pensive is swimmers coming out Russians and they will be as hard The Spaniard’s absence from the second analysed before allowing him to race there. on, was fortunate to escape serious injury, not won a race since 2012, are fi ghting back as cheats and then people not working as I am - that’s the way it race of the season paves the way for the “It’s not 100 percent,” Alonso said of his climbing out of his wrecked car without from their worst ever season and appeared watching,” he was quoted as say- should be,” he said. team’s Belgian reserve Stoff el Vandoorne chances of competing in the third round of assistance and released from the medical to be more competitive in Australia despite ing by British media. “I’ve just “If you line up against a doper, to make his race debut. the 21 race season in Shanghai on April 17. centre after precautionary checks. failing to score points. been tested three times in the no matter from what country, Alonso told reporters at the Sakhir cir- Vandoorne, last year’s GP2 champion and Alonso had been due to race in Bahrain Alonso had missed last year’s Australian past few weeks and that’s how it it’s wrong. But I’m not going to cuit that he had done all he could to be in a a rising star in the sport, is McLaren’s offi - with a new chassis and replacement power Grand Prix after a heavy crash in pre-sea- should be. blame a whole country. In my condition to race on Sunday, but respected cial stand-in and was fl ying back from Japan unit after Honda said there was little to son testing in Barcelona left him suff ering “I hope they catch the cheats eyes that’s wrong because there the doctors’ decision. where he is racing in a domestic series. salvage. from concussion. before the Olympics because it’s are hard-working people.

HORSE RACING

Jockey Yanis Aouabed rides Moaddie to victory in the Ras Laff an Cup at the QREC yesterday. At right, Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club general manager Nasser Sherida al-Kaabi with the winners of the Ras Laff an Cup at the QREC yesterday. Jockey Yanis Aouabed and Moaddie raced to their third straight win this season, winning the 1900m Ras Laff an Cup on the dirt at QREC. The Footstepsinthesand progeny, owned by Ahmed Hassan al-Malki al-Jehani, beat younger brother Footprintinthesand, owned by Mohamed Kazim al-Ansari & Sons, for the third straight outing. PICTURES: Juhaim