16 SPORT FRIDAY 17 MAY 2019

Brook Lopez (11) of the Milwaukee Bucks blocks a shot attempt by Kawhi Leonard of the Lopez to rescue as Bucks Toronto Raptors in the fourth quarter in Game One of the Eastern Conference Finals of the 2019 NBA Play-offs at the Fiserv down Raptors in opener Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on Wednesday.

AFP grinding, which is what we’ve manufacture a couple of things. LOS ANGELES NBA Result been doing all season long,” “And several times in the Result of NBA Eastern Lopez added. fourth quarter he was out there Brook Lopez scored 29 points as Conference finals playoff “We’ve learned never to making big-time plays -- blocks, the Milwaukee Bucks staged a game on Wednesday (best hang our heads, never give up, rebounds, contests. Certainly in late rally to defeat the Toronto of seven): and we haven’t all season. They a big moment, that was a great Raptors 108-100 in the opening Toronto Raptors 100 hit us, but we stuck with it and Brook Lopez tonight.” game of their NBA Eastern Milwaukee Bucks 108 stuck together as a team.” The Raptors meanwhile will Conference finals clash on (Milwaukee lead series 1-0) Lopez was backed by 24 take positives from the form of Wednesday. points from Giannis Antetok- Kawhi Leonard, who once again Lopez helped spark a run of ounmpo, who also hauled down looked poised to single-handedly 10 unanswered points in the final three-pointer from the towering 14 rebounds with six assists. drag Toronto over the line. three minutes as the Bucks 31-year-old took Milwaukee four Khris Middleton had 11 points Leonard finished with 31 fought back from 100-98 down points clear. with 11 rebounds while Malcolm points, nine rebounds and two to claim a crucial victory in front Two free throws apiece from Brogdon delivered a vital 15 assists while point guard Kyle of their home fans at the Fiserv Eric Bledsoe and Khris Middleton points from the bench. Lowry was similarly impressive Forum. completed the scoring as the Bucks coach Mike Buden- with 30 points and eight Two free throws from Kawhi Bucks pulled away to win. holzer praised the overall con- rebounds. Leonard had nudged Toronto “It was a complete team tribution of the team but singled Pascal Siakam added 15 into a 100-98 lead as the clock effort,” said Lopez, who finished out Lopez for special praise. points while Marc Gasol wound down on a pulsating with 11 rebounds and two assists. “Big game from Brook on delivered another impressive opening instalment of the best- “We’d been playing with both ends of the court,” Buden- defensive display with 12 of-seven series. good energy the whole game but holzer said. rebounds and two blocks. But a Lopez dunk gave the shots weren’t going down for us. “In the first half we were Game two in the series takes Bucks a 101-100 lead and then a So we knew we just had to keep struggling but Brook was able to place today.

Canada top at Arsenal criticises selection of hockey worlds; Baku as Europa League host Sweden rout AP would like to understand the cri- first continental trophy since the Austria LONDON teria by which venues are 1994 Cup Winners’ Cup. selected for finals, and also how Baku also bid to host this AP The choice of Azerbaijan capital supporter requirements are season’s Champions League SLOVAKIA Baku to host the Europa League taken into account as part of this. final, but missed out to Madrid. final has caused “unacceptable” Moving forward we would urge Arsenal has previously Anthony Mantha scored twice and “extreme” travel problems UEFA to ensure that supporter raised concerns about its to lift Canada to a 5-2 victory for Arsenal fans, the English club logistics and requirements are a Armenian midfielder Henrikh over France at the hockey said yesterday. key part of any future decisions Mkhitaryan’s ability to enter world championship yesterday. Arsenal and Chelsea have for final venues as what has hap- Azerbaijan for the game, given Mantha opened the scoring been given just 6,000 tickets pened this season is unac- long-running political tension on a 5-on-3 power play with a each by UEFA for the May 29 ceptable, and cannot be between Armenia and slap shot in the opening period game, in a stadium with a repeated.” Azerbaijan. and added his second for a 4-2 capacity of 68,700. Arsenal’s then-chief exec- Rahimov said on Wednesday lead in the final frame. Mantha Even those tickets may not utive, Ivan Gazidis, was on the that Mkhitaryan could play in San Jose Sharks right wing Joonas Donskoi (27) leaps as he now has a team-high five goals sell out, Arsenal said, because of UEFA executive committee Azerbaijan. screens St. Louis Blues goaltender Jordan Binnington (50) while and four assists from four the difficulty of getting to when Baku was chosen as “We at all times put the sport games. defenceman Colton Parayko (55) defends during the third period Azerbaijan. Europa League host in Sep- as something very separate from Canada moved to the in game three of the Western Conference Final of the 2019 Stanley “Time will tell if it is even tember 2017. these political issues and of second place in Group A in Cup Playoffs at Enterprise Center. possible for 6,000 Arsenal fans Azerbaijan Sports Minister course the same issue is again Kosice with nine points, three to attend the match, given how Azad Rahimov defended Baku with Mkhitaryan,” Rahimov said. behind leading Germany and extreme the travel challenges on Wednesday as a deserving “He receives all the guar- one ahead of the United States Karlsson at the are,” the club said. host. antees from the government in third. “We have 45,000 season “This is Europe and any city about the security, visa support, After starting with a loss to ticket holders and for so many has a chance to host such kind everything.” Finland, the Canadians have fans to miss out due to UEFA of an event,” he said. “That’s Arsenal coach Unai Emery bounced back with three double as Sharks selecting a final venue with such really good that the people can has said: “I don’t know what the straight wins. They still have to limited transport provision is travel, to know each other better. problem is between the two face Germany, Denmark and quite simply not right.” I believe that next time when we countries but we are going to do the United States in their bite Blues in NHL There are relatively few will host such an event, never all we can to have Mkhitaryan remaining preliminary-round flights to Baku from Western such a question will appear, there. This issue is not sporting. games. AP shot from the left dot with 3:57 Europe, though more are being because I believe that everybody It is not in my hands. I don’t Darnell Nurse, Anthony LOS ANGELES, left in the period. operated for the final, and prices getting acquainted with our understand what the solution is.” Cirelli and Mark Stone also had St. Louis went on a power are far above usual levels. beautiful city, with our hospi- Nagorno-Karabakh is a a goal apiece. Damien Fleury Erik Karlsson scored 5:23 into play after Brent Burns took “We have received many tality, will be happy to be back region of Azerbaijan which has and Anthony Rech scored for overtime after the officials down Oskar Sundqvist late in the complaints from our fans about again.” been under the control of ethnic France. missed a hand pass by Timo period. Perron scored his second this and we fully share their con- This is Arsenal’s first Armenian forces backed by In Group B, Gabriel Meier, and the San Jose Sharks goal of the series a minute later, cerns,” Arsenal said. European final in 13 years, and Armenia since a war there ended Landeskog scored just 69 rallied to beat the St. Louis Blues giving the Blues the lead with “On behalf of our fans, we the London club seeks to win its in 1994. seconds into his first game at 5-4 on Wednesday night to take their first power-play goal in 19 the tournament to kickstart a 2-1 lead in the Western chances with the man Sweden’s 9-1 rout of Austria. Conference final. advantage. China to host Landeskog, who also had Meier used his right hand It was Perron’s first mul- two assists, only arrived in Bra- to knock a loose puck toward tigoal playoff performance in 73 2023 Asian Cup tislava on Thursday morning to the front of the net. Gustav games. join the two-time defending Nyquist then passed it over to After an early Blues push, after Korea champion after his Colorado Karlsson, who beat Jordan Bin- the Sharks grabbed control in Avalanche were eliminated nington for his second goal of the first. withdraws bid from the NHL playoffs. the game. Blues defenseman Vince William Nylander had a Binnington and the Blues Dunn departed with 8:35 left in AFP goal and an assist to join Russ- complained immediately about the first after getting hit in the SEOUL sia’s Nikita Kucherov atop the Meier’s pass. The officials face by a Brenden Dillon shot, scoring chart with 10 points huddled while Karlsson and the forcing St. Louis to mix and South Korea have abandoned from three goals and seven Sharks celebrated, but the play match five defensemen. their bid to stage football’s assists. With nine points from wasn’t reviewable and the goal San Jose then jumped in Asian Cup in 2023, authorities four games, the Swedes trail stood. front when Karlsson intercepted said, leaving the sole other undefeated Russia and Swit- Game 4 of the best-of-seven a Joel Edmundson clearing bidders China with a free run zerland in Group B by three series is Friday night in St. Louis. attempt and beat Binnington to become hosts. points. Finland plays Denmark The Blues led 4-3 before with a wrist shot through traffic The Korea Football Associ- in Group A later Thursday while Logan Couture tied it with 61 at 13:37. ation (KFA) said in a statement the Czech Republic faces Latvia seconds left in regulation. Joe Thornton made it 2-0 with it had pulled out to “strategi- in Group B. Thornton scored twice for San 3:02 left in the first, scoring on cally focus” on a joint bid with Meanwhile, Dallas Stars Jose, and Martin Jones made 28 a backhander after Robert Bor- North Korea to host the defenseman Esa Lindell has saves. tuzzo blocked a Marc-Edouard Women’s World Cup in the signed a $34.8m, six-year con- David Perron had two goals Vlasic shot. same year. tract that will run through the for St. Louis, and Vladimir Steen got the Blues on the The KFA announced the 2024-25 season. Tarasenko and Alexander Steen board at 1:18 of the second, joint bid in March, but diplo- The deal with an average also scored. Colton Parayko had but Thornton answered 18 matic contacts between value of $5.8m per year was three assists, and Jordan Bin- seconds later with his second Pyongyang and Seoul have announced yesterday, a week nington made 27 stops. goal of the game, giving him since dwindled with North before Lindell’s 25th birthday. The Blues trailed 2-0 after his first multigoal playoff Korea-US nuclear talks The 6-foot-3 Finn was a one and 3-1 in the second before game over 176 games in a deadlocked. restricted free agent. rallying. 22-year career. Seoul’s Asian Cup with- Lindell had a plus-14 rating Tarasenko, who faced crit- Messi gets Creu de Sant Jordi award drawal means that China and a team-high 161 blocked icism after a lackluster per- should on June 4 be con- NHL Results Barcelona’s Argentinian forward Lionel Messi waves after receiving shots during the season for the formance in Game 1, started the firmed by the AFC (Asian Results from the NHL games the Creu de Sant Jordi award from Catalan regional president Stars, who made it to the second comeback with his first goal in Football Confederation) as on Wednesday Quim Torra (back left) during a ceremony at the International round of the Western Con- six games at 4:05 of the second. San Jose 5 St. Louis 4 hosts of the nations champi- ference playoffs before a Game Perron tied it by beating Jones Convention Centre (CCIB) in Barcelona yesterday. onship finals for the second 7 loss at St. Louis. on the stick side with a wrist time. FRIDAY 17 MAY 2019 SPORT 17

Kyrgios disqualified Federer fights back to after swearing and reach Rome quarters throwing chair AFP AGENCIES ROME ROME Nick Kyrgios (pictured) was Roger Federer successfully fled disqualified from the Italian Switzerland’s Roger Federer danger once more on clay Open yesterday after in action during his third yesterday, saving two match throwing a chair across court points against Borna Coric to round match against Croatia’s in a foul-mouthed tantrum advance 2-6, 6-4, 7-6(7) and Borna Coric, yesterday. before storming off during his reach the quarter-finals of the match against Norwegian Internazionali BNL d’Italia in Casper Ruud. Rome. The 24-year-old, always Coric had two match points not far from controversy, had at 6/4 in the tie-break, including made headlines earlier in the one on his serve, but the day after criticising rivals 22-year-old Croatian dumped a including Novak Djokovic and forehand approach into the net Rafael Nadal in an interview. on his first try, and Federer “Very eventful day to say escaped the next point with a to the least. Emotions got the service winner. The Swiss moved better of me and I just wanted to be liked,” he said of world on when Coric couldn’t handle to say that the atmosphere number one Djokovic. a backhand volley. was crazy out there today, just “He just wants to be “The first set was really dif- super unfortunate that it had (Roger) Federer. I feel he ficult, for me at least. I really to end in a default,” Kyrgios wants to be liked so much that struggled to see the ball. There later wrote on Instagram. I just can’t stand him. This cel- was a lot of shade on the court… “Sorry Roma, see you ebration thing is so and he did well, he’s a very again, maybe.” cringeworthy. steady player. I couldn’t chase His astonishing outburst “He’s unbelievable, a the lines very well so I couldn’t came in his second round tie champion of the sport, one of hit any winners, but I really tried against 76th-ranked qualifier the greatest we will ever see. to play in a way where I was not lost two match points against the atmosphere was fantastic. won two matches in one day last Ruud who had won the first I think he will get the Grand going to just lose it. I gave him a Dominic Thiem in the People were going crazy. It’s August at the Western & set 6-3. Slam count and overtake chance to win, and he didn’t so quarter-finals. exactly how you want the atmos- Southern Open in Cincinnati, and Kyrgios won the second Federer. I took it at the end,” Federer said. “It was very tight. I got very phere to be,” Federer said. he did it again in Rome. set 7-6 (7/5) to level, but was “No matter how many Federer also saved two lucky again today already like in Coric had won two of their The Swiss will next face furious after sending a Grand Slams he wins, he will match points last week against Madrid. It’s nice to get lucky I past three FedEx ATP #NextGenATP Greek Stefanos forehand wide to hand a never be the greatest to me. Frenchman Gael Monfils to reach guess sometimes. I’ve lost a lot Head2Head meetings, at the Tsitsipas or Italian Fabio Fognini. break back to Ruud early in I’ve played him twice and I’m the Mutua Madrid Open quarter- of heartbreakers throughout the Gerry Weber Open in Halle and Meanwhile, Japan’s Naomi the third set. sorry but if you cannot beat finals. Federer, however, then years so it’s nice to win these and the Rolex Shanghai Masters. But Osaka won twice yesterday to The 24-year-old turned me, you cannot be the greatest Federer gained a 3-2 advantage reach the Italian Open quarter- and berated the crowd for of all time. ITALIAN OPEN RESULTS in their FedEx ATP Head2Head finals, retaining the world walking during the point “For me, Federer will series in February by winning number one ranking ahead of before slamming his racquet always be the greatest of all Men’s Second Round their Dubai semi-final in straight the start of the French Open next to the floor amid a string of time. What Rafa has done has Novak Djokovic (SRB x1) bt Denis Shapovalov (CAN) 6-1, 6-3 sets. Their third-round matchup week. swear words. been pretty scary too. But Philipp Kohlschreiber (GER) bt Marco Cecchinato (ITA x16) 6-3, 6-3 yesterday, Federer’s second She eased into the last eight Kyrgios told a spectator: Novak just riles me the wrong Casper Ruud (NOR) bt Nick Kyrgios (AUS) 6-3, 6-7 (5/7), 2-1 -- defaulted match of the day, was their first in Rome with a 6-3, 6-3 win over “You’re not supposed to walk way. He always says what he Juan Martín Del Potro (ARG x7) bt David Goffin (BEL) 6-4, 6-2 meeting on clay. Mihaela Buzarnescu. across the court as I’m serving, thinks he needs to say rather Diego Schwartzman (ARG) bt Albert Ramos Vinolas (ESP) 7-6 (7/5), 6-1 The Croatian played aggres- Osaka beat the 29th-ranked do you understand that?” than his actual opinion.” sively against the 28-time Romanian in 78 minutes after Kyrgios then received a He also said Nadal, who Jan-Lennard Struff (GER) bt Marin Cilic (CRO x9) 6-2, 6-3 Masters 1000 champion, earlier beating Slovak Dominika code violation for unsports- had lambasted the Australian Kei Nishikori (JPN x6) bt Taylor Fritz (USA) 6-2, 6-4 employing the same game plan Cibulkova by the same scoreline manlike conduct and a game as “disrespectful” after losing Stefanos Tsitsipas (GRE x8) bt Jannik Sinner (ITA) 6-3, 6-2 that led to success against in one hour and 42 minutes in penalty, with the umpire to him in Mexico earlier this Fabio Fognini (ITA x10) bt Radu Albot (MDA) 7-6 (8/6), 6-3 Federer last year. But the Swiss the second round, as players calling the tournament referee year, was a bad loser. Roger Federer (SUI x3) bt João Sousa (POR) 6-4, 6-3 found his way into the match, doubled up after the previous courtside. “He’s just my polar Fernando Verdasco (ESP) bt Dominic Thiem (AUT x5) 4-6, 6-4, 7-5 breaking Coric in the 10th game day was washed out. “I’m giving 100 percent. I opposite, like literally my Rafael Nadal (ESP x2) bt Jérémy Chardy (FRA) 6-0, 6-1 to take the second set and At the start of the day, the don’t want to play when this polar opposite. And he’s super Third Round squeaking by in the tie-break as 21-year-old had needed to make shit is going on,” Kyrgios was salty,” said Kyrgios. Juan Martín Del Potro (ARG x7) bt Casper Ruud (NOR) 6-4, 6-4 the home fans celebrated the the quarter-finals to ensure heard saying. “When he wins, it’s fine. Diego Schwartzman (ARG) bt Matteo Berrettini (ITA) 6-3, 6-4 match – and another chance to Romanian Simona Halep could His then kicked a water He won’t say anything bad, Roger Federer (SUI x3) bt Borna Coric (CRO x13) 2-6, 6-4, 7-6 (9/7) see Federer in Rome. not swipe the number one bottle, before throwing a chair he’ll credit the opponent - ‘he Fernando Verdasco (ESP) bt Karen Khachanov (RUS x11) 7-5, 3-6, 6-3 The 37-year-old made his ranking and with it top seeding across court, packing his bag, competed well today, he’s a Rafael Nadal (ESP x2) bt Nikoloz Basilashvili (GEO x14) 6-1, 6-0 first appearance in the Eternal in the French Open. shouting. great player,’ but then as soon Women’s Second Round City since 12 May 2016 earlier But Osaka’s top spot was The Australian later as I beat him, it’s just like ‘he Naomi Osaka (JPN x1) bt Dominika Cibulkova (SVK) 6-3, 6-3 yesterday when he beat Joao guaranteed when reigning posted “Hahahahaha” on has no respect for me, my fans Sousa of Portugal 6-4, 6-3 to Roland Garros champion Halep Twitter along with crying with and no respect for the game’ Mihaela Buzarnescu (ROM) bt Julia Goerges (GER x16) 6-4, 3-6, 4-4 -- retired reach the third round. Rain fell to Czech Marketa Von- laughter emojis alongside a - and I’m just like ‘what are Carla Suarez Navarro (ESP) bt Alize Cornet (FRA) 6-3, 3-0 -- retired washed out all play that was drousova 2-6, 7-5, 6-3 in the clip of Ruud celebrating going you talking about?’” Kiki Bertens (NED x6) bt Amanda Anisimova (USA) 6-2, 4-6, 7-5 scheduled for Wednesday, and second round. through 6-3, 6-7 (5/7), 2-1 to Kyrgios has a long and Marketa Vondrousova (CZE) bt Simona Halep (ROM x3) 2-6, 7-5, 6-3 Federer, along with others, had Osaka next meets Madrid the third round. chequered history when it Daria Kasatkina (RUS) bt Katerina Siniakova (CZE) 2-6, 6-4, 6-1 to win two matches in one day champion and sixth seed Kiki Kyrgios had earlier comes to discipline. Johanna Konta (GBR) bt Sloane Stephens (USA x7) 6-7 (3/7), 6-4, 6-1 to make the quarter-finals. Bertens for a place in the final whipped up a storm over In 2015, in one of his more Garbine Muguruza (ESP) bt Danielle Collins (USA) 6-4, 4-6, 6-2 Coric, however, was one of four. comments made about notorious outbursts, he was Sofia Kenin (USA) bt Madison Keys (USA x13) 6-7 (2/7), 6-3, 6-4 four players who reached the Osaka, who broke through Djokovic and Nadal in an fined for making a sexually Kristina Mladenovic (FRA) bt Belinda Bencic (SUI) 6-2, 2-6, 6-1 third round before the deluge. by winning the US Open last year interview with NCR Tennis disparaging remark in Canada Maria Sakkari (GRE) bt Anett Kontaveit (EST x14) 6-3, 6-2 He beat Brit Cameron Norrie in and Australian Open this year, Podcast. about the girlfriend of three-

Petra Kvitova (CZE x2) bt Yulia Putintseva (KAZ) 6-0, 6-1 straight sets on Tuesday evening. did not survive the second round “I just feel like he’s got a time major winner Stan But Federer had recent expe- in her two previous appearances sick obsession with wanting Wawrinka. rience in double duty, having in Rome. All-rounder Imad proud Rivals wary of India’s attack: Kumar of Pakistan’s performance REUTERS “I don’t want to comment on in England ODI series NEW DELHI whether we are the best or not because our performance in the AFP Batting has traditionally been field is what will define our LONDON India’s strength but their World attack,” said the bowler from Cup rivals will also be wary of Meerut, a north Indian town All-rounder Imad Wasim their all-surface pace attack, known for its sports goods (pictured) believes Pakistan swing bowler Bhuvneshwar industry. have gained much from their Kumar has said. “Our performances over the one-day international series The 29-year-old is a key last few years speak for us. The against World Cup hosts England member of the twice world Indian bowling attack has grown despite having yet to win a champions’ three-pronged pace from strength to strength. match. attack, which also includes “Today we can say that our England head into today’s Mohammed Shami and Jasprit pace attack can make an impact fourth ODI in Nottingham 2-0 Bumrah. on any surface.” up with two to play after a no Kumar’s ability to move the Kumar pointed to his own result washout at The Oval was margins,” added Imad, who ball offsets his lack of pace and improvement as a bowler since followed by 12-run and six- insisted the tourists’ morale was like any other swing bowler, he playing his first World Cup four wicket wins at Southampton and still intact despite their recent is looking forward to making the years ago. Bristol respectively. Pakistan, losses. most of the English conditions “There has definitely been an however, have made England “I think the team is con- that encourage his craft. improvement in my bowling in work hard for those wins, with fident. We’re going to put up a “I agree that pitches in Bhuvneshwar Kumar (left) celebrates with team-mate Suresh terms of pace and variations like all four completed innings in the good fight again. Yes, they England in the last few years Raina, in this file photo. the slower ball and series so far topping 350 runs. (England) are (tough to bowl at), have been flat, but teams will be knuckle-ball. “If you take some positives, that’s why they are the number wary of India’s bowling unit given day.” A fitter Shami has Pundits believe skipper Virat “To add to that, I have we have played really well in one (ODI) team in the world. since we can be potent both at emerged as a strike bowler while Kohli is blessed to have at his improved fitness-wise.” both games,” Imad said “But we take pride in our the start and at the death,” he Bumrah is currently the top disposal arguably the best ever The 1983 and 2011 cham- yesterday. bowling as well and we have told the Times of India. ranked ODI bowler famed for his Indian pace attack but Kumar is pions begin their World Cup “Credit to England. They some plans, hopefully we can “It will all boil down to how yorkers and death-overs keener to talk about their campaign against South Africa have batted really well, it’s fine execute them next time.” we execute the plans on the mastery. versatility. in Southampton on June 5. 18 SPORT FRIDAY 17 MAY 2019

Al Duhail’s Yousef Alarabi scores a goal during the Amir Cup final against Al Sadd at the Al Janoub Stadium, yesterday.

Al Duhail’s Ali Afif celebrates their first goal with team-mates during the Amir Cup final against Al Duhail’s celebrates scoring their second goal during the Amir Cup final against Al Sadd at the Al Janoub Stadium, yesterday. Al Sadd at the Al Janoub Stadium, yesterday.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino attending Former Dutch footballer Ruud Gullit (centre), ’s World Champion in High Jump Mutaz Barshim and Cameroonian the Amir Cup final match. footballer Samuel Eto’o (right) during the Amir Cup final.

Former Spain footballer Fernando Hierro attends the Amir Cup final match.

Former Brazilian footballer Cafu carries a kid Former Brazilian footballer Roberto Carlos (left) and Argentine footballer Pablo Zabaleta (centre) during the Generation Amazing initiative on attend the Amir Cup final. the sidelines of the Amir Cup final. FRIDAY 17 MAY 2019 SPORT 19 Spectacular inauguration of new Al Janoub Stadium

The Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani inaugurated Qatar’s latest 2022 FIFA World Cup venue - Al Janoub Stadium - formerly known as Al Wakrah Stadium as fans relished the historic day at the 40,000-capacity venue, which hosted the Amir Cup final last night. Al Duhail won the final 4-1, beating arch-rivals Al Sadd to retain the prestigious trophy at the venue designed by late British-Iraqi architect Zaha Hadid. The $575m venue plunged into darkness for the pre-match show and performers assembled around a giant illuminated inflatable pearl on the centre of the manicured pitch. A video describing the Gulf nation’s history as a pearling station played on the ground’s two big screens. The pearl then slowly transformed into a representation of the Amir Cup trophy before a 150-strong marching band serenaded the stadium. Former Dutch international Ruud Gullit, who attended the ground’s maiden game, called it “a beautiful stadium”. “You go on the pitch and you want to play,” said the former captain of the Netherlands side that won the European Championship in 1988. “The design is fantastic, and of course there’s the air conditioning.”

A general view of the Al Janoub Stadium during the opening ceremony, yesterday. BELOW: Fans before the final. PICTURES: SALIM MATRAMKOT/THE PENINSULA

A glimpse of yesterday’s opening ceremony.

LEFT: The Amir Cup trophy on display ahead of the final yesterday. TOP: A band performs during the inauguration ceremony of Al Janoub Stadium. BOTTOM RIGHT: A portrait of Zaha Hadid, the stadium designer, is seen. BOTTOM: Children perform during the ceremony. SPORT Friday 17 May 2019 PAGE | 16 PAGE | 17 Messi receives Federer the Creu de fights back to Sant Jordi reach Rome award quarter-finals

Al Duhail's players celebrate with the Amir Cup after defeating Al Sadd in the final. PICTURES: SALIM MATRAMKOT/THE PENINSULA Al Duhail retain Amir Cup title

RIZWAN REHMAT question the call of referee Abdul- THE PENINSULA rahman Ibrahim Al Jassim. In the 35th minute, Al Sadd Football giants Al Duhail rallied star Afif was shown the yellow from a goal down to stun former card for ignoring a linesman call. champions Al Sadd to retain the Referee Al Jassim, despite pleas We have won this Amir Cup title with an impressive from Afif, showed the young 4-1 victory at Al Janoub Stadium, striker the yellow card. amazing game last night. Just before the start of the of football. I give After conceding a goal to Al second half, Al Duhail called in credit to each and Sadd in just the seventh minute, ace striker El Arabi in place out- every player and Al Duhail fired four goals to com- of-form . plete a resounding win in the In the 50th minute, Al Sadd’s coaching staff presence of the Amir H H Sheikh pocket dynamo Afif weaved his for this victory. Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. way through to the Al Duhail box We created Belgian-Brazilian winger and then found unmarked Al opportunities to Edmilson Jr emerged as Al Duhail Haydos close to the goal. Al hero with twin strikes (58 and 81) Haydos produced a deflection score and we did to supplement goals by team- with a header but with little pace it in style. We mates Ali Hassan Yahya (16) and though he had an easy target to played positive substitute Youseff El Arabi (62). net the goal. football. It was The only goal for Al Sadd was In the 55th minute, referee Al scored in the 7th minute by rising Jassim showed a red card to Tarik a team effort: Al star , brother of Al Salman of Al Sadd for bringing Duhail captain Duhail’s Yahya. down Edmilson Jr just a outside Mohamed Moosa It was Al Duhail’s second suc- the box. Edmilson misfired with cessive Amir Cup title win, his direct freekick as Al Sadd denying Al Sadd their 17th trophy breathed a sigh of relief. Seconds overall. Al Duhail’s Edmilson Jr (left) in action against Al Sadd’s later Al Sadd coach Jesualdo Fer- A powerful performance by Abdulkarim Hassan during Amir Cup final, last night. RIGHT: reira benched Al Haydos and Al Duhail also denied Barcelona Al Duhail captain Mohamed Moosa kisses the Amir Cup trophy. brought in Hamed Ismail. legend Xavi a winning farewell A minute before the one-hour We gave our best from professional football. mark, El Arabi found Edmilson In just the third minute, backheeled the ball towards Afif, early to kill the move. Seconds ‘keeper Al Sheeb. Seconds later, with a neat cross right in the performance of Algerian striker Baghdad the QFA Player of the Year. Afif later, Yahya fired a shot from an Al Sadd defender Pedro Miguel middle the Al Sadd box. Despite the tournament Bounedjah hoodwinked a couple without wasting any time aimed acute angle but the ball was fired a swinging shot that nar- being shadowed by Hassan, in the final. The of defenders - following a cross for the top of the net. The ball pushed for a corner. rowly missed the crossbar with Edmilson drilled a shot into the match was great. from Xavi - but his shot from zipped past the outstretched hand In the 16th minute, Yahya pro- Al Duhail ‘keeper Amin beaten by net with a left-footed drive. It was inside the box slipped past the far of Al Duhail goalkeeper Lecoumet duced the Al Duhail equaliser with the flight of the ball. the seventh goal for the Brazilian They also played post. Hassan Al Haydos, stationed Amin. a bit of fortunate deflection. Yahya In the 24th minute, Al Sadd’s in the season. well but we stuck close to the far post, hesitated for It was Afif’s 28th goal of the charged into the Al Sadd box but Korean import Wooyoung Jung Three minutes later, the to our guns and a second and the ball flew past his season and the young Qatari cel- fumbled with the ball that ended fired a long-range bullet that was Edmildon-El Arabi duo powered dominated the stretched right leg. ebrated in trademark style much up landing at the feet of Almoez punched away by Al Duhail Al Duhail to a 3-1 lead. Edmilson In the 7th minute of what was to the delight of thousands of Al Ali stationed nearby. keeper. found French-born El Arabi with match. We were the final game of the season, Al Sadd fans. Ali returned the ball to Yahya Seconds later Al Duhail star a deflected cross and the united on the Sadd opened the scoring with a Four minutes later, Baghdad who drilled a shot towards the Ali was shown the red card for his Moroccan star used his chest to pitch. We hope field goal that left Al Duhail fans curled in a powerful shot from the goal with his left foot. The ball second yellow of the match. Ali deflect the ball into the net from stunned. edge of the box but keeper Amin deflected off the chest of 2018 produced a reckless tackle on close range. It was the half-fit we can play even Playing the final match of his blocked the move by punching the Asian Player of the Year Bounedjah who fell to the ground striker’s 28th goal of the season. better when illustrious career, Xavi found Al ball away. Abdulkarim Hassan and crashed writhing in pain in the 25th In the 81st minute, Edmilson the next season Haydos on the right flank with a Two minutes later, Yahya into the Al Sadd net. minute. drilled a long-range shot from just starts: Al Duhail’s short cross. Al Haydos powered a curled in a superbly taken free- Two minutes later, Edmilson Ali, Qatar team’s Asian Cup outside the Al Sadd box sending shot towards Gabi in the box and kick but Al Sadd ‘keeper Saad Al Jr almost scored for Al Duhail but hero, walked off dejected as Al the ball into the net for his side’s Ali Afif the Atletico Madrid star Sheeb picked the flight of the ball his shot was was parried away by Duhail players continued to fourth goal of the night.