Claudio Ranieri
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CRICKET | Page 5 NFL | Page 7 Smith’s ton California in vain as dream come Lions beat true as Rams Supergiants pick Goff Saturday, April 30, 2016 FORMULA 1 Rajab 23, 1437 AH Hamilton tops GULF TIMES Russia practice, Vettel stops SPORT Page 11 2016 QATAR CUP El Jaish avenge last year’s loss with Qatar Cup victory Goals from Methnani and Hamedallah help Jaish defeat Lekhwiya 2-1 and win the Qatar Cup in a keenly contested final El Jaish players celebrate with the Qatar Cup trophy yesterday at the Al Sadd stadium. Jaish defeated Lekhwiya 2-1 to win the 2016 edition. PICTURESS: Noushad Thekkayil & Shemeer Rasheed By Sports Reporter Doha Jaish players celebrate the winning goal. l Jaish won the Qatar Cup yes- terday, in the process avenging their heartbreaking defeat to Lekhwiya in last year’s fi nal. EThe fi nal played at the Al Sadd stadi- um was a keenly contested aff air with the Armymen clinching a deserved 2-1 win after Abderrazzak Hamedallah convert- ed a penalty in the 89th minute to score what turned out to be the winning goal. Lekhwiya had come into this fi nal having defeated Qatar Stars League champions Al Rayyan in the semi-fi nals. El Jaish, on the other hand, had survived a late fi ghtback from Al Sadd before Lekhwiya defender Mohamed Musa (L) eventually emerging victorious 3-2. and Mohamed Tresor react after the Both teams hit the ground running loss yesterday. but it was Lekhwiya who dominated the initial proceedings. They were able to build a series of attacks with El Jaish coach Sabri Lamouchi celebrates after the win yesterday. El Jaish striker Abderrazzak Hamedallah scored Mohamed Muntari leading them. But the winning goal yesterday. none of those moves troubled El Jaish cluding a Luiz Martin freekick saved ceived a long ball from Karim Boudiaf keeper Khalifa Ndiaye. And then the by Ndiaye, but the teams went into the and looked to fl ick it past Ndiaye but lanky Qatar striker, who was play- break with Jaish in the lead. the Jaish keeper pulled off a great refl ex ing with a heavy bandaged right knee, With the team lacking bite, Le- save to deny the Tunisian. couldn’t continue and was replaced by khwiya coach Djamel Belmadi brought The match was into the fi nal min- Alain Dioko. in striker Ismail Mohamed in place of utes and both teams were getting edgy. After absorbing the initial pressure, midfi elder Martin. This move brought Fouls were on the rise and scuffl es were El Jaish then turned aggressor. A Sar- the desired result as Lekhiwya were breaking out. Both teams were building dor Rashidov run down the right fl ank now more threatening on the off ence. attacks. And then in the 87th minute in the 25th minute almost resulted in a El Jaish were looking to defend their Lekhiwya defender Mohamed Musa goal when his shot was spilled by Le- lead and attack on the counter when- committed an error which he will re- khwiya keeper Ivanildo Santos. But ever possible. member for a long time. Mohamed Tresor’s timely clearance With Lekhwiya constantly mount- Musa brought down Magid Moham- prevented Hamedallah from getting to ing the pressure and the Jaish defence ed inside the box and the referee had to the loose ball. fi nally committed an error when de- point to the spot. Abderrazzak made Jaish did get the lead fi ve minutes fender Murad Hussein brought down no mistake and Jaish had the lead in the later. Rashidov’s well-directed free- Khalid Muftah in the 76th minute. The 89th minute. kick found Mohamed Methnani and referee Abdulrahman Jassim pointed Despite there being four minutes of a part head, part shoulder eff ort from to the spot. Dioko stepped up, fi red in added time, Lekhwiya couldn’t fi nd him saw the ball fi nd the back of the a powerful strike and converted from an equaliser and Jaish had managed net. With their noses ahead, Jaish were the spot. to avenge their last year’s loss in style. now playing with more confi dence. Back on level terms, Lekhwiya were Coach Sabri Lamouchi was an extremely El Jaish’s Wesam Rizik who missed the final Lekhwiya attempted a few attacks now the more confi dent side. In the happy man. Jaish have managed to win a celebrates with the trophy along with stand-in towards the end of the fi rst half, in- very next minute, Yousef Msakni re- piece of silverware this season. captain Abdurahman Mohammad. Gulf Times 2 Saturday, April 30, 2016 FOOTBALL PREVIEW SPOTLIGHT Fresh Arsenal fan backlash lies in Unsung Foxes set wait for Wenger for EPL fairytale Claudio Ranieri’s side have the eyes of the world on them as they head to Old Traff ord knowing a victory against United would see the 5,000-1 outsiders crowned champions for the first time in their 132-year history Artist Richard Wilson spray paints a mural of Leicester City manager Claudio Ranieri in Leicester yesterday. AFP League,” Arsenal goalkeeper Petr London Cech said. “You need to start winning games. We have three games to rsene Wenger will be play and we need to get as many forced to confront re- points as we can. newed supporter pro- “I don’t think it will be enough tests at the Emirates Sta- to fi nish in the top two now as the Adium today as he attempts to stop other teams have taken advantage Arsenal’s troubled season implod- of our two points dropped.” ing in the fi nal weeks. In that context, the possible A number of fans’ groups are return of Santi Cazorla after a six- planning to mark the visit of strug- month absence with a knee prob- gling Norwich by displaying plac- lem will be welcomed by Wenger, ards during the game demanding although England midfi elder Alex change after another frustrating Oxlade-Chamberlain remains campaign. sidelined. The Gunners’ Premier League “Santi might be in the squad this title challenge was fi nally ended weekend, I don’t know yet. He is AFP Ranieri to get 5mn pound bonus if Leicester win title haven’t won. It’s not in our hands, it’s in following last weekend’s failure available,” Wenger said. London Leicester’s hands,” Kane said. to beat lowly Sunderland, leaving “Everyone is available, but London: Leicester City manager Champions League or won the Premier “They’d have to lose two and draw one Wenger’s side to face another rele- maybe Oxlade-Chamberlain is Claudio Ranieri will earn a five million League. and we’d have to win all three. It’s not gation-threatened team with their not competitive yet. It’s Oxlade- eicester City defender Danny pound ($7.33 million) bonus if his team He currently earns about 1.5 million impossible but it looks unlikely the way focus now trained on preserving a Chamberlain’s fi rst week in full Simpson insists the prolonged win the Premier League title, the Times pounds a year, according to the report, their season has gone so far.” top four spot. training now, so I don’t think I will absence of star striker Jamie Var- reported yesterday. and is in discussions with the club over Tottenham can at least take encour- The goalless draw at the Sta- select him this weekend.” dy won’t stop the Premier League Italian Ranieri also has a separate a new contract. agement from the fact United need the dium of Light opened the door for Norwich will attempt to revive Lleaders clinching the most incredible ti- win almost as much as the north Lon- Manchester City to move into third their bid to escape relegation af- clause in his contract that guarantees Leicester need three points from their tle triumph in English football history at him 100,000 pounds for every place last three games to win their first doners. place, leaving Arsenal in fourth ter a recent upturn in form that Manchester United tomorrow. that his team finish above 18th, which top-flight title and will be crowned Louis van Gaal’s side are fi ve points place, fi ve points clear of Man- brought seven points from three Claudio Ranieri’s side have the eyes will see him earn 1.7 million pounds if champions if they beat Manchester behind fourth-placed Arsenal and third- chester United who have played a games was ended by successive of the world on them as they head to the Foxes come first. United at Old Traff ord tomorrow or if placed Manchester City but have a game game less. defeats against Crystal Palace and Old Traff ord knowing a victory against When Ranieri took charge of Leicester second-placed Tottenham Hotspur lose in hand in the race for Champions League The odds remain in Arsenal’s fa- Sunderland. United would see the 5,000-1 outsiders in the close season, he was tasked to Chelsea on Monday night. qualifi cation. vour as they attempt to qualify for The 3-0 home defeat against crowned champions for the fi rst time in with keeping the team in the Premier When asked earlier in the season Slumping Arsenal, with just one win the Champions League for a 20th the Black Cats was particularly de- their 132-year history. League. Leicester’s owners wrote a if Leicester’s players would also be in their last four matches, host third- successive season under Wenger’s moralising and the Canaries now In an era where the greed is good man- number of clauses into his contract entitled to a bonus if the team won the bottom Norwich City, who are in the guidance.