TTENNISENNIS | Page 4 GGOLFOLF | Page 6 Nadal beats Johnson and Dimitrov to Moore in meet Nishikori joint Texas in fi nal Open lead

Sunday, April 22, 2018 FOOTBALL Sha’baan 6, 1439 AH Man Utd weather GULF TIMES Tottenham storm to reach FA Cup final SPORT Page 3 BASKETBALL Arabi’s overtime win clinches Emir Cup title

By Sports reporter contributed 25 points each for the winners. Doha Arabi took a four-point lead (20-16) in fi rst quarter, but Wakrah came back strongly in the second to curtail the lead to only one point. How- ightning has struck twice for Al Wakrah as ever, Arabi regained a three-point lead at the end Al Arabi clinched the prestigious Emir Cup of the third quarter, before the fourth fi nished at basketball title yesterday. 75-all. Arabi, who defeated Wakrah to win In the overtime, Arabi players were better in LQatar Basketball League in February, once again speed as they scored 21 points, while Wakrah net- overcame a stiff challenge from Wakrah to register ted only 13 points. an overtime victory (96-88) in the fi nal at the Al “The victory is very sweet for us as it has come Gharafa Sports Club. after a long gap. The title win is the result of my This is Al Arabi’s eighth title and it came after a boys’ consistent show this season. We are happy long wait of 24 years. to win two titles this season,” Arabi coach Hatem The credit for Arabi’s victory goes to Nicholas Mamlouk said. Stover, who almost single-handedly swept his side Demarius Armond Bolds’ match-high 38 points to the fi nal of the tournament by scoring an aver- went in vain as Al Wakrah, who had failed to qualify age of 30-plus scores. Stover, who had scored 42 for the Emir Cup fi nals for 16 years, once again failed points in the semi-fi nal against Al Khor, was once to cross the last hurdle. again the top-scorer for his side with 29 points. Other notable contributions for Wakrah came “I am very pleased and honoured to have helped from Earnest Lee Ross Jr (22 points) and Adamu Al Arabi win the title tonight. This is our second Saaka (14 points). title this year after the league crown,” Stover, who was leading scorer for his side in the league, said. Al Arabi players celebrate their Emir Cup basketball Stover also had fi ve assists and six rebounds. win with the winners’ trophy and the off icials at the William Earl Byrd and Khalid Suliman Abdil also Al Gharafa Sports Club yesterday.

FOOTBALL / QATAR CUP For second straight year, Sadd beat Rayyan for spot in fi nal Jesualdo Ferreira’s men win 4-2 on penalties after the semi-final was locked at 2-2 in regulation time

By Sports Reporter Doha

l Sadd edged out Al Rayyan 4-2 on penalties to reach the Qatar Cup fi nal. The tie- breaker was forced after the Ateams were tied 2-2 after regular time at the Al Sadd Stadium yesterday. Hassan al-Haydous, Boualem Khoukhi, Jugurtha Hamroun and Bagh- dad Bounedjah scored the goals for the hosts in the shoot-out. Koh Myong-Gin and Gonzalo Viera converted for Al Rayyan, while Sebas- tian Soria and Rodrigo Tabata missed the target. Akram Afi f (20th) and Hamed Ismail (29th) had put Al Sadd ahead only for Mohsine Moutaouali (43rd) and Tabata (81st) to help Al Rayyan draw level. Al-Haydous was delighted after the victory and was hoping his team will repeat the performance in the fi nal next Friday. “It was a great match, a thrilling one. I want to thank God for the hon- our of winning such a close match. Al Rayyan also played very well. We hope to have another strong performance in the fi nal,” al-Haydous said. After an initial attack on the Al Rayyan goal by Al Sadd and a wasted Al Rayyan’s Ahmed Yasser Abdelazeez (left) and Al Sadd’s Baghdad Bounedjah vie free-kick by the former, referee Sal- for the ball during their Qatar Cup semi-final match at Al Sadd Stadium yesterday. man Falahi fl ashed a yellow card on Koh who brought down Pedro Miguel with a rough tackle near the touch line in just the fi fth minute. Seconds later, Miguel rammed his knee into the back of Moutaouali, caus- ing another interruption in play. A relentless Al Sadd grabbed the lead through Akram. Al-Haydous blocked a slow pass from Al Rayyan’s Koh close to his own box and slipped the ball to Bar- celona and Spain great Xavi Hernandez who tapped the cross for Afi f. The Qa- tar Under-23 star fi red a low ball that Al Sadd players celebrate their victory over Al Rayyan after the penalty shootout in the Qatar Cup semi-final match at Al Sadd swung as it reached the goalmouth be- Stadium yesterday. PICTURES: Noushad Thekkayil and Shemeer Rasheed fore smashing into the net despite goal- keeper Barry’s full-length dive. It was hamed Juma. Moutaouali scored for Al Rayyan from the referee went for the Video Assistant Afi f’s fourth goal of the current season Five minutes from the fi rst-half close range, slipping the ball past keep- Referee review. with Al Sadd senior outfi t. whistle, Moutaouali clipped a high ball er Saad al-Dossari following a neat Eleven minutes later, Tabata defl ected Close to the half-hour mark, Al Sadd for striker Soria who went for the snap- cross from Tabata. It was Moutaouali’s a neat ball past al-Dossari to score the jumped to a 2-0 lead after Hamed ran header, but the defl ection went a little fi fth goal of the season. much-needed equaliser for Al Rayyan. almost the entire distance from the wide in one of the best chances for the In the 70th minute, Al Rayyan skip- QNB Stars League’s new champions half-line and slipped the ball into the visitors to score. per Tabata headed from close range, Al Duhail play Al Gharafa in the other Referee goes for the Video Assistant net after being chased by defender Mo- However, three minutes later, but the eff ort was ruled off -side after semi-fi nal today. Referee review during the game. Al Sadd coach Jesualdo Ferreira. Gulf Times 2 Sunday, April 22, 2018 FOOTBALL

SPOTLIGHT Rodgers rules out replacing Wenger as Arsenal eye Enrique 'Arsenal is a fantastic club but, for me, my only focus is on Celtic and doing the very best I can for them'

AFP London ‘PROUD’ OZIL SAYS WENGER THE REASON HE JOINED ARSENAL eltic’s Brendan Rodgers distanced himself from replacing Arsene Wenger London: Mesut Ozil said he’s proud to have played under signed a new deal earlier this yesterday amid reports that Luis En- ‘proud to have played under him,” the Germany interna- season, thanks to Wenger. “He rique was being lined up by Arsenal to Arsene Wenger and declared tional told Sky Sports. is the boss who brought me succeedC their veteran manager. the Frenchman as the reason “Everyone has a lot of here and wanted me to stay so Wenger, whose position has long been under he joined Arsenal. Wenger respect for him. He has won I said I am comfortable here, intense scrutiny, announced Friday he would be announced on Friday he is many titles, developed some I never wanted to leave and bringing down the curtain on his near 22 years leaving Arsenal at the end of good players and has always that’s why I stayed,” he said. in charge of the north London club at the end the season, ending a 22-year played excellent football, so “Now we want to reach our of the season. Rodgers has been touted as a po- reign in which he won three you know as a player if you further goals. To be a creative tential successor but the former Liverpool boss Premier League titles and come here you are going to player like I am, he gives me said: “There’s nothing really in it. I have always seven FA Cups. be able to develop and play that freedom and tells me to said I’m extremely happy here.” Ozil joined the Gunners in that style. He is an honest do my thing. He gives me his Rodgers has revived his reputation in nearly from Real Madrid for a club guy, a very respectful guy, trust and belief and when a two years in Scotland after a troubled end to record 42.5mn pounds in 2013 has a good personality, and coach says something like his three-and-a-half years at Liverpool in 2015, and cited the manager as the everybody wants to play that, especially someone like leading Celtic to the brink of back-to-back do- inspiration for his move. “He’s under him.” him, you are proud and you mestic trebles in Scotland. “I have three years the main reason I came here, Ozil’s own future at the club want to do all you can to fight left on my contract. I am loving every minute of he convinced me and I am had been in doubt until he for him.” being at Celtic from a professional perspective but also my life up here,” he said. Arsenal haven’t won the Premier League title since 2004 and now face a second successive captain Patrick Vieira, also ruled himself out fi nd a replacement for Arsene Wenger for a va- campaign where they will fi nish outside the top of the running. The manager of MLS side New riety of reasons,” said Gazidis. four. They’ll also likely need to win the Europa York City told US media: “I am always fl attered “It’s going to be a condensed summer with League — Wenger’s men are in the semi-fi nals — to hear my name linked with diff erent football a World Cup in the middle and a shortened to qualify for Europe’s elite Champions League clubs. That is good for your ego but at the same transfer window, so I think for all of us having tournament. time, I am happy here.” that clarity sooner is better,” he explained, with Wenger had faced repeated calls to quit from Meanwhile the Daily Mail reported Enrique Germany coach Joachim Loew also linked with frustrated Gunners’ fans but the 68-year-old was being lined up to replace Wenger, saying the job. Gazidis added: “It is important to me we Frenchman had remained steadfast in wanting only an “unexpected glitch in talks that are well- continue the football values that Arsene has in- to carry on. Yet for all that he won three Pre- advanced” could derail the appointment of the stilled in the club.” mier League titles and a record-breaking seven 47-year-old former Barcelona boss. Former Arsenal striker Ian Wright, who FA Cups, the pressure caused by more than a Enrique, who played for both Barcelona and played under Wenger, found it hard to believe decade without the English title and the more arch-rivals Real Madrid, is currently on sab- his old boss had resigned with a year left on his recent failure to qualify for this season’s Cham- batical in Spain. The Mail said Arsenal’s new current deal. “Arsene Wenger is a man of prin- pions League, fi nally appear to have taken their director of football relations Raul Sanllehi, who ciple, honesty and integrity — that is why I am toll. Getting Arsenal back among a top four now forged a close relationship with Enrique at Bar- convinced he has been sacked and not resigned,” featuring Manchester City, Manchester United, celona, had made an approach, with the two Wright told The Sun tabloid. “For all the vitriol Liverpool and Tottenham would be a feather in men recently seen having dinner together at an and abuse thrown at him, Arsene has never been the cap of whichever Gunners manager achieved exclusive London club. a man to walk out before the end of a contract.” the feat. “They want to get back towards Cham- Arsenal chief executive Ivan Gazidis refused to Despite the tense nature of his relationship pions League football,” said Rodgers. “It’s a fan- mention specifi c candidates to succeed Wenger with Arsenal fans in recent years, Wenger is ex- tastic club but, for me, my only focus is on Celtic during a press conference on Friday, although he pected to get a warm reception when he begins and doing the very best I can for them.” did say he wanted the club to continue to play a his farewell tour today as the Gunners host West Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger signed Mesut Ozil (right) from Real Madrid in 2013. (Reuters) Another possible contender, former Arsenal similar brand of football. “We are not going to Ham.

SCOTTISH PREMIERSHIP BUNDESLIGA Celtic lose to Hibernian, Bayern tune up for Real with victory AFP as Davie Selke, Mathew Leckie Berlin and Alexander Esswein scored. Frankfurt suff ered a cup hang- blow chance to win title over, after beating Schalke in undesliga champions Wednesday’s semi-fi nal, and re- AFP Celtic’s title party and quickly ace and with 11 minutes remain- Bayern Munich warmed main seventh. Glasgow put the visitors on the back foot. ing Slivka, who had come on for up for Real Madrid with Club captain Christian Goalkeeper Craig Gordon Maclaren seven minutes earlier, a 3-0 win at Hanover 96 Gentner and Berkay Ozcan saved Florian Kamberi’s close- met a cross from Kamberi at the yesterdayB as Thomas Mueller and scored Stuttgart’s goals in their eltic wasted a chance range eff ort before the Hibs near post and glanced a header Robert Lewandowski both scored 2-0 victory over Werder Bremen. to clinch the Scottish striker volleyed Danny Swan- past Gordon. after coming off the bench. Mu- Ex-Tottenham Hotspur mid- Premiership title as son’s corner over the bar. In the It could have been worse for eller struck within 12 minutes of fi elder Lewis Holtby boosted they crashed to a shock 24th minute, Hibs took the lead Celtic as Kristoff er Ajer had to his half-time introduction before Hamburg’s hopes of avoiding 2-1C defeat away to Hibernian when Lewis Stevenson swung a scoop the ball from his own goal Lewandowski doubled the lead relegation in their 1-0 win at yesterday. The runaway lead- cross past Gordon and Dedryck line after a mix-up in the de- and Sebastian Rudy added a third home to Freiburg. Holtby jinked ers were rocked by Jamie Ma- Boyata’s poor marking allowed fence. With four minutes left, after coach Jupp Heynckes start- through the Freiburg defence and claren’s fi rst half opener for Maclaren to knock the ball in Edouard burst into the Hibs ed a weakened team. tapped home just after the break Hibs at Easter Road. from close-range. area and slotted past Marciano, With an eye on Wednesday’s to leave second-from-bottom Vykintas Slivka headed in Celtic were wobbling and, but Hibernian held out during blockbuster Champions League Hamburg fi ve points from safety Hibernian’s second goal in the moments later, Gordon had fi ve minutes of tense stoppage- semi-fi nal fi rst leg at home to with three games left. Hamburg closing stages and, although to react quickly when the ball time. Real, Heynckes left out several are the only current Bundesliga Celtic substitute Odsonne Ed- came off Boyata toward the net. regulars while handing 18-year- to have played in every season ouard reduced the defi cit with The champions-elect regained SCOTTISH PREMIERSHIP old centre-back Lars Lukas Mai Bayern Munich’s Thomas Mueller (left) scores against Hannover 96 since its foundation in 1963. four minutes remaining, the their composure and threat and RESULTS his Bundesliga debut. during the Bundesliga match yesterday. (AFP) Hoops were unable to claim the in the 41st minute midfi elder Dundee 2 (Moussa 1, 88) St John- Arjen Robben captained the RESULTS win that would have wrapped Olivier Ntcham fl ashed a pass stone 1 (MacLean 85) side with Thiago Alcantara, Swedish international Emil heim’s fi fth. RB Leipzig 2 (Keita 58, Upamecano up the title. from Kieran Tierney over the Hibernian 2 (Maclaren 24, Slivka James Rodriguez and Jerome Forsberg was sent off for a foul England Under-21 interna- 88) Hoff enheim 5 (Uth 14, 59, Gna- Brendan Rodgers’ side could bar from 12 yards. 80) Celtic 1 (Edouard 87) Boateng the only other outfi eld on Florian Grillitsch just after the tional Ademola Lookman, on bry 35, Kaderábek 45, Rupp 64) still be crowned champions Gordon dived to catch Swan- Kilmarnock 0 Aberdeen 2 players in yesterday’s line-up break with Hoff enheim already loan from Everton, set up Dayot Eintr. this weekend depending on re- son’s long-range drive early in (McLean 37, Logan 59) likely to start against Real. 3-0 up. Upamecano to score Leipzig’s Frankfurt 0 Hertha Berlin 3 (Selke sults elsewhere, if not, they can the second, his save bettered by Partick 2 (Doolan 64, Edwards 72) The win left Bayern 23 points Mark Uth, Serge Gnabry and second on 88 minutes. The re- 57-pen, Leckie 77, Esswein 90+1) clinch the trophy against Glas- Ofi r Marciano at the other end Hamilton 1 (Templeton 43) clear of second-placed Schalke, Pavel Kaderabek all scored as sult leaves Hoff enheim fi fth, just Hamburg 1 (Holtby 54) Freiburg 0 gow rivals Rangers at Parkhead when he raced from goal to deny Ross County 0 Motherwell 0 who are at bottom side Cologne Leipzig’s defence buckled in the two points from the Champions Hanover 0 Bayern Munich 3 (Muel- next week. Hibs weren’t willing Tom Rogic. As Celtic threw men Playing today: Rangers v Hearts today. Ten-man RB Leipzig opening 45 minutes. Naby Keita League places, while six-placed ler 57, Lewandowski 73, Rudy 89) to play the role of wallfl owers at forward, Hibs broke with men- (1130 GMT) crashed to a 5-2 home defeat by pulled a goal back before the hour Leipzig are four adrift. VfB Stuttgart 2 (Gentner 13, Ozcan Hoff enheim in a key clash for the mark, but Uth scored his second Mid-table Hertha Berlin 90+1) Werder Bremen 0 Champions League places next goal with a header before mid- romped to a 3-0 win at German Borussia Dortmund 4 Bayer season. fi elder Lukas Rupp hit Hoff en- Cup fi nalists Eintracht Frankfurt Leverkusen 0 Hibernian’s Jamie Maclaren (right) celebrates with John McGinn after scoring against Celtic in the Scottish Premiership in Edinburgh, Britain, yesterday. (AFP) ROUND-UP Sunderland relegated to third tier aft er 30 years underland were relegated at the Stadium of Light. Wednesday and Sunderland still Guanajuato said yesterday. The to England’s third tier for Liam Boyce headed second- to come. Lewis Grabban netted trophy had been on display at the fi rst time in 30 years bottom Burton in front in second twice as Aston Villa kept their the football stadium in the city yesterday as the Champi- half stoppage-time before slim automatic promotion hopes of Leon on Friday night, only onship’sS bottom club lost 2-1 to Sunderland had a late equaliser alive with a 4-0 victory at 10- to be taken from a car after the fellow strugglers Burton. Chris disallowed to provide a fi tting man Ipswich. Goals in either half event. “We recovered the Cup Coleman’s side have crashed fi nale to their wretched season. from Mo Besic and Britt Assom- after receiving information that into League One only a year after Sunderland are six points from balonga ensured Middlesbrough it had been stolen from the car being relegated from the Premier safety with only two matches beat play-off rivals Derby 2-1 transporting it,” said on Twit- League. left and the remaining fi xtures and consolidated their place in ter account of the Guanajuato They have played only one of their relegation rivals make the top six. public prosecutor, alongside a season outside the top two tiers it mathematically impossible to picture of the trophy in a case. of English football in their entire avoid the drop. EUROPA LEAGUE No other information was history, winning promotion from Promoted Wolves celebrated TROPHY STOLEN AND given about who took the trophy, the old Third Division in 1987- their ascent to the Premier RECOVERED IN MEXICO where it was found or whether 88. Burton striker Darren Bent League by clinching the Cham- The Europa League trophy was any perpetrators had been returned to haunt his former pionship title with a 4-0 win stolen after being displayed at identifi ed. The event had been team with an 86th-minute at lowly Bolton. Wolves are two a publicity event in Mexico, organised by one of European equaliser to cancel out Paddy points shy of 100 for the season only to be recovered a few hours football governing body UEFA’s McNair’s opener on 34 minutes with games against Sheffi eld later, authorities in the state of sponsors. Gulf Times Sunday, April 22, 2018 3 FOOTBALL

FA CUP LA LIGA Valencia stay in hunt for Man Utd weather Spurs Champions League place

DPA Madrid storm to reach fi nal alencia edged closer to Champions League qualifi cation with a 1-1 Sanchez and Herrera score to ensure Tottenham’s decade-long wait for a trophy continues draw away to Celta Vigo Vyesterday in La Liga. Santi Mina AFP scored against his former club on London 59 minutes to put Valencia ahead but Maxi Gomez equalised for Celta four minutes later. anchester United weathered Valencia stay fourth, two an early Tottenham storm points behind third-placed Real to come from behind to Madrid, but 11 points clear of win 2-1 and reach a 20th FA fi fth-placed Real Betis. They can MCup fi nal at Wembley yesterday. Goals seal Champions League qualifi - from Alexis Sanchez and Ander Her- cation next week against Eibar. rera cancelled out Dele Alli’s opener and “We want to be mathematically ensured that Tottenham’s decade-long sure of fourth place and, if we wait for a trophy continues. can, we want third place,” said Spurs manager Mauricio Pochettino Mina. played down the importance of winning Earlier Getafe won 1-0 away his fi rst silverware as a coach to back to Eibar. There is a reduced pro- up four years of undoubted progress gramme in Spain this weekend at Tottenham beforehand, claiming it because Barcelona were playing “wouldn’t change their lives”. Copa del Rey fi nal against Sevilla However, Spurs started like the side late last night. determined to make a statement. Harry Atletico Madrid, who remain Kane and Son Heung-min had already 12 points behind Barca in second seen shots defl ected behind before place after a chastening 3-0 de- Spurs went in front with a brilliant team feat at Real Sociedad on Thurs- goal on 11 minutes. Davinson Sanchez’s day, will look to make amends at long ball picked out Christian Eriksen home to fi fth-placed Real Betis perfectly as Paul Pogba failed to track today. Real Madrid, who will be the Danish midfi elder’s run down the using their well-timed weekend right. And his cross was inch-perfect off to prepare for the fi rst leg of for Alli to apply the fi nishing touch for Wednesday’s Champions League his 13th goal of the season. Spurs failed semi-fi nal against Bayern Mu- to make the most of their early domi- Referee Anthony Taylor gestures to Tottenham’s Mousa Dembele as Manchester United’s Alexis Sanchez (right) reacts angrily after being fouled during the FA Cup nich. nance, though, as Eriksen scuff ed wide semi-final at the Wembley Stadium in London yesterday. United won 2-1. (Reuters) from Kane’s layoff before the England RESULTS striker just couldn’t reach Son’s viscous title. And having showed the side of his has a superb record at Wembley. His ond period, but saw his shot blocked just wide. Spurs will likely seal their Eibar 0 Getafe 1 (Olivera 23) in-swinging cross at the back post. game that Mourinho detests for Spurs’ third United goal was his eighth in eight behind by Chris Smalling as Spurs again place in the Champions League for a Celta Vigo 1 (Gómez 63) Valencia 1 Pogba has been a fi gure of frustration opener, Pogba demonstrated his combi- games at the home of English football started on the front foot. But, once third successive season in the com- (Lorenzo 59) all season for Jose Mourinho, who has nation of physical power and technical for club and country. Both sides were more, they were hit by a sucker punch ing weeks as Pochettino’s proof that Today (all times GMT): Girona v often left the £89mn ($125mn) French- ability as he outmuscled Mousa Dem- unfortunate to not take the lead in the when Sanchez’s ball across the face of progress is being made. Espanyol (1100), Malaga v Real So- man on the sidelines. bele before delivering a pin-point cross dying moments of a captivating fi rst 45 the area fell perfectly for Herrera arriv- However, with Spurs only three de- ciedad (1515), Las Palmas v Alaves Mourinho said Pogba had shown what for Sanchez. minutes as fi rstly Michel Vorm got fi n- ing late from midfi eld and, despite going feats of 2018 now all coming at Wem- (1730), Atletico Madrid v Real Betis, he is capable of in Wednesday’s 2-0 win The Chilean has also been much- gertips to a defl ected long-range strike in the middle of the goal, his low eff ort bley against the toughest of opposition (1945) at Bournemouth after being substitut- criticised since reportedly becom- from Pogba. At the other end, Eric Dier beat Vorm, who was slow to react down in Juventus, Man City and now United, Tomorrow: Athletic Bilbao v ed just four days earlier in a shock 1-0 ing the highest paid player in Premier then drove against the base of the post to his right. questions remain over Pochettino’s Levante (2100) home defeat to West Brom that handed League history when he moved from with David de Gea unmoved. Eriksen came closest to a reply for ability to turn Tottenham into trophy Played on Friday: Leganes 0 Manchester City the Premier League Arsenal in January. However, Sanchez Kane had the fi rst chance of the sec- Spurs with a long-range strike that fl ew winners. Deportivo La Coruna 0

SERIE A PREMIER LEAGUE Roma warm up for West Brom draw to steal spotlight from Salah Liverpool with 3-0 AFP close to converting a James McClean West Bromwich, United Kingdom cross before the interval, foreshadowing the late comeback that gave Liverpool a win over SPAL shock before their European adventure. ohamed Salah bagged a AFP ticipate Kevin Strootman in a record-equalling goal for PALACE’S ZAHA IN FRESH DIVING Milan scramble in front of goal. Naing- Liverpool, but a dramatic ROW IN WATFORD STALEMATE golan — wearing the captain’s late equaliser from Salomon Wilfried Zaha was involved in a fresh div- armband — sent a diagonal half- MRondon earned West Bromwich Albion a ing storm after the Crystal Palace star oma warmed up for volley into the bottom corner, 2-2 draw yesterday. Rondon rose impres- was booked for simulation in 0-0 draw at next week’s Champions with Pellegrini setting up Schick sively in the 89th minute, arriving to nod Watford. Zaha has been accused of diving League clash with Liv- to head in the third on the hour in Chris Brunt’s free-kick and complete several times this season and the Ivory erpool by easing past mark. It was the fi rst goal for Albion’s recovery from a two-goal defi cit Coast winger once again found himself in SPALR 3-0 yesterday to keep their Czech forward Schick since he at the Hawthorns. the spotlight for alleged gamesmanship push for elite European football joined Roma on loan from Samp- But bottom of the table West Brom at Vicarage Road. next season on track. Eusebio Di doria last August. still look set for relegation from the Pre- He angered Watford when he tumbled Francesco’s side have 67 points Fiorentina’s Europa League mier League as they are eight points from theatrically in a failed bid to win a penalty from 34 games — three ahead of push took a knock with a second safety with only three games left. Liver- following Abdoulaye Doucoure’s fi rst half city rivals Lazio who can pull lev- consecutive defeat, falling 1-0 at pool remain third, three points behind challenge. Zaha escaped a booking for el again when they host Sampdo- Sassuolo, who took a big step to second-placed Manchester United. that incident but when he fell again in the ria today. ensuring their top fl ight survival. Jurgen Klopp’s side had seemed fi rmly Watford penalty area, this time after an A Francesco Vicari own goal The Tuscans three-point defi cit in control as Salah equalled Ian Rush’s Adrian Mariappa tackle, Kavanagh fi nally gave the Romans a fi rst-half lead on AC Milan in the sixth and fi - Liverpool record of scoring in 32 diff er- produced a yellow card. in Ferrara with Radja Nainggo- nal Europa League spot could be ent games in a single season and collected The Palace player has been a hate fi g- lan and Patrik Schick adding two extended with Milan playing Be- his 31st league goal of the campaign, his ure to Watford fans since winning the more in an eight-minute spell in nevento late last night. 41st overall. Egypt winger Salah tied the controversial penalty that settled a the second half. SPAL fell to their Champions Juventus and Premier League record of most goals in a Championship play-off fi nal between the fi rst defeat in nine games leaving second-placed Napoli go head- 38-game campaign, joining Alan Shearer two clubs in 2015. Last season, Watford their top-fl ight survival increas- to-head today in a clash which (1995-96), Cristiano Ronaldo (2007-08) mascot Harry the Hornet mocked Zaha ingly in doubt as they sit just one could decide the Serie A title. and Luis Suarez (2013-14). by diving in front of him at the end of a point above the relegation zone. Napoli have reduced the defi cit He also equalled Suarez’s Liverpool West Bromwich Albion’s Matt Phillips (left) and Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk vie for the league match at Vicarage Road. Di Francesco rotated his side to four points on Juventus with record for most goals in a Premier League ball during the Premier League match in West Bromwich, Britain. (Reuters) Zaha’s antics couldn’t inspire Palace to ahead of Tuesday’s Champions fi ve games to play. But history season. Earlier, it was Danny Ings, a the win that would have eff ectively sealed League semi-fi nal at Anfi eld with does not favour Maurizio Sarri’s player whose Liverpool career has been space to control the ball into the path of Firmino headed on a long punt from their Premier League status for anoth- Argentinian left-back Jonathan side who have always lost in the blighted by injuries since moving from Ings who drove home convincingly. Loris Karius with Alex Oxlade-Chamber- er season. The Eagles are now 15th, six Silva getting his fi rst start since Allianz Stadium. Burnley, who was the centre of attention It was Ings’ fi rst goal since scoring lain taking up the running before playing points clear of the relegation zone with his January signing. Roma’s top with his fi rst goal in 930 days. against Everton in October 2015, shortly in Salah who fi nished clinically by lifting three games left. Watford are without a scorer Edin Dzeko stayed on the ITALIAN SERIE A RESULTS Ings was preferred to Roberto Firmino, after his move to Anfi eld, and his celebra- the ball over the keeper from eight yards. victory from their past fi ve matches. bench alongside captain Daniele SPAL 0 AS Roma 3 (Vicari 33-og, one of fi ve key personnel rested by Klopp tions indicated the obvious relief felt by a But Klopp was left to face an anxious fi - De Rossi with the visitors miss- Nainggolan 52, Schick 60) with an eye on Tuesday’s Champions player who has badly injured the cruciate nale when Albion pulled a goal back on 78 RESULTS ing three chances in the fi rst half Sassuolo 1 (Politano 41) Fiorentina 0 League semi-fi nal fi rst leg with Roma, ligaments in both knees in the interven- minutes. Brunt’s corner was headed back Watford 0 Crystal Palace 0 — Stephan El Shaarawy misfi ring Today: Cagliari v Bologna (1030 and the former England international ing years. across goal by Jay Rodriguez and, after a West Bromwich Albion 2 (Livermore 79, Ron- twice and Lorenzo Pellegrini also GMT), Atalanta v Torino, Chievo wasted little time in justifying his man- Liverpool seemed to be as good as over Craig Dawson shot had been saved, Jake don 88) Liverpool 2 (Ings 4, Salah 72) missing a third opportunity. v Inter Milan, Lazio v Sampdoria, ager’s faith. the fi nishing line on 71 minutes when Livermore rammed home the loose ball. Today: Arsenal v West Ham (1230 GMT), Pellegrini contributed to the Udinese v Crotone (all 1300 GMT), Sadio Mane worked a short corner with Salah moved fi ve goals clear of Totten- Albion, fresh from their surprise vic- Stoke v Burnley (1230 GMT), Manchester City opener, crossing a low ball into Juventus v Napoli (1845 GMT) James Milner, crossing into the six-yard ham’s Harry Kane in the race for the Pre- tory at Manchester United last weekend, v Swansea (1530 GMT) the area as Vicari turned into Tomorrow: Genoa v Verona (1845 area where Georginio Wijnaldum had mier League’s Golden Boot award. grew into the game and Rodriguez came Tomorrow: Everton v Newcastle (1900 GMT) his own net when trying to an- GMT) Marseille hammer Lille to stay in Champions League race

Paris: Olympique de Marseille’s Florian cross home from a tight angle. On the by curshing Dijon. Memphis Depay, matic away victory at Marseille and has Thauvin and Konstantinos Mitroglou half-hour mark he scored from the spot Houssem Aouar, Bertrand Traore and seen them take 18 points from a possible both scored twice as they hammered after Dimitri Payet was fouled in the box. Maxwel Cornet were also on target for 18. Elsewhere on Friday, Rennes came Lille 5-1 at the Stade Velodrome yester- Striker Mitroglou netted a third in the the visitors in Burgundy, as a rampant from behind to draw 1-1 at derby rivals day to stay in the hunt for France’s third 35th minute, rising high to steer Jordan Lyon claimed a sixth consecutive league Nantes in a meeting of two sides fighting Champions League qualification place. Amavi’s cross in at the far post, and he victory. Bruno Genesio’s side — who for Europa League qualification. Adrien The win put Marseille level on 69 scored his second three minutes later missed out on a Champions League Thomasson put Claudio Ranieri’s Nantes points with third-placed Olympique with a close-range volley to put his side place this season — are now just a point in front before the break, but they then Lyonnais, who beat Dijon 5-2 on Friday 4-0 up at the break. Lille's Yassine Benzia behind second-placed Monaco, who were had Emiliano Sala sent off just after the night and are ahead of Marseille on goal reduced the deficit by drilling a low left- playing Guingamp late last night. restart, and James Lea-Siliki got Rennes’ diff erence. Struggling Lille are second foot shot into the net in the 54th minute, Only the top three sides qualify for the leveller. Rennes are fifth, in a Europa from bottom on 29 points, a point adrift but winger Lucas Ocampos made it 5-1 Champions League in Ligue 1, and OL League qualifying slot, while Nantes are of the safety zone. with a powerful strike 14 minutes later. looked to be out of the running after a two points behind in eighth. Thauvin stole in front of his marker at On Friday, captain Nabil Fekir scored poor run of form in February and March. After winning a fifth Ligue 1 title in six the front post to open the scoring early a superb goal as Lyon stayed on course However, they have come roaring back seasons last weekend, champions Paris Roma’s Konstantinos Manolas celebrates after scoring against SPAL in the first half by heading Bouna Sarr’s for a return to the Champions League on a winning run that has included a dra- Saint-Germain are at Bordeaux today. in the Serie A match in Ferrara, Italy, yesterday. (Reuters) Gulf Times 4 Sunday, April 22, 2018 SPORT

TENNIS CRICKET Sarfraz has high hopes for young Pakistan Ruthless Nadal beats in England Tests

AFP matches in June but this year we Lahore are starting a bit earlier so obvi- ously it will be diffi cult. “We are obviously missing our akistan cricket captain two senior players and we have Dimitrov to meet Sarfraz Ahmed said an inexperienced side,” said Sar- yesterday he had high fraz of his team which has fi ve hopes for his young players awaiting their Test de- Pand inexperienced side on their but. Openers Fakhar Zaman and tough twin tours of Ireland and Imam-ul-Haq, batsman Us- England starting this month. man Salahuddin and allrounder The 16-member squad fl y Faheem Ashraf have featured in early Monday and after two side limited over matches but not in Nishikori in fi nal games against county teams in the fi ve-day format. England will play a one-off Test Middle-order batsman Saad ‘I try my best. I want to win. Doesn’t matter if I am the favourite or I am not the favourite’ against Ireland at Dublin May Ali is picked for the national 11-15. They then face a formida- team for the fi rst time after AFP ble England side in two Tests at notching 957 runs - the most in Monte Carlo, Principality of Lord’s (May 24-28) and Leeds the last domestic season. Monaco (June 1-5). Pakistan will miss ace leg- Sarfraz said his players were spinner Yasir Shah, ruled out of eager to do well. “Our hopes are the tours with a hip injury. orld number one very high and I am very opti- “If Yasir was fi t he would Rafael Nadal swept mistic with these new boys,” he have been an automatic selec- aside Grigor Dim- said after a short training camp tion but we still got good spin- itrov to ease into in Lahore. ners and Shahdab Khan is the Whis 12th Monte Carlo Masters “The best thing about these best option,” said Sarfraz of the fi nal with a 6-4, 6-1 victory players is that they are willing to 19-year-old who has played just yesterday, while Kei Nishikori perform well at the bigger plat- one Test. edged out Alexander Zverev. form.” While Ireland are playing their The 31-year-old Nadal needs Pakistan will be without sen- inaugural Test after being ac- to win an 11th Monaco title to ior batsmen Younis Khan and corded the status just last year, retain the number one ranking Misbah-ul-Haq who helped Sarfraz said they would also be ahead of Roger Federer, and will them level a four-match series tough opponents. be a red-hot favourite against 2-2 against England in 2016. “They are a strong team with Japan’s Nishikori in today’s fi - Both retired in May last year. most of their players regularly nal. “I really don’t care if I am “Whenever there is a tour playing in county cricket in favourite or I am not favourite,” of England the conditions are England, so I am expecting a insisted Nadal, after beating considered as tough. On our good competitive match against Dimitrov for the 11th time in 12 previous tour in 2016 we played them.” meetings. “I go on court, I try my best. I want to win. Doesn’t matter if I am the favourite or I am not the favourite.” Nadal came through a tight fi rst set but always looked too strong for Dimitrov and raced through the second in half an hour. “He’s playing very good on clay. Simple as that. Tacti- cally and everything else,” ad- mitted Dimitrov. “It hurts a lot of us, a lot of the players that are maybe not as physically strong.” The top seed is bidding for an outright record 31st Masters title this week and extended his run of consecutive sets won on Pakistani cricket captain Sarfraz Ahmed (left), teammates Asad clay to 34 as he closed on a third Shafiq (centre) and Babar Azam take part in a practice session during consecutive Monte Carlo title. Spain’s Rafael Nadal celebrates after his victory against Bulgaria’s Grigor Dimitrov during their semi-final at the Monte Carlo ATP Masters a training camp for the upcoming tours of Ireland and England at the “Being (in) 12 fi nals already Series tournament in Monaco yesterday. (AFP) Gaddafi Cricket Stadium in Lahore. (AFP) here is something diffi cult to imagine. To win 10 is diffi cult to games in four matches this forehand to level at 3-3. defi nitely not acceptable, espe- last four months of last season, imagine, too,” Nadal said. week. Dimitrov immediately The fourth seed was display- cially when you play against him but has looked back to his best Pliskova, Kvitova give Czechs commanding lead “In our sport, there is not put Nadal’s serve under pres- ing the resolve needed to push on that surface.” in Monte Carlo. much time to stop and think sure with two perfectly-judged Nadal on his favourite surface, That eff ectively ended Dim- The former world number Karolina Pliskova and Petra Kvi- she subdued the home fans in about the things that have hap- lobs forcing deuce, but the top and came back from break point itrov’s chances, and Nadal broke four, now ranked 36, did enough tova won their opening singles Stuttgart. pened or not happened. seed came through an eight- down again as the Spaniard to love twice in a row in the sec- to wear down a tired Zverev matches to give Czech Republic “No one expected it,” Pliskova “When I retire, probably we minute opener. continued to miss chances. ond set before a wide Dimitrov who came through a late-night a commanding 2-0 lead in their said after the German failed to will have the chance to think Nadal didn’t take long to get But Dimitrov wasted all of backhand wrapped up yet an- thriller with Richard Gasquet on Fed Cup semi-final against Ger- win a set on day one. Kvitova about it, how diffi cult all the into his stride, breaking at the his earlier good work, handing other comfortable victory. his 21st birthday on Friday. many in Stuttgart yesterday. recorded her 29th Fed Cup things that I have done (were).” fi rst time of asking as Dimitrov Nadal two set points with back- Nishikori is yet to win a Mas- Kvitova powered past German victory on the back of a strong Nadal, playing his fi rst ATP struggled in the longer rallies. to-back double faults and a wild Nishikori returns ters title in three previous fi - number one Julia Goerges 6-3, serve and a string of blistering tournament since he retired The Bulgarian continued to forehand. to big time nal appearances, including one 6-2 before Pliskova produced groundstrokes. from his Australian Open quar- go for his shots and brought The 16-time Grand Slam Nishikori fought back from against Nadal in Madrid four a sublime display to record a World number 11 Goerges was ter-fi nal against Marin Cilic in up three break-back points in champion wrapped up the set a set down to beat Zverev 3-6, years ago when he led by a set 7-5, 6-3 victory over Angelique stronger in the opening ex- January with a hip injury, has game fi ve as Nadal followed a with a whipped forehand onto 6-3, 6-4 and reach his fi rst and a break before retiring in- Kerber. Pliskova, who had lost changes and raced to a 3-1 lead shown no signs of rust. double fault with two wayward the line. “It was my fault when I Masters fi nal since Toronto in jured. He won his last match in her previous three encoun- in the first set before Kvitova Following a 6-0, 6-2 last- groundstrokes. Nadal fi red long, got broken. Simple as that,” said 2016. The Japanese player has against Nadal in the 2016 Olym- ters with Kerber, fired 15 aces rediscovered her rhythm to eight demolition of Dominic before Dimitrov saved a break world number fi ve Dimitrov. struggled with a right wrist in- pic bronze-medal match, but and faced no break points as level things up. Thiem, Nadal has lost only 16 point himself with a venomous “Two double faults, it’s just jury that forced him to miss the has never beaten him on clay.

INDIAN PREMIER LEAGUE De Villiers gives RCB six-wicket win over DD IANS sixes and a four to bring the tar- ing good, in the 14th over with Punjab ride Gayle-Rahul show to beat KKR Bengaluru get down to 60 off seven overs Delhi’s score being 98/3. Iyer - it tilted the match in favour of departed after hitting four fours Kings XI Punjab openers Chris removed him. the hosts. In the following over, and three sixes. Gayle and KL Rahul made The opening wicket stand was B de Villiers blasted de Villiers hit Rahul Tewatia for a With the addition of just an- short work of Kolkata Knight for 116 runs off 58 balls. This 90 not out as Royal six as the bowler ended up con- other seven runs in Delhi’ score- Riders (KKR) as they won by was the transformed Punjab’s Challengers Bangalore ceding 11 runs. card, Chahal sent back incoming nine wickets via the Duck- third win in a row, and first at (RCB) defeated Delhi In the 15th over bowled by batter Glenn Maxwell (4). worth Lewis (D/L) method in a Eden since as they jumped to DaredevilsA (DD) by six wick- Morris, de Villiers was again on However, Pant kept the fi ght rain-truncated Indian Premier the top of the table with eight ets yesterday to end their two- the attack, hitting his compa- alive for his side and slammed League (IPL) game at the Eden points. Fresh from his whirl- match losing streak in the Indian triot for a six and a four to reduce 18 runs off a Chris Woakes’ 18th Gardens yesterday. wind century against Sunrisers Premier League (IPL). the asking rate under seven. Af- over to lift Delhi to 163/4. Chasing 192 for victory, Gayle Hyderabad, Gayle looked in After Rishabh Pant (85) and terwards, it proved to be easy for Trying to go big in the fi nal (49, 27b not out) and Rahul his devastating best and along Shreyas Iyer (52) helped Delhi them to secure the win. over, Pant was fi nally dismissed (46 off 23 not out) were going with Rahul started off dealing post a fi ghting 174/5, de Villiers, Following the win, RCB are by Corey Anderson. The Delhi all guns blazing when rain, ac- in boundaries against the KKR who struck 10 fours and fi ve six- now fi fth in the points table, batter’s 48-ball 85-run knock companied by thunderstorms. pace attack of Shivam Mavi and es during his 39-ball unbeaten while Delhi are at the bottom was guided by six boundaries hit Eden. Play was stopped for Andre Russell. The pair raced to knock, single-handedly guided with a single win in fi ve games. and seven sixes. 95 minutes after which Punjab 73 for no loss in Powerplay, and the hosts to the crucial win with Earlier in the fi rst innings of Tewatia’s 13 off 9 for Delhi were given a revised target of from there on toyed with the two overs to spare. the match between two bottom- helped the visitors reach a fi ght- 125 in 13 overs. Gayle remained home team bowlers. South African de Villiers placed teams, Iyer and Pant ing total. unbeaten on 62 off 38 balls Earlier, Chris Lynn (74) took shared a 63-run third-wicket shared a 75-run partnership for For RCB, Chahal was the pick (5x4, 6x6), hitting the winning time to settle down against the stand with captain Virat Kohli the third wicket as Delhi recov- of the bowlers with fi gures of runs by smoking Tom Curran spinners and plundered the (30) at the M. Chinnaswamy ered from a poor start. 2/22 while Umesh, Anderson for a six as Punjab, 126/1, eased quicks, smashing six fours and Stadium as RCB posted their Put into bat, Delhi were off and Sundar bagged one wicket to victory with 11 balls to spare. four sixes in his first half-centu- second win in fi ve games. to a poor beginning as both the apiece. Rahul (60; 27b 9x4 2x6) got out ry of IPL-11. Lynn got a reprieve RCB were in trouble after los- openers Jason Roy (5) and Gau- to Sunil Narine by top-edging a in the 13th over when when he ing openers Quinton de Kock tam Gambhir (3) were back in the Brief Scores: Delhi Daredevils: pull to Tom Curran at deep mid- was on 62, Barinder Sran (2/50) and Manan Vohra (2), with the dug-out with the scorecard read 174/5 (Rishabh Pant 85, Shreayas wicket. With just 29 needed off dropping a catch at deep extra latter failing to justify his inclu- just 23 runs in 5.4 overs. Iyer 52; Yuzvendra Chahal 2/22) 28 balls after the break, Gayle cover off Andrew Tye (2/30) but sion in place of Sarfraz Khan. While pacer Umesh Yadav vs Royal Challengers Bangalore: resumed from where he had the damage was already done. De Villiers dished out a bat- dismissed Gambhir, spinner 176/4 in 18 overs (AB de Villiers left off , tonking Piyush Chawla Brief scores: Kings XI Punjab ting masterclass as he whacked Yuzvendra Chahal clean bowled 90 not out, Virat Kohli 30; Glenn for a six to bring up his fifty in 126/1 in 11.1 overs (Chris Gayle Shahbaz Nadeem for fi ve fours, Roy. Pant and Iyer eased the Maxwell 1/13). 28 balls. Rahul notched up his 62 not out, KL Rahul 60) beat while medium pacers Harshal pressure on the visitors as they half century too at the other Kolkata Knight Riders 191/7 Patel and Chris Morris too failed took time to settle down before Royal Challengers batsman A B end, smashing Sunil Narine (Chris Lynn 74, Dinesh Karthik to control the right-handed fi nding occasional big shots. De Villiers in action during the for a six over deep midwicket 43; Andrew Tye 2/30, Barinder batsman. Spinner Washington Sundar IPL match against Delhi to follow it up with two fours Sran 2/50) by 9 wickets via With 78 required of eight fi nally broke Delhi’s momentum, Daredevils in Bangalore off the West Indian, who then Duckworth-Lewis method. overs, Harshal conceded two dismissing Iyer, who was look- yesterday. (AFP) Gulf Times Sunday, April 22, 2018 5 SPORT

NBA NHL Quick strike Jets blank Wild to win Bogdanovic’s double playoff series

AFP taken precedence over the team’s Los Angeles play on the ice. “They are not long suff er- ing fans,” he said. “We (coaches) innipeg scored four have a TV in our room and we duty spells trouble times in the fi rst see the crowds in the stands and 12 minutes of the on the streets and they love the contest as the Jets game of hockey. It is almost like Wclinched their fi rst playoff series we are secondary to what is go- ‘We’ve been resilient all year. win in franchise history with a ing on in the city.” 5-0 victory over the Minnesota Winnipeg’s previous playoff We’ve overcome adversity’ Wild on Friday. appearance was a sweep by the Jacob Trouba, Bryan Little, Anaheim Ducks in 2015. for Cavaliers Brandon Tanev and Joel Armia The franchise moved to the scored fi rst period goals to chase Manitoba city from Atlanta in Wild netminder Devan Dubnyk 2011. The Thrashers started in as the Jets won the fi rst round the league 1999-2000, with best of seven series four games their only playoff series ending to one. in four straight losses to the New The four goals on their fi rst 10 York Rangers seven seasons later. shots sent the white-clad crowd The last time any Winnipeg of 15,300 at the Bell MTS Place team won a NHL series was 31 arena into a frenzy. A similar years ago when the original Jets’ size group of fans stood out- franchise did it before relocating side on the streets of Winnipeg to Arizona in 1996. watching the game on giant TV Trouba scored 31 seconds into screens. Friday’s game and in a blink of The party then kicked into an eye Little, Tanev and Armia high gear after the fi nal buzzer scored to make it 4-0. sounded with the Winnipeg po- Dubnyk was replaced by Alex lice tweeting some words of ad- Stalock who stopped 15 shots but vice and encouraging people to gave up a third period goal to Jets have fun. forward Mark Scheifele. Connor “Seems a #WPGWhiteout Hellebuyck stopped 30 shots for has hit Portage & Main. Motor- the shutout. ists may wish to steer clear for a The Wild were making their bit – but friendly @NHLJets fans sixth straight appearance in the welcome. We’ve shut down the postseason. They got as far as the intersection for a series clinch- second round in 2014 and 2015, ing celebration. We’ll let you when Chicago eliminated them know when it’s open again. This both times. is your night #Winnipeg,” the police tweeted. RESULTS Jets coach Paul Maurice said Philadelphia ...... 4 Pittsburgh ...... 2 in a strange way it feels like the Winnipeg ...... 5 Minnesota...... 0 city’s passion for the sport has Colorado ...... 2 Nashville ...... 1

Rodgers buys minority stake in Bucks Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers has purchased a minority stake in the Milwaukee Bucks, the team announced during Friday night’s game against the Boston Celtics. Rodgers was sitting courtside with his girlfriend, racecar driver Danica Patrick, and fellow Bucks owner Wes Edens for the game, which the Bucks won 116-92 to cut the Celtics’ series lead to 2-1. “I have proudly called Wisconsin my home for the past 13 years, and I am thankful for the friendships and the opportunities I have been Bojan Bogdanovic of the Indiana Pacers reacts after making a three-point shot in the second-half of game three of the NBA playoff s against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Bankers given to live and play here,” Rodgers in a statement released by the Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Pacers won 92-90. (Getty Images/AFP) team. “I am excited and honored to deepen my connection to the region AFP and seven assists in the win. po, and we didn’t.” attack Friday as reserve centre 122-103, narrowing the Raptors’ by joining Wes Edens, Marc Lasry, Jamie Dinan, Mike Fascitelli and Los Angeles Bogdanovic scored several James tried unsuccessfully Thon Maker scored 14 points. series lead to two games to one. the ownership group of the Milwaukee Bucks. diff erent ways but he was also to rally his team twice in the fi - Guard Matthew Dellavedova Elsewhere, the league slapped As a huge fan of the NBA and the sport of basketball, this is a dream asked to carry a heavy load on nal minutes as the three-time clamped down on defence hold- Miami Heat’s Justise Winslow come true for me, and I look forward to furthering my aff inity for ojan Bogdanovic scored defence. His double-duty per- defending Eastern Conference ing Celtics point guard Terry with a $15,000 fi ne on Friday Wisconsin sports as a minority owner in a team I love and support.” a playoff career-high formance included guarding champs were outscored 52-33 Rozier to nine points on just for stepping on the facemask of Rodgers, 34, is the first active NFL player to own a piece of a major 30 points as the Indiana superstar LeBron James, who over the fi nal two quarters. two-of-seven shooting. Philadelphia 76ers Joel Embiid sports franchise based in his own team’s market. Pacers stormed back fi nished with 28 points, 12 re- “We have to regroup and fi g- “That’s what you need, is the in their playoff series. He joined the Packers in the 2006 draft and splits his time between fromB a 17 point halftime defi cit bounds, eight assists and six ure out how we can be better in energy fi rst,” coach Joe Prunty Winslow intentionally Green Bay and southern California. Rodgers is originally from Chico, to edge the Cleveland Cavaliers turnovers. game four,” James said of the said. stepped on Embiid’s mask in the Calif. 92-90 in game three of their “Everybody thought before Cavs who were 39-0 in the reg- Al Horford scored 16 for the second quarter of game three “Aaron is a winner, a Wisconsin icon, and we are honored to NBA playoff series. this season that I cannot play ular season when leading after Celtics, who got no closer than which was won by the Sixers. welcome him to our partnership group of the Milwaukee Bucks,” The win gives the Pacers a 2-1 defence,” Bogdanovic said. “I three quarters. 76-62 with three minutes left in the Bucks ownership group said in a statement. “With our team in lead in the fi rst round clash and don’t say that I’m playing great Elsewhere, Khris Middleton the third quarter. RESULTS the playoff s and our new world-class arena opening this fall, it’s an they can take a stranglehold on defence, but I’m working hard scored 23 points, Giannis An- The Celtics will be looking to First-round playoff games exciting time for this city and the Bucks. We are thrilled for Aaron to the Eastern Conference series to make it tough for every player tetokounmpo tallied 19 and the get off to a better start in game (all series best-of-seven): be with us.” with a win Sunday in Indiana- I’m guarding.” Milwaukee Bucks used a domi- four on Sunday in Milwaukee Eastern Conference Menawhile The Philadelphia Eagles and Super Bowl MVP Nick Foles polis. James joined Michael Jordan nating fi rst half to rout Boston as a Bucks’ win would level the At Indiana agreed to a restructured contract that reportedly gives the quarter- “We’ve been resilient all year. as the only players in NBA his- 116-92, cutting the Celtics se- series 2-2. Indiana ...... 92 Cleveland 90 back a raise, according to multiple reports Friday. We’ve overcome adversity,” said tory with 100 double-doubles ries lead to 2-1. (Indiana leads series 2-1) NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo originally reported the deal. While the Pacers Thaddeus Young. in the post-season. Jordan had Eric Bledsoe and Jabari Parker Winslow fined At Washington final financial terms have not been disclosed, both Garafolo and Croatia’s Bogdanovic scored 109. “We were more aggressive each added 17 for the Bucks, who In Washington, Bradley Beal Washington ...... 122 Toronto ....103 ESPN’s Tim McManus reported that the new contract includes a 19 points in the second half, in the fi rst half. We had tempo, held the Celtics without a fi eld and John Wall were the best (Toronto leads series 2-1) $2 million signing bonus, several million dollars more in potential fi nishing seven of nine from they didn’t,” James said. “Then goal for nearly an 11-minute players on the fl oor combin- At Milwaukee performance- and playing time-based incentives and a mutual op- beyond the arc. Victor Oladipo they were more aggressive in stretch of the fi rst half. ing for 56 points as the Wizards Milwaukee ...... 116 Boston ...... 92 tion for 2019. added 18 points, six rebounds the second half, they had tem- The Bucks used a balanced crushed the Toronto Raptors (Boston leads series 2-1)

MLB Red Sox top A’s for 8th straight on Moreland’s slam Reuters The A’s jumped on left-hander helping the Red Sox improve to 4-0 Oakland Drew Pomeranz, making his first on their current 10-game trip while start of the season, for three runs extending the pitching staff ’s string in the first inning, catching a of games allowing three or fewer itch Moreland hit reliev- break when Matt Chapman struck runs to eight straight. er Emilio Pagan’s fi rst out for what would have been Nunez collected three hits and pitch of the evening for a the third out, except that the ball Ramirez two for the Red Sox, who tie-breaking grand slam got away from catcher Christian were coming off a three-game Min the sixth inning Friday night, Vazquez for a wild pitch that kept sweep of the Los Angeles Angels propelling the Boston Red Sox to the inning alive. in which they scored at least eight their eighth straight win, a 7-3 tri- The A’s led 1-0 at the time, with runs in each win. umph over the Oakland Athletics in Jed Lowrie knocking in the fi rst Lowrie had four hits, including Oakland, Calif. run. Matt Olson and Mark Canha a pair of doubles, and Olson added The Red Sox trailed the opener followed Chapman’s strikeout with a pair of singles for the A’s, who of a three-game series 3-0 after RBI singles that made it 3-0. had a four-game winning streak one inning, but quickly evened the Graveman retired the fi rst bat- snapped. score on a three-run home run by ter he faced in the top of the sec- The Red Sox out-hit the A’s 11- Jackie Bradley Jr. in the second, set- ond, but Rafael Devers and Eduardo 10. ting the stage for Moreland’s game- Nunez singled, after which Bradley winning blow four innings later. bombed his second homer of the RESULTS Right-hander Hector Velasquez season to draw Boston even. Red Sox ...... 7 Athletics ...... 3 (3-0) pitched three innings of shut- Pomeranz, who began the season Mets ...... 5 Braves ...... 3 out relief to get the win. A’s starter on the disabled list with a strained Nationals ...... 5 Dodgers ...... 2 Kendall Graveman (0-4), who left forearm, was pulled two outs Rays ...... 8 Twins ...... 7 loaded the bases in the sixth, took into the fourth inning, having Blue Jays...... 8 Yankees ...... 5 the loss. thrown 88 pitches. He allowed Padres ...... 4 Diamondbacks .1 Graveman had retired 11 straight three runs and fi ve hits in his 3 2/3 Astros ...... 10 White Sox ...... 0 batters following Bradley’s homer innings. He walked two and struck Cubs ...... 16 Rockies ...... 5 before Mookie Betts, Andrew Ben- out seven. Mariners ...... 6 Rangers ...... 2 intendi and Hanley Ramirez singled Graveman was credited with six Phillies ...... 2 Pirates ...... 1 consecutively to open the sixth. runs allowed on seven hits in fi ve- Tigers ...... 3 Royals 2 (Game 1) Pagan then came on and immedi- plus innings. He struck out six and Royals...... 3 Tigers2 (Game 2) ately served up Moreland’s grand did not walk a batter. Giants ...... 8 Angels ...... 1 slam, the third of his career and Velasquez teamed with Brian Orioles ...... 3 Indians ...... 1 fi rst since 2016. The homer was Johnson, Matt Barnes and Joe Kelly Cardinals ...... 4 Reds ...... 2 Boston Red Sox first baseman Mitch Moreland hugs relief pitcher Joe Kelly after a win against the Oakland Athletics at Oakland Coliseum Moreland’s second of the season. for 5 1/3 innings of shutout relief, Brewers ...... 8 Marlins ...... 0 in Oakland. PICTURE: USA TODAY Sports Gulf Times 6 Sunday, April 22, 2018 SPORT

GOLF BOXING Filipino sensation KO’s Frenchman for Johnson, Moore in IBO world title

AFP A teary-eyed Dasmarinas Singapore raised his hands in jubilation as Filipinos in the crowd of about 4,000 spectators at the Singa- ising Filipino sensation pore Indoor Stadium roared in joint Texas Open lead Michael Dasmarinas approval. knocked out his French Dasmarinas, 25, increased his ‘I am not afraid of the wind. I played well and relished in the wind - what do you call it The opponent Karim Guerfi record to 28 wins, 19 of them via Rjust seconds into the fourth the short route. The 31-year-old Open Championship or some of those other tournaments I played in. It doesn’t matter’ round on Friday to win the va- Guerfi ’s record fell to four losses. cant International Boxing Or- Guerfi was more aggressive ganisation bantamweight world throughout, while the Filipino title in Singapore. was cautious, choosing to absorb Dasmarinas, a southpaw, un- some punches while waiting for leashed a powerful left hook to a chance to unleash his deadly the jaw of Guerfi , sending the left hand. French fi ghter to a hard landing In the main event, Singapo- on the canvass as medics rushed rean fi ghter Muhamad Ridhwan, in with a stretcher. 30, won over Filipino fi ghter Je- Eyes dazed, he tried in vain to son Umbal, 23, via a split deci- get up and then rolled to the side sion following a brutal fi nal 12th as medics checked his face. He round to retain the IBO inter- later left the ring on his own. continental featherweight title.

Filipino boxer Michael Dasmarinas (centre) celebrates after defeating French opponent Karim Guerfi during the International Boxing Organisation (IBO) batamweight world title in Singapore. (AFP)

RUGBY Zach Johnson looks over a putt on the ninth hole during the second round of the Valero Texas Open at TPC San Antonio AT&T Oaks Course in San Antonio, Texas. (AFP) Horne forced into

AFP third round. They are one stroke in Saturday’s round it is not go- Denny McCarthy 72-67, Chris back of Moriya after a 65. shock retirement Los Angeles ahead of Andrew Landry and ing to throw him off . Kirk 73-66, Billy Horschel 68-71, Seven time major champion Grayson Murray, who shot 67 “I am not afraid of the wind,” Keegan Bradley 68-71 Park In-bee is tied for fourth AFP ens. “All our thoughts are of and 69, respectively. Johnson said. “I played well and 140-Jimmy Walker 71-69, with South Korean compatriot London course with Rob and his family at ormer British Open Ben Crane (66), Martin Laird relished in the wind - what do Vaughn Taylor 72-68, Brian Stu- Ji Eun-hee at fi ve-under 137. this time. champ Zach Johnson of Scotland (65) and Canada’s you call it The Open Champi- ard 71-69, Richy Werenski 72-68, Ko Jin-young shot a 67 and is “Rob is not only a world-class played his way into a David Hearn (68) are tied for onship or some of those other Beau Hossler 71-69. alone in sixth as fi ve of the top ustralia international rugby player, but he is an excep- share of the lead at the fi fth at six-under, three shots tournaments I played in. It six players are from South Ko- Rob Horne has been tional man.” halfwayF stage of the Texas Open, adrift of the leaders. doesn’t matter. It is hard for rea to the delight of the galleries forced to retire from Dickens added: “He is a huge- Thailand’s Moriya leads at reeling off four straight birdies Both Johnson’s win here came everybody if there is wind.” halfway stage of LA Open this week because Los Angeles professional rugby un- ly-respected and popular mem- en route to a seven-under 65. on a diff erent course, LaCantera Moore shot his second Thailand’s Moriya Jut- is home to a huge South Korean ionA at the age of just 28 follow- ber of the dressing room, and The 42-year-old has a history Golf Club, but the TPC San An- straight bogey free round on anugarn, who is seeking her expat community. ing a career-ending arm injury, this will be an enormous loss to at this event, having won back- tonio suits him just fi ne. Friday after posting a 68 on fi rst win on the USLPGA Tour, Moriya, who also has a sister the centre’s English Premiership Saints, both from a rugby and a to-back titles in 2008 and 2009, He is one of just four winners Thursday. “My distance con- fi red a bogey-free fi ve-under Ariya on the Tour, rocketed to club Northampton announced personal perspective. the fi rst two times he competed in tournament history, dating trol has been great and really 66 to take a one stroke lead af- the top of the leaderboard with a yesterday. “Even though he had only in it. to 1922, to successfully defend my ball-striking has been really ter the second round of the LA burst of three straight birdies on Northampton’s statement been here for one season, I am “I felt really good coming the title, joining Bill Mehlhorn nice the last few weeks,” Moore Open. Moriya started quickly on her back nine. came just a week after Horne sure he was destined to become a into the week,” said Johnson, 1928-29, Arnold Palmer 1960- said. “The putter just kind of the back nine on Friday with two This is just the second time in suff ered nerve damage to his club legend and, like everyone, I who also won the 2007 Masters 62 and Justin Leonard 2000-01. hasn’t been co-operating.” birdies in her fi rst four holes of her career Moriya has held the right arm in the opening minute am deeply saddened that his ca- crown. “I hit solid shots. The 2015 British Open win- Except on the sixth and 17th the round at the Wilshire Coun- 36-hole lead. The fi rst was last of the Saints’ 27-21 win away to reer has been prematurely ended “I was fi xated on keeping the ner holed out of a greenside holes when he rolled in birdie try Club course to reach a total season at the Evian Champi- Leicester last Saturday. in this way.” peddle down. I was striking it bunker at the fi fth hole for an putts from more than 14 feet. of eight-under 134. onship, where she fi nished just He then required several min- Horne joined Saints in pre- well. My driver was key. The eagle-two, his second eagle of “I just tried to hit fairways one stroke away from making utes of on-fi eld treatment before season from the Sydney-based confi dence is there.” the week. On the par-four 15th Leading scores second round and greens. That’s the key for a playoff between Anna Nor- being carried off and undergoing Super Rugby side the Waratahs. Under cloudy, windy condi- he hit his 173-yard approach to 135-Zach Johnson 70-65, Ryan this week. That’s what I try to dqvist and Brittany Altomare. tests by neurological specialists He won 34 Test caps, playing in tions in San Antonio on Friday, 15 feet then sank the putt for his Moore 68-67 do,” the former LPGA rookie of Last week’s tournament at London’s Royal National Or- two World Cups, and represent- he rolled in six birdies and an fourth straight birdie. 136-Andrew Landry 69-67, Gray- the year Moriya said. champ Brooke Henderson of thopaedic Hospital. ed the Wallabies against the 2013 eagle to tie for the lead at nine- Johnson has made the cut son Murray 67-69 American Marina Alex is Canada stumbled to an eight- “This is absolutely tragic news British and Irish Lions. under 135 with fellow Ameri- in all 12 starts this season as he 138-Ben Crane 72-66, David alone in second after shooting a over 79 and missed the cut along and has been devastating for He scored eight tries in 21 can Ryan Moore, who fi red a aims for his 13th win on the US- Hearn (CAN) 70-68, Martin 68 for a seven-under total while with former major champions every member of the squad and games for Northampton, and fi ve-under 67. They will be in PGA Tour. Laird (SCO) 73-65 two time major winner Ryu So- Anna Nordqvist, Stacy Lewis staff here,” said Northampton captained them in the Leicester the fi nal group in Saturday’s He said if there is more wind 139-Chesson Hadley 68-71, yeon is in the hunt two shots and Juli Inkster. interim head coach Alan Dick- match.

MARATHON Farah faces tough examination in London AFP ‘Rocket’ Ronnie hints at marathon challenge London Snooker great Ronnie ‘Rocket’ O’Sullivan could tackle the London Marathon one day, the sport’s biggest draw- ritish track legend Mo Fa- card said on the eve of his opening world championship rah had few peers in dis- match. tance championship run- The 42-year-old six-time world champion will cast an en- ning but he may fi nd a few vious eye at the thousands of participants who will line betterB than him on the road in to- up in today’s London Marathon, an event which clashes day’s London Marathon. with his snooker duties in Sheff ield. The 35-year-old - who achieved “I’ve never really trained for the marathon, although I the Olympic double of 5000/10000 could run one,” said O’Sullivan, who runs regularly at his metres champion twice - couldn’t local athletics club. hope for a better send off in his sec- “If I was doing it I’d want to do it in a good time. I’ve ond tilt at his home marathon than never been a marathon runner, more five or six miles, so for Queen Elizabeth II due to press it’s probably something I’ll do when I finish snooker. the start button from a specially “I’ll definitely do one when the time’s right but the time’s erected podium at Windsor Castle. not right at the moment, I’ve got too much going on.” However, with the likes of Ken- Britain’s Mo Farah poses near Tower Bridge in London. (AFP) O’Sullivan can become the first snooker player to earn ya’s Olympic champion and two- over £1 million in a season if he reaches the final having time London Marathon winner sonal best,” Farah told the BBC this record holder Paula Radcliff e) and already accrued £824,500 ($1.1million, 942,000 euros) Eliud Kipchoge, Ethiopian legend week. “That would be a great start soaking up the miles. I shouldn’t and snapping up a record-equalling five ranking titles. Kenenisa Bekele and Kenyan de- for me.” get excited too much. (L-R) Men’s elite runners Kenya’s Daniel Wanjiru, Ethiopia’s Kenenisa Bekele, But that hasn’t prevented him from taking aim at world fending champion Daniel Wanjiru With Kipchoge expected to have “It wouldn’t surprise me if Kenya’s Eliud Kipchoge and Ethiopia’s Guye Adola pose during a photocall championship organisers and snooker supremo Barry in the fi eld Farah will have his work a go at breaking the world record someone broke the record, because for the London Marathon by Tower Bridge in London. (AFP) Hearn, with whom he has had several clashes in the cut out to make an impression. - presently 2hr 02min 57sec set by you look at the fi eld. There are so past. The organisers have banned spectators from The warm temperatures expect- compatriot Dennis Kimetto inthe many guys!” Briton with three wins in the race. who also recognise a women’s only wearing football shirts at the championships’ historic ed won’t ruffl e Farah - although 2014 Berlin Marathon - Farah is The women’s race sees another But the quickest that Radcliff e record. home of the Crucible Theatre in Sheff ield - a decision those ‘fun runners’ who are plan- loathe to fall into the trap of trying Kenyan Mary Keitany favoured to ever ran a marathon was when she “It would mean so much to me supported by World Snooker and their chairman Hearn. ning to dress up as a knight and to keep pace. repeat her victory from last year posted a time of 2hrs 15 mins 25 because I’ve had Paula’s record in “You pay your money, you get your ticket, you should Paddington Bear have been advised “It’s a loaded race, so I need to but also to complete a collection of secs in winning in London in 2003. mind since I started my career,” be allowed to wear whatever you want,” said O’Sullivan, to have a rethink over the sagacity make sure I don’t make any mis- world records. However, for much of that mara- said Keitany on Wednesday. who has a tough first round clash with Scotland’s of donning those outfi ts - but he is takes, to save as much energy as I Keitany broke British heroine thon Radcliff e was running along- “She was an inspiration and that Stephen Maguire, a two-time world semi-finalist. realistic about his chances. can,” said Farah. Paula Radcliff e’s women-only side men, so the time was classifi ed world record is still ahead of me as “It’s quite laughable when you read it really. At “Acceptable for me would be “It’s all new for me. I’m listening record last year when she timed as a “mixed race” women’s world a lifetime goal. As long as I’m run- darts they seem to be walking about in Superman knowing I mixed in with the guys, to Gary (Lough his coach and hus- two hours, 17 minutes and one sec- record by the International As- ning I want to get it,” added the outfits.” I fought for it, and that I ran a per- band of women’s marathon world ond, and also drew alongside the sociation of Athletics Federations, 36-year-old. Gulf Times Sunday, April 22, 2018 7 SPORT

FOOTBALL SPOTLIGHT AZF, Al Jazeera Media We’ll do our best Institute sign MoU to win Qatar Cup: Gharafa’s Amado l Gharafa are gearing up for their Qatar Cup semi-fi nal against this season’s QNB Stars League champions Al Duhail at Al Sadd Aspire Logistics director general Abdullah Nasser al-Naemi (right) and StadiumA today. Al Jazeera Media Institute director Mounir al-Daymia. The Cheetahs are ambitious and are preparing for the game in earnest. By Sports Reporter national standards.” Al Gharafa’s Portuguese midfi elder Doha Al-Naemi added, “In an ever- Diogo Amado spoke about various topics, changing world of media, we including today’s match, in an interview. have to keep abreast of the lat- Excerpts: spire Zone Founda- est trends and this requires solid tion (AZF) has signed career development plans for all What’re your impressions of the Qa- a memorandum of un- our staff , in line with our strate- tar Cup? derstanding (MoU) gic objective and ambitious vi- We’ve huge ambitions for this precious withA Al Jazeera Media Institute sion to be the ‘the Reference’ in cup as we’re very excited and looking (AMI) to nurture the talents of sports excellence worldwide by forward to get the best results. It’s a mat- AZF’s staff by providing them 2020.” ter of two games to work on. We’ll try to with access to the latest media Meanwhile, al-Daymi said, build on our QSL Cup triumph this sea- and management courses off ered “This agreement highlights son as well as a series of positive results by the Institute. the confidence of Qatar’s or- that have helped us fi nish fourth in the The MoU was signed by Aspire ganisations in the capabilities league. Logistics director general Abdul- and skills of AMN, especially lah Nasser al-Naemi (right) and AMI, for many reasons includ- What’re your ambitions in this tour- Al Jazeera Media Institute di- ing our unique curricula, train- nament? rector Mounir al-Daymia in the ers and the professional media As I mentioned, there’s no second attendance of several senior of- environment that we provide to chance as it’s a knockout competition. fi cials from both organisations. trainees.” The winners will advance and losers will Under the agreement, the He added, “We are delighted to be out. We’ll do our best to win the Qatar Al Gharafa’s Portuguese midfielder Diogo Amado (right) takes part in a training session with teammates. two parties will cooperate in a partner with a global sports or- Cup. number of areas, most notably ganisation such as AZF, especial- phase of QNB Stars League? I’m focusing on Al Gharafa and how to How do you assess your season with the training courses on AMI’s ly after it was named Best Arab What’re Al Gharafa’s chances in this Diff erent circumstances, indeed. The help the team get good results, particu- Al Gharafa? annual calendar and e-learning Sports Organisation. It means a tournament? league fi xtures are very much diff erent larly in the semifi nal against Al Duhail. I can say that I’m satisfi ed with this portal, as well as providing me- lot to AMI that AZF invests heav- We’re aware that it’s a diffi cult tourna- than the cup games. In the league’s fi rst season. I’ve learnt that I was one of dia consultations, seminars and ily in its human capital.” ment and all other teams are the best in phase, the match ended in a draw with How do you see Al Gharafa’s league the most active players in terms of the joint workshops for AZF and staff Al Daymi concluded: “By sign- the QNB Stars League with lots of experi- a strong performance from our side. campaign this season? number of minutes and matches in the of all its member organisation. ing this Memorandum, we hope ence in cup tournaments. I would like to stress the fact that cup The start wasn’t that good for us, nev- league and that’s a great pleasure. I’m Commenting on this new to contribute to the development matches have special atmosphere and ertheless our performance improved. giving my everything to the team and I’m partnership, al-Naemi said, “Af- of AZF’s media strategies and How about your semi-fi nal against Al circumstances. Everyone is very happy after fi nishing proud of that. When the team wanted me ter it was established in 1996 by nurture the skills of a qualifi ed Duhail? among the top four teams in the QNB to play in defence, I did that even though the visionary leader, His High- new generation of media profes- They’re the league champions with How do you look forward to your Qa- Stars League. Overall, the season was I hadn’t done it before. I worked really ness the Father Emir, the Al sionals.” no defeats whatsoever this season and tar Cup debut? good for us. hard. Jazeera Media Network (AMN) AMI has recently signed they’ve prominent players in their ranks. I’m so proud to represent Al Gharafa, revolutionised broadcast me- MoUs with several local and However, we’ve full confi dence in our a big club with rich history of achieve- Are you happy with what you’ve Finally, what you would like to say? dia in the Arab world. Today, we international organisations to potential. We’ll enter the match with the ments and successes. I’ll put in my best to achieved? I would like to tell Al Gharafa fans that are proud to partner with one develop their media cadres and determination to win and qualify for the help my side in the Qatar Cup as I did in When you represent a big team such we, players, are trying to put up our best of its affi liated entities, AMI, to promote a culture of sound pro- fi nal. the QNB Stars League. as Al Gharafa, you’ll always have bigger on the fi eld in all games. We need your provide high-quality training to fessional media, which is in line ambitions. We’re happy with our fourth- support always and I would like to invite our staff and benefi t from their with AZF’s professional stand- Will you be able to compensate for Which two teams do you think will place fi nish, which we hadn’t done for a you to come and support us in the Qatar extensive training programs in ards and continuous pursuit of your loss to Al Duhail in the second reach the fi nal? long time. I believe it’s a positive sign. Cup and Emir Cup. (QSL) accordance with the best inter- development.

EQUESTRIAN / GLOBAL CHAMPIONS TOUR Al Adam Triathlon Championship Sheikh Ali rides Carolina to fourth place in Shanghai

Winners of the Al Adam Triathlon Championship pose with their trophies on the podium at The Pearl on Friday. Organised by Qatar Cycling and Triathlon Federation, this was the third edition of the event. Aday Alvarez won the men’s open category with a total time of 58 minutes and 16 seconds. Isora Sosa Caballero was the women’s open category winner. Among the Qataris, Q-Tri athletes swept the podium with Ali al- Hajri topping the category.

By Sports Reporter Britain’s Ben Maher and Explosion W fi n- heads to Europe and the Spanish capital of Doha ished second in 38.55 seconds, followed by Madrid in a fortnight. Germany’s Daniel Deusser with Tobago Z in In the team event – the Global Champions 39.11 seconds, in front of a fashionable sell- League – Sheikh Ali combined with team- atar’s Sheikh Ali bin Khalid al- out crowd at the China Art Palace. mate Michael Whitaker to guide Doha Fur- Thani just missed out on a podi- This victory in China handed Wathe- san Qatar to a fourth-place fi nish. Sheikh um, fi nishing fourth at the Global let the third golden ticket to the Global Ali was riding Carolina, while Whitaker Champions Tour Grand Prix of Champions Super Grand Prix at the new mounted Viking as the pairs tallied 151.84 ShanghaiQ yesterday. GC Prague Play Offs in December, where seconds in two rounds. The Olympic rider astride his 12-year-old he will line up against Miami Beach win- At the top it was a nail-biter, as British Mare, Carolina pivoted around the bends, ner Edwina Tops-Alexander and hero of riders Emily Moffi tt and Ben Maher claimed producing a smashing clear round in 39.46 the curtain raiser in Mexico City, Scott the fi rst win for London Knights by the tini- seconds. Sheikh Ali won €61,000 for his Brash. est of margins. Qatar to participate in Junior Artistic Gymnastics Asian C’ships creditable show. Wathelet also soars up the overall rank- The Knights, who had been in the lead af- Belgium’s Gregory Wathelet and Coree ings to fourth where the 2018 Champion- ter the fi rst round earlier in the week, won Qatar gymnastics team delega- in the Indonesian capital of gymnasts. In a statement yes- set a jaw-dropping pace early in a 12 rider ship race is still headed by Brash, fi fth here the Global Champions League event by 27 tion will leave Doha today to Jakarta. The Qatar gymnastics terday, the QGF president said jump-off to seizing victory. The pair nailed in Shanghai and bidding for his third overall hundredths of a second ahead of Simon participate in the 15th Junior team delegation comprises that Qatar team will get several the feature class with a Formula-1-fast title on the Tour. Delestre and Jerome Guery of the Monaco Artistic Gymnastics Asian Qatar Gymnastics Federation technical gains and greater round that simply couldn’t be beaten, fi n- He sits just in front of another two-time Aces. Roger-Yves Bost and Dayro Arroyave Championships, which will take president Ali al-Hitmi, technical experience from this significant ishing 1.69 seconds ahead of their closest Championship victor Alexander. Deusser of the Chantilly Pegasus fi nished in third place from April 25-28, 2018, and managerial staff , and four event. rival in the fi eld. is now third, with Maher fi fth as the Tour place.

Sunday, April 22, 2018 GULF TIMES SPORT

FOCUS QOC president awards winners of HH The Emir Camel Racing Festival

QNA Doha Emir’s presence a sign of appreciation: Camel Race atar Olympic Committee (QOC) president HE Sheikh Joaan Committee chief bin Hamad al-Thani yester- day awarded the winners of day QNA keen on attending the compe- eightQ of the annual Arabian Camel Racing Doha titions of tribes members. Festival for the sword of His Highness the The Emir injected enthusi- Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, asm in the organisers of the which was held at Al Shahaniya racetrack. amel Race Organizing festival, notably the camel race HE Sheikh Joaan awarded the silver Committee chairman committee, to maximise eff orts blade to Hassan Mohamed al-Oqail after CHE Sheikh Hamad bin so that the competition would his camel Mansoura won the main race for Jassim bin Faisal al-Thani come out in the best possible camels aged fi ve years. The silver dagger reaff irmed yesterday that the fashion. It also motivated went to Fahd Mohamed al-Dosari after his attendance of His Highness the owners and participants to camel won the second race. Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad compete and off er their best The QOC president awarded the silver al-Thani for the four races, performances. dagger to Nasser Abdullah al-Misnad, which are part of His High- For his part, vice-chairman owner of Khoud, who also won one of the ness’ Arabian Camel Racing of Camel Racing Organizing main races. The silver blade went to Ab- Festival, is an honour for all the Committee Abdullah al-Kuwari dulhadi al-Ghafarani after his camel Silsal participants. said that the attendance of won one of the main races. He said in a statement that His His Highness the Emir for the Earlier on Friday, Sheikh Joaan awarded Highness the Emir was always tribes members’ competition is the winners of the four main races of the supportive of camel-racing a clear indication of His High- seventh day of the competition too. Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC) president HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad al-Thani (second from left) with the winners on Friday. sports, and that his attendance ness’ appreciation for them. He Al Shaqab camels won two of the four was a message of appreciation added that the Qatari camel- main races. Mayhola won the fi rst race to ger, after fi nishing the race in 5:44.9 min- The third race was won by Al Afrita, which Sheikh Abdulaziz bin Hamad bin Khal al- to tribes members who were racing sport was developing earn the golden blade. It fi nished the race utes. This was just 0.7 seconds faster than belongs to His Highness Sheikh Mohamed Thani. The fi nal race and the golden dag- competing. The chairman of with each passing day, thanks in 5:42.9 minutes, 2.5 seconds faster than Sheikh Mohamed bin Abdulah bin Hamad bin Khalifa bin Hamad al-Thani. ger was won by Bahr of Sheikh Faisal bin the committee said that His to the directives and support its nearest competitor. Afrin won the sec- bin Jassim al-Thani’s camel which fi nished Al Afrita fi nished its race in 5:53 min- Hamad bin Jassim al-Thani after fi nishing Highness the Emir was always of the Emir. ond race, and its prize of the golden dag- second. utes, 0.2 seconds faster than Azmir of the race in 5:58.7 minutes.

MANATEQ QATAR CROSS-COUNTRY RALLY CRICKET Qatar’s al-Attiyah Captain Haq leads Qatar closes in on victory to crucial Second-placed Przygonski suff ers two flat tyres; Adel Abdulla leads T2 category win over By Sports Reporter Doha Al-Attiyah aims to equal Jordan Rally record

atar’s Nasser Saleh al-Attiyah good performance. I guess if you look at is one desert stage away from other championships we have won many Kuwait a sixth victory in seven years more rallies and, of course, I still want to By Sports Reporter at the Manateq Qatar Cross- win in Jordan. I like the stages and the Doha CountryQ Rally (QCCR) after he and rally very much. French navigator Matthieu Baumel won “It is very important to keep this cham- the fourth selective section by 7min 17sec pionship. We need to work to improve eading from the front, yesterday. and keep it alive. Jordan is doing a very Qatar captain Inam-ul- The Toyota Hilux pairing duly ex- good job to keep the championship Haq helped Qatar reg- tended their overall lead over the Mini strong. Then we have Cyprus, Lebanon, ister their fi rst victory in John Cooper Works Rally crew of Po- LICC World T20 Asia Qualifi er ‘A’ Iran, Kuwait coming back and Qatar will land’s Jakub Przygonski and Belgian co- be the final round. in Kuwait City yesterday. driver Tom Colsoul to 14min 43sec. The “I am sure the championship will come Playing against a strong Ku- Mini crew lost vital minutes stopping to back very strong. We have seen ups and wait team, coached by former change two fl at tyres. downs in the past and we always got South Africa international Her- The fourth stage ran for 324.98km, through those. It’s great to see Vojtech schelle Gibbs, the skipper scored starting to the south of Doha and pass- Stajf here in a Skoda. We worked to- a 25-ball 24 as Qatar put up 167 ing through around 40km of sand dunes gether in Iran last year and encouraged runs on board for the loss of six north of the Inland Sea. The route then him to come to the MERC. Ken Skidmore wickets, before scalping four turned north through the middle of the By A Correspondent Al-Attiyah has won all but four of the from my team helped him with the lo- crucial wickets to help limit the country and then headed through the Amman, Jordan events since claiming his first victory gistics side of things. He is a very quick hosts to 141 runs for 9 in the al- just nine runs, reeling at 93 for stony western deserts to fi nish at Al-Wa- with British navigator Steve Lancaster in driver and it should be interesting to see lotted 20 overs. 6 in the 14th over, with four of bra, west of Doha. a Subaru Impreza WRC in 2003. Ben Su- how he gets on in Jordan. Qatar, who had pushed the those wickets by Haq. Przygonski was actually the fastest of atar’s Nasser Saleh al-Attiyah layem won 12 times between 1984 and “The stages in Jordan are always UAE in the fi rst match on Friday, Qatar then fully controlled the two drivers through the fi rst 107km, will match another major 2002 and that included two years when demanding and we know that it is never showed character fi ghting back the match and restricted them but al-Attiyah pushed harder as the stage Qmilestone in the history of the the rally did not run and two seasons easy here. Then we have the additional to level the win-loss record in at 141 for nine. Besides Haq’s progressed to record a fourth stage win of FIA Middle East Rally Championship if when the Emirati was competing in the competition from the ERC cars in Cy- the tournament with yesterday’s four-wicket haul, Iqbal Hussain the week. he secures victory in next week’s 36th FIA Group N World Rally Championship. prus and there is always a strong entry victory. grabbed two for 23 to put pres- Al-Attiyah said: “We took it steady to- edition of the Jordan Rally. Speaking during the Qatar Cross-Country of R5s and fast drivers in Lebanon, so After choosing to bat fi rst, sure on Kuwait. day, no punctures and we had no problem Former driver Mohamed Ben Sulayem Rally at Losail this week, al-Attiyah said: it’s looking very positive this year.” Qatar’s Faisal Javid Khan did the “It was a vital match and very with the navigation. We tried to keep go- has the record for the most number of “People talk about records and, yes, it is The Jordan Rally gets underway with a bulk of the scoring in the opening important win for us today. Both ing like this because the 60 points here MERC wins in Jordan – 12. Victory for the nice to win rallies and break records. But timed super special stage of two kilome- wicket partnership of 52, smash- the UAE and Kuwait are the is very important. I was going carefully Qatari would enable him to equal the it’s not about that. It’s about enjoying the tres on the shores of the Dead Sea from ing a 23-ball 48 (6 fours, 3 sixes) strongest teams in the group and at the start and then we pushed a bit af- prestigious record. rallies and making sure that we give a 16.24hrs on Thursday. before falling in the fi fth over. we have played them with 1-1 terwards. Now we will try to keep a good Kamran Khan fell one run result,” Qatar team manager Gul pace to fi nish the rally. We are also happy short of a half century but not Khan Jadoun said. with the parts that we have tested here in SS4 RESULTS before he had sent the ball into “All the players put in their 100 Qatar.” CARS (top 5) the stands fi ve times, besides percent and we managed to beat G-Energy Team Mini One driver 1. Nasser Saleh al-Attiyah (QAT)/Matthieu hitting a boundary, in his 28-ball Kuwait convincingly. I want to Vladimir Vasilyev was quick out of the Baumel (FRA) Toyota Hilux Overdrive 3hrs knock. congratulate the team for their fi ne starting blocks as well and ceded minutes 23min 02sec Both Faisal and Kamran were eff ort. Also I wish to congratulate from then on, but the fi fth quickest time 2. Jakub Przygonski (POL)/Tom Colsoul involved in two half-century Qatar Cricket Association presi- enabled the Russian to hold on to third (BEL) MINI John Cooper Works Rally 3hrs stands which provided solidity to dent Yousef Jeham al-Kuwari for overall. 30min 19sec the Qatar’s total. his support to the team. Three of the Overdrive Racing Toyota 3. Martin Prokop (CZE)/David Pabiška Mohamed Tanveer (17) and “We still have three more crews lost valuable minutes with crucial (CZE) Ford F-150 Evo 3hrs 37min 54sec Nouman Sarwar (10) were the matches to play in the group navigation errors: Saudi Arabia’s Yasir 4. Yasir Seaidan (SAU)/Alexei Kuzmich (RUS) other Qatar batsmen to get into league. We’ll stay focused on Seaidan suff ered small delays with way- Toyota Hilux Overdrive 3hrs 41min 07sec double fi gures. the target and try our best in the point navigation and a fl at tyre but actu- 5. Vladimir Vasilyev (RUS)/Konstantin Imran Ali (3 for 18) and Sajid tournament,” Jadoun added. ally climbed a place to fourth in his Over- Zhiltsov (RUS) MINI One 3hrs 43min 52sec Manzil (2 for 21) were the pick drive Toyota on the back of Poland’s Aron of the bowlers from the Kuwaiti BRIEF SCORES: Qatar 167 for Domzala losing considerable tine with OVERALL STANDINGS side. 6 in 20 overs (Kamran Khan navigational problems over the closing CARS (top 5) In reply, while Kuwait opener 49, Faisal Javid Khan 48; Imran kilometres. The youngster fi nished the 1. Nasser Saleh al-Attiyah (QAT)/Matthieu Mohamed Kashif fell with only Ali 3-18, Sajid Manzil 2-21) beat day’s section 38 minutes behind his Saudi Baumel (FRA) Toyota Hilux Overdrive 12 on the board, Usman Waheed Kuwait 141 for 9 in 20 overs teammate. 10hrs 26min 19sec put up a 72-run stand with Abid (Usman Waheed 66; Inam-ul-Haq Dutchman Erik van Loon was on course 2. Jakub Przygonski (POL)/Tom Colsoul Mushtaq, before Haq had Wa- 4-22, Iqbal Hussain 2-23) by 26 for a top-three stage fi nish until he lost (BEL) MINI John Cooper Works Rally 10hrs heed caught behind by Awais runs. Man of the Match: Inam-ul- over 20 minutes in the closing kilome- 41min 02sec Malik for 66. Haq (Qatar, 24 runs and 4 wickets tres trying to fi nd a tricky waypoint. FIA Qatar’s Adel Abdulla in action during the Manateq Qatar Cross-Country Rally yesterday. 3. Vladimir Vasilyev (RUS)/Konstantin Kuwait lost fi ve wickets for for 22) World Cup leader Martin Prokop, how- Zhiltsov (RUS) MINI One 11hrs 12min 56sec ever, enjoyed a strong stage in his Ford the fi nal day 4hrs 08min 03sec adrift of that after another gritty stage performance. 4. Yasir Seaidan (SAU)/Alexei Kuzmich (RUS) F-150 Evo and recorded the third quickest the T2 lead. Russian quad rider Alexsandr Maksimov Toyota Hilux Overdrive 11hrs 50min 03sec time to stay on track for a priceless fi nish Adel said: “One day to go. We took began the day with a lead of 1hr 44min 11sec 5. Aron Domzala (POL)/Maciej Marton in sixth overall. it easy from the start, just cruising and over rival Kees Koolen, but the Dutchman (POL) Toyota Hilux Overdrive 12hrs 13min Qatar’s Adel Abdulla’s held a massive we stopped to infl ate the tyres after the lost time with further mechanical issues 23sec T2 lead of 3hrs 34min 54sec at the start dunes. When the road was better we de- on the special, despite the team working 7. Adel Abdulla (QAT)/Nasser al-Kuwari of the penultimate stage and the Nissan cided to push a little. We also pushed on the Barren Racing quad until 02.00hrs (QAT) Nissan Patrol Y62 (T2) 15hrs Patrol Y62 driver — who is running with when the car was lighter with the fuel yesterday morning. The diff erence was ac- 33min 22sec the backing of the QMMF and Ooredoo — load. Nasser (al-Kuwari) did a good job. tually reduced to 46min 34sec at the end of took no risks to clock a stage time of 5hrs Some places were tricky and we missed the day, however, after the Russian incurred BIKES/QUADS 04min 34sec to maintain a fi ne seventh in the right way with seven kilometres to go. over two hours of time penalties. 1. Maciej Giemza (POL) KTM 450 Rally the overall standings. We fi nd the road again and we make it to Polish Orlen Team rider Maciej Giemza Replica 16hrs 54min 32sec Championship rival Ahmed al-She- the fi nish.” fi nished the special in 4hrs 54min 35sec 2. Aleksandr Maksimov (RUS) Yamaha gawi had struggled for two days but still Frenchman Claude Fournier began the and is one stage away from maximum YFM 700R 20hrs 14min 29sec began the day in 10th overall. He lost even start with a T3 lead over Spaniard José Luis FIM championship points in his Orlen 3. Kees Koolen (NLD) Barren Racer BR more time to the Qatari and heads into Pena Campo of 51min 43sec and increased Team KTM 450. 1690 21hrs 01min 03sec Qatar players and off icials celebrate their win over Kuwait yesterday.