NBA | Page 5 Warriors’ title defence gets tricky aft er Durant injury

Friday, May 10, 2019 FOOTBALL Ramadan 5, 1440 AH Kane hopes to be GULF TIMES fi t for Spurs’ Final against Liverpool SPORT Page 2 Lucas puts Spurs on the brink of glory

AFP European glory continues to fail. London The world-record signing of for 222mn euros ($248mn) saw Lucas jet- tisoned from Paris for a fraction of that ucas Moura came to Europe fee, yet in the course of 40 minutes in dreaming of winning the Champi- Amsterdam he scored as many Champions ons League but few could imagine League semi-final goals as Neymar has in Lthe Brazilian’s chance to fulfi l his his career. ambition would arrive with Tottenham “All the credit goes to Lucas because he has aft er he was discarded by Paris Saint-Ger- made history for the club. He deserves it main. because he just has an incredible mentality Spurs will go to Madrid on June 1 to face and I think it’s a nice story of revenge for Liverpool thanks to Lucas’s second half hat- him,” said Tottenham and France captain trick that turned around a 3-0 aggregate . deficit against Ajax as the club reached the “He showed this evening that if you score a final for the first time in their history. hat-trick in these circumstances you don’t “The Champions League final is a dream do so just by chance. for me. Since I was a child I dreamed of this “He has the quality and the mentality and moment and now I live this moment,” said he can flourish with us, which is all the bet- an emotional Lucas. ter for us.” “We need to enjoy it. Look at me — it’s the Pochettino branded Lucas a “superhero” best moment in my life, my career.” but must also take much of the credit for Ajax’s wonder kids had wowed the conti- the transformation of the club over five nent with their dazzling talent in eliminat- years and his team over 45 minutes. Tottenham’s celebrates scoring their ing Real Madrid and Juventus and seemed When the Argentine arrived in north third goal to complete his hat-trick with set to add the scalp of a jaded Tottenham to London in 2014, just qualifying for the (R) on Wednesday. that list after 135 minutes of the tie. Champions League was the target. In diff erent circumstances Lucas would Barring a final day collapse in the Premier likely not even have been on the pitch. League, next season will involve a fourth watched on from the sidelines consecutive campaign dining at Europe’s due to ankle ligament damage, the latest top table and they could even win it in just injury to have ravaged Mauricio Pochet- over three weeks’ time. tino’s over-worked squad — Spurs have not Pochettino’s half-time change to throw on signed a single player since Lucas’s arrival the physical presence of Fernando Llorente in January 2018. up front unsettled Ajax and the visitors’ Yet after a season of ups and downs, Spurs preyed on that weak spot, with an aerial will travel to the Spanish capital knowing bombardment. they could be on the brink of the greatest With 95 minutes come and gone, so night in the club’s history. seemed Spurs’ hopes, but one last long “Without Harry Kane many people were ball up to the Spaniard was flicked on and talking about Son (Heung-min), but today it found its way to Lucas to launch a dagger was Lucas Moura who scored three goals,” into Ajax hearts. said Pochettino, who broke down in tears “It was not simply Lucas Moura’s nerveless- after the match in Amsterdam. ness when it counted most, and his pace, “That showed that the team is more impor- skill and clinical finishing,” wrote The Times. tant than any name. When one does not “It was Moura’s utter determination to run at play, another plays.” Ajax defenders, including the revered captain Lucas’s former employers PSG would do (Matthijs) De Ligt, that gave Spurs hope.” well to remember that piece of advice as Hope that has carried the 26-year-old and their star-studded approach to try and buy his team all the way to Madrid.

BOTTOMLINE Mick Schumacher says his ‘extraordinary’ father remains his greatest inspiration

By Giles Richards tion of competing in Formula One. secutive championships for Ferrari be- want to see who is the best at it,” he said. take that as a lesson and try and grow from The Guardian When asked which drivers he looked tween 2000 and 2004 and Mick revealed “Trying to fi nd the limit of yourself and that.” He is currently ninth in the cham- up to on the current grid, the 20-year-old his father’s close involvement in his racing the limit of the car and sometimes to ex- pionship and is eager to use every pos- was open minded and instead chose to began when he was a child. “I was three ceed it and see the real limit. If you fi nd sible avenue open to him to improve. He ick Schumacher has said specifi cally reference his father, who re- years old. I had a go-kart that my dad had that sweet spot and are able to repeat it, it revealed that he enjoyed watching races his father Michael remains mains in recovery after a skiing accident on a leash so I would not go too quick.” is one of the best feelings. If you do a good from previous years to ascertain the best his greatest inspiration as he in 2013. “I can learn from everyone,” he Schumacher Jr began karting in 2008, lap you know it is a good lap, if you get strategies and overtaking possibilities, an Mattempts to emulate the ca- said. “There is no one person I will go to graduated to single-seaters in German that feeling it is addictive, you want more attention to detail for which his father was reer of the seven-time Formula One world and talk to and try to be as him, the one Formula 4 in 2015 and has since made and more.” Schumacher, is racing for the famous. champion. person I would want to is my dad.” steady progress. He spent two seasons in Prema team in F2 this season. He fi nished He is also using his Ferrari connection Schumacher, 20, will be racing in the He added that while it was diffi cult to F3, winning the title last year before sign- eighth and sixth in the opening two races to the best eff ect. Formula 2 series at this weekend’s Span- watch his father’s races, they were moti- ing to the Ferrari driver academy in Janu- in Bahrain but had a more diffi cult meet- “We have very close communication ish Grand Prix after joining the Ferrari vational. “It’s never easy,” he said. “What ary. Speaking in Barcelona it was clear that ing in Baku, spinning out of the fi rst race. with engineers and the drivers are very driver academy this year – the team for my dad did was extraordinary. I appreciate he shared his father’s love of, and com- “It was a mistake that was going to happen helpful too,” he said, “Seb [Vettel] and whom his father won fi ve of his world it more every day.” mitment to, the sport. “It is a passion; we someday,” he said. “I have learned from it. Charles [Leclerc] for example, they talk championships – as he pursues his ambi- Michael Schumacher won fi ve con- love doing it; we love the competition; we It won’t happen again hopefully and I will with us and give us tips.” Gulf Times 2 Friday, May 10, 2019 FOOTBALL

SPOTLIGHT REACTION ‘The fairytale ends’: Dutch ‘All worth it’ — mourn Ajax loss

AFP waves” by Tottenham. The Hague However he said that “Ajax can look back on a great Eu- ropean campaign, one of the utch media yesterday most awesome in the club’s Pochettino aft er lamented the “insane history” — and one that could ending” to Ajax’s im- scarcely have been dreamed probable Champions about at the start of the sea- DLeague campaign after Tot- son. tenham’s last minute semi- “There was nothing good fi nal win. about Ajax, just a year ago,” Newspapers sought the pos- wrote Vlietstra, with the team itives in the Amsterdam team’s having to go through qualify- years of pain return to the front rank of Eu- ing to play in the Champions ropean football after wins over League, the Dutch Eredivisie giants Juventus and Real Ma- having lost its automatic spot. In England, the phrase to do a Spurs’ was never a good thing, but that has changed drid, but were overwhelmed by The NRC newspaper said the heartbreak of the loss. that the “dream exploded in Several papers carried the the fi nal minutes” but said that iconic image of Ajax players the result should be but into a in their red and white jerseys “broader context”. stretched out in despair on the Writer Bart Hinke said that grass after Spurs’ Lucas Moura assumptions that a Dutch club sealed a last-gasp hat-trick to had nothing to expect from the win 3-2 on the night. That put Champions League “even with Spurs through on away goals the outcome that followed following a 3-3 aggregate re- Wednesday evening, can be sult. put into the trash.” De Telegraaf newspaper “Johan Cruyff should have screamed the front-page experienced this,” he wrote, headline “Disappointment” referring to the legendary while Volkskrant newspaper player and coach whose name said “Just No”, with both run- the Ajax stadium now bears. ning photos of Moroccan play- The question now is what er Hakim Ziyech. becomes of a squad that, cre- “After the heyday in the ated with a successful youth seventies and nineties, Ajax academy and clever recruit- is surfi ng on a new wave of ment, is now set to lose key success,” Daniel Dwarswaard players to giants like Barcelona wrote in the Algemeen Dagblad over the summer. newspaper. Dutch papers also worried “But the crown on the work that the Ajax campaign may is not there. It will feel like an be a false dawn, noting the extremely missed opportunity gulf with lower placed teams forever, and scar for years,” he including PSV Eindhoven and added. “An insane ending ru- Feyenoord, and the shame of ined everything.” the national side’s failure to Many newspapers used the make the 2016 Euros and 2018 same language to describe the World Cup. “buttock-clenching” tension “The question then is: has as Ajax let their lead slip away. the Dutch football crisis now Bart Vlietstra in Volkskrant been tackled? That seems a said that “the fairytale ended somewhat premature conclu- for Ajax in sight of the fi nal”, sion,” wrote Jan-Cees Butter blaming a “tsunami of attack in Trouw newspaper.

FOCUS Beckham banned

Tottenham manager , Ben Davies, Fernando Llorente and celebrate after the match on Wednesday. from driving

AFP would propel them to the next nal, and if we win, it would be an stage we were practically elimi- previous 25 years. AFP cation. The ex-Manchester Amsterdam level. amazing book.” nated and now we fi nd ourselves This is their third consecutive London United and Real Madrid player When Pochettino spoke of Doubts were raised about Tot- in the fi nal,” said goalkeeper Champions League campaign. was present in court. Wearing a “pain”, he was not simply refer- tenham’s capacity to maintain a Hugo Lloris. Previously, they had enjoyed just dark grey suit and tie, he spoke eemingly already down ring to this season, but to the fi ve challenge at home, never mind Spurs’ achievement has cer- one, reaching the last eight in ormer England foot- to give his full name, date of and out of the Champi- years since he arrived in north abroad, after they failed to make tainly come against the odds, but 2010-11, along with an appear- baller David Beckham birth and address. ons League back in Octo- London from Southampton, a any new signings last summer at the same time it is a confi rma- ance in the European Cup semi- was yesterday dis- Prosecuting lawyer Mat- ber, and at risk of missing period in which he has fought while so many of their leading tion of their new status as one of fi nals in 1961-62. Fqualifi ed from driving thew Spratt said he had been Sout on next season’s competition to establish Spurs as a top-four players had been involved at the the game’s leading powers. They are now through to their for six months after using his photographed by a member of during a recent slump in results, force in the World Cup to the end. They climbed into the top 10 fi fth European fi nal, their fi rst phone while behind the wheel. the public as he held his phone now Mauricio Pochettino and and regulars in the Champions Indeed, Lucas remains their of the most recent Deloitte Foot- since winning the UEFA Cup in The 44-year-old had previ- while driving in “slowly mov- Tottenham Hotspur fi nd them- League. last new signing, bought from ball Money League, just behind 1984. ously admitted the off ence af- ing traffi c”. selves, improbably, through to In England, the phrase “to do Paris Saint-Germain in January bitter rivals Arsenal, with rev- Since lifting the FA Cup in ter being spotted by a member Defence lawyer Gerrard Tyr- the fi nal. a Spurs” was never a good thing, 2018. enue of 428.3mn euros (£369mn, 1991, the day of the public as he drove his rell said Beckham was travel- “No pain, no gain” was the but that has changed. They lost their fi rst two Cham- $479mn) last year. shattered his knee in a reckless Bentley in London on Novem- ling slowly and has “no recol- phrase an emotional Pochettino “To have brought the club pions League group games and, They recently announced challenge, Spurs’ only success ber 21. lection of the day in question or used after Wednesday’s stirring to the fi nal of the Champions after a 2-2 draw at PSV Eind- a world-record net profi t of has come in the League Cup. At Bromley Magistrates this particular incident”. comeback to beat Ajax 3-2 in the League is very close to a mira- hoven left them with one point £113mn, although the cost of Now Liverpool stand between Court, south of London, He added: “There is no ex- second leg of their semi-fi nal in cle,” Pochettino said at the Johan from nine, they seemed dead and their new, 62,062-seat stadium them and Champions League Beckham was given six pen- cuse for what took place but his Amsterdam, a Lucas Moura hat- Cruyff Arena on Wednesday. buried. However, they scraped rose above £1bn. The possibili- glory. Tottenham have won just alty points on his licence, fi ned view is as he cannot remem- trick taking Spurs through on “No-one believed in us at the through, then ousted Borussia ties for the future are endless. one of their last 14 matches £750 (868 euros, $975), and or- ber... he’s going to plead guilty away goals. beginning of the season, we are Dortmund, edged out Manches- Tottenham’s recent Premier against the Anfi eld side. dered to pay £100 to prosecu- and that’s what he’s done.” But, he added, reverting to so close, almost in the top four ter City in an epic quarter-fi nal, League form has been poor, but “Leave me to relax a little bit. tion costs and a £75 surcharge Last year, Beckham drew Spanish, “it was all worth it” and the 1st of June in Madrid and now they have beaten Ajax, their advantage over fi fth-placed There will be time to talk about fee. criticism after avoiding a with an all-English showdown playing the fi nal against Liver- coming back from 3-0 down on Arsenal heading into Sunday’s fi - Liverpool,” said Pochettino. District Judge Catherine charge of speeding because of a against Liverpool to come in the pool. aggregate and with their talis- nal round of matches is such that “They are heroes too, and of Moore said he already had six technicality. biggest club game of all in Madrid “I think this amazing season in man, Harry Kane, out injured. they will surely fi nish in the top course it’s going to be an amazing points on his licence for previ- He accepted he drove at 59 on June 1, just two months after our new home and this chapter “This year has been crazy — four again. fi nal between two English teams ous speeding matters, meaning miles (95 kilometres) per hour the opening of a new stadium that we are going to close now — and not just for us — but already It will be a fourth straight top- that for sure we are going to enjoy he reached the 12-point limit in a 40mph zone in London in which Spurs had been hoping to close the chapter playing a fi - after three matches in the group four fi nish after just two in the a lot.” which triggers a disqualifi - January 2018.

BOTTOMLINE Kane hopes to be fi t for Tottenham’s fi nal

AFP BT Sport. “Rehab is going well. I start sprinted on the pitch at full-time in Am- Amsterdam Tottenham’s Harry Kane celebrates after the match on Wednesday. straight line running this week which is sterdam, hugging Pochettino and em- why I was OK to run on at the end. bracing his teammates as they cavorted “We beat Man City and Ajax so I have in front of the jubilant Tottenham fans arry Kane says he is on course to start training even harder to prove high in the stands. to be fi t for Tottenham’s myself to the gaff er.” Revealing Tottenham’s fi ghtback was Champions League fi nal Kane has been sidelined since sus- inspired by strong words at half-time, Hclash with Liverpool after taining his latest ankle injury in a chal- Kane said: “It was amazing. It was a the England captain joined his team’s lenge on Manchester City’s Fabian disappointing fi rst half and we let them celebrations following their astonishing Delph in the quarter-fi nal fi rst leg on play. I went into the dressing room at victory over Ajax. April 9. half-time and we knew it wasn’t good Kane is recovering from an ankle liga- But Pochettino did not want to com- enough. ment injury, but he was watching from ment when asked about Kane’s fi tness “We said we had 45 minutes to give the stands in the as with the last question of his post-match everything. When Lucas Moura scored Tottenham recovered from 2-0 down to press conference, throwing his arms in the two you thought we would get an- win 3-2 in the semi-fi nal second leg on the air as he left the room. other but then Jan Vertonghen hit the Wednesday. Tottenham’s Premier League form crossbar and we thought it might not be The incredible comeback sent Tot- has dipped without their leading scorer, our day. tenham through to their fi rst Champi- although they should still secure a top- “I’m a fan fi rst and foremost and I ons League fi nal and Kane is confi dent four fi nish in their last domestic game of know how much it means to the club. he will be ready to feature when Mau- the season against Everton on Sunday. The lads dug deep and showed passion ricio Pochettino’s men face Liverpool in Pochettino’s team have reserved their and that is all you can ask for. Madrid on June 1. best performances without Kane for the “We had to wait to get the third in the “We’ll see. So far so good, so if it car- Champions League, much to the delight last minute and we found a way. That is ries on as it should I would hope to be. of the 25-year-old. what football is about and we have the There’s still a few weeks to go,” Kane told Kane, who has 24 goals this season, fi nal to come.” Gulf Times Friday, May 10, 2019 3 FOOTBALL

SPOTLIGHT FOCUS Sixty percent Man City on brink of of Amir Cup fi nal title as epic race nears tickets It is possible they could get by with a draw, or even an unlikely defeat, as they sold will start their final game one point ahead — but Pep Guardiola’s side know round 60 percent of the Amir Cup fi nal better than to expect gifts from Merseyside tickets have been sold, AQatar Football As- climax sociation (QFA) said yesterday. Reuters Liverpool to lift replica if they win Premier League London This was disclosed at a technical Liverpool: If Liverpool upset gen Klopp’s side win the title. co-ordination meeting oversee- the odds and pip Manchester The replica is used by the ing the Amir Cup semi-fi nals aving absorbed eve- City to the Premier League title Premier League and often on to be played tomorrow and on File photo of Manchester rything Liverpool on Sunday, the silver trophy they display in television studios Sunday. City’s Spanish manager could throw at them lift for the first time will not be and on promotional tours. The Khalid al-Kuwari, Marketing Pep Guardiola. in a titanic title bat- the original but a replica, The original, which has been at City’s and Communications Director Htle, Manchester City will re- of QFA, said the meeting was Times reported yesterday. Etihad Stadium since they won tain their crown with victory at Liverpool trail Manchester City it last year, will be shipped to called to confi rm all prepara- Brighton and Hove Albion on by a point ahead of the final day Brighton for Sunday’s game. tions are in place ahead of the Sunday. of the season, when they host League winner’s medals will two semi-fi nals. It is possible they could get Wolverhampton Wanderers also be made available at both The meeting was attended by with a draw, or even an un- while the league leaders travel stadiums and any player who by Ali Hassan al-Salat, Head of likely defeat, as they will start to Brighton and Hove Albion has made at least five appear- Communication Department, their fi nal game one point knowing a win will make them ances this season will receive Ali Hammoud al-Nuaimi, Head ahead — but Pep Guardiola’s champions. one. That is currently 21 players of Competitions Department, as side know better than to expect Since matches on the final day at City, 19 at Liverpool. Liverpool well as representatives of clubs gifts from Merseyside. of the season are played simul- have been English league cham- Ahmed al-Ayidi, Jassim al-Ali, In all likelihood City will taneously, the Premier League pions 18 times but their last title Ismail Ahmed, al-Marri and rack up a 14th successive Pre- will have a replica trophy on came in 1990 before the Premier Ministry of Interior offi cials. mier League win and Liver- standby at Anfield in case Juer- League was formed. Al-Kuwari said 60 percent pool will beat Wolverhampton of the tickets for the Amir Cup Wanderers to make it nine in a fi nal – to be played at Al Wak- row and City will take the hon- to City’s four defeats and were tain the Premier League title rah Stadium on May 16 – had ours with 98 points to Liver- briefl y seven points in front in since Manchester United 10 been sold. The remaining tick- pool’s 97. January, but in the run-in they years ago. ets could be bought during the To put that into perspective have found that as well as the Liverpool captain Jordan semifi nals later this week, he those totals would be the sec- style that is Guardiola’s blue- Henderson admitted his side added. ond and third highest in the print, his team also have core need a “miracle” to win the ti- In the fi rst semi-fi nal, Al history of the Premier League of steel. tle now, but in a week in which Sadd will host Al Rayyan at Jas- — behind only City’s record- That manifested itself per- they performed one to beat sim Bin Hamad Stadium tomor- breaking 100-point haul last fectly on Monday when, with Barcelona 4-0, overhauling a row while in the other last-four season when Guardiola deliv- Leicester City holding out three-goal defi cit to reach the clash, Al Sailiyah face Al Duhail ered his fi rst title. at the Etihad Stadium, - Champions League fi nal, it at the same venue the next day. If there was ever a case to tain marvel would be folly to dismiss the Offi cials at the meeting en- share the trophy it is this sea- thumped home a 30-metre notion of him raising the tro- couraged fans to turn up in son, such has been the excel- screamer to send his side into phy aloft to end Liverpool’s large numbers to support their lence of both clubs. the fi nal day with their fate in 29-year wait since they last chosen teams. The offi cials also Juergen Klopp’s Liverpool their hands. reigned supreme. confi rmed all media prepara- fi nished 25 points behind City It was their third 1-0 vic- “City are a great team, but so tions have also been completed. last year, but rose to the chal- tory in four games and, say are we. We’ve competed right “The discussions we all had lenge and have bridged that gap what you like about Liver- to the very end,” Henderson were very useful. Our detailed playing football that at times pool’s armour-plated defence, said. discussions refl ect QFA’s thor- has surpassed even the daz- City have conceded only three “Whoever gets it will de- ough readiness for the last three zling standards of Guardiola’s times in their last 13 games as serve it. From our point of matches of the season,” al-Ku- side. they relentlessly went about view, we couldn’t have done wari said. “We wish all clubs the Liverpool have lost just once becoming the fi rst club to re- any more.” very best,” he added.

AFC CHAMPIONS LEAGUE WOMEN’S WORLD CUP Faria credits ground training Neville plots glory for England

AFP Duhail’s progress London

ngland manager Phil Neville has hailed the ongoing revolution in the women’s game as he fi ne- tunes his preparations for the WorldE Cup in France. The women’s boss named his squad on Wednesday for the tournament that starts on June 7, with sports stars, mu- sicians and even Football Association president Prince William announcing the 23-strong group player by player via so- cial media. Neville, whose team are grouped with Scotland, and Japan, said it was a “special period for women’s foot- ball” as he talked about fi nding the bal- ance between growing the game and winning matches. “It’s been a constant learning curve for me over the last 16 months because ultimately we’re in a cut-throat win Duhail’s coach Rui Faria speaks to his players during the AFC business and going to this World Cup Champions League group C football match against Iran’s Esteghlal in wanting to win,” he said. Tehran on May 6. “There is a development, a growth that we need to keep pushing,” he added. AFC Al Duhail’s previous visit to “I need to keep exposing my players Tehran Azadi Stadium saw them lose 3-1 to the things that we ask them to do in to Esteghlal’s arch-rivals, Perse- terms of social media stuff , the coaching The younger players, in common with He said older players had faced much sity of playing down expectations. polis. But the experience helped in schools, the media stuff that they’re those in England’s men’s team, show a tougher challenges. “The big occasion, full house, Nice, l Duhail coach Rui Faria Faria’s men prepare better this doing at the moment. fearless streak in their approach to the “I remember sitting down with Fara Scotland, millions watching back home credited work on the time around. “I can say from day one ‘I don’t want game, added Neville, whose side open (Williams, who is not in the squad), I on the BBC,” he said. training ground for his “We knew they would be my players doing anything’ but that’s their campaign against Scotland in Nice think it was in Bosnia and she was telling “You speak to those senior players. Aside’s qualifi cation to backed by a huge, enthusiastic not going to help growth, that’s not go- on June 9. me about some of the things she had to They will say ‘this is what we dreamed the 2019 AFC Champions League crowd at Azadi Stadium. We were ing to help get women’s football visible “They get given a lot in terms of put up with,” he said. about when we went to those park pitch- Round of 16 after a 1-1 draw fully aware it would be a diffi cult so I’ve had to adapt my management.” coaching, psychological help, technical, “Jill Scott tells the same things about es, when we had no balls and we had no against Esteghlal at Azadi Sta- game. Every match in this group The England boss said the best way tactical, everything is there for them to having no balls, bibs, no pitches, being coaches’. dium on Monday. has been diffi cult. We studied to inspire the next generation of play- help them perform on the fi eld,” Neville treated so badly.” “We wanted to get to this stage in The Qatari side needed a single Esteghlal well and put plans in ers would be to win in France and he said. Neville does not shy away from openly women’s football and now we’re here we point from their trip to Tehran place to counter the challenges believes he has a good mix of experience “So I think what you’re getting now is stating his ambitions for his team, ranked can’t be fearful of it, we can’t be scared of to book their place in the next their playing style poses, and I and youthful zest. a more confi dent younger player.” third in the world, and rejects the neces- it and we’ve just got to charge forward.” stage, and they got exactly that. am pleased we were able to qual- Roozbeh Cheshmi put Esteghlal ify,” he said. in front in the 53rd minute, but Last year, Al Duhail matched BOTTOMLINE Al Duhail responded within two the AFC Champions League minutes thanks to Edmilson’s record of nine consecutive wins, maiden AFC Champions League before bowing out at the quarter- goal. fi nals. And while a repeat of such Draws for AFC U-19 and U-16 Qualifi ers held “We worked hard in training in a record is not possible this time the build up to this match and it around, Faria believes his side AFC 2018 semi-fi nalists Qatar are slotted best second-placed teams will also ad- For the U-16 Championship, Qatar, showed with our display on the can move to another gear come Kuala Lumpur in Group B along with Sri Lanka, Turk- vance to the 2020 Finals. who were the hosts of the inaugural pitch and the way we imposed the knock-out stages. menistan and Yemen. Should the yet to be determined host for Finals in 1985, will welcome Yemen, our football on the opponents,” “We are looking forward to the The teams were divided into two zones the Finals fi nish either top of their group or Bangladesh and Bhutan in Group E. said the 43-year-old. “We de- next stage of the competition. I he draw for the AFC U-19 and of West (West + South + Central) with 25 among the best four second-placed teams, Groups with five teams will kick-off served to walk away with the am optimistic that we can show U-16 Championship 2020 Qual- teams and East (East +ASEAN) with 21 the next (5th) second-placed team in the the 2020 Qualifiers on September 14, three points, but we are satisfi ed a diff erent side to our game as we ifi ers was held at the AFC House teams. ranking among all groups will qualify in- followed by the groups of four teams with the result since it means we continue to work hard and get the in Kuala Lumpur yesterday. In Top spot in the respective groups will stead. The Qualifi ers will be played on No- on September 18, with all ending on qualify to the next round.” results we require,” he said. Tthe U-19 tournament, 2014 winners and earn direct qualifi cation, while the four vember 2-10, 2019. the 22nd. Gulf Times 4 Friday, May 10, 2019 SPORT

CRICKET/ASHES OPINION England’s Bairstow picks W Cup glory Vaughan will be over Ashes victory

Reuters two years ago. That’s from the London vision Morgs (England captain Eoin Morgan) has had and the way we are playing our one-day ‘staggered’ if ngland batsman Jonny cricket.” Bairstow said he would Bairstow also credited the In- rather win the 50-overs dian Premier League (IPL) for World Cup than the sharpening his skills and im- AshesE series against if proving his form ahead of the he was given the chance to claim World Cup. only one. The 29-year-old scored 445 World Cup returns to Eng- runs in 10 matches at an aver- Archer misses out land and Wales after 20 years age of over 55 for the Sunrisers and Bairstow said England de- Hyderabad franchise, forming a served to win their maiden title formidable opening partnership Archer is only three games into an international career that started last week after all the hard work they had with Australia’s David Warner. put in over the past two years to “You go to the IPL to devel- AFP become the number one ranked op your skills, to put them up London one-day team. against the best in the world,” “I am going (to pick the) World Bairstow, who smashed one cen- Cup because it’s been so long tury and two half-centuries dur- ichael Vaughan says he will since we’ve had an opportunity ing the tournament, said. be “staggered” if rising star to win one,” Bairstow told Sky “We saw Jos (Buttler) com- Jofra Archer plays no part Sports. ing back into the Test side last Min this season’s Ashes series “I think that the amount of summer after a brilliant IPL. The even though the fast bowler has yet to work that has gone into this competition over there can only make his Test debut for England. group of players over the last improve your skills. I genuinely Barbados-born Archer is only three couple of years, building and think I’m still learning and im- games into an international career that building, I fi rmly believe we’ve proving.” started last week, with just two one-day put an amount of eff ort in that England begin their World internationals and a Twenty20 in Eng- gives us the best chance. Cup campaign on May 30 when land colours to his credit. “Guys have worked day in, day they take on South Africa at The But such has been the Sussex pace- out, taking their games to places Oval in London. The fi rst of fi ve man’s impact, particularly his ability to that they weren’t at 18 months, Ashes tests begins on Aug. 1. bowl at 90mph (145kmh) without ap- parent strain, that Vaughan is convinced he should feature in the Ashes, as well as CA hails players’ post-scandal conduct the upcoming 50-over World Cup, even though the Test series does not start until : Australian cricketers’ once- rica in Cape Town. In the fallout, three August 1. notorious behaviour has significantly top players received lengthy bans, the “I would be absolutely staggered if he’s improved amid attempts to clean-up national coach quit and numerous CA not taking part in the Ashes series as well the game’s culture after the ball- off icials left the organisation. An inde- as the World Cup,” Vaughan told report- tampering scandal, Cricket Australia pendent review commissioned by CA, ers in London yesterday at the launch of said yesterday. The men’s national slammed cricket’s “arrogant” culture, the 2019 NatWest No Boundaries cam- team had no conduct citings during criticising both players and off icials paign, which aims to increase access to 2018-19 season, the first clean sheet for chasing victory with no thought cricket. in seven years, and code of conduct of morality or the spirit of the game. “He’s just got a gift and when you charges at all levels dropped 74%, CA Eddings said lessons had been learned get that kind of quality you have to get chairman Earl Eddings said. and change was being implemented. those players involved in all formats of “Everyone in Australian cricket is well “While there is always room for the game,” the former England captain England’s Jofra Archer. aware that it’s not just winning that improvement, these are very good added. counts, but how we play the game, signs which demonstrate meaningful “He’ll win England World Cup games, he handles everything but so far I think in people’s minds,” the former top-order Ashes.” His words were endorsed by Test and the players have certainly em- change and will have a positive and he’ll win them T20 games and I’m very, he’s been fi ne.” Vaughan acknowledged batsman added. veteran Stuart Broad, whose new-ball braced that spirit,” Eddings said. lasting impact on Australian cricket at very confi dent that he’ll have a big say that Root, in his position as skipper, had “I see no reason, whether it’s another partnership with James Anderson has He said umpires had also reported all levels,” he said. in winning Test matches this summer as to be more guarded as he thinks ahead to game for the Hobart , the Ra- long been the cornerstone of England’s they were being accorded more The Australian Cricketers’ Association well as down the years.” the fi ve-match series against Australia. jasthan Royals to England in coloured red-ball attack. respect from players as the new, less (ACA) also praised the way players had Joe Root, the current England Test “He’s outstanding,” said Vaughan. clothes, to putting the whites on and “He’s quick, he’s exciting,” said Broad, abrasive culture beds in. worked for cultural change. captain, was understandably more “He’s diff erent, he plays cricket in the playing cricket — he bowls whose 126 Tests have yielded 437 wickets CA’s bid to shed the “ugly Australian” “At all levels, the players understand guarded when asked about Archer’s Test way I wished I could have played the 90mph, he’s got the skill levels. at an average of under 30, of the 24-year- image comes after cricket’s standing their role as ambassadors in growing prospects. “When you watch him play in game in terms of mentality. “He (also) bats, he fi elds like a gun. old Archer. in the sports-mad nation reached its the game and are to be congratulated these games, you are always looking to- “You speak to any psychologist and He’ll be playing Test cricket soon. “His action is repeatable. He’s got great lowest ebb last year when players for the way they are conducting wards the Ashes,” he said. they will say ‘you’ve just got to play an- “I will drive personally to Sheffi eld and rhythm to his run-up, he generates ef- cheated by trying to alter the ball with themselves both on and off the field,” “It will be interesting to see how he de- other game’. It’s very diffi cult at the high- drag him (Root) out of bed if he (Archer) fortless pace, has got control and bounce. sandpaper in a Test against South Af- ACA president Greg Dyer said. velops throughout these games and how est level, there’s just too much going on is not involved in some stage during the He’s got all the attributes to succeed.”

FOCUS CYCLING SPOTLIGHT First wave of Tokyo Nibali ready to fi re on all cylinders Brailsford’s

Reuters 2020 Olympic Bologna ‘babies’ ready tickets up for grabs incenzo Nibali is ready to to have fun forget about his disappoint- ing outings at last year’s AFP VTour de France and Vuelta on the Giro Tokyo races as he gets ready to hit peak form at the Giro d’Italia. Bologna, Italy: ’s Team IN- The 34-year-old, one of only two EOS, well known for the ruthless approach that he fi rst tickets for the active riders to have won the three in their former incarnation helped them win Tokyo 2020 Olympics grand tours — the Tour, the Vuelta and eight titles since 2012, start the Giro went on sale yesterday, the Giro — has not won a race since he d’Italia looking to have fun for a change with Twith Japanese residents prevailed in the Milan-Sanremo clas- two ambitious youngsters at the helm. able to enter a lottery to watch sic 14 months ago. With designated leader out with the sport of their choice. “I started my preparations later this Although Britons Chris Froome and for Dumoulin, who is my main rival,” a broken collarbone, , 24, Tickets for the 33 sports range year because I will be riding another , who between them said Nibali, who had an under-par and Pavel Sivakov, 21, will lead the charge when from the cheapest general tick- grand tour (the Vuelta) this season,” have won the last four Tour de France Vuelta campaign in 2018. the three-week stage race starts in Bologna to- ets at 2,500 yen ($23) to an eye- the Sicilian told a news conference titles, are sitting out the race, Nibali “I think the work I’ve done is the morrow. watering 300,000 yen ($2,730) yesterday, two days before the Giro still faces stern competition. right work.” Russian Sivakov, who also has French na- for the best seats at the opening starts with an individual time trial in “My main rivals will be Tom Du- Pundits have suggested that Nibali’s tionality and was born in Italy, geared up with ceremony. Bologna. moulin and Primoz Roglic, but also team is not as strong as those of his ri- an unexpected victory on the Those lucky enough to score “I come here in a very good condi- Simon Yates,” said Nibali, whose tour vals, but the Bahrain-Merida rider will ahead of Briton Geoghegan Hart, suggesting the best seats for the show- tion, my goal is to win it.” of the Alps performances suggested he not let such perceptions derail him as INEOS — formerly Team Sky — might already case men’s 100m fi nal will pay The Bahrain-Merida rider, who could be peaking just in time for the he prepares to ride the Giro with his have Tour de France champions Chris Froome 130,000 yen ($1,200). served basis and everyone enter- crashed out of the Tour de France last Giro. young brother Antonio for the fi rst and Geraint Thomas’s successors in their ranks. But half of all tickets will be ing the lottery by May 28 hav- year, has opted to skip the world’s pre- Dumoulin, the 2017 Giro champion, time. Brailsford, however, knows it will be part of a priced at 8,000 yen ($73) or less ing an equal chance of scooping mier cycling race this year so that he has struggled this season but Nibali “I think that with Damiano Caruso learning curve for his young guns, who will be and special tickets priced at tickets. can concentrate his energies on the did not think that will have any bear- and Domenico Pozzovivo, two top- up against far more experienced top riders of 2,020 yen ($18) are available for Overseas applicants will be two other grand tour events. ing once the riders set off in Bologna 10 fi nishers on the Giro, we are well the likes of Vincenzo Nibali, Primosz Roglic and families resident in Japan with able to snap up tickets from June The Italian, whose fl amboyant style tomorrow. armed, but if others are stronger, they Simon Yates. children, senior citizens, and 15 via special “Authorised Ticket has allowed him to shine on both stage “As it happened before I arrive here will work harder to control the race “The expectation is to have fun,” Brailsford people with impairments. Resellers” in each country. races and classics, won the Giro in without any results but I have been and we can take advantage of this,” he told a news conference yesterday. Organisers have not off ered a 2013 and 2016. training for this Giro, the same goes said with a smile. “Chris Froome has more grand tours than all Half of all tickets will be precise number of tickets avail- the riders of the squad together. priced at 8,000 yen ($73) able as various stadium confi gu- “I feel a lot of their energy and of their en- or less and special tickets rations are still being fi nalised FORMULA 1 thusiasm,” added Brailsford with a smile that he priced at 2,020 yen ($18) are with just less than 450 days to go rarely shows on the Tour de France, where the available for families resi- until the opening ceremony. stakes are much higher. dent in Japan with children, But they said it would be On this Giro, “we can be more fl exible, we can senior citizens, and people roughly the same as the 7.8mn Hamilton sees no repeat of Rosberg make mistakes and try crazy things, it’s a liber- with impairments tickets they estimated when ating approach to a race.” Prices for domestic residents bidding for the right to host the Sivakov and Geoghegan Hart and Sivakov are “about the same as London Games. fall-out with teammate Bottas have however laid down a big marker with last 2012 but a little higher than the Of these tickets, an estimated month’s one-two on the mountainous Tour of 2016 Rio Games,” Yuko Hay- 70-80% would be allotted to AFP of his relationship with the Finn who, in the team, the respect is there, we have the Alps, showing the climbing abilities and akawa, senior 2020 marketing Japanese residents with the rest Barcelona after four races, leads him by a point in agreed rules set out so that we do fi nish composure that are essential on the Giro. offi cial, told AFP. going to overseas fans. the drivers’ standings. The pair have the races one-two and we play support- “There’s a quiet confi dence even if a grand The lottery — only for resi- The Tokyo 2020 Olympics will two wins apiece in Mercedes’ stunning ing roles either way. tour is a diff erent ball game because there are dents of Japan during an initial run from July 24 to August 9. ewis Hamilton said that re- and unprecedented run of four straight “So, I truly believe it’s the best pair- big champions here,” said Geoghegan Hart. period — runs until May 28, with Tickets for the Paralympics spect and a well-established season-opening one-twos and their ing in terms of that respect, in terms of “But we can take (the Tour of the Alps) as a successful applicants notifi ed on will become available this sum- team ethic will prevent any rivalry has raised the spectre of the ac- how we deliver each weekend more than confi rmation that we are both moving forward.I June 20 and payment due a fort- mer. trouble between him and Mer- rimony of 2016 when Nico Rosberg ig- any other team has ever had or currently don’t fi x myself any limit,” Sivakov, who won night later. Boxing tickets are not available Lcedes teammate Valtteri Bottas this nored team focus to beat Hamilton to has. And, yes, it’s going to be close and the Baby Giro — for under-27s — told Reuters. The website saw high demand as the IOC has frozen prepara- year if they are locked in a title duel. take the title. “What happened before tight between us and with tensions, but “We are young and we arrive here without upon opening with a queue sys- tions for the competition amid The defending fi ve-time champion (was that) an individual continued to go that’s just there because there’s always any pressure. We are a very young team, we are tem in place even though tickets a spat with the governing body told reporters yesterday that he did not down that route, but that’s not what we tension when you want to beat someone the future generation after Chris Froome and G are not sold on a fi rst-come fi rst- AIBA. expect to see any kind of degeneration have here. We have a really great energy else. (Geraint Thomas).” Gulf Times Friday, May 10, 2019 5 SPORT

NBA SPOTLIGHT Warriors’ title Warriors rally aft er defence gets tricky aft er Durant injury Reuters ance from three-time champion Houston Curry. “If Kevin is out, what you saw in the fourth quarter is what injury to Durant to you’re going to have to see going olden State Warri- forward,” Kerr said. “We’re going ors’ title defence may to have to fi nd a way.” now hobble along with their leader Kevin Du- LUE, LAKERS END TALKS Grant who suff ered a calf injury ON COACHING JOB on Wednesday that makes him Negotiations between the Los topple Houston doubtful for the playoff s. Durant Angeles Lakers and Tyronn Lue limped off the court with a non- for the club’s head coaching va- contact right leg injury during cancy have collapsed, the Los An- the third quarter of his team’s geles Times reported on Wednes- Milwaukee becomes the first team to reach the NBA’s final four as the top-seeded Game Five battle with Houston day. Former Cleveland Cavaliers Rockets. His team announced coach Lue had been in talks with Bucks beat the visiting Boston Celtics with a 116-91 series-clinching victory. that Durant had sustained a calf the Lakers for several days about strain and was scheduled for an the possibility of replacing the MRI last night. departed Luke Walton. Despite the Warriors pulling However the Times cited a off a 104-99 triumph to take a person with knowledge of the 3-2 best-of-seven second round negotiations on Wednesday as series edge, the mood is now one saying that the two sides had of concern for the two-time de- broken off discussions after fail- fending champions who know ing to reach agreement on sev- their path to another NBA Finals eral stumbling blocks. The Times would be substantially tougher said Lue and the Lakers were un- without Durant. able to agree on the make-up of “We’re excited about the win the coaching staff . but concerned for Kevin,” Gold- Lue was also seeking a fi ve- en State coach Steve Kerr told year contract while the Lakers reporters. “He’s been on this in- were only prepared to off er a credible playoff run. I’m proud three-year deal worth $18mn. of our guys for pulling the game Lue and Philadelphia assist- out, and we’ll see how Kevin is ant Monty Williams had both doing (Thursday).” been interviewed twice for the A Finals MVP in each of the position but Williams moved on last two Golden State title runs, after being hired by the Phoenix Durant entered Wednesday’s Suns. Lue was seen as the clear game averaging 36 points in the front-runner for the job due to fi rst four games of the series and his close links to Lakers star Le- 35.4 points in this year’s postsea- Bron James. son. The Warriors have become James won an NBA champi- even more reliant on him against onship with Cleveland under the Rockets as sharpshooter Lue’s guidance in 2016. Lue, 42, Stephen Curry has gone cold and also had a history with the Lak- is connecting on just 26% of his ers, where he was a reserve point three-pointer attempts. Curry guard on the 2000 and 2001 fought through his struggles to championship-winning teams. score 12 fourth-quarter points The Lakers have been in tur- that helped push the Warriors moil since a disappointing fi rst past Houston. “It’s just next man season with James on the ros- up mentality. It’s the perspective ter saw them miss the playoff s you have to have,” Curry said. for a sixth straight season. The “(Durant’s) done a lot for us and faded NBA powerhouse was then we have to have his back. That’s rocked by the shock departure of what tonight was about.” president of basketball opera- If Durant cannot play today, tions Magic Johnson on April 9 when the series resumes with in a move that stunned the NBA. Game Six in Houston, the Warri- Walton parted company with the ors may need a vintage perform- team three days later.

Stephen Curry (right) of the Golden State Warriors dribbles past Houston Rockets’ James Harden during Game Five of the Western Conference semi-finals of the 2019 NBA Playoff s at in Oakland, California, on Wednesday. (AFP)

AFP on this incredible playoff run. I am proud the fourth-seeded Celtics in fi ve games, for the Bucks, who will be making their Los Angeles of the guys and the way they pulled out avenging a seven-game fi rst round loss to fi rst appearance in the fi nal four since this win and we will see about Kevin to- Boston last season. 2001. Antetokounmpo led seven players morrow,” said Kerr. “It’s amazing. It was a team eff ort,” in double fi gures with 20 points and also olden State pulled out a 104- Durant’s injury occurred innocently said Antetokounmpo. “We did not mess tallied eight rebounds and a game-high 99 victory over the Houston enough after he hit a jumper from the around with the game. We did our job. We eight assists. Khris Middleton (19 points), Rockets on Wednesday as the right side with just over two minutes left defended. We moved the ball. That’s how Eric Bledsoe (18), George Hill (16), Nikola Warriors survived the loss of su- in the third quarter. He took a step for- we were able to close the game.” Mirotic (10) and Ersan Ilyasova (10) also Gperstar Kevin Durant to grab a 3-2 lead in ward then grimaced in pain and looked The Celtics had reached the NBA semi- scored in double fi gures for the Bucks, their second round NBA playoff series. down at his lower right leg. “He’s done a fi nals against the Cleveland Cavaliers who shot 44.7% overall. Draymond Green and Klay Thompson lot for us. We got to have his back — that each of the last two seasons. Milwaukee also outscored the Celtics nailed clutch three pointers late in the is what tonight was about,” said Warriors It marks the fi rst time since 1983 that 45-21 from beyond the arc. Guard Mal- fourth quarter for the Warriors but the Stephen Curry. the Bucks have won a playoff series colm Brogdon, returning from a heel in- buzz after the game was not about the Thompson fi nished with 27 points, against the Celtics, who won the fi rst jury that had sidelined him since March win but rather the health of Durant. The Curry 25 and Durant 22 for the Warriors, game in this year’s series before dropping 15, scored 10 points in 17 minutes. Mil- Warriors said he had suff ered a right calf who continued a run of home wins by the four consecutive contests. Milwaukee ad- waukee has dominated games by throw- strain but Durant was expected to un- teams in the series. James Harden was vances to the Eastern Conference fi nals, ing a blanket over Boston’s Kyrie Irving, dergo an MRI scan last night to determine the game’s leading scorer with 31 points where they will have the home-court ad- who shot one-for-seven from three- the full extent of the damage. for the Rockets, who were outshot by the vantage over the winner of the other East point range on Wednesday. Warriors coach Steve Kerr sounded Warriors from the fi eld 46% to 42%. second round series between the Toronto He was six-of-21 overall and fi nished cautiously optimistic — hoping for the Elsewhere, Milwaukee became the fi rst Raptors and the Philadelphia 76ers. with just one assist. Irving also shot best but also preparing for something team to reach the NBA’s fi nal four as the They were meeting in game six in eight-for-22 and seven-for-22 in the worse if it does turn out to be more seri- top-seeded Bucks beat the visiting Bos- Philadelphia last night, with the second- Celtics’ two home losses on Friday and ous like a ruptured Achilles. “We are all ton Celtics with a 116-91 series-clinch- seeded Raptors holding a 3-2 lead. Greek Monday. Irving may have played his fi nal Golden State Warriors’ Kevin Durant (left) grabs his ankle after disappointed for him. Excited about the ing victory. The Bucks used balanced giant Giannis Antetokounmpo has had no game with the Celtics as he can become a injuring himself against the Houston Rockets during the Western win but concern for Kevin. He had been scoring and a stingy defense to eliminate trouble in this series delivering big points free agent in the off season. Conference semi-finals of the NBA Playoff s. (AFP)

NHL ’ Pavelski returns, scores in Game 7 win over Avalanche Reuters period, he tipped in a point shot assists in the regular season. goaltender Tuukka Rask, appear San Jose from Brent Burns for his third He now has three goals and to have hit their stride heading goal of the postseason. three assists in eight games this into the Eastern Conference fi - Just over fi ve minutes later, postseason. He was injured when nals. Their opponent seems more harks captain Joe Pav- Pavelski dished from behind the his head hit the ice after a cross than equipped to match that elski was back in ac- net to Tomas Hertl, who buried a check by Vegas forward Cody momentum. The Carolina Hur- tion Wednesday night one-timer to make it 2-0 at 11:35. Eakin on April 23. Eakin was as- ricanes carry a season-high six- for Game 7 of San Jose’s Pavelski fi nished with 19:49 sessed a major penalty for cross- game winning streak into Game 1 WesternS Conference semi-fi nal of ice time, less than a minute checking, and the Sharks scored in Boston last night. series against the visiting Colo- off his average this postseason four times on the ensuing power The Hurricanes rallied to win rado Avalanche, and he scored (20:41) and above his regular- play en route to a 5-4 overtime the last two games of their fi rst- the game’s fi rst goal. season average (19:03). He played win. The NHL subsequently round series against the de- He then added the primary as- throughout the fi nal minutes, as apologised for the call, ruling that fending champion Washington sist on the second goal, giving the Sharks weathered a storm of Eakin shouldn’t have been as- Capitals before dominating the the Sharks a 2-0 lead less than 12 Avalanche pressure with an ex- sessed a fi ve-minute major. Pav- New York Islanders in a four- minutes into the game. San Jose tra attacker on the ice and their elski also agreed that it shouldn’t game sweep in the second round. went on to win 3-2, advancing to goaltender pulled. have been a major penalty. Pav- Carolina has reached the confer- the Western Conference fi nals. “(The Avalanche) played a elski got on the ice for the fi rst ence fi nals in each of its past four “It’s been incredible (to return great game against us, scoring in time since the injury on Monday, playoff trips, advancing to the to the lineup in Game 7),” Pavel- the fi rst minute of the third peri- said he is closer to returning. “It Stanley Cup Final twice. ski said. “To come out and score od to keep the pressure on,” Pav- still really is day-to-day, I think, “It is a whole diff erent animal, early... I felt a lot of emotion there elski said. The Sharks had viewed and go from there,” Pavelski said as you can see, the nhl playoff s,” for sure. Scored a few like those Pavelski’s status as uncertain Monday. “I wish we had a set-in- Hurricanes captain Justin Wil- over the years. Got back and there earlier in the day, and they waited stone answer.’Go here, do this and liams told reporters recently. were all smiles on the bench. It to see how he did in warmups to be ready.’ We’re just kind of taking “It’s just go, go, go, and who’s was Game 7, a big game.” determine if he would play. everything into play.” playing best right now, and obvi- Pavelski, who hadn’t played Coach Peter DeBoer said there ously both teams are playing well since sustaining an apparent was an awareness that Pavelski BRUINS, HURRICANES to be here.” The Bruins came back head injury in Game 7 of San participating in warmups would CLASH IN EASTERN FINALS from a 2-1 series defi cit against Jose’s fi rst-round series with the pump up the crowd inside the The Boston Bruins, riding a the Columbus Blue Jackets on San Jose Sharks’ Joe Pavelski (centre) celebrates with teammates Tomas Hertl (left) and Brent Burns after Vegas Golden Knights, started SAP Center. Pavelski scored a three-game winning streak and their way to advancing to a third scoring a goal against the Colorado Avalanche during the 2019 NHL Stanley Cup Playoff s. (AFP) Wednesday. At 5:57 of the fi rst team-high 38 goals and added 26 boosted by the resurgence of conference fi nal this decade. Gulf Times 6 Friday, May 10, 2019 SPORT

MLB Heyward’s walk-off home run lift s Cubs past Marlins It was Heyward’s sixth homer of the season, only two shy of his total from all of 2018

Reuters the right-hander by making a leaping Chicago catch at the wall to rob Trey Mancini of a game-winning homer. Heath Hem- bree struck out the side in the 12th and ason Heyward hit a walk-off solo picked up his fi rst save. home run in the 11th inning to lift the Chicago Cubs to a 3-2 win DIAMONDBACKS 3, RAYS 2 over the visiting Miami Marlins Wilmer Flores hit a two-out RBI single onJ Wednesday night. Heyward drove in the 13th inning as Arizona avoided an outside pitch to the opposite fi eld, being swept for the fi rst time this sea- and the ball landed in the basket atop son with a win against Tampa Bay in the ivy-covered wall. St. Petersburg, Florida. Arizona starter It was Heyward’s sixth homer of the Robbie Ray threw 5 2/3 scoreless in- season, only two shy of his total from nings, allowing four hits, striking out 11 all of 2018. The Cubs were buoyed by and walking three. right-hander Kyle Hendricks, who Archie Bradley (2-3) threw three held the Marlins to one unearned run shutout innings of relief before Zack in eight innings. Hendricks lowered his Godley pitched the 13th for his fi rst ca- ERA to 0.62 in four starts this season reer save. David Peralta had three hits, at Wrigley Field, where he has allowed Nick Ahmed and Flores contributed only four runs (two earned) in 29 in- two hits each and Jarrod Dyson scored nings. Carl Edwards Jr.(1-1) earned the two runs for Arizona, which had lost win in relief for Chicago, which won for the fi rst two of the three-game series. the ninth time in 10 games. RANGERS 9, PIRATES 6 A’S 5, REDS 4 (13 INNINGS) Isiah Kiner-Falefa doubled in the tie- Stephen Piscotty lined a leadoff homer breaking run in the ninth inning, and in the 13th inning to give Oakland a vic- Rougned Odor added a two-run homer tory over visiting Cincinnati. Piscotty to give visiting Texas a win over Pitts- jumped all over a 2-1 fastball from Rob- burgh. The game featured duelling two- ert Stephenson (2-1), and the ball barely run homers into the Allegheny River, cleared the left fi eld fence. The walk- one by Texas’ Joey Gallo that bounced off hit was the fi rst of Piscotty’s career. into the water, and Pittsburgh’s Josh He went 2-for-6 with two RBIs. Ju- Bell’s shot that got wet on the fl y. rickson Profar hit a two-run homer Hunter Pence hit a tying pinch-hit for Oakland, and Ramon Laureano had grand slam in the eighth for Texas, three of the team’s 11 hits. The Athletics which avoided being swept in the two- have won two straight games after los- game series as well as the four-game ing eight of their previous nine. Cincin- season series after Pittsburgh won both nati had eight hits one night after being games last week in Arlington. no-hit by Oakland’s Mike Fiers. Jose Peraza and Nick Senzel each had two BREWERS 7, NATIONALS 3 hits for the Reds, who lost for the fi fth Right-hander Brandon Woodruff al- time in seven games. lowed just one run in six innings and was backed by three homers, as host INDIANS 5, WHITE SOX 3 Milwaukee beat slumping Washington, Jose Ramirez belted a two-run homer completing a three-game sweep. The with two outs in the ninth inning as Nationals have lost four straight and 14 Chicago Cubs centre fielder Jason Heyward (centre) celebrates his walk off home run during the eleventh inning against the Miami Marlins. (USA TODAY Sports) Cleveland beat visiting Chicago. Fran- of their last 19 games, while the Brewers cisco Lindor slapped a one-out single have won nine of their last 12. PHILLIES 5, CARDINALS 0 ited the Angels to one run on three hits PADRES 3, METS 2 The win was the Dodgers’ 10th consec- in the ninth inning off Jace Fry (1-1) and Woodruff (5-1) fanned nine bat- Cesar Hernandez homered, doubled in six innings. He struck out six and Hunter Renfroe greeted Mets reliever utive at home. advanced to second following his sec- ters with no walks while throwing 103 and drove in three runs to lift visiting walked none. Jonathan Lucroy hit a Tyler Bashlor with a tie-breaking hom- Los Angeles has swept its last three ond steal of the season. pitches. Christian Yelich had three hits Philadelphia past St. Louis. Nick Wil- solo homer and an RBI double for the er leading off the seventh, and host San series at Dodger Stadium and owns a Ramirez brought him home after de- and smashed his 16th homer in the fi rst, liams added two hits for the Phillies, Angels. David Fletcher also homered, Diego defeated New York in the rubber major-league-best 15-4 home mark. positing a 3-1 fastball from Kelvin Her- a solo shot. Eric Thames had an RBI who used a four-run fi fth inning to win but Shohei Ohtani remained hitless in match of a three-game series at Petco The Dodgers have won fi ve of the past rera over the wall in right fi eld for his double that may have hit the roof. their second in a row to capture the his second game this season. Ohtani, Park. Renfroe hit a high fl y into the left six games overall and 10 of 13. fi rst walk-off homer of his career. Ram- three-game series. who is recovering from Tommy John fi eld stands on Bashlor’s second pitch. Ronald Acuna hit a home run for the irez had been 1-for-10 lifetime against MARINERS 10, YANKEES 1 Phillies starter Jerad Eickhoff (2-1) surgery, went 0-for-3 and was hit by a It was his ninth homer of the season — Braves, who were swept one series after Herrera prior to recording his fourth Yusei Kikuchi carried a no-hitter into pitched a stellar game, giving up three pitch, leaving him 0-for-7 overall. but his fi fth in the last 12 games, all of they swept the Marlins at Miami. The career walk-off hit and first since Sept. the sixth inning and pitched a career- hits in eight innings. The shutout vic- which have given the Padres a lead. Braves were swept in a series for the 17, 2016 versus Detroit. high 7 2/3 outstanding innings, as vis- tory came hours after learning that TWINS 9, BLUE JAYS 1 Reliever Gerardo Reyes, who was third time this season and fi rst time at iting Seattle cruised over New York. longtime Phillies chairman David Jorge Polanco matched his career best recalled from Triple-A El Paso earlier Dodger Stadium since 2016. RED SOX 2, ORIOLES 1 Kikuchi (2-1) allowed a run on three hits Montgomery died Wednesday morning with fi ve hits, including a two-run Wednesday, had worked San Diego out Andrew Benintendi hit a solo homer and retired 16 straight after opening the at the age of 72. home run, and Kyle Gibson set a ca- of a jam in the top of the inning. He en- GIANTS-ROCKIES POSTPONED with two outs in the top of the 12th in- game with a walk to DJ LeMahieu. reer high with 11 strikeouts as visiting tered the seventh with Mets on second Inclement weather washed away ning to give visiting Boston a victory He lost his no-hitter with one out in TIGERS 10, ANGELS 3 Minnesota defeated Toronto. CJ Cron, and third with one out and responded the Colorado Rockies’ scheduled game over Baltimore in the fi nale of a three- the sixth when Mike Tauchman hit a Ronny Rodriguez had three hits and Jonathan Schoop and Eddie Rosario by striking out Tomas Nido and Todd against the San Francisco Giants in game series. Benintendi crushed a 2-1 soft bloop double on a 94 mph fastball drove in four runs, JaCoby Jones hit a also hit two-run homers for the Twins, Frazier on six pitches — all six swings- Denver. The contest will be made up fastball from Yefry Ramirez (0-1) into to short left fi eld over third baseman two-run homer, and Detroit rolled past who swept the three-game series after and-misses. as part of a day-night doubleheader the seats in right-centre and snapped Ryon Healy’s head. Mitch Haniger, Ed- visiting Los Angeles. Rodriguez fi n- losing three of four to the Blue Jays at on July 15, when the teams had been a 1-1 tie. The Orioles now have given win Encarnacion and Healy homered ished a homer shy of the cycle. Minnesota April 15-18. DODGERS 9, BRAVES 4 scheduled to open a three-game series up a major-league high 80 homers for Seattle, which upped its season John Hicks had two RBIs, and Ni- Cron had four hits and Rosario had Enrique Hernandez, Max Muncy and with a night game. San Francisco beat this season. Ryan Brasier (2-1) earned total to 74. Healy also doubled three cholas Castellanos scored two runs and three RBIs for the Twins, who collected Justin Turner hit home runs as Los An- Colorado 14-4 on Tuesday, and the the victory by pitching the 11th. Cen- times and collected four hits as Seattle extended his hitting streak to 11 games. 18 hits, one short of their season best. geles earned a victory over visiting At- current series is scheduled to conclude tre fi elder Jackie Bradley Jr. helped totalled 14 hits. Tigers starter Matthew Boyd (4-2) lim- The Blue Jays had two hits. lanta to fi nish off a three-game sweep. with an afternoon game today.

Faldo not thrilled GOLF Daly will be allowed to ride cart at PGA Championship Jordan leads British Masters aft er record 63 Agencies board for a few days will be really, New York: Six-times major champion Southport, Britain really good.” Nick Faldo questioned the decision Jordan, who had his fi rst Top- to grant John Daly special dispensa- 10 fi nish as a pro two weeks ago tion to ride a cart at next week’s PGA atthew Jordan, a in Turkey in the Challenge, has Championship in New York because the 23-year-old invitee, played well at Links courses like American suff ers from arthritis in his shot a stunning bo- the Lytham and St Andrews, right knee. The 53-year-old Daly, who geyfree 63 to open where he has amateur wins. Jor- Mup a two-shot lead on the open- dan started birdie-birdie and had won the tournament in 1991, has been given the all clear by the PGA of America ing day at the British Masters fi ve in fi rst eight and then there to use a cart instead of walking at Beth- yesterday. Tournament host were more on 10th, 11th, 13th and page Black under the Americans with Tommy Fleetwood, who won 15th, at which point he was nine- Disabilities Act. the pre-event Hero Challenge, under with three to go. Just as a “I think walking is an integral part of also got off to a fine start with 60 appeared on the horizon bird- being a pro golfer,” Englishman Faldo a 68, but was still five behind ies dried up. said during a conference call on Wednes- young Jordan, who is a member “You never quite expect it,” day to promote CBS’s coverage of the of nearby Links course, Royal Jordan said. “I knew I had been championship. “I’ll leave it at that.” Hoylake. playing quite well and just from Daly was denied permission to ride a Between Jordan and Fleet- the get-go it started perfectly and cart at last year’s US Senior Open, but wood, there was a bunch of from then on I just kept it going. I he regularly rides on the 50-and-over players. Swede Marcus Kinhult, just tried to shoot as low as I could Champions Tour, where it is allowed. He another good Links-playing because I thought the guys out will be the first player not to walk at a youngster, shot 65 and three there, they are good as well. You major since Casey Martin at the 2012 US players, including the battle- start to realise you’re doing quite Open. Martin, who has a painful birth de- scarred 46-year-old veteran Lee well because more people turn up fect that restricts circulation in the lower Westwood were at six-under and you see a couple of cameras. portion of his right leg, was famously each. Westwood had six more I was nervous maybe for a couple denied permission to use a cart on the holes to play. of holes, like around 11 and 12, and PGA Tour. “I’ve known him for a long then I settled back into it which He sued the tour for the right to ride time, we all know what he’s was strange.” and the matter went all the way to the capable of,” said Fleetwood. Fleetwood played and won United States Supreme Court, which by “That’s a tremendous fi rst round the Hero Challenge and then a 7-2 margin ruled in Martin’s favour in and I think it will be good for him launched his Academy. Next 2001. Then tour commissioner had Tim now. I’ve seen some of his scores week, he is also due to play the Finchem argued that the tour should and he’s not played as well as I PGA at Bethpage as he searches have the right to make its own rules and know he wants to this year, but for his maiden Major. Yesterday, regulations, and that walking was an when you’re fi rst turning pro it’s he had an eagle on second, his integral part of the game. England’s Matthew Jordan tees off during the first round of the European Tour British Masters at the Hillside Golf Club in diff erent and now the experience 11th. He had three other birdies Southport, Britain, yesterday. (Reuters) being at the top of the leader- and one bogey on sixth. Gulf Times Friday, May 10, 2019 7 SPORT

SPOTLIGHT Ferrari hope to reignite title fi ght as F1 returns to Europe Spanish GP is an opportunity for the Scuderia to unlock their potential and challenge Mercedes with a host of upgrades

By Giles Richards The Guardian

ith the opening four races complete, Formula One’s return to Europe heralds the opening of a crucial Wdevelopment battle at the front and rear of the grid. The Spanish Grand Prix will see a host of upgrades rolled out and intrigu- ingly a rerun of the phoney war in test- ing that should serve as a benchmark against which to judge the relative per- formance of Mercedes and Ferrari. Mercedes have opened the season with a record four consecutive one-two fi nishes. With the exception of Bahrain, where a mechanical problem cost Fer- rari’s Charles Leclerc victory, they have deserved to take the fl ag in every case and have a 74-point lead over Ferrari in the constructors’ championship. Yet Toto Wolff has said the results fl attered Mercedes. “There is no com- placency about our situation because Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel talks to the we know that it’s not truly representa- press in Barcelona. (Reuters) tive of the balance of power this season so far,” the team principal said. perhaps the best on the grid. Rather it His cautious assessment is based on has been in understanding how to put the pace Ferrari showed in pre-season their cars in the sweet spot of the Pirelli testing at Barcelona. In Spain, as Wolff tyres’ operating window and keeping put it, Ferrari were “blisteringly quick”, them there, particularly through low- appearing to be as much as three- speed corners. Doing so is proving to be tenths a lap faster than Mercedes. But an intricate and testing task but when that pace did not carry over into the Ferrari have achieved it successfully, as opening races. Leclerc did in Bahrain, they were un- The Scuderia will be desperate to touchable. replicate that pace in Barcelona on Sun- A new engine will not necessarily day. They brought an aerodynamic up- make this task any easier but because grade to the last round at Baku, centred Mercedes will doubtless bring their around the bargeboards and rear wing, fi rst major upgrades of the season to but have more to come in Barcelona – Barcelona, so Ferrari must a least match which is seen in the F1 paddock as the them in the relentless search for im- start of the European leg of the season provement. They have reason for opti- Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc arrives at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya in Barcelona yesterday ahead of the Spanish Formula One Grand Prix. (Reuters) if Azerbaijan politically and geographi- mism, however. cally sits in Europe. An engine upgrade Planted through the corners and veloping their car’s aerodynamics, will Expect some strong steps forward they lost a chassis when a loose drain lieves they can make major advances. – planned for Canada – will be brought exceptionally quick, with no appar- be making what principal Christian also for Racing Point, already enjoying cover smashed into George Russell’s The updates in Barcelona will help forward for this week’s race. ent tyre-window weakness, in testing Horner calls “subtle” changes in Spain: a positive start to the season. They are car and then Robert Kubica crashed show where they now need to focus and It shows just how urgent is their need Ferrari looked every bit championship evolution rather than revolution. Based now able to make use of the fi nancial in qualifying. They have yet to score a if Williams can do anything to rescue to narrow the gap, as Ferrari’s princi- winners. Repeat that performance and on the front and rear wings, this incre- largesse of their new owners to bring point. their position. “Based on those results pal Mattia Binotto acknowledges. “We compare it to the data from the four mental approach is likely to comple- their car forward, with mechanical and This week the deputy team principal it will help us understand if we’ve got are behind in the championship and opening races, and the biggest single ment a competitive start to the season aerodynamic upgrades expected, as do Claire Williams said the team had fi nal- any hope for the remainder of the sea- we have to catch up,” he said. “Which development Ferrari may enjoy in Spain that saw the Red move closer to McLaren. ly cleared the backlog in manufactur- son or not,” Russell said. we know means that our development will be understanding how to unlock Mercedes and Ferrari in China and Az- Firmly last on the grid, Williams re- ing of parts which had consumed their There will be no sudden surge for- work will be the key to this season.” their potential and reigniting the title erbaijan. If Honda continue to improve turn to Barcelona with cautious opti- time since the season began and were ward but after suff ering only defeat and The problem facing Ferrari does not fi ght. It has, after all, been a good week their engine, upgraded once already, mism. Their car was not ready to run in now ready to bring upgrades. The team retreat, Williams are entitled to hope seem to have been a lack of horses and for comebacks. a couple of tenths will put Red Bull up testing and since then has been way off are using Williams co-founder Patrick this battle in the development war is, their engine has been acknowledged as Red Bull, who have been steadily de- with the front two. the pace and a handful to drive. In Baku Head as a consultant and Russell be- perhaps, the end of the beginning.

RUGBY F1 Folau takes a hit in the Williams’ deputy principal confi dent pocket as his wait continues insurance will pay out for Baku damage Reuters Reuters Sydney Barcelona

srael Folau’s protracted illiams are confi dent insur- dismissal by Rugby Aus- ance will pay for the damage to tralia looked no closer to a George Russell’s car caused by conclusion yesterday but a loose drain cover in Azerbai- Ithe 30-year-old was already be- Wjan two weeks ago, the Formula One team’s ing hit hard in the pocket for his deputy principal Claire Williams said yes- decision to post a social me- terday. dia message many viewed as Williams told reporters at the Spanish homophobic. While the panel Grand Prix that she had discussed com- that on Tuesday adjudged Folau pensation with the race promoter in Baku had been guilty of a ‘high level’ after the April 26 incident. “They have been breach of the code of conduct very accommodating and seem to be mov- was still considering what sanc- ing things pretty quickly forwards. So I’m tion to dole out, global sports- pleased,” she said. wear brand Asics cut their ties “It will go through the (circuit) insurers’, with the Wallabies fullback. they understand it needs to move sooner “We believe sport is for every- rather than later. So we are in the process one and we champion inclusiv- now of working out the cost of it to us and Williams’ British rookie George Russell ran over the loose manhole cover at speed in Friday ity and diversity,” the company we need to fi le that and we’ll go from there.” practice, smashing the floor, during the Azerbaijan two weeks ago. (Reuters) said in a statement. “While Israel Williams could not give a fi nancial es- Folau is entitled to his personal timate, which some commentators have driver commented afterwards. “In our history we’ve never given up on views, some of those expressed speculated could be more than half a million Polish teammate Robert Kubica also suf- a season,” she declared. “Clearly we know in recent social media posts are dollars. “Our priority was to get the repair fered a big accident in the fi rst phase of where we are and that it will be incredibly not aligned with those of Asics. work done and then we’ll go through the qualifying. Williams said both chassis had diffi cult to make up the gap even to P9 (ninth As such, our partnership with Is- analysis to understand exactly how much of been repaired and brought to Spain, along place overall). We have a number of issues at rael has become untenable and he a cost there is,” she said. with a spare. She said the former champi- the moment. There are a number, mechani- will no longer represent Asics as British rookie Russell ran over the loose ons, without a point and last in the stand- cal in particular, that we’ve understood,” a brand ambassador.” becoming a registered player in chance’,” Farr-Jones, a commit- manhole cover at speed in Friday practice, ings with an uncompetitive car despite hav- added the boss. The player’s legal fees are also rugby league. That’s fi nal.” ted Christian like Folau, told local smashing the fl oor. “If that was 10-15mm ing the same engine as dominant Mercedes, “So we have a particular issue with our racking up and, of course, the The post that says “drunks, TV. “He doesn’t believe he’s done higher, it was going straight into where I’m had brought upgrades and test parts to the brake system at the moment that we believe most likely conclusion of the homosexuals, adulterers, li- anything wrong. I did originally sat. It could have been much worse,” the track. we’ve found a solution to.” disciplinary process is still that ars, fornicators, thieves, athe- (think he should apologise) had his A$4mn ($2.79mn), four- ists, idolaters,” were destined he been told don’t do this again year contract with RA and the for “hell” and urging them to — don’t mention the word hell, FOCUS Waratahs will “repent” remains on Folau’s In- for example, awaits these various be terminated. A return to take stagram feed, having attracted groups of people. But he’s say- up a lucrative contract in rugby 55,000 “likes” and 50,000 com- ing he was never instructed that league, where Folau fi rst made ments. Wallabies great Nick way.” England outcast Cipriani wins players’ award his name as a free-scoring wing- Farr-Jones spoke to Folau before Folau’s case has triggered a er, would also appear to have the hearing and said the player wide debate in Australia about AFP fl y-half topped a poll of his fellow profes- and the equivalent young player award. been ruled out. “The commis- denied he had made a commit- freedom of speech and the pow- London sionals at English clubs, coming out at the Cipriani’s award came nine months after he sion’s already made a decision,” ment to not to er of employers to control their head of a shortlist that included Exeter wing was fi ned for assault and resisting arrest at Australian Rugby League Com- post such material after he shared employees away from the work- Santiago Cordero, Sale scrum-half Faf De a Jersey nightclub during a pre-season tour. mission chairman Peter Beattie a similar message last year. place. On Wednesday night it ngland exile was Klerk, Northampton scrum-half Cobus Re- Yet for all his sparkling play this term with said in Brisbane on Wednesday. “When I fi rst met with him... became election fodder with the named the Rugby Players’ Associa- inach and Exeter centre Henry Slade. the Cherry and Whites, the talented Cipri- “We believe in inclusiveness I was going to encourage him to issue raised in a debate between tion player of the year for 2019 on In the process Cipriani became only the ani has won just 16 England caps since mak- and that inclusiveness policy say ‘look, I apologise. I won’t do the two major party leaders Wednesday following an excellent third person after Jonny Wilkinson and ing his debut back in 2008. Several England would prevent from it again and can I have another ahead of the May 18 national poll. debutE season at Gloucester. The 31-year-old Christian Wade, to win both this honour coaches have lacked faith in Cipriani.

Friday, May 10, 2019 GULF TIMES SPORT

MADRID OPEN Federer saves two match points, Osaka crashes out Top seed Novak Djokovic motors into the last eight after defeating Jeremy Chardy 6-1, 7-6 (7/2)

AFP leading 5-4, but could not touch a Madrid backhand return winner. “When you play against a good player, you have to Switzerland’s Roger Federer plays a expect that they are going to play great backhand during his round of 16 match oger Federer saved two match at times,” Osaka said. “I feel like I was against France’s Gael Monfils at the points to defeat Gael Monfi ls negative on myself, but I tried to fi x it in Madrid Open yesterday. (AFP) and reach the Madrid Open the third set. But my service percentage quarter-fi nals yesterday but was down.” women’sR world number one and top Djokovic, who now boasts a stagger- seed Naomi Osaka was dumped out in ing 66-2 record against French players, a last-eight shock. said he is slowly lifting his clay game. Federer, playing only his second “I felt good on the court in general and match of a 2019 comeback to clay after played well,” Djokovic said. “Coming three years away, needed two hours to into the match I had confi dence know- defeat French showman Monfi ls 6-0, ing I’d never lost to my opponent.” 4-6, 7-6 (7/3). The Madrid champion in 2011 and Osaka fell for the second time in two 2016 is searching for his top clay form months to Federer’s Swiss compatriot as he begins the chase for a fourth Belinda Bencic, exiting 3-6, 6-2, 7-5. straight Grand Slam title when Roland Bencic also beat the double Grand Slam Garros starts in a little over two weeks. winner in March at Indian Wells. Men’s Djokovic next faces ninth seed Marin top seed Novak Djokovic, however, Cilic after the Croatian put out Laslo motored into the last eight as he ham- Djere 4-6, 6-3, 6-2, winning 11 of the mered Jeremy Chardy 6-1, 7-6 (7/2). last 13 games. Thiem, the 2018 runner- Federer admitted he struggled to up, defeated Monte Carlo winner Fabio get past the talented Monfi ls, seeded Fognini 6-4, 7-5 while Stan Wawrinka 15th, before recording his 1,200th ca- made it a Swiss hat-trick on the day, reer win. It took a comeback from 4-1 beating Japan’s sixth seed Kei Nishikori down in the fi nal set after sweeping the 6-3, 7-6 (7/3). fi rst set in 18 minutes, combined with Two-time women’s champion Simo- a dominating tiebreak for the Swiss na Halep overcame Ashleigh Barty 7-5, fourth seed to advance. Federer said 7-5 to reach her fourth Madrid semi- nothing was decided until the end of a fi nal. Romania’s third seed and former match played in diffi cult swirling winds No. 1 will next play Bencic. Halep, who and challenging conditions. “I had a has been struggling with injury, took tough run of fi ve losing games late in the opening set and went up a break in the second and into the third,” said the the second before losing it against the 20-time Grand Slam champion who ninth-seeded Australian who won the will face Austrian fi fth seed and recent Miami title in March. Halep regained Barcelona champion Dominic Thiem control with a break for 6-5 as her op- for a place in the semi-fi nals. ponent returned wide. “I just hung in there, saving two She wrapped up victory with an un- match points (to force a fi nal-set tie- touchable forehand to the corner. “It’s breaker). It was a very stressful situa- not easy to keep winning here,” Halep tion. Now that I’m through it, I’m very said after a victory in which she broke excited with the win. This match gave four times. “But I’m very motivated me a lot of information, it showed how after reaching the semi-fi nals again. I tricky clay can be with the wind and will have another challenge tomorrow everything. But I tried to take the bad (Friday), so I’m not looking any fur- bounces and the rest and just play posi- ther ahead than that. If I can play my without the loss of a game. RESULTS 4-6, 6-3, 6-2; Dominic Thiem (AUT x5) Women’s Quarter-finals: Belinda tive tennis.” best tennis, then we will see,” added Former US Open winner Sloane Men’s third rd: Novak Djokovic (SRB x1) bt Fabio Fognini (ITA x10) 6-4, 7-5; Stan Bencic (SUI) bt Naomi Osaka (JPN x1) Against an inspired Bencic, Osaka the player who advanced through her Stephens downed Petra Martic of bt Jeremy Chardy (FRA) 6-1, 7-6 (7/2); Wawrinka (SUI) bt Kei Nishikori (JPN x6) 3-6, 6-2, 7-5; Simona Halep (ROM x3) bt served for the match in the third set third-round match on Wednesday Croatia 6-4, 6-3 in her quarter-fi nal. Marin Cilic (CRO x9) bt Laslo Djere (SRB) 6-3, 7-6 (7/3); Ashleigh Barty (AUS x9) 7-5, 7-5

SPOTLIGHT FOCUS Meet Thani al-Zarraa, the man Aspire’s Ramadan Sports Festival begins with three tournaments behind Al Wakrah Stadium n Wednesday evening, Aspire Zone Founda- tion (AZF) witnessed a strong start to its As- pire’sO Ramadan Sports Festival tournaments, as the Men’s foot- ball and volleyball tournaments and the Ladies’ handball compe- tition commenced. During the very fi rst night of the events at the Ladies Sports Hall, the Ladies’ handball com- petition saw Al-Adaam score 23 points against 2 for the hands up team. In addition, Al-Majed won against Al-Dana with a score of 44-14. On football pitch number 10, Baladna and Carthage Eagles ended the match 1-1. Janin Camp won against Al-Nashama with a score of 14-7. Finally, Delta and Football heroes also ended their game with a tie score of 2-2. The men’s volleyball compe- tition saw successful results as Al-Sityar won with a score of 2-0 against Indian heroes. Medina Doha won against strikers with 2-0. Champions won against Kesci SC with a score of 2-0. Bench Pearls won against Volley Thani al-Zarraa was appointed to lead the team that would build the 40,000 capacity Al Wakrah stadium, that would eventually become Beast with a score of 2-0. Action from the the men’s volleyball tournament. the first stadium built from scratch for the FIFA World Cup 2022. The men’s volleyball and la- dies handball tournaments will boys and hockey for boys and event at the 12th of May. hani al-Zarraa was a young engineer eventually become the fi rst stadium built keen. Our time together has been both chal- continue until the 12th of May. girls will kick off on Thursday. This year, the Ramadan Sports when fi rst tasked with managing the from scratch for the FIFA World Cup 2022. lenging and enjoyable,” he said. The men’s football tournament AZF has also organised table ten- Festival is sponsored by Saleh Al construction of Al Wakrah Stadium. “When you’re fi rst given a multi-million- Fast forward almost four years to March is scheduled to end on the 13th nis activities for the disabled in Hamad Al Mana Co, Aseel Water On that day, 33 months ago, he felt dollar scope like this you feel it’s a big re- 2019 and al-Zarraa oversaw the installa- of May. The fi tness challenge for various categories for a one-day and EsQalar Sports. Tas any Qatari would: hugely honoured – sponsibility and, at the same time, a huge tion of the pitch at Al Wakrah Stadium in a while knowing he had been given massive honour. Of course, I didn’t want to make any world record time of just 9 hours 15 minutes. responsibility. mistakes and worked daily with the guid- For anyone in the business, once a stadium HANDBALL A structural engineer by profession and ance and follow-up of our senior manage- under construction has a fi eld of play, it be- a graduate from Griffi th University in Aus- ment,” he continued. comes clear that the shift from construction tralia, al-Zarraa joined the Supreme Com- Throughout the project, al-Zarraa into completion has begun. mittee for Delivery & Legacy (SC) in 2013 worked tirelessly with his team to deliver a “The day we laid the pitch I walked from Qatar to start preparation for and soon started doing feasibility studies for one-of-a-kind venue that would also be- goalpost to goalpost, or from where I imag- the then proposed host venues for the fi rst come the heart of the Al Wakrah municipal- ined the goalposts would be, as they were FIFA World Cup in the Arab world. ity. “We worked closely with the community not yet installed. I imagined the stadium Olympic qualifi ers in July “We were looking for sustainable designs and built a masterplan area with cycling and packed with fans, two teams on the pitch, that represented Qatar and its culture,” said running tracks, and a community market, to and in the presence of His Highness The QNA Games in Tokyo 2020. The draw in Tokyo, while the runners-up al-Zarraa. “For Al Wakrah Stadium, we had ensure the area would be used by residents Amir, and I got goose bumps,” he said. Doha for the men’s Asian qualifi ers for play a playoff . various options from Zaha Hadid and chose long after the World Cup has ended,” he said. Al-Zarraa is still not sure what he will do the 2020 Olympic Games put the It will be the second time in the dhow boat representation because it Since that day in 2015 when he fi rst dove when the crowds leave Al Wakrah Stadium Qatari team in Group A along a row that Qatar has hosted the was the most relevant to the city’s seafaring into the life of a project manager, al-Zarraa after the fi nal and the venue becomes silent atar handball team with the teams of Saudi Arabia, men’s Asian handball qualifi ers past.” started to understand two things: that again, but as a keen triathlete, cycling or will begin training on India, and Hong Kong, while the for the Olympic Games. In 2015, Shortly after the stadium design was se- project management life “is not normal” running around the world-class stadium he July 27 to prepare for Group B included Bahrain, South Qatar hosted the 2016 Rio Olym- lected and revealed to the world, al-Zarraa and that teamwork is fundamental to the has helped deliver may just do the trick until the Asian qualifi ers, Korea, Iran, and Kuwait. pics qualifi ers, where the Qatar was appointed to lead the team that would success of any project. “I’m very thankful to he has to go back to work. For al-Zarraa and whichQ will be held in Doha from The fi rst-place winners qual- qualifi ed for the Olympics for the build the 40,000 capacity venue that would my team. They are hardworking, eager and us all, the road to 2022 continues. (SC.qa) October 17 to 27, for the Olympic ify for the 2020 Olympic Games fi rst time in the history.