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Tuesday, May 7, 2019 FOOTBALL Ramadan 2, 1440 AH Ramsey bids GULF TIMES emotional farewell to Arsenal SPORT Page 3

FOOTBALL Sanchez to lead Qatar to 2022 WC

Reuters in the fi nal in Abu Dhabi, was the country’s fi rst Doha major trophy and was achieved with a squad that is expected to form the bulk of the side at the World Cup fi nals in three years’ time. elix Sanchez has extended his contract Sanchez, 43, has spent much of his coaching ca- as head coach of Qatar’s national team reer in Qatar, working at the Aspire Academy be- through to the 2022 World Cup hosted by fore leading the nation to the Asian Under-19 title Qatar, the country’s Football Association in 2014 and he has a long-standing relationship saidF yesterday. with many of the current squad. File photo of Felix Spaniard Sanchez led the team to the Asian Cup He retains the position despite speculation the Sanchez celebrating with title in the United Arab Emirates in January having QFA was on the hunt for a high-profi le coach to lead Qatari players after their been appointed to replace Jorge Fossati during the the team into the World Cup fi nals and Sanchez’s Asian Cup win in February fi nal stages of the country’s failed attempt to quali- next task will be to take Qatar to the Copa America this year. fy for the 2018 World Cup fi nals in Russia. fi nals in Brazil in June, where they are one of two The Asian Cup win, when Qatar defeated Japan invited sides.

AFC CHAMPIONS LEAGUE/ WEST ASIA FOCUS SETBACK Concussed Salah out of Liverpool’s Duhail fi rst team to Barcelona clash qualify for last 16 Edmilson nets equaliser against Esteghlal in Tehran as Qatar giants Duhail make it to the knockout phase with a game to spare in Group C

AFC Tehran AFP his old side Borussia Dort- Liverpool mund 4-3. However, the Ger- man coach is aware of the extra l Duhail became the fi rst diffi culty of not just scoring at West Asian team to book iverpool will be with- least three against the Spanish their place in the 2019 out top scorer Mo- champions, but also not con- AFC Champions League hamed Salah for ceding a vital away goal to the Around of 16, after earning a hard- today’s Champions likes of Lionel Messi and Luis fought point in a 1-1 draw against LLeague semi-fi nal, second leg Suarez that would leave Liv- Esteghlal FC at the Azadi Stadium against Barcelona after man- erpool needing to score fi ve to yesterday. ager Jurgen Klopp revealed he progress. Esteghlal came into the Match- was concussed in a 3-2 win at “I imagine the place will be day Five fi xture in the knowledge Newcastle. rocking even before we score that only a win can keep their The Egyptian was stretch- to be honest, but we not only qualifi cation hopes alive, and they ered off at St James’ Park on have to score, we have to deny started brightly, coming within Saturday due to a head knock Barcelona from scoring,” he inches of opening the scoring in sustained as he challenged added. the 12th minute. Newcastle goalkeeper Martin “It doesn’t happen too often South African midfi elder Ayan- Dubravka for a high ball. that Barcelona don’t score at da Patosi beat Al Duhail goalkeep- “It’s a concussion so that all. We know how big the chal- er Amine Lecomte with a curled means he would not even be al- lenge is. free-kick from 30 yards out. Es- lowed to play. So that’s it,” said “This team is so wonder- teghlal were, however, denied the Klopp at his pre-match press ful we will try 100%, but that opener as Patosi’s ball struck the conference yesterday. doesn’t mean it will all work upright. “He feels OK but it is not out.” Al Duhail responded from a good enough from a medical While, Liverpool edged a similar set-piece through Bassam point of view that is all. He’s bruising battle with Newcas- al-Rawi, but the Qatari interna- desperate (to play) everything tle to remain in the hunt for a tional’s strike passed narrowly but we cannot do it.” fi rst Premier League title in 29 wide off the post. Klopp will also be with- years, Barcelona boss Ernesto Everyone at the Azadi Sta- out Brazilian striker Roberto Valverde could aff ord the lux- dium thought Al Duhail were set Firmino due to a groin injury as ury of making 11 changes for to take the lead 20 minutes in as his side face the huge challenge a 2-0 defeat at Celta Vigo on Luiz Junior supplied a defence- of trying to overturn a 3-0 fi rst Saturday having already sealed splitting through ball for Edmil- leg defi cit to make the Cham- the La Liga title. son who broke free down the right pions League fi nal for a second And Klopp admitted he with Youssef El Arabi taking up a consecutive season. could have one eye on Sunday’s position unmarked inside the Es- “Two of the world’s best fi nal league game of the sea- teghlal penalty box. strikers are not available to- son at home to Wolves with his The Brazilian’s squared ball Duhail’s midfielder Edmilson Junior (C) celebrates his goal with teammates during their AFC Champions League group C match against Iran’s morrow night and we have to team selection. left El Arabi with a simple task to Esteghlal at the Azadi Stadium in Tehran yesterday. score four goals against Bar- “We have to make a lot of apply the fi nish from ten yards, celona to go through after 90 decisions. Tomorrow night will but goalkeeper Seyed Hossein down the left fl ank before cross- Esteghlal was a curled eff ort from trip to Al Ain will be merely for past all heads before bouncing off minutes,” added Klopp. be the third game in six days Hosseini made himself big and ing for El Arabi. Hosseini was the edge of the box that ended up bragging rights. the bottom of the far upright and “It doesn’t make life easier, and Barcelona changed 11 po- blocked the Moroccan’s shot to fi rst to the ball, but his clearance on the wrong side of the post. Meanwhile in Tashkent, a late out for a goal kick. Goalkeeper but as long as we have 11 play- sitions on Saturday, so that is deny the visitors a sure goal. only went as far as Edmilson and With the draw, Al Duhail ad- strike from substitute Igor Ser- Alireza Beiranvand was fi rst test- ers on the pitch, we will try it.” a massive diff erence as well of The home crowd erupted as Es- the Brazilian converted the sec- vance to the round of 16 with a geev earned Pakhtakor a hard- ed in the 19th minute as Farrukh Liverpool have a rich his- course,” he said. teghlal fi nally broke the deadlock ond ball into the back of the net game to spare. The Qatari side fought 1-0 victory over Iran’s Sayfi ev’s cross from the left was tory of stunning comebacks “Together with our support- eight minutes after the restart. to bring the game back to square have eight points to their name Persepolis in Group D. volleyed by Javokhir Sidikov, but in European football, most fa- ers it was a long season and Al Duhail defence failed to deal one. and hold a superior head-to-head The 2018 fi nalists came into the the Iranian goalkeeper stood tall mously lifting the Champions there is at least a little chance with a Patosi cross from the right Both sides pushed forward in record against both Esteghlal and match needing a victory to boost to make the save. League in 2005 after trailing to make it even longer. and defender Roozbeh Cheshmi an eff ort to snatch a winner. A Al Ain, meaning neither of the their hopes of reaching the Round Persepolis were restricted to the fi nal 3-0 to AC Milan at “But if not, these are the pounced on the loose ball to fi re quick break saw Shoya Naka- two sides can catch them. The re- of 16, instead Persepolis were only a couple of shy chances half-time. last two home games of an in- home from close range. jima’s fi nish parried by Hosseini sult also confi rms Al Hilal SFC’s eliminated from the Continental throughout. Kamal Kamyabinia In Klopp’s fi rst season in credible season and I think we The hosts’ joy was short-lived into the path of Ali who had the progression to the next round. tournament. headed wide at the half-hour charge in the quarter-fi nals of should celebrate that with a as Al Duhail fi red back instantly goal at his mercy, but he struck Matchday Six will see Al Du- Pakhtakor started on the off en- mark and Semak Nemati tried his the Europa League in 2016, the good performance on the pitch after resumption of play. Ali Afi f the woodwork instead. Substitute hail hosting Al Hilal to decide the sive, and Jaloliddin Masharipov’s luck on the volley but missed the Reds also came from 3-1 down and a very, very good perform- exchanged passes with Almoez Ali Omid Noorafkan best attempt for group leaders, while Esteghlal’s free-kick from the left wing sailed target before the break. in the fi nal 25 minutes to beat ance in the stands.” Gulf Times 2 Tuesday, May 7, 2019 FOOTBALL

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE Suarez thanks Liverpool for helping him to the top Suarez’s role in leading Reds to the brink of a Premier League title in 2013/2014 saw Barca splash out a then club record fee

AFP Liverpool

arcelona striker Luis Suarez returns to Anfi eld today hop- ing to dump Liverpool out of the Champions League semi- fiB nals, but remains eternally grateful to the Reds for helping him win a move to the Catalan giants. Suarez shone on the fi eld during a turbulent three-and-a-half years at Liverpool, that included long bans for biting Chelsea’s Branislav Ivanovic and racially abusing Patrice Evra of Man- chester United. His role in leading Liv- erpool to the brink of a long-awaited Premier League title in 2013/2014 saw Barca splash out a then club record fee despite another biting incident on Ital- ian defender Giorgio Chiellini at the 2014 World Cup that saw him banned by FIFA for four months. That faith has been rewarded as Sua- rez has enjoyed great success in Spain, winning four La Liga titles, the Cham- pions League in 2014/15 and four Span- ish Cups. And he believes his time at Liverpool was the springboard to mak- ing him one of the world’s best strikers. “Liverpool gave me a lot to make me better. My time there made me more professional, make me improve techni- cally, many things,” he said yesterday. “To be captain of Liverpool was something unique in my career. We were fi ghting for the Premier League and you are left with the sensation we were just one step away. I am among the elite of football, I am at Barcelona, thanks to Barcelona’s striker Luis Suarez (left) poses for a picture before the press conference yesterday, on the eve of the UEFA Champions League semi-final second leg match against Liverpool. (AFP) what Liverpool made me as a player.” Suarez scored the opening goal season when we had a good advantage out through injury. “Firmino and Salah course last year we had a three-goal great Champions League comebacks and have a beautiful season to forget it. against his old club as Barca took a com- (from the fi rst leg). We have thought are important players for them, but that advantage in the quarter-fi nals. And we and send the Italians into the semis. We want to soothe the scar.” manding 3-0 fi rst leg lead last week to about that a lot and we know that they does not change our preparation for the were knocked out.” That Real Madrid went on to win the Thirteen months on, Liverpool will defend at Anfi eld. However, he warned have an extra edge here in front of their game,” added Suarez. “They have other Valverde knows that loss to Roma tournament for a fourth time in fi ve hope the doubt that lingers and, perhaps, the Spanish champions of making the fans. To play at Anfi eld is like playing players, most of them internationals still rankles with his players, barely a years rubbed salt into the wound. the pressure to make amends can help same mistakes they did in throwing with an extra man for what the fans and we need to pay them plenty re- week passing without one of them ref- But it was not just that Barca had them pull off what would be the club’s away a 4-1 lead against Roma in last transmit to the Liverpool players.” spect.” erencing the game that defi ned their fallen short, for a third consecutive most remarkable turnaround since the season’s Champions League quarter- However, if Liverpool are to spring an Meanwhile, Ernesto Valverde wans season last year and could yet shape year. It was the way they had thrown 2005 fi nal in Istanbul. “We have no rea- fi nals and knows that Liverpool can be unlikely comeback, it will be without to keep Barcelona’s feet on the ground. this one too. The tie looked over after it away. “We feel like there is this scar,” son to be complacent,” Valverde said. a diff erent team on home soil. two of their major goal threats as Mo- “Liverpool are a team that can make a 4-1 thrashing at Camp Nou only for a Clement Lenglet said. “This match did “The result is good, I have no doubt “We have come off the blow of last hamed Salah and Roberto Firmino miss any opponent suff er,” he said. “And of 3-0 loss in Rome to complete one of the us some harm. We want to erase that about that, but the tie is still open.”

EUROPE’S CLUBS, LEAGUES SET FOR SPOTLIGHT LIGUE 1 CHAMPIONS LEAGUE REVAMP DEBATE Lille close on Madrid: With radical changes succeed in overhauling the cur- Hans-Joachim Watzke con- Casillas leaves hospital, Champions proposed to the Champions rent Champions League format. fessed they weren’t pleased by League, creating the possibil- A new-look competition the changes but were ready to League return ity of a competition largely would reportedly feature four “compromise” given the seem- reserved for Europe’s elite, groups of eight teams in the ing inevitability of it. admits future uncertain AFP domestic leagues and at least pool phase, with the top six in Bundesliga chief Christian Paris 150 clubs will gather for talks each group qualifying for the Seifert came out strongly op- today in Madrid, ahead of a following edition regardless posed to the plans, blasting the crucial meeting with UEFA 24 of where they finish in their idea of playing European games ille moved a crucial step hours later. European Leagues, domestic competition. at the weekend as a “red line” closer to a return to the association of the conti- The rumours triggered an which must not be crossed, and Champions League foot- nent’s professional leagues, has outcry from smaller clubs, as threatening legal action. ball on Sunday with a 2-2 Ldraw at Lyon while Saint Etienne invited some 900 clubs to the well as from the organisers of But Juventus chairman Agnel- Spanish capital to discuss the domestic leagues fearing their li last month referred to “incor- infl icted more misery on Monaco future of European competi- competitions would be deval- rect speculation and rumour” in to give their hopes of a top three tions and the threats posed by ued, particularly if matches the media and said “no concrete fi nish a massive shot in the arm. mooted reforms. were to be scheduled at the proposals” for change had been A point from a thrilling en- Tomorrow, UEFA’s executive weekend. agreed in a letter addressed to counter consolidated Lille’s committee, chaired by president Real Madrid coach Zinedine the ECA’s 232 member clubs. hold on second and an auto- Aleksander Ceferin, will meet Zidane, whose club has been The ECA will hold a special matic ticket into the Champions with Europe’s football leagues crowned European champions general assembly in June to dis- League group stages with three to hold talks over the contro- a record 13 times, also criticised cuss the controversial proposals Ligue 1 games remaining. Saint versial revamp plans that could the project. “For those smaller in Malta, with the organisation’s Etienne’s 3-2 win over 2017 take eff ect from 2024. Today’s clubs it’s certainly much more president Agnelli urging mem- champions Monaco earlier had assembly should provide an diff icult to be able to play in bers not to attend the Madrid provisionally moved them above opportunity for representatives the Champions League,” said talks. That drew a strong rebuke Lyon who reclaimed third spot a from lesser leagues and smaller Zidane. “To experience that, for from European Leagues presi- point above their arch regional clubs to find common ground in those who don’t play in it regu- dent Lars-Christer Olsson, who rivals to remain six points be- their fight to stop UEFA institut- larly, or who play in it once in a said they are “grown up enough hind Lille. ing sweeping changes. lifetime, it’s magnificent.” to make their own judgments A fi rst appearance in the group One of the topics of discus- Barcelona have off ered without getting ‘orders’ from stage of Europe’s elite club com- sion in Madrid is titled “A de broad support for a reform but the ECA president.” petition since 2012/13 is now facto closed league for elite are against the idea of stag- And while the majority of Ital- looking likely for Lille, while clubs”, a feared outcome, ac- ing games at the weekend. In ian clubs will be in Madrid, the Lyon scrap for third and entry to cording to reports, should the Germany, Bayern Munich chief likes of Juventus, Inter Milan, the qualifying stages with Saint European Club Association, and Karl-Heinz Rummenigge and AC Milan and Roma will skip the Etienne. Lyon took the lead via its president Andrea Agnelli, Borussia Dortmund counterpart meeting, according to reports. former Lille player Martin Terri- er in the fi rst quarter of an hour. Lille drew level fi ve minutes after the restart. Jonathan Ikone FOCUS crossed into the area, Lyon de- Porto’s Spanish goalkeeper Iker Casillas leaves a hospital with his wife Sara Carbonero in Porto fender Jason Denayer failed to yesterday after recovering from a heart attack. (AFP) clear with the ball bouncing off Ferland Mendy to Loic Remy Ajax win fi rst trophy in vefi years AFP World Cup and two European Championships, who neatly outmanoeuvred An- Porto, Portugal and also played over 700 games for Real Ma- thony Lopes to tap home into an Reuters us, both on and off the fi eld. It’s a feeling we must drid. “The truth is, it’s something that can hap- empty net. Amsterdam treasure,” Blind told reporters. “But we are not fi n- pen to anyone and at any moment,” he added. Nicolas Pepe was instrumen- ished. The season can still get whole lot better.” panish goalkeeping great Iker Casillas “It’s hard to talk about, but you also have to be tal in putting Lille into a 68th Sunday’s Dutch cup win was the 19th in total left hospital in Portugal yesterday and very grateful because I’ve been very lucky.” minute lead when his freekick jax Amsterdam celebrated a fi rst trophy in for Ajax but fi rst since 2010. They were last Dutch said that his football future is uncertain, He had assured fans that he was recovering to the far post found Boubakary fi ve years with success in the KNVB Cup champions in 2014 and have not won a European fi ve days after suff ering a heart attack well on Wednesday, saying on social media that Soumaré who fl icked the ball at the weekend and now have high hopes club prize since their Champions League success duringS training with his club. The 37-year-old, “everything was under control”. Portuguese over Lopes from a tight angle af- of capturing more silverware in the next in 1995. Ajax have a 1-0 advantage over Tottenham who has played for Porto since 2015, was ad- media reported Casillas had undergone surgery ter another error by Leo Dubois, weeks.A “This is the fi rst and now hopefully we can after last week’s semi-fi nal fi rst leg in London as mitted to hospital last Wednesday after suff er- and that his season was over. who shortly after made up for his take more prizes,” said defender Daley Blind after they seek a berth in this year’s fi nal in Madrid on ing what the Portuguese club called an “acute Porto are second in the Portuguese league, lapse with the equaliser. Chris- scoring the opening goal in Sunday’s 4-0 win over June 1. “The season has gone perfectly but we are myocardial infarction” in training. just two points behind leaders Benfi ca with two tophe Galtier’s team can wrap up Willem II Tilburg in the fi nal at Rotterdam. not yet satisfi ed,” said coach Erik ten Hag. “I feel much better,” he told reporters outside games to play, and face Sporting Lisbon in the second place next weekend. Ajax could still achieve a triple this season. They “We have shown some good things up to now the hospital in Porto. “It will be rest for a couple Portuguese Cup fi nal on May 25. Casillas turns Earlier, Gelson Martins put take on Tottenham Hotspur tomorrow for a place and those memories will always be there. Beating of weeks, or even a couple of months. The truth 38 later in May and recently extended his con- Monaco into an early lead with in the Champions League fi nal and are top of the Real Madrid away... that we’ll always remember. is that I don’t care. The important thing is to be tract with Porto to next year with the option of Fode Ballo-Toure’s own goal table in the Dutch championship with two rounds But realistically you need to have something tan- here... I don’t know what the future may bring.” an additional 12 months. He said Porto had told on 59 minutes drawing Saint to play. “It looks as if everything is going right for gible. And that is titles.” Casillas has 167 Spain caps, winning the 2010 him they wanted to keep him until he turned 40. Etienne back level. Gulf Times Tuesday, May 7, 2019 3 FOOTBALL

SPOTLIGHT PREMIER LEAGUE United’s top four failure Ramsey bids emotional not good enough, says Young The Guardian farewell to Arsenal London anchester United Welshman is set to join Italian champions captain Ashley Young has admitted Juventus after signing a four-year deal failing to beat Hud- Mdersfi eld and missing out on Reuters is retiring at the end of the day of the Premier League sea- Champions League qualifi cation London season and was also honoured son to fi nish in the top four af- is “just not good enough”. by Arsenal, said Ramsey’s de- ter being held to a 1-1 draw by A club synonymous with suc- parture was a big loss for the Brighton and Hove Albion on cess and silverware continue to aron Ramsey made a London club. “I think when he Sunday. Needing victory to give stumble, with the Old Traff ord tearful farewell to Ar- came from Cardiff nobody re- themselves a realistic chance of giants rudderless behind the senal after 11 years at ally knew how great a player securing a Champions League scenes and a shell of their former the club on Sunday the club brought in and I think spot, they led through Pierre- selves on the pitch. Their is- andA said he was looking forward he gave everything he could all Emerick Aubameyang’s early sues were plain to see on Sunday to the next phase of his career those 11 years,” Cech said. penalty at the Emirates only as Huddersfi eld, relegated fi ve at Juventus. The Welshman, Arsenal also confi rmed the for Glenn Murray’s spot kick to weeks earlier, managed to can- whose season ended prema- departure of striker Danny Wel- drag Brighton level in a frantic cel out Scott McTominay’s early turely after he sustained a ham- beck. The Englishman, signed second half. goal and seal a memorable 1-1 string injury last month, is set from Manchester United for The draw meant fi fth-placed draw through Isaac Mbenza. to join the Italian champions in £16mn in 2014, has not played Arsenal ended the day four The result ended United’s the close season after signing a since he had an ankle surgery in points behind Chelsea who had top-four hopes with a game four-year deal in February. November and his contract ex- earlier beaten Watford to move to spare, meaning Ole Gunnar Ramsey, who is the club’s pires at the end of the season. “I third and three points behind Solskjaer’s side will be play- highest scoring central mid- spoke with the club about this stumbling Tottenham Hotspur. ing Europa League football next fi elder with 64 goals, was given situation,” manager Unai Em- While a win at Burnley and season. Juan Mata wrote in his a guard of honour by his team ery said. “The decision is he is a loss for Tottenham at home blog to fans on Monday morn- mates and presented with a me- going to leave. to Everton would see the north ing that “you deserve better, no mento after Arsenal’s 1-1 draw The manager had little op- London clubs fi nish level on more words needed” and captain with Brighton and Hove Albion portunity to deploy Welbeck in points, Arsenal are eight worse Young underlined the team’s at the Emirates Stadium. his fi rst, and what turns out to off in terms of goal diff erence. embarrassment after the game. “Obviously it’s very emo- be the player’s last, season at Arsenal have now managed “Disappointment,” the full- tional, it’s been a hell of a jour- the club, as injuries restricted to earn only one point from back said. “I’ve said for years ney,” the 28-year-old said. the forward to only 14 games their last four league games -- that our club should be talking “Eleven years of my life, so this season. a run that has ultimately left about winning titles and win- much has happened in that, Welbeck became a popu- them needing to win the Europa ning trophies. We’ve done that in when I look back. You can tell lar player after joining from League to qualify for next sea- numerous years and when you’re by my voice how much it means United. In his fi rst season at the son’s Champions League. talking about a club of our size to me. I’m really excited for the north London club he scored “We tried but we didn’t take and we’re talking about making new challenge and new chap- a memorable winning goal our chance to be in the top four,” the top four, I think that’s just a ter in my life (at Juventus) but against United in an FA Cup manager Unai Emery, whose disappointment in itself. today it’s all about this. This is quarter-fi nal at Old Traff ord. side will take a 3-1 lead to Span- “We haven’t managed to get where I grew up. I just want to He lifted the trophy with Arse- ish club Valencia for their Eu- ourselves in the top four. I think take this in today and let it set- nal in 2017. ropa League semi-fi nal, second we need to go away, look at our- tle in for a few more days before However misfortune with leg, next week said. selves in the summer, come back I can really look forward and injuries became a recurring “We fi ght and try to win each fi ghting fi t and ready to win titles concentrate on that. problem for him and were part match in the Premier League and to win trophies.” “I’m going to club that’s of the reason why he could not but every match is diffi cult and United are a long way off chal- playing in the Champions secure a regular starting spot. today is an example of that,” he lenging for silverware if Sun- League, and playing with (Cris- Emery evidently reasoned that added. “We knew it is going to day's performance at rock-bot- tiano) Ronaldo. And that’s go- the 28-year-old was dispensa- be diffi cult but our focus is now tom Huddersfi eld is anything to ing to really sink in now, so I can ble as the Spaniard tries to build the Europa League,” he said. go by. get my head around that in the a squad capable of returning to “We have the opportunity in The performance was was so next few weeks and really look the Premier League’s top four. the Europa League to do some- bad that even United’s travelling forward to that challenge.” Arsenal will need an extraor- thing important and we will try support were hushed at the John Arsenal’s Aaron Ramsey is in tears as bid farewell to his boyhood club on Sunday. (Reuters) Goalkeeper Petr Cech, who dinary turnaround on the fi nal and do that.” Smith’s Stadium.

FOCUS SERIE A Maradona misses out Insigne’s penalty seals second spot for Napoli AFP now three points behind Atalanta in fi fth. on fi rst title as coach Milan Torino are two points behind Roma in sixth after a 1-1 draw against Juventus. But AC Milan, in seventh, can move orenzo Insigne stepped up to slot to three points off the fi nal Champions in a 98th-minute penalty as Na- League place with a win at home against poli came from behind to beat Bologna last night. Cagliari 2-1 on Sunday night to Atalanta had gotten off to the worst Lguarantee they fi nish second in the Italian possible start after Marco Parolo had league this season behind Juventus. Car- opened the scoring for Lazio after just lo Ancelotti’s side have a 10-point lead three minutes in the Stadio Olimpico. But on third-placed Inter Milan with three Duvan Zapata hit back on 22 minutes for games left. his sixth goal in eight league games. But they are a massive 16 points behind The Colombian has scored one goal Juventus who had already won an eighth more than Juventus star Cristiano Ronal- consecutive Serie A title with fi ve games do, with 22 this season, and is three short to spare. “Keeping up with Juventus was of league top scorer Fabio Quagliarella honestly diffi cult,” said Ancelotti. “Of of Sampdoria. Timothy Castagne added course we lost the strong motivation be- a second just before the hour mark with cause the gap was great, but second place Lazio’s Brazilian defender Wallace turn- satisfi es us and the team will certainly be ing into his own net after 76 minutes. reinforced for next season.” Lazio’s Champions League hopes, Dorados head coach Diego Maradona gives instructions to players After a drab fi rst half in Naples the hosts however, have faded with Simone Inza- during their second leg match of the Mexican second-division finals fell behind after Leonardo Pavoletti fi red ghi’s side seven points adrift of top four in San Luis Potosi, Mexico, on Sunday. (AFP) the Sardinians ahead after 63 minutes. with the Europa League also at risk. In But Dries Mertens headed Napoli back Genoa, Claudio Ranieri’s side thought AFP nearly 25,000 that booed Ma- into the game with just fi ve minutes to they had the winner when Stephan El San Luis Potosi, Mexico radona relentlessly. Maradona, go and in a dramatic fi nale the hosts were Shaarawy volleyed in after 82 minutes. 58, took the coaching job at the awarded a late penalty after consultation But Cristian Romero nodded in on 90 Sinaloa-based club in September with VAR when Artur Ionita handled a minutes for Genoa, with the hosts miss- iego Maradona’s hopes — amusing sceptics who ques- Faouzi Ghoulam cross, and was sent off . ing the chance for a winner on 96 minutes of winning his fi rst tioned why the 1986 World Cup Insigne stepped up with the clock tick- with Roma goalkeeper Antonio Mirante coaching title were champion, who has publicly bat- ing to score and ensure that Napoli will saving Antonio Sanabria’s weak penalty Ddashed on Sunday as tled various addictions, would fi nish runners-up for the second con- Napoli’s Lorenzo Insigne (left) celebrates after scoring a 98th-minute penalty eff ort. “We needed three points but we’re his Dorados team lost the Mexi- move to a place better known for secutive year. Mertens now has 82 Napoli during the Italian Serie A match against Cagliari in Naples. (AFP) not giving up,” said Ranieri. “We’re in can second-division fi nals, along drug cartels than football. league goals — one more than club legend the running for it and we’ll fi ght until the with their shot at promotion. But he has answered his crit- Diego Maradona. Juventus and Napoli are after a 3-1 comeback win over Lazio as to a goalless draw at Udinese. Atalanta, very end.” Rivals Atletico San Luis scored ics by coaching the struggling already assured of Champions League rivals Roma were held 1-1 at Genoa. “We who meet Lazio again in the Coppa Italia In Parma, veteran striker Quagliarella the lone goal of the second leg in Dorados to back-to-back fi nals, football next season but the battle for the believed in a Champions League place be- fi nal on May 15 in Rome, next play Genoa scored a brace for Sampdoria in a 3-3 extra time to clinch the title and both against San Luis. San Luis fi nal two berths remains tight with six fore, but now we believe in it even more,” before travelling to Juventus with their fi - draw to extend his lead on top of the Se- a spot in the fi rst division — the defeated Dorados 4-3 on aggre- teams in the running. said Atalanta coach Gian Piero Gasperini. nal league match against Sassuolo. rie A scorers to 25 goals. At the bottom of second time they have left Mara- gate in the fall season fi nals in Atalanta’s push for a fi rst-ever berth The side from Bergamo are just one Roma missed the chance to close the the table, Frosinone join Chievo in Serie B dona empty-handed in two con- December. Having now won the in Europe’s top competition was boosted point behind Inter Milan who were held gap after a 1-1 draw at Genoa and are next season after a 2-2 draw at Sassuolo. secutive fi nals. “I nearly died... spring fi nals, too, the club — an But it’s fi ne. I’m sad for my boys, affi liate of Atletico Madrid — though,” Maradona said after the gain automatic promotion to the SERIE A match. The Argentine great and fi rst division. his team faced a tough task head- Had they lost, they would have ing into the second-leg match, faced a playoff against Dorados to having been held 1-1 in the fi rst decide which won promotion. PSG to face Inter in China summer tournament leg at home in Culiacan, in the Maradona can legitimately northwestern state of Sinaloa. boast to having turned Dorados aris Saint-Germain will take on FIFA ADDS TWO NEW WOMEN’S best men’s and women’s player of the Sports Giorgos Vassiliadis said that each They managed to hold Atletico around: they were in 13th place Inter Milan in a summer tour- AWARDS TO ‘BEST’ CEREMONY year trophies — won in 2018 by Croatia’s team will be allowed to invite up to 500 to 90 goalless minutes playing in their 15-team division when nament in China before facing FIFA announced it will add two new Luka Modric and Brazilian star Marta people to the fi nal, which is being held at away in the central city of San he arrived. But the dream of win- Rennes in next season’s curtain women’s football awards, best goal- respectively. This year’s Women’s World Athen’s Olympic Stadium, as authorities Luis Potosi. But Spanish de- ning a title as coach still eludes raiserP Champions Trophy in Shenzen, the keeper and team of the year, to its annual Cup in France starts on June 7. were unable to ensure fan safety. fender Unai Bilbao slotted in the him, after stints managing the Ligue 1 champions announced. trophy ceremony. This year’s ‘FIFA Best’ PAOK beat AEK to the last two Greek winning goal for the home team Argentine national team and PSG will meet Inter, who are owned by awards will be presented in Milan on NEAR-EMPTY STADIUM AWAITS Cups but both fi nals were marred by in the 103rd minute, after Dora- various clubs in Argentina, the Chinese group Suning, in Macao on July September 23. GREEK CUP FINAL AFTER FAN BAN fi ghting between the two sets of support- dos ‘keeper Gaspar Servio failed Middle East and now Mexico. In 27 before facing La Liga side Espanyol “I can’t think of a better time to intro- AEK Athens and PAOK Thessaloniki ers and police. Vassiliadis said that the to clear a free kick. April, he said he planned to leave three days later in Shanghai. Chinese duce these awards dedicated to women’s will contest Saturday’s Greek Cup fi nal police and the Permanent Commission The loss ended a 14-game Dorados at the end of the sea- international striker Wu Lei plays for the football,” said FIFA deputy secretary in front of a handful of supporters in Against Violence had expressed fears unbeaten streak for Dorados, son, alleging the league’s referees Catalan outfi t. The tournament will be general Zvonimir Boban. The ceremony an bid to stop fan violence, the govern- that clashes would break out between who faced a hostile crowd of were biased against him. held between July 23 and August 3. now features 11 awards, including the ment announced. Deputy Minister of supporters of the teams. Gulf Times 4 Tuesday, May 7, 2019 CRICKET

OPINION SPOTLIGHT England favourites Warner and Smith to win World Cup, make mark says Gavaskar on return ‘ENGLAND HAVE GOT A VERY GOOD TEAM, THEY HAVE GOT LOTS OF CONFIDENCE’ to Australia colours Reuters balls, but made an early im- Melbourne pression in the fi eld when he dived for a superb one-handed catch to remove Tom Latham avid Warner smashed for 13 off the bowling of Jason an encouraging 39 Behrendorff . with the bat and Set 216 for victory after Steve Smith took a bowling New Zealand out in Dbrilliant catch in the fi eld as 46.1 overs, Australia’s tail- the pair savoured a victorious enders held their nerve to close return to the Australia fold in a out the win, with Adam Zampa World Cup warm-up against a (11 not out) bringing up the New Zealand XI yesterday. winning runs with a four at Wearing Australian colours 48.2 overs. for the fi rst time since the ball- Australia seamers Pat Cum- tampering scandal erupted in mins, Behrendorff and Nathan Cape Town in March, 2018, Coulter-Nile all took three Smith and Warner were greet- wickets against New Zea- ed warmly by a small crowd in land, who were missing regu- Brisbane, where Aaron Finch’s lar skipper Kane Williamson, team took a one-wicket win. Martin Guptill and Trent Boult Former vice captain Warner, because of Indian Premier batting at number three be- League commitments. hind openers Finch and Usman Pace spearhead Mitchell Khawaja, suff ered a nervous Starc and all-rounder Glenn start and was dropped in the Maxwell were rested for the gully when yet to score in the fi rst of the three unoffi cial File photo of former Indian unoffi cial match. warm-ups against New Zea- batsman Sunil Gavaskar. However, he soon warmed land. to the task and hammered six Smith and Warner, whose fours and a six in his 43-ball ball-tampering bans were knock before top-edging a re- lifted in late March, have been verse sweep to be caught in included in Australia’s World close. Cup squad and rejoined their Warner’s knock, coupled team mates for a training camp with Khawaja’s cheap dis- in Brisbane on Friday. missal for four, is likely to fuel Although stripped of their the debate as to Australia’s leadership titles, head coach ideal opening partnership for Justin Langer has said they will their World Cup title defence remain important mentors in in England. Finch’s side. Batting at four, former skip- Australia play their fi rst Reuters the commentary box has con- per Smith was less assured World Cup match against Af- Mumbai vinced him that holders Austral- with the bat, scoring 22 off 43 ghanistan on June 1 in Bristol. ia, with Steve Smith and David Warner back in the fold after their ndia batting great Sunil ball-tampering bans, and a re- Gavaskar believes England surgent West Indies are other ti- are a transformed one-day tle contenders.Virat Kohli’s India Iinternational side since their side will also post a big challenge, shock exit from the 2015 World the 69-year-old felt. Cup and rates them as favourites “I think these are the four to win their maiden crown on teams that can really stand out,” home soil in July. added former India captain and Eoin Morgan’s side, whose opening batsman Gavaskar, who quest for a fi rst 50-overs title be- once held the record for most gins against South Africa at The Test runs and centuries in the Oval on May 30, top the world longest format. Gavaskar said a rankings enter the tournament hot English summer could add to as the one of the most consistent the excitement of the World Cup teams in the format. as the pitches would be drier and “England are the favourites. make shot-making easier for the Simply because of the way they batsmen.The format for the May are playing cricket, the complete 30-July 14 tournament has also turnaround in their cricket- seen a change from the previous ing attitude and approach after years with all 10 teams playing their disastrous 2015 World Cup,” each other before the top four ad- Gavaskar told Reuters in an inter- vance to the semi-fi nals. view. “This should be a very, very “England have got a very good England’s Eoin Morgan watches the ball after playing a shot for six runs during the international interesting tournament and I team, they have got lots of confi - Twenty20 cricket match between England and Pakistan at Sophia Gardens in Cardiff , south Wales, think the format is the best you dence. You have seen them in all on May 5. Under Morgan, England are the favourites to win the World Cup, according to Indian legend can have because you are playing the recent matches and they have Sunil Gavaskar. every team unlike in two groups,” been playing outstanding crick- said Gavaskar, who was part of et.” Morgan’s men have played after Australia won as hosts in start the favourites, there are the satellite city of Navi Mumbai. the Indian team that beat the a fearless brand of cricket in the 2015 and India did the same four other teams which are also play- The semi-rural setting was a mighty West Indies to win the recent years and since the start years earlier. ing some good cricket.” far cry from the glamorous envi- 1983 World Cup. of 2018 have come out on top in “If you go by what has hap- Gavaskar was speaking after rons of Gavaskar’s normal work- “You can have a bogey team bilateral ODI series against World pened in the last couple of World pledging to sponsor 34 paediatric place as a TV media pundit and with whom you lose in bilateral Cup holders Australia, New Zea- Cups, the host team has won,” he heart surgeries for economically rather than former cricketers, he matches but they could be in an- land, Sri Lanka and India. added. deprived children at the Sri Sath- was surrounded by medical pro- other group and you might never Australia’s David Warner plays a shot during a one-day cricket Gavaskar believes having home “But, of course, in cricket any- ya Sai Sanjeevani International fessionals who treat children for play them.” practice match between Australia and New Zealand in Brisbane advantage could also be telling thing can happen. While England Centre for Child Heart Care at free. His study of the game from yesterday.

BOTTOMLINE Pandya brothers take Mumbai to top of IPL AFP runs from his four overs of slow left- ing, neither do I, but it feels nice,” the Mumbai made a quiet start to the New Delhi arm bowling as Kolkata were restricted 25-year-old said after picking up his T20 league but won three of their last to 133-7 off 20 overs. award. fi ve games while defending champions Mumbai made 134-1 in 16.1 overs “When you can do something peo- Chennai lost three of theirs. ndia’s star all-rounder Hardik for a crushing nine wicket victory that ple are not expecting with our bowling, “We always come back well in the Pandya is known for his explo- set up a playoff game against defend- I’m happy.” second half of this tournament,” said sive batting but it was his bowling ing champions Chennai Super Kings And Pandya said he was ready to Sharma. partnership with brother Krunal today. strike again as a bowler for Mumbai “In all the three trophies that we’ve Ithat took Mumbai Indians to the top While Mumbai captain Rohit Shar- — as they stake a claim to become the won, the boys have picked themselves of the IPL table at the end of the group ma made an unbeaten 55 to lead the fi rst team to win four Indian Premier up in the business end. IPL is a funny stage. run-chase, credit went to the team’s League titles — as well as India. tournament, any team can beat the Hardik, who will be a key member bowlers. “I defi nitely look at myself as a four- other on their day.” of India’s World Cup team in Eng- Delighting in the recognition of his over bowler, I am ready to do whatever The winner of today’s game will go land, dismissed Kolkata Knight Riders right-arm medium pace, Hardik Pan- my team wants me to do, bowl four, 10 straight into the IPL fi nal in Hyderabad dangermen Chris Lynn and Shubman dya predicted the game against old ri- or even 15 overs in a Test match,” he on Sunday. Gill in consecutive overs to break up a vals Chennai would be a “cracker”. said. The loser will take on the winner of threatening partnership and earn the “To be honest as a batsman, there is Mumbai Indians player Hardik Pandya (R) and his teammate Kieron Pollard Sharma praised the whole team for tomorrow’s elimination game between man-of-the match award late Sunday. nothing better than hitting a ball. Peo- celebrate after winning the IPL match against Sunrisers Hyderabad at the using the Wankhede stadium pitch to Delhi Capitals and Sunrisers Hydera- Big brother Krunal gave away just 14 ple don’t expect a lot from my bowl- Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on May 2. vary the attack against Kolkata. bad for the second place in the fi nal. Gulf Times Tuesday, May 7, 2019 5 SPORT

NBA MLB Padres avoid Dodgers sweep on Renfroe’s Murray, Leonard walk-off homer

Reuters Margevicius retired the fi rst Washington two hitters he faced in the fi fth before Corey Seager drew a inch-hitter Hunter Ren- walk and David Freese singled froe hit a walk-off grand in front of Muncy’s seventh shine as Nuggets and slam homer off Los An- homer. Muncy, who also had the geles Dodgers closer game-winning single in the se- PKenley Jansen with two out in ries opener, drew a leadoff walk the bottom of the ninth Sun- from Erlin ahead of Taylor’s day afternoon to give the host third homer of the season in the San Diego Padres an 8-5 victory eighth. to avoid being swept in a three-game series at Petco Raptors level series Park. RESULTS Chris Taylor had put the Padres 8-5 Dodgers ‘The biggest part was mental. We know what to do physically but that was a drain- Dodgers ahead 5-4 with a two-run homer in the top Pirates 5-3 A’s ing game and we had to come back with energy and face a great team’ of the eighth off Padres re- Tigers 5-2 Royals liever Robbie Erlin. Giants 6-5 Reds Dodgers pitchers had AFP Braves 3-1 Marlins Los Angeles held the Padres to three hits and retired 14 straight Cubs 13-5 Cardinals Padres – including seven Astros 10-4 Angels amal Murray scored 34 straight by strikeouts at points, including six one point – when Eric Red Sox 9-2 White Sox clutch free throws down Hosmer opened the bot- Mariners 10-0 Indians the stretch to lift the Den- tom of the ninth with a sin- Rockies 8-7 D’backs verJ Nuggets to a gritty 116-112 gle to left off Jansen, who Brewers 3-2 Mets NBA playoff win over the Port- had picked up saves in each land Trail Blazers on Sunday. of the fi rst two games of the Yankees 4-1 Twins The 22-year-old Canadian series. Phillies 7-1 Nationals Murray combined with Serbian Manuel Margot and Wil Rangers 10-2 Blue Jays Nikola Jokic to form a dynamic Myers followed with back- scoring duo as the Nuggets to-back bunt singles to the squared their second round left side to load the bases with no Adam Warren (2-0) got the Western Conference series at one out. But Jansen struck out win with a scoreless ninth and two games each. Greg Garcia and retired Fran- Jansen (2-1), tagged for four runs It was a quick turnaround cisco Mejia on an infi eld popout. and four hits in 2/3 innings, took from the Trail Blazers’ 140-137 Jansen then jumped ahead with the loss. quadruple overtime victory in a strike to Renfroe, who was in a Both starting pitchers threw Friday’s game three. 1-for-16 slump over his previous well on Sunday, with Maeda Game four didn’t last nearly fi ve games before hitting his fi fth giving up just the three hits as long as that three hour, 35 career grand slam - and seventh in six innings, despite allow- minute marathon, but it was homer of the season - on a cut ing four runs. He struck out six another back-and-forth battle fastball. and walked three. Margevicius highlighted by Murray’s preci- It was the fi rst walk-off win pitched 5 2/3 innings and gave up sion shooting and a fourth play- of the season for the Padres, three runs and seven hits, while off triple-double from Jokic. who almost saw the Dodg- walking three with no strikeouts. “The biggest part was men- ers rally from an early defi cit in tal,” said Murray on playing what would have been their third GIANTS RALLY PAST REDS ON two playoff games just 40 hours straight win. It also marked San CRAWFORD’S PINCH-HIT HR apart. Diego’s fi rst pinch-hit walk-off Brandon Crawford’s pinch-hit, “We know what to do physi- grand slam in franchise history. two-run homer in the ninth in- cally but that was a draining The Padres made the most of ning Sunday afternoon capped game and we had to come back their three hits against Dodgers the visiting San Francisco Gi- with energy and face a great starter Kenta Maeda Sunday. The ants’ second come-from-behind team. We were able to get what three hits included a 458-foot, win in the last three days, a 6-5 we wanted on off ence and the fi rst-inning homer by Franmil victory over the Cincinnati Reds. stops on defense.” Reyes, a second-inning RBI tri- The Giants fought all the way Jokic had 21 points, 12 re- ple by Mejia and a two-run dou- back from a 4-0, fi rst-inning bounds and 11 assists for his ble by Garcia in the fourth. Mejia defi cit, 48 hours after stunning second straight triple-double also hit a sacrifi ce fl y to give the the Reds with a late surge for a and Murray, who led all scor- Padres a 4-0 lead in the fourth. 12-11 win in a game they trailed ers, was a perfect 11-for-11 from But Max Muncy pulled the 8-0 in the third on Friday. the free throw line for Denver, Dodgers to within one run with a After Amir Garrett got Mike who handed Portland their fi rst three-run homer off starter Nick Gerber to ground out to open playoff loss at home this season. Margevicius in the fi fth - the the ninth of a 4-4 game, Buster Two free throws by Murray left-handed-swinging infi elder’s Posey - who earlier had tied the increased the Nuggets’ edge to second three-run homer in as contest with a three-run homer 112-108 with 13 seconds on the many games. And Taylor put the - greeted Raisel Iglesias (1-5) clock. Dodgers ahead with his two-run with a double to deep left fi eld, After Damian Lillard scored homer off left-handed Erlin. setting the stage for Crawford. on a layup with 7.7 seconds re- Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray shoots against the Portland Trail Blazers in the first-half of game four of the second round of the 2019 maining, Murray hit a pair of NBA playoff s. PICTURE: USA TODAY Sports free throws to make it 114-110 with 6.7 seconds to play. vironment. For Jamal to be a cen- The Raptors will try to seize career that he notched at least 15 ket. “(Embiid’s) so long so I just CJ McCollum scored on a trepiece of that is phenomenal.” a series lead when the action points and 10 rebounds in a half. I just tried to fade away and long two-point shot to cut it McCollum had 29 points and shifts back to Toronto for game After seven lead changes in shoot it over the top of him and to 114-112 with 4.4 seconds to Lillard added 28 for the Trail fi ve on Tuesday. the third quarter, the increas- luckily it went down.” go, but Murray clinched it with Blazers. After losing back-to-back ingly physical encounter was The 76ers made connected on another pair at the line with 3.4 Game fi ve is today at Denver. games, Leonard said the Rap- tied 75-75 heading into the just fi ve of 21 attempts from the seconds left. Elsewhere, Kawhi Leonard tors’ mindset was to “come in fourth. fi eld in the fourth quarter, miss- “I love free throws,” said scored 39 points and pulled and play hard”. The Raptors were clinging ing nine straight in one span, Murray, the son of Jamaican im- down 14 rebounds to propel the “The whole team concept to a 91-90 lead when Leonard and the Raptors made seven free migrants who moved to Kitch- Toronto Raptors to a 101-96 was coming in and playing drained a step-back three- throws down the stretch to seal it. ener, Ontario where he was victory over the Philadelphia harder, being smarter and take pointer over a reaching Em- born. “Everybody knows I love 76ers that knotted their Eastern your shots,” Leonard said. biid with 1:01 left to play and RESULTS FROM THE SECOND free throws. My team trusts Conference series at two games “We needed it. This is a big three seconds left on the shot ROUND OF THE PLAYOFFS me.” apiece. win, but we’ve got to come back clock. (best-of-seven): Said Nuggets coach Mike Spanish centre Marc Gasol and get it for game fi ve.” It put Toronto up 94-90 and Eastern Conference Malone, “Jamal has got a tre- added 16 points and Kyle Lowry Leonard scored 17 points and the 76ers wouldn’t get the gap Toronto 101 Philadelphia 96 mendous amount of grit. You contributed 14 for the Raptors, grabbed 10 rebounds in a fi rst below four points from there. (Series tied 2-2) think about how young we are who held ailing Sixers centre Joel half that fi nished with the Rap- “I just saw there were about Western Conference San Diego Padres right fielder Hunter Renfroe hits a walk off grand and going on the road to win a Embiid to 11 points on two-of- tors holding a narrow 47-45 three seconds left on the clock,” Denver 116 Portland 112 slam home run against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Petco Park. tough game four in a hostile en- seven shooting from the fi eld. lead. It was the fi rst time in his Leonard said of the clutch bas- (Series tied 2-2). PICTURE: USA TODAY Sports

NHL Blues beat Stars to force game seven in playoff s AFP Stanley Cup since the team be- “Just saw a lane so I tried to Washington gan play in 1967 and the Blues fi re one,” Parayko said. “Tried to haven’t reached the NHL fi nal score and I clipped him a little since 1970. high I suppose.” aden Schwartz and Sam- The Stars won their only Alex Steen of St. Louis got the my Blais scored third- Stanley Cup in 1999 and they puck and fl ipped it to Schwartz, period goals 33 seconds have not reached the conference who tipped the puck into the apart on Sunday to help fi nals since 2008. vacant net 7:37 into the third sparkJ the St. Louis Blues over Blues defenseman Alex Pi- period for his eighth goal of the host Dallas 4-1 and equalise etrangelo opened the scoring 63 playoff s. their National Hockey League seconds into the game, St. Louis NHL play is not stopped until playoff series. producing the contest’s fi rst the team with the injured player The victory levelled the best- eight shots on goal. gains possession of the puck. of-seven Western Conference Tyler Seguin answered with an Referees make the decision second-round series at 3-3, set- equalizer for Dallas, the Canadi- whether or not to stop play ear- ting up Tuesday’s game seven an centre connecting on a power lier based on their assessment of decider in St. Louis. play goal with 8:25 remaining in the severity of the injury. “It was a do-or-die game for the fi rst period. Barely half a minute later, us,” said Blues standout Colton David Perron’s tip-in goal Blais skated in on a breakaway Parayko. put the Blues back on top with and fi red the puck over Bishop’s “I was proud of how we played 4:36 remaining in the second right shoulder into net for his in the third period. Now it’s go- period. fi rst playoff goal and to give the ing to be even bigger in game A key moment came in the Blues a 4-1 lead. seven.” third when Parayko’s slapshot Dallas removed Bishop, send- The winner will face either the struck Dallas goaltender Ben ing him to the locker room for Colorado Avalanche or San Jose Bishop in the left collarbone treatment while reserve Anton Sharks in the Western Confer- area, the puck popping up and Khudobin fi nished the game. ence fi nal. away as Bishop fell to the ice in Jordan Binnington made 22 St. Louis Blues players celebrate a 4-1 win against the Dallas Stars in Game Six of the Western Conference second round of the 2019 NHL St. Louis has never won the pain. saves for the Blues. Stanley Cup playoff s at American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. (Getty Images/AFP) Gulf Times 6 Tuesday, May 7, 2019 SPORT

GOLF FOCUS Kim hangs on for LPGA Lake Merced Homa claims Wells playoff victory AFP LEADING SCORES San Francisco 281-Kim Sei-young (KOR) 72-66- 68-75, Bronte Law (ENG) 73-68- outh Korea’s Kim Sei- 75-65, Lee6 Jeong-eun (KOR) Fargo Championship young shook off a dis- 74-69-71-67 astrous start to win the 283-Ji Eun-hee (KOR) 67-72-73-71, LPGA Mediheal Cham- Lexi Thompson 73-70-69-71, Amy pionshipS in a playoff on Sun- Yang (KOR) 68-74-70-71, Charley day, beating Bronte Law and Hull (ENG) 69-70-70-74 Lee6 Jeong-eun with a birdie 284-Marina Alex 74-72-70-68, Liu at the fi rst extra hole. Yu (CHN) 76-66-72-70, Azahara Kim began the day with a Munoz (ESP) 69-73-72-70, Minjee by three strokes three-shot lead at Lake Merced Lee (AUS) 76-69-67-72 in Daly City, California. 285-Jenny Shin (KOR) 71-73-72- ‘It’s wild. I guess my whole world’s a little bit diff erent now’ But she faltered early with a 69, Ryann O’Toole 73-65-77-70, double-bogey at the fi rst and a Kristen Gillman 71-74-69-71 Reuters bogey at the second. 286-Yan Jing (CHN) 73-73-71-69, Washington She fell to six-under for the Feng Shanshan (CHN) 73-67-75- tournament with a bogey at the 71, Maria Torres (PUR) 69-71-71-75 eighth, and Law and Lee were 287-Celine Boutier (FRA) 68-76- he days of Max Homa in the clubhouse on 281 before 74-69, Megan Khang 75-66-75-71, feeling an impostor on Kim made her fi rst birdie of the Lizette Salas 74-71-70-72, Danielle the PGA Tour are his- day at the par-fi ve 15th to join Kang 73-71-71-72, Louise Ridder- tory after he held his them on seven-under. strom (SWE) 71-69-72-75. Tnerve during an hour-long rain Kim surrendered her share delay before closing out an em- of the lead with a bogey from phatic three-stroke victory at a bunker at the par-three the par-fi ve 15th, where she the Wells Fargo Championship 17th, but forced her way into stuck her second shot three in Charlotte, North Carolina, on the playoff with a birdie at the feet from the pin. Sunday. par-fi ve 18th, capping a three- Lee parred the fi rst nine Long-shot Homa silenced a over 75. The trio returned to holes before playing the back battalion of big guns, proving the 18th, where all three found nine in fi ve-under. After a remarkably steady under pres- the fairway. Lee - who uses the birdie at the 10th she eagled sure as he shot a four-under-par numeral 6 to distinguish her- 15 and birdied 16, sealing her 67 at Quail Hollow to clinch his self from other players of the fi ve-under 67 with a birdie fi rst victory on the PGA Tour in same name who played on the at the 72nd hole. But it was his 69th career start. Korean ladies’ tour - put her Kim who emerged the winner, Hitting a trusty fade with his second shot on the back of the improving her LPGA playoff driver and putting with remark- green but couldn’t make birdie record to 4-0 as she captured able precision in a display that from there. her eighth tour title. suggested he will be no one-hit Law missed the green, and “It was really frustrating wonder, the 28-year-old Cali- her third shot left her a mid- because the beginning holes I fornian fi nished at 15-under 269. range birdie attempt which had, like, double and a bogey,” He capped off his display by she missed. Kim’s playoff hole she said. “I tried to keep going sinking a 10-foot putt at the last was almost a carbon copy of and focus. It was really hard as two ducks waddled nearby her birdie in regulation, her because my position was in the on the fringe of the green, ob- second shot landing just off last group - all day I had the livious to Homa’s life-changing the front of the green. Her pressure.” moment. “It’s wild. I guess my putt from there left her a two- Four players shared fourth on whole world’s a little bit diff er- footer for a birdie. 283: South Koreans Ji Eun-hee ent now,” he told reporters after The playoff came hours after and Amy Yang, American Lexi a performance that earned him a England’s Law had completed Thompson and England’s Char- two-year PGA Tour exemption, her bogey free 65. ley Hull. Ji, Yang and Thompson along with invitations to this Her fi ve birdies included all shot 71 while Hull, who start- month’s PGA Championship four in a row from the ninth ed the day three off Kim’s lead, and next year’s Masters. through the 12th. She eagled fi red a two-over 74. He also vaulted in one fell swoop from 417th to 102nd in the world rankings. “You dream of (having a chance to win) and then you get in the moment and you’re not sure how you’re going to react to that,” Homa said. “One of the holes today I felt I was going to throw up but my hands felt unbelievable on the club, felt as solid as a rock and golf swing and putting stroke were as good as I could have im- agined. “It means a lot to me to do this under pressure and job security’s great. I haven’t had that before. I had some serious scar tissue.” Fellow American Joel Dah- men, who started the day tied for the lead with Homa and Jason Dufner, shot 70 to claim second on 12-under. Englishman Justin Rose (68) was another shot back Max Homa (left) and his caddie Joe Greiner pose with their trophies after winning the 2019 Wells Fargo Championship at Quail Hollow Club on in third, while Spaniard Sergio in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Getty Images/AFP) Garcia tied for fourth on nine- under. probably going to lap me,’” found a shovel and kept digging,” 273-Justin Rose (ENG) 70-67-68-68 Seamus Power (IRL) 69-68-69-72 Dahmen, who was also seek- Homa said. “I’m freaking out.” he said. “I went to some low, low 275-Sergio Garcia (ESP) 69-73-65-68, 279-Brendon Todd 68-70-73-68, Chez ing his fi rst tour victory, and After a stellar amateur career places. “Very glad I found a lad- Rickie Fowler 71-70-66-68, Paul Casey Reavie 70-71-70-68, Webb Simpson Rose kept Homa honest, but the that included winning the 2013 der and started climbing up- (ENG) 69-71-66-69, Jason Dufner 69-73-69-68, Rory Sabbatini (SVK) 76- champion was not to be denied. American collegiate individual wards because it was dark down 68-63-71-73 66-67-70, Aaron Wise 69-70-69-71, Doc Homa said the experience of championship, Homa took a there. Nobody knew who I was. I 277-Kyle Stanley 69-69-71-68, Jhonat- Redman 70-70-67-72 playing with two-times Quail while to adjust to the profes- felt like I was on an island and it tan Vegas (VEN) 72-67-69-69, Keith 280-Brian Harman 68-75-69-68, Hollow champion Rory McIl- sional ranks. He failed to keep was borderline embarrassing at Mitchell 68-74-66-69, Rory McIlroy Jason Day (AUS) 68-69-74-69, Dylan roy on Saturday had held him in his card in his fi rst two years on times, but it’s not anymore.” (NIR) 66-70-68-73, Pat Perez 69-68- Frittelli (RSA) 67-74-70-69, Bud Cauley good stead. the PGA Tour and wondered if he 66-74 73-70-68-69 “Playing with Rory (I was would ever make it at the high- LEADING SCORES 278-Shawn Stefani 76-65-70-67, Jim 281-Henrik Stenson (SWE) 74-67-70- Sei Young Kim of South Korea poses with the trophy after winning thinking) - ‘Who the heck am est level. 269-Max Homa 69-63-70-67 Knous 68-72-70-68, Adam Schenk 70, Olie Schniederjans 74-69-68-70, the LPGA Mediheal Championships at Lake Merced Golf Club in I? it’s his (30th) birthday, he’s “When I hit rock bottom I 272-Joel Dahmen 66-66-70-70 67-74-67-70, Vaughn Taylor 68-71-68-71, Patrick Reed 67-69-71-74. Daly City, California. (Getty Images/AFP)

NFL Seahawks’ Wagner prepared for Seattle swan song Wagner will be 30 during the 2020 the fi eld before moving ahead. Reuters Ware, Cowboys talk consultant role Washington season. While his expiration date is Wagner, following Sherman’s lead, debatable, his production with the represents himself and does not have DeMarcus Ware is ready to come back to the Cow- Seahawks is undeniable. customary player agent representa- boys, especially if he can work a two-days-a-week obby Wagner expects 2019 to He has never posted fewer than 116 tion. schedule in Dallas. be his fi nal season with the tackles in a season and averages more “Yeah there are several guys we Ware, the all-time leader in sacks in team history, Seattle Seahawks. than 140. He has 17 takeaways and four would like to extend,” general manager said he is open to becoming a pass-rushing consult- The four-time All-Pro defensive touchdowns in seven sea- John Schneider said. “Bobby has been ant with the Cowboys in a similar part-time role to Bwants to retire as a Seahawk, he said, sons with the Seahawks. incredible, so yeah, he’s a guy that has the job he had with the Denver Broncos in 2018. but grasps the reality that comes with The market for inside linebackers a year left on his contract. He is repre- Ware and the Cowboys discussed the job last paying your quarterback more than $35 exploded in March, sparked by the $85 senting himself, so...’’ spring but couldn’t come to an agreement. million per season. million deal - $43 million guaranteed Schneider admitted the sticky, often “We love DeMarcus Ware,” Cowboys coach Jason Already Wagner watched the Sea- - the New York Jets handed free agent personal, nature of negotiations are Garrett said. hawks let go of cornerback Richard C.J. Mosley. Essentially, that deal set worrisome to the Seahawks. “He’s a special person. He was a special player Sherman, defensive end Michael Ben- the free agent market for top inside “Negotiating, it’s not fun, you know for this organization for a number of years and nett, safety Earl Thomas and most re- ‘backers at the franchise-tag level. what I mean?” Schneider said before everybody loves him. The coaches love him, his cently trade franchise-tagged defen- It’s not implausible that the Seahawks the 2019 NFL Draft. “And anytime you former teammates love him, obviously the Jones sive end Frank Clark to the Kansas City could turn to a tag game to retain Wag- do them with a player you are going to family loves him. We did talk about it (a consultant- Chiefs. ner in 2020. have those conversations that are very type role) last year. It just has to work for both “I’m preparing like this is my last However, Wagner said coach Pete direct, very blunt, and it’s a process sides, what he’s looking for, what we’re looking for year as a Seahawk. If it is, I want to Carroll’s assertion in March that the you have to go through. I look at it like from a role like that. But suff ice it to say he’s always make sure I go out with a bang and Seahawks are in contract talks with the it’s kind of like a necessary evil... I’ve welcome, and if we get to a point where it makes make sure I give the city something linebacker are unfounded. never been involved with anybody in sense for both sides, we’ll definitely bring him back to remember,” Wagner told NFL The contract of defensive tackle Jar- 27 years of doing this where you come and get him involved. He’s a special guy.” Network. ran Reed is thought to be another pri- out of a negotiation and everybody Ware worked voluntarily with the Cowboys last Wagner’s contract is set to expire at ority for Seattle. But he’s coming off feels like it just totally, ‘boy that was year, and said he saw benefits for both defensive the end of the 2019 season, paying him of sports hernia surgery, and the Sea- amazing’ you know what I mean? It linemen and off ensive linemen. $10.5 million in base salary. hawks are likely to want to see him on never really happens that way.’’ Bobby Wagner. Gulf Times Tuesday, May 7, 2019 7 SPORT

FOCUS MADRID OPEN Reigning champion Kvitova brushes IOC president Bach past Mladenovic praises Brisbane as it mulls 2032 bid

‘The next step is getting the state and federal governments involved’ AFP Frances Tiafoe beat Georgia’s Madrid Nikolaz Basilashvili 6-7 (8/10), AFP 6-3, 6-4. Shenzhen, China older Petra Kvitova DJOKOVIC SAYS GIMELSTOB blunted a late attack RIGHT TO QUIT ATP BOARD nternational Olympic from France’s Kris- Player Council president Novak Committee president tina Mladenovic to Djokovic on Monday paid tribute Thomas Bach has praised advanceH 6-3, 7-6 (7/5) into the to Justin Gimelstob’s work as an Southeast Queensland’s third round of the Madrid Open ATP board member but said the Iearly planning for a potential yesterday. American had made a “wise” de- bid for the 2032 Summer Games The Czech second seed, chas- cision to quit. after meeting with the mayor of ing a fourth title on the Caja The 42-year-old Gimelstob Brisbane yesterday. Magica clay, has now won her stepped down from his post amid Queensland state capital Bris- last fi ve matches over qualifi er controversy after pleading no bane and nearby cities commis- Mladenovic in straight sets. contest in a Los Angeles court- sioned a feasibility study into Sloane Stephens beat former room to felony assault charges hosting the Games but have yet world number one Victoria Aza- reduced by a judge to a misde- to secure state and federal gov- renka 6-4, 2-6, 6-2 to equal her meanour. After a week of pres- ernment support for a formal bid. best showing at the event, de- sure for him to go, the American “I must say that we have been feating the two-time Australian quit, fl ying to Spain to person- impressed to see how detailed Open winner for the fourth con- ally inform Djokovic, who was the feasibility studies are al- secutive time. training prior to the start of this ready at this early stage and how Belarusian Azarenka commit- week’s tournament in Madrid. well founded these studies are,” ted nine double-faults in going “Under the circumstances Bach told reporters in Brisbane. down to the American eighth it was a wise decision from his “Now it is up to the Austral- seed. side, it’s been a very hot topic in ians to make their minds up, “I was taking control from the the last period,” top seed Djoko- and to say whether they want to baseline points, I was doing the vic said. follow up on this project to host right things,” Azarenka said. The Serb, celebrating 250 the Olympic Games.” “I was playing smart tennis. weeks on the number one rank- With Paris hosting the 2024 But I didn’t create anything with ing as he begins play at the Ma- Games and Los Angeles win- my serve today and it was really drid Open, said Gimelstob was ning 2028, the 2032 Games is frustrating. “I didn’t really have “probably the biggest asset that expected to go to an Asia-Pa- a game plan, that’s something I players had in the last ten-plus cifi c bid. The IOC has suggested need to take a look at and fi x. years that he’s been on the tour North and South Korea, who are IOC president Thomas Bach (centre) poses with Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner (left) and president of the Australian Olympic Com- “I need to make it more simple representing players”. still technically at war, could mittee John Coates in front of the City Hall in Brisbane yesterday. (AFP) and just do the right things.” “But at the same time, he stage a joint bid in 2032. Former US Open winner needs to go back and deal with Bach met with Brisbane may- Stephens also reached the third that (personal issues) deal with or Adrian Schrinner, the chair- Bach boxing comments undervalue International Federations: AIBA chief round here in 2014 and 2018. that case and try to fi nd the right man of the Council of Mayors Dutch seventh seed Kiki balance and the right state of South East Queensland, which The executive director of AIBA, the govern- While the IOC organises the Olympic Games Treasury Department sanctions list ‘for Bertens advanced past 2017 Ro- mind before he eventually tries commissioned the feasibil- ing body of amateur boxing, has hit out at as a whole, the federations, who are gather- providing material support’ to a criminal land Garros champion Jelena to come back.” ity study. The study found the Olympic chief Thomas Bach for suggesting ing this week on Australia’s Gold Coast organisation. Ostapenko 6-4, 6-3. Djokovic added: “At this Southeast Queensland (SEQ) putting together an alternative organisation for their annual Sportaccord summit, run The Uzbek strongly denies the allegations. Last year’s losing Madrid fi - point, it was better for him to bid could host a successful to run the sport at next year’s Tokyo Games their own sports competitions within that Virgets does not shy away from the fact nalist Bertens hammered 11 aces step down. The whole case was Games but would require ex- would “not be rocket science”. framework. that AIBA was an ‘absolute mess’ before a as she went through in 80 min- just posing so much pressure and tensive transport upgrades. AIBA faces expulsion from the Olympic Expulsion from the IOC when the inquiry reform process commenced 18 months ago utes, breaking Ostapenko four obstacles for the Tour in general, Bach said the IOC would at movement after an inquiry into its finances reports to the executive board on May 22 but he believes the IOC inquiry lacks ‘due times. but specifi cally for players.” least match its 2028 funding and governance reports at the end of the would rob AIBA of its main source of fund- process’ and risked producing a ‘one-sided, In the men’s fi rst round at Djokovic joined Roger Federer contribution of $1.8 billion to month, potentially leaving in limbo the ing and be a devastating blow to the body biased report’. the ATP-WTA pre-Roland Gar- in supporting Gimelstob’s quick the winner of the 2032 Games, boxing competition at the 2020 Summer which has organised Olympic boxing for 73 The American believes AIBA have done ros tune-up, Russian 11th seed exit: “I think it was a good deci- which was more than the feasi- Games. years. everything asked of them by the IOC to sort Karen Khachanov ended a fi ve- sion.” bility study had accounted for. International Olympic Committee President Reports in Europe at the weekend said AIBA out the problems that bedevilled match losing streak as he put out Gimelstob, who also formerly “At least so far we have no in- Bach said on Saturday that alternative ar- interim president Mohamed Moustahsane the organisation and are willing to do Spain’s Jaume Munar 6-4, 6-7 worked as a television commen- dication that this will be less for rangements could be put in place to ensure was proposing a vote of the executive more if shortcomings are pointed out to (5/7), 6-3. Khachanov earned tator as well as coaching John 2032,” he said. boxing retained its spot at the Games and committee on taking legal action and mak- them. his last win in mid-March at In- Isner, was accused of attacking a “I think this fi gure was new to made light of concerns about the lack of ing formal complaints against some IOC AIBA will have a chance to give verbal testi- dian Wells. Germany’s Philipp former friend on a street last Oc- the mayors and I could see them time available to do so. members should the decision go against mony to the inquiry in addition to the 7,000 Kohlschreiber defeated Mikhail tober, raining down more than starting calculating in their “I heard Mr Bach’s comment and it was very them. pages of documents they have already Kukushkin 6-2, 7-6 (7/5), while 50 punches to his head. heads and what this means for concerning because it certainly minimised “When you are faced with a significant issue submitted, but Virgets believes there will their feasibility study and for what work goes into the preparation for like this, it would be irresponsible if the not be enough time to suff iciently inform their budget.” such monumental event,” Tom Virgets told executive committee was not taking a look the IOC’s decision. Schrinner said he did not be- Reuters by telephone yesterday. at all of its options and making a determina- “We will have approximately two hours Stomach bug hits Nadal’s hunt lieve a decision on a formal bid “That wasn’t just minimising us, that was tion of what was in the best interests of the to address all the concerns of this inquiry for sixth Madrid title would need to be made until minimising every IF (International Federa- organisation,” Virgets added. committee and then, less than 36 hours 2020. “The next step is getting tion). “To me, this should not be looked as AIBA later, they give a report,” he said. Record five-time Madrid Open champion Nadal had also been the state and federal govern- “I would certainly hope that was just a bad being defiant, no! AIBA is practising proper “Considering the monumental decision, winner Rafael Nadal pulled out suff ering from the bug on Sun- ments involved, we have been choice of words, I hope he is not that far and good governance. Isn’t this what we’re shouldn’t we be given more time to talk? of a media conference yester- day, a week on from losing in working closely with them al- removed from the work of Olympic pro- supposed to do?” And shouldn’t the executive board have an day on the eve of his opening the semi-final of the Barcelona ready,” he said. grammes that he actually believes that. Moustahsane took charge in March when opportunity to address AIBA to give us an match at the tournament due Open. The 17-time Grand Slam The SEQ bid includes venue “The Olympics needs IFs and we should not Gafur Rahimov suspended himself from opportunity to rebut? to a stomach bug. winner is racing to make up for hubs in Brisbane, the Sunshine forget that.” the post because of his presence on a U.S. “We just find this inappropriate.” He is scheduled to fulfil his lost time after failing to win a Coast and the Gold Coast, delayed media obligation today, clay title so far this spring. which successfully hosted the according to tournament of- The second seed is due to 2018 Commonwealth Games. the SEQ bid but was reluctant to funding part because we did a concerned,” he said. “It’s time meet Queensland state premier ficials, allaying concerns over open play in the second round Gold Coast mayor Tom Tate contribute funding. lot of our heavy lifting during that Gold Coast takes a break Annastacia Palaszczuk today. his fitness. against Canadian teenager said his city would be happy to “I said that we won’t be add- the Commonwealth Games as and lets Brisbane write the Australia last hosted an Ol- Eleven-time Roland Garros Felix Auger-Aliassime. make its facilities available for ing any dollars towards the far as our funding and budget’s cheques.” Bach is expected to ympics in Sydney in 2000.

TENNIS Tsitsipas captures fi rst claycourt title in Estoril Reuters “I was very calm. I stayed Federer back to third aft er Zverev’s Estoril aggressive, stayed motivated, didn’t think too much,” the Munich knockout 20-year-old said. Former world number one Roger Federer has reek youngster Ste- “He didn’t get into my head returned to third in the ATP rankings released yes- fanos Tsitsipas’ French after he broke me back in the terday replacing Alexander Zverev after the reigning Open preparations second set. That was kind of champion was knocked out of the Munich Open gathered momentum as frustrating, but I kept fi ghting, at the quarter-finals stage. Federer, who has won a Ghe claimed his fi rst claycourt ti- kept believing that I can still win record 20 Grand Slams, is making his return to clay at tle with a 6-3 7-6(4) victory over it in two sets.” the Madrid Open this week after three years’ absence. Pablo Cuevas at the Estoril Open Tsitsipas now heads to back- Elsewhere Stefanos Tsitsipas takes ninth spot from on Sunday. to-back ATP Masters 1000 tour- American John Isner following the Greek’s victory at Top seed Tsitsipas made the naments in Madrid and Rome the Estoril Open. Novak Djokovic remains first ahead most of his Uruguayan oppo- before he bids for a maiden of Rafael Nadal to mark the Serb’s 250th week as nent’s struggles on the serve Grand Slam crown at Roland world number one, a record only bettered on four to clinch the opening set and Garros, where he was knocked occasions in the past. grabbed an early break to serve at out by Dominic Thiem in the 4-3 in the second. second round last year. ATP TOP 10 But the Australian Open semi- “I’ve been building my game. 1. Novak Djokovic (SRB) 11160 pts fi nalist suff ered a lapse in con- It hasn’t been an easy transition 2. Rafael Nadal (ESP) 7765 centration and was broken for from hard to clay this year, so 3. Roger Federer (SUI) 5590 (+1) the fi rst time in the contest dur- I’ve been trying to play as many 4. Alexander Zverev (GER) 5565 (-1) ing a stretch of nine consecutive matches as I can before the big 5. Dominic Thiem (AUT) 5085 points won by Cuevas. events start,” Tsitsipas added. 6. Kevin Anderson (RSA) 4115 Tsitsipas regained his com- 7. Kei Nishikori (JPN) 3780 posure to save a set point in the 8. Juan Martin Del Potro (ARG) 3225 10th game before sealing the vic- Greek star Stefanos Tsitsipas 9. Stefanos Tsitsipas (GRE) 3190 (+1) tory in the tiebreak for his third poses with Estoril Open trophy 10. John Isner (USA) 3085 (-1) career title. on Sunday.

Tuesday, May 7, 2019 GULF TIMES SPORT

ATHLETICS Kipchoge to attempt new sub-two hour marathon

Reuters though Nike is not spearheading the London attempt as it did in Monza, Kipchoge, Last year Kipchoge lowered the world record by an astonishing 78 seconds 34, will again wear their somewhat controversial carbon-insoled Vaporfl y when posting 2:01.39 in Berlin and last week ran the second-fastest time in enyan world record holder shoes that Nike says improve running Eliud Kipchoge is to make economy by up to four %. history when winning the London marathon in 2:02.37 another attempt at breaking The shoes have been passed legal by two hours for the marathon the sport’s governing body the IAAF, Klater this year, probably in Britain, in a though some critics say they give such project backed by Jim Ratcliff e, the bil- an advantage that without them Kip- lionaire owner of chemical fi rm INEOS. choge would be a “routine” 2.03/04 Kenya’s Eliud Kipchoge is all smiles Kipchoge ran two hours and 25 sec- performer. The shoes, pacemakers, ap- as he poses for a photograph in onds in his “Breaking Two” project on parel, wind-blocking paceclock car and Oxford, Britain, yesterday. (Reuters) Italy’s Monza motor racing circuit in rolling drinks stations helped take Kip- 2017, though the time was not ratifi ed choge agonisingly close in Monza and for record purposes as he used “in and he says the lessons learned then will out” pacemakers and a moving drinks make him even more likely to pull off a station. Last year he lowered the le- feat that would undoubtedly rank at the gal world record by an astonishing 78 very top of human sporting achieve- seconds when posting 2:01.39 in Berlin ment. Most importantly, Kipchoge and last week ran the second-fastest said, has been a change in mentality as, time in history when winning the Lon- having come so close there and subse- don marathon in 2:02.37. quently massively improved his best With an Olympic marathon gold legal time, he now fully believes he is and an amazing record of 11 wins from capable of maintaining the necessary 12 races over the 26.2 mile distance, pace. Ratcliff e, 66 and a keen runner breaking two hours would appear to be for decades, said that the missing link the only thing missing from the CV of could be a crowd to watch and encour- a man ranked among the greatest his age, after the Monza attempt took place sport has seen. “This would really sur- in front of a handful of media, sponsors pass everything because this will go in and associates. the history as far as the human family “If Eliud has got a fantastic crowd is concerned,” Kipchoge said when an- cheering him on, it’s going to make a bit nouncing the bid at the Iffl ey Road run- of diff erence and we don’t need to make ning track in Oxford where Briton Roger a lot of diff erence to make up 26 sec- Bannister became the fi rst man to break onds,” he said. “I was in the pace car in four minutes for the mile 65 years ago front of Eliud for the London Marathon yesterday. and he was looking very serene and “It is not about recognition or ratifi - comfortable. He’s still getting better.” cation but to make history and to pass Ratcliff e has taken over ownership of on a message that no human is limited. cycling’s former Team Sky, funded Ben Running the fastest-ever marathon of Ainslie’s 2021 America’s Cup sailing 2:00.25 was the proudest moment of challenge and owns Swiss soccer club my career.” Lausanne Sport. There are still many details to be “It’s good fun. We make billions in ironed out for the new attempt, labelled profi ts so what’s wrong with invest- “The 1.59 Challenge” though it is likely ing a bit of that in sport, in good chal- to be in September or October on a two lenges, good people?,” he said. “Eliud or three-km circuit course, probably in is the fi nest marathon runner there has Britain and possibly in one of London’s ever been and I think it will be very in- Royal parks. It will again be un-ratifi ed spirational, to get kids putting running as the Kenyan will use a phalanx of shoes on. It would be an extraordinary pacemakers who run a number of laps, achievement. dipping in and out so that they can It’s almost super-human, isn’t it re- maintain the phenomenal two minute, ally? To break two hours in a marathon 50 seconds per km pace necessary. Al- is quite unthinkable.”

FOCUS AFC CHAMPIONS LEAGUE ICSS and PULP to champion Rayyan face Ittihad in must-win tie AFC good governance in eSports Doha he International Cen- tre for Sport Security l Rayyan’s hopes of keeping their (ICSS) and PULP Ac- 2019 AFC Champions League celerator 100% SPORT round of 16 challenge alive hinge Thave joined forces to share their on whether they can get a result expertise for the development of whenA they welcome Al Ittihad to Jassim bin a sustainable governance frame- Hamad Stadium today. work and systems for the eSports Sitting bottom of the group with three ecosystem. points, a win today would put Al Rayyan PULP creates sport ecosystems within a point of Al Ittihad, but qualifi cation and deliver expertise in fi eld of remains out of their hands as even with six sports to the regional and lo- points from their last two games, the Qa- cal communities, to professional taris will have to hope other Group B results teams and to companies. The go their way. Gilson de Souza’s men come agreement will be a stepping stone into the Matchday Five fi xture buoyed with for the ICSS and PULP to formu- reaching the Qatar Amir Cup semi-fi nal af- late a much-needed structure ter defeating rivals Al Arabi on penalties. with policy and procedures across Al Ittihad, meanwhile, suff ered cup heart- the multiple issues of the safety, break domestically. The two-time AFC security and good governance of Champions League winners were beaten at the growing eSport market. the King’s Cup fi nal by Al Tawoun. They are During an eSport Workshop also yet to reach safety in the league, sitting Al Rayyan go into their AFC Champions League fixture buoyant after reaching the Amir which was held at the Camp in four points above the relegation zone with Cup semi-finals after defeating rivals Al Arabi on penalties last Friday. Aix en Provence, France both two games to go. Jose Luis Sierra’s side are PULP and ICSS came together close to a fi rst knock-out stage appearance Meanwhile, group leaders Al Wahda and tion to the knockout stage for the fi rst time to formalise their partnership by in fi ve years, and a win against Rayyan would third place PFC Lokomotiv clash in Abu since 2007. Meanwhile, the visitors from signing an MoU. By signing of the Mohammed Hanzab (left), Chairman and Group CEO of the ICSS and all but confi rm their qualifi cation as they Dhabi in a crucial Group B encounter. Uzbekistan need the three points to retain MoU, both parties will commit to Pierre Distinguin, Managing Director of PULP, signing the MoU. hold a superior head-to-head record over The home side are looking to extend their their hopes of progress going into the last bring their own expertise to the their PFC Lokomotiv. three-match winning run and seal qualifi ca- matchday. benefi t of a sustainable growth Stakeholders and Partners that as well as collaborating with of eSport in the South region of will be involved in the eSports all stakeholders in the design France, and particularly in the journey. and implementation of eSports LOCAL CRICKET Aix en Provence/Marseille area, Mohamed Hanzab, Chairman working groups. We are excited designed as pilot area in France in and Group CEO of the ICSS said: to be a part of this project.” eSports, by the Régional Olympic “As it keeps growing and becomes Pierre Distinguin, Manag- Committee. more of ‘an offi cial sport’, the eS- ing Director of PULP, said: “By Metabo, Hanan register easy wins With the new agreement, ports market will attract greater signing this agreement, PULP PULP and ICSS will commit to social interest, greater sponsor and ICSS commit to bring their etabo defeated Opera 11 Broth- deliver a roadmap with effi cient and investor interest. But, with own expertise to the benefi t of a ers by 95 runs in the inaugural milestones and deliverables re- this rapid growth comes increased sustainable growth of eSport in match of the 25th Gulf Incon garding governance, sustainable safety, security and integrity the Aix/Marseille area which will – Metabo Ramadhan Cricket structures/frameworks, training challenges and greater responsi- act as a pilot project for France. Mtournament. and education, doping, human bility to the fans, players and all PULP and ICSS commit to deliv- Metabo scored 152 for the loss of 7 wickets integrity, IT piracy, cyber-crime, stakeholders that power the eS- er a roadmap with effi cient mile- in their allotted 12 overs. Osama and Niya- money laundering, Intellectual ports ecosystem and industry. stones regarding governance, mat scored 24 each, while Melvin and Umar Property Protection and Player For good governance and sus- safety and security, training and contributed 23 runs each. For Opera 11, As- Management. tainable systems within the eS- education, doping, integrity and war and Sumeda took 2 wickets each. The Workshop and MOU sign- ports ecosystems the ICSS will IT piracy. This workshop and In reply, Opera 11 folded for 57 runs. Afraz ing was honoured by the pres- collaborate with all stakeholders MoU is the fi rst step of an excit- and Aswar were the only two batsman to ence of the regional council, the and partners in the development ing journey for eSports and all reach double fi gures. Osama took 3 wickets, city of Marseille, the metropolis of a ‘centre of excellence’. This is involved” while Jawad and Mohamed Gujaratri picked of Marseille, the city of Aix en an exciting time for eSports and Andrew Cooke, Director Secu- up two wickets each. Provence, the city of Miramas, we are proud to use our exper- rity Operations, said: “The real- In the other match, Hanan defeated CCRC the two chamber of commerce tise and experience with more ity is, that eSports has never been by nine wickets. CCRC made 94 runs in 11.2 of Arles and Marseille, the rep- traditional sport to support eS- popular and commercially suc- overs with Sulfan top-scoring with 28 runs. resentative of the Sport minister, ports and all involved. The ICSS cessful and yet at the same time For Hanan, Irshad, Lithin, Siraj, Nishad and the regional Olympic committee, will also be the motivating force it has never been so vulnerable an Shihad took 2 wickets each. Hanan chased Aix/ Marseille French tech asso- behind the development and exposed to all types of enterprise down the target in 97 runs for loss of two Sajjad Ahmed Khan, Senior Manager – Salas & Marketing of Gulf Incon, inaugurating the ciation, CMES and many other formulation of a governing body and operational risks as it is today.” wickets in 9.3 overs. 25th Gulf Incon – Metabo Floodlit Cricket tournament.