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Friday, April 14, 2017 FOOTBALL Rajab 17, 1438 AH Ronaldo nets 100th GULF TIMES European goal as Real win at Bayern SPORT Page 2 SPOTLIGHT Qatar sands set for thrilling battle on two wheels The three factory teams and eight professional riders, who dominated the deserts of the UAE last week, will all be present for the five-day second round of the FIM event

The Monster Energy Honda Team is overdue a good result. A servicing error cost them dearly on the Dakar and an injury for Barreda Bort has not helped progress at the start of the season. That aside, Portugal’s Paulo Gonçalves is an experi- enced campaigner and led the recent Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge into the final morning before finishing fourth. He teams up with Argentina’s , who rode well in the UAE after a recent injury. Rafal Sonik in action in Qatar last year.

Dakar champion will be the favourite in Qatar.

By a correspondent ‘Sitting at home watching Dakar Doha was a really tough time for me mentally and physically. One year on and I come here as the he fascinating battle to de- Dakar champion and I have cide the winner of this year’s just won the Abu Dhabi Desert FIM Cross-Country Rallies Challenge. It’s quite unbelievable TWorld Championship heads really” to the deserts of Qatar next week, when the world’s leading desert riders will — Sam Sunderland, go head-to-head at the Qatar Cross- champion Country Rally. Dakar champion Sam Sunderland dez Ponce, Guatamala’s Rodolfo Schip- leads the fi ve-round series after his tac- pers and Dutch rider Kees Koolen. tical victory at last week’s Abu Dhabi “The motorcycle and quad categories Desert Challenge. The Dubai-based off er some of the closest competition Briton will be hoping to repeat last year’s in cross-country rallying and tactics victory in Qatar to boost his points tally are often just as important as outright and extend the Red Bull KTM Factory speed,” said QMMF President Abdul- Team’s lead in the Manufacturers’ com- rahman al-Mannai. “We are delighted to petition. Paulo Goncalves see the top movers and shakers in both “I remember last year it was a lot disciplines preparing to take part in our of hard work over a period of about The Monster Energy Honda Team is event next week.” six months to come back after I broke overdue a good result. A servicing error Competition starts with a new my femur and missed the Dakar,” said cost them dearly on the Dakar and an 5.54km super special stage at Losail on Sunderland. “Sitting at home watch- injury for Barreda Bort has not helped Tuesday (April 18) within the confi nes of ing Dakar was a really tough time for progress at the start of the season. That the Losail motocross premises. Access is me mentally and physically. One year aside, Portugal’s Paulo Gonçalves is an free to spectators. on and I come here as the Dakar cham- experienced campaigner and led the pion and I have just won the Abu Dhabi recent Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge FIM Cross-Country Rallies World Desert Challenge. It’s quite unbeliev- into the fi nal morning before fi nishing Championship – positions after able really.” The three factory teams and fourth. He teams up with Argentina’s round 1: eight professional riders, who dominat- Kevin Benavides, who rode well in the ed the deserts of the UAE last week, will UAE after a recent injury. Bikes all be present for the fi ve-day second Ride to Abu Dhabi Team’s Mohamed 1. Sam Sunderland (GBR) 30 pts round of the FIM event being staged by al-Balooshi was the highest of the non- 2. Pablo Quntanilla (CHI) 23 pts the Qatar Motor and Motorcycle Federa- professional riders at the opening round 3. Matthias Walker (AUT) 19 pts tion (QMMF). and the KTM rider is keen to better that 4. Paulo Gonçalves (PRT) 16 pts While present form may give Sun- seventh position now he has returned to 5. Pierre Alexander Renet (FRA) 15 pts derland the slight advantage, the Qa- full fi tness following a crash in Qatar last 6. Antoine Meo (FRA) 13 pts tar event is a totally diff erent prospect year. 7. Mohamed al-Balooshi (ARE) 12 pts to the dunes of Abu Dhabi. The event Vendetta Racing’s David McBride 8. Mohamed Jaff ar (ARE) 11 pts based at Losail takes place across much and David Mabbs and Qatar’s Ahmed al- 9. Adam Tomicek (POL) 10 pts more varied desert terrain, features Kuwari bolster a motorcycle entry that 10. David McBride (GBR) 9 pts, etc some dune sections and also rocky and also includes the Polish Orlen Team duo stony desert and winding and decep- of Adam Tomiczek and Maciej Giemza. Manufacturers tive tracks. There is far more emphasis Rafal Sonik has won the quad category 1. KTM 50 pts on navigation and reading the road book in Qatar on three occasions (2012, 2013 2. Husqvarna 38 pts accurately and even the slightest navi- and 2015), but the Pole admitted after 3. Honda 21 pts gational error can be very costly. the recent Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge 4. Yamaha 5 pts Chile’s Pablo Quintanilla of the Rock- that pushing for another Quad World star Energy Husqvarna Team is the top Championship title would be very diffi - FIM Quads World Championship seed and defending FIM World Cham- cult after fuel and engine issues dropped 1. Fahad al-Musallam (KWT) 28 pts pion. The South American would love him to ninth at the opening round. 2. Kamil Wisniewski (POL) 23 pts to follow in the footsteps of Sunderland, Kuwait’s Fahad al-Musallam won the 3. Camilia Liparoti (ITA) 19 pts and Joan Barreda Bort and UAE event and leads the series by fi ve 4. Maxim Antimirov (KAZ) 16 pts reach the top step of the podium in Qa- points from Poland’s Kamil Wisniewski. 5. Alexis Hernandez Ponce (PER) 14 pts tar. While Sunderland has the talented The second member of the Sonik Team 6. Sergey Kistanov (KAZ) 13 pts Austrian and French- will not take part in the Qatar event this 7. Rodolfo Schippers (GUA) 12 pts man Antoine Meo as his side kicks in the coming week and Sonik faces a fascinat- 8. Kees Koolen (NLD) 11 pts KTM team, Frenchman Pierre Alexandre ing tussle with the likes of Argentina’s 9. Rafal Sonik (POL) 10 pts Renet lines up alongside Quintanilla. Lucas Innocente, Peru’s Alexis Hernan- 10. Khalifa al-Raeesi (ARE) 9 pts Gulf Times 2 Friday, April 14, 2017 FOOTBALL

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE OPINION Bayern can still turn it around at Ronaldo hits 100th Real, says Ancelotti

AFP at the Bernabeu – the last of Munich which was on penalties in 2011/12 after it fi nished 3-3 on aggregate. arlo Ancelotti insists Germany striker Thomas European goal as Bayern Munich can Mueller says the Bavarians still turn around their have the necessary belief. Champions League “We don’t need a football- Cquarter-fi nal tie at the Berna- ing miracle. The belief is still beu despite their 2-1 fi rst-leg strong, or we wouldn’t be FC defeat at home to Cristiano Bayern Munich,” he said. Ronaldo-inspired Real Madrid. “In my opinion, we didn’t Ronaldo netted his 100th have the 100 percent convic- Real win at Bayern European goal on Wednesday, tion that we are the better scoring both goals in Real’s 2-1 team.” comeback win at Bayern, who Winger Arjen Robben says ‘I don’t know who doubted me. The people who love Cristiano never had any doubts’ had Javi Martinez sent off . the Bavarians will have to raise The Bavarians now have it all their game having been out- to do for the return in Madrid played in the second half. Agencies next Tuesday. “We have to fi nd the ten to Munich Bayern should have been 2-0 fi fteen percent in Madrid that up at the break in Wednesday’s we lacked this time,” demand- fi rst-leg, but Arturo Vidal, ed Robben. ristiano Ronaldo netted who headed the hosts into a “We gave them too much his 100th European goal fi rst-half lead, skied a penalty. respect and had too little bite. on Wednesday to give The fi rst-leg turned after the You have to pick your chin up, holders Real Madrid a break as Ronaldo equalised, put the extra percent on it, 2-1C comeback win at 10-man then Real dominated Bayern and put in an outstanding per- Bayern Munich in the Cham- with the numerical advantage formance in Madrid.” pions League quarter-fi nal, and peppered the Bayern goal. Ancelotti hopes to have fi rst-leg. Real deserved the win which striker Robert Lewandowski, “I wanted to reach this record. Ronaldo sealed by reaching the who missed the fi rst leg with a To be able to reach this mark is 100-goal milestone on 77 bruised shoulder, and defender an honour and against a team minutes. Mats Hummels, ankle, back like Bayern it is even better,” Ro- It could have been a higher for the return. “We have six naldo, who scored both goals, score and Real captain Sergio days, we hope they will both be told BeIN Sport Spain. Ramos had the ball in the net back,” said the Italian. Arturo Vidal headed Bayern late on, but the goal was dis- Germany goalkeeper Manuel into a fi rst-half lead, but then allowed. Ancelotti says the Neuer kept Bayern in the tie skied a penalty attempt on the Germans still have a fi ghting with a string of saves and be- stroke of half-time before Ro- chance in Madrid. lieves his team can book a sixth naldo volleyed the defending “We don’t have a big chance, straight semi-fi nals berth. champions’ level. but it’s still a chance – we’re “It’s important to fi nish the Bayern played the last half an still alive,” said Ancelotti. game with 11 men,” said Neuer, hour a man down after centre- “They could have killed it on his fi rst game back after foot back Javi Martinez was sent off (the tie) by scoring another surgery. for two fouls on Ronaldo within goal, but they didn’t. “We didn’t have so much three minutes of each other. “We had the game under possession and we were miss- Four-time world player of control in the fi rst-half, but ing our usual self-assurance. the year Ronaldo then slotted in we lost our effi ciency after the “It could have fi nished much the winner between goalkeeper break. It made life hard when higher, but we believe we can Manuel Neuer’s legs for the win- we went behind, but we still still do it. We were the best ner 13 minutes from time. have a chance.” team in the second half and it “We believe we can still do it, Bayern have won only three could have been two or three we were the better team in the fi rst of their 11 European matches nil up.” half, could have made it 2-0 or 3-0,” Neuer told ZDF. But Bayern were outplayed in the second-half and most of Real’s 23 shots on goal Lewandowski ‘100 percent’ for came after the break. “We had everything un- Real return: Bayern boss der control in the fi rst half, but Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo reacts after scoring during the UEFA Champions League 1st leg quarter-final match against Bayern Munich in didn’t use the room consistent- Munich. (AFP) Bayern Munich chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge insists striker ly,” said captain Philipp Lahm. Robert Lewandowski will be ‘100 percent ready’ for next “The tipping point was the red dable BBC attack — Gareth Bale, Franck Ribery shot. Real defender Sergio Ramos The team is playing well and so is Tuesday’s Champions League quarter-final return at Real Madrid card.” Karim Benzema and Ronaldo. However, the Chilean had the ball in the Bayern net Cristiano.” after injury kept him out of Wednesday’s first-leg defeat. Bayern went ahead on 25 min- smashed the spot-kick high over with time running out, but the Ronaldo’s comparatively low The Poland hot-shot sat out Wednesday’s 2-1 loss in Munich with Tight security utes when playmaker Thiago Al- the crossbar. goal was ruled off side but the goal tally this season had seen a bruised shoulder as Cristiano Ronaldo chalked up his 100th Security was tight at the Al- cantara swung in a corner from It was a miss Bayern were soon to Spaniards have the upper hand his detractors claim the 32-year- European goal, scoring twice to cancel out Arturo Vidal’s first- lianz Arena in the wake of Tues- the right which Vidal powered regret. Real were level two min- for the second leg at home next old was on the decline, although half opener. day’s attacks on the Borussia through Real goalkeeper Keylor utes after the break when Carva- Tuesday. his teammate Marcelo criti- “The medical department did a geat job trying to get him fit, but Dortmund team bus and both Navas’s hands. jal found space on the right and Ronaldo had scored twice in cised those who had questioned the risk was too great,” Rummenigge said after the defeat. teams arrived with a heavy po- The Chile midfi elder could fi red in a cross which Ronaldo his previous eight Champions the Portuguese’s displays this- “For the return leg, he will be 100 percent ready.” lice escort. have added a second when he volleyed past Neuer. League games and had failed to term. Despite Rummenigge’s optimism, Bayern coach Carlo Ancelotti There was a large police pres- headed Arjen Robben’s cross Bale, who has laboured with fi nd the net in any competition “I don’t know if it’s envy, but was more cautious, hoping both Lewandowski and defender ence and inside the stadium wide of the post soon after. an ankle injury recently, came off for a month but on Wednsday he Cristiano’s numbers speak for Mats Hummels, who missed the home defeat with an ankle in- there was polite applause when Real made a poor start, rarely on 58 minutes and Real raised the netted twice either side of half- themselves,” said the Brazil de- jury, will be fit for the return.“We have six days, it is possible they the announcer made reference threatening Germany’s goal- tempo after he trudged off . time to end the German cham- fender. will both be fit,” said the Italian. to Dortmund’s ordeal in the pre- keeper Neuer, back after minor Having already picked up a pions’ run of 16 straight home “ It’s diffi cult to contemplate Lewandowski has scored 38 goals in all competitions this season, ceding 24 hours. foot surgery a fortnight ago. yellow card for pulling Ronaldo wins in the competition. what he has done for football, including seven in the Champions League, and Bayern missed Bayern suff ered a blow before A strong drive from Ronaldo back on 58 minutes, Martinez “I made radical changes to my and he is still playing at a very his finishing at the Allianz Arena. He netted twice in last Satur- kick-off when top-scorer Robert on 41 minutes which Neuer was shown a red for again fouling training to get to this stage of the high level.” day’s 4-1 win at home to Borussia Dortmund in the Bundesliga, Lewandowski, who has netted blocked having palmed a Ben- the Portugal captain just three season in the best state possible,” Ronaldo, meanwhile, gave a but injured his right shoulder in a collision with the visitors’ 38 goals this season, dropped zema header onto the woodwork minutes later. Ronaldo told reporters. bemused reaction when asked goalkeeper Roman Burki. out with a bruised shoulder and with 18 minutes played were Real’s superstar then hit the “In the last few years I got by a reporter if he had proved his He initially declared himself fit to face Real, but managed only Thomas Muller deputised as their best fi rst-half chances. winner as substitute Marco to the end of the season at the detractors wrong. 20 minutes of Tuesday’s final training session. After five yellow striker. Vidal could have fi nished with Asensio, on for Bale, put in a limit and with small injuries, “I don’t know who doubted cards this season in the Bundesliga, Lewandowski has extra time Bayern were also missing in- a fi rst-half hat-trick when he low pass for Ronaldo to tap the but I have worked hard with our me,” Ronaldo said. “The people to recover as he is suspended for Saturday’s league clash at jured Germany defender Mats stepped up to take a penalty after ball home between Neuer’s fi tness coach to be in the right who love Cristiano never had Bayer Leverkusen. Hummels against Real’s formi- Dani Carvajal’s handball from a legs. shape for the fi nal two months. any doubts.”

FOCUS Griezmann gives Atletico slender Leicester lead

AFP speare claimed his side were un- Unusually for Simeone’s men and Griezmann had missed his Madrid done by referee Jonas Eriksson they were in almost complete last four for Atletico, includ- as he believed Griezmann was control of possession, but largely ing in last season’s Champions fouled outside the area. limited to shots from long range. League fi nal. ntoine Griezmann’s “I think we were hard done Koke came closest from dis- However, Griezmann sent the penalty handed Atleti- by,” said Shakespeare. “I think it tance when he drilled an eff ort Dane the wrong way from the co Madrid a slender 1-0 is one of the major decisions in off the outside of the post after spot to register his 24th goal of advantage over Leices- the game. It is a defi nite foul but just fi ve minutes. the season. Both sides seemed terA City in the fi rst leg of their it is outside the box.” Yannick Carrasco then slashed content to settle the tie at the Champions League quarter-fi nal Atletico coach Diego Simeone wildly at a volley when well- King Power in six days’ time with on Wednesday. lamented his side’s inability to placed at the back post. Atletico holding a 1-0 advantage In a game of very few chances, kill the tie, but lauded Leicester’s Griezmann and Saul Niguez after the break. Griezmann proved decisive as it defensive eff ort. were next to take aim from out- Leicester were without cap- was he who also won the penalty “Maybe we lacked a clinical side the box, but both failed tain Wes Morgan due to a back with a lung-busting run from fi nish,” said the Argentine. to fi nd the target with power- injury and his return to health well inside his own half before “After the 1-0 Leicester de- ful drives that fl ew over Kasper will be even more important for being brought down by Marc fended very well, sat deep, wait- Schmeichel’s goal. the second leg as Robert Huth Albrighton midway through the ed for a counter-attack and we will be suspended after be- fi rst half. couldn’t create more chances. Griezmann flattened ing booked for chopping down The French international put “They bet everything on the Leicester had been enjoy- Griezmann. his previous penalty demons second leg.” ing their best spell of the half Griezmann was the standout behind him to convert from the The behaviour of Leicester’s when suddenly they were caught performer and nearly added an spot and put Atletico in the driv- travelling fans was in the spot- short-handed at the back on 27 assist to the only goal but Angel ing seat for a third semi-fi nal in light after 10 were arrested in minutes. Correa couldn’t quite stretch to four seasons. violent clashes with police on Griezmann collected the ball reach his dangerous low cross 17 However, Leicester still have Tuesday night and Wednesday outside his own area and ran to minutes from time. reason to believe their dream run before kick-off . just inside the Leicester box be- Leicester, meanwhile, didn’t on their fi rst appearance in the However, the 3,000 travelling fore being crudely barged over by threaten an away goal as Atleti- Champions League can continue supporters high in the rafters Albrighton. co held out for their 18th clean when the sides meet again on of the Calderon were largely si- Schmeichel had saved a pen- sheet in 22 home Champions April 18. lenced by Atletico’s dominance alty in each of Leicester’s two League games since Simeone Atletico Madrid’s Antoine Griezmann celebrates scoring a goal against Leicester City the first leg of their And manager Craig Shake- of the match. legs against Sevilla in the last 16 took charge. Champions League quarter-final in Madrid. (Reuters) Gulf Times Friday, April 14, 2017 3 FOOTBALL

SPOTLIGHT LIGUE 1 Paris St. Germain primed to capitalise Chelsea’s Kante and on any Monaco slip

Reuters “If Monaco win, we’ll con- Paris gratulate them,” PSG’s Marco Verratti told beIN Sports. “If that happens we will aris St. Germain can have failed to reach our objec- Hazard up for PFA keep the pressure on tive, but we have had four his- Ligue 1 leaders Mo- toric years in France. naco with a win at An- “We have won everything. gersP today and will hope their In football, the possibility of rivals suff er from Champions not winning is always there.” League hangover when they A positive result for Unai host Dijon tomorrow as the ti- Emery’s side would doubtless tle run-in intensifi es. represent yet another test for player of year award Monaco beat Borussia Dort- Jardim’s Monaco team, few of mund 3-2 away in their Cham- whom have experience of the pions League quarter-fi nal fi nal testing weeks of a title ‘He deserves it because he’s showing great performances every week and in every game’ fi rst leg on Wednesday, but challenge. while the victory puts them PSG, by contrast, are aiming in pole position to advance, for a fourth consecutive French their continental exploits may title, and Emery can call upon yet aff ect their domestic title a well-rested squad follow- prospects. ing their Champions League The match at the West- elimination by Barcelona last falenstadion was originally set month. He may also harbour for Tuesday only to be pushed hopes that PSG’s crushing 4-1 back after Dortmund’s bus League Cup fi nal victory over was hit by three explosions en Monaco on April 1 can also give route to the stadium, injuring them the mental edge during defender Marc Bartra. the fi nal weeks. The delay left Leonardo “It’s the home stretch,” Jardim’s side with one day less Presnel Kimpembe told the to prepare for their weekend club’s offi cial website (www. fi xture. Their midweek exer- psg.fr). “Experience will play tions also represent an op- a part in the last stage of the portunity for champions PSG season. who play on Friday and can “(Angers will) be waiting for move level with Monaco on 74 us, but we’re confi dent. We points. know what we have to do.”

Dybala extends Juventus deal to 2022 Argentina forward Paulo Dybala yesterday extended his con- tract with Juventus by two years, keeping him at the club until 2022, the Serie A champions announced. Dybala, who struck twice in the 3-0 Champions League quarter- final first-leg win over Barcelona on Tuesday, signed a five-year deal with Juventus when he joined the Turin giants from Pal- ermo in June 2015 for 32.5 million euros ($34.6mn, £27.6mn). “La Joya (The Jewel) has signed a new deal that will see him remain for another five seasons at the club and expire in June 2022,” said a brief statement by Juventus. Dybala has scored a total of 39 goals for Juve, who are bidding for a record sixth con- secutive scudetto, a third consecutive league and Cup double and an unprecedented treble. With the Italian club he has won one league title, one Italian Cup and the Italian Super Cup.

AFP The 2016/17 season winner Alli, 21 on Tuesday, won this Argentine FA chief set for Messi London will be announced at London’s award last year and his 16 goals meeting, denies Sampaoli contact Grosvenor House hotel on April this season have helped Spurs 23. Hazard won the award two become London rivals Chelsea’s The new president of the Argentine Football Federation (AFA) ’Golo Kante (Above) years ago when Chelsea last won closest challengers for the title. flew to Barcelona yesterday to meet Lionel Messi but ruled and Eden Hazard the Premier League and has been But Tottenham manager Mau- out any possibility of an encounter with Sevilla coach Jorge (Right) have seen their an infl uential fi gure in the Blues’ ricio Pochettino claimed Alli Sampaoli. “The only object of my trip is to see Messi. As for key roles in Chelsea’s latest push to be crown champi- should have been nominated for the new coach, we are relaxed about that because Bauza has bidN for the Premier League title ons of England. the senior award after such a fi ne only just left,” said the recently elected Claudio Tapia. Edgardo acknowledged with nominations Lukaku is currently the Pre- season. “He deserves it because Bauza was fired earlier this week with Argentina struggling for England’s Professional Foot- mier League’s top scorer with he’s showing great performances in qualifying for next year’s World Cup in Russia. Sevilla ballers’ Association Player of the 23 goals so far this season, while every week and in every game,” boss Sampaoli, a 57-year-old Argentinian who won the Copa Year award. fellow forward Ibrahimovic has Pochettino said. “After his fi rst America in charge of Chile in 2015, has been named as the The duo were on a six-strong 17 goals in his fi rst campaign in season in the Premier League, al- favourite to succeed Bauza. However, his Spanish club have shortlist announced yesterday English Football. ways the people want to see if he said any approach to Sampaoli – who is under contract until that also included Arsenal’s Alex- Kane, the only Englishman can confi rm all that he showed June 2018 – is “unacceptable” and accused AFA of a “lack of is Sanchez, Manchester United’s among the nominees, has scored last season. respect”. Nevertheless, Daniel Angelici, the highly influential Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Everton’s 19 goals for Spurs while, across “Not only did he confi rm that, president of Boca Juniors and vice-president of AFA, repeated Romelu Lukaku and Tottenham north London, Sanchez’s 18 he’s improved in all aspects of his yesterday that “Sampaoli is the candidate that interests AFA Hotspur’s Harry Kane. goals have been a rare highlight game. That means he’s clever, in- the most”. He added that discussions had taken place with the Kante, who could now win in an otherwise disappointing telligent, still with potential to im- Sevilla president Jose Castro. Argentina do not have another the Premier League title with season for Arsenal. prove. He’s showing he’s one of the World Cup qualifier until the end of August, so Sampaoli could two diff erent clubs in successive Spurs and England star Kane best players in the Premier League.” in theory stay with Sevilla for the remainder of the Spanish seasons, was shortlisted last year has also been shortlisted for the Also nominated for the Young season even if he does end up replacing Bauza. Sampaoli for his part in Leicester City’s Young Player of the Year award Player of the Year award are Lu- recently admitted he dreamed of one day coaching Barcelona astonishing 5,000/1 triumph but alongside club colleague Dele Alli, kaku, Sunderland goalkeeper superstar Messi – he has also been linked with the Camp Nou did not even make the top three with both the senior and junior Jordan Pickford, Burnley de- hotseat as a potential successor to Luis Enrique, who will for an award won by his then honours voted for by England’s fender Michael Keane and Man- depart at the end of the current campaign. Foxes team-mate Riyad Mahrez. top-fl ight professional players. chester City winger Leroy Sane.

FOCUS Guardiola scared by Dortmund bomb attacks

AFP rious, but he lived to tell the tale. both. We will see. “It’s my deci- Klopp questions decision to make Dortmund play so soon aft er attack Manchester “But we’re in a world where sion. I like both to be involved.” we don’t know where we’ll end Guardiola also insists that in- Former Borussia Dortmund manager Juergen Klopp up, that’s the truth. I don’t know jury-plagued defender Vincent yesterday questioned a decision by European soccer anchester City man- where we’re heading.” Kompany has a future to play authority UEFA to reschedule the German team’s Cham- ager Pep Guardiola Meanwhile, on Footballing with his club, not least because pions League quarter-final for just 24 hours after their admits he was shak- matters, Guardiola has con- City’s club captain is still under bus was attacked. en by the bomb at- fi rmed that he currently does contract next season. Klopp argued that, while he understood the diff iculties Mtacks on Borussia Dortmund’s not have a fi rst choice goalkeeper The Belgian came through 90 faced by the decision-makers, they probably would have team bus this week. and will platoon Claudio Bravo, minutes in last week’s 2-1 de- reached a diff erent conclusion had they been on the Three explosions went off as who turned 34 yesterday, and feat at leaders Chelsea, his fi rst bus with the players en route to the Signal Iduna Park the Dortmund team made their Willy Caballero on a game-by- complete game in the league this stadium on Tuesday. way to their Signal Iduna Park game basis. season, only to miss out on the The match in Dortmund against AS Monaco was post- stadium for the Champions Bravo has struggled through a weekend win over Hull through a poned after three explosions near the vehicle that in- League quarter-fi nal fi rst leg disappointing debut season with minor injury. jured Spanish defender Marc Bartra. “I’m pretty sure the against Monaco on Tuesday. City having arrived at the club as “Yes, he has a contract,” said people who make the decision afterwards, if they had Guardiola was shocked by apparent successor to England Guardiola when asked if Kom- been in the bus they would not have played the game,” the incident in Germany which international Joe Hart, who was pany fi gures in his plans for next Klopp told a news conference in Liverpool. caused the tie to be postponed sent on loan to Torino. season. “If you are not in the bus you cannot imagine how it is for 24 hours and left Dortmund “He can hopefully play two exactly,” he said, adding that he understood the views of defender Marc Bartra needing Confidence games a week in the next period, both sides and it had been diff icult to find another date. surgery to a broken wrist. Back-up Caballero appeared in the future. He can do that. Dortmund’s current coach, Thomas Tuchel, said late on The German Federal Pros- United States, the presidents of to have displaced Bravo as City’s “But after the game against Wednesday his team had felt ignored by UEFA over the ecutor’s Offi ce said three letters Russia and China, can intervene fi rst choice but Guardiola insist- Chelsea he reacted to that, had decision to reschedule the match so quickly. claiming responsibility found and fi nd a solution, because if ed that is not the case. problems with the leg, and we Liverpool manager Klopp, who was Dortmund boss from near the site of the attack made not we don’t know where we’ll “Last week I decided for Clau- didn’t want to take a risk. 2008-2015, said he was proud of his former team, who Islamic extremists the possible end up. dio. Saturday I am going to de- “But of course the good news lost the match 3-2. perpetrators. “We have to keep living with- cide,” Guardiola said. was he could play 90 minutes, a “I was really proud of Borussia Dortmund. When they “It’s a bit scary how the world out fear, but these things can “It depends on if the opponent tough game at Stamford Bridge played the game they tried to give the best,” he said. “I is. It’s going a bit crazy,” Guar- happen. makes a lot of high pressing or and he played at a high level. saw the faces of my former players and I saw the shock diola told reporters yesterday. “I hope Marc has a fantastic not. The way the opponent plays “What we have seen these two in their eyes and that was really, really hard. It will take “What’s happening in Syria... recovery. In terms of what hap- as well. What I see in the training or three days, he’s ready for the time to deal with it.” hopefully the president of the pened, it was scary and it was se- session. I have confi dence with next game.” Gulf Times 4 Friday, April 14, 2017 SPORT

TRACK CYCLING WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS SPOTLIGHT Alonso switch signals new open F1 era under Malaysia’s Awang American owners

AFP He said it was not likely that Manama he would have taken the chance to switch if his McLaren Honda car was competitive this sea- ernando Alonso’s deci- son. “If the car was competi- wins keirin world sion to race at the Indi- tive this year and we had 43 anapolis 500 instead of points, together with the other the Monaco Grand Prix guys... you cannot aff ord to signalsF Formula One is going lose a 25 points possibility by back to the future as it rede- missing one race.” fi nes its brand and appeal un- He explained also how keen der new American owners. he was to make his mark on This much became clear motor racing with a bid to land title in Hong Kong yesterday when two-time a ‘triple crown’ by winning champion Alonso talked about Monaco, Indianapolis and the his reasons for making the Le Mans 24 Hours. “I think the Australia storm past New Zealand to win men’s pursuit gold one-off switch and described McLaren-Honda partnership, it as a ‘win-win’ position for all to be able run this in Indy 500, involved. The Spaniard said it was very attractive this year, was a great move for him per- so for Le Mans it is something sonally, for McLaren and Hon- I will do, probably as soon as da, for Formula One and for I can. I don’t know if it will be America’s and the world’s big- next year or following years. gest race as it allowed cross- “The fi rst priority is F1. If I promotion of so many brands can race together with F1 and — a situation that, he said, was other series as I am doing this probably impossible a year ago. year it will be okay, if not I will Since then, F1 has been tak- only do F1.” en over by the American Liber- He added that there had been ty Group and his McLaren team consideration of him racing has also undergone a major at Le Mans this year because upheaval with the departure McLaren’s racing director Eric of long-term team chief Ron Boullier is a Frenchman. Dennis, replaced by new ex- “Defi nitely, it was something ecutive director American Zak on the table this year,” he said. Brown. “Because Zak is American he “Zak is a man that (sic) has a was pushing for the Indy 500 bigger vision than other team — and because Eric is French he principals or bosses that I have was pushing for Le Mans... In had,” Alonso said. “He sees the end, this is a good solution motorsport diff erently. He sees and this is a good opportunity McLaren bigger and no longer to do the Indianapolis race.” concentrated on F1. He is a true Alonso said if he wanted to racer, so it is great that McLaren be the best driver in the world had Zak come on board last year.” he’d have to win eight F1 World McLaren have raced and titles, “one more than Michael won at Indianapolis before — (Schumacher), which is im- registering three triumphs in possible. Or I can win diff er- the 1970’s — and the team, like ent races in diff erent series in Alonso and F1, is keen to build moments in my career and be a a much greater awareness of driver that can race and win in their brand in north America. any car in any series.”

Mercedes’ driver Lewis Hamilton (C) speaks with McLaren Honda’s driver Fernando Alonso (L) and Force India’s driver Sergio Perez Malaysia’s Mohd Azizulhasni Awang celebrates after winning keirin gold yesterday. (Reuetrs) (R) during a practise session in Manama yesterday. (AFP)

AFP raised the roof with his victory in career become second or third, would attack early.” “But we did talk about the Hong Kong the keirin. so I promised to myself to keep He added: “This is the most procedure of wanting to win Hamilton backs Button return at Monaco Awang choked back tears after pushing because I know if I don’t happiest day in my life. I think the world title fi rst. If you break he ended his long wait for a fi rst give up it’s going to be my day.” maybe tomorrow it will come to the world record and that (win) Lewis Hamilton has backed Jenson Button to replace Fernando ustralia fell just short rainbow jersey with a storming Now that he fi nally has the me that I’m world champion.” comes along with it then that’s Alonso at the Monaco Grand Prix and said he would like to take of a men’s and women’s last-lap surge to fi nish ahead of jersey, he said he won’t be taking Australia’s men’s pursuit team the bonus. part in a MotoGP race in the future. Speaking ahead of this week- team pursuit double Colombia’s Fabian Puerta and it off in a hurry. had raised expectations of a new “That was my advice to the end’s Bahrain Grand Prix, where the Mercedes driver expects a yesterday as Malaysia’s Czech rider Tomas Babek. “I’m going to sleep with this world record with their Wednes- younger guys: ‘Let’s win the very close race in torrid heat against Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel, ‘PocketA Rocketman’ Azizulhasni “I’ve been trying for 10 years. jersey tonight, defi nitely,” he told day qualifying time of 3min world title’.” the three-time champion said he welcomed the idea that Formula Awang won an emotional maid- I’ve failed many times... I keep AFP. “On the way back to Ma- 50.577sec, a shade off Britain’s Italy took the bronze medal One drivers should race in other series. “I think it’s great that a en world track cycling title in trying, I never give up because I laysia, I’m going to wear it too. 3:50.265 at last year’s Olympics. when in the fi nal kilometre, they driver is able to do that,” Hamilton said of two-time champion Hong Kong. know if I keep trying hard, one And if you don’t believe me, I’m But in the event, there was overhauled a new-look Brit- Spaniard Alonso’s switch to the Indianapolis 500, instead of the Australia beat New Zealand day it’s going to be my time,” said going to take a photo and put it no new record as the defending ish team to win by a healthy Monaco Grand Prix, next month. “I think us drivers should be handily in the men’s team pur- the Olympic bronze-medallist. on my Instagram.” champions and Olympic silver- 1.631sec. able to do more than one series. There was a period of time in the suit fi nal, before their women’s “And fi nally today, today it’s Poland’s Adrian Teklinski, medallists clocked 3:51.503, beat- In the women’s race for gold past where there were drivers doing multiple series. I think it’s squad were denied by the United my time. I’m the world cham- 27, also grabbed his fi rst rain- ing New Zealand by nearly 2.5sec. the USA, the title-holders and pretty cool that he’s doing it.” Hamilton added: “I wouldn’t miss States despite a furious fi ght- pion! I can’t believe it!” bow jersey when he surprised “After we had done the time Olympic silver-medallists, held any of the races in F1 — I’d definitely continue to do all the races. back in which the Aussies briefl y “I never stopped trying, I kept the men’s scratch fi eld with an in qualifying and we were so off a determined Australian team I’d like to do MotoGP. I’d like to ride a MotoGP race and probably snatched the lead. trying. I kept pushing harder early breakaway to win by a dis- close to (the world record), to to win by 0.417sec. a NASCAR race like the Daytona 500, maybe....” Briton Button re- Hong Kong’s former Olym- in the training. Sometimes I tance. say it wasn’t on our mind at cer- New Zealand won the bronze- mains contracted to McLaren after making way for Belgian Stoff el pic bronze medallist Sarah Lee puked... because I really want to “I think all the other riders tain stages would be a lie,” said medal race against an Italian Vandoorne to partner Alonso this season. He is the obvious ignited home support when she become world champion,” said were focusing on the sprint to Australia’s Cameron Meyer, team which led until the fi nal leading contender for the seat, but the team has yet to make any stormed into the women’s sprint Awang. the fi nish line,” Teklinski told who claimed his seventh world 500 metres but fell apart to fi n- announcement. “I hope Jenson comes back,” said Hamilton. semi-fi nals, while Awang also “I don’t want to end up my AFP. “They didn’t suppose I title. ish nearly fi ve seconds adrift.

FOOTBALL End of Berlusconi era as Chinese group buys AC Milan

Reuters company controlled by investor the team to compete with the by Li, the source added. Milan Li Yonghong which replaced the continent’s top clubs, many now The consortium’s full mem- original Chinese bid vehicle. bankrolled by wealthy Gulf and bership has not been made pub- The 740 million euro price Asian owners. lic. AC Milan is second only to talian former prime minister tag includes 220 million euros “After more than 30 years I am Real Madrid in the list of winners Silvio Berlusconi fi nalised in debt. The buyers, who paid a ceding ownership of Milan and of Europe’s top club competi- his troubled sale of soccer fi nal tranche of 370 million eu- stepping down as president. I am tion, but it has failed to win any club AC Milan to a Chinese- ros yesterday, committed to a saddened and moved, but aware major silverware since 2011 and Iled consortium yesterday, a 740 signifi cant recapitalisation and that modern soccer requires in- is lying sixth in Italy’s Serie A top million euro ($788 million) deal fi nancial strengthening of the vestments and resources that a division. that tightens China’s grip on the club, the statement said. single family cannot sustain on The club, which reported a game in Italy. its own,” Berlusconi said. loss of 93.5 million euros in 2015, The deal, the biggest Chinese AC Milan’s new owners off ered He had agreed the deal to sell needs to fund the purchase of investment in a European club, Berlusconi the chance to AC Milan last August, but the match-winning players as well follows retail giant Suning Com- stay involved in his cherished transaction ran into trouble as invest in its brand at home and merce Group’s purchase of local club as honorary president but and took longer than expected abroad. rivals Inter last year. A Chinese he declined to complete as Beijing cracked It has not yet disclosed its fi rm also underwrites the media down on non-strategic foreign 2016 accounts, but a source fa- rights to the top league, Serie A. “Its supporters have long acquisitions, especially vanity miliar with its fi nances said it It is the end of an era for Ber- hoped for AC Milan to be re- deals in the sports industry. lost 70 to 80 million euros. lusconi, who bought the club stored to former glory,” Li told US private equity fund Elliott AC Milan’s new owners of- in the 1980s and swiftly turned Chinese website Sina Weibo. came to the deal’s rescue at the fered Berlusconi the chance to it into the top team in Europe “Today we completed a key 11th hour last month, agreeing to stay involved in his cherished as well as using it as a platform step in that path to rejuvenation, lend money to Rossoneri Sport club as honorary president but along with his media empire to and into the future we will con- Investment. he declined. help launch his political career. tinue to push steadily ahead and The vehicle received 180 mil- Elliott’s fi nancing deal totals In a joint statement, Berlus- bring this legendary team back lion euros from Elliott and an- 300 million euros, including a coni’s holding Fininvest said it to the summit of the world.” other 140 million euros from cash injection into AC Milan had sold its entire stake in the Berlusconi, 80, is selling be- China’s Huarong, said a source itself, and carries an aver- Chinese Han Li (R) and Italian Marco Fassone (L), representatives of Chinese consortium Sino-Europe club to Luxembourg-based Ros- cause he was unwilling to stump familiar with the transactions. age interest rate of just under 10 Sports (SES) arrive to finalise the deal with Fininvest, the Silvio Berlusconi’s holding, for the AC Milan’s soneri Sport Investment Lux, a up the extra money required for A further 50 million were paid percent. takeover by Rossoneri sport Investment Lux, in Milan. (AFP) Gulf Times Friday, April 14, 2017 5 SPORT

NBA NHL Karlsson scores in OT to give Pacers, Bulls Sharks 3-2 win over Oilers

By Curtis Pashelka pressure throughout the third, and by be physical,” Couture said. “The last East Bay Times (TNS) the end of regulation time, were out- thing they want to do is take penal- shooting the Oilers 36-17 – including ties, so I don’t think they’re going to a staggering 16-3 advantage in shots do anything special “ elker Karlsson scored the in the fi nal 20 minutes. Lucic said he planned to play his in playoff s, biggest goal of his career The sold out crowd, which was al- usual hard-hitting brand of hockey Wednesday night, bury- ready revved up from seeing its fi rst Wednesday. If a player like Couture ing a pass from Patrick Oilers playoff game in 11 years, didn’t happened to get in the way, then so MMarleau to give the Sharks a stirring need long to be sent into a frenzy. be it. 3-2 overtime win over the Edmonton The Sharks had a nightmare start as “Whether they’re healthy or not Oilers in the playoff opener for both the Oilers struck for two fi rst period healthy, you try to be physical on guys teams. goals in the game’s fi rst 17:07, with Os- no matter what,” Lucic said. “I think Karlsson’s goal came at the 16:38 car Klefbom scoring at even strength when you talk about experience, I Heat fall short mark of overtime, as the Sharks erased and Milan Lucic connecting on the think that’s where experience kind a two-goal Edmonton fi rst period lead power play to give Edmonton a 2-0 lead. of comes in. Playing through things. Cavaliers lose No.1 seed in East after loss to Raptors to take a 1-0 series lead. Game 2 is Klefbom’s goal put the Sharks in a They don’t panic, they don’t get ex- Friday in Edmonton, with the Sharks 1-0 hole just 6:44 into the fi rst period cited. AFP now having a chance to take a stran- as his shot from just outside the slot “But in that sense for us ... you Los Angeles glehold on the fi rst round series. got past Jones, sending the sold-out don’t go out of your way to hurt any- The Sharks had a fi rst period to for- Rogers Place crowd into a frenzy. one, but you defi nitely want to let get but found a rhythm in the second The Oilers continued to dictate the them know that you’re there.” aul George delivered 32 points period, with Joel Ward’s power play pace in the early going. Lucic, who That doesn’t come as a big surprise and 11 rebounds as the Indiana goal helping to change the momen- assisted on Klefbom’s goal, added a to the Sharks or coach Pete DeBoer. Pacers punched their ticket to tum. power play goal at the 17:07 mark. “You’re talking about guys, they’ve the NBA postseason Wednes- Joonas Donskoi collected a puck Connor McDavid’s, the NHL’s lead- seen that before,” DeBoer said. “We’ve Pday with a 104-86 victory over the At- behind the Oilers; net that had been ing point-producer, also assisted on seen that before. We saw the same out lanta Hawks. rimmed around the boards by Marc- Lucic’s goal. But the Sharks had to be of Milan Lucic last year in the fi rst Jeff Teague added 19 points and seven Edouard Vlasic. Donskoi then carried happy with their overall play against round against L.A. That stuff , you assists before twisting his left ankle and the puck in front and, with a back- the player who is likely to win the Hart know what, you’ve got to play through leaving the game in the fourth quarter as hand pass, found Ward for a tap-in Trophy this season as the league’s that stuff . We expect it and we’ll deal the Pacers grabbed the seventh seed in goal at the 1:43 mark to cut Edmon- MVP. with it like we always have.” the Eastern Conference on the fi nal day ton’s lead to one. The game marked the return of Lucic had a hat-trick against the of the 2016-17 regular season. The Sharks largely dominated the Logan Couture, who had missed the Sharks in their last regular season Indiana will open the postseason second half of the second period, out- last seven games of the regular season meeting on April 6. He has 15 points against the Cleveland Cavaliers, who lost shooting the Oilers 9-4. after he took a puck to the face in a and 19 penalty minutes in 19 career the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference Their work paid off with the tying March 25 game with Nashville. games against the Sharks. to the Boston Celtics after the Cavs’ de- goal at the 5:22 mark of the third pe- Couture had been ramping things “We’re just focused on our game feat by the Toronto Raptors 98-83. riod. Once again, the play came from up over the course of the last week, and what we need to do,” Lucic said. “I’m excited about the opportunity,” behind the Oilers’ net. and went through a more physical “Just be hard on key guys, whether said George, who made 12 of 21 fi eld With four skaters aside, Tomas practice Tuesday to get ready for the they’re healthy or unhealthy.” goal attempts against the Hawks. “I Hertl fought off a check from Oilers playoff opener. guess that’s because we’re doing eve- defenseman Kris Russell, took the Couture, though, had yet to go RESULTS rything right. puck in front and got a shot on Ed- through a game situation where the Boston 2 Ottawa 1 “When our back is against the wall, monton goalie Cam Talbot. Martin Oilers wanted set a certain physical Columbus 1 Pittsburgh 3 we fi gure things out,” he added. “It just came from the back side and tapped in tone to begin the series with . San Jose 3 Edmonton 2 showed the character of this team, that the tying goal. “The goal for any playoff team is New York 2 Montreal 0 we knew all along that we should have The Sharks continued to apply go after the other team’s top guys and St Louis 2 Minnesota 1 been a playoff team. We just had to fig- ure out how to play the right way.” Boston beat the Milwaukee Bucks Paul George (second from right) of the Indiana Pacers shoots the ball against the 112-94 to help relegate Cleveland to Atlanta Hawks in Indianapolis, Indiana, on Wednesday. (AFP) the second seed and solidify home court advantage through the fi rst three and Taurean Prince scored 11. just 16 wins and 25 losses. rounds of the playoff s. The Pacers got a 14-point third quar- However, that doesn’t worry veteran The Golden State Warriors are the ter from Teague and made 11 of 17 fi eld Dwyane Wade, who is just happy to be top seed in the Western Conference and goal attempts during a crucial scoring in another playoff . will host game one of a best-of-seven run as they stretched a seven-point “As a player, 14 years, I think I’ve series Sunday against the Portland halftime lead to an 84-68 lead at the been in 12 playoff s,” Wade said. “This is Trail Blazers. end of the third quarter. what I play for. This is what I enjoy. You Having clinched the No. 5 spot in always want to play your best when the the Eastern Conference playoff s with BULLS CLINCH lights are the brightest.” a Tuesday night victory against Char- Elsewhere, Jimmy Butler scored a Meanwhile in Miami, Goran Dragic lotte, Atlanta sat guard Kent Bazemore, team-high 25 points and the Chicago scored 28 points and the Miami Heat guard Tim Hardaway, forward Paul Bulls clinched a playoff berth with a fell short of reaching the playoff s de- Millsap and guard Dennis Schroder 112-73 victory over the hapless Brook- spite a 110-102 victory over the Wash- against Indiana. lyn Nets. ington Wizards. Atlanta will begin the playoff s “We all did our job to get us into the Miami (41-41) became the fi rst team against the fourth-seeded Washington playoff s,” Butler said. “Now it’s about in league history to fi nish.500 or above Wizards. winning some games. We’ve just got to after being at least 12 games below.500. The other missing playoff compo- stick together and focus on ourselves.” Miami reversed an 11-30 record the fi rst nent heading into Wednesday’s fi nal Rookie forward Paul Zipser added half of the season with a 30-11 fi nish. games was who would get the fourth a career-high 21 points off the bench. seed in the West. Chicago claimed the eighth and fi - RESULTS Both the Utah Jazz and the Los Ange- nal seed in the East and will meet the LA Clippers 115 Sacramento 95 les Clippers won on Wednesday, but the mighty Celtics in the fi rst round. Golden State 109 LA Lakers 94 Clippers claimed home court advantage Guard Archie Goodwin scored 20 New Orleans 103 Portland 100 in their fi rst round series based on their points to lead the Nets. Brooklyn Utah 101 San Antonio 97 head-to-head tiebreaker over the Jazz. dropped to 20-62 on the season and Orlando 113 Detroit 109 Indiana steadily pulled away Wednes- fi nished with the worst record in the Toronto 98 Cleveland 83 day to qualify for the playoff s for a second NBA and the fourth-most losses in Boston 112 Milwaukee 94 consecutive season and the 22nd time in franchise history. NY Knicks 114 Philadelphia 113 the past 28 seasons. Myles Turner added Chicago shot 43% from the fi eld and Miami 110 Washington 102 18 points and eight rebounds for Indiana, 47% from beyond the arc. Chicago 112 Brooklyn 73 which fi nished the regular season with The Bulls fi nished the regular sea- Dallas 100 Memphis 93 fi ve consecutive wins. son with an impressive 25-16 record at Houston 123 Minnesota 118 The Hawks were led by Ersan Ilyas- home. But it’s a diff erent picture when Denver 111 Oklahoma City 105 San Jose Sharks players celebrate an overtime winning goal by forward Melker Karlsson against the Edmonton Oilers in ova’s 15 points. Jose Calderon added 12 they go on the road, where they have Indiana 104 Atlanta 86 game one of the first round of the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoff s in Edmonton on Wednesday. (USA TODAY Sports)

MLB Orioles off ense breaks out early in win over Red Sox

By Jon Meoli Then, on back-to-back pitches, left everybody confi dence or whatever it is. The Baltimore Sun (TNS) fi elder Trey Mancini and second base- One guy went up, got a hit and the next man Jonathan Schoop sent identical, guy came and did the same thing. It was towering drives over the Green Monster really awesome to be a part of that.” he only question was, what to make it 6-0 Orioles in the fi rst inning. How all that will carry over against took so long? Center fi elder Adam Jones and fi rst a more traditional pitcher is certainly April had been a lean month baseman Chris Davis – the only two a question, but a moot one. Enter- for the Orioles at the plate, players who didn’t reach base in the ing Wednesday’s game, the Orioles Tmitigated by their winning record and fi rst inning – atoned by trotting around were among the league’s worst collec- almost everyone in the heart of their all of them in the second inning. Davis’ tive units at the plate. They’d played lineup delivering a big hit at one point blast chased Wright after eight runs a league-low six games and scored a or another to help them to it. and just 34 pitches. league-low 21 runs while .215 Until Wednesday, they hadn’t put it all Mancini added a second home run in (26th in MLB) with a .610 OPS (25th). together. In their most complete off en- the third inning to cap off the barrage With fi ve home runs Wednesday, sive performance of the season, the Ori- with the biggest blast of them all. they doubled their season total to 10. oles clubbed four mammoth home runs Manager Buck Showalter enters games But with two home run kings, a pro- off knuckleballer Steven Wright before against knuckleballers looking for one digious third baseman and the rest of Wright could even record fi ve outs and specifi c thing – the quality of contact. the Orioles’ powerful lineup, a showing split the two-game series with a 12-5 win. High pops and topped ground balls like this is always a possibility. Mark Trumbo, the team’s premier mean a long night. When your men are slugger, felt it all coming. leaving vapor trails across the Fenway RESULTS “We’ve been battling, but we haven’t Park sky, it means a short one for the San Francisco 6 Arizona 2 hit our stride by any means,” Trumbo pitcher in question. Baltimore Orioles’ Trey Mancini hits a three-run home run against Boston Red Sox on Wednesday. (USA TODAY Sports) Houston 10 Seattle 5 said before the game. “It’s hard to say Off Wright, the Orioles were doing Texas 8 LA Angels 3 exactly when that happens, but I think the latter. They hit seven balls measured second inning, he would have been well locker room today our guys were frus- team was due. Oakland 8 Kansas City 3 we’re at the point where things are go- by Statcast as harder than 100 miles per served warning the fathers on the fi eld trated about last night,” Showalter said. “I’ve been watching this team the LA Dodgers 2 Chicago Cubs 0 ing to start to get better pretty quickly.” hour, including all four home runs off to consider their families before step- “They were looking forward to getting last few years, ever since I got drafted, Atlanta 5 Miami 4 It’s hard to pack more into one game him. Mancini’s blast, at 116 mph ac- ping in front of a batted ball. back out there and getting back to play- and I know if there’s a couple of slow Baltimore 12 Boston 5 than the Orioles managed at Fenway cording to Statcast, was one of the fi ve In the seventh inning, the Orioles ex- ing the type of baseball we’re capable of off ensive games, there’s one game Milwaukee 2 Toronto 0 Park. Wright, who last year mowed hardest-hit balls in the league this year tended their lead with a two-run dou- and have to play.” where it’s just an outpouring of off ense, Cincinnati 9 Pittsburgh 2 down the Orioles twice, hit Seth Smith and the hardest home run of the season, ble by Castillo and a run-scoring single Davis said they played “such a sloppy and tonight was the night.” NY Mets 5 Philadelphia 4 with his fi rst pitch and never saw his according stats through Tuesday. by Schoop. Their 12 runs and 17 hits game” that they wanted to come out “The fi rst inning and after that, you Chicago White Sox 2 Cleveland 1 day improve. Manny Machado blasted The 14 balls they put in play in the were both season-highs. early and erase it. just kind of had that feeling. It was one of St. Louis 6 Washington 1 a double to the deepest part of the ball- fi rst three innings averaged 100.2mph. Showalter, too, believed before the Mancini, who became the fi rst player those nights, and hitting is really conta- San Diego 6 Colorado 0 park to score Smith. Trumbo scored When Red Sox manager John Farrell game an off ensive outburst was immi- in club history with fi ve home runs in gious. It’s an old baseball cliche, but for Detroit 5 Minnesota 3 Machado with a single. came out for his pitching change in the nent. “I could tell walking around the his fi rst 10 games, felt a breakout for the whatever reason; I don’t know if it gives NY Yankees 8 Tampa Bay 4 Gulf Times 6 Friday, April 14, 2017 SPORT

ATHLETICS GOLF South Korea’s Van Niekerk to have Lee seizes shot at 200/400 share of lead South African on course to go against sprint great at Lotte C’ship

Usain Bolt in 200m AFP I’ve been left-hand-low for the world double Oahu, United States last three years.” “I hit the ball really well at the AFP 1980 and 1984 Games in Moscow and Los ANA (Inspiration) and Kia (Clas- London Angeles respectively. ee Mi-Hyang birdied sic),” she added. “I just couldn’t Johnson completed his 200m/400m three of her four open- make any putts. We talked about double at the 1995 World Championships ing holes en route to a how many times I won conven- outh Africa’s Wayde van in Gothenburg. six-under 66 and a share tional and how many times have Niekerk will have the chance to Van Niekerk, who back in January said he Lof the fi rst-round lead at the I won left-hand-low and the dif- emulate Michael Johnson’s feat of was “defi nitely defi nitely doing the 200m rain-hit Lotte Championship on ference was astronomical.” winning the 200 and 400 metres and 400m in London”, added that train- Wednesday. Americans Beth Allen and Li- atS the same World Championships fol- ing with Bolt, a 100m and 200m runner, She and American Paula zette Sales, South Koreans Jang lowing changes to the schedule for Au- had encouraged him to think big, including Creamer topped a crowded LPGA Su-Yeon and Ji Eun-Hee, and gust’s edition in London. running the fi rst sub 43-second 400m. Tour leaderboard that includes Canadian Alena Sharp are all tied The fi rst day of a two-day meeting of “A window opened,” he told The Times fi ve golfers tied for second at fi ve for second at fi ve-under-par. the council of the International Asso- on Tuesday. under. Ji made just one bogey in her ciation of Athletics Federations (IAAF) “Why not achieve what they can? Lee birdied three of the four round while Jang shot a bogey saw the global governing body announce When the clock stopped at 43.03 I had no par-fi ves and fi nished with seven free score. Jang fi nished fi fth at Wednesday that the opening round of the choice but to think of going under 43. To birdies and one bogey in a fi rst this event in 2016. men’s 200 metres has been moved from dream of 43.02 would make no sense.” round that was delayed for 44 “It’s good to come back to a day fi ve (August 8) to day four (August 7). Meanwhile Coe, who played a key role minutes because of heavy rains place I know,” Jang said. “Al- Previously, the 400m fi nal was set to in bringing the 2012 Olympics to London, at the Ko Olina Golf Club course. though I only played 18 holes this start just hours after the 200m heats, was proud the World Championships Play was suspended because of year in practice, as I was play- with both races scheduled for late evening would now be staged there and on the darkness with fi ve players still on ing the golf course memories are on August 8. same site as well. the course. coming back to me and I have a Now Van Niekerk is on course to go “This summer’s World Championships Lee came into the tournament lot of good memories of the golf against sprint great Usain Bolt, a recent are close to my heart. Twelve years ago having missed the last two cuts. course.” training partner, in the 200m in what is London won the right to host the 2012 “I (had) good rest, and my body set to be the Jamaican’s fi nal major com- Olympic and Paralympic Games. That is much better than before,” she LEADING ROUND I SCORES petition before retirement. decision led to the building of the Olym- said. “I met with my coach and 66 — Lee Mi-Hyang (KOR), Paula The 2017 World Championships will pic Park and the stadium and a decision to tried to fi x my problem. I have a Creamer (USA) take place at London’s Olympic Stadium keep the track after the Games. lot more confi dence than before. 67 — Alena Sharp (CAN), Jang from August 4-13. “This in turn meant that London could I played really good today.” Su-Yeon (KOR), Beth Allen (USA), IAAF president Sebastian Coe said bid for and host this summer’s champi- Creamer had an earlier tee Ji Eun-Hee (KOR), Lizette Salas he was “delighted” that the council had onships.” time, emerging from a pack to (USA) made it possible for Olympic 400m Coe, whose time at the top of the IAAF also shoot a six-under. It was her 68 — Choi Hye-Jin (KOR), Amy champion Van Niekerk, who at last year’s has been dominated by the fall-out from best round of 2017, and she cred- Anderson (USA), Mina Harigae Rio Games smashed American track leg- revelations of state-sponsored doping in its a change in her putting style (USA), Ryu So-Yeon (KOR), Kath- end Johnson’s 17-year-old world record Russia, added: “I see a vibrant commu- for her success. erine Kirk (USA), Nicole Broch for the one lap event of 43.18 seconds by nity space, the former athletes’ village “I played solid. I putted really Larsen (DEN), Wichanee Meechai winning gold in a time of 43.03, to have a redeveloped into housing and a series of well,” she said. “I switched back (THA), Becky Morgan (WAL), crack at the double in London. world-class sporting venues being used to conventional-style putting. Stacy Lewis (USA) “These double headers create great ex- by Londoners on a daily basis and hosting citement among both athletes and fans,” international sporting events. said British middle-distance ace Coe, the “This was the dream we all had over a Olympic 1500m champion at both the decade ago.”

NZ Rugby likens Sonny Bill fl ak to homophobia

AFP on Facebook and that,” NZR general jersey with no branding from BNZ or Wellington manager of rugby Neil Sorensen told Investec, Super Rugby’s main sponsor. Radio Sport. Sorensen said Williams had no problem He said there was ignorance in New wearing the logo of AIG, the All Blacks’ ew Zealand Rugby (NZR) com- Zealand about Islamic law — which ob- shirt sponsor, which is primarily an pared the vitriol surrounding jects to banks earning high interest from insurance company but also has a huge NSonny Bill Williams’ religious loans — and it was natural for people to mortgage portfolio earning market objections to wearing a banking logo react negatively to something they did interest rates. with homophobia yesterday, urging fans not understand. But he said the player would not take to respect the All Black star’s beliefs. But Sorensen said views changed over part in off -field AIG promotions, saying Williams, a devout Muslim, appeared for time, pointing to modern attitudes to “you’d have to ask Sonny” when pressed the Auckland Blues last weekend with homosexuality. on details about his stance. SPOTLIGHT the Bank of New Zealand (BNZ) logo on “I remember 20 years ago when I was a Sorensen launched a spirited defence his shirt collar blocked out by tape. young 20-year-old, homosexuality for of Williams, who has often proved a It later emerged that he was exercising me was like ‘yuk’ and it was easy for me polarising figure for fans. a “conscientious objection” clause in his to say ‘you gay w*****’,” he said. “He doesn’t abuse alcohol, he doesn’t do Kuchar tries to turn contract, telling NZR he did not want to “But I’ve learned over the years and I’m drugs, he doesn’t beat women, he’s just wear the logos of banks, alcohol brands a hell of a lot more open and more toler- a good bloke, you know? or gambling sponsors. why Williams should get special treat- ant now.” “If we have more Sonny Bills in the world Masters rally into His action sparked furious debate in ment. Williams’ logo cover-up took NZR by we might have more challenges about New Zealand, with Prime Minister Bill “I sort of understand the vitriol that’s surprise but after discussions this week diff erent beliefs, but I think our society English saying he did not understand happening around the country, people it agreed he could wear a special Blues would be better off .” Harbour Town win

Reuters Toronto BOTTOMLINE att Kuchar will try to build off his strong fi nish at the US Mas- St. Louis sues NFL for more than ters when he tees off Min the fi rst round of the RBC Her- itage in South Carolina among a fi eld featuring several recent PGA Tour winners. $1bn over loss of Rams football team The American world number 17, who had a hole-in-one en Reuters community, but team offi cials were aim- route to a fi ve-under-par 67 that Detroit ing to move long before they made such matched the lowest fi nal round plans public, the lawsuit said. score at Augusta National where (Arnold Palmer Invitational), “The Rams never intended to engage in he fi nished in a tie for fourth, has D.A. Points (Puerto Rico Open) he city of St. Louis and other re- good faith negotiations with St. Louis,” heated up since a mostly slow and Russell Henley (Shell Hou- gional groups on Wednesday fi led the lawsuit said. start to the season ston Open). a lawsuit against the National In one instance, the plaintiff s cited Kuchar has only two top-10 Charley Hoff man, who was Football League and all its teams a December 2016 interview with Rams fi nishes on the PGA Tour in 11 tied for the 36-hole lead at the Tand owners, claiming the league violated former head coach Jeff Fisher, who said events this season but knows Masters before falling hard to a its relocation guidelines when it allowed when he was hired in January 2012 he how to navigate Harbour Town share of 22nd place, will be eager the Rams to leave the Midwest city. was told of plans to move to Los Angeles. where he is a previous winner to get back to a course where he The city, St. Louis County and the St. Fisher was fi red in December. and also boasts a fi fth-place fi n- has made six consecutive cuts Louis Regional Convention and Sports The plaintiff s said the loss of the Rams ish and tie for ninth among his and three top-15 fi nishes. Complex Authority, in a lawsuit fi led in hurt the city and region and benefi ted previous starts. Former US Open winner Jim Circuit Court of St. Louis City, is seeking the league and its owners, who received Kuchar, who at Hilton Head Furyk, who missed last year’s damages totalling more than $1bn for the a $550mn relocation fee, the lawsuit said. Island in 2014, will be joined by RBC Heritage after undergoing move by the Rams to Los Angeles from Meanwhile, the value of the Rams in- defending champion Branden wrist surgery, returns for the fi rst Missouri last year. creased by nearly $700mn. Grace of South Africa, former time since winning here in 2015. NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy said Among other damages cited by the winner Brandt Snedeker and Furyk snapped a nearly fi ve- there was “no legitimate basis” for the plaintiff s in the lawsuit were city and England’s Tyrrell Hatton, who year PGA Tour victory drought lawsuit. county bond obligations totalling at world number 15 will be the when he beat Kevin Kisner in a “While we understand the disappoint- $360mn, the loss of more than $100mn highest ranked player in the fi eld. playoff in 2015 which sparked a ment of the St. Louis fans and the com- In this January 15, 2016, picture, COO Kevin Demoff at a celebration to welcome Los in net proceeds, $30mn for the installa- Grace, who overcame a three- strong run of form that sent the munity, we worked diligently with local and Angeles Rams at the Forum in Inglewood, Los Angeles. (Reuters) tion of a new playing surface and other shot defi cit on the fi nal day with American to world number three state offi cials in a process that was honest renovations, the loss of state revenue of a fi ve-under-par 66 to grab his later that year. and fair at all times,” he said in an email. In March, the owners also approved the US sports league, failed to follow its own more than $15mn and about $7.5mn in fi rst PGA Tour victory, is looking “I have the same mentality I Rams spokesman Artis Twyman said eventual Oakland Raiders’ move to Las guidelines for franchise relocation even lost property taxes. to become the tournament’s fi rst always do coming in here. It will the team would not comment on pending Vegas. as it induced the city to spend “consider- The city said it also contributed hun- back-to-back champion since be more a matter of patience,” litigation. Charges in the St. Louis lawsuit include able time and money to generate a com- dreds of millions of dollars to attract and Boo Weekley accomplished the world number 62 Furyk told re- Since the Rams move, the San Diego breach of contract, unjust enrichment, pelling new stadium development.” retain an NFL team over the past 20 years, feat in 2008. porters. “I feel that this is the Chargers announced their relocation to fraudulent misrepresentation and busi- The plaintiff s said they made invest- the lawsuit said. The fi eld will also feature four place in my career when I have the Los Angeles market for the coming ness interference. ments in the team’s home stadium based The sports complex authority spent of the past six PGA Tour win- been patient, when I have been season. The Chargers and Rams will share The city and other plaintiff s in a state- on the NFL’s policy requiring teams to more than $17mn during eff orts to build a ners in Adam Hadwin (Valspar playing well. I know I can win a new stadium scheduled to open in 2019. ment claim the NFL, the most popular work in good faith to remain in their home new stadium for the Rams. Championship), Marc Leishman this golf tournament.” Gulf Times Friday, April 14, 2017 7 SPORT

INDIAN PREMEIR LEAGUE SPOTLIGHT India’s quicks need specialist coach — Gambhir, Yadav Umesh Yadav

Reuters hant, Shami, Bhuvi and myself Bengaluru to improve,” the 29-year-old said. “In some matches I bowl badly and don’t realise what shine as Kolkata ndia have fi nally developed went wrong and how to correct. a potent pace attack which A coach can help can help them win over- us correct our mistakes and im- seas but the fast bowlers prove as bowler.” wouldI still benefi t from the re- Yadav, who picked up 17 Aus- cruitment of a dedicated coach, tralian wickets at an average of spearhead Umesh Yadav told 23.41 in what he calls his ‘best Reuters. series’, illustrated his point with thrash Punjab For many, including former an anecdote about how he re- captain Sourav Ganguly, Ya- ceived some useful advice from dav was the fi nd of India’s long batting coach Sanjay Bangar. KKR were bolstered by the return of Umesh while New Zealand all-rounder home season, which culminated “I had been bowling short for in a hardfought 2-1 victory over some time and then Bangar bhai de Grandhomme was pencilled in place of injured Australian opener Chris Lynn Australia last month. (brother) asked me to bowl a The formerly injury-prone much fuller length,” he said. Vidharba bowler played all but “He suggested that if I bowl one of India’s 13 home tests, a fuller length it would give the impressing with control and ball enough time to swing in air. consistent pace throughout, “Bangar bhai told me not to but particularly in the fi nal test either rush through my bowl- against Australia at Dharamsala. ing strides or run too slow. He On the liveliest of pitches encouraged me to fi nd my ideal used in the four-test series, Ya- rhythm and that is what I focus dav tormented the tourists to on while bowling. claim fi ve wickets and send the “For me as a bowler, rhythm message that India now have the is very important. I don’t even necessary pace resources to win look at the pitch before a Test on the hard decks of Australia match. I just try to get into a nice and South Africa. rhythm as early as possible and “I think we now have the pace rest just happens.” attack to win Test series in these While Yadav is happy with the countries,” Yadav told Reuters in improvement, he is aware that a telephone interview. he has just one fi ve-wicket Test The right-arm paceman is a haul to his name, achieved in a key fi gure in a pace unit which losing cause against Australia in also includes Mohamed Sha- Perth in 2012. mi, Ishant Sharma and Bhuv- “I think about it and feel I neshwar Kumar. should have got more fi ve-fors While the slow bowlers can in the 31 Tests I’ve played so far,” turn to head coach and former he said. spinner Anil Kumble for help, “I want to change that and Yadav believes it would be ben- I’m working hard. The Australia efi cial for the quicks to have a series has given me a lot of con- specialist pace-bowling advisor fi dence. I want to be more ag- on hand. gressive in my bowling. I’m go- “A fast bowling coach will ing to bowl more bouncers and defi nitely help bowlers like Is- yorkers now.”

Kolkata Knight Riders captain Gautam Gambhir plays a shot against Kings XI Punjab at The Eden Gardens Cricket Stadium in Kolkata yesterday.

IANS chase throughout as Gambhir looked in Kings XI, coming into the tie after a Kolkata sublime form. resounding eight-wicket against Royal Earlier, fi t-again Umesh Yadav started Challengers Bangalore, made one change his (IPL) cam- with India pacer Ishant Sharma coming olkata Knight Riders rode paign on a high by taking four crucial in place of T. Natarajan. India spearhead Umesh Yadav skipper Gautam Gambhir and wickets to restrict Kings XI Punjab to The away side were off to a yingfl start surprise opener Sunil Nar- 170/9. with openers Manan Vohra (28) and Kine’s heroics to register a facile Yadav returned fi gures of 4/33 with Hashim Amla (25) milking the likes of VIOLATION eight-wicket win with 21 balls to spare a stellar 18th over where he took three Trent Boult and Umesh for seven fours over Kings XI Punjab in an Indian Pre- wickets in the space of four balls to send and a six. mier League (IPL) match at the Eden set David Miller (28; 19b 2x4 2x6), Wrid- Vohra spoilt Umesh’s return to the Gardens here yesterday. dhiman Saha (25; 17b 2x4 2x6) and Axar side, tonking the in-form India pacer for Afghanistan Chasing 171 for victory after asking Patel (0) back in the hut. a six in front of square with a pull. Kings XI to bat fi rst, Gambhir (72, 49b; He also took the wicket of visiting cap- The Punjab batsman was dropped in 11x4) notched up his 33rd IPL fi fty to tain Glenn Maxwell 25 (14b 3x4 1x6). the third over by West Indian mystery star Shahzad guide his team through for their second There were two 50-run partnerships spinner Sunil Narine who grassed an easy win in three matches. for the visitors – between Manan Vohra take off Boult’s bowling at third man. Gambhir, in the process, equalled the KKR’s Sunil Narine. (28; 19b 4x4 1x6) and Hashim Amla (25; Amla played second fi ddle, dispatch- fails drugs test record of most half-centuries in IPL his- 27b, 4x4, 0x6) and Saha and Miller – but ing poor deliveries from Boult and Chris tory along with ’s Varun Aaron two consecutive sixes and a none of the batsmen could convert their Woakes to the fence. David Warner. Manish Pandey (25, 16b; boundary. starts as the home side got wickets at Just when the pair looked good for a AFP 2x4, 1x6) hit a six off Marcus Stoinis for The pair engineered a 76-run opening regular intervals. decent opening wicket stand, Chawla Dubai the winning runs. partnership – KKR’s highest in Power- Smarting from a defeat at the hands of – in his very fi rst ball – broke their 53- Narine (37; 18b 4x4 3x6), who opened play – before Aaron got his man as Nar- Mumbai Indians in their last game, KKR run association with a googly that went the batting much to everyone’s sur- ine attempted a pull but holed out to Axar were bolstered by the return of Umesh through Vohra’s defence. fghanistan’s big-hit- prise along with Gambhir, vindicated his Patel at deep midwicket. while New Zealand all-rounder Colin de After the Powerplay, Kings XI were ting batsman Moham- team’s decision by helping the hosts get Narine walked back to the pavillion to a Grandhomme was pencilled in place of 57/1. ed Shahzad has tested off to a great start. standing ovation from the packed crowd. injured Australian opener Chris Lynn. Marcus Stoinis (9;12b 1x4 0x6) did not positive for the banned The mystery spinner, who has opened Uthappa (26; 16b 3x4 1x6) could not Umesh replaced . last long, Narine making amends for his substanceA Clenbuterol and will the batting three times for Melbourne convert his start, falling to Patel as he Kuldeep Yadav was also dropped with dropped catch with a back of a length de- be suspended, the International Renegades in the last Big Bash League, missed a harmless straight delivery. leg-spinner Piyush Chawla replacing the livery which the Australian dragged onto Cricket Council (ICC) said yes- showed no signs of rustiness hitting KKR though were in control of their young chinaman bowler. his stumps trying to cut. terday. The 29-year-old wicket- keeper, a key player in the team’s BOTTOMLINE charge towards potential Test match status, returned a positive test in an out-of-competition test conducted on January 17 at the ICC Academy in Dubai. Middlesex oppose new English Twenty20 event “The ICC today announced that Afghanistan’s wicketkeep- AFP ia’s Big Bash Twenty20 tournaments, believe the English said club chairman Mike O’Farrell. er-batsman Mohamed Shahzad London game needs something similar if it is to recapture a ‘lost’ “Middlesex has a unique position in playing at a ground has been charged with an anti- generation of younger fans. that is likely to be a host venue at the tournament, yet not doping rule violation under the The ECB needs 31 of its 41 constituent members, in- benefi ting from the revenues associated with that status,” ICC Anti-Doping Code,” said a iddlesex have become the fi rst English county cluding the 18 fi rst-class counties, to support a rule he added. “Therefore, the fi nancial impact on Middlesex statement from the governing run-maker in T20 internation- to voice their outright opposition to existing change that will allow it to proceed with an eight team, is still very uncertain and contains great risks to our cur- body in Dubai. als, even passing Indian super- plans for a new domestic Twenty20 tourna- city-based, event. Several clubs have already given their rent revenue streams. “The sample analysed at the star Virat Kohli in the rankings ment. approval, with the ECB promising counties will receive “Additionally, the current governance of the ECB WADA-accredited laboratory in when Afghanistan whitewashed MThe eight-team event, which the England and Wales £1.3mn ($1.6mn, 1.5mn euros) annually for fi ve years if the means that this article change creates a signifi cant risk Salt Lake City, was found to con- Ireland 3-0 earlier this year. Cricket Board plan to launch in 2020 — not a marketing tournament comes into being. that counties that are not host venues for the new tourna- tain the presence of Clenbuterol, The ICC said that he will be trick but rather the year after their existing broadcast But if the new tournament gets the go-ahead, Middle- ment may, in the future, be downgraded both in status and a prohibited substance.” banned from April 26 “unless he deals expire — has already proved highly controversial. sex could miss out on additional revenue as they do not in revenue terms.” Shahzad, who made his in- exercises his right to challenge That’s because, if it becomes a reality, it will mean that own their Lord’s home ground in north London but are Meanwhile Derbyshire gave their backing to the ECB’s ternational debut in 2010, has the imposition of the provisional for the fi rst time there is a major domestic cricket tour- tenants instead of Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC). plans, with the Midlands county’s chairman, Ian Mor- played 58 matches in each of the suspension before such date”. nament in England that does not feature all 18 fi rst-class A statement on Middlesex’s website confi rmed the gan, saying Thursday: “The majority of people who watch ODI and Twenty20 formats. “The matter will now be dealt counties. For critics, that’s the thin end of a wedge that reigning fi rst-class county champions’ opposition to the cricket today are of the older generation and we must get a He has scored 1,901 runs in with in accordance with the leads to the destruction of the nationwide county system proposed ECB rule change, with the vote on whether to younger audience through our doors. one-dayers with a best score of process set down in the code, and that has underpinned English cricket for more than a cen- alter the existing regulations now in progress. “As we’ve seen with the Big Bash League in Australia 131 not out while smashing 1,779 until such time as the process is tury. “While Middlesex is fully supportive of the creation of and the Indian Premier League, a tournament of that runs in T20 with a high of an un- resolved, the ICC will make no But supporters of the new event, having seen the suc- a new T20 tournament to drive the future of the game, we nature can attract more families with young children to defeated 118. further comment on this matter,” cess of the Indian Premier League and especially Austral- are unable to support this proposal at the current time,” watch and go on to play cricket.” Shahzad is the fourth highest added the statement.

Friday, April 14, 2017 GULF TIMES SPORT

HORSE RACING Save the Dream reunites with Qatar Airways, LEGA SERIE A Save the Dream, the global non-profit movement that aims to promote and protect the Hawa completes double values and integrity of sport in young people, has announced that it will join forces with Qatar Airways and LEGA SERIE A in Italy once again to host Save the Dream Week 2017 and help more disabled children around the world play sport. As part with Craft ed’s feature win of Save the Dream’s overall mission to promote and inspire young people through the ‘It feels good, especially after the last three races where he didn’t really do well’ power of sport, Save the Dream Week 2017 will feature a host of exciting activities in the lead By Mikhil Bhat up to and during matchday 33 Doha of the 2016/17 SERIE A season to help generate support for several projects that aim to help ockey Adnan Hawa had more disabled children across already heard the an- Italy and Qatar play sport. nouncement on the loud- Alongside Save the Dream speaker system coming Week activities in Italy this intoJ the winner’s enclosure at year, Save the Dream has also the Qatar Racing and Equestrian partnered with ‘Disabili No Club (QREC) and was up on his Limits’ – a charity run by Italian two feet. Paralympic athlete and Save The naked eye was unable to the Dream Ambassador, Giusy place the winner with Ibrahim Versace – to run a national text al-Malki’s duo Crafted, Hawa’s message campaign during mount, Beach Samba, ridden by Save the Dream Week 2017 to Saleem Golam, and Mohamed help raise funds to help young Jassim Ghazali’s Itorio, Tadgh disabled children purchase O’Shea astride, providing a sport-specific artificial limbs thrilling fi nish to the Al Mamoura and wheelchairs, which are usu- Cup, yesterday’s feature at the ally expensive and not included QREC turf track. by national health services. To The Class 2 Thoroughbred help engage and inspire young Handicap event for horses rated people to take part, Save the 105 & below saw Crafted follow Dream and Disabili No Limits the leaders early on in the seven- will host several activities at Se- furlong run, before a steady run on rie A matches and throughout the outside on the home stretch Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club (QREC) general manager Nasser Sherida al-Kaabi (third from right) poses with the winners of the Al Mamoura Cup after Crafted won the seven- the week, including a special saw him alongside Itorio half-a- furlong race at the QREC yesterday. PICTURES: Juhaim celebrity football match involv- furlong away from the fi nish. ing Save the Dream Ambas- Eventually, as the photos came alongside Zuhair Mohsen- 1 ¾, ¾. Time: 1:23.643. Owner: sadors on 19 April, as well as showed, he had beaten Itorio by a trained Shahbar, helmed by Salem Fadgam al-Hajri & Sons. various promotional activities, short head, while stablemate Beach Marvin Suerland, up front. With Trainer: Salem al-Hajri. banners and events. Sandro Samba completed the frame. a furlong to go, Pleiades began Race 4: 1. Taqarub (Almotasem Magnetta, Qatar Airways acting The win was Hawa’s second on pulling away, eventually winning al-Balushi), 2. Laith (Saleem Country Manager for Italy and the day, having earlier guided Al by three lengths. Golam), 3. Al Raad (Kelly Har- Malta, said: “Qatar Airways Ayyar to his fi rst career victory. Shahbar held on to fi nish sec- rison), 4. Shoug Al Sham (Tomas is delighted to be supporting “It feels good, especially af- ond ahead of Julian Smart’s Spirit Lukasek). Won by: 7, 2, 12. Time: once again the Save the Dream ter the last three races where he of Qatar. 1:47.039. Owner: Sheail bin initiative in Italy. We are pleased didn’t really do well. His fi tness Jockey Abdulla Faisal regis- Khalifa al-Kuwari. Trainer: Jassim to join in and help make sport had gone down, and I decided tered his fi rst win of the season Ghazali. accessible to everyone as we to give some rest and work on in Qatar when he rode Khalid al- Race 5: 1. Waqaar (Jean Baptiste promote the values of close- that,” al-Malki, who is fourth in Nuaimi-saddled Parkes and Ride Hamel), 2. Mohssn (Richard ness and friendship. Taking the Trainers’ Championship, told to a memorable win in the Class Mullen), 3. Djumana KB (Tomas part in this event in Italy is Gulf Times after the race. 5 Thoroughbred Handicap event Lukasek), 4. Sayyaaf (Gerald another example of Qatar “And the (one-month) rest for horses rated 61-75. Avranche). Won by: 2, ¾, 1 ¼. Airways’ strong commitment to seems to have done well for him, Coming off a wide start, Parkes Time: 1:46.332. Owner: Umm this market as well as our fast having won this feature. When and Ride stayed midfi eld even as Qarn. Trainer: Alban de Mieulle. and continuous growth. “This races get this close, it does get Anas al-Seyabi had Papa Luigi Race 6: 1. Samaa (Jean Baptiste is reflected by the campaign edgy. Three horses were in the move into the lead early on. Hamel), 2. Caid de l’Ardus (Rich- “Going Places Together” which same line, and it was very diffi - The pace picked up and Papa ard Mullen), 3. Majdan (Alberto focuses on the commitment cult to diff erentiate with the na- Luigi seemed to be no match for Sanna), 4. Carab (Almotasem towards customers to embark ked eye. But in the end they an- the trio of Zuhair Mohsen’s Rijm, al-Balushi). Won by: ½, 3 ½, 1 ½. together on a joint path to the nounced Crafted as the winner, who moved ahead on the inside Time: 1:43.409. Owner: Umm future. Our connections from so well…” under Marvin Suerland, Ibrahim Jockey Adnan Hawa (centre, in yellow) guides Crafted to a thrilling victory ahead of Itorio, ridden by Qarn. Trainer: Alban de Mieulle. Rome, Milan, Venice and Pisa, Pleiades kept his momentum al-Malki-trained Zainat, ridden Tadgh O’Shea (background, in white and blue) and Beach Samba, ridden by Saleem Golam (foreground, in Race 7: 1. Parkes and Ride let reach over 150 destinations going as the Galileo colt picked by Gerald Avranche, and Julian yellow and white), in the Al Mamoura Cup yesterday. (Abdulla Faisal), 2. Zainat (Gerald in the world and satisfy travel up his second straight victory Smart-saddled pre-race favour- Avranche), 3. Rijm (Marvin Su- wishes and exigencies of our and third straight fi nish in the ite Ras Abrouq. Kuwari, for the bulk of the race ning the Division 2 Local Thor- Bu Thaila (Gerald Avranche), 4. erland), 4. Ras Abrouq (Richard passengers.” frame this year. A well-timed move by Faisal before going alongside the latter oughbred Maiden Plate, and Shatir Bu Thaila (Jean Baptiste Mullen). Won by: Nk, Hd, ½. Time: Speaking about Save the Dream The Hamad bin Abdulrahman saw Parkes and Ride up the ante a furlong from the fi nish. Taqarub, saddled by Ghazali Hamel). Won by: Nk, 1 ¼, 1 ¾. 1:36.51. Owner: Khalid Nasser al- Week 2017, Mohamed Hanzab, bin Hamad al-Attiyah-owned and the four-year-old gelding was With 50m to go, Samaa found Senior, taking the Division 2 Time: 1:26.158. Owner: Injaaz Nuaimi. Trainer: Khalid al-Nuaimi. Founder of Save the Dream and fi ve-year-old was held well in his past the competition for a fi ne some reserves and edged ahead to Purebred Arabian Maiden Plate. Stud. Trainer: Mohamed Jassim Race 8: 1. Pleiades (Gerald President of the International fi rst two runs in Qatar last year win, ahead of Zainat and Rijm. win by half a length, while Alber- In the other two Thorough- Ghazali. Avranche), 2. Shahbar (Marvin Centre for Sport Security (ICSS) but has improved since moving In a scintillating fi nish Umm to Sanna guided Al Jeryan Stud’s bred maiden runs, Adnan Hawa Race 2: 1. Al Ayyar (Adnan Hawa), Suerland), 3. Spirit of Qatar (Rich- said: “Sport plays an incredible yards this season, shifting from Qarn’s Samaa registered her third Majdan to third. guided Majed Seifeddine-trained 2. Queen Maouya (Rashid al-Mar- ard Mullen), 4. Elkhart (Abdulla and empowering role in the Jassim Ghazali to Wasim Mo- career victory, and second this This was the second straight Al Ayyar to victory in the Lo- ri), 3. Al Jazeera (Faleh Bugha- Faisal). Won by: 3, ½, Nk. Time: lives of young people around hamed. season in Qatar, when the Majd win for the trio of Umm Qarn, cal Thoroughbred Maiden Plate naim), 4. Gharam Lehshiiyat 2:01.592. Owner: Hamad bin Ab- the world, teaching them many Yesterday, Pleiades, ridden Al Arab fi lly edged out Ghazali’s De Mieulle and Hamel on the day event, while Xavier Ziani helmed (Richard Mullen). Won by: Nk, ½, dulrahman bin Hamad al-Attiyah. important life lessons as well by Gerald Avranche, stayed in Caid de l’Ardus by half a length to with Waqaar shedding her maid- Al Hazam in a thrilling victory in 1. Time: 1:25.410. Owner: Rashid Trainer: Wasim Mohamed. as how to lead a healthy and the mix even as Qatari jockey win the Purebred Arabian Condi- en status in the mile-long Pure- the Class 6 Thoroughbred Maid- bin Mubarak al-Jafali al-Naimi. Race 9: 1. Crafted (Adnan Hawa), active lifestyle. Unfortunately Faleh Bughanaim had his mount tions event. bred Arabian Maiden Plate event. en Plate. Trainer: Majed Seifeddine. 2. Itorio (Tadgh O’Shea), 3. Beach though, many disabled children Shabbab move into the lead early Alban de Mieulle’s charge, rid- Earlier in the day, jockey Al- Race 3: 1. Al Hazam (Xavier Samba (Saleem Golam), 4. Felix around the world still do not on in the 2000m race. den by Jean Baptiste Hamel, had motasem al-Balushi guided two RESULTS Ziani), 2. Draw Swords (Faleh Leiter (Jean Baptiste Hamel). have the access to the right Coming on to the home tracked leader Caid de l’ardus, horses to their fi rst career wins, Race 1: 1. Saab Al Manal (Al- Bughanaim), 3. Al Mikdam (Mar- Won by: Shd, Hd, 1. Time: 1:21.202. wheelchairs or artificial limbs to stretch, Avranche had Pleiades go ridden by Richard Mullen in the with Saab Al Manal, trained by motasem al-Balushi), 2. Mister vin Suerland), 4. King of Doha Owner: Ibrahim Saeed al-Malki. help them play sport.” forward on the outside before he colours of Khailfa bin Sheail al- Ghazali Junior, Mohamed, win- Lal (Saleem Golam), 3. Zurich (Tomas Lukasek). Won by: Shd, Trainer: Ibrahim al-Malki.

FOCUS Teams aim to fi nish on a high as QSL nears end

By Sports Reporter through suspension and we will satisfi ed with our performance Doha be looking at changing the play- this season. It was a tough fi rst ers who have played in recent half of the season but we im- games. One change will be Musa proved from round 16 after we hird placed Al Rayyan Haroon who will play at centre brought in players. I hope we will be looking to main- back.” don’t repeat the same mistakes tain their position when Al Khor are now safe from next season,” added the Tunisian they take on Al Khor to- the threat of relegation, follow- coach. Tday in the last round of the Qatar ing the merger of El Jaish and Trabelsi ended the press con- Stars League. Lekhwiya from next season and ference, stressing that his side Lions boss Michael Laudrup coach Jean Fernandez was pretty need a repeat performance from spoke to the local media ahead pleased about that. Al Sailiya’s last game against of the tie, saying it will be a stern “We have achieved our goal second placed Al Sadd. “The test for his players. of surviving this season, and we last match against Al Sadd, we “The game has changed now will have a tough match against played well and we will need to for Al Khor, the pressure is off an Al Rayyan side who have done have the same level of perform- them now but both sides will still very well in the AFC Champions ance when we take on Wakrah on be looking to win the match and League this season,” he said. Friday.” end the domestic season well. Al Fernandez ended the press Meanwhile, Al Wakrah are Khor defeated us earlier in the conference stating his aims for set to end the campaign at the season 2-1 and we will be aim- the remainder of the season. bottom of the QSL standings, ing to avenge this defeat,” said “Now we are safe, we will use and will be targeting a morale- Laurdup. this match as preparation for the boosting win ahead of the new “We have not won our last Emir Cup. We defeated Al Rayy- season in the second two games, but we have played an last time in the league and we division. well against Al Arabi and Perse- are aiming to beat them again, Blue Waves boss Kais Yaak- polis (in the ACL). Now we need which will be a real achievement oubi said: “This weekend’s match to keep up the momentum go- for my side,” added the French is preparation for the Emir Cup ing into tough games in the Qa- coach. Al Rayyan coach Michael Laudrup (R) addresses media yesterday. now. It’s been a tough campaign tar Cup and AFC Champions Meanwhile, Al Sailiya take on overall. Now that our fate is con- league,” added the Danish coach. already-relegated Al Wakrah nothing for granted despite the match against Al Wakrah, a side dangerous side. They showed “We lost 24 points against the fi rmed we have to push on till the Laudrup said there will be a with an opportunity to end their fact that Wakrah have been rel- who has been relegated already. this when they played against sides around us in the league, end of the season. Then we will few changes in the team. “Se- season on a high. Peregrines egated. However they will now be with- Umm Salal last weekend,” said and this will need to be improved discuss my future with the club bastian (Soria) will be absent coach Sami Trabelsi was taking “We are now focusing on this out any pressure and will be a Trablesi. drastically next season. I am not administration.”