Xavi to Begin Coaching Career with Al Sadd

Home , Al Sadd SC, Frenkie de Jong

SPORT Wednesday 29 May 2019 PAGE | 20 PAGE | 22 Osaka and Neymar loses Zverev avoid Brazil’s captaincy upsets at to Alves ahead of Roland Garros Copa America Xavi to begin coaching career with Al Sadd FAWADFA HUSSAIN “I can tell you one thing, that THET PENINSULA Xavi will turn into an excellent coach just he was excellent on ThereT is good the pitch. He will be a world class newsn for Al coach,” Ferreira said recently. My philosophy as a I can tell you one thing, SSadd fans. The first assignment for the that Xavi will turn into FFootball coach reflects the World Cup winning legend will an excellent coach just lelegend Xavi style we developed be to supervise Al Sadd’s pre- HernandezHernerr an is not season training camp in Girona, he was excellent on the for many years under goinggogoigoing g anyana ywy wherew and will 100 kms away from the city of pitchpitch.. He will be a worlworldd remainremam in atat ththe Jassim Bin the influence of Barcelona, from July 14-29. cclasslass coach: Outgoing HamadHamaH maad Stadium.Stadiu Johan Cruyff and La In his 4th and final year in Al AfterAfteteer hhihissss susuccessful stint Sadd jersey, Xavi played a crucial AAll Sadd asas a plplaplayeryyerer with ‘The Wolves’, Masia, and that has role in Al Sadd’s successful mmanageranager theth formerformormor er Spain Spainain anda Barcelona its greatest exponent season leading them to Amir Cup JesualJesualdodo captaincacaptcapc aain will taketakake over as head in the way of playing final and the pre-quarter-finals coachccocoachoh of All Saddd fromf the next of AFC Champions League, FeFerreirarreira seasonseaseaseae on – hiss firstfifir job as a football in Barcelona: besides the QSL title. Under Xavi, tactician.tactactaac iciaicciaian.. Xavi Hernandez Al Sadd earned plenty of “Al“A“ SSadd SSC iis pleased to impressive results as they set announceanannonnon uunce thatthah t theirt former many records in the last season. captaincacaptaptptaain XaXavXaviavavi HerHernandeznan will take the legend said: “My philosophy They registered the biggest overoveove ass thet e headheead coach of the as a coach reflects the style we margin of victory when they beat firstfifirirrrst team,teaam,m fromf m thet beginning of developed for many years under Al Arabi 10-1 in Week 2 of the QSL. thethhhe 2019-20200190 -20-2 season,”sseas Al Sadd, the influence of Johan Cruyff and Al Sadd also had the most Qatar’sQataQ ar’ss footballfootf b giants La Masia, and that has its greatest number of wins (18) and scored announcedannouncununcced yesterday.yyestester exponent in the way of playing the most number of goals (100). TheT e SpaSpaniardaaniardardd will replace football in Barcelona.” They had the least number of PortuguesePortP tuugueuguu sse coachcoaacha Jesualdo Fer- “What I have achieved in the defeats (just the loss to Al Ahli in Among others who excelled, reira,reireire a,aw w whoho gguideduideiidideded the team to last two decades has been a priv- the first leg) and conceded the Xavi continued his good form QNBQNB StarStStarsars LeLLeagueaguu (QSL) title- ilege.Therefore, I believe it is my least number of goals (22), after and sprayed crucial passes time triumphtriutrittrriummppph inn thethe llastasta season. Xavi, duty to take the initiative off the runners-up Al Duhail (17). and again. a WWorldWorrlrldl Cup winnerwinwin in 2010, field and return through football In the process, they became Xavi’s first challenge with Al wonwwooon eighteighght LLa LigaLigigga titlest and four whenever possible,” Xavi said. the first team in the history of Sadd next season will be to coach ChampionsChamChaChC pioono s LeagueLeagugug trophies at Veteran coach Ferreira has Qatar league to complete a them against Al Duhail when the Barcelona.BarcBararccelona. backed Xavi as a coach, saying century of goals scored from 22 two Qatari sides will square off Inn a ststastatementtememmment following his like his playing career, he has a matches, with an average of 4.5 in the pre-quarter-finals of AFC announcementannoounceunu mentme asa a head coach, bright future in a coaching career. goals per game. Champions League in August. WEDNESDAY 29 MAY 2019 SPORT 20 What I have achieved in the last two decades has been a privilege. FIFA U-20 WORLD CUP IN POLAND Therefore, I believe it is my duty to take Spanish legend (Kickoff at 19:00 Qatar time) (Kickoff at 21:30) the initiative off the field and return Xavi Hernandez Group B: Ecuador vs Mexico Group A: Colombia vs Tahiti

through football whenever possible. ACTION Group B: Italy vs Japan Group A: Senegal vs Poland TODAY’S MLB All-Star balloting opens

AGENCIES CLEVELAND

Election season for baseball’s All-Star Game opened Tuesday with a new format and a new online voting method. Fans now will vote twice for the All-Star starters. The first part of the process, called The Primary, features a Japan’s Naomi full ballot of players nominated by their teams and is open Osaka in action through June 21 at 4 p.m. Balloting began at 2 p.m. ET during her yesterday. French Open ﬁrst Fans choose their favorites, with the top three at each round match position (nine outfielders per league) moving on to the against Slovakia’s final round, called The Starters Election. Voting in that Anna Karolina phase runs for 28 hours, beginning June 26 at noon ET. Schmiedlova at Major League Baseball has teamed with Google for Roland Garros the balloting process, and fans have two ways to vote. in Paris, France, They can do so on MLB platforms, including MLB.com, yesterday. all team sites and MLB apps, or on Google’s search function (available in the US and Canada only) by entering the word “Vote” and following that by a player’s name, such as “Vote Bryce Harper.” There are limits on how many times per day fans may vote. Osaka and Zverev avoid The finalists from The Primary will be announced June 21 during the game between the Houston Astros and New York Yankees on MLB Network. The Starters Election upsets at Roland Garros winners will be unveiled June 27 at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN.

AFP FRENCH OPEN: qualifier Mikael Ymer, the world FRENCH OPEN RESULTS NBA Finals: PARIS TODAY’S ORDER OF PLAY number 148 of Ethiopian origin, who marked his Grand Slam debut Men: First Round Japan’s Naomi Osaka battled back Order of play on the main showcourts on the with a 6-0, 6-3, 7-6 (7/5) win over Fabio Fognini (ITA x9) bt Andreas Seppi (ITA) Durant might from a set and a break down to fourth day of the French Open today. Slovenia’s Blaz Rola. 6-3, 6-0, 3-6, 6-3 reach the Roland Garros second (Play begins at 0900 GMT, prefix number Argentine eighth seed Juan Federico Del Bonis (ARG) bt Guillermo García- round yesterday while Grand Slam denotes seeding): Martin del Potro, a semi-finalist in López (ESP) 6-1, 3-6, 6-3, 6-2 play in Toronto under-achiever Alexander Zverev 2009 and 2018, made the second Taylor Fritz (USA) bt Bernard Tomic (AUS) 6-1, needed four hours to get through COURT PHILIPPE-CHATRIER round with a 3-6, 6-2, 6-1, 6-4 win 6-4, 6-1 AGENCIES his opener. 7-Sloane Stephens vs Sara Sorribes Tormo over Chilean world number 58 Roberto Bautista Agut (ESP x18) bt Steve TORONTO Top seed Osaka, bidding to add 7-Kei Nishikori vs Jo-Wilfried Tsonga Nicolas Jarry. Johnson (USA) 6-3, 6-4, 6-2 the French Open to her US and Aus- Oscar Otte vs 3-Roger Federer Next up for the giant Argentine Dusan Lajovic (SRB x30) bt Thiago Monteiro Golden State forward Kevin Durant (pictured) tralian Open titles, defeated Slova- Viktoria Kuzmova vs 4-Kiki Bertens is a clash against Japan’s Yoshihito (BRA) 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 reportedly is traveling with the team to Toronto, indi- COURT SUZANNE-LENGLEN kia’s Anna Karolina Schmiedlova Nishioka. Elliot Benchetrit (FRA) bt Cameron Norrie (GBR) cating he could return from his calf injury for Game 2 Kateryna Kozlova vs 9-Elina Svitolina 0-6, 7-6 (7/4), 6-1. Canada’s Bianca Andreescu, the 6-3, 6-0, 6-2 of the NBA Finals on Sunday. Yannick Maden vs 2-Rafa Nadal However, she came within a surprise champion at Indian Wells, Mikael Ymer (SWE) bt Blaz Rola (SLO) 6-0, The Warriors have ruled the two-time Finals MVP 31-Petra Martic vs Kristina Mladenovic whisker of becoming only the marked her Roland Garros debut 6-3, 7-6 (7/5) out for Thursday night’s series opener against the second top seed to lose in the first Benoit Paire vs Pierre-Hugues Herbert by beating Marie Bouzkova of the Raptors. Alexander Zverev (GER x5) bt John Millman round in Paris in the modern era COURT SIMONNE-MATHIEU Czech Republic 5-7, 6-4, 6-4. “KD’s not playing Game 1. I think we already (AUS) 7-6 (7/4), 6-3, 2-6, 6-7 (5/7), 6-3 after Angelique Kerber in 2017. 6-Stefanos Tsitsipas vs Hugo Dellien The 18-year-old, playing for the announced that,” coach Steve Kerr said Monday after Kyle Edmund (GBR x28) bt Jeremy Chardy “I was really close, so it hurts I Kristina Kucova vs 2-Karolina Pliskova first time since Miami after suffering practice. “We’ll see where it goes from here. This is (FRA) 7-6 (7/1), 5-7, 6-4, 4-6, 7-5 lost so many chances,” said Grigor Dimitrov vs 11-Marin Cilic a shoulder injury, hit 58 winners where the fact that there’s a lot of days in between Schmiedlova. 15-Belinda Bencic vs Laura Siegemund and 60 unforced errors. Fernando Verdasco (ESP x23) bt Dan Evans games during the Finals helps us, so we’ll see.” “Maybe I felt like it was against Ivo Karlovic made a mockery (GBR) 6-3, 6-7 (4/7), 6-3, 6-2 Citing a league source, Yahoo Sports reported yes- the world number one. It was not of his 40 years to beat relative Karen Khachanov (RUS x10) bt Cedrik-Marcel terday that the 30-year-old30 year old Durant will accompany easy in my head.” 6-3, 2-6, 6-7 (5/7), 6-3 in a shade spring chicken, 37-year-old Feli- Stebe (GER) 6-1, 6-1, 6-4 the teamam to TToronto.oronto. World number 90 Schmiedlova, over four hours. The champion in ciano Lopez, in the oldest ever Grégoire Barrère (FRA) bt Matthew Ebden Thee 10-time AAll-Starll-Star who hadn’t won a match at the Geneva last weekend fired 57 men’s match-up at Roland Garros. (AUS) 6-3, 5-7, 7-5, 6-1 injuredd hhisis rigrightht cacalflf onon tournament since 2014, twice winners past world number 56 Croatian Karlovic, the tallest Lucas Pouille (FRA x22) bt Simone Bolelli (ITA) May 8 dduringuring Game 5 ooff served for victory in the 10th and Millman who stunned Roger player on the tour at 6ft 11in (2.11m), 6-3, 6-4, 7-5 the WesteWesternrn CoCon-n- 12th games of the second set. Federer at the US Open last year. defeated Lopez 7-6 (7/4), 7-5, 6-7 Jordan Thompson (AUS) bt Alejandro Davi- ferencece sesemifinalsmifinals At one stage, she was just two However, he also committed 73 (7/9), 7-5. dovich (ESP) 6-3, 6-2, 7-6 (7/3) againstst the Houston points away from a famous victory. unforced errors on a blustery day He is the oldest man to win a Ivo Karlovic (CRO) bt Feliciano Lopez (ESP) 7-6 Rockets.ts. He missedmissed thethe But Osaka, who had arrived in in the French capital. Grand Slam match since Ken (7/4), 7-5, 6-7 (7/9), 7-5 entire ffour-gameour-game sweep Paris still feeling the effects of a Next up for Zverev is Swedish Rosewall in 1978. Yoshihito Nishioka (JPN) bt Mackenzie of thee PortlandPortland TraiTraill hand injury suffered in Rome, McDonald (USA) 6-7 (7/9), 6-0, 4-6, 6-2, 6-3 Blazerss in tthehe West ffinals.inals. battled back to set-up a second Juan Martín Del Potro (ARG x8) bt Nicolás Jarry Duranturant has averagedaveraged round duel with former world (CHI) 3-6, 6-2, 6-1, 6-4 34.2 points, 5.2 number one and two-time major reboundsnds aandnd 44.9.9 winner Victoria Azarenka. Women: First Round assistss in 11 Osaka was broken three times Naomi Osaka (JPN x1) bt Anna Karolína gamess thisthis in the opening set, losing it in just Schmiedlová (SVK) 0-6, 7-6 (7/4), 6-1 posts-s - 20 minutes. Victoria Azarenka (BLR) bt Jelena Ostapenko eason. The 21-year-old hit 13 unforced (LAT) 6-4, 7-6 (7/4) errors while the Slovakian didn’t Caroline Garcia (FRA x24) bt Mona Barthel need to hit a single winner. (GER) 6-2, 6-4 Former top 30 player Anna Blinkova (RUS) bt Margarita Gasparyan Schmiedlova failed to serve out the (RUS) 6-3, 4-6, 8-6 Duke’s Bolden to tie at 5-4 and 6-5 in the second set. Priscilla Hon (AUS) bt Tímea Babos (HUN) 3-6, That was the cue for Osaka to 6-2, 6-1 illustrate the gap of 89 places stay in NBA draft Madison Keys (USA x14) bt Evgeniya Rodina between her and the slender blonde (RUS) 6-1, 6-2 in the world rankings. AGENCIES She broke three times in the Kurumi Nara (JPN) bt Dalila Jakupovic (SLO) DALLAS, TEXAS 25-minute final set to extend her 7-5, 5-7, 6-3 streak at the Slams to 15 successive Bianca Andreescu (CAN x22) bt Marie Duke centre Marques Bolden will keep his name in the wins. Osaka ended the match with Bouzková (CZE) 5-7, 6-4, 6-4 2019 NBA Draft, leaving the Blue Devils with a year of 10 aces, 36 winners and 38 unforced Magda Linette (POL) bt Chloé Paquet (FRA) eligibility remaining. errors with just four of those coming 3-6, 6-1, 6-2 Chris Haynes of Yahoo Sports announced Bolden has in the decider. Aleksandra Krunic (SRB) bt Daria Gavrilova signed with an agent. Azarenka, a semi-finalist in (AUS) 6-3, 2-2 - retired Overshadowed by freshman teammates Zion Wil- 2013, reached the second round for Lesya Tsurenko (UKR x27) bt Eugénie Bou- liamson, RJ Barrett and Cam Reddish, Bolden appeared the first time since 2015 with a 6-4, chard (CAN) 6-2, 6-2 in 35 games (21 starts) for the Blue Devils, averaging 5.3 7-6 (7/4) win over 2017 champion Daria Kasatkina (RUS x21) bt Jasmine Paolini points, 4.5 rebounds and 1.7 blocks in 19 minutes. Jelena Ostapenko. (ITA) 6-2, 6-3 Players have until tonight to finalize their draft plans. World number 43 Azarenka tri- Mónica Puig (PUR) bt Kirsten Flipkens (BEL) Those who stay in the draft but are not selected cannot umphed in a match punctuated by 6-1, 7-5 return to play in college. 13 breaks of serve and 60 unforced Wang Qiang (CHN x16) bt Saisai Zheng (CHN) Duke’s Javin DeLaurier will return to Durham, N.C. errors by Ostapenko who hasn’t Germany’s Alexander 6-1, 7-5 for his senior season, per Jeff Goodman of Stadium. won a match at the tournament in Zverev hits a return to Aryna Sabalenka (BLR x11) bt Dominika In the 2018-19 season, DeLaurier averaged 3.8 points her last two visits. Australia’s John Millman Cibulkova (SVK) 7-5, 6-1 and 4.4 rebounds in 16.3 minutes per game. He appeared German fifth seed Zverev, a during his ﬁrst round Amanda Anisimova (USA) bt Harmony Tan in 38 games, starting 16. quarter-finalist in 2018, battled past match yesterday. (FRA) 6-3, 6-1 LSU guards Marlon Taylor and Skylar Mays will return Australia’s John Millman 7-6 (7/4), to the Tigers, according to Jon Rothstein of CBS Sports. WEDNESDAY 29 MAY 2019 SPORT 21

SL’s Malinga West Indies, India post impressive warm-up wins helps Stoinis with art of slower ball

IANS SOUTHAMPTON

Sri Lanka’s pace veteran Lasith Malinga said he is ready to help anyone on how to bowl the slower delivery, after he was seen sharing tips with Australian all-rounder Marcus Stoinis after their warm-up tie here. On Monday, Sri Lanka lost to the Aussies by five wickets in their final warm up game ahead of the World Cup which begins in this part of the world from May 30. But what caught eve- rybody’s eye was Malinga West Indies players celebrate a wicket during their ICC World Cup warm-up match against New Zealand in Bristol, yesterday. West Indies posted an incredible total of 421 sharing tips with Stoinis as their batsmen put on a superb display of power-hitting in a 91-run victory over New Zealand. Shai Hope continued his fine run of form as he finished with an 86-ball 101 about how to send down a with nine fours and four sixes, while Andre Russell lived up to his big-hitting reputation with a breezy 25-ball 54 as they sent a warning to Pakistan ahead of their World slower ball. Cup opener on May 31. RIGHT: India’s MS Dhoni in action against Bangladesh during their warm-up tie in Cardiff, yesterday. India eased to a 95-run victory after centuries “Variations is very from Lokesh Rahul (108) and Dhoni (113) helped them post a mammoth total of 359. Indian skipper Virat Kohli scored 47 off 46 balls with five boundaries before Rahul important in the short- and Dhoni added 164 runs in a fifth-wicket stand. format game. During IPL also he (Stoinis) had wanted to know how I bowl (it),” Malinga was quoted as saying by the ICC website. “I wanted to give him Steyn ruled out of SA’s World tips - that’s how cricket moves forward. Whoever wants to know, I will help them. I’ll share tricks on how to bowl slow balls, Cup opener against England which situation you will use it, why you want to use AFP The 35-year-old suffered “He’s fresh and he’s obvi- Dale Steyn the slow one,” the 35-year LONDON the injury during the ously talented and he’s got a lot old said. Indian Premier League of pace and he’s from Barbados, Malinga is one of the Dale Steyn has been ruled out of and will not be risked at so I’m glad that they picked him,” great exponents of the South Africa’s World Cup opener Gibson, also a former England the Oval but South Africa slower ball and has against England tomorrow, with bowling coach, told reporters unleashed it on many Proteas head coach Ottis Gibson hope to have him back in yesterday. occasions to snare wickets. confirming the paceman has time to face Bangladesh Archer’s ability to bowl at Recently, he was seen failed to shrug off a shoulder in their second match on speeds of 90 mph, allied to a bowling the last over of the injury. Sunday. variety of alternative deliveries Indian Premier League The 35-year-old suffered the including a slower ball, has seen final, pulling off a injury during the Indian Premier the 24-year-old make a name remarkable one-run League and will not be risked at are one of several sides in form. for himself on the Twenty20 victory for Mumbai Indians the Oval but South Africa hope They won their first franchise circuit. after backing himself to to have him back in time to face warm-up match against Sri “He’s a very good kid,” bowl the slower ball as his Bangladesh in their second Lanka by 87 runs before making Gibson said Tuesday. final delivery against match on Sunday. a strong start to their second “I’ve known him from Bar- Chennai Super Kings. Steyn’s fellow fast bowler against the West Indies, only for bados when he was a youngster “Skill comes first, then Kagiso Rabada was declared fit rain to cut the match short. growing up there, so I’m really you have to analyse the after a back injury, leaving Meanwhile, South Africa pleased for him. game. That’s two things a Gibson with just one seamer spot coach Gibson wants England fast “He’s got a lot of talent, so bowler needs to (do well),” to fill alongside the 24-year-old bowler Jofra Archer to have a he’s bringing that. He’s bringing he said. and Lungi Ngidi. good World Cup -- but only after pace; he bowls quickly. And he’s Malinga further said “Dale is not quite ready yet,” the Proteas have played the hosts a match-winner. So hopefully he Jasprit Bumrah and Kagiso said Gibson yesterday. in tournament opener at the won’t have much of a say in this Rabada are currently the “He is not far away but he is Oval. game, but then he’ll have a really best among the fast not ready yet. We think with a Former West Indies fast good tournament once this game bowlers.bowlers. six-week tournament there is no bowler Gibson, like Archer, was is over.” real need to force the issue so he born in Barbados. Asked if Archer had been “on Lasith Malinga won’t be available. Gibson had a chance to his radar” when he was coach of “We know he is close and is observe the then teenage the West Indies, Gibson replied: getting closer every day. We will Archer’s progress when he “He was only about 16 when I give him as much time as he returned to the Caribbean as was there, so he wasn’t on my needs to get ready. I am trying coach of the West Indies in 2010. radar. to give a date but we are hoping Archer, whose father is “But it’s well-documented if not Sunday, then certainly by English, was included in the host that they didn’t pick him for the India (next Wednesday).” country’s World Cup squad on Under-19s and then he chose a Hosts England are top of the the back of just three one-day different path. one-day international rankings international appearances after “I’m really happy for him... I and are favourites to win their completing a three-year quali- know that he’s a good boy and I first World Cup but South Africa fication period in March. wish him well.” Khawaja causes selection headache for Australia

REUTERS Australia’s Usman Khawaja bats during in one-day cricket,” Khawaja Afghanistan, Khawaja said the LONDON the 2019 World Cup warm up match told reporters. side were confident they could against England in Southampton on “(But) I wasn’t thinking about go on and secure Australia’s sixth Usman Khawaja has provided Saturday. securing an opening berth,” he World Cup title after they have Australia coach Justin Langer said of Monday’s innings where turned the side’s fortunes around with a selection headache ahead he rotated the strike and kept the in the last three months. of the defending champion’s scoreboard ticking over. They have won their last Cricket World Cup opener on “It’s about winning games eight official one-day interna- Saturday against Afghanistan and doing the best for the team.” tional matches, which includes with another strong outing in Khawaja’s innings -- he hit only series victories in India and the their final warmup match. three boundaries in his 105-ball UAE against Pakistan. The left-hander, batting in knock -- was impressive given Prior to the start of that his preferred opening position, he had sustained a painful blow winning run at Ranchi in early anchored Australia’s five-wicket to the inside of his knee while March, the team had lost 15 of victory with the top score of 89 fielding. their previous 18 ODIs and against Sri Lanka. “It’s sore,” said Khawaja, who Khawaja said he knew which Langer now has the unen- also had retired hurt against result he preferred. viable task of trying to decide the West Indies last week after being “I know what it feels like makeup of his batting lineup for struck in the head by an Andre when you’re losing and I know their first game in Bristol, with Russell bouncer. what it’s like when winning, it’s captain Aaron Finch and the “I was told to stay down but obvious which one you want,” recalled David Warner also in the I thought I wasn’t going to do he said. mix to open the innings. that, so I tried to get up and my “Winning is a habit, we say Khawaja, who only returned knee just collapsed underneath that a lot among the team. We to the one-day side earlier this me. want to keep that going, we year after a two-year absence, above his career average of and his scintillating form in the Khawaja does not care where he “I iced it for about 25 minutes might have lost that before, but has prospered upon his recall 44.21. Indian Premier League, where bats. and (there is) nothing structurally we might have found that again and scored 655 runs in 10 Warner’s return from a he was the top run scorer, has “I do love opening, that’s wrong.” Whatever lineup Langer heading into the World Cup,” he innings as an opener, well 12-month ban for ball tampering complicated the equation but where I’ve batted my whole life chooses to send out against added. 22 SPORT WEDNESDAY 29 MAY 2019

beIN Sports to Brazil’s Neymar takes part in a training session of the national Record host Wenger, team at the Granja Comary Sport Complex in Teresopolis, security for Mourinho for Brazil, on Sunday. Madrid final CL final on June 1 THE PENINSULA REUTERS MADRID Football greats Jose Mourinho and Arsene Wenger will join beIN Sports, Madrid will deploy a record the global sports broadcaster, this number of police and security Saturday as part of the UEFA Cham- personnel for Saturday’s all- pions League Final coverage, which English Champions League final, viewers across the Middle East and barring trucks and using drones North Africa (MENA) can enjoy exclu- to counter a high threat of terror sively on the leading sports channel. and prevent any fan trouble, In their first TV appearance ever officials said yesterday. together, the former Chelsea and Madrid authorities expect Manchester United manager will around 67,800 fans to attend the discuss various exciting topics clash between Tottenham alongside former Arsenal manager Hotspur and Liverpool at the and other expert analysts exclusively Wanda Metropolitano Stadium. covering the highly anticipated game: Some 4,700 police, aided by The UEFA Champions League Final, drones to help coordination, will Liverpool vs Tottenham Hotspur, on keep watch over what the Saturday 1st June at 22:00 Mecca authorities deemed as a “high Time (GMT+3) on beIN Sports risk” event. They will be rein- HD1,2,3,4 for the Arabic studio, beIN forced by civil protection, fire Sports HD11 for the English studio, corps and other personnel, alto- beIN Sports HD14 for French gether representing the largest commentary and beIN 4K. security operation for any From the famous touchline bust-up sporting event in the city. to press conference disagreements, Heavy vehicles will be both Arsene Wenger and Jose barred from driving near the Mourinho will light up the beIN Neymar loses Brazil’s stadium and designated fan Sports studio with fascinating discus- zones for 24 hours starting at sions, heated opinions and world 0800 local time on Saturday. class analysis of the best football The level of anti-terrorism competition Europe and the world alert in Spain is four on a scale has to offer. captaincy to Alves of five, which implies a high risk Yousef Al Obaidly, Chief Executive of an attack. Officer at beIN Media Group said: “Security forces and corps “We are thrilled to be hosting two of REUTERS Daniel Alves will be captain of Tite informed him on Saturday that have done an enormous, the all-time greats in the world of RIO DE JANEIRO the Brazilian national team in he would not captain Brazil at the Copa exhaustive and excellent job so football. For the first time in sports the friendly matches against America, the CBF said. that we can all enjoy (the Neymar has been replaced as captain Meanwhile, Atletico Madrid have TV broadcasting, both Arsene Qatar and Honduras and in match),” Maria Paz Garcia-Vera, Wenger and Jose Mourinho will be of the Brazil national team for next agreed to buy 30-year-old central representative of the Madrid live in one studio, covering the month’s Copa America by Paris St Copa America Brazil 2019, defender Felipe, the Brazilian’s current regional government, told a biggest European football compe- Germain team-mate Dani Alves, the says a CBF statement club Porto announced. media briefing yesterday. tition and sharing fascinating stories country’s football federation (CBF) has In a statement released to the She said it was important to from their illustrious careers. As a said. Lisbon stock exchange late Monday, separate the fans of each team pioneering global sports broadcaster, The Copa America will be played last of which was a 1-0 friendly victory Porto said that Atletico had agreed to at all times. Fans will therefore beIN Sports will continue to make from June 14 to July 7, with hosts over Germany in 2018. pay €20m ($22.4m) for Felipe Augusto arrive at different airport ter- history by providing the best content Brazil, who have not won the title since Brazil coach Tite had named de Almeida Monteiro who joined Porto minals and take different metro coupled with the expertise of the 2007, taking on Bolivia in the opening Neymar permanent captain a few from Corinthians of Sao Paulo in June lines to the stadium from their greatest analysts for its viewers match in Sao Paulo before facing Ven- months after Brazil’s World Cup 2016, just after winning his solitary separate meeting places in the around the world”. ezuela and Peru. quarter-final exit at the hands of Brazil cap. city - the Colon Square for Spurs Both managers have previously “Daniel Alves will be captain of the Belgium last year, but has been under This summer, Atletico Madrid have fans, and the Felipe II Square for featured separately on beIN Sports Brazilian national team in the friendly pressure to replace the 27-year-old lost their captain, the 33-year-old Uru- Liverpool supporters. and drew huge audiences across the matches against Qatar and Honduras due to his disciplinary issues. guayan centre back Diego Godin, who Police Director Francisco Middle East and North Africa region, and in Copa America Brazil 2019,” the Neymar was banned for three said he was quitting the club after nine Pardo said aerial control of the and also internationally on social CBF said in a statement. matches by the French football author- seasons. surroundings and coordination media, as fans tuned-in to see the Right back Alves, who has 138 caps ities earlier this month for hitting a fan Porto announced in mid-March that in real time via a drone was this best football managers in history for Brazil, was informed of his new role after PSG’s French Cup final loss to they had agreed to sell another Bra- year’s novelty. In a joint effort discuss the English Premier League, on Sunday. Stade Rennes, and was also reportedly zilian central defender, Eder Militao, a with UEFA, Spanish police will the UEFA Champions League, the The 36-year-old has captained his involved in a dressing fracas with his 21-year-old with two international also launch the so-called Fan AFC Asian Cup and other major tour- country on four previous occasions, the PSG team-mates. caps, to Real Madrid for €50m. Information Teams to advise fans. naments. AC Milan coach Gattuso leaves after Ajax success a boost for Dutch chances in missing out on Champions League Nations League, says REUTERS AC Milan’s Italian coach Gennaro case against Milan for again MILAN Gattuso gestures during the Italian allegedly failing to comply with coach Koeman Serie A match against Parma, in the rule in its most recent mon- AC Milan coach Gennaro Gattuso this December 2, 2018 file photo. itoring period. REUTERS parted company with the club Gattuso led Milan to sixth AMSTERDAM yesterday, two days after his place in Serie A last season and team narrowly missed out on the Coppa Italia final, where they Ajax Amsterdam’s unexpected qualifying for next season’s lost 4-0 to Juventus. This season run to the Champions League Champions League to extend they were beaten by Lazio in the semi-finals could prove a their absence from the compe- Coppa Italia semi-finals and major boost for the Nether- tition to six seasons. were knocked out of the Europa lands national team as they Milan confirmed in a League in the group stage. attempt to win the Nations statement that the 41-year-old, They finished fifth in Serie A, League next month, coach a combative former midfielder one point and one place outside Ronald Koeman (pictured) who spent 13 seasons of his the top four who qualified for the said yesterday. playing career at the club, had Champions League. “A season like Ajax have left with two years to run on his AC Milan averaged 1.81 just had is priceless for the contract. points per game in Serie A under development of players,” he “AC Milan announces Gattuso, less only than Juventus said of the club’s exploits in the Champions League, where they let Gennaro Gattuso will leave his (2.44), champions for the last two a place in the final slip in the last minute of their semi-final tie against role as the club’s first team seasons, and Napoli (2.13), Tottenham Hotspur, plus their domestic league and cup double. manager by mutual agreement runners-up for the last two “Donny van de Beek is the best example of that. He has come with immediate effect,” said the seasons, over the same period. on such that he is knocking on the door of selection, much louder statement. Overall, he was in charge for than before.” “A true Rossoneri (red and 82 matches in all competitions Van de Beek is one of four Ajax players in the Dutch squad for black) legend, Gennaro stepped with 40 wins, 22 draws and 20 the Nations League, where the Dutch meet England in the semi- into the role during what was a defeats. final in Guimaraes on June 6. difficult period for the club and has The club also announced that participation and television Observers felt that he did the In the last outing for the Dutch against Germany in March, performed admirably, securing its sporting director, former rights. best with an unbalanced squad Koeman picked a midfield with Frenkie de Jong, Georginio the club’s highest league points Brazil international Leonardo Last June, UEFA handed which had been cobbled together Wijnaldum and Marten de Roon, while the 22-year-old Van de Beek total since 2012/13.” Araujo, had resigned. Milan a one-season ban from and there was more to his team was an unused substitute. Gattuso took charge of Milan, European competition for failing than merely the grit and deter- Koeman said he was pleased with the Nations League prepa- Milan confirm in a his first job coaching a Serie A to comply with its breakeven mination he was associated with rations despite it coming at the end of a long and arduous season statement that the side, in November 2017. Since rule known as Financial Fair as a player. for many. 41-year-old, a combative then, US hedge fund Elliott Man- Play. After Sunday’s 3-2 win at “If I see how they’ve trained, then I can say no-one has held former midfielder who agement has taken control of the Milan won an appeal against SPAL turned out to be in vain, anything back. The spirit in the squad has really grown and players spent 13 seasons of indebted club from Chinese busi- the punishment at the Court of Gattuso said that coaching the really want to be a part of that. That’s been good to see,” he told a nessman Li Yonghong. Arbitration for Sport and, in a team had taken its toll. news conference. his playing career at Failure to qualify for the new ruling in December, was “During this time, I haven’t “The Nations League is not the most important prize that there the club, had left with Champions League is expected given until 2021 by UEFA to slept much and mentally, I’m in is, but it is a trophy nevertheless that we’d like to win. Plus we’ve two years to run on his to cost the club at least €50m comply with the rules or face a pieces,” he said. “Because of my got a chance to play two more good matches.” The winner of the contract. ($55.85m) next season in revenue ban. past, I feel great responsibility in Netherlands versus England faces the winner of the June 5 clash they would have received for In April, UEFA opened a fresh coaching this club.” between hosts Portugal and Switzerland on June 9 in Porto. WEDNESDAY 29 MAY 2019 SPORT 23

Qatari football players U-20 World Cup taking part in a training Qatar gear up for Brazil friendly session in Rio de Janeiro yesterday, ahead of their Soto leads US friendly match against Brazil, which will take to 2-0 win place on June 5. The match serves as preparation over Nigeria ahead of the Copa America, which will commence in AP Brazil on June 14. Asian POLAND champions Qatar will make their Copa America Sebastian Soto scored a pair of debut in Brazil and will goals, and the United States play against former beat Nigeria 2-0 on Monday in FIFA World Cup winners the Under-20 World Cup at Argentina, Colombia Bielsko Biala, Poland, to and Paraguay in Group rebound from an opening loss B at the South American to Ukraine. football blockbuster to be Soto headed in Alex Men- held from June 14-July dez’s corner kick from 5 yards 7. Japan and Qatar are in the 18th minute, getting free the two guest teams in from defender Zulkifilu Rabiu, the 12-team tournament then doubled the lead 25 seconds into the second half. that also features Brazil, Left back Chris Gloster, a Peru, Uruguay, Bolivia, teammate in Hannover’s youth Venezuela, Chile and system, dribbled toward the Ecuador. goal from midfield and passed as Soto burst past defender Valentine Ozornwafor and into the penalty area. Soto ran onto the ball and slotted it past goalkeeper Olawale Oremade with the Europa League: Arsenal aim to outside of his right foot from 6 yards. Soto kicked the ball in off a scramble after Tim Weah’s initial header was saved in the win for missing Mkhitaryan 30th minute, but a video review determined Weah was AFP Arsenal’s Bernd twin challenge. They are seeking offside on the header. BAKU Leno and Matteo their first European trophy in 25 Soto, an 18-year-old Guendouzi during years and also have to win in forward from Carlsbad, Cali- Henrikh Mkhitaryan’s Arsenal a training session order to reach the Champions fornia, left Real Salt Lake’s teammates stated their determi- ahead of today’s League next season after missing youth academy for Hannover nation to win today’s Europa Europa League Final out on a top-four place in the last summer and made his League final against Chelsea in against Chelsea Premier League. In contrast, Bundesliga debut on April 6 in Baku for the absent Armenian at the Arsenal Chelsea have already secured a the first of three substitute star, as Gunners boss Unai Emery Training at Baku return to Europe’s top table. appearances near the end of told his team to focus on winning Olympic Stadium in “We have two targets -- the the season. silverware rather than worrying Baku, Azerbaijan, first and most important is to win Brady Scott had five saves about a possible return to the yesterday. a title,” said Emery, who has in the shutout, diving to his Champions League. already won this competition right in the 39th minute to The build-up to this London three times with Sevilla. parry a volley by Aniekeme derby European final has been “Each title is very important Okon. marred by Mkhitaryan’s decision for a team like Arsenal or Ukraine (2-0) leads Group not to travel for the game because Chelsea, in England and also in D with six points after fol- of fears over his safety due to an Europe.” lowing its opening 2-1 win over ongoing political dispute between Emery’s own desire to win the US with a 1-0 victory over his home country and neigh- this competition for a fourth time Qatar on Monday. bouring Azerbaijan. in six years is understandable, but Nigeria (1-1), which He had already skipped Arse- for Arsenal there is also a need -- defeated Qatar 4-0 in its nal’s trip to the Azeri capital for a financially and in terms of opener, is ahead of the US on group game against Qarabag last prestige -- to return to the Cham- goal difference. The Americans October. pions League after a two-season play Qatar tomorrow, when “He is very important for us, absence. Nigeria meets Ukraine. on the pitch and off the pitch, and “For a club like Arsenal we Elsewhere, in Group E, we want to give him as well a Borussia Dortmund before “We were five or six years he said at yesterday’s pre-match have to be in the Champions France beat Panama 2-0 while trophy tomorrow,” said Granit moving to England last year, together so I know him very well, press conference. It remains to League. It’s an amazing and Saudi Arabia beat Mali. Xhaka, the Swiss midfielder. posted a picture on Twitter earlier we are very good friends. We be seen if Mkhitaryan’s absence important game tomorrow The top two nations in each Greek defender Sokratis Pap- this week of the two in training have to play for him and for the will handicap Arsenal on the field because we want to give us, the of six groups advance along astathopoulos, who previously under the caption “Missing you players who are injured and if we at the Baku Olympic Stadium, as fans and the club the Champions with the top four third-place played with Mkhitaryan at bro”. win this game it is also for them,” the Gunners prepare for a huge League back,” said Xhaka. teams. Kane in England squad for Nations League finals

AFP has not played since suffering Trippier, a full-back, was a semi-final in Guimaraes, LONDON ankle ligament damage in April, member of the England squad northern Portugal, in a week on was retained by the Southgate that made it to the semi-finals Thursday. Harry Kane was included in on the day he insisted he was of last year’s World Cup and was Seven players in Southgate’s England’s 23-man squad for “ready” for Spurs’ clash with an unused substitute in the Euro 23 could potentially be involved next month’s Nations League Liverpool in Saturday’s Cham- 2020 qualifiers against the in both the Champions League finals on Monday but Tottenham pions League final. Czech Republic and Montenegro final in Madrid five days earlier Hotspur team-mates Harry Kane has not played since in March. and the Netherlands match. Winks and Kieran Trippier were suffering the injury in the first Redmond was a surprise “There have been some dif- both left out. leg of Tottenham’s quarter-final inclusion in Southgate’s 27-man ficult decisions to make and we Gareth Southgate, the against Manchester City on April squad, having been overlooked are obviously a little bit compli- England manager, has reduced 9, which was also when Winks since winning his only England cated with so many players his group from the list of 27 he made his last appearance. cap in March 2017, with Ward- involved in the Champions named earlier this month, with Spurs subsequently Prowse making just his second League as well but we are really Southampton’s James Ward- announced Winks had undergone appearance against excited by the squad and the Prowse and Nathan Redmond groin surgery, although the mid- Montenegro. players that are around it,” said also sidelined. fielder said he hoped it was not England face the Nether- Southgate in a statement issued England captain Kane, who the end of his season. lands in their Nations League by the Football Association. Marseille gamble with move for Villas-Boas

AFP recognised at the highest level Redknapp. After 18 months at MARSEILLE in Europe and in the world,” Spurs, Villas-Boas resurfaced at Marseille owner Frank McCourt Zenit St Petersburg in 2014, Fallen French giants Marseille said in a club statement. guiding the club to a Russian appointed former Chelsea and Villas-Boas served as an Premier League title and cup Tottenham boss Andre Villas-Boas assistant to Jose Mourinho before triumph during a two-year spell. (pictured) as the club’s new coach making his name at Porto, where He quit Shanghai SIPG fol- yesterday, marking his return to he won three titles in 2010/11 -- lowing a turbulent 2016/17 cam- Tottenham’s football after 18 months without his only season at the club -- and paign, and took part in last year’s Harry Kane a club. became the youngest coach to Dakar Rally, withdrawing with during a training Villas-Boas, 41, had been out win a UEFA competition, after injury after an early crash. session ahead of of a job since leaving Chinese lifting the Europa League trophy. Villas-Boas will take the Champions side Shanghai SIPG in November His success in his native Por- charge of a Marseille side League ﬁnal at the 2017. He takes over at the Velo- tugal earned him a move to that has missed out on qual- Tottenham Hotspur drome on a two-year deal as the Chelsea, although he lasted just ifying for European football Training Centre in replacement for Rudi Garcia. seven months at Stamford Bridge next season following a fifth- London, Britain, “We are delighted to hire a but he later took over at Tot- placed finish in Ligue 1 this yesterday. coach whose success is tenham as the successor to Harry term.