Villarreal Hulk Rocket Fi Res SIPG It’S Not Only in Front of Goal That Stunning Consolation Goal in a the Qatar International Has 2-1 Defeat to Al Sadd

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SPOTLIGHT EMIR CUP FOOTBALL Qatar’s top female Al Gharafa aim to draw athlete wants to strength from build a legacy their history Mariam Farid: We have to show the younger generation that Arab women in Qatar and across the GCC can do sports and that there are girls from Qatar playing athletics and competing in the Diamond League

Al Gharafa coach Habib Sadeq speaks to the media yesterday. At bottom, Al Sailiya coach Sami Trablesi.

By Sports Reporter Doha

l Gharafa aim to go all the way in the Emir Cup in the hope of erasing their disappointment of fi nishing outside the top fourA in the Qatar Stars League (QSL) earlier in the season. The Cheetahs fi nished their league By Sports Reporter Mariam’s immediate focus is on the going to training every day. I think without their engagements in fi fth place thereby Doha upcoming Doha Diamond League on May support, I wouldn’t be in the national team. My fa- missing out on the four-team Qatar 5 where she will be competing in the 100m ther always says to me, ‘one day you are going to be a Cup and also a direct spot in the quar- and 4x100m relay. The young sprinter and World Champion’ and he motivates me to train and ter-fi nals of the ongoing Emir Cup. ineteen-year-old Mariam Farid is one multiple national record-holder cannot wait to work hard.” But they should face no problems of Qatar’s most promising young female to compete in front of a home crowd amongst An ultimate dream of Mariam’s is to compete in when they clash with Mesaimeer in the athletes with high ambitions of achieving the sport’s global superstars her sport’s biggest event in front of a home crowd third round of Qatar’s most lucrative Nsuccess on the world stage. The full-time when the Doha hosts the World Championships in tournament today. A victory for them they are not short of motivation. They university student and member of Qatar’s national athletics and competing in the Diamond League. Athletics in 2019: “I’m waiting for this day to com- means they will get to challenge the big know Al Gharafa have won the Emir athletics team wants to be an inspiration to young We do train every day, and we work hard to achieve pete in 2019 here in Qatar because it is something I four and potentially deliver them their Cup several times in the past and are females from Qatar and across the region, and to our goals.” worked hard for”. eighth title. keen to give it their best shot,” he add- challenge perceptions of Qatari women’s participa- Mariam’s most recent success came at the GCC Mariam is now a student at Northwestern Univer- Nobody can doubt the Cheetahs’ ed. tion in sports. Women’s Games in Doha, where she claimed silver sity in Doha where she is studying Communications have pedigree. Their seven Emir Cup Meanwhile, Al Sailiya who ended Mariam’s immediate focus is on the upcom- and bronze medals. She feels that the all-female whilst juggling two hours of athletics training every crowns and numerous other domes- their league engagements in eighth ing Doha Diamond League on May 5 where she will event is very important for the region because “it day, except Fridays. tic titles are testimony to the fact that spot, take on Al Khor in the second be competing in the 100m and 4x100m relay. The shows how girls are improving and how their coun- She feels that this is possible thanks to the sup- their legacy in the history of Qatar Emir Cup third round match today. young sprinter and multiple national record-holder tries are empowering them to come and play sport port from both her university and the Qatar Olym- football is secure. Al Sailiya coach Sami Trablesi was cannot wait to compete in front of a home crowd internationally”. pic Committee. “Whenever I have an important But their last Emir Cup success came confi dent ahead of the match saying amongst the sport’s global superstars and believes Whilst not her best result in terms of podium fi n- competition, my university always supports me, in 2012 after which they have gone off his team would do all they could to se- that this will provide an added boost to her per- ishes, Mariam accounts her fourth place fi nish at and whenever I have exams I have the support of the the boil, something they would like to cure qualifi cation to the quarter-fi nals. formance. the 2014 West Asian Championships when she was Olympic Committee”. change this season. “The Emir Cup gives slightly lesser “Participating in front of this huge crowd, in front just 16 as her favourite achievement because “it was Despite the huge pressures that come with such “We have not been winning titles of teams the chance to show their mettle of my people and everyone I know, and in my home a very good result for my age that year and it moti- a gruelling schedule, it has become a “lifestyle” for late but nobody can say we have not against the established sides,” said the country motivates me to run faster and show the vated me to train harder, work harder and do better.” Mariam and she feels that “nothing is hard when you been competitive,” coach Habib Sadeq Tunisian. “Knockout tournaments are best that I can do. It is something I have to be very A highly ambitious athlete, this motivation enjoy doing something”. It is this passion for athlet- said yesterday. like a lottery. Anything can happen on proud of,” she said yesterday. spurred Mariam to dream of one day becoming the ics and her ambitions that drive her daily determi- “We gave everybody a tough fi ght a particular day,” he added. However, for Mariam it is more than just her per- best in the world. “My biggest ambition is to be a nation and commitment. in the Qatar Stars League and with a sonal performance that is important at the Diamond world champion and an Olympic Champion. It is a “What makes me wake up every day and go bit of luck could have fi nished in the Emir Cup third rd. fixtures: League – she also feels that hosting the event in matter of training hard and believing in yourself”. to training is that I have a goal - I want to achieve top four,” he added. Sadeq replaced Today Doha provides an important opportunity to shine a This ambition is supported wholeheartedly by her something and I want to build a legacy. I want to Perdo Caixinha after the Portuguese Al Gharafa vs Messaimeer spotlight on women’s sport in Qatar. family, a factor she sees as crucial to her success and change and improve women’s sport and I want to coach left Al Gharafa for Scottish gi- Al Sailiya vs Al Khor “We have to show the younger generation that something that helps to encourage her to achieve her make Qatar proud. I love athletics because it teaches ants Glasgow Rangers towards the fi nal Tomorrow Arab women in Qatar and across the GCC can do dreams. you to be independent, it improves your self-confi - stages of the Qatar Stars League. Al Kharaitiyat vs Al Ahli sports and that there are girls from Qatar playing “My family is very supportive in athletics and me dence, and it makes you responsible as a person.” “The players are gelling very well, Umm Salal vs Al Shahaniya Gulf Times 2 Thursday, April 27, 2017 FOOTBALL

EPL PREVIEW 10PM Qatar time IN SHORT

Sunderland manager Moyes charged over female reporter ‘slap’ comment Sunderland manager David be found guilty, he is likely to Moyes has been charged after be fined and could be asked to suggesting to a female re- attend an education course. Misfi ring Man City porter she might “get a slap”, Moyes made his remark at the England’s Football Association end of a post-match interview, announced yesterday. but the camera was still rolling Moyes, 54, made the remark, and footage was published for which he has apologised, weeks later by a British news- to BBC reporter Vicki Sparks paper. Having taken exception following Sunderland’s 0-0 to one of Sparks’s questions, draw with Burnley in the Pre- Moyes said: “You were just face rivals United mier League on March 18. getting a wee bit naughty at “David Moyes has been charged the end there, so just watch ‘It is going to be the game of the season. We are one point behind them. If we win we in relation to comments made yourself. You still might get after the game against Burnley a slap, even though you’re a have the chance to finish in the top four. If they win, it is going to be very diff icult’ on 18 March 2017,” the FA said woman. Careful the next time in a statement. “It is alleged you come in.” the Sunderland manager’s Moyes later apologised in a remarks were improper and/ phone call to Sparks, who did or threatening and/or brought not make a complaint. the game into disrepute.” “In the heat of the moment, Moyes, the former Manchester I made a mistake in my com- United manager, has until ments to a BBC reporter, Wednesday next week to re- which I profoundly regret. I spond to the charge. was disappointed with myself Should he admit the charge or for it,” Moyes said.

Barton banned for 18 months over betting Burnley midfielder Joey integrity in question. Barton said he had eff ectively “I accept that I broke the rules been forced into “early retire- governing professional foot- ment” after being banned ballers, but I do feel the pen- for 18 months over betting alty is heavier than it might off ences by England’s Football be for other less controversial Association yesterday. players. Barton, 34, admitted a charge “I have fought addiction to relating to 1,260 bets he gambling and provided the FA placed on football matches with a medical report about over a 10-year period between my problem.” 2006 and 2016. In a statement, the FA said: But he blamed his addiction to “Joey Barton has been sus- gambling and said he would pended from football and all appeal against the length of football activity for 18 months the ban. “I am very disap- with immediate eff ect after he pointed at the harshness of admitted an FA misconduct the sanction,” Barton said in a charge in relation to betting.” lengthy 1,500-word statement The outspoken Barton, on his personal website. whose former clubs include “The decision eff ectively Manchester City, Newcastle forces me into an early retire- United, Marseille and Rangers, ment from playing football. To has also been fined £30,000 be clear from the outset here ($38,490, 35,330 euros) this is not match-fixing and at and warned as to his future no point in any of this is my conduct.

AFC to investigate Guangzhou fans’ ‘British Dogs’ banner in Hong Kong Chinese side Guangzhou Ever- the section where around 700 A combination of file pictures shows Manchester City’s Spanish manager Pep Guardiola (L) and Manchester United’s Portuguese manager Jose Mourinho. grande face an investigation Guangzhou fans were seated. after the club’s fans unfurled a Tensions were high in the run- AFP “Is it make-or-break? Probably. Both the club’s record for the longest unbeaten ter scoring one goal and making the other banner in an Asian Champions up to the game at Mongkok London teams are in a good moment so if one run in a top-fl ight season — a 24-game for Wayne Rooney at Burnley. League match on Tuesday de- Stadium with additional of us wins the game we are not going to sequence enjoyed in 2010-11 by a United Guardiola is praying key duo David scribing Hong Kong’s independ- security measures in place to lose a lot of games or make mistakes after team who fi nished as champions. Silva and Sergio Aguero will be fi t after ence movement as “poison” ensure Guangzhou fans who anchester United manager that. Us or them. It is going to be key.” both were substituted during the 2-1 loss and carrying the words: “An- bought tickets online could Jose Mourinho has an op- Mourinho, Guardiola’s bete noire dur- SILVA, AGUERO CONCERNS to Arsenal at Wembley due to a hamstring nihilate British Dogs”. not be seated with supporters portunity to score a seismic ing their time in Spain, has played down Fatigue aside, the only other dark cloud injury and a dead leg respectively. The Asian Football Confedera- for the home team. victory over his old foe Pep Herrera’s remarks, telling Sky Sports: on United’s horizon is injuries. John Stones, Bacary Sagna and Fern- tion (AFC) said it was looking Hong Kong off icials have been MGuardiola when his side visit misfi ring “He says that because I always say that Marcos Rojo and top scorer Zlatan Ib- andinho are also injury doubts, while it into the incident, which sensitive to any prospect of Manchester City today. about the next match.” rahimovic have both been ruled out for is not clear what role — if any — Gabriel occurred during Guangzhou’s trouble at sporting events Guardiola oversaw a one-sided 2-1 win But the United manager will know that the rest of the season with knee ligament Jesus might be able to play following his 6-0 win over Hong Kong featuring Chinese teams since when he and Mourinho resumed hostili- victory would give United the edge over damage, while Paul Pogba was forced off return from a broken foot. champions Eastern. street protests ground parts of ties in September — each at the helm of a City in the quest for Champions League during Sunday’s 2-0 win at Burnley. Securing a top-four fi nish is Guardi- “The AFC is waiting for the the city to a halt in late 2014. new club — and was generally felt to have qualifi cation. Despite Mourinho’s entreaties for ola’s last chance of salvaging something match commissioner’s report The AFC has been clamping made a bigger impact than the Portu- United have struggled for fl uency this them to play through the pain barrier, from his fi rst season in England and mid- and then the AFC will make a down on political banners and guese in the season’s early months. season, drawing no fewer than 12 games, centre-backs Chris Smalling and Phil fi elder Yaya Toure knows his side face a full assessment of the facts,” a fined Taiwan’s football authori- But having been condemned to a tro- and spent four months grimly locked in Jones are both expected to miss out again, battle. spokesperson for the confed- ties $5,000 in June last year phy-free fi rst season at City by Sunday’s sixth place in the table. along with Juan Mata. “It is going to be diffi cult. It is very eration told Reuters. after fans displayed a banner FA Cup semi-fi nal loss to Arsenal, Guar- As the days grow longer, however, the Mata scored the winner when the tight,” said the Ivorian. The banner, which stated: calling for independence diola will lose his hold on a top-four place prospects of a successful end to the sea- teams met in the League Cup fourth “United are doing well, Arsenal are go- “Annihilate British Dogs, Extin- during an Asian Cup qualify- if United prevail at the Etihad Stadium. son appear to be getting brighter. round in October. ing to have confi dence and Liverpool lost guish Hong Kong Independ- ing match with Cambodia in “It is going to be the game of the sea- United have already won the League Ibrahimovic’s injury, meanwhile, has (against Crystal Palace), but it is not fi n- ence Poison”, was displayed in Kaohsiung. son,” predicted United’s Spanish mid- Cup, face Celta Vigo in the semi-fi nals opened the door for Marcus Rashford, ished yet. This league is going to be very fi elder Ander Herrera. “We are one point of the Europa League and showed in their who netted the game’s only goal when tough. Angers reach ‘dream’ 1st Cup fi nal in 60 years behind them. If we win we have the stunning 2-0 ambush of league leaders United last visited the Etihad in March “It is a very big game, an important chance to fi nish in the top four. If they Chelsea that they are a match for anyone. 2016. game. We have to do the job and we will Angers returned to the French tional.” win, it is going to be very diffi cult. Avoid defeat today and they will equal Anthony Martial will hope to start af- see what can happen.” Cup final for the first time Thomas Mangani opened since their only other ap- the scoring for the hosts at a pearance 60 years ago with packed out Raymond Kopa BOTTOMLINE a 2-0 semi-final victory over stadium seven minutes before Guingamp on Tuesday. half-time. “We had said that getting to Winners in 2009 and 2014, Gu- the final would be a dream ingamp were off ered a lifeline — the key word was turning two minutes from time when that into a reality, and we did Cheikh Ndoye was controver- it with all the emotion and joy sially penalised for a non-ex- Mourinho shuns Ibrahimovic that produces,” said Angers istant handball in the area. coach Stephane Moulin. But goalkeeper Alexandre “And I told the lads tonight Letellier saved Jimmy Briand’s that they knew how to be penalty and Karl Toko Ekambi happy and render others sealed the win in injury time. talk, says injured Pogba out happy — that’s the most won- After losing 6-3 to Toulouse in AFP suggested he will be sidelined for Marcos Rojo also sustained derful thing in life. the 1957 final, Angers will now, Manchester nine to 12 months. a season-ending knee injury “We’ve wiped out 60 years finally, get a second bite at Ibrahimovic himself has al- against Anderlecht and Pogba absence from the French Cup the cherry against either Paris ready publicly stated his deter- has joined Mourinho’s grow- final — that’s pretty excep- Saint-Germain or Monaco. ose Mourinho refused to mination to play again, posting ing injury list after picking up a discuss Zlatan Ibrahimov- a photograph on social media muscular problem. Amsterdam ArenA being renamed aft er Dutch ic’s Manchester United fu- within days of the injury to pro- Pogba limped out of Sunday’s legend Johan Cruyff ture yesterday in the wake claim he would fi ght back. 2-0 win at Burnley and will miss ofJ the Swedish striker’s season- It is a prediction with which Thursday’s trip to the Etihad Sta- Amsterdam’s iconic ArenA football as a player, a football ending knee ligament injury. Mourinho is in wholehearted dium, where victory would take stadium is to be renamed after coach and a benefactor”, the Ibrahimovic, 35, suff ered a se- agreement, even if Ibrahimovic United above City into the Cham- late Dutch footballing great Ajax statement added. rious knee injury in last week’s — who played under the Portu- pions League qualifying places. Johan Cruyff in tribute to His son, Jordi Cruyff , praised Europa League victory over An- guese at Inter Milan — may have “Paul? No,” was Mourinho’s Ajax’s homegrown star. the decision in a message on derlecht and was due to undergo played his last game for United. response when asked about the The stadium will become Twitter. “We’re very happy surgery in the United States this France midfi elder’s chances of known as the Johan Cruyff with this tribute to my father. week. PROBLEMS IN DEFENCE playing. ArenA, Ajax announced late Thanks to all those who made United and Ibrahimovic had “The future is a big surgery, a Pogba’s absence could be a Tuesday after talks with the it possible, particularly Mayor been in talks over extending his long period of recovery,” Mour- major blow to Mourinho, espe- team, the stadium’s board and (Eberhard) Van der Laan.” one-year contract, which ex- inho told reporters at United’s cially as he still has major prob- the city’s mayor and off icials. Having led Ajax to the Euro- pires at the end of the season, but Carrington training base west of lems in defence. “The three sides want to pay pean Cup three times in 1971, Mourinho would not entertain Manchester. After the Burnley win, Mour- worthy tribute to best footballer 1972 and 1973, Cruyff also took questions on the player’s future. “But the future is also in the inho challenged England inter- that Amsterdam and The Neth- the Netherlands to the 1974 “I don’t know, I don’t want to hands of a very strong guy — nationals Chris Smalling and Phil erlands have ever known,” the World Cup final where despite know. I’m not interested in it, I File picture of Manchester United’s French midfielder Paul Pogba. mentally very, very strong — who Jones to hurry back from their in- team said in a statement on losing 2-1 the Dutch won don’t care about it,” said the Unit- wrote immediately on his social juries in time for the derby. what would have been Cruyff ’s admirers the world over. ed manager, who also revealed always be something he really “But now, before such an media that he will stop when he Antonio Valencia, however, is 70th birthday. On last month’s anniversary Paul Pogba will miss today’s derby wants, which is what I was say- important surgery, I think it’s wants, not when people think. in line to return. Cruyff died aged 68 on March of his death, Barcelona where at Manchester City. ing before the injury in the pe- a waste of time to speak about “So it looks to me he will not “Valencia is the only one,” said 24, 2016 after a brief strug- Cruyff was both a player and a “I just want the diffi cult sur- riod of doubts over his future. what next.” give up and will fi ght and I’m re- Mourinho. “We go with what gle with cancer, triggering coach announced that a new gery to go and of course we think “He’s much more important Details of Ibrahimovic’s injury ally pleased with that because we have. We fi ght with what we global mourning for a man stadium for the Barca B team he’s in fabulous hands and (for than myself and what I want, it’s have been scarce, with United that’s the Zlatan I know. “He have. I trust the boys and we go recognised as leaving a huge will be named after him. him to) recover from the injury what he wants. I always want the thus far refusing to even specify fought all his life. That’s what I with everything we have and we footballing legacy. A statue of him will also be to prepare himself mentally for players to be happy, to choose exactly the nature of the liga- told him: ‘You fought all your life go until the last second of the He was “famous across the constructed at the club’s the next step. their future and I think this is ment damage. since you were born, I don’t see a season. We are fi ghters, the boys world for his contribution to Camp Nou stadium. “And I think the next step will what’s going to happen. Early outside estimates have reason for not fi ghting now.’” are fi ghters and we go.” Gulf Times Thursday, April 27, 2017 3 FOOTBALL

SPOTLIGHT REVEAL Infantino confi rms video refereeing at Big psychological 2018 World Cup step, says Conte ‘We reached the final in the FA Cup, which is a great incentive for us. But the other competition, the league, is totally open. But I think we are ready to fight until the end’

AFP London FIFA president Gianni Infantino giving a speech in Santiago. helsea manager Antonio Conte said his side had taken “a big AFP duced to support referees with psychological step” after they Santiago “game-changing” decisions for defeated Southampton 4-2 to the fi rst time in a FIFA compe- moveC seven points clear at the Premier tition at the Club World Cup in League summit. IFA president Gianni In- Japan in December. Chelsea’s recent 2-0 loss at Manches- fantino confi rmed yes- The four areas covered by the ter United allowed closest rivals Totten- terday that video assist- video replay offi cial were goals, ham Hotspur to trim their advantage to ant referees will be used penalties, red cards and cases of four points. Fat next year’s World Cup in Rus- mistaken identity. But they beat Tottenham 4-2 in the sia for the fi rst time. Infantino had already said he FA Cup semi-fi nals on Saturday before “We will use video refereeing wanted video refereeing for the overcoming Southampton by the same at the 2018 World Cup because next World Cup, but that “lit- scoreline on Tuesday to turn up the heat we’ve had nothing but posi- tle hiccups” would have to be on Spurs. tive results so far,” he said at a worked out fi rst. “I think we passed a big, big step,” congress of the South American That included slow decision- Conte told reporters at Stamford Bridge. Football Confederation in San- making by video assistant ref- “A big psychological step after the tiago, Chile. erees, he said at a meeting of the defeat against United. Because against “In 2017, when everyone in International Football Associa- United we lost three points and then you the stadium or at home can see tion Board in March. had to prepare (for) a semi-fi nal against within seconds if the referee But that is only a matter of Tottenham. made a mistake, we can’t have a training, he said at the time. “We reached the fi nal in the FA Cup, situation where the only one who “The referees... will be able to which is a great incentive for us. But the can’t see it is the referee.” take decisions much faster when other competition, the league, is totally Video assistance was intro- they use it more often,” he said. open. But I think we are ready to fi ght until the end. Then we must be proud for our job, for what we are doing this season.” Diego Costa was Chelsea’s match-win- QATAR CUP 2017 ner against Southampton, scoring twice in the second half to take his Premier League Haydos form a boost far picked up 11 clean sheets tally to 51 goals in 85 appearances and end a for Al Sadd this season, and will be eager seven-game scoring drought. to make that number 12 to “It’s normal for the strikers that it is deny El Jaish their second important to score. The goals are their consecutive Qatar Cup crown. life,” said Conte, whose side visit sixth- place Everton on Sunday. Jaish banking on “But, for me, I’ve always said I’ve been Rashidov to fi re pleased with his commitment, his work for the team. He always worked for the team. “Sometimes he was unlucky in dif- ferent circumstances, but I was always confi dent about him. After the Totten- Chelsea manager Antonio Conte applauds fans after his team’s EPL match against Southampton. Qatar international Hassan ham game, I said I’m sure he’s keeping Haydos has been one of Al his goals for the fi nal weeks of the season. biadini’s cross-shot after Chelsea were 10 days prior, and have failed to record a Conte explained he had given club Sadd’s most consistent players “Now he must continue. He’s very im- found wanting at a corner. league victory over any of the teams in captain John Terry a late substitute cam- down the years, and has stood portant for us. His confi dence is very im- But Gary Cahill restored Chelsea’s lead the top six this season. eo to “thank” him, following the centre- out this season in a team full portant for us. He scored two very beauti- in fi rst-half stoppage time, bravely heading But manager Claude Puel, whose side back’s recent announcement that he will of quality. This season, Haydos ful goals, good combination and technique in N’Golo Kante’s deep cross, before Costa remain ninth, drew encouragement from leave the club at the season’s end. has made a total of 19 ap- between him and his teammates.” took centre-stage in the second half. the moments of discomfort the visitors Conte was typically animated on the pearances contributing seven Sardor Rashidov was El Jaish’s Chelsea took a fifth-minute lead on He made it 3-1 eight minutes in, nod- managed to cause Chelsea. touchline, at one point kicking a medi- goals in the league for his side semi-final hero scoring a fine a chilly evening in west London when ding in Fabregas’s cross, and added a late “It was a better performance than cal bag sitting beside the dug-out after that only fell to defeat on one breakaway goal in the last Cesc Fabregas’s incisive pass found coup de grace by drilling home after ex- against Manchester City,” said the Chelsea left Gabbiadini unmarked at a occasion over the course of minute against Lekhwiya to Costa, whose cut-back was swept home changing passes with Hazard and substi- Frenchman, whose team lost to Man- second-half corner. “In this moment I the domestic campaign. give his side a 3-2 win to book by Eden Hazard. tute Pedro. chester United in the League Cup fi nal wanted to kick the ball and I took the bag Al Sadd’s number 10 has their place in their fourth con- Ryan Bertrand, another Chelsea old earlier this year. as a ball,” the Italian explained. thrived on the wing this secutive Qatar Cup final. COUP DE GRACE boy, claimed a consolation with a stop- “But we conceded the goals in bad “Sometimes, believe me, I want to season, and has caused QSL It’s arguably been the Uz- Oriol Romeu, playing against his former page-time header. moments — after fi ve minutes, just be- play. I want to play, to kick the ball. But defenders plenty of problems bekistan international’s best club, levelled mid-way through the fi rst Southampton had been beaten 3-0 by fore half-time, just after half-time. This I know that if I kick the ball, the referee with his direct attacking play. ever season in an El Jaish shirt half when he stabbed home Manolo Gab- Manchester City in their previous game, made the diff erence.” will probably send me off .” Haydos had a major say in his with the former FC Bunyod- side’s progression to the 2017 kor winger scoring 14 goals Qatar Cup final, calmly slotting in the league for Jaish, his LA LIGA AFC CHAMPIONS LEAGUE away Sadd’s second goal of highest ever tally as a profes- the match from the penalty sional. Crucially in the league spot in their 3-2 win over Al Rashidov scored twice against Rayyan. Al Sadd this term, including a Soriano hands Villarreal Hulk rocket fi res SIPG It’s not only in front of goal that stunning consolation goal in a the Qatar international has 2-1 defeat to Al Sadd. impressed, with the 26-year-old It’s not only in front of goal shock win at Atletico into Asia’s last 16 also registering seven assists that the tricky attacker has for his team-mates. This com- impressed, with the 25-year- AFP bination of power and pace, old also registering six assists Shanghai along with an eye for goal could for his team-mates. Combined be crucial as Al Sadd go about with his threat from set pieces to defeat the two-time Qatar and an eye for a spectacular razil forward Hulk scored a Cup winners. goal, the Uzbeki could be a real trademark screamer as Andre It’s also likely that Haydos threat to the Al Sadd defense. Villas-Boas’s Shanghai SIPG will be placed on penalty Rashidov has had a fine beat FC Seoul 4-2 to take their duty again for his side, and season individually and has Bplace in the AFC Champions League last could make another telling certainly realized the potential 16 yesterday. contribution in winning yet an- that El Jaish saw in him in the In a repeat of his spectacular winner other trophy for Al Sadd. Head summer of 2015. Now Jaish’s against the same opposition in February, coach Jesaldo Ferriera will number 10 is primed to make Hulk unleashed a crunching left-foot be hoping his flying winger a real impression for his side, shot which fl ew in for SIPG’s opener on can deliver again on Saturday as Sabri Lamouchi looks to 25 minutes. Shanghai SIPG’s Brazilian forward Hulk evening as Al Sadd look to lift lift his second ever Qatar Cup Zhang Wei and Wu Lei were also on celebrates after scoring yesterday. their maiden Qatar Cup title. with the soldiers. Villarreal’s players celebrate a goal against Atletico Madrid. target before Oscar, Asia’s record sign- ing, added the fourth to keep FC Seoul at second and third before half-time. Keeper al-Dossari Ababacar gets nod for AFP The Villarreal stopper also denied the bay after their strikes through Maurinho The Wanderers pulled one back available for Sadd Qatar Cup fi nal Madrid on-form Antoine Griezmann and Nico and Park Chu-Young. through Jumpei Kusukami but Rafael Gaitan before the break. It put SIPG through alongside Group F Silva grabbed two goals in eight minutes Al Sadd goalkeeper Saad al- El Jaish goalkeeper Khalifa Gaitan then had Atletico’s best chance rivals Urawa Red Diamonds, while Thai- and then teed up Shinzo Koroki to com- Dossari has enjoyed fine form Ababacar has enjoyed fine illarreal kept their slim hopes of the game early in the second-half. land’s Muangthong United beat Brisbane plete the rout. for the Wolves this season, form domestically and abroad of Champions League football However, he failed to reward boss Diego Roar 3-0 to reach the knock-outs for the In Group E, Kashima Antlers ousted and has been ever present in the AFC Champions League, next season alive as Roberto Simeone for a rare start as again he was defi rst time. Ulsan Hyundai with a comprehensive in Jesaldo Ferriera’s team. this season the Qatari stopper Soriano’s late winner shocked nied by Fernandez’s outstretched hand. Xisco nodded Muangthong’s opener 4-0 win as they reached the last 16 for The Qatari keeper’s assured helped Jaish reach the semi- VAtletico Madrid 1-0 at the Vicente Cal- Villarreal had off ered almost nothing as on 37 minutes, a goal that ended the in- the fi rst time since 2011. performances in goal have finals of the continental compe- deron on Tuesday. an attacking threat for the fi rst hour but volvement of Brisbane goalkeeper Jamie Ulsan made it to half-time goalless ensured that Al Sadd have tition. The Qatari keeper is set A battle between the two best defenc- the introduction of Soriano and Bakam- Young who suff ered a deep gash to his against Kashima but some calamitous only conceded 23 goals in the to start in goal for the Soldiers, es in La Liga was unsurprisingly settled bu from the bench posed a threat on the forearm as he collided with the post. defending saw them slip 3-0 down in the league this season. and will be targeting his second by a single goal when the Italian turned counter-attack in the fi nal quarter. Chanathip “Messi Jay” Songkrasin space of 15 second-half minutes. The Qatar international stop- ever Qatar Cup trophy. home Cedric Bakambu’s cross eight Soriano should have done better with beat two defenders and rounded the re- per missed out in his side’s Qa- Khalifa has played second minutes from time. a huge chance that was blocked by Diego placement ‘keeper, Tomislav Bilic, on 83 RESULTS tar Cup semi-final 3-2 win over string to number one keeper Victory hauls Villarreal to within fi ve Godin 12 minutes from time. minutes before Teerasil Dangda added a Ulsan Hyundai (KOR) 0 Kashima Antlers Al Rayyan though suspension, Saoud al-Khater in the league. points of fourth-placed Sevilla, who However, he made amends just four third just before time. (JPN) 4 (Kanazaki 52, 67, Pedro Junior 54, but is expected to start for The former Al Kharaitiyat have a game in hand, and eight of Atleti- minutes later by turning home Bakam- It meant the end of the road for Bris- Leo Silva 90) the final after serving his one keeper has been given the co in third. bu’s cross to infl ict just Atletico’s second bane, who fi elded an under-strength side Muangthong United (THA) 3 (Xisco 37, game ban. Al Dossari has a nod in Cup competitions this Atletico enjoyed the vast majority of league defeat since the sides last met as they build up to Sunday’s A-League Chanathip 83, Teerasil 89) Brisbane Roar commanding presence in the season, and he has not let his the play and chances, but were undone back in December. semi-fi nal against Melbourne Victory. (AUS) 0 heart of the Sadd defense and side down when called upon. by a brilliant performance by Andres Earlier Urawa also eliminated Austral- Urawa Red Diamonds (JPN) 6 (Sekine 14, head Coach Jesaldo Ferriera This was perfectly shown in the Fernandez in the Villarreal goal. RESULTS ian opposition as the J-League leaders Ljubijankic 18, Lee 43, Silva 71, 79, Koroki will be relying on the 27-year- semi-final against Lekhwiya Fernandez made a stunning double Sporting Gijon 1 (Rodriguez 39) Espanyol swamped 2014 champions Western Syd- 90+4) Western Sydney Wanderers (AUS) old to shut down an El Jaish when the tallest player in the save early on as Angel Correa wriggled 1 (Moreno 55) ney Wanderers 6-1. 1 (Kusukami 66) attack that scored 45 goals QSL used his height to great free inside the area to fi re goalwards be- Granada 0 Malaga 2 (Sandro Ramirez 47, Takahiro Sekine opened the scoring Shanghai SIPG (CHN) 4 (Hulk 25, Zhang over the course of the season. advantage pulling of a host of fore Saul Niguez’s powerful header was 90+1) before Yoshiaki Komai set up Zlatan Lju- Wei 30, Wu Lei 43, Oscar 74) FC Seoul The Wolves number 1 has so saves to help Jaish win. turned to safety. Atletico Madrid 0 Villarreal 1 (Soriano 82) bijankic and then Tadanari Lee for Urawa’s (KOR) 2 (Maurinho 10, Park Chu-Young 70) Gulf Times 4 Thursday, April 27, 2017 SPORT

TENNIS SPOTLIGHT Serena to be back on the ‘Best feeling’ as court aft er baby

AFP Sharapova makes Vancouver uperstar athlete Serena Williams promised she would be back on the court after becoming a Smom, with her baby hopefully cheering her on. Williams spoke playfully and winning return candidly about family, competition, and her accidentally un- veiled pregnancy during an on- ‘I have been waiting for this a long time’ stage chat with journalist Gayle King at the TED Conference in Vancouver. Williams said she had made a practice of taking a photo of her- US superstar tennis player self each week, to document the Serena Williams (R) discusses progress of her pregnancy, when her tennis career and pending she accidentally posted a picture motherhood with journalist of herself in a swimsuit on social Gayle King during the TED media. Conference in Vancouver on She had shared the news with Tuesday. only a few people until the now widely seen image. shake hands we are best friends “You know how social media again. It might be a day later for is; you press the wrong button me if I lose.” and there it is,” Williams said with In champion form, she admit- a laugh. ted to loathing losing and loving “I had been so good about it victory. and this one time I slipped.” But, if you do lose, learn from Williams said she learned she it and improve don’t make the was pregnant just two days before same mistakes in the future, she the Australian Open, which she advised. went on to win. Kelly Bush Novak, Williams’ She told of being nervous about publicist, had said this week playing, uncertain whether it that the US star “looks forward would be too dangerous for her or to returning in 2018” and that the baby. Williams said she played was echoed by her coach Patrick diff erently, shutting out fatigue Mouratoglou. and stress. Everyone expected her Williams is due to give birth in to win the tournament, and few September, the month she turns knew she was a mom-to-be. 36 years old. “I had to take any negative “I defi nitely plan on coming emotions, bottle them up and fi g- back,” Williams said of her tennis ure out what the next step was,” future. Williams said. “My baby is going to be in the She won her record-setting stands, hopefully cheering for me 23rd Grand Slam title at the Aus- and not crying too much.” tralian Open in January — where In December, Williams an- she beat her elder sister Venus in nounced her engagement to tech the fi nal. entrepreneur Alexis Ohanian and “Playing Venus is like playing will not play again this year. myself; she is my toughest oppo- She said that the next chapter nent,” Williams said. in her life will include her baby, “On the court, we are mor- staying fi t, playing tennis and Russian tennis player Maria Sharapova serves to Roberta Vinci of Italy at the WTA Tennis Grand Prix in Stuttgart yesterday. tal enemies, but the moment we working on her fashion line.

AFP ebrated her win with a succession of fi st She quickly found herself 2-0 down match point for victory in one hour, 45 Stuttgart pumps and a broad smile before blow- before she broke back to level at 2-0. minutes. FOCUS ing kisses to all corners of the Porsche As was to be expected after her long “I’ve been doing this for so long and Arena. break, Sharapova laboured to fi nd her this was my fi rst match for a while, so aria Sharapova marked her “I have been waiting for this a long shots and Vinci profi ted from several when you are in the moment, you block return from a 15-month time.” Sharapova was given a wildcard to mistakes. everything else out,” said Sharapova. French Open boosts doping ban yesterday with play in Stuttgart tournament, where she But the 30-year-old Russian started “I’m competitive by nature, even Ma rusty 7-5, 6-3 win over has been champion three times, a move to move her Italian opponent around the when things aren’t working out. Roberta Vinci in Stuttgart, describing which drew a barrage of criticism from court and found her range with a pair of “That’s when I am at my best, when I prize money by 12% victory as the “best feeling in the world”. rivals who believed she was receiving aces. Sharapova fi nally broke the Italian forget about everything, just be me and Sharapova, the former world number preferential treatment. in the 11th game and then held her serv- just compete.” one and fi ve-time Grand Slam champi- She fi red 39 winners and 11 aces past ice, converting her second set point in Sharapova will now play fellow Rus- rench Open organisers have increased the grand slam tourna- on, brushed off a nervous start to even- 34-year-old Vinci, one of many to have exactly an hour. sian Ekaterina Makarova in today’s sec- ment’s prize money by 12% to 36mn euros ($39.25mn) while tually claim a convincing win on her voiced her concerns over the Russian Vinci had lost to Sharapova in both ond-round. narrowing the gap between the earnings of the winners and controversial comeback having tested benefi ting from wildcards. their previous meetings and the Italian “It’s going to be tough, but every Fthe fi rst-round losers. positive for meldonium at the 2016 Aus- After receiving warm applause from trailed from 2-0 down in the second set match I play now is important for me,” The winners will pocket 2.1mn euros each, a 100,000-euro increase tralian Open. the crowd, which included one fan on Wednesday. she said. from 2016, with fi rst-round losers earning 35,000 euros, tournament “It’s the best feeling in the world to who held up a Russian fl ag bearing the Sharapova quickly moved to 5-3 ahead “It’s important to just play, it’s a jour- director Guy Forget told a news conference yesterday. walk out (on court), it’s been a stage of words ‘Welcome back Maria, Sharapova, up with an ace and extended her domi- ney and it offi cially starts for me today Serbian Novak Djokovic won the men’s title while Spaniard Gar- mine since I was a young girl and it was dressed in an orange top and lilac-col- nation in the following game, racing and I am looking forward to playing as bine Muguruza claimed the women’s title last year. very special,” said Sharapova who cel- oured dress, initially struggled. into a 40-0 lead and converted her fi rst many matches as I can.” The 2017 French Open runs from May 28-June 11.

BASKETBALL Jaish, Gharafa vie for season’s bragging rights

By Sports Reporter Doha parks are expected to fl y when El Jaish take on Al Gharafa in the fi nal of the Emir Cup bas- Sketball tournament tomorrow. Lucrative cash awards, the prestigious trophy and the season’s bragging rights will be at stake on the fi nal day of the domestic basketball calendar which sees the two dominant club teams in Qatar square off at the Al Gharafa Sports Club. With Al Rayyan, the most successful team in the country, suff ering a slump in form this season, Al Gharafa and El Jaish have grabbed the opportunity with both hands to establish their cre- dentials and rewrite a few records. They were neck and neck in the Qatar Men’s League with El Jaish going on to win the title on the last day of the tournament. Al Gharafa went on to win the Qatar Al Gharafa’s Omar Abdelkader (R) and El Jaish’s Hani Abilmona pictured with the Cup beating Al Rayyan in the fi nal ear- Emir Cup trophy. At left basketball off icials, players and coaches at yesterday’s lier this month, but they are still hurt- press conference. ing from the league defeat which denied them a chance of sweeping all the said Al Gharafa intend to stifl e them both teams. They will be ready to make teams will put up a good fi ght. use to their advantage in the fi nal. then we failed to make the fi nal of the three titles on off er, according to Omar with their defence. up for their Qatar Cup loss and we will “It should be a very tough game for “We have to do well in defence more Qatar Cup,” he said. Abdelkader. “Our defence is good. I believe in our be looking to make amends for our both teams. These two teams were the than off ence. It’s very risky to play of- “But this is the last day of the local “It’s going to be tough match but defence, we are going to put pressure on league defeat. It will be a big, big fi ght.” best this season. This is not just about fence because you are not sure of the season and the most prestigious tour- we are fully charged up,” said the tall them with our defence and hope to win Al Gharafa coach Koussay Hatem technical excellence. The fi nal is all percentages.” nament. A victory for either side will Al Gharafa centre. “We know El Jaish’s the match,” he added. admitted his team were not playing to about experience, the number of mis- El Jaish coach Hatem Mamlouk also give them the bragging rights for the strengths but we are also aware of their He also said the fact that El Jaish won their full potential. takes you make and what you do on promised a tough fi ght. season,” he added. weaknesses which we would like to ex- the league and Al Gharafa the Qatar “We are not playing that well tech- that particular day. Past records don’t “We respect them as our opponents. Al Gharafa have won the Emir Cup ploit,” he added. Cup means both teams will be looking nically speaking. Some of the players count,” he said. They have done very well this season three times while El Jaish have been Abdelkader was not forthcoming on to make it 2-1 for the season. have been overconfi dent which is not Koussay believes that his team are to push us. We won the league during champions twice. Tomorrow’s fi nal will what El Jaish’s weaknesses were but “Yes it will be a revenge match for good,” said the Iraqi, adding that both better off in defence which they would which we beat them in both games, but be played at 6.30pm. Gulf Times Thursday, April 27, 2017 5 SPORT

MLB Cardinals fall to Blue Jays 6-5 in extra innings

By Max Gelman bit of a strange play in the fi eld. Martinez’s fi rst career home run St. Louis Post-Dispatch Jose Bautista singled to right and, as it came against Toronto, a fi eld, and Stephen Piscotty at- feat he shares with his father, Car- tempted to throw out Ezequiel los Martinez. The elder Martinez sloppy defensive game Carrera trying to advance from also hit his fi rst career home run ended appropriately fi rst to third. However, Piscotty’s against the Blue Jays. with sloppy defense throw nailed Carrera on the back The Blue Jays and Cardinals for the Cardinals on and bounced into the Toronto then swapped runs in the ninth Tuesday.A dugout, allowing for free bases. and Toronto took the lead for good With two outs in the top of the St. Louis tied it back up in the in the 11th. 11th, Blue Jays outfi elder Steve bottom of the fourth. Piscotty led St. Louis starter Michael Wacha Pearce hit a routine ground ball off with a double and came home continued his strong run of starts, to shortstop Aledmys Diaz. Diaz two batters later on Yadier Mo- allowing just two runs on fi ve hits gathered the ball cleanly, but lina’s single. while striking out six and walking threw the ball away from fi rst The Cardinals had a chance to one. He received a no-decision, baseman Jose Martinez. break the game open in that in- however, as he was removed with Standing on second base, To- ning as they loaded the bases the score at 2-2. ronto pinch-hitter and pitcher with nobody out, but Randal Gri- Marcus Stroman, who laced a chuk struck out and Kolten Wong RESULTS one-out double to left fi eld earlier grounded into a double play. Nationals 15 Rockies 12 in the inning, scored on the error The next runs didn’t come until Tigers 19 Mariners 9 for the winning run. the seventh inning when Toronto Brewers 9 Reds 1 The Cardinals couldn’t mus- center fi elder Kevin Pillar tripled Blue Jays 6 Cardinals 5 ter anything in the bottom of the to score Chris Coghlan. Coghlan (11 innings) frame and fell to the visiting Blue had to leap over Molina in order Angels 2 Athletics 1 (11 inn) Jays, 6-5, in 11 innings. to score, an extremely impressive Dodgers 2 Giants 1 St. Louis got on the board in the play that gave Toronto a 3-2 lead. Astros 4 Indians 2 fi rst inning thanks to an RBI single Pillar came home the next bat- Diamondbacks 9 Padres 3 from Jedd Gyorko to drive in Dex- ter when Gyorko committed an White Sox 10 Royals 5 ter Fowler. error on a ground ball. Twins 8 Rangers 1 Fowler had led off the frame But the Cardinals fought back Rays 2 Orioles 0 with a double to right fi eld. again, as Martinez hit a game-ty- Cubs 1 Pirates 0 In the fourth inning, the Blue ing two-run homer in the seventh Yankees vs Red Sox postponed Toronto Blue Jays right fielder Jose Bautista (R) celebrates with shortstop Ryan Goins and second baseman Devon Travis (L) after defeating Jays took the lead 2-1 thanks to a to even the game at 4-4. It was Braves vs Mets postponed the St. Louis Cardinals in eleven innings at Busch Stadium. PICTURE: USA TODAY Sports

NBA NHL/STANLEY CUP Rangers’ Zibanejad ready for Senators, Houston Rockets his old team

By Arthur Staple center was far from good the Newsday fi rst two games against the Ca- nadiens but turned his game back on for the last four, post- ika Zibanejad only ing a goal and three assists as oust Thunder as faced his former the Rangers took charge. team once this “I met him quickly this season, on the fi - morning to make sure he was Mnal regular-season weekend in the right place,” Vigneault in a meaningless game for the said. “Sometimes players want Rangers in Ottawa. to put a little too much pres- Things are slightly more sure on themselves, but he’s in consequential now. Zibanejad a good spot. He’s got to go up Spurs, Jazz close in and Derick Brassard swapped there and do what he did the teams in July and each had a big last four games the last series impact in getting the Rangers against Montreal – just play. ‘...but we’re not really worried about it. We go out there and compete at a high level’ and Senators to this second- Make the plays, skate with the round matchup that begins puck, have fun with it. If he Thursday night. does he’s going to be fi ne.” AFP Zibanejad scored the Game As for Brassard, there’s Los Angeles 5 overtime winner against plenty of close friendships the Canadiens to tip the se- from his three-plus seasons in ries in the Rangers’ favor. The New York, but every one of his ames Harden scored 34 points and 24-year-old goes back to Otta- old teammates is well aware the Houston Rockets withstood a wa trying to not make this se- of their pal’s playoff abilities. furious eff ort from Oklahoma City ries any bigger than it already Brassard had 44 points in 59 star Russell Westbrook to oust is, even as it’s against the team games over four Rangers play- theJ Thunder from the NBA playoff s on he played with for fi ve seasons. off runs, tied for 11th in fran- Tuesday. The Rockets beat the Thunder “When I saw the schedule chise history. Naturally, he’s 105-99 to win their best-of-seven West- and the playoff tree I knew it leading the Senators with eight ern Conference fi rst-round series four was a possibility, but like I said, points in their six games so far. games to one. it’s like any other team now. I “I’m defi nitely going to tell Rockets reserve Lou Williams scored 10 just want to get to four fi rst,” he all my players, Brass for the of his 22 points early in the fourth quarter said. “You try to think that way next two weeks is not their as the Rockets responded to a sensational obviously. It’s your old team, a friend anymore,” Vigneault third quarter from Westbrook, who car- team you played for quite a bit. said. “No little tapping of the ried his team to a 77-72 lead going into the It’s the playoff s and you try to butt as we go by on the ice. fi nal period. Westbrook scored 10 straight focus on what you can do, what Brass has been a very good points in one stretch and fi nished with 20 you can control and not who player for them and we’re go- points, fi ve rebounds and three assists in you’re playing.” ing to have to play him hard the third. Alain Vigneault made sure to and smart. They can get to- But Williams opened the fourth with two have a brief chat with Zibane- gether after the series. He’s free throws, and added three more from the jad before Tuesday’s practice been one of their most eff ec- line along with a three-pointer as the Rockets but isn’t concerned. His young tive players up front.” regained the advantage with Westbrook on the bench — and they held on even after Westbrook re-entered the game as the Thunder missed a string of shots. Westbrook fi nished with 47 points, 11 rebounds and nine assists, but con- nected on just two of his 11 shots in the fi nal period. The defeat brought a close to a historic season for Westbrook, who joined Oscar Robertson as the only players in NBA history to average a triple-double and beat Robertson’s 55-year-old record for most triple-doubles in a regular season with 42. In withstanding Westbrook, the Rockets showed they have plenty of defensive ability to go with their free-wheeling off ense. “We’re not just a three-point shooting New York Rangers centreman Mika Zibanejad. team,” said Harden, who scored 13 of his 34 points in the fi nal eight minutes. “We get after it on the defensive end. We’re No deal yet on Marlins sale: MLB commissioner overlooked. We have been all year. But we’re not really worried about it. We go Reports that a group led by New York Yankees legend Derek out there and compete at a high level on Jeter and former Florida Governor Jeb Bush had won an auction both ends of the fl oor.” for the Miami Marlins are premature, Major League Baseball Thunder coach Billy Donovan agreed, Commissioner Rob Manfred said. calling the Rockets defense “underrated.” Manfred, speaking in Pittsburgh where he helped introduce the That included their defense on West- Pirates’ new youth baseball initiative, said multiple parties have brook, said the Rockets’ Patrick Beverly, expressed interest in acquiring the club and no deal is off icial. who took exception to Westbrook’s taunt Russell Westbrook of the Oklahoma City Thunder drives past Clint Capela (R) of the Houston Rockets and Trevor Ariza for a layup during “You can rest assured the acquiring group, whoever it turns out that “no one can guard me.” Game Five of he Western Conference quarter-finals of the 2017 NBA Playoff s at Toyota Centre in Houston, Texas. (Getty Images/AFP) to be, will have a financial structure – meaning some debt and The two received double technical fouls the rest equity – that is consistent with the rules we have, most for jawing at each other during the game, Parker chipped in 16 as the Spurs bounced said Spurs coach Gregg Popovich, whose and 11 rebounds from French big man notably the debt-service rule,” Manfred said. but Beverly said the Rockets did what they back from a heartbreaking overtime loss to team will try to wrap up the series in game Rudy Gobert. Chris Paul scored 28 points “And more important than complying with the rules, puts the set out to do against Westbrook. “We did a the Grizzlies in game four. Reserve point six on Thursday in Memphis. for the Clippers, who played their second franchise in a position that it can operate eff ectively.” The Miami great job on him,” Beverly said. “We tried guard Mills made fi ve three-pointers, four The Utah Jazz are also closing in on a game without standout scorer Blake Grif- Herald reported on Tuesday that the Jeter-Bush group tabled a to make him take a ton of tough shots.” of them in the fourth quarter en route to second-round berth after a 96-92 victory fi n, who will miss the rest of the playoff s $1.3 billion (1.19 billion euros) bid for the team owned by art ty- In the second round the Rockets will his career-high playoff scoring total. over the Clippers in Los Angeles. with a right big toe injury. The winners of coon Jeff Loria, and said the Marlins expected to finalise the deal. face either the San Antonio Spurs or The eff ort from Australia’s Mills helped Gordon Hayward scored 27 points and the series will face the Warriors, who swept Loria, a successful New York art dealer, purchased the Marlins in Memphis Grizzlies. The Spurs, seeded thwart a Grizzlies rally. Memphis trailed pulled down eight rebounds for the Jazz, the Portland Trail Blazers in four games. 2002 for $158 million. second in the West behind the Golden by 18 with less than two minutes to play who took a 3-2 series lead with game six in The terms of the consortium’s bid have not been made public State Warriors, seized a 3-2 lead in their in the third quarter, but a 17-3 scoring Salt Lake City on Friday. RESULTS and neither party has formally confirmed the deal. The Herald series Tuesday with a 116-103 victory in run saw them pull within four points with Rodney Hood scored 16 points and Joe Rockets 105 Thunder 99 reported that the Jeter-led consortium is confident a deal will be San Antonio. Kawhi Leonard scored 28 nine minutes to play. “We made shots, Johnson produced nine of his 14 in the Spurs 116 Grizzlies 103 finalised although it may take months to complete the purchase. points, Patty Mills added 20 and Tony that’s what we didn’t do the last game,” fourth quarter for Utah, who had 11 points Jazz 96 Clippers 92 Gulf Times 6 Thursday, April 27, 2017 SPORT

FORMULA ONE RUGBY Wales to face New Zealand, Georgia Vettel leads the red in year-end Tests

AFP the gut in the 45th minute of London the European Challenge Cup semi-fi nal on Saturday, which Gloucester won 16-14. ales will tackle Qovu will miss French Top 14 revival to Russia world champions leaders La Rochelle’s fi nal two New Zealand and regular season league matches play Georgia for but will be allowed to return ‘Things start to click and hopefully that sort of success now in the first couple of races helps Wthe fi rst time as part of their for the play-off s as the unfash- end-of-year Test schedule, the ionable west coast club aim for us to build up some sort of momentum that maybe these guys (Mercedes) had in the past’ Welsh Rugby Union confi rmed their fi rst ever national title. yesterday. The play-off s begin on May Wales will also welcome 19, with Qovu’s ban due to run Australia and South Africa to out on May 8 — although Las Cardiff ’s Principality Stadium. Rochelle will likely fi nish in Australia are up fi rst on No- the top two and receive a bye vember 11, followed by Geor- straight into the play-off semi- gia on November 18, with New fi nals that begin on May 26. Zealand the visitors on No- He will miss matches against vember 25 before Wales close Montpellier and Clermont, La the year against the Springboks Rochelle’s nearest two chal- on December 2. lengers and the only teams that Warren Gatland is due to can deny them a top two fi nish. return as Wales head coach for the fi xtures after leading Frustrated coach makes the British and Irish Lions on changes to Japan lineup their tour of New Zealand in Japan coach Jamie Joseph on June and July. Currently ranked Wednesday made widespread eighth in the world, Wales fi n- changes to his starting lineup ished fi fth in this year’s Six Na- for this weekend’s Asia Rugby tions and face games against Championship match against Tonga and Samoa in the South South Korea. Pacifi c in June. The New Zealander was frustrated with his side’s lack Fijian Qovu banned for of eff ort during last week’s two weeks for ‘strike’ 47-29 win in South Korea, and La Rochelle’s Fijian lock made eight changes to his fi rst Jone Qovu was banned for team, the most notable being two weeks on Wednesday for the introduction of World Cup “striking” Gloucester’s Rich- winger Akihito Yamada for ard Hibbard, European Profes- Saturday’s clash in Tokyo. sional Club Rugby (EPCR) said. Japan will host the next Rug- The 31-year-old Qovu had been by World Cup in 2019, across 12 cited for punching the former venues. The draw for the pool Welsh international hooker in stages takes place next month.

FOCUS Brumbies give short

Reuters shrift to Rebels Sochi, Russia Statistics for Russian Formula One Grand Prix in Sochi (Round four of 20 races) Mercedes’ triple world cham- Mercedes have been on pole Renault scored their first points merger proposal Lap distance: 5.848km. pion Hamilton has 54 career in 59 of the last 62 races and of the season in Bahrain with ormula One champions Total distance: 309.944 km (53 victories, putting him second in for the last 18 in a row. Williams German driver Nico Hulkenberg. Reuters only serve to “kill” both clubs Mercedes have led eve- laps) the all-time list behind Michael hold the record of 24 successive Sauber and McLaren have yet to Melbourne and dismissed any notion his ry lap of every Russian Race lap record: One minute Schumacher (91). Vettel has 44, poles, set in 1992/93. score in 2017. side needed help to survive. Grand Prix since the race 39.094 seconds, Nico Rosberg McLaren’s Fernando Alonso is on PODIUM RUSSIA “We’re not looking at merg- madeF its debut around Sochi’s he ACT Brumbies have ing or contemplating a move to (Germany), Mercedes, 2016. 32 and Ferrari’s Kimi Raikkonen Hamilton’s second place in Bah- Mercedes are the only team to Olympic Park in 2014 but Ferra- 2016 pole: Rosberg 1:35.417 20. rain was his 107th podium finish. have won in Russia so far, with dismissed suggestions Melbourne, we are stable on our ri’s Sebastian Vettel will aim to 2016 winner: Rosberg Ferrari have won 226 races, He is second on the all-time list Hamilton triumphant in the first of a merger with the own two feet and in a far better break that streak this weekend. Start time: 1200 GMT (1500 McLaren 182, Williams 114, behind Schumacher on 155. The two Russian Grands Prix and Melbourne Rebels as position than a majority of Su- The four times world cham- Tthe Australian Rugby Union per Rugby teams,” he told Fair- local) Mercedes 65 and Red Bull 52. Briton is on a run of eight suc- Rosberg taking the third. Mer- pion is enjoying his best start to WINS McLaren and Williams have not cessive podiums. Schumacher cedes have also led every racing (ARU) prepares to cut one of its fax Media. “When you look at a season since he was at Red Bull Sebastian Vettel’s victory for Fer- won a race since 2012. holds the record of 19. lap (159 in total) at the circuit. fi ve Super Rugby teams. on-fi eld performance, sustain- in 2011, leading Lewis Hamilton rari in Bahrain was the German’s POLE POSITION POINTS The race was first held in 2014 as Either the Rebels or the ability and participation num- by seven points after two wins second in three races this sea- Mercedes’ Valtteri Bottas took Force India’s Mexican Sergio Pe- a legacy of the Winter Olympics Perth-based Western Force will bers, there’s virtually no reason and a second place from the fi rst son. That is Ferrari’s best start to his first career F1 pole in Bahrain, rez has finished the last 13 races that year. be culled when the sprawling that you would even consider three races. Another win, at the a season since 2008 when they ending a run of six in a row for in the points, the longest current Bottas took the first fastest race competition is scaled back to having us as part of this discus- street circuit where the German won four of the first five races. team mate Hamilton. Hamilton run among those on the grid. lap of his F1 career in Sochi with 15 teams next year but threats sion. “We don’t see any benefi t fi nished second in 2015, would Champions Mercedes have won has 63 so far, leaving the Briton Only Ferrari, Mercedes and Williams in 2014. The Finn last of legal action from both teams in being part of it and the other signal Ferrari’s best opening four 52 of 62 races since the intro- two short of the late Ayrton Force India have scored with year became the first non-Mer- have delayed a fi nal decision. piece around it is if we were to races since 2008. duction of the 1.6 litre V6 turbo Senna’s career total and five both cars in every race this cedes driver to start on the front Some local media outlets and play four games in Canberra “Things start to click and hybrid power units in 2014. behind Schumacher’s record 68. season. row in Sochi. rugby pundits have been push- and four in Melbourne it would hopefully that sort of success ing for a merger between the kill both clubs.” now in the fi rst couple of races Brumbies and Rebels, saying it As part of the changes to helps us to build up some sort ter collecting a time penalty and step at a time...” track again, completely diff erent fast,” said Ricciardo. “I would would cement the Brumbies’ next year’s Super Rugby com- of momentum that maybe these fi nishing second. Mercedes, who Hamilton saw team mate Valt- kind of temperatures, diff erent say it’s going to be more enjoy- place in Super Rugby and retain petition, two teams are to be guys (Mercedes) had in the past,” still look faster over a single lap teri Bottas take a career fi rst pole asphalt so many diff erent things. able than it has been so I’m look- a presence in the much larger cut from the South African said Vettel after winning in Bah- in qualifying, have done plenty position in Bahrain and the Finn We’ll see,” he said. ing forward to that.” sports market of Melbourne. conference, with the South- rain on April 16. Hamilton, pre- of homework since then but rec- has a good track record in Sochi Red Bull, the only team to beat Behind them, Force India’s The ARU initially identifi ed ern Kings and Bloemfontein- sented with the winner’s trophy ognise they have a battle on their too, setting aside a last lap col- Mercedes last season, have yet Sergio Perez is chasing his 14th the Brumbies as one of three based Cheetahs seen as the by Russian president Vladimir hands. “In this season with these lision with Ferrari’s Kimi Raik- to reach the podium in Sochi successive scoring fi nish while teams to be considered for most under threat. Governing Putin in 2014 and 2015 before new regulations, you can’t take konen in 2015 while battling for but both Australian Daniel Ric- Sauber and McLaren have yet to culling, with only the Queens- body SANZAAR have left it to now-retired Mercedes team anything for granted,” said team third place. Bottas set the fi rst ciardo and Dutch teenager Max open their accounts for the sea- land Reds and New South the individual rugby unions to mate and champion Nico Ros- boss Toto Wolff . fastest lap of his career there in Verstappen are hoping for more son. Toro Rosso’s Spanish driver Wales Waratahs excused from a decide which teams to be cut, berg won from pole position last “The trophies of previous 2014, on his way to third place, excitement this time with cars Carlos Sainz has a three-place review. But the governing body with the restructuring com- year, felt the pain in Bahrain. years don’t guarantee that we’ll and it is a layout that he likes. loading more G-forces than pre- grid penalty for his Bahrain col- announced earlier this month ing amid fi nancial losses and “We’re going to push hard to- be winning in Russia when you “I have always been comfort- viously. “I expect this year for lision with Williams’ Canadian that the Brumbies were safe. widespread discontent over a gether, re-gather as a team and have a very fi erce competitor like able there so we will see. It’s the track to be grippy and with rookie Lance Stroll, who has yet Brumbies CEO Michael competition that fans have de- come back fi ghting,” he said af- we do in Ferrari. We’ll take it one a completely diff erent type of these cars it should be quite to see the chequered fl ag. Thomson said a merger would scribed as ‘confusing’.

SPOTLIGHT Earnhardt wants to go out his own way

Reuters it were not. A series of concus- ter the death of his father, Dale Concord, North Carolina sions, due to on-track accidents Earnhardt at the 2001 Daytona in 2012, resulted in his treatment 500. Even though the younger at the University of Pittsburgh Earnhardt did not achieve the ale Earnhardt Jr., NAS- Medical Center’s concussion historic heights of his father, who CAR’s most popular programme. Two years later won seven NASCAR series cham- driver, said on Tues- NASCAR announced a manda- pionships, he did have two junior day that his abrupt re- tory baseline concussion testing. series titles. His last Cup-level tirementD announcement comes In 2016 Earnhardt announced on victory came in November 2015. from a desire to depart on his Twitter that he was donating his “I wouldn’t be a race driver if own terms. brain to science after his death. it weren’t for him,” Earnhardt Jr. In the last year of his contract Last year he suff ered yet an- said of his father. with the powerhouse Hendrick other concussion and missed In a widely sweeping state- Motorsports, he will bow out half of the 36-race calendar. ment and hour-long press from the top echelon at the end No doubt Earnhardt’s injuries conference where he showed of the season. Two-time Day- not only aff ected him but also emotion and humour, the tona 500 winner Earnhardt, in changed the course of safety de- 42-year-old driver of the No. his 18th full-time season, told velopments in NASCAR, much 88 Chevrolet explained how he reporters, holding back some as the death of Ayrton Senna did came to this point. His time off emotions, the reason was “sim- in Formula One. in rehabilitation gave him time ple. I wanted the opportunity to Before the Daytona 500 this to consider his options. And he go out on my own terms, to hon- February NASCAR announced was married on December 31 to our my commitment.” all drivers involved in a crash his wife, Amy. Although the timing of the an- would be evaluated on the scene. “I’ve accomplished way more nouncement surprised some se- NASCAR previously instituted than I ever dreamed. Way more,” Dale Earnhardt Jr. during a press conference to announce his retirement from NASCAR after the 2017 season at the Hendrick Motorsports ries regulars, the reasons behind sweeping safety measures af- he added. Team Centre in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Getty Images/AFP) Gulf Times Thursday, April 27, 2017 7 CRICKET

IPL DECISION England rising star Ansari in shock Uthappa, Gambhir retirement

AFP that I want to fulfi l. London “With that in mind, I am now exploring another career, potentially in law, and to urrey all-rounder Za- achieve this I have to begin the lead KKR to facile far Ansari unexpect- process now.” edly announced his Ansari was fi rst capped by retirement from cricket Surrey in 2014 and made his atS the age of 25 on Wednesday, one-day debut for England the just six months after making following year. his England debut. His Test debut was delayed Ansari, who had been with by a freak hand injury sus- Surrey since the age of eight, tained while fi elding at Old win against Pune said he wanted to pursue other Traff ord in late 2015. opportunities and was con- He eventually won his fi rst templating a career in law. Test cap against Bangladesh Seven-wicket victory over Rising Pune Supergiant takes Kolkata top of the table “After seven years as a pro- last October. fessional cricketer and almost Ansari has combined his IANS two decades in total playing cricket career with academic Pune the game, I have decided to studies. bring my cricket career to an He secured a degree in Poli- end,” he said in a statement re- tics, Philosophy and Sociology rackling half-centuries leased by Surrey. from Cambridge University in by skipper Gautam “This has been a very dif- 2013 and was awarded a Mas- Gambhir and in-form fi cult decision to make and I ter’s degree in History by Royal Robin Uthappa’s saw have not made it lightly. It is... Holloway, University of Lon- KolkataC Knight Riders (KKR) sail with great sadness that I say don last year. to a facile seven-wicket win over goodbye. Alec Stewart, director of Rising Pune Supergiant to go top “Nevertheless, I have always cricket at Surrey, said: “Zafar’s of the Indian Premier League been clear that when the time exceptionally tough but con- (IPL) points table here yesterday. was right for me to move on I sidered decision is one that we Uthappa (87; 47b 7x4 6x6) would, and that time has now should all respect and under- stole the show with some crisp come. stand. power hitting as he brought up “While the timing may “We wish Zafar the very best his third IPL 50 in this season at come as a surprise, I have al- in whatever the future holds the Maharashtra Cricket Asso- ways maintained that cricket for him and he will always be ciation Stadium. was just one part of my life and welcomed back to the Kia Oval Gambhir (62; 46b 6x4 1x6) that I have other ambitions with open arms.” at the end played second fi ddle as the visitors made the most of some poor bowling by the hosts to fi nish on 184 for 3. Uthappa was dropped on 12 when the team was 51 for 1 by Jaydev Unadkar off Imran Tahir’s bowling. Gambhir notched up his 34th half-century in his 100 game for the men in purple. For Pune, who set a target of 183 after being asked to bat fi rst, only Unadkat and Dan Christian got wickets. Narine (16; 11b; 3x4 0x6) was run out after the spinner-turned- opener got off to a yingfl start. Unadkat took the wicket of Uthappa while Christian sent Gambhir back to the dugout but it was too little too late as the English T20 tournament gets green light damage was already done. Dar- A new city-based Twenty20 tournament in England was given ren Bravo (6 not out) milked a the go-ahead to start in 2020 following an England and Wales cover drive to hit the winning Cricket Board meeting on Wednesday. runs as Manish Pandey (0 not Proposals for the eight-team tournament, designed to rival out) watched from the non- similar events such as the Indian Premier League and Austral- striker’s end. ia’s Big Bash, were approved by 38 of the ECB’s 41 members. Earlier, captain Steve Smith led Essex and Middlesex were the only two English counties who from the front with an unbeaten voted against the plans, while Kent abstained. half-century to help Rising Pune “We are delighted that such an overwhelming majority of our Supergiant post 182 for 5. members have voted to support the change to the ECB’s Arti- Smith (51 not out from 37 cles,” said ECB chairman Colin Graves in a press release. balls) held the innings together “In doing so, they have paved the way for an exciting new era as openers Ajinkya Rahane 46 for cricket in England and Wales.” (41b; 4x4, 1x6) and Rahul Trip- The new tournament will sit alongside England’s existing athi 38 (23b; 7x4) played crucial domestic competitions, including the T20 Blast. knocks. Smith’s half-century The cities that will host teams have not yet been announced. was laced with four boundaries “Over the past year our members have seen the clear evi- and a six. dence outlining why an additional new T20 competition is the Chinaman bowler Kuldeep Kolkata Knight Riders’ Robin Uthappa (left) plays a shot as Rising Pune Supergiants wicketkeeper Mahendra Singh Dhoni looks on during the right way for cricket to reach new audiences, create new fans Yadav (2 for 31) was the pick of Indian Premier League match in Pune yesterday. (AFP) and drive the future of the game,” Graves added. the bowlers for KKR. “I passionately believe that the game has chosen the right Pune openers recovered from pacer Umesh Yadav, hitting Narine went wide outside off Mahendra Singh Dhoni played tian hit two sixes to take his side path. Each of our members will benefit and, critically, so will a tentative start against KKR’s three fours, two in one over, to stump to force him to come down a quickfi re 23 (11b 1x4 2x6) be- to a par score on this wicket. the whole game. new ball bowlers with Tripathi race to 38 off just 22 balls be- the ground and get stumped by fore Kuldeep got the back of “Our clear ambition is that this new competition will sit along- playing the aggressor’s role af- fore leg-spinner Piyush Chawla wicketkeeper Uthappa. the former India captain with a BRIEF SCORES: Rising Pune side the IPL and Big Bash League as one of the world’s major ter being dropped on 35 by Yusuf outfoxed him with a googly that Rahane was part of two vital googly as Uthappa stumped him. Supergiant 182 for 5 (Smith 51, cricket tournaments. Pathan off Colin de Grandhom- the batsman chopped onto his partnerships, with Tripathi for a Christian 16 (6b 0x4 2x6) hit Rahane 46; Kuldeep 2-31) lose to “The benefits it will bring can deliver a sustainable future for me’s delivery. stumps trying to cut. 65-run stand for the fi rst wicket big too before getting out off the Kolkata Knight Riders 184 for all 18 first-class counties and an exciting future for the game in The in-form 26-year-old At the other end, Rahane and with skipper Smith for a 47- last delivery as KKR leaked 30 3 (Uthappa 87, Gambhir 62) by England and Wales.” right-hander took a liking to looked steady but fell short when run second-wicket stand. runs in the last two overs. Chris- seven wickets

FOCUS SPOTLIGHT Bahrain snap Qatar’s India delay Champions Trophy winning streak

By Sports Reporter scoring 53 runs off 52 balls. Doha He struck seven fours and a six. The other notable contri- squad amid revenue talks bution came from Tamoor Saj- ith the help of an jad, who scored 36 runs off 74 Reuters “It’s too early to comment on that,” Rai all-round show by balls. Mumbai told Reuters by telephone yesterday. Tahir Dar, Bahrain Zaher Ibrahim and Iqbal Hus- Under the Members Participation snapped Qatar’s sain chipped in with 22 and 17 Agreement (MPA) for the 50-over tour- Wthree-game winning streak runs respectively. ndia failed to submit its squad for nament, to be played between the world’s with a 52-run victory in the Man of the Match Dar bowled the upcoming Champions Trophy top eight sides, the deadline for the sub- ICC World Cricket League Asia nine overs including four by the Tuesday midnight deadline mission of squads to the ICC was mid- Division 1 in Chiang Mai, Thai- maidens for his three-wicket and, as it tries to thrash out a better night on Tuesday. India, who won the land, yesterday. haul. Irevenue deal with cricket’s governing last edition in 2013, was the only country Asked to bat fi rst, Bahrain Junaid Aziz also claimed three body, the world’s richest board has not not to name its 15-man squad for the June scored 233 runs after losing wickets for the winners in his 10 ruled out boycotting the tournament 1-18 tournament. seven wickets in 50 overs. Dar overs. altogether. However, there is no scope for sanc- scored match-high 79 runs off Qatar had earlier defeated International Cricket Council (ICC) tions or penalties under the MPA. The 66 balls with the help of nine Kuwait by 150 runs, Bhutan by chairman Shashank Manohar has been ICC is expected to make a fi nal decision fours and two sixes. 214 runs and Thailand by 60 critical of the ‘Big Three’ model of 2014, on the new fi nancial model and govern- GSPR Arachchige contrib- runs in their fi rst three matches. which eff ectively put India, England and ance structure at its ongoing meetings uted 47 runs. He slammed fi ve Qatar’s will play their last two Australia in control of the game’s fi nances in Dubai. Cricket website ESPNcricinfo boundaries in his 85-ball knock. matches against China tomor- and administration. reported on Tuesday that Manohar, who Mohamed Rafeh remained not row and Saudi Arabia on May 1. At a meeting in February, the ICC is from India, made an improved off er to out on 28, while Mohamed The event is the Asian quali- agreed “in principle” to reverse the 2014 the BCCI, increasing their share of rev- Sameer added 17 runs to his fying tournament and is the fi rst decision and proposed a governance sponsors and the BCCI move in delaying is a serious option if the revenue sharing enue by about $100mn. side’s total. step of the ladder for associate structure including a new revenue distri- the naming of its squad for the Champi- talks break down. Manohar, who has also served as BCCI Qatar’s Awais Malik and Na- and affi liate members of the ICC bution model, which seeks to address the ons Trophy is being seen in some quar- Vinod Rai, who heads the Supreme chief, resigned from his ICC post in deem Mohamed claimed three as they strive for a place in the current imbalance favouring the three. ters as a pressure tactic aimed at getting Court-appointed Committee of Admin- March citing personal reasons but later wickets each. ICC Cricket World Cup in 2023 The Indian board (BCCI) unsurpris- the deal possible from the ICC. istrators to supervise the running of the deferred the decision and said he would In reply, Qatar batsmen were and beyond. ingly opposed the new proposal, which However, local media have reported BCCI, said negotiations were ongoing continue as chairman until administra- bundled out for 181 runs in 38.4 The title-winning team of the would see their revenue share decreased. that pulling out of the tournament, to but did not rule out such a scenario un- tive reforms of the governing body were overs. Opener Mohamed Tanvir league event will be promoted to India’s huge market is a major draw for be staged in England and Wales in June, folding. complete. was the top-scorer for the side, Division 5.

Thursday, April 27, 2017 GULF TIMES SPORT

INDOOR ASIA CUP HOCKEY Qatar down Malaysia in thriller to reach semis Hosts will face Kazakhstan in the semi-final, while defending champions Iran take on Uzbekistan for a final spot

By Sports Reporter Indoor Asia Cup, Iran had handed a Doha 16-3 thumping to the Uzbeks in a round robin match. Uzbekistan beat Chinese Taipei 7-2 osts Qatar made it through to in the match yesterday for a spot in the the semi-fi nals of the men’s last four, while second half braces by Indoor Asia Cup Hockey captain Daulet Urmanov and Nurzhan tournament yesterday, cour- Beibitov were crucial in Kazakhstan’s tesyH a late goal by Anwar Mohamed 8-6 win over Thailand. from a penalty corner against Malaysia. Malaysia will face Chinese Taipei, The 5-4 win helped Maggid Abu- and Thailand will take on Oman to de- Talib’s men leapfrog Malaysia in the cide places fi ve to eight. Pool A standings to take second spot In the women’s section, two- behind Iran. time second runners-up Uzbekistan Qatar registered fi rst on the score- slumped to a shock defeat with North board with Sheraz Ali scoring past Korea picking up their fi rst three points Malaysian goalkeeper Khairul Kamaru- in the tournament with a 9-2 win. zaman in the 6th minute. The lead dou- North Korea, who had lost their fi rst bled with Savio Stevenson scoring off a match of the day 3-5 against Malaysia, penalty corner in the 15th minute. were powered by hat-tricks by Ri Ryu Norsyafi q Sumantri pulled one back Gyong and Ryang Il Sim. for Malaysia, before Mohamed Sami Gyong scored four, while Sim added Ullah ensured that the home team went three goals. into the break with a 3-1 lead. China were once again clueless as The second half saw the Malaysians Thailand pumped 18 goals past former’s starting off with a renewed vigour, hapless defence, with Tikhamporn equalising within the fi rst six minutes Sakunpithak and Thanaporn Tong- courtesy goals by Shafi q Yaacob and kham scoring fi ve goals each. Amirol Arshad. Captain Chantree Ladawon, Kanya A minute later, Mustafa Mohamed Jantapet and Pichavee Yoolai scored restored the lead off a field goal. a brace each in the massive win that Najib Hasan put Malaysia on an even helped Thailand move top of the stand- keel in the 34th minute and status quo ings with nine points. Thailand face would have meant that the Malaysians third-placed Malaysia in their only would have gone through to the last- match today. Qatar players and off icials celebrate four stage. Defending champions Kazakhstan their victory over Malaysia in the men’s However, Anwar Mohamed’s shot too have nine points and have a game in Indoor Asia Cup Hockey match at As- past Kamaruzaman in the 38th minute hand. They will play Malaysia and Uz- pire Dome yesterday. Hosts finished meant that Qatar are at least assured of bekistan today. second in Pool A to advance to the last- matching their fourth place fi nish in the There’s everything to play for today four stage of the tournament and will last edition of the tournament in 2015 in as the top two teams, who will play the face Kazakhstan in the semi-final today. Kazakhstan. fi nal tomorrow, are yet to be decided. PICTURES: Jayan Orma Qatar will play Pool B topper Kaza- Only the winner of the tournament khstan in the second semi-fi nal today, will progress to the Indoor World Cup (Right) Action from the women’s Indoor with their previous encounter ending in in Germany next year. Asia Cup Hockey match between Uz- a win for the latter in 2015. bekistan (in red) and North Korea (in In the penultimate men’s match, RESULTS blue) yesterday. North Korea won the Iran stayed unbeaten with a 10-3 vic- MEN match 9-2. tory over Oman with Hamid Noraniy- Chinese Taipei 2 Uzbekistan 7 an scoring a hat-trick to go top of the Kazakhstan 8 Thailand 6 (5th-8th place) goalscorers’ list with nine goals. Iran 10 Oman 3 14:00 Thailand vs Oman Iranian captain Behdad Beiranvand, WOMEN (5th-8th place) too, scored a fi rst-half hat-trick to take North Korea 3 Malaysia 5 18:00 Iran vs Uzbekistan (semi-final 1) his tally to eight goals. China 0 Thailand 18 19:30 Kazakhstan vs Qatar (semi-final 2) Mohsen Bohlouli scored a brace in Uzbekistan 2 North Korea 9 WOMEN the Iranian victory. 10:00 Malaysia vs Kazakhstan Iran will take on Uzbekistan for a TODAY’S SCHEDULE 11:15 China vs North Korea spot in the fi nal. The last time the two MEN 15:30 Kazakhstan vs Uzbekistan teams had met, which was in the 2015 12:30 Malaysia vs Chinese Taipei 16:45 Thailand vs Malaysia

HORSE RACING Caid De L’Ardus takes sprint feature as Ghazali-Bentley combine wins hat-trick

By Sports Reporter Doha

ast season’s Leading Owner, Champion Trainer and Cham- pion Jockey had a great day at the offi ce, with Khalifa bin LSheail al-Kuwari’s Caid De L’Ardus sprinting to an impressive six-length victory in the Fuweiret Cup at the Qa- tar Racing and Equestrian Club (QREC) dirt track yesterday. The Purebred Arabians Conditions feature saw Jassim Ghazali’s ward reg- ister his third victory this season with Harry Bentley riding the fi ve-year-old to a big win in the six-furlong run. Hamad al-Jehani’s ward Lucky Sand was second under Jean Baptiste Hamel, while Ghazali charge Istibdad, ridden by Richard Mullen, completed the podium. The fi fth race of the day saw Ghazali and Bentley combine for a victory for the second time on the day, with the Briton helming Injaaz Stud’s Al Mar- boush in a stunning run in the Purebred Jockey Harry Bentley rides Caid De L’Ardus to victory in the Fuweiret Cup at the Arabian Conditions event yesterday. QREC yesterday. The grey son of Amer adjusted well to a six-furlong sprint, having fi nished 2. Foot Loos (Yousef al-Hajri), 3. Al Race 5: 1. Al Marboush (Harry Bentley), runner-up over 1900m a week ago, and Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club (QREC) vice chief steward Abdulla Rashid a-Kubaisi with the winners of the Fuweiret Cup Yarmouk (Harry Bentley), 4. Masterful 2. Ali Baba (JP Guillambert), 3. Qassy won by an impressive fi ve lengths. after Caid De L’Ardus won the six furlong race at the QREC yesterday. PICTURES: Juhaim Man (Faleh Bughanaim. Won by: 3 ½, 1 (Marvin Suerland), 4. Al Khattaf (Rich- Mubarak al-Khayarin-trained Ali ¼, 1 ¾. Owner: Sheikh Thani bin Nasser ard Mullen). Won by: 5, ¾, ½. Owner: Baba ensured that Injaaz Stud swept rated 65 and below. Suerland. maiden status was Ibrahim al-Malki- al-Thani. Trainer: Ibrahim al-Malki. Injaaz Stud. Trainer: Jassim Ghazali. the top two spots with JP Guillambert Ghazali’s Stars N Angels registered Salem al-Hajri’s Al Hazam fi nished trained Habob, who won the Class 6 Race 3: 1. Al Mansab (Harry Bentley), Race 6: 1. Disco Inferno (Tomas Lu- riding the six-year-old to a second- her best fi nish when JP Guillambert third for the second straight time. Thoroughbred Maiden Plate event un- 2. Al Raad (Tadgh O’Shea), 3. Al Yasrah kasek), 2. Dheban (Marvin Suerland), place fi nish, ahead of Mohamed Hus- helmed her to second place, while Qa- Earlier in the day, two horses from der Saleem Golam’s ride. (Marvin Suerland), 4. Al Ghawja (Rich- 3. Al Hazam (Abdulla Faisal), 4. Bader sain-saddled Qassy. tari jockey Faleh Bughanaim rode Owa- the owner-trainer combine of al-Ku- ard Mullen). Won by: 1 ½, Hd, ½. Owner: (Saleem Golam). Won by: 3, 1 1/2, 2 1/2. Jockey Tomas Lukasek picked up two ida al-Hajri-trained Tijan to a close wari and Ghazali shed their maiden RESULTS Khalifa bin Sheail al-Kuwari. Trainer: Owner: Hamad Mohamed al-Khayarin. victories on the day, guiding Hadi al- third. status with Tadgh O’Shea riding Al Race 1: Al Ashqar (Tadgh O’Shea), 2. Jassim Ghazali. Trainer: Hamad al-Khayarin. Ramzani’s Nu Form Fire and Hamad al- Disco Inferno tasted victory for the Ashqar to his fi rst career win in the Lo- Hatim (Yousef al-Hajri), 3. Bisher (Faleh Race 4: 1. Nu Form Fire (Tomas Race 7: 1. Caid De L’Ardus (Harry Khayarin’s Disco Inferno to top spots in fi rst time since February 2015, with cal Thoroughbred Maiden Plate event, Bughanaim), 4. Hamamah (Adnan Lukasek), 2. Stars N Angels (JP Guil- Bentley), 2. Lucky Sand (Jean Baptiste their respective races. Lukasek guiding the seven-year-old and Bentley guiding Al Mansab to vic- Hawa). Won by: 1 ¼, ½, Nk. Owner: Kha- lambert), 3. Tijan (Faleh Bughanaim), 4. Hamel), 3. Istibdad (Richard Mullen), 4. Nu Form Fire registered his third ca- to a three-length victory ahead of Al tory in the Local Purebred Arabian lifa bin Sheail al-Kuwari. Trainer: Jassim Arriana (Marvin Suerland). Won by: 2, AJS Qahir (Tomas Lukasek). Won by: reer victory, winning the Class 6 Thor- Shaqab Racing’s Dheban, trained by Maiden Plate event. Ghazali. 3 ½, Hd. Owner: Mohamed Nasser RA 6, 1 1/2, 5. Owner: Khalifa bin Sheail al- oughbred Classifi ed Stakes for horses Ibrahim al-Malki and ridden by Marvin Another Thoroughbred to shed her Race 2: 1. Habob (Saleem Golam), al-Naimi. Trainer: Hadi al-Ramzani. Kuwari. Trainer: Jassim Ghazali.