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Saturday, May 12, 2018 FOOTBALL Sha’baan 26, 1439 AH Juve’s Buff on GULF TIMES charged by UEFA aft er referee rant SPORT Page 3 FOOTBALL Al Duhail edge Al Sadd to scores lone goal in yet another victory for enter Amir Cup fi nal Belmadi’s men over Sadd

By Sahan Bidappa Rayyan, Gharafa keen he Video Assistant Referee (VAR) to make amends in system came back to haunt Al Sadd once again as they suff ered a 0-1 loss to Al Duhail in the Amir semis clash today CupT semi-fi nal yesterday. In the Cup fi nal loss last month, Sadd were at the receiving end of VAR, when the referee struck to his conten- tious decision to award a penalty to Du- hail. Last night at the Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium, it was the other way around for Al Sadd as a penalty decision was overturned for them and then they were reduced to 10 men after Abdelkareem Hassan was sent off at the stroke of half- time. Both the decisions came through VAR, where the referee looks at the moni- tor placed near the pitch side to review his initial call. To pile on the misery for Al Sadd, Al- moez Ali struck the match’s only goal in the 68th minute to send Duhail into the fi nal, which will be held at the Khalifa In- ternational Stadium on May 19. Djamel Belmadi’s side, unbeaten so far in the season, are on the course for a his- toric treble to add their QNB Stars League and trophies. They were deserving winners on the night too, as Al Sadd despite controver- Gharafa coach Bulent Uygun (left), Rayyan coach Michael Laudrup. sial VAR decisions, wasted opportunities and looked ragged in the second-half. By Sports Reporter loss on penalties to Al Sadd in Both the sides were coming off AFC Doha the Qatar Cup semi-final. The Champions League victories. While tie-breaker was forced after Al Sadd had beaten Saudi’s Al Ahli on the teams were tied 2-2 after Monday, Duhail had outplayed Al Ain on l Rayyan will be seeking regular time. Tuesday and had one day less to recover. revenge when they face Laudrup’s men had many With the return leg of Champions AAl Gharafa in the Amir positive results to show for in League to be played next week, Sadd and Cup semi-final today. Last time the league’s first phase, but Duhail did not go in with a full strength. these two sides met, Rayyan they lost out on the title in the Sadd’s Spanish midfi eld star Xavi Hern- were thrashed 1-6 by Gharafa in second phase. They were as andez and Hamroun Jugurtha were on the the QNB Stars League. inconsistent in a few matches as bench, while striker Baghdad Bounedjah And Rayyan, the last year’s they were consistent in many. watched from the stands as the Algerian Amir Cup finalist, will be hoping They will be without their top was serving his second suspension which they can settle the scores at scorer Abderrazaq Hamdallah, he received for showing dissent during the Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium. who was ruled out for the rest the Qatar Cup fi nal. For Duhail, Karim Both the teams had a bye into of the season with an ankle Bouaif, Ismail Mohamed and Murad Naji the quarter-finals stage of the injury. The Moroccan was the were on the bench. competition. third-best scorer in the QNB Sadd started on a bright note and al- While Rayyan cruised to a 3-0 Stars League with 18 goals. most went ahead in the 12th minute only win over Al Arabi in the last- However, Al Rayyan have the for ’s curling shot from the eight stage, likes of Rodrigo Tabata, Sebas- right to strike the post. Duhail also had Al Duhail’s Almoez Ali (left) in action during the Amir Cup semi-final against Al Sadd at Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium in Doha yesterday. saved Al Gharafa from the tian Soria, Mohamed Alaael- the same fortune as Mohamed Muntari’s PICTURES: Shemeer Rasheed and Jayan Orma blushes after the substitute din, Ahmed Yasser, Ahmed header hit the top bar. scored the winner in the 88th Abdelmaqsoud, Koh Myong-Jin, As the intensity of the game went up minute against second division Mohsine Moutaouli and Daniel a notch, Sadd were awarded a penalty in side Mesaimeer. Goumou to deliver the goods. the 28th minute. Referee Salman Falahi Gharafa are also under pressure On the other hand, Gharafa signalled for a spot-kick as he ruled Du- coming into the prestigious coach Bulent Uygun is seeking hail defender Dami Traore had brought tournament, having been to end his team’s title drought. down Sadd captain Hassan al-Haydous in outplayed 1-6 by Al Duhail in They last won the Amir Cup title the box. But upon a review, Falahi rightly the Qatar Cup semi-finals. So in 2012. changed his decision, with the replays both the teams have their own Gharafa finished fourth in the showing Traore had got to the ball fi rst problems to deal with. QNB Stars League and the even as al-Haydous went down tamely. Rayyan manager Michael Cheetahs are reaping rewards In the 33rd minute, al-Haydous had a Laudrup said his men are aware for making an overhaul in chance to put his team in front. The mid- of the magnitude of the match the January transfer window. fi elder after playing 1-2 with Akram Afi f and are keen to book their place Uygun took over from French- hit straight to keeper . On in the final, which will be played man Jean Fernandez, who the other end, Almoez Ali’s left-footer at the Khalifa International guided them to the QSL Cup just missed the target. Stadium on May 19. triumph, before the start of the As the half-time approached, the “We are looking to qualify for second phase. match’s turning point arrived too. Af- the final. I am happy that the They also strengthened their ter initially not making a decision on semi-final will be played at the ranks by roping in Dutch attack- Abdulkarim’s foul on Mohamed Moosa, Al Sadd Stadium because the ing midfielder Wesley Sneijder, the referee, upon watching the replays, stadium is air conditioned and Iranian striker Mehdi Taremi showed a direct red card for a danger- makes playing better at this and . They have ous tackle. Sadd players protested in This combination picture shows Al Sadd coach Jesualdo Ferreira react during the Amir Cup semi-final against Al Duhail yesterday. time,” he said yesterday. a good mix of experience and vain even as coach Jesualdo Ferreira was Laudrup said his team’s 1-6 youth, and Uygun has suc- seething in anger on the touchline. Tae-hee received the ball from the player for Duhail again as hit the post delkareem’s foul only warranted a yellow loss to Gharafa in the league ceeded in moulding them into a Despite being a man down, Sadd start- half-line and sped towards the box and twice and also drew a save from Sadd card. will have no bearing on today’s fighting unit. ed the second-half positively. Boualem expertly played a through ball to Ismael goalkeeper Sadd al-Dosari. “It is a very sad result for us. And it is match. “This match is com- The likes of captain Sneijder, Khoukhi had a chance for equaliser but on the right, who then picked out incom- Post-match, Sadd coach Ferreira was because of two controversial decisions. pletely diff erent from the league Taremi and Brazilian midfielder the forward failed to connect a volley. ing Almoez as the striker pounced on the frustrated with the result. The Portu- This is happening to us for the second meeting, because of the cir- Diogo Amado have gelled Even as South Korean playmaker Nam ball to hit the target from four yards. guese was not happy with the decisions consecutive against Duhail and we are cumstances in which the game well with youngsters such as Tae-hee pulled the strings for Duhail, Bel- Duhail came close again through Luiz on Abdelkareem’s being sent off and a very unfortunate,” he said. will be played. In the league, it’s goalkeeper Yusuf Hassan, Amro madi introduced QNB Stars League top- Martin, but the captain hit the post. The penalty being overturned. “The referee has to take decision for totally a diff erent scenario. The Seraj, Ilyas Ahmed and Monkez scorer Youssef El Arabi in place of Muntari. impressive Tae-hee troubled the Sadd “If we did not have the VAR then we what he saw and not because of the pres- players are motivated to reach Mohamed. They also have The decisive goal came in the 68th defence whole evening as he showed lit- would not have a red card for that foul. sure from the players. The Qatari referees the final game,” the Dane said. talented players such as Ahmed minute after Morteza Mohammed’s pass tle fatigue from his man-of-the-match We would also have a penalty kick for al- are good, but the pressure from players Rayyan is coming to the Amir Alaaeldin, Hassan Fadli, Madibo was intercepted in the midfi eld and Du- performance against Al Ain on Tuesday. Haydous,” he said. aff ects them. They must be free to make Cup after a heartbreaking 4-6 and Othman al-Yahri. hail launched a counter-attack. The South Korean was the standout Ferreira also pointed out that Ab- decisions on their own,” he said. Gulf Times 2 Saturday, May 12, 2018 FOOTBALL

EPL GOAL Neymar aims to regain fi tness by World Cup United seal second but PSG future unclear

Reuters said: “(Sports director) Antero Madrid Henrique is not far from here and he could come and an- swer, or why not even Neymar razil forward Neymar himself.” spot with stalemate is focusing on getting The latest media reports fully fi t in time for say the Brazilian wants next month’s World to move to Real Madrid, who ‘We are just waiting to see if BCup following foot surgery but tried to sign him in 2013 be- his future at Paris St Germain fore he opted to join Barcelona it’s possible for him to be looks increasingly uncertain. from Santos. He was absent from PSG’s Spanish newspaper Marca involved in the final’ Ligue 1 title celebrations in reported yesterday that the at West Ham April although he was at the player’s father and agent, AFP Stade de France on Tuesday to Neymar Sr, has told PSG his London Manchester United’s Paul Pogba hugs West Ham watch his side beat third-tier son wants to leave immedi- United’s Mark Noble aft er their English Premier Les Herbiers 2-0 in the French ately. League match in London on Thursday. (AFP) Cup fi nal to complete a do- It said his father met Real anchester United se- mestic treble. directors in December on the cured second place in Reports in French and day Cristiano Ronaldo re- the Premier League Spanish media say Neymar, ceived the Ballon d’Or in Paris. with a 0-0 draw who joined the Ligue 1 club The 26-year-old Neymar Mat West Ham on Thursday, but from Barcelona for a record has been out of action since there was precious little else to 222 million euros ($265.18 mil- spraining his ankle and frac- please manager Jose Mourinho lion) last August, has told PSG turing his fi fth metatarsal on as the visitors again struggled for directors he wants to quit the February 25, which led him to inspiration in attacking areas. club after only one season. undergo surgery in Brazil. In a game of precious few Pressed on the topic by He had chalked up 28 goals clear-cut chances, Luke Shaw reporters in his pre-Ligue 1 and 16 assists in 30 appear- hit the post and Paul Pogba match news conference yes- ances in all competitions for headed wide with United’s best terday, PSG coach Unai Emery PSG before his injury. opening. A third blank in their last fi ve league games for United means local rivals Manchester City can seal another Premier League record by winning the league by at least 19 points if they win at Southampton on the last day of the season tomorrow. In United’s fi rst game since legendary former manager Alex Ferguson had to have emergency surgery on a brain haemorrhage, the visiting fans showed their support to the 76-year-old Scot with persist chants of “we all love Alex Ferguson”. There was a more subdued at- mosphere from the home fans at the end of another deeply frus- trating campaign for the Ham- mers. Two years ago to the day, SETBACK West Ham waved goodbye to Upton Park in a thrilling 3-2 win over United on a night of high emotion in East London. Brazil’s Alves ruled That victory also helped se- cure European football, but the move to the London Sta- out of World Cup dium, sold to supporters as West Ham’s chance to compete with AFP zil are aiming for a sixth title, the Premier League elite, has Rio de Janeiro starts in Russia on June 14. so far proved a false dawn. Sur- Brazilian legend and three- vival was only mathematically time World Cup-winner Pele secured last weekend and West razil right-back Dani tweeted: “I am so sad to hear Ham remain in lowly 15th place. Alves was ruled out of this. Footballers hate missing United manager Jose Mour- the World Cup on Fri- games but I know fi rst-hand inho reacted to Friday’s meek day after suff ering a that missing #WorldCup 1-0 defeat at Brighton by mak- other good opening over before again early in the second period. past the post from a narrow an- kle problem against Arsenal last kneeB injury playing for French games is the worst feeling.” ing eight changes with Marcus United awakened from their A lacklustre United display gle. Pogba’s frustration then month and is set to miss the last champions Paris Saint-Ger- The injury to Alves is the Rashford and Anthony Martial slumber. Adrian has been re- was refl ected in Pogba again fail- spilled over when he was lucky game of the Premier League sea- main, the Brazilian football second major blow for Brazil relegated to the bench despite stored in the West Ham goal for ing to take control of the game. to escape with just a yellow card son against Watford tomorrow. federation (CBF) said. who are still sweating on the the continued absence of the in- the past three games in place of The £89 million midfi elder after grappling with West Ham “We hope he can play the fi - “All possibilities for his re- recovery from foot surgery jured Romelu Lukaku. England international Joe Hart, did have the visitors’ best chance captain Mark Noble as tempers nal,” Mourinho said after Thurs- covery being exhausted, it will of star striker Neymar who However, that failed to pro- and showed why with a hat-trick when he headed wide just after fl ared in the latter stages. day’s 0-0 draw at West Ham. be impossible to select Daniel hasn’t played since March. voke an immediate response as of fi ne saves. the hour mark from Antonio Va- Meanwhile Mourinho says “He’s in Belgium having his Alves... for the World Cup,” Alves has played 107 times West Ham posed the early threat. Jesse Lingard was fi rst to be lencia’s pin-point cross. Romelu Lukaku could start the treatment and there is commu- said the CBF in a statement. for Brazil since making his de- Marko Arnautovic’s goals have denied with a fi ercely struck Pogba then sent an audacious FA Cup fi nal on the bench as the nication between the doctors The 35-year-old suff ered but in 2006 and looked a cer- kept David Moyes’s men up and long-range eff ort before Adrian eff ort from the halfway line well striker battles to recover from in Belgium and our medical de- the injury playing in Tues- tain starter for Tite’s team at the Austrian muscled his way showed quick refl exes to save over Adrian’s crossbar to sum up an ankle injury in time for the partment. day’s French Cup fi nal against the World Cup fi nals in Russia into a good shooting position on from Alexis Sanchez and then United’s lack of ideas in attack- Wembley showdown with Chel- “We are just waiting to see Les Herbiers, coming off four where Brazil are grouped with six minutes but placed his shot get back on his feet to turn ing areas. However, the French- sea. if it’s possible for him to be in- minutes from the end as PSG Switzerland, Costa Rica and too close to David de Gea. Shaw’s eff ort onto the post. Lin- man did come a lot closer with Lukaku hasn’t featured for volved in the fi nal, if not starting beat the minnows 2-0. Serbia. Tite is due to name his Arnautovic then headed an- gard stung the palms of Adrian his fi nal strike that curled just United since suff ering his an- at least he can be on the bench.” The World Cup, where Bra- squad on Monday.

FOCUS Pep hopes Aguero stays at City

AFP was also relaxed about reports that England for- Salah promises Liverpool ward Raheem Sterling has decided to delay con- Manchester, United Kingdom tract negotiations with the club until after the World Cup. “The club, the chairman and myself, ep Guardiola does not want Sergio Ague- we all want him to stay a long time, renew his ro to leave Manchester City and has told contract,” said Guardiola. “But we are going on fans: this is ‘just the start’ the Argentina striker he can remain with holiday in a few days. We all want him to stay as AFP the Premier League champions for as long as possible.” Plong as he wants. Meanwhile, Guardiola predicts a low-key London Reports from Spain suggest Aguero’s former summer of transfer activity, with veteran mid- club Atletico Madrid are keen to re-sign him fi elder Yaya Toure the only player who is con- ohamed Salah has before next season. Aguero’s relationship with fi rmed as a defi nite departure. Apart from sign- reassured Liverpool Guardiola has been the subject of some debate ing Toure’s replacement, and potentially also a fans his stunning after reports of clashes between the pair in the new big-name forward, Guardiola may not add fi rst season is “just past. But the City manager will off er Atletico no any more talent to a squad that won the title so Mthe beginning” of his time at the encouragement, as long as Aguero - who turns comfortably. club despite speculation over in- 30 next month - wishes to stay with the team for “I say not too much, maybe players want to terest from Real Madrid. whom he has scored a club-record 199 goals. play more and want to leave, but not too many,” The Egyptian collected “I think it’s not going to happen. My desire is it he added. “We had a high investment last season, awards in Liverpool on Thursday will not happen, but I don’t know,” said Guardiola it was an old team, 10 or 11 players more than 31, after being voted player of the of Atletico’s reported interest. “It’s happened and we needed to change it. We did that and now season by both the club’s fans many times in these press conferences and I said we’ll makes some details - Yaya is leaving. So, one and his teammates before board- maybe a thousand times - Sergio is going to stay or maybe two. I don’t know.” ing a fl ight to collect the Football until he decides his time is over. Guardiola also branded Premier League rules Writers’ Association’s award in Liverpool Football Club supporters Emily and David Farley carry a cardboard cut out of Liverpool player “I said it last season and this season many that require a player to have made fi ve appearanc- London. The 25-year-old has Mohamed Salah outside their house which has been decorated ahead of the club’s Champions League times and I say it today. That’s why I say it isn’t es to qualify for a winner’s medal as ridiculous, scored 43 goals in all competi- final appearance against Real Madrid, in Liverpool. (Reuters) going to happen, but in football you never know.” with young midfi elders Phil Foden and Brahim tions since arriving from Roma City signed Aguero from Atletico in 2011 and Diaz currently one short of that target. last summer, a return that has I have got ambitions for the fu- not settled. A point in their fi nal and a lot of people were saying he has been one of the key components of the And Guardiola admits he may put the duo on seen him heavily linked with ture with Liverpool. As you can match, at home to Brighton on he couldn’t play in the Premier club’s successes, which now include three Pre- the fi eld at some stage just to make sure they Spanish giants Real Madrid, who see we had a great season, now Sunday, will be enough to secure League. I left Chelsea but it was mier League titles. Although sidelined with a qualify for the honours. face Liverpool in the Champions we are in the Champions League a top-four fi nish, after which all always in my mind to come back knee injury, Aguero is poised to return to fi tness “I didn’t know that but, with all respect, it League later this month. fi nal and everyone is excited. eyes turn to Kiev. to make them wrong. So I make in time for the World Cup and is under contact looks ridiculous to me. All respect,” he said. But Salah, who needs just one “It is just the start. This is my Salah, who was last month them wrong. with City until 2020. “If they want my medal I will give them medal. more goal to become the out- fi rst year here and it is the same crowned Professional Football- “I’m not the same player. I im- He has publicly stated he intends to return to They are champions. They worked from day one right record-holder for the most for some other players. It is just ers’ Association players’ player proved a lot in Rome but I can’t Argentina and play for boyhood club Independi- to the last one, training with us, in the locker strikes in a 38-match season the beginning.” of the year, won the writers’ say everything is me. The team- ente once his time with City is up. room, training. in the Premier League, appears Liverpool cannot focus all of award ahead of Kevin De Bru- mates are maybe diff erent. The “They didn’t play because of my decisions, but content with life at the club. their energies on Real just yet, yne and Harry Kane. Speaking coach is tough and they always Sterling talks it’s the same thing. It doesn’t matter they don’t “I’m very happy here, every- with the battle for a place in next in London, he said: “I was here help me inside and outside the Guardiola, who travels to Southampton for the have medals. Maybe it’s so expensive to give thing is fi ne,” he said. “Of course season’s Champions League still four years ago (with Chelsea) pitch.” champions’ fi nal game of the season on Sunday, three, four, fi ve medals for the young guys! Gulf Times Saturday, May 12, 2018 3 FOOTBALL

SERIE A PREVIEW Clock ticking on giants Hamburg’s Juventus on verge future

AFP steered Hamburg to triumph in Hamburg the 1983 European Cup, when scored in a 1-0 win over Juventus in Athens. allen German giants Hamburg also won the Ger- of title as Roma look Hamburg could be rel- man title in the 1981-82 and egated from the Bundes- 1982-83 seasons. But no sig- liga’s top-fl ight for the nifi cant silverware has come the fiF rst time in their history today. club’s way since they lifted the A clock in their Volkspark- German Cup back in 1987. stadion proudly displays how Since Angela Merkel became long Hamburg have been in the German chancellor in 2005, 18 Bundesliga – they are the only diff erent coaches have failed to to gatecrash party ever-presents since the division bring success, or even stability. was founded in 1963. The now “Economically speaking, ‘The Scudetto’s not ours yet, but we’re on the right track. We’re close’ mighty Bayern Munich were Hamburg football club is the only a second-division club back worst investment decision of AFP then. my life,” said German billionaire Milan But Hamburg’s proud record Klaus-Michael Kuehne, who has Juventus’ goalkeeper Gianluigi Buff on reacts is now in serious danger. pumped millions of euros into during the Italian Tim Cup fi nal against AC Lying second from bottom the club since 2010. uventus aim to claim Milan at the Olympic stadium in Rome. (AFP) after taking just 28 points from This season has been a dis- a seventh consecutive 33 games, the club must beat aster, with three coaches since league title at the Stadio Borussia Moenchengladbach at January. Olimpico tomorrow but home on the fi nal day of the sea- was sacked opponentsJ Roma will be deter- son and hope Wolfsburg, who are in January after taking just 15 mined to gatecrash the party and one place and two points above points from 19 games. secure a spot in the Champions them, lose at home to already- Former player Bernd Holler- League. relegated Cologne. bach took over, but was gone by All-conquering Juventus “In mathematical terms, the March after failing to win any of claimed a fourth consecutive chance is low, but in football, an his seven games. Italian Cup with a 4-0 win over awful lot is possible,” Hamburg Titz, 47, the former reserve AC Milan in Rome midweek, and coach Christian Titz said defi - team coach, has coaxed 10 points need just a point to add antly. from his seven games to reignite the Scudetto to complete the “Lots of people in Hamburg long-lost hope. double for the fourth year in a will be Cologne fans on Saturday. “I think they’ll do it, they have row. “The problem is, we could do to stay up it’ll be like a funeral “The Scudetto’s not ours yet, our homework, get the win and in the city if they go down,” one but we’re on the right track. still it might not be enough.” supporter told AFP. We’re close,” warned goalkeep- So desperate are Hamburg Even legendary West Germa- ing legend Gianluigi Buff on who fans to get the right results to- ny striker Uwe Seeler, an eternal reached the milestone of 300 day that barrels of beer are being optimist who scored 404 goals in clean sheets for Juventus in 655 pledged, via Twitter, to Cologne 476 games for Hamburg, is con- appearances on Wednesday. should they beat Wolfsburg. sidering what most fans dread. Roma, in third place, need just The goal is to fi nish 16th, which “Without being a pessi- a point to ensure top European would mean for the third time in mist, I think it’s too late,” said football next season as they hold fi ve years Hamburg would face the 81-year-old after Hamburg a four-point advantage on fi fth- the ordeal of a relegation playoff , managed to beat Schalke last place Inter Milan in the race for this time against , month. the top four with two games to who fi nished third in Germany’s “It will be important to put play. second tier. together a good team in prepara- “Playing for a draw isn’t in tion for the second league, be- my make-up,” said Roma coach ‘Like a funeral’ cause the second league is also Eusebio Di Francesco. “You go To sweeten the bitter taste of strong.” out onto the pitch to win. regular defeats, the squad hand- Should the unthinkable hap- “The game could always end ed out free scoops of ice cream to pen, a clear-out of the squad is in a draw, but I don’t like talking long-suff ering Hamburg fans at highly likely. In total, eight play- about permutations. training on Tuesday. ers are out of contract, including “I can assure you that I will try The current plight is a far cry captain Gotoku Sakai, a Japa- to convince my players that we from the glory days. nese international, plus Aaron need all three points.” England star Kevin Keegan, Hunt, and Nicolai However, if fi fth-placed In- with his permed locks, moved Mueller, who have played for ter Milan lose today at home to Buff on charged by UEFA after referee rant to Hamburg from Liverpool for a Germany. Sassuolo then the top four will then-record 500,000 pounds in One of the eight, right-back be confi rmed for Roma. Lazio, in Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Juventus was decided by a ruin the dreams of a team. I “feel alive”. Although the goal- 1977, becoming the Bundesliga’s , has been in- fourth two points behind Roma, Buff on was charged by UEFA last-gasp Cristiano Ronaldo could’ve told the referee any- keeper was widely criticised for fi rst foreign superstar. volved in nerve-wracking rele- travel to Crotone, who are hov- yesterday over his comments penalty after the cham- thing at that moment, but he his comments, referee Oliver Keegan thrived in the bustling gation play-off s four times in his ering two points above the drop about referee Michael Oliver pions had staged a remarkable had to understand the degree and his wife Lucy were both northern German port and was career, with Nuremberg in 2009 zone. after the Italian side’s dramatic comeback to wipe out a 3-0 of the disaster he was creating. targeted on social media in the voted European player of the and 2010, then Hamburg in 2014 Champions League quarter- first-leg deficit at the Santiago If you can’t handle the pres- days after the game and were year in both 1978 and 1979. He and 2015 – always with the win- ‘Something unimaginable’ final loss to Real Madrid last Bernabeu. But Buff on, who sure and have the courage off ered police support. Buff on scored 17 goals as Hamburg won ning club. In any case, Di Francesco’s aim month. The 40-year-old has was sent off in the aftermath to make a decision, then you has never won the Champions the Bundesliga title for the fi rst “Some guys are relaxed, is to postpone the Juventus party been charged both with of the penalty decision, lashed should just sit in the stands League in his illustrious 23-year time in 1978-79. some are tense, but we should for a week sending the multiple breaching UEFA’s “general out at Oliver’s decision to and eat your crisps.” The 2006 career. He could win a fourth Then in the 1980s, legendary look forward to the game,” said champions back home to Turin principles of conduct” over award the spot-kick, saying the World Cup-winner is set to straight Serie A and Italian Cup Austrian coach Diekmeier. to complete the double in their his outburst and also for his English off icial had a “rubbish retire at the end of the current double this weekend as his fi nal game against already-rele- red card for dissent. European bin for a heart”. season, so any potential ban Juventus side look to clinch gated Verona. football’s governing body said “You have to be a murderer to from European football may the league title when they Dominguez re-elected as CONMEBOL boss That game in Turin could also the case will be dealt with on make the last two decisions the not aff ect his future. Buff on play Roma on Sunday, hav- be the swansong for 40-year-old May 31. The last-eight clash referee made,” Juve captain later defended his comments, ing thrashed AC Milan 4-0 in Paraguayan Alejandro Dominguez was re-elected president of the Buff on who has said he will retire between holders Real and Buff on said. “You cannot saying the drama made him Wednesday’s Cup final. South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL) yesterday at the end of the season. with a renewed promise to make the scandal-hit organisation more “I’m very proud because we’ve transparent and accountable. Dominguez took power in 2016 after done in seven years what only did something unimaginable.” AC Milan, in sixth, had been up to it, the rest doesn’t really Fixtures (all times GMT) his countryman Juan Angel Napout was arrested in Switzerland men with a capital M can do,” Second-placed Napoli travel hoping for a Cup win which matter. Now for 180 minutes we Today: Benevento v Genoa as part of the FIFA corruption scandal. Napout’s two predeces- Buff on told Juventus TV. to Sampdoria with their ambi- would have guaranteed them have to be Milan, all together,” (1400GMT), Inter Milan v Sas- sors were also detained and accused of taking bribes in return for “It’s incredible. At one point tions now a club points record a place in the Europa League said Spanish midfi elder Suso. suolo (1845) guaranteed TV and publicity contracts. Dominguez has sought to in the season, we said, ‘if we for the season after practically group phase. Atalanta are a point behind Tomorrow: Crotone v Lazio, restore the image of an institution discredited by the arrests and want to be monsters, we have handing Juventus the title last Instead Gennaro Gattuso’s Milan in seventh, with Fioren- Verona v Udinese, Fiorentina v notorious for its lack of accountability and openness. “I promise to win the Scudetto again, try week with a 2-2 draw against side face a direct clash at Euro- tina, who will play Gattuso’s Cagliari, Torino v SPAL, Bologna that all monies generated by this administration are going to be to win the Italian Cup and the Torino. Below the leading pean rivals Atalanta as they re- side on the fi nal day of the sea- v Chievo (all 1300), Atalanta transparent and are going to be transferred to football where they Champions League. group, three teams are involved cover from their blunders which son, a further two points behind v AC Milan (1400), Roma v should have always gone,” Dominguez, who was elected for a four- “We didn’t succeed in the in a battle for the fi nal Europa handed Juventus the Cup. hosting relegation-threatened Juventus (1845), Sampdoria v year term, told delegates. Champions League, but we still League spot. “We weren’t good, we weren’t Cagliari. Napoli (1845)

LA LIGA Barca visit Levante with unbeaten season on the line AFP Juan Ramon Lopez Muniz as to win everything,” Valverde rather than to preserve hopes Madrid coach at the start of March, Le- said. “We have not won every- of beating Atletico Madrid to vante had won only one of their thing but it is also true we had second. Vigo’s own ambitions last 22 games. Since he took diffi culties at the start of the of sealing a place in the Europa arcelona may have navi- charge, only Atletico Madrid have season and we have exceeded League have extinguished but gated their way past played them and tasted victory. many expectations. there remains a three-way battle Real Madrid and Villar- “It was important to change “We had a terrible day in for two spots between Villarreal, real this week but their the dynamics but I don’t know Rome in the Champions League Sevilla and Getafe. fiB rst ever unbeaten La Liga sea- what changed so much,” Lopez and that has hung over us. But Real Betis, in fi fth, cannot drop son is not quite over the line yet. said. “What we have is attitude still, it has been a great season.” out although they could still sink Ernesto Valverde’s side visit and commitment and that has Zinedine Zidane has paid lip- to seventh, which would involve Levante tomorrow, whose lowly been the key.” service to the idea of a strong playing an awkward qualifi ca- position of 16th betrays a late Valverde has downplayed the fi nish in the league, not least to tion play-off in July. surge in form, which has includ- importance of his team fi nishing maintain momentum ahead of They host the current incum- ed four consecutive victories the campaign as invincibles but their season-defi ning Champi- bents Sevilla today. and only one defeat in their last after already winning a domes- ons League fi nal against Liver- 10 games. tic double, it would represent pool in Kiev. SCHEDULE Barca are clear favourites. something of a cherry on top. But a heavily-rotated Real Today They held on for a 2-2 draw at No team has ever fi nished a side’s 3-2 defeat to Sevilla on Real Sociedad v Leganes home to Real on Sunday, even 38-game La Liga season with- Wednesday, when they trailed (1415), Girona v Valencia (1630), after Sergi Roberto was sent off out losing and Barca would be 3-0 in the 86th minute, off ered Alaves v Athletic Bilbao (1630), at the end of the fi rst half, before the fi rst in any format since Real a more accurate indication of the Deportivo La Coruna v Villar- thrashing sixth-placed Villarreal Madrid managed it across an Frenchman’s priorities. real (1630), Getafe v Atletico 5-1 on Wednesday. 18-match schedule in 1932. Real host Celta Vigo on Sat- Madrid (1630), Real Betis v Se- But if those two games have With Real standing on the urday, when it is almost certain villa (1630), Eibar v Las Palmas caused any fatigue, or even com- brink of a third consecutive that Cristiano Ronaldo, still re- (1630), Real Madrid v Celta Vigo placency, among Spain’s league Champions League triumph, covering from a sprained ankle, (1845) and cup winners, Levante could their Catalan rivals need to claim will be absent. Tomorrow be primed to take advantage. every accolade they can get. If Zidane recalls other key Espanyol v Malaga (1415), Barcelona’s Ousmane Dembele celebrates with Lionel Messi (left), Yerry Mina (second right) and Luis When Paco Lopez replaced “In this club you are expected players it will be to prevent rust Levante v Barcelona (1845) Suarez (right) after scoring their fifth goal against Villarreal during their La Liga match. (Reuters) Gulf Times 4 Saturday, May 12, 2018

FOCUS COMMENT Langer: I would have tampered with Irish hopes intact as the ball if told to

Reuters playing in his eighth Test, was Sydney cast as the misled junior in the Cricket Australia report which followed and got off ew Australia coach lightly compared to captain bad weather derails Justin Langer under- Steve Smith and vice captain stands how Cameron David Warner, who were both Bancroft became banned for a year. Langer said ‘I’ve dreamed of being a Test cricketer Nembroiled in the ball-tamper- his own experience had taught ing scandal and said he would him that it was up to everybody for as long as I can remember. I must have cheated too if instructed in the team set-up to ensure to by senior players when he the standards of behaviour ex- have dreamt the dream 100,000 times’ fi rst played . pected of Test cricketers. Test debut The former top order bats- man, who made his Test debut Langer reiterated his AFP against West Indies in 1993, opinion that all three Dublin Umpires Nigel Llong (left ) and Richard Illingworth check the said the diff erence was that in players caught up in pitch as groundsmen work on the wet pitch at Malahide cricket his the scandal deserved a club on the fi rst day of the Ireland’s debut Test against Pakistan era the idea would never chance to work their way hen you’ve waited in Dublin yesterday. (AFP) have been countenanced by back into the team aft er as long as Ireland captain Allan Border or coach having served their bans have to play your Bob Simpson. “If Allan Border fi rst Test match, a had asked me to tamper with “I walked into this Austral- Wfew more hours’ delay may not the ball I would’ve,” Langer ian cricket changeroom with seem that signifi cant. told Australia’s Channel Nine. Allan Border, Steve Waugh, Yet there was no denying the “I would’ve because I would David Boon and Ian Healy and disappointment at a wet and be too scared not to. The dif- Bobby Simpson leading it,” he windy Malahide ground in Dub- ference is Allan Border would recalled. “You couldn’t help lin as rain meant no play was never have asked me and Bobby but become a better person possible before lunch on yester- Simpson would’ve killed me. and a better cricketer – be- day’s opening day of Ireland’s “He would’ve killed any- cause mate, that was a serious landmark fi xture. one who brought the game changeroom.” As ground staff did their best into disrepute. What I can’t Langer, Bancroft’s former to dry out the square and out- believe is that Cameron Ban- coach at Western Australia, re- fi eld ahead of the one-off match croft walked into the Austral- iterated his opinion that all three against Pakistan, a few hardy ian cricket team and he was in players caught up in the scandal spectators at a ground where a position where he made that deserved a chance to work their temporary stands had increased decision.” way back into the team after the capacity to 6,000 continued Bancroft was handed a nine- having served their bans. to brave the elements. month ban from international “If we can keep mentoring A howling wind did not help, and state cricket for his part in them and helping them, and with umpire Richard Illingworth the scandal which erupted in they want to keep getting bet- struggling to keep hold of his the third Test in South Africa ter and meet the standards of umbrella when he and his fellow in March and quickly engulfed the Australian cricket team, English offi cial Nigel Llong made Australian cricket. then, of course, they’ll be wel- an inspection before taking the The 25-year-old, who was come back,” he said. predictable decision to abandon the fi rst session without a ball bowled. Bangladesh ‘really disappointed’ But despite the great skies, there was also a sense it would at Australia tour cancellation take a lot more than some bad unfolds at Malahide will be truly Pakistan out of the 2007 one- The Bangladesh Cricket Board said it was “really disappointed” weather to dampen the pride felt momentous.” day international World Cup that a test tour of Australia had been scrubbed for financial by so many within Irish cricket “I’ve dreamed of being a Test tournament with a stunning St reasons. as their side stood on the brink cricketer for as long as I can re- Patrick’s Day win at Sabina Park Bangladesh had been scheduled to play two tests and three one of becoming just the 11th nation member. I must have dreamt the in Kingston, Jamaica. day internationals Down Under later this year but there was no to play Test cricket. dream 100,000 times,” Ireland But the joy in defeating Paki- mention of it when Australia’s schedule for the 2018-19 home That this match had captured -keeper Niall O’Brien stan – as well as Bangladesh – season was published at the end of last month. the attention of an Irish public wrote in an accompanying col- in 2007 was eclipsed four years “They have told us this series is not financially viable due to used to Gaelic sports, racing and umn. Yet while many Irish sports later, when England were beaten the off -season,” chief executive Nizam Uddin Chowdhury told rugby holding sway, could be fans are starting to get acquaint- in a World Cup match in Banga- Reuters. seen from the fact that a preview ed with cricket, the sport has lore. “This is really disappointing. All the series we hosted were not of the match was the main item deep roots in the “Emerald Isle”. That success redoubled Irish always profitable. If we can conduct them, we would expect on Thursday’s evening television There are records of cricket ambitions to play fi ve-day Test the other cricket boards, especially bigger ones like Cricket news bulletin on RTE, Ireland’s being played in Ireland as early cricket, still regarded as the Australia, to do the same. national state broadcaster. as 1731. sport’s supreme format. “We have proposed a shorter version as an alternative. But it It was all a far cry from the But the sport’s reputation If conditions in Malahide re- looks like they are not continuing. So, this series is not going to time when Ed Joyce, arguably suff ered from being seen as the main cold and overcast they happen.” the country’s greatest batsman creation of English “colonisers”. could yet favour Ireland, al- In the ICC’s Future Tours Programme, Bangladesh’s tour was and set to play in this match, was Ireland fi rst made the rest of though neither side will relish pencilled in for the Australian winter, when football codes oc- physically attacked as a boy just the cricket world sit up and take batting fi rst under cloudy skies. cupy the main cricket stadiums and dominate sports broadcast- for carrying a cricket bat. notice when they skittled out “We’ve always got a chance, ing. the touring West Indies, reputed it’s sport,” said Ireland captain Bangladesh’s last test tour of Australia was in 2003 when they ‘Momentous’ to have enjoyed some typically William Porterfi eld on Thursday. suff ered innings losses in the tropical northern cities of Darwin Yesterday’s Irish Times pro- generous Irish hospitality the “Are we favourites? No. But and Cairns and it is likely such venues would have been consid- claimed: “Truly historic sport- night before, for just 25 on their we’ve as much chance as any- ered if the 2018 tour had gone ahead. ing occasions don’t come around way to a win at Sion Mills in one if we do the basics right, in Australia drew 1-1 with Bangladesh in a two-test series last year, too often but today, for 11 men 1969. our own conditions we will give their first tour of the country since 2011 after Cricket Australia wearing white sweaters em- They made an even bigger ourselves a very good chance,” he Pakistan player Saad Ali (left) plays football with a teammate at Malahide cancelled a trip in 2015 citing security concerns. bossed with shamrocks, what global splash when they knocked added. cricket club in Dublin yesterday. (AFP)

INDIAN PREMIER LEAGUE Buttler leads Rajasthan to exciting victory IANS 45 runs between them off the next seven overs Watson accumulated 19 runs from the fi rst two Jaipur before the latter was run out following a horrible overs. mix-up. However, the decent start was short-lived as Prashant Chopra then handed an easy catch to Jofra Archer drew the fi rst blood for the hosts, ajasthan Royals rode a heroic batting ef- at short mid-wicket off a rather when a short-ball from him took an inside edge fort by Jos Buttler to edge out Chennai ordinary delivery from as Chen- to shattered Rayudu’s (12 off 9 balls) stumps in Super Kings (CSK) by four in a nai gradually started to gain the upper hand. the third over. nail-biting (IPL) Stuart Binny also failed to last long as Chennai The opener’s fall saw Raina joining Watson in encounterR at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium yes- seemed destined for another win. the middle and the duo helped Chennai recover terday. With 28 runs needed off 12 deliveries, it was from the early blow taking their side past the Buttler batted through the innings to help Ra- Krishnappa Gowtham who gave the chase some 50-run mark in 5.1 overs. Both batmen further jasthan overhaul a stiff 177-run target with just much needed momentum with a power packed played sensibly and shared an 81-run partner- one ball to go. innings that produced 13 runs off just four balls. ship to help the yellow brigade cross 100-run Having opened the Rajasthan innings along All those runs came in the penultimate over as he mark in 11.1 overs. ’ Jos Buttler looks with England star Ben Stokes, Buttler continued smashed Willey for two sixes. With the Australian all-rounder inching to- on aft er playing a shot during the to defy the CSK bowlers even as wickets fell at But a careless shot saw him hand an easy wards his half-century, Archer struck again in Indian Premier League match the other end. He remained unbeaten on 95 runs top edge to Mahendra Singh Dhoni behind the the 12th over to pack back a good looking Watson against in off just 60 balls, hitting 11 boundaries and a cou- stumps off the last ball of the over as the visitors on 39 runs and Chennai’s scorecard reading Jaipur yesterday. (AFP) ple of sixes along the way. seemed to take the upper hand once again going 105/2. Despite the defeat, CSK continue to hold on to into the fi nal over. All that changed in the nail On the other hand, Raina, who was then ac- the second spot with 14 points from 11 matches. biting last over. Fittingly, it was Buttler who hit companied by skipper Dhoni, slammed his half They trail league leaders Sunrisers Hyderabad by the winning runs. century facing 32 balls however, the southpaw four points. Rajasthan are eighth in the 10-team With 10 runs needed off the last four deliver- threw his wicket when he failed to read a googly table with 10 points from 11 matches. ies, the visitors missed a great chance when But- by Ish Sodhi, giving an easy catch to Stuart Binny In an edge-of-the-seat aff air that went right tler tried to hit Dwayne Bravo for a six but the at short-fi ne leg. down to the wire, it was Buttler who gave the Ra- ball skied up off the toe end of the bat. With Chennai at 119/3 in 13 overs, Dhoni and jasthan innings a powerful start by hitting David But there was no one to in position to take Sam Billings (27 off 22) forged a 55-run partner- Willey for consecutive boundaries off the open- the catch as Buttler ran for two runs. The Eng- ship off 39 balls to put back things in control. ing three balls. He hit Harbhajan Singh for two land star punished the visitors for that dropped Billings departed in the fi nal over while try- boundaries and a six in the next over. chance with a six into the stands beyond the ing to take a single as wicket-keeper Jos Buttler’s Ben Stokes was also in good touch at the other mid-wicket boundary. throw from behind demolished the Englishman’s end and seemed set to end his run of lean form An overthrow in the next ball allowed him to stump. when he hit Harbhajan Singh for a six over mid- complete the victory as the Rajasthan dugout Dhoni remained unbeaten on 33 runs facing 23 wicket in the fourth over. erupted in celebration. balls, hitting a boundary and a six to help his side But the veteran off -spinner had his revenge in Earlier, a decent batting eff ort helped CSK reach a fi ghting total of 176 runs. the very next ball when the Englishman went for post a fi ghting total of 176/4. For Rajasthan, Archer bagged couple of wick- another big hit but the incoming delivery man- It was a fi ne knock by (52 off ets but leaked 42 runs while Sodhi scalped one aged to fi nd the gap between bat and pad to dis- 35 balls), followed by skipper Mahendra Singh conceding 29 runs. turb the stumps. Dhoni’s unbeaten 33 and opener ’s then dismissed Rajasthan 39 runs which took the yellow brigade to a good Brief Scores: Chennai Super Kings: 176/4 in 20 captain Ajinkya Rahane in the next over to put total against the hosts. overs (Suresh Raina 52, Shane Watson 39; Jofra Chennai in the driver’s seat. Buttler and Sanju Opting to bat fi rst, the visitors were off to Archer 2/42) vs Rajasthan Royals: 177/6 in 19.5 Samson then tried to steady the innings, adding a quick start as openers and overs (Jos Buttler 95 , Stuart Binny 22). Gulf Times Saturday, May 12, 2018 5 SPORT

MLB NBA Hornets name Red Sox end Yanks’ Borrego as head coach 8-game win streak Reuters seasons as an assistant with New York the then-New Orleans Hornets (2010-12) and three with the Or- lando Magic (2012-15). With his ninth homer, Martinez extends his hitting streak to 11 games ames Borrego was named “I’m very excited to serve as head coach of the Char- the head coach of the Charlotte Reuters lotte Hornets. The sides Hornets,” Borrego said on Thurs- New York Boston Red Sox’s Hanley Ramirez hits an agreed to a three-year deal day in a statement distributed withJ a team option in the fourth by the Hornets. “I want to thank RBI single against the New York Yankees during the third inning at Yankee year, according to multiple re- Michael Jordan, Mitch Kupchak D Martinez opened the top of the Stadium. PICTURE: USA TODAY Sports ports. Borrego, 40, spent the and Buzz Peterson for this op- eighth inning with a tiebreaking past three seasons as an assistant portunity. I’m confi dent in the homer as the visiting Boston Red coach for the San Antonio Spurs coaching foundation I’ve had the Sox recovered from squandering a and had a previous stint (2003- opportunity to develop during four-runJ lead to record a 5-4 victory over 10) in the same role under Gregg my time in San Antonio, Orlando the New York Yankees on Thursday. Popovich. and New Orleans, and I cannot Shortly after Heath Hembree and Joe Borrego becomes the 11th head wait to get to work in Charlotte.” Kelly (2-0) combined to fl ush a 4-0 lead, coach in franchise history. “We Borrego was Orlando’s interim Martinez hit Dellin Betances’ 97 mph are thrilled to have James join our head coach after Jacque Vaughn fastball into the fi rst row of the right fi eld franchise,” Hornets president was fi red during the 2014-15 seats. With his ninth homer, Martinez ex- of basketball operations Mitch campaign, going 10-20 for a tended his hitting streak to 11 games. Kupchak said in a statement. team that fi nished 25-57 over- The blast helped the Red Sox halt an “He brings a wealth of expe- all. Borrego interviewed for head eight-game winning streak by the Yan- rience and a strong track record coach openings with the Phoenix kees. By salvaging the fi nale of a three- of player development from his Suns and New York Knicks ear- game series, Boston also ended an 11- time as a coach in San Antonio, lier this year and was expected game home winning streak by New York, New Orleans and Orlando. He to interview for the Milwaukee the Yankees’ longest since winning 12 has been a part of teams that Bucks’ vacancy. straight at home in 1985. New York took have ascended to the highest lev- He turned down an off er from just its second loss in the past 19 games. els of success in our league and the University of New Mexico, understands what it takes to win in his home state, last year with ANGELS 7, TWINS 4 in the NBA. James is considered hopes of pursuing a head job Home runs by Ian Kinsler, Justin Up- one of the NBA’s most well-re- in the NBA. The Hornets have ton and Shohei Ohtani led Los Angeles garded assistant coaches and it’s fi nished 36-46 and missed the to a victory over Minnesota in Anaheim, great to have him as part of our playoff s in consecutive seasons, Calif., ending the Twins’ fi ve-game win- team. I look forward to working prompting the fi ring of head ning streak. Kinsler entered the game with him in the years to come.” coach Steve Cliff ord last month with just three hits in 31 at-bats, but he Borrego met with Hornets after fi ve years with the team. went 3-for-4, raising his season average owner Michael Jordan over the Cliff ord took the team to the from.191 to.214. weekend after being a fi nalist for postseason in 2013-14 (43 wins) Ohtani hit a double to go with his home the job with Boston Celtics as- and 2015-16 (48 wins), but the run, and he bumped his season average sistant Jay Larranaga. Borrego team went a combined 105-141 in to.354. He has hit safely in 14 of the 16 made a strong impression on his other three campaigns. games he has started as a non-pitcher. Kupchak The franchise has yet to win a Borrego has 15 total seasons playoff series since returning to NATIONALS 2, DIAMONDBACKS 1 as an assistant coach in the NBA Charlotte as the expansion Bob- Matt Adams singled home the tiebreaking under his belt. He spent two cats in 2004. run in the 11th inning, and Washington won for the 10th time in 12 games, post- ing a 2-1 victory over Arizona in Phoenix. Trea Turner singled and Anthony Ren- don walked to open the 11th off Fernando Salas (3-4) before Andrew Chafi n entered and gave up Adams’ single. David Peralta and Daniel Descalso had two hits apiece for the Diamondbacks. Brandon Kintzler (1-2) stranded runners home on a Jose Martinez sacrifi ce fl y in a grand slam, and had fi ve RBIs as visiting help Baltimore roll past visiting Kansas on second and third in the 10th inning, the fi rst inning. Seattle defeated Toronto. Ryon Healy and City. Manny Machado also homered as and Sean Doolittle pitched around a one- The decisive blow was Pham’s second Mike Zunino also homered for the Mari- the Orioles racked up 14 hits while win- out single in the 11th for his seventh save. home run of the season — a 371-foot drive ners in the rubber match of the three- ning their second straight contest on the to left on a full count off Padres starter game series. heels of a seven-game slide. REDS 4, DODGERS 1 Jordan Lyles in the fi fth inning. Padres Jean Segura had four hits, and Andrew Jones had a team-best three RBIs. Tyler Mahle gave up only an unearned run catcher Raff y Lopez halved the defi cit Romine added three hits for the Mariners Chance Sisco recorded the go-ahead, over fi ve innings Thursday, and Scooter with his second homer of the season on to lead a 17-hit attack. Russell Martin hit two-run double in the fourth inning for Gennett drove in three runs with three a full-count pitch from Mikolas in the a two-run homer for Toronto, and Josh Baltimore, which was 6-for-7 with run- hits as Cincinnati rallied for a victory at seventh. Bud Norris picked up his eighth Donaldson added three hits. ners in scoring position. Miguel Castro Los Angeles. Mahle, a Southern Califor- save with a perfect ninth inning. (1-1) pitched 4 2/3 innings of scoreless re- nia native who was making his fi rst start BREWERS 5, ROCKIES 2 lief for the win. Salvador Perez hit a grand at Dodger Stadium, had to scramble early, BRAVES 9, MARLINS 2 Jhoulys Chacin pitched 5 1/3 innings of slam for the Royals. leaving the bases loaded in the fi rst two Ozzie Albies hit his fi rst career grand two-run ball against his former team, and innings. slam as part of a seven-run sixth inning, Milwaukee beat host Colorado. Travis PHILLIES 6, GIANTS 3 He stranded eight runners over the and Freddie Freeman posted a career- Shaw broke out of a May slump with three Vince Velasquez pitched six solid innings, fi rst three innings. The right-hander im- high fi ve-hit game, leading Atlanta over hits, and Lorenzo Cain homered for the Carlos Santana homered, and Philadel- proved to 3-4 while giving up three hits host Miami. The Braves have won eight Brewers, who had 12 hits. phia completed a four-game sweep of with four walks and two strikeouts. Raisel straight road games. Trevor Story homered for the Rockies, visiting San Francisco. Velasquez (3-4) Iglesias recorded the fi nal four outs for Albies’ homer was his 11th this season, who fell to 6-9 at home this season. The allowed fi ve hits and three earned runs his fi fth save. and he fi nished with fi ve RBIs. Freeman Rockies are 1-2 on their current six-game while striking out a career-high 12 bat- hit a two-run homer in the sixth, his sixth homestand and have scored just six runs ters. He also was 2-for-2 at the plate, CARDINALS 2, PADRES 1 of the season. Ender Inciarte added three in the three games. raising his season average to.462. Odubel Tommy Pham scored both St. Louis runs, hits for Atlanta. Herrera had three hits and Cesar Hernan- and Miles Mikolas improved to 5-0 by ORIOLES 11, ROYALS 6 dez added two hits for the Phillies, who James Borrego spent the past three seasons as an assistant coach for allowing one run over 6 2/3 innings as MARINERS 9, BLUE JAYS 3 Adam Jones and Trey Mancini each went swept the Giants in a series for the fi rst the San Antonio Spurs and had a previous stint (2003-10) in the same St. Louis won at San Diego. Pham came Kyle Seager hit two home runs, including 3-for-5 with a homer and three runs to time since 1982. role under Gregg Popovich.

SPOTLIGHT FOCUS Jets pummel Predators to reach NHL West fi nals Collison AFP but there are no excuses,” said Rinne. “It calls time Los Angeles is a huge disappointment. I feel respon- sible for the season ending. It is tough to swallow. I let my teammates down.” on 15-year aul Stastny and Mark Scheifele Scheifele also had one assist for a scored twice each as the Win- three point night for the Jets, who were nipeg Jets routed the Nashville playing in their fi rst game seven since career Predators 5-1 in game seven to the move from Atlanta. Stastny has Pbook a spot in the NHL Western Con- been a shining light for the Jets since AFP ference fi nals against the Vegas Golden being acquired from the St. Los Angeles Knights. Louis Blues at the trading deadline. Scheifele scored his league-leading He has six goals in the playoff s and vefi 11th goal of the post-season into an in the last eight games. “There are very ick Collison, who spent empty net and goaltender Connor Hel- few teams I thought about waiving my his entire 15-year ca- lebuyck made 21 of his 37 stops in the no-trade clause for but Winnipeg was reer with the Oklaho- third period for the Jets who reached the one of them,” Stastny said. ma City Thunder and Conference fi nals for the fi rst time since Stastny said he is getting better at NSeattle SuperSonics franchises, the franchise moved from Atlanta after dealing with the pressure of playing in is retiring from the NBA. “I’ve the 2010-11 NHL season. a winner-take-all showdowns. “I just played with some incredible “We had to go through a little adver- tried to be calm,” he said. “I played in a players, future Hall of Famers sity early in the season and then we hit few game sevens early in my career and and had the unique experience of our stride and have been playing with I was too nervous. I put too much pres- spending my entire career with confi dence ever since,” said Jets forward sure on myself. It is a lot of stress to play one franchise but in two diff er- Blake Wheeler. “Our best games in this in a game seven. You’ve got to enjoy it.” ent cities,” Collison said. series were after tough losses. We knew PK Subban scored the only goal for “I started in cold gyms in if we came out and had a good start and the Predators, who fi nished a disap- small towns in Iowa and ended take the crowd out of it, then we could pointing 1-3 at home in the series. “I up playing in more than 1,000 make a game of it.” don’t think that is a better team than us games over 15 years in the best The Jets next face the red-hot ex- over there, but it didn’t go our way,” said league in the world.” pansion Golden Knights for a spot in Subban. The 37-year-old Collison was the NHL Stanley Cup fi nals with game Wheeler, of the US, said he is look- chosen 12th overall in 2003 by one of the best-of-seven series tonight. Nashville Predators right wing Craig Smith (right) and Winnipeg Jets left wing Nikolaj Ehlers battle for a puck during the seven ing forward to continuing their play- Seattle and moved with the team Wheeler had two assists on Thursday of the second round of the 2018 Stanley Cup Playoff s in Nashville, USA, on Thursday night. (USA TODAY Sports) off run in Winnipeg which has some of to Oklahoma City in 2008. He is for the Jets, who jumped out to a 2-0 the most loyal and loudest fans in the the last remaining player with lead early which resulted in a rare fi rst- Tyler Myers scored 8:41 into the fi rst the net. Both goals were scored while saves on seven shots, was replaced by league. “I haven’t seen an empty seat in the Thunder that played games period goaltending change for Predators and then Stastny scored his fi rst goal the Jets players were standing partly backup and fellow Finland native Juuse our building in seven years and we have with the SuperSonics. Collison in front of a crowd of 17,500 at Nash- just two minutes later which chased the below the goal line. Saros. “Two terrible goals. It felt like the only made the playoff s twice,” Wheeler was part of the same draft class ville’s Bridgestone Arena. Predator’s All-Star Pekka Rinne from Rinne, who fi nished with just fi ve puck was just fi nding a way (past me) said. as LeBron James, Dwyane Wade. Gulf Times 6 Saturday, May 12, 2018 SPORT

GOLF Johnson off to strong start at Players as six share lead ‘I definitely want to keep the number one title, but I still have three more days of golf, and I’m going to have to play really well’

AFP Bu he undid a solid display in fi nding Ponte Vedra Beach, United States the water off the tee at the last on route to closing bogey and a level par 72. “I felt like today the way I was hitting the ustin Johnson got off to a golf ball, especially toward the back strong start but still has work nine, that I felt like I should have shot to do to hang on to his world something in the 60s, but didn’t do it,” number one ranking as six Woods said. playersD shared the lead on Thursday at Jordan Spieth struggled in posting The Players Championship. Johnson a shock three-over 75 that included a headlined the leading pack on six-un- 12th hole eagle promptly followed by der par 66 — his lowest opening round a double-bogey at the very next hole. PGA Tour score in 13 months. Phil Mickelson, playing alongside Joining Johnson atop the leaderboard Woods and Rickie Fowler, ended his at TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach, round in shocking style. Florida, were fellow US Open winner The 47-year-old was even par after Webb Simpson, Chesson Hadley, Matt back-to-back birdies at the 11th and Kuchar, Patrick Cantlay and in-form 12th, but proceeded to post a horror Swede Alex Noren. Johnson, who has run from the 14th of a double-bogey, been world number one for 64 weeks, is bogey and two further double-bogeys, under siege by those ranked from sec- including fi nding the water at 17, in an ond through fi fth, and he answered the eventual seven-over par 79. challenge with a bogey-free round. It was Mickelson’s highest score “I defi nitely want to keep the number since a similar fi rst round 79 on route one title, but I still have three more days to missing the cut in last August’s PGA of golf, and I’m going to have to play re- Championship. Mickelson blamed fa- ally well if I want to keep the number tigue after the strain of fi ghting his way one spot,” the 33-year-old said. Ku- to a share of fi fth in last week’s Wells char, fuelled by a birdie-eagle-birdie Fargo Championship. “I knew this was run at the 10th, 11th and 12th, moved to going to be an issue,” he said. “I said it seven-under with birdies at 15 and 16, Sunday at Wells Fargo, I was worried but a bogey at the last dropped him into about energy this week, and I just kind the leading group. of ran out at the end.” A further six players, including de- fending champion Kim Si-woo of LEADING SCORES South Korea and were a stroke back on (par-72, USA unless noted): 67. Kim, the youngest winner of the 66 — Webb Simpson, Dustin Johnson, Players, matched the lowest opening Alex Noren (SWE), Chesson Hadley, Matt round by a defending champion estab- Dustin Johnson of the United States plays a shot Kuchar, Patrick Cantlay lished by Jack Nicklaus in 1977. during the first round of The Players Championship 67 — Steve Stricker, Jhonattan Vegas “I liked my score in the fi rst round, in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. (AFP) (VEN), Kim Si-woo (KOR), Keith Mitchell, but I can hit it better,” Kim said. “I’m Rory Sabbatini (RSA), Andrew Landry fi ne, good,” he said, but added he 68 — Sergio Garcia (ESP), Lucas Glover, wasn’t yet thinking about a repeat title. Danny Lee (NZL), Charles Howell, Justin “If I was to win again, I feel like it would on Sergio Garcia was seven-under with woodwork guarding the island green at a hole-in-one at 17. On Thursday he Jon Rahm and world number fi ve Justin Rose (ENG), Bubba Watson, Cody Gribble, be dreaming, as that’s too hard. This is two holes to play, thanks in part to a run the famed par-three 17th, his ball dis- walked off with a double-bogey vefi Rose of England. CT Pan (TPE), Ollie Schniederjans, Billy just the fi rst round. I’m going to keep of fi ve straight birdies from the eighth appearing into the water. and then bogeyed the last to fi nish in a Tiger Woods’s return to TPC Saw- Horschel, Charl Schwartzel (RSA), Jon working hard.” through the 12th. Garcia then undid his A year ago, Garcia had the crowd group of 14 players on 68 that also in- grass included a 20-foot eagle at the Rahm (ESP), Henrik Stenson (SWE), Xander Former Players and Masters champi- then bogey-free round in hitting the roaring with delight on day one with cluded third-ranked fellow Spaniard par-fi ve ninth. Schauff ele

RUGBY ATHLETICS Japan’s Olympic golf Carter bids to quit Olympic champ McLeod vows to venue admits European action fi rst female with a bang do Shanghai hurdle hero Liu proud members Tokyo: Japan’s golf venue for AFP to have trained and played with Jamaica’s Omar Mcleod. the Tokyo 2020 Olympics has Bilbao, Spain him, seen how he does things and granted full membership to speak to him about the game and women for the first time, after life outside rugby as well,” Lam- lifting a ban under pressure an Carter will be hop- bie said of a player who will head from Games authorities. ing to bow out with a for a club career in Japan at the The upscale Kasumigas- winner’s medal when end of this season. eki Country Club said it had he brings the curtain “These are his last games — upgraded three women downD on his European rugby there’s a lot to play for. I know to full membership after adventure as his Racing 92 team this is a huge desire of his to win agreeing last year to admit take on Leinster in the Champi- the Champions Cup and I’m sure female members, following ons Cup fi nal today. he wants to win the Top 14 again criticism from the Interna- Carter, now 36, racked up a as well.” tional Olympic Committee. world record 1,598 points in 112 Lambie and Carter will be up “After the change of the rules, Tests for the All Blacks, with a against a strong Leinster team we asked members includ- winning percentage of 88.4%. marshalled by Jonny Sexton, an ing men if they want to have The former Crusader has two infl uential game breaker who will full membership, and three Rugby World Cups to his name no doubt be the target of some women wanted to change and is an icon in world rugby, but early 10-12 channel charges by their status to full member- humility remains his calling card, Racing forwards. ship,” club general manager with Racing still in the hunt for Leinster are unbeaten in Eu- Hiroshi Imaizumi said. the Top 14 title. ropean competition this sea- The board of the club “You’re never too experienced son, with eight wins from eight — where Japanese Prime to practice the fundamentals including an impressive 30-19 Minister Shinzo Abe played of the game,” Carter tweeted quarter-fi nal victory over 2017 with US President Donald Thursday alongside a photo of winners Saracens and a 38-16 Trump in November — this him passing a ball in training. defeat of Scarlets in the last four. week approved the requests The Kiwi will hope to have a “We were pretty clinical after receiving no complaints more successful run-out at Bil- [against Scarlets] but I like to or opposition from other bao’s San Mames stadium than think we have another gear in us,” members, he said. he did for Racing in the 2016 fi nal said Leinster fl anker Dan Leavy. Until last year, the private in Lyon won by Saracens. “We looked at each other in the club in Japan’s Saitama re- Carter risked a calf injury for changing room after the Scarlets AFP an inspiration and I’ve heard that I hurdle French rival and world-record-holder Re- gion had women on its roster that match, a move that badly match and thought we could go Shanghai just like him, so I draw a lot from him,” said naud Lavillenie. Like McLeod, Kendricks is but they were not allowed to backfi red as he limped off early in to the next level. the 24-year-old McLeod, touted as a viable pursuing a Shanghai treble after victories become full members and the second half having been out- “Racing are a great team and successor to Usain Bolt as the pre-eminent in 2016 and 2017. could not play on certain Sun- played by Owen Farrell. Carter is are packed full of big names. The orld and Olympic hurdles Jamaican athletics star. Kendricks, 25, went on to land his fi rst days — restrictions that did likely to start on the bench to- strength in depth is incredible champion Omar McLeod There will meanwhile be home hope in six-metre vault last June back home in the not apply to male members. day, Springbok Pat Lambie hav- and they have the best defence in wants to put on a blistering the men’s 100m in the form of reigning United States and then saw off Poland’s The club has around 200 ing been given the nod for the the Top 14. If we are going to beat display in Shanghai today in Shanghai champion Su Bingtian, the world Piotr Lisek and Lavillenie to win gold at female associate members No 10 shirt. “It’s really nice to them, we will need to fi nd that Whomage to the Chinese city’s athletics hero indoor 60m silver medallist and China’s the world championships. But Lavillenie, who are either relatives of have him on the same side and extra gear against them.” Liu Xiang. Liu is retired but the Shanghai fastest man, and Xie Zhenye. But they will the older man at 31 and a former Olympic male full-fledged members, native remains a Chinese sports icon be- have to upstage current world champion champion, beat Kendricks earlier this year or “weekday members” who cause his 2004 Olympic hurdles gold med- Justin Gatlin of the United States. for a third world indoor title. are barred from playing al was the country’s fi rst in men’s track and Also in a strong fi eld is the Canadian Kendricks, who seduced the media in on Sundays. After being fi eld. Liu, now 34, was also a 2007 world speedster Andre De Grasse, who is work- Shanghai with his laid-back charm, said selected as a host venue champion, though his brilliant career pe- ing his way back from a nine-month ham- he was anticipating “a dogfi ght”.But he was for the 2020 Tokyo Olym- tered out because of persistent injury and string injury layoff that ruled him out of full of respect for his French foe, saying: “It pics, the club came under he retired in 2015. But Chinese spectators last year’s world championships. He could Is always very special when I get to answer pressure to change its rules, may see shades of Liu in McLeod during only fi nish sixth in the 200m in Doha last a question about Renaud. with IOC chief Thomas Bach today’s Diamond League meeting — the weekend at the opening Diamond League “Because I have to say that he is the threatening to take the golf aff able Jamaican certainly hopes so. meet of the season. king, the world-record-holder and multi- competition elsewhere and McLeod, who is chasing a third succes- In women’s sprinting, two-time world ple Diamond League winner. I once made asking the club to choose sive 110m victory in Shanghai, said yes- champion Dafne Schippers of the Nether- a joke that he could put his bed on top of “non-discrimination”. It came terday: “They show a good appreciation lands will be strong favourite in the 200m his Diamond League trophies. Every time after Scotland’s prestigious for hurdles here and I want to go out there in the absence of the injured Jamaican star I compete with him I learn from him and Muirfield golf club last year and show my appreciation for their appre- Elaine Thompson. that is only by his grace and the competi- voted to allow women mem- ciation of hurdles. “Liu Xiang was one of Looming as a tasty battle in Shanghai tive rivalry that we have — and our friend- bers, ditching a ban that had the reasons why I got into running in the will be a showdown between pole vaulters ship — that I have been able to get this far been in place for 273 years. streets and race and hurdle. He was just Sam Kendricks of the United States and his in this event.” Gulf Times Saturday, May 12, 2018 7 SPORT

FORMULA 1 SPOTLIGHT Spanish GP a painful reminder for home Hamilton on top hero Alonso

Reuters home track on Thursday. Barcelona “Every time I go training, every time I go to bed, I have one dream in mind and that is to win ernando Alonso was a race in Formula One and to win with two Red Bulls a winner on his World a world championship... winning Endurance Champion- is in my mind all the time.” ship debut last weekend Alonso is combining Formula Fbut the Spanish Grand Prix is a One with the World Endurance reminder of just how long it has ‘super season’, the Le Mans 24 been since he last tasted success Hours race this year and next, in Formula One. and was in the winning Toyota at Today, will be the fi fth an- last Saturday’s Six Hours of Spa. close behind niversary of the double world That scratched a long-stand- champion’s last grand prix vic- ing itch, as his fi rst podium fi nish ‘The day was pretty good, but it was a tricky one because it was so windy out there’ tory, with Ferrari at the Circuit de in any series since 2014, but that Catalunya on May 12, 2013. was all. Reuters If Alonso is to win again, an “The win last weekend in Spa Barcelona unlikely scenario with once- will not change anything. I think dominant McLaren facing a hard it’s two diff erent series and two road back from one of the tough- diff erent worlds,” said the driver. ormula One world champion est periods in their history, it is “Every time that I will have a Lewis Hamilton returned to the set to be unprecedented. car that is close to victory, I will top of the timesheets in second The longest gap between vic- go for it. I did some better races Spanish Grand Prix practice yes- tories in Formula One history was in the last fi ve years, even if the terday,F with the charging Red Bulls of set by Italian Riccardo Patrese, last victory was fi ve years ago.” Daniel Ricciardo and Max Verstappen hot who went 99 races between his After three dismal years with on his heels. 1983 South African victory and Honda, McLaren are now with The Briton, who leads the champion- 1990 San Marino triumph for Renault — the engines that took ship by four points from Ferrari’s Sebas- Williams at Imola. the Spaniard to titles in 2005 and tian Vettel after four long-haul races, Alonso, still the only Spaniard 2006 — but there was still a long lapped the Circuit de Catalunya in one to win a Formula One race, has way to go. minute 18.259 seconds on the soft tyres. now gone 93 and counting. But “At the same time we were Australian Ricciardo’s car had some time has made him no less deter- here last year with zero points,” eye-catching aerodynamic upgrades for mined. said Alonso. “We (Alonso) are the start of the European season and end- “I kept the motivation because sixth in the World Championship ed 0.133 seconds slower after crashing in I’m a competitive man. I love to and fourth in the constructors’ the morning, while Verstappen was third. win,” the Spaniard told report- championship, so it has been a The two Red Bulls collided in Azerbai- ers after reporting for duty at his very good start, in a way.” jan two weekends ago and are under close scrutiny by team bosses who could in- tervene if their rivalry risks overheating again in tomorrow’s race. Vettel, who will be chasing his fourth successive pole position today, was fourth and Hamilton’s teammate Valtteri Bottas fi fth. Vettel’s teammate Kimi Raikkonen suf- fered a power unit problem. Bottas set the day’s overall fastest lap in the opening session with a time of 1:18.148 seconds on the soft tyres, a re- markable 0.849 faster than Hamilton who won from pole in Spain last year. Hamilton has not felt fully comfortable with his car and knows his championship advantage owes a lot to luck. “The day was pretty good, but it was a tricky one because it was so windy out there,” said the Briton, who was gifted a win in Baku two weeks ago when Bottas had a puncture in the closing laps while leading. “Every driver was struggling with the changing direction of the wind. You’re constantly arriving at each corner and Mercedes’ British driver Lewis Hamilton (also inset) takes part in the first practice session at Circuit de Catalunya in Montmelo on the the wind direction is never the same, so outskirts of Barcelona ahead of the Spanish Grand Prix yesterday. (AFP) we saw lots of drivers going off . “These conditions make it very diffi - told television. “It was the old wing mirrors mounted on the halo head last place on the timesheets with a best BADMINTON / AUSTRALIAN OPEN cult to defi ne where the set-up needs to front wing so he’s a lucky boy.” protection device as an experiment. of 1:22.756 after his car went off into the go.” Home hero Fernando Alonso started Williams had another trying session gravel. the weekend a morale-boosting sixth, as Polish reserve Robert Kubica took part Kubica’s car had a newer fl oor than LUCKY BOY behind Raikkonen, with his McLaren dis- in a race weekend for the fi rst time since Stroll’s, however. The virtual safety car was deployed in the playing a heavily-revised three-pronged 2010, three months before he suff ered se- “Unbelievable how bad the balance is,” Manu-Sumeeth in morning when Ricciardo’s car ran across nose — one of several conspicuous up- rious injuries in a rally crash. Stroll complained over the radio. the gravel and into the barriers. grades around the pit lane. The former race winner was 19th, in Kubica was replacing Russian rookie “Thankfully, the damage is pretty The Spaniard later slipped back to 12th. 1:21.510, and faster than teenage Cana- Sergey Sirotkin, who returned for second semis; Praneeth, light,” team principal Christian Horner Ferrari meanwhile caught the eye with dian teammate Lance Stroll, who was in practice and was slowest in 1:22.060.

CYCLING / GIRO D’ITALIA Sameer ousted

IANS Earlier, No.4 seed Sameer Sydney failed to exert any pressure against unseeded Chinese Bennett edges Viviani to win 7th stage Guangzu Lu, who comfort- ndia’s men’s doubles duo of ably pocketed the encounter in Manu Attri and B Sumeeth straight games 21-14, 21-6 in 34 AFP Reddy advanced to the semi- minutes. Praia a Mare, Italy fi nals of the Australian Open Meanwhile, the men’s doubles Ibadminton tournament while it match witnessed a brilliant come- was curtains for Sameer Verma back from Manu and Sumeeth rishman Sam Bennett powered to and B. Sai Praneeth after losing against compatriots Arjun M.R. victory in the seventh stage of the their respective men’s singles and Ramchandran Shlok in the Giro d’Italia yesterday, beating fa- quarter-fi nal matches here yes- 51-minute quarter-fi nal. vourite Elia Viviani in a sprint fi nish terday. After going down 17-21 in Iat Praia a Mare. Second seed Praneeth fought the opening game, Manu and Bora-Hansgrohe rider Bennett latched hard for 43 minutes before going Sumeeth kept their nerves to onto Viviani’s wheel at the end of the fl at down in straight games 21-23, 13- win the second game with a 21- 159km ride from Pizzo to Calabria, before 21 to Hong Kong’s Yiu Lee Cheuk 19 margin before fending off the bursting past the Italian to grab his fi rst- at Court 1 of the Quay Centre Ol- opponents in the decider with a ever win on a Grand Tour. ympic Park here. close 21-18 margin. Britain’s Simon Yates maintained the overall lead after fi nishing safely in the peloton, having taken the pink jersey by fi nishing second in Thursday’s sixth stage. Qatar’s Saif qualifi es for Asian Yesterday’s ride was always going to snooker semi-fi nals end in a bunch sprint, with Davide Bal- lerini the last breakaway rider to be reeled Qatar’s snooker star Ahmed Saif booked in by the main group with 14km still to go. place in the last-four stage of the prestig- Quick-Step’s Viviani was widely ex- ious Asian Snooker Championship 2018 pected to claim his second win of the in Tabriz, Iran, on Thursday. Saif led his re- Giro and looked in a good position head- spective group after defeating opponents ing into the fi nal kilometre with a strong from Afghanistan, India, Palestine and lead-out train. Syria. Saif continued his impressive run to But Bennett stuck to his rival and just reach the semi-finals after he outclassed pipped the home favourite to the line to Ali Hussain of Iraq in the last eight stage. become the fi rst Irish winner of a Giro The prestigious championship brings to- stage since Stephen Roche in 1987. gether 36 Asian players from Qatar, hosts “We tried so hard in the other sprints Iran, Afghanistan, India, Palestine, Syria, Pakistan, Iraq, Thailand, but never got the timing right. The team Myanmar, and Hong Kong. did a fantastic job and I want to thank everyone who helped me get to this Qatar defeat Spain in FIVB World Tour point,” Bennett said. Irish rider Sam Bennett celebrates as he crosses the finish line to win the seventh stage of the 101th Giro d’Italia in Praia a Mare, Italy, “It’s very hard to get Viviani’s wheel, yesterday. (AFP) in Switzerland they all want it and I had to fi ght for it. I thought we had left it too late but the unchanged as the main contenders took a minute and 10 seconds behind Yates after The overall favourites will face a far Qatar’s beach volleyball team, comprising Cherif Younousse and timing was right and I could use my pow- step back from the spotlight on a day for a diffi cult start to his bid for a third con- tougher assignment today as the race Ahmed Tijan, defeated their Spanish opponents 22-20, 21-16 in er to get an advantage.” the sprinters, with Mitchelton-Scott’s secutive Grand Tour title. heads back into the mountains for the Lucerne, Switzerland on Thursday. The Qatar team will lock horns Niccolo Bonifazio edged out his fellow Yates still leading by 16 seconds from de- “It was a nice day until the fi nale and 209km eighth stage, with the fi nal climb against USA team in its second match in the event. The Qatari Italian Sacha Modolo to complete the po- fending champion Tom Dumoulin. sprint,” Yates said. “The break went early at Montevergine di Mercogliano 17km duo are looking ambitiously to bring glory for the country in this dium. Esteban Chaves is third, a further 10 and never really got a gap so it was a good long with an average gradient of fi ve per- international beach volleyball gathering. The general classifi cation remained seconds adrift, with Chris Froome a day.” cent.

Saturday, May 12, 2018 GULF TIMES SPORT

QOC President crowns winners of Qatar Challenge Festival TENNIS Nadal’s magical clay court streak ended by Thiem in Madrid

AFP Madrid

afael Nadal suff ered his fi rst clay-court defeat in almost a year when the world number one was shockedR 7-5, 6-3 by Austria’s Dominic Thiem (right) in the Madrid Masters quarter-fi nals yesterday. Defending champion Nadal, Qatar Olympic Committee president HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad al-Thani (centre) crowned the winners of Qatar Challenge Festival for Camel Race (GCC nations) at Al who came into the tournament Shahaniya camel racetrack on Thursday. Al Tayir, owned by Obeid Jarallah Salmeen, claimed the first place and silver dagger in Zamool race 8km, while Shashaa, owned having won both Monte Carlo by Obeid Jarallah Salmeen, clinched the first place and silver dagger in Thanaya Qadan race 8km. In the Thanaya Bakkar race 8km, Noof, owned by Naser Mohamed and Barcelona for an 11th time, al-Shangel, won the first place and silver Shalfa. also saw his record 50-set win- ning streak on clay ended by the fi fth-seeded Thiem. Thiem, the runner-up to the VOLLEYBALL / AMIR CUP great Spaniard in the 2017 Ma- Africa’s Kevin Anderson for a drid fi nal, had been the last play- place in Sunday’s fi nal, joins No- er to defeat Nadal on clay at the vak Djokovic and Gaston Gau- Italian Open in Rome almost 12 dio as just the third man to have months ago. beaten Nadal three times on clay. The shock result yesterday World number eight Ander- also means that Roger Federer son battled into his fi rst Masters will reclaim the world number semi-fi nal with a 7-6 (3), 3-6, one ranking on Monday. 6-3 win over Serbian qualifi er Ahli, Rayyan aim “I wasn’t good enough with Dusan Lajovic. my forehand or my backhand to Anderson, the 31-year-old US open to his forehand today,” ad- Open runner-up last year, hit 15 mitted Nadal. aces and 35 winners. Five-time Madrid winner Nadal, who will be bidding for BERTENS IN FINAL an 11th French Open title in Paris Dutchwoman Kiki Bertens con- later this month, had won his tinued her remarkable run at for history in fi nal previous 21 matches on clay. the Madrid Open by thrashing That run included him sur- French seventh seed Caroline passing John McEnroe’s 1984 Garcia to reach the womens’ fi - Ahli in their first Amir Cup final in 22 years, Rayyan aim for sixth title this season record of 49 sets won in succes- nal. sion on the same surface dur- The world number 20 will face By Sports Reporter ing his last-16 duel with Diego either Petra Kvitova or Karolina Doha Schwartzman on Thursday. Pliskova in the biggest match of However, in their ninth career her career today, after brushing clash, Thiem put Nadal under aside Garcia 6-2, 6-2. hile Al Ahli will be hoping pressure almost from the start Bertens, who had already to make good of their fi rst yesterday and broke for a 4-3 stunned world number two HH The Amir Cup fi nal ap- lead in the fi rst set. Caroline Wozniacki and fi ve- pearance in 22 years, an in- A double fault and a long fore- time Grand Slam champion Mar- Wform Al Rayyan will be looking to make hand allowed Nadal to retrieve ia Sharapova earlier in the week, an unprecedented sweep by lifting the the break at 5-5. started brightly and broke twice sixth title this season when the two teams It was a brief reprieve as a lazy en route to the opening set. meet at the Qatar Volleyball Association forehand volley gave Thiem a 6-5 Garcia struggled throughout Indoor Hall court at 7pm today. advantage and the set came the and never even mustered a break- Rayyan have ruled the season, opening Austrian’s way in the 12th game point opportunity, falling in the the season with a Super Cup win over Po- off an ace. semi-fi nals for the second straight lice, before grabbing three more domestic Thiem, watched by his girl- tournament after losing to CoCo titles including the QVA League, the Qa- friend — and WTA star — Kristi- Vandeweghe in Stuttgart. tar National Tournament and the Qatar na Mladenovic, turned the screw Bertens, whose fi ve previous Cup. They also emerged supreme in the for a 3-1 lead in the second set WTA titles have all come on clay, prestigious Arab Clubs Championship. but Nadal battled back to 3-3. was rock-solid in the second set Despite celebrating so many wins, That was as good as it got for as she wrapped up the win in Rayyan coach Carlos Schwanke is keen on the Spaniard as Thiem broke only an hour and seven minutes. capping the season with a sweep. again for 4-3, held to love for 5-3 Two-time Wimbledon cham- “In every tournament, I set a target for and secured victory with another pion Kvitova takes on her fellow the team. I’m very proud that my team blistering forehand. Czech Pliskova in the second has been able to match my expectations. Thiem, who next faces South last-four clash. The Amir Cup is also a very special event for us and we’ll try to write a new history on Saturday,” he said. Qatar Volleyball Association (QVA) off icials, Al Rayyan and Al Ahli coaches and players pose with the trophy at a press conference Ahli coach Igor Arbutina understands ahead of today’s Amir Cup Volleyball final. PICTURE: Noushad Thekkayil the tough job on his hand. Arbutina, who has coached Rayyan in the past, said, 22 years. All the players have contributed for Ahli, said it was a “strange situation” N’Gapeth, who is playing in Qatar for “I’m proud of my team and their eff orts in immensely and helped us reach the fi nal. for both the players. the fi rst time, said, “I’m happy to be part the Amir Cup. We’ll like to take our every Also, coach Igor has prepared all of us “It’s the fi rst time that we are playing of the Al Rayyan team and the event. I possible chance to make the fi nal diffi cult well for each match. Congratulations to against each other as Modena teammates. hope we win the fi nal which will not only for Al Rayyan and maybe we can spring a all for making it to the fi nal. It is a really strange situation,” said Ur- be a big achievement for Al Rayyan but surprise on Saturday.” “We’ve a diffi cult fi nal against a cham- naut, who had played for Rayyan two also for Qatar volleyball. Both the teams reached the fi nal on the pion team like Al Rayyan. We want to tell seasons ago when they had lost the semi- “The presence of Urnaut and me in the back of 2-0 victories, with Al Ahli beating our fans that we’re ready and we need fi nals to El Jaish. fi nal is also a victory for Modena. I feel Qatar SC and Al Rayyan getting the bet- their support in the fi nal.” “I’m happy to be playing for Al Ahli and that it is going to be a tough fi nal as both ter of Al Arabi. With as many as 12 titles in Pro players in the both the teams have the progress till now has been fantastic. I teams are playing well.” the kitty and title-winning form on their played a crucial role in their run in the Amir know that Al Rayyan are the best team in The two teams have clashed thrice side, Rayyan are the favourites. Cup, and what’s interesting is that both the season, having won everything. We’re in a fi nal of a tournament, with Rayyan Ahli captain Assam Ahmed Mahmoud Tine Urnaut and Earvin N’Gapeth play for confi dent that we’ll fi ght for each ball and winning the 1988-89 Amir Cup and the spoke highly of his players and the coach. the same team — Modena Volley — in Italy. point. Also we’ll try to do everything that 1994-95 Heir Apparent Cup, which was “This is the fi rst Amir Cup fi nal for us in Slovenian star Urnaut, who is playing we can and make attempt to win the cup.” changed to Qatar Cup a few season ago. Spain’s Rafael Nadal reacts to his loss in Madrid yesterday. (AFP)

FOOTBALL / AMIR CUP Organisers confi rm top-notch security arrangements for fi nal

By Sports Reporter Communication department, we have the backing of the most proaches, we are pleased to invite Doha Fadala al-Fadalah, Abdulrahman competent security authorities in all citizens and residents to come Abdul Jabbar and Nabil Qaid as Qatar for the Amir Cup fi nal.” to the Khalifa International Sta- well as star players from Al Rayyan The QFA offi cials and the dium and spend an extraordinary he Amir Cup Trophy Tour (Soud Farhan and Mousa Haroun), Ministry of Interior delegation evening in a spectacular Ramadan made a stop at the Estab- Al Gharafa (Ahmed Ala’a) and Al continued the discussions for a atmosphere for the fi nal on May lishments and Authori- Duhail (Ismaeel Mohamed) foot- lengthy period before announcing 19. The Amir Cup fi nal will im- ties Security Department ball teams. the details. press the fans and the participa- Theadquarters. Amongst those who welcomed Al-Kuwari said: “At the out- tion of families and children will The Department of National the QFA delegation were Brigadier set, I would like to extend my add splendour to the occasion.” Security at the Ministry of Inte- Ali Khajim al-Adhbi, Director of sincere thanks and appreciation For his part, Brigadier Ali rior laid out the plans for Qatar Establishments and Authorities to Brigadier Ali Khajim al-Adhbi Khajim expressed his happi- Football Association (QFA), con- Security Department, Captain for his team’s continuous eff orts ness over his team’s co-operation fi rming fool-proof arrangements Mubarak Bilal al-Ali and Captain to secure the high profi le football ahead of the Amir Cup fi nal. for the Amir Cup fi nal to be played Burhan Saleh Turki from Stadia clash.” “We are fully aware of the mag- on May 19 at the iconic Khalifa In- security. He added: “Our common goal nitude of this event,” he said. ternational Stadium. Al-Kuwari presented a rep- is to stage the event in a glori- “Ours is a highly skilled job that The Amir Cup recently was an- lica of the Amir Cup trophy to the ous manner and with all vistas of requires the greatest amount of nounced as an event for the people Establishments and Authorities security fully in place. That’s the tactical nuance and preparation. of Qatar in a show of solidarity with Security Department as a token objective when we talk of the Amir We feel proud to be associated the leadership of the country and of gratitude for the department’s Cup fi nal.” with this event.” the common man’s love of football. role in the success of the Amir Cup The QFA offi cial further added: He added: “Stadium security The QFA delegation was led by over the years. “Security at top events is no less means the protection of the public, Khalid Mubarak al-Kuwari, Di- “Fool-proof security is a must a science nowadays. The QFA and the safety of sports facilities as well rector of the Marketing and Com- at all top international sports the Ministry of Interior are on one as the security of competing ath- munication. events and the Amir Cup fi nal is page for this fi nal.” letes and offi cials. We also provide The delegation included repre- one such event in Qatar,” al-Ku- Al-Kuwari said: “As the count- security around the dignitaries who sentatives of the Marketing and wari said. “We are pleased that down to the Amir Cup fi nal ap- may attend various sports events.”