Hamilton dedicates MonacoMo pole position to Lauda PAGE 18 SUNDAY, MAY 26, 2019

New Zealand see off India in low-scoring 2019 World Cup warm-up PAGE 19 (12 NOON ONWARDS)

Coach wants Qatar to play their Sanchez best AFC DOHA relishing AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 champions Qatar are aiming to put out a strong performance in the 2019 Copa America, says head coach Felix Sanchez. Copa America Qatar will become the first West Asian team to participate in the Copa America, and will be joined by AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 runners-up Japan, as the Samurai Blue return to the tour- challenge nament for the first since their inaugural appearance in 1999. “We are looking forward to the event. Our target is to play to our best. It will be a great ex- perience and a great challenge,” said Sanchez, whose contract has been extended till the 2022 There are strong sides like Argentina and FIFA World Cup Qatar. Paraguay. There are World Cup winning “After the tournament sides in that competition. Most of the we will be a better team. Our players are very competitive. sides are top 50. It will be hard but that’s We saw that at the Asian Cup. what we want to do – we want to play They are confident. We are committed to giving our best. against them and learn. Let’s see what stage we are at Qatar coach Felix Sanchez since it has been a long season. We have great motivation to play a great tournament.” Qatar are in Group B of the hungry to prove themselves against five-time world cham- Copa America, where they will against stronger teams. pions Brazil on June 5. face 14-time champions Argen- “I am extremely happy with “It will be a short training tina, Colombia and Paraguay, in the squad. We have a number camp before we travel to the the June 14-July 7 tournament. of stars, not one, who could do US for some days and then to Despite some formidable well in Brazil also. I hope these Brazil. We play Brazil on June opponents lying in wait, a con- players showcase themselves 5. That will be our first game fident Sanchez is looking for- well. I know they will be looked on the Brazil trip. Then on ward to taking on the likes of at by top teams, by big clubs. June 9, we will play a Brazil- Argentina to further improve Most of the players ian club side. This his team. are young and they will allow us to “There are strong sides want to get experi- test the players.” like Argentina and Paraguay. ence,” he said. Sanchez, There are World Cup win- “We are will- however, has ning sides in that competition. ing to learn. It has cautioned the Most of the sides are top 50. It been a long season fans to not expect will be hard but that’s what we for the players. We too much from want to do – we want to play played the Asian Qatar in the Copa against them and learn. Cup followed by America. “We need to arrive and the AFC Cham- “We are hap- compete well. It will be physi- pions League apart from the py with what we did in the cally tough. We have to forget regular football that started in Asian Cup. We are proud to the Asian Cup triumph. It is August last year. But we know see Qatar fans were so happy. not easy at this level. For sure we have to arrive in good con- There was a big support which it is a huge challenge,” Sanchez dition at Copa America. The helps us to be better. But we said to local media. players have the motivation to are appearing in Copa Amer- Qatar displayed some im- do well.” ica for the first time. We are pressive performances in the Qatar have begun prepa- not used to playing against AFC Asian Cup, with players rations for the Copa America South American sides.” like Almoez Ali – who now with a boot camp now un- The Spaniard has called up holds the record of most goals derway, with more players 40 players for the boot camp scored in the AFC Asian Cup, expected to join the squad, but only 23 will make the Akram Afif and Bassam al before continuing their train- squad for Qatar’s Copa Amer- Rawi showing great maturity NEYMAR ARRIVES AT BRAZIL CAMP: Brazil’s footballer star Neymar signs authographs upon arriving in a helicopter at the Granja Comary Sport ing in the United States and a ica challenge, with injuries to and Sanchez believes they are Complex in Teresopolis, Brazil, on Saturday where the national team is training ahead of the Copa America tournament. (AFP) series of friendlies, including some players a concern. PSG coach Tuchel celebrates warm-up win with pride and gunfire extends deal to 2021 REUTERS As the match concluded, PARIS: Paris Saint-Germain automatic gunfire rang out coach Thomas Tuchel has across Kabul as fans rushed extended his deal with the AFGHANISTAN’S victory into the streets of the Afghan French Ligue 1 champions over in a warm-up capital in now a familiar cel- through to June 2021, the match for the Cricket World ebration of cricket success. club announced on Saturday. Cup on Friday was greeted The rise of Afghan cricket The 45-year-old German took with prolonged volleys of cel- has been a remarkable by-prod- over in June 2018 and despite ebratory gunfire and prompt- uct of the decades of turmoil winning Ligue 1 has come ed a rare show of unity in a that forced millions into refugee under scrutiny after the Paris- country split by increasingly camps across the border in Paki- ian club’s defeat to Manches- bitter political divisions. stan, where young men uproot- ter United in the Champions Lifted by a controlled 74 ed from home and with little to League last 16. by Hashmatullah occupy them learned the sport. The news cuts short specula- Shahidi and a quickfire 49 On social media, politi- tion that PSG’s Qatari owners from , the cians set aside brawls in par- would fire Tuchel and hire out- and I’m sure that the best is Blue Tigers chased down Pa- liament and bitter accusations going Juventus coach Massi- yet to come for our club.” kistan’s total of 262 to win of corruption, incompetence miliano Allegri. “I’m delighted Nasser al Khelaifi, Paris Saint- by three in a timely and nepotism to hail the team to extend my contract and Germain chairman and CEO, boost before the World Cup under who commitment to Paris Saint- praised Tuchel’s energy and starts on Thursday. hope to make the semi-finals. Germain,” Tuchel said. modus operandi. For Afghanistan, still “We, the Afghans, de- I’d like to thank the chairman “For a year now, Thomas searching for peace after dec- feated Pakistan in cricket,” Afghanistan’s (centre) and greet Pakistan’s Wahab Riaz after winning and the whole club for their has been bringing fantastic ades of war, the victory was es- tweeted Amrullah Saleh, a the 2019 Cricket World Cup warm- up match at the Bristol County Ground in on Friday. (AFP) trust in me and my staff. This energy to the daily life of the pecially sweet because it came former intelligence chief now only reinforces my ambition club, not only for the players, against Pakistan. running on President Ashraf a range of other officials and played Afgan Cricket Team”. terested in gunshots can join to bring this team to the very but for the whole of Paris Many Afghans accuse Ghani’s team for elections in political figures. Amid the congratulations, ANDSF, we need them on the top through hard work,” he Saint-Germain,” Khelaifi said. their neighbour of support- September. In a sporting concession, there was also criticism of the battlefield,” said Abdul Moqim told the club website. “We are delighted to be able ing the Taliban and fuelling “Yes it happened this Gen. Asif Ghafoor, the power- gunfire which regularly greets Abdulrahimzai, a senior offi- “I’m also very touched by the to rely on his qualities on a instability in their country, evening and a massive mark ful head of the Pakistani mili- sporting success. cial in the interior ministry, re- backing of our supporters, long-term basis.” (AFP) a charge which Pakistan, for was registered in history.” tary communications wing, “Celebrating with gunfire ferring to the Afghan National its part, denies. Similar messages came from sent a tweet saying “Well is a shame, those who are in- Defense and Security Forces. Sports Sunday, May 26, 2019 17

FRENCH OPEN Federer, Nadal threaten Djoko bid for historic Slam in Paris

AFP PARIS

NOVAK Djokovic can be- A bit of golf, a bit of come only the second man in There is an extra history to have twice held all family: Nadal ready four Grand Slam titles at the motivation and same time with victory at the incentive to win Roland French Open. Garros because of the to seek 12th crown However, a returning Rog- er Federer and rejuvenated opportunity to hold DPA Djokovic in the quarter- Rafael Nadal will once again all four Slams. PARIS finals. In 2016, he withdrew stand in his way. injured ahead of his third- World number one Djoko- Novak Djokovic KING of clay Rafael Nadal round match. vic completed his first private took a brief break after his Every other edition from stranglehold of all four Slams Rome title on Sunday and his 2005 debut onwards he with victory at Roland Garros is now ready to seek a re- has won. It may have taken in 2016. cord-extending 12th French until Sunday in Rome – Having clinched the 2018 Open title. against world number one Wimbledon and US Open titles “Well, I have been at Novak Djokovic – for Nadal and then a seventh Australian home, one day of golf, one to lift a first 2019 trophy in Open crown in January this day of family,” he told re- general and on his favourite year, the Serb is tantalisingly porters on Friday at the surface, but semi-final berths close to another ‘Djoko Slam’. Roland Garros tennis cen- in Monte Carlo, Barcelona Federer and Nadal, with tre, adding he has had two and Madrid still confirm that 20 and 17 career Grand Slam “good” practice sessions at he is the man to beat. titles each respectively, may be the compound. “I feel myself playing ahead of 15-time major winner Nadal has an incred- well, and my goal is just to Djokovic in total hauls. ible 86-2 record at the Paris keep playing at that level,” However, they have never grand slam which he opens he said, adding that he managed to hold all four of the against German quali- plans to improve by “just sport’s greatest prizes at the fier Yannick Hanfmann on working on small things.” same time. Monday or Tuesday. “In general terms, it is It is such a rare feat that Novak Djokovic during a training session on the eve of the start of the French Open at the Roland Garros on Saturday. (REUTERS) His only defeats came in just about being healthy, the only (1938) and 2009 in the last 16 against main thing, and then just (1962 and 1969) Roland Garros stands at Swede Robin Soderling and compete well and be fresh – all calendar Grand Slams – a staggering 11 titles and in 2015 against Serb Novak mentally and physically.” have pulled off the sweep in a win-loss record of 86-2, the sport’s history. claimed a ninth Italian Open Djokovic, who turned 32 on I feel like I’m playing title and a record 34th Mas- Wednesday, is playing down ters last week. his potential date with destiny. good tennis, but is it “I don’t care if I’m the fa- After losing to Nadal in the enough against the vourite,” said Nadal who starts Italian Open final last week- against German qualifier Yan- end, the Serb was in no doubt absolute top guys when nick Hanfmann, the world 184 that it was the Spaniard who it really comes to the who has never won a Grand would likely be celebrating a crunch? I’m not sure if Slam match. 12th Roland Garros title in a “I care about feeling well little over two weeks’ time. it’s in my racquet. and playing well.” “Nadal, number one fa- Roger Federer Nadal’s three-set win over vourite, without a doubt – Djokovic in Rome was timely then everyone else,” he said. as it was his first title of 2019 However, he admits his and had followed three succes- Paris triumph of 2016 which sive semi-final losses at Monte gave him his first sweep, is fuel- Switzerland’s Roger Federer attends a training session in Paris on Saturday. (REUTERS) Carlo, Barcelona and Madrid. King of clay Rafael Nadal during a training session at the Roland ling his bid for more history. The last two of those were Garros on the eve of the start of the tournament. (REUTERS) “There is an extra moti- quarter-finals, a defeat which land Garros for the first time and Djokovic are slim. against Dominic Thiem and vation and incentive to win sent him crashing out of the since 2015 having turned his “I feel like I’m playing good Stefanos Tsitsipas, both of Roland Garros because of the top 20 for the first time in back on clay court tennis to fo- tennis, but is it enough against whom play with a one-handed ORDER OF PLAY ON SUNDAY opportunity to hold all four over a decade. cus on Wimbledon. the absolute top guys when it backhand, just like Federer. Slams, something I did three This time around he starts This year marks the 10th really comes to the crunch? Thiem, the 2018 runner- COURT PHILIPPE-CHATRIER years ago, and that gives me his campaign against Poland’s anniversary of his one and only I’m not sure if it’s in my rac- up to Nadal at Roland Garros, 5-Angelique Kerber (Germany) v Anastasia Potapova (Russia); 6-Stefanos Tsitsipas (Greece) v Maximilian Marterer (Germany); Lorenzo Sonego (Italy) v 3-Roger Federer (Switzerland); Madison Brengle (U.S.) v 2-Karolina Pliskova obviously enough reason to Hubert Hurkacz, the world Paris triumph and should the quet,” he said on Friday. has defeated the Spaniard four (Czech Republic) believe I can do it again.” number 43 with a potential 37-year-old defy the odds and The Swiss star faces Italy’s times on clay. COURT SUZANNE-LENGLEN Twelve months ago, such quarter-final against Germa- clinch the 2019 title he would Lorenzo Sonego, ranked at 73 “There is a new wave com- Thomas Fabbiano (Italy) v 11-Marin Cilic (Croatia); 7-Kei Nishikori (Japan) v Quentin Halys (); Fiona Ferro confidence would have ap- ny’s Alexander Zverev who become the oldest Grand Slam in the first round on Sunday ing through with the one- (France) v (France); 7-Sloane Stephens (U.S.) v Misaki Doi (Japan) COURT SIMONNE-MATHIEU peared reckless when he was has still to get past the last champion of all time. and could meet Nadal in the handed backhand that can 19-Garbine Muguruza (Spain) v Taylor Townsend (U.S.); 16-Marco Cecchinato (Italy) v Nicolas Mahut (France); Venus shocked by Italian journey- eight at a Slam. However, Federer admits semi-finals. counter some of Rafa’s spins Williams (U.S.) v 9-Elina Svitolina (Ukraine); 27-David Goffin (Belgium) v Ricardas Berankis (Lithuania). man Marco Cecchinato in the Federer is returning to Ro- his hopes of seeing off Nadal Nadal, whose record at and lefty play,” said Federer.

Grand Slam clock ticking for weary Serena French me. From day one, I expect to Vitalia Diatchenko and could tennis The American star won go out and, quite frankly, to then face Indian Wells cham- French player win. That hasn’t happened,” pion Bianca Andreescu, the Gael Monfils has her most recent major said Williams in the aftermath promising Canadian who been hampered at the of her Melbourne defeat. hasn’t played since Miami due by injuries, the surrounded in 2017 while preg- “But I do like my attitude. I to a shoulder injury. latest being a nant. However, the like that I don’t want to go out Australia’s knee problem. by gloom all-time record of 24 here and say, ‘I expect to lose is a possible last-16 opponent because I had a year off, I’ve and should she keep winning, majors set by been playing for 10 months. Williams could meet world Australia’s Margaret I’m not supposed to win.’ number one Osaka in the Court between 1960 “I don’t have that attitude. quarter-finals. and 1973 has proved I have the attitude of, ‘I’ve only With a question mark over frustratingly out been playing 10 months, but her physical condition, her long- I expect to win, and if I don’t, time coach is keen to keep a lid of reach. it’s disappointing.’” on expectations of her chances Since Melbourne, Williams on the clay of Roland Garros. has been unable to finish the “For her game, it’s perhaps REUTERS lowed by a second-round loss of their experience in the Grand three tournaments she has en- the least favourable surface,” PARIS at the Madrid Open and a Slams, Jo-Wil(fried Tsonga), AFP rivalry with . tered – she retired to Garbine Patrick Mouratoglou told first-round defeat at the Italian Richard (Gasquet), Gael (Mon- PARIS An arm injury torpedoed Muguruza in the third round l’Equipe newspaper. A combination of injuries, a lack Open for the world number 25. fils) and even Lucas Pouille, can that meeting and stalled her of Indian Wells, withdrew af- Williams, for her part, of confidence and poor results Last year, none of have hope,” said Forget. WITH her 38th birthday fast assault on a fourth title in Par- ter winning a round in Miami, wants to keep playing even if mean there is a little chance of a France’s men went past the Gasquet only returned to approaching, the clock is tick- is after 2002, 2013 and 2015. and withdrew after winning a she still harbours doubts over French player shining at Roland third round and only the competition earlier this month ing for and on She still made headlines round in Rome last week due her match fitness. Garros this year let alone claim- 16th-ranked Gael Monfils ap- after going under the knife to her pursuit of a record-equal- in Paris by wearing an all- to a right knee injury. “When you’re sedentary, it ing a title that has eluded the pears to have a chance of sur- treat a hernia with Tsonga los- ling 24th Grand Slam title at black bodysuit which has In total, her 2019 activity becomes hard to manage your country’s men since 1983 and passing that this season. ing in the first round in Monte Roland Garros. now been banned by Roland reads just nine matches played body. So it’s just basically you the women since 2000. Yet Monfils, who won in Carlo and Rome having strug- The American star won Garros officials. Defeat in the – only one on clay, a straight- have to eat grass. That’s kind of When Lucas Pouille Rotterdam in February, has gled with long-term injuries. her most recent major at the 2018 Wimbledon final and US forward win over Swedish qual- what I did. It was a nightmare,” reached the semi-finals at the been hampered by injuries, the Benoit Paire might be a Australian Open in 2017 while Open championship match, ifier Rebecca Peterson in Rome. she explained after her lone win Australian Open in January, latest being a knee problem. safer bet having reached the pregnant. However, the all-time where her now-infamous However, nobody is yet in Rome on her recovery. French hopes were raised that Asked how he prepared for final at the Lyon tournament record of 24 majors set by Aus- meltdown overshadowed writing off a player who also “But it worked and it paid they might finally have a play- the French Open, Monfils said where he will face Canadian tralia’s between Naomi Osaka’s title triumph, battled life-threatening blood off. I didn’t get to train too er who could be a force to be bluntly: “I rested. I had some teenager Felix Auger-Alias- 1960 and 1973 has proved frus- followed her Paris heartbreak. clots as she gave birth. much. It’s more of a process. I reckoned with at the majors. MRIs, block tests to see what sime later on Saturday. tratingly out of reach. Her Australian Open cam- “Serena Williams will beat feel like I’m taking it one day Yet Amelie Mauresmo’s my body was doing, and then I On the women’s side, Caro- Williams returned to paign in January ended in a Margaret Court’s record,” said at a time. I’ve been really put- protege then went three started training.” line Garcia had struggled to Grand Slam tennis, after giv- quarter-final loss to Karolina former Wimbledon champion ting in the hours in terms of months without winning a Tournament director Guy reach the latter stages in any ing birth to her daughter, at Pliskova despite having led Conchita Martinez, now the keeping my cardio as much match until he claimed the Forget put on a brave face when tournament this season until Roland Garros in 2018, mak- 5-1 in the final set and holding coach of World No. 2 Pliskova. as I could with a knee injury, title at a second-tier tourna- asked about French hopes at Ro- she reached the final in Stras- ing the last 16 where she had four match points. Williams opens her Paris which is really impressive how ment in Bordeaux in May. land Garros this year. “They can bourg, where she will play Daya- been set to resume her bitter “It’s definitely not easy for campaign against Russia’s I’ve been able to do it.” This, however, was fol- play the surprise card. Because na Yastremska on Saturday. 18 Sunday, May 26, 2019 Sports Hamilton snatches Monaco GP pole with record lap

out after he missed a signal to The defending the weighbridge. five-time champ He was pushed back to the scales, to avoid any penalty, but clocked an it was another example of Fer- rari’s operational and decision- unprecedented lap making failings. “I need explanations,” said in 1min 10.166sec Leclerc. AFP “The problem was not the MONACO weighbridge and I have had no real answers. It is very difficult LEWIS Hamilton snatched a to take as we had plenty of time Ecuador’s Richard Carapaz dramatic pole position for Sun- and enough fuel... Now, I must sprints toward the finish line to day’s Monaco Grand Prix with take risks in the race.” win stage 14 of the Giro d’Italia an all-time circuit record lap Out with an upset Leclerc, on Saturday. (AFP) in the final seconds to outpace who was fastest in the morning, Mercedes team-mate Valtteri went Sergio Perez, Lance Stroll, Bottas by 0.086 seconds. George Russell and Robert Ku- Carapaz to fight The defending five-time bica. Q2 then began with a blis- champion and series leader tering record lap from Bottas all the way to clocked an unprecedented lap in 1:10.701. Hamilton was one- in 1min 10.166sec to end Bottas’ tenth down for second with Ver- Verona after run of three successive poles as stappen third ahead of Kvyat. Mercedes, mourning the death With four minutes remain- grabbing pink this week of non-executive ing, all 15 returned for a final chairman Niki Lauda, produced flurry in which Verstappen jersey a record-equalling 62nd front Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton (centre) celebrates qualifying in pole position alongside second positioned Mercedes’ Valtteri Bottas (left) and third topped Bottas in 1:10.618 - a row lockout. placed Red Bull’s Max Verstappen at the Monaco Grand Prix in Monte Carlo on Saturday. (REUTERS) record that suggested he might AFP It was an emotional Ham- repeat Red Bull’s success, with COURMAYEUR, ITALY ilton’s second pole in Monaco nussen for Haas. Last year’s “We all take our cars, fast or the opening part of qualifying. rear wheel off the barriers in the Ricciardo, last year. and the 84th of his career as he race winner Daniel Ricciardo slow, to the limit and here, at the After Vettel’s crash in the swimming pool complex, re- Out went Nico Hulkenberg, RICHARD Carapaz vowed to dug deep in the final seconds to was seventh for Renault ahead limit, it’s like wrestling a bull. I morning’s final free practice quiring a rapid pit-stop. Lando Norris, Romain Gros- fight all the way to win the Giro find the speed required to grab of Daniel Kvyat of Toro Rosso, had an oversteer moment in the session, Q1 began cautiously in He emerged with seconds jean, Kimi Raikkonen and his d’Italia on Saturday after shoot- the prime grid position from his Carlos Sainz of McLaren and Rascasse and I just held on.” the warmest conditions of the remaining on shiny new ‘softs’ Alfa team-mate Antonio Gio- ing to the top of overall stand- team-mate. Alex Albon in Toro Rosso. Bottas said: “I’m disap- weekend, the track registering as Hamilton topped Bottas, but vinazzi, all bickering about the ings with an impressive solo “Whoooah!” shouted Ham- “This is the race that every pointed. I felt after the first lap 44 degrees Celsius under a hazy faced a desperate rush to re- traffic and blocking before the summit finish victory to take ilton on team radio. “That’s driver dreams of, even as a kid,” there were plenty of places to sun. Mercedes, as they feared, climb from 17th - and exceeded top ten shootout. stage 14 and the pink jersey. what I am talking about....” said Hamilton. improve, but I had traffic and found the conditions testing and expectations by going fastest in On his first run, Bottas Movistar’s Ecuadorian Max Verstappen was third “We’ve arrived with a great couldn’t get the tyres up to tem- required longer to bring their a frantic finale. laid down a marker in a record climber edged ahead of Primoz for Red Bull ahead of four-time car, a great battle with Valtteri perature.” tyres alive, but were soon first Leclerc was left standing in 1:10.252 to lead the way ahead Roglic in the standings after champion Sebastian Vettel of and I think the desire and the Luckless local hero Charles and third with Bottas and Ham- the Ferrari garage as he tumbled of Verstappen as Hamilton breaking from the chief con- Ferrari, Pierre Gasly in the sec- will to get this pole. I’ve had to Leclerc qualified 16th after a ilton sandwiching Verstappen. down the timesheets to finish struggled for a clean lap, but all tenders on the Giro’s toughest ond Red Bull and Kevin Mag- dig deeper than ever before. strategic muddle by Ferrari in Vettel then bounced his left 16th, the team not keeping him that changed on his final run. hill yet, and after the win a con- fident Carapaz, 25, threw down the gauntlet to his principal ri- vals. “I was thinking just now, it Lippi back as China coach, seems only yesterday that I was Celtic edge Hearts to win Scottish at home in Ecuador playing on a toy bike. Now I’m here wearing four months after leaving the Maglia Rosa,” said an elated Cup, complete domestic treble Carapaz. AFP “We’ll try and keep the jer- SHANGHAI sey and defend it all the way to AFP Verona.” MARCELLO Lippi was back GLASGOW Britain’s Simon Yates was as coach of China on Friday, second after attacking on the four months after the World CELTIC claimed an unprec- last kilometre, gaining some Cup winner quit and following edented third consecutive do- redemption for earlier disap- a failed stint by fellow Italian mestic treble after coming from pointments and climbing to Fabio Cannavaro. behind to win the Scottish Cup ninth overall, 5min 28sec off The 71-year-old Lippi’s by beating Hearts 2-1 thanks to the lead. return to the top job in Chi- China coach Marcello Lippi. (AFP) Odsonne Edouard’s double at New leader Carapaz said nese football had been widely Hampden on Saturday. there was no problem in his tipped in domestic media and tion is 550,000, compared with The Hoops were on course team where Mikel Landa would will be welcomed by fans. China’s 1.4 billion. for a first domestic cup defeat in normally be seen as the team Lippi, who vacated the role The reappointment of 27 games when Ryan Edwards leader and who stands fifth at after China were dumped out Lippi, who took Italy to World shot Hearts into a shock lead 2min 50sec, and was instead of the Asian Cup quarter-fi- Cup glory in 2006, follows seven minutes into the second in dreamland after winning his nals 3-0 by Iran in late Janu- four months of confusion and half. However, Celtic quickly second stage in this year’s Giro. ary, is tasked with guiding the speculation. However, China responded when Edouard lev- “I worked so hard for this, team to the 2022 World Cup lost to lower-ranked Thailand elled from the penalty spot and it’s a real dream come true,” in Qatar. and Uzbekistan in Cannavaro’s the Frenchman sealed another Celtic players celebrate with the trophy after winning the Scottish Cup final against Heart of Midlothian at added Carapaz at the winning China have reached the opening two matches and he clean sweep of silverware by Hampden Park in Glasgow on Saturday. (REUTERS) post. World Cup only once, in 2002, quit, saying that he could not racing clear to score the winner “I felt good this morning. when they exited without a do two jobs at once. eight minutes from time. Celtic were again disjointed with their first big chance of the pointed to the spot. We knew the altitude was good point or scoring a goal. Re-enter his mentor Lippi, Uncertainty still surrounds for long spells and could easily game. Zlamal could have made for me. I gave it everything be- “Since Lippi coached the who was a three-time CSL who will be the Celtic manager have been beaten but for a bit Sixteen-year-old Aaron amends, but did not get a strong cause I knew the entire Giro was national team, they have shown champion with Guangzhou and next season with this Neil Len- more quality and composure Hickey fed Arnaud Djoum on enough hand to Edouard’s pen- at stake.” a positive and tenacious fight- among the best-paid coaches in non’s final match in charge as from a Hearts side missing a the edge of the area, his mis- alty to keep it out. Man-to-beat Roglic and ing spirit,” the Chinese Foot- football during his first spell in caretaker. host of key players through in- cued shot found its way to Sean Celtic paid a club record £9 two-time winner Vincenzo Ni- ball Association (CFA) said. charge of the national side. Despite consolidating an jury. Clare who backheeled to find million for Edouard from Paris bali kept a close eye on each “We believe that in the days He will earn similarly well eight-point lead when Brendan Edouard had the only de- the free Edwards to slot home. Saint-Germain 11 months ago other all day with the Italian to come, under the leader- in his second spell, with Ever- Rodgers left the Scottish cham- cent chance of a poor first 45 Celtic seemed to need the and he took his tally for the sea- testing the Slovenian with a ship of Lippi and his coaching grande subsiding his wages, pions to take charge of Leicester minutes when he was played in shock of going behind to snap son to 23 when Mikael Lustig’s daredevil descent on the pe- team, the national men’s side Chinese media said. Lippi, in February to win an eighth by Tom Rogic, but John Souttar into action and levelled within forward header somehow evad- nultimate climb, the Colle San will make a full impact on their who is surely in his last job straight Scottish Premiership, slid in to make a brave block. 10 minutes. ed the whole Hearts defence. Carlo. It was on that hill that World Cup dreams.” in football, marginally im- and now the Scottish Cup, Len- Hearts had not won in five Edouard was tripped by Edouard kept his cool to overnight leader Jan Polanc China sit a lowly 74th in the proved China last time, win- non has faced criticism for his games since their semi-final vic- Hearts goalkeeper Zdenek Zla- slot past the advancing Zlamal ran out of gas and gave up the FIFA rankings, a rung above ning 13 of his 32 games in side’s performances and style tory over second-tier Inverness, mal, although contact was min- and seal Celtic’s sixth domestic pink jersey and lost almost eight Cape Verde – whose popula- charge and losing 11. of play. but they made the breakthrough imal and referee Willie Collum treble. minutes on the day. Saracens crush Gloucester, face Exeter in final Messi finishes Europe’s top scorer for third straight year REUTERS good or bad. That energy is what Tompkins scoring three tries LONDON gets us through each week.” in 16 minutes, only the second REUTERS at Stade de Reims. Gloucester took an early hat-trick in a Premiership semi- BARCELONA While Messi’s goal haul SARACENS reached their fifth lead when Mark Atkinson’s in- final. Gloucester mounted a helped his side clinch the Premiership final in six years side pass allowed number eight brief comeback as Ruan Dreyer LIONEL Messi has become La Liga title last month the with a convincing 44-19 win Ben Morgan to charge over in and Lewis Ludlow went over the first player to win Eu- 31-year-old Argentine said over Gloucester at Allianz Park the right corner for a simple try but Saracens were resilient in rope’s Golden Shoe award earlier on Friday that he was in London with centre Nick in the third minute. There was defence and eased to an em- for three straight years after not giving the Golden Shoe Tompkins grabbing a second- an instant response from Sara- phatic win. his nearest challenger Kylian race much thought with the half hat-trick of tries. cens two minutes later, how- In the other semi-final, Har- Mbappe failed to score the side still coming to terms The European champions ever, as Owen Farrell’s dink al- ry Williams, Joe Simmonds, four goals he needed in Paris with their dramatic Champi- will face in the lowed Sean Maitland to get the Dave Dennis, Tom O’Flaherty, St Germain’s final league ons League semi-final elimi- final at Twickenham on June 1. ball and score a try of his own. Sam Simmonds and Sam Hill match of the season on Fri- nation to Liverpool, despite Exeter reached their fourth con- European champions Sara- scored tries to give Exeter victo- day. having a three-nil advantage secutive final with a 40-12 win cens opened up a 16-point lead ry over Northampton at Sandy Messi earned the hon- going into the second leg. over Northampton Saints. by the end of the half with tries Park. our, which goes to the lead- “I haven’t been thinking “Nothing brings us down,” from scrumhalf Ben Spencer Joe Simmonds also kicked ing scorer in league matches about that prize at all, we Tompkins told BT Sport. – thanks to a powerful run by six conversions for Exeter who in Europe’s top divisions, are still coping with what “We found our rhythm in Maro Itoje – and winger Liam led only 14-12 at halftime. for a record-extending sixth happened against Liverpool the later stages and didn’t let Williams. Exeter lost to Saracens in time after finding the net 36 and I’m not thinking about anything dictate how we felt. Farrell was off target several the 2016 and 2018 finals but times for Barcelona, while personal awards,” Messi told Saracens’ Jamie George (left) in action with Gloucester’s Charlie Shar- “We just try get to a point, times but that did not stop a re- did get the better of them in the Mbappe ended the campaign a news conference ahead of ples during the Premiership semi-final at Allianz Park in that nothing will set us back, lentless Saracens from extend- 2017 semi before going on to on 33 goals after scoring Saturday’s Copa del Rey fi- London on Saturday. (REUTERS) nothing will upset our energy, ing their lead with replacement beat Wasps and lift the trophy. PSG’s only goal in a 3-1 loss nal against Valencia. Sports Sunday, May 26, 2019 19 New Zealand brush aside India Smith’s ton sparks in low-scoring WC warm-up

REUTERS to leave India floundering at “It was quicker in the first in- LONDON 39-4. Ravindra Jadeja’s 54 off nings than the second innings, Aussies to victory 50 balls gave India a respect- it got slower later on.” During NEW Zealand comfortably able total before he was caught the chase, Kohli opted not to beat India by six wickets in a sharply at backward point by give his trio of front-line fast World Cup warm-up match at Martin Guptill. bowlers too many overs with England skittled out for 285 during a World Cup warm-up match The Oval in London on Satur- James Neesham’s me- Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Jas- day after restricting the Virat prit Bumrah and Mohammed AFP England’s reply saw James Kohli-led side to 179. Shami bowling only four overs SOUTHAMPTON (UNITED KINGDOM) Vince, on his Hampshire Skipper India’s top order capitulat- each. home ground, make 64 and and Ross Taylor made a 114- ed in the first innings as “We bowled well. They STEVE Smith ignored the stand-in Jos Buttler a run partnership for the third Trent Boult made the best were going at four, 4.5 (runs) jeers of the crowd to mark his blistering 52. which helped the Kiwis use of seaming conditions per over and looking at that in first match against England But both batsmen got out to chase down the total with isolation we did well,” Kohli since a ball-tampering ban when well set as England, top nearly 13 overs to spare. to pick up three quick said. with a century that set up Aus- of the one-day international “Facing a quality side like wickets. “From 50 for four to get tralia’s 12-run win in a World rankings and fresh from a 4-0 India and scoring some runs to 180 was a good effort. And Cup warm-up clash at South- series win over Pakistan, suf- is always good,” Williamson dium pace came in handy as of course, there wasn’t much ampton on Saturday. fered their first defeat of the said. he picked up three wickets in the pitch when we came to Smith’s 116 was the centre- season. India’s top order capitu- but there was nothing on of- bowl.” India play one more piece of world champions Aus- Buttler, leading England lated in the first innings as fer to assist spinners Mitchell warm-up game against Bang- tralia’s 297 for nine. in the absence of the injured Trent Boult made the best use Santner and Ish Sodhi who ladesh in Cardiff on Tuesday A target of 298 proved just Morgan, hit 24 off one over of seaming conditions to pick were both carted for 19 and 18 while New Zealand play West beyond England, without four from fast bowler Nathan Coul- up three quick wickets, send- runs respectively in their three Indies in Bristol on the same first-choice players including ter-Nile. ing Rohit Sharma, Shikhar overs. day. The World Cup begins on captain and fel- A fierce cut for four was fol- Dhawan and KL Rahul back to “We didn’t get too much Thursday. low batsman , as the lowed by an 84-metre straight the pavilion for a combined 10 from the spinners but hope- Brief scores World Cup hosts and favourites six before Buttler cut another runs. fully we can get them some New Zealand 180 for 4 (Taylor 71, Williamson were dismissed for 285 with . Kohli also fell quickly, cas- work in the second warm-up 67) beat India 179 (Jadeja 54, Boult 4 for three balls left. He didn’t score off the tled by Colin de Grandhomme game,” Williamson added. 33, Neesham 3 for 26) by six wickets “I’m pretty chilled, every- fourth ball of the 27th over but one’s entitled to their opinion,” Australia’s Steve Smith celebrates his century during an ICC World made amends off the last two, Smith told Sky Sports during Cup warm-up match against host team England in Southampton on with a huge pulled six off the the innings break when asked Saturday. (REUTERS) fifth followed by an about the crowd’s taunts. edged four past wicket-keeper RABADA READY FOR ENGLAND CHALLENGE “I’m just happy to be back But that fixture was played as he returned to the pavilion to Alex Carey. playing. Fortunately, I was able in front of fewer than 30 spec- be replaced by Smith, coming But Coulter-Nile had his CARDIFF: South Africa speedster Kagiso hoped Rabada would get better as the tourna- to contribute today and hope- tators whereas there were sev- in with Australia 82 for two. revenge when Buttler chipped Rabada conceded feeling rusty in their warm-up ment progressed. fully I can take this form into eral thousand in the main arena The BBC reported there him to short mid-wicket. match against Sri Lanka but was relieved that “KG has been slowly building up, working the World Cup.” on Saturday for the first of sev- were a few chants of “cheat, Vince then guided paceman he did not feel any pain on his return to action on his action and working on his run-up. Today Afterwards, Australia cap- eral Anglo-Australian clashes cheat, cheat”, although a lone Jason Behrendorff straight from a back injury. was the first time he was bowling at full inten- tain said: “Overall in a season featuring both the Australia fan shouted “Get ‘em to Nathan Lyon at short third A key cog in South Africa’s bid for a maiden sity,” du Plessis said. the way we batted was a good World Cup and a five-Test Ash- Stevie!”. man. World Cup title, Rabada returned home from Rabada headlines what is one of the effort. I thought Steve Smith es series. There was, however, the Worryingly for England, the Indian Premier League (IPL) earlier this best pace attacks in the tournament who will played a really impressive Warner was booed first by customary round of applause fast bowler Mark Wood could month to avoid aggravating a back problem begin their campaign on Thursday against an knock.” spectators on Saturday when he from the crowd for a batsman only manage 3.1 overs before ahead of the showpiece tournament. England side teeming with explosive stroke- Smith and walked out to open with Finch reaching his fifty when Smith going off with what a team The right-arm paceman returned figures of players. only returned to international after Australia lost the toss. got to the landmark. spokesman said was “left foot 7-0-40-1 in their 87-run victory against 1996 “England is going to be a stiff challenge, duty earlier this month after Long a thorn in England’s discomfort”. champions Sri Lanka on Friday and was not but an enjoyable one,” said Rabada, who they both completed year-long Jeers & boos side, Smith went to 99 with a England do, however, ex- unhappy with the outing. turned 24 on Saturday. suspensions for their roles in And when the left-hander superb carved six over third pect to have Morgan back from “I felt a bit rusty, but it was good to get a “It’s crunch time - the first game of the a ball-tampering scandal in arrived at the crease, one fan man off Ben Stokes. a finger injury when they open in the middle and get a feel for things World Cup and it’s going to go down in history. South Africa. shouted: “Get off Warner you The next ball delivery saw the World Cup against South again,” he said. “They’re a strong team, with good batsmen The disgraced duo’s first cheat.” Smith complete a 94-ball hun- Africa at the Oval on Thursday. “There’s no pain. I’m feeling all right, just and bowlers. Multiple players from our team match in England this tour Warner’s dismissal for 43, dred, including eight fours, rusty in terms of my bowling smoothness. But have played against England, we’re familiar was a hastily arranged, unof- caught in the deep by Jonny prompting yet more boos as Brief scores it’s all a work in progress. with them and that helps. ficial warm-up match against Bairstow off Liam Plunkett, well as clapping to acknowl- Australia 297 for 9 (Smith 116, Warner 43, “That’s why we have warm-up games so “On the day, we have to rock up. With the the West Indies on the nurs- was greeted by immediate edge his century before he was Plunkett 4-69) beat England 285 all out it’ll be a challenge for me to get ready before quality they possess, we need to make sure we ery ground at Southampton on cheers from England fans. dismissed off the penultimate (Vince 64, Buttler 52, Behrendorff 2-43) by the tournament starts.” Skipper are on top.” (AFP) Wednesday. But there were more boos ball of the innings. 12 runs

Panesar hopes M Pallonji claim Gulf Incon-Metabo cricket title to return to TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK Cenia, General Manager, Me- Praveen was dismissed in the DOHA tabo Middle East, and Prateek third over. Thereafter, they action soon Yadav, Business Development pressed the accelerator with M Pallonji capped their calcu- Manager, Metabo. other opener Sajeev smash- AFP lated chase with a fine eight- first after the toss, ing the ball all around the LONDON wicket victory over CCRC and CCRC put up a stiff 132 in field. He faced just 11 balls won the Gulf Incon- Metabo 12 overs. Muzzamil struck a and before he fired 32, which FORMER England spinner Ramadan Cricket Tournament quick 19 with two sixes to give included four sixes and one Monty Panesar says he wants at the packed Old Ideal Indian a good start of 35 for one in boundary. to return to cricket having School floodlit ground. power play. They suffered two Sandesh and Rauf main- been cured of the “paranoia/ Sajeev and Rauf contrib- more setbacks in the fourth tained the momentum, col- schizophrenia” which bedev- uted fast 32 each while going over, delivered by Sadiq. lecting 30 (12 balls) and 32 (10 illed him over the past few after a competitive 133-run But that did not dampen balls). They also cracked eight years. target and enabling their team their spirit and Afzal stepped sixes and a boundary between The 37-year-old – who be- to become champions in the on the crease to thrill the them, lifting M Pallonji to the came a bit of a cult hero at his annual tournament. crowd with his big hitting. victory in 11 overs. Mohsin, peak taking 167 wickets in 50 At the prize distribution He smashed half a dozen Nixon and Suraj grabbed a Tests – told the Daily Mail he ceremony, Sajjad Ahmed sixes and chipped in with 44. wicket each. had been helped enormously Khan, Senior Manager Sales As a result of his fine knock, Rauf from M. Pallonji was by former England captain and Marketing, Gulf Incon CCRC set up a demand- also declared man of the fi- Mike Brearley, who is a re- & Metabo, was present along Sajjad Ahmed Khan, Senior Manager Sales and Marketing, Gulf Incon & Metabo presents the winner’s tro- ing target. Sadiq and Alban nals. There was a raffle draw spected psychoanalyst. with Rajkumar Selvarajan, phy of the Gulf Incon-Metabo Ramadan Cricket Tournament to M Pallonji players during the prize distribu- shared four wickets, giving for fans as well. His career has declined Credit & Inventory Control- tion ceremony in Doha in presence of QVC and QCA officials. away 17 and 22 runs, respec- since being unceremoniously ler, Ramesh Natarajan, Dep- tively in their allotted two SPECIAL AWARDS: let go by Sussex in 2013 – the uty Accounts Manager, and Shahid Mehboob, QCA na- Mohammad Naseem, QCA of- The organising committee overs. Rauf and Sahil also Best batsman: ...... Sulfan of CCRC same year he made the last of Vincent Vimaldas, Product tional team coach, Gul Khan ficial umpires, and Qatar Vet- extended special thanks to Ad- ratted a wicket each. Best bowler: ...... Siraj of Hanan his Test appearances – which Manager, Tools & Equip- Jadoun, QCA Head of Domes- erans Cricket officials were nan al Mannai, Managing Di- M. Pallonji launched the Best all-rounder: ...... Nishad of Hanan came after he urinated on a ment. Guests of Honour were tic Cricket, Tahir Mehmood, also present. rector, Gulf Incon, and Marcel pursuit a bit slow as opener Best wicket-keeper: Neeraj of M. Pallonji nightclub bouncer.

JARA, JAWO CHAMPIONS IN AMIR CUP BEACH VOLLEYBALL CHAMPIONSHIP

Al Sadd Club’s Nbibi Jara and Sainey Jawo won the Amir Cup beach volleyball crown with a come-from-be- hind victory. At the Al Gharafa courts, Jara and Jawo lost the opening set in a tight finish but bounced back to beat experienced Tamer Abdelrasoul and Mohammad Obaisha of Al Shamal Club 22-24, 21-16, 16-14 to emerge the champions. Al Khor Club’s Abdelaziz Khallouf and Mahdi Badruddin took the third spot. QVA President Ali Ghanim al Kuwari was the chief guest at the closing ceremony and presented the awards.