SPORT Wednesday 16 May 2018 PAGE | 26 PAGE | 27 Atletico bid to Bounedjah erase pain of dedicates win to past finals Al Sadd fans Ruthless Al Duhail thrash UAE’s Al Ain CHINTHANA WASALA from outside the box, but an Al THE PENINSULA Ahli player blocked the shot. Mohamed picked it on the : Youssef El Arabi rebound and made a long cross yesterday scored twice to take his to El Arabi who was perfectly overall tally to nine goals in this placed near the goalpost. El Arabi season’s AFC Champions League made no mistake as he beat the as Qatari giants Al Duhail stormed goalkeeper as he celebrated his into the quarter-finals of the eighth goal of the season with his continent’s biggest football event signature ‘pulling-the-trigger’ for clubs. pose. Hosts Al Duhail yesterday Mohamed almost added maintained their unbeaten streak another goal for the Al Duhail with a brilliant 4-1 win over UAE’s during injury time of the first half, Al Ain to join Al Sadd as the but the ball slipped past the right second Qatar club to reach the side of the goalpost. last-eight stage of the AFC Cham- In the 54th minute, Sultan Al pions League. Brake shot from outside the box At the Abudullah Bin Khalifa but Al Ain’s Eisa managed to get Stadium in Doha yesterday, a his hands on it inside the box. double from El Arabi (30 and 86, However, his effort made no penalty) and a goal from Ismail impact as Mohammad managed Mohammad (54) helped coach to shoot into the net from very Djamel Belmadi’s men advance close range to the high centre of with a clear 8-3 aggregate. Al the goal to make it 3-0 in favour Duhail’s fourth strike was an own of the home team. goal by Al Ain’s Mohamed Ahmad El Arabi scored his second (12). goal of the day by converting a Omar Abdulrahman scored penalty. the only goal for the visitors after Al Ain’s converting a penalty (90 +4). Ghazy was shown the yellow card Yesterday’s double strike saw for a hand ball infringement in El Arabi join Al Sadd’s Bhagdad Al Duhail’s players celebrate with a team official after winning their AFC Champions League Round of 16 Second leg match againstl A the penalty area and El Arabi beat Bounedjah as the top scorers of Ain at the Abudullah Bin Khalifa Stadium in Doha yesterday. the goalkeeper with ease to take Asia’s premier football tour- the goal aggregate to 8-2. nament this year. Both have a time when the home team was target with a shot to the right. left wing and managed to evade the ball’s direction with a diving He Almost scored a hat-trick found the net nine times each. pressing hard for an early In the third minute, Amine several Al Ain players and shot kick. However, Ahmed failed to five minutes later when he shot Yesterday’s win also saw Al breakthrough. Lecomte won Al Duhail’s second from the left corner of the box make amends as Al Duhail from the centre of the box after Duhail remaining the only Just after the kick-off, El free kick in the defensive half but into the net. Al Ain goalkeeper scored their first goal through an receiving a cross from unbeaten team in this year’s AFC Arabi won a free kick on the left it was Tae-Hee who drew the first missed and the ball own goal. Mohammad following a fast Champions League. wing but South Korean star and blood. was on its way into the net In the 30th minute, Tae-hee break, but the ball flew close to Al Duhail’s first goal came at team-mate Tae-hee missed the Tae-hee dribbled from the before Ahmad tried to change produced his first shot at the goal the Al Ain goalpost. Kuldeep shines Khalifa International Stadium gets set as Kolkata down for season’s biggest football spectacle Rajasthan AGENCIES THE PENINSULA kick-off time to avoid missing out on the action. KOLKATA: Left-arm wrist DOHA: The Organising Committee Al Kuwari announced that an spinner Kuldeep Yadav of the Amir Cup have completed Iftar party will be held for the fans starred with an impressive their preparations for the final and organisers at the Qatar four- haul as he which will be played on May 19. Women’s Sports Hall. The stadium guided Kolkata Knight Riders The grand final will be played gates will be opened at 6.45pm. The (KKR) to a comfortable six- between Al Rayyan and Al Duhail. activities will start off before the Iftar wicket win over Rajasthan Abdullah Al Saai, Tournament time. Royals in their Indian Director of Amir Cup, Captain Al Kuwari pointed out that the Premier League match in Abdullah Al Ghanim of Lekhwiya, gates of the number 22-23-24- Kolkata yesterday. and Khalid Mubarak Al Kuwari, 25-26 were allocated to the fans Kuldeep (4/20) flum- Director of Marketing and Commu- of Al Rayyan while gates 2-3-4- moxed Rajasthan Royals nication of Qatar Football Associ- 5-29 were allocated to the fans of batsmen with his wrist spin ation (QFA), revealed the details at Al Duhail. Gates 11-16 as the visitors were bowled a press conference held at Khalifa are for families and out for 142 from 19 overs International Stadium. gate 12 for people with after being sent into bat. Abdullah Al Saai said the special needs. KKR chased down the arrangements for the final have He also small target with two overs been completed with just a few informed that FROM RIGHT: Khalid Mubarak Al Kuwari, Director of Marketing and Communication of Qatar to spare with Chris Lynn top details remain which will be com- eight luxury cars Football Association (QFA), Abdullah Al Saai, Tournament Director of Amir Cup and Abdullah Al scoring with a 42-ball 45 pleted in the coming hours. He said and 250 other val- Ghanim, Head of the Internal Security Forces at Lekhwiya, addressing the media during a press while skipper Dinesh Karthik the Amir Cup always attracts huge uable prizes will conference in Doha. remaining on 41 off attention from football fans in Qatar. be distributed to 31 deliveries. Karthik took his He said Al Duhail and Al Rayyan the winners side home with a six as KKR will be training at the match venue through the draw reached 145 for 4 in 18 overs. the day before the final, followed to be held at half Earlier, Kuldeep took by a pre-match press conferences. time of the final. four to help Kolkata He also said that the ticket sale was The match kicks Knight Riders recover from going well. off at 9.45pm. a powerplay blitz by Al Ghanim, head of the Internal Rajasthan Royals opener Jos Security Forces at Lekhwiya, said Buttler (39) and skittle them that special arrangements have out for a low score in a been made for the upcoming final. crunch clash at the Eden He pointed out that there is a com- Gardens. prehensive traffic plan to avoid congestion on the roads leading to Brief scores: the stadium. Rajasthan Royals: 142 all Al Ghanim urged the crowd to out in 19 overs ( 39, come to the stadium well before the Kuldeep Yadav 4/20, Andre Russell 2/13, Prasidh Krishna 2/35) The Amir Cup Kolkata Knight Riders: 145/4 in 18 overs: (Chris Lynn 45, sunil Narine 21, N Rana 21, Qatar’s iconic Khalifa International Stadium Dinesh Karthik 41 not out) 26 SPORT WEDNESDAY 16 MAY 2018 Atletico bid to erase pain of past finals in Marseille battle AFP title success in 2014, but could heroes because nobody else has Antoine Griezmann is hopeful soon be on his way to done it since,” Dimitri Payet LYON: After painful defeats in this time it’s his turn to lift Barcelona. said. recent continental finals, Diego the trophy. Griezmann and Diego Costa “We know how tough it is. Simeone’s Atletico Madrid are will lead Simeone’s attack as Of course, that’s an added determined to justify their status Atletico return to Lyon, where source of motivation, and if we as favourites in today’s Europa they lost 3-0 to Dynamo Kiev in do win the final, our names will League showpiece against the final of the now defunct Cup be written into the club’s history Marseille in Lyon. Winners’ Cup in 1986. books forever.” Atletico lost in extra time to Atletico have had plenty of Only around 11,500 of their Real Madrid in the Champions heartbreak in European finals fans will officially be in League final of 2014, having down the years, as have attendance, however, but been seconds away from victory Marseille. several thousand more should in 90 minutes, and then lost on The French club have pre- make the three-hour trip to penalties to their city rivals in viously appeared in four, losing Lyon. the final of the same compe- three, the exception being their Authorities are preparing for tition two years later. victory over AC Milan in the the threat of trouble, with a big An exit from this season’s inaugural Champions League rivalry developing in recent Champions League in the group final in 1993. years between Marseille and stage came as a big surprise for Rudi Garcia’s team were not Lyon. a formidable side spearheaded expected to make it this far, Since reaching the final, by Antoine Griezmann in attack, having started their European Marseille fans have taunted but they have put that behind campaign in the qualifying Lyon and their outspoken pres- them to close on glory in rounds last July. But after ident Jean-Michel Aulas with Europe’s less prestigious Simeone was appointed coach. have changed at Atletico. Eve- Atletico player for Griezmann, rousing wins over RB Leipzig in chants of: “We’re going to smash competition. “We can’t wait for the final rything we have experienced in who was raised not far from the last eight and Salzburg in the up your house”. Atletico are looking to win to come around,” full-back these last few years we will Lyon but has spent his whole semi-finals, OM and their pas- There will be 1,250 police the Europa League for the third Juanfran said as Atletico target remember forever. I hope we career in Spain. sionate fans are now dreaming officers deployed in the city and time in nine seasons, after tri- a first trophy since 2014, when can get another little medal.” The 27-year-old forward of glory on home soil. around the Groupama Stadium, umphing in 2010 and again in they won La Liga. It would be a first, and pos- joined Atletico from Real “Those who won the Cham- where today’s match will start 2012, shortly after ‘Cholo’ “With ‘Cholo’ lots of things sibly last major medal as an Sociedad on the back of their pions League in 1993 are still at 1845 GMT.

India’s Manohar Imam, Babar guide Pakistan re-elected as ICC chairman to victory in tricky run chase AFP NEW DELHI: India’s Shashank Manohar has been AFP Victory was a good way for Ireland needed to take every re-elected as the chairman of Pakistan to prepare for the first chance that came their way but, the International DUBLIN: Pakistan debutant of a two-Test series against with Babar yet to add to his Council for another two Imam-ul-Haq saw his side to England at Lord’s starting on May interval score, he was dropped years, the sport’s world victory as Ireland’s first match 24. in the slips by Andrew governing body said in men’s ended in a Just four balls into their Balbirnie. yesterday. gallant last-day defeat by five chase, Pakistan saw Azhar Ali Imam, having cover driven Manohar, who became wickets at Malahide yesterday. edge Tim Murtagh to Paul a four off Rankin, completed a the ICC’s first independent Pakistan, set a seemingly Stirling at first slip. 61-ball fifty with seven bound- chairman in 2016, was elected modest 160 to win, after earlier Haris Sohail (seven) fell next, aries -- the third time he had unopposed for a second term making Ireland follow-on, col- well taken in the gully by Ed reached the landmark this tour after a tenure marked by lapsed to 14 for three before Joyce off towering fast bowler after half-centuries in warm-up broad reforms. lunch on the fifth day. Boyd Rankin as Ireland’s two matches against Kent and He was the sole nominee But 22-year-old left-handed former England internationals Northamptonshire. for the position of top ICC opener Imam, the nephew of combined. Babar, cashed in to make a position. Pakistan selection chief and And 13 for two became 14 for 61-ball fifty. As chairman he spear- former Test batsman Inzamam- three in 4.3 overs when Mid- But with Pakistan 20 runs headed efforts to restructure ul-Haq, responded to the dlesex paceman Murtagh pro- shy of victory, a mix-up saw the game’s governing body to pressure with 74 not out -- his duced a superb delivery to bowl Babar run out. There was still curb the dominance of maiden fifty at this level. Asad Shafiq between bat and pad time for Ireland to take a couple cricket’s three wealthiest Together with Babar Azam, for one. more wickets but by then the nations, Australia, India and who made 59 after being Imam, who bats in spec- match had escaped their grasp. England. dropped on nine, he kept Ireland tacles, showed a maturity Earlier, Ireland were dis- The 60-year-old former at bay during a fourth-wicket beyond many of his more expe- missed for 339 in their second head of the Indian board stand of 126. rienced top-order colleagues. innings. successfully revised the Imam hit the winning runs He struck two fine fours off Kevin O’Brien, who on ICC’s governance and as grey clouds threatening rain Stuart Thompson, a square cut Monday became the first Ireland pushed for the appointment Pakistan’s Imam- hung over Malahide. followed by a square drive. batsman to score a Test hundred, of its first independent ul-Haq celebrates fell to his first ball Tuesday as female director. SCOREBOARD Mohammad Abbas had him after win over “Over the next two years caught by Haris at slip for 118. Test dubutants we can look forward to Pakistan (I innings) ...... 310-9 dec (1nb); Rahat 23-3-75-0 (2w); Faheem 18-3-51-0 Ireland in Dublin Ireland (I innings) ...... 130 (1nb, 1w); Shadab 30.4-7-63-1 The Irish, resuming on 319 launching a global strategy Ireland (II innings) Pakistan (II innings) for seven, saw Abbas then take yesterday. for the sport in partnership E Joyce run out (Faheem Ashraf) ...... 43 Azhar Ali c Stirling b Murtagh ...... 2 three wickets for 12 runs in 22 with our members so we can W Porterfield c S Ahmed b Mohammad Amir 32 Imam-ul-Haq (not out)...... 74 balls, the paceman finishing with grow the game and ensure A Balbirnie lbw b Mohammad Abbas ...... 0 Haris Sohail c Joyce b Rankin ...... 7 an innings haul of five for 66 in more of the world can enjoy N O’Brien b Mohammad Amir ...... 18 Asad Shafiq b Murtagh ...... 1 P Stirling lbw b Mohammad Abbas ...... 11 Babar Azam run out (Balbirnie/Thompson) 59 28.3 overs. cricket,” Manohar said in an K O’Brien c Haris Sohail b Mohammad Abbas 118 Sarfraz Ahmed lbw b Thompson ...... 8 Only three sides in the 141- for four but, ably assisted by off a wide half-volley from ICC statement released G Wilson c Haris Sohail b Mohammad Amir 12 Shadab Khan (not out) ...... 4 year history of Test cricket had Stuart Thompson, who made 53, Abbas, nicked to Haris. yesterday. S Thompson b Shadab Khan ...... 53 Extras (NB5) ...... 5 won after being made to follow he turned the tide during a A crestfallen O’Brien bowed “The sport is in good T Kane b Mohammad Abbas ...... 14 Total (5 wkts) ...... 160 on and only one men’s team -- seventh-wicket partnership of his head in frustration and health but we are the B Rankin b Mohammad Abbas ...... 6 Did not bat: Faheem Ashraf, Mohammad Amir, Mo- Australia in the inaugural Test 114. But after Tyrone Kane had dropped his bat as he trudged off guardians of the game and we T Murtagh (not out) ...... 5 hammad Abbas, Rahat Ali Extras (B1, LB20, NB2, W4) ...... 27 Fall of wickets: 1-2, 2-13, 3-14, 4-140, 5-152 against England at Melbourne in seen out Tuesday’s opening over the field. must continue to work hard Total (all out) ...... 339 Bowling: Murtagh 16-3-55-2; Rankin 12-1-57-1 1877 -- had enjoyed a victory in from Mohammad Amir, who But the 34-year-old had to maintain that.” Fall of wickets: 1-69, 2-69, 3-94, 4-95, 5-127, (3nb); Thompson 11-4-31-1 (2nb); Kane 6-1-17-0; their debut match at this level. took his 100th Test wicket on every reason to be proud of an Manohar resigned from 6-157, 7-271, 8-321, 9-332, 10-339 Man-of-the-match: Kevin O’Brien (IRL) Ireland were facing an Monday, Abbas struck. innings that spanned five hours, the post last year but was per- Bowling: Amir 29.2-9-63-3; Abbas 28.3-10-66-5 Result: Pakistan won by five wickets innings defeat when man-of- O’Brien going down on one 44 minutes and saw him face 217 suaded by the ICC board to the-match O’Brien came in at 95 knee to attempt a slashing drive balls with 12 fours. retake the helm.

Buttler recalled for Pakistan Test Jos Buttler returns to REUTERS the squad ENGLAND SQUAD FOR 1ST TEST Bess has played 16 first-class “The selection panel feels that for the first matches, impressing with both this is the perfect moment to (Yorkshire) captain; James time since LONDON: Jos Buttler was handed bat and ball, and Smith said the reintroduce Jos to test cricket, December a surprise England recall Anderson (Lancashire); 20-year-old had made a fine start where he has already enjoyed 2016 after yesterday as new national (Yorkshire) wicketkeeper; Dom Bess to his career. some success, including a stint a series of selector Ed Smith announced his (Somerset); Stuart Broad (Nottinghamshire); “With missing out playing as a specialist batsman at impressive squad for the first Test against Jos Buttler (Lancashire); Alastair Cook due to injury, the selection panel number seven,” Smith added. knocks in Pakistan at Lord’s, which starts (Essex); (Middlesex); Ben wanted to invest opportunity in “Jos is playing with great con- the Indian on May 24. a young spin bowler,” Smith said fidence and flair, and he will bring Stokes (Durham); (Surrey); Premier

Buttler returns to the squad in a statement on the England and unique qualities to the test team.” League. for the first time since December Chris Woakes (Warwickshire); Mark Wood Wales Cricket Board website. James Vince has not been 2016 after a series of impressive (Durham) “Dom’s strong form, char- included in the 12-man squad fol- knocks in the Indian Premier acter and all-round abilities pre- lowing his disappointing Ashes League, including a record- sented a compelling case for series. equalling fifth consecutive half- has been called up for the first selection.” England will play two Tests century for the Rajasthan Royals time, after his team mate Jack Buttler plays as opener for the against Pakistan, with the on Sunday. Leach broke his left thumb in the Royals, but is likely to slot into second starting on June 1 at Somerset spinner Dom Bess nets last week. England’s middle order. Headingley. WEDNESDAY 16 MAY 2018 SPORT 27 Bounedjah dedicates win to Al Sadd fans THE PENINSULA “Reaching the quarter-finals is a great thing for us. I am very DOHA: Feared striker Baghdad happy with this achievement Bounedjah yesterday praised his and the two goals that I scored team-mates for a ‘job well done’ in the game. The team deserved as Al Sadd celebrated reaching to qualify because they played the last-eight stage of the AFC a huge game.” Champions League on Monday. “We consider this qualifi- In Jeddah, Al Sadd drew 2-2 cation a gift for the Al Sadd fans with hosts Al Ahli to complete a after ending the season without 4-3 aggregate win over their a title,” he said. fierce rivals. Bounedjah scored “I want to thank my team- two goals as Al Sadd scripted an mates for their performances in amazing fight in the two-leg the game and the success that round of 16 battle. they have achieved.” Speaking after the match, Al Sadd head coach Jesualdo Bounedjah said: “Alhamdulillah Ferreira also praised the efforts (thank God) for this win. This of his players. match was the final game for us Speaking to the media after in a tough season during which the second leg match, Ferreira we did not win any title. And so, said: “We played a great game. Al Sadd’s Bhagdad Bounedjah shoots at the it was imperative that we qual- I was hoping for the win but I goal during the AFC Champions League Round ified and continued our journey will take this draw, which has of 16 Second Leg match against Al Ahli on in the AFC Champions League.” taken us to the quarterfinals of Monday. He added: “Al Sadd put up a the championship.” great show, despite missing many Asked if Al Sadd were lucky chances in the match, especially to go through, considering Al had injured players too; we have team, they may have not been happy with the team’s will favour us and we can con- in the second half. Al Ahli ended Ahli missed key players, Fer- missed key players just like Al able to win. End of the day, we achievement. I want to thank tinue on our road of success in up exhausting themselves in the reira said: “This kind of talk is Ahli and this is how football is. were better and we deserve to all the players for the efforts Asia.” second half, and after we scored, unacceptable because we are Maybe, even if Al Ahli had go through.” they put in. Congratulations to Al Sadd won the AFC Cham- things were easier.” missing players too. We have played with a full-strength He concluded: “We are very all of them. We hope fortune pions League title in 2011.

Young players in action during the Recovering headlines No Coentrao, Aspire Academy Tri-Series football Sanches in tournament. Brazil’s team for World Cup Portugal AFP squad RIO DE JANEIRO: Striker Neymar, who hasn’t AFP played since injury in February, was named on Monday as the star of a LISBON: Fabio Coentrao and Brazilian team that coach Renato Sanches were missing Tite said has a good from Portugal’s 35-strong chance of winning the pre-World Cup squad named World Cup in Russia. yesterday by coach Fernando “Brazil is one of the Santos. favorites given the football The squad, which will be it has shown, given its cut to 23 before the June consistency,” Tite said at 14-July 15 tournament in Aspire Academy Tri-Series the team announcement Russia, included Real Madrid in Rio de Janeiro. star Cristiano Ronaldo and He said the national other mainstays of the team competitions conclude team, seeking a record that won Euro 2016, such as sixth championship, Pepe, William Carvalho, Joao stands out for being Moutinho, Nani and Ricardo THE PENINSULA Feeder Groups” in which they are pre- “aggressive, scoring Quaresma. pared to join the Academy. goals.” Sanches, who became the DOHA: Last week, Aspire Academy The training philosophy of the “That’s not being youngest player to lift the concluded the final round of the year- Academy is tailored to the capabilities, arrogant, it’s just telling Brazil’s Euro title, has endured a dis- long Tri-Series football tournament for talents and goals of Qatar as a foot- the truth,” Tite said. Neymar in appointing season, the the 2017/2018 season, culminating in a balling nation and follows a strategy Neymar’s returning action. 20-year-old loaned to year of global competitions that saw that is geared towards the development form will be a key factor. Swansea, who were relegated participation from more than 1,200 of of the individual player, who should be He has been out since from the English Premier the best footballers from across Asia, able to know what the game demands requiring surgery for a BRAZIL SQUAD other major hiccups, saw League, from Bayern Munich. Africa, Europe and South America. in any given situation. broken bone in his foot Alves replaced by Danilo Coentrao, one of the rev- The final round saw the Academy’s Speaking about the selection criteria while playing for Paris Goalkeepers: Alisson (Roma/ITA), (Manchester City) and elations of the 2010 World football teams face visitors from the U-14 for visiting teams that travel to Doha to Saint-Germain, and is Cassio (Corinthians/BRA), Ederson Fagner, whom Tite knows Cup in South Africa and cur- and U-16 Tunisian and Iranian national take part, Stephan Hildebrandt, Manager only now easing back into (Man City/ENG), from his time at the helm rently on loan at Sporting youth teams in the same age-groups. of Football Operations at Aspire training. Defenders: Danilo (Man City/ENG), of Corinthians’ 2015 from Real Madrid, had ruled Commenting on the conclusion of Academy, said: “Our objective it to Team doctor Rodrigo Fagner (Corinthians), Marcelo (Real national championship- himself out of selection on this year’s season, Edorta Murua, Tech- provide our student-athletes with a com- Lasmar said he was Madrid/ESP), Filipe Luis (Atletico winning team. Monday, saying he had had nical Football Director at Aspire petitive environment which lets us test hopeful, with the bone Madrid/ESP), Miranda (Inter Milan/ Fagner is currently an “exhausting” season. Academy, said: “Aspire Academy’s out different types of playing styles, so making “excellent ITA), Marquinhos (PSG/FRA), Thiago carrying an injury of his Portugal will face Spain, main goal from this tournament is the each week, we look to bring one team progress.” Silva (PSG/FRA), Geromel (Gremio) own but has been cleared Morocco and Iran in Group B, long-term development of its indi- from each continent.” Neymar should be : Casemiro (Real Madrid/ by Lasmar to play in and will play warm-up vidual football players. Playing is, of This year’s competitions saw par- able to “regain match ESP), Fernandinho (Man City/ENG), Russia. matches against Tunisia, course, the most important learning ticipation of local, regional and inter- fitness” when he takes Paulinho (Barcelona/ESP), Renato After sweeping aside Belgium and Algeria. approach for our players and we try national clubs from African, European, part in friendlies against Augusto (Beijing Guoan/CHN), Fred South American oppo- PORTUGAL SQUAD to give them as much playing time as Asian and South American countries. Croatia on June 3 and (Shakhtar Donestk/UKR), Philippe nents in the World Cup possible.” Some of these include Tunisian national Austria on June 10, Coutinho (Barcelona/ESP), Willian qualifiers, Brazil are seen Goalkeepers: Anthony Lopes, Beto, Rui The football programme of Aspire youth team players, as well as football Lasmar said. (Chelsea/ENG) as one of the strongest Patricio Academy is recognised as one of the cub Etoile Sportive du Sahel, Spanish Brazil will need him Forwards: Neymar (PSG/FRA), sides at the World Cup. Defenders: Antunes, Bruno Alves, Cedric strongest in the world in terms of club Celta de Vigo, Aspire-owned Cul- showing all the skills that Gabriel Jesus (Manchester City/ENG), Their campaign begins Soares, Joao Cancelo, Jose Fonte, Luis detection and selection of talent, as tural y Deportiva Leonesa, Dutch club made him the world’s Roberto Firmino (Liverpool/ENG), against Switzerland on Neto, Mario Rui, Nelson Semedo, Pepe, well as training, competition and eval- AZ Alkmaar, German club Eintracht most expensive footballer, Douglas Costa (Juventus/ITA), Taison June 17. Raphael Guerreiro, Ricardo Pereira, uation of each player. The nurturing Frankfurt, English club Leeds United with a record €222m (Shakhtar Donestk/UKR) Brazil’s hugely Rolando, Ruben Dias. of players starts years before they FC, Abuel Cyprus, Greek club Apoel FC. ($264m) transfer from unpopular president, Midfielders: Adrien Silva, Andre Gomes, reach the age to join the Academy as Ecuadorian club CSD. Independiente Barcelona to PSG last solid team around him,” Michel Temer, tweeted his Bruno Fernandes, Joao Mario, Joao high school student-athletes. del Valle, Pakistani club Karachi United August. Tite said. support after the team Moutinho, Manuel Fernandes, Ruben Aspire Academy has installed as well as Japanese clubs Ventforet Kofu “We will be a good Last week, the team announcement. Neves, Sergio Oliveira, William Carvalho “Football Skills Development Centres” and Shonan Bellmare. deal stronger with suffered the loss of influ- “With all due respect Forwards: Andre Silva, Bernardo Silva, (FSDC) throughout Doha for boys The tournament also welcomed Neymar. He’s one of the ential right-back Dani to our Russian hosts and between 6 and 11 years of age. From national team players across various three best players in the Alves to a knee injury. friends, and with humility, Cristiano Ronaldo, Eder, Gelson Martins, the age of 8 years the most promising age-groups from Tunisia, Malaysia, world, but for him to be Tite’s 23-man squad, please bring the trophy Goncalo Guedes, Nani, Paulinho, Ricardo boys are identified to join the “Aspire Lebanon and Iran. at his peak he needs a which was without any home,” he said. Quaresma, Rony Lopes Germany coach Loew to extend contract until Qatar 2022 REUTERS 12 years and in 2014 led Germany to make them better, to form a team the semi-finals in all of the five major their fourth World Cup title. that sets the highest goals, this is what tournaments for which he has been at DORTMUND: Germany coach “This is a big responsibility to drives and still gives me joy.” the helm. Joachim Loew (pictured) has continue developing players,” the Loew has been in charge for 160 “We did not need long to get a agreed to extend his contract with 58-year-old told reporters after matches, winning 106, more than any conclusion,” Grindel said. “We will the world champions to 2022, he German Football Association Pres- other Germany coach. He started out extend the contract of Joachim Loew said yesterday before the unveiling ident Reinhard Grindel said they had as assistant to Juergen Klinsmann after and the entire training team until of his preliminary World Cup agreed to extend their current deal only limited coaching experience in 2022.” squad. by two more years. club football. He took over after the Germany will face Mexico, Loew, whose current deal runs “To work with the best players in 2006 World Cup in Germany and has Sweden and South Korea in Group F out in 2020, has been in charge for Germany, then develop them and to led his country to at least at next month’s World Cup in Russia. WEDNESDAY 16 MAY 2018 SPORT 25

To work with the best players in Germany coach Germany, then develop them and to Joachim Loew FOOTBALL CRICKET make them better, to form a team after extending his Europa League Final: IPL: Mumbai Indians that sets the highest goals, this is contract with the world Marseille vs Atlético LIVE ON vs Kings XI Punjab in what drives and still gives me joy. champions to 2022. Madrid TUBE Mumbai

Simpson’s Players Warriors thrash Rockets glory destined to in play-off series opener be soon forgotten REUTERS

AFP come out and attack them PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Kevin Durant of the Wednesday.” FLORIDA: Webb Simpson Golden State Warriors WASHINGTON: Season wins Chris Paul had 23 points and (pictured) jumped from leader Houston battled an entire shoots against Houston 11 rebounds for the Rockets, who 41st to 20th in the world campaign to seize a home-court Rockets during Game fell behind in the third period and rankings with his victory at edge throughout the NBA play- One of their Western couldn’t catch up in the fourth. the Players Championship offs, but defending champion Conference Finals of the “Every time we made a on Sunday, still far from Golden State stole it away with a 2018 NBA play-offs in mistake they made us pay,” Paul superstar territory in a 119-106 victory on Monday. Houston on Monday. said. “Some of it was breakdowns, sport with room for only a Kevin Durant scored 37 points things we can clean up and do handful of household and Klay Thompson added 28 for better. We have to communicate names. the Warriors to capture the best-of better.” Tiger Woods, at 42, will seven Western Conference final Durant says the Warriors no doubt dominate the golf but for the rule change opener in a rare series start on the know Harden will always be a landscape until he retire about two years ago that road for a team seeking its third threat but Golden State must while 20-somethings Justin banned players from NBA crown in four seasons. remain poised against a Rockets Thomas, Jordan Spieth and anchoring long putters “We’re just trying to win every lineup that can unleash a barrage Rory McIlroy have all against their chests. game we play,” Warriors forward of 3-pointers if their focus lapses. occupied top spot at a Having enjoyed Draymond Green said. “We know James is always young age. success with the long stick, “It ends up being ‘stealing going to score over us. We just had US Masters champion he floundered around until home court’ but we don’t look at to keep solid and keep playing Patrick Reed and Dustin finding his comfort zone it that way. We won one game on hard,” Durant said. Johnson, world number with a 40.5-inch putter that the road. Let’s try to win two.” “This Houston team never one before Thomas he rests against his left Stephen Curry added 18 points, stops. They are always in the game deposed him on Sunday, arm, but not his chest. six rebounds and eight assists with 3-point shots. We play a calm were all but ignored by “I’ve never putted this while Green contributed nine steady game, look for a good shot fans, media and the tele- well in my life,” Simpson rebounds and nine assists for the and play good D every time down.” vision cameras alike at TPC said after cruising to a Warriors. Thompson had a 3-pointer and Sawgrass, so Simpson four-stroke victory in the “It’s a great start. We played two free throws in a 10-2 Warriors would seem to have little Players with an 18-under well,” said Thompson, who scored run that Durant capped with a chance of being more than 270 total. 11 points in the fourth quarter. 3-pointer for a 100-87 lead with a 24-hour story. “This is probably the “We’re not going to relax. 7:58 remaining in the fourth If capturing a US Open first time I can say I’m glad We’re still not where we want to quarter. Houston never threatened at age 26 did not earn they banned it (anchoring), be. We still have a long way to go.” again. Simpson fame, a Players because I probably NBA scoring champion James “We can do a little better job Championship six years wouldn’t have ever swayed Harden netted 41 points to lead the against them mentally,” D’Antoni later is unlikely to do so away from the belly Rockets, who host game two said. either. putter,” he added. today. “They are champions for a But the man who sat “I had used this putter “We’ve got to do a better job reason. If we want to beat them unrecognised in a local for 11 years, so it’s a learned of taking better shots, not turning aggressively at the start, using two “The further you get along in we have to be mentally sharp. coffee shop on Saturday skill. And to unlearn a skill the ball over and getting back on big runs to jump ahead only to the playoffs, the more intensity “KD was on. We can live with morning is among a group in the middle of your D,” Harden said. have the Warriors overtake them you need to bring.” Rockets coach that. But we can’t have that and of players fractionally career was the biggest “We’ve got to make them by the middle of the second Mike D’Antoni knows that all too mental mistakes.” below the top echelon, challenge. rotate and take tougher shots. quarter. well. The Rockets jumped ahead 9-2 capable of winning when “I made the Ryder Cup “They do a really good job if “You know they are going to “If we’re going to knock these and 21-12 but the Warriors battled they put all facets of the team in 2014 and my game you take bad shots or turn the ball come out with a lot of energy,” guys off we have to get a better back, taking their first lead of the game together at the same was pretty solid for a few over. That’s what they thrive on. Durant said. mental focus,” D’Antoni said. game at 35-33 on David West’s time. That is just the nature years... but I had the Those mistakes can’t happen.” “We just tried to take their best “We ran out of gas a little bit layup 2:57 into the second quarter. of golf. resolve to take my focus off Durant scored 17 first-half punch and keep fighting.” “To in different spots and they didn’t. “They took the challenge and Simpson probably those who enforce our points and sparked Golden State withstand that run says a lot about “It’s just a bunch of stuff we played awfully well,” Warriors would have won more than rules and put my focus on after the Rockets played our team,” Green said. can clean up and we will. We’ll coach Steve Kerr said. five times on the PGA Tour trying to get better.” Car issues delayed Marchessault lifts Vegas Hamilton contract talks, says Wolff over Jets in NHL play-offs AFP

REUTERS Prix in Barcelona. MONTREAL: Jonathan “There’s no reason why we Marchessault scored two LONDON: Mercedes have offered an shouldn’t be racing with each other goals and the Vegas Golden explanation for the delay in signing for a few more years. We had other Knights defeated the a fresh contract with Lewis Hamilton priorities in the last few weeks. We Winnipeg Jets 3-1 Monday to (pictured) by saying both parties weren’t happy with our car’s per- level their National Hockey wanted to focus on improving the formance and we needed to sort it League play-off series. Formula One team’s car. out. The Golden Knights, The four times world champion “And finalising a contract is enjoying the greatest season and Mercedes have been talking something you need to involve of any first-year expansion about a lucrative new deal since last yourself in and spend time and we club in major North American year, with regular assurances that it both decided that we’d park it for a sports history, equalized the is on the point of being signed. minute where we were. But it’s best-of-seven Western Con- Despite talk of having something almost all sorted and we’ll pick it up ference Final at 1-1 with game done before the start of the season at the right time,time,” added tthe three Wednesday at Las inin March, five races have gonegone Austrian.Austrian. Vegas. byby anandd ttherehere is stistillll no HamiltonHamilton startedstarted thet The series winner will Jonathan Marchessault (left) of the Vegas Golden Knights scores a third period announcement.announcement. seasonseason with polepo face either Washington or goal against Winnipeg Jets in Winnipeg on Monday. TheThe Briton is oth-oth- position in MelbourneMelbour Tampa Bay in the Stanley Cup erwiseerwise out of contractcontract but FFerrarierra Final. at tthehe eendnd ooff thethe wonwon tthehe fifirst Slovakian left wing for the Jets with 12:43 backhanding the puck into Knights, who return home for season.season. two races. Tomas Tatar opened the remaining in the third period, the net. the next two games and would “Obviously“Obviously we AustralianA ustr a lia scoring for Vegas 13:23 into the NHL’s top rookie goal “We were a little sloppy host a sixth game if needed don’tdon’t wantwant ttoo lloseose himhim DaniDanielel RRicciardoicciard the opening period and the scorer with 31 connecting just in the first period but we before their devoted fans. andand I dodon’tn’t ththinkink he wwantsants thenthen put RedRed BuBullll on Golden Knights made it 2-0 inside the near post to the played well in the second and “They are the best fans in to gogo anywhereanywhere else. EEvery-very- top of the podium in just 3:58 later after a mid-rink right of Vegas netminder third,” Marchessault said. Vegas and they are definitely thing’sthing’s going ffine,”ine,” team bbossoss China,China, dealingdealing Mer-Me turnover allowed Marches- Marc-Andre Fleury, the US “We were good in the D going to show it off,” Toto Wolff told reporters cedecedess ththeireir thithird sault to charge in alone and left winger’s third play-off zone and we played well. We Marchessault said. at llastast weeweekend’skend’s straightstraight ddefeatefeat fforor thet beat Winnipeg goaltender goal lifting Winnipeg within just need to look at ourselves The Jets-Knights matchup SpanisSpanishh GrandGrand firstfirst ttimeime in the VV6 Connor Hellebuyck. 2-1. in the mirror at the end of the is a fairy tale matchup, with tturbourbo hyhybridbr “We just played hard But just 88 seconds later, game and if we can do that Vegas formed only a year ago, era tthath right off the bat and were able the Golden Knights silenced we’ll be fine.” its roster assembled from startedstarted in to get that two-goal lead. We the Canadian crowd as Fleury, a three-time castoffs by other clubs in an 2014.2014. played really well with that Marchessault netted another, Stanley Cup champion with expansion draft plus off- lead,” Marchessault said. taking a centering pass from the Pittsburgh Penguins, made season moves by general Kyle Connor answered William Karlsson and 30 saves for the Golden manager George McPhee.