WEDNESDAY 8 MAY 2019 SPORT 05 Arriving at this stage, two games Pep Guardiola says left with 92 points, after 100 points after his team climbed FOOTBALL last season, being there, that is back to top in Premier Champions League First ODI: England vs the most satisfaction I’ve had as a League standings. semi-final (second leg): Pakistan at Kia Oval,

manager. ACTION London

Ajax vs Tottenham TODAY’S Australia set for marathon home summer REUTERS saw the most value in the March MELBOURNE opportunity to extend our MEN’S FIXTURES window in the traditional cricket Australian players during Oct 27: Australia v Sri Lanka, 1st Australia’s international schedule season.” a training session in the T20 (Adelaide Oval) will stretch into late-March for The Gabba returns as venue Oct 30: Australia vs Sri Lanka, 2nd the first time in 41 years in 2020 of the opening Test of the Albion suburb of Brisbane, in this May 3, 2019 file T20 (Gabba) after the country’s cricket board summer in a two-match series Nov 1: Australia vs Sri Lanka, 3rd was unable to cut a deal with against Pakistan from November photo. India to move a one-day tour. 21. Last summer, the Brisbane T20 (MCG) Cricket Australia had hoped ground was snubbed as one of Nov 3: Australia vs Pakistan, 1st to host New Zealand in an ODI the venues for the marquee Test T20 (SCG) series in January but Aaron series against India and relegated Nov 5: Australia vs Pakistan, 2nd Finch’s team will instead travel to a January Test match venue T20 (Canberra) to the subcontinent after India’s for the short Sri Lanka tour. Nov 8: Australia vs Pakistan, 3rd board declined to shift their Adelaide Oval will host the T20 (Perth) home series. second and final Test against Nov 21-25: Australia vs Pakistan, That has pushed the three- Pakistan, a day-night match, 1st Test (Gabba) match New Zealand series back from Nov. 29. Nov 29-Dec 3: Australia vs Paki- to the middle of March, with the Australia also host New stan, 2nd Test (Adelaide Oval)* final ODI in Hobart on March 20 Zealand in a day-night Test at Dec 12-16: Australia vsNew Zea- making it the laTest finish to a Perth Stadium from Dec. 12, land, 1st Test (Perth)* home international schedule before the three-match series Dec 26-30: Australia vs New Zea- since Australia hosted Pakistan moves to the Melbourne Cricket land, 2nd Test (MCG) for a Test in Perth in 1979. Ground for the traditional Boxing “CA took the position that Day Test and to Sydney in the Jan 3-7: Australia vs New Zealand, while January was our pref- New Year. 3rd Test (SCG) erence for these ODI matches In a tweak to the usual day- Mar 13: Australia vs New Zealand, there are times we need to night scheduling, the Perth Test 1st ODI (SCG)* honour our commitments to will start at 1 p.m. local time and first interval, while the Adelaide The international summer role in the schedule as Australia Mar 15: Australia vs New Zealand, work in the greater context of finish at 8 p.m. to cater to Aus- pink ball Test will continue to opens in late-October with back- play a T20 tri-series against 2nd ODI (SCG) international cricket scheduling,” tralia’s dominant TV audience in have the 20-minute tea break to-back three-match Twenty20 England and India from late- Mar 20: Australia vs New Zealand,

CA’s Peter Roach said. the east of the country. between the first and second ses- series against Sri Lanka and January in the lead-up to hosting 3rd ODI (Hobart)* “We evaluated different It will also have the longer sions with the longer “dinner” Pakistan. Women’s international the women’s T20 World Cup * Denotes day-night match options for an alternative and 40-minute lunch break at the break in the evening. cricket will also play a prominent from February 21.

Pacer Nortje Chris Gayle IPL umpire reported for kicking ruled out of World Cup door after altercation with Kohli AFP AFP Englishman Nigel Llong’s involving players and umpires JOHANNESBURG NEW on-pitch argument this IPL involved Chennai with Kohli, who is also Super Kings skipper and former Fast bowler Anrich Nortje will An Indian , was just Indian captain Mahendra Singh miss the World Cup because of umpire has been reported to the latest in a string Dhoni storming onto the pitch a broken right thumb, Cricket the national body for allegedly of heated exchanges to confront Indian umpire Ulhas South Africa announced kicking a door after an alter- Gandhe over a no-ball decision. yesterday. cation with Royal Challengers between players and Gandhe signalled a no-ball Nortje will be replaced by Bangalore skipper , umpires in this edition of for height, only for his Aus- fast bowling all-rounder Chris a press report said yesterday. the T20 extravaganza. tralian square-leg colleague Morris, who has not played in Englishman Nigel Llong’s Bruce Oxenford to overrule. a one-day international since on-pitch argument with Kohli, Dhoni, who had been bowled February 2018. who is also Indian captain, was Stadium, according to the by Ben Stokes the previous Key fast bowler Kagiso just the latest in a string of Times of India newspaper. , ran out of the dugout Rabada is another concern for Gayle named West heated exchanges between The newspaper said that to argue with the officials. South Africa. Team manager players and umpires in this Llong paid 5,500 rupees ($72) Dhoni, 37, due to lead and doctor Mohammed edition of the T20 in compensation for the Chennai against Mumbai Moosajee said Rabada would Indies vice captain extravaganza. damage but the state associ- Indians in the IPL’s first need two or three weeks to Llong, 50, who is due to ation has decided to report the effective semi-final later recover from a back strain umpire the IPL final on Sunday, incident to the sport’s national Tuesday -- dubbed “El Clasico” which cut short his partici- REUTERS team,” Gayle said in a statement called out Bangalore paceman body, the BCCI. of the IPL -- was docked 50 pation in the IPL. JAMAICA from Cricket West Indies. Umesh Yadav for a no-ball in “It was an unfortunate percent of his match fee. This could put Rabada in “This will probably be the a May 4 match against Sun- incident. As a state association This IPL also witnessed doubt for South Africa’s first The West Indies cricket board biggest World Cup, so there will risers Hyderabad but replays we are duty bound to report it controversy on only the third World Cup match, against hosts has named opening batsman be great expectations and I suggested the bowler’s back and we are writing to the CoA day when Ravichandran Ash- England at The Oval on May 30. Chris Gayle as the deputy to know we’ll do very well for the foot was behind the line. (Committee of Adminis- win’s “Mankad” run-out of South Africa play three games skipper Jason Holder for the people of the West Indies.” Kohli and Yadav protested trators),” a state official was England batsman Jos Buttler in the first week of the 50-over World Cup, which Wicketkeeper batsman Shai the call, made in the final over quoted as saying. triggered a worldwide debate tournament. begins at the end of this month Hope, who has played 50 ODIs of the Hyderabad innings, but Llong was also part of a on the spirit of cricket. There were injury concerns in England and Wales. with five centuries to his name, Llong stood with his decision. controversial decision during Ashwin, captain of Kings XI about all four of South Africa’s Former captain Gayle, 39, was named the vice captain for Umpires withdrawing a no-ball Bangalore’s rained-off match Punjab, stopped in his delivery originally-selected fast bowlers will be playing in his fifth World the ongoing tri-series in Ireland, call is extremely rare. against Rajasthan Royals stride to whip off the bails ahead of the tournament, with Cup and has amassed over which also features Llong, who is on the Inter- when the bowlers were while Buttler, for Rajasthan Rabada and Dale Steyn 10,000 runs in 289 one-day Bangladesh. national Cricket Council’s Elite allowed to bowl only one over Royals, was backing up at the (shoulder) returning early from internationals for the Caribbean West Indies, champions in Panel of umpires, then vented in the five-overs-a-side non-striker’s end. the IPL, while Nortje and Lungi side. 1975 and 1979, start their World his anger by kicking the door contest when a maximum of While within the rules of Ngidi missed the IPL because “As a senior player it is my Cup campaign on May 31 when of the umpires’ room at Ban- two is allowed. cricket it is generally seen as of shoulder and side injuries responsibility to support the they take on Pakistan in galore’s M. Chinnaswamy The ugliest incident contravening the spirit. respectively. captain and everyone else in the Nottingham. Rockets level series against Warriors

AFP NBA: PLAY-OFF RESULTS quarter and added another 13 in points and 10 rebounds. LOS ANGELES Eastern Conference the third, when the Rockets But in another bruising Milwaukee 113 Boston 101 stretched their lead to as many encounter between the two James Harden scored 38 points as 17. teams, Golden State made just and the Houston Rockets held off (Milwaukee lead series 3-1) The Warriors responded with eight of 33 three-point attempts. the Golden State Warriors Western Conference an 11-0 scoring run in the third Curry and Klay Thompson com-

112-108 Monday to knot their Houston 112 Golden State 108 period, and put together a 7-0 run bined to shoot just two-of-10 NBA play-off series at two games (Series tied 2-2) late in the fourth, when they from three-point range. apiece. pulled within 108-110 on a The Rockets, meanwhile, hit The reigning champion to a 113-101 victory over the Stephen Curry three-pointer with 17 of 50 from beyond the arc. Warriors head home for game Celtics in Boston and a com- 19.3 seconds left. Meanwhile, the Celtics need five of the best-of-seven manding 3-1 series lead. Down 111-108 with 11.5 to be a lot better to avoid elimi- Western Conference clash on Milwaukee will try to punch seconds remaining, Golden State nation against the Bucks. Wednesday with a lot of work their ticket to the Eastern Con- saw Kevin Durant and Curry miss Once again in their series, the to do in a series in which each ference finals when they host three-point attempts. third quarter proved pivotal, with game has been decided by six or game five today. Eric Gordon added 20 points the Bucks outscoring the Celtics fewer points. In Houston, reigning NBA for the Rockets and PJ Tucker 33-23 to turn a 49-47 halftime It was a different story on Most Valuable Player Harden added 17 and 10 rebounds. deficit to an 80-72 lead. Monday in the East, as Milwaukee made sure the Rockets didn’t fall Durant paced the Warriors The turnaround came with Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) shakes hands with star Giannis Antetokounmpo into a similar hole. with 34 points. Curry added 30 Antetokounmpo on the bench fans after defeating the Golden State Warriors in game four of the scored 17 of his 39 points in the Harden scored 13 of his 18 points and Draymond Green with his fourth foul for the last second round of the 2019 NBA play-offs on Tuesday. fourth quarter to propel the Bucks first-half points in the second posted a double-double of 15 eight minutes of the quarter. 06 SPORT WEDNESDAY 8 MAY 2019 Pochettino urges Spurs to make history

AFP clear of fifth-placed Arsenal LONDON heading into their last league game of the season against Mauricio Pochettino has chal- Everton on Sunday and a draw lenged Tottenham to seize their will be enough to ensure their unexpected chance to make return to Europe’s elite club history as they try to overturn a competition. 1-0 deficit against Ajax in the But before that Tottenham, Champions League semi-final trying to reach their first second leg today. European final since the 1984 Pochettino is convinced Tot- UEFA Cup, have to focus on the tenham can still reach the club’s challenge presented by Ajax’s maiden Champions League final vibrant young side. despite losing the first leg in Having already eliminated north London last week. Real Madrid and Juventus this Many pundits and fans claim season, Ajax showed their vast Tottenham have blown their potential against Tottenham in opportunity after Donny van de the first leg and should have been Beek’s strike gave Ajax a further ahead after Van de Beek’s priceless lead to defend in opener. Amsterdam. Tottenham improved slightly Tottenham go into their in the second half, but largely biggest game for decades on a looked toothless without the sus- low note after losing 1-0 at pended Son and injured top Bournemouth on Saturday, a scorer Harry Kane. defeat that stopped them Crucially, Pochettino will wrapping up a place in next sea- have Son back from his ban for Ajax’s players taking part in a training session yesterday, in Amsterdam, on the eve of the UEFA Champions League semi-final second son’s Champions League via a the second leg and the South leg match against Tottenham Hotspur today. top-four finish in the Premier Korea forward should give his League. team a far more dynamic look. It was a third successive loss Pochettino remained upbeat Pochettino said. Although Tot- before finally moving to their required to turn them from con- said. “We are in a position where in all competitions for Tot- despite the frustration of losing tenham will know they have new stadium and without a tenders to champions. it depends on us to be in the tenham, who finished with nine to Nathan Ake’s last-minute goal missed a golden opportunity to signing for the last two transfer But, while the Argentine is (Champions League) final or not men after red cards for Son at Bournemouth, and the Tot- reach the final if they don’t windows due to the cost of that yet to win a major trophy in his and then it depends on us to Heung-min and Juan Foyth. tenham manager hopes his con- succeed in the second leg, £1bn arena, Pochettino’s work managerial career, he has finish in the top four. Fortunately for Tottenham, fident attitude transfers to his Pochettino is adamant his this season deserves praise. steered Tottenham to the brink “It’s a massive week and they are still all but certain to players against Ajax. players have done more than Pochettino isn’t satisfied with of major success with his deft that’s why we need to move on, finish at least fourth after Arsenal “We have ahead two ‘finals’ enough already to make him merely competing with the big handling of a tricky situation. try to recover as soon as possible and Manchester United were against Ajax and Everton and it’s proud of their efforts this term. guns and has already called on “No-one believed we’d be in and be ready again but whatever both held to draws on Sunday. in our hands to be in a good Hamstrung by playing most Tottenham chairman Daniel this position in the last week of happens I am going to feel Tottenham are three points position at the end of the season,” of their home games at Wembley Levy to give him the funds the competition,” Pochettino proud.” Goal hero Kompany makes good on promise as Man City go top again

AFP match to play. City were heading league matches. “I hadn’t scored players to tell me if I can take a MANCHESTER for a frustrating evening at the this season but I always feel in shot, and I just had a go!” Etihad Stadium on Monday until big moments that I’m going to The Belgian last hit the Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany let fly with a 25-yard do something,” Kompany told target from outside the area Kompany said he had lived up shot into the top corner 20 Sky Sports. back in 2007 but Kompany to a vow to “one day” score a minutes from time -- the centre- “Today was a little bit of frus- insisted: “I’ve scored goals like long-range goal after his wonder back’s first City goal from outside tration, everyone was saying that in training! “It’s 15 years strike secured a 1-0 win at home the box. ‘don’t shoot, don’t shoot’ and I I’ve been in top-level football, to Leicester that left the cham- Victory saw City go top by a could really hear it; I thought midfielders telling me ‘don’t pions in charge of the destiny of point from Liverpool heading hold on a second, I’ve not come shoot, play the ball wide’ and the Premier League title with a into Sunday’s last round of this far in my career for young every time they miss, for 15 years I’ve been saying ‘I Manchester City’s Vincent Kompany celebrates scoring their first goal with team-mates during the English promise you, one day I’m Premier League match against Leicester City at the Etihad Stadium, Manchester Britain on Monday. going to have a shot from outside the box and I’m going to score a goal and you’re going to be really happy with that one’.” Liverpool’s Daniel Sturridge and team-mates during a training City manager Pep Guardiola session at the Liverpool Training Ground in Melwood, Liverpool, admitted he too was among those who didn’t want Kompany Britain on Monday. to let fly from distance. “Don’t shoot! Pass the ball, pass the ball!,” said Guardiola EPL title race goes when asked about his thoughts as Kompany took aim. “Honestly, I wasn’t too con- fident but football is mad for that. down to final day The artists are the players, they have to decide things in a REUTERS a thundering 70th minute long- fraction of a second and what’s EVANS range drive from captain important isn’t the goal, it’s him Vincent Kompany. shooting while believing he was For the only eighth time in City enjoyed a lap of honour going to score. Premier League history, the title in front of their fans after their “He’s a big believer and that will be decided on the final day last home game of the campaign helped us to win the game,” the of the season with Manchester but their minds quickly turned former Barcelona and Bayern City well poised to win their to Sunday’s challenge against Munich boss added. second straight championship. 17th placed Brighton - who A one point advantage over showed their resilience in a 1-1 Liverpool means that City will draw at Arsenal on Sunday. collect their club’s sixth English “One game left and it will be AFC Champions League Milan back in Champions domestic top flight title if they so tough like today, we are away win at Brighton and Hove Albion and we saw Brighton had a good Results and Fixtures on Sunday -- even if Juergen game at Arsenal,” said City for the AFC Champions Klopp’s men beat Wolver- manager Pep Guardiola. League race after fiery win League yesterday (start hampton Wanderers at Anfield. “But it is in our hands, don’t times are GMT) Group Although the lead at the top forget but we could have been AFP with Roma who are sixth. minutes. Bologna’s Mattia Destro Stage of the table has changed hands 10 points behind if we lost to MILAN Champions Juventus and pulled one back on 72 minutes, 32 times this season, the bulk of Liverpool here. We were seven second-placed Napoli are with Milan playing the final Kawasaki Frontale 2 those swaps have been due to points behind, but here we are AC Milan revived their Cham- already assured of Champions quarter of an hour a man down Shanghai SIPG 2 the timing of their fixtures. in the last game and it is in our pions League hopes with a 2-1 League football next season but after midfielder Lucas Paquetá Ulsan 1 Sydney 0 That ends on Sunday with hands. We are going to prepare win over Bologna on Monday as the battle for the final two berths was sent off for arguing with the Buriram United 1 Urawa all games kicking off at 1400 well,” he added. tempers flared with three remains tight with Inter Milan referee. Reds 2 GMT as the final blast of tension “We’ll see if Brighton defend players sent off and a bust-up on 63 points, followed by Ata- In a nervy finale Bologna fin- Beijing Guoan 0 Jeonbuk is packed into 90 minutes. deep or will be more offensive. between French midfielder lanta (62), AC Milan (59), Roma ished the game with nine men Motors 1 Nothing during the title It will be tough, but hopefully we Tiemoue Bakayoko and coach (59) and Torino (57). with Nicola Sansone and Mitchell run-in suggests that either side will have the performance to be Gennaro Gattuso on the side- “These are important points, Dijks both sent off late. Today’s Fixtures (GMT) is about to slip-up. champions.” If City do clinch the lines. we’re right there now for the The absence of the pair could Sanfrecce Hiroshima vs City have won 13 successive title, Liverpool, on 94 points Gattuso’s side move back Champions League,” said prove costly for Bologna, just five Guangzhou Evergrande Premier League matches and having lost only once all season, into fifth place -- three points Gattuso whose side are targeting points above the relegation zone, (1000) Liverpool their last eight games will end with the highest points behind Atalanta who occupy the a return to elite European and need points next week Daegu vs Melbourne and both survived real tests of title by a second-placed team in final Champions League berth football for the first time since against Parma before their final Victory (1000) nerves in their penultimate Premier League history. -- with three games left to play the 2013-2014 season. two games against Lazio and Shandong Luneng vs matches. City have now scored 100 this season. Spanish winger Suso opened Napoli. There was also pitchside Gyeongnam (1130) Liverpool grabbed a 3-2 win goals in all competitions at the Milan had dropped out of the for Milan on 37 minutes with the drama early when Argentine Johor Darul Ta’zim at Newcastle only thanks to an Etihad this season -- the record European places after a draw game springing to life in the midfielder Lucas Biglia picked vs Kashima Antlers 86th minute header from sub- for most home goals by an against Parma and loss to Torino second half with Fabio Borini up an injury 25 minutes into the (1245) stitute Divock Origi whilst City English top-flight team in a but now move level on points tapping in the second on 67 game at the San Siro. beat Leicester on Monday after single campaign. WEDNESDAY 8 MAY 2019 SPORT 07

Federer returns Record-breaking season thrills to clay-court swing with easy victory Qatar’s motor sport family in Madrid

THE PENINSULA AP DOHA MADRID

The Qatar Motor and Motorcycle Roger Federer made his return Federation (QMMF) has just to clay with a 6-2, 6-3 win over concluded a season with a string Richard Gasquet at the Madrid of records that also highlight a Open yesterday. massive growth of the sport in Playing a clay-court match the country. for the first time since 2016, “We conducted eight dif- Federer needed less than an ferent championships this hour to ease past Gasquet and season. That makes it 26 events reach the third round of a tour- in just six months in the season nament he last won in 2012. that just concluded last month,” The 37-year-old Federer QMMF President Abdulrahman skipped the clay season the last Al Mannai said while announcing two years to make sure he was details of the 2018-19 motor fit for the rest of the year. sport season. The 20-time Grand Slam “That is a healthy average of Qatar Motor and Motorcycle Federation president Abdulrahman Al Mannai (centre), champion, a three-time winner 4.5 events every month. In some Vice Chairman of Losail Circuit Sports Club Khalid Al Remaihi and in Madrid, is preparing to make months we saw more than five Batabit Centre Director Mohamed Ghanem Al Kubaisi addressing the media yesterday. his first French Open events, local as well as interna- appearance since 2015. He has tional. Our data shows that 61 won two hard-court titles this cars took part in the last round season so far,” the QMMF Pres- international events held in calendar for new season and in an Europe European champi- season, in Dubai and Miami. of the Sprint which is a record,” ident added. “We had a board Qatar. There were 13 Qatari have officially released it. We onship. On a new circuit and The fourth-seeded Swiss Al Mannai said at a media meeting this to discuss the entries in Cross Country Rally. I have new regulations for QTTC against drivers who have com- converted his three break briefing. season gone by and plans for the would say that is a very big which is based on competitors peted in Formula 3 and 4 series points and didn’t concede any “We are very happy about it. next season. number considering in the past and what they want. We had a he has been able to give us good to the 39th-ranked Gasquet at All of these was dis- “These are the key highlights seasons we had just two or three meeting with them and they results. We are expecting his will the “Magic Box” center court. cussed during the of the season we thought we entries in addition to Nasser voted for the new regulations. increase as he gets more com- Earlier, top-ranked Novak board meeting. It’s should share with everybody. We Saleh Al Attiyah,” he said. We found different ways of con- fortable with car, the team and Djokovic started with a 6-4, 6-2 probably be the best saw an increase of 68 percent of During the season gone by, necting to them, keeping the dia- circuits,” Al Mannai said. win over Taylor Fritz. He broke license holders this season. The QMMF celebrated Al Attiyah’s logue going. I think that’s also the American’s serve once in We conducted license holders represent new Dakar Rally win in January. another key success factor in the the first set and twice in the eight different teams and from national cham- “We applaud Nasser’s previous season,” Al Mannai said. second, conceding only one championships this pions like Abdulla Al Khelaifi. We achievements in winning every “I believe the bar has gone break opportunity. The top- saw strong competition in the race he featured in including the up now. We also realise that we seeded Serb had seven aces and season. That makes it QSTK with Abdulla and Saeed Al Dakar Rally. All of this we think need to keep it there or aim I believe the bar lost only two service points in 26 events in just six Sulaiti ending up with same we could achieve is because of higher. We are discussing few has gone up now. the second set. months in the season number of points. the new board and also our part- projects for next season and we We also realise that “I don’t think he was that just concluded “The Qatar Motor Academy nership with companies like are going to announce those playing at his best today,” has been a huge boost for the Manateq and other govern- soon,” Al Mannai said. we need to keep it Djokovic said. last month. We saw an sport as a whole in the country,” mental agencies that boosted our Al Mannai said QMMF has there or aim higher. “But I think it was a solid increase of 68 percent Al Mannai said. activities,” the QMMF President sent Qatar Touring Car Champi- We are discussing opening match for me in the of license holders this Al Mannai said the last said. onship (QTCC) winner Abdullah few projects for next tournament.” Djokovic is season. The license season was the first time the Al Mannai said the 2019-20 Al Khelaifi to feature in the TCR seeking his second title of the Qatar International Rally was season calendar will also be Europe series. season and we are year, and third overall in holders represent new broadcast live on television. another busy time for motor “Our riders and driver Al going to announce Madrid. He began the year by teams. “We also saw an increase in sport fans in the country. Khelaifi are doing well in Europe. those soon: Al Mannai winning the Australian Open. participation of Qataris in “We also have a new For Khelaifi this is his first time David Ferrer extended his career with a 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 win over Roberto Bautista Agut, setting up a second-round meeting with defending Qatari athletes excel at ITU Multisport champion Alexander Zverev. The 37-year-old Ferrer is retiring after the tournament. “I want to be with my family World Championships in Spain and try to enjoy as much as pos- sible the time that I have to play THE PENINSULA + 5 KM run). Where he managed in this center court,” the DOHA to finish a strong 14th position, Spaniard said. outrunning some European “And tomorrow I have Two Qatari athletes competed athletes, in the closing 5 KM another opportunity and I’ll go at the ITU Multisport World run. out there to try to enjoy every Championships, in Pontevedra, Triathlon Federation coach single feeling that I might expe- Spain, against some of the worlds Mat O’Halloran was happy with rience out there.” best triathletes. the performance of the Qatari Stan Wawrinka ended a On the first day, Eid Al duo. three-match losing streak in Bordani, finished a strong 17th, “The Qatari athletes Madrid by defeating Pierre- in the 25-29 age group, with a showed a lot of courage in Hugues Herbert 6-2, 6-3. “I felt total time of 2h34, over the lining up at a World Champi- good. It was a great match, a standard distance duathlon (10 onships, the hilly course, cold first great match,” Wawrinka KM run + 40 KM bike + 5 KM water, and rainy weather was said. “I have been playing good run). All the while lowering his an added challenge for them. on the practice court, feeling 10 KM personal record, down On top of the very strong level really good, so it was important to 40:33. Qatari athletes Eid Al Bordani and Abdulaziz Al Ali seen along with Triathlon Federation coach Mat of the European athletes. In the to start well today and I’m On the second day, 18-year- O’Halloran druing the ITU Multisport World Championships, in Pontevedra, Spain. end, we reached our objective happy with the first match.” old Abdulaziz Al Ali lined up of gaining experience, and Brazil Open champion against the top junior elite duath- exposure on the world stage. Guido Pella upset 12th-seeded letes over a sprint distance opened the 5 KM run leg with a withdraw during the bike leg. top junior elite athletes in the As well to increase their per- Daniil Medvedev 6-2, 1-6, 6-3, duathlon (5 KM run + 20 KM bike new personal best of 18:35, but On the third day, Abdulaziz world, this time in the sprint spective, in multisport, outside while Fabio Fognini beat Kyle + 2.5 KM run) in the world. He was unfortunately forced to once again lined up against the distance aquathlon (750m swim Qatar,” O’Halloran said. Edmund 6-4, 6-3. Yadav helps Mumbai down Chennai to reach IPL final

AFP we can switch off before the Imran Tahir also struck twice things really didn’t go our way, (left) and Surya Kumar CHENNAI final. Much needed break,” said in successive deliveries to dent especially batting,” said Dhoni. Yadav celebrate after winning the IPL first Qualifier an elated Mumbai skipper Rohit Mumbai’s chase in the 14th over, “These are the best batsmen Twenty20 match against Chennai Super Kings at the An unbeaten half-century from Sharma. but Yadav kept his calm. we have got, it looks like we are MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai, yesterday. and disci- “I knew we have the His 80-run third- batting well, but at times they plined bowling helped Mumbai bowlers to restrict them. Have partnership with , pull off shots that shouldn’t be Indians see off Chennai Super the confidence in our batters as who made 28, was key in played. Kings by six yesterday well. Was important to restrict Mumbai cruising to victory. “Hopefully, we will do well to reach their fifth Indian them to as little as possible, Mumbai put their opponents in the next game.” Chahar stood Premier League final. because it can get tricky against on the back foot from the very out with his wrist spin as he got Leg-spinner their quality spinners.” The start as hosts Chennai slipped able support from fellow returned impressive figures of Mahendra Singh Dhoni-led to 32-3 after electing to bat first. spinners and 2-14 from his four overs to Chennai, also three-time cham- The 19-year-old Chahar Jayant Yadav who picked up a restrict holders Chennai to pions, still have a chance to struck first with the big wicket wicket each. 131-4, a total Mumbai surpassed qualify for the final when they of Faf du Plessis for six. India’s In the next play-off of with nine balls to spare in the play the winner of the elimi- Suresh Raina (five) and Shane season 12, will first qualifier of the Twenty20 nator in the second qualifier on Watson (10) of Australian soon take on Sunrisers Hyderabad in tournament. Friday. joined Du Plessis in the dug the eliminator today. Yadav top-scored with 71 Chennai had their moments out. Brief scores: Chennai Super off 54 deliveries to drive in the match after the bowlers Ambati Rayudu, who made Kings 131/4 (Ambati Rayudu 42 Mumbai’s modest chase as the removed Mumbai openers 42, and Dhoni, who scored 37, not out, M.S. Dhoni 37 not out, three-time IPL winners await Sharma, for four, and Quinton put on an unbeaten 66-run Rahul Chahar 2/14); Mumbai the second finalist in the title de Kock, for eight, inside four fifth-wicket stand to give the Indians 132/4 in 18.3 overs clash on Sunday. overs. Chennai total some respect. (Suryakumar Yadav 71, Imran “Three days now in which South African leg-spinner “Somebody has to lose, Tahir 2/33) SPORT Wednesday 8 May 2019 PAGE | 05 PAGE | 06 Gayle named Epic Premier West Indies League title racece vice captain for goes down to fifinalnal World Cup day Champions League: Historic turnaround at Anfield Liverpool stun Barca to enter final

AFP Jurgen Klopp’s men LIVERPOOL produce one of SECOND LEG the most stunning Liverpool produced one of the comebacks in most stunning comebacks in LIVERPOOL 4 Champions League Champions League history as Origi (7’ minutes, 79’ minutes), Divock Origi and Georginio history as Divock Wijnaldum scored twice to beat Wijnaldum (54’ minutes, 56’ Origi and Georginio Barcelona 4-0 and progress to the minutes) Wijnaldum scored twice final for the second consecutive BARCELONA 0 year, with 4-3 on aggregate to beat Barcelona 4-0 (Liverpool win 4-3 on aggregate) yesterday. and progress to the The Reds not only had a final for the second mountain to climb on the score- board, but were deprived of two consecutive year. of their most potent attacking weapons in Mohamed Salah and Firstly, the Dutch midfielder Roberto Firmino due to injury. was picked out by Trent Alex- However, Origi and substitute ander-Arnold’s low cross and Wijnaldum were the unlikely drilled under Ter Stegen. heroes as Barca surrendered a And from Liverpool’s next three-goal first-leg lead to exit attack, Shaqiri picked out the Champions League for the Wijnaldum to head home at the second straight season. Kop end. Despite the despondency of Barca coach Ernesto Valverde losing Salah and Firmino, Jurgen tried to restore some order as Klopp’s men never lost faith and Coutinho, who cost £142m were accompanied by a typically ($186m) when moving between raucous Anfield atmosphere on the clubs in January 2018, was a European night. Origi would Liverpool’s Georginio Wijnaldum replaced for the second time in almost certainly not have started (foreground) celebrates after scoring the tie by Nelson Semedo to allow had Salah and Firmino been fit. their third goal against Barcelona the visitors to switch to a four- But the Belgian has made a at Anfield, Liverpool, yesterday. man midfield. habit of scoring important goals The change briefly had an in Liverpool’s challenge for a first impact, but Barca were inexpli- Premier League title in 29 years denied Jordan Henderson’s pur- three inside the first half-hour at nearly played Origi in. However, moving to left-back. Alisson cably caught cold from a quick and he had his first ever in the poseful burst from midfield. Anfield against Manchester City the visitors soon started to pose a made another important save Alexander-Arnold corner 11 Champions League on seven Liverpool have blown plenty in last season’s Champions League threat themselves in search of the from Suarez before Wijnaldum minutes from time that picked minutes on the rebound after of sides away in early bursts quarter-final.Barca looked rattled away goal that would kill the tie. sent Anfield wild twice inside two out Origi completely unmarked Marc-Andre ter Stegen had under Klopp, most notably hitting as Sergi Roberto’s short backpass Lionel Messi had turned the minutes. to fire high past Ter Stegen. tie in Barcelona’s favour late in the first leg with a brilliant free- Liverpool’s Divock Origi (right) celebrates kick and his first effort was after scoring their fourth goal, yesterday. tipped over by Alisson Becker before the Brazilian denied international teammate Philippe Coutinho. Another former Liverpool favourite Luis Suarez promised not to celebrate if he scored on his former stomping ground, but there was no love lost for the Uruguayan among the home faithful as he was showered with abuse after trying to buy cheap free-kicks. Ter Stegen nervously parried an Andy Robertson drive and Alisson saved from Jordi Alba at Barcelona’s Lionel Messi the end of a pulsating first half. Liverpool were seemingly looks dejected during the dealt another injury blow as Rob- match. ertson could not continue after half-time, but he made way for Wijnaldum with James Milner Woods receives Medal of Freedom from Trump

REUTERS Trump, an avid golfer, years ago which the then champion as a “a global symbol WASHINGTON described the 15-times 21-year-old celebrated with his of American excellence, devotion major champion as father and mentor Earl, who died and drive”. Tiger Woods, who stunned the in 2006. Woods joined Arnold sports world when he won his ‘a global symbol of “In ‘97, yes, I won the Palmer, Charlie Sifford and Jack fifth Masters title last month, American excellence, Masters and I ended up hugging Nicklaus as the only golfers to received his country’s highest devotion and drive’. my dad and my mom,” he said. have received the award. civilian honour, the Presidential “My dad is no longer here but It is awarded annually to Medal of Freedom, from US my mom is here, I love you people who have made out- President Donald Trump on the Rose Garden ceremony at the mom,” he added, his voice standing contributions to the Monday. White House for their support cracking with emotion as he security or national interests of Last month’s Augusta through the years when he was went on to thank his two the country, to world peace, or triumph ended an 11-year major not winning. children and girlfriend Erica to cultural or other significant title drought for the 43-year-old “You’ve seen the good and Herman. public or private endeavors. golfer, who had endured per- the bad, the highs and the lows, “The amazing Masters expe- Since taking office Trump sonal and professional setbacks and I would not be in this rience I just had a few weeks ago has given the award to several including a highly-public divorce position without all of your certainly is part of the highlight athletes, including former pro- and multiple surgeries over the help,” he said after Trump placed of what I’ve accomplished in my fessional NFL players Roger previous decade. the medal around his neck. life on the golf course.” Staubach and Alan Page as well US President Donald Trump presents US golfer Tiger Woods An emotional Woods Woods recalled his break- Trump, an avid golfer, as posthumously to baseball with the Presidential Medal of Freedom. thanked those in attendance at through triumph at Augusta 22 described the 15-times major great “Babe” Ruth.