SPORT Monday 14 May 2018 PAGE | 21 PAGE | 23 Just like good old Early lead paved days as Woods the way for win, rediscovers magic says Laudrup

Nam, Msakni and in line for top QFA award Ireland fightback after THE PENINSULA official statistics and figures pro- Tae-Hee is a vital cog in the all-win record in the group stage. his great skills, potential and vider for the QSL, revealed that machine of this season’s QSL and Tae-hee was the main man talent. Xavi Hernandez is the follow-on : Al Duhail’s Nam Tae-hee, Msakni had an outstanding Cup champions Al Duhail. behind the goal-scoring spree of greatest star to have descended AFP his captain Youssef Msakni and season. The South Korean playmaker is team-mates Youssef El Arabi and on Qatar football in terms of cre- Al Sadd’s Spain and Barcelona However, Msakni missed Al among the best presently plying captain Msakni. dentials and achievements. great Xavi Hernandez have been Duhail’s triumphant campaign in the their trade in the country. Last season’s Most Valuable Xavi, a FIFA World Cup DUBLIN: Ireland were 64 short-listed for the Qatar Football as he is out with a cru- Nam, who was adjudged the Player award was a clear proof of winner with Spain in 2010, is Al without loss in their second Association (QFA) Best Player ciate ligament injury. He was Most Valuable Player last seasonseason,, Sadd’sSadd s regregular captain ever since innings, a deficit of 116 runs, Award, it was revealed yesterday. operated upon in the US andd still is among the core group of players hehe jjoinedoined them in 2015 after at stumps on the third day of Thee winnerswinners will be needneedss rest.rest. He willwill also missmiss thethe AlgerianAlgerian coachcoach DDjameljamel Belmadi winningwinning theth La Liga and Cham- their inaugural Test after announcednced at the endend-of-season-of-season fforthcomingorthcoming FIFA World CupCup in is countingcounting onon.. pions LeagueLeag with Barcelona that being made to follow-on by ceremonyony at the Qatar NationalNational Russia.Russia. TheThe midfieldermidfielder also played a season.season. Pakistan at Malahide Conventionntion CCenterenter in EduEducationcation significantsignificant rolerole in AlAl Duhail’sDuhail’s He,He, tthus,h ended a 17-year yesterday. City on MayMay 17. brilliantbrilliant rrunun in the AFAFCC careercareer iinn thet Catalan club’s first Ed Joyce was 39 not out Msakniakni played a key role in Al CChampionshampions League, team, duringduri which he won eight and Ireland captain William Duhail’ss triumphtriumph in this season’sseason’s wwherehere theythey were the leagueleague titltitlese and four Champions Porterfield unbeaten on 23. QNB Starsars League (QSL)(QSL) with an onlyonly tteameam with an Leagues.Leagues. Ireland were dismissed unbeatenen record. He played tthehe TheThe midfieldm maestro led Al for just 130 in reply to Paki- captain’s’s role to perfection and Sadd to a ccup double last season stan’s first innings 310 for finishedd as the secosecond-bestnd-best whenwhen theythey won the Qatar Cup nine declared. scorer inn tthehe toutournamentrnament withwith and Emir’sEmi Cup. This time, his It was the first time 25 goals,s, one less than team- contributionscontribu were big as The Pakistan had enforced the mate andnd Moroccan stristrikerker WolvesWolves ended up as runners- follow-on in a Test in 16 years. Yousseff El Arabi.Arabi. upup in the QSL and reached Together,gether, thetheyy concon-- the knockout stage of AFC SCOREBOARD tributedd 51 of Al Duhail’s ChampionsCh League. Pakistan 1st Innings (overnight: 268-6) tally of 86 goalgoals,s, the most Meanwhile, Bassam Azhar Ali c Porterfield b Rankin ...... 4 by any side. The nearest Al RRawi, (both Imam-ul-Haq lbw b Murtagh ...... 7 was Al Sadd’sSadd’s 68 goals. AlAl Duhail) and Salem Al H Sohail c Porterfield b Thompson ...... 31 The Tunisian attackinattackingg HajriH (Al Sadd) are vying Asad Shafiq c Balbirnie b Rankin ...... 62 midfielderder was namenamedd tthehe forfo the Best Under-23 Babar Azam c Stirling b Murtagh ...... 14 best playerayer in ffourour monthsmonths PlPlayer Award, while S Ahmed c Stirling b Thompson ...... 20 (September,mber, November, MicMichael Laudrup (Al Shadab Khan lbw b Murtagh ...... 55 Decemberber and February)February) aandnd Rayyan),Rayy Jesualdo Ferreira F Ashraf c N O'Brien b Thompson ...... 83 that speakseaks volumes for his (Al SSadd) and Djamel M Amir c N O'Brien b Murtagh ...... 13 performance.mance. BelmadiBelmadi (Al Duhail) are in con- Mohammad Abbas not out ...... 4 The tectechnicalhnical andand pphysicalhysical tentiontention for the Best Coach Rahat Ali not out ...... 0 aspects releasedreleased by STATS,STATS, tthehe FROM LEFT: Al Duhail's Nam Tae-hee, Youssef Msakni and Al Sadd's Xavi Hernandez Award.Award. Extras (b1, lb10, nb4, w2) ...... 17 Total (9 wkts dec, 96 overs, 407 mins) 310 Fall of wickets: 1-13, 2-13, 3-71, 4-104, 5-153, 6-159, 7-276, 8-304, 9-306 Bowling: Murtagh 25-5-45-4; Rankin 21-3- 75-2 (1nb); Kane 20-2-86-0 (1nb); Thomp- ACL: Al Sadd take on Al Ahli son 22-4-62-3 (2nb, 1w); K O'Brien 6-1-20-0 (1w); Stirling 2-0-11-0; Ireland 1st Innings E. Joyce lbw b Abbas ...... 4 W. Porterfield b Amir ...... 1 with eye on quarter-finals A. Balbirnie lbw b Abbas ...... 0 N. O'Brien lbw b Abbas ...... 0 P. Stirling c Babar b Faheem ...... 17 CHINTHANA WASALA Al Sadd players take part in a practice session ahead of their AFC Champions League Round of 16 AFC CHAMPIONS K. O'Brien c Imam-ul-Haq b Amir ...... 40 THE PENINSULA Second Leg match against ’s Al Ahli. S. Thompson b Shadab ...... 3 LEAGUE T. Kane c Babar b Shadab ...... 0 JEDDAH: Qatar’s Al Sadd will be ROUND OF 16 FIXTURES G. Wilson not out ...... 33 looking to defend their 2-1 lead B. Rankin c Sarfraz b Abbas ...... 17 T. Murtagh c Imam-ul-Haq b Shadab ...... 5 from the first leg of the AFC Today: Champions League (ACl) against Extras (b8, lb1, w1) ...... 10 Al Sadd vs Al Ahli (KSA) Total (all out, 47.2 overs, 203 mins) 130 Saudi Arabia’s Al Ahli when the Venue: King Abdullah Sports City, Fall of wickets: 1-5, 2-5, 3-5, 4-7, 5-36, 6-61, two teams meet in Jeddah today. Jeddah - Kick-off: 8.40pm 7-61, 8-73, 9-107, 10-130 At the King Abdullah Sports Bowling: Amir 10-5-9-2 (1w); Abbas 11-4- City Stadium, the Xavi Hern- Tomorrow: 44-4; Rahat 7-0-18-0; Faheem 5-2-18-1; andez-led side will be targeting a Al Duhail vs Al Ain (UAE) Shadab 13.2-3-31-3; Haris 1-0-1-0 first last-eight appearance since Ireland 2nd Innings (following-on) 2014. Venue: Abdullah Bin Khalifa Stadium, Doha - Kick-off: 6.30pm E. Joyce not out ...... 39 Boualem Khoukhi scored W. Porterfield not out ...... 23 twice in the opening 30 minutes Extras (b1, nb1) ...... 2 to give Al Sadd a 2-0 lead at half Total (0 wkts, 26 overs, 114 mins) ....64 time in their previous encounter semi-finals in 2017 and will be Bowling: Amir 3.2-2-2-0; Abbas 6-2-13-0; last Monday, but Mohannad Aseri confident of making a huge stride Rahat 6-2-18-0; Faheem 6-2-15-0 (1nb); netted one valuable away goal for towards making that stage for the Shadab 4.4-1-15-0 the visitors in Doha. A 1-0 win for second successive year having the hosts would be enough to see posted three wins from three at them advance, while an away goal home in the group stage without for Al Sadd would mean Al Ahli conceding a goal. Buttler stars in need to score at least three to to Al Duhail in the Amir Cup Semi- ROUND OF 16 - FIRST WEEK IN NUMBERS Tomorrow, Qatari football qualify for the last eight. final. This means the AFC Cham- giants Al Duhail will face the 2016 Rajasthan’s win Following the home win, Man pions League remains their last 64 – Xavi completed the highest number of successful passes in the first runners-up Al Ain at the Abdullah of the Match Boualem said that Al hope of finishing their season with Bin Khalifa Stadium. leg clashes as Al Sadd won 2-1 against Al Ahli and the 2011 winners remained AGENCIES Sadd could have had scored more silverware. on course for a first quarter-final appearance since 2014. It will definitely be an uphill goals against Al Ahli and said that Al Sadd will welcome their task for the struggling Emirati side a win in today’s match is Portuguese star Pedro Correia 7 – Al Duhail have now won seven AFC Champions League games in a row who will visit the unbeaten men MUMBAI: Jos Buttler made a important for them. whoc missed the previous game after posting a convincing 4-2 victory away at Al Ain. The record is nine, set from Qatar who enjoy a 4-2 lead hard run-chase look easy for “The match was difficult. We due to a one-match ban. from the first leg. Rajasthan Royals who went by Ulsan Hyundai on their march to the 2012 title. tried to score as many goals as we On the other hand, Al Ahli will Al Duhail were four goals to on to beat Mumbai Indians by could because we were playing welcome Salman Muwashar back 18 – the good before the 60-minute seven wickets at the at home. We pushed forward from from suspension. Of the 25 goals across the eight games on the continent last week, 18 mark as they eased towards a Wankhede Stadium the beginning and we could have Al Sadd is the last team from were scored in the second half with three of those coming in stoppage time seventh straight victory, although yesterday. scored at least four goals in the West Asia to lift the prestigious and two proving to be match-winning strikes. Al Ain pulled two back to give Buttler was not out on 94 first half. The goal which we con- AFC Champions League titile, themselves some hope going into as Royals reached the target ceded at the beginning of the when they were crowned cham- 16 – No team created more chances than Al Ahli’s 16 against Al Sadd, but the second leg in Doha. of 169 in the 18th over. second half affected our play. We pions in 2011. The Saudi side’s best the Saudi Arabian side managed only to convert one as they returned to But an outstanding per- Brief scores: have the second leg left and performance on the continent Jeddah with a 2-1 defeat. formance will be required as Al Mumbai Indians: 168/6 what’s important is that we return remains a runners-up finish in Ain most likely have to post a (Evin Lewis 60, Suryakumar (from Jeddah) having secured 2012. In one of the most enter- the quarter-final stage for the first three-goal winning margin in Yadav 38, H Pandya 36; Jofra qualification. Elsewhere, the second match taining first leg encounters, Perse- time, although will come up order to advance past a side Archer 2/16, Ben Stokes 2/26) Al Sadd’s impressive domestic of the day will see the Emirati side polis suffered a 3-2 defeat in the against a side who boast a 100 who boast the best record on Rajasthan Royals: 171 /3 campaign came to a close over the Al Jazira take on Iran’s Persepolis first leg. percent record in front of their the continent in the 2018 in 18 overs (Ajinkya Rahane weekend following a 1-0 defeat in Tehran. A lJazira will hope to reaching own fans. Persepolis reached the campaign. 37, Jos Buttler 94 not out) 22 SPORT MONDAY 14 MAY 2018

Zverev 6-4, 6-4 Dominant Hamilton wins Madrid victorious in Spain Open

REUTERS Mercedes’ British driver Lewis Hamilton took the final point for Sauber. celebrates on the podium after winning the WhileW Hamilton pulled BARCELONA: Lewis Hamiltonamilton Spanish Formula One Grand Prix yesterday. awayawa cleanly at the start, and won the Spanish Grandd Prix in VettelV passed Bottas into the a commanding Mercedesercedes first corner for second one-two yesterday to stretchretch his place, there was carnage Formula One lead over FFerrari’serrari’s behind as Romain Sebastian Vettel from fourour to 17 GrosjeanG spun his Haas in a points. ccloudloud of smoke. The victory, fromm pole TheT Frenchman then col- position in a race thatt stayed lectedlecte the Renault of Nico dry despite the threat of rain, HulkenbergHulk and Pierre Gasly’s was the Briton’s secondd of tthehe ToroToro Rosso in a major smash, season, 64th of his careereer and fortunatelyfortu without injury, that Germany’s Alexander Zverev returns the ball to Austria’s Dominic third at the Circuituit de broughtbroug out the safety car for the Thiem during their ATP Madrid Open final match at the Caja Catalunya. firstfirst sixs laps. Finland’s Valtteri Bottasttas wawass WhenW racing resumed Vettel Magica in Madrid yesterday. Zverev won 6-4, 6-4. second, a hefty 20.5 secondsseconds waswas ffirst of the leading group to behind, with Dutchh pitpit bubut the Mercedes pair stayed 20-year-old Max Ver- outout ono what turned out to be a stappen completing thee one-stopone-s strategy, with Hamilton Wawrinka beaten podium for Red Bull andd immediatelyimme smashing the lap Vettel fourth. record.recor Hamilton’s win followedowed WhenW Vettel made his on return from on from the lucky victoryry that secondsecon stop during a late virtual fell into his lap in Azerbaijanbaijan safetysafety car period, after Esteban two weekends ago,, but Ocon parked up his Force India injury in Rome Sunday had nothing ttoo do by theth side of the track, it back- with chance and all to dodo firedfired and he lost a place instead AFP with champions backk to ofof gaininggai anything. has struggled and was forced their best. Verstappen,V whose season to withdraw during a second “This is more like it, let’s has beenb littered with collisions, ROME: Swiss star Stan round match in Marseille in keep this up,” Hamiltonn told alsoalso nearly wrecked his race Wawrinka struggled on his February against world number his celebrating team overer thethe when he hit the rear of Canadian return after almost three 193 Ilya Ivashka of Belarus. radio as he swept pastst the LanceLanc Stroll’s Williams and lost months on the sidelines, falling Three Americans advanced chequered flag. a frontfro wing end-plate. to a first round defeat in the on the first day on the red clay “Today the car and myself,myself, clay-court Italian Open in Rome with 13th seed Jack I felt that synergy whichhich I SPANISH GRAND PRIX yesterday. Sock beating Spaniard David hadn’t been feeling forfor the RESULTS The three-time Grand Slam Ferrer 6-3, 6-4, and Ryan Har- whole year,” he added inn a prepre-- champion lost 6-4, 6-4 to 55th- rison ousting Japan’s Yuichi podium interview after parking 1.1. LLewisew Hamilton (GBR/Mercedes) 307.104km ranked American Steve Sugita 7-6 (7/5), 6-3. up in pit lane. “It’s a good inin 1hr1hr 35min 29.972sec Johnson. But 12th-seeded American feeling. 2.2. VValtterialtt Bottas (FIN/Mercedes) at 20.593s “I really only started to play Sam Querrey fell 6-2, 7-6 (9/7) “We’ve got our Mercedesercedes 3.3. MMaxax Verstappen (NED/Red Bull) 26.873 tennis again 12 days ago,” said to Germany’s Peter Gojowczyk board with us... so it’s ggreatreat to 4. SebastianSeba Vettel (GER/Ferrari) 27.584 Wawrinka, who was broken in while Italian wild card have them all here and sseeee tthathat 5.5. DanielDan Ricciardo (AUS/Red Bull) 50.058 each set and hit 30 unforced Lorenzo Sonego came back true force within thee team,team, 6.6. KevinKev Magnussen (DEN/Haas) 1 lap errors to Johnson’s 17. from a set down to defeat strength in depth, so I hopehope we 7. CarlosCarlo Sainz Jr (ESP/Renault) 1 lap Wawrinka, 33, sat out the France’s Adrian Mannarino can continue.” 8.8. FFernandoern Alonso (ESP/McLaren) 1 lap second half of 2017 after a knee 2-6, 7-6 (7/4), 6-3. Hamilton now has 955 popointsints 9S9. Sergioerg Pérez (MEX/Force India) 2 laps operation following a first- Seven-time Rome winner to Vettel’s 78 after five rounds 10. Charles Leclerc (MON/Sauber) 2 laps round exit at Wimbledon in Rafael Nadal is the top men’s of the 21-race championship. konen retire from the race. (Renault) and Fernando Alonso 11. Lance Stroll (CAN/Williams) 2 laps June. seed as the world number one Mercedes regained the lead Australian Daniel Ricciardo (eighth for McLaren). 12. Brendon Hartley (NZL/Toro Rosso) 2 laps He then spent eight weeks competes after suffering his first in the constructors’ standings was fifth for Red Bull, ahead of Mexican Sergio Perez was 13. Marcus Ericsson (SWE/Sauber) 2 laps on crutches following surgery clay-court defeat in almost a from Ferrari, who had 2007 Denmark’s Kevin Magnussen for ninth for Force India and Mon- 14. Sergey Sirotkin (RUS/Williams) 3 laps to repair the damage. year in the Madrid quarter-finals world champion Kimi Raik- Haas and Spaniards Carlos Sainz egasque rookie Charles Leclerc He returned this year but to Austrian Dominic Thiem. Record-breaking Salah on target as Salah is Liverpool seal Champions League spot EPL’s Player of AFP Needing to beat Stoke, header just before half-time Premier League record for smashed home a third for the Southampton to lose to Man- and Salah then turned provider wins, points and goals this visitors early in the LONDON: Mohamed Salah set chester City and a 10-goal for Dominic Solanke to slam season and set another second-half. the Year a new Premier League record swing in goal difference in their home his first Liverpool goal. landmark by becoming the first Erik Lamela scored twice of 32 goals in a 38-game season favour, Swansea failed to even Liverpool were allowed to side in English top flight history and saw another effort deflect AFP to guarantee Liverpool’s place sign off with a win as they were rest easy with Salah and Sadio to reach 100 points as Gabriel in off Christian Fuchs for an back in the Champions League beaten 2-1 at home by Stoke. Mane withdrawn before Andy Jesus struck a dramatic late own goal to put Spurs in front LONDON: next season by beating Brighton Liverpool are aiming for a Robertson added a fourth. winner to beat Southampton before Vardy levelled with his Mohamed Salah has 4-0 at Anfield yesterday. sixth European Cup when they Chelsea gave themselves no 1-0. 20th league goal of the scooped up yet another award Victory for Liverpool meant face they might of Real Madrid chance of usurping Liverpool That also meant City set campaign. after his fabulous first season it didn’t matter what fifth- in the Champions League final into fourth as they slumped to record Premier League margin However, Kane had the with Liverpool as the Egyptian placed Chelsea did at New- on May 26. a 10th Premier League defeat of victory of 19 points from final say with his 41st of the star was named the English castle, but they failed to put any But Jurgen Klopp’s men of the season in the Manchester United, who won season to head to the World Premier League’s Player of the sort of pressure on the Cham- know even if they fall short in north-east. 1-0 over Watford at Old Cup in fine form. Year yesterday. pions League finalists by suc- Kiev, they will be back in the Dwight Gayle and two goals Trafford. Arsenal gave Arsene Salah had already won the cumbing limply to a 3-0 defeat Champions League next season for Ayoze Perez piled ever Tottenham came from 3-1 Wenger a parting gift in his final PFA Player of the Year voted for at St. James’s Park. as they blew Brighton away. more pressure on Chelsea boss down to beat Leicester 5-4 and game as manager after 22 years by his fellow players, as well as At the other end of the Salah eased any nerves by Antonio Conte just six days hold off Liverpool to finish in charge by winning their first the Football Writers’ Association table, Swansea’s seven-season swivelling to strike his first goal ahead of what could be the Ital- third. points away from home in the Footballer of the Year award stay in the Premier League in four games on 26 minutes to ian’s final game in charge in the Kane cancelled out Vardy’s Premier League in 2018 with a and Liverpool’s own Player of came to an end as they joined take his tally in all competitions FA CupCupp finalfinnnal againstagagaggainnnstst MaMan-anan earlyearly oopopenerener beforebefooreree RRiyRiyadiyyad 1-01 0 win at Huddersfield with the Year prize. West Brom and Stoke City in this season to 44. chesterchcheschhese ttererr United.UnUUninitited. MahrezMahahrhrezz restoredrestored Leicester’sLLeicestester’srs’s Pierre-EmerickPPieiee Aubameyang being relegated to the Dejan Lovren made the ChampionsChahahamammpiononnsMs ManchesterManchhesterter leadlelea andaan KelechiKelelecchihi scoringscscococ his 10th goal in 13 The 25-year-old’s deluge of Championship. game safe with a towering CityCCiCity hahavhaveve brbbrokenrokenken thet e Iheanacho’sIheaIheI nachn o’o’s’ss games.gag individual honours come at the end of a season in which he has scored 31 goals in 37 league EPL: LEADING SCORERS THIS SEASON matches following his move from Roma last year. 32: Salah (Liverpool) Salah will break the Premier 30: Kane (Tottenham) League record of 31 goals in a 21: Agüero (Man City) 38-game season if he scores 20: Vardy (Leicester) EPL RESULTS against Brighton on Sunday. 18: Sterling (Man City) He has scored 43 goals in 50 16: Lukaku (Man Utd) Burnley 1 - Bournemouth 2 games in all competitions for 15: Roberto Firmino (Liverpool) Crystal Palace 2 - West Brom 0 Liverpool this term. 14: Lacazette (Arsenal) Huddersfield 0 - Arsenal 1 “They say I didn’t have 13: Gabriel Jesus (Man City) Liverpool 4 - Brighton 0 12: Hazard (Chelsea), Mahrez (Leicester), Murray (Brighton), Son success here the first time,” Manchester United 1 - Watford 0 Salah said. Heung-min (Tottenham) Newcastle 3 - Chelsea 0 11: Morata (Chelsea), Arnautovic (West Ham) Southampton 0 - Manchester “So it was always in my mind to have success here in the 10: Aubameyang (Arsenal), Eriksen (Tottenham), Mane (Liverpool), Liverpool’s midfielder Mohamed Salah celebrates after scoring a goal City 1 Premier League. I am very happy. Milivojevic (Crystal Palace), Rooney (Everton), Sane (Man City), during the English Premier League football match against Brighton and Swansea 1 - Stoke 2 Woods (Burnley) Hove Albion at Anfield in Liverpool, England yesterday. Tottenham 5 - West Ham 3 I am very proud to win it. MONDAY 14 MAY 2018 SPORT 23 Early goal set the tone: Laudrup RIZWAN REHMAT lethal assists that helped Tabata recent form suggestssuggests that it will finalfinal bebecausecause of the levellevel THE PENINSULA (3 and 88) to deliver a com- bebe a tough match. They won the we showed and I thinkthink manding performance. Tabata’s QatarQatar Cup and the League title wewe can win the title this DOHA: ’s early double strike earned him the We got a great result also,”also,” he added.added. season.”season.” Al Rayyan’sRayyan’s Al Rayyan coach goal against Al Gharafa on Man-of-the-Match award. “They“They are also doing well in Mohammed JJumauma sasaid:id: Michael Laudrup Saturday helped Al Rayyan South Korean import Koh because scoring thethe AFC ChamChampionspions League,”League,” the “It is a massivemassive thrillthrill for dictate terms in the Amir Cup Myong-jin (47) scored the third three goals against Al Al Rayyan coachcoach said.said. thethe team to reacreachh thethe semif-final, coach Michael goal as Al Rayyan beat Al Gharafa Gharafa is not a small “I“I cannot say AlAl Rayyan willwill Amir Cup ffinal.inal. IIff we win, Laudrup said. who had the services of Dutch winwin thethe tittitlele butbut ifif we play a goodgood thisthis willwill givegive us thethe chancechance Al Rayyan on Saturday star Wesley Sneijder. thing: Laudrup gamegame andand taketake care ofof smallsmall to shakeshake thethe handhand ofof thethe Amir. sealed a 3-0 win at Jassim Bin “We scored early and this details,details, anything can happen,” JustJust to reach the final feels Hamad Stadium where senior gave the players a lot of confi- said after the one-sidedd winwin.. LaudrupLaudrup said.said. likelike an honour and to win pro Sebastian Soria provided two dence in themselves,” Laudrup “We got a greatt resultresult “We will try to give the title would be just because scoring threeee goalsgoals restrest to all the players. amazing.amazing. against Al Gharafa is notot a small Myong-jinMyong-jin needs rest “I would say we Rodrigo Tabata celebrates a thing,” the popular Dutchmanutchman forfor only two daysdays playedplayed anan goal against Al Gharafa on said. andand he will be ready excellent game Saturday. “But winning this gameme is not forfor the final,” said against enough for us,” Laudruprup said. Laudrup.Laudrup. “Now we have to prepareare our-our- “For Ahmed Abdul selves for a difficultt mmatchatch Maqsoud,Maqsoud, he was changedchanged to (against Al Duhail in thee final),” avoidavoid beingbeing stressed and also Laudrup said. readyready forfor the final,” he added.added. Al RayyanRayyan and fufullylly deserved to The Amir Cup finall will be Frenchman Johan Moulou be in the final. If you ask me, I played on May 19 at thehe iconic saidsaid in a post on the club website: wouldwould say we do not fear Al Khalifa International Stadium.tadium. “We“We feel reareadydy fforor the Amir Cup Duhail in the final. We feel readyready “The final holds all possibil-possibil- final.final. I have gelledgelled well with the toto lift the Amir Cup title once ities. For us to reach our goal, we teamteam since my arrival. I am again,” Juma said. must prepare well aandnd ststayay happyhappy to see my team quaqualifylify for AlAl RayyanRayyan wiwillll bebe aimingaiming to focused,” Laudrup said.. the final.” He added: “We played liftlift tthehe ttitleitle fforor tthehe seseventhventh ttime.ime. “We will be playingying thethe a bigbig game against AAll GharafaGharafa Laudrup’sLaudrup’s sideside lostlost thethe Amir Cup strongest team in Qatarr aandnd iit’st’s aandnd we deserveddeserved to rreacheach the finalfinal llastast yearyear againstagainst Al Sadd. Al Ahli to train in Austria ahead of next QSL season THE PENINSULA in action after six or seven months. DOHA: QNB Stars League (QSL) The Tunisian had missed side Al Ahli will have their pre- Al Ahli management their matches in the Qatar Cup, season camp in Austria in July, which they won by defeating Al it was announced yesterday. is also expected to Sadd 2-1 in the final. Al Ahli Media Officer Essa Al make decisions on a Msakni was a key con- Malki said the camp duration number of matters, tributor to Al Duhail’s fine run would be two weeks. in the season including triumph The management, headed such as recruitment in this season’s QNB Stars by Al Ahli Sports Club President of coach and foreign League, which they achieved Sheikh Ahmed bin Hamad Al professional players. with an unbeaten record. QFA President Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Thani and Alejandro Domínguez, SAFC Thani, is also expected to make The attacking midfielder President Alejandro Domínguez during the signing ceremony on Saturday. decisions on a number of emerged as the second-best matters, such as recruitment of number of friendlies during their scorer in the tournament with coach and foreign professional build-up to the new season. 25 goals, one less than team- players, well before the new Meanwhile, Al Duhail mate Youssef El Arabi, and pro- season starts as they are eager captain Youssef Msakni is recu- vided many assists. QFA signs two cooperation to fare far better next time than perating well following a cru- He has been named in the their ninth-place finish in the ciate ligament surgery he had in final selection of players for the QNB Stars League. Pennsylvania, the US. Qatar Football Association’s Best deals with SAFC and AFA The Brigadiers could not do Msakni sustained the injury Player-of-the-Year award along well in other tournaments during their QNB Stars League with team-mate Nam Tae-Hee either. Week 22 match against Al and Al Sadd’s Barcelona legend QNA cooperation with the other signing of the agreement with Al Ahli are set to play a Sailiya. He is expected be back Xavi Hernandez. federations in other continents the QFA is in favour of football ASUNCION, PARAGUAY: in the same form and with the at all levels in the first place, Qatar Football Association same content that emphasise and in the interest of both (QFA) has signed two cooper- the pivotal role of Qatari Qatari and South American ation agreements with South football at the international, sides in particular. American Football Confeder- continental and regional He hoped that the FIFA ation (SAFC) and Argentine levels. will respond to the demand of Football Association (AFA) on It is worth noting that the the South American confed- Saturday. meeting of the SAFC General erations for raising the The two agreements were Assembly adopted the invi- number of participants in the signed by QFA President tation of Qatar to participate World Cup to 48 teams. Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa bin in the Copa America 2019 in AFA President Claudio Ahmed Al Thani, along with Brazil and the signing of a Tapia praised the great repu- the presidents of the two fed- cooperation agreement with tation of the Qatari football, erations, on the sidelines of the QFA to exchange experi- especially after winning the the SAFC General Assembly. ences in the fields of football hosting of 2022 World Cup, The QFA president development and the organ- looking forward to the imme- expressed his pleasure at ization of competitions. diate implementation of the signing the two agreements, SAFC President Alejandro terms of the agreement for the looking forward to further Domínguez said that the benefit of both parties. Al Ahli would be hoping for a change in fortunes next season. Jordan clinch Aspire Embassies Futsal title THE PENINSULA Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Yankuba and everyone who attended enjoyed a Ceesay, the Deputy Head of Mission at wonderful atmosphere. The main aim DOHA: The 2018 Aspire Embassies Embassy of the Republic of The Gambia; of this tournament was to give diplomats Futsal Tournament concluded on Friday Alieu Manjang, First Secretary at the and representatives from the embassies following a thrilling final between the Embassy of the Republic of The Gambia; an enjoyable experience outside of work teams representing the Embassy of and Dr. Mohammad Sirajul Islam, Coun- and the chance to make the most of a Jordan and Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign sellor (Labour) at the Embassy of the fun and relaxing environment,” he Affairs, which ended in a 7-1 win for the People’s Republic of Bangladesh. added. former. Mohammad Mubarak Al Kuwari, Al Mubaideen said: “The teams par- A team representing the Embassy of Chief Marketing Officer and Director of ticipating in this year’s event did a great Sudan fought hard to claim third-place the tournament from AZF, along with job. Naturally, we’re very proud to win after defeating Syria, 5-3. Mohammad other members of the organising com- the title. It was a well-deserved victory Murad from the team representing mittee including Abdullah Aman Al since the team trained hard in the weeks Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs was Khater, Director of Events and Venues leading up to it.” the tournament’s top goal scorer, while of AZF and Alanoud Al Misnad, Acting This year, the Aspire Embassies Abdul Malek Bairoudi from the Syrian Head of Events, welcomed the visiting Futsal Tournament 2018 featured 16 team won the best goalkeeper award. delegations. teams representing: Algeria, Djibouti, The final matches and awards cer- The enthusiastic crowd played a big Ethiopia, France, India, Jordan, Kaza- emony were attended by Amjad Al part in driving the teams on, loudly The Jordanian players and officials pose for a group photo. khstan, Kenya, Somalia, South Africa, Mubaideen, Acting Charge d’Affaires of cheering their support for the players happy for all 16 teams that participated representing different embassies and Spain, Sudan, Syria and the United the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan to throughout both games. in the second edition of the Aspire one representing Aspire Zone.” Kingdom, as well as a team from MOFA Qatar; Said Al Hajri, Assistant Director Commenting on the conclusion of Embassies Futsal Tournament with 15 “The final matches were thrilling, representing Qatar, and a team from of the Protocol Department at Qatar’s the tournament, Al Kuwari said: “We’re of those that took part the audience was in very good spirits Aspire Zone Foundation. MONDAY 14 MAY 2018 SPORT 21

It was nice to see a few putts FOOTBALL CRICKET go in. I hit a lot of quality shots Tiger Woods expresses and 65 was probably as high delight on his third round ACL, last 16, 2nd leg: Al Ireland vs Pakistan, as I could have shot today, performance at The Players Ahli (KSA) vs Al Sadd LIVE ON Day 4 of one-off Test (QAT) in Jeddah match in Dublin which was kind of nice. Championship. TUBE Just like good old Simpson storms to days as Woods rediscovers magic REUTERS

Tiger Woods PONTE VEDRA seven-stroke lead in action BEACH, FLORIDA: It REUTERS lead of more than six strokes in was just like the during the the final round of a PGA Tour halcyon days of a third round Webb Simpson of the United States plays his second shot PONTE VEDRA BEACH, event, though Simpson will be previous era as Tiger of the Players on the 18th hole during the third round of The Players FLORIDA: Webb Simpson put keen to avoid the same fate at Woods carded his best Championship further daylight between himself Alex Cejka here nine years ago. Championship on the Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass ever score at TPC on Saturday. and his rivals at the Players Cejka held a five-stroke lead on Saturday in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. Sawgrass, a seven- Championship on Saturday by after 54 holes but shot a closing under-par 65, in the carding a third-round 68 to open 79 to plunge to equal ninth. third round of the up a seven-stroke lead at TPC “I’ve been a pro since 2008 Players Championship Sawgrass. and you never know when a on Saturday. New Zealander Danny Lee week like this will come,” Woods, a 79-time shot 70 to move into second Simpson said, adding that he winner on the PGA place on 12-under 204, with wanted to erase the mistakes Tour, was in control of world number one Dustin from his game and post a clean all facets of his game Johnson (69) another two strokes round on Sunday. and wielded a hot behind in third. The 32-year-old, who has putter to record his Tiger Woods and Jordan four PGA Tour victories, was as lowest numerical score Spieth carded matching best-of- surprised as anyone with his on the PGA Tour since the-day 65s to jump into a tie for score and said he would have 2015. ninth on eight-under-par, though been happy with Lee’s 12-under It was also his best score under par since 2013, though they still trail the leader by 11. total if he had been offered it he has played only sparingly in the ensuing five years while They will play together on before the start of the event. nursing a serious back injury. Sunday in a pairing that should “I’ve holed out a few times After making the cut with nothing to spare on Friday, draw bigger crowds than from off the green and made Woods teed off trailing halfway leader Webb Simpson by Simpson and Lee. some long putts, and to get to (19- 14 strokes on another perfect morning. Starting the day five strokes under), I think you’ve got to do “I finally got off to a good start,” said Woods, who sent clear, Simpson increased his that,” he said. waves of excitement through the massive gallery with advantage with a solid 68, the “Certain guys it’s not sur- eight birdies in the first 12 holes, before adding a lone bogey. highlight of which was holing out prising that they play well a lot, At eight-under 208, he finished the day 11 strokes from a bunker for eagle at the like Jason Day and Rory (McIlroy) behind Simpson, who shot 68 for a record seven-stroke par-five 11th The 2012 US Open and Spieth and these guys, but I lead over New Zealander Danny Lee. champion’s 19-under total of 197 certainly haven’t had a career Saturday’s performance was the latest positive sign matched the tournament 54-hole like theirs. for 42-year-old Woods, a two-times winner of the Players record held by Greg Norman. “But it doesn’t surprise me at Championship, who is trying to regain sharpness after last Simpson is also within sight the same time because I feel like year’s successful spinal fusion. of the biggest victory margin at I’ve been confident, I’ve been “It was nice to see a few putts go in. I hit a lot of quality the tournament -- seven strokes working hard, and I’m really shots and 65 was probably as high as I could have shot by Steve Elkington in 1997. hungry. I’m hungry to get back today, which was kind of nice,” he said. No golfer has surrendered a in the winner’s circle.” “To be eight-under through 12, realistically, I probably The leader said he had gone could have got a couple more out of it and got to 10 (under) THE PLAYERS CHAMPIONSHIP SCORES unrecognised in a local coffee for the day. 197 - Webb Simpson 66-63-68 shop on Saturday. He planned to “Today I felt more comfortable with my overall 204 - Danny Lee (NZL) 68-66-70 return on Sunday, when perhaps warm-up. I felt I had better control of hitting it right-to- 206 - Dustin Johnson 66-71-69 people will take notice. left and left-to-right, and consequently today I was able Lee said he was not going to to shape the golf ball both ways.” Woods has displayed 207 - Jason Dufner 72-69-66, Jimmy Walker be looking at what Simpson was patience, outwardly at least, in his quest to return to his 69-68-70, Xander Schauffele 68-68-71, Jason doing on Sunday. “I’m going to best.

Day (AUS) 69-67-71, Charl Schwartzel (RSA) just keep my head down and play “Eventually I was going to put all the pieces together 68-66-73 my game,” he said. and today for the most part I did that.” Caddie Joe LaCava was not surprised by the quality of his boss’s iron game. “If he can drive it well I’m never really worried about his iron game,” LaCava said. Jets topple Warriors ready to face Golden Rockets in West final

AFP Knights in After being ousted from Iguodala and 3-point sharp- the play-offs by the San shooter Klay Thompson in a WASHINGTON: Defending Antonio Spurs in three of the starting line-up dubbed opener NBA champion Golden State, past four seasons, the Rockets “Death” or “The Hamptons seeking a third title in four added star guard Chris Paul Five.” AFP seasons, faces season wins and 3-point threat PJ Tucker A rose by any other name leader Houston in a tanta- to join Trevor Ariza, then is still tough to beat. LOS ANGELES: Patrik Laine and Joel lizing play-off showdown watched Swiss big man Clint “They are taking the chal- Armia scored 46 seconds apart in the first between a powerhouse Capela enjoy a career-best lenge and they are embracing period as the Winnipeg Jets rolled over Warriors squad and a Rockets season with 13.9 points and it,” Kerr said. Vegas Golden Knights defenseman Shea Theodore (left) battles the Vegas Golden Knights 4-2 in the team assembled to beat it. 10.8 rebounds a game. “We seem to be at our for the puck with Winnipeg Jets right wing Patrik Laine during opening game of their Western “I like where we are. Our “It’s going to be a fight,” best when we are threatened. Conference final series. game one of the Western Conference Final of the 2018 Stanley guys have rings. That’s a good Capela said. And we’re definitely The Jets pounced on the expansion Cup Play-offs on Saturday. position to be in,” said Golden “This team is going to be threatened.” Golden Knights from the opening puck State coach Steve Kerr, whose hard. There are going to be a Curry has made a solid drop on Saturday, scoring three times on Nashville Predators, the best two of the best of seven series Warriors open the best-of- lot of adjustments after every return after missing several their first eight shots against a shell- team in the league during the is Monday night in Winnipeg seven Western Conference game.game. It’sIt’s going to bebe a weeksweeks wiwithth kkneenee and shocked Vegas goaltender Marc-Andre regular season. Wheeler, who before the series shifts to Las finals at Houston today in chesschess game.”game.” ankle injuries.injuries. Fleury. had three assists, is one of 11 Vegas. search of a fourth straight trip TheT he cclashlash “I“I feelfeel good.good. I “We did a good job of getting a good American-born players on Jets. “We know the next game is to the NBA Finals. betweenbetween the ttwowo feel confidentconfident in start,” said Jets captain Blake Wheeler. “I have always felt a special going to be harder. It is going “We’re going in here offensivelyo ffensively wwhathat I’mI’m ableable to “They are a great team. They have so connection to the people here. to get harder and harder but it knowing we’re the defending explosiveexplosive teams do,”do,” CurCurryry ssaid.aid. ““II much speed. It is going to be a long, tough But I am no different than any was nice to get the first one out champs, knowing we got a has beenbeen antici-antici- continuecontinue to ggetet series.” of the other guys,” he said in the of the way,” Laine said. couple championships here patedpated since the bbetter,etter, continue to Finnish forward Laine scored on the Canadian prairie city. Brayden McNabb and the last few years. Let’s go get startstart of the season.season. get my ttimingiming riright,ght, powerplay at 6:49 of the first period to Scheifele, who scored his William Karlsson scored for the another one. It’s a nice feeling PastPast NNBABA MMVPVP continuecontinue to getget backback make it 2-0 and the Jets’ roaring start league-leading 12th goal of the Golden Knights who weren’t to have to go into a series KevinKevin Durant andand toto tthehe normanormall continued when Armia made it 3-0 at post-season, now has four more even in existence a year ago but with.” StephenStephen CurrCurryy rotations.”rotations.” 7:35 after a successful challenge by the goals than any other player got this far in their inaugural The Rockets, sparked by joinj o i n Jets’ coaching staff overturned a no-goal remaining in the play-offs. season on hard work and NBA scoring champion James Green,Green, call by the referees. Armia had his second goal desire. Harden, were 2-1 against AndreAndre Mark Scheifele, with his league- of the postseason waved off The Golden Knights looked Golden State in the regular leading 12th goal of the post-season, and only to have it restored by a the rustier of the two teams as season and went a league- Stephen Curry Dustin Byfuglien also scored for Winnipeg challenge, which overturned they had six days off after elim- best 65-17 overall, seizing a who reached the National Hockey League the initial goaltender inter- inating the San Jose Sharks in home-court advantage in the semi-finals series by knocking off the ference call on the ice. Game six games. series.