MMLBLB | Page 5 Sanchez homers thrice as Yankees pound Orioles Tuesday, April 9, 2019 FOOTBALL Sha’baan 4, 1440 AH Sterling says more GULF TIMES must speak out against racism SPORT Page 3 PREVIEW Al Sadd and Rayyan aim to improve positions By Sports Reporter The Wolves, who reached the from injuries. However, the return of Doha semi-fi nals last year, are currently Xavi from an injury layoff adds strength third in the standings in Group D, to the side. having opened their campaign Meanwhile, Qatar’s Al Rayyan will ess than a week after being with a 2-0 defeat against Al Ahli of look to make it back-to-back home crowned Qatar’s league cham- Saudi Arabia before beating Iran’s wins when they host the United Arab pions for the 14th time, Al Sadd Persepolis 1-0 Emirates’ Al Wahda today in Group B at Lwill turn their focus to the con- the Jassim bin Hamad Stadium. tinental stage when they take on Uzbek one point from their two games. Goals from Lucca and Gelmin Ri- giants Pakhtakor in a Group D match of Al Sadd are on a high and that confi - vas helped the Qatari side come from the AFC Champions League in Tashkent dence should help them stand in good behind to claim a 2-1 victory over Uz- today. stead in Tashkent. The squad includes bekistan’s PFC Lokomotiv on Matchday Al Sadd thrashed Al Ahli 7-2 to wrap Meshaal Barsham, Pedro Miguel, Jung Two as they rebounded strongly from up the QNB Stars League title with Woo-Young, Xavi Hernandez, Ali an opening-day defeat to Al Ittihad. one match to spare, but Pakhtakor are Asad, Hassan al-Haydous, Baghdad The hosts go into the game on the expected to provide a totally diff erent Bounedjah, Hamed Ismail, Tarek Sal- back of a 2-2 draw against Al Sailiya in challenge to the 2011 Asian Champions man, Boualem Khoukhi and Akram Afi f. the Qatar Stars League at the end of last who will be playing in front of a hostile “The league win is fi rmly behind us. week and they currently sit fourth in the crowd in the Uzbek capital We are now totally focused on our game standings. The Wolves, who reached the semi- against Pakhtakor,” Al Sadd coach Jesu- Leonardo scored twice as Al Wahda fi nals last year, are currently third in the aldo Ferreira said at his pre-match press secured an impressive 4-1 victory over standings in Group D, having opened conference. Al Ittihad four weeks ago to ensure their campaign with a 2-0 defeat “Everybody knows Pakhtakor are one all four teams in Group B are on three against Al Ahli of Saudi Arabia before of the leading sides in the continent points going into the third round of fi x- beating Iran’s Persepolis 1-0. and we will have to be our best to beat tures. Pakhtakor top the standings with them,” the Portuguese national added Like their opponents, Al Wahda also four points from two points, while Sau- First-choice goalkeeper Saad al- drew their last league game, with a di’s Al Ahli are second on three points, Dossari and left-back Abdulkarim 1-1 draw against Al Dhafra on Thurs- above Al Sadd on goal diff erence. Iran’s Al Sadd captain Xavi leads a training session in Tashkent yesterday. Al Sadd will take on Uzbek giants Pakhtakor in the Hassan, the best player in Asia, will be day leaving them sixth in the UAE Pro Persepolis are at the bottom with just Uzbek capital today. missing in action as they are recovering League. FOOTBALL/AFC CHAMPIONS LEAGUE Duhail blow two-goal lead to share spoils with Al Ain Despite controlling two-thirds of possession throughout, the Qatari side were profligate in front of goal AFC form, helping his side limit the damage The UAE international was left with for El Arabi who swept home his fourth plied the fi nish from six yards out, but from hero to zero for the home crowd Doha at the back while their front line took little to do in the ninth minute as Al goal in three matches against Al Ain. Eisa produced a superb save to deny within two minutes after he spilled an two of the three chances that came Duhail captain Karim Boudiaf struck The home fans’ joy was cut short the striker and keep the margin at one attempt to handle Maroof’s cross and their way. the opener. Edmilson was again the though as Al Ain responded instantly goal. Marcus Berg punished him, stabbing in thrilling display of attack- Al Duhail got off to a fl ying start with dangerman down the right wing, fi nd- through Jamal Maroof. Eisa’s long ball After the restart, Al Ain were a re- the equaliser in the 58th minute. ing football saw Al Duhail of Edmilson forcing Eisa into a refl ex save ing space and crossing for Boudiaf who was nodded on by Tongo Doumbia into vitalised side, pressing higher up and The home crowd thought their side Qatar and United Arab Emir- within just three minutes of the start. hit on the half-volley from the edge of the path of Maroof who coolly slotted creating opportunities. They were had won the tie at the death when El A ates’ Al Ain play out a 2-2 The Brazilian received a cross-fi eld the box to put the hosts in front. home to half the defi cit just three min- rewarded with a penalty kick in the Arabi rose high to head Ali Afi f’s cross draw at Abdullah bin Khalifa Stadium pass and cut inside onto his left before Al Duhail’s dominance continued utes after Al Duhail’s second goal. 53rd minute after Maroof was brought from a free-kick in the last minute on Matchday Three of the 2019 AFC fi ring low, but Eisa dived to parry the and Rui Faria’s men were able to double Making his fi rst appearance this down inside the box by Musa. of added time, but Eisa produced yet Champions League Group C yesterday. ball away. their lead in the 32nd minute through campaign after returning from injury, Caio stepped up to take the penalty another top drawer save to keep the Despite controlling two-thirds of Right-back Mohamed Mousa fol- Youssef El Arabi. the 2019 AFC Asian Cup MVP and but goalkeeper Amine Lecomte picked scores level at 2-2 at the fi nal whistle. possession throughout, the Qatari lowed suit minutes later with a drilled Musa exchanged a quick one-two top scorer Almoez Ali thought he had the right side and made the save before The two sides meet again at Hazza side were profl igate in front of goal. Al eff ort from 30 yards out, but Eisa was with Boudiaf to free himself down the made it 3-1 just before the break when Amer Abdulrahman skied the rebound. bin Zayed Stadium in Al Ain in two Ain goalkeeper Khaled Eisa was on top again live to the threat. right fl ank before sending a low cross he controlled Edmilson’s cross and ap- The Al Duhail goalkeeper turned weeks’ time on Matchday Four. Al Duhail’s Karim Boudiaf is congratulated by teammates after he scored the team’s first goal against Al Ain yesterday. At right Youssel El Arabi (9) celebrates his goal with Mohamed Mousa. PICTURES: Noushad Thekkayil Gulf Times 2 Tuesday, April 9, 2019 FOOTBALL UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FOCUS Liverpool ‘on fi re’ Son hopes new stadium boost as they chase will be a factor double: Klopp against Man City Reuters ‘People with a proper idea about football didn’t want to have Porto’ London ottenham Hotspur forward Son Heung- min hopes Manchester City’s players have un- Tderestimated the benefi cial ef- fect the club’s new stadium will have on his team mates in the Champions League quarter- fi nal, fi rst leg today. The long-delayed new 62,000-seater arena fi nally hosted a Premier League game last week when Tottenham beat Crystal Palace 2-0 on an his- toric night for the club. Tottenham’s Son Heung-min (foreground) takes part in a training South Korean Son scored the session on the eve of their UEFA Champions League match against opening goal that evening and Manchester City in London yesterday. (Reuters) expects the noise-levels to be cranked up a notch on Tuesday when Pep Guardiola’s quadru- City can handle atmosphere at ple-chasing side arrive for the Tottenham’s new home: De Bruyne fi rst of three clashes in 10 days between the teams. Reuters don’t think there will be any City’s Kevin de Bruyne London diff erence.” poured cold water over any City are second in the Premier concerns his team mates might League, two points behind have over visiting what is now uch has been made Liverpool but having played London’s biggest club stadium of Tottenham a game less, and reached the — complete with a 17,500 ca- MHotspur’s new final of the FA Cup after beat- pacity single-tier South Stand stadium but Manchester City ing Brighton and Hove Albion that promises to be a wall of midfielder Kevin De Bruyne 1-0 on Saturday. sound. says his side have no fears Having already won the De Bruyne said it would be about playing there when League Cup this season, City just like playing at Totten- the clubs meet in the first leg are still on track for a quadru- ham’s adopted home Wembley of their Champions League ple but De Bruyne says there — where City won earlier this quarter-final.