WEDNESDAY, MAY 4, 2016
QATAR’S FIRST ENGLISH SPORTS WEEKLY
VOLUME XI
ISSUE NO.13
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P 8 | FOOTBALL
P 18 | ATHLETICS
MISSION SUCCESS
ROYAL BATTLES
Sabri Lamouchi-coached Jaish turn the tables on Lekhwiya to win their second Qatar Cup in three seasons.
Qatari high jumper Mutaz Essa Barshim is to fight with a bunch of world-beaters at the Doha Diamond League meet.
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PAGES 22-23
DSP EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW
P 24 | TABLE TENNIS
Call to develop young players P 26 | volleyball Rayyan supreme at Qatar Cup
P 20 | POSTER
DIAMOND LEAGUE TOP GUNS UK £1, Europe €2 | Oman 200 Baisas | Bahrain 200 Fils | Egypt LE 2 | Lebanon 3,000 Livre | Kuwait 250 Fils | Morocco Dh 6 | UAEDh 5 | Yemen 75 Riyals | Sudan 1 Pound | KSA 2 Riyals | Jordan 500 Fils | Iraq $1 | Palestine $1 | Syria LS 20
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EXCITEMENT NOW JUST A TOUCH AWAY
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The writer can be contacted at
[email protected]
Inspire our athletes, especially women, to excel on world stage ĈĈThe QOC is working hard to support
participation of women in sport at all levels and in all structures
W
HEN Pierre De Coubertin founded the International Olympic Committee on June 23, 1894, and staged the first modern Games in Athens in 1896, it was seen as the focal point for a social movement that would help make the world a better place by propagating the humanitarian philosophy of Olympism. Much water has flown under the bridge, but importantly, both the spirit of Olympism and the Games have survived, overcoming many challenges. Another Olympics is round the corner. With just three months to go, athletes from across the world are working hard to accomplish great things. For them, the Games are a manifestation of the strength of human spirit. Former US basketball coach Bobby Knight once
said, “The key isn’t the will to win. Everybody has that. It’s the will to prepare to win that’s important.” I think it’s here that we Qataris are fortunate to have a wise leadership to guide and support us in our preparation to win. The Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC), under the inspirational leadership of HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani, is sparing no efforts to prepare our biggest-ever contingent for the Olympics, set to start at Rio de Janeiro on August 5. The QOC has announced a list of 23 athletes, who have already achieved the qualifying marks for the Games. With more events forthcoming, the number is certainly going to increase. The most heartening thing this time is the rise in the number of women athletes. I’m happy to note that the QOC is working hard to encourage and support participation of women in sport at all levels and in all structures, including management, administration and coaching. By choosing female shooter Bahiya Al Hamad as
Senior Editor/Writer Senior Sports Writer Sports Writers
Dr Ahmed Al Mohannadi Kumar Ravi Aswin Abraham N Ganesh Sajith B Warrier Mohammad Amin-ul Islam Sarath Pookkat
Photographers
Mohan
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WEDNESDAY, April 27, 2016
QATAR’S FIRST ENGLISH SPORTS WEEKLY
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P 22| BASKETBALL ARMYMEN’S CUP OF JOY El Jaish come back strongly in the last two quarters to beat Al Gharafa in the final and retain the Emir’s Cup.
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iSSUE NO.12
Lekhwiya face Jaish in the Qatar Cup final for the third successive season as they beat Rayyan and Sadd respectively.
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VOlUME Xi
P 8 | FOOTBALL IT’S LEKHWIYA VS JAISH
MISSING
Editor-in-Chief
SPECIAL STORY
P 18 | FOOTBALL
The art of being rebellious
PAGES 6-7
P 20 | POSTER
ANTHONY MARTIAL
P 24 | MOTORSPORT Dune bashing!
UK £1, Europe €2 | Oman 200 Baisas | Bahrain 200 Fils | Egypt LE 2 | Lebanon 3,000 Livre | Kuwait 250 Fils | Morocco Dh 6 | UAEDh 5 | Yemen 75 Riyals | Sudan 1 Pound | KSA 2 Riyals | Jordan 500 Fils | Iraq $1 | Palestine $1 | Syria LS 20
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Dr Ahmed Al Mohannadi
Clubs must connect with communities
INBOX Managing Editor
the country’s flag bearer at the Opening Ceremony of the London Olympics four years ago, the QOC had sent a strong message to its critics that it doesn’t discriminate women in the name of gender or any other barriers. One of the pillars of Qatar National Vision 2030 is social development and it encompasses a system to bolster women’s role in society and empower them to be active community members. I would like to remind all Qatari citizens that it’s our duty to support our athletes, especially women, by encouraging them in their pursuit of excellence.
The cover story on mismanagement at Qatari football clubs made an interesting read (Doha Stadium Plus, April 27). Despite excellent infrastructure and a quality field, the game in Qatar suffers from a lack of passionate fan following. Without fans, the game is nothing and clubs as well as authorities should find ways to attract them to venues. In a country like Qatar, where expatriates outnumber nationals, clubs should ensure that they connect with different communities. P K Suresh, Doha.
Rise of Mahrez Riyad Mahrez’s rise from a substitute at a relegation-threatened team in the English Premier League to the shining light of champions Leicester
Editor-in-Chief
City is absolutely astonishing (Doha Stadium Plus, April 27). Mahrez, voted player of the year by the Professional Footballers Association, has been in a class of his own. Every time he receives the ball in the opposition half, there’s expectation among fans even as rival defenders panic. Leicester would do well to keep him in their ranks, but if they can do that, the Foxes are going to challenge for the title next time as well. Chris Smith, Doha.
Winning a habit Nasser Saleh Al Attiyah has become so used to winning rallies across the Middle East that it just feels like the norm (Doha Stadium Plus, April 27). He won again at the Sealine Rally and it seems he’s destined to retain the FIA Cross-Country World Cup. Hassan Musthafa, Doha.
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Extra time
REUTERS/ Ralph Orlowski
WINNERS’ VOICE
ššFrom left, Atletico Madrid’s Fernando Torres, Stefan Savic, Saul Niguez and Teye Thomas acknowledge crowd’s cheers after beating Bayern Munich.
the SIEGE! Atletico Madrid reach the Champions League final by beating Bayern Munich on away goal despite losing the second leg. Karolos Grohmann
A
TLETICO Madrid reached the Champions League final for the second time in three seasons on Tuesday, going through on away goals after a 1-2 defeat at Bayern Munich, in which both sides missed a penalty, with the tie finishing 2-2 on aggregate. Atletico, who will face either city rivals Real Madrid, who beat them in the 2014 final, or Manchester City, who meet in the second semifinal on Wednesday, also spoiled Bayern’s treble chances after the Spaniards won the first leg 1-0 last week. Bayern took the lead with a Xabi Alonso goal in the 31st minute, but Atletico, coached by Diego Simeone,
Antoine Griezmann once again became Atletico’s hero, scoring his seventh goal of the competition. levelled through Antoine Griezmann’s seventh goal of the competition in the 54th. Robert Lewandowski set up a dramatic finale with goal in the 74th, but it was not enough. Thomas Mueller missed a first-half penalty for Bayern and Atletico’s Fernando Torres had an 85th-minute spot-kick saved as Bayern suffered a third straight elimination by a Spanish team at this stage in their three seasons under Pep Guardiola. Guardiola, in his final Champions
League home game at Bayern before his move to Manchester City for next season, started with defender Jerome Boateng, who returned from a three-month injury break, and Franck Ribery, himself back from an injury. With a newly-discovered intensity, the Bavarians were dominant in the first half, successfully navigating through the Spaniards’ high pressing game and grabbing their first chance with a Lewandowski header in the 12th. The Poland striker narrowly failed to connect inside the box while Arturo Vidal’s left-footed effort was plucked out of the air on its way to the top corner by keeper Jan Oblak. The keeper came to the rescue again in the 20th, denying Lewandowski.
We’re delighted. It was difficult, a really hard game, we had a great opponent in front of us and we had to both defend and try to score. That’s what we did. They were better, but we scored an away goal, which was important. We need to keep grounded and first of all think of the Liga before the final. Antoine Griezmann, striker.
It has been a match of much suffering. We were overwhelmed. We couldn’t find a way to put pressure on them. It has been a siege, but sometimes you can’t play the game you want. But it’s also nice to win having suffered. Fernando Torres, striker.
We knew it would be tough, difficult and first half we were bad. They scored, they won the first half 1-0 and in the second period we knew we needed to score at least one goal and we did that. I wasn’t happy to concede, but that’s football. Luckily at half-time, it was just 1-0 and we scored in the second half. Jan Oblak, goalkeeper.
Spanish curse for Guardiola’s Bayern AFP/ Christof Stache
I ššPep Guardiola argues with Atletico Madrid’s Juanfran.
S THERE anything about Pep Guardiola’s Bayern Munich that make them vulnerable against Spanish opponents? When Diego Simeone’s Atletico Madrid advanced to the final after getting the better of Bayern on away goals on Tuesday, it was the third consecutive time the Bavarian giants were stopped in the
semifinal of the Champions League by a Spanish team. In the 2013-14 semifinal, Bayern were embarrassed by a marauding Real Madrid, who plundered four goals in a scintillating second-half display in the second leg in Munich for a 5-0 aggregate victory. As Guardiola’s first attempt at the
Champions League triumph ended in humiliation, Real Madrid went on to win the title, beating city rivals Atletico in the final. In 2014-15, Guardiola’s second season at the club, they were again beaten by the eventual champions, this time Barcelona registering a 5-3 aggregate victory.
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No. I think no (to repeat the feat), but of course we want to continue to build. When I came, the project was to build a very good foundation and slowly grow up together and in three, four years to fight for Europa, then Champions League. Claudio Ranieri, manager of newly-crowned English Premier League champions Leicester City.
SABRI LAMOUCHI
STAR OF THE WEEK
‘I liked Zidane as a man, player’
S REUTERS/Maxim Shemetov
ABRI Lamouchi has shared the French national team dressing room with legendary Zinedine Zidane, and played opposite him first in Ligue 1 and then in the Italian Serie A. Lamouchi, who currently manages Qatar’s El Jaish, is an admirer of Zizou and is happy to see him making a big impact on Real Madrid as their coach.
ЂЂZidane is one match away
from managing Real in the Champions League final... ЃЂI’m really happy to know him personally and to have played with him. He’s doing a really good job. It’s unbelievable that four months after taking charge, he has a chance to take Real to another Champions League glory.
NICO ROSBERG N
ICO Rosberg became only the fourth driver in Formula One history to record seven successive wins when he cruised to victory ahead of Mercedes team-mate Lewis Hamilton in last Sunday’s incident-filled Russian Grand Prix. The 30-year-old German started from pole and produced an imperious performance as he pulled clear of the field
Inside
10
ЂЂAre you a fan of Real now that
Zidane is their coach?
ЃЂNo, I’m not a Real fan. I’m always for
to take his fourth win of the 2016 season and the 18th of his career. He won the final three races of 2015 and is now unbeaten since defending three-time world champion Hamilton triumphed in last year’s United States Grand Prix to secure the championship. “It has been an awesome weekend for me and the car has been fantastic,” said Rosberg.
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“I’m very happy. I really enjoyed it. I kept concentrating, pushing fast. If you slow down, that’s when you make mistakes. “Lewis did a great job to come up to second so quickly from 10th and I know he’s right on it and he’ll always be motivated,” he said. Rosberg’s win increased his lead in the drivers’ championship to 43 points, ahead of Hamilton, after four of this year’s 21 races.
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good football. When Real do a fine job, I love them. I liked Zidane as a man and player, and now rate him high as a coach.
ЂЂWhat’s most special about
Zidane?
ЃЂI would say humility and hard work.
He’s a genius when it comes to football. Yet, he puts in a lot of efforts.
» e-mail: ganesh @dohastadiumplusqatar.com
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Football
DSP/ Fadi Al Assaad
6
ššThe Qatar Under-19 team members during a training session.
GUNNING FOR GLORY The Qatar Under-19 boys, after initial hiccups, look ready to retain the AFC Under-19 Championship title. Mohammad Amin-ul Islam
T
WO years ago, Qatar beat North Korea1-0 in the final at the Thuwunna Youth Training Centre Stadium in Yangon, Myanmar, to win their maiden AFC Under-19 Championship. A lot of things have changed since then as the core players of that side were promoted to the U-23 Olympic team along with Spanish coach Felix Sanchez, who had groomed them during their early stages at the ASPIRE Academy. And Qatar fielded a fairly new squad in the qualifiers in Doha last October, as the likes of Ahmed Moeen and Akram Afif had already left. The new team found the going tough as Qatar fared poorly at the GCC U-19 Championship in Doha, where they failed to cross the group stage. The squad, under Portuguese coach Joao Pereira, was a hastily-stitched one and did not look ready. Expectedly, Pereira was relieved of his duties and ASPIRE Academy Football Director Roberto Olabe stepped in.
But despite being handed a tricky route in the qualifiers, Qatari boys bounced back as they opened their campaign with a 7-1 rout of Kyrgyzstan, before beating Lebanon and Oman 4-0 and 2-1 respectively to finish on top of Group D. Sayed Issa and Khalid Muneer Majeed top-scored with three goals apiece, but it was the team’s ability to share the workload that caught the eye and that will be their main strength in the final
Qatar start as one of the favourites, but Japan, Yemen and Iran can prove tough opponents. round in Bahrain in October. Qatar definitely start as one of the favourites, but it remains to be seen how they can overcome challenges from teams like Japan, Iran and Yemen in Group C. The top two teams from four groups will qualify for the quarterfinals, with the semifinalists booking their place at the FIFA U-20 World Cup in South Korea next year. DSP
Bahrain keen to make AFC U-19 event a big hit All the groups are strong, especially ours. All four teams are equal. You can’t predict things especially in age-group competitions. But I’ve confidence in my players that they’ll prove themselves and come out winners. Oscar Cano, Qatar coach.
DRAW GROUP A
GROUP B
GROUP C
GROUP D
Bahrain
North Korea
Qatar
Uzbekistan
Thailand
UAE
Japan
China
South Korea
Iraq
Yemen
Australia
Saudi Arabia
Vietnam
Iran
Tajikistan
QATAR AT AFC U-19 C’SHIP Qualified as Group D winners Appearance 13th Best performance Champions 2014
QATAR’S FIXTURES October 14 Vs Iran October 17 Vs Yemen October 20 Vs Japan
B
AHRAIN Football Association President Shaikh Ali bin Khalifa Al Khalifa said preparations were on track to make the AFC U-19 Championship one of the best ever in its history. The tournament’s draw was held last week in Manama, where Qatar were placed in Group C along with Japan, Yemen and Iran while the hosts are in Group A in the company of Thailand, South Korea and Saudi Arabia. He exuded confidence that Bahrain would deliver an exceptional tournament. “We’re looking forward to hosting the tournament. We’ll try to make it one of the best ever,” said Shaikh Ali. “Historically, this is the biggest tournament Bahrain will host. We pitched for this event to put the spotlight on our country’s football. We hope the competition will be a successful one. We also want our team to do well in the competition.”
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Q
ATAR is growing a dozen types of grasses at a research and development area close to the Aspire Zone, with one of them set to be used for the pitches for the 2022 World Cup which the country will host. Currently, the turfs are being tested in different conditions and shades to determine which is best suited for the Middle East’s first World Cup. “We’re looking for the best type of grass that can survive in the region. We’re looking for the best of the best,” said Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy’s Sports Turf Manager Yasser Abdulla Mulla. All the grasses were flown in from abroad, particularly the United States. The trials started last year and a final decision will be taken next year. DSP
Yousef does star turn for Gharafa
Y
OUNG goalkeeper Yousef Hassan did the star turn as seven-time champions Al Gharafa rallied to beat Umm Salal 4-2 on penalties, after a 1-1 deadlock in regulation time, and set up a quarterfinal meeting with Al Sadd in the Emir’s Cup. Gharafa coach Pedro Caixinha had started fielding young Yousef, a member of Qatar’s triumphant Under-19 team at Asian Championship in Myanmar
Caixinha picked out Yousef for special praise while congratulating the team for the win. in 2014, towards the end of Qatar Stars League after seasoned duo of Qasim Burhan and Abdulaziz Ali proved inconsistent. And Yousef came up with two vital saves in the shoot-out. Umm Salal, after taking the lead in the 45th minute through Ali Mohammed and defending it successfully deep into the second half, had pushed Gharafa to the brink. But Umm Salal’s experienced defender Juad Ahnach gifted the Cheetahs a lifeline when he conceded a penalty for
Sadd Qatar Futsal League champions
‘handling’ the ball inside the area while trying to keep away an Adel Ahmed cross from the right. Slovakian forward Vladimir Weiss dutifully converted it in the last minute as he placed the resultant spotkick into the right bottom corner. Caixinha picked out Yousef for special praise while congratulating the team. “Yousef is a very talented player. He has great potential and I’m sure he’ll be an asset for Qatar at the 2022 FIFA World Cup. I congratulate him as well as other players who showed character to pull off the win,” said Caixinha, who added that he was looking forward to meeting fellow Portuguese Jesualdo Ferreira when they take on Sadd. Meanwhile, Italian coach Gianfranco Zola’s first season as Al Arabi coach ended when Al Kharaitiyat pipped them 4-2 on penalties after regulation time ended 2-2. Elsewhere, Al Ahli defeated Al Khor 3-2 while Al Sailiya beat Al Khor 3-2. DSP KICK-OFF QUARTERFINALS SATURDAY, MAY 7 Al Kharaitiyat vs Al Rayyan, Al Arabi Stadium, 6.30pm. Al Gharafa vs Al Sadd, Al Arabi Stadium, 9pm. SUNDAY, MAY 8 Al Sailiya vs Lekhwiya, Lekhwiya Stadium, 6.30pm. Al Ahli vs El Jaish, Al Arabi Stadium, 9pm.
Al Sadd emerged as champions of the Qatar Futsal League last week. In the deciding play-off at the Qatar SC Indoor Hall, they defeated arch-rivals Al Rayyan 5-2 in shootout after regulation time and extra time ended 2-2. The winners were decided through play-off after Sadd and Rayyan were tied at the top of the table with 69 points. DSP
DSP/AK Bijuraj
Growing grass for 2022 World Cup
7
ššAl Gharafa goalkeeper Yousef Hassan celebrates with team-mates following their victory over Umm Salal.
Al Rayyan drawn into tough group
Q
ATARI club Al Rayyan found themselves in the company of five-time champions Movistar Inter (Spain), Benfica (Portugal) and Magnus Futsal (Brazil) in Group B after the draw for the 15th Intercontinental Cup futsal was made at the ASPIRE Academy on Tuesday. Tasisat Daryaei (Iran), Dynamo Moscow (Russia), Carlos Barbosa (Brazil) and FC Barcelona Lassa (Spain) form Group A. The tournament will be held from June 24 to 29. “We’ve the honour of organising this tournament for the next five years. It showcases our strong commitment to not only develop futsal, but also to positively impact the game in Asia, Europe and South America,” said Qatar Football Association General Secretary Mansoor Al Ansari. DSP THE DRAW GROUP A Tasisat Daryaei (IRI) Dynamo Moscow (RUS) Carlos Barbosa (BRA) FC Barcelona Lassa (ESP)
GROUP B Al Rayyan (QAT) Benfica (POR) Magnus Futsal (BRA) Movistar Inter (ESP)
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Football
MISSIO El Jaish turn the tables on Lekhwiya to win their second Qatar Cup in three seasons. N Ganesh
E ššEl Jaish’s Yousef Muftah, right, challenges Al Ahli’s Eslam Hussain.
El Jaish go down to Ahli, Al Ain advance
In the pre-quarterfinal, Jaish will take on Qatari rivals Lekhwiya on May 17 and 25. points, one behind Al Ain, who confirmed their berth with a 2-0 victory against Uzbekistan’s Nasaf. In the double-leg pre-quarterfinal, Jaish will face off with Qatari rivals Lekhwiya on May 17 and 25. Lekhwiya will host Uzbekistan’s FC Bunyodkar in their final Group C match on Wednesday. Tuesday’s game did not rise to the expected level mainly due to the hot and humid conditions. In addition, Jaish coach Sabri Lamouchi, keeping
Armymen thus exacted revenge on Lekhwiya, who had defeated them in last year’s final. Their defence was organised and midfield composed and creative, always showing the willingness to support attack and defence. They did well while playing a possession game and looked lethal on the counter-attack even though they
an eye on their Emir’s Cup quarterfinal against Al Ahli on May 8, rested many of his first-choice players. Ahli started impressively and, with 16 minutes on the clock, Mohammed Al Fatil headed just over the bar. Eight minutes from the interval, Muhannad Al Asiri also saw his headed attempt sail just over the target. In between, Wagner Ribeiro twice tried his luck from outside the area, only to see the ball sail wide. The introduction of Greece midfielder Giannis Fetfatzidis on resumption turned the game in the home side’s favour, yet they had to wait until the 62nd when Marquinho scored from a Saoud Mubarak pass. Former Al Hilal defender Hawsawi stooped to head the ball home in the 85th minute following Fetfatzidis’s corner from the left. DSP DSP/ Mohammed Dabboos
E
L JAISH, who had already booked their berth in the pre-quarterfinal of the AFC Champions League as Group D winners, went down 0-2 to Al Ahli in Jeddah in their last group match on Tuesday. Second-half goals from Marquinho and Osama Hawsawi ensured Ahli full points, but it was not enough for Christian Gross’s men as they finished with nine
L JAISH coach Sabri Lamouchi had strongly believed his players deserved at least one title this season as a reward for all their good work. And they earned it, defeating Lekhwiya 2-1 in the Qatar Cup final at the Al Sadd Stadium last week. Mohammed Methnani capped Jaish’s fluent start to the game when he found the back of the net with a glancing header from a corner in the 30th minute. Lekhwiya came back stronger post resumption and equalised in the 77th when Alain Dioko converted from the spot after Murad Naji conceded a penalty for bringing down Khaled Muftah in the area. When it looked the game would meander towards a direct shoot-out,
Majed Mohammed won a penalty at the other end and Jaish’s prolific scorer Abderrazak Hamdallah dutifully converted it in the 89th to give them their second Qatar Cup in three seasons. The Armymen thus exacted revenge on Lekhwiya, who had defeated them in last year’s final. Jaish dished out a fine performance.
COLLATED RESULTS Melbourne Victory (AUS) bt Gamba Osaka (JPN) 2-1 Suwon Bluewings (KOR) bt Shanghai SIPG (CHN) 3-0 G Evergrande (CHN) bt Sydney FC (AUS)
1-0
Urawa Reds (JPN) drew Pohang Steelers (KOR) 1-1 Pakhtakor (UZB) bt Al Jazira (UAE)
3-0
Tractorsazi Tabriz (IRI) lost to Al Hilal (KSA)
1-2
Al Ain (UAE) bt Nasaf (UZB)
2-0
Al Ahli (KSA) bt El Jaish (QAT)
2-0
ššLekhwiya’s Khaled Muftah, left, challenges El Jaish’s Sardor Rashidov.
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DSP/Mohammed Dabboos
ON SUCCESS šЂAhmed Moen
‘Ahmed will play in ’22 World Cup’
A
šЂQatar Olympic Committee President HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani awards the Qatar Cup to El Jaish players Wesam Rizik, second left, and Abdulrahman Abkar as El Jaish Sports Club Vice-President Nasser Mohammed Al Ali looks on.
could not capitalise on it. In fact, all three goals came from dead balls. It was the first title in Sabri Lamouchi’s coaching career. Winning the trophy in his only other job, at Ivory Coast’s helm, was too tough an ask as he had managed them at the World Cup in Brazil. “But I’m a young coach,” Lamouchi replied with a smile when asked about it. The Frenchman had indeed come close to lifting a trophy last season by taking Jaish to the final of the Qatar Cup as well as Emir’s Cup. In the first phase of the Qatar Stars League (QSL) this season, they looked the best team to stop Al Rayyan before fading out halfway through, mainly
due to injuries. But Jaish worked their way back to finish as runners-up in the QSL and also progress to the AFC Champions
HMED Moen was one of the standout performers in El Jaish’s win over Lekhwiya in the Qatar Cup final. The midfielder, adjudged the best player in Qatar’s triumphant campaign at the AFC Under-19 Championship in Myanmar in 2014 and did a commendable job at the Asian U-23 Championship at home last January, belied his age and experience to perform convincingly well last season. Jaish coach Sabri Lamouchi was all praise for the youngster. “I like Ahmed, he’s clever, smart and technically good. He runs a lot. I’m sure he’ll play at the 2022 World Cup. But if he continues to work hard, he can become the captain of the team,” said Lamouchi. DSP
League’s pre-quarterfinal, where they will again take on Lekhwiya over two legs. They could also meet the cops in the Emir’s Cup semifinal on May 13. DSP
Winning the Qatar Cup is the result of hard work we put in over the season. My special congratulations to all our players. I also thank our coaching staff and fans. We all got the chance to watch an interesting final, which reflected all good things about Qatar football. Khamis Al Kuwari, El Jaish Sports Club General Secretary.
Our victory was logical: Lamouchi INTERVIEW
S
ABRI Lamouchi was a happy man after El Jaish regained the Qatar Cup. He congratulated his players for keeping their cool during the emotional moments towards the end and believed his boys deserved the title. ЂЂWhat’s your feeling on regain-
ing the Qatar Cup?
ЃЂI’m really happy for the players,
club and fans. As I had said, our players deserved to win at least one trophy.
It was a really good game. We controlled the first half. It was difficult in the second and we had to play on counter-attack. But we could win and that was the most important thing. I’m sure it’ll bring happiness to everybody at the club. It was a good game, especially with a lot of emotions towards the end. For me, our victory was logical. Lekhwiya play more forward and wide. They’re also good at finding space. We had to work a lot and defend well. Congratulations to all my players. ЂЂWhat’re your plans for the
Emir’s Cup? ЃЂNow, I want to win the second trophy.
I’m a winner and we, as a team, always work hard to achieve it every time. It was difficult against Lekhwiya, but we deserved it. We’re celebrating and will start our Emir’s Cup preparations. We’ll be up against in-form Al Ahli in the quarterfinal. ЂЂHow good a feeling is it to beat Lekhwiya? ЃЂI’m really happy to have beaten Lekhwiya. We’ll be playing them in the AFC Champions League pre-quarterfinal and maybe in the Emir’s Cup final too. They’re a strong team. DSP
»
[email protected]
šЂSabri Lamouchi
10
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Football
lustre city! šĈLeicester City captain Wes Morgan, second left. celebrates with team-mates after scoring against Manchester United.
Claudio Ranieri turns back the clock, banking on a direct approach, to make Leicester champions.
ĈĈLeicester’s average
possession is one of the lowest in the league
Toby Davis
H
ARKING back to a previous era and ripping up a text book full of received wisdom, Leicester City’s remarkable success has been founded on a footballing philosophy that many had consigned to the dustbin. Leicester City were crowned Premier League champions with two games to spare after Tottenham Hotspur, missing midfielder Dele Alli who was given a three-match ban for violent conduct, were held to a 2-2 draw at Chelsea last Monday.
Second-placed Spurs needed to win to extend the title race to the penultimate weekend, but fell short, meaning rank outsiders Leicester completed the most unlikely triumph. It was Leicester’s first top-flight championship success and the statistics of their stunning campaign tell an astonishing tale of how Leicester have turned the clock back by shunning possession and glorying in the long ball to a pacey striker, while spurning rotation in favour of a settled, almost self-selecting side. Leicester have played more long balls than almost any team in Europe, their average possession is one of the lowest in the Premier League and they have started fewer players over the campaign than any of their title rivals. To many eyes, it is a simple formula for success and one that was common
among English sides in the 1980s, yet Leicester’s approach had been almost discarded from the modern game. A report last month by the Football Observatory research group at the International Centre for Sports Studies in
Leicester’s approach had been almost discarded from the modern game. Switzerland said Claudio Ranieri’s side have played more long balls this season than all but two teams in Europe’s big five leagues. With 6.9 per cent of Leicester’s passes being classified as long by the study, the Foxes blaze a trail
for the Premier League and only midtable German sides Darmstadt (10.7) and Ingolstadt (7.8) are more willing to go direct. The long ball, so long associated with less skilful and more physical sides, has been used ruthlessly by Leicester to target the pace of striker Jamie Vardy, whose 22 goals have played a huge part in propelling the club to the summit. Leicester have averaged 45.4 per cent possession in their league matches this season. Their title rivals, in contrast, have all sought to dominate the ball. Arsenal hogged possession the most, averaging almost 56 per cent, but Manchester City (55.2), Manchester United (55.1) and Tottenham Hotspur (54.7) are not far behind.
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TIMELINE
2015 Leicester lost 3-4 at Tottenham Hotspur to find themselves bottom, seven points adrift. They won four of their 29 March 21 games. Jamie Vardy scored his second goal of the season that eventually produced five goals in 37 appearances. The remains of King Richard III, discovered under a March 26 Leicester car park, are reburied in the city’s cathedral which was seen as the turning point in the club’s fortunes. The fightback begins with a 2-1 home win over West Ham April 4 United. A 1-0 victory at relegation rivals Burnley makes it four-in-aApril 25 row and hauls Leicester out of the bottom three. A goalless draw at Sunderland confirms Leicester will May 16 remain in the league with a game to spare. Leicester end the season in style by thumping Queens Park Rangers 5-1. Having won four of their first 29 games, May 24 they won seven and drew one of their final nine to finish 14th in the 20-team league. Nigel Pearson, hero of the city a month before, is fired June 30 amid rumours of a fallout with the club’s Thai owners. Italian Claudio Ranieri is appointed manager of his 15th July 13 club. Leicester kick off the new season with a 4-2 home win Aug 8 over Sunderland. Leicester’s six-game unbeaten start to the season is Sept 26 brought to an emphatic end with a 2-5 home defeat by Arsenal. Leicester won 3-0 at Newcastle United and go top of the Nov 21 league. 2016 After a relatively dry spell of a defeat and two draws Leicester are back to winning ways with a 1-0 success at Jan 13 title rivals Tottenham. A scrappy 1-1 draw at Aston Villa is enough to put Leicester back on top of the table, ahead of Arsenal on goal differJan 16 ence. The beginning of “phase two” as, with opponents wising up to Leicester’s quick-fire counter-attacking game, they Feb 27 are forced to tough it out, starting with a scruffy 1-0 win at Norwich City. An impressive 2-0 victory at Sunderland means Leicester April 10 kept five successive clean sheets and are seven points clear with five games remaining. Trailing 1-2 at home to West Ham, with Vardy sent off, Leicester are handed a last-gasp penalty lifeline that April 17 Leonardo Ulloa grabs to snatch a 2-2 draw, lifting the roof off the King Power stadium. Leicester shrugged off the absence of suspended Vardy to April 24 hammer Swansea City 4-0. Tottenham were held 1-1 at home by West Bromwich April 25 Albion, leaving Leicester needing a maximum of three points from their last three games to secure title. Leicester drew 1-1 at Manchester United to inch closer to May 1 the trophy. Spurs needed to win all three of their remaining games to have a chance of taking the honours, but after leading May 2 2-0 against Chelsea, they are pegged back to 2-2 and title goes to Leicester.
11
Vardy story can inspire dreamers
I
N YEARS to come when people recall how Leicester’s City intrepid Foxes turned sporting logic on its head to become champions of England it will be Jamie’s Vardy’s rags to riches tale that may sound the most implausible. It will also offer hope to the thousands of young dreamers tossed aside every year by English football’s shiny academies. Because Vardy, whose goals have fired Leicester to the English Premier League crown, proves there are gems lurking
Leicester stands to earn fat purse Leicester City are on course for a windfall of more than $220m for winning the English Premier League (EPL). The money would come from the EPL’s huge TV revenues, playing in the Champions League, new sponsorship and higher gate receipts, the Repucom sports data firm said. Their spectactular rise has seen their TV audiences increase by more than 23 per cent around the globe, which increases their value with potential sponsors.
in the weed-strewn wilderness of the lower leagues, that rejection as a teenager does not represent a dead-end on the pathway to glory. Six years ago, having been discarded
by Sheffield Wednesday for being too small, he was playing for Stocksbridge Park Steels, earning money in the seventh tier of English football and working 10-hour shifts at a carbon fibre factory. A conviction for assault meant he played with an electronic tag on his ankle. It smacked of another hard-luck story, but scroll his career forward, through FC Halifax and Fleetwood Town and a Football League debut for Leicester at the age of 25, and Vardy is the hero of one of sport’s greatest upsets.
RESULTS
ROLL OF HONOUR
A conviction for assault meant Vardy played with an electronic tag on his ankle.
Last 10 EPL champions
Chelsea drew Tottenham Hotspur
2-2
Man United drew Leicester City
1-1
2015-16
Leicester City
Southampton bt Man City
4-2
2014-15
Chelsea
Swansea City bt Liverpool
3-1
2013-14
Man City
Arsenal bt Norwich City
1-0
2012-13
Man United
Everton bt AFC Bournemouth
2-1
2011-12
Man City
Newcastle United bt Crystal Palace
1-0
2010-11
Man United
Stoke City drew Sunderland
1-1
2009-10
Chelsea
Watford bt Aston Villa
3-2
2008-09
Man United
West Bromwich lost to West Ham
0-3
2007-08
Man United
2006-07
Man United
STANDINGS Leicester City
36
22
11
3
64
34
77
Tottenham
36
19
13
4
67
28
70
Arsenal
36
19
10
7
59
34
67
25
Harry Kane
Tottenham
Man City
36
19
7
10
68
38
64
23
Sergio Aguero
Man City
Man United
35
17
9
9
43
31
60
22
Jamie Vardy
Leicester City
West Ham
35
15
14
6
60
43
59
18
Romelu Lukaku
Everton
Southampton
36
16
9
11
53
39
57
17
Riyad Mahrez
Leicester City
Liverpool
35
15
10
10
59
48
55
Jermain Defoe
Sunderland
Chelsea
35
12
12
11
55
48
48
Odion Ighalo
Watford
Stoke City
36
13
9
14
38
52
48
Olivier Giroud
Arsenal
Everton
35
10
14
11
55
49
44
Alexis Sanchez
Arsenal
Watford
35
12
8
15
36
42
44
Diego Costa
Chelsea
Swansea City
36
11
10
15
37
50
43
Marko Arnautovic
Stoke City
West Bromwich
36
10
11
15
32
46
41
Gylfi Sigurdsson
Swansea City
AFC Bournemouth 36
11
8
17
43
63
41
Troy Deeney
Watford
Crystal Palace
36
10
9
17
36
46
39
Shane Long
Southampton
Newcastle United
36
8
9
19
39
64
33
Sadio Mane
Southampton
Sunderland
35
7
11
17
40
58
32
Graziano Pelle
Southampton
Norwich City
35
8
7
20
35
61
31
Andre Ayew
Swansea City
Aston Villa
36
3
7
26
27
72
16
Dele Alli
Tottenham Hotspur
EPL TOP SCORERS
14 12
11
10
KEY PLAYERS
KASPER SCHMEICHEL
WES MORGAN
N’GOLO KANTE
RIYAD MAHREZ
JAMIE VARDY
Son of the legendary Manchester United and Liverpool goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel, Kasper performance highlighted the remarkable goalkeeping lineage in the family. Just like his father, Kasper has turned into a leader of men and developed into a dominant personality within the Leicester squad.
Morgan joined the club from local rivals Nottingham Forest in January, 2012, and was quickly installed as captain. Despite lacking pace, he is an authoritative presence. With Robert Huth, he has formed an old-school central defensive partnership founded upon strength, astute positioning and aerial dominance.
A £5.6m capture from French side Caen last year, Kante has astonished observers with his relentless energy, driving runs and extraordinary knack for recovering possession. Legendary former Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson described him as “by far the best player in the EPL”.
Mahrez symbolises the fairytale journey that the club have overtaken over the past 12 months. Signed from Le Havre for just £400,000 in January 2014, the rakish, velvet-footed Algerian flitted in and out of the team as Leicester fought to stay in the division, but this season he has been a sensation with his 17 goals and 11 assists.
Vardy has become the snarling face of the team. The wiry Yorkshireman’s rags-to-riches tale has seen him rise from nonleague obscurity to top-flight record-breaker. Despite scoring 22 goals, he looks poised to miss out on the Golden Boot, but he created EPL history in the autumn by scoring in 11 consecutive games.
Goalkeeper
Centre-back
Central midfielder
Winger
Striker
12
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Football
BIG GUNS ALL FIRE Barca inch closer towards defending La Liga title by getting the better of Real Betis. Richard Martin
L
Luis Suarez scored his 35th goal of the La Liga season to finish Real Betis off in the 81st. Benzema injured, it was again up to Bale to lead the line, with coach Zinedine Zidane making five changes after the 0-0 at Manchester City in the Champions League semifinal in midweek. Bale missed several chances before finally breaking the deadlock with 10 minutes remaining, leaping at the near post to glance Vazquez’s cross into the top corner for his 19th goal of the league campaign. Meanwhile, Villarreal secured their place in the Champions League qualifying round with a 2-0 win at local rivals Valencia, guaranteeing fourth place in La Liga. Samu Garcia and Adrian Lopez scored in the first half following assists from Roberto Soldado.
REUTERS/ Albert Gea
REUTERS/ Vincent West
A LIGA leaders Barcelona moved closer to retaining their crown with a lacklustre 2-0 away win over 10-man Real Betis, thanks to goals from Ivan Rakitic and Luis Suarez. Atletico Madrid kept pace as substitute Antoine Griezmann fired them to a 1-0 home win over struggling Rayo Vallecano while Real Madrid’s Gareth Bale scored in a 1-0 victory at Real Sociedad that leaves them still a point behind. Barcelona remain at the summit on 85 points, level with Atletico but having a superior head-to-head record, while Real are third with 84 points and two games of the season left. Betis had centre-back Heiko Westermann sent off in the 35th minute for a second booking and Ivan Rakitic pounced on a defensive mishap to put Barca ahead five minutes after the break. Luis Suarez then scored his 35th goal of the La Liga season to finish Betis off in the 81st, meaning Barca can guarantee a 24th league title with wins at home to Espanyol and away to Granada. Barcelona struggled to break down Betis even after Westermann was dismissed, but a misunderstanding between defender German Pezzella and goalkeeper Antonio Adan allowed Rakitic to tap in from close range and break the deadlock. Suarez then made up for missing a clear chance earlier in the second half by finishing off Lionel Messi’s low pass
from inside the area. Bale, who scored twice as Real came from two goals down to win 3-2 at Rayo Vallecano, again delivered when it mattered, nodding in Lucas Vazquez’s cross in the 80th. It was the Welshman’s ninth headed goal in the league this season, more than any other player in Europe’s top five leagues, and earned Madrid the points despite a frustrating afternoon against the side who beat Barcelona earlier this month. With Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim
ššReal Madrid’s Gareth Bale, right, attemps a header against Real Sociedad.
ššBarcelona’s Luis Suarez... on cloud nine.
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RESULTS Malaga bt Levante
3-1
Athletic Bilbao bt Celta Vigo
2-1
Deportivo lost to Getafe
0-2
Espanyol bt Sevilla
1-0
Valencia lost to Villarreal
0-2
Atletico Madrid bt Vallecano
1-0
Granada bt Las Palmas
3-2
Real Betis lost to Barcelona
0-2
Sociedad lost to Real Madrid
0-1
Sporting Gijon bt Eibar
2-0
STANDINGS Barcelona
36
27
4
Atletico Madrid
36
27
4
5 104 29 85 5
60
16 85
Real Madrid
36 26
6
4 105
32 84
Villarreal
36
18
10
8
44
31 64
Athletic Bilbao
36
17
7
12
55
44 58
Celta Vigo
36
16
9
11
50
57
57
Sevilla
36
14
10
12
49
43
52
Malaga
36
11
12
13
34
33
45
Valencia
36
11
11
14
44
44
44
Las Palmas
36
12
7
17
44 49
43
Sociedad
36
11
9
16
42
47
42
Eibar
36
11
9
16
46 56
42
Real Betis
36
10
11
15
31 50
41
Espanyol
36
11
7
18
36
Deportivo
36
7
18
11
43 59
39
Granada
36
9
9
18
42 65
36
Vallecano
36
8
11
17
48 70
35
Sporting Gijon
36
9
8
19
37
61
35
Getafe
36
9
8
19
35 64
35
Levante
36
7
8
21
34 66 29
67 40
We were up against a difficult opponent, but I’m happy with the work we did and to pick up the points. It was great to see a player of his (Gareth Bale) importance score a goal (ahead of the Champions League semifinal). Zinedine Zidane, Real Madrid coach.
We’ve the privileged situation, says Enrique
MEDIA SCAN
B
Medical chaos at Real Madrid
ARCELONA coach Luis Enrique believes the Spanish champions took a big step towards retaining their title as they overcame 10-man Betis 2-0. Enrique’s men still need to win their two remaining games to be assured of winning the league after Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid were also victorious. Only Barca’s superior head-to-head
Real Madrid have been made to look the fool when it comes to medical issues for quite a while now. And Cristiano Ronaldo’s current injury has once again fully exposed the club’s bad management. Cover ups, improvisation, lack of information and widespread disagreement are unfortunately nothing new at the Spanish giants where the awful communications only serve to exacerbate the chaos as Ronaldo conducting his own medical tests.
The Catalans have responded like champions by scoring 16 goals in three games. record separates them from Atletico with Real Madrid just a point behind in third. “I’ve the sensation that it’s closer all the time,” said Enrique. “The next game we’ve is a derby against Espanyol and I’m sure the Camp Nou will be rocking.” Barca threw away a ninepoint lead over Atletico with three consecutive La Liga defeats following a 39-game unbeaten run. However, the Catalans have responded like champions by scoring 16 goals without reply in their three league games since to keep
ššLuis Enrique
matters in their own hands. “This is a very difficult league with three teams in the fight to win it. I think all three of us are playing at a good level, having a great season and I don’t think any of the three are going to slip up, therefore we’ve to do our job. We’ve the privileged situation,” he said. Barca were given a huge helping hand by two clear Betis errors as Heiko Westermann chopped down Ivan Rakitic to rightly see a second yellow card before half-time.
Rakitic defends winning ugly B The pitch didn’t help us. Betis knew what they wanted with that. It was very hot and difficult.
“If you’re top of the league with two games left, then you’ve to win however you can. We always want people to be happy with our play, but now we’ve to win the league,” he added. Barca coach Luis Enrique rejected suggestions his team had played poorly. “I think that people have become used to us being so good that they’ve lost sight of what competitive football is,” said Enrique. “I don’t think we suffered at all, given the pressure you’re under in these games, The first half was a bit of a battle but, in the second, we were the better team,” he explained.
Suarez surges ahead in Pichichi race Luis Suarez has now taken a commanding lead in the race for the Pichichi top-scorer award, having scored four more La Liga goals than injured Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo. His 35th goal of the league campaign came after 81 minutes last week, as Barcelona returned to the summit with a 2-0 win after seeing both Real and Atletico Madrid pick up three points earlier in the day. Ronaldo’s absence has given the Uruguayan striker the opportunity to assert himself in the race.
Barcelona’s Bravo suffers calf strain
REUTERS / Marcelo del Pozo
ARCELONA midfielder Ivan Rakitic embraced the art of winning ugly after they beat 10-man Real Betis 2-0 to move closer to retaining their La Liga title. Barca were far from their sparkling best against Betis after thrashing Sporting Gijon 6-0 and Deportivo La Coruna 8-0 in their previous two games, but were helped by Heiko Westermann’s sending off in the 35th minute for a second booking. Rakitic put Barca ahead by pouncing on a misunderstanding between Betis keeper Antonio Adan and German Pezzella in the 50th and Luis Suarez made sure of the points in the 81st. “I don’t really care if we shine or not as long as we win,” said Croatia international Rakitic. “The pitch didn’t help us and Betis knew what they wanted with that. It was very hot. It was a difficult pitch, but I think we deserved the victory.
13
ššBarcelona’s Ivan Rakitic, left, celebrates with Jordi Alba after scoring against Real Betis.
Barcelona have confirmed that Claudio Bravo suffered a calf strain during their 2-0 win over Real Betis. Marc-Andre ter Stegen replaced him in goal for the final few minutes of the game. “FC Barcelona goalkeeper Claudio Bravo suffered a calf strain in his right leg towards the end of the game with Real Betis. The Chilean called to be substituted by Ter Stegen with just a few minutes of the match left,” said a club statement.
14
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Football
Ibrahimovic nets double to give PSG big victory
AFP / Giuseppe Cacace
P
ARIS Saint-Germain’s Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored two goals and set up another as the runaway Ligue 1 champions thrashed Stade Rennes 4-0 last week. Four second-half goals at the Parc des Princes allowed PSG to equal their own record for the most points in a season — 89 — with two games remaining. Ibrahimovic joined in a second-half scoring frenzy when he picked up a cross from Argentine Angel di Maria and sent it beyond the reach of goalkeeper Benoit Costil in the 54th minute. Four minutes earlier, the Swedish striker had helped to set up Maxwell for the opening goal and Ibrahimovic scored again himself with a left-footed drive in the 78th to take his league-leading tally to 34, his best ever in a season. Edinson Cavani added the fourth goal in injury time as PSG, who won the League Cup for the third consecutive time last weekend, all but extinguished the seventh-placed visitors’ hopes of playing in Europe next season. Meanwhile, nine-time champions Olympique Marseille secured their topflight status with a 1-0 victory at Angers last Sunday. Marseille had previously gone 11 games without a win, slipping as low as 16th. Michy Batshuayi’s 24th-minute strike was enough to see off Angers, taking Marseille up to 13th, eight points clear of 18th-placed Stade de Reims. Marseille sustained a title challenge before an end-of-season slump last term, ending the campaign in fourth and missing out on Champions League qualification by two points. Elsewhere, Olympique Lyon and AS Monaco remain level on points in the race for second place after home victories over Ajaccio and Guingamp respectively. Rachid Ghezzal scored direct from a corner as second-placed Lyon beat relegation-threatened Ajaccio 2-1 while Monaco survived a late wobble to see off Guingamp 3-2 at home.
JEERED OFF THE FIELD
ššAC Milan’s Mario Balotelli, right, evades Frosinone’s Matteo Ciofani.
ššParis Saint-Germain’s Zlatan Ibrahimovic, right, vies with Stade Rennes’ Ludovic Baal.
AC Milan draw boos from home supporters after playing out a dull, drab and dreary draw with lowly Frosinone in the Italian Serie A.
M
ARIO Balotelli missed a penalty as AC Milan, jeered off the field after a dismal first half, drew 3-3 with lowly Frosinone in Serie A last Sunday while Palermo’s late survival bid continued with a 2-0 win over Sampdoria. Fourth-placed Inter Milan’s lingering hopes of Champions League next season ended when they lost 0-2 at Lazio, ensuring that Roberto Mancini’s team can no longer finish in the top three. Juventus notched their 25th win in 26 league games by beating lowly Carpi 2-0. Despite the defeat, the debutants stayed 17th, one place above the relegation zone, with 35 points, but are only ahead of Palermo on goal difference. Frosinone, also in the top flight for the first time, are four points adrift of safety in 19th and look set to go straight back to Serie B.
Milan’s season has gone from bad to worse since they fired coach Sinisa Mihajlovic three weeks ago and it reached a new low when they lost to bottom-ofthe-table Verona. It looked even bleaker at halftime at
Mario Balotelli squandered the first when his effort was saved by Bardi. San Siro as Frosinone led 2-0, but Milan, under interim coach Christian Brocchi, hit back after the break with the help of two penalties awarded for handball. Balotelli squandered the first when his effort was saved by Francesco Bardi,
but Jeremy Menez made no mistake in stoppage time to rescue a point for the hosts. There was also time for Balotelli to smash a shot against the bar with the last kick of the game. Milan dropped to seventh below Sassuolo, who beat Verona 1-0. Palermo, who changed eight coaches, overcame a subdued Sampdoria after Franco Vazquez scored in the first half and Nenad Krsticic turned the ball into his own net with five minutes left. Juventus midfielder Hernanes and Simone Zaza scored in each half to increase Carpi’s relegation worries. Juventus have 88 points from 36 games, 15 clear of Napoli. Lazio’s 37-year-old striker Miroslav Klose gave them an eighth-minute lead at home to Inter with a delicate finish.
15
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Hanover player dies in car crash
RESULTS SERIE A
Y
OUNG Hanover 96 striker Niklas Feierabend died in a car accident last Sunday. The 19-year-old had signed his first contract as a professional for the club in February. Feierabend was a back seat passenger along with two other young people, who were also killed in the accident that involved just one car. The vehicle left the road and crashed into a tree. The tragedy left everyone at the club in deep shock, a statement on Hanover’s website said. “We’ll never forget you, Niklas,” it added. The youngster had trained with the recently relegated Hanover’s first team over the winter and had been on the bench for two Bundesliga matches, although he had yet to make his debut.
ššNiklas Feierabend
Genoa lost to Roma
2-3
Napoli bt Atalanta Bergamo
2-1
AC Milan drew Frosinone
3-3
Empoli drew Bologna
0-0
Juventus bt Carpi
2-0
Lazio bt Inter Milan
2-0
Palermo bt Sampdoria
2-0
Sassuolo bt Verona
1-0
Chievo drew Fiorentina
0-0
Udinese lost to Torino
1-5
BUNDESLIGA
ššStefan Petrovski
Lightning kills Australian teen
A
Werder Bremen bt Stuttgart
6-2
Mainz drew Hamburg
0-0
Leverkusen bt Hertha Berlin
2-1
Bayern Munich drew Borussia M’gladbach
1-1
Dortmund bt Wolfsburg
5-1
Hanover lost to Schalke
1-3
Hoffenheim bt Ingolstadt
2-1
Darmstadt lost to Frankfurt
1-2
Augsburg drew Cologne
0-0
LIGUE 1
TEENAGE Australian goalkeeper has died three weeks after being struck by lightning during a training session with his football club in Malaysia. Stefan Petrovski, an 18-year-old reserve keeper for second tier side Melaka United, had been in a coma in intensive care since being struck by lightning when standing near goalposts, Australian state media said. “On behalf of the Australian football community, FFA sends their deepest condolences to the Petrovski family, friends and team-mates,” governing body Football Federation Australia said.
12
7
17
41
46
43
36
11
8
17
33
44
41
Atalanta Bergamo
36
10
11
15
38
45
Sampdoria
36
10
10
16
48 53
40
Udinese
36
10
8
18
33
57
38
Carpi
36
8
11
17
34
53
35
Palermo
36
9
8
19
35
63
35
Frosinone
36
8
7
21
35
71
31
Verona
36
4
13
19
30 59
25
41
BUNDESLIGA Bayern Munich
26 4
2
75
15
82
Borussia Dortmund 32
32
24
5
3
80 31
77
Bayer Leverkusen
32
17
6
9
52
36
57
B M’gladbach
32
15
4
13
63
49
49
Hertha Berlin
32
14
7
11
41
40
49
Schalke 04
32
14
6
12
46 47
48
Mainz
32
13
7
12
43
41
46
Cologne
32
10
11
11
36
40
41
FC Ingolstadt 04
32
10
10
12
30 37
40
VfL Wolfsburg
32
10
9
13
43
48
39
Hamburg SV
32
10
8
14
37
44
38
FC Augsburg
32
9
10
13
40 48
37
Hoffenheim
32
9
10
13
38
49
37
SV Darmstadt 98
32
8
11
13
36
50
35
Werder Bremen
32
9
7
16
49 65
34
Eintracht Frankfurt 32
8
9
15
33
51
33
0-1
Monaco bt Guingamp En Avant
3-2
Caen drew Bastia
0-0
VfB Stuttgart
32
9
6
17
48 69
33
Troyes lost to Bordeaux
2-4
Hanover 96
32
6
4
22 29 59
22
Lorient lost to Lille
0-1
Nantes bt Nice
1- 0
PSG
35
28 5
2
18
89
Oly Lyon bt Ajaccio
2-1
Oly Lyon
36
18
8
10 60 38
62
St Etienne drew Toulouse
0-0
Monaco
36
16
14
6
54
44
62
Stade Reims lost to Montpellier
2-3
St Etienne
36
17
7
12
42
34
58
PSG bt Stade Rennes
4-0
Nice
36
16
9
11
53
39
57
Lille
36
14
14
8
38
27
56
Stade Rennes
36
13
13
10 51
50
52
Angers
36
13
11
12
38
34
50
Nantes
36
12
12
12
32
38
48
STANDINGS SERIE A
LIGUE 1 93
Juventus
36
28 4
4
69 18
88
Caen
36
14
6
16
36
51
48
Napoli
36
23
7
6
74
31
76
Montpellier
36
13
7
16
47
45
46
AS Roma
36
21
11
4
77
40
74
Bordeaux
35
11
13
11
46 55
46
Inter Milan
36
19
7
10 47
34
64
Oly Marseille
36
9
17
10 46 41
44
Fiorentina
36
17
9
10 56 40
60
Bastia
36
12
8
16
33
41
44
Sassuolo
36
14
13
9
45
39
55
Guingamp
36
11
10
15
45
53
43
AC Milan
36
14
12
10 47
40
54
Lorient
36
10
13
13
46 55
43
Lazio
36
14
9
13
47
47
51
Ajaccio
36
8
13
15
37
53
37
Chievo Verona
36
13
10
13
43
42
49
Stade Reims
36
9
9
18
40 55
36
Torino
36
12
9
15
50 51
45
Toulouse
36
7
13
16
41
53
34
Empoli
36
11
10
15
37
43
Troyes
36
3
8
25 27
81
17
REUTERS/ Kai Pfaffenbach
ššBorussia Moenchengladbach’s Mahmoud Dahoud and Andreas Christensen, right, challenge Bayern Munich’s Mario Goetze.
Borussia Dortmund closed the gap to five points by thrashing VfL Wolfsburg 5-1, helped by two second-half goals from Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. Bayer Leverkusen’s 19-year-old winger Julian Brandt scored for the sixth league game in a row to set them on the way to a 2-1 victory over Hertha Berlin.
46
Hummels seeks move to Bayern
B
themselves. The 75,000 capacity home crowd, clearly believing the match was a formality after seeing their team win 14 of their previous 15 home league games this season, were stunned when Andre Hahn equalised midway through the second half. In other matches, second-placed
36
Bologna
Angers lost to Oly Marseille
Bavarian party is put on hold AYERN Munich’s party was wrecked by Borussia Moenchengladbach who held them 1-1 at the Allianz Arena last week, forcing the Bavarians to wait at least a week to clinch a fourth straight Bundesliga title. Bayern, needing a win to wrap up the championship, were made to pay for their complacency as they rotated their team and sat back after Thomas Mueller had given them an early lead. Bayern still remain firm favourites for the title with their remaining games away to mid-table Ingolstadt and at home to relegated Hanover 96. Bayern coach Pep Guardiola fielded a weakened side, leaving regulars Philipp Lahm, Javi Martinez, David Alaba, Xabi Alonso, Arturo Vidal and Robert Lewandowksi out of the side. Even so, Bayern took a sixth-minute lead when Mueller met Joshua Kimmich’s corner with a low header which bounced past several players and went in off the foot of the post. However, the hosts allowed Gladbach to take the initiative and there were even some whistles from the Allianz Arena crowd as Bayern’s defenders at one point passed the ball amongst
Genoa
Borussia Dortmund centre-back Mats Hummels told his club he wanted to join Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich after the season ends. Bayern chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge had disclosed that his club was already in talks with the Dortmund skipper over a move. Dortmund confirmed in a statement that the 27-year-old Germany international, who is under contract till June, 2017, had submitted an official transfer request. “Hummels has communicated his desire to leave the club and wants to join Bayern Munich next season,” Dortmund said on their website. “Bayern has not made an offer. As a precaution, it’s pointed out that no exit clause has been agreed and the player is logically tied to Borussia Dortmund until June 30, 2017.”
16
Wednesday, May 4, 2016 | www.dohastadiumplusqatar.com
Football
master
of the game
Former Croatia and AC Milan star midfielder Zvonimir Boban says his country can do really well at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. doctorate in comparative literature in Zagreb
ĈĈHe also writes for Croatian
and Italian newspapers
E
VERY Croat has a place for Russia in his heart, says Zvonimir Boban. And he is a man who knows what he is talking about. Russia and Croatia have always been particularly close in footballing terms as well. Ivica Olic, Stipe Pletikosa and Vedran Corluka are just a few stars of the Croatian national team to have left a big impact in the Russian Premier League. The bond between the two nations grew even closer in 2007 following Croatia’s
Let’s not forget that the current Croatia side are a serious prospect for any team. shock 3-2 victory away against England in a EURO 2008 qualifier that meant Russia and not England made it to the finals of the tournament. Boban, the legendary former Croatia and AC Milan midfielder, was in Moscow recently alongside FIFA President Gianni Infantino. Boban has been up to a lot since finishing his playing career. He has a master’s degree in history and is currently getting his doctorate in comparative literature in Zagreb. He also writes for Croatian newspaper Sportske Novosti as well as Italian daily Gazzetta dello Sport. Boban, who has also been in front of the camera working as a football analyst for Sky TV in Italy, spoke to www.fifa.com about the future of both Croatian and Russian football. ЂĈYou’ve spent two days in
the Russian capital visiting the Luzhniki Stadium which will host the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia opening match and final. What
can you tell us about the city?
ЃĈI think every Russian should be proud
of Moscow. It’s awash with history and there’re unbelievably beautiful buildings everywhere — a real treasure. The Luzhniki Stadium left a big impression on me. In a way the stadium reminds me of the old Wembley. I think that the 2018 World Cup will be one of the most memorable in history. ЂĈCroatia beat Russia 3-1 in a
friendly recently. Wha’re your thoughts on Russian team? ЃĈCroatia dominated throughout the game. We scored three but, honestly, it could’ve been more. I hope Russia are able to improve their performances. They need pace in defence and more well-rounded play in midfield, but let’s not forget that the current Croatia side are a serious prospect for any team. ЂĈDo you think this Croatia side
can hit their peak at Russia 2018? ЃĈThis generation definitely has a lot of promise, but is yet to achieve anything at a big tournament. It could be the last chance for many of them, Luka Modric for example. If you take each player individually, they’ve got football intelligence and bags of character. Yet, Croatia as a team are always missing something on the big stage. Our time may come in 2018. ЂĈCould they surpass Croatia’s
success at France 1998, when your team finished third? ЃĈI really hope so, but there’s every chance that 1998 was just a special and unrepeatable year for Croatian football. Unfortunately, that success weighs heavily on the team which is unfair because every generation lives in its own era. You can’t demand that the current crop matches the achievements of a prior generation that once managed to achieve some success. ЂĈModric named you his World
Cup idol. What can you say about Modric? ЃĈI’m really proud to hear that because
AFP/ Philippe Huguen
ĈĈBoban is doing his
šĈZvonimir Boban, who captained Croatia at the 1998 World Cup, in action against hosts France.
he’s a fantastic player and a fantastic guy. Luka has remained humble, despite his success, and that’s extremely rare to see. He’s so normal, which is such an important word in the crazy world we live in. As a player, Modric is unique because he sees what’s going to happen on the pitch before anyone else. You might say that individually he could produce more than he does at the moment, but playing for the team
is everything to him. He gives everything for the team, perhaps even too much, and that’s what sets him apart. ЂĈYou’ve won many titles at AC
Milan, but was the success at France 1998 your brightest football memory? ЃĈThe 1998 tournament was really something special. When we returned home, it was madness in Croatia. We didn’t quite
Wednesday, May 4, 2016 | www.dohastadiumplusqatar.com
Luka has remained humble, despite his success, and that’s extremely rare to see. He’s so normal, which is such an important word in the crazy world we live in. As a player, Modric is unique because he sees what’s going to happen on the pitch before anyone else. Zvonimir Boban on Croatia and Real Madrid midfielder Luka Modric.
understand what we had achieved. Croatia was in the World Cup finals for the first time and came third immediately. This can happen once in a lifetime. Perhaps we could’ve achieved even more, but my mistake in the semifinal against France cost us. These things happen. But I also value other memories, like shaking hands with the opponents or giving a hand to the player who fell on the ground. When I was young, I didn’t make much of such moments, but I do now. ЂЂWho’re the favourites for the
World Cup in 2018? ЃЂThe winners always come from one of the big teams. The top national teams don’t always play the best football, but they always compete better than the rest. Competing is in their genes. If a lesser national team gets to the knock-
For teams like Brazil, Argentina and Germany, getting out of the group is just the first step. out rounds, they already have an excuse because they’ve already exceeded expectations. The players celebrate as if they’ve won a trophy. For Brazil, Argentina, Germany and other big national teams, getting out of the group is just the first step. They’re set on winning the tournament. When they win the next stage, the players go straight on the bus with serious faces and start thinking about the following game. That’s why they always win. Germany, Brazil and Argentina are always favourites. I wouldn’t include Italy in this bracket: they don’t have the quality they had before. But even now, the Italians are always the Italians. You can’t write them off completely.
17
Platini hopes to have his ban overturned Brian Homewood
S šЂGianni Infantino
Infantino rebuilding trust with corporates Do-Gyun Kim and Juarawee Kittisilpa
F
IFA PRESIDENT Gianni Infantino reiterated the possibility of more World Cup spots for Asia during a visit to Seoul and Bangkok, pressing his case for an enlarged 40-team tournament. Infantino, who met with sponsors Hyundai Motor Group in South Korea last week, said his visit was aimed at rebuilding trust with corporate partners and presenting his vision of a “new FIFA”. World football’s scandal-hit governing body is in the midst of the worst crisis in its 112-year history, with more than 40 individuals and entities, including many former FIFA officials, charged with corruption-related offences in the United States. Infantino, elected in February to replace the disgraced Sepp Blatter, said that adding eight more teams to the World Cup from 2026 was “perfectly justified”. “Football is not only Europe and South America. Football is the world,” he said. “I’m not a dictator so I can’t impose anything, but I’m trying to convince everyone. I believe we’ve to increase the number of teams... because we’ve to be more inclusive.” Asia has four automatic spots at the World Cup, with a fifth up for grabs in an inter-confederation play-off, and Infantino said the number could rise to
CAS says FIFA must reconsider Gibraltar application
at least six under an expanded format. FIFA has struggled to find new sponsors since its crisis erupted and Asia’s financial muscle could see the region play a bigger role. Hyundai Motor Co and Kia Motors Corp, South Korea’s two largest automakers and affiliates of the Hyundai conglomerate, have extended their partnership with FIFA until 2022. China has also shown its ambition on the global football stage with Dalian
I believe we’ve to increase the number of teams... because we’ve to be more inclusive. Wanda Group, the country’s biggest commercial property developer, becoming the first Chinese top level sponsor of FIFA recently. In Bangkok later, he was asked whether Thailand had a shot at hosting a World Cup. Infantino said it should try but that it was becoming “increasingly difficult to hold a World Cup,” adding that he saw more scope for co-hosting by more than one country. Addressing the FIFA crisis, he said, “In FIFA we went through a difficult time. We’ve approved reforms, we’ll bring back transparency, we’ll bring back good governance, we’ll bring back compliance.”
FIFA has been told to reconsider Gibraltar’s application for membership, after the British territory’s football association partially won an appeal at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), but stopped short of directly awarding it membership. The Gibraltar FA (GFA) appealed against a FIFA Executive Committee ruling in 2014 that rejected its application, saying the requirements
USPENDED UEFA president Michel Platini said he was more optimistic of having his six-year ban from football overturned after his appeal hearing at sport’s highest tribunal last week, with a decision due within a week. Former FIFA president Sepp Blatter, who like Platini has been banned for six years for ethics violations, was among the three people who gave evidence at the eight-hour hearing at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Lausanne. CAS Secretary General Matthieu Reeb said a decision would be announced by May 9 “at the latest” by its panel of three judges. “I’m even more optimistic after (this hearing) because, sincerely the team that came, and you saw that we were numerous, was very good,” Platini, one of the finest players of his generation and also a former coach of his country’s national side, told reporters outside CAS headquarters. If Platini is absolved, he would be free to resume his duties as UEFA president and attend Euro 2016 in his native France in an official capacity in June and July. “If I’m president of UEFA, I’ll be at every game at Euro 2016,” he said. But, referring to a possible defeat, he added, “I’m going to go on holiday, wait and maybe I’ll be definitively on holiday, or retired. Then, the story is over, absolutely, it’s over.
šЂMichel Platini
for admission were not met. The GFA had argued that its application was “improperly rejected”, said CAS, which ordered FIFA to submit the application to the FIFA Congress, which also has the power to grant membership. Gibraltar became a member of the European governing body UEFA in 2013 after a long battle in which it faced opposition from Spain.
18
Wednesday, May 4, 2016 | www.dohastadiumplusqatar.com
Athletics
ROYAL BATTLES High jumper Mutaz Essa Barshim is set to lead Qatar’s challenge at the Doha Diamond League.
Sarath Pookkat
T
HE opening leg of the Diamond League series in Doha has royal battles lined up across the board, but for Qatar, what happens in the high jump pit at the Qatar Sports Club Stadium on Friday is probably what matters the most. That is where Mutaz Essa Barshim, Qatar’s brightest medal prospect at this summer’s Rio Olympics, will fight with a bunch of world-beaters including 2015 world champion Derek Drouin and London Olympics silver medallist Erik Kynard for glory and momentum. Mutaz is going through the most important period of his career. The London Olympic gold medallist has proved his calibre time and again at both indoor and outdoor arenas around the world and his stunning effort of 2.43M in Brussels in 2014 makes him the
second-highest jumper of all time, just behind Cuban legend Javier Sotomayor. Now it is all about staying free of injuries and peaking rightly and what better place to start than his home town. Another Qatari, Abdalelah Haroun is fast emerging as a force to be reckoned with in 400M. The Doha meeting will test his credentials as the field also
As a fan of the sport, I’m always amazed by the sprints and hurdles field assembled in Doha. features former Olympic and two-time world champion LaShawn Merriitt (USA) as well as Isaac Makwala (Botswana). Kenyans and Ethiopians have dominated middle and long-distance races and it is going to be no different in Doha this time either. The 1,500M, which is sure to be a cracker, will have Kenyans
Asbel Kiprop, Elijah Motonei Manangoi and Silas Kiplagat lined up alongside Djiboutian Ayanleh Suleiman and Ethiopian Aman Wote. In 110M hurdles, Jamaican Omar McLeod will be keen to extend his run after clocking the fastest time of the year (13.08sec) at Iowa, US, last week. “As a fan of the sport, I’m always amazed by the sprints and hurdles field assembled in Doha. I’m excited to be a part of the 2016 constellation and look forward to the event,” said McLeod. Reigning Olympic champion and world record holder Aries Merritt of the US, who finished fifth at Iowa on returning from a kidney transplant surgery, is another big name in the discipline. Meanwhile, two-time Olympic champion Ezekiel Kemboi of Kenya and his young compatriot Jairus Birech, who last year won his second successive Diamond Race Trophy, lead the field in 3,000M steeplechase. Kemboi, who regained his Olympic title in London after first winning it in
The IAAF Diamond League has been held annually in Doha since 2010 and is well-established as one of the series’ top meetings. All these years, we brought to Doha dozens of star athletes. We raised the awareness of our sport and engaged, inspired and motivated a growing number of young athletes. Some of them have come of age and are now ready to compete against their idols. Dahlan Al Hamad, Qatar Athletics Federation President.
SCHEDULE 5.41pm Girls’ 4x100M relay 5.45
Women’s pole vault
5.45
Women’s shot put
5.52
Boys’ 4x100M relay
6.03
Girls’ 100M
6.10
Women’s triple jump
6.13
Boys’ 100M
6.23
Men’s 100M paralympics
6.30
Men’s discus throw
6.33
Men’s 800M (regional)
7.00
Men’s high jump
7.04
Men’s 400M
7.15
Women’s 100M
7.25
Men’s 1,500M
7.39
Women’s 400M hurdles
7.50
Men’s 3,000M steeplechase
7.50
Men’s triple jump
7.55
Women’s javelin throw
8.09
Men’s 200M
8.21
Women’s 800M
8.34
Men’s 110M hurdles
8.45
Women’s 3,000M
9.05
Men’s 4x400M relay
Femi wants to win at home Home favourite Femi Seun Ogunode will undoubtedly be the biggest attraction in the men’s 200M in Doha. The Asian record holder, who won a sprint double at the continental games inIncheon in 2014, is capable of making big strides in his pet event. “I really want to give local fans a Diamond League win,” said Ogunode, who clocked 9.91sec en route to winning 100M at the Asian Championships Wuhan, China, last June and capped his 2015 campaign with a 19.97 victory in Brussels, both Asian records. The 24-year old, voted the best male athlete at the last Asian Games, is never short of confidence, but will have a tough fight on hand as the field includes Panama’s Alonso Edward, the Diamond Race winner in the event in 2014 and 2015, and Jamaican Nickel Ashmeade, who won in Doha in 2014. DSP
2004, captured his fourth straight world title last year after three successive silver medal finishes. The 33-year-old will be gunning for his fourth win in Doha after victories in 2009, 2010 and 2014. Among women, Dafne Schippers of the Netherlands will be the favourite to win 100M gold after American Allyson Felix withdrew at the last moment. Ever-improving Schippers, who started concentrating on sprint events only a couple of years ago, won the 200M world title in Beijing last year with a sterling 21.63 run and is the name to watch out for in Rio as well. Two-time reigning world champion Zuzana Hejnova is the biggest name in women’s 400M hurdles, but the 29-year-old Czech will have to face tough challenge from Kemi Adekoya. The Bahraini, who raced to world indoor gold in 400M in Portland recently, had won the category in Doha two years ago. The women’s 3,000M is another event that is sure to witness a fierce battle for supremacy. In one of the most anticipated showdowns, Almaz Ayana, the 5,000M winner at the World Championships in Beijing last year, will take on Vivian Cheruiyot, who returned from maternity leave last season to strike world gold in 10,000M. DSP
6 38 206
Diamond race triumphs and 27 meet victories make French pole vaulter Renaud Lavillenie the most biggest star in the league’s history champions and 80 medallists from past Olympic Games and world indoor and outdoor championships will compete at the Doha Diamond League meeting athletes (125 men and 81 women), representing 50 nations from five continents, will be seen in action
Wednesday, May 4, 2016 | www.dohastadiumplusqatar.com
Felix withdrawal takes some sheen off 100M
19
Allyson Felix of the US was forced to withdraw from Doha Diamond League after suffering a minor ankle injury in training recently, taking some sheen off the 100M race. The reigning 200M Olympic champion and 400M World title-holder, with a number of other World and Olympic medals to her credit, is one of the most successful athletes in Doha having won 11 gold medals so far. “I always love competing in Doha and I am sad that I won’t be starting my season there this year,” said Felix.
Taylor ready to cut Teddy down to size INTERVIEW
O
LYMPIC triple jump champion Christian Taylor is one of the top names expected to dazzle at this season’s IAAF Diamond League’s first meeting in Doha on Friday. But the 25-year-old American will have to face a tough challenge, especially from close rival Teddy Tamgho of France. Last year in Doha, Taylor touched a personal best of 18.04M, but was still denied by Cuba’s Pedro Pablo Pichardo, who jumped 18.06M to win gold. However, Taylor gained revenge at the Beijing World Championships in August, regaining his title by soaring out to 18.21M, a jump which moved him to second ever in the list behind Jonathan Edwards of Great Britain. Ahead of his return to Doha, Taylor talked to IAAF about his plans for the year and why a renewed emphasis on speed may help him surpass the world record. ЂЂHow has your training been going and were you pleased with your first competition of the year (17.11M in Nassau, Bahamas)? ЃЂIt’s Olympic year again, and the meet in the Bahamas was a great way to get the ball rolling. Chris Brown and I got together and made a great triple jump field. To come out with a 17.11, I’m very pleased with that. The bar was set very high in Doha last year, going over 18M, so now I know 17 isn’t going to cut it.
DIAMOND LEAGUE CALENDAR
May
May
6
May
14
May
June
Doha (QAT)
Shanghai (CHN)
Rabat (MAR)
22
27, 28 Eugene (USA)
Rome (ITA)
June
June
June
July
July
Birmingham (GBR)
Oslo (NOR)
5
9
16
2
15
Stockholm (SWE)
22, 23
Monaco
London (GBR)
August
August
September
September
Lausanne (SUI)
Paris (FRA)
Zurich (SUI)
Brussels (BEL)
25
27
1
9
ЂЂLast year’s triple jump in Doha was an unforgettable event. Do you think history could repeat itself? ЃЂI like to believe every time we step on the track it’s going to be something special. I enjoy the competition, rising to the occasion. I’m really hoping Pichardo makes an appearance there in Doha too, but as of now, I believe it’ll be between Teddy Tamgho and I. Though I don’t like to put distances out there, it’s possible to have another 18M showing. ЂЂYou’ve always used the Diamond League to prepare for major championships. How important will it be for you this year leading up to the Olympics? ЃЂI’m so grateful for a league like this, a circuit like this. It brings together all the top athletes. Everyone who’s in the IAAF Diamond League are the people who’re in world or Olympic finals. Hopefully I’ll be jumping 18M, then
take that energy to the US Olympic Trials and prepare myself for Rio. ЂЂIs there anything you’ve done
differently in training this year?
ЃЂThe biggest difference is the speed.
I feel my strength as I’m getting older is speed. I’ve always been very young in the event, and able to get away with a lot of imperfections. The jumps weren’t always the prettiest, but because I was
To be able to say I almost jumped 18M off both legs is great. My weak leg is no longer my off leg. one of the faster jumpers, I was able to pull through. Now that the strength is catching up with it, I can continue to challenge myself to get faster and faster. ЂЂYou spoke a lot last year about
adjusting to your new take-off leg, and now that you’ve had a full year to do it, how do you feel? ЃЂThe first year of changing legs (2014) was a little rocky, a little rough, but I was grateful to have that off-year. To be able to jump further off the new leg was a huge confidence booster. To be able to say I almost jumped 18M off both legs is great. My weak leg is no longer my off leg; now it’s truly my best leg.
Wednesday, May 4, 2016 | www.dohastadiumplusqatar.com
ASBEL KIPROP (KEN)
400M
1,500M
Age
29 years
Age
TOP HONOURS
26 years TOP HONOURS
OLYMPICS
OLYMPICS
Gold
2008 Beijing
400M
Gold
2008 Beijing
1,500M
Gold
2008 Beijing
4x400M relay
Gold
2008 Beijing
4x400M relay
WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS
WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS
Gold
2005 Helsinki
4x400M relay
Gold
2011 Daegu
1,500M
Gold
2007 Osaka
4x400M relay
Gold
2013 Moscow
1,500M
Gold
2009 Berlin
400M
Gold
2015 Beijing
1,500M
Gold
2009 Berlin
4x400M relay
Gold
2011 Daegu
4x400M relay
Gold
2013 Moscow
400M
Gold
2013 Moscow
4x400M relay
Gold
2015 Beijing
4x400M relay
TOP GUNS
Ĉ
ATHLETES TO WATCH OUT FOR AT THE DOHA MEET.
LASHAWN MERRITT (US)
DAFNE SCHIPPERS (NED) 100M Age
23 years TOP HONOURS WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS
Gold
2015 Beijing
200M
Silver
2015 Beijing
100M
Bronze
2013 Moscow
Heptathlon
OMAR MCLEOD (JAM) 110M HURDLES Age
22 years TOP HONOURS
WORLD INDOOR CHAMPIONSHIPS Gold
2016 Portland
60M
EZEKIEL KEMBOI (KEN) 3,000M STEEPLECHASE Age
TOP HONOURS
ALMAZ AYANA (ETH)
OLYMPICS
3,000M Age
33 years
Gold
2004 Athens
3,000M steeplechase
Gold
2012 London
3,000M steeplechase
WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS
24 years TOP HONOURS
Gold
2009 Berlin
3,000M steeplechase
Gold
2011 Daegu
3,000M steeplechase
Gold
2013 Moscow 3,000M steeplechase
Gold
2015 Beijing
Silver 2003 Paris
WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS
3,000M steeplechase 3,000M steeplechase
Gold
2015 Beijng
5,000M
Silver 2005 Helsinki 3,000M steeplechase
Bronze
2013 Moscow
5,000M
Silver 2007 Osaka
3,000M steeplechase
PIOTR MALACHOWSKI (POL) DISCUS THROW Age
32 years TOP HONOURS OLYMPICS
Silver
2008 Beijing
Discus throw
WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS Gold
2015 Beijing
Discus throw
Silver
2009 Berlin
Discus throw
Silver
2013 Moscow
Discus throw
22
Wednesday, May 4, 2016 | www.dohastadiumplusqatar.com
Olympics
Ĉ
COVER STORY
The Qatar Olympic Committee, under the effective and highly-inspirational leadership of HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani, is gearing up for the Rio Games in earnest. ĈĈQatar set to make ninth
appearance at the quadrennial event
Special Correspondent
W Xyxyx xyx xyx xyx xyx xyx xyx xyx xyx xyx xyx xyx xyx xyx xyx xyx xyx xyx xyx xyx xyx xyx
šĈHE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani
HEN Qatari athletes march on to the pitch at the Maracana Stadium in Rio De Janeiro for the Opening Ceremony of the Olympics on August 5, it will mark the country’s ninth participation at the Games. Qatar’s journey in the quadrennial Summer Games started at Los Angeles in 1984, but the country had to wait till the Barcelona edition in 1992 to win its first medal — Mohammed Suleiman clinching a bronze in the men’s 1,500M. Qatar drew a blank four years later in Atlanta, but won a bronze again in 2000 at Sydney through weightlifter Saif Said Asaad. Then at both Athens (2004) and Beijing (2008), they failed to figure in the medals tally. However, in 2012, the Gulf nation won two bronze medals — shooter Nasser Saleh Al Attiyah and high jumper Mutaz Essa Barshim making it to the podium. But Qatar’s stature in the world of sports has grown much bigger than the four bronze medals they have in their kitty so far. Doha has become a major sports hub in the world and the spotlight is firmly on the country ever since it won the right to host the 2022 FIFA World Cup. It has also put Qatar under some pressure to perform and the Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC) has taken up the challenge of preparing
its various teams and athletes to do well on the world stage in earnest. HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani, a role model in inspiring Qatar’s youth, was elected as the QOC’s president last year and the country’s march towards greater sports achievement has gained further momentum since then. Sheikh Joaan is very active in sports management and he personally oversaw the organisation of the IHF Handball World Championship last year in Doha and also recently attended the 30th meeting of the Chairmen of GCC Olympic Committees in Riyadh. He
This is a crucial year for Olympic sports in Qatar and we encourage the nation to back our teams. also has interests in equestrian sports, with several of his horses winning top competitions around the world. He was also conferred with the ‘CSR Person of the Year 2015’ by the Qatar University last December. Sports forms a top priority in Qatar’s National Vision 2030, which reflects the great interest paid by the country to the comprehensive and sustainable development of the society. No wonder, the QOC, under the astute leadership of Sheikh Joaan, focuses a lot on increasing the participation of communities in sport, improving the planning of public and specialised sports facilities, and intensifying the process of building and management of talents. The QOC is as keen as ever to organise
Wednesday, May 4, 2016 | www.dohastadiumplusqatar.com
QATARI HEROES SPEAK I took up motor sports first, but shooting is my passion and I treasure my Olympic medal the most. When I won bronze at the London Games, it was something I had wanted for 20 years and the feeling wasn’t like anything I had experienced. You’re representing your country, everyone is supporting you. Rallying is more for me and my team. Nasser Saleh Al Attiyah, shooter.
Olympics is the greatest sports event on earth. Rio is going to be my second Olympics and I’m really excited to go there and represent my country for a second time. That’s really big. I’m looking forward to it and I want to go there, perform well and represent my country in the best way possible.
Being the first Qatari woman to represent my country at the Olympics was such a great honour and gives me such pride. I want to inspire a lot of women, especially from the younger generations to be the best they can be. I encourage them not to be afraid and take risks. They should just be confident and do what they love.
Mutaz Essa Barshim, high jumper.
Nada Mohammed Wafa Arkaji, swimmer.
variety of events throughout the year to encourage the community to exercise and promote the concept of sport for all. “This (2016) is a milestone year for Olympic sports in Qatar and we encourage the whole nation to get behind our teams as they compete to qualify for Rio 2016. We’re already very proud of our teams and I hope that everyone will join us by sharing our pride, celebrating our passion for sport and uniting in support of the teams on their journey,” Sheikh Joaan said recently. Secretar y General Dr Thani Abdulrahman Al Kuwari also recently underlined the significance of the country’s participation at the Rio Olympics, saying, “The Olympic Games are the pinnacle of every athlete’s career and qualifying itself needs many years of hard work, dedication and commitment. Our athletes are true role models for our nation and we hope they’ll inspire a new generation of heroes to follow in their footsteps.” The QOC last week announced the list of athletes who have qualified for the Rio Olympics. Qatar’s iconic sportsman Nasser will once again spearhead the country’s challenge at Rio. Nasser, who won a bronze in skeet shooting at London, will return for his sixth consecutive Olympic Games and is keen to improve upon his 2012 mark. Mutaz, who in 2014 was just 2cm away from Cuban Javier Sotomayor’s 23-year-old world record, is another strong gold medal hope for Qatar. The country will also pin its hopes on the Men’s Handball team, which won the 2015 World Championship silver medal. DSP
Record Qatari women participants for Brazil
Q
ATAR will send a record number of female athletes to the Rio Games, the officials said as they unveiled the country’s largest ever Olympic squad last week. Four female athletes — swimmer Nada Arakji, sprinter Noor Al Malki, table tennis player Aya Majdi and
The Rio Olympics will see female participation in the Games hit new heights. shooter Bahiya Mansour Al Hamad (who was also the flagbearer) had represented Qatar at the London Games in 2012. Qatar’s senior officials said they hoped to improve on that figure in Brazil. “I think the number will increase,” said Qatar Olympic Committee Secretary General Dr Thani Abdulrahman Al Kuwari. “This year we’ll have more than before. Women are now training to be leaders in athletics.” London was the first Olympics where Qatar sent female athletes, the eighth Games in which the country had competed. With qualification in some events continuing, Qatar’s Chef
de Mission to Rio Mohammed Al Fadala said two female athletes would definitely compete in Brazil and they were trying to finalise others. “It could be more. We hope to get more athletes to go to Rio,” said Al Fadala. The Rio Olympics will see female participation hit new heights, with around 45 per cent of all athletes set to be women, the highest number since the movement began in Athens, Greece, in 1,896. This year, around 5,600 women athletes are expected to participate. DSP
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Nada excited to represent Qatar for second time Nada Mohammed Wafa Arkaji is thrilled to represent Qatar at the Olympics for the second time. The 21-yearold, who debuted at the London Games four years ago, will take part in 100M butterfly at the Rio Games in August. “It’s a dream for any athlete to be at the Olympics. It’s a personal achievement for me to be once again representing Qatar at the Games,” said Nada, who competed in 50M freestyle in London. “Competing against some of the best swimmers in the world have definitely boosted my confidence.” She came fourth in heats with a time of 30.89sec, which was a new personal best. Asked how she balances education and swimming, Nada said, “I’m enjoying my life as a student and swimmer. Education hasn’t affected my training. I still practise six days a week. It’s a challenge, but I’m loving it,” she said. DSP
Qatar and France drawn into same group
O
LYMPIC and world champions France and Qatar, who faced off in the final of the 2015 World Championship in Doha, will meet again in the group stage of the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. Both sides are in Group A following the draw held at the Future Arena in the Olympic Park in Barra de Tijuca, the home of handball during the Games, last week. Argentina, Croatia, Denmark and Tunisia are the other teams in the group while Group B consists of Brazil, Euro 2016 winners Germany, Egypt, Sweden, Slovenia and Poland. Qatar are being coached by legendary Spaniard Valero Rivera. Twelve teams in both men’s and women’s categories qualified for the Olympics. In the women’s section, Olympic, world as well as European champions Norway will compete with hosts Brazil, Angola, Spain, Montenegro and Romania in Group A. Group B comprises the Netherlands, Asian Champions South Korea, Argentina, Sweden, Russia and France. DSP BOUND FOR RIO List of Qatari athletes qualified for the Rio Olympics so far. Mutaz Essa Barshim Mohammed Al Garni
ATHLETICS
Ashraf Amjad Mohammed Abduelah Haroun Femi Seun Ogunode Musaab Abdulrahman Balla Ali Al Rumaihi Sheikh Ali bin Khalid Al Thani
EQUESTRIANISM
Khalid Al Emadi Faleh Al Ajmi Bassem Hassan Hamad Al Attiyah
HANDBALL SWIMMING SHOOTING TABLE TENNIS
Men’s team Noah Al Khulaifi Nada Mohammed Wafa Arakji Nasser Saleh Al Attiyah Rashid Hamad Al Athba Li Ping
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Table tennis
CLARION CALL Former Qatar Under-15 coach Yan Hong Jun, who now manages the El Jaish senior team, talks about the importance of developing young players and need for a change in the attitude towards the sport.
EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW
ЃЂI’m just a coach. It’s up to the Qatar
Table Tennis Association (QTTA) to decide on who should train the wards.
ЂЂAl Sanadi, Al Najjar and
Mohammad Amin-ul Islam
E
L JAISH’s Chinese coach Yan Hong Jun is a renowned name in the sport. During his stint as the Qatar Under-15 coach, he had played a key role in developing youngsters, like Jassim Al Sanadi and Abdulrahman Al Najjar. In an exclusive interview with Doha Stadium Plus, Yan exuded confidence that Qatar could produce a lot of good players if a proper system was in place. He welcomed international tournaments and said it was necessary to build a pool of talented players. ЂЂDo you think the presence of Chinese players in local tournaments will develop the sport? ЃЂIn Qatar, almost all sports, including football, basketball and handball, feature overseas players. Table tennis clubs also follow the same and there’s nothing wrong in it. Having foreign players, mainly Chinese, can definitely boost the confidence of Qatari players. They can practise together with technically far superior Chinese and help them improve their game.
DSP/Mohan
ЂЂWhat future do you see for Qatar table tennis? ЃЂI’ve been in Doha for more than 10 years now. The main drawback that I’ve observed is there’s no support from families. The kids are interested only in studies as most of them think playing the sport doesn’t given them a chance for a bright future. Hence, the parents aren’t that serious about sending their children to table tennis. In China, if you play the sport well, you can get admission in top colleges and universities on sports quota. I strongly feel the system needs to change here too. Young players must not feel out of place just because they play some sport.
šЂYan Hong Jun
ЂЂCroat Jakov Krivic is the current national coach. Do you think having a Chinese at the helm will help Qatar?
Mohammed Abdulwahab had done well recently at the ITTF cadet and junior events, but they continue to struggle at the top level... ЃЂAl Sanadi, Al Najjar and Abdulwahab are outstanding talents. I’ve had handled them and taught them the best techniques when I was the Under-15 coach. They later joined the ASPIRE Academy. ЂЂDo you think hosting a World
Championship can help develop the sport? ЃЂIt’s always good to have international competitions. There’s no doubt about it. But the QTTA must also create a pool of extremely-talented players. It must introspect why and how other nations are pro-
The parents aren’t that serious about sending their children to table tennis coaching. ducing players while it’s lagging behind. Having a set of good players at your disposal is the most important thing. That should be the priority. ЂЂEl Jaish have won four titles,
including their maiden Emir’s Cup, this season. What’s the secret of your success? ЃЂI took over Jaish in 2012. I’m really happy I could lead them to their maiden title. It was an eventful season for the team. We really played well. I also congratulate the team management. It couldn’t have been possible had it not been for its support. Right from the start of this season, we ensured that we’ve a strong squad. By hiring Chinese professionals as well as retaining experienced player like Khaleel Ahmed Al Mohannadi, we were a difficult side to beat. I wish the team maintains consistency in all future competitions, particularly at the GCC and Arab tournaments. DSP
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It was a tight match. Jaish were too strong. They had two Chinese professional players Li Ping and Yan An. We just couldn’t match them. Ferenc Fischer, Al Sadd coach.
Semifinal defeat big blow to Sadd
H DSP/Mohan
OLDERS Al Sadd could not live up to the expectations and were defeated by El Jaish 3-1 in the Emir’s Cup semifinal last week. Qatar Sports Club defeated last year’s runners-up Al Arabi, also by an identical margin, in the other last-four match. The defeat was a big blow to Sadd, the tournament’s most successful side with four titles to their credit. “It was a tight match. Jaish were too strong. They had Chinese professional players Li Ping and Yan An. We just couldn’t match them,” Sadd’s Hungarian coach Ferenc Fischer told Doha Stadium Plus. Ranked 18th in the world, Yan easily dispatched Ahmed Al Awlaqi 11-3, 11-5, 11-6 in the opening game while Li overcame Wang Hao 11-9, 10-12, 12-10, 11-8 to give the Armymen a strong start. “I think Jaish are the best team this season. They’ve won the league and Qatar Cup. It was difficult to stop them,” Fischer added. Though Abdulrahman Al Najjar brought Sadd back into the game when he defeated Ahmed Khaleel Al Mohannadi 11-4, 8-11, 11-6, 14-12, Yan wrapped up the best-of-five-game tie with a clinical 11-8, 12-10, 11-5, 11-5 victory against Wang. “We’ll try to do well in the next season. Let’s hope for the best,” said Fischer. DSP
ššMembers of the El Jaish team with Khaleel Ahmed Al Mohannadi, right, and other QTTA officials on the podium.
E
L JAISH won the Emir’s Cup for the first time, beating Qatar Sports Club 3-0 at the Al Arabi Indoor Hall last Sunday. The triumph capped a memorable season for the Armymen, who had earlier won the league as well as singles and doubles titles at the Qatar Cup. Ahmed Khaleel Al Mohannadi led Jaish’s charge. They were also served well by Yan An and Li Ping while Qatar SC were represented by Chen Hao, Mohammed Al Saadi and Mohammed Abdulwahab. “We’re delighted to have won our maiden Emir’s Cup. We made history by making a clean sweep of domestic titles this season. I hope we sustain the momentum next year. I won the
deciding game against Abdulwahab and that gave me a lot of satisfaction,” Ahmed told Doha Stadium Plus. Jaish’s world No.18 Yan set the ball rolling with a 11-5, 11-6, 11-13, 14-12
We’re delighted to have won our maiden Emir’s Cup. I hope we sustain the momentum. win against compatriot Chen in the first game. He made his intentions clear by racing to a 2-0 lead in just 16 minutes. In the second match, Li, who will
represent Qatar at the forthcoming Rio Olympics, blanked Al Saadi 11-5, 11-4, 11-3 while Jaish captain Ahmed had it easy against Abdulwahab 11-7, 11-6, 12-10 to shut out Qatar SC’s feeble challenge. Meanwhile, Qatar Table Tennis Association chief Khaleel Ahmed Al Mohannadi said it planned to send Li to training camps in Germany and China. “It’s a great honour for Qatar that Li will be the only player from the Gulf region competing in this year’s Olympic Games. We’re planning to organise camps for him in Germany and China. If he gets lucky in the draws, I think he’ll go far and we can expect a medal,” said Al Mohannadi. DSP
DSP/Mohan
El Jaish sweep domestic titles
ššYan An
Made in China for rest of the world!
DSP/Mohan
I
ššLi Ping
N CHINA, the competition for national team berth is so fierce that some of the best players in the world find themselves out of the team. Hence, some top players, who dream of becoming world champions, opt to play for other countries. This has become a common practice now. Singapore’s Feng Tianwei, Wang Yuegu and Li Jiawei are some Chinese players who changed their nationality in recent years and they had even defeated China in the women’s finals at the 2010 World Team Championships in Moscow. El Jaish’s Li Ping, who will represent
Qatar at the Rio Olympics in August, understands the situation well. “This is a common picture. There’re a lot of Chinese talents and the competition is intense. Some find it hard to earn a national berth. In order to realise their dreams, they represent other countries,” said Li, who won a mixed doubles gold with Cao Zhen for China at the 2009 World Championships in Yokohama, Japan. The 30-year-old said that having Chinese players in their teams could help countries develop and promote the game. However, he felt that if such
teams wanted to excel, they must have their own players as well. “If they want to build a strong squad, they should develop local players,” said the world No.28. After moving to Qatar last year, Li won the singles title at the GAC Group ITTF World Tour Belarus Open in Minsk, beating Germany’s Ruwen Filus 11-5, 11-5, 11-7, 8-11, 10-12, 11-9 and become the first Chinese player representing a Gulf stage to secure such an accolade. DSP
»
[email protected]
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At a glance
FOCUS ON ASPIRE
66 talented youngsters welcomed
DSP/Mohan
T
HE ASPIRE Academy organised its annual Scholarship Ceremony last week to welcome 66 talented youngsters, who will embark on an audacious six-year journey that could change their lives forever. More than 200 people, including Director General Ivan Bravo, Deputy Director General Ali Salem Afifa, officials from the academy as well as federations, teachers and parents, attended the ceremony. “We’re part of a huge society and we’ve always been very keen to promote both sports and education with equal importance. We’ve brilliant professionals who specialise in the field of sports, aviation, medicine and science. Students with recognised potential have been selected to join us and they’ll be able to develop personality, performance, attitude, teamwork and much more through the activities they’re about to indulge in over the next years,” said Afifa. Mohammed Madar, a national team squash player who now pursues Civil Engineering at the Qatar University, said, “I graduated from the academy in 2006 after spending six wonderful years. The academy concentrates on everything, not just sports, with experts ready to help students anytime, anywhere.” Director of Football Roberto Olabe said, “We’re a big family, we spend a lot of time with our children. It’s an inevitable road to success. It’s our objective and responsibility to develop champions be it in sport or life.” A discussion involving graduates, students and various directors of the academy and a separate question-andanswer session in order to build a closer relationship between the parents and faculty members were also held. DSP
ššKhalid Ali Al Mawlawi, right, presents the trophy to Al Rayyan team members.
VOLLEYBALL
Rayyan triumph Man of the final Wilfredo Leon Venoro leads from the front as Rayyan edge El Jaish in a five-set thriller to lift the Qatar Cup.
N Ganesh
A
L RAYYAN won their first title of the season when they beat El Jaish in the Qatar Cup final last week. In a five-set thriller at the Ali bin Hamad Al Attiyah Arena, GCC champions Rayyan came from a set behind to defeat Jaish 21-25, 25-14, 25-17, 32-34, 18-16. The triumph should taste sweeter for the Lions, having narrowly lost the league title recently to arch-rivals Al Arabi. Injury to in-form Russian Dmitriy Ilinykh ahead of the final seemed to dampen Rayyan’s morale, but his replacement Wilfredo Leon Venoro rose to the occasion and led from the front. In hindsight, his all-round game made a telling impact. The Cuban-Polish player was adjudged man of the final and bagged a cash prize of QR2,000. Season-opening QVA Cup winners Jaish, who stunned mighty Arabi on their way to the final, raised hopes of RESULTS QATAR CUP FINAL Al Rayyan bt El Jaish 21-25, 25-14, 25-17, 32-34, 18-16 EMIR’S CUP FIRST ROUND Qatar SC by Al Khor
25-19, 25-12, 27-25
Al Shamal bt Al Ahli 25-18, 25-21, 21-25, 25-23
ššAli Salem Afifa
Al Sadd bt Al Wakrah 25-13, 25-14, 25-16
The triumph should taste sweeter for Rayyan, having narrowly lost the league title to Al Arabi. another upset when they took the first set. However, Rayyan quickly regained composure and won the next two sets rather easily. Igor Arbutina’s men paid the price for letting the rivals off the hook in the fourth set, but they relied
on their experience to pull off the deciding set and match. Rayyan collected the trophy and winners’ purse of QR300,000 from Qatar Volleyball Association President Khalid Ali Al Mawlawi while Jaish bagged QR150,000. Arbutina said, “It was a very interesting final with a lot of stars present. My players did well, especially in block and defence. I’m proud of them for the way they handled the situation. We were close to defeat, but our boys played superbly and snatched victory.” DSP
ŢšAl Rayyan’s Wilfredo Leon Venoro blocks a smash by El Jaish’s Robertlandy Simon.
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BEACH VOLLEYBALL
Stars Team emerge champions
H
OLDERS Stars Team showed impeccable resilience to defeat Qatar University 1 2-0, in the final and retain the title in the Aspire Tournament at the Aspire Zone last week. Voliq beat Qatar University 2 1-0 to finish third. Meanwhile, Notorious DIG defeated Hyper Spikers 2-0 to triumph in the women’s category. Spiker Girls beat Raglimo 1-0 to come third. Stars Team’s Abdulaziz Khallouf was
Notorious DIG defeated Hyper Spikers to emerge winners in the women’s category. happy with the triumph. “ We played really well. We remained focused throughout the tournament. It feels great to have lifted the cup. We
worked hard as a team and that helped us triumph for the second straight time,” Khallouf told Doha Stadium Plus. Notorious DIG’s Diana Janicsek said, “It was really windy which made it a bit difficult. Hyper Spikers are my old team, so I had mixed emotions while beating them.” The event, organised by the Aspire Zone Foundation, offered amateur players an opportunity to showcase their skills in a fun atmosphere. DSP
ššThe victorious Stars Team members.
Itorio races to impressive start-to-finish victory
S
PORTING the silks of Khalifa bin Sheail Al Kuwari, Itorio (OratorioImage Of) went on a successful start-to-finish mission while reigning supreme at the Al Gharafa Cup, a Thoroughbred Handicap for horses rated 85 and above at the Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club last week. Mohammed Jassim Al Ghazali-trained Itorio was ridden by Marvin Suerland. Beach Samba finished second ahead of Crescent and Skate. Al Jeryan Stud’s AJS Gannas (AF Albahar-Karreema) put up an impressive display while shedding his maiden status with an emphatic victory in the three-year-old Purebred Arabian Maiden Plate. Mohanad Al Yaqout-saddled AJS Gannas (Brett Doyle up) led all the way and drew away from the field in the
ššAl Shaqab Racing Consultant Harry Herbert, right, General Manager Khalifa bin Mohammed Al Attiyah, second right, and Frankie Dettori celebrate the triumph.
HORSERACING
Al Shaqab’s Galileo Gold steals spotlight
A
L SHAQAB Racing’s Galileo Gold triumphed in the QIPCO 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket in England last week. Frankie Dettori-ridden Galileo Gold accelerated decisively at the 400M post and left his rivals behind. The success was the first one for the Qatari silks of Al Shaqab Racing in a European classic race.
We were looking forward to winning this title and confirming our commitment. Dettori, winning his third 2,000 Guineas, said, “It was brilliant. I had a lot of faith in this horse and knew he would be in the first three. My main thought was he stays very well and I wanted to be the first to make my way
home. He galloped out really strong and did it really well,” said Dettori. Al Shaqab Racing General Manager Khalifa bin Mohammed Al Attiyah expressed happiness. “Galileo Gold wasn’t the top favourite. He had to defy odds with other odds-on favourites. Pressure was already there on us at Al Shaqab Racing team. We were looking forward to winning this title and confirming our commitment to continue victories at Europe’s premier racecourses,” said Al Attiyah. “That’s why our happiness is so great to win this race. We hope to continue such victories and add more titles, especially as there are plans for Galileo Gold to run in several world-class races this season,” he added.
Mohammed Jassim Al Ghazali-trained Itorio was brilliantly ridden by Marvin Suerland. final furlong to win by seven lengths. Stablemate Sahara Sand was second ahead of AJS Mezna and Mannaa Al Naif. The winner clocked a time of 1min, 19.62sec for the six-furlong trip. Al Murqab Stud’s Soebroto (Henrythenavigator-Antoniette) was a comfortable winner of the Class 6 Thoroughbred Maiden Plate, run over a mile. Soebroto kept at bay the challenge of Atlantic Sea and won by one-anda-half lengths. DSP
RESULTS ŢšFrankie Dettori
rides Galileo to victory.
WEDNESDAY
THURSDAY
Asaaf (Evert Pheiff er) 1, Al Adaam 2, Al Ashqar 3, Hamza 4. Won by: 3 1/2, 10, 3. Time: 1:58.14. Race 1 Trained by: Zuhair Mohsen. Owned by: Ali Khalfan Mohammed Ali Sheban Al Suwaidi.
AJS Gannas (Brett Doyle) 1, Sahara Sand 2, AJS Mezna 3, Mannaa Al Naif 4. Won by: 7, 5. Shd. Time: 1:19.62. Trained by: Mohannad Al Yaqout. Owned by: Al Jeryan Stud.
Broadway Icon (Yanis Aouabed) 1, Rose Zafonic 2, Atori 3, Habob 4. Won by: Nk, 6, 1/2. Race 2 Time: 1:55.22. Trained by: Hamad Ahmed Al Jehani. Owned by: Ahmed Hassan Al Malki Al Jehani.
Soebroto (Marvin Suerland) 1, Atlantic Sea 2, Neutron Bomb 3, Wailess 4. Won by: 1 ½, 3, ¾. Time: 1:37.01. Trained by: Zuhair Mohsen. Owned by: Al Murqab Stud.
Race 3
Al Fouz (Richard Mullen) 1, Muthmerah 2, AJS Al Zubara 3, Al Doctor 4. Won by: 1 1/2, Hd, Shd. Time: 1:20.39. Trained by: Jassim Ghazali. Owned by: Khalifa bin Sheail Al Kuwari.
Daryan Al Naif (Marvin Suerland) 1, Rawaa 2, Al Rafeaa 3, Kasser 4. Won by: 2 ½, 1 ¾, 5. Time: 2:04.44. Trained by: Yousef Bentahar. Owned by: Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser Al Ahmed Al Thani.
Race 4
Nu Form Fire (Darren Williams) 1, Cueca 2, Half Turn 3, Izghawa 4. Won by: Nk, Shd, 1. Time: 1:11.43. Trained by: Hadi Al Ramzani. Owned by: Al Zekreet Racing.
French Encore (Stephan Ladjadj) 1, Astley Hall 2, Black Beach 3, 4. Shaka Zulu 3. Won by: 2, ¾, 1. Time: 1:09.73. Owned by: Hassan Ali Abdulmalik. Trained by: Deborah Mountain.
Al Khattaf (JP Guillambert) 1, AJS Buraq 2, Bahia Du Barthas 3, Abeah 4. Won by: 3, 2, Race 5 Shd. Time: 1:18.01. Trained by: Jassim Ghazali. Owned by: Abdullah Mohammed Al Kuwari Sons.
Kalahari Kingdom (Brett Doyle) 1, Polaris 2, Step To The Shears 3, Alpha Bravo 4. Won by: Nk, ½, Hd. Time: 1:10.85. Owned by: Sheikha Rowdha bint Mishal bin Hamad Al Thani. Trained by: Mohamed Jassim Al Ghazali.
Makinson Lane (Yanis Aouabed) 1, One More Roman 2, Dardawan 3, Poyle Judy 4. Won by: Race 6 3, 1/2, 2 1/2. Time: 1:54.07. Trained by: Hamad Ahmed Al Jehani. Owned by: Ahmed Hassan Al Malki Al Jehani.
Courtofversailles (Darren Williams) 1, Sunley Pride 2, The Smart One 3, Topsy Turvy 4. Won by: Nk, 2 ½, Shd. Time: 1:52.93. Trained by: Rashid Al Jehani. Owned by: Khalid Rashid Al Qashash Al Mohannadi.
Istibdad (Richard Mullen) 1, Mutazz (Tadgh O’Shea) 2, Zameer 3, 4. Samjida (JP Race 7 Guillambert). Won by: 7, 3 1/2, 3 1/2. Time: 1:15.68. Trained by: Jassim Al Ghazali. Owned by: Injaaz Stud.
Itorio (Marvin Suerland) 1, Beach Samba 2, Crescent 3, Skate 4. Won by: ¾, Nk, Nk. Time: 1:34.75. Trained by: Mohamed Jassim Al Ghazali. Owned by: Khalifa bin Sheail Al Kuwari.
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At a glance
HANDBALL
Jaish champions Armymen complete a double as they defeat Lekhwiya in the final to win the Qatar Cup.
E
Our club always enter every competition with the only intention of clinching the title. and goal for goal in the beginning and had even taken a 3-2 lead by the 10th minute. But they found their touch in the last 10 minutes of the half to score six goals in quick time to keep the pressure on the cops. Thereafter, Lekhwiya struggled as Jaish unleashed quick counter-attacks. Jaish Handball Head Khalid Saif Al Kuwari congratulated the team members on winning their second trophy of the season. “We were keen on winning and we
DSP/Mohan
L JAISH claimed the Qatar Cup by defeating Lekhwiya 27-23 in the final at the Qatar Handball Association Complex in Duhail last week. It was Jaish’s second title of the season after their league triumph. Jaish overcame Al Rayyan 31-27 while Lekhwiya beat Al Gharafa 26-19 in the semifinals. The Armymen dominated the match and went into the interval with a 15-9 lead. Lekhwiya did try their best to hit back, but the Jaish defence stood firm. Goalkeeper Darko Stanic had a great match and denied the Asian champions many scoring opportunities. Lekhwiya matched Jaish shot for shot
ššMembers of the victorious El Jaish team with the Qatar Handball Association officials on the podium.
deserved to triumph. It’s the third time we lifted the Qatar Cup. Our club always enter every competition with the only intention of clinching the title. But without the great efforts put in by our players, achieving it would’ve been difficult,” said Al Kuwari. “Our management and support staff also did a great job. We won the league title without losing a single game which speaks volumes about our strength and commitment. And following it up with the Qatar Cup triumph is of immense
importance. It shows we’re on the right path,” he said. Al Kuwari urged his players to keep their feet on the ground and use this year’s fine display as a springboard to achieve more glory in future. “We’ve the Emir’s Cup on our way and we must stay focused. It’s important that we shouldn’t become complacent,” he added. Meanwhile, Al Wakrah beat Al Quiyada 30-26 to claim the Federation Cup at the same venue. DSP
Qatari girls triumph Qatar won the inaugural GCC Junior Women’s Handball Tournament at the Aspire Dome last week. In the decider, they defeated Bahrain 16-11 to take their tally to six points. The UAE were the third team in the tournament. The event, held under the aegis of the GCC Women Sport Organising Committee, was hosted by the Qatar Women’s Sport Committee, in association with the Qatar Olympic Committee and Qatar Handball Association. DSP
MOTORSPORT
Nasser confident of doing well in Jordan
Q ššNasser Saleh Al Attiyah
ATAR’S Nasser Saleh Al Attiyah is confident of putting up a fine display at the Jordan Rally, the third round of the FIA Middle East Rally Championship, scheduled to be held on the sunbaked shores of Dead Sea and Jordan Valley from Thursday to Saturday. “This event has a special place in my memories and was one of the most demanding rounds of the World Rally
This event has a special place in my memories and was one of the most demanding rounds. Championship (WRC),” said Nasser. “The stages can be slippery, technical and unforgiving. I’ve an impressive
record and would like to win again and continue my quest for another Middle East title,” he said. Nasser and other leading drivers in the fray started arriving at the Dead Sea last week. It is seen as one of the most popular rounds of the WRC by many of the leading drivers such as former winners Mikko Hirvonen, Sebastien Loeb, Sebastien Ogier and members of the world’s media. DSP
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SWIMMING Open water event proves a big hit
T
HE Open Water Championship turned out to be a huge success, with as many as 200 swimmers taking part in the competition at the Doha Corniche last week. The event was held in 18-25, 26-30, 31-35, 36-40, 41-45 and 46-50 age-group categories. Qatar Swimming Association President Khaleel Al Jabir, General Secretary Ali Al Jabir and Board member Ahmad Al Neama attended the event. DSP
GENERAL
Seminar on Intl Sports Arbitration on May 10
T
HE Qatar Olympic Academy, in co-operation with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), will organise the “Seminar of International Sports Arbitration” at its premises on May 10. At the seminar, experts will shed light on the importance of arbitration in sport, highlight legal procedures at FIFA and speak about the jurisprudence of CAS in football-related matters. Matthieu Reeb (CAS Secretary General), Dr Jan Kleiner (lecturer of international sports law at the University of Zurich), Dr Abdullah Al Hayyan (a member of the International Court of Arbitration for Sport) and Michele Bernasconi (teaching assistant at the University of Zurich) are the speakers at the event, which is surely going to generate lot of interest. The topics discussed will be “The Court of Arbitration for Sport: History, structure and landmark cases”, “The typical football-related dispute: FIFA and CAS Procedure” and “The Jurisprudence of CAS in football-related matters”. A round-table on the importance of arbitration in sport will also be held. For registration, log on to www.qoa. qa. DSP
ššParticipants at the World Rugby Level 1 Course.
RUGBY
QRF hosts referee course
GYMNASTICS
Mohammad Amin-ul Islam
T
T
HE Qatar Rugby Federation (QRF) organised the World Rugby Level 1 Officiating Course. ASPIRE Academy officials as well as players of Camels 1 and 2 teams attended it. “The QRF had requested Asia Rugby to organise a referees’ course for local players. The continental body viewed it as a step in the right direction,” said Rugby Development Consultant and Co-ordinator Gaith Jalajel. “As many as 14 people, including players and officials, attended the course. It consisted of theory and practical sessions, where they all took turns at officiating,” he added. QRF General Secretary Ali Al Malki said, “It’s important to foster local players
It’s important to foster local players and keep them in the game once they retire from sport. and keep them in the game once they retire from active sport. We’re focusing on educating Qatari players in different roles such as coaching, refereeing and management. That way, they’ll be associated with the sport.” The ASPIRE Academy, a partner of the QRF, also praised the efforts. “As a partner and co-host, it’s imperative we too know what the sport is all about and how it’s played. The course will allow players to understand the fundamentals from a referee’s point of view,” said Aspire representative Subait Al Hasawi. DSP
QGF condoles Seif’s death HE Qatar Gymnastics Federation (QGF) condoled the passing away of international gymnastics federation (FIG) Executive Committee member and Arab Gymnastics Federation President Seif Abu Adel, who died last week of a heart attack. Seif was also the head of Kuwaiti federation. “He did a lot for the sport’s development in the region. We’re deeply saddened,” said QGF President Ali Ahmed Al Hitmi. “It’s a terrible loss for all those associated with the sport.” DSP
CHESS
Adnan wins Toyota Under-16 Rapid Championship
C
ANADIAN Adnan Habib claimed the Toyota Under-16 Rapid Championship organised by the Qatar Chess Association (QCA) last week. India’s Bilal Ahmed Moosa and Qatar’s Saleh Al Hor finished second and third respectively in the three-day competition. “The rapid version was a big draw as we could make out from the huge turnout. The good response, particularly from kids, shows the sport is getting popular,” said QCA General Secretary Mohammed Al Medaikhi. “It was a positive sign for this version. It’ll help us promote the World Championship, which we’ll be hosting in December.”
After the success of Second Qatar Masters last year, the QCA announced in February that it would host the FIDE World Rapid and Blitz Championships. Rapid and Blitz Worlds were held last
The rapid version was a big draw as we could make out from the huge turnout. year in Berlin, Germany, where world champion Magnus Carlsen of Norway (standard format) won both categories. DSP
ššParticipants with the Qatar Chess Association officials at the awards ceremony.
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At a glance
‘We wouldn’t let Hamilton down’
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ERCEDES team boss Toto Wolff denounced social media conspiracy theorists after a Russian Grand Prix where Germany’s Nico Rosberg won his seventh race in a row and world champion team-mate Lewis Hamilton endured more engine problems. Wolff said he was speaking out because some of the abuse directed at the Formula One team could impact on engineers and other employees. “I don’t want to even ignore this bunch of lunatics who think that we would harm a driver who’s our driver, who has been a double world champion for us,” Wolff told reporters. “He (Hamilton) hasn’t let us down, and we wouldn’t let him down. This is a mechanical sport and these things happen.” Despite the Briton’s success with Mercedes, there have always been some who believe the German manufacturer really wants a German champion.
MOTORSPORT
MERCURIAL!
Rosberg makes it seven in a row as Hamilton ensures a Mercedes 1-2.
F
ORMULA One championship leader Nico Rosberg chalked up his seventh win in a row at the Russian Grand Prix last Sunday, with team-mate Lewis Hamilton fighting back from 10th on the grid to seal a Mercedes one-two finish. In a race that started with chaos,
and Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel being shunted into the wall by Red Bull’s Russian Daniil Kvyat, Rosberg had an untroubled run from pole to chequered flag for his 18th career win. The German equalled the achievement of compatriot Michael Schumacher in winning seven successive races, with
RESULTS 1.Nico Rosberg (GER)
Mercedes
1:32:41.997
2. Lewis Hamilton (GBR) Mercedes
+00:25.022
3. Kimi Raikkonen (FIN) Ferrari
00:31.998
4. Valtteri Bottas (FIN)
Williams
00:50.217
5. Felipe Massa (BRA)
Williams
01:14.427
STANDINGS DRIVERS 1. Nico Rosberg (GER) Mercedes 2. Lewis Hamilton (GBR) Mercedes 3. Kimi Raikkonen (FIN) Ferrari 4. Daniel Ricciardo (AUS) Red Bull 5. Sebastian Vettel (GER) Ferrari CONSTRUCTORS 1. Mercedes 2. Ferrari 3. Red Bull-TAG Heuer 4. Williams-Mercedes 5. Haas-Ferrari
100 57 43 36 33 157 76 57 51 22
ššGermany’s Nico Rosberg shoots a selfie with the trophy and the Mercedes team.
only Vettel (nine in 2013 with Red Bull) and the late Italian Alberto Ascari ahead of them. Only champions Schumacher, Britain’s Nigel Mansell and Brazilian Ayrton Senna had won the first four races in a season before Rosberg joined them. “It felt very special out there,” said Rosberg, who led all the way and also set the fastest lap, after being congratulated by Russian President Vladimir Putin. Triple world champion Hamilton was 25 seconds behind Rosberg, with Ferrari’s Kimi Raikkonen finishing third after winning a battle with fellow Finn Valtteri Bottas, who started on the front row, in the Williams. The podium was Ferrari’s 700th since the championship started in 1950. Rosberg, who won the last three races of 2015 and now the first four of 2016, leads Hamilton by 43 points in the standings with 17 races remaining and the Briton facing an increasingly daunting challenge. “Lewis is going to come back of course, he’s on it and as motivated as ever,” said Rosberg. “We’ll just take it race by race.”
TENNIS
Almagro wins in Estoril to end long title drought
N
ššNicolas Almargo
ICOLAS Almagro ended a title drought lasting four years last Sunday when the experienced Spanish clay-courter defeated younger compatriot Pablo Carreno Busta 6-7 (68), 7-6 (7-5), 6-3 to win the Estoril Open. The victory in nearly three hours of struggle marked the first title for 30-yearold Almagro since winning Nice on clay in May, 2012. The world No.71 has spent much of the last few seasons coming back from injury, but he boosted his growing confidence with the approach of Roland Garros by lifting the 13th trophy of his career. Meanwhile, Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov
Lucie Safarova Safarova ššLucie
smashed three rackets on his way to losing the Istanbul Open final to Argentinian Diego Schwartzman. Second seed Dimitrov was one set ahead and 5-2 up in the second before Schwartzman, the world No.87, fought back to win the his first ATP title 6-7(75), 7-6 (6-4), 6-0. In Munich, home hero Philipp Kohlschreiber won the ATP tournament for the third time after downing Austria’s Dominic Thiem in the final. Having won the 2007 and 2012 titles, Kohlschreiber, who hails from Augsburg, ran out the 7-6 (9-7), 4-6, 7-6 (7-4) winner after a huge tussle in the final which lasted just under two and a half hours.
Safarova captures Prague Open No.2 seed Lucie Safarova threw down 14 aces as she edged past No.4 seed Samantha Stosur, in the battle of former French Open finalists, 3-6, 6-1, 6-4 to capture the J&T Banka Prague Open title. Meanwhile, Timea Bacsinszky clinched her first title of 2016 with a straight-sets win over Marina Erakovic in the Rabat Open. The top-seeded Swiss cruised to a 6-2, 6-1 win over her New Zealand opponent.
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McLeod, James clock year’s fastest times
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Jamaican Omar McLeod clocked the fastest time of the year (13.08sec) to win the 110M hurdles at the Drake Relays in Iowa last week as Olympic champion Aries Merritt finished fifth on his return from a kidney transplant. Meanwhile, Olympic champion Kirani James too clocked the fastest time of the year (44.08) to win the 400M.
GOLF
Stuard shines in rain-hit New Orleans
J
ššBrian Stuard en route to his victory.
OURNEYMAN Brian Stuard clinched his first PGA Tour title with a gripping play-off victory over fellow-American Jamie Lovemark and South Korean An Byeong-Hun at the weather-plagued Zurich Classic of New Orleans last Monday. The 33-year-old sealed the win on the second extra hole at the TPC Louisiana, the par-five 18th, after laying up in two, hitting a superb third shot to three feet and knocking in the birdie putt. Lovemark parred the hole after overshooting the green with his second and failing to reach the putting surface with his third.
An was ousted from the play-off after recording a bogey on the first extra hole, also the 18th.
The 33-year-old Stuard sealed the win on the second extra hole at the TPC Louisiana. The trio had finished the 54 regulation holes at 15-under-201, An firing a sevenunder 65, Stuard a 69 and Lovemark closing with a 68 after three-putting the
final hole for a par. Li Haotong kept the China Open title in local hands for the second year in a row by conjuring up a bogey-free 64, to clinch his maiden European Tour title by three shots last Sunday. The 20-year-old Hunanese began the final round two shots behind overnight leaders Felipe Aguilar (69) and Lucas Bjerregaard (70), but carded a blemish-free round for a winning total of 22-under at the Topwin Golf and Country Club. Meanwhile, Jenny Shin made a sizzling start to the final round on her way to a two-stroke victory at the Texas Shootout in Irving.
SQUASH
BADMINTON
El Sherbini makes history in Malaysia
Lee gives Chen hardly any Wei!
M
N
OUR El Sherbini stormed back from a two-game deficit to defeat top seed Laura Massaro 6-11, 4-11, 11-3, 11-5, 11-8 and become the youngest ever woman squash world champion last week. The 20-year-old Egyptian’s victory at the PSA World Women’s Championship in Malaysia also vaulted her past Massaro to the top of world ranking. “I’m dreaming, I didn’t imagine I could win this match,” said El Sherbini. She had looked like a champion all week. In the quarterfinal, she crushed Nicol David — the defending world champ who had dominated the sport over the past decade — ending the Malaysian’s bid for a ninth world title. She then swatted aside her compatriot Nouran Gohar in the semifinal to set up a rematch of the 2013 final that was won by Massaro.
ššNour El Sherbini
ššColombia’s Nairo Quintana celebrates his triumph.
CYCLING
Quintana on a roll at Tour de Romandie
C
OLOMBIAN climber Nairo Quintana of the Movistar team won the Tour de Romandie last Sunday after a breakaway win in the fifth and final stage over 177.4km from Ollon-sur-Villars to Geneva for local talent Michael Albasini. In freezing rain, an early breakaway formed and, with the main contenders more concerned with keeping track of each other, Orica’s Albasioni won in a sprint with the last few escapees. Quintana, perhaps the sport’s best climber, moved top of the overall standings when he left the field trailing in last week’s second stage. Runner-up in the 2015 Tour de France Quintana went into the stage with a 19-second overall lead on up and coming French climber Thibaut Pinot. Pinot managed second overall, the first time the 25-year-old has
achieved a podium finish in a one week World Tour stage race while Quintana’s team-mate Ion Izagirre came third at 23sec. Elsewhere, popular French veteran rider Thomas Voeckler secured overall victory in the Tour de Yorkshire last Sunday with a sprint finish triumph in the 198km final stage from Middlesbrough to Scarborough. The 36-year-old Direct Energie rider demonstrated all his vast experience in the professional saddle as he outfoxed and outsprinted nearest rival Nicolas Roche to take the title by a mere six seconds overall. Meanwhile, British rider Simon Yates, a strong contender to make Olympic cycling team, will not be provisionally suspended after failing a drugs test, international governing body Union Cycliste Internationale said last week.
ALAYSIA’S Lee Chong Wei defeated his rival and world No.1 Chen Long of China last Sunday in the final of the Asia Badminton Championships. The 33-year-old world No.2 beat Chen 21-17, 15-21, 21-13 in the closely-fought final that lasted an hour and 22 minutes in the central Chinese city of Wuhan. Chen won seven straight points in the first set before Lee finished off with six straight points for the win. Chen then bounced back in the second set, but Lee won by a large margin in the third with 21-13. In the semifinal, Lee easily defeated two-time Olympic gold medallist Lin Dan while Chen crushed Tian Houwei of China in straight sets. In the women’s singles, China’s Wang Yihan defeated Li Xuerui of China 21-14, 13-21, 21-16 in an hour, clinching her third Asian title.
ššLee Chong Wei
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Movers&Shakers Comeback thoughts F
ššMaurizio Zamparini
LOYD Mayweather teasingly hinted that he might be tempted to return to the ring, but said only a “nine-figure” payday could lure him out of retirement. The 39 year-old, who walked away from boxing eight months ago with a perfect 49-0 record, was on hand as a promoter of Badou Jack’s majority draw with Lucian Bute in a super middleweight world title fight at the DC Armory in Washington. He told Showtime TV that he was happy in retirement, but he did not entirely close the door on a return to the ring. Would that be for the money or a chance to take his record to a round 50-0, Gray asked. “Both,” Mayweather said. “Right now, I’m happy on this side, but I’ve been talking with CBS and Showtime and you just never know. But for now, I’m happy. If I came back, it would’ve to be a nine-figure payday and probably a championship fight,” he said.
Palermo chief suspended
M
AURIZIO Zamparini, the outspoken president of Serie A strugglers Palermo has been handed a 20-day suspension by the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) for comments made about FIFA chief Gianni Infantino. Zamparini was punished for reportedly claiming that Infantino won February’s presidential vote at the expense of Shaikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa “only because he bought more votes”. As well as the ban, the FIGC handed Zamparini an €18,000 fine while Palermo have been fined the same amount.
Wayward lifestyle worries Hackett
A
L
Smith for day-night Tests
C
(CDC) headquarters in capital Congo Town to listen to the announcement. Liberia has spent more than a decade rebuilding from a long civil war that ended in 2003 and decimated infrastructure in the nation founded in the 19th Century by freed American slaves. “Having heard the cry of our people, I declare before you that I shall contest the presidency,” Weah said.
Jim Furyk will end an injury absence of nearly eight months when he returns to competition at the PGA Tour’s Wells Fargo Championship in, North Carolina, US, starting on Thursday. Furyk has been sidelined since he was forced to withdraw at the BMW Championship last September due to a bone contusion in his left wrist.
Former world No.1 Roger Federer pulled out of the ongoing Madrid Open with a back injury. The Swiss great travelled to the Spanish capital for the tournament, but was unable to practise last Monday and announced his withdrawal. He, however, said he would be back for next week’s Rome Masters.
USTRALIAN long-distanceswimming great Grant Hackett admitted that binge drinking was behind his altercation with another passenger on a flight recently and said he was seeking help to quit alcohol. The 35-year-old former Olympic champion was spoken to by police after the incident on a flight from the Australian Olympic trials in Adelaide to Melbourne. Hackett admitted to a dependence on prescription drugs in the past, but said the incident had come after he had been drinking in the wake of his failure to secure an Olympic slot.
ššFloyd Mayweather
Weah again for presidency IBERIAN international football star-turned-politician George Weah, 49, said last week he would make a second bid for the presidency of the impoverished West African nation in an election next year. Chanting “You can have the whole world but give me Weah,” thousands of his backers packed onto the grounds of his Congress for Democratic Change
ššGrant Hackett
RICKET Australia (CA) bolstered its campaign to host a day-night Test against South Africa later this year by publishing an interview with captain Steve Smith in which he backed the proposed fixture. South Africa’s players balked at an invitation to play a day-night match in Adelaide in November after discussions with Australian players including
Badou Jack retained his World Boxing Council super middleweight world title with a majority draw against former champ Lucian Bute last week. Sweden’s Jack was unhappy with the judges after battling a determined Bute for 12 rounds, convinced he had clearly won. One judge scored it 117-111 in Jack’s favour and two others made it 114-114.
Reigning Major League Baseball batting champion Dee Gordon of Miami Marlins was suspended for 80 games without pay after testing positive for a performanceenhancing substance. The speedy second baseman, who led the majors in stolen bases last season, tested positive for exogenous testosterone and clostebol, MLB said.
Smith, Proteas skipper A B de Villiers said this week. Meanwhile, in a major setback for his Indian Premier League side Pune, the Aussie skipper pulled out of the tournament to head home for treatment on a wrist injury. CA said Smith had laboured due to pain in his right wrist for the past week while playing for Pune.
Show jumper Scott Keach will make a comeback to the Olympics after a long gap of 28 years. Keach, who was named in Australia’s team for the August 5-21 Olympics alongside Edwina TopsAlexander, competed in his previous Games at 1988 Seoul, where he finished fifth place in the team event and 23rd in individual competition.
FIFA’s Ethics Committee banned former Caribbean Football Union (CFU) executive Lionel Haven from football for five years for failing to disclose information related to cash payments at a CFU event in 2011. The adjudicatory chamber of the committee imposed the ban and fined Haven, from the Bahamas, 3,000 Swiss francs, it said in a statement.
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Kaleidoscope INFINITE COMFORT! I
NFINITI unveiled its QX60 and QX50 premium crossovers in the Middle East at a star-studded event in Dubai. “The launch of the Infiniti QX60 and QX50 reaffirms our commitment to enhance our product line-up in the Middle East and around the world,” said Infiniti Middle East Managing Director Juergen Schmitz. “Both QX60 and QX50 feature an overhaul in exterior design. The QX60 also features a number of interior and technological advancements while QX50 has made significant improvements with particular focus on rear legroom.” The premium crossovers are a cornerstone for Infiniti’s business in the region, with sales for both models contributing to almost 2,500 vehicles
delivered in 2015. The new Infiniti QX60 is completely redesigned from the exterior and also features a host of new features and technologies that enhance comfort, convenience and safety. Featuring Intelligent All-Wheel Drive, it is offered with a powerful and efficient 3.5-litre V6 gasoline engine.
From an exterior design perspective, QX50 has been enhanced for 2016 with a new front and rear bumper and lower front and rear fascia, new LED Daytime Running Lights, signature Infinitistyle double-arch front grille, new side mirrors with integrated LED turn signals and updated side sill styling.
G
ERMANY’S adidas gained ground on stronger US rival Nike at the start of this year, reporting a jump in quarterly sales and profits and raising its outlook for the year, sending its shares to an all-time high. Adidas is benefiting from collaborations with celebrities such as Kanye West and Pharrell Williams, and has scored major fashion hits with retro Superstar and Stan Smith sneakers. The company, based in southern Germany, had already said it had high hopes for 2016, thanks to a busy sports calendar including the European Football Championship and Rio Olympics. “For the group to have performed so strongly, it means that brand adidas is back in vogue across the board, not just football in Europe,”said market analyst Mark Josefson. Adidas, which had raised its guidance in February, said it now expected currency-adjusted sales to grow by about 15 per cent in 2016, compared with a previous forecast for a rise of 10 to 12 per cent.
Airweave backs Tokyo 2020 Japanese mattress manufacturer Airweave became a domestic sponsor of Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. The company will be a second-tier official partner in the ‘beds and bedding’ category. Airweave had also signed sponsorship deals with British Swimming, British Athletics and Australian sailing team.
Li Ning makes inroads into India Chinese sportswear manufacturer Li Ning signed a sponsorship agreement with the Indian Olympic Association. It will see Indian athletes wear its clothing at the Rio Olympic and Paralympic Games. The Chinese firm will provide official tracksuits, training gear and competition wear.
Energiedirect powers PSV
Empowerment through sports Adidas gaining ground on Nike
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ITH the aim of encouraging more organisations to empower young people and promote intercultural dialogue through sports, the United Nations Alliance of Civilisations and Save the Dream signed a new deal at its Seventh Global Forum in Baku, Azerbaijan. The agreement will see the two organisations work together to develop joint projects, including education workshops, youth seminars and sports programmes.
The signing is a major boost for Save the Dream, an initiative of Qatar-based International Centre for Sport Security. It followed a recent panel session, which saw several champion performers, including 1998 FIFA World Cup winner for France Christian Karembeu, share their experiences about how sports changed their lives. It also discussed what role sports played for them in promoting peace, breaking down barriers and encouraging intercultural dialogue.
Dutch football club PSV Eindhoven signed a three-year shirt sponsorship deal with local energy company Energiedirect.nl. The deal is reported to be worth at least €6m per season plus performance-related bonuses.
TAG Heuer partners EPL TAG Heuer is the first official time keeper and watch partner of the English Premier League (EPL) as it moves away from the traditional title sponsorship model. The Swiss watch brand will enjoy on-screen presence in the form of a logo in global broadcasts of EPL matches.
Formula E is Charged up! Electric car racing championship Formula E announced Charge, a UK-based auto technology company, as a new partner. Charge will supply electric trucks at all Formula E events that will be used for the driver parade and for logistics both on and off the track.
ššUNAOC High Representative Nassir Abdulaziz Al Nasser, left, and ICSS President Mohammed Hanzab at the signing ceremony.
» Courtesy CSM Sport & Entertainment, www.csm.com, @FastTrack_ME
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Spot shots Ĉ
QATAR CUP FOOTBALL FINAL
DSP/Mohammed Dabboos
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QATAR CUP VOLLEYBALL FINAL
DSP/Mohan
Ĉ
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Society
Aspire Global Citizenship Day observed in style
SPORT THIS WEEK Ĉ
QATAR
WEDNESDAY, MAY 4 The ASPIRE Academy organised Fifth Aspire Global Citizenship Day at its indoor football pitch last week. Under the motto ‘Different Nationalities, One Heart, One Team’, this year’s event promoted cultural and ethnic diversity among the academy’s students and presented a platform for cultural exchange in a positive atmosphere. “Students belonging to more than 60 nationalities study at the academy. It presents a unique opportunity for the wards and faculty to learn about and interact with different cultures. This helps us develop well-rounded and well-educated sports champions,” said ASPIRE Academy Director of Education and Student Care Badr Al Hay. Karim Jabsheh sent the details and photograph.
HORSERACING Weekly races, 4pm onwards at Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club. VOLLEYBALL Emir’s Cup, quarterfinals, 4.30pm and 6.30pm at Ali Bin Hamad Al Attiyah Arena.
THURSDAY, MAY 5 HORSERACING Weekly races, 4pm onwards at Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club.
FRIDAY, MAY 6
HANDBALL Emir’s Cup, semifinal, 5pm and 7pm, Qatar Handball Association Complex. VOLLEYBALL Emir’s Cup, semifinals, 4.30pm and 6.30pm at Ali bin Hamad Al Attiyah Arena.
SUNDAY, MAY 8
Ambassador XII champs Ambassador XII retained the title at the Indian Cricket Festival, beating Indian Community XII by four wickets last week. Indian Community, put into bat, scored 136 for three in 20 overs, with Habib-un Nabi top-scoring (24). Mohammed Fuad contributed 21. Shinod Mon, Tariq Quraishi and Ravi Shankar claimed a wicket each. Ambassador XII reached the target in 19.1 overs, thanks to
Quraishi, who remained unbeaten on 25. He was ably supported by Sanaullah (21), Vijees (18) and Ramesh (17). Abdullah Khamis Al Hamad, Assistant Secretary and Head of Sports, Qatar Police Sports Association, and Indian Ambassador Sanjiv Arora gave away the prizes. Naveed Munir sent the details and photograph.
AZF Ramadan Sports Festival registration from Thursday The registration for the ASPIRE Zone Foundation’s (AZF) Ramadan Sports Festival will open on Thursday and will continue till the month-end. Competitions will be held from June 10 to 24. Following the success of previous editions, the AZF will organise activities, which will also include cricket and remote-controlled car racing. The latter has been reintroduced after 2014. The events will be held from 9.30pm until midnight. Amal H Al Sheemy sent the details.
FOOTBALL
ATHLETICS Diamond League, 5.40pm onwards at the Qatar Sports Club Stadium.
SATURDAY, MAY 7 FOOTBALL Emir’s Cup, quarterfinal, Al Kharaitiyat vs Al Rayyan, 6.30pm at Al Arabi Stadium, Al Gharafa vs Al Sadd, 9pm, Al Arabi Stadium.
Ĉ
Emir’s Cup, quarterfinals, Al Sailiya vs Lekhwiya, 6.30pm at Lekhwiya Stadium, Al Ahli vs El Jaish, 9pm at Lekhwiya Stadium.
MONDAY, MAY 9 VOLLEYBALL Emir’s Cup, semifinals, 4.30pm and 6.30pm at Ali Bin Hamad Al Attiyah Arena.
TUESDAY, MAY 10 HANDBALL Emir’s Cup, final, 7pm at Qatar Handball Association Complex.
INTERNATIONAL
WEDNESDAY, MAY 4
GOLF
CRICKET
EPGA at Hassan II Trophy, Rabat; USPGA at Wells Fargo Championship, Quail Hollow; LPGA at Yokohama Tire Classic, Prattville (till May 8).
IPL in India (till May 29).
FRIDAY, MAY 6 CYCLING Tour of Italy (till May 29).
SUNDAY, MAY 8 MOTORSPORT MotoGP in France.
MONDAY, MAY 9 ЂЂName the coach of newly-crowned English football champions Leicester City?
FOOTBALL
Name
Champions League semifinal second leg, Real Madrid vs Manchester City at Madrid.
[email protected]
Phone No
TENNIS
and be the lucky winner to get
e-mail
SEND YOUR ANSWER TO
three months’ subscription of
DSP magazine for free.
ATP and WTA at Madrid (till May 8).
SWIMMING
THURSDAY, MAY 5
European Championships, London (till May 22).
FOOTBALL
TENNIS
Europa League, semifinals, second leg.
ATP and WTA at Rome Masters (till May 15).
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TOP TWEETS
BLAST FROM THE PAST
1994
INSTAGLOW
AYRTON SENNA
The Brazilian racing legend dies in a crash at San Marino Grand Prix
Leicester City completed a fairytale when Chelsea held title rivals Tottenham Hotspur at Stamford Bridge, giving Claudio Ranieri’s men an unassailable lead in the English Premier League. Their victory against all odds makes it one of the most beautiful stories ever from the world of sports. Twitter was flooded with congratulatory messages, including one from Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi.
Matteo Renzi @matteorenzi It’s the greatest achievement in the history of English football, and it was led by an Italian#insane.” Carlo Ancelotti @MrAncelotti Congratulations to both Leicester and my friend Claudio Ranieri for their historic win of the Premier League.
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Gary Lineker @GaryLineker Leicester City have won the Premier League. The biggest sporting shock 1 of my lifetime, and it’s only my team.
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Gareth Bale 5 @GarethBale11 Gutted for @SpursOfficial but8 congrats to @LCFC, amazing 4 season!! Football.
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3 1 8
SUDOKU-523 Sudoku is a numberplacing puzzle based on a 9x9 grid with several given numbers. The object is to place the numbers 1 to 9 in the empty squares so that each row, each column and each 3x3 box contains the same number only once.
RAZILIAN Ayrton Senna, hailed as one of the racing legends, was killed in a crash at the San Marino Grand Prix at Imola near Bologna in Italy, on May 1, 1994. He was only 34. Senna’s Williams FW16 Formula 1 car was travelling at a speed of 192mph when it ran wide at a curve and crashed into a concrete wall. Winner of 41 Grand Prix, Senna was considered the finest motor-racing driver of his generation and still mourned by the fans world over. 3 A6day before the fatal accident, Austrian driver Roland Ratzenberger 4was killed 8 nearly at the same spot — Tamburello curve. The two tragedies rocked the racing world while Brazilians, who 2 Senna as a demi-god, were crestfallen after hearing the sad regarded 6news. 4 Senna’s body was flown home where about half a million people 1 5 7 watched the coffin pass by at a state funeral in Sao Paolo on May 5.
8 3 2 7
6
1
9 5 4 8 1
Solution-522 5 4 3 1 6 9 6 2 9 5 7 8
8 4 1 9 7
7 8 6 3 1
1 2 7 5 4
4 7 9 6 8
3 1 2 8 5
7
2 3 5 4 6
3 9 8 2 4 1 2 5 6 3 9 7
7 2 8 3 4 1
6 9 4 1 2
9 5 8 7 3
5 6 3 2 9
5 6 7 8 1 4
4
8
5
9 6 8 7 6 9 4 9 4 7 7 3 1 8 6
3 6 4 8 2
6 4 1 5 7 8 8 3 2 7
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Wednesday, May 4, 2016 | www.dohastadiumplusqatar.com
Hearsay Fossati to take charge of Arabi U RUGUAYAN Jorge Fossati, who helped Al Rayyan regain the Qatar Stars League title with five matches to spare, is likely to take charge of rivals Al Arabi next season. Fossati was the toast of Rayyan fans when he helped them end their twodecade-long league drought. But the Lions failed to win a single match in the competition since then and also crashed out in the semifinal of the Qatar Cup, losing 1-3 to Lekhwiya. Arabi, who showed glimpses of form
under Italian coach Gianfranco Zola at the start of both phases of the league, however, struggled for consistency and finished a disappointing eighth in the 14-team event. The men in red, who once boasted a huge fan base, reportedly are eager to follow in the footsteps of Rayyan and regain the league shield which they last won in the 1996-97 season. And they have found Fossati to be the ideal man to rebuild the team and materialise their ambitions. DSP
Arsenal interested in Lewandowski
Rodgers drops Celtic hint
A
RSENAL are interested in signing Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski if he decides to leave the Bundesliga leaders. Lewandowski had recently hinted that he would like to taste life in England. His contract with Bayern has three more years to run while his price tag would be nothing less than £50m. But that would not deter Gunners, who are short of attacking options with both Olivier Giroud and Danny Welbeck often lacking sharpness. Manager Arsene Wenger will have in excess of £150m to spend in the summer.
N
ORTHERN Irishman Brendan Rodgers announced he was eager to return to management, with Celtic a strong option. Rodgers has been out of work since being sacked by Liverpool last October and has featured on the bookmakers’ short-list for Parkhead ever since Ronny Deila announced he would leave at the end of this season. And, finally breaking his silence on the vacancy, the former Watford, Reading and Swansea manager hinted he would strongly welcome an approach to succeed the Norwegian. ‘I’m just enjoying the rest, I’ve got no concrete offers at the moment, but certainly in the summer I want to get back to work,’ said Rodgers.
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ANCHESTER United scouts are watching Atletico Madrid striker Antoine Griezmann as they plan a summer revamp. Chelsea, Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain are also keen on the Frenchman, who has bagged 31 goals in Spain this season. But United want a world-class striker and have put Griezmann alongside Dortmund’s Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang on their wishlist — regardless of Louis van Gaal’s future. Jose Mourinho is a big fan of Griezmann and is believed to be heading for Old Trafford despite his name being linked with PSG. The French giants are interested in the 53-year-old and he will also be in the running for the national team in the summer if Didier Deschamps leaves his post after four years in charge of Les Bleus.
Rodriguez heading for Juventus
R
EAL Madrid midfielder James Rodriguez could be making a move to Juventus this summer, as the Italian Serie A champions look to improve their squad. This season, the Colombian international has appeared just 23 times in the league, and is understood to be
frustrated with a lack of playing time. Even though Premier League clubs are also interested, Rodriguez reportedly has a preference for Serie A. He has seven goals as many assists this season, despite missing six weeks through an injury.
Swansea manager Guidolin joining Watford
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WANSEA City manager Francesco Guidolin is tipped to become the next manager of Watford. Guidolin has previously been mentioned as a possible successor to Quique Sanchez Flores because of his strong links to the Pozzo family, who own the Hornets. They also own Italian side Udinese and Granada in Spain, and Guidolin
spent four years working under them in Serie A up until 2014, before taking up a consultancy role with the family. Guidolin’s short-term deal at Swansea is due to expire and there has so far been no indication that he will be offered an extension. Flores is under pressure despite defying predictions to lead Watford clear of Premier League relegation danger this season.
Benitez might replace Martinez
E
VERTON are considering Rafa Benitez as a replacement for Roberto Martinez if Newcastle United are relegated. Spaniard Benitez will part ways with Newcastle at the end of the season if they fail to secure their top-flight status, which has alerted Everton who are now almost certain to change manager. Benitez is talked about within Goodison Park, although no contact has been made with the man who won Champions League with Liverpool in 2005. But Benitez, whose side are out of the drop zone after taking eight points from their last four matches, sees the potential on Tyneside and believes he can resurrect their fortunes given the right backing. He will lay out his ambitious plans to club chiefs only when the campaign is finished, providing they are still in the Premier League.
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