Sport

Manchester City goal machine Erling Haaland set another record on Tuesday by becoming the first Premier League player to score 45 times in a single season and the Norwegian will doubtless reach more milestones in his first campaign in England. Haaland crowned a remarkable City display with the third goal in his side’s 3-0 defeat of Bayern Munich in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final.It took him past the 44 goals that Manchester United’s Ruud van Nistelrooy and Liverpool’s Mo Salah scored for their sides in 2002-03 and 2017-18 – but from only 39 games, 13 fewer than it took Van Nistelrooy and Salah. The last English top-flight player to score more in a single season was Clive Allen for Tottenham Hotspur in 1986-87 when he struck 49 goals and that will be Haaland’s next target, as will the five goals he requires to beat Alan Shearer and Andy Cole’s record of 34 goals in a Premier League season.And with City still chasing three trophies the question is how far Haaland, barring an injury, will raise the bar.At his current rate of scoring, talk of 60 goals for the season might even seem conservative, although perhaps Lionel Messi’s 73 goals for Barcelona in all competitions in 2011-12, including 50 in La Liga, might just be out of reach.“Every team has to fear this player because he is just a monster. He is a beast, congratulations to Manchester City for signing him,” former Bayern Munich and Germany striker Mario Gomez said on Tuesday.Haaland’s 45th goal was a personal record, too, for the 22-year-old who scored a total of 44 in 2019-20 (28 for Salzburg and 16 for Borussia Dortmund).It was also his 11th Champions League goal this season, only one behind the Premier League player record of 12 scored by Van Nistelrooy in the 2002-03 competition.And if he goes on to break Cristiano Ronaldo’s record of 17 Champions League goals in a single season, City may well be celebrating finally winning Europe’s biggest prize.

Manchester City defeated Bayern Munich 3-0 in the first leg of the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday at Etihad Stadium.Rodri opened the scoring for City in the 27th minute. Bernardo Silva added the second for City in the 70th minute.Erling Haaland netted the third for the home side in the 77th minute.Bayern Munich will host Manchester City on April 19 for the second leg of the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League.

Al Sailiyah beat Al Duhail on penalties to reach the semi-finals of the Amir Cup at Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium on Monday night.Displaying courage under pressure, Al Sailiyah won 5-4 after both sides were locked at 2-2 in regulation time. Al Sailiyah’s goals were scored by Iranian Mehrdad Mohammadi scored from the penalty mark (18) and Sergio Carlos of Sweden (69). Al Duhail equalised with goals from Mohamed Muntari and the Korean Nam Tae He.Al Sailiyah reached the semi-finals for the second time in its history. They reached the semi-finals in the 2013 edition against Al Sadd.Al Duhail coach Hernan Crespo said: “We failed to take advantage of the chances we created. Al Sailiyah have always been difficult opponents in Amir Cup matches. Penalties are always like that and any team can win. I am proud of my players who gave their best in the match. We will now focus on our league matches to secure the title.” Sergio Carlos, the Al Sailiyah team striker, expressed his happiness at the victory achieved at the expense of Al Duhail on penalties.“We played with a high fighting spirit and achieved a well-deserved qualification for the next round of the Amir Cup,” Carlos said.“We succeeded in keeping up with Al Duhail team. In football, some differences can shrink even if there is an advantage on paper. Winning and qualifying for the next advanced stage of the tournament gives us confidence.”Al Sailiyah will meet Al Arabi in the semi-final on April 25.

For someone who took to equestrian at the age of six, Omar al-Mannai went on to excel in both – dressage and showjumping. He also represented Qatar at many international events including the 2006 Asian Games in Doha in dressage. During his riding career, he spent nearly six years training and further developing his skills with some of the world’s top riders. Now in his role as Commercial Director of Al Shaqab (world’s finest equestrian centre) and as the Vice-Chairman of Higher Organising Committee of Hathab – Qatar’s premier domestic equestrian series, he looks back at the season’s success and the road to the future. Excerpts from an interview. On Hathab’s just-concluded Season SixHathab this season also had a mix of international equestrian events. This year there were additional 2-star and 3-star competitions which added a very positive value to the overall season. The riders’ abilities have been rising in stature and in the final Tour we saw top level performances. It was a well-studied and well spread equestrian series through the year. The length of the season has also been of significance since the upcoming riders will learn as to how to keep their horses in good shape so that they can keep performing with their trusted horses throughout the season. This was one of our objectives to set as a learning curve for all the riders. On more riders now having their own horsesEncouraging the riders, especially the young, to own their own horses was set as a target for us three years ago. And today, there are almost 30 to 45 new horses competing in Hathab every season. The growing population of competition horses and also the number of riders is what we had been aiming for. One of the objectives of Hathab is – to create awareness, to encourage riders to own their horses and to continue the development of this sport year after year. We consider this seriously and which is an investment young riders and their parents are making and with perseverance they will achieve their goals. On Hathab’s runaway successWhat has been achieved till today was conceived a long time ago. We are putting together all the methods and encouragement for the riders and their parents to invest in their children and their good future. That has been our aim from the very beginning. Hopefully, we have already achieved that but this is not the end of the story. Now there will be more competitions and growing standards. For us at the organizing committee we have a role to make it more competitive, more attractive, increasing the number of sponsors and thereby the prize money as well. Challenges for Hathab in the World Cup yearLast year we began a month earlier because of FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 for which we had a three-month long break to our series. It also extended the overall season length. Now by the end of this month we shall announce the calendar for 2023-24 season which will start in October this year. Growing Qatari riders at HathabIt’s a part of our culture, tradition and legacy. As you can see in Hathab, the maximum number of riders are Qataris. Only a small percentage of foreigners reside in Qatar. There is also a huge demand for admissions in the riding academies and riding schools in Qatar. This is also because of the parents’ encouragement to their children. Families play a big role in making their kids excel in horse riding and equestrian sport which not just shapes one physically but personality. More female participationThe number of female riders has highly increased and this is something which we encourage. Also, we are giving opportunities for those who want to be a part of our various functional areas. We believe in the spirit of teamwork and oneness without differentiating besides equestrian is also a gender equal sport. Setting the bar high at Al ShaqabAfter every event, we look at the good points and the challenges we faced and try to enhance regularly. After every tour, every season we review things. The development part is something which we are majorly considering. We are also looking at other competitions in the region and the world for a comparative study to be used as a benchmark for progressive growth. I feel we have succeeded so far but we want to excel so that others see us as the benchmark. On his role and fulfilmentAl Shaqab is my home. At the end of the day whatever we aim to do, we do it in good fashion. I have also been a former rider and I know exactly what a rider and other team members, horse grooms, judges and others would need. So we as a team try to do our best to accommodate each and every person who is involved with the competition. We focus on the details and maybe this is the strength of what we are doing. We are trying to satisfy everyone’s needs to be in top shape for the competitions and including the horses. The horses need to be in a nice place, their stabling and training areas are also to be cared for. If we do our job well, the people will recognize our efforts. But if we don’t work hard enough then we won’t achieve the goals of success.

Reigning Olympic and world 3000m steeplechase champion Soufiane El Bakkali of Moroccan will headline an impressive men’s 3000m at the Doha Diamond League meet on May 5. El Bakkali, the reigning Wanda Diamond League champion (3000m SC), remained unbeaten throughout 2022 having opened his season with victory in Doha. Prior to winning the world title in Eugene, he clocked a world lead of 7:58.28 at the Wanda Diamond League meeting in Rabat, only marginally outside his lifetime best of 7:58.15, set in 2018. He closed the year with a national record of 5:14.06 in the 2000m SC, a mark which moved him to third on the world all-time list. In an incredible Doha line up, he will be joined by Ethiopia’s Olympic and world 3000m SC silver medallist Lamecha Girma, the world indoor 3000m record holder who clocked 7:23.81 at the Meeting Hauts-de-France Pas-de-Calais in February to improve a record that had stood for 25 years. He is also a world indoor silver medallist. The pair, who are ranked 10th and 12th on the 3000m SC all-time list, have never gone head to head over a flat 3000m, but El Bakkali, who took world 3000m SC silver in London 2017 and bronze in Doha 2019, has defeated Girma on each of their last five battles over the barriers. A talented group of athletes will join the indomitable duo including Selemon Barega (ETH), the Olympic 10,000m champion and world indoor 3000m champion; Timothy Cheruiyot (KEN), Olympic 1500m silver medallist and former world champion; Yomif Kejelcha (ETH), a two-time world indoor 3000m champion (2016 and 2018), former world 10,000m silver medallist and world mile indoor record holder; Oscar Chelimo (UGA), world 5000m bronze medallist; and Ishmael Kipkurui (KEN), the world cross country U20 champion.“This is a big year for me as I prepare to defend my world title in Budapest and I want to get it off to a good start,” said El Bakkali. “I was under pressure to win in Eugene last summer and that pressure remains as I continue to set myself big goals. It takes hard work and sacrifice to be the best and know I still have more to give. By racing against such a strong field in this opening meeting of the Wanda Diamond League I will see how much work I still have to do. “I feel privileged to have such great supporters in Qatar and it means a lot to me to open my season at the Doha Meeting where I know they will get behind me and push me on to great things.” (doha.diamondleague.com)

Skipper Rohit Sharma smashed 65 as Mumbai Indians edged out Delhi Capitals by six wickets in a last-ball IPL thriller to register their first win of the season yesterday.Mumbai’s chase of 173 moved to the final delivery when impact player Tim David and Cameron Green got the winning runs to hand hosts Delhi their fourth straight loss in as many matches.Delhi, led by David Warner and coached by Ricky Ponting, have endured a horrendous run in the T20 tournament to be in danger of an early exit from the play-off race.The franchise is yet to win the Indian Premier League and suffered an early blow when captain Rishabh Pant was involved in a car crash in December to be ruled out of the season.Mumbai remain the most successful IPL outfit, owned by Nita Ambani, wife of India’s richest man, Reliance Industries billionaire Mukesh Ambani.The team, which is without pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah, out injured this season and missing England pace bowler Jofra Archer for the second straight match, bounced back from their opening two defeats.Rohit said: “Obviously, winning the game is the most important thing and it’s a great feeling to cross the line. We’ve been working really, really hard and we had camps in Mumbai a couple of weeks before the tournament.”He added: “To get the result feels really good and we’re going to cherish this. We recently played a Test match here and this pitch didn’t look different to that and looked dry. “So, I thought it was important to get the slower bowlers into the game quickly. We thought 173 was chaseable, and everyone put their hand up. When I went to bat, I wanted to make full use of the powerplay because as the game went on, I thought it would be tough with the couple of quality spinners they had. “We tried to create a partnership and good to see Tilak bat with that intent as well. We always knew it would be tough for the new batter to come and bat. “We got a lot of young guys and it’s all about giving them confidence and trust in their ability. We want to have a healthy atmosphere and we don’t want to make drastic changes based on results,” Rohit said.Rohit and the left-handed Ishan Kishan gave the former champions a flying start in their 71-run stand before a run out sent Kishan back to the pavilion.Big partnership Rohit, called “hitman” for his big hundreds and six-hitting, looked in supreme touch as he pulled Nortje for a six over deep square leg and another hit over the fence off Kuldeep Yadav. The Indian captain put on another big partnership of 68 with Tilak Varma, who made 41, but Mukesh Kumar raised hopes of a turnaround with successive strikes. He sent back Varma and then T20 sensation Suryakumar Yadav for a first ball duck to bring a live the home crowd that went crazy when Rohit departed five balls later off Mustafizur Rahman.But David (13) and Green (17) kept their calm in a dramatic final over from Anrich Nortje, which witnessed a dropped catch, to steer the team home and the two batsmen stole a double after David pushed the ball to mid-off.Earlier Delhi were bowled out for 172 in 19.4 overs despite Warner’s 51 and an attacking 54 by fellow left-hander Axar Patel after the hosts were invited to bat first.Piyush Chawla rattled the opposition batting to return figures of 3-22 and was later substituted by David.The once explosive Warner, who struck his third half-century of the season, stood firm but often struggled to find momentum until an attacking Axar joined the Australian opener in a 67-run partnership.“You look at the last three IPL games, amazing,” Warner said after the match. “Wrong end of it today, but the guys were fantastic,” Warner added. “Two balls were wrong and that’s the game. We did well to bring it back in. “Nortje is world-class and that’s what we expect from the big fella. Mustafiz too. “Timmy David was on the wrong side of it, so I tried to keep it (the throw) at stump-height. “I think from the last three games, we’ve some positives but we shouldn’t lose wickets in clumps. Axar should bat in the top four; he got us to a par total,” he said.BRIEF SCORESMumbai Indians 173 for 4 (Rohit 65, Tilak 41, Mukesh 2-30) beat Delhi Capitals 172 (Axar 54, Warner 51, Chawla 3-22, Behrendorff 3-23) by 6 wickets

Olympic chief Thomas Bach yesterday refused to give a timeline on potential Russian and Belarusian participation at next year’s Paris Olympics, saying a decision would be taken “at the appropriate time”.“The IOC will take this decision at the appropriate time, at its full discretion, and without being bound by the results of previous Olympic qualification competitions,” Bach said after an executive board meeting of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in Lausanne.“We want to monitor the implementation of these recommendations as long as possible... to be enabled to take an informed decision.”The board, he said, “did not consider it appropriate to give a timeline... no one knows what’s happening tomorrow or in nine months”.Bach added that the “participation of athletes with a Russian or Belarusian passport at the Olympic Games Paris 2024 was not considered either in the consultations or in its deliberations today”.“The IOC expressly reserves the right to decide about their participation at the appropriate time, even if they would be considered to have qualified according to the qualification criteria set by their respective International Federations (IFs).“The IOC will closely monitor the full implementation of these recommendations by all parties concerned.“The results of this monitoring procedure will be an important factor in the decision by the IOC concerning the participation of athletes with a Russian or Belarusian passport in the Olympic Games Paris 2024 and the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026.”‘Not lost yet’: Kyiv vows to keep pressure on IOC over RussiansUkraine will keep up pressure on the International Olympic Committee to prevent Russians from taking part in the Paris games next year, the country’s sports minister said yesterday.“It is necessary to continue to put pressure,” Ukraine’s Youth and Sports Minister Vadym Gutzeit told AFP yesterday.“And maybe the IOC will understand that, while there is a war in Ukraine, it is not the time for Russian and Belarusian athletes to return.”Athletes from Russia and Belarus have faced sanctions from a multitude of sports since Russia invaded Ukraine in February last year.As Moscow’s assault on Ukraine stretches into a second year, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) recommended allowing athletes from Russia and Moscow ally Belarus to compete as individual neutrals in upcoming international competitions.The IOC says however it is yet to make a decision on whether Russians can take part at the Paris Olympics next year.The announcement, made late last month, angered Ukrainian authorities, who have accused the global body in charge of Olympics of promoting war.Gutzeit, who also chairs the Ukrainian National Olympic Committee, expressed hope that Western allies would help Kyiv to put pressure and keep Russians away.“We have not lost yet,” he said.He took aim at IOC President Thomas Bach, accusing him of softening his stance a year into Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.“President Thomas Bach was in Ukraine, and assured President Volodymyr Zelensky that he will be helping in the future,” Gutzeit said.Bach travelled to Ukraine for talks with Zelensky in July last year, several months after Russia invaded.“What has changed?” Gutzeit said.“Nothing has changed, it has only gotten worse. So many cities have been destroyed, so many people – women, children – have been killed.”Ukraine has threatened to pull out of the Olympic Games.Gutzeit said the final decision has not been taken yet.He said that for now Ukrainian athletes were preparing and training, but Kyiv could boycott the Paris Olympics if Russian and Belarusian athletes do take part.“We are not talking about a boycott now,” he added.

Austin: Marc Marquez said yesterday he will miss this weekend’s MotoGP Grand Prix of the Americas because of a hand injury.“I have just had a CAT scan and it was confirmed that the bone is still in the process of healing,” the Spanish rider said on Twitter.“We have decided not to take any risks and therefore I won’t be able to ride in Austin.”Marquez missed the second leg of the season in Argentina with the issue he suffered in the first race of the campaign last month.Marquez broke his right arm at the start of the 2020 campaign, missed the rest of that season and parts of the next two as he rehabilitated from a series of operations but he did win for the seventh time at the Circuit of the Americas (COTA) in 2021.“Unfortunately, we won’t have the King of COTA with us this weekend!” Honda said on Twitter.The six-time MotoGP world champion started from pole position in the season-opening Portuguese GP on March 26 but crashed on the second lap and wiped out home favourite Miguel Oliveira.Marquez apologised but was ordered to ride two “long laps” in his next race. Honda have appealed the punishment to the international motorcycling federation.Oliveira, who rides for Aprilia, suffered injuries to his right leg in the crash.He also missed Argentina but will travel to Austin in the hope of racing. He will undergo a medical checkup tomorrow.After the first two rounds of the season, Italian Marco Bezzecchi, on a Ducati-VR46, leads the world championship with 50 points, nine ahead of compatriot, and champion, Francesco Bagnaia on a factory Ducati. Frenchman Johann Zarco is third on a Ducati-Pramac.

England have asked for “flat, fast wickets” at this year’s Ashes, captain Ben Stokes said yesterday, adding that he already had a lineup in mind for the five-Test series in June.Australia have not relinquished the famous urn since reclaiming it in 2017-18 but will face a buoyant England team who have won 10 of their last 12 Tests under Stokes and head coach Brendon “Baz” McCullum.England’s highly entertaining “Bazball” approach has earned plaudits, and they will look to take that aggressive style into the Ashes where they should be able to call upon speedsters Mark Wood and Jofra Archer.“I think I know what the starting XI is going to be, there or thereabouts,” Stokes told Sky Sports.“Having the option to bowl above 90mph, any captain wants that. (But) when it comes to that first Test I will be making sure I pick the best team for that first game.“We’ve been clear with the groundstaff what type of wickets we want and they have been responsive. We want flat, fast wickets. We want to score quickly. If that brings (Australia’s) guys in, they will be happy. I’m smiling, because I’m looking forward to it.” All-rounder Stokes has mostly played as a batter during this season’s Indian Premier League (IPL) campaign with Chennai Super Kings, bowling just one over in two matches due to a troublesome left knee.Stokes said his recovery from the knee issue was “going nicely. But I’m not going to rush myself, the main priority is making sure I can fulfil my role as a fourth seamer in the Ashes,” he added.The first Ashes Test will be held at Edgbaston from June 16.Patience required to end Suryakumar’s IPL slump, says ShastriMumbai Indians batter Suryakumar Yadav needs to be a little more patient early on in his knock if he is to find a way out of his slump in the Indian Premier League (IPL), former India head coach Ravi Shastri said.Suryakumar is the world’s top-ranked Twenty20 batter but has found the going tough in recent times and was dismissed for three first-ball ducks in the home one-day series against Australia last month.The 32-year-old managed 15, one and a zero in his three outings for Mumbai, who beat hosts Delhi Capitals yesterday. Suryakumar was dismissed for nought.“There’s going to be light at the end of the tunnel, he’s going to be seeing that very soon,” Shastri told the Cricinfo website ahead of the match.“And when he sees that, he’s going to grab it and make the most of it.“So the advice to him would be just give yourself a little bit of time early on, even though it’s T20 cricket.”Known for his audacious strokeplay and 175-plus strike rate in T20 Internationals, Suryakumar tends to attack right from the word go but Shastri said he should take some time to find his feet at the crease.“One good hit and you’re on your way. That’s what he needs – one good hit, and a little bit of time at the crease,” he added.“Not 20-30 minutes, maybe six balls or eight balls, and I think he’d be fine.”Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting also felt Suryakumar needed to be backed ahead of India’s campaign in the 50-overs World Cup on home soil later this year.“Everyone around the world knows what Surya can do in white-ball cricket. They should stick with him, I feel,” Ponting told the International Cricket Council website last week.“Because he is, I think, the kind of player that can win you a World Cup.“He might be a little bit inconsistent but he’s the sort of guy who in big moments can win you something.”

Novak Djokovic made a winning return to competition in the Monte Carlo Masters yesterday but was made to work by his 198th-ranked Russian opponent as two-time defending champion Stefanos Tsitsipas advanced when his rival retired injured.Djokovic is back on court after failing to get a waiver to enter the United States for last month’s Indian Wells tournament and Miami Open due to his anti-Covid vaccination stance.The world number one was in danger of losing the opening set against Russian qualifier Ivan Gakhov before easing through 7-6 (7/5), 6-2 in 1hr 47min.“I had never seen him play before today, and it’s always difficult to face an opponent you don’t know,” said the Serbian, a winner on clay in Monte Carlo in 2013 and 2015.Favourite for a third crown in the Principality in the absence of Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz, Djokovic will face either 21st-ranked Lorenzo Musetti or Luca Nardi, 159th, both Italian, for a place in the quarter-finals.Tsitsipas advanced to the third round after Frenchman Benjamin Bonzi retired with a left wrist issue after just 22 minutes, trailing the Greek 4-1 in the first set.World number three Tsitsipas next meets either Chilean Nicolas Jarry, ranked 58, or Australian Alexei Popyrin, 94th, for a place in the quarter-finals.Djokovic is tuning up for a 23rd Grand Slam bid at the French Open. But the game was not as easy as expected with Gakhov taking the first break to lead 4-3.Djokovic broke back immediately, but could not prevent the tie-break which he wrapped up on his first set point.The second set was one-sided even though Gakhov hung on until the end.“It was probably, if you can call it this way, an ugly tennis win for me today,” said Djokovic, who is looking for a record-extending 39th ATP Masters title this week.“I haven’t played my best, particularly in the first set. And I kind of expected that that was going to happen in a way with swirly conditions, a lot of wind today, changing directions.“It’s different practising and then playing an official match on clay.“But all in all, I’m just pleased with the way I held my nerves I think in the important moments and I managed to clinch the two-set win.”Rublev, Zverev survive Earlier Andrey Rublev and Alexander Zverev both survived dropping a set, but last year’s runner-up Alejandro Davidovich Fokina fell at the first hurdle.Fifth-seeded Rublev, recipient of a first-round bye, rallied to beat Spaniard Jaume Munar 4-6, 6-2, 6-2 in their second-round tie.German Zverev made a hesitant start to his clay-court season before seeing off Kazakh Alexander Bublik 3-6, 6-2, 6-4 in the first round. “The feeling was, ‘No way, I might be out in the first round of Monaco’,” said Rublev, 25, who will face fellow Russian Khachanov, Dan Evans or qualifier Ilya Ivashka in the third round.Zverev was back on clay for the first time since he retired in the French Open semi-finals last year against Rafael Nadal with an ankle injury. The 13th-seeded German took just under two hours to move past Bublik.“It felt awful at times to be honest,” Zverev said.“It usually takes me five or 10 minutes to get used to a clay court, but this year was a bit different. I needed to get the injury out of my head. I needed to get used to sliding again.”Zverev, a two-time Monte Carlo semi-finalist, will next play Spaniard Roberto Bautista Agut for a place in the third round.Spaniard Davidovich Fokina fell 6-2, 6-2 to ninth seed Karen Khachanov.Khachanov took 75 minutes to brush past Davidovich Fokina, who lost the final last year to Tsitsipas. Italian Lorenzo Sonego saved four match points to beat French qualifier Ugo Humbert 3-6, 7-5, 7-5 and plays third seed Daniil Medvedev in the second round.

Nobody from the LIV Golf contingent at this year’s Masters were able to slip into the Green Jacket, but a few players from the controversial Saudi-backed circuit left an indelible mark on the leaderboard at Augusta National on Sunday.Four-time major winner Brooks Koepka and three-time Masters champion Phil Mickelson, two of LIV’s biggest names, finished sharing second place, four shots back of Spaniard Jon Rahm.Patrick Reed, who won the Masters in 2018, was a further shot back with a share of fourth, while Joaquin Niemann was the next best from LIV Golf as he ended up tied for 16th.This year’s Masters was the first since LIV Golf launched last June, and 18 players from the lucrative circuit, whose 54-hole tournaments with no cuts have raised talk about their competitiveness, teed it up in the year’s first major.Koepka said nobody should be surprised to see that he and his LIV Golf peers posed a threat at Augusta National, which is one of the game’s biggest stages.“We’re still the same people. So I mean, I know if I’m healthy, I know I can compete. I don’t think any of the guys that played this event thought otherwise, either,” Koepka said.“When Phil plays good, we know he’s going to compete,” he added. “P-Reed, the same thing. I think that’s just manufactured by the media that we can’t compete anymore; that we are washed up.”Koepka was in the best position to deliver the victory for LIV Golf as he began the final round with a two-shot lead and had won all three previous majors when he had at least a share of the 54-hole lead.But the wheels fells off for Koepka, whose lead disappeared after four holes, and he was never able to threaten the rest of the way as he closed with a three-over-par 75.Mickelson began the final round 10 shots behind Koepka but fired the low score of the day, a seven-under-par 65, leaping into contention.Although it proved too little too late for Mickelson, the six-time major said he and the others from LIV Golf were not out to prove a point to other players in the field.“I wouldn’t look at it like that,” Mickelson said. “I’m very appreciative that we’re here; that we are able to play in the majors. And I thought it was exciting that this tournament rose above it all to have the best players in the world here and lost all the pettiness; that was great.”Augusta National cleared the way last December for eligible players from LIV Golf to compete in the year’s first major.If not exempt, a player’s standing in the world ranking is the key for them to gain access to the majors, and LIV Golf players have tumbled down the list as they await a ruling on their eligibility while competing on the Saudi-backed circuit.Niemann was more than pleased with his Masters performance as it will afford him some ranking points.“Hopefully they figure something out, then let all the top players be playing with the top players in the majors,” Niemann said. “I think this week was important just in case. I mean, hopefully get a few points.”Asian Tour to stage Scotland event for first timeThe Asian Tour golf will stage an event for the first time in Scotland when it tees off at Fairmont St Andrews on August 24-27, organisers said yesterday.The inaugural St Andrews Bay Championship will have a minimum prize purse of $1.5mn and be the sixth stop on the tour’s LIV Golf-supported International Series in 2023.The International Series is in its second season and also has events this year in Oman, Qatar, Thailand, Vietnam and England.“We are an ambitious initiative that aims to travel and go beyond our traditional borders to help grow the game and there can be no better place to play one of our events than where the game originated,” Rahul Singh, head of The International Series, said.The International Series offers a pathway to the upstart LIV Golf League.The Saudi-backed LIV, which is challenging the established PGA and DP World Tours, is pumping an estimated $300-400mn into the Asian Tour.

Seychelles sprinter Sharry Dodin is a man on a mission. From a country where athletics faces an uphill battle with football in the popularity stakes, Dodin is in a race against time to boost his speed in a bid to qualify for the World Championships in Budapest in August and the 2024 Olympics in Paris.The remote Indian Ocean archipelago, which has a population of only around 100,000, has never come close to winning a medal at either Olympic or world level.Dodin, a 100 and 200 metres specialist, is now in training in Kenya with the country’s sprint sensation Ferdinand Omanyala to hone his skills for the upcoming outdoor season.Both men will line up for their first competitive outdoor meet of the year at the Athletics Grand Prix in Pretoria today, the same event where 24-year-old Dodin set his personal best of 10.47sec.That, however, came way back in March 2018 and is leagues away from the current African record of 9.77sec run by Omanyala in September 2021.But the Seychellois says the tough training regime with the Kenyan and former South African 100m champion Henricho Bruintjies is already bringing out the best in him. “When I got here in Kenya the first week, it was really, really hard to keep up with these guys because every day is fast training,” said Dodin. “It’s really good to run with them because they’re always pushing hard to achieve their goals, and they help me better myself.”Dodin has represented Seychelles in the Indian Ocean Islands games, the Francophone games and the African junior championships.He said he hopes to qualify for both the 100m and 200m at the World Championships.But it has been made much harder for the likes of Dodin to make the cut, with World Athletics raising the bar for both events at the World Championships.The qualifying time in the 100m is now a tough 10.00 and for the 200m it is 20.16, with a deadline of July 30. A large percentage of lesser sprinters, however, are expected to qualify outside those times through the world ranking system.“It is the main target for every athlete to make it to the World Championships,” says Dodin, a trained mechanic.“The work I am putting in should help me get there. That’s my main target this year.”His sole international podium to date is an African under-20 championship bronze, which was also the country’s first sprint medal at the continental level.

Frank Lampard has urged Chelsea to ignore the turmoil enveloping his struggling side as he invoked the memory of the Blues’ incredible run to Champions League glory in 2012.Lampard is back in charge of Chelsea until the end of the season after replacing the sacked Graham Potter last week.After watching Chelsea crash to a lacklustre 1-0 defeat at Wolves in his first game in charge on Saturday, Lampard takes them to Real Madrid for a daunting Champions League quarter-final first leg today.Chelsea are languishing in 11th place in the Premier League after a dismal campaign that included Thomas Tuchel being sacked in September and Potter lasting only seven months before his dismissal. The west Londoners have managed to progress to the last eight in Europe despite their wretched domestic form.Knocking out holders Real would be a major upset, but Lampard knows all about defying the odds in the Champions League.Lampard captained Chelsea in their unexpected run to Champions League triumph 11 years ago. The Blues finished sixth during an underwhelming top-fight season, with Roberto Di Matteo replacing the axed Andre Villas-Boas in March.But in the Champions League they overturned a 3-1 first leg deficit to beat Napoli in the last 16, then recovered from 2-1 down on aggregate in the semi-final second leg to eliminate Lionel Messi’s Barcelona despite a red card for John Terry on a memorable night in the Camp Nou.In the final against Bayern Munich, they needed a last-gasp equaliser from Didier Drogba to set up a penalty shoot-out victory over the Germans in their own Allianz Arena stadium.Repeating that fairytale success seems beyond Chelsea as they board their flight to Madrid, but Lampard insists anything can happen if his players show enough desire.“There’s a lot to it. Part of that was we parked the bus at the Nou Camp and managed to hang on for our dear lives! There are so many things, fate in different moments,” he said.“But we did have a huge desire and a big character and a level of talent in the group that have been striving for years to win a Champions League, so that one you remember. “A team and a group will always go through tough moments to get to great ones.”Chelsea are without a win in their last four games and once again lacked a cutting edge in the Wolves defeat. If Lampard’s men are stun Real in the Bernabeu, the Blues boss could do with a rare influential display from Raheem Sterling. The England forward has struggled badly since his move from Manchester City last year. Lampard recalled Sterling to face Wolves but there was little sign of the pace and trickery that made him such a force during his time at City.Sterling, who has scored just seven times this term, did grab a crucial goal in the Champions League last 16 second leg win against Borussia Dortmund and Lampard believes he can still have a positive impact on Chelsea’s fortunes. “Raheem has been there and done it and there’s history of producing,” Lampard said. “He’s been one of the best wingers in the world for a long time, at times, maybe in some people’s opinion, the best. Madrid coach Ancelotti saddened by Chelsea slumpReal Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti said he was sad to see Chelsea’s slump this season, ahead of their Champions League quarter-final clash today.The Italian coach led the Blues between 2009-2011, winning a Premier League and FA Cup double in 2010.Chelsea, 11th in the Premier League, sacked coach Graham Potter at the start of April and hired their former coach Frank Lampard on an interim basis.“I am sad, yes,” Ancelotti told a news conference yesterday before the first-leg clash at the Santiago Bernabeu. “I have a fantastic memory of this club, of the people that are still working there. I’m a supporter of Chelsea, of course, because I spent two really nice years there.”Ancelotti, who has a year left to run on his contract with Madrid, said he did not see himself returning to Stamford Bridge for a second stint in charge.“Be back? No, I hope that Lampard is able to do a fantastic job with them,” added Ancelotti.The Real Madrid coach did not think his extra years of experience compared to Lampard, whom he managed at Chelsea, would make the difference in the tie. “He has 20 years less experience, but that will not change what will happen in the game,” continued Ancelotti.“He was a fantastic player, extraordinary, he knows very well what can happen in these games but experience, in these matches, I don’t think counts for much.“He arrived at the club a week ago, with a lot of players that he already knew, I think he’ll do well in the time that he’s at Chelsea.”Madrid, who won the Champions League last season, are looking to lift the trophy for the sixth time in 10 seasons.Ancelotti said midfielder Fede Valverde was training well, despite the storm brewing around him in recent days.Spanish reports say he punched Villarreal midfielder Alex Baena after their La Liga clash on Saturday. Baena said he had reported a Real Madrid player to police after being attacked following his team’s 3-2 win over the Spanish and European champions.“He was motivated today, like the rest of them, he trained well, I know him very well,” said Ancelotti. “He has a special human quality, extraordinary, and about what happened, I don’t want to speak about it, but I’m sure tomorrow he’ll give everything, as always.”Real Madrid defender David Alaba also showed his backing for his team-mate. “He’s (doing) very good, he’s got all the support from us for sure,” Alaba told reporters. “He’s training well, he looks sharp and focused for the game tomorrow, but I can’t say more about those things that happened.”

Stefano Pioli said yesterday that he is not expecting a repeat of his AC Milan team’s devastating Serie A display against Napoli when the pair face off in their all-Italian Champions League quarter-final.Milan smashed four goals past Italy’s runaway league leaders without reply earlier this month, but Pioli doesn’t think there is any chance of Napoli being rocked by that defeat in today’s first-leg at the San Siro. “The match in the league will obviously give us an idea, but there’s no way it will be the same match again,” said Pioli.“They’re the highest scoring team in this Champions League and after Bayern Munich the team which has won the most matches so they’re a really good team with great quality.“I think both teams have the same chance of going through. I’m expecting two very balanced matches... I think we can expect something different from Napoli so we need to be aware whether we need to make changes from the match in the league.”Latest reports in Italy suggest Napoli will be without star striker Victor Osimhen, who did not take part in team training yesterday.Osimhen, who has scored 25 goals in all competitions this season, also missed the league encounter with a thigh injury picked up on international duty.“It doesn’t make a difference, Napoli have great players, they’re all good,” added Milan’s France full-back Theo Hernandez.“Whether he plays or not, whoever is out there tomorrow will play their part.”Napoli will be playing their first ever last-eight tie in the Champions League at a stadium which has seen a raft of memorable European nights.Milan have been crowned continental kings more times than any other team bar Real Madrid and Pioli believes that playing such a huge game at a packed San Siro will have a positive impact on his team.“San Siro will be on the pitch with us tomorrow and that gives you a better chance of both giving your best and of winning,” he said.“Our fans will push us on to give our very best.”

Barcelona striker Robert Lewandowski would love Lionel Messi to return to the Catalan club from Paris Saint-Germain this summer, he said yesterday.The 35-year-old Argentine World Cup winner left Barca in 2021 when the club could not afford to renew his contract and his PSG deal expires in June.Amid whistles from PSG supporters who see Messi as a symbol of the club’s mistakes in chasing star signings instead of building a competitive team, Barcelona are openly courting the forward.“Messi belongs to Barca and if he returns it would be something incredible,” said Lewandowski.“We know that his place is here, in Barcelona. I don’t know what will happen, but I hope that next season we can play together.”Messi is the club’s all-time top goalscorer and many consider him the best player in the history of football.The playmaker scored a record 672 goals in 778 matches for Barcelona, winning 35 trophies, after joining the club at 13-years-old and developing at their feted La Masia youth academy.Barcelona fans have chanted Messi’s name in the 10th minute - representing his former Barca shirt number - in their last two matches, including a 0-0 draw against Girona on Monday in La Liga.“Leo generates excitement, they have chanted his name in two games now, we’ll see what happens,” said Barca coach Xavi Hernandez after the derby clash.Lewandowski, top scorer in Spain, could not find the net for the league leaders against Girona and, speaking at a charity event, said he had been carrying an injury.“I took a blow from (Real Madrid defender Eder) Militao in the game against Madrid and I could not walk,” added Lewandowski, referring to Barcelona’s 4-0 thrashing by Los Blancos in the Copa del Rey last week.“On the pitch I have to play better but that knock from Militao left my body in a bad way.”

Dean Smith insisted that Leicester can avoid relegation after the Premier League strugglers hired him as their manager until the end of the season on Monday.Former Aston Villa and Norwich boss Smith replaces Brendan Rodgers, who was sacked on April 2 after his side’s slump into relegation trouble.Smith will take charge for Leicester’s last eight games of the campaign as they battle to avoid dropping into the Championship for the first time since 2014. The Foxes sit second bottom of the table and are two points from safety after Saturday’s damaging 1-0 home defeat against fellow strugglers Bournemouth.“I’m really happy to have the opportunity to lead the team during these final weeks of the season,” Smith said.“The challenge in front of us is clear, but it’s one myself and my coaching team have experienced before and, with the quality in this squad and the number of games remaining, it’s very much achievable.“Our first job is to rebuild confidence and instil belief in the team and I’m looking forward to getting to work with the players this week.”Leicester have lost both matches since Rodgers was sacked, with first-team coaches Adam Sadler and Mike Stowell taking charge on an interim basis prior to Smith’s appointment. Smith’s backroom staff will include former Chelsea and England captain John Terry, who previously worked for him as an assistant coach at Villa.Craig Shakespeare also returns to the King Power Stadium as Smith’s assistant manager. Shakespeare was part of Claudio Ranieri’s coaching team when Leicester stunningly won their fairytale Premier League title in 2016, and also briefly managed the club after the Italian’s sacking.Smith, who was sacked by second-tier Norwich in December, faces a daunting assignment for his first game, a trip to in-form champions Manchester City on Saturday.“Saturday will be a big test, but it’s the kind of occasion that reminds us all what it means to be a Premier League club, competing on the biggest stages against the best players in the world,” Smith said. “I know we’ll be well supported by our travelling fans. We have to connect with that and give them a performance they can be proud of. We go there positive, looking for points.”Leicester chairman Aiyawatt Sriwvaddhanaprabha believes the 52-year-old Smith can save them from relegation despite their dismal form in 2023.The Foxes are without a win in their last nine games in all competitions, losing eight of those matches to plummet into the relegation zone.“His leadership, coaching and motivational qualities will be vital assets for us in the coming eight games as we fight to secure our Premier League status,” he said.“We’ve endured a challenging season, but I have no doubt that we have the quality in our squad to win this fight.“Dean’s experience will be key to unlocking that potential, helping the team rediscover its confidence and channelling the support of our fans, who will be so important during these final eight games.”Rodgers spent four years at Leicester and led the club to their first ever FA Cup triumph in 2021. But despite finishing a respectable eighth last season, Leicester sold key defender Wesley Fofana to Chelsea, with Rodgers gradually falling out of favour after complaining publicly about a lack of backing from the board over new signings.

Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) defender Nordi Mukiele will be sidelined for the rest of this season over injury, the club announced on Tuesday.The 25-year-old will undergo an upper hamstring surgery in Finland.The French international sustained his injury during the Parc des Princes' round of sixteen encounter against Bayern Munich in the Champions league on March 8.Mukiele arrived at PSG this season coming from RB Leipzig.

Second division side Al Shahania stunned Al Gharafa 4-3 on penalties to advance to the semi-finals of the 51st HH The Amir Cup at the Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium on Sunday. Both the teams were locked 3-3 after regulation time.Abdulaziz Al Yahri (18th minute), Amir Roustaei (44th minute) and Ousmane Coulibaly (60th minute) scored the goals for Al Shahania. For Al Gharafa, Moayad Hassan (48th minute), Yacine Brahimi (75th minute) and Ishak Belfodil (83rd minute) hit the target.Earlier, Al Yahri and Amir Roustaei opened the scoring for Al Shahania, bounding the squad with a lead against the fourth-ranked Al Gharafa - in the QNB Stars League (QSL).Despite trailing 0-2, Al Gharafa played fiercely to make a comeback with Moayad Hassan scoring in the 48th minute.The third and last goal came from former Mali defender Ousmane Coulibaly as the right-back secured the lead for his team before the efforts from both Al Gharafa’s Yacine Brahimi and Ishak Belfodil in the deep second half.Tied 3-3, Al Shahania’s goalkeeper Bautista Burke kept his team from elimination as he guarded the penalty box against Al Gharafa’s strikers.The 20-year-old hemmed his underdog squad to come out on top, eliminating Al Gharafa on penalties in the tournament’s quarter-finals.The triumph adds to coach Alvaro Mejia’s evolving resume, as it would be another win over two first-division teams so far in the season.Al Sadd to meet Umm SalalThe star-studded Al Sadd team will take on Umm Salal as both teams battle it out to meet either Al Arabi or Al Shahania on Monday.Al Sadd said the side was not under any pressure despite having a below-par season so far and they are aiming for the first trophy of the season.Al Sadd are third in the league - seven points behind the leaders Al Duhail. The Wolves also lost to Al Duhail in the Qatar Cup final and in the Ooredoo Cup semi-final recently.“All tournaments are different from one another and they have their own importance but the Amir Cup is special. It is giving us a chance to secure at least one trophy this season and we will do everything in our capacity to regain this prestigious title for our fans.“We will give our best in the QSL also and will try to win all the remaining matches,” Al Sadd coach Juan Manuel Lillo said.On the other hand, Umm Salal, who are battling to avoid relegation from the QSL, also fancy their chances in the match.“All teams who made it to the quarter-finals have an equal opportunity to progress to the next round. All Sadd will be giving their all in this match after losing the Qatar Cup final. But I believe in the abilities of my players and our desire to qualify for the semi-final is high,” Umm Salal coach Talal El Karkouri said.

Pep Guardiola is relishing the chance to pit his wits against Bayern Munich manager Thomas Tuchel as the Manchester City boss looks to avenge his team’s 2021 Champions League final defeat at the German’s hands.City host Bayern in the Champions League quarter-final first leg today as Guardiola continues his quest to lead the team to their first title in Europe’s elite club competition.It will be an intriguing tactical battle between two of the world’s top managers, with Guardiola coming face to face with Tuchel two years after the German won their Champions League final showdown.Tuchel was in charge of Chelsea when they beat City 1-0 in the final in Porto two years ago.Guardiola was accused of over-thinking his team selection for the final against Chelsea, who also beat City in the FA Cup and the Premier League during Tuchel’s reign. With Tuchel having recently taken charge of Bayern after being sacked by Chelsea in September, Guardiola has a chance for revenge over the two-legged tie.“I was sad but I congratulated him and Chelsea for the victory. It happened,” Guardiola told reporters yesterday.“We try again. Defeats and victories stick at the same level. It is forgotten just the same. I don’t pay attention to what happened in the past. It’s part of the game.“I reviewed the game a month ago and it was not as bad as I thought. It was a tight game, like they always have been against Chelsea in this period.”On locking horns with Tuchel, Guardiola added: “I try to figure out the quality they have in all departments. It would have been difficult with Julian Nagelsmann and also will be difficult against Tuchel.“I don’t pay that much attention, more attention on what I do with my team.”Guardiola knows all about Bayern’s enduring quality after spending three seasons in charge of the Munich club from 2013-2016, a spell that included three Bundesliga titles.But just as he been unable to produce a Champions League triumph with City, he also failed to win the competition at Bayern. The 52-year-old’s two Champions League victories as a manager both came with Barcelona in 2009 and 2011, and he is well aware how hard it will be to end that long barren run this season.“We want to try. It’s an honour to be here against an elite club like Bayern and I’m happy to be here,” Guardiola said.“It’s not taken for granted. You have to deserve it by playing good. When I was appointed and came seven years ago people ask me this every season. I understand. “We’ve tried every single season but there are teams that you face that are also good and want to win.”If City are to end their wait for European glory, they will need Erling Haaland to maintain his incredible goalscoring form.The Norway striker has reached 30 Premier League goals this season and has 44 in all competitions.“He is important for us, I cannot deny. He came to help us to be here in the Champions League, to win that, but as well as the FA Cup and the Premier League as well,” Guardiola said.“It is important to have a player who from nothing can score a goal, but we have scored many goals in this competition in the past and gone out. Maybe the problem was that we were not solid enough to defend.”City will come up against a familiar face in Bayern’s Portuguese international full-back Joao Cancelo, who surprisingly joined the Germans on loan in January and is eligible to play in the tie.City defender Ruben Dias, a good friend of his fellow Portugal international, said: “I must confess it will be strange.“Not very long ago we were fighting together but it is what it is, it is football, it is the life we lead. Decisions have been made.”

A lot of responsibility lies at the feet of Benfica striker Goncalo Ramos, who is aiming to fire his side past Inter Milan and into the Champions League semi-finals for the first time since 1990.The striker is growing used to the pressure, shooting into the global football consciousness during the World Cup in December when he was picked to start for Portugal ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo in the last 16 against Switzerland.Ramos hit a hat-trick as his country thrashed their opponents 6-1, leaping into the limelight having made his international debut just a few weeks earlier, in a friendly.In March the striker dazzled against Club Brugge in the Champions League last 16 second leg, scoring a brace in the 5-1 win to guide Benfica into the quarter-finals for the second season running.Inter’s visit to Lisbon today is an opportunity for the forward to put himself in the shop window, as many other young Benfica talents have done over the years.The latest was midfielder Enzo Fernandez, who joined Chelsea in January for a stratospheric 121 million euros ($133 million) fee after winning the World Cup with Argentina, following the likes of Joao Felix, Ruben Dias and Ederson.Ramos’s development took a step forward at Benfica after Liverpool signed Darwin Nunez last summer for an initial 75 million euros ($82 million), leaving a void up front, which he willingly filled.The 21-year-old forward became the focal point of the attack, having played a supporting role to Nunez and others since making his debut in 2020.Ramos came through Benfica’s admired Seixal academy after joining the club at 12 years old, and nearly a decade later many of Europe’s giants are chasing him. The forward has been linked with Real Madrid, Manchester United and Chelsea of late, while Patrick Kluivert recommended his former side Barcelona to sign him.“I am very satisfied with Gonçalo Ramos, but not only for what he did against Club Brugge,” said Benfica coach Roger Schmidt in March.“I love his attitude, which he gives to the team. He is young, he is scoring goals in the Champions League and it is normal for him to attract the attention of other clubs.”Ramos’s 17 goals in 23 appearances in the Portuguese top flight have helped Benfica open up a seven-point lead at the top of the table. They did stumble to a 2-1 defeat against rivals Porto, second, on Friday, although it was Ramos hitting the bar which forced Diogo Costa’s own goal to open the scoring.The striker has also netted seven times in 12 appearances in Champions League, including the qualifying rounds.“Goncalo has had an extraordinary season at his club,” admitted new Portugal coach Roberto Martinez in March, although for now he is relying on the veteran Ronaldo.Ramos has formed a strong link on the pitch with Joao Mario, who is enjoying the best goalscoring season of his career.The former Inter Milan and West Ham midfielder is benefitting from Ramos’s build-up play and well-rounded game, honed over his seasons as a support striker.“Above all, he is a team player,” said former Braga coach and current Celta Vigo boss Carlos Carvalhal.“He has an unusual mix - he works, runs, he fights - and he’s a good finisher. He shoots well with his head and both feet.”Some have compared Ramos to Bayern Munich forward Thomas Muller, a parallel the forward enjoys, although he is stronger in the air.“I think I have some similarities to him, and he is also an example for me. I like being compared to him,” said Ramos.Muller, 33, has won the Champions League on two occasions, the same number as Benfica have in their history - while Ramos is yet to lift a trophy in his fledgling career.Team-mate Rafa Silva, who was officially given the man-of-the-match award in the 5-1 quarter final second leg romp over Club Brugge, gave the trophy to Ramos after his brace.Benfica are undefeated in Europe this season and have a strong defence, but are fully aware their best chance of reaching the semi-finals hinges on Ramos and his superior finishing.