Sports

LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers open their title defence as underdogs against the Golden State Warriors as the NBA finals get under way next week.

The 2016 champion Cavaliers and the 2015 champion Warriors will battled for the crown for a third straight year in the best-of-seven starting at Golden State on Thursday.

James scored 35 points and passed Michael Jordan to become the NBA’s all-time play-off scoring leader as the Cavaliers routed the Boston Celtics 135-102 on Thursday to claim their third straight Eastern Conference title.

Both teams dominated throughout the play-offs — the Warriors made history by going an unprecedented 12-0 through three rounds in the Western Conference, while the Cavs lost just one game to the Celtics to cap their dominant run.

The Westgate Las Vegas SuperBook installed Golden State as a minus-260 favourite, with Cleveland at plus-220, meaning a $100 bet on the Warriors would win $38.46 and the same bet on the Cavaliers would win $220, according to ESPN.

The Warriors are listed as seven-point favourites for Game 1 at home, according to CBS Sports.

“I’m going to be honest,” James told reporters in Boston on Thursday. “I’m not in the right mind to even talk about Golden State. It’s too stressful, and I’m not stressed right now.”

The Cavaliers and Warriors split their two meetings this season, both winning at home. Cleveland won by one point on Christmas Day and Golden State prevailed by 35 points on January 16.

It will be James’ seventh straight trip to the finals and eighth overall.

“I’ve been very blessed the last few years to be a part of this league and play on the big stage,” James said. “But we’re going to enjoy this for a couple more days before we have to lock in on that juggernaut out west.”

Golden State led the league with a 67-15 record this season and is 27-1 in their last 28 games, including the play-offs.

“Playing in this league, you can’t take anything for granted,” Warriors guard Stephen Curry said after the Warriors beat the San Antonio Spurs 129-115 in Game Four on Monday.

“Thirty teams suit up every year trying to get to this point, and only two teams do. So you have to appreciate it.”

While James is going for his fourth ring, Warriors forward Kevin Durant will be trying to win his first. Durant signed a two-year, $54.3 million contract with the Warriors last offseason.

Durant’s only other time in the finals was 2012 when he was with Oklahoma City, but the Thunder lost to the Miami Heat in a series that made James a champion for the first time.

“It’s a little different, definitely. I can’t lie,” Durant said when comparing the 2012 finals trip to this one. “I went when I was 23 years old, and it felt like the Western Conference finals was almost like the championship.

“So it’s a little different now, obviously. We have a bigger goal in mind.”

James called the Warriors, “the best team in our league the last three years. And they’ve added an unbelievable player in Kevin Durant this year.

“We have to be ready for the challenge.”

AMMAN — Faisali outplayed Jazira to win the Jordan Cup title on Wednesday in the fourth and last competition of the season. The teams were tied 1-1 after 90 minutes and the game went to a goalless overtime.

Faisali won 4-2 on penalties. Faisali advanced to the final after they eliminated rivals Wihdat on aggregate: they beat them 2-0 and tied 0-0.

On the other hand, Jazira overcame Ramtha 1-0 in both legs of the semifinals. After leading and being heavily favoured to win the Jordan Professional Football League Jazira also settled for second.

Since the Cup started in 1980, there have been 37 editions with Faisali being a record 19 time Cup champions. Wihdat won 10 times, Ramtha and Shabab Urdun twice, while Jazira, Arabi, That Ras and Ahli won once each.

Jose Mourinho’s first season at Manchester United will be deemed by many as a failure unless they win Wednesday’s Europa League final against Ajax Amsterdam to secure Champions League qualification.

The Portuguese coach arrived at Old Trafford at the start of this campaign charged with the task of restoring United to, if not their old dominance, at least a place at the top table in the Premier League elite.

But a sixth-place finish is lower than Mourinho’s predecessor Louis van Gaal managed in his two seasons, which concluded with fourth and fifth places.

It is not the prestige of the Europa League title that would change the perspective on the former Chelsea and Real Madrid manager’s first year at United but the place that triumph would secure in the continent’s top club competition.

For United, a second straight season outside the European elite would not only be a blow for the fans and the club’s status, but could also affect their ability to recruit the very best talent from across the globe.

For Mourinho, there is also his own “brand” to consider.

The 54-year-old left Chelsea last season after a shocking campaign of under-achievement, only for largely the same group of players to march to the Premier League title this term under his replacement Italian Antonio Conte.

Overly cautious

The move to United offered a chance to restore Mourinho’s reputation as a winner — but a season with just a League Cup triumph and no Champions League place would surely have his critics crowing again.

Mourinho’s tactics have been criticised as overly cautious and others have taken aim at his habit of publicly naming and shaming individual players, such as full-back Luke Shaw.

On Monday, ex-France and Arsenal striker turned Sky Sports TV pundit Thierry Henry said United’s biggest signing — world record £89 million ($115.62 million) purchase Paul Pogba — was under-performing due to Mourinho’s tactics.

“They don’t use Pogba where he should be playing — he’s not a holding midfielder. He likes to play higher or off the left,” said Henry.

But a win over Ajax would allow a greater hearing for a more generous evaluation of Mourinho’s first 12 months at United.

Last month’s 2-0 home victory over eventual English champions Chelsea, provided indications that next season United could be both more successful and more entertaining.

Steps forward

Teenage striker Marcus Rashford was excellent in that game and has enjoyed a season where he has made clear steps forward in delivering on his undoubted potential.

Spanish midfielder Ander Herrera was a crucial element in stopping Chelsea’s often deadly counter-attacks and has shown that he can become a key element in the United midfield.

French defender Eric Bailly has also grown this season and he is by no means alone — several players in the United squad have enjoyed positive campaigns.

While few have time for Mourinho’s press conference “blame games”, there is no doubt he is justified in highlighting United’s lengthy injury list during a busy season finale.

A Premier League high of 15 draws — 10 at home — wrecked United’s hopes of a top-four spot, but attacking reinforcements in the transfer window should help address that problem.

Win on Wednesday and Mourinho will go into the close season able to promise his transfer targets that next year will be about challenging on the domestic and Champions League fronts.

A defeat changes the narrative to one which next season focuses on whether Mourinho really is the right man to turn around the 20-time English champions’ fortunes.

AMMAN — Jazira and Faisali play the Jordan Cup final on Wednesday in the fourth and last competition of the season.

Faisali advanced after they eliminated rivals Wihdat on aggregate: they beat them 2-0 and tied 0-0. On the other hand, Jazira overcame Ramtha 1-0 in both legs of the semifinals. 

After leading and being heavily favoured to win the league in which Jazira settled for second, the Jordan Cup final is now a chance to win one of the local titles which they won once in 1984.

Since the cup started in 1980, there have been 37 editions with Faisali being a record 18 time cup champions. Wihdat won 10 times, Ramtha and Shabab Urdun twice, while Jazira, Arabi, That Ras and Ahli won once each.

This season, Faisali won the Jordan Professional League title for their record 33rd time after a four year break with Jazira finishing second and Wihdat third. Ahli beat Wihdat 2-1 to win the 34th Super Cup and Shabab Urdun scored a major 5-1 win over Faisali to win their second Jordan Football Association Shield title after they first won in 2007.

Aqaba have been crowned First Division champs and together with Yarmouk have been promoted to the Professional League for next season replacing Sarih and Sahab.

Regionally, Wihdat have technically exited the Round of 16 of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Cup after also exiting the Asian Champions League earlier in the season. After losing the chance to win their fourth consecutive and 16th overall league title, the team went down 4-1 to Syria’s Wihdeh in the first leg. Ahli, playing in the AFC Cup for the first time, were eliminated from the first round.

Last season, Wihdat won the league title for the 15th overall time since they moved up to the league in 1975. Faisali beat Wihdat to clinch the Super Cup, while it was Ahli who made history when they beat Shabab Urdun to win their first Jordan Cup final. Ahli’s achievement came after years in the backstage. Despite being a long-time veteran and founder of the game in the Kingdom, Ahli were relegated to Division 1 in 2004, however, they made it back to the Pro League in 2014, finishing fifth in 2015 and third in 2016.

 Jordan Cup record since 2000

2000Wihdat (Faisali)

2001Faisali (Hussein)

2002Faisali (Hussein)

2003 Faisali (Hussein)

2004 Faisali (Sh. Hussein)

2005 Shabab Urdun (Faisali)

2006 Shabab Urdun (Faisali)

2007Faisali (Shabab Urdun)

2008 Wihdat (Shabab Urdun)

2009Wihdat (Arabi)

2010Wihdat (Manshieh)

2011Faisali (Manshieh)

2012That Ras (Ramtha)

2013Wihdat (Baqa’a)

2014Faisali (That Ras)

2015Ahli (Shabab Urdun)

Real Madrid’s magical midfielder Isco has finally found his place in Zinedine Zidane’s side as he tries to drive them towards a La Liga and Champions League double.

Isco set up Cristiano Ronaldo’s second-minute goal against Malaga on Sunday as Madrid won 2-0 to earn the Spanish title.

After months of uncertainty over his future and reports that he was considering leaving after failing to start on a regular basis, the tide has turned at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Gareth Bale’s injury problems prompted Zidane to shuffle his pack and Isco has been the winner of the situation, with the coach shifting to a 4-4-2 formation.

Isco plays as an attacking midfielder at the tip of a central diamond, his ideal position. The new set-up has helped Madrid win their first title since 2012 and reach the Champions League final against Juventus.

“Do not worry the fans of Real Madrid. I will stay,” Isco told reporters on Sunday, ending uncertainty over his future.

“Yes, [the situation] was complicated at first, but I have remained strong psychologically and I have received the support of everyone.”

Isco has been a key part of Madrid’s form in the second half of the season, notching a total of 10 league goals in 30 appearances, just 18 of them starts.

Madrid supporters have been fond of Isco since he joined from Malaga in 2013 and he was delighted to win the title in the Spanish capital, which he feels has become his home.

“It’s been some time coming, but it’s a dream come true to have won the title here, with my family and friends in my city,” Isco added. “I’ll be forever grateful for the affection they’ve shown me. It’s a very sweet moment and you have to enjoy it.”

Isco’s performance against his former team helped Madrid keep the Andalusians at bay and his connection with Ronaldo has inspired the side in the last few months.

Although Bale is expected to be fit for the Champions League final, Zidane may opt to stick with his new formation instead of accommodating the Welshman in Cardiff by reverting to the 4-3-3.

Spanish newspaper Marca conducted a poll on May 12 in which only 28 per cent of 33,000 voters preferred Bale to start on June 3 over Isco (72 per cent).

Although Zidane may feel pressure to start Madrid’s record signing in his homeland, on merit Isco deserves the chance to try and help the club win their 12th Champions League trophy.

AMMAN — Shareif Al Atawneh has stunned the Asian athletics scene by winning gold in the 3,000m at the Asian Youth Athletics Championship taking place in Bangkok, Thailand, according to the Jordan Olympic Committee News Service.

The 17-year-old led the field home in a time of 8:35.49 minutes, smashing the previous Jordan record of 8:53 set by Ra’fat Al Zboun.

The win secures Atawneh a place at the World Youth Championships to be held in Kenya.

He will join teammate Alya Bushnaq at the Worlds after she qualified to the finals of the 100m and 400m races, but missed out on the top three places.

AMMAN — The Jordan Cup semifinals ended on Saturday with Faisali and Jazira beating rivals for a place in the May 24 final. Faisali drew 0-0 with Wihdat, but went through on an aggregated score of 2-0. Jazira overcame Ramtha 1-0, and went through with an aggregated score of 2-0.

AMMAN — Ra’fat Haroun on Friday was crowned champion of the third round of the Jordan Drift Championship held at SOFEX Racetrack in Marka.

Haroun beat the 29 strong field with 391 points in his Toyota GT 36 followed by Mohammed Kukhen with 386 points in his BMW i30 and Mohammed Foqaha in third place with 380 points in his BMW i30.

Omar Kukhen settled in fourth place with 378 points in his BMW i30.

Haroun was also the winner of the second round.

Drivers were judged according to speed, angle and perfect track line (90 points), showmanship (5 points) and smoking tyres (5 points).

AMMAN — The Jordan Cup semifinals end on Saturday with four teams in contention for the final title of the season.

Faisali seek to repeat their win over rivals Wihdat whom they beat 2-0 last week. Jazira, who were favoured to win the league, settled for second and now aim to reach the final. Jazira overcame Ramtha 1-0 in the first leg of the semifinals and now have an advantage to play in the May 24 final.

With no Division 1 teams playing this year, teams were split into two groups with top two teams from each group making it to the semis: Ramtha and Faisali booked top spots from Group A edging their rivals with ease as holders Ahli finished third followed by Sahab, Manshieh and Baqa’a. In Group B, Wihdat and Jazira ousted Hussein Irbid, Shabab Urdun, Hussein and That Ras. 

This season, Faisali won the Jordan Professional Football League title for a record 33rd time after a four year break with Jazira finishing second and Wihdat third. Ahli won the first major competition on the 2016/17 football calendar when they beat Wihdat 2-1 to win the 34th Super Cup. In the Jordan Football Association Shield, Shabab Urdun scored a major 5-1 win over Faisali to win their second Shield title after they first won in 2007.

Regionally, Wihdat have technically exited the Round of 16 of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Cup after they also exited the Asian Champions League earlier in the season. After losing the chance to win their fourth consecutive and 16th overall league title last week, Wihdat’s head coach Adnan Hamad resigned and the team went down 4-1 to Syria’s Wihdeh in the first leg. Ahli, playing in the AFC Cup for the first time, finished third in AFC Cup Group A and were eliminated from the first round.

Last season, Wihdat retained the league title for their third consecutive and 15th overall time since they moved up to the Professional League in 1975. Faisali beat Wihdat to clinch the Super Cup, while it was Ahli who made history when they beat Shabab Urdun to win their first Jordan Cup final. Ahli’s achievement came after years in the backstage. Despite being a long-time veteran and founder of the game in the Kingdom, Ahli were relegated to Division 1 in 2004, however, they made it back to the Pro League in 2014, finishing fifth in 2015 and third in 2016.

AMMAN — The third round of the Jordan Drift Championship kicks off on Friday with the participation of 23 drivers at SOFEX Racetrack in Marka.

The round which is held in celebration of the Kingdom’s Independence Day will see Hesham Issam and Abdullah Abu Hussein battle it out with 38 points each while the opportunity is clear and open for Mohammed Fuqaha, who is trailing with 36 points.

Ra’fat Haroun is in fourth place with 31 points and Othman Takriti in fifth place with 28 points.

Othman Naseef, Jordan Motorsport CEO told The Jordan Times that the door is open to a host of drivers to make the change in the standings.

“Drivers’ standings are close to each other and this will make it more exciting as anyone can reserve the first place and at the same time any mistake will have an impact on their results,” he said.

 “We hope that everyone will be able to watch this crucial round which will be very exciting and decisive too,” he added.

Drivers will be judged according to speed, angle and perfect track line (90 points), showmanship (5 points) and smoking tyres (5 points).