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SOCHI, Russia, April 29 — Formula One frontrunner Sebastian Vettel stunned Mercedes to take Ferrari’s first pole position since 2015 on Saturday with teammate Kimi Raikkonen completing a front row lockout at the Russian Grand Prix.

The pole, Vettel’s 47th, ended a run of 18 in a row for once-dominant world champions Mercedes, who had Valtteri Bottas and Lewis Hamilton right behind the two red cars in third and fourth places.

The German, a four-times world champion with Red Bull, has won two of the first three races and leads triple champion Hamilton by seven points in the championship.

As a measure of Ferrari’s achievement in breaking the Mercedes stranglehold and returning to form, the pole was only the Italian team’s sixth since 2008.

It was also Ferrari’s first front row sweep since Brazilian Felipe Massa, now with Williams, and Raikkonen qualified first and second at the French Grand Prix — a race no longer on the calendar — in June 2008.

Statisticians would have to thumb back to the 2015 Singapore Grand Prix, 31 races ago, to find the last time Mercedes had no car on the front row. 

“The first run was not really tidy, so I left it to the end, and I improved some time in the last sector,” said Vettel, who had to wait before confirmation came over the radio that Mercedes were beaten.

“I immediately opened the radio ‘tell me about the others, tell me about the others!’,” he said. “When I got the message we got it I was over the moon. The car was phenomenal this afternoon.”

Bottas was fastest in the first two phases of qualifying, with the choice of tyres coming into play, and those who had suspected the champions were hiding their pace in practice appeared to be justified.

But that too was a false dawn, with glum looks and shaking heads in the Mercedes garage as the reality of the situation emerged.

“I just wasn’t quick enough today, it was all in the last sector... so there’s some work to do,” said Hamilton, who had racked up six poles in a row before Bottas took his career first in Bahrain two weeks ago.

“Ferrari are quickest in qualifying and generally in race trim, so it will be interesting to see where we stand tomorrow,” added the Briton.

Bottas, who has yet to win a Grand Prix and joined from Williams in January, recognised Mercedes had expected far more from a circuit where they have led every lap since the race first appeared on the calendar in 2014.

“For sure they have a very good car and we are struggling to compete with them,” he said of Ferrari.

“Personally, and as a team, coming into this weekend probably we were thinking that it’s going to be better than Bahrain. So far it’s turned out to be not so good and Ferrari seems to be doing something better here than us.

“So for sure it’s disappointing for us not to be on pole,” added the Finn.

Australian Daniel Ricciardo qualified fifth with Massa sixth and between the two Red Bulls with Max Verstappen behind in seventh.

Renault, who have struggled to score points, again had a car in the top 10 on the grid with Germany’s Nico Hulkenberg qualifying eighth. 

Hulkenberg’s British team mate Jolyon Palmer compounded a miserable day, after an overnight chassis change and then a replacement engine, by crashing out of the first phase.

AMMAN — Wihdat host Bahrain’s Muharraq in Group C on Monday while Ahli play Iraq’s Zawra’a in Group A on Tuesday in the final Round 1 matches of 14th Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Cup.

Wihdat are now second in the group and need to win to secure qualification to the Round of 16 after holding Lebanon’s Nijmeh 1-1  in their last match. The Jordanian champs were held 1-1 with Muharraq in the first leg, but hope to come out with a victory to help them advance in the regional event after they lost the chance to retain the Jordan Professional Football League title this week following a 1-1 draw with newcomers Sarih. In earlier matches,  Wihdat were held 1-1 with Oman’s Saham and beat them 2-1, and scored a 1-0 win over Nijmeh.

Representing Jordan in the AFC Cup for the first time,  Jordan Cup title holders Ahli  lost their qualifying chance after they lost 2-1 to Syria’s Jeish to stay third. They earlier beat Oman’s Suweiq 2-1 and were held 0-0. They also held Zawra’a 1-1 and lost their opening match 1-0 to Jeish.

Clubs from five Asian Zones are competing in eight groups, with the top two from each group advancing to the Round of 16. This year, prize money has been set at $ 1 million for the winner and $500,000 for the runner- up. 

Locally, Wihdat now have the Jordan Cup in sight  as they have reached the semis. Wihdat have been league champs for the past three seasons, and won the title for the 15th time last year since moving up to the Professional League in 1975.

Ahli started the season beating Wihdat 2-1 to win the 34th Super Cup — the first major competition on the 2016/17 football calendar. However, recently Ahli have been struggling in the league and were eliminated from the Jordan Cup.  

The AFC Cup was previously won three times by Jordanian teams: Faisali won in 2005 and 2006, and Shabab Urdun in 2007. 

It is Wihdat’s 10th time in the competition after their ambitions of competing among top tier teams were dashed early when they were eliminated from the preliminary round of 2017 AFC Asian Champions League (ACL). Jordanian teams have never before made it past the ACL preliminary round. Wihdat were knocked out in 2016 and 2015, while Shabab Urdun were eliminated in 2014.

AMMAN — While some of the biggest names in regional rallying start to arrive in Jordan for round two of the FIA Middle East Rally Championship, a number of local crews are putting the final preparations to their bids to upset the big guns, according to the Jordan Olympic Committee News Service.

Twelve-time regional champion Nasser Al Attiyah, of Qatar, will head the cast for what promises to be an intriguing weekend of rallying from May 4-6.

But with nearly 50 per cent of the starting list containing Jordanian crews, who are familiar with the challenging routes through the Jordan Valley and they Dead Sea areas, the best they can expect is a stiff challenge from the home grown heroes.

“Obviously the spotlight is on Nasser who has won here in Jordan 10 times previously but anything can happen in rallying and the Jordan-based teams will be hoping to spring a surprise or two,” said George Khoury, clerk of the course for the FIA Jordan Rally.

Khaled Juma, in a Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X, and the return of Marouf Abu Samra, in a Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9, will give local fans something to cheer while Ihab Al Shorafa, Asem Aref and Ziad Miqdad will also be hoping home comforts can make a difference.

The Jordan Rally will get underway on Thursday with a super special stage on the banks for the Dead Sea created for fans to gain a close-up look at the cars in action. On Friday and Saturday, cars will tackle 17 stages that will push competitors to the limit.

The rally consists of more than 240 km of timed stages on many of the routes that were widely praised when Jordan last hosted the FIA World Rally Championship back in 2011.

The regional series consists of five rounds this year, with Lebanon, Cyprus ad Iran following Jordan. Round one in Qatar was won by home driver Rashed Al Naimi after the overwhelming favourite Attiyah was forced out with a broken radiator. Naimi is unable to compete in Jordan, opening the door for Attiyah to potentially reclaim his lead in the championship.

Isaiah Thomas scored 11 of his 24 points in the fourth quarter, leading Boston on a late surge that put the Celtics in command of the game and back on top in their first-round play-off series with a 108-97 victory over the Chicago Bulls on Wednesday night.

Avery Bradley also scored 24 for Boston. Al Horford finished with 21 points, nine rebounds and seven assists as the Celtics won their third straight and took a 3-2 lead in the Eastern Conference series.

After losing the first two games, the top-seeded Celtics can advance with a win in Game 6 on Friday night in Chicago.

Dwyane Wade had 26 points, 11 rebounds and eight assists for the Bulls, who sputtered down the stretch and were outscored 29-16 in the fourth quarter. Jimmy Butler and Robin Lopez added 14 points apiece for Chicago, which was without point guard Rajon Rondo (broken thumb).

Wizards 103, Hawks 99

Bradley Beal scored 27 points, and John Wall had 20 points and 14 assists as Washington regained control of its first-round play-off series with a victory over Atlanta.

Otto Porter scored 17 points and sank 9 of 10 free throws for the fourth-seeded Wizards, who lead the best-of-seven Eastern Conference series 3-2. Washington offset another poor shooting night from the 3-point arc (7 of 24) by making 22 of 27 free throws.

Dennis Schroder had 29 points and 11 assists for the fifth-seeded Hawks. Paul Millsap finished with 21 points and 11 rebounds.

The series shifts to Atlanta for Game 6 on Friday. The Hawks won Game 3 and 4 at home by an average of 14 points.

MANCHESTER, England — If the first Manchester derby of the season was excessively dominated by the focus on a fascinating coaching rivalry, Thursday’s encounter is strictly business.

This time, few care about the Pep Guardiola-Jose Mourinho head-to-head records or their previous meetings in Spain’s La Liga.

The stakes are high — City are fourth in the Premier League, just a point ahead of United after the same number of games.

Both clubs are desperate to ensure a top-four finish and Champions League football next season, and Thursday’s clash at the Etihad Stadium will be influential in determining how the pair end their campaigns.

“This is about the clubs, the teams, this is about the positions at the end of the season. This is not about myself and Guardiola. I think now that is the correct approach,” Mourinho said this week, reflecting on the hype around the last derby.

Still, given their stature in the game, it is impossible for the two coaches to be completely out of the picture.

Guardiola’s first campaign at Manchester City risks ending in the worst Premier League finish for the club in seven seasons. City have not ended a campaign out of the top four since coming fifth in 2011 under Roberto Mancini.

Sunday’s extra-time defeat by Arsenal in the FA Cup semifinal saw the last chance of silverware disappear after City’s loss to Monaco in the Champions League last 16.

Former Barcelona and Bayern Munich coach Guardiola has never endured a trophy-less season as a coach and, while City’s hierarchy will write this year off as a transitional phase, there will still be some surprise that he has achieved less than his predecessor Manuel Pellegrini.

United progress

United, who lost 2-1 in the first league meeting with City, have steadily progressed under Mourinho.

They have already lifted the League Cup and are 23 league games unbeaten while having a chance of more silverware — and a Champions League place — through the Europa League where they face Celta Vigo in the semifinals.

While United have lost top scorer Zlatan Ibrahimovic and key defender Marcos Rojo to long-term knee injuries, there is a real mood of optimism at Old Trafford.

“It’s going to be the game of the season,” said United’s Spanish midfielder Ander Herrera.

“We are in a very good moment, on a very good run and we respect them, but we are doing a lot of good things and we have to show it on Thursday,” he said.

The long season fighting on several fronts has taken its toll on both teams however.

As well as Ibrahimovic and Rojo, Mourinho, who has been rotating his squad, must wait to see if Paul Pogba is fit after he was substituted late in Sunday’s 2-0 win at Burnley.

Central defenders Phil Jones and Chris Smalling and midfielder Juan Mata are also on the injured list.

For City, leading scorer Sergio Aguero and playmaker David Silva are battling to be fit while Brazilian striker Gabriel Jesus could return after a long-term injury.

AMMAN — The pursuit of the Jordan Professional Football League title has heated up with two more weeks left in the competition.

Week 21 starts on Thursday with Jazira back atop the standings after a 1-0 win over Ramtha. They next play Manshieh who maintained fourth place after a 2-1 win over Sahab. 

Faisali are second on goal difference after holding Hussein 1-1 ahead of their match against Baqa’a who are now 11th after losing 1-0 to Ahli.

Holders Wihdat have dropped to third after holding That Ras 0-0. They next play Sarih who have improved to 9th after a 2-1 decisive win over Shabab Urdun. The latter are now 7th ahead of playing Hussein.

Matches in the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Cup could have taken their toll on Wihdat who were held 1-1 with Lebanon’s Nijmeh while Ahli, Playing in the AFC Cup for the first time, lost their qualifying chances in Round 2 after losing 2-1 to Syria’s Jeish.

Wihdat, who exited the Asian Champions League, are looking to win their fourth consecutive and 16th overall league title, while Faisali have not won the league in the past four years and are eyeing their 33rd record title.

Joining the top three this season is Manshieh who joined the pro league alongside Sahab. Former Jordan Cup champ That Ras are at the lower end of the standings, while Baqa’a, a usual top five team, is also struggling in the relegation zone. Jazira’s Syrian pro Mardig Mardigian has maintained his scoring proficiency and leads the scorers’ list with 14 goals followed by Wihdat’s Munther Abu Amara with 8.

Ahli won the first major competition on the 2016/17 football calendar, when they beat reigning league champs Wihdat 2-1 to win the 34th Super Cup.

In the Jordan Football Association Shield — back on the calendar after four years — Shabab Urdun scored a major 5-1 win over Faisali to win  their second Shield title after they first won in 2007.

In the Jordan Cup, the semis will see Wihdat face Faisali while Ramtha play Jazira, on May 12 and May 16, before playing the final on May 20.

Last season, Wihdat retained the title with Faisali, Ahli, Jazira and Shabab Urdun in the top five spots. It was Wihdat’s third consecutive and 15th league title since they moved up to the Professional League in 1975. Faisali beat Wihdat to clinch the Super Cup while it was Ahli, who after years in the backstage beat Shabab Urdun to win their first Jordan Cup final.

AMMAN — Palestinian Fares Saeed on Friday was crowned champion of the second round of the 4x4 Jordan Championship with the participation of 36 drivers from Jordan and eight from Palestine at Ghamadan Park (Forest of the King of Bahrain).

Saeed, in his Kan M Maverick, clocked 3m 06.71s followed by Jordan’s Hesham Ibrahim with 4m 01.78s in his Jeep Wrangler and Palestinian Basheer Mattar settled in the third place in his Jeep Wrangler with 4m 37.20s.

Drivers had to face a 1km track and a host of obstacles that will test the skill of both the driver and machine and will compete in two heats for the best 13 drivers heat.

Jordanian Fares Nafash won the first round of this year’s championship, which took place in early March and saw the participation of 47 drivers from Jordan, Palestine and Saudi Arabia, and attracted more than 600 fans. 

Nafash and co-driver Omar Sharkasi in their Jeep Cherokee ended the harsh and challenging track with 2m57s

In the first round, Drivers also faced a 1km track filled with various rocky, sandy and clay obstacles and terrain using their off road and modified vehicles against time in accordance to FIA regulations.

Othman Nassef, Jordan Motorsport CEO, said after the first round that the event proved to be a challenge and popular event which will attract more fans to this season’s calendar.

“We are happy that the event was able to attract such a huge number of fans who cheered their favourite driver especially against the muddy tip and the challenging rocky hill, which stopped the best drivers from moving due to its natural obstacle that needed special cars,” Nassef said.

AMMAN — Rally record breaker Nasser Al Attiyah will lead a competitive international field for the FIA Jordan Rally which takes place from May 4-6, the Jordan Olympic Committee (JOC) said on Saturday.

Ten-time Jordan Rally winner Attiyah has made the event his own over the past few years and comfortably won in 2016, but things have not quite gone to plan for the 12-time regional champion this year.

A broken radiator forced him out of the Qatar International Rally in February, with countryman Rashed Al Naimi taking the honours, putting added pressure on him producing a win in Jordan for round two of the Middle East Rally Championship.

“It is shaping up to be a lively event,” said clerk of the course, George Khoury. “We are looking forward to putting on an occasion that everyone can enjoy, whether competing or watching.

“Nasser will undoubtedly be the man to beat, but Qatar showed that anything can happen in rallying so there will be plenty of drivers hoping to spring a surprise in Jordan.”

While Attiyah will be keen to add to his world record 63 rally wins, Khaled Al Suwaidi of Qatar and Mshari Al Matheri of Kuwait will provide his biggest international challengers, while local drivers Khaled Juma and Maruf Abu Samra will be looking to place Jordan on the podium, according to the JOC.

A total of 12 cars have been entered for the Middle East Rally Championship category with two cars added for the national rally being held over the same time.

BARCELONA — Barcelona’s hopes of staging another sensational Champions League comeback fell flat against a hardened Juventus side who held the Catalans to a 0-0 draw at the Camp Nou on Wednesday to reach the semifinals 3-0 on aggregate.

The Italian champions barely gave Barca a glimmer of hope of repeating their historic turnaround against Paris St Germain in the last 16 and protected their healthy advantage from the first leg by starving the hosts of space and clear sights of goal.

Lionel Messi came closest to giving Barca a route back into the contest with four strikes at goal, but failed to hit the target with any of them and frequently came up short against Juve’s intimidating centre-back pairing of Giorgio Chiellini and Leonardo Bonucci.

“Juventus are a great team and they were better than us in the tie and overall they deserved to go through. I wish them the best and I think they could win the trophy,” Barca defender Gerard Pique told reporters.

“It was a very difficult result to come back from although we tried until the end. They’re Italian and they defended very well. They knew how they wanted to play and got their objective. We created chances but little by little we realised we had a mountain to climb.”

Twice European champions Juve lacked the spark and power of their thrilling first-leg victory in Turin, but there was rarely any doubt they would exact revenge for their defeat by Barca in the 2015 Champions League final by reaching the semis for a 12th time.

Barca coach Luis Enrique had said before the game that if hia team managed to strike early then the noise of the Camp Nou would suck the other goals in.

Juventus, however, showed in the opening stages that they are made of sterner stuff than PSG, who gave up a 4-0 first-leg advantage.

Massimiliano Allegri’s side pressed Barca in their own half and limited the supply to the front three. 

Messi almost managed to pick out Jordi Alba with a hooked pass and later played a one-two with the Spaniard before dragging narrowly wide of the far post.

Ivan Rakitic and Neymar also missed the target with hopeful efforts but Juventus’ aggressive gameplan limited how much attacking Barca could do without leaving themselves exposed.

Gonzalo Higuain cracked a shot over the bar before the break while the probing Juan Cuadrado almost picked out the Argentine striker in the middle, but was thwarted by a brilliant block from Pique.

Barca increased their grip on possession after the break and spent most of the remainder of the game in their opponents’ half trying to carve out chances, but Juve were always ready for them. 

Messi whipped a free kick on to the roof of the net and slammed another shot wide before spurning his best chance, a volley which fizzed over the bar.

Barca right back Sergi Roberto attempted a repeat of his heroic strike against PSG, but also missed the target, unable to prevent his side’s second successive elimination at the quarter-final stage, which will provoke much soul-searching at the five-times European champions.

AMMAN — The second round of the 4x4 Jordan Championship will be held on Friday at Ghamadan Park with the participation of 44 drivers from Jordan and Palestine.

Drivers will face a 1km track and a host of obstacles that will test the skill of both the drivers and their machines.

Drivers will compete in two heats for the best 13 drivers’ heat.

Fares Nafash and co-driver Omar Sharkasi were crowned champions of the first round of the 4x4 Jordan Championship after clocking 2m57s in their Jeep Cherokee, followed by Hassan Najjar and co-driver Malek Najjar, in their Jeep, who after clocking 3m05s took second place.

Ahmad Khattab and co-driver Mohammed Zou’bi in their Jeep Cherokee clocked 3m06s for third place.

Othman Nasseef, Jordan Motorsport CEO told The Jordan Times that the event will be another success.

“We saw more than 6,000 fans at the first 4x4 event and that is a great number, which means that there are many fans for such competitions. We hope to continue on the same path and attract more people to the second round,” he said.

“This time we have eight drivers from Palestine and the rest from Jordan and I believe this event will be crucial as most of the drivers know the challenges they will face and it will be a great event,” he added.

Meanwhile, Nasseef said that Jordan is ready to host the second round of the Middle East Rally Championship May 4-6.

“We are placing the final touches for the event in which drivers will have to cover a total distance of 625.62km with 240.44km special stages. We had to change the number of stages from 19 to 17 and replace the Rawda and Karameh stages with Jordan River stage,” he said.

Qatar’s Rashed Nuaimi is currently leading the MERC standings with 37 points followed by Kuwait’s Mashari Tafiri with 28 points and Qatar’s Nasser Attiyah with only seven points.