CCRICKETRICKET | Page 4 India pick Karthik and Rahul for World Cup, Pant left out

Tuesday, April 16, 2019 FOOTBALL Sha’baan 11, 1440 AH Messi fi t for Barca GULF TIMES as United attempt another comeback SPORT Page 2

FOOTBALL Hallgrimsson looking forward to Amir Cup challenge ‘Al Arabi are a big club with big ambitions... I like the people around the club’

Al Arabi coach Heimir Hallgrimsson. QFA president Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa bin Ahmed al-Thani (right) and other off icials during the draw ceremony yesterday. PICTURES: Jayaram

By Anil John 51-year-old sports a relaxed, ond round match between Al we have also had bad days.” where the top four teams in the the title clash will be if not a fully contented, look. Shamal and Umm Salal on April But he is happy with the QNB Stars league – winners Al staged on May 16. The heat – of the desert as well 20. Both clubs present a tricky vibes he has been receiving in Sadd, runners-up Al Duhail, Al The winners of the fi fth as of the seat he occupies – has challenge, but Hallgrimsson Qatar, more so from the Al Ara- Sailiya and Al Rayyan will start round matches will play eimir Hallgrimsson, yet to get to him, judging by his has no complaints. bi management. their campaign. against each other. Win- the fi rst ever football demeanour and the absence of “I am looking forward to the “Al Arabi are a big club with As for the draw, on April 20, ner of this match will be coach from Iceland to any tan on his skin. Amir Cup. “It’s a nice cup com- big ambitions. They have not Al Shamal will take on Umm crowned champions of ply his trade in Qatar, And yes, he has learned to petition. I am quite satisfi ed won anything for a long time Sala at Thani Bin Jassim Sta- the 47th Emir Cup, the His hoping the prestigious Amir punctuate his quotes with an with the draw but in the end it but I like the people around the dium while Al Wakrah face Al fi nal will be held at Al Cup brings better tidings for Al “Insha Allah”. depends how you play.” club. They are totally commit- Khor at the same venue in a late Wakrah Stadium on 16 Arabi after an underwhelming “I was given a lot of advice by Hallgrimsson was hired in ted and supportive.” fi xture. May 2019. show in the QNB Stars League people when they heard I was December to revive Al Arabi’s The “Dream Team” as they A day later, Al Markhiya take The draw ceremony where they fi nished sixth moving to Qatar. It’s a totally fortunes in the QNB Stars are called, have a great history, on Al Kharaitiyat at Grand Ha- yesterday was also at- among 12 teams. diff erent place to where I come League but even their most op- having won the league seven mad Stadium while Muaither tended by QFA presi- The former Iceland player from,” Hallgrimsson told jour- timistic fans knew it would be times and the Amir Cup on face Qatar SC at the same venue. dent Sheikh Hamad and coach who helped his nalists after the draw ceremony a tough ask for them to mount eight occasions. In the third stage of the tour- bin Khalifa bin Ahmed country qualify for the World for the 47th Amir Cup was held a fi ghtback and salvage a top- But their last league win nament on April 26, Al Arabi, al-Thani, secre- Cup for the first time – in at the Marsa Malaz Kempinski four fi nish. came in 1997 and their last Al Gharafa, Al Shahaniya and tary general Man- Russia last year – didn’t have yesterday. “When I came in, Al Ara- Amir Cup title in 1993 after Al Ahli will take on the winners sour al-Ansari and a clear idea about what to ex- “But it was I who was com- bi’s chances (of a good fi nish) which they have largely strug- of the second round. members of the pect when he took over at Al ing here and it was up to me to were more or less over,” Hall- gled to cope as other teams got In the fourth round on May QFA executive Arabi, a world away from his adjust with Qatar, and not the grimsson, who is also a quali- their act together and began to 2, Al Duhail, Al Sadd, Al Saili- committee, native North Atlantic island other way round.” fi ed dentist, admitted. dominate the domestic scene. yah and Al Rayyan will play the besides club nation. Al Arabi will start off on “In football you have to deal In case Al Arabi are able to winners of the third round. chiefs and But after about fi ve months April 26 in the third round with the good and the bad. We clear the fi rst hurdle, they will The semi-fi nals will be coaches of into his job in Qatar, the against the winners of the sec- have had some good wins, but enter the quarter-fi nals, from played on May 11 and 12 while some teams.

CRICKET Smith, Warner recalled for Australia’s World Cup defence

AFP in 13 games this year. The deci- As with the batsmen, Austral- Sydney sion to drop him means the team ia’s selectors faced a bowling co- only has one wicketkeeper in nundrum as they target a record Alex Carey. sixth World Cup triumph. teve Smith and David Pat Cummins will spearhead Warner completed their ROCK-SOLID BATTING the attack while Mitchell Starc, remarkable comeback Australia’s recent red-hot form the 2015 World Cup player of the from the ball-tampering has been built on the back of a tournament, has been recalled scandalS that rocked cricket when rock-solid opening partnership after being sidelined with a mus- they were yesterday selected in between Finch and Usman Kha- cle tear since early February. defending champion Australia’s waja. But Hazlewood, who has been World Cup squad. The decision for Langer now is out of action since January with But there was no room for Josh whether to retain that combina- a back injury, missed out, with Hazlewood or Peter Handscomb tion when the 50-over World Cup chief selector Trevor Hohns at the tournament in England begins at the end of next month saying the focus was on having and Wales. or move one of them down to him ready for the Ashes Test se- It is the fi rst call-up for the make way for Warner, who tradi- ries in England which begins in former captain and his deputy tionally opens the batting. August. since the expiry last month of Shaun Marsh, Smith, Glenn Jhye Richardson, who dislo- year-long bans for their part in Maxwell and all-rounder Marcus cated his shoulder last month, “sandpapergate” in Cape Town Stoinis make up the middle order. makes the grade along with that had wide repercussions for David Warner and Steven Smith (right) are in action in the Indian Premier League for Sunrisers Hyderabad and Rajasthan Royals respectively. “There’s so much fl exibility in Nathan Coulter-Nile and Jason Australian cricket. our order and there will be a lot Behrendorff . Then-coach Darren Leh- Both players were eligible for and have been in good touch, per Aaron Finch, adding that he Justin Langer with a dilemma of options,” said Finch. “There’s Hazlewood and Handscomb mann quit and all the top brass the fi nal two games of Australia’s particularly the bombastic didn’t believe their return would on the back of Australia win- been a couple of hard decisions were instead named in both Aus- from Cricket Australia left after recent limited-overs tour against Warner who has made a blister- be destabilising. ning eight one-day interna- made on the 15, but there’s go- tralia’s one-day A squad, which a scathing review said their “ar- Pakistan, but selectors preferred ing return. “Knowing them both person- tionals on the trot, against India ing to be some even tougher ones will play games in England while rogant and controlling” win- that they eased themselves back “As far as I’m concerned they ally as I do, I don’t think there and Pakistan. with the 11.” the World Cup is on, and their at-all-costs culture was partly at the Twenty20 Indian Premier have done everything that’s will be any issues whatsoever. All the top order have been fi r- Selectors opted for two spin- four-day A squad to face English to blame for players bending the League. been asked of them in the last They are both great, great guys.” ing, and it is Handscomb who is ners in Adam Zampa and Nathan county sides in the build-up to rules. Both grabbed the opportunity 12 months,” said one-day skip- Their return has left coach the fall guy despite averaging 43 Lyon and fi ve quick bowlers. the Ashes. Gulf Times 2 Tuesday, April 16, 2019 FOOTBALL

SPOTLIGHT Leeds United become fi rst Generation Amazing partner club eeds United have become bid to host the FIFA World Cup opportunity for Leeds United to ner club and join an expanding the fi rst strategic part- in 2022 and a symbol of Qatar’s deliver some ground breaking global network together with ner club for Generation commitment to football and in- initiatives, ensuring we provide Sheffi eld FC, and we look forward Amazing after agreeing ternational development. role models in countries around to showing the passionate sup- Lto work together to develop an “Beginning in Syria, Lebanon, the world, providing pathways porters of these clubs more of our innovative knowledge exchange Pakistan and Nepal, this ini- for our communities to learn, de- joint programmes and legacy ini- programme over the next four tiative has grown exponentially velop and express inner qualities. tiatives through both Generation years in the fi elds of legacy, CSR since, by utilising the power of “Together we can provide Amazing and the Josoor Institute and education. football to transform societies amazing legacies we all can be over the coming four years.” Generation Amazing is the and communities. This excit- proud of, using powerful brands The partnership will contrib- human and social legacy pro- ing new partnership with Leeds to create opportunities.” ute to the objective of Generation gramme initiated during Qatar’s United – and Sheffi eld FC – will So far more than 250,000 Amazing; to positively impact one successful bid for the FIFA World assist us in enhancing the foot- benefi ciaries have been reached million lives through football for Cup 2022 in 2010 that uses the ball-centred programmes that through Generation Amazing development outreach and edu- power of sport to positively im- we provide across our Generation across seven countries in the cation by 2022, thus empowering pact lives and create sustainable Amazing network. We look for- Middle East and Asia — Qatar, new generations of young leaders social development in communi- ward to working together to ef- Nepal, Pakistan, Jordan, Leba- to transform their communities ties. fect real change on the ground in non, the Philippines and India. through football. To date, Genera- Commenting on the an- communities most in need.” Sheffi eld FC, the world’s oldest tion Amazing has reached over 28 nouncement, the secretary- The signing ceremony of the football club, as well as the Josoor communities, via its football for general of the Supreme Commit- memorandum of understand- Institute, a centre of excellence for development programmes and the tee for Delivery & Legacy (SC), ing took place at the home game the sports and events industries construction or refurbishment of the organisation responsible for between Leeds United and Shef- inspired and developed by the SC, community pitches. providing the infrastructure re- fi eld Wednesday at Elland Road will join Generation Amazing and Recently, Generation Amazing quired to host the FIFA World on April 13. in knowledge transfer oppor- tion, football for development English game,” said Mushtaq al- Leeds United in the implementa- ambassador Xavi Hernandez vis- Cup 2022 and associated legacy The value-in-kind partnership tunities across their respective and legacy for this innovative Waeli, senior adviser to the sec- tion of the partnership. ited the programme in Mumbai, programmes, Hassan al-Thawadi will see both sides engaging in fi elds of expertise. partnership with a club that has retary-general at the SC. Al-Waeli continued: “It is a India, to kick-start the construc- said: “Generation Amazing was joint CSR and football for devel- “We are delighted to be join- such an important history and Leeds United chairman Andrea pleasure to have Leeds United tion of a community pitch there. an integral part of our successful opment initiatives, and partake ing hands in the fi elds of educa- an equally exciting future in the Radrizzani said, “This is a great become our fi rst strategic part- (sc.qa)

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE SPOTLIGHT Juve’s old guard bidding to fi nish job Messi fi t for Barca against Ajax kids

AFP Turin, Italy they have fi nished runners-up in a record seven times, most re- cently in 2015 and 2017. ristiano Ronaldo will Ronaldo has played a leading as United attempt spearhead Juventus’ old role in all of his fi ve previous Eu- guard as they look to fi n- ropean triumphs, including with ish the job today against the tie-clinching, 97th-minute CAjax’s impressive young guns in a penalty for Real Madrid against quarter-fi nal clash between two Juventus last season in the quar- sides desperate to end years of ters. Champions League heartbreak. He has scored fi ve goals this Juventus have the edge on campaign, one against Manches- another comeback away goals thanks to Ronaldo’s ter United and a hat-trick which 125th Champions League goal rescued Juventus in the last 16, Valverde’s men head into the second leg at home with a slender 1-0 advantage in a 1-1 draw in , but second leg against Atletico, be- Ajax’s ensured the fore returning from injury to AFP teams will start on a knife-edge score against Ajax. in Turin in a repeat of the 1973 and 1996 fi nals. DE JONG DOUBT Juventus have put their bid to The fi nancial clout of Dutch arcelona coach Ernesto wrap up an eighth consecutive league leaders Ajax is signifi - Valverde has said Lionel Serie A title on the back burner cantly less than Juventus. Messi is in “perfect” as they focus on their European The club, who are captained by condition to face Man- ambitions. 19-year-old defender Matthijs chesterB United in the second Massimiliano Allegri lined out de Ligt, spent a reported club- leg of their Champions League with a young squad against lowly record 45mn euros last summer quarter-fi nal today. SPAL on Saturday and the cham- on new signings to bolster their It is four years since Barca last pions fell to a 2-1 defeat when a Champions League hopes. reached the semis of Europe’s point would have suffi ced for an- Defensive midfi elder Daley premier competition but a 1-0 other Scudetto. Blind arrived from Manchester victory at Old Traff ord makes “The Scudetto will come United, and forward Dusan Tadic them fi rm favourites ahead of sooner or later,” said Allegri, from Southampton, to provide the return at Camp Nou. whose side hold a 17-point lead leadership for a young squad Messi was among 10 play- on second-placed Napoli with where the average age is 24 years. ers rested for the goalless draw six games left. “If we had put Ajax’s strike-force of 22-year- against Huesca on Saturday af- all our starters in, it would have old Neres, Dusan Tadic and Hak- ter a hefty challenge from Chris been easier to win it, but there is im Ziyech have proven eff ective Smalling last week left him with the goal to obtain on Tuesday.” this season. a swollen nose and cheek. Juventus have won the Cham- Veteran Klaas-Jan Huntelaar, “He is fi ne,” said Valverde at a pions League twice, most re- 35, also hit form with a hat-trick press conference yesterday. “He cently in 1996 when they beat in a 6-2 win over Excelsior in the has recovered perfectly from the Ajax in the fi nal. Dutch league at the weekend. blow he suff ered. He was nefi af- Four-time winners Ajax won But midfi elder Frenkie de Jong, ter a couple of days. their third consecutive title in 21, is uncertain to start after go- “It is true that during the 1973 at the expense of Juventus, ing off clutching his hamstring. match he was a little stunned last lifting the trophy in 1995. Neres stole the limelight with but he is in perfect condition Allegri said he was prepared his seventh goal in eight games and does not have any problems for “a diffi cult match against a against Juventus in Amsterdam, ahead of tomorrow’s game.” very impressive team”. but Barcelona-bound De Jong Valverde said Ousmane Dem- Ronaldo was rested at the was outstanding in midfi eld. bele could also feature after he weekend along with regulars Le- Both teams produced memo- played for 67 minutes against onardo Bonucci, Blaise Matuidi, rable second-leg comebacks in Huesca, having recovered from a Barcelona’s Lionel Messi (second from right) takes part in a training session with teammates on the eve of their UEFA Champions League Alex Sandro, Mario Mandzukic the round of 16. hamstring injury. “I don’t know quarter-final second-leg match against Manchester United in Barcelona, Spain, yesterday. (Reuters) and Miralem Pjanic. Ajax overturned a 2-1 home to what extent because he has Teenager Moise Kean’s defeat by Real Madrid to oust been out for four weeks,” Val- fi ne form continued with the the three-time holders with a verde said. “But he is ready to Solskjaer will use ‘gut feeling’ to pick United team for Barca 19-year-old scoring his sixth stunning 4-1 victory at the San- play.” goal in as many games. tiago Bernabeu to reach their fi rst Barcelona have lost only one Reuters ing on who to play. Captain Giorgio Chiellini, quarter-fi nal since 2003. home game in the Champions “Because against PSG I had a however, remains a doubt with Ronaldo’s hat-trick rescued League in 10 years but United team in my mind when we trav- the 34-year-old defender re- Juventus, who lost 2-0 against will take hope from their last 16 elled in the morning, walk out covering from a calf injury, with Atletico Madrid in Spain. comeback against Paris Saint- anchester United into the stadium, see the stadium Daniele Rugani a possible re- While Juve are looking to reach Germain, when they overturned manager Ole Gunnar and you say ‘nah, I’ll change, I placement. a third semi-fi nal in fi ve seasons, a 2-0 fi rst-leg defeat to go MSolskjaer will let his need to do this, he needs to play’ But Ronaldo remains Juve’s Ajax have not made it to the last through. “last little gut feeling” decide and it turned out ok.” key weapon. four since 1997. “That memory from PSG his starting lineup for today’s The Nou Camp has an added The 34-year-old was signed The winners would go through will help the players and us as a Champions League quarter- significance for Solskjaer after for 100mn euros ($117mn) last to a semi-fi nal against the win- team, that we know we can turn final, second leg against he scored a stoppage-time summer, and pocketed an an- ners of the all-English tie be- things around,” coach Ole Gun- Barcelona. winner in the 1999 Champions nual 31 million-euro salary to tween Manchester City and Tot- nar Solskjaer said. Alexis Sanchez and Nemanja League final against Bayern help Juventus win a competition tenham Hotspur. “Barcelona here at the Nou Matic were part of United’s at the stadium in Camp is a diffi cult prospect but 22-man travelling squad as they United’s treble-winning season. the memory will live with the look to overturn a 1-0 first-leg “That goal has been mentioned players, it’s not long ago.” deficit. a few times, yes,” the 46-year- Barca goalkeeper Marc-Andre Chilean forward Sanchez, who old said. ter Stegen is confi dent his team scored 47 times in 141 appear- ing from a muscle injury. hopeful his players can serve “So many people have con- can avoid a repeat. “The good ances with Barca between 2011 United lost the home leg up a repeat at the Nou Camp. gratulated me and talked to thing is we play diff erently to and 2014, has not featured against Paris Saint-Germain in “I think I’ll be so focused, so me about that night. They say PSG,” he said. “But United are since picking up a knee in- the previous round 2-0 before concentrated,” Solskjaer told ‘it was the best night of my life dangerous and the result from jury against Southampton last turning the tie around in the the BBC. but don’t tell my wife’ — that the fi rst leg is dangerous, it is a month, while Matic is recover- French capital, and Solskjaer is “I’ll have my last little gut feel- kind of thing.” very small advantage.”

OLE BACK TO BARCA time I’ve been on the pitch here,” quarter-fi nals for a fourth year we all take examples of things on the counter-attack but Sol- Solskjaer might also draw upon Solskjaer said. in a row. happening in the past and use skjaer insists they cannot aff ord his own experience of the Camp “I dont mind if we score in the “It has been hard,” said Ter them to spur us on,” he said. to sit back. Nou, in 1999, when he scored a 93rd minute. If we get to injury- Stegen. “We are another year “That’s fi ne but I prefer to take “There are freak results 93rd-minute winner as United time we are a fi t team.” older and we want to make sure charge of your own destiny. You against Barcelona when you came from 1-0 down to beat Barcelona’s recent history in it doesn’t happen again. We have won’t be given something that have 10 or 15 per cent possession Bayern Munich 2-1 in the Cham- this competition has been more to take those losses into account falls from the sky. We have to and they don’t win but normally pions League fi nal. painful as United look to follow and use them to move forward.” earn it.” they do win,” Solskjaer said. “Of course it’s a fantastic Juventus, Atletico Madrid and Valverde urged his players to United’s greatest threat in re- “We need to stamp our author- Juventus’ Cristiano Ronaldo (right) and Mario Mandzukic take part in memory for me. It’s the only Roma in sending them out in the seize the opportunity. “I think cent weeks has tended to come ity on the game.” a training session in Turin, Italy, yesterday. (Reuters) Gulf Times Tuesday, April 16, 2019 3 FOOTBALL

LIGUE 1 FALLOUT FIFA bans disgraced ex-Brazil football PSG title party chief Marin for life delayed again aft er big loss at Lille Thomas Tuchel’s side suff er their biggest league defeat in a decade

AFP Paris

aris Saint-Germain missed the chance to seal their sixth Ligue 1 title in seven years for Pthe second week running on Sunday after a 5-1 hammering at Lille, their biggest league defeat in 10 years. Thomas Tuchel’s side could have been crowned champi- ons in record-equalling time last weekend but failed to beat Strasbourg, and they fell short AFP in a statement that Marin had again on Sunday despite need- Geneva participated in various bribery ing just a point in a match that schemes. saw them have to play with 10 Judges “banned him for life men for 54 minutes and lose IFA yesterday slapped a from all football-related activi- both captain Thiago Silva and lifetime ban on the dis- ties (administrative, sports or Thomas Meunier to injury. graced former boss of any other) at both national and The loss was PSG’s worst do- Brazilian football, Jose international level”, a FIFA state- mestic defeat since going down MariaF Marin, after a US court ment said. 4-0 at Bordeaux in 2009, and convicted him of massive cor- FIFA also imposed a 1mn Swiss the fi rst time they had conceded ruption. franc ($1mn) fi ne against Marin, fi ve goals in the league since an- The 86-year-old Marin was once one of the most powerful other 5-1 defeat at Sedan way one of the key fi gures swept up in fi gures in world football. back in 2000. the graft scandal that began with Following his May 2015 arrest However they are still 17 a series of stunning arrests in at a luxury hotel in Zurich, Marin points clear of second-placed 2015 and subsequently upended spent fi ve months in a prison in Lille and if they win at Nantes world football. Switzerland before being extra- tomorrow they will still win the He had already been sentenced dited to the United States. league with six matches to spare. to four years in a US prison after He posted bail of $15mn and “We are going to be champi- a court in New York found him spent two years living in luxury ons, but you have to lose in the guilty in connection with nearly at Trump Tower, the Fifth Av- right way,” said Kylian Mbappe, Lille’s Nicolas Pepe (centre) is congratulated by teammates after scoring a goal against Paris Saint-Germain during their Ligue 1 match in $6.6mn in bribes from sports enue skyscraper best known who had two goals ruled out for Villeneuve d’Ascq, near Lille, on Sunday. (AFP) marketing companies in ex- for housing the penthouse and off side. change for contracts to broadcast company headquarters of the US “We can’t lack personal- But PSG looked set to seal the nier was pulled off , Bernat was ball and after that the fl oodgates third-placed Lyon. major tournaments. president. ity like that, and concede three, title when Juan Bernat levelled then handed a debatable straight opened. “Putting fi ve past PSG doesn’t But the decision from FIFA’s But his life of excess dramati- four, fi ve goals. Losing happens, soon after and Mbappe roofed red card in the 36th minute for a Jonathan Bamba smashed happen to everyone, even if they independent ethics judges de- cally came to a halt at his sen- but that is not normal.” what looked like his 28th league tug on Nicolas Pepe despite a home the third 14 minutes later did only have 10 men, but we fi nitively confi rms that Marin is tencing in August, when he broke World Cup winner Mbappe goal of the season in the 13th VAR check. from another Ikone assist and played well tonight,” Pepe told Ca- fi nished in football. down in tears over the “night- had already had one goal chalked minute, only to see that one also Attacker Pepe slotted home two fi ne headers from Gabriel nal+. “We’ve still got six matches FIFA’s ethics committee said mare” his family had endured. off by the offi cials when a comi- rightly disallowed. Lille’s second fi ve minutes after and Jose Fonte in the fi nal 20 left and we need to win at least cal Meunier own goal set Lille on Silva left the fi eld with a knee the break when he latched onto a minutes completed the rout and three or four to be assured of the their way after six minutes. injury soon after and after Meu- superb Jonathan Ikone through put Lille eight points ahead of Champions League next season.” SPOTLIGHT

Probe fi nds ‘substantial’ Infantino gift s to prosecutor, but no graft African whistleblower

DPA body spent more than 15,000 chief as a prosecutor. Geneva Swiss francs (15,000 dollars) The special investigator also fi red aft er accusing on expenses for prosecutor looked into a meeting that Ar- Rinaldo Arnold and his family, nold set up between Infantino ostly gifts by FIFA presi- including flights, Champions and Switzerland’s top federal boss of corruption dent Gianni Infantino League final tickets and hotel prosecutor, Michael Lauber, Cto a local prosecutor did reservations, according to who investigates several foot- Reuters Fahmy lost his job at an executive not amount to corruption but the final report by the special ball off icials for graft. Johannesburg, South Africa committee meeting in Cairo on possible tax evasion, a special investigator, who is also a Arnold introduced himself to Thursday, prior to the draw for investigator in Switzerland has prosecutor. Lauber not as a colleague but the Africa Cup of Nations fi nals. concluded. “These were substantial, unu- as a friend of Infantino, the frican soccer’s ruling It declined to give more details The investigator decided that sual benefits,” the report said, report said, concluding Arnold body has fi red a senior about the reason for his dismiss- legal proceedings would be but it did not find an indication did not act illegally. offi cial after he made al. “There’s no explanation. It’s stopped, his spokesman said that Infantino’s long-time and However, the special investiga- corruption accusations the Executive Committee deci- againstA the organisation’s presi- sion,” communications director yesterday. close friend Arnold paid back tor filed criminal charges for tax The head of the global football the favours by helping the FIFA evasion against Arnold. dent in a potential blow to FIFA’s Nathalie Rabe said in an e-mail eff orts to clean up the game after exchange with Reuters on Sun- a raft of scandals worldwide. day. The Confederation of African Ahmad, who is also a vice- SERIE A Football (CAF) sacked general president of world governing secretary Amr Fahmy after the body FIFA, did not respond to Egyptian accused his boss Ah- requests for comment on the al- mad Ahmad of bribes and misuse legations against him. of hundreds of thousands of dol- Requests for comment to the Inter boost CL hopes with win at Frosinone lars, according to offi cials and an football presidents and authori- internal document. ties of Cape Verde and Tanzania, Reuters Parma and Fiorentina, the fi rst The document, sent on March and to Tactical Steel in France, Rome time the club had ever achieved 31 by Fahmy to a FIFA body were also not immediately an- back-to-back victories in the that investigates alleged ethics swered. top fl ight. breaches and seen by Reuters, Fahmy was replaced by Mouad nter Milan recorded a 3-1 However, the second-bottom accuses Ahmad of ordering his Hajji, from Morocco. win away at relegation bat- side’s hopes of producing an up- secretary-general to pay $20,000 The allegations against Ahmad tling Frosinone on Sunday set were soon dealt a blow when bribes into accounts of African follow a string of scandals re- to strengthen their grip on Nainggolan rose unopposed to football association presidents. lated to FIFA’s practices in Latin Ithird place in Serie A. head in a Danilo D’Ambrosio They included Cape Verde and America and Asia in recent years, Luciano Spalletti’s side were cross. Tanzania. which have led to the indictment under pressure to deliver a result The visitors doubled their The document also accused and jailing of numerous senior in order to avoid being dragged lead shortly before halftime Ahmad of costing CAF an extra football administrators. into a tight race for Champions when Raman Chibsah hauled $830,000 by ordering equip- The corruption scandals fi rst League qualifi cation, after AS down Milan Skriniar in the area ment via a French intermediary broke in 2015. Roma and AC Milan won on Sat- to concede a penalty, which company called Tactical Steel. The CAF case is potentially urday. Perisic dispatched in composed Furthermore, it accuses him of problematic for FIFA president A header from Radja Naing- fashion. harassing four female CAF staff , Gianni Infantino — set to be re- golan and an Ivan Perisic penalty Frosinone were back in con- whom it did not name; violating elected unopposed in June for a in the fi rst half put Inter in con- tention with just over an hour statutes to increase Moroccan four-year term — as Ahmad is trol before Francesco Cassata played when Cassata’s low strike representation within the organ- one of his deputies. pulled one back for Frosinone as from the edge of the box beat isation; and over-spending more FIFA declined comment. they improved after the break. Samir Handanovic, despite the than $400,000 of CAF money on “The Ethics Committee does However, Matias Vecino’s goalkeeper getting a hand to the cars in Egypt and Madagascar, not comment on potential ongo- stoppage-time strike sealed a shot. where a satellite offi ce has been ing proceedings nor on whether win that keeps the visitors fi ve Inter striker Mauro Icardi set up for him. or not investigations are under- points clear of Milan in fourth headed over a great opportu- way into alleged ethics cases,” a place with six rounds remaining Inter Milan’s Radja Nainggolan (centre) celebrates with his teammates after scoring a goal against nity from six yards out, but Ve- LATEST FIFA CONTROVERSY spokesperson said. in the league season. Frosinone during their Serie A match in Frosinone, Italy, on Sunday. (Reuters) cino put the result beyond doubt Senior CAF offi cials, speaking Ahmad, 59, served as Minister Inter have 60 points, giving when he fi nished off a counter on condition of anonymity, said of Fisheries in Madagascar and them breathing space from a concerns about his team’s fail- Sports Italia. lose, so their only objective was attack with a drilled shot in Fahmy was fi red after compil- in the country’s senate before a tight-knit chasing pack of Milan ure to kill the game off until the “It happens to everyone, but to impress and get a great result stoppage time. ing the document with the al- quick rise to the CAF presidency. (55), Roma (54), Atalanta (52), last few minutes. probably more to Inter. When in an important fi xture. A defeat Frosinone remain in 19th legations against Ahmad, from His accuser Fahmy, 35, was ap- Torino (50) and Lazio (49). Ata- “We saw that the moment we you think it’s all in hand, rather won’t make much diff erence to place with 23 points and are two Madagascar, who took the top pointed as general secretary in lanta and Lazio both have a game feel remotely safe or comfort- than fi nish it off , you get timid them at this point.” places and eight points adrift of African soccer post two years late 2017, keeping up a family tra- in hand. able, we can run into a devas- and soft. Frosinone went into the game 17th place, currently occupied ago. dition that stretches across three But Inter coach Spalletti had tating setback,” he said to Sky “Frosinone had nothing to buoyed by recent wins over by Bologna. CAF confi rmed to Reuters that generations. Gulf Times 4 Tuesday, April 16, 2019 CRICKET

WORLD CUP SQUAD India pick Karthik and Rahul, Pant left out Reuters Mumbai DINESH KARTHIK KL RAHUL RISHABH PANT

inesh Karthik pipped young Rishabh Pant to the second wicket- keeper’s spot in India’s WorldD Cup squad yesterday and all-rounder Vijay Shankar also made the cut. There was not much suspense hanging over chief selector MSK Prasad’s news conference to an- nounce a 15-member squad led by Virat Kohli as most of the players picked themselves. With Mahendra Singh Dhoni the undisputed fi rst-choice wicketkeeper, the selectors preferred Karthik’s experience to the raw aggression of the 21-year-old Pant. “We felt Rishabh Pant or DK Dinesh Karthik. Otherwise, Pant is three-dimensional,” Prasad also bat lower down the order, said of Yadav and Chahal. Africa in Southampton on June 5. SQUAD will come into the playing XI is full of talent, there’ll be time said. Prasad said. Kuldeep Yadav and “In the second part of the Teams have to submit their 15- Virat Kohli (captain), Rohit only if Mahi (Dhoni) is injured,” for him. It’s unfortunate for him “Apart from his batting, he Yuzvendra Chahal will share In- tournament, wickets might be a man squads by April 23 but in- Sharma (vice captain), Shikhar Prasad told reporters, say- that he missed out.” can bowl and he’s a fantastic dia’s slow bowling duties but the bit more drier. That’s where we jury replacements can be named Dhawan, Lokesh Rahul, Vijay ing Karthik’s superior keeping India boast a formidable top fi elder...We are looking at him prospect of a hot English sum- feel Jadeja will come in handy.” until May 23. Shankar, Mahendra Singh and reputation as a “fi nisher” order including captain Kohli as number four. We have Dinesh mer also prompted the selection Hardik Pandya remains India’s “We all debated and felt that Dhoni(wicketkeeper), Kedar Jad- clinched it for the 33-year-old. but the team have been searching Karthik and Kedar Jadhav also, of spinning all-rounder Ravin- fi rst-choice all-rounder. this is the best possible team hav, Dinesh Karthik, Yuzvendra “In crunch matches, who can for a reliable number four bats- so we have plenty of options at dra Jadeja. The showpiece event in Eng- that can give us the best pos- Chahal, Kuldeep Yadav, Bhuv- be the best guy who can handle man and Shankar beat Ambati number four right now.” “In the last one-and-half land and Wales starts on May 30. sible result. So there is no point neshwar Kumar, Jasprit Bumrah, the pressure? For that reason, Rayudu to the spot. Lokesh Rahul made the squad years, it’s the two wrist-spinners India begin their bid for a third in changing it, unless someone is Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, the decision went in favour of “What Vijay Shankar off ers as a back-up opener, but could who have won us games,” Prasad World Cup title against South injured,” Prasad added. Mohamed Shami.

IPL FOCUS Poor form puts Amla’s World Cup Malinga, Pandya place in jeopardy

AFP OUTSTANDING FIELDERS Johannesburg Amla’s rivals, Aiden Markram and Reeza Hendricks, have both been in good recent form, outh Africa’s selectors with Hendricks named man- help Mumbai thrash will reveal on Thursday of-the-series in the recent whether veteran bats- Twenty20 series against Sri man Hashim Amla will Lanka after a poor one-day se- beS part of the country’s squad ries had seemingly scuttled his for the 2019 Cricket World chances. Malinga picked four for 31 while Pandya Cup. Markram and Hendricks are Amla, 36, is one of South outstanding fi elders. hit an unbeaten 37 off 16 balls Africa’s all-time great one- The other big debate ahead Bangalore day international players but of the squad announcement is his recent form has been poor, the identity of a back-up fast while increasing age has meant bowler to the likely trio of Ka- that he has slowed down in the giso Rabada, Dale Steyn and fi eld. Lungi Ngidi. Amla scored only 51 runs in Newcomer Anrich Nortje four innings in South Africa’s was impressive in the one-day shock Test series loss against series against Sri Lanka and al- Sri Lanka earlier this year and though he was forced to with- did not play in the fi rst three draw from the Indian Premier one-day internationals against League with a shoulder injury the tourists, although Cricket he is expected to be fi t for the South Africa stressed he had World Cup. not been dropped. While he has not played in He was due to play the fi nal a one-day international since two one-day games against Sri February last year, Chris Mor- Lanka but withdrew because ris has been picked by sev- his father was seriously ill. eral experts in their preferred After more than a month out World Cup squads because he of cricket, Amla returned for can bowl at more than 140 kph the Cape Cobras franchise in a and is a hard-hitting lower- domestic Twenty20 competi- order batsman. tion in early April but his fi rst Three wickets for the Delhi three matches yielded only Capitals against Sunrisers Hy- 28 runs. He showed signs of derabad on Sunday took his promise for the Cobras on Sun- total to 11 in six matches in this day with an innings of 32 – his year’s IPL. joint-highest score in any form Andile Phehlukwayo and of cricket since a one-day se- Dwaine Pretorius are likely ries against Pakistan in January. to be picked as all-rounders, With captain Faf du Ples- while Imran Tahir and Tabraiz sis, Quinton de Kock, Rassie Shamsi are South Africa’s van der Dussen, David Miller probable spin bowlers. and JP Duminy all seemingly It is unlikely that a back-up certain of selection, there is wicketkeeper to De Kock will probably room for only two be chosen, with Miller seem- more top-order batsmen in a ingly being groomed as an 15-man squad. emergency gloveman.

Bangladesh to call Shakib back from IPL for World Cup camp

Bangladesh will ask star all- rounder Shakib al-Hasan to return from Indian Premier League and join the team’s World Cup preparation camp next week, the nation’s Cricket Board said yesterday. Mumbai Indians Hardik Pandya gestures after scoring the winning runs against Royal Challengers Bangalore during their 2019 Indian Premier League match at the Wankhede Shakib is currently in India Stadium in Mumbai yesterday. (AFP) with his IPL franchise Sunris- ers Hyderabad. stan duo Rashid Khan and IANS taking them to 52 for no loss in to 148 before the latter became a runs on board. Kohli was trying pacer went on to rock the lower “Our camp is beginning. I have Mohamed Nabi, Bangladesh Mumbai the initial fi ve overs. Moeen Ali victim of Mohamed Siraj. to force a Jason Behrendorff de- middle order, sending back Mar- asked to send a letter to Shak- is concerned Shakib might was the fi rst to strike as his off - With 22 needed off the last livery through the off -side, got cus Stoinis (0), Akshdeep Nath ib immediately to come back. not get more matches in the break delivery clattered Shar- couple of overs, Pandya showed cramped, and ended up giving (2) and Negi (0) to the hut in Let’s see how he responds to coming days. ardik Pandya’s (37 un- ma’s stumps, leaving Mumbai at his cameo with the bat as he an inside edge to de Kock behind quick succession. this,” said Bangladesh Cricket Unable to get enough games, beaten off 16) quickfi re 70/1 in the eighth over. smashed Pawan Negi for the the wickets. De Villers fi nally departed try- Board president Nazmul Has- Shakib recently invited his cameo down the order Just three balls later, Ali once required runs in just an over to Parthiv Patel (28) showed ing to convert a single as he fell san in Dhaka. personal coach Mohammad handed Royal Chal- again jolted the hosts as he help Mumbai register their fi fth some resistance, taking his side short of the crease. The South Shakib played just one game Salahuddin to India in order to lengersH Bangalore their seventh picked de Kock (40 off 26) in win this season. near the 50-run mark before he African superstar’s knock was this season, picking up one keep him ready for the World defeat this season as Mumbai In- front of the wickets. For Bangalore, Chahal and Ali was sent back by Hardik Pandya laced with six boundaries and wicket for 42 runs in 3.4 overs Cup. dians won their Indian Premier Ishan Kishan and Suryakumar picked couple of wickets each. in the seventh over. De Villiers four maximums. against his former franchise Bangladesh will start their League (IPL) tie at the Wankh- Yadav then forged a 33-run part- Earlier, AB de Villiers’ scintil- was then joined by Ali and the Behrendorff and Pandya also Kolkata Night Riders. preparation camp for the tour- ede Stadium yesterday by fi ve nership as they repaired the ma- lating knock (75 off 51) with Ali’s duo denied the hosts any further picked a wicket each. It was the only competitive nament on April 22 and the wickets. jor damage but Yuzvendra Cha- 50 off 32 propelled Bangalore to wicket, anchored the innings game for Shakib since return- team will leave for the UK in Despite a great start, Mumbai hal packed both of them back in 171/7. and took the team past the 100 BRIEF SCORES ing from an injury he picked early May. They are scheduled faltered during the slog overs but short time to leave Mumbai reel- Despite some early blows, de run mark. Mumbai Indians: 172/5 in 19 up during the Bangladesh Pre- to play a tri-nation tourna- Pandya rescued his side as they ing at 129/3 in the 16th over. Villiers and Ali anchored Banga- Enroute, they also notched up overs (Quinton de Kock 40, mier League final in January. ment in Ireland from May 5-17. clinched the contest with an It seemed Mumbai would suf- lore’s innings with a valiant 105- their respective half-centuries Hardik Pandya 37 not out; In a star-studded line-up The World Cup will be held in over to spare. fer a batting collapse but it was run partnership for the third with the team looking comfort- Moeen Ali 2/18) beat Royal Chal- featuring Australia’s David the UK from May 30 to July Chasing a competitive 172 for Pandya who made sure to help wicket before Lasith Malinga able at 144/2 in 17 overs. lengers Bangalore: 171/7 in 20 Warner, England’s Jonny 14 with Bangladesh starting victory, Rohit Sharma (28 off 19) his team cross the line as the all- (4/31) rattled the middle order. Malinga fi nally shattered the overs (AB de Villiers 75, Moeen Bairstow, New Zealand’s Kane their campaign against South and Quinton de Kock gave a per- rounder and his brother Krunal The visitors lost their skip- partnership by packing Ali back Ali 50; Lasith Maling 4/31) by 5 Williamson, and Afghani Africa at the Oval on June 2. fect start to Mumbai’s innings, Pandya (11 off 21) took Mumbai per Virat Kohli (8) with just 12 in the 18th over. The Sri Lankan wickets. Gulf Times Tuesday, April 16, 2019 5 SPORT

NBA NHL Blue Jackets push Lightning to the Bucks, Trail Blazers brink of elimination

AFP a way. We have a lot of skill in New York this room, we need to use it.” The Lightning played Game 3 without a pair of major con- oaltender Sergei Bo- tributors: right winger Nikita deliver messages brovsky made 30 saves Kucherov and defenseman Vic- to lead Columbus to a tor Hedman. 3-1 win over the visiting The NHL’s leading scorer with GTampa Bay Lightning on Sunday 128 points, Kucherov was sus- night, lifting the Blue Jackets to pended one game on Saturday a commanding 3-0 lead in their for a hard hit on Markus Nuti- opening-round playoff series. vaara late in Friday’s 5-1 home Cam Atkinson had a goal and loss. in playoff openers an assist, and Matt Duchene and “(Kucherov) is a big part of Oliver Bjorkstrand tallied for the our team,” Lightning coach Jon ‘It was fun. We did a good job of playing hard and playing together’ Blue Jackets, who have won 10 Cooper said. “The leading scorer of their last 11 games, including in the League. He’s defi nitely go- AFP three steals. He was backed by seven of eight to close the regu- ing to be an MVP fi nalist, so any- Los Angeles C.J. McCollum, who added 24 lar season and earn the second time you take someone like that points from nine-of-24 shoot- wild-card spot in the Eastern out of the lineup, as well as Hed- ing with six rebounds and Conference. ilwaukee showed three assists. Turkish interna- Bobrovsky stopped why they are the tional Enes Kanter meanwhile 16 shots in the third RESULTS Eastern Conference reminded his former Thun- period, as Tampa Bay Islanders 4-1 Pittsburgh kingpins and Gian- der team-mates of his talent, tried to rally from a 2-0 Mnis Antetokounmpo proved he posting a double-double of 20 defi cit but couldn’t do Columbus 3-1 Tampa Bay is worthy of a league MVP as the points and 18 rebounds. so in front of a raucous Winnipeg 6-3 St. Louis Bucks trampled all over the De- Lillard said Kanter’s fi red- crowd at Nationwide Las Vegas 6-3 San Jose troit Pistons on Sunday. up contribution had tipped the Arena. Antetokounmpo had 24 balance for the Blazers. The Columbus Blue points and 17 rebounds in just “Any time you’re going up Jackets are on the verge of their man, but I thought we battled.” 24 minutes, as the Milwaukee against a team you played for, fi rst ever playoff series win, but Hedman, the reigning Nor- began their hunt for a playoff in the most important series of that’s hardly the headline in the ris Trophy winner as the top championship ring with a 121- the year, you’re going to want to fi rst-round playoff matchup defenseman, suff ered an undis- 86 blowout of the Pistons in play well,” Lillard said. against the Presidents’ Trophy- closed injury, did not skate with game one. “And you’re going to want to winning Tampa Bay Lightning. the team on Saturday and was “It was fun,” said Greece’s come out on the winning side. On Sunday, Ondrej Pal- scratched. Antetokounmpo. “We understood that he was at scored a goal, and Andrei Columbus opened the scor- “We did a good job of playing going to come out ready to Vasilevskiy made 27 saves for the ing after defensemen Seth Jones hard and playing together. play. And he was the MVP of Lightning, who dropped their and Zach Werenski kept the puck “The coach told us at half- the game, especially down the third straight game for the fi rst alive in the Tampa Bay end early time to stay together, keep re- stretch. time this season and have lost in the second period. bounding the ball and run it “He had a huge presence and fi ve consecutive playoff games. Werenski fi red a shot that At- down. played a big part in us winning The Blue Jackets can close out kinson redirected, and the puck “I am just glad we got a win.” this game.” the series in Game 4 in Colum- caromed to the opposite circle, Antetokounmpo and the Also, Kyrie Irving scored 20 bus today. where Duchene swept in a back- Bucks ran roughshod over the points as the Boston Celtics Tampa Bay, which tied an hander at 1:44 for his second ca- hapless Pistons all game and the shrugged off the injury absence NHL single-season record with reer playoff goal. 35-point defi cit was fl attering of Marcus Smart to defeat the 62 regular-season wins, will Columbus soon made it 2-0 to the visitors. Indiana Pacers 84-74. try to avoid being the fi rst-ever after the Lightning’s Ryan Calla- Detroit tried everything to Irving was among fi ve play- Presidents’ Trophy winner to be han went off for interfering with stop the ‘Greek Freak’ and the ers to make double fi gures as swept in the fi rst round. Werenski. only time they did was when Boston drew fi rst blood in the “I’m happy about the way Bjorkstrand took a pass from centre Andre Drummond best-of-seven series opener at we’ve gone about our business,” Jones and blasted a goal at 8:25, shoved him to the fl oor with the TD Garden. Blue Jackets coach John Tortore- giving the Blue Jackets their both hands which got Drum- Boston had gone into the lla said. “We have a lot of work to fourth marker in eight power mond thrown out of the game game reeling from news that do. We’ve got to be really careful plays against the league’s top by the referees. Smart is set to miss the opening here.” penalty-kill unit. Antetokounmpo was nine for two rounds of the playoff s after Teams that lead a best-of- Tampa Bay fi nally scored at 17 from the fi eld and one of fi ve suff ering a torn oblique. seven NHL playoff series 3-0 4:40 of the third period when from three-point range. However the fourth-seeded have a series record of 186-4. Palat put in his own rebound to Drummond threw a kiss to Celtics had too much fi repower “We started to make some make it 2-1. the Fiserv Forum crowd as he for the fi fth-ranked Pacers on plays,” Lightning forward Tyler Bobrovsky stopped a pair of headed to the showers but it their way to a deserved victory. Johnson said. quality chances late in the last might as well be the kiss of Kyrie Irving and Marcus “Throughout the game and fi ve minutes before Atkinson death for the Pistons against the Morris scored 20 points apiece throughout the series, I thought scored an empty-netter with one NBA’s top team (60 wins) in the for Boston, which won hand- we were keeping it too simple in minute left to seal the win. regular season. ily despite shooting just 36.4 Seven Bucks scored in dou- percent. Al Horford recorded a ble fi gures. Eric Bledsoe had 15 10-point, 11-rebound double- points, and Brook Lopez and double for the Celtics, while Khris Middleton each added 14. Jayson Tatum chipped in with George Hill came off the bench 15 points and Gordon Hayward to score 16 points. had 10. Joseph fi nished with 14 Detroit played without for- points and Bojan Bogdanovic 12 ward Blake Griffi n, who has for Indiana. missed fi ve of the last eight games with a sore knee. RESULTS Elsewhere, the Portland (all series best-of-seven): Trail Blazers snapped their 10- Eastern Conference game postseason losing streak, Boston 84-74 Indiana defeating the Oklahoma City (Boston leads series 1-0) Thunder 104-99 to claim Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo dunks against Detroit Pistons’ Thon Maker in game Milwaukee 121-86 Detroit their fi rst playoff win in three one of the first round of the 2019 NBA Playoff s at Fiserv Forum. PICTURE: USA TODAY Sports (Milwaukee leads series 1-0) years. Western Conference The Blazers have endured a 2017 and 2018 against Golden postseason win came to an end, Lillard went nine-of-21 Portland 104-99 Oklahoma Columbus Blue Jackets’ Sergei Bobrovsky knocks the puck away miserable record in the playoff s State and New Orleans. as Damian Lillard inspired a from the fi eld on his way to 30 (Portland leads series 1-0) from Tampa Bay Lightning’s Adam Erne (centre) during the third in recent years, suff ering back- On Sunday however Port- battling victory over the sixth- points in 38 minutes, adding Houston 122-90 Utah period of Game Three of the Eastern Conference First Round during to-back fi rst round sweeps in land’s three-year wait for a seeded Thunder. four rebounds, four assists and (Houston leads series 1-0). the 2019 NHL Stanley Cup Playoff s in Columbus, Ohio. (AFP)

MLB Diaz HR helps Astros stretch win streak to nine Reuters RAYS PUT AWAY BLUE JAYS WITH RESULTS Boston FIVE-RUN EIGHTH Guillermo Heredia capped a fi ve-run eighth Astros 3-2 Mariners inning with a two-run, pinch-hit home run ledmys Diaz led off the seventh in- Phillies 3-1 Marlins to help the visiting Tampa Bay Rays defeat ning with a home run to break a tie Rockies 4-0 Giants the Toronto Blue Jays 8-4 on Sunday after- as the Houston Astros rallied to de- Royals 9-8 Indians noon. Mike Zunino added a two-run, pinch- feat the host Seattle Mariners 3-2 hit single in the eighth as the Rays took two of onA Sunday afternoon, extending their win- White Sox 5-2 Yankees three games in the series and have now won ning streak to nine games. Pirates 4-3 Nationals six of their last seven games, all on the road. Jose Altuve’s homer streak ended at fi ve Rays 8-4 Blue Jays Freddy Galvis and Billy McKinney homer- consecutive games, but the Astros swept the ed for Toronto, McKinney also adding two three-game series at T-Mobile Park to pull Rangers 8-7 Athletics doubles. Rays starter Charlie Morton gave up within a game of the fi rst-place Mariners in Dodgers 7-1 Brewers four hits, three walks and one run over 4 2/3 the American League West. Braves 7-3 Mets innings. He struck out four. Adam Kolarek (1- Right-hander Gerrit Cole (1-2) pitched six 0) pitched one perfect inning to pick up the strong innings for his fi rst victory of the sea- Cardinals 9-5 Reds win. Blue Jays starter Marcus Stroman (0-3) son. He gave up two runs on four hits with no then grounded a two-run single to right fi eld surrendered three hits, four walks and three walks and 11 strikeouts. to tie the score and end Gonzales’ afternoon. unearned runs while striking out fi ve in four Seattle’s Mitch Haniger led off the bottom Right-hander Brandon Brennan struck out innings. The Blue Jays scored once in the fi rst of the fi rst with a home run off Cole, hitting Carlos Correa and Yuli Gurriel to end the in- when leadoff batter McKinney doubled and a 1-2 pitch into the bullpen in left fi eld. That ning. Galvis singled him home.The Rays answered gave the Mariners homers in each of their Gonzales, who had won each of his fi rst with an unearned run in the third. Michael fi rst 18 games to begin the season, extend- four starts of the season, went 5 1/3 innings Perez singled, Blue Jays second baseman ing their major league record. The Mariners and surrendered two runs on fi ve hits, with Lourdes Gurriel Jr. threw errantly on Ji-Man made it 2-0 in the third as Haniger and Do- two walks and three strikeouts. Choi’s two-out grounder, Avisail Garcia mingo Santana hit back-to-back doubles Brennan, who was selected in the Rule 5 walked and Brandon Lowe hit an RBI single. with two-outs. Mariners left-hander Marco draft in the off season, opened the season Gurriel was replaced at second base by Gonzales, who gave up just one hit and kept with eight scoreless appearances before Diaz Alen Hanson in the fourth, but the Rays Houston off the scoreboard through the first lined the fi rst pitch of the seventh over the scored two unearned runs in that inning. fi ve innings, ran into trouble in the sixth. left-fi eld wall to give the Astros a 3-2 lead. Kevin Kiermaier reached second base on Tony Kemp led off with a single to centre Houston right-handers Hector Rondon, Stroman’s throwing error after a bunt. Willy fi eld and advanced to second on a one-out Ryan Pressly and Roberto Osuna combined Adames followed with an infi eld single, Perez single by Altuve. Alex Bregman then singled for three hitless innings of relief, with Osuna walked, and Austin Meadows and Yandy Diaz Houston Astros’ Aledmys Diaz (centre) celebrates with Jose Altuve (right) after hitting a home run in the to right to load the bases. Michael Brantley earning his seventh save of the season. each produced RBI groundouts. seventh inning against the Seattle Mariners. PICTURE: USA TODAY Sports Gulf Times 6 Tuesday, April 16, 2019 SPORT

MOTORSPORT SPOTLIGHT Chinese F1 hopeful Zhou gets a taste of Mercedes look more things to come

Reuters

hou Guanyu had a dominant than ever whirlwind week at his home Chinese Grand ‘Considering it was a real struggle this weekend, I’m really grateful for the result’ Prix but it was merely Za taste of what the Shanghai teenager faces if he achieves the dream of becoming his country’s fi rst Formula One driver. With nearly 1.4 billion peo- ple, China is the world’s most populous country but 15 years on from its fi rst Formula One in the past. The latter was even race it is still waiting for a driv- Renault’s reserve in 2010, the er to fi ll one of the 20 slots on fi rst Chinese driver to fi ll such the starting grid. a role, after the company that Zhou is seen as the coun- owned his management agen- try’s most promising prospect cy Genii Capital bought a large to date, however. stake in the team that raced as In January he joined the Lotus for a period. Renault Formula One team But Zhou, whose love of as a development driver and motorsport began when he at- academy member after win- tended the fi rst Chinese Grand ning two races in the hotly- Prix as a fi ve-year-old in 2004, contested European Formula is the fi rst to sign a deal with Three championship last year. a manufacturer team and is This year the former Fer- showing promise. rari driver academy mem- He fi nished in the points ber has graduated to Formula in both races in this month’s Two, the feeder series that was Bahrain season-opener, in- previously GP2 and has pro- cluding fourth in the Sunday vided a steady fl ow of drivers sprint race, and is one place to the Formula One grid. “I’m ahead of Michael Schumach- not thinking about being the er’s son Mick in the standings. fi rst one of something,” the 19-year-old told Reuters at the SECOND RACE Shanghai International Circuit A homegrown driver on the before the 1000th Formula grid would only add heft to One world championship race. the sport’s push to expand in a “I’m trying to be, like, just key market, with Formula One reaching my own goals I set keen to add a second race in a when I was young. I think also country with a rapidly emerg- if I reach that I’ll be the fi rst ing middle class. ever Chinese in Formula One. “The last few years I didn’t “That’s defi nitely making actually get much chance to be myself proud, also make the here in the grand prix and I was country, the Chinese motor- doing more stuff in Europe,” sport history, to have much said Zhou, whose week of PR more people following motor- appearances and fan events sport, following me and fol- culminated in a demonstration lowing the racing.” drive in a 2012 Formula One Zhou is not the fi rst Chi- car in downtown Shanghai and nese hopeful to make it to the at the track before the race. brink of Formula One, with “This year, coming back, compatriots Ma Qing Hua walking around Shanghai, and Dutch-born Ho-Pin Tung there’s people knowing me both testing Formula One cars from the city.”

Mercedes’ British driver Lewis Hamilton prepares to get out of his car after arriving in the pits following his victory in the Formula One Chinese Grand Prix in Shanghai. (AFP) Dakar Rally to be held in ‘unknown’

Reuters past fi ve years, completed a hat- Wolff were still talking about started to tail off . This weekend, a seamless pitstop on Sunday, Saudi Arabia in 2020 London trick of successive one-two fi n- luck, small margins and tough they were a bit up and down. while Ferrari invoked team or- ishes at Sunday’s Chinese Grand battles ahead after winning “I think we’re over-delivering ders in a move that backfi red. The Dakar Rally will be held in Saudi Arabia from 2020, organis- Prix. Formula One’s 1,000th world a little bit at the moment to our The battle for supremacy is ers announced yesterday, off ering contestants an “unknown he fi rst three races of The only reason Mercedes championship race. true potential but there’s still between Mercedes and Ferrari, landscape and uncharted terrain”. the Formula One season cannot claim a perfect start is “Considering it was a real more to come,” he added. with Honda-powered Red Bull “After 30 years of discovering the beauty of Africa and a decade have made a mockery of the introduction this season of struggle this weekend, I’m really Ferrari were quicker down challenging for podiums, but of adventure exploring the spectacular landscape of South pre-season predictions a point for the fastest race lap, grateful for the result, said Ham- the long main straight in China Ferrari leave China with more America, a new chapter in the history of Dakar will be written Tthat Ferrari would set the pace with Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc ilton, Sunday’s winner. but Mercedes, whose engine has pressure on them. as the world’s biggest rally makes its Middle East debut in Saudi and leave Mercedes struggling to quickest in Bahrain and Red been the best of recent years, Nico Rosberg, the retired Arabia,” ASO said in a statement. keep up. Bull’s Pierre Gasly in Shanghai. SOLID WEEKEND gained through the corners. champion who won the 2016 The Dakar has been held in South America since 2009. The The standings may not tell the Otherwise, they have done The Briton was right to point out China was seen as a track title with Mercedes, agreed the gruelling multi-stage rally was previously held in Africa but was full story, and luck has played a something that escaped even it would have been a diff erent where Ferrari would have the Italians had work to do. relocated after terrorist threats in Mauritania in 2008. part, but on paper Mercedes are Ferrari during the golden era story if Charles Leclerc’s Ferrari upper hand but it was Mercedes “I’m hearing from the Ferrari Dakar director David Castera described the relocation to Saudi more dominant than ever while when they won six successive had not lost power while lead- whose drivers lined up fi rst and guys that they’ve got their car in Arabia as “a voyage into the unknown”. Ferrari have fallen well short of constructors’ titles and Michael ing in Bahrain but ‘could have, second on the grid. the wrong aerodynamic window “By going to Saudi Arabia, it is of course that aspect that fasci- expectations. Schumacher fi ve championships would have, should have’ never “Our car is maybe a bit drag- at the moment,” he said. “They nates me,” Castera said. “I’m convinced that such a feeling will “We’ve soon got to stop talk- in a row between 2000-04. won anything. gier than theirs,” said Wolff . “On need to make changes internally be shared by all the riders, drivers and copilots. As the director ing about Ferrari this, Ferrari The last team to start a sea- “I’m just not sure they’ve re- the speed and power we need to but it’s going to take time. of the event, it’s a massive challenge to be faced with a blank that, Ferrari amazing power... son with three successive one- ally hooked up a proper solid leave no stone unturned but in “They are only very good at page with limitless possibilities.” because they are not delivering,” twos was Williams, with Nigel weekend just yet,” said Ham- terms of managing the tyres, the the ultra-high speed tracks at Castera said Saudi Arabia off ered up “a monumental geography, said former grand prix driver and Mansell and Riccardo Patrese, in ilton, now back in the overall downforce levels helped obvi- the moment and as soon as there made for the most audacious itineraries”. Sky Sports commentator Martin 1992. championship lead. ously.” are more corners, then they are “We are spoilt for choice. Sports, navigation, a will to surpass Brundle. And yet fi ve times champion “It was looking like it was go- The champions also got their struggling. So they’re in the oneself: all these aspects will naturally be glorified on this terri- Mercedes, the team that have Lewis Hamilton, teammate Valt- ing to be a solid weekend for strategy spot on, double-stack- wrong place at the moment with tory made for rally-raids.” won every championship for the teri Bottas and principal Toto them in Bahrain and then it ing their drivers brilliantly in the car.”

RUGBY Former Aussie captain Horwill to hang up boots AFP led the franchise to its fi rst profes- Cup when Wayne Pivac steps into Folau handed sack notice over comments London sional title, beating the Crusaders the vacancy left by Warren Gat- in the then-Super 15 fi nal. land. Israel Folau’s career was warranted termination of his Horwill joined Harlequins in “I feel Wigan need a more ex- hanging by a thread yes- employment contract. He ormer Australian rugby 2015 and was named club captain perienced rugby league head terday as the star Wallabies has 48 hours to either accept captain James Horwill an- ahead of the 2017/18 season. His coach than myself, to give the fullback was given 48 hours the sanction or have the nounced yesterday he is fi nal home appearance will be on club and the people of Wigan to respond to a code of matter referred to a hearing. to retire at the end of the May 3 against Leicester although the best team possible,” said Ed- conduct breach notice or be Folau has indicated he plans season.F he will hope his side make it to the wards, who has established him- sacked over anti-gay com- to fight to save his career. The 62-time capped lock, who play-off s. self as one of the fi nest defence ments. The deeply religious “At its core, this is an issue turns 34 next month, could yet They are presently in the fourth coaches at Test level of his gen- 30-year-old sparked uproar of the responsibilities an bow out on a high note by skip- and fi nal spot, three points better eration. last week for a social media employee owes to their em- pering his English Premiership off than Wasps with three matches “The Wigan deal I recently post saying “Hell awaits” ployer and the commitments side Harlequins to the title. of the regular season remaining. received is very favourable to all homosexuals, with national they make to their employer Horwill – who led out Australia other off ers I have had so far. team sponsor Qantas among to abide by their employer’s 16 times including during the 2011 EDWARDS SPURNS WIGAN “For me, this is not about those complaining. He was policies and procedures and World Cup campaign – said his ROLE TO STAY WITH WALES money, this is about Wigan War- embroiled in a similar row adhere to their employer’s body had reached its limit after 13 Shaun Edwards said Monday he is riors getting the best man for the last year, but has stood by his values,” said Castle. “Follow- years of top level rugby. to stay on the Wales coaching staff job which, at the moment, I feel is comments and said he was ing the events of last year, “I have given this great game after the World Cup and not after not me.” prepared to choose his faith Israel was warned formally and everything I have, and I feel I can all take up the head coach post at Wigan are presently being over rugby. Rugby Australia repeatedly about the expecta- no longer give what is needed to I will look back and cherish for a “His resilience and character rugby league club Wigan. coached by another former play- chief Raelene Castle moved tions of him as player for the play at this elite level,” he said in a lifetime.” have made him the role model he The 52-year-old Englishman er in Adrian Lam, but he has only to sack him, saying he had Wallabies and NSW Waratahs club statement. Paul Gustard, Harlequins head is today and will continue to be had agreed a three-year contract a 12-month contract as it was ex- been repeatedly warned with regards to social media “Rugby has been a big part of of rugby, hailed Horwill as a “war- long after his retirement.” with the league club where he is pected Edwards would move in in about his social media use use and he has failed to meet my life for many years; never in rior”. Horwill made his professional regarded as a playing legend hav- 2020. but ignored the overtures those obligations. my wildest dreams would I have “James is a true warrior of our debut in 2006 for the Queensland ing won three world club chal- “For us now our next steps are and refused to apologise at a “It was made clear to him envisaged the incredible journey it great game; the ultimate profes- Reds and earned international lenges, eight titles and nine Chal- to confi rm the coaching structure meeting on Friday. As such, that any social media posts has taken me on. sional and someone you always recognition in 2007, making his lenge Cups in his time there. for 2020 and beyond and draw a his actions were considered or commentary that is in any “Winning the Super Rugby title want on your side,” said Gustard. Test debut against Fiji. However, Edwards said he be- line under the last few months “a high-level breach” of the way disrespectful to people (2011) at the Queensland Reds and “It’s been an honour and a Despite his youth, Horwill was lieves Wigan require a more ex- and give our loyal fans the clarity Professional Players’ Code because of their sexuality will being asked to captain my coun- pleasure to work alongside him at handed the Reds captaincy in perienced head coach and will they deserve,” said Wigan chair- of Conduct which she said result in disciplinary action.” try are just some of the moments Harlequins. 2008 and the second-row forward remain with Wales after the World man Ian Lenagan. Gulf Times Tuesday, April 16, 2019 7 GOLF

ACCOLADES SPOTLIGHT All hail Woods! Epic win a family aff air Trump, Obama, for Woods AFP Woods recalled her devo- Augusta tion when his glory was only a dream. “She’s driving me to the tour- iger Woods fi nally naments when I’m 11 years old, showed his children why the pee wee tournaments when their father kept fi ght- I start at 7 a.m. and she’s un- join Tiger frenzy ing through pain trying folding the road map. She did all Tto swing golf clubs, his victory that,” Woods said. Sunday at the Masters literally a “She’s always there. She’s Aged 43, Woods became the second-oldest Masters win for all ages. always present in every round I Woods captured his 15th ma- play.” jor title, and fi rst since the 2008 Woods battled chronic back winner, trailing only Jack Nicklaus who was 46 in 1986 US Open, with a one-stroke vic- pain for years before undergoing tory at Augusta National for his a last-chance spinal fusion sur- fi fth Masters green jacket. gery in 2017 that enabled him to “It’s special to me, to my return to peak golf form and be friends and family,” Woods said. able to play with his children. “And I think everyone who was “The kids are starting to un- here got a chance to witness derstand how much golf means something that was amazing.” to me and some of the things It also was the fi rst time I’ve done in the game,” Woods daughter Sam Alexis, 11, and said. son Charlie, 10, have seen their “Prior to comeback, they famous father win a major title only knew golf caused me a lot except in videos. of pain. If I tried to swing a club “For them to see what it’s I would be on the ground and like to have their dad win a ma- struggled for years and that’s jor championship, I hope that’s basically all they remember. something they will never for- “Luckily I’ve had the pro- get,” Woods said. “I hope they cedure where that’s no longer are proud of their dad.” the case. We’re creating new The moment allowed Woods, memories for them and it’s who famously hugged his late just very special.”Woods said father Earl off the 18th green at his children’s love helped him Augusta after his fi rst major win withstand the down times when in 1997, to re-enact the moment he feared even walking without Sunday but as the 43-year-old pain. father, hugging his kids. “It means the world to me, “This has meant so much to their love and support,” Woods me and my family. It’s something said. “I just can’t say enough I’ll never ever forget,” Woods about how much that meant to Tiger Woods of the United States celebrates after said. “To have them there and me throughout my struggles making his putt on the 18th green to win the Masters then now to have them see their when I had a really hard time at Augusta National Golf Club on Sunday. Pops win, just like my Pops saw moving around, just the infec- me win here, it’s pretty special.” tousness of their happiness. I Earl Woods, who died in 2006 was going through a tough time at age 74, taught Tiger how to physically. AFP is just fantastic!” golf and defi ed doctors to watch “I was very fortunate to be Augusta Schauff ele says loss to Tiger ‘like a dream’ Woods also set a record for his son at the 1997 Masters. given another chance to do the longest gap between Mas- “My dad shouldn’t have come something I love to do, but more Augusta: Xander Schauff ele, about how I played, just be- ters triumphs, the 14 years since in ‘97. He had heart complica- importantly, I’ve been able to resident Donald Trump in only his second Masters, was cause I just witnessed history. his last win in 2005 eclipsing tions and wasn’t supposed to participate in my kids’ lives in a and Barack Obama were alone atop the leaderboard for It was really cool coming down the old mark set by South Af- fl y,” Woods said. “But he fl ew way that I couldn’t for a number among those hailing a brief moment during the late the stretch, all the historic rican Gary Player who won his and came. Gave me a putting of years. Tiger Woods on social stages of the final round on holes, Amen Corner, 15, 16, second Augusta crown in 1961 lesson on Wednesday night and “For a while there I couldn’t Pmedia after his 11-year major and his third in 1974. “For most the rest is history.” even walk. Now I’m able to play Sunday but said falling short Tiger making the roars.” drought was ended by a thrilling to Tiger Woods in a major was Schauff ele’s four-under-par 68 an impossible task. But not for Woods also hugged his golf again and do it at an elite and emotional Masters victory on like a dream. was one shot shy of the day’s you,” said South African legend mother Kultida, a 75-year-old level. I’m just very blessed to Sunday. Schauff ele, who was playing low round and earned him Player on Twitter. “Congratu- Thai woman who nurtured and be able to have that opportu- “Congratulations to @Tiger- two groups ahead of Woods, his fourth top-10 result in his lations Tiger. So special for you toughened Tiger as a youth. nity again.” Woods has no doubt Woods,” tweeted the US presi- ended up one shot back of the eighth major championship and your family. So great for the “It’s amazing. It’s 22 years. where his most meaningful trip dent Trump, who played a round five-times champion and when putt at the par-four 14th hole start. game of golf. Simply unbelieva- Life goes on. There’s one con- with the green jacket will come of golf with Woods earlier this asked about the experience at that put him into the lead for all While Schauff ele failed to ble.” Other US Sports stars were tinuity. My mom was there,” — his son’s school class. year. “A truly Great Champion!” Augusta National was anything but a couple minutes. secure his first major title, he quick to join in on Twitter. “A Woods said. “I said, ‘We did it. I “I’m excited about show and “Congratulations, Tiger!” but bitter. But despite being in conten- left Augusta National confident big BIG congratulations to @Ti- love you so much, mom.’” tell at school,” Woods said. former president Obama tweet- “Like a dream, honestly,” said tion at the year’s first major, he will be in the mix on the gerWoods for winning the Mas- ed. “To come back and win the the 25-year-old Schauff ele. the American was not at all hallowed layout again and per- ters!!” NBA icon Magic Johnson Masters after all the highs and “It’s what I watched as a kid. surprised by the small turnout haps produce a result that will tweeted. “The roar of the Tiger lows is a testament to excellence, It’s what I watched growing up. for his post-round news confer- command more attention. is back!” grit, and determination.” Just everything about it, and ence. “I did have my 30 seconds in “Congrats Tiger! What a per- As Woods went on a charge for me to be a part of it and “Just what I witnessed, I know the sun with the lead and it formance,” the New England Pa- on the back nine at Augusta Na- give it a good run... it was an it’s what everyone is going was a really cool feeling,” said triots’ six-time Super Bowl-win- tional with birdies at 13, 15 and incredible experience today.” to talk about; that’s why this Schauff ele. “And like I said, it ning quarterback Tom Brady said. 16 to win by a stroke and claim Schauff ele, who began the day room’s barely full. I know just proves to my team and I Woods fi nally found time to re- his 15th major and fi fth Masters, five shots back of overnight where everyone’s at,” said that we can contend and that spond to all his well-wishers late social media lit up in a frenzy of leader Francesco Molinari, Schauff ele. we can win on this property.” on Sunday night. congratulations. rolled in an eight-foot birdie “It’s hard to really feel bad (Reuters) “I can’t thank my family, “I am literally in tears watching friends and fans enough for their @TigerWoods this is Greatness support. Having my family by my like no other,” tweeted 23-time ment in returning to the summit been thru to get back to this Woods hugged his mother, chil- side today is something I will nev- Grand Slam tennis champion of the sport after multiple sur- point,” tweeted four-time ma- dren and partner Erica Herman er forget,” he posted on his Twit- Serena Williams. geries and a string of off -course jor champion Rory McIlroy, after his winning putt. ter feed, @TigerWoods, along “Knowing all you have been problems since his 14th major who finished in a tie for 21st Aged 43, Woods became the with a picture of him wearing his through physically to come back win at the 2008 US Open. on Sunday. second-oldest Masters winner, newest of fi ve green jackets. and do what you just did today? Just two years ago his back pain “So cool seeing him with trailing only Jack Nicklaus who “To not only be able to play Wow Congrats a mn times! I am was so bad Woods thought he Tida, Sam, Charlie, Erica and was 46 in 1986. again, but to be able to win again, so inspired thank you buddy.” might never play again, let alone the rest of the team behind 18 “A big ‘well done’ from me to @ is something I will forever be Fellow golfers and former win another major. green. Couldn’t be happier for TigerWoods!,” said Nicklaus on grateful for. Tiger Woods’ family, daughter Sam Alexis, son Charlie Axel, mother greats of the game were also “Very few people really him! What a great day for golf!” social media. “I am so happy for “This jacket sure is comfort- Kultida Woods (L) and girlfriend Erica Herman, smile as he approach- quick to hail Woods’ achieve- know what @TigerWoods has added McIlroy after an emotional him and for the game of golf. This able.” es them after he won the 2019 Masters.

BOTTOMLINE Nicklaus major record in play again for Woods

Reuters “Nobody wants their record to be neighbours in south Florida who often Joint Masters runner-up Brooks Augusta broken, but I certainly wouldn’t want play with Woods, expressed a mixture Koepka expects Woods to challenge Tiger to be hurt and not able to do it,” of excitement and trepidation. Nicklaus’s record. Nicklaus told Golf Channel. “He’s got “It keeps 18 (majors) in play,” Fowler “I think 18 is a whole lot closer than he Tiger Woods major watch, me shaking in my boots!” told a small group of reporters amid people think,” he said. stagnant for so long that it Though the odds are still against what for Augusta National amounted More immediately, Woods can be- had almost been abandoned, 43-year-old Woods, who is racing to frenzied scenes outside the club- come the most prolifi c winner in PGA is back on and Jack Nicklaus against Father Time as well as a fused house as thousands of spectators con- Tour history. Tmight yet be proved correct. spine that could cause more problems, gregated hoping to catch a glimpse of He now has 81 victories, one short As the years ticked by from 2008 it is no longer inconceivable to imag- the new champion. of Sam Snead, whose record could and an injury-riddled Woods got ine him winning three or four majors. “I don’t doubt that this is going to be tied as soon as next month, when stuck for more than a decade on 14 The next two are at venues well be his most special one yet. To get his Woods is likely to make his next ap- major titles, four short of Nicklaus’s suited to his game and where he has 15th after a long wait, after a lot of pearance, at the Wells Fargo Champi- record, the “Golden Bear” kept saying won — the PGA Championship at years away from competitive golf, be- onship in Charlotte, North Carolina. he still thought his mark was in jeop- Bethpage and the 2000 US Open at ing in a position where he wasn’t sure Then it will be the PGA Champion- ardy. Pebble Beach where he triumphed by he was going to play again, it’s cool ship from May 16-19, where the focus Such talk, while Woods battled a a massive 15 strokes. stuff .” Thomas acknowledged he had will be back on the pursuit of Nick- potentially career-ending back injury, Then it is the British Open, at Royal needed to be convinced Woods could laus’s record. was widely dismissed as little more Portrush in Northern Ireland, where win another major. Woods, however, preferred to savour than politeness from someone who nobody in this year’s fi eld has played “I thought today was going to be big his fi fth Green Jacket. could hardly say anything else. a tournament. in how he handled it,” said the 2017 “I don’t know if he’s worried or But in winning the Masters at Au- His peers think Sunday’s victory Honorary starters and former Masters champions Gary Player of South Africa PGA Championship winner. not,” Woods said when asked whether gusta on Sunday to end an 11-year could loosen the dam wall, if not com- and Jack Nicklaus stand on the first tee during the First Tee ceremony to start the “He’s been there a lot, more than Nicklaus should be concerned at being major drought, Woods crept within pletely open the fl oodgates. first round of the Masters at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11. Nicklaus is the anyone, but it had been a while since caught. three of catching Nicklaus. Rickie Fowler and Justin Thomas, record holder with 18 majors, a feat which Woods is expected to surpass. he had a chance to win here.” “I’m just enjoying 15.”

Tuesday, April 16, 2019 GULF TIMES SPORT

Al Shaqab’s Khattab wins in France LOCAL SPORT Third edition of roller-skating event concludes

By Sports Reporter Sudan, Lebanon, Tunisia, Brit- Doha ain, India, the Philippines, Sri Lanka and Ethiopia. She praised the competition he third edition of the this year, stressing that the goal Roller Skating Cham- is to spread the game in Qatar, pionship, organised by especially as Gery’s Sports hopes Gery’s Sports, conclud- to create a large base of players, Ted successfully with participa- and eventually form a team that Trainer Thomas Fourcy (third from right) and connections pose with Al Shaqab Racing’s Khattab and jockey Jerome Cabre (second from right) after the victory in 2000m tion of as many as 120 players at participates in foreign competi- Prix De Carthage – Hannibal (Group 2 PA) in Toulouse, France yesterday. Earlier in the evening, His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Khalifa al-Thani’s Al Hazm too emerged Aspire Zone recently. tions. victorious in the seven-furlong Prix Denouste with Olivier Peslier riding Didier Guillemin’s charge to the win. PICTURES: Robert Polin Gery’s Sports chairperson She said: “The tournament Iman Amna al-Mashiri gave held at Aspire Dome was marked away the trophies medals and by quality participation, with MOTORCYCLING certifi cates to the winners. lots of fans of roller-skating in The tournament saw com- Doha, and saw some amazing ef- petition across several catego- forts by the participants, much ries. Following the prize-giving to the delight of the public and ceremony, al-Mushairi thanked the jury.” the sponsors who supported the She said that she is proud to third edition of the competition. organise the third edition of the Aspire Zone hosted the tourna- competition that had 44 girls ment for the second year in a and 76 boys in pursuit of victo- Rins wins GP of row, after the fi rst edition was ries. The edition was held with held at the Al Ahli Sports Club. the support of The One Minute The third edition saw major Photography and Solutions, De- Qatari participation alongside cathlon, McDonald’s and Spring the countries of America, Egypt, Aqua. the Americas as SPOTLIGHT ‘Emotional’ Nadal inspired by Woods’ Marquez crashes Masters triumph

Marquez, who started on pole, had scored six consecutive victories in Texas AFP “And, fi nally, to win a Grand Monte Carlo Slam again, especially in Au- AFP fourth on Sunday, moved to the top of gusta, probably his favourite Austin, Texas the overall standings with 54 points, fol- one, means everything for him. lowed by Rossi (51), Rins (49) and Mar- n “emotional” Rafael “I really know a little bit how quez (45). Nadal yesterday said hard he worked to be back. I was pain’s Alex Rins swept to victory “I’m sorry I couldn’t get the win,” he watched spellbound very emotional yesterday.” in the Grand Prix of the Ameri- Rossi said afterwards. “When I saw that as Tiger Woods rolled Woods claimed a one-shot cas on Sunday, claiming his fi rst Marquez had fallen, I thought it was Aback the clock to win a fi fth victory at Augusta on Sunday to career MotoGP win after compa- possible. But in the end Rins was just too Masters title and cap his come- win his 15th major title, but fi rst triotS Marc Marquez crashed out of con- good. back from back surgery. since 2008. tention. “It’s a shame because I have not won Spain’s world number two, a Nadal, a 17-time Grand Slam Suzuki rider Rins held off a fero- in a long time but we will keep trying,” keen golfer himself, expressed champion, attended Woods’ cious challenge from Italy’s Valentino added Rossi. nothing but admiration for Hero World Challenge event in Rossi over the closing stages to take the Earlier, Marquez had looked to be Woods, who has fought through the Bahamas in 2017, while the chequered fl ag at Austin’s Circuit of the surging towards a seventh straight win in at least as many physical chal- golfi ng great has watched Nadal Americas in Texas. Austin after rapidly opening up a decent lenges as he has himself. play at the US Open on multiple Australia’s Jack Miller on a Ducati fi n- gap from his pursuers. “It was amazing,” Nadal said occasions. ished third. But with Marquez three seconds clear as he prepared for his Wednes- Nadal seemed particularly Rins’ maiden win brought Honda rider after completing eight laps, disaster day start at the Monte Carlo struck by the fact that Woods Marquez’s long reign of dominance in struck when he fell, leaving Rossi in the Masters, his fi rst event in a celebrated his victory with his Austin to an end. lead. month since withdrawing with family on the 18th green. Marquez, who started on pole, had Rins meanwhile gradually closed on knee issues at Indian Wells be- “The celebration of yesterday scored six consecutive victories in the Rossi and overtook the Italian with four fore a semi-fi nal against Roger when he was walking with the Texan city heading into this weekend’s laps to go. Federer. family, was one of the moments event, the third leg of the 2019 MotoGP That set the stage for a thrilling duel “I’m a big fan of him. Like I’ve that I won’t forget.” World Championship. over the closing stages, before Rins held said hundreds of times, that he’s The 11-time Monte Carlo But his challenge ended when he on to cross fi rst. probably my favourite sports- champion added that his own crashed on turn 12 of the ninth lap while Earlier, Switzerland’s Thomas Luthi man in the world since a long drive to succeed on court has leading. of the Kalex team won the Moto2 race, time ago.” not diminished despite his his- Rins meanwhile was left to celebrate fi nishing ahead of ’s Marcel Nadal could not help but tory of injuries. after becoming the fi rst man to win in Schrotter in second and Spain’s Jorge compare his own years of fi tness “I never needed an inspira- Texas in all three categories. He won Navarro in third. problems to those of Woods, tion. I’ve always been able to the Moto3 race in Austin in 2013 and the In the Moto3 event, Aron Canet took who has faced multiple back come back, it’s nothing new for Moto2 event at the circuit in 2016. the line honours after taking advantage surgeries and other roadblocks me. “I am so happy I don’t have words to of a late crash from Japan’s Tatsuki Su- when it looked like his career “I’ve been in comeback situ- describe how I feel. When I crossed the zuki. might be close to ending. ations many times; I’ve always fi nish line my emotions exploded,” the Suzuki had looked poised to claim fi rst “There have been tough years done well. 23-year-old said afterwards. but crashed with fi ve laps to go to allow for him,” 17-time Grand Slam “One day it won’t be the “Suzuki has done a great job, and cre- KTM rider Canet to take the honours. winner Nadal said. “I cannot same, but what happened dur- ated a wonderful motorbike. And to beat Canet completed the 17-lap race in be happier about the victory of ing the last year for Tiger is an Valentino, who was my idol when I was a 39min 6.761sec, with compatriot Jaume yesterday. inspiration for everyone. kid, is incredible for me,” he added. Masia fi nishing second and Italy’s And- “If you imagine all the process “He’s a good example of pas- Italy’s Andrea Dovizioso, who fi nished rea Migno third. File photo of Alex Rins and all the hard work that he had sion for sport... discipline, in to do to be back on a golf course terms of hard work... and love — all the things that he did... for the game.” TENNIS Struff upsets birthday boy Shapovalov in Monte Carlo

Reuters himself immediately on the back foot recovered from a set down to beat John competitive from the beginning.” Paris when Struff claimed an early break point Millman 3-6 6-1 6-1 and set up a sec- Nadal expects intense competition in the second set. ond-round meeting with compatriot and for clay court honours this season, with anadian Denis Shapovalov en- Struff converted two more break point 11-time winner Rafael Nadal. Djokovic, top seed in Monte Carlo, aim- dured a birthday to forget as opportunities to seal the second set be- World number two Nadal will be play- ing to gather momentum on his way to he suff ered a 5-7 6-3 6-1 de- fore a Shapovalov double fault allowed ing his fi rst match on Wednesday since a personal sweep at the French Open by Cfeat to unseeded German Jan- the German to tighten his grip on the injuring his knee at Indian Wells last lifting his fourth straight Grand Slam ti- Lennard Struff in the opening round of match with an early 2-0 lead in the de- month. tle. Monte Carlo Masters on Monday. cider. If the 32-year-old lifts the trophy again Last year’s runner-up in Paris Domin- Shapovalov, who turned 20, was com- Struff , who won 72% of fi rst-serve on Sunday, he will be the fi rst player to ic Thiem is high on confi dence after win- ing off a spectacular run to the Miami points, completed the turnaround in just win an ATP Tour event on 12 occasions. ning the title in Indian Wells last month, Open semi-fi nals but struggled to redis- under two hours. “It’s the start of the important clay and while Federer is not part of the Mon- cover his service rhythm as he fi nished British number one Kyle Edmund let season for me,” Nadal told a news confer- te Carlo fi eld, he is scheduled for a clay- with 10 double faults in his fi rst clay an early lead slip and won only one of the ence. court comeback at Madrid next month. court match of the season. fi nal 13 games in a 4-6 6-3 6-1 defeat by “I hope to be healthy and I hope to be “We can’t predict the future. I hope The 15th-seeded Shapovalov fought Argentine Diego Schwartzman. ready to compete well. This tournament to be one of them, but you never know,” hard to clinch the opening set but found Earlier, Spain’s Roberto Bautista Agut is important for me, and I hope to be Nadal added. File photo of Rafael Nadal.