SPORT 05 It Was a Good Day, Except for One ﬂat Tyre Before the ﬁrst PC Where We Lost Close to Nasser Saleh Al Attiyah FOOTBALL FOOTBALL Two Minutes

SUNDAY 24 FEBRUARY 2019 SPORT 05 It was a good day, except for one ﬂat tyre before the ﬁrst PC where we lost close to Nasser Saleh Al Attiyah FOOTBALL FOOTBALL two minutes. It was not easy to open, but after winning the second we took a good stage without any technical selective section of the EFL CUP - FINAL ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE problems. The navigation was very hard, Manateq Qatar Cross-Country Chelsea vs Manchester City Arsenal vs Southampton

but we had a good pace today. Rally yesterday. ACTION 7:30pm Qatar Time Manchester United vs Liverpool TODAY’S

Ironman 70.3 triathlon: Two TENNIS RESULTS ATP DELRAY BEACH OPEN

Quarter-finals Qataris to compete in Colombo Mackenzie McDonald (USA) bt Juan Martín Del Potro (ARG x1) 6-4, 3-6, 7-6 (7/5) Radu Albot (MDA) bt Steve Johnson (USA ARMSTRONG VAS Triathletes from 58 THE PENINSULA different countries, x4) 1-6, 6-3, 7-6 (7/5) IN COLOMBO including 22 drawn Daniel Evans (GBR) bt Andreas Seppi from the Middle (ITA x6) 6-4, 6-4 Qatar’s Mohammed Fakhro East, vie for the top John Isner (USA x2) bt Adrian Mannarino and Rashid Al Hajri are honours in Asia’s most (FRA x8) 7-6 (7/2), 6-4 among the 730 triathletes influential triathlon who will be vying for top competition today. honours at today’s Ironman WTA TOURNAMENT 70.3 triathlon in Colombo, IN BUDAPEST organisers of the event said year’s athletes is 38, with the here yesterday. oldest participant being 76 Quarter-finals All eyes will be on the years of age and the youngest Alison Van Uytvanck (BEL x1) bt Kateryna scenic coastline that a mere 18 years. A significant Kozlova (UKR) 3-6, 6-1, 6-4 envelops, Sri Lanka’s majority of the participants enchanting capital, as the are male, with women con- Ekaterina Alexandrova (RUS x5) bt Pauline cream of the world’s triath- stituting 24% of the total Parmentier (FRA x3) 6-3, 6-2 letes will compete in the number of athletes. Anastasia Potapova (RUS) bt Sorana Cirstea Action during the last year’s Ironman 70.3 (ROM) 6-4, 6-7 (5/7), 7-5 triathlon. triathlon in Colombo, Sri Lanka. This year Ironman is The triathletes from 58 encouraging women’s par- Marketa Vondrouaova (CZE x8) bt different countries, including ticipation in the sport and Irina-Camelia Begu (ROM) 5-7, 6-1, 6-3 22 drawn from the Middle families as well as interna- “The championship not and a fantastic finish in front have allocated 25 slots from East, vie for the top honours tional observers and hun- only demonstrates Sri of the popular promenade. Sri Lanka exclusively for in Asia’s most influential tri- dreds of fans of this sport Lanka’s mega event organi- The top five participating women that finish first to take ATP TOURNAMENT athlon competition. that poses the ultimate chal- zational abilities but also countries in Ironman 70.3 part in the 2019 Ironman 70.3 IN MARSEILLE The triathletes will be lenges to an athlete’s showcases the island’s Colombo are India with 94 World Championship in Nice, among those competing for endurance and stamina. myriad delights to the inter- triathletes, Great Britain with France. Quarter-finals a top 40 finish that will give “The Colombo 70.3 tria- national audience assembled 55, Australia with 40, France SriLankan Airlines’ par- Stefanos Tsitsipas (GRE x1) bt Sergiy them a shot at the 70.3 World thlon is an international here for the triathlon.” with 34 and Japan with 24. ticipation as the Official Stakhovsky (UKR) 6-4, 6-3 Championships in Nice, sporting event from the top The race begins with a Some of the other nations Airline Partner of the event is France later this year. drawer and it is indeed a single-loop, 1.9km swim that will be represented at the designed to promote Sri David Goffin (BEL x3) bt Gilles Simon As Official Airline privilege for SriLankan Air- starting at the beach triathlon are USA, Japan, Lankan as a preferred host (FRA x6) 6-2, 6-4 Partner of the Ironman 70.3 lines to be closely involved adjoining the Galle Face Malaysia, Singapore, venue for international Mikhail Kukushkin (KAZ) bt Andrey Rublev triathlon, SriLankan Airlines in the event’s success,” said Green, followed by a flat and Germany, Russia, Maldives, sporting events and by posi- (RUS) 6-4, 6-1# have been flying in a large SriLankan Airlines General fast 90km bike course and a UAE, Kuwait, Jordan, Egypt tioning Colombo as the des- Ugo Humbert (FRA) bt Matthias Bachinger number of support contin- Manager Marketing, 21.1 km running course that and Sri Lanka. tination of choice for iconic (GER) 6-3, 6-3 gents, elite athletes and their Saminda Perera. offers scenic country views The average age of this sporting events. Fernando, Mendis propel Afghanistan smash record 278 in T20 AFP of Dehradun. Hazratullah Zazai by 84 runs, their second straight hit an unbeaten 162 off 62 balls defeat in the three match series. Afghanistan yesterday scored a with 16 sixes - another record - Afghanistan's score Sri Lanka to historic win world record T20 international and 11 fours in a free hitting overtook Australia's 263-3 score of 278-3 as they demol- innings. against Sri Lanka in Kandy in ished Ireland in the Indian city Ireland made 194-6 to lose September 2016. AFP PORT ELIZABETH, SOUTH AFRICA

Oshada Fernando and Kusal Mendis propelled Sri Lanka to an Windies fight back to level series eight-wicket win over South Africa on the third day of the second Test REUTERS Shimron at St George’s Park yesterday, BARBADOS Hetmyer clinching an historic 2-0 series of West triumph. West Indies produced a Indies hits The unheralded Sri Lankans dramatic comeback to beat a six during became the first team from Asia to England by 26 runs in Barbados the second win a Test series in South Africa. on Friday and level their five- ODI against Unlike their dramatic, unex- match one-day series at 1-1. England in pected one-wicket win in the first The hosts, who ended a Bridgetown, Test in Durban, the Sri Lankans SCOREBOARD 10-match losing streak in Barbados, on surged to victory as Fernando and one-day internationals against Friday. Mendis shared an unbeaten SOUTH AFRICA, first innings .....222 England, made 289 for six with 163-run third wicket partnership SRI LANKA, first innings ...... 154 left-hander Shimron Hetmyer SCOREBOARD SOUTH AFRICA, second innings 128 studded with crisp, authoritative hitting a magnificent unbeaten WEST INDIES strokes. SRI LANKA, second innings 104 from 83 balls, including C. Gayle b Rashid ...... 50 Fernando made 75 not out off (overnight 60-2) four sixes. J. Campbell c Ali b Plunkett ...... 23 106 balls and Mendis scored 84 not D. Karunaratne c De Kock b Olivier ... 19 Chris Gayle, who scored a S. Hope c Bairstow b Stokes ...... 33 out off 110 deliveries as Sri Lanka L. Thirimanne c De Kock b Rabada ...10 century in the opening match D. Bravo run out ...... 25 chased down a victory target of 197, O. Fernando not out ...... 75 of the series won by England, S. Hetmyer not out ...... 104 reaching the mark by lunch. K. Mendis not out ...... 84 had laid the foundation with a J. Holder run out ...... 3 Extras (b4, lb5) ...... 9 C. Brathwaite b Wood ...... 13 Resuming at 60 for two, solid 50 from 63 balls. A. Nurse not out ...... 13 Fernando and Mendis batted pos- Total (2 wkts, 45.4 overs) ...... 197 But it was Hetmyer, the Fall of wickets: 1-32 (Thirimanne), 2-34 Extras (lb9, nb3, w13) ...... 25 itively from the start of play, (Karunaratne) 22-year-old Guyanese, who got Total (50 overs, 6 wickets) ...... 289 scoring nine runs off the second Bowling: Steyn 8-0-38-0, Rabada 15-2- the crowd on their feet with his Did not bat: D. Bishoo, S. Cottrell, O. Thomas over of the day, bowled by Kagiso 53-1, Olivier 12-2-46-1, Mulder 4-1-6-0, Sri Lanka’s Kusal Mendis is greeted by flamboyant innings including Fall of wickets: 1-61, 2-98, 3-121 (Hope), Rabada. Maharaj 6.4-0-45-0 team-mates after winning the second Test some powerful improvised 4-197, 5-207, 6-237 Bowling: M. Wood 10-0-38-1 (2w), T. Curran No South African bowler was Sri Lanka won by eight wickets match against South Africa, yesterday. strokes as well as sensible able to settle into a consistent accumulation. 10-0-62-0 (1nb, 1w), M. Ali 7-0-51-0 (1w), L. Plunkett 7-0-39-1 (4w), B. Stokes 10-1-62-1 rhythm. The century was Hetmyer’s (2nb, 4w), A. Rashid 6-0-28-1 (1w) Dale Steyn was brought into the a leaping Hashim Amla at first slip Chandimal, several players were fourth in the format at interna- attack after 36 runs had been could only get his fingertips to a slash missing because of injuries, while tional level and suggests he after England had used their ENGLAND scored off the first eight overs of against Duanne Olivier. By then, coach Chandika Hathurusingha could be a player to watch in reviews. J. Roy b Cottrell ...... 2 the morning. Mendis struck three though, only 31 runs were needed. was stripped of some of his powers. the World Cup later this year. Left-arm seamer Sheldon J. Bairstow lbw b Cottrell ...... 0 boundaries in the first over from Sri Lanka’s series win was one Yet the Sri Lankans heeded the But having chased down Cottrell returned to the attack J. Root c Hope b Thomas ...... 36 South Africa’s all-time leading of the biggest upsets in recent call of Dimuth Karunaratne, who 361 at the Kensington Oval on and won the game for the Car- E. Morgan c Hetmyer b Cottrell ...... 70 wicket-taker. cricket history. was announced as ‘interim’ captain, Wednesday, England would ibbean side with the wickets of B. Stokes c Hope b Holder ...... 79 J. Buttler c Hetmyer b Holder ...... 34 Left-arm spinner Keshav South Africa had won their pre- to “compete in every session” and have been confident of Moeen Ali and Adil Rashid -- M. Ali b Cottrell ...... 12 Maharaj extracted some sharp turn vious seven series at home and had to play with a smile on their faces. extending their lead in the celebrating with his trademark T. Curran lbw b Holder ...... 0 from a pitch which otherwise won 16 out of 19 home Tests, with The win in the second Test was series. military salute. A. Rashid c Hope b Cottrell ...... 15 offered nothing to the bowlers only two defeats, before losing in set up by the Sri Lankan bowlers The tourists were given a Cottrell, a Jamaican Defence L. Plunkett c Holder b Brathwaite ...... 2 despite the extraordinary events of Durban. after South Africa led by 68 runs strong platform as captain Eoin Force soldier brought into the M. Wood not out ...... 1 the first two days when 31 wickets Sri Lanka, by contrast, had lost on the first innings. Morgan made 70 and they side as an extra bowler, ended Extras (lb3, w9) ...... 12 fell. six and drawn one of their previous Despite the absence of injured needed 62 to win from 61 balls with his career-best ODI figures Total (47.4 overs, all out) ...... 263 But the batsmen used their feet seven Tests before arriving in South left-arm spinner Lasith with six wickets remaining of 5-46. Carlos Brathwaite got Fall of wickets: 1-1, 2-10, 3-60, 4-159, against Maharaj who conceded 23 Africa with their team seemingly Embuldeniya, South Africa were before West Indies skipper the final wicket when Liam 5-228, 6-233, 7-233, 8-260, 9-261, 10-263 Bowling: S. Cottrell 9-0-46-5 (3w), J. Holder runs off four overs, including a in disarray. bowled out for 138, leaving Sri Jason Holder removed Ben Plunkett holed out to Holder at 10-1-53-3 (2w), O. Thomas 5-0-32-1, A. Nurse straight six by Fernando, before The selectors had made Lanka with a target which Stokes (79), Jos Buttler (34) and long-off and England were dis- 6-0-28-0, D. Bishoo 10-0-49-0 (1w), C. Gayle being taken off. wholesale changes, including the Fernando and Mendis made to Tom Curran -- the latter with missed for 263 to the delight of 2-0-15-0 (1w), C. Brathwaite 5.4-0-37-1 (2w) Mendis was dropped on 70 when dropping of captain Dinesh appear easy. a questionable lbw decision the Kensington Oval crowd. 06 SPORT SUNDAY 24 FEBRUARY 2019

Manateq Qatar Cross-Country Rally Flat Tyre? No problem as Al Attiyah extends lead

THE PENINSULA Qatari rally star clocks advantage over South Racing LUSAIL the fastest time on Can-Am Team’s Omani driver second stage Abdullah Al Zubair. Qatar’s Nasser Saleh Al Attiyah Mohammed Al Attiyah began and co-driver Matthieu Baumel the day in eighth and topping the continued where they left off on Przygonski climbs to T3 standings, but the rally leader’s Friday by setting the fastest time second place for MINI cousin stopped his Can-Am Mav- on the longer 323.58km second erick X3 with a series of punctures selective section of the Manateq after the start and had dropped Brazilian Varela Qatar’s Nasser Saleh Al Attiyah Qatar Cross-Country Rally 17 minutes to Adel Abdulla by PC1. and his French navigator Matthieu yesterday. gains 22-second He recovered to hold 10th overall Baumel driving their Toyota Hilux The Toyota Hilux crew T3 advantage over and third in T3. Russian driver during the second selective section reached the first checkpoint after Oman’s Al Zubair Fedor Vorobeyev was 11th and of the Manateq Qatar Cross-Country 164.39km in just under 90 fourth in T3 with his South Racing Rally, yesterday. minutes, despite a flat tyre, but Can-Am. main rival Jakub Przygonski Qatar’s Adel Abdulla was the gained 15 seconds on the Toyota Al Rajhi said: “We had two first of the T3 runners to reach the Competitors will be in MANATEQ QATAR CROSS-COUNTRY RALLY 2019 – POSITIONS ON SS2 driver after passing both Yazeed punctures, but everything in the opening checkpoint in his action today in the third Al Rajhi and Bernhard Ten Brinke stage was okay. No problems. Ten Can-Am Maverick X3 but the selective section, the 1. Nasser Saleh Al Attiyah (QAT)/Matthieu Baumel (FRA) Toyota Hilux Overdrive ..... 2hrs 52min 29sec on the track. Brinke had three flat tyres and no former T2 World Champion hit longest of the entire event 2. Jakub Przygonski (POL)/Timo Gottschalk (DEU) MINI John Cooper Works Rally ....2hrs 56min 01sec Al Attiyah redressed the more spare wheels….” technical trouble soon afterwards which runs for 351.98km 3. Yazeed Al Rajhi (SAU)/Dirk von Zitzewitz (DEU) Toyota Hilux Overdrive ...... 2hrs 57min 10sec balance through the subsequent The Russian crew of Vladimir with reported water in the fuel and follows a road liaison 4. Vladimir Vasilyev (RUS)/Konstantin Zhiltsov (RUS) BMW X3 CC ...... 3hrs 03min 43sec kilometres and had eked out a Vasilyev and Konstantin Zhiltsov tank. of 69.14km from the Lusail 5. Yasir Seaidan (SAU)/Laurent Lichtleuchter (FRA) MINI John Cooper Works Rally . 3hrs 16min 40sec virtual 90-second lead by PC2. were a distant fourth in their Mohammed Al Harqan ben- Sports Arena. A second 6. Eugenio Amos (ITA)/Sebastien Delaunay (FRA) Ford 2WD Buggy ...... 3hrs 22min 44sec He went on to finish the stage in BMW X3 CC after their own flat efited from delays for fellow road section of 68.95km 2hrs 52min 29sec and now leads tyres, while Italian Eugenio Amos Qatari Mohammed Al-Meer to returns competitors to the Przygonski and his German nav- continued the form he showed on snatch the advantage in the T2 MANATEQ QATAR CROSS-COUNTRY RALLY 2019 – POSITIONS AFTER SS2 bivouac and service park. igator Timo Gottschalk by 8min Friday and moved up to fifth in category for series production 1. Nasser Saleh Al Attiyah (QAT)/Matthieu Baumel (FRA) Toyota Hilux Overdrive .....3hrs 45min 09sec The ﬁrst part of the stage 03sec in the overall standings. his Ford 2WD Buggy. cross-country vehicles, despite 2. Jakub Przygonski (POL)/Timo Gottschalk (DEU) MINI John Cooper Works Rally ....3hrs 53min 12sec Al Attiyah said: “It was a good Yasir Seaidan and French his own transmission problems. will also act as the second 3. Yazeed Al Rajhi (SAU)/Dirk von Zitzewitz (DEU) Toyota Hilux Overdrive ...... 3hrs 53min 50sec day, except for one flat tyre before navigator Laurent Lichtleuchter The day’s 323.58km selective of the Qatar Manateq Bajas. the first PC where we lost close rounded off the top six in the section started 69.14km to the 4. Vladimir Vasilyev (RUS)/Konstantin Zhiltsov (RUS) BMW X3 CC ...... 4hrs 01min 04sec to two minutes. It was not easy to second of the X-raid MINIs, north of Lusail, close to Al Khor, 5. Eugenio Amos (ITA)/Sebastien Delaunay (FRA) Ford 2WD Buggy ...... 4hrs 22min 33sec open, but we took a good stage despite two punctures, and the and wound its way down the Unimog in the T4 technical reg- 6. Yasir Seaidan (SAU)/Laurent Lichtleuchter (FRA) MINI John Cooper Works Rally .4hrs 23min 29sec without any technical problems. Czech driver Miroslav Zapletal western coast of Qatar, taking in ulations. He risked disqualifi- 7. Miroslav Zapletal (CZE)/Marek Sykora (SVK) Ford F150 Evo ...... 4hrs 51min 28sec The navigation was very hard, but guided his Ford F-150 Evo to three passage controls (164.39km, cation from the event if they were 8. Reinaldo Varela (BRA)/Gustavo Gugelmin (BRA) Can-Am Maverick T3 ...... 5hrs 26min 09sec we had a good pace today.” seventh overall. 220.78km and 259.41km) before not rectified, but was permitted “It was a good stage and we Monster Energy Can-Am heading inland to finish close to to restart. 9. Abdullah Al Zubair (OMN)/Nasser Al Kuwari (QAT) Can-Am Maverick T3 ...... 5hrs 26min 31sec were pushing,” said Przygonski, driver Reinaldo Varela lost con- the village of Mukaynis. Crews Mubarak Al Khelaifi, Ahmed 10. Mohammed Al Attiyah (QAT)/Sergio Lafuente (URY) Can-Am Maverick T3 ...... 5hrs 42min 08sec who drives a MINI John Cooper siderable time early in the special returned to the overnight halt on Al Kuwari and Rashed Al 11. Bernhard Ten Brinke (NLD)/Tom Colsoul (BEL) Toyota Hilux Overdrive ...... 5hrs 58min 48sec Works Rally. with a series of three flat tyres, a 77.15km road section. Mohannadi had been awarded 12. Mohammed Al Harqan (QAT)/Vili Oslaj (SLO) Nissan Patrol T2 ...... 6hrs 06min 37sec “It was hard navigation with but the Brazilian stormed back Ibrahim Al Muhanna had stage maximum penalties after 13. Fedor Vorobeyev (RUS)/Kirill Shubin (RUS) Can-Am Maverick X3 T3 ...... 6hrs 11min 59sec a good job by Timo. The first part into contention for the win as the taken part in the opening stage the opening leg that pushed them 14. Mohammed Al Meer (QAT)/Alexey Kuzmich (RUS) Toyota Land Cruiser T2 ...... 6hrs 59min 04sec was really good, then we get stage progressed and was under a stay of execution from the even further out of contention, puncture and we were with Ten rewarded with the fastest time. FIA scrutineers, after it came to but Al Kuwari bounced back 15. Camelia Liparoti (ITA)/Max Delﬁno (FRA) Yamaha YZX 1000 R T3 ...... 7hrs 19min 05sec Brinke in the dust and we lost Eighth in the overall rankings, the light that there were certain safety strongly with the 10th quickest 16. Khalid Al Mohannadi (QAT)/Loic Minaudier (FRA) Polaris RZR 1000 T3 ...... 7hrs 32min 58sec some time. The car was okay and Brazilian now holds a 22-second anomalies with his Mercedes time on the second stage. we were happy we could push. It was too dusty at the end of the Poland’s Jakub Przygonski in action during yesterday’s stage. Italian Eugenio Amos driving his stage and we lost time behind Ford 2WD Buggy Yazeed.” The pair were the class of the field, but a fascinating tussle developed between Toyota team- mates Al Rajhi and Ten Brinke for third place. They were tied to the second after 220.78km of the day’s demanding stage, but the Dutchman stopped with multiple tyre issues before PC3 and Al Rajhi was able to coast to the finish with the third fastest time and a similar position in the rankings. Ten Brinke eventually finished the stage and plum- meted to 11th overall after sus- taining a broken steering arm.

Qatar’s No. 2 ranked player Royal Air Maroc League: Soutter Sayed Azlan Amjad in action wins fifth round in thrilling finish in this ﬁle photo.

THE PENINSULA DOHA

French rider Guil- laume Soutter (ECV78) won the fifth race of the six-round Royal Air Maroc League - Al Dosari Zoo Road Race, ahead of the points British cyclist Tom Whately (Velostar) who finished second. Soutter completed the distance of 109 kilometres in 2:28:58.1 Squash: Amjad carries Qatar’s hopes ahead of a bunch of 10 more riders who clocked the same time The podium winners of the respective categories pose for a photograph at as PSA Satellite Tournament kicks off in the men’s Group A. the end of the fourth race of the six-round Royal Air Maroc League, on Friday. Qatar National Team THE PENINSULA This event is organised by Qatar Tennis, riders Abdullah Al Jaaidi, Farhan leave Qatar before getting his C. Group C sees the closest com- DOHA Squash and Badminton Federation (QTSBF) in Farizi and Khaleel Al Rahman fourth set of points, leaving Lee petition with just 31 points sepa- cooperation with the Professional Squash Asso- also rode in the same group Jones, who finished 12th on rating the top five. Qatar’s No. 2 ranked player Sayed Azlan Amjad ciation (PSA). which also saw Chris Murrin, Friday, as front runner. In the women’s category will lead the host nation as the PSA Qatar Closed Tournament Director, Saad Al Mohannadi Efram Ellenbogen, Fadhel In Group B, Bart Zeeuw Van Shawna Garret’s strong 10th Satellite Squash Tournament kicks off today at said; “This competition is the main tool in the Alkhater, Christian Haneke, Der Laan clinched the victory but place finish in Friday’s Group B the Khalifa International Tennis and Squash development of young Qatari players as it pro- Glenn Bull And Andrew Dave Jones, who collected 100 race makes her favorite but we Complex. vides the best chances of coming against leading Tangonan completing the dis- points with a second place finish, all know Julie Melville will rise to The event will see the participation of five international players.” tance within a few feet from the moves into the second spot in a challenge. countries including Qatar, India, Egypt, Iraq, and Mohannadi also expressed his hope that the winner. overall standings. The Royal Air Maroc League Pakistan Qatari players will achieve good results during Following yesterday’s results, Qatar National Team’s is organised by the Qatar Cycling For Amjad, the first hurdle has already been the four-day event which concludes on February in Group A, Tom Whately will Dawoud Alrashdi won the Group and Triathlon Federation. cleared as he has received a bye in the first round. 27. SUNDAY 24 FEBRUARY 2019 SPORT 07 Three-day show jumping championships end at QEF’s Outdoor Arena

Faleh Suwead Al Ajami is seen with QEF President Hamad Abdulrahman Al Attiyah after winning the Amir’s Golden Sword on the ﬁnal day of the three-day Show Jumping Festival at the Outdoor Arena of the Qatar Equestrian Federation (QEF). RIGHT: Faleh Suwead Al Ajami astride Carport after the presentation ceremony. Al Ajami wins Amir’s Golden Sword

RIZWAN REHMAT Rumaihi (Vivaldi K, 88.67 seconds, THE PENINSULA 20.00 points, QR 4,750) completed Cyrine Cherif tops Medium Tour field the top five entries in the feature Experienced young rider Faleh competition of the three-day Suwead Al Ajami yesterday posted championships. the biggest win of his career by Al Ajami, 33, yesterday said: guiding Carport to victory in the “This is a big win for me. I had Big Tour competition on day three never won such a prestigious title of the Amir’s Golden Sword Cham- before. It was an honour to pionships. receive the Golden Sword from Carport, aged 13, yesterday the Amir, H H Sheikh Tamim bin clocked 78.41 seconds for an Hamad Al Thani. I wish I can con- impressive total score of 01.92 tinue to improve my perform- points as Al AJami won the Amir’s ances in future competitions Golden Sword over a field of seven also.” riders on the Outdoor Arena of the He added: “I want do well in Qatar Equestrian Federation the Olympic Qualifiers and reach (QEF). the Tokyo Games in 2020. That Al Ajami received the Golden is my wish. I take this opportunity Sword from the Amir H H Sheikh to thank the Qatar Equestrian Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani at a Federation for doing a great job special prize distribution cer- to host this event. I would like to emony held at Qatar Racing and thank the QEF President Hamad LEFT: Cyrine Cherif celebrates winning the Medium Tour yesterday. Equestrian Club (QREC). Al Ajami Abdulrahman Al Attiyah, Sec- ABOVE: QEF President Hamad Abdulrahman Al Attiyah and Tournament bagged the top prize of QR 14,000 retary General Darwish Badr and Director Ali Al Rumaihi are seen with the top three riders in the and a new car. Tournament Director Ali Al Medium Tour. Awad Alqahtani, astride Cas- Rumaihi for their guidance over sander Van Het Bremhof, finished the last few years. The QEF con- time of 76.90 seconds for a tally second to win QR 11,500. tinues to back young riders that of 01.40 points as Cherif bagged “It has been an exciting week of competitions. We cherish the Salmeen Sultan Al Suwaidi helps them improve their the top prize of QR 9,625. presence of the Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani who (Cantaro 32, 82.55 seconds, 11.78 performances.” Mohammed Saeed Haidan, crowned the top three riders. The success of this championship is points) grabbed the third spot In the Medium Tour, Cyrine astride Quick Step, finished in paving way for the younger riders to learn from the seniors and worth QR 8,750. Cherif produced a flawless second place (75.86 seconds, 01.61 boost their respective careers. I would like to thank the sponsors for Khalid Mohammed Al Emadi routine with Gerlin VD Waterkant points, QR 7,000) while Jaber their support for our events. I also like to commend the work of the (Fiji, 75.52 seconds, 14.20 points, to win the 125/135cm competition. Rashid Al Marri (Canavaro De Organizing Committee officials who delivered the championships in QR 6,250) and Mubarak Yousuf Al Gerlin VD Waterkant clocked a Muze E T, 72.12 seconds, 08.69 QR a successful manner.” 5,250) secured the third spot. Hamad Abdulrahman Al Attiyah, QEF President Omar Al Rami Younis (Inzaghi Van Mannai, Molenheide, 83.21 seconds, QR “I would like to thank the sponsors for their generous support of the Amir’s Golden Commercial 3,500) and Sultan Rashid Al Marri Manager, Al Sword Championships, an event that has huge following in Qatar. Al Shaqab is always (Le Premier, 78.11 seconds, QR proud to be associated with this event and for the promotion of show jumping in general. Shaqab, and 2,450) completed the top five. Ali Al Rumaihi, We have two important events coming up at Al Shaqab Arena soon. We are proud to Also yesterday, Mohammed Al host these events at Al Shaqab Arena. The first event will be held from Feb 28 to Mar 2 the Tournament Ghazali paired up with Maradonna Director, with while second will be staged from Mar 7 to 9. We are expecting huge crowds at both these to win the Small Tour competition. events that attract a great deal of public interest.” the top riders in Maradonna clocked a time 64.16 Omar Al Mannai, Commercial Manager, Al Shaqab the Small Tour seconds as Al Ghazali managed a competition tally of 01.30 points in the “I congratulate Faleh Suwead Al Ajami on his fine performance. In the decisive run, he yesterday. 110/120cm competition. Al Ghazali Mohammed won QR 5,000. performed better than his opponents and continued to impress with his finish. He had Al Ghazali Ali Mohammed Al Marri, great control over his emotions and his concentration. This grand prize will make him paired up with astride Fernhill Friendly Touch a better rider. I, too, improved by competing against the best. I say ‘well done’ to the Maradonna (61.57 seconds, 03.71 points, QR riders who were seen in action this week. They all tried their best and showed great to win the 4,000) finished in second spot. improvement.” Small Tour Hussain Saeed Haidan (Belucci Ali Al Rumaihi, Tournament Director competition. Van ‘T Vleminkhof) finished third. MotoGP stars rev up for season opener in Qatar Al Sadd ease past Al Rayyan in QSL

THE PENINSULA minute after picking up his DOHA second yellow of the match. Soria’s team mates Dame Traore A four-star performance from (69), Mowafak Awad Ahmed (72) points leaders Al Sadd yesterday and Ahmed El Sayed (85) were helped the Doha giants hammer also booked in the feisty clash Al Rayyan 4-0 at Jassim bin under lights. Hamad Stadium. Also yesterday, Al Duhail Baghdad Bounedjah (33) and were held to a goalless draw by 2018 Asian Player of the Year former champions Al Gharafa. Abdelkarim Hassan (35) fired After 17 rounds, former two goals in the first half before champions Al Sadd lead the a brace from emerging star points table with a tally of 44. Akram Hassan Afif (62, penalty Al Duhail, last year’s and 72) powered Al Sadd to their runaway winners, are in second MotoGP legend Valentino Rossi of Yamaha (left) and Italian star Andrea Dovizioso of Ducati are seen in action during convincing fan in front of home place with 40 points. Al Sailiyah the final pre-season testing at Losail International Circuit last night. The three-day pre-season testing will conclude fans. (31 point) are in third place while tomorrow. Action will commence today 4:00pm and ends at 10:00pm. The same schedule will be followed by the Al Rayyan’s veteran striker Al Rayyan (30) are in fourth riders on the final day of testing tomorrow. The Qatar Test will provide MotoGP fans with a lot of answers ahead of Sebastian Soria was given the place. Al Ahli (29 points) are in the first race weekend of the season. The new MotoGP season opens at the same venue from March 7 to 10. marching orders in the 76th fifth place. SPORT Sunday 24 February 2019 PAGE | 06 PAGE | 07 Flat Tyre? Dominant No problem Al Sadd ease past as Al Attiyah Al rayyan in extends lead QSL Clasico

Owned by H E Sheikh Mohammed Ebraz wins Amir’s Golden bin Khalifa Al Thani, Ebraz clocks a winning time of 2:37.06 Sword in spectacular finish ﬁnishing the 2,400m turf race RIZWAN REHMAT Ebraz’s team celebrates winning the Amir’s ahead of Yazeed THE PENINSULA Golden Sword at the Qatar Racing and and Gazwan. Equestrian Club, yesterday. Julian Smart-trained Ebraz yesterday produced a thrilling run Ebraz, trained by with jockey Maxime Guyon in the Julian Smart and saddle to win the $1m Amir’s ridden by jockey Golden Sword at the Qatar Racing Maxime Guyon, and Equestrian Club (QREC). wins $1m in prize Owned by H E Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Thani, money at the Ebraz clocked a winning time of Qatar Racing and 2:37.06 finishing the 2,400m turf Equestrian Club. race ahead of Yazeed and Gazwan. Four-year-old Ridden by Olivier Peslier, Yazeed was 0.75 furlongs behind French King, Ebraz while Smart-trained trained by Gazwan, who had Theo Bachelot Henri-Alex in the saddle, finished in third Pantalland ridden spot in the Al Hazm-sponsored by jockey Olivier feature race. Guyon won the top prize of Peslier wins the $570,000 while Peslier got richer Amir’s Trophy (G1) by $220,000. Bachelot supple- with a spectacular mented his third spot with a prize ride. of $110,000 at a packed QREC. Going into the last 200m, Yazeed had a comfortable lead darting towards the finish, but AMIR’S SWORD FESTIVAL: YESTERDAY’S WINNERS Ebraz produced incredible lung power to swing in from the AL RAYYAN BREEDERS CUP outside to win the race in spec- Distance: 2,000m - Total Prize Money: $250,000 - Race Time: 02:02.55 tacular finish. Prize Money: 1st $142,500, 2nd $55,000, 3rd $27,500 Trainer Smart raised both his 1: Asaaf (QA), Zuhair Mohsen Zuhair Maki, Ryu Abe arms in jubilation as fans at QREC 2: Sraab (QA), Ahmed Mohamad Kobeissi, Ryan Curatolo roared with wild applause for 3: Al Lusail (QA), Hadi Nasser Rashid Al Ramzani, Faleh Bughanaim jockey Guyon’s big win. Earlier in the day, French rider Peslier powered French QATAR INTERNATIONAL CUP (GR1 PA) (Sponsored by Daam) King to a spectacular finish in the Distance: 1,600m - Total Prize Money: $250,000 - Race Time: 01:42.95 Amir’s Trophy (G1), grabbing the Prize Money: 1st $142,500, 2nd $55,000, 3rd $27,500 top prize of $570,000 by finishing 1: Sharesa (QA), Julian Colin Smart, Theo Bachelot ahead of Royal Julius and Hunting 2: Al Naama (FR), Alban Elie Marie De Mieulle, Faleh Bughanaim Horn. 3: Rajeh (FR), Jassim Mohammed Ghazali Jahromi, Harry Bentley Four-year-old French King, trained by Henri-Alex Pantall, clocked a time of 02:26.12 in the DUKHAN SPRINT (QA Gr 3) (Sponsored by Breeders’ Cup) 2400m marathon in a field of 14 Distance: 1,200m - Total Prize Money: $250,000 - Race Time: 01:09.48 entries. Prize Money: 1st $142,500, 2nd $55,000, 3rd $27,500 Ridden by Gerald Mosse, 1: Anima Rock (FR), Jassim Mohammed Ghazali Jahromi, Theo Bachelot Royal Julius, finished 1.50 fur- Jockey Maxime Guyon guides Ebraz towards the ﬁnish line to win the Amir’s Golden Sword. 2: Stone Of Destiny (GB), Andrew Balding, Oisin Murphy longs behind French King owned 3: Izzthatright (IRE), Jassim Mohammed Ghazali Jahromi, Harry Bentley by H E Sheikh Abdullah bin Khalifa Al Thani. Hunting Horn, who produced good speed near AL BIDDAH MILE (QA Gr 2) (Sponsored by Almuftah Group) the end, was ridden by Ryan Distance: 1,600m - Total Prize Money: $250,000 - Race Time: 01:35.29 Moore. Prize Money: 1st $142,500, 2nd $55,000, 3rd $27,500 Mosse won $220,000 while 1: Global Spectrum (GB), Gay Kelleway, Gerald Mosse Moore got $110,000 for his third- 2: Luchador (GB), Jassim Mohammed Ghazali Jahromi, JP Guillambert placed finish. 3: Cococabala (IRE), Tareq Essa R A Abdulla, Ivan Rossi In the Amir’s Silver Sword battle, popular jockey Harry H H THE AMIR’S SHALFA (Sponsored by Manateq) Bentley partnered with Fakhir, trained by Mohammed JassJassimim The winnerwinnnerr ooff ththehe ALA BidBiBiddahi dahd Mile,MMile, GlobalGlobalaal SSpeSpectrum’sctrums Distance: 2,000m - Total Prize Money: $250,000 - Race Time: 02:00.60 Ghazali,Ghazali, to win thethe honourshonours in thethe ownerownnneer receivingreceivingg thet trophy.trophy. Prize Money: 1st $142,500, 2nd $55,000, 3rd $27,500 $250,000$250,000 race. FaFakhirkhir cclockedlocked a 1: Beachwalk (GB), Stefano Ibido, Cristian Demuro timetime of 2:02.62 in the 11,850m,850m 2: Jewel House (GB), A Aziz Jassim A Al Buainain, Eduardo Pedroza race. 3: Khataaf (IRE), Ibrahim Saeed Ibrahim Al Malki, Theo Bachelot AJSAJS Moaddie, ridden byby FalehFaleh Bughanaim,Bughanaim, finishedfinished in seconsecondd H H THE AMIR’S SILVER SWORD (Sponsored by Oreedoo) pplacelace while Tabouk, who had Distance: 1,850m - Total Prize Money: $250,000 - Race Time: 02:02.62 CristianCristian Demuro in the saddle,saddle, securedsecured thethe thirdthird spot. Prize Money: 1st $142,500, 2nd $55,000, 3rd $27,500 BentleyBentley won $142,500 1: Fakhir (FR), Mohammed Jassim Ghazali Jahromi, Harry Bentley whilewhile BugBughanaimhanaim bbaggedagged 2: AJS Moaddie (QA), Hadi Nasser Rashid Al Ramzani, Faleh Bughanaim $55,000.$55,000. Demuro tooktook 3: Tabouk (QA), Hamad Ahmed Al Malki Al Jehani, Cristian Demuro home $27,500.$27,500. H H THE AMIR’S TROPHY (QA GR 1) (Presented by Longines) Distance: 2,400m - Total Prize Money: $1m - Race Time: 02:26.12 Prize Money: 1st $570,000, 2nd $220,000, 3rd $110,000 1: French King (GB), Henri-Alex Pantall, Olivier Peslier TOP: French rider Peslier guiding French 2: Royal Julius (IRE), Jerome Reynier, Gerald Mosse King to win the H H 3: Hunting Horn (IRE), Aidan O’Brien, Ryan Moore The Amir’s Trophy (QA GR 1), yesterday. H H THE AMIR’S SWORD (GR1 PA) (Sponsored by Al Hazm) LEFT: A general view Distance: 2,400m - Total Prize Money: $1m - Race Time: 02:37.06 of the Qatar Racing Prize Money: 1st $570,000, 2nd $220,000, 3rd $110,000 and Equestrian Club 1: Ebraz (GB), Julian Colin Smart, Maxime Guyon during the Amir’s 2: Yazeed (FR), Alban Elie Marie De Mieulle, Olivier Peslier Golden Sword Festival, 3: Gazwan (GB), Julian Colin Smart, Theo Bachelot yesterday.