SPORT Tuesday 13 March 2018

PAGE | 31 PAGE | 32-33 PAGE | 35 StStage set for thrilling Chelsea target Federer takes carecare ofof MotoGP action at another good show business; Djokovicovic Losail Circuit at Camp Nou crashes out Al reach knockout stage RIZWAN REHMAT THE PENINSULA AFC CHAMPIONS LEAGUE : High-scoring striker Youssef El Arabi yesterday produced AFC Champions League two goals in injury time to power QNB Results and fixtures Stars League champions Al Duhail into Lokomotiv (1) 1 Al Duhail (0) 2 the knockout stage of the AFC Cham- Al Wahda (1) 3 Zob Ahan (0) 0 pions League with a feisty 2-1 win over Al Rayyan (1) 2 Al Hilal (0) 1 hosts Lokomotiv Tashkent. El Arabi first converted a penalty Today’s fixtures (GMT) kick by firing to the left of goalkeeper Melbourne Victory vs Kawasaki Ignatiy Nesterov (90 +1) and then drib- Frontale (0830) bled past two defenders to flick the ball Kashima Antlers vs Sydney home following goallmouth action at (1000) Lokomotiv Stadium. Ulsan vs Shanghai SIPG (1000) Shanghai Shenhua vs Suwon For Lokomotiv, former - Bluewings (1200) based Sardor Rashidov scored the goal Tractor Sazi vs Al Jazira (1230) for the home team in the 35th minute. Al Wasl vs Persepolis (1515) It was Al Duhail’s fourth consecu- vs Nasaf (1515) tive Group B win following last week’s Al Ahli vs Al Gharafa (1715) 3-2 victory over the same rivals in Doha. Coached by Djamel Belmadi, Al Duhail March 14 fixtures (GMT) last Friday sealed the QNB Stars League Cerezo Osaka vs title, completing a memorable perform- Buriram United (1000) ance over the course of seven months. Jeju United vs Guangzhou Al Duhail striker Ismail Moham- Evergrande (1000) med, who was brought in late in the Tianjin Quanjian vs Jeonbuk first half, said: “It’s a great win. It was Motors (1200) a team effort. Our target was to reach Kitchee vs Kashiwa the round of 16 and we have done that. Reysol (1200) We are very happy. We fought right until the end of the game. That’s what Al Duhail’s Youssef El Arabi celebrates after scoring against Lokomotiv Tashkent in the AFC Champions League match in Tashkent esterday.y we wanted to do. This team has great fighting ability.” Home side Lokomotiv opened the of Al Duhail goalkeeper Amine thought they had the match in their El Arabi. Four minutes into injury time, EL ARABI STRIKES TWICE FOR AL DUHAIL scoring when international Lecomte who produced a few timely bag, the visitors were awarded a pen- the 31-year-old striker deceived his Al Duhail, along with Jeonbuk Hyundai, are the only teams to have Rashdidov - after getting a cross from saves in the first 45 minutes. alty when national team’s U-23 marker and another Lokomotiv won 100% of their games in the AFC Champions League this Shukhrat Mukhammadiev - sent the In the second half, Lokomotiv star Almoez Ali was brought down by defender to send the ball past goal- season (3/3).Indeed, only Jeonbuk (15) have score more goals than ball into the net with a left-footed drive spent more time on defending their Salim Mustafoev in his own box. El keeper Nesterov with a well-placed Al Duhail (9) in the competition this season. to suggest a win for the hosts. slender lead as Al Duhail went on the Arabi calmly stepped up and converted flick into the net. Al Duhail’s El Arabi has been involved in scoring the last four goals After further exchanges, both offensive. However, Al Duhail found the spot-kick by going left of the goal- Yesterday’s result has secured Al for his team in the AFC Champions League (3 goals, 1 assist).In fact, teams walked off the pitch with hosts the going tough as the backline of keeper. It was El Erabi’s fifth goal of Duhail their spot in the round of 16. In no player has been involved in more goals than El-Arabi so far this

Lokomotiv enjoying a slight 1-0 advan- Lokomotiv resisted the attacking game the AFC Champions League their next clash, Al Duhail take on season in the AFC Champions League (5 – 4 goals, 1 assist). tage. It could have been worse for the of the visitors with rough defending. campaign. Zobahan in Isfahan while Lokomotiv visitors had it not been for the agility However, just as the home side But there was more to come from travel to to face Al Wahda.

Action from the AFC Champions League match Hosts Al Sadd look for quick between Al Rayyan and Al Hilal in Doha yesterday. turnaround against Nasaf

THE PENINSULA A file picture of Al Sadd DOHA: After suffering their first defeat in Group C of the AFC Champions team in League to Nasaf last week, Doha giants action in Al Sadd will be looking for revenge the AFC against the Uzbek side at Jassim Bin Champions Hamad Stadium today. League. Azizjon Ganiev’s penalty just after the hour secured a 1-0 victory for Nasaf in Qarshi on Matchday Three as they recorded back-to-back home wins to Al Rayyan down move level on points with the Qatari team and Persepolis. The 2011 AFC Champions League winners had won their opening two Al Hilal to register games in the competition but missed the opportunity to go six points clear of Nasaf and now look like being in a three-way battle for the two last 16 first win in ACL qualification spots. Al Sadd also suffered a 2-1 defeat THE PENINSULA saw his attempt blocked by defender to Umm Salal in the Gonzalo Viera. at the weekend and have now lost three DOHA: Goals from Abderrazaq While Al Hilal struggled to pro- consecutive matches in all competi- Hamdalla and Rodrigo Tabata handed duce meaningful attacks, Al Rayyan tions, while Nasaf’s good form Al Rayyan their first win of the 2018 AFC doubled their lead after Hamdalla continued with a 3-1 victory over Champions League as they defeated Al broke free on the counter and pro- Buxoro. Hilal 2-1 in Matchday Four yesterday. duced a pass to Captain Tabata who Saydullo Rakhmatov is suspended As a quiet first half drew to a close, was afforded too much space and for the visitors, who are looking for only the hosts found a breakthrough just one fired a shot at the heart of Ali Al Hab- their second win away from home in minute before half time. si’s net in the 66th minute to put his the competition, after he picked up a Hamdalla was brought down in the side’s victory beyond doubt. second booking of the group stage last six-yard box by defender Abdullah Al The visitors got their consolation goal week. home kit while Nasaf will sport all-blue. match commissioner Abdulghafoor Zori and the Moroccan forward stepped in the 89th minute after Ahmed Yasser Meanwhile, the technical coordi- The Al Sadd goalkeeper will wear an Abdulhameed, referees assessor Vic- up and converted from the spot to hand fouled Achraf Bencharki in the box and nation meeting for the 2018 AFC orange kit and the Nasaf keeper will tor Kulbakov and representatives of Al Rayyan a valuable lead heading into Al Qahtani drove home the resulting pen- Champions League Matchday Four play in green. both clubs. the break. alty kick. clash between Al-Sadd and Nasaf was The attendees also discussed the Al Sadd was represented by first Al Hilal had a chance to snatch an Both teams have away fixtures on held yesterday morning. organizational details of the match, in team manager Abdullah Al Breik and equaliser through Yasser Al Qahtani’s Matchday Five as Al Hilal face Emirati During the meeting, it was decided addition to agreeing on AFC proce- marketing officer Ahmed Al Sayed. header after the onrushing goalkeeper side Al Ain, while Al Rayyan travel to that Al Sadd will wear their all-white dures. The meeting was attended by The match is set to kick off at 6:15 PM. failed to clear the ball, but Al Qahtani Tehran to face Esteghlal. 30 SPORT TUESDAY 13 MARCH 2018 Brazil name 3 uncapped players for friendlies

REUTERS BRAZIL SQUAD RIO DE JANEIRO: Uncapped Goalkeepers: Alisson (Roma/ITA), Neto (Valencia/ESP), Ederson (Man City/ENG), Real Sociedad striker Willian Defenders: Daniel Alves (Paris Saint-Germain/FRA), Fagner (Corinthians) Filipe Luis Jose and Besiktas midfielder (Atletico Madrid/ESP), Marcelo (Real Madrid/ESP), Miranda (Inter Milan/ITA), Mar- Willian Jose has Anderson Talisca were the quinhos (PSG/FRA), Thiago Silva (PSG/FRA), Geromel (Gremio), Rodrigo Caio (Sao had two great surprise inclusions in Brazil’s Paulo), seasons at Real squad to face Russia and Germany in friendlies later Midfielders: Casemiro (Real Madrid/ESP) Fernandinho (Manchester City/ENG), Fred Sociedad, really this month, as head coach Tite (Shakhtar Donestk/UKR), Paulinho (Barcelona/ESP), Renato Augusto (Beijing developing as a announced his squad yester- Guoan/CHN), Willian (Chelsea/ENG), Philippe Coutinho (Barcelona/ESP), Talisca player. Talisca can day. (Besiktas/TUR), finish from mid- Both men were given the Forwards: Gabriel Jesus (Manchester City/ENG), Roberto Firmino (Liverpool/ENG), distance, from balls chance to impress in what was Douglas Costa (Juventus/ITA), Willian Jose (Real Sociedad/ESP), Taison (Shakhtar

a larger than usual 25-man in the air, he has a squad, Tite’s last before nam- Donestk/UKR). physical presence ing the 23 who will go to the that can be an World Cup in Russia. The inclusion of Valencia Russia in Moscow on March “Willian Jose and Talisca goalkeeper Neto and 32-year- 23 and then face World Cup advantage against bring different components,” old Gremio captain Pedro winners Germany in Berlin defences set up in Tite told reporters. Geromel were also four days later. lines of four or five: “Willian Jose has had two unexpected. The five-times world Coach Tite great seasons at Real Socie- Neto got his first call up in champions kick off their Brazilian football team head coach dad, really developing as a 2010 but has never played for World Cup campaign against Tite, arrives for a press conference player. the national side. Switzerland on June 17 before but the match against Ger- yesterday. “Talisca can finish from Geromel’s only appear- facing Costa Rica and many in particular will be a mid-distance, from balls in ance for Brazil was in a Serbia. big test and the first time they the air, he has a physical pres- friendly against Colombia in They have lost just once have faced the Europeans ence that can be an advantage 2017 to raise money for the in the 17 matches since Tite since they went down 7-1 in against defences set up in victims of the Chapecoense took over, 1-0 to Argentina in the World Cup semi-final four lines of four or five,” he said. airline disaster. Brazil play a 2017 friendly in Australia, years ago.

Promising Poor attendance Martial fit for Sevilla Martinez given chance at home games a clash, says Mourinho for debut worry for Wenger REUTERS AFP REUTERS have kept fans away on that LONDON: Anthony Martial (pictured) is fit and BUENOS AIRES: Uncapped day. Wenger acknowledged available for Manchester United’s Champions Racing Club striker Lautaro LONDON: Arsenal manager that empty seats were a League round of 16, second-leg game at home to Martinez has been named in Arsene Wenger is worried by concern. Sevilla, manager Jose Mourinho said yesterday. Argentina’s squad for friend- an apparent dip in attendance “Of course I worry The French forward missed last week’s Pre- lies against Italy and Spain at the Emirates Stadium in because I want our fans to be mier League victories over Crystal Palace and later this month, coach Jorge recent weeks but said he is behind our team and be Liverpool but trained on Monday ahead of the Sampaoli said yesterday. confident the team will do happy,” Wenger told Stand- visit of the Spanish club today. Martinez, 20, has scored “absolutely everything” to win ard Sport. Midfielder Paul Pogba remains a doubt, how- 12 goals in 14 appearances back their fans. “But after what happened ever, as United try to capitalise on the 0-0 draw for Racing this year and was British media reports said in that week (against City) it’s in the first leg in Spain. added to the squad as one of there were thousands of a bit understandable. “I don’t know if (Pogba) is fit but he trained five home-based players. empty seats in Arsenal’s 3-0 “We are in a job where we after you left,” Mourinho told a news conference Boca Juniors winger Premier League win over have to get the fans on our after a training session that was open to the media. Cristian Pavon was also Watford on Sunday despite side and do absolutely every- “Martial is fit yes.” Zlatan Ibrahimovic also trained included, as was his 32-year the club selling 59,131 tickets, thing to achieve it. That’s what with the squad although Mourinho did not offer old team mate, uncapped just short of their total capac- we want to do.” any clues as to whether the Swedish striker might midfielder Pablo Perez as ity of 59,867 seats. Arsenal are sixth in the be involved against Sevilla. Sampaoli prepares to decide The stadium was a lot league with 48 points and face He has not played since December 26. who he will pick for this emptier in the 3-0 league an uphill task to qualify for United go into the game full of confidence after year’s World Cup in Russia. defeat by Manchester City next season’s Champions Saturday’s 2-1 victory over Liverpool cemented Two other uncapped earlier this month although League by finishing in the top their place in second spot in the Premier League players, 21-year old right freezing conditions could four. to make their qualification for next year’s Cham- back Fabricio Bustos and pions League via a top-four finish highly likely. midfielder Maximiliano That is a marked contrast to last season when Mourinho in the news conference and the former Meza, both of Independiente, Arsene Wenger they finished sixth and had to win the Europa England international confirmed he will end his were also named in the League to earn a place back in the continent’s elite playing career at the end of the season. squad to play Italy at the Eti- club competition. The 36-year-old has made only three appear- had stadium in Manchester Asked if United have the potential to go all the ances since experiencing an irregular heart rhythm on March 23 and then face way this season, Mourinho was cautious. in September. Spain in Madrid four days “Not yet, but when a team reaches the last “There comes a time when, as much as you later. eight anything is possible,” he said. “Now I have like or don’t like it, your body tells you it’s time to Sampaoli had previously only one name and that is Sevilla, I know is very stop playing. It’s something you have to accept,” announced 22 overseas- difficult to go through. Carrick said. based players, although “If we go through to the quarter-final draw, “I’ve tried all sorts of different things to bring Manchester City striker Ser- doesn’t matter the opponent, will always be one the best out of me over the years and I can say gio Aguero pulled out on of the big names in European football but we will that I’ve given my best, so I can look back with no Sunday due to a knee injury. try.” Midfielder Michael Carrick sat alongside regrets.” Sky suspends Carragher for spitting at girl

AP United’s game against was aired on a big screen, Car- “I have brought shame on the opinion) this isolated incident Liverpool. ragher called the incident a name of football,” Carragher shouldn’t stop us working LONDON: Former Liverpool In a video of the incident, the “moment of madness.” said. together.” defender Jamie Carragher was teenager’s father repeatedly “My biggest regret is for the “I was a role model, people The swift decision by Sky to suspended as a soccer analyst by mentioned Saturday’s score - 14-year-old girl to be caught in looked up to me.” suspend Carragher comes with the Sky television network Liverpool lost 2-1 - before the middle of it,” Carragher said. A lively on-air partnership the European pay TV broadcaster yesterday after being filmed spit- Carragher spat. “That devastates me more has been formed with former targeted for a takeover and ting in the direction of a “Sky takes this matter than anything. I’ve got a daugh- Manchester United rival Gary under scrutiny from British 14-year-old girl through his car extremely seriously and strongly ter exactly the same age and I Neville, who backed Carragher regulators. window. condemns Jamie’s actions,” Sky can’t say how I’d react if some- to keep his job. Comcast, the owner of NBC Carragher said that while his said in a statement. one did that to her.” “No excuses he’s made a big and Universal Pictures, launched future at the broadcaster “We have made that clear to Carragher joined Sky after mistake,” Neville wrote on a bid last month to rival an offer “remains to be seen,” he had not him in person today and sus- retiring from playing in 2013 and Twitter. by media mogul Rupert Murdo- offered his resignation. pended him from his duties. It has won plaudits for his tactical “He’s massively passionate ch’s 21st Century Fox. It comes The incident happened on falls well below the standards we analysis on the flagship “Mon- about football and he’s over- as The Walt Disney Co. tries to Saturday after Carragher left Old expect of our people.” day Night Football” show and stepped the mark and shouldn’t buy Fox for $52.4bn on the Trafford, where he was working During an appearance on Sky other Premier League have reacted. I’ve been on TV for assumption that Fox would buy A Jamie Carragher’s file photo. for Sky Sports at Manchester News, after the spitting footage broadcasts. 3 years with him and imo (in my out the rest of Sky. TUESDAY 13 MARCH 2018 SPORT 31

Valentino Rossi in action in this file picture. Marc Marquez in action in this file picture.

Stage set for thrilling MotoGP action

ARMSTRONG VAS the Italian machine. His team- “The Grand Prix of Qatar is Andrea Dovizioso in action THE PENINSULA mate Lorenzo will be looking for always one of the highlights of in this file picture. similar headlines in his second the season, not only for being the DOHA: MotoGP rider and fans year in red, too – and it’s his pole very first round of this exiting are itching to get the season’s record that still stands from 2008 championship but also for our opening race underway from when he was a rookie in the pre- night racing, making our event March 16 at the state-of-the-art mier class. With three wins to his one of the most exclusive racing lighting system at the Losail name at the venue in MotoGP, weekends of our calendar.” International Circuit. Lorenzo is the second most suc- Rashed Al Qurese, Chief It’s that time of the year to cessful rider at the track on the Marketing & Promotion Officer see how well the teams and rid- premier class grid this year - at Qatar Tourism Authority ers have prepared over the added to another three wins in said: “Over the past 14 years, winter at the pre-season tests in the lower classes. MotoGP has cemented its posi- Sepang, Malaysia; Buriram, Thai- Movistar Yamaha MotoGP’s tion as a key event on Qatar’s land; and Losail, Qatar. Rossi has four MotoGP wins at sporting and tourism calendars. The real time action is just a Losail to Lorenzo’s three, and the Through our partnership with few days away. Another season rider from Tavullia always has LCSC, we hope to help raise the of that rollercoaster is about to some serious form for race day event’s profile internationally begin. pace in the desert. to spread Qatar’s message of Round One of the MotoGP Saud Al Attiyah, Losail Cir- welcome to the world and season will kick off with the cuit Sports Club President said attract more visitors.” Grand Prix of Qatar - held in the excitement is very high ahead “We look forward to wel- association with Visit Qatar - Lorenzo, and Dani Pedrosa have Marquez (Repsol Honda Team). challenger Cal Crutchlow (LCR of the race. coming all the riders in Doha and from March 16 to 18 at Losail. all made headlines over the The rider from Cervera is now a Honda Castrol). “Our event is also one of the wish them all the success over Ten years have passed since course of the winter and fans are six-time World Champion and Ducati begin the season with most anticipated races of the the coming weekend and a great the desert oasis of Losail Inter- expecting the series superstars he’s taken four premier class the statistics stacked the oppo- season but this 2018 is a mile- international race season ahead,” national Circuit hosted the first to make to the podium in several crowns in five years. Qatar is site way. Losail is a venue that stone and a very special event he added. floodlit MotoGP race and 15 years races. usually a more difficult venue for suits the red machines, and And- for us as it marks 15 years of Tickets are still available for since it hosted the first race of Fans are not ruling out Mav- Marquez and Honda, and rea Dovizioso has proven that being the Home of Motorsport in the Grandstand, Losail Club the MotoGP calendar. erick Viñales, Cal Crutchlow, although both will want to begin with a good number of podiums Qatar.” Grandstand, Losail VIP Club and For the records, the 2018 rac- Andrea Dovisioso, and Danilo another title defence on the in recent Qatar GPs. But that was “We are very excited to cel- VIP Village for 250, 2.500, 3.500 ing season will feature a Petrucci. With a little bit of luck offensive and at the front, it may then, and this is now. ‘Desmo- ebrate this Anniversary in and 4.500 Qatari Riyals whopping 19 rounds over the and smart race strategies, these be a case of good things come to Dovi’ is a contender from the association with Visit Qatar, respectively. course of eight full months of fellas could very well catch up to those who wait for the number start in 2018, and it’s not just the teams, riders, spectators, fans They can be purchased at racing, starting with the opener the top riders, and even dethrone 93 and teammate Pedrosa, who podium that Borgo Panigale have and all the international motor- Q-Tickets, Virgin Megastore’s in- in Qatar. Marquez. makes his 200th premier class in their sights – it’s the top step. sport community as we are store or online platforms and at Defending champion Marc On the face of it, it’s hard to start – as well as for HRC test That would make for a big open- planning several activities for all the Losail Circuit Sports Club Marquez, Valentino Rossi, Jorge bet against reigning champion rider and Independent Team ing statement from the Italian on those who come to visit us.’’ during the week of the event. Fiji beat Kenya 31-12 to win Canada Sevens

AP only four passes to Kenya’s 20 - scoring after two minutes with a but managed two breakaway try to Willy Ambaka, the 99th of VANCOUVER, BRITISH tries from kickoffs to keep the his World Series career. Fiji COLUMBIA: Sevuloni match in the balance at grabbed the kickoff for its first Mocenacagi scored two tries as halftime. possession of the match and Fiji beat Kenya 31-12 in the final With a more secure stream Josua Vakurunabili dashed from of the Canada Sevens rugby tour- of possession in the second half halfway for a try that leveled the nament on Sunday to become the it was able to give full vent to its scores. first team to win two titles in this attacking game and scored three Kenya hit the lead again with season’s Sevens World Series. more tries while holding Kenya a try to Samuel Oliech, who Mocenacagi touched down scoreless. fended one defender and side- Fiji’s players celebrate with the trophy after on either side of halftime, first to “I’m speechless and very stepped another. Again, Fiji winning over Kenya in the HSBC Canada draw Fiji level with Kenya at proud of the boys,” Fiji captain claimed the kickoff and this time Men’s Sevens action at BC Place Stadium 12-12 at the break, then to begin Jerry Tuwai said. “We are a very Mocenacagi broke into the open in Vancouver, BC Canada, on Sunday. a run of 19 unanswered points in young side and winning here in field and dashed almost 50 the second half. That carried Fiji Vancouver gives us something meters to again restore parity. to its 33rd victory in 67 appear- to fight for in the rest of the Mocenacagi clinched the lead-up to the next try, kicking three tacklers to score Fiji’s last in the World Series after six of 10 ances in World Series finals. season. Man of the Match award when into open space for Alasi Sovita try. rounds. The South Africans lead Kenya had won only once “We are the first team to win he scored again two minutes into Naduva, who kicked the ball on Series leaders South Africa with 109 points from Fiji with before in four finals appearances, two tournaments this year but the second half, supporting Ame- and claimed a helpful bounce to beat the United States 29-7 to 101, New Zealand with 92 and beating Fiji in Singapore last that will only make the other noni Nasisila, who handled twice score. win the bronze medal and Eng- Australia with 84. year. Fiji had almost no posses- teams much harder to play in the build-up. Paula Dranisinukula then land beat Australia 31-14 to take The next tournament beings sion in the first half - making against.” Kenya opened the Nasilasila also featured in the showed his strength by defying fifth. South Africa retains the lead in Hong Kong on April 6.

New Zealand women enjoy professional pay boost

REUTERS “This is a significant mile- Retainers were restricted to The Black Ferns’ World Cup allows players returning from promotional activities to help stone for the women’s 15 game,” members of the national wom- win put the gender pay gap in maternity leave to have a sup- promote the game. WELLINGTON: New Zealand’s New Zealand Rugby Players en’s rugby sevens squad. the national spotlight, with local port person of their choice to “Women’s participation in top women rugby players will Association CEO Rob Nichol said The Black Ferns have had media questioning the lack of travel and stay with them to sport is growing globally, and enjoy a financial boost under the in a statement. similar international success to investment in the women’s look after their infant during they represent the fastest grow- terms of a landmark profes- “It is a long-term sustaina- the dominant men’s All Blacks game. In the new deal, the top squad assembly. ing group in New Zealand rugby sional pay deal unveiled ble model that offers genuine side, and claimed the women’s 30 players in the Black Ferns’ The ‘Player Payment Pool’ numbers,” NZR CEO Steve Tew yesterday. pathways and support for World Cup in Ireland last year, squad will be given professional will cover costs of travel and said. Members of the national female players on and off the their fifth triumph in the global contracts that include retainers, accommodation for the support “The Black Ferns - and the Black Ferns squad will earn up field, and that we can build on showpiece from the last six assembly fees and other bene- person up to NZ$15,000 a year Black Ferns Sevens - have rap- to $21,900 per year when in the future.” Black Ferns play- tournaments. fits like childcare. for each player until their child idly grown in profile, statue, and retainers and training camp ers were previously paid only But their profile and finan- Retainers will range from turns one. relevance on the international allowances are tallied, accord- squad assembly fees of up to cial rewards have lagged behind NZ$12,500-$20,000, with play- Members of the World Cup- stage. ing to the Memorandum of $2,000 a week for training the men’s team, whose top play- ers paid an extra NZ$2,000 per winning team will also be “This agreement supports Understanding signed by the camps and international ers have enjoyed earnings of week for the 50-odd days at offered a one-off payment of them to be the best they can be players union and New Zealand matches for a handful of weeks more than NZ$1 million per training camps. NZ$10,000 to become a ‘legacy when wearing the black Rugby. a year under the previous MoU. year. The MOU’s parental policy ambassador’ and undertake jersey.” 32 SPORT TUESDAY 13 MARCH 2018 TUESDAY 13 MARCH 2018 SPORT 33

United unsure about Pogba’s availability Star Rashford says on right track despite for Sevilla clash REUTERS “The injury? It was contact lack of game time for Manchester United with a player in the last minute MANCHESTER: Manchester of the training session. United are uncertain about “If I finished the session one AFP seems to happen in these games worked. 0“Personally, taking the Sometimes you are in the team, midfielder Paul Pogba’s avail- minute before it wouldn’t have and the team seems to react well, confidence from this game into the sometimes you are not in the team.” ability for today’s Champions happened,” the Portuguese MANCHESTER: Marcus Rashford when maybe we don’t react as well next games is important.” Rashford, Fellow academy graduate Lingard, League last 16 clash with manager added. is confident his development will in other games,” said the who faces fierce competition for a who had to bide his time at Old Sevilla, manager Jose Mourinho United’s record signing not suffer from a lack of game time 20-year-old. starting spot from the likes of Alexis Trafford before making an impact, said after the Frenchman Pogba has been criticised for his after scoring twice in a 2-1 victory Rashford boosted his chances Sanchez, Anthony Martial and Jesse backed his friend to succeed. missed their 2-1 Premier performances this season and against Liverpool on his return to of earning another start against Lingard, said he did not feel the “It’s good that you can be League win over Liverpool at Mourinho benched the 24-year- the Manchester United starting line- Sevilla in the Champions League need to express his frustrations to around him to have a laugh and the weekend. old for their goalless draw at up. on Tuesday -- the first leg of the manager Jose Mourinho reassure him that it’s going to come Pogba was ruled out after Sevilla in the first leg last Saturday’s match at Old Traf- last-16 tie finished 0-0 -- but he (pictured). good and that if he gets a chance picking up an injury in the month. Pogba came on as a ford was Rashford’s first Premier said he was doing most of his learn- “He doesn’t have to (speak to he will perform, and he has done team’s final training session substitute early in that game League start since Boxing Day, and ing on the training pitch. me),” said the forward. “In football that today,” he said. before the match and Mourinho after midfielder Ander Herrera just his third in all competitions in “Right now, I’m probably not you are going to be up, you’re going “It’s a big club with big players is awaiting information on pulled up injured. 2018, but there was little evidence learning the most on the pitch,” said to be down. and for players like me and Mar- whether he can shake off the Midfielder Marouane Fel- Manchester United’s of rust as second-placed United put the former academy graduate, who “The most important thing is cus it’s going to be tough to start knock in time for the visit of the laini returned to action against Marcus Rashford during further distance between them- hopes to play a key role for Eng- sticking together as a squad. Eve- every game but once you are on the Spanish side. Liverpool to boost Mourinho’s training yesterday. selves and their bitter rivals. land at the World Cup in Russia. ryone turns up every day for pitch you have got to make an “I don’t know,” Mourinho midfield options against Sevilla. “In these types of games, when “In training is where I’m doing training, we all work hard, we all impact and maybe next game you told British media when asked The Belgium international has the pressure is on you, you just be most of my learning. You have to do the necessary things. will be playing. But you’ve got to about Pogba’s availability for been out since January after yourself and I think that’s what take it into the game and today it “We are all in it together. always work hard, and he does.” the second leg of their last 16 undergoing minor knee match. surgery.

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola West Ham owners Champions League: Chelsea target to get extra security at home matches

REUTERS Former West Ham mid- fielder Trevor Brooking, who LONDON: West Ham United’s was also in the directors’ box, another good show at Camp Nou owners will be given additional said Sullivan was struck in the protection at the London face by a coin and that fans AP quarter-finals for the first time. Stadium with a larger police who contributed to the toxic Roma vs Shaktar presence and barriers to atmosphere should stay away MADRID: Few teams have caused Roma will be hoping it has prevent a repeat of the crowd from the team’s home games. as much trouble for Barcelona as turned its poor home form around disturbances that marred West Ham have asked for Chelsea since Lionel Messi started when it hosts Shakhtar Donetsk Saturday’s 3-0 home Premier police to be stationed inside playing with the Spanish club almost needing to overturn a 2-1 defeat. League defeat by Burnley, Brit- the ground for the five 15 years ago. Roma beat Torino 3-0 on Fri- ish newspapers reported remaining home games this Barcelona has been dominant day for what was only its second yesterday. season. The club will also ban with Messi against nearly every win at Stadio Olimpico since Pitch invasions and ugly the fans who ran on to the opponent it has faced in Europe. mid-December. scenes in the stands, including pitch. But not against Chelsea. “Mentally, the lads felt a bit of fans taunting West Ham own- Police in riot gear had to The English club is even used to pressure because we hadn’t won at ers David Gold and David quell trouble inside the Lon- doing well against Barcelona at the Olimpico for a while - and I Sullivan in the directors’ box, don stadium and disturbances Camp Nou Stadium, where the could see that,” Roma coach Euse- led the club to launch a probe were reported outside the teams will meet tomorrow in the bio Di Francesco said. and call an emergency meet- ground as West Ham beat second leg of their last-16 series in “Today’s win shows that we’ve ing with the Stadium Chelsea 2-1 to reach the the Champions League. cleared the hurdle now.” stakeholders. League Cup quarter-finals in Chelsea is unbeaten against Bar- Besiktas vs Bayern West Ham supporters are 2016. celona in eight matches, with four Besiktas is dreaming of becom- unhappy about the club’s move West Ham are 16th in the straight draws at Camp Nou. ing the first team to overturn a from the Upton Park stadium league, three points adrift of the Barcelona earned a 1-1 draw in five-goal deficit in the UEFA com- which was their home from relegation zone. They next host Mendy must bide the first match in England thanks to petition when it hosts Bayern 1904-2016. Southampton on March 31. a late away goal by Messi, who had Munich tomorrow, although restor- never scored against the Premier ing its pride will likely be enough his time after League club. after a chastening 5-0 first-leg “It will be a hard match just like defeat in Munich. in the away leg,” Barcelona coach The Turkish champion, playing Leicester plan Spain injury: Guardiola Ernesto Valverde said. in the knockout rounds of the “They have a strong team that Champions League for the first time, defends well in a block and has a is hoping to extend its 12-game training camp for AGENCIES The German was eased great counterattack. We will unbeaten run at home in European back into action at the start of struggle.” competitions. MANCHESTER: Pep Guardiola this season but it was not until Barcelona has been thriving Bayern has made it to the Cham- Chelsea showdown says he will not rush Benjamin a year after the injury that he again this season. Its only loss came pions League quarterfinals six years Barcelona captain Andres Iniesta Mendy back for Manchester began to start games regularly against Real Madrid in its first match in a row, but hasn’t won the title REUTERS well prepared both for next City after six months on the again. of the season in the Spanish Super since coach Jupp Heynckes’ previ- weekend’s game and for the final sidelines following knee “We cannot forget Gun- Cup final. It has won 18 of its last 20 ous stint in 2013, when he led the LONDON: Leicester City eight Premier League matches surgery, however, he is keen dogan played in the past month home matches since then, with two side to a treble. manager Claude Puel is hopeful of the season,” he said. to play. a lot of games -- I think all the draws - 2-2 against Celta Vigo and It warmed up for its trip to Istan- Boost for Barca that a four-day training camp in “It’s a long season, which can The French left-back, who games, 90 minutes, except the 0-0 against Getafe in the Spanish bul with a 6-0 rout of Hamburger southern Spain will be the perfect be difficult for the body and the made a big impression in the last one,” said Guardiola. league. SV on Saturday. “You can never hide preparation for Sunday’s FA Cup mind, so a different setting, some early weeks of the season after “But before that, he played “We have to show great resil- in football, you can never take it as Iniesta back quarter-final against Chelsea. time together as a squad and a joining City from Monaco, has one game, rested for two, one ience,” Chelsea coach Antonio Conte easy,” said Heynckes. Leicester, who thumped good focus on our work will be said he hopes to return to action game, rested for two, because said. Chelsea’s players celebrate their goal against Crystal Palace in London on Sunday. West Bromwich Albion 4-1 in the good for everybody.” next month. after six months, the next step “We are playing against one of in training league at the weekend, will travel Sitting eighth in the league, But Guardiola wants to err is muscular injuries. You have the best teams in the world. We Here’s a look at the other to Marbella on Tuesday and Puel Leicester’s victory over West on the side of caution and feels to try to avoid that. must pay great attention and have matches this week: told the club’s website (www.lcfc. Brom took them to 40 points he may have to hold the “Maybe he (Mendy) can go the same focus and concentration United vs Sevilla AFP com) the change of scenery from 30 games. They defeated 23-year-old back for his own to the World Cup and come Jose Mourinho may be faced would be good for the players. Sheffield United 1-0 in the fifth good. back next season stronger.” City CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FIXTURES It will be a hard match just like in the away leg. with a dilemma when Manchester BARCELONA: Barcelona captain Andres Iniesta, who has “It’s a good opportunity for round of the FA Cup last month “The most important thing head to Stoke on Monday look- United hosts Sevilla today. been sidelined with a hamstring injury, trained yesterday the squad to spend some time to set up the meeting with Today Chelsea have a strong team that defends well in after six months is to be care- ing to claim the first of the four With Paul Pogba ruled out of ahead of tomorrow´s Champions League second leg against together and to make sure we are Chelsea. ful,” said Guardiola. remaining wins they need to Roma vs Shakhtar Donetsk at a block and has a great counterattack. We will United’s Premier League victory Chelsea. “He believes, ‘I am strong, secure the Premier League title. Stadio Olimpico Rome struggle: Barca coach Ernesto Valverde over Liverpool on Saturday, Mour- Iniesta took part in some of the session with the rest of I will come back soon, I will Meanwhile, Stoke City First leg: Shakhtar Donetsk won 2-1 inho’s side finally managed to find Barca first team, boosting hopes he could return for the last play like I did before the injury.’ manager Paul Lambert is not Manchester United vs Sevilla at the balance it has been lacking in 16 match at the Camp Nou. The first leg finished 1-1. That is not happening. surprised by the success of his Old Trafford Manchester of the first leg.” Chelsea is trying to make the recent weeks. If the France mid- “There was further good news as Andres Iniesta, who “Even if he believes he is Manchester City counterpart First leg: 0-0 This is the first time Chelsea and quarterfinals for the first time since fielder is available, Mourinho would has been out with a hamstring injury sustained against Atletico strong he is not strong enough. Pep Guardiola and said that the Kick off: 10.45Pm ( Qatar time) Barcelona are facing each other in 2014, when eliminated by Atletico have to drop Juan Mata or 21-year- Madrid, was able to join the rest of the group for part of Tomorrow After six months, he has to be Spaniard’s man-management the Champions League since the Madrid in the semis. Barcelona is old Scott McTominay to make room today’s routine,” a Barcelona statement read. careful.” skills in particular had set him Besiktas vs Bayern semifinals in 2012, when the Eng- looking to reach the last eight for a for him. Iniesta limped off against Atletico Madrid eight days ago The City boss said Mendy, apart from his peers. at Besiktas Park Istanbul lish club advanced 3-2 on aggregate record 11th straight time. United, which drew the first leg and missed Saturday´s 2-0 win over Malaga. who ruptured the anterior cru- “I understand why he’s at Kick off: 10.00pm (Qatar Time) after securing an astonishing 2-2 The Spanish league leaders are 0-0 in Seville, is trying to reach the Instead the midfielder completed a light session at ciate ligament in his right knee the top of his profession 1st leg: Bayern won 5-0 draw in the second leg at Camp Nou, coming off a 2-0 win at last-place quarter-finals for the first time since Barcelona´s training ground and later posted a picture on in September, was back in full because I have seen how he Barcelona vs Chelsea after trailing 2-0 with 10 men for Malaga on Saturday, when Messi 2013-14. Twitter with the caption “every day closer”. training and could help out the works,” Lambert said at Camp Nou Barcelona most of the match. didn’t play because of the birth of “The next game is very impor- Also absent from the victory on Saturday was Lionel Messi, team for short periods, follow- yesterday.. Kick off: 10.45pm (Qatar Time) Chelsea also drew at Camp Nou his third son, Ciro. tant for us, maybe the most who was attending the birth of his son Ciro, but the striker ing the approach taken with “He has done it at Barcelona 1st leg: 1-1 in the Champions League semifi- It remains unclear if Valverde important game of the season,” is expected back against Chelsea. Ilkay Gundogan, who also suf- and Bayern and he has done it nals in 2009, as well as in the group will be able to count on midfielder United midfielder Nemanja Matic Messi trained yesterday and, in celebration of the arrival Chelsea’s Italian head coach Antonio Conte gestures during the match fered a serious knee injury, in here with City. It’s not by luck stage of the 2006-07 season and the Andres Iniesta tomorrow because said. of his third child, he was given a round of applauds by his Leicester City’s players celebrate after scoring their fourth goal against Crystal Palace on Sunday. December 2016. or anything like that.” round of 16 a year earlier. of a hamstring injury. Sevilla is trying to make the team-mates. against West Bromwich Albion on Sunday in West Bromwich. 34 SPORT TUESDAY 13 MARCH 2018

The 2020 Tour Rockets drop Mavs to clinch de France to start from Nice: play-off berth; Warriors lose Officials AFP AFP NICE: The 2020 Tour de LOS ANGELES: The Houston France will start from Nice Rockets clinched an NBA play- on France’s Cote d’Azur, off berth with a 105-82 rout of organisers announced the Mavericks in Dallas on yesterday. Sunday as reigning champions The Mediterranean resort Golden State and the Cleveland plays host to the so-called Cavaliers both lost. ‘Grand Depart’ for the sec- Even with Most Valuable ond time after 1981, the year Player candidate James Harden Bernard Hinault claimed the sitting out with a sore left knee, third of his five triumphs. the Rockets had little trouble “I reckon that lots of from the Mavs. cyclists will greet this news Only a spate of eight second- with a big smile,” said Tour quarter turnovers by Houston director Christian helped Dallas erase a 15-point Prudhomme. deficit and briefly take a six- For Nice it will mean a point lead. welcome boost in revenue. The Rockets soon tidied “The Tour is the third things up to take a one-point (biggest) international (sports) lead at halftime that they event and as such means a wouldn’t surrender after the sizeable economic boost for break. the whole of the region,” said Point guard Chris Paul the city’s mayor Christian scored 24 points and handed out Estrosi. 12 assists and guard Eric Gordon The announcement was added 26 points for the Rockets, made less than 24 hours after who led by as many as 26 in the the 2018 Paris-Nice stage fourth quarter. race was won by young Span- Houston, who saw their iard Marc Soler. 17-game winning streak ended Prudhomme commented: by Eastern Conference leaders Indiana Pacers’ guard Victor Oladipo (4) blocks Boston Celtics’ guard Marcus Smart (36) during their NBA game at TD Garden. “The last few editions of the Toronto on Friday, improved Paris-Nice have shown that their league-best record to 52-14. the variety of landscapes and They’re 1 1/2 games ahead of Draymond Green contrib- far from full-strength, Minneso- 36 points and pulled down 14 Eastern Conference leaders reliefs in the region adds to the Warriors atop the West and uted 10 points, eight rebounds ta’s Andrew Wiggins said it was rebounds. Toronto cruised past the New the suspense, the attack, the Gordon said the Rockets would and seven assists for the Warri- an important win. “This is big for The Lakers’ performance York Knicks 132-106. show. keep the accelerator down in a ors, who were also missing us, because this is one of the best offered James a glimpse of the The Celtics, playing without “That’s precisely what we bid to claim the top seed. Andre Iguodala, David West, teams in the league, if not the young talent he could align him- ailing Al Horford and concussed want to give... to the 2020 “We want to finish number Patrick McCaw and Jordan Bell best,” Minnesota’s Andrew Wig- self with should he opt to move Jaylen Brown, squandered a Tour.” one -- I think that’s the main as they lost back-to-back games gins said. to Los Angeles as a free agent 50-40 halftime lead in their nar- This year’s Tour, the jewel goal,” he said. for only the second time this The struggles continued for next season. The Lakers, with row loss to the Pacers and saw in cycling’s crown, sets off The depleted Warriors fell season. the Cleveland Cavaliers, who fell money to spend under the sal- Kyrie Irving depart in the sec- from the Vendee in the west 109-103 to the Minnesota Tim- “We’re just in a bit of a tough to the Warriors in last year’s ary cap, have been touted as one ond half with a sore left knee. of France with the 2019 edi- berwolves, the defending stretch,” Warriors coach Steve finals after beating them the year possible destination for James, In New Orleans, Ricky Rubio tion beginning in Brussels. champs’ second straight defeat. Kerr said. “I’m really pleased before. although he’s said he’s only scored 30 points with 10 Earlier Soler snatched With superstar Stephen with the effort. We’ll get some LeBron James and the Cavs focused on getting Cleveland rebounds and seven assists as his victory at Paris-Nice from Curry missing a second straight guys back here hopefully in the tied it twice but never led in the back to the finals this season. Utah Jazz withstood a triple- British cyclist Simon Yates game with a sprained right ankle, next week or two, and I’m very second half in a 127-113 loss to James scored 24 points with double from Anthony Davis in a with a daring breakaway on Kevin Durant scored 39 points confident with where we’re the Lakers in Los Angeles. 10 rebounds and seven assists, 116-99 victory over the Pelicans. Sunday’s soaked final stage and pulled down 12 rebounds for heading.” Lakers point guard Isaiah but the Cavs lost for the fourth Davis had 25 points, 11 rebounds of the event. Golden State. But Durant con- Karl-Anthony Towns was a Thomas, acquired from Cleve- time in six games. and a stellar 10 blocked shots in Soler, 24, finished the nected on just 11 of 32 of his shots force inside for the Timber- land in a trade-deadline deal, They’re fourth in the Eastern his return from a one-game stage around Nice in third from the field and sharp-shooter wolves, finishing with 31 points scored 20 points. Conference, half a game behind injury absence, but he had no behind breakaway compan- Klay Thompson needed 22 shots and 16 rebounds. Los Angeles forward Julius third-placed Indiana who edged win to celebrate on his 25th ions and compatriots David to score 21 points. Although the Warriors were Randle poured in a career-high second-placed Boston 99-97. birthday. de la Cruz and Omar Fraile. NHL: Oleksiak’s late goal helps Penguins defeat Stars AP

PITTSBURGH: Jamie Oleksiak scored a goal against his former team to help the Pittsburgh Penguins beat the Dallas Stars 3-1 on Sunday night. Oleksiak scored his fifth of the season, while Evgeni Malkin got his 39th and added an assist. Patric Hornqvist scored a power-play goal, his 20th, to help the Penguins win for the fourth in five games. Malkin, now with 919 points, moved past Pavel Datsyuk for fifth on the NHL’s all-time points list among Russian-born Pittsburgh Pirates’ left fielder Adam Frazier (26) celebrates with players. right fielder Gregory Polanco (25) after he hit a home run during He also equaled a season- the second inning of a Spring Training baseball game against high six-game points streak. the Toronto Blue Jays at Dunedin Stadium. Pittsburgh, which rebounded from a 5-2 loss at Toronto one NBA Results night earlier, jumped past Wash- ington for first place in a tight Toronto 132 ...... New York 106 Metropolitan Division. The Pen- Chicago 129 ...... Atlanta 122 guins, who lost six of their Minnesota 109 ...... Golden State 103 previous seven against Dallas, Utah 116 ...... New Orleans 99 have won 14 of their last 15 over- Pittsburgh Penguins’ centre Sidney Crosby (87) knocks the net onto Dallas Stars’ goaltender Kari Denver 130 ...... Sacramento 104 all at home. Lehtonen (32) as Stars defenceman Dan Hamhuis (2) defends during the second period of their NHL Houston 105 ...... Dallas 82 Casey DeSmith made 17 game at PPG PAINTS Arena. The Penguins won 3-1. Indiana 99 ...... Boston 97 saves for the Penguins with Philadelphia 120 ...... Brooklyn 97 starter Matt Murray out for his the Western Conference, is last five. The Penguins had two fourth-round draft pick. Radu- LA Lakers 127 ...... Cleveland 113 seventh game with a 14-15-3 on the road and has just goals in their last 18 power-play lov scored a second-period concussion. two wins in its last six games. chances prior to Hornqvist’s power-play goal on a five-on- NHL Results Alexander Radulov scored a Kari Lehtonen, making his goal. three for the Stars’ first goal. Boston 7 ...... Chicago 4 power-play goal, his 25th of the third straight start, stopped 27 Oleksiak gave Pittsburgh a Hornqvist thought he had his Las Vegas 2 ...... Buffalo 1 season, for the Stars, who started shots. 2-0 lead with 3.7 seconds left in second power-play goal of the a critical late-season stretch of Hornqvist opened the scor- the first. The Stars drafted Ole- game, and a 3-1 lead for Pitts- Tampa Bay 3 ...... Montreal 2 six road games in 10 days with ing with a first-period ksiak in the first round of the burgh later in the period. But the Philadelphia 2 ...... Winnipeg 1 a loss against the two-time power-play goal. The final pick 2011 NHL Draft and Pittsburgh Stars challenged the play and the Colorado 5 ...... Arizona 2 defending Stanley Cup of the 2005 NHL Draft, he has acquired the 6-foot-7, 25-year- goal was overturned because St Louis 7 ...... Los Angeles 2 champions. scored at least 20 goals in eight old defenseman from Dallas on Malkin went offside earlier in the Washington 2 ...... San Jose 0 Dallas, the first wild card in of 10 NHL seasons, including the Dec. 19 for a 2019 conditional sequence. TUESDAY 13 MARCH 2018 SPORT 35

Djokovic suffers Federer takes care of business; ‘weird’ loss to qualifier at Djokovic crashes out in 3 sets Indian Wells REUTERS AFP remaining world number one if “To me, it’s not that surpris- he makes it to the semi-finals. ing,” Federer said. “When you go INDIAN WELLS: Novak INDIAN WELLS: World number He extended his 2018 win away from the game for over a Djokovic produced a puzzling one Roger Federer finished off streak to 13 matches and has only two-month period, it starts feel- performance as the former Federico Delbonis in a rain- dropped three sets from 34 ing a little bit that way. world number one lost to disrupted match on Sunday to played this year. “When you do come back Japanese qualifier Taro reach the third round at Indian Federer hit five aces and won from injury or when you haven’t Daniel in the second round at Wells as five-time champion 74 percent of his first serve played in a long time, it just takes the BNP Paribas Open in Cali- Novak Djokovic was toppled. points in the match which took extra effort. fornia on Sunday. Federer returned to stadium a total of one hour and 41 min- “It is still early stages for On his return from right court on Sunday afternoon and utes over the two days. Novak coming back and the first elbow surgery, Djokovic needed an hour to close out his He will face 25th-seed Filip one after surgery. He’s only going looked a pale shadow of his second-round victory 6-3, 7-6 Krajinovic in the third round. to get better from here.” former self as he went down (8/6). Federer and 10th seed Djok- Daniel, who is ranked 109th 7-6(3) 4-6 6-1 to make a quick “It’s been a long time since I ovic both came into the in the world, advanced to the exit from a tournament he has have been interrupted at night tournament seeking to become third round where he will face won five times. and have to come back the next the first six-time winner of the Gael Monfils of France. Djokovic’s performance day,” Federer said. event. In other men’s matches, Juan in the final set against the His title defence got off to a But Djokovic fell at the first Martin del Potro steamed his world’s 109th-ranked player soggy start Saturday night when hurdle with a shock loss to Jap- way into the third round as the on centre court raised some play was suspended because of anese qualifier Taro Daniel, who sixth seed needed just 69 min- eyebrows. rain showers with Federer up a sent the out-of-sorts Serb tum- utes to beat Australian teenager Four-time Grand Slam set and tied 2-2 in the second. bling with a hard-fought 7-6 Alex de Minaur 6-2, 6-1. champion American Jim Cou- The clouds rolled in just (7/3), 4-6, 6-1 victory. Argentina’s del Potro, who is rier questioned the Serb’s before the start of their match It was another snag in the fresh off winning the Mexican effort, saying Djokovic had on Saturday and after a short return for world number 13 Open title in Acapulco, ham- “capitulated.” delay to start the first set they Djokovic, who admitted he mered five aces and broke de Roger “The question marks sur- managed to play until the skies lacked composure while play- Minaur’s serve five times. Federer of rounding his defeat today will blackened and the heavy rains ing in just his second event of The win sets up a third round Switzerland only grow larger,” Courier came in the second. After 2018 and first since having showdown with Spaniard David hits a shot said in commentary on the another 90-minute delay organ- surgery. Ferrer who defeated Tennys during Tennis Channel. isers suspended play for the Federer said he understands Sandgren of the US 6-2, 7-6 (7/3). his match “We wondered post sur- night. well how even a champion like World number three Marin against gery what it was going to look Federer is making his 17th Djokovic could be struggling to Cilic also won Sunday, defeating Federico like, how his elbow was going appearance in the California find his game so soon after hav- Hungary’s Marton Fucsovics in Delbonis of to react to the strain and desert and is assured of ing surgery. straight sets, 7-5, 6-3. Argentina stress, but it was his heart and during head that didn’t react the right the BNP way in this match. That is as Paribas head scratching as anything Open at you’ll see.” Anisimova speaks out the Indian Twelve-time Grand Slam Wells champion Djokovic, who was Tennis seeded 10th, acknowledged Garden his poor performance. against gun attacks in Indian “It felt like the first match Wells, I have ever played on the AFP two-time Wimbledon champ Petra Kvitova 6-2, California. Tour, very weird,” he told 6-4. Anisimova, who was born in New Jersey but reporters after the loss INDIAN WELLS: Rising tennis star Amanda Anisi- moved to Miami when she was three years old, yesterday. mova has added her voice to the growing chorus thinks firearms should be outlawed. “I think that “I just completely lost of young people in America who are demanding a guns should be banned,” she told reporters at the rhythm, everything, struggled crackdown on gun owners following the latest southern California tournament. “That’s what my a little bit with the health the school shooting rampage that killed 17 people. The opinion is. I posted that on Twitter. But you should last couple of weeks. 16-year-old American said the shooting struck close have stricter laws on that for sure.” “I was grateful to be out to home for her because she has a friend that On Friday, Florida introduced a law that paves on the court after surgery that attends the high school in Parkland, Florida, that the way for some school staff to carry firearms, but quickly but at the same time came under attack by a lone gunman last month. Anisimova doesn’t think it is a good idea to have just didn’t feel good at all. “That’s definitely terrible,” she said. “I actu- high school teachers packing. Asked how her friend Nerves were there. ally had a friend that goes to that school. It’s really is coping with the grief process, Anisimova said: “I made so many unforced close to me. It’s really sad what’s going on.” “She was fine, but, you know, she was there, and errors.” Anisimova, who is the youngest player in the so it’s definitely something that she has to keep Djokovic took six months tournament, scored one of the biggest upsets of going through. All of her friends and everything. off after Wimbledon last year the WTA Tour event on Sunday by beating former So it was a tough day for her, but she was fine.” and returned in January’s Australian Open where he lost in the fourth round. He had surgery in Switzerland shortly after that. Halep battles through, Kvitova cooled off Daniel had won two rounds of qualifying and then AFP lost in straight sets to the young- held off fellow qualifier Cam- est player in the draw. eron Norris to book a first INDIAN WELLS: Simona Halep The 14 straight victories tied meeting with Djokovic. took pride in rallying past her previous career best which Holder Roger Federer 19-year-old Caroline Dolehide she set in 2011-2012. The avoided the same fate as at Indian Wells, while Petra 28-year-old Czech came into Djokovic, though the Swiss Kvitova’s remarkable win streak Indian Wells having won the last top seed was pushed by left- skidded to a halt against another two tournaments she played in. handed Argentine Federico US teen. She missed Indian Wells last Delbonis in a match that was World No. 1 Halep came from year recovering from hand inju- completed on Sunday after behind to beat Dolehide 1-6, 7-6 ries inflicted by a knife-wielding being halted by rain at 2-2 in (7/3), 6-2 in the third round of Simona Halep of Romania burglar at her home in Decem- the second set on Saturday the WTA hardcourt tournament, hits a shot during her match ber 2016. evening. while two-time Wimbledon against Caroline Dolehide of Kvitova committed four dou- Federer staved off a set champion Kvitova had her the US at the BNP Paribas ble faults and had her serve point in the tiebreak to beat 14-match winning streak Open in Indian Wells, broken five times. Delbonis 6-3 7-6(6). snapped as she lost 6-2, 6-4 to California. The 16-year-old Anisimova, Frenchman Gael Mon- 149th-ranked Amanda Anisi- who received a wildcard into the fils survived a match point mova on Sunday. draw, is making her Indian Wells before beating big-serving The 26-year-old Halep is debut. American John Isner 6-7(5) trying to repeat her success in She said it was the biggest 7-6(3) 7-5 in a contest that the California desert in 2015 win of her career. had only one break. when she lifted the trophy. “It feels crazy,” she said. “She Isner, the 15th seed, frit- “In the end, I think I was is the best player I have ever tered away seven break stronger in the legs,” Halep said. played and it was the biggest points, while Monfils con- “Also when I had to finish the court I have ever played on.” verted one of his three points, I did. I’m really, really In the fourth round she’ll opportunities, which proved happy about this victory. It was face fifth seed Karolina Pliskova, enough. tough down there.” was amazing match, amazing and it gives me confidence for taken turns being No. 1 this year. who beat China’s Zhang Shuai Yuki Bhambri of India The Romanian improved to level, in my opinion.” the next days.” Wozniacki took the world 7-5, 5-7, 6-3. pulled off a surprise when 16-1 on the season and said her Halep hit two aces had no Halep booked a round-of 16 number one ranking after win- Elsewhere, US Open winner he toppled ninth-seeded confidence is what keeps her double faults, and broke Dole- clash with China’s Wang Qiang, ning the Aussie Open but Halep Sloane Stephens cruised past French ninth seed Lucas going in tight matches. hide’s serve five times in the two who defeated 14th seed Kristina regained it just prior to the wild card Victoria Azarenka in Pouille 6-4 6-4. “I didn’t give up, which is the hour, five minute match. Mladenovic, of France, 6-1, 6-2. Indian wells event. straight sets 6-1, 7-5 in a second Israeli Dudi Sela beat most important thing,” she said. Halep said she likes use the Despite her top ranked sta- With her win Sunday over round match that was postponed British 21st seed Edmund “I never thought that I would lose word “proud” and is trying to tus, Halep is still seeking her first Dolehide, Halep can keep her top from Saturday night because of 6-4 6-4, while Luxemburg’s the match. maintain a positive attitude. career Grand Slam title. ranking unless Wozniacki wins rain. 24th seed Giles Muller was “I just wanted to stay there “I haven’t used that word She reached her third Grand the title. German 10th seed Angelique upset by Frenchman Pierre- and to see what is happening. I’m before because I was tougher Slam final earlier this year at the Elsewhere, Kvitova had been Kerber and Ekaterina Makarova Hugues Herbert 6-3 7-5. really proud that I could man- with myself. So now I’m trying Australian Open where she lost playing some of the best tennis of Russia stretched their match The tournament also age this match. to change that and be kinder to Caroline Wozniacki in three of her career so it wasn’t the kind over two days because of the lost Japan’s Kei Nishikori, “It was really tough. And for with myself,” she said. “That’s sets. of third round statement the showers before Kerber prevailed who withdrew through second match of the tournament why I just give credit to myself Halep and Wozniacki have ninth seed was looking for as she in three sets, 3-6, 6-4, 6-2. illness. TUESDAY 13 MARCH 2018 36

It’s going to have to stop. SPORT I’m letting the team down. I won’t change the way I CHAMPIONS LEAGUE TODAY’S FIXTURES express myself. I will just get Kagiso Rabada, 10.45pm Roma vs Shakhtar Donetsk at Stadio Olimpico far away from the batter. South African fast bowler 10.45pm Man United vs Sevilla at Old Trafford

Sri Lanka hope Rabada blows away Australia, new software can power gets suspended for two Tests recovery AFP AP celebrations of Australian wickets and banned for two Tests. COLOMBO: Sri Lanka is PORT ELIZABETH, SOUTH AFRICA: The first charge, for bumping into Aus- adopting an advanced soft- Kagiso Rabada tore through Australia in tralia captain Steve Smith after getting ware used by football club another spell of furious fast-bowling him out in the first innings earned Rabada Barcelona to manage its yesterday to put South Africa level in the the two-Test ban after he crossed a injury-prone cricketers as the series in what’s likely to be his final act of threshold for disciplinary demerit points. national team trains for the the series. Rabada contested that charge but was still World Cup next year, officials The 22-year-old fast bowler took his found guilty. He pleaded guilty to another said here yesterday. match total to 11 wickets with 6-54 in Aus- charge of screaming in the face of David The island’s cricket board tralia’s second innings, opening the fourth Warner after dismissing him in the second hopes the state-of-the-art day by blasting out Mitchell Marsh’s off innings. player management system stump in the first over to set up South Afri- “I’ve let myself down and let the team will restore Sri Lanka’s pres- ca’s six-wicket win at St George’s Park. down,” Rabada said, calling his man-of- tige on the world stage after Yet Rabada went from main attrac- the-match performance at St. George’s Australia’s Mitchell Marsh their worst year in interna- tion and man-of-the-match in Port Eliz- Park “bittersweet.” Rabada took the first is bowled out by South tional cricket. abeth to a no-show for the final two Tests three wickets of the fourth day to hurry Africa’s Kagiso Rabada The board spent $75,000 of a tense series in Cape Town and Johan- the Australians out for 239 and another during the Second Test on the software, adapting it nesburg after he was found guilty of two batting failure in their second innings. at the St George’s Park, to suit its cricketers. disciplinary charges for aggressive South Africa clinched its win by Port Elizabeth, South Officials said coupled chasing down Africa yesterday. with a match analysis system the meager designed in-house, Sri Lanka SCOREBOARD target of 101 could boast the most Australia (I innings) ...... 243 7-202, 8-204, 9-211 before tea on advanced player manage- South Africa (I innings) ...... 382 Bowling: Philander 18-5-56-0, Rabada 22-9-54-6 (1w), the fourth day. see his team home with Theunis de Bruyn. Australia’s batsmen couldn’t stand up to ment technology of any crick- Australia (II innings) Maharaj 23-2-90-2, Ngidi 13-5-24-2, Markram 3-1-3-0 It wasn’t The South African victory stops Aus- South Africa’s quicks - particularly eting nation. C Bancroft b Ngidi ...... 24 South Africa (II innings) straightfor- tralia’s momentum from a win in the first Rabada. In the first Test, Australia’s “We are investing a lot of D Warner b Rabada ...... 13 A Markram c Smith b Hazlewood ...... 21 U Khawaja lbw b Rabada ...... 75 D Elgar c and b Lyon ...... 5 ward, with Aus- Test in Durban and gives the home team Mitchell Starc and co blasted out South resources and technology to S Smith c De Kock b Maharaj ...... 11 H Amla c Paine b Cummins ...... 27 tralia removing a chance of a first home series win over Africa. “The middle order obviously didn’t develop the game with an eye S Marsh c De Kock b Rabada ...... 1 A de Villiers c Bancroft b Lyon ...... 28 Hashim Amla the Aussies since 1970. do their job and we lost wickets in on the World Cup,” Sri Lanka M Marsh b Rabada ...... 45 F du Plessis (not out)...... 2 and AB de Vil- “That’s an incredible Test match for clumps,” Australia captain Smith said. Cricket chief Ashley de Silva T Paine (not out) ...... 28 T de Bruyn (not out) ...... 15 liers in quick us. Especially after what was a tough loss “Rabada bowled exceptionally well said while talking to P Cummins c De Bruyn b Rabada ...... 5 Extras (B4) ...... 4 succession to in Durban,” Du Plessis said. throughout the whole match. We haven’t reporters. M Starc c De Kock b Rabada ...... 1 Total (4 wkts) ...... 102 have the South Australia has been dominant in South got a hundred so far this series so that’s not Sri Lanka won the World N Lyon c De Kock b Ngidi ...... 5 Fall of wickets: 1-22, 2-32, 3-81, 4-81 J Hazlewood c Ngidi b Maharaj ...... 17 Bowling: Starc 3-0-15-0, Hazlewood 6-0-26-1, Lyon Africans 81-4. Africa since the end of apartheid, winning ideal. If we’re getting batters scoring hun- Cup in 1996 but have not Extras (B2, LB10, W2)...... 14 9-0-44-2, Cummins 4.5-0-13-1 South five series and drawing its other two. dreds it obviously helps us a hell of a lot.” repeated the feat since, Total (79 overs) ...... 239 Result: South Africa won by six wickets. Africa skipper But, not for the first time, the tables Rabada’s early blitz ensured Australia, despite twice making the Fall of wickets: 1-27, 2-62, 3-77, 4-86, 5-173, 6-186, Series: The four-match series is level at 1-1. Faf du Plessis turned dramatically in a series between 180-5 overnight, didn’t get many more in finals. took control to the two closely-match teams. This time, its second innings. They were World T20 champions in 2014 but have tumbled down the rankings, hit by injuries and scandal. Six-wicket win for India Under new coach Chan- dika Hathurusingha, the side Windies see off Dutch as India’s Shardul has been rebuilding after a Thakur celebrates year of humiliating defeats after dismissing Sri and few wins. Sri Lanka Ireland reach Super Sixes Lanka’s Danushka bounced backed in a tour of Gunathilaka during Bangladesh in January, AFP William Porterfield’s men before Marlon Samuels made a the fourth Twenty20 thrashing the hosts in all three take two points through to the timely return to form with an international match formats of the game. HARARE: Big-hitting opener next round as the six remaining unbeaten 73, while Rovman of the tri-nation The team’s high-perform- Evin Lewis was among the runs sides prepare to battle it out for Powell crashed a quickfire 52 Nidahas Trophy at ance manager Simon Willis as the West Indies made it four the last two spots at next year’s after making his maiden ODI the R Premadasa said the new technology straight wins at World Cup qual- tournament in England and hundred on Saturday. stadium in Colombo, would help selectors and ifying by beating the Nether- Wales. The Netherlands were yesterday. India won managers monitor their lands in Harare yesterday, while Afghanistan, one of the pre- always behind the rate, and by six wickets. squad’s performance with Ireland joined them in the Super tournament favourites, still have although key player Ryan ten real-time data. Six stage. a slim chance of reaching a Doeschate was still at the crease “This system will benefit Lewis hit 84 as the two-time second successive World Cup, on 67 when the game was the national team and allow World Cup winners racked up after Nepal beat Hong Kong by stopped, three earlier run outs evidence-based decisions to 309-6 from 48 overs in a five wickets to send the Afghans had ended any chance of be made,” the former Kent weather-affected match, with through from Group B on net victory. coach said. the rain coming for a second run rate. Zimbabwe and Scotland “It’s not cheap, but it is a time with the Dutch well adrift The West Indies were will start the Super Six round good investment because it on 167-6. already through to the next with three points apiece, after a gives us instant information.” That left Jason Holder’s Win- round, but played their strongest thrilling tie to close out Group B Sri Lanka’s cricketers will dies top of Group A, with Ireland side against the Netherlands. in Bulawayo. wear GPS devices during progressing thanks to a 226-run Chris Gayle was at his very Needing two runs from training and tournaments to thrashing of the United Arab best early on as the 38-year-old seven balls with two wickets in monitor fitness and perform- Emirates. smashed five sixes in a 31-ball hand to chase down 211, the ance, he added. Paul Stirling crashed a blis- 46 before holing out off Paul van Scots lost two batsmen in as The technology has been tering 126 as the Irish posted Meekeren. many legitimate deliveries, with rolled out during the 313-6 from only 44 overs, before Lewis continued where his a wide in between ensuring a ongoing home tri-nation skittling out the UAE for just 91. opening partner had left off, tie. series.

Pakistan gets Windies boost with T20 series in Karachi REUTERS Najam Sethi has announced. Pakistan to play nearly all of matches in KARACHI on 1, 2 and WI,” Sethi added. International This is part of our agreement with The south Asian country has their home matches in the 4th April,” Sethi tweeted. Cricket Council’s security con- the West Indies board,” Sethi said, KARACHI: International crick- remained largely starved of . Pakistan Karachi will also host the sultant Reg Dickason will visit adding PCB was unlikely to make et’s slow trickle back into Paki- international cricket since the have since hosted Zimbabwe, a final of the Pakistan Super Karachi during the PSL final to any profit from the series. stan continues with West Indies 2009 attacks on a bus carrying World XI, and a Sri Lanka team League (PSL) on March 25. assess security arrangement for “This will be a one-off series... set to play a three-match Sri Lankan cricketers in Lahore, for limited overs matches, all at “Lahore had Zimbabwe, the T20 series. it will be a loss-making enterprise. Twenty20 series in Karachi in wounding six players and a Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium. PSL2 Final, ICC XI and Sri Lanka. “Their expert will stay back The idea wasn’t to make money, it the first week of April, Pakistan British coach and killing eight “Good news! West Indies Now it is Karachi’s turn to rise for seven days and conduct the was to bring cricket back, so this is Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Pakistanis. The incident forced have agreed to play 3 T20 and shine with PSL3 Final and security for West Indies series. a step in that direction.”