SPORT

Friday 10 March 2017

PAGE | 21 PAGE | 2222 PAGE | 23 Williamson leads Miracle at Camp NNouou Preparations fightback by injury-hitit as Barcelona on track for FIG New Zealand stun PSG 6-1 Challenge Cup Tabata extends Al Rayyan contract

Chinthana Wasala team and Tabata has already Champions League clash splendid 4-0 win over Al Wak- The Peninsula proved he is one of the best against Tehran-based Persian rah in round 23 of the QSL. Troubled Al Kharaitiyat forwards in the country. Gulf Pro League leaders Perse- Al Rayyan are currently he reigning Regarded as one of the polis. The match will be played placed third in the QSL stand- Stars League (QSL) most consistent players in at the Al Sadd ings, having collected 47 only looking up the table championsions Al recentrecent yyearsears forfor Al Rayyan,Rayyan, ththee StadiumStadium on popointsints fforor ththeireir 14 wwinsin and Rayyan willwill continueconttininue starsttar sstrikertrikker iiss alalreadylrer addy ththee Tuesday,TTuesdayy, fivefive ggamesames wwhichhich ttheyhey man- to receiveve thethee serv-serv- leadinglleading contributorcontributoor forffoor thethhe MaMarchrch 144 agedaged toto drdraw.aw. The Peninsula Tices of their talismanicanicc ccaptainappttainn club,club, havinghaving sscoredcored 166 ggoals.oals. andand TaTTaba-ba- LekhwiyaLLekhk wiw ya aareree oonn ttop of Rodrigo Tabata forr ttwowoo mmoreoore TheThe two-timetwo-o time QFAQFA ta’stta’s menmen thethhe table,table,e, havinghaving collectedcollecec 56 l Kharaitiyat defender years. PlayerPlayer ofof theththe Year,Year, TabataTabata hheadeadd intointo points.ppooints. ThTTheyeyey wwonono 1177 ggames Mohammed Salam (pic- The club officialsls yesterdayyessteerddaay waswas ththee drdrivingiving foforcerce bebehindhind thethhe gamegag me andaannd lostloost onlyonly one.ono e. TheyThey man- Atured) insists that his side is confirmed that the 336-year-old6-yyeeaar--oldl thethe successsuccess of AlAl RayyanRayyan lastlast afterafteer a agedaga e to looking forward to the final three playmaker will noww bebe underuunddeer season,seasonon, bebecomingeccoming the joint-joiintt- ddraw games of the contract with the clubclubb tilltill thethe highesthih ghg ese t scorerscs oro ere withwith a tallytally of 2121 ffive (QSL) season as a good opportu- summer of 2020, followingfolloowwinng a goalsgoala s as ttheyhey wewwentntt oonn to lliftift ththee gagamesa nity for the Thunders to pull further two-year contract extension.exteennsioon. QSLQSL FalconFalconn Shield.Shihield. aanandnd are away from the relegation zone. There is no doubtubt thatthhat thethe HavingHaving ssecuredecuuredd TTabata’sabbata’a’s clccloselyossely fol- Speaking to QSL, Salam Qatari Internationalnal striker’ssttrikkeer’s service,seervice,e AAll RRaRayyanayyyyana lolowedweed byy AAll Sadd stressed that his side are firmly continuation with Al RayyanRayyyaan bebbegangan prepara-prp eppaarraa-- whowhw o ararere plpplacedacedd ssecond aiming to push further up the QSL will be a major boostoost forffor thethhe titionsions fofforr thttheirheieir withwithh 5454 pointspop intst afterafterr theth 23rd standings. upupcomingpcoc ming AFCAFCC round.round. “We have two big objectives, all of our players are fit and fresh Tabata staysys with Meanwhile,MeMeana whilee, LekhwiyaLekhhww are from the last games of the season for these big three games.” Al Rayyanan alsoalsoso hheadingeeading ttoo memmeetet their the first of which is staying in the “We are still one of the teams IrIranianananiaan coccounterpartsounteerpartst next Qatar Stars League, while the sec- in the bottom of the league table, Rodrigo Tabataata will week.weeekk. ThTThehe QaQQataritaarii ssideidde wwill be ond is to finish as high as possible but we are all very confident that now be with lookinglookinng ttoo iimpressmpresss wwhenheh they in the QSL standings.” we can get away from trouble, Al Rayyan tilll the meetmeett EsteghlalEsts eghlh all KhuzestanKhuzezes in “Kharaitiyat has suffered this now we need to double our efforts summer of 2020,020, theirtheir otheroto heh r AFCAFAFC ChampionsCham season for a number of reasons, in the final games of the season. I following a two-yearwo-year LeagueLeLeagguee cclashllaashsh wwhichhhichc wwilli take the main reason has to be the feel that our confidence, along contract extension.ension. placeplplace onn MMarchaarchch 114.4.4 change of our professional play- with high levels of concentration ButBBuut thtthehe clclashaash wiwwillil be a ers, who have failed to settle will help us beat the drop” added sternststere n testtet sts forforr DjamelDjjammel Belma-B properly at the club” noted the the defender. Regarded as one of di’sddi’s RedRedd KnightsKnighg tss asas their defender when asked about his Salem concluded the interview the most consistentnsistent meetingmeeetetiinng wiwithithh tthehhe PPersianerersisia Gulf sides form in the league. noting that this QSL season has players in recentcent ProPro LeLLeagueague ssideide wiwillll be an The QSL is taking a three week been tough on all the sides in the years for Al Rayyan,Rayyan, awawayaya ggame.ame.. EEsteghlalsteghl are break for international football, league; “ This has been the most the star strikerker is currentlycuurrenntly topttop of B afterafter pick- and Salam is sure that can only difficult season for the club since already the inging up two winswins fromfrom their benefit his side. “The break will joining the QSL, many sides are leading oopeningpening twotwo gamesgames of the help the side, it gives us a chance battling for relegation and the fact goal scorer Al Rayyan campaign,campaiign, bbubutt ththehe QSQSLL lead- to rest and refocus for the last push the league is being reduced by 12 ersers willwill bbee no eeasyasy targetttarg for in the league. It’s also a good has added extra pressure for for the club. Rodrigo Tabata ththee Iranians.Iranians. opportunity for us to make sure everyone.”

Qatar play Azerbaijan in friendly Rabat back on track in Qatar

The Peninsula Team Estrella Galicia 0,0 Marc eam Estrella VDS rider Tito Galicia 0,0 Rabat in action. TMarc VDS rider Tito Rabat will return to action during this week's third and final MotoGP preseason test, set to get under- Coach Jorge Fossati reacts during way today at Losail Qatar's friendly match against International Azerbaijan which was played Circuit. at Jassim Bin Hamad Rabat, who Stadium yesterday. crashed at Sepang, RIGHT: Players vie Malaysia in the first for the ball. preseason test, was BOTTOM: Qatar's forced to sit out the Akram Afif recent sessions at (centre) vies for the ball possession with Phillip Island due to two Azerbaijani players during the friendly. injuries sustained in Azerbaijan won 2-1 yesterday. Malaysia. The Spaniard suffered although we'll need to take the frontrunners ahead of the a distal fracture of the radius, a injuries into account in Qatar, opening race of the season. fracture of the fifth metacarpal this won't stop us from enjoy- Miller said that he is also in the right hand, a fracture to ing a productive test. This test looking forward to keep up the the distal phalanx in the right isn't about pushing for a lap pace at Losail Circuit. foot and a severely lacerated time, it's about working with "I'm feeling really good left knee when he crashed at my crew, rebuilding my confi- after the tests in Sepang and Turn 11. dence with the bike and Phillip Island and I'm looking The former Moto2 World ensuring we are as well pre- forward to carrying that Champion has completed an pared as it's possible to be when momentum into the final pre- extensive four-week rehabili- we return to the Losail Inter- season test in Qatar, where tation program, including an national Circuit for the first race we'll be testing the latest spec- initial stay in hospital to ensure of the season." ification Honda engine for the against infection, and is look- His team-mate Jack Miller first time," Miller said. ing forward to resuming his heads to Qatar looking to build "It's been a good preseason preparations for the 2017 sea- on yet another successful test so far; we've found some son this week in Qatar. in Phillip Island, where the improvements and, step-by- Commenting on the task Queenslander finished inside step, we've managed to go ahead, Rabat said: "The last four the top ten and less than a sec- faster, finishing inside the top weeks have been all about ond from the top. ten last time out at Phillip rehabilitation, working with the Miller will test with the lat- Island. Now we're heading into physiotherapist to recover from est evolution engine in his the final test before the season the injuries and also the Honda RC213V for the first time gets underway and the aim is surgery. in Qatar and he is confident that simple; to make sure we're fully I am still not back to full fit- this will allow him to further prepared for when the lights go ness but I'm fit to ride and close the gap to the current out for the first time in 2017." SPORT 10 MARCH 2017 FRIDAY 21 Australia respect captain Kohli despite 'offensive' claims

New Delhi umpire's lbw decision against "We've never done anything the fiasco on his own rivalry when the third Test gets Former India captain Sunil Reuters him in the second Test at like that and we never will." inexperience. underway at Ranchi on March Gavaskar, however, criticised Bengaluru. The former England bowl- "(I was) just completely una- 16 and Saker dismissed sugges- the ICC for not taking action ustralia retain respect for Smith, who did not review, ing coach said the Australian ware that you couldn't do that," tions that Kohli had gone down against Smith. Virat Kohli despite the later admitted to the "brain dressing room was surprised the 25-year-old said of his sug- in Australia's estimations. "It can't be that some coun- A India captain's "absurd" fade" but his team dismissed when Smith made the gesture. gestion that goes against "We respect him as a player, tries get favourable treatment and "offensive" allegations Kohli's charge that they had "It's pretty much absurd I Decision Review System (DRS) he's an amazing player and his and some countries do not get against counterpart Steve Smith, repeatedly resorted to the prac- think. When Steven Smith did protocols. passion and the way he wanted favourable treatment," Gavaskar assistant coach David Saker said tice in the match won by India look up, we were more horri- Despite the row, the Inter- to get his team up was quite evi- told NDTV channel. on yesterday. to level the four-match series fied than anyone else because national Council (ICC) dent out on the ground," the The Border-Gavaskar Tro- The four-Test series for the Border-Gavaskar we'd never seen that before," opted not to level any charge 50-year-old said. phy was named in honour of the between the world's top two Trophy. Saker said. against either Smith or Kohli, "There are times when you 67-year-old, the first batsman teams witnessed considerable "It's really offensive," Saker Australia batsman Peter whose public outburst could think he might have crossed the to amass 10,000 runs in Test acrimony after Smith gestured told reporters. "It's probably the Handscomb, who advised Smith also have been considered a line, but a lot of teams have cricket, and former Australia to his dressing room for assist- worst thing you can be called is to seek dressing room input breach of code of conduct. done that, and leaders have captain Allan Border, who was ance on whether to review an cheats, that's an offensive thing. from non-striker's end, blamed The teams renew their done that." the second. Kamran and Shahzad Williamson leads fightback called in Pakistan camp as Black Caps show promise for Caribbean tour

Dunedin New Zealand's Fawad Hussain AFP captain Kane The Peninsula Williamson bats outh Africa made Kane during day two of he Pakistan Cricket Williamson their Board’s (PCB) selection first Test against number one target as committee yesterday South Africa at the T the battling New Zea- recalled opening batsman lander ensured his side University Oval in Ahmed Shahzad and experi- Sprospered despite a crippling Dunedin yesterday. enced -keeper Kamran injury to Ross Taylor on day two Akmal (pictured) as it named of the first Test yesterday. 31 probables for a training camp Williamson led a charmed ahead of the team's six-week life at the crease, surviving three tour of the West Indies. edges and a run-out attempt to Pakistan will play three be 78 at stumps with Tests and as many ODIs during New Zealand 177 for three, 131 their tour to the Caribbean from monitored during the training runs behind South Africa's first March 26 to May 14. The tour camp which will be held from innings total of 308 in also includes four T20s. March 11 to March 17. Dunedin. The Test probables will be “Kamran has been in While New Zealand were announced later, the PCB said supreme batting form and he sweating on the fitness of sen- while announcing the names of can be included for the limited ior batsman Taylor, who was on the 31 players. overs series,” the official told eight when he limped off with a For many, Kamran’s career The Peninsula. calf injury, South African bowl- seemed over after he was “There has been some fit- ing coach Charl Langeveldt said dropped from the Pakistan ness problems with him in the Williamson's wicket was their team in April 2014. past and that is what the coach- chief concern. little for the bowlers and Dean wicket of Dean Elgar to end his Patel also bowled Kagiso But since then, the 35-year- ing staff would be monitoring,” New Zealand's chief Elgar, with his 140, had the tour- 104-run partnership with Temba Rabada while Trent Boult old has been the leading run the official added. destroyer Trent Boult, with four ists well placed at 252 for four. Bavuma. claimed Bavuma for 64, Maha- scorer in all forms of the game However, it is unlikely that for 64 in unhelpful bowling con- South Africa removed Tom It was the beginning of the raj for five and finished the in domestic tournaments. Kamran who is one of Paki- ditions, said they would not Latham early, caught behind off end for South Africa as Quinton innings bowling Philander for 21. The veteran opener and stan’s most experienced know until Friday if Taylor could Vern Philander for 10, before de Kock fell for 10 to his neme- Boult was the sharpest of the wicket-keeper was the leading wicket-keepers, would be given resume playing, but the pros- Williamson and Jeet Raval sis Patel, dismissed by the New Zealand bowlers with four for run-scorer in the recently-con- the duty behind the stumps in pects were not good. sparked the innings with a 102- off-spinner for the third time in 64, while Wagner took three for 88 cluded ’s presence of first-choice gloves- "It's a shame to see him limp run stand before Raval went for as many innings on this tour. and Patel finished with 2-85. second edition, scoring 353 runs man Sarfraz Ahmed who off like that. He's big player for 52. from 11 games with event win- recently replaced Azhar Ali as us," Boult said. Williamson survived four SCOREBOARD ners Peshawar Zalmi. Pakistan's ODI captain. Taylor was injured running close calls during his knock. Kes- According to a PCB official, Meanwhile, Shahzad a single during a fiery spell by hav Maharaj found the edge South Africa (I innings): Bowling: Boult 32.4-12-64-4 (2w); Wagner 31-8-88- Kamran’s fitness will be dubbed as the best opening Morne Morkel, who two balls when he was on 10, and again S Cook lbw Boult ...... 3 3; Patel 33-12-85-2; Santner 18-5-32-0; Neesham batsman in the country, has also earlier had hit him on the head. on 40, but on both occasions the D Elgar c Watling by Wagner ...... 140 8-2-34-1. PROBABLES been called up to attend the In his first Test following in ball fell fractionally short of H Amla b Wagner ...... 1 New Zealand (I innings): camp. J Duminy c Taylor b Wagner ...... 1 T Latham c de Kock b Philander ...... 10 Ahmad Shahzad, Muhammad Hafeez, Fa- a year after a long-injury lay off, Hashim Amla at first slip. The 25-year-old, who last F du Plessis c Boult b Neesham ...... 52 J Raval c Elgar b Maharaj ...... 52 khar Zaman, Azhar Ali, Shan Masood, Babar Morkel sent down a lively 10 On 72, Williamson was sent played for Pakistan in March T Bavuma c Watling b Boult ...... 64 K Williamson (batting) ...... 78 Azam, Shoaib Malik, Umar Akmal, Asif Zakir, overs for 26 and showed no sign back by Henry Nicholls and he 2016, was dropped from the team Q de Kock c Wagner b Patel ...... 10 R Taylor (rtd hurt) ...... 8 Saad Ali, Sarfraz Ahmed, Kamran Akmal, of discomfort. made his ground by the slimmest V Philander b Boult ...... 21 H Nicholls c Amla b Maharaj ...... 12 for ‘disciplinary reasons’. Fahim Ashraf, Hussain Tallat, Ammad Butt, New Zealand wrapped up of margins. Four runs later an K Maharaj c Neesham b Boult ...... 5 J Patel (batting) ...... 9 Shazad smashed three half- K Rabada b Patel ...... 4 Extras (LB-6, NB-2)...... 8 Muhammad Amir, Hasan Ali, Wahab Riaz, the South African innings five edge off Philander failed to carry Rahat Ali, Rumman Raees, Sohail Khan, Ju- centuries in 10 games during overs after lunch, with the last to the slip cordon. M Morkel (not out) ...... 0 Total (for 3 wkts)...... 177 PSL 2. The right-handed opener Extras (B-4, LB-1, W-2) ...... 7 Fall of : 1-15, 2-117, 3-165. naid Khan, Sohail Tanveer, Muhammad Ab-

six wickets falling for only 56 South Africa resumed day Total (all out) ...... 308 Bowling: Rabada 14-3-46-0, Philander 14-4-37-1 bas, Usman Shinwari, Usama Mir, Imad was also the top scorer of

runs. two on 229 for four and added Fall of wickets: 1-10, 2-20, 3-22, 4-148, 5-252, (2nb), Morkel 10-3-26-0, Maharaj 16-3-57-2, Duminy Wasim, Muhammad Asghar, Shadab Khan, National One Day cup for

It was a rapid end to an a cautious 23 in 12 overs before 6-265, 7-279, 8-298, 9-308, 10-308. 1-0-5-0. Muhammad Nawaz, departments this season with innings where the wicket offered Neil Wagner claimed the crucial 653 runs in 9 innings. Spinners put SL in control on rain-hit day

Galle Herath bowled his Bangladesh Sri Lanka coach Graham Ford. SCOREBOARD AFP counterpart Mushfiqur on the "Unfortunately this rain came and Sri Lanka (I innings): ...... 494 stroke of the tea break for 85 after we may lose about 20 overs out of Bangladesh (I innings): pinners Rangana Herath and the latter took their score past the the match. It is quite a lot when Tamim Iqbal (run out) ...... 57 Dilruwan Perera shared six 300 mark. you are pressing for a result on Soumya Sarkar c Kumara b Lakmal ...... 71 Swickets between them to help Perera broke Mushfiqur's stub- what seems to be a pretty good Mominul Haque lbw Perera ...... 7 Sri Lanka take command of the born partnership with Mehedi batting wicket." Mushfiqur Rahim b Herath...... 85 first Test against a struggling Bang- when he trapped the young all- Fast bowler Suranga Lakmal S Al Hasan c Dickwella b Sandakan ...... 23 ladesh on a rain-hit day three in rounder plumb leg-before for 41 took the key wicket of opening b Kumara ...... 8 Liton Das c Gunaratne b Herath ...... 5 Galle yesterday. runs. batsman Soumya Sarkar for 71 Mehedi Hasan lbw Perera ...... 41 The visitors, replying to Sri The spinner also took the after Bangladesh resumed the day Taskin Ahmed lbw Perera ...... 0 Lanka's first innings total of 494, wicket of Taskin Ahmed off the on 133 for two. Subashis Roy (not out) ...... 0 were all out for 312 on the third next ball with a successful review Bangladesh lost their first M Rahman c Mendis b Herath ...... 4 day, trailing the hosts by a mas- after his appeal for lbw was turned wicket when overnight batsman Extras (LB-6, W-3, NB-2)...... 11 sive 182 runs. down by umpire Marais Sarkar top-edged Lakmal's rising Total (all out) ...... 312 Herath took the final wicket Erasmus. to Lahiru Kumara at fine Fall of wickets: 1-118, 2-127, 3-142, 4-170, 5-184, 6-192, 7-298, 8-298, 9-308, 10-312. just two balls into the last session Mushfiqur and Mehedi's efforts leg. Bowling: S. Lakmal 14-0-42-1, L. Kumara 16-1-

before rain stopped play, finish- came after Bangladesh lost four Soumya added just five runs 70-1 (w3), D. Perera 19-4-53-3 (nb1), R. Herath ing on 3-72. Off-break bowler wickets in the opening session that to his overnight 66, his 137-ball 26.2-4-72-3, L. Sandakan 22-5-69-1 (nb1). Perera chipped in with 3-53. had threatened to derail their knock containing eight fours and Bangladesh skipper Mushfiqur innings completely. a six. Rahim made a dogged half-cen- "Our boys stuck to the plan Shakib Al Hasan contributed Dickwella completed the catch. tury and shared 106 runs for the extremely well and came out well 23 rapid runs off 19 balls before Mahmudullah (8) and wicket- Sri Lanka's Dilruwan Perera celebrates after he dismissed seventh wicket with Mehedi this morning with the determina- flicking a sliding delivery from keeper-batsman Liton Das (5) Bangladesh batsman Mehedi Hasan during the third day Hasan, ensuring the visitors tion to try and win that first Sandakan down the leg side also threw their wickets away of their opening Test in Galle yesterday. avoided the follow-on. session, which they did well," said where wicketkeeper Niroshan with loose shots. 22 SPORT FRIDAY 10 MARCH 2017

Emery blames PSG Enrique players for turns losing focus 'mourning' Barcelona Reuters into miracle

aris St Germain coach Ba rcelona Unai Emery cursed his AFP Pside for switching off in the final minutes of their 6-1 irst came the "mourning" defeat at Barcelona which then the opportunity for sent the French champions Frevenge, claimed vindi- out of the Champions League Barcelona's midfielder Sergi Roberto (third left) scores the victory goal during the UEFA Champions League round of 16 cated outgoing Barcelona before the quarter-finals for second leg football match against Paris Saint-Germain FC at the Camp Nou Stadium in Barcelona on Wednesday. coach Luis Enrique after over- the first time in five years. seeing the greatest comeback Barca scored three times in Champions League history in the final seven minutes to by thrashing Paris Saint Ger- pull off a barely believable main 6-1. comeback after losing the Despite Barca's galaxy of first leg at Parc des Princes stars, it was the boss who was 4-0, making PSG the only Miracle at Camp Nou first in the firing line when the team in the competition's Catalans were torn apart 4-0 history to squander a four- in the first leg in Paris three goal advantage. weeks ago. "In the last few minutes "Firstly we had to go we lost everything we had through the mourning," said worked so hard for, and as Barca stun PSG 6-1 Enrique. there's no explanation for "It was hard, especially on what happened in the final one person. I don't read it, but minutes, it was all or noth- Barcelona Enrique warned the French Champions League goal of the I am aware of it all." ing," Emery told reporters. AFP Champions League champions on Tuesday that his season. In the aftermath, Enrique "We have to accept that Sergi Roberto scores side were capable of scoring six Only when 3-0 down did PSG confirmed the long held sus- we had an opportunity to ergi Roberto scored in in the fifth minute of and they needed the full 95 min- begin to come out in search of the picion that he won't remain as grow after playing so well in the fifth minute of stop- utes to pull of a miracle revival. crucial away goal and were coach next season after three stoppage time as the first leg and gaining a lot page time as Barcelona No side had ever come back rewarded just after the hour highly successful years in of confidence and we didn't capped a sensational Barcelona reach from a 4-0 first leg deficit in the mark when Kurzawa made charge. take it." Champions League Champions League Champions League, but after amends for his earlier error by The timing of the decision "You learn from negative Sfightback to thrash Paris Saint- quarter-finals. much pre-match hype of a his- heading down a free-kick and - made public in his post- experiences in the future and Germain 6-1 and reach the In the biggest toric turnaround, Barca truly Cavani connected sweetly on the match press conference this is a very negative expe- quarter-finals on Wednesday. believed when Suarez opened the volley to register his 38th and following another 6-1 win just comeback in rience for the players, for me "I threw myself at it with eve- scoring after just three minutes. seemingly most important goal seven days previously against Champions League and for the staff." rything," Roberto told BeIN Sports The PSG defence was station- of the season. Sporting Gijon - took most by Luis Suarez headed Barca Spain as his outstretched leg history, Barca make the ary as Marquinhos headed PSG were then to rue to huge surprise. into the lead in the second turned home Neymar's cross. score 6-5 on aggregate. Rafinha's cross high into the air missed chances by Cavani and However, in removing the minute, spurred on by an Despite Luis Suarez's early and Suarez nipped in ahead of Angel di Maria to put the tie com- tension around his future, electric atmosphere which opener, a Layvin Kurzawa own suffered a 12th defeat in as many the flapping goalkeeper Kevin pletely beyond Barca. Enrique changed the narra- Luis Enrique said was the goal and Lionel Messi's penalty, visits to the Camp Nou. Trapp to nod in despite Thomas Just when Barca looked down tive and gave his team the best he experienced in his Barca, who lost the first leg 4-0, "The truth is we have let a Meunier's best efforts to clear off and out Neymar restored hope freedom from which they three years as coach and looked down and out when Edi- huge opportunity get away and the line. when he curled home a sensa- made the seemingly impossi- eight years as a player. son Cavani volleyed home what we are aware of that. In the last Barca's hopes were further tional free-kick high into the top ble, possible. "In the first half we were seemed to be the vital away goal two minutes we lost everything raised five minutes before the corner. "This victory is dedicated affected by the atmosphere. for PSG. we had recovered in the second- break thanks to more shambolic And as the match entered especially to the Barca fans We did ourselves no favours However, Neymar restored half. Barcelona are capable of this PSG defending. stoppage time, Barca were that had faith even after one as we couldn't continue our Barca's belief as he firstly fired in their stadium. In the last few Andres Iniesta reached Sua- awarded a second controversial day in which the team was good work from the first leg, home a sensational free-kick two minutes they played all or noth- rez's hopeful through ball and his penalty when Suarez tumbled outplayed as was the case in we wanted to show more minutes from time and then con- ing and they have beaten us," said backheel provoked Kurzawa into under a challenge form Paris," added Enrique. character and presence but verted from the penalty spot. Emery. shanking the ball into his own net Marquinhos. we conceded two early And Roberto capped the big- Barca also enter the record on his weaker right foot. Neymar this time took goals," Emery said. gest comeback in Champions books by reaching the quarter- The second period started responsibility to send Trapp the Emery aired his com- League history when he stretched finals for a 10th straight season. just as the first ended as Barca wrong way. LA Galaxy plaints about decisions of to turn home Neymar's dinked PSG president Nasser Al edged closer to the history books And the Brazilian also German referee Deniz cross to the delight of a near Khelaifi was blunt in his when Neymar was clipped by the showed a cool head amongst a make record Aytekin, who gave two pen- 100,000 at a rocking Camp Nou, summary. prone Meunier and, after consul- mad final minute when he cut alties to Barca in the second making the score 6-5 on "It's a nightmare for every- tation with one of his assistants, inside before chipping into the Zlatan bid half and turned down PSG's aggregate. one. Three goals in seven minutes German referee Deniz Aytekin box for substitute Roberto to appeals when the ball struck PSG coach Unai Emery is very difficult. Everybody is pointed to the spot. extend his right leg just enough the arm of Javier accepted his side lost their com- upset but now is not the time to Messi made no mistake with to beat Trapp and leave PSG Los Angeles Mascherano. posure in the closing stages as he talk about it." the penalty to rifle home his 11th floored. AFP

he Los Angeles Galaxy have made a bid to lure TZlatan Ibrahimovic to Major League Soccer in a Aubameyang hat-trick leads Dortmund into record deal, Sports Illustrated reported on its website on Wednesday. The magazine's soccer last eight, City fail to fire against Stoke correspondent, Grant Wahl, reported that "multiple sources" had confirmed the Dortmund match in which Aubameyang The 27-year-old Aubam- Galaxy's move to pry the Reuters scored at least twice as Benfica, eyang was twice denied by striker away from Manches- aiming to reach the last eight for keeper Ederson early in the sec- ter United. ierre-Emerick Aubam- third time in six seasons, con- ond half but the Brazilian could Ibrahimovic joined the eyang grabbed a hat-trick ceded their first goals from open do nothing when American Premier League giants last Pas Borussia Dortmund play in more than 700 minutes teenager Pulisic, replacing year on a free transfer from crushed Benfica 4-0 on and ended their seven-game injured Marco Reus, dinked the Paris Saint-Germain, signing Wednesday to advance to the winning run. ball over the keeper on the hour a one-year contract with an Champions League quarter- The hosts, missing injured for his maiden Champions option for a further year. finals 4-1 on aggregate. Mario Goetze and Marco Reus, League goal. Reports in British media The Gabon international, took only four minutes to bring Aubameyang grabbed his recently have said the who endured a dreadful evening the tie level with the Bundesli- second of the evening and a club 35-year-old Swedish star is in the 1-0 first leg loss in which ga's leading scorer heading in at record 24th goal in the compe- keen to negotiate a new deal he missed a hatful of chances the far post after Ousmane tition this season only three at United. Orlando City's Bra- and had a penalty saved, was Dembele floated in a corner. minutes later and completed a zilian former world footballer back at his lethal best. Benfica needed time to hat-trick from close range in the of the year Kaka is the highest He struck either side of a recover and free themselves 85th to kill off the tie. paid player in the history of the Christian Pulisic goal and added from the hosts' constant press- Meanwhile, Manchester City league, commanding a salary another late in the game as the ing game. failed to fire in a frustrating 0-0 of around $7.2m. Ibrahimovic German side, European cham- They made their first seri- home draw with Stoke City on is currently reported to be paid Dortmund's Gabonese forward Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang pions in 1997, made the last ous foray into the German half Wednesday that dealt a damag- a salary of around 300,000 eight of the competition for the after half an hour with Luisao ing blow to their Premier League celebrates after scoring one of his three goals during the UEFA pounds ($365,000) per week third time in 10 years. seeing his header saved by title hopes and left them 10 Champions League Round of 16, 2nd-leg football match against by United, or just under $19m It was the third straight keeper Roman Buerki. points adrift of leaders Chelsea. SL Benfica in Dortmund, western Germany on Wednesday. a year. FRIDAY 10 MARCH 2017 SPORT 23 Preparations on track for FIG Challenge Cup

Rizwan Rehmat "The other main point we discussed The Peninsula Qatar’s Ahmed Al Dayani in action was the assembly and work chart of the at last year’s FIG Artistic Gymnastics volunteers. We know that we need to ith less than two weeks World Cup Series at Aspire give our group of volunteers the right to go before the start Academy in . amount of first-hand experience since of the 10th FIG World Qatar will host the World Champion- Challenge Cup, Qatar ships next year," he said. Gymnastics Federa- "You will see a lot more volunteers Wtion (QGF) President Ali Al Hitmi this time around as we have already yesterday met with members of the started preparing for the 2018 World Organising Committee that has been Championships," Al Hitmi said. assigned to stage the high profile event "We will closely monitor the per- from March 22-25. formances of the volunteers since this Abeer Ali Abdullah Albuainain, the is a great chance for us to shake off the Assistant Secretary General, QGF, and cobwebs, if at all," Al Hitmi said. Anis Saoud, Director of the Tournament, "I have addressed the heads of the were also present during the meeting committees working to complete our as were the rest of the members of the preparations for the March 22-25 cham- committee. pionship. I have underlined the work "The eagerly-awaited event is just that needs their attention. They know for continued success, we have to work together and round the clock," the QGF President pointed out. "Professionalism is at the core of our efforts. My teams knows this well," Al a few days away and we called thismeet- "The distinct change in this year's hard in delivering an amazing tourna- Hitmi said. ing to assess our readiness for the top edition will be the participation of gym- ment this month and in the future," he event," Al Hitmi told the assembled nasts from five Arab nations including said. ORGANISING COMMITTEE media. Qatar, Morocco, Saudi Arabia, Jordan The sub-committees also provided Al Hitmi confirmed that the cham- and Algeria," Al Hitmi said. their reports on the work completed so Ali Al Hitmi, President of the Organizing Committee, Abeer Ali pionship will be held at Aspire Academy "This tournament is a great oppor- far. Abdullah Albuainain, Mohammed Abdullah Maraghi, Abdul in what will be the 10th edition of the tunity for us to test our readiness for the "We discussed matters that needed my Rahman Majid Al Qahtani, Anis Mustafa Sauod, Aisha Al Naima tournament. World Championships that will be held attention. We have some work to do but Al Janah, Adel Abdulaziz, Medhat Hassan Moussa, Kamal Abdel "More than 240 gymnasts will fea- in 2018," Al Hitmi said. overall we feel all logistical matters have Azim, Bahaa Abdel Azeem, Saleh Jaafar, Mohammed Sabri,

ture in the 10th edition. We have "The global gymnastics family - the been finalised," he said. Ahmed Cahora, Cyril Zamora Mazen Taha, Samira Said, Hani Ibra- confirmed entries from more than 30 FIG - has great appreciation for our "Our marketing committee is also busy him and Darwish QGF President Ali Al Hitmi countries," Al Hitmi said. events. We have to continue to work promoting the championship," Al Hitmi said. Qatar 2022 important for globalisation GCC Volleyball: Al Rayyan beat Al Hilal of football, says Mikael Silvestre

The Peninsula as a speaker at the Doha Goals event and visit the country ormer France defender periodically as a media pundit Mikael Silvestre believes for beIN’s live football broad- FQatar hosting the 2022 casts, and whenever I am here FIFA World Cup will be a sig- I admire the overwhelming nificant milestone in the passion for the sport.” process of globalisation of foot- Silvestre, who moved to ball, of which he is both a Arsenal from Old Trafford in staunch proponent and a 2008 and spent two seasons at beneficiary. the north London club, also Silvestre – who was part of dwelt on his experiences in a the France squad that reached third Asian country – India – Action from the GCC Club Volleyball Championship match the 2006 FIFA World Cup final which is close to his heart. between Qatar's Al Rayyan and Al Hilal of Saudi Arabia – first made his mark on the “Playing in India for Chen- at Ali bin Hamad Al Attiyah Arena yesterday. Al Rayyan international stage in 1997 at naiyin FC was a very enjoyable won the match 3-1 with scores of 18-25, 30-28, 25-18 and the FIFA World Youth Cham- experience as the country has Former France footballer Mikael Silvestre during his visit 25-18. The home side is defending their title which they pionship in Malaysia, and a fast-growing football scene,” won last year. Al Arabi is the second Qatari team taking wound up his decorated pro- to a Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy (SC) office he said. “In addition to being Pics: Abdul Basit/The Peninsula fessional career in 2014 with a in Doha recently. the defensive partner of player- part in the competition. season-long stint in the inau- manager Marco Materazzi, I did gural edition of the Indian for the first time ever,” the five- the strategic importance of a lot of Italian-to-English trans- Super League. time English Premier League awarding hosting rights of lation for my Indian teammates During a visit this week to winner said in an exclusive major tournaments to countries at the club,” he said with a the offices of the Supreme interview with www.sc.qa. outside Europe. smile. Committee for Delivery & Leg- “The entire Arab world will The man with 40 interna- Silvestre said that the bond acy (SC), the 39-year-old be making an important state- tional caps and 361 he shared with Italy’s 2006 former Manchester United and ment if Qatar delivers the best appearances in a decorated FIFA World Cup winner Mat- Arsenal player also said the ever World Cup from an organ- nine-year career with Man- erazzi underscored football’s passion for football in the host isational point of view. I am chester United said Qatar, like role in bringing people nation of what will be the first happy to see that a lot of effort Malaysia, is equally passionate together. ever FIFA World Cup in the is going into the preparations about football. “The incident between Middle East has impressed him to ensure the competition will “As a regular visitor to Marco and ‘Zizou’ in the 2006 during his regular visits as guest be a success.” Qatar, I am amazed to witness final was unfortunate, but speaker and media pundit. The 2008 UEFA Champi- the rich football culture in Doha despite that I was able to have “The 2022 FIFA World Cup ons League winner also concentrated in a compact geo- a great relationship with Marco is very important for the glo- reminisced about his interna- graphical space,” said the in India. This shows that foot- balisation of football, as an tional tournament bow in Frenchman. ball is bigger than politics and Arab country will be hosting it Malaysia, to underpin “I have been here in 2013 war,” he said. GCC Women's Games: Rich haul of medals for Qatar

The Peninsula United Arab Emirates while Amna Qatar’s Hanadi Al Yafai and Al Noaman of Oman finished Wadha Al Abdullah took the atari athletes continued third. bronze medals. their fine run at the 5th GCC Zhu Chen also clinched the In handball event, Qatar QWomen's Games by win- silver medal of Blitz event follow- defeated United Arab Emirates ning several medals on second ing her final match defeat against 21-15 at the indoor hall of the day in various disciplines in Doha Wafia Al Moamary of the United Qatar Women’s Sport yesterday. Arab Emirates who took the gold Committee. Qatar's shooter Aldana medal. The prestigious Games are AlMubarak reigned supreme over On the other hand, Qatar’s bringing together 891 athletes her opponents to win gold medal Fatima Marhoon won the silver representing four Gulf countries, in the air pistol event. medal of Epee Fencing event on including Bahrain, Oman, UAE Another gold medal for the Wednesday. and the host country, Qatar to hosts came when Zhu Chen won In the final match, Marhoon compete in a fair and friendly the Rapid Chess. suffered a 8-9 defeat against Al environment. The top three shooters in air pistol event at the 5th GCC Women's Games pose for a picture In the final match, Zhu Chen Anoud Mabrook Al Saadi of the The event will conclude on yesterday. defeated Wafia Al Moamary of the United Arab Emirates. March 17.