CCRICKETRICKET | Page 4 GGOLFOLF | Page 6 Sri Lanka Spieth ‘in a make steady better place’ progress aft er ahead of Windies’ 354 Masters

Thursday, April 1, 2021 FOOTBALL Sha’aban 19, 1442 AH Belgium, GULF TIMES notch big wins as Portugal survive scare SPORT Page 2 QOC Secretary-General meets Vice-President of Saudi Arabian Olympic Committee

HE Jassim bin Rashid al-Buenain, Secretary-General of the Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC), met at his off ice yesterday with Prince Fahd bin Jalawi bin Abdul Aziz bin Musaid, Vice-President of the Saudi Arabian Olympic Committee, who is visiting Doha to attend HH the Amir Sword Hejen Festival. During the meeting, HE QOC Secretary-General welcomed Prince Fahd bin Jalawi and wished him a pleasant stay in Doha. They reviewed the sport co-operation between the two countries and the means for further enhancements in the future. Prince Fahd, who also visited the Qatar Olympic Academy, thanked the off icials of the Olympic Movement in Qatar, stressing the strength of the relationship between the Saudi and Qatari Olympic committees.

FOOTBALL COMMENT Qatar’s Coach Sanchez ‘proud’ ambassador to affi rms Al Annabi hold Republic progress of of Qatar players of to a 1-1 draw work at Qatar

By Sports Reporter I can say that we played to win Doha especially in the second half and 2022 facilities put pressure on Ireland, who have many players playing in the English atar’s coach Felix Sanchez ,” the Spaniard said. said he was proud of his Sanchez did not single out any team, which won two single players for praise but lauded matches and drew one in the team spirit. “All the players put theirQ European Zone Qualifi ers for on a good performance. The team FIFA World Cup 2022. as a whole made us proud. Playing Qatar are playing in the tour- against these teams in these condi- nament as a guest nation as they tions is never easy and this is pre- prepare for next year’s World Cup cisely why I am delighted. These at home, with their matches con- three matches have helped us im- sidered friendly. On Tuesday night mensely,” the Qatar coach said. they came back from a goal down to Meanwhile, Al Sadd goalkeeper hold higher-ranked Republic of Ire- Saad al-Sheeb said Qatar played a land 1-1 at the Nagyerdei Stadium in good match against a strong Ireland Debrecen, Hungary. side but felt the team could have In their earlier two matches, the won the match. “We came out with Asian champions had beaten Lux- a draw but we could have won the embourg 1-0 and Azerbaijan 2-1. match after creating many oppor- Qatar will return in September to tunities. We have achieved many take on European champions Por- benefi ts from our historic partici- tugal and Serbia – the two other pation in the European qualifi ers teams in Group A. and played very well in the three matches,” he said. We were behind a goal “In earlier times, Qatar would aft er just three minutes not recover well after going a goal but our players kept their behind. But at the moment our spirits high and were mentality is strong and we proved ‘determined to come back into this in the European qualifi ers. the match. We also beat Azerbaijan after they scored fi rst,” he added. — Felix Sanchez, QNA “I can say that Qatar has reached a Doha Qatar coach very good stage of preparation for the World Cup. We want to prove to eve- Qatar players were put under ryone that we are properly prepared E the Ambassador of Qatar to France Sheikh stern test by Ireland, but passed out for the World Cup and are a team that Ali bin Jassim al-Thani has affi rmed that with fl ying colours and could have competes with full strength against work in the construction sites of FIFA World won the game with a bit of luck. all teams,” al-Sheeb said. Cup Qatar 2022 is progressing at a rapid pace, Ireland took the lead in the fourth Qatar defender Tariq Salman andH that the construction of facilities is almost com- minute through James McClean’s said: “We performed beautifully plete. The Ambassador expressed Qatar’s aspiration to defl ected strike but Mohamed against a strong team that includes host a historic and unprecedented World Cup, consid- Muntari levelled for a lively Qatar many good players. We made a few ering that it would be a carbon-neutral and environ- side with a fi ne fi nish early in the mistakes in the beginning but set- mentally friendly tournament. second half. Muntari and Ireland tled into the game thereafter. We This came in his speech at the inauguration of a vir- substitutes Callum Robinson and controlled the game and created tual symposium organised by the Qatari-French Eco- Josh Cullen all spurned chances to many opportunities.” nomic League (Cadran) on the last preparations for the score a late winner. The Group A game was originally FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and creating long-term Sanchez was pleased with his scheduled to take place in Ireland, growth levers for French companies in Qatar. players’ performance and believed but the two teams agreed to reverse In his opening speech, Sheikh Ali welcomed the the matches against European the order of their fi xtures because participants in the symposium that brought together teams will benefi t Qatar ahead of the of the Irish government’s Covid-19 high-level French and Qatari economic representatives, home World Cup next year. “Against quarantine rules. expressing hope to overcome the Covid-19 pandemic Ireland, we faced a very strong team, For Ireland they have now failed before the end of next summer. especially physically. We were be- to win in 11 games since Stephen He said that major French companies supported the hind a goal after just three minutes Kenny took charge, drawing fi ve and implementation of Qatar National Vision 2030 and the but our players kept their spirits losing six. It is the worst start by an World Cup that will be held in Doha in 2022, in terms of high and were determined to come Ireland manager since Mick Meagan infrastructure, sports accommodation, equipment, se- back into the match. We played at a failed to win any of his 12 games in Qatar’s Mohamed Muntari (left) leaps for the ball during the match against Republic of Ireland at the Nagyerdei curity, and housing services. He also expressed hope for good level throughout. charge between 1969 and 1971. Stadion in Debrecen, Hungary, on Tuesday. (Inset) Qatar coach Felix Sanchez. (AFP/Reuters) continued co-operation with French companies. Gulf Times 2 Thursday, April 1, 2021 FOOTBALL

WORLD CUP QUALIFIERS ROUND-UP ‘I don’t know anything’ — Bayern CEO Belgium, Netherlands on Haaland rumours ayern Munich chief executive Karl-Heinz Rummenigge said yes- terday that the Euro- notch big victories as peanB champions had no interest in signing Borussia Dortmund’s highly-coveted forward Erling Braut Haaland. The Bavarians and a host of other European clubs including Real Madrid have been linked with a move for the 20-year-old. Haaland’s Portugal survive scare departure could be hastened if Dortmund miss out on next There were also victories for Croatia, Serbia and Norway while Slovakia shocked Russia season’s Champions League. Dortmund are four points Reuters behind Eintracht Frankfurt in Paris the fi nal qualifying spot for the competition with eight games left of the Bundesliga campaign. op-ranked Belgium slammed “Where do these rumours come eight goals against Belarus and from? I don’t know anything the Netherlands crashed seven about them,” Rummenigge told past Gibraltar but Portugal newspaper Bild when asked if Tsuff ered a scare before beating Lux- Haaland was a target for Bayern. embourg as the World Cup qualifying “I can say just one thing: we matches continued on Tuesday night. have the best footballer in the There were also victories for Croatia, world in that position. Robert Serbia and Norway while Slovakia Lewandowski has a contract shocked Russia and Wales got their until 2023,” he added. campaign up and running with a late Rummenigge said the winner against the Czech Republic. Bel- 32-year-old Poland forward, gium had been held 1-1 by the Czechs at voted FIFA’s best male player of the weekend but claimed their second 2020, was far from retirement. Group E win in emphatic fashion. “I’m convinced. With his pro- Coach Roberto Martinez gave chanc- fessionalism, they way he trains es to several of his fringe players and and looks after himself, the end was rewarded with a rampant display is very far away,” he said. as and Leandro Trossard Bayern will however have to scored twice while , do without Lewandowski in next Jeremy Doku, Denis Praet and Christian month’s Champions League Benteke were also on target. quarter-fi nal with Paris Saint- Belgium top the group with seven Germain after he was ruled out points from three games, three points with a knee injury. ahead of the Czech Republic who fell to a 1-0 defeat in Wales after Daniel James RENARD RELIEVED headed a late winner from a cross by Ga- AS SAUDI ARABIA reth Bale. The Welsh have three points. REMAIN UNBEATEN Both sides ended with 10 men after Herve Renard was relieved his Patrik Schick saw red for the Czechs Saudi Arabia side were able to just after halftime, while Connor Rob- overcome an unconvincing start erts was sent off for the hosts shortly to secure a 5-0 win over Pales- before the winning goal. The Neth- tine on Tuesday and maintain erlands could not quite match their their unbeaten record in the neighbours Belgium but four goals in second round of Asia’s World nine second-half minutes helped them Cup qualifying campaign. demolish Gibraltar in Group G. Saleh al-Shehri scored twice Only Steven Berghuis’s goal separated while Yasir al-Shahrani, Fahad the sides at halftime but Luuk de Jong, al-Muwallad and Salem al- Memphis Depay, Georginio Wijnaldum Dawsari were also on target for and Donyell Malen all scored in quick Belgium’s Michy Batshuayi (right) scores against Belarus during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 qualification Group E match in Heverlee, Belgium. (AFP) the three-time Asian champi- succession before Donny van de Beek ons, who moved top of Group D. added a sixth and Depay got his second Portugal thanks to a goal by Portu- home to Malta with second-half sub- tion in last night’s qualifi ers. Group G: At Gibraltar Gibraltar 0 The win was Saudi Arabia’s third to give the Dutch their biggest away win guese-born Gerson Rodrigues on the stitutes Ivan Perisic, Luka Modric and Netherlands 7 (Berghuis 42, L. de Jong in fi ve games and Renard’s side since a 7-0 success over San Marino in half hour mark. Josip Brekalo scoring to put the 2018 WORLD CUP 2022 EUROPEAN 55, Depay 61, 88, Wijnaldum 62, Malen lead Uzbekistan by two points 1993. But Diogo Jota headed an equaliser World Cup runners-up top of Group H. ZONE QUALIFYING RESULTS 64, Van de Beek 85); At Podgorica: with both nations having played The Netherlands have six points, one in the second minute of added time at Croatia have six points from three Group A: At Luxembourg; Luxembourg Montenegro 0 Norway 1 (Sorloth 35); fi ve times. behind Turkey who were surprisingly the end of the fi rst half and Cristiano games, ahead of Russia on goal diff er- Only the winners of the eight 1 (Rodrigues 30) Portugal 3 (Jota 45+2, At Istanbul, Turkey: Turkey 3 (Kenan held to a 3-3 draw at home by Latvia. Ronaldo put his side ahead early in the ence after they lost 2-1 to Slovakia for groups in the second round of Ronaldo 51, Joao Palhinha 80); At Baku: Karaman 2, Hakan Calhanoglu 33, Turkey had beaten the Dutch and Nor- second half. Substitute Joao Palhinha whom Robert Mak struck the winner in Asia’s qualifying tournament Azerbaijan 1 (Makhmudov 59-pen) Burak Yilmaz 52) Latvia 3 (Savalnieks way in superb fashion to lead the group sealed the win in the 80th minute as the 74th minute. 35, Uldrikis 58, D. Ikaunieks 79) for next year’s World Cup are but came unstuck as Davis Ikaunieks Portugal moved top of the section. In Group G, Norway earned a 1-0 Serbia 2 (A. Mitrovic 16, 81) certain to advance to the third scored late on for Latvia to deny the They are level on seven points from win away to Montenegro with Alexan- Group E: At Cardiff : Wales 1 (James 82) Group H: At Rijeka, Croatia: Croatia 3 phase. They will be joined by the hosts a third consecutive win. three games with Serbia for whom Ale- der Sorloth scoring the fi rst-half win- Czech Republic 0; At Leuven, Belgium: (Perisic 62, Modric 76-pen, Brekalo 90) four best runners-up. Asia has Luxembourg, who stunned Ireland ksandar Mitrovic scored both goals in a ner to move them to six points, level Belgium 8 (Batshuayi 14, Vanaken 17, Malta 0; At Nicosia: Cyprus 1 (Pittas 42) four guaranteed places available 1-0 at the weekend in Group A, looked 2-1 win away to Azerbaijan. He has al- with Montenegro and the Netherlands. 89, Trossard 38, 76, Doku 42, Praet 49, Slovenia 0; At Trnava, Slovakia: Slovakia at the World Cup fi nals, with a to be on course for another sensational ready scored fi ve goals in the campaign. World champions France, England, Benteke) Belarus 0 2 (Skriniar 38, Mak 74) Russia 1 (Mario potential fi fth spot on off er via result when they took the lead against Croatia laboured to a 3-0 win at , and Italy were all in ac- Fernandes 71) an international playoff .

SPOTLIGHT FOCUS Bale praises caretaker boss Page aft er Chelsea, Barca reach women’s ‘massive win’ over Czech Republic Champions League semis

AFP AFP Cardiff , United Kingdom Budapest

areth Bale has praised Wales care- helsea cruised into the taker coach Robert Page for keep- semi-fi nals of the wom- ing the team focused despite off - en’s Champions League the-fi eld distractions and securing yesterday after brushing Ga “massive win” over the Czech Republic in asideC Wolfsburg 3-0 to make the a 2022 World Cup qualifi er. last four 5-1 on aggregate, while Manchester United forward Daniel Barcelona got past Manchester James’s goal secured a 1-0 win over the City 4-2 thanks to a three-goal Czechs on Tuesday night. The victory fi rst-leg lead. moved Wales up to third place in Group E, Pernille Harder gave Chel- one point behind the Czech Republic in sec- sea the lead against her former ond and four adrift of leaders Belgium, hav- team in Budapest — where both ing played one game fewer than both. legs were played — with a 27th- It was a much-needed tonic for Wales minute penalty and four minutes whose main coach Ryan Giggs remains away later Sam Kerr eff ectively put the from the team due to his arrest on suspi- tie out of the Germans’ reach. cion of assaulting a woman last year. Giggs Fran Kirby made it a perfect denies the allegations and has been bailed afternoon for the Blues with until May 1. nine minutes left, completing an VfL Wolfsburg’s Ewa Pajor (right) and Chelsea’s Millie Bright vie for As if that wasn’t enough of a distraction, impressive display against last the ball during the Women’s Champions League quarter-finals at the players Hal Robson-Kanu, Rabbi Matondo year’s fi nalists. “I think it prob- Ferenc Szusza Stadium in Budapest. (Reuters) and Tyler Roberts were axed from the squad ably ranks as my favourite win on Monday for staying up too late and break- in charge,” said Chelsea man- in Monza, Italy. They got off to semis. The all-French clash be- ing a curfew at the team hotel. Matondo and ager Emma Hayes, who has been an ideal start thanks to Janine tween the European champions teammate Ben Cabango were also racially Blues boss since 2012. Beckie’s 20th-minute opener, and PSG will be played on April abused online following Wales’ friendly win “I’ve faced that opponent so the Canada international prod- 18 after a wave of Covid-19 cases over Mexico on Saturday. “Pagey has kept Wales’ Gareth Bale (left) celebrates with Daniel James after their win over Czech Republic in many times and felt humiliated ding home after a scramble in the at Lyon forced the fi xture to be us focused despite what is going on off the the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 qualification Group E match in Cardiff . (Reuters) and lost, and I always thought Barca box at a corner. postponed. Lyon lead PSG by a fi eld,” Bale said. “The win is just what we they were the benchmark for However Asisat Oshoala, who single goal from the fi rst leg at needed.” group last November. “We didn’t get off to the best start against women’s football alongside had already wasted chances to the Parc des Princes as they at- Only the group winners will qualify au- A place at the fi nals would set the seal on Belgium so it was massively important to get Lyon. It is a really, really proud equalise, put the away side level tempt to claim the top prize in tomatically for the fi nals in Qatar, with Bale’s international career as he suggested the win tonight,” he said. day for English football... I’ve on the night and left City need- European women’s football for the team fi nishing second going into the on Monday this would be his last qualifying “It was a massive result. We showed a lot waited nine years for today.” ing to score four to go through. a sixth straight year. Today Bay- play-off s. Belgium, the world’s number- campaign. Bale, currently on loan at Totten- of heart and desire to match a very physical City had an uphill task go- City got another one through a ern Munich will aim to protect one ranked side, are the overwhelming fa- ham from Real Madrid, has the delayed Eu- team. It was very chaotic, especially second ing into their second leg with Samantha Mewis penalty but a 3-0 lead of their own against vourites to top the group, while Wales have ros to look forward to later this year but he half, but we were ready and kept going until Barca in Manchester follow- that was the end of the scoring Rosengard in Malmo, with Chel- already all-but guaranteed themselves a will be 33 by the time the World Cup fi nals the end and the most important thing is to ing last week’s 3-0 defeat in the and Barca will face one of Lyon sea awaiting them in the last four play-off after winning their Nations League get underway. get that winner.” Catalans’ “home” leg played or Paris Saint-Germain in the should they succeed as expected. Gulf Times Thursday, April 1, 2021 3 FOOTBALL

PREMIER LEAGUE Aguero won hearts and minds of City fans: Guardiola ‘In terms of numbers he cannot be replaced, it’s not easy to play more than 360 games and score 250 goals’

AFP London Sergio Aguero joined Manchester City from Atletico Independiente dreaming of return Madrid in 2011, three years after of prodigal son Aguero ergio Aguero is “irreplaceable the club was taken over by Abu in the souls, in the hearts, in Dhabi owners. (Reuters) Buenos Aires: Manchester City star Ser- “The aim to call him will be to propose the minds of our fans,” Man- gio Aguero is wanted by Independiente, a return home, to the country, where he chester City manager Pep the Argentine club’s coach Julio Falcioni can be comfortable and help Independi- GuardiolaS has said of the club’s record revealed on Tuesday. Runaway English ente be better,” said Falcioni. goalscorer who is to leave at the end of Premier League leaders City announced Aguero made his debut in the red shirt the season. on Monday that Aguero, 32, would leave of Independiente aged just 15 in 2003 Aguero joined City from Atletico the club at the end of this season. and thus surpassed the late, great Diego Madrid in 2011, three years after the And record seven-time Copa Lib- Maradona as the youngest player to play club was taken over by Abu Dhabi ertadores winners Independiente are in the Argentine top division — a record owners, and will leave after 10 tro- trying to tempt the Argentine back to his that had been set in 1976. phy-laden years, with 257 goals in 384 hometown club. A few years later, Aguero married games so far. We’re calling him to see if he’s inter- Maradona’s daughter Gianinna, although Guardiola said 32-year-old Ague- ested. It would be a pleasure to manage the relationship, which produced a son, ro’s goals tally could be surpassed one him again,” said Falcioni, who is in his lasted only four years. day, but what he means to the club second stint as the Red Devils’ coach He moved to Atletico Madrid in 2006 was unique. “Sergio is irreplaceable,” having managed Aguero for one year and helped the side win the Europa said Guardiola. during his first spell at the team based in League in 2010 having also claimed an “I could say in terms of numbers Avellaneda, on the outskirts of Buenos Olympic Games gold medal with Argen- he cannot be replaceable, it’s not easy Aires. tina in Beijing in 2008. when you see more than 360 games Aguero is rumoured to be on the hit He switched to City in a mega-money played and more than 250 goals, the list of some of Europe’s biggest clubs move reportedly worth around £35mn amount of titles (he has won). So it’s such as La Liga giants Barcelona, Italian in 2011. “I will continue to give it my the legend, the best striker this club champions Juventus, Inter Milan and utmost for the rest of the season to win has ever had for this century through French giant Paris Saint-Germain. more titles and bring more joy to the the years, but is irreplaceable in the “Here, he won’t be able to sign some- fans,” Aguero wrote on social media on souls, in the hearts, in the minds of thing similar to what he earns there, Monday. our fans, of our people, of the players but he would be back amongst friends, He’s the third highest scorer in the his- that played alongside him and all the defending the colours he loves,” Falcioni tory of the Argentine national team with managers who worked with him.” said. 41 goals in 97 appearances, bettered Guardiola said he felt blessed when Aguero is a legend at Manchester City only by his close friend, the incom- he took over as manager in 2016 to having scored the dramatic 94th-minute parable Lionel Messi (70) and Gabriel have such stalwarts as Aguero at the goal against Queens Park Rangers in Batistuta (54). club. “We were so lucky, the guys who May 2012 to give the club their first top “We need to bring him back to this came after him — me as a manager for flight title in 54 years — even more satis- stadium, which is diff icult. He’s a diff er- example,” he said. chester United’s shadow. Aguero’s lotelli and thundering home a fi nish to problem complicated his comeback fyingly at the expense of their great city ent type of player, the type we all want “We took over the club and he was most memorable moment for City secure a 3-2 victory against QPR and and then he had to sit out a month af- rivals Manchester United. to manage and have in our team,” said one of the guys like Joe Hart, Pablo fans will remain a goal scored in the send the Etihad into raptures. ter a coronavirus infection. In a decade in Manchester he has Falcioni. Zabaleta, Vincent Kompany, David fi nal game of the 2011/12 season. “When he came here the club was However, with City bidding for a helped the club win the Premier League Aguero has struggled this season with Silva, many players helped this club Manchester United were seconds in one level, and he helped to put the historic quadruple trophy sweep — title four times, with a fifth crown almost injury and illness and has played only 14 make a step forward and of course he away from celebrating yet another club in a higher level,” Guardiola said. Aguero looks all but certain to share certain to be secured within the next games for City, scoring three goals. He was one of them.” Premier League title, prolonging the “Of course the fans always will be in a fi fth league title — Guardiola says two months. He has been City’s all-time missed the start of the season after un- Guardiola said the Argentinian had agony of their neighbours, who had grateful.” the Argentine has time to sign off in record goalscorer since 2017 and cur- dergoing knee surgery in June, suff ered been pivotal in helping City become not been crowned English champions This season, though, has been a style. “I think he still has interesting rently has 80 goals more than the next a hamstring injury in October and then a domestic football superpower after since 1968. But Aguero had other ide- struggle for Aguero. He had knee sur- goals to score this season,” said Guar- highest goalscorer, Eric Brook. contracted Covid-19 in January. decades of living in city rivals Man- as, receiving the ball from Mario Ba- gery in the close season. A hamstring diola.

SPOTLIGHT AFRICAN CUP OF NATIONS QUALIFIER UEFA approves fi ve substitutes Benin and Sierra Leone qualifi er rule for Euro championship rescheduled for June aft er Covid intrigue

Reuters cated when they arrived at the stadium 90 statement said Benin offi cials “insisted that Cape Town minutes before the game. they preferred to return to Benin than play Those allegedly infected with the novel without those fi ve aff ected players”. It added coronavirus included lead striker Steve that under Sierra Leone Covid-19 restric- he decisive African Cup of Nations Mounie, who previously played for English tions the fi ve should be isolated and quar- qualifi er between Sierra Leone and side Huddersfi eld Town when they were in antined and not be allowed to return home Benin, which failed to take place on the Premier League. The others were cap- immediately. The Confederation of African Tuesday after fi ve players from Ben- tain Khalid Adenon, fi rst choice goalkeeper Football has not commented but told the Tin were declared Covid-19 positive, has been Saturnin Allagbe and the French-based pair two football associations on Wednesday the postponed to June, offi cials said yesterday. of Jodel Dossou and Cedric Hountondji — all game would now be played in the next inter- The match in Freetown was to settle a key components of the team. national window, pending a decision by its place at the 24-team Cup of Nations fi nals Their names were released by the Sierra competition organising committee. in Cameroon next January with Benin need- Leone Football Association in a statement. Matches in African club competition ear- ing a draw but their hosts having to win. Be- Benin players spent four hours on their lier this year were dogged by players from nin accused Sierra Leone of gamesmanship bus while offi cials argued before the match visiting teams being disqualifi ed by test when told, some 90 minutes before kick off , was eventually called off . “We all had tests results, some delivered just before kick off , that fi ve of their players had failed Covid-19 before we left Cotonou on Saturday and leading to accusations that testing for the tests and could not play. despite travelling with a delegation of 80 novel coronavirus was being manipulated to “A shame for African football what is cur- people, how is it that just fi ve players test- off er home teams an advantage. rently happening, we hope the Confedera- ed positive,” asked Allagbe in an interview. A local Covid-19 offi cer has been appoint- tion of African football will take action,” the “That is very diffi cult for us to accept and ed for each of the matches in the Cup of Na- Benin Football Federation said on Twitter we think our offi cials took the right decision tions qualifying unlike the neutral referees, soon after. The tests were conducted at the not to play.” match commissioner, general co-ordinator team hotel but the results only communi- The Sierra Leone Football Association and security offi cer appointed by CAF.

The move to increase the number of substitutes from three to five has already been implemented in the Champions League and Europa League, as well as domestic competitions around the continent. BOTTOMLINE

AFP around the continent. allowed to attend UEFA competi- Lausanne It came about due to the tight tion matches. “This is valid until scheduling of the 2020/21 season prior to the club competition fi - fi re coach Molefi Ntseki in Europe, which kicked off late nals taking place in May 2021,” it ive substitutes will be as a result of the pandemic which added. AFP allowed at this sum- forced a months-long shutdown Earlier this month UEFA said it Johannesburg mer’s Euro 2020, UEFA of the previous campaign. wanted supporters at all games, announced yesterday, UEFA also announced it had played across 12 diff erent coun- asF football continues to grapple ended its 30-percent specta- tries from June 11-July 11. The outh Africa sacked coach Molefi Nt- with the coronavirus pandemic. tor limit in stadiums, poten- tournament has been postponed seki yesterday, three days after los- In a statement, European foot- tially allowing host nations to from last year due to the Cov- ing in Sudan and failing to qualify for ball’s governing body said the choose their own restrictions at id-19 outbreak. the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations. The decision to allow fi ve subs at the this summer’s continent-wide “If a city proposes a ‘no fans’ decisionS was announced at a press confer- delayed tournament had been European Championship. The scenario” the matches due to be ence in Soweto by South African Football taken as “the rule is already in measure had been in place since held there “could” be switched Association chief executive Teboho Motlan- place for the World Cup qualifi - last year in reaction to the coro- “to cities able to welcome sup- the. South Africa fi nished third in Group cation matches that will run from navirus pandemic but travelling porters”, the body said on March C behind Ghana and Sudan to continue a March 2021 to March 2022.” supporters are still barred from 17. poor record in the competition. Since 2008, “The reasons for the fi ve- attending. Host cities have until April 7 Bafana Bafana (The Boys) have played in six substitutions rule remain valid “Such a cap is no longer need- to let UEFA know what their sce- Cup of Nations qualifying competitions and against the background of na- ed and... the decision on the narios are in terms of attendance reached the fi nals only twice. tional and international football number of permitted spectators ahead of an executive committee Ntseki was a controversial appointment calendars aff ected by the Cov- should fall under the exclusive meeting on April 19, on the eve of to succeed England-born , who South Africa’s head coach Molefi Ntseki (second left). id-19 pandemic,” the statement responsibility of the relevant the federation’s annual congress resigned in 2019 soon after taking South Af- continued. competent local/national au- in Montreux, . rica to the Cup of Nations quarter-fi nals in table early this season and they have risen to Currently unemployed , a UEFA added that the rule thorities,” European football’s The multi-venue format, Egypt. The 51-year-old assisted Baxter, then fi fth under his guidance. midfi elder in the 1996 Cup of Nations team, would also be in place for the Na- governing body said. whilst complex, gives organis- took over the national side despite never Clive Barker, coach of the 1996 Cup of may also be considered for a post that needs tions League fi nals in October “In view of the ongoing travel ers fl exibility to deal with issues having been in charge of a senior team. Nations-winning team, has hailed Mc- to be fi lled urgently with 2022 World Cup and its relegation “play-outs” in restrictions and in order to en- arising from the pandemic. “If Former forward Benni McCarthy, who Carthy, calling him a “breath of fresh air”. qualifying beginning on May 31. March next year. The move to in- act reasonable and responsible we can no longer do anything in coaches South African Premiership club “Benni knows the game at the highest level South Africa are in the same group as crease the number of substitutes policies to minimise Covid-19 one country there are still 11 oth- AmaZulu, has been mentioned as a possible and has played and scored at the highest Ghana, Zimbabwe and Ethiopia, and only from three to fi ve has already related risks, the Executive ers where preparations are al- successor to Ntseki. level. He is now making his mark as a coach. the team fi nishing fi rst advance to the fi nal been implemented in the Cham- Committee decided to confi rm ready in progress,” UEFA’s health McCarthy, whose 32 goals for South Af- He is a coach who should be able to take us round. Ghana won and drew against Bafana pions League and Europa League, the decision of 1 October 2020 adviser Daniel Koch said at the rica is a national record, inherited AmaZulu forward. He has done really well as a coach in 2021 Cup of Nations qualifi ers and are fa- as well as domestic competitions insofar that visiting fans are not start of the month. when they were close to the bottom of the and players respond well to him.” voured to win the group. Gulf Times 4 Thursday, April 1, 2021 CRICKET

SECOND TEST Sri Lanka make steady progress aft er Windies’ 354 ‘This is a pretty good batting wicket. You have to be really patient. We need to put them under greater pressure’

AFP North Sound, Antigua and Barbuda Dimuth Karunaratne SCOREBOARD (right) of Sri Lanka looks back as he is WEST INDIES I INNINGS 25-5-88-1 (5nb), D. Chameera 21.1-4- aptain Kraigg Brathwaite was caught by Nkrumah K. Brathwaite b Chameera 126 69-3, D. de Silva 10-3-26-1 (1nb) last out in the West Indies’ Bonner of West Indies J. Campbell c Dickwella b Lakmal 5 fi rst innings of 354 before the during the second SRI LANKA 2ND INNINGS visitors rallied behind Lahiru Test at Vivian Richards N. Bonner b Lakmal 0 Thirimanne’sC third consecutive half- Cricket Stadium in D. Karunaratne c Bonner b Joseph 1 K. Mayers c Dickwella b Fernando 49 century to reach 136 for three at stumps North Sound, Antigua J. Blackwood c Dickwella b Lakmal 18 L. Thirimanne b Roach 55 on the second day of the second and fi - and Barbuda. (AFP) O. Fernando lbw Mayers 18 nal Test in Antigua on Tuesday. J. Holder c Thirimanne b de Silva 30 After scores of 70 and 76 in the J. de Silva c Dickwella b Chameera 1 D. Chandimal not out 34 drawn fi rst Test, Thirimanne’s run of D. de Silva not out 23 good scores — going back to the series A. Joseph lbw Embuldeniya 29 in South Africa last December — con- R. Cornwall c Fernando b Lakmal 73 Extras (lb-2, nb-3) 5 tinued with another composed innings K. Roach c Dickwella b Chameera 9 Total (61 overs, 3 wkts) 136 of 55. S. Gabriel not out 1 Fall of wickets: 1-18 (Karunaratne), However, his dismissal to Kemar 2-64 (O. Fernando), 3-77 (Thirimanne) Roach in the day’s fi nal session neces- Extras (lb-6, nb-7) 13 To bat: P. Nissanka, N. Dickwella, S. sitated consolidation which the un- Total (111.1 overs, all out) 354 broken fourth-wicket pair of Dinesh Lakmal, L. Embuldeniya, V. Fernando, Chandimal (34 not out) and Dhanan- Fall of wickets: 1-11 (Campbell), 2-15 D. Chameera jaya de Silva (23 not out) provided on (Bonner), 3-86 (Mayers), 4-120 (Black- Bowling: Kemar Roach 12-4-39-1 an increasingly placid surface with an wood), 5-171 (Holder), 6-185 (da Silva), (1nb), Shanon Gabriel 10-2-28-0, unbroken stand of 59. 7-222 (Joseph), 8-325 (Cornwall), Alzzari Joseph 10-2-31-1, Jason Holder Earlier, Brathwaite extended his oc- 9-351 (Roach), 10-354 (Brathwaite) 12-2-20-0 (2nb), K. Mayers 7-4-6-1, cupation of the crease to eight-and-a- Bowling: S. Lakmal 28-11-94-0 (1nb), R. Cornwall 9-5-8-0, J. Blackwood half hours which brought him 126 off V. Fernando 27-4-71-1, L. Embuldeniya 1-0-2-0 311 deliveries with 13 fours, a ninth Test century in which he fulfi lled the role of anchor of the innings. and-a-half hours of their time in the boundaries to add to his tally of 11 from His opposite number Dimuth Karu- middle, Cornwall went past his previ- day one but then saw the dismissal of naratne, by contrast, survived 16 balls ous best in Tests — 61 in the fi rst in- Kemar Roach off Dushmantha Cha- before an edged drive off fast bowler Al- nings of the fi rst Test just a week earlier. meera, giving wicketkeeper Niroshan zarri Joseph produced a stunning diving But he miscued a heave to the on- Dickwella his fi fth catch of the innings. catch at third slip by Nkrumah Bonner side and off ered a simple catch to Vish- Joined by last man Shannon Gabriel, to send the left-hander back to the pa- wa Fernando at mid-on. someone with no pretensions to bats- vilion for just one when Sri Lanka start- His 73 came off 92 balls and was em- manship, it seemed almost inevitable ed their reply immediately after lunch. bellished by 10 fours and one six. that Brathwaite would complete the As in the fi rst Test a week earlier at the stage,” said former West Indies captain Suranga Lakmal again led the Sri through for an increasingly frustrated Brathwaite, who resumed on 99 rare feat of carrying his bat through a same venue, occasional seamer Kyle Jason Holder. “This is a pretty good Lankan bowling eff ort with fi gures of Sri Lankan team halfway through the overnight and went to three fi gures by completed Test innings twice, having Mayers accounted for Oshada Fernan- batting wicket. You have to be really four for 94 off 28 overs as the West In- morning session when he terminated a turning the third ball of the morning done so previously against Pakistan in do and when Roach bowled Thirimanne patient. Maybe if we can grab one or dies batted through the morning ses- 103-run eighth-wicket partnership be- from Lakmal to fi ne leg, never eased Sharjah in 2016. through the gate, the innings was at a two more wickets early tomorrow be- sion after resuming on 287 for seven. tween Brathwaite and Rahkeem Corn- out of fi rst gear, even with the demise But it was the home captain who crossroads at 77 for three. fore the new ball becomes due, we can It was Lakmal, the experienced fast- wall. of Cornwall. perished, playing on to give Chameera “I think it’s about even-steven at this put them under greater pressure.” medium bowler, who fi nally broke Very much the aggressor for the two- He eventually stroked two more a third wicket of the innings.

ROUND-UP SPOTLIGHT England opener Roy joins IPL’s Sunrisers Hyderabad Cummins should be ngland opening batsman Jason in belting historic rivals Yorkshire’s The new County Championship Roy has joined Indian Premier bowlers round the ground — yesterday season will begin on April 8 with games Australia’s next League side Sunrisers Hyderabad his son Josh de Caires did the same only initially being played without specta- as a replacement for Australia’s for his university side. tors. May 17 has been pencilled in as the MitchellE Marsh, his county side Surrey The 18-year-old retired on 118 on the date when the largest outdoor seated captain: Clarke announced yesterday. The 30-year-old third and fi nal day of the friendly be- venues can allow up to 10,000 people or looked likely to miss out on the tourna- tween Leeds-Bradford Universities and a quarter of capacity, whichever is lower, ment after no bids were made for him Yorkshire as part of their preparations under the third stage of the government’s during the mini-auction in February. for the county championship cam- “roadmap” for easing Covid-19 restric- At the time, Roy tweeted that it was a paign. De Caires is not destined to play tions. “We have gone from no passports “massive shame” he was not going to be for Lancashire, however, as he signed a to suddenly now looking at a Covid certi- involved, but he will now team up again contract with Middlesex last year, which fi cation,” Snowball said. “We will explore with compatriot Jonny Bairstow after the will take him through till he has fi nished anything that enables us to get our mem- pair shone in the recent Twenty20 and his studies. bers back and our spectators back.” one-day international series in India. He has yet to play for the fi rst XI but With the start of the fourth stage of Roy will also work under coach Trevor the Middlesex Academy graduate showed the roadmap set for June 21, Snowball Bayliss, who left the England and Wales his precocious talent when he turned said cricket would have to balance three Cricket Board two years ago after helping out for their second XI aged just 15. He areas. “One, if there is going to be some England win the 50-over World Cup. scored a century in the 2019 Second XI sort of passport or Covid certifi cation, Australian David Warner is captain of the Championship against Hampshire. second is testing, third is some sort of Hyderabad-based side. During the recent His century for Leeds-Bradford Uni- social distancing. We have said we will T20 series with India, Roy scored 144 versities came against an experienced do whatever we are asked to do to make runs in fi ve innings at a strike rate of 132. bowling line-up including England in- sure we can get the maximum number Personal reasons were cited for his ternational David Willey, himself the son of people back. The ideal would be some withdrawal from the 2020 IPL and he of a former Test and ODI player. Father sort of certifi cation with an element of was released by Delhi Capitals before Michael played 115 Tests for England, social distancing and probably wearing this year’s auction. “Marsh has made hitting 7,728 runs including 16 centuries. masks.” IANS good senior players around him himself unavailable for the competition Snowball also said the domestic game Sydney so to me I do believe Pat Cum- for personal reasons, allowing Sunrisers ECB TO EXPLORE USE OF COVID-19 was projecting losses in excess of 100mn mins is the right guy to take over to select a new player after the formal PASSPORTS TO HELP FANS RETURN pounds ($137.22mn) by the end of April the leadership in all three for- drafting process,” said a statement on Tom for Delhi Capitals.” The IPL starts The England & Wales Cricket Board due to the impact of the pandemic. ormer Australia cap- mats at the right time. Of course, the Surrey website. “Roy will now be on April 9. (ECB) will look at the possibility of us- “Clubs with larger diverse revenue tain Michael Clarke said he will need a good vice-captain. unavailable for selection for Surrey for ing Covid-19 passports to allow fans streams have been hit much harder,” he that fast bowler Pat An example of that – if (current the months of April and May, with the ATHERTON’S SON TAKES APART OLD to return to stadiums for the upcoming added. “If we end up playing another Cummins is the ideal Test captain) Tim Paine retires IPL set to fi nish on May 30. He joins Sam ENEMY YORKSHIRE’S ATTACK domestic season, the governing body’s whole season behind closed doors that candidateF to take over as the then someone like Alex Carey and Tom Curran in the competition, with Former England captain and Lancashire managing director of county cricket Neil will be extremely challenging for the team’s skipper in all formats of comes in, who has captained Sam to play for Chennai Super Kings and opening batsman Mike Atherton revelled Snowball said. counties.” the game. The post of Australia’s South Australia, captained (in) captain has been in the news re- the BBL (Big Bash League), cently due former skipper Steve been vice-captain of Australia. FOCUS Smith saying that he is ready to I think he would make a very take up the responsibility when- good vice-captain. You’ve got ever he is required to. the likes of Steve Smith, David “Just because Cummins isn’t Warner, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Bangladesh coach Domingo upset aft er DLS fi asco out there saying I should be the Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Mar- next captain and I’m ready... it nus Labuschagne. All these guys Reuters indication of what is required, and what doesn’t mean he’s not a good have got leadership experience Dhaka we needed at certain stages. I don’t quite leader,” Clarke told Big Sports as well. They can help Pat Cum- think the conduct was good enough this Breakfast. “I’ve made it clear mins,” he said. evening. (When we met the match ref- what I think about Pat Cummins. Clarke, who captained Aus- angladesh coach Russell eree) they were still waiting for calcula- I think he’s shown he’s fi t and tralia in 47 Tests, 74 ODIs and Domingo cut a frustrated fi g- tions. If you are waiting, the game can’t strong enough to play all three 18 T20Is between 2007 and 2015 ure after his side started their start. What was explained was they nor- formats now, he’s done that for and led Australia to victory in run chase in Tuesday’s second mally get it one or two balls in... No ex- the last few years. His captaincy the 2015 World Cup, said that Twenty20B against New Zealand without cuses, but this is just very frustrating.” I’ve watched tactically for New regardless of whether Smith be- knowing what tally they needed to win A spokesperson for the ICC said an South Wales he’s been pretty comes captain of the team again and criticised the conduct of the match operational issue at the ground meant good,” said Clarke. or not, the talismanic batsman offi cials. the DLS sheets, which contain the target Australia have been led by Tim will always have an important A downpour brought a premature end scores at diff erent points of the innings, Paine in Tests and Aaron Finch role to play in the dressing room. to New Zealand’s innings on 173 for fi ve could not be provided to the teams. “The in limited overs since Smith was “You don’t necessarily need to following which the big screen at McLean target score was verbally communicated ousted from the post in the wake have the captain or vice-captain Park and the ICC website said Bang- to the umpires at the start of the innings,” of the 2018 ball-tampering scan- armband to be a leader and I feel ladesh’s target under the Duckworth- the spokesperson said. dal. Clarke said that while Cum- like I say that every single day. Lewis-Stern system was 148 in 16 overs. “However, play had to be halted after mins, 27, is young and inexpe- Smithy is going to play a huge Play was then halted nine deliveries Cricinfo. The visitors eventually fell well don’t know what the target is,” Domingo 1.3 overs as the teams requested for the rienced as a leader, he will have role in the Australian team mov- into Bangladesh’s chase and they were short of the tally they needed to keep the said. “Nobody had any idea of how many DLS sheet. Play resumed once the sheets experienced players around him ing forward, whether he takes apprised of their new target — 170 runs in three-match series alive. we needed after fi ve or six overs. I don’t were provided to the teams.” The fi nal to help him out, including Smith. over the captaincy or not, his 16 overs, which was later changed to 171 “I don’t think I have been involved in think the game should have started until match in the series takes place at Eden “Yes he’s young and inexperi- leadership is going to be impor- after the 13th over, according to ESPN- a game before where batters go out and it was fi nalised, before there was a clear Park in Auckland on today. enced as a leader but he’ll have tant,” said Clarke. Gulf Times Thursday, April 1, 2021 5 SPORT

NBA MLB Dodgers still hungry, look to repeat as World Murray guides Series champions

Reuters memories that come from that, Los Angeles like the parade. “That’s something everyone is really focused on. Just doing fter winning last sea- everything we can to enjoy that Nuggets past 76ers son’s World Series in a hopefully this October and No- Covid-shortened, 60- vember.” game sprint, the Los Standing in their way in the ‘WE HAVE TO SOMEHOW DEVELOP A KILLER INSTINCT’ AngelesA Dodgers are confi dent NL are the steadily improv- they have the roster, and the ing San Diego Padres and the hunger, to repeat as champions loaded Atlanta Braves, while the when their marathon 162-game Yankees are favoured to win the campaign begins today. American League pennant. The Dodgers ended a 32-year The Dodgers begin their sea- title drought in Arlington in Oc- son on the road with a four- tober and hope to become the game series against the Colorado fi rst team to win back-to-back Rockies and a three-game series titles since the New York Yan- against the Oakland Athletics kees won three straight between before hosting the Washington 1998 and 2000. Nationals in their home opener Outfi elder Mookie Betts said on April 9. the team, who added hard- The New York Yankees are throwing Trevor Bauer to their looking to convert four straight already fearsome starting rota- postseason appearances into tion in the off season, had the World Series glory as they launch personnel to get it done. their 2021 campaign today in a “We’re working hard and do- talent-rich American League, ing our best to repeat because after a promising 2020 turned it hasn’t been done in so long,” irksome amid a glut of injuries. Betts told reporters this month. The Bronx Bombers started “I think we have the roster last year winning eight of their to make it happen, now it’s just fi rst 10 games in a shortened time for us to go play.” 60-game Major League Baseball The Dodgers, who have won (MLB) schedule, but struggled the National League West eight through a seven-game losing years running and appeared in streak in August as top play- three out of the last four Fall ers including outfi elder Aaron Classics, also have plenty of Judge, slugger Giancarlo Stanton fi repower with the bat, such as and infi elder DJ LeMahieu en- World Series MVP Corey Seager dured stints on the injured list. and 2019 NL MVP Cody Bell- Their season ended with a inger. thud as they lost to the Tampa And while plenty of cham- Bay Rays in Game 5 of the AL pionship-winning teams have Division Series, a conclusion suff ered hangovers the following Yankees manager Aaron Boone season, the fact that the Dodgers could only describe as “cruel.” did not get to play in front of fans “I’m as fi red up as ever ... for or hold a parade due to Covid-19 us the fi rst thing to do is win our restrictions makes them all the division,” said Judge, a two-time more hungry to win it all again. All-Star. “The focus on winning feels “That starts with game one the same as it did last year, which and in terms of game one we’re is awesome and all we could ask going to have a tough oppo- for at this point,” Dodgers Presi- nent with Toronto (Blue Jays) at dent of Baseball Operations An- home.” Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray celebrates after their win over the Philadelphia 76ers at Ball Arena in Denver. (USA TODAY Sports) drew Friedman told MLB Net- The Yankees will have the work. benefi t of their fi ercely loyal AFP ‘RUNNING IN QUICKSAND’ Tyrese Maxey led the Sixers scoring “In our minds what we ac- hometown crowd, as teams Los Angeles RESULTS Nuggets coach Michael Malone however with 13 points from the bench. “It was complished last year was incred- across the league welcome back was unhappy that his team allowed the one of those games where it looked like ibly special but we didn’t get to fans for the regular season after Magic 103-96 Clippers Sixers to creep within six points late in we were running in quicksand,” Sixers celebrate the way that teams his- playing to empty stands due to amal Murray scored 30 points as Nuggets 104-95 76ers the fourth before fi nally pulling away. coach Doc Rivers said afterwards. torically have gotten to. The life the Covid-19 pandemic. the Denver Nuggets put on a show “I’m getting tired of watching us build “They attacked us early and we never for returning fans on Tuesday with Suns 117-110 Hawks big leads, play the right way, and then just really recovered from it. a 104-95 defeat of the Eastern Hornets 114-104 Wizards for some reason relax and allow the game “They were better prepared and defi - Conference-leadingJ Philadelphia 76ers. to become more interesting than it should nitely more ready as a group. They were Murray’s haul included fi ve-of-11 wins and one loss. have been,” Malone said. better. No excuses, we just didn’t play three-pointers in a one-sided victory for The game was watched by a crowd “We have to somehow develop a killer very well.” the Nuggets, who roared into a 44-22 fi rst of just over 4,000 fans, mostly front- instinct.” Elsewhere on Tuesday, the Los Ange- quarter lead at Denver’s Ball Arena and line workers and fi rst responders. It was Jokic admitted the Nuggets’ concen- les Clippers saw their six-game unbeaten never looked back. the fi rst time fans have attended a Nug- tration had strayed towards the end of the streak halted with an upset home loss to Murray added six rebounds, four as- gets game since the Covid-19 pandemic game. the Orlando Magic. sists and three steals while Nikola Jokic erupted last year. “We didn’t have the focus to fi nish the Kawhi Leonard’s 28-point display was delivered a towering all-round display, In on-court remarks following the win, game,” he said. “We thought it was going not enough to stop the Clippers from with 21 points, 10 rebounds and fi ve as- Murray said the support had swept Den- to be easy. We had a big lead, and started slumping to a 103-96 defeat against sists. ver to Tuesday’s victory. playing loose. We won the game which is an Orlando side that relied on big con- Michael Porter Jr. had 27 points with 12 “We missed you guys so much,” he told the most important thing but we need to tributions from the bench, with Terrence rebounds while Paul Millsap (10 points) the crowd. “You guys bring a whole dif- have better focus.” Ross (15 points), Otto Porter Jr. (13) and also chipped in with a double-digit per- ferent energy to the game. Every time the The Sixers meanwhile were left refl ect- Mo Bamba all making double fi gures. formance off the bench. fans are in the building it gets to me, I get ing on a second straight loss following In Arizona meanwhile, the Phoenix Denver’s third straight victory, which a little excited. their 10-point defeat to the Los Angeles Suns were 117-110 winners over the At- followed wins over the in-form Atlanta “When we’re into it and the crowd’s Clippers last week. lanta Hawks. Hawks on Sunday and the New Orleans into it, we’re a hard team to beat. We Australian star Ben Simmons was re- Devin Booker fi nished with 21 points DJ Peters of the Los Angeles Dodgers stands in the outfield during the Pelicans last week, leaves them in fi fth haven’t had a home court advantage in stricted to just 11 points while Tobias for Phoenix while team-mate Deandre spring training game against the Los Angeles Angels in Los Angeles place in the Western Conference with 29 over a year.” Harris added 12. Ayton had 13 points and 14 rebounds. on Tuesday, 2021. (Getty Images/AFP)

NHL Rangers’ huge third period buries Capitals Reuters RARE GOAL BY SAVARD LIFTS lumbus debut and appeared in his 10th New York RESULTS BLUE JACKETS OVER LIGHTNING career game overall. David Savard’s fi rst goal in nearly two Mathieu Joseph scored a goal, and Rangers 5-2 Caps years proved to be the game-winner defensemen Luke Schenn and An- rtemi Panarin posted a goal Blue Jackets 3-1 Lightning Tuesday as the Columbus Blue Jack- dreas Borgman recorded assists for the and two assists – all in the ets beat the host Tampa Bay Lightning Lightning, who lost their third straight third period – as the New Bruins 5-4 Devils 3-1. for the fi rst time this season. York Rangers rallied to defeat Panthers 4-1 Red Wings With Columbus up 1-0 and on a In his eighth appearance this sea- theA visiting Washington Capitals 5-2 strong rush in the second period, Al- son, backup netminder Curtis McEl- Canadiens 4-0 Oilers Tuesday night. exandre Texier split the Lightning hinney slid into the crease and made Blackhawks 2-1 Hurricanes The Capitals led 2-1 after two pe- defense and dished a short pass to 18 saves on 20 shots for Tampa. De- riods before the Rangers scored the Predators 3-2 Stars Savard, who potted the marker at fenseman Victor Hedman produced a game’s fi nal four goals. 19:28 for a 2-0 lead. career-high 10 shots. Washington’s three-game winning on off ense, but they did so in the sec- The tally was the defenseman’s fi rst After a penalty-free fi rst period, streak ended. The Capitals beat the ond part of the fi rst period. since April 10, 2019 – a stretch of 123 the Lightning avoided a major setback Rangers 5-4 on Sunday, but New York Filip Chytil cut the lead to 2-1 when games – in Game 1 of the fi rst round when Hedman was tripped up by Le- posted four goals in the third period he made a steal at his own blue line, of the Eastern Conference playoff s, as htonen behind Merzlikins’ net and had that day before doing it again Tuesday. came in alone on a breakaway, and beat the Blue Jackets ultimately swept the his right leg smack awkwardly into the New York lost two in a row before Vitek Vanecek with 4:24 remaining. Presidents’ Trophy-winning and top- end boards at 5:57. scoring fi ve straight goals to win Tues- The second period featured plenty seeded Lightning in four games. The 2018 Norris Trophy winner had day. The Rangers now have won four of of defense before Washington came up Earlier in the second period Tues- to be helped off the ice by the training six against the Capitals this season. with some scoring chances late that day, Oliver Bjorkstrand notched his staff and was favouring his leg. How- The Caps have struggled on the Shesterkin turned away to keep the 13th goal on a defl ection to put the ever, he soon returned to the bench power play of late. In fact, they were game at 2-1. visitors on the board fi rst at 10:49. after a few minutes and slid back into 0-for-16 against New York coming New York then tied it up on a slick Cam Atkinson scored an empty- his regular spot as the club’s No. 1 into this game before TJ Oshie changed passing play that left Kaapo Kakko net goal – also his 13th – at 18:29 of defenseman. At 4:12 of the third, the that quickly. with a wide-open net 4:10 into the fi - the third to help the Blue Jackets end a Lightning fi nally scored when Joseph’s Oshie found open space between nal period. Panarin made a quick feed four-game winless streak and improve defl ection of Schenn’s long shot the circles and fi red a shot past New to Ryan Strome, who then found Kak- to 2-0-1 against Tampa Bay. struck Columbus defenseman Vladis- York goalie Igor Shesterkin (30 saves) ko in front. Nick Foligno provided two assists, lav Gavrikov and went in for Joseph’s just 2 minutes, 23 seconds into the The Rangers took a 3-2 lead 2:22 and Zach Werenski, Jack Roslovic and 10th goal to make it 2-1. game. Nic Dowd, who has been strong later when Adam Fox took a pass from Texier added helpers for Columbus. on face-off s this season, gave Wash- Panarin and beat Vanecek with a high Making his fourth start in the Blue ington a 2-0 lead just 1:59 after that. back-hand shot. Jackets’ last six games, Elvis Merz- New York Rangers left wing Artemi There was a big scrum in front of They made it 4-2 when Panarin likins was outstanding in withstand- Panarin (left) celebrates with teammate Shesterkin before Dowd fi nally poked notched his goal on a breakaway be- ing 37 of 38 Lightning shots. Brendan Smith after scoring a third it in. Offi cials reviewed the play, and it fore Pavel Buchnevich added a short- Defenseman Dean Kukan played in period goal against the Washington stood up for the two-goal lead. handed empty-netter in the fi nal his 100th NHL contest, and pairing Capitals at Madison Square Garden in The Rangers took a while to heat up minute. partner Mikko Lehtonen made his Co- New York. (USA TODAY Sports) Gulf Times 6 Thursday, April 1, 2021 SPORT

GOLF FOCUS Australia confi dent of athlete vaccinations Resurgent Spieth before Tokyo Games

Reuters ent Olympics. Sydney “Clearly, we just need to keep our athletes in a positive frame of mind,” he added. ustralia is confi dent “If they get that mindset right ‘in a better place’ all of its athletes will and don’t let the Covid controls be vaccinated against dominate their outlook, if they Covid-19 before they can maintain a positive mindset, headA off to the Tokyo Olympics, then I think we can have a very Chef de Mission Ian Chesterman good Games.” said at the unveiling of the uni- Chesterman, who has forms for the Games yesterday. switched to the Summer Games Vaccination is not a prerequi- after leading Australia’s teams ahead of Masters site for athletes competing in the at six Winter Olympics, said he delayed Games but Chesterman was now fully confi dent that the said it was “common sense” to Games would go ahead as sched- ‘It’s a blast to play in the state of Texas. I’ve always really, really enjoyed that extra support’ add a “layer of safety” around the uled from July 23 to Aug 8. delegation and ensure they did “The absolute focus is giv- Reuters not bring the virus home with ing a generation of athletes their New York them. “We are very confi dent right to be an Olympian,” he said. that we’ll be vaccinated before “They’ve worked hard to be it, we go, I think that’s the will of and in many cases already quali- ordan Spieth’s resur- the Australian government that fi ed, and it would be a disaster gence appears to have we do,” he told Reuters. for them if the Games were can- some staying power com- “We’re also aware that we celled. So for me, it’s all about ing off his fi fth top-20 don’t want to be jumping the creating that moment for the fiJ nish in his past six events. queue so we’re not getting it now. athletes.” Seeking to maintain that But everyone is confi dent that by Marina Carrier, who quali- momentum heading into next the time we need it, we’ll be in fi ed to represent her country in week’s Masters, Spieth is one a place in the queue that allows modern pentathlon at her fi rst of the few marquee names who that.” Olympics before the Games were decided to play the week before Australia has been more suc- postponed for a year, was clearly heading to Augusta National. cessful than Japan at containing looking forward to fi nally having “Trying to just keep progress- Covid-19 and only started its her moment. ing, keep working on what I’m roll-out of the vaccine towards “I’m standing here in the uni- working on and try to get myself the end of February. form today and it’s sending me in contention and have a chance Chesterman was confi dent shivers already, I’m so grateful,” to win on the weekend,” Spieth organisers would put in place the 24-year-old medical student said Tuesday of his goals for the health protocols to protect the told Reuters. Valero Texas Open. competitors in Tokyo but felt it “As long as there’s a fl ight was important the athletes did there and a fl ight home and a not focus too much on that as- competition in between, that’s pect of what will be a very diff er- all I care about.”

Olympic hopeful Van Niekerk fi nds form with 200m win

The Dallas native and former into contention, that’s where University of Texas star typically Defending champion Conners fl ies under radar at hotel check-in you start to then feel more com- includes a few stops in his home Corey Conners may be the defending champion The win by Conners in 2019, which remains his fortable each time you get into state on his schedule. at this week’s Valero Texas Open in San Antonio only triumph on the PGA Tour, secured the last contention,” he said. Spieth fi nished T30 at TPC but that did not make him any more recognisable invite to that year’s Masters, where he would go “That’s always a great thing San Antonio the last time the when he checked into his hotel – even if his image on to finish in a share of 46th place. leading into a major. So all that event was held in 2019 and is was on every room key. Conners already secured his spot in next week’s are goals and the next couple coming off reaching the round The Canadian, who won the event after making Masters by virtue of his top-10 finish at Augusta days is about doing what I can of 16 at last week’s match play the field as a Monday qualifier, said he even made National last year and will be brimming with in practice leading into that and South Africa’s Olympic 400m champion Wayde van Niekerk event in Austin. a comment to the woman who handed over the confidence after recent top-10s at both the Arnold then go out there and play.” stepped up his return from long-term injury with a victory over “It’s a blast to play in the state room key that showed him holding the trophy Palmer Invitational and The Players Champion- The Valero Texas Open may 200m at the ASA Athletix Invitational on Tuesday. of Texas,” he said. “I’ve always from 2019 but she never caught on. ship. provide an ideal opportunity for Van Niekerk has barely competed since being injured in a charity really, really enjoyed that extra “Of course she had no idea who I was, but I made “I feel like I have a great plan for the golf course Spieth to snap his winless streak. touch rugby game in October 2017 but declared himself fully support.” a funny comment about it being embarrassing for and feel like my game sets up pretty well,” said The fi eld lacks a top-10 play- fit after winning in a time of 20.10 seconds, albeit with a +2.1m/s Spieth hasn’t won since The the guy who’s got to look at himself on the room world number 41 Conners. “Work the ball right to er following Dustin Johnson’s tailwind on a wet night on the Highveld. Open in 2017 but enters this key every day for the whole week,” said Conners. left off the tee, I think a lot of the holes fit my eye withdrawal on Monday, and Spi- “This definitely gave me confidence I didn’t have before,” he said week at +1200 by DraftKings, “I obviously had my mask on and a hat and I think with that shot shape. eth said playing the week before in a media release from Athletics South Africa after clocking a placing him behind only pre- a sweatshirt, so she probably didn’t put two and “Then typically being a strong iron player, that’s a major will let the 2015 Masters season’s best time. tournament favorite Tony Finau two together. But it’s pretty cool, a nice touch. the important part of success there. And then champion focus once he gets to “It’s one thing training well, but it’s a diff erent thing executing it (+1100). Happy it’s me on there and hopefully can be on putting as well, I became more comfortable on Augusta National rather than against such a quality lineup, guys I have the world of respect for.” “Defi nitely in a better place, there again.” the greens.” pounding endless balls on the Van Niekerk smashed Michael Johnson’s 400m world record at feel good tee to green,” Spieth range. the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics to claim gold in 43.03. said. “I can just kind of go through He announced last month that he will move to the United States “Trying to continue to the fi nal group in consecutive weekend at the Genesis Open to where Spieth fi nished T4. He the gates of Magnolia Lane, go to train under renowned sprint mentor Lance Brauman, alongside progress and get even better and events in February but was una- settle for a T15. also shot a fi nal-round 75 at The down that fi rst day and just say, American 200m world champion Noah Lyles and women’s 400m tighter.” ble to break 70 in the fi nal round That preceeded a 75 in dif- Players Championship in his ‘All right, we’re here to play this Olympic champion Shaune Miller-Uibo of the Bahamas. Closing on Sundays has been in either event. fi cult conditions on Sunday at most recent stroke play event. week,’” he said. (Reuters) a major hurdle. Spieth played in He also went 73-71 over the the Arnold Palmer Invitational, “When you work your way

HOCKEY CYCLING Looking forward to another unbeaten Ineos’ Van Baarle wins Around tour, says Indian captain Manpreet Flanders with long range break

IANS AFP New Delhi Brussels

ndia men’s hockey captain neos Grenadiers’s Dylan Van Manpreet Singh said that Baarle gambled on a 50km solo the team is looking to stay break to win cycling’s Dwars unbeaten in their upcoming door Vlaanderen yesterday Itour of Argentina. Irampaging over more than a dozen India had managed to stay un- hills and tricky cobbled roads. beaten in their tour of Europe, Also known as the ‘Around where they faced Great Britain Flanders’ the 180km race is a pre- and Germany, and are now set cursor to the Tour Of Flanders on to face Argentina in the FIH Pro Sunday, and many of the con- League. tenders for the event competed It is a return to the Indian team in the sunshine through the lush- in over a year for Manpreet, who green fi elds here. had opted out of the European Dutchman Van Baarle broke tour due to personal reasons. with 52km to go with most of the “I am very excited to return to 13 hills still ahead of him. the team and I am looking for- His relentless eff ort was of ward to the matches against the Manpreet, 28, also believes Manpreet was one of the play- I have put in a lot of hardwork to such power the peloton, includ- Olympic champions Argentina. this tour will be a great opportu- ers who had tested positive for return to my earlier form. This ing world champion Julain Alap- Not playing competitive hockey nity for the younger players in the Covid-19 when they returned tour will not only be a good oc- hilippe and Matthieu van der Poel, for over a year has been a big set- squad to prove themselves in the to national camp at the Sports casion for the team to assess our eventually gave up the chase. back but this is something every lead up to the Olympic Games. Authority of India’s Bengaluru performance but also personally The usual start line at a bustling team in the world is facing due to “Quite a few youngsters have centre. for me to understand the areas and carnivalesque downtown the pandemic. Though I missed been selected in the squad for “I think personally for me, I need to improve individually market square was replaced with out the Europe tour due to per- this tour and I believe this will be overcoming Covid last year was too,” said Manpreet. the Roselare football stadium on sonal reasons, I was closely fol- a great opportunity for them to more of a mental battle than an- The 22-member Indian team the outskirts of town due to the lowing the matches and it was show their mettle against a top- ything else. I was off hockey for left for Buenos Aires early yester- Covid-19 pandemic. very encouraging to see how the quality team. Every opportunity nearly six weeks, but I was very day morning. Annemiek van Vlueten won the team performed against Ger- we are getting in these challeng- fortunate to receive the best care, The six-match tour includes women’s race earlier in the day Dutch cyclist Dylan van Baarle of team holds many and Great Britain. We are ing times is like a blessing and we thanks to the eff orts of Hockey four practice matches apart from beating Kasia Niewiadoma in a the winner’s trophy on the podium of the 75th edition of the looking forward to yet another need to make the most of it,” he India and SAI,” he said. the back-to-back Pro League long range sprint after the pair had ‘Dwars Door Vlaanderen’, a 184,1km cycling race from Roeselare unbeaten tour,” said Manpreet. said. “Over these past few months, matches on April 11 and 12. been involved in a breakaway. to Waregem, yesterday. (AFP) Gulf Times Thursday, April 1, 2021 7 SPECIAL

FOCUS 600 days to go: Qatar’s FIFA World Cup stadiums are looking incredible Qatar is right on track as four out of eight venues have been launched already; three more to be inaugurated this year

esterday marked the 600-day Construction update: The stadium countdown to the FIFA World Al Thumama Stadium structure has been completed and is Cup Qatar 2022. ready to host matches. This includes The fi rst World Cup in the the laying of the stadium pitch in record YMiddle East and Arab world will kick time. This year, the venue achieved a off on November 21 and conclude 28 high sustainability rating from GSAS. days later on December 18 – the Qatar The surrounding Al Bayt Park opened National Day. on Qatar National Sports Day in Febru- Qatar’s infrastructure plans are well ary 2020. advanced. Four stadiums have been in- augurated, the new metro system is up Al Thumama Stadium and running, and a host of expressways have been built. Capacity: 40,000 Here is a closer look at the eight sta- Designer: Arab Engineering Bureau diums which will host matches dur- Distance from Doha city centre: 12km ing Qatar 2022. Khalifa International, (7 miles) Al Janoub, Education City and Ahmad Bin Ali stadiums have all hosted major ith a design inspired by the ‘gah- matches. The construction of Al Bayt W fi ya’, a traditional woven cap has been completed and is set to be worn for centuries by men across the inaugurated during 2021 along with Al Arab world, Al Thumama Stadium hon- Thumama and Ras Abu Aboud, while ours the region’s culture and traditions. the venue for the Qatar 2022 fi nal, Lu- It is the fi rst FIFA World Cup venue to sail, is set to open early next year. be designed by a Qatari architect – Ib- rahim M Jaidah. The stadium will host eight matches up to the quarter-fi nals Khalifa International stage during Qatar 2022. Ras Abu Aboud Stadium Lusail Stadium Construction update: Roof and Stadium façade works have been completed, Capacity: 40,000 along with the stadium’s bleacher in- Distance from Doha city centre: 11km stallation. Turfi ng of the fi eld of play (7 miles) and tree plantation in the precinct have Inaugurated: 2017 also been completed. Seat installation, along with mechanical, electrical and halifa International became the plumbing works, plus fi nishing, are K fi rst Qatar 2022 venue to open nearing completion. following a major renovation when it hosted the Amir Cup fi nal on 19 May Ras Abu Aboud Stadium 2017. The stadium is set to host eight matches up to the third-place play-off Capacity: 40,000 during Qatar 2022. Designer: FIA Fenwick Iribarren Khalifa International is located at the Architects heart of Qatar’s hub of sporting excel- Distance from Doha city centre: 7km lence, Aspire Zone, and is surround- (4 miles) ed by Aspire Academy, Aspetar and the 3-2-1 Qatar Olympic and Sports as Abu Aboud will be the fi rst fully Museum. Its illustrious hosting his- R dismountable and re-usable tour- tory includes the Asian Games, AFC nament venue in FIFA World Cup his- Asian Cup, 2019 IAAF World Athletics tory, making it a pioneer in sustainable Championships, the 24th Arabian Gulf stadium development and design. De- Cup and the FIFA Club World Cup Qa- signed by Fenwick Iribarren Architects, tar 2019. In 2020, the stadium hosted this 40,000-capacity venue is being matches in the West Zone of the 2020 built using shipping containers and AFC Champions League and was also a Khalifa International Stadium Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium other modular materials. Overlooking venue for the East Zone portion of the the stunning Doha Corniche and West competition. Bay skyline, the stadium will host sev- en matches up to the round of 16 stage Al Janoub Stadium during Qatar 2022. Construction update: The stadium is Capacity: 40,000 being built using 974 modular contain- Design inspired by: Dame Zaha Hadid ers, with the delivery and installation of Distance from Doha city centre: 23km all containers now completed. This in- (14 miles) cludes special containers for the energy Inaugurated: 2019 substation. All remaining structural steel members, including tension rods, he fi rst Qatar 2022 stadium to be have also been delivered and installed. T built from scratch, Al Janoub was Installation of all seats in the stadium inaugurated on May 16, 2019, ahead is nearing completion, as are the me- of the Amir Cup fi nal. Located in Al chanical, engineering, plumbing and Wakra, the stadium’s design features fi nishing works. External works in the elegant curves and lines inspired by precinct are underway. the sails of traditional dhow boats – in tribute to the city’s seafaring past. Lusail Stadium Al Janoub will host seven matches up to the round of 16 stage during Qatar Capacity: 80,000 2022. An innovative cooling system and Designer: Foster + Partners retractable roof mean the stadium can Distance from Doha city centre: 20km be used all-year-round. (12 miles) Last year, Al Janoub hosted the 2020 AFC Champions League fi nal. The sur- Education City Stadium Al Janoub Stadium he largest Qatar 2022 venue, Lu- rounding Al Janoub Park opened on T sail embodies Qatar’s ambition, Qatar National Sport Day in February along with its passion for sharing Arab 2020. culture with the world. The design of this magnifi cent stadium is inspired Education City Stadium by the interplay of light and shadow that characterises the fanar lantern. Capacity: 40,000 Its striking gold façade, along with its Designer: FIA Fenwick Iribarren scale, will impress fans approaching the Architects venue from afar. The venue is situated Distance from Doha city centre: 13km in the heart of Qatar’s futuristic Lusail (8 miles) City – a newly built, state-of-the-art Inaugurated: 2020 metropolis, designed specifi cally with residents’ needs in mind. The stadium ubbed ‘Qatar’s Diamond in the will host ten matches up to and includ- D Desert’, Education City was inau- ing the fi nal of Qatar 2022. gurated on June 15, 2020, during a spe- Construction update: The stadium’s cial digital launch which paid tribute concrete works, steel superstructure to frontline healthcare workers during installation and the roof big lift have the Covid-19 pandemic. Located at the been completed. The roof membrane heart of Qatar Foundation – a vibrant is under fabrication, to be installed centre for knowledge and innovation – after completion of the ongoing sec- the arena is dotted by leading research FIFA Club World Cup 2020, including time on December 18, 2020, when it strength and unity that is particularly he venue for the opening match ondary steel bracings. The venue’s and education facilities. The stadium the fi nal. hosted the Amir Cup fi nal. Located in relevant to the desert city of Al Rayyan. T of Qatar 2022, Al Bayt will intro- turf was planted in the precinct’s turf will host eight matches up to the quar- Al Rayyan and adjacent to the Mall of The venue will host seven matches duce fans from across the world to the farm in August 2020, with inspections ter-fi nals stage during Qatar 2022. Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium Qatar, Ahmad Bin Ali is built on the during Qatar 2022 up to the round of country’s traditional culture. Delivered indicating good growth progress and The stadium became the fi rst Qatar site of a deconstructed stadium and is 16 stage. Earlier this year, the stadium by Aspire Zone Foundation, the design overall health. Meanwhile, the sta- 2022 tournament venue to receive a Capacity: 40,000 within walking distance of Al Riff a sta- hosted matches during the FIFA Club of Al Bayt resembles a traditional Arab dium entrances, interior fi nishes and fi ve-star Global Sustainability Assess- Designer: Ramboll tion on Doha Metro’s Green Line. The World Cup. tent known as ‘bayt al sha’ar’ – a sym- progress in concourses, skyboxes and ment System (GSAS) rating ahead of its Distance from Doha city centre: 22km stadium’s glowing facade comprises bol of Arab hospitality. This uniquely lounges are nearing completion, as are inauguration. Last year, Education City (14 miles) patterns that characterise diff erent as- Al Bayt Stadium Qatari stadium comes complete with a the mechanical, engineering, plumb- hosted matches in the West Zone of the Inaugurated: 2020 pects of Qatar: the importance of fam- state-of-the-art retractable roof and ing and fi nishing works. Additionally, 2020 AFC Champions League and was ily, the beauty of the desert, native fl ora Capacity: 60,000 is surrounded by 400,000m² of green the stadium substations, chilled water also a venue for the East Zone portion hmad Bin Ali was the latest Qatar and fauna, and local and international Designer: Dar Al-Handasah spaces for the local community. The transfer stations and cooling systems of the competition. This year, Educa- A 2022 stadium to be inaugurated. trade. A fi fth shape – a shield – brings Distance from Doha city centre: 46km venue will host nine matches through are nearing completion with prepara- tion City hosted matches during the The venue welcomed fans for the fi rst together all the others, representing the (29 miles) to the semi-fi nals stage of Qatar 2022. tion for Qatar Civil Defense inspection.

Thursday, April 1, 2021 GULF TIMES SPORT

HORSE RACING Meteb al-Marri registers fi rst feature win with Myboyhenry Ashour-schooled gelding tops The Late Rashid Mubarak Al Shafi Cup; doubles for jockeys Saadi, al-Seyabi, Casamento

By Mikhil Bhat Doha

atari jockey Meteb Ali al- Marri celebrated his fi rst feature win as the apprentice rider guided Hossin Ashour- schooledQ Myboyhenry to a comfort- able win in The Late Rashid Mubarak Al Shafi Cup at the turf track at Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club’s Al Rayy- an Park yesterday. Al-Marri, who is enjoying his best campaign so far having already crossed his last season’s tally of 10 wins, rode his 14th winner when he combined beautifully with the six-year-old for their second consecutive outing to- gether in the 1,750m run. The three-odd length victory over Ronan Thomas-ridden Balmari and the rest of the fi eld was the gelding’s fi fth overall and third in Qatar. Fellow compatriot and appren- tice jockey Abdulaziz Jaber Dharman too rode a winner in the 1,500m Local Purebred Arabian Maiden Plate by the same margin as Hamad al-Jehani-rid- den Moneeaty shed her maiden status in only her second career start. The trainer-jockey duo of Ibrahim al-Malki and Anas al-Seyabi celebrated a double yesterday as the two com- bined well for maiden wins for Al Sakab Stud’s Al Sij Al Sakab in the seven-fur- Abdulla bin Rashid Mubarak al-Shafi (right) crowned the winner’s of The Late Rashid Mubarak Al Shafi Cup after Khalid Abdulaziz al-Kuwari’s Myboyhenry, trained by Hossin Ashour, won the feature at Al Rayyan long Purebred Arabian Maiden Plate for Park yesterday. PICTURES: Juhaim three-year-olds and the handler’s own In The Night in the 1,750m Thorough- MAIDEN PLATE (Far Bend) (Division bred Maiden Plate. Meteb Ali al-Marri rides 2) (1,500m) The penultimate race of the day, a Myboyhenry to The Late 1. AJS Sarhan (Soufiane Saadi), 2. Al 1,500m Class 5 Thoroughbred Handi- Rashid Mubarak Al Shafi Mahyoub (Ronan Thomas), 3. Arsalan cap for horses rated 70 and below, saw Cup victory yesterday. (Anas al-Seyabi), 4. Maysoon Al Naif Marco Casamento guide Khalifa bin (Alberto Sanna). Won by: 1 ¾, 1 1/3, ½. Sheail al-Kuwari’s Flirty Rascal to a Time: 1:40.80. Owner: Mohamed bin close win, where they edged out Al- Hamad Khalifa al-Attiyah. Trainer: berto Sanna and his partner Shine That Rashid al-Ali. Light by a nose at the post. Race 7: LOCAL THOROUGHBRED Half-an-hour earlier, Sanna himself HANDICAP (Far Bend) (4yo & older, had guided his mount to a thrilling vic- 70 & below) (1,500m) tory as Deborah Mountain-schooled 1. Majhool Al Zaeem (Ronan Thomas), Vedute, owned by Hassan Ali al-Abdul- 2. Irtiqaa (Khalid al-Balushi), 3. Malik malik, held off Jassim Ghazali-trained (JP Guillambert), 4. Khoud (Abdulaziz challengers — Creativity and Cotai Jaber Dharman). Won by: 3, 1 ¼, 2. Time: Again — by a mere nose at the post to 1:33.41. Owner: Sharq Stud. Trainer: land the Thoroughbed Handicap for Owaida Salem al-Hajri. horses rated 70 and below. Race 8: THOROUGHBRED HANDICAP Casamento had opened the 10- (Class 5) (Far Bend) (Division 1) (70 & race card with a quarter-of-a-length below) (1,500m) win astride Al Meqdam Stud’s Najia, 1. Vedute (Alberto Sanna), 2. Creativity saddled by Majed Seifeddine, in the (JP Guillambert), 3. Cotai Again (Marco Purebred Arabian Maiden Plate over Casamento), 4. Kuwaity (Francois 1,500m. Herholdt). Won by: No, ½, 1 ½. Time: French rider Soufi ane Saadi too reg- 1:31.81. Owner: Hassan Ali al-Abdulmalik. istered a double to his name having Trainer: Deborah Mountain. guided two Arabians to the winner’s Race 9: THOROUGHBRED HANDICAP enclosure, with Injaaz Stud’s Jefred (Class 5) (Far Bend) (Division 2) (70 & topping the Purebred Arabian Handi- below) (1,500m) cap for horses rated 65 and below, and 1. Flirty Rascal (Marco Casamento), Mohamed bin Hamad Khalifa al-Atti- 2. Shine That Light (Alberto Sanna), yah’s AJS Sarhan shedding his maiden 3. Eledeed (Carlos Henrique), 4. Ras status in the local Arabian maiden Mlaejy (Rashid Ali al-Marri). Won by: plate. No, 3, ½. Time: 1:32.55. Owner: Khalifa While Zuhair Mohsen’s ward Jefred bin Sheail al-Kuwari. Trainer: Mohamed won the 1,750 handicap by one-and-a- Hussain. half lengths, Rashid al-Ali’s charge AJS PLATE (Far Bend) (1,500m) Dharman), 2. Maoud (Rashid Ali al- (Marco Casamento), 4. Samran (Alberto al-Malki. Trainer: Ibrahim al-Malki. Race 10: THE LATE RASHID MUBARAK Sarhan won the 1,500m aff air by a little 1. Najia (Marco Casamento), 2. Dall’am Marri), 3. Anqara (Francois Herholdt), 4. Sanna). Won by: 9 ¾, 1, ½. Time: 1:36.98. Race 5: PUREBRED ARABIAN AL SHAFI CUP - THOROUGHBRED less than two lengths. (Francois Herholdt), 3. Nakheel (Alberto Hasher (Tomas Lukasek). Won by: 3 ¼, Owner: Al Sakab Stud. Trainer: Ibrahim HANDICAP (Far Bend) (65 & below) HANDICAP (Class 3) (Far Bend) (70- Ronan Thomas too guided a winner Sanna), 4, Aishoway (Carlos Henrique). Shd, 1 ¼. Time: 1:41.79. Owner: Mohamed al-Malki. (1,750m) 90) (1,750m) with Sharq Stud’s Majhool Al Zaeem, Won by: ¼, No, ¼. Time: 1:40.85. Owner: Abdulla al-Hajri. Trainer: Hamad al- Race 4: THOROUGHBRED MAIDEN 1. Jefred (Soufiane Saadi), 2. Glika De 1. Myboyhenry (Meteb Ali al-Marri), 2. schooled by Owaida Salem al-Hajri, Al Meqdam Stud. Trainer: Majed Jehani. PLATE (Class 6) (Far Bend) (1,750m) Faust (Carlos Henrique), 3. Starboy Balmari (Ronan Thomas), 3. Receding landing the local Thoroughbred Handi- Seifeddine. Race 3: PUREBRED ARABIAN MAIDEN 1. In The Night (Anas al-Seyabi), 2. Dibos (Abdulaziz Jaber Dharman), 4. Waves (Saleh Salem al-Marri), 4. cap for older horses rated 70 and below. Race 2: LOCAL PUREBRED ARABIAN PLATE (3 YEARS OLD) (Far Bend) Deliberate Attack (Carlos Henrique), Abdun Al Naif (Marco Casamento). Won Hessdalen (Anas al-Seyabi). Won by: 3 MAIDEN PLATE (Far Bend) (Division (1,400m) 3. Cruella Dovil (Ronan Thomas), 4. by: 1 ½, 1 ½, Shd. Time: 1:58.85. Owner: ¼, Nk, 2. Time: 1:46.24. Owner: Khalid RESULTS 1) (1,500m) 1. Al Sij Al Sakab (Anas al-Seyabi), 2. Al Amenable (Soufiane Saadi). Won by: ½, Injaaz Stud. Trainer: Zuhair Mohsen. Abdulaziz al-Kuwari. Trainer: Hossin Race 1: PUREBRED ARABIAN MAIDEN 1. Moneeaty (Abdulaziz Jaber Ehdaashari (Soufiane Saadi), 3. Hardan 1 ¼, 6 ¾. Time: 1:46.52. Owner: Ibrahim Race 6: LOCAL PUREBRED ARABIAN Ashour.

TENNIS French tennis chief ‘dare not imagine’ Roland Garros cancellation

AFP whole country to battle soaring Osaka upset by Sakkari in Miami quarters Paris Covid-19 cases. Last year Roland Garros was delayed by four months and AFP Osaka won only 3-of-13 sec- rench tennis chief Gilles held in September and October Miami ond-serve points in the opening Moretton told AFP yes- instead of its longstanding set and had only a 35% accuracy Fterday that he “dare not May-June slot. rate on fi rst serves as Sakka- imagine” Roland Garros being Crowds were limited to just eigning US and Aus- ri dominated early, taking 13 cancelled as France continues 1,000 spectators each day. tralian Open champion straight points on Osaka’s serve to struggle to contain Covid-19. “We are studying a lot of op- Naomi Osaka was up- in one stretch. “At the moment, we are on tions for Roland Garros 2021,” set by Greece’s Maria “I played a great fi rst set,” track, the tournament is on the added Moretton. SakkariR 6-0, 6-4 yesterday in Sakkari said. scheduled date (May 23-June “There is the total range... or the Miami Open quarter-fi - “I didn’t make many unforced 6),” said Moretton. almost total because I dare not nals, ending the Japanese star’s errors. I just came out with a “But if we are told a general imagine a 100% crowd level. 23-match win streak. good game plan.” confinement for two months, “But that can start from behind World number two Osaka, a Osaka had not dropped a set at we will necessarily have to take closed doors to a level that will four-time Grand Slam cham- love since her last defeat, which measures – the worst being the not be 100%. All the options pion who was chasing her fi rst came in February 2020 in a Fed outright cancellation, but I dare with us are ready. Miami crown, only won eight Cup match. not imagine that.” “We meet all the players regu- points in the fi rst set, never But Sakkari had to battle back Daily cases of Covid-19 in larly and we wait to see how managing a winner. to overcome Osaka’s fi ghtback. France have doubled to around things will turn out.” Osaka broke in the second Maria Sakkari of Greece returns a shot to Naomi Osaka (right) of Japan in their quarter-final match of the “To be deadly honest, I got a 40,000 and hospitals in infec- Moretton said that organisers game of the second set and Miami Open at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida, yesterday. (AFP) little tight in the fi rst two games tion hotspots like Paris are will be able to take into account seized a 3-0 lead before Sakkari of the second set,” Sakkari said. overflowing. lessons learned from other roared back. yond the baseline. “I was focused on my returns. anca Andreescu and Spain’s Sara “I had two break points and French President Emmanuel events leading up to the season’s Sakkari broke Osaka for the “She has the most wins so far I had to mix it up well. Overall, it Sorribes Tormo. didn’t take them, then a bad Macron yesterday said that second Grand Slam event. second time in the match af- this year so she’s in great form – was a pretty clever match.” “Just during my cool down I’ll service game, which can hap- schools would close next week The Australian Open, which ter trailing 40-0 to seize a 5-4 it meant a lot to me,” Sakkari said Sakkari, the 23rd seed, ad- enjoy it with my team, then get pen. I stayed within myself and and a limited lockdown in place kicked off the majors season in advantage, then served out to of the victory, which prompted a vanced to a semi-fi nal against back to work,” Sakkari said of started fi ghting back, hitting a in Paris and other regions February, forced players into a win the match after 69 minutes scream of delight after the fi nal the winner of a later match be- turning her attention to her next few more balls and winning a would be extended to the two-week hotel quarantine. when Osaka sent a forehand be- point. tween Canadian eighth seed Bi- match. few points against her.”