Bjorn delighted to see young Mathiesen’s progress in Qatar PAGE 18

FRIDAY, MARCH 1, 2019

Wagner overshadows Tamim’s hundred in first Test match PAGE 18 QNB STARS LEAGUE AL SAILIYA VS AL ARABI Vleuten provides early thrill as curtain goes up on LGCT Doha

Dutch Maikel van der Vleuten, astride Arera C, on way to winning the LGCT CSI 5* Two phases 1.45m Two Phases Special: 2nd Phase Against Winner of the CSI 5* GCL Doha Round individual class Emanuele Gaudiano of Italy receiving his prize from the Clock class at Al Shaqab on Thursday. Al Shaqab Executiive Director Khalifa al Attiyah at Al Shaqab on Thursday.

VINAY NAYUDU only 24.40secs. Ludger Beerbaum (GER) fol- The home team Doha Fal- On Friday, there will be DOHA The 31-year-old’s effort Results lowed after with the 16-year- cons led by Olympian Sheikh more excitement with the was 0.58secs better than that old Chiara who was as fresh as Ali bin Khalid al Thani aslo eighth leg of Hathab – the LGCT CSI 5* Two phases 1.45m Two Phases Special: 2nd Phase Against the Clock (€25.000) THE spectacular Al Shaqab of French rider Filou Carlo 1. Maikel van der Vleuten (NED) Horse: Arera C. Time: 24.40 secs; Prize-money: €6250 ever but had a couple of time made a reasonable and good National equestrian series sprang to life once again on Zimequest astride 10-year-old 2. Simon Delestre (FRA) Filou Carlo Zimequest. 23.98 secs; €5000 faults along with a fence down. start given the stiff competi- – which carries a prize of Thursday and by the even- grey gelding Simon Delestre. 3. Henrik von Eckermann (SWE) Que Bueno de Hus Z; 25.01 secs; €3750 In the Global Champions tion. Unfortunately their U25 QR1.2mn taking place. ing, the gleaming lights of the Sweden’s Henrik von Eck- League, which is a team com- rider Mike Kawai of Japan saw Salmeen Sultan al Suwaidi, CSI 5* GCL of Doha Round 1 - 1.50/1.55m (Team) venue, the competitive action ermann on bay gelding Que 1. Monaco Aces: Jos Verlooy. (Caracas) 80.59 secs; Marlon Modolo Zanotelli (VDL Edgar M) 79.84 secs. Total time: petition, Monaco Aces began his horse Alcazar Sitte freeze winner of The Amir sword in of the 2019 Longines Global Bueno de Hus Z finished a 160.43 secs their 2019 campaign in deter- following a fault. 2018 and who finished third Champions Tour (LGCT) of close third. 2. Hamburg Giants: Simon Delestre (Chesall Zimequest) 76.91 secs; Bart Bles (Israel v/d Dennehoeve) 86.40 secs. mined style combining speed The individual class of CSI in the Amir Sword Champion- Doha and the Global Cham- The first competition of Total time: 163.31 secs and pinpoint accuracy to take 5* GCL of Doha Round 1 was ship 2019 said he was gearing 3. Shanghai Swans: Daniel Deusser (Calisto Blue) 83.92 secs; Pius Schwizer (Cortney Cox) 81.02 secs. Total time: pions League (GCL) provided the season opener was a flat 164.94 secs. the lead going into Saturday’s won by Emanuele Gaudiano up for the competition. for a perfect picture with the out thriller. The speed battle showdown. of Italy who rode Chalou and “I have been riding with opening day’s crowd of the between local hero and LGCT CSI 5* GCL of Doha Round 1 - 1.50/1.55m (€59.000 to individual class winners) Ten out of the 16 teams clocked 73.34secs. a 19-year-old horse which is 1. Emanuele Gaudiano (ITA). Horse: Chalou. Time: 73.34; Prize money: €14,750 three-day showjumping ex- Grand Prix winner in 2017 2. Julien Epaillard (FRA) Virtuose Champeix. 73.67 secs; €11,800 jumped double clears as it “It was very difficult today really tough because a horse travaganza absorbing in the Bassem Hassan Mohammed 3. Kevin Staut (FRA) Viking d’La Rousserie. 74.32 secs; €8,850 quickly became clear the new to defeat Epaillard, but Chalou at this age is quite old. Can- excitement. of Qatar and Julien Epaillard GCL teams had more strength jumped great. It is a very cau- taro 32 is Qatar Armed Forces’ Claiming the first honours of France continued from last Friday’s schedule and depth and motivation is tious jumper and outside he horse for whom I ride. 9am: Hathab National Competition: Against the clock No Jump off 1.00/1.15m (QR25,000) in the LGCT CSI5* class was year, putting Epaillard into 1.45pm: Hathab National Competition: Against the clock with Jump off 1.20/1.30m (QR25,000) at an all time high to win the finds everything just a bit easi- But I shall be continuing Dutch Maikel van der Vleu- an early lead with a time of 4.30pm: GSL CSI5* Against the clock No Jump off 1.50m (€50,200) championship. er,” said a delighted Gaudiano with my horse Cantaro 32 for ten, who among a contest of 51 25.20s. He, however, did drop 6.30pm: LGCT CSI5* Against the clock with Jump off 1.55m (€145,800) The fresh Aces duo of Jos about his victory. the Hathab competition start- world’s best riders topped the down to finish in a very re- Verlooy and Marlon Monolo Earlier in the day, the Al ing on Friday and also at the 1.45m Two Phases Special: 2nd spectable fourth place. While mann jumped in his iconic of French Roger-Yves Bost and Zanotelli, teaming up for Shaqab Inter-Nations camp next five-star event CHI Al Phase Against the Clock class. trying to catch Epaillard’s blue and yellow jacket and had his mare Sangria du Coty had the first time after transfer- saw the Al Uddaid team of Shaqab, but I need to find a The former Olympic silver time, Bassam knocked the obviously planned to take his not picked up a single fault in ring from other teams, were Dutch Sonke Fallenberg, Qa- new horse to continue with big medallist in 2012, Vleuten, second to last fence which saw 11-year-old mare for a quiet the international circuit this almost three seconds faster tar’s Mohammed Nasser al success at this level of compe- riding a 14-year-old bay mare him finish as one of the fastest stretch of the legs, picking up year until now but here they than Hamburg Giants who fin- Qadi and Omar Tariq al Khat- tition,” said Salmeen soon af- Arera C, dazzled with superb four-faulters. two time faults. finished on the four faults. ished in second place ahead of ib emerge as the best team in ter the first day’s action at Al and flawless routines needing German Christian Ahl- The striking combination From Bosty to The Boss, Shanghai Swans in third. their competition. Shaqab. Al Duhail thrash Al Ahli 6-0; Al Sadd pummel Qatar SC 8-1

IKOLI VICTOR (68) added to El Arabi’s dou- was ruled offside. DOHA ble. Former league champi- El Arabi who came in as a ons Al Sadd maintained their second half substitute made it YOUSSEF El Arabi netted a four-point gap against Al Du- 5-0 from close range after he brace as Al Duhail warmed hail with a victory over Qatar lashed on to Nasser al Yazidi’s up for their AFC Champions Sports Club. inviting cross to put the ball League showdown against Es- The compact performance into the net in the 80th min- teghlal with a comprehensive also fired an ominous warn- ute. 6-0 demolition of Al Ahli in ing to Iranian opponents Es- An impressive Bassam a QNB Stars League Week 18 teghlal, who play away to Rui Hisham’s defence-splitting match on Thursday. Faria’s men on Tuesday night pass paved the way for last El Arabi struck in the 80th in their opening group match season’s top scorer El Arabi and 88th minutes of a com- of the Champions League. to register his 21st goal of the pletely one-sided match at the Al Duhail came into the season and Al Duhail’s sixth. Abdullah Bin Nasser Bin Khali- match in a determined mood He raced past his marker into fa Stadium to take his goal haul after playing out a goalless the box to slot the ball into the to 21 in the season, one behind draw against Al Gharafa last net. In the late kickoff, leaders Akram Afif (22) and thirteen week and they never looked Al Sadd beat Qatar SC 8-1 to adrift of record scorer Baghdad like slipping up against lack- maintain their grip at the top Bounedjah, on 34 goals. lustre Al Ahli after Edmilson Mehdi Benatia of Al Duhail celebrates his goal with teammates during Akram Afif scores a goal acrobatically against Qatar SC on Thursday. of the table. The result means Al Duhail had drilled in an early opener their QNB Stars League match against Al Ahli in Doha on Thursday. Akram Afif and Bagdad now have 43 points to remain from the edge of the box. lanky forward chipped the ball and it was 4-0 in the 68th min- Bounedjah scored hat-tricks. in second spot, while Al Ahli The Moroccan defender The former Duhail keeper an injury. past the rushing keeper for ute when Nurad slotted home Afif took his goals tally to 22, on 29 points are fifth on the grabbed the opener and his Ivanilson denied Edmilson With Al Duhail intensify- Al Duhail’s second goal of the through a first-time strike fol- while the Algerian forward is standings. first for Al Duhail since his on his long-range effort in the ing their search for the second game with Edmilson provid- lowing a perfect pass by Karim now 34 goals. Benatia opened the flood- surprise move from Juventus. 31st minute. goal, it was only a surprise that ing the pass. Boudiaf. The result means the gates in the 20th minute and He evaded his marker then Assim Madibo was re- Duhail had to wait a bit before Muntari turned the pro- In between those two Wolves now has 47 points, Mohammed Muntari (38), clipped the ball into the top placed by Luiz Mairton in the getting it. Muntari failed to vider for Nakajima who struct goals, Al Ahli keeper made four above Al Duhail with four Shoya Nakajima (52) and a right of Ivandildo’s post a Naji 36th minute, after the 2019 convert his chance at first sight Al Duhail’s third goal seven some decent saves and El Ara- matches to end the 2018-2019 fantastic Murad Naji goal Murad cross into the box. Asian Cup winner sustained of goal and a minute later, the minutes into the second half bi had the ball in the net but season. 18 Friday, March 1, 2019 Sports FIFA, Qatar experts visit four WC stadiums The tour was and health and safety. well ahead of the big kick-off The Khalifa International in November 2022 in order to aimed at Stadium’s redevelopment was ensure an optimum experience successfully completed in 2017 for fans, players, the media assessing and is currently being pre- and sponsors, among others.” pared to host the 2019 World Colin Smith, Managing Di- progress Athletics Championships, rector of the joint venture and while the Al Wakrah Stadium, FIFA’s Chief Tournament and SC.DL the Al Bayt Stadium and the Al Events Officer, said: “The visits DOHA Rayyan Stadium are all in the mark another important step final stages of construction. towards the 2022 FIFA World REPRESENTATIVES from Following health and Cup. The team had a very pro- Qatar and FIFA recently vis- safety inductions at each ven- ductive week, visiting four of ited four proposed 2022 FIFA ue, the participants were split the eight proposed stadiums World Cup stadiums to assess into smaller groups to assess for 2022. progress and further familiar- the areas relevant to their “As the stadiums take ise themselves with the venues. expertise. During debrief ses- shape and near completion, The group, which com- sions, each group reported on we’re now starting to look at prised local experts from Qatar their findings and outlined operational aspects and this and FIFA staff, visited the Al any areas which required res- visit was the first of a range of Wakrah Stadium, the Khalifa olutions. organised stadium visits we’ll International Stadium, the Al Nasser al Khater, CEO of be undertaking to ensure the Bayt Stadium – Al Khor City the FIFA World Cup Qatar stadiums are all operation- and the Al Rayyan Stadium. 2022 joint venture, said: “The ally ready to host World Cup They assessed various stadium visits are the first step to en- matches long before Qatar facilities, including competi- suring all our stadiums meet 2022 kicks off.” tion areas, ticketing, market- FIFA requirements. We re- Further inspections of all ing, media, broadcasting, IT, main committed to delivering Qatar’s proposed stadiums will hospitality, protocol, security and testing all our stadiums continue on a frequent basis. Joint delegation of FIFA and Qatar experts during their inspection of four World Cup stadiums. Naib sparks Barcelona crush Wagner overshadows Afghanistan to ODI win Real, in line for a AFP Tamim’s hundred DEHRADUN double again GULBADIN Naib starred with The left-arm fast bowler grabs five to send visitors crashing to 234 both bat and ball as Afghani- AFP good but we will be waiting for stan outplayed Ireland by five MADRID them on Saturday. The result AFP SCOREBOARD wickets in the first one-day in- was not a fair reflection of the HAMILTON (NEW ZEALAND) ternational on Thursday. REAL Madrid are likely to game.” BANGLADESH (1ST INNINGS): Naib took two wickets to be relying on the Champi- Vinicius Junior was Ma- NEIL Wagner finished with a c Williamson b de Grandhomme .126 help dismiss Ireland for 161 ons League again for another drid’s brightest spark but he Shadman Islam b Boult ...... 24 five- haul as New Zea- Mominul Haque c Watling b Wagner ...... 12 and then struck a crucial 46 trophy this season but there also missed a hatful of chances land ripped through the Bang- M. Mithun c Latham b Wagner ...... 8 as Afghanistan achieved their was room for encouragement before Barca’s Luis Suarez ladesh tail to counter Tamim c Watling b Southee ...... 1 target in 41.5 overs in the against Barcelona on Wednes- scored twice, either side of a Iqbal’s virtuoso century on day c Boult b Wagner ...... 22 north Indian city of Dehradun. day beyond their resounding Raphael Varane own goal. c Boult b Wagner ...... 29 one of the first Test in Hamil- c Nicholls b Wagner ...... 10 Wicketkeeper-batsman defeat. The worry for Solari is not ton on Thursday. c Watling b Southee ...... 2 put the Barca’s 3-0 victory, 4-1 that his side were unable to Despite Tamim’s heroic Khaled Ahmed b Southee ...... 0 chase on course with his 43 on aggregate, means they go put Barcelona under pressure 126, New Zealand claimed Ebadat Hossain c and b Wagner ...... 0 off 53 balls but his departure through to meet either Valen- but that they failed to kill them Extras: ...... 0 the first-day honours when Total (all out; 59.2 overs) ...... 234 triggered a mini collapse as cia or Real Betis in the Copa off, with some again pointing they reached stumps at 86 Fall of wickets: 1-57 (Shadman), 2-121 (Mominul), Afghanistan slipped to 104 for del Rey final, while their lead to the absence of a predator without loss in reply to Bang- 3-147 (Mithun), 4-149 (Soumya), 5-180 (Tamim), four. at the top of La Liga already like Cristiano Ronaldo. ladesh’s 234. 6-207 (Mahmudullah), 7-217 (Mehidy), 8-226 Naib then put on 49 runs makes them heavy favourites “Scoring one goal in 180 (Jayed), 9-234 (Khaled), 10-234 (Liton Das) Tamim, Bangladesh’s Bowling: Boult 13-1-62-1, Southee 14-2-76-3, de with skipper Asghar Afghan, for another domestic double. minutes of football is not most prolific scorer, laid the New Zealand’s Neil Wagner (right) celebrates after taking the wicket Grandhomme 11-0-39-1, Wagner 16.2-4-47-5, who made seven not out, to Madrid have been unable enough to knock out Barce- foundations for a potentially of Bangladesh’s Mohammad Mithun during day one of the first Astle 5-1-10-0. stabilise the innings with some to match the consistency of lona,” said sports website Test match at the Seddon Park in Hamilton on Thursday. (AFP) huge total when he laid into NEW ZEALAND (1ST INNINGS): cautious against a dis- their rivals this term but there AS on Wednesday. “Without the bowling after being sent J. Raval not out ...... 51 ciplined Ireland attack. was enough in their perfor- pointing the blame, the truth in to bat on a typically green- their reply when Ebadat Hos- green hue the wicket held no T. Latham not out ...... 35 Naib was out with Afghan- mance at the Santiago Ber- is Los Blancos miss Cristiano tinged New Zealand wicket. sain, on debut, saw his third dangers. Extras: ...... 0 istan needing nine for victory nabeu to suggest they can do Ronaldo in these types of Total: (0 wickets; 28 overs) ...... 86 He cracked 21 fours and a ball in fly from Wagner in that period To bat: Kane Williamson, Ross Taylor, Henry Nicholls, and Najibullah Zadran, who them damage when the sides games.” six as he feasted on fruitless Tom Latham’s bat direct took one for 13 off six overs, BJ Watling, Colin de Grandhomme, Todd Astle, Tim turned 26 on Thursday, cel- meet again on Saturday in the Karim Benzema had New Zealand efforts, led by to second slip, but Soumya while Southee had none for Southee, Neil Wagner, Trent Boult ebrated his birthday with two league for a second Clasico in helped fill the void during a strike bowlers Tim Southee Sarkar spilled the straight- 40 off six. Bowling: Abu Jayed 8-1-15-0, Ebadot Hossain 8-3- sixes to complete the chase. four days. golden streak earlier this year 26-0, Khaled Ahmed 6-3-6-0, Soumya Sarkar 1-0-8- and Trent Boult, to find the forward chance. One session later and 0, Mehidy Hasan 5-0-31-0. “We are happy to win the “We are sad because we but he has faded, while Gareth edge of his bat. From there Latham and Bangladesh went to tea at first match of the series. Chas- wanted to play in the final but Bale’s patchy displays since re- But there was minimal Jeet Raval knuckled down 187 for seven with Wagner’s ing is not a concern. Some- we go out with our heads held turning from injury have seen support, and after Tamim had to bat unruffled through to figures improving to three for only took one wicket but times the wicket is like that high,” Madrid coach Santiago him reduced to a role on the steered Bangladesh to 180 for stumps with Raval on 51, 29 while Southee was still be- it was the key dismissal of and that’s why we play careful- Solari said. bench. four, his dismissal triggered his eighth half-century, and ing caned at one for 71. Tamim who clipped a wide ly at times,” Afghan said after “We did everything we Vinicius is lively but the a collapse where the last six Latham on 35. The pair cleaned up the to Kane Williamson the win. “Shahzad played very could. We didn’t take our 18-year-old lacks composure wickets fell for 54 runs. In a productive morn- last three wickets immediate- at gully. well today.” chances and they took theirs.” in front of goal. “Vinicius does Liton Das, the last man ing session, Bangladesh ly after tea with Wagner tak- It made up for de Grand- Midfielder Casemiro said not have the precision to fin- out, had the second highest went to lunch at 122 for two ing five for 47 with his relent- homme’s earlier error when Brief scores: Real were already looking for- ish,” said newspaper El Pais. score of 29. with Tamim contributing less short-ball barrage, while he dropped a regulation Afghanistan 165 for 5 (Naib 46, Shahzad 43, ward to Saturday’s rematch. “He is a reflection of the team Rankin 2-48) beat Ireland 161 (Stirling 89, New Zealand had an anx- 86, including 15 fours, as Southee had three for 76. caught and bowled opportu- Mujeeb 3-14, Dawlat 3-35) by five wickets “We played well,” said the he plays for, who are halfway ious moment at the start of he showed that despite the Colin de Grandhomme nity from Tamim on 65. Brazilian. “The result was not to nobody knows where.” Bjorn delighted to see young Liverpool run riot as Man City chase leaders hotly AFP sar Azpilicueta fed the ball to Mathiesen’s progress in Qatar LONDON Pedro, who slotted past Hugo Lloris and they doubled their TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK Danish teenager Mathies- SADIO Mane and Virgil van lead when Kieran Trippier acci- DOHA en, who joined Doha Golf Club Dijk both struck twice as Liv- dentally passed the ball into the in 2009 at the age of nine and erpool demolished Watford back of his own net. FORMER victorious Ryder now plays off a +2 handicap, 5-0 to stay ahead of a charg- Arsenal opened the scoring Cup and winner of the carded a three-round total of ing Manchester City at the in the fourth minute when Me- 2011 Commercial Bank Qa- 1-under-par 215 to win the top of the Premier League on zut Ozil scored his fifth goal of tar Masters Thomas Børn has only available qualifying spot Wednesday. the season, Henrikh Mkhitar- congratulated Doha Golf Club at the Qatar Open by seven Jurgen Klopp’s men calmed yan doubling the lead shortly member - and fellow Dane - strokes, ahead of William fears over their staying power before the half-hour. Mikkel Mathiesen, after the Shucksmith. following a recent dip in form Lys Mousset pulled a goal 18-year-old won the Qatar In September Mathiesen as they chase down their first back but Laurent Koscielny Open earlier this month to has the opportunity to fur- top-flight title since 1990. restored Arsenal’s two-goal earn a place in the field of the ther his fame as a burgeon- Defending champions City cushion early in the second half European Tour event. ing golfer when he takes up finally broke the resistance of Liverpool’s Sadio Mane scores during the English Premier League and there were further goals for “I’ve known Mikkel for a scholarship at Wright State West Ham at the Etihad Sta- soccer match against Watford at the Anfield in Liverpool, Britain, on Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang quite a few years and he’s al- University in Dublin, Ohio. dium in the second half to stay Wednesday. (EPA-EFE) and Alexandre Lacazette. ways been very keen and a He is a product of the DOGT just one point behind Liver- Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s inju- very good player,” said Bjørn. Junior Academy. pool, while third-placed Tot- an audacious backheel strike. game would have been com- ry-hit United kept up the chase “He’s put a lot of time and “I would like to thank the tenham slipped to a damaging Divock Origi extended the pletely different, but we did for a Champions League place, effort into his game and it’s Doha Oilmen’s Golf Tourna- 2-0 defeat at Chelsea. lead midway through the sec- very well,” City boss Pep Guar- beating Crystal Palace thanks to great to see him progressing ment for the funds they pro- Arsenal swatted aside a ond period and defender Virgil diola told the BBC. two goals from Romelu Lukaku to the point where he won the vide to the Academy,” says limp Bournemouth team 5-1 van Dijk netted twice late on to and a late third from Ashley Qatar Open to qualify to play Mikkel. to remain in fourth place, one complete the rout. Spurs challenge Young, who restored United’s with us on the European Tour “The funding and the point clear of Manchester Unit- City dominated possession Spurs boss Mauricio Po- two-goal lead after Joel Ward - he should have an enjoyable coaching I have received has ed, with Romelu Lukaku tak- in a one-sided first half at the chettino conceded that the Pre- had given Palace hope. week with us.” Former victorious Ryder Cup enabled me to improve and ing advantage of the absence of Etihad but were frustrated by mier League title is now beyond United, missing a clutch Bjørn, who played a lim- captain and ex-Commercial Bank pursue my dream of play- Marcus Rashford to score twice Manuel Pellegrini’s tenacious his side after a second straight of players including Anthony ited schedule for most of last Qatar Masters winner Thomas ing College golf in the United in a 3-1 win at Crystal Palace. West Ham side. defeat. Martial and Jesse Lingard, and year as his role of Ryder Cup Bjørn with the then five-year-old States. Without the support Liverpool came into their But Sergio Aguero broke Tottenham will now be with Marcus Rashford on the Captain took priority, is hap- Mikkel Mathiesen, who qualified of the DOGT, this would not match after three draws in four the deadlock for City from the looking nervously over their bench, notched an eighth con- py to be heading back to Qatar for the Qatar Masters by win- have been possible.” league matches but Mane set- penalty spot in the 59th min- shoulders after their defeat left secutive away win in all compe- and play in the event for the ning the Qatar Open earlier this The Commercial Bank tled their nerves early, head- ute, with the spot kick awarded them just four points clear of titions for the first time in the 15th time in his career. month. Qatar Masters takes place at ing home a cross from Trent after Felipe Anderson brought Arsenal ahead of the weekend club’s history. “It’s always great to come Doha Golf Club from March Alexander-Arnold before the down Bernardo Silva. meeting between the two sides. Southampton beat Fulham back to Qatar. Doha is a great very well looked after, so I’m 7-10. Entry for spectators is pair teamed up again, with the “Had we scored one or two Chelsea broke the deadlock 2-0 with goals from Oriol Romeu golf course and we’re always looking forward to it.” free of charge. Senegalese forward producing in the first five minutes the in the 57th minute when Ce- and James Ward-Prowse.