RRUGBYUGBY | Page 4 GGOLFOLF | Page 6 Ireland win Day and to end Welsh Mickelson hopes of Grand chasing Taylor Slam repeat at Pebble Beach

Sunday, February 9, 2020 Jumada II 15, 1441 AH Taylor’s ‘simple’ GULF TIMES approach leads NZ to series win over India SPORT Page 2

RALLYING Qatar’s al-Attiyah romps to sixth victory in Oman rally Oman’s Abdullah al-Rawahi takes second place behind Nasser Saleh al-Attiyah; Qatar’s Nasser Khalifa al-Attiyah third

By Our Correspondent Muscat, Oman

asser Saleh al-Attiyah began the defence of his FIA Middle East Rally Championship in emphaticN style with a convinc- ing start-to-fi nish victory in the Oman International Rally yester- day. The Qatari and French co- driver Matthieu Baumel won each of the 12 special stages (SS9 was cancelled) in their Volkswa- gen Polo GTI R5 and romped to a winning margin of 5min 04.1sec on the Sultanate of Oman’s re- turn to the regional series for the fi rst time since 2015. The success was al-Attiyah’s sixth in Oman as he tries to break Mohamed Ben Sulayem’s record of seven wins in the Sultanate. Baumel has now won the event twice (2015 and 2020). Al-Attiyah said: “Thanks to the Oman Automobile Associa- tion for organising the fi rst round of the Middle East Champion- ship. Now I have won six times here. I always like what I see here. I love the stages and the people.” Oman’s Abdullah al-Rawahi delivered a solid performance on his R5 debut to secure sec- ond position with Jordanian co- driver Ata al-Hmoud in a Ford Fiesta. Al-Rawahi said: “It was a really good result for us and we fi nished, despite a power steering pace and I take third position. I the special. Al-Ofi moved ahead gap to two minutes so the strat- al-Mazrui after late problems. problem on the last two stages. I am glad to start the season with a again and continued to lead from egy worked quite well. I thank my Hamid al-Qasim and Haitham would like to thank the team and good result. We have time now to al-Thefi ri through SS11, despite team from Swab Performance for al-Zadjali were second and third. everyone at the Oman Automo- plan for the next round in Qatar.” the Kuwaiti setting the fastest all their support this weekend.” Yaqhdan al-Rashdi and Wa- bile Association for bringing this The Omani pairing of Zakariya time in the category. The Lebanese duo of Henry heeb al-Khamsi both retired Qatar’s Nasser Saleh al-Attiyah (also left) and French co-driver Matthieu rally back.” al-Ofi and Ammar al-Balooshi Both al-Zubair and Jarah al- Kahy and Rony Maroun rejoined early on and Zakariya al-Amri Baumel in action during the Oman International Rally yesterday. Qatar’s Nasser Khalifa al-At- held the advantage in the MERC Tauqi retired on the second loop under the Rally 2 regulation and succumbed to mechanical issues tiyah and Italian co-driver Gio- 2 category at the start of the day, with technical issues and that reached the fi nish in eighth to on stage 10. 2. Abdullah al-Rawahi (OMN)/ Lancer Evo X 2hr 22min 55.2sec vanni Bernacchini rounded off but were overhauled by Abdul- paved the way for fourth-placed claim valuable MERC 3 points. The FIA Middle East Rally Ata Hmoud (JOR) Ford Fiesta R5 6. Khalid al-Manji (OMN)/Rony the podium places in the third of lah al-Zubair and Emad Juma on al-Ofi to pip al-Thefi ri, fi fth, to Faisal al-Rashdi retired his Sub- Championship resumes with 2hr 09min 36.4sec Bou Abdo (LEB) Subaru Impreza the Ford Fiesta R5s. The Qatari the fi rst stage of the opening loop MERC 2 honours. Omani drivers aru Impreza STi on the opening the Manateq Qatar International 3. Nasser Khalifa al-Attiyah STi 2hr 30min 02.4sec said: “The rally was good, the – the 21.57km of the Khoud Old Khalid al-Manji and Jassim al- stage. Rally on April 9th-11th. (QAT)/Giovanni Bernacchini (ITA) 7. Jassim al-Muqahwi (KWT)/ stages, the parc ferme and the Village special. Muqahwi reached the fi nish sixth Ghaith al-Qassimi took a com- Ford Fiesta R5 2hr 18min 47.6sec Thamer al-Mutairi (KWT) Mit- service area. Al-Zubair slipping to third be- and seventh overall. fortable advantage of 6in 23.5sec OVERALL STANDINGS 4. Zakariya al-Ofi (OMN)/Am- subishi Lancer Evo X 2hr 32min “We really enjoyed the stages. hind Kuwait’s defending regional MERC 2 winner al-Ofi said: “It in the fi nal six stages of the Oman 1. Nasser Saleh al-Attiyah (QAT)/ mar al-Balooshi (OMN) Mitsubishi 56.1sec Some of them are a bit tough. champion Meshari al-Thefi ri and was a tough race. Yesterday we National Rally but the Mitsubishi Matthieu Baumel (FRA) Volkswa- Lancer Evo IX 2hr 20min 33.8sec 8. Henry Kahy (LEB)/Rony Ma- After 28 years, coming back to his Irish navigator Derek O’Brien started building up the pace. That Lancer Evo driver lost out on the gen Polo GTI R5 2hr 04min 5. Meshari al-Thefiri (KWT)/ roun (LEB) Skoda Fabia 3hr 27min Oman to do the rally, I keep my after dropping 1min 40sec on was our strategy. We opened the National Rally win to Mohamed 32.3sec Derek O’Brien (IRL) Mitsubishi 46.1sec

CRICKET Upstarts Bangladesh target India upset in U19 World Cup fi nal AFP by 10 in the semi-fi nals. that we have to play.” have to do the best in all three de- , South Africa Defending champions India Bangladesh have gone one step partments. have won 11 consecutive match- further than their run to the 2016 “Bangladeshi cricket fans are es at the age-level competition semi-fi nals, as Mahmudul Hasan crazy, and I hope we will contin- irst-time fi nalists Bang- since their defeat against West Joy’s hundred against New Zea- ue to get the same support that ladesh will try to deny Indies in the fi nal of the 2016 land laid the basis for a six-wick- we’ve been getting.” neighbours and cricket- edition. et win. For all the players at this World ing giants India a record- In opening batsman Yashasvi “This is the fi rst time that Cup, there remains the dream not extendingF fi fth Under-19 World Jaiswal, India boast the tourna- Bangladesh have got to the fi nal just of winning but doing enough Cup title in today’s champion- ment’s leading runscorer. The and we are all very happy,” said to start forging a professional ca- ship match in Potchefstroom. attacking left-hander has com- Mahmudul, who models his bat- reer in the game. Bangladesh are a win away piled 312 runs at an astonishing ting on and In- Some big names have trodden from Akbar Ali’s bold average of 156 — having been dian great Rahul Dravid. this path before: current interna- pre-tournament prediction that dismissed just twice in five in- Bangladesh’s triumph set up tional captains , Eoin they could lift the trophy, but nings. a third all-Asian fi nal in the U19 Morgan and Kane Williamson standing between them and glory His century against Pakistan, World Cup, but this is the fi rst to all fi gured at the tournament in is a formidable India side that achieved with a match-clinching be played outside the sub-conti- the past along with some of the blew away arch-rivals Pakistan six, powered India into a seventh nent. greats of the recent past, players fi nal, and captain Priyam Garg “We will play it as a normal such as Brian Lara, Yuvraj Singh, India’s batsman Yashasvi Jaiswal urged his team to stick to what game. We can’t take the pressure Chris Gayle and Steve Smith. is the leading runscorer in the has proved a successful formula. of thinking that this is our fi rst The stage in Potchefstroom is tournament with 312 runs at an “I would want us to follow the fi nal,” said Bangladesh skipper set to see who if any young Indi- astonishing average of 156 — same process as we have done,” Akbar. ans or Bangladeshis are likely to having been dismissed just twice said Garg. “We have to approach “India is a very good side, and join this elite band in the decade in five innings. (AFP) the fi nal just as another game we have to play our ‘A’ game. We ahead. Gulf Times 2 Sunday, February 9, 2020 CRICKET

FIRST TEST Sublime Babar, Masood help Pakistan dominate Bangladesh Opener Masood scores 100, while Azam is unbeaten on 143 as hosts end day on 342 for a lead of 109 runs

AFP That lapse cost Bangladesh Rawalpindi, Pakistan Scorecard dearly as Azam added an invalu- able 112 for the third with BANGLADESH 1st innings 233 Masood, who also knocked his parkling hundreds from PAKISTAN 1st innings third Test century — second in Babar Azam and Shan S Masood b Islam 100 successive Tests. Masood put Pakistan in Masood — who was fi nally command against Bang- Abid Ali c Das b Jayed 0bowled out by Islam — reached ladeshS on the second day of the Azhar Ali c Shanto b Jayed 34 his hundred by hooking pac- fi rst Test at Rawalpindi yester- B. Azam 143 er for his 12th day. boundary. He reached three fi g- A. Shafiq not out 60 Azam scored a career best un- ures off 157 balls in 226 minutes beaten 143 for his third succes- Extras (b 1, lb 3, nb 1) 5 of . sive hundred in as many Tests Total (for 3 wkts; 87.5 overs) 342 Islam (1-111) toiled hard as he — fi fth of a burgeoning career — bowled 27 overs on the trot since Fall of wickets: 1-2 (Abid while opener Shan Masood made start. The only other successful Ali), 2-93 (Azhar Ali), 3-205 100 as they pulverised a hapless bowler was paceman Abu Jayed (Masood) Bangladesh attack at Rawalpindi whose fi gure read 2-66. stadium. : Ebadat 14.5-2-78-0, When Pakistan started their At close, Azam was still batting Jayed 20-2-66-2, R Hossain innings in the morning all focus with Asad Shafi q on 60, piling 17-3-77-0 (1nb), Islam 34-5-111-1, was on Abid, who scored two agony on the visitors during their Mahmudullah 2-0-6-0 hundreds in his fi rst two Tests unbroken 137-run stand for the against Sri Lanka in December fourth wicket. in two Tests — making this his last year. Masood said he and Azam have fourth hundred in fi ve Tests. Another hundred would done their jobs. In between he missed a hun- have equalled Indian player “We have batted our way to dred at Adelaide by a mere three Mohammad Azharuddin’s take the team in a strong posi- runs. unique record — three succes- tion and hope that the remain- Azam steered spinner Taijul sive centuries in his first three ing batsmen come and score so Islam to short third man bound- Tests — but Abid fell far short that we can build a good lead,” ary for his 15th four to complete when he was dismissed with- said Masood, who hailed Azam as three-fi gure mark off just 134 out scoring. world class. balls. He edged a short and wide de- “When Babar was coming out He has so far batted for 276 livery from Jayed into the hands to bat the crowd chanted ‘Babar, minutes, smashing 18 boundaries of wicketkeeper Liton Das and Babar’ and that is the sign of a and a six. His previous best score trudged off to the pavilion heart- great batsman who is so popular.” was 127 against New Zealand in broken. Pakistan lead Bangladesh’s Dubai in November 2018. Azhar added 91 runs for the fi rst innings total of 233 by 109 Shafi q also batted with con- second wicket with Masood and runs. fi dence, having so far hit eight looked set for a big score until he Since his fi ghting century boundaries in his 111-ball knock. miscued a drive off Jayed and was against Australia at Brisbane But it could have been an early caught by Najmul Hossain Shan- (104) in November last year, exit for Azam had Ebadot Hossain to in the slip. Azam has notched 102 not out not dropped him off Islam at long- Azhar’s attractive 34 included Pakistan’s Babar Azam (left) and Shan Masood (centre) run between the wickets as Bangladesh’s Ebadat Hossain looks on during the second day and 100 not out against Sri Lanka off when his score was only two. four boundaries. of the first Test in Rawalpindi, Pakistan, yesterday. (AFP)

SPOTLIGHT FOCUS returns Taylor’s ‘simple’ approach leads for South Africa

AFP World Cup in Australia in Octo- , South Africa ber and November. Black Caps to series win over India In a statement announcing the T20 squad against England, AFP ast bowler Dale Steyn is said yester- Auckland, New Zealand set to return to interna- day that the selectors had “opted tional cricket after an ab- to extend the rest period of Faf du sence of almost a year af- Plessis and (fast bowler) Kagiso ew Zealand wrapped up the terF being named in South Africa’s Rabada, who will offi cially take one-day series against India squad for three T20 internation- no further part in the remainder with veteran Ross Taylor and als against England next week. of England’s tour.” debutant Kyle Jamieson com- Steyn, 36, retired from Test The South African squad in- Nbining to set up a 22-run win in game two cricket last year after a series of cludes uncapped players in in Auckland yesterday. injuries but said he remained batsman Pite van Biljon and fast Taylor, who was also New Zealand’s available for the country’s white- bowler Sisanda Magala, who has hero with a century in the four-wicket ball teams. to prove his fi tness. victory in game one, set up the second His most recent appearance Before the T20 series starts on success with 73 not out and an unbeat- for South Africa was in a T20 in- Wednesday, South Africa meet en 76-run partnership with the novice ternational against Sri Lanka last England in the third and fi nal Jamieson. March. He was selected to play in one-day international in Johan- Jamieson went to the middle with New last year’s Cricket World Cup in nesburg today. Zealand 197 for eight and almost nine England and Wales but returned overs remaining following a spectacular home without playing a game SQUAD: (cap- collapse in which they lost seven wickets because of a shoulder injury. tain), Reeza Hendricks, Temba for 55 runs. Quinton de Kock, named as Bavuma, Rassie van der Dussen, He said Taylor, in his 231st ODI, had a the country’s long-term one- David Miller, Pite van Biljon, “pretty simple” message to try to bat out day captain, will continue in the , Andile Pheh- the overs. role for the T20 internation- lukwayo, Jon-Jon Smuts, Beuran “It was about trying to stay there and als against England despite Test Hendricks, , Lungi stick with Ross and get to a score that we captain having Ngidi, Sisanda Magala, Bjorn could defend in the end.” committed himself to Cricket Fortuin, Dale Steyn, Heinrich Captain Tom Latham called their part- South Africa until after the T20 Klaasen. nership “vital” and said he knew once In- New Zealand debutant Kyle Jamieson had an unbeaten 76-run partnership with veteran Ross Taylor (right) in the second ODI against dia lost early wickets that 273 was a satis- India in Auckland, New Zealand, yesterday. Jamieson also took two wickets as India’s chase fell short. (AFP) factory total. India were dismissed for 251 with nine balls remaining in their innings, but cap- Scorecard tain Virat Kohli was not too despondent having already beaten New Zealand 5-0 NEW ZEALAND (Blundell), 3-157 (Guptill). 4-171 (Latham), S. Thakur b de Grandhomme 18 in the series. M. Guptill run out (Thakur/Rahul) 79 5-175 (Neesham), 6-185 (de Grandhom- N. Saini b Jamieson 45 “One-day cricket in this calendar year me), 7-187 (Chapman), 8-197 (Southee) H. Nicholls lbw Chahal 41 Y. Chahal run out (Neesham/Latham) 10 is not as relevant if you look at the T20s Bowling: Thakur 10-1-60-2 (3w), Bumrah and the Tests, but having said that, to T. Blundell c Saini b Thakur 22 10-0-64-0, Saini 10-0-48-0 (2w), Chahal J. Bumrah not out 0 show that kind of fi ght and see who are R. Taylor not out 73 10-0-58-3 (1w), Jadeja 10-0-35-1 Extras (lb4, w12) 16 the guys who can play under pressure is a big revelation for us,” Kohli said. T. Latham lbw Jadeja 7 Total (all out; 48.3 overs) 251 New Zealand made a strong start in J. Neesham run out (Jadeja) 3INDIA Fall of wickets: 1-21 (Agarwal), 2-34 Auckland with Martin Guptill (69) and C. de Grandhomme c Iyer b Thakur 5 P. Shaw b Jamieson 24 (Shaw), 3-57 (Kohli), 4-71 (Rahul), 5-96 Henry Nicholls (41) putting on 93 for the (Jadhav), 6-129 (Iyer), 7-153 (Thakur), M. Chapman c&b Chahal 1 fi rst wicket. M. Agarwal c Taylor b Bennett 3 8-229 (Saini), 9-251(Chahal), 10-251 Following Nicholl’s dismissal, Tom T. Southee c Saini b Chahal 3 V. Kohli b Southee 15 (Jadeja) Blundell joined Guptill to get the total to K. Jamieson not out 25 S. Iyer c Latham b Bennett 52 Bowling: Bennett 9-0-58-2 (3w), Southee 142 before the seven-wicket collapse. Extras (b4, lb4, w6) 14 K. Rahul b de Grandhomme 410-1-41-2 (1w), Jamieson 10-1-42-2, de New Zealand had trouble negotiating Grandhomme 10-1-54-2 (2w), Neesham Total (eight wickets; 50 overs) 273 the spin of Yuzendra Chahal (three for 53) K. Jadhav c Nicholls b Southee 99.3-0-52-1 and Ravindra Jadeja while Guptill was run Fall of wickets: 1-93, (Nicholls), 2-142 R. Jadeja c de Grandhomme b Neesham 55 RESULT : New Zealand won by 22 runs out looking for a quick single. In comparison after 41.3 overs, New Zealand were 197 for eight and India 202 The 274-run target set for India was not New Zealand pace bowler Tim South- With Kohli’s early dismissal India for seven. a daunting prospect on Eden Park with its ee — who was unwell and only played looked to Shreyas Iyer to lead them home. But while the homeside were rescued short boundaries and when Prithvi Shaw because his team had no other bowlers The right-hander played his part un- by a fl urry of boundaries from Taylor and smacked the fi rst two deliveries of the in- to call on — made history when he dis- til he reached 52, his second ODI half- Jamieson, the tourists were unable to as- nings to the boundary it seemed the tour- missed India’s talisman Virat Kohli for 15. century, when he lost his composure and sert the same dominance over the New ists would wrap the match up quickly. It was a record ninth time he has dis- tried to cut a Bennett that was Zealand attack. But after Mayank Agarwal was dis- missed Kohli across all formats and heading towards middle stump and suc- Ravindra Jadeja and put missed in the third over India struggled to moved him past England pair James An- ceeded only in nicking the ball through to on 76 for the eighth wicket but Jadeja’s 55 regain momentum. derson and Graeme Swann who have the wicketkeeper. came off 73 balls only included two fours Jadeja went in at the end of the 21st over claimed the Indian captain’s scalp eight The third and fi nal match in the series and one six. when India were in strife at 96 for fi ve. times. is in Mount Maunganui on Tuesday. Gulf Times Sunday, February 9, 2020 3 SPORT

CRICKET Ghasham Al Shaqab, Hamamat Al Shahania win championship golds Sydney Sixers beat Stars to win BBL fi nal

Reuters Sydney, Australia

ydney Sixers won their second Big Bash League title as they beat Mel- bourne Stars by 19 runs inS a rain-hit fi nal in front of a jubilant crowd at the Sydney Cricket Ground yesterday. ’s half century Al Shaqab’s Ghasham Al Shaqab won the Senior Stallions Championship in the Qatar Al Shahania Stud’s Hamamat Al Shahania emerged as the Senior Mares Champion at the end of the two-day powered the hosts to a competi- International Arabian Horse Show yesterday. PICTURES: Juhaim championship, which was organised by the Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club yesterday. tive 116-5 in a contest that had a delayed start after being reduced to 12-overs-a-side following heavy rain. When they returned to defend the total, quick Josh Hazlewood and spin duo Nathan Lyon and Steve O’Keefe mowed down Melbourne’s top order to ef- fectively seal the match for the 2011-12 inaugural champions. Nick Larkin made 38 not out but the Stars never really got go- ing and managed only 97-6 in their 12 overs. “We improved throughout the season, we kept getting better and I’m just very happy with it,” said emotional Sydney skipper Moises Henriques. “They are a fantastic cricket team, a very dangerous cricket side. We held our composure very well. “Our bowlers have been fan- tastic all season... I’m a very Al Shaqab’s Shuaa Al Shaqab won gold in the Junior Fillies Championship at the Longines Arena at Al lucky captain to have those fi ve Shaqab yesterday. Al Shaqab’s Hawa Al Shaqab won the Yearling Fillies Championship, while Aldana bowlers to call on,” he added also Al Reeh Stud’s Amir Al Reeh topped the Junior Colts Championship. Nabeel al-Meslemani’s Palermo AT won the Yearling Colts Championship. referring to Sean Abbott and Ben Dwarshuis.

TENNIS Spain seal place in Fed Cup Finals aft er Osaka sits out Suarez Navarro takes the winning point; US, featuring Australian Open champ Kenin and Serena, lead Latvia 2-0 Federer, Nadal play to record crowd in

AFP Siya Kolisi, who presented Cape Town, South Africa Federer with a Springbok jersey. The coin used was a commemo- rative 20 Swiss Francs piece oger Federer and Rafael minted with Federer’s face. He Nadal attracted what or- gave it to Kolisi. Rganisers said was a world Other high-profile South African record crowd for a tennis match sports stars in attendance when they played an exhibition included former Springbok event in the Cape Town Stadium captains John Smit and Jean de on Friday. Villiers as well as Olympic swim- The organisers said an audited mer Ryk Neethling. attendance of 51,954 beat the The match is the sixth edition 42,517 who watched Fed- of the event organised by the erer play Alexander Zverev of Roger Federer Foundation and Germany in Mexico City last is the first to take place in Africa. November. “There’s so much anticipation They also announced that the that goes into it that the match ‘Match in Africa’ raised $3.5-mil- itself almost gets forgotten,” lion for the Roger Federer Foun- said Federer before the match. dation, which supports educa- He said he spent childhood tional and athletic programmes holidays in South Africa. Japan’s Naomi Osaka (left) reacts after her Fed Cup qualifiers first round loss to Spain’s Sara Sorribes Tormo for children in Africa. “The time spent here as a kid at La Manga Club in Cartagena, Spain, on Friday. (AFP) “To have 51,954 people in at- was amazing,” Federer said. “You tendance at a tennis match, would go on the road and you Reuters pan’s number one Naomi Osaka I never thought I’d be apart never come back for some reason London, United Kingdom did not take to the court after her of something like that,” said because you’ve gotta chase that dismal defeat by Sara Sorribes Federer. “It’s not something you Switzerland’s Roger Federer (right) celebrates his win over Spain’s little tennis ball and you’ve gotta Tormo on Friday. dream about. Rafael Nadal in The Match In Africa exhibition tennis match in Cape chase your dreams.” pain raced into the Fed In the other ties, Slovakia lead Federer, who was accompanied Town, South Africa, on Friday. (Reuters) Tens of thousands of fans Cup Finals as they raced Britain 2-0, Germany are 2-0 by his South African mother, showed up early and were ec- into an unassailable 3-0 ahead of Brazil and the United Lynette, said his first appear- The arena was packed with thank enough the people here static when Nadal and Federer lead over Japan, with States, featuring Australian ance in South Africa was a eager fans who sang, clapped in Cape Town. They came here hit practice balls into the stands. CarlaS Suarez Navarro claiming Open champion Sofi a Kenin and special occasion. and did the wave throughout and created an unforgettable One fan said she brought a wed- the winning point at the La Man- Serena Williams, lead Latvia 2-0. “The first time here in Cape the match. atmosphere.” ding ring for Federer to propose ga Club yesterday. Romania and Russia were level Town, in South Africa, means so “It’s an amazing crowd, an amaz- Earlier in the day, Federer and to her. “I want to marry Roger,” The fi ve-time champions are going into Saturday, as were Bel- much more than just tennis,” ing stadium,” said Nadal, who his doubles partner billionaire she shouted. the fi rst nation to join exempted gium and Kazakhstan. he said. was making his first appearance Bill Gates beat Nadal and South- Earlier in the afternoon, Federer France, Australia, Czech Re- The Fed Cup has followed the Federer won 6-4, 3-6, 6-3 in a in South Africa since playing in African born comedian Trevor and Nadal played tennis with chil- public and hosts Hungary in the men’s Davis Cup competition by match in which the players had the country as a junior. Noah in a match with more dren from townships in Hout Bay. revamped fi nals taking place in adopting a multi-nation fi nals in to contend with cool, windy “It’s an unforgettable evening. flexible rules. The children are part of an after- April. one city, with 12 team set to as- conditions in the stadium that We will probably never play The ceremonial coin toss was school activity programme with Seven other qualifying ties semble at the Laszlo Papp Buda- was built for the 2010 football again in an atmosphere such performed by World Cup-win- Zip Zap Circus which develops were scheduled to be resolved pest Sports Arena in April. World Cup. as this one,” said Nadal. “I can’t ning Springbok rugby captain gross and fine motor skills. later yesterday to complete the They will be split into four lineup. groups of three with the winners Canada trailed 2-0 to Swit- Sofia Kenin of the United States of each group moving into the Monfi ls reaches play Canadian Vasek Pospisil (ranked 132), to stun second seed Ricardas Berankis in a zerland overnight but a stun- celebrates a point against semi-fi nals before a fi nal to de- who beat Belgian David Goff in (10) 6-3, 1-6, thrilling semi-final of India’s only ATP tour- ning win for 17-year-old world Anastasija Sevastova (not cide the 2020 champions. Montpellier fi nal 7-5 yesterday, in today’s final. nament. The left-handed Vesely came back number 185 Leylah Annie Fern- pictured) of Latvia during the As well as trying to increase the from a set down to edge out Lithuania’s andez over world number fi ve Fed Cup qualifier in Everett, exposure of the women’s team Frenchman Gael Monfils reached his first Berankis 6-7 (8), 7-6 (3), 7-6 (7) in three hours Belinda Bencic yesterday gave Washington, United States. (AFP) event run by the International final of the year when he beat Serbian Filip Vesely aces Berankis and two minutes in the western city of Pune. them hope. Tennis Federation, the extra TV Krajinovic (44th in the world) 7-6 (4), 6-2 test to enter Pune fi nal Vesely, 26, reached his first ATP Tour final Spain led 2-0 overnight and Nara 6-1 6-3 on the outdoor revenue means an $18mn prize in Montpellier yesterday. Monfils, ranked in almost five years to face Egor Gerasimov, the 31-year-old Suarez Navarro claycourt. fund of which $12mn goes to the number nine in the world, has won the Jiri Vesely of the Czech Republic saved four who downed James Duckworth 7-6 (2), 6-4 wasted little time fi nishing off Nara, 137 on the WTA rank- players and the other $6mn to tournament twice, in 2010 and 2014. He will match points and served 28 aces yesterday in the second semi, today. Japan as she swept past Kurumi ings, was a late stand-in as Ja- the federations. Gulf Times 4 Sunday, February 9, 2020 SPORT

RUGBY BADMINTON Japan’s Momota postpones comeback Ireland win to end aft er eye surgery

Reuters Tokyo

orld number one Welsh hopes of Kento Momota will be out of action for at least three more Wmonths following surgery for a fractured right eye socket sus- tained in a road accident in Ma- laysia last month. The 25-year- old, one of Japan’s major hopes Grand Slam repeat for a gold medal at this year’s To- kyo Olympics, also suff ered facial lacerations and a nasal fracture ‘In all fairness to Wales, they came and pushed us hard, it’s great to get the win’ when the van he was travelling in crashed into a truck on January charged following the surgery. AFP 13, killing the van driver. The injury is a further blow to Dublin The accident occurred hours Momota’s preparations for the after Momota had secured his Olympics and he will not defend fi rst victory of the season at the his title at the All England cham- reland kept their hopes alive of a sec- Malaysia Masters. Momota — pionships next month. ond Six Nations Grand Slam in three who won a record 11 titles last “This one really took me by years while ending Wales’ hopes of year — opted to have surgery as surprise,” BWF quoted Japan a repeat with a deserved 24-14 win he experienced discomfort in his head coach Park Joo Bong as say- Iat Lansdowne Road yesterday. The Irish eye after returning to training on ing in a statement released by the outscored the Welsh by four tries to two Monday, the sport’s governing country’s badminton associa- — gaining a bonus point in the process — body BWF said in a statement. tion. “We’ll just have to see how with South Africa-born No 8 CJ Stander Doctors anticipated the bone it goes after surgery. I want him producing a sublime man-of-the-match would take three months to fully to prioritise his recovery without performance. heal and he had already been dis- rushing it.” Wales will rue missed chances, notably when Hadleigh Parkes failed to ground the ball over the try-line in the second- SWIMMING half, as their run of eight successive Six Nations wins came to an end. Ireland winger Jacob Stockdale said his team’s “physicality had gone up to the Schoeman blames next level”. “In all fairness to Wales, they came and pushed us hard, it’s great to get the contamination for win,” he said. “We know how good we can be when we’re all over our carrying and our breakdown, and it just had to come positive test throughout the game. Once we started to do that, then the tries started coming.” Reuters of the substance. I would never Wales skipper Alun Wyn Jones was left Cape Town knowingly take a banned sub- ruing “errors at crucial times”. “There stance and much less a substance were a series of penalties we thought known to carry cancer, heart at- we should have got more from, but we outh African Olympic tack and stroke risks.” didn’t,” Jones said. “Test rugby’s about swimming gold medallist Schoeman believes the fact winning. You can have all the enterprise Roland Schoeman says he he was handed a one-year ban, and all the beauty in the game you like, still has ambition to com- rather than the usual two-to- but ultimately it’s about the result.” peteS at the Tokyo 2020 Games four year suspension, “is testa- The opening quarter was dominated despite serving a one-year sus- ment to FINA’s understanding by the Irish but time and again having pension after testing positive for that this was possibly inadvert- entered the Welsh 22 — Stockdale in par- Wales’ Dillon Lewis (centre) evades a tackle from Ireland’s scrum-half Conor Murray (right) during the Six Nations a banned substance. ent contamination.” ticular looking sharp for the hosts — the match at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin yesterday. (AFP) Governing body FINA said He said the positive test was visitors turned the ball over. The Irish Schoeman tested positive for the “personally devastating and very fi nally converted a chance when Jordan who strode over to touch down for his mauling that enabled Josh van der Flier to eating away at the clock. prohibited substance GW501516, stressful”, adding that he “disbe- Larmour broke a poor, high tackle from sixth try for his country and Biggar con- touch down for only his second try for his Even when the Welsh tried to clear a hormone and metabolic modu- lieved other athletes when they Nick Tompkins and momentum car- verted for 7-5. country. from their 22, marauding Irish play- lator, at an out-of-competition claimed contamination, but I ried him over the line just before the Williams, though, blotted his copy- Sexton converted superbly from the ers forced them into errors — the 8-4 control on May 18 last year. now know from painful experi- 20-minute mark for his seventh Test try. book by knocking on and from the subse- touchline for 19-7 with 48 minutes left handling errors count a refl ection of the Schoeman, 39, issued a state- ence that it isn’t quite that sim- Johnny Sexton sent his conversion well quent scrum Ireland earned a penalty, but on the clock. For the second game in suc- hosts’ harassment. The Irish rounded off ment yesterday, blaming his ple.” wide in what were increasingly blustery opted for the touch, Tadhg Furlong driven cession Ireland rode their luck as Parkes in style as Andrew Conway went in in the positive test on a contaminated Schoeman won gold in the conditions as Storm Ciara moved in on over for his fourth try in his last eight failed to apply pressure to the ball when far right hand corner with less than fi ve batch of supplements, adding the 4x100 freestyle relay at the 2004 the Irish capital. Tests from the resulting phases. he went over the try-line, Scotland’s Stu- minutes remaining. levels found were trace amounts Athens Games, plus individual The Welsh, who lost in-form wing Josh Sexton made no mistake with the art Hogg having dropped the ball over the Ross Byrne’s conversion went wide but and his tests immediately before silver and bronze medals in the Adams to what looked like a knee injury, extras this time, converting for 12-7. line last week. it mattered not a jot. Wales fl anker Justin and after the positive result were 100 and 50m freestyle. He also hit back with a delightful move. Alun Stander was in superlative form with The Welsh pounded away at the Irish Tipuric put a better gloss on the scoreline clear. competed in the 2000, 2008 and Wyn Jones delivered a sublime inside pop some superb turnovers, one early in the line but again sterling defence prevented with a last-minute try against a 14-man “In May last year I was tak- 2012 Olympics, and says he re- to Dan Biggar which carved open the Irish second-half pivotal to the hosts’ next try. the visitors crossing the whitewash. That Ireland side, the impressive Stander hav- ing a variety of supplements, all tains the goal of going to Tokyo, defence. The Irish took full advantage, pulling in took the wind out of their sails and the ing been sin-binned as he attempted an- carefully selected, to avoid any with his ban to be lifted in May. Biggar off -loaded to Tomos Williams the Welsh defence with their aggressive Irish set up camp in the Welsh half, nicely other turnover. possibility of dosing on some- “It remains my ambition to thing not allowed,” his statement compete in the Olympics this said. “I had tested negative for year, if possible. My commit- SIX NATIONS any such contamination in the ment to maintaining the highest two tests before May 2019 and standards of ethics and fairness for two tests immediately after in sport remains undimmed,” he Genge’s late try gets England back on track the one found to contain a trace added. AFP their Six Nations opener last weekend. 11th-minute penalty was the lone score. half before persistent pressure from the By contrast, Scotland have now lost With Storm Ciara lashing Britain, the Scots forwards saw England concede a both of their fi rst two matches of the conditions made running rugby all but penalty near their own half which Hast- championship with this loss following a impossible. Farrell missed two penalty ings, Russell’s replacement at fl y-half, llis Genge’s late try helped Eng- 19-12 defeat by Ireland in Dublin. Scot- chances either side of being on target kicked to level the scores. land return to winning Six Na- land were again without fl y-half Finn with a 25-metre eff ort to punish Scotland A rejuvenated Scotland, with the wind tions ways as they regained the Russell. lock Scott Cummings for not rolling away changing in their favour, then enjoyed with a hard-fought The gifted playmaker, a key figure in at the breakdown. sustained possession only to turn the ball 13-6E win over Scotland at a rainswept Scotland’s 25-13 win over England at Scotland, by contrast, declined three over. Murrayfi eld yesterday. With 10 minutes Murrayfield in 2018 and the inspiration kickable penalties, with captain Stuart Several England kicks went directly to go, the match was all square at 3-3 behind their comeback from 31-0 down Hogg also failing to fi nd touch with one into touch as they carelessly ceded ter- thanks to a penalty apiece before England in a remarkable 38-38 draw at Twick- of them. It was not as costly a mistake ritory. Heading into the fi nal quarter the replacement prop Ellis Genge was driven enham last year, was once more left out as when the fullback squandered a try game was still deadlocked, with Farrell over for a try converted by Owen Farrell. by coach Gregor Townsend following by dropped the ball over the goal-line missing another penalty as Genge held England captain Farrell added a pen- a late-night drinking session that saw against Ireland but it was another un- the ball. alty before Scotland fl y-half Adam Hast- Russell miss training prior to the Ire- forced error. But Farrell’s kick through almost led ings kept the hosts in the hunt with his land match. George Ford nearly doubled England’s to Hogg gifting England a try when he second of the match. Australia-born centre Sam Johnson hit lead shortly before half-time but the fl y- fumbled the ball over his line under pres- But England closed the game out to England wing Jonny May with a strong, half’s drop-goal went just past the left sure from Jonathan Joseph. Nevertheless, secure victory after their defeat by South legal tackle from the opening kick-off , but post. Scotland centre Huw Jones, a try- Hogg’s error led to a fi ve-metre scrum for FINA said South Africa’s Roland Schoeman tested positive for the Africa in the World Cup fi nal was fol- otherwise there was little for the home scorer in the 2018 Calcutta Cup, threat- England and Genge was driven over for prohibited substance GW501516, a hormone and metabolic lowed by a 24-17 loss away to France in crowd to cheer in a fi rst half where Farrell’s ened England’s line early in the second the key score. modulator, at an out-of-competition control on May 18 last year. (AFP)

FOCUS France captain Ollivon prepared for Storm Ciara ahead of Italy Test AFP “There might be changes with the that. We have to know how to act in the racens were on Friday fi ned 50,000 Paris set-pieces and in open play but in all right way to put in place the right tools euros ($54,732) but escaped a ban cases we’ll see because last week they for the match. We can’t not talk about for fi elding an ineligible player in a said there would be heavy rain for the it,” he added. pool-stage win against Racing 92. In a rance captain Charles Ollivon whole match even it wasn’t necessar- The travelling team’s skipper Luca wretched season for Saracens, the club said yesterday forecast hur- ily the case,” 26-year-old Ollivon said. Bigi agreed that the weather would were relegated from the Premiership ricane-strength winds would “We have prepared for all the scenarios play a role in the fi xture. “We’ll manage the day before the Racing 92 match fol- have an impact on his side’s but remained focused, no matter the that. We have a plan to play with rain lowing persistent salary cap breaches. tacticsF for this weekend’s Six Nations weather it’s going to be diffi cult.” and wind, so we’re prepared,” Bigi said. Saracens had told European Cup or- match against Italy in Paris. Storm Ci- Ollivon, who will lead his country for “We know that France like to play ganisers earlier this week that United ara could bring gusts of more than 80 just the second time, said he was aware with the ball, with an unstructured States international prop Titi Lam- kilometres an hour (50 miles per hour) of his team’s tag as favourites against game, that they are good on the coun- ositele’s work permit expired the day today for both outfi ts’ second match in the visitors, who are on a 23-match ter attack, so maybe if it’s raining, the before the match which they needed to this year’s tournament. winless streak in the competition. game will be static and it could be bet- win to reach the quarter-fi nals. Lam- Les Bleus opened their campaign “The most important thing is to say ter for us.” ositele was eligible on the Friday when with an impressive 24-17 win over we are certainly conscious about the Saracens announced the squad, but his England last Sunday at the Stade de fact that we are possibly more favour- TROUBLED SARACENS permit had expired by the time he came France’s Peato Mauvaka (left) jokes with teammate Charles Ollivon before a France and the Azzurri were hammered ites than last week, it’s even a certain- ESCAPE EUROPEAN BAN on as a replacement in the 60th minute training session at the Stade de France, in Saint Denis yesterday. (AFP) 42-0 by Grand Slam champions Wales. ty,” he said. “We have to be conscious of European Champions Cup holders Sa- at Allianz Park on the Sunday. Gulf Times Sunday, February 9, 2020 5 SPORT

NBA NHL Streaking Raptors Last-minute goal lift s beat Pacers, Celtics Wild over Dallas Stars

Reuters for Anaheim, and Henrique pull down Hawks Minneapolis also had an assist. Ryan Miller made 29 saves. ‘WE’RE JUST TRYING TO FOCUS ON US AND TRYING TO DO OUR JOB’ innesota’s Joel BLUE JACKETS 2, Eriksson Ek RED WINGS 0 scored the second Elvis Merzlikins record- Mof his two goals ed his fi fth shutout in eight with 25.7 seconds left in regu- games, Zach Werenski scored lation, and the visiting Wild in the second period, and beat the Dallas Stars 3-2 on streaking Columbus stifl ed Friday night. visiting Detroit. Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) After a big battle on the end Merzlikins became the fi rst goes to the basket against Atlanta Hawks boards behind Dallas goalie rookie goaltender to record guard Vince Carter (15) during the first Ben Bishop, Eriksson Ek col- fi ve shutouts in an eight-game quarter at TD Garden in Boston.PICTURE: lected a miss by Jonas Brodin span since Frank Brimsek in Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports and wrapped the puck around 1938. He needed to make only past Bishop for the game- 16 stops against the Wings. winning tally. The Blue Jackets are 9-0-1 Minnesota rebounded from over the last 10 games and a 2-0 defi cit to beat the Stars have recorded at least one for the third time in four point in 18 consecutive games meetings and win the season against Eastern Conference series. Ryan Donato scored, opponents. Devan Dubnyk stopped 31 Werenski’s 17 goals are an shots and the Wild won their NHL high for a defenceman third straight and sixth of this season. He also scored the their last eight. only goal in Columbus’ last Joe Pavelski tallied on the game, a 1-0 overtime win over power play, Denis Gurianov the Florida Panthers on Tues- added a goal and Bishop made day. Boone Jenner scored the 27 saves and also contributed other goal for the Blue Jackets his second assist this season into a vacated net. on Gurianov’s tally. SABRES 3, RANGERS 2 MAPLE LEAFS 5, Carter Hutton made 37 DUCKS 4 (OT) saves while Jimmy Vesey col- John Tavares scored his sec- lected a goal and an assist ond goal of the game at 4:53 of against his former team as overtime, and Toronto defeat- Buff alo held on for a victory at ed visiting Anaheim. Tavares, New York. who also had an assist, netted The Sabres beat the Rangers his 22nd goal of the season on for only the second time in the a tip-in of a shot by Mitchell past nine meetings and also Marner during a power play. won for the second time in Auston Matthews had a goal their past seven contests over- and three assists, and Andreas all (2-4-1). Buff alo rebounded Johnsson and Jason Spezza from a 4-3 home shootout loss each added a goal for Toron- to the league-worst Detroit to. Marner had three assists. Red Wings on Thursday. Goaltender Jack Campbell Zemgus Girgensons and stopped 26 shots in his fi rst Sam Reinhart scored in the start for Toronto after he was fi rst two periods for the Sa- acquired in a Wednesday trade bres. Vesey, who spent the AFP mates, before walking to the sideline and Hardaway made one of two free throws. seven three-pointers. Ben Simmons with the Los Angeles Kings. fi rst three seasons of his ca- Los Angeles then the locker room. Washington coach Scott Brooks called a added 22 points with 10 assists and three Nicolas Deslauriers, Max reer with the Rangers, had the The Boston Celtics, third in the Eastern timeout and drew up the in-bounds play steals as Philadelphia, a lowly 9-19 on the Jones, Adam Henrique and secondary assist on Reinhart’s Conference behind the Milwaukee Bucks that produced Beal’s basket. road, improved to 23-2 at home and 32-21 Derek Grant scored for the goal, and Jack Eichel collected BA champions Toronto Raptors’ and Toronto, notched their sixth straight “We made a mistake on defence, and overall. The Phoenix Suns, fuelled by a Ducks, who twice tied the two assists. Mike Zibanejad mid-season surge continued victory with a 112-107 win over the At- they made a great play,” Mavericks coach career-high 39 points from Kelly Oubre, game in the third period. and Chris Kreider scored for with a franchise-record 13th lanta Hawks. Rick Carlisle said. “The game was lost upset the Houston Rockets 127-91. Cam Fowler had two assists the Rangers. Nstraight victory on Friday, a 115- Forward Jayson Tatum scored 32 points throughout. We had too many miscom- Devin Booker scored 33 points for the 106 win over the Indiana Pacers. — his second straight game of 30 or more munications and it was a collection of Suns, who out-scored the prolifi c Rockets Serge Ibaka scored 22 points and — as the Celtics overcame the injury ab- defensive mistakes... that led to this. Just 46-26 in the fi rst quarter and never trailed grabbed 10 rebounds for the Raptors, sences of Jaylen Brown and Gordon Hay- very disappointing.” the rest of the way. who haven’t lost a game since January 15 ward. Davis Bertans made fi ve three-pointers Oubre connected on 14 of 19 shots from and beat the Pacers for the second time in In Washington, Bradley Beal seized an to fi nish with 20 points for the Wizards. the fi eld, including seven of nine from three days. in-bounds pass with 1.8 seconds remain- Japanese rookie Rui Hachimura scored 17 three-point range as Phoenix snapped a “We’re just trying to be us,” Ibaka said. ing and drove for the game-winning bas- points and delivered a dominant defensive four-game skid. “There’s a lot of tough teams out there, ket in the Wizards’ 119-118 victory over performance against Mavs star Kristaps James Harden scored 32 points to lead we’re just trying to focus on us and trying the Dallas Mavericks. Porzingis. the Rockets, whose All-Star guard Russell to do our job.” It was just part of another standout The Philadelphia 76ers, fresh off an 0-4 Westbrook sat out a day after scoring 41 A 12-3 burst in the third quarter pro- performance from Beal, who has been on road trip in which they lost four games by points in Houston’s win over the Lakers in pelled the Raptors to an 87-78 lead, but a tear ever since he failed to gain selection an average of more than 18 points, basked Los Angeles. the Pacers trimmed the defi cit after To- to the NBA All-Star game. in their return home with a 119-107 vic- ronto’s six-time All-Star Kyle Lowry de- Beal scored a game-high 29 points, tory over the Memphis Grizzlies. Results parted with what the team called a whip- pulled down fi ve rebounds and handed Star centre Joel Embiid sat out the sec- Utah ...... 117 Portland ...... 114 lash injury. out eight assists for the Wizards, who are ond half because of a stiff neck, but re- Indiana ...... 106 Toronto ...... 115 Lowry had drawn a foul on Jeremy Lamb chasing the Orlando Magic for the eighth serve guard Furkan Korkmaz helped the Boston ...... 112 Atlanta ...... 107 and run into Ibaka as he fell, his head and and fi nal playoff berth in the East. Sixers compensate with a career-high 34 Sacramento ...... 105 Miami ...... 97 shoulder making contact with Ibaka. In a back-and-forth battle that featured points. Phoenix ...... 127 Houston ...... 91 Lowry lay on the court for several min- 21 lead changes, the Mavericks took a 118- Korkmaz connected on 13 of 17 shots Oklahoma City...... 108 Detroit ...... 101 utes, surrounded by concerned team- 117 lead in the closing seconds after Tim from the fi eld, including a career-high Philadelphia ...... 119 Memphis ...... 107

BOTTOMLINE

Minnesota Wild goaltender Devan Dubnyk (40) faces the Dallas ‘Celebration of life’ for Kobe and Stars attack during the second period at the American Airlines Center. PICTURE: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Gianna to be held on Feb 24 NBA fines Magic coach Cliff ord AFP zlies in an NBA game at the arena in down- area outside Staples a spontaneous shrine, $25K over outburst Los Angeles town Los Angeles that night. leaving mountains of fl owers along with Lee Zeidman, president of Staples Cent- basketballs, jerseys, stuff ed animals and Los Angeles: The NBA for the off iciating crew as er, told the Los Angeles Times that getting other mementoes. fined Orlando Magic coach he departed the court in anessa Bryant announced plans the court ready for the game won’t be a Those items have been cleared away, Steve Cliff ord $25,000 the wake of the two-point for a public celebration of life for problem. with thousands of them being sent to Va- for “verbally abusing” defeat. her late husband Kobe Bryant and “Staples Center has hosted over 220 nessa Bryant at her request. off icials in their 105-103 Later he said the off iciating Vdaughter Gianna on February 24 doubleheaders in its 20-year history,” The Lakers themselves paid emotional loss to the New York Knicks crew should have expected in a touching Instagram post on Friday. Zeidman said. “While this is going to be tribute to Bryant there in their fi rst game on Thursday, the league him to call a timeout in that “#2, #24 #20 years as a Laker,” the be- a very emotional day for the Bryant fam- after the club legend’s death, when they announced yesterday. kind of situation. reaved wife and mother wrote in the post, ily, the Los Angeles Lakers, the city of Los hosted the Portland Trail Blazers fi ve days Cliff ord was angry at the “When players don’t confi rming that a memorial service would Angeles, as well as for the men and women after the accident. end of the game at Madison have awareness, you be held at Staples Center arena that Mon- who work at Staples Center, we are very Gianna’s teammates Alyssa Altobelli Square Garden after he lose. Coaches have poor day morning at 10:00 (1800 GMT). confi dent we will be ready for 6pm doors and Payton Chester, Alyssa’s parents John tried unsuccessfully to call awareness, that was my She said more details were to come. opening for the Clippers-Memphis game and Keri Altobelli, Payton’s mother Sarah a timeout with 6.7 seconds fault tonight, you lose,” Gianna Bryant wore No 2 for her school following the ceremony.” Chester, basketball coach Christina Maus- remaining and the Knicks Cliff ord said after the game. basketball team and Kobe Bryant wore No Staples Center, also the home of the er and pilot Ara Zobayan also died in the leading 105-103. “The off icials have got to 24 in the later stages of his iconic 20-year NHL’s Los Angeles Kings and venue for crash, which remains under investigation. Vying for the chance to have awareness, too. career with the Los Angeles Lakers. Kobe Bryant with Gianna. concerts and events such as the recent A memorial service was scheduled for run a play that might “Knowing the game and Kobe Bryant, 41, and 13-year-old Gianna Grammy Awards, has hosted memorials for Monday at Angel Stadium in Anaheim for have tied — or even won knowing the rules and were among nine people killed in a heli- The event will fall on a day between two recording artists Michael Jackson and Nip- the Altobelli family. John Altobelli, 56, was — the contest, Cliff ord knowing the situation’s got copter crash in the rugged hills west of Los Lakers home games, but the rival Los An- sey Hussle. a longtime coach of the Orange Coast Col- had some choice words to be a part of it, too.” Angeles on January 26. geles Clippers will host the Memphis Griz- Fans mourning Bryant had made the lege baseball team. Gulf Times 6 Sunday, February 9, 2020 SPORT

GOLF SPOTLIGHT Quartararo blitzes fi eld again on Day, Mickelson second Malaysia MotoGP test day

AFP work the boys have done over the Sepang winter and also with the work chasing Taylor at we’ve done today, two days of ‘I hit some really rench whizz kid Fabio testing,” he told reporters. Quartararo came out “(I’m) really looking forward good shots fastest at the Saturday to the fi nal chunk of test items Fpre-season MotoGP we’re going through tomorrow.” coming in and Malaysia test, charting the sec- Miller was followed by Span- ond time this weekend at leading iard Dani Pedrosa who came made all the putts’ the pack on the Sepang track. in third on his KTM at 1min Pebble Beach Cutting his Friday timing 58.662sec, with fellow coun- by nearly half-a-second, the tryman Joan Mir logging 1min former rookie blitzed past the 58.731sec in fourth place. competition’s other 25 riders to Italian rider Franco Morbidelli clock his best at 1min 58.572sec. arrived fi fth fastest today at 1min “(I’m) so happy to already feel 58.831sec, as Spaniard Maverick good on the bike. We still need Vinales clocked his best time at to improve a lot of things be- 1min 58.893sec to come in sixth. cause it’s diffi cult to make a new The offi cial fi rst pre-season bike really good in one day,” the test at the Sepang circuit ends on 20-year-old told reporters. Sunday. The season will start in “I’m really happy about the Qatar on March 8. work of the team because we Pre-season MotoGP test make so many change in a few times on Saturday at the Sepang laps.” circuit (5.543km): Quartararo’s faster perform- ance came with his use of the TEST TIMES new 2020 YZR-M1 model, un- 1. Fabio Quartararo (FRA/ veiled earlier this week at a Yamaha) at 1min 58.572sec, launch by the Petronas Yamaha 2. Jack Miller (AUS/Ducati) at SRT team ahead of the season. 0.069sec, 3. Dani Pedrosa (SPA/ Yesterday’s test saw eight rid- KTM) at 0.09sec, 4. Joan Mir ers breaching the 1:59-minute (SPA/Suzuki) at 0.159sec, 5. mark on the 5.5km track. Franco Morbidelli (ITA/Yamaha) Coming in at a close second at at 0.259sec, 6. Maverick Vinales a 1min 58.641sec - just 0.069sec (SPA/Yamaha) at 0.321sec, behind Quartararo - on his 7. Alex Rins (SPA/Suzuki) at Ducati was Australian Jack Mill- 0.406sec, 8. Pol Espargaro (SPA/ er, also outstripping his Friday KTM) at 0.417sec, 9. Marc Mar- performance, by more than half- quez (SPA/Honda) at 0.525sec, a-second. 10. Valentino Rossi (ITA/Yamaha) “I’m really happy with the at 0.544sec.

Phil Mickelson of the United States plays his shot from the 13th tee during the second round of the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am at Monterey Peninsula Country Club on Friday in Pebble Beach, California.

AFP lenging holes up by the water,” San Francisco Taylor said. “(I’ll) just keep my head down and try to make some birdies.” ustralian Jason Day and defending champion Geelong, Australia: Aus- Phil Mickelson were tralia’s Min Woo Lee mastered on the heels of Nick treacherous conditions to lead Petronas Yamaha SRT’s French rider Fabio Quartararo (L) and Reale TaylorA Friday as the Canadian the innovative Vic Open yester- Avintia Racing Ducati’s French rider Johann Zarco take a corner maintained a two-shot lead in day, with South Korea’s Ayean during the second day of the pre-season MotoGP winter test at the the US PGA Tour Pebble Beach Cho heading the women’s fi eld Sepang International Circuit in Sepang yesterday. Pro-Am. after a battling sub-par round. Taylor, chasing his second US Swirling wind made scoring tour title, fi red a six-under par extremely diffi cult around the Boys of Summer author Kahn dies at 92 66 at Pebble Beach Golf Links 13th Beach Golf Links in Gee- — one of three courses in use for long, south of Melbourne, at an New York: Author Roger Kahn, before the all-time hits leader the tournament along with the event where men and women tee perhaps best known for his was banned from the game, and par-72 Spyglass Hill and par- off , in alternate groups, on the 1972 best-selling book The Boys wrote a biography of legendary 71 Monterey Peninsula Shore same course and for equal prize of Summer that nostalgically boxer Jack Dempsey. Course. money. romanticised the Brooklyn Dodg- Yet it was The Boys of Summer After his 63 at Monterey Pe- It is the only tournament of its ers of a bygone era, died on that made him famous as read- ninsula on Thursday, Taylor had kind in the world and has been Thursday at the age of 92. ers found his story incredibly a 14-under par total of 129. running as a dual event for seven His son, Gordon Jacques Kahn, heartwarming but not smarmy. Former world number one years. But it took on added sig- confirmed that his father died in He borrowed his book title from Day fi red an eight-under par nifi cance last year with the Eu- a nursing home in Mamaroneck, a Dylan Thomas poem, and 64 at Pebble Beach for a 12-un- ropean Tour and the US-based NY. Kahn was a true-blue New rhapsodised about a team that der total of 131, while Mickel- LPGA Tour jointly sanctioning it Yorker from the day he was born, he worshipped as a child, then son, a fi ve-time winner of the Jason Day hits his fairway shot on the 18th hole during the second round of the AT&T Pebble Beach for the fi rst time. residing primarily in hometown covered in the 1950s, includ- event, carded a seven-under 64 Pro-Am golf tournament at Pebble Beach Golf Links. PICTURE: Michael Madrid-USA TODAY Sports Lee, the younger brother of Brooklyn and Manhattan before ing such classic players as at Monterey Peninsula for an world number nine women’s most recently living in Stone Jackie Robinson, Duke Snider, Gil 11-under total of 132. 12th hole — and made some re- will be played today. very well here. I love everything star Minjee Lee, sunk a tricky Ridge, N Y. During his writing Hodges and Pee Wee Reese. “I hit some really good shots ally nice putts coming in the last Along with an eagle at the about Pebble and the landscape eagle putt on the last despite career, his positions included Born in Brooklyn on Oct 31, 1927, coming in and made all the fi ve holes.” par-fi ve 14th — where he that all three golf courses that gusts rocking his ball to card a New York Herald Tribune copy Kahn lived through the suicide putts,” said Taylor, whose seven After his lone bogey of the day chipped in from 40 yards out — are on.” four-under-par 68. boy, Newsweek sports editor, of his son Roger, and the divorce birdies included four in his last at 12, Taylor drained an 18-foot Day notched six birdies, includ- Mickelson had an eagle, It left him three clear of fel- Esquire magazine columnist and from his second wife following a fi ve holes. birdie at the 14th and a four- ing a 23-foot birdie at the 18th. seven birdies and two bogeys low Australian Travis Smyth professor at three colleges. long legal battle. “It was nice to get off to a re- footer at the 15th. He rolled in a “I would like to win,” said Day, at Monterey Peninsula, falling and veteran Marcus Fraser as he Kahn wrote at least 20 books, He leaves behind his third wife ally good start — I was three- nine-footer at 17 and a 16-footer who has been a consistent top- back with a bogey at his fi nal targets a maiden win on the Eu- and often waxed poetic about Katherine Johnson, son Gordon, under through six,” Taylor said. at 18 to cap his round. 10 fi nisher at Pebble Beach for hole, the ninth. ropean Tour. baseball, the sport he loved as daughter Alissa Avril and five “I made some good pars in the Day climbed the leaderboard the last six years. “I think the forecast is for a “I think it was probably one a child. He also collaborated grandchildren. His funeral will be middle of the round — actually with a bogey-free eff ort at Peb- “That’s the main goal is to bit of wind (Saturday) so, Spy- of the best rounds I have ever with Pete Rose for a 1989 book held on Feb 10 in Katonah, NY. made a good bogey save at the ble Beach, where the fi nal round try and win one. But I’ve played glass, there will be some chal- played,” said 21-year-old Lee.

BOTTOMLINE Astros’ sign-stealing also extended to road games Reuters to as “Codebreaker.” were fi red by Astros owner Jim in-game. The former GM said arts.” According to MLB’s report, operation, but he stated that he “I mean, it’s complicated Houston Derek Vigoa, at the time a front Crane later that day. that he thought the sign-stealing after Astros staff ers cracked an should have done more to stop when you’re talking about a offi ce intern but now the Astros’ According to the Journal, was only being done after games, opposing team’s signs during the cheating. team and all the inner workings senior manager for team op- Astros director of advance in- which would be legal under base- home games, Houston players “I hit (the monitor). With a bat. of a team, but in reality I just he Houston Astros’ sign- erations, reportedly devised an formation Tom Koch-Weser ball rules. would bang on a trash can in a I didn’t like it,” he said. “In hind- feel like I could have done more stealing scheme was an Excel-based program for deci- maintained that Luhnow was in The Journal reported that As- tunnel leading to the fi eld to alert sight I would have a meeting. I looking back, especially feeling elaborate procedure that phering the signs of the opposing the know on the operation, and tros pro scouting analysis man- batters when an off -speed pitch should have had a meeting and like the leader I am in 2019 vs. Textended to road games catcher. emails seen by MLB investigators ager Matt Hogan told MLB in- was coming. addressed it face-forward and re- where I was in 2017 and where as well as home games, the Wall A Major League Baseball in- were sent to Luhnow regarding vestigators that staff ers wanted Hinch’s fi rst interview since ally ended it. Leadership to me I’ve grown. But it’s always eas- Street Journal reported on Friday. vestigation found that the Astros “Codebreaker.” Luhnow to know of Codebreaker: his fi ring aired Friday on MLB is often about what you preach. ier to look back and wish you In an extensive look into the illegally stole signs during the Koch-Weser also stated that “It would have been something Network. Speaking with Tom Your pillars of what you believe in. could have done more.” scandal that cost Astros general 2017 and 2018 seasons. Houston Luhnow would make comments to show we were working and get Verducci, Hinch accepted the Leadership is also about what you Hinch refused to answer manager Jeff Luhnow and man- won the World Series in 2017. such as, “You guys Codebreak- validation of our work.” blame for the sign-stealing, tolerate. And I tolerated too much. whether Astros players wore ager A J Hinch their jobs, the Luhnow and Hinch were each ing?” while visiting the team Per e-mails seen by MLB in- even though MLB’s report had And that outburst... I wanted to let buzzers in 2019 to alert them Journal detailed the origins and handed one-year suspensions by clubhouse on road trips, but vestigators, the Astros staff ers indicated that he was opposed people know that I didn’t like it. I to certain pitches, as was ru- execution of the plan the Astros MLB after the probe was com- Luhnow denied knowing that involved in the scheme referred to the scheme. Hinch reportedly should have done more. I should moured after the scandal broke front office reportedly referred pleted on Jan 13, and both men the programme was being used to their sign-stealing as “dark smashed TV monitors used in the have addressed it more directly. last month. Gulf Times Sunday, February 9, 2020 7 FOOTBALL

BUNDESLIGA ROUND-UP Payet strike gives Marseille Leverkusen bounce victory AFP Paris

imitri Payet’s second- half strike gave Mar- seille a 1-0 win against back to beat Dortmund Toulouse yesterday thatD moved his side within nine points of Ligue 1 leaders Paris Defeat leaves Dortmund third in the table, three points behind leaders Bayern Munich Saint-Germain. The former West Ham forward hit home Reuters from 25 yards shortly after half- Munich time at the Velodrome for his tenth goal of the season in all competitions. ayer Leverkusen scored twice Payet could have had a sec- in two minutes to complete a ond late in the game but fi red thrilling comeback as they beat just wide after bursting through Borussia Dortmund 4-3 yester- the Toulouse defence. Veteran day,B denying their visitors a chance to ‘keeper Steve Mandanda pre- go second in the Bundesliga table. served Marseille’s lead with an Kevin Volland swept a shot past Ro- impressive diving save from Bel- man Buerki and into the far corner to gian forward Aaron Leya Iseka’s give Leverkusen the lead in the 20th shot in the 85th minute. minute, but Mats Hummels deftly The win gave Marseille a nine- headed home from a corner to put the point lead over third-placed visitors back on level terms two minutes Rennes who host Brest later last later. Emre Can then gave Dortmund night. PSG face Lyon at the Parc the lead with a wonder strike in the 33rd des Princes today. minute, picking up the ball well outside On Friday, Renato Sanches the box before unleashing a brilliant scored his second Ligue 1 goal dipping shot that curled into the net as Lille claimed a 2-0 victory at past the despairing dive of Lukas Hra- Angers to move level on points decky. with third-placed Rennes. Last Undeterred, Leverkusen were back season’s runners-up secured a level two minutes before halftime as third straight win to edge closer Dortmund failed to clear a corner and to the fi nal Champions League Volland struck his second goal of the qualifi cation spot. game. Dortmund went ahead again in the 65th minute with a superb team LATE BLITZ BOOKS goal, working the ball quickly in from RANGERS PLACE IN the right before Achraf Hakimi set up SCOTTISH CUP QUARTERS Raphael Guerreiro for a simple side- Rangers manager Steven Ger- footed fi nish. rard said he had to “rattle a few The visitors looked to be cruising to cages” at half-time as his side victory until goals from Leon Bailey and scored three times in the fi nal Lars Bender in the 81st and 82nd min- 22 minutes to beat Hamilton 4-1 utes put Leverkusen back in the driving and book their place in the Scot- seat, with Dortmund failing to recover tish Cup quarter-fi nals. from the one-two punch. The defeat Gerrard’s men have struggled left Dortmund third in the table on 39 Bayer Leverkusen’s Leon Bailey (second left) celebrates with teammates after scoring against Borussia Dortmund in the Bundesliga yesterday. (Reuters) to hit top form since returning points from 21 games, three points be- from the winter break and made hind leaders Bayern Munich, who play dow on new recruits including strikers pirations suff ered a dent in a 1-1 draw at coach Florian Kohfeldt is under pres- GERMAN BUNDESLIGA RESULTS life diffi cult for themselves again second-placed RB Leipzig (41 points) on Krzysztof Piatek from AC Milan and home to bottom side Paderborn. With sure after seven defeats in 10 games. Wolfsburg 1 (Steff en 50) Fortuna Dues- in Lanarkshire. Scott Arfi eld Sunday. Leverkusen remain fi fth on 37. Matheus Cunha from RB Leipzig. How- league leaders Bayern Munich hosting His cause was not helped as Fortuna seldorf 1 (Zimmermann 13); Werder gave the visitors the lead on the Earlier, Sweden striker Robin Quai- ever, Quaison ran riot at Berlin’s Olym- second-placed RB Leipzig in today’s Duesseldorf picked up a point to move Bremen 0 Union Berlin 2 (Bulter 52, 72); rebound after his penalty was son hit a hat-trick as Mainz beat 10- pic Stadium with goals either side of showdown, fi fth-placed Schalke are above Bremen by drawing 1-1 at ten- Hertha Berlin 1 (Bruma 85-og) Mainz saved by Luke Southwood. man Hertha Berlin 3-1 in the capital on half-time before claiming a hat-trick by now seven points from top spot. man Wolfsburg. 3 (Quaison 17, 82, 90+4-pen); Freiburg However, Hamilton levelled Saturday to push Jurgen Klinsmann’s converting a late penalty. Schalke took a second-half lead when Duesseldorf took an early lead when 1 (Waldschmidt 40-pen) Hoff enheim before the break through Lewis side towards the Bundesliga relega- At the other end, Piatek and his Her- youth academy product Ahmed Kutucu, winger Mathias Zimmermann fi red into 0; Schalke 1 (Kutucu 63) Paderborn 1 Smith and had huge appeals for a the bottom corner. tion spots. Hertha have just one win in tha strike partner Pascal Koepke strug- 19, came on as a substitute and fi red (Gjasula 82); Bayer Leverkusen 4 (Vol- penalty turned down when Con- their fi ve games in all competitions in gled to create goal chances. home from a tight angle. But Paderborn Wolfsburg had defender Marin Pon- nor Goldson handled inside his land 30, 43, Bailey 81, Bender 82) Borus- 2020 under ex-Germany and USA head Hertha’s only consolation was an took a point when midfi elder Klaus gracic sent off just after the break for el- own area. sia Dortmund 3 (Hummels 22, Can 33, coach Klinsmann, who took charge last own goal by Mainz defender Jeff rey Gjasula equalised with a late header. bowing Alfredo Morales at a free-kick. Rangers clicked into gear in November. Klinsmann, 55, blamed the Bruma just before Berlin midfi elder Werder Bremen are now deep in the Despite being a man down, Wolfsburg Guerreiro 65) the fi nal quarter, though, as Joe defeat on Hertha’s midweek German Marius Wolf was sent off for a second relegation places after a 2-0 home de- drew level three minutes later as mid- Playing today: Borussia Moenchengla- Aribo’s strike restored the lead Cup loss at Schalke, which was marred yellow card soon before the fi nal whis- feat to mid-table Union Berlin. fi elder Renato Steff en headed home. dbach v Cologne (1430), Bayern Munich before Alfredo Morelos’s fi rst by alleged racist abuse aimed at Hertha tle. Having also been drubbed 4-0 by Second-half goals by Union winger Mid-table Freiburg rebounded from v RB Leipzig (1700) goal of 2020 and a late Arfi eld defender Jordan Torunarigha by home leaders Bayern Munich in January, Her- Marius Buelter did the damage, com- back-to-back defeats with a 1-0 win Played Friday: Eintracht Frankfurt 5 strike secured victory. fans. tha are now 14th in the table, two places bined with Mainz’s win at Hertha Ber- over Hoff enheim, thanks to a first-half (Chandler 37, 48, Silva 55, Kostic 89, 90) Holders Celtic are in action from the relegation spots. lin, to leave Bremen 17th and four points penalty by striker Luca Waldschmidt at Hertha splashed out 80mn euros Augsburg 0 today when they visit third-tier ($87.5mn) in the January transfer win- In Gelsenkirchen, Schalke’s title as- from safety. Bremen’s 37-year-old head the Schwarzwald Stadion Clyde.

PREMIER LEAGUE LA LIGA Everton charge into European Getafe score resounding win over Valencia

AFP then fi fth last term. After Barca, they will contention with Palace win Madrid play Ajax in the Europa League. Valencia, meanwhile, have won only four AFP out of nine games since the turn of the year, London etafe took another step towards with their own Champions League last 16 tie Champions League qualifi cation against Atalanta fast-approaching. Getafe yesterday as Jorge Molina scored were the better side in the fi rst half but had verton should be target- twice in a sensational 3-0 win over to wait until 13 minutes into the second for ing Europa League foot- Gfellow top-four contenders Valencia. The Molina’s opener. ball next season, said 37-year-old Molina capped a storming per- He slid the ball to Mata and then beat manager Carlo Ance- formance with two goals in the second half two Valencia defenders to the rebound from lottiE after the Toff ees renaissance before Jaime Mata added a third with three Jaume Domenech’s save. Dani Parejo was at continued with a 3-1 win over minutes left, after Valencia’s Alessandro fault for the second as he gave the ball away Crystal Palace yesterday. At the Florenzi had been sent off . in midfi eld and one pass set Molina free. other end of the table, Brighton Getafe stay third but moved fi ve points He had three defenders to beat but some- and Watford did little to boost ahead of Valencia in fi fth. Sevilla will again how bundled through, a fi nal pirouette mak- their chances of beating the drop pull level on points with them by winning ing space for a smart fi nish. Florenzi was in a 1-1 draw at the Amex. away at Celta Vigo today. sent off with 12 minutes left for a frustrated Goals from Bernard, Richarli- Up next for Jose Bordalas’ side is a trip spear tackle from behind on Marc Cucurella son and Dominic Calvert-Lewin to Barcelona next weekend but on this evi- before Mata made it three. This time Angel at Goodison lifted Everton up to dence, it will be the stumbling Catalans Getafe’s Spanish forward Jorge Molina spun the hapless Mouctar Diakhaby before seventh and within fi ve points of feeling nervous ahead of that game at Camp celebrates after scoring. (AFP) laying the ball on his teammate. Mata dum- the top four. Everton have now Nou. Getafe face La Liga’s defending cham- mied Domenech and had an open net. won fi ve and drawn two of eight pions on the back of four consecutive victo- fi ght more and be stronger. In general every- league games since Ancelotti ries, in which they have score nine goals and thing today was shit.” LA LIGA RESULTS took charge in December. conceded none. They bullied Valencia from After missing out on the top four to Va- Levante 2 (Rochina 20, Roger 28) Leganes “Since I arrived the team did start to fi nish, faster to the ball and hungrier lencia on the fi nal day of last season, beating 0; Getafe 3 (Jorge Molina 58, 67, Mata 87) a fantastic job,” Ancelotti said. in the tackles, with all three goals coming them might have carried some extra satis- Everton’s Richarlison (left) scores against Crystal Palace in the Valencia 0 “Now we have a possibility to Premier League in Liverpool yesterday. (Reuters) from Getafe’s players running harder or faction and delivered another dose of belief think about Europa League.” By reacting quicker than their opponents. “It that this term they can fi nish the job. Playing today (all times GMT): Espanyol contrast, Palace are looking over goal of the season. “Disgusting. Abdoulaye Doucoure’s fi ne in- was all shit, in defence and in attack,” said Bordalas took over Getafe in 2016 with the v Mallorca (1100), Real Sociedad v Ath- their shoulders at the relegation I was disappointed with myself,” dividual run and fi nish put the Valencia’s Gabriel Paulista. “We have to team 21st in Segunda but led them to pro- letic Bilbao (1300), Osasuna v Real Madrid zone. Roy Hodgson’s men still said Pickford, who later made Hornets ahead on the south coast change today’s attitude. motion that same season before fi nishing (1500), Celta Vigo v Sevilla (1730), Real Betis have a six-point lead over the amends with a fi ne save to pre- after 19 minutes. They have been more like men. We have to eighth in their fi rst year in the top fl ight, and v Barcelona (2000) bottom three, but have not won serve Everton’s 2-1 lead.” Brighton are without a win in in eight games and just once in Just as Everton were wobbling, 2020 and seemed short of ideas the league since early December. though, a moment of magic from in their search for an equaliser. “I can’t fault the players’ ef- Richarlison swung the game back They were given a helping Atalanta end Fiorentina drought to consolidate fourth place fort, but it’s another defeat and in their favour seven minutes hand by the visitors when Adrian another we go home without later. The Brazilian stormed onto Mariappa turned into his own Milan: Ruslan Malinovskiy level the scores before Ukrain- weekend before they play at off the Europa League pace by points,” said Hodgson. Bernard Calvert-Lewin’s fl ick-on to carry goal 12 minutes from time. The helped Atalanta consolidate ian Malinovsky came off the home against Valencia in the the end of the weekend. gave the hosts a deserved fi rst the ball from just inside the Pal- Seagulls move three points clear fourth place in Serie A with the bench to seal victory with 18 Champions League last-16, Simone Verdi had put the half lead with a thumping fi nish ace half and past Gary Cahill be- of the relegation zone with Wat- winner in a 2-1 win at Fioren- minutes left, giving Atalanta having qualified for the com- hosts ahead 10 minutes after from Theo Walcott’s cross to the fore placing his shot into the far ford one point adrift of safety. tina that ended their 27-year their first win away at the ‘Viola’ petition for the first time this the break with their first goal back post. corner. away winless run against the since 1993. season. in their last four games. The However, Palace were gifted a The same two players were in- PREMIER LEAGUE RESULTS Tuscan club. Federico Chiesa’s Gian Piero Gasperini’s side Moreno Longo started his on-loan Napoli forward latched route back into the game six min- volved when Everton sealed the Everton 3 (Bernard 18, Richarli- scorcher just after half an hour pull three points clear of fifth- reign as Torino coach with a onto an Alex Berenguer points two minutes from time as utes into the second half thanks son 58, Calvert-Lewin 88) Crystal gave mid-table Fiorentina hope placed Roma in the race for the 3-1 home defeat to Sampdoria, through ball and managed to to another error from Everton Richarlison’s header from a cor- Palace 1 (Benteke 51); Brighton of another win over Atalanta, Champions League following with the struggling Genoa scruff a finish past outrushing goalkeeper Jordan Pickford. The ner came off the bar and Calvert- whom they eliminated from the capital club’s 3-2 home club’s goals coming in a Emil Audero for his first goal in 1 (Mariappa 78-og) Watford 1 England number one’s place at Lewin turned home his 13th goal the Italian Cup at their Stadio defeat to Bologna on Friday, nine-minute second-half spell. the Torino jersey. But Gaston (Doucoure 19) Euro 2020 is under debate and of the season. Artemio Franchi last month. but are still eight points behind Torino, in 12th, have now lost Ramirez sparked Samp’s revival he let Christian Benteke’s shot Watford remain in the bot- Playing today: Sheff ield United But Duvan Zapata tapped in in-form Lazio in third. four games in a row, conceding with half an hour to go with a slip underneath his body as the tom three after blowing a lead v Bournemouth (1400), Man- four minutes after the break to Atalanta host Roma next 16 goals, and could fall further perfect curling free kick. Belgian striker registered his fi rst for the third game in succession. chester City v West Ham (1630) Sunday, February 9, 2020 GULF TIMES SPORT

AMIR CUP SPOTLIGHT Al Sadd prepare for Captain Ali takes AFC Champions League opener By Sports Reporter Markhiya to quarters Doha l Sadd continued their preparation for Tues- The second division side stun QNB Stars League regulars Al Gharafa 1-0 in last 16 clash day’s AFC Champions League opener against SaudiA Arabia’s Al Nassr yester- day. The team will have a fi nal training session today at the club’s training ground before they take off to Riyadh in the evening. New signing, Mexican mid- fi elder Marco Fabian, who joined the Wolves until the end of the current season took part in the training session. However, Fa- bian will not travel to Riyadh as he is not registered as part of the AFC Champions League squad. The squad list sees Salem al-Hajri miss out due to injury, while Abdelkarim Hassan will not play due to suspension. Sadd were last seen in action on Thursday, when they beat Al Kharaitiyat in the round of 16 of Al Sadd’s new signing Mexican the Amir Cup. The main group midfielder Marco Fabian takes of players who had played the part in a training session. Kharaitiyat match had a recov- ery session, while the rest of the success for teams from the Gulf team engaged in technical ex- region. ercises, that included both of- Al Hilal begin the defence of fensive and defensive aspects. their title against Iran’s Shahr Meanwhile, Al Duhail will also be Khodro on Monday evening, in action on Tuesday when they while 24 hours later bitter rivals take on Iranian giants Perspolis Al Nassr will be looking to make in a Group C match at home. a statement of intent as they launch their attempt to win the HILAL’S ASIAN SUCCESS competition for the fi rst time SPURS ON LOCAL RIVALS with a Tuesday fi xture against When Al Hilal last year became Qatar’s Al Sadd — who lost to Al the fi rst club from Saudi Ara- Hilal in last year’s semi-fi nals. bia to win the Asian Champions Al Nassr bring a strong pedi- League since 2005, they not only gree into the competition, hav- ended their nation’s 14-year ti- ing won the Saudi league title Al Markhiya captain Aden Ali (left) celebrates with teammates after scoring against Al Gharafa in the last 16 match of the Amir Cup yesterday. PICTURE: Noushad Thekkayil tle drought, they reignited their last season. Moroccan striker rivalry with cross-Riyadh rivals Abderazzak Hamdallah will lead By Sports Reporter could have made it 2-0 but a sliding shot Al Nassr. the charge for coach Rui Vitoria’s Doha by Vasquez Vlaudio late in the match was As the latest edition of Asia’s side, with the former Guangzhou blocked by goalkeeper Burhan Al Gharafa premier club competition kicks R&F forward’s of 49 coach Slavisa Jokanovic could only shake off on Monday, amid concerns goals in 34 games in Al Nassr’s l Markhiya became the only his head in frustration as his players over the spread of the corona- domestic title win sure to cause second division team to make failed to fi nd the net in the four minutes virus in China and elsewhere in opposing defences signifi cant the quarter-fi nals of this year’s of added time, as the Al Markhiya bench the continent’s east, teams in the concern. Amir Cup football tournament erupted in celebration. west go into the group phase with Al Nassr will be looking to whenA they knocked out QNB Stars League a renewed sense of optimism fol- make an impact on the continen- regulars Al Gharafa 1-0 in their round of ARABI FIGHT BACK lowing Al Hilal’s resounding win tal scene for the fi rst time since 16 clash yesterday. Captain Aden Ali TO BEAT AL KHOR a little more than two months winning the Asian Cup Winners struck the only goal of the match in the Earlier, two second half substitu- ago. Cup in 1998, but face a tricky 63rd minute, scoring with his second at- tions proved crucial for Heimir Hal- The Saudi side’s success, group after also being drawn to tempt after Al Gharafa goalkeeper Qasem grimmsson’s Al Arabi side as they which came with a victory over face Al Ain of the United Arab Burhan failed to cleanly collect his fi rst bounced back from a two goal defi cit to Japan’s Urawa Red Diamonds in Emirates and Iran’s Sepahan. shot following a free-kick. win on penalties against Al Khor. November’s fi nal, was the fi rst South Korea duo Jeonbuk Mo- Al Markhiya have been for long the After a lacklustre fi rst half, Hal- by a team from their half of the tors and Ulsan Hyundai, both most successful team in the second divi- grimmsson introduced Hamdi Harbaoui continent since 2011. The man- former winners, will carry the sion, proving yesterday that they deserve and goalkeeper Mahmoud Abunada and ner in which it was achieved has main threat in the eastern half of to be in the top fl ight by excelling against that proved to be a masterstroke. Al Khor increased expectation of further the draw. Al Gharafa who are placed fourth behind had taken the lead in the 14th minute after Al Duhail, Al Rayyan and Al Sadd in the they were awarded a penalty, which was QNB Stars League with 24 points from duly converted by Thiago. They doubled 14 games. Goal-scorer Aden, from So- the lead at the stroke of half time when malia, was a thorn in the Al Gharafa side Nayef al-Buraiki headed in after a corner. Qatar’s Police SC beat Al Seeb throughout the match. Incidentally, he Arabi mounted their comeback strong- to keep title hopes alive played for Al Gharafa for three years be- ly and had a couple of chances but could fore joining Al Markhiya in 2018 and be- not convert. They fi nally scored in the Al Arabi players are delighted after their win over Al Khor. Kuwait: Police Sports Club of conclude their participation coming one of their star players. 74th minute when Pierre-Michel Lasogga Qatar won their fourth con- with a match against Al Hilal, Al Gharafa couldn’t make much of an scored through a penalty. A minute later Halgrimmsson was delighted with land manager said. secutive game in the 37th GCC which will be the title decider. impression on the Al Markhiya defence, Harbaoui made it 2-2 after taking advan- his side’s fi ghtback. “We created several “There was more than one reason for Volleyball championships in There are six teams partici- and on one rare occasion when they actu- tage of a defensive slip from Al Khor and chances in the fi rst half, but we could the diffi culty of the match. We knew Al Kuwait when they beat Oman’s pating in the competition. ally did, they had a goal disallowed after take the match to penalties. In the shoot- not score. The fact that we trailed by two Khor are strong defensively. They take Al Seeb Club 3-0. The three other teams are a VAR review confi rmed that Jonathan out, Abunada was the hero as his two goals was a shock to me. But we did not advantage of their players’ speed and in- The win keeps Police SC top Kuwait, Al Ain, and Dar Kulaib. Kodija had handled the ball a few min- crucial saves sealed Arabi’s place in the give up. I am proud that my players did dividual skills so it was a very diffi cult op- with 12 points. The team will (QNA) utes before the fi nal whistle. Al Markhiya quarter-fi nals. not give up until the last minute,” the Ice- ponent,” he added.

MOTOR SPORTS Saeed al-Sulaiti claims QSTK 600 double to take championship lead By Sports Reporter Doha

aeed al-Sulaiti won both races during the fourth round of the Qatar Superstock 600 yester- day, to take the championship lead.S The defending champion is now fi ve points ahead of Abdulla al-Qubaisi. At the Losail International Circuit, in the fi rst race, al-Sulaiti, who started from pole led the race until the check- ered fl ag with a total time of 25:07.473. Mishal al-Naimi was second followed by al-Qubaisi. The Bulgarian rider Mi- hail Florov fi nished in fourth place with Soud al-Thani in fi fth. In the second race too there was no stopping al-Sulaiti as he cruised to the victory with ease, as al-Qubaisi and al-Naimi swapped their positions in the podium. “I am very happy with my results this weekend. For me, to have a QSTK 300 Supersport overall champion Hamad al-Sahouti receives his award hope to win again the championship, it from QMMF President Abdulrahman al-Mannai. was a must to win both races. Last three rounds were a bit diffi cult for me and I al-Sahouti emerged triumphant, fol- Losail Circuit and QMMF for this great was not really ready but for this round I Winner Saeed al-Sulaiti (centre) poses with runner-up Abdulla al-Qubaisi (centre) and third-placed Mishal al-Naimi after the lowed by Yousef al-Darwish and Alex- opportunity,” said al-Sahouti. prepared very well,” al-Sulaiti said. penultimate round of the Qatar Superstock 600 at the Losail International Circuit yesterday. ian Macary. In the second race, it was Trophies were presented by Abdul- “I knew that if in the race I could run close fi ght between al-Sahouti and rahman al-Mannai (QMMF President), in the fi rst four laps, it will be diffi cult on Friday. “I started the weekend with The double winner of the previous too the fi rst placed ahead of Rayad al- al-Darwish, with the latter coming out Khalid al-Remahi (LCSC Vice Presi- for them to catch me. So in the middle the same set up and I didn’t have any round, Abdulla was not happy with his Emadi and Alexander Qabazard in the victorious. Macary fi nished again in dent and General Manager) and Ab- of the fi rst race I created a big gap and problem with the front tyre but when weekend. “I am not very happy overall. fi rst race. In the second, Parola and third place. dulrazak al-Kuwari (QMMF General in the second race, it was more diffi cult I crashed yesterday in the Superpole I I was not really prepared for this round Emadi repeated the same results but The results was enough for al-Sa- Secretary) with the weather but I manager to win,” changed the bike and it was not perfect and Saeed was very fast and very well this time the third place went to Hassan houti to clinch the overall title. “I am The fi fth and last round of the Qatar he added. at all. In the race, the bike had a good prepared. Hopefully, I can be stronger al-Mansoori. very happy for winning this cham- Superstock Championship will be held Mishal al-Naimi said he had some pace but Saeed was fastest today. Happy in the last round as it will be very dif- In the QSTK 300 Supersport cham- pionship. All the races were amazing on March 13th & 14th as support race problems with the bike during the races to fi nish second and third and I hope for fi cult,” said al-Qubaisi. pionship, there were two races in this with amazing fi ghts. It has been a great for the Superbike World Champion- after he had crashed in the Superpole better results in the last round,” he said. In the QSTK Trophy, Jeremy Parola last round. In the fi rst race, Hamad experience and I want to thank QMA, ship.