SPORT Monday 5 March 2018

PAGE | 32-33 PAGE | 34 PAGE | 36 leaves Jazz hold off Kings Zarco, Rossi andd hospital to 98-91 in tense Dovi dominate onon begin rehab battle final day in Dohaha Confident Al Sadd seek goals against Nasaf today

RIZWAN REHMAT THE PENINSULA

QARSHI, : Doha giants Al Sadd will be looking to score goals to put pressure on hosts Nasaf in their AFC Champions League clash at Qarshi Markaziy Stadium today. Group C leaders and 2011 Asian champions, Al Sadd in their last Bulent Uygun (left), coach of Al Gharafa SC, player regional clash hammered Persepo- Wesley Sneijder (centre) and Ronald Koeman , lis 3-1 to underline their intentions in this year’s championship. Netherlands coach pose for a picture with a fan in “We are going to play a crucial Doha yesterday. game in the AFC Champions League,” Al Sadd coach Jesualdo Ferreira said yesterday. Sneijder takes “Everyone in the team knows how important this game is and how important it is to win because the international points could get us closer to the next Al Sadd coach Jesualdo Ferreira (second right) speaking to journalists ahead of their AFC Champions League stage of the competition,” the vet- clash against Nasaf at Qarshi Markaziy Stadium in Qarshi, Uzbekistan today. eran Portuguese coach added. retirement “We are on top of our group after Ferreira said Al Sadd miss two are ready to give their best.” Ferreira two games. We have one objective key players in Xavi and Morteza added: “The next two weeks are cru- AFC CHAMPIONS LEAGUE AFP and that is to keep our journey going Pouraliganji but his side has decent cial for us, as we have two Fixtures of AFC Champions League fixtures to with the same intensity. bench strength to mount a serious back-to-back games against Nasaf, THE HAGUE: Dutch Wesley Sneijder has be played today and tomorrow “Our mentality is to always score challenge at winning today’s match. the results of which will determine decided to end his international football career after goals. In the Champions League, “Nasaf are a strong side that is the future of our campaign.” 14 years and a record 133 caps during a golden era Today’s matches there are matches both home and playing at home. Al Sadd players When asked about his team’s loss FC Nasaf vs Al Sadd at Karshi Central Stadium, Karshi for his country. Alongside Arjen Robben, Robin van away, and so there are different fac- know about the difficulty of the fix- to Al Duhail in the QNB Stars League, Persepolis vs Al Wasl at Azadi Stadium, Tehran Persie and Mark van Bommel, Sneijder propelled the tors to think about but this won’t ture,” Ferreira said. Ferreira replied: “I was hoping to win Al Jazira vs Tractor Sazi at Mohammed Bin Zayed Sta- Netherlands to the 2010 World Cup final where an change our philosophy,” he said. As for his team’s injury problems, the league and the AFC Champions dium, Abu Dhabi extra-time goal from Andres Iniesta saw Spain win When asked to name the strong- Ferreira told reporters yesterday: League as well but the league is now Al Gharafa vs Al Ahli at Thani Bin Jassim Stadium, the title. At 33, Sneijder signed with Qatari outfit Al est team in Group C, Ferreira “There are important players who beyond our reach.” Doha Gharafa in January after a poor six-month stint at snapped back by saying: “Al Sadd are missing – Xavi and Morteza Al Sadd will be looking to feared Nice in France. have won the Asian title twice and Pouraliganji, who are both injured. Algerian striker Baghdad Bounedjah Tomorrow’s matches The Netherlands suffered the indignity of failing we are not new to the competition. This is how football is but who has managed to score four goals Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors vs Tianjin Quanjian, at Jeonju to qualify for the 2018 World Cup despite having Nasaf are an excellent side, whose we will play the game in their two matches so far. A win World Cup Stadium, Jeonju reached the 2014 semi-finals. They recently appointed league has started just three weeks with 11 fit players who today will see Al Sadd posting their Kashiwa Reysol vs Kitchee SC, Hitachi Kashiwa Stadi- Ronald Koeman as the new national coach. ago while ours is almost at its end. third successive win, a feat they um, Kashiwa The former Barcelona defender went to see Sne- So, it is difficult to say which is the We are on top achieved in 2006. Hosts Nasaf will Buriram United FC vs Cerezo Osaka, Buriram Stadium, ijder in Qatar this weekend. strongest team.” of our group after two be looking at their second succes- Buriram “I understand that Koeman wants a fresh start He added: “Moreover, this is not sive home win in Group C following Guangzhou Evergrande vs Jeju United , Tianhe Stadi- with younger players. We spoke openly about it and the right time to be talking about the games. We have one their 1-0 win over Al Wasl two weeks um , Guangzhou I respect his decision,” said Sneijder. strongest team.” objective and that is to ago. Igor Golban headed in the only Zob Ahan vs Al Wahda (UAE), Foolad Shahr Stadium, He played at three European championships and Ferreira said his team was rar- keep our journey going goal of the game two weeks ago as Isfahan three World Cups in the orange shirt and in his prime ing to go for today’s clash. Nasaf bounced back from their Al Duhail vs Lokomotiv Tashkent, Abdullah Bin Khalifa was both a masterful long-range passer and slick fin- “It is a great honour to be here with the same intensity. opening-day defeat to Persepolis. Stadium, Doha isher. In club football he starred for Ajax, Real Madrid in Uzbekistan. I am happy with the Our mentality is to always History favours Al Sadd as Nasaf Al Ain vs Esteghlal, Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium, Al Ain and above all Inter Milan, with whom he won a Serie

weather and it’s a beautiful country. score goals: Al Sadd have come up against Qatari oppo- Al Hilal vs Al Rayyan , King Saud University Stadium, A, Italian Cup and Champions League treble in 2010. The match venue is excellent as coach Ferreira sition four times but remain Riyadh He also won league titles in his homeland, Spain well,” Al Sadd coach said. winless. and Turkey.

Qatar can do ‘a good job’ in hosting Al Gharafa face Al 2022 World Cup, says Koeman

THE PENINSULA Ahli’s test in Doha

DOHA: Former Dutch great and THE PENINSULA second and third goals of the current cam- the current Netherlands coach paign in a 3-0 victory over Tractorsazi Tabriz Ronald Koeman has backed Qatar DOHA: Al Gharafa will be looking to record two weeks ago as Al Gharafa recovered from in doing ‘a good job’ of hosting the back-to-back home wins in Group A of the their opening-day loss to Al Jazira to put their 2022 FIFA World Cup. AFC Champions League when they welcome first points on the board. Koeman, who visited the Al table-toppers Al Ahli Saudi FC to Thani Bin Al Ahli have begun the competition Gharafa training camp yesterday, Jassim Stadium today. strongly, winning two from two, with goals said: “We know that 2022 FIFA Recent signing Mehdi Taremi scored his from Taiseer Al Jassam and Mohannad Asseri World Cup will be hosted by Qatar. – his second match- It is really nice here and that is my winner in as many first impression. It is my visit to games – helping the Qatar. I have really enjoyed my Officials of Al Gharafa SC Saudi Arabian side to a time here. Everybody knows they presenting a souvenir to 2-1 victory over Al can do a good job to be the host in Netherlands coach Ronald Jazira on Matchday 2022.” Koeman during his visit to Qatar. Two. The 54-year-old added in his A third win in a row brief video chat posted on the Al would edge Al Ahli Gharafa Twitter handle: “It’s the Koeman also met with Al the Dutch national side alongside towards knockout World Cup. It is always a big Gharafa coach and the team man- Marco Van Basten, Ruud Gullit, stage qualification, achievement for every team to agement headed by club President Frank Rijkaard and Dennis Berg- while defeat would see qualify for that tournament. I saw Sheikh Jassim bin Thamer Al Thani. kamp. During his illustrious career, the sides level on a good training session of Al The club officials also presented Koeman won Euro 1988 and played points. Gharafa. I say good luck on Mon- a souvenir to Koeman, a former at the 1990 and 1994 FIFA World The last meeting day and good luck for the rest of defender and midfielder with the Cups. He captained the Dutch side between the pair, in the the championships (QNB Stars Dutch international side. at the 1994 World Cup held in 2013 group stage, Al Gharafa player Wesley Sneijder celebrates with team-mates League).” Koeman was one of the stars of the US. ended in an entertain- during their match. ing 2-2 draw in Doha. 30 SPORT MONDAY 5 MARCH 2018 Arsenal lose again, top-4 Man City march on as finish ‘nearly impossible’ Chelsea woes continue AFP REUTERS BRIGHTON, UNITED KING- DOM: Arsene Wenger MANCHESTER, ENGLAND: admitted a top-four finish for Runaway lead- Arsenal was now “nearly ers Manchester City beat impossible” after the Gunners champions Chelsea 1-0 at the woes deepened following the Etihad Stadium yesterday to 2-1 loss away to Brighton in extend their lead to 18 points and the Premier League yester- leave the London side further day. adrift from the Champions Their fourth successive League qualification spots. loss in all competitions After Chelsea’s defensive fanned the flames of an approach resulted in a first-half already-intense debate sur- stalemate, City went ahead 33 rounding the future of Arsenal seconds into the second period manager Wenger, amid when Bernardo Silva turned in reports of players’ meetings a low cross from David Silva. and of a weakening in board- Chelsea have now lost four room support for the of their last five Premier League Frenchman, who has reigned games and are in fifth place, five largely unchallenged since points behind Tottenham Hot- taking over at the north Lon- spur who occupy the fourth don club back in 1996. Champions League spot. Arsenal’s eighth loss since City’s lead could be cut by the turn of the year left them third-placed Manchester United, 13 points adrift of the fourth who play Crystal Palace on Mon- place that will secure auto- day, but the mathematics appear Manchester City’s Spanish midfielder Manuel Garcia Alonso takes a shot at the goal during the English Premier matic qualification for next a mere formality now with Pep League football match against Chelsea at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, north west England, yesterday. season’s elite and lucrative Guardiola’s side having won Champions League. their last 14 home games. “It is very difficult, nearly It was not a classic game recognised strikers - Alvaro Mor- usual sharpness in midfield a disappointing game scoreless. But neither the French for- impossible now, we are too with Chelsea showing little ata and Olivier Giroud - on the although they went close to an It took just 33 seconds of the ward nor Morata, who came on far behind,” Wenger told the ambition and City happy to play bench and opted to play winger opener when a deep cross from second half for that to change, in the final minute, made an BBC when asked about Arse- within themselves for large Eden Hazard as a lone striker. Kevin De Bruyne was brilliantly however, Aguero finding David impact with only an optimistic nal’s top-four prospects. stretches, but that was perhaps The Londoners defended taken down by Leroy Sane but Silva on the left and the Span- effort from Marcos Alonso in “We need two teams to a consequence of a title race that deep and in numbers from the the German’s goalbound shot iard’s low cross was turned in stoppage-time which flew wide collapse, not one. But at the has effectively been over for outset but, missing the tenacity was cleared off the line by Cesar at the back post by Bernardo troubling City’s underworked moment we have different months. of the absent N’Golo Kante Azpilicueta. Silva. defence. worries in how to come back Still Chelsea hardly showed little willingness to press Nicolas Otamendi put the If Chelsea fans expected that Manchester City completed to winning a game,” he added approached the game like a team in midfield and the result was a ball in the net for City, after Ser- goal to force a change of 902 passes, more than any other following a match that saw who needed points to get back first half dominated by City pos- gio Aguero had hooked on a approach from Conte they were team in a single Premier League Brighton move seven points in contention to qualify for session but with few openings. quick free kick but the effort disappointed as they had to wait match since 2003-04 when such clear of the bottom three. Europe’s elite competition. Anto- City, who had played Arse- was ruled out for offside and the until the 78th minute for Giroud statistics were first officially Arsenal goalkeeper Petr nio Conte left both Chelsea’s nal on Thursday, lacked their teams went in for halftime with to be brought on for Willian. recorded. Cech tried to ease the pres- sure on Wenger by saying he was responsible for both of Brighton’s goals scored by Lewis Dunk and Glenn Mur- ray in a first half where Conte, Buffon lead tributes to Astori Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang pulled one back for Arsenal AFP of the Italian national team, said accompanied by a photo of the ing up on the pitch. is so closely monitored”. shortly before the break. the player’s death was a two players exchanging pen- The other five Serie A Astori’s body was taken to a “If you want to win a ROME: A visibly shaken Anto- “tragedy”. nants before a game between matches scheduled for Sunday, hospital in Udine for an autopsy. game away from home in the nio Conte and World Cup winner “This is a tragedy and it really their clubs. including the Milan derby, were Astori began his career at AC best league in the world your Gianluigi Buffon paid emotional hurts me. It’s very difficult at this Buffon said he did not usu- also cancelled as a mark of Milan, also playing for Cagliari GK (goalkeeper) can’t con- tributes to Davide Astori, who moment to find the right words ally make a habit of expressing respect. and Roma before joining Fioren- cede 2 goals like I did today,” died at the age of 31 yesterday, for the family,” Chelsea coach his feelings about others. “Fiorentina are profoundly tina in 2015. He played 14 times former Chelsea favourite describing their Italian compa- Conte told Sky Sports ahead of “I want to make an excep- shocked to have to announce the for Italy. Cech tweeted. “It’s simply not triot as “fantastic” and “a great his team’s Premier League match tion to my rule because you have death of captain Davide Astori He made his international possible... The team fought guy”. at Manchester City on Sunday. a young wife and others close to after a sudden illness,” the Serie debut under coach Cesare Pran- back but the damage was Fiorentina and Italy interna- “I had him with the national you who are suffering, but A club said on Twitter. delli in March 2011 as a first-half done.” tional defender Astori was found team. He was a great player but mostly because your little girl Astori died of “natural substitute in a 2-0 victory over If ever Wenger needed dead from a suspected heart especially a fantastic guy. I stay deserves to know that her dad causes” after a “cardiac circula- Ukraine in Kiev before getting his side to make a solid, com- attack in his hotel room in Udine close to his wife, parents and was a good man... a great man.” tory collapse” -- a type of heart sent off with 17 minutes remain- posed start to the game, this where his team were staying daughter. He was only 31 and it’s - Matches cancelled - Fiorenti- attack -- Antonio de Nicolo, a ing. Astori scored his only was it. Having been out- ahead of Sunday’s scheduled very difficult to explain this sit- na’s game was called off in the Udine magistrate was quoted in international goal in the 2013 played in back to back 3-0 Serie A game with Udinese. uation.” Veteran Buffon, the morning. The early kick-off Italian media as saying. Confederations Cup third-place defeats by Manchester City, Astori leaves behind a wife Juventus captain, called Astori between Genoa and Cagliari, one The magistrate added that it play-off against Uruguay, giving first in the League Cup final and a two-year-old daughter. “a great man”. of Astori’s former clubs, was was “strange that such a thing Italy a first-half lead in a match and then, four days later, in Conte, who coached the “Farewell dear Asto”, wrote abandoned when players happened without any warning which finished 2-2. Italy went on the league fixture at the Emir- defender when he was in charge Buffon in a post on Instagram learned the news while warm- symptoms in a profession which to win on penalties. ates Stadium.

Barcelona’s Argentinian forward Barcelona pull clear as Messi Lionel Messi kicks the ball during the Spanish league match against brilliance edges out Atletico Atletico de Madrid at the Camp Nou AFP the Spanish press, was driven by talk of a the back of Messi’s foot 25 yards out and Stadium in Barcelona dip following three draws in five the forward whipped the free-kick beyond Barcelona, BARCELONA: Barcelona have one hand league games, with the in-form Atletico the scrambling Oblak and into the top yesterday. on the La Liga title after Lionel Messi’s primed to move within two points of their corner. sensational free-kick earned them a rivals. The rest of the half was a picture of deserved 1-0 victory over Atletico Madrid But Diego Simeone’s strategy of absorb Barca dominance, interrupted only by the yesterday. and counter failed to pay off here and, in injured Iniesta being replaced by Andre Atletico arrived at the Camp Nou on the end, the visitors might easily have been Gomes and a handful of minor skirmishes, the back of eight consecutive wins but beaten by a more emphatic scoreline. the most noteworthy of which saw Messi Barca halted the surge and instead restored Atletico striker Antoine Griezmann, hack down Filipe Luis and earn a yellow their own lead at the top to eight points, meanwhile, who came in with seven goals card. with 11 games left to play. in two games, was largely anonymous. Atletico’s demise was summed up by Messi proved the difference again, his Ernesto Valverde made a statement of Luis tripping over his own feet during a bending first-half strike worthy of win- attacking intent by plumping for the more rare attack down the left but half-time ning any contest and taking his own career creative Philippe Countinho over Paulinho helped the visitors, who were more com- tally to an astonishing 600 goals, 539 for but his team took a while to find their petitive after the break. Barca and 61 for Argentina. rhythm. Luis Suarez thought he had scored a The only blot on a dominant Barce- Even Messi hit the wall with a poor second after half-volleying through Oblak’s lona performance was an injury to Andres free-kick and then sent a cross-field switch legs but was flagged offside, before Jose Iniesta, who had to be substituted after 34 straight into the advertising boards. Gimenez applied a crucial block to deflect minutes with what the club confirmed was The Argentinian shook his head but a Messi shot over. a strain in the back of his thigh. soon recovered, moments later escaping There was one nervy moment for the Iniesta now has 10 days to recover a cage of four Atletico defenders before hosts five minutes from time as Diego before next week’s Champions League sec- driving a shot straight at Jan Oblak. Costa headed down for Kevin Gameiro to ond leg against Chelsea. For all Atletico’s discipline and defen- slam home. Costa, however, had strayed The build-up to this contest, labelled sive rigour, one mistake in the 26th minute offside and Barca held on for what will ‘the Grand Final’ by sections of was all it needed. Thomas Partey clipped surely prove a crucial three points. MONDAY 5 MARCH 2018 SPORT 31

South Africa batsman Aiden Markram fights as Starc Markram leaves the ground after having been dismissed by Australia’s shatters South Africa bowler Mitchell Marsh during AFP SCOREBOARD powers, earlier in the season. He the fourth day showed good composure, a of the first Test DURBAN, SOUTH AFRICA: Australia (I ) ...... 351 South Africa (II innings) sound technique and some ele- match at the South Africa (I innings) ...... 162 A Markram c Paine b M Marsh ...... 143 Aiden Markram led a stirring gant off side drives in a 218-ball Kingsmead Australia (II innings) D Elgar c Paine b Starc ...... 9 Stadium South African fightback but C Bancroft st De Kock b Maharaj ...... 53 H Amla lbw b Hazlewood ...... 8 innings which included 19 could not prevent Australia from D Warner c sub (Mulder) b Rabada ...... 28 A de Villiers run out (Warner) ...... 0 boundaries. in Durban, closing in on victory on the U Khawaja c De Kock b Maharaj ...... 6 F du Plessis b Cummins ...... 4 The damage was done yesterday. fourth day of the first Test at S Smith lbw b Elgar ...... 38 T de Bruyn c Paine b Hazlewood ...... 36 before lunch when , Kingsmead yesterday. S Marsh c De Villiers b Morkel ...... 33 Q de Kock () ...... 81 Hashim Amla, AB de Villiers and Opening batsman Markram M Marsh c Amla b Rabada ...... 6 V Philander c Paine b Starc ...... 6 captain Faf du Plessis all fell T Paine c De Villiers b Maharaj ...... 14 K Maharaj b Starc ...... 0 made 143 but South Africa were P Cummins b Maharaj ...... 26 K Rabada b Starc ...... 0 cheaply. hanging on at 293 for nine, still M Starc c Elgar b Morkel ...... 7 M Morkel (batting) ...... 0 Markram and Elgar put on 124 runs short of a target of 417, N Lyon c Amla b Morkel ...... 2 Extras (B2, LB3, NB1) ...... 6 29 for the first before when bad light stopped play. J Hazlewood () ...... 9 Total (9 wkts) ...... 293 Elgar edged a sharply lifting South Africa were in desper- Extras (LB5) ...... 5 Fall of : 1-29, 2-39, 3-39, 4-49, 5-136, 6-283, from Starc to wicket- ate trouble at 49 for four but Total (74.4 overs) ...... 227 7-290, 8-290, 9-290 keeper Tim Paine to be out for Markram shared stands of 87 Fall of wickets: 1-56, 2-71, 3-108, 4-146, 5-156, 6-175, Bowling: Starc 16-1-74-4 (1nb), Hazlewood 14-1-57-2, nine. Amla avoided a pair but 7-185, 8-203, 9-209 Lyon 32-7-86-0, Cummins 15-3-47-1, M Marsh 7-2-21-1, with Theunis de Bruyn (36) and Bowling: Morkel 15-4-47-3, Philander 14-4-35-0, Maha- Smith 5-3-3-0 only made eight before he was 147 with Quinton de Kock (81 not raj 29.4-4-102-4, Rabada 13-6-28-2, Elgar 3-1-10-1 South Africa need 124 runs to win with one wicket remaining leg before wicket to out) which gave South Africa Hazlewood. hope that they could pull off a South Africa then suffered a miracle victory. the umpires took the players off 36 before he was caught behind hammer blow when De Villiers, His dismissal, though, five minutes before the sched- off Josh Hazlewood. It was the their top scorer in the first opened the door for Australia to uled close. only wicket to fall between lunch innings, was run out for nought. rip through the tail. Mitchell That South Africa would and tea. Markram was joined by Markram turned a ball from Starc took three wickets in five even entertain faint hopes of vic- De Kock, whose form leading off-spinner Nathan Lyon behind balls to have South Africa nine tory seemed impossible when into the Test had been dismal. square leg and did not respond down. their four most senior batsmen But the left-handed wicket- when De Villiers called him That caused the umpires to were dismissed without reach- keeper looked in good touch through for a run. De Villiers had tell Australian captain Steve ing double figures. from the start and took the fight to turn and tried to go back but Smith that play could only con- But Markram, in only his to the Australians. could not beat David Warner’s tinue if he used slow bowlers. De seventh Test, remained calm It was Markram’s third Test throw to Lyon. Pat Cummins Kock and Morne Morkel sur- amid the carnage. The recovery but easily his important struck with his third ball of the vived nine overs in started with a determined part- innings. He made hundreds innings when he beat Du Ples- ever-deteriorating light against nership for the fifth wicket with against Bangladesh and Zimba- sis for pace and flattened his off Smith and Nathan Lyon before De Bruyn, who made a stylish bwe, two of cricket’s lesser stump. New-look India target T20 success in Sri Lanka tri-series

AFP Delhi against Himachal Pradesh -- just captain Sunil Gavaskar wrote in the “What we can aspire to... is to try two balls short of Chris Gayle’s all-time Times of India. and get better every time we train, COLOMBO: India’s rising talent will be quickest 100 off 30 balls in the 2013 Sri Lanka will face a home crowd every time we play, and try to do our put to the test in this week’s tri-nation Indian Premier League (IPL). buoyed by their recent tour of Bangla- best,” the 49-year-old former all- Twenty20 series in Sri Lanka in the And 26-year-old left-arm seamer desh where they thrashed the hosts in rounder said. absence of some established stars. Jaydev Unadkat, who has already taken all three formats. Dinesh Chandimal will lead Sri Rohit Sharma-led (pictured) India seven wickets in six T20 international The sweep ended a Sri Lanka slump Lanka in the absence of Angelo Math- enter the tournament against Sri Lanka appearances, made headlines when he which saw them win just 14 of 57 ews who is recovering from a hamstring and Bangladesh as favourites, but must was bought for $1.8m by the Rajasthan matches in 2017. injury sustained in Bangladesh. cope without big-hitters Virat Kohli and Royals in January -- the highest price The upswing has been credited to The Tigers will be looking to interim Mahendra Singh Dhoni. paid for an Indian player. new coach Chandika Hathurusingha, coach and former West Indies bowling Selectors opted to rest the star pair India enjoyed one-day interna- who was appointed in December. great Courtney Walsh for some inspi- for the short-format series and instead tional and T20 series wins over South Hathurusingha coached Bangladesh ration after dropping to 10th in the T20 experiment with fresh faces. Africa earlier this month, but face a through their most successful period rankings. Wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh resurgent Sri Lanka in their opener on in his three years in charge before “If we can get consistent, we will Pant, who has just two T20 interna- Tuesday. returning home to lead a beleaguered be happy. It is going to be the biggest tional appearances, and rookie “India has decided to rest their star Sri Lanka to victory against his old challenge and it is something that I will paceman Mohammed Siraj, 23, are players after the arduous South Africa charges. be stressing on a lot,” said 55-year-old being given the opportunity to gain tour and this gives an opportunity to “We can definitely go and compete Walsh. The T20 tri-series, timed to international experience. some young players to show their met- with bigger teams, but in cricket you commemorate Sri Lanka’s 70 years Pant, 20, recently smashed the sec- tle... and that they are ready for can’t guarantee results,” Hathurusingha since independence, begins on Tues- ond-fastest T20 century off 32 balls for international cricket,” former India told espncricinfo.com. day and runs until March 18 in Colombo.

Stage set for Doha Triathlon Pakistan Super League Action from the Pakistan Super League match between Islamabad United and Karachi Kings THE PENINSULA held on March 16 next to “The first championship was a of those world-class events.” in Sharjah yesterday. Museum of Islamic Art and the great success and we look for- More than 150 Qatari athletes DOHA: The Qatar Cycling and Corniche area. ward to another successful will feature in the one-day com- Triathlon Federation (QTCF) The triathlon race will edition.” . petition, it was announced. yesterday announced that include three beats, namely “We have won the respect Overall more than 400 athletes preparations to stage the swimming, running and cycling. of the world in staging top- will take part in the event. Doha Triathlon have been Addressing a press confer- class sports tournaments,” he Jamal Al Kuwari, Secretery finalised. ence Dr. Mohammed Jaham Al added. General, QTCF, was also present The Doha Triathlon will be Kuwari, President of QTCF said: “The Doha Triathlon is one at the press conference.

Dr. Mohammed Jaham Al Kuwari (second left), President of Qatar Cycling and Triathlon Federation (QTCF) addressing a Doha Triathlon 2018 press conference in Doha in the presence of Professor Nasser Saqer Al Mohannadi (left), Jamal Al Kuwairi (second right), General Secretary of QTCF and Marouf Tirad Mahmmoud in Doha yesterday. PIC: ABDUL BASIT/THE PENINSULA 32 SPORT MONDAY 5 MARCH 2018 MONDAY 5 MARCH 2018 SPORT 33

In this file photo taken on November 24, 2016 Fiorentina’s defender Davide Astori Klopp hopes plays the ball during the round qualifying UEFA Europa League match Fiorentina versus Paok, in Florence. Neymar leaves hospital to begin rehab in-form Salah

AFP Meanwhile, Diego Simeone has hailed Anto- ine Griezmann as one of the best players in the features in BELO HORIZONTE: Brazil and Paris Saint- world ahead of Atletico Madrid’s La Liga show- Germain superstar Neymar left hospital down with Barcelona. yesterday after a successful operation on his The recovery time will depend Barcelona’s lead at the top of the table has awards’ lists broken foot, but it will be six weeks before been cut to five points before the top-of-the- doctors know when the world’s most expen- on the player’s evolution. In table clash, with Atletico, and Griezmann, AFP sive player can train again. six weeks we will make a new hoping to reduce it just two at the Camp Nou Neymar was discharged early in the morn- evaluation, says Brazilian team this weekend. LIVERPOOL: Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp believes ing from the Mater Dei hospital in Belo doctor Rodrigo Lasmar Griezmann has been in sparkling form in his in-form striker Mohamed Salah should be consid- Horizonte, 24 hours after surgery to repair a recent weeks. The Frenchman has scored seven ered for player-of-the-year honours in English football fractured fifth metatarsal in his right foot. goals in his last two matches and 12 in his last after taking his goal-tally for the season to 32 by scor- The operation was declared a complete nine. ing in a 2-0 win over Newcastle. success. 30 appearances in all competitions for the club “Antoine is an extraordinary footballer and Manchester City’s brilliant playmaker Kevin De Now the question is whether the 26-year- -- a prolific tally that came to a halt February when he is at his level like this, he is one of the Bruyne remains a strong favourite in the running for old can catch any of PSG’s remaining season, 25 when he broke his foot during a 3-0 drub- best, and it is clear that in his present position both the Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) and even what kind of shape he’ll be in at the bing of Marseille. he is in the perfect place,” Simeone said on and Football Writers’ player-of-the year awards over start of Brazil’s World Cup campaign in Russia Amid reports of tensions between PSG and Saturday. the final months of the season. this June. Brazil’s footballing authorities over Neymar’s “Except for the five months when he joined But Klopp, after seeing Salah score for the seventh “The recovery time will depend on the play- medical treatment, PSG insisted that it would and the beginning of this season, he has always straight game, said his man deserved to be competing er’s evolution. In six weeks we will make a new be in charge of his recuperation. been very consistent and to be consistent in foot- for English football’s top individual honours alongside evaluation,” Brazilian team doctor Rodrigo Las- “The post-operation rehabilitation will begin ball is very difficult. the Belgian, who has played such a key role in the mar said after performing the operation. immediately under the control of the club’s “Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, they progress of runaway Premier League leaders City this Gerard Saillant, the French doctor repre- physiotherapist,” PSG said in a statement on become what they are by having continuity, season. senting PSG at the hospital, told journalists that their website. they do not get tired of scoring goals, they do “Of course,” said Klopp when asked if Salah is a the timing of Neymar’s return to full training Earlier, Paris newspaper L’Equipe reported not get tired of winning titles, and this is the contender. “Him and Kevin De Bruyne are playing dif- could only be given at the six-week mark. that PSG believe Lasmar lied about Neymar’s goal of those who are pushing to get closer to ferent positions so it depends what you want. “It is absolutely impossible to give you the condition. this place.” “There is no doubt that Kevin De Bruyne is play- slightest detail before those six weeks,” he said. The report said that Neymar was initially Atletico against Barcelona has been billed ing a nice season but there is no doubt that Mo Salah On Thursday, Lasmar said the star player found to have suffered a minor fracture at the as a battle between Griezmann and Messi, who is playing a really good one as well. That’s how it is.” -- whose transfer from Barcelona cost PSG a Marseille game and that PSG were shocked himself has 34 goals already this season. The German boss added: “And it is not just them, there record 222m euros ($264m) last August -- would when Lasmar declared it was a serious break Simeone admitted there is no plan that can are a few more players people would mention. Harry need at least two and a half months, maybe requiring longer than expected recuperation fully contain the Argentinian forward. Kane is not too bad, Roberto Firmino not too bad, David three, to return. time. However, doctors stressed Saturday that “Having a footballer like Lionel, who is in Silva had a few weeks when he couldn’t play for per- This would put him uncomfortably close to there was no friction between PSG and Brazil’s an extraordinary moment, it is clear that there sonal reasons but he is playing an excellent season. the start of the World Cup on June 14, includ- federation, the CBF. is no strategy that can control something that “There are a few good players this season and, for ing missing two friendly warm-up games. “Contrary to what might have been written we all want to control,” Simeone said. sure, I forget a few as well,” said Klopp after a victory After his one hour and 15 minute operation, or said..., decisions already taken and those to “It is impossible because what he has is that took Liverpool second, ahead of Sunday’s matches, Neymar spent his Saturday afternoon in a hos- come have had the complete agreement of Ney- something natural.” but still left them 15 points adrift of City. pital bed watching live TV coverage of PSG’s mar of course, and of his family, all the staff at For Barcelona, the challenge is to regain A friend of Brazil and Paris Saint-Germain superstar Neymar arrives on the football player’s private plane along with the pilot after a successful The player-of-year campaign would appear to game against Troyes, Saillant said. PSG, the medical staff, the organization and momentum and confidence, following Thurs- operation on his broken foot, at Pampulha Airport in Belo Horizonte yesterday. revolve around De Bruyne, Tottenham forward Kane PSG won 2-0, but Neymar’s absence will be management of PSG, and the representatives day’s 1-1 draw at Las Palmas. and Salah, whose form appears to be peaking at the keenly felt during Tuesday’s Champions League of the CBF,” Saillant said. Ernesto Valverde’s men looked uncatcha- Atletico hope. “It is a situation where we have for us to be ahead of second by eight points,” think: ‘we can get to two’. If we draw everything right time. Italy international showdown against Real Madrid. “There is absolutely no split, despite what ble when they pulled 11 points clear at the top to live with this intention and give everything Valverde said. remains the same, but whoever wins makes an The Egypt international’s 32 goals in all competi- The striker has scored 28 goals in was written.” in January but a patchy run of form has given to win the game, because the prize is very juicy, “In this we have to focus. They will also important jump.” tions took him past Luis Suarez’s best mark at Liverpool of 31 and to within a goal of the 33 netted by Fernando footballer Davide Torres exactly a decade ago. With nine league games and, in all likelihood, at least three European ties left in Liverpool’s season, Astori found dead Salah should have the 36 goals scored by Robbie Di Maria on the mark as PSG turn Fowler, 22 years ago, well within his sights. REUTERS

ROME: Fiorentina captain and defender Davide Astori died of a sudden illness yesterday at the age of 31, the Serie A club said, leaving Italian football in a Liverpool’s state of shock. focus to Real Madrid showdown Egyptian Serie A announced that all of Sunday’s matches, including the derby between midfielder AC Milan and Inter Milan, would be postponed. AFP Unai Emery said following the impressive 30-year-old has arguably been their best per- as the linesman’s flag controversially stayed Mohamed “Fiorentina is deeply upset to have to announce that its captain Davide victory. former of late. “Angel is an important player who down. Troyes boss Jean-Louis Garcia and his Salah Astori has passed away, victim of a sudden illness,” said the statement. PARIS: Angel Di Maria kept up his irresistible “I want the players to be ready (against Real). has the quality to make the difference,” the PSG assistant were both ordered to the stands after “Due to the terrible and delicate situation, and above all for the respect form as a Paris Saint-Germain side missing The players all want to play and that makes the coach said. protesting the decision to allow the goal, with of his family, an appeal is made to everyone’s sensibility.” Neymar, Edinson Cavani and Kylian Mbappe decision tougher for me, but it’s better like that,” “He’s got both the confidence and the desire. replays indicating Nkunku had strayed margin- Italian media said that Astori was found dead in his hotel room. defeated Troyes 2-0 ahead of their Champions he added. We want the players to be at their best level on ally offside. Astori joined Fiorentina on loan in August 2015 and the club signed him League showdown with Real Madrid. With a 3-1 deficit to overcome in the second Tuesday, and for some like Angel, it will be a spe- Emery then handed a first-team debut to Tim- outright one year later. He previously spent six seasons at Cagliari and one on The Argentine notched his 13th goal in 14 leg of their last-16 tie against Real on Tuesday, cial moment.” Troyes goalkeeper Erwin Zelazny othy Weah, as the son of former PSG star, and loan at AS Roma. starts this year during Saturday’s visit to the Stade Emery refused to risk Cavani while Mbappe produced a series of saves to deny Di Maria, and current Liberian president, George Weah replaced He made 14 appearances for Italy between 2012 and 2017. de l’Aube, which coincided with Neymar suc- stayed in Paris to continue treatment on an ankle then Giovani Lo Celso twice in the first half, but Lo Celso for the final few minutes. “It seems impossible. I’m in a state of disbelief and I cry with his family cessfully undergoing an operation to repair a injury sustained against Marseille in midweek. the home goal was breached after a defensive The 18-year-old US youth international, and all for Fiorentina. Goodbye captain,” said former Italy Prime Minister Mat- broken bone in his right foot. was also rested for Saturday’s lapse on 47 minutes. whose father won the 1995 Ballon d’Or, nearly teo Renzi. Academy product Christopher Nkunku trip, as Di Maria again took full advantage of the A poor clearance followed by further mis- bagged a debut goal in stoppage time after rac- In announcing the postponement of yesterday’s games, Serie A said: marked his first start of the season with his first opportunity presented to several members of communication in the Troyes backline gifted ing clear of the Troyes defence before being foiled “Shocked by the tragic news, the whole family of the Lega Serie A unites around goal this term 13 minutes from time to complete PSG’s expensively assembled squad in the wake Julian Draxler the opening to slide in Di Maria by Zelazny. the family of Davide Astori and Fiorentina FC.” a victory that left PSG 14 points clear of defend- of Neymar’s injury. and the Argentine masterfully dinked the ball On Friday, Rony Lopes scored his sixth goal AC Milan coach Gennaro Gattuso had asked before the announcement for ing champions Monaco at the top of Ligue 1. Di Maria himself was feted as the player to over an advancing Zelazny. in seven games as Monaco came from behind to all games to be called off. “I can’t think of the derby after a tragedy like that,” “Ahead of a big match and after (league and turn PSG into genuine Champions League con- Twenty-year-old Nkunku sealed the win on beat Bordeaux 2-1 to tighten their grip on sec- Paris Saint-Germain’s Argentinian forward Angel Di Maria celebrates his goal during the he said on Twitter. French Cup wins over) Marseille, I’m very happy tenders when he signed from Manchester United 77 minutes, picking out the far corner of the net ond place, with Marseille and Lyon not in action Ligue 1 match against Troyes on Saturday. because we kept up our level of play,” PSG coach for 63 million euros ($78m) in 2015, and the after gathering a threaded pass from Dani Alves until Sunday.

Brazil’s Flamengo Tottenham leaning on Wembley footballer Vinicius Junior’s Vinicius Junior latest in Brazil’s talent pipeline file photo. home comforts to oust Juventus AFP (fellow Brazilian players at anxious wait to be fit for the finals, He also showed his theatrical slightest problem. I never saw him Madrid) Casemiro and Marcelo. I Vinicius’s chances might have side when he celebrated his goal even arrive late for training,” said AFP at Wembley in all competitions to 15 up a five-point lead on fifth-placed RIO DE JANEIRO: Everyone’s went to Madrid at the end of last risen. in defeating Botafogo 3-1 in the Israel Falcao, in charge of youth games. Chelsea. heard of Neymar but now make year and I got to know more play- - Demon dribbler - Although semi-finals by rubbing his eyes players at Flamengo when Vini- LONDON: Tottenham Hotspur manager That stretch has included landmark And despite the contrasting levels of way for the latest footballing ers, like Cristiano Ronaldo,” he Brazil coach Tite has not yet called -- imitating opposition support- cius arrived aged 11. (pictured) believes wins over Real Madrid, Manchester United European experience between his side diamond from Brazil’s seemingly said. him up, Vinicius has made waves ers’ tears. “He’s a great kid because he turning his side’s temporary Wembley and Arsenal. and Juventus, Pochettino believes Spurs inexhaustible talent mine: Vini- “It’s a fantastic club, but eve- in the national under-17 team. - ‘Great kid’ - That caused a has a good entourage. His family home into a fortress can ensure progress “I am so pleased. I think it is a fantas- have worked too hard in recent seasons cius Junior. rything in its good time. For now, Brazilian television played a ruckus, with Botafogo retaliating is from modest background but to the Champions League quarter-finals tic run at home,” said Pochettino. to establish themselves in the Champions Recruited for $45m (36.5m I am focused on Flamengo,” he highlight over and over last year by refusing to allow its Olympic his father never tried to turn him when they host Juventus on Wednes- “We can say that Wembley is our League to freeze on the big stage. euros) by Real Madrid last year, said in emailed comments. -- just before Real Madrid home stadium to be used for the into a product.” There was cer- day. home and that is so important for the “In the end is a football game and we the rising star from Rio de Janeiro With his horizons rapidly announced they had signed him final in which Flamengo under- tainly every opportunity. At just Spurs hold the upper hand on the Ital- team. are going to enjoy it,” he continued. side Flamengo has done every- expanding, Vinicius hopes he can -- where the youngster tormented 17s beat Boavista 2-0 -- again 13, Vinicius was on the wish list ian champions, who have reached the “Last season was a strange feeling but “It is an amazing competition the thing to persuade fans that he even get called up for this sum- Paraguay with three successive with a Vinicius goal. of Corinthians and then a year final in two of the past three seasons, after now I think for us it is like our home. The Champions League, but I think we fight a really is the next big thing. And mer’s World Cup in Russia. After flicks over the heads of None other than Neymar later Cruzeiro even tried offering battling back from 2-0 down in Turin in team feel good playing here and when lot the last few years to be there and get he’s only 17. all, the great Ronaldo went at 17 opponents. came to the young player’s his father a job. English Premier the first leg to salvage a 2-2 draw. the results are positive everything is much to play this type of games.” When the Spanish giant put with the Cup-winning team to the “He’s always been incredibly defense, tweeting that “football League club Arsenal lurked. The Wembley factor was cited as one better.” Son has felt those home comforts Spurs have already shown they have down that kind of money last May United States in 1994, even if he fast with the ball at his feet, had becomes boring” when you can’t But Vinicius stayed at Fla- of the key reasons for Spurs’ failure in more than most as 13 of his 15 goals this the ability to outplay Juventus in the first for Vinicius it looked like a gam- didn’t play. great technical quality and an make fun of opponents. mengo until Real Madrid scored Europe last season as they crashed out of season have come at Wembley. leg as they shrugged off the blow of con- ble. After all, he’d played just two Another Brazilian legend, unrivalled capacity for improvi- However, apart from great the deal. both the Champions League and Europa “We feel comfortable at Wembley, we ceding twice to Gonzalo Higuain inside professional games at the time. , gave him the idea. sation,” said Marcio Torres, who talent, there’s not much similar- “It’s a bit sad to know he’s League at the first time of asking. know how we play here,” said the South the first 10 minutes. Nine months later, his per- “We met not long ago and he coached him for two years at Fla- ity between the star and the going to leave us soon, but with However, Pochettino’s men have Korean. The visitors went on to dominate pos- formances for Flamengo has told me that they often take a mengo’s under-17s. This month, star-to-be. that kind of offer the club had no acclimatised during the course of a sea- “Of course it was going to take time session and were more than worthy of eased any fears and as soon as he younger player so he can get close Vinicius got his first taste of pro- To many, Neymar is some- choice,” said Torres. son at the home of English football whilst but now we feel like we’re at home. We their two away goals through Harry Kane turns 18 in July he’ll be on a plane to the others. He told me to stand fessional silverware when he thing of a spoiled kid, while “With his talent and charac- work on the club’s new 62,000 capacity enjoy playing here.” and Christian Eriksen. to join the reigning European by,” Vinicius told Globoesporte. helped win the Taca Guanabara, Vinicius is down to earth. “Even ter, he has every chance of stadium is completed. Impressive victory over Hudders- “Our approach will be the same that champions. He says he’s ready. com last week. the first phase of the regional Rio if he has always been the best of succeeding in European Son Heung-Min struck twice as Tot- field kept Tottenham Hotspur in the we played in Turin,” added Pochettino. “I talk from time to time to With Neymar now facing an championship. the lot, he has never posed the football.” tenham eased past Huddersfield 2-0 on driving seat for a return to the Cham- “You need to feel free feel, happy and Saturday, extending their unbeaten run pions League next season as they opened enjoy the game.” 34 SPORT MONDAY 5 MARCH 2018

NHL planning NBA: Jazz get off to fast start, more outdoor games at US service hold off Kings in tense battle academies

AP offensive rebounds. “That’s why AP Houston Rockets’ guard James we won it,” Gobert said. “We Harden (13) drives to the basket SACRAMENTO: Utah coach know they are a very young and ANNAPOLIS: The NHL’s first Quin Snyder couldn’t stop prais- athletic team and their guys are while Boston Celtics’ guard Marcus outdoor game at a US service ing his team’s defence after the very aggressive to the rim, so we Smart (36) defends during the academy probably won’t be Jazz limited Sacramento to four had to do a great job protecting third quarter of their NBA game its last. second-chance points. the paint. at Toyota Centre. After the Washington It was their inconsistency “We did a great job of doing Capitals hosted the Toronto that bothered Snyder, a small that tonight.” Maple Leafs at the Naval asterisk on an otherwise strong Sacramento trailed by 18 in Academy, the league hopes night. the third quarter but pulled to to play games at Army’s West Donovan Mitchell scored 95-89 following De’Aaron Fox’s Point and the Air Force Acad- eight of his 27 points in the fourth three-point play with 49.9 sec- emy over the next few years. quarter and the Jazz beat the onds left. It’s a significant foray into Kings 98-91 on Saturday. Rubio made one free throw honouring and partnering “We got a couple leads and and Mitchell sank two to help with branches of the military we gave it back to them, frankly,” Utah hold on. that follows the lead of the Snyder said. Skal Labissiere had 12 points NFL and Major League Base- “We have to be able to main- and 12 rebounds for Sacramento. ball for a league that’s split tain a certain level throughout Fox scored 17 points and Bogdan between the United States the course of the game and stay Bogdanovic added 15. and Canada. at that level and be more con- The Kings have lost four of “It’s unique and as we sistent during the whole 48 five since the All-Star break. continue to move forward minutes.” “We dribbled a little too with the outdoor games, you Rudy Gobert had another much,” Sacramento coach Dave look for new concepts and double-double with 16 points Joerger said. “They are tough to new themes and new things and 12 rebounds for the Jazz. score on once their defense gets that’ll interest the fans,” dep- Ricky Rubio added 10 points, set up. That’s the battle when you uty commissioner Bill Daly eight rebounds and six assists, play them.” pull to 50-43 but picked up his two 3s in the opening 12 minutes Willie Cauley-Stein was held out said. and Derrick Favors scored 15 to The Jazz closed the first third foul with 11.3 seconds left and added his third 40 seconds with a lower back strain. “Certainly the hope is, lead Utah to its fifth consecutive quarter on a 13-4 run capped by in the half. into the second quarter. . The Rubio shot 4 of 16 but put with a successful game (at win in Sacramento. Jae Crowder’s 3-pointer with 2.2 Sacramento cut the gap to Jazz improved to 21-5 when together his best overall game Navy), we’ll continue the ven- The Jazz, who beat Minne- seconds left, then pulled away 75-66 going into the fourth fol- holding opponents under 100 since sitting out three games in ture with the Army and the sota on Friday, have in the second. lowing Frank Mason’s 3-pointer. points. mid-February because of a sore Air Force and we’ll see where back-to-back victories for the Gobert dribbled through a Jazz: Utah hasn’t lost in Sac- Kings: Zach Randolph left hip. we go from there.” first time since their 11-game pair of Sacramento defenders for ramento since December 8, 2015. returned to the lineup after being “The boxscore doesn’t tell Daly said he’d be sur- winning streak was snapped by a dunk, and Joe Ingles followed ... Mitchell has scored 23 or more left on the bench for two games. everything,” Gobert said. prised if the sequel to Maple Portland on February. 23. with a 3-pointer to put Utah up in seven of his last nine games. ... Kosta Koufos had eight points “He was doing great, mak- Leafs-Capitals at Navy- They did it with a stifling 45-27. .. Utah limited Sacramento to and seven rebounds in his first ing the right play at the right time Marine Corps Memorial interior defence that held the Fox scored eight points in the 29.2 percent shooting (7 of 24) in start since January 28. and finding his teammates,” Stadium comes as soon as the Kings to one basket on 11 second quarter to help the Kings the first quarter. . Crowder made Koufos started because Gobert said. 2018-19 season, though 2019- 20 is a possibility. The Florida Panthers faced the New Jersey Devils inside in an exhibition game at West Point’s Tate Rink in Stamkos has career-high five 2006, and ownership con- nections to the Army make the Panthers and Vegas Golden strong can- points as Lightning beat Flyers didates for a potential outdoor game there. American-born players AP early third-period goal from taking part in the game at Provorov. Navy said they were honored TAMPA: Steven Stamkos and “We know we didn’t play to get the opportunity. Victor Hedman were too much well a couple of nights ago,” Fly- Told of the NHL’s future for the Philadelphia Flyers on ers coach Dave Hakstol said. “It’s plans to attempt games at Saturday. not just about losses it’s about Army and Air Force, Maple Stamkos and Hedman com- the overall performance. That Leafs defenseman Ron Hain- bined for four goals and five wasn’t us the other night and we sey called it “a great road for assists to lead the Tampa Bay knew we had to raise our level us to go down.” Lightning to a 7-6 shootout vic- from where it was the other “It’s a nice recognition tory against the Flyers. night. and a little partnership almost Stamkos scored twice and “I thought our guys did that.” that we’re able to play here,” added three assists to set a career But the Lightning raised their American-born Capitals high with five points while Hed- level as well with three consec- defenseman Matt Niskanen man had two goals and tied a utive third-period goals, starting said. career high with four points. with J T Miller’s goal at 4:23 for “I think means different League-leading scorer Nikita his first since being acquired things to different people. As Kucherov returned from a two- from the New York Rangers on a country, it means a lot, game absence and had three Monday. especially the Americans that assists. Stamkos converted a 2-on-1 play in the league and our “When these guys are roll- chance with Kucherov to tie the fans.” ing you just have to keep putting game at 7:38 and Hedman gave The NHL has 24 Ameri- them out there,” Lightning coach the Lightning a 6-5 lead at 10:03. can and 7 Canadian-based Jon Cooper said. “You want them “The resiliency was really teams and is made up of to keep going with that feeling there tonight and obviously about 49 percent Canadian- they are having and it paid off Edmonton Oilers’ goaltender Cam Talbot (33) makes a save really happy with the way we born players. for us tonight.” on New York Rangers’ forward Kevin Hayes (13) during came back,” Hedman said. Members of the Canadian Brayden Point added a the second period of their NHL game at Rogers Place. Giroux tied the game with Armed Forces took part in shootout goal and the league- 2:53 left in regulation. pregame ceremonies with the leading Lightning improved to “It was a pretty fun game to Maple Leafs, and Daly said 6-0-1 in the past seven games. Jan. 25 to Feb. 3. couple of goals in different parts 3:37 in the first on goals from play,” he said. involving a team from north Andrei Vasilevskiy finished with Claude Giroux, Jakub Vora- of the game, especially in the Voracek and defenseman Rob- “They have a lot of talent, of the 48th parallel was a 37 saves for his league-leading cek and Nolan Patrick each third and you come back and win ert Hagg. they have a lot of players that conscious decision that didn’t 38th victory. finished with a goal and an assist. it’s emotional,” Stamkos said. “It Tampa Bay tied it on goals can make a difference. You give meet any resistance. Ivan Provorov had a goal and Tampa Bay overcame two shows guys care. Guys never from Hedman and Dan Girardi them chances to score and they “I think North American two assists for Philadelphia, multi-goal deficits to win for the gave up.” in the second period, but Phila- will. forces are united,” Daly said. which suffered consecutive third time in franchise history, The Lightning fell behind 3-1 delphia regained the two-goal “But we did a good job of “I think there’s a real losses for the first time since a second time against the Flyers. after the opening period as the advantage on a late second- keeping our composure,” Giroux appreciation for the military four-game losing streak from “Anytime you’re down a Flyers scored twice in a span of period goal from Jori Lehtera and said. wherever you are, north or south of the border.” When Saskatoon, Sas- katchewan, native Mike Cycling: Dygert wins gold in individual pursuit Babcock moved to Spokane, Washington, he recalled the deep connections to the mil- AP Dygert took the record time from the men’s omnium, and British duo Katie gone down very well ahead of the Com- itary from those stationed at compatriot Sarah Hammer, the five-time Archibald and Emily Nelson dominated monwealth Games (next month).” nearby Fairchild Air Force AMSTERDAM: Chloe Dygert broke the world pursuit champion who retired in the women’s Madison. Welte followed up her team sprint win Base or just residents who women’s individual pursuit world record September. Glaetzer defeated defending cham- on Wednesday with the time trial victory, served or knew someone who twice in winning at the world track cycling “Not having Sarah here was strange, pion Denis Dmitriev of Russia en route to beating Daria Shmeleva of Russia to was in the Army, Navy, Air championships on Saturday. she’s been to every world championship the sprint final, where he overpowered reverse the result from last year. Force or Marine Corps. Dygert, who anchored the Americans with me,” Dygert said. “But I had a (video) rising British talent Jack Carlin 2-0. The men’s omnium went to the final The NFL has partnered to another team pursuit gold medal on call with her before my final ride and that Carlin merely hoped to make the lap, with Sajnok and Jan Willem van Schip with the military for years, Thursday, lowered the individual record gave me a little bit of extra energy.” quarterfinals in his first world individual of the Netherlands tied on points. Sajnok and the Atlanta Braves and time by two seconds in qualifying. Then In other finals, Matthew Glaetzer of sprint race, and had to compose himself was first across the line. Simone Consonni Miami Marlins played at Fort in the final against Annemiek van Vleu- Australia won the men’s sprint, Miriam on the podium. of Italy was third. Bragg in North Carolina in ten of the Netherlands, Dygert took the Welte of Germany won the women’s 500- “I was very close to throwing up,” he Archibald and Nelson won eight of the 2016. The NHL is now wad- record down again by 0.012 seconds to meter time trial four years after she first said. “Throwing up during the Australian 12 sprints in the Madison, all eight in a ing into those waters with retain her crown. won it, Szyman Sajnok of Poland edged national anthem probably wouldn’t have row. more to come. MONDAY 5 MARCH 2018 SPORT 35 Serena will soon pass Roger Bannister, first to run mile Court’s record: Evert under 4 minutes, AP

NEW YORK : Chris Evert expects dies at age 88 new mom Serena Williams will eclipse the Grand Slam record AP of 24 singles titles, maybe even this season. LONDON: Roger Bannister, the first runner to break the 4-minute The former No. 1 tennis player barrier in the mile, has died. He was 88. also says the name of current Bannister’s family said in a statement that he died peacefully record-holder Margaret Court on Saturday in Oxford, the English city where the runner cracked should remain on the arena at the the feat many had thought humanly impossible on a windy after- Australian Open despite her con- noon in 1954. troversial views on LGBT rights. Bannister, who went on to pursue a long and distinguished “I don’t agree with Margaret medical career, had been slowed by Parkinson’s disease in recent and her thinking,” said the ESPN years. analyst and 18-time Grand Slam He was “surrounded by his family who were as loved by him, singles champion. “I think it hon- as he was loved by them,” the family said in a statement announc- ours her tennis career.” ing his death on Sunday. “He banked his treasure in the hearts of Williams restarts her tennis his friends.” career on the WTA tour next week Helped by two pacemakers, Bannister clocked 3 minutes, 59.4 with 23 major titles. She’ll play an seconds over four laps at Oxford’s Iffley Road track on May 6, 1954, exhibition match tonight at Mad- to break the 4-minute mile - a test of speed and endurance that ison Square Garden in New York, File photo of Roger Federer stands as one of the defining sporting achievements of the 20th then compete at Indian Wells, with Serena Williams. century. California, in her first tour event “It’s amazing that more people have climbed Mount Everest in more than a year. than have broken the 4-minute mile,” Bannister said in an inter- Williams dealt with serious view in 2012. health issues after the birth of Her career winning percent- an emotional component that backhand and returning nearly The enduring image of the lanky Oxford medical student - her first child in September and age (90 percent) is better than you’ve never experienced before,” every ball, Evert recently part- head tilted back, eyes closed and mouth agape as he strained across missed the first major in January. top-ranked Roger Federer (82 Evert said. “I keep saying this nered with Osteo Bi-Flex to help the finishing tape - captured the public’s imagination, made him But the 36-year-old Williams percent). It remains the high- - whenever anybody doubts Ser- keep up with the 14-year-olds a global celebrity and lifted the spirits of Britons still suffering has been winning majors at a est for men or women since the ena, she thrives. That gives her on her practice courts. through postwar austerity. swift clip. Williams passed Evert Open era of professional tennis more motivation, more incen- At 36, Federer recently won “It became a symbol of attempting a challenge in the physical and Martina Navratilova’s 18 at began in 1968. tive and she always comes out the Australian Open and regained world of something hitherto thought impossible,” Bannister said the 2015 Australian Open, and Here are a few more thoughts the winner.” the No. 1 ranking. Evert marvels as he approached the 50th anniversary of the feat. “I’d like to see won four more majors in the next from the 63-year-old Evert, the Court won 24 major singles at his “frame of mind” and rela- it as a metaphor not only for sport, but for life and seeking three years. publisher of Tennis magazine titles from 1960-77, including tively injury-free career. challenges.” Evert thinks Williams will and mother of three adult sons. 11 at the Australian Open when “He’s not a grinder like (Rafa) He might not have set the milestone but for the disappoint- win at least one Grand Slam title Evert says Serena’s best most players didn’t venture Nadal. Roger wins a lot of free ment of finishing without a medal in the 1,500 meters, known as this season. chance of winning more majors Down Under. She won a com- points off his serve, he has shorter the metric mile, in the 1952 Olympics in Helsinki. Instead of retir- “I just cannot bet against her,” rests on the grass of Wimbledon. bined record of 64 Grand Slam rallies, he glides to the ball, he ing from the sport, he decided to chase the 4-minute mark. she said in a recent phone inter- “Who knows how she’ll come singles and doubles titles. doesn’t muscle anything. It’s all Swedish runner Gundar Haegg’s mile time of 4:01.4 had stood view with The Associated Press. out of the starting gate,” she said. Evert still hits the courts about timing and finesse with for nine years, but in 1954 Bannister, Australian rival John Landy “I’d be surprised if she won two; “Wimbledon, that would be her almost daily at her tennis acad- him. and others were threatening to break it. I would bet on her to win one.” best shot because that favours emy in Boca Raton, Florida. “He’s so endearing. When he “As it became clear that somebody was going to do it, I felt that Evert knows a bit about power, rewards power and the Madison Keys, who reached the cried (after the win), I think the I would prefer it to be me,” Bannister said. records. Raised in a tennis family rallies aren’t long. She’s got the US Open final last year, and Lau- whole world cried along with He also wanted to deliver something special for his country. and taught by her father Jimmy big serve. The US Open is going ren Davis, who had triple-match him. He shows his emotion... “I thought it would be right for Britain to try to get this,” Ban- in Florida, she turned pro at 17 to be tough because it’s on a hard point on top-ranked Simona that’s why people love him so nister said. “There was a feeling of patriotism. Our new queen had in 1972 and promptly earned the court, it’s hot. She’ll have to be Halep at the Australian Open, much.” been crowned the year before, Everest had been climbed in 1953. No. 1 ranking two years later after moving well and be very, very fit.” came through her academy. Evert isn’t concerned Although I tried in 1953, I broke the British record, but not the winning the French Open and Incorporating tennis and Evert’s proud “100 percent 37-year-old Venus Williams 4-minute mile, and so everything was ready in 1954.” Wimbledon. family becomes the new chal- of the kids” who don’t turn pro joined several American women His chance finally came on a wet, cool, blustery May afternoon She won a record seven lenge after marrying Reddit earn a college tennis scholarship. making early exits at the Aus- during a meet between Oxford and the Amateur Athletic French Opens and reached the co-founder Alexis Ohanian and “That’s like winning Wim- tralian Open. Association. semifinals or better in 52 of 56 giving birth to baby Olympia. He bledon for these kids,” she said. “She had a big year last year When Bannister looked up at the English flag whipping in the majors. The tennis Hall of Famer recently bought four billboards “That’s a wonderful goal. It’s - got to the finals of two majors, wind atop a nearby church, he feared he would have to call off won 157 singles and 32 doubles along the highway to Indian Wells really just fun to mentor these got to the WTA Finals. You can the record attempt. But, shortly before 6pm, the wind died down. titles in an 18-year career, which that say “Greatest Momma Of kids and try to help them reach understand why maybe her body The race was on. spanned the eras of Billie Jean All Time.” their goals and their dreams.” didn’t recover as quickly. She can With Chris Brasher setting the pace on the cinder track, they King, Navratilova and Steffi Graf. “When you have a child, that’s Known for her two-handed still have a great year.” ran a first lap in 57.5 seconds, then 60.7 - 1:58.2 for the half mile. Chris Chataway, a distance specialist, paced a third lap of 62.3 - 3:00.4. Bannister would need to run the final lap in 59 seconds. With 250 yards to go, Bannister surged past Chataway, his long arms and legs pumping and his lungs gasping for oxygen. Del Potro and Tsurenko After Bannister crossed the finish line, the announcer read out the time: “3...” The rest was drowned out by the roar of the crowd. The record lasted just 46 days, as Landy ran 3:57.9 in Turku, Finland, on June 21, 1954. That set the stage for the showdown win trophies in Acapulco between Bannister and Landy at the Empire Games, now called the Commonwealth Games, in Vancouver, British Columbia on AP and first since her victory last year Aug. 9, 1954. at Princess Mundo Imperial. Landy set a fast pace, leading by as much as 15 yards before ACAPULCO, MEXICO: Juan Martin del Potro “It’s such a special tournament for Bannister caught up as the bell rang for the final lap. (pictured) won the Mexico Open on Satur- me,” Tsurenko said. “It was amazing.” Bannister won the race in 3:58.8, with Landy second in 3:59. day night for his 21st ATP Tour title, beating Seeded seventh, she was three It was the first time two men had run under 4 minutes in the same Kevin Anderson 6-4, 6-4 to improve to 7-0 points from losing the match in the race. Bannister considered that victory even more satisfying than against the 6-foot-8 South African. second set in the match that took 2 the first 4-minute mile because it came in a competitive race against Del Potro was projected to switch spots hours, 45 minutes. his greatest rival. with Anderson in the world ranking, with “Stefanie, it was an unbelieva- Bannister capped del Potro going from ninth to eighth. The ble match,” Tsurenko said. “It was his brilliant summer of 29-year-old Argentine star beat three straight almost three hours. We both were 1954 by winning the players ranked ahead of him in the hard- nervy and we were still fighting to 1,500 meters at the court event, topping No. 6 Dominic Thiem the end. Thanks for this match and European Champion- in the quarterfinals and No. 5 Alexander for this experience.” ships in Bern, Zverev in the semifinals. The 27-year-old Voegele was mak- Switzerland, in a “It’s a very special tournament to me,” ing her first appearance in a tour final. games record of 3:43.8. said del Potro, the 2009 US Open cham- In the men’s doubles final, Brit- “None of my ath- pion. “I beat three Top 10 guys in the same ain’s Jamie Murray and Brazil’s Bruno letics was the greatest tournament, which is very important for Soares successfully defending their achievement,” he said. myself. I’m so glad to win my 21st title play- title, beating American twins Bob and “My medical work has ing in Acapulco.” Mike Bryan 7-6 (4), 7-5. been my achievement Earlier at Princess Mundo Imperial, Lesia Germany’s Tatjana Maria and and my family with 14 Tsurenko successfully defended her wom- Britain’s Heather Watson won the grandchildren. Those en’s title with a 5-7, 7-6 (2), 6-2 victory over women’s doubles in their first tour- are real Stefanie Voegele. nament together, topping Americans achievements.” The 6-foot-6 del Potro won for the first Kaitlyn Christian and Sabrina San- Bannister married time since successfully defending his Stock- tamaria 7-5, 2-6, 10-2. Moyra Jacobsson, an holm title last year. Meanwhile, Canada’s Eugenie artist, in 1955. They “He’s a very dangerous guy,” del Potro said Bouchard and Australian Alex de Min- had two sons and two about Anderson. “His serves are so strong, competitor and a great player. I just needed aur were given wild card invitations to the daughters and lived in but I got lucky in the important moments to do a little bit more today.” ATP Masters and WTA hardcourt tournament a modest home only of my return games. I broke just twice and He won the New York Open two weeks at Indian Wells, organisers said yesterday. minutes away from the that was the key of the match.” ago for his fourth career title. Bouchard, ranked 115th in the world, will track where he made Anderson tweaked his left leg on del “I can take a lot of confidence going into be playing her first tournament since a New history. Bannister out- Potro’s lob and received treatment at 1-1 in Indian Wells and Miami, two tournaments York jury found in her favour in her lawsuit lived his 4-minute mile the second. I really enjoy playing. I feel like I’m play- against the US Tennis Association over her pacemakers: Brasher, “It was a little bit uncomfortable at first,” ing really good tennis,” Anderson said. “As locker room fall at the 2015 US Open. who founded the Lon- Anderson said. “I think in the bigger pic- always, I’ll pick myself up. I’ll try to learn as De Minaur, a 19-year-old ranked 139th don Marathon, died in ture of things it didn’t really affect things too much as I can from tonight’s match.” in the world, enjoyed a strong start to 2018 2003 at the age of 74. much,” Anderson said. “I think Juan Martin The 28-year-old Tsurenko, from the reaching the final at Sydney and the semi- Chataway died in 2014 played really well. He’s obviously a tough Ukraine, won her fourth WTA Tour title finals at Brisbane. at 82. MONDAY 5 MARCH 2018 36

There is no doubt that Kevin De SPORT Bruyne is playing a nice season Jurgen Klopp, Liverpool manager believes CRICKET FOOTBALL but there is no doubt that Mo his in-form striker Mohamed Salah is playing a really good Salah should be considered Final day of first Test English Premier League: for player-of-the-year between South Africa and one as well. That’s how it is. honours in English football Crystal Palace vs Australia in Durban Manchester United Zarco, Rossi and Dovi shine at Losail Circuit THE PENINSULA Movistar Yamaha’s Valentino attack, was P11 overall and Christian Coleman poses on Rossi in action during the last another tiny margin made the the podium during the medal DOHA: Yamaha blast back up day of final MotoGP pre-season difference – just 0.057. ceremony on Saturday. top on Saturday night, with test at Losail International Circuit Dani Pedrosa (Repsol Honda Dovizioso once again a force to in Saturday night. Team), after a big crash on Day be reckoned with Johann Zarco 1 and having been affected since (Monster Yamaha Tech 3) leaves by some pain in his left hand, did Coleman the final pre-season test as the the least laps on Friday of fastest man on track, with the anyone but put in 44 more on wins world Frenchman just over a tenth over the final day, ending the test in Jorge Lorenzo’s 10-year-old pole P12 overall after having topped indoor lap record to top the test with a the #ThaiTest. 1:54.029 at Losail International After the end of the dry track Circuit. time, there was one last thing on 60m title Valentino Rossi (Movistar the preseason agenda - a wet Yamaha MotoGP) shot back up test. After everyone was back in AFP into the higher echelons on Day pitlane, crews around the venue 2 to get closest to the Frenchman set about getting the track wet BIRMINGHAM: US track as he was 0.247 further back – in order to test Losail both in the sensation Christian Coleman with Andrea Dovizioso (Ducati wet and under the floodlights. lived up to his billing as the Team) completing the top three After another, shorter session in sprinter most likely to fill the as he was once again a constant those different conditions, the sizeable spikes of now-retired presence to be reckoned with. curtain then came down on the Usain Bolt by streaking to Lorenzo’s record that Zarco preseason. gold in the men’s 60m at the was hunting down is a 1:53.927, off after he made a late attack. sophomore season. Two Ducatis Lorenzo, who went fastest in Decisions are made, pro- World Indoor Championships set in 2008 when the now five- The top five were the same locked out the top ten overall, Sepang with the quickest ever grammes worked through and on Saturday. time World Champion debuted as the combined times on Day 3, with Danilo Petrucci (Alma lap, put in a 1:54.692 in Qatar for components compared – and all Coleman, who set an alti- – a longstanding mark of pace but the man who leaves the Pramac Racing) just 0.009 off P10. that remains now is to race. But tude-assisted 6.34-second at the venue to add some extra desert sixth overall set his best Rins ahead of him and 0.033 Second Alma Pramac Racing there’s not long to wait, with the world indoor record at the US lustre to the Tech 3 rider’s laptime on Day 2 – Andrea Ian- ahead of the Ducati Team rider Jack Miller, who headed out Qatar GP getting underway on championships in Albu- laptime. none (Team Suzuki Ecstar). The machine of Jorge Lorenzo. late with a soft tyre for a time the March 16. querque last month, led from Behind that show of outright Italian, whose 1:54.586 was the gun to tape to clock a cham- pace from the Frenchman’s fastest lap on Friday, was side- pionship record of 6.37sec. Yamaha, Rossi’s two and a half lined on the third and final day Su Bingtian of China low- tenth deficit was nevertheless of the third and final preseason ered the Asian record to enough to put the Italian into P2 test, suffering with illness. 6.42sec when he took silver, despite a crash earlier in the day Slotting behind the ‘Maniac’ with Coleman’s US teammate – and Dovizioso was just 0.055 and his Day 2 assault, Marc Mar- Ronnie Baker, third fastest off his compatriot. quez (Repsol Honda Team) was man of all time over 60m, In fourth, Cal Crutchlow (LCR seventh overall as he guns for his claiming bronze (6.44sec). Honda Castrol) was the fastest seventh title – and by another Starting in lane four, with Honda with a 1:54.457 – contin- tiny margin, with only 0.005 in Su inside him and Baker in uing his fantastic preseason form it. six, Coleman enjoyed an elec- – after putting in 57 laps, which The reigning champion also trifying start, shooting out low was the most of the top five. showed impressive pace on a with head bowed. It was incredibly close long run, and did the most laps After his first 10 vigorous between the Brit and the third of anyone as he racked up 75. He paces, the 21-year-old Amer- Yamaha Maverick Vinales (Mov- ended the day sandwiched ican powered up into his istar Yamaha MotoGP), however, between the Team Suzuki Ecstar drive phase and made no with the Spaniard – fastest in machines, as Alex Rins took P8 mistake as he dipped sav- testing at the venue last season and ended preseason on form Ducati Team’s Andrea Dovizioso in action at Losail International Circuit in Saturday night. agely through the line for a and the race winner – just 0.014 and fully healthy ahead of his first global title.

Former Qatar Open winner Thomas in Asia-Pacific team ARMSTRONG VAS THE PENINSULA (Japan), Kazuya Osawa (Japan) in Portugal. In 2017 he was three days format, will comprise Jaemin Han (Korea), Dong-min runner-up in the Japan Open and five foursomes matches each DOHA: Rayhan Thomas, winner Kim (Korea), Daniel Hillier (New is a former winner of the Chugoku morning and five four-ball at the 2016 Qatar Open Amateur Zealand), Lloyd Jefferson Go Amateur. Another, Japanese rep- matches each afternoon. On the Golf Championship, will return to (Philippines), Gregory Foo (Sin- resentative on the team, Kazuya final day, all twelve team players his favourite hunting Doha Golf gapore), Sadom Keawkanjana Osawa won the Japan Amateur will compete in singles match Club as member of the Asia- (Thailand) and Kammalas in 2017 and was runner-up at the play. A win will count as one Pacific team which will contest Namuangruk (Thailand). Nomura Cup in the individual point, a half yields half a point for the Michael Bonallack Trophy Thomas, who also won the component. and a lost match will return zero. here from March 8. Dubai Creek Open in 2016, besides There are two Koreans in the In the event of a tie, the trophy Thomas is the lone Indian the Qatar event, had a strong run team. Jaemin Han is a winner of shall be retained by the holders among the 12-member Asia- at the 2017 United States Junior the Korean Amateur trials and Meanwhile the Patsy Hankins Pacific Golf Confederation team making the semi-final stage and was runner-up in the Korean Trophy Selection Committee, led announced by Sir Michael Bonal- will be hoping to continue his good Junior Amateur in 2016. by non-playing Captain, Joanne lack Trophy selection form at the DGC. His national team-mate and Mckee has announced the 12 committee. Thomas team-mate at the Korea’s top ranked player Dong- players who have been selected The three-day event, at the Asia-Pacific team, Min Woo Lee, min Kim recently tied for 6th at to represent the Asia-Pacific Peter Harradine designed course, winner of the United States his home Korean Open. women’s team. will welcome some of the top Junior Championship in 2016 and Only two players from one The players have been amateur men and women players the 2017 s runner-up at the Aus- country can make it to the team selected on their World Amateur and will pit the best of male and tralian Amateur and tied for 3rd according to tournament rules. Golf Ranking (WAGR) and high- female amateur European players at the Asia-Pacific Amateur Matt Cutler, who returns as level performance. against an Asia-Pacific team. Championship will look to give Captain said: “I am very happy The team is as follows: Grace The men team will be vying his best in Doha. with the team we have selected. Kim (Australia), Liu Wenbo for the Michael Bonallack Trophy Lee’s compatriot, Shae We have a group of players that (China), Du Mohan (China), Ya- while the women be vying for the Wools-Cobb, another member of thoroughlydeserve to represent Chun Chang (Chinese Taipei), Yu- Rayhan Thomas, winner at the 2016 Patsy Hankins honours in the the teams, won the NT Amateur our region and I know will give Chiang Hou (Chinese Taipei), Qatar Open Amateur Golf Championship, tournament, which ends on March in 2016 and was a semi-finalist their all in the matches with Yuna Nishimura (Japan), Riri will return to his favourite hunting Doha 11. The tournament will be played at the 2018 Australian Europe. Along with vice-captain Sadoyama (Japan), Seo-yun Golf Club next week. in match-play format. Amateur. Andy Yamanaka from Japan and Kwon (Korea), Hae-ran Ryu The other members besides Japan’s Takumi Kanaya is rep- our coach Gareth Jones from Aus- (Korea), Yuka Saso (Philippines), Rayhan Thomas are Min Woo Lee resenting the Asia-Pacific for the tralia I am very excited about the Paphangkorn Tavatanakit (Thai- (Australia), Shae Wools-Cobb second time, having been a stan- week ahead”. land) and Atthaya Thitikul (Australia), Takumi Kanaya dout player two years ago The first two days, of the (Thailand).