Al Attiyah Off to a Flying Start It Was Tricky

SPORT Saturday 23 February 2019 PAGE | 17 PAGE | 18 MotoGP: The Seamers shine ﬁnal countdown as Sri Lanka begins for seek history in Qatar Test South Africa Overdrive Racing and Toyota in 1-2-3 on opening day

Al Attiyah off to a flying start It was tricky. It was the ﬁrst time THE PENINSULA together, but we made no mis- Qatar’s Nasser Saleh Al Attiyah together, but we LUSAIL takes. There is good co-operation competes at the Manateq Qatar between us. We are trying to find made no mistakes. Local star Nasser Saleh Al Attiyah the same language and are Cross-Country Rally yesterday. There is good and French navigator edged into working together in English. We co-operation between a lead of 3min 05sec at the are starting further behind Manateq Qatar Cross-Country tomorrow, so it will be easier us. We are trying Rally after the short opening loop with the lines.” to ﬁnd the same section of 109.76km through the Seaidan reflected on the language and are central Qatar deserts yesterday. day’s stage: “We had a naviga- working together The short opened didn’t tional problem and got lost three feature any passage controls or times and we had a flat tyre 10km in English. We are decidedly tricky navigation and from the stage finish. We got starting further the five-time event winner was stuck behind one of the Hiluxes behind tomorrow, so comfortable at the wheel of his in the dust and e hit a rock. But it will be easier with Toyota Hilux on the way to the we are glad that we finished.” fastest time of 52min 40sec. Mohammed Al Attiyah and the lines: Przygonski Al Attiyah said: “For a short Uruguayan navigator Sergio stage, to have a lead of 3min Lafuente topped the times in the 05sec is very good. Tomorrow T3 category in their Can-Am TODAY’S ACTION will be a long stage. I am quite Maverick X3. The Qatari finished happy. It was a little bit tricky just under a minute in front of Today, crews tackle a today with the navigation but we the Brazilian Monster Energy punishing 323.58km did not have any mistakes.” Can-Am duo of Reinaldo Varela selective section across Poland’s Jakub Przygonski and Gustavo Gugelmin. some of the most opened the day’s proceedings on Qatar’s Adel Abdulla drove remote areas of the the short loop with new navi- his T3 Can-Am Maverick 3 for the country. The stage gets gator Timo Gottschalk in the first first time with new Spanish nav- For a short stage, to have a lead of 3min 05sec is very of two MINI John Cooper Works igator Marc Serra and held third good. Tomorrow will be a long stage. I am quite happy. underway at 08.45hrs Rally derivatives on a timed test in T3. It was a little bit tricky today with the navigation but after a road liaison of 69.14km from Lusail that started 66.34km from the He said: “It was complicated we did not have any mistakes: Al Attiyah Lusail Sports Arena at the village today. My start position was not Sports Arena. of Al Kharsaah. perfect. When the drivers in T1s The Pole continued to run behind catch you, you are always first on the road, although Al looking in the mirror and not 2019 MANATEQ QATAR Attiyah overtook Russia’s pushing. Then they pass and you CROSS-COUNTRY RALLY Vladimir Vasilyev (fifth overall) need to slow down. So two cars Positions after SS1 and began to close in on the MINI pass and you lose, maybe two 1. Nasser Saleh Al Attiyah (QAT)/ as the stage progressed, before minutes, and you are in the dust. Matthieu Baumel (FRA) Toyota Hilux overtaking the Pole near the end The communication between us Overdrive: 52min 40sec of the special that also finished was okay. You are outside com- 2. Bernhard Ten Brinke (NLD)/Tom close to Al-Kharsaah. pletely in the T3 and the nose of Colsoul (BEL) Toyota Hilux Overdrive: Przygonski overcame the the car is very short.” 55min 45sec disadvantage of opening the road Qatar’s Khalid Al-Mohannadi 3. Yazeed Al Rajhi (SAU)/Dirk to card the fourth fastest time and Mubarak Al-Khelaifi stopped von Zitzewitz (DEU) Toyota Hilux with Al Attiyah’s team-mates early in the stage with Overdrive: 56min 40sec Bernhard Ten Brinke and Yazeed mechanical issues, with the 4. Jakub Przygonski (POL)/Timo Al Rajhi completing an Overdrive former losing over 30 minutes Gottschalk (DEU) MINI John Cooper Racing 1-2-3 for Toyota. and the latter over an hour. Works Rally: 57min 11sec Seventh-placed Yasir Seaidan Ibrahim Al Muhanna gave his 5. Vladimir Vasilyev (RUS)/ lost over nine minutes with nav- Mercedes Unimog truck its Qatar Konstantin Zhiltsov (RUS) BMW X3 igational issues and a flat tyre debut and held the T4 advantage CC: 57min 21sec and that delay opened the door and 16th overall. 6. Eugenio Amos (ITA)/Sebastien for Italian Eugenio Amos to The day’s short stage also Delaunay (FRA) Ford 2WD Buggy: snatch sixth place in his Ford acted as the first of three rounds 59min 49sec 2WD Buggy. of the Qatar Manateq Baja held in 7. Yasir Seaidan (SAU)/Laurent “It was a very good start” said conjunction with the FIA event and Lichtleuchter (FRA) MINI John Ten Brinke. acting as the fourth of six rounds Cooper Works Rally: “It was not an easy stage. of the championship. No less than 1hr 06min 49sec Tom (Colsoul) did a good job and 22 drivers were registered to score 8. Mohammed Al Attiyah (QAT)/ we had a good rhythm and the points. Mohammed Al Attiyah led Sergio Lafuente (URY) Can-Am Toyota was good. Still, it is the the way from Mohammed Al Meer Maverick T3: 1hr 11min 37sec first day. The navigation had a (T2 leader) and Adel Abdullah, all 9. Mohammed Al Meer (QAT)/Alexey couple of difficult points and we three of whom are also tackling Kuzmich (RUS) Toyota Land Cruiser drive for around 30km in the the FIA event. T2: 1hr 12min 13sec dust and lost a little bit of time.” Today crews tackle a pun- 10. Reinaldo Varela (BRA)/Gustavo Al-Rajhi added: “I am quite ishing 323.58km selective section Gugelmin (BRA) Can-Am Maverick happy with third place today. It across some of the most remote T3: 1hr 12min 28sec is the first time in a new car with areas of the country on Saturday. 11. Miroslav Zapletal (CZE)/Marek a new co-driver and a lot of The stage gets underway at Sykora (SVK) Ford F150 Evo: experience. Our target was to be 08.45hrs after a road liaison of 1hr 13min 18sec able to follow Nasser tomorrow 69.14km from Lusail Sports 12. Adel Abdulla (QAT)/Marc Serra into the longer stage and try to Arena. A second road section of (ESP) Can-Am Maverick T3: push a little bit.” 77.15km returns teams to the 1hr 15min 11sec Przygonski said: “It was service park in the early 13. Abdullah Al Zubair (OMN)/Nasser tricky. It was the first time afternoon. Al Kuwari (QAT) Can-Am Maverick T3: 1hr 16min 24sec 14. Michele Cinotto (ITA)/Maurizio Dominella (ITA) Polaris RZR 1000 T T3: 1hr 21min 46sec 15. Mohammed Al Harqan (QAT)/Vili Oslaj (SLO) Nissan Patrol T2: 1hr 23min 19sec

2019 QATAR MANATEQ BAJA ROUND 1 1. Mohammed Al Attiyah (QAT)/ Sergio Lafuente (URY) Can-Am Maverick T3: 1hr 11min 37sec 2. Mohammed Al Meer (QAT)/Alexey Kuzmich (RUS) Toyota Land Cruiser T2: 1hr 12min 13sec 3. Adel Abdulla (QAT)/Marc Serra (ESP) Can-Am Maverick T3: Jakub Przygonski in action during the Manateq Qatar Cross- 1hr 15min 11sec Country Rally yesterday SATURDAY 23 FEBRUARY 2019 SPORT 17

Chelsea Relegation-threatened Al Khor, banned from signing new Al Kharaitiyat secure vital wins players AFP THE PENINSULA QNB STARS LEAGUE - ROUND 17 LONDON DOHA Yesterday's results Al Khor 3-1 Qatar SC Premier League club Al Khor and Al Kharaitiyat who currently Umm Salal 0-1 Al Kharaitiyat Chelsea have been banned occupy the two teams at the bottom of the Today's ﬁxtures from signing new players QNB Stars League standings, record Al Gharafa vs Al Duhail in the next two transfer important wins in round 17 yesterday. At Al Gharafa Stadium: 4:50pm windows as punishment for Al Khor secured a crucial 3-1 victory Al Rayyan vs Al Sadd breaking rules on regis- over Qatar SC at home while Al Kharaitiyat At Al Sadd Stadium: 7:10pm tering under-age players, beat Umm Salal 1-0. FIFA said yestertay. Al Al Khor Stadium, goals from Thiago table, Al Kharaitiyat gave themselves a It means the club -- Bezerra (40th minute), Wagner Dos Santos lifeline with Valentin Lazar’s 17th-minute who immediately said (52nd) and Musaab Abdulmajid (90+4) were goal. they would appeal the enough to secure three points for the home With early pressing by the home team, decision -- will be unable team. Samuel Eto’o got the visitors’ con- Al Kharaitiyat took the lead thanks again to make signings until the solation goal in the 70th minute. to the assistance of VAR. Ilias Hassani was end of January next year. An entertaining encounter saw an brought down on the edge of the area by “The disciplinary end-to-end display before Al Khor ben- Abdulla Kamal and Valentin placed his committee sanctioned efited from a VAR review late in the first penalty straight down the middle of the Chelsea with a ban on reg- half. Qatar SC’s Mohammed Al Jabri was, goal to open the scoring. istering new players at both on review, adjudged to have handled a The Umm Salal response was inevi- national and international shot in the penalty area which left Thiago table and Lawrence Quaye nearly equalised level for the next two com- with the task of taking the penalty and he when his header was parried by Ahmed plete and consecutive reg- duly converted into the top right hand Abonora. istration periods,” FIFA said corner. Yannick Sagbo later saw his free-kick in a statement. Early in the second half and Al Khor drift marginally wide of the upright before In addition, Chelsea turned up the pressure a notch as they Ismail Mardanli saw his last-gasp effort were fined 600,000 Swiss sought a second goal, and breathing space. Substitute Musaab Abdulmajid (right) celebrates with team-mates after scoring saved to mark a frustrating night for the francs and given a period Their efforts were rewarded when Thiago home team. of 90 days to regularise the Al Khor’s third goal against Qatar SC at the Al Khor Stadium yesterday. became provider as his cross from the Al Kharaitiyat, with their second situation of the minor right byline was met by Wagner Dos victory, moved to six points, while Umm players concerned. Santos at the back post who coolly vol- after Mohammed Buqshan conceded a Wagner fed Thiago down the left and his Salal stayed on 20 points. The ban does not leyed home. Not long after, Al Khor had penalty. The Cameroonian stepped up to squared pass was immaculately finished Al Kharaitiyat, who had beaten Al prevent players being a goal disallowed after Thiago pushed calmly beat the keeper and bring his side by substitute Musaab. Gharafa in the first leg, are still facing the released by the club and it Sandro Ferreira on his way to converting back into the game. Elsewhere, Al Kharaitiyat secured their danger of getting relegated as 11th-placed does not apply to Chelsea’s a cross. Al Khor sealed the points deep into vital win at the Al Duhail Stadium. Al Khor are now on 12 points following women’s and futsal teams. Eto’o pulled one back for the visitors stoppage time on the counter when Firmly rooted to the bottom of the their 3-1 victory over Qatar SC. Chelsea have been given three days to appeal against FIFA’s decision, which could prove highly damaging, for example pre- Arsenal to face Rennes in Europa League last 16 venting the club from signing a replacement for AFP Former Spanish EUROPA LEAGUE DRAW Eden Hazard if the star PARIS football player player leaves the club. Andres Palop The draw for the last 16 of the “Chelsea FC categori- Arsenal will face French side displays the Europa League made yesterday: cally refutes the findings of Rennes in the last 16 of the name of Arsenal the FIFA disciplinary com- Europa League, while Chelsea football club Chelsea (ENG) vs Dynamo mittee and will therefore be were paired with Dynamo Kiev during the draw Kiev (UKR) appealing the decision,” in yesteray’s draw. for the Europa Eintracht Frankfurt (GER) vs said a statement on the Both Premier League clubs League round of Inter (ITA) club’s website. will be at home in the first leg sixteen in Bern, Dinamo Zagreb (CRO) vs The move follows a on Thursday, March 7, with the yesterday. Benﬁca (POR) FIFA probe into Chelsea’s return matches scheduled for Napoli (ITA) vs Salzburg signing of foreign under-18 March 14. (AUT) Valencia (ESP) vs FC players, including the club’s Arsenal’s draw means that Krasnodar (RUS) Sevilla (ESP) former forward Bertrand their veteran goalkeeper Petr fifth in Ligue 1 last season and winning the Europa League as Prague. Widely-fancied Napoli vs Slavia Prague (CZE) Arsenal Traore, a Burkina Faso Cech will return to face the club are currently in mid-table, but their most likely route into next will take on the Austrian cham- (ENG) vs Rennes (FRA) international who now he represented for two seasons have impressed since the season’s Champions League. pions Salzburg, who reached the Zenit Saint Petersburg (RUS) plays for French Ligue 1 before joining Chelsea in 2004. 38-year-old Julien Stephan was After beating Swedish side semi-finals last season. club Lyon. vs Villarreal (ESP) The Gunners overturned a appointed as coach in Malmo 5-1 on aggregate, they Former European Cup FIFA said yesterday it First legs to be played on March 1-0 first-leg deficit to qualify for December. might find the going tougher finalists and UEFA Cup winners was also fining the Football 7, second legs on March 14 the last 16 by beating BATE Arsenal manager Unai against Ukrainian giants Dynamo. Eintracht Frankfurt were drawn Association 510,000 Swiss Borisov of Belarus 3-0 on Emery -- who won the Europa The clubs met in the group against Inter Milan, who won francs for breaking the Thursday. League three years running as stage of the Champions League the UEFA Cup three times in the rules on signing minors. Meanwhile, Rennes reached coach of Sevilla -- is familiar in 2015-16, drawing 0-0 in Kiev 1990s. Benfica face Dinamo sides, with Zenit Saint The world governing the last 16 for the first time in with Rennes from his two before Chelsea won 2-1 at Zagreb, while Valencia’s Petersburg drawn against body gave the FA a period their history with a fine 3-1 win seasons in charge of Paris Stamford Bridge. reward for knocking out Celtic Villarreal. of six months to update its away to Real Betis in Spain, a Saint-Germain. Elsewhere, Sevilla, who have is a tie against FC Krasnodar of The final of this season’s processes concerning inter- result that gave them a 6-4 London rivals Chelsea, the won the trophy five times Russia. Europa League will be played national transfers and the aggregate triumph. other Premier League club still in including twice in its former guise That is one of two ties in Baku, the capital of registration of minors. The Brittany club finished the competition, might also view as the UEFA Cup, will face Slavia between Russian and Spanish Azerbaijan, on May 29. MotoGP: The final countdown begins for Qatar test

MOTOGP.COM marque. Team Director Massimo MotoGP riders in action during the Grand Prix of Qatar at the Losail International Circuit in this ﬁle photo. DOHA Meregalli also had a positive addition, stating both riders were Sepang certainly gave us a tanta- choosing similar directions in lising first glimpse of the season development. ahead, and now it’s time to up the At Team Suzuki Ecstar, there ante even further as Losail Inter- also seems to be a lot of positivity. national Circuit in Qatar Alex Rins was a constant threat welcomes MotoGP for the second on the timesheets on the first two and final preseason test of 2019. days in Malaysia and the Hama- Final decisions on engines, matsu factory have been working aero fairings and more await – hard to build on their stellar 2018. and there’s the chance to compare And rookie Joan Mir, after two data from Malaysia, as well as set more anonymous days at least in up for the VisitQatar Grand Prix. terms of laptime, moved up the It’s three full days on track, but timesheets a little on Day 3 – but plenty to get done. is he showing his hand? Or will One of the biggest talking that only come when testing’s points ahead of the test and, lap load in Malaysia than he Island last season, impressed on Champions Honda who stole the Italian machinery can repeat the over and the race weekend undoubtedly after, is the return often has at testing in the past, his return and managed a solid headlines at Sepang, however – feat at Losail. begins? to action of Jorge Lorenzo (Repsol and although he was pretty 60+ laps on the final day. He’s it was Borgo Panigale’s Italian And then there’s Yamaha. Three days, a new venue and Honda Team). quick, he said his shoulder is another who will be expecting armada. Ducati machinery locked Monster Energy MotoGP’s Mav- lots left to test and learn ahead of After breaking his scaphoid still not 100% and he’s not improvements in his condition for out the fastest four in Malaysia erick Vinales and Valentino Rossi the season, the Qatar Test will near the end of the winter break, riding in his usual style. How the Qatar Test. and Mission Winnow Ducati were both pretty positive in give us a lot more answers but the Spaniard was forced to sit out much further along will the His team-mate Takaaki Nak- Team’s new arrival Danilo Sepang, but the former a little undoubtedly another few exciting Sepang and lose valuable time on seven-time World Champion agami (LCR Honda Idemitsu) also Petrucci was the man on top. more so than the latter. questions ahead of the first race the Honda, but now he’ll be able be in his recovery by the Qatar had a positive Malaysia and, after Qatar will be another chance Vinales praised better con- weekend of the year. Are Repsol to get another three days of famil- Test and, after that, the race topping the Jerez test at the end for him to evaluate an aero fairing sistency in the data from the 2019 Honda ready despite their iarisation under his belt as he weekend? of last season, was a consistent he crashed on as well as every- M1, as well as improvements in injuries? Can the rookies run with joins new teammate Marc Cal Crutchlow (LCR Honda presence in the top 10. Now on thing else, but it will also be a acceleration they’ve managed to the pack? Will Suzuki and Marquez on track. Castrol) was actually the fastest the bike that Marquez rode to the chance for teammate Andrea find. Rossi said it was more mixed, Yamaha prove key threats for the Marquez himself is also a Honda at Sepang. 2018 crown, the season is looking Dovizioso to turn the tables. but the mood was definitely an win this year? talking point but this season not The Brit, despite also still bright for the sophomore and he’ll The 2018 Qatar GP winner upturn – with the ‘Doctor’ citing From February 23 to 25, we’ll just for win rate – the reigning being on a road to recovery after be one to watch. was the fourth quickest and specifically the good atmosphere start finding a few more answers Champion put in a much lower breaking his ankle at Phillip It wasn’t actually reigning seemed happy, now we’ll see if and methodology for the Iwata at the Qatar Test. 18 SPORT SATURDAY 23 FEBRUARY 2019

Sri Lanka’s Suranga Lakmal (right) appeals for a LBW call on South Africa’s Keshav Maharaj during the second day of their second Test India demands match, at St. George’s Park Stadium in Port Elizabeth, yesterday. ‘robust’ security at ICC World Cup

AFP NEW DELHI

India yesterday demanded Del Potro storms “robust” security for its players and fans at this year’s cricket World Cup in into third round England, but pulled back from a boycott of its match at Delray Beach against Pakistan despite escalating tensions. REUTERS Vinod Rai, a senior FLORIDA official of the Board of Control for Cricket in India Top seed Juan Martin del Potro (pictured above) (BCCI), told reporters they cut towering American Reilly Opelka down to size had sent a letter to the Inter- on Thursday with a 6-4, 6-4 victory in the second national Cricket Council round of the Delray Beach Open in Florida. demanding tough security In his first event back after being sidelined for at the World Cup. four months with a knee injury, Del Potro’s con- But he said a decision on sistency was key in the win over his 2.11 metre tall boycotting the one-day opponent, who leads the men’s tour in aces this international would only be year. made nearer the date -- and The Argentine, who stands 13cm shorter than after consulting the his opponent, took a little off his own serve to government. cope with the blustery conditions on the outdoor Seamers shine as Sri Lanka Interest in the India- hardcourt. He held serve easily throughout and Pakistan game in Man- one break in each set was enough, clinching victory chester is so high that when Opelka sent a service return long. demand for tickets has out- Opelka won his first career title at the New stripped that for the World York Open on Sunday but was nowhere near his seek history in South Africa Cup final, according to ICC best against Del Potro and looked particularly vul- officials. nerable on his second serve. AFP batsman Duanne Olivier leg before SCOREBOARD The World Cup begins Next up for Del Potro in the quarter-finals on PORT ELIZABETH, SOUTH AFRICA wicket. SOUTH AFRICA, first innings, 222 on May 30. Friday is unseeded American Mackenzie McDonald, Du Plessis was left unbeaten on 50. SRI LANKA, first innings who beat Spaniard Guillermo Garcia-Lopez 7-5, South Africa and Sri Lanka were locked Sri Lankan captain Dimuth Karu- (overnight 60-3) 6-4. in a tense, low-scoring battle at the end naratne and Lahiru Thirimanne put on D. Karunaratne c De Kock b Rabada ...... 17 Also on Thursday, American fourth seed Steve of the second day of the second Test at 32 for the first wicket at the start of their L. Thirimanne c and b Olivier ...... 29 New Zealand’s Johnson beat Italian Paolo Lorenzi 7-5, 7-5 and St George’s Park yesterday. chase but both were dismissed in the O. Fernando b Olivier ...... 0 Radu Albot of Moldova beat Nick Kyrgios 6-2, 3-6, Needing 197 runs to achieve an his- space of six balls. K. Mendis c De Kock b Olivier ...... 16 K. Rajitha b Rabada ...... 1 Astle back for 6-3. toric series win, Sri Lanka were 60 for Thirimanne was caught behind off K. Perera c De Kock b Rabada ...... 20 Australian Kyrgios raised some eyebrows with two at the close. Kagiso Rabada for the second time in D. de Silva c De Kock b Mulder ...... 19 Bangladesh his antics during the match, and looked to have It was an extraordinary day’s play the day after making ten to be followed N. Dickwella c Elgar b Rabada ...... 42 had a verbal exchange with a spectator during a during which 18 wickets fell and 282 in the next over by Karunaratne for 19, S. Lakmal lbw b Maharaj ...... 7 Tests series changeover. runs were scored, leaving both teams caught behind off Duanne Olivier’s first V. Fernando not out ...... 0 “There was a lot going through the mind of with a chance of victory. ball of the innings. L. Embuldeniya absent injured AFP Nick Kyrgios,” said Tennis Channel commentator Sri Lanka, who won the first Test in Oshada Fernando and Kusal Mendis Extras (lb1, nb2) ...... 3 WELLINGTON Total (37.4 overs) ...... 154 Mark Knowles, a former world number one doubles Durban by one wicket, will become the saw out the day, with Fernando striking Fall of wickets: 1-25 (Karunaratne), 2-34 (O. Fern- player. first team from Asia to win a Test series two boundaries in the last over, bowled ando), 3-59 (Mendis), 4-64 (Thirimanne), 5-66 Spinner Nathan Astle will “He had the sidewinder serve, the chip in South Africa if they can score 137 more by left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj. (Rajitha), 6-97 (Perera), 7-128 (De Silva), 8-154 resume his stop-start Test forehand, he threw his racket up in the air, he had runs, while South Africa will earn a face- In a frenetic start to the day, Sri (Lakmal), 9-154 (Dickwella) career against Bangladesh some conversations with the crowd, some dancing saving share of the series by taking the Lanka scored 94 runs but lost six wickets Bowling: Steyn 10-2-39-0, Rabada 12.4-3-38-4, after beating Ajaz Patel for a going on. Didn’t seem like he was that focused on remaining eight wickets. in 17.4 overs. Olivier 10-1-61-3 (2nb), Mulder 3-2-6-1, Maharaj spot in New Zealand’s 2-0-9-1 his tennis today.” South Africa seemed set to take Overnight batsmen Thirimanne and 13-man squad to face Bang- control when Sri Lanka collapsed in a nightwatchman Kasun Rajitha were dis- SOUTH AFRICA, second innings ladesh next week, selectors ATP DELRAY BEACH OPEN RESULTS flurry of strokes to be bowled out for 154 missed in the first four overs of the A. Markram c O. Fernando b Rajitha ...... 18 said yesterday. 2ND RD before lunch, giving South Africa a first morning after Sri Lanka resumed on 60 D. Elgar c Dickwella b V. Fernando ...... 2 Astle was the only Juan Martín Del Potro (ARG x1) bt Reilly Opelka innings lead of 68 runs. for three. They were followed by a suc- H. Amla c Mendis b De Silva ...... 32 change in the squad that (USA) 6-4, 6-4 But Sri Lanka’s bowlers hit back, cession of batsmen who played extrav- T. Bavuma c Dickwella b Rajitha ...... 6 defeated Sri Lanka 1-0 in Mackenzie McDonald (USA) bt Guillermo García- bowling out the hosts for a paltry 128 - agant shots before perishing. F. du Plessis not out ...... 50 December to claim an López (ESP) 7-5, 6-4 Q. de Kock c and b Lakmal ...... 1 by 40 runs their lowest total in a home Kusal Perera, the hero of Sri Lanka’s W. Mulder c Mendis b De Silva ...... 5 unprecedented fourth Test Steve Johnson (USA x4) bt Paolo Lorenzi (ITA) Test against the islanders. surprise win in the first Test in Durban, K. Maharaj lbw b Lakmal ...... 6 series in a row for New 7-5, 7-5 Suranga Lakmal, Sri Lanka’s most thrashed two fours and an audacious six K. Rabada c Mendis b Lakmal ...... 0 Zealand. Radu Albot (MDA) bt Nick Kyrgios (AUS) 6-2, experienced bowler, took four for 39, over extra cover in one over from D. Steyn c Thirimanne b De Silva ...... 0 Selector Gavin Larsen 3-6, 6-3 while part-time off-spinner Dhananjaya Rabada before being caught behind in D. Olivier lbw b Lakmal ...... 6 admitted it was “a tough call” de Silva took a Test-best three for 36. the fast bowler’s next over. He made 20 Extras (lb1, nb1) ...... 2 to drop Patel, who was out- With only 10 wickets in 24 previous off 15 balls. De Silva struck four fours in Total (44.3 overs) ...... 128 standing against Pakistan in ATP RIO DE JANEIRO RESULTS Fall of wickets: 1-10 (Elgar), 2-31 (Markram), 3-51 Tests, De Silva had match figures of five making 19 off 24 balls and Niroshan (Bavuma), 4-90 (Amla), 5-91 (De Kock), 6-100 the UAE. Astle, 32, made his 2ND RD for 51. He was forced into a front-line Dickwella hit six fours and a six before (Mulder), 7-113 (Maharaj), 8-115 (Rabada), 9-116 Test debut against Sri Lanka Laslo Djere (SRB) bt Taro Daniel (JPN) 6-4, 6-2 role when left-arm spinner Lasith he was last man out for 42 off 36 deliv- (Steyn) in 2012 but since then has Casper Ruud (NOR) bt Joao Sousa (POR x5) 6-3, Embuldeniya suffered a badly dislo- eries. Rabada took four for 38. Bowling: Lakmal 16.3-3-39-4, V. Fernando 10-1- played only two more, most 3-6, 6-4 cated left thumb, an injury which South African opening batsman Dean 32-1, Rajitha 7-1-20-2, De Silva 11-1-36-3 (1nb) recently against England in Albert Ramos (ESP) bt Federico Del Bonis (ARG) required surgery and prevented him Elgar fell cheaply for the third time in March last year. The first of 3-6, 7-5, 6-3 from batting or taking the field on the series to Vishwa Fernando before SRI LANKA, second innings three Tests begins in Ham- Pablo Cuevas (URU) bt Juan Ignacio Londero D. Karunaratne c De Kock b Olivier ...... 19 Friday. lunch and there was a steady stream of L. Thirimanne c De Kock b Rabada ...... 10 ilton on February 28. (ARG) 6-1, 6-4 De Silva seemed to have claimed a wickets during the afternoon, culmi- O. Fernando not out ...... 17 New Zealand: Kane Wil- fourth wicket and wrapped up the South nating in the dismissal of Hashim Amla K. Mendis not out ...... 10 liamson (capt), Tom Latham, African innings when Faf du Plessis for 32 and in-form Quinton de Kock for Extras (lb4) ...... 4 Jeet Raval, Ross Taylor, Henry BUDAPEST WTA RESULTS charged down the wicket and was one in the last two overs before tea. Total (2 wkts, 16 overs) ...... 60 Nicholls, BJ Watling, Colin de 2ND RD stumped with the total on 117 for nine. The remaining five wickets added Fall of wickets: 1-32 (Thirimanne), 2-34 (Karu- Grandhomme, Todd Astle, Tim Alison Van Uytvanck (BEL x1) bt Iga Swiatek But a check by the umpires revealed it only 37 runs after tea, with none of the naratne) Southee, Neil Wagner, Trent (POL) 6-4, 7-5 Bowling: Steyn 5-0-20-0, Rabada 6-1-18-1, Olivier had been a no-ball and 11 more runs lower-order batsmen able to provide 3-1-10-1, Mulder 1-1-0-0, Maharaj 1-0-8-0 Boult, Matt Henry, Will Young. Kateryna Kozlova (UKR) bt Madison Brengle were added before Lakmal trapped last significant support to Du Plessis. (USA) 6-0, 6-1 Ekaterina Alexandrova (RUS x5) bt Arantxa Rus (NED) 6-4, 6-0 Marketa Vondrousova (CZE x8) bt Anna Blinkova (RUS) 7-6 (8/6), 3-6, 6-3 McIlroy seizes one-shot lead in Mexico Irina Begu (ROM) bt Evgeniya Rodina (RUS) 6-2, 6-3 AFP and 10 of 14 fairways. He ranks third MEXICO CITY in the field in strokes-gained putting through one round. MARSEILLE ATP RESULTS Rory McIlroy fired seven birdies and Johnson had seven birdies 2ND RD one sensational eagle on the way to without a bogey in his 64 and was Sergiy Stakhovsky (UKR) bt Grégoire Barrère an eight-under par 63 and a one-shot two shots clear of Justin Thomas and (FRA) 6-3, 6-4 lead over Dustin Johnson the WGC- Matt Kuchar. David Goffin (BEL x3) bt Benoît Paire (FRA) 6-2, 6-3 Mexico Championship on Thursday. Tiger Woods received a rap- Andrey Rublev (RUS) bt Matteo Berrettini (ITA) Former world number one Rory McIlroy plays his turous welcome from fans on the first 6-3, 7-6 (7/2) McIlroy, now ranked eighth in the shot from the seventh tee, where he was introduced for his Matthias Bachinger (GER) bt Fernando Verdasco world as he seeks his first win since tee during the ﬁrst first competitive start in Mexico as (ESP x5) 6-4, 6-3 the Arnold Palmer Invitational last round of the WGC - “Tiger! Tiger! Tiger Woods.” Ugo Humbert (FRA) bt Borna Coric (CRO x2) 6-3, March, belted a 2-iron 307 yards at Mexico Championship “He said my name three times, 6-3 Club de Golf Chapultepec’s par-four golf tournament at Club right?” Woods said. “That was first -- his 10th hole of the day. de Golf Chapultepec, on different.” It hit the front of the green and Thursday. Woods then promptly hit his tee DUBAI WTA RESULTS threatened the hole, McIlroy even- shot out-of-bounds on the way to an QUARTER-FINALS tually making a six-footer for eagle. a bogey at the sixth, but he level, where he said some shots could opening double bogey. Elina Svitolina (UKR x6) bt Carla Suárez Navarro “My 3-iron probably carries this rebounded with a 20-foot putt for go 100 yards further than he would He bounced back with three (ESP) 6-2, 6-3 week somewhere around 300 yards, birdie at his penultimate hole, the normally expect. straight birdies at the fourth, fifth and Hsieh Su-Wei (TPE) bt Karolina Pliskova (CZE x4) and it was playing around 295 to the eighth, to lead 2017 champion “It’s fun,” McIlroy said. “I’m glad sixth on the way to an even-par 71. 6-4, 1-6, 7-5 front, so I knew I needed to take a Johnson by one stroke. we don’t have to do it every week Things were much worse for Petra Kvitova (CZE x2) bt Viktoria Kuzmova little off and hit a little cut down Like all the players in the elite but while we’re here we might as defending champion Phil Mickelson. (SVK) 6-4, 6-0 there,” McIlroy said. “Nice to start World Golf Championships event, well make the most of it.” One year after edging Thomas in a Belinda Bencic (SUI) bt Simona Halep (ROM x3) the back nine like that.” McIlroy is adjusting to playing on a The Northern Ireland star did, playoff he opened with an eight-over 4-6, 6-4, 6-2 His only miscue on the day was course situated 7,800 feet above sea hitting 17 of 18 greens in regulation par 79. SATURDAY 23 FEBRUARY 2019 SPORT 19 Amir’s Golden Sword Championships Awad wins feature event on day two The winner of the Irish Thoroughbred Marketing Cup, Marianafoot’s owner and his team pose for CHINTHANA WASALA Qatari show jumper Awad Alqahtani a photograph with officials yesterday, the second day of the The Amir’s Sword Festival. THE PENINSULA astride Cassander Van Het Bremhof during the Big Tour competition on the Qatari show jumper Awad second day of the Amir’s Golden Sword Alqahtani sealed the top prize on Championships at the Outdoor Arena the second day of the Amir’s of the Qatar Equestrian Amir’s Sword Festival Golden Sword Championships Federation, yesterday. yesterday with a flawless routine astride Cassander Van Het Bremhof. Alqahtani completed the error-free routine in 64.18 Marianafoot posts seconds to win the Big Tour (One round against the clock, 140/150 cm) event at the Outdoor Arena of the Qatar Equestrian Feder- ation (QEF) to bag QR8,250 in prize money, outclassing his thrilling victory in-form opponent Mubarak Yousuf Al Rumaihi. THE PENINSULA Al Rumaihi, looking for a DOHA repeat success after winning the feature event on the opening The second day of the The Amir’s day, yesterday guided Vivaldi K Sword Festival saw a thrilling to complete the same task Irish Thoroughbred Marketing without any faults in a time of Cup bring the day’s action to a 68.18 seconds to finish second. close with the Irish Ambassador He won QR6,750. Aidan Cronin presenting the Carport, with Faleh Suwead trophies to the winners of the Al Ajami in the saddle, secured mile long Gr2 race. the remaining spot on the A fantastic turn of foot on the podium with a ride that took home stretch saw French raider 68.38 secs to complete. He got Marianafoot snatch an impressive richer by QR5,250. victory in the final few metres of Thursday’s podium winner, the Irish Thoroughbred Mar- Nasser Al Ghazali finished fourth keting Cup (QA Gr 2) (4yo & older) on Colibri 19 (74.06 secs, one yesterday. error) as Chin Van de The $200,000 feature saw Kranenburg, ridden by Hamad Earlier, in the Small Tour Al Nuaimi excelled on Jalieny Jerome Reynier saddle his second Towaim Al Marri (74.55 secs, one (110/120cm, one round against Diamant Z while Al Amri guided Group 2 winner when Pierre- error) rounded up the top five in the clock) that carried prizes What A Lady Van De Smis in two Charles Boudot moved him out The Chief Executive Officer of Social and Sport Contribution Fund (Daam), the QR30,000 feature event that worth QR10,000, Qatrai riders flawless rides in 52.20 secs to after the turn through a gap and Abdulrahman Abdulatif Al Mannai (left) and Qatar Racing and Equestrian saw 12 riders in action. Abdulaziz Ghanim Al Nuaimi and grab QR2,250 each in prize challenged local hopes, Injaaz Al Ghazali won QR3,000 Abdulla Rashid Al Amri clocked money. Stud’s Black Granite and Club CEO Nasser Sherida Al Kaabi at a press conference yesterday. while Al Marri picked up identical times to be judged as Rashid showed his efficiency Mohammed Khalifa Al Sowaidi’s QR2,100. joint winners. again in the same event with Top Face. The listed winner from AMIR’S SWORD FESTIVAL: YESTERDAY’S WINNERS another flawless ride in 53.62, Deauville did enough to beat PUREBRED ARABIAN MAIDEN PLATE (Qatari Riders Only) (Div 2) this time with Cindarella B, to Oisin Murphy ridden Black (Position, Horse, Trainer, Jockey) AMIR’S GOLDEN SWORD CHAMPIONSHIPS: YESTERDAY’S RESULTS seal the third spot on the podium Granite by a quarter of a length. Evolution Du Croate (FR), Osama Omer E Al Dafea, Yousef Al Hajri, Prize Money: 1st $17,100 to add QR1,500 more to his In a thrilling finish, Aahil was LOCAL PUREBRED ARABIAN NOVICE PLATE (Fillies & Mares) (C 6) Small Tour, Table A, One round against the clock FEI Art. 238.2.1, winnings. the second straight winner on the Al Wannah (QA), Julian Colin Smart, Ryan Curatolo, Prize Money: 1st $17,100 Height 110/120 cm, Prize Money QR10,000 Belucci Van ‘T Vleminkhof, day for Alban Elie Marie De PUREBRED ARABIAN MAIDEN PLATE (Div 1) (Rank, Horse, Rider, Time, Prize Money) guided by Hussain Saeed Haidan, Mieulle, when the Umm Qarn colt Bin General (FR), Alban Elie Marie De Mieulle, Ronan Thomas, Prize Money: 1st $17,100 1: JALIENY DIAMANT Z/Abdulaziz Ghanim Al Nuaimi, 52.20 secs, QR2,250 who won the second place in the topped the $100,000 Gulf Cup THOROUGHBRED PLATE (3 Year Olds) (Class 4) 1: WHAT A LADY VAN DE SMIS/Abdulla Rashid Al Amri, 52.20, QR2,250 same class on the opening day (4yo & older PA bred in the GCC). Indian Horseman (GB), Jassim Mohammed Ghazali Jahromi, Harry Bentley, Prize Money: 1st $17,100 3: CINDERELLA B/Abdulla Rashid Al Amri, 53.62, QR1,500 of the championships, missed Ronan Thomas was astride the THOROUGHBREDS (Fillies & Mares) (Class 3) out on a podium spot yesterday 5yo colt when he was a neck Wayside Flower (GB), Jassim Mohammed Ghazali Jahromi, Harry Bentley, Prize Money: 1st $17,100 after a ride that took 56.67 secs behind Molheb Al Naif last month. (C 7) Medium Tour, Table A, One round against the clock FEI Art. 238.2.1, LOCAL THOROUGHBRED TROPHY to complete. And when the two came down Height 125/135 cm, Prize Money QR20,000 Mosayter (QA), Jassim Mohammed Ghazali Jahromi, Harry Bentley, Prize Money: 1st $17,100 1: GERLIN VD WATERKANT/Cyrine Cherif, 66.65 secs, QR5,000 He added QR1,000 to his the home straight in a duel of championship pouch. Fito R, sorts, it was close yet again, but PUREBRED ARABIAN SPRINT CUP 2: LE PREMIER K/Sultan Rashid AL Marri, 76.99, QR4,000 Barra (QA), Alban Elie Marie De Mieulle, Ronan Thomas, Prize Money: 1st $17,100 3: ARSELINA/Mohammed Khalifa Albaker, 77.86, QR3,000 with Saad Ahmed Alsaad com- Thomas and his mount had pleted the top five of the managed to hold off Jassim GULF CUP Mohammed Ghazali Jahromi’s Aahil (QA), Alban Elie Marie De Mieulle, Ronan Thomas, Prize Money: $1st 57,000 (C 8) Big Tour, Table A, One round against the clock FEI Art. 238.2.1, Height QR10,000 event. The Medium Tour trio, including Harry Bentley IRISH THOROUGHBRED MARKETING CUP (QA Gr 2) 140/150 cm, Prize Money QR30,000 (125/125cm one round against ridden Molheb Al Naif, Oisin Marianafoot (FR), Jerome Reynier, Pierre-Charles Boudot, Prize Money: 1st $114,000 1: CASSANDER VAN HET BREMHOF/Awad Alqahtani, 64.18 secs, QR8,250 the clock) was worth QR20,000 Murphy helmed Rassan and Ist- 2: VIVALDI K/Mubarak Yousuf Al Rumaihi, 68.18, QR6,750 and it was the French star Cyrine ibdad, with Gerald Avranche 3: CARPORT/Faleh Suwead Al Ajami, 68.38, QR5,250 Cherif who grabbed major astride. The win by a nose was time round to register his second in the final furlong of the 2,000m honours in yesterday’s event. Aahil’s second this season and victory this season. Jassim Purebred Arabian Maiden Plate The seasoned rider with fourth overall. Mohammed Ghazali Jahromi’s (Div 1) (4-6yo). more than 18 years of experience Umm Qarn’s Barra led a ward had stepped up in class H E Sheikh Mohammed Bin in the mainstream show jumping one-two for trainer Alban Elie earlier this month, which didn’t Khalifa Al Thani’s Al Wannah scene, yesterday guided the Al Marie De Mieulle in the six go according to plan, but Harry proved that her tenth place finish Shaqab-owned Bay Stallion furlong Purebred Arabian Sprint Bentley guided the 3yo well in the on debut over C&D in December Gerlin Vd Waterkant to complete Cup yesterday. The colt was six furlong Thoroughbred Plate was just a blip, with the Julian the round in 66.65 secs. Cherif coming off a 11-month sabbatical (3 Year Olds) (Class 4) for a fine Colin Smart trained filly notching got richer by QR5,000. but showed no signs of rust as he victory. her second straight victory since. Le Premier K, with Sultan raced to his first victory on turf, Alban Elie Marie De Mieulle Yesterday, with Ryan Curatolo in Rashid Al Marri in the saddle, having won thrice before on dirt. had a maiden winner after the saddle, the 4yo raced to a fine clocked a time of 76.99 secs to With Ronan Thomas in the missing out narrowly in the first three quarters of a length victory win the second place which also saddle, the 6yo beat stablemate race of the afternoon when Umm in the mile-long Local Purebred offered QR4,000 in prize Daloob, ridden by Qatari jockey Qarn’s Bin General made a Arabian Novice Plate (Fillies & money. Faleh Bughanaim, by a length and smashing debut. The 4yo won a Mares) (4yo & older). Mohammed Khalifa Albaker three quarters. thriller holding on under Ronan Qatari jockey Yousef Al Hajri sealed the third spot on Arselina Champion Trainer Jassim Thomas as two Julian Colin Smart registered his third victory this (77.86 secs) and won QR3,000. Mohammed Ghazali Jahromi and wards, Taish, ridden by season when he guided Osama Salman Mohammed Al Champion Jockey Harry Bentley apprentice jockey Ali Khalid Al Omer Al Dafea’s Evolution Du Emadi (Best Of Des Forets, 78.86 completed a hat-trick when the Mosallam, and Maxr, with Theo Croate to a comfortable victory secs) and Mohammed Saeed two combined for a winner yet Bachelot in the saddle, gave chase in the opening race of the day. Haidan (Quick Step, 81.60 secs) again this weekend. Khalifa bin were the other riders who made Sheail Al Kuwari’s Mosayter put up the top five. up an incredible run on the Today, the final day of the straight to hold off against a fast championships, a couple of closing duo – Gerald Avranche dressage competitions will be ridden Saar and Jimmy Quinn held followed by the Big Tour helmed Nahaab – in the Local (140/150cm, one round against Thoroughbred Trophy (4yo & the clock) which is worth QR older) to win the seven furlong 50,000. The winner will also run by a length and a quarter. receive a brand new car in Injaaz Stud’s Wayside Flower addition to the individual prize raced to her second victory this money. The Big Tour event will season when a fantastic ride by start at 2:30pm. The Small Tour Harry Bentley saw the Jassim (110/120cm, one round against Mohammed Ghazali Jahromi the clock, QR20,000) will start trained filly top the Thorough- at 4:00pm while the Medium breds (Fillies & Mares) (Class 3). Tour (125/135cm, one round Khalifa bin Sheail Al Kuwari’s French rider Cyrine Cherif guides Gerlin Vd Waterkan over an Jockey Pierre-Charles Boudot guiding Marianafoot to victory against the clock, QR35,000) will Indian Horseman bounced back obstacle during the Medium Tour competition yesterday. during the Irish Thoroughbred Marketing Cup (Qa Gr 2) event. kick off at 6:00pm. from a forgettable outing last