FOOTBALL | Page 3 NBA | Page 7 Messi drives Two more To Advertise here Barca to milestones for Call: 444 11 300, 444 66 621 11th straight LeBron as Cavs league win beat Celtics

Monday, March 7, 2016 Jumada I 27, 1437 AH Nerveless GULF TIMES beat Bangladesh to win SPORT Page 6 SPOTLIGHT will have a strong team by 2022: Jorge Fossati ‘I am confident Qatar will have a good national team by 2022 and also that it will be the best ever World Cup ever...’

By Sports Reporter League with Al Sadd in 2011. “Right the 2010 World Cup qualifi ers. Many Doha now the target is to win the league and people asked me if it was time to quit then hopefully defend it successfully my job, but I said I will continue and next season. Asia is not on the radar.” we will compete on even terms. Now, he trademark candour of Al Fossati believes the football revolution Qatar’s standards have shot up while Rayyan coach Jorge Fossati re- he is heralding at Al Rayyan will also help those of these teams have dropped – mains very much intact even build a strong national team ahead of the yes I will include Asian champions after a record-breaking season 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar. “Interest in Australia in that list.” whichT has seen one of Qatar’s most Qatar football is growing. There is a big Fossati believes that the national popular clubs win 20 out of 21 games positive diff erence now from the time I team’s standards will continue rising - wrapping up the QSL title on Satur- managed Al Sadd. Stakeholders of Qatar till the country hosts the showpiece day with a convincing 5-1 win over Al football must have one target before 2022 event in 2022. “I am confi dent Qatar Wakrah. – a strong national team. This is possible will have a good national team by 2022 “It is easy to say that I changed the only with strong clubs. It is a feasible tar- and also that it will be the best ever style of football at Al Rayyan when get as most Qatar national team players World Cup ever because of factors such I took over at the beginning of this play in the Qatar league. The level of the as logistics, football facilities and or- season. But that would be unfair to is improving season ganisational skills.” the previous coach and the team, who by season and Inshallah I can continue Fossati, who coached the Uruguay had a good run in the second division helping in my own humble way.” national team to third place in the Copa in the second half of last season,” The 63-year-old tactician, however, America in Peru in 2004, says his home Fossati said in an exclusive interview added with a smile that talking about country needs Paris Saint-Germain with www.sc.qa. a strong national team for 2022 can be forward Edinson Cavani back as a cen- “All I have done is tried to impart my a bit premature. “I am convinced that tre-forward for them to book a place ideas and philosophy of football and Qatar can go far in 2018 qualifi cation. in Russia 2018. He has some advice to the players have to take all the credit The team must be positive in the third his 29-year-old countryman who has because they have responded well. round of qualifi cation – they must been linked to various English Premier The same goes with Al Sadd when I believe that they are better than most League clubs next season including coached them to the AFC Champions teams. I agree that Japan and South Manchester City where Pep Guardiola League in 2011.” Korea are a step ahead but Qatar are on will be at the helm of aff airs. With Al Rayyan’s stadium currently the same level as Australia, Iran, Uz- “Cavani needs to play as a centre for- being re-built for the 2022 FIFA World Al Rayyan Coach bekistan, Saudi Arabia and UAE.” ward,” said Fossati. “He is being used Cup Qatar, it was in the Al Sadd Stadi- Jorge Fossati Fellow Uruguayan Jose Carreno’s as a winger by PSG and also sometimes um that the Uruguayan knows so well side have secured qualifi cation to the as a midfi elder. I can understand this is where the title celebrations began. third round after topping Group C in because Zlatan Ibrahimovic plays as a The modesty which marks Fossati The former Uruguay coach conjures was the Uruguay national team coach to Al Rayyan fans that his side will keep the second round Asian qualifi ers. centre forward.” is also shown in the process of setting up another moment of his disarming when the Barcelona striker made his working hard to win more trophies. They will host on March “Guardiola normally employs two or targets for the club. “It would have been honesty while talking about one com- fi rst professional appearance at Na- “We just need to continue playing good 24 and travel to China on March 29 three forwards and therefore I would crazy to set a target at the beginning of patriot in particular, whose evolution cional in 2005, said with a smile. football and keep the winning mental- to complete their assignments – the strongly advise Cavani to join them the season to be 18 points ahead at the as a modern legend he saw at fi rst hand “But the truth is that there was ity for the remaining part of the season. results of these matches having no next year. I remember I benched Diego top of the standings after 20 rounds,” from a very early stage. no indication, at least for me, in his Triumphing by a historic margin is the bearing to their position in the group Forlan when I was national team man- he laughed. “Initially the target was to “I could lie to you and say that I saw younger days that he would become icing on the cake. Now we need to fo- standings. ager. He was getting very little playing bring back the smiles to the fans and to Luis Suarez playing in the junior ranks the special player that he is now. He cus on the and Emir Cup. “Qatar must believe in themselves time at Manchester United then. When improve our standards game by game. at Nacional and was convinced he was worked hard and made strides at every And regaining the league next season.” ahead of the third round of qualifi ers he moved to Villarreal his national Then we revised it to a top four fi nish. a child prodigy, a talent who would stage and Uruguay must thank God he Fossati said he is not focusing yet on for Russia 2018. I remember when I team partied because we knew that It was only three rounds ago that we blow your breath away at fi rst glimpse did that.” his new club replicating the triumph was the national coach we got Aus- he will get valuable match time which upgraded to winning the league.” like Maradona or Messi,” Fossati, who In the same spirit, Fossati promised he achieved in the AFC Champions tralia, Iraq, in the draw for would also benefi t us.”

BOTTOMLINE More to come from The Lions : Rayyan chairman

l Rayyan’s charismatic chair- man Sheikh Saoud bin Khalid Al Rayyan stars reflect on title win al-Thani expressed his joy and happiness at Al Rayyan’s cor- Stars of QSL side Al Rayyan expressed Tabata had some warm words for the Jumaa: QSL win down to hard work onationA as Qatar Stars League Champi- their joy at sealing their first Falcon passionate Rayyan fans for their sup- Rayyan defender Mohamed Jumaa ons for the 2015/2016 season. shield in 21 years after defeating Al port and contribution over the season. has assured that overjoyed by his con- Speaking at the crowning for his Wakrah 5-0 at Al Sadd Stadium. QSL “We have faced some diff iculties during tribution of that and his teammates in side the Al Rayyan President said: “Al online caught up with some of the our campaign but with determination delivering the Falcon shield to the QSL Rayyan has smashed all records and players to get their thoughts on the and strength as well as the support by fans. “Thank God for what we have expectations this season and sealed the Lions record breaking season. the Club Management and the fans, we achieved and I am so proud for playing league title with fi ve rounds left to play.” were able to accomplish our goal. We with Al Rayyan, this is a huge club in Al-Thani added: “I would like to Tabata: QSL shield is well-deserved are looking forward for more titles and Qatari football, the league title came congratulate each and every fan and as- achievements in the coming period after lots of hard work and support by sociate of the club. I would like to thank which definitely will be tougher and the Club Board, technical staff and the all Al Rayyan fans for all their support more diff icult.” leadership of head coach Fossati.” and contribution this season which is a Hamed Ismail: This is just the start crucial part of the victory.” Saoud al-Hajri: Have to build on win Rayyan winger Hamed Ismail con- Sheikh Saoud also praised the local Rayyan goalkeeper Saoud al-Hajri was firmed that supporters of Al Rayyan media assuring that Al Rayyan’s victory pleased with his sides performance deserve this trophy. “Thank God for this won’t stop with the QSL title. He also Rayyan chairman Sheikh Saoud bin Khalid al-Thani holds aloft the Falcon Shield. over the season; “We have commemo- accomplishment and we are looking appreciated the eff orts and work done rated our eff orts by winning the QSL forward to more achievements in the by all players as well as the technical staff Ballan was also quick to praise the but it was due to the eff orts and relentless title. We are so proud and satisfied future. This title is merely the beginning and offi cials, in particular the team head passionate Al Rayyan fans on lifting the work of the Club Management chaired by with this achievement. We promise of competing for all other titles. The Coach Jorge Fossati who developed the QSL trophy for the fi rst time since the Sheikh Saoud bin Khalid al-Thani – the Rayyan fans that we will continue even team will participate In both the Qatar team’s performance and results. 1994/1995 season. Ballan praised the Club President – and the team offi cials in stronger towards more titles and cham- Cup and Emir Cup as the main objec- “Al Rayyan deserves the QSL shield. I QSL champions Al Rayyan, in an exclu- addition to the technical staff led by the pionships.” tive is working on winning of both.” wish that the coming cup competitions sive interview with QSL online at the head coach Jorge Fossati. The Qatari keeper also added that will result in more success for Al Rayy- crowing event for the side. He indicat- Ballan also explained that the success Al Rayyan football team Rod- this was only the beginning for his Alaaeldin: Title will push side on an. Rayyan have broken all the records ed that they deserve to win it in terms of Rayyan came from contracting with rigo Tabata expressed his happiness side, who stormed to the league title Young Rayyan defender Mohammed in Qatar Stars League this season which leading the lead from the very start. “Al quality players whether profession- with wining the QSL title for the first after being previously relegated to the Alaaeldin said: “I am so proud to share is a clear proof on the team’s strength.” Rayyan have been playing well from the als or locals who contributed to this time with Al Rayyan. He is so proud Qatar Gas League. “We have to build with my teammates this victory and very start of the season and our deserv- huge achievement. Ballan stressed on to be part of this team. He said: “We on this moment to push ourselves in the QSL title for the 2015/2016 season. Hani Ballan: Congratulations to Rayyan edly QSL champions. Also credit must the fact that the excitement and com- have achieved our objective with a the coming competitions and I would We have achieved our objective, and The Qatar Stars League, CEO Hani go to their passionate fans that helped petitiveness will be present in the QSL well-deserved victory before the end like to congratulate the Club Manage- this title will motivate us to move Taleb Ballan congratulated Al Rayyan them to the QSL title.” remaining fi xtures despite settling the of the QSL season, it shows how hard ment and fans, who have pushed us forward and go further in all other Sports Club for winning the QSL title Ballan pointed out that winning the ti- league title, with battles heating up for everyone has worked at the club.” to glory.” competitions.” for the 2015/2016 season. tle by Al Rayyan wasn’t achieved by luck the Qatar Cup places or relegation zone. Gulf Times 2 Monday, March 7, 2016 FOOTBALL

QATAR STARS LEAGUE Gritty Umm Salal salvage draw against Lekhwiya In the other matches, Qatar Sports Club suff ers a huge blow to their aim of escaping the relegation zone with their loss against Al Khor and Mesaimeer end their nine-match losing streak by earning a 1-1 draw against El Jaish

Jaish striker Abderrazzaq Hamedallah (L) scored for his team yesterday. Umm Salal striker Ismael Mahmoud celebrates after scoring the equaliser against Lekhwiya yesterday.

By Sports Reporter Abdulqadir Ilyas found team mate Results This result means that Qatar SC Doha Sanzhar Tursunov on the right wing, remain in 13th place while Khor have his fi rst time cross fell to Ismael Mah- Qatar SC 1-3 Al Khor jumped to 9th place, fi ve points clear moud at the far post who tapped in Mesaimeer 1-1 El Jaish of the relegation zone. SL side Umm Salal left it late with ease. Much to the delight of head Lekhwiya SC 1-1 Umm Salal to secure their eleventh draw coach, Ulent Byugen. JAISH HELD TO A DRAW BY in the season against third Lekhwiya’s night went from bad to ence, Qatar SC Head Coach Sebastiao MESAIMEER place Lekhwiya yesterday. worse in stoppage time when mid- Lazaroni had said that his side would El Jaish were held to a 1-1 draw by QLekhwiya took the lead from the fi elder Luis Martin was sent off for his be wary of his opponent’s Brazilian Mesaimeer. Jaish, coming off a suc- penalty spot on the 64th minute cour- second yellow card. Umm Salal are still strike force and that statement proved cessive Asian Champions League tie tesy from striker Alain Dioko, only to in fi fth place in the QSL standings and to be spot on. It began with Julio Ce- against Al Ain, were expected to have be pegged back on the 78th minute are just three points away from fourth sar providing Khor with a goal as early an easy victory over bottom-placed from a close range strike from mid- placed Al Sadd. as in the seventh minute. Diminutive Mesaimeer. But things didn’t go ac- fi elder Ismael Mahmoud. striker Madson Cardade then dou- cording to plan. The fi rst half was a tight aff air with QATAR SC LOSE CRUCIAL MATCH bled his team’s advantage in the 21st The fi rst half didn’t see any goals both sides cancelling each other. How- TO KHOR minute. And then just before the end of despite the dominance from Jaish. Khor striker Madson Cardade (2ndL) celebrates after scoring against Qatar SC. ever Lekhwiya found their way into the Qatar SC suff ered a huge blow in their the fi rst half, Marcos Miranda scored Early in the second half though, Jaish clash on the 64th minute. Alain Dioko bid to get away from the relegation in the 42st minute to give Khor a great were able to fi nd the lead in fortuitous minute goal should have opened up the because they remain the second place stepped up and dispatched to the left zone when they lost 1-3 to Al Khor. The lead going into the break. circumstances. Mesaimeer goalkeeper goals for Jaish. after Lekhwiya were also held 1-1 by hand side of Umm Salal stopper Baba Brazilian strike force came to the fore In the second half, Khor were content Mohamed Ghanem botched his at- Instead Mohammed Jabri conceded Umm Salal. Malick. for Khor when they scored thrice in the sitting back and letting Qatar SC try and tempt to collect a long ball and Jaish a penalty and Wajdi Bouazzi converted Mesaimeer on the other hand, have Despite being a goal behind, Umm fi rst half to eff ectively settle the tie. All fi nd the goals. Lazaroni’s boys tried to striker Abderrazzaq Hamedallah, de- from the spot in the 60th minute to something to be really proud of. This is Salal pushed hard for an equalizer that Qatar SC were able produce was a recover from the fi rst-half punishment spite having fallen to the ground, was give Mesaimeer and unlikely equaliser. the fi rst time after nine matches, that and deservedly grabbed it on the 78th consolation goal late in the second half. but could only score in the 70th minute able to direct the ball into the back Jaish were lucky that this draw they have been able to avoid ending up minute. A raking cross fi eld ball from During the pre-match press confer- through Han Kook-Young. of the net with a great fl ick. That 51st didn’t aff ect their position on the table on the losing front.

PREVIEW Sadd looking to beat Gharafa, confi rm top 4 status

By Sports Reporter Doha QSL is growing with better players joining, says Gharafa’s new signing Nemeth l Sadd have had a topsy-turvy QSL online caught up with Al season so far. They are the only Gharafa’s latest signing Krisztian team to have beaten Al Rayyan Nemeth to discuss his new life in this season but haven’t been Qatar following his move from Major ableA to produce consistent results. League Soccer, along with thoughts Head coach Jesaldo Ferreria was ea- on his sides upcoming game with Al ger to stress that his side are on good Sadd today. form going into the game. “We have won two games now, and we are on a How have you prepared for the roll however a match against Al Gharafa upcoming Al Sadd match? won’t be that straight forward,” said We had one week of hard training Sadd Head Coach Jesualdo Ferreria at ahead of the match. The team in I will do my best for the team in this his side’s pre-match press conference good spirits and we are ready for match. on Saturday. this important match for our side. Sadd are currently fourth in the Did you fully adapt to the team? league, and have Umm Salal behind What are Al Gharafa’s strengths Day by day, I am getting used to the them in fifth place, just four points going into this match? atmosphere here. Now I am focus- behind, however Ferreira noted that I think that Gharafa have started ing on working hard with my team Sadd were in the box seat for the Qa- playing more as a team. We have a mates to reach my best form. tar Cup place. “We are in a good posi- good togetherness in recent week, tion in the league, and we have to now and I think we will need this if we are Is your team capable of winning a push on our aim is to finish as high as Al Sadd coach (L) and Al Gharafa coach Pedro Caixinha during the pre-match press conferences. to beat a team like Al Sadd. title this season? possible and get into a good form for This is our objective and we are also the cup competitions,” added the Por- against Umm Salal, they shipped in with 26 points but coach Caixinha said We hope to be a total team - a Who is the biggest threat in the Al well aware that this requires extra tuguese tactician. four goals in a 4-4 draw. that his team still had the ambition of team that plays total football. We Sadd side? eff orts in each and every game and Ferreria also noted that striker Bag- “Our team is scoring goals but we fi nishing in the top 4. “Since the begin- want to be a team that attacks but It has to be for me. He is an to be in our best condition. Winning dad Bounjah could be in contention for need to be totally focused when we are ning of our new cycle, we have said that also a team that defends all their experienced professional and is a title is the best thing ever for any the match, pending a late fi tness test. defending too. We hope to be a total we want to fi nish in the top 4. We can lines. In the last match we made a crucial in deciding the pace of the Al player. Ferreira concluded with some warm team - a team that plays total football. only take it game by game. But we will lot of mistakes and that cost us a Sadd side. words for his opponent Pedro Caixina. We want to be a team that attacks but never lose our identity. We are an at- lot of goals,” said Caixinha What do you think of the atmos- “I know the coach, he is a good man. I also a team that defends all their lines. tacking team. We play happy football, What are your promises to Al phere in Qatar Stars League? am looking forward to a competitive In the last match we made a lot of mis- which the fans love to watch. We just cede the number of goals we have. Gharafa supporters? The passionate fans, enjoy good match.” takes and that cost us a lot of goals,” need to play with more concentration,” Leagues all over the world, the cham- For myself I will do my very best football with plenty of goals. More Meanwhile Gharafa are looking to said Gharafa Head Coach Pedro Caix- said Caixinha. pions always have an average of goals to benefit of the team. I don’t like importantly the league is growing, put up a stronger defensive display af- inha during the pre-match press con- “Rayyan scored 14 goals since we scored above 1.5 and below 1 when it making promises; I rather let my with better players joining year on ter having conceded 11 goals in their ference on Saturday. took over. We have scored the same comes to conceded goals. That’s our talking show on the pitch. Right now year. last four matches. In their last match Gharafa are currently in eighth place number of goals. But we cannot con- target from now,” he added. Gulf Times Monday, March 7, 2016 3 FOOTBALL

LA LIGA Messi-inspired Barcelona blank Eibar 4-0

DPA drid in the Liga scorers’ chart. Barcelona forward Madrid It was Barca’s 11th straight league Lionel Messi inspired win and their fi rst clean sheet in La Liga since February 7, extending the Catalans to a 4-0 ntouchable Barcelona con- their record-breaking unbeaten run to win over Eibar in tinued their cruise towards 36 games. their Spanish La Liga the Spanish title with a Lionel Barca are 11 points above second- clash yesterday. The Messi-inspired 4-0 romp at placed Atletico Madrid, who were due Argentine had an UEibar yesterday. to visit Valencia in a late game. The The FIFA World Player of the Year Catalans are 12 points above third- important hand in the had an important hand in the fi rst goal placed Real Madrid, who caned feeble first goal, and scored in the eighth minute, setting up Luis Celta Vigo 7-1 on Saturday. two more goals in Suarez to centre for youngster Munir to “Our objective is to keep the either half, with strike score at the far post. (11-point) lead that we have at the partner Luis Suarez Munir, 20, was standing in for the top of the table,” Barca’s Javier suspended Neymar. The much-lauded Mascherano said. and Munir scoring the ‘MSN’ forward line of Messi, Suarez “There are 10 games left and any other two goals. It was and Neymar has now put away 100 slip-up from us could have serious Barca’s 11th straight goals this season in all competitions. consequences. We have to try to avoid league win and their Eibar came close to an equalizer making any mistakes that the Madrid first clean sheet in La on three occasions in the fi rst half teams could take advantage of.” but Messi made it 2-0, against the Eibar coach Jose Mendilibar paid Liga since February 7, run of play, just before the interval with tribute to Messi, saying. “It’s just im- extending their record- yet another trademark run and left- possible to stop a player like this. He breaking unbeaten foot drive. scores goals out of nowhere, and today run to 36 games. They Messi scored what was his sixth goal he just tore our defence apart.” are 11 points above in three games with a cool penalty in Earlier yesterday, Real Betis moved the 74th minute, after Eibar defender up to 11th, well above the danger zone, second-placed Atletico Ivan Ramis had handled a cross from with a 2-0 home defeat of southern ri- Madrid, and 12 points the little Argentine. vals Granada, who are third bottom. above third-placed Real Suarez completed the rout for Barca Granada managed to hold out at 0-0 Madrid, who caned six minutes from time with a handsome until fi ve minutes from time, but then feeble Celta Vigo 7-1 on solo goal. Suarez, with 26, is one goal conceded late goals to Alfred N’Diaye behind of Real Ma- and Ruben Castro. Saturday. (Reuters)

PREMIER LEAGUE BUNDESLIGA Honours even West Brom stun Man Utd, for both Bayern and Dortmund Champions Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund could not fi nd the net in their Reds escape Palace coup top-of-the-table clash in Dortmund, but both sound happy with a high-class stalemate

Man United stay sixth, 3 points behind fourth-placed Man City having played a game more DPA Berlin

ayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund drew blanks in a goalless draw but showed the rest of the Bundesliga why they are trailing the leading two. B“It’s the best match I have seen from two sides this season,” Germany coach Joachim Loew said after a fast and furious fi rst half in Dortmund. “A crazy tempo, unbelievable speed… Technically both teams are outstanding.” The result favoured Bayern more than Dortmund with the defending champions keeping their fi ve- point gap at the top. Dortmund, on 58 points, are 16 points ahead of third-placed Hertha Berlin. No team in second place has had a better record in Bundesliga history — translated to the English Premier League, Thomas Tuchel’s side would be two points behind leaders Leicester with four games in hand. “I think we played a very, very good fi rst half, and an outstanding fi rst 30 minutes,” Tuchel said. “We didn’t lose our discipline over 90 minutes, we defended with courageous aggressive pressing. At the end of the day it’s 0-0. I’m happy with the team’s performance.” However, Dortmund had to thank goalkeeper Roman Buerki for several saves, including getting his fi ngertips to a second-half volley by Arturo Vidal onto the bar. Bayern coach Pep Guardiola was also a happy man and singled out 21-year-old makeshift defender Josh- ua Kimmich for praise. “We had enough chances to win the game. Dort- mund also had a few of course, it’s almost impossible to allow no counter-attacks here,” he said. “The result is okay, the match was good. A huge compliment to Joshua Kimmich. He was up against great forwards in the Champions League, and today against (Pierre-Emerick) Aubameyang. He has pas- sion, he’s got absolutely everything. I love this boy.” Bayern came back from a midweek 2-1 defeat at home to Mainz and another defeat would have cut the gap at the top to just two points. Captain Philipp Lahm said the team responded well and had the better chances but were happy to settle for the draw. “It was obvious that the game involved two top-notch teams playing really good football,” he said. “It could have been 2-2. It was an intense and good Salomon Rondon scores the winning goal for West Brom in their Premier League clash against Manchester United yesterday. West Brom won 1-0. (Reuters) football match. Nine games to go: a long way, but it’s entirely in our own hands.” By Stuart James at The Hawthorns points behind fourth-placed Manchester changed. The home side had a couple of half page time and coolly slotted home to add to Bayern are up next Saturday at home to lowly Wer- The Guardian City having played a game more and it was chances in the fi rst half, with Dawson look- Robert Firmino’s equaliser on 72 minutes. der Bremen, who have been bolstered by 4-1 victories hard to see how they could take any positives ing their most dangerous player at times–the James Milner’s dismissal for a second yel- over Bayer Leverkusen and Hanover. out of such a humdrum game. full-back headed wide early on and a looping low card on 62 minutes put Liverpool on the est Bromwich Albion have wait- Mata’s dismissal was the main, and pretty 25-yard shot dropped narrowly wide of David back foot, but Firmino took advantage of a ed for 32 years to celebrate vic- much the only, talking point from a dreadful de Gea’s goal–but there seemed little desire scuff ed clearance from Palace goalkeeper Mainz miss out on top four tory in this fi xture and it will not opening 45 minutes. It was diffi cult to know on Albion’s part to try and take the game to Alex McCarthy to cancel out Joe Ledley’s low after Darmstadt stalemate take long for Manchester United what was going through Mata’s mind–if United and exploit their numerical advantage. drive just after the break. Wto work out how that run came to an end. anything–when he brought down Darren United fl ickered into life as an attacking “First half we started OK but forgot to Ten-man Mainz missed the chance to move into the The post-mortem will focus on the poor Fletcher little more than two minutes after force only sporadically. Rashford saw a low shoot on the goal. But what we did in the end Bundesliga top four after being held to a 0-0 home marking that allowed Salomon Rondon the picking up a yellow card for preventing the shot from the edge of the area defl ected wide, was brilliant,” Liverpool manager Juergen draw by lowly Darmstadt yesterday. time to control and shoot home from 12 yards same player from taking a quick free-kick. and Jesse Lingaard, who was moved from the Klopp said. “I feel sorry for Palace but I have The fi fth-placed side had pulled off one of the re- out and, perhaps more than anything, the The Albion captain was inside his own right to the left wing in the wake of Mata’s just seen the replay (of the penalty decision) sults of the season by infl icting Bayern Munich’s two yellow cards that Juan Mata picked up in half on both occasions and it seemed bizarre dismissal, cut inside before skimming the in the dressing room and it was a clear pen- fi rst home defeat of the campaign on Wednesday but the space of 158 seconds in the fi rst half. that Mata would even think about making a roof of the net with a vicious shot. alty. If there was no contact, Benteke would against Darmstadt they looked somewhat jaded from Forced to play with 10 men for 64 minutes needless challenge on Fletcher so soon af- It was hard to see where a goal was com- have been in a great position to shoot.” their midweek exploits. after Mata’s ridiculous dismissal, United never ter being cautioned. Fletcher, who is not the ing from but fi nally the breakthrough arrived Liverpool’s perseverance gave them a third They were not helped by Italian Giulio Donati being really looked like scoring and saw their hopes of sort of player to dive, was sent sprawling to courtesy of a fi ne cross and some desperately straight Premier League win and took them sent off on 57 minutes after he lay on the fl oor and ap- rescuing a top-four fi nish derailed by Rondon’s the turf and the referee Mike Dean was left poor defending. Pocognoli received the ball up to seventh, six points behind Manchester peared to trip Sandro Wagner, who tumbled theatri- fourth goal in six league games. United were with no option. Louis van Gaal’s face was from Fletcher and had the time and space to City in fourth. cally. “I wasn’t badly injured, I could play on but yes it unable to conjure up anything in response. a picture as Mata trudged off the pitch and look up before delivering a low centre that Alan Pardew’s men have now failed to win hurt,” Wagner said. The goal was created by Sebastien Pocog- down the tunnel. picked out Rondon. in 12 Premier League games and remain 15th, Argentine midfi elder Pablo De Blasis fi red wide for noli and the substitute’s reaction afterwards– The United manager responded by revert- Totally unmarked, the Albion striker was nine points above the relegation zone. the hosts just before the half hour mark and the small- a slow walk back to his own half–provided a ing to a 4-4-1 formation with Anthony Mar- able to take a touch before swivelling and “I feel like we’ve been robbed a little bit but est man on the fi eld then headed wide from a corner in measure of the frustration he has felt over the tial deployed as a lone striker and Marcus dispatching a low left-footed shot beyond De again maybe we shot ourselves in the foot a the best chance of the opening period. Despite going past 15 months or so. Incredibly, this was the Rashford, who had started in that position, Gea and into the corner of the net. bit,” Pardew told BBC Sport. down to 10 men, Mainz had other good opportunities left-back’s fi rst league appearance since Box- shifted out onto the right fl ank. United, even Earlier, Christian Benteke’s last-gasp pen- “The keeper made a mistake, which cost in the second period but lacked spark in attack. ing Day 2014, a few days before Pulis replaced with 10 men, continued to enjoy more pos- alty completed 10-man Liverpool’s fi ghtback us and made us edgy from that point and we Fourth-bottom Darmstadt, just two points above Alan Irvine as head coach, and the only reason session for long periods, yet there was little against Crystal Palace to keep alive their never lost that edginess for the rest of the Eintracht Frankfurt in the relegation playoff spot, his opportunity came about here was because in the way of a goal threat and that had also hopes of a top-four fi nish. game. He (Benteke) certainly made a big meal threatened sporadically through burly frontman Wag- of an injury to Craig Dawson. been the story when Mata was on the pitch. Substitute Benteke went down after a faint of it (for the penalty). If it had been us, we ner but lacked cohesion and will be nervously looking As for United, they remain sixth, three As for Albion, their gameplan never really challenge by Damien Delaney deep in stop- would not have got it.” over their shoulders with nine games to go. Gulf Times 4 Monday, March 7, 2016 FOOTBALL

FOCUS Beckenbauer, Niersbach insist they are clean DPA evidence Germany had tried to buy Schwan. “Robert did everything for said he would not let the aff air ruin Berlin votes for the 2006 World Cup, but said me, from changing the light bulb to im- his reputation, while the 2006 World it could not be ruled out. portant contracts,” Beckenbauer said. Cup remained a huge success. “In ret- The fi rm’s investigation focused on On another document promising rospect I perhaps made mistakes. One erman football great Franz a number of payments, including 6.7 “various services” to disgraced former is always wiser after the event. But the Beckenbauer (pic) and the million euros (7.3 million dollars) from FIFA executive Jack Warner, signed World Cup was not bought,” he said. country’s former football German tournament organisers to by Beckenbauer four days before the Niersbach, who remains on the ex- federation boss Wolfgang FIFA and transactions involving an ac- World Cup vote in 2000, Beckenbauer ecutive committees of FIFA and Eu- GNiersbach have both denied wrongdo- count held by Beckenbauer and his late said it was designed “to pacify Jack ropean body UEFA despite stepping ing over payments made in connection manager Robert Schwan. Warner”. down as DFB president, said he was not with the 2006 World Cup. Beckenbauer, who was president “Jack Warner was then one of the behind the disappearance at the DFB of Niersbach denied he had ordered the of Germany’s World Cup organizing most powerful men in FIFA. Even Sepp a fi le marked “FIFA 2000” mentioned disappearance of a fi le at the German committee, said he had understood Blatter was dependent on him,” Beck- in the investigation by Freshfi elds. federation. “As far as the World Cup the money, a total of 10 million Swiss enbauer said. “We didn’t want to have The Freshfi elds report said there was is concerned I have an absolutely clear francs, to be a pre-payment to FIFA him as an opponent before the World no proof Niersbach knew of the World conscience,” he told Welt am Sonntag to secure a grant of 250 million Swiss Cup vote in July 2000 with the danger Cup payment aff air before summer newspaper. francs for the World Cup. that he could take votes away from us 2015. However, he did not inform the FIFA’s ethics committee is examin- He said he arranged it in a personal in the executive committee.” DFB board of it until the news magazine ing a law fi rm’s report into investiga- meeting with then FIFA president However Beckenbauer said his sig- Der Spiegel broke the story in October. tions of payments made by German Joseph Blatter after the DFB had made nature on the contract was “not im- Niersbach told Welt am Sonntag offi cials in connection with the 2006 no progress on the matter with foot- portant” because it needed the DFB’s he had tried to seek clarity in the af- World Cup in Germany. ball’s governing body. approval, which never happened. fair. “Looking back, I have to say that I On Friday, lawyers from Freshfi elds He added that all the transactions Beckenbauer, 70, who won the should have informed the board earlier. Bruckhaus Deringer said there was no were handled by his then manager World Cup as both player and coach, I regret that,” he said.

SPOTLIGHT SERIE A Juve restore lead with Atalanta win Costa will be fi t for Reuters game mini-slump. Milan Maurizio Sarri’s side are on 61 points, three behind reign- ing champions Juventus, after uventus restored their a winning a hugely entertain- three-point advantage ing encounter in which Chie- at the top of Serie A vo, who stay 11th on 34 points, with a 2-0 win at Ata- more than played their part PSG battle, claims lantaJ Bergamo yesterday. and opened the scoring with Andrea Barzagli and Mario just over a minute on the clock Lemina scored to take Juve up through Nicola Rigoni. to 64 points after 28 games, Napoli also maintain their three ahead of second-place fi ve-point lead over third- Napoli, who defeated Chievo placed Roma, who briefl y 3-1 on Saturday. closed the gap to two with Massimiliano Allegri’s a thumping 4-1 win over confi dent Hiddink side were humbled 3-0 by Fiorentina in Rome on Friday. Inter Milan in their Italian Rigoni silenced a rowdy San Cup semi-fi nal second leg on Paolo stadium when he robbed ‘Diego had a problem on the tendon, that’s why I was cautious not to worsen the Wednesday, and despite ad- the dozing Chiriches and vancing to the fi nal on penal- drilled past unfortunate Napoli situation, but I think he will be OK on Wednesday. I think the top four is diff icult, ties, will have been eager to goalkeeper Pepe Reina, who rediscover their winning form slipped just as he dived to save almost impossible especially when other teams are knocking on that door’ against Atalanta. the Chievo midfi elder’s shot. They took the lead in the Napoli looked aff ronted by 24th minute when Barzagli the cheek of the away side, fi nished smartly from close and Higuain swiftly calmed range but wasted numerous the home fans’ nerves by nip- chances to kill off the contest. ping in front of Bostjan Cesar Atalanta’s winless run now to meet Faouzi Ghoulam’s low stretches to 13 league matches sixth-minute pass and take and while Edoardo Reja’s team this season’s remarkable tally grew in confi dence as their to 26 goals in 28 league games. visitors failed to extend their Napoli created a hatful lead, they were unable to fi nd a of chances and should have way back into the match. been further ahead way be- Midfi elder Lemina sealed fore Chiriches’ redeemed Juve’s in the 86th minute as he himself by meeting Jorginho’s slalomed past two defenders whipped cross with close- before lashing the ball home range header seven minutes from outside the box, leaving before the break. Atalanta in 15th on 30 points. Callejon went close twice in AC Milan’s 12-game unbeat- the space of a minute, fi rst meet- en run in all competitions end- ing another pinpoint Ghoulam ed when they fell to a 2-0 defeat cross only to see his 26th-minute at seventh-placed Sassuolo, shot blocked, then weakly shoot- who move up to 44 points, ing straight at Chievo keeper three behind their opponents. Albano Bizzarri when set clean Alfred Duncan slammed through by the lively Lorenzo home a thunderous eff ort from Insigne, who missed a golden the edge of the area in the 27th opportunity of his own when he minute and Sassuolo wrapped sliced wide just four minutes af- up the win when Nicola San- ter Napoli took the lead. sone added a second in the 71st. Napoli wasted more chances Milan coach Sinisa Mi- in the second half, with Hi- hajlovic was sent to the stands guain smashing the crossbar for dissent, while Sassuolo lost in the 66th minute, but Span- Gregoire Defrel to a second iard Callejon fi nally sealed the yellow card in the 77th minute. three points with 20 minutes Sixth-place Milan missed to go when he tucked home the chance to provisionally Allan’s drilled cross. move up to fi fth and over- In Saturday’s early game take rivals Inter ahead of their Sampdoria eased their relega- home match against Palermo tion fears by hammering Hel- later on Sunday. las Verona 3-0 with goals from Lucas Biglia’s 78th-minute Roberto Soriano, Antonio penalty rescued a 1-1 draw for Cassano and Lazaros Christo- Lazio at Torino, who took the doulopoulos in the fi rst half an lead through Andrea Belotti’s hour. The comfortable win sees seventh goal of the season, but Samp up to 13th on 31 points and failed to double their advantage leaves Verona rock bottom of when Ciro Immobile blasted a Serie A, nine points from safety. fi rst-half spot kick over the bar. Earlier on Saturday, Napoli Results moved joint top of Serie A after Torino 1 Lazio 1 goals from Gonzalo Higuain, Bologna 0 Carpi 0 Vlad Chiriches and Jose Calle- Genoa 1 Empoli 0 jon saw them beat Chievo 3-1 Atalanta 0 Juventus 2 AFP that’s why I was cautious not to worsen and were rewarded fi ve minutes from the goal. “I felt we deserved a point,” he said. and get their title challenge Sassuolo 2 AC Milan 0 London the situation, but I think he will be OK on end when Mame Diouf headed into an “Arguably we felt a little bit hard done by. back on track after a three- Frosinone 2 Udinese 0 Wednesday,” Hiddink said. empty net after Thibaut Courtois failed to “We had opportunities, certainly fi rst “I think the top four is diffi cult, almost claim Xherdan Shaqiri’s cross. half, which we didn’t convert, unfortu- uus Hiddink (pic above) dis- impossible especially when other teams “Traore showed in parts of the game he nately. And lo and behold we get done with missed concerns over Diego Cos- are knocking on that door. has the quality,” said Hiddink. “It is a bit a sucker punch just before half-time. ta’s fi tness by insisting the Spain “I am very respectful of the likes of West diff erent to start at Stamford Bridge. “You can be a bit defl ated, but in fair- striker will be available for Chel- Ham who got a good result today (at Ever- “Young players need control and to ness it was the complete opposite reaction. Gsea’s crucial Champions League clash with ton). On the other hand we know where we dominate their nerves. But he showed with “I basically told them to keep doing Paris Saint Germain on Wednesday. came from in December, one point off the the goal he has a capacity to do a lot. what you are doing and second half was Costa missed Saturday’s 1-1 Premier relegation zone, and amazingly we got safe “We have some young players in the more of the same. League draw against Stoke as he rested in a relatively short time. team and they compete in a healthy way. “As the half progressed, I felt Chelsea to avoid aggravating a tendon injury, but “We got into mid-table which normally If they show what they can do in training looked to play on the counter attack and Blues interim manager Hiddink is confi - for Chelsea standards is not enough. But if they will be rewarded. we had more control of the game posses- dent his star forward will return for the we can go into a very beautiful March and “The match was frustrating, it is always sion wise. And there was a feeling in the last 16, second leg against PSG. April that would be nice in the Champions frustrating to concede a late goal. But you stadium that we were the more likely team With the French champions holding a League and FA Cup.” can say we started rather sloppy in the fi rst to get the next goal. 2-1 lead, Hiddink can’t aff ord to be with- Bertrand Traore, the exciting 20-year- half and after 15-20 minutes we had more “I was a little bit fortunate because I was out the in-form Costa, especially as Chel- old from Burkina Faso, started in attack composure. We scored a beautiful goal going to take Mame Diouf off just before he sea laboured without him in a match that in the absence of Costa, and justifi ed his through Traore. But they have got some scored. That’s the fortune you need. prompted the Dutchman to dismiss their manager’s faith with his second Premier very creative players and in the end it was “All-in-all, we have once again come top four hopes as “impossible” and set his League goal, a spectacular left-footed shot a fair result.” here and shown real belief. That’s the fi rst sights on success in Europe and the FA Cup. from 20 yards six minutes before the break. Stoke manager Mark Hughes revealed point, I think, Stoke have got from Stam- Juventus' Mario Lemina (centre) celebrates with teammates after “Diego had a problem on the tendon, But Stoke pushed Chelsea all the way he was going to take off Diouf before his ford Bridge since 1984.” scoring the second goal against Atalanta yesterday. (Reuters) Gulf Times Monday, March 7, 2016 5 FOOTBALL

FOCUS Pellegrini sets Man City title target of 75 points

AFP tween now and the end of the season. players such as Vincent Kompany and been forced to deny claims of a dress- London As you approach the end of the season, David Silva. ing room split at the club. the pressure will increase,” Pellegrini “I always say it is a team game not He feels that his reputation as a said. an individual game, but of course there manager, built in France at Lyon, re- anuel Pellegrini believes “We have more experience than the are players who are very important,” mains strong, though and was pleased 75 points will be enough to other teams, and that will be very im- Pellegrini said. with the way his side kept City at 0-0 win the Premier League af- portant. We need to close that gap. “Sergio makes a diff erence. That’s before they conceded two goals in the ter declaring that his Man- “We need to beat Norwich next Sat- why maybe three weeks ago, when we fi rst fi ve minutes of the second half. Mchester City side are still fi rmly in the urday, and then after that we need to lost against Leicester and Tottenham, “I am very confi dent in my manage- title race. win the next game. I said it was a credit to the squad to ment. I have no problem with that. I City ended a run of three straight “It is impossible to guess how many be fi ghting for the title with so many have problems but not with my own league defeats by thrashing bottom points we need to win this title but I am important players like Kompany, Silva management,” he said. club Aston Villa 4-0 at Eastlands on sure it will be around 75.” and Kun injured. “We were playing away to a team Saturday. It took Pellegrini’s fourth Yaya Toure opened the scoring and “Of course, when you have your best who can win the Champions League placed team to 50 points with another Raheem Sterling completed the win, players, it is better for the team. When and we are bottom. To be too attacking 30 still to play for over their fi nal 10 while in between, Sergio Aguero scored you don’t have them, you need your would have been suicidal. matches to be champions. twice to take his total for the season to squad. But if you ask me, I always want to “Everybody was pleased with the Leaders Leicester are 10 points clear 21 in a City win that was convincing in play with Sergio the way he played today.” way we played in the fi rst 45 minutes. of City, but Pellegrini feels his players the end, despite a frustrating and goal- Villa look doomed to relegation, sit- We wanted to play the same way and have the experience to overhaul Leices- less fi rst half. ting nine points adrift of a position of try to exploit one or two opportunities. ter and title rivals Tottenham and Ar- Aguero has started 20 of City’s 28 safety with nine games to play. “The fi rst goal was a big blow, and senal with a dramatic late surge to rival Premier League matches this season, Manager Remi Garde has taken 12 the second one straight after the fi rst their Premier League triumph in 2014. but has been absent with injuries at points from 18 games since his ap- one was a big blow. The second half “All the teams will lose points be- important stages, as have fellow key pointment last November, and has was very diffi cult.”

PREMIER LEAGUE SPOTLIGHT Pochettino rues Leicester coach wasted chance to seize title momentum Ranieri refuses to AFP “We have come from a very London busy period. All season we have been busy. It is true in the last few months we have auricio Pochettino played a lot of games. It’s crazy admits Tottenham sometimes, so for that we feel missed an op- very proud. The eff ort from portunity to step the squad is fantastic.” daydream of title Mup their Premier League title Ramsey put Arsenal ahead, challenge, after failing to beat but Spurs recovered with two 10-man Arsenal in a pulsating goals in two minutes from Toby ‘I don’t dream. I continue to work hard. For our fans it’s good. They dream and I 2-2 draw at White Hart Lane. Alderweireld and Harry Kane af- Pochettino’s side remain in ter Coquelin had been dismissed, work. It’s a good combination. But you can see in the Premier League that every second place, fi ve points be- before Sanchez equalised. hind leaders Leicester, but the Arsenal manager Arsene match is a battle, not just for us but for everybody, and five points is nothing’ Tottenham manager was left Wenger admits the twists and frustrated after Spurs squan- turns in this season’s title race dered a 2-1 lead against their means he is unable to judge bitter north London rivals. whether his side, who sit third, Alexis Sanchez’s 76th- remain in contention. minute equaliser ensured Ar- “I don’t know because I sene Wenger’s side escaped don’t know what to say any- with a point, despite having more about that,” Wenger said. lost Francis Coquelin to a 55th- “Everybody drops points so minute red card when they let’s see what happens over the were leading through Aaron weekend. I think we have to take Ramsey’s fi rst-half goal. encouragement from our per- “I think with the way we formance today and reproduce played we deserved more. At 11 that until the end of the season against 11 I think we deserved and we might have a chance. more and were unlucky in the “Maybe yes, it is our best way we conceded the fi rst chance to win the title. Last goal,” Pochettino said. year we had no chance. “But there are a lot of games “Three or four years ago I ahead; nine games and a lot of think we were in the race. It points. It is true we missed a shows the team has quality big opportunity but in the same and spirit and our balance was way I think Arsenal is a very right today.” good team with very good play- Wenger admitted Coque- ers. It is true the feeling is we lin was rightly dismissed and missed a big opportunity but we criticised his player for col- need to be positive about that.” lecting two yellow cards, Pochettino insists his young but insisted Spurs’ Eric Dier side will not pay for their lack should also have been sent off . of experience during the title “I hate to say a lot to Francis run-in, after a week in which after that tackle. He knows. He they lost at West Ham and then knows he made a big mistake,” slipped up against the Gunners. Wenger said. But he believes his team will “We knew at half-time, we benefi t from their eff orts this warned him as well. It was a season, no matter what the mistake. He wanted to do well outcome of the campaign. and mistimed his tackle and “It’s not about maturity. It’s got sent off . not about character. These are “He made a mistake and he always the things people say has quickly to learn from that. about us,” he said. At the top level it is full com- “I can give a lot of examples mitment and 100 per cent but of big clubs with experienced in a controlled way. players who concede goals in “When you have a yellow the last minute. Sometimes card he made a mistake to go the opponent can create good down on the tackle. chances and it is unlucky but it “I cannot complain about it. is not about maturity because I can complain that Dier was all the teams sometimes con- not sent off . I couldn’t under- cede goals like this. stand that.”

AFP complete the most remarkable title tri- his hamstring, but he continued to play defeated at Arsenal and means they have London umph in Premier League history. before being substituted and Ranieri al- still lost just three times in the league. “I don’t dream,” said Ranieri. “I con- layed fears by confi rming the Algerian was Watford have won just one of their last tinue to work hard. simply suff ering from cramp. six Premier League games and had to con- laudio Ranieri is still refusing “For our fans it’s good. They dream and I Leicester now have a nine-day break be- tend with the late loss of Miguel Britos to a to countenance Leicester City as work. It’s a good combination. fore returning to action against Newcastle hamstring injury in the warm-up. Premier League title favourites “But you can see in the Premier League in the fi rst of their nine remaining games. They were undone by Mahrez’s superb Cdespite seeing his side extend that every match is a battle, not just for “We are very happy but we know there strike but manager Quique Sanchez Flores their lead at the top of the table to fi ve us but for everybody, and fi ve points is will be another nine battles, not only for believes his side lost to genuine title con- points. nothing. us,” said Ranieri. tenders. Leicester’s 1-0 victory at Watford en- “But we want to continue to fi ght, match “The Premier League is fantastic. No- “Leicester look like a very good team,” sured they cashed in on Tottenham and by match and step by step. body now can say who will win the title. he said. “I like them. They are no diff erent Arsenal’s 2-2 draw earlier in the day and “Now our mind is on Newcastle, which We aren’t nervous. Our job is done. Our to what we expected. answered questions about their own abil- is another tough match at home. job was to save the team, and doing this “They were really intense in the middle ity to grind out results from diffi cult as- “We want to fi ght. We know we can win was an amazing achievement. and got back every time. signments. or we can lose but I want to see my team as “The others must be nervous. The others “They were very quick in attack, a very Success at Vicarage Road came courtesy they were against Watford, concentrating spent a lot of money to win the title and we good team. We respected them before the of Riyad Mahrez’s second-half goal and and with hard work. just have to build, slowly, slowly. This year is match and we respect them now.” left Leicester in pole position. “If I see that I am happy and the results a crazy season for us and everybody but we He added: “We had our chances. The Yet Ranieri maintained his poker face are not important.” are happy and we have to enjoy.” ball possession was 50-50 and we were Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger (right) congratulates his and played down the growing confi dence Mahrez gave supporters an injury scare The result extended Leicester’s unbeat- expecting this type of match. It was very Tottenham Hotspur counterpart Mauricio Pochettino following their among Leicester fans that the club can after his goal when he pulled up holding en run to three matches since they were tight and little details cost us the match.” 2-2 draw in the Premier League north London derby on Saturday. Gulf Times 6 Monday, March 7, 2016 CRICKET

ASIA CUP FOCUS ICC anti-graft chief likens match-fi xers Dhawan, Kohli excel to paedophiles

AFP Cricket has been rocked by a Mumbai number of corruption cases re- cently. Former South African international Gulam Bodi was he head of world crick- banned for 20 years in January in India’s triumph et’s anti-corruption after admitting trying to fi x a body yesterday com- match. pared match-fi xers who That same month India ‘It was a tricky situation, Rohit getting out early, credit to Shikhar for the way he batted’ groomT players to paedophiles, as banned off -spinner Ajit Chan- he expressed hope that the im- dila for life over a fi xing scan- minent World Twenty20 would dal that erupted over the 2013 IANS be scandal-free. edition of the Indian Premier Dhaka India’s Virat Kohli celebrates aft er winning Ronnie Flanagan, head of the League. the fi nal of Asia Cup against Bangladesh at International Cricket Council’s And suspended Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur Anti-Corruption Unit, said it its fast bowling coach for two elhi lads Shikhar Dhawan and yesterday. PICTURE: Surjeet Yadav/IANS was his “priority” that the World months earlier this year as part Virat Kohli led the charge as Twenty20, which starts in India of an investigation into allega- India won the Asia Cup, out- Tuesday, would be remembered tions of match-fi xing against classing Bangladesh by eight for sporting reasons and not cor- West Indies recently. wicketsD in the fi nal at the Sher-e-Bang- ruption. The International Cricket ladesh National Stadium here yesterday But he warned cricketers, es- Council set up its Anti-Cor- evening. pecially younger players, not ruption Unit in 2000 after three Coming together after India had got to be swayed by the attentions international captains—Hansie off to a poor start, Dhawan and Kohli of anyone trying to corrupt the Cronje of South Africa, Paki- produced a 94-run partnership as the game, saying they had an obliga- stan’s Salim Malik and India’s visitors overhauled the 121-run target in tion to report illegal approaches. Mohammad Azharuddin—were 13.5 overs. “Sometimes these corrupt- banned for life for match-fi xing. Dhawan, who has been a fl op through- ers are like paedophiles and all I Flanagan said the body was out the tournament, fi nally found his mean by that analogy is that they determined to root out corrup- touch when it mattered most, scoring 60 are prepared to spend a long time tion through educating players runs off 44 balls with nine boundaries particularly grooming young and improved detection but con- and a six. players,” Flanagan told reporters ceded that it was not possible to Kohli remained unbeaten on 41 runs in Mumbai. eradicate all forms of match-fi x- off 28 balls with fi ve boundaries. India “It might start off with some ing. “Human nature is such that skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni added praise after a match: ‘You had a it may not be possible to totally the fi nishing touch with 20 runs off just wonderful innings today, that eliminate corruption from the six deliveries, with one hit to the ropes was fantastic, here is my card game,” he said. and two sixes. and my contact, let’s keep in Flanagan added he hoped the Pacer Al-Amin Hossain (1/30) gave touch.’ 16-team World T20, which lasts Bangladesh some early hope by dismiss- “That might develop into the until April 3, would be clean. ing Rohit Sharma early. Chasing a tricky off ering of a gift, maybe a small “My priority is that at the end target in front of a packed stadium root- gift, which might develop into of those four weeks, when we ing for the hosts, Rohit probably found the off ering of more expensive know who has won the world the pressure too much to handle as he gifts which might then some championship, we will be talking edged one that was moving slightly away evening might end up in what we about cricket. We will not I hope to Soumya Sarkar at fi rst slip. call the honey trap,” he added. be talking about corruption,” But that was one of the few moments Flanagan, formerly one of he said. The World T20 sees the of joy that the Bangladesh players and the Britain’s most senior police of- return of disgraced Pakistani capacity home crowd could fi nd as Kohli fi cers, warned that the criminals bowler Mohammed Amir, who and Dhawan came together to pull the might then use compromising served three months in jail and visitors out of trouble. photographs to try to blackmail a fi ve-year ban for spot-fi xing in The Delhi duo kept the required run the player into cheating in a fu- a Test match against England at rate within manageable limits with regu- ture match. Lord’s in 2010. lar hits to the fence and some excellent running between the . It needed a superb eff ort in the fi eld by Sarkar off Taskin Ahmed’s (1/14)bowl- ing to see the back of Dhawan. The Delhi batsman attempted a square drive off a full toss, but Sarkar dived to his right to pluck the ball inches off the ground. But by then, India were well on the road to victory and Dhoni strode in to fi nish off the job with some trademark power-packed hits. Earlier, Mohammad produced some lower order fi reworks as Bangladesh posted 125/5 in 15 overs. Walking in with Bangladesh in trouble at 75/5, the right-hander proceeded to hit two boundaries and an equal number of sixes in his 13-ball innings to remain un- beaten on 33. Sabbir Rahman gave him crucial sup- port from the other end with 32 runs from 29 balls. The duo produced a 45- run partnership to help the hosts to a competitive total. Indian pacers Jasprit across the line to off er an easy catch to don’t try to hit too many sixes ... I enjoy (Shakib Al Hasan, 9.1), 4-75 (Mushfiqur Bumrah (1/13) and Ashish Nehra (1/33) Hardik Pandya at mid-off . Bumrah then the crowd being against me, it pumps me Rahim, 11.3), 5-75 (Mashrafe Mortaza, 11.4) made good use of the seam friendly con- piled on the pressure by trapping Tamim up, the more they boo me the more it mo- Bowling: R Ashwin 3-0-14-1, A Nehra 3-0- ditions to remove the Bangladesh open- Iqbal leg before. With both openers gone, tivates me.” 33-1, J Bumrah 3-0-13-1, R Jadeja 3-0-25-1, ers early on. Off -spinner Ravichandran Shakib al Hasan and Rahman set about H Pandya 3-0-35-0. Ashwin, who opened the Indian bowling, trying to rebuild the innings. SCOREBOARD INDIA had fi gures of 1/14 while left-arm spin- They were cautious in the initial stages BANGLADESH R Sharma c Sarkar b Al-Amin Hossain ... 1 ner Ravindra Jadeja (1/25) also bagged a before trying to break the shackles with T Iqbal lbw b Bumrah ...... 13 S Dhawan c Sarkar b Taskin ...... 60 . some big hits. The duo added 34 runs be- S Sarkar c Pandya b Nehra ...... 14 Virat Kohli ...... 41 Bangladesh had a decent start with 11 tween them before Shakib was caught by S Rahman not out ...... 32 MS Dhoni not out ...... 20 runs in the fi rst two overs before Bumrah Bumrah at short fi ne leg while trying to Shakib al-Hasan c Bumrah b Ashwin ...21 Extras ...... 0 pegged back the run rate with just three sweep Ashwin. M Rahim run out ...... 4 Total (for 2 wickets; 13.5 overs) ...... 122 runs in the third over. Virat Kohli said: “It was a tricky situ- M Mortaza c Kohli b Jadeja ...... 0 Fall of wickets: 1-5 (Sharma, 1.3 overs), The Bangladesh openers tried to push ation, Rohit getting out early, credit to Mahmudullah not out ...... 33 2-99 (Dhawan, 12.4) up the run rate with Sarkar smashing two Shikhar for the way he batted, delivering Extras (w 3) ...... 3 Bowling: T Ahmed 3-0-14-1, Hossain 2.5- boundaries in the next over. But Nehra when the team needed the most. The 94 Total (for 5 wickets; 15 overs) ...... 120 0-30-1, A Hider 1-0-14-0, Shakib al-Hasan The head of anti-corruption and security at International Cricket struck back immediately as he mistimed stand was the game changer. I back my- Fall of wickets: 1-27 (Soumya Sarkar, 2-0-26-0, M Mortaza 2-0-16-0, N Hossain Council (ICC) Ronnie Flanagan speaks during a news conference in the last ball of the over while playing self to fi nd boundaries and hit the gaps, I 3.6 overs), 2-30 (Tamim Iqbal, 4.4), 3-64 3-0-22-0. Mumbai yesterday. (AFP)

TWENTY20 Warner, Maxwell set record in Australia win

Reuters The pair were particularly severe on leg- Johannesburg spinner Imran Tahir and seamer David Wiese, who went for 105 in their combined eight overs. The only consolation for South Africa was record stand from David Warner the successful return of fast bowler Dale Steyn and Glenn Maxwell helped Australia (2-32 from four overs), who is trying to prove secure a last-ball, fi ve-wicket vic- his fi tness ahead of the World Twenty20 in In- tory over South Africa in the second dia, which starts on Tuesday. Twenty20A International at The Wanderers yes- The home side’s innings was anchored by Faf terday. du Plessis, who smashed 79 from 41 balls, with South Africa posted 204 for seven on a fl at fi ne cameos from Quinton de Kock (44) and batting wicket and were on top when they re- David Miller (33). duced the tourists to 32-3 in their reply. James Faulkner proved the pick of the Aus- Yet Warner (77 from 40 balls) and Maxwell tralian bowlers with 3-28 from his four overs. (75 from 43) staged a remarkable fi ghtback with “They batted with great composure and a Twenty20 Australian record partnership for played some great cricket shots,” said Austral- any wicket of 161 to take their side close to vic- ian captain Steve Smith. tory. Needing two from the fi nal of the “They summed up the situation really well.” innings from seamer Kagiso Rabada, Austral- South African captain Faf du Plessis admit- ia’s Mitchell Marsh bludgeoned the ball down ted: “That partnership blew us away.” the ground and was able to scramble the runs Du Plessis added: “There are small mar- his side needed to level the three-game series gins when two teams are playing good cricket. at 1-1. There were one or two things in the fi eld that Warner and Maxwell’s stand fell just short we could have done better. Two full tosses to- of the world record of 171 set by New Zealand’s wards the end cost us.” Kane Williamson and Martin Guptill against The fi nal match of the three-game series will in January. be played in Cape Town on Wednesday. Australia’s Glenn Maxwell plays a shot during the second against South Africa in Johannesburg yesterday. (Reuters) Gulf Times Monday, March 7, 2016 7 SPORT

NBA NHL Late strike helps Lightning quell More milestones Carolina Hurricanes for LeBron as Cavs avenge Celtics loss 'Every team gets up for us, no matter who it is, no matter what their record is'

Vancouver Canucks left wing Alex Burrows (14) shoots into a open net against San Jose Sharks center Joe Thornton (19) in San Jose.

The Sports Xchange and an assist and Fredrik An- New York dersen made 32 saves as Anaheim extended its team-record win- ning streak to 11 games. he Tampa Bay Lightning Anaheim is 17-1-1 since Jan. have won a franchise- 7 and gained sole possession of record nine straight fi rst place in the Pacifi c Divi- games, perhaps none as sion after once trailing the Kings thrillingT as Saturday night, af- by as many as 16 points in mid- ter they rallied to force overtime January. before centre Alex Killorn’s goal Flames 4, Penguins 2 with 42 seconds left resulted in Joe Colborne scored a goal and a 4-3 victory over the Carolina set up Lance Bouma’s game- Hurricanes at Amalie Arena. sealing goal in the third period The Lightning broke the team and Calgary ended a seven-game mark set during their run to the losing streak. Stanley Cup championship in The Flames, who had won only 2004. Carolina had rallied from a once in 11 games since Feb. 11, got goal down to take the lead in the a solid eff ort in net from Joni Or- third period but couldn’t hold on tio in his fi rst win of the season for the road win. while handing Penguins goalie Killorn’s goal—his 13th of the Marc-Andre Fleury only his sec- season—came with 42 seconds ond regulation-time loss at Con- remaining in overtime after sol Energy Center since Jan1. both goalies had denied multiple Predators 5, Avalanche 2 strong scoring opportunities in James Neal and Mike Fisher a chaotic three-on-three over- scored in the third period and time. surging Nashville beat Colorado. Capitals 2, Bruins 1 Filip Forsberg had a goal and (overtime) an assist, and Shea Weber and Washington got a goal from Mikka Salomaki scored emp- Matt Niskanen in overtime ty-netters for Nashville. Pekka against Boston. Rinne stopped 34 shots for the Niskanen slapped his fi fth goal Predators. of the season past Tuukka Rask at Nashville has been one of 2:24 of the overtime as the Capi- the hottest teams in the NHL to tals reached 100 points for the move securely into the fi rst wild Minnesota Timberwolves guard Zach LaVine (8) dunks as Brooklyn Nets guard Wayne Ellington (21) looks on during the second quarter of their game on Saturday. PICTURE: season. card in the Western Conference. Jeff rey Becker-USA TODAY Sports. At bottom, Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) tends to center Timofey Mozgov (20) after he was hit in the throat during the Philipp Grubauer made 33 The Predators have not lost in third quarter of their game the against the Boston Celtics on Saturday. The Cavs won 120-103. PICTURE: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports saves, 20 of them in the second regulation since a 5-3 setback period, as the Capitals complet- against Washington on Feb. 9 DPA mas scored 27 points for the Celtics. ed their second straight 3-0 sea- and are 8-0-4 in that span. Los Angeles son sweep of the Bruins. Wild 3, Sabres 2 (shootout) Elsewhere: Jets 4, Canadiens 2 Jason Pominville scored in the Mark Scheifele had a hat-trick fourth round of the shootout to he Boston Celtics have been San Antonio Spurs 104, Sacramen- as Winnipeg ended a six-game lift Minnesota over Buff alo. climbing in the Eastern Confer- to Kings 94: Kawhi Leonard collected 25 skid. The former Sabres captain ence standings. LeBron James points and 13 rebounds as the Spurs im- Scheifele’s third goal was an beat goalie Robin Lehner with a and the Cleveland Cavaliers proved to 30-0 at home with their eighth empty-netter with 29 seconds wrist shot to the glove side on the Tshowed them how far they still have to go. straight win overall. DeMarcus Cousins left in the game. It was the third- winning attempt. Charlie Coyle James had 28 points, 11 rebounds and scored 31 points for the Kings, who have year center’s fi rst NHL hat-trick, and Jack Eichel scored earlier in eight assists Saturday night and the Cav- lost fi ve of six. and he now has a team-leading the shootout to force the extra aliers overcame a slow start for a 120-103 Atlanta Hawks 107, Los Angeles and career-high 20 goals for round. home victory over the Celtics, who had a Clippers 97: Jeff Teague scored 22 points Winnipeg. Mikko Koivu and David Jones fi ve-game winning streak snapped. to lead a balanced attack for the Hawks, Rookie Andrew Copp added scored in regulation for Minne- “Every team gets up for us, no matter who improved to 2-1 on their fi ve-game his third goal of the season. Alex sota. Goalie Devan Dubnyk made who it is, no matter what their record is,” road trip. Chris Paul had 17 points and 11 Galchenyuk scored his 20th and 30 saves. Eichel and Johan Lars- James said. assists for the Clippers, who had a three- 21st goals of the season for the son scored in regulation for Buf- Kyrie Irving scored 20 points for the game winning streak snapped. Canadiens. falo. East-leading Cavaliers (44-17), who Chicago Bulls 108, Houston Rock- Senators 3, Maple Leafs 2 Coyotes 5, Panthers 1 avenged a 104-103 home loss to the Celt- ets 100: Spanish star Pau Gasol had Bobby Ryan, Marc Methot and Alex Tanguay scored two goals ics on February 5. Cleveland had eight 28 points and 17 rebounds and All-Star Zack Smith had goals for Ottawa to lead Arizona over Florida. players in double fi gures, including three Jimmy Butler returned from an 11-game in a win over Toronto. Shane Doan and Mar- reserves. absence with 24 and 11 as the host Bulls Smith scored the winner at tinook also scored and Louis “Their bench really had a huge impact stopped a four-game skid. James Harden 17:45 of the third period. Domingue made 29 saves as the on the game,” Boston coach Brad Stevens scored 36 points for the Rockets. William Nylander and Nikita Coyotes snapped a season-high said. Indiana Pacers 100, Washington Soshnikov had Toronto’s goals. seven-game losing streak. The Celtics (38-26) had won 19 of their Wizards 99: Paul George scored 38 Flyers 6, Blue Jackets 0 Aaron Ekblad scored for Flor- last 25 games, including 13 straight at points for the visiting Pacers, including Radko Gudas snapped a 65- ida, which hasn’t won in Arizona home, to climb to third in the East. They pointer at the buzzer. lead with Irving and Love on the bench. the game-winning free throws with three game goal drought by scoring since the 1999-2000 season. led by as many as 18 points in the fi rst Boston’s Jared Sullinger and Mar- “I work on my craft a lot,” said James, seconds left. John Wall had 25 points and two and compiling four points in Al Montoya had 21 saves for the quarter before the Cavaliers quickly re- cus Smart had technical fouls and Amir who scored in double fi gures for the 12 assists for the Wizards. Philadelphia’s drubbing of Co- Panthers, who went 1-3-1 on grouped for their third straight win. Johnson had a fl agrant foul. 700th straight game. “I know what I put Utah Jazz 106, New Orleans Peli- lumbus. their fi ve-game road trip and “They were quicker to the ball after “The refs got to us and we’ve just got into the game.” cans 94: The visiting Jazz stopped a Gudas ignited and punctuated have fallen out of fi rst place in the that fi rst quarter,” Stevens said. “We were to do a better job of controlling that,” said James got help from J.R. Smith (14 fi ve-game skid as Derrick Favors had 28 Philadelphia’s explosion while Atlantic Division. making shots at a rate that was really Sullinger, who outplayed Love with 17 points), Iman Shumpert (12 points, 16 points, 11 rebounds and six blocks. An- setting career highs in goals and Canucks 4, Sharks 2 good and you’re probably not going to points and 13 rebounds. “There’s a lot of rebounds) and Australia’s Matthew Del- thony Davis had 29 points and 11 boards points in a game as fans chanted Vancouver defenseman Dan sustain that for the whole game.” chippiness out there.” lavedova (10 points, four assists). for the Pelicans, losers of four straight. his name during the third period. Hamhuis scored his fi rst goal of There is some bad blood between the “I thought poise was a big factor,” Ste- The Celtics closed to 103-96 with 5:31 New York Knicks 102, Detroit Pis- The Flyers have won four of the season to break a tie midway teams. Cleveland swept Boston in the vens said. remaining, but James found Smith for a ton 89: Carmelo Anthony had 24 points fi ve during a six-game home- through the third period to lead fi rst round of last year’s playoff s, when James scored 20 points in the second three-pointer, drove for a layup and as- and 10 rebounds for the host Knicks, who stand and are within three points the Canucks to a 4-2 win over the Kelly Olynyk knocked Cavaliers forward half as he moved past Tim Duncan into sisted on Shumpert’s jumper to make it snapped a three-game slide. of the Pittsburgh Penguins for San Jose Sharks. Kevin Love out of the rest of the playoff s 14th place on the all-time list with 26,378. 110-96 with four minutes to go. Minnesota Timberwolves 132, Brook- the Eastern Conference’s fi nal The fi rst three Canucks’ goals with a hard foul resulting in a shoulder He had 11 in the third period, when the Tristan Thompson scored 12 points lyn Nets 118: Rookie Karl-Anthony Towns wild-card spot. came on the power play as the injury. And there was Boston’s win ear- Cavs took the lead for good, and nine in and Love and Russia’s Timofey Mozgov scored 28 points as the host Timber- Ducks 3, Kings 2 Sharks took an uncharacteristic lier this season on Avery Bradley’s three- the fourth, when Cleveland extended the added 10 apiece for the Cavs. Isaiah Tho- wolves ended a three-game losing streak. Jakob Silfverberg had a goal bad number of penalties.

NFL Broncos' Peyton to quit aft er 18-year career

Reuters and nfl.com reported yesterday. He played his fi nal four seasons revolutionised the quarterback position four seasons in Denver but his prime terback to win a Super Bowl with two dif- Denver Manning, who turns 40 later this in Denver but his prime came during an 18-year career that included came during the 14 years he spent in ferent teams. month, will be going out on top after during the 14 years he spent in two Super Bowl titles, fi ve most valu- Indianapolis where he led the Colts to A foot injury hampered Manning for helping the Broncos to a Super Bowl upset Indianapolis where he led the able player awards and a slew of passing two Super Bowls berths, winning the big much of the 2015 regular season and he enver Broncos quarterback victory last month over the Carolina Pan- Colts to two Super Bowls berths, records. Manning came across as a laid game in the 2006 campaign. In addition showed a distinct loss of throwing strength. Peyton Manning will an- thers, the media outlets reported, citing winning the big game in the 2006 back southern boy but on the gridiron to his career yards and passing touch- But after his return from a six-game nounce his retirement from sources close to the quarterback. campaign he was a clinical, ruthless competitor downs records and his record fi ve MVP absence, he avoided mistakes and helped the NFL at a news confer- The decision comes as the Broncos with an off -the-charts football IQ who awards, Manning’s Super Bowl win gave support the fi erce Broncos defense during enceD in Denver today, bringing an end faced a Wednesday deadline in which Football League season if he remained on changed plays at the line of scrimmage him an NFL record 200 career wins in- an improbable late run to the NFL title as to a career that will surely land him in Manning would be guaranteed $19 mil- the team’s roster. One of the most pro- to outsmart opposing defenses with his cluding playoff s. the oldest quarterback to start and win a the Pro Football Hall of Fame, ESPN lion from Denver for the 2016 National lifi c passers ever in the NFL, Manning dead-on accuracy. He played his fi nal He also became the fi rst starting quar- Super Bowl. Gulf Times 8 Monday, March 7, 2016 SPORT

WINTER SPORTS Last grounds for Queensland optimism blown away by Force

Reuters, Melbourne: The Queensland Reds entered the Super Rugby season pledging to surprise fans resigned to Kristoff ersen bags another of year of toil, but any optimism all but disap- peared during Saturday’s morale-sapping loss to Western Force. A home match against Perth-based Force, bottom of the table last year, off ered some hope of breathing space for embattled coach Richard Graham after a season-opening demolition by the New South Wales Waratahs. Instead, the 22-6 defeat at Lang Park has only added to the world slalom title already ear-splitting chorus demanding the 43-year-old’s head. “Graham’s hold on the job is tenuous at best after last night’s shabby loss and the QRU will be doing their fans a disservice if they don’t revisit the coaching question,” rugby pundit Jim Tucker wrote in Brisbane’s Sunday Mail. Crowds of 30,000 regularly flocked to Lang Park to watch the Ewen McKenzie-coached Reds make the playoff s from with a race to spare 2011-13, but supporters have deserted them in droves under Graham, who has managed only nine wins since taking 'Winning the title a race before the finale is a little bit Hirscher-style. It’s a dream come true' over in 2014. Only 17,535 die-hards turned up on Saturday for a match that promised to be one of the Reds’ few wins of the season. “They would probably be as disappointed as I am,” said Graham, who coached Force from 2010-12 for a total of 12 wins in three seasons. The Reds lost a number of quality players in the off -season, including Wallabies backs Quade Cooper and Will Genia and lock James Horwill, arguably the three most important players in their swashbuckling run to the 2011 Super Rugby title. A rash of injuries has further depleted their stocks with cap- tain and prop James Slipper, lock Kane Douglas and flanker Liam Gill all sidelined. The Reds could yet lose hooker Saia Faingaa, who hobbled off in the first half against Force with an ankle injury, further gutting a pack considered the team’s only area of strength. The rookies that remain can scarcely be blamed for strug- gling but it would have been galling for fans to see a trio of former Reds backs in Jono Lance, Luke Morahan and Ben Tapuai returning in Force colours to hurt their old team- mates. By any measure, recruitment and succession planning at Ballymore has been wanting under Graham, with a number of high-profile signings falling spectacularly flat.

RUGBY Uruguay beat US to hand

Henrik Kristoff ersen Argentina of Norway, Marcel Hirscher of Austria and Stefano Gross of Americas title Italy (L-R) react on the podium after their AFP race yesterday. Washington

gustin Ormaechea scored on fi ve penalty kicks and converted two tries to give Uruguay a 29-25 home victory Saturday over the United States that ensured Argentina captured the inaugural Ameri- casA Rugby Championship. The round-robin competition’s fi nal set of matches was played Saturday in South America with Argentina at Brazil and Canada at Chile as well. Agencies is a little bit Hirscher-style. It’s a dream Weng now leads Johaug by 5.1 seconds af- eighth victory of the season and gave Ger- But Argentina, 3-0 with a draw and 17 total points Kranjska Gora, Slovenia come true.” ter four of eight stages at the event. many a fi rst win in Schonach for 29 years. through four matches, had an insurmountable lead with its Hirscher, who Saturday clinched the gi- Astrid Uhrenholdt Jacobsen, also a Nor- Frenzel posted 23 minutes 32.8 seconds two nearest rivals, the US Eagles and Uruguay, having come ant slalom title, has 1,635 points in the over- wegian, took third place Saturday, the same after the ski jumping and 10-kilometre up short after fi ve matches. orway’s Henrik Kristoff ersen all World Cup standings, 353 points ahead of position she holds so far in the event. cross-country, 15.4 seconds ahead of Jan Uruguay went 3-2 with 14 total points while the Ameri- secured the men’s World Cup technical specialist Kristoff ersen, but eff ec- In the men’s 15-kilometre race, Ustiugov Schmid of Norway, with Japan’s Akito Wat- cans fi nished 2-2 with one draw, that against Argentina in slalom title with a race to spare tively can’t be caught with only a giant slalom defeated 13-time world champion Norwe- abe 22.3 seconds back in third place. their fi rst match, and 15 total points, edging Uruguay thanks when he fi nished second behind and slalom remaining of the last six races. gian Petter Northug by 17.7 seconds, fi nish- It was the second day of controversy in to a lone bonus point for losing by seven or fewer points. Austria’sN Marcel Hirscher in Kranjska Gora The World Cup moves next weekend to ing with a time of 34 minutes 31.8 seconds. Schonach after a German protest was re- Ormaechea put the hosts in front with a penalty kick yesterday. Kvitfj ell, Norway for downhill and super-g After four stages, Ustiugov leads Northug jected Friday following victory by Norway in in the third minute but Aladdin Schirmer’s try in the 14th Hirscher, who is on his way to a fi fth races. The slalom race in St Moritz, Swit- by 22.7 seconds. Norwegian Emil Iversen the team event. minute lifted the Eagles ahead. James Bird and Ormaechea straight overall title, posted 1 minute 46.24 zerland on March 20 will end the World Cup took third place in Saturday’s stage, and Joergen Graabak had anchored Team each added two penalty kicks before half-time to see the seconds for the two runs, 0.81 seconds season. holds third place overall at the event. Norway to victory after Germany’s Fabian United States lead 13-9 at the break. ahead of 21-year-old Kristoff ersen, with On Saturday, Norway’s Heidi Weng and Earlier Saturday Germany’s Eric Frenzel Riessle crashed in a sprint fi nish and claimed Chad London’s try six minutes into the second half gave Stefano Gross of Italy third. Russian Sergei Ustiugov won their cross- won the Nordic combined World Cup indi- he had been obstructed by the Norwegian. the Eagles a 20-9 lead but Mario Sagario answered with a Kristoff ersen’s title is his fi rst crystal country races on the fourth leg of the eight- vidual event in Schonach following a protest Gusting winds meanwhile forced organ- Uruguay try in the 49th minute and Ormaechea’s kicks in globe and ends a run of three slalom titles by stage Ski Tour Canada in Quebec, their re- by the German team. isers to cancel the ski-jumping World Cup the 62nd and 67th minutes put the hosts back in front 22- Hirscher. spective leads at the event. Norway’s Magnus Krog had crossed the event on the large hill in Wisla, Poland. 20. “It’s incredible. That was at the limit to- In the women’s 10-kilometre race, Weng line fi rst but was disqualifi ed after the race The International Ski Federation said the Deion Mikesell put the visitors on top 25-22 with a try in day but really cool,” said Kristoff ersen, who edged out fellow Norwegian Therese Johaug jury ruled he had cut across Frenzel on the event would not be moved to another ven- the 73rd minute but the conversion was missed and Uru- has won six slaloms this season and twice by a tenth of a second in a dramatic sprint to last turn before the fi nish. ue. The World Cup moves next weekend to guay used a maul to get over the line in the 78th minute for fi nished second. the fi nish, ending with a time of 24 minutes Frenzel, already assured of the overall Titisee-Neustadt, Germany with two indi- the deciding try, Ormaechea’s conversion stretching the “Winning the title a race before the fi nale 18.8 seconds. World Cup title, secured a personal-best vidual events. fi nal margin.

BASEBALL Cubs’ Rizzo looks beyond personal success By Mark Gonzales ture of several veterans. look into too much. I’m just making Rizzo later was traded to the Padres Chicago Tribune But Rizzo’s faith in Epstein’s plan sure everyone is on the right page and and received a midseason promotion never wavered, nor did his intensity. on board and ready for (the Angels on in 2011, only to return to Triple-A That was evident in July 2014 when he April 4).” Rizzo’s self-confi dence nev- Tucson six weeks later after batting t some point this spring, An- challenged the entire Reds dugout af- er wavered in 2015 when he hit .172 in .143. thony Rizzo will make sure ter several pitches from closer Aroldis 58 spring-training at-bats. The main “Riz really evaluates himself on a his swing is refi ned to the Chapman sailed too close to team- reason was that he had moved closer yearly basis,” Arrieta said. “He has point that he’s able to hit any mates’ heads. to home plate in an eff ort to foil op- goals he sets for himself coming into pitchA to all fi elds with authority. Rizzo acknowledges his relationship posing teams’ shifts. camp, but he’s not worried about the But that currently is taking a back with Epstein and general manager Jed The move paid off when Rizzo bat- end result. He’s more focused on the seat to making sure his array of team- Hoyer dating to their days together in ted .324 with a .478 on-base percent- process of preparing his body and mates - from fi rst-time invitees to vet- the Red Sox organization gave him faith age in April. He fi nished the season at mind for the regular season. That rubs eran newcomers - possess the singular in the rebuilding eff ort. Now, he’s im- .278 with a .387 OBP in helping the off on guys.” mindset for winning. pressed with the blend of character Cubs to their fi rst postseason appear- With his gradual success and the “The best part about him is that he and talent bonding in the Cubs’ club- ance since 2008. Cubs’ national popularity, Rizzo wants to be great, and the bottom line house. “It’s just a matter of getting smart- would seem a prime candidate for for him is winning,” assistant hitting “When you’re not good, you want to er,” Rizzo said. “It’s a cat-and-mouse at least regional endorsements. But coach Eric Hinske said. “That’s all he’s get better,” Rizzo said. “When you’re game. With pitchers, they know who I he’s not too interested because when talking about right now. He’s not talk- better, you want to be great. (Epstein) am. I know who most of them are, es- he isn’t spending time with his baby ing about hitting mechanics; it’s about always is working on something.” pecially in our division. nephew or training for the 2016 sea- winning. He checks his ego at the door Two consecutive All-Star seasons, “It’s a matter of knowing if they’re son, Rizzo devotes much of his time and does whatever he can to help the combined with the Cubs’ sudden as- going to attack me this way or that to his foundation that raises funds for team win. cent to the National League playoff s way enough to realize what they’re cancer research and families battling “It’s cool to get a player to that point. last year and the off season addition doing with me. It comes with time and the disease. A lot of them, at fi rst they’re happy to of three prized free agents, have only hopefully raises the level of my game.” “I have some (endorsements),” said be there. Then they want to make some whetted the fi rst baseman’s appetite Teammate Jake Arrieta said Rizzo, Rizzo, who promotes a swing-tracking money. Once they get to when it’s all for more success. like himself, has rebounded positively company with the likes of Mike Trout, about winning, then it’s good.” joining the Cubs before the 2012 season three seasons with the Cubs, Rizzo, 26, “The last two years I hit really well from past struggles. Rizzo overcame David Ortiz, Josh Donaldson and Gian- The 2016 season represents the lat- as one of Theo Epstein’s fi rst acquisi- has endured a 101-loss season, a .233 in spring, and one year I hit terrible in Hodgkin lymphoma as an 18-year-old carlo Stanton. “When the time comes, est and biggest challenge to Rizzo since tions as team president. In his fi rst batting average in 2013 and the depar- spring,” Rizzo said. “So for me, I don’t in the Red Sox organisation in 2008. the time comes.” Gulf Times Monday, March 7, 2016 9 SPORT

SWIMMING PARALYMPICS Ticket sales under spotlight at Adrian blazes to six month mark 100m freestyle title, Phelps third While the individual 100m free hasn’t figured in Phelps’s remarkable tally of 18 Olympic gold medals, he’s surely targeting a 4x100m free relay berth at the Rio Games

AFP Orlando

ichael Phelps settled for third place be- hind Olympic gold medallist Nathan Adrian’s blazing 48.05sec in the 100m File photo of the German women’s Paralympic team. freestyle Saturday to close out the Or- landoM Pro Swim. he said. “And we believe that Reuters While Adrian dominated the fi eld—winning by a London the Cariocas (Rio locals) are not body length and posting the second-fastest time in aware of this. the world this year behind the 47.57 posted by Aus- “We have to differentiate tralian Cameron McEvoy—Phelps was left mulling ith six months to between the price of Olympic what he considered a somewhat disappointing meet- go until the start of tickets and Paralympic tickets ing. the Rio de Janeiro and really sell the fact that the “I’m always so hard on myself,” said Phelps, who Paralympic Games, Paralympic Games are the peo- was disappointed not to break 52 seconds in winning Wthe first in Latin America, or- ple’s games.” the 100m butterfl y on Thursday. ganisers are hoping a major Brazil has been struggling He added a fourth place fi nish in the 100m back- publicity push will ease con- with political turmoil and cor- stroke on Friday, before fi nishing behind Adrian and cerns about the slow pace of ruption scandals, an economic Italian Luca Dotto (49.33) in the 100m free in 49.57. ticket sales. downturn and the mosquito- While the individual 100m free hasn’t fi gured in Today marks the milestone borne Zika virus, which have all Phelps’s remarkable tally of 18 Olympic gold medals, but it comes amid fears that an hampered preparations for the he’s surely targeting a 4x100m free relay berth at the expected record global cumula- Games awarded to Rio in 2009. Rio Games in August. tive television audience of more Official data released last But the superstar, who owns a record 22 Olympic than four billion will see empty week showed that the economy medals total, said he has work to do before the US Ol- seats at venues when the event contracted sharply in 2015 as ympic trials in late June and the Games themselves. starts on Sept. 7 in Rio’s Mara- businesses slashed investment “Some of the small things just weren’t there,” he cana stadium. plans and laid off more than 1.5 said of his week in Orlando. “My fi nish in the 100 fl y Rio 2016 organisers disclosed million workers in what could was kind of blah. My fi nish in the 100 back wasn’t that last month that just 10 percent become Brazil’s deepest reces- great. My freestyle is still a little choppy.” of the three million Paralympic sion on record. Phelps said the absence of longtime coach Bob tickets had been sold so far in Craven was confident, how- Bowman, overseeing the Arizona State University Brazil. ever, that the Paralympics team this week at a regional collegiate championship, Fewer than half the tickets would build on the success of was an adjustment. for the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Ol- London, with more broadcast- Nathan Adrian dives in at the start of the men’s 100m freestyle championship final at the YMCA of Central Florida “I’m looking forward to having the coaches back,” ympics have also been sold with ers signed up than ever before Aquatic Center in Orlando on Saturday. At bottom, Michael Phelps. he said, although he added that he continues to en- about five months to go. and Brazilian athletes among joy a competitive comeback now that swimming is “It’s true that ticket sales, if the top contenders. balanced by new challenges in his personal life. His you compare them with how “The Brazilian team has been fi ancee Nicole Johnson due to give birth to the cou- they went in London (2012) for getting stronger and stronger. ple’s fi rst child, a boy, in May, and they plan to take both the Olympics and Paral- And Paralympic sport has been the infant to Rio. ympics, are way behind,” Inter- on TV in Brazil now since the “With everything I have going on I am a lot more national Paralympic Committee Games in Athens in 2004,” he relaxed about what I’m doing here,” he said. “It allows (IPC) president Philip Craven said. me to have more fun.” told Reuters in an interview. “The Brazilians know about In other events on Saturday, Missy Franklin com- “But I think you really do Paralympic sport, they know pleted a backstroke double with a victory in the 200m have to look at the different about their great champions back in 2:08.77. Franklin stormed home to edge Cana- culture of how Brazilians and Daniel Dias (winner of 10 swim- da’s Dominique Bouchard, who was second in 2:08.90. the people in Rio look to main ming gold medals, four silvers American Elizabeth Beisel was third in 2:09.75. events. They don’t look to buy- and a bronze) and also Andre Thiago Pereira led a Brazilian one-two in the men’s ing their tickets one year out as Brasil (a seven-times swimming 200m individual medley. happened in London.” gold medallist). Pereira clocked 1:59.82 to edge Henrique Rodrigues London 2012 sold a record “This is something that defi- (1:59.97), with American Conor Dwyer (2:00.03) 2.76 million Paralympic tickets, nitely they are going to take third. with a global cumulative televi- to. We are going to have great American Maya DiRado won her third title of the sion audience of 3.8 billion. Games,” said Craven. meet with an impressive 200m medley victory in Craven recognised there The Paralympics will be tel- 2:10.77. were concerns but said the six evised live in 120 countries and Melanie Margalis was second in 2:11.72 and Beisel months milestone was the per- in the United States for the first was third in 2:12.43. fect time to really engage the lo- time with NBC. Craven said he Freestyle phenomenon Katie Ledecky, opting out of cal population. would be in the United States all the day’s 800m free, crushed her lifetime best in the “There are two million tick- next week to help promote the 200m medley with a time of 2:14.36 that put her fi fth. ets that cost 10 reais ($2.66),” Games.

BOTTOMLINE Empowering a new generation of sports and events professionals

By Sports Reporter cluding best real life examples of sports to interact with world-leading individu- Doha campaigns in the Middle East, to the als in the sector of Sport Marketing and impact of social media for the sports in- PR. The partnership of our institutions dustry. opens great opportunities, and brings osoor Institute, a centre of excel- “Creating High Performance Sports together current world leaders and new lence for the sports and events Organisations” is another relevant topic talents in the fi eld. We value this part- industries, inspired and devel- for the sports organisations in Qatar and nership, and we are looking forward oped by the Supreme Committee the region. The workshop started with a to evolving these kind of collaborative Jfor Delivery & Legacy (SC) collaborated session delivered by the sports psychol- workshops in the future”. for the fi rst time with Qatar University’s ogist Tom Cross, which prepared the Both workshops were delivered by a College of Arts and Sciences (QU-CAS) delegates for change and innovation by line-up of international and local ex- to deliver two engaging professional making them more aware of their own perts, including Dr Mahfoud Amara, development workshops on sports and personal style of working and interact- Assistant Professor, Sport Management events. ing with their teams. and Policy at Qatar University, Nick The two workshops titled “Market- Each workshop also featured a key- Thain, CEO of Sports New Media and ing and Public Relations (PR) for Sport note speaker who shared knowledge and GiveMeSport and social media expert and Major Events” and “Creating High inspiration with the delegates. The fi rst for the sports industry and Keith Scully, Performance Sports Organisations” are keynote speaker was Sunny Singh, Sen- Adjunct Professor at Georgetown Uni- the result of a long-lasting partnership ior Marketing Offi cer at Qatar Sports In- versity. between Qatar University and Josoor vestment (BURRDA Sportswear Brand), Over the past decade, Qatar has Institute and had in attendance a large who talked about driving innovation, gained a strong reputation for suc- number of delegates including over 60 reaching new audiences and building cessfully hosting sports and major students from QU. The workshops also relationships. Simon Clegg, one of the events. The country has welcomed had over 40 delegates from the Qatar most experienced sports business lead- some of the world’s biggest events in Stars Leagues and its clubs attend and ers in the UK joined as a keynote speaker sports, business, and energy including engage in some very thought-provoking for the second workshop, and focused the 2006 Asian Games, the UN’s Cli- discussions with the speakers. Overall, on the importance of setting goals and mate Change Conference COP 18, and there were 180 delegates from various managing success and failure in the the world’s largest petroleum confer- local organisations attending the work- context of world-class sporting organi- ence, WPC. In the future, Qatar is set shops. greatly value our partnership with Qatar were tailored to address the challenges pionships and regional events embraced sations. to welcome even bigger events, par- Commenting on the successful part- University and together we aim to train faced by the sports and events profes- by the Arab world in recent years and Commenting on the great success of ticularly in sports, where the country nership, Mushtaq al-Waeli, Executive and inspire many professionals work- sionals in the Mena region and to build several large-scale brands and promot- the workshops among QU students, Dr will host the UCI Road World Cham- Director (acting) of Josoor Institute, ing in the sports and events industries in sustainable sports and events industries ers defi ning specifi c approaches for the Ruben Goebel, Director of the Sport Sci- pionships in cycling in 2016, the 2022 said: Qatar and the Mena region. This would in this part of the world. local market, there is an increasing de- ence Program at CAS, said: “The high- FIFA World Cup Qatar, and the most “This was our fi rst collaboration with especially include the younger genera- “Marketing and PR for Sport and Ma- mand for sports marketing and PR pro- quality workshops that have been deliv- recently awarded FINA World Cham- Qatar University for the delivery of pro- tions who have the important mission jor Events” workshop examined the es- fessionals in the region. ered at Qatar University in partnership pionships and FINA World Masters fessional development workshops and I to build Qatar’s leading position in these sential role that marketing and PR play Josoor Institute’s workshop devel- with Josoor Institute were an outstand- Championships in 2023. Workshops would like to commend the Qatar Uni- industries and to deliver an amazing in driving interest and increasing vis- oped some engaging and interesting ing opportunity for our students at the designed and delivered by Josoor In- versity team on their contribution for 2022 FIFA World Cup.” ibility for sporting and non-sporting topics, from practical tips for successful Sport Science Program of the College of stitute help to build human capacity to making the workshops a success. We Both Josoor Institute’s workshops major events. With many World Cham- sports and marketing campaigns, in- Arts and Sciences and all other delegates manage such mega events. Gulf Times 10 Monday, March 7, 2016 SPORT

SPOTLIGHT DELIGHT Jang sets new goals aft er second LPGA McIlroy grabs win of season

Reuters

ang Ha-na spent most of WGC Doral lead the week peppering the fl ags with exquisite ap- proach shots and sinking monsterJ putts, and after dancing like Beyonce following her HSBC Women’s Champions victory on Sunday, the Korean was already setting new goals. with bogey-free 68 Jang started the day one ahead of the pack but stormed clear on the back nine to close with a sev- ‘The wind was coming from a diff erent direction so it made the course play a little bit en-under-par 65 for a 19-under total, capping the four-shot win tougher. I played a solid round of golf, didn’t make any mistakes. I felt really good...’ with a gutsy eagle on the par-fi ve 18th when she took on the lake AFP with a fairway wood. ’s Jang Ha-Na holds Doral, Florida “That was a mistake actu- the trophy after winning the ally,” she told reporters. “I was HSBC Women’s Champions golf just trying to take it right of the tournament in Singapore. our-time major champion Rory bunker but missed. I was saying McIlroy fi red a four-under par 68 ‘don’t hit the tree, just get on the “I think I was guilty of think- Saturday to seize a three-stroke green’ and when it landed I was ing too much when I was on the lead after the third round of the like ‘what an amazing shot’.” course,” she admitted. WorldF Golf Championships Cadillac The 23-year-old started the “But I made a little change in the Championship at Doral. year by becoming the fi rst play- winter to be a little more relaxed The 26-year-old Northern Irishman, er on the LPGA Tour to score a and patient. It worked in my fi rst who hopes to complete a career Grand hole-in-one on a par-four and tournament this season in the Ba- Slam at next month’s Masters, stood on backed it up with a maiden vic- hamas, which was very good. 12-under 204 after 54 holes at the Blue tory in Florida last month, that Monster. time celebrating with a self- “My target in 2016 was two Australian Adam Scott, who owned a styled ‘Samurai-lasso’ dance. wins but I’m there already, two-shot lead over McIlroy when the day Such is Jang’s confi dence that so going to change my target began, and US defending champion Dus- despite failing to win in her 2015 to two more wins as I’m tin Johnson shared second on 207. Two- rookie year, the Korean set her- very comfortable right now” time Masters champion Bubba Watson, self a target of two victories this fi ve-time major winner Phil Mickelson season and has fulfi lled her aims “Then I got my fi rst win, fol- and England’s Danny Willett shared after just fi ve tournaments. lowed it with two top-10s and all fourth on 209. “I’m very excited right now, the time I was comfortable and I Third-ranked McIlroy, who closed I’ve been very comfortable this was more comfortable here, it’s with eight consecutive pars, seeks his week and really enjoyed this very exciting.” 12th US PGA Tour title, his fi rst since last tournament,” Jang said. The fast start to the season May at Quail Hollow, and his 20th career “My target in 2016 was two will take Jang up to fi fth in the victory worldwide. wins but I’m there already, so next world rankings and while “It was good,” McIlroy said. “The wind going to change my target to two she is trying her hardest to was coming from a diff erent direction so more wins as I’m very comfort- avoid thoughts of the Olympics, it made the course play a little bit tougher. able right now.” number one position or order of I played a solid round of golf, didn’t make merit standings, she insists the any mistakes. I felt really good about it. FRUSTRATED ROOKIE rapid rise has not scared her. I’ll have to do the same thing tomorrow.” Jang played superbly around the “I don’t really get afraid of Eighth-ranked Johnson, 31, seeks his demanding Serapong Course, anything,” she added with a grin. 10th career US PGA Tour title and the going bogey-free for 50 holes “I’m not afraid of the other fi rst since last year at Doral. from the 14th on Thursday, her players I just play my own game Ninth-ranked Scott, 35, seeks his 13th patient approach a far cry from a and make sure I enjoy my life career US PGA title and second in as diffi cult rookie campaign, when every day, every week. Although many weeks after last weekend’s Honda four runner-up fi nishes left her I am maybe a little scared of be- Classic triumph snapped a 21-month win hugely frustrated. ing bitten by mosquitoes.” drought for the 2013 Masters champion. McIlroy birdied the par-5 opening hole, blasting his third shot out of a greenside Rory McIlroy waves to the gallery after his putt on the 18th green during the third round at Trump National Doral DOMINANCE bunker to four feet from the cup to set it up. He sank a seven-foot birdie putt at “I’ve been comfortable over my putts at three adrift, but the defending Doral the fi nal duo while Scott and Mickelson the fi fth and blasted out of a greenside and it’s great to make one like that at the champion will play alongside McIlroy in are in the penultimate pairing. bunker to three feet with his third shot at end to fi nish off a good round,” McIlroy Trott wins omnium the par-5 eighth to set up another birdie. said. Scores At the par-5 10th, McIlroy found the Scott’s run of 16 rounds at par or bet- left rough on his approach but punched ter, what had been the best active streak Leading third-round scores on Saturday Charl Schwartzel (RSA) 73-67-72, Charley gold as Brits lead his third shot to 17 feet and sank his birdie on tour, ended on a disappointing day. from the World Golf Championships Hoff man 68-70-74 putt to reach 12-under and seize a two- The Aussie made bogey at the par-3 Cadillac Championship at Doral (USA 213 - Louis Oosthuizen (RSA) 74-70-69, stroke edge. fourth, missing the green and a 10-foot unless noted, par-72): Scott Piercy 66-77-70 medal table McIlroy, using a new left-hand lower par putt, and even when he birdied the 204 - Rory McIlroy (NIR) 71-65-68 214 - Danny Lee (NZL) 71-71-72, Rus- putting grip, had some tight par saves par-5 eighth it was after a nine-foot eagle 207 - Dustin Johnson 72-64-71, Adam sell Knox (SCO) 71-71-72, Jordan Spieth down the stretch. At the par-5 12th, putt miss. Scott (AUS) 68-66-73 69-72-73, Andy Sullivan (ENG) 71-70-73, McIlroy’s second shot went way left and Scott found a bunker at the par-3 13th 209 - Phil Mickelson 67-72-70, Bubba Jimmy Walker 69-72-73, Paul Casey his third dropped into a greenside bun- and missed a 7 foot par putt, but on 14 he Watson 69-69-71, Danny Willett (ENG) (ENG) 71-68-75 ker, but he pitched to eight feet and saved punched out of a bunker and sank a nine- 68-69-72 215 - Marc Leishman (AUS) 73-73-69, par with his putter. foot birdie putt. He lipped out a birdie 211 - Rafa Cabrera Bello (ESP) 73-71-67, Graeme McDowell (NIR) 74-71-70, Zach At 18, he found a greenside bunker putt at 16 and stumbled again with a bo- Sergio Garcia (ESP) 73-71-67, Anirbar Johnson 71-73-71, Bernd Wiesberger with his approach but pitched out to fi ve gey at 17. Lahiri (IND) 70-70-71 (AUT) 72-69-74 feet and made a tense par putt to extend Johnson, who sank a six-foot birdie 212 - Smylie Kaufman 71-70-71, Rickie 216 - Daniel Berger 75-71-70, Kevin Kis- his streak of holes without a dropped putt at 16 to reach 10-under, closed with Fowler 70-71-71, Harris English 71-70-71, ner 75-69-72, Brooks Koepka 71-71-74 shot to 33. a bogey to drop back level with Scott

UCI WORLD TRACK CYCLING CHAMPIONSHIPS

Laura Trott of Britain celebrates on the podium.

Reuters many in the semi-fi nal when her London team mate also sprung a sur- Cav and Wiggo save best for last prise, outpacing Australia’s Ol- ympic champion Anna Meares. AFP ritain’s Laura Trott did Local girl Trott, a favourite Bourg-en-Bresse, France not put a wheel out with the sell-out crowds at the place as she claimed her sleek London velodrome, just second gold medal of the had to stay out of trouble over ony Gallopin was one worldB track cycling champion- the last 40 laps of the 100-lap of several French riders ships with a dominant victory in points race, having extended the vowing to attack more in the omnium yesterday. 12-point lead she built up over the forthcoming stages Trott, who won Olympic gold the fi rst fi ve disciplines. Tof the Tour de France. in the multi-discipline event on There were no alarms as she Already on this Tour, Gallopin the same London boards four fi nished with 201 points, 18 has worn the race leader’s jersey years ago, was a model of con- ahead of her rivals. for 24 hours after a strong fi n- sistency throughout two days The battle for silver went right ish on Sunday’s stage put him in and maintained her stranglehold down to the wire with France’s yellow on Bastille Day. during the concluding points Laurie Berthron edging Olympic Although he lost the lead im- race. silver-medallist Sarah Hammer mediately, with Vincenzo Ni- Mark Cavendish (L) and Wiggins (R) celebrateon the podium. Her boyfriend Jason Kenny of the U.S. in the fi nal sprint. bali taking back the jersey after could not match her though as “I spoke to my coach before a day’s hiatus, Gallopin followed tiredness in the peloton,” he said. “I’ll give it another go, there are his hopes of adding keirin gold to and he said if I get to the last 20 that up by winning Wednesday’s “With Jean-Christophe also still 10 stages left, there’s still a lot the men’s sprint title he won on laps to go with a big lead I could hilly 11th stage from Besancon to high up it’s sure that we’ll go on to go for in this Tour,” he said. Saturday fi zzled out as he rolled just ride around and follow,” the Oyonnax with a late solo break. the attack.” Another is puncher Sagan, home last in the fi nal. 23-year-old told the BBC. “I always try to do things With the summer heat hav- whose strengths are ideally Joachim Eilers won the ti- “It’s taken four years to get the my way but I don’t think I try Sir Bradley Wiggins of Britain celebrates after winning the madison. ing hit France and temperatures suited by Wednesday and yes- tle from New Zealand’s Edward gold medal back,” she added re- these attacks enough,” said the over 30 degrees Celsius expect- terday’s rolling terrain. Dawkins. The German took his ferring the omnium world gold 26-year-old, who rides for Lot- start, if I’m honest I could maybe The 23-year-old sits fourth ed yesterday and today, those Although the Slovak com- gold medal haul to two having she won just before winning two to-Belisol. fi nish 15th but when you have a overall at 3min 01sec off Nibali who did well on Wednesday’s plained that other riders, wary of already won the men’s time trial. golds at the London Olympics. “I know I’m fast in a sprint rider who can fi ght for the po- after a strong showing in the two stage, where temperatures were his explosive sprint fi nish, refuse “I didn’t have the legs,” Kenny, Hammer said Trott had raised fi nish but sometimes I focus on dium, there’s no reason to go after uphill fi nishes so far. already in the high 20s, will feel to help him in a small breakaway. who was spent after Saturday’s the bar with fi ve months until (Peter) Sagan and fi nish second, 15th or 20th position,” said Gal- He says that alongside vet- confi dent they have the condi- But the Cannondale leader says sprint climax when he beat Aus- Rio. third or fi fth, and I don’t win. lopin. “But, anyway, I think I’ll be eran AG2R teammate Jean- tion to keep going. realistically his aim must be the tralia’s Matthew Glaetzer, said. “She’s an incredible rider, an “But I have to decomplex and put in my place in the Alps!” Christophe Peraud, 37, they will One such is Tinkoff -Saxo’s green jersey he won the last two China celebrated a fi rst world intense competitor,” Hammer, try things like this.” be launching an off ensive in the Irish climber Nicolas Roche, years and currently holds again. sprint champion when Tianshi who steered the US to team pur- Once the race hits the Alps on CONSOLIDATE POSITION mountains. “I hope in the Alps to who made a break for home on “I am confi dent and every day Zhong defeated compatriot Lin suit gold earlier in the week, told Saturday, he will be working for Someone who is looking for- consolidate my position and may- Wednesday’s last climb but was I’m trying to do something bet- Junhong 2-0 in the fi nal. reporters. team leader Jurgen van den Br- ward to the Alps is fellow young be, why not, attack in the Pyr- caught on a fast descent in the ter but I’m hoping for the green Zhong had upset twice world “She’s the one to beat but I’ll oeck. “It’s been clear from the French star Romain Bardet. enees because there will be a lot of fi nal 20km. jersey in Paris,” he said. champion Kristina Vogel of Ger- enjoy going after her.” Gulf Times Monday, March 7, 2016 11 TENNIS

DAVIS CUP SPOTLIGHT Isner spearheads Tomic lashes Kyrgios America to victory commitment

AFP “He didn’t come to Czech and Melbourne had stress fractures and some- how played Indian Wells and felt good,” Tomic said at the post- ustralia’s two leading match press conference. stars Bernard Tomic “Now it’s going to be funny for over Australia and Nick Kyrgios are at me to see whether he plays. odds forcing new cap- “If he plays Indian Wells, then tainA Lleyton Hewitt into a peace- he’s defi nitely lost a little bit of ‘He’s done it for us in Davis Cup before and he did again today’ making role after an extraordi- my respect.” nary post-script to Australia’s Tomic said it was disappoint- Davis Cup loss to the United ing not to have Kyrgios playing AFP States yesterday. in this weekend’s David Cup tie. Melbourne Tomic challenged the com- “He’s an amazing player and mitment of Kyrgios to the Dav- it would have been important to is Cup competition after his have him here.” ohn Isner powered the team-mate’s withdrawal from Hewitt, who came out of re- United States to vic- the Kooyong tie with illness and tirement for Saturday’s fi ve-set tory over Australia in the back trouble. doubles loss to the crack Bryan Davis Cup World Group John Isner was too strong for brothers in Kyrgios’s absence, tieJ with a masterful serving per- Tomic winning 6-4, 6-4, 5-7, said he did not share Tomic’s formance at Kooyong yesterday. 7-6 (7/4) to deliver the Ameri- sentiments. The towering Isner served 49 cans the tie 3-1 and reach the The captain said they were aces in delivering a 6-4, 6-4, competition’s quarter-fi nals. “in the heat of the moment, and 5-7, 7-6 (7/4) victory over Aus- Yet there was controversy frustration”, but Tomic contin- tralia’s Bernard Tomic in two during the match when Tomic ued to question Kyrgios at the hours 15 minutes in the fourth was overheard during a change- media conference. rubber to clinch the tie with an over questioning Kyrgios’s ab- “For me, we ruled Nick out,” unassailable 3-1 lead. sence from the tie. Hewitt said. It puts the Americans into While in conversation with “He came down here, he gave the quarter-fi nals of the men’s team captain Hewitt, televi- everything he had to try and team competition with a home sion microphones caught Tomic put his hand up to be available, tie against either Belgium or muttering: “Nick’s sitting down there’s no doubt he was sick, ab- Croatia and leaves Australia in in Canberra. Bullshit he’s sick.” solutely no doubt. a play-off to hold on to their Tomic was also heard say- “We did a fi tness test with him World Group status for next ing “that’s twice he’s done it”, in on Thursday morning before we year. possible reference to Kyrgios’s had to make any decision about “After the last couple of years withdrawal from the tie against changing names before the draw, it’s massive for us,” American the Czech Republic last year. and he was ruled out by the med- captain Jim Courier said. Tomic later did not resile from ical staff . “This is a tough match-up on his comments and questioned “I had to sit down and try and paper and it was a tough match- the legitimacy of the virus that come up with the best possible up in reality when we stepped ruled out Kyrgios if he was com- plan without using Nick then. on the court. So for us into the peting as planned in an Ameri- “Bernie’s come here and second round, it’s a big deal.” can tournament this week. Bernie wasn’t 100 percent and The United States are the Tomic said he spoke to his he hasn’t been for the last few most successful nation in Dav- teammate after his loss and Kyr- weeks and he came out and gave is Cup, having been crowned gios told him he was planning to absolutely 100 percent in his champions 32 times. play in Indian Wells, California, matches here and did exactly It is the fi rst time since 1979 this week. what I asked him to do. that the United States have “For me, though, I asked Nick beaten Australia on grass and ‘In the heat of the moment’ to come down here and be pre- their fi rst win in the traditional Australia’s top-ranked player pared to give it a shot and he rivalry on any surface since recalled that a similar situation did that as well, and then he got 1997. occurred a year ago when Kyr- ruled out by the medical staff , gios withdrew from the Davis so for me both boys did exactly Whirlwind serving Cup against the Czech Republic. what I asked them to do.” Australia had not lost in Davis Cup at Kooyong, the former home of the Australian Open, since the 1946 Challenge Round when Jack Kramer, Ted Schroeder led the USA to a 5-0 sweep. It completed a big week- end for Isner, who cruised to a straight-sets win over Sam John Isner of the US serves against Bernard Groth in Friday’s opening sin- Tomic of Australia during the men’s reverse gles before trumping Tomic singles match at the World Group fi rst round on the Australians’ choice of a Davis Cup tennis tournament at Kooyong in grass surface. Melbourne yesterday. (AFP) It was a dominant serving performance by the 2.08-me- tre tall (6ft 10in) Isner and set the tone from the fi rst point. Is- ner served at 76 percent, won 81 percent of his fi rst serve points and broke Tomic’s serve twice. He cranked up a fastest serve tennis,” Courier said. “It’s Davis Cup last day, mate Nick Kyrgios’s absence nerve to clinch the match after of 253 kilometres per hour “I think he gets so many balls you’re going to feel it. He from the tie after pulling out trailing 1-3 in a tiebreaker, be- (157 miles per hour), which is back, he’s long and for John to stepped up big for us. He’s done citing an illness. Isner began fore claiming the fourth set with claimed to be the fastest serve serve the amount of aces that he it for us in Davis Cup before and confi dently, only dropping four two powerful serves after Tomic ever above challenger level. did today and to serve the qual- he did again today.” points on his service in the fi rst had overhit a forehand. “It’s breathtaking to watch ity high percentage that he did Tomic appeared passive and two sets, before Tomic rallied to It took world number 11 Is- Bernard Tomic of Australia reacts after dropping his serve against him serve the way he did. You all day long in a match that he distracted early in the match take the third set 7-5 to fi re up ner’s record in Davis Cup com- John Isner of the US during the men’s reverse singles match at the know Bernie, I think is one of obviously was feeling the pres- and was overheard during a the home crowd. petition to 11-9 and 2-0 over the World Group first round Davis Cup tennis tournament at Kooyong in great return cover players in sure. changeover questioning team- But the American held his 20th-ranked Tomic. Melbourne yesterday. (AFP)

FOCUS Sharapova set to make ‘major announcement’ Former tennis world number one Maria Shara- pova will be holding a news conference in Los Angeles today to make “a major announce- Murray pushes Britain past Japan ment”, though no other details were given by her manager yesterday. DPA Murray did not waste time incredible for everyone on the Sharapova’s management company, IMG, Birmingham hanging around in Birmingham, team. We did something spe- declined to tell Reuters via email what topic had dashing back to Surrey near cial last year and I would like to prompted the news conference but added: “It London to be with wife Kim and try do something similar this will be very big news.” ndy Murray took nearly their new daughter for Britain’s year.” Today’s announcement will come just four days fi ve hours to get the job Mothering Sunday. Serbia were fi ghting to survive after Sharapova said she was withdrawing from done for holders Brit- Once again, Murray carried at 2-2 after Djokovic won a mar- this month’s BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells in ain as he clinched a 3-1 the weight for the 2015 Davis athon of four hours, 57 minutes California due to a persistent arm injury. winA over Japan yesterday in their Cup champions by winning to beat Kazakh Mikhail Kuku- The five-time grand slam champion has been Davis Cup World Group fi rst- three rubbers and putting them shkin 6-7 (6-8), 7-6 (6-3), 4-6, troubled by her left forearm since the start of the round tie before rushing home into the quarter-fi nals and a July 6-3, 6-2. year when she pulled out of an Australian Open to be with his wife and newborn tie against either Serbia or un- The Czech Republic scraped warm-up tournament in Brisbane. daughter. derdogs . past Germany 3-2, winning de- Sharapova lost to Serena Williams in the quarter- Murray, the hero of last year’s “I was trying to keep the spite a hamstring injury which finals of the Australian Open in January and has surprise triumph, spent four points short in the third and forced Tomas Berdych to quit not competed since then. hours, 54 minutes in holding off fourth sets, but it didn’t work his singles match against Philipp The 28-year-old Russian has suff ered from Asia’s top player and 2014 US and in the fi fth set I managed to Kohlschreiber. assorted injuries over the past decade, and re- Open fi nalist Kei Nishikori 7-5, grit my teeth and get it done,” Lukas Rosol came on to beat quired shoulder surgery in 2008 that led to her 7-6 (8-6), 3-6, 4-6, 6-3. Murray said. teenage German rookie Alex- being sidelined for nine months. The win was the joint-longest “Thankfully I managed to get ander Zverev 6-2, 6-3, 6-1 and Sharapova also missed the second half of the of his career alongside the 2012 through. I was a little bit calmer clinch victory. 2013 season because of a shoulder injury. US Open fi nal against Novak in the fi rst set. I had been getting The Czechs will host France, Currently ranked seventh, Sharapova claimed Djokovic. By winning his 14th very frustrated at the end of the who produced a 5-0 sweep her most recent grand slam crown at the 2014 consecutive Davis match (sin- third set but in the fi fth I went against Canada on the Carib- French Open and has won 35 career titles on the gles and doubles) Murray broke back to what I was doing at the bean island of Guadeloupe, with WTA Tour. She has numerous business interests a British mark dating back well start, to get myself pumped up Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Richard off the court, including a very successful apparel over half a century set by Fred with positive energy. Gasquet winning the last two Great Britain’s Andy Murray celebrates after winning his match against Japan’s Kei collection. Perry. “Last year’s experience was points. Nishikori yesterday. (Reuters)

Monday, March 7, 2016 GULF TIMES SPORT

CAMEL RACING FESTIVAL

HE the President of Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC) Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad al-Thani honored the winners of the main races on the seventh day of Annual Camel Racing Festival at Shahaniyah Racecourse. Sheikh Joaan awarded HE Sheikh Hamad bin Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani and HE Sheikh Jassim bin Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani the Golden Spear and the Golden Daggers as the Shayhaniya Camels claimed the titles of three races out of four. The races were held in the presence of Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohamed bin Rashid al-Maktoum and the chairman of race organising committee HE Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Faisal al-Thani. Fajjaj and Al Waab of Shahaniyah Camels claimed the Golden Daggers after win- ning two of the four main races while Erteyad of Shahaniyah Camels and Mathayel of Presidency Camels of UAE claimed the Golden Spear after winning the two other main events. (Right) Action from one of the races.

QATAR RUGBY SEVENS PORSCHE GT3 CUP CHALLENGE MIDDLE EAST Mutawaa shines Qatar’s Team Frijns fi nish in Camels victory on podium

Agencies soned driver the urge to continue rac- ‘I also wanted to send a message to the selectors that my leg is fine’ Manama ing alongside his son Charlie. Commenting after the fi nal race of the season Rob said, “I was not ex- ather and son duo Rob and pecting to race a full season here in the Camel’s Rakan Mutawaa in action Charlie Frijns fi nished off Sea- Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Middle against the Lions during the Qatar son 7 of the Porsche GT3 Cup East but ended up racing in every race Rugby Sevens match Challenge Middle East with apart from Saudi Arabia. My motto is, Fstrong performances in Round 6, held as long as every year, on every circuit, I at Bahrain International Circuit. improve my times, then I don’t have to The Qatar-based team will now retire from racing. Even today I man- look back on a hugely successful cam- aged to better my times here and that paign in which they fi nish third in the is something that I am very proud of. team category, Rob took second in the “I am a very critical father, but I bronze category and Charlie fi nished think that Charlie has made a lot of an impressive fi fth overall. progress this season. He defi nitely has With a fl ying start to Race 2, Charlie the speed in him but he is lacking a bit battled to get to the front of the pack of experience when it comes to win- as early as possible, quickly reaching ning races and holding on to leads. He fourth behind championship leader is getting better and better and learn- Jeff ery Schmidt. After an ongoing bat- ing from every round and race, we both tle, Frijns seized an opportunity and are, so I am happy and proud of Team passed the UAE driver into third with Frijns this season and what we have his sights set on the leading pair. achieved.” Frijns continued to try and close the Al Nabooda Racing’s star Jeff rey gap on Abdulaziz al-Faisal and Ryan Schmidt has now won the Porsche GT3 Cullen but with tyres wearing thin, Cup Challenge Middle East Season 7 the Qatari resident crossed the line in courtesy of a fourth place fi nish in the third for the second time in as many fi nal race of the season. days. After dominating the season the Speaking after Race 3 of Round 6 deserved victory in the championship Charlie Frijns said, “The race actually capped a wonderful weekend of racing went really well for me, we had some for UAE team Al Nabooda Racing at problems in qualifying with the power the Bahrain International Circuit. Zaid steering on the car so couldn’t man- Ashkanani joined teammate Schmidt age to get a strong position on the grid, on the podium as he fi nished the series however, we knew we had to go for it second in the driver’s standings with today and really push for maximum Ireland’s Ryan Cullen third at the end points in the fi nal race of the season. of a pulsating season. I had a strong start on the new tires, The fi nal race was eventually won and sat behind Jeff ery trying to push by Ryan Cullen of Ireland, who was to overtake. I managed to get past him closely followed over the line by Saudi but by this time I didn’t have the speed Arabia’s experienced racer Abdulaziz in the tyres to catch the front two and AlFaisal in second and Qatar-based fi nished the race in third. emerging star Charlie Frijns in third. “I am happy with the two podium The absence of Schmidt from the fi nishes this weekend, and is a great fi nal race podium did not spoil the improvement on the fi rst time out here scenes of celebrations at the cheq- in Bahrain this season. I can’t help to uered fl ag for Al Nabooda Racing as think that if that fi rst round of the sea- they added the individual title to the son was more like this one then I would team honours won in Dubai during be much higher in the overall points Round 5. come today, but that is racing for you The hard work had been done. By Sports Reporter After the match Mutawaa said, “I fi rst registered win of the season. The to further boost and promote rugby in and that’s why I love the sport.” Speaking as champion of Porsche GT3 Doha am over the moon with my perform- Lion’s woes however, did not get im- the country. The three matches will be For experienced driver Rob Frijns, Cup Challenge Middle East Season ance. I went out and focused on my prove as they faced competition lead- played at the Aspire warm track from it was another successful outing in 7, Je ff rey Schmidt said: “It’s always a role and how I can best help my team. ers Camels 1 in their second match. April 16 -22. which has been a consistent season great feeling when you win a cham- owerful sevens Qatar inter- I also wanted to send a message to Things looked promising for the one The fi rst match of the competition for the bronze category driver. Two pionship. It has felt like a long winter, national and Camels 2 util- the selectors that my leg is fi ne and time former champs as they trailed will see Qatar up against Iran on April podium fi nishes this weekend is a true twelve races over the last four months ity forward Rakan Mutawaa I’m up for national selection for the at the break 14 nil. However, the roar 16, the second match will be between refl ection of the hard work and dedi- and throughout the season the com- pulled off four big tries to 15’s Championship next of the Lions could not be heard as the Iran and on April 19 with the cation that is put in and gives the sea- petition has got tougher and tougher.” Ptrigger a huge win for his Camels team month”. Camels rolled in fi ve second halve tries fi nal match fought out between Qatar against the Lions on Friday night at to take the match 47 nil. and Lebanon on 22 April. the Aspire warm up and purpose built The third and fourth tries were The Camels 1 further demonstrated The Asia Rugby Championship is an rugby pitch. scored in the second-half as he their prowess by dominating the fi nal annual competition held Mutawaa was in sensational form cruised past the Lions defense match of the night against the Blue Fal- amongst national rugby sides within taking remarkable high balls, picking with ease to hammer the fi nal cons beating them 50 -7. The lob sided the Asia Rugby region. The competition up loose ones and running the dis- nail in the coffi n sealing a match saw the table leaders romp in formerly known as the Asian Five Na- tance to show great individual form. well-earned 47-5 victory. eight (8) tries to one (1). tions changed its name in 2015. His fi rst try came against the run of Camels 2 and the Hurricanes both Speaking about the April champion- the play when he jumped on dropped The Camels 2 second match was received byes while Al Khor had their ship al-Kuwari said, “Naturally we are ball to run 80m to score. His second against the North Atlantic College matches postponed for a future date to delighted and excited to host the tour- try came less than a minute later when (CNAQ). The match started off as a be confi rmed. QRF boss Yousef al-Ku- nament which will help develop the he leaped above the pack to win the ripper with strong plays from both wari said, “It’s great to see the caliber of sport in the country. Our players will ball from the kick off and barge his way teams but it was the Camels 2 far too rugby improving week in week out. We get the needed exposure playing against to the try line. strong in end for the college boys de- have the Asian Rugby tri nation’s cham- these two teams”. The third and fourth tries were feating them 24 -5. pionship coming up in April and we are He continued “Last week we had the scored in the second-half as he CNAQ had better fortunes in their looking to pick a national team on form. Asia Rugby consultant Aaron Stock- cruised past the Lions defense with second match when they slugged All positions are open and every Doha dale here and he gave us the thumps up ease to hammer the fi nal nail in the it out against the luckless Blue Fal- rugby based player who qualifi es with for our operations and facilities. We are coffi n sealing a well-earned 47-5 vic- cons. Their bullocking charges and eligibility rules can try out”. overwhelmed at the opportunity to co tory. The Lions were rewarded a late fast strong play of the scrum allowed The Asia Rugby competition involv- -host this tri-nation’s championship consolation try for their never say die the college boys to overpower their ing the national rugby teams of Iran with Asia Rugby and welcome Iran and Qatar’s Team Frijns finished on podium in final race of season in the Porsche GT3 attitude. opponents 22 nil. This was CNAQ’s and Lebanon is part of QRF’s eff orts Lebanon to Doha”. Cup Challenge Middle East .