GGOLFOLF | Page 2 SSHOOTINGHOOTING | Page 7 Oman Open Spain clinch set for thrilling mixed team fi nal day trap title, double showdown for Marin

Sunday, March 1, 2020 CRICKET Rajab 6, 1441 AH Jamieson takes fi ve GULF TIMES as New Zealand rock India in Christchurch SPORT Page 4 Germany’s Deusser wins Commercial Bank CHI Al Shaqab Presented by Longines Qatar Olympic Committee President HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad al-Thani, Commercial Bank Board member Abdulrahman bin Hamad al-Attiyah (front, second from left), Longines’ VP of Marketing Matthieu Baumgartner (front, left) and ExxonMobil Qatar president and general manager Alistair Routledge (front, right) pose with the winners of Commercial Bank CHI Al Shaqab Presented by Longines at the Longines Arena at Al Shaqab yesterday. Germany’s Daniel Deusser won the event ahead of Max Kuhner and Roger Qatar Olympic Committee President HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad al-Thani presents the winner’s Yves Bost. trophy to Daniel Deusser (second from left) of Germany in the presence of second-placed Max Kuhner (left) of Austria and third-placed Roger Yves Bost (right) of France after his victory in the More on Page 8 Commercial Bank CHI Al Shaqab Grand Prix presented by Longines yesterday.

TENNIS / QATAR TOTAL OPEN Sabalenka blows past Kvitova to win Qatar title Belarusian lifts her sixth career title with a straight sets victory over Czech

By Anil John was just like focused, really Doha focused on each point and played every point like the last point and like I’m actu- ryna Sabalenka ally losing. So, yeah, that was won the Qatar To- the secret, I think.” tal Open yesterday, Sabalenka also revealed and she did it in her focus and determination Aher inimitable style. Seem- grew after she lost her father ingly blessed with bound- Sergey at the young age of 44 less energy and the attitude last year. of a champion heavyweight “He was my biggest mo- boxer, the 21-year-old from tivation, and I’m doing it Belarus blew past the sea- for him,” said Sabalenka, in- soned Czech Petra Kvitova stantly tearing up. 6-3, 6-3 to lay her hands on Kvitova, who won the Qa- the magnifi cent falcon tro- tar title in 2018, was full of phy and claim the $605,000 praise for her young rival. cheque in front of an appre- “Well, fi rst of all defi nitely ciative audience that also Aryna played an amazing included His Highness the (From left) Managing Director Total E&P Qatar and Country Chair – Total Laurent Wolff sheim, match. For sure she didn’t Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Ha- Qatar Tennis, Squash and Badminton Federation president Nasser al-Khelaifi, Qatar Total give me anything for free. I mad al-Thani. Open 2020 finalist Petra Kvitova and tournament director Saad al-Mohannadi pose during the had one chance in the second In a world that fawns over prize distribution ceremony yesterday. set for break of her serve, but sportspeople blessed with I just couldn’t make it,” said deft touch, the World No “I love playing in China, Sabalenka nevertheless pro- deuce after Sabalenka missed Kvitova. 13 doesn’t off er any apolo- it’s like I’m doing well there. I duced a cracking ace to fi nish break point after break point. “But it was a very tight gies about her overwhelm- enjoy it there, but I’m happy it in style. But a shot into the net by game and probably that re- ingly explosive style. Indeed to fi nally win a trophy not in The second set was a bit Kvitova gave Sabalenka the ally helped her to win the her crunching serves and China (laughing.) And, yeah, more fi ercely fought, with the championship point, and the second set. But defi nitely power-packed forehands I’m really happy, it feels so fourth game proving a battle Belarusian duly capitalised she played really great as she left Kvitova unnerved, with special for me.” of endurance. A bit too eager, on it to seal her sixth title on played all week, so defi nitely Sabalenka wrapping up the After beating top seed and errors crept into Sabalenka’s the Tour. she deserves it, for sure. match in 73 minutes with a World No 1 Ashleigh Barty in game, but Kvitova couldn’t In the end the numbers “I wasn’t playing prob- shot from the baseline, the the semi-fi nals on Friday in a capitalise on them as she told their own story. Sabalen- ably what I wanted to, but ball luckily bouncing off the three-setter, her third in the missed fi ve break points. ka’s fi rst serve had a win per- she didn’t give me anything net and inducing a mis-hit. tournament, Kvitova was ob- The game continued for centage of 73, while Kvotova’s to play my game. But, yeah, That was kind of anticli- viously stretched. She strug- 11 minutes but on the eighth was just 47. Kvitova couldn’t that’s how it is and anyway mactic, and the Belarusian gled for rhythm and hardly deuce Sabalenka decided win any of her fi ve break I’m glad for the great week.” reacted with a sheepish grin found any momentum worth she’d had enough. She pro- points, while Sabalenka made Kvitova also conceded even as Kvitova threw her the name. That obviously duced two thundering aces good on three out of eight. that Sabalenka’s serve was head back, eyes closed and proved disastrous against an out of nowhere to draw level Sabalenka’s fi rst and second key to her success. frustration writ large over opponent whose understand- at 2-2. serve average speeds were “Well, defi nitely the big- her face. ing of the game is refreshingly The next two games went more than 10kph faster than gest diff erence was the serve, “I mean it feels so amazing uncluttered as is her attitude with serve, but in the sev- Kvitova’s. And on top of it all, for sure. I couldn’t put the and I couldn’t really expect towards life in general. enth Sabalenka broke Kvi- Sabalenka produced seven fi rst in, she put like 80 per- the title during my fi rst time Sabalenka opened pro- tova at love to go up 4-3 and aces as against her rival’s two. cent or something like that. I in Doha,” said Sabalenka at ceedings by winning the then retained her serve to Sabalenka added that the couldn’t get to the rally with Aryna Sabalenka celebrates her post-match press con- fi rst game at love, and after put the Czech in a now-or- key to her success was that my shots and my power. her Qatar Total Open victory ference where she giggled all missing two break points in never situation. she played every point as it “I tried to go a little bit for with the winner’s falcon trophy the way. the next, broke Kvitova in Kvitova had one last chance were the last of the match. the rallies and I wasn’t lucky at Khalifa International Tennis Of her fi ve titles before the fourth with a series of but her serves were met with “It’s a fi nal, it’s something over there. But, yeah, it’s & Squash Complex yesterday. Doha, four came in China — fi erce returns to go 3-1 up. some ferocious returns as diff erent. It’s always diff er- been tough. It is my game as PICTURES: Noushad Thekkayil two in Wuhan, one in Shen- The remainder of the set was Sabalenka went ahead 40- ent than like every match well, for sure, but today she zhen and one in Zhuhai. pretty much uneventful, but love. Kvitova rallied to force in the tournaments. Yeah, I was just better.” Gulf Times 2 Sunday, March 1, 2020 SPORT

GOLF SPOTLIGHT Tiger to skip Bay Hill with stiff back as Oman Open set for Masters looms

AFP up for the year’s fi rst major tour- Miami, United States nament next month in Augusta. “My prep has been just like it usually is,” Woods told reporters eigning Masters cham- earlier this week. “It’s what I need thrilling fi nal day pion Tiger Woods will to do to get ready for the Masters.” skip next week’s Arnold Last year, Woods withdrew Palmer Invitational to from the Arnold Palmer Invita- Luiten, Stone, Shinkwin, Valimaki, restR a stiff back and continue tional with a neck strain, then preparations for Augusta Na- played in the Players and the Korhonen and Hojgaard top the tional, according to multiple re- WGC Match Play before going to ports on Friday. Augusta National. leaderboard in six-way lead ESPN and Golf Digest report- Woods captured his fi fth green showdown ed that the 15-time major win- jacket and fi rst major triumph in By Our Correspondent ner will not compete at Bay Hill, 11 years, an epic comeback tale Muscat, Oman a course where he has captured from spinal fusion surgery and eight titles. multiple back operations that “He’s not going to play,” had him doubting at one stage if he third edition of the Woods’s agent, Mark Steinberg, he would have a normal life much Oman Open is set for an told ESPN. “Back still stiff and less play golf again. epic fi nal day showdown just not quite ready.” Woods struggled with left with six players tied at Woods, 44, felt back stiff ness knee issues much of last year af- Tthe top of the leaderboard on 11 at Riviera two weeks ago, saying ter the Masters and underwent under par, including 2018 cham- it was his new normal after mul- arthroscopic surgery, then won pion Joost Luiten and Rolex Se- tiple back surgeries. He skipped his fi rst event after the operation, ries winner Brandon Stone. last week’s WGC Mexico event. capturing the Zozo Champion- Luiten, who is searching for His next chance to compete ship in Japan for his 82nd US PGA a seventh European Tour title will be in two weeks at the Play- Tour title, matching the all-time this week, got off to a fast start ers Championship, a major tune- record set by Sam Snead. with a birdie at the fi rst before reeling off ten consecutive pars. The Dutchman turned it up a gear on the back nine with four birdies to sign for a bogey free 67 and take a share of the lead at Al Mouj Golf. “I had a good start with the birdie at the fi rst but after that I just didn’t hole any putts,” said Luiten. “I created a lot of chanc- es but they just wouldn’t drop. The funny thing is I had putts that were further away on 11 and Joost Luiten of the Netherlands in action during the Oman Open at the Al Mouj Golf club in Muscat, Oman, yesterday. 12 and they went in which kick- started my round. I love it here was very consistent and to be Joining the duo at the sum- before superbly bouncing back pean Tour as there is going to be and feel comfortable so I just bogey-free again is sensational mit of the leaderboard is Callum with three birdies in a row. plenty of stress out there tomor- need to make sure I play simple for me,” said the South African. Shinkwin of England, Sami Val- “It was a grind out there to- row. It’s just about how you can golf tomorrow.” “It’s been three amazing days on imaki and Mikko Korhonen of day,” said the 18-year-old. “I handle it and I think I’ll be pre- Stone also posted a bogey- a great golf course with plenty of Finland, and Rasmus Hojgaard, made some mistakes out there pared.” free 67 as he bids for a fi rst ti- good scoring. I’ll probably head who had started the day tied for but bounced back with some Guido Migliozzi sits one shot tle since winning the Aberdeen to the gym tonight and do some the lead with Scotland’s Stephen birdies so I’m satisfi ed with my back in seventh while Clement In this February 13, 2020, picture, Tiger Woods (right) talks to his caddie Standard Investments Scottish recovery work and maybe have a Gallacher. The Dane suff ered a two under par. Sordet, Jordan Smith, Adrienne Joe LaCava during the first round of the The Genesis Invitational golf Open in 2018. cup of coff ee and an early din- setback on the sixth and seventh “I think it’s important that Saddier sit a shot further back in tournament at Riviera Country Club in Pacific Palisades, United States. “It was a very solid round that ner.” with a bogey and double bogey I’ve already won on the Euro- tied eighth at Al Mouj Golf. (USA TODAY Sports)

Nadal strolls into Acapulco fi nal Kim, Herbert lead in New Zealand as Ogilvy starts to move AFP Fritz in yesterday’s final. air just long enough for Nadal Fritz. “I know I’m going to have Los Angeles, United States It has been 15 years since world to race forward and blast a to be at my best and I hope to No 2 Nadal won for the first cross-court forehand that the be ready for it.” Korean teenager Kim Joo-hyung sank a 10-foot birdie on 18th to time here. He also won in 2013 Bulgarian had no chance on. This will be the first meeting retain a share of the lead at the New Zealand Open with Australia’s afael Nadal used a and improved to 18-2 at this Nadal continued his dominance between Nadal and 22-year-old Lucas Herbert after the third round yesterday. Former US Open steady stream of blister- event overall. of Dimitrov, improving to 13-1 Fritz. winner Geoff Ogilvy also mounted a charge but his five-under Ring forehand winners “I’m very happy. A great victory lifetime. Nadal has only lost 20 The second set progressed 66 at the Millbrook Resort course in Queenstown may prove too and a heavy dose of precision against one of the best players games in his first four matches nearly identically to the first little, too late after a day of low scores. Herbert and American Kim serves to book his spot in the in the world and a good friend,” this week and is yet to lose a set. set, with Dimitrov breaking Chan both shot 65 while Ogilvy was among nine golfers to fire a ATP Mexico Open final with a Nadal said after his one-sided The unseeded Fritz defeated early for a 2-0 lead before 66. It lifted him to a tie for 20th on six under, nine strokes behind convincing 6-3, 6-2 win over victory on Friday night. “I think game but rallied to win the next fellow American John Isner in Nadal stormed back. Kim and Herbert who are 15 under par at 199 going into the final Grigor Dimitrov. I’ve increased my level during the four points. the other semi-final 2-6, 7-5, 6-3. Nadal finished out the night by round. The 24-year-old Herbert, who made up six strokes on the The two-time tournament match, so it’s positive for me.” On match point, seventh seed “He’s playing well. He has a going on a six-game run. His final day to win the Dubai Desert Classic in January, was keen for a champion will be the favourite The top seed clinched the vic- Dimitrov hit a backhand that great serve, fantastic shots final forehand winner ended second victory in as many months. “I don’t think I’ve ever been as to claim his third Acapulco title tory on his first match point. clipped the top of the net and from the baseline. It’s going to play after one hour and 41 ready as I am right now to go and do it. I’m looking forward to it,” when he faces unseeded Taylor He fell behind 0-30 in the final bounced in. But it hung in the be a tough one,” Nadal said of minutes. he said after producing three birdies on the final five holes.

BOTTOMLINE GOLF / HONDA CLASSIC Djoko dominates Tsitsipas Steele takes second-round lead as Koepka misses cut Reuters to win 79th career title Cary, North Carolina

AFP Dubai, UAE rendan Steele seized the second-round lead as the Honda Classic lost ovak Djokovic cap- much of its star power tured his 79th career Bwhen Brooks Koepka, Rickie title yesterday when Fowler and Justin Rose missed he won the Dubai the cut in Florida on Friday. NChampionships for the fi fth American Steele almost had a time, defeating Stefanos Tsitsi- hole-in-one and tamed testing pas 6-3, 6-4 in the fi nal. winds to shoot a three-under- The world number one is now par 67 that could have been on an 18-0 winning run this even better had he not found season, and 21-0 overall since the water with his second shot late 2019, as he ended an eight- for a closing bogey at the par- match win streak for his Greek five 18th. opponent, champion last week- At fi ve-under 135, he leads by end in Marseille. one stroke from English duo Lee Djokovic claimed his third Westwood and Luke Donald and trophy of 2020 after helping American J T Poston at PGA Na- Brendan Steele of the United States plays a shot from the bunker on Serbia to the ATP Cup and win- tional in Palm Gardens. the 16th hole during the second round of the Honda Classic in Palm ning an eighth Australian Open. First round co-leaders Harris Beach Gardens, Florida, United States, on Friday. (AFP) It is also the seventh time that English and Tom Lewis plunged the 32-year-old has won more faster than the stock market, hit the hole but somehow defi ed recent winner of the Abu Dhabi than 20 matches on the trot. shooting 74 and 75 respectively. gravity and horseshoed out. Open on the European Tour. Tsitsipas lost his second Steele, a three-times PGA “It’s hard to tell from the tee “You’ve got to play from the fair- straight fi nal in Dubai after go- Tour winner, has made an excel- but it looked like it had a chance way.” ing down to Roger Federer a year the winner said. “But it shows opponent hit the net. been my most successful sur- lent living without achieving any and then we saw it abruptly A more recent number one, ago. how quickly things can turn. A game later, Djokovic was face so far.” level of fame in his decade on the move, the way it would only do if Koepka, bowed out ignomini- “It was close in both sets,” “I appreciate the moment, I’ve lifting another trophy as he Djokovic will stay number tour but he can match it with an- it hit the hole,” he said. ously after consecutive rounds Djokovic said. “A few points de- really played well in my matches found the corner with a winner. one on the ATP rankings on yone on his day, and Friday was The near-miss cost Steele a car of 74 that he blamed on a rusty cided it, I’ve had a great week. this week. There were some ups “Tsitsipas is a player for now, Monday to start a 280th week one of those days. awarded to any ace, but that was short game, the result of having “I’m most proud of my con- and downs, but that’s normal.” much more than for the fu- atop the table. “I’m feeling really confi dent probably not of huge concern to played a very limited schedule sistency this week, especially on Djokovic broke for 5-3 in the ture,” Djokovic said of his sixth- He was playing the fi nal in Du- with my swing,” Steele told PGA a guy whose career prizemoney while rehabilitating a knee injury shots from the baseline.” opening set and served it out ranked opponent. bai for a sixth time in 11 appear- Tour Radio. exceeds $15mn. the past few months. The top seed produced a moments later. “He’s already been very suc- ances. It was, however, his fi rst “I’m used to playing in a lot of Hot on Steele’s heels, former “Just need to pick it up a lit- straightforward win in 79 min- The second set was slightly cessful. He’s more than just a fi nal at the tournament since 2015 wind so this feels pretty com- world number one Westwood is tle bit, pick up the pace, maybe utes after a close-call semi-fi nal tighter, with the Serbian losing great player, he’s very charismatic when he lost to Federer. fortable and I feel like my dis- feeling at home on a course that a little bit more touch around the where he saved three match a break as Tsitsipas levelled at and brings a lot to the game.” Coming into the champion- tance control is really nice.” demands precision with water greens, a little bit more feel but points against Gael Monfi ls. 3-all. Djokovic added: “I’ve had a ship match, the 21-year-old Steele could only laugh at how lurking around every turn. the way I’m striking it, I’m very “I was just a point from going But Djokovic came through great start to the season, I love Greek had lost just one set this close he came to an ace at the “It’s a good ball-strikers golf pleased,” said the four-times out, I might not have been here,” again with a break for 5-4 as his playing on hard courts. They’ve week. 180-yard 16th, where his tee shot course,” said the 46-year-old, a major champion. Gulf Times Sunday, March 1, 2020 3 FOOTBALL

EPL SPOTLIGHT 5 Serie A games off as coronavirus brings Reds’ unbeaten run chaos to Italian sport

AFP es of the new coronavirus in It- Milan aly had exceeded 1,000 with the death toll rising by eight to 29 in the past 24 hours. The number of ive matches in Italy’s cases has reached 1,128 since the ended by Watford Serie A, including the start of the epidemic a week ago, heavyweight duel be- up from 888 on Friday. Alonso double spares Chelsea from Bournemouth defeat tween champions Ju- The decision to postpone ventusF and Inter Milan, were the fi ve Serie A games had been postponed yesterday due to the taken in response to the “excep- spread over the coronavirus. tional circumstances concerning Today’s clash between Juven- protection of public health and tus and third-placed Inter in security”, the Italian league said. Turin was among those fi xtures Lazio, meanwhile, did play on to be called off and rearranged Saturday and moved top of Serie for May 13. It had originally been A with a 2-0 victory over Bolo- scheduled to be played behind gna. First-half goals from Luis closed doors. Alberto and Joaquin Correa sent The decisions also mean the Lazio two points clear of Juven- Italian Cup fi nal, initially sched- tus and extended their unbeaten uled for May 13, has been pushed league run to 21 matches. back to the following week on Bologna had two second-half Wednesday, May 20. goals disallowed following VAR Juventus also announced that reviews. Lazio have played a they are temporarily suspending game more than Juventus while the activities of their Under-23 Inter, who are eight points adrift, squad after the team had played have two matches in hand on the a third division fi xture against leaders after their fi xture with Pianese who have several players Sampdoria last weekend was aff ected by coronavirus. also postponed. “The reason for this deci- That was one of four games sion is the appearance of new cancelled. Two of those fi xtures cases of COVID-19 in recent - Hellas Verona v Cagliari and hours among players of US Pi- Torino against Parma - have al- anese that the Bianconeri faced ready been rescheduled to March on February 23,” the club said 11. But Inter v Sampdoria and in a statement. Juventus said Atalanta at home to Sassuolo that “six days after the match, have yet to be given a new date. the Bianconeri players showed Inter are also still involved in no symptoms but remain under the Europa League, where they medical supervision”. face Getafe at home on March 12 However, the team will not with the return on March 19 in practice until further notice. The Spain. club said that four Pianese play- On Thursday, their last 16 ers have now tested positive for game against the Bulgarians of coronavirus. Yesterday, it was Ludogorets was played behind revealed that the number of cas- closed doors at the San Siro.

Watford’s Senegalese midfielder Ismaila Sarr (right) scores his team’s second goal past Liverpool’s Brazilian goalkeeper Alisson Becker during the English Premier match at Vicar- BUNDESLIGA age Road Stadium in Watford, north of London, yesterday. (AFP)

AFP out-of-sorts visitors failed to onto Deeney’s through ball and as Marcos Alonso’s calm fi nish West Ham moved out of the Watford, United Kingdom muster even a single eff ort on showed fantastic composure to after Olivier Giroud hit the bar bottom three with a fi rst league Off ensive banner goal in the fi rst 45 minutes. Ger- lift the ball over the advancing gave Chelsea a half-time lead. win since New Year’s Day. ard Deulofeu’s dipping eff ort Alisson. Sarr also had a big part Two goals in three minutes David Moyes handed Jar- iverpool’s 44-game run just did not come down in time to play in Watford’s third as he from Jeff erson Lerma and Josh rod Bowen his fi rst start since a sparks bizarre end without defeat in the as it landed on the roof of the pounced on a short passback King turned the game around £20 million move from Hull on Premier League came net before he teed up Abdoulaye and had the vision to pick out and infl icted another blow to deadline day in January and he to a crashing end as Doucoure, who saw his shot de- Deeney, who lofted the ball non- Chelsea’s chances of holding made a huge impact with a fi ne to Bayern rout Lrelegation-threatened Watford fl ected behind by Virgil van Dijk. chalantly over Alisson to make it onto their place in the top four. fi nish to open the scoring. thrashed the European champi- Deulofeu then had to be 3-0. Watford had thrown away Alonso’s predatory header “I think that’s the way it went ons 3-0 yesterday. stretchered off with a nasty a lead in three of their last four after Aaron Ramsdale parried in my dreams last night!” Bowen Ismaila Sarr’s double and looking knee injury that seems Premier League games to fall Pedro Rodriguez’s shot at least said. “We held on and got the Troy Deeney’s strike 18 min- certain to end his season. back into the bottom three. ensured the visitors left the Vi- three points which is really im- utes from time ended Liver- Watford’s heads did not drop But they never looked in any tality Stadium with a point. portant.” pool’s hopes of romping to a without one of their most dan- danger of doing so again as they However, Frank Lampard’s The hosts’ lead did not last fi rst league title in 30 years with gerous players, though, as only moved back out of the relegation men have now won just fi ve of long as Michael Obafemi quickly an unbeaten season as they lost Alisson Becker’s fl eetness of zone on goal diff erence. their last 16 league games and levelled for Southampton. in the league for the fi rst time foot allowed the Brazilian in- Sarr should even have had a could see their lead over fi fth- But the Hammers responded since January 2019. ternational to save from Deeney famous hat-trick with his fi nal placed Manchester United cut well to that blow as Sebastien Jurgen Klopp’s men still enjoy deep into fi rst-half stoppage touch as he curled wide when to just a point if the Red Devils Haller restored their lead fi ve a 22-point lead at the top of the time. Andy Robertson’s driven one-on-one with Alisson. win at Everton today. minutes before half-time and table, but their sluggish return eff ort fi nally forced Ben Foster However, that was the only gloss “We had a bad 10-minute Michail Antonio added a third from a two-week winter break into a save early in the second missing from a glorious night spell where they scored and that early in the second half. earlier this month was fi nally half, but just as Liverpool were for Watford as Liverpool remain I don’t like. I’m pleased with Newcastle remain without a punished. After single-goal beginning to build up a head of four wins away from the title. the character to get a draw but goal in four games, but edged Bayern Munich fans display a banner in reference to Hoff enheim victories over struggling Nor- steam, they were stung by two Earlier Bournemouth were we should win the game,” said seven points clear of the drop owner Dietmar Hopp yesterday. (Reuters) wich and West Ham either side quick strikes by Sarr. also victims of Liverpool’s col- Lampard. “People talk about the zone with a 0-0 draw at home to of a Champions League defeat Firstly, the Senegalese beat lapse as they fall into the bottom defence but if you are 1-0 up and Burnley. AFP conclusion to a match in which at Atletico Madrid, Liverpool Robertson to Doucoure’s low three after failing to hold out for leave teams in the game then one Brighton remain the only side Berlin Bayern overcame the absence of were comprehensively beaten at cross to stab home at the near victory against Chelsea. Philip set piece can change the game. in England without a league win injured striker Robert Lewand- Vicarage Road. post. Six minutes later, Sarr had Billing missed two big early “We should score more goals in 2020 as Jordan Ayew scored owski. With fi ve names on the A 55-point gap separated the too much pace for a fl at-footed chances for the Cherries and Ed- and then we don’t have that the only goal in a 1-0 win for ayern Munich chairman scoresheet, fi rst impressions sides before kick-off , but the Liverpool defence as he raced die Howe’s men were punished problem.” Crystal Palace at the Amex. Karl-Heinz Rummenigge suggest that Bayern will have vowed to “take all-out few problems replacing Lewand- action” against the fans owski’s 25 goals during his ex- whoB unfurled a banner insulting pected month-long absence. FOCUS Hoff enheim benefactor Diet- Bayern burst out of the blocks, mar Hopp during the Bundesliga with Serge Gnabry scoring the leaders’ 6-0 victory yesterday. visitors’ fi rst after just two min- The game in Hoff enheim fi n- utes when he connected with ished in bizarre circumstances a fl oating ball from Thomas Mbappe masterclass fi res PSG with both teams passing the Mueller. ball between each other after a Joshua Kimmich made it 2-0 lengthy delay over an off ensive just fi ve minutes later, side- banner in the section housing footing a loose ball in the box travelling Bayern supporters. past Oli Baumann. From there on to 4-0 victory over Dijon Players from both sides stood it was one-way traffi c for the 28- Reuters on the fi eld but refused to play time Bundesliga champions. Paris for the fi nal 10 minutes of the Dutch teenager Joshua Zirkzee match as the clock wound down. scored his third goal in the top Rummenigge pledged to “take fl ight, chipping in a ball from ylian Mbappe capped a brilliant indi- all-out action” against the fans, Kimmich in the 16th minute, vidual performance by scoring twice saying he was “deeply ashamed before Philippe Coutinho made and creating another for Mauro Icardi of these chaotic people” who it 4-0 in the 33rd minute with a as leaders Paris St Germain cruised to a have “discredited the name of FC trademark curling strike into the Kcomfortable 4-0 victory over Dijon in their Ligue Bayern”. The entire Bayern team top corner. 1 clash at the Parc des Princes yesterday. - along with coach Hansi Flick The Barcelona loanee scored With Neymar and Marco Veratti suspended and Rummenigge - approached his second and Munich’s fi fth and Thiago Silva missing with injury, PSG got the ultras block and pleaded with just two minutes after the break, off to the perfect start when midfi elder Pablo them to remove the banner. toe-poking in a superb assist Sarabia steered a mis-hit shot from Marquinhos “Today, at the absolute lat- from Mueller, giving the latter past Runar Runarsson in the third minute to give est, the moment has come when his second of the match and his them the lead. Mbappe added a second in the 74th the entire Bundesliga needs to 17th assist of the season. minute, timing his run perfectly to collect Julian take action against these chaotic Leon Goretzka was the next to Draxler’s through ball before rounding Runarsson people. “We must all stand to- get on the scoresheet, profi ting and slotting the ball through the arms of the div- gether. We have closed our eyes from an excellent team move- ing goalkeeper. for far too long. This is the ugly ment. Coutinho and Corentin He then set up Icardi for PSG’s third three min- face of football.” Tolisso combined perfectly in utes later, sliding a perfectly-weighted pass into German Football Association the box before Goretzka chipped the path of the Argentinian striker for him to fi re boss Christian Seifert indicated the ball over Baumann to rack up the ball home. after the match that no action Bayern’s sixth for the day. The 21-year-old completed his attacking mas- would be taken against either Elsewhere, Dortmund kept terclass with a second goal in stoppage time at the side. In a statement, Seifert said pace with the league leaders end of the game, rifl ing the ball past the helpless both sides “acted in an exem- with a hard-fought 1-0 win over Runarsson to complete the 4-0 rout. plary manner in this situation, Freiburg at a windswept Signal The win took PSG to 68 points from 27 games thereby sending a clear signal Iduna Park. Dortmund grabbed and restored their lead at the top of the table to to some self-appointed rules of the lead through Jadon Sancho in 13 following second-placed Olympique de Mar- football culture not to tolerate the 15th minute, with the English- seille’s 3-2 win over Nimes on Friday night. Dijon such conduct any longer.” man converting a pinpoint assist remain just above the relegation places with 27 Paris Saint-Germain’s French forward Kylian Mbappe celebrates after scoring a goal during the French L1 match against The fans refused to withdraw from Thorgan Hazard to bring up points. Dijon at the Parc des Princes Stadium in Paris yesterday. (AFP) the banner, prompting a surreal his 14th goal of the season. Gulf Times 4 Sunday, March 1, 2020 CRICKET

ODI Klaasen ton leads SA to big win over Australia Agencies Paarl, South Africa, Scorecard SOUTH AFRICA M. Starc run out (De Kock) 5 einrich Klaasen J. Malan lbw b Starc 0 P. Cummins c Verreynne b Pheh- smashed an unbeaten Q. de Kock c Carey b Hazlewood 15 lukwayo 6 century as South Af- T. Bavuma b Cummins 26 A. Zampa not out 7 rica claimed a 74-run J. Hazlewood b Nortje 1 Hvictory over Australia in their K. Verreynne c Marsh b Cummins fi rst one-dayer played on a slow 48 Extras (lb3, w4) 7 Boland Park wicket yesterday. H. Klaasen not out 123 Total (45.1 overs) 217 After winning the toss, South D. Miller c Carey b Cummins 64 Fall of wickets: 1-23 (Finch), 2-49 Africa overcame an early wob- A. Phehlukwayo run out 0 (Warner), 3-133 (Labuschagne), ble to post 291 for seven in their 4-174 (Marsh), 5-174 (Smith), 6-195 50 overs, a total boosted by the K. Maharaj b Starc 2(Carey), 7-203 (Starc), 8-207 maiden ODI ton from middle- A. Nortje not out 1(Short), 9-211 (Cummins), 10-217 order batsman Klaasen, who (Hazlewood) crashed 123 from 114 balls. Extras: (b1, lb5, w6) 12 Australia were up with the Total: (7 wkts, 50 overs) 291 Bowling: Maharaj 10-0-48-1, Nortje 7.1-0-39-2, Ngidi 8-0-30-3 run-rate for much of their reply, Fall of wickets: 1-0 (Malan), 2-33 (2w), Phehlukwayo 10-0-52-1 but South Africa then strangled (De Kock), 3-48 (Bavuma), 4-126 (1w), Shamsi 10-0-45-2 (1w) the scoring with intelligent use (Verreynne), 5-275 (Miller), 6-275 of the slow pitch as the visitors (Phehlukwayo), 7-286 (Maharaj) slumped to 217 all out from 45.1 Bowling: Starc 10-0-59-2 (1w), overs. Hazlewood 10-0-63-1 (2w), Steve Smith and Marnus La- Cummins 10-0-45-3 (2w), Marsh buschagne put on 84 for Aus- 5-0-35-0, Short 5-0-35-0, Zampa tralia’s third wicket after the 10-0-48-0 early loss of opening batsman Aaron Finch and David Warner, AUSTRALIA both dismissed by Lungi Ngidi, D. Warner c Verreynne b Ngidi 25 who fi nished with three for 30. A. Finch c De Kock b Ngidi 10 Smith (76) and Labuschagne (41) hit only three boundaries S. Smith lbw b Nortje 76 between them as scoring proved M. Labuschagne c Ngidi b Maharaj diffi cult on a slow pitch and a big 41 South Africa’s Heinrich Klaasen outfi eld. M. Marsh b Ngidi 16 (also right) in action during the The second match in the series first ODI against Australia at will be played in Bloemfontein A. Carey v Verreynne b Shamsi 5 Boland Park Cricket Stadium in on Wednesday, before the fi nale D. Short st De Kock b Shamsi 18 Paarl yesterday. (AFP) in Potchefstroom next Saturday.

SECOND TEST PSL Rossouw century in Sultans’ win Jamieson takes 5 as Agencies them eight points and the top Multan position in the six-team com- petition. Earlier, Rossouw’s unbeaten able-toppers Mul- century was the fastest in HBL tan Sultans further PSL history; the left-hander strengthened their who was part of Gladiators’ position at the top title winning team last year New Zealand rock ofT the HBL Pakistan Super turned the tables on his former League (PSL) 2020 points ta- team in spectacular fashion. ble with a comfortable 30-run Rossouw hit six towering win over reigning champions sixes and 10 fours in his 44- Quetta Gladiators yesterday. ball knock, he reached his cen- Left-handed middle order tury off 43 balls to establish batsman Rilee Rossouw (man- a new HBL PSL fastest cen- of-the-match) was the star for tury record. Rossouw added India in Christchurch the Sultans as his blazing cen- 139 runs for the fourth wicket Scorecard tury helped set-up the victory with his captain Shan Masood ‘I was batting positively, I thought I played one shot too many’ for the home side. (46 off 32 balls, six fours), the INDIA 1st innings Chasing 200 runs for a win, partnership was compiled off Reuters Jamieson then removed M. Agarwal lbw Boult 7 the Gladiators were restricted a mere 64 balls. The two came Christchurch New Zealand’s Kyle Rishabh Pant, Umesh Yadav and to 169 for seven by Sultans. together at the fall of Moeen Jamieson in action Ravindra Jadeja in short order P. Shaw c Latham b Jamieson 54 Opener Shane Watson fought Ali’s (6) wicket with the total during the fi rst day of and left Trent Boult to mop up C. Pujara c Watling b Jamieson 54 a lone battle for his side with reading 48 for three in 7.5 overs. eamer Kyle Jamieson the second Test against the fi nal wicket by bowling Mo- V. Kohli lbw Southee 3 a whirlwind 80 off 41 balls. Their alliance though took fi ve for 45 as New India in Christchurch hammed Shami for 12. Watson hit seven fours and changed the complexion of the Zealand dismissed India yesterday. (Reuters) “It’s a pretty special feeling,” A. Rahane c Taylor b Southee 7 seven sixes before his dis- game with Rossouw doing the for 242 after tea on day Jamieson said after carrying the H. Vihari c Watling b Wagner 55 missal in the 16th over derailed bulk of damage with a stun- oneS of the second and fi nal Test ball off the field. Gladiators’ chase. ning onslaught that left the R. Pant b Jamieson 12 yesterday before consolidating “I think as a bowling unit we Jason Roy who opened the Gladiators bowlers helpless. R. Jadeja c Boult b Jamieson 9 their advantage by reaching the did so well and I was lucky to innings with Watson scored Mohamed Nawaz took one close of play on 63 without loss. grab a few. At one stage I thought U. Yadav c Watling b Jamieson 0 30 off 27 balls; no other bats- for 16 for the Gladiators, Mo- Playing only his second test they were probably going to get M. Shami b Boult 16 man could off er much to the hammad Hasnain, Ben Cut- after making his debut in the a few more, (the wicket) wasn’t disciplined Sultans attack who ting, Naseem Shah and Sohail J. Bumrah not out 10 10-wicket victory in Wellington doing quite as much as it did in held their nerve on a batting Khan all took one wicket each last week, the tall right-armer Wellington, so to keep them to Extras: (b4, lb6, w5) 15 friendly pitch. but were all taken for plenty of wreaked havoc in India’s lower 240 is pretty good.” Total: (all out; 63 overs) 242 Fast bowler Bilawal Bhatti runs by Rossouw and co. order as the tourists lost their The day started poorly for Fall of wickets: 1-30 (Agarwal), drafted in the eleven in place of last fi ve wickets for 45 runs after the tourists when New Zea- 2-80 (Shaw), 3-85 (Kohli), 4-113 Shahid Afridi took three while BRIEF SCORERS the second break. land skipper Kane Williamson (Rahane), 5-194 (Vihari), 6-197 veteran leg-spinner Imran Ta- Multan Sultans 199 for 5, 20 Jamieson, enjoying some of won the toss and sent his fi ve- (Pujara), 7-207 (Pant), 8-207 hir took two wickets. overs (Rilee Rossouw 100 not the luck that had evaded him pronged seam attack out to bowl (Yadav), 9-216 (Jadeja), 10-242 Sultans recorded wins in all out, Shan Masood 46; Mo- earlier in the day, claimed four of on a green track. (Shami) three home games of the HBL hamed Nawaz 1-16, Mohamed those wickets after starting with Opener Prithvi Shaw provid- PSL 2020 Multan-leg, while Hasnain 1-38) bt Quetta Cheteshwar Pujara, who had ed the fi rst bright moments of Bowling: Southee 13-5-38-2, they also defeated Lahore Qa- Gladiators 169 for 7, 20 overs threatened to guide the tourists the day for the Indian support- Boult 17-2-89-2, de Grandhomme landars in Lahore, earlier in the (Shane Watson 80, Jason Roy to a more than competitive total. ers with a quickfi re half century 9-2-31-0, Jamieson 14-3-45-5 tournament. 30; Bilawal Bhatti 3-26, Imran Pujara, picking his shots with in the rain-delayed fi rst ses- (5w), Wagner 10-2-29-1 There four wins have given Tahir 2-27). the care of a player who knew sion that presented a stark con- NEW ZEALAND 1st innings how important his innings would trast to what was to come from T. Latham not out 27 be, ground out a 25th Test half Pujara. century and enjoyed a part- Jamieson dismissed the T. Blundell not out 29 nership of 81 with Hanuma 20-year-old caught behind for Extras: (b4, lb3) 7 Vihari that had India looking com- 54, though, and his opening Total: (no wickets; 23 overs) 63 fortable at 194-4 just before tea. partner Mayank Agarwal (7) was Bowling: Bumrah 7-1-19-0, Vihari gloved behind for 55 to also sent back before the fi rst Yadav 8-1-20-0, Shami 7-1-17-0, bring up the break, however, and break. Jadeja 1-1-0-0. Pujara was gone for 54 two overs Skipper Virat Kohli’s bat- after the resumption when he ting woes continued as he was abandoned his circumspection trapped plumb in front by Tim Latham, who was unbeaten on and skied an attempted hook Southee for three from the fi rst 27, and Tom Blundell (29 not out) that wicketkeeper BJ Watling ball he faced after lunch to take successfully negotiated 23 overs took with ease. Vihari told reporters. “I was bat- “But that’s the name of the his tally to a paltry 24 from his until stumps and will resume on Multan Sultans’ Rilee Rossouw celebrates his century against “It was a wrong time to get ting positively, I thought I played game, sometimes it goes your three innings in the series. Sunday looking to cut deep into Quetta Gladiators during their Pakistan Super League match at out obviously, just before tea,” one shot too many. way and sometimes it doesn’t.” New Zealand openers Tom India’s 179-run lead. the Multan Cricket Stadium in Multan yesterday. (AFP)

NEW ZEALAND SALVAGE WIN, INDIA STAY UNBEATEN AT WOMEN’S T20 WORLD CUP

New Zealand salvaged an unlikely vic- but they blew the chance with sloppy ensured they completed their Group them at 40 for two in the ninth over. They began unravelling with Moni Yadav for six. tory against Bangladesh Saturday to batting and poor running between the A games unbeaten. New Zealand and Experienced campaigner Suzie Bates’ also run out soon afterwards. Kavisha Dilhari chipped in with a set up a crunch clash against Australia wicket seeing them bundled out for defending champions Australia both departure for 15 sparked a collapse, By the 15th over they were 51 for six, breezy unbeaten 25 in their 113 for for a place in the women’s T20 World 74. “Obviously nowhere near what we have two wins from three, making with the rest of the wickets falling for still needing 41 to win, and sensing a nine, but India’s spinners were the Cup semi-finals, as impressive India wanted to post today, but Bangladesh their Monday clash in Melbourne a just 25 runs. famous comeback New Zealand kept stars of the show, led by Yadav who kept their unbeaten record intact. were fantastic, they put us under pres- quarter-final. Bangladesh are elimi- Bangladesh began the chase well, their cool with Jensen snaring 3-11. took a career-best 4-23. Coming off a narrow loss to India, the sure on a really diff icult wicket,” said nated after losing three from three. moving to 17 without loss before “Our bowling and fielding was good Teenage sensation Shafali Verma White Ferns won the toss and opted New Zealand captain Sophie Devine. Good line and length from Bangla- Kasperek snared Murshida Khatun for but the batting wasn’t up to the mark,” was again the standout batswoman to bat on a slow Junction Oval pitch in “We learned from what Bangladesh desh’s bowlers restricted openers 11 then Hayley Jensen removed Aya- admitted Bangladesh skipper Khatun. for India, partnering first with Smriti Melbourne. But after reaching 66 for did, bowling straight and making the Devine and Rachel Priest to just 23 sha Rhaman, leaving them on 19 for In the later game, Sri Lanka won Mandhana (17) then Harmanpreet two they collapsed to 91 all out, as Ritu batters make mistakes and then we from the first five overs. two. Miscommunication saw Faranga the toss and chose to bat, losing an Kaur (15) to rattle off 86 of the runs in Moni grabbed a tournament-best 4-18 know what our spinners can do.” The runs started flowing but Devine Hoque run out just three balls after early wicket before captain Chamari the first 10 overs. with back-up from fine fielding. India had already qualified for the fell to spinner Salma Khatun on 12 replacing Nigar Sultana Joty, who left Atapattu steadied the ship with an She was run out for 47, but had set up A first World Cup victory for Bang- semi-finals and a decisive seven wick- while trying to force the pace. Priest the field clutching her jaw after being entertaining 33 before holing out to India for another win and they raced ladesh since 2014 was within reach, et win over Sri Lanka in Melbourne soon followed, lbw for 25, to leave hit on the helmet. square leg, a ball after hitting Radha to their target with 32 balls to spare. Gulf Times Sunday, March 1, 2020 5 SPORT

NBA FOCUS Police probe report of Bryant crash site Antetokounmpo photos sharing AFP Los Angeles

he Los Angeles sheriff ’s shines as Bucks department said on Fri- day it is investigating al- legations offi cers shared graphicT photos of the Kobe Bryant helicopter crash site in the aftermath of the accident. “The matter is being looked into and we have no further comment roll over Thunder at this time,” a spokeswoman for the Los Angeles County Sheriff ’s Department said. The Los Angeles Times report- ‘Everyone is smiling. Games like these are always the best games’ ed on Thursday that deputies shared images showing human AFP remains in the days after last Los Angeles month’s accident, which claimed the life of retired NBA icon Bry- ant and eight other people. deputy at the crash site had taken iannis Antetokounmpo scored It was not clear how many photos on a smart phone. 32 points as the Milwaukee people saw the photos or wheth- He was subsequently over- Bucks won their third game of er deputies had taken the images heard by a bartender showing the the season by 40 or more points at the scene or received them images to a customer in a bar. The Gwith a 133-86 demolition of the Oklaho- from someone else, the Times bartender then lodged a com- ma City Thunder. Antetokounmpo added reported. plaint, TMZ reported. Bryant, 41, 13 rebounds and six assists while playing The TMZ.com entertainment died alongside teenage daughter just 27 minutes for the Bucks, who won news website, which broke the Gianna, when the helicopter they their fi fth straight game since the all-star news of the Bryant accident, were travelling in crashed into break. reported on Friday that the rev- a hillside in Calabasas in thick “It feels good. It feels good seeing oth- elations fi rst surfaced follow- fog on January 26. An emotional er guys going out there, playing hard and ing a complaint. TMZ, quoting public memorial to the fi ve-time being up 40 points, sitting on the bench, unidentifi ed law enforcement NBA champion was held at the relaxing, having fun,” Antetokounmpo sources, said a trainee sheriff ’s Staples Center last Monday. said. “Everyone is smiling. Games like these are always the best games. We were extremely ready. We moved the ball. We were defending. We know that in the fourth quarter, they always come back to MLB deal will boost talent for the game. We never relaxed.” Olympic baseball hopefuls Antetokounmpo also responded on Friday to a dig by Houston Rockets James New York: A new deal revealed pic gold. The US squad, beaten Harden who criticized the Greek star’s yesterday between Major by Mexico for a spot in the field skill set. “My game is not just power for League Baseball, its players last November, will compete for sure,” he said. “I came in when I was 18, I union and the World Base- one spot at the Olympics next was 180 pounds, so to power through big ball Softball Confederation month against Dominican Re- guys was kind of tough.” will boost the United States public, Puerto Rico, Nicaragua, But Antetokounmpo took the high road in its bid to reach the Tokyo Venezuela, Canada, Colombia and said there are things he still has to Olympics. The agreement, and political rival Cuba. work on. “I try to work on my game, mid- described on the MLB website, While the winner books an range shots, threes, being able to screen would allow players on 40-man Olympic trip, the second- and and roll faster and make the right pass. rosters for North America’s ma- third-place Americas teams It’s hard to drive full speed and try to jor league clubs to represent advance to a qualifier for the make the right pass to the corner. I try to their homelands at the Tokyo last spot April 1-5 at Taiwan that get my passes more accurate and it’s a lot Olympics and two last qualify- also includes the hosts plus of things I’m still adding, and hopefully ing events for the showdown China, Australia and the Neth- when I add all those things in my game, in Japan. erlands. Cuba won Olympic I’m a more complete player.” It’s the best availability of tal- baseball gold in 1992, 1996 and Milwaukee’s 47-point victory nar- ent for the US squad and many 2004 while the US team beat rowly missed being the biggest margin in of its rivals without shutting Cuba 4-0 in the 2000 Sydney the league this season, but they have now down the MLB season, some- final. The Cubans settled for tied the NBA record for most 40 plus wins thing team owners and league silver again at Beijing in 2008, in a season with three. off icials have been steadfastly falling to South Korea 3-2 in the In November, the Los Angeles Clippers against. Top developmental championship game. Baseball beat Atlanta by 49 points. Milwaukee league players and even some was not included in the 2012 used a fi ve-minute stretch in the second veteran major leaguers as- or 2016 Olympics. The US quarter to seize control of the game, going signed to the lesser level would team can obtain such talented on a 24-2 run. be eligible to play for national prospects as Jo Adell of the Los teams in the eight-team Ameri- Angeles Angels and Andrew Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (left) drives to the basket past Oklahoma City Thunder's Nerlens Noel during cas qualifying tournament for Vaughn of the Chicago White RESULTS the NBA match in Milwaukee on Friday. (USA TODAY Sports) Tokyo set for March 22-26 in Sox, both of whom played for Arizona, an April qualifier for the squad that barely missed The Bucks already led 46-43 before the free throw for the go-ahead basket with Miles Bridges had 17 points, PJ Washing- the last Tokyo berth in Taiwan out last year. Orlando 136 Minnesota 125 run. They drained a season high 21 three- two seconds left as the Charlotte Hornets ton 15 and Bismack Biyombo 13 points and and the Olympics themselves. But US rivals will be aided Atlanta 141 Brooklyn 118 pointers in the win. Wesley Matthews beat the reigning NBA champion Toronto 11 rebounds in the win. MLB clubs would not be too. Top-ranked prospect Wan- Charlotte 99 Toronto 96 and Pat Connaughton each nailed four Raptors 99-96. Pascal Siakam scored 14 of his 24 obligated to make players der Franco — an 18-year-old Miami 126 Dallas 118 from behind the arc. Milwaukee domi- Rozier fi nished with 18 points and Dev- points in the third quarter in the loss. He available for any national team, shortstop for the Tampa Bay nated on the glass as well, outrebounding onte’ Graham also scored 18 points for the also had nine rebounds. Norman Powell, but in many cases would allow Rays — and Atlanta outfielder Sacramento 104 Memphis 101 the Thunder 66-36. Hornets, who have won two in a row and who had missed the previous nine games the unique opportunity. Japan, Cristian Pache could join the Milwaukee 133 Oklahoma City 86 Chris Paul, who scored 18 points for handed the short-handed Raptors their with a broken fi nger, scored 22. South Korea, Mexico and Israel Dominican Republic while New Orleans 116 Cleveland 104 Oklahoma City, called it a spanking. “We second straight loss. Toronto’s Rondae Kyle Lowry had 21 points and OG Anu- have already booked Tokyo Canada might have access got a lot of really good looks, but our de- Hollis-Jeff erson committed a late foul to noby had 16 points and nine rebounds for Olympic berths. to right-handed pitcher Cal Detroit 113 Phoenix 111 fence and our rebounding wasn’t much give the Hornets one free throw and pos- the Raptors. In Los Angeles, Paul George Leagues in South Korea and Quantrill and outfielder Josh Utah 129 Washington 119 tonight,” Paul said. “It’s just an old-fash- session of the ball after Rozier made it. scored 24 points, Kawhi Leonard added Japan will shut down so top Naylor from the San Diego LA Clippers 132 Denver 103 ioned butt-whooping.” Graham then was fouled and made 19 points and the Los Angeles Clippers players can compete for Olym- Padres organisation. Elsewhere, Terry Rozier made a clutch two free throws with 1.2 seconds to play. routed the Denver Nuggets 132-103.

NHL Knights down Sabres for eighth straight win in Lehner’s debut

Reuters Ryan Getzlaf scored a key goal Las Vegas RESULTS midway through the second period as Anaheim defeated visiting Pitts- Minnesota 5 Columbus 0 burgh. Danton Heinen and Brendan obin Lehner made 32 saves Philadelphia 5 NY Rangers 2 Guhle also scored for the Ducks, who in his Vegas debut, and Reil- Colorado 3 Carolina 2 won consecutive games for the fi rst ly Smith scored two goals Anaheim 3 Pittsburgh 2 time since Feb 1-4. Goaltender John as the Golden Knights tied Gibson made 28 saves. aR franchise record with their eighth Las Vegas 4 Buff alo 2 Jason Zucker scored both goals, consecutive victory with a 4-2 win and Marcus Pettersson assisted on over the Buff alo Sabres on Friday also scored for the Flyers, who won each for the Penguins, who suff ered night in Las Vegas. their fi fth in a row. their season-high fi fth consecutive William Karlsson and Nicolas Roy Jakub Voracek compiled four as- defeat, during which they’ve been also scored goals for Vegas, which sists, and Scott Laughton had two outscored 19-8. Matt Murray stopped won its seventh straight home game. assists for Philadelphia, which im- 18 of 21 shots. The Golden Knights, who increased proved to 23-5-4 at home. Kevin Fiala and Zach Parise each their Pacifi c Division lead to six Jesper Fast and Brett Howden had a goal with an assist as surging points, matched their record eight- scored for the Rangers, who had Minnesota won its third straight, and game win streak set from Dec 14, 2017 their fi ve-game winning streak and second in four nights over host Co- to Jan 2, 2018. franchise-best nine-game road win lumbus. Lehner, obtained at the trade streak snapped. Alex Stalock needed just 24 saves deadline on Monday from Chicago, Samuel Girard scored the win- for his fourth shutout of the season. allowed a goal on the fi rst shot he ning goal late in the third period after Minnesota’s netminder won his faced before stopping the next 30 in teammate Tyson Jost posted two ear- fourth start in a row as the Wild re- a row against the team he played for lier goals, and Colorado defeated host corded their fi fth straight road vic- from 2015-18. Carolina 3-2. Colorado won its fi fth tory. Dominik Kahun and Jeff Skinner game in a row and extended its points Back from a torn meniscus, Co- scored goals, and Carter Hutton fi n- streak to six games. lumbus’ Joonas Korpisalo made his ished with 24 saves for the Sabres. Goalie Pavel Francouz made 45 fi rst start since Dec. 29, but was In another match, Claude Giroux saves for the Avalanche, who have pulled after allowing his fourth goal scored two goals to lift host Philadel- won seven straight on the road. on 15 shots with 7:30 left Joel Eriks- phia Flyers past previously surging Teuvo Teravainen scored twice son Ek and Jared Spurgeon scored 34 New York Rangers 5-2 . Sean Coutu- in the third period to rally Carolina, seconds apart in the fi rst period, and rier had one goal and one assist, while with Sebastian Aho assisting on both Ryan Hartman had a goal in his sec- James van Riemsdyk and Kevin Hayes goals. ond straight contest for the Wild. Robin Lehner (left) of the Vegas Golden Knights makes a diving save against the Buff alo Sabres in the NHL game. (AFP) Gulf Times 6 Sunday, March 1, 2020 SPORT

WORLD TRACK CYCLING CHAMPIONSHIP Kajihara makes history as Ganna breaks world record ‘I’m very, very happy. My ultimate goal is to get the gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics later this year’

Reuters Berlin Kenny suff ers scare in omnium crash, but carries on umi Kajihara became the fi rst Japanese woman to be crowned Berlin: Britain’s twice Olympic afterwards, taking a creditable as a world track cycling champi- omnium champion Laura Kenny eighth in the tempo race. on as she claimed gold in the om- suff ered a fresh injury scare as Later she made little impres- nium,Y while Italy’s Filippo Ganna kept the she crashed heavily in the first sion in the elimination race, usu- records tumbling with a masterful day of round of the event at the world ally her strength, but showed her riding on Friday night. championships on Friday. class to finish strongly with third Olympic omnium champion Laura Kenny, racing just weeks after place in the points race. Kenny, recovering from a broken shoul- breaking her shoulder at a World The title went to Japan’s Yumi der, crashed heavily in the opening Cup event in Canada, went down Kajihara who proved she will be scratch race which Kajihara won and the hard just before the start of the a real threat to Kenny’s hopes of 22-year-old never looked back. She built 30th and final lap of the opening a hat-trick of omnium golds at her lead with a second place in the tempo scratch race. Four other riders the Tokyo Olympics this summer. race and a third spot in the elimination also crashed in the incident that It was not a wasted journey for event and easily protected her advantage judges said was caused by Dutch Kenny who earned a silver medal in the points race, the last discipline. reigning champion Kirsten Wild. for a fleeting appearance in the Italy’s Letizia Paternoster was second The good news for the 27-year- women’s team pursuit on Thurs- with Poland’s Daria Pikulik third. “I’m old Kenny was that she did no day, despite initially having ruled very, very happy,” Kajihara said. “My ul- Japan’s Yumi Kajihara celebrates further damage to her right herself out of the discipline in timate goal is to get the gold medal at the after winning the women’s omnium shoulder and was able to carry which she also has two Olympic Tokyo Olympics.” elimination race and points race at on, with four stitches in a head golds. Kenny later played down Germany’s new sprint star Emma the UCI track cycling World wound, finishing 12th. “I should suggestions she should have quit Hinze produced the loudest roars of the Championship in Berlin. (AFP) probably stop headbutting the the omnium after the crash. “In- day as she outpaced Russia’s Anastasia floor shouldn’t I?” Kenny, Britain’s stantly I knew it wasn’t bad,” she Voinova to win the individual sprint, hav- most successful female Olympian said. “In Canada, straight away it ing already won the team event. Watched with four golds from the last two took my breath away because it by reigning Olympic sprint champion Games, said. “It’s been one of hurt so much. It’s fine. Kristina Vogel, who was left paralysed those months.” I haven’t made (the shoulder) after a training accident in 2018, the Once British team off icials worse. I’ve strained the muscle 22-year-old Hinze proved she will be one checked Kenny over for con- at the front which means I can’t to watch in Tokyo. cussion she showed that she is lift my arm above my head again. “I didn’t expect this,” she said. “But I made of stern stuff by carrying But it’s only muscles. My face felt strong. I learned a lot watching Kris- on even with her medal chances obviously hurts a bit. But even tina, that even if it doesn’t work at fi rst, shot. Kenny could not have been after the medal had gone I still you stick at it and you can win.” criticised for calling it a day but wanted to race. I made some Italy’s Ganna was a dominant force on she was back on her bike shortly stupid mistakes.” the Berlin boards on his way to gold in the men’s individual pursuit — a fourth world title in the event. Ganna easily beat American Ashton Lambie in the fi nal, standing up as he crossed the line, but the real fi reworks came earlier when he clocked 4:01.934 for the 4km distance. A relentless ride saw him beat his pre- vious record of 4:02.647. Although his pace in the fi nal slowed, it was more than time trial. Ligtlee, 22, beat two French- up a poor championships so far for the ter that I’m not in for a medal. I just want enough to overpower Lambie and collect man to claim his fi rst rainbow jersey, dip- British team who had topped the 2016 Rio to race.” his second medal here after leading Italy ping below one minute to clock 59.495 Olympics track cycling medals table with While Kenny will head off to patch up to bronze in the team pursuit. seconds. Quentin Lafargue, fastest in six golds, four silvers and one bronze. her wounds and recover full fi tness for Ganna’s world record was the sixth in qualifying, could not match him, crossing In Berlin they have managed only two the Tokyo Olympics, Kajihara will travel three days at the championships after in 59.749. Michael D’Almeida was third. silvers and are ninth in the table. home having announced herself as a gen- Denmark’s men broke the team pursuit New Zealand struck gold in the shape “It’s just been one of those months. uine threat to her title. record three times on the way to gold and of teenager Corbin Strong who lapped One to forget,” four-time Olympic cham- “It was my mum’s (Yuri) birthday to- the Dutch men twice lowered the world the fi eld to win the men’s points race. pion Kenny, who broke her shoulder in day and she was here to watch me,” Ka- record to take the team sprint. Kenny’s crash, which left her with four a crash in Canada last month but opted jihara said. “It couldn’t have gone any Laura Kenny is helped of the track after a crash during the Women’s The Dutch took their gold-medal haul stitches next to her right eye, but thank- against surgery, said. “Even after I head- better today. After the fi rst three events, scratch race at the track cycling World Championship in Berlin. (AFP) to four as Sam Ligtlee won the 1km men’s fully no more shoulder damage, summed butted the fl oor I thought ‘it doesn’t mat- I knew I was comfortable.”

SWIMMING ATHLETICS Sun’s eight-year doping ban a ‘statement Nike shoe debate rages as to the world’, says rival Horton runners weigh advantages Reuters championships in South Korea. samples during an out-of-com- — and to the results / careers of Sydney “I think, regardless of the petition test in 2018. many other clean swimmers.” Reuters outcome, it was always going Sun, 28, said through China’s Sun, whose punishment was Atlanta to be a statement to the world state news agency Xinhua that so severe because he had served ack Horton says the and my stance has always been he would appeal the ban in the a previous ban for the use of a eight-year doping about clean sport never about Swiss Federal Supreme Court. banned substance in 2014, will debate over Nike’s ban handed out to nations or individuals,” Hor- While Horton was already expe- keep his many medals because record-breaking dis- his rival Sun Yang, ton told Australia’s Seven News riencing the start of a backlash the tests before and after his tance footwear raged Mwho the Australian swimmer as he headed to training from angry Sun fans on social latest infraction were negative, Aon ahead of last night’s once famously described as a yesterday. media, some of his fellow swim- CAS said. US Olympic marathon trials, as “drug cheat”, was a statement to “I’m just a guy still chasing mers welcomed the ban. British Olympic and world the shoe’s buzz-worthy technol- the world about clean sport. the dream so, you know, we’ve South African butterfl y spe- 100m breaststroke champion ogy continued to raise questions Barring a successful appeal, got a job to do this morning and cialist Chad Le Clos, who fi n- Adam Peaty said the decision over whether it off ered an unfair multiple Olympic and world we’ll just keep going.” ished second behind Sun in was “very good”. advantage to runners. champion Sun’s competitive Fulfi lling that dream of win- the 200m freestyle at the Rio “For anyone that’s been The Nike Vaporfl y shoe cap- career was brought to an end by ning Olympic gold in the 400m Games, said it should not be banned once, potentially it’s a tured the spotlight in October Friday’s decision at the Court of freestyle in Tokyo later this year forgotten that cheating had an mistake. The odds are yeah — when Eliud Kipchoge broke the Arbitration for Sport (CAS). will be considerably easier for impact on other athletes. “Like you could have taken any sup- two-hour marathon barrier After publicly calling him a Horton after Sun’s ban. many other clean swimmers, I plement or whatever,” he said. wearing a pair, and various ver- cheat at the Rio Olympics, Hor- CAS had accepted an appeal have raced against Sun Yang and “You’re looking at it twice sions of it have featured in other General view of athletes wearing the Nike Vaporfly shoe during the ton had refused to shake Sun’s from the World Anti-Doping ‘lost’,” he posted on Twitter. — you’re a fool. I believe that record-smashing runs since. Dubai Marathon last week. (Reuters) hand or join him on the podium Agency (WADA) against a deci- “Drug cheats have no place in you’re disrespecting the sport, “It’s hard to argue that they after taking silver behind his sion by swimming body FINA sport and we need the governing you’re disrespecting yourself do not provide an advantage just keep the options open.” down enough that we can put the Chinese rival in the 400 metres to clear Sun of wrongdoing for bodies to reconsider the damage and you’re disrespecting your because of the 500 women who He plans to wear a pair of the conversation back on the athletes freestyle at last year’s world smashing vials containing blood he has done to our great sport country.” are running, 480 are going to be carbon-plated Nikes, as he did running in the shoes.” wearing Vaporfl ys,” said Kellyn to compete in the Chicago Mara- Nike launched a new version Taylor, a marathoner sponsored thon in 2019, where he was the of its Alphafl y shoe earlier this by HOKA ONE ONE who is seen top-fi nishing American. “The month that complies with new as a top contender in the wom- guys I was competing against rules introduced by the govern- en’s fi eld. “Technology is im- were also wearing some sort of ing body that limit the use of car- portant. I think that it should al- carbon fi bre-plated shoe and bon plates and sole thickness for ways be advancing, but I do think I was able to compete against elite races. “We are pleased the there’s a cap on it,” said Taylor, them and feel strong,” Riley said. Nike Zoom Vaporfl y series and who came sixth in the 2016 trials. “It’s more just (about) taking the Nike Zoom Alphafl y NEXT% re- “I think the question is, ‘Have we playing fi eld back to even.” main legal,” Nike said at the time. reached that?’” Jared Ward, a Saucony athlete “We will continue our dialogue While many of the lead- who placed sixth in Rio, ech- with World Athletics and the in- ing contenders, like Taylor, are oed the frustrations of many of dustry on new standards.” bound by sponsorship deals to his fellow athletes that the shoe Other shoemakers such as wear specifi c brands on race day, debate had become so central HOKA and Brooks, which boast unsponsored athletes such as to their sport. “One thing that their own roster of top athletes Jake Riley, who boasts the fi fth- we’re not talking about with competing in US Olympic mara- fasted qualifying time in the these shoes is some people are thon trials, have also embraced men’s fi eld, are free to run in any responders to them and some the use of carbon plates in some approved shoe. people are kind of not,” said of their models. Riley played down rumours that Ward. “One big thing we have Des Linden, the 2018 Bos- he declined lucrative sponsor- left to answer in shoe technology ton Marathon winner, will wear ship deals to keep his independent is, ‘Can we build a shoe for a spe- a pair of Brooks’ new Hype- status, telling reporters this week, cifi c runner, as opposed to a shoe rion Elite 2 as she aims to reach Silver medallist Australia’s Mack Horton (left) refused to stand on the podium with gold medallist China’s Sun Yang (centre) and bronze “There was a little interest but not that’s better on average?’ I’m a record third straight Olympic medallist Italy’s Gabriele Detti after the final of the 400m freestyle during the 2019 World Swimming Championships in South Korea. (AFP) a ton, and so we decided to just excited for shoes to at least calm marathon competition. ulf Times Sunday, March 1, 2020 7 SPORT

SHOOTING/ QATAR OPEN SHOTGUN CHAMPIONSHIP Spain clinch mixed team trap title, double for Marin By Sports Reporter Champion Erik Varga of Slovakia. Doha Italian pair of Emanuele Bucco- lieri and Erica Sessa fi nished third overcoming the challenge of com- atima Galvez Marin col- patriots Alessandro Chianese and lected her second gold Isabella Cristiani 40-31 scoreline. medal of the Qatar Open Twenty two teams took part in the Shotgun Championship as mixed team event. sheF teamed up with Alessandro De Around 220 shooters from 34 Souza Ferreira to pick up the mixed countries took part in the $132,000 team trap title for Spain. event, which saw several Olympic At the Lusail Shooting Complex, and World Champions competing Marin and De Souza Ferreira ward- for glory in 10 categories of indi- ed off the challenge of the British vidual and mixed team events in pair of Matthew Coward-Holley preparation for the Tokyo Olympic and Kirsty Hegarty to win the title. Games. The hosts were represented Marin won the women’s individual by 50 shooters and the champion- event setting aside the challenge of ship was organised by Qatar Shoot- Alessandra Perilli of Sammarinese ing and Archery Association. and Giulia Grassia of Italy on Thurs- day. Marin and De Souza Ferreira edged out the Great Britain pair 43- 41 in the gold medal shoot-out. First-placed Spanish team of De Great Britain’s Coward-Hol- Souza Ferreira-Fatima Galvez ley also fi nished on the podium Marin, second-placed British team for a second successive day. The of Matthew Coward-Holley-Kirsty 25-year-old, who has qualifi ed Hegarty and third-placed Italian for the Tokyo Olympics Games, team of Emanuele Buccolieri- had picked silver in the men’s in- Erica Sessa pose on the podium dividual trap event on Thursday, of mixed team trap event at the fi nishing behind three-time World Lusail Shooting Complex.

AL ADAID DESERT CHALLENGE WOMEN’S 6RED WORLD CUP Kamani’s 71-point break boosts her Brilliant show from into semi-fi nals

By Sports Reporter blanked India’s Arantxa Sanchis Doha 4-0 in the quarter-fi nal yester- day. The other semifi nal today urrent 6Red world will be played between Jans and Gombert, Dopfer champion Amee Kam- Thailand’s Nutcharat Wong- ani hit the fi rst 70-plus haruthai. point break in the wom- While Jans was locked in Al-Khater wins Cen’s game of the discipline when a repeat of the 2012 Euro- the Indian beat Izabela Lacka pean championship fi nal with National Mountain of Poland in the quarter-fi nals Latvia’s Tatjana Vasiljeva, Won- of the inaugural World Women gharuthai faced Russian Mariia Bike Championship 6Red Cup at Qatar Billiards and Shevchenko in their respective and Sundstedt Snooker Federation (QBSF) Hall quarterfi nals. in Doha yesterday. Jans was fi rst to get off the Kamani, who made her place blocks with a 31-point break in the knockout stages of the putting her 1-0 up on the former USD20,000 tournament on European champion, who re- the back of a thrilling win over turned to the green baize after a multiple-time champion Wendy gap of two years with this tour- Jans of Belgium earlier in the nament. round robin stage yesterday, won Vasiljeva fought back with two the fi rst frame in the last-eight straight frames to go 2-1. Not to match against Lacka armed with be left behind, Jans too reeled the massive 71-point break. the next two frames to take a Kamani became the fi rst 3-2 lead. Vasiljeva managed to woman to cross 70 points in force the decider taking the sixth 6Red, breaching the previous frame 54-20. However, it was mark by Ng On Yee of Hong Jans who advanced with a 43-20 Kong, who stitched together a win in the fi nal frame. 68-point break during World In the fourth quarter-fi nal, Women 6Reds Championship Wongharuthai rallied from being in the August of 2015 in Kara- two frames down to pick up a 4-2 chi, Pakistan. After the huge fi rst win and confi rm her spot in the frame, Kamani made it 2-0, but last-four. Shevchenko was the struggled in the third as Lacka fi rst to get on to the scoreboard got on to the scoreboard. with a 2-0 lead. However, the However, the Indian gave her Thai player managed to keep her opponent no chance after that opponent to single digits in three to pick up a 4-1 win to reach the of the next four frames as she won semis. 4-2. The two semi-fi nals will be Kamani will now face Ger- played today at 11am, while the many’s Diana Stateczny, who fi nal is scheduled for 3pm.

All the winners of the Al Adaid Desert Challenge 2020 pose with their prizes. FOOTBALL/ QNB STARS LEAGUE By Sports Reporter One of the most notable per- 8km run immediately following Doha formances of the day was from the bike in the duathlon cat- two-time Olympian, Pia Sund- egory. Elite off -road triathlon stedt. Although this was her specialist Mehdi Mersni put in a Al Khor secure 2-0 rederic Gombert of fi fth completion and fi fth win, bike performance which would France reigned supreme it is surely ranked among the have placed him highly in the to complete a hat-trick best with a result which placed MTB competition and contin- win against Qatar SC of wins at the Al Adaid her fourth overall – just 30 sec- ued with a blistering run, only DesertF Challenge. onds off stealing a podium po- to fi nd he had been misdirected. By Sports Reporter The elite category of the cy- sition from the men. In two of the most impressive Doha cling race was recognised by Pia describes herself as a displays of sportsmanship of the International Cycling Union sand specialist, “I just let the the event, Mersni proceeded to (UCI) as a category 3 XCP race bike fi nd its way and I fi nd that chase back to within 90 seconds l Khor left if late to and it off ers the highest prize balance being able to stay on of Jan Woutters (Netherlands) secure a 2-0 victory money in the world in its class. the bike even when you think who conceded the win in recog- against Qatar SC in The total purse across all dis- you will fall. It’s a special tech- nition of a performance which their QNB Stars League ciplines – cycling, running and nique that I learned already as a he felt deserved fi rst place. matchA at the Al Khor Stadium duathlon – totalled QR216,000. child.” France’s Sophie Giovane The three leaders of the yesterday. France’s Frederic Gombert holds off Isora Sosa of Spain for Frederic Gombert completes hat-trick of titles. Women’s duathlon were all in A brace from Tiago Bezerra made his hat-trick of wins this the silver medal. the veteran class: Andrea Sta- (86th-minute penalty and 90+5 year. His light-build proving a The premier off -road endur- two hours and nine minutes of who has dominated much of the dler (Ecuador), Daniela Sposi minutes) was enough to give Al defi nite advantage over that of ance event of Qatar was organ- riding. road racing this year, settled for (GBR) and Govida Dellomas Khor all three points. Al Khor larger, stronger riders on the soft ised by Qatar Cyclists in coop- He defeated the title holder, third place on this occasion, 90 (Philippines) all beating their now have 14 points and Qatar sand. This year’s extended course eration with the Qatar National Marwan al-Jalham, who had seconds further back. Spaniard, younger rivals. SC stood on 16. Coming into included more of that than ever Tourism Council (QNTC) and found himself losing the lead Carla Pregigueiro was ladies Dr Jamal Rashed al-Khanji, the match in such a precarious as it followed the 40.5km route the support of the Ministry of group after some problems winner in 2:53:20, beating Son- Managing Director of Al Adaid league position, it was of para- – which included the tough task Culture and Sports and Qatar at the start. Fadhel al-Khater dra Hope and Charlotte Wohl- Desert Challenge commented, mount importance that Al Khor of crossing ten sand dunes on the Cycling Federation. The chal- took bronze. In all, 168 Qatari wend (Switzerland). “The success achieved by Al got off to a good start and they way to the fi nish line. lenge topped last year’s record nationals completed the chal- The North Africans again Adaid Desert Challenge today were nearly rewarded in the Gombert’s time of 1:42:17, participation with 615 athletes lenge this year. An increase on dominated the desert run. Ab- exceeded all expectations. The opening minutes when Ibrahim Tiago Bezerra of Al Khor scored was eight minutes slower than from 51 diff erent nationalities last year and a refl ection of the derrahim Ghayour taking the event broke all records this Amada’s sweet, left-footed vol- two goals. PICTURE: Anas Khalid last year despite more favour- taking part in mountain bike strong and developing inter- win for the second year in a year in terms of the number of ley fl ew marginally off target. able weather conditions. With and desert running races across est in cycling and endurance row, impressively adding only participants and international Much of the rest of the half The turning point of the match Shokri already out of conten- Khor Al Adaid, one of Qatar’s sport. Endurance didn’t come a minute to his time over the cyclists, in addition to the total was dominated by Qatar SC, came with fi ve minutes of nor- tion, it was Gregor Sikosek most beautiful natural areas. much greater than the eff ort of longer course. prize money. The popularity of with Abdenasser El Khayati see- mal time remaining. Mohamed (Slovenia) who came closest Al Adaid also incorporates Ahmed Shahrani, last placed in Countryman Houssine Lah- cycling in Qatar is rapidly in- ing his goal-bound shot blocked Salem brought down Ahmed to challenging the Frenchman, the Qatar National Mountain 7:05:22. dou was third but the Moroc- creasing, thanks to support of on the line, before Ahmed Moein Hammoudan in the penalty area some four and a half minutes Bike Championship. This year Ahmed becomes the fi rst cans didn’t have the entire po- our wise leadership. fl ashed his shot just wide. and, after a VAR review, his side adrift. Eight minutes later, Szy- the riders occupying all three wheelchair athlete to complete dium to themselves – Mohcine “We are planning to expand They maintained the pres- was awarded a penalty. Tiago mon Wasiak (Poland) crossed podium spots had stepped up to the challenge. Zaytouni, representing Qatar, Al Adaid Desert Challenge next sure into the second period, stepped up, sent the goalkeeper the line for third place, ex- the UCI Elite category. In his fi rst year of bike racing, occupied the silver spot. Back year, to move it to a higher UCI with Baba Djibril forcing two the wrong way and grabbed his hausted by his eff ort. A new generation of riders 18 year old Axel Dopfer (Ger- to Morocco for the Women’s category, maybe by making it saves in quick succession. The side a vital lead. Deep into injury Gombert observed, “The race racing at this level being a posi- many) decisively led the Open champion though with Zineb a three-day event or perhaps fi rst, a thunderous drive from time, the points were confi rmed was harder this year, but I have tive indication of the develop- classifi cation with a perform- Karam beating two brits; Daisy turning the duathlon into a very 30 yards out, just strayed over when al-Hail had strayed out of adapted well and the experience ment of elite cycling in Qatar. ance which would have placed Baker and Sophie Clarke. unique triathlon, which will the crossbar, with the second, a goal to help his side and was dis- I have gained over the past years Abdulla al-Khater pulled on the him 5th UCI Elite. New for 2020’s Al Adaid was attract more international ath- swerving strike, being well par- possessed before Tiago was sent made the diff erence today.” national champion Jersey after Mouchcine Rhaili (Morocco), the additional challenge of an letes,” he added. ried by Jassim al-Hail in goal. clear to fi nish into an open goal.

Sunday, March 1, 2020 GULF TIMES EQUESTRIAN

SPOTLIGHT Iraq equestrian chief impressed with Al Shaqab

he Commercial Bank Excerpts: shows. You also have facilities, around the world, and top horses best in the Middle East and Sport in Iraq is facing chal- CHI Al Shaqab has seen including an equestrian academy participate. All the participants maybe even in the world. lenges in terms of politics. some fantastic eques- Is this your fi rst time to Al for young riders, which is a great know the value of this tourna- What do you want to say Your thoughts. trian action this year and Shaqab? institution for Qatar. I believe ment and the support provided about that? The wheel of life must go on Thas enthralled the audiences and I have been to Al Shaqab many that Al Shaqab is qualifi ed to host by Qatar for such tournaments Al Shaqab has some important and the athletes are trying to give offi cials from various countries times, including for the opening Olympics. puts Qatar among the best inter- and great facilities. There are their best. Iraq is suff ering since at the magnifi cent Longines Are- ceremony of the Arab Games. national organisers in the world. I some beautiful horses, one of the 2003 from instability, but you na at Al Shaqab. Al Shaqab is the only tourna- have attended many internation- most expensive purebred Ara- can fi nd Iraqi athletes present Haider Hussein Ali, secretary- What do you think about the ment of its kind in the Middle al tournaments but this tourna- bian horses such as Marwan Al on podiums, and this indicates general of the National Olympic infrastructure at Al Shaqab? East. It’s a very prestigious ment is unique in every aspect; Shaqab, which is one of the best sports awareness. Committee of Iraq and president I am very impressed with the tournament. What do you in terms of the performance of horses. If stability returns to Iraq, of Equestrian Federation of Iraq, infrastructure at Al Shaqab. I think about the tournament, the international and local Qatari Strong presence of Jan Tops in you will find many athletes, is no diff erent. have visited many places around the competition and the or- riders, the high quality of organi- Qatar indicates that some good not only in football but also in Ali was at the state-of-the-art the world, but I have not seen ganisation? sation, in the services provided. horses are transported to this weightlifting, archery, swim- equestrian facility in Qatar, and anything like Al Shaqab in its This CHI tournament is con- You do not fi nd such organisation spot in Qatar. Without exaggera- ming. We wish them good luck was all praise for the infrastruc- beauty and infrastructure. It is a sidered one of the most impor- anywhere in the world. tion, the best horses are present and we hope Iraq will return to ture for the sport in his conversa- comprehensive venue with many tant tournaments in the world, Haider Hussein Ali, president of in Qatar and participating at Al podiums in Arab and interna- tion with Gulf Times yesterday. sports activities, including horse where the best 45-50 riders from Equestrian Federation of Iraq. Qatar has a rich legacy, the Shaqab. tional competitions.

FOCUS Deusser shines on fi nal ‘I had never won this Grand Prix. It was pretty tough, day at CHI Al Shaqab but my horse did great’

By Sahan Bidappa de Kalevallei; 60.75 secs; €5080 Doha 3. Titouan Schumacher (FRA); Eliot Brimbelles Z; 60.81 secs; €3810

aniel Deusser had a Dressage — CDI5* GP FS - Grand quiet weekend com- Prix Freestyle to Music ing into the fi nal day of 1. Patrik Kittel (SWE); Horse: De- the Commercial Bank launay Old; Percentage: 79.290; CHID Al Shaqab Presented by Prize money: €27,173 Longines, but the German World 2. Morgan Barbançon (FRA); Sir No 3 rose to the occasion when it Donnerhall II Old; 76.450; €21,739 mattered. On the fi nal night of 3. Juan Matute Guimon (ESP); the prestigious championship, Quantico; 76.400; €16,304 Deusser saved his best for last as he clinched the Grand Prix 1.60m CDI5* GPS - Grand Prix Special class at the Longines Arena at Al 1. Kate Dwyer (IRL); Horse: Shaqab yesterday. Snowdon Faberge; Percentage: Deusser astride 10-year-old 70.043%; Prize money: €5882.35 bay Killer Queen Vdm was the 2. Hanna Karasiova (BLR); Zodiak; fastest combination in the jump- 69.106%; €4705.88 off with 38.90-second scorch- 3. Jill de Ridder (GER); Whitney ing run under the fl oodlights. 341; 69.085%; €3529.41 Austrian Max Kuhner and the nine-year-old Electric Blue P Para Dressage came second in 39.39 secs, with CPEDI3* Freestyle IV (IV FS) Frenchman Roger Yves Bost tak- 1. Rodolpho Riskalla (BRA); Horse: ing third spot with 14-year-old Don Frederic 3. Percentage: Sangria du Coty in 39.68 secs. 76.875%; Prize money: €1200 “It feels great to have won 2. Lotte Krijnsen (NED); Rosens- this event. Killer Queen has long tolz; 75.458%; €1000 strides and she runs tight lines,” 3. Philippa Mary Johnson (RSA); Deusser said after getting richer Germany’s Daniel Deusser astride 10-year-old bay Killer Queen Vdm gallops to victory in the Grand Prix Lord Louis; 73.875%; €800 by €135,300. “I had never won 1.60m class at the Commercial Bank CHI Al Shaqab Presented by Longines at the Longines Arena at Al Patrik Kittel made it two victories in a row with 14-year-old gelding this Grand Prix. It was pretty Shaqab yesterday. Delaunay Old to win the Dressage CDI5* Grand Prix Freestyle. CPEDI3* Freestyle V (V FS) tough today, but my horse did 1. Ciska Vermeulen (BEL); Horse: great. I’m really happy. This ring of riders had gone fast. I had to do duo did in the Grand Prix on Fri- her aim was to break the 70 percent Rohmeo; Percentage: 75.792%; with long lines is very nice for as fast as possible. My horse has a day. Spain’s Juan Matute Gui- mark and was overjoyed to have Prize money: €1200 her. She won with her big canter huge stride and having long lines mon and Quantico were third on done that. “I fi nally hit the 70 per- 2. Valentina Strobl (AUT); Bequia today,” the 38-year-old added. helped. In smaller arenas, it was 76.400 percent. cent. There were tears in my eyes. Simba; 72.708%; €1000 Eighteen combinations ad- the biggest diffi culty for me, but Meanwhile, Ireland’s Kate It is so lovely to hear it, and it’s 3. Ulricke Dekeyzer (BEL); Clever- vanced to the second round of here, it was not as much a prob- Dwyer on Snowdon Faberge took not that often you hear it, so I am boy Van d’Abelendreef; 71.333%; the quality 41-rider fi eld, which lem,” Deusser said. the Grand Prix Special on a per- delighted and really proud. When €800 was followed by a jump-off for Omar al-Mannai, the Event sonal best score of 70.043 per- I looked back and saw my mark I the double clear combinations. Director of the Commercial cent. Dwyer was in tears as the just couldn’t stop the tears, I just CPEDI3* Freestyle I (I FS) Kuhner set the pace with his Bank CHI Al Shaqab Presented judges read out the score as she couldn’t believe it,” Dwyer said. 1. Jens Lasse Dokkan (NOR); lightning bay Electric Blue P, by Longines, was pleased with became the fi rst Irish rider to win Horse: Aladdin. Percentage: while Bost had to balance Sangria the turnout for the champion- at Grand Prix Special at fi ve-star RESULTS 77.278%; Prize money: €1320 du Coty just too often and was ship and was looking forward to level. Last to go in the six-horse Showjumping — Commercial 2. Magdalena Cycak (POL); Sy- about 0.29 seconds slower than next weekend’s Longines Global class and riding her 14-year-old Bank CHI Al Shaqab Grand Prix billa; 64.445%; €1000 the Austrian. Champions Tour opener. “We gelding Snowdon Faberge, Dw- presented by Longines Deusser remained neck-and- spent three great days of high yer beat Belarus’ Hann Karasiova 1. Daniel Deusser (GER); Horse: CPEDI3* Freestyle II (II FS) neck with Kuhner until halfway performance sport. We had fun into second place. Killer Queen Vdm; Jump-off 1. Pepo Puch (AUT); Horse: Fuerst through the jump-off course, around the venue at the festival “I am a little bit in shock but so time: 38.90 secs; Prize money: Chili; Percentage: 79.111%; Prize but fl ew past him on the fi nal line area. The atmosphere was in- happy. I just felt today I really had €135,300 money: €1320 with Killer Queen Vdm and fi n- credible. It was nice for everyone Sweden’s Annika Axelsson astride Haloubet Hitchcock won the CSI5* him with me in that ride, he was 2. Max Kuhner (AUT); Elektric 2. Martina Benzinger (GER); Fritz- ished half a second faster. Julien who came here. I hope everyone 1.45m class at the Longines Arena at Al Shaqab yesterday. taking me every step of the way. Blue P; 39.39 secs; €82000 zantino; 71.222%; €1000 Epaillard – who had won thrice in enjoyed their time. Lots of things When I came up that last centre 3. Roger Yves Bost (FRA); Sangria 3. Annemarieke Nobel (NED); the past two days – looked good to do for next weekend as well,” Kittel and Delaunay Old you win. I had a much better feel- line I was like ‘oh my goodness, du Coty; 39.68 secs; €43,050 Highlight; 69.723%; €800 to beat Deusser’s time but the al-Mannai said. scored 79.290 percent to top the ing today. Delaunay came more this is what it feels like’. I am de- Frenchman got a bar on the sec- Earlier, Patrik Kittel made fi eld as the Swedish rider took into the program and relaxed in a lighted with his performance and Showjumping - CSI5* Table C CPEDI3* Freestyle III (III FS) ond-to-last obstacle with Alibi it two victories in a row with home €27,173 in prize money. “I diff erent way,” said Kittel. I know this is only the tip of the (239) 1.45m 1. Rixt van der Horst (NED); Horse: de la Roque and had to settle for 14-year-old gelding Delaunay came here with the goal of being Morgan Barbançon and Sir iceberg of what he can give me,” a 1. Annika Axelsson (SWE); Horse: Findsley N.O.P.; Percentage: seventh spot. Old to win the Dressage CDI5* among the top three and we really Donnerhall II Old, France’s lead- delighted Dwyer said. Haloubet Hitchcock; Time: 59.44 77.167%; Prize money: €1320 “It’s diffi cult to say what was Grand Prix Freestyle, with the succeeded. I’m really happy. You ing combination, scored 76.450 Following a 10th place fi nish in secs; Prize money: €6350 2. Barbara Minneci (BEL); Stuart; the hardest in the fi nal run. A lot pair having also won on Friday. can’t be more than happy when percent to place second, as the Friday’s Grand Prix, Dwyer said 2. Jur Vrieling (NED); Fiumicino van 73.333%; €1000

BOTTOMLINE Uzbek Sobirjonov wins Big Tour title in Hathab series By Sports Reporter 1.20m class. Alqaqa Adel Nassar Doha of Qatar was second with Dubaii in 27.17 secs, while Frenchwoman Cyrine Cherif was third on Bren- zbekistan’s Abdush- nus Villelongue in 28.36 secs. ukur Sobirjonov, astride 12-year-old stallion RESULTS Demilion, took the Big Big Tour (1.30/1.45 m) UTour title at the Longines Hathab 1. Abdushukur Sobirjonov (UZB); National Series yesterday. At the Horse: Demilion; Time: 44.56 Longines Arena at Al Shaqab, secs; Prize money: QR8,750 Sobirjonov came home in 44.56 2. Hamad Nasser al-Qadi (QAT) S I seconds with Demilion to take E C Lonnie; 46.70 secs; QR7,000 home QR8,750 in prize money. 3. Salman Mohamed al-Emadi Qatar’s Hamad Nasser al-Qadi (QAT); Zorro Z; 48.74 secs; 5,250 on S I E C Lonnie took second spot with 46.70 secs, followed by his Open Class (1.15/1.20 m) compatriot Salman Mohamed al- 1. Mohamed Saeed Haidan (QAT); Emadi on Zorro Z in 48.74 secs. Horse: Miss Chili; Time: 26.28 The Open Class was won by secs; Prize money: QR3,750 Qatar’s Mohamed Saeed Haid- 2. Alqaqa Adel Nassar (QAT); an with 12-year-old mare Miss Dubaii; 27.17 secs; QR3,000 Chili. The pair completed their 3. Cyrine Cherif (FRA); Brennus Qatar Equestrian Federation Secretary-General Bader al-Darwish The Open Class was won by Qatar’s Mohamed Saeed Haidan with 12-year-old mare Miss Chili. round in 26.28 secs to top the Villelongue; 28.36 secs; QR2,250 poses with the top three finishers of the Big Tour yesterday.