FRIDAY 2 MARCH 2018 SPORT 21 I went in there, I outboxed him, I went on the ropes, I made him miss, I TODAY’S FIXTURES controlled the centre of Saul “Canelo” Alvarez 6.00pm Al Ahli vs Al Kharaitiyat At Al Ahli Stadium the ring Mexican boxer 8.10pm Al Sailiya vs Al Khor At Al Ahli Stadium

IBSF makes Team Cup an annual event QNA sidelines of the IBSF general assembly to the Qatar Open Snooker Team Cup. staging the event on time. Snooker’s The IBSF general assembly also meeting that was held Wednesday in Doha. The tournament will take place in U21 world championship will be staged addressed the issue of the parallel fed- DOHA: International Billiards and The federation said in a statement the last week of February and the first in Egypt instead of , IBSF added. eration, which calls itself the World Snooker Federation (IBSF), chaired by that Qatar was behind the idea of World week of March with IBSF sponsoring The federation noted that the gen- Professional Billiards and Snooker Mubarak Al Khayarin, has decided to Snooker Team Cup at the level of the event. eral assembly agreed that the Asian and Association. The meeting proposed a stage the World Snooker Team Cup on national teams. Hence, the statement IBSF said the general assembly international ranking championships number of steps to take in the coming an annual basis in Qatar as the host and added, the federation decided that decided to replace with Qatar as be held over three stages in Qatar, India period in order to limit the ambitions proposing country. Doha would host the tournament on host of the men’s world championship and China between September and of that body that seeks to control the The decision was made on the an annual basis and to change its name in the event the former withdraws from October. activities of IBSF.

QACT: Seven-star Thiem sets Del Potro Malik sets up showdown in Mexico big win for HBK THE PENINSULA AFP In women’s action, top seed Sloane Stephens saved a match point DOHA: Malik claimed ACAPULCO: Third-seeded Austrian on the way to a 5-7, 7-6 (8/6), 6-0 seven for 50 to set up a Dominic Thiem powered into the victory over Dutch qualifier Arantxa 67-run victory for HBK quarter-finals of the Mexican Open Rus. over Tusker Club in a in Acapulco on Wednesday with a Rus had her chance at 6-5 in the Division A match in the 6-2, 6-3 triumph over rising Cana- second-set tiebreaker, but Stephens, Qatar Airways Cricket dian star Denis Shapovalov. the reigning US Open champion, Tournament. Thiem, the 2016 champion in belted a forehand winner to make it At the West Bay Acapulco, didn’t face a break point 6-6, won the next point on her own Grounds, Malik shat- in his 75 minutes on court against the serve then took the set when Rus tered the Tusker Club 18-year-old Canadian as he set up a dumped a forehand into the net. battling line-up when last-eight clash with former US Open “I am happy,” Stephens said. “I they were chasing a champion Juan Martin del Potro. was match point down, and I was stiff 275-run target. His “I’m very happy because every- able to come back and fight. big haul secured in 9.1 body knows how good he can play overs sent Tusker Club and how dangerous he is,” Thiem ATP/WTA MEXICAN OPEN MEN’S SINGLES crashing to 208 all out said of Shapovalov. “I was really on RESULTS in 40.1 overs despite a from the first point. Today was strong resistance by almost perfect.” 2nd round Deepu who scored 75 Argentina’s del Potro, the sixth Feliciano Lopez (ESP) bt Thanasi Kokkinakis not out. seed, needed three sets to get past Batting first, HBK Spain’s David Ferrer 6-4, 4-6, 6-3. (AUS) 6-3, 6-4 were lifted to 274 in 45 Second-seeded German Alexandr Jared Donaldson (USA) bt Matthew Ebden (AUS) overs by Imal, who Zverev had to battle through the first 6-3, 6-1 cracked a six and nine set en route to a 7-6 (8/6), 6-3 vic- Chung Hyeon (KOR) bt Ernesto Escobedo (USA) fours in his 106-ball tory over compatriot Peter 6-3, 6-1 99. Ushantha contrib- Gojowczyk. Kevin Anderson (RSA x5) bt Adrian Mannarino uted with 40 in 30 South Korean Chung Hyeon, a balls and hit with two HBK’s bowler Malik poses for a photograph surprise semi-finalist at the Aus- (FRA) 6-3, 6-4 sixes and three fours Juan Martin del Potro (ARG x6) bt David Ferrer after his match-winning performance tralian Open, didn’t face a break was useful. of 7 for 50. point in his 6-3, 6-1 victory over (ESP) 6-4, 4-6, 6-3 In a Premier Divi- 21-year-old American Ernesto Dominic Thiem (AUT x3) bt Denis Shapovalov sion match, Omran Escobedo. (CAN) 6-2, 6-3 (five for 18) and Mirza grabbed Stars by 34 runs. Rifan (67 not Chung reached his fourth Ryan Harrison (USA) bt Diego Schwartzman nine scalps between them and out with three sixes and five ’s Dominic Thiem returns the ball to Canada’s quarter-final of the season and will sparked Qatari Diar to a dom- fours in 34 balls), Ahanaf (59 (ARG) 6-3, 5-7, 6-4 Denis Shapovalov during their Mexico ATP 500 Open next face fifth-seeded South African inant six-wicket triumph in 38 balls with nine fours) and men’s singles tennis match in Acapulco, Guerrero Kevin Anderson, a 6-3, 6-4 winner Alexander Zverev (GER x2) bt Peter Gojowczyk against Royal Stars. Niksy (46 in 26 balls with two State, Mexico on Wednesday. over France’s Adrian Mannarino. (GER) 7-6 (8/6), 6-3 Omran dismissed five sixes and seven fours) powered players in his 7.4 overs with United Challengers to a total one maiden and Mirza gave of 189 for two. away 18 runs to pick four Qatar Stars’ chase was wickets nine overs, out of derailed by Sathish, who col- which four were maiden. lected an impressive five for Future goalkeepers receive GEPP certificates zTheir combined efforts 34. shot Royal Stars out for a mere Rizwan slammed three THE PENINSULA 83 in 25.4 overs. Mudassar (22) sixes and five fours to compile was the only player to put up 61 off 41 deliveries. Jasim Khan DOHA: The Aspire Academy-run some fight. took 17 balls to make 35, Goalkeeper External Potential Qatari Diar darted to the including three sixes and a Programme (GEPP) held an victory in 11.3 overs with Amir four, and Umar Farookh’s 20 awards ceremony on Wednesday hitting 31 with seven bounda- contained two fours. evening to celebrate the young ries in 20 balls and Raheel The tournament is pow- goalkeepers who took part in this making 24 off 14 balls, ered by Qatar Airways who has year’s programme and mark the including five hits to the rope. been a long-time sponsor of conclusion of Programme’s activ- United Challengers con- the cricket tournaments in ities this year with the distribu- tinued their winning run in the Qatar and supporting the QCA tion of congratulatory gradua- Division A Twenty20 tourna- to develop the sport in the tion certificates. ment as they outclassed Qatar country. Running since 2014, The GEPP is an annual programme organ- BRIEF SCORES ised by the Aspire Academy Foot- ball Department in collaboration Division A with the Qatar Football Associa- HBK beat Tusker Club by 67 runs tion and the country’s top 18 HBK: 274 all out in 45 overs (Imal 99, Ushantha 40, Prem 3/53, Aneesh sports clubs. 4/61) Fifteen goalkeepers from Students and Aspire Academy officials pose for a photograph during the awards ceremony of the Tusker Club: 208 all out in 40.1 overs (Deepu 75 not out, Malik 7/50) various sports clubs were Goalkeeper External Potential Programme. Man of the Match: Malik of HBK (seven for 50 in 9.1 overs) awarded certificates for taking part in this year’s programme, Premier Division including: Yousef El Sherif, Saleh programme’s main objective is this programme, because they terms of detection and selection Qatari Diar beat Royal Stars by six wickets Hamad, Abdullah Haidar, Abdul- to nurture and develop goal- motivate their children to attend of talent as well as training, com- Royal Stars: 83 all out in 25.4 overs (Mudassar 22, Omran 5/18, Mirza majeed N K, Yousef Ahmed keepers in Qatar so they can rep- the sessions.” petition and evaluation of ado- 4/18) Mohammed, Hamad Majed, Ali resent their clubs and country He added: “The programme lescent players. Qatari Diar: 86 for four in 11.3 overs (Amir 31, Raheel 24, Tanveer 1/28) Asghar Abadai, Abdulrahman proudly in major tournaments. mainly invests its time and The training philosophy of Man of the Match: Omran of Qatari Diar (five for 18 in 7.4 overs) Nasser Haidar, Adnan Ali, Abdul- This programme offers these energy on improving the per- the Academy is tailored to the rahman Atef, Farid Ibrahim, young goalkeepers a platform to formance of goalkeepers still in capabilities, talents and goals of Division A - T20 Saeed Essa, Ghanem Mohammed grow, thanks to the joint efforts the developmental phase. This Qatar as a footballing nation and United Challengers beat Qatar Stars by 34 runs. Ahmed, Ali Asfar and Abdul- of everyone involved. The pro- year, we had goalkeepers within follows a strategy that is geared United Challengers: 189 for two in 20 overs (Rifan 67 in 34 balls, Ahanaf rahman Nasser Al Sheiba. gramme is a testament to Aspire the age range between 10-16 who towards the development of the 59 in 38 balls, Niksy 46 in 26 balls, Javed 1/26, Amjad 1/24) Speaking on the side-lines of Academy’s fruitful partnership showed great promise.” individual player, who should be Qatar Stars: 155 for seven in 20 overs (Rizwan 61 in 41 balls, Jasim Khan the event, Inaki Ulloa, Elite Teams with various local sporting Aspire Academy’s Football able to know what the game 35 in 17 balls, Umar Farookh 20 in 23 balls, Sathish 5/34, Niksy 1/11, David Football Coordinator at Aspire organisations and clubs. Parents Programme is recognised as one demands in any given 1/5) Academy, said: “The also play a vital role in of the strongest in the world in situation. Man of the Match: Sathish of United Challengers (five for 34 in four overs) 22 SPORT FRIDAY 2 MARCH 2018 Neymar sidelined for up to 3 months

AFP for PSG since arriving. But on Sunday he looked to be in tears RIO DE JANEIRO: Brazilian as he was stretchered off the superstar Neymar will be side- field at the Parc des Princes. lined for up to three months The injury has not only ruled the world’s most PSG lost 3-1 to Real in the -- perilously close to the eve of first leg of their European tie in the -- after under- expensive player out of PSG’s make-or-break Spain two weeks ago and are in going surgery on his broken Champions League clash with Real Madrid on danger of being knocked out of foot, his doctor said yesterday. March 6, but more worryingly for the football- the competition in the last 16 for The worse than previously mad public in , also threatens the much- the second season running. announced prognosis came Brazilians’ attention is minutes after the Paris Saint- fancied national side’s build-up to the World entirely trained on the World Germain striker, 26, arrived in Cup, starting in Russia on June 14. Cup, where they have ambitions Rio de Janeiro on an Air France of walking away with a sixth flight from Paris for tomorrow’s title after the humiliation of operation. Dressed in a black hoodie, painted a graver picture both in crashing out 7-1 to in “The (recovery) period will a black baseball cap and wear- terms of the fracture and expec- the 2014 semi-finals on home be around two and a half to ing sunglasses, Neymar left the tations for recovery. soil. three months,” national team plane in a wheelchair. He smiled “Yesterday we went back to Even if Neymar gets back in surgeon Rodrigo Lasmar, who and took selfies with other pas- the hospital (in Paris) and made time, he appears sure to miss flew with Neymar, said. sengers, before leaving on a new exams that left the serious- two warm-up games against The injury has not only ruled private jet to an undisclosed ness of the fracture very clear,” Russia and Germany in March. the world’s most expensive destination. he told journalists in Rio. “We just might have lost the player out of PSG’s make-or- The initial assessment did “There was no doubt left World Cup last Sunday,” one break Champions League clash not appear quite as serious on regarding the treatment. We radio commentator, Milton with Real Madrid on March 6, Sunday, when Neymar was were unanimous in agreeing Neves of Bandnews FM, said on but more worryingly for the reported to have suffered a hair- that it would have to be surgi- Wednesday. football-mad public in Brazil, line fracture of the fifth cal treatment. More Images of Sunday’s fateful also threatens the much-fancied metatarsal, as well as a twisted conservative treatment, with- duel between Neymar and Mar- national side’s build-up to the ankle late in PSG’s 3-0 win over out surgery, would present a far seille player Bouna Sarr have World Cup, starting in Russia on Marseille in Ligue 1. greater risk for refracture. We been replayed incessantly on June 14. On Tuesday, the Brazilian’s can’t run that risk.” television, often in slo-mo. Lasmar, who will lead the father Neymar Senior had The drama is a big personal “I don’t think we can really surgery at a hospital in Belo claimed the player would be out setback for Neymar who has talk about fears of him not being Horizonte, underlined that there for “at least six weeks”. been at the centre of the world’s at the World Cup. But there is a is no quick fix for the striker. PSG coach Unai Emery had footballing attention since his noticeable haste to find a solu- “It’s not a simple fracture, said earlier that there remained 222m-euro ($264m) move from tion so that Neymar will have A picture obtained from Twitter account of @Claire_Dorland shows but a fracture in an important a “small chance” of getting him Barcelona last August. recovered in time,” an ESPN Brazilian superstar Neymar as he arrives at Rio de Janeiro after bone in the middle of the foot,” back in time to face Real. He has scored 28 goals in 30 Brasil sports commentator, flying from Paris, yesterday. Lasmar said. Lasmar’s assessment appearances in all competitions Mauro Cezar Pereira, said.

West Indies, rivals Australian batsmen scramble for lifeline kept in check in SA AFP But not everyone is convinced. AFP HARARE: Multi-millionaire and When the decision was self-proclaimed ‘Universe Boss’ announced three years ago, DURBAN: David Warner and Chris Gayle (pictured) will rub Sachin Tendulkar called it a Steve Smith hit half-centuries shoulders with a battalion of “backward step”, even suggest- but were unable to teenage leg-spinners and a ing that the finals should feature dominate South Africa’s bowl- part-time bat designer when up to 25 teams. ing attack on the first day of the the 2019 World Cup qualifying The 10 teams gathered in first Test at Kingsmead yester- tournament gets under way on Zimbabwe from Sunday until day. Sunday. March 25 would envy similar Australia, who won the toss It’s the modern phenome- enthusiasm from cricket’s and batted on an easy-paced non of the globalisation of sport, leaders. pitch, were 225 for five when although not in the manner that Far removed from the likes bad light ended play four overs the likes of Gayle, and his esti- of Gayle will be skip- before the second new ball was mated annual income of $7.5m, per Kyle Coetzer, a former due. would normally recognise. English county player, who With no assistance for the The West Indies, world designs bats to top up his bowlers from a slow surface, champions back in 1975 and cricket income. South Africa bowled with disci- 1979, were the biggest casual- His predecessor Preston pline to keep the batsmen in ties of the International Cricket Mommsen, who was captain at check. Council’s controversial decision the in Australia Apart from a bright third- to shrink next year’s World Cup and New Zealand, quit two wicket partnership of 56 off 92 to just 10 nations. years ago at the age of 29 to balls between Warner (51) and Sixteen teams took part in take up a job in the corporate Smith (56), it was largely attri- the 2007 edition but just 14 world. tional cricket between the graced the 2011 and 2015 On the field over the next second and third-ranked teams tournaments. three weeks in Zimbabwe, the in Test cricket. India, the sport’s financial 10 hopefuls are divided into two Vernon Philander bowled powerhouse, played just three groups of five with the leading with excellent control to take games in the 2007 competition, three in each pool making the two for 36, while left-arm spin- a woeful performance mourned second stage of Super Sixes ner Keshav Maharaj took two for by millions of fans and legions from which the top two will seal 69. It was an indication of the of business executives across passage to the 2019 finals. slowness of the pitch that Maha- the sub-continent. With Gayle and Marlon raj bowled 24 of the 76 overs Now, a differently-format- Samuels having buried the ted 2019 and 2023 World Cup hatchet with the West Indies guarantees teams at least nine board, the Caribbean side SCOREBOARD South Africa’s bowler Vernon Philander (left) celebrates after dismissing Australia’s batsman David matches. should have an edge even if all- Australia (first innings) Warner during day one of their first Test in Durban yesterday. However, only the top eight rounders Kieron Pollard and C. Bancroft c De Kock b Philander ...... 5 D. Warner c De Villiers b Philander ...... 51 nations were guaranteed places Andre Russell, spinner Sunil U. Khawaja c De Kock b Rabada ...... 14 sent down in the day. Smith on the off side instead of his both of their reviews -- also in the 48-game, 47-day mara- Narine and batsman Darren S. Smith c De Villiers b Maharaj ...... 56 made his fifth consecutive score favoured leg side. Smith showed involving leg before wicket deci- thon in and next Bravo opted for the lucrative S. Marsh c De Villiers b Maharaj ...... 40 of 50 or more as he continued some signs of frustration before sions by Dharmasena -- and year. Super League T20 M. Marsh not out ...... 32 T. the form he showed in the Ashes he cut a ball from Maharaj which could not challenge. So the West Indies, no instead. Paine not out ...... 21 series against England in which bounced off wicketkeeper Quin- South African hopes of longer in the world’s top 10, Extras (b4, lb2) ...... 6 he scored 687 runs at an aver- ton de Kock’s gloves to De pressing home their advantage must rough it with newly- Total (5 wkts, 76 overs) ...... 225 age of 137.40. Villiers at slip. were foiled by Mitchell Marsh minted Test nations Afghanistan Fall of wickets: 1-15 (Bancroft), 2-39 (Khawaja), 3-95 (Warner), 4-151 (Smith), 5-177 (S. Marsh) The Australian captain gave Maharaj struck again when and Tim Paine, who added an and Ireland as well as hosts Bowling: Morkel 16-3-48-0, Philander 17-8-36-2, Maha- a half-chance on 47 when AB De he switched ends after tea and unbeaten 48 before the umpires Zimbabwe, Scotland, Hong raj 24-4-69-2, Rabada 16-4-58-1, Markram 1-0-2-0, De Villiers at second slip could not with his fourth ball of a new spell took the players off the field. Kong, Papua New Guinea, the Bruyn 2-0-6-0 hold a sharp, low catch to his left had Shaun Marsh caught at slip The home side claimed two Netherlands, United Arab Emir- To bat: P. Cummins, M. Starc, N. Lyon, J. Hazlewood F. du off Philander. He faced 114 balls for a patient 40. early wickets, having Cameron ates and Nepal in a three-week Plessis, D. Elgar, A. Markram, H. Amla, A. de Villiers, Q. de and hit 11 fours in his innings. Marsh had a let-off on 19 Bancroft and Usman Khawaja qualifier from which only two Kock, T. de Bruyn, V. Philander, K. Maharaj, K. Rabada, M. He had made 24 off 44 balls when a yorker from Kagiso Rab- caught behind, but Warner and will make the finals. Morkel in his partnership with Warner, ada struck him low down and Smith batted brightly before Phi- The ICC has long argued Match situation: Australia are 225 for five wickets in the who was caught at second slip would have hit his leg stump, lander came back into the attack that a trimmed down World first innings. Toss: Australia Umpires: Kumar Dharmasena (SRI), Sun- off the last ball before lunch, but according to television replays. just prior to lunch and had Cup with 10 of the best -- only deram Ravi (IND) TV umpire: Chris Gaffaney (NZL) Match was restricted after the interval Umpire Kumar Dharmasena Warner caught by De Villiers at two more than the first edition referee: Jeff Crowe (NZL) as the South African bowlers gave him not out. second slip. Warner faced 79 back in 1975 -- is the sensible worked hard to force him to play South Africa had used up balls and hit six fours. way to grow the game. FRIDAY 2 MARCH 2018 SPORT 23

Huge task to coach the Rockets down Clippers Springboks, says coach

AFP for 14th straight victory JOHANNESBURG: New AFP South Africa rugby coach Johan “Rassie” Erasmus LOS ANGELES: The NBA-lead- acknowledged yesterday that ing Houston Rockets capped a he faces a “huge task” reviv- perfect February with a 105-92 ing fallen giants South Africa. victory over the Los Angeles The twice world champi- Clippers on Wednesday to ons are ranked only sixth in stretch their winning streak to the world after winning just 14 games. 11 of 25 Tests in the past two The Rockets, led by 25 points seasons, during which they from James Harden, finished twice conceded 57 points to February 12-0 and with their New Zealand. second 14-game win streak of Those humiliating losses the season became just the sixth cost Allister Coetzee his job team in league history to post halfway through a four-year multiple streaks of at least 14 contract, opening the way wins in the same campaign. for former Springboks loose “Extremely important,” forward Erasmus to take Harden said of the victory over over. the Clippers, potential early “It is a huge task to coach play-off opponents who had the Springboks and I am very beaten the Rockets twice this privileged,” Erasmus said in season. a SA Rugby statement. The victory kept the Rockets “I really believe we have atop the Western Conference, the players and the rugby leading the reigning NBA cham- intellectual property to turn pion Golden State Warriors who things around and mount a beat the Wizards 109-101 in serious challenge at the 2019 Washington. Rugby World Cup. The Rockets led by as many “We have 18 Tests and as 27 points. Harden delivered Houston Rockets guard James Harden (right) just under 600 days until the game’s signature moment in controls the ball against LA Clippers guard Austin Japan 2019 and a lot of plan- the opening quarter when he Rivers during the fourth quarter at Staples Center. ning has already gone into wrong-footed Wesley Johnson our Rugby World Cup with a quick cross-over dribble, preparations. Johnson falling backwards to the locker room. This time there was In Washington, Warriors star fourth quarter. The Boston Celt- The 39-year-old, in his 20th NBA “It is very important that court and receiving a long stare no such drama as the Rockets and DC-area native Kevin ics, battling to regain the Eastern season, finished with 12 points. we prepare thoroughly for the from Harden before the Rockets seized control early, taking a Durant celebrated his homecom- Conference lead, won their The New Orleans Pelicans, matches against Wales and star drained a three-pointer over 34-12 lead after one quarter. ing by scoring 32 points. fourth straight since the All-Star fueled by 26 points and 15 England in June.” him. The Clippers trailed just Stephen Curry added 25 break in impressive fashion, rebounds from Anthony Davis, The Springboks season Harden wasn’t on the floor 83-72 going into the final period, points and the Warriors limited beating the Charlotte Hornets rallied late to beat the Spurs in begins on June 2 with a one- for the Rockets’ January 15 loss but Houston pulled away inex- Washington guard Bradley Beal 134-106. San Antonio 121-116. off Test against Wales in to the Clippers, when on-court orably in the fourth. to eight to notch their seventh Kyrie Irving scored 34 points, Davis sank a pair of free Washington. clashes spilled over and a cou- “We just kept our composure win in eight games. handed out five assists and throws with 3.4 seconds left to Ex-All Blacks coach John ple of Houston players tried to and finished the game off the Eastern Conference leaders pulled down four rebounds for seal the victory for the Pelicans, Mitchell, who is in charge of confront the Clippers in their right way,” Harden said. Toronto pulled away late to beat the Celtics, who halted the Hor- who trailed by as many as 15 in Pretoria-based Super Rugby the lowly Magic 117-104 in nets’ five-game winning streak. the third quarter. side Northern Bulls, hailed the Orlando. In Dallas, Oklahoma City star The Pelicans won their sev- appointment of Erasmus in The Raptors capped a 9-2 Russell Westbrook scored 30 enth straight and to make an interview with New Zea- February, clamping down in the points as the Thunder spoiled a matters worse for San Antonio land Radio Sport. fourth quarter to force 10 misses milestone night for Mavericks they saw star forward LaMarcus “Rassie has always been The Rockets, led by 25 points from James by the Magic in their first 12 shots veteran Dirk Nowitzki with a 111- Aldridge depart in the first half an impressive student of the of the final period. 110 overtime triumph. with a sprained ankle. game and he has always been Harden, finished February 12-0 and with Six players scored in double Westbrook converted the go- He joined Pau Gasol and innovative as well. their second 14-game win streak of the figures for the Raptors, with ahead three-point play in the Kawhi Leonard on the Spurs’ “I think having taken time DeMar DeRozan leading the way final minute of overtime, driv- injured list. out has rejuvenated his think- season became just the sixth team in league with a game-high 21 points. ing for a layup and drawing a “Tough loss,” said Spurs ing about the game and history to post multiple streaks of at least 14 Kyle Lowry added 17 with 11 foul, then making the free-throw coach Gregg Popovich, who was clearly he has hit the sweet assists and seven rebounds. to cap the scoring with 38 sec- ejected after receiving two tech- spot as a coach. wins in the same campaign. Reserve center Jakob Poeltl fin- onds left. Germany’s Nowitzki, nical fouls early in the third “Sometimes it is good to ished with 13 points and eight sixth on the NBA’s all-time scor- quarter. “I couldn’t be more get out of the game and find rebounds and Pascal Siakam ing list, reached 31,000 points proud of our group. Under very, a new way to do things -- he added 14 points for Toronto, who with a trademark fadeaway very tough circumstances they certainly did that at led by one point going into the jump shot in the second quarter. keep fighting.” Munster.”

British star Alvarez, Golovkin promise Kenny second on world return fireworks in May 5 rematch AFP AFP insisting he had done enough to win the first instalment. “I went in there, APELDOORN, NETHERLANDS: Britain’s LOS ANGELES: World middleweight I outboxed him, I went on the ropes, six-time Olympic gold medallist Jason Kenny champion Gennady Golovkin and I made him miss, I controlled the returned to the saddle after an 18-month Saul “Canelo” Alvarez promised to centre of the ring,” Alvarez said. sabbatical to get married and start a family deliver an explosive sequel to their “I’m a technical fighter. I’m not and claimed second place in the team sprint epic draw as they faced off ahead of a jack-ass who just comes forward, at the world championships. their May 5 rematch. throwing punches and gets hit. The 29-year-old teamed with Jack Car- Hard-hitting Kazakh Golovkin “I hope he (Sanchez) goes home lin and Ryan Owens to secure silver behind was widely believed to have won last tonight and really thinks about what Dutch riders Nils van ‘t Hoenderdaal, Harrie September’s first battle against Mex- he says. Because he’s saying stupid, Lavreysen and Jeffrey Hoogland in his first ican star Alvarez, when a bizarre idiotic things.” Alvarez however appearance since winning three golds at the judging controversy dominated the acknowledged he could have been 2016 Olympics in Rio. aftermath of the bout. more aggressive in the first fight, “After Rio, I thought I was finished with While one judge scored the fight maintaining that he had not taken competing,” said the 29-year-old who mar- for Golovkin and another had it even, advantage of openings that presented ried fellow rider Laura Trott, a four-time gold there was widespread astonishment themselves. medallist. at the card of judge Adalaide Byrd, That was something he plans to They are now the proud parents of a baby who marked it 118-110 in favour of rectify in the rematch. boy, Albie, born six months ago. Alvarez. The two fighters came face- “We both want to win convinc- Laura is also competing in the Nether- to-face before a crowd of fans in ingly. We both want to erase any lands and on Wednesday helped Britain downtown Los Angeles -- and both doubt. And that’s going to make the qualify second fastest in the women’s team vowed that judges would not be a Boxers Canelo Alvarez (left) and Gennady Golovkin pose during a news fight more interesting -- because if pursuit behind defending champions the factor when they climb into the ring conference at Microsoft Theater at LA Live to announce their upcoming we take more risks, there’s going to United States. again at Las Vegas’s T-Mobile Arena rematch. be more openings.” Golovkin pro- “After Rio, he told me that he wasn’t get- in what is likely to be one of the fights moter Tom Loeffler meanwhile said ting the same pleasure out of cycling any of the year. knockouts. Golovkin’s trainer, Abel us some shoes so that we can go a bit his team would pay close attention more,” said 25-year-old Laura. “Everything is ready for an amaz- Sanchez, meanwhile taunted Alva- faster and are able to catch him. to the judges chosen for the Nevada But becoming parents has renewed their ing show,” Golovkin told reporters, rez’s hit-and-run strategy in the first “I hope for the fans that he puts fight, and would not hesitate to object passion for the sport. “When Laura returned unsurprisingly adamant that he had meeting. “I definitely think he ran a on the fight that he said he was going to any appointed individual they to training some months ago with the world won the first bout. lot more than we thought he was to do the first time.” - Canelo unim- were unhappy with. championships, I also got back into training “I felt very comfortable. I felt I going to,” Sanchez said. pressed - Alvarez, 49-1 with two “There’s going to be a lot more and here I am,” added Jason Kenny. won. 100 percent,” added Golovkin, “I talked to (Michael) Jordan drawn and 34 knockouts, was unim- focus on the judges going into this 37-0 with one draw and 33 about it and asked if he could make pressed with Sanchez’s barbs, fight,” Loeffler said. SPORT Friday 2 March 2018

PAGE | 21 PAGE | 22 PAGE | 23 ThiemTh sets Del Rockets down Neymar PotroPotP r showdown Clippers for 14th sidelined for up in Mexico straight win to three months Barshim wins silver at Birmingham Worlds FAWAD HUSSAIN the mark in the three attempts, THE PENINSULA which confined him to second place. Lysenko, who failed in the DOHA: Qatar’s star high jumper first two attempts, cleared the 2.36 Mutaz Essa Barshim added mark in his final chance to win the another feat to his fine run in the gold medal. season, claiming a silver medal at Germany’s Mateusz Przybylko the IAAF World Indoor Champi- claimed third position with his onships at Arena in Birmingham, jump of 2.29 in his second attempt yesterday. while Erik Kynard of the US fin- It was a close fight between ished fourth after clearing the Barshim and rival Danil Lysenko same height in his third attempt. who outclassed their counterparts Both failed to clear the 2.33 in the competition. Both the world’s hurdle. best high-jumpers cleared 2.20, Bednarek Sylwester of 2.25, 2.29, 2.33 in their respective failed to leap past 2.25 after clear- first attempts while the other par- ing the first two hurdles and ticipants struggled. finished on fifth position. Barshim who withdrew from Meanwhile, Qatar can expect the recent Athlone Grand Prix, more medals at the world with looked very impressive as he com- Asian champion and the World’s peted with full of confidence while No. 2 in indoor 400m, Abdalelah Russian athlete Lysenko, who Haroun; and promising runner competed as an authorised neu- Tusi Ognude (60m) will also be tral athlete, was equally taking part in the event. impressive as both cleared the Both will be seen in action first four targets with ease. today with the qualifiers for 60m But the 2.36 mark proved a and 400m for men (first round tough one for both the fierce com- and semi-finals) scheduled on the Qatar’s Mutaz Essa Barshim competes in the men’s high jump final atat thethee 20182001188 petitors with double Olympic second day of the IAAF World Indoor Athletics Championships at the Arena in Birminghamm yyesterday.eestteerddaayy. medallist, Barshim failing to cross championships.

MotoGP Official Test: Vinales, Dovizioso, Iannone in top pace Al Duhail close in on title as Team Suzuki Ecstar rider Andrea Iannone (right) in action during the Al Gharafa trounce Al Rayyan Qatar MotoGP Official Test at the Losail International Circuit yesterday. Maverick Viñales (Movistar Yamaha MotoGP) opened the MotoGP QatarTest THE PENINSULA on top of the timesheets, with last year’s victor putting in a 1:55.053 to billed as the one, where the equalised through Tunisian narrowly beat Andrea Dovizioso (Ducati Team) to the top by less than winners might go on to attacking midfielder Msakny half a tenth at the Losail International Circuit yesterday. Even closer than DOHA: Al Duhail took a become the eventual cham- and then found the winner major step closer to the QNB pions with only three more YESTERDAY’S RESULTS right at the death through El that, Iannone took third and was just 0.003 off Dovizioso ahead of him. Al Duhail beat Al Sadd - 4-3 Stars League (QSL) title with matches remaining. Al Duhail Arabi’s solo effort, capitalis- a thrilling 4-3 win over strong could even afford to lose and Al Gharafa beat Al Rayyan - 6-1 ing on a loose ball that title contenders Al Sadd in the still have their chances. resulted from a opening fixture of Week-19 Instead, Djamel Belmadi’s to the might and superiority counter-attack. yesterday. men underlined their status of Al Duhail. Later, at Al Gharafa Sta- Ismail Mohammed (37th of being the best side around After Algerian attacking dium, Dutch attacking minute), captain Youssef and notched up the winning midfielder Hamroun took Al midfielder Wesley Sneijder Msakny (41st and 87th), and goal with the last kick of the Sadd ahead, Ismail continued played an influential role as Youssef El Arabi (90+3) scored game. That really showed his good form and drew par- hosts Al Gharafa recorded a for Al Duhail, while Jugurtha how entertaining and electri- ity for Al Duhail. comfortable 6-1 victory over Hamroun (11th) and Baghdad fying the encounter was. Msakny then ensured The Al Rayyan. Bounedjah (71st and 80th) El Arabi continued to be Red Knights went into the Sneijder scored in the found the target for Al Sadd. the top scorer with 23 goals, half-time break with a 2-1 15th (penalty) and 25th min- Al Duhail maintained followed by Msakny on 21. lead. utes, and provided the assists their status of being the only Bounedjah took his tally to 14 Al Sadd were without for the goals by Abdelaziz unbeaten side in this season’s goals and Hamroun 11. injured defender Morteza Hatem (22nd), Diego Amado QNB Stars League and wid- The match was fast- Mohammed and forward (54th) and Mehdi Taremi ened their points tally to five paced and evenly-fought, and Hassan Al Haydous, though (62nd). Muad Hassan points than second-placed Al Al Duhail had a slight edge in the latter came off the bench rounded off The Cheetahs’ Sadd. ball possession (53 per cent). around the 80th minute. tally in the 90th. It was also The Red Al Sadd took the lead and Then came the brilliance Abderrazzaq Hamdallah Knights’ 16th victory, while waged a spirited battle. They of Bounedjah, who has been found the mark for Al Rayyan The Wolves stayed on 46 scored first and even took a in devastating form of late. in the 27th minute to stay as points with 15 wins. 3-2 lead with 10 minutes left However, the hosts were not third in the top-scorers’ list The match was widely to be played only to succumb to be overawed as they with 16 goals. World Snooker Team Cup: India in Doha semis

THE PENINSULA knockout match between the come back into the game and Fan miscued on first black Indian duo and China (Zhang win it. In second frame, Pan- leaving chance for Pankaj, DOHA: India-2 (Pankaj Jiankang / Fan Zhengyi) kaj Advani scored 66 points which he used well to score Advani / Manan Chandra) ended 3-2 in favour of India- break to level the match. two worthy breaks of 23 and secured a berth in the semi- 2. The entire match saw After that they both main- 47 to take 69 points lead. finals of the World Snooker breaks and counter breaks, tained the same momentum Advani had completely tight- Pankaj Advani Team Cup 2018 when they safety and recoveries and in doubles too to take 2-1 ened the string. After that of team India 2 beat Ireland (1 Michael Judge ofcourse the great potting lead. Though in next frame, having aid of few safeties, he ponders his next / Brendan O’Donoghue) in skills. Fan responded with a break ended the frame 91-01 to move during the yesterday’s quarter-final In first frame, Manan of 51 against Manan to force secure match win. World Snooker clash in Doha. Chandra’s started with a Indians into the deciding Their Irishmen ousted Team Cup 2018 India 2 will now meet break of 52, which was bril- frame. South African pair Peter quarter-final in semis. liantly countered by Chines The last frame was Francisco and Mohammad clash in Doha Earlier yesterday, a high- boy Zhang Jiankang by accu- between Pankaj Advani and Faaris Kahn 3-0 to book their yesterday. quality Last-16 stage mulating 46 points break to Fan Zhengyi where place in today’s semi-final.