SPORT Wednesday 20 February 2019 PAGE | 05 PAGE | 06 Djokovic Cook confident and Biles England can win Laureus end World awards Cup drought Bayern hold Liverpool; Barca draw at Lyon

REUTERS round of 16 after failing to make LIVERPOOL it out of the group stage last season. Bayern Munich showed all their This year’s Champions Champions League experience league final will be played at and quality organisation as they Atletico’s Wanda Metropolitano held Liverpool to a goalless draw Stadium. in the first leg of their last 16 Meanwhile, Paris Saint- match at Anfield yesterday. Germain striker Edinson Cavani The result leaves it all to play has resumed training two weeks for in the second leg in Munich before the Champions League on March 13, although the last-16 second leg match against German side will be without Manchester United, the French defender Joshua Kimmich who champions announced will be suspended after picking yesterday. up a yellow card. The Uruguayan has been out There were few clear-cut of action since pulling up injured chances in the game although after scoring a penalty against Liverpool created several Bordeaux on February 9. openings in the first half, while PSG brushed off the absences at the other end their goalkeeper of both Cavani and Neymar, who Alisson Becker had to be alert to is sidelined with a foot injury, by keep out a mis-hit clearance from beating United 2-0 in last week’s Joel Matip. first leg at Old Trafford, with The closest Juergen Klopp’s Kylian Mbappe continuing his side came in the second half was fine run of form with a goal. a diving header from Sadio Mane Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah struggles to reach for the ball during the UEFA Champions League But they now have hope of in the 86th minute which Manuel - Round of 16 First Leg match against Bayern Munich at Anfield in Liverpool, Britain, yesterday. seeing Cavani return in time for Neuer pushed around the post. the second match in Paris, after In France, Lyon held Bar- he managed some light individual celona to a 0-0 draw in another clash against Atletico while high- weekend after being sidelined for Ronaldo, the former Real Madrid Madrid, succeeding every time - training Tuesday. Champions League, last 16 tie. flying Manchester City take on nearly two months because of a player who will be playing for the in two finals (2014 and 2016), one He will not be back in time to Martin Terrier rattled the strugglers Schalke at foot injury that required surgery. first time in Madrid since joining quarterfinal (2015) and one sem- play in the rescheduled Ligue 1 crossbar early on for Lyon, while Veltins Arena. He came off the bench in Juventus last summer. ifinal (2017). game against Montpellier today, the hosts withstood sustained late Atletico Madrid coach Diego Atletico’s 1-0 win at Rayo Val- Ronaldo has fared well Juventus were runner-up in while Thomas Meunier is also still pressure from and Simeone yesterday said that lecano in the Spanish league on against Atletico, scoring 22 goals the Champions League in 2015 out injured and Leandro Paredes Barca to keep a first clean sheet Diego Costa is not fit to play the Saturday, playing alongside in 31 matches against the rival in and 2017. Last year, it was elim- unavailable having been signed of the competition. entire match against Juventus Alvaro Morata for the first time. all competitions. In the Cham- inated by Real Madrid in the from Zenit St Petersburg after the Today, Juventus travels to today. Simeone said he is focused on pions league, he faced Atletico quarter-finals. fixture was originally due to be Madrid for their last 16, first-leg Costa returned to action last his squad and not on Cristiano four straight seasons with Real Atletico Madrid is back in the played on December 8. Rivas nets double as Al Rayyan seal ACL spot

AFC Al Rayyan’s Venezuelan striker Gelmin Rivas celebrates after scoring Zobahan fight back A last-minute double-salvo a goal against ’s helped ’s Al Rayyan Saipa during the AFC come from behind to defeat to stun Al Gharafa Champions League Iran’s Saipa 3-1 in the AFC play-off match at the AFC Champions League (ACL) Jassim Bin Hamad provider in the 36th minute, laying off DOHA play-off match yesterday. Stadium in Doha, the ball to who slid home The home crowd at yesterday. from the edge of the penalty box to Iran’s Zobahan completed a remarkable double the Qatari side’s lead before the were left stunned as Saipa comeback to overcome Al Gharafa 3-2 break. took an early lead inside four in a 2019 AFC Champions League Whatever it was that coach Alireza minutes as Mohammadreza play-off tie yesterday. Mansourian said at the break, it worked Soleiman nodded the ball on The Iranian side had to overturn a wonders as Zobahan returned from the to the path of Arman Ram- two-goal deficit in the second half to dressing room a completely different ezani who capitalised on a progress to the group stage. side. defensive mix-up to stab Al Gharafa broke the deadlock Within two minutes of the restart, home the opener. halfway through the opening period after the visitors from had pulled one back. Three minutes later, midfielder Abdelaziz Hatim chested Nigerian striker Christian Osaguona Lucca Borges tested goal- down a long pass and set up fellow Qatar powered in a header past the helpless keeper Hossein AKbarmonadi international Ahmed Alaaeldin who fired Youssef Hassan to half the deficit. from distance, but the Saipa first time with his left into the top corner Hatim then found space inside Zoba- custodian was alert to the for the hosts’ first of the game. han’s half and tried his luck from dis- danger. Alaaeldin turned from scorer to tance but was denied by goalkeeper Borges then nearly found Mohammad Rashid Mazaheri. the back of the net, but his The Iranian defence finally Al Rayyan skipper Rodrigo Tabata Aerial balls proved to be Al Gharafa’s header from Rodrigo Tabata’s broke under the pressure, and (left) vies for the ball possession downfall as Amir Motahari rose above set-piece cannoned off the it was again Tabata’s magical during the AFC Champions League Lucas Mendes to head home Zobahan’s crossbar and into the hands touch that created the oppor- play-off match yesterday. equaliser from Mohammad Reza Hos- of Akbarmonadi. tunity for Al Rayyan. seini’s pinpoint cross in the 63rd minute. New signing Gelmin Rivas The former Qatari inter- The Iranian side completed their marked his continental debut national sent a long ball from miraculous comeback in the 79th minute for Al Rayyan with a goal. The a set-piece that was guided through Mohammed Nejad Mehdi. Venezuelan, formerly of Al expertly by Sebastian Soria’s Al Gharafa’s defence failed to deal Hilal and Al Ittihad, received header to turn the table in with the aerial challenge once more and Rodrigo Tabata’s pass inside favour of the home team with Osaguona’s headed pass found its way the box and stuck on the half- one minute to go. to Mehdi who drilled on the half-volley volley. His 27th minute shot Saipa threw bodies to round off a famous victory. hit the upright on its way into forward as they looked to grab Zobahan retreated for the final 10 the back of the net. a late equaliser, but spaces minutes and formed a compact unit, Despite sustained opened at the back allowing denying Al Gharafa any clear pressure from the home side, Al Rayyan to strike again. opportunities. Ali Daei’s men defended well Rivas doubled his tally and The hosts resorted to long-range and relied on counter-attacks confirmed his side’s progress shots, but in the absence of the injured and set-pieces as they looked into the group stage after Wesley Sneijder it was down to Hatim to upset Al Rayyan. curling in from Koh Myong- to try to rescue his side, but the Qatari Samuel Sarfo came close jin’s intelligent pass. international was unable to replicate his for Saipa with a header nine The 3-1 triumph means Al 2019 AFC Asian Cup heroics which saw minutes into the second half Rayyan join two-time cham- him score two long-range drives. and Moein Abbasian wasn’t pions Al Ittihad as well as Zobahan join Al Wasl from the UAE, Al any luckier, fluffing his lines UAE’s Al Wahda and Zawraa from Iraq as well as Saudi Arabia’s from close range in the 64th Uzbekistan’s PFC Lokomotiv Al Nassr, who defeated Uzbekistan’s AGMK minute. in Group B. in another play-off fixture yesterday. 06 SPORT WEDNESDAY 20 FEBRUARY 2019 Cook confident MotoGP set for final shakedown England can end in Doha ahead of new season World Cup drought AFP MOTOGP.COM LONDON DOHA Alastair Cook believes England can end decades of Losail International Circuit will host World Cup disappointment with a triumph on home the second and final MotoGP soil this year. preseason test of 2019 from February England have never won the men’s World Cup, 23 to 25, two weeks before the season but with 100 days to go until the start of the latest opener which will take place at the edition, a team captained by Eoin Morgan are top of same venue. the 50-over world rankings. Fans can witness their favourite Former England skipper Cook, who retired from stars in action during the Qatar test international cricket last year as the country’s highest from 4pm to 10pm on all three days Test run-scorer and most-capped player, said there as the entrance to the grandstand will were several reasons why Morgan’s men could go be free of charge. one better than the England teams that lost in the The spectators who have already 1979, 1987 and 1992 finals. purchased tickets for the Grand Prix “They’re a very settled side, they’ve got 15 players AFP of Qatar can enter the paddock during Andrea Dovizioso (left) is closely followed by Marc Marquez and Valentino Rossi in action during the Grand pretty much nailed on for that squad,” Cook told the test. Prix of Qatar at the Losail International Circuit in this file photo. at a World Cup event in London’s Trafalgar Square After the first outing in Malaysia, yesterday. teams now have to make their final Cook never played in a World Cup, with the left- preparations for the year on every- Wabout the engine coming from Mav- unit that judges the legality of the forced to miss the Sepang Test, the handed opening batsman dramatically dropped from thing from aero to engines, and they’ll erick Vinales (Monster Energy fairing – if it doesn’t fit, it doesn’t race. five-time World Champion will be the squad that then failed to beat a fellow Test nation be trying new things as well as com- Yamaha MotoGP) in Malaysia. They’ve At Sepang, Danilo Petrucci able to get back on his new Repsol while suffering a group-stage exit at the 2015 edition paring new data with their findings had one to work with and no direct (Mission Winnow Ducati Team) and Honda machine at Losail and con- in Australia and New Zealand. But Cook said a change from the very different venue of choice in 2019 per se, but the Jack Miller (Alma Pramac Racing) tinue getting up to speed. of attitude lay behind England’s rise up the one-day Sepang. Spaniard specifically pointed out crashed on their different aero So as well as the final adjustments rankings since that dismal display. Engines, for those without con- improvements in acceleration. That’s fairings they were trying so they’ll to the machinery, he’s sure to be a It was a point emphasised by former England cessions – which now includes Team been a key issue for the Japanese want to get a little more track time key talking point of the Qatar Test spinner Graeme Swann, who said: “I just think Suzuki Ecstar after their stellar 2018 factory. under their belts in Qatar before deci- come struggle or shine, as will new England are picking the right team these days. – are one of the biggest keys. From Aerodynamics – formerly win- sions are made, and past Ducati, tra- team-mate Marc Marquez after Swann was a member of the only England men’s the start of the season factories aren’t glets, now “aero fairings”; specificity ditionally the masters of aero inno- surgery on his shoulder. side to have won a major global trophy -- the 2010 able to make changes and the very important – are another key com- vation, we saw plenty of different Will their fights back to fitness World Twenty20 in the Caribbean -- and sees par- same Suzuki showed in 2017 how a ponent that teams must make a final options up and down pitlane. steal the headlines from Honda’s allels between that team and Morgan’s men. slight misstep can wreak havoc on decision on during the Qatar Test. “There are always positives and testing program? And is that because Swann warned that England would face several the season as a whole. This year it’s a simple choice of negatives,” said Vinales of aero, and – cue the Jaws music – it’s all going tough opponents in their quest for World Cup glory. There’s no sign of that from the two fairings for the year, one of which the Qatar Test is the last chance for so scarily well behind the scenes? “You can never write off India, they are an excep- Hamamatsu factory so far in 2019 must be decided upon before the teams to decide which positives out- From the rookies to the veterans, tional one-day team, Virat Kohli is a brilliant captain, though, and Ducati and Honda both season begins, the other mid-way weigh which negatives. innovation, re-evaluation and accli- brilliant player.” also seem happy after Sepang, the through, and neither of which can be Another man who will finally be matisation will be buzz words up and As for champions Australia, England’s oldest rivals latter trying two specs. Yamaha, after changed once homologated. And this able to continue his own adaptation down pitlane as the final decisions and five-times World Cup-winners, Swann said: “The a more difficult couple of seasons, time around, they also have to fit in in Qatar is Jorge Lorenzo. After are made ahead of the first Grand Prix Aussies are like Germany in the football -- you can also saw plenty of positive comments a specially designed homologation breaking his scaphoid and being of the year. never write them off at a World Cup.” Swann though said he was particularly looking forward to watching Pakistan, who won the 2017 Champions Trophy one-day tournament in Britain. Al Zubair teams up with “They are so mercurial, you never know what you are going to get. When they are on fire, they are abso- Qatari navigator Al Kuwari lutely explosive and when they’re not, they’re awful.” for Manateq QCCR Challenge South Africa seek

THE PENINSULA Omani driver Abdullah Al Zubair of DOHA South Racing Can-Am Team to bounce back

The South Racing AFP Can-Am Team has PORT ELIZABETH entered a pair of Can-Am Maverick T3s South Africa will be seeking to bounce back in the for Oman’s Abdullah Al second Test against Sri Lanka, starting at St George’s Reinaldo Varela of Monster Energy Can-Am Team in action Zubair and Russian Park tomorrow, after Kusal Perera’s heroics handed in this file photo. driver Fedor Yorobeyev them a chastening defeat in the first Test. in this week’s Manateq Perera became a national hero in Sri Lanka after Qatar Cross-Country scoring an unbeaten 153 in Durban to guide his Rally (QCCR). Monster Energy Can-Am country to a sensational first Test victory in South The Lusail-based Africa. event is the opening Although it was Perera who stole the headlines round of a revised FIA Team’s Varela eyes in the team’s dramatic one-wicket win, the rest of World Cup for Cross- the players rose to rookie captain Dimuth Karu- Country Rallies that fea- naratne’s challenge to “compete in every session”. tures further long-dis- T3 class glory in Qatar With Sri Lanka having a largely unheralded tance rallies in Abu bowling attack, it seems South Africa seriously under- Dhabi, Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan and Oman’s Abdullah Al Zubair and estimated their opponents. Morocco. The T3 category has become Russian driver to represent THE PENINSULA In consequence, South Africa are likely to have DOHA Brazilian duo the most popular of the three FIA car South Racing Can-Am Team at challenging for a change of strategy after going into the Durban match racing categories (T1, T2 and T3) on the with a four-pronged pace attack as well as spinner the Lusail-based opening outright victory at back of the success of the Side-by-Side round of FIA World Cup for The Monster Energy Can-Am Keshav Maharaj. It left them with only six recognised (SxS) section at the Dakar Rally. Team will be hoping to follow this week’s Manateq batsmen. Cross-Country Rallies from The Qatar event is being organised up a superb second and third Qatar Cross-Country Left-arm swing bowler Vishwa Fernando and by the Qatar Motor and Motorcycle Fed- February 23-26. overall at last month’s Dakar Rally after a strong debutant left-arm spinner Lasith Embuldeniya took eration (QMMF) and has attracted a pro- Rally by challenging for performance at the eight and six wickets respectively while South Africa’s visional 13 entrants in T3. in a full spec 2019 car. This rally is much outright victory in the T3 recently concluded batsmen struggled, with the exception of captain Faf Al Zubair and Yorobeyev are closer to his home country of Oman. I category at this week’s Du Plessis and Quinton de Kock. Dakar Rally. running under the AZ Racing Team and think his partnership with (Nasser) Al Manateq Qatar Cross- Du Plessis admitted in Durban that South Africa’s Zavidovo Racing Team banners, respec- Kuwari will be a strong team and they Country Rally. batting had been disappointing. tively. The Omani has teamed up with will be looking for a good result. The Lusail-based event are fully aware of the tricky It seems certain that the hosts will include an extra the experienced Qatari navigator Nasser “Fedor and Kirill are an experi- is the opening round of a navigation and challenging batsman, either Theunis de Bruyn or Zubayr Hamza, Al Kuwari on this occasion. The cousin enced team. They have competed a lot revised FIA World Cup for desert stages that lie in wait while a more conventional mix of three fast bowlers of Porsche Super Cup racer Al Faisal Al in Russia and have raced for several Cross-Country Rallies. on the hidden route laid on and a spinner seems probable. Zubair, he tackled the event in the years in the T3 category. They raced The Qatar event is being by the QMMF. Opening bowler Vernon Philander did not bowl National category last year and claimed Russia in their own vehicle and this is organised by the Qatar Motor Scott Abraham of the in Sri Lanka’s second innings in Durban because of silverware before switching to his the first time that they are racing with and Motorcycle Federation Monster Energy Can-Am a hamstring strain. exciting new Can-Am project. South Racing Can-Am. We want to bring (QMMF) and has attracted a Team, said: “This is the start If he is not fit, it will simplify the decision of which Last weekend, he and navigator both cars to the finish and have a good provisional 13 entrants in T3. of the 2019 season for seamer to omit, although there is also a possibility Faisal Al Raisi finished second overall race.” The Monster Energy Reinaldo and Gustavo. After that all-rounder Wiaan Mulder may win a first . behind Italy’s Michele Cinotto in the T3 The Manateq Qatar Cross-Country Can-Am Team heads that a strong performance on the South Africa could also re-think their policy of category at the Baja Russia Northern Rally gets underway with the first of field with the Brazilian duo Dakar, winning several short-pitched bowling against Asian opponents. It Forest Rally, the opening round of the five desert stages of around 102km on of Reinaldo Varela and stages, they are looking to did not work in Durban and the surface in Port Eliz- new FIA World Cup for Cross-Country February 22. Gustavo Gugelmin wheeling kick-of the FIA Cross- abeth also tends to lack the pace and bounce of other Bajas. They will then tackle four selective out a Can-Am Maverick X3 Country World Cup challenge South African venues. Yorobeyev teams up with fellow sections across much of the desert being run by South Racing. with a good start in Qatar. Before the Durban Test, Du Plessis was talking countryman Kirill Shubin in the third terrain of Qatar on February 23-26 with Varela and Gugelmin “We have done some about his team’s long-term goal of closing the gap on of the South Racing Can-Am Maverick timed sections of 313km, 338km, 350km followed up a stunning development after Dakar and number one-ranked India in the world Test rankings. X3s. The experienced duo finished 15th and 270km planned – totalling 1,367km victory in the SxS section at have adapted the cars to the If, as had been expected, South Africa had dis- overall and sixth in T3 in last weekend’s - for the remaining four days before the the Dakar Rally in 2018 with FIA rules from ASO Dakar posed of their sixth-ranked opponents by winning Russian event that used snow-lined finish on the Pearl-Qatar. third overall and a pair of rules. That has entailed the both Tests, South Africa would have closed the gap forest tracks in the Republic of Karelia, The switch to a date in February for stage wins during their introduction of a restrictor of on India to four points. close to the border with Finland. the first time, as opposed to the cus- defence of that SxS title last 25mm. This has created its Now, the best they can do is share the series, South Racing Can-Am Team’s Scott tomary slot in the calendar at the end of month. They have both taken own technical challenges, but ending a streak of seven successive home series wins. Abraham, said: “Abdullah and Fedor are April, means that outside temperatures part in the Qatar event before I think we are well prepared Even if they win in Port Elizabeth they will drop looking forward to a cross-country are around 10 or 15°C cooler with crews (when it was based at for a good result at this race,” two points further behind India - and if they lose or event after coming back from Russia a set to race in temperatures of around Sealine, south of Doha) and Abraham said. draw they will fall behind New Zealand, currently in couple of days ago. Abdullah is running 22-25°C. third place. WEDNESDAY 20 FEBRUARY 2019 SPORT 07

Spanish Atletico Madrid meet Juventus Super Cup at home in a clash of high stakes set to move abroad AFP MADRID REUTERS MADRID Massimiliano Allegri told Juventus not to be afraid of The Spanish Super Cup will Atletico Madrid but for one of We have to be wary be expanded to four teams, these teams their worst fears in of Atletico. And we with two semi-finals and a this season’s Champions League have to find the right final all to be played outside are about to become a reality. moment to score. It’s the country under a trans- Crashing out in the last 16 formation proposed by would be unthinkable for two crucial that we get a Spanish Football Federation clubs that were among the goal there, otherwise (RFEF) President Luis favourites when the draw for the qualification will Rubiales yesterday. knock-out stages was made in be very difficult: The revamped Super December. Cup is set to start in August “Those that have ambition Juventus manager of this year, with the winners are not afraid,” Allegri said, after Massimiliano Allegri and runners up of both La his side were drawn to play Liga and the Copa del Rey Atletico, with the first leg today qualifying under the new at the Wanda Metropolitano. Simeone extended his con- format, Rubiales, who “It’s like a final, we cannot tract as Atletico coach until 2022 became RFEF president in put a foot wrong,” Atletico boss last week and while few can May 2018, said. Diego Simeone said. question the remarkable In the event that a team Juventus and Atletico Madrid progress made during his tenure, qualifies both through the Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone during a press conference ahead of their match against Juventus have reached 12 European Cup there are some that believe a league and the Copa del Rey, at Wanda Metropolitano, Madrid, Spain, yesterday. INSET: Massimiliano Allegri, coach of Juventus. finals between them, with last ceiling has been reached. the vacant place would be season’s game in Kiev the first in They are out of the Copa del taken by the team with the five years in which neither had leg and twice in the final in 2017 But with anticipation comes otherwise qualification will be Rey and seven points behind best historical record in the featured. too. Juve beat Real in the semi- pressure. Juventus are on course very difficult,” he added. Barcelona in La Liga, where Copa del Rey that had not Atletico went on to win the finals two years earlier but even to win an eighth consecutive Atletico’s own record back-to-back defeats earlier this already qualified for the Europa League instead, proving then, Ronaldo managed a goal Scudetto but this is the one signing last summer, Thomas month failed to capitalise on a Super Cup. themselves too strong for in each leg. There was under- trophy they crave. Lemar, was not even born when rare Catalan dip. “We see an opportunity Europe’s second-tier compe- standable relief, as well as joy, Miss out again and it will be Gianluca Vialli hoisted the Summer signings are yet to to promote the brand of tition, while Juventus were when the Portugese switched 23 years since they last lifted trophy in 1996 for the Italians fully fire and there is scepticism Spain without attacking dumped out by eventual sides last summer and now, Europe’s premier prize, this time but expectation weighs heavy about the January arrival of sporting principles,” winners Real Madrid, undone there is belief. Ronaldo has not with its most prolific player ever on them too. Alvaro Morata, not just because Rubiales told a news con- by a controversial Cristiano finished in single figures for among their ranks. Atletico have the chance to of his links to Real. When results ference, without giving Ronaldo penalty in the 98th goals in the Champions league “We have to be wary of play a final at home this year, at waver, questions about Sime- details of where the games minute. since 2011. Atletico,” Allegri said. the Wanda Metropolitano, and one’s style also invariably follow. in the “final four” format It was Ronaldo’s 10th goal As Lionel Messi said: “They “And we have to find the not only snatch the cup away “It is a style I like, it makes event would take place. in seven games against Juventus, already had a good team and now right moment to score. It’s crucial from rivals Real but do it in the us win,” Antoine Griezmann told The plans must first be having scored twice in the first they have .” that we get a goal there, city they both call their own. UEFA on Monday. approved by the federation’s assembly at a meeting in April, he said, adding that the RFEF plans to open a Pogba fires United into FA Cup last eight global centre of excellence for referees in Madrid and create a committee to fight AFP FA CUP DRAW Gonzalo Higuain should have homophobia in football. LONDON Draw for the FA Cup quarter-finals made on opened the scoring from Cesar Rubiales broke with tra- Monday: Azpilicueta’s teasing cross, but the dition last year by turning Paul Pogba drove Manchester Swansea vs Manchester City Argentine striker headed wide. the traditional season clash United into the FA Cup quarter- Watford vs Crystal Palace Those misses proved fatal for between the La Liga cham- finals and pushed Chelsea Wolves vs Manchester United Chelsea, whose early pressure pions and the Copa del Rey manager Maurizio Sarri closer Millwall vs Brighton was rendered irrelevant by winners from a two-legged to the sack as the troubled another lapse of concentration in tie into a single game played Ties to be played March 15-17 holders crashed to a 2-0 defeat the 31st minute. in Tangier, Morocco, where on Monday. Mata picked out Pogba on the Barcelona beat Sevilla 2-1. Pogba set up United’s Derby, to replace the Italian. left wing and the United mid- Rubiales opposes La opening goal for Ander Herrera It was the worst possible fielder, unchecked by the slow- Liga’s plans to play Spanish with a majestic cross and the start to a defining period for to-react Antonio Rudiger, top flight games abroad and France star added the second Sarri, whose stubborn tactics and unfurled a sublime cross that his organisation blocked a himself as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s dubious man-management have looped towards the far post. proposal to move a game side produced a commanding come under intense scrutiny. Herrera timed his run per- between Girona and Bar- display at Stamford Bridge. Chelsea, currently outside fectly to meet Pogba’s delivery in celona last month to Miami. Chelsea’s lacklustre fifth the Premier League’s top four, stride and Marcos Alonso fatally Barcelona withdrew round exit -- their first FA Cup return to action against Malmo lost his man as the Spanish mid- from the proposed Miami defeat since the 2017 final -- was in the Europa League last 32 fielder planted a close-range game, citing a lack of con- another painful blow for Sarri, second leg holding a 2-1 lead on header past Kepa Arrizabalaga sensus, although their pres- who is facing a fight to save his Thursday. for his first goal since December. ident Josep Maria Bartomeu job following a dismal debut Assuming he hasn’t been Pogba was only just getting said he would like to see season. axed by demanding Chelsea warmed up and he single- three La Liga games a season Chelsea suffered their owner Roman Abramovich handedly ripped Chelsea part to abroad. heaviest defeat for 28 years before then, a shock defeat double United’s lead on the stroke Rubiales said he saw no when they were thrashed 6-0 at against Malmo would be cata- of half-time. contradiction between Manchester City earlier this strophic for Sarri ahead of next Playing an incisive pass down moving the Super Cup month, an indignity that came Sunday’s League Cup Final date the right flank to Rashford, Pogba abroad and “the basic prin- just weeks after a humiliating with Manchester City. surged into the Chelsea area and ciple that a home team 4-0 loss at Bournemouth. United are through to the last Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba (left) celebrates with muscled his way above should always play at their Amid claims Sarri has lost the eight for a fifth consecutive team-mate Ashley Young after scoring their second goal during Azpilicueta to meet his team- ground”. support of his players, the former season as they look to win the the English FA Cup fifth round match against Chelsea at Stamford mate’s pin-point cross with a “FIFA was very clear Napoli boss watched ashen- FA Cup for a record-equalling Bridge in London on Monday. diving header that Kepa couldn’t about opposing the Miami faced as Chelsea collapsed again 13th time and first since 2016. keep out. game. If they change their for a fifth defeat in their last 10 Ending United’s nine-game It was the 15th goal Pogba has criteria we will have to do games. winless run at Chelsea was boss showed his tactical skills by In a frantic opening, Romero been directly involved since Sol- what they say but we still Sarri was subjected to chants another feather in Solskjaer’s cap out-witting Sarri with his switch was called into action when skjaer took charge, underlined his believe you break with the of “you don’t know what you’re as his team bounced back from to a midfield diamond David Luiz drilled a dipping free- renaissance since the sacking of essence of sport if you doing” and “you’re getting last week’s Champions League formation. kick over the United wall. his nemesis Jose Mourinho. prevent a team playing at sacked in the morning” from last 16 first leg loss to Paris Even Solskjaer’s risky Romero kept out Luiz’s effort Nothing was going Sarri’s way home for financial motives,” frustrated Chelsea fans, who Saint-Germain. decision to select reserve goal- and scrambled to his feet to save and United’s Nemanja Matic, Rubiales said. called for their former star Frank Solskjaer went unbeaten in keeper Sergio Romero in place Pedro’s powerful shot from the already booked, avoided a red Lampard, now in charge of his first 11 games and the interim of David De Gea paid off. rebound. card after tripping N’Golo Kante. Gundogan relishing coming home with City after Schalke snub

AFP Bundesliga’s relegation places “At the time, due to growth years at Borussia Dortmund from before losing in the last four to However, there is a chance GELSENKIRCHEN, GERMANY and struggling to score goals spurts, I had physical problems where he joined City in 2016. Manchester United. Head coach Gundogan could be booed in down in 14th place. and couldn’t play any sports for On paper, City could run riot Domenico Tedesco insisted they Gelsenkirchen. Having been rejected as an eight- Like City’s Germany winger half a year, so I dropped out. in Germany, but Gundogan insists can still shock City despite Satur- A rare appearance back in year-old by Schalke 04, Ilkay Leroy Sane, Gundogan, 28, began “Three or four years later, the Mancunians will take nothing day’s drab goalless draw at home Germany will be a test in the Gundogan is relishing returning his career at Schalke’s academy, Schalke attempted to contact me, for granted. to Freiburg left them winless in wake of last May’s scandal when to Gelsenkirchen with Manchester but despite having been rejected but I was a bit resentful. “There is a danger as eve- their last three league games. he and Arsenal midfielder Mesut City in what could potentially be as a child after only one season, “I just wanted to play football ryone thinks Schalke don’t have Gundogan is looking forward Ozil sparked controversy by a one-sided Champions League there will be no element of with my closest friends rather a chance and even though it’s an to playing in his home city. meeting Turkey president Recep clash. revenge come kick-off at the than be back in an academy.” away game, we’re expected to “My family and friends are Tayyip Erdogan in London. While Pep Guardiola’s high- Veltins Arena. Gundogan ended up playing dominate,” said Gundogan. still there, I have had to organise On the eve of the World Cup, flying City are top the Premier “I have (forgiven them), but it for local club Hessler, joining Schalke last reached the a few tickets,” he said. Gundogan’s loyalty to Germany League table, Schalke, Wednes- wasn’t always so,” Gundogan told Bochum as a junior before playing Champions League quarter-finals “I am looking forward to the was thrown into question after day’s opponents in the last 16, German magazine Kicker with a Bundesliga football for in 2011 when ex-Real Madrid game, because I grew up there and giving Erdogan a City shirt signed first-leg clash, are just above the grin. Nuremberg, he then spent five legend Raul inspired their run a lot of people were Schalke fans.” “To my president”. WEDNESDAY 20 FEBRUARY 2019 SPORT 05 I was only worried about my FOOTBALL CRICKET position when I was in League Maurizio Sarri, Chelsea CHAMPIONS LEAGUE West Indies vs England 2 in Italy, not now. I am manager insists he Atletico Madrid vs First One-day International worried about the results, not isn’t worried about

about the fans. ACTION Juventus, 11pm at Bridgetown

being sacked. TODAY’S Djokovic and Biles win Laureus awards

AFP remember forever,” said MONACO Djokovic. LAUREUS AWARDS Seles, also born in Serbia Novak Djokovic’s stupendous although now a naturalised Sportsman of the Year: Novak Djokovic comeback from injury last year American citizen, presented the which saw him win two Grand award to Djokovic, who admitted Sportsmwoman of the Year: Simone Biles Slam titles earned him the it had been a long hard road back Comeback of the Year: Tiger Woods Laureus Sportsman of the Year mentally as well as physically. Breakthrough of the Year: Naomi Osaka Award on Monday at a lavish “Reflecting on it standing ceremony. here now it seems like a fairytale Sportsperson of the Year with a Disability: Henrieta Farkasova The 31-year-old Serbian -- story but it tells me one thing,” Action Sportsperson of the Year: Chloe Kim who added the Australian Open he said. Team of the Year: France World Cup Team in January to the Wimbledon and “In those moments of when US Open crowns he won in 2018 you are facing adversity and Sporting Moment of the Year: Xia Boyu after coming back from elbow challenged you should always Academy Exceptional Achievement Award: Eliud Kipchoge surgery -- won the award for a look inside. Lifetime Achievement Award: Arsene Wenger fourth time beating the likes of “I did not understand that France’s World Cup winner fully before but now I know Spirit of Sport Award: Lindsey Vonn Kylian Mbappe and NBA where I can always find strength Sport for Good Award: Yuwa superstar LeBron James. and belief and to keep on going.” Iconic American gymnast Tennis had a golden night as Simone Biles won Sportswoman women’s world number one of the Year for a second time on Naomi Osaka -- who like the back of the 21-year-old’s his- Djokovic added the Australian toric achievement last year in Open to her breakthrough Grand Novak Djokovic poses with the trophy after adding a fourth all-around world Slam success the US Open -- winning the Laureus Sportsman of the Year championship to her full to became the first Japanese winner Award in Salle des Etoiles, Monaco on Monday. bursting medals cabinet. of a Laureus award, the 21-year- Djokovic was delighted with old taking the World Break- his award -- voted on by the 68 through of the Year gong. “There was a long list of Didier Deschamps -- who also studious 69-year-old Frenchman intact.” China’s Xia Boyu’s members of the Laureus American golf great Tiger people who wrote him off but I captained France to the 1998 received his award from one of extraordinary achievement in Academy which includes Woods was rewarded for his was not one of them,” said World Cup triumph -- accepted his former Arsenal stars Cesc climbing Everest last May, four sporting legends such as nine- return from years in the wil- former NFL star Marcus Allen. the award with some members of Fabregas, who said he had been decades after losing both legs to time singles Grand Slam derness due to injury and per- “When you are anointed with his backroom staff. a father figure to him. frostbite in a previous attempt to champion Monica Seles and Brit- sonal problems to winning the such talent as he is there is Deschamps compatriot “I would like to thank the conquer it, won the Sporting ain’s six-time Olympic track Tour Championship and going always a way back.” Arsene Wenger, credited with wonderful people I met through Moment of the Year which is cycling gold medalist Chris Hoy. close to adding to his 14 major Mbappe may have missed out revolutionising English football my career and some less won- voted on by the public. “Last year was an incredible titles in the British Open and on the main individual award but certainly in the early part of his derful too,” said Wenger. Laureus is a global season for me, returning from the PGA Championship with he along with his World Cup over two decades in charge of “Sport is tremendous I had a movement that aims to use the injury to win Wimbledon and the the Comeback of the Year winning team-mates collected the Arsenal, received the Lifetime long career but my passion for power of sport to tackle social US Open is something I’ll award. team of the year prize. Manager Achievement Award. The sport and for human beings is challenges in the world. Squash queen Nicol David to Mladenovic retire at end stuns Osaka of season AFP KUALA LUMPUR AFP Kvitova, the 2013 winner, DUBAI recovered from losing a first- Eight-time world champion set tiebreak to defeat Katerina Nicol David has announced she Naomi Osaka stumbled badly Siniakova 6-7 (3/7), 6-4, 6-4 will retire at the end of the in her first match since and squeeze into the third 2018-19 squash season, winning the Australian Open round. bringing down the curtain on as the world number one went Halep, Dubai champion in the Malaysian’s illustrious down in a flurry of errors to 2015, saw off 2014 Wim- career. exit the Dubai Championships bledon finalist Eugenie Bou- The 35-year-old is the most yesterday. chard 7-6 (7/4), 6-4. successful woman squash Dubai-based French- The Romanian said she is player of all time and spent an woman Kristina Mladenovic still feeling the effects of her unprecedented nine years as Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc in action during the pre-season testing at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya claimed a 6-3, 6-3 victory to weekend final defeat in Doha world number one between in Barcelona, Spain, yesterday. reach the third round as by Elise Mertens. 2006-2015. Osaka made 25 unforced “It was a good match David said she had thought errors. The rout, which fea- because I won it. I tried to long and hard about calling it a tured seven breaks of the finish the points faster day. Osaka serve, took barely an because I’m a little bit tired,” Leclerc keeps Ferrari “This decision has been hour, sending Mladenovic into Halep said. thought through for quite some today’s contest with Carla “She played well, the level time and I do know that this is Suarez Navarro. was pretty good. At some my last season,” “This is my home tour- points I really ran very well. on top in F1 testing David said in a statement nament, I live here,” world I’m confident. I feel good on posted late Monday on the number 67 Mladenovic said. court even if I’m tired.” A third REUTERS year’s weather-affected first Italian newcomer Antonio Gio- website of the Professional “It’s great to get a win like this former world number one BARCELONA four-day test at the Circuit de vinazzi taking over from Raik- Squash Association, the sport’s in front of a big crowd. also advanced as Angelique Catalunya. konen who tested on Monday governing body. “Beating the number one Kerber beat Dalila Jakupovic New recruit Charles Leclerc kept Rule changes, with new aer- and using harder tyres than “My mind and body have is always special.” The second 7-6 (7/4), 6-3. Ferrari on top of the timesheets odynamic regulations, were others. In terms of mileage, Red battled it out to stay at the very set was riddled with seven Kvitova, Wimbledon with a full race distance before expected to make the cars Bull did the third most with top of my game for such a long consecutive breaks of serve champion in 2011 and 2014, lunchtime on the second day of around 1.5 seconds a lap slower. Frenchman Pierre Gasly putting time that I feel that I only have before Mladenovic finished off said she was unfazed about Formula One’s pre-season But the evidence so far has been in 69 laps in another strong this last big push left for the the job with a winner to the the early midday start to her testing in Spain yesterday. that much of the lost time has showing for the new partnership final season to give it all I have empty court on match point. match. After team mate Sebastian been regained. with Honda. before I enter the next phase of Osaka stunned the tennis “I don’t really care if I play Vettel led the way on Monday By the time the season starts Australian Daniel Ricciardo, my life.” world last week by the first match,” the Australian with the fastest time and most in Australia on March 17 cars can who has joined Renault from David, the darling of announcing her split from Open runner-up said. “Now laps, Kimi Raikkonen’s 21-year- be expected to be going even Red Bull, did the least laps of the Malaysian sports fans, has also coach Sascha Bajin despite I’m done, so I have a free old replacement slotted in seam- faster, but Pirelli’s F1 tyre boss morning (28) but that was due won five British Open titles, two winning back-to-back Grand afternoon. lessly with a time not far off the Mario Isola cautioned that the to his rear wing flying off at Commonwealth Games gold Slam titles at the US and Aus- “I’m not sure what I’m German’s best. picture might be distorted. speed. medals, five gold tralian Opens. pleased with... maybe with my The Monegasque produced He said the asphalt had been He returned to the pits with medals and three World Games She said earlier this week comeback at the end.” - Svi- a best time of one minute 18.247 new for testing last year, with a the Renault engineers setting to gold medals in a glittering that she would not prioritise tolina benefits from Jabeur seconds and did 73 laps, com- very smooth surface that had work. career spanning two decades. “success over happiness” injury - Local favourite Ons pared with Vettel’s Monday evolved further. “On-track fun for Daniel. David’s reign atop the PSA when asked about the sacking, Jabeur was forced to retire 1:18.161 and 72 laps, in partially “I believe the influence of the We’re testing his reaction skills. world rankings came to an end and she never looked like with the Tunisian trailing Svi- cloudy conditions and an Tarmac is higher, and the They’re good,” the team said jok- in September 2015, but she con- winning in Dubai as she also tolina 7-6 (7/4), 4-0. ambient temperature of 14 (warmer) temperature is playing ingly on . “Car and driver tinued to break records, served five double faults. Jabeur took a fall late in degrees Celsius. a big effect. We know that,” he are back in the garage. Rear- achieving the longest unbroken Earlier yesterday, Simona the opening set, rolling her Five times world champion told reporters. wing assessing is in full flow.” run inside the world’s top five Halep and Petra Kvitova both ankle while also hitting her Lewis Hamilton, working Ferrari-powered Haas were Williams were again absent, with at 143 months. won their opening matches, shoulder. She took a medical through the Mercedes testing second fastest, with Denmark’s the team hoping to get their car David’s final tournament while Elina Svitolina made a timeout out but was only able programme, did one more lap Kevin Magnussen taking his turn to Barcelona for today’s third day will either be the British Open strong start to her bid for a to carry on in the second set than Leclerc however. and producing a best lap of amid speculation that senior in Hull in May or the following third straight title. for four games. Ferrari’s times have been 1:19.234. heads could roll as a result of the month’s World Tour Finals if quicker than anything from last Alfa Romeo were third with delay. she qualifies.