SUNDAY 11 MARCH 2018 SPORT 25 I keep getting a little bit better, here and there, 4.30PM 7:00PM making little subtle Tiger Woods FOOTBALL FOOTBALL The former world No.1 Arsenal vs Bournemouth FC vs tweaks from tournament seems pleased with his Live on to tournament. performance in Florida Watford Tottenham Hotspurs TUBE Live on beIN HD 2 Live on beIN HD 2 NBA: Clippers Halep and Pliskova advance easily defeat the Cavaliers 116-102 but Muguruza bites the dust AP

AFP Cepelova (124) at Wimbledon in Simona Halep of Romania celebrates LOS ANGELES: DeAndre Jordan 2016. her win over Kristyna Pliskova of Czech had 20 points and 23 rebounds, INDIAN WELLS: World number Muguruza had five double Republic during their BNP Paribas Open Tobias Harris scored 23 points and one Simona Halep and fifth seed faults and had her serve broken match at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden. the Los Angeles Clippers beat the Karolina Pliskova eased through five times in the two hour, 11 Cleveland Cavaliers 116-102 on their WTA Indian Wells openers minute night match. Friday night. on Friday but reigning Crowd favourite Vickery LeBron James had 25 points Wimbledon champ Garbine posted her first career win over and 10 rebounds, and Jordan Muguruza bit the dust in the Cali- a top 10 player as she served Clarkson added 21 points for the fornia desert. masterfully and controlled the Cavaliers, whose five-game road Halep beat Karolina’s sister rallies with her ground strokes. winning streak ended. Kristyna Pliskova 6-4, 6-4 while Vickery said the partisan James shot 11 of 20 from the Karolina eased past Irina- crowd motivated her. field, was 3 of 7 from 3-point Camelia Begu 7-6 (7/4), 6-1 to “The atmosphere really range and missed both of his free reach the third round of the helped me even though I was throws. combined WTA/ATP hardcourt feeling it a bit physically. I kept The Clippers led most of the tournament. telling myself ‘just do your best’,” game, coming out energized at the Muguruza became the first said the 22-year-old who is start and shooting 50 percent in major casualty of the event, suf- making her second appearance the first quarter while taking an fering a shock 2-6, 7-5, 6-1 in Indian Wells. 18-point lead. defeat to world number 100 Halep roared into the third Montrezl Harrell also had 20 Sachia Vickery. round by overpowering Kristyna points for the Clippers, who con- “It slipped away a little bit in straight sets. trolled the boards 52-40. They from me,” said Muguruza. “I’m The 26-year-old Romanian owned advantages in the paint going to learn a lot from this will meet US wildcard Caroline after beating Halep in three sets points in her 92 minute victory Putintseva 6-7 (4/7), 7-6 (7/3), (58-42) and second-chance points match. I’m going to watch it and Dolehide who beat Dominika in the Australian Open final, but over Begu. The Czech, who turns 6-4. Rising star Jelena Ostapenko (25-8). I’m going to see what went Cibulkova, of Slovakia, 5-7, 6-3, Halep reclaimed it from her just 26 on March 22, is hoping to battled her way into the third Los Angeles got balanced wrong.” 6-4. prior to Indian Wells. improve on her semi-final finish round by outlasting Swiss scoring with six players in double Muguruza, who was seeded “I was ready to play. I was Wozniacki will play her first here in 2017, part of a stellar Belinda Bencic 6-4, 3-6, 6-1. figures, and plenty of help in con- third here, was named WTA ready to work and ready to match of the tournament against campaign that saw her win titles The 20-year-old reigning taining James in the first half when Player of the Year last year after fight,” Halep said. “It wasn’t an qualifier Lara Arruabarrena. in Brisbane, Doha, and East- French Open champion will next he had just eight points. winning titles in Wimbledon and easy match. But I am really Halep won three out of the bourne and rise as high as face Petra Martic of Croatia who Cleveland made a final stand Cincinnati. The 24-year-old also happy I won my first match here final four games in the second number one in the world last beat Czech 26th seed Barbora in the fourth, as George Hill’s reached No.1 in the world in Sep- and I get a chance to play again.” set, claiming victory when her July. Strycova 7-5, 6-4. Ostapenko, of 3-pointer got the Cavs to 110-102 tember and was ranked third Halep and Caroline Wozni- opponent sailed a forehand long Elsewhere, ninth seeded Latvia, beat Halep in last year’s before the Clippers scored the heading into Indian Wells. acki have been taking turns at on the first match point. Petra Kvitova won her 14th French Open final in three sets, game’s final six points. This the Spaniard’s first loss No. 1 this year. Fifth-ranked Karolina straight match to equal the becoming the lowest ranked and The Cavs cut a 16-point def- to a player ranked in the 100s Denmark’s Wozniacki took Pliskova smashed four aces and longest winning streak of her first unseeded player in history icit to 85-77 heading into the since she was beaten by Jana the world number one ranking won 76 percent of her first serve career by outlasting Yulia to win at Roland Garros. fourth. James scored seven of their last 12 points of the third, missing Facebook to two free throws at the end. stream 25 ‘Good day’ leaves Woods MLB games in NBA Results DETROIT 99 Chicago 83 exclusive deal INDIANA 112 Atlanta 87 two strokes off the lead TORONTO 108 Houston 105 AP Utah 95 MEMPHIS 78 REUTERS bogey of the round at his final Milwaukee 120 New York 112 NEW YORK: Facebook is hole, the par-four ninth, where Tiger Woods looks on Washington 116 N ORLEANS 97 getting deeper into the NEW YORK: Tiger Woods his six-foot par putt grazed the during the second round of DENVER 125 LA Lakers 116 professional sports moved into a tie for second hole after his birdie chip had the Valspar Championship PORTLAND 125 G State 108 streaming game, partnering place at the halfway point of the struck the flagstick. at Innisbrook Resort SACRAMENTO 94 Orlando 88 with Major League Baseball Valspar Championship in This week, his fourth start Copperhead Course in LA CLIPPERS 116 Cleveland 102 to air 25 weekday afternoon Florida on Friday and said his of the year, is likely to be his Palm Harbour, Florida. games in an exclusive deal. game was tracking nicely in penultimate event before the The games will be avail- time for the year’s first major April 5-8 Masters at Augusta able to Facebook users in championship, the US Masters. National, and Friday’s round NHL: Big third the US on Facebook Watch, Woods, who underwent spi- marked another encouraging the company’s video feature nal fusion surgery last April, shot outing by a player whose pre- period lifts Stars announced last August, via the a three-under-par 68 that left vious comeback attempts have over Ducks MLB Live show page. Facebook him two strokes behind leader been short-lived due to recur- said yesterday that recorded Corey Conners after the second ring back injuries. REUTERS broadcasts also will be avail- round at the Innisbrook Resort “I keep getting a little bit bet- able globally, excluding select in Palm Harbour. ter, here and there, making little NEW YORK: Jamie Benn’s power- international markets. PGA Tour rookie Conners subtle tweaks and I’ve done that play goal with 5:37 to play on a The package, MLB’s first only got into the event as an from tournament to tournament,” redirected shot by John Klingberg digital-only broadcast agree- alternate but leads the way after the 14-time major champion told was the difference as the Dallas ment, precludes teams from carding a 69 for a six-under 136 reporters. Stars came from behind to beat televising those games on their total. “I’m finding the rhythm of the Anaheim Ducks 2-1 on Friday regional sports networks. The Canadian would have the round, hitting shots, I don’t at the American Airlines Centre in Facebook’s selection will been further ahead but for a dou- have a problem posting scores. downtown Dallas. come from among the nine ble-bogey on his 13th hole, where I’m able to play more feel golf.” Dallas cemented its hold on games per season teams can he three-putted from short range. Woods was joined on four- the first wild card into the play- lose from their local telecasts The tournament lost two of under 138 by fellow Americans offs from the Western Conference to national video partners, its biggest names with world Brandt Snedeker (68), Ryan and remained in fourth place in which include Fox and ESPN. number four Jordan Spieth (71) Palmer (66) and Kelly Kraft (70) the Central Division. MLB owners approved the and four-times major champion and Englishman Paul Casey (68). Ryan Getzlaf got the Ducks on deal in a telephone meeting Rory McIlroy (73) missing the cut, “We’ve got a long way to go,” the board with 2:44 to play in the this week. MLB will receive both bowing out at five-over 147. Woods said. “Wind’s going to be first period when he skated down $30m to $35 m, a person famil- For Woods, however, Fri- totally different, coming out of the right wing and wired a wrist iar with the agreement said. day was “a good day,” despite the south this weekend. It will be shot over the blocker of Dallas The person spoke on condi- the 42-year-old carding his lone a completely different test than goaltender Kari Lehtonen. Corey tion of anonymity because Perry and Rikard Rakell got assists the amount was not released. on the goal. Facebook, Twitter and Valspar Championship scores After a scoreless second Amazon and other tech com- Miami: Leading second-round scores on Friday in the US PGA Tour Valspar Championship period, Dallas tied the match with panies are in a race to acquire in Tampa, Florida (USA unless noted, par 71): 11:10 to play in the third period on sports streaming rights, which 136 - Corey Conners (CAN) 67-69 a power-play goal by Devin Shore, can be lucrative and poten- who deflected a pass by Tyler 138 - Paul Casey (ENG) 70-68, Brandt Snedeker 70-68, Tiger Woods 70-68, Ryan Palmer tially boost user loyalty. Seguin past Anaheim netminder 72-66, Kelly Kraft 68-70 The deal comes at a time we’ve had the last couple of days. at the Honda Classic in Florida Ryan Miller. when leagues are worrying 139 - Sean O’Hair 71-68, Jason Kokrak 72-67, Justin Rose (ENG) 70-69, Webb Simpson “This is a very difficult golf two weeks ago. Benn was granted an assist on about cord-cutters causing 71-68, Keegan Bradley 69-70 course.” “I thought I had a shot (of win- the tally. a decrease in viewers among 140 - Bob Estes 70-70, Jimmy Walker 69-71, Tyrone Van Aswegen (RSA) 75-65, Trey Woods returned to the PGA ning) at Honda with a few holes to cable television networks. Mullinax 72-68, Louis Oosthuizen (RSA) 71-69, Patrick Reed 71-69, Blayne Barber 70-70, Tour in January, finishing equal go and instead of making birdies NHL Results Sam Burns 71-69 Verizon signed a deal with 23rd at Torrey Pines in San Diego. coming in I made some mistakes COLUMBUS 3 Detroit 2 141 - Bill Haas 73-68, Branden Grace (RSA) 73-68, Adam Hadwin (CAN) 71-70, Shane the NBA to stream eight games He subsequently missed the but to play myself into conten- Calgary 2 OTTAWA 1 on Yahoo, and Amazon paid Lowry (IRL) 71-70, Zach Johnson 73-68, Rory Sabbatini (RSA) 70-71, Luke List 70-71, cut at Riviera in Los Angeles but tion this early into (my return) DALLAS 2 Anaheim 1 $50m to stream NFL games to William McGirt 71-70, Chris Kirk 70-71, Steve Stricker 70-71 enjoyed his most promising result was nice,” he said. Minnesota 5 VANCOUVER 2 Prime members last season. since 2015 when he finished 12th “I feel comfortable out there.” 26 SPORT SUNDAY 11 MARCH 2018

Domestic trouble England romp home, claim threatens Shami’s series on Bairstow’s century career AFP “The way the guys have taken REUTERS early on has enabled us CHRISTCHURCH: A masterful to turn the screw through the NEW DELHI: Fast bowler century by middle. My job is to go out and Mohammed Shami is doubt- complemented an exceptional try and score big hundreds and ful for this year’s Indian spell as England cruised contribute to match winning Premier League (IPL) as his to a seven- victory over scores and that’s something I’m franchise waits for direction New Zealand to claim the one- trying to do.” from the Indian board day international series 3-2 in The stark contrast in per- (BCCI) on his availability after Christchurch yesterday. formances was highlighted in the being accused of adultery and Bairstow’s heroics with the middle of the 26th over in each domestic violence by his wife. bat -- 104 off 60 deliveries -- innings when New Zealand were A key cog in India’s pace backed by 61 from fellow opener 93 for six while England were 192 attack, the 27-year-old was Alex Hales saw England overhaul for two at the same stage. left out of the list of con- New Zealand’s 223 with a colos- Disappointed New Zealand England’s Jonny Bairstow tracted players unveiled by sal 104 balls remaining to wrap skipper strug- the BCCI on Wednesday but celebrates 100 runs against up the winner-takes-all gled to find something positive the board did not offer any New Zealand in a One-Day showdown. say about his side apart from “a immediate explanation as to International at University “Our bowlers really did set good showing” by Mitchell Sant- why. Oval in Dunedin yesterday. the tone,” said Eoin Mor- ner and Henry Nicholls who put Shami was charged on gan who won the toss and made on 84 for the seventh wicket. Friday by police in the east- New Zealand bat first. “It was a really disappointing ern Indian city of Kolkata Chris Woakes, the Man-of effort from our part,” he said. based on a complaint by his the-Series, lead the way with “You want to come out and wife and media in India have three for 32 off his 10 overs while play a performance you’d be deliveries for his 61 which Hales was the second wicket consecutive duck. Mark Wood linked the allegations as a spinner finished with proud of and today we (didn’t) in included nine boundaries. to fall when England were on 177 bowled Kane Williamson for 14 reason why he missed a cen- three for 42. all facets. It was a shame. Eng- Both sides were hit with late and just 47 runs short of victory. before spinners Rashid and tral contract. “Johnny (Bairstow) played land were outstanding and they replacements but with marked Morgan had a short stay for eight stepped up to decimate Shami used Twitter to dis- particularly well... but really the deserved to win the series.” differences. while was 26 the middle of the New Zealand miss the “false allegations” game today was won by our Bairstow toyed with the best New Zealand’s maes- at the end with on 23. innings as Tom Latham (10), and called it a “big conspir- bowling unit,” Morgan added in of New Zealand’s bowling stocks tro Ross Taylor failed a late fitness After the first four ODIs, Chapman, Martin Guptill (47) and acy” to derail his game. a sentiment shared by Bairstow as he smacked nine fours and six test and was replaced by Mark which had the series level at 2-2, Colin de Grandhomme (six) fell The case against the Delhi who ensured an early end with sixes. Chapman who made a three-ball England had the New Zealand in quick succession Daredevils bowler, however, his 104 from 60 deliveries. He eventually brought about duck. batsmen well worked out. Santner, who rescued New could affect his participation “They set the platform and his own downfall by belting the England lost to a Colin Munro went on the sec- Zealand in the first match, hit a in the IPL that starts on April they have done first up all the stumps as he stepped back to cut back spasm and his replacement ond ball he faced, caught behind personal-best 67 while Nicholls 7. way through the series,” said a wide Trent Boult . Hales opened with Bairstow in a off Woakes for the third time in was out for 55 to give the innings “We are waiting for a Bairstow. Hales was at the crease for 74 155-run stand for the first wicket. five innings and for his second some substance. direction from BCCI on him,” Delhi Daredevils chief exec- utive Hemant Dua said SCOREBOARD yesterday. New Zealand Bowling: Woakes 10-1-32-3 (2w), Wood 8-0-26-1 More players could quit red-ball “We approached the BCCI M Guptill c Stokes b Rashid ...... 47 (2w), Stokes 4-0-23-0 (2w), Rashid 10-0-42-3, Ali 10-1- on this. It’s a tri-partite agree- C Munro c Buttler b Woakes ...... 0 39-1, Root 2-0-15-0, Curran 5.5-0-46-2 (1w) ment between the player, the K Williamson b Wood ...... 14 England cricket, warns coach Bayliss franchise and the BCCI. T Latham c Stokes b Rashid ...... 10 J Bairstow hit wicket b Boult ...... 104 “BCCI is doing some M Chapman b Ali ...... 0 A Hales c Williamson b Santner ...... 61 REUTERS “It’s becoming a way of the are going to make those internal checks and they said H Nicholls c Morgan b Curran ...... 55 J Root (not out) ...... 23 C de Grandhomme c Curran b Rashid ...... 6 E Morgan c de Grandhomme b Sodhi ...... 8 world, those decisions having decisions...” they would get back to us M Santner c Hales b Woakes ...... 67 B Stokes (not out) ...... 26 LONDON: England players will to be made,” Bayliss was quoted The 55-year-old had previ- soon. We are waiting for their T Southee c Bairstow b Woakes ...... 10 Extras (LB4, W3) ...... 7 continue to drop red-ball cricket as saying by The Times. “I’d be ously suggested that feedback.” I Sodhi c Stokes b Curran ...... 5 Total: (for 3 wkts) ...... 229 for their county clubs if the disappointed (if more were to internationals should be stopped Vinod Rai, chairman of T Boult not out ...... 2 Fall of wickets: 1-155, 2-177, 3-192 current congested schedule is follow), but I understand how to alleviate players’ schedules. the committee of administra- Extras:(W7) ...... 7 Bowling: Southee 5-1-20-0, Boult 6-0-50-1 (3w), de not reduced, the national team’s players come to them, especially Bayliss also said that no tors governing the BCCI, has Total: (all out; 49.5 overs) ...... 223 Grandhomme 4-0-33-0, Santner 10-0-44-1, Sodhi 7.4- Fall of wickets: 1-1, 2-26, 3-60, 4-61, 5-79, 6-93, 7-177, 0-78-1 head coach Trevor Bayliss said. the guys who are eligible for all decision had been made on called it a “Catch 22” situa- 8-213, 9-214, 10-223 Result: England won by sevenn wickets Last month, England opener three forms. whether to re-instate all- tion for the board. Alex Hales and all-rounder Adil “The amount of cricket rounder Ben Stokes as England’s “Ordinarily you would Rashid chose to play only lim- played, it’s almost impossible to vice captain, after the 26-year- distinguish and say that (the ited-overs cricket for their play all those games. You add old lost the role following his allegation) is a personal issue counties Nottinghamshire and those games in with county suspension for the Ashes series. and the contract is a profes- Yorkshire respectively. matches they want to play, and England clinched their five- sional issue,” Rai told the Mushfiqur shines Bayliss said that he would it’s a lot. match one-day international ESPN Cricket website. be disappointed if more players “... It’s down to the schedule. series against New Zealand 3-2 “But someone could eas- chose not to play test matches I did say before about interna- with victory on Saturday and ily point out and say this as pull but understood their decisions tional T20 giving way to now turn their attention to the allegation is an unsavoury with international and domes- franchise, it’s either that or you two-match Test series, which one and you are still reward- off stunning win tic fixtures piling up. play less, or we accept that they begins in Auckland on March 22. ing him (Shami).” REUTERS COLOMBO: Bangladesh captain led by exam- South Africa edge ahead after ple, smashing an unbeaten 72 off 35 balls to help his team pull off a stunning chase in a Twenty20 Tri-Series match yesterday. Chasing 215 to win, Bangladesh made a flying start before enduring a mid-innings slump when Mushfiqur took the onus on De Villiers hits unbeaten 74 himself to help Bangladesh post their highest total in the 20-overs format and win by five wickets with two balls to spare. REUTERS remaining, but De Villiers con- Seeking to bounce back from Thursday’s loss to India, Rahim SCOREBOARD tinued to play positive cricket as elected to field but amassed 214 for six wickets at the R PORT ELIZABETH: AB de Villiers he looked supremely comfort- Premadasa Stadium. Danushka Gunathilaka fell for 26 but a brisk scored a stylish, unbeaten half- Australia (I innings) ...... 243 able at the crease, in stark South Africa (I innings) 85-run partnership between opener Kusal Mendis (57) and next century as patient South Africa D Elgar c Paine b Hazlewood ...... 57 contrast to just about every other man in Kusal Perera laid the foundation for a 200-plus total. edged ahead of Australia on a A Markram lbw b Cummins ...... 11 batsman in the game. Mendis smacked five sixes in his 30-ball blitz and Perera top- slow wicket on the second day K Rabada b Cummins ...... 29 One of the elements that had scored for the hosts with 74 off 48 balls. of the second Test, going to the H Amla b Starc ...... 56 livened up a slow day out in the provided the late assault, smashing 32 not out close at 263 for seven at St A de Villiers(not out) ...... 74 middle, the brass band that has in 15 balls to help the hosts post the highest score in a Twenty20 George’s Park yesterday. F du Plessis lbw b M Marsh ...... 9 been a popular fixture at St T de Bruyn lbw b M Marsh ...... 1 International at the venue before Bangladesh bettered that mark. The home side have a nar- Q de Kock b Lyon...... 9 George’s Park for two decades, A strong start was crucial to Bangladesh’s hopes and they got row advantage of 20 runs with V Philander (not out) ...... 14 was asked to stop playing by precisely that from (47) and (43) who added the brilliant De Villiers on 74 Extras (LB2, W1) ...... 3 umpires Kumar Dharmasena 74 runs for the opening partnership inside six overs. from 81 balls and all-rounder Total (7 wkts) ...... 263 and Sundaram Ravi, who Nuwan Pradeep trapped Das lbw to earn a breakthrough for Vernon Philander to resume on Fall of wickets: 1-22, 2-67, 3-155, 4-155, 5-179, claimed they could not hear the Sri Lanka but Mushfiqur, who hit four sixes and five fours, batted 14 in the search for what could 6-183, 7-227 nicks off the bat. with purpose to force an outcome which meant all three teams in be crucial first innings runs in an Bowling: Starc 26-4-78-1, Hazlewood 24-4-73-1, That left large sections of the Cummins 20-6-55-2 (1w), Lyon 16-5-29-1, M the tournament have one win each. engrossing contest. Marsh 9-1-26-2 crowd chanting their displeas- Opener Dean Elgar (57 from To bat: K Maharaj, L Ngidi ure but with each run scored by SCOREBOARD 197 balls) and Hashim Amla (56 the home side, those jeers turned Sri Lanka Bangladesh from 148 balls) had earlier put South Africa’s batsman AB de Villiers to cheers as South Africa look to D Gunathilaka b ...... 26 Tamim Iqbal c & b T Perera ...... 47 on 88 in 46.2 overs for the third plays a shot during day two of the second level the four-match series hav- K Mendis c b ...... 57 Liton Das lbw b Pradeep ...... 43 wicket as South Africa crawled Test against Australia at St George’s Park ing lost the first Test in Durban K Perera c Mushfiqur Rahim b Mustafizur Rahman .74 c & b Pradeep ...... 24 towards Australia’s first innings in Port Elizabeth, yesterday. by 118 runs. D Shanaka c Sabbir Rahman b Mahmudullah ...... 0 Mushfiqur Rahim not out ...... 72 total of 243, including adding just Nightwatchman Kagiso Rab- D Chandimal c Sabbir Rahman b ...... 2 Mahmudullah c Mendis b Chameera ...... 20 U Tharanga not out ...... 32 Sabbir Rahman run out (T Perera) ...... 0 43 runs in 26 overs in the mid- ada (29) was the only batsman T Perera c b Mustafizur Rahman ...... 0 not out ...... 0 dle session of the day. though, with the reverse-swing- had been ill on day one, looked out in the first two sessions. He J Mendis (not out) ...... 6 Extras (LB3, NB1, W5) ...... 9 But once De Villiers came to ing ball collecting four quick full of energy as he got two balls has also been charged with a Extras (B1, LB3, NB1, W12) ...... 17 Total (5 wkts) ...... 215 the wicket, he immediately wickets after tea. to tail in late and remove home Level Two offence by the Inter- Total (6 wkts) ...... 214 Fall of wickets: 1-74, 2-100, 3-151, 4-193, 5-197 started scoring all round the Amla was bowled by an captain Faf du Plessis (9) and national Cricket Council. The Fall of wickets: 1-56, 2-141, 3-142, 4-150, 5-205, Did not bat: Taskin Ahmed, , Mustafizur wicket, injecting urgency into excellent delivery from Mitchell Theunis de Bruyn (1) leg before hearing will take place today. He 6-206 Rahman, Nazmul Islam the South African innings and Starc (1-78) that cannoned into wicket. was originally scheduled to hear Did not bat: A Dananjaya, D Chameera, N Pradeep Bowling: Chameera 4-0-44-1 (w1), Dananjaya 3-0-36- Bowling: Taskin 3-0-40-1 (w6), Mustafizur 4-0-48-0 0 (w1), Pradeep 4-0-37-2, Gunathilaka 2-0-22-0, T Per- putting the pressure back on the his off-stump, before Elgar When spinner Nathan Lyon his fate after play on day two, (w4), nb1), Rubel 4-0-45-0, Mehidy 4-0-31-0, Nazmul era 3.4-0-36-1 (w3, nb1), Mendis 2-0-25-0, Shanaka Australian bowlers. edged (1-73) to (1-29) bowled Quinton de Kock but one of the standing umpires 2-0-20-0, Soumya 1-0-11-0 (w2), Mahmudullah 2-0-15-2 1-0-12-0 The tourists continued to wicketkeeper Tim Paine. (9), South Africa still trailed by from Friday, , was chip away at the other end Mitchell Marsh (2-26), who 16 runs with three wickets not fit to sit in. SUNDAY 11 MARCH 2018 SPORT 27

Rashford hits Dutch pair tops; Qatar’s Cherif double as Man United hold and Ahmed clinch bronze off Liverpool AFP ARMSTRONG VAS THE PENINSULA MANCHESTER: Marcus Rashford scored twice in the DOHA: Alexander Brouwer and first 25 minutes as Manches- Robert Meeuwsen won their first ter United held off a Liverpool FIVB Beach Volleyball World fightback to move five points Tour gold of 2018 while Qatar’s clear of their visitors in Cherif Younousse and Ahmed second place in the Premier Tijan delighted the home crowd League with a 2-1 win at Old by picking the bronze medal at Trafford. the same event here at Katara United also close to within Beach yesterday 13 points of Manchester City, Cherif and Ahmed became but barring a late season col- the first Qatari team to win a lapse by the runaway league World Tour medal when they leaders that gap looks defeated the USA’s Phil Dal- unbridgeable. More signifi- hausser and Nick Lucena 2-1 cantly Jose Mourinho’s men (21-19, 19-21, 15-13) in the third moved another huge step Robert Meeuwsen (left) and Alexander Brouwer celebrate their first World Tour gold of 2018, at Katara Beach yesterday. RIGHT: Qatar’s place play-off match. closer to guaranteeing a top- Cherif Younousse and Ahmed Tijan show off their bronze medals. The pair played two tourna- four finish by opening up a ments together in 2014 before 12-point lead on fifth-placed they went their separate ways, Brouwer and Meeuwsen began the year by winning “We kept going forward and we played very well this week,” Chelsea. but since they reunited at the end defeated Oleg Stoyanovskiy and bronze in front of their home going for the next point. Stoyanovskiy said. Liverpool were left to rue of 2017 their combination of Igor Velichko in the final. fans at the 4-star Dela Beach “We stayed cool even if it “We had to play a very high a slow start as Rashford twice Cherif’s prowess at the net and The wining duo fought back Open in The Hague. was a final and I’m really happy level of volleyball because of the finished impressively after Ahmed Tijan’s agility at the back from losing the first set to beat Now the 2013 world cham- with how we played.” teams that were here, and that is the Romelu Lukaku had outmus- has allowed them to develop into the Russians 2-1 (20-22, 21-14, pions have ended their wait for Stoyanovskiy and Velichko key for us to play well and then we cled Dejan Lovren. a competitive pairing. 15-11). a World Tour gold with their 10th were playing in their first World can worry about the medals.” The visitors dominated “The game was not really “We’ve known them since Tour medal, having last topped Tour gold medal match since The five-day tournament after the break, but could only easy and we had to fight to the last week when we played them the podium at the 3-Star Xiamen they teamed up as a pair at the was held at the Katara Cultural find a response via a United end,” Cherif said. “We were play- in Fort Lauderdale, they are a tournament in April 2017. start of the year. They had both Village for the first time and it player when Eric Bailly turned ing against two of the best new team and a young team, and “We started off really well in won Tour medals with previous was the fourth time that Doha into his own net 24 minutes players in the world, but we had they played amazingly this the start of the first set, but we partners, and they have now set has hosted an FIVB Beach Vol- from time. the energy and didn’t give up and whole tournament,” Brouwer let them back at the end of the the bar high for success in future leyball World Tour tournament, Just a second defeat in 21 fought till the end.” said. first set with our mistakes,” tournaments. following competitions in 2014, Premier League games leaves In the final, the Dutch pair of Brouwer and Meeuwsen Meeuwsen said. “We are very happy because 2015 and 2016. Liverpool still in third, but they could drop to fourth if Tottenham win at Bourne- mouth on Sunday. Rashford may not have even have started but for an Double delight as Asia-Pacific pocket injury to Paul Pogba suffered in training on Friday. Without the £89 m Bonallack and Patsy Hankins trophies ($123m) French international, Mourinho moved Alexis Sanchez inside behind THE PENINSULA fourball and foursomes match Lukaku and handed Rashford alongside Rasmus Hojgaard in his first league start of the DOHA Asia-Pacific defeated addition to his win in the singles. year on the left. Europe to make a clean sweep Although the men’s match was The Portuguese coach’s at Doha Golf Club by winning very close, the second edition of plans worked to perfection both the Bonallack and Patsy the ladies’ match was decided when Rashford brought the Hankins trophies. early. game to life with a superb fin- It is the first time Asia-Pacific Asia-Pacific secured victory ish after 14 minutes. men won the biennial match at the end of day two after win- Lukaku beat Lovren to since 2004 for amateur golfers, ning eight of the day’s ten a long ball and the England while in the women’s section, matches. Europe only managed international skipped Asia-Pacific successfully one victory over the first two inside Trent Alexander- defended the Patsy Hankins Tro- days, which was delivered by Arnold before smashing a phy they had won two years Bianca Fabrizio and Blanca shot past the helpless Loris back in Portugal. Fernandez. Karius. In the three-day competi- Despite the match already tion, Asia-Pacific held a narrow being decided, the European lead in the men’s section after ladies were more successful in ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE the first day fourball and four- the singles matches; Blanca English Premier League results somes matches but trailed by Fernandez, Annabell Fuller, Iso- yesterday: two points after day two. bel Wardle, Zhen Bontan and Everton 2 (Bong 60-og, Tosun 75) Asia-Pacific winners of the Bonallack and Brighton 0 In the singles on the third Patsy Hankins trophies pose for a picture Paula Grant all won their and final day, Asia-Pacific won matches. Huddersfield 0 Swansea 0 at Doha Golf Club. five of the first seven matches to Atthaya Thitikul, winner of Manchester United 2 (Rashford 14, 24) Liv- take a one-point lead. At this the inaugural Women’s Amateur erpool 1 (Bailly 66-og) point, Europe needed three more Asia-Pacific Championship ear- Newcastle 3 (Kenedy 2, 29, Ritchie 57) points to retain the trophy and lier this year, and her foursomes Southampton 0 were up in two and down in and fourball partner, Yuka Saso, West Brom 1 (Rondon 8) Leicester 4 (Vardy three of the remaining matches. both won all five of the matches 21, Mahrez 62, Iheanacho 76, Iborra 90+3) Angel Hidalgo fought back they played. West Ham 0 Burnley 3 (Barnes 66, Wood 70, 81) from two down with four holes The highest scorer on the Playing today to play to secure half a point and Frederic Lacroix lost 3 and 2, 18th hole to score the half-point halved, meaning Asia-Pacific European team was England’s Arsenal vs Watford (1330 GMT) Oliver Gillberg overturned a meaning the outcome of the Europe needed to retain the tro- took the match. Annabell Fuller, who halved Bournemouth vs Tottenham (1600 GMT)

two-hole deficit with six to play match would come down to Mat- phy and had a two-metre putt to Kristoffer Reitan was the three matches alongside Puk Playing on Monday to win by one hole. Kristoffer thew Jordan and Osawa Kazuya. do so. Unfortunately, he missed highest scorer of the European Lyng Thomsen in addition to her Stoke vs Manchester City (2000 GMT) Reitan won by one hole but Jordan needed to win the the putt d and the hole was team. The Norwegian won a 7 and 6 win in the singles. Stage set for thrilling finish at Qatar Open ARMSTRONG VAS recovered to win the second game Success for Zhendong was fol- seventh game beckoned. At the Action from the THE PENINSULA but, as in the first, the Dane estab- lowed by success for Xin, a contest change of ends in the seventh game 2018 ITTF World lished a 10-7 advantage in the third. in which the players were too famil- Xin led 5-3. It was to prove decisive DOHA: Chinese duo of Fan Zhen- Only this time he was not able iar with each other to produce a at 10-4 Xin held six match points, Tour Platinum dong and Xu Xin emerged to convert; Zhendong raised the high number of exciting, scintillat- Zhou Yu won the next point, Xin Open in Doha successful in the quarter-final level, he won four points in a row, ing rallies. called “Time Out”. Yu saved three yesterday. contests of the 2018 ITTF World the tide had turned. Groth never The first two games were further match points but at 10-8 Xu Tour Platinum Open in Doha yester- wilted, he narrowed the deficit in shared, Yu withstanding a trade- Xin converted. day. the fifth game to one point in arrears mark Xu Xin recovery in the second Meanwhile in the women’s sec- Both beat players who had been at 6-7 forcing Wang Hao, the Chi- game. He established a 7-2 lead, Xin tion, Japan’s Kasumi Ishikawa required to compete in the qualifi- nese national team coach on duty, fought back to narrow the deficit to followed by China’s Liu Shiwen cation tournament; Zhendong to call “Time Out”. Taking risks, pro- one point at 9-8; Yu called “Time emerged successful in the quarter- accounted for Denmark’s Jonathan ducing stunning top spin strokes, Out”. Xin levelled at 9-all but could final contests. Groth 9-11, 11-6, 11-9, 11-3, 14-12, Groth levelled then went ahead not complete the recovery. Ishikawa, the no.4 seed, while Xin, the no.4 seed overcame 10-8; alas from the Danish perspec- Hard fought, Yu making every accounted for compatriot, Miu colleague Zhou Yu 11-5, 10-12, 11-5, tive he was not able to take full effort to nullify the long dangerous Hirano, the no.7 seed 9-11, 14-12, 13-11, 6-11, 10-12, 11-8. advantage. Xu Xin forehand, he forced errors 7-11, 11-9, 11-9, 14-12, before Liu Shi- Exercising exquisite hand skills “I made too many mistakes in from his more senior adversary but wen overcame Hitomi Sato 10-12, that enabled delicate short play, the first game. I have never played at 10-7 in favour of Xin in the sixth 11-5, 11-2, 11-5, 11-5 in a contest Groth, captured the opening game Groth before; he has his very own game, it seemed the curtain was to between two players who had been by the minimal two point margin, style, it took time to adapt.” close. Contrary to expectations, Yu required to compete in the two-day after having led 10-7; Zhendong Zhendong won the next five points; a deciding qualification tournament. SPORT Sunday 11 March 2018

PAGE | 25 PAGE | 26 PAGE | 27 Halep, Pliskova England romp home, Qatar’s Cherif advance but Muguruza claim series on and Ahmed clinch bites the dust Bairstow’s century bronze

Champions Al Duhail eye perfect QSL record

RIZWAN REHMAT character. They worked hard. THE PENINSULA They are the future of the club and they know the aims and DOHA: When seasoned coach ambitions of this club.” Djamel Belmadi (pictured) puts Belmadi was well served by his mind to something, he strikers Youssef El Arabi who usually gets it done. After guid- struck 24 goals while team-mate ing Al Duhail to the QNB Stars Youssef Msakni found the net 23 League title win on Friday, the times. rather strict-looking Belmadi Belmadi said the team will Qatar SC players celebrate their win over Al Khor in Round now wants his side to remain continue to challenge for 20 of the QNB Stars League in Doha yesterday. unbeaten until the end of the trophies. season. “We have won the League. We Out of 20 matches in the have won the Emir Cup. We have 2017-18 season, Al Duhail have won the Qatar Cup. Certainly this Second-half goals won 17. The other three matches team has the potential to keep were drawn as Al Duhail winning titles and we will con- clinched the ‘Falcon Shield’ for tinue to do so,” Belmadi said. give Qatar SC win the sixth time in the last eight “We will continue to work years on Friday. It was the first hard. We may not have a huge title win for newly-named Al player base but we have players THE PENINSULA To break the deadlock, Duhail who pocketed the previ- with special set of skills. Mohammad Jassimi of Qatar SC ous five titles as Lekhwiya. “Winning the league with DOHA: Two goals in the launched a powerful shot close “We still have two matches matches to spare gives us the second half yesterday powered to the Al Khor box but the ball to go - against Al Markhiya and change to test a number of Qatar SC to a 2-0 win over Al sailed just above the crossbar Al Sailiya. Our first target was to younger players in the remain- Khor in round 20 of the QNB in the 35th minute. Five min- win the league which we have ing part of the league,” Belmadi Stars League. utes later, Qatar SC’s U-23 done. Our second target is to end Belmadi said after watching his With two rounds to go, Al said. An easy penalty by Bruno player Omar Ahmed Al Emadi the season without any loss,” side crush Al Kharaitiyat 5-0 on Duhail have 54 points while sec- Al Duhail team manager Gallo (48) and a slick finish by unleashed a right-footed drive Friday. ond-placed Al Sadd have a tally Ismael Ahmed said: “We thank Osama Omari (58) saw Qatar that also sailed past the Al Khor PAST CHAMPIONS “I think it can be achieved of 46. Third-placed Al Rayyan God for this title win. This is SC home at Al Khor Stadium. It goalpost as the visitors contin- and I feel it is incredible to have 39 points while Al Gharafa our first win after being named was Qatar SC’s sixth win of the ued to dominate play. Past champions since 2001 win a league without having have 32. Al Duhail. We successfully season. Despite a goalless first half, 2001-02: Al Ittihad lost a game. We have to be at Belmadi said winning the defended our title. Al Duhail The first 20 minutes of the Qatar SC kicked off proceed- 2002-03: Qatar SC our best in the remaining title was an exciting journey for deserved this win. We did not clash saw Qatar SC keeping ball ings with a quick goal early in 2003-04: Al Sadd matches as well,” Belmadi him and his players. lose any matches and played possession 55 percent to put the second. 2004-05: Al Gharafa added. “It was a long assignment the difficult ones with pressure on their rivals but it Gallo easily converted a 2005-06: Al Sadd “Before entering our match, and there were many big-pres- courage.” was the referee who was seen penalty in 48th minute after Al 2006-07: Al Sadd we knew the situation really sure matches along the way. We He added: “The players will cautioning players against reck- Khor’s Reza Najaf was booked 2007-08: Al Gharafa well. We were a motivated faced many difficulties. There be more comfortable in the less tackles. with a yellow for a reckless 2008-09: Al Gharafa bunch before starting play,” Bel- were exciting battles as well. The upcoming period after winning In the 18th minute, Gallo tackle in his own box. In the 2009-10: Al Gharafa madi said. one match that comes to mind the league title. We are in front stepped on the foot of Soroush 55th minute, Al Khor’s Hossein 2010-11: Lekhwiya “Throughout the season, the is the clash against Al Sadd,” the of everybody else. We will turn Hossein who had his right ankle produced a snap-header but his 2011-12: Lekhwiya senior players stood up and Algerian said. our focus to Qatar Cup and the heavily strapped. deflection missed the target 2012-13: Al Sadd delivered in such a positive way. When asked about his play- Emir Cup. We will continue to The foul caused a long stop- narrowly. 2013-14: Lekhwiya We got some really good results. ers, Belmadi said: “This team has seek challenges and to win page in play. Close to the Three minutes later, Qatar 2014-15: Lekhwiya We did not lose a single match,” the nucleus of a very good team. trophies.” half-hour mark, referee Abdul- SC doubled their lead when 2015-16: Al Rayyan he added. The players showed great levels Al Duhail will now travel to rahman Al Jassim even Omari dribbled past two

2016-17: Lekhwiya “For us to do well in such a of fight. Young players like Al Tashkent for their AFC Cham- cautioned Al Khor coach defenders before easily beat- 2017-18: Al Duhail precious championship is a Moez Ali, Bassam Hisham and pions League Group B clash Beyaoui Nacif for gesturing ing Al Khor keeper for his side’s pleasing feeling,” Belmadi said. Adel Badr showed a lot of against Lokomotiv. towards match officials. second goal. Qatar’s Abdulla leads FIA T2 World Championship

THE PENINSULA the event’s two 173.69km now. This is a fantastic result. selective sections by the mar- I am proud to be flying our flag DUBAI: Qatar’s Adel Abdulla gin of 59 seconds but was not at the top of this FIA finished a close second over- quite able to overcome the championship.” all in the T2 standings at the time delays he suffered on day The FIA World Cup for Dubai International Baja after one and finished an agoniz- Cross-Country Rallies resumes the second desert selective ingly close 1min 21sec behind in less than two weeks with the section of 173.69km through his Saudi rival. longer six-day Abu Dhabi the UAE’s Al-Qudra Desert “Congratulations for eve- Desert Challenge on March yesterday. ryone in Qatar, to our Highness 24-29. The result means that the Sheikh Tamin bin Hamed Al- 2018 Dubai International 2016 FIA T2 World Champion Thani, this result is a gift for Baja – final T2 positions: now leads the prestigious series him and all the Qatari people,” 1. Ahmed Al-Shegawi this year after two rounds. said a delighted Adel Abdulla. (SAU)/Laurent Lichtleuchter Punctures had hampered “I thank the Qatar govern- (FRA) Toyota Land Cruiser 6hr the Nissan Patrol Y62 driver’s ment, the Qatar Motor and 14min 24sec 2. Adel Abdulla progress on the first day and Motorcycle Federation (QAT)/Nasser Al-Kuwari (FRA) he and fellow Qatari naviga- (QMMF) and Ooredoo Qatar Nissan Patrol 6hr 15min 45sec tor Nasser Al Kuwari had to for their support. FIA World Cup for Cross- overcome a 2min 20sec defi- “Nasser, my co-driver, did Country Rallies – T2 standings Qatar’s Adel cit on the second day if they a very good job. The entire after round 2 (unofficial): 1. Abdulla and were to claim maximum T2 team did a great job here in Adel Abdulla (QAT) 30pts 2. points on the second round of Dubai. We arrived in the last Ahmed Al-Shegawi (SAU) Nasser Al Kuwari the FIA World Cup for Cross- very last moment and it was a 25pts 2. Alexey Titov (RUS) celebrate on the Country Rallies. big challenge to be on the 25pts 4. Yulilya Khegay Migu- podium. Adel won the second of podium and to be leading T2 nova (RUS) 12pts