SUNDAY 24 MARCH 2019 SPORT 05 I started thinking about winning and not the things I FOOTBALL CRICKET could do in order to win. I had Naomi Osaka after her Netherlands vs 2nd ODI: Pakistan vs a dip and she started playing win over Wickmayer in Germany, 10,45pm, Euro Australia; Sri Lanka vs South

really well. the Miami Open. ACTION Championship qualifying Africa, 3rd T20 TODAY’S

Favourite Djokovic, Osaka off to winning Alaphilippe sprints to win

PARIS starts as Thiem crashes out REUTERS

AFP this new stadium, it felt like to dig deep after the Belgian, French all-rounder Julian Alap- MIAMI being indoor a little bit. It’s who reached the Miami Open hilippe justified his tag as race unique. last eight in 2010, forced a third favourite as he timed his sprint Novak Djokovic put his Indian “Now hopefully,” he added, set as Osaka’s game badly to perfection to claim his first Wells disappointment behind “I can build some dipped. Monument victory at Milan- him on Friday at the ATP and momentum.” “In the second set, I got San Remo yesterday. WTA Miami Open with a ruthless On a day that saw Djokovic, really emotional, so in the third, With the field whittled 7-6 (7/2) 6-2 destruction of top-ranked woman Naomi I just tried to shut off my down to a lead group of 11 Australian Bernard Tomic to Osaka and 23-time Grand Slam feelings,” Osaka said. riders after the Cipressa and move into the third round. champion Serena Williams “I started thinking about Poggio ascents, Alaphilippe The Serbian world number advance, the shock of the day winning and not the things I burst to the front with 100 one endured a meek exit at the was the departure of Indian could do in order to win. I had a metres to go and held on for hands of German Philipp Kohls- Wells Masters winner Dominic dip and she started playing really victory in the Spring classic. chreiber in the California desert Thiem, who was beaten 6-4, 6-4 well. France have now won two but arrived desperate to land by highly rated Polish 22-year- “I just had to breathe and consecutive Monuments for the what would be a record seventh old Hubert Hurkacz. regroup,” she said. first time since 1992 after title in South Florida. Elsewhere, there was dis- “I find myself doing it often Thibaut Pinot won last year’s Tomic, the current world No. appointment for Kei Nishikori. when I am in emotional situa- Lombardia. 81, gave the 31-year-old a few The fifth seed lost to Serbian tions, it’s like an energy saver.” Last year’s winner Vin- problems yet the Australian Dusan Lajovic 2-6, 6-2, 6-3 but Next up in the third round is cenzo Nibali, three-times world struggles to consistently chal- reigning champion John Isner Taiwan’s Hsieh Su-Wei, who champion Peter Sagan and lenge the best players and this outlasted Italian qualifier defeated American Alison Riske reigning world champion Ale- was evident once again as Lorenzo Sonego 7-6 (7/2), 7-6, 6-2, 7-5. jandro Valverde were also in Djokovic eased through the (9/7). The pair had a rollercoaster the small lead group that broke gears at Hard Rock Stadium with Japanese star Osaka had to clash in the Australian Open at clear off the Poggio, but when just one hour and 13 minutes on keep her emotions in check as the start of 2019 with Hsieh a set a game of cat and mouse the clock. she opened her campaign by and 4-1 up in Melbourne only to developed on Via Roma it was “In Indian Wells I wasn’t outlasting Yanina Wickmayer lose a dramatic third-round Alaphilippe who made the feeling my best,” conceded 6-0, 6-7 (3/7), 6-1. encounter. decisive move. Djokovic who won 81% of points Since winning her second Serena Williams survived a Slovenia’s Matej Mohoric on his first serve and hit 11 aces. consecutive Grand Slam title in second-set lull to beat Sweden’s (Bahrain-Merida) took it on ini- “Everyone has nerves January at the Australian Open, Rebecca Peterson 6-3, 1-6, 6-1, tially but Alaphilippe was coming onto center court Osaka has failed to go deep in and elder sister Venus also quickly locked onto his back regardless of how much expe- Dubai or Indian Wells. advanced with a 7-6 (7/4), 6-1 wheel and surged past, rience you have and what your But she appeared in solid win over Spain’s Carla Suarez punching the air as he crossed ranking is. You care about it and form against 141st-ranked Wick- Navarro. the line. The red hot 26-year- if you are nervous that means mayer, despite losing her way in There will be a repeat of last old Deceuninck-Quick Step Novak Djokovic of Serbia returns a shot to Bernard Tomic of you care. the middle of an entertaining week’s WTA final in Indian Wells rider now has seven victories Australia during the Miami Open at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami “I commonly feel like that. match at Hard Rock Stadium. between Bianca Andreescu and this season, having also won Gardens, Florida on Friday. This was my first time playing at The 21 year-old was forced Angelique Kerber. the Strade Bianche. Park, Liu Elvira has two-shot advantage share LPGA heading into the final round Founders AFP KUALA LUMPU Cup lead Nacho Elvira edged closer to a AFP maiden European Tour trophy LOS ANGELES after he posted a six-under-par 66 to gain a two-shot China’s Liu Yu made the most advantage over David Lipsky of her early morning start, at the Maybank Championship Nacho Elvira of Spain plays firing an eight-under par 64 on penultimate round yesterday. a shot during the third Friday to join world number The title, however, remains round of the 2019 Maybank one Park Sung-hyun atop the up for grabs with Australian Malaysia Golf Championship leaderboard of the LPGA Scott Hend, Germany’s Maxi- at Saujana Golf and Country Founders Cup. milian Kieffer and Thai stalwart Club, in Shah Alam, on the Liu matched France’s Jazz Janewattananond only three outskirt of Kuala Lumpur, Celine Boutier -- a former shots off Elvira. yesterday. teammate at Duke University Elvira had been in con- -- for low round of the tour- tention after he joint-led with nament to seize a share of the Marcus Fraser on Thursday. halfway lead on 12-under par Coming into the third round, 132. Elvira of Spain trailed Thomas swing.” will also be confident of ending South Korea’s Park posted Pieters by a single shot in sti- Two-time European Tour a six-year title drought after her second straight 66 at flingly hot conditions, but gained winner Lipsky will be hoping to another consistent showing for Wildfire Golf Club in Phoenix, the advantage courtesy of his add a third after he finished the a 69. Arizona. seven birdies. day with a 67 despite two bogey The South African sits only She and Liu were two “I’m very happy with a 66. It flaws. four strokes away from Elvira at strokes clear of a group of eight was tough with the heat and “It’s a tricky course so you nine-under-par 207. players on 10-under 134 that humidity today. I stayed patient are going to make bogeys out The local crowd will also pay included overnight leader and it paid off in the end,” he there, you have just got to make attention to Nicholas Fung on the Paul Casey of England reacts to a missed Boutier as well as former world said. your share of birdies. If I can final day today after the number one Lydia Ko of New putt on the 16th hole during the second “It would be great to start keep making birdies like I am, I Malaysian ended the day tied- Zealand. round of the Valspar Championship on here (winning on the European think I’ll be alright,” the 13th, seven shots off the pace. They were joined by Amer- the Copperhead course at Innisbrook Golf Tour but I really don’t think American, who shot seven The $3m event is co-sanc- icans Angel Yin and Cheyenne Resort in Palm Harbor, Florida on Friday. about it too much. I like the way birdies, said. tioned by the Asian and Knight, Sweden’s Linnea Strom, things are right now with my Crowd favourite Ernie Els European tours. That group is headlined by top-15 players Amy Yang of South Korea and Lydia Ko of New Zealand. It also includes Casey, Cook joint leaders at Valspar Championship Boutier, Americans Angel Yin and Cheyenne Knight, Swe- AFP South Korean Im Sung-jae and at 10 and landing his third shot “I struggle a little bit around “Nice to turn it around after den’s Linnea Strom, Denmark’s MIAMI American Scott Stallings were a inches from the cup before a Sawgrass and that frustrated me, last week to suddenly be not in Nanna Koerstz Madsen and stroke back on 137. tap-in at the par-5 11th. annoyed me, coming in here control of this event but I’m near South Korean Hur Mi-jung. Defending champion Paul Casey Donald had five birdies and Casey scored on the other trying to defend my title, which the top, which is good.” Defending champion Park fired a five-under par 66 to grab four bogeys in his one-under 70, par-5 holes as well, sinking a I would love to do because I Casey’s lone bogey came In-bee of South Korea headed a share of the 36-hole lead surrendering a one-shot lead three-foot birdie putt at 14, a never defended a professional on his closing ninth hole, a group of five players on 135. alongside American Austin Cook with two bogeys in his last four six-footer at the first before title, I’ve defended amateur titles, finding bunkers with his first Liu was in the first group at the US PGA Tour Valspar holes. Im posted a 67 and holing a 27-footer for eagle at English Amateurs and PAC 12 two shots and missing a six- off the tee at 10, bouncing back Championship on Friday. Stallings a 68. the fifth. titles, I would love to do that footer for par. from an opening bogey with England’s Casey and Cook Casey, who edged Tiger “I feel really good about (my here. “Disappointing on nine,” three straight birdies. each stood on six-under 136 after Woods and Patrick Reed by a game) because last week was “So I worked very, very hard Casey said. She followed another bogey two rounds at the Innisbrook stroke last year for the crown, rubbish,” said Casey, who was on the game and for whatever “But everybody’s going to at 14 with birdies at 15 and 18, Resort Copperhead course in began on the back nine and stung by a missed cut at the reason it’s slowed things down. make bogeys. If you can just and birdied five holes coming Palm Harbor, Florida. promptly birdied three of his first Players Championship at TPC Quieted the transition at the top minimize those, it puts you in a in. England’s Luke Donald, four holes, sinking a 10-foot putt Sawgrass. of the swing,” Casey said. good position.” 06 SPORT SUNDAY 24 MARCH 2019 Warm welcome for Qatar’s Special Olympics World Summer Games delegation Doha hosts ITTF Referee Meeting

QNA DOHA

A three-day referee meeting of International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) is currently taking place in Doha on the side- lines of the 24th Qatar Qatar’s Special Olympics World Summer Games delegation members pose for a photograph upon their arrival at the Hamad International Airport yesterday. Team Qatar International Table Tennis won 13 medals at the Games in Abu Dhabi, including four gold medals, four silver and five bronze. Saoud Al Sulaiti (badminton), Salma Al Hammad (100m sprint), Hamad Championship. Mubarak (powerlifting) and Shua Al Abdullah (roller-skating) won the gold medals while the silver medals were won by Mohammed Ali Al Abd (shot put), Naif Al Jassim On Friday, the first day (badminton), Hamad Mubarak (powerlifting), and Bakhita Azab (softball throw). Khalifa Al Dosari (roller skating), Hadam Al Jaber (two bronze medals in powerlifting), of the meeting was and Mubarak Al Hebabi (two bronze medals in roller skating) were the rest of the medal winners for Qatar. RIGHT: An official welcomes the members of the delegation. attended by Khaleel Al Mohannadi, the president of Qatar and Arab Table Tennis Associations and the first vice president of Warner gears up both Asian table Tennis Federation and ITTF, and Chennai start with Bruce Burton, Vice Pres- ident of the ITTF who is in for innings 2.0 charge of the referee development. The a bang in IPL opener meetings, which will con- amidst much fanfare clude today, will be joined by the head of the ITTF ref- AFP Chennai Super Kings’ IANS erees committee. CHENNAI Harbhajan Singh KOLKATA Al Mohannadi wel- celebrates after comed all the attendees of India’s Harbhajan Singh led an taking the wicket of Sunrisers Hyderabad’s star the referee meeting and inspired spin attack to help Royal Challengers opener David Warner is back wished them success to Chennai Super Kings open the Bangalore’s Virat Kohli in the 12th edition of the Indian achieve the required goals, 2019 Indian Premier League during the Indian Premier League after missing stressing that the ITTF’s season with a comprehensive Premier League (IPL) the last edition due to the ban family is working hard to seven-wicket win over Royal Twenty20 cricket imposed on him by Cricket develop the game, con- Challengers Bangalore match played at the Australia for his involvement in tinue its progress, increase yesterday. M A Chidhambaram Sandpaper Gate. its popularity and develop Singh and South African leg- Stadium in Chennai, While the suspension didn’t all local federations around spinner Imran Tahir claimed yesterday. include club games, the IPL the world, as well as three wickets each to dismiss governing council felt it was develop players, coaches Royal Challengers for a paltry 70, best that Warner along with and referees. a total the defending champions former Australia skipper Steve He added that the achieved with 14 balls to spare Smith miss the 11th edition of Qatar international cham- in Chennai. the cash-rich league. pionship is witnessing Sunrisers Hyderabad’s Australian Captain Mahendra Singh Now, with the act of shame many meetings which are batsman David Warner Dhoni, who led the Super Kings behind him, the Australian is as preliminary to the World to their third IPL title after eager as ever to scale back up Championship, including returning from an illegal gam- the dizzy heights that saw him to go. He has really worked a meeting between the bling ban last year, elected to reign supreme as one of the hard on his fitness and also European Union and the field first in the 12th edition of most destructive batsmen in what really amazed me was the ITTF, the meeting of the the world’s most popular world cricket. And he has the kind of rhythm he showed from players’ committee of the Twenty20 league. backing of his teammates who the first practice session,” Federation, as well as the The 38-year-old Singh got have welcomed him with open Laxman said. meeting to prepare for the Super Kings their first break- arms. The IPL will also be a 100th anniversary of the through after sending back Warner - now hipster- platform for Warner to get establishment of the ITTF opposition skipper Virat Kohli bearded - might have physically some runs under his belt before in 2026. for six in the fourth over of the skipped the league in 2018, but the all-important World Cup as Al Mohannadi stressed innings. teammates and support staff national coach Justin Langer the need for everyone to Singh ran through the Royal say that he was there for them has already sounded him and contribute to the devel- Challengers top-order with his over messages and phone Smith that their performance opment of the game by wily off-spin, getting the big throughout the season. In fact, in the cash-rich league will be working to discuss all wickets of England’s Moeen Ali he himself revealed that he was closely followed. views, noting that the ITTF for nine and South African AB de a part of the group chat and Warner underwent an always welcomes all ideas Villiers, also for nine. victory, Super Kings lost opener ahead of Kohli (4954) in the IPL would constantly motivate the elbow surgery in January during that contribute to the West Indies batsman Shane Watson for nought after batting chart. team. the Bangladesh Premier League, development of table Shimron Hetmyer was run out Yuzvendra Chahal got the Aus- Ali dismissed Raina and The statement was sec- but the 32-year-old made a tennis. for nought and soon the Royal tralian bowled with his Rayudu was cleaned up by onded by Yusuf Pathan yes- roaring comeback for his Canadian Burton Challengers batting crumbled leg-spin. paceman Mohammed Siraj. terday when he said that Sydney club Randy Petes with hailed Qatar’s hosting of with spinners Tahir and Ambati Rayudu, who made Kedar Jadhav, on 13, and Warner made his presence felt a 77-ball hundred in a one-day the referee meeting on the Ravindra Jadeja, who took two 28, and Suresh Raina, who Ravindra Jadeja, on six, took the every moment despite being game earlier this month. sidelines of the Qatar inter- wickets, combining to pack them scored 19, then put on 32 runs Super Kings home. away from the field. For now, it is all about national championship, off in 17.1 overs. for the second wicket to get the Brief scores: Chennai Super Team mentor VVS Laxman, returning to the league that saw pointing out that the next Opener Parthiv Patel top- chase on track. Kings 71/3 in 17.5 overs (Ambati whom Warner thanked for the Warner lead the Sunrisers to period will see great chal- scored with 29 and remained the The left-handed Raina Rayudu 28, Suresh Raina 19; Yuz- support, said on Friday that the their maiden title in 2016 and lenges for the table tennis only batsman to cross double became the first batsman in IPL vendra Chahal 1/6) beat Royal former Aussie vice-captain follow that up with some quality game and for the con- figures in what was the IPL’sIPL s histhistoryory to cross the 5000-run Challengers Bangalore 70 all out looked in superb rhythm and is knocks in 2017 as he finished tinued ITTF’s efforts to sixthsixth lowest tottotal.al. barrierbarrier during his 21-ball (Parthiv Patel 29, AB de Villiers raring to go. as the leading run-getter for the develop this sport. ChasingChasing 71 for stay.stay. Raina (5004) is 9; Imran Tahir 3/9) by 7 wickets. “He is totally fit and raring team in 2017. Malinga to retire after Twenty20 World Cup

AFP CENTURION Malinga puts country before IPL cash

Sri Lankan limited overs captain Lasith Malinga (pictured) REUTERS me to play in the IPL, and they ($289,184.50) in the January will retire from international cricket after next year’s MUMBAI had said that was fine, but that auction for the upcoming Twenty20 World Cup, he revealed on Friday. all players who want to go to season. Malinga said that he would quit one-day inter- Sri Lanka’s limited-overs the World Cup would need to He had worked as a nationals after the World Cup in England and skipper Lasith Malinga says he stay back for the provincial bowling mentor for the same Wales this summer before calling time on his is ready to sacrifice his earnings tournament,” Malinga told team after going unsold in career following the Twenty20 tour- from the lucrative Indian ESPNcricinfo. 2018. Malinga is currently nament, being played in Australia over Premier League (IPL) in order “So I told them I’d play in leading the Sri Lanka limited- October-November 2020. to win a place in the country’s the provincial tournament, and overs team in South Africa with “After the World Cup, my crick- World Cup squad. I asked the board to inform one Twenty20 match remaining eting career is ending,” the 35-year- Selectors have made it Mumbai Indians and IPL, since in the series. old said after his side was beaten by 16 mandatory for Sri Lanka players it was their decision. I’m ok with “Once I become available runs by South Africa in the second to participate in a 50-overs losing those earnings from IPL. for Mumbai Indians, I would Twenty20 international at SuperSport tournament at home if they I’m doing it for the country.” have missed seven or eight Park. want to be considered for The 35-year-old fast games,” Malinga added. “So “I want to play in the T20 World Cup selection in the 15-member bowler, who has taken the there’s probably no point in and then end my career.” squad for the May 30-July 14 most wickets (154 in 110 them waiting around for me. Malinga dismissed South African top- Cricket World Cup in England matches) since the first edition Better for them to find someone scorer Reeza Hendricks for 65 on Friday, his and Wales. of the IPL in 2008, was bought else to replace me with.” 97th T20 international wicket. He is one “I had asked the board for by the Mumbai franchise for 20 The IPL kicked off short of the world record of 98 held by the No-Objection Certificate for million Indian rupees yesterday. Pakistan’s Shahid Afridi. SUNDAY 24 MARCH 2019 SPORT 07

Messi injured Sterling hits hat-trick as on return as Argentina lose England trounce Czechs to Venezuela REUTERS LONDON AFP “It was a beautiful “I thought Raheem three minutes left, before PARIS team performance and I was electric. He has looked Vladimir Ambros claimed Lionel Messi returned to was happy to help the like that all week in a late consolation for Argentina duty for the first time Raheem Sterling showed team get the win,” Sterling training. I’m pleased for Moldova. since the World Cup on Friday that he is coming of age on said. him, it is a special night for Griezmann would but it was a disappointing the international stage as Sterling has 24 goals him,” coach Gareth have had two more outing for the forward as they his hat-trick saw England for club and country this Southgate said. assists had Giroud and lost 3-1 to Venezuela and he start their Euro 2020 qual- term and his impressive “I think he’s really Paul Pogba been more was ruled out of their next ifying campaign by form is a fry cry from the matured as a person and clinical in front of goal, match with a groin problem. hammering the Czech dark days when he was a footballer. He’s hungry but France’s display was Messi showed flashes of Republic 5-0, while vilified as England crashed for goals and hitting things easily enough for the brilliance but it was not his Antoine Griezmann out of Euro 2016. instinctively without three points and top spot night as Venezuela put three inspired France to a “I’m just being con- thinking too much.” - in the group ahead of past their more illustrious rivals battering of Moldova. fident in myself, I’m trying France also got off to Iceland and Turkey, 2-0 for the first time with goals Manchester City to get in areas and take a perfect start after an winners against Albania from Salomon Rondon, Jhon attacker Sterling had shots, not to worry about older head in Antoine and Andorra Murillo and Josef Martinez. scored just two goals in his anything,” he added. Griezmann spurred the respectively. Lautaro Martinez got Argen- first 45 caps, but he now England carried the world champions on to a “We played a very tina’s consolation. has five in his last three momentum from a run to comfortable 4-1 victory at consummate first half in Messi finished the match international appearances the World Cup semi-finals Moldova. terms of control and but felt some pain in his groin following Friday’s treble, and qualification for the Griezmann opened the attacking organisation. and will sit out Tuesday’s which helped England last four of the Nations scoring with his 27th The second half was less friendly against Morocco in storm to the top of Group League into the Euro qual- France goal in the 24th fulfilling due to substitu- Tangier, the Argentine Football A ahead of Monday’s trip ifiers and blooded young minute of their Group H tions,” said coach Didier Association said after the game. to Montenegro, who drew hopeful Sancho, who encounter before crossing Deschamps. The injury, described as a 1-1 at Bulgaria. impressed on his full for Raphael Varane to “We’ve opened our flare up of an existing problem, Sterling opened the England debut. double the scores three campaign well and the was not thought to be serious. scoring in the 24th minute The 18-year-old who minutes later. second game comes Midfielder Gonzalo Martinez when he tapped home has shone in the Bun- Olivier Giroud around quickly. In three will also miss the Morocco Jadon Sancho’s cross, and desliga for Borussia equalled David Trezeguet days we have do it again.” match with a thigh strain. struck twice more in the Dortmund, gave England as Les Bleus’ third highest Cristiano Ronaldo Messi took a sabbatical after England’s Raheem Sterling with manager second half to put the fans further cause for scorer of all time with his drew a blank on his return his country’s last-16 exit from Gareth Southgate during the Euro 2020 result beyond doubt after excitement, with his 34th international goal to international football the 2018 finals in Russia but he Harry Kane fired home his potential adding to that of nine minutes before the after nine months away, as qualifying match agianst Czech Republic - returned with a clean shaven 21st England goal from the Sterling and Kane coming break and Kylian Mbappe Ukraine battled to a Wembley Stadium, London, Britain on Friday. new look to captain the side in penalty spot. into their prime. completed the rout with goalless draw in Lisbon. the all-South American affair at Atletico Madrid’s Metropol- itano stadium. Venezuela had only beaten Argentina once in 23 previous Mourinho sets June return encounters, but they got the perfect start after five minutes when Rondon brought down a long pass inside the box and to club management crashed a shot past keeper Franco Armani. REUTERS That’s the reason why I had to say (no) Rondon should have made LONDON already to three or four different offers. it two with a header in the 40th And I know what I want, in terms of but the second goal was only Former Manchester United manager not a specific club but the nature of the moments away as Murillo took Jose Mourinho is targeting a return to job, the dimension of the job.” advantage of a quick free kick club management during the close Mourinho had said in January that to scamper to the edge of the season in June and has an idea about he was not sure if he would manage box and curl a lovely right-foot the type of club he wants to take charge another club in England after stints shot into the far corner of the of, the Portuguese has said. with Chelsea and United. net. Lautaro Martinez finished Mourinho has been out of a job The 56-year-old, however, ruled off a superb counter attack to since he was sacked by United in out taking the reins of a national team pull Argentina back into the December following a dismal run as he prefers the day-to-day work that game after 59 minutes but their of results that left the club sixth in comes with being a club manager. hopes were short lived and the Premier League standings, 19 “I don’t think so,” Mourinho said, Venezuela’s Josef Martinez points behind league leaders when asked if he would take charge of made it 3-1 from the penalty Portugal’s forward Cristiano Ronaldo Liverpool. a national team. “I think a national spot with a quarter of an hour shouts during the Euro 2020 qualifying “What I have in mind is that I team job is a very specific job. remaining. football match against Ukraine at Luz would like to be back in the summer, “I like daily football, I like daily Former Manchester United’s “In the first half we created Stadium in Lisbon yesterday. in June, for a new club, for a new pre- work, I like many competitions, I like Portuguese coach Jose Mourinho chances but they scored twice season,” Mourinho told BeIN Sports. matches and I want to stay in football speaks to journalists in Basel when we made mistakes,” said “I know exactly what I don’t want. club level. But who knows?” yesterday. Lautaro Martinez. Ronaldo draws Dutch not favourites against blank against Ukraine struggling Germany: Van Dijk

AFP REUTERS LISBON AMSTERDAM German players take part in a training at the Johan Cruyff Arena in Amsterdam Ukraine snuffed out Portugal on Cristiano Ronaldo’s The Netherlands will not be lulled on the eve of the Euro 2020 qualifying return to international football, defending stoutly into a false sense of security when match against Netherlands . as they held the European champions to a goalless they face a struggling, new-look draw in their opening Euro 2020 Group B qualifier Germany in their Euro 2020 qual- on Friday. ifier in Amsterdam today, captain Ronaldo was handed the captain’s armband by Virgil van Dijk has said. Portugal coach Fernando Santos for his comeback The Dutch beat the Germans 3-0 nine months since he last played for his country, in at home last October and came from the 2018 World Cup, but the Juventus attacker behind with two late goals to force a couldn’t help his side find a way past Andriy 2-2 draw away in Gelsenkirchen one Shevchenko’s stubborn outfit. The draw was the month later to win a place in the first time Santos’ side have failed to score at home Nations League finals. in 19 matches and leaves them second in the group The contrast in form continued behind Luxembourg, who beat Lithuania 2-1. this week when Van Dijk was among “We didn’t play as we wanted to. We started the scorers as the Netherlands beat slowly, not pressing the way we wanted,” said Man- Belarus 4-0 in Rotterdam on chester City midfielder Bernardo Silva. Thursday in their opening Group C “The second half we tried to create chances to qualifier, a day after Germany proved go after the game but unfortunately we didn’t score.” unconvincing in a 1-1 draw at home William Carvalho had a fine header ruled out for to Serbia in a warm-up offside in the 16th minute and Ronaldo, Pepe and international. Andre Silva all went close to opening the scoring, “It does look like the Germans but Ukraine stopper Andriy Pyatov was on fine form are still in a building phase but don’t to deny them.Ronaldo, who was rested for the last forget that the Dutch side is also six Portugal games while he settled at new club going through the same process,” Juventus, was one of the few players who looked Van Dijk said on the eve of the game like he had any idea of how to break Ukraine down, at the Amsterdam Arena. team’s failure to reach the 2016 members of the media to decide.” “There were times where we did not but he couldn’t inspire his team to victory. “The Germans still have fantastic European Championship in France The Dutch are, however, in confident put enough pressure on them and In the end the away side could have snatched players even if they might be talking and last year’s World Cup in Russia. mood after Thursday’s comfortable were sloppy and lost the ball. the three points through Junior Moraes, only for the over there (in Germany) about a “That was not a good phase. But victory. “Against Germany we can expect debutant to fluff a golden chance to grab a shock crisis. We also had a spell like that, we must worry about ourselves and “At times we played really good a completely different game and we win. where things did not go for us,” not Germany. I don’t think we are football but it can, and it must be, a all realise that. We know what we added Van Dijk, referring to his favourites but that is up to you lot better on Sunday,” said Van Dijk. are capable of.” SPORT Sunday 24 March 2019 PAGE | 06 PAGE | 07 Malinga to Sterling hits retire after hat-trick as Twenty20 England World Cup trounce Czechs FIG ART Individual Apparatus World Cup concludes in Doha Li Qi stars, double delight for Carey

FAWAD HUSSAIN YESTERDAY'S RESULTS with a silver medal, was satisfied THE PENINSULA with her overall performance in MEN’S FINALS Doha, which also includes an Dubbed as the ‘star of future’, gold. China’s Li Qi stunned a strong Hakseon Yang (KOR) 15.266 “Li Qi was better and I am not field to claim her maiden gold Igor Radivilov (UKR) 14.916 surprised with her victory. medal at the FIG ART Individual Overall, I am happy. Coming to Artur Davityan (ARM) 14.695 Apparatus World Cup in Doha, Doha always excites me as I have yesterday. achieved a lot here. My next The final day’s action at PARELLEL BARS targets this year will be the Aspire Dome also saw American Jingyuan Zou (CHN) 15.700 European and the World Cham- star clinching her Vladislav Poliashov (RUS) 15.066 pionships,” said the Belgian. second gold medal in the four- Mitchell Morgans (AUS) 14.566 Frenchwoman Marine Boyer day event to become the best claimed bronze medal in the event individual gymnast of the 12th HORIZONTAL BAR with 13.333 points. edition of FIG ART Individual Tin Srbic (CRO) 14.400 Carey, meanwhile, will return Apparatus World Cup in Doha. Hidetaka Miyachi (JPN) 14.300 home with two gold medals after However, the day belonged Randy Leru (CUB) 14.000 she won the exercise final. to the 16-year-old Li Qi, who The American amassed 14.466, wowed a packed house at Aspire WOMEN’S FINALS winning the final with a clear Dome with her spectacular per- margin of over one point. formance in balance beam final Li Qi (CHN) 14.333 “It feels pretty good… great to to overcome ’s Nina win two gold medals in Doha,” Nina Derwael (BEL) 13.633 Derwael. said Carey, who also won vault Marine Boyer (FRA) 13.333 Li Qi collected 14.333 points gold on Friday. for her first-ever World Cup gold, “There was definitely some denying Derwael her second title FLOOR EXERCISE pressure (in the floor final) since in the event. Jade Carey (USA) 14.466 we all competed together last “I was very nervous before Lara Mori (ITA) 13.433 week so I knew it was going to be the finafinall as I wwasas competingcompeompeti (ITA) 13.300 a good competition here in Doha Qatar Gymnastics Federation President Ali Al Hitmi (front, left), againstagainst the best gymgymnasts,”naasts,” Li QQii as well. I was just focused on not said after her victory.victory. gettinggetting nervous,” she added. along with other officials pose for a photograph with the podium “It’s my first goldgoldd medamedall in Italy’sItaly’s Lara MoriMori(1 (13.433)3433) and and winners of the Men’s Horizontal Bar, Croatia’s Tin Srbic, Japan’s WorldWorld Cup and I am veryv happhappyy VanessaVaneVanana ssa FerrariFerrari (13.300)(13.300)000 baggedbagged HideHidetakataka MiyMiyachMiyachia and Cuba’s Randy Leru. Mohamad Behbehani to achieveachieve the title.title. WeW havehavaveae a silversilvilvlvl er a andnd bronzebronze in theheh eve event.nt. toughtough competition in ChiChinana aandnndd “II aamm rereallyally excexcitedited and happyhapp properly and I fell down. I made this win will give me a lot of ccon-onn- Srbic reigns as becausebecaaususe it’s alwalwaysays hard to go llasta a technical mistake and it’s highly fidence,”fidence,” she said. ZonderlandZonderland fallsfalls in in thet hee finals,”f inalin s,”s, said Srbic, whow alalsol disappointing,” said the Behbehani Derwael, who hadd to contcontentenntnt horizontalhorizontal bbarar toppedtopptoppeded ttheheheq qqualifyingualiua fying roroundund of tthe Dutchman. event.eveveenntt.. Meanwhile, Jingyuan Zou hails rise of ThereTherh e waswaw s a hugeugeug “I“I aalwayslwayayys lilikekeke ttoo be inn DohDoha,h I clinched victory in parallel bars, Arab gymnasts ChineseChinese teenager Li Qi celebratescelebratera s surprisesurpprise inn hohhorizontaloorrizontnttallb b barar wonwowoonn lastllaast yeyeayeareaar aanandd waswaas secondsecoo making China the most successful with her gold medalmedal after winwinningnnning final,finafi lwl,l,w w whenhenhehenen threthree-timehhreeetie-tie titimem yearyeyeayeaar bbefbefore.efore.o IlI lloveoove compcompetingpeteeting hhere nation in the 57-team event with worldworld championchhamammpion E Epkepkek andanandd rrealreallyallyywy w wantedanteananten dtod to win again.agaa a I three gold medals. Russia’s THE PENINSULA the Balance Beam yesterday.yyesterday.ay ZonderlandZonderlaandnddf fellfellell tot missmiss amm ggladladad I cocoulduld dtdo tthat.hat.haat. Vladislav Poliashov (15.066) and DOHA the podipodium,odiodd uum,umm,m with “I“ diddid a hharharderarder routroutineouu ine tthan Australia’s Mitchell Morgans Croatia’sCroaC tiaiaaa’’s TinTin SrbicSrbic thetthhee oone I dididd inn theth ququalifications.uaallificatt (14.566) took silver and bronze Mohamad Behbehani, the claimingclaiclac aimingminngng theththeh golggogoldldidwid wiwwiththt a ButBBuu I cancanndo do eveevenn haharder,rderderde , so I have medals respectively. Secretary-General of Arab tallytallt y of 14.400 14404.404000 traintraitratrarraia nan a bitb moremomormore and ccomcocompeteompee to In vault final, South Korea’s Gymnastics Federation (AGF) has points.poinpointsts.t getgeet better.bettb er.r. ThTherThereeise isi sstiststilltiillll a roroomo to Hakseon Yang emerged as the praised the performance of Arab improve,”immmpmprovee,,”sa” sasaididid tthehe CCroat.rorooat. winner with a score of 15.266 fol- gymnasts at the 12th Artistic Japan’sJapapaan’sn’ss HHideHidetakatakaak MiMiyachii lowed by Ukraine’s Igor Radivilov Gymnastics World Cup, saying (14.300)(1(1414.4.300)0) andd CubCuba’sa’a’ss RRandRandyd Leru (14.916) and Armenia’s Artur Dav- the sport is fast becoming a (14.000)(1(14(14.(14.1444.000)000000) securedsecs curedurureu d ssilsilververveer andd bronze ityan (14.695). culture in the region. medals.mmedaals.l The four-day event, which In Doha to witness the 12th ZonderlandZondonderland wwasass ddisappointedisapp Qatar hosted for the 12th consec- World Cup withw his 7th finishfinnishh ofo thethe event. utive year, witnessed a total of 128 which concluded at the Aspire “My firsfirstt rereleaseeleease wasw itself male and 60 female gymnasts Dome yesterday, Behbehani of amiama mimmistakeistakstas akebee becausebecaucacause I was too from 57 countries in action. Kuwait said he was delighted to closeclosclocl se too ththehe barbbaar aanandd then the The top-ranking gymnasts on see the performance of Arab secondssecocondndw wwasasas tthathhahatt you have each apparatus at the conclusion gymnasts and the large turnout tot tthrowhrhrohroww yoyouyyourselfu over of the World Cup series will earn of spectators. theth bbararr andann again I a spot at the Olympic Games “The level of performance of wasw s tootoo close Tokyo 2020. Doha marks the athletes from the Arab region in therebytthherr I halfway point of the eight-com- artistic gymnastics has gone up. couldn’tcouu hold petition series, which also con- It’s not like earlier when it was ono to the cludes in the Qatari capital in about just participating. Now the bar March 2020. gymnasts from this region are quite on par and aim to take one of the three places on the The podium podium. winners of “Considering that this was the Women’s the World Cup series and also at Floor Exercise, the world championships, the American Jade effort is highly appreciable of I was very nervous Carey (centre) these athletes and hopefully we shall find them on the podium before the final as and Italians Lara Mori (left) more often than not,” said Behbehani. I was competing and Vanessa Highlighting the good show against the best Ferrari, of some of Middle East gymnasts, gymnasts. It’s my pose for a he said, “If you see at this World first gold medal in photograph Cup, gymnasts from the Middle World Cup and I during the East and Ali Zahran of Egypt final day of were impressive in the finals am very happy to the Artistic against some of the best of the achieve the title. Gymnastics world. Ibrahim Colak of Turkey Individual on Still Rings, and Saeedreza We have a tough Keikha of Iran on Pommel Horse Apparatus competition in I thought were exceptional. World Cup at China and this win “I also hope that we will be Aspire Zone, seeing more gymnasts from the will give me a lot yesterday. Middle East at the world cham- of confidence: Li Qi pionships next March and at the Tokyo Olympics in 2020.”