GOLF | Page 4 Stricker named US Ryder Cup

Friday, February 22, 2019 Jumada II 17, 1440 AH World Cup ‘fi rsts’ GULF TIMES still vivid for West Indies hero Lloyd SPORT Page 6

FIA WORLD CUP FOR CROSS-COUNTRY RALLIES FOCUS Przygonski leads PSG rope in Accor as quality fi eld into new shirt sponsor

AFP The deal brings to an end a Qatar desert battle 13-year association with Dubai- Paris based airline Emirates, who also ‘It’s fantastic to be here with all my closest rivals starting another season of competition. We sponsor the likes of Real Madrid, aris Saint-Germain Arsenal, Benfi ca and Hamburg. know each other very well and now is the time for the games to start and the fight to begin’ are hoping a new shirt PSG had announced last August sponsorship deal with that they would not renew their Pthe French multination- partnership with Emirates – re- al Accor will help them as the portedly worth up to 25mn euros Qatar-owned club battle to meet ($28.4mn) a year – beyond this UEFA’s Financial Fair Play rules. season. PSG announced yesterday that Accor’s CEO is Sebastien from next season they will carry Bazin, who was the president on their shirts the logo of ALL, of PSG for a spell in 2009. PSG the loyalty programme of Ac- were listed as the sixth-richest cor, which is one of the world’s football club in the world in the largest hotel chains and has its latest Deloitte Football Money headquarters just outside Paris. League with revenue of 541.7mn However, PSG did not say how euros in 2018, with Real Madrid long the new deal was for, or how top of the list with 750.9mn eu- much money they stand to earn ros. from it. Full details of the partner- A source close to the club in- ship will be revealed by Nasser dicated that the new deal could al-Khelaifi , Chairman and CEO put them in the “top four for the of Paris Saint-Germain, and best contracts in Europe”, which Sebastien Bazin, Chairman and could mean a sum in excess of CEO of Accor Group during a 50 million euros a year. Real press conference today in Paris. Madrid’s shirt sponsorship deal The French champions have with Emirates – the most lucra- been under scrutiny from Euro- tive in Europe – is worth 70 mil- pean football’s governing body lion euros a year. UEFA after splashing more than “The partnership will bring 400 million euros in 2017 to sign together a global, pioneering Brazil star Neymar and Kylian leader in the hospitality industry Mbappe. A UEFA investigation with the world’s fastest-growing into their fi nances was shelved football club; Accor’s 265 million in June last year before being guests join the 395 million fans reopened last September. PSG who follow the club and its play- reacted by appealing to the Court ers on social media worldwide,” of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), PSG said in a statement on their claiming they had met UEFA’s website. Financial Fair Play demands.

QMMF President Abdulrahman al-Mannai (L), HE Salah bin Ghanem bin Nasser al-Ali, Minister SPOTLIGHT of Culture and Sports (C) and Qatar rallying ace Nasser Saleh al-Attiyah prior to yesterday’s start. Picture at bottom shows rally participants posing for a group photo. Neymar to continue

By Sports Reporter treatment in Brazil Lusail The route for the event is secret and teams will be permitted access to road Reuters/AFP books and route instructions on the eve Paris he Manateq Qatar Cross-Coun- of each stage, but they will not be given try Rally roared into life with a the road liaison route to the start of the fanfare ceremonial start outside following day’s timed test until the actual aris Saint-Germain for- Souq Al-Medina on The Pearl- morning of the start. ward Neymar will con- TQatar yesterday evening. This eliminates the temptation to try tinue treatment on his A large crowd of shoppers, tourists and and map out the intricate route through Pfoot injury in Brazil un- local residents assembled in the Plaza the deserts and makes for a level playing der the supervision of the club’s Al-Hambra to witness QMMF President fi eld for everyone. medical team, the French Ligue 1 Abdulrahman al-Mannai and Manateq’s Today’s opening timed stage starts side have said. CEO Fahad Rashed al-Kaabi joined by 66.34km from the Lusail Sports Arena Brazil international Neymar HE Salah bin Ghanembin Nasser al-Ali, and runs for 109.76km before a second was ruled out for 10 weeks last Minister of Culture and Sports, to fl ag off liaison guides crews back to the service month after he injured a meta- 22 FIA cars, 13 national crews and com- park. There are no passage controls on tarsal in his right foot during a petitors from 20 nations at the start of the short opening sprint through central 2-0 French Cup win over Stras- the fi rst round of the FIA World Cup for Qatar. bourg on Jan. 23. wasn’t sad,” he told Globo TV. Cross-Country Rallies. The stage will also mark the fourth The club confi rmed that the “This time, I took it harder. I Prior to the podium start, the Qatari round of the Qatar National Baja Cham- injury was a recurrence of the cried for two days at home.” trio of Nasser Saleh al-Attiyah, Adel Ab- pionship, with an impressive 13 addition- problem that threatened his The injury sustained in a dulla and Ahmed al-Kuwari, defending with his MINI John Cooper Works Rally torcycles to race a T3 with support from al crews running behind the FIA event World Cup participation last French Cup win over Strasbourg FIA World Cup champion Jakub Przygon- in 2018, added: “I know it will not be easy. the QMMF and the Qatari is eager to start and scoring points in the fi rst of three year. on January 23 has sidelined the ski, Camelia Liparoti, Vladimir Vasilyev but I am sorry to say in front of all the his new challenge. Qatar Manateq Bajas. That list includes “As part of the treatment... Brazilian forward for 10 weeks. and Reinaldo Varela attended the offi cial local fans that I am here to beat Nasser. “People ask me why I switched from Abdullah al-Baker and Abdullah al-Rab- PSG has decided to send Neymar PSG hope he will be healed pre-event press conference on the start I have a new co-driver and Timo and I bikes to cars and I say I think there is more ban, who dropped down into the National to Brazil for 10 days,” PSG said in enough to get back on the pitch in podium. want to start the season with as good a of a future to progress in this discipline. section after technical scrutineering at a statement time for a potential Champions Rally offi cials also laid on an impressive result as we can.” Reinaldo (Varela) won the Dakar (SxS) Lusail. Meanwhile, Neymar told a TV League quarter-fi nal in April. display of motorcycles in the Plaza that Liparoti is not phased by being the only and Adel (Abdulla) is a former T2 World The following four days are much long- network that he “cried for two This time, the club’s medical attracted a lot of interest before the start woman on the entry list. The Italian said: Champion, so I know it will not be easy, er and more demanding and start with a days” after injuring his right staff have decided on conserva- formalities. “I have raced here two times before and, and it’s great to be here alongside Nasser, 323.58km stage on Saturday, a further foot for a second time in January. tive treatment of the fracture Al-Attiyah is chasing a sixth victory yes, I have switched from a quad to a T3, a Dakar winner, and Jakub (Przygonski), 351.98km selective section on Sunday and The 27-year-old recognised that rather than another operation. in his home FIA event in eight years. He but I still have four wheels and a steering the defending World Champion.” two specials of 227.99km and 121.41km damaging the same metatarsal he Last year, Neymar was laid up said: “It’s fantastic to be here with all my wheel instead of handle bars. It’s great to on Monday, linked by a road section of hurt in February 2018, necessi- for three months after surgery, closest rivals starting another season of be competing against such a strong fi eld DEMANDING SECRET ROUTE 56.39km. tating an operation, was serious. returning just in time to play in competition. We know each other very of drivers. I actually trained in the dunes The competitive action will take place The fi nal timed stage takes place on “It’s more complicated. The the World Cup in less than stel- well and now is the time for the games to at Sealine before the Dakar and enjoyed it over fi ve days and six special stages, Tuesday morning and runs for 263.88km fi rst time I hurt myself I said, lar form. start and the fi ght to begin.” very much.” spanning the northern, southern and before the return to Lusail and the cer- ‘I’ll have an operation, it has to His full interview with Globo Przygonski, who won the Qatar event Ahmed al-Kuwari switched from mo- westerly extremities of Qatar. emonial fi nish at The Pearl-Qatar. be fi xed as quickly as possible’. I TV is to be broadcast on March 3. Gulf Times 2 Friday, February 22, 2019 SPORT

EQUESTRIAN Al-Rumaihi rides Vivaldi K to Big Tour win at Amir’s Sword Khalid Hamad al-Attiya emerges triumphant in Medium Tour, while in Small Tour Khalifa Abdulla al-Khaldi came on top

By Sports Reporter Doha RESULTS Big Tour: Table C, FEI Art. 239, QR1,250; 2. Hussain Saeed Haidan ubarak Yousuf al-Rumaihi Height 140/150cm, Prize-Money (Belucci Van ‘T Vleminkhof); 0; 60.13; and his favourite mount, QR15,000 QR1,000; 3. Mohamed al-Ghazali; the 17-year-old chestnut 1. Mubarak Yousuf al-Rumaihi; Vivaldi Maradonna 25; 0; 62.72; QR750.00; gelding Vivaldi K, con- K; 0; 67.15 QR4,125; 2. Saeed Nasser 4. Ghanim Nasser al-Qadi; Firenze; 0; Mtinued their winning run as the pair 64.58; QR500 al-Qadi; Daydreamer EC; 0; 69.01; claimed the top honours in Big Tour QR3,000; 3. Nasser al-Ghazali; Colibri Class on the opening day of the HH The 19; 0 70.12; QR2,250; 4. Faleh Suwead SCHEDULE Amir’s Sword Equestrian champion- al-Ajami; Carport; 0; 70.99; QR1,500. ship yesterday. Today: 2pm: Future Riders Table A, At the Qatar Equestrian Federations’ One round against the clock 70/85cm; outdoor arena, al-Rumaihi and Vivaldi Medium Tour: Table C, FEI Art. 239, 2:45pm: Future Riders Table A, One K dazzled in tandem with the duo dish- Height 125/135cm, Prize-Money round against the clock 85/100cm; ing out a scorching round with a fl ying QR10,000 3:30pm: Small Tour Table A, One round fi nish in 67.15 seconds. In the 13-fi eld 1. Khalid Hamad al Attiya; Viking D; 0; against the clock 110/120cm; 6pm: Me- competition, al-Rumaihi and Vivaldi dium Tour Table A, One round against K showed their quality as they were 63.55; QR2,500; 2. Mohamed Khalifa nearly two seconds better than second- al-Baker; Arselina; 0; 67.83; QR2,000; the clock 125/135cm; 8pm: Big Tour placed Saeed Nasser al-Qadi and his 3. Mohamed Saeed Haidan; Ziezo; 4; Table A, One round against the clock ride Daydreamer EC, who came home 64.97; QR1,500; 4. Mohamed Hazim 140/150cm. in 69.01 seconds, Nasser al-Ghazali Abara (Ambre de Beaufour); 0; 69.14; Tomorrow: 10am: Dressage Test Dres- and 11-year-old gelding Colibri took QR1,000 sage Test, Level 1; 11am: Dressage Test, the fi nal podium spot in 70.12 seconds. Level 2; 2:30pm: Big Tour Table A, One Al-Rumaihi, who wants to represent Small Tour: Table C, FEI Art. 239, round against the clock 140/150cm; Qatar at the 2020 Olympic Games in Height 110/120cm, Prize-Money 4pm: Small Tour Table A, One round Tokyo, has been doing no harm to his QR5,000 against the clock 110/120cm; 6pm: Me- ambition with some consistent results at the Hathab National championship. 1. Khalifa Abdulla al-Khaldi; Horse: dium Tour Table A, One round against The 34-year-old, who began riding Dusty; Faults: 0 Time: 58.29 Prize: the clock 125/135cm. at age 11, has been on the circuit since 2006. He represented Qatar at the 2010 Asian Games, where he fi nished fourth in both the team and individual compe- titions. Al-Rumaihi has also competed at the 2010 World Championships and the 2011 Pan Arab Games, where he won a team silver medal. Now, al-Rumaihi will be aiming to carry the winning momentum over the next two days, with the feature Mubarak Yousuf al-Rumaihi and his gelding Vivaldi K clear a hurdle en route to Big Tour victory during the HH The Amir’s event for Amir Sword to be held tomor- Sword Equestrian championship at the Qatar Equestrian Federations’ outdoor arena yesterday. row, where he will get to test his skills against Qatar’s accomplished Olympi- ans Sheikh Ali bin Khalid al-Thani and Bassem Hassan Mohamed. Meanwhile, Khalid Hamad al-Attiya emerged triumphant in the Medium Tour 125/135cm class. The Qatar Armed Forces rider galloped with poise and aplomb on 11-year-old gelding Viking D without any faults to complete his round in 63.55 seconds. It was a com- manding win for al-Attiya as the next best rider Mohamed Khalifa al-Baker and his 14-year-old mare Arselina were a good four seconds behind, to fi nish runner-up. Mohamed Saeed Haidan had to rue for the four-second penalty he incurred with Ziezo, which pushed Khalifa Abdulla al-Khaldi receives his trophy after winning the Small Tour class. the pair to third spot despite fi nishing in 64.97 seconds also announced his candidacy for the tomorrow will begin with dressage In the Small Tour 110/120cm class, Medium Tour winner Khalid Hamad al-Attiya (centre), poses with runner-up Mohamed Khalifa al-Baker (left) and Mohamed presidency of the Asian federation and competitions before the action switch- Khalifa Abdulla al-Khaldi and 16-year- Saeed Haidan, who came third at the Qatar Equestrian Federations’ outdoor arena yesterday. continue his work on the development es to the marquee event, Big Tour old mare Dusty emerged on top in with of equestrian in the continent. 140/150cm, one round against the clock a fastest time of 58.29 seconds. Hus- trian Federation president Hamad bin competition between the riders, which important events this year is the con- Today, Future Riders will show their for the Amir Sword at 2:30pm. The to- sain Saeed Haidan (Belucci Van ‘T Abdulrahman al-Attiyah said the com- shows they are ready to bring their best vening of the General Assembly of the potential in 70/85cm and 85/100cm tal prize money on off er is QR50,000 Vleminkhof) came second in 60.13 sec- petition on the fi rst day of the Amir over the next two days. We have seen Asian Federation in Doha on March 6. class from 2pm at QEF’s indoor arena. with the winner walking away with a onds, followed by Mohamed al-Ghazali Sword was very strong and was ex- a good turnout in this edition of the He expected large presence of the mem- Small, Medium and Big Tour classes brand new car. The Small Tour will start (Maradonna) in 62.72 seconds. cited with what was in store over the championship,” he said. bers of the Union for the approval of the will also be held on the second day. at 4pm while the Medium Tour will kick Meanwhile, Asian and Qatar Eques- next two days. “We witnessed a good Al-Attiyah said that one of the most statute of the federation. The QEF chief The fi nal day of the championships off at 6pm.

SHOOTING AL SAILIYA, AL ARABI WIN IN QNB STARS LEAGUE IOC withdraws Olympic places from India event over Pakistan visa row

AFP on the controversy and would soon New Delhi announce a decision. Over 500 shooters are taking part in the Indian event, for which he International Olympic competition starts tomorrow. Pa- Committee yesterday can- kistan, which has denied any role celled places for the 2020 in the Kashmir attack, says two Tokyo Games shooting shooters and a coach were denied Tcompetition to be awarded at an visas to attend the contest. event in India after the host coun- Lisin said the International try refused to give visas to Pakista- Shooting Sport Federation and the ni shooters, the head of the sport’s Indian organising committee had governing body said. done everything possible to get the India has accused Pakistan of shooters to the contest. But Nation- Al Sailiya defeated Al Ahli 1-0 in QNB Stars League yesterday. The winning goal was scored by Abdulqader Ilyas in the second minute of the match. In another match, involvement in a suicide bombing al Rifl e Association of India presi- Al Arabi beat Al Shahaniya 2-1. Arabi took the lead through Wilfried Bony in the eighth minute, before Yousef Hani Ballan equalised for Al Shahaniya in the 28th minute. in Kashmir last week that killed 40 dent Raninder Singh said he could But two minutes later Arabi restored the advantage when Iran defender Morteza Pouraliganji finding the net. PICTURE: Shemeer Rasheed paramilitary soldiers and has vowed not go against the Indian govern- to “isolate” its arch-rival neighbour ment’s decision. Singh also insisted over the attack. Sixteen qualifying no fi nal decision on the Olympic places for the Tokyo Games were places had been taken. “Nothing FOCUS to be decided at the opening shoot- is cancelled as of now. The status ing World Cup event in New Delhi. as of now is we don’t know,” Singh But Vladimir Lisin, president of the told reporters. “There are meetings ISSF world body, said these would that are going on where the posi- Time running out for Kharaitiyat as they face Salal now go to other qualifying events. tion is being assessed by the IOC “The International Olympic Com- and the government.” By Sports Reporter ever since the start of this season. For Umm Salal announced their inten- themselves more in a spot. Umm Salal mittee informed us this World Cup Amid widespread anger over last Doha Umm Salal, three points will help their tions when action resumed in the QNB are seventh in the table with 20 points will not be included in the compe- week’s Kashmir attack, some calls cause of fi nishing among the top four in Stars League after a long break by de- (fi ve wins, as many draws and six de- titions for Olympic quotas,” Lisin, have also been made for India’s a big way. feating Al Gharafa 2-1 last week. Spanish feats). Al Kharaitiyat are last with only himself an IOC executive member, cricket team to boycott its sched- l Kharaitiyat will be fi ght- The Orange Fortress lost out on fi n- coach Raul Caneda can take a share of one victory to show for their eff orts. said yesterday. uled World Cup game against Pa- ing with their back to the wall ishing in the elite top-four bracket, the credit for bringing the team back on In another match, Al Khor will face “The quotas will be distributed kistan in England later this year. when they face Umm Salal in which will give a berth in the Qatar Cup the winning path on his debut in Qatar. Qatar SC. Al Khor are languishing at the at another World Cup. No one can Media reports said Indian cricket’s the QNB Stars League today at as a bonus other than prospects of play- And his wards will be highly motivated 11th position with nine points. Only Al be discriminated against and we governing body, the BCCI, had theA Al Duhail Stadium. The match is im- ing in the AFC Champions League, in against Al Kharaitiyat and that will make Kharaitiyat, with three points, are below have to follow the IOC decision as prepared a letter calling for Paki- portant for both teams as Al Kharaitiyat the last round last season, where they the proceedings tough for the latter. them in the table. Qatar SC, coached by part of the IOC family,” he added. stan to be banned from the cricket are facing relegation threat more than were pipped to the post by Al Gharafa. Al Kharaitiyat lost 1-2 to Al Ahli to put Sergio Batista, are 10th in the table. The IOC said it was deliberating World Cup. Gulf Times Friday, February 22, 2019 3 FOOTBALL

LIGUE 1 FOCUS Juventus and Ronaldo put on Di Maria, Mbappe brave face aft er tough Champions among the goals as League night AFP pushed over by Jan Oblak. Milan Atletico were celebrating at the fi nal whistle as goals from Jose Gimenez and Diego Godin, ristiano Ronaldo’s with a shot that defl ected into arrival in Turin last the net off Ronaldo, put Diego summer had been Simeone’s side within sight of PSG win big again Chailed as a master- the quarter-fi nals. stroke on the part of the Italian Italian sports daily Gazzetta ‘IT CAME DOWN TO PATIENCE, AND QUALITY, AND A BIT OF LUCK AS WELL’ giants in their bid to end their Dello Sport was scathing of 23-year wait to lift the Cham- Ronaldo who received just 4.5 pions League title. out of ten as “the worst” player The Portuguese super- on the pitch, with Polish goal- star had won fi ve Champions keeper Wojciech Szczesny Ju- League titles with Manchester ventus’s “best” with 6.5. United and Real Madrid and “CR7, you can save this scored a record 121 goals in the Juve,” urged Turin daily Tutt- competition. osport looking ahead to the But instead the Serie A gi- second-leg tie in the Allianz ants are now facing the possi- Stadium on May 12. bility of an early exit after fall- Coach Massimiliano Allegri ing 2-0 in their last 16, fi rst-leg was also in the fi ring line af- clash against Atletico Madrid ter what Gazzetta dello Sport on Wednesday night. termed “a Waterloo of play and Once again the 34-year-old attitude”.The Juventus coach Ronaldo did not have a return admitted his side got it wrong to the Spain he had dreamt of. particularly in the second half The former Real Madrid when they were rescued twice player was sent off in his rstfi by VAR. European game for Juventus in “They don’t give you chanc- Spain last September against es,” said Allegri. “They make Valencia. you play badly.” This time he was whistled The Italians have also had and mocked by home fans, and setbacks with midfi elder Sami delivered a performance far Khedira recovering from a below expectations for a player heart problem with defen- Juventus had paid 100mn euros sive duo Leonardo Bonucci ($117mn) for. and Giorgio Chiellini just back Ronaldo replied by waving from injury. fi ve fi ngers at the crowd, tell- Juventus are unbeaten in ing journalists: “I’ve got fi ve their pursuit of an eighth Champions League trophies straight Serie A crown. They and Atleti have won zero.” are 13 points ahead of nearest But his hopes of a sixth and rivals Napoli after 24 games. fi rst with Juventus diminished But their domestic domina- as he was stifl ed from the out- tion has been broken. At the set by Atletico’s backline. end of January they lost at At- “It was a tough night,” said lanta to end their bid for a fi fth Ronaldo, who has scored 22 straight Coppa Italia crown. goals against Atletico. Juventus recruited Ron- Ronaldo’s best contribution aldo for a treble of Champions was an early, driven free-kick League, Serie A and Coppa Ita- from 30 yards, that had to be lia crowns.

Paris Saint-Germain’s Layvin Kurzawa (R) celebrates with Kylian Mbappe after he scored a goal against Montpellier at the Parc des Princes stadium on February 20.

AFP As they warm up for the second leg in the league in an injury-hit season and and Mbappe then took centre stage. Paris of their Champions League last-16 tie he opened the scoring in the 13th minute The young World Cup winner turned in against Manchester United on March 6, with a header from a Daniel Alves cross. a Kurzawa centre in the 78th minute, but PSG are now a huge 15 points clear of sec- However, Montpellier recovered well the goal was attributed to Montpellier’s ngel Di Maria scored a sump- ond-placed Lille, and still have a game in from that and claimed a deserved leveller 41-year-old defender Hilton. tuous free-kick and Kylian hand as they race to a sixth Ligue 1 title in just after the half-hour mark from a Mol- From the restart, PSG won possession Mbappe was also on target as seven seasons. let free-kick. Gianluigi Buff on thought back and Mbappe beat Montpellier goal- AParis Saint-Germain continued “It came down to patience, and quality, he had kept it out, but goal-line technol- keeper Benjamin Lecomte with the aid of their relentless march towards another and a bit of luck as well,” said PSG coach ogy confi rmed the ball had just crossed a huge defl ection off Hilton. French title by hammering Montpellier Thomas Tuchel after his side maintained the line. Nevertheless, Di Maria restored This time the goal was given to Mbappe, 5-1 on Wednesday. their perfect home record in the league PSG’s lead in fi rst-half stoppage time with who now has 20 goals in 19 league appear- With Neymar and Edinson Cavani still this season. a stunning dead-ball strike from 30 yards ances this season, and 25 in all competi- absent, Layvin Kurzawa also scored for It was also their ninth win by a margin that went in off the underside of the bar tions. PSG at the Parc des Princes, while two of at least four goals in the current cam- for his sixth league goal of the season. Montpellier remain sixth, while PSG own goals completed the rout. paign. PSG then ran away with the game in now host mid-table Nimes on Saturday Florent Mollet had equalised at one “It was not our best performance, but the closing stages, although only after before a French Cup quarter-fi nal against point in the fi rst half for the visitors be- with our attacking quality it was a de- both Mbappe and substitute Eric-Maxim Dijon and then a visit to Caen, as their fore they crumbled in a rearranged fi xture served victory,” added Tuchel. Choupo Moting had eff orts disallowed for busy schedule continues before the visit that had initially been postponed in early He was missing a host of players for off side. of United. Juventus’ Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo reacts during December due to disruption caused by this game, with skipper Thiago Silva It was 3-1 in the 73rd minute when The other game in France on Wednes- the UEFA Champions League round of 16 first leg match against “yellow vest” anti-government protests suspended. French international left- Christopher Nkunku, on a rare start, saw day saw bottom side Guingamp draw 0-0 Atletico Madrid at the Wanda Metropolitan stadium in Madrid in France. back Kurzawa was making his fi rst start his header defl ect in off Petar Skuletic, at Bordeaux. on February 20.

PREMIER LEAGUE SPOTLIGHT Man City must learn from Ole’s United primed to Schalke scare — Guardiola

AFP City still have some work to Gelsenkirchen, Germany do in the return leg on March 12 with Fernandinho, who was dent Liverpool title bid booked when conceding the Reuters United moved into the FA Cup quarter- ep Guardiola says second spot-kick, and Ota- Manchester finals with an impressive 2-0 win at Chel- Manchester City will mendi both suspended. sea on Monday while Liverpool head into not challenge for this Despite a lengthy delay this weekend’s game after a 0-0 home draw season’s Champions of over three minutes, after anchester United may not be in with Bayern Munich in the Champions PLeague title unless they learn a technical error meant the the title race but Ole Gunnar League. from their dramatic 3-2 win match referee could not check Solskjaer’s side could have a big “It is a big game against Manchester Unit- at Schalke with 10 men on Otamendi’s handball for the say in who does win the Premier ed, it’s always big against them. It’s a game Wednesday. fi rst Schalke penalty, Guardiola MLeague, starting with Sunday’s clash against in hand as well and we look forward to that,” “We will not go far in this said he is a fan of VAR. Liverpool at Old Traff ord. said Liverpool left back Andrew Robertson. competition unless we im- “The VAR needs time, they Manchester City lead the Premier League “It’s a huge game and they’re a diff er- prove,” said City manager will improve, the screen was on goal diff erence from Juergen Klopp’s Liv- ent team playing some really good football, Guardiola. broken, next time they will be erpool with both teams on 65 points — 14 I think we need to be wary of them but they “At the end, the quality of better,” said Guardiola. ahead of fourth-placed United. know what they’re coming up against and (Leroy) Sane and (Raheem) “I support the technology, City do not feature in the Premier League they need to be wary of us,” he added. Sterling made the diff erence. ling out Sergio Aguero’s opener because they (referees) need this weekend as they face Chelsea in the United are hoping Anthony Martial and “The result is incredibly in Gelsenkirchen. the help.” League Cup fi nal, giving Liverpool an oppor- Jesse Lingard recover from muscle injuries in good, but we gave the fi rst two Sane, who came on for the Guardiola’s main gripe with tunity to return to the top of the table. time to face Liverpool — the pair missed the penalties away and the red card, last 12 minutes, drilled home his side’s heroic display was United still have to play City again in this Chelsea game after picking up the injuries so we are not ready to fi ght for a stunning free-kick to equal- that they leaked two goals de- campaign, but, perhaps surprisingly to some, in the Champions League defeat by Paris St the Champions League.” ise and was delighted to score spite Schalke only having two their fans would probably prefer them to do Germain last week. City were in real trouble at against his old club having shots on target over 90 min- more damage to Liverpool’s ambitions. “You look at their teamsheet or squad list 2-1 down with 22 minutes left joined City from Schalke in utes. Liverpool haven’t claimed the league title and it’s full of stars. They came to the party when Nicolas Otamendi was 2016. “They hardly shot a goal on since 1990 while United have won 13 in that The Norwegian is already a highly popular and they have a fantastic team. They’ve got sent off before goals by Leroy “I wanted to shoot from target and they got two goals, period and their supporters love to remind fi gure with United’s fans after leading the team people back from injury as well which always Sane and Raheem Sterling in that position as I have already so we have some work to do,” their bitter north-west rivals of that fact. to 11 wins in his fi rst 13 games in charge and if helps and they’ve got a strong squad as well,” the last fi ve minutes swung the scored from there and the goal said the Spaniard. Local pride aside, however, this is also a he were to claim the scalp of Klopp’s Liverpool Robertson said. last 16 tie back in their favour. gave us confi dence, which set “To go away and score three crucial game for Solskjaer as he bids to con- his approval ratings would go through the roof. Tottenham Hotspur will also hope to close Schalke led at the break us up to win,” said the Germany goals, I am delighted, but it’s vince the Old Traff ord hierarchy that he is the It was a defeat by Liverpool which off ered the gap on City and their captain Harry as the video assistant ref- international. not enough at this level. right man to lead the club on a permanent Solskjaer his chance when Jose Mourinho Kane could be back in the starting line-up eree (VAR) twice intervened to “We did not get start well, “We gave them the opportu- basis after his interim period runs out at the was sacked following a limp 3-1 loss at An- at Burnley on Saturday after a few weeks out award penalties, both convert- but I’m glad we won and get- nities to be in the game and we end of this season. fi eld in December. with an ankle injury. ed by Nabil Bentaleb, cancel- ting three goals away is good.” have to improve on that.” Gulf Times 4 Friday, February 22, 2019 SPORT

FOCUS FORMULA ONE Steve Stricker named US 2020 Ryder Cup captain Ferrari seem

AFP that revamped the US Ryder Cup ants. The system by which play- New York programme and has served as a ers earn the eight automatic team to be ahead of vice-captain for the past three berths remains the same. Points cups. The 51-year-old captained are available this year at World teve Stricker was named the 2017 US Presidents Cup team Golf Championships events and Mercedes: Bottas the captain of the US that beat an International side at major championships and, from 2020 Ryder Cup team Liberty National. January 1, 2020, at regular PGA Reuters Melbourne race on March 17 and Son Wednesday, becom- Whaley praised Stricker’s Tour events. Barcelona Mercedes had new parts coming ing the fi rst American in the role “wonderful ability to connect In one change to team selec- before then. without a major title. with players of all ages”. tion, Stricker will announce all The Finn warned, however, PGA of America President “Steve’s vision for his cap- four of his captain’s selections on errari are looking strong- that even with the upgrades Suzy Whaley announced the ap- taincy is laser-focused and we September 1, 2020, immediately er than Mercedes in test- Mercedes still needed to make pointment, confi rming reports are elated to have this hometown after the Tour Championship. ing and the Formula One the car better and quicker, with that Stricker, a Wisconsin na- favourite as our US Ryder Cup Ireland’s Padraig Harrington was champions have work to work to do on the balance. tive whose home state will host Captain for 2020 at Whistling named European captain last doF before next month’s season- “It feels a little bit diff erent the event next year at Whistling Straits,” she said of the 12-time month. opening race in Australia, Valt- (to last year), at least in these Straits, would become the 29th in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. “We four of the past fi ve editions of PGA Tour winner who has added He is a three-time major teri Bottas said yesterday. (winter) conditions,” he said. “It captain and be charged with re- want to win this more than ever. I the biennial match-play show- three wins on the 50-and-over champion who won nine, lost 13 The Finn, team mate to fi ve- seems to be again, with the tyres, claiming the trophy from Europe. want to help any way I can.” down. Stricker, who went won Champions circuit. and halved one in six Ryder Cups times world champion Lewis quite a narrow window to get “I’m very passionate about The Americans were routed three, lost seven and halved one in Stricker said Jim Furyk, who from 1999-2010 and was an as- Hamilton at Mercedes, gave his them to work. this competition,” an emotional 17 1/2-10 1/2 last September in three Ryder Cups as a player, was captained the US team in France, sistant on Europe’s past three assessment on the fi nal day of “It seems like balance-wise a Stricker said at a press conference France. The Europeans have won a member of the 2014 task force would be one of his four assist- teams. the fi rst four-day pre-season little bit on a knife-edge at the test at Barcelona’s Circuit de moment. But there’s nothing Catalunya. fundamentally wrong, we feel. GOLF Ferrari were fastest on the I think there is defi nitely a lot of fi rst two days and the Italians potential but it is not yet quite have also covered an impres- there. sive amount of mileage in their “In the team, (there is a) kind new SF90 car while Mercedes of... excitement to discover more have been working through their about the car and really try to programme without setting any improve it because at this point it eye-catching times. looks like we are not miles ahead “They do seem very strong,” of everyone. It seems like Ferrari Woods aiming Bottas said of Ferrari, Mercedes’ are in a better place.” closest rivals last year. Mercedes have said they in- “No matter which kind of fuel tend to focus more on speed and load or engine modes they are performance at next week’s sec- running, whatever you try to ond test after mainly concen- correct that for, in any case they trating on reliability until now. are quick on short runs and long Hamilton also recognised Fer- runs. rari were quick when he spoke to high in Mexico “I think we feel at this point reporters earlier in the week but they are maybe a bit ahead, but said that was the case in testing obviously it’s impossible to make last year and Mercedes prevailed Woods won seven titles in the event at six diff erent venues before it moved to Mexico City detailed calculations. It is very in the end. early days. With the new rules Mercedes are chasing a AFP its going to be a big development record-equalling sixth succes- Mexico City McIlroy to skip Irish Open race.” sive constructors’ championship Bottas said the cars would be this year and also a record sixth London: Rory McIlroy is set to it’s this year,” McIlroy, who won very diff erent by the time of the successive title double. iger Woods is a sev- skip the Irish Open at Lahinch the Open in 2014, told BBC. en-time winner of in July to focus on the Open “If I was to play the Irish Open, the tournament now Championship in his native the Open Championship Tknown as the WGC- Northern Ireland later that would be my third event in a Mexico Championship, but it’s a month, the four-times major row. For me, that’s not the best whole new challenge as he faces winner has said. way to prepare for what could his fi rst edition of the event at The Irish Open gets underway be the biggest event of my life. Club de Golf Chapultepec. at the Old Course on July 4 “The people of Ireland are still Woods told reporters while the Open, which is being going to see me playing golf Wednesday that he was still get- held in Northern Ireland’s because I’m going to play the ting to grips with playing at high Royal Portrush Golf Club this Open Championship and I’m altitude, toying with the idea of year, begins on July 18. sure a lot of people will travel adding loft to his three-wood “If there is ever a year when I from down south to see me and learning just how he needs feel I can miss this Irish Open, play.” to adjust his game. “The most interesting thing is the ball just doesn’t curve up year, after earning his 44th PGA still against the best players in here at altitude, there’s just not Tour victory at the Pebble Beach the world and I’ve always en- enough resistance,” Woods said Pro-Am. joyed competing against them of what he saw in his fi rst prac- Another featured group sees and trying to beat them and win tice holes at the venue 7,800 feet Northern Ireland star Rory an event.” above sea level. McIlroy playing alongside world Woods will be making his “Shots that I thought I shaped number two Brooks Koepka and third start of 2019, having fi n- just didn’t have any shape to Bubba Watson in a fi eld that fea- ished tied for 20th at Torrey it. That’s going to be one of the tures 27 of the top 30 golfers in Pines and tied for 15th last week things I need to get organised.” the world rankings. at the rain-hit Genesis Open — Woods won seven titles in the Woods, who capped a come- where Woods said he had “one event at six diff erent venues be- back season with victory in the of the worst weeks” he has ever fore it moved to Mexico City in US PGA Tour’s Tour Champion- had on the greens. 2017. ship last September and is now Even as he irons out various Since then, back trouble ranked 13th in the world, fi nds areas of his game with an eye — and his lowly ranking after the company stimulating. toward the Masters in April, lengthy time off because of in- “I take a lot of pride in playing Woods said there was “really jury — kept him out of the fi eld. well in the biggest events, that no comparison” to this time Now he will be teeing it up in being the majors, the Players last year, when he “didn’t really a tournament in Mexico for the US golfer Tiger Woods is pictured during a practice round at (Championship), and the World know what my golf future would fi rst time, playing alongside fel- Chapultepec’s Golf Club in Mexico City on February 20. Golf Championships,” he said. be”. low American Bryson DeCham- “My record has been pretty “Last year was a bit of a wan- beau and top-ranked Mexican some amazing energy out there.” mas in the event last year, will good in those events,” added dering world of how am I going Abraham Ancer in the fi rst two Five-time major winner Phil play with Thomas and Dustin Woods, who owns a record 18 to piece this together, how am I rounds. Mickelson, who ended a near Johnson in the fi rst two rounds. WGC titles. going to fi gure it out, what am “This is exciting,” Woods fi ve-year title drought with a Mickelson arrives with one “So just because this event I going to be capable of. By the said. “I’m sure there will be playoff victory over Justin Tho- title under his belt already this has been in diff erent places, it’s end of the year I fi gured it out.” Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton during testing yesterday.

INITIATIVE TENNIS Clay king Nadal Hsieh Su-wei stuns Pliskova to set up Kvitova clash opens academy Hsieh fi red a backhand down the line to earn Taiwan’s Hsieh Su-wei the break that saw her claim the fi rst set lead. Raikkonen returns the ball to Czech Pliskova, who missed nine chances to break her pushes Ferrari in Mexico Republic’s Karolina Pliskova opponent, roared back in the second set to level during their last-8 clash yesterday. the match without facing a single break point. off the top of test AFP The 26-year-old surged to a match-winning timesheets Mexico City position at 5-1 but the Czech’s errors piled up allowing Hsieh to break back twice for 5-5, and Reuters a wild backhand from Pliskova at 6-5, con- Barcelona ennis superstar Rafael Nadal has opened a new fi rmed Hsieh’s triumph. academy in Mexico at the Caribbean seaside re- Hsieh will meet Petra Kvitova in today’s fi nal sort of Cancun. four after the two-time Wimbledon champion lfa Romeo driver Kimi T The Costa Mujeres centre is an extension of dispatched Slovakia’s Viktoria Kuzmova 6-4, Raikkonen produced Nadal’s original academy based on his native Mallorca. 6-0 to advance. Athe fastest lap so far “We’ve been coming here for many years and we know Meanwhile, Kvitova says Naomi Osaka’s in Formula One’s pre-season the area,” said the 11-time French Open champion at a shyness is a problem for her as she struggles to testing to push his previous press conference in Cancun on Monday. deal with the increased scrutiny in the wake of team, Ferrari, off the top of The tennis center includes eight fl oodlit clay courts, her success at the Grand Slams and her rise to the lunchtime leaderboard a paddle court, gymnasium and a sports clothing and the top of the world rankings. yesterday. It was the first equipment store. A tearful Osaka admitted diffi culty in deal- time since testing started Although the centre will initially cater to tourists and ing with the attention of being the world’s top- on Monday at the Circuit de locals, Nadal said “one of the medium- and long-term ranked woman after a shock defeat by France’s Catalunya that Ferrari had not aims is to contribute to the development of tennis in Kristina Mladenovic at the Dubai Duty Free led at the end of a session. Mexico”. Tennis Championships on Tuesday. The Finn, returning to the Mexico’s most successful ever player was Rafael Osu- It was the 21-year-old’s fi rst match since her Swiss-based team previously na, a former world number one who claimed the US Open DPA/AFP number ones having beaten Germany’s Angel- Australian Open triumph in January for the known as Sauber, lapped with title in 1963. Dubai ique Kerber in the previous round in Dubai and second Grand Slam title of her career. Kvitova a best time of one minute He also won three Grand Slam doubles titles and the memorably conquering Simona Halep at Wim- said Osaka would have to get used to having a 17.762 seconds on the softest, Olympic doubles gold medal in 1968 when tennis was a bledon last year. target on her back. and fastest, C5 tyre compound. demonstration event. sieh Su-Wei of Taiwan shocked “I felt I had to apologise to Pliskova because “She’s number one, Grand Slam winner, eve- Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel was He helped Mexico to the 1962 Davis Cup fi nal, their Karolina Pliskova by roaring back I was crying and screaming so much,” said the ryone just wants to beat her. That’s how players second fastest in 1:18.350. only ever appearance in the team competition champi- from 1-5 down in a deciding set to 33-year-old after reaching her fi rst Premier- are thinking,” Kvitova, beaten by Osaka in the Raikkonen’s lap was also the onship decider. Hwin 6-4, 1-6, 7-5 and advance to the level tour semi-fi nal. Melbourne fi nal, told reporters. first time a team had gone World number two Nadal is due to play in the Acapulco semi-fi nals of the Dubai Tennis Champion- “It was not easy to come back. I say to myself, “I remember when I was young, I totally had faster in 2019 than they man- Open next week, an event he has won twice before al- ships yesterday. ‘Okay, if she [does] not ace me, I hit the ball so same mindset. That’s how it is... it’s about ex- aged in last year’s pre-season though he had to pull out before his fi rst match last year Her success against Czech Pliskova contin- much harder than before, then she cannot hit a periences and coming to the court knowing testing. due to injury. ues a remarkable record against former world winner.’” that you are the favourite of every match.” Gulf Times Friday, February 22, 2019 5 SPORT

SHOOTING Nearly 280 shooters to take part in Qatar Open By Sports Reporter shooters. The participating coun- Doha tries are Qatar, Australia, Croatia, China, Finland, France, Italy, Ger- many, Russia, Czech Republic, Ku- everal Olympic medal- wait, Morocco, Oman, Jordan, Iran, lists will take to the Losail Lebanon, Kazakhstan, US, Ukraine, Shooting Range today, as a Malaysia, Poland, Peru, Pakistan, trap practice round will kick Japan, Lithuania, India, Georgia offS proceedings in the Qatar Open and Denmark. Shotgun Championship. The competition will be held in As many as 280 shooters from 38 the trap, double trap and skeet cat- countries will take part in the ninth egories. In the trap category, the edition of the event. Qatar team will be represented by Besides international shooters, a Rashid al-Athba, Nasser al-Humai- large number of Qatari shooters will di, Mohamed al-Rumaihi, Moham- also be vying for top honours, in- ed Dablan, Hamad al-Athba, Ha- cluding local hero and 2012 London mad al-Athabi, Abdulaziz al-Athba, Olympics bronze medallist Nasser Khalid al-Mohannadi, Khalifa al- Saleh al-Attiyah. Attiyah and Ghanem al-Nuaimi. Speaking on the occasion, tour- In the women’s trap, Qatari par- nament director Abdullah Ali al- ticipants are Amna al-Abdullah, Mutawa al-Hammadi, said, “The Noura al-Ali, Banna Ali, Kholoud tournament will see great competi- al-Khalaf, Nawal al-Khalaf and tion between all the participants as Noura al-Mohannadi. the event will provide good prepa- In the youth category, the local ration work ahead of next year’s Ol- hopes rest on Hussein al-Banai, Ib- ympic Games in Japan.” rahim al-Tamimi, Abdulrahman al- The organising committee an- Nuaimi, Salem al-Marri, Mohamed nounced that the competition Abdul Mohsen and Abdulaziz Abdul Qatar Open tournament director Abdullah Ali al-Mutawa al-Hammadi (third right) poses with other will feature both men and women Mohsen. off icials on the eve of the tournament.

RUGBY/SIX NATIONS NHL Kane nets OT winner as Blackhawks Nowell and Moon beat Red Wings 5-4

Reuters Detroit, Michigan

atrick Kane scored his second goal of the game at 2:42 of start against Wales overtime, and the visiting Chicago Blackhawks won for the 10th time in 12 games, topping the Detroit Red Wings Nowell back in for injured Ashton, Moon replaces Vunipola for potential title decider 5-4 on Wednesday. PKane stretched his point streak to 19 games, an NHL high this season. However, his assists streak ended at 17 consecutive games, tied for the third-longest such streak in NHL history. In OT, Kane fi red a shot from the right circle past goaltender Jonathan Bernier after passes from Erik Gustafsson and Jonathan Toews. Artem Anisimov, Brandon Saad and Alex DeBrincat also scored for Chicago, which squandered a 4-1 lead in the third period. Gus- tafsson had three assists. Dylan Larkin and Andreas Athanasiou scored two goals apiece for Detroit. Anthony Mantha assisted on all four goals. Chicago led 3-1 after the fi rst period. Anisimov scored his 10th goal just 1:39 RESULTS into the game. Goalie Jimmy Howard tried Chicago 5-4 Detroit to play the puck from Colorado 7-1 Winnipeg behind the net to one Calgary 4-2 Islanders of his defensemen, but Anisimov stole it and Boston 3-2 Las Vegas backhanded it into the net. Larkin tied it at the 6:37 mark with a shot from the right circle after Mantha won a battle for the puck behind the net. Saad scored his 21st goal at the 12:04 mark. Dylan Sikura and goalie Cam Ward were credited with assists. The Blackhawks made it 3-1 at 16:51 when Dylan Strome slid a pass in the off ensive zone to DeBrincat, who fi red a shot from the right circle over Howard’s left shoulder. Kane scored the only second-period goal on a two-on-one rush after receiving a pass from Gustafsson in the defensive zone. Kane fi red a shot from the right circle past Howard on the stick side. Detroit coach Jeff Blashill then pulled Howard in favor of Bernier. Larkin scored his second goal of the night at 4:19 of the third. Athanasiou scored at 5:22 of the third period on the power play, lifting a shot near the post over Ward’s right shoulder. With Detroit’s net empty, Athanasiou knotted it with 1:26 re- maining in regulation. Mantha slid a pass to the side of the net, where Athanasiou banged it home. Ward stopped 31 shots in the win. Bernier saved 11 of the 12 shots he faced after Howard allowed four goals on eight shots.

England head coach Eddie Jones (right) and Owen Farrell during a press conference in Bagshot, Britain, yesterday. (Reuters)

Reuters Anscombe chosen ahead of Biggar grand slam will keep their feet very much Bagshot, England on the ground. Gareth Anscombe was selected at flyhalf partner instead of Adam Beard, who was “They are always very fi t so you have to as Wales returned to full strength for named among the replacements. make sure you win the gain line and then inger Jack Nowell and prop their highly-anticipated Six Nations clash “We are really happy with the experience fi nd opportunities of where you are going Ben Moon have been named against England in Cardiff tomorrow. we have got in the side,” said Gatland. to attack them,” Jones said. “It’s a big week to start for England in Satur- Coach Warren Gatland yesterday named “We have been on the road for the first for them and a lot of expectation. That can day’s potentially decisive Six his strongest side for the clash between two weeks, we are looking forward to either be some wind in their sails or it can WNations clash in Wales, with Joe Coka- be a ball in chain. We’ll fi nd out on Sat- the two remaining unbeaten teams in being back at home and to build on nasiga and Brad Shields on the bench for this year’s competition after fielding a those first two wins and to build on our urday.” A home win would take Wales to the fi rst time in the championship. second string side in their last outing, a performance. a national record 12 successive victories, Nowell was dropped to the bench for 26-15 away victory over Italy just under a “We’ve had a great two-week lead up to but with a fi nal-day match against Ireland the home win over France but with Chris fortnight ago. this game, we’ve looked really sharp and to come, there is still much to do if they Ashton out with a calf strain, he returns Anscombe was preferred to Dan Biggar, the squad are incredibly motivated to are to win the championship for the fi rst to start in the same back three as in the who had to go off after 20 minutes play- kick on. time since 2013. opening win in Dublin, with Jonny May on ing for Northampton against Sale Sharks “We know how important this game is for the left and Elliot Daly at fullback. in the English Premiership last Saturday, the rest of the championship. It’s a mas- ENGLAND Moon, who has impressed coach Eddie in the pivot position. sive challenge playing against an Eng- Elliot Daly (Wasps, 27 caps), Jack Nowell Jones since making his debut in Novem- Biggar trained with Wales from Mon- land team that is playing really well and (Exeter Chiefs, 31 caps), Henry Slade ber, is in for Mako Vunipola, who has been day but his knee niggle is likely to have with a lot of confidence and we’ve got to (Exeter Chiefs, 19 caps), Manu Tuilagi ruled out for the rest of the tournament. convinced Gatland to name his rival to make it diff icult for them on Saturday.” (Leicester Tigers, 29 caps), Jonny May Ellis Genge will provide a fi ery option from start Saturday’s game at the Principality Team: 15-Liam Williams, 14-George North, (Leicester Tigers, 42 caps), Owen Farrell the bench. Prop Harry Williams also comes Stadium. Anscombe’s half back partner 13-Jonathan Davies, 12-Hadleigh Parkes, (Saracens, 67 caps) (captain) in to the replacements in place of Dan Cole. at the Cardiff Blues, Tomos Williams, was 11-Josh Adams, 10-Gareth Anscombe, Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers, 82 caps), After a year when Jones’s selection ap- ruled out because of injury. 9-Gareth Davies, 8-Ross Moriarty, 7-Justin Ben Moon (Exeter Chiefs, 5 caps), Jamie peared to lack much direction, albeit in the Leigh Halfpenny, who has not played Tipuric, 6-Josh Navidi, 5-Alun Wyn Jones George (Saracens, 34 caps), Kyle Sinckler face of a long injury list, England are start- since suff ering concussion against Aus- (captain), 4-Cory Hill, 3-Tomas Francis, (Harlequins, 19 caps), Courtney Lawes ing to look like a settled team, even in the tralia last November, will have to wait to 2-Ken Owens, 1-Rob Evans (Northampton Saints, 70 caps), George absence of Vunipola and Maro Itoje. make his return even though he trained Replacements: 16-Elliot Dee, 17-Nicky Kruis (Saracens, 29 caps), Mark Wilson “We want to be the number one team with the squad this week. Smith, 18-Dillon Lewis, 19-Adam Beard, (Newcastle Falcons, 10 caps), Tom Curry in the world, we know we’re a while from Alun Wyn Jones will lead the team with 20-Aaron Wainwright, 21-Aled Davies, (Sale Sharks, 7 caps), Billy Vunipola (Sara- there but we’re heading in the right direc- Cory Hill preferred as his second row 22-Dan Biggar, 23-Owen Watkin. cens, 38 caps). tion,” Jones told reporters on Thursday. Replacements (147 caps) “We’ve got players challenging each other wing Cokanasiga, gets a good run out. already looks key to the title, particularly Luke Cowan-Dickie (Exeter Chiefs, 9 for spots. There’s competition, but play- “As we saw in the autumn, Joe is a player if England win it with home games against caps), Ellis Genge (Leicester Tigers, 6 ers select themselves. of great potential,” Jones said. “I really Italy and Scotland to come. caps), Harry Williams (Exeter Chiefs, 16 “We’ve got a strong squad and for Sat- like his attitude, how hard he works at his England have won their last fi ve Six caps), Joe Launchbury (Wasps, 55 caps), urday it was about getting the order right, game now. He’ll cause the Welsh defence Nations games against the Welsh, but Brad Shields (Wasps, 5 caps), Dan Robson the starters and the fi nishers.” some problems.” memories of their 2015 World Cup defeat (Wasps, 1 cap), George Ford (Leicester Patrick Kane of the Chicago Blackhawks celebrates his game England fans will hope that one of those With both teams having won their fi rst at Twickenham and 30-3 humbling in Tigers, 53 caps), Joe Cokanasiga (Bath winning overtime goal to beat the Detroit Red Wings 5-4 at Little “fi nishers”, in the shape of mighty Bath two games, the Cardiff match (1645 GMT) Cardiff in 2013 when they were seeking a Rugby, 2 caps). Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan. (Getty Images/AFP) Gulf Times 6 Friday, February 22, 2019 CRICKET

SPOTLIGHT World Cup ‘fi rsts’ still vivid for West Indies hero Lloyd AFP The 1975 edition, the inau- enough in scoring-rate terms “Rohan Kanhai and myself London gural men’s World Cup, saw alone. sort of rallied the situation and West Indies captain Lloyd But that he came in with then we got to a pretty good make a superb century during West Indies having slumped score. We had a total that we he children playing a 17-run win in the fi nal against to 50 for three after being sent can defend and we defended cricket in the unlikely Australia. into bat by Australia captain it quite well. Although it was setting of London’s Tra- Ian Chappell and made a hun- close in the end, we were al- falgar Square could have It was the fi rst World dred against an attack featur- ways in the ascendancy.” Tbeen forgiven for not knowing ing outstanding quicks Dennis West Indies had to come Cup – they’ll never be the identity of the grey-haired another fi rst – and hav- Lillee and Jeff Thomson, as through a qualifying event to gentleman loping between the ing won it in front of a well as left-arm swing bowler reach this year’s World Cup. . ‘ Gary Gilmour, made it all the But they recently upset the large West Indian contin- Yet even wearing a heavy gent, it was quite exciting. more impressive. odds to beat England 2-1 in a coat to guard against the chill — Clive Lloyd Lloyd – dropped early on Test series and their 74-year- of an English winter morn- – received excellent support old former captain believes ing, the tall, bespectacled and from veteran batsman Rohan they could cause a few upsets slightly stooping fi gure of “It was the fi rst World Cup – Kanhai who, in his 40th year, at the World Cup as well, espe- Clive Lloyd was still instantly they’ll never be another fi rst – got off the mark by driving the cially if self-styled “Universe recognisable to generations of and having won it in front of a fearsomely fast Thomson off Boss” Chris Gayle – a power- cricket fans. large West Indian contingent, it the back foot for four. ful left-handed batsman in Lloyd was in London on was quite exciting,” Lloyd told The pair shared a stand of the Lloyd mould – fi nds his Tuesday at an event marking AFP. 149 that helped West Indies to form. 100 days until the start of the a total of 291 for eight in a then “I think they can be quite a 2019 World Cup in England ‘SPOT OF BOTHER’ 60 overs, with Chappell later formidable side if they choose and Wales. Modern batsmen are often ex- remarking that Lloyd “bat- the right team,” said Lloyd But unlike all the England pected to score at better than a tered us from one side of Lord’s ahead of the start of a fi ve- cricketers past and present run-a-ball in a one-day game. to the other”. match one-day series between also involved, including Nass- That wasn’t the case, however, Lloyd’s recollection was, the West Indies and World Cup er Hussain, Graeme Swann, in 1975 when fi eld restrictions typically, rather more under- favourites England in Barbados Alastair Cook and James An- had yet to become part of lim- stated. on Wednesday. derson, Lloyd knows what it is ited-overs cricket. “I got a few runs – I think I “We have some good one- be a World Cup-winner, hav- Lloyd’s innings of 102 off got 102 – but the point is I got day players and let’s hope Mr ing led West Indies to victo- 85 balls, including 12 fours in there when we lost three Gayle fi res in more ways than ries in Lord’s fi nals in 1975 and and two sixes, in the fi nal quick wickets, so we were in a one. I think they can do very 1979. would have been eye-catching spot of bother. well in this competition.”

ODI SERIES FOCUS Stokes, Buttler rested for England T20 Roy and Root score series against WI

AFP day international. England, London who lost the recent Test series against the West Indies 2-1, are 1-0 up in the fi ve-match ODI en Stokes and Jos But- series after beating the hosts centuries in record tler will be rested for by six wickets in Barbados. England’s Twenty20 England face a packed series against the schedule in 2019, including a BWest Indies, selectors an- World Cup on home soil and a nounced yesterday. home Ashes series. Wicketkeeper-batsman Sam Billings and batsman ENGLAND SQUAD: Eoin Mor- return to the 14- gan (capt), Moeen Ali, Jonny England victory man squad for the fi rst time Bairstow, Sam Billings, Tom since last year’s tour of Aus- Curran, Joe Denly, Alex Hales, England pull off highest run chase, beat West Indies with eight balls to spare tralia and New Zealand. Chris Jordan, Dawid Malan, Stokes and Buttler were Liam Plunkett, , Joe AFP both involved in the Test se- Root, , Mark Wood Bridgetown, Barbados ries in the West Indies and FIXTURES are playing in the ongoing 1st T20 international - March one-day international series 5, St Lucia ason Roy and which ends on March 2. Jason 2nd T20 international - March scored centuries as Eng- Roy will miss the series to re- 8, Saint Kitts and Nevis land clinched a record- turn home for the birth of his 3rd T20 international - March breaking victory over fi rst child after the fi nal one- 10, Saint Kitts and Nevis. WestJ Indies in a display of pure power hitting and shot making by both sides in their opening Ranatunga fails in bid to take control one-day international in Barba- dos on Wednesday. of crisis-hit Sri Lankan cricket Roy made 123 and Root 102 as the visitors scored 364 for four World Cup-winning skipper Arjuna Ranatunga suff ered a com- to win by six wickets with eight prehensive defeat in his bid to take control of Sri Lanka’s crisis- balls to spare and take a 1-0 lead ridden national cricket board yesterday. in the fi ve-game series in front Ranatunga, 55, contested one of two vice-president posts but of a near-capacity crowd at Ken- only came third in voting. His brother, Nishantha, who was nomi- sington Oval. nated as secretary, was also defeated. England’s highest success- Ranatunga ally Jayantha Dharmadasa also failed in his bid to ful run chase in one-dayers was become Sri Lanka Cricket president, losing out to Shammi Silva – aided by some sloppy West In- a loyalist of former SLC chief Thilanga Sumathipala, Ranatunga’s dies fi elding and several dropped arch-rival. Ranatunga, who led Sri Lanka to victory at the 1996 catches. World Cup, had vowed to clean up the board, which the Inter- Chris Gayle had belted 12 sixes national Cricket Council recently described as the sport’s most in his 135 to help West Indies to corrupt national body. The former skipper, who is also a minister a daunting total of 360 for eight, in the Sri Lankan government, had hoped to wrest control of their highest one-day interna- the SLC ahead of the World Cup that begins in England on May tional score against England. 30. The national team has lost a host of recent series at home The umpires had to replace and abroad and has been beset by corruption allegations and the ball more than half a dozen in-fighting. times after several of Gayle’s Former SLC chief Sumathipala was in power for more than two towering sixes landed outside years until early 2018 and decided not to stand again. the stadium, including one that measured at 121 metres. West Indies smashed a word record 23 sixes in total. New Zea- land held the previous record of 22 Mitch Marsh goes under sixes, against West Indies in 2014. knife for groin injury Gayle was dropped on nine by Roy, who said the missed chance had Mitch Marsh’s miserable sum- 8 Shield match.” It capped been at the “back of his mind” mer has got worse with the a horror few months for the when he took the crease. allrounder needing surgery WA skipper, who was hoping “You want to step up a bit and following a blow to the groin to use the Sheff ield Shield to do something good for the team,” in training, off icials said. regain form, with an eye on said Roy, who more than made Jason Roy (right) and Joe Root of England score centuries in the 1st ODI against West Indies at Kensington Oval, Bridgetown, Barbados. (AFP) The 27-year-old, who has the Ashes tour of England amends by compiling his score in been dropped from the later this year. Marsh hasn’t only 85 balls in a match-winning and placid nature of the pitch Scorecard Australian Test, one-day batted at first-class level since knock. “It was a nice (batting) had made the chase slightly eas- and Twenty20 teams, was the against surface. We were chasing a big ier than the target score. WEST INDIES Total (50 overs, 8 wickets) 360 J. Root c Pooran b Holder 102 struck during a net session India in December. total, so it was quite daunting at West Indies captain Ja- C. Gayle b Stokes 135 Fall of wickets: 1-38 (Campbell), E. Morgan c Holder b Thomas 65 in Perth ahead of Western He was dropped after that the start.” son Holder lamented his team’s Australia’s Sheff ield Shield for the rest of the India series J. Campbell c Ali b Woakes 30 2-169 (Hope), 3-229 (Hetmyer), B. Stokes 20 Roy laid a foundation for Root fi elding. “We didn’t bowl as 4-230 (Pooran), 5-294 (Bravo), clash with New South Wales. and the subsequent two Tests to all but take England across well as we would have liked S. Hope c Rashid b Stokes 64 6-317 (Gayle), 7-322 (Holder), J. Buttler not out 4 “As a result of the impact, against Sri Lanka, despite the line with a stylish innings and didn’t help ourselves in the S. Hetmyer c Roy b Woakes 20 8-343 (Brathwaite) Extras (lb-3, w-13) 16 Mitch has undergone a minor being named vice-captain last based on strokemaking and as- fi eld,” he said. “Our energy and surgical procedure and he September. N. Pooran c Roy b Rashid 0 Total (48.4 overs, 4 wickets) 364 tute placement of the ball. Root body language in the fi eld wasn’t : C. Woakes 10-0-59-2 won’t be available for this Marsh was also overlooked was denied hitting the winning up to scratch today. We’ve got to D. Bravo c Woakes b Rashid 40 (2w), M. Wood 7-0-49-0 (1nb, 4w), Fall of wickets: 1-91 (Bairstow), upcoming Shield fixture,” WA for Australia’s current one- M. Ali 10-0-85-0, L. Plunkett 6-0- run when he was caught on the pull up our socks.” J. Holder st Buttler b Rashid 16 2-205 (Roy), 3-321 (Morgan), off icial Nick Jones told the day and Twenty20 tour of boundary with the scores tied and The second match will be 54-0 (4w), B. Stokes 8-0-37-3 (2w), 4-360 (Root) Cricket Australia website late India. “I’ve been knocked C. Brathwaite c Buttler b Stokes 3 A. Rashid 9-0-74-3 (1w) left to a standing ovation. Captain played on the same ground on Bowling: D. Bishoo 10-0-78-1, O. Wednesday. “Mitch’s recovery around a bit this summer. Eoin Morgan chimed in with 65. Friday. England paid dearly for A. Nurse not out 25 ENGLAND Thomas 9-0-72-1 (4w), J. Holder will be monitored closely over But my dream of playing Test “We went about the chase Roy dropping Gayle at point off D. Bishoo not out 9 J. Roy c Bravo b Bishoo 123 9.4-0-63-2 (3w), C. Brathwaite the coming week, before a cricket is still not over. I’m well, with a short side (bound- seamer Liam Plunkett when the decision can be made around only 27. I’ll keep fighting,” he Extras (b-1, lb-1, nb-1, w-15) 18 J. Bairstow c Hope b Holder 34 9-0-66-0 (5w), A. Nurse 10-0-69- ary) and a howling wind,” said former West Indies captain was 0 (1w), J. Campbell 1-0-13-0. his availability for the Round said recently. Morgan, who felt the conditions on just nine. Gulf Times Friday, February 22, 2019 7 CRICKET

SECOND TEST PSL Watson shines as Gladiators extend Sri Lanka shine winning streak

Agencies second half-century in the Sharjah space of three matches as he top-scored with 53 from 37 balls. James Vince, playing hane Watson’s scored his fi rst match after arriving with the ball before a fi ne half-century as from the BBL in Australia, had Quetta Gladiators ex- looked in fi ne touch at the top tended their winning of the order, setting Multan’s streakS in the Pakistan Super innings off to a pacey start. League (PSL). The Englishman hit six The opener hit 61 to set crisp fours in his 17-ball stay, Quetta on their way to beating worth 28, before he fell to the Multan Sultans by eight wick- left-arm spin of Mohammed S. Africa fi ght back ets at Sharjah Cricket Stadium Nawaz. Coincidentially, while on Wednesday. on the other side of the world ‘It was tough up front, the Sri Lanka bowlers didn’t give us much to work with’ It was his second successive Chris Gayle was in the middle half-century in the competi- of over-taking his record for Reuters tion, while the team have won career sixes in international Port Elizabeth all three of their matches so far. cricket, Shahid Afridi was in Watson was ably assisted in action in Sharjah. Quetta’s chase of 161 by Rilee It felt glumly appropri- ri Lanka seamers Kasun Rossouw. The South African ate that Afridi, after seeing a Rajitha and Vishwa Fern- left-hander top-scored, mak- that record go, should notch a ando took three wickets ing 67 not out as he guided his fi rst-ball duck for Multan, as each to bowl out South side to victory with nine balls the Sultans faltered while they AfricaS for 222 on the fi rst day of to spare. chased late-over runs. the second and fi nal Test yes- Earlier, had terday, but the hosts struck back again led from the front for BRIEF SCORES late in the day with the ball. Multan, who posted what ap- Quetta Gladiators 161 for 2 The tourists were 60 for three peared to be a challenging tar- (Rossouw 67*, Watson 61) beat at the close, still trailing by 162 get on a typically slow Sharjah Multan Sultans 160 for 9 (Malik runs on a that is provid- wicket. The captain struck his 53, Irfan 2-32) by eight wickets. ing assistance for the fast bowl- ers, as well as some turn for the spinners. Opener Lahiru Thir- imanne (25 not out) and night- India’s Pandya ruled out of watchman Rajitha (0 not out) will resume on day two, seeking Australia series with injury to take Sri Lanka into the lead as they aim to become the fi rst team from Asia to win a test series in South Africa. Duanne Olivier (2-25) bowled Oshada Fernando (0) and had Kusal Mendis (16) caught to make early inroads into the Sri Lanka batting, while Kagiso Rabada grabbed the wicket of captain Dimuth Karunaratne (17) as the hosts fought back with the ball. Having won the toss and elected to bat, it was a disap- pointing batting display from South Africa again. Their in- nings was dominated by a brisk 86 from Quinton de Kock and 60 from opener Aiden Markram. “It was tough up front, the Sri Lanka bowlers didn’t give us much to work with,” Markram told reporters. “For the fi rst 20 overs the ball did quite a bit, then we would Star Indian all-rounder Hardik Pandya will miss the upcoming build a partnership and sudden- limited-overs series against Australia due to lower back stiff ness, ly there would be some lateral the country’s cricket board said yesterday. movement off the wicket. You India will field a 14-player squad instead of the original 15 for the never really felt in. South African players celebrate after Sri Lanka’s Oshada Fernando (right) was bowled out during the second Test in Port Elizabeth. (AFP) two Twenty20 matches starting Sunday in Visakhapatnam. “But 222 is less than what we Ravindra Jadeja will replace Pandya for the five one-day interna- wanted and less than how the the last ball before lunch. tionals that follow the T20s, the Board of Control for Cricket in pitch played, so we only have Markram and debutant all- Scorecard India (BCCI) said in a statement. ourselves to blame as batsmen. rounder Wiaan Mulder (9) were “The BCCI medical team decided to rest the all-rounder and let SOUTH AFRICA 1st innings Extras (b1, lb6, nb4) 4 L Thirimanne not out 25 Hopefully we can make the sec- both trapped lbw by Rajitha (3- him undergo strength and conditioning work for his lower back D. Elgar b V. Fernando 6 ond innings count.” 67), who then also grabbed the Total (all out; 86.5 overs) 222 O Fernando b Olivier 0 at the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru,” it said. South Africa were in early scalp of Keshav Maharaj (0), A. Markram lbw b Rajitha 60 Fall of wickets: 1-15 (Elgar), 2-15 K Mendis c de Kock b Olivier 16 “Mr. Pandya will begin his strength work from next week.” trouble at 15 for three as the ex- caught by wicketkeeper Niro- H. Amla b Fernando 0(Amla), 3-15 (Bavuma), 4-73 (Du K Rajitha not out 0 Pandya is expected to be key to India’s chances at the World Cup cellent Fernando (3-62) removed shan Dickwella. T. Bavuma run out (Rajitha) 0 Plessis), 5-130 (Markram), 6-145 starting May 30 in England and Wales. Dean Elgar (6) and Hashim De Kock scored freely as he (Mulder), 7-157 (Maharaj), 8-216 Extras: (lb 1, nb 1) 2 The 25-year-old recently found himself in the dock for making Amla (0) in consecutive deliv- put on 59 for the eighth wicket F. du Plessis b Karunaratne 25 (De Kock), 9-221 (Rabada) Total (3 wkts, 20 overs) 60 sexist comments on a TV chat show. eries, both bowled with balls with Rabada (22), before being Q. de Kock b De Silva 86 Bowling: Lakmal 13-2-33-0 (1nb), Fall of wickets: 1-25 (Karu- Pandya bragged about his encounters with multiple women on that swung back into them and bowled by spinner Dhananjaya W. Mulder lbw b Rajitha 9 V. Fernando 18.2-2-62-3, Rajitha naratne, 11.4 ov), 2-34 (Fernando, the programme in January with teammate K. L. Rahul sitting smashed into the stumps. de Silva (2-15) and South Africa’s next to him. K. Maharaj c Dickwella b Rajitha 0 15-2-67-3 (3nb), Embuldeniya 5.3- 14.5 ov), 3-59 (Mendis, 18.6 ov) Temba Bavuma (0) was run innings folded soon after that. 0-26-0, Karunaratne 4.3-1-12-1, De The duo were ordered to return from India’s tour of Australia. out for a second time in three in- Sri Lanka won an epic fi rst K. Rabada c Dickwella b De Silva 22 But Pandya returned from suspension to play in the New Zealand Silva 5-0-15-2. Bowling: Steyn 8-0-20-0, K nings as South Africa wobbled, Test by one wicket in Durban, D. Steyn not out 3 limited-overs series which concluded earlier this month. before Markram and captain Faf a result that ensures South Af- SRI LANKA 1st innings Rabada 7-3-14-1, D Oilivier 5-1-25- Pandya has scored 731 runs from 45 ODIs at an average of nearly D. Olivier c Dickwella b V. Fernando 0 du Plessis (25) took the score to rica’s streak of seven home series D Karunratne c de Kock b rabad 17 2 (1nb). 30, and has 44 ODI wickets. 73 before the latter was bowled wins will come to an end.

SPOTLIGHT T20 Afghanistan win by fi ve wickets

AFP 1-0 lead in the three-match se- ing to bat fi rst in Afghanistan’s ‘Licence to attack is key to ries. Afghanistan were in trou- adopted homeground. George Dehradun ble after being reduced to 50-5 Dockrell, who made 34, and but the left-right batting pair wicketkeeper-batsman Stuart eteran all-round- of Nabi and Zadran, who made Poynter, who scored 31, put on er Mohamed Nabi 40, ensured their team’s eighth an unbeaten 67-run stand. India’s wrist-spin success’ starred with both bat consecutive T20 win over Ire- Khan, the world’s top- Reuters challenge in World Cup, told the and ball as Afghani- land. ranked T20 bowler, weaved Hindustan Times daily. Vstan defeated Ireland by fi ve The 34-year-old Nabi, who his magic in his very fi rst over, New Delhi “We possess a lot of varia- wickets yesterday’s fi rst Twen- was named man of the match, taking two wickets in the space tions between us. Even when we ty20 international. hit fi ve fours and a six in his of three deliveries as Ireland uzvendra Chahal has are going for runs, the mandate Nabi and fellow spinner 40-ball knock while Zadran slipped to 65 for six in the 12th forged a formidable is that we have to go for wickets Rashid Khan took two wickets also took the attack to the op- over. The batting duo played wrist-spin partnership as that can dent the opposition. each to restrict Ireland to 132 position bowlers on a seem- the Afghanistan spinners with for India with Kuldeep “We have the freedom to go for six in the northern Indian ingly tricky wicket. aplomb and then counter at- YadavY and the leg-spinner be- for wickets and always go for city of Dehradun. Ireland’s pace spearhead tacked in the last fi ve overs to lieves their success, to a large them. In the middle overs, if you He then hit an unbeaten 49 Boyd Rankin took two wickets get 47 runs from the fi nal 30 extent, is due to their freedom keep chipping in with wickets from 86 balls in an unbroken but gave away 39 runs in his deliveries. to attack relentlessly even when you can cover even if you have sixth-wicket partnership with four overs. Nabi returned an impressive bleeding runs. gone for runs early on.” Najibullah Zadran as Afghani- Earlier Ireland recovered 2-16 in four overs of off -spin. The duo have emerged as In- The wristspinners appear stan reached the target with from a precarious 65 for six to The second match will be dia’s frontline spinners who to have addressed India’s slow four balls to spare and take a bolster their total after elect- held on Saturday in Dehradun. hunt in tandem as was displayed bowling worries in recent times in India’s 4-1 one-day series but Chahal said spin all-rounder victory in New Zealand where Kedar Jadhav could also play an they shared 17 wickets even important role. ECB confi rms playing conditions for The Hundred though Yadav was rested in the “... someone like Kedar is fi nal match. important. He can give you the The England and Wales Cricket would consist of 100 balls per after first-class counties had Known for his guile and con- sixth bowler’s option, can fi ll Board (ECB) confirmed yester- innings with a change of ends voted 17-1 in favour of the play- trol, Chahal said he and Yadav in overs if someone is going for day the playing conditions for after every 10 deliveries. Bowl- ing conditions. enjoyed freedom from the team runs and can also be given full its new 100-ball Cricket format ers can deliver either five or 10 The new competition, aimed management to keep attacking quota if need arises,” Chahal known as The Hundred, which consecutive balls, with each at attracting a wider audience at every stage of a game. said. starts in 2020. Eight new city- bowler allowed a maximum of to Cricket, will also feature “Both Kuldeep and I are wick- “He has a diff erent action and based teams will play in the 20 deliveries per game. “The a 25-ball powerplay start for et-taking bowlers,” the 28 year- has a lot of variations. His deliv- competition over a five-week Hundred will help Cricket to each team, with each bowling old Chahal, who along with left- eries stay low and are diffi cult to period, the ECB said, adding reach more people,” ECB Chief side allowed to take a strategic arm unorthodox spinner Yadav score of as the batsmen can’t get that the white-ball contest Executive Tom Harrison said, timeout of up to 2-1/2 minutes. is set to spearhead India’s spin underneath them.”

Friday, February 22, 2019 GULF TIMES HORSE RACING

HH THE AMIR SWORD RACING FESTIVAL Ghazalis celebrate big opening day as Ishfaq takes feature win Champion trainer Jassim Ghazali and his son Mohamed saddle four winners between them

Qatar and Asian equestrian federations president Hamad bin Abdulrahman al-Attiyah (centre), Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club (QREC) CEO Nasser Sherida al-Kaabi (third from right) and QREC Racing manager Abdulla Rashid al-Kubaisi (left) pose with the winners of the Al Zubara Harry Bentley (foreground) rides Ishfaq to victory ahead of She’ris, ridden by Eduardo Pedroza, in the Al Trophy after Ishfaq won the 2000m race at Al Rayyan Park yesterday. PICTURES: Juhaim Zubara Trophy yesterday.

By Mikhil Bhat Race 3: 1. AJS Al Moheeb (Harry Doha Bentley), 2. E’zaaz (JP Guillam- bert), 3. Bsheer (Faleh Bugha- naim), 4. AJS Al Maha (Tomas hampion trainer Jassim Lukasek). Won by: 1 ½, 1 ½, Shd. Mohamed Ghazali en- Time: 1:45.86. Owner: Mohamed joyed a fantastic day at bin Ahmed bin Mohamed al- Qatar Racing and Eques- Attiyah. Trainer: Jassim Mohamed trianC Club’s Al Rayyan Park with Ghazali. two winners on the opening day Race 4: 1. Haloul (Ronan Thomas), of HH The Amir Sword Festi- 2. More Than A Dream (Jean Bap- val, including Sheikh Khalifa bin tiste Hamel), 3. Daneyan (Harry Mohamed bin Khalifa al-Thani’s Bentley), 4. Could Be (Eduardo Ishfaq, who topped the day’s fea- Pedroza). Won by: 3 ½, 1 ¼, ¼. ture, the Al Zubara Trophy, yes- Time: 2:02.26. Owner: Al Shaqab terday. Racing. Trainer: Alban de Mieulle. What added to his excitement Race 5: 1. Sandbetweenourtoes was his son, Mohamed, too sad- (Gerald Avranche), 2. Munira Eyes dling two winners in the eight- (Eduardo Pedroza), 3. Lawless race card yesterday. Louis (Jean Baptiste Hamel), 4. Champion jockey Harry Bent- Holy Shambles (Ronan Thomas). ley, who rode both the winners QREC Racing manager Abdulla Rashid al-Kubaisi (second from right) with the winners of Thoroughbred Won by: 3 ¼, Hd, Hd. Time: 1:11.67. for Ghazali Senior, had Ishfaq Handicap event after Haloul won the 2000m race yesterday. Owner: Meshaal bin Ali al-Attiyah. closely follow Ibrahim al-Malki- Owner Khalifa bin Sheail al-Kuwari (third from right), trainer Mohamed Trainer: Mohamed Riyaz. saddled She’ris in the 2000m Jassim Ghazali (second from right), latter’s father, Jassim (second from his last race in December 2016. tered his second straight victory. when Ronan Thomas-ridden Race 6: 1. Tawahid (JP Guillam- race for four-year-old and older left) lead in Tawahid, with JP Guillambert astride, after the win in the Yesterday, the Meshaal bin Ali Jimmy Quinn and his fi ve-year- Haloul got going on the home bert), 2. Crafted (Jimmy Quinn), local Purebred Arabians. Thoroughbred Handicap event yesterday. al-Attiyah-owned gelding won old mount, Shaman Bu Thaila, straight, past early leader Suc- 3. Shakour (Marco Casamento), 4. On the home straight, the two, with three lengths and a quarter raced to an imposing nine-length ceed and Excel, and straight to a Oryx (Theo Bachelot). Won by: 2, with Eduardo Pedroza in the sad- long time. I think God gave me wards fell short in these two races to spare, as Eduardo Pedroza- victory with Theo Bachelot and three-and-a-half length victory ¾, Shd. Time: 1:36.39. Owner: Kha- dle for She’ris, turned the race today more than I had hoped for. too, with Receding Waves edging helmed Munira Eyes edged out Karim settling for a second place in the 2000m race. lifa bin Sheail al-Kuwari. Trainer: into a thrilling duel, one which If I continue with similar results out Jimmy Quinn-helmed Sho- Lawless Louis by a head for his fi nish in the 2000m Local Thor- Mohamed Jassim Ghazali. Bentley and his mount won by a tomorrow, I would be very lucky. brom in the six furlong sprint for second spot. oughbred Handicap event. RESULTS Race 7: 1. Receding Waves (JP quarter of a length at the post. Congratulations to everyone in Thoroughbreds, while Tawahid His Highness Sheikh Moham- Champion trainer Jassim Mo- Race 1: 1. Annan (Theo Bachelot), Guillambert), 2. Shobrom (Jimmy “I knew She’ris was going to my team,” Ghazali said. registered his fi rst win in Qatar af- ed bin Khalifa al-Thani’s Annan hamed Ghazali’s wards locked out 2. Gtnah (Ronan Thomas), 3. Di Quinn), 3. Itorio (Tomas Lukasek), be tough,” the elder Ghazali told The wins have taken some of ter the move from France when he opened the three-day festival the top two spots in the 2000m Oco Py (Faleh Bughanaim), 4. 4. Vona (Marco Casamento). Won Gulf Times after the win. “I know the pressure of the big weekend beat Crafted by two lengths in the with a thrilling victory for train- Purebred Arabian Handicap event Husam (Mathieu Pelletan). Won by: 3/4, 1 1/4, 3/4. Time: 1:11.79. that when he goes in front, he is off for him, he said. “Obviously mile-long Thoroughbred Handi- er Julian Smart in the Purebred when AJS Al Moheeb, with cham- by: Hd, 1 ¼, 4 ¼. Time: 1:47.05. Owner: Khalifa bin Sheail al- very diffi cult to catch. So I told everyone wants to win more, but cap event for horses rated 75-95. Arabian Plate event for four- pion jockey Harry Bentley in the Owner: His Highness Sheikh Kuwari. Trainer: Mohamed Jassim my jockey Harry Bentley not to today I am a bit relieved.” The oldest horse in the fi eld year-olds. Under a fantastic ride saddle, picked up a comfortable Mohamed bin Khalifa al-Thani. Ghazali. let the horse go too far ahead, and The younger Ghazali sad- was in fantastic form as Ger- by Theo Bachelot, the colt won one-and-a-half length victory Trainer: Julian Smart. Race 8: 1. Ishfaq (Harry Bentley), he took care about that. In the dled two Thoroughbred winners ald Avranche guided Mohamed the miler by a head, beating Al over Al Shahania Stud’s E’zaaz, Race 2: 1. Shaman Bu Thaila 2. She’ris (Eduardo Pedroza), last 100m I knew he would win.” on the day, with JP Guillambert Riyaz-trained Sandbetweenour- Shaqab Racing’s Gtnah by a head ridden by JP Guillambert. (Jimmy Quinn), 2. Karim (Theo 3. Reda (Stephan Ladjadj), 4. Ishfaq was Ghazali’s fi rst fea- trusting Khalifa bin Sheail al- toes to an impressive victory in at the post. Al Shaqab Racing and train- Bachelot), 3. Musaiter Bu Thaila Fahim (Ronan Thomas). Won by: ture winner for Sheikh Khalifa. Kuwari-owned mounts in both the six-furlong Thoroughbred Smart had to settle for a runner- er Alban de Mieulle, however, (Ivan Rossi), 4. Mister Mahjoob 1/4, 1 3/4, 1. Time: 2:11.97. Owner: “I am very happy today. Also the races enough for pillar-to- Handicap sprint. up in the next race when Ibrahim registered their fi rst win in the (Anas al-Seyabi). Won by: 9, 3 ¾, Sheikh Khalifa bin Mohamed bin my son, Mohamed, he had two post wins. The 10-year-old had gone al-Malki’s Shaman Bu Thaila was Thoroughbred Handicap event ¾. Time: 2:04.74. Owner: Ibrahim Khalifa al-Thani. Trainer: Jassim winners. He has come back after Like in the fi nale, al-Malki’s winless last season, having won in scintillating form, and regis- for horses rated 85 and below, al-Malki. Trainer: Ibrahim al-Malki. Mohamed Ghazali.

SPOTLIGHT Triple on the cards for Gazwan, The Blue Eye tomorrow

By Mikhil Bhat to be drawn for mile-and-a-half Doha HH The Amir Trophy (QA Gr1), and will start in gate 10. The sev- en-year-old will have champion is Highness Sheikh jockey Harry Bentley for com- Mohamed bin Kha- pany as the Dubawi colt hopes to lifa al-Thani’s Gazwan surpass the other Ghazali ward, and Khalifa bin Sheail Dubday, who registered two wins Hal-Kuwari’s The Blue Eye will be in the big Thoroughbred race in going for their respective triples the last 10 editions. when Qatar Racing and Equestri- The Blue Eye will be joined by an Club’s (QREC) Al Rayyan Park Ibrahim al-Malki-trained Pazeer, plays host to Qatar’s highest pro- winner of the Trial race, to lead fi le and richest races tomorrow. the local challenge. The latter The three-day His Highness will start next door in 11. The Amir’s Sword Racing Festival Al Wasmiyah Farm’s Noor Al will conclude with million-dollar Hawa, runner-up in the last two features for both the Thorough- editions, will start from gate 12. breds and the Purebred Arabians One of the most sought-after tomorrow. events internationally, the Tro- While eight-year-old Gazwan, phy race will see competition trained by Julian Smart, will be from four countries, besides hoping to win his third HH The hosts Qatar. Amir Sword (Group 1 PA), the Aidan O’Brien has sent Hunt- feature for the Arabians, Jassim Jassim Mohamed al-Emadi picks Gazwan, owned by His Highness ing Horn, who will start from Mohamed Ghazali’s ward, The Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club (QREC) chairman Issa al-Mohannadi and CEO Nasser Sherida al-Kaabi Sheikh Mohamed bin Khalifa al-Thani, from the pot during the draw gate six with Ryan Moore in the Blue Eye, will be looking to top attend the draw ceremony for HH The Amir Sword (Gr1 PA) and HH The Amir’s Trophy (QA Gr1) yesterday. ceremony yesterday. Gazwan will start HH The Amir’s Sword (Gr1 PA) saddle. HH The Amir’s Trophy (QA Gr1) PICTURES: Juhaim from stall 6 tomorrow. French duo Royal Julius, from for the third time. the stables of young Jerome Rey- Smart has had a great run in younger stablemate Ebraz, him- ceremony yesterday morning, International Stakes at Good- Theo Bachelot. if there is anything to challenge nier, and His Highness Sheikh Qatar’s biggest prize in Arabian self a Sword winner in 2017, the evoking a hearty laugh from the wood in 2017, will start the widest Tayf will have Smart’s pace- him or not, but hopefully he will Abdullah bin Khalifa al-Thani’s racing, having won six out of the mile-and-a-half has proven to audience. in stall 9 with Ronan Thomas in maker Aaley Al Magam for com- get a lead. But draws otherwise French King, trained by Henri- last eight editions. In the last ten be a challenge for the former, De Mieulle drew stall 3 for his the saddle. De Mieulle’s ward, Al pany to his right in eighth stall, are fi ne, Gazwan in six is perfect Alex Pantall, will start alongside editions, only Gazwan and Alban fi nishing third on his only outing ward, who would be helmed by Walid, to be run by Qatari jockey while Zuhair Mohsen-trained and even Ebraz down at 1 is not each other in eight and nine re- de Mieulle-trained Al Dahma over the distance at the last year’s Olivier Peslier. “I think it will be Faleh Bughanaim in the colours Jabal Aramoon starts from gate much of a problem. I would have spectively. have won the Sword twice, and running. a nice race. Sometimes with a of Al Shaqab Racing, drew gate seven. taken the three outside draws too American trainer Michael Mc- the latter did it back in 2009 and With the fi eld for the Sword few good horses and a big fi eld, 2, while the other Al Shaqab colt “With nine Arabians going a without a problem.” Carthy has Liam The Charmer, 2010. down to nine this year, traffi c you sometimes get stuck behind. in the race, Rijm, trained by Tho- mile-and-a-half, the draw really Ghazali’s only runner in the a Grade 2 winner at Santa Anita The French trainer has Yazeed shouldn’t be a problem for the Pace is good for all horses and it mas Fourcy in France, has gate 4. doesn’t make that much of a dif- Arabian feature, Spaghetti, win- last year, in the race and will start and Tayf, both Umm Qarn colts, big names. means the best horse wins. Now Ebraz will have Maxime Guyon ference,” Smart told Gulf Times. ner of HH The Amir Silver Sword from gate 5, while Richard Han- in the mile-and-a-half Arabian “I spoke to Yazeed this morn- it is between the jockey and the for company when he lines up for “We have our pacemaker Aaley in 2016, will start right in the non-trained Raymond Tusk will feature tomorrow. While Yazeed ing and he said ‘I will try my horse.” the inside line off gate 1, while Al Magam in eighth, hopefully he middle in gate fi ve. start the million-dollar Thor- has done well against Gazwan’s best’,” De Mieulle said at the draw Tayf, who last won the Qatar Gazwan starts in gate 6 with will go forward and we will see The Blue Eye was the fi rst name oughbred feature the widest in 15.