THURSDAY 12 MARCH 2020 SPORTSPORT 05

CRICKET FOOTBALL We play for fans and if they cannot be there, ODI series Amir Cup then there is no sense. I wouldn't love it: First Match Quarter-final: Manchester City boss Guardiola voices India vs South Al Rayyan vs Al ACTION concerns over matches behind closed doors. TODAY’S Africa Markhiya

Kawhi Leonard (foreground) celebrates Australia bank on top four after making a basket. against buoyant Kiwis REUTERS — SYDNEY months of relentless . losing streak) down to is the top Zealand side renowned for In New Zealand, they meet four not scoring the bulk of the their discipline in all aspects Australia will be banking on a side brimming with confi- runs,” Warner told reporters of the game. their top order as they seek to dence having just whitewashed yesterday. “We’ve got to make sure end their five-match winless India both in the ODI and Test “You can’t do it all the time one of the top four really bats streak in one-day internationals series. but at least one of us (has to) go through and makes a big against a buoyant New Zealand Opener on and be there at the end. hundred and in Australia we in the three-match series agreed the onus was on the “It is disappointing but at back our power towards the beginning in Sydney tomorrow. frontline batsmen to fuel Aus- the end of the day we’ve got to end on pretty true ,” said AaronAaron Finch’sFinch’s men are tralia’stralia’s bid ttoo recreclaimlaim ththee keepkeep ttryingrying toto getget betterb at that, Wade. smarting fromfrom a 3-0 wwhitewashhitewash ChCChappell-Hadleeappell-Hadlee try to findfind a balancebalan with our “It’ll be nice to see if one of in South Africa earlier this Trophy.TTrophy. battingbatting throughthrough theth middle as the top order can go through month,month, wwhichhich followedfollowed ttheirheir 2-1 “The“The onlyonly tthinghing I well.”well.” and bat the whole innings, that series defeat in India, and ththeireiir can pputut it (Australia’s Team-mate Matthew would be very helpful.” Leonard's quickfire toptop ororderder looklook WadeWade aagreedgreed withwit Warner’s New Zealand have wel- exhaustedexhausted afteafterr 12 diagnosisdiagnosis anandd saidsaid they need comed their fit-again pace trio toto do better aagainstgai a New of , and 23 leads Clippers to , who powered their run to the final of the World Cup last year. win over Warriors Coach said his team considered Australia a REUTERS — LOS ANGELES lead by as many as 13 in the first The only thing I can “benchmark” but will carry the quarter, 28 at halftime and 30 confidence from their Kawhi Leonard scored a game- in the first minute of the third put it (Australia’s excellent performance against high-tying 23 points in 25 period before coasting home losing streak) down India. minutes, helping the visiting to their third straight win over to is the top four not “They are a great team, we Los Angeles Clippers repeat the Warriors this season. respect them a lot for the way their Chase Center opening In clinching their first scoring the bulk of they play their cricket... They night performance with a season-series win over Golden the runs. You can’t set a benchmark for us to aspire 131-107 victory over the Golden State since 2006, the Clippers to,” Stead said. State Warriors. have averaged a 17.3-point do it all the time but “I think we have played some The win was the Clippers’ margin of victory in the three at least one of us really good ODI cricket in the last seventh in their last eight wins. (has to) go on and three or four years and hopefully games, the only loss in the run The 131-point total was the we can continue that.” coming 112-103 against the fifth-most for a Golden State David Warner be there at the end: Sydney hosts the second rival Los Angeles Lakers on visitor this season, 10 fewer David Warner match as well on Sunday before Sunday. than the Clippers put up in their teams move to Hobart for the Dragan Bender matched 141-122 win in the Warriors’ last ODI on Friday. Leonard’s total with 23 points opener, a night on which LA for Golden State, which shot an arena-record 62.5 snapped a 10-game home percent. The 141 points have losing streak in its previous since been matched by Dallas. Bangladesh’s cricketers pose with the trophy after winning the second game, a 118-114 win over Phil- The Clippers finished at an Kohli 133 against Zimbabwe yesterday. adelphia on Saturday. even 50.0 percent in the runs away Like in the Clippers’ first rematch. visit, when they helped raise Leonard, who helped close the curtain on the new San down Oracle Arena in Oakland from breaking Francisco Arena by scoring the with a championship-clinching first 14 points of the game back win in Game 6 of the NBA Tendulkar’s in October, the visitors bolted Finals last June, hit nine of his from the gate and never looked 14 shots. ODI record back. On a night when Lou Wil- Paul George, who missed liams was given the game off, six the earlier meeting while other Clippers scored in double IANS — DHARAMSALA rehabbing offseason shoulder figures, with Reggie Jackson surgeries, had three hoops -- going for 16, George and Patrick India Virat Kohli is just including a 3-pointer -- in a Beverley 15 apiece, Montrezl 133 runs away from reaching 14-4, game-opening burst. Harrell 14, JaMychal Green 13 12,000 runs in his ODI career The Clippers went on to and Landry Shamet 10. and could do so in India’s upcoming three-match ODI series against South Africa. Kohli has 239 innings under his belt in his career which means that if he crosses Bangladesh thrash Zimbabwe 12,000 in this series, he will break Sachin Tendulkar’s record to become the fastest to clinch Twenty 20 series to the landmark. Tendulkar had taken 300 AFP — DHAKA Liton hits an unbeaten hunger,” he said. Former innings to get to the landmark. 60 off 45 balls, his skipper Brendan Taylor earlier Former Australian captain Opener Liton Das maintained second fifty on the trot, hit an unbeaten 59 off 48 balls Ricky Ponting is currently his superb form as Bangladesh which followed two with six fours and a six to give second on the list having thrashed Zimbabwe by nine brilliant centuries in Zimbabwe innings some reached 12,000 ODI runs in wickets in the second Twenty20 the preceding one-day respectability. 314 innings while former Sri international to clinch the two- Taylor posted 57 runs with international series, Lanka captain Kumar San- match series 2-0 in Dhaka Craig Ervine, who made 29, for as Bangladesh reach Anaheim Ducks left wing Nicolas Deslauriers (left) celebrates gakkara did so in 336 innings. yesterday. the second but the Bang- with team-mates after win over Ottawa Senators. Kohli will be looking to Liton hit an unbeaten 60 off 120-1 in 15.5 overs after ladesh bowlers maintained a break the shackles in the first 45 balls, his second fifty on the restricting Zimbabwe to tight line to put Zimbabwe opportunity he gets in the trot, which followed two bril- 119-7. under pressure. South Africa series as he has liant centuries in the preceding Al-Amin Hossain and Mus- Deslauriers scores Ducks’ been going through a rare one-day international series, as tafizur Rahman claimed 2-22 rough patch of form. Bangladesh reached 120-1 in remained and 2-25 respectively for fastest hat-trick in victory In the recently concluded 15.5 overs after restricting Zim- unbeaten on 20 and finished Bangladesh. three-match ODI series in New babwe to 119-7. the game off alongside Liton Zimbabwe captain Sean Zealand, Kohli’s highest score Chasing a modest target, with a single from Mpofu as Williams urged his team-mates over Ottawa Senators was 51 and he scored 15 and 9 Liton struck eight fours as he Bangladesh reached their target “to stay positive.” in the other two matches. In took the excitement out of the with 25 balls to spare. “Things happen quickly in REUTERS — NEW YORK Rickard Rakell scored the the subsequent two-match game in a 77-run opening stand. Bangladesh captain Mah- T20 cricket. It’s just not hap- Ducks’ other two goals, both on Test series, Kohli managed Naim, who replaced the mudullah Riyad heaped praise pening for us at the moment. Nicolas Deslauriers’ first NHL power plays. scores of 2, 19, 3 and 14 as rested , made 33 on Liton for his consistent per- (We) need to reflect on our- hat-trick was also the fastest Rakell also had an assist, India lost the series 2-0. runs before he became the only formance throughout the series. selves,” Williams said. hat-trick in Ducks history, and giving him seven points (two The first ODI between batsman to be dismissed in “The way we played is Bangladesh also won the Anaheim earned a 5-2 win over goals, five assists) over his last India and South Africa will Bangladesh’s innings as Tinashe pleasing to see. Especially Liton preceding one-day interna- the visiting Ottawa Senators. four games. be played today in Kamunhukamwe took the catch has batted outstandingly well. tional series 3-0 and one-off Known more for his Meanwhile, Evgeni Malkin Dharamsala. off Chris Mpofu at mid-wicket. It shows his maturity and Test by an innings and 106 runs. toughness than his offensive scored two third-period goals prowess over his seven NHL and added an assist as Pitts- seasons, Deslauriers had only burgh broke a two-game losing 12 goals in 211 games heading streak by wining in Newark, PSL: Rain abandons Quetta's match against Multan in Lahore into Tuesday’s play. N.J. Against Ottawa, however, Kris Letang had a goal and AGENCIES — LAHORE equally. Quetta Gladiators now Table-toppers Multan Gaddafi Stadium on March 15. the forward scored three con- an assist, and Evan Rodrigues have seven points – same as Sultans have 12 points from Today, arch-rivals Karachi secutive goals within a span of and Justin Schultz also scored The 25th fixture of the ongoing Islamabad United (fourth) and eight matches. Kings and Lahore Qalandars 9:04 in the first period. for Pittsburgh, which had lost HBL Pakistan Super League (fifth) – from They are already guar- lock horns in a much-antici- His third goal came 11:49 eight of its previous 10 but hit 2020 between Quetta Gladi- nine matches, but remain at anteed qualification with five pated contest at the National into the game, breaking the 40 wins for the 13th consec- ators and Multan Sultans at the bottom of the table due to wins. Stadium. Imad Wasim-led Anaheim record for quickest utive 82-game season. Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium was a low net run rate. Sultans play their last two Kings will be eyeing vengeance hat trick set by Teemu Selanne, Penguins goaltender Matt abandoned due to persistent Gladiators’ final group- matches against Peshawar after Sohail Akhtar-led who had three goals in the first Murray made 20 saves. Miles rain yesterday. match is on Sunday against Zalmi, at Karachi’s National Qalandars secured a compre- 12:58 on November 10, 1997, Wood and Nikita Gusev scored The two teams shared the Karachi Kings at the National Stadium on March 13, and hensive eight-wicket win on against the visiting San Jose for the Devils, who had won two points of the match Stadium in Karachi. Lahore Qalandars, at the Sunday. Sharks. two in a row and were 6-1-2 in Jakob Silfverberg and their previous nine. 06 SPORT THURSDAY 12 MARCH 2020 Al Hamad appointed Executive Director of QMMF

QNA – DOHA Director, was officially assumed the federation in addition to his as the Executive Director of the contribution to the success of Qatar Motor and Motorcycle Federation after the efforts he had many championships. Federation (QMMF) announced the made during the last period at all It also stated that Al Hamad has appointment of Amr Al Hamad as levels. a great experience as a former CEO of the federation, to succeed The statement added that the driver, in addition to holding many Sultan Al Muraikhi, who has Federation thanked Sultan Al positions in Shell Qatar Company contributed to the development of Muraikhi, the former CEO of the for 13 years, where he worked as motor sport and motorcycles in Federation for what he provided an ambassador for internal road Qatar over the past years. for motorsport in the past years in safety in the company, a technical The Federation said in a which he assumed responsibility, consultant for Qatar University and statement today that Al Hamad, as he contributed to developing the University of Texas, as well as who held many positions in the this sport through supervision of several other important Amr Al Hamad Federation, including Events many events organized by positions.

The words 'Stop F1' are seen over the Sydney sky yesterday. Three Formula One team staff members have been isolated at the Australian Grand Prix while tests are conducted for the new coronavirus, officials said, casting Greek actress Xanthi Georgiou, playing the role of High a shadow over the opening race of Priestess lights the flame during the dress rehearsal the year. for the Olympic flame lighting ceremony for the Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympics at Ancient Olympia in Olympia, Greece, yesterday. Greece’s Olympic Committee has said spectators would be excluded from both the dress rehearsal and the actual event. Russia in World Athletics’ spotlight Australian GP gets green light despite rising coronavirus fears AFP – MONACO Under the sanctions, Russian sportsmen and World Athletics will decide women will still be allowed today whether to start the to compete at the Olympics Hamilton chases Schumacher procedure of reinstating the this summer as neutrals, but new-look Russian Athletics only if they can demonstrate Federation, as well as initi- that they were not part of the ating the process to allow doping network. record as season set to kick off Russian athletes who test This was also the case at clean to compete under a the Pyeongchang Winter neutral banner at the 2020 Games in 2018. AFP – MELBOURNE Lewis Hamilton has been the dominant force in Tokyo Olympics. Russia’s under-fire track recent times, winning five of the last six drivers’ Australian Grand Prix Russia has been sus- and field body RUSAF has Lewis Hamilton believes his all- pended by World Athletics come under increasing championships, including in 2019 Lap distance: 5.303km. conquering Mercedes is even (then known as the IAAF) pressure from high-profile Total distance: better than last year as he begins when he passed legendary 307.574 km (58 laps) since 2015 over repeated athletes at home, notably his bid to equal Michael Schu- five-time Argentine champion doping scandals -- a ban three-time high-jump world 2019 pole: macher’s record seven world Juan Manuel Lewis Hamilton (Britain) upheld 12 times -- and has champion Mariya Lasit- Mercedes one minute 20.486 seconds. titles at an Australian Grand Prix Fangio on the been fighting for skene, for its handling of the given the green light despite 2019 winner: Valtteri Bottas (FInland) readmission. scandal. rising coronavirus fears. all-time Mercedes Moscow’s case has been Yevgeny Yurchenko, The British driver has been list. made more complicated who at the last minute the dominant force in recent Race lap record: Michael Schumacher after the World Anti-Doping became the sole candidate times, winning five of the last six (Germany) Ferrari one minute 24.125 Agency (WADA) in and is believed to be backed drivers’ championships, seconds (2004) December imposed a four- by the Kremlin, was named including in 2019 when he year ban from all interna- RUSAF’s new head last Start time: 0510 GMT/1610 local. passed legendary five-time tional sporting competitions month in an attempt to Argentine champion Juan on Russia over what it con- brush out the old and usher Manuel Fangio on the all-time AUSTRALIA siders a state-sponsored in the new. list. No Australian has ever won a home programme of doping, a sus- In comments used by “It’s been intense, with a Grand Prix. pension the country took to TASS news agency, huge amount of work from eve- There have been 13 Australian F1 the Court of Arbitration for Yurchenko said he had rybody at the track and back Prix set to be held behind closed the Maranello team had cheated. drivers since 1950 and two world Sport (CAS). agreed with accusations home at the factories,” the doors, and the Chinese Grand Leclerc, 22, overshadowed champions - Jack Brabham and Alan CAS, the world’s highest made by the Athletics 35-year-old said of preparations Prix in April postponed. teammate Sebastian Vettel in his Jones. sporting court, will now Integrity Unit (AIU) against overshadowed by concerns Mercedes head into the race debut season for Ferrari, with Renault’s Daniel Ricciardo is the only have to decide whether to RUSAF on the wrongdoings about the virus and its impact with a new dual-axis steering the German four-time world Australian in Sunday’s race. confirm the WADA ban, or in the case of high jumper on the sport. system (DAS), which has inevi- champion looking to reassert listen to Russia’s case against Danil Lysenko, in which Melbourne has been the season- “The car’s feeling like a step tably sparked complaints from himself this year. the sanction. A ruling is not “forged documents and false opener 22 times. This year’s race will forward from last year,” Ham- other teams over whether it is Binotto insisted the two expected before May, with explanations” were provided ilton added after pre-season legal. Ferrari drivers would start on be the 25th at Albert Park. the Tokyo Olympics as an alibi to his wherea- testing. While Hamilton has taken an equal footing, a stance Vettel The winner in Melbourne has gone scheduled to start on July 24, bouts, as required by anti- “But it’s clear we’ve still got every pole at Albert Park since accepted after a 2019 season on to be world champion 13 out of in just 135 days. doping rules. a few issues we need to iron 2014, he has won just once in where he won only once, in 24 times to date. The International In January, the AIU, the out,” said the driver who won that time, and it was teammate Singapore. Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel has won Olympic Committee said independent anti-doping 11 of last season’s 21 Grands Valtteri Bottas who sizzled at Leclerc won two races to in Melbourne three times in total. CAS had to make a clear-cut watchdog for track and field, Prix. pre-season testing. beat Vettel to fourth place in the Hamilton and Kimi Raikkonen twice. decision, with no room for recommended World Ath- There were fears the Mel- The Finn will be looking for world championship by 24 Schumacher holds the record of four. “any kind of interpretation”, letics maintain the exclusion bourne race may be ditched due a second successive win in Aus- points.  Hamilton has been on pole in over whether Russia was to of RUSAF and the freeze on to travel restrictions affecting tralia after sweeping to an Dutchman Max Verstappen Melbourne for the past six seasons be banned not just from Russian athletes competing team personnel, particularly emphatic victory last year, a was third behind the two Mer- Tokyo, but also the 2022 under a neutral flag unless and eight times in total (2008, 2012, from Italy-based Ferrari. massive 20.9 seconds ahead of cedes drivers last year and could Winter Olympics in Beijing it failed to provide evidence Yesterday, two Haas team Hamilton. be one of Hamilton’s closest 2014 to 2019), a record for the race. and the 2022 football World in the Lysenko case, which staff and one from McLaren So dominant were Mercedes challengers in his Red Bull, A ninth Australian pole for Hamilton Cup in Qatar. had proved to be a tipping were isolated while tests are in 2019 that Ferrari had to wait which excelled in testing. would be a record for poles at the WADA says Russia point. conducted to see if they have until the 13th race at Belgium in In the midfield, Renault, same grand prix. “manipulated” data from an In Monaco, the World coronavirus after they showed September for their first win, McLaren and Racing Point will The lowest starter to win in Australia anti-doping laboratory in Athletics council will also symptoms at the track. courtesy of new boy Charles all be looking to set down a was Britain’s Eddie Irvine from 11th in Moscow, the latest episode discuss the effects of the It is not clear what it might Leclerc. season marker in Australia. 1999 for Ferrari. in a scandal which started spread of the coronavirus, mean for the grand prix if the Ferrari have a revamped Canadian Nicholas Latifi is RACE WINS with the revelation in 2015 with several members taking

test results come back engine after rivals last year the only rookie on the grid, Hamilton has 84 career victories from of long-term institutional part remotely by telecon- positive. expressed suspicions about their replacing Robert Kubica at Wil- 250 starts, with Schumacher’s record doping that involved senior ference because of travel F1, like many other sports, is straight-line speed superiority, liams, while Esteban Ocon 91 in his sights. Sebastian Vettel has 53. officials, secret agents and restrictions in their already reeling from COVID-19 though a probe by governing returns to F1 for Renault trafficked urine vials. countries. Ferrari have won 238 races since with next week’s Bahrain Grand body FIA was unable to prove alongside Daniel Ricciardo. 1950, McLaren 182, Williams 114, Mercedes 102 and Red Bull 62. Former champions McLaren and Williams have not won since 2012. POLE POSITION Hamilton has a record 88 career poles. Ferrari have had 65 front row lockouts, an all-time record. Mercedes are on 64. PODIUM Hamilton has 151 career podiums POINTS

Sunday can see Hamilton extend his own record for the most successive points finishes. He has finished the last 33 in the points.  The last time Hamilton failed to score was in Austria in 2018 when his car had a fuel pressure problem. That remains his only failure in the last 66 races. ROOKIE Canadian Nicholas Latifi, with Williams, A general view as the Bundesliga match between Borussia is the only rookie this season and Moenchengladbach and FC Cologne kicks off behind closed the only driver making his F1 debut doors at the Borussia-Park in Moenchengladbach, Germany, Renault’s Australian driver Daniel Ricciardo (right) and Renault’s French driver Esteban Ocon unveil the team’s in Australia. yesterday as the number of coronavirus cases grow around new car at the Albert Park circuit ahead of the Formula One Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne, yesterday. the world. THURSDAY 12 MARCH 2020 SPORT 07

Six-time champions face Second Division outfit with eyes on Amir Cup semis Al Rayyan won't take Al Markhiya lightly

ARMSTRONG VAS THE PENINSULA

Former champions Al Rayyan will be on guard today as they take on Second We are not Division outfit Al Markhiya in their underestimating Markhiya Amir Cup quarter-final clash at Al Sadd Stadium. in any way. Somebody may The Second Division side is the be thinking that Markhiya lone ranger in the group of eight, who is in Second Division, it have qualified for the quarter-final stage of the prestigious tournament. will be an easy game, but The other seven are first division I don’t believe so. That is clubs of QNB Stars League. Coach Diego Aguirre's side are in not the case: Aguirre the second spot in the QSLstandings behind League leaders Al Duhail and the Uruguay tactician said there are no easy games for the taking in the Amir Cup. "We are not underestimating Markhiya in any way. Somebody may Al Rayyan's coach Diego Aguirre with his players during a practice session aheadaheheada ofof today'stoddaay'y's AmirAmAmir CupCuupp be thinking that Markhiya is in Second quarter-final match against Al Markhiya. RIGHT: Al Rayyan's Ahmad Abdel MaqsoudMaqa soud inin actionaacctitiono duringduurrini g Division, it will be an easy game but I a practice session yesterday. don’t believe so. That is not the case,” said Aguirre. The Al Rayyan coach said his team “May be I have become more expe- achieve something and show we are If we concentrate on one will not take the opponents lightly but rienced I know how it feels to play in a good team,” Yasin said. “We hope to player, then we leave other take the field and perform at the this kind of tournament and it is nice go as far as we can. We would not say players free. So we have to get the highest level. to play before a full stadium,” he we are a better team but we are young basicsbasics rigrightht anandd we hhaveave “We need to play with the same added. team in the Second Division. We will mentality like we did against Al Sadd Al Rayyan he said have set their do everything possible to go as far as three days ago. With that mentality sights on reaching the final. we can. If we reach the final, we will we have a good chance to win. We “For us the target is to reach the be more than happy and like the Al need to respect all the opponents and final. It is nice to close the season with Gharafa game, everything is to bbee ddisciplinedisciplined llikeike we were in tthehe not differentiate because they are in this game playing in front of a full possible.” Gharafa ggame.ame. We will have our Second Division,” he added. stadium. Will hope and try our best to The Second Division team beat Al chances.chances. EacEachh pplayerlayer hhasas to give 100 Al Rayyan defeated Al Sadd 1-0 reach the final and win the trophy, it Gharafa 1-0 to reach the quarter-finals percentpercent eeffortffort anandd tthathat is tthehe kkey.”ey.” and now have 38 points from 17 is very important and we have a good pulling off one of the biggest upsets of YasinYasin saidsaid hhisis playersplayers wiwillll hhaveave matches with leaders Al Duhail on 42. chance,” he said. the tournament. to checkmate the Al RayyanRayyan plaplayersyers Aguiree, having laid his hands on Meanwhile, Al Markhiya assistant “It’s one game, it’s a different game and curtail them and not allowingallowing the Amir Cup eight years back as coach coach Yasin Mishuai said they want compared to the league game," Yasin themthem lotlot ooff spacspace.e. of Al Rayyan, wants to recreate the to go as far as they can. added. “Yes, we watched a lot of Al "We shouldshould not aallowllow tthemhem spacespace same magic in this year’s edition. “We had some serious prepara- Rayyan videos and we saw they play and give them chances to score. They “The Amir Cup is important, yes I tions. Players know what to except differently in different games. We have ggoodood playersplayers and are a ggoodood remember the moment, I remember from a good team like Al Rayyan. We would not concentrate on one player team, so we willwill hhaveave to ggiveive 100 per eight years ago,” said Aguiree. have to be at our best, if we want to but we will go into this as a team effort. centcent effoeffort,"rt," YYasinasin sasaid.id. Leipzig eliminate Spurs to claim first Four-goal Ilicic ever Champions League last-eight spot guides Atalanta LEIPZIG, GERMANY REUTERS – RB Leipzig’s Marcel Sabitzer celebrates after scoring their first goal against Tottenham Hotspur in their Champions League - Round of 16 Second Leg match at the Red Bull Arena, Leipzig, Germany, on Tuesday. into quarters RB Leipzig’s Marcel Sabitzer scored two early goals as they AP – VALENCIA, SPAIN eased past last year’s Champions League finalists Tottenham Josip Ilicic scored four goals as Champions League newcomer Hotspur 3-0 in their last 16 Atalanta reached the quarterfinals with a 4-3 win over second leg tie on Tuesday to Valencia on Tuesday in a match played in an empty stadium reach their first quarter-finals by because of the coronavirus outbreak. 4-0 on aggregate. With Atalanta holding a comfortable 4-1 lead from the Sabitzer fired the lively first leg in Italy, Ilicic scored twice in each half at the deserted German side in front with a low Mestalla Stadium as Atalanta advanced 8-4 on aggregate. shot from about 20 metres after The 32-year-old Slovenian, who also scored in the first 10 minutes and they never match, became the first player to score four goals away from looked back, pinning the visitors, home in a Champions League knockout match. He has 17 who were without injured goals in his last 13 games. It didn't take long before Atalanta strikers Harry Kane and Son increased its lead from the first leg, with Ilicic converting a Heung-min, in their own half. third-minute penalty after being fouled inside the area by Leipzig’s captain was then Valencia defender Mouctar Diakhaby. given far too much space in the Forward Kevin Gameiro equalized for Valencia from 21st to head home Angelino’s inside the area in the 21st, but Ilicic virtually ended Valen- cross at the near post after Serge cia's hopes of a comeback by converting another penalty in Aurier’s poor clearance as the the 43rd after a handball by Diakhaby. Spurs’ players heads started to The two away goals meant the hosts needed to score at drop. least five more times to have a chance of advancing. Emil Forsberg completed the Gameiro added Valencia's second goal with a header in victory with a third goal from the 51st and Ferrán Torres scored on a breakaway in the 67th, inside the box in the 87th as 2009 by acquiring a fifth division had warned the absence of “box They are very fast in attack. They but Ilicic secured the win with goals from inside the area in Leipzig, who only got promoted licence and started in the sharks” Kane and Son would can hurt us all of the time. They the 71st and 82nd. to the Bundesliga in 2016, amateur divisions. make it more difficult for his side deserve to go through.” Without Several hundred Valencia fans were outside the Mestalla reached their first quarter-final Injury-ravaged Tottenham, to score and the Portuguese’s a win in any competition since to welcome Valencia's squad before the match and could be in Europe’s premier club who were also missing winger prediction proved accurate. their 1-0 first-leg defeat by heard chanting during the game. competition. Steven Bergwijn and full back His team had to wait until the Leipzig in London last month, Spain announced Tuesday all sports events with a sig- “We did it better than in our Ben Davies, struggled to keep up 43rd minute for their first corner Tottenham must try to turn their nificant number of fans have to be played in empty stadiums recent Bundesliga matches,” with Leipzig’s pace and were and managed to carve out only Premier League season around for the next 15 days to try to contain the spread of the coro- Leipzig coach Julian Nagelsmann constantly exposed at the back half a chance in the second period if they are to have any chance of narivus after a sharp increase in the number of cases in the told reporters. Leipzig had drawn while posing no threat up front. with a Dele Alli effort in the 75th. being back in the Champions country. The decision to play the Valencia game without fans their last domestic league two Leipzig pounced on almost “It’s hard for us to score at the League next term. had already been made in advance because of the high matches. every sloppy pass and inaccurate moment,” Mourinho said. “People can say it is excuses number of cases in Italy. “The fans are moved. This is clearance and could have added “Our first couple of mistakes but it (injuries) is pretty bad for It remained unclear if Atalanta will be able to play its a very big deal for the club. We several more goals in a dominant they score and then it’s very dif- anyone,” Mourinho added. “We quarterfinal match at home amid Italy's nation-wide quar- are now looking forward to the first half with Timo Werner and ficult. Their physicality is have matches to play and we go antine measures because of the virus. The team is based in draw. A special moment.” Leipzig Patrik Schick coming close. incredible, their defenders win to our limits. Let’s see how we Bergamo and plays its home European games at the San Siro were founded by Red Bull in Spurs coach Jose Mourinho the duels, they stop the game. end the season.” Stadium in Milan.

Qatar's Cherif Rubio, Gaxiola reach Doha quarters; Younousse (right) in action against Italians Paolo Italian duo eliminate Ahmed, Cherif Nicolai and Daniele Lupo in yesterday's main round clash. THE PENINSULA – DOHA Tour event having previously at the end of the second set, March 9-13 at Katara Cul- featured at events in Puerto but I spoke to him in the tural Village in the north of Mexican duo Jose Luis Rubio Vallarta and Chetumal in break and explained that I the city. It is the second of and Josue Gaxiola reached Mexico. believed we could win and nine 4-Star events on the the quarter-finals of the FIVB “It was a really good managed to make him relax. 2019-2020 calendar and the Beach Volleyball World Tour match for us as our oppo- Meanwhile, the home winners will leave with 800 Katara Cup yesterday with a nents were really good,” favourites, Ahmed Tijane ranking points. nerve-wracking 2-1 (23-21, Rubio said. “The first set was and Cherif Younousse will Qatar has built up a 8-21, 15-8) win over the crazy, and I don’t want to miss the last-eight stage after strong tradition of hosting USA’s Tri Bourne and Trevor even think about the second suffering a 0-2 (16-21, 18-21) World Tour events since it Crabbe. set, but in the tie-break, we loss against Italians Paolo hosted its first in 2014. Two Rubio and Gaxiola, who managed to get ahead and Nicolai and Daniele Lupo in more followed in 2015 and won silver at the 2016 FIVB win. yesterday's main round 2016, then in 2018 the tour- Beach Volleyball U19 World “We just wanted to think clash. nament grew from a 3-Star Championships, are playing positively in the tie-break. The men-only tour- tournament to a 4-Star in their first overseas World My partner was quite angry nament is running from tournament. SPORT SPORT | 05 SPORT | 06 AustraliaA bank Hamilton chases on top four Schumacher against record as season buoyant Kiwis set to kick off

THURSDAY 12 MARCH 2020

Lasogga stars with a brace in first quarter-final Al Arabi storm into Amir Cup semis with impressive win FAWADFAWAAD HUSHUSSAINSAIN found himself surrounded by Al Arabi THE PEPENINSULANINSULA All football matches to be defenders. Al Ahli also won a free hit just outside the box but failed to pose AlA AArabiraabi yyesterday a threat to a solid Al Arabi defense. dedeliveredliivveered a ccocommandingm played without fans: QFA Al Ahli created more chances but sshshowoww ttoo bbebecomecoom the first lacked execution and went to the THE PENINSULA – DOHA Qatargas League for the 2019-2020 sidesided ttoo reachreaach thethhe semi-finalss half-time with a double deficit. season without the presence of fans of AmirAmmiir CupCuup 2020220 with a At half-time, Al Arabi had six The Qatar Football Association in the stadiums from today until ththumpinghuummpipingn 3-03-0- winw over Al shots on target with 52 percent ball (QFA) yesterday announced that it further notice. This decision comes AhliAhAhli atat Al DDuhailuuhhail StStadium. possession as compared to Al Ahli’s has decided to hold all remaining as part of the measures taken by PierrePPieerree MichelleMiicheell Lasogga three shots on target from five matches of the Amir Cup, QNB Stars Qatar to limit the spread of the coro- emergedeemmerrgged asa a starstaar fofor Al Arabi attempts. League, Second Division League and navirus. withwwithh a bracebraacce ofof gogoalsoaals in the first The second half almost brought half,halff, bebbecomingcocommingg tthehee firstfir German the same action with Al Arabi scoring playerplp ayyeerr ttoo sscscorecorore mmomore than a better note, making several moves in with Al Arabi relying more on the one more goal in the 69th minute for singlesinngglee ggoalooaal forffoor aananyny QaQatariata club. the first few minutes before Al Arabi counter attacks, and in one of their a 3-0 victory. QatarQataar U-23U-U-2323 playerplaayey r KhalifaK Al took control of the match with a goal moves they were able to double the Al Malki’s angular push following MalkiMaMalkki wawwasas aalalsossoo oonn tatargetrgget iinn the second in the 6th minute. lead. an attack from right wing was con- halfhah lff aass thethhe ‘The‘TThhee RRedeed DDevils’evvil secured A former German U-21 player, It was Lasogga again who did the nected by Al Ahli’s Mohammed Khalid theirthheiir eememphaticmphhatiicc victoryvicctot ryy inin the first Lasogga made no mistake after he up damage in one of those attacks in the but it was not enough as the ball, quarter-final.ququarrtet r-r finanal. picked a pass from captain Ahmed 22nd minute. Abdullah Issa’s shot which was too high for goalkeeper A goodgoooodd ddefenseefe enensse aandnnd availingava most Fathi’s outside the box with just Al Ahli from close range struck the pole with Rodriguesdos, landed in the net. off ttheirheh ir oopportunitiesppporrtunnities pprovedroove to be the goalkpeer Ivanildo Rodrguesdos to the German getting a ball in a good Al Ahli continued to look for a keykek y fofforr AlA AArabirraabib aagainstgag iinnst AAll Ahli, who beat, which he did in style with a flick position on a rebound, and he was on consolation goal with more attacks. alsoallsos ddisplayedisisplp ayayeed a sspiritedpip ritteed ppeperformance to the left. target again firing past a diving With just five minutes left, Mohamed inn yesterday’syeesstteerdayy’ss ggame.amme.. The next few minutes after the Rodriguesdos. Diame fast shot was blocked by Al Al Arabi's Pierre Michelle WithWWithh tthehee win,wiin, AAl AArabirrabbi - the eight- opener brought plenty of action as Al With a 2-0 lead, Al Arabi gained Arabi goalkeeper Mahmoud Ibrahim Lasogga celebrates after timetimmee cchampionshhaammppionss ofof thetthe pprestigious Ahli tried to open their account, confidence and took Al Ahli under Abunada. Hernan Beers also got an scoring their second goal tournamenttoouurrnammentn - achievedacchhiei ved their first making repeated attacks. pressure with more attacks. opportunity as regulation time against Al Ahli during their targettat rrggeet iinn theththe event,evvenntt, whichwh was to Abel Mathias broke inside the box Hamdi Harbaoui could have neared its end but his shot was too Amir Cup 2020 quarter-final reachrereacach too tthehhee ssemi-finalsemmi-ffin of the to give Al Arabi scare but was not added another goal for Al Arabi with high as Al Arabi sealed their com- match played at Al Duhail event,evvene t, aaccordingccccoordiingg ttoo ththeir coach given much room by their defenders. a push from a close range but Rod- mending win. Stadium, yesterday. HeimirHeHeimmiri Hallgrimsson.Hala lggrimsmssoonn. With clock reaching 10 minutes, Al riguesdos was right behind it this time. Today, Al Rayyan will take on Al PICTURES: ANVAR SADATH ButBuBut AlAl AAhli,hlh i,i wwhoho werewe seeking Ahli had already won three corners. In the 34th minute, Al Ahli captain Markhiya in the second quarter-final an upset over Al Arabi, started on a The exchange of attacks continued Nabil El Zhar broke inside the box but at Al Sadd Stadium. Coronavirus throws international sport into chaos

AFP – MILAN The Spanish Cup final fea- 23-31 when matches include the turing Basque rivals Real 16-team play-off for the last four As more sports in more coun- Sociedad and Athletic Bilbao Euro 2020 places. tries yesterday announced scheduled for April 18 will also Yesterday, Wolfsburg’s measures to avoid spreading the be rearranged. General Manager Joerg Sch- new coronavirus, the problem Argentina announced it was madtke, said the club plans to of international competitions suspending all sports. MotoGP ban internationals from joining proved particularly thorny. postponed its race in the South their national teams. UEFA called off two Europa American country from April Axel Hellman of Eintracht League games today and a until November. The first four Frankfurt, who like Wolfsburg Greek basketball team wanted races of the season in the elite have 10 international players in an away game cancelled, while motorcycling category have their squad, said he would prefer two German clubs said they been cancelled or postponed. to “avoid” making players were reluctant to release players The Indian Open, a European available for their countries. to national teams in the Tour and Asian Tour event due Kenya’s football federation upcoming international break. to start in New Delhi on March A general view of the Etihad Stadium as yesterday said they are seeking The finals of the Fed Cup, the 19, was cancelled yesterday. the Premier League between Manchester the postponement of this women’s tennis team compe- In Spain, the ban on crowds City and Arsenal is postponed. month’s 2021 Africa Cup of tition, scheduled for April 14-19 led to restrictions trickling down Nations qualifier against Group in Budapest, were postponed on Wednesday. The tennis fed- G leaders Comoros. indefinitely by the International eration banned spectators from Olympiakos, Vangelis Marinakis, Dortmund. UEFA announced matches are an exception to a In Japan, the Tokyo 2020 Tennis Federation. tournaments at all levels, while who has since tested positive for that “as a result of the travelling nationwide sports ban. Olympics President Yoshiro Mori In Germany, RB Leipzig Spanish football shut down all COVID-19. restrictions between Spain and In Greece, the national conceded yesterday the organ- became the last team playing at men’s and women’s outdoor and At Hanover, in Bundesliga 2, Italy” the round-of-16 matches public health protection com- isers were “concerned” about home in the Bundesliga this indoor competitions below the defender Timo Huebers became between Sevilla and Roma and mission agreed with the Olym- the spread of the coronavirus but weekend to announce their top two divisions. the first professional player in Inter Milan and Getafe would not piakos basketball team that they said the Games this year are match will be played behind Arsenal’s game at Man- Germany to test positive. take place on Thursday. should not travel to Milan to play going ahead “as scheduled.” closed doors. chester City on Wednesday Paris Saint-Germain Roma had said Spanish Armani today. The Euroleague Reverse swing in cricket The French League Cup final became the first Premier League announced that Kylian Mbappe, authorities made clear they responded by moving the game might also be curtailed by the between Paris Saint-Germain game called off after players and who had been suffering a fever would refuse to allow the team’s to Berlin, where it will go ahead virus. Indian players were and Lyon on April 4 was post- staff at the London club were and a sore throat, had tested flight to land. without spectators. International warned not to use saliva to shine poned. Instead the two clubs will isolated at their homes. negative and could be in their Getafe President Angel Torres football games inevitably mean the cricket ball in the one-day play league matches without They had come into contact team for the Champions League had said his team would refuse cross-border travel and the next series in South Africa, said spectators. with the owner of Greek club game against Borussia to travel to Italy, where European break is scheduled for March bowler Bhuvneshwar Kumar.