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Saturday, March 10, 2018 FOOTBALL Jumada II 22, 1439 AH Mourinho must GULF TIMES stop Salah to keep Liverpool at bay SPORT Page 2 FOOTBALL/QNB STARS LEAGUE DUHAIL WRAP UP TITLE WITH PLENTY TO SPARE They are yet to record a single loss in 20 domestic league and three AFC Champions League matches this season, no mean achievement for the team and their coach Djamel Belmadi, whose legend keeps on growing each year

By Anil John Doha

hat’s in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as Wsweet. That’s a very famous line from Shake- speare’s epic love story Romeo and Juliet, but even at the risk of sounding clichéd, that sentiment also holds true for Al Du- hail who won the QNB Stars League yes- terday with two matches and plenty of fuel in the tank to spare. The only element missing from the plot was some drama. In that respect, there was nothing Shakespearean in the way Al Duhail, who were previously known as Lekhwiya, went about their business Duhail coach Djamel Belmadi congratulates his players after his team the whole season, with nary a late twist defeated Kharaitiyat 5-0 to win the QNB Stars League title. or even a minor stumble roughening their path to the title. They are yet to record a single loss in 20 domestic league and three AFC Champi- ons League matches this season, no mean achievement for the team and their coach Djamel Belmadi, whose legend keeps on growing each year, this being his fourth title – the three others coming when the team played under their former name: Lekhwiya. “I am indeed very happy with my team’s show. Every player played his part. They had the confi dence and they never slackened,” Belmadi, the former Ligue 1 and English Premier League player said after his team had seen off Kharaitiyat 5-0 yesterday. “We knew Al Sadd were very close on our heels, but when we beat them last week we were pretty much certain the ti- tle was ours for the taking,” the Algerian added. Ahead of the match, Belmadi had grumbled about the hectic schedule for his team because of their involvement SPOTLIGHT also in the top Asian competition. “The exhaustion is not only physical, it is also aff ecting mentally. The play- ers are in action every three or four days. We have to deal well with this situation in the coming games,” he had said at his pre-match press conference, although Al Duhail celebrate one of their goals against Al Kharaitiyat yesterday. PICTURES: Shaji T Al Arabi see his team’s emphatic win would have con- siderably eased his worries. Ismaeel Mohamed (36). For the record, Duhail, after strug- Strikes by Youssef El Arabi (56) and STANDINGS gling to break free for 25 minutes in the Youusef Msakni (82, 84) then sealed the fi rst half, fi rst struck through Mohamed outcome of the match and the title. Team MP W D L F A D P off Rayyan Musa (26) and then consolidated through Only Al Sadd could have derailed Du- Al Duhail 20 17 3 0 77 23 +54 54 By Sports Reporter Al Kharaitiyat and Al Markhiya in Al Sadd 20 15 1 4 59 23 +36 46 Doha the previous weeks, moved on to 21 Al Rayyan 20 12 3 5 48 36 +12 39 points. Al Rayyan remained on 39 Al Gharafa 20 9 5 6 39 31 +8 32 points. Umm Salal 20 8 7 5 30 31 -1 31 l Arabi completed a hat- Al Rayyan enjoyed more posses- Al Sailiya 20 7 4 9 35 37 -2 25 trick of victories when sion (56 per cent), but found the Al Ahli 19 6 4 9 24 34 -10 22 they defeated Al Rayyan going tough. Their players were vis- Al Arabi 20 5 6 9 26 39 -13 21 A3-1 in Week 20 of the QNB ibly tired as they had played against Qatar SC 19 5 4 10 20 40 -20 19 Stars League at the Al Sadd Stadium Saudi Arabia’s Al Hilal in the third Al Khor 19 5 3 11 21 36 -15 18 yesterday. round of AFC Champions League on Al Kharitiyath 20 3 4 13 25 51 -26 13 Al Arabi’s Brazilian midfi elder Tuesday. Al Arabi thus compensated Diego Jardel was the star of the for their 2-4 loss to Al Rayyan when night by netting two goals (54th they clashed in the fi rst phase. hail’s title bid on their debut appearance in the 12th minute yesterday but Khoukhi and 90+3), and providing assist for Indeed, it was a battle between in the tournament, but for that to happen defl ected the ball into his own goal two the other scored by Kwame Karikari the fans as much as it was between they needed to not only beat Umm Salal minutes after the restart to help Umm (20th). the players when the two teams with yesterday corresponding with a loss for Salal draw level. Abderrazaq Hamdallah gave Al the most passionate and loyal fans Al Duhail. Umm Salal then dealt a body blow to Rayyan’s reply in the 73rd minute by in Qatar football faced off . Al Arabi But neither happened as Al Sadd suf- Al Sadd’s chances with Oussama Darragi converting from the spot. The pen- players saluted their supporters af- fered a shock 2-1 defeat – an own goal by netting the winner in the 66th. alty was awarded when Al Arabi’s ter the game. Boualem Khoukhi perhaps coming as a The Wolves had dominated the game in Yasin Yaghoub handled the ball in- Karikari opened the scoring by metaphor for the Wolves’ title-less run the fi rst session but a combination of bad side the box. heading in a Jardel corner. The from 2012-13 when they won their 13th luck and poor fi nishing ensured Umm Hamdallah thus stayed third in Ghana forward had another chance and last league crown. Salal kept themselves in the hunt for a the list of top scorers with 17 goals. when his shot from the top of the The Al Sadd match was an early kick- top-four fi nish. There was a tiff inside the goal post box went wide in the fi rst half, off and the fact they lost meant they had Meanwhile, Al Gharafa stayed fourth between the Moroccan striker and where Al Rayyan did not create any no interest left in following the Duhail with a 3-0 demolition of Al Sailiya at the Al Arabi goalkeeper Masoud Zeraei worthwhile opportunities. vs Kharaitiyat encounter. Their fate was Al Ahli Stadium. following the penalty kick and both The Lions seemed to have lost the sealed anyway and although a second Attacking midfi elder Wesley Sneijder were shown yellow card for fi ghting plot from the beginning. place in the standings doesn’t seem all was the star of the match. He scored in for the dead ball. Jardel’s fi rst goal was set up by that bad, only the team in that position the 25th and 90th minutes, and in the in- Jardel took his tally to six goals Khalfan Ibrahim, while his second, Al Sadd coach Jesualdo Ferreira is a picture of frustration as he watches his team go how much it hurts. terim had set up Mehdi Taremi to strike in this season’s league competi- that came in stoppage time, was a down against Umm Salal. Hassan Ahmed gave Al Sadd the lead in the 44th. tion and Al Arabi, who had defeated solo eff ort. Gulf Times 2 Saturday, March 10, 2018 FOOTBALL

EPL COMMENT Mourinho slams coaches turned pundits over Mourinho must Man United criticism

AFP just one of his 23 goals against a Manchester, United Kingdom team currently in the top 10 of the division. The United manager remains ose Mourinho has hit out fi rmly impressed by the striker, stop Salah to keep again at media pundits – in- however, and Lukaku revealed ear- cluding Gary Neville – for lier in the week that he considers their criticism of Manches- himself a “sergeant” for his man- terJ United and star players such as ager on the fi eld. Paul Pogba and Alexis Sanchez. And the United manager sug- ‘Lukaku trust’ gested that their own failures in “I had a laugh with him, that’s management make them unquali- fi ne, he’s an important guy for me, Liverpool at bay fi ed to off er such views. one of the guys that I trust, I love Neville has been a repeated the character,” said Mourinho. ‘We have to do more if we want to win as Liverpool is a team with great quality’ critic of his former club’s manager “Against Crystal Palace there and, during United’s dramatic vic- was nothing that happened after AFP tory at Crystal Palace on Monday, our third goal but I told him ‘cen- Manchester, United Kingdom in which they trailed 2-0 before tral defender’. So he was playing recovering to win 3-2, did not hold central defender in a back fi ve with back in his comments. (Chris) Smalling and (Victor) Lin- anchester United “I’ve never seen a Jose Mour- delof because I couldn’t make any boss Jose Mourinho inho team as ineffi cient as this,” more changes. has the tough task of said Sky Sports television analyst “So when I say to the striker go keeping Liverpool’s Neville. “They are always effi cient there and job for me he is a ser- MMohamed Salah quiet as Jurgen teams, they always do things re- geant. I always thought and told Klopp’s entertainers roll into ally calmly, they are usually solid you many times for me it’s not just town at the weekend with sec- in defence.” about the goals he scored but what ond place in the Premier League But Mourinho responded with he brings to the team and it’s that the prize on off er. criticism of his own, especially in spirit.” With Pep Guardiola’s Man- the case of Neville who had a brief, Mourinho tried to downplay the chester City virtually assured of unhappy spell in charge of Spanish importance of the Liverpool meet- the title, northwest rivals United side Valencia. ing, ahead of a vital week for his and Liverpool – the two most “Some of the guys with an opin- team in which they also face Sevilla successful clubs in the English ion couldn’t resolve their own in a Champions League knock-out game – are left fi ghting for the problems when they were manag- tie and have an FA Cup quarter- scraps. ers,” Mourinho told reporters yes- fi nal with Brighton. United’s impressive fi ghtback terday. “So they are giving opin- But he believes the atmosphere from 2-0 down on Monday to ions like they have solutions for of a packed Old Traff ord could be a beat Crystal Palace 3-2 main- everything but is not like that.” big factor in the game. tained their slender two-point The former Chelsea manager “It helps,” he said of playing at lead over Liverpool in the battle added: “But they are in a posi- home. “At Crystal Palace, I can im- for the runners-up spot behind tion where they can give opinions agine if we are losing 2-0 and our runaway leaders City. about everything, sometimes I away fans, how many? 2000? We Nemanja Matic bailed out read and listen, sometimes I don’t. could feel disapproval, criticism or Mourinho’s men with a stunning “This week I was more focused support. stoppage-time strike in London on enjoying Champions League “Yet 2-0 down and we only felt but another three points papered and Europa League and prepar- support and at 2-1 we felt more over the cracks in the latest in a ing my match than focusing on belief and at 2-2 we felt they want series of unconvincing perform- opinions,” the Portuguese boss us to go for it. They can help. Old ances from United. insisted. Traff ord is a huge majority of Man “We have to be honest, we Mourinho was speaking ahead United fans, so they can help.” have to play better,” Matic ad- of the Premier League meeting Mourinho confi rmed Ivory mitted once the euphoria of his with bitter rivals Liverpool at Old Coast Eric Bailly is fully fi t and in fi rst United goal died down. Traff ord today in which he will be contention to start against Liver- “We have to do more if we looking for star striker Romelu Lu- pool, while Marouane Fellaini is want to win as Liverpool is a kaku to improve on a goalscoring back in United’s matchday squad team with great quality.” record which has seen him score after recovering from a knee injury. The onus will be on Mourinho to take the game to the visitors at Old Traff ord today but the Por- SPOTLIGHT tuguese manager, criticised for keeping his array of attackers fi rmly on the leash, is unlikely to risk throwing caution to the wind. Jesus playing with Liverpool had scored 20 goals in their previous seven games before a much-changed side fear aft er returning drew 0-0 with Porto in mid- Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah during the Champions League match against FC Porto at Anfield, Liverpool, on March 6, 2018. (Reuters) week, a result that sealed a place in the Champions League quar- at 0-0 after the fi rst leg, before progressed to the quarter-fi nals from knee injury ter-fi nals for the fi rst time in in-form Brighton head north for and can move to within three Klopp happy to park bus at Man nine years. an FA Cup quarter-fi nal. wins of mathematically sealing United for ticket to second place Reuters games, told British media. With January signing Virgil Mourinho conceded recently the title when they visit Stoke on London “But, as you are playing more van Dijk settling in well at the “to play Liverpool has a special Monday. Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp believes that today’s and more, you are going to get that back and Loris Karius impress- meaning” for United, so reserv- Arsenal, trailing fourth- Premier League clash with Manchester United is not a battle fear away and play your football. ing in goal, the pieces are falling ing his stars’ energies for mid- placed Spurs by 13 points, look to of playing styles and said he would have no problem ‘parking anchester City striker “There’s some movements into place for Klopp’s team, who week is out of the question. have blown their hopes of quali- the bus’ to stop United’s attack. Gabriel Jesus says he is when I still have some worries have lost just once in 20 Premier However, he does have a big fying for next season’s Champi- Attack-minded Liverpool have blown away teams this season playing with the fear of about getting injured again. I know League games. decision to make over whether ons League but Arsene Wenger with their free-flowing style of play while United have often injuring himself after anything can happen, but I’m sure But it is their forwards, led by to persist with Alexis Sanchez on will be desperate to reverse an Mmaking a comeback from a second that the more you play, the quicker been criticised for being uncharacteristically defensive and the irrepressible Salah alongside the left side of United’s attack, alarming slump when Watford pragmatic under Portuguese manager Jose Mourinho. major spell on the sidelines at the that fear is going to go away.” Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane, with the likes of Anthony Mar- visit the Emirates. Klopp said the blockbuster Old Traff ord meeting between club. Basel fought back to secure a 2-1 who have scored a combined 68 tial and Marcus Rashford in his the two teams who are fighting for second place behind The 20-year-old Brazil inter- win in the second leg against City, goals this season, that will give armoury. The Chilean has scored Fixtures (1500 GMT unless runaway leaders Manchester City did not represent a clash of national started and scored in but the Premier League club eased Mourinho sleepless nights. There just once since moving from Ar- stated) philosophies. “It’s not a battle of systems or philosophies, but City’s Champions League defeat into the Champions League quar- was a palpable sensation around senal in January. Today two very good football teams that will face each other,” Klopp by Basel on Wednesday. It was his ter-fi nals 5-2 on aggregate. Anfi eld on Tuesday that Liver- Elsewhere, Chelsea need to Manchester United v Liverpool told a news conference yesterday. “I know how the situation fourth game back after missing Jesus is focused on playing his pool minds were already focused bounce back from four defeats (1230 GMT), Newcastle v South- is, people are saying that they play a specific kind of football two months with a knee ligament part as City look to wrap up the on United, with the free-scoring in fi ve league games if they are ampton, West Brom v Leicester, and we play a specific kind of football... everybody makes a injury he suff ered against Crystal Premier League title and continue front three all rested at diff erent to retain any realistic hope of a West Ham v Burnley, Everton big thing of it but it’s all about winning. There are diff erent Palace on New Year’s Eve. to make progress in Europe. spells of the game. top-four fi nish when they host v Brighton, Huddersfield v Swan- ways to win a football game.” He also broke a metatarsal in his He will likely have to wait for his struggling Palace and Totten- sea, Chelsea v Crystal Palace The German manager said he would not hesitate switch- right foot last February and says chance in City’s starting lineup, United v Liverpool ‘special’ ham must pick themselves up (1730 GMT) ing to a more defensive approach to stop United’s front line. that the prospect of another injury however, after falling behind Ar- The match against Liverpool after being dumped out of the Tomorrow “When United attack, I hope all my players are involved in is always on his mind. gentine striker Sergio Aguero, who is the fi rst of three games in eight Champions League by Juventus Arsenal v Watford (1330 GMT), defending. If somebody says in that moment that we are “When you are in the game, has hit form in his absence. days for United at Old Traff ord at Bournemouth. Bournemouth v Tottenham parking the bus then I have no problem with that... I would without wanting it, you end up “Aguero is my teammate and I’ll that will defi ne their season. A heavily-rotated City side (1600 GMT) never use that (phrase). I have no problem with defending.” thinking about the previous game always cheer for him to score and Sevilla visit in the last-16 of the were also beaten for just the Monday A win for third-placed Liverpool will take them to 63 points where you got injured... you have help the club,” Jesus said. “When Champions League on Tuesday fourth time this season by Basel Stoke v Manchester City (2000 and a point above United into second. a bit of fear,” Jesus, who appeared the opportunity comes for me, I’ll with the tie delicately balanced in Europe in midweek, but still GMT) as a substitute in his three previous do my best.”

FOCUS ‘Suff ering is part of my job’ Reuters “I’ve managed in 820 or so “The desire to fi nd solutions “We have to have a little per- London Premier League games and 200 is interesting as well,” he said. spective, we got to a cup fi nal odd European games but there is “When you are a young man- and we fi ght to be in a cup fi nal,” no possibility not to suff er. You ager you think you can win every the 68-year-old said. rsenal manager Arsene have to suff er. game but it’s not like that. It is “We played against the best Wenger says suff er- “You have to be capable to go to survive the disappoint- team in the country. ing is all part of being a through periods when it’s very ments. It can make you a better “We have been in four fi nals manager and admits he diffi cult.” manager.” in the last fi ve years and lost hasA had his fair share of late. Wenger’s future at Arsenal, Wenger says money and ‘star- once, against Man City who is Yet the smile returned to the where he has been in charge ifi cation’ has become too impor- the best team in the country so Frenchman’s face yesterday since 1996, has been a source tant in football. it’s surprising the intensity the after his side snapped a four- of constant debate with his side “At the end of the day I have storm the players have faced.” match losing streak to beat AC down in sixth place in the Pre- to stand up for what is important Arsenal face Watford tomor- Milan 2-0 in the San Siro the mier League having suff ered a for the club,” he said. row with their hopes of a top- previous evening and close in on 3-0 thrashing by Manchester “I am thankful that I have re- four fi nish hanging by a thread. the quarter-fi nals of the Europa City in the League Cup fi nal. spect in the game. Football is They trail fourth-placed Totten- League. He says he has had messages fi rst about values but my regret ham by 13 points. “Any manager will tell you that of support from past and current is that has gone underwater.” They will be without injured when you don’t get results the managers, even old adversary Wenger says some of the re- Alexandre Lacazette and Hector fi rst thing aff ected is the mood, Alex Ferguson, and that fi nding cent criticism aimed at himself Bellerin against Watford while the lack of sleep,” Wenger said in solutions to problems remains and his players has been over the Sead Kolasinac is a doubt with Arsenal’s coach Arsene Wenger looks on during the UEFA Europa League round of 16 first-leg match an interview on Sky Sports. an addictive part of the job. top. an ankle problem. against AC Milan at the ‘San Siro Stadium’ in Milan. (AFP) Gulf Times Saturday, March 10, 2018 3 FOOTBALL

LIGUE 1 COMMENT Juventus pressured referee, says Spurs PSG resume domestic boss Pochettino

AFP because they have the habit to London win, the habit to put pressure on the referee. “The owner stayed in the cor- auricio Pochettino said ridor in the tunnel before or dur- duties aft er CL exit yesterday that senior ing the game. It’s a club with a Juventus offi cials put culture to do everything to try to ‘I ask him to stay and let things settle down. He is an important player for us. We pressure on the referee help the team. Mduring their Champions League “Before the game it was Ag- really need him to have confidence in our project, our players and our coaches’ victory against Tottenham, de- nelli, after the game it was Ag- scribing the Italian champions as nelli, Marotta. I saw at half-time specialists in success. how they put pressure on the Spurs’ 2-1 defeat at Wembley referee. I believe those details on Wednesday meant they ex- can help the club.” ited the tournament 4-3 on ag- After securing a 2-2 draw in gregate despite dominating the Turin, Tottenham appeared on tie overall. course to progress after going Tottenham boss Pochettino ahead in the second leg through said Juventus president And- Son Heung-Min. rea Agnelli and general manager But quick-fi re second-half Giuseppe Marotta spent time in goals from Gonzalo Higuain the tunnel before, during and af- and Paulo Dybala turned the tie ter the game. in the visitors’ favour to leave And he felt the Italian club Spurs to focus on the FA Cup did everything in their power and securing a top-four Premier to ensure they would progress League fi nish. to the quarter-fi nals, includ- Pochettino refused to blame ing attempting to put pressure his side’s European exit on the on Polish offi cial Szymon Mar- behaviour of the opposition. ciniak. “It’s not because of that that The Argentine manager be- we lost,” he said. lieves the Premier League team “The chances that we had, we can learn from that culture. weren’t capable to score more “I think it’s a massive situa- than one goal. tion that you must learn (from),” “It’s a massive lesson to care he said. “If we only see the stats not only on the pitch, but off the from the two games, I think Tot- pitch. When you’re going to win, tenham was the much better you need help from everyone.” team. Spurs return to action at “It’s in the small details that Bournemouth on Sunday. Mid- the competitions sometimes fi elder Eric Dier sustained an el- demand diff erent things. And bow injury against Juventus and I think Juventus are specialists is a doubt for the game.

Paris Saint-Germain’s players react after losing during the UEFA Champions League round of 16 second leg match against Real Madrid in Paris March 6. (AFP)

AFP ser deployed by their supporters Spain. “I ask him to stay and let of the club since Qatar Sports the World Cup this summer Paris during the match at the Parc des things settle down,” Marquinhos Investment bought them in with Colombia after serious in- Princes. Emery’s expensively- said. 2011. PSG’s yawning 14-point jury robbed him of taking part in assembled Qatari-backed team “He is an important player for lead could be cut to 11 if Monaco the 2014 edition in Brazil. mbattled Unai Emery’s host the club propping up the us. We really need him to have make the most of their Friday “To take part in a World Cup Paris Saint-Germain table with a nagging cloud over confi dence in our project, our night trip to Strasbourg, one of is my dream,” said the 32-year- must put aside the Neymar’s future. players and our coaches.” only two teams to infl ict defeat old. pain from their prosaic Having broken a foot bone With his contract up at the on PSG in the league this sea- ChampionsE League exit to drag in a league match against Mar- end of the season and expected son. Fixtures their focus back to domestic seille, the 222-million-euro to be shown the door, Emery The defending champions (all 1900 GMT unless stated) aff airs with an unglamourous marquee signing watched Tues- will at least want to walk away welcome back captain Radamel Today Ligue 1 tie against Metz today. day’s game in Brazil where he is his head held high having deliv- Falcao, fi t again after a thigh Paris Saint-Germain v Metz Their European ambitions are recovering from surgery. ered PSG’s seventh Ligue 1 title, injury sustained at the start of (1600), Bordeaux v Angers, again in tatters after Tuesday’s PSG’s Brazilian defender while his team are also still in February. Dijon v Amiens, Lille v Montpel- 2-1 loss to Real Madrid. Marquinhos urged his close both Cup competitions. “Falcao will start, but he’s lier, Nantes v Troyes, Rennes v To add insult to injury, Euro- friend to stay put at the Parc A scripted success against not at his best level yet,” cau- Saint-Etienne pean football’s governing body des Princes with rumours rife modest Metz will hardly lessen tioned Monaco coach Leonardo Tomorrow UEFA has opened disciplinary that Real Madrid are prepared the gloom at PSG, but anything Jardim. Guingamp v Nice (1400), Lyon proceedings against PSG for the to break the bank to attract the other than three points will cast Falcao himself has his sights v Caen (1600), Toulouse v spate of smoke bombs and a la- former Barcelona player back to further doubt on the direction set on one goal - to make it to Marseille (2000) Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino. (Reuters)

FOCUS CHAMPIONS LEAGUE Zidane believes Bale is Barca visit bottom club Malaga ‘fundamental’ to Real

AFP vember, the 28-year-old has not Madrid been an automatic starter. “It is not a problem, I speak with Chelsea fi rmly in mind to him,” Zidane said. “He knows AFP motiv Moscow in the Europa inedine Zidane insists he where he is and that the others Madrid League on Thursday has already has no problem with Ga- are important.” recovered the winning feeling, reth Bale despite drop- Zidane´s own future appears with Atletico registering eight ping the forward for Real more secure following Real´s arcelona enjoy breath- victories on the bounce before ZMadrid’s win over Paris Saint- triumph in Paris, which pushes ing space again at the they were halted by Messi´s 25- Germain on Tuesday. the club one step closer to an un- top of La Liga and Er- yard free-kick. After the win Zidane also labelled praise precedented third consecutive nesto Valverde can af- over Lokomotiv, Simeone was given to him for the victory at Champions League success. fordB to keep one eye on Chelsea asked about taking charge at Parc des Princes as “bullshit” But PSG coach Unai Emery when his side visit bottom club Paris Saint-Germain next sea- because the Frenchman said has come under the same sort Malaga today. son and he indicated his focus criticism will soon return if his of pressure Zidane has faced While the Catalans’ 1-0 win by replying: “Celta.” team’s form dips. this season, when Real were against Atletico Madrid last Real Madrid, meanwhile, Real crushed PSG 5-2 on ag- dumped out of the Copa del Rey weekend extended the gap at swap Paris Saint-Germain and gregate to book their spot in the by Leganes and fell adrift of Bar- the summit to eight points, the Parc des Princes for Eibar Champions League quarter- celona in La Liga. their advantage over Chelsea in and the Ipurua Municipal Sta- fi nals but Bale was named as a “I do not want to convince the Champions League is more dium, the smallest stadium in substitute in both legs of the tie. anyone, everyone has their precarious. La Liga with a capacity of just Overlooked for Real’s two big- opinion, even when I win again, Barca take a 1-1 draw, and an over 7,000. Zinedine Zidane´s gest games of the season so far, again, and again, because it’s away goal, to the Camp Nou on team will be fl ying high after the indication is Zidane does not their opinion and I do not want Wednesday but Chelsea con- overcoming the biggest assign- trust Bale when it matters most. to change that,” Zidane said. trolled much of the fi rst leg in ment of their season in Paris and, But, asked what the Welshman “That´s life, not to win, to lose London and will fancy their like Barcelona, it may be that star lacks, Zidane said yesterday: sometimes. So today I am a bet- chances of an upset. players are given time off . “He does not lack anything, he’s ter tactician than Emery? What With Andres Iniesta already Barcelona manager Ernesto Valverde. Gareth Bale is unlikely to be in a team where there are a lot of bullshit, in fact, what bullshit. nursing a hamstring injury and among those rested, however, players, and he’s doing well. For me this is the biggest mistake. Denis Suarez out with a groin dured a diffi cult debut season, Dembele is jostling for posi- umph are still at the club while after the Welshman missed out “With Gareth I have no prob- “But hey, we have to accept it strain, Valverde will be wary of plagued by problems with fi t- tion with the creative Philippe the coach, Michel, was sacked on the starting line-up against lem, he’s a fundamental player because in a few weeks we will further damage against a Ma- ness and form, but the forward Coutinho, preferred against in January. His replacement, PSG. Bale’s reaction this week- for us, very important, and he’s say that I am stupid and that laga side without a victory in 15 has shown signs of improve- Atletico, and Paulinho, who Jose Gonzalez, has overseen six end will be signifi cant. going to play until the end of the the other coach, as he won the attempts. ment and played in the Catalan off ers the most defensive resil- defeats in a row. Elsewhere today, Sevilla host season, like the rest.” match, he is better. That’s the It means key players are likely Super Cup win over Espanyol ience from the front. It means Atletico will hold Valencia, needing a victory to Bale became the most capped rule of the game.” to be rested and others given the on Wednesday. Anything but a comfort- little hope of their defi cit being reignite their hopes of qualify- British player in La Liga history Real travel to Eibar on Satur- opportunity to stake a claim, “He tried to get involved in able win at La Rosaleda Stadium cut this weekend but the chal- ing for the Champions League. last weekend when he passed day and the Ipurua Municipal particularly in attack, where the play and has worked on individ- would represent a major shock. lenge for Diego Simeone´s men Los Rojiblancos sit fi fth in the David Beckham´s 116 appear- Stadium, which has a capacity third spot next to Lionel Messi ual moves,” Valverde said. Malaga were, in fact, the last is to stay in touch by beating table, eight points behind Va- ances in the Spanish top fl ight. of just over 7,000, the smallest and Luis Suarez is yet to be es- “This is useful, little by little, team to beat Barcelona in La ninth-placed Celta Vigo tomor- lencia, knowing anything but a He has an impressive 62 goals in La Liga. Zidane’s side sit third, tablished. we hope he translates it into La Liga, with a 2-0 victory in April, row. win this weekend would all-but too in that time but since re- seven points behind Atletico Ousmane Dembele has en- Liga games.” but few players from that tri- A 3-0 thrashing of Loko- end their top-four hopes. turning from a calf injury in No- Madrid and 15 back on Barca. Gulf Times 4 Saturday, March 10, 2018 SPORT

CRICKET Fiery Rabada rips through Rabada had words with Smith after dismissing him and the pair Australian batting brushed shoulders

AFP devastation. Australia were 182 for Port Elizabeth, South Africa eight when Starc was out but wicket- keeper Tim Paine batted well with the last two batsmen, Lyon and Josh Hazle- outh African fast bowler wood as the last two wickets added 61 Kagiso Rabada ripped the heart runs. Paine was last man out for 36. out of Australia’s batting when Lyon admitted that Australia’s col- he took four wickets in seven lapse was disappointing but said he was ballsS on the fi rst day of the second Test confi dent they could fi ght back. “Davey yesterday. (Warner) said that it was a wicket on Rabada added a fi fth wicket in the which you never feel in. Tim has given same spell as Australia were bowled us a sniff and the opportunity to bowl out for 243 after winning the toss and well. We have the best bowling attack batting on a green-tinged pitch on an in the world.” overcast day at St George’s Park. South Africa were 39 for one at the close. SCOREBOARD But on a day when both teams want- AUSTRALIA I INNINGS ed the spotlight to be on cricket, Ra- C. Bancroft c De Kock b Philander 38 bada — who fi nished with fi ve for 96 D. Warner b Ngidi 63 — also produced the only fl ashpoint U. Khawaja c De Kock b Philander 4 in Port Elizabeth. The aftermath of his S. Smith lbw b Rabada 25 fi rst wicket, that of Australian captain S. Marsh lbw b Rabada 24 Steve Smith, could come under scru- T. Paine b Ngidi 36 tiny at the end of an emotion-charged M. Marsh c De Kock b Rabada 4 week when an altercation between P. Cummins c De Kock b Rabada 0 Australia’s David Warner and South M. Starc b Rabada 8 Africa’s Quinton de Kock stole much of N. Lyon b Ngidi 17 the attention from Australia’s 118-run J. Hazlewood not out 10 win in the fi rst Test in Durban. Extras (lb 14) 1 4 Rabada had words with Smith after Total (71.3 overs) 243 dismissing him leg before wicket and Fall of wickets: 1-98 (Bancroft), 2-104 the pair brushed shoulders as Smith (Khawaja), 3-117 (Warner), 4-161 (Smith), headed towards the dressing room. Al- 5-166 (S. Marsh), 6-170 (M. Marsh), 7-170 though the incident did not appear to (Cummins), 8-182 (Starc), 9-212 (Lyon) be particularly serious, Rabada’s fellow Bowling: Philander 18-7-25-2, Rabada 21- fast bowler Vernon Philander eff ective- 2-96-5, Ngidi 13.3-3-51-3, Maharaj 18-1-51-0, ly confi rmed there was some concern Elgar 1-0-6-0 among the South Africans. “You are allowed to celebrate some- SOUTH AFRICA I INNINGS times,” said Philander. “There is a fi ne D. Elgar not out 11 line about whether you celebrate too A. Markram lbw b Cummins 11 hard. It’s up to the umpires and the ICC K. Rabada not out 17 match offi cials to make that call.” Extras 0 Nathan Lyon said he hadn’t spoken to South Africa’s fast bowler Kagiso Rabada celebrates after taking the wicket of Australia captain Steve Smith during the second Test at St George’s Park. (Reuters) Total (1 wkt, 12 overs) 39 Smith. “Personally I’ve got a lot of faith Fall of wicket: 1-22 (Markram) and respect in the umpires and match point after a send-off of Ben Stokes. He pads, then in his next over gained a Mitchell Starc. It was a day of contrasts. the interval, including that of Warner Bowling: Starc 4-0-14-0, Hazlewood 5-1-16- referees, so no doubt they can deal with would incur another ban if he picked up second leg before wicket, dismissing Australian opening batsmen Cameron for 63 who let his bat do the talking af- 0, Cummins 2-0-9-1, Lyon 1-1-0-0 all that stuff ,” he said. “They did last another demerit point. A South African Shaun Marsh, before having Mitchell Bancroft and Warner survived a test- ter being fi ned 75% of his match fee for To bat: H. Amla, A. de Villiers, F. du Plessis, week and I have no doubt they’ll make team spokesperson said later they were Marsh caught behind off an inside edge. ing fi rst hour, scoring only 23 runs in 14 the incident during the fi rst Test. He Q. de Kock, T. de Bruyn, V. Philander, K. the decision they think is worthy.” awaiting feedback from match referee Tea was taken after Mitchell Marsh overs, then seemed to have taken con- scored his runs off 100 balls with nine Maharaj, L Ngidi Rabada was banned for one Test dur- Jeff Crowe. was out. With his remaining ball in the trol as they added 75 runs in the next fours. Match situation: South Africa trail by 204 ing a series in England last year after Philander said Rabada’s spell was over, Rabada had Pat Cummins caught hour, only for Bancroft to be out for 38 Smith and Shaun Marsh steadied the runs with nine wickets remaining in the accumulating a total of four demerit “amazing to watch”. He trapped Smith behind to be on a hat-trick. He didn’t off the last ball before lunch. innings with a patient fourth wicket first innings points when he was penalised with one with a ball speared in to the batsman’s manage that but 11 balls later he bowled Two more wickets fell quickly after stand of 44 before Rabada started his Toss: Australia

GOLF INDIAN OPEN Woods battles to sub-par start Grillo maintains lead, Sharma storms into contention Reuters But Race to Dubai Rankings shared the third spot at six- New Delhi leader Sharma surged into con- under after rounds of 71 and 66 tention with six birdies on the respectively. Swede Jens Dan- back-nine to sign for a 64. Shar- torp, England’s Matt Wallace, grentina’s Emiliano ma, 21, fresh off a tied-ninth fin- South African Keith Horne and Grillo opened up a ish at last week’s WGC-Mexico Thai Panuphol Pittayarat were at four-shot lead heading Championship, capped a dra- fi ve under, a shot clear of a group into the weekend at the matic turnaround considering he including France’s Sebastien IndianA Open but will be wary of was fi ve-over after his fi rst nine Gros, Dutchman Joost Luiten and local hope Shubhankar Sharma, holes on Thursday. American Paul Peterson. who posted a new course record “Today’s round will defi nitely yesterday. Grillo fi red a four-un- rank up there as one of my most LEADING SCORES (PAR 72) der-par 68 to get to 11-under to- signifi cant achievements, es- 133 - Emiliano Grillo (ARG) 65-68. tal after two rounds at Gurgaon’s pecially when it is played at this 137 - Shubhankar Sharma (IND) DLF Golf and Country Club and course,” Sharma, who will make 73-64. looked set to take a commanding his major debut at next month’s 138 - Pablo Larrazabal (ESP) 67-71, lead into round three. US Masters, said. Andrew Johnston (ENG) 72-66. “It was pretty similar to yes- “If you told me I would be 139 - Matt Wallace (ENG) 69-70, terday, although I made a few seven under par going into the Keith Horne (RSA) 66-73, Jens more birdie putts in round one. weekend after being fi ve over par Dantorp (SWE) 69-70, Panuphol Today, I have also hit plenty of on my opening nine holes yester- Pittayarat (THA) 69-70. fairways and greens. I thought day, I would just have laughed. To 140 - Sebastien Gros (FRA) 69-71, that I played the round very well. be able to bounce back is really Joost Luiten (NED) 71-69, Marc War- Hopefully, I can fi nd my putter important, I knew I was playing ren (SCO) 68-72, Jeunghun Wang a bit more tomorrow, like how it well and I had to push myself a (KOR) 69-71, Casey O’toole (USA) was on day one and with that, I little,” the rising star added. 74-66, Khalin Joshi (IND) 72-68, Paul can keep climbing up the leader- Spaniard Pablo Larrazabal Peterson (USA) 67-73, Sihwan Kim board,” said Grillo. and England’s Andrew Johnston (USA) 70-70.

Tiger Woods tees off on the 14th hole during the first round of the Valspar Championship in Palm Harbor, Florida. (AFP) Shubhankar Sharma of India plays AFP of the day. I’m still working on it. I’m getting par putt lipped out to see him record his his second shot from the 6th fair- Miami a little better, piece by piece.” third bogey of the day. way during the Indian Open in Woods got off to a dream start on the 560- Woods was in trouble again on the par- New Delhi yesterday. yard par-fi ve fi rst hole, reaching the green three 13th when he landed in the rough off iger Woods dug deep to card his fi rst in three to set up a tap-in for an easy birdie. the tee and then failed to get up and down to sub-par tournament start since After missing two long birdie putts on the slip back to even. After pars on the 14th and 2015 on Thursday, fi ghting through third and fourth holes for back-to-back 15th, Woods needed an incredible recovery blustery conditions to shoot a one- pars, Woods dropped a shot on the par- on the 16th — blasting out from a cluster of Tunder-par 70 in the opening round of the three fourth after over-hitting off the tee. trees to near the front of the green — to set Valspar Championship. The latest leg of the He then made his third par of the day on up another save. A magnifi cent fi ve iron tee 14-time major winner’s comeback was a the 605-yard par-fi ve fi fth, before having shot on the 17th to within a few feet gave him roller coaster aff air on the challenging par- another birdie chance on the sixth where his his fi fth birdie of the day before he closed the 71 Copperhead Course at the Innisbrook Re- 23-foot putt came up just short. An easier round with a par. sort northwest of Tampa, Florida. chance was missed on the seventh, when LEADING FIRST-ROUND SCORES The 42-year-old former world number he fl uff ed a six-foot putt. Woods made no (USA unless noted, par 71): one shot fi ve birdies, four bogeys and nine mistake, though, on the par-three eighth, 67 - Corey Conners (CAN) pars to fi nish the day with a cluster of 20 when a six-iron off the tee left him a 13-foot 68 - Whee Kim (KOR), Kelly Kraft, Nick Watney players who were three back from fi rst- birdie putt which he duly rolled in to move 69 - Keegan Bradley, Russell Knox (SCO), Jimmy round leader Corey Conners, who posted a to one under. But just when it looked as if Walker four-under-par 67. Woods was building some momentum, he 70 - Rory Sabbatini (RSA), Luke List, Stewart Woods said afterwards he was satisfi ed was pegged back with his second bogey of Cink, Luke Donald (ENG), Justin Rose (ENG), with how his game had held up in conditions the day on the short par-four ninth. Chris Kirk, Sergio Garcia (ESP), Adam Scott he described as “brutal.” “Today was a very Woods’ solid short game began to reap (AUS), Steve Stricker, Blayne Barber, Bob Estes, good test of all the things that I’m trying to dividends, though, after the turn when he Paul Casey (ENG), Charl Schwartzel (RSA), implement,” Woods said. “The winds out moved to two under with a pair of birdies. Brandt Snedeker, Jim Furyk, Tiger Woods, An- there were howling and swirling but I felt Yet Woods’ inconsistent putting haunted drew Putnam, Lucas Glover, Dominic Bozzelli, like I really controlled the ball well for most him once more on the 12th, when a fi ve-foot a-Dylan Meyer Gulf Times Saturday, March 10, 2018 5 SPORT

NBA SPOTLIGHT N Korea in focus as biggest ever Winter Celtics in play-off s, Paralympics opens Warriors lose Curry but still beat Spurs Curry turned his right ankle after a drive to the basket early in the first quarter

Wheelchair curler Seo Soon-Seok and curler Kim Eun-jung of South Korea are seen after lighting the Paralympic Cauldron during the Opening Ceremony of the Pyeongchang 2018 Winter Paralympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea, yesterday.

AFP sparking fury from Trump who Pyeongchang threatened to “completely de- stroy” the North. At Friday’s ceremony, South orth Korea’s athletes Korean President Moon Jae-in took centre stage as offi cially declared the Paralym- the biggest Winter pics open in sub-zero tempera- Paralympics in history tures before fi reworks lit up the Nopened in South Korea yesterday night sky. with a glittering ceremony after a There were also light shows, as rapid round of diplomacy hit diz- well as traditional South Korean zying heights. performances and modern dance. After spectacular light shows Several of those performing had and fi reworks, cross-country disabilities — a drummer with a skiers Kim Jong Hyon and Ma Yu prosthetic arm and legs beat a gi- Chol entered as North Korea’s ant traditional drum, and a choir fi rst Winter Paralympians. The of wheelchair-bound performers ceremony took place as the world sang the South Korean anthem. digests the news US President In an opening address, Inter- Donald Trump has agreed to meet national Paralympic Committee Kim Jong-un. (IPC) president Andrew Parsons Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown (7) dunks in the third quarter against Minnesota Timberwolves guard Andrew Wiggins (22) on Thursday. PICTURE: Brad Rempel-USA The wheelchair-bound skiers urged the Paralympians to “keep TODAY Sports appeared at the same temporary fi ghting, play fair, have fun and stadium in Pyeongchang, about keep pushing your limits. AFP ‘We’ve just got to take advantage of For Boston it marks the earliest in a and Green’s jump shot put the Warriors 30 miles (50 kilometres) from “Your extraordinary stories are Los Angeles the moments, continue to get better season that they’ve clinched a playoff ahead on the next possession. the heavily fortifi ed inter-Korean what dreams are made of and will every game and utilize these games berth since 2011. A brace of free throws from Klay border, where Kim Jong-un’s sis- be told for years to come.” to really play our best’ Irving said they wouldn’t let up as they Thompson stretched the Warriors lead to ter attended the opening of last The ceremony culminated he Boston Celtics shook off a “prepare for something bigger than our- 109-105 lead with 15.9 seconds left and month’s Winter Olympics. in the Paralympic fl ame being scary fall for swingman Jaylen passing on the stretcher that had been selves”. after Durant made a last free throw Bryn It proved to be the trigger for brought into the stadium, and a Brown to punch their ticket to the rolled out — fans stood and cheered. “We’ve just got to take advantage of Forbes’ three-point attempt bounced off a series of conciliatory steps be- “moon-shaped”, white cauldron NBA playoff s with a 117-109 vic- “I was right there,” Horford said of the moments, continue to get better eve- the rim as time expired. tween the two Koreas, who remain being lit. Ttory over the Minnesota Timberwolves Brown’s fall. “It was tough to see. I was ry game and utilize these games to really “I got to my spots out there, knocked technically at war, culminating in There are 567 athletes at the on Thursday. just happy he was able to get up and walk play our best,” he said. down some jump shots,” Durant said. Thursday’s announcement at the Games competing in 80 medal Kyrie Irving, back from a one-game off because that was one of the worst falls In Oakland, Kevin Durant scored 37 “Draymond set some great screens. My White House. events across six sports: alpine absence with a sore knee, scored 23 points I’ve seen.” points and Draymond Green notched a teammates did it all for me tonight.” North Korea’s fi rst Winter skiing, biathlon, cross-country with eight assists and seven rebounds Teammate Marcus Smart said he was triple-double of 11 points, 12 rebounds The Miami Heat, battling for playoff Paralympians did not appear skiing, ice hockey, snowboard and and Al Horford added 20 points, eight re- “terrifi ed” when he saw Brown fall. and 10 assists as the Golden State Warri- position in the East, earned a valuable alongside South Korea’s team, as wheelchair curling. bounds and six assists as the Celtics won But Celtics coach Brad Stevens said ors shook off the early exit of Curry with 108-99 victory over Philadelphia, mov- happened at the Winter Olympics Some of the adapted sports for the sixth time in seven games. after the game that Brown “felt pretty an ankle injury to beat the San Antonio ing within one game of the 76ers for sixth opening ceremony, after a row have become hits with specta- They remained two games behind good” as he left the arena for a CT scan Spurs 110-107. place in the East. over the blue-and-white Korean tors, such as fast and furious para Eastern Conference leaders Toronto in hospital. Brown was able to travel with Curry turned his right ankle after a Hassan Whiteside led the Heat with unifi cation fl ag. ice hockey where competitors — who booked their playoff berth on the team back to Boston. drive to the basket early in the fi rst quar- 26 points and eight rebounds. Dwyane North Korea pulled out of the slide around on double-bladed Wednesday. Leading 86-74 after three quarters, the ter and didn’t return. Wade, who delivered the game-winner in joint march after South Korea de- sledges. The Celtics led by as many as 18 points Celtics managed to repel the Timber- The Warriors said only that Curry the Heat’s 102-101 victory over the Sixers cided to remove islands claimed Among the athletes are 30 early in the third quarter. But they got wolves’ rally bid. “tweaked” the ankle, the same one he on February 27, added 16. by Japan from the fl ag, which de- neutral competitors from Russia, a jolt with 1:31 left in the period when Minnesota pulled within fi ve points sprained on December 4, leading to a to- “Our guys knew what this game picts the Korean peninsula. which remains suspended by the Brown drove for a dunk and upon letting at 88-83 with 9:12 left in the fourth, but tal of 13 missed games. meant,” Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. The teams from the North and IPC over a mass doping scandal. go of the rim fell hard on his shoulders, would get no closer. With Curry sidelined, the Spurs led South entered separately under As well as North Korea, Geor- neck and head. Nemanja Bjelica led the Timberwolves 50-46 at halftime and 87-78 at the end of Results their own fl ags during the ath- gia and Tajikistan are taking part He lay on the court for several minutes with a career-high 30 points, including the third quarter. Golden State 110 San Antonio 107 lete’s parade in the opening cer- for the fi rst time in the nine-day as medical staff attended to him and the six of nine from the three-point range. Durant, who also blocked four shots, Miami 108 Philadelphia 99 emony Friday, which saw com- Games. Timberwolves’ Target Center arena went He added 12 rebounds, but it wasn’t scored 12 points in the fi nal 4:24. He Minnesota 109 Boston 117 petitors from 49 countries march Paralympians are an eclectic quiet. enough for a Timberwolves team without drained a third straight jump shot to knot Oklahoma City 115 Phoenix 87 into the Pyeongchang Olympic bunch, ranging from a 61-year- When he fi nally rose from the fl oor — injured All-Star Jimmy Butler. the score at 105-105 with 2:02 remaining Charlotte 111 Brooklyn 125 Stadium. old Japanese ice hockey goal- But the disagreement is con- tender to a Mexican who found sidered a minor sticking point unlikely success as a mono-skier. BOTTOMLINE after what has been a swift thaw American snowboarder Brenna between the neighbours, starting Huckaby, who lost her right leg with North Korea’s decision in below the knee, made headlines January to participate in the Ol- when she featured in Sports Illus- ympics. It is quite a turnaround trated’s swimsuit issue. from last year, when Pyongyang The fi rst events will take place tested missiles that could reach Saturday, with athletes competing Green says Pelicans’ Davis could the US mainland and detonated in downhill skiing and biathlon. beat Harden for MVP award what it said was an H-bomb, The Games run until March 18. South Korea’s 2012 bronze Reuters ington Wizards on Friday. Houston For the season, Harden leads the league medallist Chung dies at 35 in PER (player effi ciency rating) at 30.21. Davis is next 28.90, just ahead of LeBron South Korean badminton pains at times. he Houston Rockets’ 17-game James’ 28.19 and Steph Curry’s 27.92. player Chung Jae-sung, who Chung partnered Lee Yong- win streak would seem to make Harden is averaging 30.9 points, 8.9 as- won bronze in the men’s dou- dae to third place at London James Harden even more of a fa- sists and 5.2 rebounds, all above his career bles at the London Olympics, in 2012 with their victory over vourite to win the NBA’s Most averages, for the league-leading Rockets. has died at the age of 35, the Malaysian pair Koo Kien Keat TValuable Player award this season, but Davis, meanwhile, is averaging 28.1 Korea Badminton Association and Tan Boon Heong. His one of his rivals isn’t convinced. points, 11.1 rebounds and 2.3 blocks per said yesterday. death was keenly felt across Golden State Warriors forward Dray- game. Chung was found dead by the global badminton com- mond Green said Thursday that he thinks “If (New Orleans) keeps winning at the his wife at their home early munity. New Orleans Pelicans big man Anthony rate they’re winning and he keeps playing yesterday, a badminton off icial “I’m so sorry to hear this news. Davis has been even more remarkable at the rate he’s playing, who knows what said by telephone, adding that He was super fit as a player,” lately and could make a late-season push happens,” Green said of Davis. the cause of death was not yet Malaysia’s The Star quoted Tan for the award. “What I will say is, James has been sec- known and that an autopsy as saying. “Houston is having a good (season), but doing that without DeMarcus (Cousins). math of losing Cousins to season-ending ond two times. And both of those years, would be performed today. Former world number one Lee I’m most impressed with New Orleans,” I think there was kind of a consensus Achilles surgery. However, now they have he’s lost to like historic seasons. The sea- Yonhap News quoted local Chong Wei said: “This is sad Green said after the Warriors’ Thursday around the world that once DeMarcus won 10 straight, with Davis carrying the son of Steph’s year, Steph was just off the police as saying Chung had news. I off er my condolences shootaround, according to ESPN. went out, that they’d struggle, and yet, load much of the time. chart. And then Russ (Russell Westbrook) been diagnosed with arrhyth- to his wife and two children “With some of the games they won, AD is putting them boys on his back.... Davis, who sprained his ankle in a win had like 57 triple-doubles last year. The mia three years ago and that and I pray that the family will with some of the numbers that AD has That’s impressive.” over the Kings on Wednesday, is report- two years that he’s come in second, he’s he had complained of chest stay strong”. put up, has been incredible and they’re The Pelicans went 1-5 in the after- edly doubtful to play against the Wash- lost two in like these historical years.” Gulf Times 6 Saturday, March 10, 2018 SPORT

TENNIS NHL Jones’ overtime goal lift s Blue Jackets Serena off to winning past Avalanche

Reuters Barrie and Carl Soderberg just New York 12 seconds apart. Barrie scored fi rst on a wrist shot at 6:55 of the fi rst period, eth Jones scored 59 sec- and then after the Avalanche start in WTA return onds into overtime to won the ensuing face-off , So- fi nish with one goal and derberg did the same at 7:07. ‘At some point I need to jump and fly. It takes time to get back’ two assists, and Tho- The Blue Jackets answered masS Vanek added two goals as quickly when Boone Jenner AFP the Columbus Blue Jackets ral- scored only 42 seconds later to Indian Wells, United States lied for a 5-4 victory over the end the quick three-goal bar- Colorado Avalanche on Thurs- rage that left Colorado with a day night in Columbus. 2-1 lead. erena Williams shook off Artemi Panarin and Pierre- The Avalanche carried that the rust from a 15-month Luc Dubois got the assists for lead into the second period de- layoff due to pregnancy Jones, a defenseman who now spite fi nishing the fi rst period to win her opening match has 11 goals this season. with just fi ve shots. atS the WTA Indian Wells event The Blue Jackets have won However, Jenner helped Co- with a 7-5, 6-3 victory over three straight, and the newly- lumbus tie it, getting an assist Zarina Diyas. acquired Vanek gave them the on a Vanek goal 79 seconds The unseeded Williams was off ense they wanted when ac- into the second period. the top-ranked player in the quiring him from Vancouver The Blue Jackets took the world when she began her long on February 26. lead on a Zach Werenski layoff following her victory at the He scored twice during a power-play goal before Vanek 2017 Australian Open, where she four-goal run that turned a added another later in the sec- was already expecting daughter 2-0 defi cit into a 4-2 lead. ond period for a 4-2 lead after Alexis Olympia who was born in That marked the fi rst points two. September. After a couple of ex- Vanek scored since joining the Gabriel Landeskog’s power- hibitions and a Fed Cup doubles team. play goal cut the lead to 4-3 match, Williams said Thursday Colorado was coming off of with 6:34 left in the game be- she is ready to hit with the big two straight overtime losses fore Soderberg tied it with 3:18 guns on the Tour again. “I am not heading into the game. remaining on his second goal. going to be there today or next Nathan MacKinnon week but I will get there and I do stretched his point streak to RESULTS have my goals,” Williams said. seven games with a third- Boston 3 Philadelphia 2 “At some point I need to jump period assist. He’s now got 14 Winnipeg 3 New Jersey 2 and fl y. It takes time to get back.” points during this run for the Columbus 5 Colorado 4 (OT) Williams entered the court Avalanche. Buff alo 4 Ottawa 3 (SO) Thursday night to a loud ova- Sven Andrighetto of Colora- Las Vegas 4 Detroit 0 tion, with many in the half full do returned to the lineup after Tampa Bay 5 NY Rangers 3 stadium standing and applaud- missing 28 straight games with Florida 5 Montreal 0 ing as she came out of the tunnel a lower body injury. Nashville 4 Anaheim 2 for just her third appearance in He had been out since De- Carolina 3 Chicago 2 Indian Wells in the last 17 years. cember 31. Edmonton 2 NY Islanders 1 After that it was a matter of The Avalanche jumped in (SO) gradually asserting herself by front 2-0 in the fi rst period Los Angeles 3 Washington 1 taking control of the rallies, and thanks to goals from Tyson San Jose 2 St. Louis 0 she got the fi rst break of serve in the 11th game of the fi rst set and secured the set in the next RUGBY game on her third set point. Her daughter was born on September 1 but Williams says throughout the postnatal period she tried to Italy make only one maintain a level of fi tness. Sitting in Williams’ box were her husband and Reddit co- Serena Williams leaves the court after defeating Zarina Diyas of Kazakhstan during the BNP Paribas Open at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden in change for Six Nations founder Alexis Ohanian, mother Indian Wells, California. (Getty Images/AFP) Oracene, sisters Lyndrea and Isha, her agent, and her coach “From zero to Serena I am ed eighth, enjoyed a fi rst round seeds, led by world number one 4-6 7-5 in the men’s section. test in Wales Patrick Mouratoglou. Older sis- with the S,” she said. “I have got bye and will play Romania’s Sor- Halep. Like Williams, Azarenka Delbonis used his powerful fore- ter Venus watched from a seat in a ways to go. It is a journey for me ana Cirstea in her opening match. ended a long layoff from a preg- hand to good eff ect, eventually Reuters side,” said Bisegni. an upper-level box. and I am just going to go for it. Serena boycotted Indian Wells nancy by competing in the fi nal dispatching the American in a Cardiff Wales on Wednesday an- The 36-year-old American “I wanted to stay fi t and just for 14 years after she was booed match of the Indian Wells night match that featured numerous nounced 10 changes to their is the star attraction in Indian be ready. I wasn’t ready to retire in the 2001 fi nal. She returned in session Thursday. long rallies. line-up, sparking debate over Wells, but behind her popularity yet even though it would have 2015 but had to pull out before her Azarenka, who needed a wild Russian Daniil Medvedev uilo Bisegni will play whether this was disrespect- this year was the mystery sur- been a great way to retire.” semi-fi nal against Simona Halep card to get into the draw, cruised maintained his perfect ca- for Italy for the fi rst ing the ability of the Italians, rounding her match fi tness and with a knee problem. past Britain’s Heather Watson reer record against Ste- time in more than who have lost in their three Six ball-striking ability. Venus clash ahead? In 2016, she lost in the fi nal to 6-4, 6-2. ve Johnson when he beat a year after being Nations matches this year, at The 23-time Grand Slam win- Williams set up a second Victoria Azarenka, 6-4, 6-4. Meanwhile Argentine Federico the American 7-6(0) 6-4. Gnamed as the only change for home to England and away to ner answered some of those round match with 29th seeded Indian Wells features a star- Delbonis saved two match points Canadian teenager Denis Shapo- their Six Nations clash against Ireland and France. questions Thursday by blasting Kiki Bertens. A win over Bertens studded women’s fi eld in a tour- and earned a second-round valov, meanwhile, was too good a dramatically diff erent Welsh four aces and winning 63 per- could see her face Venus in the nament that looks wide open for clash with Roger Federer when for qualifi er Ricardas Berankis of team in Cardiff tomorrow. Team: cent of her fi rst-serve points. third round. Venus, who is seed- the taking by any of the top 10 he outlasted Ryan Harrison 6-2 Lithuania, winning 6-3 6-4. Coach Conor O’Shea on 15-Matteo Minozzi, 14-Tom- Friday named the 25-year-old maso Benvenuti, 13-Giulio centre in the midfi eld for his Bisegni, 12-Tommaso Castello, fi rst test since playing against 11-Mattia Bellini, 10-Tom- King wants three-setters for men at Grand Slams England at Twickenham in maso Allan, 9-Marcello Violi, February last year. 8-Sergio Parisse (captain), Best-of-five set matches take best-of-three matches in most founded the Women’s Tennis Djokovic and Rafa Nadal, which don’t want to. We’re very will- Bisegni will earn his eighth 7-Maxime Mbanda, 6-Se- too much out of the leading competitions, including the Association in 1973, told report- lasted five hours and 53 min- ing. All the women are willing cap as he replaces Zebre club bastian Negri, 5-Dean Budd, men’s tennis players, and shave grand slams. The long matches ers at the launch of the WTA utes, to reiterate her point that to play three or five sets,” King mate Tomasso Boni in the only 4-Alessandro Zanni, 3-Simone years off their careers, multiple and congested schedules are Finals in Singapore. the current format could be too added. “It doesn’t matter if (the change to the line-up that lost Ferrari, 2-Leonardo Ghiraldini, grand slam champion and often blamed for injuries to “Like one time the players demanding for players. artists) play for one hour or six 34-17 to France in Marseille a 1-Andrea Lovotti women’s pioneer Billie Jean top players, including Rafa played in the Australian Open She said women were willing to hours. They get paid the same fortnight ago. King has said. Nadal, Roger Federer, Novak final. It took six hours. They play five-set matches but used amount.” “Playing against an oppo- Replacements: 16-Oliviero Men currently play best-of-five Djokovic and Andy Murray in could hardly walk off the court. the entertainment industry to The season-ending WTA Finals nent of Wales’ quality is always Fabiani, 17-Nicola Quaglio, sets at the four major events recent years. “Personally, I don’t I guarantee you that it took a make the point that athletes will is set to take place in Singapore stimulating. 18-Tiziano Pasquali, 19-Fe- while the three-set format is want the men playing five sets year off their careers.” get paid the same regardless of for the last time this year before “The changes they have derico Ruzza, 20-Giovanni used in other ATP World Tour anymore. I think it takes too King used the 2012 Austral- the duration of the matches. moving to Shenzhen, China made to their team does noth- Licata, 21-Guglielmo Palazzani, tournaments. Women play much out of them,” King, who ian Open final between Novak “Everyone keeps saying we from 2019 through 2028. ing but highlight the depth 22-Carlo Canna, 23-Jayden they have. They are a fearsome Hayward.

SPOTLIGHT Farrell taking lessons from delayed degree AFP points in 56 internationals. He’s has gone for a more stable selec- Painful past lessons make Best wary of Scots Paris helped England to back-to-back tion approach, switching only Six Nations victories and was his fl y-half, as Francois Trinh- If Ireland are to beat Scotland today and edge to within a win of only part of the last two British and Duc replaces Lionel Beauxis. their third Five/Six Nations Grand Slam they must not repeat the wen Farrell is study- Irish Lions tours. So captaining And Trinh-Duc is in no doubt mistakes they made in last year’s match says captain Rory Best. ing for a degree in his country isn’t going to faze about the task facing his side The 35-year-old hooker said they allowed themselves fatally to relax business management Farrell. He hasn’t even thought against the champions. “Re- once they had battled back from 21-5 down to lead 22-21 with the Oand leadership and he about the feeling he’ll get lead- cently they’ve been a team that game entering the final stages only for Greig Laidlaw to convert two will need some of those qualities ing out his country. walks on water,” Trinh-Duc said. penalties to seal the game for the Scots. when he captains England for “Not yet. I’m looking forward “They play pretty well, they The Irish - unbeaten at home in the Six Nations since head coach the fi rst time against France. to playing in the game,” he said. lose very few matches, it’s clean, Joe Schmidt took over after the 2013 edition - will start as favourites With Dylan Hartley ruled out “I’m looking forward to get- they’re well oiled. “They make despite Scotland arriving in Dublin on the back of a scintillating vic- due to a calf injury, Farrell will ting out there and the team per- few mistakes and that’s what wins tory over champions England. “We got ourselves back into it and we lead out Eddie Jones’s side at the forming well, that’s what I’m you matches at the top level.” breathed a sigh of relief,” said Best - who will win his 110th cap this Stade de France on Saturday as most excited about.” England have won 24 out of weekend - at his eve of match press conference yesterday. England look to keep their Six Jones has rung the changes 26 matches under Jones while “But that was a mistake because if you do that in tests you can easily Nations hopes alive. But the Sa- following England’s 25-13 defeat France have tasted success only lose control. “You can’t aff ord to do that and we paid heavily for it.” racens back, who will line up at England’s Owen Farrell (left) and England head coach Eddie Jones to Scotland two weeks ago, and eight times in the same period Best, who says he hopes his contract talks will be resolved soon and inside centre, insists the extra during the press conference. (Reuters) not just due to injuries. Fit-again since the end of the 2015 World will see him stay on course for next year’s World Cup, says the Irish pressure of the captaincy isn’t Elliot Daly has come in on the Cup. No-one is even kidding have to be prepared for moments that don’t go their way. going to aff ect him. smoothly than his online degree words he’s written so far, Farrell left wing with Anthony Watson themselves that France might “Something always goes wrong, and that’s the beauty of sport,” said “First of all, you’ve got to through Northumbria Univer- replied: “None yet.” That’s hard- moving to full-back and Mike win the Six Nations. Best. You’ve got to make sure you’re bigger and stronger than that.” perform well. Getting your role sity, which he admits has been ly surprising given his subject Brown dropping to the replace- While England have gone from Best discounted Scotland’s poor away record in the tournament right is a huge part of it,” he said. dragged out longer than the matter is “still to be confi rmed”. ments bench. Ben Te’o was also strength to strength, France are which, without counting traditional whipping boys Italy, has seen “There will be times where three years it’s supposed to take. Academia is perhaps not his preferred to Jonathan Joseph in crisis, but Trinh-Duc pointed them win just two of their last 37 on the road. One of those, though, that doesn’t happen but it’s “It’s been put back a few strongest area - he got a D grade at outside centre while Jamie to England’s own resurgence came in Dublin in 2010 when Scotland denied Ireland the Triple about being unconditional -- no times,” said the 26-year-old. “I in French at school - fortunately George replacing Hartley is the after a group stage elimination Crown. “I think when you look at that first game in Cardiff (Scotland matter how the game is going, haven’t taken three years.” for England, though, his focus only change in the pack. from the 2015 World Cup as hope were thrashed 34-7 by Wales in their tournament opener this season), it’s trying to do the right thing.” Before the summer is up he on the pitch is far more meticu- for the French.“We were close to the squad they’ve named now, there have been a lot of changes, a lot Farrell will certainly be hop- needs to hand in a 12,000 word lous. His country’s fi rst choice ‘Walking on water’ Ireland and we have to stay close of very important people have come back in,” said Best. ing his leading role runs more dissertation. Asked how many kicker, Farrell has scored 647 France coach Jacques Brunel to England.” Gulf Times Saturday, March 10, 2018 7 SPORT

ITTF QATAR OPEN Top seed Meng sends World champ Ning out of Qatar Open 14th seed Brazil’s Calderano beats Germany’s No. 2 seed Boll to reach men’s quarters

By Sports Reporter Doha

eigning Olympic and World champion Ding Ning was knocked out of the 2018 ITTF World Tour Platinum Qatar OpenR by her Chinese compatriot and top seed Chen Meng. In a day of up- sets, Brazil’s Hugo Calderano, the No 14 seed, shocked No 2. seed Germany’s Timo Boll in the men’s singles at the Ali Bin Hamad Al Attiyah arena yesterday. But it was the defeat of Ding Ning which was more surprising as that opened the fi eld in the women’s singles. Chen Meng was in devastating form as she beat Ding Ning in fi ve games 11-8, 9-11, 11-5, 17-15, 11-6. “The fi rst three games were tight, very tight; there were many rallies in the match. They key was the fourth A women’s doubles match in progress at the Ali Bin Hamad Al Attiyah arena. game; throughout the game Ding Ning was leading and I kept coming back, to in good shape, she plays very strongly. not on the score but of course I knew win that game was a major boost. After At 10-6 in the seventh game, she was they were important points,” said Cal- that I played with more confi dence,” very aggressive, I just needed one point derano. said Chen Meng. but she played very consistently and Meanwhile, Hong Kong’s Wong Later in the quarter-fi nals, Chen very positively,” said Liu Shiwen. There Chun Ting was impressive as the No 7 Meng beat Wang Yidi 11-10, 11- 8, 18- was hard fought success for Hitomi seed beat Ukrainian qualifi er Kou Lei 16, 11-6 to seal her place in the semis. Sato too, the Japanese beat Cheng I- 6-11, 11-5, 11-9, 11-8, 11-4. Japan’s To- China’s Wang Manyu also sealed her Ching in fi ve games (11-8, 14-12, 6-11, mokazu Harimoto came back to beat place in the semis with a 5-11, 11-4, 11- 11-6, 13-11). India’s Sathiyan Gnanasekaran in a 5, 11- 5,11- 2 win over Sun Yingsha. The Meanwhile, in the men’s singles thriller 7-11, 8-11, 11-8, 11-7, 8-11, 11-1, other two semi-fi nalists will be decided Top women’s seed Chen Meng of China in action during the quarter-finals of the 2018 ITTF World Tour Platinum Qatar Open Calderano was delighted after beating 11-4. today with Kasumi Ishikawa taking on in Doha yesterday. PICTURES: Noushad Thekkayil Germany’s Boll 11-9, 11-9, 11-8, 7-11, “It was a question of playing from Miu Hirano and Hitomi Sato facing Liu 12-10 to reach the men’s quarter-fi nals. the heart; I changed my service at the Shiwen. wei, the No 3 seed, 5-11, 11-6, 14-12, 11- gasaki 11-6, 11-4, 3-11, 11-4, 6-11, 11-8. of the round. Liu Shiwen emerged suc- “It was really important to make a start of the sixth game, more backspin. Earlier, Wang Yidi had beaten Hong 7, 11-13, 11-4. Both Wang Yidi and Sun While Miu Hirano edged out Hina Hay- cessful by the very narrowest of mar- good start; the fact I went three-nil Certainly it was a very tough match, he Kong’s Lee Ho Ching, the No 12 seed Yingsha had to come through qualifi ca- ata 12-10, 13-11, 12-10, 13-11. gins 12-10, 9-11, 6-11, 11-8, 11-7, 7-11, ahead was vital. I was aggressive from was very good blocking the ball.” To- 11-8, 15-13, 11-9, 11-9 to reach quarters. tion stage to play in the main round. Also, as in the lower half of the draw 11-9. the start but I knew he would adapt and mokazu Harimoto Wang Manyu overcame Japan’s Miyu In the all-Japanese match Kasumi there was an all Chinese clash, Liu Shi- “I’m very happy, I feel I played well; increase his level of play. He became At the quarter-fi nal stage today, Ha- Kato 11-5, 11-9, 11-8, 12-10, while Sun Ishikawa, the No 4 seed, had to slug it wen faced Chen Xingtong, the No 11 Chen Xingtong plays very fast, she has more positive. At the end of the fi fth rimoto faces Calderano, Wong Chun Yingsha upset Singapore’s Feng Tian- out before beating qualifi er Miyu Na- seed, in what proved the closest match a good balanced game; physically she is game I tried to focus on each point and Ting takes on China’s Lin Gaoyuan.

GOLF PSL Asia-Pacifi c win Patsy Hankins Shaheen Afridi’s 5 for 4 Trophy with a day to spare ends Lahore’s losing streak

By Sports Reporter Doha so far, winning all four of their match- one stage. English pair, Matthew Jordan & Agencies Doha es together. Todd Clements also halved their match in the Dubai On the European team, Puk Lyng Thom- morning. Kristoff er Reitan & Rasmus Ho- sen and Annabell Fuller were the only pair jgaard, playing in the last match of the ses- sia-Pacifi c won the Patsy Hank- not to lose on day two. They halved their sion, scored another point for Europe, win- he 17-year old left-arm ins Trophy with a day to spare fourball match in the morning and their ning 2&1 to level the match at 7.5 points each. pacer Shaheen Afridi when they went unbeaten in all 10 foursomes match in the afternoon. In the afternoon foursomes session, returned with extraordi- matches in the fourballs and four- Meanwhile, Europe will take a two-point French duo, Frederic Lacroix & Catherine nary fi gures of 3.4-1-4-5 somesA at the Doha Golf Club yesterday. lead into the fi nal day of the Bonallack Tro- Edgar, who lost 4&3 in the morning four- Tas Lahore Qalandars fi nally broke Of the 10 matches – fi ve fourballs and fi ve phy. Of the ten matches on day two, Europe balls, won their match by the same score. their losing streak after defeating foursomes – they won eight, and halved the won fi ve and halved three to better Asia-Pa- Robin Dawson & Marc Hammer won by two Multan Sultans by six wickets in other two to guarantee them the title. They cifi c by three points. Finnish pair, Sami Vali- holes, while Matthew Jordan & Todd Cle- the Pakistan Super League in Du- now have 16.5 points against Europe’s mere maki & Matias Honkala, who halved their ments won 3&1. bai yesterday. Afridi’s devastat- 3.5 leaving them in an unassailable posi- fourball match on Thursday morning, went Oliver Gillberg & Angel Hidalgo, who ing spell restricted Sultans to 114. tion even with 12 singles matches still to be one better in the Friday fourball session, de- played in the fi rst match of the session, Qalandars’ skipper Brandon played today. Thailand’s Atthaya Thitikul, feating Australians Min Woo Lee and Shae scored half a point, while Sami Valimaki & McCullum steered the chase. who won the inaugural Women’s Amateur Wools-Cobb by one hole. Matias Honkala lost by one hole, leaving the McCullum remained not out on Asia-Pacifi c Golf Championship earlier this Robin Dawson & Marc Hammer halved match score at 11-9 to Europe heading into 35 after being involved in a 53- year, and Yuka Saso have a perfect record in their match, although were leading 6up at the last day. run fourth wicket stand with Gulraiz Sadaf (27). Among others, Anton Devcich and Fakhar Zaman scored 22 and 16, respectively while Sohail Akhtar made an unbeaten 11. Afridi came into the attack and top-scored with an unbeaten 73, Earlier batting fi rst, Multan the Sultans’ collapse began as the while Asif Ali made 45. Wahab Sultans made an excellent start remaining seven wickets fell for Riaa took three wicket. as their openers Ahmed Shehzad just 22 runs. Narine also bagged In reply, Zalmi could only and Kumar Sangakkara blasted two wickets for 16 runs. manage 156 for 9. Wahab con- 61 from just eight overs. Then, In the second match, Islama- tributed with bat too, making 33 Sanga was dismissed by Sunil bad United scored an 26-run win not out as he strung together a Narine for 45, made off 30 balls over Peshawar Zalmi. Islama- 55-run ninth-wicket stand with with eight fours and a six. bad made 182 for 5 as J P Duminy Umaid Asif (25).

Pacquiao announces Matthysse fi ght

Manila: Manny Pacquiao Arum — who reportedly warned off er to face Australia’s Horn, announced a world title fight that the Kuala Lumpur card was a former schoolteacher, who against Argentina’s Lucas Mat- not a done deal. snatched his WBO welterweight thysse in Malaysia, but doubts “Matthysse is one of the guys title in a stunning upset. quickly emerged over the that Manny is thinking about Pacquiao has already rejected self-promoted bout yesterday. fighting. There are others,” an Arum off er to fight in Las Pacquiao, 39, called himself Arum said. “The Malaysia part Vegas on an undercard beneath the “underdog” for the June is up in the air. I don’t know Horn, who will be facing Terence 24 fight against Matthysse, these Malaysian people. If they Crawford on April 14. Press the World Boxing Association put up the money, it’ll happen, reports said the Pacquiao camp welterweight champion from happily. But do I know whether considered the off er an “insult”. Argentina. “This is going to be a the money will be put up? No, I If the fight goes ahead, it tough fight. Matthysse is also a don’t,” Arum added. could be tough against the knockout artist. But I’m excited Representatives for Pacquiao, aggressive Matthysse, who has to fight and be a world cham- who has won world titles in a 39 wins — all but three of them pion again,” Pacquiao said. “I’m record eight weight divisions, via the short route — against the underdog in this fight but did not respond to Arum’s com- four losses. “I like his aggres- I’m used to it. It serves as a big ments when approached. But a sive fighting style. That’s what motivation for me to train and report quoted Eric Gomez, presi- I want, to entertain the boxing fight hard to win the crown,” dent of Golden Boy Promotions, fans,” said Pacquiao, who is an added the Filipino great. as saying talks were at a “very elected Philippine senator. Pacquiao said that unusually, preliminary” stage. Southpaw Pacquiao, winner he will be co-promoting the Last year, Arum correctly of 59 bouts against seven losses fight along with Golden Boy cast doubt over Pacquiao’s an- and two draws, has enjoyed a Promotions, which represents nouncement that he would fight glittering, 23-year pro career, the 35-year-old Matthysse. It British boxer Amir Khan in the but he has not knocked out a ri- Players in action during the Patsy Hankins Trophy (left) and signals an apparent break with United Arab Emirates. Ultimate- val since 2009. He retired briefly Bonallack Trophy tournament at the Doha Golf Club yesterday. long-time US promoter Bob ly, Pacquiao accepted Arum’s in 2016 but made a comeback. PICTURES: Jayaram Korambil

Saturday, March 10, 2018 GULF TIMES SPORT

FIVB WORLD TOUR KATARA CUP BEACH VOLLEYBALL SPOTLIGHT Qatar’s Abdulla, Qatar’s Younousse, blighted by punctures, Tijan lose in semis fi nishes second Dutch pair Brouwer and Meeuwsen face Russia’s Stoyanovskiy and Velichko in final

By Sports Reporter Doha

lexander Brouwer and Robert Meeuwsen of the Netherlands defeated Qatar’s Cherif You- nousse and Ahmed Tijan in the semi-fiA nals of the FIVB World Tour Ka- tara Cup Beach Volleyball yesterday. At Katara Amphitheatre, the fi fth-seed Dutch pair took just 32 minutes to beat the local hope 2-0 (22-20, 21-18) to reach their fi rst World Tour fi nal of the year. The Qatar players are chasing a fi rst World Tour medal on home sand and Qatar’s Adel Abdulla in action during the opening section of the they had the backing of the centre court Dubai International Baja at the Al-Qudra Desert. crowd. However, the 2013 world champi- ons Brouwer and Meeuwsen showed they atar’s Adel Abdulla be- we had a fl at tyre. We did not hit are nearing their best to give themselves gan his challenge for anything. After that, we fi xed the chance to add to the 4-star Hague T2 success at the Du- it and then the car cut out and bronze medals they won at the start of bai International Baja would not restart. We stopped for the year. withQ the second quickest time a long, long time to try to start it. Younousse and Tijan will now take on through the opening 173.69km Then, the car suddenly started Dalhausser and Lucena in the third-place selective section in the Al-Qudra and we went on for another 10km playoff , today at 2.30pm. “We’re happy Desert yesterday. and got another fl at tyre. with the progress in the tournament so After putting together a deal “We only had two spares with far. But still the tournament is not over at the 11th hour to run a rented us, including the one we had al- for us. We aim to reach the podium and Nissan Patrol Y62 at the second ready used. It looked as though make the beach volleyball fans here proud round of the FIA World Cup for the rims were no good. Then, of us,” Younousse said. Cross-Country Rallies, it was we got another fl at tyre after an- “We played against the experienced imperative that the Qatari and other 10 or 15kms. We fi xed it and players, the world champions and Ol- his navigator Nasser al-Kuwari found a T1 car that was stopped. ympic medallists. So we had nothing to made a clean start. They had an air cylinder and they lose. Their experience was indeed the big Qatar’s Cherif Younousse and Ahmed Tijan lost to Alexander Brouwer and Robert Meeuwsen of the Netherlands in the semi-finals They reached the bivouac at help us fi x it and we continued. diff erence but the way we rallied back, of the FIVB World Tour Katara Cup Beach Volleyball yesterday. PICTURES: Jayaram the Dubai Autodrome just 2min But we lost too much time. It was we have hopes that if we meet them next 20sec off the outright lead after a disappointing,” he added. time, there might be a diff erent result,” “It’s pleasing to know that even when demanding and frustrating start Abdulla is running with the he said. “We’ll go back to the coach and we don’t play at 100 percent we can still to the event over a very diffi cult support of the Qatar Motor and discuss about our mistakes. We’ll try to win matches,” Brouwer said. “That gives desert special. A series of nig- Motorcycle Federation (QMMF), rectify them so that we can improve. Also us confi dence, but we’re eager to play gling punctures cost them a lot of the Qatar Government and we were a bit tired after having to play better tomorrow.” time and an intermittent prob- Ooredoo Qatar. Today, teams will three tough matches in the heat yester- The Russian pair of Stoyanovskiy and lem with the engine also proved tackle a second selective sec- day. We’ll see how we can cope up with Igor Velichko have both won World Tour expensive. tion of 173.69km through the this next time.” medals with previous partners, but after “We fi nished the stage, but Al-Qudra Desert before the cer- Tijan also sounded satisfi ed with their a ninth-place fi nish at the 5-Star Fort were not happy with the car,” said emonial fi nish at the Dubai Au- show in the tournament, as he said: “It Lauderdale Major last week they have Abdulla. “In the fi rst 30 or 35kms, todrome. has been a good tournament for us. We continued their form with a 2-0 (21-19, expected to play tough and not to lose to 21-16) win over the USA’s Dalhausser and Adel Abdulla (right) and Nasser al-Kuwari them. But this is how beach volleyball is. Lucena. at the start of the Dubai International Baja. On Saturday, we have the bronze medal “It is unbelievable, my fi rst time in a game and by God’s grace, we’ll try our fi nal and it will be an even higher level best to grab it.” in the fi nal, so I’m very happy,” Stoy- Brouwer and Meeuwsen will now take anovskiy said. “That was a very tough on Oleg Stoyanovskiy and Igor Velichko match. Nick and Phil are among the very in the title clash today at 3.30pm, after best players in the world and they were in the Russians stunned top seeds Philip unbelievable shape last week.” Dalhausser and Nicholas Lucena of the The 4-star Katara Beach Volleyball US 21-19, 21-16. “The Qatari guys have Cup, which began on March 6th, will been playing well all tournament and conclude today at the Katara Cultural they are a really strong team,” Meeuwsen Village. It is the fourth time that Doha is said. “We prepared well and knew we had hosting an FIVB Beach Volleyball World to play well to beat them, and it is a big re- Tour tournament, following competi- lief to beat them in two,” he added tions in 2014, 2015 and 2016. Russia’s Oleg Stoyanovskiy and Igor Velichko celebrate after reaching the final.

HORSE RACING Khataaf caps impressive day for al-Malki, Pedroza

By Sports Reporter Doha

brahim Saeed Ibrahim al- Malki and Eduardo Pedroza capped an impressive day of results with four winners, Iincluding Khataaf, who comfort- ably topped the 2000m turf fea- ture Loyalty Cup on Thursday. The win was Khataaf’s fi fth out of eight starts this season. The 4-year-old fi nished a little over two lengths ahead of Zu- hair Mohsen Zuhair Maki trained Bluebeard, ridden by Marvin Su- erland, while Hadi Nasser Rashid al-Ramzani trained Qatar Dance completed the top three under Qatari jockey Faleh Bughanaim. Trainer al-Malki and jockey Trainer Ibrahim al-Malki leads in Khataaf, with Eduardo Pedroza Pedroza registered their sec- astride, after the victory in the Loyalty Cup at the QREC on Thursday. ond victory on the day in thrill- ing fashion. The victory, Could place fi nishes with a victory in had the pace fi nishing the race, Be’s fi rst this season, came on the 2000m run. Julian Colin winning with four lengths to the back of some creditable per- Smart’s ward had a C&D third spare. Nahaab took he runner up formances, including four top last time out, but this time, under spot under Anas al-Seyabi with three fi nishes. In the longest race Marc Lerner’s ride, did enough to another four length advantage of the day at 2800m, Abdula- Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club deputy chief steward Abdullah Rashid al-Kubaisi with the winners of the Loyalty Cup after Khataaf won the beat Jassim Mohammed Ghaz- over Mubarak Mohammed al- tif Hussain al-Emadi’s Could Be feature at the QREC on Thursday. PICTURES: Juhaim ali Jahromi trained fi lly, Deebaj, Khayareen school Nafadah, who edged out Jassim Mohammed helmed by JP Guillambert, by was ridden by JP Guillambert. Ghazali Jahromi trained Yaarmen naim gave a fantastic ride to the ing registered his fi rst victory in including two victories. second victory this season when half a length. Khalifa bin Sheail al-Kuwari’s by a nose at the line to register 4-year-old and she beat the Qatar beating Ahmed Mohamad One of them was on Thurs- Jean Baptiste Hamel helmed the Al Shaqab Racing’s Monfarid, Abu Samrah led a one-two for his fi fth career victory. Pieran- competition with a little more Kobeissi trained Beach Samba. day, when Eduardo Pedroza and gelding in the seven furlong run. with Qatari jockey Faleh Bugha- Champion Trainer Jassim Mo- tonio Convertino helmed Ahmed than six lengths to spare, with Abdullah Hassan Ali Abdul- trainer Ibrahim Saeed Ibrahim Ali bin Saeed Aljafali al-Nuaimi naim astride for trainer Hossin hammed Ghazali Jahromi in the Mohamad Kobeissi’s Juventas to Julian Colin Smart trained Nai- malik’s 6-year-old has been al-Malki combined well for their owned 6-year-old had opened Mohammad Ashour, completed card opener. The 5-year-old had third place fi nish. rouz second under Marc Lerner. winless in eight races this season, third win on the day. The 5-year- his season with a win over a mile, the top three. shown quality in the fi rst four In the Purebred Arabians, Al Umm Qarn’s Maraam, ridden by even as he came close on three old beat Zuhair Mohsen Zuhair and while he hit a rough couple of In the mile long run, it was races fi nishing thrice in top three. Shaqab Racing’s Al Dawoodea Jean Baptiste Hamel, completed occasions fi nishing runner up. Maki’s Broadway Icon, ridden by races, the gelding bounced back a Ibrahim Saeed Ibrahim al-Malki On Thursday, the colt shed dropped back in trip and reg- the top three. Khalid Nasser Hamad al-Naimi Marvin Suerland, by three quar- fi ne victory on Thursday. who had a one-two with Mo- his maiden status, edging out Al istered a smashing victory in A four-time winner in France, trained Parkes And Ride was ters of a length at the line, while Zuhair Mohsen Zuhair Maki hamed Abdulla Abdulmalik’s Jasra Stud’s Musaiter Bu Thaila the mile long run. Hossin Mo- Jassim Mohammed Ghazali third under Stephan Ladjadj. three lengths further down, Jas- trained Saar and Hadi Nasser Look At me leading stablem- by a half a length at the line. Al- hammad Ashour’s ward had Jahromi’s Acrobate had fi nished In the Thoroughbred Handi- sim Mohammed Ghazali Jahro- Rashid al-Ramzani schooled ate Nahaab to shed the maiden motasem al-Balushi guided the impressed earlier in the season down the fi eld in HH the Emir’s cap Class 4, 85 & below, he may mi’s ward, Musical Terms, com- Abha fi nished second and third status. Both the al-Malki wards 5-year-old colt to his second fi nishing in the frame over C&D, Shalfa race two weeks ago on Qa- have opened the season in a for- pleted the top three under Gerald under Marvin Suerland and Faleh had shown promise with top fi ve straight runner up fi nish, while before winning on dirt in January. tar debut. However, in the miler gettable fashion but Abdulatif Avranche. Bughanaim respectively. fi nishes coming into Thursday’s Stefano Ibido trained Shatir Bu After two forgettable fi nish- on Thursday, the Khalifa Bin Hussain al-Emadi owned Munira Yousef Ben Taher Mehaoued Al Shahania Stud’s Hatem run. However it was Eduardo Thaila was third under Adnan es, Qatari jockey Faleh Bugha- Sheail al-Kuwari owned geld- Eyes took four top three fi nishes, trained Montaser registered his ended a streak of three third Pedroza helmed Look At Me that Hawa.