FFORMULAORMULA 1 | Page 3 FOOTBALL | Page 5 Hamilton Messi not blazes to missed as record pole in Argentina Melbourne down Italy

Sunday, March 25, 2018 TENNIS Rajab 8, 1439 AH Dejected Djokovic GULF TIMES looks for answers aft er Miami defeat SPORT Page 7 FOOTBALL Syria stay in the hunt for title aft er Qatar draw

By Sports Reporter Doha

plucky Syria held Qatar to a 2-2 draw to set up a tense final day’s ac- tion against Iraq in the Tri-Nation Friendship Championship in Basra Ayesterday. Qatar needed a win to wrap up the title af- ter recording a 3-2 win over Iraq in the opener but a fast-paced match saw the team split points at the Basra International Stadium. The result leaves Qatar on four points, meaning Syria would have to beat Iraq con- vincingly on Tuesday if they are to gatecrash keeper Mohamed al-Bakri was intercepted by but with Qatar upping the pressure the Syrian the former’s party on goal difference. Omar al-Somah in the 49th minute and the defence was beginning to look shaky for the In case, Syria lose or even draw against Iraq, striker easily scored from close with none of first time in the match. Qatar would be declared champions of the the defenders present in the penalty area. And sure enough it fell in the 72nd when event which was put together after the ban After going close on a couple of occasions, Abdulkarim Hassan freed Akram Afif on the on Iraqi cities hosting international matches Akram Afif takes off his shirt to celebrate his goal against Syria. At right, fans cheer as they display Qatar got the equaliser in the 58th minute left and the Al Sadd striker blasted the ball was lifted by FIFA. Iraq are already out of title the Qatari flag. with Abdulaziz Hatem’s powerful left-footed from a tight angle past goalkeeper Alma. contention having lost to Qatar in the opener. shot off an Abdulkarim Hassan pass rocketing But barely had the celebrations died down A decent crowd in Basra was treated to Akram Afif and Almoez Ali of Qatar were However, after a goalless first half, it was into the top left corner of the net past a hap- when Syria hit back to draw level; Zahir al- some spectacular football yesterday as both particularly a concern for the Syrian defence Syria who managed to strike first, thanks to a less Syria goalkeeper Ibrahim Alma. Midani profiting from another defensive teams fought tooth and nail to gain the upper in the first half, with skipper Hassan al-Hay- defensive blunder. Moments later skipper al-Haydous’ sting- lapse to score from close following a pass hand. dous providing the bulk of the passes. A back pass intended for the Qatar goal- ing free-kick was blocked by a leaping Alma, from Fahd Youssef.

SPOTLIGHT Scandal rocks cricket as Smith admits to cheating ‘It’s not in the spirit of the game, my integrity and the integrity of the team has been damaged and rightfully so. It’s not on and it won’t happen again, I can promise you’

Guardian and agencies SCORECARD Cape Town South Africa, first innings, 311 Australia, first innings ustralia captain Steve Smith (overnight 245-9) has admitted that his side C. Bancroft lbw b Philander ...... 77 deliberately tried to tamper D. Warner b Rabada ...... 30 with the condition of the A U. Khawaja c Rabada b Morkel ...... 5 ball on the third day of the third Test S. Smith c Elgar b Morkel ...... 5 against South Africa at Newlands yes- terday in an orchestrated attempt to S. Marsh c De Kock b Morkel ...... 26 gain an advantage. M. Marsh c De Kock b Philander ...... 5 Cameron Bancroft has been charged T. Paine not out ...... 34 by the International Cricket Council P. Cummins c De Villiers b Rabada ...4 and Smith told reporters that it was a M. Starc c De Villiers b Rabada ...... 2 deliberate plan from the “leadership N. Lyon c Elgar b Morkel ...... 47 group” of the side, but added he would J. Hazlewood c Amla b Rabada ...... 10 not step down as captain. Extras (b1, lb5, nb4) 10 “The leadership group knew about Total (69.5 overs) 255 it, we spoke about it at lunch,” Smith Fall of wickets: 1-43 (Warner), 2-61 said. “I am not proud of what has hap- (Khawaja), 3-72 (Smith), 4-150 (S. pened. It’s not in the spirit of the game, Marsh), 5-150 (Bancroft), 6-156 (M. my integrity and the integrity of the Marsh), 7-173 (Cummins), 8-175 (Starc), team has been damaged and right- 9-241 (Lyon) fully so. It’s not on and it won’t happen Aussie skipper Steve Smith, who is Bowling: Philander 15-5-26-2 (1nb), again, I can promise you.” having a tough time with the bat, has Rabada 20.5-1-91-4 (3nb), Morkel Bancroft was spoken to by on-fi eld said they resorted to ball-tampering 21-7-87-4, Maharaj 12-3-35-0, Bavuma umpires Nigel Llong and Richard Il- in the third Test against South Africa 1-0-10-0 lingworth regarding a small yellow ob- as part of a deliberate plan. ject that television footage appeared to South Africa, second innings show him take out of his pocket before eign objects, which is strictly prohib- Cameron Bancroft is spoken to by umpires after he was filmed using a yellow object (inset) to tamper the ball. A. Markram c Cummins b Starc ...... 84 shining the ball. He was then shown ited in cricket. D. Elgar c Smith b Cummins ...... 14 putting the object down the front of Ball tampering has been an issue have no problems with it at all.” tough questions have to be asked of tralians lodged an offi cial complaint H. Amla c Bancroft b Cummins ...... 31 his trousers. Bancroft turned out his raised throughout Australia’s tour. In Former players were quick to react Steve Smith and Darren Lehmann. A with their South African hosts over pockets and showed the umpires a Port Elizabeth, Warner was highlight- to the incident on social media, with lot of questions that need to be an- what they called the abusive behaviour A. de Villiers not out ...... 51 black piece of cloth and play contin- ed for the impact of the bandages on South African-born former England swered and Australia need to answer of home fans in Cape Town. Lehmann F. du Plessis lbw b Lyon...... 20 ued. his hand – the result of fi nger injuries captain Kevin Pietersen accusing Leh- them.” said several of his players had been T. Bavuma c sub (Handscomb) The offi cials chose not to change the suff ered while batting – on the ball, mann of being involved in the plan. Fellow pundit Shane Warne also verbally abused by the crowd, abuse b Hazlewood ...... 5 ball or penalise his team the statutory and on day one in Cape Town Australia Former South Africa captain Graeme said he believed the issue went higher which included references to the play- Q. de Kock not out ...... 29 fi ve-run on-fi eld penalty for illegally bowler Pat Cummins inadvertently Smith, speaking on Sky Sports, was than Bancroft. “I feel a bit for Cameron ers’ families. Lehmann called the fans’ Extras (b4) 4 changing the condition of the ball. stepped on the ball. very clear in what he thought Bancroft Bancroft because I don’t think he’s behaviour “disgraceful” and Cricket Total (5 wkts, 72 overs) 238 Although the umpires appeared satis- After the fi rst Test in Durban Aus- was doing and also implicated Aus- taken it upon himself to do something South Africa ordered an increased se- Fall of wickets: 1-28 (Elgar), 2-104 fi ed with Bancroft’s explanation on the tralia’s coach, Darren Lehmann, said tralia’s captain Steve Smith and coach and put it in his pocket,” said Warne. curity presence in the crowd yesterday. (Amla), 3-151 (Markram), 4-196 (Du fi eld at the time and allowed play to both sides would try various “tech- Lehmann in the incident. “Who’s told him to do that? It’s im- That included police offi cers. Plessis), 5-201 (Bavuma) continue, match offi cials could review niques” to get the ball to reverse swing. “He’s tampered with the ball and portant to fi nd out that. I think we’ve Out in the middle, Aiden Markram’s Bowling: Starc 15-2-48-1, Hazlewood other footage. Ball tampering is a level “Obviously, there are techniques used an object to do that,” he said. got to get to the bottom of why that has 84 helped South Africa increase their 17-4-46-1, Cummins 19-4-47-2, Lyon two off ence in the International Crick- used by both sides to get the ball re- “It does look like it’s a bit of sandpa- happened and what was it. You’ve got lead to 294 at the close of play yester- 16-1-69-1, Smith 1-0-6-0, M. Marsh et Council’s code of conduct, which verse and that’s just the way the game per. The footage doesn’t look good. to own up. You’ve been caught, you’ve rday. Markram was out just before tea 4-0-18-0 could result in a ban for any player goes,” Lehmann said after the Dur- I’m quite amazed the umpires haven’t got to own up and say what was it you but AB de Villiers passed 50 as South Match situation: South Africa lead found guilty. ban Test. “I have no problems with it, done anything with the ball. The foot- were hiding. You can’t have that in the Africa ended the day on 238-5. Earlier, by 294 runs with five wickets remain- Reverse swing has been a major part simple. You’d have to ask the umpires age is quite damning. game.” The Bancroft incident was the Kagiso Rabada wrapped up Australia’s ing in the second innings of this series, and players can increase and ICC about that one [whether it is “If it is proved that what has gone latest in a string of contentious mo- fi rst innings for 255 by dismissing Josh Toss: South Africa that by roughing up the ball with for- legal]. I don’t mind the ball moving, I on in the footage is correct then some ments in the series. On Friday, the Aus- Hazlewood to fi nish with four wickets. Gulf Times 2 Sunday, March 25, 2018 CRICKET

PAKISTAN SUPER LEAGUE FINAL TODAY

Peshawar Zalmi captain Darren Sammy and Islamabad United skipper Misbah-ul-Haq captain pose with the trophy on the eve of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) final at the National Cricket Stadium in Karachi yesterday. (Right) Luke Ronchi (centre) of Islamabad United during a training session yesterday. (AFP)

SPOTLIGHT COMMENT Ireland skipper blasts ICC’s obsession England can save with ‘big cheque’

AFP to or the possibility of getting to Harare the World Cup... if they actually give that carrot, dangle it in front of countries, surely cricket is go- reland captain William Por- ing to get better in those coun- Test thanks to rain, terfi eld blasted the Interna- tries and actually expand. tional Cricket Council (ICC) “I’m not just saying that be- for an obsession with the “big cause we didn’t get there but I Icheque” after his side were edged feel sorry for a lot of countries out of a spot at the 2019 World that are leaving here that don’t Cup by Afghanistan on Friday. know what’s going to happen Ireland lost by fi ve wickets next week.” in their fi nal qualifi er, a defeat The ICC cut the World Cup to says coach Thorpe which allowed Afghanistan to 10 teams for 2019 with all sides join defending champions Aus- playing each other in a round- ‘Your pride is dented, but you can’t feel sorry for yourself for too long. You can’t just run off tralia, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, robin competition. Bangladesh, England, South Af- All will be guaranteed at least into the hills or hide under the bed, you’ve actually got to get up and go again the next day’ rica, West Indies and New Zea- nine games compared to the land in the 2019 fi nals in England three played by India, the sport’s AFP and Wales. commercial superpower, at the Auckland The trimmed-down 10-team 2007 edition in the West Indies tournament has been widely where they lost in the fi rst round. lambasted for its detrimental “So close yet so far,” added he rain that has damp- eff ect on the development of Porterfi eld after Afghanistan ened New Zealand’s the game globally after it once chased down their target of 210 hopes of a Test victory boasted 16 teams. in the fi nal over. in Auckland has off ered “How is there only two teams As one of cricket’s newest Test Ta lifeline to a battle-scarred going (from the qualifi ers) to a nations, alongside Afghanistan, England — but they will need competition that’s played every Ireland have at least their fi rst improve their mindset to save 208 weeks and you’ve got a six- Test match against Pakistan this the match, according to Graham week competition, to just play it summer on the horizon. Thorpe. so two or three big teams can play “To some extent we’re lucky. Thorpe, now the England nine games on TV so the ICC can We’ve managed to get where we batting coach, drew upon the cash in with a big cheque, and a are. I feel sorry for Scotland, how painful experience of a batting lot of teams are leaving here with it ended for them. disaster from very early in his nothing in their pocket,” said an “For them to progress, it’s go- own career as a middle-order angry Porterfi eld. ing to be harder. We’ve got our batsman. “The big cheque they’re get- pathway, as hard as it is, to keep His sixth Test was against the ting from the World Cup has to drip feeding money out to keep West Indies in 1994 at Port of be pushed back down through. improving facilities and things Spain where England were rolled “All I hear is how good this like that, from the ICC.” for 46 in the second innings — competition has been, how eve- “And a lot of teams will leave their second-lowest innings ryone has beaten everyone, it’s here with nothing in their pock- ever, and worse even than the 58 gone round in a circle. et. Scotland have come so close made in the fi rst innings of this “It has to be put back into the and yet so far themselves, but Test against New Zealand. game because if countries don’t what have they got to look for- “The mind is the most impor- have a World Cup to look forward ward to for the next few years?” tant thing and my life perspec- tive story can come into play England’s captain Joe Root (left) inspects the ball with umpire Paul Reiff el as they walk off the field during a rain delay on the third day of quite a bit,” Thorpe said as Eng- the first Test in Auckland yesterday. (Reuters) land prepared for a thorough examination over the remaining two days of the Test. Southee eager to make hay while the sun shines “Your pride is dented, but you Tim Southee is mindful of how well placed tion a little bit easier to swallow.” exploiting conditions under lights needing can’t feel sorry for yourself for New Zealand are in the rain-aff ected Southee and Boult (6-32) bowled all 20.4 to be factored in. too long. You can’t just run off first Test against England, but the pace overs of England’s innings between them Southee, however, said whenever they got into the hills or hide under the bowler is starting to get frustrated that the and the right-armer jokingly said that while the ball back in their hands, they would still bed, you’ve actually got to get game has barely moved on since day one. he had played second fiddle to his col- need to bowl well against an England side up and go again the next day.” Rain washed out all but 17 balls of play on league, he was happy as long as they were unlikely to bat as badly as they had in the After England’s short-lived the third day, with New Zealand moving taking wickets. first innings. fi rst innings, New Zealand were their score on to 233 for four and increas- “You’re obviously wanting to take wickets, “I think the pink ball historically has been 175 for three at stumps on day ing their lead over the visitors to 175 but when you’re in that huddle and the a nice ball to bowl with first up, but you’ve one, with a lead of 117 runs. with two days remaining in the day-night guys are getting around you for the job still got to put it in the right areas and try But lengthy rain disruptions Test. you’re doing at your end, you still feel like to get as much as movement as you can,” have meant they advanced only A little over 90 minutes of play was pos- you’re still contributing to him taking the Southee said. 58 more runs in just 25 available sible on the second day and it has been wickets,” Southee said. “We had the first use of the wicket and we overs in the following two days. more than two days since Southee has had “It’s a great partnership and we’ve bowled probably got our lengths right, but we’ve Only 17 balls were bowled yes- any meaningful role to play in the game reasonably well together for a while now, seen throughout, when England have terday before showers returned after he and new-ball partner Trent Boult so it’s nice to see Trent do well and feel like bowled, there have always been challeng- for the entire day. dismissed England for 58. you’re contributing at the other end, help- ing times, and our batters have done a With fi ne weather forecast “The position we’re in now is a good one,” ing to build some pressure.” pretty good job so far. for the remainder of the Test, Southee, who returned figures of 4-25, told While the forecast is for better weather “Being caged up for a couple of days, it’s Thorpe has dismissed the idea reporters in Auckland. over the last two days, the focus will now important when we do go out and bowl of a fi rst innings post-mortem “The rain has been frustrating but the work be on how long New Zealand want to bat that we hit our areas from the start.” examination and put the em- we put in on day one has made that frustra- at Eden Park today, with the possibility of The second match of the two-Test series. phasis on England looking for- ward to save the Test. “The important thing is what address, the most immedi- the ball perfect for a left arm ger warm-up window for tour- J. Raval c Bairstow b Ason ...... 3 happens in the rest of the game ate being how to cope with the seamer but it might only do ing sides but insisted there were T. Latham c Woakes b Broad . 26 and the confi dence of the play- swing bowling of Trent Boult that for 15 overs. No-one was “no excuses” for England’s K. Williamson lbw Anderson 102 ers trying to clear your minds,” and Tim Southee, who took all trying to get out. Sometimes fi rst-day batting performance. R. Taylor c Woakes b Ason .....20 he said. 10 wickets in the fi rst innings. these things happen and they “You have to play what’s in H. Nicholls not out ...... 52 “The rain has probably helped In the longer term Thorpe sug- shake up the dressing room and front of you and on match day B. Watling not out ...... 18 us a little bit. We’re nowhere gested the preparation for Test they shake up the individuals as you have to come up with some- Extras: (lb7, w5) 12 near out of the woods but it can matches needs to be looked at, well. thing and we didn’t have the Total: (for 4 wickets; 95 overs) give them something to focus on after the build up to this Test “The mind is the most im- answers.” 233 and we’re going to have to bat was restricted to two two-day portant thing. They’ve got to go Fall of wickets: 1-8 (Raval), 2-92 better than we did. games against a New Zealand back out there and they’ve got SCOREBOARD (Latham), 3-123 (Taylor), 4-206 “There’s a glimmer still in this XI. another innings and they’ve got England first innings 58 (C. (Williamson) Test match. We’re well capable “We didn’t play the swinging to get back in the fi ght.” Overton 33 not out; Boult 6-32, Bowling: Anderson 21-7-56-3, of batting well in the second in- ball well, no-one did and we Thorpe said that for the Southee 4-25) Broad 21-6-37-1, Overton 18-7- nings and saving the game.” weren’t able to put a foothold health of Test cricket it would New Zealand first innings 43-0, Woakes 23-8-55-0 (1w), Ali England do have issues to in the game,” he said. “Boult got be a defi nite help to have a big- (overnight 229-4) 12-1-35-0. Ireland captain William Porterfield. Gulf Times Sunday, March 25, 2018 3 SPORT

FORMULA ONE Brilliant Hamilton blazes to record Melbourne pole Ferrari’s Raikkonen second, teammate Vettel third „ Mercedes’ joy tempered by Bottas crash

Reuters QUALIFYING TIMES The red fl ag was waved as the Melbourne television broadcast showed Qualifying Q3: Eliminated in Q2: Mercedes boss Toto Wolff bow- 1. Lewis Hamilton (GBR/Mercedes) 11. Fernando Alonso (ESP/McLaren- ing his head in disappointment ormula One champion 1:21.164 Renault) back in the team garage. Lewis Hamilton roared 2. Kimi Raikkonen (FIN/Ferrari) 12. Stoff el Vandoorne (BEL/McLaren- Bottas, who will start in 10th, to a record seventh pole 1:21.828 Renault) passed a medical check but it at the season-opening 3. Sebastian Vettel (GER/Ferrari) 13. Sergio Perez (MEX/Force India- remains unclear how much of FAustralian Grand Prix yester- 1:21.838 Mercedes) his car is salvageable. day, blitzing the fi eld in his 4. Max Verstappen (NED/Red Bull- 14. Lance Stroll (CAN/Williams- Haas confi rmed themselves Mercedes with a blazing lap at TAG Heuer) 1:21.879 Mercedes) as the big improvers after posi- Albert Park. 5. Daniel Ricciardo (AUS/Red Bull- 15. Esteban Ocon (FRA/Force India- tive winter testing, with drivers The Briton fl ew around the TAG Heuer) 1:22.152 Mercedes) Kevin Magnussen and Romain lakeside circuit in a record one 6. Kevin Magnussen (DEN/Haas- Eliminated in Q1: Grosjean locking down the third minute, 21.164 seconds, with Ferrari) 1:23.187 16. Brendon Hartley (NZL/Toro row. his fi nal eff ort leaving a yawn- 7. Romain Grosjean (FRA/Haas- Rosso-Honda) Renault’s Nico Hulkenberg ing gap of 0.664 seconds to Fer- Ferrari) 1:23.339 17. Marcus Ericsson (SWE/Sauber- took a spin into the gravel in Q2 rari’s second fastest Kimi Raik- 8. Nico Hulkenberg (GER/Renault) Ferrari) but scraped through to the fi nal konen. 1:23.532 18. Charles Leclerc (MON/Sauber- session and will start seventh, Sebastian Vettel was third 9. Carlos Sainz Jr (ESP/Renault) Ferrari) his team mate Carlos Sainz two fastest for Ferrari but Hamilton 1:23.577 19. Sergey Sirotkin (RUS/Williams- places behind. was in a class of his own and the 10. Valtteri Bottas (FIN/Mercedes) Mercedes) McLaren’s hopes of a quick Silver Arrows appear as domi- 0.000 20. Pierre Gasly (FRA/Toro Rosso) return to the top four with their nant as ever as they bid to sweep new Renault engines proved the driver and constructors’ ti- overly ambitious, with twice tles for a fi fth year running. teams scratching their heads. handed a three-place grid pen- champion Fernando Alonso “That was intense. My heart’s “Obviously the gap’s big- alty for an infringement during and Stoff el Vandoorne shut out racing. I wish you could feel ger than we want it to be,” a Friday practice. of the fi nal session. Force In- it right now,” the 33-year-old subdued Vettel told reporters, The Briton’s brilliance was dia, fourth in the constructors’ Hamilton said after clamber- looking ahead to today’s race. not matched by team mate Valt- championship for the last two ing onto his car at the fi nish and “It depends how we get off teri Bottas, who crashed early in years, also have work to do after pumping his fi sts. the (start) line.” the fi nal shootout. being knocked out during Q2. “I’m so happy with that lap.” Red Bull wunderkind Max The Finn, who had com- The championship’s debu- Hamilton moved past the Verstappen will line up along- plained of balance problems tant drivers had an under- six poles his idol Ayrton Senna side Vettel on the second row, during Q1, spun out at turn two whelming session, with Sau- claimed in the Australian race with his fi fth-fastest teammate and smashed hard into a barrier, ber’s Charles Leclerc and with a furious pace that will Daniel Ricciardo set to start leaving his wrecked car and de- Williams’ driver Sergey Sirot- leave the Ferrari and Red Bull eighth after the home hope was bris scattered all over the track. kin eliminated early.

SPOTLIGHT Hamilton burns Vettel with ‘smile’ jibe

Reuters of Ferrari’s second-placed Kimi it when asked how he would re- I’m hoping that we’re better pre- Melbourne Raikkonen. spond on race day today. pared for tomorrow and ultimate- It was also a dramatic improve- “I think what goes around ly I guess, it’s also how we manage ment on the Briton’s fastest eff ort comes around,” Vettel said with a the tyres at the start of the race,” triumphant Lewis Ham- in the second session of quali- smile that appeared a little forced. Hamilton said. ilton was unable to con- fying, prompting a question on “At the end of the day, that’s Mercedes’ cheer at their seem- tain his glee after taking whether his Mercedes W09 had a why we’re here, we want to have ingly huge advantage in pace was a record seventh pole at ‘party mode’ for Q3. fun. If that’s what he enjoys, ob- tempered by Valtteri Bottas’ crash theA season-opening Australian “I used the same the mode from viously on Saturdays he’s doing at the start of Q3, the Finn losing Grand Prix yesterday, saying his Q2 through to the end of Q3,” pretty well.” control at turn two and slamming brilliant lap at Albert Park was de- Hamilton said at the post-quali- Hamilton moved to defuse the into a barrier, with the impact signed to ‘wipe the smile’ off Se- fying news conference while sit- rising tension by telling Vettel he leaving his car in pieces. bastian Vettel’s face. ting next to Vettel. “There was no was joking. Bottas will not start from any The Mercedes champion’s in- extra button, no extra mode.” “I know but... He’s free to have closer than 15th on the grid after tense and spite-tinged rivalry Vettel, third in qualifying and a party tonight and then hopefully needing a gearbox change and it with Ferrari’s Vettel added spice shunted onto the second row for Kimi and myself will have a party will be a long night in the garage to the championship last year and Sunday’s race, asked him: “What tomorrow,” Vettel countered. for the team’s mechanics. if Saturday is anything to go by, were you doing before then?” Runner-up last year, Hamilton “I think I was just pushing a bit relations between the four-times Hamilton replied: “I was wait- also claimed pole in Melbourne too hard,” said Bottas, who blamed champions could get rocky again ing to put a good lap. Wipe the for that race but Vettel had the last a damp kerb on a drying track that this year. smile off your face.” laugh when he won with a supe- was hit by morning showers. Hamilton’s pole lap, an Albert Like the pole lap, the quip rior strategy. “It looked like it was damaged Mercedes’ British driver Lewis Hamilton celebrates his pole position after the Formula One qualifying Park record of one minute, 21.164 proved too fast for German Vet- “I think we generally learn from pretty badly, so I really hope we session in Melbourne yesterday. seconds, was over six-tenths clear tel, who was only made aware of mistakes or scenarios like that so can fi x it for the race.”

GOLF FOCUS Angry Ricciardo McIlroy and Spieth sent packing slams stewards AFP LPGA veteran Kerr takes five-shot lead at Kia Classic Austin for grid penalty orld number four Jordan Spi- Los Angeles: Cristie Kerr fired eight birdies in an eight-under 136. Salas carded a 67, Kim posted a 69 and Park and Hedwall eth and seventh-ranked Rory par 64 on Friday to take a five-shot lead after two rounds of the both signed for 70s. “I really like this golf course,” said Salas, a Reuters seventh pole at the Australian McIlroy were ousted from the US LPGA Kia Classic in Carlsbad, California. southern California native. “My family gets to come out. (I had) Melbourne race for Mercedes, surpassing World Golf Championships Kerr, 40, had a 36-hole total of 13-under 131 on an Aviara course so much confidence at the beginning of the week and (it) defi- Ayrton Senna’s six and leaving WMatch Play Championship Friday with a gap of more than six-tenths softened by rain. nitely showed the first two days.” defeats in fi nal group matches. “I like winning, I like challenging myself,” said Kerr, whose 20 Kerr opened with birdies at the par-five 10th and the par-three frustrated Daniel Ric- of a second to Ferrari’s sec- US 18th seed Brian Harman never LPGA victories include two in 2017. “The golf ball doesn’t know 11th. She added birdies at 16, 18 and the second, then birdied ciardo will start his ond-placed Kimi Raikkonen. trailed in dispatching McIlroy 5&3 and an age. I’ve always said that. As long as I stay hungry, (I’m) going three in a row at six, seven and eight. home Australian Grand Red Bull arrived in Melbourne capturing his group with two wins and a to just keep playing. Former NFL quarterback Tony Romo missed the cut after Prix from eighth on the with great expectations but fi n- draw. Agrid after being handed a three- ished behind both the Ferraris, “I’m trying not to put limits on myself right now,” Kerr added. shooting an 82 in the second round of the Corales Puntacana Spieth was knocked out by US Ryder “I’ve got some good things going on with my swing. I had a great Championship in the Dominican Republic on Friday. place grid penalty for a Friday with Max Verstappen to start Cup partner Patrick Reed, who won their round.” Amateur Romo had hoped to improve on his opening round practice infringement. fourth alongside four-times much anticipated match 2&1. Kerr lifted the trophy in Carlsbad in 2015 with a final-round 65, of 77 but instead went in the other direction, starting with six Stewards sanctioned Ric- champion Sebastian Vettel. Reed, ranked 23rd in the world, never setting a tournament scoring record of 20-under par. consecutive bogeys at the Corales Golf Club. ciardo for driving too fast un- “I think the qualifying fi rst trailed and rolled in a 40-foot putt from Her 13-under total broke the previous 36-hole tournament He finished at 15-over 159, the worst score by six strokes among der red fl ag conditions during parts were OK but at the end off the 17th green to end Spieth’s hopes of record of 10-under, achieved by five players most recently Jenny the 132 players. FP2 and the Western Australian we just missed a few tenths,” a fi rst title of 2018. Shin in 2016. Leader Brice Garnett, seeking his first PGA Tour victory, shot was still seething after fi nish- Ricciardo said. “It looked like it Both will now try to regroup with the American Lizette Salas, Sweden’s Caroline Hedwall and South 68 for 13-under 131, one stroke ahead of fellow Americans Steve ing fi fth fastest during the fi nal was all in the fi rst sector (of the fi rst major of the year, the Masters, two Koreans Park Hee-young and Kim In-kyung shared second on Wheatcroft (66) and Keith Mitchell (66). phase of qualifying a day later. circuit).“I don’t really know weeks away. Stewards said in a statement with the balance what I could Sergio Garcia, tuning up for his Masters they had imposed a “lesser have done much more there, so title defence at Augusta National, ral- The only thing Thomas could fi nd to had this one (match) circled this week and Day, fi ve-time major winner Phil Mickel- penalty than usual” because I’ll see now. Yes, for sure it was lied from 2 down through 11 holes to beat regret was that the match only lasted I’m glad I came out and performed pretty son and Spain’s Jon Rahm. Ricciardo had driven with “due frustrating a little bit.” rising US star Xander Schauff ele 3&1 and through 13 holes. well,” added Harman, who set up a meet- South Africa’s Louis Oosthuizen beat care” and there was “no danger”. Red Bull team principal Chris- reach the last 16. “Today I’d be really excited to see how ing with two-time Masters winner Bubba Day 2 up, then won his group in a playoff Ricciardo, who was tipped tian Horner earlier said he had “Xander played unbelievable on the low I could go,” said Thomas, who will Watson. against Jason Dufner with a par at the fi rst as a contender for the win at never seen Ricciardo so enraged. front nine, tricky conditions, and he kept take on Kim in the round of 16. “I could Watson birdied the last two holes to hole. Albert Park, felt wronged. “I don’t think (the stewards) making good putt after good putt on me,” post a serious number.” halve his match with 64th-seeded Julian American Charles Howell rolled un- “I thought it was unjust,” the wanted to give him the penalty Garcia said. “So I was just hoping to stay McIlroy, managed only two birdies in Suri. beaten to his group crown by downing Ja- 28-year-old said. “A penalty but they had to,” the Briton said. in it and give myself some chances as soon his fi nal competitive tuneup for the Mas- McIlroy, coming off a victory at Bay pan’s Satoshi Kodaira 2&1. sure, there’s reprimands, there’s “You could see from the wording as he gave me a little opening on 12. ters, the only major title the Northern Ire- Hill last Sunday, admitted he was feeling That eliminated Mickelson, seeded fi nes, there’s other things but of the statement that they tried “And then I was able to make a great land star needs to complete a career Grand weary. 18th, who had kept his hopes alive by edg- to kind of shoot me in the ankle to water it down as best they birdie on 13, 15 and 16,” added Garcia, who Slam. “That takes it out of you being in conten- ing Spain’s Rafa Cabrera Bello 1 up. before the season’s started... I could. It’s just so unfortunate for next faces American Kyle Stanley. “Rory did not play his best golf today tion, and all that mental energy,” he said. Thailand’s 28th-seeded Kiradech thought they could have done Daniel, home driver, home race. Thomas pummelled Italian Francesco but I played extremely well,” said Harman, Other top players who didn’t make it Aphibarnrat booked a last-16 clash with better. I’ve never seen him as angry as Molinari 7&5 to set up a meeting with a two-time winner on the US PGA Tour. past group play included world number Howell with a 4&3 victory over third seed “But anyway, from fi fth we he was last night. It’s still eat- South Korean Kim Si-woo — a 2 up win- “I’m proud of the way I came out. Rory one and defending champion Dustin Rahm, who had already been eliminated go to eighth.” Champion Lewis ing him up and he’s still pretty ner over Webb Simpson. is an intimidating guy. He hits it a mile. I Johnson, former world number one Jason and fi nished the week winless. Hamilton grabbed a record revved up about it.” Gulf Times 4 Sunday, March 25, 2018 FOOTBALL

FRIENDLY SPOTLIGHT Iniesta’s display against Germany Ronaldo’s last-gasp shows what Spain would miss

AFP Creative vigour Madrid It was certainly an encourag- two-goal show steals ing Spanish display, high on en- ergy, purpose and creative vig- ndres Iniesta may be our, even if perhaps lower than considering interna- expected on resilience and de- tional retirement and fensive steel without the injured winding down his club Sergio Busquets. careerA in China but Spain’s cre- In his absence, it was a brave ator-in-chief demonstrated on call from Lopetegui to place Salah limelight Friday why he might be leaving Thiago Alcantara alongside Koke too soon. and Iniesta in an expansive mid- ‘In the last minutes we were better, created four chances and showed great determination’ Iniesta’s threaded pass in fi eld three. Villarreal’s Rodri, a the sixth minute, disguised more cautious option, came off AFP by a contradictory glance and the bench late on. Zurich weighted so precisely that Rod- Isco showed again that he rigo Moreno was even spared a plays better in the Spanish red controlling touch, was not one than the white of Real Madrid ristiano Ronaldo hit two of a player struggling to keep up. while David Silva’s place off the goals in stoppage time This was Germany and the left of the attacking trio is surely as European champions defence of the world champions, assured. Portugal defeated Egypt whom Spain could face again It is the central striking po- 2-1C in a friendly international in the semi-fi nals at the World sition, left vacant by Fernando on Friday, winning his personal Cup, where Iniesta’s craft, eye Torres and David Villa 10 years duel with Mohamed Salah who and experience could prove sim- ago, where Spain remain without had put the seven-time African ilarly precious. a stand-out fi rst-choice. champions ahead. By the summer, Iniesta will Diego Costa is the most likely Ronaldo, appearing in his be 34, perhaps about to trade incumbent but he has not con- 900th career match, made his La Liga for the Chinese Super vinced at the last two major mark to devastating eff ect as League, where, he has said, he tournaments and instead, Va- time ran out. has an off er. lencia’s Rodrigo Moreno was First, he pulled his team level He will decide by the end of handed the starting berth on with a header from a Ricardo April whether to call time on a Friday. Quaresma cross, before adding glittering 16-year career at Bar- He took his chance, convert- the winner in almost identi- celona. ing Iniesta’s pass with a crisp cal circumstances in the fourth “I don’t want to be around just early fi nish, and Moreno has the minute of injury time. because of who I was,” Iniesta advantage too of history with However, the 33-year-old Real told Spanish radio station Ca- Lopetegui, under whom he won Madrid star had to wait for the dena SER on Thursday. the Under-21 European Cham- VAR system to validate his goal Barca would miss him, even pionships in 2013. after a suspicion of off side. His with Philippe Coutinho - his So too does Alvaro Morata, left two-goal salvo took his Portugal anointed successor - in place, out of the latest squad entirely tally to 81. but perhaps the greater loss because of his faltering form at Earlier, Salah, who has shone would be felt by Spain, for whom Chelsea, although it would still at Liverpool this season with 28 no player has been more instru- be a surprise if he did not make Premier League goals, broke the mental over the last decade. the fi nal list. deadlock in Zurich after 56 min- Portugal’s forward Cristiano Ronaldo (left) celebrates his second goal with teammates forward Ricardo Quaresma, midfielder Andre Gomes Iniesta played in all the vic- Iago Aspas, the former Liver- utes. After a quickfi re exchange and midfielder Bruno Fernandes during their international friendly match against between Egypt at Letzigrund stadium in Zurich. torious fi nals - 2008, 2010 and pool forward and Spain’s highest of passes, Abdallah El Said found 2012 - scoring the winner in scorer this season with 16 goals Salah in space for his teammate corner drift wide of the goal. Australia coach Van Marwijk sees the scale of his task one and claiming man-of-the- for Celta Vigo, is another op- to beat Beto in the Portuguese Shikabala had a fi erce shot match in two. tion. He may be given a chance goal with a sweetly-timed left- saved by Beto diving high to his New Australia coach Bert van Marwijk had the reporters in Oslo. “(I learned) we are not ready All distinguished careers to stake a claim against Argen- foot strike from the edge of the right before Alves’s frustrations full scale of his task exposed when his World yet but I already knew that before. come to an end but few among tina at the Wanda Metropolitano area. boiled over late in the game with Cup-bound Socceroos put in a wretched defen- “We made too many mistakes, especially de- the sold-out crowd in the Espirit on Tuesday. “In the last minutes we were a yellow card. But with time run- sive display in a 4-1 thumping at the hands of fending. When you lead 1-0... you must have the Arena in Dusseldorf could argue Silva is unlikely to be available better, created four chances and ning out, Ronaldo had the fi nal Norway in a friendly on Friday. control, especially in the midfield. We couldn’t do that Iniesta does not have more after the midfi elder withdrew showed great determination to say as the fi ve-time Ballon d’Or The Dutchman’s predecessor Ange Postecoglou that, we lost the ball too easy and too much in to give. from the squad on Saturday for turn it around. They showed that winner moved into third place on had set great stock on his move to a three-man that area. And the goals we got against us, that His key contribution did not personal reasons. they did not want to lose,” said the all-time list of international defence and some have suggested the criticism can’t happen...” prove decisive, cancelled out by Portugal coach Fernando Santos. goal scorers. he received over the matter was one of the The 65-year-old, who led the Dutch to the final a superb 25-yard shot from Ger- “And with Ronaldo, it’s about Legendary Hungarian striker reasons behind his decision to step down late of the 2010 World Cup, felt the return of regular many’s Thomas Muller in a 1-1 a goal and another goal.” Ferenc Puskas scored 84 goals last year. centre backs Matthew Jurman and Trent Sains- draw that pointed to two sides Ronaldo had two fi rst-half while Iran’s Ali Daei leads the Van Marwijk reverted to four at the back for his bury from injury would also help. ready to go deep in Russia. chances blocked as he tried to list with 109 goals in 149 inter- first match in charge, only for the Norwegians, “Yeah, you can see that we have problems in Spain are unbeaten in 17 continue his impressive recent nationals. who will not be in Russia, to open up the Austral- the defence,” he added. “I hope that Sainsbury matches under coach Julen Lo- form which had seen him score Egypt, back at a World Cup ian defence almost at will. and Jurman get fit and are playing in one or two petegui. The former Rayo Val- 18 goals in his last nine La Liga for the fi rst time since 1990, will Ola Kamara was only a metre out of the goal but weeks and we will work and search to nominate lecano goalkeeper hardly revo- games, including registering a play in Group A at the fi nals this still had time to control the ball with his left foot players who will make our defence better.” lutionised this talented squad 50th hat-trick. Salah was re- summer with hosts Russia, Uru- before lashing it home with his right and Tore The other area where Postecoglou struggled to but made tweaks and gradually placed late in the game by Shika- guay and Saudi Arabia. Portu- Reginiussen had a free header from a free kick find the right formula was in goalscoring and restored belief following the dis- bala and Portugal sensed a chance gal are in Group B and will face to score the second. Van Marwijk’s first attempt to solve that problem appointments of 2014 and 2016. to grab a share of the spoils. Spain, Morocco and Iran. Fullback Bailey Wright’s loose pass gifted saw him hand debuts to forwards Andrew Nab- “Spain senses its rebirth”, Quaresma, meanwhile, saw a Costa Rica and Switzerland for Kamara his second and only in the curling right- bout and Dimitri Petratos. “I felt a little bit sorry crowed Madrid daily ASyester- 72nd minute attempt saved by their part picked up 1-0 victo- foot shot with which the striker completed his for Nabbout and Petratos because in this game, day, signing off with the bullish Spain’s Andres Iniesta (No 6) Mohamed El-Shenawy in the ries over non-World Cup teams, hat-trick were the Australians not at fault. under these circumstances, it was very diff icult conclusion that “we have sent and Germany’s Thomas Mueller Egypt goal while Bruno Alves beating Scotland and Greece, “I learned a lot from this game,” Van Marwijk told for them,” he said. a message we are equal to the vying for the ball with during saw a close-range header from a respectively. champions”. their friendly on Friday. (Reuters)

FOCUS Spain draw shows Loew areas for improvement AFP Brazil are ‘two grades’ better than 2014: Kroos Düsseldorf, Germany Toni Kroos rates Brazil “two grades” dominated. “Our pressing didn’t work, higher than when Germany hammered the then they played cat and mouse with us,” ermany head coach Joachim Loew says ‘Selecao’ 7-1 at the 2014 World Cup. Kroos Boateng fumed. he knows the areas where the defend- scored twice in the Belo Horizonte semi- “We wanted to play better from the back, ing champions must improve before the final at Brazil 2014 when Germany blitzed use our chances, pass well, not lose the World Cup after drawing 1-1 with Spain the hosts, who were missing superstar for- ball so fast. Gon Friday. ward Neymar, with five goals in a dramatic “Our counter-attacking game must be bet- Rodrigo Moreno put Spain ahead after just six opening 30 minutes of what became the ter, we were hit three or four times on the minutes in Duesseldorf, but hosts Germany lev- heaviest home defeat in Brazil’s history. counter, you can’t have that. elled when Thomas Mueller hit a superb equaliser Ahead of the teams’ meeting on Tuesday, “It’s not all bad, but we have a lot of work in his 90th international. Germany midfielder Kroos is not expect- and we must come together as a team.” “There was a good intensity to the game, it was a ing a repeat: “When I look at the current Kroos agreed: “In the first 20 minutes we test in which we were able to learn a lot,” said Loew. team in comparison to 2014, they are two were just chasing after them.” “Both teams have room to improve and you do grades better. “They have really good peo- Loew expects to make five changes not always want to show everything so soon before ple, my (Real Madrid) team-mate Casemiro against Brazil. Stars Thomas Mueller and a World Cup.” is doing well - they have come together Mesut Ozil have been released, as was Barcelona midfi elder Andres Iniesta gave the well. Brazil is definitely one of the World previously arranged, to give them a break. Germany midfi eld a masterclass during the fi rst Cup favourites.” Hertha Berlin left-back Marvin Platten- 45 minutes. The 33-year-old outplayed Germa- Germany face Brazil at Berlin’s Olympic hardt will play at his home stadium, while ny midfi elders Sami Khedira and Toni Kroos by Stadium after the Selecao beat Russia 3-0 Manchester City’s Leroy Sane should producing countless silky passes at the heart of in Moscow on Friday, with Neymar again replace Julian Draxler on the wing. Spain’s attack. sidelined by injury. Ilkay Gundogan is set to replace Sami “You could see that Spain had a lot of combina- Second-half goals by Miranda, Paulinho Khedira, who suff ered a back knock tions who play together regularly and had that au- Germany’s Thomas Mueller (second right) celebrates with teammates after scoring their first goal against and a Philippe Countinho penalty sealed against Spain. tomatic understanding,” said Loew. Spain during their friendly match in Düsseldorf on Friday. (Reuters) the win at Moscow’s Luzhniki stadium, The Spanish provided Loew with the tough “We knew that Spain are hard to defend against, which hosts the World Cup final on July 15. test he wanted as Germany count down to you have to almost defend against them man-to- managed to start playing well, which is also a sign the Spain boss, who praised Thiago Alcantara and The Germans warmed up with a 1-1 draw their first World Cup match against Mexico man. We wanted to see a few mistakes, so we know of our quality,” said Hummels. Isco for the problems they caused in Germany’s against Spain in Duesseldorf to extend in Moscow on June 17. which areas we need to work on. Germany’s Real Madrid midfi elder Kroos admit- midfi eld. their unbeaten run to 22 matches. “It was worth the risk, even when we didn’t “Both teams will have more to show by the time ted Spain were the better team early on. “We played against the best of the world cham- Rodrigo Moreno’s goal after just six min- always manage to put pressure on them the World Cup comes around.” “The fi rst 20 minutes belonged to the Spanish, pions at (their) home. We played with personality, utes was cancelled out by Thomas Muel- up front,” said the Germany boss. Spain, who host Argentina on Tuesday in Ma- after that we played well,” said Kroos. ambition, rigour and confi dence in who we are. ler’s superb first-half strike on Friday. Now comes another ‘outstanding test’ in drid, are now 17 games unbeaten while Germany’s “All in all, it’s a fair result, it was a good game and “I’m happy with the performances of Thiago With one eye on their World Cup defence, the shape of Brazil. run is 22 without defeat as they prepare to play a good test for us. and Isco. Joachim Loew consoled himself with the “These are the teams who want to - and Brazil in Berlin, also on Tuesday. “We’re at a good level, but we can still play bet- “Of course, there are always things to improve. “very, very important lessons” Germany can - play a decisive role at the World Cup,” Germany were punished for living dangerously ter, especially in defence where we allowed the “The score is fair, we can not claim to have dom- learnt, but his senior stars were unhappy. said Loew. as Spain dominated the early exchanges. Spanish too much room.” inated for 90 minutes against the Germans, but we Centre-back Jerome Boeteng said “eve- A win over Brazil would boost German Mats Hummels was at fault for the opening goal, Spain coach Julen Lopetegui took the positives tried to play all our cards and we tried to win the rything” was wrong with the opening 20 confidence following recent draws with leaving too much space for Iniesta to tuck the ball from having frustrated the Germans in their own match. minutes when Andres Iniesta gave the top teams England (0-0), France (2-2) and behind the German defence for Moreno to score. backyard. “It was a great game for the spectators, between German midfield a masterclass as Spain now Spain. “At the start, we had real problems, but then we “Overall, I see this match very positively,” said two teams who really wanted to win.” Gulf Times Sunday, March 25, 2018 5 FOOTBALL

FRIENDLY SPOTLIGHT Quintero stuns France as Colombia Messi isn’t missed hit back to win 3-2

AFP goalkeeper David Ospina. Paris Lucas Digne timed his run down the left fl ank perfectly to gallop onto Lemar’s inch-per- ubstitute Juan Quintero fect through ball but the full- as Argentina down lashed home a penalty back’s cross on the stretch was fi ve minutes from time weak and straight at Ospina. as Colombia came back The Arsenal stopper inexpli- fromS 2-0 down to stun France cably fumbled it, though, allow- 3-2 on Friday. ing Giroud to thrash a rising shot Barcelona centre-back Sam- into the roof of the net as he fell uel Umtiti was penalised for a backwards. rash lunge on Quintero’s fel- It meant he matched the Italy in Manchester low substitute Jose Izquierdo as number of goals scored in a the South Americans received a France shirt by former greats Just ‘The team had a lot of stability and the collective level was very good’ morale boost ahead of the World Fontaine and Jean-Pierre Papin. Cup in Russia. Lemar doubled the lead with a AFP Colombia face Poland, Sen- beautifully-worked team goal on Manchester, United Kingdom egal and Japan in Group H. 26 minutes. “The Colombians gave us a Djibril Sidibe started a rapier lesson in aggressiveness, where- counter-attack that saw Kylian ver Banega ensured Ar- as we were too quick to settle for Mbappe exchange passes with gentina weren’t derailed what we had,” France coach Di- Antoine Griezmann, whose by Lionel Messi’s ab- dier Deschamps told TMC tel- backheeled return when in a sence as the World Cup evision. shooting position seemed un- contendersE clinched a 2-0 win “The top level is demanding necessary, but Mbappe helped over Italy in Friday’s friendly at and we didn’t respond in the the ball on to Lemar to slash the Etihad Stadium. second half.” home left-footed. Messi reportedly suff ered France will be up against an groin strain in training on Australia, Peru and Denmark in Short-lived joy Thursday, so the Barcelona for- Group C in Russia. France’s joy was short-lived ward was an unused substitute It was a remarkable turna- as the goalkeeping union had an as Argentina kicked off their round after the hosts had got off evening to forget. preparations for the World Cup to a fl ying start at the Stade de Two minutes later Luis Mu- in June. France. riel’s inswinging cross from the Ahead of a busy end to the Olivier Giroud scored his 30th left looked to be heading harm- domestic season and then the goal for France as Manchester lessly into Lloris’s arms. World Cup, fi ve-time Ballon United midfi elder Paul Pogba But the Tottenham goal- d’Or winner Messi wasn’t going was left on the bench -- as he has keeper was put off by Davinson to risk aggravating his injury. frequently been by Jose Mourin- Sanchez’s attempts to divert the Without their talismanic star, ho at Old Traff ord. cross home from inside the six- Jorge Sampaoli’s side showed Thomas Lemar doubled the yard box and dived the wrong they have strength in depth lead for a vibrant France but Luis way as the ball plopped almost with a solid display capped Muriel gave the South Ameri- apologetically past him. by late goals from Banega and cans hope following a mistake by Colombia created little but Manuel Lanzini. goalkeeper Hugo Lloris. James Rodriguez curled a free- Having edged through to the Lemar’s Monaco teammate kick just over the bar in fi rst half World Cup thanks to Messi’s tre- Radamel Falcao equalised and injury time. ble in a 3-1 win over Ecuador in Quintero then had the last word, And they were the more lively October, Argentina are focused just two minutes after entering at the start of the second period on peaking in Russia, where they the fray. with Muriel having two early will play Croatia, Iceland and Ni- Pogba came on as a substitute chances. geria in the group stage. Clearly for the fi nal quarter but had little France didn’t take note and they need Messi to have any impact. Colombia soon equalised as chance of lifting the trophy, but, The game began after a N’Golo Kante lost possession with Sergio Aguero also sidelined minute’s silence in memory of in midfi eld and James scamp- by injury, Sampaoli will be en- the three victims of the jihadist ered clear down the right before couraged by the performance of Argentina’s Ever Banega (left) scores their first goal against Italy during their friendly match in Manchester on Friday. (Reuters) attacker who struck in south- pulling back a cross for Falcao to his understudies. west France earlier in the day convert from 15 yards. “We played this game as a fi - “We must realise this is a dif- mium until Buff on made an alert men for their lack of cutting Carlos Cacida in fi ne form. before being shot dead by police. A week after his brace for Se- nal,” said Sampaoli, who is set fi cult moment for the team. We save to deny Nicolas Tagliafi co. edge. A fl owing move reached Peru, who will compete in the Even without the elegant drive villa helped knock Manchester to be without Angel Di Maria ask everyone to be patient.” Buff on saved his best for the the edge of the Italy penalty area, World Cup fi nals for the fi rst that Pogba brings to the mid- United out of the Champions for next week’s friendly against Di Biagio is in charge of Italy fi nal seconds of the fi rst half where Sevilla midfi elder Banega time since 1982 this summer, fi eld, France were on the front League, Wissam Ben Yedder Spain after he suff ered a thigh on an interim basis and his fi rst as he repelled a shot from his arrowed a low strike past Buf- kick off their campaign on June foot from the off . came on for Giroud to make his injury. move was to persuade Juventus Juventus teammate Gonzalo fon to the delight of the watch- 16 against Denmark and then But when they deservedly took France debut, but to little eff ect. “The team had a lot of stabil- goalkeeper Gianluigi Buff on to Higuain before Daniele Rugani ing Messi. West Ham’s Lanzini face France on June 21 and Aus- the lead on 11 minutes, it was It was instead Colombian sub- ity and the collective level was end a brief international retire- cleared the rebound off the line. wrapped up the victory with a tralia on June 26. almost entirely down to a hor- stitutes Quintero and Izquierdo very good.” ment. Buff on, winning his 176th After their tame opening, well-taken curling eff ort from 18 Midfi elder Hakim Ziyech rendous gaff e by Arsenal reserve who made the diff erence. Italy remain in turmoil after cap, was quickly called into Italy improved in the second yards in the 85th minute. scored one goal and set up an- failing to qualify for the World action as Di Maria tested the half and should have been ahead Elsewhere, A goal early in other to help lively Morocco beat Cup for the fi rst time since 1958. 40-year-old with a low strike. when Leandro Paredes’s woe- each half gave Peru a 2-0 win Serbia 2-1 in a friendly as both It was an emotional evening ful backpass was intercepted by over Croatia in a lacklustre nations started their build-up to for the Azzurri as they played Lack of enthusiasm Ciro Immobile. friendly in Florida. the World Cup in Russia. for the fi rst time since their de- It took another good stop Immobile set up Lorenzo In- Andre Carillo gave Peru the Ziyech gave Morocco the lead fender Davide Astori died of a from Buff on to keep out Nicolas signe with just Willy Caballero lead after 11 minutes when his as he converted a 29th-minute suspected cardiac arrest earlier Otamendi’s header. to beat, but the Napoli forward defl ected shot from outside the penalty and he delivered the this month. “We suff ered with Although Argentina and Italy fi red wide. box wrongfooted the Croatian inch-perfect cross for Khalid their control of possession and have won six World Cups be- The crowd began chanting goalkeeper. Edison Flores dou- Boutaib to head the winner after lost some shape,” Italy boss tween them, there were large for Messi to be sent on, but their bled their lead three minutes Dusan Tadic had equalised. Luigi Di Biagio said. swathes of seats left empty as appeals were in vain. into the second period when he The Serbians started in an “We deserved more in the the Manchester public showed Chelsea keeper Caballero poked the ball home from close adventurous formation with second half but let’s not forget a lack of enthusiasm for two saved well from Immobile, An- range after a quick counterat- three forwards and two attack- who we were up against. teams whose current squads tonio Candreva and Insigne as tack. ing midfi elders, but the unfa- “The group must develop. are far from their fi nest vintage. Italy enjoyed their best spell. Peru had Yoshimar Yotun miliar strategy left anchorman Colombia’s midfielder Juan Fernando Quintero celebrates with There are a lot of youngsters The stay-aways weren’t missing But, in the 75th minute, Ar- sent off after 74 minutes but Nemanja Matic with too much teammates after scoring a goal during their friendly against France who need experience. much, with chances at a pre- gentina punished Di Biagio’s the Croatians found goalkeeper work to do. at the Stade de France, in Saint-Denis, Paris. (AFP)

FOCUS Southgate enjoying England’s new brand of football Reuters showed. They think about the angles and Amsterdam they’re intelligent footballers.” Southgate played the last time they beat the Dutch, the 4-1 hammering at Euro 96 which here have been far too many World may well still be the best performance by an Cup let-downs for any England sup- England team in a quarter of a century. porter to get too carried away by the Now, though, he was left overseeing a dis- result of a low-key friendly more than play in the 1-0 victory which, even given the Ttwo months before the tournament against evident poverty of the Dutch performance, one-time Dutch aristocrats fallen on hard gave a whiff of poise, pace and progression times. from a side with an experimental feel. Yet the comprehensive nature of Eng- The most encouraging aspect of many for land’s 1-0 win in the Amsterdam backyard Southgate was that this solid performance of old rivals who have held sway over them featured only three in his starting XI – Kyle for a generation still felt like an encouraging Walker, Raheem Sterling and John Stones – breakthrough for manager Gareth Southgate who look sure of also starting in their World on Friday. Cup opener. Competition for places is hot- Indeed, it almost felt like a role reversal. ting up. Jesse Lingard, who earned England’s In the past, the Dutch pass masters always fi rst win away to the Netherlands for 49 years seemed to set a benchmark for comfort and with his second-half strike, gave the sort of confi dence on the ball that appeared beyond electric display to keep another potential key the English game. Here, though, was some- man, Dele Alli, on his toes. thing very diff erent. This was England’s fi fth successive match “I was really pleased with the quality of our without conceding a goal but, minus his in- football,” Southgate told reporters. jured talisman Harry Kane, it was again evi- “The tactical awareness the players dent that, for all of their overall superiority showed. For me, there were lots of individual here, the lack of a cutting edge without the positives and the most pleasing thing is the Tottenham Hotspur marksman remains a ma- players enjoyed their football tonight. They jor concern. Nonetheless, Southgate’s enthu- enjoyed having the ball. I was really pleased to siasm was undimmed. see that. “I should not be inhibiting the way they “We have a diff erent type of player coming play. There were a couple of moments when through our academies compared to the past, I was thinking, ‘whoah, what are you doing?’ in terms of their ability to play as we did to- but they have absolute belief in their ability,” night. he said. “We want them to express themselves, to “They will concede possession sometimes, play with that freedom. They are capable of for sure, but I am enjoying watching them playing in a really composed way, which they play at the moment.” England manager Gareth Southgate applauds fans after the friendly match against the Netherlands on Friday. (Reuters) Gulf Times 6 Sunday, March 25, 2018 SPORT

NBA MLB Red Sox RHP Wright accepts suspension Aldridge’s 45 leads missioner Rob Manfred said in a Reuters Boston statement. “While it is clear that Mr. Wright regrets what tran- spired that evening, takes full oston Red Sox right- responsibility for his actions, hander Steven Wright and has committed himself to has accepted a 15-game the treatment and counseling suspension handed components of the Policy, I have Spurs to overtime downB from MLB for violating the concluded that Mr. Wright’s league’s domestic violence policy. conduct on December 8th vio- On December 8, Wright was lated the Policy and warrants arrested at his home near Nash- discipline. ville, Tenn., and charged with “In addition to serving a 15- domestic assault and prevent- game suspension, Mr. Wright has ing a 911 call after an altercation agreed to speak to other play- with his wife, which are each ers about what he has learned victory over Jazz misdemeanours in the state. He through this process, and to do- was released on a $2,500 bond. nate time and money to local ‘It is kind of a strange cruel twist of fate. It’s a little somber in there. Everybody feels Two weeks later, Wright had organizations aimed at the pre- the charges against him retired vention of, and the treatment of for Steph. He’s in good spirits. I did talk to him. He’s disappointed. That’s part of it’ in Williamson County court. A victims of, domestic violence.” retirement of charges is the fi rst Wright will begin serving his Reuters step toward dismissal assuming suspension with the start of the San Antonio, USA no other off enses occur in the regular season, assuming he is on next 12 months. the active roster. At the time, Wright and his “We fully support MLB’s aMarcus Aldridge wife, Shannon, released a state- Domestic Violence Policy, the poured in a career-high ment through Wright’s lawyer, discipline set forth by the Com- 45 points, including 28 Alex Little. missioner’s offi ce, and Steven’s in the fi rst half, as the “We are pleased that the re- acceptance of the ruling,” the LSan Antonio Spurs defeated the cent case with Steven has been Red Sox said in a statement. Utah Jazz in overtime 124-120 retired, and that we were able “While we are disappointed that on Friday at the AT&T Center to resolve this matter quickly,” this incident occurred, we are in San Antonio in a game with the Wrights said in a statement. encouraged that Steven is taking huge playoff implications as the “We regret the attention this has meaningful steps to learn from NBA regular season heads into caused our family, the Red Sox, this unfortunate incident.” the stretch run. and Major League Baseball. We Wright, 33, missed most Donovan Mitchell’s 3-point- remain committed to working of last season after undergo- er for Utah with 3.6 seconds together to improve our rela- ing knee surgery on May 8. The to play in regulation capped tionship.” knuckleballer was an All-Star in a furious fi nal two minutes of MLB continued to investigate 2016, going 13-6 with a 3.33 ERA the fourth quarter and sent the the incident, which resulted in in 24 starts. game into overtime tied at 114. Friday’s suspension. Wright is expected to rejoin It was the fi rst overtime game of “Mr. Wright cooperated with the Red Sox’s rotation upon the the season for the Spurs. the investigation,” MLB com- completion of his suspension. Mitchell hit another jumper midway through overtime to give the Jazz a 119-116 lead but NFL San Antonio scored the next six points on baskets by Patty Mills, Rudy Gay and Aldridge to sweep to a 122-119 advantage with 34.7 Veteran TE Bennett seconds left in the extra period. After a turnover by Utah and a missed shot by the Spurs, announces retirement Mitchell was fouled before he could shoot another 3-pointer Reuters an injured Rob Gronkowski and but the Spurs had a foul to give. New York catching 55 passes for 701 yards Utah’s Joe Ingles was fouled and seven touchdowns in 16 reg- with 3.8 seconds left, made the ular-season games (12 starts). He fi rst free throw and purposely added 11 catches for 98 yards in missed the second. eteran tight end Mar- the postseason. The rebound was corralled by San Antonio Spurs power forward LaMarcus Aldridge (centre) shoots the ball over Utah Jazz centre Rudy Gobert (right) during the overtime at tellus Bennett an- Overall, Bennett, a one-time San Antonio’s Pau Gasol with the AT&T Centre in San Antonio, USA. PICTURE: USA TODAY Sports nounced his retire- Pro Bowler, retires with 433 re- 2.6 seconds to play and he was ment from the NFL in a ceptions for 4,573 yards and 30 immediately fouled. Antonio while Manu Ginobili while Utah ends its three-game “It is kind of a strange cruel vic contusion in the Warriors’ VTwitter post on Friday night. touchdowns across his 10-year The Spurs were able to get the hit for 18, and Rudy Gay scored road trip at Golden State, also twist of fate,” said Warriors loss Monday at San Antonio. “I’ve decided to move on from NFL career spent with the Dallas ensuing inbounds pass to Mills, 15 points. today. coach Steve Kerr. On Friday, Curry scored 29 the world of football and into the Cowboys (2008-11), New York who was fouled and converted Mitchell led the Jazz with The Warriors said Curry points before spraining his fantastical and wondrous world Giants (2012), Chicago Bears two free throws to clinch the 35 points. Derrick Favors and Warriors’ Curry comes back sprained his medial collateral knee in the second half. Curry of creativity,” Bennett wrote. (2013-15), Patriots (2016, 2017) win. Ricky Rubio added 22 and 20 only to go down again ligament and was scheduled for frowned as he hobbled to the “I’m beginning what I believe to and Packers (2017). The victory was the Spurs’ points, respectively, and Ingles All-star point guard Stephen an MRI on Saturday. bench with 3:09 left in the third be my life’s work.” Bennett is the founder of The season-best sixth in a row and and Rudy Gobert scored 13 each Curry suff ered a left knee strain “It’s a little somber in there. quarter. Bennett, a free agent, played Imagination Agency, through allowed them to win one of the for Utah. in his fi rst game back from Everybody feels for Steph,” Kerr He sat and put his head down for the New England Patriots which he has released a chil- four games against Utah this Aldridge was a one-man an ankle injury as the under- said. before going to the locker room. and Green Bay Packers last sea- dren’s book and app. season. wrecking crew in the fi rst half, manned Golden State Warriors “He’s in good spirits. I did “Getting close to post-sea- son, catching 30 passes for 286 Meanwhile Josh Mauro’s fi rst San Antonio is tied with New making 12 of his 16 shots from beat the Atlanta Hawks 106-94 talk to him. He’s disappointed. son, you don’t want to see noth- yards and no touchdowns. He impression with the New York Orleans for fi fth place in the the fl oor and equalling the on Friday. That’s part of it.” ing like that,” Nick Young said. was released by the Packers with Giants isn’t a good one as the re- Western Conference a game output of the rest of the Spurs But no one wanted to talk Curry’s latest injury just adds Curry had rolled the ankle at a designation that he failed to cent signee was suspended four behind fourth-place Oklahoma combined. Still, San Antonio about the win: all the focus to the woes for the beat-up de- Atlanta on March 2 but initially disclose a physical condition re- games without pay Friday for vi- City with nine games to play. led just 56-51 at halftime as the narrowed on the health of two- fending NBA champions. kept playing before re-injuring lated to a shoulder issue. Bennett olating the NFL’s policy on per- Utah lost for just the second lead changed hands 10 times time MVP Curry, who was in- Golden State was already it again. joined the Patriots for two games formance enhancing substances. time in its past 11 games and re- over the fi rst 24 minutes of play. jured when he collided with without Kevin Durant who suf- before ending the year on injured The Giants inked Mauro to a mains in the eighth spot in the The Jazz were much more teammate JaVale McGee under fered a rib-cartilage injury last RESULTS reserve because of a hamstring one-year contract with a base West standings, a game behind balanced in their scoring as Fa- the basket. week. Golden State 106 Atlanta ...... 94 injury. salary of $790,000 earlier this Minnesota and a game and a vors hit for 11 and Mitchell add- Curry had just returned from Curry’s backcourt sidekick San Antonio .124 Utah ...... 120 The 31-year-old played a key week. They were aware the sus- half ahead of ninth-place ed 10 in the fi rst half. a six-game absence due to an Klay Thompson is rehabbing Cleveland ...... 120 Phoenix ...... 95 role for the Pats during their pension was coming before the Denver. San Antonio returns to play injured right ankle only to go a fractured right thumb, and New York...... 104 Minnesota 108 2016 season on their way to win- signing, according to a report Mills added 25 points for San today afternoon in Milwaukee down again. Draymond Green suff ered a pel- Toronto ...... 116 Brooklyn ....112 ning Super Bowl LI, fi lling in for from ESPN.

NHL Jets set franchise point record with win over Ducks

Reuters period. He one-timed a shot from the left circle off a Winnipeg pass from Wheeler, who recorded his 64th assist of the season on the play, tying him with Philadelphia’s Claude Giroux for fi rst place in the NHL. yle Connor scored with 1:44 to go in overtime Ritchie tied the game midway through the third pe- to help the Winnipeg Jets break the franchise riod, fi nishing a two-on-one break with a wrist shot record for points in a season with a 3-2 vic- that squirted through Hellebuyck’s pads, setting the tory over the visiting Anaheim Ducks on Fri- stage for Connor’s game-winner. Kday night. Anaheim played without centre Ryan Getzlaf, the Winnipeg (45-19-10, 100 points) surpassed the pre- team leader with 45 assists. Getzlaf was scratched due vious mark of 99 points set in 2014-15. The Jets won to the fl u. their fi fth straight home game and now lead the NHL Bruins stun reeling Stars with late goal with 28 home victories (28-7-2). David Pastrnak scored with 11.1 seconds left in regu- Mark Scheifele had a goal and two assists, includ- lation, and Brad Marchand collected one goal and three ing one on the game-winner when he fed Connor on a points as the Boston Bruins scored three unanswered two-on-one. Connor, who also netted the game-win- goals in the third period to beat the host Dallas Stars ner in OT in Winnipeg’s 2-1 victory over the Los Ange- 3-2 Friday. les Kings on Tuesday, fi red a shot through the pads of Just as it appeared the game was headed to overtime, goaltender John Gibson for his 28th goal of the season. Marchand dished the puck down low to Pastrnak, who Nikolaj Ehlers also scored a goal and Connor Helle- worked around Dallas goalie Kari Lehtonen before bur- buyck made 16 saves for the Jets, who improved to 17- ying a shot. 4-2 against Pacifi c Division teams. Bruins goalie Tuukka Rask made 40 saves as the un- Derek Grant and Nick Ritchie scored for Anaheim dermanned Bruins snapped a two-game losing skid (38-24-13, 89), which had a four-game winning streak without forwards Patrice Bergeron, David Backes and snapped. Gibson kept the Ducks in the game with a Rick Nash and defensemen Zdeno Chara, Charlie McA- brilliant performance, stopping 39 shots. voy and Torey Krug, among others. Grant gave Anaheim a 1-0 lead at the 5:51 mark of It was a painful defeat for the Stars, who returned the fi rst period with a power-play goal, redirecting a home after a winless six-game road trip that put them Hampus Lindholm shot from the right point past Hel- outside a wild-card spot in the Western Conference lebuyck’s stick side. It was the 100th career assist for playoff chase. The Bruins have clinched a playoff berth. Lindholm. Winnipeg, which outshot the Ducks 17-4 in the fi rst RESULTS period, tied it 55 seconds later when Ehlers fi red in a Montreal ...... 3 Buff alo ...... 0 wrist shot from the slot off a pass from Scheifele for his New Jersey ...... 4 Pittsburgh ...... 3 (OT) 28th goal of the season. St. Louis ...... 4 Vancouver ...... 1 Scheifele, who hit the crossbar in the fi rst period, Winnipeg ...... 3 Anaheim ...... 2 (OT) Winnipeg Jets forward Kyle Connor celebrates his winning goal against Anaheim Ducks goalie John Gibson during the third period of gave the Jets a 2-1 lead just 45 seconds into the second Boston ...... 3 Dallas ...... 2 their NHL game at Bell MTS Centre in Winnipeg. PICTURE: USA TODAY Sports Gulf Times Sunday, March 25, 2018 7 SPORT

TENNIS Dejected Djokovic looks for answers aft er Miami defeat World No 6 Del Potro shows why he is the hottest player on the ATP Tour right now with a win over Robin Haase

AFP Miami HALEP CRASHES OUT

ix-time champion Novak Djoko- Miami: World number one her gold medal triumph at the vic “ran out of gas” in a straight Simona Halep tumbled out of the 2016 Rio Olympics. “It felt like sets loss to Benoit Paire, while the Miami Open yesterday, falling Rio all over again,” Puig said. “I red-hot Juan Martin Del Potro 3-6, 6-2, 6-3 to Poland’s Agnieszka have been waiting for this and to wonS his opening match at the ATP Miami Radwanska. finally start finding myself again.” Masters on Friday. The third-round defeat comes The 27-year-old Wozniacki ap- It was another setback for the Serbian a week after Romania’s Halep peared to be headed to an easy star Djokovic as he bids to return from was toppled in the semi-finals at victory after winning the first set the elbow injury that sidelined him for six Indian Wells by Japan’s Naomi in less than 30 minutes before months and fi nally saw him have “minor” Osaka, who went on to win the the wheels fell off . World number surgical intervention after a disappoint- title in the California desert. 82 Puig clinched the win with a ing Australian Open. Halep’s exit leaves the women’s blistering forehand winner on the “I’m trying, but it’s not working,” said field in the hardcourt tournament second match point. “I just tried Djokovic, who lost his opener 6-3, 6-4. without its top two seeds, after to stay positive,” she said. “I didn’t “That’s all it is. I mean, obviously I’m not second-seeded Australian Open think I played that poorly in the feeling great when I’m playing this way. champion Caroline Wozniacki first set. She’s a great player so Of course I want to be able to play as well lost to Monica Puig on Friday. De- I had to stay focused and keep as I want to play. Just, it’s impossible at spite the defeat, Halep is assured fighting.” the moment. That’s all.” of retaining the number one spot Puig became the first Puerto While Djokovic is struggling, world when the rankings are updated at Rican athlete to win gold in any number six Del Potro is headed in the op- the end of the tournament. Rad- sport at the Olympics when she posite direction. The 29-year-old Argen- wanska, the 2012 Miami cham- beat Germany’s Angelique Kerber tine showed why he is the hottest player pion, hadn’t posted back-to-back in the final. on the ATP Tour right now with a 4-6, match victories since January. It was another disappointing 7-5, 6-2 win over Robin Haase in his sec- She’ll face either 20th-seeded exit for Wozniacki, who finally ond round match. Anastasija Sevastova of Latvia silenced her critics earlier this Paire broke Djokovic at love to seal the or former world number one year with her maiden Grand win, Djokovic dumping a backhand into Victoria Azarenka of Belarus Slam title in Melbourne, where the net on the Frenchman’s fi rst match for a place in the quarter-finals. she defeated Halep in the final. point. “I felt I started the match well, fi rst Azarenka is unseeded this year Wozniacki drops to 17-5 on the six games,” Djokovic said. “Then I just as she vies to get her career on season as she has now crashed ran out of gas. He was serving well. I just track after taking time off to have out of her last two tournaments wasn’t able to break him down. He was a baby. in stunning fashion. just coming up with the good shots at the World No 2 Wozniacki and In her most recent WTA event right time. It happened very fast.” rising star Naomi Osaka became in Indian Wells, Wozniacki was Djokovic had also lost his opening early round casualties while upset in the round of 16 by Rus- match at the Indian Wells Masters last veteran Venus Williams survived sian dynamo Daria Kasatkina. week. But he was encouraged in Miami Benoit Paire of France hits a forehand en route to his win over Novak Djokovic of Serbia at the Miami Open. (USA TODAY Sports) a scare to book her third round Japan’s Osaka came into the this week to fi nd himself playing without spot. Wozniacki slumped to a second-round match against Svi- pain for the fi rst time “in years.” “I love playing on the hard court. I “But let’s see what happens.” Nishikori who needed three sets to elimi- shock 0-6, 6-4, 6-4 defeat to Puig tolina on an eight-match winning He said a lack of match fi tness was wanted to get a couple of tournaments Former US Open winner Del Potro nate Aussie qualifi er John Millman 7-6 of Puerto Rico while Osaka’s streak that included her dream “one of the things” preventing him from before the clay court season starts. I ob- extended his win streak to 12 straight (7/4), 4-6, 6-3 In other matches on Fri- bid for the “Sunshine Double” run to the Indian Wells title and a gaining any steam in his bid to return to viously wasn’t ready for that.” matches as he seeks his third straight day, second seed Marin Cilic, of Croatia, of Indian Wells and Miami Open first-round triumph here over 23- his top form. But he said that in attempt- Although he had planned for the two ATP title after winning back-to-back in eased past Pierre-Hugues Herbert, of titles ended with a 6-4, 6-2 loss time Grand Slam champion Ser- ing to play through injury for so long, “I Stateside hardcourt tournaments to be Acapulco and Indian Wells. France, 7-5, 6-3; Canada’s Milos Raonic to fourth seeded Ukrainian Elina ena Williams. Seven-time Grand compromised my game and the move- a precursor to a full clay court season, Del Potro blasted fi ve aces and won rolled over Swede Mikael Ymer 6-3, 6-3; Svitolina. Slam champion Williams stormed ment and everything... I’m trying to fi g- Djokovic sounded unsure after the defeat. 79% of his fi rst-serve points in the two third seeded Grigor Dimitrov defeated The 24-year-old Puig compared back from deficits in each set to ure things out. I wanted to come to Indian “That was the plan,” he said when asked if hour and nine minute match. Maximilian Marterer 4-6, 6-2, 6-1; and her win over reigning Australian defeat world number 88 Natalia Wells and Miami because I wanted to see he felt ready to head into the Monte Carlo Del Potro moves on to the third round South Korea’s Chung Hyeon toppled un- Open champion Wozniacki to Vikhlyantseva 7-5, 6-4. whether I can play a match,” he said. Masters Aril 14-22. where he will battle 26th seeded Kei seeded Matthew Ebden 6-3, 7-5.

SPOTLIGHT FOOTBALL Sport pays price MAK Qatar, TJSV win in QIA Champions League he sixth edition of the QIA of frosty Serbia, Champions League All-India Football tournament got under- way on Friday evening, with two Tgroup matches played at the Doha Sta- Kosovo ties dium. In the fi rst match, 21st Century Care AFP the failure of Serbia to play the N Cure MAK Qatar defeated Friday SC Belgrade game... the Serbian national Naseem Al Rabeeh 4-1. Safwan gave Fri- team will be excluded from fur- day SC an early lead but a hat-trick from ther participation in the event,” Faisal saw MAK Qatar overturn the defi - port is paying the price of the EHF said in a statement. cit. Febin added a fourth goal late on to tense ties between former However, the country’s top complete the scoring for MAK Qatar. foes Serbia and Kosovo leaders said the decision to can- The second match of Day 1 saw City after a historic handball cel the match was justifi ed. “It Exchange TJSV Tea Time FC face off with matchS was cancelled and doubts was the only possibility,” Presi- Rusiya Adastra FC. In a fi ery encoun- were cast over a judo event. The dent Aleksandar Vucic said. ter that had the referee dish out 4 yel- women’s under-20 handball “Should we beat them (the fans) low cards and 4 red cards, TJSV eventu- World Cup qualifi cation tourna- for singing Serbian patriotic na- ally prevailed 2-1 courtesy a double from ment match would have been the tional songs?” Mousoof. Faisal scored from the penalty fi rst documented international Vucic did not exclude the pos- spot for Rusiya in the second half, but it sporting fi xture between Serbia sibility that Serbia will eventual- would only be a consolation goal. and its former province to be ly have to face Kosovo in a sports The next round of action will be held at played in Serbia. event “somewhere abroad.” “But Doha Stadium on Thursday, 29th March, The game, which was due to be to acknowledge Kosovo’s inde- with three games set to be played. played behind closed doors, was pendence on Serbia’s territory cancelled by the Serbian interior (by hosting the match) I don’t ministry just a few hours before know how you think we can do FOCUS it was to begin on Friday. The that,” he said. decision was taken after dozens Serbia and Kosovo Albanian of hardline Serbian fans, who independence fi ghters fought a regularly chant “Kosovo is Ser- war in 1999 and Kosovo unilater- bia” at sports events, gathered at ally declared independence from Qatar’s Adel Abdulla takes slender lead the venue near Belgrade, waving Serbia in 2008, but Belgrade still Serbian fl ags and singing patri- does not recognise the move. Al- By Sports Reporter and the fi rst time for me with the rally car otic songs, local media reported. though Vucic urged an “internal Yas Marina, UAE on the circuit. We tried to push because I In another politically-charged dialogue” over the Kosovo issue, didn’t want to start behind like we were move, the Serbian interior min- which is key to Belgrade’s bid last year. It will be a tough stage tomor- istry said Friday it would not let to join the European Union, the atar’s Adel Abdulla held a tiny row. matches between Kosovo and the recognition of Kosovo’s inde- advantage of just 1.1 seconds in “The plan is to drive sensibly and not to other teams in its group, Nor- pendence is politically still im- the T2 standings after the short get stuck. The dunes, we hear, are much way and Slovakia, go ahead. The possible in Serbia. tarmac super special stage at softer than last year.” games were due to take place on Kosovo’s government voiced YasQ Marina that kick-started the action The real meat of the off -road action yesterday and today respectively. “deep regret” over cancellation in the 2018 Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge starts today with a 276km selective sec- The ministry said the decision of the match. “Nationalistic acts yesterday afternoon. tion that starts to the south of Abu Dhabi was made to prevent “any pos- that are impeding holding inter- Driving a Nissan Safari Y61 that he and winds a sandy trail across remote sibility of clashes between police national matches are to be con- rented at the 11th hour, the Qatari carded gatch tracks and the fi rst series of sand and citizens”. demned just as eff orts are made a time of 1min 28.6sec and that gave him dunes before reaching the fi rst of four The head of the Kosovo Hand- to relax the relations” between and navigator Nasser al-Kuwari the nar- overnight halts at a purpose-built biv- ball Federation, Eugen Saracini, Belgrade and Pristina, it said in a rowest of leads over Saudi Arabian ri- ouac, near Qasr Al-Sarab. said the Kosovo players had been statement. val Ahmed Shegawi. The Russian driver under “pressure” during their Vucic met with his Kosovo Yuliya Khegay-Migunova was a mere 1.9 T2 POSITIONS AFTER SSS stay in Serbia. The team left Bel- counterpart Hashim Thaci in seconds behind in third position. 1. Adel Abdulla (QAT)/Nasser al-Kuwari (QAT) grade yesterday. The European Brussels on Friday to restart the Adel Abdulla is running his T2 pro- Nissan Patrol 1min 28.6sec; 2. Ahmed al- Handball Federation (EHF) ex- EU-sponsored talks on nor- gramme with the crucial support of the Shegawi (SAU)/LaurentLichtleuchter (FRA) pelled Serbia from the tourna- malisation of ties, which have Qatar government, the Qatar Motor and 1min 29.7sec; 3. Yuliya Khegay-Migunova ment over its decision to cancel been deadlocked for the past two Motorcycle Federation (QMMF) and (RUS)/Aldis Vilcans (LVA) Toyota LC 200 1min the Kosovo match. years. Meanwhile, it appears that Ooredoo Qatar. 30.5sec; 4. Laurentiu-Claudiu Barbu (ROU)/ “Under the circumstances another sports event could fur- Adel said: “Today we started on the Yas Paul-Nicusor Spirodon (ROU) Nissan Navara of the match cancellation and ther fuel tensions. Marina circuit. It was a new experience 1min 34.0sec Qatar’s Adel Abdulla (right) and his co-driver Nasser al-Kuwari.

Sunday, March 25, 2018 GULF TIMES SPORT

FIG ARTISTIC GYMNASTICS WORLD CUP Three-way tie in fl oor; Jingyuan, Radivilov shine In a thrilling finale at the Aspire Dome, Klinckaert, Meneghini and Su Jong each score 13.333 points to share top spot

Italy’s Elisa Meneghini (left), North Korea’s Kim Su Jong (centre) and Belgium’s Axelle Klinckaert finished on an identical 13.333 points to share the top spot in the floor exercise event during the 11th FIG Artistic Individual Apparatus World Cup in Doha yesterday. PICTURES: Thajudheen Ukraine’s Igor Radivilov picked up his second gold, by winning vault title.

By Sports Reporter a jubilant Jingyuan said after his tri- dress rehearsal for World Champion- Doha umph. “I am very happy with my over- ships, also to be hosted in Doha in Oc- all performance in the championship tober-November. and it will give me a lot of confi dence Qatar Gymnastics Federation Presi- n a rare instance, three gymnasts for my next assignments.” dent Ali al-Hitmi hoped his body will fi nished on same points for the top The Chinese sensation made his de- deliver one of the best editions of the spot in the women’s fl oor event at but at World Championships last year Worlds. “We are ready to host the Ithe FIG Artistic Individual World and he said he was itching to come back World Championships,” he said. Cup, which concluded in Doha yester- to Doha for this year’s edition for the “We have been hosting the World day. In a thrilling fi nale at the Aspire mega event. “Performing well at the Cups since a long time and will leave Dome, Belgium’s Axelle Klinckaert, It- World Championships is my main tar- no stone unturned to make the World aly’s Elisa Meneghini and North Korea’s get and I am looking forward to come Championships a huge success,” he Kim Su Jong each scored 13.333 points. back here and win more medals on a added. Gold medals were given to all three bigger stage.” and shared the top step of the podium, Ukrainian star Radivilov also notched FINAL RESULTS with no silver or bronze medals award- up his second gold of the four-day Men’s Parallel Bars ed. Lara Mori of Italy fi nished fourth championship with a win in vault fi nal. 1. Zou Jingyuan (CHN) 16.200 with 13.266 points. The 25-year-old, who became Ukraine’s 2. Xiao Ruoteng (CHN) 15.233 Meanwhile, World champion Zou fi rst medal-winner at the 2012 Olym- 3. Arican Ferhat (TUR) 15.166 Jingyuan and Igor Radivilov picked up pics after the fall of the mighty Soviet Men’s Vault their second gold medals of the cham- Union, collected 14.599 points for his 1. Igor Radivilov (UKR) 14.599 pionship yesterday. Jingyuan of China eff ort. Radivilov, who won on rings on 2. Qu Ruiyang (CHN) 14.566 took his second gold as he followed a Friday, edged out Qu Ruiyang of China 3. Ferhat Arican (TUR) 14.533 pommel horse win on Friday with a suc- after a close competition to take the top Men’s Horizontal Bars cess on the parallel bars. The 20-year- spot. Ruiyang with 14.566 points took 1. Tin Srbic (CRO) 14.800 old, who had won the title in the same silver. Arican bagged third spot for his 2. Marvin Kimble (USA) 14.533 apparatus in the 2017 World Champi- second bronze of the day. 3. Deng Shudi (CHN) 14.500 onships in Montreal, Canada, last year, Tin Srbic of Croatia was a fi rst- Women’s Balance Beam collected an impressive 16.200 points. time winner in the horizontal bars. He 1. De Jesus dos Santos Melanie (FRA) Jingyuan stunned compatriot world scored 14.800, ahead of United States’ Qatar Olympic Committee secretary-general Jassim al-Buenain (left) and Qatar Gymnastics Federation President Ali al-Hitmi 13.933 all-round champion Xiao Ruoteng, Marvin Kimble, second in 14.533, and with the podium winners of the vault event. 2. Boyer Marine (FRA) 13.466 who tallied 15.166 points for a silver Deng Shudi of China, third in 14.500. 3. Derwael Nina (BEL) 13.400 medal. Turkey’s Ferhat Arican took Meanwhile, French women dominat- teammate Boyer Marine (13.466 points) The World Cup event had been ex- mately failed to qualify for a single fi nal. Women’s Floor Exercise bronze with 15.166 points. ed the balance beam fi nal with teenager who took a silver medal. Uneven bars pected to feature a successful return for Over 150 gymnasts from as many as 1. Axelle Klinckaert (BEL) 13.333 “It’s amazing to win this gold. I am De Jesus dos Santos Melanie collecting gold medallist Nina Derwael posted Japan’s two-time Olympic all-around 39 countries took part in the four-day 2. Elisa Meneghini (ITA) 13.333 very happy with my performance,” the gold with 13.933 points, eclipsing 13.400 for bronze. champion Kohei Uchimura but he ulti- annual event which was dubbed as the 3. Kim Su Jong (PRK) 13.333

BASKETBAL Qatar Sports Club champs aft er thrilling win in final

By Sports Reporter Doha

kipper Mohamed Yousuf Mo- hamed led from the front as Qa- tar Sports Club won the Qatar Cup in thrilling fashion at the AlS Gharafa Sports Club yesterday. Al Gharafa looked set for a certain victory when they led by a whopping 17 points (89-72) with four minutes and nine seconds remaining on the clock. But in a dramatic turn of events rare- ly seen in local basketball, Qatar Sports Club produced a sensational comeback to win the match 91-90 much to the joy of their fans. Such was Qatar Sports Club’s chokehold on their rivals dur- ing the fi nal four minutes that Gharafa could only score one point during that period. Qatar Sports Club, on the other hand, literally seemed to score at will with Mohamed, Simon West and Bran- Qatar Sports Club produced a sensational comeback to win the match 91-90. dan Kearney doing most of the damage. With just seven seconds to go, Baden Captain Mohamed top-scored for heavy price for not getting their act to- Jaxen converted a free throw for Qatar Qatar Sports Club with 26 points, with gether in the fi nal moments of the game Sports Club to draw level at 90-90. a 60% fi eld goal conversion rate, while which they will not forget in a hurry. With the match seemingly headed West had 25, Kearney 19 and Jaxen 15. Sammy Monroe top-scored for the for overtime, Al Gharafa’s Nedim Mus- West’s 25 points came with an 80% runners-up with 22 points, while Ab- lic committed a foul on West, and the fi eld goal conversion rate but remarka- dulrahman Mohamed Saad had 17 and American converted one of his two free bly he didn’t have a single three-point- Muslic 14. Omar Abdelkader Salem throws to beat the buzzer and help Qa- er. Al Gharafa led the fi rst three quar- and Travis Franklin chipped in with 13 tar Sports Club clinch the match. ters 26-25, 45-41 and 68-65 but paid a points each. Qatar Sports Club players celebrate with the off icials after winning the Qatar Cup yesterday. PICTURES: Noushad Thekkayil