TUESDAY 10 MARCH 2020 SPORTSPORT 05

FOOTBALL FOOTBALL You can say it's only three points, but to beat a team CL, Round of 16: CL, Round of 16: like Manchester City with the problems we've had RB Leipzig vs Valencia vs is fantastic: Manchester United coach Ole Gunnar Tottenham Hotspur Atalanta ACTION

Solskjaer says after derby win over Manchester City. TODAY’S (Agg 1-0) (Agg 1-4) Indian Wells becomes first big US sports casualty of virus AFP — LOS ANGELES importance,” said tournament versity of Southern California. director Tommy Haas. “It is not in the public The ATP and WTA tennis tour- Days earlier, organisers had interest of fans, players and nament in Indian Wells, Cali- said they planned to go ahead neighboring areas for this tour- fornia, has been cancelled over with extra health measures in nament to proceed. We all have fears surrounding the new place such as hand-sanitizing to join together to protect the coronavirus outbreak, making stations, beefed-up cleaning community from the corona- it the first major sports event in protocols and gloves for ball virus outbreak.” the US to be scrubbed due to kids, volunteers and food Indian Wells lasts two health concerns. workers. weeks and draws some of the The tournament, one of the The ATP and WTA had also largest crowds for a tennis event biggest outside the four tennis issued virus-related guidelines, in North America. The number Grand Slams, was cancelled just telling players not to accept of competitors and lucrative days before it was due to begin. items from fans to be prize money being offered for Officials said in a news autographed. the men and women has helped release that they opted to Before the cancellation, the earn it the nickname of “The cancel because California tournament had offered to give The tournament draws Fifth Slam”. health officials had declared refunds to anyone who had more than 400,000 fans There is also a men and Courtmaster Jeffrey a public health emergency for bought tickets, but did not want each year to Indian Wells, women’s tournament scheduled Brooker cleans the the Coachella Valley -- in the to attend. 27km (17 miles) southeast for Miami later this month but center court at the desert east of Los Angeles -- The tournament draws of Palm Springs. there was no word on any after a confirmed case of more than 400,000 fans each Indian Wells Tennis changes to that event. COVID-19. year to Indian Wells, 27km (17 Garden on Sunday. Following Miami, the tours “We are very disappointed miles) southeast of Palm head to Europe for the that the tournament will not Springs. beginning of the clay court take place, but the health and Many of the players had wrote on his Twitter page. battling to contain an outbreak this time, to the public health of season. The run up to the safety of the local community, already arrived in Indian Wells The number of coronavirus on a cruise ship off the coast the Riverside County area in French Open includes the ATP fans, players, volunteers, with qualifying matches cases in the US has exceeded where 21 people have tested holding a large gathering of this and WTA event in Rome, Italy, sponsors, employees, vendors, scheduled to start on Monday. 500 spread across more than positive for the virus among the size,” said doctor David Agus, the hardest-hit European and everyone involved with the “I’m shook,” Canadian 30 states. 3,500 people on board. professor of medicine and bio- country with 366 deaths from event is of paramount tennis star Denis Shapovalov California officials are also “There is too great a risk, at medical engineering at the Uni- the virus. James, Davis combine for Briton Hatton wins Arnold Palmer 58 as Lakers down Clippers tourney by 1 shot

AFP — LOS ANGELES LeBron James REUTERS — ORLANDO Englishman Hatton (right) of the Los secures a one-stroke LeBron James and Anthony Angeles Lakers Englishman Tyrrell Hatton victory over Marc Davis combined for 58 points drives to the secured a one-stroke victory Leishman in Florida after as the Los Angeles Lakers beat basket on Kawhi over Marc Leishman at the hitting a series of clutch the Los Angeles Clippers for the Leonard of the LA Arnold Palmer Invitational in shots over the dangerous first time this season with a Florida after hitting a series of Clippers during final stretch, culminating 112-104 NBA victory. their NBA game. clutch shots over the dangerous James scored 28 points and final stretch, culminating with with a rock-solid par at dished out nine assists while a rock-solid par at the last. the last. Davis finished with a team-high He tapped in from two feet 30 points in the showdown to clinch his first PGA Tour between the two best teams in victory with a two-over-par 74 his chances might slip away. the NBA’s Western on another windy day at bone- “I feel like I could easily Conference. dry Bay Hill in Orlando, have blown up after that,” he “These are two teams becoming the third straight said. gearing up for the play-offs,” European champion after Rory “I managed to keep my said James. “It was hard fought.” McIlroy and Francesco head a little bit, although I did But unlike Friday’s Laker Molinari. get a bit frustrated. I thought win over Milwaukee, the Hatton shot four-under 284 I’d played my way out of it a dynamic duo got some offensive ahead of Australian Leishman little bit but when I saw a score- help from another starter. Avery (73) on three-under while board (a few holes later I) Bradley tallied 24 points, deliv- South Korean Im Sung-jae (73), realised I had a one or two-shot ering on six of 12 three-point winner of last week’s Honda lead and was a little bit attempts as the Lakers avenged Classic, was another shot back surprised.” consecutive losses to the in third place. Leishman, the 2017 Clippers on Christmas Day and World number one McIlroy champion, would not go away the season opener in October. snapped. The Lakers were Against the Clippers, had a season-high 37 points slipped out of contention after and Hatton was in danger of Paul George scored a team- coming off an even more Bradley was the only other and rookie Zion Williamson he double-bogeyed the sixth surrendering a two-stroke high 31 points and reigning NBA impressive win on Friday in Laker in double figures as he scored 23 as the visiting New and ninth holes. advantage at the par-five 16th, Finals Most Valuable Player which James and Davis joined got hot from beyond the arc. Orleans Pelicans defeated the The Northern Irishman shot but he got up-and-down from Kawhi Leonard poured in 27 forces to score a combined 67 Head coach Frank Vogel Minnesota Timberwolves 76 and tied for fifth at even par, a greenside bunker to save par points for the Clippers, who had points as they took down said he has never seen James 120-107. his seventh straight top-five and lose just one shot. their six-game win streak Giannis Antetokounmpo and play better. Holiday added nine finish on the PGA Tour, some- With such a tenuous the Milwaukee Bucks 113-103 There is a chance the Lakers rebounds and eight assists while thing nobody has managed advantage there was no margin NBA RESULTS in a matchup between the could face the Clippers in the Brandon Ingram had 15 points, since Tiger Woods in 2000. for error, but Hatton struck a NBA’s top clubs. postseason after they clinched 12 rebounds and seven assists. But that was little solace to superb five-iron at the par-three Cleveland 132, San Antonio 129 James and Davis outscored their first playoff berth in seven Also, DJ Augustin, who had McIlroy as his 2018 European 17th and made a tap-in par. New York 96, Detroit 84 all nine of their teammates years when they beat the Bucks. 24 points, was one of six players Ryder Cup team-mate Hatton Two equally fine shots into Washington 89, Miami 100 combined against the Bucks. The Lakers took over in the to reach double figures as the stole the show with a gritty per- the teeth of the wind at the par- Dallas 109, Indiana 112 “We knew it was a big fourth as James got it started Orlando Magic pounded the formance to overcome a four 18th left him with two Houston 106, Orlando 126 weekend for us. Milwaukee on with a three-pointer. His three- struggling Houston Rockets double-bogey at the par-four putts from 25 feet for the Boston 104, Oklahoma City 105 Friday and they are number one point play and a basket by Davis 126-106 in Houston. 11th, where he yanked his drive victory and he made no Phoenix 140, Milwaukee 131 in the league, and the Clippers capped a 14-6 run that stretched The Rockets suffered a into a lake. mistake. Brooklyn 110, Chicago 107 beat us twice before. We don’t the lead to 99-87 in the fourth, second straight blowout loss at The two dropped shots left “To hold on and win here

Minnesota 107, New Orleans 120 want to be swept by anyone,” their first double-digit lead of home. James Harden made just the volatile 28-year-old Hatton at such an iconic venue, I’m LA Clippers 104, LA Lakers 112 said James of the Lakers, who the game. three of 10 three pointers and muttering negatively as he felt over the moon,” said Hatton. won their fourth straight game. Elsewhere, Jrue Holiday finished with 24 points. NHL: Blues get first season sweep of Blackhawks

REUTERS — NEW YORK a four-game winning streak. regulation, and Jonathan six-game winless streak Avalanche 4, Sharks 3 Marchessault’s empty-netter (0-5-1). Defencemen Robert Bortuzzo Colorado’s top line of 52 seconds later iced the win. Blue Jackets 2, Canucks 1 and Alex Pietrangelo had goals Gabriel Landeskog, Nathan Hurricanes 6, Penguins 2 Elvis Merzlikins won in his and Jake Allen posted a MacKinnon and Vladislav Justin Williams and first start since returning from 29-save shutout to boost the Namestnikov combined for Morgan Geekie each scored injury, leading Columbus to a visiting St. Louis Blues to a 2-0 three goals and five assists as twice as visiting Carolina win over host Vancouver. victory against the Chicago the Avalanche kept pace with moved into an Eastern Con- The 25-year-old rookie Blackhawks for the team’s the Blues with a win in San ference wild-card position withstood 27 shots to stop the ninth win in its past 10 games. Jose. with a win over Pittsburgh. Blue Jackets’ losing skid at two Jaden Schwartz added two G' Knights 5, Flames 3 Red Wings 5, Lightning 4 games, capping a three-game assists for the Blues (41-18-10), Vegas defenseman Shea Robby Fabbri scored in road trip through Western who maintained their Central Theodore scored the go-ahead regulation and had the game- Canada. Division lead of two points goal with 1:10 left in the third winner in the shootout as host Wild 5, Ducks 4 (OT) over the Colorado Avalanche period to lift the Golden Detroit ended a 16-game Kevin Fiala scored two while earning a season sweep Knights past host Calgary. losing streak to Tampa Bay goals, including the game- of the archrival Blackhawks With the game tied at 3 with a stunning win. winner in overtime on a for the first time in franchise after Vegas blew a 3-0 lead, Tyler Bertuzzi and power play with 59 seconds history during the regular Theodore shot a puck that Anthony Mantha each supplied remaining, as Minnesota season. deflected in off the stick of Cal- a goal and three assists for the moved back into playoff eli- Tyrrell Hatton wears a red alpaca cardigan sweater given to the Chicago (31-30-8) lost its gary’s Andrew Mangiapane Wings, who have recorded two gibility with a win in winner as he holds the champions trophy after winning the Arnold second straight on the heels of with 70 seconds left in consecutive victories after a Anaheim. Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill Club & Lodge. 06 SPORT TUESDAY 10 MARCH 2020 Australian women celebrate fifth T20 title

REUTERS — MELBOURNE Alyssa Healy said she hoped the Indian cricketers Women’s T20 World Cup final would be a game-changer for her sport as the Australia team hailed for World celebrated their fifth title and a record-breaking final at a ceremony in the centre of Cup campaign Melbourne yesterday. NEW DELHI Australia thrashed India by AFP — said he was “proud” of the 85 runs in front of 86,174 fans at women, who went into the the Melbourne Cricket Ground India has rallied behind its final unbeaten and had out- in a final played on International women’s cricket team, played Australia in the Women’s Day. It was the biggest hailing their efforts in the opening game of the crowd to ever watch a women’s T20 World Cup despite a tournament. sporting event in Australia. crushing loss to Australia in “Proud of all the efforts Opener Healy smashed 79 the final. put in by the Indian Women’s runs from 39 balls, including a Harmanpreet Kaur’s side Cricket Team throughout half century off 30 deliveries, to lost to the defending cham- their #T20WorldCup cam- win Player of the Match on pions by 85 runs in front of paign. I’m confident that you Sunday. more than 86,000 fans -- a girls will bounce back “What an unbelievable record attendance for stronger than ever,” Kohli occasion, our group was unbe- women’s cricket -- at the tweeted. lievable,” said Healy, who like Melbourne Cricket Ground Nothing went right on many of her team mates wore on Sunday. Sunday for India, who lost dark glasses after celebrating Despite the defeat it was the toss and then watched as into the early hours. a successful World Cup for Verma dropped Alyssa Healy “I think it was probably the the team, who reached the in the first over. best game of cricket I’ve ever The Australian women’s Twenty20 cricket team celebrates with the trophy with fans in Melbourne’s final for the first time and Healy went on to smash played in. To be able to do it in Federation Square yesterday, a day after defeating India in the final of the women’s T20 World Cup. whose star batter, 16-year- 75 off 39 balls to get the front of 86,000 people is next old Shafali Verma, moved to player of the match award. level and hopefully it’s the start Federation Square. “To make it Executive Kevin Roberts paid the top of the world rankings Australia marched to a of something special.” to the big day and then to tribute to the “inspirational” during the tournament. record fifth women’s T20 Organisers had hoped to set perform so well is something I’m team but also to the women on Indian cricket chief World Cup title after posting a global attendance record for a really proud of.” whose shoulders they stood. Sourav Ganguly praised the 184 for four. India were sent I think it was probably women’s event and even if they Player of the Tournament “Last night was a women for making the final, packing for just 99 in reply. fell a few thousand fans short it Beth Mooney, who hit 78 runs momentous event,” said Roberts. a month after the men’s “It was a tough day for the best game of was no less special an occasion in the final, said the enormity of “It’s pretty easy for males under-19s were runners-up #TeamIndia. Our team is cricket I’ve ever for the players. the event and her achievement involved in cricket like me to in the 50-over World Cup. young and will grow into a played in. To be able Australia captain Meg had yet to sink in. “It’s probably jump on this wave and play “Well done the Women’s solid unit. You have inspired Lanning, who started her inter- something I’ll look back on in 10 some small role but the credit team @bcci @JayShah .. Two many across the globe,” to do it in front of national career when the years’ time,” she said. belongs to the women. back to back World Cup retired batting superstar 86,000 people is next women’s team counted their “For me and everyone there “To the generations of finals .. but we lost,” Ganguly Sachin Tendulkar wrote on crowds in the hundreds, said it it’ll probably be one of those women who paid their own way tweeted. Twitter. level and hopefully it’s had been the best of the four things where you say: ‘were you to play for their country, can you “We’re super .. we will get “We are proud of you. the start of something titles she had played a part in there when we broke the record believe it? To the women who there someday .. love the Keep working hard and special: Alyssa Healy winning. for the most watched female have made women’s cricket team and players.” never lose hope. It will “It’s definitely at the top,” she game in Australia?’.” what it is over the last 145 years, Men’s captain Virat Kohli happen one day.” told fans at Melbourne’s Cricket Australia Chief this belongs to them.” Injured Perera in Bubble-blowing Dunk a big SL Test squad for hit in Pakistan Super League England series AP — RAWALPINDI No. 1 choice Twenty20 left-arm Lahore Qalandars’ spinner Imad Wasim, both got Ben Dunk plays a A bubble blowing, bald punished by Dunk on Sunday. REUTERS — COLOMBO SRI LANKA SQUAD Australian batsman has become shot during a PSL But Dunk, a journeyman an instant hit in the Pakistan match against Quetta who has played in T20 leagues Kusal Perera (pictured) has Dimuth Karunaratne (captain), Os- Super League Twenty20 tour- Gladiators. in four countries, believes he’s returned to Sri Lanka’s squad hada Fernando, Kusal Mendis, An- nament. one of the lucky players to be for their two-Test series against gelo Mathews, Dinesh Chandimal, Ben Dunk broke his own part of the PSL. England later this month Kusal Perera, Dhananjaya De Silva, record of most sixes in a PSL “There’s so many cricketers despite carrying a finger injury Niroshan Dickwella (wicketkeeper), game within a week when he who want to play in this tour- that could rule him out of the Dilruwan Perera, Lasith Embuldeni- smashed 12 towering sixes nament, both locally here and first match. ya, Lahiru Kumara, Vishwa Fernan- against Karachi Kings in an around the world,” Dunk said. The 29-year-old was left do, Kasun Rajitha, Lakshan unbeaten 99 off just 40 balls on “I’m certainly in no position

out of the Sri Lanka squad that Sandakan, Suranga Lakmal, Wanin- Sunday night. The blistering to dictate where I bat … I’m beat Zimbabwe 1-0 in du Hasaranga knock earned Lahore a happy to keep (wickets), happy January. resounding eight-wicket win to bat, happy to bat at 11 and Left-handed batsman with five balls to spare as the happy to try and bowl if that’s Lahiru Thirimanne, who was announced yesterday. The home team raced to 190-2. what the team needs. I just want in the squad for the Zimbabwe 30-year-old made his last test Dunk went agonisingly to try and do the best that I can series but did not feature, was appearance for his country close to a century last Tuesday, for the team.” left out of the against New Zealand in August too, when he smashed 10 sixes He bowls some right-arm squad last year. against defending champion offspin, bats left-handed and All-rounder Wanindu Quetta Gladiators in a match- take the gloves behind the Hasaranga was named as the winning knock of 93 not out. stumps. 16th member of the squad but “I think no one realistically Dunk, who hails from Aus- will be replaced before the first will remember whether it was Qalandars fans at the Gaddafi still in hand, Lahore could make tralia’s northern Queensland test because he has a hamstring 100 or 99 not outs,” Dunk, who Stadium. it to the play-offs for the first state, has played five Twenty20 injury. will turn 33 on Wednesday, “No special things in it, I’m time in five years after finishing internationals for Australia, Selectors also named three said. just trying to stay calm in the at the bottom of the standings making his debut in 2014 specialist spinners -- Dilruwan “Most people who came middle, really,” Dunk said of his in the previous four editions of against South Africa at Adelaide. Perera, Lasith Embudleniya tonight remember that we won celebration. the tournament. Despite his recent form, he and Lakshan Sandakan -- the game and I think that’s “It’s sort of a little idiosyn- Dunk’s ferocious hitting had doesn’t see himself in the plans alongside four specialist pace something that I’ve always crasy, I guess, that I do and left bowlers clueless in the PSL. of coach Justin Langer for this bowlers in Suranga Lakmal, prided myself on … and we’re probably a bad habit that I No matter at what length a year’s Twenty20 World Cup in Lahiru Kumara, Kasun Rajitha right back in the tournament should probably stop. But I just spinner or a fast bowler has Australia. and Vishwa Fernando. again.” try and do it to keep me calm bowled, Dunk has dispatched “Fortunately enough, in Aus- The first Test against And every time Dunk has and keep my mind on the task it over the boundary with tralia we’ve got quite a few good England starts in Galle on struck big, the powerful left- at hand.” apparent ease on both sides of players. I would assume JL (Justin March 19, with the second hander has celebrated it by Dunk’s exploits with the bat the wicket. Be it experienced Langer) would certainly be fol- Test beginning in Colombo blowing a bubble to the great have changed Lahore’s for- left-arm fast bowler lowing (the PSL), but I would say on March 27. delight of his franchise Lahore tunes. With three league games Mohammad Amir or Pakistan’s I am well off the radar.” Soumya, Liton help Bangladesh crush Zimbabwe

AFP — DHAKA Leg-spinner Aminul Islam Carl Mumba provided late He struck four fours and Bangladesh’s Soumya grabbed three wickets for 34 blitz with 25 off 16 balls but five sixes, including two in the Sarkar plays a shot Soumya Sarkar and Liton Das runs and Mustafizur Rahman could only delay the last two balls of the innings off during the first struck half-centuries as Bang- finished with 3-32. inevitable. Chris Mpofu to lift Bangladesh Twenty20 international ladesh crushed Zimbabwe by The other new-ball bowlers Liton earlier set the platform to 200. against Zimbabwe in 48 runs in the first Twenty20 rattled Zimbabwe in the for Bangladesh’s highest-ever “It was pleasing to see how Dhaka, yesterday. international of a two-match opening batting Powerplay to Twenty20 score against Zim- the batters performed. series in Dhaka yesterday. reduce the tourists to 3-37. babwe with a 92-run opening Tamim and Liton gave us Soumya hit an unbeaten 62 Tinashe Kamunhukamwe stand with Tamim Iqbal, who the start we wanted, and off 32 balls, his second was top scorer for Zimbabwe made 41 off 33 balls. Soumya finished off really well,” Twenty20 half-century and a with 28 before Aminul forced Teenage debutant Wesley said Bangladesh captain Mah- career best, after an in-form him to give a catch to Liton at Madhevere dismissed Tamim mudullah Riyad. Liton made 59 off 39 balls to long-off. to break the stand and Sikandar Zimbabwe captain Williams guide Bangladesh 200-3 in the Aminul took the wicket of Raza trapped Liton leg before lamented their performance. 20 overs. Zimbabwe captain Sean Wil- to end his superb innings, which “We missed our length with The visitors were never up liams (20) from the next ball to featured five fours and three the ball, and partnerships at the to the task when replying to the break the back bone of the sixes. top were required and that let handy score and were bowled batting line-up. Soumya took the charge to us down,” he said. out for 152 runs in 19 overs to Richmond Mutumbami and ensure Bangladesh surpassed The second and final match suffer their biggest Twenty20 Doland Tiripano also made 20 their previous highest score of of the series will be held at the defeat against Bangladesh. runs each. 175 runs against Zimbabwe. same ground tomorrow. TUESDAY 10 MARCH 2020 SPORT 07 PSG, Dortmund to play behind closed doors PARIS AFP – remains fully mobilised to A woman posing for a photograph Saturday postponed due to the organise the match in the best in front of the Parc des Princes extent of the outbreak in the Paris Saint-Germain’s Cham- possible conditions.” The stadium in Paris, yesterday, two Alsace region of eastern pions League last 16 second leg announcement was closely fol- days ahed of the UEFA Champions France. at home to German club lowed by the postponement of League Group A match between The state of North Rhine Borussia Dortmund tomorrow the Six Nations rugby match Paris Saint-Germain and Dortmund Westphalia, where Dortmund will be played behind closed between France and Ireland which will be played behind closed is situated, has been the worst doors because of the corona- scheduled for Saturday in Paris. doors due to the COVID-19 outbreak. hit in Germany, with close to virus outbreak, Paris police They are the most high profile 500 confirmed infections, said yesterday. sporting events in France to be according to official data. The decision comes after hit by the coronavirus “We were prepared for this the French government on outbreak. eventuality and have made the Sunday announced measures France’s sports minister, appropriate preparations,” to cope with the spread of the Roxana Maracineanu, said that Dortmund said in a statement. virus, including banning all the final matches of an ongoing Dortmund won the first leg gatherings of more than 1,000 four-team women’s interna- of their tie 2-1 at home last people. tional football tournament month, leaving PSG requiring France has so far seen involving France, the Nether- a second-leg comeback to almost 1,200 confirmed cases lands, Brazil and Canada will avoid a fourth straight exit in of COVID-19 and 21 deaths. also be played behind closed the first knockout round of the “In accordance with the doors today. Champions League. measures announced...last According to the French Tuesday’s Champions night, the police chief has Football Federation, 12,000 League clash between Valencia decided that the match...will be tickets have been sold for the and Italian side Atalanta in played behind closed doors,” game between France and the Spain will also be played said Paris police in a statement Netherlands in the northern behind closed doors, with the late on Monday morning. town of Valenciennes. “This is an exceptional sit- people would also be applied they possibly will be post- visitors travelling from PSG, who would have Elsewhere, this week’s uation,” Maracineanu said at a to the France men’s football poned, otherwise they will Bergamo in the Lombardy expected a full house of more Paris-Nice cycling race is going press conference. “What I team’s scheduled games have to respect the limit of region which is amongst the than 45,000 fans at the Parc ahead, but no spectators will advise is that sports events against Ukraine in Paris on 1,000,” Maracineanu said at a worst hit parts of Italy by the des Princes for the game, be allowed at the start and continue to take place.” Marac- March 27 and Finland in Lyon press conference. virus. No journalists will be issued a statement of their own, finish lines for the remaining ineanu said that the ban on on March 31. PSG had already had their allowed to attend that game saying: “In this context, the club stages. gatherings of more than 1,000 “If they can be postponed, Ligue 1 match at Strasbourg on either. ‘Business as Juventus beat Inter in front usual’ for of empty stands to go top British sport Ooredoo Ride of AFP – MILAN Douglas Costa went closest in dissent. The climax of the season despite a tight first half, but was denied by remains uncertain, though, after Aaron Ramsey starred as Juventus an excellent save from Inter goal- a deadly outbreak of the new Champions coronavirus beat title rivals Inter Milan 2-0 on keeper Samir Handanovic. coronavirus in Italy which has Sunday to reclaim top spot in Serie The hosts broke the deadlock claimed the lives of over 350 A in a game played behind closed 10 minutes after the break, as people. postponed AFP – LONDON doors due to the coronavirus Cristiano Ronaldo got to a low ball Italians woke up to discover outbreak. first inside the box, with it then the entire Lombardy region THE PENINSULA – DOHA Sporting events in Britain will Earlier in the day, Italian sports falling kindly for Ramsey to around Milan and other parts of go ahead as planned despite minister Vincenzo Spadafora called sweep a low shot into the net the north in which a quarter of all In light of the worldwide coronavirus outbreak and drastic measures being taken for the league season to be put on from close range. Italians live -- and most big teams with the safety of volunteers, athletes, and the elsewhere in the world to stop hold. It was the Wales midfielder’s play -- under lockdown. general public in mind, the Ooredoo Ride of Cham- the spread of the coronavirus, His statement caused chaos at fourth goal of the season after Italian Footballers’ Association pions, which was due to take place at Education according to ministers. the early game between SPAL and joining Juve from Arsenal last president Damiano Tommasi City on March 13, 2020, has been postponed. Culture Secretary Oliver Parma, with confused players sent year. tweeted that “stopping football is Organisers have confirmed that the event has Dowden told the BBC yes- back to the dressing rooms from The 29-year-old created his the most useful thing for our been rescheduled for November 13, 2020. terday that it would be “pre- the tunnel before eventually taking side’s second goal 12 minutes later, country right now”. “While we are naturally disappointed to have mature” to cancel fixtures as to the field 75 minutes after the playing a neat one-two with Paulo “The teams to cheer are to postpone this event, the safety of participants, officials from a number of scheduled kick-off. Dybala, who wriggled clear of two playing in our hospitals, in emer- stakeholders, and the general public is of para- sports gathered in London to Juventus’ game against Inter in defenders and fired home. gency rooms,” Tommasi wrote. mount importance,” said Dr. Abdulazziz Al Kuwari, discuss the impact of the Turin did go ahead, although in an Inter substitute Christian Spadafora quickly sounded his President of Qatar Cyclist Centre. virus. empty Allianz Stadium, with the Eriksen went close to pulling one own support for the idea of sus- “With the global COVID-19 situation contin- “There’s no reason for defending champions taking a one- back when he drilled a shot nar- pending the season right away. ually evolving, this is the responsible decision to people either not to attend point lead over Lazio at the top of rowly over the crossbar. “The FIGC (Italian Football take in the interests of public health and such events or to cancel them the table. Antonio Conte’s third- Things went from bad to worse Federation) should consider wellbeing. at this stage, but we keep it placed Inter are now nine points for the away side when Daniele immediately STOPPING Serie “We and our partners look forward to a great under review,” he said. adrift, but with a game in hand on Padelli, sitting on the substitutes’ A,” Spadafora wrote on Ooredoo Ride of Champions in November.” The global sporting cal- Juve and Lazio. bench, was shown a red card for Facebook. Competitors who have paid their entry fee will endar is being badly disrupted be automatically entered for the event on its by the virus, which has Inter Milan and Juventus players rescheduled date. Participants, unable to partic- infected more than 110,000 in action during their Italian ipate on the new date and seeking a refund are people worldwide, with over Serie A match in an empty asked to make a request for same via email info@ 3,800 deaths. stadium in Turin on Sunday. rocdoha.qa by April 1. France’s Six Nations Further updates will be posted on www. match against Ireland in Paris rocdoha.qa. on Saturday has been post- poned, according to multiple sources -- the third game of the tournament to be called Australian off. Paris Saint-Germain’s European Champions coach cuts ties League home game against Borussia Dortmund tomorrow will be played with banned Sun behind closed doors. The ATP and WTA tennis AFP – SYDNEY tournament in Indian Wells, California, has been cancelled Disgraced Chinese swimmer Sun Yang’s veteran and Japan’s baseball season coach Denis Cotterell has severed all ties with the has been postponed. three-time Olympic champion after his eight-year Rugby Football Union drug ban, Australian media reported. chief executive Bill Sweeney, Australian Cotterell, regarded as one of the who was at the meeting in world’s top coaches, had worked with the freestyle London with other governing Former United players hail ‘big specialist since the 2008 Beijing Olympics and long bodies and broadcasters, said maintained Sun was clean. the Wales vs Scotland Six But after the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) Nations match in Cardiff moment’ for team after derby win banned Sun last month for refusing to give a doping would likely go ahead this sample in September 2018, Cotterell said he was weekend. now “retired”. “The basic message REUTERS – MANCHESTER Gary Neville “I have terminated my contract with (the) coming out of today is let’s not Chinese Swimming Association,” he told the Sydney panic, let’s monitor the situ- Manchester United have taken a “huge step” in their Daily Telegraph on Sunday. ation and carry on as normal,” development under manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer with Sun insists he is innocent and is to appeal, with he said. Sunday’s Premier League win over local rivals his lawyer reasserting his defence that doping offi- Premier League executive Manchester City but they must back it up with another cials who came to his home were not qualified or director Bill Bush refused to big display, former captain Roy Keane has said. authorised, and it was they who decided not to speculate on the possibility of Goals from Anthony Martial and Scott McTominay pursue testing. matches being played behind helped United seal a 2-0 victory over the champions to Asked if he supported Yang’s appeal, Cotterell closed doors. remain in fifth place and extend their unbeaten run in replied: “No.” It was the 28-year-old’s second ban Steve Elworthy, director all competitions to 10 games. for doping, having served three months in 2014. of special projects at the “There’s a long way back but it was a huge step. I’ve Nevertheless, Cotterell told AFP at the world England and Wales Cricket given City huge praise over the last few years ... but I felt championships in South Korea last year: “He’s not Board, was also at the like it meant more to United than City,” Keane told Sky a drug cheat. meeting. Sports. “You can’t have the performances he’s had over “It was a fantastic meeting “They’ve been under a lot of pressure and criticism. the years without doing the work. He’s been tested and this is the start of it,” he I’ve been critical, but United have done well. It’s a big year in, year out -- hundreds of tests, winning every said. boost for Ole. The atmosphere was fantastic. But when “I was thinking about the midfield and universally year over this period of 10 years.” A vial of Sun’s “We are starting to think you get a big win you have to follow it up.” Keane’s ex- United fans would say it’s been pathetic for 18 months... blood was smashed with a hammer during the con- about contingency planning United team-mate and fellow analyst Gary Neville hailed all of a sudden United have a midfield when it had been tentious testing session in 2018, but he was origi- and it was a great meeting their first home and away league double over City in a non-existent. nally acquitted of anti-doping violations by world with all the sports around. We decade. “Are they the best group of United players that have swimming’s governing body FINA who agreed that obviously can’t get into any of “It still doesn’t give them what they want in terms been here in the last eight years? No, not for a talent. testers had failed to produce adequate (what was discussed) and of a Champions League place or a top-four finish, but But they’re a far easier group to like because they want identification. don’t want to because it is still something like that was a big moment,” Neville said, to be here.” United visit LASK in the last 16 of the Europa The World Anti-Doping Agency took the matter business as usual in our praising midfielders McTominay, Fred, Nemanja Matic League on Thursday before a league trip to Tottenham to CAS, demanding a ban of between two and eight world.” and Bruno Fernandes. Hotspur on Sunday. years for missing the out-of-competition test. SPORT SPORTS | 05 SPORT | 07 James,Ja Davis Juventus beat combinecom for 58 Inter in front of asas LakersLa down empty stands Clippers to go top

TUESDAY 10 MARCH 2020 Qatar 2022: FIFA and AFC agree to postpone Asian qualifiers

REUTERS – KUALA LUMPUR (AFC) have agreed to postpone the A further 32 games were Tournaments were likely to be and will now be held from August upcoming Asian qualifiers for the scheduled to be played during the played as scheduled, with the 5-16. FIFA and the Asian Football FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022,” FIFA second international break on two exception of the women’s Olympic "FIFA and the AFC will continue Confederation (AFC) have agreed said in a statement. match days on June 4 and 9. qualifiers play-off between South to assess the situation in relation to postpone the Asian World Cup China’s matches against Maldives FIFA added that the matches Korea and China. to COVID-19 and will decide qualifying matches in March and at home and Guam away were could still go ahead if the member The play-off will now take place whether further changes to the June due to the coronavirus already moved to Buriram, Thailand associations due to play each other during the June 1-10 international schedule of Asian FIFA World Cup outbreak, the world soccer body and were set to be played in an mutually agree and safety standards window. 2022 qualifiers are required, said yesterday. empty stadium, but more than two are met, subject to prior approval FIFA and the AFC also announced always with the aim of protecting “Following consultation with dozen other matches were scheduled from both FIFA and the AFC. new dates for the AFC Futsal Cham- the safety and health of all indi- Asia’s member associations, FIFA and around the continent on two match It added that upcoming qualifiers pionship Turkmenistan, which was viduals involved," an AFC the Asian Football Confederation days on March 26 and 31. for the Olympic Football scheduled for February 26-March 8 statement said.

Injury to keep Spectators barred from Tokyo Salman out of action for Games torch lighting ceremony three weeks ATHENS – DOHA REUTERS – A general view of the Olympic flame lighting ceremony for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games inside the ancient Olympic Stadium on THE PENINSULA the site of ancient Olympia, Greece, in this April 21, 2016 file photo. The Tokyo 2020 Olympics Al Sadd's defender Tarek Salman torch lighting ceremony in will be out of action for three ancient Olympia will be the weeks, the club announced first in more 35 years to be yesterday. held without spectators after The 22-year-old Qatari inter- organisers yesterday intro- national suffered a knee injury duced tighter measures to during the Al Sadd's QNB Stars protect against the corona- League match against Al Rayyan virus. on Saturday. Greece’s Olympic Com- The Wolves lost the match 0-1 mittee said spectators would after defender Franck Kom scored be excluded from both the in the ninth minute. dress rehearsal at the ancient Al Sadd are already missing site on Wednesday and the their star defender Pedro Miguel widely broadcast ceremony on who is scheduled to undergo a Thursday. shoulder surgery in London. This is the first time since Miguel, also known as Ro Ro, the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics will be out of action for at least 12 that the ceremony will be held weeks following the surgery. without any spectators Al Sadd head coach Xavi Her- lounging on the grassy slopes nandez has expressed his disap- of the ancient stadium in the pointment after the loss which will tiny Peloponesian hamlet. The be a huge blow for their title ceremony -- held both for expectations. summer and winter Games -- Olympia at a scaled-down ceremony to avoid the gath- Olympia is part, is among the greatness and prestige of “We are happy with the usually attracts several ceremony on March 12 before ering of many people in an areas of the country hardest this event,” Olympia Mayor players’ performance, but this is thousand spectators, including a seven-day relay that cul- indoor area and will stage hit by the coronavirus. Giorgos Georgiopoulos said in the case with football. It is difficult Greeks and foreign visitors. minates with a handover cer- Wednesday’s dress rehearsal The Mayor of Olympia has his letter. to win the league considering the “The lighting ceremony of emony in Greece on March without the presence of written to International “With a sense of responsi- gap between us and Al Duhail. We the Olympic flame will be done 19. media. Tokyo had already Olympic Committee President bility, the municipal authority, have many other challenges without the presence of spec- The number of people stopped 340 children from Thomas Bach, proposing the all parties of the city council of before us – the Champions League tators and only 100 invited and inside the ancient stadium will attending. postponement of the cer- Ancient Olympia, in order to and the Amir Cup – and we must accredited guests,” the Greek also be reduced with only a Greece on Sunday emony until May. secure the global radiance of continue to work all our strength," Olympic Committee said in a few dozen representatives of announced a two-week ban “The danger of staging the the event asks the IOC which Xavi said statement. the Tokyo Games from a group on sporting events with spec- torch lighting with only a has the exclusive responsibility The defending champions, Al “The dress rehearsal on of about 150 allowed access to tators and on school field trips, handful of spectators, limited of organising it to consider the Sadd are currently placed third March 11 will be closed to the ceremony. as its number of coronavirus number of officials and dele- possibility of moving the torch behind leaders Al Duhail and Al spectators and media.” The Organisers will also shut cases rose by seven to 73. The gations, and under a cloud of lighting ceremony to May of Rayyan after suffering their fifth Olympic torch will be lit in the press centre following the prefecture of Ilia, of which fear and concern will damage this year.” loss in the League. Australian cricketers 'Not at all': Australia F1 rules out fan ban stick with handshakes A general view during the Women’s T20 World Cup final AFP – MELBOURNE including powerhouse Ferrari and cricket match between Australia and India, watched by a Alpha Tauri from their bases in Italy, record 86,174 fans at the MCG in Melbourne, on Sunday. Australian Formula One chiefs where swathes of the country are now despite virus threat Australian Formula One chiefs yesterday ruled out any yesterday ruled out any chance of the in lockdown in a bid to halt the spread chance of the opening Grand Prix of the year following opening Grand Prix of the year of the virus. AFP – MELBOURNE the lead of Bahrain and barring spectators because of following the lead of Bahrain and There were fears that the Aus- the coronavirus. barring spectators because of the coro- tralian government could bar travel Australia’s cricketers will continue to shake hands, coach navirus. from Italy, which would have pre- Justin Langer said yesterday, despite England enforcing a On Sunday it was announced that vented staff from the two teams being strict fist-bump only policy to prevent spread of the coro- the season’s second race in Bahrain at the Grand Prix. navirus. would go ahead without fans in a bid But it has yet to do so with trav- COVID-19 has claimed the lives of three Australians, with to prevent a spread of the deadly virus ellers from Italy still granted entry with the global outbreak forcing a host of sporting fixtures around that has forced a growing number of more stringent health checks. the world to be cancelled or played behind closed doors. sports events to be cancelled, post- “The interesting thing is the Italian Australia’s three-game one-day series against New poned or played behind closed doors. freight. The Alpha Tauri cars and the Zealand begins Friday and Langer said there were no plans But Australian Grand Prix Corpo- Ferrari cars are on their way from Mel- to change how the team interacts in the dressing room or on ration boss Andrew Westacott said that bourne (airport) as we speak, so it’s the field. won’t be happening in Melbourne. really good. The key personnel are on “No, we’ll keep shaking hands... there’s plenty of hand “Not at all,” he told Melbourne their planes,” said Westacott. sanitiser in the Australian kits,” he told cricket.com.au Monday radio station SEN when asked if barring He said the only Ferrari people not following the team’s 3-0 series loss in South Africa. fans was being considered. arriving from Italy were drivers “I’m sure we’ll just keep shaking hands and move on from “When you look at 86,000 at the Sebastian Vettel and Charles Leclerc, that,” he added. Melbourne Cricket Ground last night, who were heading from Switzerland England captain Joe Root last week said his players and the footy the week after, we’ve got and France respectively. would be talking sensible precautions on their tour of Sri to go around things sensibly and keep “All the others are on their way, and Lanka. moving on through life while taking we’re expecting (them) in the next 12 “We are not shaking hands with each other, using instead the necessary precautions.” to 24 hours.” Westacott added that the well-established fist bump, and we are washing hands A world record crowd of 86,174 for ticket sales were “very strong” with regularly and wiping down surfaces using the anti-bacterial a women’s cricket game crammed the more than 300,000 fans usually wipes and gels we’ve been given in our immunity packs,” he MCG on Sunday evening to see Aus- flocking to Albert Park. said. tralia beat India in the Twenty20 World Victoria state Health Minister Jenny Langer admitted that some players were exhausted Cup final. Mikakos told media the fact there had heading into the series against New Zealand having featured Big crowds are also expected for been no reported cases of community in all three formats almost continuously since last year’s the start of the Australian Football transmission of the virus meant the World Cup, including the likes of leading batsmen Steve Smith League season later this month, despite race could go ahead. and David Warner. the number of coronavirus cases rising “At this point in time our advice The first one-dayer begins in Sydney on Friday with the to 93 yesterday. around the Grand Prix and other public second two days later, before the series wraps up in Hobart Most Formula One teams are mass gathering events remains on March 20. already in Australia or en route, unchanged,” she said.