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Monday, March 19, 2018 CRICKET Rajab 2, 1439 AH Karthik hits last-ball GULF TIMES six to help India claim triangular series title SPORT Page 4 MOTORCYCLING Dovizioso wins battle with Marquez in Losail thriller Crowd favourite and nine-time champion Valentino Rossi came third on his Yamaha as he proved his mettle once again

By Sahan Bidappa Doha

eigning champion Marc Marquez had singled out Andrea Dovizioso as the most dangerous opponent, heading into the opening race of the MotoGP Rseason. The Ducati rider had started from the fi fth position to Marquez’s second. But it hardly mattered for the Italian when the lights went out as he edged out Marquez’s Honda by just 0.027seconds to clinch the Grand Prix of Qatar last night. The Losail International Circuit is known to produce close races and once again the crowd were on their feet as Dovizioso and Marquez jostled for victory in the fi nal corner. In the end, it was Ducati’s superior straight speed and Dovizioso’s tyre management that gave the Italian his ninth MotoGP career victory and fi rst in Qatar. The crowd favourite Valentino Rossi came third on his Yamaha as the nine-time world champion proved he still has it in him – three days after signing a new contract to race until the end of 2020 season, when he will be 41! It was a forgettable night for Tech 3 Yama- ha’s Johann Zarco, who followed his record- breaking lap in the qualifying, by finishing a disappointing eighth. Frenchman Zarco knew he had a real fight on his hand, despite start- ing from the front, with factory riders hold- ing the advantage over him with superior race pace. And he his did best to thwart the danger of Marquez and Dovizioso, before being pushed to Ducati Team’s Italian rider Andrea Dovizioso leads the pack during the third. Qatar MotoGP Grand Prix at the Losail International Circuit yesterday. Dovizioso and Marquez fi nally made their PICTURES: Noushad Thekkayil and agencies moves during lap 18 of 22, both passing Zarco at Turn 1 and quickly leaving the Frenchman

Results behind to engage in their own private duel for “The bike worked very well so it was easier will one of the strong favourites for the world added they needed to do more to beat Ducati MotoGP victory. Rossi, too, passed Zarco on the same lap than in the past. Our front tyre worked very title. and Honda. 1. Andrea Dovizioso (ITA/Ducati) 42:34.654, as Dovizioso and Marquez but couldn’t keep up well, our bike and my riding style worked real- “I tried to push my 100 percent. I knew be- “I expect more compared to last year, because 2. Marc Marquez (ESP/Honda) at 0.027, the pace in the closing laps. ly good for the tyre. But the rear was very soft, fore the race here, maybe it is one of the most with this year’s bike I feel good,” said Rossi, who 3. Valentino Rossi (ITA/Yamaha) 0.797, 4. It was an enthralling fi nal fi ve laps though softer than the softest last year. That’s why diffi cult tracks for me. But even then I tried and also fi nished third in Qatar in 2017. “I know Cal Crutchlow (GBR/LCR Honda) 2.881, 5. as the Dovizioso and Marquez continued their we didn’t push for three-quarters of the race; when Dovi was pushing, I went to the limit,” that Marquez and Dovizioso are faster at the Danilo Petrucci (ITA/Ducati Pramac) 3.821, battles from last year in Austria and Japan. Both that’s why when (Johann) Zarco was in front, Marquez said. moment, they have a little bit more, so when 6. Maverick Vinales (ESP/Yamaha) 3.888, 7. times Dovizioso had managed to beat Marquez nobody pushed,” he added. “It was close in the last corner and I thought Dovi went in front I tried to give 120 percent to Dani Pedrosa (ESP/Honda) 4.621, 8. Johann on the last lap. And he did it again on the night, Marquez said the second-place fi nish was Dovi would overtake me before the fi nish line stay with them. Thanks to my team, thanks to Zarco (FRA/Yamaha Tech3) 7.112, 9. Andrea but not without some drama. like a victory for him and Honda, having in with the slipstream, which he did. But I am very Yamaha and we try to continue this It’s a very Iannone (ITA/Suzuki) 12.957, 10. Jack Miller With Marquez attempting a pass at the fi nal the past struggled at the Losail circuit. And happy because podium here was the main tar- good way to start the season.” (AUS/Ducati Pramac) 14.594 corner on the last lap, Dovizioso managed to Dovizioso couldn’t agree more with the Span- get. I have fi nished second and we lost only fi ve Meanwhile, Cal Crutchlow was fourth on the Moto2 edge back ahead exiting the turn, getting supe- iard, admitting Marquez had a better bike than points - really happy,” he added. LCR Honda, ahead of Danilo Petrucci’s Pramac 1. Francesco Bagnaia (ITA/Kalex) 40:19.802, rior traction and out-dragging Marquez to the last year. Rossi, who won one race in 2017 and fi n- Ducati. 2. Lorenzo Baldassarri (ITA/Kalex) at 0.12, 3. fi nish line by a tiny margin of 0.027secs. “That is the bad part of the race, because it ished fi fth overall despite breaking his leg at There was heartbreak for Suzuki as Alex Rins, Alex Marquez (ESP/Kalex) 5.625 Dovizioso said the pressure was on him going confi rms Honda has improved the bike and the end of August, had a good race compared to who was in for a podium fi nish in the fi rst half Moto3 into the race, admitting there was an ‘obliga- Marc is there to give a good fi ght,” Dovizioso his Spanish teammate Maverick Vinales. Last of the race but crashed out at turn two on lap 13. 1. Jorge Martin (ESP/Honda) 38:18.207, tion’ for him to win in Qatar. “I did three second said. year’s winner here in Qatar, Vinales fi nished His teammate Andrea Iannone picked up points 2. Aron Canet (ESP/Honda) at 0.023, 3. positions (in previous years in Qatar), so be- For Marquez, it was the best he could do and sixth this time. for the Japanese manufacturer in ninth place, Lorenzo Dalla Porta (ITA/Honda) 6.746 fore I came here it was like an obligation to win was clearly outdone by Ducati’s straight speed. Rossi was happy with the podium and said while Jack Miller rounded out the top ten on his here,” he said. But it also showed the 22-year-old Spaniard the Yamaha was in good shape this year but he Pramac Ducati debut.

Losail Circuit Sports Club Vice-President and GM Khalid al-Remaihi applauds Valentino Rossi, while at right, winner Andrea Dovizioso (C) second-placed Marc Marquez (L) and Rossi celebrate on the podium. Gulf Times 2 Monday, March 19, 2018 FOOTBALL

SPOTLIGHT Qatar to take part in Iraq friendly tournament By Sports Reporter Doha

atar coach Felix Sanchez named a 21-member squad for the International FriendlyQ Championship to be held in Basra, Iraq, from March 22 to 27. Hosts Iraq and Syria are the other teams in the tournament that comes against the back- drop of a three-week break in the QNB Stars League of which week 21 games were played on March 17. Qatar will leave Doha tomor- row after winding up their train- ing at Aspire Zone. The squad includes many promising play- ers who were part of the third place-winning team at the Asian Under-23 Championship in Chi- na in January this year.

THE SQUAD Saad al-Dossari, Yousuf Hassan, Mohamed Bakri, Pedro Miguel, Asim Madbo, Akram Afif, Has- san al-Haydous, Salim al-Hajri, Mohamed Alaaeldin, Tarek Salman, Ahmed Alaa, Abdulaziz Hatem, Ahmed Fathi, Bassam al- Rawi, Almoez Ali, Muad Hassan, Ahmed Moen, Karim Boudiaf, Ismail Mohamed, Abdulkarim Iraq-bound Qatar players in action during a training session at the Aspire Academy yesterday. (Right) Qatar coach Felix Sanchez supervising the training session prior to their International Friendly Championship in Hassan and Sultan Breik. Basra, Iraq. PICTURES: Fadi El Assaad

LIGUE 1 SERIE A Icardi breaks goal drought by scoring Late Alves goal gives four in Inter rout

AFP through injury this season, he Rome has scored 22 goals in the Italian league. Sampdoria - who were beaten 4-1 by Crotone last week aptain Mauro Icardi - drop to eighth place six points PSG victory at Nice scored four times to off the Europa League berths. break through the 100- In Calabria, Roma followed ‘We were lacking that little something to forget the defeat. Perhaps a tiny element of goal mark in Serie A as on their from a 4-2 win over Na- CInter Milan returned to the top poli and booking their spot in it will never leave. But we’ve won against Metz, Angers, and now here and I like that’ four with a 5-0 rout of Samp- the Champions League quarter- doria yesterday, while AS Roma fi nals with a third league win consolidated third place with a on the trot. El Shaarawy latched 2-0 win over Crotone. onto an Aleksandar Kolarov Icardi, the 25-year-old Argen- cross to open the scoring after 39 tina international, who had been minutes with Nainggolan seal- sidelined for a month with inju- ing on 70 minutes to condemn ry, broke the century after scor- Crotone to their third loss in four ing his fi rst goals since January. matches. His four-goal haul included three in 14 minutes against his AC Milan bounce back former club. Icardi now has 103 AC Milan extended their un- goals in Serie A - 93 with Inter beaten league run to ten games and ten with Sampdoria. with a come-from-behind 3-2 “I really wanted to reach 100 win over Chievo in the San Siro goals and then I just kept going,” to consolidate sixth position – said Icardi. “It was a fi ne per- fi ve points off the Champions formance from the whole team League spots. and we got three very important After their Europa League exit points, which are more impor- to Arsenal, Gennaro Gattuso’s tant than the goals.” side were in battling mood open- After holding title-chasing ing their account after ten min- Napoli to a goalless draw, Lu- utes when Hakan Calhanoglu ciano Spalletti’s side showed fi nished off a Franck Kessie cross. they were back in the race for a But Chievo pulled ahead with Champions League spot. two quick fi re goals from Mariusz Inter are now four points be- Stepinski and Roberto Inglese hind AS Roma whose third was just after the half hour mark. consolidated by a 2-0 win at Rising star Patrick Cutrone - Crotone thanks to goals in either who has just earned his fi rst sen- half from Stephan El Shaarawy ior call-up for Italy - hit Milan’s and Radja Nainggolan. second when he fi nished off a re- But Lazio could move back bound on 54 minutes with Por- into fourth place, the fi nal spot tuguese Andre Silva again scor- for elite European football next ing the winner after Genoa last season, when they host Bologna week eight minutes from time. later yesterday. Kessie missed a chance for a “It was very important to get fourth from the spot. “At the mo- points,” said Icardi. ment we can’t make any mistakes. “We showed a lot of sacrifi ce If we want to fi ght for a Champi- and team spirit to get a draw ons League place, draws don’t do against Napoli, but with this win us any good,” said Gattuso. we can rest over the break and Behind AC Milan, Atalanta prepare to begin again with the move seventh with a 5-0 win right attitude.” over Verona, while ninth-placed Ivan Perisic headed in the fi rst Fiorentina, won 2-1 at Torino after 26 minutes in Genoa before just two weeks after the death of Icardi stole the show, slotting in the captain Davide Astori. a penalty for a century of Serie Cagliari snatched a 2-1 win at A goals after half an hour. Just a Benevento with two injury time minute later he grabbed a sec- goals. Napoli meanwhile will bid ond with a back-heel kick which to close the gap on leaders Ju- caught Sampdoria goalkeeper ventus later Sunday when they Viviano off guard and added a host Genoa. third just before half-time. The The champions’ march to- fourth goal came after the re- wards a seventh consecutive Se- Paris Saint-Germain’s Brazilian defender Daniel Alves (third right) celebrates with teammates after scoring the winning goal against Nice at the Allianz Riviera stadium in Nice. (AFP) start, bouncing off the ground to rie A championship was stalled fl y over a helpless Viviano. on Saturday by a goalless draw at AFP into the centre forward posi- A rare Sunday lunchtime plied, speeding through a sud- Saint-Maximin’s pace re- Despite missing four games struggling SPAL. Nice, France tion and outleaped the defence (1200 GMT) kick-off was part denly uncertain Nice defence peatedly troubled PSG, but he to head in a cross from Adrien of the developing French league and swerving in a shot that was unable to repeat his cool Rabiot to seal a 2-1 victory. strategy of emulating more suc- squirmed past Walter Benitez. fi nish, though he came close ith Paris Saint- “After the defeat against cesful European leagues and In the absence of Neymar, with one shot that clipped the Germain struggling Real Madrid (in the Champions targeting Chinese viewers. the two best known strikers on knee of the sprawling Areola. to fi nd inspiration, League), we have reacted very The two teams provided a display almost gave the Chinese At the other end, Di Maria veteran defender well. I’m pleased to see how the lively spectacle which ended prime-time audience goals to forced a full-stretch save from WDani Alves did a surprising im- team has responded after that with PSG stretching their lead cheer. Benitez with a daring volleyed personation of injured compa- loss,” PSG coach Unai Emery to 17 points over Monaco. Edinson Cavani of PSG hit a back fl ick. triot Neymar to score the win- said. Allan Saint-Maximin gave post from close range in the fi rst Kylian Mbappe, who seemed ner in Nice yesterday. “We were lacking that little the home team the lead after half after hesitation in the Nice out of touch, wasted a glori- With eight minutes left and something to forget the defeat. 17 minutes with a deft fi nish defence. ous close-range chance with 12 after better-known attacking Perhaps a tiny element of it which was just the fi fth touch of Mario Balotelli forced a fl ying minutes left. Inter Milan’s forward Mauro Icardi (centre) from Argentina celebrates talents had squandered a string will never leave. But we’ve won a breathtaking move that began save from PSG keeper Alphonse Alves also forced a leaping after scoring with Inter Milan’s forward Rafinha Alcantara of Brazil of chances, Alves, who is just against Metz, Angers, and now on the Nice goal line. Areola and later hit the bar with save from Benitez with a bold (left) and Inter Milan’s forward Ivan Perisic from Croatia during the 1.72 metres (5-foot-6) ghosted here and I like that.” Angel di Maria quickly re- a header. overhead kick. Italian Serie A match against Sampdoria in Genoa yesterday. (AFP) Gulf Times Monday, March 19, 2018 3 FOOTBALL

FA CUP BUNDESLIGA Batshuayi strike seals Dortmund win Chelsea and Saints ropa League last-16 exit at the AFP Berlin hands of Austrian side Salzburg. “After the disappointment of the Europa League, it was a good stunning Michy Batsh- reaction and I was very much uayi goal gave Borussia satisfi ed with many things to- Dortmund a 1-0 win day,” said Dortmund head coach over Hanover yesterday Peter Stoeger, who is unbeaten reach semi-fi nals thatA strengthened their grip on from his 12 league games in third place in the Bundesliga. charge. ‘It was an important day for the players. I have been really impressed with the quality of Batshuayi, on loan from Chel- But Dortmund remain 18 sea for the rest of the season, points behind runaway league the talent I have. They have lost a bit of confidence recently but they are good players’ grabbed the only goal with a leaders Bayern Munich, who wonderful piece of individual visit RB Leipzig later on Sunday. AFP skill midway through the fi rst Leicester half. Cologne stun Leverkusen Having hit the post after just Cologne dragged themselves 35 seconds, Batshuayi had his off the bottom of the table for edro Rodriguez came off back to goal when he met Andre the fi rst time since August with a the bench to halt Chel- Schuerrle’s corner at the near shock 2-0 win at home over 10- sea’s slide with an ex- post with a backheeled volley man Bayer Leverkusen. tra-time winner in a 2-1 that fl ew into the far corner. Japan striker Yuya Osako gave Pvictory at Leicester yesterday to It was the Belgian interna- Cologne the lead after only nine reach the FA Cup semi-fi nals. tional’s sixth goal in seven Bun- minutes when his shot bobbled Alvaro Morata’s fi rst goal desliga games for Dortmund under goalkeeper Bernd Leno. since Boxing Day on his return after spending the fi rst half of Then an intervention by the to the Chelsea starting line-up the season stuck on the bench at video assistant referee (VAR) saw put the visitors on course to Chelsea. Leverkusen striker Lucas Alario bounce back from their Cham- “I saw the path to the goal sent off on 33 minutes. pions League elimination at the wasn’t clear, but there was just In an off -the-ball incident, hands of Barcelona in midweek. a small gap and luckily it came the Argentinian lashed out with However, Jamie Vardy’s off ,” Batshuayi told Eurosport. his elbow at his marker Dominic equaliser 15 minutes from time “We were very physical and Maroh and after a VAR review, made them do it the hard way in mentally very strong. You could Alario was shown a straight red. an extra 30 minutes. see that the team really wanted Leverkusen, who dropped to Yet, for all Antonio Conte’s the three points.” fi fth after the defeat, pushed for complaints this season about Hanover were denied an 81st- an equaliser, but the game was his side’s strength in depth, the minute equaliser when Julian put beyond their reach by an- Italian was able to call on Pedro Korb poked the ball over the other mistake. to turn the game in Chelsea’s line, but the goal was ruled out An attempted header back to favour when he headed home for off side. “We lacked that bit Leno by Charles Aranguiz was former Leicester favourite of fi nal luck,” lamented Hanover intercepted by Cologne’s Simon N’Golo Kante’s cross. goalkeeper Philipp Tschauner. Zoller, who lobbed the ball into Chelsea had lost three of their Dortmund winger Maximil- the empty net with 21 minutes past four matches to fall behind ian Philipp hit the post just be- left. in the race for a top-four fi nish fore the fi nal whistle as the hosts Cologne are now just fi ve in the Premier League as well as tried to stretch their lead. points from safety, leaving Ham- their European exit. The victory was a solid re- burg, who lost 2-1 at home to But victory does at least keep Chelsea’s Pedro celebrates after scoring against Leicester City during their FA Cup quarter-final at the King Power Stadium in Leicester, sponse from Dortmund after Hertha Berlin on Saturday, bot- their chances of silverware to Britain, yesterday. (Reuters) Thursday’s disappointing Eu- tom of the table. end the season alive. Chelsea will meet Southamp- time, but much of the credit national made amends 15 min- Argentine Mauricio Pellegrino minute opener. Hojbjerg made a ton in the last four, while Man- must go to Willian who surged utes from time when he forced and his side, 18th in the Premier positive run from deep to convert chester United face Tottenham through the heart of the Leices- the ball home at the third at- League, struggled in the open- Dusan Tadic’s ball with a side- Hotspur for a place in the fi nal. ter midfi eld on the counter- tempt after Vicente Iborra’s fi rst ing 45 minutes against League foot fi nish for his fi rst goal for the Both Morata and Pedro had attack before feeding Morata. two eff orts were blocked and One promotion chasers Wigan. club. a point to prove after being left And Morata coolly clipped the then saved by Willy Caballero. Wigan, who had beaten three Southampton had a chance to out of the Spain squad on Friday ball beyond the advancing Sch- Only a fi ne low save from Ca- Premier League teams in the wrap up the tie when they were just three months ahead of the meichel with an assuredness ballero prevented Vardy from Cup including Manchester given a penalty with 18 minutes World Cup. unbefi tting of a striker who had turning the tie completely City in the previous round, remaining but Manolo Gabbi- Morata was recalled for just gone 13 games without a goal. around eight minutes later as could not convert their chances, adini’s spot kick, awarded after his second start since the sides Despite going in front, Conte both sides settled for extra time. however. The home side went he had been brought down by last met in a 0-0 draw at Stam- still withdrew Tiemoue Bakay- Crucially, Conte was able to close in the 15th minute when Dan Burn, was brilliantly saved ford Bridge back in January. oko at half-time after an- refresh his side as Pedro, Gary Nathan Byrne’s defl ected shot by Wigan keeper Christian Wal- And after a quiet start, Chel- other awful 45 minutes for the Cahill and Olivier Giroud were drifted goalwards but Cheyenne ton, diving to his left. sea’s club record £70 million Frenchman in a desperately all introduced in the fi rst half Dunkley was unable to connect Southampton’s second goal buy from Real Madrid was pre- disappointing debut season in of extra time. And it was Pedro from close range. came in injury time when Ce- sented with his fi rst big chance English football following a £40 who proved the match winner Gary Roberts then hooked dric fi nished off a swift coun- of the afternoon when he was million move from Monaco. in unfamiliar fashion as he rose over the bar from a promis- ter-attack, led by Nathan Red- brilliantly picked out by Marcos The visitors were happy to to outjump Schmeichel and nod ing position and Southampton mond, with a calm fi nish into Alonso’s low cross, but his shot take their chances on the coun- into an unguarded net. keeper Alex McCarthy had to the far corner. was far too close to Kasper Sch- ter-attack in the second period Earlier in the day, Southamp- punch away an inswinging Max “It was an important day for meichel. as they began to feel the after- ton also reached the semi-fi nals Power corner that could have the players today,” said Hughes. eff ects of their run around at with a 2-0 victory over third sneaked in the near post. “I have been really impressed Morata ends drought Barcelona in midweek. tier Wigan Athletic yesterday Yet it was a diff erent story with the quality of the talent Morata headed another half- Leicester’s search for an as Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and after the break as Southampton I have. They have lost a bit of chance from a teasing Willian equaliser was largely laboured Cedric Soares were on target came out strongly and their su- confi dence recently but they cross over and then hit the out- and, even when a big chance in manager Mark Hughes’ fi rst perior quality began to show. are good players. We stood up side of the post from the nar- did arise, Vardy headed waste- match in charge. Hojbjerg forced a fi ne save out to Wigan. It was a statement of rowest of angles. fully over when completely un- Hughes was appointed of Walton with a powerful header intent and a start. We have work The goal he craved fi nally ar- marked inside the area. Southampton boss on Wednes- from a corner and then from the to do in the Premier League, but Dortmund’s Belgian striker Michy Batshuayi reacts during Bundesliga rived three minutes before half- However, the England inter- day following the sacking of resulting corner came the 62nd we will enjoy this moment.” match against Hanover 96 in Dortmund yesterday. (AFP)

LA LIGA Messi scores again as Barcelona beat Bilbao Reuters slowed down in the second half Barcelona and Athletic came into the game for the fi rst time but despite nu- merous forays into Barca’s area arcelona moved 11 they rarely got close to troubling points clear at the top of goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen. La Liga yesterday after Earlier yesterday Sevilla suf- beating Athletic Bilbao fered a hangover from their 2-0B at home with a goal from Champions League triumph Paco Alcacer and a thumping over Manchester United as they strike from Lionel Messi in the lost 2-1 at mid-table Leganes in fi rst half. La Liga, their sixth defeat in 12 Alcacer took the place of sus- league games under coach Vin- pended striker Luis Suarez in cenzo Montella. the starting line-up and scored Sevilla qualifi ed for the quar- a fi rst goal in three months to ter-fi nals of Europe’s elite com- put Barca ahead in the eighth petition for the fi rst time by minute, side-footing home a beating United 2-1 at Old Traf- pass from Jordi Alba after Messi ford on Tuesday but went behind had cut in from the left. The Ar- to Leganes four minutes before gentine scored for the sixth game halftime to a looping header in a row in all competitions and from defender Unai Bustinza. for the 25th time in this league Montella made three changes campaign when he doubled Bar- from the side that had stunned ca’s lead in the 30th minute with Old Traff ord, giving a starting a deadly strike into the bottom berth to Wissam Ben Yedder af- corner from the edge of the area. ter he scored twice after coming Barca lead the standings on 75 off the bench on Tuesday, but points, 11 ahead of nearest chal- his side rarely got going against lengers Atletico Madrid who Leganes. were visiting Villarreal later Forward Javier Eraso side- yesterday, with champions Real footed home a second goal for Madrid hosting Girona. the home side in the 69th minute The Catalans were missing and things got worse for Sevilla injured midfi eld linchpin Ser- when midfi elder Pablo Sarabia gio Busquets as well as Suarez. was sent off in the 84th for pick- However, they were rampant in ing up two yellow cards inside 11 the fi rst half and could have tak- minutes. Miguel Layun pulled a en a heavier lead into the break goal back for Sevilla in the 90th as Brazilian midfi elder Philippe minute. Coutinho hit the woodwork Sevilla are fi fth in the Liga twice and his compatriot Paulin- standings on 45 points, 12 behind ho struck a post. fourth-placed Real Madrid and The unbeaten league leaders one ahead of Villarreal in sixth. Barcelona’s Lionel Messi celebrates scoring a goal against Athletic Bilbao during their La Liga match at Camp Nou in Barcelona yesterday. (Reuters) Gulf Times 4 Monday, March 19, 2018 CRICKET

REPORT SPOTLIGHT Karthik’s last-ball Hopeful SA name six gift s India T20 Rabada in Test squad

Agencies match in Johannesburg. tri-series victory Rabada will be represented by Cape Town renowned advocate Dali Mpofu The wicket-keeper batsman hit 29 off just eight balls to get India past their 167-run in the hope of having the demerit agiso Rabada has been points from the Port Elizabeth target in a tense chase of a dramatic final at the R. Premadasa Stadium. named in South Africa’s win rescinded. squad for the third Test Should he be successful, he against Australia — but will be free to feature in the fi - twoK other fast bowlers have been nal two games and add to the 15 added in case he loses his appeal wickets he has picked up in the against a ban. series to date. Rabada’s appeal against a ban Dale Steyn had targeted a re- for the last two Tests of the se- turn in Johannesburg, but his ries will be heard by New Zealand recovery from a heel problem is judicial commissioner Michael not going smoothly, having al- Heron by teleconference today, ready abandoned one comeback with a verdict due to be an- attempt in a domestic four-day nounced within 48 hours. game. Meanwhile, Duanne Olivier “Circumstances have forced and Chris Morris have been in- us to name a large squad at this cluded in a 17-man squad for the stage so that we can cover all test that starts at Newlands on possible options,” Cricket South Thursday. Africa national selection panel Rabada was man of the match convener Linda Zondi said in a in South Africa’s series-levelling media statement yesterday. six-wicket victory in the second “We have retained the 15 play- Test in Port Elizabeth. But he ers who produced an excellent made contact with Steve Smith performance to level the (second) after dismissing the Austral- Test in Port Elizabeth. ian captain and was penalised “Olivier was the pick of our three demerit points, which took bowlers for South Africa A in him to the eight-point thresh- their tour match against Austral- old which triggers an automatic ia while Morris has been in ex- two-match ban. cellent form in domestic cricket, If Rabada is absent, the se- taking four wickets in an innings lectors may be tempted to pick and making more than 150 runs, not just a direct replacement including a century, for the Ti- but to consider a also adding a tans in the (domestic four-day) fast bowling all-rounder such as Sunfoil Series.” Morris to bolster the bowling op- South African squad: Faf du tions. Plessis (captain), Hashim Amla, Both teams took a break from Temba Bavuma, Quinton de cricket after the Port Elizabeth Kock (wkt), Theunis de Bruyn, AB Test but will start their prepara- de Villiers, Dean Elgar, Heinrich tions for the third Test today. Klaasen (wkt), Keshav Maharaj, South Africa are likely to look Aiden Markram, Morne Morkel, at the Newlands pitch before de- Chris Morris, Wiaan Mulder, ciding what type of bowler will Lungi Ngidi, Duanne Olivier, be best suited, and have also left Vernon Philander and Kagiso Indian team members pose with the Nidahas Trophy after beating Bangladesh in the final at the R. Premadasa stadium in Colombo yesterday. their options open for the fourth Rabada.

Earlier put into bat, Bangladesh rode AFP FINAL SCOREBOARDLEADING DESERT CLASSIC SCORES Colombo on Sabbir Rahman’s 50-ball 77 to post 166-8 against a disciplined Indian bowl- Bangladesh Islam ...... 56 ing. icketkeeper-batsman Di- Tamim Iqbal c Thakur b Chahal ...... 15 S. Raina c Mushfiqur Rahim b Rubel Hossain ..0 Leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal nesh Karthik hit a last-ball Liton Das c Raina b Sundar ...... 11 L. Rahul c Sabbir Rahman b Rubel Hossian ....24 claimed three wickets to rattle the Bang- six in his blazing cameo to Sabbir Rahman b Unadkat ...... 77 M. Pandey c Sabbir Rahman b Mustafizur Rah- ladesh batting early including the prized Whelp India edge out Bang- Soumya Sarkar c Dhawan b Chahal ...... 1 man ...... 28 scalp of the in-form Mushfi qur Rahim ladesh by four wickets and clinch the Mushfiqur Rahim c Shankar b Chahal ...... 9 V. Shankar c Mehidy Hasan b Soumya Sarkar 17 for nine. He returned fi gures of 3-18. Twenty20 tri-series title in Colombo Mahmudullah Riyad run out (Shankar) ...... 21 D. Karthik not out ...... 29 Sabbir then went after the Indian yesterday. Shakib Al Hasan run out (Sharma/Shankar) .....7 W. Sundar not out ...... 0 pacemen Vijay Shankar and Shardul Karthik hit 29 off just eight balls to get Mehidy Hasan not out ...... 19 Extras (lb2, w2) ...... 4 Thakur, who gave away 93 runs between India past their 167-run target in a tense Rubel Hossain b Unadkat ...... 0 Total (6 wickets, 20 overs) ...... 168 them. chase of a dramatic fi nal at the R. Prema- Mustafizur Rahman not out ...... 0 Fall of wickets: 1-32 (Dhawan), 2-32 (Raina), Left-arm quick Jaydev Unadkat struck dasa Stadium. Extras (lb2, w4) ...... 6 3-83 (Rahul), 4-98 (Sharma), 5-133 (Pandey), late to get two wickets in an over as he fi - Needing 12 to win off the last over, In- Total (8 wickets, 20 overs) ...... 166 6-162 (Shankar) nally got Sabbir, who hit seven fours and dia lost Vijay Shankar on the penultimate Fall of wickets: 1-27 (Liton), 2-27 (Tamim), 3-33 Did not bat: S. Thakur, Y. Chahal, J. Unadkat four sixes, bowled on a slower delivery. ball but Karthik held his nerve to hit Sou- (Soumya), 4-68 (Mushfiqur), 5-104 (Mahmudul- Bowling: Shakib 4-0-28-1, Mehidy 1-0-17-0, Rubel Lanky off -spinner Washington Sundar mya Sarkar for six, triggering wild cel- lah), 6-133 (Shakib), 7-147 (Sabbir), 8-148 (Rubel) 4-0-35-2, Nazmul 4-0-32-1 (w1), Mustafizur 4-1-21-1, also returned miserly fi gures of 1-20 and ebrations in the dressing room. Did not bat: Nazmul Islam Soumya 3-0-33-1 (w1) was named man of the series for leading “Young bunch of lads — lot of learning, Bowling: Unadkat 4-0-33-2 (w2), Sundar Toss: India the wicket-takers chart along with Cha- we always knew they had lot of talent; it 4-0-20-1, Chahal 4-0-18-3, Thakur 4-0-45-0 (w1), Result: India won by 4 wickets hal — they both got eight wickets each in was just about coming here and execut- Shankar 4-0-48-0 (w1) Umpires: Ruchira Palliyaguruge (SRI), Ran- fi ve games. ing,” skipper Rohit Sharma said of his India (target 167) more Martinesz (SRI) “Anybody could’ve won the game but team that was missing top stars like Virat S. Dhawan c sub b Shakib Al Hasan 10 TV Umpire: Raveendra Wimalasiri (SRI) credit to India, they held their nerves, Kohli and Mahendra Singh Dhoni. R. Sharma c Mahmudullah Riyad b Nazmul Match referee: Chris Broad (ENG) especially Dinesh Karthik for the way he “This tournament win will give them played,” Bangladesh skipper Shakib Al lot of confi dence going forward when- Hasan said in praise of his opponents. ever they play for India and wherever they India, who just lost their opener play.” Sharma gave the team a blazing start away just one run in the 18th over and took “The way he came out and showed against hosts Sri Lanka in the tri-series, during his 42-ball 56 but his wicket gave the wicket of Pandey to give Bangladesh character was very very crucial for us,” kept their T20 record clean against the Bangladesh hope of turning it around. the edge. said Sharma, who dropped Karthik down Tigers in eight meetings. Number-fi ve batsman Manish Pandey Karthik, who was named man of the the order to give his team more batting Sri Lanka bowed out of the tourna- also made a crucial 28 but returned to the match, then stepped up to clobber pace- depth. ment, which commemorated 70 years of File photo of South Africa bowler Kagiso Rabada celebrating after pavilion with India requiring 34 off the man Rubel Hossain for two sixes and two “That was the reason I held Dinesh independence for the island nation, after taking the wicket of Australia batsman Mitchell Marsh during day last 12 balls. fours as India took away 22 runs in the back, I have seen him play over the years losing to Bangladesh in a virtual semi- four of the second Test match at St George’s Park in Port Elizabeth, Fast bowler Mustafi zur Rahman gave 19th over to make the equation easy. and his experience matters a lot.” fi nal on Friday. on March 12.

BOTTOMLINE Irish centurion Balbirnie hails ‘X factor’ Rankin AFP “He’s our X factor, no doubt,” said needed. He was exceptional, he hit cial throughout this tournament, behind Scotland and Zimbabwe but Harare Balbirnie. “It’s great to have him the ball wherever he wanted.” but there were no demons in that with a game still to be played. in your team, and to have him take “Well done Boyd, coming on and pitch.” Ireland are still dependent on those wickets was just great for us.” getting crucial wickets,” said a mag- It had certainly seemed a good matches they are not involved in go- enturion Andy Balbirnie Rankin’s day with the ball had nanimous Coetzer after the match. wicket in the midst of Balbirnie and ing their way, but they have an out- called Boyd Rankin Ire- started disastrously with Scotland “It seems he’s got a knack of doing Niall O’Brien’s record-equalling side chance of qualifi cation. land’s “X factor” after the captain Kyle Coetzer taking him on that. He’s doing a fi ne job.” 138-run partnership for the third “We’ve given ourselves a lifeline fast bowler took four crucial and smashing six boundaries in his Had it not been for Rankin’s wicket earlier in the day. of hope, and there’s a lot of cricket to wicketsC to wrap up a 25-run win over fi rst two overs. wickets, Scotland would have come Two early wickets had dented Ire- be played this week,” said Balbirnie. Scotland yesterday that kept their But the former England man re- much closer to maintaining their land’s line-up after they were asked “We’ve done the job today. World Cup qualifying hopes alive. turned to clean bowl Coetzer with unbeaten run in the tournament on to bat fi rst, but Balbirnie and O’Brien Scotland, with fi ve points, are still While Balbirnie set up Ireland’s one that nipped back in. a pitch that both sides agreed was a steadily wrested back the initiative. level with Zimbabwe at the top. total of 271 for 9 with his 105 in In his next over the 33-year-old good one to bat on. “I kind of just set myself up to bat A win over two-time world Harare, Rankin turned the game had George Munsey caught behind, Besides Coetzer’s 61, Richie Ber- as long as possible, and Nobby (Niall champions West Indies will all but with three wickets in 11 deliveries to and when Craig Wallace chipped rington made 44 and tailenders O’Brien) played a great role, scoring assure them of a World Cup place. derail Scotland’s chase. a simple return catch back to him, Safyaan Sharif and Mark Watt both at a run a ball,” said Balbirnie. “Not the result we were looking The win kept Ireland in conten- Scotland were 122 for 5. found the boundary repeatedly, and “There was pressure on in a game for today, but we know what’s ahead tion for one of the two remaining “Kyle got hold of him a bit at the Coetzer insisted there were “no de- you must win. So to post 270 I think of us now,” said Coetzer. places at next year’s World Cup in start of his spell, but he came back mons” in the pitch. we were pretty happy. But we could “We know what we need to do. England and Wales, and left Scot- and showed his class, taking three “The wicket got better as the day even improve that by another 20 or And we can get our heads around land possibly needing victory over or four important wickets at a vital went along,” said Coetzer. “It was a 30 runs.” that and prepare accordingly. It’s a the West Indies in their fi nal Super time,” said Balbirnie. great batting track and the ball slid The victory took Ireland to four simple equation really, the West In- Sixes game on Wednesday. “Kyle in particular was the one we on nicely. Spin has been pretty cru- points in the Super Six table, still dies game is pretty crucial.” Boyd Rankin of Ireland. Gulf Times Monday, March 19, 2018 5 SPORT

NBA Cavaliers and Warriors win as Blazers, Rockets roll Four-time NBA Most Valuable Player James was once again the diff erence maker for the Cavs against Chicago Bulls

AFP games. The Portland Trail Blazers Los Angeles strengthened their grip on third place in the West with a 12th straight victory, 100-87 over the Detroit Pistons. eBron James’ 70th career triple- The San Antonio Spurs bolstered double propelled the short- their bid to extend their run of 20 handed Cleveland Cavaliers to straight seasons in the playoff s with a 114-109 NBA victory over the a 117-101 victory over the Minne- LChicago Bulls on Saturday, when the sota Timberwolves. Veteran forward injury plagued Golden State Warriors LaMarcus Aldridge scored 39 points also pulled off a win. and pulled down 10 rebounds for the Four-time NBA Most Valuable Player Spurs, who won their third straight. James was once again the diff erence The Washington Wizards, Milwau- maker for the Cavs, who traveled to kee Bucks, and Utah Jazz all fi ghting Chicago without Kevin Love, Rodney for playoff spots, also won. Bradley Beal hood, Kyle Korver, Larry Nance Jr., Cedi scored 19 points to lead the Wizards in a Osman and Tristan Thompson. Thanks 109-102 victory over the Indiana Pac- largely to him Cleveland fi nished their ers, a victory that could prove key if the six-game road trip 3-3. “For us to go 3-3 Eastern Conference rivals fi nish the throughout everything as far as the in- season with matching records as they juries and available guys, I think it was have now. a good trip for us,” James said. Donovan Mitchell scored 28 points Coach Tyronn Lue also missed the and Rudy Gobert tallied 22 points and second half of Saturday’s game because 13 rebounds to lift Utah Jazz past Sac- of an undisclosed illness, but the Cavs ramento Kings 103-97 in Salt Lake City, — who led 69-52 at halftime — fended the Jazz’s ninth consecutive win. Ricky off the Bulls’ late challenge to secure Rubio added 14 points, nine rebounds the win. Trailing 85-81 going into the and fi ve assists for the Jazz, and Joe fourth period, Chicago tied the score Ingles chipped in 14 points, nine as- twice in the fi nal frame. James’ jump sists and seven rebounds. Utah won for shot over Paul Zipser with 39 seconds the 21st time in 23 games. Buddy Hield left put the Cavs up by six, and on the scored 23 points to lead the Kings. Sac- Bulls’ ensuing possession he rejected ramento lost to the Jazz for the third Cameron Payne’s shot. James fi nished time this season despite hitting 14 of 21 with 33 points, 13 rebounds and 12 as- from 3-point range. sists, and became the sixth player to Taurean Prince matched his career- notch 70 triple-doubles in his career. high with 38 points, but it wasn’t For a Warriors team missing stars enough to halt Atlanta Hawks’ losing Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant and Klay streak, which grew to six games with Thompson along with Patrick McCaw a loss at Milwaukee Bucks 117-122. and Omri Casspi it was Quinn Cook and Prince made 13 of 26 shots, including Kevon Looney who stepped up in a 124- four 3-pointers, while grabbing eight 109 victory over the Suns in Phoenix. rebounds. Atlanta also got 18 with nine Cook led the Warriors with a career- assists from Dennis Schroder. Giannis high 28 points. Looney posted career- Antetokounmpo led Milwaukee with 33 highs of 13 points and six blocked shots, points, 12 rebounds, seven assists, four and Draymond Green came within steals and a pair of blocks. Khris Mid- two assists of a triple-double with 25 dleton overcame a slow start to fi nish points, 11 rebounds and eight assists as with 23 points. the Warriors bounced back from a loss to Sacramento on Friday. Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (left) controls the ball as Chicago Bulls forward David Nwaba defends during the NBA game in Chicago. (USA TODAY Sports) RESULTS Seven players scored in double-fi g- Milwaukee 122 Atlanta 117; San Antonio 117, ures for Golden State, who trailed by 15 Pelicans 107-101 in New Orleans. Against a Pelicans team fi ghting for he said was a disparity in foul calls. Gentry, who was whistled for a techni- Minnesota 101; Brooklyn 114, Dallas 106; points in the second quarter but out- James Harden scored 32 points and their playoff lives, Harden drained a Gentry said Pelicans star Anthony cal foul with 5:39 for disputing a foul New York 124, Charlotte 101; Washington scored the Suns 72-49 in the second pulled down 11 rebounds as the Rock- three-pointer that put the Rockets up Davis “never gets a call.” “We talked called on Jrue Holiday. 109, Indiana 102; Portland 100, Detroit 87; half. The Warriors, seeking their third ets notched their 21st win in 22 games. by nine with 1:31 remaining. Harden’s about them holding him, we talked Davis, with 26 points and 13 re- Phoenix 109, Golden State 124; Utah 103, title in four seasons, are two and a half Chris Paul added 21 points and Clint 11 fourth-quarter points included four about them grabbing him on rolls. We bounds, paced the Pelicans, who are Sacramento 97; Chicago 109, Cleveland games behind the Western Conference Capela chipped in 13 with 11 rebounds from the free-throw line, and Rockets talked about them coming under him fi ghting for their playoff lives in the 114; Memphis 101, Denver 94; New Orleans leading Houston Rockets, who beat the for Houston. coach Alvin Gentry was angry at what on post up — he never gets a call,” said West after losing four of their last fi ve 101, Houston 107

NHL SPOTLIGHT Blue Jackets win seventh straight match USA NBA stars to Reuters chase a playoff berth. play in Australia Columbus, Ohio SABRES 5, BLACKHAWKS 3 Nicholas Baptiste scored twice, including before 2019 WC oone Jenner and Markus Nuti- the go-ahead goal on the power play with vaara each scored a goal as the 1:56 left in the third period, and Buff alo AFP at the 2016 Rio Olympics was Columbus Blue Jackets rallied held on for a win over visiting Chicago. New York intense, passionate and a very for a 2-1 victory over the Ottawa Benoit Pouliot, Ryan O’Reilly and Sam competitive game that came SenatorsB on Saturday night in Columbus, Reinhart also scored for Buff alo, which down to the fi nal minutes,” Ohio. The Blue Jackets extended their snapped a two-game winless streak. Jor- United States squad Tooley said. “We expect these winning streak to seven games. dan Oesterle, Jonathan Toews and Tomas of NBA stars will play friendlies in 2019 will again Goalie Sergei Bobrovsky made 23 saves Jurco scored for Chicago. The Black- two exhibition games showcase international basket- to help Columbus earn its seventh con- hawks have lost two straight and four of Aagainst Australia in ball at its highest level.” secutive home victory. Alex Burrows their past fi ve. Melbourne next year ahead of the NBA San Antonio Spurs coach scored for the Senators, who got 33 saves Basketball World Cup in China, Gregg Popovich will guide the US from Mike Condon. BLUES 4, RANGERS 3 (OT) USA Basketball announced on team through the 2020 Olympics Brayden Schenn’s wrister from the right Saturday. The two-time defend- and his 2019 World Cup squad is BRUINS 3, LIGHTNING 0 circle at 1:02 of overtime gave St. Louis a ing world champion Americans expected to consist of many of Tuukka Rask had 23 saves while picking win over visiting New York. After goalie will face Australia on August 22 the same players who will try to up his third shutout of the season and To- Jake Allen stopped Chris Kreider’s point- and 24, 2019 at Melbourne’s Eti- defend the Olympic title in Tokyo. rey Krug had three assists to lead Boston blank bid for a game-winner, Schenn had Stadium before going to Chi- “I’m thrilled Basketball Aus- over host Tampa Bay. It was the 41st ca- tallied his 25th goal off a pass from Alex na in quest of an unprecedented tralia will be hosting the USA reer shutout for Rask and marked the fi rst Pietrangelo, who earned his third point of third consecutive crown on Au- Basketball men’s national team time this season that the Lightning were the night. gust 31-September 15. in Australia for the fi rst time shut out. St. Louis forced overtime with Pi- “These games will not only since the 2000 Sydney Olym- David Pastrnak, David Backes and Ri- etrangelo’s second marker of the night at be important in the USA’s World pics,” Basketball Australia chief ley Nash each scored goals for the Bruins, 5:15 of the third period. Mika Zibanejad Cup preparations, but they re- executive Anthony Moore said. who moved within two points of the fi rst- scored twice for the Rangers. new a special international bas- “I believe that this event will be place Lightning with a game in hand. It ketball rivalry,” USA Basketball long remembered in Australian also was the fi fth time that Rask shut out SHARKS 5, CANUCKS 3 chief executive Jim Tooley said. sporting history.” Tampa Bay in his career. Andrei Vasilev- Timo Meier scored two goals, including The Aussie Boomers last faced US men have a 19-game World skiy had 24 saves for the Lightning, who the winner, as visiting San Jose defeated a US NBA squad at the 2016 Cup win streak, last losing 101- dropped their second straight game. Vancouver. Meier’s second goal of the Rio Olympics, staying with the 95 to Greece in the 2006 semi- night broke a 3-3 tie at 6:07 of the third Americans almost to the end of a fi nals in Japan — the only US loss DEVILS 3, KINGS 0 period as he wired a long shot home dur- 98-88 preliminary round victory for NBA talent since the Ameri- Keith Kinkaid made 38 saves as visiting ing a counterattack. for the US lineup that went on to can programme was revamped New Jersey beat host Los Angeles. Kinkaid Logan Couture, Tomas Hertl and Kevin claim gold. after settling for bronze at the improved to 9-2-0 in his last 11 starts and Ottawa Senators left wing Max McCormick (right) hits Columbus Blue Jackets left Labanc each had a goal and an assist for “The USA-Australia game 2004 Athens Olympics. recorded his fourth career shutout. He wing Matt Calvert as he skates behind the net during NHL game. (USA TODAY Sports) the Sharks, who posted their fourth con- stopped 19 shots in the fi rst, eight in the secutive win. The Canucks took their second and 11 more in the third. lead, 2-1, just over two minutes later on in their past eight games. season-worst sixth straight loss despite NBA San Antonio Spurs He also helped kill off six Kings power a goal by Jaccob Slavin. The Flyers tied goals from Nikolay Goldobin, Bo Horvat coach Gregg Popovich will plays. Michael Grabner scored a short- the game again on a goal by Jakub Voracek OILERS 4, PANTHERS 2 and Alex Edler. guide the US team through handed goal and Nico Hischier tallied on with 8:02 remaining. Filppula then gave Connor McDavid scored the tying goal the 2020 Olympics. even strength in the opening period as the Philadelphia its fi rst lead with his 11th and had an assist on the go-ahead score WILD 3, COYOTES 1 Devils won their third straight game on a goal of the season with 5:49 left. Michael as visiting Edmonton rallied to defeat Marcus Foligno scored the winning goal season-high six-game road trip. Raffl provided a two-goal margin with Florida. McDavid also added an assist on midway through the third period as visit- just under two minutes left. Ty Rattie’s empty-net goal with 50 sec- ing Minnesota beat Arizona. Nino Nied- FLYERS 4, HURRICANES 2 onds left. erreiter and Eric Staal also tallied goals Valtteri Filppula had the go-ahead goal MAPLE LEAFS 4, CANADIENS 0 McDavid has 19 goals in his past 22 for Minnesota. with 5:49 left, and Philadelphia scored William Nylander, Kasperi Kapanen, games. For the season, he has 34 goals Clayton Keller scored for Arizona. four times in the third period to beat host Nazem Kadri and Andreas Johnsson and 55 assists, ranking third in the NHL Wild goaltender Devan Dubnyk, who lost Carolina. The Flyers snapped a two-game scored goals, and Toronto easily defeated with 89 points entering Saturday night. his previous two starts, made 30 saves skid. Philadelphia’s Travis Konecny tied visiting Montreal for its fourth consecu- All three of McDavid’s points came to earn his 200th career victory. Antti the game 1-1 with 11:41 left in the third tive win. Curtis McElhinney turned away in the third period. Despite the loss, the Raanta, returning to action after missing period. 33 shots for the Maple Leafs. The Cana- Panthers are 16-5-1 since Jan. 30 and six straight contests due to a lower-body Carolina responded and retook the diens have lost two in a row and are 1-5-2 9-2-0 in their past 11 home games as they injury, recorded 30 saves for Arizona. Gulf Times 6 Monday, March 19, 2018 SPORT

TENNIS Ramirez claims WBC super Federer survives scare lightweight belt

New York: Jose Ramirez claimed the vacant World Boxing council super to face Del Potro in fi nal lightweight world title on Saturday with a 12-round unanimous decision over fel- Swiss ace survives a stern test from No. 49 Coric but managed to hold on for a 17-0 record this year low American Amir Imam. Ramirez, a 2012 Olympian, AFP remained unbeaten, taking Indian Wells, United States his record to 22-0 with 16 wins inside the distance as he Roger Federer of Switzerland hits a forehand captured the title vacated by orld No. 1 Roger Federer en route to his win over Borna Coric of Croatia Terence Crawford when he extended his season win during the semi-finals of the BNP Paribas Open moved up to welterweight. streak to 17 matches, book- in Indian Wells, California. (AFP) “Man, it’s a dream come ing his spot in the Indian true,” said California’s WWells Masters fi nal by rallying past Bor- Ramirez, who gained the na Coric 5-7, 6-4, 6-4 on Saturday. decision by scores of 115-113, The Swiss superstar survived a stern 117-111 and 120-108 — the last test from world number 49 Coric but not reflecting the back and managed to hold on for a 17-0 record forth action on display at the this year, surpassing his prior career- Hulu theatre inside Madison best calendar year start in 2006 when Square Garden. he opened with 16 wins. But Ramirez was clearly in “It took a while to get the record,” Fe- control in the latter rounds, derer said. “But I’m happy. It was just a hurting Imam with a right in fi ghting match.... It didn’t come easy, so the 10th. Imam’s right eye I had to go get it. I got a little bit lucky. I was swelling shut in the 11th, hung tough and put a lot of eff ort into it and Ramirez came out firing to get the record. The focus has to be the in the 12th, although the fi nals right now. But it’s nice to get off to knockout eluded him. a good start this year, and I hope I can The bout saw Hall of Fame play well again tomorrow.” 86-year-old promoters Don The defending champion was aim- King and Bob Arum renew ing for a record sixth Indian Wells ti- their decades-old rivalry. Top tle when he squared off against world Rank boss Arum promotes number eight Juan Martin Del Potro in Ramirez while King promotes late last night’s championship match. Imam, a 27-year-old New The 36-year-old Federer said he had Yorker who fell to 21-2 and to draw on every ounce of experience saw a run of three straight and mental toughness to pull out the victories end. It was the first match. “Margins are slim at the top of fight in which Arum and the game,” he said. King fighters faced each “And I have been there so many times. other since March 2011, when You just hope to take the right decisions Puerto Rico’s Miguel Cotto along the way, and then it ends up fall- kept his World Boxing As- ing your way. But for that you need to sociation super welterweight have a very positive mindset. You need world title with a 12th-round to be match-tough, you need to be con- stoppage of Nicaragua’s fi dent, have experience, and I think I Ricardo Mayorga. have a bit of all of that right now.” Down a set and trailing 4-2 in the second, Federer had to claw his way back from the brink of defeat. In the third set he fell behind again me to accept. I got a bit lucky. It was a with very little,” Federer said. and that gave me control of the match,” matches. Big matches, close matches,” 4-3 but won the fi nal 11 points of the good match.” Former US Open winner Del Potro said Del Potro. “It was an easier match he said. “Jeez, I just tried to think back match to claim the victory. Federer had not dropped a set (8-0) improved to 16-3 on the season as he than I expected.” Federer is 18-6 life- at the French Open semis, US Open fi - Federer clinched the match when Co- entering the semi-fi nal. But he looked stormed past the hard-serving Canadi- time against Del Potro, having rallied to nals, Olympic semis, Basel fi nals. Just ric hit a shot wide. The ball was called out of sorts in the opening set Saturday an Milos Raonic 6-2, 6-3 in just 65 min- win the last two contests in three sets, three-setters, fi ve-setters the whole out but Coric challenged and after the as Croatia’s Coric took it handily. The utes. Del Potro is looking for his 22nd including a 6-7 (5/7), 6-4, 6-3 victory way,” said Federer. video review the original call was con- match was played under diffi cult con- career and second straight ATP title in a in the championship game last year in Del Potro said he will be the under- fi rmed. ditions with winds swirling around the row after winning earlier this month in Federer’s hometown of Basel. dog against Federer. “He’s the favorite “Borna was incredibly steady,” Fed- main stadium. Federer said he had to be Acapulco where he beat three top eight Federer said he is expecting another to win tomorrow,” Del Potro said. “But erer said. “Those 10 minutes when I was conservative with his shotmaking to get players in a row. gruelling war of attrition with the Ar- I beat him in the past, and I know I can down a set and a break it was hard for back in it. “At some point you are happy “I broke his serve quick in both sets gentinian. “We have had a lot of close repeat that. But it is not easy.”

LPGA GOLF Park grabs LPGA lead as Stenson leads but McIlroy, Tiger Davies chases historic win AFP matched Davies for the day’s misery.” and Rose surge at Bay Hill Los Angeles low round. Davies, who has not won since the 2001 Rochester LEADING 3RD ROUND SCORES AFP Invitational, would break the (USA unless noted) Miami outh Korea’s Park In- oldest LPGA winner mark held 202 — Park In-bee (KOR) 68-71-63 bee fi red a nine-under by Beth Daniel, who was 46 203 — Mariajo Uribe (COL) 68- par 63 to seize a one- when she won the 2003 Cana- 68-67 enrik Stenson clung to a one-stroke stroke lead after Satur- dian Women’s Open. 204 — Ariya Jutanugarn (THA) lead after Saturday’s third round of day’sS third round of the LPGA Davies, in her 32nd LPGA the PGA Arnold Palmer Invitational 68-68-68 Founders Cup, where Brit- campaign, birdied fi ve of the 205 — Laura Davies (ENG) 73-69- while Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy ain’s 54-year-old Laura Davies last six holes on the front nine, andH Justin Rose surged into the title hunt. 63, Chella Choi (KOR) 67-72-66 chased a historic triumph. eagled the par-5 11th and bird- 206 — Tiff any Joh 70-72-64, Brit- Sweden’s Stenson, the 2016 British Open Park, a seven-time major ied the par-5 15th and par-3 17th tany Lincicome 72-66-68, Marina champion, fi red a one-under par 71 to stand winner, opened with four bird- holes. “I hit a lot of fairways Alex 70-66-70 on 12-under 204 after 54 holes at Bay Hill as ies and an eagle in the fi rst fi ve and that gives you a chance to 207 — Megan Khang 71-71-65, Jodi American Bryson DeChambeau shot 72 to holes and vaulted atop the lea- get relatively close to the hole,” Ewart Shadoff (ENG) 70-71-66, stand one stroke adrift. derboard at 14-under 202. That Davies said. Caroline Inglis 71-68-68, Park Hee- But the 36-hole leaders couldn’t expand was one stroke ahead of Colom- “I haven’t been holing the young (KOR) 68-70-69 their edge, allowing Rose, McIlroy and Woods bia’s Mariajo Uribe with Thai- putts but today I did. The no 208 — Ally McDonald 74-69-65, among others to charge into a Sunday show- land’s Ariya Jutanugarn third bogeys part for me is the big- Amy Olson 72-70-66, Amy Yang 71- down, 12 rivals in all within fi ve strokes of on 204 at Wildfi re Golf Club in gest key because that is what 71-66, Lee Jeong-eun (KOR) 71-70- Stenson at the Orlando layout. “I could have Phoenix, Arizona. has been letting me down. I 67, Erynne Lee 71-70-67, Jennifer a two- or three-shot lead, which would have Davies shot a 63 for the fi rst know I can still play great golf. Song 72-68-68, Lindy Duncan been a nice cushion, but I’ve been in the mix a time since 2005 in jumping into My short game is really coming 71-69-68, Park Sung-hyun (KOR) few times and I’m back here trying to give it a a share of fourth with South around and a day like this tells 69-70-69, Jessica Korda 69-68-71, go,” Stenson said. Korea’s Chella Choi on 205. The me that we are really doing the Karine Icher (FRA) 67-69-72 Four-time major champion McIlroy, who Englishwoman would become right things.” 209 — Ryann O’Toole 70-73-66, needs only a Masters green jacket to com- the oldest champion in LPGA Davies is struggling to walk Austin Ernst 73-69-67, Nanna plete a career Grand Slam, birdied two of the history by winning Sunday in with a sore left calf and Achil- Koerstz Madsen (DEN) 72-69-68, last three holes to fi re 67. It was the Northern the fi rst event of the season on les tendon. “It’s a struggle,” she Kang Hae-ji (KOR) 71-69-69, Chun Irishman’s best US PGA round since the fi rst US soil. “I’ll certainly have a said.”It’s just walking. Swinging In-gee (KOR) 71-69-69, Michelle round last August at Akron and he stood third Rory McIlroy plays a shot from a bunker during the third round in Orlando, Florida. (AFP) crack at it,” Davies said. “I’ve is fi ne. I can swing as hard as I Wie (KOR) 70-68-71, Mo Martin 71- on 206 a week after missing the cut. given myself a chance.” want to. But every step is just 66-72, Cydney Clanton 68-67-74 “Worked on my swing a little bit, found a to win at Bay Hill. Stenson opened with a 13- low low-key fi nish. Woods found a greenside The sizzling start had Park feeling, found something I could go with for foot birdie putt and answered a bogey at eight bunker and made bogey at the par-3 second, pondering the all-time LPGA this week and maybe beyond,” McIlroy said. with a 30-foot birdie putt at nine. but birdied three of the next four holes, his record low 18-hole score of 59 “Freed up my putting a little bit. Felt a little He answered a bogey at 10 with birdies at longest putt a curvy 38-footer at the third. fi red by Sweden’s Annika So- bit more in control of my game. I knew if that the par-5 12th and 16th, only to miss the green After missing a 10-footer for par at the eighth renstam in 2001. “For a little bit could translate from practice onto the course, at the par-3 17th on the way to bogey. and making a 10-footer to birdie 11, Woods I think a 59. I got off to a really I could have a good week.” “Especially with the way I played coming went birdie-bogey at 16 and 17 after fi nding good start,” Park said. “On the England’s Rose made six birdies against in, I think that I didn’t really miss a shot the bunkers at each, then made his closing birdie. back nine, it was diff erent, a lit- a lone stumble, a three-putt bogey at 15, to last six holes,” Stenson said. McIlroy blasted tle bit more boring golf.” shoot 67 and share fourth on 207 with Ameri- out of a bunker to two feet to birdie the par-5 LEADING THIRD ROUND SCORES But after the fantastic start, can Ryan Moore. South Korea’s An Byeong- fourth and sank a 12-foot birdie putt at nine. (USA unless noted, par 72): Park only birdied the par-4 hun was in a pack on 208 that also included After bogeying 11, McIlroy landed his ap- 204 — Henrik Stenson (SWE) 64-69-71 ninth and par-5 11th until she Americans Rickie Fowler, Talor Gooch and proach at 12 eight feet from the cup and sank 205 — Bryson DeChambeau 67-66-72 closed her bogey-free round Charley Hoff man. the eagle putt, then used great approaches 206 — Rory McIlroy (NIR) 69-70-67 with a birdie at 18. “To fi nish And then came Woods, who birdied two at 16 and 18 to set up tap-in birdies. Woods, 207 — Justin Rose (ENG) 69-71-67, Ryan Moore with a birdie on the back nine of the last three holes for a 69 to share 10th a 14-time major winner making a comeback 71-67-69 was a big relief,” Park said. “The on 209 with US compatriots Patrick Reed, after back surgery, showed solid form at the 208 — Charley Hoff man 71-66-71, Rickie Fowler front nine felt great. The back Bud Cauley and Grayson Murray. “I fi gure Bay Hill course where he has captured eight 67-71-70, Talor Gooch 65-70-73, An Byeong-hun nine I was hitting pretty solid I’m within reach if I shoot a really, really low career titles. With the Masters only three (KOR) 68-68-72 but the putts didn’t drop like round tomorrow,” Woods said. “I’m going to weeks off , Woods now has nine consecutive 209 — Grayson Murray 71-69-69, Tiger Woods they did on the front nine. If have to shoot a low one and get a little bit of rounds of par or better — his longest such US 68-72-69, Bud Cauley 72-67-70, Patrick Reed they did I would’ve had a 59.” help. But my responsibility is to go out and PGA streak in more than fi ve years. 68-70-71 Park, who has won nine times shoot a low one fi rst.” Woods curled in a 12-foot birdie putt at the 210 — Ollie Schniederjans 71-71-68, Graeme Mc- in 15 prior attempts when lead- Inbee Park of South Korea plays her second shot on the 16th hole Stenson had four consecutive top-10 par-4 18th to complete his day, cocking for a Dowell (NIR) 69-72-69, Chris Kirk 71-69-70, Sam ing entering the fi nal round, during the third round of the Founders Cup in Phoenix. (AFP) showings between 2013 and 2016 but has yet full-speed fi st pump before adopting a mel- Burns 69-70-71 Gulf Times Monday, March 19, 2018 7 SPORT

MOTORSPORT TENNIS Clarke claims Qatar F3 Futures title Formula One champ Clarke on his victory and said, By Sports Reporter Doha “The three tournaments brought together a huge number of young athletes who are aiming at col- ay Clarke of Britain lecting more ranking points.” claimed the Qatar F3 Fu- “The futures tournaments give tures title organised by the the chance to our players take Qatar Tennis, Squash and their fi rst steps in their profes- Hamilton not close JBadminton Federation (QTSBF) sional careers,” he said. in co-operation with the Inter- national Tennis Federation (ITF) Qatar ITF Junior at the Khalifa International Ten- Tournament from today nis and Squash Complex. The competitions of Qatar ITF In the fi nal, Jay Clarke defeat- Junior Tournament for boys and ed Pietro Rondoni of Italy 6-1, girls under 18 years will begin to- 7-5 to secure the title. Last week, day at Khalifa Tennis and Squash to ‘fi nal chapter’ Clarke reached the fi nal match of Complex. Qatar F2 Futures but he suff ered The Qatar Tennis, Squash and ‘Everyone has an opinion about everything. The world is moving drastically and no-one is perfect’ a defeat at the hands of Benjamin Badminton Federation will host Hassan of the Germany. a similar tournament later this AFP In doubles, Fajing Sun of Chi- month with participation of a London na and Chun Hun Wong of Hong large number of players repre- Kong hoisted the trophy follow- senting diff erent nations. ing their victory over the Czech Rayyan al-Jefairi and Ghanim ewis Hamilton has duo of Marek Gengel and Matej al-Khelaifi will represent the vowed to reign supreme Vocel 6-3, 6-3. The QTSBF Sec- State of Qatar in this tourna- in Formula One for years retary General Tariq Zainal and ment. The tournaments will to come as the world Director of Local Tournaments provide the players with oppor- Lchampion prepares for the start Sultan Khalfan attended the med- tunity to take their fi rst steps in of the new season next weekend. al ceremony. Zainal congratulated their professional careers. British star Hamilton is re- portedly ready to sign a new contract with Mercedes, which could earn him up to £40 mil- lion ($55 million) per year and solidify his position as British sport’s highest earner. That would be the ideal prep- aration for Sunday’s season opener in Melbourne as Ham- ilton eyes a fi fth world champi- onship. Along with Michael Schu- macher and Juan Manuel Fan- gio, he would be only the third F1 driver to have won the title more than four times. Even that historic feat wouldn’t be enough for Hamil- Qatar F3 Futures title winner Jay Clarke of Britain (left) poses with ton to walk away from the sport the Qatar Tennis, Squash and Badminton Federation Secretary however. General Tariq Zainal and runner-up Pietro Rondoni of Italy (right) at “It doesn’t feel like the start the Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex. of the fi nal chapter, and I don’t feel as though I am about to em- bark on my last contract,” Ham- RUGBY ilton said. “I am not sure how I will feel in two or three years’ time but I am back here in March for my Romania qualify for 12th season and I am so excited. “I don’t know where it comes from – this feeling of just want- World Cup as Spain ing to excel – but I really, really, more than anything currently in my life, want to excel next lose to Belgium weekend. “I want to arrive in Mel- Lewis Hamilton is reportedly ready to sign a new contract with Mercedes, which could earn him up to £40 million ($55 million) per year. Reuters a last attempt to qualify for the bourne fi t. I want to hit my Brussels competition. target weight. I want to kill it keep going.” about his young nephew wear- “Everyone has an opinion “I am working with my team Spain had hammered Belgium through practice, get pole posi- Hamilton won last year’s ing a princess dress. about everything,” Hamilton to fi gure out how we get our 30-0 in Madrid in the 2017 edi- tion and I want to win the race championship with two races to Hamilton embarked on a said. “The world is moving message across of where we omania qualifi ed for tion and were overwhelming convincingly. spare. mass deleting spree across both drastically and no-one is have come from. the 2019 Rugby World favourites to beat them again “I don’t know how long this But he kept a low profi le over his Instagram and Twitter ac- perfect. “For example, what we have Cup in unexpected cir- and reach the World Cup after feeling is going to last when I go the winter following criticism counts – of which he has a com- “We have a pie chart of our done as a working-class family cumstances as Spain thrashing Germany 84-10 in into a new season, but as long as he received for comments he bined 12 million followers – in brand, what it means and we are is very diff erent to a story of an- missedR out on an automatic their previous outing having also I am still feeling like this I will made in an Instagram video the wake of the backlash. constantly evolving that. other racing driver.” place by suff ering a shock 18-10 beaten Romania. defeat away to Belgium in their Yet they rarely got going on a last game in the Rugby Europe mud-caked pitch in Brussels and WINTER GAMES Championship yesterday. ugly confrontations broke out at Romania fi nished second in the fi nal whistle as members of the standings on 14 points, one the Spanish coaching staff tried above Spain, who would have to restrain their players, who qualifi ed for the World Cup for were angered by Belgium’s exu- the fi rst time since 1999 if they berant celebrations. had beaten Belgium. Not helped by a poor pitch Tributes to ‘inspiration’ Hawking Georgia fi nished top of the worsened by snow in Brussels standings with 19 points but had the night before, Santiago San- already sealed their World Cup tos’s side struggled against a place, meaning no points from much-changed Belgium team, their games counted towards who took a 12-0 lead at halftime. as curtain falls on Paralympics qualifi cation. Another penalty further bol- AFP modern rock and pop, with K- Romania won their last com- stered the home side’s lead in the Pyeongchang, South Korea pop star Ailee among the per- petitive game by beating Bel- 50th minute and Spain only came formers. gium 62-12 last Saturday and alive with 10 minutes remaining, There were also disabled lost an eff ective friendly against forcing the only try of the game he Pyeongchang Win- performers, including a dancer Georgia 25-16 on Sunday. through Gautier Gibouin. ter Paralympics closed with a hearing impairment and Spain will now need to beat Mathieu Peluchon scored the yesterday with a daz- a wheelchair-bound dancer. Portugal in a playoff and then conversion and soon after con- zling ceremony featur- Towards the end of the cer- win a two-legged tie against Sa- verted a penalty to take Spain Ting light shows, dancing and emony, the Paralympic fl ag was moa in order to reach the World to within fi ve points of levelling music, as well as tributes to hauled down and handed to the Cup in Japan in 2019. but a sixth successful penalty by late wheelchair-bound British mayor of Beijing – which will If they beat Portugal but lose Belgium’s Vincent Hart defi ni- physicist Stephen Hawking as host the 2022 Winter Olympics to Samoa they will play in a four- tively killed off their hopes of a an “inspiration”. and Paralympics. team repechage in November in comeback. Nine days of sporting action In a fi tting fi nale to the ended earlier in the day with a Games’ high-octane sporting fl urry of events, including vic- action, the USA earlier Sunday tory for the United States in beat Canada 2-1 with a dramatic MacIntyre wins QGL golf tournament a hard-fought sledge hockey goal in overtime to defend their fi nal, helping them to top the Paralympic sledge hockey title. medals table with 36 overall. It brought Team USA’s gold North Korea’s athletes, medal haul to 13. who made their country’s Russian athletes – compet- Winter Paralympics debut in ing as neutrals after their coun- Pyeongchang, were absent Fireworks erupt during the closing ceremony of the Pyeongchang 2018 Winter Paralympic Games. (Reuters) try was banned due to a doping from the closing ceremony after scandal – picked up eight heading home early, but it was spiration to us all”. Universe, and his best-selling of their two events, but were gold medals, second-highest a minor sticking point after the “While Hawking tested the book A Brief History of Time still welcomed by South Ko- after the USA and tied with rapid inter-Korean thaw of re- limits of his imagination, Para- made him a household name. rean fans delighted at the latest Canada. cent weeks. lympians, you have once again In a memorable speech at sign of detente on the Korean The Winter Paralympics With thousands packing out pushed the boundaries of hu- the opening of the 2012 Games, peninsula. broke records for ticket sales, the Pyeongchang Olympic Sta- man endeavour,” he said. Hawking urged Paralympians The rapprochement began at which topped 340,000, as well dium, International Paralympic “Your logic-defying per- to “look up at the stars and not last month’s Winter Olympics, as for the number of athletes Committee president Andrew formances have focused the down at your feet”. when the North sent 22 ath- competing at 567. Parsons used his closing ad- world not on what holds you letes to the Games and the two There were numerous tales of dress to pay tribute to Hawking, back, but on what motivates Triumph over adversity Koreas marched under a united triumph over adversity. who died last week aged 76. you and pushes you forward.” Athletes carried their coun- fl ag at the opening ceremony. Dutch snowboarder Bib- The scientist is seen as an Hawking developed a form tries’ fl ags into the stadium The North’s presence at the ian Mentel-Spee won two gold inspiration by Paralympians. of motor neurone disease in his at the closing ceremony but Paralympics was low-key com- medals despite having had Don MacIntyre emerged victorious in the golf tournament He never let his acute physical 20s that left him confi ned to a North Korea’s was brought in pared to the Olympics – as well cancer surgery twice in recent organised by the Qatar Golf Lovers at the Doha Golf Club disability stop him from pur- wheelchair, almost completely by a Games volunteer, after as leaving before the end, the months. recently. Forty golfers competed in the event which was played suing his dreams, and is fondly paralysed and only able to speak Pyongyang’s delegation headed North did not march with the American skier Oksana Mas- on a strokeplay format. Subhash Randeva was declared the remembered for opening the through a voice synthesiser. home a few days ago. South at the opening. ters – born with multiple birth runner-up. Howard Menad won the ‘longest putt’, Arnab Dutta London 2012 Games. But his disability did not stop Pyongyang sent two nov- Yesterday’s closing ceremony defects due to the Cherno- won the ‘longest drive’, JB Roy won the ‘closest to rope’, and Parsons hailed him as “a gen- him pursuing his ambition of ice sit-skiers to the Games and included traditional Korean byl nuclear disaster – also won Jean-Dominique Lucas won the ‘closest to pin’ awards. ius of a man, a pioneer and in- unlocking the secrets of the they fi nished at or near the back music and dancing, and also double gold.

Monday, March 19, 2018 GULF TIMES SPORT

MOTORCYCLING Maiden Moto2 victory for sensational Italian Bagnaia Getting a strong start off the line as the lights went out, Bagnaia took the lead into the first corner with the sun still in the sky rancesco Bagnaia of Italy (SKY who took fourth position. Racing Team VR46) took a Continuing to lead into the penul- sensational maiden victory in timate laps, Bagnaia was etching ever the Grand Prix of Qatar, beat- closer to securing his debut victory in ingF his compatriot Lorenzo Baldassarri Moto2, but Baldassarri began to hunt (Pons HP40) to the line as the victory down his compatriot in the lead and was decided on the fi nal lap under the the fi ght was neck and neck on the fi nal fl oodlights. The 2017 rookie of the year lap. Getting into the strongest possible secured his team’s debut victory in the position on the fi nal lap, Italian Bald- class and began his season in the best assarri made his move into the penul- possible way, as Alex Marquez (EG 0,0 timate corner and briefl y took the lead Marc VDS) rounded out the podium. however Bagnaia stole it straight back, Getting a strong start off the line as holding his advantage following the the lights went out, Bagnaia took the long run to the line. lead into the fi rst corner with the sun Oliveira fi nished in a distant top fi ve, still in the sky, as pole position man but was able to hold off Brad Binder (Red Marquez had a slight moment with Bull KTM Ajo) who secured sixth posi- Miguel Oliveira (Red Bull KTM Ajo) in tion overall after some tough battles the run up to the opening corner. But it throughout the race. Marcel Schrotter was the Italians making a break in the (Dynavolt Intact GP) took eighth, beat- opening lap, with Bagnaia and Baldas- ing his teammate Xavi Vierge (Dynavolt sarri leading the way ahead of Marquez, Intact GP) by just 0.097 over the line. who quickly recovered from the wob- Luca Marini (SKY Racing Team VR46) ble. won his battle for ninth, ahead of Jorge Setting the pace in the opening laps Navarro (Federal Oil Gresini Moto2) of 20, the SKY Racing Team VR46 rider who rounded out the top ten. began to pull out a lead around the Lo- Making a very credible debut in the sail International Circuit with Baldas- Moto2 class, Joan Mir (EG 0,0 Marc sarri and Marquez chasing him down. VDS) moved up from 24th position on The 32 riders kept the fi ght close with the grid to take a top 11 fi nish, ahead of day turning to night throughout the Remy Gardner (Tech 3 Racing) in 12th fi rst Moto2 fi ght of the season. But they position. 13th went to Hector Barbera soon fell into a rhythm, with Bagnaia (Pons HP40), who crossed the line taking control of the race and leading 0.007 behind Gardner, as Simone Corsi the way ahead of the duo, and excite- (Tasca Racing Scuderia Moto2) took ment fi lled the fi eld as a group of fi ve 14th, and Dominique Aegerter (Keifer riders developed into a battle fourth. Racing) secured the fi nal points scoring Marquez fell into problems as he was fi nish this weekend in Qatar. close to overtaking the Pons HP40 bike There were just two riders to not for second, running off track through meet the chequered fl ag in the Grand turn one of lap 15, with his rear brake Prix of Qatar, and it was a bad day disc glowing under the night sky. How- for Swiss Innovative Investors. Iker ever this was not an issue set to end his Lecuona parked his bike up on the 10th race early, and the 21-year-old clung lap, whilst teammate Sam Lowes had onto the fi nal podium spot, holding off Moto2 winner Francesco Bagnaia (C) poses with runner-up Lorenzo Baldassarri (L) and third placed Alex Marquez after the Moto2 race during the Motorcycling Grand a tough return, crashing out through Mattia Pasini (Italtrans Racing Team) Prix of Qatar at the Losail International Circuit yesterday. PICTURE: Noushad Thekkayil turn 16. (motogp.com)

MOTO3 SPOTLIGHT Martin wins Spanish French envoy duel for Moto3 honours helps conduct Touch draw

ric Chevallier, ambassador of France to “We have been participants in QTouch’s the State of Qatar, helped launch the in- events several times over the years and on each augural French Flair Rugby (FFR) – Touch occasion we have been extremely satisfi ed tournament at the Intercontinental Hotel with their experience, delivery and execution. inE the presence of event organisers, partners, Choosing QTouch for us is a guarantee to have a sponsors and team captains. successful event”. As part of the Francophonie Week celebra- For his part, QTouch Chief Executive Offi cer, tions in Doha (21-27 March), the FFR committee Samuel Rico said, “It is a great honour to be Moto3 winner Jorge Martin (c) celebrates his Moto3 victory on the podium with runner-up Aron Canet (L) and third-placed Lorenzo Dalla together with QTouch will organise and host the given the opportunity to work with the French Porta. PICTURE: Noushad Thekkayil Touch tournament at the Doha Rugby Football community and be associated with big name Club (DRFC) on March 23. partners and sponsors for the event”. aking his second ever Moto 3 victory became four wheeled, as Bastianini witnessed Asia), Ayumu Sasaki (Petronas Sprinta Racing), While addressing Touch enthusiasts on Sat- “It is very exciting to see the French using the in scintillating style, Spaniard Jorge opening round heartbreak crashing out of sec- John Mcphee (CIP – Green Power) and Marco urday night, the ambassador expressed his ap- sport Touch as a catalyst for community activi- Martin (Del Conca Gresini Moto3) ond position on the sixth lap, leaving Martin Bezzecchi (PruestlGP) were locked in the fi ght, preciation and commended the French commu- ties. We are extremely happy to be part of their took 25 points at the Grand Prix of and Canet to lead the way by half a second. The with McPhee falling victim to the tight fi ght and nity in Qatar. He also expressed the importance celebration, delivering a sport we are all so pas- TQatar as he waited four months to secure his Spanish duo spent the next 11 laps of 18 pulling crashed in the fi nal lap. of health and sport, congratulating the or- sionate about”. fi rst back-to-back victory. out a gap on their rivals with two mature dis- As the riders hurtled around the 5.3km Losail ganisers for bringing the community together Meanwhile, Total Sports has become the Holding his lean to the line, he was able to plays of race craft, to cross the line over six sec- International Circuit, it was Dalla Porta who through Touch. event’s fi rst apparel partner and will have its start the season in the best possible way, beat- onds ahead of the rest of the fi eld. secured his debut podium fi nish and was victor French Flair Rugby President, Jean-Chris- logo appear on all team jerseys. The extravagant ing compatriot Aron Canet (Estrella Galicia 0,0) Martin seemed to take control of the race of the sensational battle. Taking third position tophe Barat said “There are 200,000 French Touch gala is partnered by QTouch, Oryx FM, who took home second. and secure the lead for the majority of the 18 by only 0.045s, it was a true test of slipstream speaking persons in Qatar, from various nation- Maison De La France and the French Embassy. As Niccolo Antonelli (SIC58 Squadra Corse) laps, but Canet certainly hadn’t given up as he over the line in Qatar for the Italian. Pole man alities. Francophonie is normally reserved for Other major partners include the Blue Falcons, started pole position for the fi fth time of his ca- stayed on his tail until the closing laps. Com- Antonelli took fourth position, ahead of Argen- promoting a dialogue to support solidarity be- Blue Phoenix, La French Touch, Institut Fran- reer, it was Martin who stormed off the line and ing down to the wire, Martin led over the line tinean and opening lap race leader Rodrigo in tween these French speaking communities. cais Qatar, Total, MJ MASHA, QTouch Media despite not getting the holeshot – which went for the penultimate lap and began to open up a fi fth. It was a stunning display from Di Gian- “The State of Qatar is a member of the Inter- and Events. to Antonelli – he took an early lead, and pulled slight gap over his fellow Honda rider through nantonio, as he zoomed up from 16th position national Organization of ‘la Francophonie’ and Touch is one of the fastest growing sports in a gap of over half a second in the opening four the fi rst sector. Ultimately Martin held his ad- on the grid to take a top six fi nish, whilst Toba with the support of our partners QTouch, Oryx France who over the years has developed into a laps. However he wasn’t to be left alone for long, vantage, with a stunning corner speed through took seventh position on the line. FM and the French Embassy, we have decided to formidable international competitor. According as the duo of Canet and Italian Enea Bastianini the all important turn 15, and he sealed the vic- Compatriot Sasaki was eighth in the open- hold our fi rst French Touch event.’’ to the international governing body (Federation (Leopard Racing) soon caught the Spanish rider tory after a drag to the line, by just 0.023 ahead ing race of the season, as Kornfeil took ninth French Flair Rugby vice-president Romain of International Touch – FIT), France is ranked at the front. of Canet to take the fi rst honours of 2018. and Andrea Migno (Angel Nieto Team Moto3) Quintane said, “We thank his Excellency for his 10th in the men’s world standings while the Victory soon became four wheeled, as Bas- Third position and the fi nal spot on the po- rounded out the top ten. Adam Norrodin (Pet- presence tonight what a thrill it is to have him women’s fair better in 7th position. tianini witnessed opening round heartbreak dium was a sensational battle, as fi ve riders ronas Sprinta Racing) was a distant 11th po- here with us he really is a great Ambassador”. The one day Touch Tournament (9.00am – crashing out of second position on the sixth lap, became nine and they began the battle under sition, ahead of Jaume Masia (Bester Capital Speaking about the event partnership, Quin- 6.00pm) will gather 16 teams (160) players, leaving Martin and Canet to lead the way by half the sunny skies of Qatar in a bid to take the fi - Dubai) in 12th, Kazuki Masaki (RBA BOE Skull tane said, “QTouch was awarded the event over over 1,000 spectators including VIP’s and dig- a second. The Spanish duo spent the next 11 laps nal trophy, swapping paint on each lap. Lorenzo Rider) and Bezzecchi who rejoined the race fol- two other event management organisers based nitaries and it will bear testimony to the strong of 18 pulling out a gap on their rivals with two Dalla Porta (Leopard Racing), Niccolo Antonelli lowing a fi nal lap crash to take 14th. Spanish on the strength of their strategy and crea- sports and cultural ties among Francophone mature displays of race craft, to cross the line (SIC58 Squadra Corse), Gabriel Rodrigo (RBA youngster Marcos Ramirez (Bester Capital Du- tive ideas, they are also the most experienced countries despite diversity of cultures under over six seconds ahead of the rest of the fi eld. BOE Skull Rider), Fabio di Giannantonio (Del bai) was the fi nal points scorer in the fi rst Moto3 in hosting and delivering Touch events in the the umbrella of the International Francophone A six-wheeled battle for the victory soon Conca Gresini Moto3), Kaito Toba (Honda Team race of the season.(motogp.com) country.” Organization.