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SUNDAY 25 APRIL 2021 Karunaratne scores unbeaten 234 as draw beckons

Dimuth is a little bit fatigued, but it’s a nice fatigue. He’ll be stiff in the morning, but he can resume tomorrow and who knows where he gets to. The initial this morning was to have parity by the end of play today. We’re in a really good position.

Sri Lanka coach Mickey Arthur Sport | 18

IPL: Kolkata Knight Riders: 133/9 (R Tripathi 36, C Morris 4/23); : 134/4 in 18.5 overs (S Samson 42n.o., Chakravarthy 2/32) Coefficiente wins Prix De La Croix Saint-Ouen in France

THE PENINSULA – COMPIEGNE on the outside. Boudot tracked “We came here expecting the leaders, keeping his filly to win”, explained Boudot Coefficiente (Siyouni x Al Reem) under cover, and Coefficiente "The filly did it easily and opened her scorecard for her travelled very strongly showed class. She ran well last owner and breeder H H Sheikh throughout the race. He time out for her first run on a Mohammed bin Khalifa Al unleashed her in the final 200 straight track. She has Thani at Compiegne, France on metres and she showed a very improved. She made up for fact Friday. smart acceleration to quickly that the race didn’t really go her She won the Prix De La take the lead, winning by 1¾ way through sheer class. She is Croix Saint-Ouen, a maiden for lengths in front of the more still immature and will improve 3-year-old fillies 1,400m, experienced Phaidra (IRE) with racing,” Boudit said. in impressive style. (Camelot x Piacere) who is Coefficiente is the first Trained by French maestro trained by Markus Munch and runner and first winner for her André Fabre, Coefficiente was was ridden by Mickael Bar- dam, Al Reem, who also ran in steered to success by champion zalona. The Carlos Laffon the colours of H H Sheikh jockey Pierre-Charles Boudot. Parias-trained Heroic Star (IRE) Mohammed. Al Reem is a Drawn on the outside of the (Sea The Stars x Heroic Heart) daughter of the high-class Jockey Charles Boudot guides H H Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Thani-owned Coefficiente to win 9-runner field, the bay filly was further 1½-lengths behind racemare Très Rapide, who was the Prix De La Croix Saint-Ouen at the Compiegne Raceourse in France. dropped in behind the leaders in third under Arthur Mosse. multiple Group placed. thrilled with Al Sadd’s win as Wolves stay on course in ACL Qatari referee Abdullah AFC – RIYADH Al Sadd's Guilherme, Santi Cazorla and Nam Tae-hee Ali Al Marri celebrate after scoring a goal against Al Wehdat on Friday. Al Sadd head coach Xavi was thrilled after his side beat Al Qatari referee Wehdat 2-0 to stay in sight of the 2021 AFC Champions League set for Tokyo Round of 16. Goals by Santi Cazorla and Ali Olympics Asad powered Al Sadd to their second win in Group D, placing THE PENINSULA – DOHA them second with seven points, one behind leaders Al Nassr of Saudi FIFA-accredited referee Arabia. Abdullah Ali Al Marri will Al Sadd will now set their sights feature as a VAR judge in on Foolad Khouzestan FC of the football matches at the Islamic Republic of Iran tomorrow, Olympic Games which will be where another three points will set held during the period July them up nicely for the group finale 21-August 7 in the Japanese against Al Nassr three days later. capital Tokyo. “I am happy because we got the It should be noted that this three points, against a very good is the first time that one of team,” said Xavi. “I have to con- Qatar’s international referees gratulate them ‘cause they played will feature in this event. really well, aggressive and This presence of Qatari organised in defence. referee comes as an extension “We dominated many parts of of the distinguished partici- the game, and when you score first, pation of Qatar’s international it’s much easier to win. We suffered referees in recent years in a little bit in the second half with various local, continental and their corners and crosses but I’m international competitions. happy because we won a difficult game. praised his budding players Yusuf points. The next game will be An Al Sadd player undergoes a Bordeaux fans “The three points are very Abdurisag and Ali Sad, for their another final and we have to be swab test yesterday in Riyadh. important for us, and now that exceptional performance. ready and work hard together. we’re second in the group, we are “We have a good squad with “I just tried to do my best to protest against in the race. I’m happy with the per- young and talented players like help the team, and today I think formance of the team to win two Yusuf. He didn’t only help in the our whole team deserved to be the US owners games in a row against the same second goal but how he played best player. We had a difficult team.” defensively and for the team. I’m game but we played together, AP – BORDEAUX The legendaryg y Spaniardp also happyppy for the team.” defended together and attacked Nam Tae-hee,Tae-hee, named together.” Several hundred fans of French PPlayerlayer of the Match, said The defeat means Al Wehdat soccer team Bordeaux teamteam eeffortffort lleded tthehe teateamm have no chance of advancing but protested yesterday to call for to the convincing win.win. head coach Abdullah Abu Zema is a leadership change after the “It“It was a very satisfied with how his charges have financially troubled club placed toughtough gamegame but performed and will use their final itself under the protection of I’m happy two matches to gain experience. the city’s commercial court. with the “Al Sadd deserved the victory,” The move for protection threet hree said Zema. came on Thursday after the “If we had 10 more minutes, we first-division club’s US-based could have at least secured a draw. owner, King Street, withdrew “I am very satisfied as a coach, its financial support. especially with the team’s gradual Bordeaux said club pres- improvement. We are hoping to ident Frederic Longuepee change this negative result into a turned to the court for security positive thing, as the Jordanian while “a lasting solution” is season has yet to begin, we are found. Supporters have taking this as a preparation stage demanded Longuepee’s Xavi for the future.” “immediate departure.”

Al Rayyan's Watford seal Premier Al Rayyan gear up for Group E clash against FC Goa players and coach Laurent Blanc run during a practice League promotion session which REUTERS – LONDON secured an immediate return to the took place in Goa, top flight, having finished second- India yesterday. Watford secured promotion to the bottom of the in the The Qatari Premier League yesterday with two 2019-20 campaign. football giants games to spare, after a 1-0 win over Watford were one of the playoff who went down Millwall in the (second-tier) Cham- contenders after a mixed start to the 0-1 to UAE’s pionship at Vicarage Road. second-division campaign but found Al Wahda in a Ismaila Sarr’s 11th-minute penalty another gear when Munoz replaced drama-filled proved enough as Watford guaranteed Vladimir Ivic as manager in December. AFC Champions one of the two automatic promotion The Spanish manager has guided League Group E spots alongside Championship leaders Watford to 17 wins in 24 Championship match on Friday, Norwich City, who booked their top- games, opening up a 10-point gap over will take on the flight spot last weekend. third-placed Brentford, who have a hosts FC Goa Xisco Munoz’s Watford have game in hand. tomorrow. Sport SUNDAY 25 APRIL 2021 18 Bayern’s celebrations on hold after defeat to Mainz to meet Phillipp Mwene’s free kick. AP — BERLIN Bayern coach reacted with three changes at Bayern Munich missed the the break, Eric Maxim Choupo- chance to clinch the Bundesliga Moting and title when it lost at relegation- replacing the ineffective Leroy threatened Mainz 2-1 yesterday. Sané and , and PSG’s Kylian Mbappe (centre) in action with Metz’s Boubakar First-half goals from going on for Kouyate and Alexandre Oukidja, yesterday. Jonathan Burkardt and Robin , who was in Quaison put Bayern’s title cel- danger of a second booking. ebrations on hold and lifted Bayern came back from 2-0 Mainz five points clear of the down to win the reverse fixture relegation zone after a 5-2 in Munich on Jan. 3, but Mbappe double sends remarkable turnaround in the Mainz is a different prospect second half of the season. since Bo Svensson took over as coach the following day. Mainz PSG top of returned from a month out with is unbeaten in seven games a knee injury to score for with five wins in that run. REUTERS — PARIS Against the run of play, Bayern in the fourth minute of scored twice Metz scored their first goal in injury time and take his season for to beat Kylian Mbappe scored either four league matches to equalise tally to 36, but it was too late for third-placed Wolfsburg 2-0 and side of halftime but picked up at the start of the second half the eight-time defending pressure a thigh injury as Paris St as right back Fabien Centonze champions. ahead of its late game at Bayer Germain returned to the top of headed home a dipping cross Bayern could still win the Leverkusen. Frankfurt is only a Ligue 1 with a 3-1 victory over by attacking Farid title this weekend, depending point ahead of Dortmund in Metz at the Stade Saint- Boulaya. on how second-placed Leipzig fourth, the last place for Cham- Symphorien yesterday. But PSG reclaimed the lead fares against Stuttgart today. Mainz's players celebrate their pions League qualification. The France forward was in 58th minute of the match second goal against Bayern Munich. Finnish striker Joel substituted in the closing when Mbappe capitalised on a Pohjanpalo celebrated his first moments with a heavily misplaced Centonze pass, Robert Lewandowski returned start since March with a hat strapped thigh, casting doubts before scoring his 25th league A Leipzig defeat would hand minute when Bayern trick for Union Berlin to beat over his fitness ahead of PSG’s goal of the season with a from a month out with a knee Bayern the title with three was deceived by Werder Bremen 3-1 and stretch Champions League semi-final deflected effort from outside injury to score for Bayern in games to spare, but anything his centrally placed shot. the visitors’ losing run to seven first leg at home to Manchester the box. the fourth minute of injury else means the Bavarian pow- Neuer reacted well to deny games. City on Wednesday. Mauro Icardi’s cheeky time and take his season tally erhouse will have to wait. Mainz a second goal minutes Union also boosted its PSG opened the scoring ‘Panenka’ penalty sealed the to 36, but it was too late for Bayern hosts Borussia later, then again in the 16th, a chances of Europa League inside four minutes when result with two minutes Mönchengladbach next minute after Lewandowski had football by cutting the gap on Mbappe latched on to a floated remaining, as PSG moved two the eight-time defending weekend in the next oppor- Bayern’s first chance. sixth-placed Leverkusen to just pass from midfielder Ander points clear of second-placed champions. tunity to win the league. But Quaison headed Mainz’s one point ahead of the late Herrera, before smashing it Lille, who have a game in hand Mainz forward Burkardt second goal in the 37th when game. Also, Freiburg drew with past Metz goalkeeper Alex- against Olympique Lyonnais opened the scoring in the third he beat Thomas Müller and Hoffenheim 1-1. andre Oukidja. today. Japanese F1 GP to remain Woods posts photo of himself, at Suzuka until end of 2024 says rehab is ‘coming along’

REUTERS — TOKYO REUTERS — LOS ANGELES The Japanese Grand Prix will remain at Suzuka until at least Tiger Woods posted a photo of himself on the end of the 2024 season after crutches and said his rehab is “coming along” Formula One and circuit two months after the golf great suffered severe owners announced a three- leg injuries when his car careened off a road near year contract extension Los Angeles and crashed. yesterday. The photo on the Instagram account of the The figure of eight track 45-year-old American showed him smiling on a south-west of Nagoya first golf course with a black and white dog. hosted a Formula One race in “My course is coming along faster than I am,” 1987 and has provided the he said, adding a smiling face emoji. decider for 11 drivers’ “But it’s nice to have a faithful rehab partner, championships. man’s best friend.” “This extension is part of Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton poses for a photograph with the Woods sustained compound fractures of his our long-term commitment to Mercedes team after the Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka Circuit, tibia and fibula in his right leg in the early growing the sport in Asia, and in this October 13, 2019 file photo. morning crash, which required emergency we are pleased to be able to surgery. He also suffered injuries to his foot and continue our successful rela- 2014. Red Bull’s engine partners fan of double world champion ankle. tionship with Mobilityland,” Honda are leaving the sport at Fernando Alonso who is still on Authorities have said that excessive speed said Formula One chief exec- the end of this season, however. the grid with Renault-owned was the primary cause of the accident. Woods utive Stefano Domenicali in a Tsunoda scored points on Alpine. was not charged with any crime for the one-car statement. his F1 race debut with Red Bull- The circuit, which did not wreck. Mobilityland is a subsidiary owned AlphaTauri when he fin- host a race last season due to The injuries have raised concerns over of Honda. ished ninth in Bahrain last the COVID-19 pandemic, will whether Woods will return to competitive golf, Japan has a new young month. celebrate its 60th anniversary with any comeback further complicated by his recovery will not be an easy one, it is possible for talent in 20-year-old rookie He spoke afterwards about next year. This year’s Grand long history of knee and back problems. Woods to return to the sport in about a year. Yuki Tsunoda, the country’s going to Suzuka with his father Prix has been pencilled in for Orthopedic surgeons interviewed by Reuters Woods is tied with Sam Snead on the all-time first grand prix driver since to watch the race, and being a October 10. after the accident said that while the road to list for wins on the PGA Tour with 82. IPL: Morris, Samson ’s Karunaratne scores shine as Rajasthan unbeaten 234 as draw beckons seal six- win AP — PALLEKELE Karunaratne and De Silva (right) celebrates with carried their bats through a team-mate after scoring a AP — overs. But Samson added 45 Sri Lanka and Bangladesh were wicketless day to extend their double century. PIC: SLC runs with Dube, and Miller heading for a high-scoring draw partnership to 322 runs. Sri Rajasthan Royals pushed twice survived lbw appeals in the first Test after the host Lanka began the day trailing Kolkata Knight Riders to the against Shivam Mavi. finished day four on 512-3 Bangladesh by 312 runs, and by bottom of the Indian Premier Earlier, Rajasthan’s left- yesterday in reply to Bangla- stumps had reduced that to just League table after a six-wicket arm fast bowlers Mustafizur desh’s 541-7 declared. 29. victory yesterday. Rahman (1-22) and Jaydev Skipper Dimuth Karu- Karunaratne has batted Rajasthan’s multimillion Unadkat (1-25) bowled impres- naratne was 234 and through the Sri Lanka innings dollar signing, , sively up front. Dhananjaya de Silva on 154 not for his maiden double century, grabbed 4-23 to restrict Kolkata Shubman Gill (11) and out when play was called off 11 hours so far. He has been on to 133-9. captain (0) early due to bad light and 22 the field for all four days - a Captain then struggled for their fifth suc- overs were lost. total of 1,443 minutes. anchored Rajasthan to 134-4 cessive game before they were Sri Lanka coach Mickey with seven balls to spare by run out. SCOREBOARD Arthur applauded the batsmen. compiling a nearly run-a-ball Unadkat removed power- BANGLADESH, 1st Innings 541/4 decl. (Iqbal 90, “Dimuth is a little bit flicking Taskin Ahmed to mid- Lanka went past the follow on unbeaten 42. hitter Sunil Narine cheaply for Shanto 163, Haque 127; Fernando 4/96 fatigued, but it’s a nice fatigue,” wicket for two and his 11th Test score of 341 and cut loose. De SRI LANKA, 1st innings (229/3 overnight) Although Rajasthan’s 6 in the 10th over and top- Dimuth Karunaratne not out ...... 234 Arthur said. “He’ll be stiff in the hundred. Silva went on to compile his problems in the batting pow- scorer Rahul Tripathi, with 36, lbw b M Miraz ...... 58 morning, but he can resume The left-hander was in full seventh Test hundred. By erplay continued, Samson kept was deceived by Rahman’s c Das b T Ahmed ...... 20 tomorrow and who knows flow after the milestone, coming stumps, he’d batted for more his team on track with able slower to get caught b Islam ...... 25 where he gets to. The initial goal down the pitch and lofting the than six hours and faced 278 support from David Miller, 24 in the deep just when it looked Dhananjaya de Silva not out ...... 154 this morning was to have parity spinners and, at one point, he balls with 20 fours. not out, and , 22. the batsman had settled down. Extras (b4, lb5, nb3, w9) ...... 21 by the end of play today. We’re even reverse paddled Taijul The thick grass cover on the ’s struggle at the Brief scores: Kolkata TOTAL (149 Ov,for 3 wkts) ...... 512 in a really good position. Islam to the vacant third man pitch at the start was mis- To bat: Pathum Nissanka, Niroshan Dickwella, PWH top continued when he was Knight Riders 133/9 in 20 overs de Silva, , Lahiru Kumara, Vishwa Karunaratne, who turned 33 region for four. leading, and although both trapped leg before wicket for 5 (R Tripathi 36, D Karthik 25, C Fernando on the first day of the match, De Silva, meanwhile, was teams packed their sides with by legspinner Varun Chakar- Morris 4/23, M Rahman 1/22, J Fall of : 1-114 (Lahiru Thirimanne, 38.6 ov), was slow off the blocks and sur- hardly troubled as he hit some seamers, eventually it was up varthy off his second ball. Unadkat 1/25, C Sakariya 1/31) 2-157 (Oshada Fernando, 53.3 ov), 3-190 (Angelo vived some nervous moments. cracking shots. With good use to the spin bowlers to do the hit five vs Rajasthan Royals 134/4 in Mathews, 62.3 ov) When he was on 98, Bangladesh of his feet against spin, he didn’t containing job. boundaries in his 17-ball knock 18.5 overs (S Samson 42 not out, BOWLING: Abu Jayed 13-1-58-0, Taskin Ahmed 25- reviewed after a leg before allow Taijul or offspinner Despite the grass cover, 6-91-1, Ebadot Hossain 17-1-82-0, Mehidy Hasan of 22, before he holed out in the D Miller 24 not out, Y Jaiswal Miraz 52-6-123-1, Taijul Islam 39-9-136-1, Mominul wicket appeal was turned Mehidy Hasan to settle, and there was hardly any bounce deep as Rajasthan lost both 22, S Dube 22, V Chakravarthy Haque 1-0-8-0, Saif Hassan 2-0-5-0 down. Bangladesh failed to stop the and the pitch has turned out to openers within the first five 2/32) He reached three figures by boundaries. After lunch, Sri be a batting paradise. 20 HOME SUNDAY 25 APRIL 2021