NBA | Page 9 FOOTBALL | Page 5 Thompson’s Suarez To Advertise here 40 points strikes as Call: 444 11 300, 444 66 621 lead Warriors Uruguay to victory hold Brazil

Sunday, March 27, 2016 CRICKET Jumada II 18, 1437 AH India to take on GULF TIMES Australia in must-win match SPORT Page 2 CRICKET Buttler treat serves up England win, Lankans out

AFP He received crucial support from New Delhi Chamara Kapugedera who hit 30 while Thisara Perera (20) and Dasun Shanaka who struck 15 off nine balls ngland qualifi ed for the to take the contest down to the wire. World Twenty20 semi-fi - Moeen Ali and Adil Rashid were nals and knocked holders Sri on the receiving off some fi ercesome Lanka out after a nail-biting hitting from the Sri Lankans, with 10-runE victory in their do-or-die both men conceding 21 in a single showdown in New Delhi yesterday. over. Jos Buttler smashed 66 in a 37- But Joe Root’s stunning catch at ball knock as England posted a com- mid-off to dismiss Shanaka off the manding total of 171 for four that bowling of Chris Jordan in the 19th ultimately proved too much for Sri over proved crucial as Mathews then Lanka despite a brave, undefeated began running out of partners. innings of 73 by injured skipper An- With Sri Lanka needing 15 from gelo Mathews. the last six balls, allrounder Ben England are now likely to face Stokes conceded just four runs to New Zealand in a semi-fi nal en- clinch the England victory. Qatar’s Nasser Saleh al-Attiyah (R) and co-driver Matthieu Baumel celebrate their Kuwait Rally win yesterday. counter in New Delhi on Wednesday Sri Lanka eventually made 161 for having also defeated South Africa eight in their 20 overs. MOTORSPORT and Afghanistan in the group stages. England’s innings got off to a poor After the West Indies also quali- start when Alex Hales, back in the fi ed for the last four from Group 1 on team after a back injury, was given Friday, Sri Lanka have no chance of out lbw off the bowling of the vet- progressing further although they eran Rangana Herath with only four do have one fi nal match against on the board. South Africa. Rookie spinner Jeff rey Vandersay Buttler, who hit eight four and was the pick of the Sri Lankan bowl- two sixes, shared in a fourth-wicket ers, taking two for 26 in an economi- Qatar’s al-Attiyah partnership of 74 with skipper Eoin cal four-over spell in which he took Morgan (22) as Sri Lanka’s bowlers the wickets of both Jason Roy and struggled to contain a late England Root. onslaught at the Feroz Shah Kotla But powerful hitting from Roy, stadium. who made 42 off 39, and Root (25) But after having Sri Lanka on the began to turn the match in England’s ropes at 15 for four, they were then favour before Buttler then stepped made to sweat for their victory with on the accelerator. scores crushing Mathews hammering England’s spin Stokes fi nished the England in- bowlers to all corners despite strug- nings off with a six before then star- gling with a leg injury. ring with the ball. Mathews hit fi ve sixes and three He was the pick of the England boundaries in a 54-ball innings that bowlers, conceding just 19 runs in had England’s fans with their hearts his four overs. Liam Plunkett also victory in Kuwait in their mouths. impressed with fi gures of one for 23. England’s Jos Buttler raises his ‘It was important that I won here and collected the maximum points, but I wasn’t bat after reacing his half-century really pushed on this rally. I would like to see my rivals come back on the next rallies’ against Sri Lanka at the Feroz Shah By Our Correspondent The winner’s brother Khalifa al-Attiyah and Cypri- Kotla cricket Fintas, Kuwait ot navigator Savvas Laos fi nished the event in fourth, ground in New Nasser Saleh Al-Attiyah on the while the Lebanese duo of Rodolphe Asmar and ex- Delhi yesterday. charge in Kuwait. perienced co-driver Joseph Matar dropped from fi fth record sixth victory in the Kuwait Inter- to seventh when they incurred a two-minute penalty national Rally was never really in doubt for after the fi nish. Qatar’s Nasser Saleh al-Attiyah. The 11-time Qatar’s Khaled al-Suwaidi and Italian co-driver FIA Middle East rally champion won all the Giovanni Bernacchini benefi ted from the Rally 2 rul- 13A timed special stages at the second round of the re- ing to start the second day in eighth overall in their gional series and reached the fi nish in Fintas yesterday Ford Fiesta R5. But the Qatari was too far behind to afternoon with a winning margin of 11min 24.9sec. make a real impression and, despite a string of sec- He and French navigator Matthieu Baumel control- ond fastest times, he could only fi nish sixth and then led their pace at the three-day rally from start-to-fi n- climbed to fi fth after Asmar’s penalty. ish to deliver yet another faultless team performance, Saudi rookie Rakan al-Rashed and Finnish naviga- a record 62nd MERC rally win for the driver and an tor Jarkko Kalliolepo held seventh overall before be- 11th for his navigator. ing overhauled by al-Suwaidi. Al-Rashed fi nished SCORECARD “It was important that I won here and collected the his second ever rally in sixth place, however, after al- maximum points, but I wasn’t really pushed on this Nuami retired. The Qatari pairing of Abdullah al-Ku- England: C. Kapugedera c Stokes b Plunkett ...... 30 rally,” said al-Attiyah. “I would like to see my rivals wari and Adel Hussein returned to action under Rally J. Roy lbw b Vandersay ...... 42 T. Perera c Willey b Jordan ...... 20 come back on the next rallies. The car was fantastic 2 and completed the event in eighth. Turkey’s Vidat A. Hales lbw b Herath ...... 0 D. Shanaka c Root b Jordan ...... 15 and we managed to win every stage on an event that Diker and the Kuwaiti duo of Saleh Ali and Elie Cha- J. Root c Thirimanne b Vandersay ...... 25 R. Herath b Jordan...... 1 I enjoy very much.” chati rounded off the international fi nishers in ninth, J. Buttler not out ...... 66 J. Vandersay not out ...... 0 Newly-crowned Kuwaiti national champion Me- 10th and 11th overall. E. Morgan run out (Perera) ...... 22 Extras (lb 2, w 7) ...... 9 shari al-Thefi ri, whose father Ahmed won the event The event was organised by the Basil Salem Al- B. Stokes not out ...... 6 Total (for 8 wickets, 20 overs) ...... 161 before it became a round of the series way back in Sabah Motor Racing Club (BMRC) under the chair- Extras (b 1, lb 5, w 3, nb 1) ...... 10 Fall of wickets: 1-3 (Dilshan), 2-4 (Chandi- 1981, capped a memorable weekend with second manship of Sheikh Athbi Nayef Jaber al-Ahmad al- Total (for 4 wickets, 20 overs) ...... 171 mal), 3-15 (Siriwardana), 4-15 (Thirimanne), overall and outright victory in the hard-fought MERC Sabah and in conjunction with the General Authority Fall of wickets: 1-4 (Hales), 2-65 (Root), 5-95 (Kapugedera), 6-137 (Perera), 7-155 2 category in his Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X. His result for me and for motor sport in Kuwait.” for Sport. 3-88 (Roy), 4-162 (Morgan) (Shanaka), 8-157 (Herath) winning margin was 1min 28.2sec. Qatar’s Rashed al-Nuami and Italian navigator Rally positions (top 5) Bowling: Mathews 4-0-25-0, Herath Bowling: Willey 4-0-26-2, Jordan 4-0- Partnered by Qatar’s Nasser al-Kuwari on this oc- Nicola Arena struggled with the loss of third gear on 1. Nasser Saleh al-Attiyah (QAT)/Matthieu Baumel 4-1-27-1, Vandersay 4-0-26-2, Siriwardana 28-4, Plunkett 4-0-23-1, Stokes 4-0-19-0, casion, he became only the second Kuwaiti in MERC their Subaru Impreza for two stages and retired from (FRA) Skoda Fabia R5 2hr 08min 06.1sec 1-0-9-0, Chameera 4-0-36-0, Perera 2-0-27- Rashid 2-0-31-0, Ali 2-0-32-0 history to reach the podium and the fi rst to record a third position with ongoing gearbox issues with one 2. Meshari al-Thefiri (KWT)/Nasser al-Kuwari (QAT) 0, Shanaka 1-0-15-0 Result: England won by 10 runs second-placed fi nish – the Kuwaiti duo of Mufeed stage to go, although they maintained the unoffi cial Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X 2hr 19min 31.0sec Sri Lanka: Toss: Sri Lanka Mubarak and Saad al-Melaifi fi nished third in the MERC 2 championship advantage after two rounds. 3. Yigit Timur (TUR)/Ufuk Uluocak (TUR) Mitsubishi D. Chandimal c Buttler b Jordan ...... 1 Umpires: Paul Reiff el (AUS) and Rod MERC category at the Jordan WRC Rally in 2011. Yigit Timur lost his way in one stage for a time in a Lancer Evo X 2hr 20min 59.2sec T. Dilshan c Hales b Willey ...... 2 Tucker (AUS) “This is the icing on the cake of a fabulous weekend Tok Sport Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X, but he and 4. Khalifa al-Attiyah (QAT)/Savvas Laos (CYP) Subaru M. Siriwardana c Morgan b Willey ...... 7 TV umpire: Chris Gaff aney (NZL) for me,” said a delighted al-Thefi ri. “I confi rmed the co-driver Ufuk Ulocak benefi ted from al-Nuami’s Impreza 2hr 21min 59.5sec L. Thirimanne run out (Stokes) ...... 3 Match referee: Jeff Crowe (NZL) Kuwait Championship yesterday and decided to push misfortune to confi rm third place and the runner-up 5. Khalid al-Suwaidi (QAT)/Giovanni Bernacchini (ITA) A. Mathews not out ...... 73 Reserve umpire: Sundaram Ravi (IND) hard today. Second place and the podium is a fantastic spot in MERC 2. Ford Fiesta R5 2hr 27min 25.3sec Gulf Times 2 Sunday, March 27, 2016 CRICKET

PREVIEW SPOTLIGHT Versatile Kohli says he can perform Australia take on even without India in do-or-die provocations Mohali clash today The Aussies have won two games while going down to New Zealand, who have already qualified for the semi-finals with three wins from as many matches

AFP Mohali India captain Mahendra Watson relishing Singh Dhoni waves during a training session at The India challenge ustralia will look to dump hosts Punjab Cricket India out of the World Twen- Association Stadium in Mohali: Retiring Australian all-rounder ty20 tournament today in a do- Mohali yesterday. Shane Watson said playing India in or-die clash between modern a knockout match before thousands cricket’sA two biggest rivals. of home fans Sunday would be the A narrow win by India over Bangla- “ultimate challenge” for his side at the desh, followed by Australia’s 21-run tri- World Twenty20. umph against Pakistan, has eff ectively The Indians and the kangaroos are tied reduced today’s group encounter into a on four points each from three games, knockout, with the winner making it to which means the winner of today’s the semi-fi nals. group encounter in Mohali will move to “We’ve got a massive game coming the semi-finals. up against India, whoever wins that goes “It is the ultimate challenge to play through,” said Australian paceman James India in any format here in India,” said Faulkner after Friday’s win against Pakistan. Watson, 34, late Friday. “It was on our shoulders to turn the “If you can beat India on Indian soil in ship around and start winning. any format, it’s an incredible achieve- “We have won two in a row, now we ment. Everyone in the Australian team need to win another three to win the knows that. World Cup,” said the bowler, who enjoyed “I certainly know that from plenty of a fi ve-wicket haul against Pakistan, the experience here, so it’s just going to be fi rst Australian to do so in T20 cricket. a great challenge and we certainly are Australia are the reigning 50-over going to be up for it.” world champions and the number one An Australian victory would knock India’s Virat Kohli bats in the nets during a training session at The Test side, but have failed to win the World India out of the tournament and ensure Punjab Cricket Association Stadium in Mohali. T20 in fi ve previous attempts. Watson gets to play at least one more If they do manage to win the trophy match at the highest level of the game. Reuters situation comes in, you have to this time around, it would be a fi tting The veteran player announced this Mohali take in as more fuel to the fi re.” tribute to all-rounder Shane Watson, week he would be ending his interna- Kohli gave an animated send- who is set to quit international cricket at tional career at the close of Australia’s off to Steve Smith in an Adelaide the end of the tournament. campaign in the tournament. ndia’s batting mainstay Vi- T20 earlier this year while the In- Watson was part of Australia’s World “From my personal perspective, to rat Kohli suggested Australia dian also featured in an on-fi eld Cup triumphs in 2007 and 2015 and also have the opportunity to be able to will make the grave mistake spat with James Faulkner, telling starred during the team’s winning cam- play in what could be my last game is, of adding “fuel to fi re” if they the Australian all-rounder “I’ve paigns in the Champions Trophy fi nals of needleI him in today’s win-or- smashed you enough in my life”. I suppose, as big a dream as you could 2006 and 2009. imagine. bust World Twenty20 contest but He, however, has enough re- The Aussies have won two games in “So it’s going to be very exciting,” said asserted he is good enough to ex- spect for rival captain Smith, this T20 edition while going down to Watson, who has 46 wickets and 1,444 cel without provocations. who anchors Australia’s top order New Zealand, who have already quali- runs from 57 T20 internationals so far. A self-admitted admirer, as teeming otherwise with power- fi ed for the semis with three wins from as Australia are the reigning 50-over well as practitioner, of Australia’s hitters. “Obviously he’s been a many matches. world champions and the number one passionate, aggressive brand of very important player for Aus- India were also handed a thrashing by Test side, but have failed to win the cricket, it was almost inevitable tralia,” Kohli said. “The way their the Black Caps, who are sitting on top of World T20 in five previous attempts. that the 27-year-old has featured batting unit works, someone like Group 2 and are clearly one of the better- India, winners of the inaugural 2007 in several on-fi eld spats with Steve Smith gives them solidity looking sides in the tournament. edition, are eyeing their second title them. With a place in the semi- in the middle order which is great The home side, which won the inaugu- on home soil, having won the 50-over fi nals at stake, sparks may fl y for any team. ral World T20 edition in 2007, bounced World Cup in Mumbai in 2011. again in today’s mouth-watering “If we can have a person who back to defeat arch-rivals Pakistan before Although they have not been on top contest between inaugural T20 can play the least number of dot pulling off a nerve-wracking one-run of their game in this tournament, they champions India and reigning 50- balls and still keep the scoreboard win against Bangladesh. did manage to win against arch-rivals over world champions Australia. ticking while the others are hav- The Indians will be praying for a full Pakistan and a plucky Bangladesh. “I’ve always said that I sort of ing a go at a few bowler, it always game today because a washout would Watson, however, said he felt India thrive on those situations,” Kohli helps as a batting unit.” throw the hosts out of the tournament, should not be underestimated, espe- told reporters. “But you just can’t Kohli acknowledged Smith’s since Australia enjoy a better run rate. cially in home conditions, and the key go in with that sort of mindset class but was optimistic his bowl- India’s star batsman Virat Kohli ad- for his team would be to put the hosts only. You need to be versatile...” ing colleagues can silence the mitted the players would have to raise under pressure right from the first ball. “If I get into a debate with right-hander. their game against the Aussies and not let “This format requires you to be top Nehra, Hardik Pandya, Ajinkya Rahane, “One thing about India is they are such anyone, if I have to take a certain “You want to get everyone’s themselves be overwhelmed. of your focus and concentration for 120 Suresh Raina, Rohit Sharma, Yuvraj a dangerous side. They haven’t clicked stance, that doesn’t necessarily wicket... but top quality players “I think the only thing that we can do balls while you are batting and in the Singh. so far in this tournament. put me off my game. If anything, around the world tend to have in this situation is to stay in the moment fi eld. If we play to our potential, we have Australia (from): Steven Smith “(But) they have got world class play- that motivates me more,” said In- answers for them more often than and not get carried away by the bigger the ability to go all the way.” (captain), David Warner, Ashton Agar, ers for all types of wickets. And with dia’s Test captain. not. picture,” Kohli said Saturday at a pre- Teams: Nathan Coulter-Nile, James Faulkner, their world class players, when they “It doesn’t mean if I don’t get “You just have to make life as match press conference. India (from): Mahendra Singh Dhoni Aaron Finch, John Hastings, Josh click they are really unbeatable,” said into a debate with someone, I diffi cult as possible for them and “Sometimes we forget to do what ex- (captain), Ravichandran Ashwin, Jasprit Hazlewood, Usman Khawaja, Mitchell Watson who looked in ominous form won’t be motivated to win the take up the challenge that ‘yes, he actly we need to do on a particular de- Bumrah, Shikhar Dhawan, Harbhajan Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Peter Nevill, against Pakistan on Friday, making 44 game for my team. is a very good player, he is a world livery, which could be a game-changing Singh, Ravindra Jadeja, Virat Kohli, Andrew Tye, Shane Watson, Adam from 21 balls. “It’s better to plan your innings class player but I am going to take event,” he said. Mohammed Shami, Pawan Negi, Ashish Zampa without that situation and if that his wicket today’.”

BOTTOMLINE Lights go out for Bangladesh aft er big defeat

AFP … we’re no diff erent,” he said. Kolkata “We certainly know that every game’s SCORECARD tough and the fi ckle nature of T20 crick- New Zealand: Mohammad Mithun b McClenaghan ...... 11 et—sometimes it’s hard to work out. But H. Nicholls b Mustafizur Rahman ...... 7 Sabbir Rahman c Santner b McCullum ...... 12 kipper Kane Williamson backed we’re going to look to keep improving as K. Williamson b Mustafizur Rahman ...... 42 Shakib Al Hasan c McCullum b Santner ...... 2 New Zealand to keep getting a team and see how far we can get.” C. Munro b Hosain ...... 35 Soumya Sarkar st Ronchi b Sodhi ...... 6 better at cricket’s World Twen- What had appeared to be a modest R. Taylor c Mithun b Hossain ...... 28 Mahmudullah b Sodhi ...... 5 ty20 yesterday after they bowled New Zealand total soon proved to be too C. Anderson b Mortaza ...... 0 Mushfiqur Rahim b Elliott ...... 0 SBangladesh out for a record low to main- much for the Tigers who lost their lead- G. Elliott c Hom b Mustafizur Rahman ...... 9 Shuvagata Hom not out ...... 16 tain their perfect record at the tourna- ing batsman Tamim Iqbal in the second L. Ronchi not out ...... 9 Mashrafe Mortaza lbw b Elliott ...... 3 M. Santner b Mustafizur Rahman ...... 3 Mustafizur Rahman c Ronchi b Elliott ...... 6 ment. over, run out for just three. N. McCullum b Mustafizur Rahman ...... 0 Al-Amin Hossain b Sodhi ...... 0 All-rounder Grant Elliott took three Bangladesh were all at sea against M. McClenaghan not out ...... 6 Extras (lb 5, w 1) ...... 6 wickets for 12 runs in his four overs while New Zealand’s quartet of slow bowlers Extras (b 4, lb 1, w 1) ...... 6 Total (all out, 15.4 overs) ...... 70 Ish Sodhi chipped in with three for 21 as and their top score came from tailender Total (for 8 wickets, 20 overs) ...... 145 Fall of wickets: 1-4 (Tamim Iqbal), 2-29 Bangladesh were bundled out for just 70, Shuvagata Hom who made 16. Only two Fall of wickets: 1-25 (Nicholls), 2-57 (William- (Mohammad Mithun), 3-31 (Shakib Al Hasan), condemning them to a 75-run defeat. others reached double fi gures. son), 3-99 (Munro), 4-100 (Anderson), 5-122 4-38 (Sabbir Rahman), 5-43 (Soumya Sarkar), The Black Caps, who had already After 11 overs they had made 45 for (Elliott),6-127 (Taylor), 7-139 (Santner), 8-139 6-44 (Mushfiqur Rahim), 7-48 (Mahmudul- (McCullum) lah), 8-59 (Mashrafe Mortaza), 9-65 (Mustafi- qualifi ed for the tournament’s semi- six and then had to sweat it out in the Bowling: Mashrafe Mortaza 3-0-21-1, Shuva- zur Rahman), 10-70 (Al-Amin Hossain) fi nals, had earlier made 145 for eight at dressing-room after a fl oodlight failure gata Hom 3-0-16-0, Shakib Al Hasan 4-0-33-0, Bowling: McCullum 2-0-6-1, Anderson 2-0- Eden Gardens with Mustafi zur Rahman brought a halt to proceedings for more Mustafizur Rahman 4-0-22-5, Al-Amin Hos- 7-0, Santner 3-0-16-1, McClenaghan 1-0-3-1, taking fi ve for 22. than 10 minutes. sain 4-0-27-2, Mahmudullah 2-0-21-0 Elliott 4-0-12-3, Sodhi 3.4-0-21-3 Williamson top-scored with 42, an After the resumption, they continued Bangladesh: Result: New Zealand won by 75 runs innings whose value was underlined to fi nd the Black Caps’ bowlers pretty Tamim Iqbal run out (Munro) ...... 3 Toss: New Zealand when the New Zealand bowlers wreaked much unplayable and their innings only havoc. featured one six, a late blow from Rah- Asked if New Zealand could now go man. games at the tournament and suff ered tain Mashrafe Mortaza. “A few players’ on and win the tournament, William- The total was the lowest for Bangla- an agonising one-run defeat against In- form was very good.” son played it cool but said his team were desh in any T20 international, with the dia on Wednesday. The result means that New Zealand tuning up nicely. record previously standing at 78. “Obviously it was very tough but I go into the last four in good heart, after “I think every team coming into this New Zealand’s Ish Sodhi celebrates after the dismissal of Bangladesh’s Soumya It heaps more misery on a Bangla- think there are a lot of positive things we earlier victories against India, Australia tournament certainly had that goal and Sarkar at The Eden Gardens Cricket Stadium in Kolkata yesterday. deshi team who failed to win any of their can take from it,” said Bangladesh cap- and Pakistan. Gulf Times Sunday, March 27, 2016 3 SPORT

HORSE RACING CRICKET California Chrome Afghans bid to sign wins Dubai W Cup off in style California Chrome, who just missed out on the race record time set by African Story in 2014, became the 10th American victor since the inaugural staging in 1996 against Windies

Afghanistan's captain Asghar Stanikzai catches a ball during a training session in Nagpur yesterday.

AFP leg-spinner Rashid Khan said Nagpur they would become more com- petitive if they get more game time against top opposition. fghanistan will hope to “When we play more inter- catch the West Indies national matches then the im- with a hangover today provement will come,” he said as they look to sign off after the England match. Afrom cricket’s World Twenty20 “The only thing is, we have to with a much-deserved consola- play more matches against these tion victory. teams.” West Indies’ captain Dar- Afghanistan’s progress in the ren Sammy said his team would last few years has been one of have a party after qualifying for cricket’s feel-good stories but the semi-fi nals with their third after the highs of competing in straight win of the tournament last year’s 50 over World Cup and on Friday—a nervy last over vic- the World T20, they have no fi x- tory against South Africa. tures against major teams on the So with their opponents’ eyes horizon once they leave India. already on next week’s last four A victory over the West Indies showdown against either India would consolidate their place or Australia, the conditions are in the top 10 of the T20 inter- ripe for Afghanistan to spring an national rankings and increase Victor Espinoza (R) celebrates after leading California Chrome to win in the Dubai World Cup yesterday. upset in their last match of the their chances of being invited to tournament. play more matches. AFP Unlike last year California Afghanistan have won new Rashid is part of a four- Dubai admirers in India with their ag- pronged spin attack that should Chrome was given a test run gressive and carefree brand of relish a Nagpur pitch that turned round Meydan when he won cricket that has caused some alarmingly in India’s opener oint-favourite California Chrome earlier this month, and that anxious moments for their op- against New Zealand and was won the Dubai World Cup yester- decision paid off as he put in a ponents. still a challenge for the West In- day to add the world’s most lucra- commanding performance in They gave South Africa a fright dies and South African batsmen tive race to his previous Kentucky the $10 million race last weekend when they raced to on Friday. DerbyJ and Preakness Stakes victories. 105 for two in pursuit of the Pro- After just getting over the line The fi ve-year-old was surprisingly at 2/1 as late as when the horses were at teas’ total of 210, although they against South Africa, West In- beaten into second in Dubai in 2015 by the post. were ultimately beaten comfort- dies skipper Darren Sammy in- Prince Bishop, but his trainer Art Sher- But California Chrome was so strong ably after a fl urry of wickets. dicated his team would let their man predicted that he was fi ve lengths he was able to romp to victory, despite the They also reduced England hair down. better this year. saddle slipping mid-run. to 85 for seven at one stage on “We are really going to cel- He was proved right as Victor Espinoza “I was wide but it was comfortable, he Wednesday before Moeen Ali ebrate this win because it was a led his mount to victory by four lengths did everything right, perfect,” said Es- spared his team’s blushes with a really tough game,” said Sammy, from 16/1 shot Mubtaahij to go one better pinoza. late cameo. who will ponder whether to give than 12 months ago. “I could feel the saddle slipping so I Afghanistan have yet to be some unused squad members a Sherman confi rmed that the next tar- kicked for home earlier than I wanted, it beat one of cricket’s big guns but run-out. get is not a visit to the UK, but a return to went quite far back.” the US for the Breeders’ Cup. Jockey William Buick was looking “I love this place, it’s my third time for back-to-back World Cups after his PREVIEW back,” the trainer told The National triumph on Prince Bishop, but riding newspaper. “He’s a great horse, what can Twisted for Godolphin, he came up well you say? It’s the dream of a lifetime for short after the one mile and two furlongs me, it doesn’t get better. on the dirt. Pakistan face tough “I don’t think he’ll go to England, California Chrome, who just missed we’ll give him 30 days at the farm to let out on the race record time set by African him unwind and the ultimate goal is the Story in 2014, became the 10th American English test in Breeders’ Cup.” victor since the inaugural staging in 1996. Unlike last year California Chrome was Hoppertunity (25/1) just pipped Irish given a test run round Meydan when he hope Special Fighter to take the last place Women’s World T20 won earlier this month, and that decision in third. paid off as he put in a commanding per- Favourite Postponed (4/5) won the IANS have to lift their game a bit more formance in the $10 million race. penultimate race of World Cup day, the Chennai against a strong England side. Espinoza has had some good rides in Dubai Sheema Classic, beating second- On the other hand, England recent years. favourite Duramente by two lengths after have all-round strength in both The Mexican was on board American taking the lead at the fi nal corner. avourites England will their batting and bowling units. Pharoah as the colt became the fi rst horse From there the King George winner aim to maintain their They will once again rely on to win the “Grand Slam” of US racing in never looked like being caught on the winning momentum experienced players like skip- 2015, and California Chrome started at US singer Janet Jackson performs during the Dubai World Cup 2016 at the Meydan turf, and so it proved, as the fi ve-year-old when they take on Pa- per Charlotte Edwards, Tammy 15/8 alongside Twisted, who was priced made it four victories in a row. kistanF in the Women’s World Beaumont, Natalie Sciver and racecourse in Dubai yesterday. Twenty20 Group B clash at the Sara Taylor. M.A. Chidambaram Stadium Medium pacers Anya Shrub- BOTTOMLINE here today. sole, Heather Knight and Kat- The 2009 edition winners, erine Brunt, who have done well England have been unbeaten in the ongoing tournament, in the tournament with three will aim to deliver once again England great Boycott fails in Yorkshire board bid wins against Bangladesh, India against Pakistan. and the West Indies and are at The squads: the top of the standings with England: Charlotte Edwards AFP Boycott previously served on the board “To all those people who voted for me: Before the ballot, Yorkshire chairman six points. Meanwhile, Pakistan (captain), Tammy Beaumont, Leeds between 2007 and 2012. thank you, and to those that didn’t, I just Steve Denison had made clear his oppo- have won two games, against Katherine Brunt, Georgia He was also Yorkshire’s president in 2012 want everyone to know that I love the club, sition to Boycott coming back on to the India and Bangladesh, but lost Elwiss, Natasha Farrant, Lydia and 2013, since when they have won back- it’s been part of my life for 60 years, I love committee, saying “specialist skills” were to the West Indies to be third Greenway, Rebecca Grundy, ngland great Geoff rey Boycott’s to-back Championships, with a largely its history, its traditions and I know many needed to help combat the club’s fi nan- with four points. Jenny Gunn, Danielle Hazell, controversial bid to return to the homegrown team coached by former Aus- of the members, personally. cial situation. But after Saturday’s vote, he On paper, England look a Amy Jones, Heather Knight, Yorkshire board failed yesterday tralia fast bowler Jason Gillespie. Boycott, “I just wanted to put some points of suggested Boycott would be an ideal am- strong team but Pakistan have Natalie Sciver, Anya Shrubsole, after his candidacy was rejected by a respected television analyst, has insisted view, some opinions to help. It’s not going bassador for the club. a couple of match-winners to SarahTaylor, Danielle Wyatt. Ethe county’s membership at the club’s an- he does not want to interfere in cricket to change anything, I’ll be watching and “We want everybody in the club to be clinch the tie. The Pakistani Pakistan: Sana Mir (captain), nual general meeting. matters but was standing again because supporting the team as I’ve always done. playing to their strengths and his strength top-order, which has done well Bismah Maroof, Ayesha Zafar, When the ballots were counted at the of concerns over Yorkshire’s debt of more “We have a very good set of players, an is in that ambassadorial role, shout- so far in the competition, will Nida Dar, Sadia Yousuf, Nain club’s Headingley headquarters in Leeds, than £20 million ($28 million). excellent coach, good management behind ing about Yorkshire County Cricket Club hope their middle-order steps Abidi, Sidra Nawaz, Aliya Riaz, 758 members had voted against Boycott “I didn’t put up to win or lose, I thought I the scenes—they’re a pleasure to watch. around the world and bringing people into up today. Sidra Ameen, Sania Khan, Iram compared to 602 in favour of the 75-year- could do some good for the club,” said Boy- “I’ll be here of the fi rst match of the season. the ground at Headingley, particularly on Spinners Rumana Ahmed and Javed, Asmavia Iqbal, Nahida old former Yorkshire opener. cott following the vote. I’m disappointed—but nothing’s changed.” international day,” Denison said of Boycott. Nahida Aktar alongside pacers Khan, Muneeba Ali, Anam Jahanara Alam and Salma Khan Amin. Gulf Times 4 Sunday, March 27, 2016 FOOTBALL

REST IN PEACE FOCUS Dunga calls up Gabriel, Felipe to Barcelona players, replace Neymar and Luiz for clash offi cials, fans pay against Paraguay homage to Cruyff Brazil coach Dunga. ‘Johan Cruyff came to Barcelona when Barcelona was winning nothing. He gave them a new style of game, with intricate passing, to keep possession of the ball. What we admire in the current Barcelona team all harks back to him’

Reuters Brazil got the perfect Sao Paulo start with a goal from Douglas Costa in 39 seconds and then doubled their lead antos striker Gabriel through Renato Augusto 24 and Corinthians minutes later. However, Ed- defender Felipe inson Cavani scored after were called up to half an hour and Luis Sua- theS Brazil squad yesterday rez equalised three minutes to replace David Luiz and into the second half. Neymar, both of whom will The visitors had chances serve out suspensions in to win the game as Brazil Tuesday’s World Cup quali- struggled to contain the fi er against Paraguay. physicality of the visitors. “Dunga has called up Dunga complained that central defender Felipe his players needed to be (Corinthians) and striker more “virile” and the fa- Gabriel (Santos) for the mously combative coach World Cup qualifying will want to see more back- match against Paraguay in bone against the always Asuncion on March 29,” the sturdy Paraguayans. Brazilian Football Confed- Both uncapped play- eration said in a statement. ers will join the Brazil side Gabriel, a 19-year-old before the squad head to player who took part in the Asuncion the day before the Olympic team’s 1-0 defeat by game. Nigeria on Thursday, replac- Paraguay sit in fourth es Barcelona striker Ney- place in the 10-team ta- mar, who was cautioned for ble, having stopped Ecua- stamping in Friday night’s dor’s perfect start to the thrilling 2-2 draw in Recife. qualifi ers by grabbing a de- Corinthians centre-half served 2-2 draw in Quito on Felipe will replace Paris Thursday. The top four will Saint-Germain’s Luiz, who qualify for Russia 2018 and came in for heavy criticism the fi fth-placed side will after Brazil lost a 2-0 ad- go into an intercontinental vantage to the visitors. play-off .

Fans queue up to pay tribute to late Dutch football legend Johan Cruyff in a special condolence area set up at Camp Nou stadium, in Barcelona yesterday. Cruyff , one of the greatest footballers of all time who dazzled with his artistry, died on Thursday at the age of 68 after losing a battle with lung cancer, prompting an avalanche of tributes from around the sports world. (AFP)

AFP Hundreds of people of diff erent touchline sucking on a lollipop Leading football fi gures have The Cruyff family said it was Barcelona nationalities, many in tears, fi led which became his prop after he meanwhile continued to pay trib- arranging “a private farewell to Jo- past the memorial, which was be- stopped smoking cigarettes. ute to the the Dutch star and high- han.” But they did not say when it decked with fl ags and bouquets On Friday night, the Nether- light the importance of Cruyff ’s would be held. arcelona fans, players and of red roses, and signed a condo- lands’ international against France impact on the game. The family also said it would offi cials paid tribute to the lences book. in Amsterdam was halted in the “I knew nothing about football soon announce a public memo- memory of former player Johan Cruyff “came to Barce- 14th minute as a mark of respect. before knowing Cruyff ,” said Pepe rial for the player who won three and manager Johan Cru- lona when Barcelona was winning A huge portrait banner showing Guardiola, the Bayern Munich European Cups as a player with yffB in front of a memorial space nothing ,” said one of them, Ignace Cruyff and his familiar Dutch or- coach who played under Cruyff Ajax Amsterdam and European set up inside the club’s Camp Nou Mosengo, a 45-year-old from the ange number 14 shirt was hauled at Barcelona and later became its player of the year titles in 1971 stadium yesterday. Congo who was on holiday in Bar- across one end of the ArenA sta- most successful coach. with Ajax and 1973 and 1974 with The eulogies for the Dutch leg- celona with his wife. dium in his home city as fans and “He helped us to understand Barcelona. end, who died from lung cancer “He gave them a new style of players applauded. football ... and he encouraged you Cruyff , who is considered to be on Thursday at the age of 68, were game, with intricate passing, to A seat covered with fl owers and to trust your instinct, your nose. one of the greatest players of all led after a minute’s silence by club keep possession of the ball. What a number 14 shirt was left empty To make decisions,” Guardiola told time, moved from Ajax to Barce- president Josep Maria Bartomeu. we admire in the current Barcelona in the VIP stand at a game which Catalan radio station Rac1. lona in 1973 and stayed there until Standing in front of a giant pho- team all harks back to him,” he said. saw the Dutch slip to a 3-2 defeat “He revolutionised football and, 1978. He returned 10 years later to to of a smiling Cruyff , Bartomeu The memorial will remain in against the hosts of the Euro 2016 in particular, he embodied every- coach the Spanish side. They won said that it was a sad day not only place until Tuesday evening with tournament this summer. thing about Barcelona’s playing four consecutive league titles and for everyone who loved Barcelona Barcelona football club observing It was the fi rst time that an in- philosophy,” said Joachim Loew, their fi rst ever European Cup in football club, but also for everyone a period of mourning until April 2. ternational has been halted for coach of the German team who 1992 at Wembley. who loved football. Fans as well as tourists had al- such a gesture. won the 2014 World Cup. Cruyff helped end an era of dour “In agreement with the Cruyff ready placed tributes at the en- “It was special,” said France A one-time heavy smoker who defensive football, inspiring the family we set up this memorial to trance to the Camp Nou stadium coach Didier Deschamps. “A great gave up after double heart by-pass Dutch team in their Total Football allow everyone to express their on Friday, including roses and lol- man like Johan Cruyff deserved surgery in 1991, Cruyff revealed in off ensive that took them to the feelings and say a fi nal farewell to lipops. such a tribute and the stadium re- October last year that he had lung 1974 World Cup fi nal where they this legend,” he said. Cruyff often patrolled the sponded to him.” cancer. were narrowly beaten by Germany. Brazil's Neymar has been suspended for Tuesday's game.

TRIBUTE ‘We were a team of losers, he made us champions’

Reuters recalled the bespectacled 69-year-old. breath of fresh air during a time when “He was always inventing And it amuses him now to see top noting Cruyff ’s insistence on naming Barcelona “We were a team of losers, it was 14 Spanish dictator Franco was still in something. I remember a offi cials from Barcelona’s eternal ri- his son Jordi (the patron saint of Cata- years since we’d won the Liga and he power. lovely phrase that he said to vals Real Madrid—such as president lonia), a regional name banned at the changed everything. “Franco was still in power and you the players before they took Florentino Perez—come to pay tribute time by the Spanish administration. t was Johan Cruyff who “made us “You would have thought that foot- couldn’t wear long hair at that time to the pitch: ‘guys have fun’. to the player who “changed the face of “He supported the Catalans a lot in champions”, wept long-time Bar- ball had been transformed into another without being taken for a transvestite. And they had fun! Today it’s football”, 43 years after Real’s humili- their battles,” Franck continued. celona fan Jose Gilabert Cortina, sport,” he recalled with tears in his eyes Cruyff did it,” said Fidel. Messi who resembles him ating 0-5 home loss. “Under Franco, Cruyff was the first a retired printer who joined the like many of his generation who mixed “He was always inventing some- the most. Like Cruyff said When Cruyff arrived at Barcelona the to wear the armband bearing the col- Ithousands of fans who came to the with the international crowd including thing,” recalled 70-year-old composer team were second bottom in the league. ours of Catalonia as captain,” added there’s no need to run a lot to Camp Nou yesterday to pay tribute to Spaniards, Chinese, Japanese and Mo- Franck Charles, particularly of Cruyff ’s control the game and Messi But they won 17 games in a row to win Jose. “That he was pro independence the Barca legend. roccans who came to the special con- time as a coach from 1988 to 1996. doesn’t run much” their fi rst La Liga title in 14 years. or not, I don’t know, but he was clearly Dutchman Cruyff , who fi rst moved dolence area opened by the club at the “I remember a lovely phrase that he The relationship between player, for a self-determination referendum to Barcelona from Ajax Amsterdam in Camp Nou. said to the players before they took to Suddenly, Fidel, the former taxi club and fans became even stronger af- for the Catalans to decide their future.” 1973, died on Thursday in his adopted Cruyff ’s debut in 1973 “was like a the pitch: ‘guys have fun’. And they had driver with grey hair, begins to laugh ter he took over as head coach in 1988. On front of the cameras, the presi- city aged 68 after a fi ve-month battle revelation,” recalled 74-year-old re- fun!” loudly as he recalls Cruyff ’s legendary In an eight-year spell in charge he won dent of the region, the separatist with lung cancer. tired taxi driver Fidel Diaz Fernandez. “Today it’s Messi who resembles goal against Atletico Madrid in 1973 four consecutive league titles, and Bar- Carles Puigdemont, praised Cruyff ’s “When he arrived as a player 43 The style and freedom with which him the most. Like Cruyff said there’s when the striker leapt into the air, celona’s fi rst European Cup in 1992. ability to “bet on the collective talent”. years ago I came to all the matches for the 1.80-metre athlete with blue eyes no need to run a lot to control the game twisting his body to score as he faced “He was a Dutchman more Catalan “On behalf of the country, thank you the sheer entertainment he provided,” and a Beatles haircut played was a and Messi doesn’t run much.” away from goal. than a lot of Catalans,” recalled Franck, for all Catalans.” Gulf Times Sunday, March 27, 2016 5 FOOTBALL

FOCUS France down Dutch on night of Cruyff emotion AFP Netherlands level in the 86th minute, But any result other than a win Amsterdam but there was still time for Paris Saint- France forward Olivier Giroud would have been harsh on the French, Germain midfi elder Blaise Matuidi to celebrates after scoring against the and they completed a remarkable end snatch the victory for Les Bleus. Netherlands during their friendly to the game when Anthony Martial set rance claimed an exciting 3-2 “There were some very good things. match in Amsterdam on Friday. (AFP) up Matuidi to nutmeg goalkeeper Jas- friendly win over the Nether- Our attacking trio created a lot of per Cillessen in the 88th minute. lands on a night of emotion in problems for the Dutch defence,” said Elsewhere, Cristiano Ronaldo Amsterdam on Friday, the day France coach Didier Deschamps. “In missed a penalty for the second time afterF Dutch legend Johan Cruyff died at the second half it wasn’t the same in a week as Portugal slumped to a 1-0 the age of 68. players, so you can’t judge it the same. defeat to Bulgaria in Leiria. Brazilian- The match at the Amsterdam Arena After a long break of fi ve months we did born Marcelinho bundled the away was preceded by a minute’s silence some good things and got the win.” team, who unlike their hosts have not in memory of the 31 people killed and The visitors forged ahead in just the qualifi ed for the Euros, into a surprise over 300 injured in Brussels terror at- sixth minute, as Atletico Madrid for- lead in the 19th minute. tacks on Tuesday. ward Griezmann continued his red- Bulgaria held on, with the help of The game was then paused in the 14th hot run of form by curling in to the top goalkeeper Vladislav Stoyanov’s sec- minute for 60 seconds of applause, as corner from the edge of the area, grab- ond-half save from Ronaldo, who also the players and supporters remembered bing his sixth goal in seven games for missed a spot-kick for Real Madrid on Cruyff , the man who pioneered ‘Total club and country. Sunday. Football’ and inspired the Netherlands Things got even better for France as The Republic of Ireland put in the to the 1974 World Cup fi nal. they doubled their lead just seven min- type of stubborn performance that Before that though, Euro 2016 hosts utes later. Against a hapless Nether- typifi ed their successful Euro qualify- France had taken control on their way lands side who failed to qualify for this ing campaign by edging past Switzer- to a win that sends a real message to summer’s Euros, Deschamps’ men were land 1-0 in Dublin. their rivals for the continental title. in total control and Giroud pounced The Irish, who took four points off Antoine Griezmann sparked the inside the box after the Dutch failed world champions Germany in qualify- match into life early on as he gave to clear a Dimitri Payet corner, before ing, took the lead in the second minute France the lead with a precise left- drilling a volley low into the corner. when Aston Villa centre-back Ciaran footed free-kick, and Olivier Giroud The goal comes at a perfect time for Clark headed in from a corner. lashed home from close range to make France and Giroud, after the striker has Switzerland dominated posses- it two in the 13th minute. lost his place in Arsenal’s starting line- sion but could not break down Martin Home manager Danny Blind re- up, and at a time when Karim Ben- O’Neill’s hosts, who hung on for an im- sponded by making two changes at zema’s international future remains in behind Iceland, Czech Republic and pay came on at the break, and less than snatched a draw when Depay rolled his pressive victory. half-time, and his men dragged them- the balance after the Mathieu Valbuena Turkey, and they were all at sea at the two minutes after the restart de Jong corner along the ground to his fellow Slovakia, who will take on England, selves back into the match through sex-tape scandal. back as Griezmann headed over when halved the defi cit by turning in Depay’s substitute Afellay, and the Stoke City Russia and Wales in Group B at the Luuk de Jong. Blind’s Netherlands outfi t fi nished well-placed. free-kick with his arm. man smashed in his seventh interna- Euros, played out a goalless draw with Substitute Ibrahim Afellay drove the fourth in their Euro qualifying group Wingers Afellay and Memphis De- The Dutch appeared to have tional goal. Latvia in Trnava.

SPOTLIGHT Suarez strikes on return as Uruguay rally to hold Brazil Barcelona star Suarez—playing his first international since infamously chomping on Italy’s Giorgio Chiellini at the 2014 World Cup—struck in the 48th minute to complete a remarkable Uruguayan fightback after being 2-0 down

AFP Recife, Brazil

uis Suarez scored on his return from a worldwide ban for biting as Uruguay fought back from 2-0 down to grab a 2-2 draw Lwith Brazil in a pulsating World Cup qualifying battle on Friday. Barcelona star Suarez—playing his fi rst international since infamously chomping on Italy’s Giorgio Chiellini at the 2014 World Cup—struck in the 48th minute to complete a remarkable Uruguayan fi ghtback. Uruguay had looked to be sliding to a heavy defeat after Brazil went 2-0 up inside the fi rst half an hour thanks to goals from Bayern Munich striker Douglas Costa and Renato Augusto. But Edinson Cavani pulled a goal back for Uruguay to allow Suarez—in- stalled as captain by coach Oscar Taba- rez—his moment of glory at the Arena Pernambuco. The draw left Uruguay in second place in the South American stand- ings, three points behind leaders Ec- uador with 10 points from fi ve games. Brazil moved up to third, level on eight points with Argentina and Paraguay but ahead on goal diff erence. Brazil took the lead in the opening minute with a well worked goal cre- ated by Chelsea winger Willian. The 27-year-old teased and tormented Se- bastian Coates on the right fl ank before fl oating a cross to Costa who delicately steered home the fi nish. Brazil’s dream start set the tone for Uruguay’s Luis Suarez celebrates after scoring the rest of the half, with the hosts ram- against Brazil during their World Cup South pant against a feeble Uruguay who of- American qualifying clash in Recife on Friday. fered only token opposition for long (Below) Portugal forward Cristiano Ronaldo periods. However, Brazil had to wait reacts after missing a penalty during their Euro until the 26th minute to grab their sec- friendly against Bulgaria. Portugal lost 0-1 . (AFP) ond, which arrived after more sorcery from Neymar. The Brazilian captain split Uruguay’s defence with a wonder- striker drilled a low shot that the ad- the Euro 2016 fi nalists on Friday. stops in the fi rst 10 minutes alone, ful pass that Alvaro Pereira could only vancing Brazil goalkeeper Alisson Marcelinho, born in a small town in including one excellent eff ort deny- defl ect into the path of Renato Augusto. couldn’t grasp. the Amazon region of Brazil and mak- ing Nani, as Portugal threatened a Augusto then pulled off a magical The goal galvanised Uruguay who ing his fi rst international appearance at goal spree. Bulgaria then went in front dummy to wrong-foot the advancing showed far greater resilience thereaf- the age of 31, struck in the 20th minute when Marcelinho, who qualifi ed for Fernando Muslera before fi ring high ter. Although Brazil dominated they of a game almost totally dominated by them after spending fi ve years with into the net for 2-0. were kept at bay, and Neymar’s frus- Portugal. Ludogorets Razgrad, forced his way Yet, Uruguay came roaring back to tration boiled over on 63 minutes The hosts were repeatedly foiled by past two defenders and poked the ball score with their fi rst attack of the game when he was booked for a peutlant kick Bulgaria goalkeeper Vladislav Stoy- past Anthony Lopes. and what turned out to be their only on substitute Alvaro Gonzalez. Dani anov who capped an outstanding dis- After that the game became predict- attack of the half. Alves also earned a caution in the 75th play by diving to his right to save Ron- able as Portugal poured forward and Pereira advanced down the left fl ank minute for a wild tackle on Pereira. aldo’s penalty, awarded for handball, in played plenty of neat football around and crossed to Carlos Sanchez at the Brazil’s Liverpool midfi elder the 69th minute. the Bulgaria area but either lacked the far post, who knocked down into the Philippe Coutinho tested Muslera with Ronaldo, who has missed three pen- killer pass or were foiled by Stoyanov. path of Paris Saint-Germain star Cav- a late long-range strike but Uruguay’s alties this season for Real Madrid, also The goalkeeper completed his ani who lashed in a perfectly timed defence held fi rm. turned the rebound wide. His unhappy evening’s work by making a superb volley to make it 2-1. night began when he fi red over with the stop to turn away a close-range header Thereafter however it was all Brazil, Ronaldo misses penalty as goal at his mercy from an unmarked by a frustrated Ronaldo with fi ve min- with Neymar shooting just wide on 34 Bulgaria shock Portugal 1-0 position in the seventh minute. utes left. “We are not satisfi ed with minutes as Brazil laid siege to the Uru- The former FIFA World Player of the result. We started brilliantly, in guayan goal. In Leiria (Portugal, Brazilian-born the Year also had four attempts at goal the fi rst 15 minutes, we were strong, But in the opening minutes of the Marcelinho scored on his Bulgaria de- from long-range free kicks, two hitting consistent, the goalkeeper make some second half Uruguay drew level with but while Cristiano Ronaldo missed the wall and the others forcing saves fantastic saves and then we lost some another goal against the run of play. a penalty for Portugal as the visitors from Stoyanov. concentration,” said Portugal coach Pereira released Suarez, and the pulled off a shock 1-0 friendly win over The visiting goalkeeper made six Fernando Santos. Gulf Times 6 Sunday, March 27, 2016 FOOTBALL

AFRICA CUP OF NATIONS QUALIFIERS TRANSFER RUMOURS Ibrahimovic heading to Nigeria pay price for Man United?

By Paul Doyle in London theguardian.com

oncerned that the 30-year-old Wayne Rooney is approaching defensive blunder as Cthe stage in a Manchester Unit- ed player’s life where he must remove his boots and adjourn to a TV Studio to drone on and on about how things were much better when he was much better, Old Traff ord bosses are already looking for a replacement for the man whom you just know Roy Hodgson Egypt snatch 1-1 draw is going to start at the Euros in an England line-up also featuring Jack Wilshere and Her Majesty the Queen. Lucky draw keeps record seven-time African champions Egypt two points ahead of three- Naturally, United’s focus has zeroed in on 34-year-old Zlatan Ibrahimovic. OK, so the Swede is older than time winners Nigeria halfway through the six-round qualifying schedule in ‘Group of Death’ Rooney but, on the other hand, he has spent most of the last four years resting in Ligue 1, nodding the ball into AFP nets several times a week while sitting Kaduna Mohamed Salah (centre) scored a late equaliser for Egypt in their African Cup of in the Lotus position. Nations qualifying clash against Nigeria The only complications that United igeria ignored a football face are the reports that Arsenal and fundamental—always play Chelsea are also interested in Zlatan, to the whistle—and it cost who is believed to favour a move to them dearly in a 1-1 Africa London because where else could a man from Malmo feel at home than in NCup of Nations qualifying draw with a heaving megalopolis? Egypt on Friday night. Paris Saint-Germain, meanwhile, The Super Eagles deserved to be have their eyes on the kid reputed to more than one goal ahead at an over- be the new Angel Di María. crowded Ahmadu Bello Stadium in The French club are keen to sign the northern city of Kaduna as the the 19-year-old Rosario winger Giovani high-profi le Group G clash drifted Lo Celso so that they can play him in into stoppage-time. Then, a pass from the same team as the old Di María. But substitute Ramadan Sobhy caught the Chelsea, Internazionale and Borussia defence napping and as they stood Dortmund are also plotting to entice appealing for off side, Mohamed Salah the teenager. equalised for Egypt. Jurgen Klopp has spent the last Oghenekaro Etebo, a star when Ni- few months making judgements on geria won the Africa U-23 Cup of Na- Liverpool players and knows he has to tions three months ago, had pounced do lots of clever trading this summer on a rebound off the woodwork to because next season he’ll be the one break the stalemate on the hour. in the dock. Victor Moses thought he had scored Not the Albert Dock, mind, and a second six minutes from time after certainly not an actual dock, hope- rounding goalkeeper Ahmed Al Shen- fully, but a metaphorical one in which awy and pushing the ball towards an Liverpool hope to be to be presented unguarded goal. But Hamada Tolba with conclusive evidence that Klopp is darted back to make a dramatic clear- not just a German Harry Redknapp. ance under pressure just before the The good news for Christian Ben- ball crossed the goal-line. teke is that Klopp is willing to put the Salvaging a lucky point kept record Belgian on the path to understanding, seven-time African champions Egypt and since all roads lead to Rome, that two points ahead of three-time win- could help pave a way for Liverpool ners Nigeria halfway through the six- to sign Roma midfielder Leandro round qualifying schedule. Paredes. Klopp will also return to his Egypt have seven points, Nigeria homeland to renew his ties with Mario fi ve, Tanzania four and Chad none Gotze, who broke his heart when in the ‘Group of Death’. The teams defecting from Dortmund to Bayern clash again on Tuesday in Mediterra- Munich. nean city Alexandria and a win for the Aston Villa want to set up Garry Pharaohs would all but seal a slot at goals scored despite being held 1-1 at 2-1 victory over Gambia in Nouak- Monk heartbreak by appointing him the 2017 tournament in Gabon. home by second-place Zimbabwe. chott through a stoppage-time goal 40,000 cram into 16,000-capacity as the manager charged with leading Only the 13 group winners are guar- The hosts made a dream start as Fe- from ‘Bessam’. He put the hosts ahead their shower of players back to the anteed places at the biennial African lix Badenhorst nodded home a cross at the Stade Olympique during the stadium for Nigeria-Egypt game Premier League. Pep Guardiola’s football showpiece while the best two just 90 seconds after the kick-off at opening half and Mustapha Carayol, reconstruction of Manchester City, runners-up also qualify. Somhlolo Stadium in Lobamba. from English second-tier club Leeds major disaster was avoided on kickoff , supporters started arriving, meanwhile, will include an attempt to Defending champions Ivory Coast Zimbabwe recovered to dominate United, levelled on the hour. Friday as an estimated 40,000 with some scaling fences to find their prise Isco from Real Madrid. Everton and Stoke City are eager went to the top of Group I with a la- the fi rst half, but their equaliser a Cameroon and Mauritania have six supporters packed into the way in. Some were even pictured A to buy Leeds United’s classy teenager boured 1-0 win over second-placed minute before half-time came gift- points each and Gambia and South Ahmadu Bello Stadium in Kaduna to clambering up floodlight scaff olding midfielder Lewis Cook. Massimo Cel- Sudan in Abidjan via an opening-half wrapped from the Swazis with Njabu- Africa one each with the Bafana watch Nigeria’s 1-1 draw with Egypt. in order to gain a vantage point. lino may sell, then again he may not, goal from Gervinho. lo Ndlovu conceding an own goal. Bafana away to the Indomitable Lions Listed as a 16,000-capacity venue, “I felt the game was not going to it all depends on how he’s feeling at The Ivorians, who lifted the trophy Guinea and Malawi failed to take Saturday. Youssef Msakni nodded in the venue in the north west of the take place because I thought the the time. a second time last year after a decade advantage of the Swaziland stalemate just after half-time to give Tunisia a country was subject to a heavy mili- number of people on the pitch side Annoyed that Leicester City have of underachievement, missed injured by drawing 0-0 in Conakry, which 1-0 win over Togo in Monastir and top tary presence after a pitch invasion were going to cause encroachment,” deflected attention from his attempt captain Yaya Toure at Stade Felix was hosting the national team for the place in Group A on goal diff erence. marred the last international to be Rotimi Akindele, a reporter for Beat to suck all the joy out of football, Houphouet-Boigny. fi rst time since a 2014 Ebola virus- Tunisia, Togo and Liberia all have six played there last June. FM, said. In the end, the match passed Tony Pulis is considering a move into Ivory Coast have four points, Sudan induced ban was lifted. points while Djibouti have lost their three But a decision by the Kaduna State without major incident off the pitch, al- competitive ploughing. If he really has three and Sierra Leone one in the only Swaziland and Zimbabwe have fi ve matches. The biggest win came in the government to open the gates to fans though Nigeria captain John Obi Mikel to stay at West Bromwich Albion, he three-team mini-league. points each and Malawi and top seeds fi nal with winger Sofi ane Feghouli and to attend the crucial 2017 Africa Cup accused Egypt’s players of “cheating” may entertain himself this summer by Swaziland, one of 16 African coun- Guinea two apiece. Islam Slimani bagging braces as Algeria of Nations qualifier for free created after Mohamed Salah’s late equaliser making a bid for the Werder Bremen tries never to qualify for the Cup of Mauritania joined Cameroon at crushed Ethiopia 7-1 in Blida despite Ya- a frenzied atmosphere. Hours before kept the Pharaohs on top of Group G. midfielder Florian Grillitsch. Nations, stayed top of Group L on the top of Group M after snatching a cine Brahimi failing to convert a penalty.

WORLD CUP QUALIFIERS Guatemala stun US 2-0, Mexico blank Canada AFP long goal kick from Motta rolled un- national goal in the 40th, taking the Guatemala City touched past the US defence, Ruiz rac- Guatamala players wave at the crowd after ball through Canada’s half and slotting ing onto it and beating Howard. defeating the United States 2-0 on Friday. (AFP) home a shot. Corona capped the scor- “For us it’s obviously disappoint- ing in the 72nd. uatemala dealt a lacklustre ing,” said Klinsmann, who praised the Mexico lead Group A with nine United States a devastating play of Guatemala but said the United points, fi ve more than second-placed 2-0 defeat in a 2018 World States made “too many mistakes”. Canada going into their next clash on Cup qualifi er on Friday in “On the international level you can- Tuesday. El Salvador are third in the GGuatemala City. not make the mistakes that led into the group on two points after a 2-2 draw at With goals in the fi rst 15 minutes two goals, you simply cannot allow home to Honduras. from Rafael Morales and Carlos Ruiz that,” he said, noting that the near post In Kingston, Johnny Acosta and an outstanding performance from was left unguarded on the corner that grabbed the equalizer in the 68th goalkeeper Paulo Motta, Guatema- produced Morales’ goal. minute for Costa Rica in a 1-1 draw la earned their fi rst ever World Cup “The second goal was a sequence against Jamaica that kept the Ticos qualifying victory over the USA and of mistakes,” added Klinsmann, as a atop Group B. leapfrogged over Jurgen Klinsmann’s succession of US players failed to pick Je-Vaughn Watson had put the Reg- men into second place in Group C in up the ball leading to Ruiz’s chance. gae Boyz ahead with a diving header the fourth round of qualifying in North “That’s what Carlos Ruiz is famous for, past Keylor Navas in the 16th minute. and Central America (CONCACAF). he’s sniffi ng around, that’s what he’s Costa Rica lead the group with seven Klinsmann had been bullish head- done his whole career.” points, three more than Jamaica and ing into the match—the fi rst of two in “The pitch was fast,” Ruiz said. “So one Panama, who were held to a goalless fi ve days against Guatemala—saying he bounce, I think Omar (Gonzalez) didn’t draw in Port-au Prince by Haiti. was hoping for maximum points so the see the bounce. I ran behind him and I was United States could secure their spot in one-on-one with Tim Howard.” Results the fi nal “Hexagonal” phase of quali- After struggling throughout the fi rst El Salvador 2 (Punyed 47, Bonilla 88) fying before turning their attention to half to create clear chances, the visitors Honduras 2 (Elis 19, Lozano 59); the Copa America Centenario. looked more dangerous early in the Instead, the Americans will be in second. Motta, however, made half a Canada 0 Mexico 3 (Hernandez 32, damage control mode when they host dozen solid saves to keep the US at bay, Lozano 40, Corona 72); Guatemala in Columbus, Ohio, on including stopping an 81st-minute at- Haiti 0 Panama 0; Tuesday. tempt by substitute Jozy Altidore. Group C leaders Trinidad and Tobago, The United States’ four points put arito” Hernandez, Hirving Lozano and Jamaica 1 (Watson 16) Costa Rica 1 Guatemala got off to a dream start “We said at halftime let’s turn this who battled back from a 1-0 halftime them in third, ahead only of St. Vin- Jesus Corona. (Acosta 68); when Morales rose for a corner and thing around,” Klinsmann said. “There defi cit for a 3-2 victory at lowly St. cent and the Grenadines with none. Hernandez headed in the opener in nodded it off the back of Mix Diskerud were enough chances to win the game, Vincent and the Grenadines. In Vancouver, Mexico defeated Can- the 32nd minute. Canadian keeper Mi- St. Vincent and Grenadines 2 (Samuel and past US goalkeeper Tim Howard in but we didn’t put it in.” Levi Garcia’s two goals for Trinidad ada 3-0 to post their third win in as lan Borjan came up with a number of 45-pen, Shandel Samuel 77) Trinidad the seventh minute. The victory gave Guatemala six included the game-winner in the 82nd many matches. The dominant victory saves to keep the hosts in the contest and Tobago 3 (Jones 58, Garcia 71, 82); Ruiz made it 2-0 in the 15th when a points from three matches, one behind minute. included goals from Javier “Chich- before Lozano delivered his fi rst inter- Guatemala 2 (Morales 7, Ruiz 15) US 0 . Gulf Times Sunday, March 27, 2016 7 SPORT

SQUASH El Shorbagy, David reach British Open semis

AFP an hour after a spectator collapsed in the reach the semi-fi nals of the women’s event, world junior champion from Egypt. London arena. The other semi-fi nal contains Ramy boosting hopes that the 32-year-old still Serme played even better than she did Mohamed El Shorbagy Ashour, who showed he has revived his in- has what it takes to win the title for a sixth while beating England’s Laura Massaro in jury-wracked career. time. last year’s fi nal, attacking waspishly in an orld number one Mohamed El The three-times former world cham- Certainly David suggested she is tak- 11-8, 11-5, 11-7 against her top-seeded op- Shorbagy moved nearer to a pion from Egypt played his best match for a ing out insurance against advancing years ponent, Laura Massaro of England. successful defence of the Brit- year and a half as he bounced and bounded by developing more of an all-court court Gohar hit hard and deep while beating ish Open title with a 11-8, 11- around the court during a 11-8, 11-7, 9-11, game, though her 11-4, 12-14, 12-10, 11-2 her friend Raneem El Welily, a recent world W8, 11-9 win over Miguel Angel Rodriguez, 11-6 win over his compatriot Ali Farag. win over Omneya Abdel Kawy, the sixth- number one, by 11-9, 11-6, 9-11, 11-9. which carried him to the semi-fi nals on Ashour’s performance was all the re- seeded Egyptian, though her success COLLATED RESULTS Friday. markable for having come on to the court hinged on her consistency during a pivotal Men The top-seeded Egyptian mostly nul- feeling “a bit stressed” because his taxi was third game. Quarter-finals lifi ed the seventh-seeded Colombian’s late. “I was playing a good game, maybe I Ramy Ashour (EGYx5) bt Ali Farag (EGY) speed, suggesting that he is adding more Ashour next has a mouth-watering stepped back slightly for some of the tight- 11-8, 11-7, 9-11, 11-6 thoughtful dimensions to his hustling at- meeting with Gregory Gaultier, the world er shots and, after that, I knew I had to force Gregory Gaultier (FRAx2) bt Simon Rosner tacks. champion from France, who moved well my game so I got tighter and deeper on the (GER) 11-6, 11-6, 11-8 El Shorbagy also responded well during during an encouraging 11-1, 11-6, 11-8 win crucial points to put my game all together Mohamed El Shorbagy (EGYx1) bt Miguel the later stages of each game when Rod- over Simon Rosner, the sixth-seeded Ger- at the end,” said David. Angel Rodriguez (COLx6) 11-8, 11-8, 11-9 riguez began to threaten by gaining energy man. “I’m defi nitely going in there and learn- Karim Abdel Gawad (EGY) bt Marwan El from the crowd’s enthusiastic responses to It was Gaultier’s fi rst tournament since ing from my past experience. I am going in Shorbagy (EGY) 11-9, 11-7, 4-11, 12-10 his dynamic retrieving. suff ering a bad ankle injury ten weeks ago. stronger, sharper and I am ready to fi re on.” Women Each time El Shorbagy kept to the basics “When I fi rst came here on Monday, I David will seek to do that against the Quarter-finals of line and length and variations of pace didn’t even know if I could win one match fourth-seeded Nour Sherbini, the 20-year- Nour El Sherbini (EGYx4) bt Amanda Sobhy and it usually worked well. because I couldn’t see the ball, I had no re- old Egyptian who won the Tournament of (USA x7) 11-4, 11-7, 14-12 “I just hate losing,” he said. “I hate noth- actions,” Gaultier said. Champions and who won a repeat of that Nicol David (MASx2) bt Omneya Kawy ing more in life than losing. So that’s prob- “When you have to work on your vision fi nal against Amanda Sobhy of United (EGY x6) 11-4, 12-14, 12-10, 11-2 ably why I am number one.” you feel like a beginner. So I’m happy to be States by 11-4, 11-7, 14-12. Nouran Gohar (EGY x8) bt Raneem El Wel- Karim Gawad beat Marwan El Shor- able to play and to feel no pain.” The other semi-fi nal is between Camille ily (EGYx3) 11-9, 11-6, 9-11, 11-9 bagy—the brother of Mohamed -- 11-9, Earlier the record-breaking Nicol Dav- Serme, the defending champion from Camille Serme (FRAx5) bt Laura Massaro 11-7, 4-11, 12-10 in a match delayed by half id raised her level to beat an old rival and France, and Nouran Gohar, the 18-year-old (ENGx1) 11-8, 11-5, 11-7.

SPOTLIGHT PUERTO RICO OPEN Campos maintains lead over McNeill Spieth eliminated as Reuters San Juan

ocal favourite Rafael Campos rode the support of another enthusiastic gallery to maintain a one- shot lead over George McNeill after the second round at the Puerto Rico Open on Friday. McIlroy, Day advance LBoth players carded one-under-par 71 on the Coco Beach course in breezy conditions on the Caribbean is- land. Campos, trying to become the fi rst Puerto Rican ‘Jordan didn’t play great but he put a lot of pressure on me with a few long putts he made early on’ since Chi Chi Rodriguez in 1979 to win on the PGA Tour, could not emulate his opening 64, but did enough to post a nine-under 135 midway total. American McNeill was alone on eight-under, with Englishman Ian Poulter (66) among a group two shots off the pace. “It really does feel great to be in this position,” said Campos, who plays primarily on the secondary Buy.Com circuit. “Ironically enough I feel really relaxed out there. I’m not thinking of my swing, not thinking of the prob- lems out there. I’m actually enjoying it. “It’s great hav- ing so much support. We’re trying to (make) golf here well known, so it’s great to be playing well.” Second-placed McNeill was not exactly jumping with joy after a round that included birdies at the fi rst three holes, but none thereafter. “Overall I guess it was a decent day,” he said. “I would have liked a few more birdies. “The wind’s blowing, it’s tricky, the greens aren’t very fast and this afternoon they didn’t putt as good as yester- day morning, with a lot of traffi c on them. I guess that’s what I get to look forward to tomorrow.” Poulter, meanwhile, jumped up the leaderboard in his fi rst appearance in the event thanks to birdies at the fi rst three holes and three in a row to close the round. “It was a par sandwich with three birdies at the begin- ning and three birdies at the end,” said Poulter, who failed by one world ranking position to qualify for the WGC- Dell Match Play being held concurrently in Texas.

Shin hopes to woo Walton with win Jenny Shin fired a 65 to take the halfway lead at the Kia Classic Friday and she’s hoping a victory this week could land her a full-time caddie. Shin, who is aiming for her first win on the LPGA Tour, asked James Walton to carry her bag, but the veteran caddie has no shortage of suit- ors seeking his expert services. “He’s tough to get—he belongs on the PGA Tour,” Shin, of South Korea, said. “I Louis Oosthuizen of South Africa (L) and Jordan Spieth of the United States react to the tee shot of Spieth on the 13th hole during the round of 16 in the World Golf Championships-Dell don’t know, maybe the win could seduce him.” Match Play at the Austin Country Club in Austin, Texas, yesterday. (Getty Images/AFP) Shin’s bogey-free round moved her to 10-under overall and a one stroke lead heading into the weekend at the AFP ter-fi nals for the third straight Northern Ireland’s McIlroy Day cruises into quarters Aviara Golf Club course. Austin year. emerged with a 1 up victory over Day, the 2014 Match Play win- “I think it was a really good round. I hit great shots. I hit Spieth, who hadn’t made bo- reigning Open champion Zach ner, won the fi rst hole with a par great putts. I had a lot of six-footers for birdie, so it was gey at the fi rst six holes in his Johnson in tight tussle that fea- and led the rest of the way in a a good day,” said Shin, who grew up in the Los Angeles ouis Oosthuizen sent Jor- fi rst three matches, bogeyed the tured seven lead changes. 3 and 2 victory over American area but usually labours in front of family and friends. dan Spieth crashing out fourth to fall 1 down. Johnson had rolled into the Brandt Snedeker. “This is the only tournament every year where I struggle of the World Golf Cham- Oosthuizen held onto the lead knock-out stage having played Day closed out the match with to get in contention,” said Shin. “It’s close to home with pionships Match Play as Spieth scrambled through just 42 holes in three round- an eagle at the 16th and in the af- a lot of people watching. Last year, my coach came out Lyesterday, reaching the quarter- stretch that included two bird- robin matches—and hadn’t even ternoon quarters will face Brooks and watched me for two days. So it was just a lot of pres- fi nals with a 4 and 2 triumph ies, two bogeys and a double bo- seen the last three holes of the Koepka, who defeated fellow sure. This year, I didn’t invite anybody, just my mom.” over the world number one. gey at the 11th, with the South course in competition. American Matt Kuchar 1 up. Shin has worked with Walton twice before in 2012 and Spieth had cruised into the African nabbing three birdies in The match was all square Spain’s Rafa Cabrera Bello 2013 with the combo leading to top five finishes both round of 16 at Austin Country the last fi ve holes to seal it. through 12, but Johnson bogeyed advanced to the quarters when times. Walton has also caddied for Billy Mayfair, Y.E. Club in his home state of Texas, “He put a lot of pressure on me 13 and 15 to fall 2 down and pulled South Korean An Byeong-Hun Yang and Robert Karlsson on the PGA Tour. never trailing in three wins in with a few long putts he made back a hole with a birdie at 16. withdrew from their match with “He does a really good job with course management three round-robin matches. early on,” Oosthuizen said. “I Johnson rolled in a 21-foot a neck injury, An was four down and he helped me quite a bit today and yesterday,” said “I was by far the underdog. just tried to give myself as many birdie putt at the last, but McIl- through 11 holes when he called LEADING SCORES Jordan didn’t play great but he putts for birdies as I could.” roy made his own birdie putt it quits at the 12th. 134 -Jenny Shin (KOR) 69-65 put a lot of pressure on me with Oosthuizen, the 16th seed, from within four feet to seal the Cabera Bello, who made fi ve 135 -Lydia Ko (NZL) 68-67, Brittany Lang 67-68 a few long putts he made early faces another tough match-up win. birdies on the front nine, not 136 -Kim Hyo Joo (KOR) 70-66, Park Inbee (KOR) 67-69 on,” 2010 British Open cham- in the afternoon quarter-fi nals “We both didn’t really have only advanced but also earned 137 -Park Sung Hyun (KOR) 71-66, Jessica Korda 70-67 pion Oosthuizen told the Golf against eighth-seeded American our best stuff , but I defi nitely a Masters berth by reaching the 138 -Jodi Ewart Shadoff (GBR) 67-71 Channel. Dustin Johnson, who downed produced it when I needed to last eight, which insures he’ll 139 -Rachel Rohanna 73-66, Haru Nomura (JPN) 70-69, “I played really solid. I’m not ninth-seeded Patrick Reed 3 and at the last. I’m just lucky to get move into the top 50 in the world Choi Na Yeon (KOR) 70-69, Hur Mi Jung (KOR) 68-71, Ai making a lot of putts at the mo- 2. through to the afternoon,” said rankings next week. Jason Day of Australia (R) shakes hands Miyazato (JPN) 67-72 ment but I’m giving myself op- Second-seeded Australian McIlroy, who next plays Ameri- He booked a quarter-fi nal with Brandt Snedeker of the United 140 -Holly Clyburn (GBR) 72-68, Juli Inkster 72-68, portunities and that’s all I can Jason Day and third-seeded de- can Chris Kirk, a 2 and 1 winner clash with Ryan Moore, a 4 and States after Day won their match 3&2 on Anna Nordqvist (SWE) 72-68, Feng Shanshan (CHN) do.” fending champion Rory McIlroy over Bill Haas. 3 winner over fellow American the 16th green during the round of 16. 71-69, Gaby Lopez (MEX) 71-69 Oosthuizen reached the quar- both advanced. Patton Kizzire. (Getty Images/AFP) Gulf Times 8 Sunday, March 27, 2016 SPORT

NFL Major League Baseball Is Seahawks’ O-line mess roundup New York: New York Yankees left-hander CC Sabathia, who is owed $25 million for the 2016 season, might be headed to the bullpen. The Yankees as off ensive as it looks? are considering dropping Sabathia from the rotation, according to ESPN.com. It would be out of character for the Seahawks to address their most obvious need in the draft Sabathia, the 35-year-old former ace, gave up two runs By Larry Stone over five innings, striking out The Seattle Times four while allowing six hits and a walk, in the Yankees’ 6-2 loss to the Tampa Bay Rays at ne of my favourite scenes in George M. Steinbrenner Field “Naked Gun” features Leslie on Thursday night. Nielsen as Lt. Frank Drebin, Sabathia was coming off trying to shoo along a crowd a struggling start last Friday thatO has gathered in front of a fi reworks against the Baltimore Orioles factory. in which his ERA jumped to “Move on, nothing to see here, please 7.36 after giving up seven disperse,” Drebin calls out, while behind runs in 3 2/3 innings. He had him the edifi ce blows up in a spectacular two bullpen sessions between and fi ery explosion. starts to work on his change- It reminds me of Seahawks manage- up. The big left-hander and ment, which is steadfastly telling the right-hander Ivan Nova are assembled skeptics to move along, be- fighting for the last spot in cause there is nothing to see with re- the rotation, and one of them gards to the Seahawks off ensive line. is expected to be a reliever. While almost everyone else forecasts Nova struggled on Friday gloom and doom — and perhaps the allowing six runs, including season going up in fl ames because of three homers,in 4 2/3 innings. an inferior line — Pete Carroll and John Schneider are countering with soothing PHILLIES EXTEND reassurance. But unlike Lt. Drebin, Car- CONTRACT OF MANAGER roll and Schneider have a track record MACKANIN that makes you take what they say with The Philadelphia Phillies thoughtful consideration. extended the contract of Their message can be reduced to two manager Pete Mackanin. points that are hard to argue with. The Mackanin is now under fi rst is, the start of the season is still contract through the 2017 about six months away. What you see season and the Phillies hold now may not be what you get in Sep- a club option for 2018. The tember, so hold off on premature panic. 64-year-old Mackanin signed We’ll get to the second point in a a one-year contract last Sep- bit, but here’s a quick review. Thus far, tember, three months after free agency has resulted in two start- replacing Ryne Sandberg. ers (Russell Okung and J R Sweezy) de- The Phillies went 37-51 after parting, and two seemingly uninspir- Sandberg departed with a ing replacement candidates (J’Marcus 26-48 record. Webb and Bradley Sowell) arriving. All the big free-agent names have landed TWO MINOR LEAGUERS elsewhere, as the Seahawks continue to SUSPENDED OVER prioritise other areas of their team for DRUG OFFENCES major expenditures. Cincinnati Reds minor- Not too encouraging, but NFL ros- league right-handed pitcher ters in March are fl uid creatures. The Jose Veras and free agent Seahawks have pulled some surpris- right-hander Tanner Kiest ing trades out of thin air before — like were suspended following the one for Jimmy Graham last March _ their violations of the minor though salary-cap issues make an im- league drug prevention and pact deal more problematic. The draft treatment programme. Veras is looming April 28-30 as perhaps the received a 72-game suspen- last, best chance for Seattle to supple- sion without pay following a ment its line. positive test for metabolites It would be out of character, of course, Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll (right) with general manager John Schneider. of Stanozolol, a performance- for the Seahawks to address their most enhancing substance in viola- obvious need in the draft. They seem to as is John Moffi tt, and every other line- best re-trainer in the business in Tom (just 15 over the fi nal eight games), the Carroll was typically upbeat about the tion of the programme. delight in confounding the experts by men they’ve drafted except Britt and a Cable. Which brings us, fi nally, to their off ense percolated (Seattle wound up Seahawks’ line during his appearance The suspension of Veras, going in a completely unexpected direc- trio from last year: Terry Poole (fourth second point of rebuttal: Trust us. And third in the NFL in rushing yards, and at the owners meeting in Boca Raton, who is currently on the roster tion, but it seems like this would be an round), Mark Glowinski (fourth) and trust Cable, who has found his calling fourth in total yards and scoring), and Fla., Wednesday. He enthused about of one of the Reds’ Dominican opportune time to be pragmatic rather converted defensive lineman Kristjan in cobbling together, and resurrecting, the Seahawks started winning — a 6-2 Gilliam’s potential as a replacement for Summer League teams, will than cute. Sokoli (sixth). Seahawks lines. fi nish after a 4-4 start. Okung at left tackle, and Glowinski’s be eff ective at the start of play The Carroll/Schneider regime has The current popular wisdom in NFL Last year, for instance, the Seahawks’ The more troubling footnote is that potential as a replacement for Sweezy in that league this season. picked just three off ensive linemen in circles is that off ensive linemen aren’t front fi ve were pretty much a disas- the line got manhandled in the fi rst half at right guard, and Webb’s potential as a Kiest received a 50-game the fi rst two rounds in their previous six coming out of college as well prepared ter for half the season. They allowed of the Seahawks’ playoff loss to Caro- replacement for Gilliam at right tackle. suspension without pay after drafts: Okung as their fi rst-ever pick in for the pro game as they used to be. Be- 31 sacks through eight games, then in- lina, helping put them in a 31-0 hole “I think we’re in good shape,” Carroll a second positive test. Kiest’s 2010, James Carpenter in the fi rst round cause of the spread systems in vogue, serted Patrick Lewis for Drew Nowak at from which they couldn’t quite get out said. suspension will begin when in 2011, and Justin Britt in the second linemen are lacking in fundamentals center and watched the entire unit step of. And it’s hard to argue that the line In other words, trust us to work it he signs with another major round in 2014. and must be re-trained for pro off ens- up. Just as important, quarterback Rus- hasn’t regressed since then via attri- out in the end. Trust Cable to make the league club. He was 2-0 with Okung and Carpenter are gone, as are es. That theory also helps explain why sell Wilson mastered a quicker passing tion. pieces fi t. Trust Wilson to blur the mis- a 4.67 ERA with the Phila- the three other starters in Seattle’s Su- there is a dearth of line talent through- game that helped mitigate some of the Actually, I’m sure Carroll would takes. delphia Phillies’ Gulf Coast per Bowl win over Denver (Max Unger, out the NFL. line’s defi ciencies. happily argue that very point. As the Nothing to see here. Move along. League team in 2015. to New Orleans in the Graham trade), The Seahawks believe they have the The result: Sacks were cut in half Seattle Times’ Bob Condotta reports, But check back in September.

NHL ROUND-UP Elliott records third straight shutout Manson fi ned Reuters for throat-slash St. Louis, Missouri

rian Elliott posted his third consecutive shutout and Kyle gesture by NHL Brodziak and Robby Fabbri scored fi rst-period goals as the By Eric Stephens in Toronto “I learned the hard way with St.B Louis Blues clinched a playoff spot that, too, so I know where he’s The Orange County Register with a 4-0 win on Friday night over coming from,” Kadri told re- the Vancouver Canucks at the National porters after the Leafs’ practice Hockey League. osh Manson’s throat- Friday. “That’s just the league Elliott made 15 saves as the win also slash gesture Thursday cracking down so obviously I pulled the Blues into a tie with the idle night proved costly to his don’t have a problem with that.” Dallas Stars for fi rst place in the Central wallet. The NHL on Friday Division with 97 points. Each team has fiJ ned the Ducks defenseman for PENGUINS’ MAATTA seven games remaining in the regular what it called “an inappropri- SIDELINED WITH INJURY season. ate gesture” towards Toronto The Penguins received a hard “We got better and better as it went forward Nazem Kadri late in the lesson on defensive depth late on,” Blues coach Ken Hitchcock said. “I third period of the Maple Leafs’ last season, when injuries rav- thought we were loose in the D-zone in 6-5 overtime win at Air Canada aged the defense and forced the fi rst period and everything tightened Centre. Manson took off ense to a them to play several games with up. As the game went on we got more and hit from behind by Kadri at 17:17 only fi ve defensemen. more engaged.” of third and took his right hand They’ll get a refresher course Elliott hasn’t allowed a goal since re- and motioned across his neck in in the upcoming weeks with turning from a lower-body injury March the center’s direction. Kadri was Olli Maatta being sidelined on a 19. He is 9-0-1 in his last 11 games with penalized for boarding on the “week-to-week” basis due to an a 1.61 goals-against average and a .950 play, while Manson was given a undisclosed injury. Coach Mike save percentage during that span. But he game misconduct. Sullivan provided few details prefers to defl ect the credit. “I think the Manson will have to forfeit on the injury beyond describing guys are feeling it,” Elliott said. “I’m kind $2,486.56 to the Players’ Emer- it as “lower body” and saying it of the benefi ciary on the back end with gency Assistance Fund. It is the happened in the 3-0 home loss how they’re playing.” St. Louis Blues goalie Brian Elliott (right) blocks the puck behind Blues Colton Parayko and Vancouver Canucks right wing Jake maximum allowable amount Thursday night to the New Jer- Virtanen (left) during the first period at Scottrade Center. (USA TODAY Sports) based on his under the collective sey Devils. Maatta fi nished the CAPITALS 1, DEVILS 0 (OVERTIME) bargaining agreement, which game and was even on the ice for John Carlson scored with 2:43 left in LIGHTNING 7, ISLANDERS 4 Islanders at Amalie Arena, moving back son, then defenseman Jason Garrison— calculated the formula off his the contest’s fi nal shift. Maatta, overtime to lead the Washington Capitals After losing defenseman Anton Stralman into fi rst place in the Atlantic Division. who already had two assists—scoring $925,000 NHL salary this sea- 21, has played 67 games this sea- to a 1-0 win over New jersey Devils at the to injury early in Friday’s game, the Tam- Tied 4-4 in the third, Tampa Bay (43- the sixth goal for a two-goal cushion. son. Kadri was fi ned $5,000 for a son and has 19 points (six goals, Prudential Center on Friday. pa Bay Lightning got three goals from 26-5) got two goals in a 23-second span, Another defenseman, Victor Hedman, similar gesture toward Calgary’s 13 assists). Maatta has averaged Braden Holtby made 22 saves as Wash- defensemen in the third period, pulling with Tyler Johnson giving them the lead added an empty-net goal with 1:25 to set Mark Giordano during a game on 19:57 of ice time per game, third ington improved to 53-15-5. away for a 7-4 win over the New York on a rebound for his 13th goal of the sea- a season high for scoring for Tampa Bay. Feb. 9. most on the Penguins. Gulf Times Sunday, March 27, 2016 9 SPORT

NBA Thompson’s 40 points lead Warriors to win over Mavs ‘Klay makes some unbelievable shots you don’t expect him to take and he knocks them down’

DPA rebounds, Manu Ginobili buried a pair of Klay Thompson (second left) of the Golden State Los Angeles key triples in a late 13-0 run, and the short- Warriors goes up for a shot against the Dallas handed Spurs beat the injury-depleted Mavericks in Oakland, California. (AFP) Grizzlies to improve to 37-0 at home this lay Thompson had the hot hand season. and the Dallas Mavericks gave The Spurs (61-11) matched the 1995- the Golden State Warriors all they 96 Chicago Bulls NBA mark en route to could handle before prevailing. their record 72-victory season despite the KThompson buried nine triples en route to absence of Kawhi Leonard (bruised right 40 points, fellow Splash Brother Stephen quadriceps) while resting Danny Green, Curry had 33 and the Warriors held off Boris Diaw and Patty Mills. the short-handed Mavericks 128-120 on JaMychal Green had 20 points for the Friday, to extend their NBA record home Memphis (41-32) playing without injured winning streak to 52, with 33 coming this starters Marc Gasol, Zach Randolph, Mike season. Conley. “Klay makes some unbelievable shots you don’t expect him to take and he knocks HOUSTON ROCKETS 112, them down,” said Curry, who added eight TORONTO RAPTORS 109 assists and eight rebounds. “Like tonight in James Harden 32 points, 14 assists and 11 close games we needed every single one of rebounds for his third triple-double of the them. He always inspires me.” season, helping the host Rockets (36-37) Warriors coach Steve Kerr joked at stop a three-game slide after topping the Thompson’s uncanny shooting ability say- Raptors. ing, “I see a guy who never cares and just DeMar DeRozan scored 18 points and comes down and shoots. He never thinks. Kyle Lowry added 15 for Toronto (48-23) He’s a tremendous shooter with a perfect before both were tossed in the fi nal three shooter’s mentally. He doesn’t give a crap.” minutes for vehemently complaining calls. Draymond Green had 19 points with 10 assists for the Warriors (65-7), who remain MIAMI HEAT 108, ORLANDO 97 on pace to beat the NBA record of 72 wins Hassan Whiteside had 26 points, 12 re- in a single season owned by the 1995-96 bounds and fi ve blocked shots, and the Chicago Bulls. The Warriors knocked down Heat (42-30) used a dominant 31-12 third 21 triples, giving them a league record 938, quarter to beat the Magic (29-43) for the eclipsing by fi ve the previous mark set last 14th time in the last 15 meetings. season by the Houston Rockets. But their defence was the problem. MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES 132, “We did a good job off ensively but de- WASHINGTON WIZARDS 129 (2 OT): fensively we were kind of a mess,” Kerr said. Karl-Anthony Towns had 27 points with 10 “Our defence was horrifi c, they exposed rebounds, Gorgiu Dieng hit the go-ahead us, and we lost focus time after time. Klay jumper with 29 seconds left in the second hit some crazy threes to stem the tide.” overtime, as the visiting Timberwolves Golden State led by as many as 18 in the (24-48) trimmed the Wizards. Bradley Beal third quarter but the Mavs rallied. topped Washington (35-37) with 26 points. Reserve Charlie Villanueva scored all 16 of his points in the fourth quarter, includ- DETROIT PISTONS 112, ing a triple to pull Dallas within 118-113 CHARLOTTE HORNETS 105 with 3:20 left to play. The defending NBA Kentavious Caldwell Pope and Marcus Champions would respond with a 10-3 Morris scored 21 points apiece, and the burst. Harrison Barnes buried a jumper and Pistons (38-34) beat the visiting Hornets Curry waltzed in for a wide-open layup. for their fi fth straight win. Kemba Walker Thompson and Barnes drilled back-to- paced Charlotte (41-31) with 29 points. back triples to make it 126-116 with 40.9 ticks remaining, as the sellout crowd at ATLANTA HAWKS 101, Oracle Arena roared their approval. MILWAUKEE BUCKS 90 Wesley Matthews scored 26 points, Jeff Teague scored 12 of his 18 points in the while JJ Barea added 21 for the Mavericks fi nal quarter and the Hawks (43-30) beat (35-37), who were without starters Dirk the visiting Bucks (30-43) for their seventh Nowitzki (rest), Deron Williams (abdomi- win in the last eight games. nal strain) and Chandler Parsons (arthro- scopic knee surgery) DENVER NUGGETS 116, The Warriors spoiled the return of LA LAKERS 105 former teammate David Lee, who scored 12 DJ Augustin scored 20 points, and Bosnian points for Dallas, after receiving his cham- rookie Jusuf Nurkic added a career-high 18 pionship ring in a pre-game ceremony. and the visiting Nuggets (31-42) beat the Lakers. Kobe Bryant scored 28 points while ELSEWHERE: Julius Randle had his fi rst career triple- SAN ANTONIO SPURS 110, MEMPHIS double with 13 points, 18 rebounds and 10 GRIZZLIES 104 assists for the West-worst Lakers (15-57), LaMarcus Aldridge had 32 points with 12 who lost for the sixth time in seven games.

SPOTLIGHT Grandfather set inspiring example for Mavericks’ Lee

By Dwain Price in Oakland said. “That was very important to him. Fort Worth Star-Telegram “In a time growing up where not everybody saw things that way, especially in the Midwest, I think he was somewhat of a pioneer in help- nytime someone asks David Lee about ing all people. And that’s another thing that I his grandfather, his eyes light up like the respect him a lot for.” Alights that adorn the Bay Bridge that con- Desi Lee died before he could see his grandson nects San Francisco and Oakland. play a role in the Golden State Warriors’ win- E. Desmond “Desi” Lee was a popular self- ning last year’s NBA title. made millionaire, philanthropist and civic David Lee will receive his championship ring leader from St. Louis who, by the time he died before Friday’s 9:30 p.m. tip-off at Oracle Arena on Jan. 12, 2010, at the age of 92, had given away between the Mavericks (35-36) and Warriors more than $70 million to charities. Most of that (64-7). money went to children’s causes, the St. Louis “That’s going to be really special,” Lee said. Symphony Orchestra and various universities. “I’ve got a lot of friends and family coming out Desi Lee set a stern and solid example that there. It should be a really cool night. I’ve waited his grandson would follow. “You look up to your a while for it. It should be a great experience.” grandparents and your parents and you see how The Mavericks have been having their own they’re living,” David Lee said. “It’s well docu- great experience with Lee since signing him to a mented that that’s how people kind of learn a lot $2.1 million free-agent contract on Feb. 22. In 14 of the ways of their life is by looking up to their games with Dallas, the 11-year veteran has aver- family, and that’s what I did.” aged 10.6 points and 8.1 rebounds in only 19.4 Desi Lee’s company made and sold a pants minutes (through Thursday). creaser and hanger. He sold the company in 1993. “We need to open the court up, and David Lee Since Desi Lee’s generosity knew no boundaries does that because he rolls so hard to the basket and touched many lives, he was named the Man and fi nishes so well,” owner Mark Cuban said. of the Year by the St. Louis Post-Dispatch in “David’s done a poor job of getting fl agrant 1996. In 1999, Worth magazine named him as (fouls) called when he gets hit _ he can improve one of the 100 most generous Americans. at that.“But other than that, he’s had a big im- In 2004, Lee also received the NAACP Hu- pact.” manitarian Award. In essence, Lee had a heart of And just like his grandfather, David Lee is gold.“Before he passed away, he sold the family trying to have a big impact on the less fortu- business back when I was young and donated a nate. David Lee is part of the Hoops for St. Jude bunch of money to the city,” Lee said. “He was charity program, which benefi ts the St. Jude a very giving person, and I think set an example Children’s Research Hospital. He also made an for me and an example I try to set for others.” appearance on the charity-driven Celebrity Ap- Stephen Curry (left) of the Golden State Warriors gives Dallas Mavericks’ David Lee his championship ring from last season before their game at Desi Lee was an offi cer in World War II and did prentice TV show. Oracle Arena in Oakland, California on Friday. (AFP) his best to improve the way black servicemen Born and raised in St. Louis, Lee hung around were treated. He always wanted the playing fi eld his grandfather a lot. And his roots are embed- kind of get my blue collar mentality from — be- enjoyed with his grandfather. He uses them as a life — that was his deal. to be leveled, regardless of race, creed or color. ded in that Midwest city. “I bought a house back ing from the Midwest, being from kind of a quiet template to lead his own life. “He gave money away and helped the city of “He was always someone for racial equal- there, so I spend quite a bit of time there,” Lee place. I have a lot of pride for the city that I’m “I’ve taken how fortunate (I am), and I’m St. Louis and he played a lot of golf. So he was ity and always somebody that did a lot with the said. “That’s where all my friends and family are from and I still go back there quite a bit.” passing that on to other people, and being un- a very unselfi sh man, a very giving person and public school system in St. Louis and did a lot — my friends that I grew up with. As Lee marches toward the twilight of his ca- selfi sh and being a giving person. And (Desi Lee) somebody who really set the tone for how I want with causes in downtown St. Louis,” David Lee “It’s a great city and I feel like that’s where I reer, his memories are plentiful for the times he always made that — in the last 15-20 years of his to live.” Gulf Times 10 Sunday, March 27, 2016 SPORT

OPINION SPOTLIGHT Kamworor wins half-marathon gold Radcliff e says track as Kenya dominates

Reuters cally as he slipped over on the start Cardiff line and was almost buried under a stampede of athletes before climb- ing back to his feet and carrying enya’s Geoff rey Kam- on. and fi eld leading woror recovered from “I was trying to get up, but peo- falling fl at on his face ple kept coming from behind. It at the start to retain was very diffi cult,” Kamworor said Khis world half-marathon title in of his fall. rainswept Cardiff yesterday. He was quickly up with the Kamworor and compatri- leaders, though, and while the ot Bedan Karoki Muchiri, who world record of 58:23 minutes was kept up near world-record pace ultimately beyond him in the atro- race for equality throughout the race, were shoul- cious conditions his winning time der to shoulder approaching the of 59:10 was impressive. fi nal mile before Kamworor forged “If Geoff rey can run this fast in ‘But now it’s parity across the board in all IAAF and road race events’ ahead through horizontal rain and these conditions, I think he can gusting winds for victory. break the world record,” Farah said. Olympic and world 5,000m and “It was an incredible pace, from AFP 10,000m champion Mo Farah gave the 10km splits you can see they London the sodden home fans something were going for it. For quite a bit of to cheer on a dismal Easter week- the race I was alone. It was a fast end as the Briton kept plenty in time but as an athlete, you always thletics may be sub- the tank to produce a late dash and want to win. “The better athlete merged in doping scan- take the bronze medal. won on the day, they went for it dals, but Paula Radcliff e Kenya’s women completed a and I could not quite go with it.” believes it deserves second successive clean sweep of Kamworor, who was second to creditA for its promotion of equal the podium with Peres Jechirchir Farah in the 10,000m world cham- pay for men and women even if kicking away from pre-race fa- pionship race in Beijing last year she was once fobbed off with a vourite Cynthia Limo near the fi n- and could be a threat in Rio this table lamp for winning a race. ish to take the title. August, was the fi rst man to retain The thorny topic of gender Mary Wacera Ngugi was third. the half-marathon title since Erit- equality in sport came to the Kamworor’s race began farci- rea’s Zersenay Tadese in 2009. fore this week when Raymond Moore, director of the joint men’s and women’s tennis tour- RUGBY nament in Indian Wells, Califor- nia, said female players should “get down on (their) knees and thank God that Roger Federer Bulls beat newcomers and Rafa Nadal were born”. Moore’s remarks implied that women’s tennis was not a draw- Sunwolves 30-27 card with spectators and the en- suing furore led to his resigna- AFP big-match experience they make tion. But that was not the end of Singapore up for with enthusiasm, adopt- the matter, with world number ing a spontaneous approach to one Novak Djokovic suggesting the game both with the ball in he and his colleagues should re- he Bulls claimed their hand and with their kicking. ceive more money than their fe- fi rst Super Rugby match They caught the Bulls by male counterparts because they outside of South Af- surprise to score the opening had more spectators watching rica in more than three try after less than two minutes their matches. Tyears yesterday when they held when the South Africans failed PAULA RADCLIFFE Djokovic pulled back from off tournament newcomers the to clean up an astute chip-kick his comments but Radcliff e, a Sunwolves 30-27 at Singapore’s from Riaan Viljoen and open- former world marathon cham- three times the sum collected by National Stadium. side fl anker Andrew Durutalo pion and still the world record- world champion Lizzie Armit- Coe defends ‘proactive’ IAAF anti-doping record The new Japanese franchise crashed over. holder in the event, said the de- stead when she took the global came agonisingly close to regis- Samoan fl yhalf Tusi Pisi duly bate had raised some important title in Richmond, Virginia last World athletics chief Sebastian Coe has defended catch fish and there are many sports that have tering their fi rst win since join- converted and added a penalty questions. “Some other sports year. And success for the women his sport’s approach to anti-doping, insisting taken that attitude. “The IAAF hasn’t, actually. ing the expanded competition shortly after but the Sunwolves have to do a little bit of catch- cyclists in the Tour of Yorkshire it was far more “proactive” than “protective” A few people infiltrated the system and caused this season, scoring three spec- spent the rest of the fi rst half ing up and the media has a role could see them earn more than despite a drugs scandal he accepted had caused us irreparable damage, there’s no point in even tacular tries against the three- defending after struggling at the to play in that as well,” said Rad- riders taking part in the equiva- “irreparable damage”. pretending otherwise. time tournament champions set pieces and with their disci- cliff e on Friday. lent men’s event. Last year’s hard-hitting World Anti-Doping “But actually, if you look at all the key advances from South Africa before run- pline, giving away 10 penalties in However, she added that ath- “We’re trying to seismically Agency (WADA) report that revealed state- that have been made in sport around anti- ning out of time and settling for the opening 40 minutes and los- letics had not always taken such change the sport,” said Gary Ver- sponsored doping in Russia has seen the country doping, they’ve more than often been driven by a second bonus in four matches. ing Tomas Leonardi for 10 min- a progressive attitude. ity, chief executive of Welcome To suspended from all international competition. my sport—the athlete biological passport, the What the Sunwolves lack in utes for a cynical penalty. “On one occasion when I was Yorkshire. “It is the most lucrative Perhaps even more alarming have been allega- out-of-competition random testing. 16 I did a road race and won,” women’s bike race on the planet. tions that senior track and field figures, including “We have paid a very high price for what has Radcliff e recalled. “The athlete “If you won all three stages of Coe’s predecessor as president of the Interna- been revealed in the last few years but actually who won the men’s race won a the men’s race, and you took the tional Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF), our systems have shown to be pretty robust.” TV—and I won a table lamp! general classifi cation money as Lamine Diack, were involved in corrupt practices Coe, who was coached by his father, added: “I “But now it’s parity across the well, you would still be 40 per- that saw positive dope tests covered up in return think there’s a twin challenge here as well: if board in all IAAF (International cent worse off than the winner of for bribes. we don’t get the trust of the athletes back, if Association of Athletics Federa- the women’s race. So that’s a big Meanwhile Belarus, Ukraine, Ethiopia, Morocco we haven’t got the families, the parents feeling tion) and road race events. “Yes, diff erence.” and leading athletics nation Kenya have all comfortable that this is a sport they are going some fi ghting had to be done to get Armitstead missed last year’s been warned by the IAAF they must improve to devote time and energy and aff ection to, we women to take part in marathon inaugural edition of the Tour of their anti-doping programmes of face the same might as well all go home.” events. But now we have parity in Yorkshire. But with the increased sanctions as Russia, whose athletes are currently Meanwhile Coe reiterated his calls for shorter our sport, we’re very lucky.” prize fund and the fact that the barred from this year’s Olympic Games in Rio. World Championships while at the same time Along with the tennis con- April 30 event, a 135 km ride, It all amounts to the worst crisis in athletics’ his- arguing the athletics season needed to be ex- troversy in California, this week starts in her home town of Otley, tory. But Coe, in an interview with former track tended to boost the sport’s global profile. also saw Britain’s Tour of York- she admitted: “They didn’t re- rival turned BBC commentator Steve Cram to “This is about survival, doing radical things. shire event announce the big- ally give me much chance not to be broadcast in full on Saturday, defended the I have to put to the back of my mind it’s an gest prize fund ever off ered for a turn up did they?” IAAF’s record. unpopular thing to do,” said Coe, who succeeded women’s cycling race. Nevertheless Armitstead “I think the IAAF has been far, far more proactive Diack in August last year. By tennis standards, the sums warned against focusing solely than it has been protective,” said British middle- Coe added he wanted to see far more head-to- are modest with a total prize on cash, saying being allowed to distance great Coe, who won 1500 metres gold head clashes between elite competitors. fund of £50,000 ($71,000) where ride classic routes was more im- at both the 1980 and 1984 Olympics in Moscow “Agents and managers at the beginning of the £15,000 is on off er to the winner. portant to her. “There’s so many and Los Angeles respectively. “You know as season say ‘our guy is going to have a quiet Blue Bulls player Adrian Strauss (L) is tackled by Sunwolves player But the cheque for fi nishing things we need before we have well as I do that if you don’t go fishing, you don’t year’,” he said. Liaki Moli (bottom) during their Super Rugby game in Singapore fi rst still amounts to more than equal prize money,” she said. yesterday. (AFP)

FOCUS Odds shortening on Hansen staying until 2019

Reuters Hansen has been involved with the team since Wellington 2004, fi rst as an assistant under Graham Henry STEVE HANSEN until 2011 before taking the top job in 2012. The team have enjoyed an unprecedented pe- he odds of All Blacks coach Steve riod of success under Hansen, having won 49 of Hansen extending his contract through their 54 matches. They have lost only once each the next World Cup in Japan appear to to England, Australia and South Africa during be shortening after he said yesterday he that time and drawn twice with the Wallabies. Twas “probably 50/50” to stay on. They also became the fi rst side to win succes- After guiding New Zealand to World Cup tri- sive World Cups last year and the fi rst team to umph last year, Hansen had said he was “70-30” win the tournament three times, though going in favour of handing over to someone else when for a third World Cup victory in a row was not his contract expires at the end of 2017. the over-riding goal, Hansen added. Hansen told local media yesterday, however, “It comes with a lot of responsibility and I that he would probably have a better idea on don’t want to just do it because you have a shot his future when the team assembles for a three- at history,” he was quoted as saying by the New match series against Warren Gatland’s Wales Zealand Herald. side in June. “It doesn’t matter who is coaching this rugby “I’m probably 50/50,” Hansen was quoted as team in 2019, they will have a shot at back-to- saying by Fairfax Media. “Once I get back into it back-to-back. It’s not the right reason to do it and get a feel for what’s happening I’ll probably for personal glory. make a decision within the next six months. “The right reason to do it is that I still believe, “It’s mainly changed because of the conversa- and others in the team still believe, I have got tions I’ve had with people. They’re persuading something to off er. me to be a little bit more fl exible in how I see it.” “There’s a part of me who would never want New captain Kieran Read has already said to stop coaching the All Blacks because it’s be- he hoped Hansen stayed until 2019, while New come part of my life. You can’t get a better job. Zealand Rugby Chief Executive Steve Tew has But, again, it’s not the right reason to do it ei- said he was keen on the coach going through ther. So you have to make a really strong deci- until Japan hosts Asia’s fi rst World Cup. sion.” Gulf Times Sunday, March 27, 2016 11 SPORT

MIAMI OPEN TABLE TENNIS Kuznetsov stuns Hong Kong’s Tie upsets Wawrinka, Nishikori Japan’s Ai

ITTF achieved by Tie Yana and Solja. Doha Required to compete in the qualifi cation stage of proceed- ings, Chen Szu-Yu beat col- urprise winner over Ai league and No 13 seed Cheng I- Fukuhara in the third Ching in seven games (11-9, 11-7, enters next round round of the Women’s 9-11, 8-11, 12-14, 11-9, 11-7) to Singles event earlier in book her place in the last eight. theS year in Hungary prior to Meanwhile the one other ‘It’s good it’s a stomach problem and not the knee, so it’s not a big deal’ progressing to secure the title, surprise outcome, according to Hong Kong’s Tie Yana repeated global status, accrued when two the achievement yesterday at players who had been required the 2016 ITTF World Tour Qatar to compete in the qualifi cation Open in Doha. stage of proceedings met. In the second round of the Listed at No 66 on the current Women’s Singles event, she beat Women’s World Rankings, Li Fukuhara in seven games (11-5, Xue of France overcame Japan’s 8-11, 11-9, 7-11, 5-11, 11-8, 11-5), Yui Hamamoto, named at No 48. to cause one four upsets as the Li Xue prevailed in fi ve games (6- quarter-fi nalists were decided. 11, 11-8, 11-8, 11-7, 11-8). It was a Currently Fukuhara is listed contest in which the patience, at No 5 on the Women’s World calm nature and solid defensive Rankings and is the No 14 seed in skills of Li Xue prevailed. Doha. Tie Yana stands at No 24 in In the Men’s Doubles, Ja- the global and is the No 14 seed. pan’s Masataka Morizono and “Today I feel I was in a bet- Yuya Oshima, the top seeds, lost ter position in the rallies,I was to China’s Fan Zhendong and better in the fi rst three strokes Zhang Jike, the No 3 seeds (11- instead”, said Tie Yana. “I could 6, 14-12, 6-11, 7-11, 11-7). For feel she was nervous playing Korea’s Jung Youngsik and Lee against me.” Sangsu, the No 2 seeds, it was the Next in the order of upsets combination of Koki Niwa and came from Germany’s Petrissa Maharu Yoshimura who ended Solja, the No 12 seed. She beat their adventures. Singapore’s Feng Tianwei, the “We had a bad start in the No 6 seed, in a six-game duel match, we lost the fi rst two (8-11, 11-8, 16-14, 13-11, 8-11, games very easily”, said Morizo- 12-10). no. “We managed to come back Notably for Solja, it was both in the third and fourth to level revenge and repeat; she had lost the score but it was too diffi cult to Feng Tianwei in the same in the last game.” round in Qatar three years but on There was a crucial stage in their most recent meeting had the deciding game. won when she Feng Tianwei in “We were leading 4-3 in the four straight games at last year’s last game, Oshima served and Women’s World Cup in Sendai, Zhang Jike returned to my back- Novak Djokovic of Serbia plays a forehand against Kyle Edmund of Great Japan. hand, I missed”, added Masataka Britain in their second round match during the Miami Open at Crandon Park There were two more sur- Morizono. “After that the tide Tennis Center in Key Biscayne, Florida. (Getty Images/AFP) prises, but not as big as those changed in their favour.”

AFP Spanish fi fth seed Rafael Nishikori broke twice at the fi rst “three-peat” since Andre but I am in no condition to play. Key Biscayne, Florida Nadal, a four-time fi nalist but start to seize a 4-0 lead and took Agassi in 2001-2003, opened by I tried to warm up this morning never a champion at Miami, is the fi rst set in 29 minutes, but defeating Britain’s 87th-ranked but it was clear that I could not now the top seed in his quar- Herbert hit a forehand cross- Kyle Edmund 6-3, 6-3 in the compete.” wo-time Grand Slam ter of the draw. The 14-time court winner to break Nishikori ATP and WTA hardcourt event. The 34-year-old Swiss leg- champions Stan Grand Slam champion opened for a 3-1 lead in the second. “I had a solid performance,” end missed the event for the Wawrinka crashed out later against Bosnia and Herze- Herbert served for the set Djokovic said. “I started with third time in four years. He won of the Miami Open yes- govina’s 94th-ranked Damir up 5-3 but squandered two set the right intensity and good fo- at Miami in 2005 and 2006 but Tterday while Japanese sixth seed Dzumhur. points, Nishikori hitting a fore- cus. I had slight ups and downs. has not reached the fi nal since. Kei Nishikori was tested but ad- Nishikori advanced to the hand lob winner and Herbert I’m pleased. I’m looking for- Federer has not played since vanced. third round by defeating 107th- sending a backhand wide before ward to the next one.” losing to Djokovic in the Aus- Swiss fourth seed Wawrinka, ranked French qualifi er Pierre- the Frenchman double faulted Djokovic, who captured his tralian Open semi-fi nals two who has won titles this year at Hugues Herbert 6-2, 7-6 (7/4). away a break. 11th Grand Slam singles crown months ago. The next morning, Chennai and Dubai, was ousted The 26-year-old Asian star, In the tie-breaker, Nishikori at the Australian Open two Federer suff ered a torn menis- by Russia’s Andrey Kuznetsov runner-up at the 2014 US Open sent a backhand long to level months ago, will face Portugal’s cus while preparing to bathe 6-4, 6-3. and coming off a fourth consec- matters at 3-3 but dominated Joao Sousa in the third round his children. Federer had not “I just tried to keep the pres- utive title last month at Mem- from there and fi nished on a Sunday as he tries to add to a expected to be ready in time to sure on him,” said Kuznetsov, phis, denied the Frenchman on service winner. 2016 trophy haul that also in- play at Miami but recovered well who fi red 23 winners and seven two set points in the ninth game Canadian 12th seed Milos cludes Doha and Indian Wells. from the operation and said he aces to advance in 79 minutes. of the second set and took four Raonic, coming off a runner-up The 28-year-old Serbian is was excited for the opportunity. Wawrinka, the 2014 Austral- of the last fi ve points in the tie- showing at Indian Wells, beat 23-1 this year and has 25 of his “It’s good it’s a stomach ian Open and 2015 French Open breaker to win after 88 minutes. American Denis Kudla 7-6 (7/4), past 26 Miami matches, in- problem and not the knee, so it’s champion, managed only 16 “He played much better in 6-4. He next faces US 22nd seed cluding 11 in a row. But third- not a big deal,” said long-time winners against 37 unforced er- the second set,” Nishikori said. Jack Sock, who advanced 6-2, ranked Federer, a 17-time Grand Federer rival Rafael Nadal. rors and went 0-for-8 on break “I tried to be aggressive. I knew 3-2 when Ukraine’s Sergiy Sta- Slam singles champion who Federer was replaced by 58th- point chances. I had to somehow give him some khovsky retired. underwent left knee surgery ranked lucky loser Horacio Ze- Kuznetsov, ranked a career- pressure. I stayed confi dent On Friday top-ranked Novak last month, withdrew from the ballos, who made the most of best 51st, avenged a third- even a break down and had a Djokovic made a strong start tournament just hours before his chance by defeating Argen- round loss to Wawrinka earlier good win.” Friday in his quest for a third his match, citing a stomach vi- tine compatriot Juan Martin Del this month at Indian Wells and Next up for Nishikori, who consecutive Miami title while rus. Potro 6-4, 6-4. made the Swiss his highest- could meet Britain’s Andy Roger Federer’s expected return “I have not felt great for a few “I was sitting in the locker ranked beaten foe, surpassing Murray in a quarter-fi nal, is from a two-month layoff was days and unfortunately it got room playing chess and watch- seventh-rated Spaniard David Ukraine’s 27th-seeded Alexan- over before it started. worse in the last 24 hours,” Fe- ing others playing when they Ferrer from the second round of dr Dolgopolov, a 6-4, 6-4 win- Djokovic, seeking his sixth derer said. “I was really excited told us the news. I was really Tie Yana of Hong Kong celebrates after winning quarter-final against Wimbledon in 2014. ner over Italy’s Andreas Seppi. Miami crown overall and the to have my comeback in Miami happy,” said Zeballos. Li Xue of France yesterday. PICTURE: Noushad Thekkayil

FOCUS Kvitova knocked out as Kerber advances

AFP early exits at her last two tournaments 6-7(5) 6-2 by Elena Vesnina. The Rus- Key Biscayne, Florida with a 6-1 6-1 second-round victory sian qualifi er, who squandered a match over Barbora Strycova. Kerber, who point in the second set, expressed sur- beat world number one Serena Wil- prise with the result. zech eighth seed Petra Kvitova, liams to claim her maiden grand slam “I honestly was a little bit shocked a two-time Wimbledon cham- title in Melbourne, improved her record after the fi rst set, thinking, ‘Ok, what’s pion, was eliminated by Rus- against the Czech to 4-0 without drop- going on?’” Vesnina said. sia’s Ekaterina Makarova 6-4, ping a set. “Even when I was up 5-3 (in the sec- 6-4C at the Miami Open yesterday. Kerber fell at her fi rst hurdle in Doha ond set), I felt Venus was playing better The 30th seed will next face either last month and again last week in In- and better and she raised her level up.” Danish 23rd seed Caroline Wozniacki dian Wells, an exit that gave her plenty Fourth seed Garbine Muguruza of or Ukraine’s 12th-seeded Elina Svi- of time to prepare for Miami. Spain beat Slovakian Dominica Ci- tolina. “I worked very hard before Miami, bulkova 6-7(3) 6-3 7-5 in a match that World number one Serena Williams because I had a lot of time after Indian lasted nearly three hours. will try to reach the fourth round while Wells and I think the hard work pays off World number 54 Cibulkova seemed second seed Murray and 14-time Grand again,” Kerber told reporters. “I’m also poised for an upset when she led 3-0 Slam champion Rafael Nadal will open a little bit more relaxed and healthy. in the fi nal set, but was broken in the their title quests later at the hardcourt “At the end of such a great success fi fth game and again in the penultimate event. it’s always good to celebrate a little bit game. Williams, coming off back-to-back and of course no one can ever take it Seventh seed Belinda Bencic of Swit- fi nals losses for the fi rst time since away from me. zerland (back) and 18th-seeded Serbian 2004 at the Australian Open and Indian “But now it’s time to get on court and Jelena Jankovic (shoulder) both retired Wells, meets 97th-ranked Kazak Zarina work hard again and do the same things from their matches. Sixth-seeded Diyas. The US star, a 21-time Slam win- that made me strong before Australia, Spaniard Carla Suarez Navarro also ner, struggled in her three-set opening getting ready for my next matches and bowed out, losing 6-4 6-2 to Ameri- win over compatriot Christina McHale. tournaments.” can Coco Vandeweghe, while 14th seed On Friday Australian Open cham- In other matches on Friday, 10th Sara Errani of Italy fell 6-1 6-3 to Japa- pion Angelique Kerber rebounded from seed Venus Williams was beaten 6-0 nese wild card Naomi Osaka. Angelique Kerber hits a forehand against Barbora Strycova during Miami Open at Crandon Park Tennis Center.

Sunday, March 27, 2016 GULF TIMES SPORT

9TH ARTISTIC GYMNASTICS WORLD CUP SERIES Ponor wins gold on comeback European champion Giulia Steingruber wins gold in floor exercise after finishing seventh in the beam

By Sahan Bidappa 2015 World Championships in Doha Glasgow and gold medallist at the European Games in Baku the same year, won parallel bars fi nal hree-time Olympic with a total of 15,825 points champion Catalina He edged out Manrique Lar- Ponor, on a comeback duet, with the Cuban sensation trail, scooped the gold giving a tough time to the experi- Tmedal in the women’s beam enced Oleg. But the 20-year-old event at the 9th Artistic Gym- Larduet had to be content with nastics World Cup Series here a silver medal after he earned yesterday. 15,775 points. Hung Phuoc Pham The Romanian made her of Vietnam took bronze with a much-awaited return to inter- tally of 15,350 points. national competition at the As- In the men’s vault fi nal, pire Dome this week, since retir- Mingqi Huang of China secured ing from gymnastics following gold medal with 15,200 points, the 2012 London Games. while Aussie Christopher Rem- Ponor had returned to train- kes claimed silver after compil- ing a year ago with an eye on this ing 14,950 points. Brazil’s Diego year’s Rio Olympics but received Hypolito accumulated 14,900 a setback as she had to undergo points for the bronze medal. surgery on an Achilles tendon, Japan’s Fuya Maeno was vic- during which time she also torious in men’s horizontal bars missed Glasgow World Champi- fi nal with a tally of 15,175 points, onships. followed by Britain’s Ashley Ponor was the most decorated Watson (15, 050) and Croatia’s gymnast at the Athens 2004 Ol- Marijo Moznik (15850), who ympics, winning gold in the team earned silver and bronze medals event, fl oor and beam. She had respectively. also bagged silver on fl oor and Organised by the Qatar Gym- bronze with the team in London. nastics Federation, the annual Now back to full fi tness, Ponor event that started in 2008 at- showed her class yesterday. The tracted more than 100 gymnasts 28-year-old had made it to the from 33 countries this year. fi nal with the highest score in Finals Results the event and she carried on that Men’s vault Catalina Ponor of Romania performs en route to winning gold medal in the beam event at the 9th Artistic Azerbaijan’s Oleg Stepko grabbed his second gold medal of the form to take the top spot after 1. Mingqi Huang (China) 15,200 Gymnastics World Cup Series at Aspire Dome in Doha yesterday. competition, winning the parallel bars final. accumulating 14.650 points The points silver medal went to Brazil’s 2. Christopher Remkes (Aus- Thauany Lee de Araujo (14.150 tralia) 14,950 points), and the bronze to Portu- 3. Diego Hypolito (Brazil) 14,900 gal’s Filipa Martins (13,900). Men’s Parallel Bars Meanwhile, the European 1. Oleg Stepko (Azerbaijan) champion Giulia Steingruber, 15,825 who had fi nished seventh in 2. Manrique Larduet (Cuba) beam, made up for that disap- 15,775 pointment by winning gold in 3. Hung Phuoc Pham (Vietnam) Floor Exercise. It was Swiss 15,350 gymnast’s second gold after she Men’s Horizontal Bars had won in Vault on Friday. 1. Fuya Maeno (Japan) 15,175 She was aiming to repeat her 2. Ashley Watson (Britan) 15, 050 successful campaign in Doha last 3. Marijo Moznik (Croatia) 15850 year, when she had won two gold Women’s Beam and one silver. 1. Catalina Ponor (Romania) Steingruber was a cut above 14,650 the rest in Floor, though, as she 2. Thauany Lee De Araujo 14,150 put in a immaculate routine to 3. Lee De Araujo (Portugal) tally 14,700 points. She was fol- 13,900 lowed by Romania’s Diana Laura Women’s floor Bulimar (14,125) and Hungary’s 1. Giulia Steingruber (Switzer- Zsofi a Kovacs 13,925. land) 14,700 In the men’s, Azerbaijan’s Oleg 2. Diana Laura Bulimar (Roma- Stepko also grabbed his second nia) 14, 125 gold medal of the competition. 3. Zsofia Kovacs (Hungary) Gold medallist Giulia Steingruber (top centre) of Switzerland, Romania’s Diana Laura Bulimar (left) and Hungary’s Zsofia Kovacs pose with their medals after the women’s floor final. Oleg, a bronze medallist in the 13,925 At front left is Qatar Gymnastics Federation President Ali al-Hitmi.

DOHA TOUR EQUESTRIAN QATAR CUP BASKETBALL Rayyan edge Jaish Sheikh Ali wins feature event to set up title clash

By Sports Reporter Doha with Gharafa

By Sports Reporter and restricted El Jaish to just 17 atar’s Sheikh Ali bin Khalid al-Thani won the Doha to edge ahead 54-50. feature event of the third and fi nal leg of the Al Rayyan’s narrow lead QNB Doha tour equestrian championship stood them in good stead going yesterday. l Rayyan edged El into the fi nal period when both QOn the concluding day of the championship at Katara, Jaish 81-75 to set up teams attacked relentlessly. Shiekh Ali guided Imperio Egipcio Milton to victory in a title clash with Al But Al Rayyan still managed to the CSI 4* 160cm class, which carried a total prize mon- Gharafa in the Qatar stay ahead scoring 27 points to ey of QAR460,300. Saudi’s Khaled Abdulaziz al-Eid CupA basketball tournament clinch the issue as Jaish man- (Old Chap Tame) came second ahead of his countryman yesterday. aged only 25. Abdullah al-Sharbatly (Roso Au Crosnier) In a thrilling match at the Al Al Rayyan’s Alban Ngombo Meanwhile, al-Eid walked away with the QNB Doha Gharafa Indoor Hall, Al Rayy- was the top scorer in the match Tour series trophy, which was awarded to the rider who an began to pull away after with 28 points, while Law- won most points over the three legs. the halfway stage to clinch the rence Hill contributed 22 and Earlier, Ramzy al-Duhami of Saudi Arabia guided three-match semi-fi nal series Salem Abdulla had 11. Hassan Garlic VH Kapelhof to victory in the CSI 48 145cm class, 2-1. Al Gharafa had qualifi ed Mohamed and Yaseen Ismail which carried a total prize bag of QAR130,000. for the fi nals after beating Al chipped in with 10 apiece. Is- Garlic VH Kapelhof clocked a time of 58.21 seconds as Shamal 2-0. mail also had seven assists al-Duhami picked up the top prize of QR32,500. Qatar’s The match appeared too and fi ve steals. For El Jaish, Hamad al-Attiyah fi nished second with his ride Whitak- close to close after the fi rst two Leon Macklin excelled with 22 er, while Turkey’s Omer Karaevli came third with Rabane quarters when the teams were points, while Ernest Bell had 18 De Sury. tied at 17-17 and 33-33, but Al and Hani Abilmona had 14. In the CSI2* 145cm class, Qatar’s Rashid Towaim al- Rayyan upped the ante to score The fi nal will be played on Marri emerged triumphant. Al-Marri paired with Kan- 21 points in the third period Tuesday. nada to come home in 36.07 seconds. France’s Cyrine Cherif (Ben D Aelsterhof) and Kuwait’s Ali al-Khorafi (Cheril) came second and third respectively. Results CSI4* - Comp. (10) Two rounds with jump off , Art. 273.3.4.1, 4.5 , 2.2, 160 CM - Prize Money: QAR460,300 1. Sheikh Ali bin Khalid al-Thani (Qatar) Imperio Egipcio Milton. 2. Saudi’s Khaled Abdulaziz al-Eid (Saudi Arabia) (Old Chap Tame) 3. Abdullah al-Sharbatly (Saudi Arabia) Roso Au Crosnier CSI4* Table (A) against the clock , Art. 238.2.1, 145 cm 1. Ramzy Hamad al-Duhami (Saudi Arabia) Garlic VH Kapelhof. Time: 58.21 secs. Prize money: QAR32,500 2. Hamad Ali al-Attiyah (Qatar) Whitaker. 59.57 secs, QAR22,75 3. Omer Karaevli (Turkey) Rabane De Sury. 59.57 secs. QAR22,750 CSI2* Table (A) against the clock with jump off , Art. 238.2.2, 145cm 1. Rashid Towaim al-Marri (Qatar) Kannada. Time: 36.07 secs. Prize money: QAR20,000 2. Cyrine Cherif (France) Ben D Aelsterhof. 46.66 secs. QAR16,000 3 Ali al-Khorafi (Kuwait) Cheril. 36.03 secs. QAR12,000 Qatar’s Rashid Towaim al-Marri receives the trophy after winning the CSI2* 145cm class event yesterday. Action from Al Rayyan and El Jaish match yesterday.