SUNDAY 17 MARCH 2019 SPORT 05 I don’t think 12th represents Daniel Ricciardo after where we are. I do believe we’re missing out on a top FOOTBALL better. I was more frustrated CRICKET 10 grid slot in his first English Premier League: with myself because I knew it PSL final: Quetta qualifying for Australian Fulham vs Liverpool; was there in the car. Gladiators vs Peshawar Grand Prix. ACTION Everton vs Chelsea

Zalmi TODAY’S 12th FIG ART Individual Apparatus World Cup Leading gymnasts set for return

FAWAD HUSSAIN THE PENINSULA

Leading gymnasts from around the globe will return to Doha, I am confident that eyeing top honours at the 12th we will live up to FIG ART Individual Apparatus expectation and host World Cup, which starts later this another successful week at the Aspire Dome. The Gymnastics Fed- competition,” QGF eration (QGF), which is holding President Ali Ahmed Al this event for the 12th consec- Hitmi utive year, has received confir- mation from a large number of gymnasts as the event will play our team is experienced enough crucial in the 2020 Olympic and will succeed,” he added. Games qualification. “We have a star-studded A total of 128 male and 60 line-up of gymnasts this year female gymnasts from 57 coun- also and I am sure fans will enjoy tries have signed up for the four- their experience of watching the day event, which will begin on live action,” said the QGF March 20. President. Qatar has become of center Apart from targeting the of high-profile gymnastics medals, gymnasts will also vie events, with the country reaching for berths that are on offer for the pinnacle of it’s hosting expe- the 2020 Tokyo Games. rience by organising the 48th FIG According to the Article 18 of From left: Anis Saoud, Venue Manager, Abeer Al Buenain, Competition Manager, Ali Ahmed Al Hitmi, ART World Championships - Olympic Qualifications, the top- QGF President and Mohd Al Meraghi, President PR and Media during a press conference yesterday. dubbed as the ‘best-ever’ edition ranked gymnast on each appa- - last October. ratus at the end of the 2018-2019 “I am confident that we will & 2019-2020 series have the live up to expectation and host opportunity to qualify for the includes world champions Xiao back to compete with a younger Nina Derwael will also be seen “We are hoping for a good another successful competition,” 2020 Olympic Games. This place Ruoteng, Zou Jingyuan of China generation of athletes. Ferhat in action in the women’s events. performance from our athletes QGF President Ali Ahmed Al is nominative. and Dutchman Epke Zonderland. Arican, who became the first Three gymnasts to rep- as they have trained well for this Hitmi told a press conference The Olympic Qualification Carlos Edriel Yulo of the Turkish male gymnast after 108 resent Qatar important competition,” said Al yesterday. Ranking list will be established Philippines, who became his years to compete at the 2016 Rio Host Qatar will be repre- Hitmi. “The World Championships after the last competition of the country’s first medal-winner in Olympics, will also hope to pick sented by three gymnasts - “Raslan Saoud is a talented last year was a huge success and 2018-2019 & 2019-2020 World a World Championships here, up a medal on parallel bar. Ahmed Al Dayani, Ahmed Mosa gymnast from Aspire and we are hailed as the best-ever event by Cup Series. will be the cynosure of all eyes. World’s oldest Olympian and Raslan Saoud - in the event. happy to see him featuring in his top FIG officials. It motivates us Star-studded line-up The talented Filipino took the Oksana Chusovitina, 43 of While Al Dayani and Mosa first senior competition. We are to continue hosting events of the confirmed floor honours with a score of Uzbekistan is also returning have enjoyed good experience thankful to Aspire, which is same status. Though it is a dif- Meanwhile, prominent 14.566 at the Melbourne edition. Doha in pursuit of here eighth in the past events. Aspire’s Saoud making huge contribution in pro- ficult task to maintain top names who have confirmed their Romania’s 38-year-old appearance at the Games. Bel- will make his debut in the motion of gymnastics in the standards, I am confident that participation in the Doha event, Marian Dragulescu will also be gium’s reigning world champion competition. country,” said Al Hitmi. Rugby: Wales hammer Ireland McIlroy, Fleetwood share lead at Players to secure Grand Slam crown Championship AFP CARDIFF AFP Ian Poulter (66), Jim Wales claimed a record third Six LOS ANGELES Furyk (64), Brian Harman (69) Nations Grand Slam of coach and Abraham Ancer (66) are Warren Gatland’s reign Rory McIlroy charged up the tied for third at nine-under yesterday as Gareth Anscombe leaderboard on the back nine, 135 at the TPC Sawgrass in kicked 20 points to help beat an firing a seven-under 65 on Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. ill-disciplined Ireland 25-7. Friday to grab a share of the Australia’s Jason Day shot The stunning victory lead with Tommy Fleetwood a 66 and is tied for seventh extended Wales’ winning streak at the halfway stage of the with Keith Mitchell and Kevin to 14 matches, moving them to Players Championship. Kisner at eight-under 136. second in the World Rugby McIlroy, of Northern After making changes last standings and handing Gatland’s Ireland, went seven under par year to correct struggles, team a massive psychological on his final 11 holes, making McIlroy feels he is on the right boost looking ahead to this year’s an eagle on the par-five 16th, track with the Masters, and a Rugby World Cup in Japan. a birdie on the par-three 17 chance to complete a career The Grand Slam was the 12th and par on the par-four Grand Slam, just a month away. achieved by Wales, who opened closing hole to reach a He began Friday’s round Wales players and this campaign with a 24-19 12-under 132 total. with his lone bogey of the day officials celebrate victory over France before fol- He is tied with England’s before going on to make one lowing up with wins over Italy after winning the title Fleetwood who shot a five- eagle and six birdies. (26-15), England (21-13) and yesterday. under 67 for his sixth straight “I felt like I came back Scotland (18-11). round under par. well,” McIlroy said. It was the third under “It was just another good “Once I got a birdie on the Gatland in his 50th and final day on the golf course. I did eighth it started to snowball.” Wales game in European rugby’s everything pretty much the This is the second straight showcase tournament following Auckland Blues before relocating Things weren’t going Ire- And it was he who held up way I wanted to,” McIlroy week Fleetwood has had a Grand Slams in 2008 and 2012, to Wales, was then on hand to land’s way, experienced No 8 CJ James Ryan early in the second said. “My attitude has been share of the 36-hole lead after and a first Six Nations title since produce a superb try-saving Stander then losing control of a period to force an attacking great allall year.year.”” startingstarting ququicklyickly FFriday with a 2013. The tone of what turned tackle on Stockdale in what quick tap and go to lose all scrum in another blow to Ireland birdie-eagle-birdiebirdie-eagle-bird beginning out to be an electrifying start was turned out to be a disappointing momentum, coach Joe Schmidt as Schmidt’s men tried to find a to hhisis rounround.d. set from the off. Ireland’s best chance of the left holding his head in despair. foothold. Tiger WoodsWood just made Gargantuan winger George game. Anscombe increased the Cian Healy then gave away the cut with a one-underon 71 North followed up on Ans- World Rugby player of the home side’s lead to 16 points a soft penalty with an off-the- butbu was left combe’s kick-off, catching Jacob year Johnny Sexton caught the with two further penalties just ball hit on opposite number hhovering Stockdale in possession and Welsh defence flat-footed with before half-time, ironically the Tomas Francis, Anscombe hitting along the cut driving him into touch. a clever raking cross-kick, same lead France held over an elementary three points to line after a The crowd, barely in their Stockdale expertly gathering and Wales after the first 40 minutes take Wales out to 19-0. quadruple seats after stirring anthems, were shrugging off Gareth Davies as in the opening match of this Six Further ill-discipline bogeyb seven quickly galvanised as Ken Owens he steamed down the line before Nations campaign. handed Anscombe a fifth shot onon the pictur- peeled off the attacking line-out, Parkes hauled him down with Alun Wyn Jones, equalling at goal, the Kiwi born to a esqueesqu par-three Hadleigh Parkes gathering Ans- the line beckoning. Gethin Jenkins as the most Welsh mother making no islandisland green. He combe’s dink over the top to Influential playmaker Dan capped Welshman of all-time mistake with Ireland looking finishedfinished tied for 39th touch down within two breath- Biggar made an earlier-than- with 134 caps (including nine increasingly ragged. withwith a three-undert taking minutes, the fly-half expected entry after North went matches for the British and Irish There was a late consolation 114141 total,t nine converting. off with an injured left wrist, Lions), was to the fore as the try for Ireland from Jordan ststrokesrok back of Kiwi-born Parkes, who Anscombe slotting in at full-back go-to line-out jumper and Larmour, converted by Jack Rory McIlroy the leaders.l made his Super Rugby debut with Liam Williams moving to around the park with ball in Carty, as the team avoided a first alongside Anscombe for the the wing. hand. whitewash since 1990. 06 SPORT SUNDAY 17 MARCH 2019 Fahad makes it 10 in a row with Racaru demolition

RIZWAN REHMAT Qatari professional boxer Fahad Thani DOHADOHA (right) lands a punch on his Romanian opponent Marius Racaru during their Qatar’sQatar’s onlyonly pro boxer Fahad Al super welterweight clash in Valladolid, Thani on FridayFriday nightnight demolisheddemolish Spain, on Friday. RomanianRomanian oopponentpponent MMariusarius RRacaruaca forcingforcing the latter into an eearlya retirement.retirement. The 31-31-year-oldyear-old clinched tthe issueissue in their super welterweightwelterweig clashclash in tthehe nortnorthwesthwest SpaniSpanishsh cityc ofof Valladolid. ItIt was thethe 10th10th successisuccessiveve wwin forf thethe QatariQatari bboxeroxer wwhoho aimsai to power a boxing revrevoluolutiont inin the countrycountry.. “It“It isis the secondsecond timetim I was boxinboxingg himhim,”,” a delighteddelighted FaFahadhad sasaid fromfrom Spain where tthe fightfight was heheldld at Cupula Del MMilenio.ilen “He is a trickytric Fahad beat the Romanian in their Qatar’s only pro boxer world stage,” Fahad said before southpawsouthpaw withwith a previous fight in March 2017 in Bar- Fahad Thani forces praising compatriots track and field sharpshars p leftleft hand.han celona, Spain. Romanian opponent star Mutaza Barshim and rallying But I tacticallytactica In his 10 fights, Fahad has been icon Nasser Saleh Al Attiyah. managedmanaged to in the ring for just 21 rounds, com- to retire in their super “We saw that with Mutaz dedefendfend aand pleting eight of his wins with welterweight clash Barshim. We saw that with Nasser makemake adjust-adju TKOs. in Spain. Saleh Al Attiyah recently in their mentsments to haveha Fahad, who had trained non- sports. I look up to them and I see himh stopstopped,pe stop for the last three months, myself following in the same paths forcingforcing him to building momentum with reclusive This is the 10th win in a or footsteps,” Fahad said. retireretir re iinn tthe training since the middle of Feb- row for the 31-year-old. “So that gives me sometimes the secosecondn ruary, said he should have spent motivation to keep going. Sometimes rounround,”d more hours in the ring I receive a message on social media, FahaFahad “My training was good but not saying ‘Fahad, I want to be a boxer’ added.added. smooth,” Fahad said. up to eight. Once you are a TV and that adds to my will to win. I now “I tried to constantly be out of my fighter, it changes everything, like not only fight for myself, I fight for comfort zone and push my boxing what time I walk into the ring. Now Qatar. I fight for amazing devel- levels. However, my trainer’s con- I want to build on my experience, opment for Qatar sports. I love the centration was on my skill set and improving my skills, doing what I do way how Aspire Academy teach improving it which I did,” he said. in the gym and adding things to my young athletes how to go about their It is the second time I was boxing him. Fahad said his next fight is not arsenal. If you don’t train for it, you life, how to eat, how to rest, how to confirmed yet but the Qatari boxer last can’t do it,” he added in the exclusive deal with nerves. We had to do it the He is a tricky southpaw with a sharp month told The Peninsula that he interview. hard way,” he said. left hand. But I tactically managed to would be aiming for six fights this year. Fahad last month said getting Fahad, who trains and fights on defend and make adjustments to have “The number of fights is about popular in Qatar gave him a sense his own, said he has specific goals in six fights. Not more than that. Six of satisfaction. mind. him stopped, forcing him to retire in fights is a good number. It is a high “The recognition in Qatar is very “I have a long-term goal. It’s to the second round: Fahad Al Thani number,” Fahad told The Peninsula positive. It is something that gives be a champion at a world level. I last month. me hope and pride. It shows a want to have a world level belt,” “Still I am not on TV so I can go sportsman from Qatar can be on the Fahad said.

Peshawar Zalmi’s captain Daren Sammy Nadal wonders if hard (left) and Pakistani captain courts too hard on pyplayers of Quetta Gladiators cricket team, AFP courts,courts,s compcomparedmpmparede to clayy andana grassgrag ass ccourts,ourts, INDIANINDDIAN WELLS,WELLS, UNITEDUNITED STATESSTATESS Sarfraz Ahmed do pproviderovide mmoreoree of a poupounding.ndingg. pose for a “I lovelove too playplayl on hhard,ard, butut proprobablybablbab y photograph Despiteesppiitite his undiundisputedsputp ed statusstatusass as kingking ofo myy bbodyodyy don’dondon’tn ttlo lolloveve iitt ththathat mmuch,”uch,ucch ””Na NaNadaldal with the clayayy courts,ccourts, RafRafaelaffaell NadalNadaNadN l (pictured)(p(pic(p turetuuured)d sayssaysa said.saidsaai . “A“AndAndd mmyyyfe fefeelingelinlingisg is therethet ree aarere a lotlo of Pakistan Super hee llovesooves harhardard courtcoc urtt tenntennis,nis, too,tooo he’she’heh ssju jujuststt playersplayp ayerseer thathaa lovloveo e to plapplayyyon ono harhahard,a d,, ttrue,rue,rue but League Trophy notott sure hardharh rddc courtscourts loveloveeh himhimm- -- oro theirtheit irrbo bobodiesdiesd s dondon’t’tt lloveovee to playplayy onon hard,hard,ardd anynyny otherotheer player.playeraye . either.”eitheit er.”er. at the National Thee 32-year-old3232-y-year-r--ololdo NadalNadNadaNaN llno notednotedtet thatthath mostmost ototherhererer Cricket Spaniardpapaniardardd waswas contem-concoono temem- sportssporspoporortst are aree playedplayeddondo ono leslessese s pupunishingnishingng Stadium platingaating ccaucauseausse andaand effectefeffectffec afteraftafa erer surfacessurfsurfacesaacace sucssuchch as grass.grag ss.. AlthAltAlthoughoughghgh in Karachi, painfulaainfulul kneeknknee tendinitistenendindinidi tist s flaredfflarflaa ed uupp he doesn’tdoesnoes ’ttt thinkthinkhih it willill yesterday. duringuriurr ng h hisis qquarter-finaluaruaarter-fe finalini vicvvictorytoryoryryy oveoverrKar KaKarenarenrenn happenhappppen iinn hihisssp plpplayingayinyinng Khachanovhachah hanohanoov at thethe ATPAATP IndianIndInI iana WellWeWWellse s career,carecaarea er,e NadalNadal wowoulduldu Masters.aasasters.rs.r likeikk toto seeseee a moremore Nadal,Nadaadadal, wwhohoo ssaidaid heh hopedhopedped and forgivingforgiving expectedxpex ctedteded too beeef ffitititft ffororr a ssemsemi-finali-finalnna showdownoowdownd withwitwwi h oldoollddfo foefooeeR RogerRoR gerge FedererFedeF rer Quetta go toe to toe with onn SSaturday,aturatturt rdayday,ay, wanwantedtedt d too bbee cacarefulrefurefullwh whwwhenhene askedked iff he thouththoughtought playpplayinglayl ingngn ono hardharda courtsouuurrtsts ccontributedontrtrt ibutibu edddt ttoo hhihissshish hihistorystors y of surfacesurfsusur acea innwn wwideriderid usese inn Peshawar in PSL final injury.ury.ryy. tennis.tennnnis.iss “Probably“Pr“Probabla yyit itit’s’ssm mmoreore thanhana 1,1001,111000 “It’s“It’It s notnnot aboutabboutouo onlyo duringdurringg thehee THE PENINSULA Lahore and in the Eliminator It is befitting for the HBL matchesatcchesese ono ttour,our, mormorere thtthanan aanynyys ssurface,”urface,”ce, tennistenniss ccareersareee rs tthathatha IamI ama worworried,”riedied,” h heesae sasaid.idid.d. KARACHI 1 last year. Pakistan Super League final thee 32-year-old32-yyear-e oldol SpaniardSpanSpaSpS iard said.said. “When“WheW nIn I see someo old legendslegendsendd walkingwala kingk n Quetta captain Sarfaraz that the two most in-form But he addedaddedded thatthatcet cement-basedcec mentm -basbasb ed hard hardr aroundarouroo nd t thehe t tour,ourour, itit’it’sstos ttotough.”ughugh.” Quetta Gladiators hope their Ahmed hoped it will be a case teams are in the final, fin- in-form opener Shane Watson of third time lucky. ishing with seven wins and will make them third time “We are playing the final three losses each in the first lucky as they look to avoid for the third time, so we will phase. another knock-out punch do our all-out effort to play in Sammy hoped it will be Tech firms in tennis line-call battle from a spirited Peshawar the same manner which we another crackers of a game Zalmi when the two teams have done in the whole tour- before a sell-out crowd. clash in the sell-out final of the nament,” Sarfaraz told a news “I like to be the AFP bounce. For Foxtenn that tiny HBL Pakistan Super League conference yesterday. underdogs,” said Sammy. “To PARIS margin is too wide and it says it can (PSL) at the National Stadium Last year, Watson decided be fair, Quetta are playing offer real-time technology that in Karachi, today. to stay away for the Elimi- some good cricket. The key for A behind-the-scenes battle at the eliminates any room for debate. Quetta have beaten nators in Lahore, leaving us is that our bowling unit has world’s top tennis tournaments FoxTenn’s 40 or so cameras Peshawar in both the league Quetta depleted. But this time pretty much been the same. pits an upstart newcomer and an around the court, backed up by The Hawk-Eye games this season, before Watson, who has amassed 423 Hasan has been playing since established star. scanners and lasers, effectively technology in use having the better of their arch- runs in the tournament, made his debut and Wahab leading Hawk-Eye, the British firm capture the moment of impact of rivals in the Wednesday’s a late decision to visit Karachi. the pack and sharing his that innovated ball-tracking tech- the ball, without need for any Qualifier at the back of a pow- “This time, we are at our experience. nology, has been ruling the sector But start-up FoxTenn from simulation. erful performance, but they full strength, so we will do our “We have some good for more than a decade. Spain believes it can do better by Within a few months the line- are wary of a knock-out punch best to play like we have done players, not superstars but Its famous video simulations eliminating doubt from the line- call contracts will be coming to an from the Daren Sammy-led and win the tournament. Obvi- effective players. To be able to of contested line calls at Grand call business. end at the nine Masters events, and Peshawar. ously, winning the trophy is make three consecutive finals Slam tournaments are known to Hawk-Eye, which operates a FoxTenn is lobbying hard for a Despite beating Peshawar every captain’s wish. We have in a row is an achievement. tennis lovers around the world. dozen or so cameras placed around chance to prove its worth. in the Qualifiers in 2016 and come close, but were not able “Winning the final They are produced by computer- the tennis court, officially acknowl- One tournament which already 2017 in thrilling last-over fin- to win. This time, we will do tomorrow will really be the linked tracking cameras that cal- edges a three-millimetre or so uses Foxtenn, Marseille Open, ishes by one-run, Quetta lost our best, though we have a icing on the cake,” Sammy culate a flight path and project the margin of error in its simulations found that initial difficulties were in the 2017 final by 58 runs in strong team against us.” said. ball’s landing point. of where the tennis ball would overcome after two seasons. SUNDAY 17 MARCH 2019 SPORT 07 Grimalt cousins clinch Katara Cup THE PENINSULA words to describe our bear on a team who made DOHA feelings right now. their Tour debut in 2011. “When we started on the For Dalhausser and Marco and Esteban Grimalt World Tour nine years ago it Lucena the silver is their first won their second FIVB was against Dalhausser (and World Tour medal since the Beach Volleyball World Tour Todd Rogers) and now many won the Fort Lauderdale gold medal in two weeks years later we have beaten 5-Star in March 2018. when they beat Phil him in a final. It is a dream The Americans enjoyed a Dalhausser and Nick Lucena come true for us, but we long off-season and the Doha in the Doha 4-Star Katara want more and to keep 4-Star was their first tour- Cup yesterday. improving.” nament since August 2018. The Chilean cousins beat After the Grimalt won the They appeared back to their the American pair 2-0 Sydney 3-Star they flew 14 best in Doha and before the (21-15, 21-15) to add their hours to reach the Qatari gold medal match had lost first 4-Star gold to the capital and competed in the only one set in five matches. Sydney 3-Star gold they won qualification tournament on Pablo Herrera and last Sunday. Tuesday. Their victory in Adrian Gavira won bronze The Katara Beach Cup Sydney was their second when they defeated Poland’s was the fifth time that Qatar World Tour victory in the Grzegorz Fijalek and Michal has hosted a World Tour past year following gold at Bryl. The Spaniards won 2-0 tournament. It began on the Tokyo 3-Star in July. (21-17, 22-20). March 12 and finished on Much of the turnaround The bronze is Herrera March 16 at the Katara Cul- is down to the influence of and Gavira’s first World tural Village. Brazilian coach Paulo Tour medal since they won “It was a crazy two Moreira de Costa, better silver at the Gstaad 5-Star weeks, and we are so proud known as Paulao. He has and will provide them with of our team, our family and many years of experience vital points as they chase Marco (left) and Esteban Grimalt celebrate on the podium after winning the FIVB Beach Volleyball World Tour our country,” Esteban coaching on the World Tour qualification for the Tokyo Katara Cup in Doha, yesterday. Grimalt said. “I don’t have and is now bringing it to 2020 Olympic Games. West Ham push Huddersfield closer to relegation China bids AFP for 2023 LONDON

Huddersfield slipped closer to Premier Asian Cup League relegation as the bottom club blew a two-goal lead in their 4-3 defeat AFP at West Ham, while Burnley are in deep SHANGHAI trouble after losing 2-1 against 10-man Leicester yesterday. China has formally submitted Jan Siewert’s side looked to have kept a bid to host the 2023 Asian alive their faint hopes of beating the drop Cup, state media said, another as they raced into a 3-1 lead in east sign of the country’s determi- London. nation to eventually stage a But a second-half collapse culmi- football World Cup. nated in Javier Hernandez’s last-gasp China has hosted the Asian winner for West Ham, leaving Hudders- Cup once before, in 2004, but field 16 points from safety with only its latest attempt is significant seven games remaining. because of President Xi Jin- Mark Noble put West Ham ahead ping’s stated desire for the with a 15th-minute penalty after 18-year- country to hold a World Cup. old Aaron Rowe, making his first profes- The World Cup tourna- sional start, brought down Manuel ments for 2030 or 2034 have Lanzini. regularly been mooted as the Huddersfield were level just two West Ham’s Javier Hernandez (second right) scores their fourth goal against Huddersfield Town during their Premier League most likely that China will go minutes later when Juninho Bacuna match played at the London Stadium, yesterday. for. headed in from Aaron Mooy’s corner for Staging the 2023 Asian the Terriers’ first away league goal since Cup would help prepare China Boxing Day. Leicester defender Harry Maguire above the relegation zone, with third- Manchester City on top of the table if they for a World Cup, but it faces Karlan Grant gave Huddersfield the was sent off in the fourth minute for a bottom Cardiff holding a game in hand. win at Fulham, while Chelsea look to stiff competition from South lead with a close-range finish in the 30th trip on Johann Berg Gudmundsson as the In the day’s other game, Matt Ritchie’s improve their top four prospects at Korea. minute and the January signing from Burnley midfielder ran clear on goal. last-gasp equaliser rescued Newcastle Everton. Having the Asian Cup again Charlton scored again in the 65th minute It was the fastest Premier League red in their 2-2 draw at Bournemouth. on Chinese soil will “promote with a fantastic 20-yard strike. card in four years, but Leicester weren’t Salomon Rondon blasted Newcastle ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE the popularisation and devel- But Angelo Ogbonna reduced the fazed as James Maddison opened the into the lead with his 10th goal of the RESULTS opment of football” in the deficit with 15 minutes left and Hern- scoring with a superb 33rd-minute season, this one a powerful free-kick on country, Xinhua news agency andez completed West Ham’s gritty free-kick. the stroke of half-time. West Ham 4 (Noble 15-pen, said. fightback with an 84th-minute header Burnley’s teenage forward Dwight However, Josh King equalised with Ogbonna 75, Hernandez 84, 90+1) China reached the quarter- from Samir Nasri’s cross. McNeil equalised with a fine finish in the 48th-minute penalty awarded for Fed- Huddersfield 3 (Bacuna 17, finals of the Asian Cup in the Former Manchester United striker 38th minute. erico Fernandez’s foul on Nathan Ake. Grant 30, 65) UAE at the start of this year, Hernandez wasn’t finished yet and he But Leicester snatched the points in King’s second goal arrived in the 81st Burnley 1 (McNeil 38) Leicester 2 before going down 3-0 to Iran. struck again in the final seconds with a the 90th minute when defender Wes minute after good work from Dominic (Maddison 33, Morgan 90) Fabio Cannavaro was header from Felipe Anderson’s cross. Morgan struck after Youri Tielemans’ Solanke, but Ritchie had the last word Bournemouth 2 (King 48-pen, 81) named Marcello Lippi’s suc- At Turf Moor, Burnley’s survival bid was cross deflected into his path. with a fierce half-volley. Newcastle 2 (Rondon 45+5, cessor as coach of the national dented as they were rocked by Leicester. Burnley are one place and two points Today, Liverpool can replace Ritchie 90+4) team on Friday. Bounedjah nets 35th goal as Al Sadd extend lead

THE PENINSULA 60 per cent of possession and four corner kicks, Al Sadd’s Baghdad DOHA compared to three by Al Sailiya. Tournament top Bounedjah controls the scorer Bounedjah took Al Sadd ahead by heading ball during the QNB Algerian star scored his 35th a cross from the left by Abdulkarim Hassan, who Stars League match goal of the QNB Stars League (QSL) season (18th was adjudged the best player in Asia. against Al Sailiya, minute) and (84th) added one more Afif found the mark after latching on to a long yesterday. to his tally (23) as Al Sadd cemented their position through pass as Al Sadd coasted to yet another on top of the standings by beating Al Sailiya 2-0 victory. yesterday. Later, in the final fixture of the round, Al After their round-19 win at the Al Ahli Stadium, Duhail bounced back from a goal down to defeat Al Sadd moved to 50 points. Umm Salal 3-1. It was Al Sadd’s 16th victory, the most by any Last two season’s league top scorer and team, as The Wolves, coached by Portuguese Moroccan striker Yousef El Arabi (64th and 90+1 Jesualdo Ferreira, inched further towards minutes) and substitute retaining the coveted Qatar league shield for the (90+4) scored the goals for Al Duhail as the 14th time in history, also the most by any side. reigning champions kept pace with leaders Al Al Sadd had dropped two crucial points after Sadd, who beat Al Sailiya 2-0 in the day’s early being held to a 1-1 draw by Al Sailiya in the first kick-off, in the title race. QSL: TOP SCORERS OF THE SEASON leg. This time around, The Peregrines had to play It was the 14th victory off PLAYER (TEAM) GOALS (PENALTY) second fiddle to their formidable rivals. The Red Knights, who domi- Al Sailiya had the ignominy of having their nated with 65 per cent ball pos- goalkeeper Saoud Al Khater sent off following his session and earned eight corner Baghdad Bounedjah (Al Sadd) 35 (6) foul on Akram in the 64th minute. The Peregrines kicks compared to Umm Salal’s Akram Afif (Al Sadd) 23 (2) were also unlucky when Abdulkadir Ilyas missed three. Youssef El Arabi (Al Duhail SC) 21 (5) a penalty, blocked by Al Sadd goalkeeper Saad Al Lawrence Quaye had put Abdulgadir Ilyas Bakur (Al Sailiya) 12 (2) Dossari, awarded after a free-kick hit the hand Umm Salal ahead in the 54th Rachid Tiberkanine (Al Sailiya) 12 (1) of defender Boualem Khoukhi. minute following a goalless first Yannick Sagbo (Umm Salal) 8 (2) Ilyas was on target towards the end, but the half, where both teams’ efforts did Wagner (Al Khor SC) 8 (1) lanky striker’s effort was ruled offside by referee not fetch any goal. Hasan Al Haydos (Al Sadd) 7 (3) Saoud Ali Al Athba. Al Duhail now have 46 points, Nam Tae-hee (Al Duhail SC) 7 (0) Al Sadd, for whom Spanish midfield maestro four less than Al Sadd, ahead off (Al Rayyan) 7 (1) took the field after one hour following his return the heavyweight clash between Claudio Vázquez (Al Shahaniya) 7 (0) from an injury layoff, dominated the game with them in the next round. SPORT Sunday 17 March 2019 PAGE | 06 PAGE | 07 Fahad makes it QSL: Brilliant 10 in a row Bounedjah nets with Racaru 35th goal as Al Sadd demolition extend lead Dakar hero bags 70th MERC victory to earn maiden regional success for Volkswagen Al Attiyah seals 14th Qatar Rally title

THE PENINSULA 2019 MANATEQ QATAR INTERNATIONAL RALLY: POSITIONS AFTER DOHA This year’s Dakar Rally champion Abdulaziz Al Kuwari finishes second SS11 (TOP 10) concludes the 11-stage home event ahead of Sheikh Hamed bin Eid Al Thani to 1. Nasser Saleh Al Attiyah (QAT)/Matthieu Baumel (FRA) Volkswagen Polo Nasser Saleh Al Attiyah cruised with a slick performance. complete a 1-2-3 finish for Qatar. GTI R5: 1hr 56min 18.8sec through the final six gravel 2. Abdulaziz Al Kuwari (QAT)/Marshall Clarke (GBR): 1hr 59min 48.4sec special stages of the Manateq 3. Hamed bin Eid Al Thani (QAT)/Dale Moscatt (AUS): 2hrs 07min 22.4sec Qatar International Rally to seal 4. Nasser Khalifa Al Atya (QAT)/Nicola Arena (ITA): 2hrs 08min 58.5sec a convincing victory by the 5. Khalid Al Suwaidi (QAT)/Adel Abdulla (QAT): 2hrs 09min 48.6sec margin of 3min 29.6sec 6. Meshari Al Thefiri (KWT)/Nasser Al Kuwari (QAT): 2hrs 10min 47.5sec yesterday. 7. Stefano Marrini (ITA)/Nicolas Garcia (ARG): 2hrs 29min 21.6sec 8. Rashid Al Mohannadi (QAT)/Yousef Juma (JOR): 2hrs 34min 12.6sec A record-breaking 14th 9. Abdulla Al Kuwari (QAT)/Hugo Magalhães (POR): 2hrs 35min 25.0sec victory in his home event also 10. Abdullah Al Ruwahi (OMN)/Ata Hmoud (JOR): 2hrs 51min 04.1sec marked a remarkable 70th MERC victory in the 211-event history 2019 MANATEQ QATAR NATIONAL RALLY: POSITIONS AFTER SS11: of the FIA Middle East Rally 1. Jarah Al Touqi (OMN)/Issa Al Wardi (OMN): 2hrs 38min 22.3sec Championships since 1984. Al 2. Zakariyah Al Amri (OMN)/Abdullah Al Amri (OMN): 2hrs 58min 25.7sec Attiyah’s French co-driver Mat- thieu Baumel duly claimed his 2019 FIA MIDDLE EAST RALLY CHAMPIONSHIP: STANDINGS third MERC win in Qatar and a AFTER ROUND 1 (TOP 5): career 18th. 1. Nasser Saleh Al Attiyah: 39pts The success also marked the 2. Abdulaziz Al Kuwari (QAT): 30pts first outright FIA championship 3. Hamed bin Eid Al Thani (QAT): 24pts rally win for Volkswagen’s Polo Qatari driver Nasser Saleh Al Attiyah and his French co-driver Matthieu Baumel driving a Volkswagen Polo GTI R5 4. Nasser Khalifa Al Atya (QAT): 19pts GTI R5 that made its debut at the on their way to win the 2019 Manateq Qatar International Rally, yesterday. 5. Khalid Al Suwaidi (QAT): 16pts WRC in Spain last October and claimed WRC 2 success in Sweden in February with Nor- was a new car. It was a good Kuwari were eighth and ninth Abdulaziz Al Kuwari driving his Škoda Fabia R5 on his wegian driver Ole Christian week.” and Oman’s Abdullah Al Ruwahi way to finish second. Veiby. Customer Polos have Abdulaziz Al Kuwari got to rounded off the top 10. already won national events in grips with his Škoda Fabia R5 as The first win for the Polo Defending MERC 3 champion Belgium, Norway, Sweden and the event progressed and he and Henry Kahy got the defence of Latvia this year. British co-driver Marshall Clarke in history in the Middle his title off to the perfect start Al Attiyah won each of the 11 finished in a comfortable second East. The car and the with 11th overall and first in the special stages. He said: “The first place. team were working very two-wheel drive category. Jor- win for the Polo in history in the Sheikh Hamed bin Eid Al well. We learn a lot from dan’s Asem Aref closed off the FIA Middle East. The car and the team Thani, the 1993 regional this race. It was fun to finishers in 12th. were working very well. We learn champion, claimed his first drive. I get the feeling Jarah Al Touqi began the last a lot from this race. It was fun to podium finish at the event since day with a 17min 26.1sec lead in the drive. I get the feeling quickly, 2010 to give the host nation a first quickly, like I know the Manateq Qatar National Rally and like I know the car very well. Now 1-2-3 finish since Al Attiyah’s last car very well. Now we finished with a winning margin of we prepare for Jordan. It’s home win in 2016. prepare for Jordan. 20min 03.4sec. Hamid Al Qasimi Veteran Qatari driver Nasser important that we stay in the Veteran Nasser Khalifa Al It’s important that we was on a charge over the final day Khalifa Al Atya driving his Middle East Championship.” Atya managed to stave off a late and managed to pass Zakariyah Al stay in the Middle East Ford Fiesta R5. Baumel added: “I have 18 challenge from Khalid Al Championship: Al Attiyah Amri to take second place before wins but I am not at the level of Suwaidi to conserve fourth retiring on the last stage. Nasser (70). The last two years overall in the battle of the two Oman-based Briton Shaun we had problems and we retired Ford Fiesta R5s. massive winning margin of 18min McGonigal failed to restart from here in Qatar. This year, with the Kuwait’s Meshari Al Thefiri 34.1sec in MERC 2. third after his Subaru sustained new car, we were a little bit mixed it with the R5 cars for Italy’s Stefano Marrini was suspension bush damage after a scared, but the car was perfect. much of the rally before slipping the leading non-Arab driver in puncture on the fifth stage. No punctures also. A small scare back to sixth overall after the seventh overall and a distant Action resumes in the with a sensor set-up last night penultimate stage. The Mitsubishi second in MERC 2. Qatar’s Rashid regional series in Jordan at the but, I guess, this was because it driver’s consolation was a Al Mohannadi and Abdulla Al end of April. Record lap gives Hamilton 6th straight pole at Australian GP

AFP to sweep 11 of the remaining 19 Mercedes’ British driver Lewis Hamilton MELBOURNE AUSTRALIAN GRAND PRIX Grand Prix to comfortably be celebrates after taking the pole position QUALIFYING TIMES crowned champion. Mercedes’ world champion Lewis in the Formula One qualifying session All Vettel’s world titles came Hamilton picked up where he left in Melbourne yesterday, ahead of the Qualifying Q3: at Red Bull, from 2010-2013, off last year to reassert his Formula One Australian Grand Prix. 1. Lewis Hamilton (GBR/Mercedes) 1:20.486 while Ferrari haven’t won a con- authority and snatch a record- 2. Valtteri Bottas (FIN/Mercedes) 1:20.598 structors crown since 2008 and extending eighth pole position at 3. Sebastian Vettel (GER/Ferrari) 1:21.190 no driver at the Italian outfit has the season-opening Australian 4. Max Verstappen (NED/Red Bull) 1:21.320 tasted championship success Grand Prix yesterday. 5. Charles Leclerc (MON/Ferrari) 1:21.442 since Kimi Raikkonen in 2007. The Briton clocked a fastest 6. Romain Grosjean (FRA/Haas) 1:21.826 Hamilton topped Q2 in lap of one minute 20.486 to nar- 7. Kevin Magnussen (DEN/Haas) 1:22.099 1:21:014 from Bottas and Ver- rowly pip team-mate Valtteri 8. Lando Norris (GBR/McLaren) 1:22.304 stappen, with Vettel running Bottas, with Ferrari’s Sebastian 9. Kimi Raikkonen (FIN/Alfa Romeo) 1:22.314 into the gravel at Turn 12, Vettel third, but well off the pace 10. Sergio Perez (MEX/Racing Point) 1:22.781 kicking up dirt and dust and on 1:21.190. Red Bull’s Max Ver- Eliminated in Q2: telling his team on the radio that stappen was fourth and Ferrari 11. Nico Hulkenberg (GER/Renault) the “floor, front wing” would newcomer Charles Leclerc fifth. 12. Daniel Ricciardo (AUS/Renault) need to be checked. The 34-year-old is the pole 13. Alexander Albon (THA/Toro Rosso) Daniel Ricciardo was a big master in Melbourne, claiming it 14. Antonio Giovinazzi (ITA/Alfa Romeo) casualty in Q2, finishing 12th in eight times and every year since 15. Daniil Kvyat (RUS/Toro Rosso) his first outing for new team 2014, although he has only twice, Eliminated in Q1: Renault after moving from Red in 2008 and 2015, won a race at 16. Lance Stroll (CAN/Racing Point) Bull. His team-mate Nico Albert Park. 17. Pierre Gasly (FRA/Red Bull) Hulkenberg also missed the cut, He knocked out his rivals 18. Carlos Sainz Jr (ESP/McLaren) as did Toro Rosso pair Daniel with a blistering lap at the death 19. George Russell (GBR/Williams) Kvyat and Alexander Albon. to claim an 84th career grid- 20. Robert Kubica (POL/Williams) Leclerc topped Q1 with leading time in his 230th race. 1:22:017 ahead of Hamilton and “I’m shaking, it was so close Bottas. out there,” said Hamilton. Red Bull newcomer Pierre “Coming from testing we had Hamilton, bidding for a sixth His dominance in qualifying but it appears to have been mind five years in a row and Ferrari -- Gasly was among those who no idea where we would be, but world title to move within one of in Melbourne is unsurpassed with games with business as usual and Vettel -- are desperate to failed to get out of Q1 along with the guys in the factory have been Michael Schumacher’s record Ayrton Senna, on six poles, the resumed this week. catch up. McLaren’s Carlos Sainz and working so hard towards this seven, topped all three free next in line. Mercedes and Hamilton have While the German won in Racing Point’s Lance Stroll. weekend. practice sessions before making Hamilton complained after been dominant in Formula One Melbourne last year and backed Robert Kubica, who clipped “Valtteri did an exceptional it four-out-of-four during pre-season testing in Barcelona in recent years, winning the it up with victory at the next race the wall and sustained a puncture job, it was so close.” qualifying. that Ferrari was much quicker, drivers’ and constructors’ titles in Bahrain, Hamilton roared back in his Williams, was last.