Dominant Al Attiyah Extends Lead

SPORT Saturday 16 March 2019 PAGE | 17 PAGE | 19 FIFA backs F1: Hamilton 48-team dominates World Cup season’s ﬁrst in 2022 practice Dominant Al Attiyah extends lead

THE PENINSULA TODAY’S ACTION LUSAIL The 13-time Manateq Qatar Abdulaziz Al Kuwari settles into International Rally champion second place Two loops of three special Nasser Saleh Al Attiyah delivered stages bring the competitive a mint start to his new rallying Al Attiyah wins each of the day’s action to a close in Qatar today in campaign in a new Volkswagen four gravel special stages Big MERC 2 lead for Al Thefiri the north of the country, running Polo GTI R5 to extend his overall through Eraida (19.39km), Al lead in the Manateq Qatar Inter- Dhakira (24.13km) and Al Khor national Rally to 1min 24.5sec (18.18km) at 08.35am, 09.08am yesterday. and 09.50am and precede a The 13-time winner of the return to service at the Lusail rally and French navigator Mat- Sports Centre. thieu Baumel won each of the day’s four gravel special stages The three timed tests will be in the north of the country and repeated at 12.30pm, 13.03pm showed the true potential of the and 13.45pm and surviving crews new factory-supported car being then return to Lusail for a final run by Autotek Motorsport. service. A relaxed Al Attiyah said: “We are quite happy with the car and The post-event press everything is working well. It is conference and ceremonial finish similar to the Ford and the Škoda. will then take place at Souk R5 is R5, but I had a good feeling Waqif in downtown Doha for a from the beginning. No water on second consecutive year with the the stages this morning, but it was PC starting at 19.50pm and the a little bit windy and dusty. We Qatari rally star Nasser Saleh Al Attiyah and his French navigator prize giving taking centre stage did a good job. The stages today Matthieu Baumel in action in their Volkswagen Polo GTI R5 during at 20.15pm live on Al Rayyan were a little bit rough. For the R5, the second day of the Manateq Qatar International Rally, yesterday. television. they were okay, but when you see the Group N have a lot of problem, this is the Qatar Rally. Six Omani crews started the Al Kuwari was getting used to faster on his second run through with an advantage of 1min Tomorrow the stages are much Manateq Qatar National Rally. being back behind the wheel and Al Ruwais and saw his lead grow 24.5sec. It had been a low better. We try to keep a good pace Jarah Al Touqi moved to the top only dropped 3.3 seconds to his to 1min 12.8sec. Al Suwaidi pressure first day for the Qatari and manage our lead.” of the leader board in SS2 and rival. Al Thefiri remained the dropped time and missed out on in the new Volkswagen. Al Thani Abdulaziz Al Kuwari returned We are quite happy maintained his advantage to class of the MERC 2 field in third his chance to overhaul Al Thefiri displaced Al Thefiri in the windy to the hot seat after a three-year with the car and reach Lusail 9min 31.9sec in front overall, as the R5 cars set the top and snatch third place with Al conditions to take third place and absence and quickly settled into everything is working of Zakariyah Al Amri. Oman- five quickest times in the special. Thani climbing to fourth. give Qatar a 1-2-3 grip on the a steady pace after a cautious based Briton Shaun McGonigal Mohammed Al Meer (Mitsubishi) The leader coasted through podium, but the Kuwaiti’s con- start. The former event winner well. It is similar to the slipped from second to third after dropped six minutes. the re-run of Al Ghariyah to reach solation was a sizeable MERC 2 held second in his Škoda Fabia Ford and the Škoda. the fifth stage, but Zakariya Al Ofi Al Attiyah was 4.2 seconds the end-of-day service at Lusail advantage. R5 with British co-driver Marshall R5 is R5 but I had a was sidelined with drive train Clarke. good feeling from the issues. Qatar’s Abdulaziz Al Kuwari and co-driver Marshall Clarke (GBR) on their way to seal the second spot in “Good day, but very difficult,” After a windy and damp start the overall standings. said Al Kuwari. “We had two slow beginning. No water to proceedings yesterday, the punctures and we had to change on the stages this weather forecast was set to them. In general, we were clean morning but it was improve as Al Attiyah headed to and I am enjoying a lot. We were the far north of Qatar and the trying to get the speed. Both times a little bit windy and morning’s 19.86km special stage I did well in Al-Gharijah. I did not dusty. We did a good at Al Ruwais. expect the speed to be like that. job: Al Attiyah The Qatari was set to defend We are safe in second place. an already commanding 23.5- There is no way to catch Nasser, second advantage and he posted but there is a good gap behind three. The new stages are nice but a target time of 10min 42.2sec and me. We need to keep the car on hard. We don’t have enough extends his lead over Abdulaziz the road. The Škoda is not the tyres. We don’t have service and Al Kuwari to 43.8 seconds. correct car for desert rallies. we only had four tyres and two The three-time Dakar winner Maybe it’s better in Jordan and spares. There is a big gap between was in a class of his own, although Lebanon. In the desert, with high my car and R5 cars in terms of Al Thani put in a spirited display Sheikh Hamed bin Eid Al Thani driving his Ford Fiesta R5 during yesterday’s Special Stages. speeds and bumps, three times I performance, but I will see what to set the fourth quickest time on saw the ground in front and was happens tomorrow.” his first gravel stage in an R5. Al almost going to roll...” Khalid Al Suwaidi and Nasser Thefiri held a useful MERC 2 The 1993 regional champion Khalifa Al Atya rounded off the advantage after Abdulla Al Kuwari Sheikh Hamed bin Eid Al Thani top six in their Ford Fiesta R5s. dropped nearly three minutes enjoyed his first taste of an R5 Italy’s Stefano Marrini was clas- with suspension issues and retired Fiesta to hold third overall, while sified seventh and second in at the end of the special. Kuwait’s Meshari Al Thefiri was MERC 2 in his Mitsubishi Lancer Abdullah Al Ruwahi also a fine fourth, topped the MERC 2 Evolution IX and Qatar’s Rashid ruined his chance of challenging rankings and fended off the chal- Al Mohannadi, Oman’s Saif Al for MERC 2 honours after lenge from two R5 cars to boot. Harthy and defending MERC 3 stopping with a broken rear sus- Al Thefiri, who is a double champion Henry Kahy rounded pension arm at the end of the Group N and MERC 2 regional off the top 10. stage. champion, said: “It’s a good day. Lebanon’s Ahmad Khaled, Teams then tackled another We drive fast today but I took the Qatar’s Mohammed Al Meer and northerly special – the 18.94km safe line in the stages. We see a Jordan’s Asem Aref completing of Al Ghariyah – before heading big gap in MERC 2. We try to push the day in 11th, 12th and 13th to remote refuelling. Al Attiyah for the overall. I want to be top overall. was quickest again but Abdulaziz 2019 MANATEQ QATAR INTERNATIONAL RALLY – POSITIONS AFTER SS5: Nasser Khalifa Al Atya driving his Ford Fiesta R5. 1. Nasser Saleh Al Attiyah (QAT)/Matthieu Baumel (FRA) Volkswagen Polo GTI R5 48min 49.9sec 2. Abdulaziz Al Kuwari (QAT)/Marshall Clarke (GBR) Škoda Fabia R5 50min 14.4sec 3. Hamed bin Eid Al Thani (QAT)/Dale Moscatt (AUS) Ford Fiesta R5 53min 45.2sec 4. Meshari Al Thefiri (KWT)/Nasser Al Kuwari (QAT) Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X 53min 50.4sec 5. Khalid Al Suwaidi (QAT)/Adel Abdulla (QAT) Ford Fiesta R5 55min 18.8sec 6. Nasser Khalifa Al Atya (QAT)/Nicola Arena (ITA) Ford Fiesta R5 55min 37.4sec 7. Stefano Marrini (ITA)/Nicolas Garcia (ARG) Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X 1hr 00min 44.3sec 8. Rashid Al Mohannadi (QAT)/Yousef Juma (JOR) Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X 1hr 05min 24.7sec 9. Saif Al Harthy (OMN)/Saif Al Minai (OMN) Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X 1hr 05min 48.6sec 10. Henry Kahy (LEB)/Musa Djiyerian (JOR) Škoda Fabia 1hr 09min 57.4sec 11. Ahmad Khaled (LEB)/Dany Kairouz (LEB) Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VIII 1hr 12min 54.5sec 12. Mohammed Al Meer (QAT)/Alexei Kuzmich (RUS) Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X 1hr 18min 58.2sec 13. Asem Aref (JOR)/Faris Al Tal (JOR) Renault Clio 1hr 30min 21.2sec

2019 MANATEQ QATAR NATIONAL RALLY – POSITIONS AFTER SS5: 1. Jarah Al Touqi (OMN)/Issa Al Wardi (OMN) Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VIII 1hr 02min 36.5sec 2. Zakariyah Al Amri (OMN)/Abdullah Al Amri (OMN) Subaru Impreza 1hr 12min 08.4sec 3. Shaun McGonigal (OMN)/Nath Marriott (OMN) Subaru Impreza STi 1hr 18min 10.8sec SATURDAY 16 MARCH 2019 SPORT 17 FIFA backs 48-team World Cup in 2022

AFP today because we have taken some FIFA President Gianni Infantino addresses the region,” added Infantino. “We are in the MIAMI important decisions. media during a press conference following lucky position of being in football, and “We came to conclusion, yes it’s the FIFA Council Meetings, yesterday. that means you can only care about FIFA moved a step closer yesterday to feasible to move from 32 to 48 teams football. I was pleased with the reaction expanding the 2022 World Cup in Qatar at the World Cup provided certain con- of the Qataris. We don’t want to regret to 48 teams and hopes to confirm the ditions are met. Since we decided in not analysing the decision.” plans in June if a suitable co-host can January 2017 that we should increase For the 2026 tournament in North be found. teams in 2026, and following a request America, 60 games will be held in the An internal feasibility study sup- from the 10 South American associa- United States with Canada and Mexico porting the expansion, which is being tions whether it is feasible to do this for getting 10 games each. strongly pushed by President Gianni 2022. A similar division is anticipated for Infantino, was given full backing by the “We have the duty to look into it, 90 2022, with Qatar retaining the bulk of FIFA council in Miami. percent are in favour of an increase but the matches while Infantino moved to A final decision will now be taken it’s not as easy as that. We have to allay fears the increase in teams could in Paris on June 6 after FIFA and Qatar analyse matters carefully and we are dilute the quality of the tournament. jointly submit the names of potential working closely with Qatar.” “The more the merrier,” the FIFA co-host nations to the governing body’s The move away from the traditional supremo said. Congress. 32 teams which will see 80 matches A FIFA document on Thursday said Infantino, who also confirmed a new instead of 64 -- the notion was origi- an expanded 2022 tournament would Club World Cup with 24 teams will begin nally slated to come into effect for the use the same format planned for 2026, in 2021 to replace the Confederations 2026 tournament in North America - scheduled to kick off in November 2022. they want to be involved, FIFA’s feasi- with the six regional confederations Cup, told a press conference: “You have means one or more other countries will Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and the UAE bility study said. Oman and Kuwait are receiving the same number of qualifying in front of you a happy FIFA president. be asked to help Qatar stage the will need to end their diplomatic other potential co-hosts. slots allocated for the tournament in “I am always happy but especially shortened 28-day event which is blockade of Qatar launched in 2017 if “We know the situation in the Gulf North America. Man United to face Barcelona in quarter-finals

REUTERS UEFA Champions League season against Real Madrid and NYON, SWITZERLAND ambassador Julio Cesar picks Dortmund, this season against Inter Man City ‘confident’ Barcelona during the quarter-ﬁnals or Barca away, that we are ready to Barcelona will meet Manchester and semi-ﬁnals draw held in Nyon, compete,” Tottenham goalkeeper after drawing Spurs United in the Champions League last Switzerland, yesterday. Hugo Lloris said. “Then you need a eight in a repeat of the 2009 and little luck and team spirit.” 2011 finals which were both won by Ajax, once a major European AFP the Catalans, with the help of goals power who struggle to compete LONDON from Lionel Messi. financially with clubs from bigger Manchester City face Tot- leagues, ousted Real Madrid in the Manchester City director of football Txiki Begiristain said tenham Hotspur in an all-Premier last 16 and their tie against Juventus yesterday the Premier League leaders are “confident” League clash, their first European will be a repeat of the 1996 final, they can beat Tottenham in the Champions League meeting, while Cristiano Ronaldo’s which the Serie A club won on pen- quarter-finals but are wary of the threat posed by Juventus meet Ajax Amsterdam, alties. They also met in the final of Mauricio Pochettino’s men. who are back in the last eight after the old European Cup in 1973 with Pep Guardiola’s City, who reached the last eight fol- a 16-year absence. Five-times the Dutch side winning 1-0. lowing a 10-2 aggregate win against Schalke, will play European champions Liverpool, the Juventus are unbeaten in their the first leg away on April 9, potentially at Tottenham’s fourth English representatives and last 10 games against Ajax, winning new stadium, before hosting the deciding leg on April 17. beaten finalists last year, will face five of the last six. Porto, who won “We are confident. We are doing well, we are having Porto in a repeat of last year’s the competition in 2004 under Jose a good season and we are in a good place now in the last-16 tie which they won 5-0 on with neither Bayern Munich nor order to avoid United’s home match Mourinho, are confident they can sense of the football that we are playing,” said Begiristain. aggregate. Real Madrid in the hat, the first time clashing with Manchester City, who spring an upset after last year’s “So, we are confident, but we know Tottenham will create The semi-final pairings were both European giants have failed to host Spurs in their second leg. mauling. problems... We played last season (in the quarter-finals) also made with Tottenham or City reach the last eight since 2005-06. Tottenham and City will meet Chelsea were the last English against Liverpool and did not go through. I hope this time to face Ajax or Juventus and Man- Five-times winners Barcelona, three times in 10 days in April with team to win the Champion League we have better luck.” chester United or Barcelona to meet who are in the last eight for the 12th a Premier League fixture following in 2012. The two-legged quarter- With the Champions League now down to the last either Liverpool or Porto. successive season, will be away in hot on the heels of their second leg. finals take place on April 9-10 and eight, Begiristain said every team remaining in the tour- The draw had an unusual feel the first leg after UEFA switched the “We have already proved last 16-17. nament were formidable challengers. Man City Ronaldo returns face FIFA to Portugal for transfer Euro qqualifiers ban: Report AP reach the Champions League quar- AFP LISBON terfinals with a 3-0 win over Atletico LONDON Madrid on Tuesday. Cristiano Ronaldo is back on Portu- Portugal won the 2016 European Manchester City will be banned gal’s national soccer team for the first Championship despite Ronaldo by FIFA from making signings time since the World Cup. getting injured during the final in the next two transfer windows Ronaldo was included in coach against France. after they broke rules related to Fernando Santos’ team yesterday for PORTUGAL the protection of youth players upcoming matches against Ukraine Goalkeepers: Rui Patricio (Wol- and third-party ownership, and Serbia, its first qualifiers for the verhampton Wanderers), Beto according to a report in the Sun European Championship. (Goztepe), Jose Sa (Olympiakos) newspaper. They will be the 34-year-old Defenders: Joao Cancelo The club are already being Ronaldo’s first games for his country (Juventus), Nelson Semedo (Bar- investigated by the Football since the World Cup in June, and celona), Jose Fonte (Lille), Pepe Association and Premier League since he was accused of rape in the (Porto), Ruben Dias (Benfica), over allegations related to youth United States. He has denied any Raphael Guerreiro (Borussia transfers and financial fair play wrongdoing. Portugal will play Dortmund), Mario Rui (Napoli) rules. Ukraine on March 22 and Serbia on Midfielders: Danilo Pereira European football’s gov- March 25 in Lisbon. Ronaldo is (Porto), Ruben Neves (Wolver- Al Rayyan’s captain Rodrigo Tabata (right) celebrates after erning body UEFA is also looking Europe’s leading international scorer hampton Wanderers), William Car- scoring a goal against Al Khor yesterday. into potential breaches of with 85 goals for Portugal. He is also valho (Real Betis), Bruno Fernandes financial fair play, an investi- Portugal’s most experienced player (Sporting Lisbon), Joao Mario (Inter gation that could result in City with 154 appearances. Milan), Joa Moutinho (Wolver- being banned from the Cham- Ronaldo’s last game for Portugal hampton Wanderers), Pizzi Tabata on target as Al Rayyan pions League. was a 2-1 loss to Uruguay in the last (Benfica) A transfer ban for the 16 of the World Cup. Without him, Forwards: Bernardo Silva (Man- Premier League champions Portugal had three wins and three chester City), Joao Felix (Benfica), would come less than a month draws and reached the final phase Goncalo Guedes (Valencia), Rafa beat Al Khor; Al Gharafa win 2-1 after Chelsea were hit with the of the UEFA Nations League, which Silva (Benfica), Andre Silva (Sevilla), same sanction for 29 breaches will be held in June in Portugal. Cristiano Ronaldo (Juventus), Diogo THE PENINSULA A pressing move saw Mohammed Juma whip of article 19 of FIFA’s regulations Since his last appearance for Jota (Wolverhampton Wanderers), DOHA in a cross from the left which was met in the on the transfer and status of Portugal,PortPortugalugagag , RonaldoRoR naldaldooha hashassmosm momovedved fromfroo DyegoDyegyeege o SousaSoussa (B((Braga)ragag ) middle of the box by Tabata who headed home. players. RealR l MadridMadMa ridid tot o Al Rayyan came through with a tight 1-0 win Al Khor were able to make more of an The west London club have JuveJuventus.uventusntut . HeH over Al Khor in Week 19 of the QNB Stars League impression on the match as the clock ticked already lodged an appeal against scoredscorscs edd a hathta tricktrititrickk (QSL) at the Al Sadd Stadium yesterday. down. However, most of their efforts went in that punishment but were told tot o helphelpp Rodrigo Tabata scored the winning goal in vain. Helal Mohammed went close with a by world governing body FIFA JuveJuvJuventusu ntusntntut s the 36th minute as Al Rayyan moved to 33 stinging shot which was well kept out, before last week that the sanction points, while Al Khor stayed on 15. Wagner Ferreira had a couple of chances that would not be frozen while the The first half was very much an attacking he was unlucky to convert. case is being reviewed, as display from Al Rayyan as they showed the gulf Lucca Borges nearly doubled the lead at the Chelsea had hoped. in position between the two sides. death, but Al Rayyan had already done enough FIFA has been investigating A stream of attacks resulted in efforts from to see out the game and take home the three City’s international transfers for Abdulrahman Al Harazi and Koh Myong-Jin points. several years, although the club which were well kept out by Baba Djibril in the In the second QSL match yesterday, A strike were cleared of breaking the opposition goal. from Ahmed Alaa and an own goal (Wilfred rules when they signed Ben- As the half developed, Tabata came into Boney) secured a tight 2-1 win for Al Gharafa jamin Garre from Velez Sarsfield the game and was rewarded for his creativity against Al Arabi. in 2016 just after the Argentine when he grabbed the only goal of the evening. Boney scored the goal for Al Arabi. midfielder’s 16th birthday. 18 SPORT SATURDAY 16 MARCH 2019

Tokyo 2020 Raonic downs Kecmanovic to enter unveils robots to help wheelchair semi-ﬁnals; Thiem gets walk over users, workers

AFP draw when fifth-seeded REUTERS INDIAN WELLS Kevin Anderson withdrew, TOKYO was the first lucky loser to World number seven Dominic reach the quarter-finals at Tokyo 2020 Olympics and Paralympics Thiem reached an ATP Indian Indian Wells since the tour- organisers launched their ambitious Robot Wells Masters semi-final nament served as the inau- Project yesterday, unveiling two of the showdown with Milos Raonic gural ATP Masters 1000 in robots designed to assist supporters, without hitting a ball on 1990. workers and athletes at the Games. Thursday as injured Gael Raonic’s serve wasn’t at The two products, Toyota’s Human Monfils withdrew. Milos Raonic of it’s booming best. He put only Support Robot (HSR) and the Power Assist France’s Monfils, ranked Canada plays a 55 percent of his first serves Suit from Panasonic, were demonstrated 19th in the world, pulled out forehand shot in play. to the public for the first time in Tokyo. shortly before his scheduled against Miomir “I think that can get The HSR, a small white robot with quarter-final against Thiem Kecmanovic better,” Raonic said. built-in facial features, will assist wheel- with left Achilles tendon of Serbia “But there’s other things chair users at the Olympics, which begin trouble. during their I’m doing well, for sure. As in July 2020. The robots can carry food and Oft-injured Monfils said men’s singles soon as I had a chance on the other goods, guide viewers to their seats he’d felt discomfort in his As soon as I had a chance on quarter-final first forehand, I was able to and provide event information. ankle for a couple of days and find my way to be the one “We will support people at the Olympics the first forehand, I was able match on had been receiving treatment, Thursday. dictating the point. And I put and at the stadium in wheelchair accessible but the pain was worse after to find my way to be the one a lot of returns in and gave areas,” said Minoru Yamauchi, who is in charge his fourth-round win over dictating the point. And I put myself a chance there.” of Toyota’s 2020 robots programme. Philipp Kohlschreiber on a lot of returns in and gave While the 130th-ranked “In terms of service, we will be offering Wednesday night. Kecmanovic fell short in his stress-free entry and viewing and the robot “I tried a little jog this myself a chance there: Milos bid to become just the third can also carry bags and other luggage items morning, and I couldn’t really Raonic lucky loser to reach the semi- for the customers.” actually push on it,” he said. finals of a Masters 1000 There will be 16 HSR robots at Tokyo “Then we taped it. Then I event, he can regroup for the 2020 venues and Toyota hope to have hit a little bit tonight, and I felt I have this pain, and it wasn’t for the first time, having pity,” said Thiem who has lost upcoming Miami Masters -- similar products available for general sale that I cannot be 100 percent. the right choice to play.” reached the quarters once both of his prior matches where he has been given a by the early 2030s.Panasonic also pre- He said an ultrasound before in 2017. against Raonic. wild card into the main draw. sented their offering, a battery-powered BNP PARIBAS OPEN RESULTS exam confirmed severe “I was really surprised,” Raonic ended the dream Roger Federer and Rafael exoskeleton that assists with picking up Men’s Quarter-finals inflammation, and he wasn’t Thiem said, who was waiting run of lucky loser Miomir Nadal will be vying to set up heavy objects. yet sure if it would prevent to be taken to the court when Kecmanovic, beating the a blockbuster semi-final People are strapped into the Power Dominic Thiem (AUT x7) bt Gael Monfils him from playing the he realized there was a 19-year-old Serbian 6-3, 6-4. when the play in the other Assist Suits, which enable users to repeti- (FRA x18) walk over upcoming Miami Masters. problem. Raonic, ranked 14th in the two quarter-finals on Friday. tively lift and carry objects without putting Milos Raonic (CAN x13) bt Miomir Kec- “Very disappointing, to be “I’m really sorry for him. world, fired 13 aces and broke Federer, the 20-time a strain on their back. They will be used by manovic (SRB) 6-3, 6-4 honest,” said Monfils, who Obviously we are both Kecmanovic once in each set Grand Slam champion who workers at Olympic and Paralympic Women’s Quarter-finals was enjoying a 15-3 start to playing well here. He’s having to keep his bid to better his claimed his 100th career title venues, as well as the athletes’ village. Belinda Bencic (SUI x23) bt Karolína the season. “Because I was a great season. I’m picking up 2016 runner-up finish on at Dubai last month, takes on Tokyo 2020 organisers have long main- Plískova (CZE x5) 6-3, 4-6, 6-3 playing great tennis, feeling my form again. So I think it track. 67th ranked Hubert Hurkacz tained next year’s summer showpiece will

Angelique Kerber (GER x8) bt Venus strong.” would have been very tough Kecmanovic, who failed of Poland while Nadal faces be the most innovative ever and more Williams (USA) 7-6 (7/3), 6-3 Thiem is through to the but also a very fun match for to make it through qualifying 12th-seeded Russian Karen robots are expected to be announced later. semi-finals at Indian Wells us, for the crowd. So it’s a but gained entry to the main Khachanov. Bangladesh Irving shines as Celtics beat cricketers to only travel Kings; Pacers pip Thunder

with security REUTERS NBA RESULTS for the Thunder in the last much-needed blowout BOSTON second, but his 3-pointer against visiting Cleveland. assurances Denver 100, Dallas 99 from the top of the key hit Nikola Vucevic had 19 Kyrie Irving scored six of Toronto 111, LA Lakers 98 the front of the rim and points and 11 rebounds, his team-high 31 points Boston 126, Sacramento 120 bounced away. Westbrook and DJ Augustin had 20 AFP during a fourth-quarter Indiana 108, Oklahoma City finished with 19 points, 14 points and seven assists DHAKA spurt that allowed the 106 rebounds and 11 assists for for the Magic. The win

Boston Celtics to build a Orlando 120, Cleveland 91 his second consecutive came at an important time Bangladesh’s cricket board lead they were able to Utah 120, Minnesota 100 triple-double, and Paul for Orlando, which had head said yesterday its retain en route to a George finished with a dropped four of its last five players will now only 126-120 victory over the game-high 36 points. games. travel with proper security visiting Sacramento Kings rebounds and a game-high Raptors 111, Lakers 98 Collin Sexton led the assurances, after the on Thursday night. 12 assists. His only pre- Kawhi Leonard scored 25 Cavaliers with 23 points, national team narrowly After trailing for much vious triple-double came points, grabbed eight and Jordan Clarkson escaped the New Zealand of the first three quarters, for Cleveland against Utah rebounds and added four added 15 points off the mosque attacks that left at the Celtics led just 104-103 in February 2014. assists as Toronto defeated bench. least 49 dead. following a Willie Cauley- Pacers 108, Thunder visiting Los Angeles. Jazz 120, Timber- The Bangladeshi team Stein dunk for Sacramento 106 Norman Powell added wolves 100 were visiting Christchurch with 6:20 to go. Irving Wesley Matthews’ 20 points and eight Donovan Mitchell for the final Test of a three- countered immediately tip-in with 1.8 seconds left rebounds for the Raptors, scored 24 points and match series against New with a floater and, after a lifted Indiana over host who have won their past dished out six assists to Zealand and arrived at one three-point play by Marcus Oklahoma City. Indiana nine games against the lead Utah past Minnesota of the city’s mosques for Morris, added two jumpers ended the game on a 23-10 Lakers dating to 2015. at Salt Lake City. Friday prayer when in a 9-0 flurry that opened run to finish off a big Pascal Siakam scored 16 Rudy Gobert and shooting began. a 113-103 advantage with comeback. Domantas points, and Marc Gasol Derrick Favors each fin- “The security 4:33 remaining. Sabonis led the Pacers contributed 15 points for ished with double-doubles arrangement (in Irving wound up with with 26 points, and Bojan Toronto. for the Jazz. Favors had 17 Kyrie Irving of the Boston Christchurch) was his second career triple- Bogdanovic added 23. Magic 120, Cavaliers points and 11 rebounds. Celtics in action against nowhere near what we double, complementing Russell Westbrook had 91 Aaron Gordon had 21 Gobert tallied 10 points the Sacramento Kings. usually provide. It’s not just his 31 points with 10 a chance to win the game points as Orlando got a and 13 boards. here, wherever we go, we don’t get that much security,” Nazmul Hassan said in Dhaka. He added, “we need to Ethiopia, Kenya push back as DL drops 5,000m be assured about minimum security... otherwise it’s not AP opposition to thethe IAAF’s decisiondecision leavingleaving thethe 3,000 as thethe “They want to kill long-dis- highest-profile track and field possible to go.” NEW YORK at a meeting ooff tthehe AAfricanfrican tractrackk longestlongest race on tance running,” two-time competition outside of the world Team manager bodybody next month. thethe scschedule.hedule. 10,000-meter world champion championships and the Olympics. Khaled Mashud said the The IAAF’s decision to drop the TheThe IAAF tthishis weekweek TheThe 10,00010,000 Moses Tanui of Kenya said in a But its format underwent a 17 players and support 5,000 meters from its Diamond announcedannounced a plan to revamp the metersmeters waswas phone interview yesterday. yearlong review in an attempt to staff who went in a bus to League (DL) track and field series DiamondDiamond League ffromrom 2020, previouslypreviously “I think (the reason) is the find a product that was more the mosque were safe but has been met with strong rreducingeducing tthehe series to 12 droppedd ropped dominance of our athletes in long pleasing to television viewers and said they could easily resistance from Ethiopia and mmeetingseetings and a finals event. ffromrom thethe distances.” more engaging for fans. have been caught up in Kenya, where one former world ThereThere wiwillll now bebe 24 disciplinesdisciplines DDiamondiamond Ethiopia’s opposition came in The changes, approved by the shooting. champion accused the sport’s at eaceachh meetmeet - 12 fforor menmen League.League. a letter from track federation the IAAF council and announced “We were very close, governing body of trying to “kill aandnd 12 fforor interim president Derartu Tulu. by the governing body on we could see the mosque. long-distance running.” wowomen.men. TheThe She wrote in Thursday’s letter Monday, were aimed at creating We were maximum 50 The Ethiopian Athletics Fed- 5,0005,000 meters addressed to Coe: “We totally dis- “a faster-paced 90-minute tel- yards (45 metres) away... eration has written to IAAF pres- waswas one ofof agree with the decisions made.” evision event” for each meet, the If we were there three to ident Sebastian Coe (pictured) thethe disci-disci- Tulu, a two-time Olympic IAAF said. In an effort to find a four minutes earlier, we asking the governing body to plinesplines to champion in the 10,000 meters, more compact, TV-friendly would have been in the reconsider the change, which bebe cutcut,, urged the IAAF to reconsider. format, the 5,000 meters was mosque,” Mashud told comes into effect from next year “(It’s) not fair to countries one of the events to lose out. reporters in Christchurch. and was part of a larger overhaul like ours who are very compet- Both the Ethiopian and Nazmul urged crick- of the series. itive in long-distance running, Kenyan federations also com- eting authorities across the Athletics Kenya said it would and these distances are our cul- plained about a lack of consul- globe to change the per- also argue for the 5,000 to be tural sports and also our tation with them or their athletes ception about security. restored and would ask African identity,” she wrote. before the IAAF announced the nations to come together in The Diamond League is the changes. SATURDAY 16 MARCH 2019 SPORT 19 Qatar’s Ahmed excited ahead of World Championships debut

FIVB of the year they had added their attention to the World DOHA another bronze at the Championships which will Vienna 5-Star as well as the take place at the Ahmed Tijan and Cherif AVC Asian Beach Volleyball The World 13,000-capactiy Younousse have made Championships title. Rothenbaum Stadium, a major strides in the 18 Two years ago Cherif Championships is our stadium that has already months in which they have competed with Jefferson main target but we been used for the FIVB played together on the FIVB Santos at the Austria 2017 are going to still enjoy World Tour Finals and Beach Volleyball World World Championships, just the tournaments proven popular with players Tour and now they are as he had at the Netherlands before that: Ahmed and fans. ready to make another 2015 World Championships “The World Champion- impression, at the Hamburg where they reached the ships is our main target but 2018 FIVB Beach Volleyball quarterfinals. However, for atmosphere. I saw it on the we are going to still enjoy World Championships. Ahmed Hamburg 2019 will TV and I want to experience the tournaments before They Qatari duo yes- be his first appearance on it too.” that,” Ahmed said. terday went down fighting such a stage. There are still five 4-Star “For now we are to Polish duo Michal Bryl “I’m excited about it tournaments before the start focused on this part of the and Grzegorz Fijalek in the because I’ve never played it of the World Championships season because it is very quarter-finals of the Katara and I really want to play it,” which run from June 28 to important for us. We will Beach Cup in Doha. Ahmed said. July 7 and Cherif and Ahmed play the other four-star A year ago in Doha they “I was injured last time are aiming to appear at all tournaments and after that won their first World Tour and that is why I wasn’t able of them. we will then have a break to medal together when they to play. I’m excited about it Once they are finished prepare for the World Cherif Younousse (left) and Ahmed Tijan Janko won bronze, and by the end and I want to feel that with them the plan is to turn Championships.”

Mercedes’ British driver Lewis Hamilton drives during the ﬁrst Whiting leaves Formula One practice session in Melbourne, yesterday. impossible shoes to fill, Ecclestone

REUTERS LONDON

The sudden death of Formula One race director Charlie Whiting is a huge blow for the sport and leaves impossible shoes to fill, Bernie Ecclestone said as tributes flowed in. Whiting, 66, died overnight in Melbourne of a pulmonary embolism, three days before the season-opening Australian Grand Prix. Charlie Whiting The governing FIA announced Australian Michael delegate on Ecclestone’s recom- F1: Hamilton dominates Masi would take over Whiting’s mendation in 1988, becoming duties. race director in 1997. Former F1 supremo Eccle- Known simply as Charlie, stone, a long-time friend of the Whiting was the go-to man for season’s first practice Briton who worked for him at teams, drivers and media who the Brabham team in the 1980s, respected his authority that told Reuters that the job of race came with approachability and AFP AUSTRALIAN GP FREE PRACTICE (TOP 10) to be something wrong. Box,” he director was one of many roles an easy sense of humour. He had MELBOURNE said on the team radio. He carried out by Whiting. the complete trust of Ecclestone Free Practice One recovered but later told the team “It’s a big, big, big loss to and FIA presidents. Lewis Hamilton made a mockery 1. Lewis Hamilton (GBR) Mercedes 1:23.599, 2. Sebastian Vettel (GER) Ferrari 1:23.637, 3. his car was “still a bit wobbly”. Formula One. He kept things on Whiting conducted the pre- of his claim that Ferrari would be Charles Leclerc (MON) Ferrari 1:23.673, 4. Max Verstappen (NED) Red Bull 1:23.792, 5. Valtteri The German said afterwards the road and kept the FIA pretty race drivers’ briefings, keeping half-a-second quicker at the Aus- it had been “a tricky day”. Bottas (FIN) Mercedes 1:23.866, 6. Kimi Raikkonen (FIN) Alfa Romeo Racing 1:24.816, 7. Da- well straight because he’d look some of the rawer talents in tralian Grand Prix by easily “I think for us we are not yet after the rules and everything check, oversaw safety develop- niil Kvyat (RUS) Toro Rosso 1:24.832, 8. Pierre Gasly (FRA) Red Bull 1:24.932, 9. Kevin Mag- clocking the fastest times in the where we would like to be, not else,” said the 88-year-old. ments and inspected new cir- nussen (DEN) Haas 1:24.934, 10. Nico Hulkenberg (GER) Renault 1:25.015 season’s opening practice runs in terms of lap times but in terms “People talk about him as a cuits seeking a place on the yesterday. Free Practice Two of car feel and handling,” he race director but it was a small calendar. The Briton led a Mercedes 1. Lewis Hamilton (GBR) Mercedes 1:22.600, 2. Valtteri Bottas (FIN) Mercedes 1:22.648, 3. added. part of all the things he did. A The Grand Prix Drivers’ one-two in the second session as Max Verstappen (NED) Red Bull 1:23.400, 4. Pierre Gasly (FRA) Red Bull 1:23.442, 5. Sebas- “We didn’t really get into the talented guy who loved doing Association (GPDA) said Whiting he powered round Melbourne’s tian Vettel (GER) Ferrari 1:23.473, 6. Kimi Raikkonen (FIN) Alfa Romeo Racing 1:23.572, 7. Nico groove and the rhythm and I hope what he wanted to do. had been a friend to generations

Albert Park circuit under clear Hulkenberg (GER) Renault 1:23.574, 8. Daniel Ricciardo (AUS) Renault 1:23.644, 9. Charles tomorrow is a better day.” “Two or three of the top, top of racers, a stalwart admired and skies with a best of one minute Leclerc (MON) Ferrari 1:23.754, 10. Romain Grosjean (FRA) Haas 1:23.814 Toro Rosso new boy Alex- teams tried to get him to be their trusted by all. 22.600 seconds. ander Albon had a troubled intro- team manager but he thought “I think the word is impos- It bettered his pace-setting duction to Formula One, losing his he could do a lot better for eve- sible, more or less,” said Eccle- 1:23.599 in the opening practice sixth. The Renaults of Nico much faster, but he quickly put front wing in a crash at turn two ryone doing what he did,” added stone on the difficulty of the as he kick-started his bid for a Hulkenberg and Daniel Ricciardo that fallacy to bed as he angles for in the first practice. Ecclestone, who ruled Formula sport finding anyone of a similar sixth world title. were sixth and seventh an 84th pole position. He slid onto the gravel again One for decades before being stature. “He’d seen it, heard it Valtteri Bottas was second respectively. Bottas said the car felt better in session two and skidded onto ousted in 2017. and done it all. (1:22.648) with Red Bull’s Max “I have a positive buzz from than during testing. the grass. A poacher turned game- “He did it as a one-man job. Verstappen third (1:23.400), mar- driving the car today -- this is what “We didn’t bring a lot of new It was also a frustrating day keeper, Whiting knew all the It’s finding this person who can ginally ahead of impressive new I love doing. The car feels like it’s parts to the car, but we were able for Poland’s Robert Kubica, in his tricks from his time with teams do what Charlie did. If you’ve got teammate Pierre Gasly, who was in a similar place to where it was to optimise the package that we first Formula One drive since his and joined the FIA as a technical three or four people doing what promoted this year from Toro in Barcelona, which is positive have,” he said. right arm was partially severed in he did, it just doesn’t work. Rosso. coming to a different track,” said “We have an idea of how a horror rallying accident eight “Nobody really knew what Sebastian Vettel, who has Hamilton. much we can improve for quali- years ago. Charlie was or what he did. He won in Melbourne for the past “We got through our pro- fying, but we have no idea how His best time of 1:26.655 for did so many things, and nobody two years, could only manage gramme really well, there were no much performance the other Williams was slowest on a day It’s a big, big, big really knew and they’d be sur- fifth, nearly a second adrift of issues on track. There’s plenty of teams can still bring.” marred by the sudden death on prised if they knew the things arch-rival Hamilton, while Ferrari stuff that we can improve on, but There was some speculation Thursday of long-serving and well- loss to Formula One. he did do.” partner Charles Leclerc struggled this was not a bad start.” in the paddock that Ferrari may respected Formula One race He kept things on Ecclestone, who underwent to ninth, straddling the kerb and Hamilton is gunning for a third have been sandbagging, or delib- director Charlie Whiting. the road and kept a triple coronary bypass in 1999, spinning as he pushed hard late world crown in a row to close in erately holding back ahead of FIA chief Jean Todt held a said he took consolation that in the day. on Michael Schumacher’s all-time qualifying on Saturday. minute’s silence to mark his the FIA pretty well Whiting had passed away sud- The man Leclerc replaced, record of seven. Vettel slid onto the grass at passing in a press conference, with straight because he’d denly and without suffering. Finnish former world champion Much had been made of his turn one early in the afternoon run. deputy race director Michael Masi look after the rules “He went to bed and didn’t Kimi Raikkonen, pushed his Alfa insistence after pre-season testing “Check the car in turns one fulfilling Whiting’s duties in and everything else: get up in the morning. Which is Romeo -- formerly Sauber -- into in Barcelona that Ferrari were and four. Feels quite odd... Seems Melbourne. as good as it gets if you’ve got to Bernie Ecclestone leave us,” he said. Proposed 2021 F1 rules to be presented to teams this month

REUTERS change when the current com- Strategy Group before the planned cost cap, along with on and we should be in a Todt at a joint news conference, MELBOURNE mercial agreements expire at Bahrain Grand Prix. proposed regulations on engines position to have a finalised said “good headway” had been the end of 2020 as rights holders The Group includes six and chassis and on future package to discuss with the made but expected plenty of Formula One and the governing Liberty Medias seek to create a teams as voting members -- governance. teams on March 26,” said Todt. debate. FIA will present teams with a more level playing field and Mercedes, Ferrari, Red Bull, Todt said the engine regu- If approved by the Strategy The top three teams, who ‘global package’ of proposed more competitive racing. McLaren, Williams and Renault lations had already been sent to Group, the rules will be voted have the biggest budgets, have rules for the 2021 season at a Todt told reporters ahead of -- with the remaining four able teams while the cost control ini- on by the FIA’s Formula One expressed concerns about the meeting in London on March 26, tomorrow’s season-opening to attend as observers. tiative was “quite well commission, which includes all cost cap while Ferrari, who have FIA President Jean Todt said Australian Grand Prix that the The package will include the advanced”. the teams. special historical privileges, are yesterday. various proposals would be pre- commercial side relating to dis- “These are all the different Formula One chairman reluctant to see their share of The sport is set for major sented at a meeting of the F1 tribution of revenues and a chapters that we are working Chase Carey, appearing with the revenue pot reduced.