I'm leaving him (Cristiano Ronaldo) at home, he had played a lot and he needs to rest. Right now it would be too risky to play him MASSIMILIANO ALLEGRI JUVENTUS COACH ANNOUNCING RESTING RONALDO FOR THE NEXT MATCH NEW DELHI, MONDAY 18 MARCH 2019 15 THUMBNAILS Zidane enjoys winning Bengaluru FC crowned ISL start In Real Madrid champions for first time

AGENCIES Bale came closest to scor- MADRID, 17 MARCH ing in the first half with an acro- batic scissor-kick that crashed inedine Zidane against the crossbar and later brought Real Madrid's teed up Karim Benzema to tap outcasts in from the in, only for the referee to book cold and they repaid the Welshman for a foul in the Wayne Rooney had a hat- himZ with a win over Celta build-up. trick and added an assist to Celta found chances on the help DC United beat nine- Vigo on Saturday but La Liga's man Real Salt Lake 5-0 on title race could well be over after break but never looked liked Saturday night. Atletico Madrid were beaten converting. Maxi Gomez, with by Athletic Bilbao. only Ramos to beat, curled Isco and Gareth Bale each wide while Sofiane Boufal's fin- Indian eves storm into SAFF scored in Madrid's 2-0 victo- ish had to be blocked on the semis: The Indian women's ry over Celta before Atletico line by Marcelo as Madrid football team sealed its lost 2-0 at San Mames, giving were again caught upfield. place in the semifinals of Barcelona the chance to go 10 Benzema's goal was ruled the SAFF Championship points clear if they overcome out just before half-time and PTI packed Mumbai Football failed to convert any. with a resounding 5-0 win Real Betis on Sunday. Luka Modric had one chalked MUMBAI, 17 MARCH Arena. After the change of ends, over Sri Lanka at the Sahid Barca's superiority has off just after, this time VAR inter- Bengaluru had a chance Goa upped the ante and their Rangashala Stadium in been clear for some time but vening to show Raphael Varane Benaluru FC clinched their when mid-fielder Nishu best chance came in the 58th Biratnagar on Sunday. This Zidane's new era is up and run- offside and close enough to maiden Kumar sent Sunil Chhetri minute when Brandon Fer- result has extended India's ning. Isco, who had not start- be deemed active. title as Rahul Bheke found a through with a lobbed pass. nandes swung a cross for unbeaten run in the compe- ed a single league game under Isco's influence had dimin- championship-winning head- The skipper passed it to Miku, Bedia, but the Spanish mid- tition's history to 21 games Santiago Solari, gave Real the ished and Dani Ceballos was er in the dying minutes of the who cut past three players and fielder couldn't get a touch and secured the top spot in lead shortly after the hour ready to replace him just final against FC Goa, here shot, but Goa custodian on to it. Group B. In the semifinals, and Bale got the goal his own before he scored the opening Sunday. Naveen collected it safely. In the 67th minute, aggres- India will take on Group A committed display deserved goal. Asensio made it, a superb The two teams were locked In the 24th minute, Ben- sive mid-fielder Jackichand runners-up Bangladesh on to put sorry Celta out of sight. run allowing Benzema to cross 0-0 after 90 minutes. Even the galuru had another chance. Singh played the ball to Wednesday while hosts Bale was teed up by Marce- and Isco to bundle in. first extra time saw no goals Xisco played Chhetri down the outside the Nepal will face Sri Lanka in lo, who was also dropped by There was still time for but Bengaluru got better of flank and the captain sent a box, and the Moroccon tried the other fixture. Solari but recalled, while Key- “My team-talk was really “the glorious new era”. Bale to add a second, his a 10-men Goan team 1-0, cross in the box to Miku but to slot one in the top corner lor Navas pulled off a superb simple,” Zidane said. “I told Marcelo impressed too touch making space for the four minutes from the end of his header sailed above the but ended up side footing to FIFA to make public the save in the first half, having them to have fun, to play, to while Courtois might well shot after Marcelo had slipped the second extra half. bar. the keeper Gurpreet Singh vote for 2023 Women's WC: been brought back in ahead run together and to be unit- wonder what his next couple him clear. The ball hit the Goa's mid-fielder Ahmed Two minutes later, Miku Sandhu. FIFA has agreed to make of Thibaut Courtois. ed when we don't have the ball. of months hold, given Navas, post and then the net. Jahouh was shown a second had another close chance, but In the additional time of public its vote on the host “Nobody can erase what When we have it, let's have fun, an old favourite of Zidane, looks After going out of the yellow card and he had to walk Goa's defense did well to the second half, Bengaluru for the 2023 Women's these players have done,” and that's what we did.” to be back in favour. “There Champions League to Juven- out as the side was reduced clear it. had another close chance. World Cup. The organiza- Zidane about those players he At times, it felt like a pre- are 10 games left, today Key- tus on Tuesday, Atletico's mis- to 10 men. Bengaluru strikers kept Nishu Kumar crossed the tion's decision-making body recalled. “I will count on every- season fixture, not just because lor played, on another day it erable week continued as It looked Goa defenders Goa's defense and Naveen ball into the box and Miku is becoming more transpar- one.” The victory ends a run of the baking hot sun but the could be Thibaut,” Zidane they were undone by two late would take the game into Kumar on their toes, but still zoomed past the defenders. ent after concerns were of four consecutive home relaxed atmosphere and the said. “Real Madrid needs two goals in Bilbao. the penalties but Bheke looped both the sides were search- He took a touch and shot but raised last month that the defeats for Madrid and means sense this is now a team on or three great goalkeepers. Jose Gimenez was at fault a header on a corner kick from ing for their first goal after 35 got into the way women's tournament they are now two points behind trial. We'll see what happens next for the opener, gifting the ball Dimas Delgado and it went minutes. Goa received a set- as Bengaluru earned a cor- wouldn't fully follow the Atletico, nine back on Barca. Bale, whose relationship year.” to Inigo Cordoba who found past custodian Naveen Kumar, back when their skipper and ner. After 90 minutes, the new voting process for the That deficit will surely with Zidane deteriorated to There was a cosy feeling at Inaki Williams at the back triggering celebrations in the mid-fielder Mandar Rao Des- two sides were still locked 0- men's World Cup.The Unit- prove too big to close but breaking point last season, was the Santiago Bernabeu, where post. Gimenez was unfortu- Bengaluru camp. sai had to be stretchered out 0.In the first extra' time, Ben- ed States, Canada and Mexi- Zidane's job was to restore arguably the biggest winner, fans had a new song to the tune nate for the second too, as Earlier, both the teams as he pulled his hamstring just galuru survived a near scare co were chosen last year to morale in the 11 league games his performance proving there of 'Hey Jude', replaced by Kenan Kodro's shot deflect- began with caution. Goa before the conclusion of the when Luisma headed the host the 2026 World Cup. that are left and to find out could yet be a place for him 'Zizou', and cheered their ed off his foot on its way in, earned a corner early in the first half. ball back to Gurpreet but the Previously, the decisions what, and who, needs chang- in what the club's president new coach's name when it was leaving Barcelona with one game but 'e head- Goa did have a few chances experienced keeper collect- were taken in private. ing in the summer. Florentino Perez has dubbed announced before kick-off. hand on the trophy. er went wide at a nearly in the first half, but they ed safely.

Man City hit back to reach FA Cup semis after Swansea scare Wolves shock Man U to reach FA Cup semis

AGENCIES kick miss in a 3-0 midweek AGENCIES with Romero, but the United SWANSEA, 17 MARCH defeat at West Bromwich WOLVERHAMPTON, 17 MARCH goalkeeper beat his curling Albion. shot away. Sergio Aguero kept alive Man- The 23-year-old centre Wolves inflicted a second straight United had the first open- chester City's hopes of an back made the most of Delph's defeat on Manchester United ing of the second half when unprecedented quadruple misjudgement by confidently on Saturday, outplaying Ole Gun- Rashford got away from Conor as they survived a major FA driving the ball high into the nar Solskjaer's side to secure a Coady on the right side of the Cup scare in a thrilling fight- roof of the City net. 2-1 win and reach the FA Cup box but could only whistle a fierce back from two goals down to It went from bad to worse semi-finals. angled drive a few feet wide. win 3-2 at Swansea in Satur- for City nine minutes later as United lacked spark through- Wolves replied with a rising, day's quarter-finals. Guardiola's defence disinte- out and were overcome by an diagonal effort from Jimenez that Aguero had watched from grated following a nine-pass eager Wolves side with two looped comfortably over the bar. the substitutes' bench as sec- move involving seven Swansea goals in the space of six min- Nuno Espirito Santo's side ond-tier Swansea roared into players. utes in the second half from Raul were gaining in confidence a stunning first half lead This time Swansea attacked Jimenez and Diogo Jota. however and created two through goals from Matt with pace and purpose and, Marcus Rashford's injury- chances that required some Grimes and Bersant Celina. after fine play on the edge of time effort was a mere conso- superb goalkeeping from But the Argentine emerged It was a fortunate escape They showed they could City's box by Nathan Dyer and lation. Solskjaer had presided Romero. as City's saviour on a rainy for City on Saturday howev- give the visitors a run for Daniel James, space opened over a run of just two defeats United, not Wolves, were going gio Romero and it was swiftly First he reacted sharply to night in south Wales by set- er, as replays showed Raheem their money with a neat pass- up for Celina to curl the ball in 18 games since replacing Jose to live up to the hype of the followed by a better one, Jota tip over a bullet header from ting up their first goal for Sterling was fortunate to win ing game that pushed City on delightfully beyond Ederson. Mourinho in December, pro- warm-up, dominating early failing to connect properly Jimenez from Joao Moutin- Bernardo Silva, before com- the penalty that led to the to the back foot. Guardiola looked flum- gressing to the quarter-finals of possession. The visitors creat- with a volley from Matt Doher- ho's corner. The Argentine pleting the comeback with a equaliser, while Aguero was Grimes put Swansea ahead moxed in the technical area the Champions League and the ed the first opening when Paul ty's centre. keeper then palmed over a ris- last-gasp winner after Swansea marginally offside for the from the penalty spot in the as he mulled over finding a last eight of the FA Cup. Pogba gained a yard of space United players surrounded ing chip from Moutinho from keeper Kristoffer Nordfeldt winner. 20th minute after Fabian way back into the tie while But now they have suffered in the box and curled wide. referee Martin Atkinson scream- 25 yards as Wolves got on top. scored an unlucky own goal City boss Pep Guardiola Delph carelessly fouled Con- Aymeric Laporte lost his head two losses in a row after their Goalkeeper John Ruddy ing for a penalty in the 37th Wolves scored the goal they from the Argentina striker's had named a strong starting nor Roberts after the City following referee Andre Mar- Champions League exertions was happy to let the ball drift minute after Diogo Dalot's had been threatening in the 70th penalty to draw City level. line-up and Leroy Sane and defence was wrong-footed riner's half-time whistle and at Paris Saint-Germain. away but was forced to make hooked shot hit the elbow of minute. The chance seemed to Having already won the Bernardo Silva both went by Mike van der Hoorn's was booked for shoving United were favourites but a falling save to his left soon after- Jonny as he turned his back on be lost when Jimenez was League Cup and advanced to close early on. crossfield pass. Swansea winger Wayne Rout- the Midlanders' form against wards when Rashford let fly from the ball. But Atkinson was forced backwards with his back the Champions League quar- It only looked a matter of Grimes had not scored in ledge in the chest. the top six that has carried 30 yards. unmoved. to goal after being crowded out ter-finals, Premier League time before City took the his three-and-a-half years at It was a dire situation that them to seventh position in the Wolves' first threat came in The best chance of the half following a superb run by leaders City remain in the hunt lead but Swansea ensured it the Liberty Stadium but took left City in danger of a repeat Premier League gave home the 28th minute when Ruben fell to Wolves, two minutes Moutinho, who breezed through for a clean sweep of all four was anything but one-way traf- over penalty duties following of last season's embarrassing fans hope. Neves's low drive was well held before the break. Neves sent Jota three challenges cutting in major trophies. fic. Celina's embarrassing spot- FA Cup exit at Wigan. The early signs were that by the United goalkeeper Ser- galloping clear for a one-on-one from the left.

Bottas upstages Hamilton at Aus Grand Prix KT Irfan become first Indian from Thiem books AGENCIES have hoped for as a team.” Indian Wells MELBOURNE, 17 MARCH Starting on soft tyres on a fine athletics to qualify for Tokyo Olympics day, Bottas got an electric final against Valtteri Bottas upstaged his start and built a gap of 1.153 PTI contact”. Mercedes world champion seconds on Hamilton after the NEW DELHI, 17 MARCH Japan's Toshikazu Yaman- Federer team-mate Lewis Hamilton opening lap, with Vettel, Ver- ishi won the 20 km race walk Sunday to win the season- stappen and Leclerc trailing National record holder KT event with an impressive time AGENCIES opening Australian Formula in their wake. Irfan Sunday became the first of 1:17:15 while Kazakhstan's INDIAN WELLS, 17 MARCH One Grand Prix in a sizzling The gap kept growing, Indian from athletics to qual- Georgiy Sheiko and Korea's performance that he called his and when Vettel pitted on lap ify for the next year's Olympics Byeongkwang Choe were sec- Austria's Dominic Thiem “best ever”. 14 to swap for medium tyres while finishing fourth in the ond and third in 1:20:21 and defeated Milos Raonic 7- The flying Finn started Mercedes called in five-time 20 km event of the Asian Race 1:20:40 respectively. 6 (7/3), 6-7 (3/7), 6-4 on second on the grid but got a champion Hamilton soon Walking Championships in The Asian and World record Saturday to book a title jump on the polesitting Briton after. Nomi, Japan. in men's 20 km race walk clash with five-time cham- at the first corner and never Bottas stayed out, pump- The 29-year-old Irfan stands in the name of Japan- pion Roger Federer at the looked back, scorching round ing out fastest laps, and when clocked 1 hour 20 minutes and ese Yusuke Suzuki who clocked ATP Indian Wells Mas- the Albert Park circuit to take seven laps later he pitted he 57 seconds to better the Tokyo this year's World Champi- 1:16:36 in the 2015 edition of ters. the chequered flag a massive emerged more than 10 sec- Olympics qualification stan- onships (September 27-Octo- the same championships in Thiem, ranked eighth 20.9 seconds ahead of Hamil- Four-time world cham- building the gap,” Bottas said. onds ahead of his team-mate, dard of 1 hour 21 minutes. ber 6) in Doha, Qatar as he bet- Nomi. in the world, withstood 17 ton. pion Vettel had to settle for “I knew I could do it, I've done who was clearly bemused. The Olympics qualification tered the qualifying mark of Two other Indians, Devin- aces from the rangy Cana- Red Bull's precocious Max fourth, trailing in 57.1 seconds it before, it was about being “What was the reason for period for race walk events and 1:22:30. der Singh and Ganapathi dian, gaining the only Verstappen came third to behind Bottas. Ferrari part- at my best level.” Bottas, stopping so early?” Hamilton marathon race has begun The Kerala race walker Krishnan also qualified for the break of the contest in the join them on the podium ner Charles Leclerc was fifth, now in his third year with Mer- asked over the team radio, to from January 1 this year and had won the 20 km event in World Championships as they third set. after audaciously overtaking with Kevin Magnussen in a cedes, knows he must perform be told it was to cover Vettel's will run till May 31, 2020. The the National Open Race Walk clocked 1:21:22 and 1:22:12 He'll fight for a maid- Ferrari's Sebastian Vettel mid- Haas sixth. with promising Frenchman early stop. Olympics qualification peri- Championships in Chennai respectively. They had fin- en Masters 1000 title way through the race. Bottas, whose last triumph Esteban Ocon, 22, waiting With Bottas having an od for all other athletics events last month with a time of ished second and fifth in the against Swiss great Fed- “How about that! Yes!” was at the Abu Dhabi season in the wings as the team's unsurmountable lead the will start from May 1 this 1:26:18. Chennai National Race Walk erer. Federer, seeking a said Bottas over the team finale in 2017, was over- reserve driver. He delivered battle was on for second, year and will run till June 29, He was one of the two Championships with timings record sixth Indian Wells radio after also taking the shadowed last year by Hamil- in spades on Sunday for his with Verstappen hounding 2020. Indian athletes who were of 1:26:19 and 1:26:43. crown, reached the final new bonus point for the ton, failing to win a race, fourth Grand Prix win in his Hamilton but unable to find No other Indian from ath- expelled from the 2018 Gold In the women's 20 km when semi-final oppo- fastest lap. hampered by mechanical 119th race. a way through. letics has so far qualified for Coast Commonwealth Games race walk event, Soumya Baby nent Rafael Nadal with- “I don't know what just problems and bad luck but “It's a good weekend for “I had to overtake Sebas- Tokyo Olympics. for not adhering to the 'no nee- finished fourth with a timing drew from the tourna- happened. I don't know what was fast in qualifying and the team,” said Hamilton. tian to get onto podium which Irfan, who has a personal dle policy' of the Games. He of 1:36:08, well outside ment with a right knee to say. It was definitely my best only narrowly edged out of “Valtteri drove an incredible is not easy here but was happy best as well as national record was disqualified in the 20 km Olympics qualifying stan- injury. Thiem, 25, has split race ever,” he said after. “I felt pole position. race today so he deserved it. to pull that move off,” said Ver- of 1:20:21 which he did dur- race walk event of the 2018 dard of 1:31:00 and World four prior meetings with so good and the car was so “In the beginning it was all “We have some work to do, stappen, who was ecstatic ing his 10th place finish in 2012 Asian Games after receiving Championships qualifying the 20-time Grand Slam good. about managing the race and (but) it is more than we could at beating the Ferraris. Olympics, also qualified for his third warning for “loss of standard of 1:33:30. champion 2-2.