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Mick Schumacher wants to ‘drive all day’ at Hamilton beats Red Bull’s dad’s beloved Imola track

DPA Imola (Italy) Perez to secure Imola pole Formula One driver Mick Schumacher takes to one of his father’s favourite tracks this weekend and hopes to show an improvement from his debut. The German Haas driver, son of F1 icon Michael, races in the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix in Italy on an Imola track where Michael won a record seven times. He finished a creditable 16th in the modest Haas on his F1 debut three weeks ago in Bahrain. His aim this weekend is “to keep learning, to keep trying to improve,” the 22-year-old Lewis Hamilton reacts after the qualifying session on the eve of the told reporters on Thursday. “I Emilia Romagna Formula One Grand Prix at the Autodromo Internazi- was as happy as I could be,” he onale Enzo e Dino Ferrari race track in Imola, Italy, on Saturday. (AFP) added when looking back at Bahrain. DPA Lando Norris had to settle for He likes the 4.909-kilo- Imola (Italy) seventh place after a a fast metre Imola circuit near Bo- lap was deleted for exceeding logna because of the flowing Lewis Hamilton of Mercedes track limits. sequence of its corners. took a sensational pole posi- Ferrari, who had strong “I would love to drive all tion for Sunday’s Formula One practice sessions, had their day,” he said. Emilia Romagna Grand Prix other driver Carlos Sainz out by beating Red Bull’s Sergio of Q3 in 11th. Perez by 0.035 seconds. The session was red flagged Mercedes’ British driver Lewis Hamilton drives during the qualifying session on the eve of the Emilia Romagna Formula One Grand Prix at the The seven-time world after around six minutes when Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari race track in Imola, Italy, on Saturday. (AFP) champion was surprised after Yuki Tsunoda spun at the Var- he clocked 1 minute 14.411 sec- iante Alta and crashed. He was lap time that put him second onds, around the 4.959-kilome- unharmed, but his car suffered ruled out for track limits. It tre Autodromo Enzo e Dino Fer- huge damage. means he starts a disappoint- rari in Imola to secure the 99th “I was just too excited. For ed seventh, just behind team- pole of his career on Saturday. me, that was a silly mistake, mate Daniel Ricciardo, who “I didn’t expect to be ahead so I feel really sorry for the had lagged well off his pace all Mick Schumacher. of two Red Bulls, they’ve been team,” Tsunoda said. weekend. so quick this weekend. The car At Alpine, Fernando Alon- Leclerc was again out- is feeling much better, I want so finished 15th and for the standing in the Ferrari, 0.4secs Spanish GP to to thank the team for their first time since the Malaysian quicker than team-mate Car- hard work,” Hamilton said. Grand Prix 2017 he was out los Sainz in second qualifying be held behind “I love the challenge, hav- qualified by a team-mate after as the Spaniard was knocked ing two Red Bulls will defi- Esteban Ocon finished ninth. out in that session and just closed doors nitely make strategy harder.” Four-time world champion 0.331secs off Hamilton’s pole Perez in second will have his Sebastian Vettel was 13th as on his final run. DPA first front row start and out- he’s yet to have a good run with Alpha Tauri’s Pierre Gasly Berlin qualified team-mate Max his new Aston Martin team. repeated his excellent quali- Verstappen, who will start the Williams showed progress fying position of Bahrain in The Spanish Grand Prix on race in third. and managed to have both cars fifth place, while behind the May 9 will be staged behind “We should have been on in Q2, something they haven’t McLarens and Bottas, Este- closed doors due to the pub- pole today, I did a mistake on achieved since the Hungar- ban Ocon’s Alpine and Lance lic health measures to contain my final corner,” Perez said. ian Grand Prix in July 2020. Stroll’s Aston Martin complet- the spread of the coronavirus But Verstappen also went George Russell was just over ed the top 10. pandemic. wide at Tamburello and that a tenth away from a Q3 place Their illustrious team- The Circuit de Barcelona- cost him time. and will start the race in 12th. mates lagged behind, Sebas- Catalunya has said on Satur- “Not so good in Q3, it was a Mick Schumacher didn’t tian Vettel 13th in the Aston day they have been notified bit messy, just not a good lap. escape Q1 and will start the Martin and Fernando Alonso by the Catalan Civil Protec- You can’t be good all the time,” race in 18th, with team-mate only 15th in the Alpine. tion Office the race “cannot be said the Dutch who had nar- Nikita Mazepin in 19th. Alonso was beaten by both staged under the conditions rowly lost the season-opener Norris was the standout Williams cars, with George defined in the spectator access in Bahrain against Hamilton star of qualifying until his Russell taking an impressive protocol.” The current meas- three weeks ago. costly error on his final lap. 12th place and Nicholas Latifi, McLaren’s British driver Lando Norris drives in front Williams’ British driver George Russell during the quali- ures against the coronavirus Charles Leclerc of Ferrari He was third fastest in the who had the edge on Russell fying session at the Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari race track at Imola on Saturday. (AFP) pandemic are effective until and Pierre Gasly of Alpha Tau- first session and improved one until qualifying, in 14th. April 26 and under these con- ri close the top 5 on the start- place in the second, and was “I was not fast,” Alonso but definitely it was too slow to on difficult tracks like this you A minute’s silence was ditions “it is impossible to es- ing grid. a genuine contender for the said. “The car felt good, the be higher on the classification. need more trust in the car and observed before qualifying tablish” whether the measures Hamilton’s team-mate front row. balance was good, and every “I guess I need to get better maybe I am not into that level in honour of Britain’s Prince could be relaxed in race week, Valtteri Bottas will be far be- But he ran just a smidge time I finished the lap I was and understand better where yet and I will try to improve for Philip, who died last week the circuit management said. hind in eight, while McLaren’s wide in Piratella and had the quite happy with how it felt is the limit of the car. Maybe the next one.” aged 99. Al Duhail aim to keep up the good start against Al Ahli Saudi

AFC One positive development Qatar Stars League title and Jeddah for Al Ahli was the mercurial a prolonged run in the 2021 Omar Al Soma scoring both AFC Champions League will Al Ahli Saudi FC can’t afford their goals and Reghecampf go a long way in erasing their another slip up while Al Duhail will be counting on the Syrian disappointment. SC will be aiming to maintain to lead from the front at the Michael Olunga and Edm- their perfect start when the two King Abdullah Sports City Sta- ilson Junior were the scorers sides meet in Group C of the dium on Sunday. against Al Shorta but Al Du- 2021 AFC Champions League “This match is very impor- hail have a very potent look- at the King Abdullah Sports tant and we should avoid an- ing squad and Lamouchi will City at 8.45pm on Sunday. other defeat,” said Reghecampf. be confident of another three Saudi Arabia’s Al Ahli are “We know that we will be play- points against Al Ahli. already in a difficult position ing a team that plays good foot- “Tomorrow’s match will following their 5-2 defeat to ball. We have tried our best to be different for us,” said Lam- Islamic Republic of ’s Es- improve the confidence of the ouchi. “We had a good start to teghlal FC on Matchday One. players after the previous defeat. the competition but we know Al Duhail, meanwhile, “The players are not re- that we will be playing against enjoyed a much better start sponsible for the defeat in the a strong team that wants to as they breezed past Iraq’s Al opening match and as I’m in recover after their opening de- Shorta 2-0. charge of the team, I take the feat which means there are a Head coach Laurentiu responsibility. We are working lot of challenges for us. Reghecampf felt Al Ahli did not as one group to get past the “Al Ahli are a big team and deserve to lose by such an em- challenges that we have.” they have excellent players but phatic margin as the Saudi side Head coach Sabri Lam- we will try our best to improve had their moments against an ouchi was delighted with Al and focus on our own team. impressive Esteghlal. Duhail’s win over Al Shorta, “There are a lot of chal- The Romanian, however, describing it as hugely impor- lenges like the heavy schedule, knows his team have no mar- tant in their bid to earn the the late kick-offs, in addition to gin for error against Al Duhail, automatic to the Round of 16. the special conditions of Ram- especially with only the group Al Duhail came into the adan. We will need to make winners assured of advancing tournament having seen Al Al Duhail players warm up ahead of a traning session at the King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah on Saturday. The Qatar club will play Al Ahli of the right decisions in order to to the Round of 16. Sadd SC run away with the Saudi Arabia in their Group C clash of the AFC Champions League at 8.45pm on Sunday. avoid any difficulties.” Sports Sunday, April 18, 2021 13 Ziyech fires Chelsea past Manchester City to book FA Cup final spot Santi Cazorla (centre) scored the only goal for Al Sadd in the 59th minute against Al Nassr in their AFC Champions League match in Riyadh on Saturday. DPA for the assistant referee belat- London edly called offside. Chelsea’s backline dealt Hakim Ziyech fired Chelsea manfully with the flickers Al Nassr score win to a fourth FA Cup final in five of City life as half-time ap- years on Saturday as Man- proached, with Fernandinho chester City’s quest for an un- heading well off target before over Al Sadd precedented quadruple went referee Mike Dean called time AFC Al Sadd started the second up in smoke. on the opening period. Riyadh half on the front foot with Mo- All eyes were on Wembley Neither manager made hammed Jadoua’s left footed as Pep Guardiola’s runaway changes at the break, but De Saudi Arabia’s Al Nassr were shot from outside the box just leaders faced Bruyne lasted only three min- in fine form as they secured missing the top left corner in Thomas Tuchel’s improving utes of the second half. a 3-1 win over Al Sadd SC the 48th minute. side in a heavyweight semi- The Belgium playmaker of Qatar in Group D of the Nam Tae-hee had a half final clash that could yet be went into an innocuous duel 2021 AFC Champions League chance for Al Sadd five min- repeated in the Champions with N’Golo Kante on the on Saturday. utes later but the Korea Re- League showpiece. touchline and pulled up with Both sides went into the public player’s attempt missed City will be back at Wem- what appeared to be an ankle tie needing the three points the target as the Qatar cham- bley next weekend for the injury, leading to Phil Foden’s after having opened their cam- pions kept pressing. League Cup final but they introduction. paigns with draws, with Al Their perseverance was will be not be returning to the The Premier League lead- Sadd needing a last gasp equal- rewarded in the 59th min- capital on May 15, when Chel- ers’ start to the second half got iser against Islamic Republic ute when Santi Cazorla was sea will go for FA Cup glory worse in the 55th minute. of Iran’s Foolad Khouzestan brought down by Ali Al Has- against either Leicester or Mount played a lovely FC while Al Nassr couldn’t find san five yards outside the box. Southampton who contest the ball behind the City defence a way past the resolute defence The Spaniard lined up for second semi-final on Sunday. to put Werner free down the of Jordan’s Al Wehdat. the free-kick and his sublime Ziyech’s second-half left. Back-up goalkeeper Stef- The win boosts 2020 AFC effort sailed over the Al Nassr strike secured a 1-0 win un- fen was sucked towards the Champions League semi-final- wall, dipped and settled in the der the arch, where Tuchel’s ball and the forward smartly ists Al Nassr’s hopes of advanc- net past the despairing Brad first-ever victory against for- passed across for Ziyech to ing to the Round of 16 while Al Jones in goal. mer Bundesliga foe Guardiola Chelsea’s Moroccan midfielder Hakim Ziyech (L) celebrates with Chelsea’s German striker Timo Werner af- turn into an empty net. Sadd have it all to do if they are Both sides then went in means it is shaping up to be a ter scoring the opening goal of the English FA Cup semi-final against Manchester City at Wembley Stadium Werner scuffed a low shot to salvage their campaign. search of their second goals, memorable end to the season in London on Saturday. Chelsea won 1-0. (AFP) at Steffen on the break and Both teams started the with Sami Al Najei coming for the Blues. Kepa Arrizabalaga comforta- match cagily with play mostly close for Al Nassr in the 65th City could also achieve “The second half was a little fellow summer signing’s cross. Tuchel plumped for just three. bly dealt with a Rodri attempt concentrated in midfield with minute while Boualem Khouk- something special but their bit difficult, but in the end we Star turn Kevin De Bruyne Chelsea unsurprisingly from the edge of the box, with just the occasional foray up- hi - who scored Al Sadd’s dreams of winning the quad- scored the one goal we needed limped off injured minutes looked a far more fluid unit ineffective Raheem Sterling front by either side. equaliser against Foolad - saw ruple are over after a match and in the end it was enough.” earlier and City failed to and Ziyech, one of the few scooping the ball over as the Both had to be content his header saved by Jones two when their much-changed Ziyech saw an early goal launch an effective response changes, found the back of the clock wound down. with half chances but Baghdad minutes later. side were fortunate to go into ruled out after Timo Werner as Chelsea secured a deserved net inside six minutes. Christian Pulisic followed Bounedjah came close in the Al Nassr, however, upped half-time level. strayed offside in the build-up, semi-final victory. Ben Chilwell clipped a a lovely run with a fine finish 34th minute when he received their tempo and Hamdallah “Everybody is happy, we but the pair would link up to Guardiola may well rue ball down the left to Werner, in stoppage time, only for the a cross from Pedro Miguel but should have done better with did a good job, especially in the find the net as the Morocco in- making eight alterations at whose low cross found the for- offside flag to deny theC helsea the Moroccan’s right-footed his header in the 77th minute first half,” Ziyech told BBC One. ternational directed home his an empty Wembley, where mer Ajax man to score before substitute making it 2-0. shot from the centre of the box but the Saudi Arabian side missed the top right corner. were not to be denied two Al Nassr’s response was minutes later with Abdulma- almost immediate as a speedy jeed Al Sulayhim finishing a exchange of passes saw Nor- fine team by slotting the ball din Amrabat releasing the ball past Meshaal Barsham. Pochettino insists PSG focus to Sami Al Najei on the right. There was to be a third as Najei’s cross hit Al Sadd Khalid Al Ghannam finished captain Abdelkarim Hassan a counter-attack in the fourth on the left hand, prompt- minute of added time to ing the referee to point to the complete an emphatic win for must remain on Ligue 1 for now penalty spot, with 2020 AFC Al Nassr. Champions League topscorer Al Nassr next face Foolad DPA do not mind which team we Abderazzak Hamdallah rifling in a top-of-the-table clash Berlin face because we know we have the ball home in the 37th min- on Tuesday while Al Sadd to beat everyone if we want to ute to give Al Nassr the lead will look to get back on track Mauricio Pochettino be- be champions.” going into the break. against Al Wehdat. lieves winning the Champions Pochettino has already lost League is in the heads of every- as many games at home in body at Paris Saint-Germain, seven matches in Ligue 1 with but insists that will not shift PSG (three) as his predecessor their focus away from Ligue 1. Thomas Tuchel in 42 games, On Tuesday, PSG pro- and more than Unai Emery gressed to the semi-finals of (one loss in 38 games), Lau- the Champions League with rent Blanc (2/57) and Carlo an away goals win over Bayern Ancelotti (2/28). Munich - who defeated them However, he pointed to in the final last season. Lille’s failure to beat Montpel- Manchester City are next lier on Friday as an example of up for the French champions, how competitive Ligue 1 is this but first, they must attempt to season. close the gap in the Ligue 1 ti- “We are seeing how diffi- tle race. cult it is for every team to pick Pochettino’s team sit four up points and win games, I points behind leaders Lille think Ligue 1 is very competi- Newcastle United’s English midfielder Joe Willock (C) celebrates scoring heading into Sunday’s meet- tive. It clearly shows that it is during the English Premier League match against West Ham United at ing with Saint-Etienne, while not easy for any team to win,” St James’ Park in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, England, on Saturday. (AFP) Monaco and Lyon are also in he said. contention. Paris Saint-Germain’s Argentinian head coach Mauricio Pochettino during the UEFA Champions League “We will have to answer it PSG have have not lost any quarter-final second leg match against FC Bayern Munich in Paris last Tuesday.(AFP) tomorrow by improving our Willock gets late winner of their last 15 Ligue 1 games performance and getting a against St Etienne (W10 D5) Asked if the thought of ago. cult to speak about the Cham- positive result. We have the as Newcastle United dent - only against Angers (21) and ending their wait for a Cham- “I think it is in everyone’s pions League now.” Pochet- chance to reduce the gap to Brest (18) are they on a longer pions League title is at the heads at the clubs, not just be- tino also has no concerns over Lille, but more importantly we unbeaten run in meetings with forefront of his players’ minds, cause we are now in the semi- facing Premier League leaders want to perform well at home West Ham’s top-four hopes current French top-flight sides Pochettino told a news confer- finals. City in the last four, adding: and get back to winning ways - though they have lost their ence: “That question should “We have an important “When a team like PSG wants on home turf, if we want to win DPA sent off for a second bookable last three matches at home. have been asked a long time game tomorrow so it is diffi- to win every competition, we the league.” London offence. Remarkably, they dragged Joe Willock came off the themselves back into it through bench to dent 10-man West Diop’s header and Jesse Lin- Ham’s Champions League gard’s 80th-minute penalty - Kane spares Spurs but hopes diminish further charge as Newcastle took a his ninth goal in 10 games - be- giant stride towards Premier fore Willock dashed their hopes DPA for the fifth time, a record bet- minute as James parted Toby Everton made Spurs pay League safety on Saturday. in a grandstand finish. London tered by only (sev- Alderweireld and Joe Rodon just past the hour, too. Sea- The Arsenal loanee, who After a positive start by the en) and Sergio Aguero (six), with a disguised pass, only for mus Coleman, introduced for scored a late equaliser against home side, Dawson headed a Harry Kane twice punished though their lead did not last Hugo Lloris to save Richarli- the anonymous Alex Iwobi Tottenham on April 4, went Mark Noble free-kick straight hapless Everton defending long as Gylfi Sigurdsson equal- son’s subsequent strike. less than a minute earlier, one better to condemn the at keeper Martin Dubravka as as Tottenham salvaged a 2-2 ised from the spot for an Ever- Kane was more clinical a played a one-two with Richar- Hammers - who would have the Londoners started to make draw at Goodison Park late ton side being orchestrated by few moments later, however, lison on the right and whipped gone third with victory - to a an impression. on Friday, though it does little the excellent James Rodriguez. lashing past Jordan Pickford in a teasing cross that Sigurds- 3-2 defeat at St James’ Park, Diop made a vital block to good for their dwindling top- Sigurdsson doubled his after Tanguy Ndombele’s cross son met with an emphatic vol- in the process sending Steve deny Allan Saint-Maximin after four hopes. tally in the second half as Ever- had been flicked out of Mason ley to beat Lloris. Bruce’s men nine points clear he had carved a swathe through Jose Mourinho’s side were ton threatened to move above Holgate’s reach by Keane. But in an incident not of the relegation zone with just the visitors’ defence, but as looking to bounce back from Spurs in the table, but another But Everton quickly lev- too dissimilar to the one that six games to play. he half wore on, it was David a deflating 3-1 defeat to Man- defensive mix-up involving elled, Sigurdsson coolly con- Tottenham Hotspur’s English gifted Spurs the lead, Keane On an eventful afternoon Moyes’ men who began to exert chester United, yet they were Keane was punished by Kane verting a penalty after Sergio striker Harry Kane on Friday. (AFP) headed a cross on to Holgate on Tyneside, the visitors a measure of control with Noble underwhelming once again as he spared the visitors from Reguilon was adjudged to and Kane was on hand to trailed 2-0 at the break courte- increasingly prominent. and arguably fortunate to a defeat that would have left have fouled James, who then Son Heung-min should hammer home before hob- sy of Issa Diop’s own goal and However, their hopes leave Merseyside with a point. them six points behind fourth- forced Lloris into a vital stop have done better early in the bling off late on, a concern a howler from keeper Lukasz were torn apart inside five Kane punished a Michael placed West Ham. following a clever interchange second half as he hit a tame ef- for his club and also England Fabianski which handed Jo- catastrophic minutes as they Keane error to reach 20 Pre- The match’s spell of mo- with the Iceland international fort into the side-netting after manager Gareth Southgate, elinton a second, and had also handed the hosts a command- mier League goals in a season notony was broken in the 22nd in the 38th minute. gliding past Keane. who was in attendance. seen defender Craig Dawson ing lead. 14 Sunday, April 18, 2021 Sports ASIAN WEIGHTLIFTING CHAMPIONSHIPS ‘Amazing feeling’ for Rublev as he India’s Chanu creates sets up Tsitsipas new world record final in Monaco ANI DPA in straight sets on his way to Tashkent (Uzbekistan) Berlin winning an ATP 500 title in Rotterdam last month. Indian weightlifter Mirabai Andrey Rublev reflected Six of his eight ATP titles Chanu on Saturday set a new on an “amazing feeling” as he have come since the start of world record in Clean and Jerk booked a Monte Carlo Masters last year. as she lifted 119 kg at Asian final appearance against Stefa- It took Tsitsipas, who has Weightlifting Championships nos Tsitsipas. not won a tournament for 14 here in Tashkent to rub out the The Russian has had a months, only one hour and old mark of 118 kg. remarkable week at the Mas- nine minutes to see off the chal- Mirabai’s also created a ters 1000 event that included lenge of Evans, forcing 11 break new national record as she a stunning win over 11-time points to the Briton’s one. lifted a total of 205 kg (86 champion Rafael Nadal in the “I am indeed pleased with kg snatch + 119 kg Clean and quarter-finals. the performance,” Tsitsipas Jerk) which also won her the Rublev continued his fine said, with the Greek yet to bronze medal at the showpiece run with a 6-3, 7-5 win over drop a set in Monte Carlo. event. Indian weightlifter Sa- Casper Ruud on Saturday to “I found ways to play at my thish Kumar Sivalingam con- ensure he will do battle against best. It was really difficult to gratulated Mirabai for attain- Tsitsipas in his first final at maintain my level of consist- ing the new world record. this level. ency and I am really happy I “Congrats @mirabai_ Tsitsipas comfortably saw managed to deal with all the chanu for your new world off Dan Evans - who had beat- different moments during the record in Clean and Jerk 119 en world number one Novak match. kg first indian women weight- Djokovic earlier in the tourna- “I’m feeling good. I’m lifter create history,” Sathish ment - winning his semi-final feeling energised. I still have tweeted. 6-2, 6-1. plenty of gas and energy left Last month, fencer Bhava- Rublev had 21 winners in his in me. I was able to have all of ni Devi scripted history by be- 80-minute victory over Ruud my matches done in two sets, coming the first fencer from and has a record of 24-4 this so that is a big plus. India to qualify for the Tokyo season, the ATP Tour’s best. “I am happy to be able Olympics. “It is an amazing feeling - it to play that way, just take it Soon after her qualification is my first (Masters) final, so I match by match, approach for the Tokyo Olympics, Union am really happy,” said Rublev. each individual match with the Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju “We will see what is going to same intensity and energy - took to Twitter and congratu- happen [in the final].I will try I’m really focused for Sunday.” lated Devi on her achievement. to do my best. Rublev has won three of his six The 27-year-old has quali- “Casper is a really amaz- career meetings with Tsitsipas fied for theO lympics through ing player, especially on clay. and one of their two battles on the Adjusted OfficialR anking Since the beginning he put a clay. (AOR) method. really high intensity [on the Tsitsipas will be competing Tokyo Olympics are set to court] and was really tough. in his third Masters final, hav- take place from July 23 to Au- “I knew that I needed to ing lost to Nadal and Djokovic gust 8 this year. Whereas, the raise my level if I wanted to in his two previous appearanc- Paralympics will take place fight against him, because if es, the last of which came two from August 24 to September 5. India’s Mirabai Chanu exults after lifting 119 kg in Clean and Jerk with a best snatch of 86kg at the Asian Weightlifting Championships in I (did) not raise the level I years ago in Madrid. The Games were sched- Tashkent on Saturday. (Pic: Twitter) [would] lose for sure.” Overall, Tsitsipas has won uled to be held last year, but Rublev defeated Tsitsipas just five of his 13 ATP finals. it was postponed due to the lations to #TOPSAthlete Ravi The Olympic-bound wres- (TOPS) core group. lik have been included in the COVID-19 pandemic. Dahiya who retains his title in tler had previously clinched This is as per the policy de- TOPS core group after at- Earlier, India’s Ravi Ku- Men’s 57 kg at the Asian Wres- three silver and four bronze cision taken at the 56th meet- taining their Tokyo Olympic mar Dahiya on Saturday won tling Championships after medals and this is Vinesh’s ing of the Mission Olympic quotas at the Asian Wrestling a gold medal in the ongoing beating Iran’s Alireza Sarlak third gold in three tournaments Cell held on April 7, where it Olympic qualifier. Asian Wrestling Champion- 9-4,” tweeted SAI Media. since her return in March. was decided that all Olympic- Both the athletes were ships in Almaty. On Friday, Vinesh Phogat Meanwhile, six athletes qualified athletes will be sup- previously a part of the Dahiya retained his title in won her maiden gold at Asian which include two wres- ported through TOPS. TOPS development group. the 57kg weight category af- Wrestling Championships af- tlers and four sailors have Women’s 57 kg wrestler They are among six wres- ter he defeated Iran’s Alireza ter beating her rival Taipei’s been included in the Target Anshu Malik and women’s tlers to win quotas for the Sarlak 9-4. “Many congratu- Meng Hsuan Hsieh in the final. Olympic Podium Scheme 62kg wrestler Sonam Ma- Tokyo Olympics. Persepolis stay perfect with win over Al Rayyan

AFC ful header over the bar while Russia’s Andrey Rublev celebrates during his semi-final against Goa at the other end, Yacine Bra- Norway’s Casper Ruud at the Monte-Carlo ATP Masters Series in himi’s drive from inside the Monaco on Saturday. (AFP) Persepolis FC flexed their area was saved by Persepolis credentials as favourites as they custodian . came from behind to defeat Al Persepolis started the World snooker championship to Rayyan SC 3-1 in Group E of the second half with heightened 2021 AFC Champions League intensity and their determina- see fans return in pilot event at the Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru tion paid off two minutes into Stadium on Saturday. the restart when Kamal Kamy- DPA World Snooker Tour chair- The Islamic Republic of abinia headed home the equal- London man Barry Hearn admitted Iran side turned on the power iser off Torabi’s corner. the pressure was on, he told in the second half as they add- Al Rayyan found them- Spectators will return to BBC Sport: “It’s important we ed to the 1-0 opening day win selves 2-1 down two min- sport on Saturday when the are successful. against UAE’s Al Wahda FSCC utes later as Siamak Nemati World Snooker Championship “We are sending out a while Al Rayyan were left in weaved his way down the right gets under way with the Cru- message to all other indoor search of their first victory, flank before finding Moghan- cible to open its doors to fans sports, cinemas, theatres. The having been held 0-0 by FC lou, who volleyed past Younis. once again. data that comes from this is Goa on Matchday One. Moghanlou scored his The venue in Sheffield going to be vital to getting to Persepolis raced off the Action from the Persepolis-Al Rayyan AFC Champions League match played at Goa on Saturday. second in the 57th minute, could be up to 33 per cent full the land of milk and honey of blocks and wasted no time in finding space inside the six on the first day of the tourna- normality.” asserting themselves, coming forward was flagged offside. in the 19th minute when Naif first saving Mahdi Torabi’s yard box to collect Omid ment and the hope is that a Hot Water Comedy Club in close to opening the scoring The Iran Pro League Al Hadhrami rose highest to effort from inside the area on Alishah’s pass before slam- capacity crowd of 980 people Liverpool was meant to host after just three minutes when champions continued to press head home Abdelaziz Hatim’s 24 minutes and then denying ming the ball into an un- will attend next month’s final the first pilot event with spec- raced down the with their free flowing passing free-kick into the bottom right Moghanlou’s drive in the 39th guarded goalmouth. on May 3. tators on Friday, but pulled left flank and relayed the ball but Al Rayyan were up to task of the net. minute. With the job done, Perse- A lot depends on the re- out and Saturday’s opening to Shahriyar Moghanlou, who with their sound defending. An undaunted Persepolis The Al Rayyan shotstop- polis will now turn their focus sults of the Government’s pilot session at the Crucible now found himself in a one on one A lapse in concentration, pushed for the equaliser but per showed his class just be- to FC Goa on Tuesday while Al events, which are being used has the job of taking sport’s situation with Al Rayyan goal- however, saw Persepolis con- Al Rayyan goalkeeper Younis fore half-time when he tipped Rayyan will seek their first win to help England and sport out first step towards normality keeper Fahad Younis, but the cede against the run of play was at the top of his game, Seyed ’s power- against Al Wahda. of lockdown. again in Britain. Embiid’s 76ers halt Clippers; Mitchell hurt as NBA-leading Jazz win

oel Embiid dominated as But the 76ers (39-17) points and nine rebounds for All-Star team-mates Rudy Murray starred with 13 points, Jthe Eastern Conference- scored seven straight points the Clippers (39-19), who also Gobert (13 points and 23 re- 11 rebounds and 10 assists for leading Philadelphia 76ers to move clear 99-94 and they had a season-high 18 points bounds) and Mike Conley (10 his third triple-double of the held off the Los Angeles Clip- never relinquished the lead, from Patrick Patterson. points and 10 assists) both had season. The last Spurs player pers 106-103 in a blockbuster despite the Clippers’ efforts. George joined Bob McA- double-doubles, while Bojan with that many triple-doubles NBA showdown. MVP hopeful Embiid - doo, World B. Free and Leon- Bogdanovic put up 24 points. in a season was David Robin- Embiid posted 36 points averaging 34.5 points and ard as the only players in Clip- Julius Randle’s 44 points son in 1993-94. and 14 rebounds as the 76ers 11.0 rebounds over his last pers history to have five straight and 10 rebounds led the New MVP frontrunner Nikola extended their winning streak four games - became the first games with 30-plus points. York Knicks past former team Jokic finished with 29 points to four games, while snapping 76ers player with at least 36 The NBA-leading Utah the Dallas Mavericks 117-109. and 16 rebounds as the Den- the Clippers’ seven-game run points and seven rebounds in Jazz (42-14) rallied to beat the Randle became the first Knicks ver Nuggets crushed the lowly on Friday. three consecutive games since Indiana Pacers 119-111 after player since Bernard King in Houston Rockets 128-99. After being outscored 20-3 Charles Barkley in 1990, while All-Star Donovan Mitchell ex- 1985 to record 40-plus points, Russell Westbrook inspired early in the opening quarter, he is the first Philadelphia ited due to an ankle injury. 10-plus rebounds and five-plus the Washington Wizards’ 117- the Kawhi Leonard-less Clip- player with at least 35 points Mitchell suffered a sprained assists in a regular-season game. 115 overtime victory against pers rallied to take the lead in three straight games since ankle in the second half, having Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers controls the ball against The San Antonio Spurs the New Orleans Pelicans after during the closing stages of the Allen Iverson in 2006. scored 22 points before leaving Alize Johnson of the Brooklyn Nets in the fourth quarter at the Wells lost 107-106 to the Portland scoring 10 of their 12 points in final period in Philadelphia. Paul George put up 37 in the third quarter. Fargo Center on in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on Thursday. (AFP) Trail Blazers but Dejounte the additional period. (DPA) Sports Sunday, April 18, 2021 15

The Qatar Prix Djebella II saw a runaway victory for the representative of Mohamed Fahad AH Al Attiyah – Sahab at Bordeaux-le-Bouscat in in the green and white silks of Waleed Ben Zaied – Zafraan Qardabiyah on way to wining the Qatar Prix France on Saturday. (Pic: Robert Polin) Denouste. (Pic: Robert Polin) Mohamed Al Attiyah’s Sahab dazzles in Qatar Prix Djebellaa II; Zafraan Qardabiyah wins Qatar Prix Denouste in France

Tribune News Network Smartly away, she went AL Ameena), who just denied Wakrah have both worked Balladore, who produced the the bend, and Zafraan Qarda- straight in the closing stages. Doha straight to the lead and set a NELKIANE (Munjiz x Nelkia), well with her. They have a top-class Amyr du Soleil. biyah came to challenge at the Despite this, he nonethe- decent pace. the favourite of the race, by a more impressive physique An hour earlier, in the beginning of the home straight. less gained on Zafraan Qarda- The race meeting at Bor- Steadying in the bend, Is- short head. than the winner. To win by green and white silks of Shying from the whip, he biyah to finish strongly, com- deaux-le-Bouscat in France on mee De Bozouls (Muguet De “She gave me a great feel- seven lengths like that, she Waleed Ben Zaied – Zafraan drifted slightly towards the ing 2nd by ½ length. Also Saturday featured two QREC- Pascade x Jokmee De Bozouls) ing”, enthused jockey Jerome must be good. She is still very Qardabiyah (Majd Al Arab x center, before finding his bal- making his track debut today, sponsored exciting Purebred moved up to join her. Once in Cabre after the race. “She was immature physically, so now Intisar Quardabiyah) won the ance and accelerating to take HH Sheikh Abdullah’s home- Arabian 3-year-old maidens, the straight, jockey Jerome Ca- very professional from the off, that she has won we will give Qatar Prix Denouste for the the lead just after the 200-me- bred Muntazah (Al Mamun the Qatar Prix Denouste for bre had just to open his hands and so I took the advantage. her some time to mature. We young trainer Jean de Mieulle, ter marker. Monlau x Nashmiya II) came colts and geldings, and the Qa- and she sped away, leaving her She had a look around but won’t rush here – you need to who took his public training li- Favorite of the race after in third 2 lengths further back, tar Prix Djebella II for fillies. rivals standing. breathed well. When I asked be at you best for the end of cense out just last year. his second place on debut for trainer Didier Guillemin Both run over 1,400m, She flew down to the rail to her to accelerate, she really the year.” Zafraan Qardabiyah was a over this course and distance and under an educational ride these maidens have often the line, professional and un- showed something special. We Sahab comes from one of little keen in the early stages two weeks previously, Zain from Olivier Peslier. played host to the debuts of touchable. A demonstration will see if she can confirm on the oldest and most success- of this 1,400m race and moved El Hala (Assy x Chamade De Former assistant to Alban future Stakes’ performers. for her first appearance on the this run in the future, but to ful French Purebred Arabian up to sit behind the leaders Ghazal) – in the colours of de Mieulle in Qatar, Jean de The Qatar Prix Djebella II track! show that kind of speed is very pedigrees from the Haras in fourth position on the out- HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Mieulle is now in his second saw a runaway victory for the Thomas Fourcy is also re- promising,” he said. de Pompadour; her dam side of GC Runner under ap- Khalifa Al Thani – had sweat season as a licensed trainer representative of Mohamed sponsible for Al Wakrah (TM “She works well in the Manella is none other than a prentice jockey Gary Sanchez, up in the stalls. in France and commented on Fahad AH Al Attiyah – Sa- Fred Texas x Majida), who mornings and does everything sister to the Group 1 produc- claiming 2½ kg. Coming with a strong chal- his winner: “Zafraan Qarda- hab (Af Albahar x Manella). led the rest of the field home that we ask of her”, added ers Dormadora, dam of Da- Josko (Josco Du Cayrou x lenge at the beginning of the biyah came here in good con- Trained by Thomas Fourcy, for her owner and breeder Al trainer Thomas Fourcy. hor de Brugeres, Dormah De Essaana) led at a regular pace, home straight, his inexperi- dition. I knew that he has a this filly was one of his four Shaqab Racing. “However, she’s been very Brugere, the dam of Mahess with Syam YAM Munjiz x Syri- ence showed, and he lost es- bit of speed – he’s run very runners, and was not the most In third by 2 lengths was impressive today to acceler- du Soleil - Purebred Arabian anah) in second. sential ground as his jockey well. I’m very pleased with fancied prior to the race. ZF Almuzon (Dahess x Z F ate like that. Nelkiane and Al Derby (Gr.1 PA) winner - and The leaders picked up in had to battle to keep him his performance today.”

Rohit leapfrogs Dhoni to Chahar, Boult shine as Mumbai record most sixes by Indian ANI right-handed batsman also Chennai smashed two fours before he was dismissed by Vijay Mumbai Indians skipper Shankar in the seventh over. Indians beat SRH by 13 runs Rohit Sharma on Saturday Earlier this week, star evening added another feath- West Indies batsman Chris er to his illustrious cap as he Gayle became the first bats- ANI leapfrogged Chennai Super man to smash 350 sixes in Chennai Kings (CSK) captain Mahen- the cash-rich league. Former dra Singh Dhoni to record South Africa swashbuckling Pacer Trent Boult and spin- the most sixes in the Indian batsman AB de Villiers is at ner Rahul Chahar both picked Abdul Samad of Sunrisers Hyderabad is run Premier League (IPL) by an the second spot having hit 237 three wickets each as Mum- out during the Vivo Indian Premier League Indian batsmen. sixes in the IPL. bai Indians registered an easy 2021 match against Mumbai Indians at the MA Rohit achieved the feat Dhoni on Friday played win over Sunrisers Hyderabad Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Saturday. in the ongoing match against the 200th game for CSK when (SRH) in the Indian Premier Chasing 151 for a win, Sunrisers Hyderabad Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) at he took to the field against League (IPL) match here at were bowled out for 137. (BCCI/IPL) the MA Chidambaram Stadi- Punjab Kings at the Wankhede the MA Chidambaram Stadi- um when he pulled a short ball Stadium in Mumbai in match um on Saturday. from Bhuvneshwar Kumar for eight of the IPL. Quinton de Kock and Rohit a six over deep mid-wicket. Dhoni, who has played 206 Sharma played knocks of 40 and Rohit has now smashed 217 matches in the IPL, has fea- 32, but SRH managed to main- sixes in the IPL while former tured for CSK in the tourna- tain a stranglehold as Mumbai Indian skipper MS Dhoni has ment and Champions League Indians were restricted to 150/5. 216 maximums under his belt. T20. He has made 176 ap- In response, SRH was bun- Rohit first whacked a six pearances for CSK in the IPL dled out for 137 despite a flying in the third over and pulled besides making 24 outings start given by Jonny Bairstow. a short one in the next over for the side in the Champions SRH needed 47 runs in to achieve the milestone. The League T20 tournament. the last five overs and Vijay Shankar whacked back to back sixes in Krunal Pandya’s third over to reduce the gap. But SRH was again put on the SRH are not playing smart back foot when they lost two Scores: Mumbai Indians 150/5 wickets in the 18th over and (Quinton de Kock 40, Kieron cricket in middle overs: Warner the team’s hopes were finally Pollard 35*, Vijay Shankar 2-19); down when Jasprit Bumrah SRH 137 (Jonny Bairstow 43, ANI “These scores are very dismissed Shankar with 17 re- David Warner 36; Rahul Chahar Chennai chase-able, it’s just poor bat- quired off seven balls. 3-19). ting. If you get a partnership SRH collapsed from 129/5 Sunrisers Hyderabad skip- and have one guy at the end, to 137 in nine balls as Boult per David Warner feels his side you can chase down 150 eas- and Jasprit Bumrah denied around the park to take SRH nings but a sensational direct hit Boult cleaned up SRH’s tail to he was dismissed by Shankar just needs to play smart cricket ily. You just need smart cricket the batsmen any chance of over the 50-run mark before from Hardik Pandya ended his hand Mumbai Indians their in the ninth over, reducing in the middle overs to get over in the middle, we aren’t doing slogging in the death overs. completion of the fifth over. stint with SRH reeling at 90/3. second win of the season Mumbai to 71/2. the line in the ongoing Indian that,” he added. Chasing 151, SRH had a de- However, the England The wicket of Warner trig- Opting to bat first, Mum- Ishan Kishan (12) failed to Premier League (IPL) 2021. SRH bowled well in tandem cent start but opening batsman opener brought his own in- gered a middle-order collapse bai Indians got off to a brilliant get going with the bat and at Pacer Trent Boult and before Pollard took Mumbai Jonny Bairstow took the charge nings to an end as he disturbed as SRH lost two quick wick- start as openers Rohit Sharma no point, he looked comfort- spinner Rahul Chahar both Indians to a defendable total. and smashed 18 runs in the the stumps while attempting to ets. Rahul Chahar, who had and Quinton de Kock put on 53 able in his 21-ball knock. picked three wickets each as “I think our bowlers adapted third over. The English batsman hit the ball towards the fine leg. dismissed Manish, sent both runs inside the first six overs. In the final two overs, Mumbai Indians registered an well to this wicket, it’s slower didn’t stop and continued his Manish Pandey failed Virat Singh and Abhishek SRH got the much-need- Hardik Pandya (7), Pollard, and easy win over SRH on Satur- than the ones we played on ear- onslaught as he whacked two to leave a mark as he hard- Sharma back in the hut to pile ed breakthrough in the sev- Krunal Pandya tried their best day. SRH has now lost all their lier. We’ve got to learn from the consecutive six in the fourth. ly timed the slog down the further misery on SRH. enth over as Vijay dismissed to register big strikes, but SRH three games in the ongoing mistakes and right now it’s just While David Warner played ground and Kieron Pollard Shankar tried his best to Rohit (32). Suryakumar Ya- managed to keep them in check. IPL 2021. the batsmen. We’ve got to take a sluggish knock, Bairstow was made no mistake. take SRH over the line but was dav (10) played two stunning In the final over, Pollard hit two Mumbai Indians had responsibility,” said Warner. in top form as he hammered Warner changed gears in dismissed in the penultimate shots but that was what he sixes and as a result, he regis- scored 150/5, thanks to Ki- SRH’s middle order is bad- Mumbai Indians bowlers all the second half of the SRH’s in- over by Bumrah. In the end, managed to do in totality as tered his 200th sixth in the IPL. eron Pollard’s two sixes on ly missing Kane Williamson the last two balls. In response, and Warner said if the New SRH was bundled out for 137 Zealand skipper recovers he despite a flying start given by might get an opportunity. Chennai Super Kings paceman Lungi Ngidi completes quarantine, begins training Jonny Bairstow. “Got to move forward, put “I don’t know how to take some smiles on our faces. Have Mumbai: Chennai Super Kings year’s IPL, has joined the CSK edition of the cash-rich league. Kings was Dhoni’s 200th match Champions League T20 tourna- that. Two of us got set, my run been speaking to the phsyio (CSK) fast bowler Lungi Ngidi teammates. “And I’m out,” Ngidi Meanwhile, CSK opened its ac- for CSK. Dhoni, who has played ment. “He has been absolutely out, Jonny stepping on his and Williamson is coming finished his mandatory seven- wrote in his Instagram story in count in the ongoing tournament 206 matches in the IPL, has fea- the heartbeat of CSK, there’s wickets, and false shots in the along nicely and I’m sure if he’s day quarantine and has begun which he was seen sweating it on Friday, courtesy of right-arm tured for CSK in the tournament no doubt about it. Whether it’s middle proved that if you don’t ready to go he might get an op- training for the ongoing Indian out in the gym. Last week, CSK pacer Deepak Chahar’s four- and Champions League T20. He performances, guidance or lead- have two guys at the end, you portunity,” Warner signed off. Premier League (IPL) 2021. signed Australia pacer Jason wicket haul, Faf du Plessis’ calm has made 176 appearances for ership... you run out of things don’t win,” Warner told host SRH will next lock Ngidi, who had picked nine Behrendorff as a replacement knock, and Moeen Ali’s cameo. CSK in the IPL besides making to say about him,” head coach broadcaster Star Sports after horns with Punjab Kings on wickets in four games in last for Josh Hazlewood for the 14th Also, the game against Punjab 24 outings for the side in the Stephen Fleming said. (ANI) the match. Wednesday.