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Monday, March 8, 2021 TENNIS Rajab 24, 1442 AH Green lights all GULF TIMES around as Federer returns in Doha SPORT Page 7

FOOTBALL Xavi’s Al Sadd crowned QNB Stars League champs Al Sadd beat Umm Salal 3-0 to seal their 15th league success after amassing 50 points from 18 matches

Al Sadd players and off icials celebrate with the QNB Stars League winners’ trophy after winning the match against Umm Salal 3-0 yesterday. (Below) Al Sadd coach Xavi Hernandez.

By Sports Reporter health protocol implemented in Umm Salal defence as Al Sadd The stoppages slowed down goal, but determined that there Doha the wake of coronavirus (Cov- looked to double their lead before the pace of the match, but Al was no foul by Soria after the VAR id-19) pandemic. half-time. Sadd were still trying to fi nd an- consultation. Baghdad Bounedjah (34th The second half started in a other goal. They got it in stop- Qatar SC regrouped after l Sadd deservedly minute), Yousef Abdulrazaq similar fashion with Al Sadd page time after Tabata fi red a su- conceding the lead reducing Al emerged as the 2020- (51st minute) and Rodrigo Tabata making inroads. Three minutes perb left-footed drive from edge Arabi’s ball domination, but The 21 QNB Stars League (90+2 minute) scored the goals. into the second half, Bounedjah of the box as Al Sadd celebrated Dream Team were still ahead in champions after they Umm Salal remained on 15 fi red a rocket that struck the left the title-winning victory. terms of possession on the half- Abeat Umm Salal 3-0 yesterday, a points after their ninth defeat. goal-post. Earlier Al Arabi beat Qatar SC hour mark. result that meant they could not In-form Bounedjah made Yousef Abdulrazaq gave Al 1-0, with Sebastian Soria’s goal In the 42nd minute, Al Arabi’s be overtaken irrespective of the the fi rst attempt in the fourth Sadd their second goal three in the eighth minute proved deci- Aron Gunnarsson received a yel- results of their remaining four minute, but his angular strike minutes later, pushing the ball sive in the action-packed match. low card for a foul on goalkeeper matches. from on edge of the box was far over the head of diving Malick Al Arabi moved to 26 points al-Hail as he tried to score fol- Coached by Xavi Hernandez, from Umm Salal goalkeeper Baba from a close range after an assist with seven wins, fi ve draws and lowing a corner. The goalkeeper the Wolves exhibited an out- Malick. from captain al-Haydos. six defeats, while Qatar SC stayed received treatment for the injury. standing level right throughout Captain Hasan al-Haydos fi red Umm Salal tested Al Sadd’s on 28 points after their sixth de- Al Arabi tried to tone down the the season in terms of results and a shot on target from a distance defence on the hour mark with feat. pace of the match in the second statistics that confi rmed their and Umm Salal were lucky to a move, but they failed to pose Al Arabi looked a better side half as Qatar SC returned with an excellence and superiority. evade the threat after Malick got threat on Meshaal Barsham’s from the start keeping most of aggressive approach. Their 15th league success is control of the ball despite fum- goal. the ball possession and their Qatar SC’s Hamed Ismail won all the more creditable because bling. In the 65th minute, Bounedjah strategy to put pressure on the a free-kick 10 yards outside the they are yet to lose a match in the As the clock reached the quar- got a golden opportunity to score opposition gave them the desired box in the 51st minute, but al- tournament so far, with nearest ter of an hour, Al Sadd were his second goal but his hit from a result early. Hail thwarted it. rivals Al Duhail 13 points behind completely in their traditional he tried to block Nam Tae-Hee’s sure at half-hour mark. close range fl ew over the cross- A brilliant cross from Fahad A few moments later, al-Hail with four matches to go. attacking style, putting con- chip near the box with referee Bounedjah, left unmarked, fi - bar. In 72nd minute, Xavi sent Shenain from the left landed punched away the ball from a Al Sadd now have 50 points stant pressure on the opposition, Abdulhadi al-Ruaile handing Al nally broke the deadlock in an- fresh legs in veteran Tabata while in the danger area and while free-kick by Bashar Resan from from 18 matches and can hope hardly giving the ball away. Sadd a free-kick, but al-Hay- other attack from the right with calling back Afi f. goalkeeper Jassim al-Hail failed the left. Qatar SC created more to end the tournament unbeaten They continued to attack dous’ strike from the centre went a perfect fi rst-time fl ick from a Cazorla was carted off for a to grab the ball, it took Soria’s chances, but execution was before the Champions League mostly from the right wing, with wide. close range after receiving a shot treatment after he collided with touch and entered the net de- missing as they continued to trail and other engagements begin. feared striker Akram Afi f and Malick made a superb jumping pass from midfi elder Abdurisag. Roozbeh while racing into oppo- spite an acrobatic effort from Al Arabi. The coronation ceremony took Spaniard Santi Cazorla also mak- save off Bounedjah’s header who Malick guarding his left corner sition’s box. Salem al-Hajri re- defender Khaled Ahmed to clear In other matches yesterday, place after the match, strictly ing dangerous moves. received a long ball from Tae-hee had no chance as the ball landed placed the Spaniard with defend- the ball. Al Rayyan defeated Al Ahli 3-1, adhering to the precautionary Roozbeh Mohamed received near the penalty spot as Umm in his right corner. er Musab Kheder replacing Pedro Referee Khamis al-Marri, in while Al Wakrah beat Al Sailiya measures and approved general a yellow card for a handball as Salal continued to defy the pres- The goal brought no respite for Miguel, 11 minutes before time. his fi rst reaction, disallowed the 1-0. Gulf Times 2 Monday, March 8, 2021 SPORT

LA LIGA SERIE A Milan beat Verona to close gap Atletico waste on Inter before Man United trip chance as Real clinch 1-1 draw Benzema’s late equaliser keeps Real in the race for the title

AFP Madrid

tletico Madrid squan- dered the chance to infl ict a heavy blow on Real Madrid’s La Liga AC Milan’s Bosnian midfielder Rade Krunic celebrates after scoring against Hellas Verona at the Atitle hopes yesterday as Karim Marcantonio Bentegodi Stadium in Verona yesterday. Benzema’s late equaliser earned the champions a 1-1 draw and AFP “Today we’ve shown that we Inter before Christmas. kept them in the race at the top. Milan are there, that we are a team and Roma moved up to fourth, Luis Suarez’s fl icked fi nish still believe,” said coach Stefano one point ahead of fi fth-placed early in the fi rst half looked to be Pioli. Atalanta thanks to a Gianluca enough to give Atletico a crucial ade Krunic and Diogo “We are stronger when we’re Mancini goal, ahead of their Eu- win that would have put them Dalot scored in either all together, but we’re also strong ropa League tie against Shakhtar eight points clear of their oppo- half as AC Milan beat with absences. Donetsk in Rome. nents, with a game in hand. RHellas Verona 2-0 to “Ibrahimovic arrived before Mancini jumped highest to But they failed to make their close the gap on Serie A lead- the game, followed the technical turn in a Lorenzo Pellegrini cor- authority count and Benzema ers Inter before next week’s Eu- meeting, and helped to stimulate ner after 24 minutes at the Stadio punished them in the 88th ropa League trip to Manchester us as great champions do. He is a Olimpico, beating second choice minute, his goal earning Real United. pack leader.” goalkeeper Federico Marchetti Madrid a draw that ensures the Krunic curled in a free-kick Rafael Leao started up front in who replaced Mattia Perrin. gap between the two city rivals after 27 minutes with Manches- Ibrahimovic’s absence, and the Roma sit nine points behind stays at fi ve points. ter United loanee Dalot doubling Portuguese forward threatened Inter after the win. It is still a considerable lead Real Madrid’s French forward Karim Benzema celebrates after scoring against Atletico Madrid at the the visitors’ account fi ve minutes after quarter of an hour with a “One more step is missing that Atletico can extend to eight Wanda Metropolitano stadium in Madrid yesterday. after the break to pull Milan three header which went over the bar. to beat the big teams, we need points with 12 matches left if points behind Inter, who host in- The breakthrough came when to improve because something they win their game in hand played a game more. They also a familiar combination down tor. Real Madrid rallied and for a form Atalanta today. Krunic was brought down just more is needed to reach the at home to Athletic Bilbao on face Diego Simeone’s side at the right. Trippier played out while the game opened up. Na- Champions Juventus are four outside the box. The Bosnian Champions League,” said Man- Wednesday night. Camp Nou in May. from deep into the path of the cho went close at the back post points behind Milan in third, midfi elder dusted himself down cini. Yet at full-time, it was Real Kieran Trippier played his fi rst excellent Marcos Llorente, who before Yannick Carrasco twice with a game in hand, after claim- and whipped a free-kick past a Bottom side Crotone ended Madrid’s players who had smiles game since January after serv- nipped the ball away from the got the better of Lucas Vazquez, ing their seventh straight win at stunned Marco Silvestri from a their seven-match losing streak on their faces, while Suarez left ing his 10-week ban for break- diving Nacho Fernandez. the second time pulling back home, 3-1 against Lazio on Sat- tricky angle for his fi rst league with a 4-2 win over coronavirus- the pitch shaking his head, with ing betting rules while Benzema A poked pass behind Rap- for Suarez, whose fi nish was urday. goal in Milan colours. hit relegation rivals Torino. Atletico only too aware this was a proved his worth again, after hael Varane found Suarez and he blocked. Angel Correa scuff ed Despite the absence of key Defender Dalot also got off the The Turin club’s last two huge opportunity missed. being deemed fi t enough to start fl icked a superb fi nish with the when free from six yards out. players including star striker mark in Serie A four minutes af- games, against Sassuolo and Instead, the title race remains following time out with a groin outside of his foot around goal- Atletico appeared to have re- Zlatan Ibrahimovic, winger Ante ter the break, blasting in an Alex- Lazio, were unplayed because of very much in Atletico’s favour strain. Atletico were far superior keeper Thibaut Courtois and into gained their authority but they Rebic and defender Theo Hern- is Saelemaekers cross. a Covid-19 outbreak. but still up for grabs, especially in the fi rst half, stronger, more the far corner. failed to give themselves a cush- andez, Milan kept the pressure Milan took a valuable three Crotone are a point be- for Barcelona, who were perhaps aggressive, better on the ball and Atletico won every challenge ion and tension grew. on their city rivals two weeks af- points before they travel to Man- hind second-last Parma, who the biggest benefi ciaries of this with a clearer plan that restrict- and loose ball but missed a sec- Benzema fi red over and then ter their 3-0 derby defeat. chester for the fi rst leg of their stretched their winless run to result. ed Real Madrid to one long-shot ond goal. Madrid wanted a pen- Jan Oblak pulled off an incred- Ibrahimovic, who has scored Europa League last 16 tie with 17 games after defender Simone Barca, whose members were from Casemiro and a glancing alty at the end of the half after ible double save, denying the 14 goals in as many league games United before hosting Napoli in Iacopini turned into his own net voting in the club’s new presi- Benzema header. the ball struck Felipe on the hand Frenchman from point blank for the club, joined the team the league next weekend. just before the fi nal whistle to dent yesterday, now sit only two By then, Real were behind, but the referee was unconvinced, before getting up to block the re- at Verona despite a leg muscle Verona, in eighth, fell to their hand 14th-placed Fiorentina a points behind Atletico, having the opening goal coming from even after consulting the moni- bound. problem. fi rst home defeat since losing to 3-3 draw.

Koeman looking at ability, not age, as SPOTLIGHT Barca youngsters shine

Pamplona, Spain: Coach Sergino Dest, big-money re- Qatar Airways and Qatar Duty Free congratulate Ronald Koeman hailed Barcelo- cruits from Ajax Amsterdam, as na’s next generation of exciting well as homegrown players such talents after 18-year-old Ilaix as Oscar Mingueza, Ilaix, Riqui Qatar Total Open tennis champion Kvitova Moriba became the latest teen- Puig and forward Ansu Fati. “In ager to make his mark by scor- the Netherlands, it’s much easi- Qatar Airways and Qatar Duty Free people of all ages and backgrounds ing his fi rst goal for the club in er to fi eld young players because (QDF), the Off icial Airline and Retail together through sport.” a 2-0 win at Osasuna on Satur- the championship doesn’t have Sponsor of the Qatar Total Open 2021, Qatar Duty Free Vice President Opera- day. Barca fi elded seven players as much quality as the Spanish congratulate Petra Kvitova on being tions, Thabet Musleh, said: “Qatar Duty aged 23 or under but substitute league but there’s also a lot of crowned the winner of the Women’s Free extends heartfelt congratulations Ilaix made the biggest impact, talent in Barcelona’s academy,” Tennis Association (WTA) event in Doha to Petra Kvitova on her well-deserved smashing into the net from he said. after her 6-2, 6-1, victory in Saturday’s win at the Qatar Total Open 2021. We outside the box to clinch vic- “These players deserve the final. thank all the players for an exciting tory after Jordi Alba had broken opportunities they are getting. This is Petra Kvitova’s second win of tournament. Thank you also to the WTA the deadlock. As a player under If we keep playing like this we the prestigious annual tournament 500 and the Qatar Tennis Federation great Dutch coach Johan Cruyff , can win things, and if we can do which was held at the state-of-the-art for bringing this global sporting event Koeman was part of a Barca side this while playing with young- Khalifa International Tennis and Squash to Doha each year for spectators to fuelled by youngsters includ- sters, even better. Complex in Doha, from 1-6 March 2021, enjoy both here in Qatar and across the ing Pep Guardiola and he is now “Players like Pedri, Ilaix, Riq- and featured the presence of renowned world.” overseeing a team crammed ui, Mingueza and Ronald Araujo international female tennis players. With its recent announcement as the with youthful talent. have proven they have a great Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, Off icial Airline for the UEFA EURO 2020, “The most important thing future. And as a coach I’ve al- HE Akbar al-Baker, said: I would like to Qatar Airways continues to strengthen for me is that the players are ways given youngsters a chance extend my congratulations to Petra its presence in the world of sport; with competitive. For me age doesn’t as they’re the future of a club.” Kvitova in securing this year’s Qatar the likes of FIFA, CONMEBOL, Paris count, what counts is what I Koeman singled out midfi elder Total Open 2021 title. Over the years, We look forward to taking part in future Airways is delighted to congratulate Saint-Germain, AS Roma, Boca Juniors, see on the pitch,” Koeman told Ilaix for praise after his third Qatar Airways has been a proud spon- tennis championships for years to Petra Kvitova after her victorious FC Bayern München, K.A.S. Eupen reporters after Barca moved to league game. sor of this prestigious tournament, and come.” performance in this year’s annual Qatar and Al Sadd SC in the carrier’s global within two points of La Liga “He scored a great goal. Every once again the State of Qatar continues Qatar Airways Senior Vice President Total Open. With every passing season, football sponsorship portfolio, further leaders Atletico Madrid. time he comes into the team to demonstrate its dedication towards Marketing and Corporate Communica- we are privileged to witness world-class representing its alignment with the Koeman praised the impact he gives us something extra. hosting world-class sporting events. tions, Ms Salam Al Shawa, said: “Qatar athletes as they entertain us, and bring national vision of Qatar. of fellow Dutchman Frenkie He’s great with the ball and is a de Jong and US international strong young lad too.”

BEACH VOLLEYBALL World Tour is back as bid for Tokyo spots reopens Agencies ninth overall and fi rst ever dou- In each gender a 32-team main Morais Filho are the number Doha ble-gender tournament. In addi- draw will feature a modifi ed pool three team in the FIVB World tion, in October 2019, the Qatari play system with the top three Ranking and the number three capital welcomed an FIVB-sanc- teams in each four-team pool team on the list for Doha. The re- he FIVB Beach Volleyball tioned beach volleyball 4x4 event advancing to the single elimina- maining 21 pairs directly seeded World Tour is back with in both genders as part of the tion phase. The pool winners will into the men’s main draw include the fi rst 4-star stop in 12 ANOC World Beach Games. advance directly to the eighth fi - three teams from Qatar, two months. The best play- The US$ 300,000 prize money nals, while the pool runners-up each from Austria, Latvia, the Ters in the world have gathered competition is set to start today and the third-placed pairs will Netherlands and USA, and one in Doha to resume their race to and last through March 12 at the play in the round of 24. With 24 each from Brazil, Canada, Chile, qualify for Tokyo 2020. Coinci- Al Gharafa Sports Complex. 101 duos seeded directly into the Czech Republic, Italy, Norway, dentally, the Katara Beach Vol- teams (56 men’s and 45 women’s main draw, the remaining eight Poland, Russia, Spain and Swit- leyball Cup in the Qatari capital duos) from 30 diff erent coun- spots will be contested in qualifi - zerland. was the last big Tour stop before tries, representing all fi ve con- cations to be played today. The top three in the FIVB the 357-day “freeze” and is all tinental confederations, have Russia’s Viacheslav Krasiln- World Ranking also lead the set to be the fi rst to re-open pro- signed up for the Katara Beach ikov and Oleg Stoyanovskiy lead women’s preliminary seeding ceedings. Volleyball Cup, with both the the preliminary seeding for the for of the Katara Beach Volleyball Having hosted eight men-only men’s and the women’s reign- men’s tournament. Reigning Ol- Cup. World No 1 team Rio Ol- Tour stops since 2014, including ing world champions leading ympic champion and two-time ympian Sarah Pavan and Melissa the 1-star event that took place the preliminary seeding on entry Olympic medallist Alison Cerutti Humana-Paredes are chasing last month, Doha is ready for its points. and his current partner Alvaro their 11th World Tour podium. Qatar’s Cherif Younousse and Ahmed Tijan during a training session yesterday. Gulf Times Monday, March 8, 2021 3 FOOTBALL

PREMIER LEAGUE United halt City’s winning run, Liverpool crisis mounts Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s team, unbeaten in their last 22 away league games, moved above Leicester into second

AFP London

anchester United shattered Manches- ter City’s record win- ning streak with an Mimpressive 2-0 victory against the Premier League leaders, while Liverpool hit a new low as relegation-threatened Fulham won at Anfi eld yesterday. Pep Guardiola’s side were on an English top-fl ight record run of 21 successive wins in all com- petitions heading into the Man- chester derby. But United ruined City’s 28- game unbeaten run in all compe- titions thanks to an early penalty from Bruno Fernandes and Luke Shaw’s second-half strike at the Etihad Stadium. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s team, unbeaten in their last 22 away league games, moved above Leicester into second place, but they are still 11 points behind City with 10 games left. Despite surrendering their Fulham’s Kenny Tete and teammates celebrate after the match 15-match winning league run in against Liverpool yesterday. their fi rst defeat since losing at Tottenham in November, City a seventh time as they sit sev- from open play at Anfi eld in sev- remain fi rm favourites to lift the enth, four points adrift of the top en games. title for the third time in four four, having played at least one Alphonse Areola produced a seasons. game more than all their rivals. stunning save to deny Diogo Jota Barring a dramatic collapse Despite their lowly position in before Sadio Mane came off the from City in the closing weeks, the table, Fulham had lost just bench to hit the woodwork. United’s third win in the last four one of their previous six games Fulham remain in the bottom league meetings with their bitter and were well worthy of a half- three but only on goal diff erence rivals is likely to be remembered time lead. behind Brighton. for cementing a top-four place Manchester United’s Portuguese midfielder Bruno Fernandes (R) celebrates with teammates after scoring from the penalty spot against Mohamed Salah’s surprise Newcastle, one point above rather than rekindling their title Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester yesterday. substitution in midweek pro- in the relegation zone, remain in hopes. voked fresh speculation over the deep trouble after a 0-0 draw at United will be left to rue the needless, clumsy challenge that Guardiola’s men gradually from deep inside his own half, That run is all the more re- Egyptian’s future and he was at West Brom. recent slump that allowed City to sent the French striker sprawling. wrestled control and had a strong played a one-two with Marcus markable as Jurgen Klopp’s men fault for the only goal in fi rst-half The Magpies had been unset- pull so far ahead in the title race, Fernandes stepped up to take penalty appeal rejected by referee Rashford and fi red a fi ne fi nish had gone nearly four years with- stoppage time. tled by a dressing room bust-up but at least they slowed their the penalty and squeezed his shot Anthony Taylor when Raheem past Ederson from just inside the out a league defeat at home in 68 Mario Lemina outmuscled between manager Steve Bruce neighbours’ march towards the past Ederson, who got a hand on Sterling was blocked by Fred. area. Likely to be replaced by City games between April 2017 and Salah to win the ball inside the and Matt Ritchie over the past trophy. the ball but couldn’t keep it out. Riyad Mahrez shot inches wide as champions, Liverpool have January this year. Liverpool box before fi ring low week. With just 34 seconds gone, It was United’s fi rst goal in four and Rodri’s drive hit the bar, but now lost six consecutive home Liverpool’s best chance of across Alisson Becker into the far Mbaye Diagne missed Albion’s Anthony Martial made a danger- games, putting City were behind City were caught with a 50th- league games and gone eight qualifying for next season’s corner. best chances to leave Sam Al- ous raid into the City area and for the fi rst time in 20 league minute sucker punch. without a win at Anfi eld after a Champions League may now be The hosts were far better after lardyce’s second-bottom side Gabriel Jesus responded with a games. United left-back Shaw broke 1-0 loss to Fulham. in winning the European Cup for the break, but have not scored eight points from safety.

SPOTLIGHT Milivojevic hangs up Serbia boots

Belgrade: Luka Milivojevic has Switzerland but was recalled decided to quit international when Ljubisa Tumbakovic took football after the Balkan nation’s over during Serbia’s failed bid to new coach Dragan Stojkovic left reach Euro 2020. Arsenal denied ‘clear’ penalty him out of his 30-man squad for Stojkovic, who was named as this month’s 2022 World Cup Tumbakovic’s successor on qualifiers, the Crystal Palace Wednesday, also axed 35-year midfielder said yesterday. old captain Aleksandar Kolarov “I want to thank the new coach as he vowed to inject fresh blood in Burnley draw, says Arteta for helping me make a decision ahead of Serbia’s World Cup Reuters “I think it’s obvious and clear, we play and the way that I want to which I’ve been contemplat- qualifying campaign. London I think there is no debate about play. We just have to know the risk ing for a while,” Milivojevic was Milivojevic was also bitter with that. If that is not a penalty, then and the rules that we have in cer- quoted as saying by Belgrade the Serbian FA. “They accom- would someone explain what a tain areas in terms of the type of daily Vecernje Novosti. plished their task of getting me rsenal manager Mikel penalty is in this league,” Arteta balls we have to play,” Arteta said. “I am definitely saying goodbye out of the national team and I Arteta was left baffled told reporters after the game. Xhaka apologised for the gaffe. to my Serbia shirt at the age of can only blame myself for not after his side were de- Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka “I hold my hands up for their 29 and I wish the national team making this decision sooner,” he nied a penalty in Satur- was criticised after his dreadful goal and I’m sorry for the mistake. the best of luck in their future said. “I stuck around for the sake Aday’s 1-1 Premier League draw at defensive error led to Burnley’s That’s football and right now I feel endeavours.” Milivojevic, who of the team as I believed things Burnley. equaliser but Arteta said the Swiss just as frustrated as all of you,” he scored one goal in 38 appear- would get better. I hope they are Arsenal, pushing for a winner was not to blame. wrote on Instagram. ances for Serbia, fell out with the proud of themselves.” after Pierre-Emerick Aubam- Xhaka had received the ball from The result left Arsenal in 10th national team and Serbia’s FA Serbia start their 2022 World Cup eyang’s opener was cancelled out Arsenal keeper Bernd Leno deep in on 38 points from 27 games, nine after the country’s group stage qualifying campaign with home by Chris Wood, felt they should the penalty area, but his attempt- points adrift of fourth-placed exit at the 2018 World Cup. games in Belgrade against Ire- have had a penalty when the ball ed pass to David Luiz struck Clar- Chelsea. He publicly criticised coach land on March 24 and European struck the arm of Burnley’s Erik ets striker Wood and ricocheted They face Greek side Olympia- Mladen Krstajic for substituting champions Portugal three days Pieters in the box after Nicolas into the net. cos in the first leg of their Europa him in a crunch 2-1 defeat by later. Pepe tried to flick it past him. “It’s what it is, it’s the way that League last-16 tie on Thursday.

BOTTOMLINE Rangers crowned champions as Celtic held Reuters now?! #55 titles’ and United ground fi reworks at the club’s Govan base, Glasgow staff later had to douse fl ames after prompting Scotland’s Justice Minister some individuals threw fl ares into the Humza Yousaf to ask them to remain at stadium. home and not risk spreading the novel angers celebrated their fi rst The title success is especially sweet coronavirus. league triumph since 2011 af- for Rangers, who spiralled into fi nan- Celtic boss Neil Lennon stepped ter Celtic were frustrated by cial turmoil and were demoted to Scot- down earlier in a dismal campaign in Dundee United in a 0-0 Pre- land’s bottom tier in 2012 after entering which their hopes of a 10th consecutive Rmiership draw yesterday to hand their administration. league title faded in the face of relent- bitter Glasgow rivals the title. With former Liverpool and England less pressure from Rangers, who have Rangers fans had fl outed Covid-19 midfi elder Gerrard in charge, however, scored 77 goals and conceded only nine lockdown restrictions to gather outside the Glasgow side have ended Celtic’s all season. Ibrox before and after Saturday’s 3-0 grip on the league crown that has “Even though Rangers haven’t kicked win over St Mirren which moved the stretched back for nine seasons. a ball today, it’s their day,” former Celtic team to within a point of the title and “Delighted for Gerrard and all his goalkeeper Pat Bonner told the BBC. Celtic needed a win to delay their cel- team. Celtic have had a period of domi- “To only lose nine goals, it doesn’t mat- ebrations. nance, which has been... uncomfort- ter what league you’re in, that’s a fan- But despite Celtic dominating pos- able for us Rangers supporters,” former tastic piece of work. session and having more than 25 shots Rangers player and manager Graeme “There is no bonus for Celtic, even during the game, the visitors were un- a 55th league title, taking them four Souness told Sky Sports. if they win the Scottish Cup this year. able to fi nd a way past a determined ahead of the total won by their neigh- “They thoroughly deserve it. They’ve They’ve thrown away an almighty United side. bours. been fantastic all season and I just wish chance to make history by winning 10 Steve Gerrard’s Rangers have 88 Rangers fans celebrate outside Ibrox Stadium, home of Rangers Football Club, Six minutes into yesterday’s match, I was in Glasgow right now.” titles in a row.” points from 32 matches – 20 points in Glasgow yesterday after their first Scottish Premiership title for 10 years was Rangers fans fl ew a banner over Tan- Rangers fans gathered outside Ibrox The two teams will clash in an “Old more than Celtic – and have claimed confirmed. At right, coach Frank Lampard. nadice Park that read ‘Can you see us again yesterday and let off fl ares and Firm Derby” on March 21. Gulf Times 4 Monday, March 8, 2021 CRICKET

FOCUS Kohli sets sights on ‘one big game’ to win World Test Championship AFP New Zealand’s spot in the fi nal was ner Axar Patel also burst into the side, Ahmedabad secured when the Test series between making an immediate impact. South Africa and Australia was post- India overcame adversity, includ- poned last month. ing being bundled out for a Test low kipper Virat Kohli said India India coach Ravi Shastri questioned of 36 to lose the series opener in Ad- were “relieved” to make the the decision of the International Crick- elaide, the departure of Virat Kohli inaugural World Test Cham- et Council to change the points system on paternity leave and a succession pionship fi nal and would now midway into the Test Championship. of injuries to senior players, to level Sfocus on that “one big game” against The new method, based on percentage the series in the Boxing Day Test in New Zealand in June after seeing off of points instead of total points, left In- Melbourne. England. dia needing to win the Test series away A draw in Sydney followed before a India crushed Joe Root’s side in- in Australia and the one at home against patched-up India infl icted an aston- side three days in the fourth Test in England to make the fi nal. Kohli had ishing fi rst Test defeat on Australia at Ahmedabad on Saturday to clinch the maintained that the championship race Brisbane’s Gabba ground for 32 years to series 3-1 and fi nish top of the Test was merely a “distraction” for his team, win the series. “We played cricket well Championship table ahead of New who did not need any further incentive in India, we played cricket well outside Zealand. India had led the standings to win Test matches. India as well,” said batting star Rohit until November, when a change in the India made the fi nal after bouncing Sharma. points system because of coronavirus back from opening losses in two series “We were put under pressure, we disruptions promoted Australia to top - winning 2-1 Down Under and beating were put in that diffi cult situation spot. “We are relieved that now we England 3-1 at home. many a time and we responded well have made it to the fi nal,” Kohli told The games threw up new heroes, which is why we stand here qualifi ed BCCI TV. most notably wicketkeeper-batsman for the fi nal.” “Probably if you look at the last two- Rishabh Pant, who played a key part in The ICC had initially announced and-half years how we have played, we the Australia series, and hit 101 on Fri- that the fi nal will be played at Lord’s in deserve to be in that fi nal. “Now it’s just day to set up India’s latest victory over June. But the Times of India, citing ICC about getting together as a group again England. sources, reported Saturday that match and focusing on that one big game which Pace bowler Mohamed Siraj, all- scheduled to begin June 18 could be is quite exciting for all of us.” rounder Washington Sundar and spin- moved to a diff erent venue.

TWENTY20 ANNOUNCEMENT Indian Premier League returns to Hot Guptill leads India, without spectators initially

Reuters Kolkata being the other venues. New Delhi Defending champions Mum- NZ to series win bai Indians will take on Royal Challengers Bangalore, led by he popular Indian Pre- India captain Virat Kohli, in the mier League (IPL) will fi rst match. The tournament’s begin in Chennai on eight teams will play all their April 9 and will be played matches at neutral venues. Tacross six venues, initially with- “The fi xtures of the tourna- out spectators, the Indian cricket ment have been mapped in a way against Australia board said yesterday. that every team will travel only The world’s richest Twenty20 three times during the league competition was shifted to the stage, thus reducing commute ‘Clearly, the slower bowlers on that wicket were a little bit trickier’ United Arab Emirates last year as and minimising risk,” Shah said. India grappled with the Covid-19 “After hosting the tournament pandemic. safely and successfully in the AFP Sunday’s IPL governing coun- UAE last year... the BCCI is con- Wellington cil meeting decided to bring the fi dent of hosting the IPL at home tournament home but the pan- with health and safety of play- demic forced several changes to ers and all people involved being century opening stand how it would be played. paramount,” he added. by Martin Guptill and “The IPL this year at home will Smartphone maker Vivo re- Devon Conway saw be played behind closed doors to turned as title sponsor of the New Zealand clinch begin with and a call on allowing league after pulling out of last theirA Twenty20 series against spectators will be taken at a later year’s tournament amid a back- Australia in Wellington yester- stage of the tournament,” Board lash against Chinese fi rms in day after the tourists faltered in of Control for Cricket in India India. the face of an experimental spin (BCCI) secretary Jay Shah said in South African Chris Morris attack. a statement. became IPL’s most expensive Set a target of 143 for victory Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi buy in the players’ auction last in the fi fth and fi nal match, New Stadium will host the playoff s month after Rajasthan Royals Zealand claimed victory by sev- as well as the May 30 fi nal, with bought him for a staggering $2.22 en wickets and took the series Bengaluru, Delhi, Mumbai and million. 3-2 with an emphatic 27 balls to spare. After being comprehensively WORLD TEST CHAMPIONSHIP outplayed in games three and four when batting second, New Zealand captain Kane Wil- liamson knew he had to be in- India in fi nal but novative to win the series after he lost the toss and was told to bowl fi rst. He put an emphasis Shastri still bitter on spin with his slow bowlers sending down 12 overs, the most for New Zealand in a Twenty20 about rule change match, and they took four of the eight wickets. “We just wanted to put out a much-improved performance from the last two and it was great that we could show some signs of improvement,” Wil- liamson said. “Clearly, the slower bowlers on that wicket were a little bit trickier.” Of the spin brigade, Ish Sodhi fi nished with 3-24 off his four New Zealand’s Martin Guptill plays a shot during the fifth Twenty20 match against Australia in Wellington yesterday. (AFP) Reuters part of a three-horse race, also overs, Hong Kong-born Mark Ahmedabad including Australia, to join New Chapman, bowling for the fi rst tributed 36 with the pair putting 34. Although a Covid-19 out- sive enough with the bat, myself the tourists with 44 while Finch Zealand in the WTC fi nal. time for New Zealand, took 1-9 on 106 for the fi rst wicket. break in Auckland forced the led that at the top,” he said. contributed 36 and Marcus “Please don’t shift the goal off two and Mitchell Santner New Zealand stumbled last three matches to be played “We didnt get enough runs, Stoinis made 24. ndia breezed into the fi nal of post,” Shastri told a video con- conceded only 21 runs from his slightly when Kane William- on the same wicket in Welling- we kept losing wickets at regular the World Test Champion- ference yesterday when asked if four. son went fi rst ball but a Guptill ton in the space of fi ve days, intervals. I thought (the pitch) BRIEF SCORES ship (WTC) following their he found any aspect of the inau- Guptill, who had been out of single denied Riley Meredith the Australian captain Aaron Finch played pretty well and Mitch New Zealand 143 for 3 (Guptill 3-1 series victory against gural WTC cycle problematic. form going into the series, si- hat-trick. said it was his side’s batting and Santner bowled beautifully with 71, Conway 36, Phillips 34*, Me- IEngland yesterday but head “You have got more points lenced his critics with a master- Glenn Phillips blasted New not a worn pitch that cost the the new ball and didn’t allow us redith 2-39) beat Australia 142 coach Ravi Shastri is still bit- than any other team in the ful 71, including seven fours and Zealand home with fi ve fours tourists. to get away to a fl yer.” for 8 (Wade 44, Finch 36, Sodhi ter how the qualifying rules were world, 360 at that time, and four sixes, while Conway con- and two sixes to be unbeaten on “We probably weren’t aggres- Matthew Wade top scored for 3-24, Boult 2-26) by 7 wickets. changed last year. suddenly there’s a percent- The nine top Test teams were age system where you go from originally scheduled to play six number one to number three in a COMMENT series each over two years in the week,” Shastri said. WTC, with the top two making Kohli’s men won away in Aus- the showcase fi nal in London. tralia and at home against Eng- But after the Covid-19 pan- land to make the WTC fi nal and ‘England may stick with rotation and rest players for Ashes’ demic halted the game last year, Shastri said it had not been an the governing International easy task. Reuters defeat by India, opting to rest verwood told reporters. “When abroad once our summer is fi n- England players featuring Cricket Council decided to rank “We’ve have had to dig deep. London multi-format players at dif- they’re out on the park you want ished. in the knockout stages of the teams based on percentage of We’ve had to go down every hole ferent stages of their tour to them to concentrate on cricket, “We have to be proactive in Twenty20 tournament could be points earned from completed that’s needed to fi nd water and help them cope better with the you want them to be happy. looking after them, so it (the unavailable to face New Zealand matches, instead of total points, we found it. ngland are likely to con- challenges of living in strict Sometimes that means seeing Ashes) is certainly something in the series opener at Lord’s to determine the fi nalists. “We put ourselves in the fi nal tinue rotating players, bio-secure environments. Ben your family; families want to see that we may have to look at.” starting on June 2. India, leading the table with of the World Test Champion- including in the Ashes Stokes, Jos Buttler, Jofra Archer, the dads and husbands. India said yesterday that the “We haven’t looked at selec- 360 points, slipped behind ship, the biggest trophy in the series against Australia Jonny Bairstow, Mark Wood, “I don’t think it’s acceptable 2021 Indian Premier League tion for the test yet but, for me, Australia under the new rank- world, with 520 points.” thatE begins at the end of the year, Sam Curran, Moeen Ali and to push somebody until they (IPL) season will begin in Chen- playing for your country is a big ings unveiled in November with The white-ball leg of India’s to manage their workload, coach Chris Woakes were among those break and then try and pick nai on April 9, with the fi nal set thing,” Silverwood said. “It’s skipper Virat Kohli questioning home series against England will Chris Silverwood said yesterday. who missed parts of the series them up. There’s a whole load of for May 30, and Silverwood said diffi cult to change anything, so the logic behind the rule change. begin on Friday with the fi rst of England rigidly stuck to their against Sri Lanka and India. cricket coming up this summer, some players could miss a Test they’ll be staying for the whole Kohli’s team went into the the fi ve Twenty20 Internationals policy during their 3-1 series “I think it has worked,” Sil- then we very quickly disappear match against New Zealand. IPL as it stands.” home series against England as in Ahmedabad. Gulf Times Monday, March 8, 2021 5 SPORT

FOCUS Ali, Frazier ‘Fight of the Century’ still packs a punch 50 years on any events stake a tacle that highlighted a nation’s conservative-leaning blue collar claim to be considered divisions rather than bringing brawler with the thundering left among the sporting the country together. “There will hook. Each boxer would be paid clashes of the century never be another heavyweight the then unheard of sum of $2.5 Mand few live up to the hype but fi ght like that again,” Jerry Izen- million as the fi ght game entered any shortlist of contenders for the berg, boxing historian and author the world of pay per view. greatest of all time must include of the best seller “Once There Madison Square Garden on the fi rst fi ght between Muham- Were Giants: The Golden Age of March 8 became a magnet for mad Ali and Joe Frazier. Heavyweight Boxing”, told Reu- the world’s media and A-listers To be worthy of this recogni- ters. “Everybody cared who won from movie stars to astronauts, tion such battles must withstand that fi ght for reasons that had all sensing something special the test of time and refuse to fade nothing to do with the fi ght. was unfolding. Arum, who has from memory or meaning. “It was Vietnam that’s what it promoted some of boxing’s big- They are not fl eeting displays was about. gest fi ghts doubts the sport will of magnifi cence but monolithic “Ali and Frazier, they were ever see another “Fight of the moments that are part of the symbols of the divide in the Century”. sporting historical record re- country that united people on There are some appealing membered for more than a win- one side or the other.” fi ghts and fi ghters out there like ner and loser. For boxing that As pure sporting spectacles go, Britain’s Tyson Fury and Antho- moment came at Madison Square Ali v Frazier ticked every box. Ali ny Joshua, who are set to clash in Garden on March 8, 1971 when was billed as the The Ring/lineal a world heavyweight unifi cation unbeaten heavyweights Ali and heavyweight champion and Fra- bout, but none capable of pack- Frazier fought in what remains, zier entered the ring as interim ing the punch Ali and Frazier did. just as it was advertised that WBC/WBA title holder. “Tyson Fury he’s a great per- night 50 years ago, the “Fight of Two former-Olympic cham- sonality but he is no Ali,” said the Century”. pions, undefeated as profes- Arum. “If you ask me who is the “It was a magical night that I sionals, in a classic match-up next Ali or Frazier there ain’t no will never ever forget,” recalled A July 2002 picture shows Muhammad Ali (right) and Joe Frazier at the ESPY Awards. (Reuters) of contrasting styles and tem- next. legendary boxing promoter Bob peraments. In one corner was the “There will never be another Arum, who was ringside for the “We knew Ali had never lost made it the greatest sporting sions have been capable of grab- ing the outcome more important charismatic Ali, conscientious heavyweight fi ght like that again. 15-round battle won by Frazier in and not been allowed to fi ght for event that I have ever witnessed, bing a global spotlight for those than the awarding of a trophy or objector hero of the peace move- There have been fi ghts since, a unanimous decision. three and a half years, he was on it goes back to politics.” reasons alone. championship belt. ment, who had been stripped of other fi ghts that have been may- “We talk about this fi ght, and the comeback and Joe Frazier... As boxing historians and com- What elevates a competi- The fi rst fi ght in the Ali-Frazi- his boxing licence and titles for be more action, more exciting but rightly so, as the biggest boxing was the undisputed interim mentators have noted, there have tion above all others and puts it er trilogy was one of those events refusing the military draft that nobody who listened to it, saw it, event, if not the biggest sporting champion so there was a lot of been fi ghts that generated as on a pedestal for generations to - a convergence of sport, politics kept him out of the ring for more or was there will ever forget it. event, of all time, the question is boxing interest. much drama, even sparked more refl ect on is not just suspense and culture, with the Vietnam than three years. “That really says something.” why?” said Arum. “But that is not what really emotion, but few sporting occa- but underlying tension, mak- War as the backdrop for a spec- In the other corner, Frazier, the (Reuters)

NHL SPOTLIGHT No Covid vaccine mandate for NBA Ducks rally, clip Avs players, says Silver

AFP coaches and other staff who Los Angeles qualifi ed to be innoculated be- cause of age or other reasons had been. BA commissioner Even so, Silver said, the in OT to snap 9-game Adam Silver says the league’s coronavirus protocols league won’t require including mask-wearing, social players to be vacci- distancing and rigorous contact Nnated against Covid-19, but if tracing and quarantining, had progress continues against the allowed the season to proceed virus the league can play a nor- with only “a relatively small per- mal schedule in “relatively full” centage of games” having to be arenas next season. postponed. winless streak “Roughly half of our teams The coronavirus pandemic have fans in their arenas right shut down the NBA in March of now and if vaccines continue on 2020, the league eventually can- GALLAGHER SCORES 2 IN MONTREAL CANADIENS 7-1 WIN OVER WINNIPEG JETS the pace they are, and they con- celling 171 games before resum- tinue to be as eff ective as they ing in a quarantine bubble in Or- Reuters have been against the virus and lando, Florida. Colorado its variants, we’re hopeful that After the Los Angeles Lakers we’ll have relatively full arenas captured the title in Septem- next season as well,” Silver said ber, the new season tipped off roy Terry had two goals, Rickard Saturday in a virtual press con- on December 22 with each team Rakell had a goal and two assists, ference on the eve of the All-Star scheduled to play 72 games. Kevin Shattenkirk had a goal and Game in Atlanta, Georgia. Silver said the fi nancial hit had an assist, and the visiting Ana- Silver said there are no plans been and continues to be “sig- Theim Ducks rallied to beat the Colorado for any overseas exhibition or nifi cant” and was being borne by Avalanche 5-4 in overtime on Saturday regular-season games in the both owners and players. night. The Ducks trailed by two goals upcoming campaign, but he “Last season and this season with more than six minutes remaining in remains confi dent teams will has required a signifi cant in- regulation. be able to play a full 82-game vestment on the part of the team Ryan Getzlaf scored the winner in over- schedule starting next October owners,” Silver said. “They ac- time and Ryan Miller stopped 29 shots to and ending in June. cept that. Players will end up help Anaheim end a nine-game winless “I’m fairly optimistic, at this taking a reduction in salary this streak (0-6-3). Mikko Rantanen had two point, that we will be able to start season because they are partners goals, Logan O’Connor and Brandon Saad on time,” Silver said. with the league and teams on also scored and Hunter Miska made 22 The commissioner said he revenue. saves for the Avalanche. believed it was a “personal deci- “League executives, team ex- sion” whether to be vaccinated ecutives have all taken haircuts “that players need to make just on their salary,” he said. RESULTS like everyone in our communi- “But I think when we all step ties needs to make.” back, we all feel very fortunate to Ducks 5-4 Avalanche He said the league and play- be working under these circum- Kings 4-3 Blues ers association were working stances and my sense is the play- together to provide players with ers feel the same way.” Canadiens 7-1 Jets information on vaccines “and And despite his optimism, Sil- Stars 5-0 Blue Jackets also encouraging them to seek ver sounded a cautionary note Oilers 3-2 Flames out information on their own” when discussing progress made from personal physicians or oth- in containing coronavirus. Islanders 5-2 Sabres er advisers. “One thing we’ve all come to Penguins 4-3 Flyers Silver said that, to his knowl- understand over the last year is Panthers 6-2 Predators edge, no NBA players had yet that the virus is fi rmly in charge,” been vaccinated, although some Silver said. Rangers 6-3 Devils Canucks 4-2 Maple Leafs Coyotes 5-2 Wild

Colorado was without Nathan MacKinnon for the second straight game with an upper-body injury, and JT Com- pher was a late scratch, also with an up- per-body injury. Two of the Avalanche’s top defense- Jani Hakanpaa (left) of the Anaheim Ducks fights on the boards against Nazem Kadri of the Colorado Avalanche in the second men, Cale Makar and Bowen Byram, period at Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado. (Getty Images/AFP) were also out with upper-body injuries. The Ducks went on the power play early when he fl ipped a backhander in at 4:26 victory over the Vancouver Canucks on Toff oli doubled the advantage after his in overtime and cashed in when Getzlaf of the second. January 21. wrist shot from the slot beat Hellebuyck tipped in Rakell’s pass to the front of the O’Connor got one back when he beat Tomas Tatar notched three assists, at 7:03 of the second period. net at 1:59. It was Getzlaf’s third goal of Miller with a low shot at 12:06 of the sec- Phillip Danault had two and Carey Price The goal was Toff oli’s team-leading the season. ond. It was his third on the year. made 28 saves for the Canadiens, who 15th of the season and third in as many Rantanen scored his second goal of the The Avalanche tied it up on the power defeated Winnipeg for the fi rst time in games. game and 12th of the season at 6:03 of the play when Rantanen’s backhanded fl ip four meetings this season. Gallagher scored twice in a span of 3:24 third, and 24 seconds later Saad knocked from below the goal went off of Miller and Mathieu Perreault scored a goal in his to give Montreal a 4-0 lead and chase in a centering pass from Andre Bura- in at 17:36 of the second. third consecutive contest for the Jets, Hellebuyck from the game. Gallagher has kovsky for his eight goal of the season to MEanwhile Brendan Gallagher col- who fell for just the second time in their four goals and two assists in his last three give Colorado a 4-2 lead. lected two goals and an assist and last eight games. contests. Terry’s second goal of the game and Tyler Toffoli had one of each to fuel Reigning Vezina Trophy recipient Connor Brossoit entered the game and imme- fourth of the season made it a one-goal the host Montreal Canadiens to a 7-1 Hellebuyck yielded four goals on 19 shots be- diately was treated rudely, with Armia game at 13:03, and Shattenkirk’s power- romp over the Winnipeg Jets on Sat- fore being relieved by Laurent Brossoit, who beating him on the fi rst shot he faced. The play goal at 17:10 tied it. urday. allowed three goals on nine shots. goal was Armia’s fi fth of the season. Anaheim played with only 11 forwards Josh Anderson scored in his return A fortunate carom off the end boards Brossoit fumbled the dump-in, allow- for most of the night after Max Jones was from a three-game absence due to a low- allowed Anderson to fi re the puck into an ing for Byron to push the Canadiens’ lead hit in the face with a shot from teammate er-body injury and former Jet Joel Armia, open net to begin the scoring with 4:31 to 6-0 at 4:20 of the third period. Jakob Silfverberg in the fi rst period. Paul Byron and defenseman Jeff Petry remaining in the fi rst period. Petry capped the scoring for Montreal The Ducks struck fi rst when Rakell also tallied. The goal was Anderson’s 10th of the four minutes later before Perreault ended scored his fourth goal of the season at 5:10 The uprising matched a season high season, with fi ve of those coming in the Price’s bid for a shutout with 8:46 re- of the fi rst period, and Terry made it 2-0 in goals for Montreal, which posted a 7-3 fi rst period. maining in the game. NBA commissioner Adam Silver Gulf Times 6 Monday, March 8, 2021 SPORT

GOLF ATHLETICS Pichardo wins Euro indoor triple jump, Westwood grabs Mayer in control

AFP Italian Gianmarco Tamberi Torun, Poland took silver (2.35). World decathlon record hold- er Kevin Mayer, Euro indoor uban-born Portuguese champion in Belgrade in 2017 lead, DeChambeau Pedro Pablo Pichardo and world indoor champ a year won the men’s triple later in Birmingham, remained jump at the European in complete control of the hep- indoorC championships in Torun tathlon. yesterday. The second day of action Pichardo, who won two world saw the Frenchman clock outdoor silvers and a world indoor 7.78sec in the opening 60m bronze competing for Cuba, re- hurdles, before registering a and Conners lurk corded a best of 17.30 metres. season’s best of 5.20m in the Another Cuban-born athlete pole vault. who won world bronze at the Switzerland’s Simon Eham- ‘I felt like a kid again. It was exciting. Especially when you pull it off ’ 2009 Berlin worlds for his na- mer, second behind Mayer over- tive country, Alexis Copello of night, was just four-hundredths Azerbaijan, claimed silver with off Mayer in the hurdles, but 17.04m, Germany’s Max Hess no-marked in the pole vault to taking a third consecutive Euro bring a disappointing end to his indoor bronze (17.01). campaign. Maksim Nedasekau handed With just the 1000m to com- Belarus their fi rst gold of the plete, Mayer had amassed 5,581 champs in Poland after he high points, with Spain’s Jorge Urena jumped 2.37m. a distant second on 5,319.

Lee Westwood of England plays a second shot on the second hole during the third round of the Arnold Palmer Invitational Presented by MasterCard at the Bay Hill Club and Lodge in Orlando, Florida. (Getty Images/AFP)

AFP tananond and Spieth each made the back nine and a bogey at putt and aced the par-3 second, LEADING SCORES Miami aces and DeChambeau drove 15, Westwood holed out from landing a 5-iron cut shot on the 205-Lee Westwood (ENG) 69- 370 yards over a lake to delight 32 feet for eagle before his fi nal green and rolling it into the cup. 71-65 a limited crowd allowed into the putt. “I’m rolling the ball well,” It was the fi rst ace at Bay Hill’s 206-Bryson DeChambeau ritain’s Lee Westwood event under Covid-19 protocols. Westwood said. second since Pat Perez in 2008, 67-71-68, Corey Conners (CAN) Portugal’s Pedro Pablo Pichardo competes during the men’s triple curled in a 28-foot “I felt like a kid again. It was DeChambeau, who birdied all and Spieth’s third career ace af- 66-69-71 jump final at the 2021 European Athletics Indoor Championships in closing birdie putt after exciting. Especially when you four par-5 holes, made his epic ter the 2013 Puerto Rico Open 207-Keegan Bradley 69-74-64, Torun yesterday. (AFP) an eagle at 16 to seize a pull it off ,” DeChambeau said. tee shot at the par-5 sixth with and 2015 BMW Championship. Jordan Spieth 70-69-68 one-strokeB lead after Saturday’s “It was almost like winning 340 yards of lake between him “What a dream start,” Spieth 208-Tommy Fleetwood (ENG) third round of the Arnold Palm- a tournament. I got the same and the green. The crowd roared said. “If you told me I’d play the 70-70-68 er Invitational. chills and feeling when I saw it as his mighty blast cleared 346 rest of the course 1-under I’d 209-Doug Ghim 71-73-65, Jazz Ntamack, Vakatawa in France squad The 47-year-old Englishman clear and there was no splash. I yards in the air before rolling have taken it.” Janewattananond (THA) 75-65- Flyhalf Romain Ntamack and postpone the game against made eight birdies and an eagle gave the fans what they wanted.” into the far rough, the longest World number 62 Spieth res- 69, Richy Werenski 71-69-69, centre Virimi Vakatawa were Scotland, which was scheduled against three bogeys to shoot a Westwood, ranked 39th, pro- drive in the hole’s history. cued three pars and holed out Rory McIlroy (NIR) 66-71-72 called up by France head to be played last weekend. seven-under par 65 and stand duced his lowest round in 49 “I was defi nitely nervous,” he from 71 feet from a bunker to 210-Tyrrell Hatton (ENG) 77-67- coach Fabien Galthie yester- The sports ministry asked the on 11-under 205 after 54 holes at trips around the Orlando layout said. “I connected pretty solid. birdie the par-3 seventh. “I felt 66, Charley Hoff man 71-72-67, day to face England in the Six French rugby federation (FFR) rain-softened Bay Hill. since 1998 in search of his fi rst It would have gotten there (the like I was stealing,” Spieth said. Jason Day (AUS) 70-72-68, Nations after both recovered to investigate the origin of the “I’m not surprised,” West- US PGA victory since the 2010 green) if I had gone for it.” “It was exciting. It was cool.” Jason Kokrak 68-73-69, Chris from injuries. Ntamack and outbreak. The FFR concluded wood said. “I know I’m still St. Jude Classic. Conners birdied three par-5 Spieth made a 36-foot birdie Kirk 71-70-69, Christiaan Bezui- Vakatawa missed Les Bleus’s that the anti-Covid-19 protocols capable of playing well when it Not since Rocco Mediate in holes and blasted out of a bunker putt at 10 and a tap-in birdie at denhout (RSA) 70-70-70, Lanto opening victories against Italy had been respected even if matters. I haven’t lost any of my 2010 has a player 47 or older led inches from the cup at 18 to save 12 but bogeys at the par-3 14th Griff in 69-68-73 and Ireland, with a jaw and Galthie, who was also infected, length and I haven’t lost any of after 54 holes and won a US PGA par. “It was defi nitely huge,” he and 17th dropped him off the 211-Andrew Putnam 70-72-69, knee injury respectively but had left the training camp and my enthusiasm to go and work in event. Westwood, who won last said. “I was trying hard to get lead. “I was leaking oil there at Matthew Fitzpatrick (ENG) 69- return for Saturday’s clash at some players had left the team the gym.” year at Abu Dhabi, shared fi fth it up and down and keep some the end,” he said. 71-71, Paul Casey (ENG) 70-69- Twickenham. Scrumhalf Anto- hotel to stroll on the streets of Reigning US Open champion at Bay Hill 15 years ago in his momentum for tomorrow. It was Jazz aced the 212-yard par-3 72, Im Sung-jae (KOR) 69-70-72 ine Dupont, one of 12 players Rome before the Italy game. Bryson DeChambeau shot 68 to only top-10 showing. a tough day.” 14th with a 6-iron, producing 212-Denny McCarthy 72-73- to test positive for Covid-19 The rules are now stricter, share second on 206 with Ca- Westwood birdied from just While 2011 PGA Champion- the fi rst hole-in-one there since 67, Kristoff er Ventura (NOR) after France beat Ireland 15-13 however, with FFR president nadian Corey Conners while inside 30 feet at the fi rst, an- ship winner Keegan Bradley had Kevin Chappell in 2013. 75-70-67, Kevin Kisner 73-72-67, in Dublin last month, features Bernard Laporte saying on Americans Jordan Spieth and swered a bogey at the second the week’s low round at 64, Spi- Defending champion Tyrrell Branden Grace (RSA) 74-71-67, in the 31-man squad along with Friday that squad members Keegan Bradley were on 207 and with birdies at the par-5 fourth eth fi red 68 chasing his fi rst win Hatton fi red a 67 to stand on 210 Danny Willett (ENG) 73-71-68, six others who had also been would not be allowed to leave England’s Tommy Fleetwood and sixth and birdied the par-3 since the 2017 British Open. while fellow Englishman Justin Max Homa 70-70-72, Martin infected. The outbreak prompt- their team hotel before taking was sixth on 209. seventh and par-4 eighth. – Spieth’s ‘dream start’ – Spi- Rose tweaked his back and with- Laird (SCO) 69-67-76 ed Six Nations organisers to on England. Thailand’s Jazz Janewat- After a birdie-bogey start to eth opened with a 19-foot birdie drew. WD-Justin Rose (ENG) 71-68

FOCUS Ernst takes narrow lead at Drive On Championship AFP Spain’s Carlotta Ciganda (75) and I was not aiming anywhere Miami and Danielle Kang (69) were a close to where my ball went, but it Martin sinks record-equalling four eagles further two strokes back. happened to go right at the pin and Ernst, chasing a third LPGA carried by a couple yards, carried Australian Andrew Martin sank from the seventh hole, matching ustin Ernst fi red a title, started her third round with the water by a couple yards, and a world record-equalling four the eff ort of Finland’s Toni Hakula three-under par 69 at two birdies in the fi rst fi ve holes. ended up in a good spot.” eagles in a single round, includ- at the Abierto de Chile in 2019, the Drive On Cham- She chipped in for a birdie on the Laura Davies, the 57-year-old ing three in a row, to clinch the the only other player to do so in pionship on Saturday par-four ninth to move to 13-un- Hall of Famer, was four over af- Players Series Sydney yesterday. a PGA Tour-sanctioned event. toA grab the fi rst 54-hole lead of der for the tournament. ter a 76. She’s playing on a World The 36-year-old was eight off the “It’s still a bit of a whirlwind,” her career and a one-shot cush- “I know I need to go play well,” Golf Hall of Fame exemption. pace when he started the day Martin said. “To shoot 10-under, ion heading into Sunday’s fi nal Ernst said of the task awaiting at the PGA Tour of Australasia that’s still hard to get through round. The 29-year-old Ameri- Sunday. “I can’t not play well and LEADING THIRD-ROUND event at Bonnie Doon Golf Club. my head. I just wanted to shoot can fi nished with four birdies and win, so it’s going to be the same SCORES But an amazing front nine that a good score, to be honest. Try one bogey to reach 13-under 203 type stuff . I know what to expect. (USA unless noted, par-72) featured four eagles, a birdie and and jump up the leaderboard for a one stroke lead over second I’ve slept really well.” 203-Austin Ernst 67-67-69 a bogey drew him within striking and four eagles obviously helped round co-leader Jennifer Kupcho Her only blemish of the round 204-Jennifer Kupcho 67-67-70 distance of overnight leader that.” His charge began when in Ocala, Florida. was a bogey on the par-four 10th, 209-Albane Valenzuela (SUI) Charlie Dann. Three bogeys in he holed a pitching wedge for “I had to work a little bit harder but she rebounded on the next hole 70-73-66, Patty Tavatanakit succession by Dann after the eagle on the par-4 third and than I have had to work the last with her fourth and fi nal birdie of (THA) 70-70-69, Jenny Coleman turn saw Martin edge clear and backed it up with a birdie at the couple days,” Ernst said. Kupcho, the day. Kupcho set the stage for 70-69-70 he sealed the win when he com- par-4 fourth. A bogey at the par- who is seeking her fi rst LPGA win, her dynamic closing eagle with a 211-Danielle Kang 72-70-69, Car- pleted a 10-under 61 with a birdie 3 sixth was the only misstep and made an eagle on her fi nal hole for a fairway wood from 215 yards that lota Ciganda (ESP) 71-65-75 at the 18th. His four eagles saw was followed by a stretch of golf one-under 70 to stand on 204 with just cleared the rocks and water 212-Chun In-gee (KOR) 70-73-69, him join only a handful of others, rarely seen anywhere. Two good a fi ve-stroke gap to third place. fronting the green on the par-fi ve Brittany Altomare 70-73-69, Ash- including Willie Wood (1990), shots into the par-5 seventh set On a rainy day at the Gold- 18th. “I actually was standing on leigh Buhai (RSA) 70-70-72 Scott McCarron (1995), Mikko up an eagle from pin-high. He en Ocala course, Swiss Albane the tee and I was like, ‘I feel an 213-Park Hee-young (KOR) 73-72- Ilonen (2003) and Li Haotong then chipped in from the front Valenzuela shared third after a eagle coming on.’ So, it was pretty 68, Jennifer Chang 73-71-69, Jes- (2019) to achieve the feat in a edge at the par-4 eighth and bogey-free 66 that included six cool to do it,” Kupcho said. sica Korda 69-75-69, Cheyenne single round on a major tour, the picked up his sixth shot in the birdies. Patty Tavatanakit, with “But when I got down there to Knight 71-70-72, Lydia Ko (NZL) Austin Ernst of the United States lines up a putt on the seventh hole PGA Tour of Australia said. Three space of three holes when he a 69, and American Jenny Cole- the fairway I defi nitely didn’t think 69-72-72, Leona Maguire (IRL) during the third round of the LPGA Drive On Championship at Golden of the eagles came in succession chipped in at the par-5 ninth. man, with a 70, are also on 209. it would be possible to get it close 69-71-73, Nelly Korda 67-70-76 Ocala Golf Club in Ocala, Florida. (Getty Images/AFP) Gulf Times Monday, March 8, 2021 7 SPORT

TENNIS / QATAR EXXONMOBIL OPEN Green lights all around as Federer returns in Doha ‘The important thing is I’m injury free, pain free and I can enjoy myself. We will see how it goes now, I am curious myself’

By Mikhil Bhat Doha FOCUS

here is something Zen about Roger Federer. Al-Khelaifi welcomes Federer But then you knew that already. TReams of newsprint, and to Qatar ExxonMobil Open whatever the digital equivalents are, have been written about his asser al-Khelaifi , Roger back to Doha where his mental transformation from be- Chairman of beIN presence alone will light up the ing a racquet-smasher to the Media Group, Presi- Mena region. With the Aus- calm, haloed champion that the dent of Paris Saint- tralian Open qualifi ers and the Swiss is today. NGermain and former pro- FIFA Club World Cup seam- And yet, every time he faces the fessional tennis player, has lessly taking place here in Doha media, or interacts with kids, like personally welcomed tennis these past few months, I am he did on Saturday during a vir- great Roger Federer to Doha pleased that Qatar has become tual Q&A, there is serenity in his at the start of the Qatar Exx- one of the world’s Covid-safe demeanour, wisdom in his words, onMobil Open 2021 yester- sports hubs, bringing hope and and impact in his thoughts. Much day, which will be exclusively a small sense of normalcy dur- like his treat-to-the-eyes single- broadcast across the 24 coun- ing these challenging times.” handed backhand. tries of the Middle East & The tournament begins to- His take on the Grand Slam North Africa (Mena) and also day, with the fi nal to be played slug fest between Novak Djok- France, Singapore and Austral- national circuit between 1992 on Saturday at the Khalifa In- ovic, Rafael Nadal and him? ia by beIN Sports. and 2002, said, “Roger is one of ternational Tennis & Squash “Maybe this is bigger for them The return of 20-time Grand the greatest athletes of all time, Complex in Doha. than for me at this very moment. Slam champion Roger Federer while also being the epitome The ATP 250 tournament Maybe, I am the measuring stick at the Qatar Exxon Open 2021 of good grace and sportsman- will also see the return of for them, like Pete (Sampras) was is one of the most anticipated ship on and off the court. For three-time Grand Slam win- for me.” comeback stories in sport. me it is his values as much as ner Stan Wawrinka, defending Can the year off extend his ca- Al-Khelaifi , President of the his achievements that are most champion Andrey Rublev, 2019 reer? “I do believe, what you miss Qatar Tennis Federation (QTF), inspiring, together with his re- winner Roberto Bautista Agut through injuries, you can add it to and a former ATP ranked tennis lentless pursuit of excellence. and the 2020 US Open winner the back end of your career.” Or player who played on the inter- “It is an honour to welcome Dominic Thiem. “(I) can play very little but then play very well. But then that’s also maybe why my longevity has because 2,000 fans can make a out, I will be happy leaving the With 1,513 matches in pro ca- been good”. lot of noise. Anything other than court knowing that I played a reer that began in 1998, he is Did retirement cross his zero is good.” tournament again. So expec- second only to Jimmy Connors’ thoughts during his time off ? Like he said later in the press tations are really low, but I 1,557, and Federer said he cher- “The urge was there to come back conference, “Dominic (Thiem) hope I can surprise myself and ishes his breaks, and was hoping and go out on my own terms. Re- winning his fi rst Grand Slam ti- maybe others,” said Federer, to really get into the groove for tirement was never on the cards” tle (2020 US Open), and it was who last played competitively the season on grass. His motivation to get back into heartbreak for me that it was in in a straight-sets semi-final “I hope by Wimbledon I’m go- the game? “I just feel the story is front of no fans.” loss to Novak Djokovic in the ing to be 100% and that’s when the not over yet.” Seeded second in Doha be- 2020 Australian Open. season starts for me. Everything Which brings him to the Qatari hind Thiem, Federer has a bye in “If I am concerned about any- until then it’s just ‘Let’s see how it capital for the Qatar ExxonMobil Roger Federer last played at the Qatar ExxonMobil Open in 2012. the fi rst round, and will face the thing, it is about the knee, having goes’,” the World No. 5 said. Open, a tournament he has won winner of the match between had a double knee surgery. “I might surprise myself but thrice (2005, 2006, 2011), and ‘let’s see how matches go, let’s “I had enough time watch- quarters, semis and fi nals, and Frenchman Jeremy Chardy and “I know it’s on the rare side for then actually I’ve already done in last played in 2012. Chances are see how training goes with all the ing matches with no fans, how it you are playing top 10 guys, and Briton Daniel Evans. But he a 40-year-old to come back after practice the last few weeks, I was the 20-time Grand Slam is also top guys and professional play- must feel as players, and I try to playing for the title, you are play- doesn’t want to see far too much a year being out. But I wanted to surprised at actually how well it keen to brush aside his last mem- ers, not just sparring partners’… put myself in their shoes. Early ing for so much, but in front of in the future, even as he hopes to take my time, no rush. The im- did go. But like we know, matches ory of this ATP 250 from that It’s just about building up to being rounds it doesn’t make a huge nobody. “surprise myself”. portant thing is I’m injury free, are a diff erent animal.” time, having withdrawn from the stronger, better, fi tter, faster,” the diff erence, because when we “I am hearing that maybe we “In a vision, I see myself pain free and I can enjoy myself For now, though, “I feel I can semis due to injury. 39-year-old told a virtual press practice usually, it’s either light will have 2,000 people here in with a trophy. Honestly, if I on the tour out there. We will go all out in my fi rst match. So “I am really looking forward to conference, a phenomenon forced crowd or no crowd. But when Center Court in Doha, so at least can complete several matches, see how it goes now, I am curious far everything is positive, green it (playing in Doha). It’s just about by the Covid-19 pandemic. it comes to the crunch, maybe it will feel like almost normal, however this tournament plays myself to fi nd out.” lights all around.”

FEAT Rublev eases to eighth career title in Rotterdam Djoko takes Federer’s No. 1 record, eyes Slam history AFP Rotterdam, Netherlands AFP Federer, who returns to action in Doha ings at the majors, including 2019’s epic Paris next week after more than a year out of Wimbledon fi nal where he saved two action to recover from two knee surger- match points. ussia’s Andrey Rublev ies, will slip out of the top fi ve on Monday. Federer hasn’t beaten Djokovic at the won his eighth career ovak Djokovic will today set Djokovic made his top 100 debut in July Slams since Wimbledon in 2012. Rtitle yesterday when he a new landmark of 311 weeks as 2005, just weeks after Nadal had won his Against Nadal, he has a 29-27 lead and eased past Hungarian qualifier world number one, surpassing fi rst Roland Garros. is still one of only two men to have beaten Marton Fucsovics in the Rot- Roger Federer whose hold on a He was top 50 in June 2006, top 20 for the Spaniard at Roland Garros since 2005. terdam ATP final. Nrecord-equalling 20 Grand Slam titles is the fi rst time in October 2006 and top 10 by At least Nadal, however, can boast The 23-year-old Rublev, ranked now fi rmly in the Serb’s sights. March 2007. comfortably seeing off Djokovic in the eighth in the world, won 7-6 The 33-year-old Djokovic, already the He fi rst became world number one at 2020 Roland Garros fi nal, denying the (4), 6-4. winner of 18 majors, has time on his side the age of 24 on July 4, 2011, the day af- Serb the opportunity to become the fi rst It was his fourth successive with Federer turning 40 in August. ter winning Wimbledon for the fi rst time, man in half a century to win all four Slams ATP 500-level title after also He is also a year younger than Rafael beating Nadal in the fi nal. more than once. claiming victory in Hamburg, Nadal who also has 20 majors. Only a six-month injury absence in Djokovic, whose lone French Open ti- St Petersburg and Vienna in “Now that I’ve become the historic No.1, 2017 saw his ranking plunge, all the way tle came in 2016, has comfortably more 2020. I’m relieved,” said Djokovic after sweeping to 22 the following summer. Australian Opens than Federer (six) and “Marton was playing with to a ninth Australian Open last month which It was just a blip — Djokovic was back at Nadal (one). a lot of confidence, having guaranteed his extended stay at the top. number one again by November and with His Wimbledon total stands at fi ve to come through qualifying,” “Now, I’m going to be able to focus the exception of November 2019 until Jan- Federer’s eight and Nadal’s two. said Rublev. “He played an mainly on the Grand Slams.” uary last year, when Nadal reclaimed pole At the US Open, he has three to Fed- extraordinary tournament. It Djokovic reclaimed the top ranking from position, he has been rock solid. erer’s fi ve and Nadal’s four. was a tricky final for me as I Nadal in February 2020 and fi nished as Few would bet against Djokovic, who “Obviously I have in my mind to win was favourite. But in a final, year-end number one for the sixth time, total although the 13-time Roland Garros in 2016 was the fi rst man to break the more Grand Slam titles and to break that doesn’t matter.” tying the mark set by Pete Sampras. champion can boast being a top 10 ever- $100mn prize money barrier, ending his records. Rublev has now won 13 of his 14 His only loss was to fellow Rus- He is currently in his fi fth diff erent present since April 2005. career with more Slams than Federer and “Until I retire from the tour, I will be matches in 2021 including the sian Daniil Medvedev in the spell atop the rankings. He will, however, lose his world Nadal. devoting most of my attention and en- four singles ties he played to quarter-finals of the Australian Nadal, currently at number two, has number two spot to Daniil Medvedev a In head-to-heads, he leads Federer 27- ergy to winning the other major titles,” steer Russia to the ATP Cup title. Open. been at the top for ‘only’ 209 weeks in week on Monday. 23 and has won all six of their last meet- Djokovic said.

MOTORSPORT Entries open for Qatar’s new round of FIM Bajas World Cup By Sports Reporter President Abdulrahman al-Mannai, starts at Al Jumaliya and incorporates The QMMF has also introduced an the fi nish. Where a two-rider team is Doha Executive Director Amro al-Hamad four passage controls in a competi- exciting new team concept for riders entered, each competitor will tackle and committee member Abdulrazaq tive distance of 248.80km through competing in the National category. A around 125km per day. al-Kuwari, have laid on a varied and the central and northern regions of team of two eligible riders will be able Equipment can be transported to ntries are now open and be- challenging Baja that features sand Qatar. A second liaison of 87.71km re- to enter and potentially run sepa- and from the start and fi nish of the ginning to come in for the dunes, fast sandy sections, testing turns riders and drivers to the Losail rately or share a motorcycle or a quad, stages, but bikes and quads must be new Qatar International Baja, navigation and the unique terrain as- Sports Arena. provided that both entrants possess placed in parc fermé at the conclusion the Qatar Motor and Motor- sociated with Qatar’s arid desert. The fi nal stage of 248.74km on the minimum of a ‘National’ status li- of the Baja. Trophies will be awarded cycleE Federation’s (QMMF) exciting Baja Director Pedro Almeida and Saturday, April 10th starts at Al cence. For teams using two machines, to the teams that fi nish in the top addition to the expanded 2021 FIM his assistant Rashid al-Sulaiti have Kharsaah, 80.53km from rally head- each must be fi tted with a road book three in this new and innovative cat- Bajas World Cup, taking place from confi rmed that the competitive ac- quarters, and also utilises four pas- reader and a mounting bracket to ac- egory. April 8 to 10. tion will get underway with a 6.7km sage controls. It winds its dusty trail cept a Stella GPS unit. Entries close at reduced rates on Motorcycle and quad riders and super special stage at Simasmina – through the central and southern One of the team riders will tackle Thursday, March 18 with the fi nal drivers of SSV vehicles can expect to 16km from rally headquarters at the deserts to fi nish at Sealine, south of the super special stage and then the cut-off set for Monday, March 29. face 504.24 competitive kilometres Losail Sports Arena – from 15.25hrs Doha. concept follows a relay-type format. Full details on entry concessions for through the Qatar deserts in a com- on Thursday, April 8. Competitors will then return to Each day, one rider will tackle roughly each category are available in the pact route of 872.44km. After a liaison section of 74.47km the Losail Sports Arena for the post- half of the desert selective section to supplementary regulations (subject Offi cials at the QMMF, working from Losail, the fi rst of the desert event press conference (17.30hrs) and the refuelling point, with the other to fi nal FIM approval) now posted on under the chairmanship of QMMF selective sections on Friday (April 9) the ceremonial fi nish (18.00hrs). taking over for the second part to www.qmmf.com