’s Fan Zhengdong wins men’s title at ITTF World Tour Platinum Open PAGE 15 MONDAY, MARCH 9, 2020 Gritty Campillo holds nerves to win CBQM title in tense play-off

You’ve got to be patient … you’ve got to try hard. It’s a tough win, but I’m glad I pulled it off. I’m just so proud right now of the way I played in the play-off. I hardly missed a shot and I was able to make some putts. CBQM champion Jorge Campillo Jorge Campillo beams as he holds the ‘Mother of Pearl’ trophy he clinched winning the Commercial Bank 2020 tournament after a five-hole play-off at the Education City Golf Club on Sunday. The Spaniard can also be seen in action in the background. Spaniard FıNAL ROUND SCORES Leading scores from the fourth and final round collects second 271-Jorge Campillo (ESP) 66-66-67-72, (SCO)67-69-64-71 -- Campillo won on fifth play-off hole European Tour 272-Niklas Lemke (SWE) 68-69-70-65, Kalle Samooja (FIN) 70-67-66-69, title in 23 (DEN) 66-69-65-72 273-Alexander Bjork (SWE) 70-63-69-71 events as he 274-Nino Bertasio (ITA) 72-69-67-66, George Coetzee (RSA) 70-68-69-67, delivers a Marcus Kinhult (SWE) 68-65-73-68, Pablo Larrazabal (ESP) 72-67-63-72, Chris Paisley (ENG) 69-70-67-68 heart-breaking 275-Marcus Armitage (ENG) 67-71-66-71, Lorenzo Gagli (ITA) 66-70-69-70, Gavin Green play-off loss (MAL) 70-69-71-65, Scott Jamieson (SCO) 67-68-69-71, Adrien Saddier (FRA) 69-70- to Scot David 67-69 276-Thomas Detry (BEL) 72-66-66-72, Drysdale at the Benjamin Hebert (FRA) 67-70-72-67, Benjamin Poke (DEN) 68-67-66-75, Jack ECGC course Jorge Campillo waves to fans after making the winning putt. local officials and fans cheer from the gallery at the Education City Golf Club. Senior (ENG) 69-66-68-73

RAAJIV TRIPATHI In a strange turn-around, decided in play-off. The previ- out of six on 18 to win is some- Alfred Dunhill Championship and France’s Adrien Saddier. with three others - Jack Sen- Campillo followed a dropped ous two Spanish winners in Qa- thing to be proud of. champion, was among five This is the third top-15 fin- ior (England), Benjamin Poke shot on the 16th with a double tar were: Sergio Garcia (2014) “It’s a great par four, 18. players who were locked for ish for Green this year, having (Denmark) and Thomas Detry WITH a dramatic and timely bogey and was forced into the and Alvaro Quiroz (2009). For A tough hole,” the champion the seventh place. The five-time claimed a tied-third place in (Belgium). Herbert produced a recovery of his superb touch in sudden death by Scotland’s Drysdale, this is a fourth run- added. Tour winner from Spain had a the Saudi International and a minus four to total eight under sudden death play-off, Jorge David Drysdale, who has been ner-up finish in his career. Swedish Niklas Lemke one over 72 to finish with a ten shared 15th in the South Afri- 276, which helped him shoot up Campillo edged Scotland’s Da- waiting for his first victory in Campillo, who began the and Gavin Green produced under 274 total. can Open. He had a rather quiet 22 spots. vid Drysdale and became the 498 starts, the most of any day with a bogey, commented the lowest card on the last Other players to join him start with three successive pars But other three surren- third Spaniard to take home player without a win in the Eu- after his victory: “You’ve got to day, going six under par. The were South African George in the first three holes. Then he dered their strong position to the magnificent Mother of ropean Tour history. be patient… you’ve got to try 35-year-old Lemke climbed 18 Coetzee, who shared the run- rifled two birdies but lost the slip down the leaderboard. Pearl Trophy, the symbol of Both fired birdies twice on hard. It’s a tough win, but I’m places with a minus 12 total ner-up place with eight oth- advantage with a double bogey. Poke, third overnight with supremacy at the Commercial the par-four 18th hole during glad I pulled it off. of 272 to share the third place ers last year in Qatar, Chris Green then saved three under 12 total, got four over par Bank Qatar Masters. the play-off. They parred on the “I’m just so proud right now with Dane Jeff Winther, who Paisley (England), Markus strokes in as many holes to fin- card today. Senior had two over At the Education City Golf next two visits as well as a large of the way I played in the play- was challenging the top duo Kinhult () and Nino ish the front nine with a three 73 and Detry went one over par. Club course on Sunday when gathering watched the tense off. I hardly missed a shot and I for the title at one stage today, Bertasio (Italy). under 33. He continued his Three former champions the conditions were not as pun- final with hearts beating hard. was able to make some putts,” and Finnish Kalle Samooja. Green jumped 39 places momentum and secured three - Justin Hardin (2019), Jeun- ishing as on the first three days, Off the fifth hole, Campillo he said while talking about the Alexander Bjork, another and got the distinction of be- birdies in the first four holes to ghun Wang (2017) and Darren the 33-year-old ever-smiling however executed another bird- late fumble. Swede, was in a position to fin- ing the highest Asian finisher go minus six by after 14th hole. Fichardt (2003) - finished in a solo overnight leader Campillo ie and the 44-year-old Drysdale “I hit some good shots in ish in a tied third. But his bogey at a shared 12th. The Malay- He had a setback but compen- 10-player bunch for the 28th opened a two-shot lead with his could not respond, leaving the the middle of the round. knew I on the 14th hole earned him a sian, with a sizzling six under sated it with another birdie to spot. They all aggregated minus 13th-hole birdie, his third of the Spaniard a worthy winner. was going to make some putts. par card and dropped him to a 65, led a five- player group, close out the day. six 278. The pool also included final day, and looked to be hav- This is the fourth time in David was hitting some great solo fourth spot with 11 under which included England’s Mar- Benjamin Herbert (France) India’s SSP Chowrasia, who ing a smooth sailing towards Commercial Bank Qatar Mas- shots into the hole and I had to 273 aggregate. cus Armitage, Scotland’s Scott improved his overnight posi- had a bad three over par 74 on his second title in 23 events. ters’ history that the title was make some putts. Three birdies Pablo Larrazabal, the 2019 Jamieson, Italy’s Lorenzo Gagli tion and moved to a tied 17th the last day.

QGA President Hassan nasser al naimi, Commercial Bank Board Member Sheikh Faisal bin Fahad al Thani and Commercial Bank Group CEo Joseph Abraham present the cheque to Jorge Campillo. Commercial Bank Chief Marketing officer Hussein al Abdullah was also present on the occasion. Jorge Campillo poses with the trophy along with the Qatar Golf Association and Commercial Bank officials at the Education City Golf Club. Sports Monday, March 9, 2020 13

QnB Grand Prix of Qatar Moto2 race champion Tetsuta nagashima (red Bull KTM Ajo) is flanked by HE Salah bin Ghanim al Ali, Minister of Culture and Sports, with FIM President Jorge Viegas, Dorna Sports CEo Carmelo Ezpeleta (second right), second-placed lorenzo Baldassarri (Flexbox HP 40) and third-placed Italtrans racing Team’s Enea QMMF President Abdulrahman al Mannai, and lCSC Vice-President & GM Khalid al remaihi (right). Bastiannini (left) at the losail International Circuit on Sunday. Nagashima emulates late friend in Moto2 at QNB Grand Prix of Qatar The Japanese Red Bull KTM Ajo rider dedicates win to former Losail winner Tomizawa

RAAJIV TRIPATHI an emotional Nagashima. dOha The winner did not have a good qualifying but worked his TETSUTA Nagashima dazzled way from the fifth-row start under the Losail International steadily. Early race leader Luca Circuit floodlights to script a Marini attempted an ambitious historical Moto2 victory for Ja- charge to pull clear of the field pan and Red Bull KTM Ajo at but slowed down later. the QNB Grand Prix of Qatar Then came the decisive mo- on Sunday. ment in the 20-lap race and With three laps to go, Na- Nagashima zoomed away to gashima made his big move and catch his rivals napping before clocked a sub 2-min lap to cre- recording the scintillating vic- Moto2 race winner Tetsuta nagashima celebrates his victory at the Moto3 race winner Albert Arenas with second-placed John McPhee (left) and third-placed Ai ogura on the ate a gap over his closest chal- tory. Both Baldassarri and Bas- losail International Circuit on Sunday. podium at the QnB Grand Prix of Qatar in losail on Sunday. lengers 2019 Qatar GP winner tianini battled hard for the sec- Lorenzo Baldassarri (FlexBox ond place and it was the former Racing’s Xavi Vierge and Intact We didn’t know if we’d even get and could overtake many rid- HP 40) and Enea Bastianini who managed to get the runner- GP’s Thomas Luthi, a rider with QNB Grand Prix of Qatar Results to race with all this coronavi- ers but there were not enough (Italtrans Racing Team). up spot, while Bastianini’s third 17 GP wins to his name, com- MOTO2 (Rank Rider Nation Team Bike Time) MOTO3 (Rank Rider Nation Team Bike Time) rus. We’ve worked towards the laps! I’m happy, but not (so) Then, he maintained the ad- place was his second intermedi- pleting the top 10. 1 Tetsuta Nagashima JPN Red Bull KTM Ajo (Kalex) 1 Albert Arenas SPA Aspar Team Gaviota (KTM) 38m race all winter. It went to plan happy! It’s enough for the first vantage and went on to record ate class podium. Arenas outduels McPhee 40m 0.192s; 2 Lorenzo Baldassarri ITA Flexbox HP 8.941s; 2 John McPhee GBR Petronas Sprinta Racing at the end, but I just missed race!” There were more penal- victory with 1.3 seconds differ- Pole rider Joe Roberts was for Moto3 triumph Albert 40 (Kalex); 40m 1.539s; 3 Enea Bastianini ITA (HONDA) 38m 8.994s ;3 Ai Ogura JPN Honda Team out to Albert. I thought some- ties for track limits as Gabriel ence and dedicated it to his late the unlucky rider to miss out Arenas outpaced and outbat- Italtrans Racing Team (Kalex) 40m 1.620s; 4 Joe Asia (HONDA) 38m 9.285s; 4 Jaume Masia SPA one was closer to me into the Rodrigo, Arbolino, Raul Fer- Roberts USA American Racing (Kalex) 40m 1.751s; Leopard Racing (HONDA) 38m 9.188s; 5 Tatsuki friend and compatriot Shoya on a maiden Moto2 podium in tled to clinch a victory ahead 5 Remy Gardner AUS Onexox TKKR SAG Team Suzuki JPN SIC58 Squadra Corse (HONDA) 38m final corner and went a little bit nandez and Jeremy Alcoba all Tomizawa, whom he emulated. fourth place, but it still marks of John McPhee at the 2020 (Kalex) 40m 2.093s; 6 Jorge Navarro SPA Beta 9.730s; 6 Gabriel Rodrigo ARG Kömmerling Gresini defensive. But really happy!” had to go one spot down. Tomizawa had won the race an incredible start to 2020 for Moto3 world championship Tools Speed Up (Speed Up) 40m 2.573s; 7 Marcel Moto3 (HONDA) 38m 9.367s; 7 Jeremy Alcoba SPA Jaume Masia was third but he The penalties handed pole- here 10 years ago. the American Racing rider hav- opener in Qatar. Schrotter GER Liqui Moly Intact GP (Kalex) 40m Kömmerling Gresini Moto3 (HONDA) 38m 9.500s; 8 was slapped with a penalty ride sitter Tatsuki Suzuki fifth place “Shoya was like a brother ing previously never finished Taking advantage of a 4.682s; 8 Aron Canet SPA Aspar Team (Speed Up) Filip Salac CZE Rivacold Snipers Team (HONDA) 38m for exceeding track limits in the for SIC58 Squadra Corse ahead to me, because when I started inside the top 10. collision between Darryn 40m 4.895s; 9 Xavi Vierge SPA Petronas Sprinta 9.764s; 9 Dennis Foggia ITA Leopard Racing (HONDA) final lap. The Leopard Racing of Rodrigo on the Kommerling Racing (Kalex) 40m 7.310s; 10 Thomas Luthi SWI 38m 9.905s; 10 Raul Fernandez SPA Red Bull KTM racing we were always togeth- Remy Gardner recovered Binder and Tony Arbolino in Liqui Moly Intact GP (Kalex) 40m 9.096s. Ajo (KTM) 38m 9.775s. rider was demoted from the fi- Gresini with teammate Alcoba er. He taught me a lot. Also I to finish fifth for ONEXOX the braking area for the first nal podium place with Ai Ogura in seventh place. remember when he won the TKKR SAG Team in front of corner ahead of the final lap promoted to third place for Filip Salac grabbed eighth race here, so I can’t believe Speed Up’s Jorge Navarro which sent the CIP Green good gap and delivered a de- “No words! This race was in- Honda Team Asia. place for Rivacold Snipers my first win is at the same and Marcel Schrotter for Liqui Power rider down, Arenas serving victory - the 100th GP credible, the best of my life. I The Japanese rider said, Team ahead of Dennis Foggia place. Unbelievable! I want to Moly Intact GP. kept himself ahead of McPhee triumph for KTM and a first for enjoyed every lap. I managed it “In the beginning, I struggled on the Leopard Racing as Raul say thanks to Shoya, my fami- Moto2 debutant Aron Canet in a breakaway. the Austrian manufacturer in from the beginning... Thanks so with the other riders and it was Fernandez struggled late on ly, my sponsors and my team. got the eighth place for Aspar Scotching whatever plans Losail since 2014. much!” McPhee commented: difficult to overtake, but then dropping down to 10th place for I’m very happy!,” commented Speed Up with Petronas Sprinta the Scot had, Arenas built a Arenas said after the race, “It went to plan. What a race! their tyres dropped I felt good Red Bull KTM Ajo. Dominant crush India to win fifth T20 AFP MElBOurnE Scoreboard AUSTRALIA J. Rodrigues c Carey b Jonassen 0 A rampant Australia emphati- B. Mooney not out 78 H. Kaur c Gardner b Jonassen 4 cally swept to their fifth wom- A. Healy c Krishnamurthy b R. Yafav 75 D. Sharma c Mooney b Carey 33 M. Lanning c Pandey b Sharma 16 V. Krishnamurthy c Jonassen b Kimmince 19 en’s Twenty20 World Cup ti- A. Gardner st Bhatia b Sharma 2 *R. Ghosh c Carey b Schutt 18 tle Sunday, crushing India by R. Haynes b P. Radav 4 S. Pandey c Mooney b Schutt 2 85 runs in front of more than N. Carey not out 5 R. Yadav c Mooney b Jonassen 1 86,000 fans at the Melbourne Extras: (b1, nb1, w2) 4 P. Yadav c Gardner b Schutt 1 TOTAL: (For 4 wickets, 20 overs) 184 R. Gayakwad not out 1 Cricket Ground. Did not bat: Jess Jonassen, Sophie Molineux, *concussion substitute Alyssa Healy smashed a Delissa Kimmince, Georgia Wareham, Megan Schutt. Extras: (w5) B quick-fire 75 and Beth Mooney Fall of wickets: 1-115 (Healy), 2-154 (Lanning), TOTAL: (All out, 19.1 overs) 99 3-156 (Gardner), 4-176 (Haynes) Fall of wickets: 1-2 (Verma), 2-8 (Rodrigues), 3-18 an unbeaten 78 as the defend- Bowling: Sharma 4-0-38-2, Pandey 4-0-52-0, (Mandhana), 4-30 (Kaur), 5-58 (Krishnamurthy), ing champions plundered an Gayakwad 4-0-29-9, P. Yadav 4-0-30-1, R. Yadav 6-88 (Sharma), 7-92 (Pandey), 8-96 (Ghosh), 9-97 ominous 184 for four – the 4-0-34-1. (R. Yadav), 10-99 (P. Yadav). highest score ever in a wom- INDIA Bowling: Schutt 3.1-0-18-4, Jonassen 4-0-20-3, S. Verma c Healy b Schutt 2 Molineux 4-0-21-1, Kimmince 4-0-17-1, Carey 4-0- en’s T20 final. S. Mandhana c Carey b Molineux 11 23-1. India could only manage T. Bhatiya retired hurt 2 Result: Australia won by 85 runs. 99 all out in reply to end a 17-day tournament that rein- forced Australia’s dominance, 12th T20 half-century. big trouble at 32 for four after having now won five of the They reached 91 without Smriti Mandhana and Kaur seven World Cups held. Australia captain Meg lanning (C) with teammates celebrate with the winning trophy of Twenty20 Women’s Cricket World Cup after beating loss at the halfway mark, with both went cheaply. “I’m just really proud of this India in the final at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Sunday.(aFP) Healy then hitting three con- Sharma hit a battling 33 but group of players,” said Austral- secutive sixes off Shikha Pan- it was never going to be enough ian skipper Meg Lanning. sport to a new generation and and after the game. to keep learning.” dey. Her luck finally ran out go- as Megan Schutt took 4-18. “There was a lot of expec- fans responded with 86,174 Australia came into their After Australia won the ing for another big one, caught It capped an engrossing fi- tation on us, inside and out. attending, despite fears about sixth successive final as heavy toss, Healy showed her intent for 75 from just 39 balls. nal that Cricket Australia chief Definitely some tough times in the deadly coronavirus that favourites, in contrast to India with a boundary off Deepti At the other end, player- Kevin Roberts said reflected there, but we stuck with each has seen other global sporting who were playing their first de- Sharma’s first ball. of-the-tournament Mooney the sport’s growing popularity, other, had each other’s backs. events cancelled or played be- Slam bang cider. India had upset Lanning’s She smacked two more quietly went about her busi- while a boost in prize money “It’s been massive, 86,000 hind closed doors. team in the opening game of the in an eventful opening over ness to bring up her ninth T20 strengthened a push for gen- people at the MCG, I’ve never They were targeting the of- Alyssa Healy smashed a tournament, but they never got which also saw her dropped by half-century before three late der equality. seen it before and didn’t think ficial world record for a wom- quick-fire 75 and Beth a look in on Sunday. Shafali Verma. wickets fell. The International Cricket I’d be part of it in the middle,” en’s sporting fixture – set at Mooney an unbeaten 78 as “I still have a lot of faith Opening partner Mooney India got off to a horror Council bumped up the tour- she added. the 1999 football World Cup the defending champions in my team,” said disap- also had an early let-off, with start with explosive 16-year- nament prize pool by 320 per- The blockbuster showdown final when 90,185 watched the Australia plundered an pointed Indian skipper Har- Rajeshwari Gayakwad putting old opener Verma, who has cent from the 2018 event, but between the world’s top-ranked United States beat China in ominous 184 for four – the manpreet Kaur. down a caught and bowled used the tournament to an- it still fell short of what the team and fast-improving In- California – but fell just short. highest score ever in a “We need to focus, espe- chance when she was on eight. nounce herself, out for two. men receive. dia was billed as the biggest in It was nevertheless a re- women’s T20 final. cially in fielding. But I trust India was jittery and an Taniya Bhatia retired hurt To counter that, women’s cricket history. cord crowd for a women’s this team. It’s part of the aggressive Healy smashed two after being hit on the helmet CA pledged a further A #FilltheMCG campaign cricket game helped by the game, sometimes you win and big sixes in succession off Gay- before Jemimah Rodrigues fell $US600,000 to ensure parity was launched to help bring the lure of pop superstar Katy Perry, who performed before sometimes you lose. You have akwad before bringing up her without scoring. India were in if Australia won. 14 Monday, March 9, 2020 Sports Xavi concedes league title, targets AFC holds meeting with West Zone Amir Cup as injury ravages Al Sadd on virus-hit Champions League AYENI OLUSEGUN dOha

AL Sadd coach Xavi Hernan- We got two points in the last dez has conceded the QNB three games, although we Stars League title after The were the better team. Al Wolves lost 1-0 to Al Rayyan in Sadd does not deserve the a charged ‘Clasico’ on Saturday. league title because we did The Wolves have endured a torrid couple of months with not score goals. injuries with both Salem al – Xavi Hajri and Ali Asad sidelined for a long time. They will also be without lenges before us – the Cham- Hassan al Haydos for three pions League and the Amir months and only on Saturday, Cup – and we must continue to Pedro Miguel seemed to have work all our strength. We have TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK resentatives in Doha and Dubai tion of Member Associations aggravated a shoulder injury Al Sadd coach Xavi Hernadez. to restore confidence among dOha this weekend. in producing a plan for the and is scheduled to have sur- the players, especifically in the AFC officials met with rep- remaining matches before the gery in London which will keep attack,” he said. REPRESENTATIVES of the resentatives of a number of Round of 16. him out for 12 weeks, the club Last season, Al Sadd be- competing Member Associa- West Asian federations in Doha The quarter-finals will be said in a statement. came the first club to finish the tions (MA) from the AFC West on Friday in the presence of moved to September 14-16 and Defender Tarek Salman than Al Rayyan,” Xavi, whose this season in his first mana- season with 100 goals thanks Zone have provided the Asian Qatar Stars League CEO Hani 28-30 and semifinals to Octo- will be out for three weeks af- side drew against both Umm gerial job is however keen to to the duo of Baghdad Bouned- Football Confederation (AFC) Taleb Ballan, Qatar Football ber 20-21 and 27-28. The AFC ter picking up a knee injury on Salal and Al Arabi, lamented af- make up with the AFC Cham- jah and Akram Afif who had 65 with a series of proposals to Association General Secretary Champions League Final dates Saturday. ter the loss to Al Rayyan. pions League and Amir Cup goals between them. complete the 2020 AFC Cham- Mansour al Ansari and QSL’s (November 22 - East and No- “We got two points in the With just five matches left trophies. This year though, both pions League group-stage Executive Director of Compe- vember 28 - West) remain un- last three games, although we in the league, Al Sadd, defend- “We are happy with the players have managed just 25 matches postponed as a pre- titions and Football Develop- changed. were the better team. Al Sadd ing champions are 10 points players’ performance, but this goals together and the team caution against the spread of ment Ahmed Khellil Abbassi. As with the East Zone, the does not deserve the league title behind leaders Al Duhail and is the case with football. It is with 45, still leads the league Corona virus (COVID 19). All matches in the AFC MAs put forward some propos- because we did not score goals. six points behind second- difficult to win the league con- as the most potent attack. Following the meeting with Champions League Match als which will now be consid- I feel very disappointed, and the placed Al Rayyan. sidering the gap between us Al Sadd will next play Al MAs from the East Zone in Day 3 were postponed in the ered by the AFC and various result was not fair because we The Spaniard though, who and Al Duhail. Wakrah in the Amir Cup on Kuala Lumpur last week, the West Zone and the AFC has stakeholders, including com- had many more opportunities has won two trophies already “We have many other chal- Friday. AFC met with West Zone rep- now asked for the co-opera- mercial partners.

Judge orders Man Utd complete derby double football icon to edge Liverpool closer to title held in custody AFP aSunCIOn the near post. Chelsea crush Confidence was now flow- BRAZILIAN football legend ing through United as Fer- Ronaldinho was behind bars Everton 4-0 to nandes headed wide at the end on Saturday after being arrest- of an excellent team move be- ed for entering Paraguay on a maintain UEFA fore Fred was controversially fake passport, a judge in Asun- booked for diving when he cion confirmed on Saturday. Champions appeared to have been taken The two-time world player down inside the area by Nicolas of the year and his brother League push Otamendi. Roberto, who was detained United fans were frustrated with him, had spent the night AFP VAR did not intervene on that in the headquarters of the Spe- ManChEStEr occasion and when it did early cialised Police Group in the in the second half, City were capital city. MANCHESTER United com- nearly the beneficiaries. The pair appeared on Sat- pleted a first Premier League Sergio Aguero was flagged urday morning before Judge double over Manchester City offside long before he fired past Clara Ruiz Diaz at the Palace for 10 years as Anthony Martial David de Gea, but the Argen- of Justice. and Scott McTominay pun- tine was only fractionally off Prosecutor Osmar Le- ished two errors from visiting when the move was reviewed. gal said Ronaldinho – his goalkeeper Ederson for a 2-0 Moments later Ederson es- full name is Ronaldo de As- win at Old Trafford on Sunday. caped gifting another goal as a sis Moreira – and his brother Victory keeps United hot routine backpass rolled under were being charged with using on the heels of Chelsea for a his foot and the former Benfica false official documents, and top-four finish in the Premier stopper needed to produce a he requested that they be held League just three points be- last-ditch tackle on Martial to in preventive detention. hind the Blues in fifth place, deny United breathing space. The judge agreed. “They which could be good enough City then slowly started to committed a serious act that for Champions League football up the pressure. Phil Foden’s threatens the state,” she said, next season. long-range drive forced De Gea and ordered them held. Frank Lampard warned into a fingertip save. A lawyer for the brothers, Chelsea not to get complacent Raheem Sterling then Tarek Tuma, called the judge’s after they took control of the Manchester United Scott McTominay (39) celebrates scoring his team’s second goal during their English Premier league match could not stretch to get a good decision “irrational (and) arbi- race to qualify for the Champi- against Manchester City at old Trafford in Manchester on Sunday. (aFP) connection on Riyad Mahrez’s trary” and demanded that the ons League with a 4-0 demoli- cross and De Gea got down well judge recuse herself. tion of Everton on Sunday. go. It’s still close. Even if it looks Sport, and on this display seem jured Kevin De Bruyne as Unit- goal after outmuscling Fer- to deny Gabriel Jesus. Ronaldinho spent Friday Lampard’s side won for like a cushion as I sit here now, to already be concentrating ed created the better chances nandinho. However, where United night in an administrative of- just the second time in seven it doesn’t feel that way. on completing a treble of cup on the counter-attack. City’s defensive deficien- may have buckled earlier in the fice in police headquarters league games thanks to goals “It’s in our hands, but I’m competitions this season. The January signing of cies have allowed Liverpool to season, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s that had been converted to from Mason Mount, Pedro, certainly not going to jump A seventh league defeat of Bruno Fernandes has been key streak 25 points clear. But it men held firm to record a third serve as a cell, said Commis- Willian and Olivier Giroud in in and say we are favourites. the campaign for City means to United’s 10-game unbeaten was an uncharacteristic error win in four meetings with City sioner Blas Vera. a masterful display at Stam- We have had inconsistency at Liverpool are now just a maxi- run and the Portuguese’s first from Ederson that gifted Unit- this season. Ronaldinho, winner of the ford Bridge. times this season.” mum of two wins away from impact in the game put Daniel ed the lead. McTominay sealed the prestigious Ballon d’Or prize Fourth-placed Chelsea are Outgoing English cham- claiming a first league title in James through, but the Welsh- Fernandes was the creator three points deep into stop- in 2005, was allowed visitors – in pole position to qualify for pions City are banned from 30 years. man fired too close to Ederson. again with a scooped free-kick page time when he strode one brought him blankets and the Champions League with European football for the next City dominated posses- Martial also allowed the to pick out the Frenchman and onto a wayward throw by bedding – and was even per- nine games to play. two years pending an appeal sion early on, but lacked their Brazilian to make a comfort- his shot squeezed under Eder- Ederson to steer the ball into mitted to order a late dinner “There’s still a long way to to the Court of Arbitration for normal potency without the in- able save with a clear sight of son’s right hand and crept in at an unguarded net. from a fast-food chain. Serie A against league Bayern four points clear after laboured win suspension request DPA niversary greeted the home attacks despite controlling the players, who were wearing majority of possession. DPA statement from AIC president special shirts in honour of the A hungrier side emerged rOME Damiano Tommasi. BAYERN Munich moved four club’s first German champion- from the half-time interval “Stopping football is the points clear at the top of the ship from 1932. and Mueller almost immedi- THE Lega Serie A played a first most useful decision for the on Sunday with a la- But they were anything but ately made the breakthrough by round of games behind closed country at this time. The boured 2-0 home win over local inspired in a lethargic opening guiding home Jerome Boateng’s doors on Sunday amid criticism teams to root for are playing in rivals Augsburg. half in which Augsburg keeper pinpoint chip over the defence. from the Italian footballers un- our hospitals and emergency Thomas Mueller struck the Andreas Luthe, called up to re- “At the end that is the qual- ion (AIC) and Sports Minister rooms,” he wrote in a tweet. opening goal in the 53rd minute place Tomas Koubek, did not ity of Bayern,” said Luthe, who Vincenzo Spadafora, who asked FIGC and Spadafora sup- and Leon Goretzka added an make a single save. joked he “almost fell asleep” in for a suspension of the league ported Tommasi’s request, with injury-time second after Bay- “We did not invest enough the first half. after the government tightened the minister saying that: “It ern initially struggled to create in running,” Mueller told Sky Augsburg suddenly looked measures to subdue the corona- makes no sense in this moment, chances against the organized television. tired but Luthe made a wonder- virus outbreak. as we ask big sacrifices from Augsburg defence. The fans, meanwhile, con- ful save to deny Dutch teenager Six games were scheduled citizens to stop the contagion, to After the restart Bayern tented themselves with banners Zirkzee a fourth goal from five without spectators on Sunday put at risk the health of football- played with greater intensity Bayern Munich’s Thomas Mueller (right) is congratulated by Philippe and songs criticizing the Ger- Bundesliga games and then and Monday after being re- ers, referees, coaches and fans and Joshua Zirkzee, Philippe Coutinho after scoring against Augsburg during their Bundesliga man federation DFB in a con- repeated the trick to keep out scheduled from last weekend. that will gather to watch games Coutinho and match on Sunday. (aFP) tinuation of protests against the Coutinho. Gnabry twice shot Sunday’s opener between [on television].” all spurned opportunities be- commercialization of football narrowly wide. Parma and SPAL, however, was Prime Minister Conte on fore produced a who are second after winning defeat third-bottom Fortuna and collective punishments of Niederlechner did find the delayed 75 minutes as Spada- Sunday issued a decree that point-blank save to deny Flo- 2-1 at Borussia Moenchenglad- Dusseldorf in the weekend’s fi- supporters. net later but was ruled cor- fora reportedly had talks with enacts quarantine in the Lom- rian Niederlechner. bach on Saturday. nal game later Sunday. Bayern were still without rectly, if marginally, offside be- the Italian football federation bardy region and 14 provinces Champions Bayern are pur- Augsburg are 14th but could A pre-match choreography top striker Robert Lewandows- fore substitute Goretzka slipped (FIGC) and the league about a until April 3. sued by , slip another place should celebrating Bayern’s 120th an- ki and lacked a focal point for a calm finish past Luthe. Sports Monday, March 9, 2020 15 Davis Cup China’s Zhendong, Meng rule at ITTF Qatar Open

ITTF/TNN dOha

CHINA’S and emerged the re- spective men’s and women’s singles champions at the 2020 ITTF World Tour Platinum All over for India’s leander Paes in Davis Cup. Qatar Open in Doha. Success for Fan Zhendong, once again he proved himself safe and secure; underling the Paes’ 30-year dream fact that currently he is surely the most consistent player on planet earth. ends as Ecuador, Italy On the concluding day, Zhendong battled players who had nothing to lose; he was enjoy empty feeling rock solid in his semi-final win against (7- AFP good after the US Open in Sep- 11, 8-11, 11-6. 14-12, 11-7, 11-9) ParIS tember, Bob Bryan said they and in the final when facing were pleased to have a chance England’s Liam Pitchford (11- INDIA’S Leander Paes went to end a Davis Cup career that 9, 11-7, 8-11, 11-4, 6-11, 11-7). down fighting as his dream of began in 2003 on a high note. Having won three men’s crowning his 30-year Davis “We’ve played some of the singles titles in succession on Cup career with a place at the most important matches of the 2019 ITTF World Tour in finals ended on Saturday while our lives (in Davis Cup),” he , and Aus- Ecuador and Italy reached told daviscup.com. “These are tralia, as well as earlier this the November showpiece, the matches we’ll remember. year claiming gold in Germa- triumphing in empty arenas Today was a great way to end ny. , having never pre- locked down because of the this part of our career.” viously lost to Liam Pitchford, coronavirus crisis. John Millman was Aus- was odds on favourite in the Men’s champion Fan Zhengdong of China and runners-up liam Pitchford of England on the podium at Aspire Dome on Sunday. Paes, 46, has played for tralia’s star in Adelaide, wear- men’s singles semis clash. India in every Davis Cup sea- ing down Thiago Monteiro 6-7 Time and again we see tober when she was soundly son bar one since his debut in (6/8), 7-6 (7/3), 7-6 (7/3) to Chinese players make a good beaten in the second round 1990 but went to the qualifier give the 28-time champions start; their technique is so well at the 2019 ITTF World Tour tie in Zagreb against two-time victory over Brazil. honed they relax and move to Platinum German Open by Sin- champions Croatia having al- Ecuador swept past Japan new heights. They become an gapore’s Feng Tianwei (11-6, ready announced that 2020 in Miki in a tie played behind unstoppable juggernaut but 11-2, 11-4, 11-8). Meng has now would be his last year on tour. closed doors due to fears over stay close, believe, ask ques- gone 150 days without defeat. With India trailing 2-0 the spread of the coronavirus. tions and like anyone else they China’s and Xu overnight, Paes rolled back the The hosts were without feel the pressure, they become Xin claimed the gold in the years, linking up with 40-year- injury-hit Kei Nishikori and their adversary’s equal. Liam men’s doubles event, beating old Rohan Bopanna to defeat Yoshihito Nishioka, who de- Pitchford proved the point, England’s Paul Drinkhall and Mate Pavic and Franko Sku- cided not to join his team to in a crisis they can make mis- Pitchford 3-1 (11-8, 8-11, 11-1, gor 6-3, 6-7 (9/11), 7-5 to keep avoid a possible virus quar- takes like anyone else. 11-6) in the final. their country’s faint hopes of antine on his return to the Chen Meng underlined the Top seeds Japan’s Jun Mi- making the finals alive. United States. fact that she is the complete zutani and secured However, former US Open Gonzalo Escobar and player, she beat Mima Ito in mixed doubles gold defeating champion Marin Cilic then Diego Hidalgo outplayed Ben the final in emphatic style (3- China’s Wang Chuqin and Sun ruthlessly crushed that ambi- McLachlan and Yasutaka 11, 11-7, 11-9, 11-7, 11-7). Yingsha 3-1 (11-8, 7-11, 11-4, tion with a quickfire 6-0, 6-1 Uchiyama 7-6 (7/3), 6-3 to Not only did she display 15-13) in the mixed doubles fi- demolition of Sumit Nagal. give Ecuador, without a sin- perfection in her technical nal, while China’s Wang Man- “This was going to be my gles player in the world top skills, mentally she was sound; yu and , the No. 2 last match but the captain 150, a shock victory. she maintained her perfect re- seeds, beat top seeds Japan’s (Rohit Rajpal) said something Uchiyama said it was hard cord against the player who has Women’s singles champion Chen Meng with runner-up Mima Ito and officials at the presentation ceremony. Miyuu Kihara and Miyu Naga- to me after the match,” Paes to concentrate while playing in a been touted to be the greatest saki 3-1 (11-4, 7-11, 11-8, 11-9) told daviscup.com, hinting nearly empty arena, “but I don’t threat to Chinese excellence. being the top seed, she fulfilled in such company. women’s singles match on the to secure the women’s doubles that he could still play in the want to use it as an excuse”. She was expected to win expectations; that’s never easy The last time she lost a international stage was in Oc- top prize. September play-offs. A limited number of jour- “I will leave it to the cap- nalists and backroom staff tain because whoever plays, were permitted to enter the the best thing needs to be done arena once they had their body and the best decision needs to temperature checked. be made.” Italy shrugged off the ab- Qatar Gymnastics Federation hosts club championship It was a sweet Davis Cup sence of fans in Cagliari to farewell for US doubles duo defeat South Korea with Fabio TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK horse, parallel bars and rings. Bob and Mike Bryan in Hawaii. Fognini and Simone Bolelli dOha The event was attended by The twin brothers, play- easily beating Nam Ji-sung Ali al Hitmi, President of the ing what they said would be and Song Min-kyu 6-3, 6-1 in THE Qatar Gymastics Fed- QGF, and heads of the clubs of their last Davis Cup tie, de- the doubles to seal their place eration successfully hosted the Iraq and Oman. feated Sanjar Fayziev and in the Madrid finals. Gymnastics Club Champion- Hitmi thanked the heads Denis Istomin 6-3, 6-4 in just “Fabio was very calm, ship, which was held for the of the delegations. He also 67 minutes to give the United very collected. We joked that first time in Qatar, with the thanked championship com- States an unassailable 3-0 lead maybe he should play behind participation of clubs from mittees’ members, in par- over Uzbekistan. closed doors all the time,” said Iraq, Oman, and Qatar. As ticular Samira Saeed, the ad- Reilly Opelka had beaten Italian tennis federation match many as 83 gymnasts from ministrative director of the Istomin 6-2, 7-5 and Taylor Fritz director Sergio Palmieri. Qatar Academic Club, Qatar tournament, Mazen Taha, beat Fayziev 6-1, 6-2 on Friday Meanwhile, Colombia Club, Victoria Club, Khawla technical director of the tour- to put 32-time winners United made the most of Bogota’s Club, Maysan Club, Baghdad nament and competition man- States on the road to victory. high altitude to defeat 2016 Club and Muscat Club com- agers Captain Muhammad al Although the Bryans plan champions Argentina for the peted in individual appara- Dulaimi and Captain Mohsen to hang up their racquets for first time. tus of floor exercise, pommel Talaat for their efforts. Qatar Gymnastics Federation President Ali al Hitmi with young gymnasts at club championship. RAM Cycling League returns to rural town of Al Guwayriyah

TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK dOha

THE Royal Air Maroc (RAM) Cycling League returned to the rural town of Al Guwayriyah in Qatar for its penultimate stage, bringing with it a guest star in the form of MotoGP racer, Aleix Espargaro. Espargaro had already travelled to Qatar prior to his event being scratched from the program due to many of the sport’s top bikers being unable to travel since coronavirus hit Italy. Aleix, who travels with a bicycle to stay fit, was put It’s a lot less close in C in shedding Forchino but they first time Qatari women, could in contact with Qatar Cycling grade, where Jamison Ca- still carried Jamison Carino, take some inspiration from Federation by local cyclist/ rino (Bike to Work Qatar) has who outsprinted both to take triathlete Daniela Sposi (Tri- motor bike racer, Mashel al dominated this season’s rac- a win in his rookie race in the Club Doha). Dani has learned Naimi and both joined the A ing to the point where nobody higher grade. race craft over her two years of race on Friday. stands in his way of the title. Pia Sundstedt finally also road racing and on this outing In A grade’s five lap race, At the same time, Axel Dop- al, including Espergaro, putting teammate, Bilal al Saadi edging He stepped up to the B race rode away from a peloton ex- found herself contesting the the lack of wind proved most fer (Rasen Adventure Shop) in some attacks to test those out Aleix Espargaro into 4th. in Al Guwayriyah, where he hausted by repeated hard efforts sprint with the men to take effective in the home straight punctured, effectively remov- with tired legs at the tail end of With Lee Jones finishing 5th, found Pia Sundsted playing over the 76 km and, with her ri- a very creditable 12th place robbing the bunch of some of ing chances of replicating his 92 km on the road. he hands over the league lead- race-maker for her Rasen Ad- vals left behind, claimed her vic- overall and the Scarlet Jer- the advantage of shelter behind recent results. However by the National Team coach, Szy- er’s Scarlet Jersey to Rhaili but, venture Shop team. tory in the Women’s A category. sey from 2nd placed Sondra the leaders, eventually enabling last lap, Al Khater, Dopfer and mon Wasiak took the win with with just 5 points now separat- It wasn’t to be Rasen’s There was some very Hope. With the pair now tied Abdulla Al Khater (Team Doha the rest of the peloton were re- a powerful sprint, ahead of fel- ing them, everything hangs on day either though. Dawoud healthy competition in the sec- on points, the league will be Cycling) to break free to gain grouped and everyone came to low coach, Mouchine Rhaili the last race in Al Bidda Park in Al Rashdi and league leader, ond women’s category where decided on who finishes first up to two minutes advantage. the line together despite sever- (Team Doha Cycling) and his just over a month. Nayef Al Mesallam, succeeded eight riders, including some at Al Bidda. 16 Monday, March 9, 2020 The Last Word QF’s EVMC continues centuries-old Arab legacy

Dr Stefania Bucca, senior reproduction clinician at EVMC, and Dr Tatiana Vinardell, head of research and Education at EVMC Dr Tatiana Vinardell The Equine Veterinary Medical Centre at Qatar Foundation

the history of the region as the wrote extensively on equine ample, in this book Akhi Hi- nurses, technicians and other includes regenerative medi- EVMC, adds that the centre, Technology and people who have lived there. health, care and treatment in zam writes ‘If you are just on support staff man the hospital cine such as stem cells and which is the only one of its While there is sufficient the medieval Islamic civilisa- the way (travelling), and you situated near the Al Shaqab other healing enhancers to kind in the region, offers com- traditions merge at archeological evidence to sup- tion. These equine healthcare have to fix the ‘intisar’ without equestrian arena. treat the condition. Addition- prehensive and specialised new horse hospital port the theory that the rela- specialists were adept in the bandage, take old linseed and “The treatment described ally, technology such as MRIs care for all matters related to tionship is one that predates treatment of infectious and fill it in an iron dipper and by these ancient specialists is and ultrasonography have equine health – much like the in Education City Islam, it is only after the ad- non-infectious diseases, sur- mix it with hackled borax. the foundation of the treat- been developed to give clini- hippiatrists centuries ago. vent of the religion that clear geries, equine reproduction Boil it thoroughly and apply it ment plans we use today,” cians a clearer understanding As it addresses the equine TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK documentation about the care and general care. on the tendon of the mount’. says Dr Tatiana Vinardell, of the severity of the disease.” health needs of the wider dOha of horses emerged. In fact, an The books – some of Today, a multi-specialty head of Research and Educa- She notes how QF recog- community in Qatar, the entire range of research and which are still viewed as team situated at the Equine tion at EVMC. “For instance, nised the need to continue EVMC represents a natu- NO animal is perhaps so writing on horse healthcare treatises – reveal the depth Veterinary Medicine Centre as written by Akhi Hizam, this legacy, which is also an ral progression of an Arab closely intertwined with the were produced across what is of knowledge that Arab hip- (EVMC) – a Qatar Founda- tendonitis is still a serious in- inextricable part of Qatar’s legacy. While technology has history, traditions and her- now the MENA region. piatrists possessed; Akhi tion (QF) member – is, in a jury in horses. And this kind history, as it invested in edu- modernised its approach and itage of a geographical area Ibn Akhi Hizam al Hut- Hizam’s Kitab al furusiyya sense, continuing the tradi- of treatment – using a poul- cation, healthcare and re- work, the underlying essence as horses are to the Arabian tuli, Abu Beker Ibn al Badr wa-l-baytara , written around tions begun by this elite group tice – is, though rare today, search-focused resources to is still the same – taking care Peninsula. Across facts and al Mundir, Ibn al Ahnaf and 900 AD, is an example of the of equine experts centuries still used by some people. set up the EVMC. of a group of animals who folklore, the horse has always al Ashraf were some of the writing on specialised horse- ago. Here, a dedicated group “The 21st Century ap- Dr Stefania Bucca, sen- helped to shape the course of had as prominent a place in experts on hippology who care in the region. As an ex- of veterinarians, researchers, proach to treating tendonitis ior reproduction clinician at the region’s history.

INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY Mercure Hotel marks International Women’s Day

Mercure Hotel Doha celebrated the Inter- national Women’s Day (IWD) with their guests and staff. General Manager of the hotel Sebastien Vincent joined them for the cake-cutting ceremony in the lobby on the occasion. The IWD was QC celebrates women’s acts celebrated by Accor Group of hotels all of courage and determination over the world. (TNN)

TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK comprising many women contributed to dOha providing emergency aid to the needy in several areas hit by disasters around the QATAR Charity (QC) marked Interna- globe,” said the organisation. tional Women’s Day (IWD) with cel- QC implements many projects to em- Call for efforts to create an equitable world for women ebrating women’s achievements, acts of power women economically, offer educa- courage and determination. tional courses for mothers, build schools MERIAM JELLITI Thani said the report is a reminder of more fit than the men. make a pledge. Mine is to continue The IWD, which is observed on for girls and support widows and moth- dOha the many difficult years women have “However, I learned to perse- to mentor other women, to help March 8 every year, was marked this year ers of orphans, it noted. gone through. vere. My personal law of manage- them have a voice and to continue under the theme ‘I am Generation Equal- QC’s office in the Gaza Strip imple- PANELLISTS at a conference or- She said, “I realised that we are ment, if not of life, is that everything in their careers and in their lives to ity: Realizing Women’s Rights’. mented an awareness project for the ganised by AFG College with the far from attaining an equal world. can look like a failure,” she said. achieve their potentials. Let us all “As ordinary women have played an mothers of orphans last year, benefiting University of Aberdeen to celebrate That is why on the occasion of Inter- She encouraged women in lead- think about what our pledge will be extraordinary role in the history of their 400 women from different parts of the International Women’s Day on national Women’s Day (IWD), a day ing roles to keep up the efforts and and talk about each for equal.” countries and communities, QC attaches Gaza Strip. The project aimed to educate Sunday, called for concerted efforts that recognises the progress that has not to lower the level of dedication “Each one of us has something great importance to its female humani- the mothers on various social topics, in- to create an equitable world for fe- been made by women and the need and passion to keep inspiring young different and mesmerizing. Each tarian workers,” said the charity in a cluding skills for education and modifi- males, as the Equality Measures to push for more women rights, it girls with big dreams. story is inspiring and unique,” said press statement. cation of orphan’s behaviour, as well as partnership (EM2030) new report is required to dedicate more efforts Vice-Principal of Aberdeen Uni- Advisor to Chairman and Chief Ex- “QC considers the women work- money management skills. revealed that about two billion toward raising awareness about versity Prof Ruth Taylor spoke of ecutive Director at QDVC, Sheikha ing as its field staff or volunteering in its QC has also opened the Al-Shaimaa women and girls will not enjoy gen- women’s issues, because despite the the importance of the day and what Athba bint Thamer al Thani, while events a key partner in the success of its Secondary School for Girls in Beit Lahia, der equality by 2030. extensive work performed by gov- IWD means from an educational speaking of her educational journey relief missions and the implementation north of the Gaza Strip to benefit 1,920 The conference held under ernments in terms of raising aware- perspective. towards becoming a business wom- of charitable activities. QC’s relief team female students. the theme ‘An Equal World in an ness about women’s rights, there “Part of the process of learn- an and an artist, and the first Qatari Enabled World’ aimed to celebrate are still huge downsides. Women ing comes through mentorship woman to join QDVC. women’s achievements and high- continue to face difficulties in gender and coaching from other women. During the conference, cham- light the ongoing challenges and equality, especially in leading or ex- It’s something I want to give back, pion equestrian rider Khuloood al obstacles women around the world ecutive positions.” not only through this day but also Khori, news anchor and correspond- face every day. Sharing some of her insights through my career. IWD 2020 is ent at Al Jazeera Nastasya Tay and The event also aimed to share regarding the issues women face at about each person taking respon- Country General Manager of Micro- different experiences to help and in- work, Faleh said from her own ex- sibility for making a difference. It’s soft Lana Khalaf shared their success spire women to believe and achieve. perience that it’s not only hard for a collective individualism with all stories and the obstacles they had to Discussing the shocking report women to obtain executive posi- of us as an individual being able to face in order to achieve their dreams, of EM2030, Founder and Chairper- tions, but it’s also difficult to keep make a difference to the widest situ- inspiring women to believe in them- son of Al Faleh Educational Hold- them as they are constantly obliged ation,” she said. selves and walk together towards a ing HE Sheikha Aisha bint Faleh al to prove that they, as women, are Taylor added, “We should all world of equality.

‘Impregnable Guard 2020’ drill kicks off with participation of friendly forces

THE ‘Impregnable Guard 2020’ military ex- ercise started on Sunday and will run through March 27. Chief of Staff of Qatari Armed Forces HE Lieutenant General (Pilot) Ghanem bin Shaheen al Ghanem and a line-up of senior officers from the Qatari Armed Forces, security agencies and a number of friendly countries attended the open- ing of the drill. The Joint Special Forces, Military Police, Amiri Air Force, Amiri Guard, the Ministry of Interior and the Internal Security Force (Lekh- wia) are participating in the exercise, in addition to forces from friendly countries, such as Jordan, Turkey, Morocco, Pakistan, Oman, the US and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). The drill consists of scenarios and training to prepare the participating forces to respond to any cross-border security threats. (QNA)