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Thursday, March 4, 2021 FOOTBALL Rajab 20, 1442 AH Al Sadd set up GULF TIMES Al Arabi clash in Amir Cup semis SPORT Page 3

TENNIS / QATAR TOTAL OPEN Muguruza sends Sabalenka packing; Svitolina advances Spaniard beats defending champ in the first three-setter of the 2021 edition; Ukrainian top seed downs Japan’s Doi

By Sports Reporter Doha

ormer World No. 1 Gar- bine Muguruza stunned defending champion Aryna Sabalenka to enter quarter-fiF nals of the Qatar Total Open yesterday. In the fi rst three-set singles match of the tournament this year at the Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex, the former Wimbledon and French Open champion ousted No.3 seed Sabalenka 6-2, 6-7 (5), 6-3. Muguruza showed grit and It’s an important win for Kvi- composure in big pressure mo- tova, who has played a handful of ments to earn the hard-fought matches this season so far. win in two hours and 18 minutes. “I have a disappointing Aus- The Spaniard converted seven of tralian Open outing I have 17 break points, while Sabalenka worked a lot on and off the court was only won four of 13. and I think today, I played pret- For Sabalenka, the close loss ty solid from the baseline, and ended her undefeated record at I think I moved well, as well. I Ukraine’s Elina Svitolina in action against Japan’s Misaki Doi (not the event, after winning the title hope it helped me for the future, pictured) during their Qatar Total Open match yesterday. last year in her tournament de- for sure,” Kvitova said. but. Muguruza quickly led 4-0 in PEGULA BEAT OSTAPENKO the fi rst set and closed out the Australian Open quarter-final- set without dropping serve, al- ist Jessica Pegula’s rich vein of though she did have to fend off Spain’s Garbine Muguruza celebrates her win over Belarus’ Aryna Sabalenka (right) during their Qatar Total form continued with a 6-2, 7-5 breakpoints in the last game be- Open match at Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex yesterday. win over 2016 runner-up Jelena fore doing so. Ostapenko. In a contest of ag- That tricky fi nal game was guruza. Sabalenka converted that entered the quarter-fi nals with 6-2, 6-2 in 68 minutes to claim gressive baseline ball-striking, a precursor to the topsy-turvy chance with an error-forcing straight-sets wins earlier in the her spot in the elite eight. punctuated by the occasional second set, where Sabalenka backhand, lining up a decisive fi - day. Azarenka came through 6-4, The 2018 Doha champion Kvi- dropshot, the American quali- wrested control from Muguruza nal set for the fi rst time all week. 6-2 over qualifi er Laura Siege- tova was in scorching form in the fier was more consistent and with a big return to break for Sabalenka took the early lead mund, before No.4 seed Kvitova 13th edition of a rivalry dating better able to rely on her second 5-3. However, Sabalenka then in the decider, cracking a back- beat Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova back to 2008. serve. dropped serve in her next two hand winner to go up 3-2. But 6-1, 6-3. Eight of Kvitova’s previous en- Ostapenko’s combination of a service games, giving Muguruza Muguruza gritted out a re-break Top seed Elina Svitolina and counters with Pavlyuchenkova 56% fi rst serve percentage while a chance to serve for the match with her depth and power in the Maria Sakkari claimed quarter- had gone the distance, but there winning only 36% of the points at 6-5. lengthy following game. Mugu- fi nal spots with comfortable was little danger of that yesterday. behind her second serve was nev- Muguruza, though, was unable ruza grabbed all the momentum wins yesterday evening. Svitolina The Czech fi red 31 winners, kept er going to work out well for her. Jessica Pegula of the US returns a shot to Latvia’s Jelena Ostapenko to close, and the pair advanced from that point forward, clinch- breezed past lucky loser Misaki her unforced error count to 19 and The Latvian wildcard did hit a (not pictured) during their Qatar Total Open match yesterday. to a pivotal tiebreak. There, ing the fi nal four games to obtain Doi, 6-1, 6-2, to reach her third posted a 76% fi rst serve percent- thrilling purple patch in the sec- Sabalenka also saw a 5-3 lead slip victory. quarter-fi nal of the season. age. On three of the four break- ond set, threatening a comeback was all too brief. 12 of the last 14 points to reach to 5-5, but she earned a set point Former champions Victoria Sakkari also had a swift day at points she faced, she would bail as she reeled off 12 consecutive Ostapenko relapsed into error her second quarter-fi nal of the after a netted backhand by Mu- Azarenka and Petra Kvitova also the offi ce, ousting Madison Keys, herself out with clutch serving. points from 2-4 down – but it just as suddenly, and Pegula took season.

SPOTLIGHT Kontaveit blitzes into quarters with win over Kerber By Yash Mudgal today and happy with the way I Kerber converted only one working out these two match- Doha served out the match, as well,” break point, compared with Kon- es,” she said. Kontaveit said. taveit, who managed four out of Talking about facing tougher Kontaveit wrapped up the fi rst fi ve. opponents as the tournament nett Kontaveit seems to set yesterday in 23 minutes after This was Kontaveit’s fourth progresses, she said there is no have developed a habit breaking Kerber’s serve twice. victory over Kerber in fi ve pressure on her. of winning games in a The German, ranked two places matches, with the latter’s sole “I think the tournament is very jiff y. behind the Estonian, managed to victory in Cincinnati in 2019. strong, so I don’t feel like there AThe Estonian fi rst defeated win only one game. The 25-year-old, who reached is any pressure on me at all. I Australian Open runner-up Jen- Set two started in a similar the Australian Open third round can just enjoy being out here and nifer Brady 6-1, 6-2 in 56 min- way, with Kontaveit soon 4-1 before losing to American Shelby playing good tennis,” the World utes in the fi rst round on Tues- up until Kerber started to fi ght Rogers in the third round, is off to No. 24 said. day and yesterday, she defeated back, breaking Kontaveit’s serv- a very good start this season. She “Defi nitely I have to take it Angelique Kerber 6-1, 6-4 in yet ice unexpectedly and soon fi nd- also reached the Grampians Tro- match by match. I feel confi dent another sub-hour encounter to ing herself just a game behind at phy fi nal in Melbourne in the fi rst with the way I have been playing, enter quarter-fi nals of the Qa- 5-4. Kontaveit, however, held her week of February, but the fi nal and of course I want to do well tar Total Open at the Khalifa In- serve in the tenth game, and with was not held due to a Covid-19 and every time I step on the court ternational Tennis and Squash the set and the match. case emerging at a tournament I want to win,” she said. Complex. Kontaveit took 77.4 percent of quarantine hotel. Kontaveit, whose previous “I don’t think you really think her fi rst service points and won “I think I have put in good best result in Doha was reach- about or expect if it’s going to be 50 percent of her second serves work in the offseason, and I feel ing the second rounds in 2019 a fast match or a long match. But – the corresponding fi gures for like I have been playing confi- and 2020, will meet World No. 10 I feel I’m playing good tennis. I Kerber were 56.3 percent and 31.3 dently and positively this week. Czech Republic’s Petra Kvitova in Estonia’s Anett Kontaveit hits a return during the match against Germany’s Angelique Kerber (not pictured) was happy with the way I played percent, respectively. I think, you know, it’s been the quarter-fi nals. at the Qatar Total Open at Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex yesterday. Gulf Times 2 Thursday, March 4, 2021 SPORT

TENNIS / QATAR TOTAL OPEN Olympic medal is the target even as Mirza reaches Qatar semis with a straight sets 6-2, 6-0 win so my body is getting used to it a nis, I feel like if I look back, prob- By Yash Mudgal I feel like when I sort Doha over their higher-ranked rivals, little bit,” the 34-year-old said. ably an Olympic medal is some- fourth seeds Anna Blinkova and of close this chapter of Mirza is also looking at a new thing that I would have loved to Gabriela Dabrowski. my life, which is tennis, season ahead with the Tokyo Ol- win if I was supposed to close my ontinuing her winning It was Mirza’s fi rst tournament I feel like if I look back, ympics an added motivation. chapter today. probably‘ an Olympic medal return to the WTA cir- in 12 months. Incidentally, it was “Olympics is defi nitely one of “So I want to give myself an- cuit, Indian star Sa- at the same tournament, where is something that I would the reasons that I would like to other shot at it, sure. Whether nia Mirza reached the she played last in February 2020 have loved to win put myself in that position, to be I can be or will I be able to, time doublesC semi-fi nals of the Qatar before pandemic halted the Tour. — Sania Mirza able to compete at my fourth Ol- will tell. But, yes, that is some- Total Open with Slovenian part- Mirza herself had recovered from ympics if I do make it. We came thing that is important to me. It’s ner Andreja Klepac at the Khalifa Covid-19 in January this year. really, really close to winning that something that I have thought International Tennis and Squash “I feel okay. I mean, consider- like, some issue – just a little bit medal last time. You know, we about, and it was one of the mo- Complex yesterday. ing I haven’t played in a year, I of muscle issue but nothing, like, lost the bronze medal match, but tivations for me to come back,” Former World No. 1 Mirza and feel good,” she said. serious. But that’s to be expected I feel like when I sort of close this the six-time Grand Slam winner Klepac sailed into the fi nal four “I mean, I have a little bit of, because I’m playing after so long, chapter of my life, which is ten- said.

HORSE RACING TENNIS Furious Medvedev Al Shaman takes joins list of big names feature win at Uqda; out of Rotterdam ATP treble for Casamento Lukasek rides the Smart-trained winner in The Late Abdul Aziz Al Fuhaid Cup

By Sports Reporter 1,100m run on dirt by a little (80 & below) (Distance: 1,100m) Doha more than two lengths. 1. Rosasa (Soufiane Saadi), 2. AFP A calm Lajovic served out the Sly Fly (Qais al-Busaidi), 3. Al Rotterdam, Netherlands 10th game to set up a second- RESULTS Uraiq Weapon (Abdelhakim round clash with Borna Coric. is Highness Sheikh Race 1: LOCAL PUREBRED Lemsoukes), 4. Dalal Al Brooq The defeat was painful for Mohamed bin Khalifa ARABIAN NOVICE PLATE (Meteb Ali al-Marri). Won by: 2 aniil Medvedev became Medvedev as he would have tak- al-Thani’s Al Shaman (Distance: 1,100m) ½, 2 ½, 1 ¼. Time: 1:05.43. Owner: the latest big name to en number two spot in the world won the fi rst feature 1. Al Addaaj (Alberto Sanna), 2. Subaiya Awad Ibrahim. Trainer: fall in the fi rst round of rankings from Rafael Nadal, Hat the newly-opened Al Uqda Al Mahyoub (Marco Casamento), Mohamed Khaled Elahmed. the Rotterdam ATP af- who withdrew from the tourna- Equestrian Complex when the 3. Fanann (Carlos Henrique), 4. Race 5: THOROUGHBRED terD losing in straight sets 7-6 (4), ment with a back injury, had he Julian Smart ward landed The Seddik (Qais al-Busaidi). Won by: HANDICAP (Class 5) (75 & 6-4 to Dusan Lajovic. reached the fi nal. Late Abdul Aziz Al Fuhaid Cup ½, ½, Shd. Time: 1:12.09. Owner: below) (Distance: 2,000m) The world number three was Medvedev joins world number in a close fi nish yesterday. Mansoor Mesfer al-Hajri. Trainer: 1. Myboyhenry (Meteb Ali the top seed for this week’s seven and Alexander Zverev and The 2,000m dirt feature for Mansoor Mesfer al-Hajri. al-Marri), 2. Al Modajal (Ronan tournament after arriving in the three-time Grand Slam winner Class 2 Thoroughbreds saw the Race 2: PUREBRED ARABIAN Thomas), 3. Thiago (Alberto Netherlands following his run Stan Wawrinka in exiting the Tomas Lukasek-ridden seven- MAIDEN PLATE (4-6yo) Sanna), 4. Al Mujahaz (Tomas to the Australian Open fi nal but tournament early. year-old, who ran well in the (Distance: 1,100m) Lukasek). Won by: 2 ½, Hd, 1 ¾. was dumped out in just over 90 Zverev, 23, was dumped out by Irish Thoroughbred Marketing 1. Rafeeat Al Shan (Anas Time: 2:05.06. Owner: Khalid minutes by Serbian Lajovic, cur- Kazakhstan’s Alexander Bublik Cup (QA Group 2) last month al-Seyabi), 2. Sukaar (Khalid Abdulaziz al-Kuwari. Trainer: rently ranked 27th. yesterday in a shock straight sets fi nishing just outside the money, Russian Medvedev threw his 7-5, 6-3 defeat. edge out Jassim Ghazali-saddled Mohamed bin Nasser al-Fuhaid and Khalid bin Nasser al-Fuhaid crowned the winners of The Late Abdul Aziz Al Fuhaid Cup after His Highness racket down in a fury after being Bublik, who reached the fi - Almufti, ridden by Faleh Bugha- Sheikh Mohamed bin Khalifa al-Thani’s Al Shaman won the feature at Al Uqda Equestrian Complex yesterday. (Left) Al Shahania Stud manager broken in game nine of the second nal of last week’s tournament in naim by a quarter-of-a-length Dean Lavy received the owner’s trophy, while (right) Julian Smart received the trainer’s trophy. PICTURES: Juhaim set, having a row with the umpire Singapore, will face Tommy Paul for an exciting win. and starting the fi nal game with a in the second round after the The meeting was only the sec- Hossin Ashour. point penalty as a result. American defeated Italy’s Loren- Tomas Lukasek rides Al ond at the new complex north of Race 6: THOROUGHBRED The outburst came towards zo Sonego 6-4, 7-6 (7). Shaman to victory in The Doha, near Al Khor, after a mini HANDICAP (Class 3) (70-90) the end of a tense performance Wawrinka was knocked out on Late Abdul Aziz Al Fuhaid race meeting of sorts in January. (Distance: 2,000m) from the 25-year-old which fea- Tuesday after losing in straight Cup at Al Uqda Equestrian Marco Casamento rode three 1. Luneray (Marco Casamento), 2. tured eight double faults and 25 sets 6-4, 7-5 to Russia’s Karen Complex yesterday. winners yesterday, including Third World (Soufiane Saadi), 3. unforced errors. Khachanov. two Thoroughbred Handicap Roman Legend (Ronan Thomas), toppers and a maiden. 4. Massam (Anas al-Seyabi). Won Injaaz Stud’s Khafooq capped by: 2, ¾, 2, Time: 2:05.69. Owner: FOCUS the treble for the jockey, when Khalifa bin Sheail al-Kuwari. the Ghazali-trained gelding Trainer: Mohamed Hussain. landed the 1,100m sprint for Race 7: THOROUGHBRED horses rated 70-90. In a fi ne HANDICAP (Class 3) (70-90) ATP provides aid fi nish at the post, Khafooq reg- (Distance: 1,100m) istered his second victory this 1. Khafooq (Marco Casamento), term under Casamento and 2. Doha Incanto (Meteb Ali to pandemic-hit fourth overall, winning by more al-Marri), 3. Lauded (Anas than a length. al-Seyabi), 4. Catch A Wave (Al- Half-an-hour earlier, Casa- berto Sanna). Won by: 1 ¼, ¼, Nk. events, players mento was astride Khalifa bin Time: 1:04.67. Owner: Injaaz Stud. Sheal al-Kuwari’s Luneray too Trainer: Jassim Ghazali. Reuters by restrictions on ticket sales, when the Mohamed Hussain- Race 8: PUREBRED ARABIAN Mumbai, India and a substantial improvement schooled colt landed the mile- HANDICAP (90 & below) on this front looks unlikely be- and-a-quarter handicap for (Distance: 2,000m) fore mid-year,” Gaudenzi said in horses rated 70-90. 1. Maruf (Soufiane Saadi), 2. TP will spend upto a statement. In the 1,300m maiden run above, edging out Bughanaim- rated 75 and below yesterday. al-Balushi), 3. Tamih (Rashid Ali Bsheer (Faleh Bughanaim), 3. $5.2mn from its funds American players John Isner for Thoroughbreds, Casamento ridden Bsheer, saddled by Hadi The gelding won for the fi rst al-Marri), 4. Al Himayah (Tomas AJS Al Moheeb (Ronan Tho- to shore up prize mon- and Reilly Opelka recently hit out guided Jassim bin Ali al-Atti- al-Ramzani, by a nose. time in three years and for the Lukasek). Won by: 2 ¼, 4 ¾, 9 ¼. mas), 4. Winne Taouy (Rashid ey for the players at its at the ATP management for not yah’s US Cliff , saddled by Ghaz- Rosasa’s win was a much more fi rst time in Qatar. Time: 1:10.16. Owner: Saad Rabiah Ali al-Marri). Won by: No, 3, ½. events,A which are fi nancially hit taking salary cuts while athletes ali, to the horse’s fi rst career win comfortable aff air as the Mo- Earlier in the day, Alberto Saad al-Kaabi. Trainer: Ibrahim Time: 2:15:45. Owner: Umm Qarn. by restrictions on ticket sales are suff ering due to prize money by half-a-length. hamed Khaled Elahmed-trained Sanna guided Mansoor Mes- al-Malki. Trainer: Alban de Mieulle. due to the Covid-19 pandemic, cuts at tournaments. Soufi ane Saadi guided two mare won the 1,100m sprint by fer al-Hajri’s Al Addaaj to the Race 3: THOROUGHBRED Race 9: THE LATE ABDUL the men’s tennis governing body Each Tour and challenger winners yesterday, including two-and-a-half lengths. fi ve-year-old’s second career MAIDEN PLATE (Distance: AZIZ AL FUHAID CUP (Class 2 said on Tuesday. event in 2021 received $10,000 Umm Qarn’s Maruf, who landed Qatari jockey Meteb Ali al- win when they topped the Lo- 1,300m) THOROUGHBREDS) (Distance: The professional tennis cir- from the ATP to cover hotel costs the penultimate race of the day Marri bettered his last year’s cal Purebred Arabian Novice 1. US Cliff (Marco Casamento), 2,000m) cuit, which requires players to due to additional isolation from — Purebred Arabian Handicap winning tally when he guided Plate event in the nine-race card 2. Shine That Light (Ronan 1. Al Shaman (Tomas Lukasek), jet around the world, was forced Covid-19 positive tests or close- — and Subaiya Awad Ibrahim’s his 11th winner of the sea- opener. Thomas), 3. Rogue Nation (Anas 2. Almufti (Faleh Bughanaim), 3. into shutdown for fi ve months contact situation so that organ- Rosasa, winner of a local Thor- son yesterday. The appren- Next up in the Purebred Ara- al-Seyabi), 4. Creativity (Soufiane Pedro Cara (Ivan Rossi), 4. Sam in 2020 as countries went into isers or players are protected oughbred handicap. tice jockey was astride Hossin bian Maiden Plate event, it was Saadi). Won by: ½, 1, 4. Time: Langford (Carlos Henrique). Won lockdown and closed their bor- from extra expenses. A timely lunge at the post Ashour-trained Myboyhenry in Anas al-Seyabi that was astride 1:17.64. Owner: Jassim bin Ali al- by: ¼, 2, 1. Time: 2:03.63. Owner: ders to contain the spread of the Last year the ATP, the wom- saw Alban de Mieulle-trained the colours of Khalid Abdulaziz the winner, Ibrahim al-Malki- Attiyah. Trainer: Jassim Ghazali. His Highness Sheikh Mohamed novel coronavirus. en’s WTA, the International Maruf win the 2,000m Arabian al-Kuwari in the 2,000m Thor- trained Rafeeat Al Shan. The Race 4: LOCAL bin Khalifa al-Thani. Trainer: It severely impacted lower- Tennis Federation and the boards handicap for horses rated 90 and oughbred Handicap for horses Qatar-bred mare topped the THOROUGHBRED HANDICAP Julian Smart. level players, who depend solely of the four Grand Slams raised on prize money for a living. more than $6mn to help those in Though the disruption has fi nancial need while prize pools SPOTLIGHT been less severe in 2021, tour- were rejigged to off er more mon- naments, barring the swing in ey during early rounds. Australia, continue to be played The ATP also started single- without crowds or just a handful year licenses for tournaments to Al Shaqab’s Duhail wins Prix Anabaa in Chantilly of fans. allow more playing opportuni- The ATP 250 and 500 events, ties and nine such events have Agencies has been an extremely consist- Boy came in second, with the which earlier slashed their mini- been held since the Tour’s re- Chantilly, France ent performer throughout, and third placed horse, Coco City ¾ mum prize money for 2021 to sumption in August. who has been Stakes placed and length further back. Five of the 50% levels from 2019, will now The revised system for calcu- competitive a Group level. eight runners in the race were off er 80% and 60% respectively lating rankings since last year has n the colours of Al Shaqab Ridden by Vincent Chemin- Stakes performers. until Wimbledon, scheduled to been extended through the week Racing, Duhail was mak- aud, he was smartly away be- Rupert Pritchard-Gordon, start at the end of June. of Aug. 9, the ATP added. ing his seasonal bow in the fore settling behind the leaders racing manager for Al Shaqab The men’s body estimates the The rankings, a determining Prix Anabaa, a Class 1 race with cover. There was plenty of Racing in France, said, “We saw cost to run upto $5.2mn and said factor in a players’ ability to enter Iat Chantilly on Tuesday. Trained rhythm under pacesetter Botch, him a fortnight ago at Mr. Fa- it will be primarily funded from events and receive seedings, tra- in Chantilly by French maestro and once in the straight Chemi- bre’s yard, and he was in good the ATP Bonus Pool, which is ditionally operate on a “Best 18” André Fabre, Duhail made short naud waited patiently before condition. He has wintered well distributed among the top 12 eli- results basis over 52 weeks but work of his opposition, winning following Golden Boy in his and is now reaching his matu- gible players at the end of season. was revised in 2020 due to the the 1,300m contest with ease. acceleration, always travel- rity. He loves the 1,400-metre ATP Chairman Andrea Gau- Covid-19 shutdown. This race is a fast-track qualifi er ling strongly. With 200m left track at Longchamp, and will denzi thanked the ATP Player A protected ranking system to the Betway Sprint All Weath- to run, Cheminaud asked Du- be aimed at Group races such as Council, which has Rafael Nadal was also introduced by the ATP er Championship at Lingfi eld in hail to make his move and, with the Palais Royal this year. If he and Roger Federer representing on Tuesday to allow players fl ex- the UK on April 2. Now fi ve years a swift turn of foot, he pulled is well in the summer, he could the top 10 players, for its support. ibility in their scheduling amid old, this was a sixth career win clear of the fi eld to pass the post well go to a track such as Good- Vincent Cheminaud (left) rides Duhail to victory in the Prix Anabaa in “Our tournaments’ revenues concerns over travelling during in 12 starts for the gelding who by a four-length margin. Golden wood.” Chantilly, France, on Tuesday. (Scoopdyga) continue to be severely impacted the pandemic. Gulf Times Thursday, March 4, 2021 3 FOOTBALL

FOCUS SPOTLIGHT Ronaldo marks 600th league game Al Sadd set up with landmark goal Al Arabi clash in as Juve beat Spezia Amir Cup semis Wolves thrash Al Gharafa 5-0 while Al Arabi ease past Al Sailiya 4-1

Juventus’ Cristiano Ronaldo (R) celebrates scoring their third goal with Alvaro Morata on Tuesday night.

Reuters with a draw at mid-table Hellas Turin Verona on Saturday and knew they could not aff ord any more mistakes having fallen 10 points ristiano Ronaldo marked behind league leaders Inter. his 600th league ap- But they lost defender Mat- pearance with his 20th thijs De Ligt to injury in the Serie A goal of the sea- warm-up and struggled in the sonC as Juventus beat Spezia 3-0 opening period, coming closest on Tuesday to move within three when Ronaldo dribbled into the points of second-placed AC Mi- box and curled a shot off the foot lan. The Portuguese guided in his of the post. side’s third goal late on after Al- The double introduction of varo Morata and Federico Chiesa Morata and Federico Bernarde- had struck earlier in the second schi with half an hour remaining half to put Andrea Pirlo’s side in proved decisive, as the winger a commanding position. teed up the Spanish striker to Ronaldo, who also hit the post score his fi rst league goal since with an eff ort in the fi rst half, be- December within 60 seconds of comes the fi rst player to score at coming on. least 20 goals in each of the last “Morata is a fundamental 12 seasons in Europe’s top fi ve player for us; he has a lot of qual- leagues. ity, knows how to work with the The win leaves Juve third with team, how to attack the space Baghdad Bounedjah (R) is 49 points from 24 games behind and score goals,” Pirlo said. congratulated by Boualem Milan on 52 and leaders Inter “He’s the player that we Khoukhi after scoring against with 56, both of whom are in ac- wanted. Unfortunately he has Al Gharafa yesterday. tion this week against Udinese been missing lately but now we and Parma respectively. hope he can get back to his best The gap still leaves Juventus quickly.” with work to do in their quest for Bernardeschi was involved By Sports Reporter a 10th consecutive league title. again as he found Chiesa in the Doha “If we don’t win it at the end box for Juve’s second goal, with of the season we will congratu- the latter scoring on the rebound late the winners, but we must die after his initial eff ort was parried aghdad Bounedjah scored a on the pitch fi rst, until we’re told by Ivan Provedel. brace as Al Sadd thrashed Al that there are no more points left Ronaldo then broke upfi eld Gharafa 5-0 in their Amir Cup to play for” Morata told Sky Ita- and scored with a composed fi n- 2021 quarter-fi nal clash at the lia. ish in the 89th minute to seal the AbdullahB Bin Khalifa Stadium. “That’s what we must do, as win, although Spezia squandered Nam Tae-hee put Al Sadd in the lead long as we have a mathematical the chance for a consolation goal with the fi rst goal in the 25th minute, chance, we will fi ght until the when Wojciech Szczesny saved before Bounedjah added the second a end.” Andrey Galabinov’s penalty with minute later. Akram Afi f then made it 3-0 Pirlo’s Juve side slipped up the fi nal kick of the game. at the stroke of halftime. Bounedjah scored his second goal and Al Sadd’s fourth in the 72nd minute, and RONALDO FACTBOX then substitute Yousuf Abdurisag netted the fi fth in the 80th minute to conclude Born: Feb. 5, 1985 in Funchal, single season, breaking Felice the scoring. Portugal Borel’s record from 1933-34. With this victory, the Wolves qualifi ed  Became the first player  Ronaldo is the Champions for the semi-fi nals and will meet Al Arabi to score at least 20 goals in League’s all-time top scorer next after the “Dream Team’ thrashed Al 12 consecutive seasons in with 134 goals and also holds Sailiya 4-1. Europe’s top five leagues when the record for the most goals Al Sadd started the match strongly and he scored for Juventus against scored in a single campaign Akram almost got the opening goal in the Spezia in his 600th career in the competition with 17 in 7th minute, but his shot went just wide league appearance on March 2013-14. of the left post. The Wolves continued Al Aarbi’s Youssef Msakni (L) 2 2021.  Ronaldo is the only player to dominate the game and fi nally, they takes a goalward shot against  Ronaldo became the first to score in three Champions were able to break the deadlock in the Al Sailiya yesterday. PICTURE: European player to score 100 League finals, and the only 25th minute, when Nam Tae-hee received Jayan Orma international goals when his player to find the net in 11 a pass from Bounedjah and fi nished past double against Sweden took consecutive matches in the Yousuf Hassan with aplomb. his Portugal tally to 101 in a competition. A minute later, Al Sadd doubled their from where they had left off and a fourth give Al Sadd a huge 5-0 win. off an Aaron Gunnarson pass to put Al UEFA Nations League win in  He has won five Ballon d’Or lead through Bounedjah, who got the fi nal goal materialised in the 72nd minute. Af- Meanwhile, Al Sailiya squandered an Arabi ahead for the fi rst time in the 62nd September 2020. The only awards, most recently in 2017, a touch to convert a cross by Santi Cazorla ter an exchange of passes between Akram early lead to suff er a 4-1 thrashing by Al minute. male player to score more tally second only to Barcelona’s from the left. and substitute Yousuf Abdurisag, the ball Arabi. Al Arabi then began a sustained spell international goals than Ron- Lionel Messi, who has six. The third goal arrived just before the fell to Nam Tae-hee whose cross was duly Mohanad Ali had put Al Sailiya in the of domination, scoring two more goals in aldo is Iran’s Ali Daei with 109.  He is Real Madrid’s all-time halftime whistle, when Hashim Ali sent converted by Bounedjah. 12th minute only for Mehrdad Mohm- the next 11 minutes to complete the rout. Ronaldo’s tally now stands at top scorer with 450 goals. in a ball from the right; it fell to the feet Yousuf then got on the scoresheet in madi to equalise for Al Arabi in the 24th. Mohamed Salah made it 3-1 in the 66th 102 goals.  The Portugal talisman has of Akram who made no mistake with his the 80th minute, latching on to a long ball Both teams struggled to score after minute before Msakni scored his second  Ronaldo is the only player the joint-highest number of calm fi nish. from Pedro before fi nding the net with a that but the fl oodgates opened in the goal in the 73rd minute to complete the to win a league title, domes- goals at the UEFA European In the second half, Al Sadd continued cool fi nish to complete the scoring and second half when Youssef Msakni struck rout. tic cup, domestic super cup, Championship with nine, level Champions League, Club World with former France midfielder Cup, league player of the year, Michel Platini. BOTTOMLINE European Golden Boot and Bal-  He also holds the record for lon d’Or at two diff erent clubs: the most goals in European Manchester United and Real Championship and World Cup Madrid. qualifying games, 61.  While at Real Madrid, Ron-  Ronaldo has won the Euro- aldo became the fastest player pean Golden Boot, the award to reach 150 La Liga goals (in given to European football’s Former midfi elder Stojkovic 140 matches), 200 league top scorer, four times as well goals (in 178 matches) and 300 as claiming top scorer awards league goals (in 286 matches). in the Premier League, La Liga  In February 2020, Ronaldo (three times), the FA Cup, and marked his 1,000th senior the Copa del Rey. takes over as Serbia coach appearance by scoring in an  It has been claimed that Reuters erning body said on its website http:// Stojkovic said he was looking forward Stojkovic, who turned 56 on Thursday, 11th consecutive Serie A game Ronaldo’s career total of 767 Belgrade www.fss.rs to a challenging start as Serbia open their was a fringe player in the Olympique de against SPAL to equal the senior career goals makes him Stojkovic, an instrumental player in 2022 World Cup qualifying campaign Marseille side that won the 1993 Euro- league record. the most prolific professional helping Yugoslavia reach the 1990 World with home games against Ireland on pean Cup, having also featured in their  In 2019-20, Ronaldo became goalscorer in the history of ormer Yugoslavia midfi elder Dra- Cup quarter-fi nals and the Euro 2000 March 24 and European champions Por- penalty shootout defeat in the 1991 fi nal the oldest player to score 30 the game. However, the title is gan Stojkovic took over as Serbia last eight, was the prime candidate to take tugal three days later. by his former club Red Star Belgrade. goals in one of Europe’s top contested due to the unoff icial coach yesterday in a bid to steer over after Serbia failed to reach Euro 2020 “I am delighted and very proud because He won two Yugoslav league titles with five leagues since Ronnie tallies of Josef Bican, Ro- Fthem to the 2022 World Cup, under Ljubisa Tumbakovic. there is no greater honour than being in Red Star as a player and steered Nagoya Rooke of Arsenal in 1948, mario and Pele. Soccer’s world the Balkan nation’s Football Association Tumbakovic was sacked in December charge of your national team,” he said. Grampus Eight to the Japanese league ti- reaching the landmark aged 35 governing body FIFA does not (FSS) said. after a penalty shootout defeat by Scot- “I couldn’t have wished for a better tle as coach in 2010, having also played for years and 166 days. keep an off icial record and the “The FSS executive board has named land denied Serbia a spot in the June 11- birthday present and I am fully aware of them between 1994-2001.  Ronaldo’s 37-goal haul in all Czech FA claimed in January Dragan Stojkovic the national team head July 11 tournament, rescheduled for this the magnitude of the task that lies ahead. His most recent job was a 2015-2020 competitions for Juventus in that Bican’s tally stands at 821 coach and the contract is to run until the year after it was postponed due to the But I am also confi dent in my ability and stint at Chinese top tier side Guangzhou 2019-20 was a club record for a goals. end of the Euro 2024 qualifi ers,” the gov- Covid-19 pandemic. in the national team’s huge potential.” R&F. Gulf Times 4 Thursday, March 4, 2021 SPORT

SPOTLIGHT DOPING Russian skater Decision on foreign banned for 10 yrs

Reuters fans at Tokyo Games Moscow ussia’s Figure Skating Federation said yester- day it had suspended Olympic figure skater RMaria Sotskova for 10 years for violating anti-doping rules, this month: organisers months after Reuters reported she was set to be banned. Reuters reported last Sep- ‘We really need to think long and hard about mutant strains of the virus’ tember that Sotskova was set to be handed a 10-year suspension AFP line with government policies on for having submitted a forged Tokyo attendance. Tokyo is currently document to explain a doping under a state of emergency that violation. The 20-year-old did limits capacity at sporting events not respond to a request for okyo Olympics organ- to 5,000. The state of emergency comment at the time. She could isers will decide this is due to expire on March 7, but not immediately be reached on month whether to allow reports Wednesday said the gov- Wednesday. overseas fans, the Games ernment is likely to extend it by presidentT said yesterday, while another two weeks, with concern Russia has been rocked by the number of spectators allowed about the slowing decline of in- doping scandals since a in venues will be set by April. fections in the capital. 2015 report commissioned Tokyo 2020 chief Seiko Hashi- Bach said any decisions about by the World Anti-Doping moto told reporters that the spectators will be taken in agree- Agency (WADA) found safety of Japanese citizens “is the ment with all the organising par- evidence of mass priority”, after holding talks with ties. “This has to be the clear fo- doping among track and top offi cials from the Interna- cus — to have safe, secure and fair fi eld athletes tional Olympic and Paralympic competitions for all the athletes, Committees, the Japanese gov- because this is the core of the Ol- The federation said Sotsko- ernment and the Tokyo metro- ympic Games,” he said. va’s suspension would remain politan government. “In this respect, we may have in place until April 2030. The meeting came as a local to set the one or other priority. Sotskova finished eighth at media report claimed Japanese We have to be aligned in these the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter authorities are planning to hold priorities, but I do not think this Olympics. She announced her the Games without overseas is a challenge because we agree retirement in July last year. fans, although Hashimoto said on this principle.” Russia has been rocked by a decision would come later this Olympics organisers and Japa- doping scandals since a 2015 month, ideally before the delayed nese offi cials have insisted the report commissioned by the torch relay begins on March 25. fi rst Games postponed in peace- World Anti-Doping Agency “We really need to think long time will go ahead as scheduled (WADA) found evidence of and hard about mutant strains of from July 23. mass doping among track and the virus,” she said. But a surge in infections in Ja- field athletes. “Anxiety still remains among pan and elsewhere during winter The country continues to face the voices of the citizens, and as raised doubts about the feasibil- international scrutiny for its long as there is anxiety we need ity of the massive international anti-doping practices. to work to make sure safety and event.Polling in Japan shows Russian athletes are barred security are maintained.” Seiko Hashimoto (L), president of Tokyo 2020, speaks as Tamayo Marukawa (R), Japan’s minister for the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic a majority oppose holding the from competing at major inter- International Olympic Com- Games, and Andrew Parsons (back L-on screen), president of the IPC, look on during the five-party meeting at the Tokyo 2020 headquar- Games this year, and border re- national events, including the mittee chief Thomas Bach ters in Tokyo yesterday. strictions currently bar almost Olympics, under the country’s warned before the meeting that all foreign arrivals. flag until December 2022 as organisers will “focus on the es- tious decision is necessary”. early May, but Hashimoto said mestic fans all want to watch the Hashimoto said that “scien- The measures have forced the punishment for Moscow pro- sentials of the Games”, while Bach had said last week that Wednesday that fans, hotels and Games, but safety and security tifi c insight” will be used to de- postponement of the year’s fi rst viding WADA with doctored Olympic minister Tamayo Maru- a decision on overseas fans was travel operators needed to know need to be maintained and en- cide in April how full venues can test event, an artistic swimming laboratory data that could have kawa said afterwards that “a cau- likely to come in late April or sooner. “Overseas fans and do- sured,” she said. be, and that the ruling will be in qualifi er. helped identify drug cheats.

FOOTBALL Arteta ‘extremely FOCUS happy’ at Arsenal, dismisses links to Barcelona Solskjaer vows ‘responsible’ Klopp threatens to transfer business at Man Utd

AFP withdraw players London le Gunnar Solsk- jaer says Manches- ter United have to focus on realistic from WC qualifi ers London: Arsenal boss Mikel andO responsible business as Arteta has said he is fully fo- they target improvements to cused on improving results at their squad during the coro- Arsenal amid speculation link- navirus pandemic. ing him with Barcelona – but the Next Monday marks a year Spaniard is yet to hold talks over to the day since Old Traff ord a new deal to extend his stay at last welcomed fans, with a full the Emirates Stadium. house roaring the hosts to a Spanish media reported Bar- 2-0 derby victory against ri- celona’s presidential candidate vals Manchester City. the training ground, stadium. be less and less transfers hap- Joan Laporta is interested in re- United have not beaten a We just have to look at the pening in the world of football placing current manager Ronald traditional “big six” rival in whole picture. until this changes.” Koeman with Arteta should he the Premier League since and “Where can we spend the United left their transfer win the elections on Sunday. Solskjaer’s second-placed money? And how much is business until late last sum- Arteta was a product of Bar- side are already 15 points be- there? It’s just the real world mer, with free agent Edinson celona’s academy but left for hind City with just 12 matches now. It has changed.” Cavani arriving on deadline Rangers in 2002 without making remaining. Solskjaer said young players day on a contract until the end a senior appearance for the Cata- The Norwegian knows at the club’s academy could of the season with the option lan club. there remains work to do if be handed opportunities as a of a further year. “There is always going to be they are to bring success back result of the changed circum- The 34-year-old striker’s speculation when there are elec- to the club but Covid-19 has stances. future remains unclear beyond tions in Barcelona, it’s a huge changed the landscape. “Of course, all clubs in the the end of this campaign and team,” Arteta told a news confer- “We have to be realistic, we world are going through the talk about a long-term solu- ence yesterday. have to be responsible in the same situation so it’s no dif- tion continues, with Borussia “Obviously I was raised there way we do our business both ferent for other clubs than for Dortmund star Erling Haaland as a player and there is always on and off the pitch,” he said. us,” he said. regularly linked with a move to going to be links. But I am fully “There’s improvements on “I think there’s just going to Old Traff ord. AFP ply it, saying: “I think all the clubs Klopp, speaking at his pre- focused to the job that I have to London agree that with the same prob- match press conference on do here, which we have a lot to lems we cannot just let the boys Wednesday, said Chelsea, still do, and I am really enjoying it. go and then sort the situation unbeaten under new boss Thomas “What I can tell you is I feel Tuchel backs Chelsea show tough mentality at Liverpool iverpool manager Jurgen when they come back by placing Tuchel, would be tough to beat. privileged to manage this foot- Klopp has threatened to our players in a 10-day quarantine “It is quite diffi cult to get more ball club and that I’m extremely London: Chelsea manager League spot, Tuchel said: “We pool’s form in recent weeks. withdraw players from in- in a hotel, it is just not possible. possession than Chelsea,” he said. happy.” Arteta, who won the FA Thomas Tuchel believes the still have 12 matches to go, The champions snapped a run ternational matches this “I understand the needs of the “You have to defend, work a lot, Cup at the end of his fi rst season result of today’s Premier the result tomorrow will not of four league defeats with a monthL if there is a chance they diff erent FAs (football associa- you have to be patient in moments in charge at Arsenal, will have League meeting with be the end of the race for the 2-0 win over basement side will have to quarantine on their tions) but this is a time where we and show your desire to defend all two more years on his current champions Liverpool will top four. “It’s of big impor- Sheff ield United on Sunday. return under coronavirus rules. cannot make everyone happy and the time because they are a top deal at the end of this campaign. not have a massive impact tance, I hope we can show up “Yes, they have dropped Arrivals in Britain from “Red List” we have to admit the players are team.” When asked whether new on their hopes of finishing in with the same mentality and points, many times not countries are subject to 10 days’ paid by the clubs so it means we But he said he was focused on contract negotiations have be- the top four, the German said attitude like the tough chal- deserved and they have had hotel confi nement, which would have to be fi rst priority.” the challenge of fi nishing in the gun with the club, Arteta said: yesterday. lenges we’ve had. unlucky results,” Tuchel said. apply to Brazilian trio Alisson Alisson is set to return to the top four, which would mean qual- “No. We are in the middle of the Chelsea are fifth in the table “Going to Anfield for regular “They’re one of the best Becker, Roberto Firmino and Fab- side for the visit of Chelsea on ifi cation for next season’s Cham- season, we have a lot to play for with 44 points from 26 games games. This is what you teams in Europe but we’re inho and Portugal forward Diogo Thursday after missing the win pions League. and at the moment it is not a pri- – a point below fourth-placed dream of as a player like confident we can go there Jota. at Sheffi eld United as he was Liverpool are two points behind ority. West Ham – and have not me not at the highest level... and do what we have to do World governing body FIFA has mourning the death of his father fourth-placed West Ham after “I think that’s OK. I still have lost in seven league matches normally you watch these to win.” given clubs dispensation to pre- in a swimming accident in Brazil. beating Sheffi eld United. a contract here. I am happy here since Tuchel replaced club games on TV. Now I’m part of Striker Tammy Abraham will vent players who may be aff ected Sixth-placed Liverpool, who “A week ago we were out now and I don’t think it is something great Frank Lampard in it, I’m very grateful for it and it be assessed before the clash by the regulations from joining are one point behind Chelsea in we’re around it again,” said Klopp. urgent.” January. Asked by reporters makes me feel alive.” at Anfield following an ankle up with their countries for the the race for top-four spots, have “The challenge and job is clear. Arsenal, currently 10th in the if the clash with sixth-placed Tuchel said he was relaxed injury while winger Callum matches, which include World not won at home since mid-De- We have to win games and as Premier League standings, visit Liverpool was a big game in ahead of the contest and not Hudson-Odoi is fit after shak- Cup qualifi ers. cember as their title defence has many as possible to make it. We 15th-placed Burnley on Satur- the quest for a Champions reading too much into Liver- ing off a thigh issue. And Klopp fully intends to ap- collapsed. know that.” day. Gulf Times Thursday, March 4, 2021 5 SPORT

NBA NFL Brady’s memory of Lombardi Trophy LeBron eclipsed as toss a bit wobbly

AFP had that been an incomplete Los Angeles pass, that would have went down like 80 feet. I’m so happy that (tight end) Cam (Brate) caught aybe the most mem- it.” Suns down Lakers orable pass of Tom Corden showed a video of Brady’s career is Brady being spotted by backup ‘The team have stayed together when they easily could have been pulled apart by the noise’ one the 43-year-old quarterback Ryan Griffi n return- Mquarterback claims he doesn’t ing to land. The talk show host remember. asked Brady if he had sea legs or During the Tampa Bay Buc- tequila imbalance at the time. caneers’ celebration of the Su- “A little of both,” Brady per Bowl win, Brady launched laughed. “It was defi nitely a mo- the Lombardi Trophy from his ment of celebration. I’m happy boat in the direction of a nearby I’m on land at that point. Abso- vessel, where backup tight end lutely.” Cameron Brate successfully Brady said he rushed away spared Brady the shame of sink- quickly when his wife, Gisele, ing the NFL’s coveted champi- asked him during the postgame onship hardware. embrace what he had left to In an appearance on the “Late prove. Late Show” with James Corden He’s signed for the 2021 sea- on Tuesday night, Brady said son and said during the buildup his 8-year-old daughter was the to the Super Bowl last month voice of reason in the moment. that he “defi nitely” is consider- She chided Brady in real-time ing playing until he’s 45. Brady for throwing the trophy, but told Corden ending a season, let Brady said he doesn’t remember alone a career, is akin to stopping much else. The presence of adult a treadmill moving full speed. beverages was not hidden by the “I always describe football celebrating champions. season is like a treadmill, and “First of all, I was not think- it’s going fast you know,” Brady ing at that moment. It was not said. “And every week you know a thought,” Brady said. “It was, you work basically seven days a ‘This seems really fun to do.’ Not week for six straight months - to mention, when you get your and then all of a sudden you’re hands on one of those trophies, on this treadmill that’s going fast there’s a lot of really sharp edges and then, boom, you hit the stop on the bottom. I found out later, button.”

Dolphins to release Kyle Van Noy in cap move

The Miami Dolphins have in- round (No. 40 overall) in the formed linebacker Kyle Van Noy 2014 draft. that he’s going to be released, he confirmed to NFL Network TEXANS KEEP JOHNSON ON on Tuesday. The move will save RESTRUCTURED DEAL the team $9.75 million in cap The Houston Texans and David space but left the veteran “disap- Johnson have agreed on a LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers scores past Deandre Ayton of the Phoenix Suns during a 114-104 Suns win at Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. (AFP) pointed.” restructured one-year deal that Van Noy, 29, was one year into allows the team to keep the run- AFP RESULTS scorers with 27 points, but the home side Celtics coach Brad Stevens expressed a four-year, $51 million deal he ning back for 2021, ESPN and Los Angeles were always struggling to get in the game satisfaction at the way his team had re- signed with Miami in March NFL Network reported Tuesday. Nuggets 128-97 Bucks after conceding a 37-23 lead at the end of sponded after a rocky spell preceding 2020. The Dolphins will incur Johnson agreed to a paycut. He Grizzlies 125-111 Wizards the fi rst quarter. their current winning streak when they a $4.125 million dead cap hit now gets a guaranteed $4.25 eBron James exploded for 38 In other games, Kemba Walker scored lost three games on the bounce. this season. His 2021 salary was million and could earn up to $6 points but it was not enough to Hawks 94-80 Heat 25 points as the Boston Celtics rolled to a “The team have stayed together when guaranteed for injury only, ESPN million with incentives, per the prevent the Los Angeles Lakers Celtics 117-112 Clippers third straight win with a 117-112 victory they easily could have been pulled apart reported. reports. from sliding to a 114-104 defeat Suns 114-104 Lakers over the Los Angeles Clippers. by the noise,” Stevens said. “I am surprised and disap- He was set to make $7.95 million Lagainst the Phoenix Suns on Tuesday. Walker’s points tally included six “You have to be able to resist that at pointed in their decision,” Van in 2021. Spurs 119-93 Knicks A testy clash between the Western three-pointers as the Celtics’ all-round this level when you’re going through the Noy said in a statement released Johnson rushed for 691 yards Conference rivals saw Phoenix star Devin Elsewhere Tuesday, Nikola Jokic off ensive game subdued a Clippers team roller coaster of the season.” through NFL Network. and six touchdowns in 12 games Booker ejected for two technical fouls bagged the 50th regular season triple- jolted by the sudden withdrawal of Kawhi In Miami, a late burst of scoring from “As a captain, I gave my all to (all starts) for Houston last sea- during the second half before the Suns double of his career as the Denver Nug- Leonard shortly before tip-off at the TD Trae Young gave interim Atlanta Hawks the team. ... I was brought there son after the Texans infamously rallied to close out the win. gets halted the Milwaukee Bucks’ fi ve- Garden. coach Nate McMillan a winning debut to be a leader and I know my traded away star wide receiver James led the scorers and chipped in game winning streak with a 128-97 Paul George led the scorers for Los An- over the Miami Heat, 24 hours after the teammates looked up to and DeAndre Hopkins for him in six assists and fi ve rebounds, but a Lakers drubbing. geles with 32 points while Reggie Jackson dismissal of Lloyd Pierce on Monday. respected me. I am looking for- March 2020. Johnson also off ense still missing the injured Anthony Serbian star Jokic dominated a one- – a late replacement for Leonard – added Pierce was sacked in the wake of Atlan- ward to making an impact on my caught 33 passes for 314 yards Davis failed to fi re consistently. sided encounter at Milwaukee’s Fiserv 25 for the visitors. ta’s loss to Miami on Sunday, but his un- next team, on and off the field.” and two TDs. The Suns’ victory saw them leap- Forum, as Denver never looked back after Six Celtics players fi nished with dou- settled squad responded with a battling Van Noy registered 69 tackles Johnson missed three games frog the Lakers into second place in the taking the lead midway through the fi rst ble-digit points tallies, including Jaylen 94-80 win over last season’s NBA Finals in 14 games (13 starts) last with a concussion and one Western Conference with 23 wins and 11 quarter before romping to victory. Brown with 18, while Jayson Tatum and runners-up. season with six sacks and 10 while on the reserve/Covid-19 defeats. The NBA champions Lakers are Jokic’s ninth triple of the season in- Payton Pritchard added 14 apiece. The Young was pivotal in the win, rattling quarterback hits. He had two list. third at 24-12. cluded 37 points, 11 assists and 10 re- Clippers suff ered a blow earlier Tuesday off 13 consecutive points in the fourth forced fumbles and two fumble Johnson was All-Pro and a Pro Dario Saric led Phoenix’s scoring with bounds while Jamal Murray added 24 when Leonard was ruled out after com- quarter to guide Atlanta to victory. recoveries. Bowl selection in 2016 with the 21 points – including 10 in the fourth points for the visitors. plaining of back spasms. “The fourth quarter is when I gotta Van Noy notched 16.5 sacks in Cardinals when he had 2,118 quarter – while Mikal Bridges added 19. The Nuggets improved to 20-15 with Boston improved to 18-17 with the vic- make plays,” Young said. three-plus seasons with the New yards from scrimmage and 20 Booker’s ejection came midway through the win while the Bucks fell to 21-14 fol- tory, leaving them in fourth place in the “Tonight I just wanted to close the England Patriots after two-plus total touchdowns. the third quarter, with the 24-year- lowing the loss to remain third in the Eastern Conference table. The Clippers game out and get a win for us ... Every- seasons with the Detroit Lions, The Texans released running old tossed for arguing and appearing to Eastern Conference. fell to 24-13 with the loss and remain body had a hell of a game. It was a great who selected him in the second back Duke Johnson last week. bounce a ball towards an offi cial. Giannis Antetokounmpo led the Bucks’ fourth in the West. team win for us.”

NHL Vasilevskiy’s 3rd straight shutout lift s Lightning over Stars Reuters day, fi nished 0-for-3 on the ers won for the fourth time in six RESULTS Dallas power play Tuesday. The games and bounced back from a teams loosened up a bit in a lacklustre showing in Sunday’s Lightning 2-0 Stars second period that featured 4-1 loss to the Boston Bruins. ndrei Vasilevskiy re- Rangers 3-2 Sabres a breakneck pace with fi ve- Tuesday ended a three-game corded his third con- Penguins 5-2 Flyers on-fi ve play driving the homestand for the Rangers, who secutive shutout, Islanders 2-1 Devils action through the neutral embark on a six-game road trip. Ondrej Palat scored a zone. Rookie Alexis Lafreniere, who power-playA goal and the Tampa Canadiens 3-1 Senators Vasilevskiy used the in- scored the game-winner in over- Bay Lightning opened a six-game Hurricanes 4-2 Predators side of his blocker to stop time in Buff alo on Jan. 28, added road trip with a 2-0 win over the Jets 5-2 Canucks Jamie Benn’s wrister from the other goal as the Rangers beat Dallas Stars on Tuesday. the right circle – that the Sabres for the ninth time in In stopping all 28 shots, Va- Blue Jackets 4-1 Red Wings eventually clanked away the past 12 meetings. silevskiy extended his shutout last outing, Anton Khudobin off the far post – with just over 10 Igor Shesterkin, who took the streak to 200-plus minutes. returned in goal and stopped 17 minutes remaining in the frame. loss Sunday when Alexander Because he also blanked Dallas of 18 shots for the Stars, who Though neither team scored Georgiev was getting attended to in Game 6 of last year’s Stanley opened their six-game home- in the second, Dallas bettered in the locker room, made 22 saves. Cup Final to clinch the title, stand by slipping to 1-6-3 in their its play in front of Vasilevskiy He was seldom tested but pre- then held the Stars scoreless past 10. Defenseman Andrej Sek- and on the penalty kill, thwart- served New York’s one-goal lead Saturday and Tuesday, he be- era was out of the Dallas lineup ing both man advantages by the midway through the second period came the fi rst Lightning goalie due to a non-COVID-19-related Lightning. with a diving stop on Jeff Skinner. ever to shut out the same team illness. Joel Hanley drew in for Tampa Bay killed two more Sam Reinhart and Tobias three times in a row (regular sea- Sekera and made his seventh ap- Dallas power plays in the third Rieder scored for Buff alo, which son and playoff s). Vasilevskiy pearance of the season. while the Stars killed off Nick entered the game coming off notched the 24th regular-season The second straight matchup Caamano’s double-minor pen- consecutive 3-0 home shutouts shutout of his career. He earned between last season’s Stanley alty for high sticking. Gourde’s to the Philadelphia Flyers. the league’s First Star of the Cup fi nalists started exactly as empty-netter with fi ve seconds The Sabres tied a season high Week on Monday after holding it did Saturday in Florida – with left clinched the win. with their fourth straight loss the Carolina Hurricanes and Dal- Tampa Bay reasserting its prow- and dropped to 2-8-1 in their las scoreless last week in home ess on special teams. RANGERS REBOUND WITH past 11 games. Buff alo goaltender Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Erik Cernak (left) and goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy defend against wins. Palat, who netted the fi rst VICTORY OVER SABRES Carter Hutton made 16 saves. Dallas Stars center Joe Pavelski and left wing Jamie Benn (right) during the third period at the American Yanni Gourde scored into an marker Saturday on the man ad- Chris Kreider scored the game- New York scored 28 seconds Airlines Center. (USA TODAY Sports) empty net and Steven Stamkos, vantage in a 5-0 Lightning win, winning goal midway through in when Mika Zibanejad hit Victor Hedman and Blake Cole- was at again on the fi rst power the second period and the host Buchnevich in stride with a lead regained the lead 2:36 in when moments after Zibanejad forced Ryan Lindgren in the neutral man registered assists for the play Tuesday. He ripped in his New York Rangers edged the pass that resulted in a breaka- Lafreniere stood in the crease a Buff alo giveaway in the right zone, he lifted a wrist shot from Lightning, who won their fi fth ninth goal from the right circle struggling Buff alo Sabres, 3-2, on way goal. After Buff alo tied it and defl ected Buchnevich’s pass corner. Kreider made it 3-1 with above the right circle through straight and hold a 10-game just 10 seconds into the power Tuesday night. Pavel Buchnevich 27 seconds later on Reinhart’s from the right faceoff circle over 10:28 left in the second on a goal Buff alo defenseman Brandon point streak (7-0-3) against the play at 7:29. Dallas, which went scored on the game’s fi rst shift wrist shot from close range over a sprawling Hutton into the va- that seemed to surprise him. Montour’s legs that sailed over Stars. After being pulled in his 0-for-6 with an extra man Satur- and added an assist as the Rang- Shesterkin’s glove, the Rangers cated net on a goal that occurred After getting the puck from Hutton’s stick. Gulf Times 6 Thursday, March 4, 2021 SPORT

WORLD TABLE TENNIS MIDDLE EAST HUB GOLF Fowler ‘grinding through’ tough stretch Levenko stuns Reuters New York, United States

t was only two short years ago when Rickie Fowler ar- rived at the Arnold Palmer Invitational ranked No. 7 in fancied Pitchford, Ithe world. But since then, Fowler’s game has been in a steady downward spiral. He came out of last year’s event at Bay Hill ranked No. 27 after a T18, portending a more ing to have to fi ght through it. extended struggle. Unfortunately, this one’s been a Then came swing changes little longer than I would like it to Harimoto cruises during the PGA Tour’s shutdown have been.” amid the coronavirus pandemic. Fowler is coming off a T20 at Fowler’s progress was on display the Genesis Invitational in his World Table Tennis also supports international training camp with 85 players during a televised charity event last start, which followed a pair in May, when he hit several qual- of missed cuts. ity shots while paired with Mat- “We’re grinding through it,” thew Wolff . he said. “A lot of it I would say However, the swing changes is more just on the mental side have not held up well under the now, just getting back and play- rigors of PGA Tour events. ing as much as possible to just get Fowler has played in 19 events the reps in.” since the Tour resumed last June. It hasn’t helped that Fowler He has eight missed cuts during has been leapfrogged by a slew that span, posted zero top 10s of up-and-coming young stars. and only three top 20s as he has Collin Morikawa, 24, already has plummeted to 65th in the world. a major under his belt and added “Everyone that’s played re- a WGC title last week. ally at all, especially at some He beat out the likes of sort of a high level, completely 23-year-old Viktor Hovland, understands that golf is up-and- owner of four consecutive top- down,” he said Tuesday ahead of six fi nishes worldwide, and this year’s Arnold Palmer Invi- 24-year-old Scottie Scheffl er. tational. “You take advantage of The 32-year-old Fowler is also the times where you’re playing looking up the world rankings at well and ride those out, because the likes of No. 15 Daniel Berger you know that it’s not always go- (27), No. 16 Matthew Fitzpatrick ing to be that way. (26), No. 17 Sungjae Im (22) and “There are times where it’s No. 20 Wolff (21), among several going to go down and you’re go- others.

RUGBY Qatar Table Tennis Association president Khalil al-Mohannadi and International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) CEO Steve Dainton with the players and coaches at the opening of the ITTF High Performance Training Camp in Ras Abu Aboud yesterday.

By Sports Reporter “The confi dence shown by NZ committed to host Doha the International Table Tennis Federation strengthens Qatar’s position in the world table ten- women’s WC in 2022 ndreas Levenko caused nis. It shows Qatar is a major a major upset at the power in table tennis regionally Reuters The fi nal decision will be made at World Table Ten- and internationally,” he said. Wellington, New Zealand World Rugby meetings next week. nis (WTT) Contender Meanwhile, a Table Tennis “We all wanted the tourna- tournamentA yesterday, as the Training and Preparation Center ment to go ahead as planned this Austria’s unheralded Austrian hall in Ras Abu Aboud witnessed ew Zealand’s govern- year, but we also accept that the stunned England’s World No. 15 the opening of the activities of ment remains commit- current Covid-19 constrained Liam Pitchford in the Round of the training camp. The train- ted to hosting the next circumstances are not ideal for 32 match. At the Lusail Multipur- ing session began at 10 in the women’s Rugby World high performance athletes in a pose Hall, world No. 144 Levenko, morning, with the players go- NCup even if it is postponed un- tournament situation,” the min- who had come through the quali- ing through the paces under the til 2022 because of the Covid-19 ister said in a statement. fying rounds stunned Pitchford supervision of the Italian coach pandemic, Sports Minister Grant “The government is sup- 3-1 (11-4, 11-8, 5-11, 11-7). Massimo Costantini, the winner Robertson said yesterday. porting NZ Rugby’s hosting of In the quarter-fi nals, Levenko of the award for the best coach World Rugby said on Tuesday the tournament with fi nancial will meet South Korea Chu Dae- in the world in 2017 it would be recommending the contributions through the Ma- seung, who beat Japanese Oda During the group’s fi rst train- ninth edition of the tournament, jor Events Development Fund Ikea 3-2. ing session, Qatar Table Tennis scheduled to take place in New and Sport New Zealand. That The 18-yaer-old Japanese Brazil’s Hugo Calderano in action during the World Table Tennis Contender tournament at the Lusail Association president Khalil al- Zealand from Sept. 18 to Oct. 16, support will remain in place for prodigy Tomokazu Harimoto also Multipurpose Hall yesterday. Mohannadi and ITTF CEO Steve should be pushed back by a year. 2022.” moved in the next round. The Dainton spoke to the players and World No. 5 easily overcame the Meanwhile, Nigeria’s Quadri the start of an exciting new The tournaments in Qatar is coaching staff . hurdle of Chinese Taipei’s Chih- Aruna, the only African player era for table tennis. The WTT been held under strict health Al-Mohannadi asked the Yuan Chuang 3-0. Brazil’s Hugo in the main draw, beat India’s Contender Series is part of the protocols to contain the spread players to make the utmost of France coach Galthie cleared of wrongdoing Calderano, ranked sixth in the Sathiyan Gnanasekaran 3-0 and revamped event structure that of coronavirus, with the players the training camp, while Dain- in Covid-19 outbreak investigation world and one of the favourites for will meet Joao Geraldo in the International Table Tennis Fed- and offi cials subjected the bub- ton stressed the need to use the the title, joined him by defeating next round. Portugal’s Geraldo eration (ITTF), has created. The ble system. opportunity to return the game’s France head coach Fabien Galthie has been cleared of any his compatriot Gustavo 3-1. beat Yang Wang 3-0. Hub features two tiers of the Meanwhile, Mohamed Ab- activities again in the best pos- wrongdoing by an internal investigation into the handling of a Meanwhile, France’s Em- Sweden’s Christian Carlson new WTT event structure, with dullah Saleh, Secretary Gen- sible way. Covid-19 outbreak within the Six Nations squad, the head of the manuel Lipson, ranked 40th in and Matthias Falk also booked players competing in a WTT eral of the Qatar Table Ten- This international training French federation’s (FFR) medical committee said yesterday. “In the world, beat Portuguese No. their two berths in the last 16, Contender event before mov- nis Association and Vice camp is the fi rst of its kind spon- my report, I mention it at the start, it is perfectly clear that what 25 Marcos Freitas 3-1 to set up defeating Slovenian Darko Jor- ing on to a WTT Star Contender Chairman of the Organising sored by WTT and witnesses the he has done and whatever one might think, he had the right to do a meeting with fancied Dim- gic and Italian Mihai Bobocica event the following week be- Committee spoke about the participation of 85 players from what he did, and there was no particular risk,” committee head itrij Ovtcharov. The world No. 12 respectively with an identical tween 8-13 March. A total of 298 importance of Qatar hosting diff erent nationalities. The play- Roger Salamon told French radio RTL. Galthie was one of five Ovtcharov of Germany Dmitry score of 3-1. players, representing 66 coun- the Middle East Hub as well ers participating in the camp are staff members to test positive for Covid-19 after France’s second eased past Iran’s Noshad Alami- The World Table Tennis tries are taking part at the WTT as the Asian qualifiers for the divided into several groups, with Six Nations game against Ireland, and the tournament organis- yan 3-1. (WTT) Middle East Hub marks Middle East Hub. Tokyo Olympics group consisting of 20 players. ers decided to postpone last weekend’s match against Scotland as 12 players also tested positive. FFR president Bernard Laporte admitted that Galthie had left the training camp’s bubble to watch FORMULA 1 his son’s rugby game in Paris, however insisting he was wearing a protective mask and that he had not broken any rules in the team’s Covid-19 protocol. Eighth title bid will not decide my future: Hamilton No men’s World Sevens Series until aft er the Olympics

Reuters The men’s Rugby Sevens at the Tokyo Olympics will go ahead with London, United Kingdom Alonso ‘completely fi t’ and fi ne for the teams having not played a World Series match for 16 months after the dates for a delayed and condensed 2021 Series were testing, says Alpine CEO announced yesterday. Women players will have a chance to warm ewis Hamilton says Reuters up for Tokyo with back-to-back tournaments in Paris in May but the outcome of his bid London, United Kingdom the first men’s event is not scheduled until October. World Rugby for a record eighth world announced that five women’s and four men’s rounds have been championship this sea- finalised, with the addition of two more men’s events still under Lson will not determine whether ernando Alonso is fit discussion. After the Paris women’s events on May 15-16 and May he stays in Formula One. and ‘fully operational’ 22-23 the Series takes a break for the Olympic repechage in June The 36-year-old is contracted Fafter jaw surgery and — the final qualification event ahead of the Tokyo Games which to Mercedes only until the end of will be fine for Formula One’s begins on July 23. With 21 of the 24 teams already qualified, the 2021 but he said on Tuesday he pre-season testing in Bahrain, remaining two women’s and one men’s spots will be determined was ‘fully invested’ in delivering his Alpine team boss said on in Monaco on June 19-20. The men’s series is currently scheduled for his team. Tuesday. to begin in Singapore on Oct. 29-30, followed by joint men’s and Asked how much his future The double world champion he’s recovered so quickly. He women’s rounds in Hong Kong (Nov. 5-7), Dubai (Dec. 3-4), and the hinged on his title bid, the Briton fractured his jaw in a collision confirmed to us immediately finale in Cape Town (Dec. 10-12). Additional events could be held in told reporters after the launch of with a car while cycling on a almost after the incident that London and Vancouver after the Olympics. his team’s new W12 car that he Hamilton has been a race win- when he put his helmet on and road near his home in Switzer- he will be in Bahrain, which did not want that to be the de- ner in every season since he start- drove out of the garage. land last month. has been confirmed with his England call up Ribbans to replace injured ciding factor. ed out with McLaren in 2007 and “It’s going back to ‘do you “Fernando is doing very doctors,” added Rossi. Lawes “I got into racing because I took 11 victories last season. enjoy it?’ Last year was a re- well,” Alpine chief executive Formula One’s only pre- loved racing and I think that’s The Briton now has a record ally tough year for everyone, Laurent Rossi told reporters season test is in Bahrain from Northampton Saints lock David Ribbans has been called up to got to be always at the core of 95 wins, 98 pole positions and including me. But I think there at the online launch of the March 12-14. The season starts the England squad for the rest of the Six Nations following the what I do,” he said. 165 podiums. were some really impactful mo- team’s new A521 car, with the there on March 28. withdrawal of Courtney Lawes, Rugby Football Union (RFU) said “If I don’t love racing, if all He missed one of last year’s ments,” he said. Spaniard absent. Davide Brivio, the team’s new yesterday. Lawes was ruled out of the rest of the tournament last you’re going for is accolades, if 17 races after testing positive for “Will it still be the case this “He had a bad incident. A bike sporting director, said Alonso, week after suff ering damage to his pectoral muscle in training. all you’re going for is titles, I feel Covid-19, but still won 11 and year? we’ll see. Will I enjoy it as accident is rarely something 39, was extremely motivated Eddie Jones’ England, who are currently on a rest week, will return I could potentially lose my way. will start the new season as fa- much? We’ll see.” that goes easy, but he was for his comeback after two to their Lensbury training base on Sunday to prepare for their “Of course it’s the ultimate vourite again. The sport’s only Black driver, lucky, and he ended up only years out of the sport. last two matches, which are against France and Ireland. The RFU dream (to be an eight times The Briton, awarded a knight- and active campaigner for ra- suff ering from his jaw... the “I can feel chatting with him, said some squad members who have struggled for playing time champion) but I don’t think hood after his seventh cham- cial equality and justice, had rest is totally fine. Fernando you can see how hard he’s will be given the opportunity to play for their clubs this weekend. that’s necessarily going to be the pionship and with plenty of said earlier that his priority had is completely fit. He is totally working, how strong is his England, whose Six Nations title defence ended with a loss to deciding factor whether I stay or outside interests in fashion changed from ‘just winning operational. desire to be back,” said the Wales on Saturday, are fourth in the standings with six points after keep going,” added the sport’s and music, said it depended on championships’ to pushing for “We are even surprised that Italian. three matches. most successful driver. whether he still had “that smile” diversity. Gulf Times Thursday, March 4, 2021 7 CRICKET

FOURTH TEST THIRD T20 Six of the best for Kohli credits success Agar as Australia down Black Caps AFP “It was an all-round perform- Wellington ance from them that was out- standing and it’s important for to not grumbling us that we move on quickly,” New pinner Ashton Agar pro- Zealand captain Kane William- duced the best bowling son said. performance in Aus- The focus ahead of the match tralia’s Twenty20 inter- was Finch’s poor form. Crit- nationalS history in a 64-run win ics including former great Mark over New Zealand in Wellington Waugh had questioned Finch’s about Test pitches yesterday. Agar’s match-turning place in the team but Australia six for 30, including three in one selector George Bailey this week over, derailed a New Zealand insisted Finch would remain 'There is always too much noise and much conversation about spinning tracks' fi ghtback as Australia avoided a captain for the T20 World Cup in series loss in the third Twenty20 India later this year. AFP international. The Australian captain was Ahmedabad Under-fi re skipper Aaron lucky to avoid an LBW dismissal Finch hit 69, his best T20 in- on the fi rst ball he faced. But ternational score for more than Finch responded to the close ndia skipper Virat Kohli yesterday two years, and Glenn Maxwell shave with controlled aggres- credited India’s Test success to not smashed 70 from 31 balls. The sion, using his feet and attacking moaning about pitches as he fuelled result leaves the fi ve-match se- the ball to forge an 83-run part- controversy over spin tracks that ries at 2-1 in New Zealand’s fa- nership with Josh Philippe, who Ihave dominated the series against Eng- vour with two games to go. made a well-crafted 43. land. “There is always too much noise and Finch said the Australians, Finch repaid Baily’s faith with too much conversation about spinning who have rested stars such as his highest score in T20 interna- tracks,” Kohli said on the eve of the fourth David Warner, Steve Smith and tionals since July 2018, includ- and fi nal Test in Ahmedabad. Mitchell Starc for the New Zea- ing a 43-ball half century that “The reason for our success has been land tour, were still targeting a was his fi rst in more than a year. that we haven’t cribbed about pitches series win. “To keep improving is Maxwell also shook off a lean that we played on and we would continue all we can ask at the moment and spell bringing up a 25-ball half to play like that as a team.” we’re still alive in the series,” he century. “It was pretty ugly at England captain Joe Root said Test said. the start but once I was able to players should be prepared to manage the Australia fi nished their 20 get a bit of a read of the wicket I outside noise by being level headed. “I overs at 208 for four after losing was able to clear the rope and hit think that’s part and parcel of Test cricket the toss and being asked to bat. In to the fence a few times,” he said. now. There is always a lot of noise around reply, New Zealand were bundled Opener Martin Guptill’s 43 the game. There is always a lot of opin- out for 144 in 17.1 overs thanks to and a Devon Conway knock of 38 ion,” said Root. “As a player what you’ve Agar’s heroics. “Once I started to were highlights for New Zealand. got to do is fi nd a way of dealing with it, have the courage to toss the ball But Agar snuff ed out hopes of a whether you like it or not, and try to stay up a little bit I got something out home victory with six consecu- very level. It’s very important that you of it,” he said. “That was a good tive wickets that took the New manage that side of Test cricket really lesson I can take out of today Zealanders from 109 for four to well.” moving forward.” 144 for nine. India lead the series 2-1 after a crush- Only four players have taken ing two-day, 10-wicket win on a vi- six wickets in a T20 interna- BRIEF SCORES ciously turning pitch at the same stadium tional before, none of them Australia innings 208 for 4 in 20 in the day-night third Test last week. from Australia. In the face of overs (A. Finch 69, J. Philippe 43, Some pundits said the pitch was not up to the Australian onslaught, the G. Maxwell 70) bt New Zealand standard and even England coach Chris Black Caps lacked the swagger of Total 144 all out in 17.1 overs (M. Silverwood said it had pushed England’s the opening two matches, with Guptill 43, D. Conway 38; Meredith shellshocked all-rounder Jimmy batsmen to “our extremes”. 2-24, Agar 6-30) by 64 runs Kohli called for balance in reporting on Neesham conceding 28 runs in a the state of the wicket. He said that if the single over as Maxwell ran riot. Man of the match: Ashton Agar media presented “views which say that it is unfair to criticise spinning tracks then I think it will be a balanced conversation”. “The unfortunate bit is that everyone the modern batsmen’s faltering defence sort of plays along that narrative and just in the longer format. “I think because of keeps making it news until the time it is the infl uence of white-ball cricket, more relevant.” results are coming (in Test cricket). But Kohli insisted that when India lost a I believe one by-product is that it has Test in New Zealand last year in three also compromised a batsman’s defen- days, “none of our people wrote about the sive technique,” said Kohli. “The grind pitch, it was all about how India played of playing through four or fi ve sessions badly in New Zealand and none of the is missing. People are not focusing on so pitches were criticised”. Spinners claimed much defence as they have to switch be- 28 of the 30 wickets to fall in the third tween formats.” Test with the pink ball, used for day- India need a win or a draw to book a night games, skidding off the surface. clash with New Zealand in the inaugural Kohli insisted that the quick fi nish was World Test Championship fi nal. A win due to “bizarre” batting by both teams. for England would put Australia into the “If you make a cricket ball helping the decider at Lord’s in June. Root said his bowlers a focus, or the pitch helping the team is not obsessed about the state of bowlers a focus, you are not really reading the pitches on off er and would rather the game properly,” said Kohli. “It’s just concentrate on playing better cricket to the case of the wicket having more pace level the series. “As players all you can do and bounce and I don’t think the red ball is play what’s right in front of you and try is going to change that whatsoever. I still and make sure that you play it better than maintain the result in the last game was the opposition,” said Root. “And that is purely down to bizarre batting.” our challenge this week and there is no England captain Joe Root (left) inspects the pitch during a practice session ahead of Australia’s Ashton Agar bowls during the third Twenty20 match Kohli blamed white-ball cricket for point if we worried about the pitch.” the fourth Test against India in Ahmedabad. (AFP) against New Zealand in Wellington yesterday. (AFP)

PSL FIRST TEST Usman, Qais script Williams ton, bowlers help Zimbabwe rout Afghanistan

AFP bwe added 117 more runs to gain crucial Gladiators’ fi rst win Abu Dhabi lead. Williams, who resumed on 54 lost his overnight partner Ryan Burl for eight Agencies a comfortable six-wicket win but then found an able partner in Regis Karachi over Peshawar Zalmi. Kings century from skipper Sean Wil- Chakabva (44) as the duo added 75 for the surmounted the 189-run target liams coupled with destructive seventh wicket. Williams completed his with three balls spare as Nabi pace bowling from Blessing Mu- third Test century, and second in succes- sparkling 81 on Pa- stroked his second successive zarabani and Victor Nyauchi led sive Tests, soon after lunch with a single to kistan Super League half-century with a brisk 35- ZimbabweA to a rapid 10-wicket win over square leg. debut by Usman Khan ball 67, and Babar made an un- Afghanistan in the fi rst Test in Abu Dhabi But he fell while fl icking spinner Amir and Qais Ahmad’s beaten knock of 77 off 47. The yesterday. Hamza straight to mid-wicket. Wil- brilliantA three for 21 scripted pair stitched a match-winning Williams hit 105 to guide Zimbabwe to liams had 10 boundaries while Chakabva Quetta Gladiators’ fi rst win of 118-run partnership for the 250 all out before Afghanistan — trailing smashed a six and six boundaries. Left- the season, which came against fourth wicket. For Zalmi, Saqib by 119 — were bowled out for 135 in their arm spinner Hamza fi nished with career- Multan Sultans yesterday. Mahmood picked two wickets second innings. That left Zimbabwe to best fi gures of 6-75 — his second fi ve-for Quetta Gladiators also be- for 41. Earlier, Zalmi were dealt score 17 runs which they got without any in Tests after his 5-74 against West Indies came the fi rst team to defend blows early on in their innings loss to end the match inside two days. at Lucknow in 2019. The second Test starts The victorious Zimbabwe team celebrate after winning first Test against Afghanistan in a total in the ongoing season as as King’s emerging player Ab- Afghanistan were bowled out for 131 in on March 10, also in Abu Dhabi. Abu Dhabi yesterday. they restricted Sultans to 154 bas Afridi, on his debut, dis- their fi rst innings. Lanky pacer Muzara- to win the contest by 22 runs. missed both openers – Kamran bani fi nished with 2-14 — six wickets in Mohamed Rizwan, who scored Akmal and Tom Kohler-Cad- the match — while his new ball partner Afghanistan I innings 131 (Afsar Zazai 37; SCORECARD (Rahmat), 4-21 (Shahidi), 5-21 (Zazai), 6-47 his third half-century of the more Nyauchi took 3-30, also getting six in the Muzarabani 4-48, Nyauchi 3-34 (Asghar), 7-81 (Wasi), 8-129 (Zadran), 9-129 (Ahmadzai) season, and James Vince pro- match. Afghanistan were facing an innings Zimbabwe I innings (overnight 133-5) Afghanistan II innings vided Sultans a solid start with Brief scores defeat at 81-7 but opener Ibrahim Zadran Bowling: Muzarabani 8-4-14-2, Nyauchi S. Williams c Hashmatullah b Hamza 105 Ibrahim Zadran c Chakabva b Tiripano 76 a 63-run opening stand. Quetta Gladiators 176-7, 20 fought hard during his 76 — his second 7-1-30-3 (5w), Williams 6-0-28-1, Tripinao R. Burl lbw b Zadran 8 Abdul Malik c Chakabva b Nyauchi 0 The dismissal tightened the overs (Usman Khan 81, Saim half century — and added 48 for the eighth 9.3-2-23-3, Burl 7-0-13-1, Raza 4-0-16-0, R. Chakabva c Malik b Zahir 44 screws on the Sultans bats- Ayub 23, Shahnawaz Dhani wicket with Amir Hamza who remained 21 Munir Ahmad lbw b Muzarabani 1 Madhevere 4-1-6-0 men as their next three wickets not out. 3-44, Imran Tahir 2-29) bt D. Tiripano c Zadran b Zahir 4 Rahmat Shah lbw b Nyauchi 0 fell for 27 runs coming from 29 Multan Sultans 154 all out, 19.4 Zadran batted for three hours and hit ten B. Muzarabani not out 12 H Shahidi c Madhevere b Nyauchi 4 Zimbabwe II innings balls. Qais accounted for two of overs (Mohamed Rizwan 66, boundaries. This becomes Afghanistan’s them while Sohaib Maqsood’s third defeat in fi ve Tests since gaining sta- V. Nyauchi b Hamza 0 P. Masvaure not out 5 James Vince 24; Qais Ahmad Afsar Zazai lbw b Williams 0 stay at the crease was curtailed tus to play the fi ve-day format in 2017. 3-21, Mohamed Hasnain 2-34, Extras: (b2, lb8, nb1, w1) 12 K. Kasuza not out 11 to only four balls by Mohamed The writing was very much on the wall Asghar Afghan b Muzarabani 14 Zahid Mahmood 2-39) Nawaz’s left-arm spin. Need- when Nyauchi had Abdul Malik in the sec- Total: (overs 72; all out) 250 Abdul Wasi b Burl 9 Extras (lb1) 1 ing 61 off the last fi ve overs, Peshawar Zalmi 188-5, 20 ond over for a duck for batsman’s pair on Fall of wickets: 1-5 (Kasuza), 2-22 Amir Hamza not out 21 TOTAL (overs 3.2, for no loss) 17 overs (Ravi Bopara 58 not out, Sultans crumbled under pres- debut. Nyauchi then had Rahmat Shah (Musakanda), 3-38 (Masvaure), 4-38 Did not bat: S. Williams, W. Madhevere, Sherfane Rutherford 46, Amad Yamin Ahmadzai c Williams b Tiripano 0 sure. They lost Khushdil, Car- (zero) and Hashmatullah Shahidi (four) (Madhevere), 5-109 (Raza), 6-137 (Burl), T. Musakanda, Sikandar Raza, R. Burl, R. Butt 27 not out; Abbas Afridi Zahir Khan c Nyauchi b Tiripano 0 los Brathwaite (four off three), while Muzarabani had Munir Ahmad (one) 7-212 (Chakabva), 8-224 (Tiripano), 9-250 Chakabva, D. Tiripano, B. Muzarabani, V. 2-27, Mohamed Ilyas 2-38) lost Rizwan and Sohail Khan (eight and rival skipper Asghar Afghan (14) to (Williams) Extras (b4, lb1, w 5) 10 Nyauchi off fi ve) for 12 runs in nine balls to Karachi Kings 191-4, 19.3 leave Zimbabwe rocking at 47-6. Nyuaci’s Bowling: Ahmadzai 17.1-2-48-1 (1w), Hamza Total: (overs 45.3; all out) 135 Bowling: Hamza 2-0-11-0, Ahmadzai 1.2- Earlier, Half-centuries from overs (Babar Azam 77 not out, previous best of 3-69 was on his debut 25-3-75-6, Zahir 19-0-81-2, Wasi 8.5-0-23-0 Fall of wickets: 1-5 (Malik), 2-6 (Munir), 3-15 0-5-0 Babar Azam and Mohamed Mohamed Nabi 67; Saqib Mah- against Sri Lanka at Harare last year. (1nb), Zadran 2-0-13-1. Nabi guided Karachi Kings to mood 2-41) Earlier, resuming at 133-5, Zimba- Thursday, March 4, 2021 GULF TIMES SPORT

SHOWJUMPING Longines Global Champions Tour from today at Al Shaqab World’s top 48 riders will be in action at the magnificent Longines Arena at Al Shaqab over the next three days

By Sports Reporter Doha COMPETITION SCHEDULE TODAY midst strict health proto- 3pm: CSI5* 2 phases 1.45m. Prize money: €25,400 cols and excitement alike, 5:45pm: CSI5* 1st GCL Team Competition 1.50/1.55m, Prize money €55,000 the opening round of the Longines Global Champions (Teams - Individuals) Against the clock - No jump off TourA (LGCT) 2021 will kick into ac- TOMORROW tion at the sprawling and spectacular 9am: Hathab Against the Clock no jump off 1.00/1.15m, Prize money QR20,000 outdoor Longines Arena of Al Shaqab, member of Qatar Foundation, today. 1pm: Hathab Phase Special Individuals 1.20/1.35m, Prize money QR70,000 The three-day showjumping event of 3:45pm CSI5* Against the clock - NO jump off 1.50m, Prize money €51,100 the worldwide series in sixteen cities of 6:00pm CSI5* Against the clock - With jump off 1.55m, Prize money €148,500 the world has brought 48 top riders and competing horses to Doha. The world’s best riders and horses combines will SATURDAY, MARCH 6, 2021 battle in testing competitions begin- 9am: Hathab Against the Clock - No jump off 1.15/ 1.25m, Prize money QR25,000 ning with Doha in a varied and dynamic calendar spanning 16 events including 12:15pm: Hathab Against the Clock with jump off 1.30/1.45m QR45,000 the GC Prague Playoff s in November. 2:45pm: CSI5* 2nd GCL Team Competition 1.55/1.60m, Prize money €95.000 Rider and horse combinations will have to deliver top performances in (Individuals - Teams) Against the clock - No jump off qualification LGCT GP multiple environments ranging from 6pm: CSI5* Longines Global Champions Tour 1.60m Grand Prix Against the small and large sand and grass arenas to clock with jump off , Prize money €375,000 jumping by day and by night. The opening event at Al Shaqab fea- tures an expansive sand arena at 120 x 80m and will be followed by the vast grass arena in Madrid. Only the best will succeed in clinching podium places and valuable ranking points and prize money on the road to the Finals and the GC Prague Playoff s. Britain’s 38-year-old Ben Maher had topped his superlative year in the 2019 season with a stunning victory at the Qatar’s Saeed al-Qadi will be making his Longines Global Champions Tour debut at Al Shaqab. prestigious LGCT Super Grand Prix with his talented horse Explosion W equestrian sports. pulling off the ultimate triple win. Among the 48 international riders It will be a tour de force of equestrian joining the CSI5* event with some of sporting excellence where consistency the most dominant names on the cir- and adaptability, power and precision cuit present include Pieter Devos (BEL), will be key to dominance in the indi- Marcus Ehning (GER), Maikel van der vidual LGCT series and the GCL team Vleuten (NED), Penelope Leprevost championship race. (FRA), Peder Fredricson (SWE), Chris- Welcoming top riders from across the tian Ahlmann (GER), Edwina Tops-Al- globe, Event Director and Commercial exander (AUS), Gregory Wathelet (BEL) Manager at Al Shaqab Omar al-Man- and Eric Lamaze (CAN). nai, said: “This is the third year that Representing hosts Qatar will be overall leaderboard early on in the sea- to go ahead. “The FEI decision means Al Shaqab is hosting the LGCT season Saeed al-Qadi, who has been excel- son. The event will also see Longines the event will commence tomorrow opener, having previously hosted the ling in the Big Tour class of Longines Hathab’s 11th and penultimate round (Thursday) with the fi rst international championship fi nale, and it is a won- Hathab – Qatar Equestrian Tour. Al- action with Qatar Equestrian Tour’s 5* competitions, including Round 1 of derful and prestigious honour to have Qadi was excited to take part in the upcoming riders putting up their best the GCL team competition,” the FEI the world’s leading fi ve-star show- championship for the fi rst time along in a bid to win the annual titles in vari- said in a statement. jumping competition in Doha again. with elite riders. ous categories of the popular domestic “In close co-operation with the FEI, “Events such as the Longines Global “My training has been good so far. I series. the on site veterinary team and the Qa- Champions Tour and Commercial Bank have been striving hard to acquire the Meanwhile, The FEI (international tar Ministry of Public Health vets, the CHI Al Shaqab Presented by Longines, best horse with the help of the Qatar Britain’s Ben Maher in action at 2019 Doha leg of Longines Global Champions Tour. equestrian deferation), having consult- exceptional facilities at Al Shaqab have held back-to-back at Al Shaqab, sup- Equestrian Federation and Al Shaqab. ed with world-leading epidemiologists enabled rigorous testing of all horses port Qatar’s National Vision 2030 and My ambitions have no limits. I hope to bal Champions Tour Super Grand Prix podium in Doha. and subject to ongoing stringent bi- for EHV-1 (neurological form) with all play a key role in promoting Qatar’s win an Olympic medal in the future and at the GC Prague Playoff s would be Previous LGCT Grand Prix of Doha osecurity protocols and the implemen- horses able to be tested in a 24-hour development in the area of equestrian represent Qatar in continental and Arab on everyone’s mind, the stars of show winners Julien Epaillard (FRA) and tation of a series of mandatory con- period,” it added. “All participating sports. It also refl ects a commitment tournaments,” he said yesterday. jumping will be pulling out all the stops Scott Brash (GBR) will be keen to do the ditions, has agreed for the Longines horses at Al Shaqab have tested nega- from Qatar at a national level to support A golden ticket for the Longines Glo- to try and land themselves on top of the double and catapult their way up the Global Champions Tour of Doha 2021 tive in the latest tests.”

SPOTLIGHT Losail International Circuit gears up to host MotoGP spectacle

By Sports Reporter Doha

obust health protocols have been put in place to host the MotGP pre-season testing and two Grand Prix races, said QatarR Motor & Motorcycle Federation (QMMF) and Losail Circuit Sports Club (LCSC) president Abdulrahman al- Mannai. MotoGP riders and offi cials will be present in Qatar for almost the entirety of March, with the Losail International Circuit set to host fi ve days of pre-sea- son testing from March 5 to 12 for the premier class and from March 19 to 21 for Moto2 and Moto3 scheduled. The 2021 season will then get under- Losail International Circuit will host the Qatar Grand Prix from March 26 to 28, way at the Losail International Circuit before the Doha Grand Prix takes place a week later. with the Qatar Grand Prix to be held from March 26 to 28, before the Doha enjoys in the international sports fra- strictly following the health protocols, Grand Prix - a recent addition to the ternity,” he added. which have implemented to conduct calendar – to take place a week later. “Qatar’s hosting of the fi rst and the championship safely. Let us assure At a virtual press conference on second rounds of the MotoGP cham- the whole world once again of our abil- Tuesday, QMMF and LCSC president pionships will attract the world’s at- ity to organise according to the highest Abdulrahman al-Mannai and Khalid tention for more than a month. This standards, al-Remaihi said. al-Remaihi, Vice President and General will also economically benefi t Qatar as “In addition to the health measures, Manager of LCSC, said all preparations the teams and offi cials will be in Qatar our technical teams and safety experts were in place to host the MotoGP events Qatar Motor & Motorcycle Federation (QMMF) and Losail Circuit Sports Club (LCSC) president Abdulrahman al-Mannai for one whole month. Qatar’s profes- are working regularly to check every safe and successfully. (right) and Vice President and General Manager of LCSC Khalid al-Remaihi address a virtual press conference. sionalism in organising events with part of the circuit to ensure the safety of The LCSC has been co-ordinating great success for more than ten years, the riders and teams while they partici- with Ministries of Culture and Sports, day quarantine period before being al- before the fi rst race must undergo the dition to the use of safe transportation, in addition to the fact that Qatar has pate in the pre-season testing and two Health and Interior and Hamad In- lowed out on the seventh day so long same steps as mentioned above before regular sterilisation of the circuit, and made great strides in tackling Covid-19 Grand Prix,” he added. ternational Airport round the clock to as two negative PCR test results are being allowed into the paddock. the allocation of medical teams in the pandemic means FIA and Dorna was The shakedown test kicks proceed- ensure that the global event is hosted obtained. MotoGP’s protocol will allow Al-Mannai said the approved pre- circuit and hotels throughout the pe- pleased start the new season on Doha,” ings off tomorrow at Losail Circuit with and organised according to the highest the entire paddock to bypass this quar- ventive health measures include the riod. al-Mannai said. factory test riders and rookies on track, standards. antine period if they can show a nega- application of the medical isolation “We are ready to host the pre-season Meanwhile, LCSC Vice President and before the other riders then hit the as- The LCSC is also taking a leaf out of tive Covid-19 test obtained in their ori- circuit system known as the ‘medical testing and two Grand Prix races at Lo- General Manager Khalid al-Remaihi phalt for fi ve eagerly anticipated days of Supreme Committee for Delivery and gin country. Upon arrival in Qatar, all bubble’, in which the movement of all sail Circuit. We have taken all safety said the Losail Circuit will be limited to testing across seven days. Legacy’s book after the latter hosted paddock members will be tested again participants, including riders, admin- measures to produce the event, which 20% with spectators not allowed to en- the AFC Champions League 2020 before being transferred to their hotels istrators and organisers, is restricted to befi ts Qatar’s reputation on the world ter the paddock. He said the fans need KEY 2021 QATAR MOTOGP DATES: while awaiting the results of the second hotels and track. stage,” al-Mannai said. to be seated in the stands and take all matches and the FIFA Club World Cup MotoGP class Shakedown – March 5, 6, 2020 successfully, especially with re- PCR test. Within the framework of these strict “The choice of Doha to host the pre- necessary measures as advised by the 7; MotoGP class Off icial Test – March 10, gards to bringing in teams from abroad From this point, the bubble protocols health measures, the ‘paddock’ area season testing and two Grand Prix races Ministry of Public Health. 11 and 12; Asia Talent Cup Off icial Test and applying the health protocol. – which the paddock operated with to will be subject to a strict closure pro- by FIA (International Motorcycle Fed- “With the pre-season testing staring Currently, Qatar’s Covid-19 travel maintain social distancing and stop tocol, and riders and offi cials will also eration) and Dorna (commercial rights in just two days, we have completed all – March 19 and 20; Grand Prix of Qatar protocols dictate any arrivals into the group mixing last year – will come into undergo periodic tests to detect those owners of MotoGP) shows Qatar’s glo- the preparations. We are co-ordinating – March 26, 27 and 28l Grand Prix of country have to serve a minimum six- eff ect. Anyone who leaves the country infected with the coronavirus, in ad- bal standing and the great confi dence it will the concerned offi cials and are Doha – April 2, 3 and 4