MMOTORSPORTOTORSPORT | Page 7 ’s Adel Abdulla aiming for success in Baja

Wednesday, March 6, 2019 Jumada II 29, 1440 AH Kohli slams 40th GULF TIMES ODI ton as India win a thriller SPORT Page 4

FOOTBALL/ASIAN CHAMPIONS LEAGUE Benatia strikes on Asian debut as Al Duhail win 3-0 holders claim three points with emphatic victory over Iran’s Esteghlal in tion grew with their inability to break the Qatari defence and they resorted to shooting from range. Pejman Montazeri tried his luck but his eff ort sailed wide. Substitute Ali Afi f sealed victo- ry with the third goal after a swift counter attack. The Qatari inter- national midfi elder embarked on a 50-yard jinking run and then ex- changed a one-two with Nakajima that left him with a simple tap in in added time. Al Duhail travel to Saudi Arabia to face Al Hilal on Matchday Two, while Esteghlal welcome Al Ain to next Tuesday. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia’s Al Hilal edged past Emirati side Al Ain 1-0, with Mohamed al-Shal- houb scoring the winning goal in the 65th minute. The Saudis held the upper hand from the outset, Brazilian Carlos Eduardo forcing a save from Al Ain goalkeeper Khalid Eisa as early as in the third minute of the Group C clash. After Al Hilal failed to score off a couple of half-chances in the fi rst half, Eduardo found himself in the thick of the action fi ve minutes after resumption but much to his agony his shot crashed against into the upright. But Al Hilal’s constant pressure eventually paid off when captain al-Shalhoub profi ted from a cross Yousef El Arabi and (bottom) celebrate their goals against from Mohamed al-Buraik and Esteghlal. blasted home to seal an invaluable away win. In Group D, Uzbekistan’s Pa- (third from left) reacts as his Al Duhail colleagues congratulate him after he scored against Esteghlal in their opening Asian khtakor couldn’t hold on to their Champions League match yesterday. PICTURE: Noushad Thekkayil early lead and split points with Persepolis after a 1-1 draw at the AFC the blocks, and nearly got their Rahmati tipped it behind in the Benatia marked his AFC Cham- in Tehran. Doha opening goal within 60 seconds of 12th minute. pions League debut with a goal, Pakhtakor went ahead in the kick-off . Luiz Junior intercepted Al Duhail nearly broke the dead- heading home Murad Naji’s cross fi fth minute after Dragan Ceran’s the ball in midfi eld and supplied lock just before the break through to open the scoring for Al Duhail in header bounced off the upright atar’s Al Duhail turned Shoya Nakajima who advanced Nakajima who took Bassam Al Ra- the 56th minute. and Marat Bikmaev found himself on the power in the sec- down the left and struck from a wi’s cushioned header fi rst-time Top scorer Youssef El Arabi in perfect position to score off the ond half to beat Iran’s narrow angle. The Japanese’s shot from the edge of the box but could doubled the Qatari side’s lead in rebound. Esteghlal FC 3-0 in their was saved by Mehdi Rahmati. not fi nd the back of the net. the 74th minute. The Moroccan Persepolis, the runners-up last Qopening 2019 AFC Champions Centre-back Ahmed Yasser Rui Faria’s men came out from latched onto a Nakajima through year, however equalised in the 25th League Group C tie in Doha yes- tested the goalkeeper from dis- the dressing room a diff erent side, pass and rounded the goalkeeper minute with Croatian Mario Bu- terday. tance. His powerful strike seemed taking the game to their opponents before slotting into an empty net dimir scoring from close following The home side came racing off destined for the top corner, but and soon taking the lead. to make it 2-0. Esteghlal’s frustra- a pass from Bashar Resan.

BOTTOMLINE Al-Somah shines in Al Ahli win over Al Sadd

AFC around the six-yard box a few min- The in-form striker netted with a ning start, as did two-time cham- Jeddah utes later. thumping header off a Salman Mu- pions Guangzhou Evergrande, with Al Ahli punished the visitors washar corner to get his second of Brazilians Anderson Talisca and midway through the fi rst half when the night. Paulinho on target. mar al-Somah struck was adjudged Al Ahli will now be high on con- Former Southampton striker twice to give Saudi Ara- to have brought down al-Somah in fi dence when they travel to Uz- Pelle opened the scoring with a bia’s Al Ahli a fi ne 2-0 the box. The crowd favourite sent bekistan on Matchday Two to play close-range header after 21 min- opening day win over Al Sadd custodian Saad al-Sheeb Pakhtakor while 2011 champions Al utes at the Changwon Stadium in OQatar’s Al Sadd in their 2019 AFC the wrong way to give Al Ahli the Sadd host Persepolis with an eye on South Korea, only for the home Champions League Group D fi x- lead. making amends. side to strike twice in eight second- ture yesterday. Al Sadd looked to push forward Meanwhile in East Asia, Ma- half minutes through Woo Ju-sung Al Sadd had knocked out Al Ahli in search of an equaliser in the rouane Fellaini made his AFC and a clever dinked fi nish from Kim in the Round of 16 during last year’s second half but they found the go- Champions League debut for Seung-jun. edition, but Syrian striker Al So- ing tough, with Al Ahli head coach China’s Shandong Luneng but the The big Italian Pelle turned his mah had missed both legs of that Jorge Fossati ensuring a robust de- former Manchester United mid- marker and equalised for Shan- tie. This time around, he made his fensive display against his former fi elder was outshone by Graziano dong from close range in the 77th presence felt with a convincing side. Pelle, who scored both goals in the minute and should have bagged a show up front. In the 69th minute, Abdelkarim 2-2 draw at Gyeongnam FC. hat-trick and all three points, but It was Al Sadd who started off as Hassan’s strike was parried away In another match, Melbourne his 88th-minute header went wide. the brighter side, with Jung Woo- by Mohamed al-Owais for a corner Victory slumped to their fi rst home In Australia, the impressive Ces- young coming close to scoring in in what was the fi rst real chance of group-stage defeat in eight years as inha scored a spectacular equaliser the ninth minute but his powerful the second half. Brazilian striker Cesinha inspired and had a hand in both other goals free-kick could only scrape the side Six minutes later, Al Sadd’s a dream debut for South Korea’s as the South Korean side came from netting. hopes of overturning the result Daegu FC. behind in their fi rst ever group- Akram Afi f then somehow skied were dealt a heavy blow when Al Al Sadd forward Baghdad Bounedjah (centre left) vies for a header with Ahli’s Paulo Diaz (C-R) during their The 2018 winners Kashima Ant- stage match to stun Melbourne the ball over the bar from just Somah doubled Al Ahli’s lead. AFC Champions League match in Jeddah yesterday. lers got their campaign off to a win- Victory 3-1. Gulf Times 2 Wednesday, March 6, 2019 FOOTBALL

DECISION SPOTLIGHT Liverpool staying positive despite Hummels, Boateng blip, says Klopp

AFP their past six league games, leading to suggestions that may be feeling the nerves. However, with nine matches urgen Klopp has vowed left to play, Klopp insists his and Mueller out of that Liverpool will re- side are not willing to give up main positive as they hopes of a successful fi nale to battle for the Premier the campaign. LeagueJ title despite a wobble “We are positive – how that has enabled Manchester couldn’t we be positive?” he City to seize the initiative. told liverpoolfc.com. Liverpool’s destiny is no “There is a lot to come and longer in their own hands af- a lot of games to play. What Germany picture ter a goalless draw in Sunday’s brought us here was the sta- Merseyside derby allowed Pep bility the boys showed. We are ‘I respect and understand the decision. I was once young myself and reliant on older players Guardiola’s City to regain top diffi cult to beat, which is very spot with a one-point advan- important in football. And we to make room for me, but of course, I wish we could have had a diff erent goodbye’ tage. created, still, in diffi cult games, Despite criticism over a lack which is very important in of creativity, the club have football. notched fi ve successive clean “Then you have to fi nish sheets in all competitions and a them off , which we did very of- Premier League-best 17 shut- ten but not (at Everton). outs this season, with just 15 “The dynamic (at the top of goals conceded in 29 matches. the table) changed a little bit Liverpool, who have not won – now we are second, they are the English top-fl ight since fi rst. The season is not over and 1990, have drawn four out of we will not give up.”

EPL Wolves lost 57mn pounds in returning to top fl ight

(L-R) Germany’s defender Jerome Boateng, Germany’s defender Mats Hummels and Germany’s forward Thomas Mueller line up to make a wall during the Russia 2018 World Cup Reuters as loan deals for Diogo Jota and Group F match against Mexico at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow. (AFP) London Willy Boly, who have since both joined on a full-time basis. AFP ers to make room for me, but of “many successful, extraordinary like a new start and Marc will get Russia for failing to give chances Fosun International bought Berlin course, I wish we could have had and unique years together.” his chances too,” said Loew be- to the reserves, many of whom olverhamp- Wolves in 2016 from previous a diff erent ‘goodbye’.” Loew’s decision heralds the fore Tuesday’s announcement. had won the 2017 Confedera- ton Wanderers owner Steve Morgan for a re- Between them, Hummels, end of an impressive interna- Loew already has options tions Cup, when his World Cup lost one million ported 45 million pounds and ermany head coach Boateng, both 30, and Mueller, tional career for Mueller, who for Hummels and Boateng at plans fell apart. “In the year pounds per week have prioritised establishing Joachim Loew dropped still only 29, boast 246 appear- broke through as a raw 20-year- centre-back in Bayern’s Nik- of qualifying for the European Wpursuing promotion to the them as a Premier League club. a bombshell yesterday ances for Germany and were at old at the 2010 World Cup and las Suele, 23, Chelsea’s Antonio Championship 2020, we are Premier League last season, Wolves have been one of the by telling 2014 World the heart of the team which won went on to score 38 goals in 100 Ruediger, 26, and Paris Saint- sending out a clear signal: the the Midlands club revealed league’s big spenders since GCup winners Jerome Boateng, the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. appearances. Hummels and Germain’s Thilo Kehrer, 22. young national team players will yesterday. promotion, splashing out 109 Mats Hummels and Thomas However, last year’s debacle Boateng, Germany’s successful A new-look forward line have the space they need to fully Overall the club, owned by million pounds on players. Mueller they are no longer in his at the World Cup fi nals in Rus- centre-back partnership before played in the 3-0 win over Rus- develop,” said Loew. China’s Fosun International, “The directors have a con- plans. sia saw Germany crash out after the disaster at the fi nals in Rus- sia and 2-2 draw against the “They have to take responsi- made a pre-tax loss of 57.1 mil- tinued commitment to con- Loew told the Bayern Munich the group stage due to below- sia, have played in 70 and 76 in- Netherlands, in late 2018, with bility now.” lion pounds for the year that tinually improve the club from trio before he names the squad par performances from Loew’s ternationals respectively. striker Timo Werner, 22, fl anked Loew’s boss, German Foot- ended in May 2018, double its both a footballing and wider for the friendly against Serbia trusted stars. “2019 is the year of by Bayern Munich winger Serge ball Association president Re- loss of the previous season. operational and strategic per- in Wolfsburg in two weeks and a new start for the German na- SWEEPING CHANGES Gnabry, and Manchester City’s inhard Grindel, who also took Nuno Espirito Santo’s side spective,” the club’s fi nancial the Euro 2020 qualifi er against tional football team,” said Loew. Other big names could also Leroy Sane, both 23. fl ak last year when Mesut Ozil topped the Championship statement read. the Netherlands in Amsterdam “It was important to me per- fi nd themselves surplus to With a year to go before the retired from Germany duty amid with 99 points – nine clear of Turnover was up to 26.4 on March 24. “I am sad about sonally to explain my thoughts Loew’s requirements in the European Championship, Loew claims of racism, welcomed their nearest rivals – and have million pounds in 2018 com- this news, because it has always and plans to the players and man- coming weeks. Germany captain feels now is the time to remove Loew’s move. “I welcome the thrived on their return to the pared with 23.8 million in 2017 been the greatest thing for me to agers of FC Bayern,” added Loew, Manuel Neuer, 32, has a battle to more of his old guard having fact that he is now making de- top fl ight after a six-season ab- while average league attend- represent my country,” Boateng who fl ew to Munich to speak to keep his goalkeeping shirt from already last year dropped Sami cisive progress in transforming sence. ances increased to 28,298 from posted on Facebook. the trio. The 59-year-old, who Barcelona’s Marc-Andre ter Khedira, another 2014 World our national team and starting Signings during that period 21,572 in the previous season. “I respect and understand masterminded Germany’s 2014 Stegen, 26. “I said last year that Cup winner. the qualifi cation for Euro 2020 included Player of the Season Wolves are currently seventh the decision. “I was once young World Cup triumph, thanked Manuel is number one right now, Loew was heavily criticised in is the right time for personnel Ruben Neves from Porto and in the table and in the quarter- myself and reliant on older play- “Mats, Jerome and Thomas” for but this year we have something the wake of last year’s debacle in changes,” said Grindel. goalkeeper John Ruddy as well fi nals of the FA Cup.

FOCUS New Schalke boss hints at Tedesco’s exit AFP at home to Fortuna Duesseldorf, possible replacements for Te- Berlin on the back of a heavy 3-0 defeat desco, who is only in his second at Mainz, leave Schalke just four season at Schalke having steered points from the bottom three in the Royal Blues to runners-up nother heavy defeat 14th place. last season. this weekend could “We have to buck the trend. Reading between the lines mean the sack for head We need a coaching team that in Schneider’s fi rst press con- coach Domenico Te- is fully focused and I’m a fan ference, Tedesco, who is un- desco,A Schalke’s new sports di- of continuity - but not when it der contract until 2022, will be rector hinted yesterday, even damages our goal,” said Schnei- sacked unless things quickly with a key away leg looming at der, who joined Schalke from ri- pick up. “Tedesco have made a Manchester City in the Champi- vals RB Leipzig. big contribution to the club and ons League. “It’s all about staying up, the it was unexpected when they strugglers Schalke game against Fortuna Dussel- fi nished runners-up, he remains unveiled Jochen Schneider as dorf has opened our eyes. optimistic and focused,” said their new sports director - Te- “We need a team which is fully Schneider. desco’s immediate boss - with involved and shows a diff erent “I am not a fan of paying lip the 48-year-old demanding an face to the one we have seen in service and I’m not saying we improved performance on Friday the last few weeks.” will follow the contract (Te- at Werder Bremen. Schalke went down fi ghting desco’s) through until the end. Under Tedesco, Schalke’s against City and took a shock “I am optimistic we can turn woeful results are four defeats in 2-1 lead before late goals by things around. fi ve games, including a 3-2 loss Leroy Sane and Raheem Sterling “However, what happens in at home to Pep Guardiola’s City, turned the tie. the next three or four weeks is not who they face away in the last 16, However, this is one of the interesting - it’s only about what return leg next Tuesday. Howev- worst Bundesliga seasons in the happens on Friday.” er, Schalke are in the thick of the club’s history with 13 defeats in Bundesliga’s relegation battle. 24 league games. Already, the Under pressure Schalke’s head Last Saturday’s 4-0 thumping German media are discussing coach Domenico Tedesco. Gulf Times Wednesday, March 6, 2019 3 FOOTBALL

INTERVIEW SPOTLIGHT Chelsea lodge transfer ban appeal I don’t have an expiry has received an appeal from AFP London Chelsea FC over the said case,” a FIFA spokesman said. “As a general rule we do not helsea have appealed make comparisons with previ- against the one-year ous cases. transfer ban handed “There is no exact timetable to the Premier League for the hearings and decisions date, says Alves giants,C FIFA confi rmed yes- taken by the FIFA appeal com- terday, but will have to wait to mittee.” ‘What I do know is that I am going to try to get to the World Cup in 2022’ discover whether the ban will The ability to recruit new be temporarily lifted pending players this summer is pivotal the outcome of the appeal. for Chelsea with doubts over Last month the club were is- Eden Hazard’s future at the sued with a two-window regis- club with little progress made tration ban and fi ned 600,000 on extending the Belgian’s Swiss francs (over £460,000) contract beyond 2020, while by FIFA’s disciplinary commit- strike Gonzalo Higuain is only tee over the recruitment of 29 on loan from Juventus until the foreign players aged under 18. end of the season. Chelsea immediately said FIFA probed Chelsea’s sign- they “categorically refute the ing of foreign under-18 play- fi ndings” but having now ap- ers, including the club’s former pealed, they must await a deci- forward Bertrand Traore, a sion from FIFA’s appeal com- Burkina Faso international who mittee about whether there now plays for French will be an easing of restrictions club Lyon. ahead of a hearing being con- French website Mediapart, vened. Real Madrid, Atletico quoting documents from Foot- Madrid and Barcelona have all ball Leaks, reported that FIFA been sanctioned for similar of- found evidence that Chelsea fences, but all three managed had supplied misleading in- to delay the ban pending ap- formation about Traore’s sign- peal to allow them extra time to ing and that he had made more prepare. than 20 appearances for the Barcelona and Atletico un- club at diff erent age levels de- successfully contested their spite not being registered by two-window ban, while Real the Football Association (FA). Madrid’s penalty was reduced FIFA also fi ned England’s on appeal to one January win- football association 510,000 dow which had little impact. Swiss francs for breaking the “We can confi rm that FIFA rules on signing minors.

FOCUS New women’s league proposed by Spanish Football Federation

AFP competition that aims to re- Madrid launch women’s football,” said the RFEF’s general secretary Andreu Camps. omen’s football Camps also said that clubs in Spain is set for competing in the new league Paris Saint-Germain’s Brazilian defender Dani Alves (left) controls a ball past Paris Saint-Germain’s Brazilian defender Marquinhos (back) and Paris Saint-Germain’s Cameroonian a revamp after a would require a license from forward Eric Choupo-Moting (right) during a training session at the club’s Camp des Loges training grounds in Saint-Germain-en-Laye, near Paris, on the eve of their UEFA Champions new league was the RFEF. Wapproved by the Spanish Foot- He said it “will be the high- League round of 16 second leg match against Manchester United. (AFP) ball Federation’s (RFEF) board est offi cial competition and AFP Since then, he has become an integral knee injuries, the Brazilian says he “never Alves fi rst moved to Europe with Se- of directors yesterday. therefore the one that will gain Paris part of Thomas Tuchel’s PSG side and has doubted” he would be back. In his second villa in 2002 – and while he is a very well The new format, based on qualifi cation for European just been recalled to the Brazil squad. season at PSG, Alves – one of the greatest paid member of a superstar squad now, British, Australian and Ger- competitions.” He is also set to feature when the French full-backs the game has seen – has been he claims sometimes it was “hard” in his man models, must be signed To promote Spanish talent, njury deprived him of what looked like club face Manchester United in their reinvented by Tuchel as a midfi elder. early days. off at a General Assembly to be clubs would need to fi eld a a last chance at World Cup glory last Champions League last 16 return leg to- That may partly be down to a lack of After 14 years in Spain he spent a sea- held in April, with the inten- minimum, as yet unspecifi ed, year, but Dani Alves is now spurred on day leading 2-0 from the fi rst leg. alternatives. However, Alves insists it is son at Juventus before joining PSG in 2017, tion for it to be implemented number of players from their by the dream of lifting the trophy with Last season’s French Cup was the 38th not about him being unable to get up and just before the arrival of his compatriot next season. own academies. More fi nancial IBrazil in Qatar in 2022. trophy won by Alves in a remarkable ca- down the right fl ank in the way he used to. Neymar. His contract expires at the end The plan outlines two divi- support would also be given to “I don’t have an expiry date. My body reer that has included being part of three The coach, he says, “uses me for my in- of this season, but he and his partner, a sions, an ‘Elite Division’ and a those that invest in the game at is my answer – when I see that I can no Champions League victories at Barcelona. telligence in reading games, more than for model, enjoy life in Paris - Alves himself lower, ‘Promise Division’. grassroots level. longer compete, when my head is not in it The World Cup is the one trophy miss- my physical strengths, because as a mid- is a fashion lover. So could he stay even The Elite Division would be Women’s football in Spain anymore, it will be the time to stop,” Alves ing from his CV, so it is little wonder he is fi elder I run more and I put in more eff ort longer? an annual league, with a mini- was given a boost in January said in an exclusive interview with AFP. driven on by the prospect of fi nally win- than as a full-back. “It doesn’t depend on me, but if it were mum of eight and a maximum when a European record crowd “What I do know is that I am going to ning it with Brazil, even if he will be 39 “It is not about anything physical. I can down to me then of course,” he says. of 16 teams. of 48,121 turned out to watch try to get to the World Cup in 2022. My by the time the next tournament comes play at full-back, but I can’t use my read- “People are marked down for their age The Promise Division would Athletic Bilbao play Atletico objective is to fi ght to get there – I don’t around. ing of the game as much there. – once you get past 30, people look at you be made up of eight to 20 Madrid at San Mames Stadium hold the key, but I will try.” “That is why the challenge sort of gets “In the middle I can correct a wrong a bit funny. When you get to 35 the ques- teams, with the possibility of in the Copa de la Reina. Alves suff ered a serious knee injury me going. It’s like saying I’ve met the girl movement by a teammate, think more tions are all ‘when are you going to stop?’ expansion to 32 depending on Spain have also qualifi ed for playing for Paris Saint-Germain in last of my dreams. What do I say to her? I am quickly than a teammate, and so he gets Calm down! I decide when I am going to demand. It would consist of this summer’s Women’s World season’s French Cup fi nal, barely a month going to try everything. Imagine ending more out of me there than at full-back, stop. “It’s the old story, do you want a two regional groups, before a Cup, which starts on June 7, before the World Cup in Russia. He had your career as a world champion.” which at the end of the day is more limited normal car, or something top of the range? second stage to earn promo- and have been drawn in Group just turned 35 and it would take him six While many players younger than Alves – you go a little bit that way and you are That is how I am - the older I am, the more tion. B with Germany, China and months to return to action. have struggled to recover from serious off the pitch.” expensive I am!” “It will be a new model of South Africa.

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE ‘PSG second leg is no lost cause for Man Utd’ AFP fi rming that Alexis Sanchez will be out for Cavani faces late fitness Paris up to six weeks with a knee problem. Their form has been excellent, though, test for United clash and last Saturday’s 3-2 victory over South- anchester United come into ampton means the PSG fi rst leg remains Edinson Cavani faces a late fitness test their Champions League last their only defeat in 16 matches since Sol- ahead of Paris St Germain’s Champions 16, second leg away to Paris skjaer replaced the sacked Jose Mourinho League last-16 second leg against Man- Saint-Germain tomorow with a in the dugout. They have won all eight away chester United at the Parc des Princes Mmountain to climb and with a squad deci- games played in that time. tonight, coach Thomas Tuchel said. mated by injury, but manager Ole Gunnar “It is just one of these situations that The Uruguay striker, who picked up Solskjaer remains optimistic his team can we have come into, that we have lost a few a thigh injury last month and missed turn the tie around. players, but we’ll cope with that, we’ll have his club’s 2-0 win in the first leg at Old The Old Traff ord side lost the fi rst leg 2-0 a good team out there,” the Norwegian said Traff ord, has taken part in the last two at home last month, making their chances of the injury woes which have led to fi ve training sessions. of reaching the quarter-fi nals appear mini- academy players making up the squad of 20. “He took part in the last two training mal, even if PSG have squandered far bigger Does that mean his team will be able to sessions in full, but we are going to wait leads in Europe in the recent past. play without pressure in Paris? until tomorrow,” Tuchel told a news Two years ago, they won 4-0 against Bar- “You can say that because we are 2-0 conference yestersday. celona at the same stage, only to lose 6-1 in down after a home game, but we’ll never “We have decided to wait and make a the return, although on that occasion the approach any game as a lost cause,” insisted decision on his participation in the game second leg was away from home. the 46-year-old, who was on the losing side tomorrow.” “We all remember those results, so here with Norwegian side Molde in a Cup Tuchel’s counterpart Ole Gunnar Solsk- there are so many examples of teams that Winners’ Cup tie back in 1995. jaer said scoring the first goal would be can change results like this. Us as a club, “Of course we put pressure on ourselves crucial for United to overturn the deficit we have done it so many times,” the Nor- that we can do this, but I think the outside – a scenario that Tuchel did not rule out. wegian said at a press conference in Paris pressure is off , I think everyone expects us “Our goal will also be to score the first yesterday. to go out and go out easily, but that doesn’t goal,” he said with a smile. “The players have been fantastic away happen with Man United players. “But we have to play with calm and con- from home, we have beaten Chelsea, Arse- “We are hurt, I think our pride was hurt fidence, be aggressive and compact. nal, Tottenham, which has given us belief last time we played them, so we are going We also have to be careful but not that we can do this as well.” to see players that are going to give their all, scared. The Premier League side have travelled and if we get nine or 10 at least playing up to “They might score first, but we have to to without as many as 10 players due the top standard we have a good chance. We Manchester United’s Norwegian caretaker manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer attends a training session at the Parc be ready to react if that happens.” to injury or suspension, with Solskjaer con- can carry one or two, maybe.” des Princes stadium in Paris yesterday. (AFP) Gulf Times 4 Wednesday, March 6, 2019 CRICKET

TOP OF THE LINE India’s Dravid, a gift that keeps on giving Reuters cricket with more than 24,000 are up and about for all fi ve days’. New Delhi runs against his name, Dravid That’s something we spoke has since taken charge of India’s about. under-19 and A teams, oversee- “Also we fi gured out things we even years into his retire- ing the seamless transition of can control in the middle and fo- ment and former Test youngsters into the senior side. cus on doing them.” stalwart Rahul Dravid Among his wards, Mayank Lokesh Rahul is another ben- is still making silent and Agarwal, Prithvi Shah and Ha- efi ciary of Dravid’s deep un- importantS contribution for India, numa Vihari have taken to Test derstanding of the game — ac- shaping the next generation of cricket like duck to water, all- cumulated over 164 Tests and cricketers who will form the core rounder Vijay Shankar is staking 344 ODIs — and batsmanship in of the team. World Cup claims, while Shubh- particular. For a signifi cant part of his 16- man Gill broke into the ODI team Rahul, 26, was in crisis after a year Test career, Dravid was the in New Zealand. slump in form was followed by bulwark in India’s star-studded “He’s been a great mentor for a brief suspension for inappro- batting lineup that also included us,” Agarwal, who impressed on priate comments on a television Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Gan- his maiden tour in Australia, told chat show. guly and VVS Laxman. Reuters. Sent home midway through A classical batsman who “We can always walk up to the Test series in Australia, Ra- built his game around a near- him, speak to him about our bat- hul joined the A team under impregnable defence and an ting, about our thought process, Dravid and found his mojo back over-my-dead-body attitude, the way we approach an innings in the fi ve matches against Eng- ‘The Wall’ was a purist’s delight or if there’s any technical diffi - land Lions. even though teammates often culty.” He has since looked his free- eclipsed his best eff orts. Shoehorned into the Indian fl owing self in the two Twenty20 His 95 in his very fi rst Test side midway through the Test matches against Australia, scor- innings was overshadowed by series following an opening cri- ing 50 and 47, a turnaround he fellow debutant Ganguly’s cen- sis, Agarwal impressed immedi- credited to the time he spent tury in the 1996 match at Lord’s. ately with two 75-plus knocks in with Dravid. Three years later, Dravid hit 145 three innings. “Fortunately, I got to play in a World Cup match against Sri The 28-year-old said Dravid some India A games and some Lanka but once again Ganguly’s helped him understand how to games where the pressure was a 183 was the talking point. manage mental energy in the little less, so that I can focus on Dravid’s 180 in the 2001 Kolk- long format. my skill and my technique,” Ra- ata Test was crucial to India’s “We had a few chats about my hul said last week. stunning victory against Aus- game and he fi gured that part “I spent a lot of time with Ra- tralia but still ended up being out,” Agarwal added. hul Dravid, working on my game second fi ddle to Laxman’s epic “He said ‘to do well in Test and chatting about cricket. He 281. cricket, you need to manage helped me a lot in the games I Having quit international your mental energy because you played for India A.”

SECOND ODI Misbah, Sammy help India pull off thrilling Peshawar beat Lahore isbah-ul-Haq and needed 34 runs for victory. Darren Sammy — It came down to 31 in three af- two former captains ter Shaheen conceded just three of their countries but Sammy unleashed aggressive M— proved age is just a number strokes for two boundaries and a as they pulled off a heist against six off to bring down win against Australia for Peshawar the target to 13. Zalmi’s four- win in the Misbah cracked a boundary Pakistan Super League match in off Shaheen’s fi rst ball in the pe- Kohli smashes his 40th century in India’s 250, Shankar scalps two in final over Abu Dhabi yesterday. nultimate over as the target came Misbah cracked a fi ghting 55- down to six off the last over. Mis- AFP around for the Indians who en- ball 59 studded with four bah took a single off the first ball Nagpur sured there was no let-up in the boundaries and two sixes while after dropped him pressure on the visitors. Sammy notched a 36-ball 46 at deep fi ne-leg before Ryan ten Earlier Kohli smashed his 40th with four boundaries and a six Doeschate bowled Sammy to ndia pulled off an eight-run century on a challenging pitch as the pair lifted Peshawar from bring a new life in Lahore ranks. victory in a low-scoring that seemed to aid bowlers. a precarious 20-5 to help chase But Misbah and thriller after all-rounder Kohli hit 10 fours in his 120- down a modest 125-run target in kept their cool to achieve victory Vijay Shankar picked two ball knock and held anchor after 19.5 overs. with a single. Iwickets in the fi nal over of the Finch had elected to bat. The hard fought win — with Misbah, declared man of the second one-day international The Indians got off to a rocky heroes having a combined age match, said his aim was to play against Australia yesterday. start, losing openers Rohit Shar- of 79 (Misbah 44, Sammy 35) — till the last over. The Australians needed 11 ma and Shikhar Dhawan (21) steered Peshawar to play-off s “It was tough to come back af- runs from the last over with two early in the innings. with 12 points in nine matches, ter injury but this is the time when in hand but Shankar, Sharma (0) top-edged off winning six and losing three. you back yourself and in tough playing only his sixth ODI, kept Adam Zampa and Dhawan (21) Lahore never looked on course situations,” said Misbah. “We his nerves to pick a wicket off his was given out leg before wicket for a big total and it was only (Sammy and I) spoke about bat- fi rst and third balls in the day- after Australia’s appeal was up- (33-ball 43 with ting until the last over and knew night game in Nagpur. held on review. four boundaries and a six), David that if we could do that we will be Skipper Virat Kohli, who India had no such luck as Am- Wiese (16-ball 26 with two sixes able to take the team close to the struck 116 in India’s modest to- India captain Virat Kohli (second from right) celebrates with teammates after winning the second ODI bati Rayudu’s decision to appeal and as many fours) and Umair target and it came out like that.” tal of 250, asked Shankar to bowl against Australia in Nagpur, India, yesterday. (AFP) against the on-fi eld umpire’s lbw Masood (28-ball 22 with two Peshawar now has 12 points the fi nal over ahead of the regu- decision was turned down, the boundaries) that helped Lahore from nine matches and a top po- lar Kedar Jadhav, and he was re- hosts reduced to a shaky 75-3. to a lacklustre 124-7 after they sition in the points table with a warded amply for his move. Scorecard Kohli, the world’s top-ranked were sent into bat. better net run-rate over Quetta The Aussies were bowled out ODI batsman, went for the took three wickets Gladiators. Quetta are second with for 242 off 49.3 overs with Mar- INDIA 4-156 (Shankar), 5-171 (Jadhav), NM Coulter-Nile b Bumrah 4 counter-attack, hitting two for 29 while Sameen Gul scalped 12 points from eight matches. cus Stoinis top-scoring with 52. fours off the last two balls of the 2 for 17. In the late match on Monday, R. Sharma c Zampa b Cummins 0 6-171 (Dhoni), 7-238 (Jadeja), P. Cummins c Dhoni b Bumrah 0 India, who registered their 8-248 (Kohli), 9-249 (Yadav), 18th over by Zampa to underline Misbah, who has a special lik- fast bowler and 500th win in one-day interna- S. Dhawan lbw b Maxwell 21 10-250 (Bumrah). N. Lyon not out 6 his top form. ing for Sheikh Zayed stadium as spinner Umer Khan shared seven tionals, now lead the fi ve-match The 30-year-old skipper he scored the then joint fastest wickets between them to help V. Kohli c Stoinis b Cummins 116 Bowling: Cummins 9-2-29-4 A. Zampa b Shankar 2 series 2-0. timed his innings perfectly, Test hundred here in 2014, added rout Multan Sul- A. Rayudu lbw b Lyon 18 (w1), Coulter-Nile 8.2-0-52-1 (w1), Extras (lb 3, w10) 13 “It was an opportunity to re- stitching a 81-run partnership a match-winning 100 runs for tans by fi ve wickets. Maxwell 10-0-45-1 (w2), Zampa deem myself after the expensive V. Shankar run out 46 Total (all out; 49.3 overs) 242 with Shankar, who impressed the sixth wicket with Sammy to Shinwari grabbed 4-15 and 10-0-62-2, Lyon 10-0-42-1, over I bowled,” said Shankar, K. Jadhav c Finch b Zampa 11 Fall of wickets: 1-83 (Finch), during his 41-ball 46 before be- snatch victory from the jaws of Umer (3-22) as Multan scored 118- Stoinis 1-0-12-0. who had conceded 13 runs in the M.S. Dhoni c Khawaja b Zampa 0 2-83 (Khawaja), 3-122 (Marsh), ing run out by Zampa. defeat. 7. Karachi overhauled the total in Zampa struck again soon af- 19.2 overs to raise their hopes of only over he had bowled before AUSTRALIA 4-132 (Maxwell), 5-171 (Hands- Shaheen had wrecked Pesha- being asked to take charge of the R. Jadeja c Khawaja b Cummins 21 comb), 6-218 (Carey), 7-223 ter, dismissing Kedar Jadhav (11) war’s top order in his fi rst spell of qualifying for the play-off s. fi nal over. K. Yadav b Cummins 3 A. Finch lbw b Yadav 37 (Coulter-Nile), 8-223 (Cummins), and Mahendra Singh Dhoni (0) 2-1-6-3 with wickets of Imam- “I was up for the challenge... M. Shami not out 2 U. Khawaja c Kohli b Jadhav 38 9-240 (Stoinis), 10-242 (Zampa). off successive balls to stun the ul-Haq (four), and BRIEF SCORES I wanted to just stick to the ba- home crowd into silence. Liam Dawson (both nought off Lahore Qalandars 124-7 in J. Bumrah b Coulter-Nile 0 S. Marsh c Dhoni b Jadeja 16 Bowling: Shami 10-0-60-0 (w5), sics, hit the stumps from a hard Bumrah 10-0-29-2 (w2), Jadeja But Kohli looked unfettered at successive deliveries) to leave 20 overs (Haris Sohail 43; T. Mills Extras (b1, lb7, w4) 12 P. Handscomb run out 48 length as there was a bit of re- 10-0-48-1 (w1), Shankar 1.3-0-15- the other end, reaching his cen- them tottering at 12-4. 3-29, Sameen Gul 2-17) lost to verse (swing),” he said. Total (all out; 48.2 overs) 250 G. Maxwell b Yadav 4 2, Yadav 10-0-54-3 (w1), Jadhav tury with a four over backward had dismissed Kam- 125-6 in 19.5 The visitors were off to a steady point. ran Akmal for three to open the overs (Misbah-ul-Haq 59 not Fall of wickets: 1-0 (Sharma), M. Stoinis lbw b Shankar 52 8-0-33-1 (w1). start with openers Aaron Finch The fl amboyant captain re- gates. David Wiese made it 20-5 out, D. Sammy 46; Shaheen Shah 2-38 (Dhawan), 3-75 (Rayudu), A. Carey b Yadav 22 (37) and Usman Khawaja (38) RESULT: India win by 8 runs moved his helmet and raised his with the wicket of , Afridi 3-17) by four wickets putting on 83 runs before being bat to acknowledge the applause bowled for a poor ten-ball two. Multan Sultans 118-7 (Ham- dismissed in successive overs. Handscomb who looked set for a could get across the line,” said off 59 balls, tried to take a risky from the crowd and the dressing But Misbah, playing his only mad Azam 29, 26; Glenn Maxwell (18) saw his big score that hurt the visitors Australian skipper Aaron Finch. single but Ravindra Jadeja room. second match after injuring his Usmana Shinwari 4-15, Umer stumps being uprooted af- hard. “Stoinis played a really ter- made no mistake in hitting the Kohli’s innings ended when he hamstring after team’s open- Khan 3-22) lost to Karachi Kings ter a ball from Kuldeep Yadav “It was close, it was one of the rifi c innings but we couldn’t get stumps. holed a simple catch to Stoinis ing match, steadied the innings 120-5 in 19.2 overs (L. Living- sneaked from under his bat. games that we wanted to take as across the line.” A double-strike by Jasprit off Pat Cummins who picked up before lashing big strokes in the stone 53 not out; Mohamed Ilyas But it was the run-out of Peter deep as we can, hoping that we Handscomb, who made 48 Bumrah (2-29) turned the game four late wickets. fi nal four overs when Peshawar 3-27) by five wickets

SPOTLIGHT Balbirnie century guides Ireland to victory over Afghanistan

AFP passed Afghanistan’s 256-8 with the fi ve match one-day series 1-1, But with Afghanistan’s feared ball to the boundary. Andy Mc- Captain Asghar Afghan’s 75 reach the event in England. Dehradun, India an over to spare to take the third with two matches to play. spin attack looking jaded, Balbi- Brine then came in to play the also played a major role as his Ireland were whitewashed in one-day international by four “You dream of knocks like rnie and George Dockrell steadied fi nal support role as Balbirnie hit side went from 74-5 to easily see the earlier T20 games in which a wickets. that,” said Balbirnie. nerves and scored steady runs that the winning runs. out the 50 overs. series of world records fell. ndy Balbirnie gave Af- After Najibullah Zadran hit an “There was a lot of pressure put Ireland back in contention. Najibullah came in with Ire- “We dropped some important Ireland and Afghanistan will ghanistan a taste of unbeaten 104, Afghanistan must coming into this game. We hadn’t Balbirnie scored his century off land taking the upper hand bowl- catches and we had our chances,” also play a one-off Test in Dehra- their own medicine have thought their total was big won against these guys. There 111 balls. Dockrell then passed his ing as well with Afghanistan on said Asghar after. “Hopefully we dun. yesterday, smashing a enough to extend their unbeaten were a few scary moments but we 50 with a six. Two balls later, how- 69-4. can make a comeback.” brilliantA unbeaten 145 as Ireland run so far in the T20 and now 50- came through. ever, he was out playing The 26-year-old all-rounder The series in the Indian city of BRIEF SCORES: Afghanistan 256 claimed their fi rst win of a pun- over series. “It was an important morale- too ambitiously for a big shot. patiently took his side to safety Dehradun is an important prepa- for 8 (Najibullah 104*, Asghar 75, ishing series. But Balbirnie hit eight sixes booster with two games to go.” Stuart Poynter then lasted just while building his maiden inter- ration for Afghanistan ahead of Rankin 2-56) lost to Ireland 260 The 28-year-old Dubliner an- and eight fours to set up the mo- Ireland had looked shaky on three balls before he was caught national century with fi ve sixes the World Cup in June. Afghani- for 6 (Balbirnie 145*, Dockrell 54, chored Ireland’s innings as they rale-boosting win that levelled 29-3 inside eight overs. trying to smash a and fi ve fours. stan ironically beat Ireland to Dawlat 2-52) by four wickets Gulf Times Wednesday, March 6, 2019 5 SPORT

NBA FOCUS James ‘not Lowly Suns stun Bucks, sitting’ games as Lakers Clippers deliver blow to hopes fade Lakers’ play-off hopes Bucks have lost two straight games after winning 19 of the previous 21

Reuters totalled 20 points apiece off the bench to Phoenix, Arizona lead Utah. Rudy Gobert scored 19 points and collected 19 rebounds, and Donovan Mitchell added 19 points with nine assists. elly Oubre Jr. recorded 27 points, AFP 13 rebounds and three blocked CLIPPERS 113, LAKERS 105 Los Angeles shots, and Devin Booker scored Danilo Gallinari scored 23 points, and the 22 points as the lowly Phoenix visiting Los Angeles Clippers defeated the KSuns pulled off a stunning 114-105 vic- Los Angeles Lakers for their third con- eBron James has ruled out tory over the visiting Milwaukee Bucks secutive victory. Lou Williams scored 21 scaling back his playing time on Monday night. Deandre Ayton reg- points off the bench, and Montrezl Har- for the remainder of the season istered 19 points, 12 rebounds and three rell added 14 points and 11 rebounds in a in the wake of the Los Angeles blocked shots, and Josh Jackson scored reserve role for the Clippers. LLakers’ latest defeat which has dealt 16 for Phoenix. The Suns have won three Rajon Rondo scored a season-high 24 another blow to their play-off hopes. of four since enduring a franchise-worst, points to go with 10 rebounds and 12 as- James faces missing the postseason for 17-game losing streak. Tyler Johnson had sists for his fi rst triple-double with the the fi rst time since 2005 with the Lakers 13 points and four steals and also knocked Lakers. LeBron James fi nished with 27 mired in a form slump which has seen down the tiebreaking basket for the Suns, points, eight rebounds and six assists. them lose nine of their last 12 games. who outscored Milwaukee 38-23 in the The Lakers are now in 10th place in fourth quarter. KINGS 115, KNICKS 108 the Western Conference, six wins be- “We can’t back down when a team goes Harry Giles III contributed a dunk and hind the San Antonio Spurs with only on a run,” Oubre said. “We’ve got to make a hook shot to an eight-point run that 18 games remaining, leaving them our own, coming back at them.” Gian- opened the fourth quarter, and Sacra- with little prospect of squeezing into nis Antetokounmpo had 21 points, 13 re- mento fi nally was able to pull away from the play-off s. The bleak scenario has bounds, six assists and three steals for visiting New York. Buddy Hield had 28 prompted some to question whether the NBA-best Bucks, who have lost two points and Harrison Barnes contributed the Lakers would be better served by straight after winning 19 of the previous 22 points and 10 rebounds for the Kings, declaring the season a bust, and pre- 21 games. Malcolm Brogdon scored 19 who had lost three in a row, including two serving James’ body for the challenges points. “It’s kind of hard to think we lost straight to begin a key four-game home- of the 2019-2020 campaign. to Phoenix twice,” Antetokounmpo said. stand. Knicks rookie Allonzo Trier led all James however told ESPN that he had “But they played better than us.” scorers with 29 points. no intention of reducing his minutes on Phoenix surprisingly have now beaten court following Monday’s 113-105 de- Milwaukee both times they have met this HEAT 114, HAWKS 113 feat to the Los Angeles Clippers. season. “I don’t think we take them as Dwyane Wade scored 14 of his 23 points “Unless I’m hurt, I’m not sitting seriously as we should,” Bucks Malcolm in the fourth quarter as host Miami won games,” said James, adding that any Brogdon said. “It’s just a lack of focus.” consecutive games for the fi rst time since such move to limit his playing time January, defeating Atlanta. Josh Richard- would involve “a lot of convincing” on SPURS 104, NUGGETS 103 son added 19 points, and Justise Winslow the part of the Lakers front offi ce. DeMar DeRozan scored 24 points, and added 18 for Miami, which fi nally beat James, 34, said there had been no LaMarcus Aldridge added 22 points as San Atlanta after losing the fi rst three games discussion about his playing a reduced Antonio outlasted visiting Denver to cap- of this season’s four-game series. The role but admitted it might be a possibil- ture its third straight victory. San Antonio Hawks fell just short of what would have ity in future. “That conversation hasn’t led by 21 points in the second quarter and been their fi rst 4-0 sweep of Miami since occurred, but I’m sure it can happen by 17 with 9:10 to go in the game, but Den- 1990-91. Vince Carter, 42, led Atlanta soon,” James said. ver got within one point when Jamal Mur- with 21 points and made a season-high “You kind of look at the rest of the ray canned a 3-pointer with 49.6 seconds seven 3-pointers. Carter surpassed Jamal games, and look at the percentages of left. The Nuggets then missed four shots Crawford for sixth place in NBA history what’s going on there in the future, and at a win in the remaining time. Murray in terms of career 3-pointers, ending see what makes more sense for not only scored 25 points, and Nikola Jokic had 22 the night with 2,199. Crawford has 2,195 me but the team itself as well,” added points and 10 rebounds for Denver, which treys. Carter also surpassed Reggie Miller James, who suff ered the longest injury has lost three games in a row. “It almost (25,279 points) for 20th place in scoring, layoff of his career earlier this season seems like we’ve just been able to fl ip a winding up with 25,292 points. when a groin strain sidelined him for switch, which isn’t the easiest thing to nearly six weeks. do,” Spurs guard Patty Mills said. NETS 127, MAVERICKS 88 James, who joined the Lakers last year DeMarre Carroll matched a season high in a blockbuster move as the franchise PELICANS 115, JAZZ 112 with 22 points as Brooklyn coasted to a attempts to reverse years of decline, Jrue Holiday and Julius Randle each scored victory over Dallas in New York. Rodions said he would remain motivated for 30 points to lead New Orleans to a 115-112 Kurucs added 19 points and became the the rest of the season even if the team’s come-from-behind victory over Utah in third rookie in Nets franchise history to chances of reaching the playoff s for the Salt Lake City. Anthony Davis totaled 15 hit at least fi ve 3-pointers in a game, go- fi rst time in six years had all but evapo- points and 11 rebounds in only three quar- ing 5 of 7 from long range. D’Angelo Rus- rated. “For me personally, I can only ters for the Pelicans, who won their third sell collected 13 points and 11 assists as the speak for myself,” he said. “Continue straight. Davis did not play the entire Nets posted their most lopsided win since to be a professional, and be as great as fourth quarter. The Jazz led by 17 points moving from New Jersey in 2012. Dwight you can be every single night, no mat- Giannis Antetokounmpo (right) of the Milwaukee Bucks attempts a shot as Kelly Oubre Jr. of the Phoenix Suns in the second quarter and by 14 early in Powell paced Dallas with 20 points, and ter the circumstances.’ Cause someone blocks during the NBA game at in Phoenix, Arizona on Monday night. (AFP) the fourth. Jae Crowder and Kyle Korver rookie Luca Doncic added 16. is always watching.”

NHL Ennis’ hat-trick lift s Toronto Maple Leafs past Calgary Flames

Reuters career-high 16th goal of the season. two-game season series from Buff alo. Calgary, Alberta, Canada Matthew Tkachuk gave the hosts life Jack Eichel notched a pair of goals, and with a power-play goal of his own with Casey Mittelstadt tallied for Buff alo, 4:25 left in the middle frame, on the which fell to 2-7-1 in its past 10. yler Ennis collected his fi rst ca- spot for a loose puck to net his 26th of Buff alo goaltender Linus Ullmark reer hat-trick and Zach Hyman the year. However, Ennis completed his started and made 16 saves while yield- tallied twice as the visiting To- fi rst NHL hat trick 3:15 into the third ing four goals. Carter Hutton replaced ronto Maple Leafs handed the period with a long shot that Flames him to start the third period and TCalgary Flames a 6-2 defeat in the NHL goalie David Rittich simply whiff ed on. stopped all seven shots he faced. The on Monday night. Not to be lost in the Ennis has 12 goals on the season, but game featured a marquee meeting of victory was the play of Toronto goalie fi ve in the last fi ve games. Calgary’s No. 1 vs. No. 2. McDavid was the over- Frederik Andersen, who made 35 saves, Derek Ryan and Marner traded late all top pick in the 2015 NHL Draft, and including a key breakaway stop when it goals to round out the scoring. Eichel was selected right after McDav- was a one-goal game late in the fi rst pe- Marner’s one goal and two assists id. A Buff alo power play that started riod and a couple of others just before give him 10 points (3-7-10) in a four- just 53 seconds into the game yielded his team lit the lamp. game run. Rittich made 26 stops for the a pair of goals, and both superstar for- Toronto has won two straight and fi ve Western Conference-leading Flames, wards played a major factor. of six games. Ennis, a healthy scratch who have dropped two straight in regu- Nurse sent a stretch pass to McDav- the previous outing, opened the scor- lation for the fi rst time since mid-No- id, who fed Draisaitl for his 41st goal ing with a power-play goal just before vember. at 1:28. The short-handed tally — Ed- the midway point of the fi rst period. monton’s eighth of the season — was Ennis was left alone in front of the net SECOND PERIOD SURGE SENDS the fi fth of Draisaitl’s career. Eichel an- and neatly lifted a backhand shot for his OILERS PAST SABRES swered at 2:42 when he slipped around fi rst of the night. Kyle Brodziak defl ected in the go-ahead defenseman Adam Larsson, who had He was at it again with 2:45 left in the goal as the Edmonton Oilers scored dropped his stick and was bent over opening period, this time with a lucky three times in a span of 3:26 in the sec- retrieving it. The Sabres captain then break. His shot from the right circle ond period to rally for a 4-3 win over skated in and roofed home his eighth ricocheted off the skate of a defender the host Buff alo Sabres on Monday. power-play marker. Mittelstadt one- and into the cage. Then it was Hyman’s Leon Draisaitl (11-game point streak) timed home his 10th goal for a 2-1 lead turn to score two consecutive times. and Darnell Nurse each scored and at 13:29 of the fi rst period. Then an er- Hyman made it 3-0 just 96 seconds added an assist, Connor McDavid post- rant shot by Kassian and a defensive later when he used the stopping tech- ed two helpers, and Zack Kassian also miscue sent Eichel out on an odd-man nique to put home a loose puck after tallied for the Oilers, who won their rush, and Eichel zipped home his 25th Mitch Marner was denied on a break- third straight and are 5-1-1 in their past goal, matching his career high, for a 3-1 way. Hyman netted another 4:11 into seven games. edge at 17:24 of the fi rst. However, Ed- the second period with a one-timer Edmonton goalie Mikko Koskinen monton’s top two scoring forwards as- set up by Marner, who made a fantas- started his 11th straight game and sisted on goals late in the second period Tyler Ennis of the Toronto Maple Leafs celebrates with teammates after scoring a hat-trick against the Calgary Flames in the tic pass across the zone for Hyman’s made 35 saves as the Oilers swept the as the Oilers gained their fi rst lead. NHL at Scotiabank Saddledome in Calgary, Alberta, Canada on Monday. (AFP) Gulf Times 6 Wednesday, March 6, 2019 SPORT

SIX NATIONS RUGBY MOTOGP Number crunch: a few stats about Wales make one this year’s grid change for clash with Scotland ‘It was a fairly straightforward selection in view of the performance against England’ At 40 years and 22 days, Valentino Rossi of Yamaha is the oldest rider at the this year’s MotoGP grid.

By Motogp.com the podium in the premier class: Doha Rossi, Marquez, Lorenzo, Vinales, Dovizioso, Crutchlow, Andrea Iannone (Aprilia Racing Team he 2019 MotoGP cham- Gresini) and Jack Miller (Alma pionship will kick off this Pramac Racing). One can fully ex- weekend in Qatar as 22 pect the eight to grow in number of the world’s fastest rid- this year. ersT all aim to get their season off to a perfect start under the lights NINE NATIONALITIES…AND at the Losail International Circuit A 20-YEAR GAP . Here are some of the numbers that make this year one of, if not A healthy nine nationalities – the most exciting World Champi- Italy, Spain, France, Great Britain, onships ever. Australia, Japan, Malaysia, Portugal and the Czech Republic 30 TITLES BETWEEN – will lineup on the MotoGP grid 11 RIDERS in 2019. Knowing that half the grid has Meanwhile, at 19 years and 324 taken a World Championship at days, Fabio Quartararo (Petronas some point during their career Yamaha SRT) is the youngest rider is a mouthwatering prospect. on this year’s premier class grid. Valentino Rossi (Monster En- In contrast, Rossi is the oldest at ergy Yamaha MotoGP), reigning 40 years and 22 days; 20 years and Champion Marc Marquez (Repsol 63 days separating the two Yama- Honda Team) and fellow Repsol ha riders. A staggering statistic. Honda rider Jorge Lorenzo have So that was just a few num- all claimed multiple premier class bers to whet your appetite for the Wales players celebrate during their 21-13 Six Nations win over England last month. titles, as well as intermediate and much-anticipated 2019 MotoGP lower-class crowns. season as Grand Prix motorcy- Reuters Gatland said yesterday. Ireland’s Henshaw is doubt for France Six Nations match Then we have Johann Zarco cle racing fi res into life under the Cardiff “Our bench has been fantas- (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing), lights of Losail. tic for us. They have given us an Dublin: is a doubt for Ireland’s “Joey Carbery is progressing well through his Pol Espargaro (Red Bull KTM impact. Not just in the last game Six Nations clash against France on Sunday after hamstring rehab and will be managed across the Factory Racing), Tito Rabat (Re- MOTO2, MOTO3 TO MAKE ales coach War- but in others.” failing to shake off a dead leg. early part of the week. has fully ale Avintia Racing), Franco Mor- Q1, Q2 DEBUTS IN QATAR ren Gatland has He was speaking at a hast- Ireland have taken the unusual step of delaying recovered from cramp suff ered post the Italy bidelli (Petronas Yamaha SRT), Meanwhile, there’s an impor- made one injury- ily called news conference as confirmation of their wider squad for the Dublin game.” Francesco Bagnaia (Alma Pramac tant change to Moto2 and Moto3 Wenforced change the team announcement was encounter with Les Bleus until tomorrow. The statement continued: “Dan Leavy will con- Racing), Maverick Vinales (Mon- qualifying at the opening round to his unbeaten Six Nations side brought forward amid the dis- Head coach Joe Schmidt will give British and tinue to increase his running volume outside of ster Energy Yamaha MotoGP), of the season in Qatar. This year, as they look to move closer to the traction of reported plans to Irish Lions star Henshaw every chance to prove team training in the early part of this week. Mission Winnow Ducati’s And- both the intermediate and light- title against Scotland at Mur- merge two of Welsh rugby’s big- his fitness, while fly-half Joey Carbery is still inch- “The Ireland squad for round four of the champi- rea Dovizioso and Team Suzuki weight classes will adopt the rayfi eld on Saturday. gest teams. ing back after hamstring trouble. onship will be confirmed tomorrow morning.” Ecstar’s Joan Mir – all of whom Qualifying 1 and Qualifying 2 Adam Beard comes in at lock There is no place in the “Robbie Henshaw is improving more slowly than Henshaw, 25, has not featured since Ireland’s 32- have at least one lower class title format that we have seen for a in place of the injured Cory Hill matchday squad still for Leigh hoped and he will continue his rehab this week,” 20 opening-round defeat to England in Dublin, to their name. They represent the number of years in the premier in the one alteration from the Halfpenny despite a return at the Irish Rugby Football Union (RFU) said in a where he was deployed at full-back for just the 11 who together claim 30 World class. The riders going directly team that beat England 21-13 in club level for the fullback. statement. second time in his Test career. Championships, and if you count into Q2 will be decided on their their last game in Cardiff on Feb The 30-year-old British & Cal Crutchlow’s (LCR Honda combined Free Practice times 23. Irish Lion completed another 80 Castrol) WorldSSP title, that’s 12 after FP3 has fi nished on Satur- Hill was one of the heroes of minutes for the in PRO- side on Thursday but did so yes- we need to wait and see what the 12-Hadleigh Parkes, 11-Josh world beaters on the 2019 Mo- day. The 14 combined fastest rid- that Welsh win but injured his 14 action at the weekend as he terday over concerns that British outcome is going to be. Adams, 10-Gareth Anscombe, toGP grid. ers will automatically book their ankle near the end of the game continued his comeback after media reports regarding plans to “You try and put the players’ 9-Gareth Davies, 8-Ross Mori- place in Q2, with everyone else and has since been ruled out of three months out with concus- merge the Cardiff -based Scar- minds to rest and get them to fo- arty, 7-Justin Tipuric, 6-Josh Na- 19 RACE WINNERS, having to go out for a 15-minute the rest of the Six Nations. sion.He has again trained with lets and Swansea-based cus on winning Six Nations.” vidi, 5-Alun Wyn Jones (captain), 419 VICTORIES Q1 session. Beard has featured in the last Wales this week but Gatland were aff ecting the players’ focus. Wales top the table with 12 4-Adam Beard, 3-Tomas Francis, In terms of wins, 19 of the 22 The four fastest riders from Q1 nine tests, either starting or off resisted any temptation to bring “There’s no doubt the play- points ahead of England on 10 2-Ken Owens, 1-Rob Evans riders in MotoGP this year have will then have a chance to fi ght the replacement bench. Jake Ball him back, saying: “I think Leigh ers have been distracted,” added and Ireland, who they host on Replacements: 16-Elliot Dee, claimed victory in either the for pole in Q2, with the second takes his place among the sub- still needs games under his belt Gatland. “It is concerning. Play- the last matchday, with nine. 17-Nicky Smith, 18-Dillon Lewis, premier class, Moto2/250cc or session also lasting 15 minutes. stitutes. and is regaining confi dence. It ers have been going home and 19-Jake Ball, 20-Aaron Wain- Moto3/125cc, with their com- What’s more, during the two “It was a fairly straightfor- would have been unfair to leave are asked question by wives and Team: wright, 21-Aled Davies, 22-Dan bined total reaching an impressive qualifying sessions, each rider ward selection in view of the out Owen Watkin.” partners about what’s going on. 15-Liam Williams, 14-George Biggar, 23-Owen Watkin. 419 victories. In addition, eight of will have an extra soft compound performance against England,” Wales were due to name their “Our message to the players is North, 13-Jonathan Davies, those have stood on the top step of tyre at their disposal.

BOTTOMLINE TENNIS Murray will put ‘heart and soul’ F1 implementing Brexit into return, says mum Judy

AFP “Nobody knows how he is going to recover in the London longer term. He is in a good place mentally and we just keep our fi ngers crossed. ‘contingency plans’ “But I tell you, if anybody can do it he can be- AFP import of products into Britain, ndy Murray will put his “heart and soul” cause he will put his heart and soul into it like he Geneva especially since teams typically into trying to return to professional ten- does with everything.” work on tight deadlines. nis, his mother Judy has said, although The former world number one announced at an Carey declined to comment she admitted the player’s future is un- emotional press conference ahead of the Austral- ormula 1 is implement- on “speculation” about com- clear.A ian Open in January that he planned to retire after ing “contingency plans” petitive imbalance. The 31-year-old underwent hip resurfacing sur- Wimbledon but was more hopeful following a re- to deal with the conse- “We don’t know what is going gery at the end of January in a fi nal throw of the markable fi ve-set defeat by Roberto Bautista Agut quences of Brexit, in- to happen anymore than anyone dice to try to overcome the problem that fi rst be- in the fi rst round. cludingF possibly basing more else,” he said. came a serious issue in 2017. No player has come back from the same opera- material on mainland Europe, Britain is scheduled to leave The operation was performed primarily to im- tion to play singles but American Bob Bryan re- its chief executive Chase Carey the EU on March 29 but Prime prove his quality of life, with Murray revealing that cently returned in doubles and won an ATP Tour said yesterday. Minister Theresa May’s divorce he struggled simply to put on his socks and shoes, title in Delray Beach last month with his brother Several F1 teams have warned deal has not yet been approved but also off ered a potential route back to the sport. Mike. that Britain’s departure from by parliament, raising the pros- “He is doing pretty well. It is not that long since Bryan said in Australia that he no longer felt any the European Union, especially pect of Brexit being delayed. he had the operation and time will tell,” Judy Mur- pain and backed Murray to follow him by making a if it comes without a withdrawal The alternative is Britain ray told Sky Sports. comeback. agreement, will create logistical leaving on time without an nightmares for an industry that agreement, a doomsday option relies on international staff and both sides would like to avoid. specialised goods moving in and EU and UK offi cials were try- out of Britain. ing to negotiate a compromise in Woods withdraws from Arnold Palmer Invitational Mercedes team CEO Toto Brussels on Tuesday that could Los Angeles: Former world from the API (Arnold Palmer record eight times. Wolff said Brexit could trigger win parliamentary support. number one Tiger Woods with- Invitational),” Woods said. This week’s appearance would “the mother of all messes” for After purchasing F1 in 2017, drew from this week’s Arnold “I’ve been receiving treatment, have been his 19th participation his Northamptonshire-based Mercedes team CEO Toto Wolff . US-based Liberty Media has Palmer Invitational on Monday but it hasn’t improved enough to at the event. team. Six of the 10 teams taking sought to reform the business, after failing to shake off a neck play. My lower back is fine, and I “I’d like to send my regrets to the in the 2019 grand prix series are issues that possibly arise that by transferring goods predomi- in part through investments to strain. have no long-term concerns.” Palmer family and the Orlando based in Britain. would make getting people and nately from Britain to various reach new audiences. In a post on Twitter, Woods said Woods added he hoped to be fit fans,” Woods said. Carey told reporters at the things in and out of the UK more European sites. The weight of those expen- the problem was unrelated to for The Players Championship “Its connection to Arnold makes Geneva International Motor diffi cult,” Carey said. “We bring them in and out of ditures have seen F1 post losses the lower back issues which at TPC Sawgrass from March it one of my favorite tourna- Show that F1 was trying to make He added that he considered the UK now. We obviously can for two consecutive years, but sidelined him for nearly two 14-17 as he builds towards next ments and I’m disappointed to plans despite the uncertainty complications surrounding the bring them in and out of some- Carey insisted the money spent years, and added he had no con- month’s Masters. miss it.” surrounding the timing and na- movement of goods more prob- where else,” Carey said. had laid the building blocks for cern over his long-term fitness. The Arnold Palmer has been a Woods last played at the WGC- ture of Brexit. lematic than possible visa issues Some F1 teams have suggest- future profi ts. “Unfortunately due to a neck favourite hunting ground for Mexico Championship from “We are making contingency for international staff ers with ed that teams based on the con- Over the past two years “we strain that I’ve had for a few Woods over the years, with the February 21-24, tying for 10th plans for trying to make sure British-based teams. tinent would have an advantage were building a foundation for weeks, I’m forced to withdraw 43-year-old winning at Bay Hill a place. we are prepared to deal with the Currently, F1 supports teams if new rules complicated the long-term growth,” he said. Gulf Times Wednesday, March 6, 2019 7 SPORT

SPOTLIGHT CHI Al Shaqab set for world class equestrian extravaganza 91 riders and 139 horses from 23 nations to participate in Al Shaqab’s signature event from tomorrow

By Sports Reporter Doha

he world’s best riders and horses are primed to put on a thrilling display of power and grace at CHI Al Shaqab, which Twill take place from tomorrow till Sat- urday, at Al Shaqab, member of Qatar Foundation. CHI stands for Concours Hippique International or ‘Equestrian International Competition’, and the spectacular CHI Al Shaqab will see 91 riders and 139 horses from 23 na- tions participate in the event, which Al Shaqab is organising for the sixth time. They will compete in the Olympic equestrian disciplines of Showjump- ing, Dressage, and Para Dressage during CHI Al Shaqab - the only equestrian competition of its kind in the Middle East and Asia region. Several top-ranking athletes from both Qatar and around the world will be competing for the highly coveted titles on off er for three days. They include Sheikh Ali bin Khalid al-Thani (Qatar), Bassem Mohammed (Qatar), Julien Epaillard (France), Emily Moffi tt (UK) Pius Schwizer (SUI), Daniel Deusser (GER), Edwina Tops-Alexander (Aus) and Ben Maher (UK). From left: Hathab Event Director Ali al-Rumaihi, CHI Al Shaqab Event Director and Al Shaqab Commercial Manager Omar al-Mannai, President of Qatar and Asian Equestrian Federation Hamad bin Abdulrahman The Asian Equestrian Federation al-Attiyah, Secretary-General of Qatar Equestrian Federation Badr al-Darwish and Media and Broadcast Manager of Al Shaqab Fahad al-Hajri at a press conference at Al Shaqab yesterday. (AEF) General Assembly will take place at Al Shaqab, with Hamad bin higher goals, there has been a marked rhythm - as it is quite popular at the level performer from Saudi Arabia who the focus of Asian equestrian sport.” Abdulrahman al-Attiyah, president of increase in the quality of our riders.” Asian Federation level.” has competed in the past. These are To ensure an ongoing festival at- both the Qatar Equestrian Federation About AEF’s general assembly meet- Omar al-Mannai, CHI Al Shaqab great role models who are very inspir- mosphere of fun and entertainment, and the Asian Equestrian Federation, ing, al-Attiyah said: “The meeting of Event Director and Al Shaqab Com- ing. We look forward to seeing Qatari Al Shaqab’s venue is already open to standing for re-election. the Asian Equestrian Federation, which mercial Manager, said: “Al Shaqab is riders participating in this discipline in the public ahead of the start of CHI Al Al-Attiyah said: “I would like to ex- is happening along the sidelines of CHI extremely proud to be organizing CHI the future.” Shaqab tomorrow, and will remain so tend my deep gratitude to His Highness Al Shaqab, is a very important addition Al Shaqab for the sixth time. This pres- The Hathab Series, which is aimed until the end of the event on March 9. Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani to the agenda, as the elections will be tigious and world-class equestrian at improving the standard of horse rid- An exciting indoor and outdoor Enter- the Father Amir, who laid the founda- held for the important positions such event has continued to grow in terms ing among Qatari youth, will be part of tainment Zone off ers an array of fun tion for the development of equestrian as that of president and vice-president. of popularity and success since the fi rst date the discipline, al-Mannai said: CHI Al Shaqab. Ali al-Rumaihi, Hathab activities for children to enjoy, includ- sport in Qatar. I would also like to thank The close co-operation between the CHI Al Shaqab was held in 2013. “Para Dressage is a discipline that al- Event Director, said: “This series, ing pony rides, magic and circus shows, HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad al-Thani, Qatar Equestrian Federation and AEF “CHI Al Shaqab has placed Qatar lows for fair competition and creates which targets the development of the gaming areas, interactive video and Chairman of CHI Al Shaqab and Presi- is also very important. While our senior on the world’s equestrian map, and Al the opportunity for riders of all skills next generation of equestrian champi- virtual reality games, and F1 and horse dent of the Qatar Olympic Commit- riders have come a long way, the up- Shaqab’s successful organising of the to achieve their goals in equestrian ons, will have its 9th round at CHI Al simulators. tee. CHI Al Shaqab is the fi rst and only coming young riders will benefi t greatly event has boosted Qatar’s status as an sport. There is a demand from this Shaqab. The riders will be inspired by Other provisions include a food court equestrian event of its kind in the Mid- from this partnership. international sports destination. The segment of our population to incor- being in the presence of world-class and coff ee corners. A latte art competi- dle East and Asia region. “The goal of the Federation is to train event also showcases Al Shaqab as a porate Para Dressage in our event. athletes from Qatar and around the tion will see the winner crowned on “I would also like to extend my ap- young boys and girls to the highest pos- premier international equestrian com- This is the third year Al Shaqab will world.” March 6 and claim the prize-money preciation to Al Shaqab for hosting sible level of horse riding. We are also petition venue, capable of attracting be including this important Olympic Also standing for re-election at the of $10,000. The competition has been outstanding riders in this great facility looking to support them fi nancially the world’s top-ranking riders in three discipline in the event and our facili- AEF General Assembly is Badr al-Dar- boosted by the presence of Jibbi Little, a and for working in cooperation with the and provide training camps. In addition Olympic equestrian disciplines. ties are geared to meet the needs of wish, who is also the Secretary-General latte art champion from Australia. VIP Qatar Equestrian Federation. The re- to showjumping, we aim to train our Commenting on Para Dressage as a the participants. of the Qatar Equestrian Federation. Al- and regular tickets for CHI Al Shaqab sults are already bearing fruit – besides young riders in the discipline of dres- part of CHI Al Shaqab, and the ability “Some of the world’s best riders are Darwish said: “As Doha will host the AEF are available on the Al Shaqab website, encouraging them to aspire towards sage – a discipline that follows a certain of Al Shaqab as a venue to accommo- in this category. This includes a high- General Assembly at Al Shaqab, it will be www.alshaqab.com.

SPONSORSHIP MOTORSPORT Al Shaqab and Qatar’s Abdulla aiming for Baja success in Dubai By Sports Reporter bad luck in Qatar, but I am sure we will do ExxonMobil sign Doha much better in Dubai. “I know the car much better now as well. I am back together with Jean-Michel three-year agreement del Abdulla continues his hectic Polato. He could not do Qatar because of start to the 2019 rallying season some personal commitments, but we are sponsorship agree- to support such a culturally sig- by taking part in the Dubai In- a good team together. I am proud to be ment has been signed nifi cant sport that holds so much ternational Baja, round two of working with the FN Speed Team again between Al Shaqab, meaning for Qataris. theA new FIA World Cup for Cross-Coun- and hope that we get a good result. I did member of Qatar Foun- “In 2017, we announced our try Bajas, from tomorrow. this race in 2017 and 2018 and have a little dation,A and ExxonMobil Qatar, sponsorship of the Al Shaqab Fresh from taking three stage wins, a experience here. Okay, we did those races which will see the oil and gas riding academy, and since then, Qatar Manateq National Baja victory and in a T2 car in a diff erent category, but we company be the main sponsor of many students have benefi ted fi fth in the T3 section at the recent Man- will try to do our best. The challenge with the CHI Al Shaqab 2019 event. from the lifelong lessons and ateq Qatar Cross-Country Rally, Adel the T3 is quite tough. I also say thanks to ExxonMobil has a long history leadership skills that are taught now switches his attention to the bat- my sponsor Ooredoo, who have renewed of being the main sponsor of CHI there. Education comes in many tle for T3 honours in the new Baja series my contract now for a third year. I am Al Shaqab, which is the signature forms, and it is a strategic pri- that was separated from the longer cross- looking forward to representing them event of organisers Al Shaqab, ority for us at ExxonMobil Qa- country events by the FIA at the end of again and challenging for a good result.” having started supporting the tar. We work hard with our local 2018. The Qatari faces stiff competition in competition in 2013. partners to create learning envi- The Qatari was not able to take part in Dubai from a host of T3 entrants, includ- CHI Al Shaqab, which is the ronments for students that are the opening round in Russia’s Republic of ing Oman’s Abdullah al-Zubair, Italy’s sixth edition of the competition, inspiring, exciting and engaging, Karelia last month, but the former FIA T2 Michele Cinotto, Spain’s Santiago Nav- starts from tomorrow and ends and extend beyond traditional World Champion is relishing the prospect arro, Emirati Michel Fadel and the Rus- on Saturday. classrooms so that we can help of competing for glory in Dubai in a bid sian driver Fedor Vorobeyev. “I’m pleased to announce Exx- build the sustainable, knowl- to lay the foundations for an assault on Cinotto claimed maximum T3 points in onMobil Qatar’s sponsorship of edge-based economy the Qatar a championship that will also visit Italy, Russia and leads the series with 25 points. CHI Al Shaqab 2019. We’re look- National Vision 2030 strives to Spain, Hungary, Poland, Jordan and Por- Al-Zubair is second on 18 and Dmitrii ing forward to the world-class achieve,” he added. tugal later this season. Ponomarenko is currently third on 15. equestrian competition in the CHI Al Shaqab is the only Adel is reunited with his French navi- The event is based at the Dubai Auto- magnifi cent Al Shaqab facilities” equestrian competition of its gator Jean-Michel Polato for the second drome and off ers 407km of competition said Saleh al-Mana, Vice Presi- kind in the Middle East and Asia round of the series in Dubai, after taking in a compact route of around 607km. Af- dent and Director of Govern- region to be sanctioned by the part in Qatar with Spaniard Marc Serra. and has support from the Qatar Motor Championship. I could not do the fi rst ter a ceremonial start tomorrow evening, ment and Public Aff airs for Exx- International Equestrian Fed- The pair will run Adel’s new Can-Am and Motorcycle Federation (QMMF). one in Russia. It was a little bit tight for crews will tackle selective sections of onMobil Qatar. “Over the years, eration, and regularly attracts Maverick X3, which is being managed Adel said: “I am looking forward to this me in terms of the time schedule to do the 201.60km and 204.93km on Friday and CHI Al Shaqab has grown more leading riders and horses from on events by the Spanish FN Speed Team race. It is the second round of the Baja Qatar Cross-Country Rally. We had some Saturday. and more popular. We’re proud around the world to take part.

TENNIS Nawaf wins Kungens Kanna and Drottningens Pris tourney By Sports Reporter On the way to the fi nal, Na- raise Qatar’s fl ag high in inter- Doha waf defeated Nicolas Philibert national tournaments,” said of Great Britain 6-2, 6-4 in the Nawaf, who has joined Moura- fi rst round, then he sailed past toglou Tennis Academy. atar’s Rashed Nawaf Croatia’s Patrik Jurina 6-4 6-2 Nawaf has made some huge claimed the under-14 in the second round. In the third achievements in his junior ca- title at the Kungens round, Nawaf beat Albert Saar of reer, as he fi nished second in Les Kanna & Drottnin- Sweden 6-2 6-2 before beating Petits As Tournament in France gensQ Pris tennis tournament in Maxim Zhukov in the quarter- early this year. Nawaf also Stockholm, Sweden recently. In fi nals. In the semi-fi nals, Nawaf claimed the singles and doubles the fi nal, Nawaf defeated Rus- defeated Serbia’s Aleksa Pisaric titles at U-14 GCC tennis tour- sia’s Yaroslav Demin 6-1, 6-0 7-5, 4-6, 6-1. nament held in Oman and Arab to become the fi rst Qatari player “I am proud to win the tour- Tennis Tournament in Tunisia. ExxonMobil has a long history of being the main sponsor of CHI Al to win the tournament in its 119 nament and will do whatever it He has participated in the U-14 Shaqab, having started supporting the competition since 2013. years history. takes to follow my dream and World Tennis Cup. Qatar's Rashed Nawaf poses with the trophy.

Wednesday, March 6, 2019 GULF TIMES GOLF

FOCUS Champs, future stars make for ‘strong’ fi eld at Qatar Masters Two-time winner Lawrie returns to Doha Golf Club with the likes of young Oman Open champ Kitayama in pursuit

By Yash Mudgal (QOC), Doha Golf Club (DGC) Doha and long-term title sponsor Commercial Bank. “It’s an interesting combina- ommercial Bank Qatar tion of young, rising stars com- Masters has a “strong” peting with experienced cam- fi eld in its 22nd edition, paigners which should add up to with several past cham- an exciting four days. We expect a pionsC and many upcoming stars lot from upcoming players as lots lining up at the Doha Golf Club. of guys are playing the two weeks The 144-player fi eld at the in a row as they played last week popular European Tour tourna- in Oman and now they are here,” ment is headed by two-time win- Ericsson said. ner and former Open champion Talking about missing some Paul Lawrie, along with other big regular names from the tour- past champions Jeunghun Wang, nament which is being held in Robert Karlsson, , March for the fi rst time, Erics- Thomas Bjorn, Alvaro Quiros, son said: “I think the date change and Darren Fichardt. is nothing to do it. In fact it is Doha regular Englishman Ol- good for the tournament. The iver Fisher, who fi nished second new dates have given the course behind champion Eddie Pep- more time to be in good condi- perell last year, and Ryder Cup tions. Together with Oman, the star David Howell will also be two weeks are fantastic for eve- in action at the Doha Golf Club rybody.” greens this weekend. Two of Qatar’s most promis- “It’s a very good fi eld this ing players – Saleh al-Kaabi and week. It’s a strong fi eld having a Jaham al-Kuwari – will also rub lot of past winners with upcom- shoulders with elite of the Euro- ing stars,” European Tour tour- pean Tour. nament director Mikael Ericsson The 26-year-old al-Kuwari is said at a pre-event press confer- playing for the fi rst time in a Eu- ence yesterday. ropean Tour event and sounded The $1.75mn event is be- excited. ing held at Doha Golf Club from “I played in the Qatar Open March 7-10 for the famous couple of weeks ago and I played Mother of Pearl Trophy. quite well and qualifi ed for the Qatar Masters. I know it will be It’s an interesting com- very tough play against profes- bination of young, rising sional, but my realistic target is to stars competing with make cut and play last two days experienced campaign- of the event,” al-Kuwari said. ‘ Commercial Bank chief mar- (From left) Qatar Golf Association (QGA) executive director Faisal al-Naimi, QGA general secretary Fahad Nasser al-Naimi, Commercial Bank chief marketing off icer Hussein al-Abdulla, ers which should add up to an exciting four days. keting offi cer Hussein al-Abdulla European Tour tournament director Mikael Eriksson and Doha Golf Club general manager Gary McGlinchey pose with the Mother of Pearl Trophy at a press conference ahead of said they have been supporting Commercial Bank Qatar Masters yesterday. PICTURE: Jayaram — Mikael Ericsson, the tournament keeping Vision tournament director 2030 in mind. “We have been reaching out American rookie Kurt Kitaya- to school students and we have Kitayama looking for back-to-back wins on Doha debut ma, who won last week’s Oman reached out to more than 500 Open, and South African Wilco schools students through our By Sports Reporter we’ll celebrate when we get “The course is a great layout,” Nienaber, who also is coming off campaign. We have been support- Doha back to America.” he said. “I played nine holes a victory back home, along with ing Qatar National Vision 2030, Kitayama came through Qualify- yesterday and nine today, so I’ll two Lawrie prodigies — David which basically aims to spread ing School to earn his European be taking it all in. It’s supposed Law and Sam Locke — are some sport and education. We have merican rookie Kurt Tour card for 2019 and quickly to be windy all week, so it’s of the future stars who will lock done a lot of education awareness Kitayama is hoping to made his breakthrough at the going to be a bit of a grind. The horns with the 1999 Open cham- among the schools, malls, social Aride the crest of a wave Afrasia Bank Mauritius Open greens are quite firm, a little soft pion. media,” said al-Abdulla. after winning last week’s Oman at Anahita in December. He fol- in the morning but yesterday Law is already a European Tour He hoped golf lovers will come Open and make it two-in-two lowed that victory with a top-15 afternoon they were like rocks. winner having clinched the ISPS and enjoy the sport as well as with victory at the Commercial finish the following week and Some of the holes go into side- Handa Vic Open in Australia the family entertainment pro- Bank Qatar Masters, which gets is hoping for a similar run this winds as well, so that makes it a earlier this month while Locke grammes which will be held at underway tomorrow at Doha week. little tougher.” will play in Qatar on a tourna- the venue. Golf Club. “I need to ride the wave,” he Kitayama is looking to follow ment invite having won the silver QGA executive director Faisal “It hasn’t quite sunk in yet,” said said. “I’m playing well. When I in the footsteps of Jeunghun medal as the leading amateur at al-Naimi said the tournament the American, who bounced won in Mauritius I continued Wang (2017) and Ernie Els last year’s Open Championship will be broadcast by the Euro- back from a quadruple bogey to that form into the SA Open and (2005) as winners of the Com- at Carnoustie. pean Tour. win in Muscat. “I’m taking it all hopefully I can do the same mercial Bank Qatar Masters on The upcoming players will “The event will reach over in and enjoying it. It was such a here. I want to take last weeks’ their debut. get some valuable experience 400mn households through its long day, and then I had to rush confidence into this week.” The first round is set for tomor- playing against established live coverage reaching out to over to the airport to get to Qatar. The 26-year-old got a first look row and entrance to all four Tour stars in the tournament, 95 countries,” he said. I’ve not had the chance to think at Doha Golf Club for a practise days of competition at Doha which is being organised by the The action tees off today with about it. I still have a few more round on Monday and was Golf Club is free of charge for Qatar Golf Association (QGA), Pro-Am competition starting at weeks on the road, and maybe impressed with what he saw. spectators. the Qatar Olympic Committee 7am. THINGS TO KNOW A true test Tied, tied, tied at

esigned by Peter Harra- the top dine and opened in 1997, DDoha Golf Club has been uring the 2017 Com- the host venue of the Commer- mercial Bank Qatar cial Bank Qatar Masters every DMasters, a total of nine year since it was first played players shared the lead after in 1998. Located in Al Egla, a two rounds– a European Tour northern district of the capital record that still stands today. city, Doha Golf Club is part of the Tied on eight under par heading first wave of grass golf courses into the weekend were Thomas to have been built in the Middle Aiken, Kiradech Aphibarnrat, East. Playing a healthy 7,400 Jorge Campillo, Bradley Dredge, yards, it has proven to be an Nacho Elvira, Mikko Korhonen, appealing test, with some of the Andy Sullivan, Jaco van Zyl and game’s biggest names winning Jeunghun Wang. the title. Ultimately, it was South Ko- rean Wang who outlasted the other seven contenders when he A sign of things to sealed victory with a birdie on come the first play-off hole to collect his third European Tour title. aul Lawrie will look to Adam Scott carded a stunning 11-under final round of 61 to win his become the first three- second Qatar Masters title in 2008. He had first won in 2002. Ptime winner of this event when he tees it up in Doha this silverware are Ernie Els, Adam pace in a tie for fifth, but a stun- week, and should he triumph, it Scott, Henrik Stenson, Retief ning 11 under par final round of could be a very good omen for Goosen and Sergio Garcia. Could 61 gave him his second victory the 50-year-old Scot. Lawrie first big things be in store for this in the event, following his 2002 etched his name on the trophy week’s champion? triumph. in February 1999 - five months Only four players have gone before he tasted Major glory, lower than 61 in the final round winning The Open Champion- Course record of a European Tour event, with ship at Carnoustie Golf Links. Scotland’s Paul Lawrie in 2012 has a shot at his third Qatar Masters title having won in 1999 and 2012. all recording rounds of 60 – Ian Over a decade later, in 2012, n the history of Doha Golf Woosnam at the 1990 Torras Lawrie triumphed again in Qatar European Ryder Cup team with Major fl avour to victory at the Commercial Club, and indeed, the his- Monte Carlo Open, Jamie Spen- - lifting the trophy in the early a win at the Johnnie Walker Bank Qatar Masters, six of them Itory of the Commercial Bank ce at the 1992 Canon European part of the year for a second Championship. Helping his team have won Major Championships Qatar Masters, no player has Masters, Rafa Cabrera Bello at time. The end of the season storm back on the final day, he cream has a tendency in their careers. In addition to been able to replicate or surpass the 2009 Austrian Golf Open proved, once again, to be filled Lawrie secured a critical point in to rise to the top at Doha Lawrie, other players who have Adam Scott’s final round from and Brandon Stone at last year’s with excitement and drama as the Sunday Singles as part of the TGolf Club. Of the players won the Commercial Bank Qatar 2008. The Australian began the Aberdeen Standard Investments South Korea’s Jeunghun Wang he secured qualification for the ‘Miracle at Medinah’. who have navigated their way Masters and also lifted Major closing day three shots off the Scottish Open. won in 2017.