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TUESDAY 16 FEBRUARY 2021 SmithSm calls for strong leadership frfromo ICC to regulate power of Big 3 TheThe gameg needs leadership right now that understands the complexities. I ddon’ton think world cricket wants just three nations competing against eacheach other in 10 years’ time. How does that benefit the game?

Graeme Smith Sport | 12

CRICKET: 2ND TEST India: 329 & 286 (Kohli 62, Ashwin 106; Leach 4/100); England: 134 & 53/3 (target 482) (D. Lawrence 19 not out) Qatar's Musab Adam qualifies for Tokyo Olympics Musab Adam

QNA/THE PENINSULA – DOHA and Abdulrahman Hassan participated in the quali- fying race, and Musab succeeded in finishing the race Qatari athlete Musab Adam booked a ticket to the at the top to successfully achieve the required qualifi- The 1,500-metre runner becomes fourth Qatar Tokyo Olympics after achieving a time of 3.32.41 cation mark. track and field athlete after high jump world minutes in the 1,500-meter qualifying race on Sunday. Musab Adam joined the list of Qatari track and field champion Mutaz Barshim, 400m hurdler The event was conducted in cooperation with the athletes who had previously qualified for the Tokyo Abdelrahman Samba, hammer thrower Ashraf Qatar Athletics Federation, Aspire Academy and Aspetar. Olympics, namely the reigning world champion in high El-Seify and 800m runner Abubaker Haydar The Summer Olympic Games will be held in Tokyo jump, Mutaz Barshim, Abdelrahman Samba in the 400- from July 30 to August 8 this year. meter hurdles, Ashraf El-Seify in the hammer throw, Abdalla to qualify for the Tokyo Games. Musab Adam, Jamal Hayran, Ismail Noureddine, and Abubaker Haydar Abdalla in the 800 meters. PSG head to Barcelona with revenge, Messi on their minds REUTERS – BARCELONA QFA Award:

Paris St Germain travel to Best players Barcelona for their Champions League round of 16 clash today from 1st leg with the French side’s unre- lenting pursuit of Lionel Messi of QSL adding intrigue to a rivalry laced with recent history. announced Barca’s 6-1 win over PSG in the last 16 in 2017 after losing THE PENINSULA – DOHA the first leg 4-0 was among the greatest comebacks ever in the The Board of Trustees of competition and led to the Paris Qatar Football Association side paying 222 million euros (QFA) Award yesterday ($269.29m) to prise away announced the results of Neymar, the standout player voting for the Best Awards that night. PSG’s Kylian Mbappe, Presnel Kimpembe, Idrissa Gueye, Thilo Kehrer and Moise Kean taking part in a training session in Barcelona from the first leg of 2020-21 Now they have set their yesterday. season QNB Stars League sights on Messi, with PSG’s (QSL) (Best Under-23 Player players, coaches and directors Award and Best Player talking of their excitement month to be the biggest in with his Argentina team mate earlier in the current campaign, said in yesterday’s pre-game Award). about the prospect of bringing world of sport. in Paris. is back to his best and warmed news conference. The best players were the Argentine to the French PSG sporting director The comments have riled up for the PSG game with two “A lot has been said, there selected after receiving and capital when his Barcelona con- Leonardo has said they have “a Barcelona coach Ronald sensational goals in a 5-1 are many opinions, but the last sorting the nomination forms tract expires in June. seat reserved at the table” for Koeman but PSG manager Mau- routing of Alaves. word will be his. I hope he stays sent to participants in the Backed by the Qatari royal when Messi wishes to negotiate ricio Pochettino said last week “Messi is 100% committed for many more years but it’s his voting process. family, PSG are one of the few with new clubs should he that he did not understand the to Barcelona and will make his decision and we’ll have to A total of 55 forms were clubs that could afford Messi’s decide to call time on his fuss. decision at the end of the respect it. His mind is focused sent out, 48 forms were eye-watering salary, which 17-year career with Barca, while Messi, who has admitted season. We don’t pay attention on Barca right now, you can see received and all of them were was revealed by Spanish winger Angel di Maria has made that his attempt to leave Barca to what other clubs and players that in every game.” Koeman approved after the screening newspaper El Mundo last it clear he wants to be reunited last summer led to a dip in form say,” Barca left back Jordi Alba had previously said PSG were process. talking up their chances of As per the approved signing Messi to try and crank mechanism, voting for the up the pressure on Barcelona, Best Coach Award will take Pochettino confident Mbappe can get job done who will be without the injured place after the end of the QSL. Neymar on Tuesday, but the QSL team coaches, the REUTERS – BARCELONA have a team and players who are responsible,” Dutchman was more relaxed national team coach, Pochettino, who took over from the sacked Thomas the day before the game. Under-23 team coach, team Paris St Germain’s Kylian Mbappe will be under the Tuchel at the beginning of the year, told a news con- “They haven’t managed to managers, media represent- spotlight when they face Barcelona in their Cham- ference on Monday. destabilise us. I don’t know atives, QFA and QSL repre- pions League last-16 first leg tie today without “As for Mbappe, I expect from him what I always whether that was their intention sentatives, President and Neymar and Angel Di Maria but coach Mauricio expect from great players. I’m very happy with his or not,” he said. “But Messi members of the Board of Pochettino feels he will live up to expectations. performances since I arrived.” belongs to Barca and I have a Trustees of QFA Awards and Although Mbappe is the Ligue 1 top scorer with Neymar suffered a thigh problem in last week’s lot of hope he will stay here.” a number of other bodies 16 goals this season, he has largely failed to ignite in French Cup win at Caen while Di Maria has a similar The Catalans, who have (Qatar Olympic Committee, the Champions League with just two goals and he injury which he picked up in the Ligue 1 victory away won their last seven La Liga Qatar Players Association, has not scored in the knockout stage since a 2-0 to Olympique Marseille on Feb 7. games, are missing Uruguayan Aspire, Old Players Com- win at Manchester United in the last 16 in 2019. While Pochettino welcomes back first-choice defender Ronald Araujo plus mittee) too part in the voting But Pochettino, who is expected to field Mauro keeper Keylor Navas, the Argentine said he had still forwards Ansu Fati and Philippe process. Icardi and Pablo Sarabia or Moise Kean alongside not decided whether he would field Italy midfielder Coutinho but are boosted by the the 22-year-old Mbappe, said he was pleased with Marco Verratti, who missed last weekend’s 2-1 Ligue return of defender Gerard Pique VOTING RESULTS: the France striker’s form. 1 win against Nice with a hip injury. after three months out with a Best Under-23 Player “Clearly “We have to go step by step. We have to analyse knee injury. 1. Homam Al Ameen (Al we’re missing Marco today in training. We have a strategy, a game PSG, who are second in Gharafa) important plan. According to his form, we’ll make the right Ligue 1, lost Neymar to a thigh 2. Motaz Barsham (Al Sadd) players but we decision,” he said. problem in last week’s French 3. Naif Al Hadrami (Al Rayyan) Cup win at Caen and are also without Di Maria, who has the Best Player same issue, but midfielder 1. Santi Cazorla (Al Sadd) Marco Verratti returns after 2. Yacine Brahimi (Al Rayyan) recovering from a hip injury. 3. Akram Afif (Al Sadd) King Shalaa stays unbeaten with a Listed victory in France THE PENINSULA – DOHA to run. King Shalaa held him at bay in We will see where he goes to. Like all the closing stages to win by ½ a length, the family, he doesn’t like soft ground In the colours of H H Sheikh Abdullah with a fast-finishing Summiter just hence why we chose this race. We hope bin Khalifa Al Thani, King Shalaa (Shalaa missing out on second place by a head. that he will make up into a Group horse; x Baki) went from pillar to post to lift Trainer François Rohaut com- for the moment, you can’t fault him. He the Listed Prix Californie, the feature mented: “This Listed wasn’t originally has beaten everything that he has come race in the card at Cagnes-sur-Mer. on the program as he was supposed to up against and he does it well each time. Ridden by champion jockey Pierre- go to Qatar to run in a local Gr.3 for We haven’t decided on the next race as Charles Boudot and trained by his 3-year-ols over 1,600m next week. But of yet,” Rohut said breeder François Rohaut, the 3-year- with the current situation being what it King Shalaa was bred by his trainer old colt is now 3 wins from 3 starts and is, we preferred not to take the risk. François Rohaut, and is from the first looks to be an exciting prospect for 2021. "We aimed him to this race as he crop by Al Shaqab Racing sire Shalaa, King Shalaa debuted with a win in was fit and ready to run. He was a little who stands at Haras du Bouquetot in August as a 2-year-old, when he level, and once again he put up a Fort Payne, who sat on his flanks under fresh in the preliminaries, but the race Normandy, Franc. stormed home at La Teste. He followed faultless performance. jockey Thomas Trullier. went very well. He was able to control His dam Baki (Turtle Bowl) won two up quickly with another success Drawn in stall 1 in this mile race on Unfazed, King Shalaa and Boudot the race from in front, steady the pace, races in Vichy over 2,000m and in assuring his quality at Lyon Parilly in the all-weather track on Sunday, King travelled at their pace on the rail and and accelerate progressively in the Deauville over 2,500m. Besides King September, his last appearance on a Shalaa was quickly taken up to the lead once in the straight, the colt progres- straight: everything that we wanted for Shalaa, she is also the dam of Waltham racecourse. by Boudot and from there he controlled sively picked up, coming under pressure him today. He is a good horse who will (Wootton Basset), winner of three races This was his first attempt at Stakes the race throughout. He was tracked by from Fort Payne with 300 meters left improve with experience and racing. including the Prix Maurice Caillault (L). TUESDAY 16 FEBRUARY 2021 SPORT 15 Show jumping: Over 100 riders get set for Amir Sword Festival

THE PENINSULA – DOHA Kami Sabitov of Kyrgyzstan guiding Quintendro over a hurdle during 2020 Amir’s Sword More than 100 riders will feature at the three-day Amir Sword Festival in this file photo. Festival to be held at the outdoor arena of the Qatar Equestrian Federation (QEF), this was announced by the organisers yesterday. Over half of The winner of the Amir Sword will also get a brand new Japan firms car, Ali bin Yusuf Al Rumaihi, Secretary-General of QEF, said yesterday. The top three riders want Games in the Feb 18-20 competition will be honoured at the Qatar cancelled or and Equestrian Racing Club (QREC), Al Rumaihi added. postponed “More than 100 riders will feature in various competitions. TOKYO The riders and equestrian enthu- REUTERS – siasts are waiting for this great annual event. Our preparations Over half of Japanese for all competitions are com- firms believe the Tokyo plete,” Al Rumaihi said. Olympic Games should be “We expect a stiff compe- cancelled or postponed, tition among the young riders as a survey by think tank this is the Amir’s Sword Festival Tokyo Shoko Research week,” he said. showed yesterday, Al Rumaihi said the three- casting further doubt over day event will be held in the fate of the troubled accordance with the rules and Games. regulations of the International Japan is struggling to Federation for Equestrian Sports contain the coronavirus (FEI). and lags behind western “The value of the prizes countries in rolling out increases based on the ranking vaccines, even as Prime of a tournament. The Amir Minister Yoshihide Suga Sword Festival is a premier vowed to get conditions event on our calendar and in place to host the therefore, the prizes on offer are once-postponed also high,” Al Rumaihi said. Summer Olympics from He also said the champi- July 23. onship will be held amidst strict The survey, conducted COVID-19 procedures as only 10 online on Feb. 1-8, showed percent of fan attendance will 56.0% of the companies be allowed at the event venue. polled feel Japan should Regarding QEF’s prepara- cancel or postpone the tions for the event, Al Rumaihi Games, up from 53.6% in said: “The preparations began a the previous survey in long time ago with the launch of Abdullah bin Ali Al Misnad, Director of Business Development Department at Vodafone Qatar, main sponsor of the Amir Sword Festival, August. the new season.” Mohammad Al Emadi, CEO of Al Emadi Enterprises, Ahmed Abu Saad, the principal director of Lexus sales at Abdullah Abdulghani & Only 7.7% of the firms Bros. and Ibrahim Al Ajlan, Director of PR and Communication at Baladna Food Industries, during a press conference yesterday. Vodafone Qatar in the main surveyed said the Games sponsor of the event, also sup- should proceed in full ported by Baladna Food Indus- Development Department at form as scheduled this tries, Abdullah Abdulghani & Bros, More than 100 riders will feature in various competitions. Vodafone Qatar, said: “Backing year, down from 22.5% in and Al Emadi Enterprises. The riders and equestrian enthusiasts are waiting for this major sporting events like the the previous survey. Al Rumaihi said that the great annual event. Our preparations for all competitions are Amir Sword Festival is of great Nearly 20% said the tournament competitions will be interest to everyone. We, at Games should be held held on Friday and Saturday complete. We expect a stiff competition among the young Vodafone Qatar, have always with a limited number of with the participation of 100 riders as this is the Amir’s Sword Festival week. The value of been interested in supporting spectators, while another riders. He said Thursday will be the prizes increases based on the ranking of a tournament. sports events held in the country, 17% said it should proceed reserved for vet check. The Amir Sword Festival is a premier event on our calendar both in terms of partnership and with no spectators, the Al Rumaihi, on behalf of QEF and therefore, the prizes on offer are also high: Ali bin Yusuf sponsorship. We have also sup- survey showed. President, Hamad bin Abdul ported activities on the Qatar Over 70% firms said Rahman Al Attiyah, yesterday Al Rumaihi, Secretary-General of Qatar Equestrian Federation National Sport Day. We are very cancelling or postponing thanked Abdullah Abdulghani & happy with the partnership that the Games will barely Bros for backing ‘one of the most we established with the Qatar have any impact on their important equestrian events in look forward to cooperation in for many years. We would like on the show jumping calendar. Equestrian Federation. Our role earnings. the season’. the future also,” Al Rumaihi said. to thank Mr Mohamed Al Emadi We hope the riders excel on the is to support the State of Qatar The survey, which Al Rumaihi signed the spon- “Without their support, it for their support. They have field of play and that we get to in its pioneering march in organ- covered over 11,000 firms, sorship contract with Ahmed would not have been possible to been associated with us in the see some memorable perform- ising and hosting local and inter- was conducted before Fri- Abu Saad, the principal director raise the standard of the cham- past also and we value their ances later this week,” Al Emadi national sporting events. We day’s resignation of Tokyo of Lexus sales at Abdullah pionship to where it is today,” sponsorship.” said. look forward to starting this 2020 Olympics chief Abdulghani & Bros. he added. “We are proud to be part of “We are one of the few com- partnership as the official Yoshiro Mori over sexist “We thank Abdullah Al Rumaihi also thanked this mega event at QEF. We feel panies that are linked with all sponsor of the Amir Sword Fes- remarks that left the Abdulghani & Bros for their gen- Mohammad Al Emadi, CEO of Al it is our duty to support such major sports events held in tival this week and we wish all Olympics searching for a erous sponsorship of the main Emadi Enterprises, and said: “Al sports events in Qatar. We, at Al Qatar.” success to the organizers and chief five months from the event on our riding calendar - Emadi Enterprises has been sup- Emadi, are feeling happy to be Abdullah bin Ali Al Misnad, participants in this opening ceremony. the Amir’s Sword Festival. We porting the Amir Sword Festival associated with this key event Director of Business tournament.” Concussion protocols rule Al Sadd extend dominance in QSL Round 16 Mee out of THE PENINSULA – DOHA Al Sadd's Santi cazorla in action against Al Ahli players. The 16th week of this season's QNB Stars Fulham clash League (QSL) witnessed hot action with Table toppers Al Sadd recording yet REUTERS – LONDON another win to extend their dominance. A total of 11 goals were scored over Burnley captain Ben Mee will six matches, all of which ended in miss tomorrow’s Premier victories. ROUND 16 RESULTS League home game against On Saturday, Al Sadd kept their Al Gharafa 0-1 Al Sailiya Fulham due to concussion 13-point lead over closest challengers Al Khor 2-1 Al Kharaitiyat protocols after he sustained a and holders Al Duhail on top of the table Al Sadd 3-0 Al Ahli head injury in Saturday’s 3-0 following their 3-0 win over Al Ahli. Umm Salal 0-1 Qatar SC win at Crystal Palace, manager Baghdad Bounedjah, Boualem Al Duhail 2-0 Al Rayyan Sean Dyche said yesterday. Khoukhi and substitute Tarek Salman Al Arabi 1-0 Al Wakrah The 31-year-old centre scored the goals as Al Sadd moved on to STANDINGS AFTER 16 ROUNDS back was carried off the pitch 44 points. Al Ahli slipped from sixth to Rank Club M W L D Pts on a stretcher at Selhurst Park seventh place with 23 points. 1 Al Sadd 16 14 0 2 44 after colliding with Palace Al Duhail are on 31 points after they 2 Al Duhail 16 10 5 1 31 forward Jordan Ayew and was beat Al Rayyan 2-0 in a high-profile 3 Qatar SC 16 8 5 3 27 replaced by Kevin Long. encounter. Ismail Mohammed and sub- 4 Al Gharafa 16 8 5 3 27 Dyche said Mee had fully stitute Michael Olunga found the target 5 Al Rayyan 16 7 5 4 25 recovered from the knock, but for The Red Knights. would not be considered for Al Rayyan found themselves being 6 Al Arabi 16 6 5 5 23 selection due to concussion dropped from fourth to fifth position 7 Al Ahli 16 7 7 2 23 protocols, which state that a with 25 points. 8 Al Sailiya 16 6 6 4 22 player must not return to Al Sailiya remained in the eighth 9 Umm Salal 16 3 7 6 15 action for a minimum of six position with 22 points despite defeating Similarly, Al Arabi, who defeated Al Khaled Radwan and Pierre-Michel 10 Al Wakrah 16 4 10 2 14 days. Al Gharafa 1-0, with Mohammed Wakrah 1-0, and Al Ahli are on 23 points, Lasogga scored for Al Khor, while Al 11 Al Khor 16 3 9 4 13 “He’s fine and has been Mudather scoring the winner. but Al Arabi were placed sixth on better Kharaitiyat’s goal was scored by Nasser 12 Al Kharaitiyat 16 2 14 0 6 ever since but we still have to However, Al Gharafa slipped from goal difference (-2 compared to Al Ahli’s Ibrahim Al Nasr. follow the medical protocols, third to fourth place with 27 points. -8). Al Khor and Al Kharaitiyat stood in Matches of the next round will be so he won’t be available,” Qatar SC, who beat Umm Salal by a Mehrdad Mohammadi scored the 11th and 12th place with 13 and six points played on February 22 and 23. Dyche, 49, told reporters. last-gasp penalty goal scored by Youcef winner (penalty goal) for Al Arabi, who respectively. The focus now shifts to the pres- “He’s fine himself but we Belaili, also have 27 points, but The Kings improved from seventh position. The round saw two red-card suspen- tigious Qatar Cup, the flagship tour- understand why they (the occupied the third spot (jumped from Al Khor registered a crucial 2-1 sions — Al Kharaitiyat striker Rachid nament of Qatar Stars League, of which rules) are there to safeguard fifth place) on better goal difference (+10 victory over Al Kharaitiyat in a battle Tiberkanine and Umm Salal defender the semifinals will be held on February the players.” as against Al Gharafa’s +8). between two bottom-placed teams. Ayman Abdennour were sent off. 18 and final on February 26. 14 SPORT TUESDAY 16 FEBRUARY 2021 Top FIFA officials visit Al Bayt, Lusail Stadiums

The Chief Executive Office of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, Nasser Al Khater welcoming FIFA Secretary-General Fatma Samoura during her visit to the Al Bayt Stadium yesterday. Mattias Grafstrom, Deputy Secretary-General of FIFA, was also present. RIGHT: Samoura with an official during her visit to the Lusail Stadium. Pictures: Twitter/@roadto2022news European football heads for virus workaround in neutral venues

AP – DÜSSELDORF they see as privileged soccer variant in Britain. Next week, have been a rarity since Steaua moved Molde’s game against stars evading the spirit of the Borussia Mönchengladbach Bucharest’s European Cup- Hoffenheim to Villarreal’s German teams hosting English law. will use the same venue to winning heyday in the 1980s. stadium in Spain. opponents in Hungary. Arsenal “Professional soccer, and entertain Manchester City. Liverpool, City and Chelsea Next month comes another and Benfica playing in Italy and other sports too, seem to be Meeting in a neutral are scheduled to play at home test for UEFA. World Cup qual- Greece. Atletico Madrid enter- living in another cosmos where country is a handy solution for in the second-leg games, but ifiers will pull players out of taining Chelsea in Romania consideration is a foreign the clubs and UEFA, which is that could change if Germany their club bubbles and see them nearly 2,500 kilometers (1,550 word,” Dagmar Freitag, who desperate to keep the European and Spain insist on clubs ROUND OF 16 travel the continent for up to miles) from home. chairs the German parliament’s schedule on track. Criticism in entering quarantine on their three national-team games. TODAY The coronavirus has shaken sports committee, told radio Germany grew louder after return home. The financial might of the up the Champions League and broadcaster DLF on Bayern Munich went to Qatar The Europa League has a Barcelona vs PSG English Premier League means Europa League again, causing Saturday. for the Club World Cup and similarly scrambled schedule. RB Leipzig vs Liverpool dozens of national teams have five games this week to move Her concern comes as Thomas Müller contracted the Virus variants are spreading in players resident in Britain who TOMORROW to neutral venues across the Leipzig prepares to host Liv- virus. He flew home in a pro- Britain and Portugal, so Arsenal might face entry bans else- continent, with more reloca- erpool at the Puskas Arena in tective suit on a private jet and Benfica’s round-of-32 FC Porto vs Juventus where. Leaving them out of tions to come. the Hungarian capital, before entering quarantine. games had both legs switched Sevilla vs squads would diminish the It’s a confusing series of Budapest, today. German Coronavirus variants in to neutral venues - the Stadio appeal of the games and could workarounds to national authorities refused permission Britain are also the reason for Olimpico in Rome and Olym- United in Italy, Tottenham is tip the competitive balance, but border restrictions on the for Jurgen Klopp’s team to Chelsea playing Atletico next piacos’ stadium in Piraeus. visiting Austrian club moving or postponing more spread of virus variants. Some enter the country because of week in Bucharest, where On top of that, Real Wolfsberg in Hungary and Nor- than a handful of fixtures could politicians are worried by what the spread of a coronavirus European knockout games Sociedad is hosting Manchester wegian travel restrictions have prove extremely difficult.

Liverpool players taking part in a practice session ahead of today's Champions League Round of 16 clash against Leipzig.

Klopp ready to turn Liverpool’s season around AP – LIVERPOOL Liverpool favourites but Leipzig lifted by Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp insisted I don’t need a break. I can split things, I yesterday he is ready for the challenge of turning his team around after a tough can switch off, one thing and the other winning run, says coach Nagelsmann period both on and off the field. thing, I don’t carry things around. Of Klopp conceded that his team would course we are influenced by things that REUTERS – LEIPZIG not be retaining the Premier League after happen around but nobody has to worry a 3-1 loss to Leicester on Saturday, which about me or whatever. I might not look Liverpool might be slight favourites left Liverpool on a run of only two wins in in their Champions league last-16 first 10 matches and 13 points behind first-place (fine), because the weather is not cool, leg against RB Leipzig in Budapest but Manchester City. the beard gets more and more gray, I the Germans are boosted by a four- It also has been a difficult time for don’t sleep a lot, my eyes look like this, match winning run, Leipzig coach Klopp personally with his mother, Elis- but I am full of energy: Klopp said yesterday. abeth, dying last month at the age of 81 The German side, last year’s after contracting COVID-19. Klopp was Champions League semi-finalists, unable to attend the funeral because of have only conceded one goal in their travel restrictions. “I don’t need a break,” Klopp said, dis- last three league matches and one Speaking ahead of the first leg of Liv- missing speculation he was contemplating German Cup game and are second in erpool’s last-16 match against Leipzig in quitting Liverpool. the with the best defensive Budapest in the Champions League, Klopp “I can split things, I can switch off, one record. said he wwasas not in need of ananyy “special thing and the other thing, I don’t carry “We are in a good flow. We have support.”support.” thingsthings around,” he aadded.d won the last four matches while Liv- “Of“Of course we are influenced by things erpool have not won five out of their that happen arounaroundd but nobody has to last seven,” Nagelsmann told a news worryworry about me or whatever.w I might not conference ahead of their departure looklook (fine)(fine),, because ththe weather is not cool, for Budapest. the beard gets more anda more gray, I don’t The game today was moved to sleep a lot, mmyy eyeseyes looklo like this, but I am Hungary from Leipzig due to travel fullfull of energy.”energy.” restrictions between Germany and AddressingAddressing LiveLiverpool’s poor form, Britain because of COVID-19. which has seen the teamtea lose three straight “They are the slight favourites league games for thethe first time since he based on their international expe- joinedjoine in 2015, Klopp said rience but we have shown that we can it was an “interesting hold our own against such teams, both cchallenge.” last year and this season with a very “Nobody wrote a tough group stage,” Nagelsmann said. bookbo about it, about “We have clearly developed as a howhow you come into a sit- team.” uationuatio like this and how Liverpool, Champions League you solve it, but we will winners two seasons ago and last sortsort it,” he said. “Please, year’s Premier League champions, are everyone,ever we will sort it. far from their best, having just lost It couldcou be tricky, but we three league games in a row for the willwill sort it by playing first time since 2014. football,footba sort it by sticking Liverpool sit fourth in the Premier eevenven mmore together, sort it League, 13 points behind leaders Man- by fifightingght with all we have. chester City having played a game RB Leipzig’s , Marcel Halstenberg and team-mates Sort it byby learning more than more, after their loss to Leicester City taking part in a training session yesterday. Jurgen Klopp youyou can llearnea in each season.” on Saturday. TUESDAY 16 FEBRUARY 2021 SPORT 13

‘It’s

Spain’s Rafael Nadal in amazing!’, action during his fourth Barty sweeps into round match against Italy’s Fabio Fognini. Russian trio makes last-8 as Nadal last eight

crushes Fognini REUTERS — MELBOURNE Russia’s 16-year wait for a men’s Grand Slam singles champion may not come REUTERS — MELBOURNE who pulled out with an to an end next Sunday but abdominal strain. you would not bet on it Ashleigh Barty made light of the Australia’s Ashleigh Barty in action Norwegian Casper Ruud’s lasting too long after Daniil challenge of unseeded during her fourth round match against hopes of a maiden Grand Slam Medvedev, Andrey Rublev American Shelby Rogers to Shelby Rogers of the US. quarter-final were also undone and Aslan Karatsev reach the quarter-finals of the by an abdominal injury as he reached the last eight of Australian Open for the third retired two sets in against the Australian Open. year in a row with a Russian Andrey Rublev. Fourth seed Medvedev commanding 6-3, 6-4 victory Players’ fitness at the Grand and seventh seed Rublev yesterday. Slam has been under the micro- joined qualifier Karatsev in The world number one has scope after they spent two the quarter-finals yes- tried to deflect talk that she weeks in mandatory hotel quar- terday, an unprecedented might end Australia’s 43-year antine, with some blaming their concentration of Russians wait for a homegrown exits on limited preparations. at that stage of a Grand champion on Saturday but she Defending champion Novak Slam in the open era. looked every bit the title con- Djokovic, who said he had torn “It’s amazing,” tender as she swept into the last an abdominal muscle against Medvedev laughed on eight without dropping a set. Taylor Fritz, has soldiered on Monday when word fil- With no crowds until It’s exciting to be in another quarter-final of a Grand Slam, and was able to dispatch Milos tered through to his news Thursday at the earliest because Raonic on Sunday to book a conference that Rublev’s of Melbourne’s five-day coro- particularly here in Australia... but certainly not satisfied with quarter-final against Alexander fourth round opponent had navirus lockdown and no Aus- where we’re at the moment. We will keep chipping away and Zverev. retired. tralian men left in the singles keep trying to do the right things to progress as far as we can. Djokovic was cagey about “It’s definitely one draw, Barty has the hopes of his injury when probed about Russian in the semis, three organisers as well as fans Ash Barty it after the Raonic match, saying Russians in the quarters... resting on her shoulders. he did not want to “speculate” It’s great for our sport.” “We’re not done yet,” said and that it was a “gamble” to Marat Safin was the last Barty, who lost in the semi- play on. Having had his fair Russian to reach the Mel- finals at her home Grand Slam Karolina Muchova. Rogers has One break of serve for 3-1 Park. The lower back strain that share of injuries over the years, bourne Park men’s semi- last year. played quarter-finals at two after a lengthy rally was enough forced Nadal to miss the ATP Nadal felt there was little point finals on his way to the “It’s exciting to be in another Grand Slams and made a habit for the 2019 French Open Cup is now disappearing in the in trying to conceal their true title-decider in 2005, when quarter-final of a Grand Slam, of upsetting highly-ranked champion to win the first set in rear-view mirror and he heads nature. he beat Lleyton Hewitt to particularly here in Australia... players but she was unable to less than half an hour and she into his next clash against fifth “Well, it’s difficult to hide match compatriot Yevgeny but certainly not satisfied with get enough of a handle on grabbed two more to lead 5-1 seed Stefanos Tsitsipas without things,” he said. Kafelnikov’s tally of two where we’re at the moment. Barty’s serve to make her high in the second. having dropped a set. “I think it’s not healthy to Grand Slam titles. “We will keep chipping quality returns a factor. Barty faltered for the first “The first set without a hide a lot of things because it’s Medvedev has looked away and keep trying to do the The Australian mixed up the time with victory in sight, doubt has been my best level in difficult. most likely to make the right things to progress as far as direction of her serve to defuse however, going for big winners the tournament,” Nadal told “Even if you want to hide, Grand Slam breakthrough we can.” her opponent’s biggest weapon too early and allowing Rogers reporters after routing 16th seed at some point you’re going to over the last couple of The 24-year-old looked like -- the American got only 61% of to take back one of the breaks Fognini on a sun-bathed have questions to answer. years and extended his she had all the tools to keep her returns in the court -- and of serve. afternoon at Rod Laver Arena. “I don’t want to play that impressive winning streak local interest fixed on the tennis utilised her punched forehands The top seed grasped her “It’s normal, too, because I game, honestly.” to 18 matches with Mon- for another five days as she set and trademark backhand slice second chance to wrap up the was able to practise for two Although speculation over day’s victory over Mac- up a quarter-final against Czech to great effect. match with both hands two days in a row. Djokovic’s fitness will continue kenzie McDonald. games later, progressing when “I’m excited about playing to fill the vacuum, Nadal was To break the Russian AUSTRALIAN OPEN RESULTS Rogers ballooned a backhand that quarter-finals match. adamant that no player could drought in Melbourne this volley long. “If we compare how I was grit their teeth and win a Grand year, however, he will have Men's Singles (Fourth Round) Meanwhile, Rafa Nadal five days ago and how I am Slam if properly injured. to get past Rublev in a Daniil Medvedev (4), Russia, def. Mackenzie McDonald, United States, 6-4, 6-2, 6-3. emerged as an unlikely pillar of today’s situation, it’s different, “If you really have physical mouth-watering quarter- Andrey Rublev (7), Russia, def. Casper Ruud (24), Norway, 6-2, 7-6 (3), ret. strength on day eight as injuries and my perspective and problems, you will not win,” final tomorrow. Rafael Nadal (2), Spain, def. Fabio Fognini (16), Italy, 6-3, 6-4, 6-2. cut a swathe through the men’s excitement is completely dif- said the 34-year-old. “It’s going to be new Stefanos Tsitsipas (5), Greece, def. Matteo Berrettini (9), Italy, walkover. draw yesterday. ferent, too.” “If you have some pain and story, new match, we’ll see Women's Singles (Fourth Round) Nadal’s bid for a record 21st While Nadal booked his it’s not putting you in a situation how it’s going to be,” said Jessica Pegula, United States, def. Elina Svitolina (5), Ukraine, 6-4, 3-6, 6-3. Grand Slam crown gathered 43rd Grand Slam quarter-final that limits you, the movements, Rublev, who has an 0-3 Jennifer Brady (22), United States, def. Donna Vekic (28), Croatia, 6-1, 7-5. pace with a 6-3, 6-4, 6-2 dem- with two hours and 16 minutes maybe you can find a way. record against his friend

Karolina Muchova (25), C' Republic, def. Elise Mertens (18), Belgium, 7-6 (5), 7-5. olition of Fabio Fognini that of work against Fognini, Tsit- “But when you really, really after losing their 2020 US Ashleigh Barty (1), Australia, def. Shelby Rogers, United States, 6-3, 6-4. pushed the Spaniard into his sipas did not lift a racket against have an injury, it’s impossible Open quarter-final. 13th quarter-final at Melbourne ninth seed Matteo Berrettini, to win a tournament like this.” “Of course he knows my game, I know his game, but in the end you still need Serena does to face each other to see the reality, to see the Serena leads charge of US atmosphere, to see how the not need things are working or not working, how you’re Slam record feeling, and then you women, faces old foe Halep adapt.” for validation, The trio teamed up two weeks ago to win the ATP says coach REUTERS — MELBOURNE Shelby Rogers, who lost to thing where they’re kind of three-year-old and lives and Cup in Melbourne, which world number one Ash Barty in pushing each other to do well trains there, was another player could be an omen for the Serena Williams will lead the the fourth round, Brady and in tournaments.” who defeated Williams in the more superstitious-minded REUTERS — MELBOURNE charge of American women in Pegula were all in action in the The trio would have had no 2018 US Open to win the first given Novak Djokovic the last-eight of the Australian top half of the draw on Monday better idol at the start of their of her three majors and could backed up Serbia’s triumph Serena Williams wants to Open and continue her bid for and were among 16 American careers than Williams, who will be next up for the American. in the competition last year win more Grand Slams but a record-equalling 24th Grand women in the main draw at meet Romanian twice Grand Osaka, currently ranked with his eighth Australian hardly needs the all-time Slam title when she meets a Melbourne Park - the most from Slam winner Halep in the third, will kick off today’s pro- Open title. record for validation, her familiar foe in second seed any country. evening session at the Rod ceedings at Melbourne Park Karatsev played only coach Patrick Mouratoglou Simona Halep today. “They’re very close off the Laver Arena in their 12th against unorthodox 35-year-old doubles as Russia stormed said yesterday. Williams, 39, is among court. They hit a lot. They like meeting on tour. Hsieh Su-wei of Taiwan, a first to victory but his story is Williams is bidding for a three Americans who have to practise with each other a Williams leads 9-2 in the time major quarter-finalist. the most remarkable of the 24th Grand Slam title at the made it to the quarter-finals lot,” said Pegula’s coach, David head-to-head but lost the most Also in action will be eight- three quarter-finalists. Australian Open, which would at Melbourne Park this year Witt. recent meeting when she was time Australian Open champion The 27-year-old match Margaret Court’s and Wednesday’s clash “I think it’s one of those beaten by Halep in the 2019 and top-ranked Novak battled through qualifying record. between Jennifer Brady and things where they’re pushing Wimbledon final - one of her Djokovic, who will have con- just to get into his first The American great has Jessica Pegula has ensured each other. They root for each four defeats in Grand Slam cerns over an abdominal injury Grand Slam main draw fallen short in four Grand Slam that at least one from the other. finals since returning to the when he plays sixth-seeded before beating seeds Diego finals since winning the 2017 countryountry willwill bebe inin ththee llastast “They“They see one ddoo wewell;ll; circuitcircuit iinn 2018 aafterfter bebecoming German Alexander Zverev, the Schwartzman and Felix Australian Open but has four.our. theythey all three want a motmother.her. finalistfinalist at tthehe 2020 US OpOpen.en. Auger-Aliassime on his another chance after reaching InIn contrast,contrast, Mac-Mac- eaeeachch otherother toto Japan’sJapan ’s InIn the day’sday’s other singlessingle way to a quarter-final the quarter-finals at Mel- kenzieenzie McDonaldMcDonald do well.well. I NaomiNaN o m i match, Russian qqualifierualifier AslanAsla against Grigor Dimitrov. bourne Park. wwasas tthehe ononlyly Osaka,OsO a k a,a Karatsev,Karatsev, ranked 114t114th,h He is the first man “Does she need that vali- Americanmerican malemale wwhoh o willwill llookook to continuecontinue hhis since Alex Radulescu at dation? I don’t think she needs playerlayer to make spectacularspectacular run on hish Wimbledon in 1996 to that validation,” Mouratoglou thehe lastlast 1166 GrandGrand SlamSlam debutdebu reach the last eight of a told reporters. stageage at this movedmoved whwhenen hhee tatakeskes oon Grand Slam on debut and, “But clearly she came back year’sear’s Aus-Aus- to thethe 18th-seeded GrigorGrigo as world number 114, the to tennis to win some other tralianr alian UnitedUnited DimitrovD imit r o v oof lowest ranked player to Grand Slams, so that’s for sure Open.pen. StatesStS ates as Bulgaria.Bulgaria. reach the Australian Open the goal. “I a men’s quarters since 1991. Simona “Now, she’s not as thinkhink iit’st’s “We are both really obsessed with the 24 than greatreat Halep happy for Aslan, because most of the people in the foror he was practicing good in tennis world, but definitely she ATP Cup,” said Medvedev. wants to win Grand Slams. “We felt like he could That’s the only reason why she Americanmerican do something amazing. To came back to tennis.” tennis...ennis... tthreehree be honest, being in your Mouratoglou said it did not womenwomen in the qquarter-uarter- first Grand Slam main really make sense to compare finalsnals of a slam,slam, I think that’s thinkthink draw and making quarters Williams’s record with Court, great,”reat,” said German Michael it’sit’ s is something exceptional. given 13 of the Australian’s Geserer,eserer, who coaches Brady. “I almosta lmost He’s not over yet. Grand Slam titles came before knownow each - yeah, each girl and like, forfor Serena “Let’s see how he does the professional era, which they’rehey’re workinworkingg ververyy hard them,them, a Williams tomorrow.” started in 1968. individually.”ndividually.” little sister sister Sport TUESDAY 16 FEBRUARY 2021 12 Smith calls for strong Ashwin fires ton as India leadership from ICC to sense series-levelling win regulate power of Big 3 REUTERS — CAPE TOWN CHENNAI — REUTERS Ravichandran Ashwin hits a shot during South Africa’s director of India continued their march third day of the second Test against cricket Graeme Smith towards a series-levelling England. PIC COURTESY: BCCI (pictured) has warned the victory after Ravichandran International Cricket Council Ashwin’s scintillating century (ICC) that smaller member on a turning track flattened nations must get their fair share England in the second Test of Test tours against the yesterday. so-called ‘Big Three’ or face Chasing a record 482 for future domination of the an improbable victory, Twenty20 leagues. England endured a top order South Africa are smarting collapse to finish day three on after Australia opted to pull out 53-3, still 429 behind at Chen- of a three-Test tour in March nai’s MA Chidambaram due to COVID-19 fears even Stadium. though the hosts said they had Joe Root was batting on two invested a considerable amount at close while Dan Lawrence of money to meet the visitors’ opt not to fulfil obligations. was on 19 with England, who lengthy list of medical safety “FTP will be a hugely chal- managed 134 in their first demands. lenging thing going forward innings, risking a defeat inside It has left financially- with potentially eight ICC tour- four days. stricken Cricket South Africa naments in the eight years, an The nature of the spin- with a loss of revenue running extended IPL (Indian Premier friendly pitch dominated dis- into the millions of rands, and League) and a lot of the cal- cussions on the first two days with no time to find another endar dominated by India, but home captain Virat Kohli opponent to fill the void. They England and Australia,” he and Ashwin showed how to have written to the ICC to seek said. master such tracks as India financial redress. “It makes it challenging for posted 286 in their second Tours between cricket’s Big the rest of the member nations, innings. Three - India, Australia and and just amplifies the stress on Resuming their second England - remain on schedule the likes of us and the other innings on 54-1, India lost five for 2021. members that are looking for wickets in the morning session Pujara could get his foot back rarely playing his trademark England and India are set good content.” with Ben Foakes spending a in. cover-drive, during his patient to meet in nine Tests this year, Smith also admitted the busy 28th birthday behind the The wicketkeeper then knock of 62. We had a very very good while Australia have already relationship between South stumps. pulled off two sharp stumpings Moeen Ali (4-98) dismissed day I think we posted a played the Indians at home and Africa and Australia has Foakes ran out Cheteshwar off Jack Leach (4-100) to send Kohli for the second time in the really good score. Now we are also set for an Ashes series become “strained”, and that Pujara in the very first over in back Rohit Sharma and match but Ashwin kept going with England. attempts to reschedule the a bizarre dismissal. Rishabh Pant. Ajinkya Rahane at the other end. can really attack with men “The game needs lead- three-Test tour have so far met Having stepped out to did not last long either but Batting with number 11 around the bat. ership right now that under- a dead-end. defend a ball, Pujara was trying Kohli forged a 96-run part- batsman Mohammed Siraj, stands the complexities. I don’t “We are trying to find a way to make his ground when he nership with Ashwin to steady Ashwin smacked Moeen for a Ravichandran Ashwin think world cricket wants just to fit it into the calendar cycle, jammed his bat on the crease the innings. six to reach 97, took two runs three nations competing which for us is important. We and lost his grip. Foakes The India captain curbed his off the next delivery, and fol- against each other in 10 years’ have had some initial engage- whipped off the bail before natural free-flowing game, lowed it with a streaky four to time. How does that benefit the ments with Cricket Australia. reach hundred in front of century, included 14 boundaries game?” Smith told reporters “It hasn’t been positive on SCOREBOARD delirious fans at his home and that six. yesterday. trying to find a window, but we ground. On his return to the field, “That would amplify the are working hard on it.” India 1st innings (329) 7-202 (Kohli), 8-210 (Yadav), 9-237 (I. Sharma), 10- England 1st innings (134) 286 (Ashwin). Bowling: Stone 6.5-1-21-1, Leach 33- “We had a very very good the off-spinner claimed the (Twenty20) leagues and they India 2nd innings (overnight 54-1) 6-100-4, Ali 32-7-98-4, Root 4-0-15-0, Broad 9-3- day I think we posted a really wicket of Rory Burns while Axar will get bigger and bigger, and R. Sharma st Foakes b Leach ...... 26 25-0, Lawrence, 1-0-7-0 good score. Now we can really Patel dismissed Dom Sibley and probably the rest of the S. Gill lbw b Leach ...... 14 England 2nd innings (target 482) attack with men around the nightwatchman Leach. England member nations will have little I don’t think world cricket C. Pujara run out (Pope/Foakes) ...... 7 R. Burns c Kohli b Ashwin ...... 25 bat,” Ashwin told the spin coach Jeetan Patel said the or no (international) content. wants just three nations V. Kohli lbw b Ali ...... 62 D. Sibley lbw b Patel ...... 3 broadcasters. tourists would stay positive “The leadership at the ICC competing against each R. Pant st Foakes b Leach ...... 8 D. Lawrence not out ...... 19 This was the third time when they return today. needs to address these issues A. Rahane c Pope b Ali ...... 10 J. Leach c R. Sharma b Patel ...... 0 other in 10 years’ time. A. Patel lbw b Ali ...... 7 J. Root not out...... 2 Ashwin, who claimed 5-43 in “We’ve got strokemakers in now, which are being fast- R. Ashwin b Stone ...... 106 Extras (b4) ...... 4 England’s first innings, scored the group, we want them to tracked because of COVID. I How does that benefit the K. Yadav lbw b Ali ...... 3 Total (19 overs, 3 wickets) ...... 53 a century and took five wickets keep expressing themselves,” think they have been caught a game?” I. Sharma c Stone b Leach ...... 7 Fall of wickets: 1-17 (Sibley), 2-49 (Burns), 3-50 in the same Test. said the former New Zealand little off-guard.” M. Siraj not out ...... 16 (Leach) The 34-year-old is second spinner. Smith’s believes the Future Graeme Smith Extras (b5, lb15) ...... 20 To bat: B. Stokes, O. Pope, B. Foakes, M. Ali, S. only to England great Ian “I think it’s been one of the Tours Programme, which sets Total (85.5 overs, all out) ...... 286 Broad, O. Stone Director, Cricket South Africa Fall of wicket: 1-42 (Gill), 2-55 (Pujara), 3-55 (R. Bowling: Sharma 2-1-6-0, Patel 9-3-15-2, Ashwin Botham who managed the feat strengths over the three Tests out the cricket calendar for Sharma), 4-65 (Pant), 5-86 (Rahane), 6-106 (Patel), 8-1-28-1 on five occasions. we’ve played so far in the nations, has become too fluid Ashwin’s 106, his fifth Test sub-continent.” with countries able to simply Lillard leads Trail Blazers past Mavs

REUTERS — LOS ANGELES NBA RESULTS

Damian Lillard scored 34 T' Blazers 121- Mavericks 118 Nuggets 122 - Lakers 105 points, dished 11 assists, and Fernando Alonso made the decisive 3-pointer Thunder 114 - Bucks 109 as the Portland Trail Blazers Suns 109 - Magic 90 weathered 44 points from Spurs 122 - Hornets 110 F1 star Alonso Luka Doncic to beat the host Pistons 123 - Pelicans 112 Dallas Mavericks 121-118 on Clippers 128 - Cavaliers 111 leaves hospital Sunday. Grizzlies 124 - Kings 110 Dorian Finney-Smith (14 to continue points) knocked down a 3-pointer on one of Doncic’s along with four steals. Porzingis recovery at home nine assists with 49.5 seconds scored 18 points for Dallas and remaining, forcing a tie at 116. matched Kanter’s game-high His basket set the stage for Lil- with eight rebounds. REUTERS — LONDON lard’s go-ahead 3-pointer, a Meanwhile, Nikola Jokic top-of-the-key step-back in had 23 points, 16 rebounds and Spanish Formula One driver isolation with Finney-Smith 10 assists, Jamal Murray scored Fernando Alonso has left defending with 32.8 seconds 25, and host Denver ended Los hospital in Switzerland four left. Angeles’ seven-game winning days after being hit by a car The loss snapped a four- streak. while riding a bicycle, his game winning streak for the Zeke Nnaji had 16 points, Alpine team said yesterday. Mavericks, while extending the Facundo Campazzo scored 15 Footage from Spanish tel- Trail Blazers’ own streak to four and Monte Morris and Paul evision network Cuatro games. The win kicks off a Millsap had 10 each for the showed Alonso leaving the swing of three consecutive road Nuggets. LeBron James had 22 hospital in Berne, where he games, and six of seven away points, 10 rebounds and nine had undergone surgery to treat from home for Portland. assists for Los Angeles, which a fractured jaw sustained in Gary Trent Jr. scored 17 lost forward Anthony Davis the crash near his home in points for the Blazers and when he aggravated a right Lugano. Robert Covington added 15 Achilles injury. The 39-year-old double world champion is due to make his Formula One comeback this season with the Alpine (formerly Renault) team after two years out of the sport. “After a period of 48 hours Damian observation at hospital... Lillard Fernado Alonso has now been (right) in discharged to continue his action on recovery at home,” Alpine said. Sunday. “He will now have a short period of complete rest before progressively resuming training to undertake prepa- ration for the start of the season.” The season starts in Bahrain on March 28.