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Sunday, April 1, 2018 CRICKET Rajab 15, 1439 AH Bavuma misses ton GULF TIMES but South Africa take total control in Jo’burg SPORT Page 4 FOOTBALL LA LIGA Messi rescues Asian history Barca with beckons for Qatar late equaliser Al Sadd, Rayyan and Gharafa could join Duhail in the last 16, marking the first occasion when all four participating teams from the country will have qualified for the knockout stage of the lucrative tournament

By Sports Reporter week long International Friendship Doha Championship in Basra, Iraq. The six – Saad al-Dosari, Hassan al-Haydos, Salem al-Hajri, Akram atari club football is shin- Afi f, Pedro Miguel and Abdelkarim ing brighter than ever with Hassan – all took art in training ses- Al Sadd, Al Rayyan and Al sions under the watchful eye of coach Gharafa poised to follow Jesualdo Ferreira and will be keen to alreadyQ qualifi ed Al Duhail into the keen to record their second straight last-16 stage of the Asian Champions win over Al Wasl and put the team on League. the path to qualifi cation. But while QNB Stars League cham- Also tomorrow, Al Rayyan will pions Al Duhail became the fi rst team take on Iran’s Estheglal in Group D Barcelona’s Lionel Messi celebrates scoring their second goal as Sevilla’s Ever to book their spot in the knockouts at the Azadi Stadium in Tehran, with Banega looks dejected. with four victories in as many match- both teams hoping to grab a second es, the other three still have some win and qualify for the knockouts. Reuters Barca were instantly lifted by the work to do to ensure their passage. Both teams are on six points, hav- Barcelona Argentine’s arrival and Luis Suarez Success for the troika over the next ing drawn three of the four matches rattled the near post but Sevilla con- couple of weeks will be a cause for and the winning side would make the tinued to pour forward and Vazquez celebration as it will be the fi rst time knockouts as it would ensure a bet- ionel Messi came off the bench and Muriel missed clear chances to put ever that all four teams from Qa- ter head-to-head record against their to preserve Barcelona’s unbeat- the game to bed. tar playing the lucrative continental opponents. en run in La Liga with a sensa- They paid dear for their wasteful- tournament will have survived the Runners-up last year, Al Hilal re- Ltional late equaliser in a thrill- ness as Suarez pulled one back for Bar- group phase cut. alistically need to defeat Al Ain in ing 2-2 draw at Sevilla yesterday as the ca with an acrobatic fi nish in the 88th Percentage wise that means Qatar the United Arab Emirates to have a runaway leaders came back from two minute following a corner and Messi would have contributed a stagger- chance of progression, while a draw goals down in the space of a minute. whipped in the equaliser in the 89th ing 25% of the 16 teams qualifying Young fans take a selfie with Al Sadd captain Xavi Hernandez prior to a coupled with an Esteghlal win over Al Franco Vazquez opened the scoring with a venomous left-foot strike. from the vast continent – no mean training session in Doha yesterday. PICTURE: Noushad Thekkayil Rayyan would seal their elimination, from close range in the 36th minute The goal stretched the Catalans’ un- achievement considering the fact as would a loss. and Colombia international Luis Mu- beaten league run to 37 games and if that the tournament involves teams won the title under coach Jorge Fos- would ensure they return to the last Al Ain have drawn all four of their riel doubled the home side’s lead by they avoid defeat next week at home to from traditional Asian powerhouses sati in 2011, will clash with the UAE’s 16 for a second year running, while a games so far, but a win would give smashing in on the rebound fi ve min- Leganes they will equal Real Sociedad’s such as Japan, South Korea, Iran, Al Wasl tomorrow hoping to consoli- draw would also be enough as it would them a fi ghting chance of a top-two utes into the second half. Liga record of 38 games without defeat, Australia and Saudi Arabia. date their position. Al Sadd have won leave the Iranian side – currently fi nish. Whatever the outcome, the Messi had began the game on the which has stood since 1980. Such a scenario would be hard to three of their four matches so far and three points ahead of Nasaf – with Emiratis’ fate will be decided on a bench due to continued muscle dis- Barca top the standings on 76 points digest for Saudi Arabia and the UAE top Group C on goal diff erence, with a better head-to-head record than Matchday Six visit to Al Rayyan. comfort which caused him to miss Ar- but if second-placed Atletico Madrid who had unsuccessfully tried to lob- Iran’s Persepolis second, followed by Monday’s opponents. Meanwhile, in Group A, Al Gharafa gentina’s friendlies against Italy and beat Deportivo La Coruna today their by the Asian Football Confederation Uzbekistan’s Nasaf and Al Wasl. Should Nasaf win then the group would be aiming to beat Al Jazira of Spain and the league’s top scorer was advantage at the top will be cut to nine. (AFC) to have their clubs’ matches Al Wasl have been already elimi- goes down to the wire, there remains the UAE in Doha, with both teams on called into action in the 58th minute, Champions Real Madrid are third on 62 against Qatari teams played at neu- nated having lost all their four a slight possibility that all three fi ve points from their four previous replacing Ousmane Dembele. after beating Las Palmas 3-0. tral venues. matches, but Nasaf have six points teams end up on 12 points after six matches. “We hope that the other three and can still qualify if they win their games in a scenario that would need Al Gharafa lost their opening game teams also qualify. Not only it would remaining two matches. calculators at the ready. to Al Jazira but, after scoring two CRICKET be an historic occasion for Qatar, it Al Sadd will secure their place in Al Sadd, who beat Al Wasl 2-1 away away goals in Abu Dhabi, would be would also mean the Gulf crisis has the next round if they beat Al Wasl earlier in the tournament, have been in a strong position if they defeat had no eff ect on our football,” said an and Nasaf fail to take all three points training hard for the match since the Emiratis. The most unlikely sce- offi cial. against Persepolis. Wednesday after six of their top nario sees all four teams end on eight Sarfraz grateful as West Former champions Al Sadd, who A Persepolis win in Uzbekistan players returned to the club after the points. Indies fl y in for T20s BOTTOMLINE Reuters Karachi

akistan captain Sarfraz Ahmed thanked the West In- Aussies ‘hurting’ over dies for touring the country, Pas the Caribbean side arrived in Karachi yesterday in the latest step towards the resumption of top-level cricket in the South Asian nation. scandal as defeat looms The West Indies will become only the third international team to play a AFP “So far it hasn’t happened but “We’ve tried to really care for each I was just moving with the belief that bilateral series on Pakistani soil since a Johannesburg the eff ort has been there. There’s other this week,” said Saker. “We’re later on it would get easier and the militant attack on the Sri Lankan team no doubt in the dressing room realists and we’re going to go out and bowlers would get tired and I would bus in Lahore in March 2009. that the guys are trying their try and play as well as we can, to put get opportunities to score.” The 13-member team and staff ar- ustralia bowling coach Dav- hardest. It just hasn’t worked in in a performance that the Australian Bavuma said the Australians, rived late yesterday in two groups and id Saker said yesterday that this game.” public and our group are proud of. also missing the injured fast bowler were ushered into a bullet proof bus to the ball-tampering scan- “So far it hasn’t happened but Mitchell Starc, had bowled well. their hotel. dal had been a factor in a South Africa’s bowling but added: the eff ort has been there. There’s no “I had to respect that. My confi - Some 1,000 policemen and para- and when they go back they will tell Adisastrous day for the tourists in the “Obviously after the week we’ve had doubt in the dressing room that the dence and comfort came from know- military staff were deployed along players from other countries to come fourth Test against South Africa and there’s a lot of disappointment in the guys are trying their hardest. It just ing that I’d be able to score my runs their route to guard the team, which to Pakistan.” admitted “the dressing room is hurt- room that we can’t put something to- hasn’t worked in this game.” later on.” will fl y out soon after the third match Zimbabwe travelled to Lahore for ing”. gether. Saker admitted South Africa had South Africa, leading the series on Tuesday night. fi ve limited-overs matches in 2015 — Australia were reeling at 110 for six “We’re not thinking too much batted better than the Australians. 2-1, need only to draw to beat Aus- International cricketers stopped the fi rst since the 2009 attack. at the end of the second day in reply about what’s happening at home but “That’s been a little bit of the story tralia in a home series for the fi rst playing in Pakistan after the 2009 as- That was followed by the fi nal of to South Africa’s imposing fi rst in- we’re thinking about people who of the series so far. We didn’t leave time since 1969/70. sault, citing safety concerns, and the the Pakistan Super League T20 tour- nings total of 488. were part of our team that we’ve lost. the ball and the opposition left the Cummins was easily Australia’s national team has had to play its home nament last year — also in Lahore — The collapse started when three That’s hurting a lot of people in the ball extremely well.” most impressive bowler, fi nishing matches in the United Arab Emirates which featured several international replacement batsmen made only 12 dressing room. Temba Bavuma made 95 not out with fi ve for 83. since. players, including former West Indies runs between them following the “That’s something that’s hard to after he and Quinton de Kock fought “He deserved that,” said Saker. There has been a trickle of interna- captain Darren Sammy. banning of captain Steve Smith, Dav- get over. We’re not making excuses their way through a testing early pe- “He’s bowled some spells this series tionals and high-profi le matches in re- Soon after, there was a series against id Warner and Cameron Bancroft. but it’s obviously a factor in the way riod against a ball that was almost that have been as good as any bowler cent years, however, with an improve- a World XI and a match against Sri “Putting three guys into a Test we’re playing this game.” new in gloomy conditions. has bowled for Australia. ment in the security situation. Lanka — all T20s in Lahore. match, two have come from Australia Opening batsmen Joe Burns and “Generally at the Wanderers in the “He’s backed it up now for more “We should thank... the West In- The West Indies will play three T20s and one hasn’t played in a game for a Matt Renshaw were out for four morning it’s quite hard for the batters than 12 months and he’s now trust- dies cricket board and their team for in as many days starting today at Na- while, was always going to be a little and eight respectively while Peter to score,” said Bavuma. ing his body. He’s got through some the tour,” Pakistan skipper Ahmed said tional Stadium in Karachi — Pakistan’s bit tough,” said Saker. Handscomb was out fi rst ball for “The wicket is still soft so the ball really good overs and bowling at good yesterday. largest city. This is the Caribbean side’s He paid tribute to the quality of nought to leave Australia 38 for three. generally nips and swings a bit more. pace.” “I hope it will be a successful tour fi rst tour of the country since 2006. Gulf Times 2 Sunday, April 1, 2018 FOOTBALL

PREMIER LEAGUE Man City one win from title, Salah saves Liverpool again Pep Guardiola’s side can seal the title when bitter rivals Manchester United visit Eastlands next Saturday

AFP David Gold and David Sullivan before London kick-off in the aftermath of the crowd protests that marred their recent home defeat against Burnley. anchester City are one win Amid a tense atmosphere that saw away from being crowned extra security measures to protect the Premier League champi- owners, on-loan Inter Milan midfi eld- ons after a swaggering 3-1 er Joao Mario eased the anxiety with a Mvictory over Everton, while Mohamed 13th-minute opener for David Moyes’ Salah was Liverpool’s hero yet again side. Four minutes later, Arnautovic as the Egypt star clinched a 2-1 win at doubled West Ham’s lead and celebrat- Crystal Palace yesterday. ed by shouting angrily towards Saints Pep Guardiola’s side maintained boss Mark Hughes, who fell out with their 16-point lead at the top thanks to a the Austrian when they were together scintillating fi rst half display at Goodi- at Stoke. And Arnautovic ensured West son Park. City, on a fi ve-match winning Ham’s fans went home happy for once run in the league, can look forward to with a superb volley in fi rst-half stop- the delicious prospect of sealing the ti- page time. “The supporters were great tle when bitter rivals Manchester Unit- and they appreciated the performance ed visit Eastlands next Saturday. of the players. We got the job done early Leroy Sane put City ahead with a which helped,” Moyes said. sumptuous volley from David Silva’s West Ham are fi ve points above the pin-point cross in the fourth minute. relegation zone, while Southampton Gabriel Jesus increased City’s lead eight drop into the bottom three. West Bro- minutes later, the Brazil forward head- mwich Albion look certain to be rel- ing in from Kevin De Bruyne’s cross. egated after Burnley’s 2-1 win at the Thrashed 4-0 at Everton last season Hawthorns handed the bottom club in one of the worst defeats of Guardi- an eighth consecutive defeat. Leices- ola’s glittering career, City underlined ter struck late in a 2-0 win at Brighton, their vast improvement since then as with Albion striker Glenn Murray miss- Raheem Sterling fi nished off a ruthless ing a penalty before Vicente Iborra and counter-attack in the 37th minute. Jamie Vardy sealed the points. Newcas- Yannick Bolasie drilled home for tle beat Huddersfi eld 1-0 and Watford Everton in the 63rd minute, but City’s drew 2-2 with Bournemouth. club record 13th away league win means they have 84 points and can ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE RESULTS break the previous record total for Pre- Brighton 0 Leicester 2 (Iborra 83, Vardy mier League champions — Chelsea’s 90+6) 85-point haul in 2005 — if they beat Crystal Palace 1 (Milivojevic 13-pen) Liver- United. pool 2 (Mane 49, Salah 84) Having already won the League Cup, Everton 1 (Bolasie 63) Manchester City 3 City next face a Champions League Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah (right) celebrates with team mates after scoring the winner against Crystal Palace during the Premier League in London. (Reuters) (Sane 4, Jesus 12, Sterling 37) quarter-fi nal fi rst leg against Liverpool Manchester United 2 (Lukaku 5, Sanchez on Wednesday. In rainy south London, smashed home in the 84th minute. form continue,” Klopp said. we still have the FA Cup to come.” from Arsenal in January in the 20th 20) Swansea 0 Liverpool trailed when Luka Milivojevic Salah, who has 37 goals in 42 games Liverpool were unable to hold onto Romelu Lukaku scored for United minute. The Premier League’s high- Newcastle 1 (Perez 80) Huddersfield 0 drove struggling Palace into a 13th- in all competitions this term, has scored second place as Manchester United with a defl ected strike from Alexis est paid player had gone seven games Watford 2 (Femenia 13, Pereyra 49) minute lead from the penalty spot after in the joint-most Premier League moved two points ahead of them with Sanchez’s pass in the fi fth minute. without a goal until he fi nished off Jesse Bournemouth 2 (King 43-pen, Defoe 90+2) Loris Karius fouled Wilfried Zaha. matches (21) in a single 38-match sea- a 2-0 victory against Swansea at Old Former Chelsea and Everton star Lu- Lingard’s pass. West Brom 1 (Rondon 83) Burnley 2 But Senegal winger Sadio Mane lev- son. That ties the mark set by Robin van Traff ord. “ Every point is vital because kaku, who has netted in fi ve times in his Marko Arnautovic lifted the gloom at (Barnes 22, Wood 73) elled four minutes after the break with Persie in 2012-13 and Cristiano Ronaldo we want to stay in second place,” United last six appearances, now has 100 ca- West Ham as his double inspired a cru- West Ham 3 (Mario 13, Arnautovic 17, 45+4) a close-range fi nish. Salah, in the midst in 2007-08. “I think the moment you manager Jose Mourinho said. “In other reer Premier League goals. cial 3-0 victory against relegation rivals Southampton 0 of an incredible debut season at Liver- see it is Mo (on the ball) you feel good. It leagues we would be fi ghting for the ti- Chile forward Sanchez bagged just Southampton. Hundreds of fans staged Today: Arsenal v Stoke (1230 GMT), Chel- pool, proved the match winner as he was a very cool fi nish and long may that tle. We are having a positive season and his second goal since joining United a march against West Ham’s co-owners sea v Tottenham (1500 GMT)

SPOTLIGHT SERIE A Chelsea’s CL chances hang on same old Spurs story Napoli title dream takes a hit AFP AFP Mousa Dembele slapped with a six-match ban for Milan London an eye gouge on Diego Costa. Tottenham fi nished runners-up in the Premier League again last season, this time behind a re- apoli missed a golden helsea host Tottenham Hotspur on Sun- lentless Chelsea, who also beat Spurs 4-2 in the opportunity to move day aiming to extend the visitors’ 28- FA Cup semi-fi nals. “History is history and is top of Serie A with a 1-1 year wait for a league win at Stamford there, but it is not going to help. That is not what draw at strugglers Sas- Bridge and keep their hopes of Champi- counts,” said Pochettino. “I think it is not a point Nsuolo to give champions Juventus onsC League football next season alive in the proc- to be focused on for us. We must be focused on the the chance to pull clear later last ess. Spurs sit fi ve points above the English cham- win and the performance.” night against AC Milan. Matteo pions in the fourth and fi nal Champions League Spurs’ case could be massively boosted by a Politano put Sassuolo ahead after place with just eight games of the campaign to go. shock early return for talismanic striker Harry 22 minutes with Maurizio Sarri’s Missing out on the top four would almost cer- Kane. The England international was expected to side proving wasteful before tainly seal Chelsea manager Antonio Conte’s fate be sidelined for well into April by ankle ligament earning a point through a Rogerio with speculation already rife over the Italian’s damage suff ered at Bournemouth three weeks own goal with ten minutes to go. future and who trigger-happy owner Roman ago. Pochettino was coy on Kane’s status on Fri- Napoli — who have won just Abramovich could look to as his successor. day, insisting it was too early to make a judgement one of their last four games — are However, Conte remains hopeful that Chelsea call on the man who has already scored 35 goals in now one point behind six-time can make up the lost ground caused by four de- all competitions this season. However, he hailed defending champions Juventus feats in their last six league games. “If we win, we Kane’s work rate to bounce back so quickly from who can extend their advantage go very close to Tottenham,” said Conte. “Other- what seemed a very serious injury. to four points by the end of the wise, we continue to stay not so close and, with “The most important (thing) is that we are night. Andrea Consigli proved seven games to go, it will be diffi cult to take a so positive about his recovery, and we are doing solid in the Sassuolo goal, sav- place in the Champions League.” fantastic, and we are so happy,” said Pochettino. ing a Lorenzo Insigne eff ort from By contrast, Spurs are unbeaten in their last 12 “After Bournemouth everybody believed it would point-blank range before Rog- league games stretching back to December. Vic- be a long period out, but the resolution has been erio turned a Mario Rui cross into tory for Mauricio Pochettino’s men would be fantastic.” his own net. Sassuolo remain extra sweet as, despite the impressive progress Spurs have coped impressively without Kane four points above the relegation Napoli’s Arkadiusz Milik (right) attempts to score during the Serie A match against Sassuolo. (Reuters) made under the Argentine in recent years, Chel- during injury absences over the past two sea- zone after following last week’s sea have largely continued to hold the upper hand sons. However, Conte was clear he would rather win against Udinese with a cru- have scored more,” said Dzeko. cross to fi re past Santurro. to reach the goal of going to the on their London rivals. not have the headache of stopping he called “one cial point. Earlier, Mauro Icardi Roma lacked speed against a “We know that if we play like Champions League.” Most memorably, Spurs’ hopes for a fi rst title of the best strikers in the world.” “When you scored a brace in a 3-0 win over Bologna side which included Di that against Barcelona, it won’t Serie A top scorer Ciro Immo- since 1961 were ended as Chelsea fought back have a player, a striker, who scores 30 goals every Verona as Inter Milan closed in Francesco’s son Federico, with be enough,” said Di Francesco. bile also netted a double as Lazio from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 in a bad-tempered season, for sure when he’s missing you can feel on third-placed Roma who were third-choice goalkeeper Antonio “But we also know that Barca will fought back after going 2-1 be- clash labelled ‘Battle of the Bridge’ in 2016. In- this.” Chelsea have injury problems of their own, held 1-1 by Bologna. Substitute Santurro proving the unlikely attack. It will be a totally diff er- hind to 10-man Benevento, nab- stead, Leicester were crowned champions on a though, with goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois and Edin Dzeko rescued Roma who hero for the home side. Santurro ent match.” bing fi ve goals in the last half- night that saw nine Spurs’ players booked and defender Andreas Christensen both doubtful. were also hit by a Radja Naing- was appearing in fi rst Serie A Icardi, meanwhile, earned hour. golan injury that could compro- game with Antonio Mirante sus- a standing ovation from the mise their Champions League pended and understudy Angelo 60,000 crowd at the San Siro ITALIAN SERIE A RESULTS Missing out on the top four would quarter-fi nal against Barcelona Da Costa injured. after bringing his tally of Serie Bologna 1 (Plugar 18) Roma 1 (Dzeko almost certainly seal Chelsea in Spain midweek. And the 26-year-old did well A goals to 105. The Argentine — 76) manager Antonio Conte’s fate Eusebio Di Francesco’s Roma on his debut keeping out an early who scored four in a 5-0 win over Inter 3 (Icardi 1, 48, Perisic 13) with speculation already rife over have 60 points from 30 games, Patrik Schick strike, followed by Sampdoria last time out — con- Verona 0 the Italian’s future. but their grip on third is threat- a Daniele De Rossi header from tinued where he left off , bagging Atalanta 2 (Petagna 68, Masiello 74) ened by Inter who edged two the resulting corner. Nainggolan the fi rst after 38 seconds from an Udinese 0 points behind. Lazio are a fur- limped off after just 16 minutes Ivan Perisic throw-in. Fiorentina 2 (Simeone 3, Chiesa 62) ther point back just outside the with a muscular problem, and Perisic added a second on Crotone 0 Champions League places for looks a doubt to face Barcelona. 13 minutes, with Icardi slid- Genoa 1 (Lapadula 30-pen) SPAL 1 next season in fi fth after surviv- Two minutes later Bologna ing in the third after the restart (Lazzari 60) ing a scare to thrash rock-bottom were ahead, Pulgar picking up a for a confi dence boost ahead of Cagliari 0 Torino 4 (Falque 61, Ljajic Benevento 6-2. poor clearance on the edge of the next Wednesday’s Milan derby 65, Ansaldi 79, Obi 87) Dzeko headed in after 76 min- box to fi re past Alisson. Santurro against AC Milan. “I’m happy for Lazio 6 (Immobile 19, 68, Caicedo utes at the Stadio Dall’Ara after denied Stephan El Shaarawy, my fastest goal in my career,” said 60, de Vrij 66, Lucas 83, Alberto Erick Pulgar had given Bolo- with Kevin Strootman miss- Icardi. “It was the perfect day, 90+1 pen) Benevento 2 (Cataldi 23, gna the lead on 18 minutes. “We ing the chance to equalise when not for goals, but because the Marques 51) are going into a very important alone in front of goal. But Dzeko team won. We go into the derby Chievo 2 (Castro 62, Hetemaj 79) match, we all had our thoughts replaced El Shaarawy with half with the right frame of mind. Sampdoria 1 (Quagliarella 26-pen) on Barcelona a little bit, but even an hour to go and got his head to We’re aware that we have to do Sassuolo 1 (Politano 22) Napoli 1 then we had chances and could Argentine winger Diego Perotti’s well because there is little time (Rogerio 80-og) Gulf Times Sunday, April 1, 2018 3 FOOTBALL

BUNDESLIGA LA LIGA Bale double Bayern Munich crush guides Real to easy victory Dortmund but title AFP that was only enough to earn Madrid him a place on the bench in Paris, where he had also started the fi rst leg. areth Bale made a Bale has now scored 10 goals in strong case for a start- 11 starts since the turn of the year ing spot against Juven- but the suspicion remains that party put on hold tus by scoring twice in Zidane does not trust him defen- GReal Madrid’s 3-0 victory over sively against elite opposition. Las Palmas yesterday. Bale’s Cristiano Ronaldo was rested double in Gran Canaria served as against Las Palmas, and is sure to Lewandowski scores hat-trick as Bayern score five times in first half a timely reminder to coach Zine- return against Juve, while Lucas dine Zidane, with the trip to Tu- Vazquez, Marco Asensio and Isco AFP rin for the fi rst leg of the Cham- all started ahead of him across Berlin pions League quarter-fi nals to the two legs against PSG. come on Tuesday. Isco was absent with a back Karim Benzema had doubled problem following his hat-trick at-trick hero Robert Lewand- Real’s lead before half-time as for Spain against Argentina last owski put former club Borussia Los Blancos moved just one point week, and Sergio Ramos was Dortmund to the sword as Bay- behind second-placed Atletico also spared, after picking up a ern Munich rampaged to a 6-0 Madrid, who host Deportivo La knock over the international Hwin yesterday, but the Bavarians have to Coruna today. break. Bale’s fi rst goal arrived wait at least another week to celebrate a Las Palmas stay 18th, seven in the 26th minute as Luka Mo- sixth successive Bundesliga title. points adrift of safety. dric curved a superb pass in- Lewandowski was lucky not to be ruled The only worry for Zidane was side right-back Michel Macedo, off side when he gave Bayern the lead after the sight of Nacho hobbling off in which Bale drove forward before just fi ve minutes. the fi rst half, with what appeared slamming home at the near post. Franck Ribery was less fortunate a few to be a hamstring problem. Bale Benzema tucked his penalty minutes later, as his goal was correctly opened the scoring with a trade- into the bottom corner 13 min- ruled out by VAR. Luck had little to do mark run and fi nish down the utes later and then presented with it, however, as Bayern completely left before Benzema converted Bale with the ball after his team- outclassed Dortmund in the fi rst half, one penalty and then generously mate had been fouled in the area strikes from James Rodriguez and Tho- handed over a second, which the by Ximo Navarro. Bale made no mas Muller giving them a 3-0 lead before Welshman had earned himself. mistake. Elsewhere yesterday, the half-hour mark. The question now is whether Girona’s hopes of Europa League In the dying minutes of the half, Rib- Zidane was suitably impressed qualifi cation took a knock af- ery twinkle-toed his way through the to pick Bale in Italy. The 28-year- ter they were held to a 1-1 draw defence to set up Lewandowski’s second, old also scored against Getafe by struggling Levante. Athletic before getting on the scoresheet himself before Real faced Paris Saint- Bilbao also drew 1-1 at home to with Bayern’s fi fth, lofting the ball el- Germain earlier this month and Celta Vigo. egantly over goalkeeper Roman Burki. After a quiet second half, Lewandowski completed his hat-trick three minutes from time, turning in Joshua Kimmich’s cross from close range. Bayern’s title cel- ebrations remain on hold after Schalke eased to a 2-0 victory over Freiburg ear- lier in the day. Daniel Caligiuri put Schalke ahead from the penalty spot on 63 minutes, be- fore Freiburg striker Nils Petersen saw a second yellow card for dissent. With both their striker and their coach Christian Streich sent off , Freiburg capitulated, and Guido Burgstaller secured victory 17 min- utes from time. RB Leipzig survived a late scare in Bayern Munich’s Robert Lewandowski (left) and Borussia Dortmund’s Manuel Akanji vie for the ball during the Bundesliga match in Hanover, battling to a 3-2 victory to break Munich, southern Germany, yesterday. (AFP) back into the top four. Leipzig drew fi rst blood on 16 minutes, as Timo Werner three points are hugely important for us Hamburg remain bottom, a point be- BUNDESLIGA RESULTS broke down the right fl ank to provide and we are happy that we got the reward hind fellow strugglers Cologne, who Hoff enheim 6 (Gnabry 23, 47, Uth 56, 65, Emil Forsberg with the easiest of tap-ins. for our hard work,” said Leipzig coach were subjected to a 6-0 thrashing at Hof- Rupp 61, Zuber 72) Cologne 0 Willi Orban doubled the lead early Ralph Hasenhuettl. “But we need to re- fenheim. Serge Gnabry scored two bril- Bayer Leverkusen 0 Augsburg 0 in the second half, sending a powerful gain stability at the back.” liant goals to kick-start the rout. Having Stuttgart 1 (Ginczek 44) Hamburg 1 (Holtby 18) header past Philipp Tschauner. Salif Sane Leipzig leapfrog Bayer Leverkusen into danced around several defenders to fi re Schalke 2 (Caligiuri 63-pen, Burgstaller 73) quickly pulled one back for Hanover, be- fourth, as the latter were held to a tur- in a net-busting opener in the fi rst half, Freiburg 0 fore Yussuf Poulsen appeared to secure gid 0-0 draw by Augsburg. At the other Gnabry grabbed a second just after half- Hanover 2 (Sane 71, Fuellkrug 79) RB Leipzig victory for Leipzig in the 76th minute. end of the table, Hamburg dropped more time, picking out the bottom corner from 3 (Forsberg 16, Orban 54, Poulsen 76) Niclas Fuellkrug fi red Hanover back points as they drew 1-1 in Stuttgart. Lewis the edge of the box. Bayern Munich 6 (Lewandowski 5, 44, 87, into the game with a fl ying header, and Holtby scored his fi rst league goal since Cologne-born forward Mark Uth Rodriguez 14, Mueller 23, Ribery 45+1) Borus- appeared to complete a dramatic come- August to fi re Hamburg into the lead on grabbed a brace, as he and Lukas Rupp sia Dortmund 0 back when he found the net again min- 18 minutes, but Daniel Ginczek equalised scored three goals in the space of 10 min- Playing Today: Werder Bremen v Ein- utes later, only to see his equaliser dis- against the run of play for Stuttgart just utes. Uth then set up Steven Zuber to tracht Frankfurt (1330), Mainz v Borussia Real Madrid’s Gareth Bale scores from a penalty against Las Palmas allowed for off side through VAR. “The before half-time. prod home Hoff enheim’s sixth. Moenchengladbach (1600) yesterday. (Reuters)

LIGUE 1 MLS Ocampos, Payet give Marseille ‘Benjamin Button’ Ibrahimovic dramatic win at Dijon as Marseille regained the lead against RB Leipzig, with top ready for Los Angeles Galaxy debut AFP Dijon, France on 88 minutes, his near-post scorer Florian Thauvin once header from a corner was bun- more unlikely to feature as he AFP ages in reverse. “I feel young,” he dled in from point-blank range nurses a hamstring injury. Carson, United States joked. “I feel like Benjamin But- ucas Ocampos and by Argentine Lucas Ocampos. Lyon, who beat Marseille ton. I was born old and I will die Dimitri Payet struck A frenetic fi nale saw Dijon 3-2 ahead of the international young. For sure. So don’t worry in the fi nal minutes as reduced to 10 men when Cedric break, can reduce the gap today latan Ibrahimovic re- about my age.” Marseille claimed a pre- Yambere was harshly sent off when they host a relegation- vealed on Friday he had The striker, who will earn an Lcious 3-1 win at Dijon in Ligue after conceding a penalty for threatened Toulouse side. initially hoped to join the estimated $3mn for two seasons 1 yesterday to stay on course a foul on Ocampos, although Los Angeles Galaxy two in MLS, added that he had already for a Champions League place. the spot-kick from Payet was FRENCH LIGUE 1 RESULT Zyears ago as he vowed to conquer proved sceptics wrong during his Valere Germain put Marseille saved by Baptiste Reynet. But Dijon 1 (Kwon 73) Marseille 3 Major League Soccer in the fi nal spell with United in the Premier in front 10 minutes before half- Payet, overlooked by Didier De- (Germain 35, Ocampos 88, Payet chapter of his glittering career. League, where he scored 28 goals time, but the visitors then lost schamps for his latest France 90+5-pen) The 36-year-old Swedish su- in 46 appearances before tearing goalkeeper Steve Mandanda to squad, atoned deep into stop- Playing Today (all times GMT): perstar told reporters at a press knee ligaments last April. injury for the second time in fi ve page time after winning anoth- Guingamp v Bordeaux (1300), conference he had planned to “When I came to England matches. er penalty, this time converting Troyes v Nice, Strasbourg v Metz, head to California after his stint they all said I was old, I came South Korea international as Marseille pulled fi ve points Caen v Montpellier, Lille v Amiens, with Paris Saint-Germain came in a wheelchair,” Ibrahimovic Kwon Chang-Hoon curled in clear of fourth-placed Lyon. Nantes v Saint-Etienne (all 1500), to an end in 2016, before instead said. “But after three months, an equaliser for Dijon with a Marseille go to Germany next Lyon v Toulouse (1900) opting for Manchester United. I conquered England and they quarter of an hour remaining. week for the fi rst leg of their Playing Wednesday: Rennes v “This thing was supposed to said I was fl ying. So age is only a But Germain was again involved Europa League quarter-fi nal Monaco (1645) happen a couple of years before, number. I know what I am able but it didn’t. But I’m here now,” to do, I know what I will do. I’ve Ibrahimovic told reporters at come here to win. I’ve already the Galaxy’s StubHub Center brought my family. My wife can ground. take care of the family and I can “So the destiny was that it was can take of what I’m good at — supposed to happen, it was only playing football. I feel excited. a question of when. Finally I’m The lion is hungry.” here and I’m just excited, looking Asked about the chances of his forward to playing.” appearing for Galaxy against, he Ibrahimovic was speaking af- replied: “I’m available. I have so ter training with his new team- Zlatan Ibrahimovic holds his new club LA Galaxy’s jersey at a press much adrenaline in me, so I think mates for the fi rst time earlier conference in Los Angeles, California, on Friday. (AFP) it can hold a long time. Let’s see. Friday after arriving in Los An- “We start step-by-step. I’m geles less than 24 hours earlier. in the past 12 months as he re- the ball. Today when we fi nished not here only for one game, I’m The veteran striker, who has not covered from a serious knee in- training, I just wanted to contin- here for the season and another played since appearing for Unit- jury. “I just want to go out on the ue. I asked the coach ‘Can I shoot season after that. I think the ed against Burnley in December, fi eld,” Ibrahimovic said. some more balls?’ And he said coach wants to build it up and declared himself fi t was available “I know it has been a long okay, so I just shot some more make me feel comfortable, set- for Galaxy’s much-anticipated break for me. It’s been a long balls.” tle in. If the coach needs me for derby with Los Angeles FC late wait where I haven’t been in my Ibrahimovic, whose signing for the whole game, I’m there for last night. rhythm where I play every day Galaxy was announced last week, the whole game. If he needs me Ibrahimovic insisted he was because of the injury. Now I want compared himself to Benjamin for one minute, I’m there for one Olympique de Marseille’s Lucas Ocampos celebrates after scoring a goal against Dijon. (AFP) raring to go after barely playing to go out, smell the grass, touch Button, the movie character who minute.” Gulf Times 4 Sunday, April 1, 2018 CRICKET

SPOTLIGHT Pak legends say reverse swing is ‘art’ not ‘cheating’

AFP endary pacemen Imran Khan, Wasim the right-handed batsman, and if the for a decade while Waqar starred for Karachi Akram and Waqar Younis smiling over seam is angled towards the leg side it Glamorgan and Surrey. the incident — with a caption that ac- will swing into the batsman,” explained “Those allegations were hurtful,” cused the Australians of being “ama- Sarfraz. “Reverse swing is totally op- recalled Waqar. “Of course, reverse akistan’s masters of reverse- teurs” in their eff orts to create reverse posite.” swing can be achieved without cheat- swinging a cricket ball have swing. Sarfraz passed the art to Imran, who ing. Nowadays most of the bowlers unanimously defended it as an Former Pakistan fast bowler Sarfraz achieved more success than his master do that and get wickets and help their “art” which can be achieved Nawaz – widely regarded as a pioneer but also confessed to ball-tampering teams win.” withoutP the tampering that ended in of reverse swing – refused to accept the by using a bottle top to roughen one While Wasim — nicknamed the shameful bans for three Australian implication that the skill requires ball- side of the ball. “Sultan of Swing” — was never caught players. tampering. Asked in a 1994 television interview tampering, Waqar was slapped with Steve Smith had to step down as “This is ridiculous to say reverse whether he would have got 362 Test a one-match suspension and fi ned 50 Australia captain and David Warner swing is cheating,” Sarfraz told AFP. wickets had he not tampered with the % of his match fee in a tri-series in Sri as vice captain after they orchestrat- “You can achieve reverse swing with- ball, Imran replied: “Yes, it’s a miscon- Lanka in 2000. ed ball-tampering through batsman out tampering with the ball. ception that whoever scratches the ball Waqar suggested only one brand of Cameron Bancroft in the Cape Town “There is a conventional swing can get wickets. cricket ball should be used in interna- Test against South Africa last week. which is done with the new ball and “The whole Sussex team knew I tional cricket, saying it would lead to a Bancroft was found to have used a then there is reverse swing which is could reverse swing and I would swing fairer contest. piece of sandpaper in an attempt to achieved with an old ball and it has at one end while other bowlers could “Why do we use diff erent brand of alter the condition of the ball while on been proved in laboratories that reverse not swing it,” said Imran, who played balls in diff erent countries?” Waqar the fi eld to create swing for Australia’s swing is a scientifi c phenomenon.” for the English county. asked. “In my opinion the Duke ball is bowlers and deceive the South African Sarfraz took 177 wickets in 55 Tests, Imran passed the torch to Wasim and the best and the SG comes close to it. batsmen. including an amazing nine for 86 Waqar — regarded as one of interna- They are the best balls for swing so in Cricket Australia came down hard, against Australia at Melbourne in 1979 Swing twins: Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis. tional cricket’s most destructive new- order to have uniformity and better handing a one-year ban each to Smith that included a spell of seven wickets ball pairings. swing these balls should be used eve- and Warner and nine months to Ban- for a mere one run in 33 balls. ing but when the Englishmen started and that was what Australians did to The two ripped through England’s rywhere. croft for sullying the country’s sport- “When I passed the art to Imran to reverse swing it became an art,” said beat South Africa and were deserv- batsmen on Pakistan’s 1992 tour, but “This will help bowlers and this ing image. Khan he developed it and then taught Sarfraz. edly punished. “Conventional swing is were also alleged by British media to will also produce better batsmen. We In Pakistan, an internet meme swept Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis, and “It was and will remain an art, but simple — if the seam is angled toward have tampered with the ball. Wasim should solve the problem and not in- social media appearing to show leg- in those times everyone called it cheat- resorting to tampering is cheating the slip fi elders it will swing away from excelled for English county Lancashire dulge in the blame game.”

JOHANNESBURG TEST REPENTANT Tearful Warner says tampering scandal Bavuma denied may spell doom for ton as SA sink Australia career hapless Australia South Africa posted 488 in their first innings and lead by a massive 378 runs as they seek a first home series win over the Australians in almost 50 years

Reuters A. Markram c M. Marsh b Cummins ...... 152 Johannesburg H. Amla c Handscomb b Cummins ...... 27 Australian cricketer David Warner cries during a press conference at A. de Villiers c Paine b Sayers ...... 69 the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) yesterday. F. du Plessis lbw b Cummins ...... 0 outh Africa’s Temba Bavuma was T. Bavuma not out ...... 95 AFP has appeared isolated after he left stranded on 95 not out as they K. Rabada c Renshaw b Sayers ...... 0 Sydney was charged by Cricket Australia tightened their grip over scandal- Q. de Kock c M. Marsh b Lyon ...... 39 with developing the plot and hit Australia after reducing the V. Philander c Khawaja b Lyon ...... 12 telling Bancroft to carry it out. haplessS visitors to 110 for six at the close K. Maharaj c Paine b Cummins ...... 45 ormer Test vice-captain “I suppose there is a tiny ray of on the second day of the fourth and fi nal M. Morkel c Handscomb b Cummins ...... 0 David Warner said he re- hope that I may one day be given Test yesterday. Extras (b13, lb12, w5) ...... 30 alised he may never play the privilege of playing for my Aided by Bavuma’s brilliance, South Total (136.5 overs) ...... 488 for his country again as country again, but I am resigned Africa posted 488 in their fi rst innings Fall of wickets: 1-53 (Elgar), 2-142 (Amla), 3-247 heF tearfully apologised yesterday to the fact that may never hap- and lead by a massive 378 runs at the (Markram), 4-247 (Du Plessis), 5-299 (De Villiers), over a ball-tampering scandal pen,” Warner said. Wanderers as they seek a fi rst home se- 6-299 (Rabada), 7-384 (De Kock), 8-412 (Philan- which has had deep repercus- He also signalled a possible ries win over the Australians in almost 50 der), 9-488 (Maharaj), 10-488 (Morkel) sions for Australian cricket. appeal when he said: “That’s years. Bowling: Hazlewood 26-3-86-0, Sayers 35-9-78- As stand-in captain Tim Paine something that I will continue The controversial tour looks to be 2, Cummins 28.5-5-83-5 (1w), Lyon 40-3-182-3, M. signalled a new approach with a to sit down with my family and coming to a meek end for the visitors Marsh 6-1-30-0, Renshaw 1-0-4-0 pre-match handshake between weigh up all my considerations in a game they need to win to share the the teams at the fourth Test in before I make any decisions.” series and their new captain Tim Paine Australia, first innings Johannesburg, Warner became A report yesterday said Ban- (five) and Pat Cummins (seven) will M. Renshaw c De Kock b Philander ...... 8 the third disgraced Australian croft was set to lodge an appeal resume on the third day facing a daunt- J. Burns c Du Plessis b Rabada ...... 4 player to make an emotional ap- and had sought legal advice. The ing task. South African batsman Temba Bavuma plays a shot on the second day of the fourth U. Khawaja c De Kock b Philander ...... 53 pearance in front of media. deadline for appeals is on Thurs- Australia need a win to share the series, Test match against Australia at Wanderers cricket ground in Johannesburg yesterday. P. Handscomb b Philander ...... 0 The usually pugnacious bats- day. an outcome that would provide hollow S. Marsh c De Villiers b Maharaj ...... 16 man, 31, repeatedly struggled to With his wife, Candice, crying comfort after the chaos that engulfed the it proved false optimism as they were the ground with great skill, adding 85 for M. Marsh b Morkel ...... 4 talk and tears ran down his face as she watched from the back of team in the wake of their ball-tampering blasted out. the seventh wicket with De Kock (39) and T. Paine not out ...... 5 as he apologised to fans, team- the room, Warner stonewalled in the third test in Cape Town and the Burns’ (four) tame prod saw him edge 76 for the ninth wicket with Maharaj, who P. Cummins not out ...... 7 mates, his family and the Aus- requests for more details about crisis that followed this week. Kagiso Rabada to a diving Faf du Plessis smashed a career-best 45 from 51 balls. Extras (b3, lb 8, nb2) ...... 13 tralian public. the incident and his relationship The squad was bolstered by openers at second slip, while Queensland open- But when the latter slashed at a wide Total (6 wkts, 38 overs) ...... 110 But he also evaded questions with the team. Joe Burns and Matt Renshaw, who ar- ing partner Renshaw (eight) provided a delivery from the excellent Pat Cum- To bat: N. Lyon, C. Sayers, J. Hazlewood about whether the ball-tamper- “I am here today to accept my rived in the country 48 hours before the simple catch to wicketkeeper Quinton de mins (5-83) and was caught by wicket- Fall of wickets: 1-10 (Burns), 2-34 (Renshaw), ing plot was his idea, whether it responsibility for my part and start of the fourth test along with all- Kock off Vernon Philander (3-17). keeper Paine, Morkel, playing in his fi nal 3-38 (Handscomb), 4-90 (Khawaja), 5-96 (M. was the fi rst time, who else was my involvement for what hap- rounder Glenn Maxwell, after deposed After Aiden Markram’s masterful 152 test, edged the fi rst ball to Handscomb at Marsh), 6-96 (S. Marsh) aware of it and whether he had pened in Cape Town,” Warner captain Steve Smith, David Warner and on the opening day, Bavuma was left second slip and Bavuma was denied the Bowling: Philander 12-7-17-3, Rabada 9-3-24-1, been made a scapegoat. said, using a formulation he re- Cameron Bancroft were sent home for stranded fi ve runs short of what would chance to claim a deserved ton. Morkel 9-2-23-1 (2nb), Maharaj 8-2-35-1 Warner, 31, told a media con- peated several times. their part in the scandal. have been a second test century when he Match situation: Australia trail by 378 runs with ference in Sydney: “I can hon- “It’s inexcusable, I am deeply However, if the tourists had hoped ran out of partners. Scorecard four wickets remaining in the first innings estly say I have only wanted sorry. I will do everything I can to that fresh blood at the top of the order His 95 not out was deserving of three South Africa, first innings Toss: South Africa to bring glory to my country earn back the respect of the Aus- might spark a change of batting fortunes, fi gures as he manoeuvred the ball around D. Elgar c Sayers b Lyon ...... 19 Umpires: Ian Gould, Nigel Llong (both ENG) through playing cricket. tralian public.” “In striving to do so I have Warner later took to social made the decision which has media to say: “I know there are CHRISTCHURCH TEST had the opposite eff ect and it’s unanswered questions and lots one that I will regret for as long of them. I completely under- as I live.” stand. In time I will do my best Warner’s appearance comes to answer them all. But there is a Watling, De Grandhomme spearhead Kiwi fi ghtback after similar heartfelt apologies formal CA process to follow.” from opening batsman Cam- Warner, who has played 74 AFP 38. It was Watling’s 14th Test fore De Grandhomme joined J. Root b Southee ...... 37 R. Taylor c Cook b Broad ...... 2 eron Bancroft and captain Steve Tests since his debut in 2011, has Christchurch half-century and De Grand- Watling to steady their in- D. Malan lbw Boult ...... 0 H. Nicholls lbw Broad ...... 0 Smith, who broke down when he been described as the Australia’s homme’s second highest score nings. B. Stokes c Watling b Boult ...... 25 B. Watling not out ...... 77 faced the media on Thursday. “attack dog”. He was also banned as they passed New Zealand’s De Grandhomme took an ag- J. Bairstow c Taylor b Boult ...... 101 C. De Grandhomme c Bairstow b Coach Darren Lehmann, con- in 2013 after punching England’s J Watling and Colin de previous 6th wicket partner- gressive approach to bring up S. Broad c Sodhi b Southee ...... 5 Broad ...... 72 vinced to step down after seeing Joe Root in a bar. Grandhomme hauled ship record against England of his 50 off 87 deliveries but then M. Wood b Southee ...... 52 T. Southee not out ...... 13 the anguished statements from “In the coming weeks and New Zealand back into 141, set by Martin Crowe and took a back seat as Watling J. Leach c Watling b Southee ...... 16 Extras: (lb1) ...... 1 Bancroft and Smith, was also months I am going to look at the second Test yester- Adam Parore 24 years ago. opened up in the final session. J. Anderson not out ...... 0 Total: (for 6 wickets; 74.5 overs) .192 tearful as he announced his res- what has happened and who I am Bday to trail England by 115 runs In a match of fluctuating for- Watling, on 40 at tea, was Extras: (b9, lb5, w1, nb1) ...... 16 Fall: 1-0 (Latham), 2-14 (Raval), 3-17 ignation. as a man,” he said. with four wickets in hand at tunes, New Zealand’s recovery troubled by Mark Wood after Total: (for 10 wickets; 96.5 overs) ..... (Taylor), 4-17 (Nicholls), 5-36 (William- Smith and Warner were “To be honest, I am not sure stumps on day two in Christch- from 36 for five followed Eng- the resumption before taking 307 son), 6-178 (De Grandhomme) banned from international and right now how I will do this, I will urch. land’s own revival from 164 for out his frustration on spinner Fall of wickets: 1-6 (Cook), 2-38 To bat: Ish Sodhi, Neil Wagner, Trent domestic cricket for a year and seek out advice and expertise to When bad light stopped play seven to be all out for 307. Jack Leach to reach his 50 with (Vince1), 3-93 (Root), 4-94 (Malan), Boult Bancroft was suspended for nine make serious changes.” seven overs early, New Zealand After months of misery on a huge six over mid-wicket. 5-94 (Stoneman), 6-151 (Stokes), 7-164 Bowling: Anderson 19-5-43-2, Broad months after the incident during The fallout from the crisis has were 192 for six. the road, England felt their From there, he scored freely (Broad), 8-259 (Wood), 9-307 (Leach), 14-4-38-4, Wood 17.5-3-50-0, Leach the third Test in Cape Town. seen Warner dumped by spon- Watling was on 77 after shar- luck had turned after Jonny in an innings which also in- 10-307 (Bairstow) 18-3-46-0, Root 1-0-9-0, Stokes Bancroft was caught on cam- sors ASICS and LG, while Crick- ing a 142-run stand with De Bairstow’s rescue mission, with cludes 10 fours. Bowling: Boult 28.5-5-87-4, Southee 3-1-5-0 era trying to use yellow sandpa- et Australia has been dropped by Grandhomme which was bro- the wicketkeeper-batsman 26-7-62-6 (1w), De Grandhomme Toss: New Zealand per to alter the ball, an off ence its top sponsor, fund manager ken in the final hour by Eng- posting his fifth Test century Scoreboard 17-4-44-0, Wagner 20-5-69-0 (1nb), Series: New Zealand lead 1-0 which triggered an outpour- Magellan. land’s man of the moment Stu- before he was out for 101. England first innings (overnight Sodhi 5-0-31-0. Umpires: Marais Erasmus (RSA), ing of criticism from home and Along with Smith, Warner has art Broad. Broad and James Anderson 290-8) New Zealand first innings Bruce Oxenford (AUS) abroad against the hard-nosed also been ejected from this year’s Broad, who had De Grand- then routed the New Zealand A. Cook b Boult ...... 2 J. Raval c Bairstow b Anderson ...... 5 TV Umpire: Paul Reiffel (AUS) Australian team. Indian Premier League, losing homme caught behind for 72, top order to have the Black M. Stoneman c Latham b Southee 35 T. Latham c Bairstow b Broad ...... 0 Match referee: Richie Richardson Warner, a dynamic batsman contracts worth nearly US$2mn finished the day with four for Caps in serious trouble be- J. Vince lbw Southee ...... 18 K. Williamson c Bairstow b Anson .22 (WIS) but a divisive fi gure in the game, each. Gulf Times Sunday, April 1, 2018 5 SPORT

NBA MLB Price shines as Red Sox edge Rays 1-0 Cavaliers survive Reuters and took the loss when Jose Alvar- St. Petersburg, USA ado gave up the RBI hit to Devers. Xander Bogaerts went 2-for-4 with two doubles and a run and afael Devers’ RBI single Hanley Ramirez was 2-for-4 in the seventh inning with two strikeouts for Boston. proved to be enough of- No Rays batter had more than fense for the Boston Red one hit, as Tampa Bay totalled as LeBron breaks SoxR after a solid start by David only four hits. Price paved the way to a 1-0 vic- The win was the fi rst for new tory against the Tampa Bay Rays Red Sox manager Alex Cora, who on Friday night at Tropicana was hired to replace John Farrell Field in St. Petersburg, Florida. this past off season. Price (1-0), who spent the Bogaerts led off the top of the fi rst seven-plus seasons of his seventh with a double and was MLB career with the Rays, tossed promptly brought home by De- Jordan’s record seven shutout innings with fi ve vers as he rolled a single into cen- strikeouts while allowing only tre for the game’s only off ense. ‘That’s a good moment, a special moment not only for myself but for my family and for so many four hits and walking none. Craig Boston’s Rick Porcello makes Kimbrel struck out the side in the his season debut Saturday night kids that look up to me for inspiration to know that you can actually go out there and do it’ ninth for his fi rst save of the year. for the third of four games It was another solid outing for against Tampa Bay to start the Reuters ahead of the Nuggets and Clip- a Red Sox starter after Chris Sale season. The Rays will implement Los Angeles Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James pers, who both sit outside the tossed a six-inning one-hitter their “bullpen day” plan Satur- acknowledges the crowd aft er setting the record playoff picture. with nine strikeouts in the sea- day, using a combination of re- for most consecutive games with double digit The Cavaliers cut the Peli- son opener Thursday, only for lievers to pitch the game. eBron James broke the points in NBA history during the game against cans’ 10-point halftime lead to Boston to blow a 4-0 lead in the NBA record for con- New Orleans Pelicans at Quicken Loans Arena. fi ve during the fi rst two minutes bottom of the eighth inning in an RESULTS secutive games scoring PICTURE: USA TODAY Sports of the third quarter, but Mirotic eventual 6-4 defeat. Red Sox ...... 1 Rays ...... 0 at least 10 points and answered with back-to-back The scoreless outings from Marlins ...... 2 Cubs ...... 1 Ladded 17 more as the Cleveland 3-pointers. Price and Sale marked the fi rst ... (17 innings) Cavaliers beat the New Orleans The lead reached 13 before time that the Red Sox’s fi rst two Yankees ...... 4 Blue Jays ..... 2 Pelicans, 107-102, on Friday Clarkson made two 3-pointers starters in a season posted con- Nationals ...... 2 Reds...... 0 night at Quicken Loans Arena in and Jeff Green added a three- secutive scoreless eff orts since Texas ...... 5 Houston ...... 1 Cleveland. point play during a 20-6 run Lefty Grove and Jim Bagby Jr. in Angels ...... 2 A’s ...... 1 It was the 867th consecu- that gave Cleveland a 78-77 1940, according to STATS LLC. Pirates ...... 13 Tigers ...... 10 tive regular-season game in lead. Tampa Bay’s Blake Snell tossed ... (13 innings) which James has scored at least Ian Clark made a jumper for 5 2/3 scoreless innings with three Diamondbacks .9 Rockies ...... 8 10 points, breaking a tie with New Orleans, but Green an- hits, two walks and two strikeouts Philadelphia ...... 5 Atlanta...... 4 Michael Jordan for the longest swered with a jumper that gave in a no-decision. Chaz Roe (0-1) ....(11 innings) such streak in NBA history. The the Cavaliers an 80-79 lead af- allowed a run in 1/3 of an inning Giants...... 1 Dodgers ...... 0 streak began January 5, 2007. ter three quarters. The record will stand for Mirotic and Miller each made at least several years because a 3-pointer to give the Pelicans the next closest active streak an 85-82 lead before Cleveland belongs to Houston’s James made another run. J.R. Smith, Harden (258 after Friday’s game Clarkson and Jose Calderon against Phoenix ). each made a 3-pointer and James was honoured during Cleveland built a 95-88 lead a stoppage in play as the crowd midway through the quarter. of 20,500 gave him a big ovation Holiday scored six straight and he was handed the game New Orleans points, but James ball. countered with eight straight for “It will probably go in my the Cavaliers to give them a 105- trophy case with a lot of accom- 98 lead with 1:59 remaining. plishments in my life,” James Baskets by Solomon Hill and said of the ball. Holiday got the Pelicans within “That’s a good moment, a three and they had a chance special moment not only for to tie, but Holiday’s 3-pointer myself but for my family and for missed with 18 seconds left. so many kids that look up to me Smith made a free throw and for inspiration to know that you Holiday missed another shot Boston Red Sox starting pitcher David Price throws a pitch during can actually go out there and do before Clarkson made a free the first inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field in it. throw for a fi ve-point lead with St. Petersburg. PICTURE: USA TODAY Sports “(You) know, where I’ve come eight seconds left. from, brought up 30 minutes Gerald Green drilled a cor- south of here, and the statis- ner 3-pointer at the buzzer, and Rypien opens up on mental health issues tics is always stacked up against Houston extended its winning you, and for me to be in this po- streak to 11 games with a victory Mark Rypien, the MVP of Super Bowl XXVI, revealed that he once sition today, being able to ac- over Phoenix at Toyota Center. attempted suicide as a result of mental health issues he believes complish something that a lot Rookie Josh Jackson sank a originated from his days of playing football. “I suff er from a complex of people thought would not pull-up jumper with 1.4 sec- stew of mental health conditions,” Rypien told Spokane, Wash., TV happen again or be able to break onds left to push Phoenix back station KHQ. “Dark places, depression, anxiety, addictions, poor a record like that. in front after Rockets guard choices, poor decisions, brought about from dozens of concussions “It means a lot for me.” James Harden hit a game-tying and thousands of subconcussive injuries from playing this sport.” Jordan Clarkson added 23 3-pointer with 12.2 seconds left. Rypien opened up on his mental health with both KHQ-TV and The points and Rodney Hood scored Harden had been 0-for-7 from Spokesman-Review in the hopes that sharing his story would help 16 for the Cavaliers, who main- behind the arc before momen- urge others to share theirs. He said the January suicide of Washing- tained their hold on third place tarily knotting the score at 101. ton State quarterback Tyler Hilinski and the death of Coeur d’Alene in the Eastern Conference. (Idaho) High School principal Troy Schueller from an apparent self- They stayed a half-game RESULTS iNFLicted gunshot wound earlier this month pushed him to speak ahead of Philadelphia, which Cleveland ..107 New Orleans102 out. “Let me share my story so others can share theirs,” Rypien said. beat Atlanta, 101-91, and moved Portland .....105 LA Clippers ... 96 “Let’s get rid of this silence that happens when you’re caught up in a game in front of idle Indiana. Dallas ...... 92 Minnesota ...... 93 this cycle and you don’t know how to find the help I’ve been aff orded. Jrue Holiday led New Orleans Atlanta ...... 91 Philadelphia 101 There are ways to get help... My story is impactful because people with 25 points, Nikola Mirotic third straight game, slipped into on Friday night. who hung on against Dallas, Utah ...... 107 Memphis ...... 97 see me in a diff erent light. I want them to see me in an accurate light. added 20, Anthony Davis scored a tie with Utah for the seventh New Orleans sits one game and Oklahoma City, who lost in Houston .....104 Phoenix ...... 103 I’ve been down the darkest path. I’ve made some horrible, horrible 16 and Darius Miller had 11. spot in the Western Conference back of idle San Antonio and a overtime to Denver. Oklma City 125 Denver ...... 126 mistakes. But I’ve given myself a chance to progress forward.” The Pelicans, who lost their after the Jazz beat the Grizzlies half-game behind Minnesota, The Pelicans are two games Orlando...... 77 Chicago ...... 88

NHL Golden Knights end Blues’ winning streak

By Jim Thomas score in the third period. son and his fi fth in the last nine games. Schenn had another great chance, St. Louis Post-Dispatch The Blues needed at least a point The Blues had the better of it in the early this time from the slot, three minutes to stay in a playoff slot because both going, using tenacious checking to get into the second period, but Subban Colorado and Anaheim won Friday. most of the early off ensive zone time. made the save. Oskar Sundqvist found he St. Louis Blues’ playoff ex- The Ducks have 93 points and the Ava- They even had a pair of power-play himself with the puck right at Subban’s press hit a bump in the road lanche have 92. But the Blues have a chances basically back to back, with feet three minutes later, but former Blue Friday at T-Mobile Arena. A game in hand on both teams, and have just 16 seconds in between them, but Brad Hunt got his stick in the way to 4-3 overtime loss to the expan- two games in hand with the Los Angeles couldn’t stand the prosperity. ruin what looked like a great chance. Tsion Vegas Golden Knights snapped the Kings, barely in third place in the Pacifi c In fact, roughly midway through The Blues survived a Berglund slash- team’s winning streak at six games in a Division with 94 points. the second Vegas penalty - a delay of ing penalty midway through the sec- row, and with just fi ve games left in the Oskar Sundqvist won a dinner bet game penalty against Subban for fi r- ond, but the Golden Knights had more regular season the Blues still have work with Chris Thorburn against San Jose ing the puck over the glass - the Golden off ensive zone time than in the fi rst pe- to do to avoid missing the playoff s for over who would score fi rst this season. Knights tied the score on a short-hand- riod. the fi rst time in seven seasons. Turns out Thorburn was just one game ed goal by William Karlsson. With the period winding down, Ve- At 43-28-4, they have 92 points too late in scoring his fi rst of the season, Karlsson’s 41st goal of the season gas took the lead 3-2 after a takeaway in their quest for a wild-card spot in with a huge goal for the Blues at the 6:14 came after he was sprung on a breaka- in the St. Louis zone. Schwartz slipped, the Western Conference. Johnathan mark of the third period to tie the score way on a stretch pass from Cody Eakin. and Tomas Tatar came up with the puck Marchessault scored the game winner, at 3-all. It became 2-1 Vegas at the 13:31 mark around the blue line. his second goal of the night, just 22 sec- First Thorburn, and then Sundqvist, of the opening period when Marches- He fed Erik Haula down low, who onds into overtime. helped keep the puck alive down be- sault went backdoor on Jake Allen for went across the goal mouth for James Vegas (49-22-7) avoided the fate of low the Vegas net. The puck went to his 26th goal of the season. Neal. Neal, camped near the net, beat current playoff teams Boston, Colum- Scottie Upshall, playing his fi rst game But the Blues had all sorts of chanc- Allen high with a quick shot for his 25th bus and San Jose, who all fell to the since suff ering a knee injury March 3 in es and near chances in the period, and goal of the season at the 16:35 mark. Blues during their winning streak. The Dallas. cashed in at 16:09 when Jaden Schwartz Young defenseman Jordan Schmaltz, Golden Knights can clinch the Pacifi c Upshall fed Thorburn from behind kept the puck alive along the boards and pressed into the lineup following Carl Division title with a victory Saturday the net, and Thorburn skated in front of then fed Brayden Schenn in the right fa- Gunnarsson’s season-ending knee in- over San Jose. Vegas goalie Malcolm Subban and beat ceoff circle. Schenn pivoted and ripped jury last Saturday in Columbus, suf- Entering the game, the Blues were in him through the legs. a shot past Subban for his 26th goal, fered an upper-body injury in the fi rst line to play the Golden Knights in the With a healthy sprinkling of Blues matching his career high set in 2015-16 period and did not return to the game. fi rst round of the playoff s. Coach Mike fans in the building, the crowd at T- in Philadelphia. Yeo reminded his team of that potential Mobile was jacked up from the open- That made it a 2-2 game in a fi rst pe- RESULTS pairing before the contest. ing faceoff . Chants of “Let’s go, Blues!” riod that included only 15 shots com- Toronto ...... 5 NY Islanders .....4 “Let’s send a message here in this erupted less than three minutes into the bined by the teams. Subban, by the way, Tampa Bay ...... 7 NY Rangers ...... 3 game that we wouldn’t be very much game when Patrik Berglund took a feed was starting in place of Marc-Andre Carolina ...... 4 Washington ...... 1 fun to play against,” Yeo said. in the near slot from Alexander Steen Fleury, making him the sixth backup Colorado ...... 5 Chicago ...... 0 It was a message the Blues couldn’t and buried it past goalie Subban. goalie the Blues have faced in their past Anaheim ...... 2 Los Angeles...... 1 (OT) Vegas Golden Knights players celebrate after defeating the St. Louis Blues in quite deliver despite rallying to tie the It was Berglund’s 13th goal of the sea- seven games. Las Vegas...... 4 St. Louis ...... 3 (OT) overtime at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. PICTURE: USA TODAY Sports Gulf Times 6 Sunday, April 1, 2018 SPORT

TENNIS GOLF Fowler slips as Hossler takes lead in Houston Isner stuns Del Potro AFP hole. Houston “Honestly, my goal for the week’s been accomplished just in two rounds,” said Spieth. ickie Fowler edged “I am just trying to show closer to a timely fi rst some consistency and make victory of the year some birdies, see a couple despite letting slip a putts go in,” he added. to reach Miami fi nal shareR of the lead with a closing The day began with Irishman hole bogey on day two of the Dunne taking the fi rst round ‘I have played a lot of big matches and not been able to get such a good start but I Houston Open here Friday. lead as Thursday’s weather-hit Fowler kick-started his fi rst round was completed. am playing some of the best tennis I have played in such a long time’ second round 68 in storming Dunne returned to the manner with four birdies from course at 7.20am local time and AFP his second to sixth holes to birdied two of his closing four Miami race to 10-under par in cloud- holes in an eight-under-par less conditions on a still rain- 64. softened Golf Club of Houston It is the fi rst time Dunne, ohn Isner produced a blis- course. who secured his Houston tering Miami Open semi- The current world number start by fi nishing top-10 in fi nal display against crowd eight then stalled with six last week’s PGA Tour Corales favourite Juan Martin Del straight pars before mov- Championship in the Domini- PotroJ to win 6-1, 7-6 (7/2) and ing into a share of the lead at can Republic, has led a PGA snap the former US Open cham- 11-under after chipping to just Tour event. pion’s 15-match winning streak. 18-inches for birdie at the par- But the fi reworks over his It was a phenomenal eff ort 5 13th hole. fi rst round dried-up with from the American who blasted Fowler, whose last vic- Dunne managing just three down 13 aces and took just one tory came at December’s Hero birdies against two bogeys for hour and 23 minutes to fl oor Ar- World Challenge in the Baha- a 71. gentina’s Del Potro and book his mas, then parred his next four “The course played a lot dif- place in today’s fi nal. Isner will holes only to drop a shot at the ferent heading into my second meet world number fi ve Alexan- last after sending his tee shot round as the wind picked-up der Zverev in the fi nal after the into water down the left side but then to shoot a 64 and to German rolled over Spaniard Pa- of the 18th for a four-under 68. offi cially lead a PGA Tour is blo Carreno Busta 7-6 (7/4), 6-2 The 29-year old Fowler something I haven’t done be- in the other semi-fi nal. headed to the scorer’s hut trail- fore,” he said. “I have played a lot of big ing a stroke behind compatriot “The good thing is I am driv- matches and not been able to get Ben Hossler (68) and tied in ing the ball well and this is after such a good start but I am play- second place with fellow coun- not playing all that well about ing some of the best tennis I have trymen Abraham Ancer (66), three to four weeks ago but played in such a long time,” Isner Sam Ryder (68) and Nicholas I did some good work in the said. Lindheim (66) fortnight leading into last week “I started the tournament well “I got off to a nice start as competing in the Dominican and I have improved with every you can see with four bird- Republic. game. I am super fresh and ready ies through the fi rst six, but it “So, everything is in good to go for the fi nal.” would have been nice to get a place with nothing being spec- An exhausted Del Potro said couple better looks through the tacular.” he is looking forward to some rest of the round and fi nish off much-needed time away from a little bit better,” Fowler said. Leading second round tennis before deciding on when “So, it’s nice to obviously be scores to play next. in the position I’m in and not 133 - Beau Hossler 65-68 Winning the fi nal would have having my best stuff . 134 - Rickie Fowler 66-68, Sam seen him climb to world number “I’ve been playing solid the Ryder 66-68, Abraham Ancer three but simply staying fi t for fi rst two days, but some things 68-66, Nicholas Lindheim the French Open in May is the we can clean up and looking 68-66 ultimate goal. forward to the weekend, for 135 - Paul Dunne (IRL) 64-71, sure.” Bronson Burgoon 67-68, Jor- French Open target Five players - the American dan Spieth 68-67, Kevin Tway “I don’t want to think about foursome of Jordan Spieth (67), 65-70, Julian Suri 66-69 tennis right now,” said the Ar- Bronson Burgoon (68), Kevin 136 - Shawn Stefani 67-69, gentine. Tway (70), Julian Suri (69) Ryan Palmer 66-70, Murray “I just want to stay healthy and Ireland’s Paul Dunne (71) Grayson 67-69, Matt Kuchar and maybe I will miss a few – share sixth place on nine- 68-68, Shane Lowry (IRL) 68- tournaments to get ready for the under par. 68, Luke List 68-68, Chesson French Open. We will come up John Isner of the United States hits a forehand against Juan Martin del Potro of Argentina in their Miami Open semi-final at Tennis Centre at Spieth capped his ever- Hadley 68-68, Bud Caulay with a schedule for the clay court Crandon Park. PICTURE: USA TODAY Sports improving form, and with less 67-69, Sam Saunders 70-66, season. I will go home now, eat than a week to the Masters, James Hahn 69-67, Henrik some barbeque, spend time with at 4-4. with fi ve birdies in a six-hole Stenson (SWE) 68-68, Brett friends and not talk about tennis Isner suddenly had a chance Struggling Djokovic splits with coach Agassi run from the ninth to the 14th Stegmaier 66-69. for the next few weeks.” to break which was saved by Del Isner, who won an impressive Potro after the world number Former world number one Novak Djokovic has slam. 83 percent of points on his sec- 17 hit the net, a mistake which parted company with head coach Andre Agassi After failing to retain his title at Roland Garros, the Park, Lindberg surge into lead ond serve, was aiming to reach was punished by an ace and drop after struggling to rediscover his form following a Serb retired against Czech Tomas Berdych in the his fi fth ATP Masters fi nal and, shot from the crowd favourite. long elbow injury layoff . Wimbledon quarter-finals and was sidelined for six Park Sung-hyun fired an eight-under-par 64 to thrust herself into fi nally, emerge victorious from Deafening chants of ‘Delpo, “With only the best intentions I tried to help months with a recurring elbow injury. contention at the top of the leaderboard at the ANA Inspiration one after four defeats. Delpo’ rang around the main Novak. We far too often found ourselves agreeing Following a last-16 Australian Open exit to South on Friday as she chases a second major after a dazzling rookie The American had never stadium here as the 29-year-old to disagree,” American Agassi said in a statement Korean youngster Chung Hyeon in January, the season. The 24-year-old star from South Korea shrugged off an reached the showpiece here tried to force a deciding set yet broadcast by ESPN. “I wish him only the best mov- 30-year-old Djokovic had elbow surgery but has opening bogey to card seven birdies and an eagle at Mission but knew that with the fi t again Isner’s serve held fi rm to force a ing forward.” struggled to make an impact since returning to Hills in Rancho Mirage, California, to claim a share of the second Del Potro in such devastating tie-break. The split leaves Djokovic’s coaching staff down to action. round lead. Park, who last year won the US Women’s Open at form and unbeaten in his last 15 The momentum was with the Czech Radek Stepanek, who joined on a part-time He suff ered successive defeats this month to Ja- Trump National in her first year on the LPGA Tour, heads into the matches, it would take a monu- American, his serve reaching 136 basis after eight times grand slam winner Agassi pan’s Taro Daniel in the first round at Indian Wells weekend on 12 under alongside Sweden’s Pernilla Lindberg after mental eff ort to upset the Argen- mph as he fl ew into a 3-0 lead. came on board ahead of last year’s French Open. and to Frenchman Benoit Pare at the Miami Open, 36 holes, leading by three from Jessica Korda of the United States tine and his hordes of followers Isner’s serve was relentless and Djokovic, the winner of 12 grand slams, suff ered looking a pale shadow of his former vintage self. on nine under. Lindberg, the first round leader, followed up her at Crandon Park. The American on target every single time mak- a sharp decline in form after lifting his maiden Djokovic is due to play at the Monte Carlo Masters, opening 65 with a five-under-par 67 while Korda remained in the wasted no time in breaking Del ing it impossible for Del Potro to French Open title in 2016 to complete a career which is scheduled for April 14-22. hunt with a 68. Potro and racing into a 3-0 lead get a foothold in the game, and But the day belonged to Korea’s Park, who made the cut of every while sending down fi ve aces on when an excellent passing shot event she entered in her rookie LPGA season, and was also the his own serve to brilliantly wrap gave Isner four match points, oust Carreno Busta and punch faces Isner. Zverev blasted 10 want to serve big,” said Zverev, first rookie in history to make it to world number one in the up the fi rst set in just 27 minutes. he took the fi rst with a brilliant his ticket to the fi nal. The aces and won 88 percent of his who improved to 13-4 on the rankings. Friday’s highlight was an eagle two on the par-four 15th, The second set was a tight af- drop volley to complete one of 20-year-old Zverev will be seek- fi rst serve points in his fi rst ca- season. I was very fortunate to when she holed out from around 100 yards. fair, going into the ninth game the fi nest wins of his career. ing his seventh career ATP title reer meeting with the 26-year- win the fi rst set and then I found “Today the shots were awesome,” Park said afterwards. with the match delicately poised Zverev needed 88 minutes to and fi rst of the season when he old Carreno Busta.“Every day I my game in the second set.”

HORSE RACING Younousse-Tajin win Emir Cup Beach V’ball Thunder Snow triumphs AFP Dubai

hunder Snow stormed to a shock vic- tory in yesterday’s Dubai World Cup to give Godolphin its seventh win in the race, after holding off favourite WestT Coast. Under Belgian jockey Christophe Sou- millon, four-year-old colt Thunder Snow led from the front ahead of West Coast and cruised to victory by fi ve-and-three-quarter lengths to win at odds of 8-1. It gave trainer Saeed bin Suroor an incred- ible eighth Dubai World Cup win and fi rst since Prince Bishop in 2015. It was a third near-miss in big races for the Bob Baff ert-trained West Coast, after fin- ishing second in the Pegasus World Cup and third in the Breeders’ Cup Classic. Jockey Christophe Soumillon celebrates after winning the Dubai World Cup on Thunder Snow But Thunder Snow earned redemption in Dubai yesterday. (AFP) after refusing to run at last year’s Kentucky Derby by winning the $10 million race. ing into the home straight, the three-year- three closing races. After 4-1 favourite Ben- Mubtaahij completed the places in third at old colt was left trailing and only just hung batl powered clear to win the $6 million Du- 28-1, behind stablemate West Coast. on for second. bai Turf, William Buick guided Hawkbill to a North America had been seen as the likeli- The Dubai World Cup retains plenty of front-running victory in the Dubai Sheema Cherif Younousse and Tajin Ahmed of Qatar-3 team receive Emir Cup Beach Volleyball trophy est challenger to West Coast, but missed the its prestige, despite being usurped as the Classic, also worth $6 million. from Secretary-General of the Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC) Jassim Rashid al –Buenain. break to eff ectively end his chances. world’s most lucrative race two years ago by Jungle Cat won the Group-One Al Quoz Younousse and Ahmed won the inaugural event defeating Julio and Martinez (left) of Qatar-1 (2-1) The mile-and-a-quarter contest quickly the Pegasus World Cup. Sprint for Godolphin after favourite Blue in the final at the Sea Line Beach yesterday. They reached the final after beating Al Shamal while became a straight fi ght between the leading But it remains the richest day in interna- Point was a late non-runner, with Mind Your Qatar-1 outplayed Al Khor 21-14, 21-8 in the semi-finals. In the third place playoff , Al Shamal (right) duo, and although West Coast looked well- tional racing, worth $30 million, and Godol- Biscuits claiming the other top-level race of defeated Al Khor 2-1 to book the podium spot. placed on the outside of Thunder Snow com- phin completed a stunning clean sweep of the the day in the Dubai Golden Shaheen. Gulf Times Sunday, April 1, 2018 7 SPORT

FOCUS Al Nasr clinch Qatar Amateur League By Sports Reporter Qatar deserve an amateur league and this Doha tournament illustrates QFA’s 2021 vision to improve and develop amateur football in Qatar. l Nasr defeated Al Matar 2-1 and “I would like to thank the sponsors for fi nished with 30 points to win their support which ensures the over- the Qatar Amateur League (QAL) all success of the QAL. I would also like to yesterday. thank Aspetar for providing the necessary AAl Bidda came second with 29 points af- medical services for the players and ensur- ter defeating Al Khabayib 3-1 in their last ing the medical treatment of players in case game. of injuries.” Al Nasr received a cash prize of Organising the QAL demonstrates QFA’s QR80,000, while Al Bidda and Al Ma- commitment to providing a platform for tar received a cash prize of QR60,000 and teams from the social, corporate and gov- QR40,000 respectively. QR5,000 was given ernmental sectors to integrate and interact to the top scorer of the league Yehia al-Haj through football in a fun and competitive of Qatar University team. Al Matar team environment. won the best team trophy. The participating teams were Qatar Uni- The prize-giving ceremony was attended versity, Al Khabayib, Madinat Khalifa, The by Ambassador of Lebanon Hasan Najem, Pearl, Al Nasr, Lusail, Al Thakhira, Al Thu- QFA Board Member Hani Ballan, Chair- mama, Al Maroona, Al Bidda, Al Aziziya, Al man of the Sub-Leagues Committee at Matar, and Doha. The matches were played Qatar Football Association (QFA) Hilal al- at Doha Stadium, Al Markhiya Sports Club Mohannadi and Community Engagement and Qatar University. Manager at the Supreme Committee for The QAL’s sponsors for this year include Delivery & Legacy Khalid al-Jumaily. The Supreme Committee for Delivery & Hilal al-Mohannadi commented: “Con- Legacy as the Offi cial Strategic Partner, gratulations to Al Nasr on winning the Qatar National Bank (QNB) as the Exclu- fi fth edition of the Qatar Amateur League. sive Financial Partner, Nike as the Offi cial They have played well and deserved to win Supplier, Al Kass Channel as the Offi cial champions tonight. The goal of organiz- Broadcaster and The Look Company as the ing the QAL is that the amateur players in Branding Partner. Al Nasr players celebrate with the trophy after winning the Qatar Amateur League.

SPOTLIGHT EMIR’S CUP BASKETBALL Bolds, Stoglin shine as Wakrah and Lebanon regain Rayyan post wins

Leabanon, India were tied By Sports Reporter from three-pointers, and he also Doha shot a 100% from free throws – 1-1 and match was forced nailing seven out of seven. For Al Arabi, William Byrd into penalty shootout emarius Bolds scored a scored 29 points, while Nichlas ACFT trophy match-high 34 points Stover had 25 and Khalid Abdi 12. as Al Wakrah raised In the second match of the their game a notch at day, Al Rayyan defeated Qatar Dthe halfway stage and clinched Sports Club 98-93 with the pat- an 83-75 win in the Emir’s Cup tern of play similar to that of the basketball tournament at the Al earlier tie. Gharafa Sports Club yesterday. Qatar Sports Club made a fast Bolds was superbly aided by start to lead the fi rst quarter 23- Adamu Saaka who recorded 22 20 and then 47-41 at the halfway points of his own as Al Wak- stage. However, Al Rayyan, much rah overcame a stumbling start like Al Wakrah earlier turned the to put it across their rivals in a tables with fi ne displays in the match which Al Arabi led for 31 fi nal two quarters. minutes. After tying the scores at 66 Al Arabi raced to a 20-12 lead at the end of the third quarter, after the fi rst quarter and main- Al Rayyan went on a scoring tained their momentum for a spree over the fi nal 10 minutes to substantial 33-23 advantage at record 32 points. the midway stage. Qatar Sports Club didn’t fare The course of the match too badly either with 27 points, swung after that, however, as Al but in the fi nal analysis that Wakrah produced 26 points in proved a futile eff ort. the third quarter and restricted Terrel De Von Stoglin was the Al Arabi to just 16. to-scorer for Al Rayyan with 34 That saw the teams headed points, while Mohamed Abdelk- into the fourth period with the away and Abdelrehman Abdel- scores tied at 49, but Al Wak- haleem had 16 each. rah came up with a spectacular For Qatar Sports Club, Baden 34-point eff ort that left Al Arabi Jaxen scored 26, while Abdirah- totally stumped. man Giama and Brandan Kear- Of Bolds’ 34 points, 15 came ney scored 24 each.

Lebanon players celebrate after winning the Sixth Asian Communities Football Tournament at the Al Arabi Stadium. PICTURE: Shemeer Rasheed Al Wakrah and Al Arabi players in action during their Emir’s Cup basketball tournament at the Al Gharafa Sports Club yesterday. By Sports Reporter Shamsuddin, ambassador of nity engagement amongst the football in Qatar, and also en- allow the community teams Doha the Philippines Alan L Tim- various communities in Qatar courages the various commu- to take part in the fun-packed bayan, ambassador of India P through football. nities to lead a healthy lifestyle tournament during the week- Kumaran and ambassador of “We thank our partners for through playing football. Leba- end. Jordan, India, Philippines, QNB to sponsor Qatar Cycling ebanon regained the Lebanon Hasan Najem. their ongoing support which non and Jordan communities Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Korea Re- and Triathlon activities Sixth Asian Commu- The fi nal was also attended started in 2013, their support have a big passion for football public, Singapore, Japan, Leba- nities Football Tour- by Qatar Football Associa- is valuable for the ACFT and it and their teams possess incred- non, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Qatar Cycling and Triathlon Federation announced the sponsorship nament (ACFT) after tion (QFA) Board Member Hani also provides a unique oppor- ible football skills.” and Nepal were the participat- agreement with QNB for its activities in the coming period. Ldefeating India in a penalty- Ballan, Chairman of the Sub- tunity for community teams The sixth ACFT is sponsored ing teams. The agreement was signed by assistant general manager of the shootout (4-3) after a 1-1 dead- Leagues Committee at QFA to take part in this signifi cant by the Supreme Committee for The tournament this year bank’s communications department Salem Anzan al-Nuaimi and lock at the Al Arabi Stadium. Hilal al-Mohannadi and Com- tournament while allowing the Delivery & Legacy as the of- followed the traditional format president of the Qatar Cycling Federation and Triathlon Dr Mo- Lebanon, who fi rst won the munity Engagement Manager teams to display their talents fi cial strategic partner, Nike as of twelve teams being split into hamed Jaham al-Kuwari. The sponsorship comes within the frame- title in 2015, also received a cash at the Supreme Committee for and love for football.” the offi cial supplier, and Al Kass two groups of six where they work of the QNB keenness to support Qatari sport in general and to prize of QR15,000, while India Delivery & Legacy Khalid Khalid al-Jumaily said: “I Sports Channels as the offi cial played group stage matches, continue to raise the level of cycling and triathlon in Qatar. and Jordan received cash prizes al-Jumaily. would like to congratulate broadcaster. Organised by the followed with the top four “This new sponsorship aimed at supporting aerobics and triathlon, of QR10,000 and QR5000 re- Speaking on the occasion, Lebanon on winning fi rst place QFA, the ACFT is a community teams of each group qualifying which have seen great development in Qatar over the past years spectively. Top scorer of the Hilal al-Mohannadi said: “I tonight, and I would also like tournament which brings to- for the knockout stage. and is very popular with young people and children in Qatar,” said tournament Hussein Mansour would like to congratulate to congratulate India on earn- gether various Asian communi- The ACFT was launched in al-Nuaimi. received QR5,000 and a trophy. Lebanon on winning the title ing second place in the tourna- ties residing in Qatar to display sports season 2012-2013 and He pointed out that this sponsorship also comes within the QNB’s Mohamed al-Saghir was ad- of this year’s Asian Communi- ment. India played really well their football passion on the witnessed the participation of policy to support all national institutions and federations in the judged the best player, while Ali ties Football Tournament, they throughout the match, howev- fi eld, and encourages them to six teams in the fi rst edition. sports sector in Qatar in line with the vision and mission of the Krayem was declared the best deserved the win. We are very er, Lebanon were determined to play more football in a fun com- In its’ fi rst edition, the tour- Group on one hand, and to strengthen the Qatari sports movement goalkeeper of the tournament. happy with the turnout of fans win this edition, and were keen petitive environment. nament saw huge success and on the other hand. The best coach award went to to the fi nal as it demonstrates on not repeating what hap- The 12-team tournament was as a result, the following edi- On his part, Dr al-Kuwari expressed hope that national and private Ali Koteish. the football passion in Qatar. pened in last year’s fi nal, which played from January 11 to March tions witnessed a big increase companies and institutions would follow the example of QNB, The fi nal match and the clos- The ACFT demonstrates QFA’s was to lose against Jordan. 30 at the Al Gharafa Stadium, in the number of participating stressing that the Federation is always striving to achieve the best ing ceremony were attended by objective which is to organise a “We are happy to sponsor the the Al Markhiya Sports Club, teams as more communities ex- results and the largest, both at the level of hosting major tourna- ambassador of Nepal Ramesh tournament that acts as an ef- ACFT once again as we consider the Doha Stadium and Al Arabi pressed huge interest in being ments and participation or achieve victories and culmination in Prasad Koirala, ambassador of fective tool to help support in- it to be a tournament that suc- Stadium. Matches were played part of the exciting community competitions. (QNA) Malaysia Dato’ Ahmad Fadil tegration and positive commu- cessfully spreads the culture of on Thursdays and Fridays to tournament.

Sunday, April 1, 2018 GULF TIMES SPORT

QATAR SUPERSTOCK 600 Al-Sulaiti and al-Naimi win to set up exciting fi nal round Essa al-Mutawa and Jassim al-Thani emerge winners in the QSTK Trophy at Losail International Circuit

By Sports Reporter Doha Action from the fourth round of the Qatar Superstock 600 Race 1 at the Losail International Circuit yesterday.

aeed al-Sulaiti and Mishal al- Naimi shared the spoils, win- ning a race each during the fourth round of the Qatar Su- perstockS 600 at the Losail Internation- al Circuit yesterday. But it was al-Naimi who went home to happier, having taken a slender one point lead over al-Sulaiti in the cham- pionship race, with just one round re- maining. In fi rst race, al-Sulaiti topped the timesheets, followed by Nasser al-Mal- ki and al-Naimi in third place. Qatar’s young rider Abdullah al- Qubaisi impressed when he led in the fi rst seven laps, but unfortunately en- countered a problem with the gear box and had to fi nish in fourth place. Hun- garian rider Balint Kovacs came fi fth. In the second race of the day, al-Nai- mi stood on top of the podium and to his delight saw his championship rival al-Sulaiti fi nish eighth. The race was fi lled with drama as Soud al-Thani crashed at Turn 6 which brought a temporary halt to the action as the red fl ag was waved. After the re- start, with only 10 laps remaining, al- Naimi pushed from the beginning and took the lead. In the sixth lap, al-Sulaiti overtook al-Naimi and led the race but crashed in Turn 15 on the penultimate lap. The de- fending champion was able to rejoin the race but al-Naimi stormed to victory and lead the championship by a slender margin. Al-Malki fi nished again in sec- ond, while al-Qubaisi took third place. Al-Sulaiti was happy with his win in the fi rst race, but disappointed with the result in the second. “In the fi rst race, I was not expecting to win as I had a bad Qatar Superstock 600 Race 1 winner Saeed al-Sulaiti (centre), runner-up Nasser al-Malki (left) In the QSTK Trophy, pole-sitter Essa al-Mutawa won the first race, with Soud al-Thani in second and Jassim day yesterday. In practice I was trying and Mishal al-Naimi, who finished third, pose on the podium yesterday. al-Thani in third at the Losail International Circuit to fi nd the right set up with these con- ditions and it was tough so I did some He was impressed with Abdullah al- For Mishal al-Naimi the fourth round race I felt better with the bike as I put Soud al-Thani in second and Jassim easy. I didn’t fi ght and decided to keep change today and it was better,” he said. Qubaisi’s performance yesterday. “Ab- of the championship could not have more pressure on the tyres but af- al-Thani in third. The second race was the position which was good for my “In the second race, I had a good start dullah did a great job this weekend and I been better. “In the fi rst race I had a ter four laps I had a problem with the clinched by Jassim al-Thani, with al- championship hopes as Soud was out in and I knew that Mishal will be strong am really happy to see him in this form. problem with my arm and I tried to stay tyres and I slowed half a second and it Mutawa fi nishing second. Kuwaiti rider the second race,” said al-Mutawa. with new tires. In the middle of the race I worked really hard with him and fi nal- in the front group but it was not possi- is when Saeed passed me. Overall I am Mohamed al-Zaidan ended the race in Jassim al-Thani was pleased with I caught up Mishal but unfortunately ly it is paying off now. He is the young- ble at the beginning. Later I pushed and very happy with the results, I am again third place. his results this weekend, having had at corner 15, I lost the front. I am not est Qatari rider and we all are counting I managed to be in second position but leading the championship and many Al-Mutawa is now leading the QSTK to start from the back of the grid. The happy with the crash. This is the sec- on him to take this sport to another lev- in the last lap I couldn’t break and con- thanks to Ooredoo for sponsoring me trophy and hopes to keep his perform- trophies were presented by Abdulrazak ond time this season this happened to el. I would like to thank to QMMF and trol the bike, so Nasser passed me and I and to Losail Circuit Sports Club and ance level up. “In the second race I tried al-Kuwari, QMMF General Secretary me, but still there are some positives to Losail Circuit Sports Club and also to fi nished third.” al-Naimi explained. QMMF for the championship,” he said. to win again and I pushed until the last and Juan Baquero, CEO Losail Circuit take and I have a chance to come back,” Ooredoo for their sponsor for believing “In the second race, I tried to push In the QSTK Trophy, pole-sitter Essa four laps. But I had problem with the Sports Club. The fi fth and fi nal round added al-Sulaiti. in me,” al-Sulaiti said. from the fi rst lap after the restart of the al-Mutawa won the fi rst race, with front tyre and then I decided to take it will take place on 6th & 7th April 2018.

SPOTLIGHT Al-Emadi clinches Big Tour Class at Hathab series

By Sports Reporter Doha

alman Mohammed al-Emadi emerged triumphant in the Big Tour class during the 10th leg of the Hathab Qatar Equestrian TourS yesterday At the Al Shaqab Indoor arena, al- Emadi guided his 17-year-old geld- ing Zorro Z to a comfortable win. The pair was comfortably the fastest in the fi eld, as they fi nished their jump-off in 39.55secs, which earned al-Emadi QR7500 in prize money. Saeed Nasser al-Qadi continued his terrifi c form as he fi nished runner-up with Desperadito. Abdullah Ali al-Ajeil had to contend with third place despite timing second fastest Blanca, as he was penalised four second seconds for a fall. Saeed Nasser al-Qadi collected his second win of the leg after clinching the Open Class title. Al-Qadi had won Medium Tour class on the opening day and he was in fi ne form yesterday too. Saeed Nasser al-Qadi guides Daydreamer EC to Open Class title. The Qatari rider piloted Daydreamer EC to victory in 58.62 secs. Mohamed QR3,750 al-Ghazali (Casanova SCH) fi nished 2. Mohammed al-Ghazali. Casanova SCH. second, while Ahmed Mohamed al-Ba- Salman Mohammed al-Emadi receives his winner’s trophy from Al Shaqab’s 60.03secs. QR3,000 di (Latino 291) completed the podium. Commercial Manager Omar al-Mannai after he won the Big Tour class during the 3. Ahmed Mohammed al-Badi. Latino 291. In the Dressage events, Ali Mohamed 10th leg of the Hathab Qatar Equestrian Tour yesterday. PICTURES: Lotfi Garsi 61.87secs. QR2,250 al-Marri won the Level 1 competition Dressage Level 1 - Test B, Prize Money with Fernhill Friendly Touch as the pair bin Hamad al-Thani, president of the only top seven results to be counted. QR10,000 tallied 70.000 points. Saeed Hamad Qatar Olympic Committee. The champi- 1. Ali Mohammed al-Marri. Horse: Fernhill al-Rashdi (Graffi ti De Lully CH) was onship is jointly organised by Al Shaqab RESULTS Friendly Touch. Score: 70.000. Prize second, followed by Hassan al-Nuaimi and Qatar Equestrian Federation. Big Tour, Table A, One round against the money: QR2,800 (Santa Cruz III) third. The series, which carries a total prize clock with jump off , Art. 238.2.2, 2. Saeed Hamad al-Rashdi. Graff iti De Lully In Dressage Level 2, Saoud Ahmed money of QR1mn, is open for Qatari 130/140cm. Prize Money: QR30,000 CH. 69.200. QR2,250 al-Boinin came on top with Champi- nationals and also to residents of Qatar. 1. Salman Mohammed al-Emadi. Horse: 3. Hassan Hassan al-Nuaimi. Santa Cruz III. on’s Prince. Sheikha Alanoud al-Thani Organisers aim to improve the standard Zorro Z. Time: 39.55secs. Prize money: 68.200. QR1,750 (Candyman) fi nished second, while of horse riding among Qatari youths QR7,500 Dressage Level 2 - Test B, Prize Money Paula Vazquez Morales (Whisper Mag- through Hathab, while also encourag- 2. Saeed Nasser al-Qadi. Desperadito. QR5,000 ic) and Mia Kardos (Toberlina T) shared ing the involvement of private stables 42.86. QR6,000 1. Saoud Ahmed al-Boinin. Horse: Cham- the third respectively. and individual horse owners to increase 3. Abdullah Ali al-Ajeil. Blanca. 41.25. pion’s Prince. Score: 64.583. Prize money: There are two more rounds of Hathab awareness of horsemanship as part of QR4,500 QR1,750 remaining with the 11th leg to be held on Qatar’s history and tradition. Results Open Class, Table A, One round against 2. Sheikha Alanoud al-Thani. Candyman. April 13 and 14. The 12th and fi nal round of the competition will be used in the the clock, Art. 238.2.1, 115/125cm, Prize 63.333. QR1,400 is scheduled for 26th, 27th and 28th of selection process of riders to represent Money: QR15,000 3. Paula Vazquez Morales. Whisper Magic. April. Hathab, meaning ‘Canter’ in Ara- Qatar in future international competi- 1. Saeed Nasser al-Qadi. Horse: Daydream- 61.250. QR925 bic, is an initiative of HE Sheikh Joaan tions. Each leg will carry points, with er EC. Time: 58.62 secs. Prize money: 3. Mia Kardos. Toberlina T. 61.250. QR925. Winners of the Dressage competition pose on the podium.