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Wednesday, March 11, 2020 FORMULA 1 Rajab 16, 1441 AH Can Vettel GULF TIMES fulfi l title dream with Ferrari? SPORT Page 7

FOOTBALL/ AMIR CUP SPOTLIGHT Football in Spain, France, Germany Hallgrimsson goes behind closed doors: coronavirus

AFP In France, football authori- Paris ties ordered Ligue 1 and Ligue 2 says Al Arabi ready games to be held behind closed doors until April 15, after the government on Sunday issued a ootball matches in the ban on gatherings of more than top two divisions in 1,000 people. Spain, France and Ger- Further details on arrange- many will be played be- ments will be provided following hindF closed doors for at least a board meeting on Wednesday, for ‘tough’ Al Ahli the next two weeks, offi cials the league said in a statement. announced yesterday, follow- So far, France has recorded ing the decision by Italy’s gov- 1,606 cases of COVID-19 infec- ernment to suspend top-fl ight tions and 30 deaths. games until April 3 due to the Paris Saint-Germain’s Cham- coronavirus epidemic. pions League match at the Parc German football also felt the des Princes against Borus- eff ects of the deadly virus, which sia Dortmund on Wednesday has killed more than 4,000 peo- had already been forced behind ple worldwide, with fans barred closed doors. from two Bundesliga games France’s scheduled friend- as well as the national team’s lies against Ukraine in Paris on March 31 friendly at home to March 27 and Finland in Lyon Italy. on March 31 will also be held at La Liga said fi xtures in Spain’s empty venues. top two tiers will go ahead in The League Cup fi nal between front of empty stands for the PSG and Lyon at the Stade de next fortnight following a de- France on April 4 is another fi x- cision that sporting events in ture that could be impacted as the country at state and inter- well. national level should be played PSG had already had their without fans to limit the spread Ligue 1 match at Strasbourg on of the virus. Saturday postponed due to the “According to information extent of the outbreak in the Al- from the High Sports Council sace region of eastern France. (CSD), La Liga Santander and La In Italy, Prime Minister Liga SmartBank matches will be Giuseppe Conte on Monday an- played behind closed doors from nounced the suspension of all today and for at least the next sporting events in the country two weeks,” a La Liga statement until next month, as part of a read. nationwide lockdown. “La Liga will remain in per- The unprecedented measures manent contact with the Min- limiting travel and banning pub- istry of Health and the CSD to lic gatherings across the country meet their recommendations of more than 60 mn people came and/or decisions, and put fi rst after 97 more deaths took Italy’s the health of fans, players, club toll to 463. employees and journalists dur- “There is no reason why ing the health crisis of COV- matches and sporting events ID-19.” should continue and I am think- Real Madrid’s game against ing of the football champion- Eibar at the Santiago Bernabeu ship,” said Conte. on Friday will be the weekend’s “I’m sorry but all the fans fi rst fi xture aff ected as authori- must take note of it, we will not ties step up attempts to contain even allow gyms to be used for the outbreak. sports activities,” he added. Two local derbies will also go Today’s Rhine derby between ahead in empty stadiums as Va- Borussia Moenchengladbach lencia face Levante at Mestalla and Cologne will be the fi rst Al Arabi skipper Aron Gunnarsson (left) and coach Heimir Hallgrimsson at their pre-match press conference yesterday. At bottom, Al Ahli coach Nebojsa Jovovic. on Saturday before Sevilla host game in Bundesliga history to be Real Betis at the Ramon Sanchez played without fans. Pizjuan on Sunday. The game is one of several AL ARABI HAVE WON QATAR’S RICHEST TOURNAMENT EIGHT TIMES Barcelona had earlier con- high-profi le fi xtures in Germany fi rmed their Champions League set to be played without fans in tie against Napoli at the Camp the coming weeks, including By Amjad Vanimal hero as his two crucial saves sealed Ara- Nou on March 18 would be Saturday’s Ruhr derby between Doha bi’s place in the quarter-fi nals. played without spectators. Borussia Dortmund and Schalke, Al Arabi skipper Aron Gunnarsson, However, Real Madrid fans and Bayern Munich’s Champi- who also attended the press conference, will be hoping to be able to travel ons League clash with Chelsea l Arabi are keen to end the sea- added: “We are all set to face Al Ahli in to England to see their team go next week. son on a high with a semi-fi nal our quarter-fi nal clash. The last game up against Manchester City at Portugal’s Primeira Liga will spot in the Amir Cup their im- was tough but we played really well. We the Etihad Stadium on March 17. also go behind closed doors with mediate priority, coach Heimir want to move ahead and show our best.” Spain had registered more immediate eff ect with no date AHallgrimsson said yesterday. Al Arabi will be missing some of the key than 1,500 cases of coronavi- given for reopening stadiums Al Arabi have won Qatar’s richest tour- players but both coach and skipper be- rus yesterday, with the deci- to fans, the Portuguese football nament eight times, but the last of their lieve that the squad are still strong to face sion made on Monday to close federation said. triumphs came in 1993 and, after a run- any opponents. all schools in the Madrid area Last week action in the top ners-up fi nish the following year, they “We will miss the services of Morteza from Wednesday until the end of two divisions of Swiss football have never reached the fi nal of the event Pouraliganji and Ismail Moussa. We are March. was suspended until March 23. as teams such as Al Ittihad, Al Sadd, Al used to it and we still feel we are good Rayyan and Al Duhail began to assert enough”, Halgrimmsson concluded. themselves at the domestic level. Meanwhile, Al Ahli coach Nebojsa Jo- “We know it’s going to be a very tough vovic is hopeful of a good show from his game. We have done quite well in the past side. 5-6 years and we are extremely optimis- “Our preparations went off well and we tic about our performance,” Hallgrimsson are ready to face Al Arabi. We focused on said yesterday during his pre-match press building our team spirit and it’s working conference held at Al Bidda Tower. out right,” Jovovic said. The match is scheduled to be played “Learning from the last game’s mis- at Abdullah bin Khalifa Stadium today at takes, we are ready to move on and show 6.30pm. the best of us,” Jovovic added. “We had put up a strong performance Al Ahli’s last match against Qatar SC at against Al Khor in our previous match. the Grand Hamad Stadium proved to be a The positive thing is that our players thriller with Al Ahli scoring a late goal to are well aware of the responsibility they ing a 2-0 in the fi rst-half. However, Hal- Michel Lasogga struck from the penalty register a fi ghting win. have”, Hallgrimsson added. grimmsson introduced Hamdi Harbaoui spot “Every day is a diff erent day. Every next Al Arabi defeated Al Khor 4-3 on pen- and goalkeeper Mahmoud Abunada and A minute later Harbaoui made it 2-2 game is a diff erent game. We have learned alties to make the last eight of Amir Cup. that proved to be masterstrokes. after taking advantage of a defensive slip a lot from our past and we are ready to Chinese student Gao Jia Xin and another man walk outside the Camp At one point, Al Khor seemed to be cruis- Al Arabi mounted a strong comeback, from Al Khor and take the match to pen- move on”, Al Ahli player Nabil El Zhar Nou after FC Barcelona announced that their Champions League ing towards the quarter-fi nals after tak- scoring in the 74th minute when Pierre- alties. In the shootout, Abunada was the said. match versus Napoli will be played behind closed doors. Gulf Times 2 Wednesday, March 11, 2020 FOOTBALL

SPOTLIGHT ROUND-UP ‘Scared’ players wanted Italian Klopp, Guardiola voice league stopped sooner: Caputo

AFP Rome

assuolo striker Francesco concerns over matches Caputo said that ‘scared’ Serie A players wanted the league stopped ear- lierS because of the coronavirus crisis. In the fi nal Serie A game before a government announce- ment halting the league until behind closed doors April 3, Sassuolo beat Brescia 3-0 behind closed doors in Reg- Nearly 3,000 Atletico fans are expected to travel to Liverpool for the Champions League game gio Emilia on Monday. Caputo scored a brace and af- AFP ter his fi rst goal held up a hand- Liverpool written message on piece of paper, urging fans: “Everything will be fi ne. Stay at home.” urgen Klopp said yesterday he A few hours later Italian Prime was unsure whether closing Minister Guiseppe Conte used stadiums would help tackle the similar words as he announced coronavirus as Pep Guardiola ad- a countrywide lockdown. “We mittedJ he did not like the idea of match- thought that the championship es being played in empty stadiums. would stop sooner,” the 32-year- No restrictions have yet been placed old Caputo said. “We want to on games played in Britain and Liver- protect our families. For exam- pool will host Atletico Madrid today in ple, at home I have my wife with front of a capacity crowd of more than three children, not letting them 50,000. leave home is very diffi cult but Nearly 3,000 Atletico fans are ex- we are very attentive to the rules, pected to travel for the game even to contacts. We live in a dress- though La Liga has announced that all ing room every day, we are 30 matches in Spain will be played behind people, it’s not easy and we must closed doors for the next two weeks. safeguard everyone’s health.” “Some things are more important than Caputo, who has scored 13 football, we realise that in this mo- goals this season, said he had not ment,” Liverpool boss Klopp said ahead told anyone about his message. of his side’s Champions League last-16, “It was my idea. I hadn’t told second-leg match. anyone. I wanted to get this mes- “I don’t know enough about how sage across. It is a diffi cult period much it would help with the foot- for the whole nation, it’s absurd. ball games. The problem with football “Even those in the world of games is if you are not at the stadium football didn’t know until the you are in closed rooms watching, may- last minute whether we would be together. I’m not sure what is better play are not. We regret this and in this case.” we’re afraid too. Now we must Liverpool are expected to wrap up a pull together and start again.” fi rst English league title in 30 years in the coming weeks but could do so in an MAN UTD VS LASK IN empty stadium if authorities tighten the EUROPA LEAGUE TO BE rules. The Champions League has been PLAYED IN EMPTY STADIUM severely disrupted by the fast-spread- Manchester United’s Europa ing virus. League last-16 tie against LASK Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona will be played in an empty sta- will play their second-leg matches be- dium due to the coronavirus hind closed doors, while it remains to Liverpool coach Jurgen Klopp and Manchester City’s manager Pep Guardiola (right). (Reuters / AFP) outbreak, the Austrian Bundes- be seen if Juventus can host Lyon next liga side said. The fi rst-leg tie week with Italy in lockdown. Man- I wouldn’t love it. But if (European gov- not play until the Merseyside derby at in the Europa League on Thursday in an Diego Simeone’s side frustrated is scheduled to be played in Linz chester City boss Guardiola believes it erning body) UEFA or the government Goodison on Monday night. empty stadium in Greece, said football the Reds in Spain three weeks ago and tomorrow. “The UEFA Europa is only a matter of time before English say we have to play without spectators, With Liverpool needing six more should stop instead of being played be- Klopp demanded a higher tempo from League home game against Man- clubs face further restrictions. we will do it. The health is the most im- points to secure the title, two successive hind closed doors. his side to unsettle Atletico’s famously chester United... must take place City play Arsenal at home today in a portant thing and we have to take care of City defeats could see them crowned “If we have to go we will. But we don’t well-organised defence. without spectators,” the Austrian re-arranged game — the situation.” without kicking a ball, though of all agree — we’re not happy to go,” he said. “If you play predictable, Atletico de- club said. “The association will when Guardiola will go head to head Sergio Aguero should be fi t for the the permutations and possibilities sur- “Behind closed doors doesn’t make fends you for the next six months with- provide further details after pub- with his former assistant, Mikel Arteta. visit of the Gunners, while Kevin de rounding the eventual moment when a sense,” he added. “We’re pretending out a rest,” said Klopp. “It is really good lication of the relevant decree.” Guardiola, whose side are due to host Bruyne, who has missed the last two 30-year wait is ended, Guardiola’s team to live a normal life when things aren’t what they are doing, (I have the) highest Austrian Interior Minis- Real Madrid in the Champions League City games with a shoulder injury, is losing two home games in succession is normal.” respect, but there are ways and we have ter Karl Nehammer said earlier next week, does not want a prolonged back in training and will be subject to among the more outlandish. On the pitch, Klopp is focused on to fi nd them tomorrow night.” yetserday that the country had period of games without fans. a later fi tness assessment. The Arsenal overturning a 1-0 fi rst-leg defi cit Jordan Henderson and Andy banned indoor events of more “We are here for the people. If it’s just game is the fi rst of two City must play FOOTBALL SHOULD STOP, SAYS against Atletico today to maintain his Robertson will be fi t to return from in- than 100 people and outdoor one or two games, OK, but not longer,” before Liverpool are in action again – WOLVES COACH SANTO record of never losing a two-legged jury for Liverpool, but goalkeeper Alis- events of more than 500 in a bid he said. “We play for them and if they Guardiola’s team also face Burnley at Wolves boss Nuno Espirito Santo, European tie in fi ve years as Liverpool son Becker remains sidelined by a hip to slow the spread of the corona- cannot be there, then there is no sense. home on Saturday while the leaders do whose side are due to face Olympiakos boss. problem. virus.

OPINION FOCUS Neville warns games in empty Nottingham Forest and Olympiakos stadiums threaten smaller clubs owner reveals he has coronavirus Reuters fans, is the best option. “I do not support match- London es played behind closed doors,” Neville said on Paul MacInnes Twitter. “If it’s necessary to shut down stadiums, The Guardian the associations must fi nd a way of delaying the ormer Manchester United defender, and season and playing the games when it is safe to do part-owner of English fourth-tier club so to protect the revenues for clubs that require he owner of Nottingham Salford City, Gary Neville says playing this income to survive.” Forest and Olympiakos matches behind closed doors could have The Premier League’s current fi ve bn pounds has tested positive for seriousF consequences for club’s outside the Pre- ($6.47bn) domestic TV deal from 2019-2022 has coronavirus, prompting mier League. maintained the English top-fl ight’s place as the Ta scramble to contain the pos- English football has so far carried on regardless world’s richest soccer league. Even the club that sible spread of infection among of the coronavirus virus crisis that has shut down fi nishes bottom this year will earn around 100mn fans and players. Evangelos the Italian Serie A and prompted the Spanish and pounds in TV revenue. Marinakis was present at the French leagues to announce that matches will go Bournemouth’s accounts to June 2018 showed City Ground last Friday night for ahead without supporters present. gate receipts of 5.29mn, just 4% of the club’s Forest’s 3-0 defeat to Millwall. While the government declared on Monday annual turnover. It is a far cry from the Football He also met the Forest squad and that it remains business as usual for sporting League, England’s second, third and fourth tier, posed for photos with several events, a continued rise in the amount of infec- where many smaller clubs operate on extremely fans. On 27 February he was at tions could result in similar measures to those be- tight budgets. the Emirates Stadium as Olym- ing employed on the continent. “For league clubs that can’t aff ord this disrup- piakos knocked Arsenal out of Such is the huge amount of money Premier tion, money is everything!” Neville said.” (Delay- the Europa League. League clubs rake in from broadcasting, playing ing the fi xtures) keeps people safe and protects Marinakis confi rmed he had matches behind closed doors would have a mini- the revenue the clubs need. the virus in a post on Instagram. mal fi nancial impact. “Playing behind closed doors is not an option “The recent virus has ‘visited’ For lower league clubs, gate revenues are of- in my opinion. Some clubs would require short me and I felt obliged to let the ten the lifeblood for the day-to-day operation term loans that could be repaid when the games public know,” he wrote. “I feel and Neville says delaying the season, not barring do get played.” good as I take all the necessary Evangelos Marinakis was present at the City Ground last Friday for Forest’s defeat to Millwall. On 27 measures and I discipline to the February he was at the Emirates as Olympiakos knocked Arsenal out of the Europa League. (Reuters) doctors instructions. I strongly advise all my fellow citizens to over what steps to take next. met the Forest squad in the for comment. do the same. I wish all a quick re- In a statement the club said: dressing room before the Millwall Coronavirus can be present in covery.” “Nottingham Forest can confi rm match and, according to the Dai- the body for 14 days before mani- Olympiakos are due to play that owner Evangelos Marinakis ly Telegraph, shaken the hands of festing symptoms, which means Wolves in the Europa League has tested positive for the coro- the players. With skin-to-skin that Marinakis’s presence at the Gary Neville says delaying tomorrow, with Uefa having al- navirus. Mr Marinakis was di- contact one of the ways in which Emirates could also be a concern. the season, not barring fans, ready announced that the game agnosed after showing the fi rst coronavirus is transferred, the An Arsenal spokesman said: is the best option. will take place behind closed symptoms on his return to Greece Forest players will now have to be “Our home match with Olym- doors to limit the risk of trans- yesterday afternoon. During his tested for the virus, and there will piakos was played on Thursday mission. There will be further short stay in Nottingham last also be concern over the fans who 27 February and none of our staff uncertainty now as to whether week he did not show any symp- met with Marinakis outside the who came into contact with him the game should go ahead at all, toms of the virus. The club are ground after the game. on that matchday have reported and concern over upcoming fi x- seeking advice from medical A club spokesman for Millwall any symptoms since. We con- tures in the Championship and professionals and the relevant said: “Millwall are aware of the tinue to follow strict protocols perhaps even Premier League. governing bodies to ensure the news and are seeking appropri- with regard to coronavirus. We’re Forest’s next fi xture is scheduled correct measures are taken. Until ate medical advice and guidance. following the government health to take place away at Sheffi eld this time the club will be making All necessary precautions are al- guidelines and have additional Wednesday on Saturday and the no further comment.” ready being taken.” The Guardian procedures in place to protect EFL are in contact with the club Marinakis is believed to have has contacted Nottingham Forest our players and staff .” Gulf Times Wednesday, March 11, 2020 3 FOOTBALL

SPOTLIGHT Coach Dalic announces Croatia squad for Qatar Airways tournament By Sports Reporter ter and said that they were acting as if Doha everyone would be able to play and that the tournament would go according to plan. roatia national team coach “I sincerely hope that this will hap- Zlatko Dalic yesterday an- pen, that there will be no cancellation, nounced the list of players to but we will follow the course of the sit- compete in the Qatar Airways uation and act accordingly. We put a lot InternationalC Tournament scheduled of players on the call-up list if some- to be held in Doha from March 26 to 30. thing that we can’t infl uence happens.” The Qatar capital will host the four- What does Dalic expect to see in nation tournament which along with these two games? “I plan to give eve- World Cup runners-up Croatia, fea- ryone a chance to play, to get minutes tures world No. 1 Belgium, current Euro and to reunite, to see the players and champions Portugal and Switzerland. in what condition they are. The agree- All four teams are also taking part in ment with Kalinic is that if he does not Euro 2020 in the summer. defend, we will replace him with Grbic. Croatia is set to play against Swit- We’ll try some systems and see what we zerland on March 26 and against can do. We don’t have much time later Portugal on March 30. According to and we have to make the most of it.” total-croatia-news.com, the tourna- ment plans to go ahead, even though CROATIA SQUAD the spread of coronavirus around the Goalkeepers: Dominik Livaković (Di- world has already delayed many sport- namo), Lovre Kalinić (Toulouse), Simon ing events. While everything is going Sluga (Luton Town) to plan, Croatian footballers playing in Italy may not be able to play in Qa- Defenders: Domagoj Vida (Bešiktaš), tar, which has introduced a two-week Dejan Lovren (Liverpool), Tin Jedvaj quarantine for all those coming from (Augsburg), Mile Škorić (Osijek), Duje the countries most aff ected by the Ćaleta-Car (Marseille), Borna Barišić coronavirus alongside China. (Rangers), Šime Vrsaljko (Atletico Ma- Marcelo Brozovic, Mario Pasalic and drid), Dario Melnjak (Rizespor) Ante Rebic play in Lombardy, which Midfielders: Luka Modrić (Real Madrid), has become a major quarantine, as well Ivan Rakitić (Barcelona), Mateo Kovačić as Milan Badelj. As per total-croatia- (Chelsea), Marcelo Brozović (Inter), Milan news.com, would Badelj (Fiorentina), Nikola Vlašić (CSKA not be allowed to play in Qatar either. Moskva), Mario Pašalić (Atalanta) “They are on the list, so they are go- ing, but the situation is being moni- Attackers: Ivan Perisic (Bayern), Ante tored,” Croatian football federation Rebi (Milan), Josip Brekalo (Wolfsburg), spokesman Tomislav Pacak said. Dalic Andrej Kramaric (Hoff enheim), Bruno put the strongest forces on the ros- Petković (Dinamo) World Cup runners-up Croatia are set to play against Switzerland on March 26 and against Portugal on March 30 in Doha.

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FOCUS Imperfect Liverpool off er Atletico hope PSG star Mbappe Becker to a hip injury is a massive AFP Liverpool blow with his erratic understudy Adrian at fault for the opening goal against Chelsea last week. iverpool’s 2-1 victory Jordan Henderson’s presence over Bournemouth on in midfi eld has also been badly Saturday was met with missed after he limped off with an unusual sense of relief a hamstring injury in the fi rst doubtful for key Laround Anfi eld for a side that had leg against Atletico and could just clinched a 22nd consecutive be rushed back to face the Span- home league win and moved 25 iards. points clear at the top of the Pre- Mohamed Salah and Sadio mier League. Mane again carried the goals- Such has been the Reds’ re- coring burden to turn the game lentless run towards a fi rst league around against Bournemouth, title in 30 years that three defeats but the form of Roberto Firmino Dortmund clash in three diff erent competitions is also a worry for Klopp. The in four games was considered a Brazilian’s all-round game makes slump in form. A 3-0 reverse at him the perfect foil for the Salah The French giants need to overturn a 2-1 deficit from the first leg in Germany Watford deprived Jurgen Klopp’s and Mane to come off the wings men the chance to match Ar- and get the goals, but Firmino senal’s “invincible” unbeaten has been out of sorts in recent league season and a FA Cup exit weeks and still has not scored at at the hands of Chelsea means Anfi eld all season. they cannot replicate Manches- Liverpool can at least rely on ter United’s treble of 1998/99. a vociferous home support that However, the most damaging makes Anfi eld such a fortress on of the trio of defeats could still European nights. Klopp has nev- prove to be the 1-0 defi cit they er lost a European game at home must overturn when Atletico since taking charge of Liverpool Madrid travel to Anfi eld for the in 2015 and has reached three second leg of their Champions fi nals in that time. “Our people League last 16 tie today. will be ready. Welcome to An- “It’s a long season and you see fi eld! It’s not over yet,” warned how many games we’ve played. the German after the fi rst leg. In any sport you play it’s impos- Unlike matches in Italy, France sible to be at your highest level and Spain there has been no or- all year, year in and year out,” der for games to be played behind said James Milner, who produced closed doors in the United King- a stunning goal-line clearance to dom to halt the spread of corona- secure victory against Bourne- virus. Paris Saint-Germain will mouth. host Borussia Dortmund in front “You try your best and it just of an empty stadium today as will doesn’t happen, and that’s when Juventus if the second leg of their you need to fi nd a way to win.” tie against Lyon next week even When at their best, Liverpool goes ahead. have shown they are more than With PSG, Juve and Real Ma- capable of second leg fi ghtbacks drid trailing from their fi rst legs at home. Most spectacularly and Barcelona a shadow of their when Barcelona were humbled former selves, the competition 4-0 in last season’s semi-fi nal could open up again for Liver- despite holding a 3-0 fi rst leg pool if they can break Atletico’s lead. However, there are cracks resistance. in the English champions-elect’s “It’s down to us to turn around armoury that Atletico can expose. a tough result,” added Milner. After keeping 10 clean sheets in 11 “We know how good they are, league games between early De- we know how well organised they cember and mid-February, Liv- are but hopefully we can push With Kylian MBappe (left) unlikely to face Borussai Dortmund, Paris Saint-Germain will hope Neymar can deliver in the Champions League last 16 match. (AFP) erpool have conceded in each of them all the way and overturn their last fi ve games. that and have another special AFP crowd of 80,000 in Germany last month, hasn’t played since injuring his thigh second leg of the 2018 defeat by Madrid The loss of goalkeeper Alisson night at Anfi eld.” Paris but the return leg will be played at an against Bordeaux on February 23. due to injury and then sat out both legs of empty Parc des Princes due to the coro- Estimates put the fi nancial hit to an improbable exit to Manchester United navirus outbreak. Qatar-owned PSG of playing the game last year. aris Saint-Germain are sweat- “We’re a team that likes to attack, and without the presence of nearly 50,000 In eight years since the Qatari takeo- ing on the fi tness of star striker we’re going to attack. We’re going to try fans at the Parc des Princes in the region ver, PSG have beaten just three teams in Kylian Mbappe who has picked and score as many goals as possible,” said of six million euros ($6.9 million), while Champions League knockout ties: Va- up a throat infection ahead of to- Tuchel. “But if the fi nal score is 1-0 to us, the president of the club’s Ultras fans lencia, Bayer Leverkusen and Chelsea Pday’s Champions League last-16 second I would be perfectly happy.” group has called on supporters to gather (twice). leg against Borussia Dortmund. PSG’s game away to Strasbourg at the outside the stadium instead. In a recent interview, sporting director The French World Cup star missed weekend was postponed due to the extent However, it is still possible the strange Leonardo tried to take pressure off Tho- team training Monday and yesterday and of the virus outbreak in the Alsace region atmosphere will work in the home team’s mas Tuchel’s team before the Dortmund was reported to have a sore throat, with of eastern France. “It was a shame (not favour, removing some of the immense tie. “It’s not life or death. If we lose we his club needing to overturn a 2-1 defi cit to play). It continues to be a bit strange,” pressure on them. Agitated supporters will try again next year,” he insisted. “We from the fi rst leg in Germany three weeks said Tuchel. “In a match like this one, it’s are restless at the thought of their team – need to stop all the negativity. We have a ago. Mbappe has scored six goals in his super important (to have fans) to create a despite all the Qatari investment – going fantastic team and fantastic players.” past three PSG matches, including a hat- special atmosphere, and to put pressure out of the Champions League in the last If they do reach a fi rst quarter-fi nal trick in the 5-1 French Cup semi-fi nal win on our opponents. With the coronavirus 16 for the fourth year running. since 2016, the weight off their shoulders over Lyon last week. “We’re trying to see news and Kylian Mbappe, that gives us PSG have fallen at this hurdle in each will be huge and might well be replaced by if he can train a bit tonight (Tuesday). We lots of things to think about,” he added. of the last three seasons, often in farcical a realisation that winning the trophy for have to wait and decide tomorrow morn- “But it’s a football match, we have to fashion. In 2017 there was the capitula- the fi rst time is a real possibility. ing,” coach Thomas Tuchel said. adapt. I’m confi dent in the fact we’ll be tion in Barcelona, a 6-1 defeat following Coach Tuchel is under contract until Spanish international Pablo Sarabia is able to do it.” a 4-0 fi rst-leg win. They then spent over 2021 but, just like Unai Emery and Lau- a possible replacement should Mbappe Tuchel also said a decision on the fi t- 400 million euros to make Neymar and rent Blanc before him, it is hard to see miss the game. PSG lost 2-1 to an Erling ness of captain Thiago Silva would be Mbappe the two most expensive signings how he would survive another disap- Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah (second right) trains with teammates Haaland-inspired Dortmund before a made today. The Brazilian defender in the world, but the Brazilian missed the pointing European showing. in Melwood, Britain, yesterday. (Reuters) Gulf Times 4 Wednesday, March 11, 2020 FOOTBALL

PREMIER LEAGUE Foxes have fl uency back, says Rodgers aft er win over Villa Leicester are eight points above United who are fifth and five ahead of fourth-placed Chelsea with nine games remaining

Reuters and he’s been phenomenal,” Rodgers Leicester said. “His running and movement were back to what we are used to from him. He got his reward for his hard work.” fter a worrying dip in form, While Leicester are closing in on a Leicester City have re- return to the Champions League, fol- gained their fl uency, man- lowing their one campaign in the com- ager Brendan Rodgers said on petition in 2016-17 following their MondayA night after Jamie Vardy and Premier League title-winning season, Harvey Barnes each scored twice in a Villa are heading for a quick return to 4-0 thrashing of Midlands rivals Aston the Championship. They are 19th, two Villa in the Premier League. points below the safety line, and while Third-placed Leicester had looked they have a game in hand they have a nailed-on for a top-four fi nish but a tough fi xture list. four-game run without a win had al- Villa host Chelsea on Saturday and lowed Chelsea and Manchester United also must still face Wolverhampton to start breathing down their necks. Wanderers, Liverpool, Manchester Victory re-established a healthy buff er United, Arsenal and in-form Sheffi eld though. They are eight points above United. Manager Dean Smith rued his in-form United who are fi fth and fi ve side’s defensive mistakes which gifted ahead of fourth-placed Chelsea with Leicester two goals — the fi rst being nine games remaining. a crazy rush-of-blood by goalkeeper “The resilience and eff ort was bril- Pepe Reina who ran out of his goal to liant and in the second half we got our try to intercept the ball which allowed fl uency back and some of our goals Barnes to score. “We made a mistake were outstanding. We played some re- for the fi rst goal. Pepe came out for a ally good football at times,” Rodgers, ball he wasn’t going to get and made whose side had not scored for three Barnes’ goal easy,” he said. “One of my games, said. “The intensity is impor- biggest regrets was how we gave the tant to how we play and the pressure on ball away so cheaply against a team who the ball was much better. That desire is want the football. We made a big error. so critical for us. A real collective confi - Teams capitalise on our errors. We’ve dence has allowed us to be where we are probably made more individual errors and our ambition is to stay there. If we than anyone his season.” play like that, with that confi dence, we Reina was a spectator when Villa have every chance.” stunned Leicester to reach the League Vardy had not scored since Dec. 21 — Cup fi nal in January and Smith’s deci- a nine-game drought — but after com- sion to recall the Spaniard in place of ing off the bench in the 59th minute he Orjan Nyland backfi red for the opening scored a penalty with his fi rst touch and goal fi ve minutes before half-time. then grabbed a second goal with a typi- The former Liverpool goalkeeper Leicester City’s Harvey Barnes (right) scores past Aston Villa’s goalkeeper Pepe Reina during the Premier League match on Monday night. (Reuters) cally sharp fi nish. raced well outside his box, but was His brace put him back out alone as beaten to the ball by the pace of Barnes, lead early in the second half and the The former England striker started in 10 games from the penalty spot af- doubled his tally 11 minutes from time the Premier League’s top scorer this who kept his cool to fi re into an un- Nigerian may fi nd himself back on the on the bench as he returned from in- ter Tyrone Mings was adjudged to have when he found space at Reina’s near season with 19 goals. “Jamie has been guarded net. Iheanacho then missed sidelines in the weeks to come as Vardy jury and had only been on the fi eld four handled Barnes’s cross. post to move two goals clear in the race outstanding in his career at Leicester a great chance to double Leicester’s refound his scoring touch. minutes when he grabbed his fi rst goal Vardy was back in the groove and for the Premier League golden boot.

ROUND-UP SPOTLIGHT Courtois and Marcelo to miss Real’s clash vs City ‘Military training’ as eal Madrid will almost certainly Herrlich,” sports director Stefan said in has emerged as an option for the Euros in be without injured goalkeeper a statement. “He is a true expert who June and July. China’s footballers Thibaut Courtois and defender knows the league both as player and “Who knows? Gareth and I both Marcelo for their Champions coach. That is why we think we will suc- agreed the door would still be open for LeagueR last 16 second leg clash with ceed with Heiko Herrlich.” whatever reason and then we would ordered to stay trim Manchester City on March 17. The Former Germany international Her- sit down and have a talk about it (if Spanish club confi rmed yesterday that rlich, 48, coached Bayer Leverkusen until needed),” Vardy, who has seven goals in Courtois has a groin injury and Marcelo December, 2018. 26 appearances for England, said. is suff ering from a hamstring problem. “We’ve not had the chat or anything Spanish media reported that the inju- VARDY NOT RULING OUT ENGLAND yet and nothing has been spoken about. ries will keep them both out of Friday’s RETURN WITH STRIKERS INJURED The lads (Kane and Rashford) are out La Liga match against Eibar and the Leicester City striker Jamie Vardy re- injured, but they’re looking to be back in Champions League showdown with City. fused to rule out a return to the England time. So only time will tell.” Alphonse Areola, on loan from Paris St side for Euro 2020 with fi rst-choices Southgate said last week both Kane, Germain, will fi ll in for Courtois, while Harry Kane and Marcus Rashford nurs- who returned to training on Monday, and Ferland Mendy can take Marcelo’s spot. ing injuries, but the 33-year-old said he Rashford were on track in their recover- Record 13-time European champions had not discussed it with national coach ies but would not close the door on a Real Madrid lost the fi rst leg 2-1 at home Gareth Southgate. recall for Vardy. The striker admitted, and need to mount a comeback to avoid Vardy, who retired from England however, that being out of the England an early elimination for the second year duty following the World Cup in 2018, side had helped him. running, after last season’s collapse following a poor run in the Bundesliga. is the Premier League’s top scorer this “I’m not going to lie, I’ve had a few The order goes into extraordinary detail, saying teams must train for against Ajax Amsterdam at the same Schmidt was sacked on Monday, the day season with 19 goals, following his brace extra days off in the international breaks at least 16 hours a week and meet targets in tests that include squats, after a 2-0 loss to Bayern Munich, Augs- in Monday night’s 4-0 win over Aston so I’ve been able to switch off completely bench presses and vertical jumps. (AFP) AUGSBURG APPOINT burg’s third league defeat in a row. Villa. from football and it’s always benefi cial,” HERRLICH AS COACH Augsburg are 14th in the standings With Tottenham Hotspur’s Kane re- Vardy said. “Knowing that when you get AFP ers must also do their bit to fi ght Augsburg appointed Heiko Herrlich after winning only one of their last nine covering from a hamstring operation he back it’s constant again, it’s 100% foot- Shanghai the deadly coronavirus, which as their head coach until 2022, a day games. “We are convinced we found the had in January and Manchester United’s ball every day so it’s one of those things emerged in central China in De- after parting ways with Martin Schmidt right coach for Augsburg with Heiko Rashford out with a back issue, Vardy that has benefi ted me.” cember and has since spread hinese football clubs across the world. “Achieve epi- and national teams must demic prevention and control on FOCUS undertake ‘spring mili- one hand, and focus on training tary training’ to defeat and battle preparations on the theC coronavirus and help fulfi l other,” the CFA said. President Xi Jinping’s dream of “Both hands must be strong Aspire to conduct Embassies Futsal tournament making the country a force in the and both battles must be won. sport, offi cials said. Matches in Men’s and women’s national spire Zone Foundation (AZF) China are indefi nitely suspended teams and professional football is gearing up to host the third over the outbreak but the football clubs are requested to strictly edition of the Aspire Embassies association has issued detailed follow the notice,” the CFA add- Futsal tournament that is jointly orders, telling clubs how long ed. The results of the surprise organisedA with Qatar’s Ministry of for- players must train each week, checks will be made public and eign aff airs. The tournament is scheduled what exercises they must do and clubs will be ranked to shame to be held from March 17th to of April 15th even how slim they must be. underachievers into action. every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday The strict instructions, the The order goes into extraor- of every week at the Aspire Dome. latest in a series handed down by dinary detail, saying teams must The 4th edition of the tournament will the Chinese Football Association train for at least 16 hours a week feature 16 diplomatic teams of embas- (CFA) in recent years, are likely to and meet targets in tests that in- sies in the State of Qatar, representing be met with surprise by coaches clude squats, bench presses and countries like: Kenya, Mali, South Af- such as Rafael Benitez and Fabio vertical jumps. All players must rica, Sudan, Tanzania, Azerbaijan, India, Cannavaro with a background in have a body fat percentage of less Indonesia, France, Italy, Sweden, Jordan, European football. than 11%. The CSL season was Lebanon, Kurdistan, USA and a team rep- But Cannavaro, at Chinese due to begin in late February but resenting Qatar that will include mem- Super League (CSL) champions was indefi nitely postponed be- bers from the Ministry of Foreign Aff airs. Guangzhou Evergrande, and Be- cause of the coronavirus. Most Sheikh Mohammed bin Fahad al-Tha- nitez at Dalian Pro are among the teams are currently training ni, Manager of the competition at Aspire coaches who will be held directly abroad. The new rules also apply Zone, said: “after the success of the pre- responsible for incorporating the to the women’s and men’s na- vious versions, we are happy to organise training regime into their pre- tional teams. the fourth year in a row, with participa- season programmes. The latter are ranked a low- tion of 16 embassies and diplomatic and The order was made on Friday, ly 76th in the world and have Qatar Foreign Ministry team which con- and clubs had until yesterday reached the World Cup only fi rms on the success of the competition to tell the CFA how they would once, in 2002. and its priority to enhance communica- adhere to it. They will also face It is just the latest military- tion between them away from the offi - random inspections to make sure style order designed to improve cials atmosphere.” they’re following the instruc- the fortunes of Chinese football. The tournament is scheduled to kick tions. The CFA said the training Chinese national squads and off on Tuesday 17th of March, each team was designed to help realise Xi’s top-tier teams have previously will consist of 13 players, comprising of grand plans, launched in 2016, to packed young footballers off to diplomats and representatives from each make China a major footballing army camps for drills and Marx- embassy. The fourth edition of the tournament will feature 16 diplomatic teams of embassies in Qatar. nation. At the same time, play- ist-style “thought education”. Gulf Times Wednesday, March 11, 2020 5 SPORT

NBA FOCUS MLB games to proceed ‘as scheduled’ amid Third straight loss for coronavirus outbreak

Reuters best practices and travel recom- Los Angeles mendations. “We are continuing to monitor developments and will adjust as necessary,” MLB ajor League Base- said. MLB joined three other Bucks as Nuggets win ball’s Spring Train- professional sporting leagues ing and regular- - Major League Soccer, the Na- season games are tional Basketball Association Raptors end trip with win at Utah; Hawks outlast Hornets in double overtime Mexpected to proceed as sched- and National Hockey League - on uled, the league said on Mon- Monday in announcing it would AFP day after consulting with all 30 restrict locker room access to Los Angeles teams amid a global coronavirus players and “essential staff .” outbreak that has disrupted ma- The rapidly spreading corona- jor sporting events. virus outbreak has upended ma- amal Murray scored 21 points as “The health and safety of eve- jor international sporting events the Denver Nuggets sent the Mil- ryone in our communities is of and raised concerns that the up- waukee Bucks tumbling to a third the utmost importance to us,” coming Tokyo Olympic Games straight defeat with a 109-95 vic- MLB said in a written statement. could be cancelled, postponed or toryJ on Monday. “While MLB recognizes the fl u- held without fans. Murray took advantage of the injury idity of this rapidly evolving sit- The NBA recently sent a absence of Bucks star Giannis Antetok- uation, our current intention is memo to teams listing short- ounmpo to lead the scoring for Denver, to play Spring Training and reg- term recommendations to limit who improved to 43-21 with the win. ular season games as scheduled.” the spread of the coronavirus, Murray was one of six Denver players The league said it was “regu- advising players to fi st-bump to reach double fi gures, with Paul Millsap larly conveying” guidance from with fans instead of high-fi ving adding 20 points and 10 rebounds while medical experts and government them and avoid taking items to Jerami Grant added 19 off the bench. agencies to players and staff on autograph. The injury-hit Bucks, however, strug- gled to match Denver’s off ensive depth, with point guard Sterling Brown (16 NFL points) and centre Robin Lopez the only starters to make double fi gures. Kyle Korver led the scoring for the Bucks with 23 points from the bench in- Browns release cluding fi ve three-pointers. Milwaukee are without reigning MVP Antetokounmpo, who injured his left veteran LB Kirksey knee during Friday’s defeat to the Los Angeles Lakers at the Staples Center. Reuters Kirksey led the Browns with a New York career-high 148 tackles in 2016 RESULTS and was named the team’s Wal- ter Payton Man of the Year in Atlanta 143-138 Charlotte he Cleveland Browns 2018. Denver 109-95 Milwaukee released veteran line- “FOREVER GRATEFUL! backer Christian Kirksey Thank you Cleveland for the Toronto 101-92 Utah yesterday after six sea- amazing years!” Kirksey posted Tsons with the team. on Twitter. “Thank you to the The Greek star also missed Milwau- A third-round pick in the entire organisation, my team- kee’s defeat to the Phoenix Suns on Sun- 2014 NFL Draft, the 27-year-old mates, the Haslems for giving day before Monday’s game in Denver. Kirksey appeared in 73 games (54 me an opportunity of a lifetime The defeat leaves Milwaukee with a starts) and registered 484 tack- and most of all thank you to the mountain to climb if they are to become les, 11.5 sacks, two interceptions city of Cleveland for accepting only the third team in history to post a and four forced fumbles. me as their own! Forever Love, 70-win regular season. The Bucks, who “Christian Kirksey has been a Kirkoland Out!” have already qualifi ed for the playoff s, vital member of our organisation Kirksey did not miss a game must now win their remaining 17 games for the last six seasons because during his fi rst four seasons, but to reach the magic 70-win mark. of his contributions on and off a hamstring injury limited him to Denver, meanwhile, have boosted their the fi eld,” Browns general man- seven games in 2018 and a chest chances of claiming the second seed spot ager Andrew Berry said. injury ended his season after in the Western Conference to join the “He has been a strong leader Week 2 in 2019. Los Angeles Clippers on 43 wins. The Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray shoots the ball over Milwaukee Bucks forward Thanasis Antetokounmpo in the second half both in our locker room and in He signed a four-year, $38 Los Angeles Lakers lead the West by 6.5 at the Pepsi Center in Denver. PICTURE: USA TODAY Sports the Cleveland community. These million extension in May 2017 games with a 49-13 record. are diffi cult decisions and, in and was due to earn $9.95 million Elsewhere on Monday, the NBA cham- each, while Kyle Lowry had 21 points second spot in the East behind Milwau- long-suff ering fans with a 143-138 over- Christian’s case, more challeng- in 2020. His release saves Cleve- pion Toronto Raptors held on to secure a with fi ve rebounds and seven assists. kee, with 46 wins and 18 defeats. time win over Charlotte. ing because of how well he has land $7.55 million in cap space. nail-biting 101-92 win over Utah Jazz in Siakam also had a big game defensively, Utah are fourth in the West behind the Atlanta, who are bottom of the Eastern represented our team. We thank NFL teams will have an extra Salt Lake City. Cameroon international hauling down 11 rebounds and grabbing Lakers, Clippers and Nuggets. Conference with 19 wins and 46 defeats, him for his dedication and wish four days to decide whether to Pascal Siakam and Serge Ibaka led the fi ve turnovers. Joe Ingles led Utah with In Monday’s other game, the Atlanta claimed victory after 31 points from Trae him nothing but the best in the apply their franchise tag, ESPN Raptors’ off ensive eff ort with 27 points 20 points. Toronto remain on course for Hawks delivered a rare victory to their Young and 28 points from John Collins. next phase of his career.” reported yesterday.

NHL Ullmark and Sabres stop Capitals in shootout Reuters each scored, and Marc- New York RESULTS Andre Fleury fi nished with 22 saves for fi rst-place Ve- Buff alo 3-2 Washington gas. ominik Kahun scored Winnipeg 4-2 Arizona The Golden Knights (39- in the seventh round Florida 2-1 St. Louis 24-8, 86 points) have won of a shootout to give 11 of their past 13 games the Buff alo Sabres a 3-2 Las Vegas 3-2 Edmonton to build a three-point lead victoryD over the visiting Wash- Los Angeles 3-1 Colorado over the second-place Oil- ington Capitals on Monday. ers (37-24-9, 83 points) in Sabres goalie Linus Ullmark the Pacifi c Division. stopped 33 of 35 shots during Olofsson hadn’t scored in his Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and open play and then made six previous eight games. Alex Chiasson scored, and Ko- more saves during the shootout. Jack Eichel had gone seven skinen turned aside 45 shots for It was an impressive return games without a single point Edmonton, which has lost four of for Ullmark, who was playing for heading into Monday’s action - a the past fi ve meetings with Vegas. the fi rst time in 18 games due to a career-long drought for the star The Oilers played without lower-body injury. forward. captain Connor McDavid, who The victory ended Buff a- However, Eichel snapped that sat out due to an illness. lo’s six-game (0-6-0) winless streak less than a minute into McDavid scored in Edmon- streak. the second period, as some out- ton’s 4-1 win over Columbus on The Sabres salvaged the vic- standing passing during a Sabres Saturday, and he has recorded 15 tory despite blowing a 2-0 lead power play left Eichel with an points (three goals, 12 assists) in through two periods. Alexander open net. eight contests since his return Ovechkin had two points for the Eichel’s team-leading 36th from a quad injury. Capitals (41-20-8, 90 points) goal ended both his own slump Vegas held a 15-3 edge in shots during a lopsided third period and the Sabres’ 0-for-17 slide on goal after one period and a that saw Washington outshoot on power play chances over their 30-14 advantage after two be- Buff alo by a 16-5 margin. previous seven games. fore Edmonton claimed a 2-1 Ovechkin scored 3:33 into the Rasmus Dahlin assisted on lead at 6:46 of the third period. fi nal period, recording his 48th both Buff alo goals. Braden Holt- Broken coverage by the Golden goal of the season to tie Boston’s by saved 24 of 26 shots in Wash- Knights behind the net led to David Pastrnak for the league ington’s net. Nugent-Hopkins converting scoring lead. from in front for his 22nd goal of Ovechkin’s 706 career goals THEODORE, KNIGHTS the season. put him two scores behind Mike SINK OILERS IN OT Vegas forged a tie just over Gartner for seventh place on Defenceman Shea Theodore fi ve minutes later after a faceoff the NHL’s all-time scoring list. scored 2:13 into overtime to win in the off ensive zone led to Dmitry Orlov drew the Capitals lift the visiting Vegas Golden Marchessault cleaning up a loose even at the 13:11 mark, fi ring a Knights to a 3-2 victory over the puck in front of the net. The goal shot that banked off the skate of Edmonton Oilers on Monday. was his 22nd of the season. Sabres defenceman Rasmus Ris- Jonathan Marchessault forced Chiasson posted his 11th goal of tolainen. a turnover in the off ensive zone the season and third in four games Washington has just one win and alertly fed Theodore, after defl ecting defenceman (1-1-2) over its last four games, who wired a shot from the high Oscar Klefbom’s shot from the though the point earned by the slot that beat Mikko Koskinen for point to open the scoring at the overtime loss was enough to put his career-best 13th goal of the nine-minute mark of the fi rst pe- the Capitals back into sole pos- season and second in as many riod. session of fi rst place in the Met- nights. Roy forged a tie after he defl ect- ropolitan Division. Theodore also netted the ed defenceman Nate Schmidt’s Buff alo (30-31-8, 68 points) game-winning goal with 1:10 shot from the point past Kosk- took the lead 4:53 into the fi rst remaining in the third period of inen and into the net with 3:02 period, with Victor Olofsson Vegas’ 5-3 victory at Calgary on remaining in the fi rst period. collecting his 20th goal of the Sunday. The goal was Roy’s fi fth of the Buff alo Sabres goaltender Linus Ullmark makes a save on Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin during the third period at KeyBank season. Marchessault and Nicolas Roy season and second in six games. Center in Buff alo, New York. PICTURE: USA TODAY Sports Gulf Times 6 Wednesday, March 11, 2020

TWENTY20 SPOTLIGHT Akram, Zaheer dazzle in O’Brien’s last-ball six Qatar Airways tourney helps Ireland clinch super-over victory ‘We have learnt from game one to game three, about specific plans for each player’ Tahir Akram Zaheer

By Sports Reporter his 88-ball knock. Shahid also Doha batted sensibly and his run-a- ball 60 contained two sixes and fi ve fours. Waqas Alvi picked ahir Akram turned in a three for 52. Akram was thrilling all-round dis- named the Man of the Match. play and steered Asian In another match, Zaheer Club to a pulsating one- bagged three wickets and struck wicketT triumph over Fireox Unit a stylish 77 to set up a stunning in the Premier Division match in one- triumph for Com- the Qatar Airways Cricket Tour- mercial Bank Qatar against Gal- nament. far Al Misnad. Fireox Unit, after being asked After restricting strong Gal- to set the target, posted a fi ght- far Al Misnad to a modest 191 in ing 242 all out in 44.4 overs. 49.4 overs, mainly through Za- The score might have been big- heer and Abbas, who shared six ger if Akram had not secured an wickets, CBQ came home in 49.3 impressive haul. He picked fi ve overs. Apart from Zaheer’s 96- wickets for 45 runs and Mo- ball 77 which included one six hamed Shahid had two for 26 and six fours, Tameem chipped with one of his six overs being a in with 41. maiden. Jassim Khan played an attrac- BRIEF SCORES tive knock of 77. In his 55-ball Asian Club beat Fireox Unit by stay, he blasted four sixes and one wicket. fi ve boundaries. Saqlain Arshad Fireox Unit: 242 in 44.4 overs also batted well and collected a (Jassim 77, Arshad 48; Akram six, along with seven fours. He 5/45, Shahid 2/26) missed a half-century by two Asian Club: 245 for nine in 49.3 runs. During the chase, Asian overs (Malik 73, Saad 60; Avi Club went up and down and in 3/52) the end, they had just one wicket CBQ beat Galfar Al Misnad by left with 10 runs to make in the one wicket fi nal over. Akram suddenly fl ung Galfar Al Misnad: 191 in 49.4 his bat around and smashed two overs (Shahzad 38, Imran 35, sixes in three balls to seal the Rizwan 31; Zaheer 3/31, Abbas scintillating victory. 3/47, Abdullah 2/16) Mohamed Awais Malik was CBQ: 192 for nine in 49.3 overs the chief contributor for the (Zaheer 77, Tameem 41; Na- winners with 73. He cracked deem 3/33, Mujeeb 2/30, Iqbal three sixes and three fours in Hussain Chaudhry 2/42)

Recalling ABD for T20 WC interesting but tough call: Rhodes

Former South Africa cricketer play... It’s also tough on the guys Jhonty Rhodes has said that who then miss out. You know AB while the team should pick is a very special player, so do you AB de Villiers if that increases set a precedent for a guy like AB Proteas’ chances of winning the de Villiers if he is not playing for Ireland’s Kevin O’Brien plays a shot during the third T20 match against Afghanistan in Greater Noida yesterday. (AFP) upcoming World T20, it won’t be South Africa... I mean why are an easy call to make. you selecting him? off ,” a relieved O’Brien said after Off -spinner hurt AFP Ireland to host Bangladesh De Villiers has said that he “I suppose a lot of people will Noida receiving the man of the match Afghanistan’s middle-order would be happy to come out of watch how he performs in the award. with two wickets off successive for T20I series in England international retirement at the IPL, but just watching him in the “We have learnt from game balls to send back Mohammad World T20, which is slated to be Big Bash League, he’s such a evin O’Brien hit a one to game three, about specifi c Nabi, for four, and Najibullah IANS Programme hosting obligations, held in Australia from October 18 class player; I’m a big fan of AB last-ball six as Ireland plans for each player. You have Zadran, for nought. Dublin and additionally accommodate a to November 15 this year. de Villiers. But I’m just not sure clinched a consola- to adjust quickly and I think we Wicketkeeper-batsman Rah- window to host the South Africa coach Mark of the precedent. If you want to tion super-over win did.” manullah Gurbaz top-scored in Dublin, should that proceed. Boucher later said that De Villiers win a T20 World Cup, you should Kagainst Afghanistan in the third Afghanistan needed 16 to win with 42 and was named player of reland and Bangladesh will Tom Harrison, Chief Executive should make a decision by the do anything to win it. You’re international in India off the fi nal six deliveries of nor- the series for amassing 105 runs be playing a four-match T20I Off icer of the ECB, said: “We are end of the upcoming season of not breaking any rules, you are yesterday. mal play, and paceman Craig in the three matches. series in England in May. The passionate about helping to the (IPL). setting a slight precedent and With three runs needed for Young claimed Asghar Afghan Bowlers Naveen-ul-Haq and venue has been chosen due protect and grow the game across Rhodes said that while he is you are going to be upsetting victory off the fi nal ball of the for 32 before Rashid hit a bound- Qais Ahmad took three wickets toI excessive demand on home the world and we are delighted to excited by the possibility of a few players who are going to super over, O’Brien cleared the ary off the last ball, taking the each in the Ireland innings. pitches. be able to support De Villiers returning, it might miss out. long-off fence to end his team’s game into a deciding over. “I think the wicket was good With the loss of Clontarf as a home by hosting this series.” leave some of the current “It’s diff icult to say because I’m 12-match losing streak in T20s Young then bowled a disci- but our batsmen played some venue, Cricket Ireland has just 12 The series will begin at The Oval players unhappy as it could not somebody who is missing against the Afghans. plined line and length to keep poor shots,” said Rashid. pitches available across the three on May 22 and the teams will then mean benching a player who is out, I’m also not from the O’Brien made 26 off 21 balls Afghanistan to just eight runs in remaining international grounds travel to Chelmsford and Bristol currently a front-runner to make administration to set this kind in Ireland’s 142 for eight after six balls. BRIEF SCORES that need to cater for 15 matches. before finishing up at Edgbaston a it to the World T20 squad. of a precedent... I don’t have to electing to bat fi rst. also played a Ireland 142 for 8 (Delany 37, As a result, the board required week later on May 29. “I think it’s interesting because make that call. But it’ll be great Afghanistan, who won the key part in Ireland’s win after Naveen 3-21, Ahmad 3-25) tied alternative solutions to be Before the T20Is, the two sides will it’s a tough call,” Rhodes told to see AB de Villiers play at a series 2-1, replied with 142 for top-scoring with 37 and then with Afghanistan 142 for 7 (Gur- developed to ensure Ireland face each other in a three-match ESPNcricinfo. World Cup again for us,” Rhodes seven. taking two wickets with his leg- baz 42, Delany 2-21) could fulfil our Future Tour ODI series in Belfast. “You want your best team to said. – IANS “Luckily that last hit came spin. Ireland won the Super Over.

PAKISTAN SUPER LEAGUE Team Dynamite claim Box cricket title Qalandars beat Zalmi by 5 wickets Agencies ese (17 ) and (11 Lahore not out) kept cool heads on their shoulders to help the home side record their fourth win in eight akhar Zaman and Chris matches. Lynn struck form at the Qalandars had required 32 off right time when they 18 balls, 24 off 12 balls and eight stroked sparkling half- off the last over. After three sin- centuriesF as Lahore Qalandars gles of the fi rst four balls, Wiese’s defeated Peshawar Zalmi by fi ve straight six off Carlos Braithwaite wickets on the penultimate ball led to tremendous celebrations as of the 24th match of the HBL Pa- another full-house saw a remark- kistan Super League 2020 in front able Qalandars’ run-chase two of a packed Gaddafi Stadium yes- days after they had chased down terday. 188 to beat Karachi Kings by eight Fakhar belted four fours and wickets. three sixes in a 46-ball 63, while Lynn clubbed six fours and three BRIEF SCORES sixes in a 32-ball 59 as the two bats- Peshawar Zalmi 187-7, 20 overs men added 116 runs for the second Peshawar Zalmi’s Wahab Riaz (right) walks back to the pavilion after he (Haider Ali 69, 62; wicket to help Lahore Qalandars was dismissed by Lahore Qalandars’ Shaheen Shah Afridi during the PSL Shaheen Shah Afridi 3-28, Samit overhaul the 188-run target with match at the Gaddafi Cricket Stadium in Lahore yesterday. (AFP) Patel 2-37) one ball to spare. Their stand came Lahore Qalandars 189-5, 19.5 after captain Sohail Akhtar (21) had up ended the former’s innings fol- landars’ run-chase following the overs ( 63, Chris Team Dynamite won the Box Cricket Tournament organised by Bravo Cricket Academy (BCA) at combined with Fakhar, later de- lowing a fl at and accurate throw by dismissals of Lynn, Fakhar, Mo- Lynn 59, Sohail Akhtar 21; Carlos Ezdan Oasis. In the final match, they defeated United Challengers by five runs. Each game was clared player of the match for his Haider Ali from deep mid-wicket hamed Hafeez and Ben Dunk, who Braithwaite 3-28) an 8-over match with four bowlers allowed to bowl a maximum of two overs. Over 200 players match-winning innings, to pro- at the striker’s end. departed in a space of 12 balls for Player of the match – Fakhar and 16 teams took part in the two-day weekend event. vide a 50-run start, before a mix- There were late jitters in Qa- 14 runs. Nevertheless, David Wi- Zaman (Lahore Qalandars). Gulf Times Wednesday, March 11, 2020 7 SPORT

FOCUS Can Vettel fi nally fulfi l F1 title dream with Ferrari? The German is comfortable at Ferrari and can handle being part of the most renowned and glamorous team in F1

SPOTLIGHT Ferrari wants to put ‘smiles on faces’ as Italy locks down

AFP day morning. are the improvements we have Melbourne Ferarri said in a statement introduced over the past few that despite it being “a very months,” said Binotto. diffi cult time in Italy” the Aus- “We know that the opposi- errari Formula One tralian Grand Prix would start tion is strong, but we also know boss Mattia Binotto as planned and the Scuderia that it is the start of a long sea- yesterday urged his “will be there”. son where development rate, Fteam to “put a smile on Binotto added that he hoped reliability, and our operational people’s faces” at the Austral- the Maranello-based team, and eff ectiveness will be key.” ian Grand Prix as Italy went the grand prix weekend as a Four-time world champion into lockdown to combat coro- whole, could help take people’s Sebastian Vettel and Charles navirus. minds off the crisis. Leclerc, who impressed on his Most teams, including the “At what is a diffi cult time debut last season, will again be Scuderia, are already in Mel- for Italy and the world as a in the cockpits. bourne or en route for the whole, as part of a global sport, Vettel said he was keen to get opening race of the year on it is our obligation to try and racing underway after pre-sea- Sunday, which organisers have put a smile on people’s faces son testing in Spain suggested said will go ahead as scheduled as they prepare to watch the world champions Mercedes in front of packed grandstands fi rst race of the season with would be the team to beat once despite the coronavirus out- the same sense of anticipation more. break. as ourselves,” he said.Ferrari “The fi rst race of the season In contrast, all sporting head into the season with a new is always special and I think it File photo of Sebastian Vettel. events in Italy have been sus- SF1000 car, which is narrower will allow us to get a better idea pended until April 3 as part of than last season’s SF90, and than we had in testing as to tough measures announced by with a deeper red colouring. what the hierarchy is between DPA ‘Heartbreaking’ — Lewis Hamilton visits fi re-ravaged Australia Melbourne Prime Minister Giuseppe Con- The team is pinning its hopes the teams,” said the German. te on Monday to tackle the dis- on the machine earning the He added that the Albert Melbourne: Lewis Hamilton described ease, and Bahrain, the season’s drivers’ and constructors’ ti- Park track was “a real technical or Sebastian Vettel, only the world a visit to parts of Australia ravaged by second race, has barred fans. tles that have eluded them for challenge and that’s probably championship counts. In his sixth months-long bushfires as heartbreaking, Italy’s clampdown came into 12 and 11 years respectively. the reason we drivers like it so year with Ferrari the four-time saying it was “one of those days that really force after the country report- “After a long winter working much”. Fchampion wants to fi nally secure a put things into perspective”. ed 97 more deaths on Monday, on building and developing our Ferrari has nine wins in Aus- title with the Scuderia. The six-time Formula One world cham- taking its toll to 463. Australia car, the time has come to get a tralia, the fi rst through Gerhard Ahead of the season-opening Austral- pion, who starts his title defence at the has recorded three deaths with fi rst indication of our perform- Berger in 1987 and the last from ian Grand Prix on Sunday there is plenty season-opening Australian Grand Prix in 101 confi rmed cases as of Tues- ance level and how eff ective Vettel in 2018. of doubt about his ability to do so but also Melbourne this weekend, is a passionate things which speak in his favour. supporter of environmental and animal Vettel is comfortable at Ferrari and can welfare issues. handle being part of the most renowned and At the height of the bushfires, which glamorous team in F1. have now been extinguished, he donated Even after fi ve years without a champion- US$500,000 to “support the animals, ship, there is no loss of spark. wildlife volunteers and rural fire services” “Sebastian knows that it is decisive for aff ected by the crisis. success to weld a team together and keep After arriving from London, he headed motivation high,” said Franz Tost, his former straight from Sydney airport to the New boss at Toro Rosso (now Alpha Tauri). Be- South Wales countryside to see the ing hired by Ferrari was the fulfi lment of a devastation wrought by the fires, which childhood dream which he wants to crown experts warned may have killed up to one with the championship. bn creatures. This remains Vettel’s goal and his four “When you read about it or when you He added to his 14.6mn Instagram fol- straight titles with Red Bull 2010-2013 did watch it on TV it looks horrifying but when lowers that “it was one of those days that not come from nowhere. you see the real devastation up close, and really put things into perspective” after “I know that I can and must improve,” the how vast the land is, it’s even more heart- being shown recovering koalas, baby 32-year-old said. breaking,” he said in a video posted on his kangaroos and wombats. Ferrari’s SF1000, the car for this season, social media channels. The fires, which killed more than 30 peo- has been made narrower and more compact “Knowing over, I think, 1.5bn animals per- ple and destroyed thousands of homes, from 2019. ished during that time as well, it was really began in September and were only put out And with no signifi cant rule changes, the important for me to try and support some in February. fi eld is likely to crowd closer together. of the people out there who are trying to Scientists say they were fuelled by That — in theory — should help cut the look after them and rescue the animals. drought and unfavourable weather condi- gap to Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes, who “I wanted to come out here and see it. It’s tions that were exacerbated by climate looked faster than Ferrari in pre-season been a really amazing experience.” change. testing but were not without reliability problems. MOTORCYCLING Ferrari will also hope to improve proc- “They will be on the same level, they can Michael Schumacher took fi ve years to ATHLETICS esses behind the scenes after a year marred both fi ght to be at the front,” Binotto said. win the title with Ferrari but Vettel made too Grand Prix of with dubious strategy calls. The 22-year-old Leclerc not only im- many mistakes to follow in the footsteps of the Americas Team principal Mattia Binotto remains pressed in his fi rst season with Ferrari but his idol. in place and he has expressed confi dence in outperformed his veteran colleague in wins Ferrari seem to have solved some of their Rudisha says postponed to Nov Vettel. (2-1), qualifying (12-9) and championship downforce problems to take corners quicker But while Binotto has backed Vettel’s position (4-5).Leclerc must back-up his but at the cost of straightline speed. Reuters ability, he lifted the number one status the opening year in red but starts with the con- There will be development to come but back on track and Austin, Texas German enjoyed at the start of last year. fi dence of an extended contract to 2024; Vettel has little margin for error if he is to Vettel must battle it out with teammate Vettel is potentially looking for a new drive compete with Mercedes and the magnifi - Charles Leclerc for championship support. in 2021. cent Hamilton in particular. chasing history he start of the MotoGP season was delayed for a AFP third time in succession TENNIS London Tyesterday after organis- ers announced that the Grand Prix of the Americas had been avid Rudisha says he postponed and rescheduled for is back on track after November. injuries, partying and a The race was scheduled to Dclose shave with death take place from April 3-5 in Miami Open to go ahead in his bid to become the fi rst man Austin, Texas, and will now take to win three successive 800 me- place from Nov. 13-15, with the tres Olympic titles. The 31-year- season-ending Valencia Grand old Kenyan’s world record run of Prix being pushed back to Nov. 1min 40.91sec to win the 800m 20-22 as a result. “The FIM, aft er Indian Wells axed in London in 2012 was hailed as IRTA and Dorna Sports regret AFP “In addition we are working authorities declared a public Monday, ATP Tour chairman the greatest track performance of to announce the postponement Miami with the ATP and WTA tours health emergency in the region Andrea Gaudenzi said the cal- those Games by many, including really directly spoken about par- of the Red Bull Grand Prix of on recommended best practices east of Los Angeles where the endary beyond Indian Wells global athletics chief Sebastian tying but, you know, just a social the Americas,” organisers said and following CDC (Centers tournament is staged. “remains as status quo.” Coe. life that everybody has the right to in a statement announcing the rganisers of the Miami for Disease Control) guidelines That declaration followed “We continue to monitor the Rudisha returned in Rio to de- enjoy,” he said. decision. Open said yesterday closely to provide a safe envi- confi rmation of a Covid-19 case situation daily, working closely fend his title but the four years “Whenever we have a (athlet- The season-opening MotoGP the tournament was ronment for fans, players and in the region. with our player and tournament since have been frustrating for ics) meet, sometimes we go to race in Qatar, scheduled for Ostill set to go ahead, a staff ,” it added. Last week, Indian Wells or- members with the understand- him in terms of injuries interrupt- socialise, to go out for instance. the Losail circuit on March 8, day after the ATP/WTA Indian The statement came less than ganisers said they planned to ing that direction must be taken ing his training and he has not That is normal life. I never meant was cancelled at the start of Wells event in California was 24 hours after organisers of this go ahead with the tournament from local public health author- run competitively since July 2017. anything extreme, because that is the month because of travel cancelled due to coronavirus. week’s ATP/WTA Indian Wells but had put in place a range of ities,” Gaudenzi said. It has also been upsetting off the not what I do... Sometimes when restrictions on passengers from A brief statement released by event said the tournament was health measures such as hand- track with his father Daniel — a you have friends, you go out and Italy and elsewhere due to the the Miami Open organisers on being cancelled — just days be- sanitising stations, beefed-up TABLE TENNIS OFF 4x400m relay silver medallist throw a party and so forth, and coronavirus epidemic. Twitter said preparations for fore it was due to begin. cleaning protocols and gloves The International Table Ten- in the 1968 Olympics — passing that is actually what I meant.” The Thai Grand Prix, the second the March 23-April 5 event were Indian Wells is the most for ball kids, volunteers and nis Federation (ITTF) said yes- away last year. Rudisha said returning to train- race of the season scheduled “moving forward as scheduled.” high-profi le sporting event to food workers. terday it was postponing next The two-time world outdoor ing had altered his mindset for the to be held in Thailand on March “Safety remains a top prior- be cancelled in North America Florida health authorities on month’s ITTF World Tour Japan champion at 800m also saw his better. “I am happy,” he said.“I 22, was also postponed earlier ity, and we are monitoring the because of the coronavirus. Friday confi rmed two deaths Open because of concerns about weight balloon as he confessed to missed the track and I missed this month and rescheduled Covid-19 situation closely with Offi cials said they opted to from Covid-19, the fi rst US fa- the coronavirus outbreak. looking for “a bit of destruction training for the past two years. for Oct. 4. The date change for local, state and federal offi cials call off the event — regarded as talities outside the west coast The tournament had been to distract”. He was more reserved “Whenever I am out there and the Thai Grand Prix resulted in and health organisations in the one of the biggest tournaments states of Washington and Cali- scheduled for April 21-26 in the about how he found that diffi cult training I feel like I am doing what the Aragon Grand Prix in Spain lead up to the tournament,” the in tennis outside of the four fornia. Southern Japanese city of Ki- period when he spoke to the BBC. I really truly love, and I am pas- being brought forward a week statement said. Grand Slams — after California In a separate statement on takyushu. “Well, I, you know, I have never sionate about it. to Sept. 27.

Wednesday, March 11, 2020 GULF TIMES SPORT

4-STAR KATARA BEACH VOLLEYBALL OPEN Qatar’s Younousse-Tijan advance to knockout stage Reigning world champions Oleg Stoyanovskiy and Viacheslav Krasilnikov from Russia make winning start

Qatar’s Cherif Younousse and Ahmed Tijan celebrate their victory over France’s Quincy Aye and Arnaud Gauthier-Rat in their 4-Star Katara Qatar’s Benlouaer Ziad-Saifeddine Binaziz ElMajid in action during their Pool ‘A’ match against Russia’s Beach Volleyball Cup Pool ‘H’ match at the Katara Village yesterday. PICTURES: Jayaram Viacheslav Krasilnikov-Oleg Stoyanovskiy yesterday.

By Sports Reporter Oleg Stoyanovskiy and Via- burg 2019 FIVB Beach Volley- victories on the opening day of Doha cheslav Krasilnikov hit their ball World Championships and pool play. First off , they defeated stride early as they won their ended the season by topping the Belgium’s Dries Koekelkoren and both matches on the fi rst day of podium at the Rome 2019 FIVB Tom Van Walle 2-1 (12-21, 21-14, atar’s Cherif You- the main draw. World Tour Finals. 15-9) and then rounded off their nousse and Ahmed The Russian duo began with Since November they have day’s work by beating USA’s Tijan scored a fi ne win a 2-0 (21-14, 21-12) over Qatar’s been hard at work in Tenerife, Staff ord Slick and William Allen over French quali- Benlouaer Ziad and Saifeddine El- Sri Lanka and the national train- 2-0 (21-15, 21-17). fiQ ers Quincy Aye and Arnaud Majid and then defeated Latvia’s ing centre in Anapa on Russia’s “Of course, two victories Gauthier-Rat in their second Aleksandrs Samoilovs and Janis Black Sea coast as they set their mean it is a good start, it is what Pool ‘H’ match to advance to the Smedins 2-1 (16-21, 21-16, 15-11). sights on the Tokyo 2020 Olym- everyone is trying to do,” Bruno knockout round of the 4-Star Krasilnikov wrapped up the win pic Games. said. “The air here is so diff er- Katara Beach Volleyball Open over Samoilovs and Smedins with “We are calmer now and we ent to Brazil though. It is more yesterday. an ace after Stoyanovskiy had only focus on our game because humid there and the ball moves The eighth-seeded Qatar brought up the fi rst match ball by we know we can beat any team diff erently here, it floats more. pair lost their morning match dominating at the net. in the world. We proved that last “Then there is the wind which to Ukrainian qualifi ers Iaroslav “It was a really tough game,” year and we are working to im- makes it change even more and Gordieiev and Sergiy Popov 21- Stoyanovskiy said. “They have prove every facet of our game.” aff ects the speed of the ball. It 17, 13-21, 10-15, but they came changed their coach and play Qatar’s Esham and Sammoud took us a while to adapt in the back strongly against French- diff erently with more spikes on lost their fi rst Pool ‘B’ match to fi rst match, but that is beach vol- men to win 2-0 (21-16, 21-15) the second ball. That was a prob- Rio Olympic bronze medallists leyball and you have to adapt. It in evening at the Katara Village lem for us in the whole match, Alexander Brouwer and Rob- is the fi rst tournament of the year Amphitheatre Central Court. especially in the fi rst set. ert Meeuwsen of the Nether- and everyone is working to adapt The other two Qatari teams “We found the key to over- lands 16-21, 18-21. In the second to the diff erent conditions.” - Mahmoud Ahmed Esham and come that and we put more pres- match also they were beaten by The men-only tournament Mahdi Badreddin Sammoud, sure on their service to bring the Netherlands’ Steven Van De is running from March 9-13 at Benlouaer Ziad and Saifeddine them away from the net and that Velde and Christian Varenhorst Katara Cultural Village. It is the ElMajid - failed to make it to was fruitful for us.” 14-21, 17-21. second of nine 4-Star events the next round as they fi nished Stoyanovskiy and Viacheslav Former world champions Bru- on the 2019-2020 calendar and fourth in their respective groups. enjoyed a stellar 2019 in which no Schmidt and Evandro Gon- the winners will leave with 800 Reigning world champions they won gold at the Ham- calves also enjoyed a brace of ranking points. Qatar’s Mahmoud Ahmed Esham and Mahdi Badreddin Sammoud during their Pool ‘B’ match yesterday.

SPOTLIGHT Xavi visits Tamreen student leaders at ASD

ootball legend Xavi Xavi, who is a Supreme Com- through the next steps of this platform is an amazing way to the ASD football programmes opportunity for our students to plans and preparations to ex- Hernández recently met mittee for & Legacy’s journey is really special.” collaborate with schools. Our and the student leaders. He then be involved.” cite youth about Qatar 2022. student leaders from the (SC) ambassador, said: “It was He continued: “I was particu- high school students are able to took part in a photo and signing Mead al-Emadi, the SC’s The toolkits, which launched in American School of Doha a privilege to attend this event larly impressed with the toolkits deliver lessons and provide in- session before meeting school Community Engagement Man- March 2019, include worksheets, (ASD)F to learn more about Tam- and meet some of the young given to children to educate them formation about the culture, directors and other members of ager, said: “It gives us great pride fi lms, games, quizzes and other reen, the FIFA World Cup Qatar people who this World Cup is about the World Cup and what stadiums, sustainability and the staff . that several schools across Qa- resources, all aligned with the 2022 online educational pro- going to be particularly impor- it means to Qatar. The country legacy plans for the World Cup. Dr Tom Hawkins, Director of tar are using the toolkits in their national curriculum. It aims to gramme. tant for. Qatar’s road to 2022 is developing so quickly and the Having Xavi here to reiterate to ASD, said: “I am impressed with classrooms. We aim to keep in- develop the skills of students Six student leaders from the did not begin when it won the toolkits really help to show the our students how important the the work the SC doing to include spiring more and more of Qatar’s aged 8-18 in mathematics, sci- ASD Tamreen Club delivered a bid – and nor will it end when children what is happening and, World Cup is and how it extends the community and educate eve- future leaders using the World ence, geography, art, Arabic, Qatar 2022-themed lesson to Xavi the tournament is over. We all more importantly, why it is hap- far beyond just football was an ryone on the World Cup’s legacy. Cup in the coming years.” English and citizenship, while which covered topics including know it will leave a lasting lega- pening.” honour.” Legacy is such an important Designed in partnership with also gaining an understanding of the bid win, information about the cy and to be able to talk to some Yahaira Pineda, ASD’s Devel- During his visit, Xavi also piece of the event and it’s im- the Ministry of Education, Tam- the SC’s development goals and stadiums and key facts about the of those who will be responsible opment and External Relations participated in a seven-a-side portant that we all contribute to reen off ers educational toolkits the positive change Qatar 2022 legacy the tournament will deliver. for helping guide the country Manager, said: “The Tamreen football match with members of making it successful. It is a great centred around tournament aims to deliver. qatar2022.qa