SPORT

Thursday 6 April 2017

PAGE | 25 PAGE | 26 PAGE | 27 Johnson and McIlroy Ibrahimovic saves Talented Qatari start as favourites for United as Leicester athletesa grab the Masters glory down Sunderland spotlight QSL: Lekhwiya to go all out for victory

Fawad Hussain The coachch informed that key Lekhwiya's Chico Flores (left) vies for the ball possession QSL STANDINGS AHEAD OF ROUND 25 The Peninsula defender Chicoico Flores will not be with an Al Ahli's player during an earlier match of the Qatar available forr ththee crcrucialucial mamatchtch as Stars League in this file photo. ekhwiya may be the front-runners well as for thehe Champions League Pos. Club Matches Win Lose Draw Points to lift the Falcon Shield but the Red game. 1 Lekhwiya 24 18 1 5 59 LKnights' boss Djamel Belmadi is not “We are takingaking it day by day with 2 Al Sadd 24 17 1 6 57 taking anything for granted as they head him at the momentoment with the iinjurynjury 3 Al Rayyan 24 14 5 5 47 for their final two games of the Qatar Stars to his calf,” hee said. 4 El Jaish 24 13 5 6 45 League (QSL). Meanwhile,ile, Al Ahli, who have The top title-contenders will take on just recorded one victorvictoryy from their 5 Al Gharafa 24 11 9 4 37 Al Ahli in their penultimate game of this last five outings,ngs, are lookinglooking to con-con- 6 Umm Salal 24 8 7 9 33 edition at their own backyard today and clude the leaguegue on a high note with 7 Al Kharaitiyat 24 8 12 4 28 Belmadi will not accept any result other their second wwinin ooff tthehe season over than a win from his team. Lekhwiya. 8 Al Ahli 24 7 11 6 27 They are leading the points table with “This willl be a key game for us, 9 Al Sailiya 24 7 11 6 27 59 points, two points ahead of fired-up we need the threehree points to pull awayaway 10 Al Arabi 24 8 13 3 27 Al Sadd who thrashed champions Al from trouble.. We tend to play well 11 Al Khor 24 6 12 6 24 Rayyan 4-1 in their last game and Bel- against the biggerigger teams in the QSL, madi is aware of the threat. and I hope thatat we have a repeat 12 Al Shahania 24 3 10 11 20 The Lekhwiya coach has warned his performancece againstagainst 13 Muaither SC 24 4 15 5 17 ranks of complacency despite their 5-1 Lekhwiya likee we did in the 14 Al Wakrah 24 2 14 8 14 rout over El Jaish in their previous clash first half of thee season,” AAll as they take on strugglers Al Ahli at Ahli coach YusefYusef AdamAdam Lekhwiya Stadium. said. QSL: WEEK 25 FIXTURES “Maybe we have one hand, but not “We will hahaveve to be at two hands on the trophy. We have to focus full concentrationation if wwee aarere TODAY on our own performance and just con- to get the resultesult we need centrate on the game,” Belmadi told against one ofof the best sides Lekhwiya vs Al Ahli reporters in a pre-match press confer- in Qatar. Wee lost the last At Lekhwiya Stadium (6.20pm.) ence yesterday. game at the ververyy end last Al Sadd vs Al Sailiyah “We have two games left for this sea- time so we hhaveave to be At Al Sadd Stadium (6.20pm.) son, our aim is clear against Al Ahli that focused,” he added. Al Rayyan vs Al Arabi we have to win both games to achieve our Adam wass cconfidentonfident At Al Sadd Stadium (8.30pm.) target of lifting the league title” said the his team, whichich is cur- Al Gharafa vs El Jaish Algerian coach. rently placedced on Belmadi reposed confidence on Edgar eighth posi-i- At Al Gharafa Stadium (8.30pm.) Da Silva predicting a key role for the new tion, will nott signing who scored on his debut against be pulled TOMORROW El Jaish. into a rele- Al Khor vs Al Shahania “Edgar will have a key role with us in gation At Al Khor Club (6.20pm.) the league and the cup competitions. I hope dog-fight. Al Wakrah vs Umm Salal he will improve game after game, he has “The resultslts are not following the At Al Wakrah Stadium (6.20pm.) shown plenty of desire in training. He performances at the moment, the play-play- made a good impact against El Jaish and ers are doing well and putting plenty Muaither SC vs Al Kharaitiyat he will give us another option towards the of effort in. We aarere nnotot coconcernedncerned At Al Gharafa Stadium (6.20pm.) end of the season.” about being relegated,”elegated,” hehe said.said.

QATAR SQUAD Sunrisers Qatar look to excel at ICC World Inam ul Haq (), Mohammed Rizlan (Vice- Captain), Awais Malik, Iqbal Hussain, Khurram Shehzad, Mohammed Nadeem, Kamran Khan, Hyderabad Taimoor Sajjad, Zaheeruddeen Ibrahim, Muhammad Tanveer, Noman Sarwar, Dharmang Hasmukh, win IPL League qualifiers Muhammad Khadeer. Coach: Abdul Rahman opener Rizwan Rehmat "I would say we have high The Peninsula hopes of Muhammad Tanveer. The Peninsula He could be the key for us. Over- atar's cricket team will all our strength is we have hasing Sunrisers be aiming to top the power-hitters with all- Hyderabad’s 207 group and advance to rounders down the order," Cfor 4 , Royal the next stage of com- Ahmed said. Challengers Bangalore Qpetitions when they "Mohammed Rizlan is fell short of 35 runs in the arrive in Thailand for the ICC another player who keeps wick- opening T20 match of IPL World Cricket League Division I ets and can open the batting. He 2017 yesterday. qualifiers later this month. is a very useful hand for us," Half tons by Moises Qatar cricketers and team Ahmed said. "I would say it was Henriques (52) and Yuvraj officials leave for Bangkok on fairly tough for us to see who was Singh (62) propelled Sun- April 16, a week ahead of the April going to be picked who would get risers Hyderabad to a 22-May 1 tournament that has dropped," Ahmed said. formidable total of 207. attracted teams from Saudi Ara- The final practice match for In reply, Royal Chal- bia, Kuwait, Maldives, Bahrain, Qatar will be played at the Asian lengers were all out for Bhutan, Iran, China and Myanmar Town Cricket Stadium, Industrial 172 with two deliveries besides hosts Thailand. Qatar national cricket team players and officials pose for a photograph ahead of their tour Area, with starting time fixed for remaining. to Thailand. 5:00pm, Ahmed informed. For Sunrisers, Rashid The Qatari delegation will be The match is a 50-over-a- Khan took two wickets on headed by Eisa Ali Ghanem, the tournament and advance to the show in Thailand. I am saying that we have prepared really well," he side contest and many cricket debut. Bhuvneshwar Chief Executive Officer of the Division 5." because we have a quality bunch added. board members are expected to Kumar (2 for 27) and Ash- Qatar Cricket Association (QCA). "It is a moment of pride for us of players who have a lot of expe- "I am very confident we will witness the game. ish Nehra (2 for 42) also Manzoor Ahmad, Operations as Qatar has been invited by the rience," Ahmed said yesterday. win our key games and qualify for "Two warm-up matches have shared two wickets each. Manager, will also accompany the International Cricket Council (ICC) "We will be playing our final the next stage of this competition been arranged for Qatar against Brief scores: national squad. to participate in the ICC 2017 practice match on April 9 against which is Division 5," Ahmed said. Thailand (18th April) and Bhutan Sunrisers Hyderabad: Abdul Rahman is the head World Cricket League Division 1 a select XI comprised of players "Among the key players in our (20th April), prior to the start the 207 for 4 (Moises Hen- coach while Mohammad Jahangir qualifier," Ali Ghanem said. from HBKS and Galfar Al Misnad squad is Inam Ul Haq who has tournament," Ahmed said. riques 52, Shikhar will go with the squad as the team “An encouraging performance teams. It will be a good way of experience of playing first-class Dhawan 40, Yuvraj Singh trainer while Shamas will perform of the Qatar National Team may ending our long preparations for cricket in . He is a batting 62) his duties as assistant coach. improve the rankings and we’re this tournament," Ahmed told The all-rounder with good credentials QATAR 'S FIXTURES: Royal Challengers Peninsula Ali Ghanem said yesterday: quite optimistic about having a . of leading the side," Ahmed said. April 22: Qatar vs Kuwait Bangalore: 172 in "We have played a number of good showing in the ICC tourna- "As you can see we have final- "Then we have Taimoor Saj- 19.4overs (Chris Gayle 32, April 23: Qatar vs Bhutan practice matches to fine-tune our ment,” he added. ised our squad of 14 players. We jad who is a quality all-rounder. Kedar Jadhav 31, Travis preparations for the upcoming Ahmed said the Qatar squad expect a good fight against Saudi He has been with QCA teams since April 25: Qatar vs Thailand Head 30; Ashish Nehra 2 important event. The players are was a blend of youth and Arabia and Kuwait, two teams his Under-13 days. He has played April 26: Qatar vs Bahrain for 42, Bhuvneshwar fit and look primed to put in their experience. who we have played against in the many ICC events in his young May 1: Qatar vs Saudi Arabia Kumar 2 for 27, Rashid best. We hope to do well, win the "We are confident of a good past," Ahmed said. "But like I said, career," Ahmed informed. Khan 2 for 36) SPORT 6 APRIL 2017 THURSDAY 25

PAST WINNERS 2016- Danny Willett (ENG) 2015- Jordan Spieth Johnson and McIlroy start as 2014- Bubba Watson 2013- Adam Scott (AUS) 2012- Bubba Watson 2011- Charl Schwartzel (RSA) 2010- Phil Mickelson 2009- Angel Cabrera (ARG) 2008- Trevor Immelman (RSA) favourites for Masters glory 2007- Zach Johnson 2006- Phil Mickelson 2005- Tiger Woods Augusta 2004- Phil Mickelson AFP 2003- Mike Weir (CAN) 2002- Tiger Woods op-ranked Dus- 2001- Tiger Woods tin Johnson is 2000- Vijay Singh (FIJ) favoured to cap- 1999- Jose Maria Olazabal (ESP) ture the 81st 1998- Mark O'Meara Masters but 1997- Tiger Woods Tplenty of golfers see Rory McIlroy as a green-jacket threat when the year's first followed his 2011 Masters major championship begins heartache by winning the today. US Open two months later. A showdown of global "It's never over," McIl- greats at the 7,435-yard roy said. "If I'm four or five Augusta National sees John- behind going into the back son arrive on a nine, it's never over. You three-tournament win can never give up, because streak and second-ranked it takes either a lapse of McIlroy, a four-time major concentration from some- champion, seeking a Mas- one else or a moment of ters crown to complete a brilliance from yourself to career Grand Slam. turn things around." "I've done all the McIlroy played 27 Dustin Johnson of the United States plays a shot from a bunker on the second hole during a practice round prior to the start of the 2017 holes at Augusta two Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club, yesterday. RIGHT: Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland during a practice round. weeks ago, 54 more last week and 18 more so far preparation I can. It's just two weeks after withdraw- Forecasts for heavy rain That will make a strong don't need to come out and this week. about going out on the golf ing from an event to be with yesterday to soften the start even more imperative shoot 65 the first day but "I've realized the more I've done all the course and getting it done," his mother as she battled course add to the drama than usual. you're better off shooting I get comfortable with this said McIlroy, mindful of lung cancer while Jordan that one of golf's great "It's always important to something under par." golf course, the environ- preparation I 2011 when a back-nine Sun- Spieth tries to bounce back stages annually produces. get off to a decent start but Johnson enters Augusta ment and the can. It's just day collapse saw him from a back-nine collapse "If it's soft, obviously it especially here. You don't after wins at Riviera in Feb- surroundings, the better," about going out squander the Masters lead. in last year's final round will definitely help," long- want to feel like you're ruary to jump atop the he said. "Having a chance to win when on the verge of a sec- driving Johnson said. playing catch up on this rankings and last month at McIlroy has made a on the golf a few years ago and not giv- ond consecutive Masters "With the forecast, wind course, because you feel WGC Mexico and Match- believer out of 81-year-old course and ing myself a chance since... title. on Thursday and Friday, the like the more you force the Play events. South African legend Gary getting it done: internally that's not good And five-time major course will play very issue, the more things can "Obviously this year, Player. enough. I want to give a bet- winner Phil Mickelson, two difficult. go wrong," McIlroy said. with Dustin winning three "My choice this week Rory McIlroy ter account of myself at this months shy of his 47th "It's going to be tough to "You start to shoot at a times, he's the form player -- Rory McIlroy," Player tournament and on this golf birthday, will try to replace hit the greens. You're going few pins... leave yourself in right now," McIlroy said. said. "He made a mess of course and I feel like I can." Jack Nicklaus as the oldest to really have to be careful spots you don't really want Johnson won his first it one year. He has gotten Third-ranked Jason Day champion in Masters where you hit it and just try to. Then you can run up major title at last year's US that out of his system and makes an emotional start history. to make pars." numbers pretty quickly. You Open while McIlroy he's playing really well." Shadab named in India's Kohli, Pakistan's Misbah Pakistan Test squad

Lahore and Younis get Wisden honours AFP akistani selectors yester- London day named young AFP Pleg-spinner (pictured) in a 16-man squad ndia captain Virat Kohli has for their three-match Test been named as the Leading series in the West Indies, ICricketer in the World in the rewarding him for his strong 2017 edition of the respected performance. Wisden Cricketers' Almanack, Shadab, 18, who rose to – 'cricket's bible' – published fame in the second edition of this week. the in Meanwhile, Pakistan's Mis- February-March, took 10 wick- bah-ul-Haq and ets in Pakistan's 3-1 T20 series were named as two of Wisden's victory against the West Indies Five Cricketers of the Year. last week. According to editor Law- Chief selector Inzamam-ul- rence Booth, Kohli had "the Haq said Shadab's inclusion year of his dreams" in 2016, highlights the policy of intro- paceman Mohammad Abbas, "averaging more with the bat Younis Khan Virat Kohli Misbah-ul-Haq ducing fresh blood. 27, won selection thanks to his in each of the three formats "The Test team has been performance in domestic than anyone: 75 in Tests, 92 in of the Year award is a relatively wrote Booth. apiece in four Tests against selected keeping in mind the matches, having taken 61 and one-day internationals and 106 new concept by the standards "His century in the First Pakistan, was also one of Wis- conditions in the West Indies 71 wickets in the last two home in Twenty20 internationals". of Wisden – a British-based Test at Lord's set a benchmark den's Five Cricketers of the and the recent performances of seasons respectively. Under Kohli, India won publication which has appeared for his team-mates, while his Year. players during the domestic and Middle-order batsman series trophies in all three for- every year since 1864, with not celebratory press-ups became Middlesex's Toby Roland- international season," said Usman Salahuddin, 26, was mats against England in even the First and Second one of the motifs of the year. Jones, whose hat-trick against Inzamam. selected for the first time in 2016/17. World Wars halting its print run "Against the odds, he led Paki- Yorkshire at Lord's sealed the Misbah-ul-Haq will lead a Test team after failing in Booth said the star bats- -- the Five Cricketers of the stan, without a home Test since County Championship title for Pakistan in the Tests, which fol- the two one-day internation- man's 235 in the fourth Test Year is a tradition that dates 2009, to the top of the rankings -- the London club, and North- low the three-match one-day als on the tour of West Indies against England at Mumbai back 128 years. and all at the age of 42." amptonshire batsman Ben series starting in Guyana on in 2011. confirmed him as the "spiritual The usual criteria for inclu- Turning to Younis, he Duckett, who scored 2,706 runs Friday. But wicketkeeper-batsman successor to Sachin sion in that award, which can added: "With the pressure on, in all formats during a prolific Inzamam said Shadab had , who scored Tendulkar". only be won once in a player's Younis Khan delivered. His season, completed the performed better than 1,035 in the country's premier Kohli is the third Indian to career, is the impact a player classy 218 in the final Test of quintet. predicted. first-class tournament and Asif win an award that has only had on the preceding English the summer, at The Oval, Reflecting on other topics, "Everyone felt that Shadab Zakir -- 853 runs in the same been in existence since 2003 season. helped Pakistan square the Booth said Alastair Cook had has performed beyond expec- tournament -- were and is designed to recognise Veteran batsmen Misbah series after successive defeats chosen "the right time to go" in tations so we thought he should overlooked. achievement in all forms of the and Younis were both hon- had left them in danger of resigning as England's Test cap- also be used for the five-day Openers international game in the pre- oured in the context of their squandering their win at Lord's. tain following the 4-0 series format," he said. and Shan Masood staged come- vious calendar year. Dynamic performances during Pakistan's "It was his 32nd Test hun- loss in India. Uncapped medium backs in the Test side but there opener Virender Sehwag won 2-2 Test series draw in England dred -- and a reminder that his However, he added: "That was no place for Mohammad twice, in 2008 and 2009, with – a result that saw Pakistan, struggles earlier in the series his team lost only four of his TEST SQUAD Hafeez, who was also over- Tendulkar himself awarded the under Misbah's captaincy, had been a blip rather than part 17 Test series in charge was Squad: Misbah-ul-Haq (captain), Ahmed Sheh- looked for Pakistan's last two title in 2010. briefly rise to number one in of a decline." testament to a very English zad, , Shan Masood, , Test series in New Zealand and The 2017 women's award the world Test rankings. England all-rounder Chris grit: understated, occasionally Younis Khan, , Usman Salahuddin, . was won by Australia's Ellyse "Misbah-ul-Haq was cen- Woakes, who enjoyed a break- self-conscious,always bloody- Sarfraz Ahmed, , Shadab Khan, Mo- The first Test starts in

Perry. tral to one of the most riveting through year in 2016 that minded. It proved an hammad Amir, Mohammad Asghar, Wahab Jamaica on April 21, the second While the Leading Cricketer series in England for years," included 26 wickets at 16 exhausting combination." Riaz, , Mohammad Abbas. in Barbados on April 30 and the third in Dominica on May 10. 26 SPORT THURSDAY 6 APRIL 2017 Djokovic seeks Davis Al Attiyah inches closer Cup spark, Australia count on Kyrgios

to Abu Dhabi triumph London Novak Reuters Djokovic The Peninsula Qatar’s Nasser Saleh Al Attiyah is on track for ovak Djokovic hopes the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge triumph. spark he has been lack- atar’s Nasser Saleh Al Ning so far this year will Attiyah extended his return as he pulls on his Serbia advantage in the car shirt for this weekend's Davis category to 1hr 46min Cup quarter-final against Spain Q03sec after the fourth in Belgrade. 250.25km selective section of the The former world number Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge one's appearance in his home powered by Nissan yesterday. city is one of several intriguing But the scene is set for a dra- plots as the team competition matic showdown in the reaches the business end with motorcycle category over the four hard-to-call ties. by 24th-ranked Albert Ramos- closing stage today. Nick Kyrgios will be lead- Vinolas. The weekend will kick Victory on stage four fell to ing Australia's charge when off in Brisbane where the two the Monster Energy Honda team Lleyton Hewitt's side host the most successful nations in Davis rider Kevin Benavides, but the US in a clash of Davis Cup heav- Cup history clash for a 47th Argentinean lost his chance of yweights, Belgium take on Italy time. taking the win with clutch issues ABU DHABI DESERT CHALLENGE POSITIONS - LEG 4 while Britain, without the Australia are seeking a on day three and a fascinating injured world number one Andy semi-final spot for only the sec- Cars five-way battle is in prospect Murray, are away in France. ond time in 11 years and much 1. Nasser Al-Attiyah (QAT)/Matthieu Baumel (FRA) Toyota Hilux Overdrive 3hr 36min 50sec over the closing kilometres Since opening the year by will depend on the form of between overnight leader Paulo 2. Khalid Al-Jafla (ARE)/Ahmed Malik (ARE) Chevrolet Silverado 3hr 59min 31sec winning the Doha title, world Kyrgios. Gonçalves, Austrian Matthias 3. Martin Prokop (CZE)/Jan Tomanek (CZE) Ford F-150 Evo 4hr 02min 23sec number two Djokovic has man- With the US boasting a team Walkner, Pierre Alexandre 4. Miroslav Zapletal (CZE)/Marek Sykora (SLO) Hummer H3 Evo III 4hr 03min 06sec aged only six victories, and his of in-form Jack Sock, John Renet, Sam Sunderland and 5. Mohammed Abu Issa (QAT)/Xavier Panseri (FRA) Mini All4 Racing 4hr 04min 01sec ATP Race points total of 475 Isner, Sam Querrey and Steve Pablo Quintanilla. looks tiny compared with the Johnson, Hewitt will be bank- Gonçalves holds an advan- 4,045 already amassed by a ing on two wins from the tage of 33.8 seconds over the resurgent Roger Federer. mercurial Kyrgios as his sec- Austrian, but both Sunderland we try to reach the finish for the day. There were also excel- Rafal Sonik lost his 2min An early defeat by 117th- ond singles player is the and Quintanilla have favoura- tomorrow,” said Al Attiyah. lent stage performances by 08.6sec lead in the quad cate- ranked Denis Istomin at the inexperienced world number ble starting positions for the final Sheikh Khalid Al Qassimi’s fifth-placed Mohammed Abu gory after technical issues Australian Open was followed 79 Jordan Thompson. day. debut in the new Abu Dhabi Issa and Ahmed Al-Maqoodi. plagued his Honda TRX 700 after by two defeats by Kyrgios in "We've got a big tie against Meanwhile, Al Attiyah and Racing Peugeot 3008 DKR Abu Issa holds fourth over- the first passage control. Acapulco and Indian Wells. USA. Obviously Jack is playing French co-driver Matthieu ground to a halt, when the PH all and Mark Powell has quietly The Pole’s delay left the door He then withdrew before unbelievable. John (Isner), he's Baumel Qatari are in cruise con- Sport car sustained a broken been chipping away at the leader open for Peru’s Alexis Hernan- the start of last week's Miami a proven player. They've got a trol in the cars and won the stage drive shaft before PC2 and the board and another superb per- dez Ponce to claim the stage win Open citing an elbow injury. great team," Kyrgios, who lost from local driver Khalid Al-Jafla Emirati lost considerable time formance by the Dubai-based and for Guatamala’s Rodolfo That is why all eyes will be a thrilling Miami semi-final by 22min 41sec. and any chance of pushing for Brit has seen him climb to an Schippers to take a category lead on the 12 times Grand Slam against Federer last week, told “It was a good day for us. We the win. He maintained second unofficial seventh overall in his of 1min 43.3sec into the final champion on the indoor hard- the Davis Cup website. don’t face any problems. Diffi- overall. Fast & Speed Buggy behind Kha- stage. court in the Serbian capital. Britain face a tough assign- cult dunes. It’s not really high Czech driver Martin Prokop led Al-Feraihi’s Nissan Patrol Kuwait’s Fahad Al-Musallam "I personally always draw ment without Murray on the speed and we try to take it easy was third to maintain a podium and seasoned veteran and expe- is second and former leader very positive energy from these clay in Rouen where Kyle without mistakes. place and fellow countryman rienced desert campaigner Kamil Wisniewski holds the weeks," said Djokovic, whose Edmund and Dan Evans will be "We now have a big lead and Miroslav Zapletal was third on Yayha Al-Helai. third spot. career went into warp drive trying to fill his sizeable shoes after helping Serbia win the against a host nation missing 2010 Davis Cup title. Jo-Wilfried Tsonga but led by "These weeks always bring 17th-ranked Lucas Pouille. the best out of me." Belgium, the only won of Ibrahimovic saves United as UEFA elects Spain will offer a formida- the quarter-finalists never to ble test even without world have lifted the trophy stunned new executive number five Rafael Nadal. Germany in Frankfurt without World number 19 Pablo Car- David Goffin in round one but Leicester down Sunderland members reno Busta has been one of the will have their top player back form players on the ATP Tour for the home clash with Italy in Helsinki this year and will be supported Charleroi. London AFP AFP Manchester United's Zlatan EFA elected six MONTERREY RESULTS (FIRST ROUND) latan Ibrahimovic marked Ibrahimovic new members to reacts during Angelique Kerber (GER x1) bt Francesca Schiavone (ITA) 4-6, 6-0, 6-4 his return from suspension Uits executive com- Mandy Minella (LUX) bt Elitsa Kostova (BUL) 7-6 (7/3), 6-3 with a 94th-minute pen- the Premier mittee at its 41st congress Z Heather Watson (GBR) bt Nina Stojanovic (SRB) 6-2, 6-7 (7/9), 6-4 alty to earn Manchester United league match in Helsinki yesterday. a 1-1 draw against Everton at Old against Everton Sweden's Karl-Erik Ekaterina Makarova (RUS x6) bt Denisa Allertova (CZE) 6-4, 6-3 Trafford on Tuesday. at Old Trafford Nilsson, John Delaney of Carla Suarez Navarro (ESP x4) bt Alison Van Uytvanck (BEL) 6-2, 6-4 A deliberate handball by on Tuesday. Ireland, Italian Michele Alize Cornet (FRA x7) bt Irina Khromacheva (RUS) 6-1, 6-4 Ashley Williams, who was sent Uva, Poland's Zbigniew Tereza Martincova (CZE) bt Christina McHale (USA x8) 3-6, 7-5, 6-4 off, allowed Ibrahimovic to can- Boniek, Reinhard Grindel Nadia Podoroska (ARG) bt Madison Brengle (USA) 7-5, 0-6, 6-3

cel out Phil Jagielka's opener of Germany and Turkey's Timea Babos (HUN x5) bt Lesley Kerkhove (NED) 6-1, 6-3 and extend United's unbeaten Servet Yardimci were the Kristie Ahn (USA) bt Jana Cepelova (SVK) 6-4, 6-2 run in the Premier League to 20 newly elected members. matches. Michael van Praag of But it remained an unwel- the Netherlands, who come result for Jose Mourinho's stood unsuccessfully as Kerber shakes off slow side, who have now drawn nine a candidate for the UEFA games at home this season and presidency last year, and trail fourth-place Manchester England's David Gill start to reach 2nd round City by four points. were re-elected. Elsewhere, Leicester City's with the winners of the compe- Pogba came on at half-time Twelve people stood Mexico City resurgence under Craig Shake- tition assured of a place at and headed against a post from for election to the com- AFP speare continued as they beat Europe's top table. an Ashley Young free-kick, mittee, which had eight bottom club Sunderland 2-0 to United manager Mourinho while Ibrahimovic had a 71st- of its 16 posts in play. orld number one record a sixth successive win welcomed top scorer Ibrahi- minute header chalked off for a Before the vote, Angelique Kerber since the dismissal of manager movic and Ander Herrera back marginal offside. UEFA decided unani- W(pictured) shook off Claudio Ranieri. from suspension, while Paul But in the fourth minute of mously to limit the a slow start to defeat Italian Ibrahimovic's last-gasp Pogba returned to the bench fol- injury time, Williams was penal- president and executive veteran Francesca Schiavone spot-kick– his 27th goal of the lowing a hamstring injury. ised for parrying a shot from committee members to 4-6, 6-0, 6-4 on Tuesday to season – meant United held on His side fell behind in the substitute Luke Shaw -- brought three four-year terms. reach the second round of the to fifth place, three points above 22nd minute when Williams in from the cold by Mourinho -- Three other Europe- WTA tournament in Monterrey, Arsenal and Everton having flicked on Kevin Mirallas's right- and Ibrahimovic dispatched the ans were elected to serve Mexico. played a game more than the wing corner and centre-back penalty. on FIFA's council for Kerber, runner-up in former. Jagielka held off Marcos Rojo to Champions Leicester are four-year terms: Sandor Monterrey in 2013, was back at But the Europa League looks poke a volley between David de now 10th, a healthy nine points Csyani of Hungary, Cyp- the tournament after a three- increasingly like their best hope Gea's legs. above the bottom three, after riot Costakis year absence. Kerber dominated the sec- of securing a return to the Everton goalkeeper Joel sinking Sunderland to record a Koutsokoumnis and The German, who regained ond set, breaking Schiavone Champions League next Robles, much criticised after his fifth league win in a row. former AC Milan star for- the world number one ranking three times and dropping just season. side's 3-1 derby loss at Liverpool, Substitute Islam Slimani ward Dejan Savicevic of in March with American Ser- three points on her own serve. They face Belgian side produced flying saves to repel a opened the scoring with a 69th- Montenegro. ena Williams idled by injury, Kerber had won eight Anderlecht in a two-legged Daley Blind free-kick and a minute header before Jamie A fourth member will needed an hour and 40 min- games in a row before Schia- quarter-final later this month, rasping Herrera drive. Vardy smashed in his sixth goal be elected at an extraor- utes to get past Schiavone, the vone managed a hold in the in seven games from Marc dinary congress in 36-year-old who has said this third set. ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE RESULTS Albrighton's pass. September. Grindel was will be her last season on tour. But Kerber didn't face a Defeat completed a miser- also elected to a two- Schiavone raced to a 3-0 break point in the final frame Burnley 1 (Boyd 58) Stoke 0 able few days for Sunderland year seat on the FIFA lead in the opening set before as she advanced to a second- Leicester 2 (Slimani 69, Vardy 78) Sunderland 0 manager David Moyes, who had council to take the place Kerber found a way into the round match against Manchester Utd 1 (Ibrahimovic 90-pen) Everton 1 (Jagielka 22) to apologise after being caught of compatriot Wolfgang match, regaining a break before Luxembourg's Mandy Minella, Watford 2 (Niang 13, Deeney 49) West Brom 0 on camera threatening to "slap" Niersbach. Schiavone broke again and a 7-6 (7/3), 6-3 winner over Bul- a female television reporter. served out the set. garian Elitsa Kostova. THURSDAY 6 APRIL 2017 SPORT 27 Talented Qatari athletes grab the spotlight

The Peninsula Qatar at the highest possible variety of sports including table the competition provided val- level, particularly in women’s tennis, chess, fencing, athlet- uable international experience number of talented ath- sport and para-sport. This ics, shooting, taekwondo, on his journey to qualifying for letes continue to emerge demonstrates the progress that handball and basketball. next year’s 2018 World Cham- A across a wide variety of we continue to make on the Gold medal-winning pionships in Doha and the sports from Qatar demonstrat- sporting field and suggests a handball captain, Sulaima Al- Tokyo 2020 Olympics. ing the continued strength and bright future for sporting Marri, who was voted Qatar’s The 2016 Arab Gymnastics depth of sports development excellence in Qatar. We are best handball player in 2015 Champion is currently prepar- in the country. very proud of all our athletes and 2017, said: “Our success ing for next month’s Asian The Qatar Olympic Com- and hope that their success will in the GCC Women’s Games Championships in Thailand. mittee (QOC) yesterday capture the attention of young inspired lots of new females Doha will be hosting fur- introduced a new wave of tal- people around the country and in Qatar to want to play hand- ther major international ented athletes that are inspire them to take up sport ball and to join the national events in May when the Doha achieving success for Qatar on at any level.” team. During the tournament, Diamond League will be the international stage. Team Qatar’s female ath- we saw many players regis- returning to Qatar Sports Club Athletes representing letes excelled at the recent GCC tering to join, which was and the AVC Aspire Beach Team Qatar in gymnastics, Women’s Games hosted in amazing to see. It is also good Tour will be hosted in the beach volleyball, and at the Doha when they topped the to see the international media Aspire Park. recent GCC Women’s Games medals table with a total of 60 coverage of the event and The AVC Beach Tour will were among those celebrated medals – 21 gold, 20 silver and show that there are females feature the best beach volley- at the QOC’s meet. 19 bronze, ahead of Bahrain in in Qatar playing sport and ball teams from 24 countries Commenting on Team second place with 40 medals that we are playing at a high across Asia. This year’s AVC Qatar’s talented athletes, Sec- and UAE in third place with 32 level.” Beach Tour in Doha is the first retary General of the QOC, Dr medals. In March, Doha also hosted Master tournament – allowing Thani Abdulrahman Al Kuwari Over 350 athletes in total the FIG Artistic Gymnastics the teams to gain more points said: “The QOC is committed from across the GCC partici- World Cup for the tenth con- versus the previously held to working closely with each pated in 10 sports with 88 secutive year. Open tours. of our National Sport Federa- athletes representing Team 240 gymnasts from 33 Three Qatari teams will be tions to provide the highest Qatar. countries participated, includ- competing in Doha in May and level of support for all our ath- The performance of Qatar’s ing Team Qatar’s Ahmed will be looking to use the sup- Sulaima Al Marri in letes and ensure that they have athletes is a huge improvement Al-Dayani, Ahmed Nabil and port of the home-crowd to action at the GCC everything they need to reach from the last edition of the Jenna Al-Kiki, who had the their advantage. Women's Games in Doha their full potential. Games in 2014 when Qatar fin- opportunity to compete against This year’s Doha Diamond last month. Sulaima "We are very pleased to ished fourth in the medal’s Olympic and World Champi- League will take place on May witness the number of talented table with 29 medals, includ- ons and Doha’s Aspire Dome. 5 from 5-9pm at Qatar Sports was voted Qatar’s best athletes that continue to ing seven gold, eight silver, and For 17-year-old Nabil, who Club and the AVC Beach Tour handball player at the emerge across wide variety of 14 bronze medals. Team is a current student at the will take place in the Aspire Games. sports and represent Team Qatar’s gold medals came in a Aspire Academy, Park from May 3 to 6. Gold-hungry Musa eyes more medals

Chinthana Wasala Target 10 gold Dayani, Musa and Jenna Al It was a great opportunity to The Peninsula Kiki, competing along with the see them action here with us. The Qatari gymnast, world class gymnastics stars. I made a lot of friends among Beach Volleyball: Qatar t took four years of hard a student at the For Musa, who began his the competitors, especially labour for Qatar’s world famous Aspire gymnastics career at the age from Indonesia, Finland and 17-year-old gymnast Academy, is of 12, last month's competi- many from Arab countries,” duo eyes podium finish Ahmed Nabil Musa to targetting as many tion was exactly what he Musa added. win a gold medal at the as 10 gold medals in needed at this stage of his Doha will host the Artis- Iinternational level and now career. tic Gymnastics World Cup, Armstrong Vas “Our teams have high ambitions the next five years. the teenager can't wait to add Next year’s 2018 World and the 48th Artistic Gymnas- The Peninsula for the future and the experience more glory in the future. Championships in Doha and tics World Championships in Doha will help our preparations The Qatari gymnast, eager our training camp ahead of the the Tokyo 2020 Olympic 2018 next year, and Musa has atar’s Thamer Issa and for the upcoming World Champi- to realise his dream of 'being competition,” Musa said in an Games is what is on Musa's high hopes in bringing golden Abdulaziz Khalouf are aim- onships in Austria,” Khalouf said. the best', is targetting as many exclusive chat with The Penin- mind. glory to Qatar. Qing for a podium finish at next This year’s AVC Beach Tour in as 10 gold medals in the next sula yesterday. The 2016 Arab Gymnas- “My plan is to work hard month's AVC Beach Tour which Doha is the first Master tournament five years. Musa graduated from the tics Champion is currently and be prepared well ahead takes place in Doha from May 3 to – allowing the teams to gain more Musa, a student at the juniors ranks to compete with preparing for next month’s of the competitions and do my 5. points versus the previously held world famous Aspire Acad- the big guns at the 10th FIG Asian Championships which best," Musa said. Issa and Khalouf will be one of Open tours. emy, won his first Artistic Gymnastics World will be held in Thailand. "My goal is to reach the high- the three teams from the host According to Asian Volleyball international gold medal in the Cup, held in Doha, where 240 “I was part of the Qatari est all-round rankings and do the nation which will compete in the Confederation rules, two teams horizontal bar event at the gymnasts representing 33 team at the FIG Artistic Gym- best for my country. I have lot of AVC Beach Tour Qatar Open and from one country will be allowed Arabian Gymnastics Champi- countries were seen in action nastics World Cup in Doha. competitions and training camps the duo are confident of putting up to take part in the three-day event onships in Tunisia last year. at the Aspire Dome last However, I didn’t qualify for coming up and I will be able to a good show at the home event. in Doha. The Qatari went on to win month. the finals. It was the first time gain more experience and work “We hope to do well in the However, as hosts Qatar have another gold medal in the The world class event saw for me at this level. I finished towards my dream of compet- championships. We are looking at been allowed to field a third team rings competition followed by some of the biggest names in at the 18th place in the high ing in the Tokyo 2020 Olympics,” finishing on the podium,” said the in the championship. a bronze medal which he won gymnastics, including the old- bar and was placed 23rd in the ambitious teenager said with pair while speaking to journalists. Issa said the Qatar Volleyball in the floor event. est woman gymnast to ever the floor event. It was a very a smile. The AVC Beach Tour will fea- Association (QVA) has not lined up “My experience at the Arab compete in the Summer Olym- nice feeling to be taking part Musa considers Japanese ture the best beach volleyball teams any overseas camp before the Junior Gymnastics Champion- pics at the Rio Games last year, in the World Cup in Doha,” artistic gymnast and a seven- from 24 countries across Asia and championship. ships in Tunisia was great ageless Uzbek Oksana Chus- Musa said. time Olympic medalist Kohei the Qatari duo singled out Thailand, “We will not be travelling any- because I won my first gold ovitina, Chinese teenager Liu “Competing against the Uchimura as his idol. Australia and Kazakhstan as the where before the championship but medal in my favourite disci- Tingting, Romania's Catalina champions and legends was “Uchimura is my idol and teams to watch out in the event. will be training in Qatar,” Issa said pline. We were there with our Ponor and Armenia's Artur a very nice thing because you I really admire the way he “Doha will host the best teams yesterday. senior team and I was able to Davytan. Hosts, Qatar were can learn a lot from them compete,” said the Qatari in Asia and we hope that our prep- The Qatari pair said they were learn a lot from them during represented by Ahmed Al since they are professionals. gymnast. arations will reap their rewards and getting use to training methods of that we achieve good results dur- the new Argentinian coach Mari- ing the tournament. There will be ano Baracetti. strong challenges from the teams “Yes we are trying to get from Thailand, Australia and Kaza- familiar with the training and khstan but we believe that we can coaching style of the new coach. My goal is to reach compete well and hope to beat Hopefully, everything will be in the highest them.” place in the coming days,” added The Qatari team said playing at Khalouf. all-round rankings home will have its advantages. Last month, Baracetti took over and do the best for “We will be playing before ours from Brazilian Pedro Pablo Costa my country. I have fans, family and friends which will as the beach volleyball coach of the really help to push us more and Qatar team. lot of competitions encourage us. The atmosphere will The 42-year-old had been the and training camps be terrific. Another added advan- national under-18 team coach for tage for us is that we will be playing two years before being given the coming up and I at the venue, which is a familiar one charge of the senior team. will be able to gain for us, so the match conditions and “My initial challenge is the more experience those of the practice session will be Asian Tour. Then we’ve the Asian the same which will also give us Championships which is very cru- and work towards great motivation to well,” said Issa. cial for us. This will decide our fate my dream of Team Qatar last year qualified for the World Championships, to competing in the for the beach volleyball competi- be staged in Vienna,” the three- tion of the Rio Olympics and time Olympian said after taking Tokyo 2020 continue to compete strongly on the over as coach. Besides Baracetti, Olympics: world-stage. the QVA have also appointed Bra- Ahmed Nabil Musa Two of the Qatar’s top teams are zilian veteran Percy Oncken for currently competing in Thailand in reorganising the youth and junior A file picture of Qatari gymnast the AVC Beach Tour where they volleyball in the country, and Ahmed Nabil Musa competing hope to qualify for the World Cham- Malek Rajdi as the national under- at an event in Doha. pionships in Vienna, Austria. 17 coach.