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Friday, March 23, 2018 Rajab 6, 1439 AH CRICKET Boult has six GULF TIMES appeal as England dismissed for 58 SPORT Page 2 Messi begins road to World Cup glory

AFP in extra-time. Manchester As if that was not bad enough, for the first time in his career, he missed in a penalty shootout when Argen- tina were beaten by Chile in the Copa America final ionel Messi begins his road to World Cup re- two years ago. demption today as Argentina take on Italy in Although Messi is still in his prime, the 30-year-old a glamour friendly, desperate to win a major realises the World Cup in Russia, which starts in June, international prize to crown his glorious ca- could represent his last chance to hoist the famous reer.L gold trophy. In Barcelona’s colours, Messi has experienced nothing He will be approaching the twilight of his career by but success, winning eight La Liga titles and four the time the 2022 edition kicks off in Qatar. Argentina’s forward Lionel Champions League crowns, while earning FIFA’s Bal- Messi will have also noted that key Argentina team- Messi participates in a team lon d’Or award five times. mates Sergio Aguero, Gonzalo Higuain, Angel Di training session at the City But pulling on Argentina’s blue-and-white striped shirt Maria, Nicolas Otamendi and Javier Mascherano will Academy in Manchester has brought the forward some of the most painful all be 30 or over this year. ahead of their international moments of his career. “Obviously, we depend on results and therefore the friendly against Italy today. Rarely able to hit the same heights with Argentina thinking in this group is that having got to three finals that he routinely scales with Barcelona, Messi has en- and not being able to win and even then people say dured stinging criticism from albiceleste fans at times. a lot of things about us, if we are not champions then Nobody would dispute Messi’s status as one of the all- we won’t have another one (opportunity),” Messi said. time greats, but many in Argentina believe he cannot Having edged through to the finals thanks to Messi’s be considered on the same level as Diego Maradona treble in a 3-1 win over Ecuador in October, Argentina until he wins a major honour with his country, as his are focused on peaking in Russia, where they will play compatriot did at the 1986 World Cup. Croatia, Iceland and Nigeria in the group stage. Rubbing salt into those wounds, Messi has lost in First up is an intriguing test against an Italy side that three successive major finals with Argentina as the failed to qualify for the World Cup. 2014 World Cup and the 2015 and 2016 Copa America Argentina boss Jorge Sampaoli believes the match at titles slipped from his grasp. Manchester City’s ground will help to sharpen his side “I cried many times because of games like these, for before a second friendly in Spain next week. lost finals, for what they mean and for not being able “Each match and training session is fundamental for to achieve the dream of a country. It was a hard blow us in preparation for the World Cup. Playing against to take,” Messi recently told Argentine television Italy, in a venue as important as Etihad Stadium, is an programme La Cornisa. invitation to a great event,” he said. The last World Cup was devastating to Messi as he “Every Argentine in the world wants to be there when missed a golden opportunity to put Argentina ahead the national team plays. We are certain they will ac- in the final against Germany, who went on to win 1-0 company us for this one.”

RALLYING CRICKET India’s Shami to get Qatar’s Adel Abdulla aims to central contract as extend T2 lead in Abu Dhabi corruption probe ends Reuters By A Correspondent Mumbai Abu Dhabi ast bowler Mohamed Sha- atar’s Adel Abdulla has man- mi will be off ered a central aged to piece together a sec- contract after the commit- ond successive deal to rent a tee of administrators (CoA) car and will be hoping to ex- runningF India’s cricket board (BCCI) Qtend his FIA T2 World Championship said no action was warranted against at the forthcoming Abu Dhabi Desert him for alleged breaches of its anti- Challenge, starting tomorrow in the corruption code. UAE capital. Shami was left out of the list of The third round of the FIA World Cup contracted players unveiled by the for Cross-Country Rallies features an BCCI earlier this month after being opening timed super special stage and charged by police in the Indian city then fi ve demanding selective sections of Kolkata following a complaint by through the remote deserts of the noto- his wife, who accused him of do- rious Rub Al-Khali in the UAE’s Empty mestic violence. Quarter. The board’s decision to omit the The BCCI said yesterday that Abdulla has managed to hire a Nis- 27-year-old from the list of con- Neeraj Kumar, head of its anti-cor- san Safari Y61 to take part in the T2 or tracted players raised doubts about ruption unit, had investigated the showroom category, where he and navi- Adel Abdulla has secured a deal to rent a Nissan (R) for the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge, starting tomorrow. his ability to participate in this year’s allegations against Shami and sub- gator Nasser al-Kuwari face fi erce com- Indian Premier League for his team mitted a confi dential report clearing petition from the likes of Saudi Arabia’s could not, unfortunately, bring our car still set a good pace. My experience from good job and to represent Qatar in a good the Delhi Daredevils. him of wrongdoing with respect to Ahmed Shegawi, Russia’s Yuliya Khe- again. We are lucky that we have been to the last two years as a driver will be valu- way. We hope to reach the podium with Shami’s wife, Hasin Jahan, also al- the BCCI’s code. gay-Migunova and Romania’s Claudia hire a Nissan. I am always happy to drive able. good points. leged that her husband had received “Based on the conclusions in the Laurentiu Barbu. The duo tested the car a Nissan. This time I will drive a Patrol “I did this race for the fi rst time, ac- “Thanks to the Qatar government, the money from a Pakistani woman said report, the CoA is of the view for the fi rst time yesterday. Safari Y61. We have prepared ourselves tually, in 1993. I respect the dunes here Qatar Motor and Motorcycle Federation named Alishba before returning to that no further actions/proceedings The Qatari fi nished third at Baja Rus- well to try and get the maximum points and we need to be patient and to cross (QMMF) and Ooredoo Qatar for their India after the tour of South Africa under the BCCI anti-corruption sia and second in the recent Dubai Inter- we can. from the right places. To get stuck and to support. The fi rst of fi ve desert stages earlier this year. code are warranted in the matter,” national Baja and now holds an eight- “We will try to win. This rally is the waste time is not ideal and you lose eve- gets underway on Sunday and crews It was the latter allegation that the board said in a statement. point lead in the T2 rankings after two of best one in the cross-country and it is rything you have built up in a day. The will stay at a purpose-built bivouac prompted the committee of admin- “For this reason, the BCCI shall 11 rounds. also a very tough race for everybody, es- race is won on the last day and not the deep in the heart of the UAE desert for istrators to initiate an investigation proceed with off ering a Grade ‘B’ “At the end we had permission to do pecially for the T2s. We will try and keep fi rst two days. Nasser is well prepared four nights before the fi nish back in Abu into Shami. Shami has denied any annual retainership contract to the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge, but we the car in a good condition every day and as well. We are feeling positive to do a Dhabi next Thursday (March 29). wrongdoing. Mohd. Shami.” Gulf Times 2 Friday, March 23, 2018 CRICKET

FOCUS Boult leaves England red-faced in

SCORECARD pink ball Test

South Africa, first innings (Du Plessis), 5-236 (Bavuma), 6-242 D. Elgar not out ...... 121 (De Kock), 7-254 (Philander), 8-257 A. Markram c Smith b Hazlewood 0 (Maharaj) H. Amla c Cummins b Hazlewood 31 Bowling: Starc 21-3-81-1 (2nb), A. de Villiers c Warner b Cummins 64 Hazlewood 18-4-37-2, Lyon 19-6-39-0, F. du Plessis c Smith b Cummins .. 5 Cummins 21-4-64-4 (1w), M. Marsh T. Bavuma c Smith b Cummins ...... 1 7-2-26-1 (1nb, 1w), Smith 1-1-0-0 Q. de Kock c Paine b Cummins ...... 3 Australia: S. Smith, C. Bancroft, V. Philander c Paine b M. Marsh .... 8 D. Warner, U. Khawaja, S. Marsh, M. K. Maharaj c Bancroft b Starc ...... 3 Marsh, T. Paine, P. Cummins, M. Starc, K. Rabada not out ...... 6 N. Lyon, J. Hazlewood Extras (b8, lb11, nb3, w2) ...... 24 Toss: South Africa Total (8 wickets, 87 overs) ...... 266 Umpires: Richard Illingworth, Nigel To bat: M. Morkel Llong (both ENG) Fall of wickets: 1-6 (Markram), 2-92 TV umpire: Ian Gould (ENG) (Amla), 3-220 (De Villiers), 4-234

South Africa’s Dean Elgar celebrates reaching his century against South Africa yesterday.

SPOTLIGHT

Trent Boult of New Zealand reacts after bowling Alastair Cook of England during the first day of the day-night Test at Eden Park in Auckland yesterday.

Reuters hind the wicket. Cummins swings England captain Joe Root Auckland (nought), Ben Stokes (nought) and Chris Woakes (fi ve) were all also ew Zealand captain bowled by Boult, while Moeen Ali Kane Williamson was failed to clamp down on a Southee in sight of his 18th Test yorker. century as the ball “We always hoped there would Ndominated the bat on the opening be something in the wicket,” third Test despite day of the two-match series with New Zealand coach Mike Hesson England dismissed for a record said. “It didn’t do a lot but it did low score of 58 at Eden Park yes- enough. terday. “Sometimes when it does a Williamson was 91 not out with bit more, they play and miss but Henry Nicholls on 24 as New Zea- once they found their length in land advanced to 175 for three at about the fourth over they were stumps, a lead of 117 after Eng- exceptional and Trent certainly Elgar’s heroics land had been bowled out in the deserved the plaudits he got and fi rst 90 minutes of play following Tim did a great job as well.” a Trent Boult and Tim Southee England’s bowlers appeared ‘I felt like I had a pretty good rhythm going and the ball was swinging seam onslaught. angry at their sensational collapse Boult and Southee struck early — their lowest score against New consistently. Most of the balls were landing where I wanted them’ and often after Williamson had Zealand and sixth worst overall — won the toss and opted to bowl and strangled the hosts’ batsmen AFP a press conference, Elgar said he hadn’t with the pink ball in the fi rst day- for long periods of the remaining Cape Town had much time to gauge the mood of his night test in New Zealand. two sessions. teammates but he acknowledged: “There Boult fi nished with a career- Tom Latham and Williamson, are probably some who feel disappoint- best six for 32 after he had ripped however, stoically wore the bowl- ustralian fast bowler Pat Cum- ed, but it’s what you do after your disap- the top off England’s batting ers down and took their side to a mins transformed the fi rst day pointment that matters.” with 4-9 from his fi rst six overs. 30-run lead entering the fi nal ses- of the third Test against South Elgar said he expected batting to get Southee fi nished with 4-25. sion under lights. Africa with a devastating four- more diffi cult and thought that with While England’s fans buried The 31-year-old Stuart Broad, wicketA spell at Newlands yesterday. good carry from the surface and the their heads in their hands and however, broke through in the Despite an unbeaten 121 from Dean possibility of reverse swing, conditions voiced their frustration over so- fi rst over of the evening session, Elgar, South Africa were on a shaky 266 could be “perfect for our bowlers to ex- cial media, it could have been with Latham clipping a full de- for eight at the close in a pivotal match in ploit”. much worse had bowler Craig livery to Woakes at mid-wicket the bad-tempered four-Test series. The Earlier, Elgar and Hashim Amla (31) Overton not produced a counter- on 26 to give him his 400th test teams are locked at 1-1. stabilised the innings with a second attacking 33 not out. victim. The hosts looked in command when wicket partnership of 86 off 174 balls af- After slumping to 23-8, Over- Despite becoming just the sec- they reached 220 for two, with Elgar and ter Josh Hazlewood had Aiden Markram ton hit a boundary to push his ond England bowler to reach the AB de Villiers scoring at better than four caught at second slip by Australian cap- side past the lowest score in test milestone — new ball partner runs an over in a third wicket stand of tain Steve Smith for nought. history — the 26 scored by New Jimmy Anderson has 525 wick- 128. Hazlewood struck again when Amla Zealand against England at Eden ets — Broad’s celebrations were It all changed when Cummins came Australia’s Pat Cummins in action was caught at fi ne leg soon after lunch. Park in 1955. Overton then en- muted as he raised the ball to the back into the attack in the 63rd over and against South Africa yesterday. He also had Elgar dropped at backward sured they surpassed their own applauding crowd when they were with his fi fth delivery induced a false point by Nathan Lyon when the batsman lowest score — the 45 they limped informed of the milestone. shot from De Villiers, who drove him to was on 53 and four runs later hit Elgar on to against Australia in Sydney in An aggressively-minded Ross mid-off after scoring 64. where I wanted them.” around him. By the close he had faced the helmet during a sustained spell of 1887. Taylor was the only other wicket It was the start of a superb spell in Mitchell Marsh and Mitchell Starc fol- another 75 balls after reaching his hun- fast, short-pitched bowling. Prior to his innings, England’s to fall under the lights when he which Cummins took four wickets for 12 lowed up with two late wickets. When dred and only added one more boundary. De Villiers, the leading batsman in the batsmen had looked totally lost. misread an Anderson bouncer and runs in eight overs to fi nish the day with Keshav Maharaj drove Starc to cover, It was Elgar’s 11th Test century and series, looked comfortable from the start While Boult and Southee bowled was caught by Woakes at mid- four for 64. South Africa had lost six wickets for 37 his second against Australia. On 61 he and made his 64 runs off 95 balls with ten between a good and full length, wicket for 20. “We spoke the whole day that if we got runs — and lost control of the match on reached 3,000 runs in Tests. fours. the ball was not swinging wildly “We know that it can be dif- one wicket we felt if we got that oppor- the best batting pitch of any of the Tests “It (the pitch) was by no means fl at, Cummins then had both Faf du Plessis or seaming markedly. fi cult against the new ball and we tunity we could get two or three pretty South Africa have hosted against India although it might have looked that way and Temba Bavuma caught at second slip Too many of their batsmen, knew that even if we’re not going quickly,” said Cummins. and Australia this season. when AB was batting. The older ball was by Smith for fi ve and one respectively starting with former captain anywhere, if we spend some time He added that he felt “pretty ordinary Opening batsman Elgar had scored reversing and it was tough out there, es- before Quinton de Kock got a bottom Alastair Cook, failed to move their out there we can get the rewards in my fi rst ten overs,” but was then a dif- 106 when De Villiers was dismissed and pecially for a new batter.” edge to an attempted pull and was caught feet and were crease bound, with later on,” Hesson added of his ferent bowler. batted with more fl uency than usual. That said, Elgar admitted that at tea he behind for three. four wickets falling to catches be- team’s cautious batting approach. “I felt like I had a pretty good rhythm He reached his century off 178 balls had been thinking South Africa were on Vernon Philander was caught behind going and the ball was swinging con- with 16 fours and a six but opted to go target to score 380 or 400. off Mitchell Marsh before Maharaj fell to sistently. Most of the balls were landing back on the defensive as wickets fell Having come straight from a shower to Starc. SCORECARD

BOTTOMLINE England first innings New Zealand first innings A. Cook c Latham b Boult ...... 5 J. Raval c Bairstow b Anderson ...... 3 M. Stoneman c Watling b Southee ..... T. Latham c Woakes b Broad ...... 26 J. Root b Boult ...... 0 K. Williamson not out...... 91 England coach ‘embarrassed’ at shocking collapse D. Malan c Watling b Boult ...... 2 R. Taylor c Woakes b Anderson ...... 20 B. Stokes b Boult ...... 0 H. Nicholls not out ...... 24 AFP It was their sixth lowest Test was “hurt” by the performance. 32 – and Tim Southee, who took as simple as it gets and a lot of J. Bairstow c and b Southee ...... 0 Extras: (lb6, w5) ...... 11 Auckland score and only an heroic 33 not “We’ve got to sit down and have four for 25, in an innings that our guys were out today playing M. Ali b Southee ...... 0 Total: (for 3 wickets; 69 overs) ...... 175 out by number nine batsman a good chat about it. Is it a mental lasted just 20.4 overs. from behind the crease to fairly C. Woakes b Boult ...... 5 Fall of wickets: 1-8 (Raval), 2-92 Craig Overton ensured they approach? Is it something in our But Bayliss said that while New full balls.” Apart from Overton, C. Overton not out ...... 33 (Latham), 3-123 (Taylor) ngland coach Trevor passed the world record lowest preparation? Are we good enough Zealand performed well with the opener Mark Stoneman’s 11 was S. Broad c Williamson b Southee ...... 0 To bat: BJ Watling, Colin de Grand- Bayliss admitted he was innings of 26 set by New Zealand at working out how to actually ball, he believed the problem lay the only other England score in J. Anderson c Nicholls b Boul ...... t 1 homme, Todd Astle, Tim Southee, Neil “embarrassed” after in 1955. At stumps the Black Caps, play when we do lose one or two with the England batsmen. double fi gures, while captain Joe Extras: (lb1)...... 1 Wagner, Trent Boult. Ea collapse to 58 all out seemingly untroubled by the early wickets?” the coach added. “I thought the New Zealand Root led a parade of fi ve players Total: (20.4 overs) ...... 58 Bowling: Anderson 13-4-32-2, Broad against New Zealand which left conditions in the fi rst day-night “Embarrassed? Certainly, and bowlers bowled extremely well out for a duck. Fall of wickets: 1-6 (Cook), 2-6 (Root), 15-4-24-1, Overton 15-4-43-0, Woakes him struggling for answers. Test in New Zealand, were fi rmly I probably wasn’t the only one in and we batted equally as badly,” New Zealand’s batting was far 3-16 (Malan), 4-18 (Stoneman), 5-18 15-5-36-0 (1w), Ali 11-1-34-0 “It was a very poor eff ort to- in command at 175 for three, a our change room. It’s certainly he said. more solid with Kane William- (Stokes), 6-18 (Bairstow), 7-23 (Woakes), Toss: New Zealand day, it just simply wasn’t good lead of 117 runs with seven wick- not good enough.” “I thought we made a lot of son not out 91 at stumps while 8-23 (Ali), 9-27 (Broad), 10-58 (Anderson) Umpires: Paul Reiff el (AUS), Bruce enough,” Bayliss said, at the end ets in hand. “We’ve got the best New Zealand only needed two mistakes with our footwork. The Tom Latham, Ross Taylor and Bowling: Boult 10.4-3-32-6, Southee Oxenford (AUS) of one of the worst days in Eng- team from England we can pick bowlers, Trent Boult – who fi n- ball was swinging a little bit but Henry Nicholls all made it into 10-3-25-4 land Test history. here,” Bayliss said, admitting he ished with a career best six for when the ball’s pitched up it’s the twenties. Gulf Times Friday, March 23, 2018 3 SPORT

FORMULA ONE CRICKET ‘Very painful’ as Zimbabwe miss Hamilton, Vettel out on World Cup savour competing aft er loss to UAE against the ‘best’ Mutual respect was traded in for resentment last year when the pair bumped wheels at an explosive Azerbaijan Grand Prix, prompting an angry outburst from Mercedes’ Hamilton

Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton (L) and Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel during a press conference in Melbourne yesterday. Zimbabwe’s Sikander Raza rues his dismissal.

AFP bit,” said Cremer. Harare “We’d still back ourselves to chase 230 in 40 overs, but a poor start again. We keep losing wick- imbabwe captain Graeme ets in that fi rst power play, which Cremer rued his team’s has probably cost us.” missed opportunities for “When Raza got out, that was World Cup qualifi cation crucial for us. Because he could Zafter their three-run defeat to have won that game with a cou- United Arab Emirates saw them ple of overs to spare, the way he all but drop out of the running was batting. When Sean got out, for next year’s event. that was another big moment in “It’s very painful,” Cremer said the game.” of Zimbabwe’s defeat. “We had The match was watched by two bites at getting to the fi nal, around 10,000 spectators, with and we’ve stumbled at the last Harare Sports Club fi lled to ca- hurdle.” pacity. They cheered Zimbabwe With fi ve points, Zimbabwe to the last, but were ultimately needed a victory over either West left disappointed. Indies or UAE to reach the World “The fans have been excellent, Cup in England and Wales next from Bulawayo to here, and an- year. But they lost both games, other great turnout today,” said and now only a miraculous low- Cremer. scoring tie between Ireland and “They’ll probably be more Afghanistan today will see them disappointed than anyone, be- through. cause they’ve turned out and at Their World Cup dreams are least expected us to win one of eff ectively over. these two games to qualify. So “We were so hungry (to win),” there was big expectation on us. said Cremer. “The ball was in our We’re really sad that we couldn’t court, we just needed to turn up give them what they wanted.” Reuters Mercedes’ Hamilton. Fans will hope pas- “It’s great because it’s been a great ex- timate satisfaction to win with Ferrari, today and play some of our best While the Zimbabweans were Melbourne sions are high when the pair face off at perience for me to be able to race Sebas- which is the greatest team in history, cricket, then it might have been heartbroken, UAE captain Rohan Albert Park on Sunday and can remain so tian. greatest team in the paddock. a diff erent story. The guys are Mustafa revelled in his side’s fi rst through a proper season-long tussle. “He’s got the four world titles, had the “That’s my ultimate target now, win for shattered in the change room. major victory over a Full Member he tension of a rivalry that pro- At the year’s fi rst pre-race news con- most of any other driver at the time and I Ferrari and win against the best, which ar- I’m sure most Zimbabweans are.” team. “A great achievement for duced ‘road rage’ and acrimony ference, however, they staged little more think this is an exciting year for Formula guably Lewis is one of them.” Lunchtime rain interrupted the UAE team, because we have between Lewis Hamilton and Se- than a mutual appreciation society when One fans being that we have two four- Barring their racing pedigree, the pair the end of UAE’s innings at 235-7, never won against a Test nation bastian Vettel in 2017 was absent comparing their challenges, trading time world champions battling it out.” share little in common, with Hamilton’s and meant that Zimbabwe faced team,” said Mustafa. “So it’s a yesterdayT as the four-times Formula One smiles and light-hearted banter while sit- German Vettel, who took four consecu- high-profi le social life at odds with Vet- a revised target of 230 in 40 overs great achievement, and it shows champions made nice before the season- ting side-by-side. tive titles for Red Bull from 2010-13, was tel’s fi erce protection of his privacy. on the DLS method. the world that UAE, and the oth- opening Australian Grand Prix. “When you come to the end of your similarly generous to the driver he shook However, they agreed that matching They lost early wickets but er Associate countries, are get- This year marks the fi rst ever in the career you want to know that you’re com- his fi st at in a rage at Baku last year when Fangio, whose record of fi ve titles is sec- were restored by counter-at- ting better. series that two quadruple champions go peting against the best,” said reigning he claimed the Briton had brake-tested ond only to Michael Schumacher’s seven, tacking innings from Sean Wil- The West Indies, who edged wheel-to-wheel and their battle to join champion Hamilton, who overhauled Fer- him before their clash of wheels on track. was the last thing on their minds. liams and Sikandar Raza. Wil- Scotland by fi ve runs in another Argentine legend Juan Manuel Fangio on rari’s Vettel last year to claim his third title “He’s done a very good job for many “I’ve not (thought about it), honestly,” liams scored 80 in quick time, rain-hit match on Wednesday, fi ve titles will be a talking point through- with Mercedes. years now,” the 30-year-old said. “In my shrugged Hamilton. while Raza cracked 34 from 26 had already secured the fi rst out the season. “There are those that bow out early, case, if I look at people I raced through- For Vettel, there was no point in think- deliveries, but both fell with vic- qualifying spot from the tour- Mutual respect was traded in for re- those that have one championship maybe, out my career then you care about what it ing ‘what if’. tory almost in sight, allowing nament. Today, Afghanistan and sentment last year when the pair bumped that has not been as competitive and the means to you and it gives you more satis- “I think nowadays the times are diff er- UAE to surge to victory. Ireland will meet at the same wheels at an explosive Azerbaijan Grand ultimate goal to be the best is that you’re faction. ent, they are very diff erent times to what “We gave them a few too Harare Sports Club venue with Prix, prompting an angry outburst from going to have to go up against the best. “And now I am searching for the ul- Fangio achieved,” he added. many, and then to only have 40 the winner guaranteed a place in overs with the bat, that cost us a the 2019 fi nals.

BOTTOMLINESPOTLIGHT BOTTOMLINE Hamilton says Feel like a million bucks: Unadkat thrust into IPL spotlight

AFP against Sri Lanka. Rosberg trying to Colombo Unadkat fi nished with four wickets in three matches at an economy rate of 4.88, the lowest on either side. “He takes his cricket to the next level when he has to. get ‘headlines’ e isn’t well known on the international stage, He has got a few gears and I like now the change up in his but fast bowler Jaydev Unadkat has been thrust action as well,” former Australian fast bowler Brett Lee into the cricketing limelight after being hand- told AFP in Colombo. Reuters way to the 2017 title. Hed a bumper payday by the Indian Premier “And that’s what you need to fi nd in T20 cricket, it’s not Melbourne “I think there’s a lot of peo- League. all about running in and bowling fl at out in T20. ple who need to get headlines Heads turned when the Rajasthan Royals paid $1.8mn “You still need that skill set — yorkers, slow bouncers and that’s one way of doing it. dollars for the left-arm seamer, making him the most ex- and that type of things,” added the cricketer-turned- ewis Hamilton has “The goal this year is to be pensive Indian player at this year’s IPL auction. commentator who was part of the same Kolkata Knight dismissed criticism even more consistent than last Even Unadkat said he was surprised at the price tag, Riders squad as Unadkat in 2011. from former Mercedes year. I think consistency is the which will earn him more than $100,000 per game when Unadkat picked up seven wickets in four games as India Lteammate Nico Ros- main reason I won the world the competition starts next month. lifted the tri-series trophy in Sri Lanka after edging out berg as the product of some- championship last year.” The 26-year-old was second only to England all- Bangladesh in a thrilling fi nal on Sunday. one seeking “headlines”. Hamilton conceded the ear- rounder Ben Stokes at the auction, despite a stop-start They came at a cost though, with Unadkat giving away Rosberg, who beat Hamilton ly running in the 2017 title race international career so far. close to 10 runs an over. But India’s stand-in captain Rohit to the 2016 world champion- to Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel Since his international debut in 2010, Unadkat has played Sharma insisted the bowler would be a key part of future ship before retiring, told Sky before the German’s challenge one Test, seven ODIs and 10 Twenty20s for India, and had a Indian T20 teams. Sports this week that the Brit- fell away in the second half of mixed outing at last week’s tri-series in Sri Lanka. “He’s someone we can rely on going forward. He un- on was “almost unbeatable” the season. However, hopes are high that the “Prince of Porbandar” derstands his bowling really well,” said the batsman. when on song but his “weak- The Briton is favourite to — nicknamed after his home city in Gujarat — could be Breaking into India’s formidable Test side will be more ness” was a “bit of inconsist- win a fi fth title and draw level about to become a fi xture in India’s T20 team. diffi cult though, according to veteran sports journalist ency”. with Juan Manuel Fangio, who “He is a very promising bowler and will only get better Ayaz Memon. Hamilton, whose long- is second on the all-time list with the more matches he plays. I like him,” former India “The fact that he is a left-arm bowler adds that variety standing relationship with behind Michael Schumacher’s captain Sunil Gavaskar told AFP in Sri Lanka. to the Indian attack, because all the bowlers are right- Rosberg grew strained during seven championships. Unadkat was just 19 when he made his one and, so far, arm. Also he is not a rookie and has experience,” Memon their four years together at Although 33 and having ad- only Test appearance against South Africa at Centurion in told AFP. “However, there is a clamour for places. He will the Silver Arrows, viewed the mitted to thinking about life 2010. It was a debut to forget, however. He failed to take a have to get past (Mohamed) Shami and Bhuvneshwar German’s remarks dimly three after racing during the last wicket in 26 overs, gave away 101 runs, and was promptly Kumar and (Jasprit) Bumrah who were so impressive in days before Sunday’s season- campaign, Hamilton felt he dropped. South Africa (recently).” opening Australian Grand had yet to reach the peak of his Unadkat then spent three years in the international Unadkat wasn’t the only unheralded Indian player Prix. powers. wilderness before playing all seven of his one-day inter- to command a high price at the IPL auction: the Royals “I think I’ve proved that “I hope not,” said Hamilton, national appearances so far in 2013. spent almost $1mn on uncapped off -spinner Krishnappa that’s not the case last year,” who made his Formula One He missed much of the following two years through in- Gowtham, and Krunal Pandya went to Mumbai Indians champion Hamilton told re- debut for McLaren at Albert jury, and it wasn’t until June 2016 that he made his T20 for $1.38mn. “If we look at the history of IPL, teams which porters at the pre-race news Park in 2007 and won at the debut for India. had a strong core group of Indian players have done well conference yesterday, refer- lakeside circuit in 2008 and But his limited-overs international career received a consistently,” former India opener Wasim Jaff er wrote in ring to his nine wins on the 2015. shot in the arm late last year when he shone in a series Unadkat gives a send-off to a batsman in this file picture. The Times of India. Gulf Times 4 Friday, March 23, 2018 SPORT

TENNIS BOXING Parker a bigger threat than Wilder: Joshua Osaka powers past has an all-round game. That is Reuters London what makes it a dangerous fi ght.” Wilder retained his title with a win against Ortiz this month but ritain’s Anthony Josh- Joshua was not dazzled by his ua says his next oppo- rival’s victory over the 38-year- nent, WBO heavyweight old Cuban. champion Joseph Park- “When he won, I just thought Serena in Miami Ber, is a more well-rounded fi ght- he’s supposed to do that,” Joshua er than Deontay Wilder and does said, adding, “... by my 40th ‘Naomi played a great match and I look forward to continuing my return’ not appear overly impressed fi ght, no one should be giving with the WBC belt holder’s re- me problems. By my 40th fi ght, AFP cent win over Luis Ortiz. I should be a seasoned profes- Miami Joshua holds the WBA, IBF sional.” and IBO crowns and boasts Joshua will fi ght Parker at the a perfect 20-0 record. The Principality Stadium in Cardiff erena Williams crashed 28-year-old has exchanged jibes on March 31. out of the Miami Open with American Wilder, who has in the fi rst round here won all 40 of his fi ghts. But while Wednesday, slumping many boxing fans are talking up toS a straight sets defeat against a clash between the two, Joshua Japan’s Naomi Osaka in the lat- says he is looking no further than est setback to the former world New Zealander Parker. number one’s comeback. “Parker is a better all-round- Osaka, who won her fi rst er,” Joshua told reporters at his major title in Indian Wells last training camp. “He has a good weekend, was superior through- left hook, right hand, he wings out and fully deserved her 6-3, a right to the body, he likes a left 6-2 win in just one hour and 17 hook to the body. I haven’t seen minutes. It was Williams’ fourth Wilder throw that many body match and second tournament shots. appearance since returning from “Wilder relies on the right 13 months of maternity leave – hand. There has never been one yet the American’s movement champion in the heavyweight and inability to stay in the rallies division that relied solely on suggested her comeback could power and one punch... Parker be more arduous than expected. The defeat was the fi rst time Williams has lost her fi rst match SPOTLIGHT at an American hard court championship for 21 years. Williams, 36, may have been unfairly unseeded here due to Ex-NFL star Romo her lack of action over the past year, but could have no com- plaints with the defeat. In her tees off in PGA’s comeback in Indian Wells, she made it through to round three, where she fell to sister Venus in Dominican debut straight sets. Taking on Osaka was always AFP fying in 2010, made his fame in going to prove a tough task – and Santo Domingo 14 NFL campaigns as quarter- so it did. Williams refused to Naomi Osaka of Japan stretches to play a backhand against Serena Williams of the United States in their first round match during the Miami back of the Cowboys, throwing speak to the media afterwards. Open at Crandon Park Tennis Centre in Key Biscayne, Florida. (Getty Images/AFP) for 34,183 yards and 248 touch- The WTA and tournament will ormer Dallas Cowboys downs and saying precision decide if she will be fi ned, with TV so many times, so for me to be Osaka, 20, showed some un- star Tony Romo, now an throwing an American football a potential cost expected to be playing against her, trying to detach derstandable nerves but was Sousa beats Harrison to set up Goffi n clash NFL television analyst, has helped his golfi ng precision. about $1,000. She released a myself from the fact I was playing able to stay in the game and Portugal’s Joao Sousa edged American Ryan Harrison 7-6(4) 7-6(4) makes his US PGA Tour “Golf obviously wasn’t my brief statement more than 90 Serena, was hard. It took me three when she broke in the seventh debutF at the Corales Puntacana sport most of my life, but I’ve in first round action at the Miami Open on Wednesday as unseeded minutes after the end of the games (to get her head around it). game, it was the perfect chance players enjoyed a day in the limelight in Florida. Championship, the tour’s fi rst put a lot of time in preparing for match that read: “Every tourna- “It was a diff erent type of for the Japanese player to take The big names start their campaigns at the weekend, allowing Dominican Republic event. this,” Romo said. “I’ll be pre- ment is an opportunity for me nerves. I have never been like control. The world number 22’s the 80th-ranked Sousa to enjoy the prestige of a centre court US Ryder Cup captain Jim Fu- pared to play the best that I’m to better understand the areas I that against a specifi c person. serve – which was being clocked showdown in only his second career meeting against 53rd-ranked ryk and former US Ryder Cup capable.” need to improve to be my best. The fi nal in Indian Wells was dif- at an impressive 115mph – as Harrison. The American saved three match points in a tight contest captain Davis Love are among Romo, 37, is playing on a “Naomi played a great match ferent because I had never been well as the power in her ground before the Portugal-born Sousa prevailed in a little less than two past 10 major winners in the fi eld sponsor exemption after years and I look forward to continu- in that position.” strokes allowed her to stretch hours. Next up for Sousa is Belgian seventh seed David Goff in, who while the world’s top-ranked as a celebrity regular at the Peb- ing my return by progressing Williams looked a shadow of the lead to 5-3. Osaka was hit- is scheduled to return after a left eye injury that has kept him out players compete in the World ble Beach Pro-Am. Dru Love, every day. I am so grateful for her former self, yet her opponent ting the ball beautifully and for the past month. Golf Championships Match-Play son of 21-time US PGA winner my fans who continue to support was too focused on her own game broke again to take the fi rst set Goff in incurred the unlikely injury during a match in Rotterdam tournament in Austin, Texas. Davis Love, is a playing partner me every step of this incredible to notice any glaring defi cien- with relative ease. when a ball bounced off his racket and struck him at high velocity. The par-72 Corales course on of Romo for the fi rst two rounds. journey.” cies in the American’s game. “I Osaka broke once more to While Harrison made a quick exit, fellow American Jared Don- the nation’s eastern tip is the “He’s taking it really serious- wasn’t paying attention if she make it 3-1 in the second and aldson fared better with a 6-3 6-4 win over Marcos Baghdatis, of second-longest tour course of ly,” the younger Love said. “As an Diff erent type of nerves was struggling or not,” Osaka she never looked back, sealing Cyprus. One break in each set was enough for the 49th-ranked the season at 7,688 yards, 30 athlete he prepares for football Osaka, though, was under- said. “I would freak myself out if I the win when Williams hit an Donaldson, who also saved eight break points. yards shorter than Torrey Pines. games weeks in advance like we standably delighted. “I was was looking too much at her. She easy passing shot long. Australian Matthew Ebden outlasted Gilles Simon, of France, 6-3 Six holes are along the Carib- do PGA Tour events in advance, nervous but once the match did hit a lot of shots which almost “I think she was sad that it 6-7(2) 7-5 in more than two hours in a match that featured eight bean Sea, including the three- so I think he’s eager to get going. started I was OK,” said the Japa- made me fall over and I was like ended like that “ Osaka said. breaks of serve. hole closing stretch nicknamed “I’m sure he wants to play well nese rising star, who next faces ‘Wow, that’s a Serena shot.’” “I was new to the tour when Edben, who lost to another Frenchman, Gael Monfils, in the first “The Devil’s Elbow.” and show he’s a dual-sport ath- Ukrainian Elina Svitolina, the Williams, an eight-time she left after the Australian round in Indian Wells two weeks ago, fared better against Simon, “It’s a good test of golf,” Romo lete.” world number four, in the sec- champion in Key Biscayne, start- Open, so to shake her hand at particularly on the pivotal points. said. “If it’s windy, the scores Other major winners in the ond round. ed strongly and held her serve the end was pretty cool. She The Australian converted five of his 11 break opportunities, while won’t be that low.” fi eld include South Africa’s Re- “Serena is the main reason why I to love but it took a while for the said, ‘Good job,’ but I kind of Simon could only take advantage on three of his 14 chances. Romo, who reached the sec- tief Goosen, American John Daly started playing. I have seen her on American to fi nd her range. blanked out. tional round of US Open quali- and Argentina’s Angel Cabrera.

GOLF Johnson, McIlroy lose on fi rst day of Match Play Reuters Wednesday losers will get a Hahn (USA x56) 4 & 2 Austin chance to make amends over the Louis Oosthuizen (RSA x25) bt next two days as the tournament Jason Dufner (USA x42) 1 up no longer uses a knockout for- Group 9 orld number one mat until the weekend. Kevin Chappell (USA x33) bt Dustin Johnson and The 64 players are divided Daniel Berger (USA x26) 3 & 2 four-time major into 16 groups of four, with eve- Ian Poulter (ENG x58) bt Tommy winner Rory McIl- ryone in each pod playing each Fleetwood (ENG x9) 3 & 2 Wroy suff ered surprise defeats on other over the fi rst three days. Group 10 Wednesday as the WGC-Dell The winner of each group ad- Paul Casey (ENG x10) bt Russell Match Play got off to a typically vances to the fi nal 16 and the Henley (USA x51) 1 up unpredictable start in Texas. elimination stage. Wiesberger Kyle Stanley (USA x45) bt Mat- Austrian Bernd Wiesberger, said he played more freely with- thew Fitzpatrick (ENG x31) 1 up seeded 52nd at the tournament, out any burden of expectation Group 11 beat defending champion John- against top seed Johnson. Julian Suri (USA x64) bt Marc son 3&1, while Peter Uihlein “I thought it was the easi- Leishman (USA x11) 3 & 2 (57th) defeated McIlroy (sixth) est game I could have,” said Bubba Watson (USA x35) bt 2&1 at Austin Country Club. the four-times European Tour Branden Grace (RSA x23) 5 & 3 In another surprise, American winner. Group 12 Julian Suri, the lowest ranked of “I’m the underdog playing the Brendan Steele (USA x36) bt the 64 men in the fi eld, beat Aus- defending champion, so it was Charley Hoff man (USA x22) 1 up tralia’s world number 15 Marc just go out there and see what Tyrrell Hatton (ENG x12) bt Alex- Leishman, seeded 11th, 3&2. happens. ander Levy (FRA x55) 3 & 2 McIlroy’s defeat came three “We both didn’t have a great Group 13 days after he won the Arnold day. He gave away a couple of Alex Noren (SWE x13) bt Kevin Palmer Invitational with a barn- holes quite unexpectedly.” Dustin Johnson of the United States plays his shot from the 12th tee Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland lines up a putt on the 15th green Na (USA x61) 4 & 2 storming fi nal round. American Suri was another during the first round of the World Golf Championships-Dell Match during the first round of the World Golf Championships-Dell Match Tony Finau (USA x29) bt Thomas The Northern Irishman said who revelled in the underdog Play at Austin Country Club in Austin, Texas. (Getty Images/AFP) Play at Austin Country Club in Austin, Texas. (Getty Images/AFP) Pieters (BEL x39) 2 & 1 he had been a “little fl at” early role. Group 14 on, though rallied late with fi ve “I like to think I play my best won their contests while third roy on Sunday.” Jon Rahm (ESP x3) and Keegan Patrick Cantlay (USA x30) 2 up Charles Howell (USA x59) bt Phil consecutive birdies to make it with a little chip on my shoul- seed Jon Rahm halved with Bradley (USA x63) halved Group 6 Mickelson (USA x14) 3 & 2 close before a relieved Uihlein der,” said Suri, who plays mainly Keegan Bradley. Results Kiradech Aphibarnrat (THA x28) Peter Uihlein (USA x57) bt Rory Rafa Cabrera Bello (ESP x17) bt closed it out with a par at the on the European Tour where he Two-times Masters champion Group 1 bt Chez Reavie (USA x43) 3 & 2 McIlroy (NIR x6) 2 & 1 Satoshi Kodaira (JPN x40) 2 & 1 17th. won the Made in Denmark tour- Bubba Watson made a hot start Bernd Wiesberger (AUT x52) bt Group 4 Brian Harman (USA x18) and Group 15 “I made him earn it at least. I nament last August. to beat South African Branden Dustin Johnson (USA x1) 3 & 1 Jordan Spieth (USA x4) bt Charl Jhonattan Vegas (VEN x44) Gary Woodland (USA x24) and made the scoreline a little more “A lot of people are saying Grace 5&3. Kevin Kisner (USA x32) and Schwartzel (RSA x49) 2 & 1 halved Webb Simpson (USA x37) halved respectable,” McIlroy told re- congrats on being in the fi eld. I “It was perfect,” Watson said Adam Hadwin (CAN x38) halved Patrick Reed (USA x19) bt Li Hao Group 7 Pat Perez (USA x15) and Kim Si- porters. don’t think any other tourna- of his front nine, after racing to a Group 2 Tong (CHN x34) 3 & 2 Sergio Garcia (ESP x7) bt Shub- Woo (KOR x50) halved “I got down early and he ment they’d say congrats. I want 6-up lead at the turn. Justin Thomas (USA x2) bt Luke Group 5 hankar Sharma (IND x62) 1 up Group 16 didn’t make a bogey all day. So it to do more than just be here and “You couldn’t ask for better. List (USA x60) 2 up Hideki Matsuyama (JPN x5) bt Xander Schauff ele (USA x20) bt Yuta Ikeda (JPN x47) bt Ross was hard to sort of claw my way take pictures.” He (Grace) was under par on the Francesco Molinari (ITA x21) bt Yusaku Miyazato (JPN x53) 2 Dylan Frittelli (RSA x41) 1 up Fisher (ENG x27) 2 & 1 back.” Second and fourth seeds Jus- front nine and somehow I just Patton Kizzire (USA x48) 3 & 1 and 1 Group 8 Matt Kuchar (USA x16) and Zach McIlroy and the other tin Thomas and Jordan Spieth made a few more. I felt like McIl- Group 3 Cameron Smith (AUS x46) bt Jason Day (AUS x8) bt James Johnson (USA x54) halved Gulf Times Friday, March 23, 2018 5 SPORT

NBA Bidding for Panthers hits $2.5bn LeBron and Love power New York: Potential buyers are coming and going as the potential sale price of the NFL’s Carolina Panthers soars to record levels. Bloomberg reported on Wednesday that the price tag of the franchise Cavs to win over Raptors has reached $2.5bn, prompt- ing Philadelphia e-commerce innovator Michael Rubin to drop out. Walker converts three-point play with 18.3 seconds remaining as Charlotte stun Brooklyn Sources told the Charlotte Observer that Rubin, whose Reuters of 20 or more this season — helped the minority partners reportedly Cleveland, California Clippers amass a 47-33 edge on the include entertainment mogul boards. Milwaukee lost for the ninth Sean “Diddy” Combs, Golden time in the past 13 games. Khris Mid- State Warriors star Stephen eBron James hit two free throws dleton paced the Bucks with 23 points, Curry and businessman with 7.8 seconds left and fi n- and Jabari Parker added 20 points. Joseph Tsai, remains inter- ished with 35 points, 17 assists ested at the right price. and seven rebounds to lead the 76ERS 119, GRIZZLIES 105 The paper reported that Lhost Cleveland Cavaliers to a 132-129 JJ Redick, Marco Belinelli, Dario Saric the bidding process may win over the Eastern Conference-lead- and Robert Covington scored 15 points conclude by the end of the ing Toronto Raptors on Wednesday. apiece, and Philadelphia cruised past month and that a vote to Kevin Love scored 23 points, includ- depleted Memphis in Philadelphia. The approve the sale could take ing a 3-pointer with 27.5 seconds left to Sixers won their fourth in a row and place during league meetings put Cleveland up 128-124, and added reached the 40-win plateau for the fi rst May 21-23. A $25bn sale would 12 rebounds. George Hill had 22 points time since the 2010-11 season. set a record for a US franchise. on 10-of-11 shooting for the Cavaliers, Philadelphia needs two more wins Basketball’s Houston Rockets who won their third straight and posted to fi nish above.500 for the fi rst time sold for $2.2bn last year, while a fourth victory in fi ve games. since the 2004-05 campaign. The Griz- baseball’s Los Angeles Dodg- Kyle Lowry had 24 points and DeMar zlies, who have dropped 16 consecutive ers sold in 2012 for $2bn. In DeRozan had 21 to lead the Raptors, who road games, got 18 points from Wayne the most recent sale of an NFL came into the game winners of 19 of 21 Selden. team, Terry and Kim Pegula but have now lost two of three. paid $1.4bn for the Buff alo Bills HEAT 119, KNICKS 98 in 2014. HORNETS 111, NETS 105 Miami’s high-fl ying off ense soared over Dwight Howard totalled 32 points and visiting New York as the Heat won for LIONS SIGN WILLIAMS 30 rebounds while Kemba Walker con- the ninth time in their past 10 home AND WILLSON verted the go-ahead three-point play games, including six straight, and im- Detroit Lions signed defen- with 18.3 seconds remaining as visiting proved to 22-13 at home. Tyler John- sive tackle Sylvester Williams Charlotte overcame a 23-point defi cit son and Kelly Olynyk led Miami with and tight end Luke Willson to and stunned Brooklyn. 22 points each, with Olynyk adding a one-year contracts, the team Howard had the NBA’s fi rst 30-30 career-high 10 assists. announced. Williams made game since Kevin Love had one in No- Wayne Ellington had 16 points, Jus- 20 tackles but no sacks in 15 vember 2010, and only the second since tise Winslow 15, Goran Dragic 14 and games at nose tackle last sea- Moses Malone achieved the feat in 1982. Josh Richardson 12. The Heat, sev- son with the Tennessee Titans, Howard had 26 points and 20 boards enth in the Eastern Conference playoff and he has 114 tackles and six after halftime and nine points and eight race, have averaged 115 points per game sacks in 75 career games. rebounds in the fourth quarter, when since the All-Star break. They scored a He was released from a Charlotte outscored Brooklyn 36-18. franchise-record 149 in their double- three-year, $16.5mn contract Howard shot 10 of 17 from the fl oor and overtime win over the Denver Nuggets by the Titans last week. made 12 of 21 free throws. He tied a ca- on Monday. Willson caught 89 passes in reer high with 11 off ensive rebounds. five seasons with the Seattle The 30 rebounds set a Hornets record. PELICANS 96, PACERS 92 Seahawks. The contract is Anthony Davis had 28 points, 13 re- worth $2.5mn. SPURS 98, WIZARDS 90 bounds and fi ve blocks as New Orle- LaMarcus Aldridge scored 27 points ans held off visiting Indiana. E’Twaun MCDONALD JOINS and hit two consecutive baskets during Moore added 23 points, Nikola Mirotic BRONCOS FOR TWO YEARS a pivotal stretch of the fourth quarter scored 15 and Jrue Holiday, returning The Denver Broncos signed as San Antonio easily handled visiting from a one-game absence due to the fl u, former Buccaneers defensive Washington. The win was a season- scored 10 as the Pelicans won their third tackle Clinton McDonald to high fi fth straight for the Spurs, who consecutive game. a two-year deal, the team just a few weeks ago were outside of the Victor Oladipo scored 21, Myles announced. According to a re- playoff picture and in jeopardy of seeing Turner had 13 points and 10 rebounds, ports, the agreement is worth an end to their run of 20 straight years in Darren Collison added 11 points and $7mn, with $4mn due in 2018. the postseason. Trevor Booker 10 to lead the Pacers. The McDonald, 31, was a full- All that changed with a perfectly game was rescheduled from Feb. 7 when time starter in Tampa Bay timed stint at home, the current win- a leak in the Smoothie King Center roof from 2014 to 2016 before ning streak and the return to health of made the fl oor unplayable. moving to a rotational role in Aldridge, who has now been the team’s 2017. He finished last season leading scorer 50 times in the 64 games NUGGETS 135, BULLS 102 with 29 tackles and 5.0 sacks he has played this season. San Antonio Scoring 113 points in the fi rst three quar- while playing 43.5% of the is now tied for fi fth in the Western Con- ters, Denver moved within 1 1/2 games of defensive snaps. ference with the New Orleans Pelicans, the Utah Jazz for the fi nal playoff spot in The Kansas City Chiefs a half-game behind the fourth-place the Western Conference by embarrass- signed defensive tackle Xavier Oklahoma City Thunder. ing host Chicago at the United Center. Williams, the team announced. Seven players scored in double fi gures Williams was a restricted free CLIPPERS 127, BUCKS 120 for Denver, which improved to 39-33 agent who played for the DeAndre Jordan had 25 points and 22 re- with 10 games remaining. Cardinals last season, but the bounds as visiting Los Angeles snapped Paul Millsap led the balanced attack team declined to match the a four-game losing streak by beating with 22 points, going 8 of 9 from the Chiefs’ off er. Williams, 26, is Milwaukee, which saw All-Star forward fi eld, and he also grabbed a team-high a 6-foot-4, 310-pound nose Giannis Antetokounmpo leave the game eight rebounds. Nikola Jokic added 21 tackle who grew up in a Kan- in the second quarter after turning his points on 9-of-11 shooting, seven re- sas City suburb. Undrafted out right ankle. bounds and fi ve assists in only 24 min- of Northern Iowa, he joined Austin Rivers scored 22 points, Lou utes, while Wilson Chandler chipped the Cardinals in 2015 and saw Williams had 19 and Tobias Harris add- in 19 points and fi ve rebounds for the action in 23 games over the ed 18 for the Clippers. Jordan’s latest big Nuggets. Cristiano Felicio scored a Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (lefts) dunks beside Toronto Raptors center Jonas Valanciunas during the first last three seasons rebounding outing — he has 13 games team-high 16 points for the Bulls. quarter of the NBA game at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, USA, on Wednesday. (USA TODAY Sports)

ROUND-UP NHL Arizona’s Ayton Schwartz scores OT winner in Blues’ victory declares for NBA draft Reuters dropped their fourth straight. Boston rizona freshman centre NBA draft after one season at DUCKS 4, FLAMES 0 Deandre Ayton an- IMG Academy, he said. Simons, John Gibson made 29 saves for his nounced on Wednes- who is 19 and one year removed aden Schwartz scored a pair of fourth shutout of the season, and Ana- day that he is declaring from high school, meets the NBA goals, including the game-winner heim claimed a fourth straight win with forA the NBA draft. The 7-foot-1 draft requirements in place and 30 seconds into overtime to send a victory at Calgary. The Flames nearly Ayton, who could be the No. 1 is not required to attend col- the St. Louis Blues past the visit- doubled the visitors in shots on goal but overall pick of the draft, made lege for one year because of his ingJ Boston Bruins 2-1 on Wednesday. couldn’t solve Gibson. the announcement on his Twit- enrolment at IMG in Bradenton, It was the third straight game in which At the other end, the Ducks could do ter account. “I’m so blessed for Florida. St. Louis fell behind and came back to no wrong en route to a win that vaulted the opportunity I had at Arizona, “After discussing the matter win in overtime. them over the Los Angeles Kings for and I’m excited to announce I with my parents, I have decided Ryan Donato scored the lone goal for third place in the Pacifi c Division. An- will be entering the 2018 NBA to forgo the opportunity to play Boston, which clinched a playoff berth drew Cogliano scored his third short- Draft!” Ayton tweeted. I’m so in the NCAA and to instead enter for the second straight season under handed goal of the season, his 16th with blessed for the opportunity I had the NBA draft,” Simons said. “I new coach Bruce Cassidy with a point. the Ducks, which ties Paul Kariya for the at Arizona, and I’m excited to am very thankful for the support The Bruins have lost two straight and franchise record. Ondrej Kase, Hampus announce I will be entering the I received at IMG Academy and four of six (2-2-2). Jake Allen recorded 21 Lindholm and Francois Beauchemin had 2018 NBA Draft!” from the NCAA coaches who saves in the winning eff ort for the Blues the other Anaheim tallies. Ayton was named Pac-12 recruited me. I am ready and while Anton Khudobin had 18 saves for Player of the Year after averaging excited to pursue my dream of the Bruins. COYOTES 4, SABRES 1 20.1 points and 11.6 rebounds playing in the NBA.” Antti Raanta made 29 saves while pick- per game. He shot 61.2 % from Simons is listed by IMG at PENGUINS 5, CANADIENS 3 ing up his fi fth win in six games, and the fi eld, blocked 66 shots and 6-foot-3, 165 pounds, and was Derick Brassard scored a tiebreaking Derek Stepan had a goal and an assist recorded a school-record 24 coveted out of high school for his goal early in the third period, and Jake to lead Arizona to a victory at Buff alo. double-doubles. Ayton grew up shooting range and quickness. Guentzel fi nished with one goal and two Dylan Strome, Richard Panik and Max in the Bahamas and is apprecia- Simons committed to play at assists as Pittsburgh defeated visiting Domi also scored for the Coyotes, and tive of where things stand per his Louisville. Rick Pitino was fi red Montreal. Guentzel added his goal with Clayton Keller added two assists. future. “I’m just a kid from the last October, and interim head 1:33 left, with Sidney Crosby collecting Arizona, which began the season Bahamas who came to the States coach Scott Padgett will not re- career assist No. 700 on the play. 0-10-1, improved to 13-5-2 in its past when I was 12 years old with a turn. Earlier this month, Simons In the second period, Crosby scored a 20 games. Jordan Nolan scored the lone dream,” Ayton tweeted. “I can’t was named to the Nike Hoop spectacular goal, twice batting the puck goal for Buff alo. Sabres goalie Chad say anything about this journey Summit and Jordan Classic in the air, the second time knocking it Johnson, hit in the mask by a Brendan other than that it’s God’s Plan.” rosters. Every NBA team scouted into the net. Perlini shot midway through the fi rst Simons this season in anticipa- Patric Hornqvist and Evgeni Malkin period, stopped 13 of 15 shots before be- SIMONS SKIPPING COLLEGE, tion of the move, said Simons, also scored for Pittsburgh. Jonathan ing replaced by Linus Ullmark six min- DECLARES FOR NBA DRAFT who is the No. 19 prospect avail- Drouin, Nikita Scherbak and Jacob de la utes into the second period. Ullmark St. Louis Blues left wing Jaden Schwartz (right) celebrates with teammates after scoring Anfernee Simons is entering the able for the 2018 NBA Draft. Rose lit the lamp for the Canadiens, who fi nished with 12 saves. the game winning goal in overtime at Scottrade Center. (USA TODAY Sports) Gulf Times 6 Friday, March 23, 2018 FOOTBALL

PREVIEW Germany coach Loew set to play strong hand against Spain ‘It will be a game in which both teams will want to show what they can do. However, neither will want to lay their cards on the table’

AFP Loew has a big pool of players Düsseldorf, Germany to chose from for the tourna- ment in Russia and said he had still not ruled out Borussia Dort- oachim Loew is keeping mund trio Mario Goetze, Marco his World Cup cards up Reus and Andre Schuerrle, all of his sleeve, but the Ger- whom did not receive a call up many coach is set play a for these two games. strongJ hand in today’s mouth- “I have talked to Mario and I watering friendly against Spain. was of the opinion that he was The defending champions be- not at the level we would want,” gin to fi netune their World Cup Loew said of Goetze, scorer of preparations with high-profi le Germany’s World Cup-winning home friendlies against Spain, in goal in 2014. “He is ambitious Duesseldorf, and Brazil, in Berlin and he is in no way ruled out,” the next Tuesday. coach said. Loew said Schuerrle, Loew revealed yesterday that who set up Goetze to score in the World Cup winners Jerome 2014 fi nal, had experienced a dip Boateng, Mats Hummels, Tho- in form earlier in the season but mas Mueller, Mesut Ozil and was now improving. Toni Kroos will all face Spain in “He played few matches in the a strong line-up, although Liv- fi rst half of the season but he is erpool midfi elder Emre Can is now rising and we know how to missing after picking up a back appreciate what Andre can do. injury while on club duty. He is for us still an issue for the “Emre Can will not be in the World Cup.” squad tomorrow because of the Spain, under head coach Julen back problem he brought with Lopetegui, won nine and drew him from Liverpool,” Loew told the other with stars Diego Costa, reporters. “He tried to train yes- Isco, Alvaro Morata and David terday but broke it off because it Silva each scoring fi ve goals in was pinching a bit. “Maybe Sat- qualifi ers. The Spanish have also urday he can return to training set up high-profi le friendlies and hopefully play a role against this month and host Argentina Brazil (next week).” in Madrid next Tuesday. Germany’s coach Joachim Loew talks to the players during a training session ahead of their international friendly match against Spain at Paul-Janes-Stadion in Duesseldorf, The biggest absence will be The 2010 World Cup winners western Germany. (AFP) Germany captain Manuel Neu- are unbeaten since Lopetegui er, recovering from a fractured took over after Euro 2016, while foot, while Barcelona goalkeep- Germany are on a 21-match un- In the snow without Neymar, Brazil brace for Russia er Marc-Andre ter Stegen will beaten run. Morata, plus his start in goal. There are just three Chelsea team-mates Cesc Fa- Training between mounds of snow old hero. “Neymar is a unique player. He show their best side.” is expected to be out for two months. months before the World Cup bregas and Pedro were left out without Neymar, Brazil may be forgiven is not here and replacing him is all but Costa will be paired up front with Chel- Third choice Alex Sandro of Italian cham- kicks off in Russia, and while for the Germany and Argentina for feeling out of their element as they impossible,” Tite said after yetserday’s sea’s graceful winger Willian and Gabriel pions Juventus was injured during the Loew expects both teams to im- friendlies by Lopetegui. prepare to face hosts Russia in their training session. “But my team has a lot Jesus, who has scored 11 times for Man- first training session in Moscow. press today he also knows nei- Germany’s Tony Kroos could penultimate World Cup warmup. of capable players and I am giving them chester City this season. As a result, Tite had to call up the un- ther will be keen to put all their face Real Madrid midfi eld team- The most expensive footballer on the every opportunity possible to prove It is a dizzying array of stars and Real capped 28-year-old Ismaily - named after wares on display. mates Isco and Marco Asensio planet is back home, celebrating his themselves.” Madrid midfielder Casemiro may have an obscure 1956 British film called “Smi- “It will be a game in which in Duesseldorf and is relishing sister’s birthday with his famous right put it most succinctly when contemplat- ley”. He is a complete unknown in his both teams will want to show the prospect. “Spain is a special foot recovering from surgery in a protec- Fighting for a spot ing the eff ect of such strong internal homeland and his selection was perhaps what they can do,” said Loew. game and a few of my Real team- tive boot. But things are deadly serious Without the Paris Saint-Germain star, Tite competition. “I do not want to lose my more due to his geographic proximity - “However, neither will want mates will be involved,” said in Moscow, where the Selecao play on is entrusting the left wing to Juventus’s place to anyone,” said Casemiro. “I want he plays for Shakhtar Donetsk in Ukraine to lay their cards on the table. Kroos, who left Bayern Munich today at the same Luzhniki Stadium in in-form Douglas Costa. The 27-year-old is to play for my country, play in all the - than anything else. “If we were to play Spain at for Madrid in 2014. which they hope to lift a record sixth in the prime of his career after spending matches, and I am ready to show my best Rio’s Globo Esporte newspaper pointed the World Cup, it would be a very “We talked about the game in World Cup trophy on July 15. much of it tucked away in Ukraine play- at training to do it.” out incredulously that Ismaily was the diff erent game and we know they advance, but nothing more. Coach Tite will try to make sure his ing for Shakhtar Donetsk. If Tite is spending any sleepless nights, 10th left-back called up by Tite since he are a top team in every respect. “We’ll need to play well, Spain superstars have learned from the unmiti- Costa has only found the net three times it might not be because of Neymar’s took over in 2014. Despite the problems, “Their best 11 to 13 players stands for a certain type of foot- gated disaster of their 7-1 drubbing by in 22 appearances in the national team’s absence but due to his defence. and temperatures due to drop to -9 Cel- come from Atletico, Barca and ball – a mix of Real and Barca. Germany, whom Brazil play on Tuesday, yellow jersey but this is his time to shine, Despite boasting a trio of Neymar’s PSG sius (16 Fahrenheit) in Moscow, Brazil are Real, uniting all these virtues. “They have lost some play- on home soil back in 2014. and he does not seem phased. teammates - Silva, Marquinhos and Dani hoping to leave a legacy. “You have Atletico’s press- ers, but brought in others and That fateful World Cup semi-final was “Replacing Neymar is an enormous chal- Alves - Brazil have a weakness at left- “We will be playing in the stadium that ing game, Real’s high speed and they are back at the top level. I played without the injured Neymar or lenge, but we have a lot of class acts on back should something happen to Real will host the final, and we want to leave a quick counter-attack with Bar- see that every weekend in the suspended centre-back Thiago Silva. the team who have big potential,” said Madrid’s Marcelo. His regular replace- wish,” said Casemiro. ca’s possession. That unites the (Spanish) league and they are Now, as then, Brazil are looking vulnera- Costa. “Neymar’s absence gives the other ment Filipe Luis suff ered a broken leg “We want to come back here in the sum- national team and for me, they clearly among the World Cup ble in defence and missing their 26-year- players a chance to show themselves, to playing for Atletico Madrid last week and mer and try to win the title.” are one of the top favorites.” favourites.”

SPOTLIGHT Guardiola lost faith in me at Barca, says Pique Reuters as committed to that philoso- Madrid phy.” Potential Russian swansong for Pique was omitted from his Iniesta as China draws closer side’s Clasico meeting with ri- erard Pique is unsure vals Real Madrid and missed Barcelona and Spain midfield star Andres Iniesta has indicated whether he would have the fi rst leg of their Champi- this summer’s World Cup in Russia could signal his international stayed at Barcelona had ons League semi-fi nal defeat to swansong. Iniesta, 33, also hinted he could finally be lured from a former manager Pep Chelsea in 2012. rarely-seen ‘contract for life’ with the Spanish league giants, signed GGuardiola remained at the club He was recalled for the second last year, to cap his sparkling club career with a stint in China’s beyond 2012 after the now Man- leg, only to leave the fi eld with Super League. chester City boss lost faith in the concussion in the fi rst half. It “At the moment, given my age, it could be my last international Spain defender. was a blow that made him con- appearance,” Iniesta told Radio Cadena Ser yesterday when asked The centre back, who has sider his future. about the 2018 World Cup to be held in Russia from June 14 to July played over 250 league games “That season really made 15. for Barca, wrote in the Player’s me think about my career, and “It’s quite similar to what could happen to me at club level. I don’t Tribune that a year after winning my life. It was a wake-up call. want to be there just to make up the numbers, I don’t need to be a Liga and Champions League When our team was playing for there (at Barcelona and Spain) just so I can say I’m there.” double under Guardiola in 2011, it all, Pep didn’t believe in me Iniesta, considered one of world’s greatest creative midfielders, has he was left contemplating his fu- anymore. Then, when he fi nally been increasingly linked with a move to China despite signing a deal ture at the club. turned to me, I got knocked out with Barcelona last autumn that eff ectively allowed him to decide He said this was because he cold,” he said. when he would finish his career with the Catalan giants. could not fully buy into the Cat- “Sometimes I think about The diminutive playmaker said his physical condition could decide alan coach’s notoriously intense what would have happened if his Barcelona future for him, adding: “If I remain it will be because I off -fi eld demands and Guardio- I had woken up the next day feel 200% in virtually every department. And if I don’t (stay), it will la’s trust in the player had been and found out that we had gone be because I don’t feel myself capable.” knocked. through against Chelsea. I was Iniesta, a 2010 World Cup winner who helped steer Barca to four “I had the worst season of my out with a head injury for weeks, Champions League titles between 2006-2015, is expected to declare career. Everything seemed to so I defi nitely wouldn’t have his future intentions to Barcelona by a deadline of April 30. fall apart in 2012. I don’t know played in the fi nal. He added: “It’s something that has to happen sooner or later, I why,” said the 31-year-old who “Maybe we would have won haven’t decided yet.” started out in Barca’s youth the Champions League. Maybe ranks before joining Manches- Pep would have decided to stay ter United in 2004 and returned at Barca. Maybe he never would to the Nou Camp four years later. have regained his trust in me. “Perhaps I had lost the fear Maybe I would be at another club that drove me to that level. But right now.” for whatever reason, I started Guardiola left Barcelona at the questioning myself. As the sea- end of the 2011-12 season and son went on, Pep started to lose took a sabbatical before joining faith in me. For the fi rst three Bayern Munich where he spent seasons, we had a phenomenal three years before joining Man- relationship. chester City. “I still revere Pep as a man- Pique has won three Cham- ager. But the truth is, it was an pions League and six Liga extremely hard time. titles plus fi ve King’s Cup, fi ve “He wanted his players to be Spanish Super Cup, two Euro- obsessed with football 24 hours a pean Super Cup and three FIFA day, and at that point in my life, Club World Cup trophies with Barcelona’s coach Pep Guardiola (right) talks with Gerard Pique during a training session at Wembley I didn’t understand it. I wasn’t Barca. Stadium in London on May 27, 2011. (Reuters) Gulf Times Friday, March 23, 2018 7 FOOTBALL

FOOTBALL FOR ALL DEAL Ibrahimovic signs for Los Angeles Galaxy Expanding Workers’ tuted at half-time in a 2-2 draw AFP Los Angeles with Burnley on December 26. The Swede scored 28 goals in 46 appearances during a stun- latan Ibrahimovic has ning fi rst season in England be- signed for the Los An- fore tearing knee ligaments in a geles Galaxy and could Europa League tie against An- make his debut for derlecht in April. Cup highlights Zthe Major League Soccer side His form was rewarded with this month, Sports Illustrated an extension of his contract for reported yesterday. a second season, but the £75 Hours after reports in Britain million ($105 million) signing said Ibrahimovic had played his of Romelu Lukaku saw him slip last game for Manchester Unit- down the pecking order at Old ed, Sports Illustrated reported Traff ord. on its website the Swedish star His reported arrival in MLS Qatar’s commitment had inked a deal with the Galaxy. comes at a time when clubs are The report said the transfer increasingly turning away from ‘Workers’ Cup continues to go from strength to strength and is now a much-anticipated annual event’ would be announced in a full- the recent practice of signing page adverstisement in Friday’s veteran European stars already l Duhail Sports Club edition of the Los Angeles Times. into their 30s. will hold the show- MLS rules allow clubs to sign Several clubs have instead piece Workers’ Cup three designated players who are found success by looking to sign fi nal between Na- not subject to salary limits, a rule younger players from South kheelA Landscapes and Doha introduced when David Beckham America who view the league Pest Control today (kick-off arrived in the league in 2007. as a potential springboard for a 7:00pm). However because the Galaxy move to Europe. Although the Organised jointly by the Su- have already signed their desig- Galaxy are the most success- preme Committee for Delivery nated players for the 2018 sea- ful club in MLS history with a & Legacy (SC) and the Qatar son, Ibrahimovic’s salary will be record fi ve championships, their Stars League (QSL), the Work- limited to around $1.5 million fortunes have dipped sharply in ers’ Cup encourages companies according to the Sports Illus- recent seasons. involved in 2022 FIFA World trated report. Last year the club fi nished Cup infrastructure projects to That represents a fraction of bottom of the Western Confer- support leisure activities for the reported 19 million pounds ence with only eight wins from their employees. ($26.8 million) a season Ibrahi- 34 games. It was only the fourth The sixth edition of the tour- movic was paid after signing for time the club had failed to reach nament has been the biggest to United from Paris Saint-Ger- the playoff s, and the fi rst time it date, with 32 teams taking part, main in 2016. fi nished with the league’s wood- including 12 contractors work- The Galaxy have a history of en spoon. ing on 2022 FIFA World Cup luring ageing stars to America The Galaxy’s aura has also projects and seven engaged with with David Beckham, Ste- been diminished by the arrival the SC’s Generation Amazing ven Gerrard and Robbie Keane this year of expansion side Los programme. among those to have made the Angeles Football Club - who As today’s fi nal approaches, move to Los Angeles. could potentially be Ibrahimov- the 2018 edition can boast an- Ibrahimovic, 36, hasn’t fea- ic’s fi rst opponents when the other action-packed year which tured at all for Jose Mourinho’s Galaxy meet the team in a derby included 76 matches, 640 play- United side since being substi- clash on March 31. ers and more than 10,000 fans. And on the eve of the fi nal, the SC’s Communications Director, Fatma al-Nuaimi, said she was proud to witness the tourna- ment’s continued expansion. “Businesses and the wider football community have taken the Workers’ Cup to their hearts over the past fi ve years, to the point where the event has be- come a key part of Qatar’s sport- ing calendar,” said al-Nuaimi. “The passion for football and unifying nature of the sport are Nakheel have been in im- showcased during every game, perious form throughout the Zlatan Ibrahimovic not least the fi nal, which prom- tournament. They thrashed ises to be an exciting match Bouygues 18-0 in their open- between two strong teams. I’m ing match before delivering two very much looking forward to 9-0 victories in a row, against Sanchez admits to ‘rough’ start at Friday’s game and wish both Al Khor Youth Club and NAAAS Manchester United sides the best of luck.” Group respectively. Al-Nuaimi said the Workers’ The going has been tougher Alexis Sanchez confessed to having had a “rough” start at Man- Cup was helping to boost health for Nakheel in the knockout chester United where he’s scored only once in 10 matches since his and wellness among people en- rounds though. Mowaselat were lucrative move from Arsenal in January. gaged on 2022 FIFA World Cup defeated on penalties in the last The diminutive Chilean forward has been in the eye of the storm projects. 16 after the match ended goal- with a string of below-par performances as United struggled in the “As well as harnessing Qa- less, before G4S were dispatched Premier League and limped out of the Champions League at the tar’s passion for football, one of 4-0 in the quarter-fi nals. hands of Sevilla this month. the key objectives of the tour- For Doha Pest Control, mean- “It was a bit rough for me because it’s the first time I’ve changed a nament is to boost the players’ while, it’s been a dream debut team in January,” Sanchez told reporters in Stockholm where Chile health, fi tness and general well- season in the competition. They are preparing to face Sweden tomorrow. being,” she said. “The 2018 edi- opened up with a pair of 1-0 He said he had “expected something better” from himself during his tion, like all previous tourna- victories, over Besix and Galfar first months under Jose Mourhino. ments, has given a platform to Al Misnad respectively, before “It’s been very diff icult, we were out of the World Cup, I arrived at those who wish to train regu- rounding off the group stage my club which was at the time Arsenal, I got injured,” reflected the larly and encouraged others to with a 2-1 win against Larsen & 29-year-old, who at the start of the season was close to joining Pep adopt healthy lifestyles.” Toubro. Guardiola’s Manchester City. The QSL’s Acting Executive In the knockout rounds, Doha “At one stage the transfer broke down, I didn’t go to the other team Director of Marketing & Commu- Pest Control have shown their and at the end I’m in at a team that is United, one of the biggest in nications, Hassan Rabiah al-Ku- prowess from 12 yards by claim- the world.” wari, said the Workers’ Cup had ing three consecutive victories Away from United, Sanchez hopes to get back to winning ways with grown signifi cantly since 2013 to on penalties: against Trags En- Chile in what will be Colombian coach Reinaldo Rueda’s first game become a major football event. gineering, Spartan Ready Mix in charge. “The QSL is proud to sup- from strength to strength and is Supreme Committee for De- kheel are favourites for the fi nal, and Al Asmakh. The semi-fi nal The team has been hit by internal squabbling in the wake of their port a tournament which uses now a much-anticipated annual livery & Legacy as we support where they will be supported by – against last year’s runners-up elimination from the World Cup, and goalkeeper Claudio Bravo’s the power of football to support event.” the delivery of the 2022 World more than 5,000 fans. Nakheel – went to sudden death before refusal to go on the European tour. positive social change in the Al-Kuwari continued: “We Cup and its associated legacy beat Alysj 4-2 on penalties in Doha Pest Control prevailed 8-7 Sanchez said the team was “a family” and that Bravo was “keeping country,” said al-Kuwari. “The look forward to continuing our projects.” the semi-fi nal after the match in the dramatic shoot-out. the door open” to a return to the national team. Workers’ Cup continues to go Workers’ Cup journey with the Defending champions Na- ended 1-1 in regulation time. sc.qa

INTERNATIONAL FRIENDLY CHAMPIONSHIP

Qatar coach Felix Sanchez (left) talks with his players during a training session yesterday as they are preparing to face Syria tomorrow in their second match of the International Friendly Championship in Basra, Iraq. In the first match, Qatar defeated Iraq 3-2 on Wednesday. PICTURES: Fadai el Assaad

Friday, March 23, 2018 GULF TIMES SPORT

FIG ARTISTIC GYMNASTICS WORLD CUP Uchimura disappoints again, bows out of Doha World Cup Six-time all-around World champion fails to cross the hurdle in the men’s vault and horizontal qualification rounds

China’s Ruoteng Xiao in action.

A gymnast shows her skills during the FIG Artistic Individual World Cup at the Aspire Dome in Doha yesterday. PICTURES: Thajudheen

By Sports Reporter ry scare playing on his mind and being a was paining. I didn’t want to push it gium’s Nina Derwael in the women’s Doha bit cautious. Yesterday too, he looked a hard. But, I am hopeful that I will regain balance beam. Japanese duo Yuki Uchi- bit tentative and never went full throt- my form soon,” he added. yama and Nagi Kajita also made it to tle, making it a forgettable fi rst visit to Ironically, China’s Xiao Ruoteng, the fi nals. But Uzbekistan’s veteran ohei Uchimura had to endure Doha. Uchimura is widely regarded as who succeeded Uchimura in Montreal, gymnast Oksana Chusovitina, who had another disappointing day at one of the best in his era in Vault, but stormed into the fi nals of parallel bars qualifi ed for the vault fi nal on Wednes- Carlos Edriel Yulo (PHI) 14.183; 7. Takumi 13.566; 8. Alec Yoder (USA) 13.533 the 11th FIG Artistic Individ- the he fi nished 10th with 14.100 points. and horizontal bars following an im- day, came 12th. Great Britain’s Taeja Sato (JPN) 14.183; 8. Konstantin Kuzovkov ual Apparatus World Cup here Ukraine’s Igor Radivilov and Chinese pressive performance. James stormed into the fi nals with an (GEO) 14.116 Women’s Floor Exercise Qualification Kat the Aspire Dome yesterday. duo Huang Mingqi and Qu Ruiyang Ruoteng made a strong comeback af- eff ort of 13.533 points followed by Rune 1. Taeja James (GBR) 13.533 points; 2. Rune The six-time all-around World took the fi rst three positions. ter failing on the horse on fi rst day. The Hermans (Belgium), Elisa Meneghini Men’s Parallel Bars Qualification Hermans (BEL) 13.500; 3. Elisa Meneghini champion failed to cross the hurdle in Uchimura came a cropper in the hori- world champion won the qualifi cation (Italy), Nagi Kajita (Japan), Liu Jinru 1. Jingyuan Zou (CHN) 16.266 points; 2. (ITA) 13.466; 4. Nagi Kajita (JPN) 13.433; 5. the men’s vault and horizontal quali- zontal bar too, where he ended up 10th round for horizontal bars after a fl aw- (China), Lara Mori (Italy), Kim Su Jong Ruoteng Xiao (CHN) 15.133; 3. Andrei Vasile Jinru Liu (CHN) 13.266; 6. Lara Mori (ITA) fi cation rounds on Day Two. This was after a tally of 13.433 points. “I will check less show that lent him 14.833 points, (PRK) and Marine Boyer (France). MUNTEAN (ROU) 14.533; 4. Yuya Kamoto 13.266; 7. Su Jong Kim (PRK) 13.200; 8. after the 29-year-old had bowed out all the footages of my performances when ahead of Frenchman Edgar Boulet Today, the fi nals of men’s fl oor ex- (JPN) 14.433; 5. Aleksandr Chicherov (RUS) Axelle Klinckaert (BEL) 13.133; 8. Marine of the pommel horse and rings com- I get back to Japan. I need to work on my (14.533 points) and compatriot Shudi ercise, pommel horse and rings will be 14.366; 6. Ferhat Arican (TUR ) 14.300; 7. Boyer (FRA) 13.133 petition on the opening day. The Japa- weaknesses,” Uchimura said yesterday. Deng (14.500) Ruoteng stood second in held while women’s will compete for Ryohei Kato (JPN) 14.166; 8. Marvin Kimble nese legend, however, was making his “Training was excellent, but I wasn’t in parallel bars with 15.133 points behind top honours in vault and uneven bars. (USA) 14.133 Women’s Balance Beam Qualification competitive return from long injury the best of my mood,” he added. another compatriot Jingyuan Zou who 1. Melanie de Jesus dos Santos (FRA) off . Uchimura had injured his ankle “It’s disappointing, as I wanted to won the qualifying round with 16.266 RESULTS Men’s Horizontal Bar Qualification 13.733 points; 2. Marine Boyer (FRA) 13.666; and withdrew during the qualifi cation qualify for the fi nals,” said Uchimura. points. Romania’s Andrei Vasile took Men’s Vault Qualification 1. Ruoteng Xiao (CHN) 14.833 points; 2. 3. Nina Derwael (BEL) 13.500; 4. Aneta round of the World Championship in “As I said before, this was not hundred third spot. 1. Igor Radivilov (UKR) 14.649 points; 2. Edgar Boulet (FRA) 14.533; 3. Shudi Deng Holasova (CZE) 13.200; 5. Yuki Uchiyama Montreal last October. percent from me. I was not fully fi t and France’s duo Melanie de Jesus and Mingqi Huang (CHN) 14.616; 3. Ruiyang (CHN) 14.500; 4. Tin Srbic (CRO) 14.333; (JPN) 13.166; 6. Nagi Kajita (JPN) 12.900; On Wednesday, he had blamed his also lacked practice. I just wanted to Marine Boyer grabbed the fi rst two Qu (CHN) 14.533; 4. Ferhat Arican (TUR) 5. Ryohei Kato (JPN) 14.300; 6. Marvin 7. Adela Sajn (SLO) 12.866; 8. Nora Feher poor show by his standards to the inju- return to action after injury but my leg qualifi cation spots followed by Bel- 14.416; 5. Chih Kai Lee (TPE) 14.249; 6. Kimble (USA) 13.633; 7. Noah Kuavita (BEL) (HUN) 12.800

HORSE RACING Sheikh Faisal’s Topsy Turvy makes it two wins from two weeks heikh Faisal bin Hamad bin Jas- Sheail al-Kuwari and Jassim Moham- sim al-Thani’s Topsy Turvy med Ghazali Jahromi had a one two in was the second winner on the the third race of the day with Harry day for trainer Ibrahim Saeed Bentley guiding Saab Al Manal to a IbrahimS al-Malki, after clinching the thrilling victory in the six furlong Mesaimeer Cup, Class 2 for Thorough- sprint. breds at the QREC on Wednesday. The 6-year-old bounced back well The gelding’s second straight victory from a disappointing fi nish from a in as many weeks saw Eduardo Pedro- month ago. Having dropped back from za guide the 6-year-old pick up a fi ne 2000m, the horse edged out stablemate win over a duo trained by Hadi Nasser Munaawashat, ridden by JP Guillam- Rashid al-Ramzani – Karraar, ridden by bert, by a short head for the win. Tomas Lukasek, and Vitally Important, Alban Elie Marie De Mieulle trained helmed by Faleh Bughanaim. Topsy Aneeq was third on his debut under Turvy who was fresh off a C&D win in Stephan Ladjadj’s ride. 1800m The Late Abdulaziz Al Fuhaid Cup from a week ago, fi nished a length LOCAL THOROUGHBRED MAIDEN and a half ahead of the runner up. PLATE (DIV 2) Mohamed Abdulla Abdulmalik owned PUREBRED ARABIAN War King made a winning debut to his HANDICAP (90 & BELOW) career topping the six furlong sprint Alban Elie Marie De Mieulle’s second in dominant fashion. Trained by Ibra- winner of the evening was Diese, who him Saeed Ibrahim al-Malki and rid- has not fi nished outside the frame this den in the race by Eduardo Pedroza, the season. Jean Baptiste Hamel guided 3-year-old colt beat Mohamed Riyaz the Olivier Materne owned 5-year-old Ibrahim Kasim saddled Al Khazileah, to his second victory this season in a with Almotasem al-Balushi astride, thrilling fi nish that saw Marc Lerner with a little more than nine lengths guide Mansoor Mesfer al-Hajri trained to spare. Mohamed Khaled Elahmed Haddaj Dukhan to his seventh runner- trained Maleekat Sabaa, helmed by Jean up fi nish this season. Talented Qatari Baptiste Hamel, missed out on the run- jockey Faleh Bughanaim helmed Hossin ner up spot by a head. Mohammad Ashour trained Bsheer to Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club deputy chief steward Abdulla Rashid al-Kubaisi (third from right) and Saad al-Hajri (right), head of Grandstand and Protocol, with the third place. winners of the Mesaimeer Cup after Sheikh Faisal bin Hamad bin Jassim al-Thani’s Topsy Turvy won the 1800m dirt feature at the QREC. PICTURES: Juhaim LOCAL THOROUGHBRED MAIDEN PLATE (DIV 1) THOROUGHBRED HANDICAP under Qatari jockey Faleh Bughanaim, run, fi nished in dominant fashion win- Hawa, the gelding picked up a close win months ago with a win in the 1700m After four runner-up fi nishes under (CLASS 4) (85 & BELOW) while another Jassim Mohammed ning with a little under six lengths in on his 29th outing in Qatar. run on dirt. Helmed by Stephan Lad- her belt, Khalifa Bin Sheail al-Kuwari’s Champion Trainer Jassim Mohammed Ghazali Jahromi ward Perigee complet- hand. Kelly Harrison guided Zuhair The 6-year-old fi nished a quarter of jadj, the 4-year-old comfortably fi n- Rawdat Al Khail fi nally shed her maiden Ghazali Jahromi and Champion Jockey ed the top three under Tadgh O’Shea. Mohsen Zuhair Maki trained Lahdan to a length ahead of Hadi Nasser Rashid ished ahead of the competition, beating status in the six furlong card opener. Harry Bentley combined well for the a second place fi nish while Mohammed al-Ramzani trained Acclaimed Dancer, Pierre Jehan Andre Deymonaz schooled Ridden by Harry Bentley for Jas- third victory when Musical Terms won THOROUGHBRED HANDICAP Riyaz Ibrahim Kasim schooled Abbey ridden by Tomas Lukasek, while Hamad Konouz, with Marc Lerner astride, with sim Mohammed Ghazali Jahromi, the the 1800m race with ease. With a con- (CLASS 5) (75 & BELOW) Village was third under JP Guillambert. Ahmed al-Malki al-Jehani schooled two and a half lengths win hand at the 4-yaer-old raced to a smashing eight fi dent ride by Bentley, guiding the geld- Deborah Amanda Clare Mountain Lawless Louis completed the top three line. Harry Bentley guided Jassim Mo- and a half-length victory ahead of the ing in the silks of Khalil Mansoor Khalil trained Alizoom went one better than THOROUGHBRED HANDICAP under Jean Baptiste Hamel. hammed Ghazali Jahromi’s ward, Leg- competition. Owaida Salem Moham- al-Shahwani, the 4-year-old gelding his last outing to pick up his fi rst win in (CLASS 5) (75 & BELOW) taifi ya to a third place fi nish. med al-Hajri trained Sharhan Azzam, fi nished fi ve lengths ahead of the com- Qatar on Wednesday. Helmed by Marc Salem Fadgham al-Hajri’s ward, In- PUREBRED ARABIAN MAIDEN helmed by Tomas Lukasek, and Mo- petition to win the race. Lerner in the 2000m race, Alizoom, tenser registered his fi rst victory in PLATE (FILLIES & MARES) (4YO-6YO) LOCAL PUREBRED ARABIAN hamed Salama Salim Ashour schooled Deborah Amanda Clare Mountain’s who had fi nished in the frame fi ve times Qatar when he topped the six furlong Umm Qarn’s Jowharat bounced built MAIDEN PLATE (4-6YO) Al Rayyan Park, ridden by Marc Lerner, ward, Technicolour, fi nished second this season coming into Wednesday’s sprint on Wednesday. Ridden by Adnan on her sixth place fi nish over C&D two The owner-trainer duo of Khalifa Bin fi nished second and third respectively.