SPORT

Thursday 9 March 2017

PAGE | 25P PAGE | 26 PAGE | 27 Elgar's century Serena Williams HostsHo Qatar off to a rescues South Africaca withdraws from winning start in on first day Indian Wells handball Mountain bike desert challenge: Stage set for 24-hour marathon

Rizwan Rehmat Umm Jarn XC Race 23 hours. However, the Sheikh Abdulla said the The Peninsula strong riders say that want sport of cycling - whether RACE CATEGORIES: to complete 100 kms. My flat-surface events or off- he country's first MALE SOLO (For those looking for goal is to complete 80 kms. road contests - was picking 24-hour moun- the ultimate challenge.) And yes, I will participate up in Qatar. tain bike desert Female Solo (For those looking for in the event," the avid rider "We have put together challenge will the ultimate challenge.) added. the efforts of major cycling kick off on March PAIRS (Same sex or mixed as you Sheikh Abdulla said the clubs in the country. Qatar T17, organisers said event guarantees fun times Chain Reaction and Qatar please. Once racing begins, there yesterday. for the family besides pre- Cyclists are two such clubs. can be no change to the line-up.) The one-day marathon senting a sneak preview They take part in various TEAMS (Teams are made up of 4 - Umm Jarn XC Race - is into life in the desert. activities like volunteering. open to amateur and pro riders. Once racing begins, there "We want the event to They don't have the support riders with races scheduled can be no change to this line up. be family-oriented. It's not to hand out cash prizes in four classes, Sheikh The order of racers can change, but just a race. There is camp- though they do offer med- Abdulla Al Thani of Rasen team members cannot be substi- ing. People will get to als and trophies to the Sports said yesterday. Sheikh Abdulla Al Thani tuted!) experience the farmhouse winners," Sheikh Abdulla "The cyclists can come of Rasen Sports life and they will get to con- said. in the morning and register. nect with nature," Sheikh "So we stepped up to Rules and regulations The 24-hour race starts at installed along the 11-km online, I found there was a Abdulla said. provide support for two- 1:00pm. The one with the course," Sheikh Abdulla race held in England - that "It is different from wheel events, but this REGISTRATION: All riders must sign on with most number of laps in 24 said. was also an 11-km circuit," what you normally see in race is different from registration before 1145 on the day of the hours will be declared the "We have been sponsor- Sheikh Abdulla said. "I think the desert. I am sure most other mountain-bike con- race. You will get your number and timing winner," Sheikh Abdulla ing mountain bike events for the winner did 140kms in participants wouldn't have tests. We are getting chip at this time. All riders must be 16 years said. a few years but we wanted seen the farmhouse life that support from cycling of age or older, or 18 years of age or over in "Each rider must com- to add something different I am talking about. I often clubs and the Qatar the Solo category. plete a minimum of three (3) to our calendar and that is get reactions from people Cycling Federation (QCF), laps during the event," he the 24-hour competition," where they ask me "is this but the cash prizes for this BIKE SPECIFICATION: Due to the rapid said. he said. really Qatar?". event are from Rasen The riders will diversification of wheel standards what is "It will be different from "I don't want to say its "The reason we have Sports." considered an acceptable bike to ride is the other (mountain bike) the only race in the region. actually go this event in March is When asked about live ever evolving. Riders must compete using a races you see. The riders will I came to know that there between date palm because we sought sugges- television coverage, proper mountain bike; whether it be 29, actually go between date was another event of this trees. They will also tions from our family of Sheikh Abdulla said: "Most palm trees. They will also get kind. After searching online, riders. We saw into their of the cycling events miss 27.5, a retro 26, plus-sized or a Fat Bike. Fat get to see old Bikes must have a minimum 3.5” tyre width. to see old houses as they I found out that there was houses as they ride requests. The other date out on extensive TV cov- ride along side housing an event scheduled in Dubai that we could have gone for erage. Usually the events No cyclo-cross bikes and no E-bikes are communities. There will be but it was cancelled. along side housing was in the month of Janu- staged by QCF get the allowed. water puddles to overcome "I don't know why it was communities. There ary. Our races are appropriate amount of TV and dunes to climb," he cancelled but ours will be will be water scheduled well in advance, coverage. However, we TIMING: The system revolves around added. the first one of its kind in puddles to even going back to a year. will have video cameras transponder chips that everyone must wear. "Every rider will have to Qatar. We will do something overcome and We have to work with and drones but that's all They should be picked up at sign on, and calculate his or her own tac- similar next year in road dunes to climb: sponsors also. done from our side." returned to the registration desk after the tics during the race - how cycling as well," Sheikh "It was very tight for us He added: "We didn't Sheikh Abdulla race. While competing, the system will many hours of rest he or she Abdulla informed. looking at our annual cal- get the time to advertise this detect your racing chip and credit you with needs and when," he said. Sheikh Abdulla said endar. We had a race event but we know the that lap and time. If another rider is doing "We will have catering, similar races have been held scheduled for March 10. We word is out there through the next lap, the timing chip should be free snacks, hot and cold in England. cancelled that to have this the riders who have already handed over to them. beverages and toilets "After some research event on March 17," he said. registered." Al Ahli, Al Hilal off to a winning start Qatar go down fighting

Armstrong Vas The Peninsula in penalty shoo-tout

audi’s Al Hilal and Bah- Kuala Terengganu only the keeper to beat but his shot rain’s Al Ahli began their The Peninsula went high before Iraq doubled their S campaign in the 36th GCC advantage through an own goal by Clubs Championship on a win- atar went down fighting as Rashid Al Jassim. ning note at the Ali bin Hamad Iraq prevailed 3-2 in a pen- Qatar duly cut it one down as Al Attiyah Arena yesterday. Qalty shoot-out after their 2017 Fawaz Daoud strongly headed home Al Ahli, which last month AFC Beach Soccer Championship two minutes into the second period won the Arab Clubs Volleyball Group C game finished 2-2 after before Qatar keeper smartly denied Championship, breezed past extra time in Kuala Terengganu, a fast distance shot from Ali Habeeb. Dar Kulaib 25-20, 17-25, 25-23, Malaysia yesterday. The period ended with Iraq 21-25, 15-10 while Al Hilal won Mohammed Abdulzahra was the almost getting their third as Naji’s got the better off Al Ain club of hero as he converted his sudden close-up shot hit the post. UAE 33-35, 25-13, 25-23, 25-14. death penalty after Naief Al Enazi The third period began with In the tussle for supremacy missed for Qatar. Iraq’s Sajjad Qatar making a statement as Daoud between the two Bahrain clubs Hatem and Mohammed Naji as well found the equaliser and his second - Al Ahli and Dar Kulaib, the Qatar’s Ibrahim Al Romaihi and through a wonderful volley that former emerged triumphant in Mojtaba Jafar all converted their caught the Iraqi keeper three sets to two to begin their earlier penalties. unawares. campaign on a rosy note in the Both sides went into the game Iraq’s Amer Atiyah then headed seven-team championship A player from Al Salam attacks as Qatar's Al Arabi players with only pride at stake as the right in front of goal but the ball hit which ends on March 17. try to bock the same during their GCC Clubs Championship group’s other teams Japan and the the woodwork before the game Today, defending volleyball match played at Ali bin Hamad Al Attiyah Arena United Arab Emirates are confirmed went into the tournament’s first yesterday. Picture by Kammutty VP/The Peninsula as the top two finishers vying for extra time. spot(s) in the semi-finals. The extra period started with a GCC Clubs VB Iraq expressed their intentions Daoud kick straight into goal but Championship champions Al Rayyan take on month’s Arab Clubs Volleyball before going down to eventual early as keeper Mohammed Sabeeh Sabeeh deftly punched it away and Al Hilal of Saudi Arabia. Championship. champions Al Ahli in the delivered a strong end-to-end despite several attempts at break- TODAY’S SCHEDULE Last year in Oman, Al The former league cham- semi-final. strike right into his Qatar counter- ing the deadlock, the game came to 3:30 Al Hilal (KSA) vs Al Rayyan Rayyan defeated Al Arabi in the pions from Qatar, finished Seven clubs from the part Jamal Abu Hadod’s hands on a penalty shootout. (Qatar) all-Qatari clash in the regional third by beating Oman’s Al region are vying for the top the first minute before Mohammed The top three finishers at the 5:30 Al Salam (Oman) vs Al Ahli (Bah- championship to annex the Salam in play-off. place in the tournament which Naji scored the Iraqis' opener with AFC Beach Soccer Championship rain) title. Rayyan had maintained a will be played on round-robin one minute remaining in the first will represent Asia at the 2017 FIFA 7:30 Al Ain (UAE) vs Al Arabi (Qatar) Al Rayyan wil looking to clean sheet in the group stage league system with the team period. Beach Soccer World Cup, which is put behind the disappointment and beat Saudi Arabia’s Al with the maximum points Qatar then came close to an scheduled to be held in Nassau, Venue: Ali bin Hamad Al Attiyah Arena of finishing third at last Wahda in the quarter-final emerging a winner. equaliser when Srhan Al Khlif had Bahamas from April 27 to May 7. SPORT 9 MARCH 2017 THURSDAY 25 Dwayne Smith smashes 31-ball ton in HK

fastestfa tons recorded in ground, and against an attack unbeaten on 59 in Kowloon's 204 Twenty20Tw cricket. which clearly struggled. for two. The 33-year-old West Kaitak's slow left-arm bowler "Well, basically it was a great Indian,In who retired from inter- Nadeem Ahmed was the fall guy pitch and I must commend the nationalna cricket only last week, in the first over, when Smith hit groundsman for that," said Smith, heavedhe 28 off the first over alone him for four sixes and a four to according to the South China andan finished unbeaten on 121 off reach 28 off just five balls. Morning Post. 40 balls. Ahmed returned to leak 29 "For me, it was just a case of Smith's century, which runs in the sixth over -- his last going out there and being confi- guidedgu Kowloon Cantons to an -- when Marlon Samuels hit a dent and staying as positive as I HongHong K Kongonng eight-wicketeig victory over City four and a single before Smith can be. It's a small ground, a good AAFAFPP Kaitak,Ka tested Chris Gayle's took strike, hammering another pitch and that's a recipe for runs." world-record,wo 30-ball hundred four sixes. West Indians Smith, Samuels waynewwayne SmithSmith smashedsmashed a setse in the 2013 Indian Premier Smith reached his century in and Darren Sammy, and Eng- whirlwindwwhirlwind centurycentury off just League.Le But yesterday's pyrotech- the 12th over, when he clobbered land's Ian Bell are among a Dwayne Smith D313 ballsballs iinn HoHongng Kong's nicsni were on Hong Kong's the 11th of his 13 sixes off compa- number of big names appearing T20T20 BlitzBliitz yesterday,yesterday, oneone of the modestlym sized Mission Road triot Rayad Emrit. Samuels was at the five-day T20 Blitz. Elgar's century rescues Australia rallies behind Smith in Kohli DRS row

Bengalore Lehmann denied his team South Africa on first day Reuters had repeatedly sought dress- ing room assistance on Dunedin Elgar left when he could, ustralia captain Steve reviews. AFP blocked when he needed to, and Smith is a "role model" "Never, ever, ever," Leh- punished anything loose with 20 Aand allegations that he mann said. "Very surprised n unbeaten hundred boundaries in his century which and his team flouted the rules to hear that, but it's their from Dean Elgar res- took 197 balls to compile. when deciding whether to opinion." cued South Africa He offered a rare chance on review decisions during the Former India skipper from a grim start to 36, when he was dropped down second Test against India are Sunil Gavaskar called on the take the honours on the legside by wicketkeeper BJ "outrageous", Cricket Aus- International Cricket Coun- dayA one of the first Test against Watling, and on 42 escaped a tralia (CA) said yesterday in cil (ICC) to investigate, while New Zealand yesterday. possible run-out when Neil a statement. Sourav Ganguly, who cap- It was the opener's seventh Wagner failed to field the ball Incensed India captain tained India from 2000-05, Test century, and one of the most cleanly. Virat Kohli accused Smith of also demanded the authori- important, in a patient innings New Zealand had nine overs 'crossing the line' on Tuesday ties "take action". after South Africa were in early with the new ball before stumps when he was given out lbw Peter Handscomb, who trouble at 22 for three in and conceded 18 runs without but looked toward the play- was at the non-striker's end Dunedin. threatening the batsmen. ers' area in the Bengalore during the incident, tweeted By stumps they were 229 for On a day of wavering for- stands as he mulled over after the 75-run defeat that four with Elgar on 128, and tunes, there was nothing normal using the Decision Review he was to blame. Temba Bavuma on 38. about the start of the Test where System. "I referred smudga Elgar set the tone for the even the brown-green wicket Players are not allowed (Smith) to look at the box... revival with a 126-run stand for was not the customary emerald to seek direction apart from my fault and was unaware the fourth wicket with captain top expected in New Zealand. conferring with the of the rule. Shouldn't take Faf du Plessis and followed with When du Plessis won the toss he non-striker. anything away from what an unbroken 81 for the fifth became the first captain in 23 Smith said it had been a was an amazing game!" he wicket with Bavuma. Tests to bat first. one-off incident caused by a wrote. Although the pitch offered New Zealand dropped reg- "brain fade" but Kohli coun- Michael Clarke, Smith's little support for the bowlers, for ular bowling spearhead Tim tered that it was not the first predecessor as captain, said he the batsmen it was a constant Southee for the first time in five time it had happened and had concerns about the actions struggle to score with 30 maid- years to make way for Jeetan that he had complained to the of his former team mate. ens among the 90 overs bowled. Patel. match officials. "I want to find out from It was the first time in seven "I find the allegations the Australian team if they're SCOREBOARD years they had fielded two spin- questioning the integrity of using the DRS in that way, if South Africa (I innings): ners on a home wicket. Steve Smith, the Australian they are then that is unac- S Cook lbw Boult ...... 3 The miserly Patel was team and the dressing room, ceptable," Clarke told TV D Elgar (batting) ...... 128 brought into the attack in the outrageous," CA chief exec- station India Today. H Amla b Wagner ...... 1 sixth over and conceded only utive James Sutherland said The Times of India news- J Duminy c Taylor b Wagner ...... 1 eight runs in his first 10 overs in a statement. paper ran a story on the F du Plessis c Boult b Neesham ...... 52 with South Africa restricted to South Africa's Dean Elgar bats during day one of the first "We reject any commen- episode with the headline T Bavuma (batting) ...... 38 Test against New Zealand at the University Oval in Dunedin Extras (B-4, LB-1, W-1) ...... 6 63 for three in the first session. tary that suggests our "Cheatgate erupts after Total (for 4 wkts) ...... 229 But as the New Zealand yesterday. integrity was brought into Smith's 'brain fade'". Fall of wickets: 1-10, 2-20, 3-22, 4-148. bowlers tired, South Africa disrepute or that systemic Kohli's accusations and Bowling: Boult 22-10-44-1 (1w); Wagner 20-4- added 90 for the loss of one of Stephen Cook and yielding Amla and JP Duminy in one over unfair tactics are used, and any action taken by the ICC 59-2; Patel 24-9-60-0; Santner 18-5-32-0; Nee- wicket in the middle session and only eight runs. on his adopted home ground. stand by Steve and the Aus- are bound to reverberate in sham 6-2-29-1. 76 without loss after tea. South African-born Wagner, Jimmy Neesham was New tralian cricketers who are coming days, with the four- New Zealand: Tom Latham, Jeet Raval, Kane Williamson (capt), Ross Taylor, Henry Nicholls, Left-armers Trent Boult and returning to top level cricket for Zealand's other successful proudly representing our match series locked at 1-1

Jimmy Neesham, BJ Watling, Mitchell Santner, Wagner did the early damage for the first time since breaking a bowler taking the valuable country," he added. before the third Test in Jeetan Patel, Neil Wagner, Trent Boult. New Zealand with Boult's first finger on his bowling hand five wicket of du Plessis for 52 three Australia coach Darren Ranchi next week. nine overs claiming the wicket weeks ago, removed Hashim overs before tea. Jadeja joins Ashwin at top Late wickets give SL edge over Bangladesh

of rankings Galle Tamim walked out of the crease. SCOREBOARD Mendis said after the day's play. AFP Bangladesh coach Chandika "It keeps low and I just Sri Lanka (I innings): 1 (nb2, w2); Roy 24-4-103-1 (nb2; w1)); Mehedi 22-1- Hathurusinghe, echoing Austral- D Karunaratne b Mehedi...... 30 113-4; Shakib 32.1-5-100-1; Soumya 3-0-9-0 (w1); wanted to play straight or use the Bangalore angladesh's Soumya Sarkar ia's Steven Smith on another U Tharanga b Roy ...... 4 Mahmudullah 2-0-10-0. sweep. AFP and Tamim Iqbal shared a occasion, said Tamim appeared K Mendis c Tamim b Mehedi ...... 194 Bangladesh (I innings): "I felt really bad when I Bcentury opening stand to have had "a brain fade". D Chandimal c Mehedi b Mustafizur ...... 5 Tamim Iqbal (run out) ...... 57 edged first ball, but... it was a no- avindra Jadeja joined before Sri Lanka took two late "He hasn't spoken to me yet A Gunaratne b Taskin ...... 85 Soumya Sarkar (batting) ...... 66 ball and that was nice," he said. his fellow Indian spin- wickets to tighten their grip on but... (we were) very disap- N Dickwella c Mahmudullah b Mehedi ...... 75 Mominul Haque lbw Perera ...... 7 Spinner Mehedi ended with ner Ravichandran the first Test at Galle yesterday. pointed because we were D Perera lbw Mehedi ...... 51 Mushfiqur Rahim (batting) ...... 1 four wickets for 113 runs. Apart R R Herath c Soumya b Mustafizur ...... 14 Extras (LB-1, W-1) ...... 2 Ashwin at the top of the world The visitors were 133-2 at cruising at that time," he told S Lakmal (run out) ...... 8 Total (for 2 wkts) ...... 133 from Mendis, he dismissed Dick- rankings yesterday after his stumps on the second day and reporters. L Sandakan c Mehedi b Shakib ...... 5 Fall of wickets: 1-118, 2-127. wella when the seven wickets in India's trailing by 361, after Kusal Perera then had number L Kumara (not out)...... 0 To bat: Mahmudullah, Shakib Al Hasan, Liton Das, wicketkeeper-batsman gave a series-levelling second-Test Mendis (194), Niroshan Dick- three Mominul Haque plumb lbw Extras (B-4, LB-10, W-4, NB-5) ...... 23 Mehedi Hasan, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Su- catch to Mahmudullah at mid- win over Australia. wella (75) and Dilruwan Perera for seven to give Sri Lanka the Total (all out) ...... 494 bashis Roy. wicket after making 75 off 76

Ashwin had been out on (51) had swelled the hosts' total edge in the contest at the Galle Fall of wickets: 1-15, 2-60, 3-92, 4-288, 5-398, Bowling: S Lakmal 5-0-15-0; L Kumara 7-0-38-0 balls.

6-432, 7-457, 8-480, 9-494, 10-494. (w1); D Perera 13-3-32-1; R Herath 11-01-30-0; L his own as the number one to 494. International Stadium. Dickwella, who hit six fours Bowling: Mustafizur 25-5-68-2 (nb1); Taskin 21-3-77- Sandakan 10-5-17-0. Test bowler, but Jadeja's Soumya was leading the Both Soumya and Tamim and a six in his quick-fire innings, peformance has put the pair response for Bangladesh with an benefited from sloppy Sri Lankan put on 110 with Mendis for the fifth on the same level of points, unbeaten 66 after his 118-run fielding. Perera dropped Soumya an audacious six. Tamim ran no-ball on the first delivery he wicket off just 124 balls. the International Cricket opening stand ended with a on four at gully and Dickwella backwards to take the catch, lob- faced. Mustafizur then removed Council said. bizarre run-out for his partner, missed a catch off Tamim on 28. bing the ball back into the field He was also almost dis- Rangana Herath for 14 and Left-arm spinner Jadeja Tamim, who made 57 off 112 Earlier, Mendis was agonis- as his feet crossed the boundary missed when he struck his first Suranga Lakmal was run out for returned with figures of 6-63 balls with six fours. ingly denied a maiden double ropes and then pouching it again. six of the morning, as Mustafi- eight to give Bangladesh some in Australia's first innings to Sri Lankan wicketkeeper century as he tried to reach his Mendis struck 19 fours and zur Rahman took a catch off the respite. help spark India's comeback Niroshan Dickwella had milestone in style. four sixes in his seven-and-a- bowling of Subashis Roy but Mehedi trapped Perera leg- during their 75-run win in appealed for a caught behind off Tamim caught him on the half-hour stay at the crease. stepped on the rope on the fine before on 51 before taking a Bangalore to level the serie- Lakshan Sandakan and dis- long-on boundary off teenage The 22-year-old, who was leg boundary. stunning catch off Shakib Al son on Tuesday. Australia lodged the bails quickly once his off-spinner Mehedi Hasan as the unbeaten on 166 overnight, was "I wanted to hit a six and be Hasan to send last man won the opening Test in Pune. appeal was turned down as right-hander attempted earlier granted a reprieve by a positive. It's a batting pitch," Sandakan packing. 26 SPORT THURSDAY 9 MARCH 2017

Camara elected Real Madrid's Alvaro Morata scores their third goal against Napoli during their UEFA to FIFA Council Champions League round of 16 second leg after opponents match played at Stadio San Paolo, Naples, Italy on Tuesday. withdraw

Cairo Reuters Manny lmamy Kabele Camara Amir Khan Pacquiao of Guinea has been Aelected unopposed to the council of FIFA, a week before African elections for the Pacquiao vs Khan post were to be held, after both his rivals pulled out hours bout shelved as talks before FIFA announced the results of background inves- tigations on prospective break down: Arum candidates. Camara was one of three Manila candidates for two places in Reuters the open category of the Afri- Ramos, Morata strike as can elections, which also ight-division world champion Manny Pac- have other categories for the quiao's proposed fight against Britain's continent’s various language Eformer world light-welterweight champion groups. Amir Khan has been postponed, according to the But both Danny Jordaan, Real crush Napoli hopes Filipino's promoter, Bob Arum. president of the South Afri- The 38-year-old Pacquiao and Khan, who won can Football Association, and a silver medal at the 2004 Athens Olympics, ten- Chabur Goc Alei of South Naples Champions League Morata came off the bench from the edge of the area, tatively agreed to an April fight in the United Arab Sudan withdrew without AFP to hit their third for a 6-2 volleyed straight at Reina. Emirates before negotiating a change of date to explanation. That leaves a 11-time winners aggregate score. But Real were left ball- May 20. vacancy that will be filled by aptain Sergio Real Madrid Napoli required noth- watching on 24 minutes Arum, however, told the Los Angeles Times a supplementary election, Ramos and secured a seventh ing short of a miracle if they after a slick passing move that the $38 million offer for the bout had failed officials said on Tuesday. Alvaro Morata successive were to reach the last eight between Hamsik and to materialise and that the duo could not face each If either Jordaan or Alei struck one Champions League for the first time -- Mertens that saw the Belgian other until the second half of 2017, under revised had stayed in the race, he apiece as 11-time quarter-final berth although a bright opening run in to beat Keylor Navas terms. would also have been elected Cwinners Real Madrid with a clinical 3-1 reflected a growing belief at his bottom left corner. "Manny wanted to roll the dice. He rolled the unopposed to the council of secured a seventh succes- win over a spirited in the football-mad south- The San Paolo erupted, dice and it came up snake eyes (double one)," world football’s governing sive Champions League Napoli. ern city the Azzurri could but relief reigned moments Arum said of the WBO world welterweight cham- body. quarter-final berth with a cause an upset. later when Ronaldo pion. "That deal is done for now." The Confederation of clinical 3-1 win over a spir- Maurizio Sarri's men rounded Reina to see his Arum said Pacquiao's advisor Michael Koncz African Football and FIFA ited Napoli on Tuesday. the threat from the "world's had 11 shots in the opening low drive come off the base would deliver a revised proposal for a fight against were notified of their with- "We're happy to have richest club, with the best period, the most Real had of the post. an alternative opponent that could be staged in drawals on Monday, just won," said Real coach Zin- players" a day earlier. seen in a Champions Later, Ramos rose to July. hours before FIFA edine Zidane. "We suffered And Zidane's 'Galacti- League game since facing meet Kroos's corner to "Koncz will meet with Manny, and if he accepts announced that the 10 can- a lot in the opening half cos' emerged from the 15 against Juventus in 2013. stretch the back of the it, we'll go ahead. If he doesn't, there's nothing we didates in the race had all when they had us under a half-time interval in far But neither Mertens, Napoli net. can do," Arum added. passed integrity checks. lot of pressure. more clinical fashion. Lorenzo Insigne or Hamsik Napoli's dream died Pacquiao (59-6-2) claimed the WBO title with Camara will now fill one "But after a good talk Ramos rose to head got shots past Reina in a when Kroos delivered a unanimous points victory over American Jessie of the seven seats reserved about what we had to do in Real level six minutes after busy opening period that again from the corner flag Vargas in Las Vegas last November, while the for Africa on the FIFA coun- the second half, we were the restart and a second had most of the 56,695 and Ramos's glancing 30-year-old Khan (31-4) has not fought since May cil. Lydia Nsekera of Burundi much better." header which deflected off crowd in full voice. header at the near post 2016. is guaranteed another as the Real, who took a com- Mertens at Pepe Reina's On Real's first real came off Mertens to leave Khan made an audacious set up to middle- continent’s female manding 3-1 first leg lead near post gave the Span- foray, Luka Modric outma- Reina rooted to the spot. weight to take on Canelo Alvarez but the Briton representative. at the Santiago Bernabeu iards a 2-1 lead by the 57th noeuvred Kalidou Napoli hit back, Rog was knocked out by his hard-hitting Mexican The other five will be last month, looked to be minute. Koulibaly to deliver a back- setting up Hamsik for a opponent in the sixth round. determined by elections at facing a tough night in Napoli saw late claims post cross that Reina cross that Navas got down the CFA’s congress in Addis Naples after Dries Mertens for a penalty waved away collected after a mix-up low to smother. Ababa on March 16. finished off a great attack- when Mertens tumbled in between Ronaldo and But as Napoli tired in Former African Foot- ing move to give the hosts the box and suffered more Karim Benzema. the closing minutes, Mor- baller of the Year Kalusha a 24th minute lead. woe in the first minute of Gareth Bale then ata ran in to meet the Serena Williams Bwalya of Zamba had But Napoli coach Mau- added-on time when ex- escaped down the right to rebound after Reina spilled already pulled out at the rizio Sarri had warned of Juventus striker Alvaro deliver a cross that Kroos, a Ronaldo strike. weekend as campaigning withdraws from continued in the most ani- mated CAF election for Indian Wells decades. Bayern run riot again to crush Indian Wells France rout US AP women to lift Arsenal 10-2 on aggregate erena Williams withdrew from the BNP Paribas Open that began yesterday She Believes Cup Sbecause of a left knee injury, leaving the London desert tournament without the world's top- Reuters ranked women's player. Washington The withdrawal also cost Williams a AFP or an hour Arsenal were chance to retain her top ranking. at least salvaging some Angelique Kerber, a two-time semifinal- amille Abily scored Fpride against Bayern ist and now the highest-seeded woman in the twice as France Munich, then the ceiling event, will supplant Williams at No. 1 after Cstunned world cham- came crashing down as they Indian Wells. Williams needed to reach the pions the United States 3-0 exited the Champions League semifinals to retain the top spot. to win the She Believes Cup last 16 on Tuesday with a Williams said on Tuesday in a statement four-nation tournament on matching pair of 5-1 defeats released through the tournament that she also Tuesday. against the merciless Bun- won't play the Miami Open, which begins Needing only a draw to desliga giants. March 21 and isn't far from her Florida base. win the round-robin compe- A second-half capitula- She has been idle since beating sister tition, France got off to a tion after captain Laurent Venus Williams for the Australian Open title dream start when Abily Koscielny was sent off on January 29. Her only other tournament stroked her first goal home resulted in Arsenal conced- this year was in Auckland, New Zealand, from the penalty spot at RFK ing five goals for the first time where she lost in the round of 16. Bayern Munich's Arturo Vidal (second right) scores their fourth goal past Arsenal's Stadium after only eight min- at their Emirates Stadium as "Sadly, I have to withdraw from the BNP utes. The French women then they suffered their worst goalkeeper David Ospina (left) during their UEFA Champions League last 16 Paribas Open in Indian Wells and the Miami doubled their lead barely a home defeat for 19 years. second leg football match played at the Emirates Stadium in London on Tuesday. Open," Williams said. "I have not been able minute later when a specu- Arsenal were attempt- to train due to my knees and am disappointed lative long ball forward ing an unlikely comeback Lisbon in 2009 but had to shortly after halftime in better chance wastefully I cannot be there. I will keep moving forward caused all sorts of panic in the after their horror show in be content with a 10-2 mar- Munich prompted a similar over just after halftime. and continue to be positive. I look forward to US defensive ranks. Munich last month and gin that sent an ominous Gunners collapse. With Then it all went horri- being back as soon as I can." Eugenie Le Sommer were making a decent fist warning to whoever they Alexis Sanchez restored to bly wrong for the hosts. Williams is a two-time winner at Indian latched onto the pass and tied of it when Theo Walcott face in the quarter-finals. the starting lineup after Lewandowski was Wells, where she returned in 2015 after a US defender Allie Long in smashed in after 20 Before kickoff some being dropped by Wenger shoved by Koscielny as he lengthy boycott. She withdrew before her sem- knots before picking her spot minutes. Arsenal fans staged a small against Liverpool there was ran through in the 55th ifinal match that year with a sprained right knee, to tuck away a low finish. But from the moment protest calling for manager a verve about Arsenal in the minute and Sidiropoulos, andand lostlost to VictoriaVictoria AzarenkaAzarenka inin straightstraight sets inin That double salvo rocked Koscielny was red-carded Arsene Wenger to end his first half. who had initially only lastlast year's final. the US women, who struggled and Lewandowski con- 21-year reign at the club. When Walcott thumped shown a yellow to the to gain a foothold in the con- verted the resulting penalty Those calls will grow a shot past Manuel Neuer defender, reached for his test against a skilful French in the 55th minute, Arsenal's louder now after a seventh from a tight angle and had red card. Lewandowski sent outfit, who had already belief ebbed and Carlo successive exit at the last- a penalty appeal turned David Ospina the wrong drawn with Germany and Ancelotti's side ran amok 16 stage of the Champions down after appearing to be way from the spot. beaten England earlier in the with Arjen Robben, Doug- League. tripped by Xabi Alonso, Bay- Robben then capitalised tournament. las Costa and Arturo Vidal Yet Wenger was bellig- ern were rattled. on a mistake by Sanchez to Abily applied the coup de piling on the agony. erent afterwards, blaming Walcott hit the side- run through and put Bayern grace on 63 minutes for By the end Bayern were referee Tasos Sidiropoulos netting with another blast ahead before substitute France, sidefooting home Eve threatening to surpass the for killing off his side with and Olivier Giroud headed Douglas Costa curled in a Perisset's low cross from the 12-1 aggregate score they the sending off of skipper against the post before the stunning third in the 78th Serena Williams right flank to make it 3-0. piled up against Sporting Koscielny, whose injury Frenchman headed an even minute. THURSDAY 9 MARCH 2017 SPORT 27 GCC Women Games: Hosts Qatar off to a winning start in handball

The Peninsula

osts Qatar’s women handball team opened their cam- paign in the fifth GCC Women Games with Ha deserving 24-11 victory over Bahrain at Aspire Zone in Doha on Tuesday. Both teams showed impres- sive performance, but the Qatari side confirmed supremacy to end the match 24-11. In the second match, United Arab Emirates side defeated Oman 23-11. Earlier the Games, held under H E Sheikha Hind bint Hamad Al Thani during the opening ceremony the patronage of H E Sheikha Hind bint Hamad Al Thani, held its of the fifth GCC Women Games which kicked off on Tuesday with opening ceremony on Tuesday at the opening ceremony at Khalifa International Tennis Complex. the Khalifa International Tennis Complex. games: basketball, handball, table President of Qatar Olympic Com- Around 900 athletes from four tennis, volleyball, chess, athletics, mittee (QOC), Dr. Thani bin Gulf countries, Bahrain, Oman, archery, fencing, taekwondo and Abdulrahman Al Kuwari, the QOC UAE and hosts Qatar taking part bowling. Secretary General , Heads of par- in the event. The championship Senior GCC sport officials and ticipating teams and board ends on March 17. The female dignitaries including H E Sheikh members of Qatar Women Sport Hosts Qatar’s women handball team in action against Bahrain in the fifth GCC Women athletes are competing in 10 Saud bin Ali Al Thani, the Vice Committee. Games at Aspire Zone in Doha on Tuesday.

Manchester QSL: Al Annabi confident of United seek European Umm Salal finishing in top five salvation Rostov-on-Don, Russia AFP Fawad Hussain his side to snatch the fifth slot The Peninsula from the experienced side AL Gharafa. ith no Wayne ixth-placed Umm Salal “I feel that the top four places Rooney and a are seven points behind are now settled looking at the Wsquad looking for Al Gharafa but their league standings. Umm Salal has confidence, Manchester midfielder Dheyab Al to look at finishing in the high- United head for the uneven Annabi believes his side est possible position in the Olimp-2 stadium surface to Shas the potential to overcome the league, and that has to be the take on Rostov today and former champions to finish fifth place,” the midfielder said keep alive hopes of becom- among the top five clubs in the in an interview. ing one of the few teams to Qatar Stars League (QSL) season, Both the sides will meet have won all three European which will conclude next month. when the QSL resumes follow- cups. Umm Salal have experienced ing a three-week break due to United fans have been mixed fortunes so far this sea- Qatar’s World Cup Qualifiers told not to wear their team's son collecting 30 points from game against Iran later this red colours in the Russian city seven victories and nine drawn month. Speaking about his to avoid re-igniting hooligan games besides losing seven team’s performance in the sea- violence and Rostov coach matches. On the other hand, Al son, Al Annabi expressed Ivan Daniliants promised a Gharafa have earned 37 points satisfaction on the overall show "classy performance" against from 11 wins and four draws by the ‘Orange Fortress’. the illustrious English side. while they ended up as the los- “The season has been tough United won the European ing team on eight occasions. for everyone, especially with the Cup in 1968, the Cup Winners' Al Annabi feels the remain- league being reduced to 12 Cup in 1991 and Champions ing three matches are enough for teams, that has put pressure on League in 1999 and 2008. But all sides, from the ones fighting A file picture of Umm Salal in action in this year's Qatar Stars League. Umm Salal are hoping they have never won the for the title or trying to avoid rel- Europa League nor the old Three rounds to go to finish among the top-five. egation. That being said, I am UEFA Cup. Umm Salal midfielder pleased with how my own team If successful this year, Al Annabi feels the has performed this season,” he and ready for our final three facing a stiff challenge to avoid interview backing team Qatar to United would join Juventus, remaining three said. games, which will be a real chal- relegation. do well in the qualifiers. Ajax, Bayern Munich and matches are enough The Qatari player added that lenge against Al Gharafa and Al “I think it will be tough for Al “I hope that the Maroons do Chelsea, who have already Umm Salal will gain from the Arabi,” he said. Wakrah to beat the drop. As far well in their next three games lifted all three European club for his side to snatch break as it will help them to Commenting on the QSL title as title is concerned, it is just against Azerbaijan, Iran and trophies. the fifth place from regain fitness. race, Al Annabi predicted an between Lekhwiya and Al Sadd. Uzbekistan everyone in Qatar is Having won their first tro- experienced “The stoppage time comes at exciting battle between It will be an interesting battle hoping that they can hopefully phy under Jose Mourinho with Al Gharafa side. a good time for Umm Salal, we Lekhwiya and Al Sadd for the top going into the last games of the qualify for 2018 World Cup in a 3-2 win over Southampton are looking to get our team fit honour adding Al Wakrah were season.” Al Annabi concluded the Russia.” in the League Cup final, United need a strong performance in the first leg in Rostov to open the road to the quarter-finals. That would take them into the draw with the winners from Al Shahania hope to avoid relegation key ties such as Lyon v Roma, the all-German Schalke v Borussia Monchengladbach, The Peninsula League after one season in down just before the new interesting games to round Copenhagen v Ajax and Olym- the top flight. However year when Al Shahania suf- off the season, first up they piakos v Besiktas. l Shahania are aiming despite this Shahania have fered a humiliating 10-0 take on an inconsistent Al Mourinho never lost in to win all the three proved to be a real challenge defeat to Lekhwiya, Fern- Arabi side, afterwards a Russia with his previous clubs Aremaining matches of for many of the sides in the ando was promptly relieved potential six pointer against (Chelsea, Inter Milan and Real the Qatar Stars League (QSL) QSL, and could yet buck the of his duties and replaced direct relegation rivals Al Madrid), but he is not happy in a bid to avoid relegation odds and end up beat the with former Croatian Khor and finally a tough going to Rostov, last season's The Oryxes had a busy drop. national team coach Igor encounter against Lekhwiya Russian league runners-up, season on the managerial Al Shahania made a Štimac. who could be fighting for the to play on the bumpy pitch. front, changing their head solid start to life in the QSL, Under the new coach title on the last game of the "It's a bad draw in every coach on no fewer than putting together an impres- Shahania has stabilized to season. If Shahania can aspect. It's far and it's diffi- three occasions. The change sive four game unbeaten date the Oryxes have picked somehow grab two wins cult," Mourinho said. has done little to change the streak, which saw then head up just two wins in the they could feasibly get out "It's far and comes in a form of the side, which are Coach Jose Fernando pick league, eleven draws (The of trouble. very bad period for us, diffi- currently in the relegation up the coveted coach of the highest tally in the league) Head coach Igor Štimac cult because they're a very zone and four points away month award. and ten defeats in the has been eager to praise the difficult team." United won from the playoff position. Whilst defeats to the top league. Heading into the efforts of his players in their first trophy under Mour- In truth, many people sides in the league followed, final games of the season, training and during games. inho when they took the would not have given Al Al Shahania had a knack of Shahania must be targeting The Croatian coach will be English League Cup final 3-2 Shahania much of a chance drawing with the sides to turn those draws into vic- hoping that his charges can against Southampton. But of beating the drop, seeing around them giving the pro- tories if they harbour any push on and beat the drop Mourinho admitted they were that traditionally most moted side a chance of ambition of beating the with a solid showing in their lucky and at the weekend saw Action from the Qatar Stars League match newly promoted sides often beating relegation. drop. final three games of the his side held 1-1 by unfancied between Al Shahania and Al Ahli. end up back in the Qatar Gas That all came crashing Shahania have three season. Bournemouth.