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Saturday, March 23, 2019 CRICKET Rajab 16, 1440 AH Finch century sets GULF TIMES up victory over Pakistan SPORT Page 3

ARTISTIC GYMNASTICS INDIVIDUAL APPARATUS WORLD CUP Derwael makes a winning return to world title venue ‘I have won gold thrice now in Doha. I am going to prepare for the European championship. I am very excited about Tokyo’

Qatar Gymnastics Federation president Ali al-Hitmi (centre) poses with the winners of men’s Still Rings final Winner Nina Derwael (centre) of poses on the podium for women’s event with second-placed (left) of China and — gold medallist Lan Xingyu (rear, centre) of China, silver medallist Artur Tovmasyan (rear, left) of Armenia third-placed Anastasiia Iliankova of in the Individual Apparatus World Cup yesterday. PICTURES: Thajudheen and bronze medallist Vahagn Davtyan (rear, right) of Armenia — yesterday.

By Sahan Bidappa Tuesday, began with a full twist- ally happy to be back on the po- Carey, who had clinched both World bronze medallist Lee der Shatilov sprung a surprise 1. Lee Chih-Kai (TPE) 15.400 Doha ing double tuck and fi nished dium. I wasn’t really anxious; I and gold at the Baku Chih-Kai overcame nerves to by winning the gold medal. In 2. Kohei Kameyama (JPN) 15.400 with a twist high above the bar was comfortable out there and I World Cup last week, put on a fl air his way to win the Pommel a strong fi eld which consisted 3. Kaito Imabayashi (JPN) 15.333 for 15.033 points, the same score knew I could do it. I just did what strong show once again. Horse. The Chinese Taipei gym- of world championship bronze Men’s Floor Exercise ina Derwael, compet- she achieved in the qualifying I usually do in training,” she said. The 18-year-old controlled her nast beat 2013 world champion medallist Carlos Yulo and all- 1. Alexander Shatilov (ISR) 14.633 ing in her fi rst event on Wednesday. The 2017 world “I am really happy to be back landing perfectly to top score with Kohei Kameyama of to round silver medallist Xiao Ruo- 2. Rayderley Zapata (ESP) 14.433 since becoming a world champion Fan Yilin (14.933) took here, I have won gold thrice now 14.833 points, ahead of Russian gold, after both had fi nished on teng, Shatilov made it a memora- 3. Carlos Edriel Yulo (PHI) 14.266 champion in Doha last silver ahead of Russian Anastasi- in Doha. I am going to prepare (14.766) and French- same score of 15.400. ble 32nd birthday with a superb Men’s Still Rings Final October,N made a winning return ia Iliankova (14.700). for the European championship woman (14.549). Chih-Kai was given the gold show as he tallied 14.633 points. 1. Lan Xingyu (CHN) 15.100 as the Belgian won gold at the Derwael was pleased with her now. I am very excited about To- Yesterday’s win boosted Carey’s thanks to his superior diffi culty Rayderley Zapata of was 2. Artur Tovmasyan (ARM) 14.833 Artistic Gymnastics Individual gold medal fi nish and admitted kyo Olympics. The Belgium team World Cup series ranking points scores. Kameyama’s compatriot also a surprise runner-up with 3. Vahagn Davtyan (ARM) 14.825 Apparatus World Cup. she did not have an ideal prepa- still needs to qualify as a team so to 85, putting her fi rst in the Vault Imabayashi took bronze after tal- 14.433, fi nishing ahead of Filipino Women’s Uneven Bars Yesterday at the Aspire Dome, ration as she was recovering from we are going to try and do that race for Olympics qualifi cations. lying 5.333. teenager Yulo, who had topped 1. Nina Derwael (BEL) 15.033 the venue of her world title, Der- a broken fi nger. at the World Championship in The 43-year-old Oksana Chus- China’s Zou Jingyuan missed the qualifi cations but had to settle 2. Fan Yilin (CHN) 14.933 wael was in sublime form as she “I did not have an ideal prepa- this year,” added Der- ovitina fi nished fi fth with 13.866 out on a medal after he missed his bronze medal after scoring 14.266 3. Anastasiia Iliankova (RUS) cruised to an easy win. The two- ration for the competition but wael, who will be in action in the points. The Uzbek, who has com- hand placement and came off early points. Ruoteng fi nished a disap- 14.700 time European champion stuck I am very happy that I pulled it fi nals today. peted in seven , is on. He also tumbled for a second pointing sixth with a 13.166. Women’s Vault to her routine which has given off . I had some little injuries that Meanwhile, con- gunning for her eighth appearance time to fi nish seventh 12.866. 1. Jade Carey (USA) 14.883 her success in the last two years. prevented me from doing other tinued her rich vein of form as as she looks to book her place at the In the men’s Floor Exercise, RESULTS 2. Maria Paseka (RUS) 14.766 Derwael, who will turn 19 on competitions. But now I am re- the American won the Vault gold. 2020 Tokyo Games. veteran Israeli gymnast Alexan- Men’s Pommel Horse 3. Coline Devillard (FRA) 14.549

FOOTBALL Qatar open AFC U23 qualifying campaign with 2-0 win

AFC able to make any inroads on the accurate low finish on 13 min- Doha scoresheet, and they suff ered a utes. late blow when captain Amanul- Nepal held their own in the lah Sardari was shown a second minutes that followed, although red-hot opening half- yellow card in the third minute of Oman came closest to fi nding the hour helped Qatar climb stoppage time. net before half-time, with Zahir to the top of Group A in Qatar will look to continue al-Aghbari hitting the upright in the AFC U23 Champi- their strong start against Nepal the 34th minute. Aonship Thailand 2020 qualifying tomorrow, while Afghanistan After the break Oman as- with a convincing 2-0 win over need a result against Oman, sumed full control of the tie, but Afghanistan on home soil at As- who beat Nepal 1-0 yester- they were persistently thwarted pire Zone yesterday. day, to keep their qualification in their search for a second goal, Two goals in the opening 35 hopes alive. with Karki making a save to deny minutes proved insurmount- While an early goal from You- Muhsen al-Ghassani and then able for Afghanistan, as the suf al-Malki proved decisive, al-Aghbari, while al-Malki sent Qataris made a successful first Oman squandered a number of a thunderous long-range eff ort step in their bid to return to chances to extend their lead, par- into the crossbar. the Finals, where they finished ticularly in a dominant second Qadhafi al-Mahruqi wasted third in 2018. HE Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC) secretary-general Jassim Rashid half display. another opportunity when he Boasting a strong line-up fea- al-Buenain (right) watches Qatar’s AFC U23 Championship qualifying Qatar’s Hassan Ahmad Palang (left) celebrates his goal in the AFC U23 The Omanis came into the tie missed a free header in the dying turing AFC Asian Cup-winning match against Afghanistan yesterday. PICTURE: Othman Khalid Championship qualifying match against Afghanistan yesterday. as warm favourites, and took minutes, but it had no impact on stars Bassam al-Rawi and Tarek the lead when an overlapping the end result, as Oman ensured Salman, Qatar were in the as- rauding run from Abdurahman the 13th minute. and they doubled their lead when utes before half-time. al-Malki found space on the left they will go into tomorrow’s cendancy from the beginning, Moustafa set up Hassan Ahmad Albert Caballeria’s men con- Al Duhail’s Abdullah al-Ahrak Afghanistan fought valiantly hand side before beating Nepal meeting with Afghanistan with and they took the lead after a ma- Palang for a close-range fi nish in tinued to pile on the pressure, converted a penalty kick 10 min- after the break, but they were un- goalkeeper Arpan Karki with an three points under their belt. Gulf Times 2 Saturday, March 23, 2019 CRICKET

INDIAN PREMIER LEAGUE SPOTLIGHT West Indies no underdogs, can Blockbuster on cards win third World Cup: Brathwaite

IANS “It’s kind of a happy hunting Kolkata ground. I have had a few good as RCB play champs games here. In the same World Cup, I had a good warm-up uoyed by their per- game with bat and ball. I had formance against a decent game with the ball England at home, a re- against India as well, though juvenated West Indies we didn’t cross the line.” sideB will go into this summer’s KKR will bank on Brathwaite World Cup as a balanced unit. to deliver the goods with bat CSK in the opener All-rounder Carlos Brathwaite and ball. Asked about his goal, feels that while they are not fa- the Barbados-born said: “I In 22 meetings between CSK and RCB, the Bengaluru outfit have managed only seven wins vourites to lift the cup, they are am not a stats person. If I get no pushovers either. wickets and score some runs, “I think the chances are good take that one or two wickets but I don’t think we will be fa- that will take the team over the vourites. And I don’t think we line..that’s more important. will be underdogs,” Brathwaite “If I can help in signifi cant told IANS in an interview wins and hopefully help the on the sidelines of a Kolkata team win the trophy as well, Knight Riders (KKR) event. then that would be a success- The hard-hitting all-round- ful season for me, regardless of er was roped in by the two- what the numbers say.” time champions for Rs5 crore The 30-year-old has blown ahead of this season. hot and cold since the historic “We know what we can do, feat, only recently making a especially after the series we comeback since playing for the just had against England. So, West Indies in an ODI back at it’s a balanced expectation in the ICC World Cup Qualifi ers my opinion. in 2018. “The brand of cricket we “I may not be hitting four played in the Caribbean, if we and sixes, but I am happy to be can replicate that in England, the one who comes in and takes we will go somewhere close to crucial wickets or scores an challenging for the title. We important 20 or 25,” Brathwaite have been traditionally a good said when asked about his re- tournament team. So, hopeful- turn and form. ly we can win the third World “Not necessarily score a fi fty Cup,” said the Windies’ regular or take a hat-trick to feel that T20 skipper. I have contributed. So, that West Indies, led by Jason mindset has helped in the last Holder, gave a good account couple of years.” of themselves in the recently Brathwaite will join compa- concluded fi ve-match ODI se- triots Andre Russell and Sunil ries in their backyard, with the Narine at KKR. “He is prob- series ending 2-2 as the third ably the best all-rounder in rubber was washed out. the world in this format. I will The World Cup in England continue to learn from him,” he and Wales starts on May 30 said of Russell. with the Windies’ taking on Under the tutelage of head Pakistan on May 31. coach and iconic South Afri- Brathwaite, who made a can all-rounder Jacques Kal- comeback to the ODI team for lis, Brathwaite added that he the England series, scored a would look to come out of the counter-attacking 36-ball 50 tournament a better cricketer. Royal Challengers Bangalore skipper Virat Kohli gestures as he addresses a press conference in Chennai yesterday. (AFP) in the fourth ODI remembered “I have spoken to him about for Chris Gayle’s 97-ball 162 my batting – as to how I can IANS about CSK skipper Mahendra played so far at the Chidambar- the last stretch of the Pakistan chine in Kohli, Dhoni too is com- in Windies’ chase of 419. They be a more consistent fi nisher New Delhi Singh Dhoni versus Virat Kohli, am Stadium and the numbers Super League (PSL). They also ing on the back of an outstanding lost the match by 29 runs. With – that I want to be. It has been captain of the RCB. are again pitted heavily in favour have a young power hitter in previous season when he showed the ball, he took fi ve wickets in light-hearted mostly to be He might be the former skip- of CSK. Overall, in 22 meetings Shimron Hetmyer of the West why he is still one of the best in four games. honest. He is very relaxed. he Indian Premier per of the Indian team, but for between CSK and RCB, the Ben- Indies to add to the arsenal. the business. In fact, Dhoni has Best known for hitting four “I am really looking forward League (IPL) is back his legion of fans, Dhoni is no galuru outfi t have managed only But CSK have the experience to scored 710 runs against the RCB, successive sixes to fi nish off to learn more from one of the and the 12th edition of less than god. Add to that the seven victories. tackle the swashbuckling bats- the most by any batsman against England in the last over of the legends of the game (Kallis) the cash-rich league home factor, and there are no In fact, the last time these men in the RCB ranks. the franchise. 2016 World T20 fi nal at the and strong personality as as- Tcouldn’t have hoped for a better points for guessing that Chennai two teams met – in Pune last If Harbhajan Singh was the The IPL might not have an Eden Gardens, Brathwaite said sistant coach (Simon) Katich. start as defending champions will be all yellow on the night of season – Chennai were all over stand-out bowler for CSK last opening ceremony this time it’s a happy hunting ground for Hopefully after this IPL, I will Chennai Super Kings (CSK) are the opening game. Bengaluru and it was a cakewalk season, Deepak Chahar too around as the fund budgeted for him and he is happy to be back. be a better cricketer.” all set to take on the star-stud- Kohli, on the other hand, for Dhoni’s boys. But a lot has showed great maturity to earn the same is being handed over ded Royal Challengers Bangalore might be a demi-god himself for changed since then and the sen- an India cap on the basis of his to the families of the Pulwama (RCB) in the opening game at the his fans, but when it comes to ior most team in the IPL – CSK IPL performance. Not to forget martyrs, but one couldn’t have MA Chidambaram Stadium in fi ghting it out against Dhoni, he – have grown a year older. The the tactical acumen of part-time asked for a more blockbuster Chennai today. might just come out second best. positive for RCB is the fact that spinner Suresh Raina and Kedar start to the 12th edition of one of Cricket might be a team game, For the record, RCB have lost AB de Villiers is fi t and raring to Jadhav. In the batting depart- the most followed domestic T20 but come Saturday, it will be all six of the seven games they have go after resting his back during ment too, if RCB have a run-ma- leagues in the world. Spot-fixing can happen without players knowing: Dhoni

Former India skipper M.S. Dhoni, at the tale journey to win the title. “2013 was the the punishment. Finally we got to know that can, bowlers can but match-fixing needs departure press conference for the most diff icult phase in my life, I was never CSK will be banned for two years. There the involvement of the majority of the 2013 Champions Trophy, had said that depressed as much as I was then. The was a mixed feeling that time. Because you players,” he explained. On staying silent at he would speak on the IPL spot-fixing closest was 2007 World Cup when we lost take a lot of things personally and, as a cap- the time of the episode, Dhoni said: “What scandal that rocked that edition of the in the group stages. But all said and done, tain, question what did the team do wrong.” makes it even tougher is that, as the cash-rich league at the right moment. And 2007 happened because we did not play Dhoni went on to add that spot-fixing can Indian captain, you keep going to press that time has come as he has broken his good cricket. “But 2013, the angle was happen without the knowledge of the conferences. There is a known line that is silence in a docudrama aptly titled “Roar completely diff erent. People are talking players. “My name also came up in talks drawn that that was the IPL and this is the of the Lion”. about match-fixing and spot-fixing. It of fixing. They started showcasing in the Indian cricket team. “It’s not easy to keep The documentary throws light on the was the most talked about thing in the media or social media as if the team was performing at the top level when these scandal that rocked Indian cricket and country,” Dhoni said in the first episode involved, I was involved. Is it possible (in things are on your mind. Ten years down saw Chennai Super Kings being suspend- titled “What did we do wrong?” broadcast cricket)? the line, no one is going to remember ed for two years. It also shows the the on Hotstar. “We did deserve the punish- “Yes it is possible, anyone can do spot- what was said in a press conference but return of the lions in 2018 and their fairy ment but the only thing is the quantum of fixing. Umpires can do that, batsmen how the team did.” Carlos Brathwaite (left) with Chris Gayle.

WORLD CUP I fi t the role of 4th bowler India wants: Umesh IANS tors pick the squad for the show- der pressure,” he told IANS. the star-studded RCB line-up, New Delhi piece event in England. Umesh also said that he didn’t Umesh said that he shares a spe- “If you look at the IPL as a get a long rope in limited-overs cial bond with former India pac- platform to convince selectors cricket and that is one of the er Ashish Nehra and the life les- he Indian Premier that I am the man to be picked reasons why he hasn’t been able sons the left-arm bowler shares League (IPL) gets under- for the World Cup, I am the man. to replicate his red-ball form in has helped Umesh a lot. way in Chennai today The fourth bowler that the team the shorter format. “Nehra paaji gave me a lot of with Royal Challengers is looking at, I feel I fi t that role. I “To be honest, if you look at confi dence after I joined RCB TBangalore (RCB) taking on de- don’t think any of the youngsters it, I haven’t played too many last season. He told me that fending champions Chennai Su- have done enough to replace the ODI matches. You cannot count when everything is against you per Kings (CSK) in the season’s senior bowlers. someone’s performance on the and you perform that is when opener. “At the end of the day, you are basis of a couple of matches here you should take it as a challenge And RCB pacer Umesh going to play the World Cup and and there. If I am given a long and show the world what you Yadav is one player who will not just any other tournament run and back-to-back matches, are made of. He said ‘if every- defi nitely be looking to impress like a bilateral series. then I can prove myself,” he ex- thing is stacked against you and RCB and Team India captain “Experience is a must on plained. you rise like a phoenix from the Virat Kohli with a strong show the big stage. Someone with The pacer feels that if picked ashes, then that gives you joy as from the word go. an experience of playing 10-12 for the World Cup, the IPL will a sportsperson’. While the national selectors matches is not enough because be his best preparation ground. “If everything is going your are still looking to fi ll the No.4 if a situation arises that one of “IPL for me is to give my best for way, there is no fi ght and the slot in the batting line-up, an- the frontline bowler is injured, the franchise and also practice joy of achieving something goes other place up for grabs is the you must have the replace- for the World Cup. down. He said ‘keep learning fourth pace bowler’s slot. ment who is able to handle the This is the ideal platform to every minute and come back And Umesh believes that he pressure of that situation. You train for the World Cup... this stronger’ and I keep doing just fi ts the bill as experience will be need someone who can bowl will be the best match-situa- that. I can really relate to him. an important factor taken into 140kmph-plus and has the tion.” His life lessons are amazing,” consideration when the selec- mental ability to perform un- Asked about being a part of he added. Gulf Times Saturday, March 23, 2019 3 CRICKET

FIRST ODI SPOTLIGHT ICC nod for names, numbers on player Finch’s ton helps fi re shirts in Tests

IANS “The World Test Champi- New Delhi onship will get underway next year with the ODI league kick- ing off in 2020 as part of the n a bid to further popular- qualifi cation towards the ICC Australia to 8-wicket ise Test cricket the Inter- Cricket World Cup 2023. national Cricket Council “Bringing context to bilat- (ICC) has allowed players eral cricket is not a new chal- Ito have their names and num- lenge, but with the release of bers on the back of their shirts this FTP, our members have starting with the World Test found a genuine solution that Championship from August 1. gives fans around the world The Ashes series between the chance to engage regularly win over Pakistan England and Australia will be with international cricket that the fi rst instance when the has meaning and the possibil- Finch added 172 runs for the second wicket with Marsh who scored an unbeaten 91 players will sport these jerseys. ity of a global title at the end.” “They will come into force ICC chairman Shashank on August 1 as part of the Manohar had recently said that World Test Championship,” Test cricket was dying. “We ICC General Manager Claire are trying to see whether Test Furlong told IANS. championship can generate The ICC in recent times has interest because Test cricket is already taken major strides in actually dying to be honest. the direction to highlight Test “So to improve the situation, format - the introduction of we are trying ways and means. the World Test Championship The (ICC) board directors has was in this line. come to a conclusion that if The championship will start we start a Test championship, from July 15 and go on till April it would keep Test cricket alive 30, 2021, with the fi nal being and generate more interest in played in June 2021. the game,” Manohar had said. With an aim to attract more But the statement drew a fans to the game, the ICC has lot of fl ak and Richardson said approved the idea of having that the chairman’s statement players’ names and numbers was misinterpreted. “What he on their shirts even in the long- (Manohar) was meaning to say est format of the gentleman’s is Test cricket was calling out game. The World Test Cham- for more context. Yes, there are pionship, whose calender was some iconic contests that take released in June 2018, is being place from time to time, but re- seen as a tool to make bilateral ally, unless you are a part of or ties more contextual. a fan of the participating teams The move to introduce jer- that particular series had no seys with the name of players real interest (to fans globally). and their numbers will only “And with the introduction make it more exciting for the of the World Test Champion- fans who seem to be more in- ship, that adds interest and terested to follow the shorter helps to promote the Test game formats of the game. worldwide no matter who is Commenting on the fi xtures playing. That is what he was of the Test championship, ICC saying: Test cricket needed just CEO David Richardson had that added boost, it needed to said: “The agreement of this be promoted and the World FTP (Future Tours Programme) Test Championship hopefully means we have clarity, certain- is the answer to that,” Richard- ty and most importantly con- son said on the sidelines of the text around bilateral cricket 100-day countdown for the over the next fi ve years. 2019 World Cup.

Ireland to host West Indies, Bangladesh in tri-series

West Indies and Bangladesh between the three venues will travel to Ireland for a One- of Castle Avenue, Clontarf Day International (ODI) tri- and The Village, Malahide, in series, which will begin from Dublin. May 5, International Cricket The tri-series will serve as a Council (ICC) announced preparation for West Indies yesterday. and Bangaldesh ahead of the Ireland will face West Indies ICC cricket World Cup 2019 Australia’s Aaron Finch (right) plays a shot during the first one-day international (ODI) against Pakistan at Sharjah Cricket Stadium in Sharjah yesterday. (AFP) in the opening game and the beginning from May 30. tri-series will involve a double West Indies will play their AFP June last year against England Scorecard and a six. Pakistan had handed round-robin phase followed opening game on May 31 Sharjah, United Arab Emirates at Chester-Le-Street - off 120 one-day debuts to opener Shan by the final, according to the against Pakistan, while balls. Finch, who knocked four PAKISTAN 1 (2w), Zampa 10-0-44-0, Stoinis Masood and Abbas - who have ICC website. Bangladesh will take on South sixes and eight boundaries, 2-0-14-0 (1w). played 15 and 14 Tests respec- The matches will be hosted Africa on June 2. aron Finch’s fi ne cen- added an innings-building 172 Imam-ul-Haq c and b Lyon 17 tively. tury drove Australia runs for the second wicket with S. Masood b Coulter-Nile 40 Masood put on 35 in an open- to a convincing eight- Shaun Marsh who scored an un- H. Sohail not out 101 AUSTRALIA ing stand with Imam-ul-Haq wicket win over a new- beaten 91 off 102 balls with four U. Khawaja c Malik b Ashraf 24 (17) before off -spinner Nathan OPINION lookA Pakistan in the fi rst one- boundaries and two sixes. U. Akmal c Finch b Coulter-Nile 49 Lyon dismissed Imam in the sev- day international yesterday. With 46 needed Finch be- S. Malik b Maxwell 11 A. Finch c Rizwan b Abbas 116 enth over, caught and bowled. The Austraian skipper scored came Mohamed Abbas’s maiden F. Ashraf c Stoinis b Maxwell 28 S. Marsh not out 91 Masood, who hit fi ve bounda- 116 off 135 balls for his 12th one- wicket but Peter Handscomb ries in his 62-ball 40, was then I. Wasim not out 28 P. Handscomb not out 30 KKR have best batting day international century that hit 30 not out to help Marsh bowled by paceman Nathan Extras: (b4, lb8, w8) 20 helped his team overhaul the cross the line. Finch and Marsh Extras: (lb1, w 5) 6 Coulter-Nile who fi nished with 281-run target in 49 overs on a came together after opener Us- Total: (for 5 wkts; 50 overs) 280 Total: (for 2 wkts; 49 overs) 281 1-38 in his 10 overs. line-up, says Katich fl at Sharjah stadium pitch. man Khawaja fell for 24 to me- Fall of wickets: 1-35 (Imam), Fall of wickets: 1-63 (Khawaja), Umar smashed three sixes in The win gives Australia the dium pacer Faheem Ashraf, the 2-78 (Masood), 3-176 (Umar), 2-235 (Finch) one Jhye Richardson over but fell IANS lead in the fi ve-match series and only other success Pakistan’s 4-190 (Malik), 5-239 (Ashraf) Bowling: Amir 9-0-59-0, Abbas one short of his half century. Kolkata has come on the back of their 3-2 new-look bowling attack could 10-0-44-1, Imad 10-1-50-0 (7w), Malik fell for 11 and Ashraf and series win in India earlier this achieve. Bowling: Richardson 8-1-65-1 Imad Wasim scored 28 each. (1w), Coulter-Nile 10-0-61-2 (1w), Ashraf 9-0-50-1 (1w), Yasir 10-0- month. Finch’s match-winning Pakistan rested six of their key 56-0, Malik 1-0-10-0. Wasim hit four boundaries wo-time Indian Pre- knock overshadowed Haris So- players including regular skipper Lyon 10-0-38-1, Maxwell 10-0-57- and a six during his 13-ball un- mier League (IPL) hail’s maiden one-day hundred Sarfraz Ahmed in order to keep beaten knock, helping Pakistan champions Kolkata (101 not out) which helped Pa- them fresh for the World Cup in India earlier this month. with Umar Akmal who made a to 55 runs in the last fi ve overs. Knight Riders (KKR) kistan to 280-5 in their 50 overs. starting in UK from May 30. Left-hander Sohail, who 50-ball 48 in his fi rst interna- Tomorrow’s second ODI is haveT the best batting line-up in The 32-year-old smashed But the young and inexpe- reached 1,000 runs in his 27th tional match for two years. also being played in Sharjah, the tournament, feels former Shoaib Malik for a huge six to- rienced Pakistan led by Malik one-day international when on Sohail took a single to com- with the third in Abu Dhabi Australia batsman and KKR as- wards deep mid-wicket to com- proved no match for Australia, 40, anchored Pakistan’s innings, plete his hundred in the last over, (March 27) and the last two in sistant coach Simon Katich. plete his century - his fi rst since who are on a roll after their win adding 98 for the third wicket fi nishing with six boundaries Dubai (March 29 and 31). KKR roped in big-hitting West Indies all-rounder Car- los Brathwaite ahead of the COMMENT 12th season starting tomorrow, thus adding more fi repower to are allowed to feature in the their already star-studded ar- playing XI. senal which includes the likes “It depends on the opposi- Warner in superb rhythm, raring to go, says Laxman of Chris Lynn, Andre Russell tion and where we are play- and skipper Dinesh Karthik, ing. In certain games, there IANS practice session,” Laxman told player for us, exceptional cap- tournament like the IPL will help IPL will be an advantage as they among others. may be a possibility that they Kolkata reporters after the team’s prac- tain as well, a premier batsman them to be in good rhythm when play against top quality opposi- “The big fella (Brathwaite) will play together potentially. tice session at the Eden Gardens. for us and I am sure he will look they go to the World Cup. But tion. You are playing with some here has potentially one of the But throughout, our bat- “We also played a couple of forward to scoring heavily this they have to be very sensible and quality players,” he added. best strike rates in World T20. ting line-up has been our real unrisers Hyderabad practice matches in Hydera- season as well and win matches smart. On the Eden wicket, Laxman, So in terms of our batting, it’s strength. (SRH) mentor V V S Lax- bad and he scored in both those and hopefully the tournament “All of them are professional who spends a lot of time here the strongest in the competi- “Last year, six of our bats- man yesterday said skip- matches and was in fantastic for Sunrisers.” and clever. The workload man- as consultant of Cricket Asso- tion,” Katich said during an men (Karthik, Lynn, Narine, per David Warner looks rhythm and that is something re- Warner captained Sunrisers to agement, as it is, is a focus of the ciation of Bengal’s Vision 2020, event to unveil KKR’s eight Uthappa, Russell and Nitish inS superb rhythm and is raring ally pleasing for all of us,” he said. the IPL title in 2016. In 2017, the franchise because it’s a long tour- said it would be a good one with new acquisitions for IPL XII. Rana) were inside the top-25 to go as his team prepares to take Warner along with Steve dashing southpaw fi nished as nament,” the 44-year-old said. something in it for both batters “We are blessed with a lot of leading run getters in the tour- on Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) Smith will be returning from the highest scorer with 641 runs “It’s a packed tournament and bowlers. powerful players such as Lynn nament,” he pointed out. in their Indian Premier League their year-long ban for their in 14 matches with an average where there is a lot of travel. So “The wicket looks really good. and Sunil Narine, who is good “So we have a very power- (IPL) opener here tomorrow. involvement in the Sandpaper of 58.27. After the ball tamper- workload of all the players is The ground looks in terrifi c in the Powerplay. Then we ful batting line-up. It would Warner recently recovered Gate fi asco in South Africa. ing scandal, Warner missed the managed and they themselves condition, lush green outfi eld. I have Robin (Uthappa), Nitish be great to see the big fella from an elbow surgery and “David Warner is really look- 2018 edition with know how to manage their fi t- think the matches here will defi - (Rana), DK (Dinesh Karthik) (Brathwaite) get out there and smashed a rapid-fi re century for ing positive going into this sea- skipper Kane Williamson taking ness levels. nitely be high scoring and com- and Shubman (Gill),” he said. start swatting sixes like fl ies at his Sydney club side on return. son. It was unfortunate what charge of the team. Laxman was “World Cup is something petitive matches. There will be Katich said they would have the back-end of the innings,” “He is totally fi t and raring to happened in Cape Town last year also asked about the workload which we all are looking forward enough for the bowlers as well. to assess the conditions ahead Katich said. go. He has really worked hard and I am sure he is looking for- management of players ahead of to and we want the Indian team “There is a tinge of grass on of picking the playing XI, as KKR will begin their cam- on his fi tness and also what re- ward to contributing to Sunris- the World Cup in May-June. to go out there and win the World the wicket so the fast bowlers KKR have a host of foreign- paign against Sunrisers Hy- ally amazed me was the kind of ers,” Laxman said. “I think all of them are pro- Cup. I am sure all the players will will come into play as it’s an af- ers who could claim a berth. derabad at the Eden Gardens rhythm he showed from the fi rst “He has been an exceptional fessional players and playing a be smart enough. Playing the ternoon match.” A maximum of four foreigners tomorrow. Gulf Times 4 Saturday, March 23, 2019 SPORT

GOLF Unbeaten Hurd to defend super welterweight Albatross lift s Knox crowns in May

Washington: Undefeated Jarrett Hurd will defend his world super welterweight titles against fellow American within one shot of lead Julian Williams on May 11 in suburban Washington, pro- moters announced on Thurs- Austrian Straka, American Dahmen share lead after first round on five-under 66 day. Hurd, hoping to become an undisputed champion, Reuters owns the International Boxing Palm Harbor, Florida Federation and World Boxing Association titles and stopped current World Boxing Council n albatross from 275 yards champion Tony Harrison in helped Russell Knox vault the ninth round in a 2017 fight. within one stroke of fi rst- Hurd, 23-0 with 16 knock- round leaders Sepp Straka and outs, stopped compatriot Tony JoelA Dahmen at the Valspar Champion- Harrison in 2017 for the IBF ship in Palm Harbor, Florida on Thurs- crown and defends it for the day. After a 300-yard drive, Knox used a fourth time. He took the WBA three-wood for his rare feat at the par- belt from US southpaw Eris- fi ve 11th hole at Innisbrook Resort and landy Lara by split decision his ball trickled into the hole at perfect last year and defended both speed. last December by knocking “It was a good way to go from plus out Britain’s Jason Welborn. two to minus one very quickly,” the Scot Williams, 26-1-1, fights his said after carding a four-under-par 67. fellow 28-year-old in hopes of “I hit a beautiful drive and I knew if I stretching his win streak to hit a nice three-wood down there I’d be five bouts since his lone loss, somewhere near the green and that’s re- which came in his only prior ally all I was really looking for. I smoked world title bout, a knockout it right on line and it was right down the loss to Jermall Charlo in fl ag the whole way and it just carried December 2016. The bout will the bunker and kicked on, rolled, rolled, be staged in Fairfax, Virginia, rolled and in she went. I would have near Hurd’s hometown fans. been delighted with a birdie.” “I couldn’t be happier to It was the second albatross in a week be fighting at home for the on the PGA Tour, after American Har- first time as a champion,” ris English recorded one at the Players Russell Knox of tees of during the Hurd said. “Julian Williams is Championship. Apart from picking up first round of the Valspar Championship in a tough opponent and I don’t three strokes in one fell swoop with the Palm Harbor, Florida, on Thursday. (AFP) see him as a stepping stone. albatross, it lit a spark that led to three He’s crafty, technical and birdies in the fi nal six holes for Knox, fundamentally sound. I want who double-bogeyed the ninth. to go out and get a decisive “This was a huge kick start and all of win and show that I’m on a a sudden the smile on my face got a little diff erent level than everybody bigger and I was able to hit some good else in the division.” shots,” said the two-times PGA Tour Williams can realise his winner. Straka and Dahmen also played career dream of a world title in the morning on a day when nearly all with a triumph. “I’m looking the best scores were posted early, before 68 — Shawn Stefani, Brian Stuard, Keegan forward to putting on an excit- a breeze and fi rm conditions created a enjoyed a fruitful start to what is only Johnson fi red a 69 and Australian Jason North Carolina is playing on a sponsor Bradley, Denny McCarthy, Roberto Castro ing fight,” Williams said. “And stern afternoon test. his fourth event in the past 11 months Day, a former number one, stumbled to exemption. most importantly winning Vienna-born Straka, the fi rst Aus- due to a back problem. “Forty years old, a 74. Patrick Reed shot 77 three weeks 69 — Peter Malnati, Tyrrell Hatton (ENG), those titles and showing the trian to hold PGA Tour membership, they say things start breaking down a before he will defend his Masters title at LEADING FIRST ROUND SCORES Harold Varner, Russell Henley, Charley world that I’m the best in the Hoff man, Joaquin Niemann (CHI), Jason waltzed to his 66 with the only bogey- little bit, but hopefully this is pretty the year’s fi rst major. His card included (USA unless noted, par 71): 154-pound division.” free round of the day while American short-term and now I can go on for a three double-bogeys. Kokrak, Kelly Kraft, Sam Burns, Hank Lebi- Barrios has grown into a Dahmen had one blemish on his card. few more years and enjoy some good Seventeen-year-old Akshay Bhatia 66 — Joel Dahmen, Sepp Straka (AUT) oda, Julián Etulain (ARG), Scott Stallings, brilliant super lightweight Englishman Luke Donald and American golf,” said Donald who topped the rank- bogeyed three of his fi nal four holes for 67 — Russell Knox (SCO), Kevin Kisner, Dustin Johnson, Bubba Watson, Jim Furyk, contender after starting out at Kevin Kisner joined Knox on 67. ings for 56 weeks in 2011-12. a 74 in his fi rst round on the PGA Tour. Luke Donald (ENG) Austin Cook, Danny Willett (ENG), Roberto 130 pounds. Former world number one Donald Current world number one Dustin The much-hyped amateur from Diaz (MEX)

ATHLETICS SPOTLIGHT UN rights council blasts Choi fi res 65 in return to LPGA tour AFP want. It was a diff erent life. I was said. “I feel like I was kind of Phoenix, USA kind of a robot when I was grow- lacking that confi dence last year.” ing up and then playing golf well Alana Uriell, Charlotte Tho- IAAF over testosterone in LPGA Tour. I was living in the mas, Ko Jin-young and Nanna or Choi Na-yeon a box. I couldn’t do anything be- Koerstz Madsen joined Choi at boozy round of practise sides golf. Only golf, only golf. 65. Top-ranked Park Sung-hy- golf may not be what the Like 100% focused on golf.” un, Jenny Shin, Spain’s Carlota rules for female athletes doctor recommended, The 2012 US Women’s Open Ciganda, Thailand’s Pornanong butF it served its purpose at the champ is one shot behind leader Phatlum and Cheyenne Knight AFP time given the pressures involved Celine Boutier of — which shot 66. Geneva in returning from a back injury. “I is a big surprise considering her tried to drink some beer and get a lack of tournament action over LEADING SCORES AFTER little tipsy and playing golf,” Choi the past year. “Golf is really fun- FIRST ROUND said of an early round in her slow ny game. he UN Human Rights Council has con- (USA unless noted, par 72): demned the IAAF’s attempt to regulate and steady comeback from the I didn’t expect any good scores the testosterone levels of female athletes, injury. “Because we always play today because this is fi rst day,” 64 — Celine Boutier (FRA) as nations unanimously backed the cause golf in serious mode. I just like to on Thursday at the LPGA Tour’s said Choi. “I practised hard, of 65 — Alana Uriell, Ko Jin Young Tof South African runner Caster Semenya. play with more fun.” Founders Cup. “My mentally was course, but it’s hard to tell how (KOR), Choi Na Yeon (KOR), Char- In a rare intrusion in the world of sport, the That’s something the 31-year- like totally broken, so I just need- I’m going to shoot. Less expec- lotte Thomas (ENG), Nanna Koerstz United Nations’ top rights body has said that the old South Korean would nev- ed my body get ready fi rst.” tations, I think, always give you Madsen (DEN) International Association of Athletics Federa- er have thought of when she After she stopped, the fi rst better result.” 66 — Cheyenne Knight, Carlota Cig- tions (IAAF) may be in breach of “international stopped playing on the LPGA part of her recovery was to take Boutier fi nished her round of anda (ESP), Jenny Shin (KOR), Park human rights norms and standards”. Tour in April 2018 because of a two week vacation to Europe, 64 with a four-foot birdie putt on Sung Hyun, Pornanong Phatlum The South African-led resolution called on nagging back problems. “I just forget about golf for a while and the par-four ninth hole. She cap- (THA) governments to ensure that sports organisations kept playing golf and my swing get a fresh perspective on life. tured the Vic Open last month in “refrain from developing and enforcing poli- got worse and worse and hitting “I didn’t think about golf,” Choi Australia for her fi rst LPGA Tour 67 — Angel Yin, Sarah Schmelzel, cies and practices that force, coerce or otherwise my ball going left and right,” said said. “I didn’t set the alarm every title. “It’s defi nitely made me Daniela Darquea (ECU), Lee Mirim pressure women and girl athletes into undergoing Choi, who fi red an opening round day. I just wake up whenever I more confi dent in my game, my (KOR), Lydia Ko (NZL), Brooke M. unnecessary, humiliating and harmful medical 65 in her fi rst round in 11 months wanted and I just ate whatever I ability to win out here,” Boutier Henderson (CAN) procedures”. It was adopted by consensus by the council’s 47 members on Thursday. The IAAF is looking FOCUS to force so-called “hyperandrogenic” athletes or those with “diff erences of sexual development” compared it to excluding someone from a chal- (DSD) to seek treatment to lower their testoster- lenge that requires critical thinking because they one levels below a prescribed amount if they wish had a high IQ. McIlroy to play in before US Open to continue competing as women. World athletics’ governing body has argued RUSSIAN RACE WALKER TO BE AFP tin Johnson, Jim Furyk, Brandt 70 to claim his fi rst title of 2019. the moves are necessary to create a “level play- STRIPPED OF MEDALS OVER DOPING Miami Snedeker and Canada’s Adam The 29-year-old Northern Irish- ing fi eld” for other female athletes. Double Ol- Russian race walker Aleksandr Ivanov has been Hadwin. McIlroy will chase a ca- man overcame a shaky start at ympic champion Semenya, who has dominated disqualifi ed for three years for doping and is set reer Grand Slam in next month’s TPC Sawgrass to card six birdies the women’s 800 metres over the last decade, has to be stripped of his gold medal at the 2013 world our-time major winner Masters at Augusta National against two bogeys and a double- fi led a challenge against the IAAF at the Court of championships in Moscow, the Russian athletics Rory McIlroy will play after wins at the 2011 US Open, bogey to fi nish one clear of US Arbitration for Sport. federation said yesterday. in the Canadian Open for 2012 and 2014 PGA Champion- veteran Jim Furyk on 16 under. Her testosterone levels are not publically Ivanov will lose all the medals he won between the fi rst time in June, a ship and 2014 British Open. The win earned McIlroy a known. The sports court is due to deliver a deci- June 2012 and August 2014, the federation said. weekF before he seeks a US Open In May, McIlroy will seek a $2.25mn winner’s cheque and sion in the case by the end of April. The council He is disqualifi ed for a three-year period that be- crown at historic Pebble Beach. third PGA crown when the event could not have been better timed resolution also called on the UN High Commis- gan on May 2, 2017, the date of his earlier suspen- Fourth-ranked McIlroy, who won moves from its former August as he prepares for The Masters sioner for Human Rights, Michelle Bachelet, to sion, it said. last week’s Players Champion- date to be played at Bethpage at Augusta next month where he write “a report on the intersections between race Ivanov, whose blood contained abnormalities, ship, will compete for his fi rst Black just three weeks before the is aiming to complete a career and gender discrimination in sports”, with par- according to the federation — won gold in the Canadian title June 6-9 at Ham- Canadian Open, which moves grand slam. McIlroy said his ex- ticular focus on sport governing bodies like the 20km race walk at the IAAF World Champion- ilton Golf and Country Club, or- from a previous late July spot on perience on the tour this year — IAAF. ships in 2013, beating China’s Ding Cheng and ganisers announced on Thursday. the PGA Tour schedule. where he has posted fi ve top-10 South Africa’s ambassador to the UN in Ge- Spain’s Miguel Angel Lopez. “I’m really excited,” McIlroy Following the US Open June fi nishes but has been unable to neva, Nozipho Joyce Mxakato-Diseko, said that Russia’s athletics federation has been suspend- said. “I’ve had the opportunity to 13-16 at Pebble Beach, McIlroy get over the line — had helped what the IAAF was attempting amounted to dis- ed since a 2015 report commissioned by the World see the passion that Canada has will be pointing to a British Open him seal victory. “I think all those crimination on gender and “racial grounds”. Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) found evidence of for our sport and I look forward in his homeland for the fi rst time experiences I had starting the South Africa has previously accused the IAAF state-sponsored doping in the sport. The IAAF to seeing the energy of Canadian since 1951 on July 18-21 at Royal year helped,” McIlroy said. of seeking to violate women’s bodies. Some sci- global athletics ruling body has still authorised golf fans fi rsthand.” Portrush. “I felt more and more confi - entifi c experts have argued that barring Semenya some Russians, including 2015 world champion Among the rivals the 29-year- Last Sunday. McIlroy scored a dent each time. I just stayed as from competition due to naturally high testo- hurdler Sergey Shubenkov, to compete as neutrals old from Northern Ireland will one-shot victory at The Players patient as I possibly could. “I sterone levels would be like excluding basketball after having demonstrated they are competing in face are world number one Championship on Sunday, fi r- hoped that if I just stayed patient players because they are too tall. Mxakato-Diseko a doping-free environment. and defending champion Dus- ing a two-under-par fi nal round enough and waited my turn.” Gulf Times Saturday, March 23, 2019 5 SPORT

NBA ROUND-UP Boston’s Smart Warriors rout Pacers, fi ned $50K for shoving Embiid AFP New York

oston Celtics guard Marcus Nuggets beat Wizards Smart was fi ned $50,000 by the NBA on Thursday after forcefully shoving Philadelphia 76ersB center Joel Embiid to the fl oor in ‘We haven’t played as well at home this year so we want to finish it right’ a loss a night earlier. Smart received a fl agrant foul and automatic ejection for Reuters the shove, which took place with 7:06 Oakland, California remaining in the third quarter of Phil- adelphia’s 118-115 home victory over Boston on Wednesday. eMarcus Cousins contrib- Cameroonian center Embiid was sent uted six points to a third- sprawling to the court in the encoun- quarter runaway in his return ter but fi nished with game highs of 37 to the lineup Thursday night, points and 22 rebounds for the 76ers. helpingD the Golden State Warriors Philadelphia improved to 47-25, third in blow out the Indiana Pacers 112-89 in the Eastern Conference, while dropping Oakland, California. All fi ve starters the Celtics to 43-29, fi fth in the East scored in double fi gures as the War- and four games behind the Sixers. riors were able to retain a half-game The fi ne was based in part on Smart’s lead over Denver in their duel for best repeated acts of unsportsmanlike con- record in the Western Conference. duct during NBA games, including two The Pacers saw their lead over Bos- prior incidents this season that resulted ton trimmed to a half-game in their in fi nes. The NBA fi ned Smart $35,000 fi ght for the fourth seed in the East. in January for being involved in an al- Cousins, who had missed the fi - tercation with forward DeAn- nal two games of Golden State’s just dre Bembry, the league saying it pun- completed four-game trip with a sore ished Smart for “aggressively pursuing ankle, recorded 19 points and 11 re- an opponent in an attempt to escalate a bounds in 26 minutes of action. physical altercation and failing to leave Klay Thompson had 18 points, and the court in a timely manner following Kevin Durant and Stephen Curry each his ejection.” scored 15 for the Warriors. Tyreke Smart was fi ned $25,000 in Octo- Evans had a game-high 20 points off ber for escalating an altercation with the bench, and Thaddeus Young 18 for Cleveland Cavaliers guard JR Smith in a the Pacers, who went 0-4 on a West- pre-season game. ern swing.“We got the shots we want- ed. The ball was just popping,” said OUBRE TO UNDERGO Golden State forward Andre Iguodala. MINOR THUMB SURGERY “We haven’t played as well at home Phoenix Suns forward Kelly Oubre will this year so we want to fi nish it right.” have minor surgery on his left thumb The Pacers loss also means the Mil- and will miss the rest of the season. waukee Brewers claimed the division The recovery is expected to be four title for the fi rst time since 2001. to six weeks, according to the report. Golden State led 53-43 at halftime Oubre, 23, has been playing the best thanks to a 18-10 surge in the second ball of his career after the Suns acquired quarter. They then busted the game him in December as part of the trade open in the third quarter taking a 70- that sent Trevor Ariza to the Washing- 48 six minutes in and breezed from ton Wizards. Oubre has averaged 16.9 there. “Tonight I thought our spirit points and 4.9 rebounds in 40 games and our energy were fantastic,” coach with the Suns, building on his career Steve Kerr said. Indiana Pacers’ Myles Turner (left) attempts to drive past Golden State Warriors’ Klay Thompson during the NBA match on Thursday. (USA TODAY Sports) average of 9.4 points and 3.7 rebounds over four seasons. NUGGETS 113, WIZARDS 108 The Hornets scored seven straight Dewayne Dedmon made a free throw The Kings bounced back after blow- PISTONS 118, SUNS 98 Meanwhile, the Suns reached a two- Nikola Jokic had 15 points and 11 as- points early in the fourth quarter to with 6.2 seconds left to give the Hawks ing a 25-point, fourth-quarter lead Wayne Ellington scored 23 points, hit- year deal with Jimmer Fredette, giving sists, and visiting Denver held off gain a working margin, and then they a 117-114 lead. Utah’s Kyle Korver then in their last outing against visiting ting six 3-pointers, and Detroit pulled the former college phenom a second Washington for its fi fth straight win. went on to lead by as many as 11 down missed two free throws, the second Brooklyn on Tuesday, resulting in a away for a win at Phoenix. crack at the NBA. Fredette, 30, is await- Eight Nuggets scored in double fi g- the stretch, the latest at 111-100. on purpose, and Donovan Mitchell 123-121 loss. Hield connected on sev- Detroit’s Blake Griffi n had 17 points, ing clearance from his current team, the ures, including Paul Millsap, Gary The Hornets had lost four of their missed a 3-pointer that was rebound- en 3-pointers and now has made 238 seven rebounds and eight assists de- Shanghai Sharks of the Chinese Basket- Harris, Jamal Murray and Torrey Craig previous fi ve and 11 of their previ- ed by Atlanta’s Kent Bazemore as the treys. He trails Peja Stojakovic by only spite shooting 4 of 17 from the fi eld. ball Association. at 15 points each. Bradley Beal scored ous 15. The Timberwolves, who got 21 clock expired. The win broke Atlanta’s two for the most in a single season in Andre Drummond supplied 16 Fredette averaged 36.9 points per 25 points for the Wizards, who have points and 16 rebounds from Karl-An- three-game losing streak and snapped Kings history. Marvin Bagley III came points and 19 rebounds, and Luke game this season for the Sharks, who lost three straight. Thomas Bryant thony Towns, have lost fi ve straight. Utah’s fi ve-game winning streak. The off the Sacramento bench to score 22 Kennard also scored 16 points to help were eliminated from the postseason added 22. Jazz got 34 points from Mitchell, his points and grab 12 rebounds, and Wil- the Pistons win for the third time in Tuesday. Fredette, a 6-foot-2 guard HAWKS 117, JAZZ 114 second straight 30-point game. lie Cauley-Stein had 10 points and 18 four games. who was the all-time leading scorer in HORNETS 113, TIMBERWOLVES 106 Rookie Trae Young scored 23 points, rebounds. Former Kings forward Jus- Devin Booker led the Suns with BYU and Mountain West Conference Kemba Walker scored 31 points, and including the go-ahead three-point INGS 116, MAVERICKS 100 tin Jackson led the Mavericks with 19 26 points, and rookie Deandre Ayton history, will be signed through the rest host Charlotte rolled to a much-need- play with 1:47 remaining, and At- Buddy Hield scored 29 points, and points. Luka Doncic scored 13 points contributed 20 points and also made of this season, with a team option for ed victory over Minnesota. lanta hung on to beat visiting Utah. host Sacramento took care of Dallas. and hauled down 10 boards. eight rebounds. 2019-2020.

NHL Crosby helps Penguins top Predators in shootout Reuters 3-0-1 in their last four games. David the third period holding his hip after a Nashville, USA Perron had an assist to extend his point big check and did not return. streak to 17 games. Thomas Vanek scored twice, and Jonathan Berni- KINGS 4, SHARKS 2 idney Crosby scored the only er turned aside 19 shots for the Red Matt Roy scored his fi rst NHL goal to goal of a shootout as the Pitts- Wings, who have lost 13 of their past 16 start a third-period comeback, and burgh Penguins snapped a (3-10-3). Jonathan Quick made 23 saves as host three-game losing streak with Los Angeles beat San Jose. With his aS 2-1 win over the Nashville Predators, FLAMES 5, SENATORS 1 team down 2-1 nearing the midway who had their three-game winning Andrew Mangiapane netted his fi rst ca- point of the third period, Roy fi red a streak halted. After Bryan Rust scored reer multi-point game with a goal and slap shot from the point that somehow in the second period for Pittsburgh, an assist, and host Calgary scored fi ve went through a maze of players and a Nashville’s Ryan Ellis tied it 1-1 with unanswered goals en route to its sec- screened netminder to tie the game. 3:01 left in regulation with an unassist- ond straight win, a rout of Ottawa. Four Roy was playing his 16th NHL game. ed sharp-angle goal from the bottom of other Calgary players collected two Anze Kopitar’s 21st goal of the season the right circle. points, and Mike Smith made 18 saves a couple of minutes later became the Penguins goalie Matt Murray for the Flames, who have won fi ve of game-winner, and Jeff Carter added an stopped Ryan Johansen, Ellis and Brian six and hold the top spot in the Western empty-net goal. Boyle in the shootout after he turned Conference. The Sharks, who were without key away 28 shots in regulation and over- Craig Anderson made 31 saves for forwards Joe Pavelski and Logan Cou- time. Nashville’s Pekka Rinne stopped the Senators, who have dropped two ture plus defenseman Erik Karlsson, Phil Kessel in the shootout and made 32 straight. Lightning 6, Hurricanes 3 lost their fourth consecutive game. saves through regulation and overtime. Tampa Bay scored four goals in the third period to emerge with the win at PANTHERS 4, COYOTES 2 GOLDEN KNIGHTS 5, JETS 0 Raleigh. Ryan Callahan tallied the go- Jonathan Huberdeau had his third William Karlsson had two goals and an ahead goal, and Brayden Point and Ryan three-assist game of the season, and assist, Reilly Smith scored two goals, McDonagh followed with goals. Steven Roberto Luongo snapped a personal and Malcolm Subban picked up the fi rst Stamkos, Tyler Johnson and Anthony fi ve-game losing streak as Florida de- shutout of his career as Vegas cruised Cirelli scored earlier for the Lightning, feated Arizona. Huberdeau assisted on past Winnipeg in Las Vegas. Tomas who have a seven-game winning streak. goals by Aleksander Barkov, Mike Hoff - Nosek also scored a goal, and Paul Nino Niederreiter, Dougie Hamilton man and MacKenzie Weegar. Stastny and Nick Holden each added and Jordan Staal scored for Carolina. Barkov added his second of the night two assists for Vegas, which won its Staal also had an assist. into an empty net with 50 seconds left. fourth straight game and prevailed for Pittsburgh Penguins’ Sidney Crosby (left) passes the puck as Nashville Predators’ Nick Bonino (centre) and Yannick Weber Michael Grabner and Brad Richardson the 10th time in its last 11 games. CANADIENS 4, ISLANDERS 0 defend during the NHL game in Nashville, USA, on Thursday. (USA TODAY Sports) were Arizona’s goal-scorers. Darcy Subban, playing his third straight Carey Price made 28 saves as Montreal Kuemper made 18 saves as the Coyotes game in place of the injured Marc-An- topped visiting New York, which was tinued its late-season surge by prevail- monton rallied for a victory against vis- AVALANCHE 3, STARS 1 lost their third straight game (0-2-1). dre Fleury, fi nished with 20 saves. blanked for the second consecutive ing at Newark. Patrice Bergeron scored iting Columbus. Leon Draisaitl assisted Philipp Grubauer stopped 44 shots, Winnipeg goalie Laurent Brossoit game. Price collected his 31st win and off Pastrnak’s feed late in the fi rst pe- on all three goals in the fi nal period as Erik Johnson scored on his 31st birth- FLYERS 3, BLACKHAWKS 1 allowed three goals on 18 shots before fourth shutout of the season. Over his riod and added an empty-netter in the the Oilers broke a 1-1 tie. day, and Colorado won at Dallas. Ty- James van Riemsdyk scored the tie- leaving early in the second period with past fi ve games, Price has a sparkling waning seconds of the game for the Kyle Brodziak, Zack Kassian and son Barrie and Carl Soderberg also had breaking goal just before the midway a lower-body injury. 1.21 goals-against average and.958 Bruins, who have won three straight Ryan Nugent-Hopkins also scored for goals, and Sam Girard had two assists point of the third period, and rookie save percentage. Joel Armia, Jonathan following a three-game losing streak. the Oilers, who had lost three of their for the Avalanche, who have won three Carter Hart made 40 saves as Philadel- BLUES 5, RED WINGS 2 Drouin and Jordan Weal each had a Danton Heinen also scored, so did previous four games. Mikko Koskinen in a row and moved into a tie with Ari- phia won at Chicago. Fourth-liner Ivan Barbashev record- goal and an assist, and Shea Weber also David Backes with 22 seconds left in made 18 saves. zona for the second Western Confer- Sean Couturier added an empty- ed his fi rst career hat trick as host St. scored for the Canadiens. the third, and Brad Marchand racked up David Savard scored the lone goal for ence wild card. netter to tie his career high with 31 goals Louis skated to a victory over Detroit. three assists for Boston. Drew Staff ord the Blue Jackets, who have lost three Tyler Seguin scored, and Ben Bishop and also had an assist for Philadelphia, St. Louis native Patrick Maroon scored scored for New Jersey. straight (0-2-1). The Blue Jackets’ Joo- had 29 saves for Dallas, which holds the which lost three of four entering the in his career-high fourth consecutive BRUINS 5, DEVILS 1 nas Korpisalo, starting in net because West’s top wild-card spot. contest but improved to 10-2-1 over contest, Oskar Sundqvist also tallied David Pastrnak collected an assist on OILERS 4, BLUE JACKETS 1 Sergei Bobrovsky was scratched with Colorado sustained a potentially se- the last 13 on the road. The Blackhawks and rookie Jordan Binnington fi nished the fi rst goal of the game and scored the Connor McDavid had a goal and an an undisclosed injury, stopped 18 of 22 rious loss when second-leading scorer have dropped two in a row following a with 20 saves as the Blues improved to game-winner for Boston, which con- assist, both in the third period, as Ed- shots. Mikko Rantanen left the game late in fi ve-game winning streak. Gulf Times 6 Saturday, March 23, 2019 SPORT

TENNIS HOCKEY India to face Japan in Azlan Shah Cup Teenager Andreescu opener today

IANS the requirements of the senior Ipoh, Malaysia team,” he added. On Thursday, the team played a practice match against ndia will take on the 18th hosts Malaysia, and are geared pulls off great escape Asian Games gold medal- up for a good start to the tour- lists Japan in their opening nament. India’s previous out- encounter at the 28th Sul- ing at Sultan Azlan Shah ended ‘The harder the battle, the sweeter the victory. I have gained a lot of experience from Itan Azlan Shah Cup yesterday. with the team fi nishing fi fth Despite being plagued by but had seen good perform- today, but hopefully I don’t have to actually be down match point to win matches’ a series of injuries, the most ances by a young unit com- recent being the nose frac- bined with a few senior players. ture suff ered during a practice The team had lost narrowly match by Gurjant Singh who (2-3) to Olympic Champions has returned home, the Indian Argentina in their fi rst match, team is upbeat and confi dent of drew with England 1-1, lost to a show good. Australia (who eventually won “Japan, Korea and hosts the title) 2-4, and beat Malay- Malaysia will be the teams to sia 5-1. Though they lost 2-3 watch out for. They are travel- to Ireland in the round robin ling with full squads and they stage, they beat them 4-1 in the will pose a stiff challenge for placement match. us,” said Manpreet Singh on “Youngsters have always the eve of their opening match used the platform to come up against Japan. with memorable performances “The youngsters will need to here and though the forward- step up their game and I believe line, barring Mandeep Singh, having fresh faces can be an has about 12 caps between each advantage, as the possibility of other, we are hopeful they will them knowing much about the soak up the pressure early on new comers is less. and deliver. “Though losing Gurjant It’s important for us seniors Singh after coming here is a to back all the youngsters in the setback, Gursahibjit Singh, team and guide them through who is replacing him, is a tal- the tournament to get the best ented forward and understands out of them,” Manpreet said.

Rakhimov quits as head of crisis-hit amateur boxing association Gafur Rakhimov stepped down as head of the AIBA, world amateur boxing’s governing body, yesterday amid a spat with the Interna- tional Olympic Committee that could see the sport kicked out of the 2020 Tokyo Games. The Uzbek businessman has been engulfed in contro- versy since he was elected in November because the US Treasury Department has its qualifiers approved – and linked him to “transnational warned that it could be criminal organisations”, stripped of the right to run a charge he vehemently the competition. denies. Relations between the IOC Rakhimov said that under his and AIBA were hit hard at the leadership “the work done 2016 Rio Olympics when 36 this last year has revitalised off icials and referees were and energised AIBA and suspended amid allegations boxing”. of bout fixing. Rakhimov Bianca Andreescu of Canada is mobbed by fans after her three-set win over Irina-Camelia Begu of Romania during the fourth day of the Miami Open in Miami Gardens, Florida. (AFP) “However, despite these protested his innocence eff orts, there have been yesterday, saying the al- Reuters Graf, and Victoria book a second-round meeting enian qualifi er Dalila Jakupovic especially if you’re able to ex- many discussions these last legations against him were Miami Azarenka – have completed the with American Sofi a Kenin. 7-5 6-3 as both the sun and the ecute on your dream. That’s re- few months about the future motivated by political battles ‘Sunshine Double’, winning both The victory was a promis- fans returned to the tournament. ally what anyone and everyone of Olympic boxing. A lot of in . Indian Wells and Miami back- ing omen for 24th-ranked An- After two days of almost con- wants. that was mainly focused on “Once again, as I have stated anadian teenage sensa- to-back, and Begu had looked dreescu who two weeks earlier stant rain, Williams’ match on “One of the challenges is that politics and not sport. before on numerous occa- tion Bianca Andreescu ready to make sure Andreescu beat Begu in a tough three-setter the 13,800-seat temporary sta- it’s really a lifestyle and there is “While I had truly hoped sions, I attest and confirm pulled off a Miami Open would not add her name to that in the opening round at Indian dium court kicked off a busy never any moment where you’re and believed that sport and that the allegations against great escape by fi ghting list. With 28-year-old Romani- Wells. day as organisers scrambled to not trying to get better or that politics could be separated, me were fabricated and backC from a set and match point an a set up and leading 5-1 in the Andreescu may be the young- get back on schedule after rain you forget about tennis. and that the good work based on politically motivat- down to beat a dazed Irina- second the Canadian appeared est Indian Wells champion since washed out three of the fi rst “You just feel intense pressure and positive changes being ed lies; I trust that the truth Camelia Begu 4-6 7-6(2) 6-2 in headed for an early exit before Serena Williams in 1999 and the four sessions. Venus credits her to get better and to work.” infused into AIBA would be will prevail,” Rakhimov said in the fi rst round on Thursday. she fought back. fi rst wildcard to win one of the mother, Oracene Price, will in- Three consecutive breaks saw recognised, the politically- his resignation statement. The 18-year-old who stunned Fighting off a match point at biggest tennis tournaments out- stilling the character and desire 80th-ranked Jakupovic ease based discussions have put “Nevertheless, I have always the tennis world last week by 5-2, the teenager went on the at- side of the four Grand Slams but to match the tennis skills devel- into an early 3-2 lead with Wil- into question the progress said that I would never put winning her fi rst career title at tack by unleashing a barrage of shared the spotlight on Thurs- oped her their father and long- liams struggling on serve, and being made throughout the myself above boxing, and as the BNP Paribas Open in Indian drop shots and laser forehands day with Cori Gauff . time coach, Richard Williams. she served for the fi rst set at 5-4 AIBA organisation.” president, I have a duty to Wells raised eyebrows again with to sweep fi ve successive games The 15-year-old American “Growing up in my home, we before Williams answered to Boxing’s inclusion in the do everything in my power a gritty and spirited comeback from her crumbling opponent also turned heads beating com- weren’t allowed to be weak, so claim a set that saw seven service Tokyo Olympics depends on to serve our sport and our that underscored her status as a to force the second set into a tie- patriot Catherine McNally 3-6 it just wasn’t an option,” Venus breaks in all. Williams stormed the outcome of an investiga- athletes. rising star. break. By then the damage had 6-3 6-4 to claim her fi rst WTA Williams said. ahead 5-1 in the second set and tion into AIBA by the Interna- “Therefore, given the current “The harder the battle, the been done, with a distraught and Tour level win and advance to “The only option was to be cruised in from there. tional Olympic Committee, situation, I have informed sweeter the victory,” Andreescu fl ustered Begu meekly surren- the second round. strong. You had a choice of be- Williams, in a record 20th Mi- which has presented the the AIBA committee of my told reporters. “I have gained a dering the tiebreak before she While both Andreescu and ing strong or being strong, so we ami appearance, knows she faces body with a list of 41 ques- intent to step aside as AIBA lot of experience from today, but slumped into her chair and hid Gauff need three sets to advance, were strong.” a tougher test in Suarez Navarro tions via audit firm Deloitte, president. hopefully I don’t have to actu- under a towel in an attempt to third-seeded Czech Petra Kvi- Williams, a three time Miami even though she owns a 6-3 ca- who will then report back to “I am convinced that all the ally be down match point to win regain composure. tova breezed into the third round Open champion, is the oldest reer edge on the Spaniard. the Olympic body. good initiatives that have matches. When the action resumed lit- with a 6-1 6-4 victory over player in the women’s singles “She’s crafty, feisty, and com- Upon announcing the inves- been implemented this last “Maybe I needed to almost tle had changed as the surging ’s Maria Sakkari. draw but has no problem striv- petitive,” Williams said. tigation the IOC suspended year will serve as a founda- lose to wake up. That’s obviously Andreescu opened the deciding Three-times Miami Open ing for more titles. “She plays maybe a little more qualifying for the 2020 tion that will continue to what happened today. I’m really set with a break and Begu never champion Venus Williams was “I don’t think there is really topspin than others and then boxing tournament – making strengthen our sport in the grateful how I managed. recovered as the ruthless teen- also in good form, lighting up any sacrifi ces,” she said. some slice. So it’s a little bit it the only sport not to have future.” Only three women – Steffi ager closed out the contest to centre court by easing past Slov- “I think it’s really only pluses, atypical game.”

ATHLETICS Kenyans lament Diamond League scrapping 5000m AFP cision means most of the dis- voiced his disapproval, saying to stage a 5000m race outside Nairobi tance athletes like me will not the 5000m had been crucial to of the 90-minute international get the chance to make a smooth his career, and helped him to be broadcast window. progress from one event to an- runner that he is. “The decision to reduce the enya’s Commonwealth other,” said the talented 17-year- “I believe in long term careers Diamond League international and world junior old high school student Zakayo, where track and fi eld can result broadcast window from 120 5000m champion Ed- who is also the reigning African into a great career,” minutes to 90 minutes came af- ward Zakayo expressed 5000m champion. said Kipchoge, who stormed the ter consultation with both cur- Kconcern yesterday over the fu- “Since the Diamond League 5000m fi eld when he defeat- rent and prospective Diamond ture of distance runners follow- is not off ering the 10000m, and ed ’s Kenenisa Bekele League broadcasters, the major- ing the axing of the event from both events having been dropped and Moroccan great Hicham El ity of whom requested a faster, the Diamond League. from the World U-20 athletics Guerrouj to win the world cham- sharper and slightly more con- Last week the International championships, we have no al- pionships title in in 2003. centrated product,” said IAAF Association of Athletics Fed- ternative but to drop to the road Described as the greatest CEO Jon Ridgeon. eration (IAAF) announced the races and the marathon, which marathon runner of the mod- “In addition to the 90-minute overhauling of its lucrative track will very hard for the younger ern era, Kipchoge set a new a international window, please be and fi eld series by dropping the runners like me.” world record time of 2:01:39 at aware that the Diamond League 5000m, reducing the number of Both and Ethiopia have the 2018 Marathon, and meetings will also off er a fur- events from 32 to 24 and leaving criticised the decision as “il- breaking the previous record by ther 30 minutes of additional the 3000m as the longest race in legitimate” and even accused it 1 minute and 18 seconds. coverage to their own domestic the Diamond League programme. of being made to “target African While the 5000m will no broadcaster, which will include “I took great off ence with nations” which have dominated longer be an offi cial event on the extra events. If deemed to be of the announcement to remove the distance events. Olym- Diamond League programme, suffi cient quality, this additional all the distance races from the pic and world marathon record individual meetings will still, coverage will also be off ered to Diamond League, since the de- holder has also however, have the opportunity the international broadcasters.” Olympic and world marathon record holder Eliud Kipchoge. Gulf Times Saturday, March 23, 2019 7 FOOTBALL

COMMENT SPOTLIGHT Beardsley charged Unfair to Solskjaer with racially abusing young footballers

AFP cluded reference to ethnic origin London and/or colour and/or race and/or nationality.” Beardsley, who made more if he does not get ormer Newcastle coach than 300 appearances for New- and England interna- castle in two spells, has until tional Peter Beardsley April 12 to respond. has been charged by the A formal complaint was made FFootball Association with racial- about Beardsley by midfi elder ly abusing youth-team players. Yasin Ben El-Mhanni, who has The 58-year-old, whose de- since left the club, in January last parture from the Premier League year. United job: Berbatov club was confi rmed earlier this Beardsley has denied the alle- month after he was placed on gations. leave while an investigation into “I’m not a bully, and I’m not a Norwegian manager has 14 wins in 19 games in all competitions since December bullying was carried out, has racist,” he said at a public speak- been charged with three breach- ing event in Gateshead this Reuters es of FA rules. month. Bengaluru “It is alleged Mr Beardsley A statement by his solici- used abusive and/or insulting tors, released when his period words towards Newcastle United of leave began in January 2018, anchester United FC Under-23 players... whilst at the time Newcastle launched must provide clar- employed as their coach,” said a their investigation, said: “Pe- ity on caretaker Ole statement from the FA. ter Beardsley categorically de- Gunnar Solskjaer’s “It is further alleged these nies the allegations. It is hoped Mfuture and reward him with a words also constituted an ‘ag- the investigation will conclude permanent role at the club for gravated breach’... as they in- quickly.” turning their season around and providing a measure of stability, former striker Dimitar Berbatov said. Birmingham deducted nine points by The Norwegian manager has EFL over fi nancial rule breaches 14 wins in 19 games in all com- petitions since his December Reuters the second-tier with 41 points appointment, leading the Old Bengaluru and they could face a potential Traff ord club to the Champions relegation battle with eight League quarter-fi nals and to matches remaining this season. within two points of the Premier hampionship side “The Profitability and Sustain- League’s top four. Birmingham City were ability Rules, aligned with “Ole was able to raise the Cyesterday handed a those in the Premier League, spirit, the team, everything at nine-point deduction by the became eff ective in 2015-16,” the club,” Berbatov told Betfair. English Football League (EFL) an EFL spokesman said. “With all the work he has done for a breach of its profitability “Season 2017-18 was the end I don’t think it would be fair to and sustainability rules. of the first full reporting pe- him or the players if they don’t The ruling by an independ- riod with Birmingham the only announce that he is going to stay ent disciplinary commission club found to have breached in charge. follows a review of the club’s those requirements, when it “I’m sure the current playing financial submission for the incurred adjusted losses of staff at the club would welcome three-year period 2015-16 to 48.787mn pounds. some clarity on Solskjaer’s sta- 2017-18, where they recorded “The disciplinary commis- tus at the club. It’s tiring to have losses in excess of the upper sion had the opportunity to so much change in the manage- threshold of 39mn pounds consider all relevant factors in rial position. ($51.46mn). reaching its determination, in- “For a team that did not City were charged in August cluding the club’s mitigation.” change (their) manager for 25 and pleaded guilty during a The EFL said that the change years to have so much churn in hearing on Monday. to the Championship table such an important role suggests In this February 18, 2019, picture, Manchester United interim manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer (right) embraces Paul Pogba at the end of the FA The deduction, eff ective im- was subject to the outcome of they don’t know what they’re Cup fifth round match against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in London. (Reuters) mediately, will see Garry Monk’s any appeal. The parties have doing. A club needs that stabil- team drop five places to 18th in 14 days to appeal the decision. ity at the top.” “Spurs have stumbled badly probably place more importance League.” up of Inter Milan greats on Berbatov, who also played for lately, taking one point from on maintaining their top four Berbatov has been invited by March 30 in the second of two Tottenham Hotspur during his four Premier League games, placing in the top-fl ight as it’s Tottenham to play an exhibi- test events arranged to grant the time in the English top fl ight, and that’s a concern,” Berbatov essential they are in that com- tion match alongside other club club a safety certifi cate for their FOCUS expects the London club, third added. petition next season given how greats such as Jurgen Klinsmann new arena. in the standings, to focus on “They’ve put so much pres- expensive the new ground has and Robbie Keane at their new Spurs are due to play Crystal a top-four fi nish with a tough sure on themselves thanks to been. stadium, on the site of their old Palace in the Premier League for Champions League quarter-fi - that bad run. “But they aren’t going to play White Hart Lane ground. their fi rst competitive fi xture at PSG’s Neymar charged nal tie against Manchester City. “Ultimately, the club will a weaker team in the Champions They will take on a side made the stadium on April 3. for rant aft er Champions BOTTOMLINE League defeat No overnight solutions for China’s problems, says new coach Cannavaro

Reuters “No magic can be made in only good tactics, I found that Bengaluru just fi ve days, at least I cannot problem during this year’s Asian do that,” Cannavaro, who also Cup. And what I saw today con- serves as coach of Chinese Su- fi rmed my judgement.” hina coach Fabio Can- per League side Guangzhou Ev- For Chinese supporters the navaro has called for ergrande, told reporters. result was a retrograde step not a long-term approach Since President Xi Jinping only because of the 43 spots and time to build a fresh said he hoped the nation would between the teams in the FIFA Cidentity after tasting defeat in host the World Cup and one day rankings but also because China his fi rst game in charge against win it, hundreds of millions of beat the Thais 2-1 in the round of Thailand in the China Cup in dollars have been invested into 16 at the Asian Cup in January. Nanning on Thursday. the Chinese game. Video posted on social me- Cannavaro, who was put in The result on the face of it is dia showed a large crowd of charge for the four-team tour- not a huge amount of progress, fans abusing the Chinese play- nament following Marcello still no qualifi cation for the ers as they left the ground and Lippi’s departure after January’s World Cup and a quarter-fi nal chanting that the national team Asian Cup, failed to inspire his exit at the Asian Cup for the sec- should be dissolved. In this March 6, 2019, picture, Neymar (left) looks on during the UEFA side as Chanathip Songkrasin’s ond tournament in row. Earlier this week, Cannavaro Champions League round of 16 second-leg match between Paris 33rd minute earned Thailand a “China now has the fi nancial said he was unsure about his fu- Saint-Germain and Manchester United in Paris. (AFP) narrow victory. power to bring the best coach to ture with the team and will hold The 45-year-old, captain of manage its team, but it cannot further talks with the Chinese AFP In June, Neymar’s teammate ’s World Cup winning side bring any improvement over- Football Association after the Paris Gianluigi Buff on was handed a in 2006, wants his squad to ac- night. You need to set up a sys- tournament. three-match suspension after celerate in their development tem and develop soccer in a long China will next face Uruguay a tirade against referee Michael China coach Fabio Cannavaro (left) gestures during the 2019 China but also stressed there was no run,” Cannavaro added. or Uzbekistan in a third-place eymar was charged by Oliver following his former club Cup match against Thailand in Nanning, China, yesterday. (AFP) quick fi x on the horizon. “China cannot improve with playoff on Monday. UEFA yesterday for Juventus’ similarly dramatic making “insulting” quarter-fi nal defeat by Real Ma- comments about the drid last season. Nmatch offi cials following Paris “It’s a disgrace. They get four PLANS Saint-Germain’s shock Cham- guys who don’t understand foot- pions League loss to Manchester ball to watch a slow motion re- United. play in front of the TV,” Neymar The forward missed the wrote in Portuguese on Insta- Italy may discuss staging Serie A match in China 3-1 second-leg defeat in the last gram after the game. 16 earlier this month through The Premier League giants Reuters iong, president of the China for offi cial comment. Such a project (BRI). moved the second leg of the injury, but launched a tirade were given the spot-kick after Milan Media Group, a source close to move is likely to need approval Besides the BRI accord, vari- Copa Libertadores fi nal be- against the match offi cials on Presnel Kimpembe was judged to the FIGC said. from the Asian and European ous deals worth up to 7bn eu- tween Argentine rivals River social media after watching on have handled Diogo Dalot’s shot. They are expected to sign a soccer confederations as well ros ($7.9bn) are expected to be Plate and Boca Juniors to Ma- from the sidelines at the Parc des Neymar was reportedly so talian football leaders letter of intent regarding fu- as global soccer body FIFA. agreed. drid after crowd trouble out- Princes. enraged by the decision to give could discuss staging a Se- ture co-operation which could The talks will take place Last year, La Liga announced side the stadium in Buenos The 27-year-old was angry the penalty that he had to be re- rie A match in China when include providing multimedia on the sidelines of Chinese plans to stage a game between Aires caused the original game with the award of a decisive in- strained by PSG staff to stop him they meet offi cials from content for Chinese media and President Xi Jinping’s trip to Catalan neighbours Girona and to be called off . jury-time penalty which Marcus entering their dressing room. Ithe Asian country this week- expertise for Chinese soccer. . Barcelona in Miami but ran Italy regularly stages its Su- Rashford scored to send United PSG made Neymar the end, sources close to the mat- Another source said they Xi is set to sign a deal on Sat- into opposition from the Span- per Cup match — the annual through. world’s most expensive player ter told Reuters yesterday. could explore the possibility urday that will mean Italy be- ish federation. meeting of the Serie A cham- UEFA said he had been in 2017 by signing him from The Italian football federa- of staging a Serie A match in comes the fi rst member of the Barcelona, who had initially pions and Coppa Italia winners charged, with the date of his Barcelona as they stepped tion (FIGC) and Serie A will China. Group of Seven major industr- backed the plan, then with- — abroad, with Saudi Arabia hearing yet to be confi rmed. up their bid to win a maiden host a meeting tomorrow with The FIGC and Serie A did not ialised nations to join China’s drew their support. hosting the most recent game Neymar could face a ban from Champions League title, but offi cials including Shen Haix- immediately reply to requests “Belt and Road” infrastructure In December, CONMEBOL in January. the early stages of next season’s have now lost in the last 16 in Champions League. three straight seasons.

Saturday, March 23, 2019 GULF TIMES SPORT

Qatar’s Special Olympics World Summer Games delegation returns to warm welcome

Qatar’s Special Olympics World Summer Games delegation was given a warm welcome by the off icials at Doha’s Hamad International Airport yesterday. Team Qatar won 13 medals at the games in Abu Dhabi, including four gold medals, four silver and five bronze, besides three more top five finishes.

FOOTBALL / EURO 2020 QUALIFIERS FRIENDLIES Falcao penalty for Colombia earns Hazard lift s Belgium Queiroz debut win as Depay triggers over Japan ‘After our last game against Switzerland (a 5-2 defeat), we had to Dutch rout respond in front of our own fans’

AFP Paris

den Hazard ensured Belgium kicked off their qualifying campaign for Euro 2020 in style on ThursdayE with a brace in a home victory over Russia, while a Reuters also hit the bar in stoppage time Memphis Depay-inspired Neth- Tokyo but it didn’t matter as they se- erlands romped to a 4-0 win cured victory to continue their over Belarus. preparations for the Copa Amer- World Cup semi-fi nalists olombia’s record goals- ica in Brazil in June. Belgium earned a battling 3-1 corer Radamel Falcao They next play South Korea on win over Russia in Brussels as scored from the penalty Tuesday, while Japan, as one of Hazard struck twice for Roberto spot to defeat Japan 1-0 the two invited nations for the Martinez’s side in their opening Cyesterday and hand new coach Copa, will have another chance game in Group I. Carlos Queiroz a victory in his to test themselves against South Youri Tielemans rounded off fi rst game. American opposition when they a fl owing move with a crisp low Falcao’s 33rd goal for his coun- take on Bolivia. strike to fi re Belgium ahead on try came after a penalty was They are without captain 14 minutes at the King Baudouin awarded for a handball by Japan’s Maya Yoshida and striker Yuya Stadium, but Thibaut Cour- Takehiro Tomiyasu in the 64th Osako, who are being rested as tois gifted Russia an immediate minute in Yokohama. some European clubs have raised equaliser. Colombia’s triumph was a concerns about the amount of The Real goalkeeper, small measure of revenge for the football their Japanese players put under pressure by Artem defeat they suff ered by Japan have been participating in. Dzyuba, panicked and scuff ed in the group stage of last year’s The loss to Colombia was the ball straight to Denis Chery- World Cup and gives former Iran their 13th match since going out shev who duly swept home into boss Queiroz the perfect start to to Belgium in the last 16 of the an empty net. his tenure. World Cup in Russia. Michy Batshuayi had a shot After Sebastian Villa struck cleared off the line, and later hit the crossbar in the fourth minute ZARDES SCORES LATE AS US the post, but Hazard restored for the visitors, it was Japan who BEATS ECUADOR Belgium’s lead just before half- were the better team in the fi rst Gyasi Zardes’ 81st minute goal time after drawing a foul from half, having a host of shots with- led the United States to a 1-0 Yuri Zhirkov in the area. Belgium’s forward scores a penalty kick past Russia’s goalkeeper Guilherme during the Euro 2020 football qualification match out really testing Colombia goal- victory over Ecuador in Orlando The Chelsea playmaker sealed at the Roi Baudouin stadium in Brussels, Belgium, on Thursday. (AFP) keeper Camilo Vargas. on Thursday, the team’s third the three points two minutes from However, Colombia looked successive win under new head time with an alert fi nish, while hit back through Borna more comfortable with Quei- coach Gregg Berhalter. Aleksandr Golovin was sent off Barisic and a 79th-minute eff ort roz’s system after halftime and Zardes shot from the top of the for Russia just before the end. by Andrej Kramaric in Group E. had two goals disallowed, the box defl ected off an Ecuadorian “I enjoyed myself tonight. I Slovakia top the section on fi rst for handball and the second defender and then sailed over take a lot of pleasure from this goal diff erence following a 2-0 for off side, either side of Falcao’s the head of goalkeeper Alexander victory, in which I scored two defeat of Hungary in Trnava, as winner. Dominguez. goals,” said Belgium captain Ondrej Duda and Albert Rusnak Falcao celebrated his goal by The US dominated possession Hazard. scored for the hosts. raising a shirt bearing the name and had some good opportuni- “After our last game against of teammate Juan Fernando ties but were unable to fi nish Switzerland (a 5-2 defeat), we RESULTS Quintero, who injured his ante- against the stout Ecuadorian de- had to respond in front of our Group C rior cruciate ligament playing for fense until the centre forward’s own fans.” 4 (Depay 1, 55- River Plate last weekend. fi rst international goal since Cyprus thrashed San Marino pen, Wijnaldum 21, Van Dijk 86) Tomiyasu had a great chance the Copa America quarter-fi nal 5-0 to provisionally seize top Belarus 0 to make amends for his hand- against Ecuador in 2016 broke spot in the group, while Scotland Northern Ireland 2 (McGinn ball 13 minutes from the end but the deadlock. crashed to a humiliating 3-0 loss 56, Davis 75-pen) Estonia 0 headed straight at Vargas. Berhalter, a former national in Kazakhstan — a nation ranked The ever-lively Shoya Naka- team defender who played at two 117th in the FIFA rankings. Group E jima, one of the players to shine World Cups, took over from in- Yuriy Pertsukh and Yan Vo- Croatia 2 (Barisic 44, Kra- for Hajime Moriyasu’s side, also terim head coach Dave Sarachan rogovskiy notched early goals maric 79) Azerbaijan 1 (Shey- went close, clipping the crossbar in December after fi ve seasons for Kazakhstan before Baktiyor daev 19) with a long-range eff ort. with Major League Soccer side Zainutdinov’s terrifi c header ex- Slovakia 2 (Duda 42, Rusnak Colombia substitute Luis Diaz Columbus Crew. tinguished any chance of Scot- 85) Hungary 0 land recovering. Group G DEPAY DAZZLES Austria 0 Poland 1 (Piatek 69) Injured Chiesa out of Italy’s Euro In Rotterdam, Memphis Depay 1 (Zehavi 55) Slovenia 1 2020 qualifi ers pounced on a sloppy backpass (Sporar 48) to put the Dutch ahead inside 60 Netherlands’ Memphis Depay (centre) celebrates with teammates after scoring against Belarus in their North Macedonia 3 (Alioski Federico Chiesa has been Chiesa has scored 12 goals for seconds against Group C oppo- Euro 2020 football qualification match in Rotterdam, Netherlands, on Thursday. (Reuters) 11, Elmas 29, 90+3) Latvia 1 ruled out of Italy’s opening Fiorentina in Serie A and the nents Belarus. (Isajevs 87) Euro 2020 qualifiers against Coppa Italia this season, and is The Lyon forward set up tonia 2-0 with Niall McGinn and only goal in a 1-0 win for Poland We took three points and so Finland and Liechtenstein regarded as one of the rising Georginio Wijnaldum for their Steven Davis on target in Belfast. away to Austria in Group G. we’re very happy,” said Poland Group I because of injury, the Italian stars of the side Roberto Man- second on 21 minutes, with De- “It’s hard to choose between The AC Milan forward, al- striker Robert Lewandowski. Cyprus 5 (Sotiriou 19-pen, football federation (FIGC) said cini is building in the wake of pay tucking away a penalty after the goals and the assists,” said ready with 19 goals in 27 Serie A World Cup runners-up 23-pen, Kousoulos 26, Efrem 31, on Thursday. The 21-year-old Italy’s World Cup failure. Roma half-time following a foul by Depay. “The fi rst goal was good appearances this term, has now Croatia, relegated from the top Laifis 56) San Marino 0 left the Italian team’s national defender Alessandro Florenzi, Mikhail Sivakov. because it was the outside of my scored twice in three outings for tier of the Nations League last Kazakhstan 3 (Pertsukh 6, training centre at Coverciano, 28, is also in doubt to face Fin- Depay whipped in a cross for foot, but I also enjoyed the fl ick his country following his inter- year, ground out an unconvinc- Vorogovskiy 10, Zainutdinov 51) outside Florence, to return land after pulling up in training skipper Virgil van Dijk to nod that set up the second.” national debut in September. ing 2-1 victory against Azerbai- Scotland 0 to his club Fiorentina for with a calf problem. Italy’s in a fourth late on, leaving the Krzysztof Piatek continued “This was a fi rst step in quali- jan in . Belgium 3 (Tielemans 14, treatment on a recurring campaign kicks off today with Netherlands level on points with his magnifi cent season as he fying. It was a very important Rami Sheydaev put Azerbai- Hazard 45-pen, 88) Russia 1 muscle problem in his left leg. a game against Finland. Northern Ireland, who beat Es- came off the bench to grab the game and a very important win. jan on top on 19 minutes before (Cheryshev 16)