TTENNISENNIS | Page 2 Hurkacz stuns Thiem in Miami, Djokovic breezes through

Sunday, March 24, 2019 Rajab 17, 1440 AH Singh leads Chennai GULF TIMES demolition of Bangalore in opener SPORT Page 3

ARTISTIC GYMNASTICS INDIVIDUAL APPARATUS WORLD CUP Li Qi takes Beam gold; Carey fl oors with second victory Chinese 16-year-old beats Derwael to gold; world champ Zonderland disappoints in men’s Horizontal Bar

By Sahan Bidappa Doha

ixteen-year-old Li Qi announced herself onto the world stage after the highly-rated Chinese wonS the Balance Beam gold at the Individual Apparatus World Cup yesterday. Li Qi lit the Aspire Dome on the fi nal day of the competition with a top class routine to beat Bel- gium star Nina Derwael for her maiden victory at the World Cup. The teenager made some won- derful connections, blending the really hard acrobatics with some beautiful jumps to fi nish with 14.333 points. Derwael, who was going for her second gold after winning the on Fri- day, fi nished behind Li Qi. The Belgian, who will celebrate her 19th birthday on Tuesday, fi n- ished with a 13.633 on the Beam. Marine Boyer had to settle for bronze after the Frenchwoman had a few hobbles to earn 13.333 points. American won the Exercise final ahead of Italian’s (left) and , who Boyer took over the top spot in finished second and third respectively. the Olympic qualifi cation rank- ings with 59 points, while Li Qi Chinese teenager Li Qi celebrates with her gold medal after winning in the Balance Beam at the Artistic each apparatus at the conclusion self over the bar and again I was (14.566) took silver and bronze moved to third and Derwael to Gymnastics Individual Apparatus World Cup at Aspire Zone yesterday. PICTURES: Thajudheen of the world cup series will earn a too close thereby I couldn’t hold medals respectively. fi fth. spot at the Olympic Games Tokyo on to the bar properly and I fell In the fi nal, South Ko- Li Qi, who fl ashed a victory 2020. Doha marks the halfway down. I made a technical mistake rea’s Hakseon Yang emerged as sign as she walked to receive her point of the eight-competition and it’s highly disappointing,” a the winner with a score of 15.266 medal, said she was anxious be- series, which also concludes in dejected Zonderland said later. followed by ’s Igor Radi- fore the start of the fi nal. “I was the Qatari capital in March 2020. Srbic, who was fi rst in the vilov (14.916) and Armenia’s Ar- very nervous before the fi nal, “(It) feels pretty good. I think qualifi cations, edged Japan’s tur Davityan (14.695). competing against the best gym- this week went pretty well,” said Hidetaka Miyachi for gold by The four-day event, which the nasts,” Li Qi said. “It’s my fi rst a modest Carey. “There defi nitely 0.100. The 22-year-old made a Qatar Gymnastics Federation gold medal in World Cup and I was some pressure (in the Floor fi - full twisting double layout dis- hosted for the 12th consecutive am very happy to achieve that. nal) since we all competed together mount to notch 14.400 points. year, witnessed a total of 128 male We have a tough competition in last week so I knew it was going Miyachi with 14.300 fi nished and 60 female gymnasts from 57 China and this win will give me a to be a good competition here in second ahead of Cuba’s Randy countries in action. lot of confi dence,” she added. Doha as well. I was just focused Leru (14.000). Derwael, despite missing her on not getting nervous,” added the “I am really excited and happy FINALS RESULTS second gold, was satisfi ed with gymnast from Phoenix. because it’s always hard to go Men’s Horizontal Bar her overall performance in Doha. In the men’s Horizontal Bar, last in the fi nals. I always like to 1. Tin Srbic (CRO) 14.400 “Li Qi was better and I am not the three-time and reigning be in Doha, I won here last year 2. Hidetaka Miyachi (JPN) 14.300 surprised with her victory. Over- world champion Epke Zonder- and was second the year before. 3. Randy Leru (CUB) 14.000 all, I am happy. Coming to Doha land fi nished a disappointing I love competing here and really Men’s Vault always gives me a high as I have seventh, with 2017 World gold wanted to win again. I am glad I 1. Hakseon Yang (KOR) 15.266 achieved a lot here. My next tar- medallist Tin Srbic of Croatia could do that,” said Srbic. 2. Igor Radivilov (UKR) 14.916 gets this year will be the Euro- taking the top honours. “I did a harder routine than the 3. Artur Davityan (ARM) 14.695 pean and the World Champion- With all eyes on him, Zonder- one I did in the qualifi cations. But Men’s Parallel Bars ships,” said the Belgian. land fumbled in his fi rst series of I can do even harder, so I have to 1. Jingyuan Zou (CHN) 15.700 Jade Carey, meanwhile, com- fl ight elements and came off the train a bit more and compete to 2 .Vladislav Poliashov (RUS) 15.066 pleted a brace of gold medals in bar too early. The Dutch was aim- get better. There is still a room to 3. Mitchell Morgans (AUS) 14.566 two weeks. The American arrived ing for his third World Cup gold improve,” he added. Women’s Balance Beam in Doha having won both Floor Men’s Horizontal Bar winner Tin Srbic (centre) of Croatia poses with runner-up Japan’s Hidetaka Miyachi in the series, after having won Meanwhile, Jingyuan Zou 1. Li Qi (CHN) 14.333 Exercise and Vault gold at the (left) and third-placed Cuba’s Randy Leru. earlier in Cottbus, Germany and clinched victory in Parallel Bars, 2. Nina Derwael (BEL) 13.633 Baku World Cup. The 18-year- Baku, Azerbaijan. making China the most suc- 3. Marine Boyer (FRA) 13.333 old up followed up Friday’s gold After qualifying for the fi nal in ’s Lara Mori by more than one Carey now sits atop the World Cup “My fi rst release was itself a cessful nation at the Doha event Women’s Floor Exercise medal in Vault, with a second fi rst place, Carey nailed her tum- point, with Mori scoring 13.433 to rankings in both Vault and Floor mistake because I was too close with three gold medals. Russia’s 1. Jade Carey (USA) 14.466 gold medal on the Floor, scoring bling passes, and was equally good take silver. Italy’s Vanessa Ferrari Exercise as well. to the bar and then the second Vladislav Poliashov (15.066) and 2. Lara Mori (ITA) 13.433 a 14.466. in her dance sequences. She beat was third with a score of 13.300. The top-ranking gymnasts on was that you have to throw your- Australia’s Mitchell Morgans 3. Vanessa Ferrari (ITA) 13.000

FOOTBALL Qatar win silver and bronze in Arab Boxing Championship Tickets of African Super Cup in Doha in high demand QNA players were participat- Khartoum, Sudan ing for the first time in an QNA Mall and at sales booths at Qatar Club Stadium that will have designed to allow all fans of African number of tickets. There will be a Arab championship. He Doha and Al Gharafa sports clubs. The dedicated areas to children. The football to get tickets to the game. total of 1,100 tickets for category A expressed his hope that the fi rst batch of tickets were made fan zone will host many activities There are three ticket categories; placed on the right side, and 1,980 atar’s boxing team team can carry out more available online via the Qatar such as acrobatics, and sports category A is worth QR100, cate- tickets for those on the left side. won a silver and a training camps in the future he Super Cup match be- Football Federation website. competitions that will keep the gory B is worth QR50, and category Category B will have 7,480 tickets Qbronze medal in the ahead of future competi- tween Tunisia’s Al Taraji The organising committee also fans engaged. C is worth QAR20. while category C will have 10,000. second Arab Boxing Cham- tions. Club and Morocco’s Raja encouraged fans to hurry up and There will also a special section As for entering the stadium, The left side (gates three to seven) pionship, which took place Meanwhile, Mohamed Casablanca that will take buy the tickets before they run for each expat community in Qa- holders of category A tickets will is dedicated for Al Taraji Club of in the Sudanese capital of Abdullah al-Banai who won placeT in Doha next Friday is see- out. They also said that hosting tar, especially the Tunisian and enter the stadium through gate Tunisia, and the right side (gates Khartoum. the bronze medal said he ing huge demands in terms of this sporting event is the latest in Moroccan communities. Those no. 2 left and 12 right. Holders 8-12) will be dedicated to the fans National team coach Juan was pleased with his result, ticket sales. a long line of sports competitions sections will host many tradi- of category B tickets will enter of Moroccan sports club Raja. Carlos praised the achieve- especially given that his The match will take place at that Doha hosted recently. tional exhibits, local industries as through gates 6-7-8-9, while The African Super Cup takes ment, and said it was a weight category has some Thani bin Jassim Stadium at 7 pm Fans will get to enjoy many ac- well as popular food dishes. holders of category C tickets will place every year between the great result given the lack of the best players in the local time. The organisers of the companying events. There will The last batch had a total of enter the gates 3-4-5-10-11. winners of the Champions of experience of the players. Arab world and even inter- match introduced the fi nal batch be a fan zone set up in the area 5,000 tickets. Every buyer can buy The stadium will have a total League and the CAF Confedera- He noted that some of the nationally. of tickets to the fans at Villaggio around the Al Gharafa Sports a maximum of four tickets, a move capacity of 20,560 based on the tion Cup. Gulf Times 2 Sunday, March 24, 2019 SPORT

TENNIS RUGBY Wallabies job an ‘unlikely’ option Hurkacz stuns Thiem for Rennie in Miami, Djokovic breezes through

Lajovic upsets Nishikori, Djokovic cruises past Tomic, Monfils withdraws due to an injury Reuters er two names reported to be on Sydney RA’s list of potential coaches. Highly regarded by Scott Johnson, who took up his post ew Zealander Dave as RA’s Director of Rugby this Rennie has said it is week after a long stint in a unlikely he will take similar role at Scottish Rugby, over as coach of Aus- Rennie led the Chiefs to Super Ntralia after this year’s Rugby Rugby titles in 2012 and 2013. World Cup because his con- The 55-year-old moved to tract with Glasgow Warriors Glasgow in 2017 and led them runs until the middle of 2020. to the Pro14 playoff semi-fi - The former Waikato Chiefs nals in his fi rst season. They coach was reported in the currently sit top of their con- Sydney media to be on Rugby ference by three points from Australia’s (RA) list of possi- Munster. Rennie signed a ble replacements for Michael one-year contract extension in Cheika, who has said he would January. “You never say never, walk away from the job if he did but what I’ve said is I’m assum- not bring the World Cup home ing that, like a lot of teams, they’ll in November. “It’s just a bit of probably make changes in coach- speculation, as often happens es immediately after the World when there’s a potential job up Cup. “That’s November 2019. I’m for grabs,” Rennie told Britain’s committed here until July 2020, Daily Telegraph. so that’s why it’s unlikely.” “I certainly haven’t spoken to Menawhule Wales lock Alun anyone, and my contract with Wyn Jones, who led his side to Glasgow takes me through until their fi rst Six Nations Grand the middle of 2020. I’d imagine Slam since 2012, could be ruled from an international point of out of the season after suff ering view most of these jobs are going knee ligament damage in the to be gobbled up straight after a victory over Ireland last week- World Cup. “I knew that was end, the Ospreys have said. probably going to be the case Jones suff ered the injury when I signed on for another when he was tackled during season, so it’s just speculation.” the opening 10 minutes of the Warren Gatland, the Wales title-decider but carried on and British and Irish Lions playing after having his leg coach, and Eddie Jones, the strapped up. He was named Six former coach of Australia now Nations player of the champi- leading England, were the oth- onship on Friday.

Axing will damage Asian Rugby: team CEO

The axing of Japan’s Sun- based outfit play some home wolves from games. will damage eff orts to pro- There was no alternative mote the sport in Asia, the plan at the moment, Watase team’s chief executive said added as he off ered apolo- Hubert Hurkacz of Poland returns a shot to Dominic Thiem of Austria during Day 5 of the Miami Open in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Getty Images/AFP) yesterday. gies to fans. The Sunwolves will be “Personally I’m really sorry Reuters ian defeated qualifi er Alexan- booted out of the club com- about it. But we have to find Miami SECOND-ROUND RESULTS der Bublik of Kazakhstan 7-5 petition after next season, some other way (to promote 6-3. Super Rugby’s governing Rugby) and we have to de- Novak Djokovic (SRB x1) bt Ber- Kyle Edmund (GBR x19) bt Ilya Mischa Zverev (GER) 6-3, 6-2 Djokovic needed just over an body SANZAAR announced cide after 2021,” he said. ndian Wells champion Do- nard Tomic (AUS) 7-6 (7/2), 6-2 Ivashka (BLR) 6-3, 6-2 Robin Haase (NED) bt Lloyd Har- hour to brush aside Australian on Friday, just six months Team Dan Pryor said minic Thiem’s bid for a Federico Del Bonis (ARG) bt Albert Ramos (ESP) bt Lucas ris (RSA x16) 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 Tomic 7-6(2) 6-2 and advance before Japan hosts the conti- the news was “devastating” ‘Sunshine Slam’ met with John Millman (AUS x32) 7-5, 3-6, Pouille (FRA x25) 4-6, 6-4, 6-3 Borna Coric (CRO x11) bt Rob- to the third round of a tourna- nent’s first World Cup. but that his players remained a quick end as he fell 6-4 7-6 (7/2) John Isner (USA x7) bt Lorenzo erto Carballes (ESP) 7-6 (9/7), ment he has won six times. The The team were introduced focused on trying to win I6-4 to Hubert Hurkacz in the Serb improved his record to Roberto Bautista (ESP x22) bt Sonego (ITA) 7-6 (7/2), 7-6 (9/7) 0-6, 6-2 in 2016 to bring Rugby to games. Miami Open second round on Janko Tipsarevic (SRB) 7-6 (7/3), Hubert Hurkacz (POL) bt Do- Jeremy Chardy (FRA) bt Gilles 6-0 against Tomic. new markets, but SANZAAR “We got a goal we got to do Friday, while world number 6-4 minic Thiem (AUT x3) 6-4, 6-4 Simon (FRA x23) 6-4, 6-2 In other men’s matches, sev- said it wasn’t prepared this year and next year and one Novak Djokovic wasted lit- Fabio Fognini (ITA x15) bt Guido Felix Auger-Aliassime (CAN) bt Nick Kyrgios (AUS x27) bt Alex- enth seed American John Is- to bankroll the perennial the boys are up to to com- tle time in dispatching Bernard Andreozzi (ARG) 5-7, 6-4, 6-4 Marton Fucsovics (HUN x29) ander Bublik (KAZ) 7-5, 6-3 ner beat Italian Lorenzo Son- wooden-spooners after Ja- plete that goal,” he said. Tomic. Milos Raonic (CAN x12) bt Maxi- 6-4, 4-6, 6-0 Dusan Lajovic (SRB) bt Kei ego, 11th seed Borna Coric beat pan’s Rugby board withdrew Coach said The 22-year-old Hurkacz milian Marterer (GER) walkover Nikoloz Basilashvili (GEO x17) bt Nishikori (JPN x5) 2-6, 6-2, 6-3 Roberto Carballes Baena, Briton financial support. preparations for their next broke third seed Thiem four Kyle Edmund beat Belarusian “It’s obvious that we have matches would proceed as times, including in the fi nal Ilya Ivashka, Gilles Simon lost the responsibility to expand usual. games of each set, to record the stunned the Japanese world fi rst set. He served well in the up,” said Nishikori. to French compatriot Jeremy Rugby in Asia as a kind of “We will go out there and biggest win of his career. number six 2-6 6-2 6-3. end,” said Nishikori. “Claycourt season is coming. Chardy and Nikoloz Basilashvili leader in Asian Rugby,” said try to win that game and we Austrian Thiem, who beat The fi fth seed had a fi rst- “Maybe I didn’t play quite It’s a completely new season. I’ll of Georgia beat German Mischa Sunwolves CEO Yuji Watase. look to the next week, and Roger Federer on Sunday to win round bye and appeared my best today. Credit to him to- try to have good practice, two Zverev. “It is clear that this is going we look to the next week and his fi rst career Masters 1000 ti- headed for a routine victory day.” more weeks, and be ready for Canadian Milos Raonic, the to be quite a kind of damage we look to the next week,” tle at the BNP Paribas Open, was until Lajovic, who was misfi ring Nishikori, playing in his fi rst Monte Carlo.” 12th seed, also advanced when ... in terms of the promotion he said. uncharacteristically sloppy on in the early stages of the match, match since falling in the third Next up for world number 44 Germany’s Maximillian Mar- of Rugby,” he told report- The Sunwolves fought val- the Grandstand court. suddenly stepped up his game. round at Indian Wells last week, Lajovic, who had lost in the fi rst terer withdrew due to knee pain ers after his team lost to iantly against the Lions but Kei Nishikori was also sent “He defi nitely raised his level had his serve broken fi ve times round of fi ve tour-level events while 16th seed Gael Monfi ls South Africa’s Lions 37-24 in the South Africans proved to packing from the second round (in the) second and third sets. He during the match. this season, will be a clash with pulled out of the tournament Singapore, where the Tokyo- be the better team. after Serbian Dusan Lajovic wasn’t missing much like in the “I’m trying to keep my head Nick Kyrgios after the Austral- with an injury.

FOCUS Serena survives scare to advance in Miami AFP I know it can be. “I told myself at set. As the South Florida sun be- success is so much higher than Miami the end of the second set that I gan to lower, Williams appeared what’s natural, I have to take could not lose this match. to struggle with her ball toss. these moments and say, ‘You’re “I knew that I could play a lot, “It was interesting, because doing great,’ encourage myself erena Williams survived lot, lot better. I just had to be fi rst of all it was dark out there, in a positive way so I can get that an “irresponsible” sec- better. At this point it was irre- which was really odd,” Wil- success that I want to have since ond set lapse on Friday to sponsible to be playing the way liams said. “I wasn’t sure if there coming back from the baby.” see off Sweden’s Rebecca I was playing in the second set.” should be lights. The shadow was Japanese star Osaka had to PetersonS 6-3, 1-6, 6-1 in her sec- Williams, an eight time win- so intense it was actually dark. keep her emotions in check as ond-round opener of the WTA ner in Miami, was just relieved “Then there was light, but she opened her campaign by and ATP Miami Open. to make it through to the third only on my side. That was weird outlasting Yanina Wickmayer “I wasn’t really happy with round where she will meet Chi- because I literally couldn’t see. 6-0, 6-7 (3/7), 6-1. my performance,” admitted the na’s Wang Qiang who thrashed “But I need to just move on Since winning her second 23-time Grand Slam champion, Britain’s Jo Konta, the 2017 Mi- and really focus on playing bet- consecutive Grand Slam title in who is playing in just her third ami Open champion, 6-4 6-0. ter or not being in the tourna- January at the Australian Open, tournament of 2019 having lost The former world number one ment much longer.” Osaka has failed to go deep in in the Australian Open quar- was certainly rusty in her fi rst Williams, 37, is still seeking a Dubai or Indian Wells. ter-fi nals before retiring in the ever match against the 63rd- fi rst title since the birth of daugh- But she appeared in solid form second set of her third-round ranked Swede, despite starting ter Alexis Olympia. She admitted against 141st-ranked Wickmay- match against Garbine Mugu- strongly and easing into a fi rst it was sometimes hard to stay er, despite losing her way in the ruza with a viral illness at Indian set lead. patient, although she believes re- middle of an entertaining match Wells last week. Peterson, however, who lost in turning to the top 10 after her ex- at Hard Rock Stadium. The 21 “Had to take a lot of time off the fi rst round in Indian Wells, tended maternity leave qualifi es year-old was forced to dig deep the last week,” she said. “It’s produced some excellent tennis as “extremely successful”. after the Belgian, who reached defi nitely not easy at all. But I’m in the second and managed to “It’s just a step at a time,” she the Miami Open last eight in through it. That’s that. I’ve just break down Williams’s serve to said. 2010, forced a third set as Osa- Serena Williams of the United States returns a shot to Rebecca Peterson of Sweden during Day 5 of the got to get my game back to where take the match into a deciding “Just because my level of ka’s game badly dipped. Miami Open in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Getty Images/AFP) Gulf Times Sunday, March 24, 2019 3 CRICKET

INDIAN South Africa seal Lanka series despite Harbhajan spins Udana heroics

AFP top-order batting failure. “It’s Centurion, South Africa really frustrating. We always talk about getting a partner- ship.” suru Udana’s astonishing Duminy praised a “really Chennai to 7- 84 for Sri Lanka wasn’t good team performance” and enough to stop South Af- the way Dale Steyn and Chris rica from clinching their Morris had struck twice each ITwenty20 international series with the new ball. “There are with a 16-run win in the sec- a few things we can improve ond match at SuperSport Park in the middle and end overs. on Friday. Udana thrashed his Udana played a fantastic in- score off 48 balls to nings but we gave him a few win over Bangalore take Sri Lanka from a seem- lifelines,” he said. ingly hopeless position to one Hendricks and Van der ‘The wicket definitely needs to be much better, even with dew it was spinning big... other where they had an outside Dussen put on 116 off 78 balls chance of winning. for South Africa’s second teams have good spinners as well and this isn’t the pitch we are looking forward to’ It initially looked easy for wicket. Hendricks started the South Africa, who scored 180 season as one of the favourites for three after being sent in, to make South Africa’s squad with Reeza Hendricks hitting for the Cricket World Cup lat- a fl uent 65 and Rassie van der er this year but a run of poor Dussen a powerfully-struck 64. form, together with the resur- Sri Lanka lost their fi rst four gence of Aiden Markram, put in the fi rst four overs his chances in doubt. and were fl oundering at 62 for Markram opened the bat- six when Udana walked in to ting with Hendricks on Fri- bat in the 10th over. But, as he day but was out for three in did in the fourth one-day in- the second over. While man ternational, Udana overshad- of the match Van der Dus- owed the recognised batsmen sen’s innings was marked by with a superb display of clean power hitting, which brought hitting, although he had a him four fours and three sixes, let-off when he was caught Hendricks oozed class as he on the long-on boundary off struck nine fours in a 46-ball JP Duminy when on 31, only innings marked by fl uent off - for Duminy to be no-balled side drives. for over-stepping. Udana hit eight fours and six sixes. BRIEF SCORES “He’s the kind of player we South Africa 180 for 3 (Hen- need. He showed his charac- dricks 65, van der Dussen ter,” said Sri Lankan captain 64) beat Sri Lanka 164 for Lasith Malinga, who was dis- 9 (Udana 84*, Morris 3-32, appointed with yet another Shamsi 2-16) by 16 runs.

Chennai Super Kings cricketer (centre) and Mahendra Singh Dhoni (right) celebrate the wicket of Royal Challengers Bangalore’s Virat Kohli during the match at the MA Chidhambaram Stadium in Chennai yesterday. (AFP)

IANS in the 12th edition of the world’s very well capitalised by the other and Suresh Raina, who scored 19, The T20 extravaganza, tenta- South Africa’s Reeza Hendricks plays a shot during the second Chennai most popular Twenty20 league. spinners,” Dhoni said after the then put on 32 runs for the sec- tively scheduled to end on May Twenty20 match against Sri Lanka at SuperSport Park stadium in The 38-year-old Singh got win. ond wicket to get the chase on 12, runs close to the start of the Pretoria. (AFP) Super Kings their fi rst break- “The wicket defi nitely needs track. 50-over World Cup in England ndia’s Harbhajan Singh led through after sending back op- to be much better, even with The left-handed Raina be- and Wales on May 30. an inspired spin attack to position skipper Virat Kohli for dew it was spinning big... other came the fi rst batsman in IPL Focus is on disgraced Austral- help Chennai Super Kings six in the fourth over of the in- teams have good spinners as well history to cross the 5000-run ian stars Steve Smith and David Malinga to retire aft er Twenty20 WC open the 2019 Indian Pre- nings. and this isn’t the pitch we are barrier during his 21-ball stay. Warner who are making their Imier League season with a com- Singh ran through the Royal looking forward to,” Dhoni said Raina (5004) is ahead of Kohli returns to the glitzy tournament Sri Lankan limited overs captain Lasith Malinga will retire from prehensive seven-wicket win Challengers top-order with his of the pitch at Chennai’s MA (4954) in the IPL batting chart. a year after being banned for ball international cricket after next year’s Twenty20 World Cup, he over Royal Challengers Banga- wily off -spin, getting the big Chidambaram Stadium. Ali dismissed Raina and Ray- tampering. revealed on Friday. lore yesterday. wickets of England’s Moeen Ali udu was cleaned up by paceman Warner is expected to feature Malinga said that he would quit one-day internationals after the Singh and South African leg- for nine and South African AB de RAINA CROSSES 5000 MARK Mohammed Siraj. Kedar Jadhav, for the Kane Williamson-led World Cup in England and Wales this summer before calling time spinner claimed Villiers, also for nine. Opener Parthiv Patel top-scored on 13, and Ravindra Jadeja, on who play on his career following the Twenty20 tournament, being played three wickets each to dismiss West Indies batsman Shimron with 29 and remained the only six, took the Super Kings home. today. in Australia over October-November 2020. Royal Challengers for a paltry 70, Hetmyer was run out for nought batsman to cross double fi gures “No one wants to start like “After the World Cup, my cricketing career is ending,” the a total the defending champions and soon the Royal Challengers in what was the IPL’s sixth low- this, but it’s good to get a game Brief scores: Chennai Super 35-year-old said after his his side were beaten by 16 runs by achieved with 14 balls to spare in batting crumbled with spinners est total. like this out of the way – this Kings 71/3 in 17.5 overs (Ambati South Africa in the second at SuperSport Chennai. Tahir and Ravindra Jadeja, who Chasing 71 for victory, Super early in the tournament,” said Rayudu 28, Suresh Raina 19; Park. Captain Mahendra Singh took two wickets, combining to Kings lost opener Shane Watson Kohli, who is yet win an IPL title. Yuzvendra Chahal 1/6) beat “I want to play in the T20 World Cup and then end my career.” Dhoni, who led the Super Kings pack them off in 17.1 overs. for nought after Yuzvendra Cha- “I thought CSK played really Royal Challengers Bangalore Malinga dismissed South African top-scorer Reeza Hendricks for to their third IPL title after re- “It was a very good bowl- hal got the Australian bowled well, they deserved to win, but I 70 all out (Parthiv Patel 29, AB 65 on Friday, his 97th T20 international wicket. He is one short of turning from an illegal gambling ing eff ort by him (Harbhajan) to with his leg-spin. loved to see our team fi ghting all de Villiers 9; Imran Tahir 3/9) by the world record of 98 held by Pakistan’s Shahid Afridi. ban last year, elected to fi eld fi rst give us a kind of start that was Ambati Rayudu, who made 28, the way.” seven wickets.

PREVIEW Battle of equals as Delhi take on Mumbai IANS services from Hardik Pandya, Mumbai who has performed with both KKR have task cut out against SRH bat and ball over the years. The hosts will also look for Eyeing a third title which has tweaker leading continue the good work with fter a disappointing a blast from Yuvraj. After the eluded them for quite some the line, veteran and the ball while – last season, three-time southpaw went unsold in the time, Kolkata Knight Riders experienced Piyush Chawla will replacement of Nagarkoti – will champions Mumbai fi rst-round of the IPL auctions (KKR) will have their task cut out look to make an impact along look to make the most of the Indians (MI) will be in Jaipur, Mumbai showed faith when they take on formidable with young KC Cariappa who opportunity. lookingA to start afresh when they in him and bagged him at his base Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in was brought in as replacement KKR’s batting looks strong with take on Delhi Capitals in their price of Rs 1 crore. Skipper Shar- their Indian Premier League to the injured . no spare tyres in their top seven. opening game of the Indian Pre- ma is likely to open with Kishan (IPL) clash at the Eden Gardens Last year, KKR’s weak link was The likes of Chris Lynn, Shub- mier League (IPL) season 12 at and the duo will aim to give a sol- today. Two-time champions KKR their pace attack. But according man Gill, Robin Uthappa, Andre the Wankhede Stadium today. id start to the Mumbai innings. last won the IPL in 2014 under to head coach , Russell, Karthik and Brathwaite A lot was expected from Coming to the bowlers, Mum- the captaincy of Gautam Gamb- the purple brigade have more pack enough punch to rival any Mumbai in 2018, but the Rohit bai have Jasprit Bumrah, Mayank hir. Since then, they have made options this time in the fast other side. According to assist- Sharma-led side failed to qualify Markande and Jason Behrendorff , it to the playoff s thrice in four department. ant coach Simon Katich, they for the play-off s. However, play- Mumbai Indians skipper Rohit Sharma. among others. While Bumrah and years showing great consist- KKR will miss the services of have the best batting line up in ing at home in their fi rst game of Behrendorff will aim to give some ency, but the team will want to Mavi and fellow U-19 World Cup the tournament. Coming to the this season, Mumbai will aim to get the prowess of Chris Morris though he will not be represent- early jolts to the visitors, Mar- finish off equally well this time winner who visitors, SRH emerged runners- kick-off their journey on a posi- at the back end of the innings. ing the home team. The young kande will be expected to keep round. is also ruled out due to injury. up in the previous edition after tive note. With the Wankhede Delhi, who have not reached opener knows the wicket and things tight in the middle overs. Last season, under the new lead- But acquisitions such as New losing to Chennai Super Kings in wicket known to be batsmen the fi nal of the league even once, conditions at the Wankhede like The leg-spinner was amongst ership of seasoned campaigner Zealand fast bowler Lockie the final by eight wickets. friendly, the contest promises have a young skipper in Iyer, who the back of his hand and might the wickets in 2018, scalping 15 , KKR incidentally Ferguson, left-arm Englishman The Kane Williamson-led side to be full of runs as both teams will lead the side from the start prove to be useful if he’s picked wickets in 14 games at an econ- lost to Sunrisers Hyderabad by and West Indies has been in cracking form for boast of some big-hitters. of the league after taking over in the playing XI. Delhi will also omy rate of under nine. On the 14 runs in Qualifier-2. Stumper- all-rounder Carlos Brathwaite the past few seasons since win- While Mumbai have the likes from Gautam Gambhir midway look for some all-round per- other side, Trent Boult, Ishant batsman Karthik led from the will add to their arsenal. ning the trophy in 2016 under of Sharma, Hardik Pandya, into the last season. The young- formance from Morris, who has Sharma and Kagiso Rabada will front, amassing 498 runs and KKR received a blow few days the leadership of David Warner. Quinton de Kock, Kieron Pollard, ster, however, will look to leave been a valuable player for the look after Delhi’s pace attack finishing as the team’s highest back in the form of South Africa Williamson was comfortably the Ishan Kishan and Yuvraj Singh the disheartening memories be- franchise. Morris’ ability to pick while the spin department will scorer. KKR have traditionally quick Anrich Nortje who was best batsman in the tournament to smash the ball around, Delhi hind as the team has been given a up wickets in the middle overs be led by the experienced Amit boasted of having a superb spin also ruled out after sustaining hitting eight fifties and one have quality batsmen in Shreyas complete new look. and bowl some deadly yorkers Mishra. Overall, looking at the line up and it won’t be diff erent an injury. Among the Indians, century on the way to 735 runs Iyer, Rishabh Pant, Prithvi Shaw Meanwhile, a lot will be ex- makes him a huge asset for Del- two squads, an electrifying clash this year. With India’s leading will look to in 17 matches. and Shikhar Dhawan. Not to for- pected from local boy Shaw hi. Mumbai will expect similar is on the cards today. Gulf Times 4 Sunday, March 24, 2019 SPORT

GOLF SPOTLIGHT Spain's Elvira on the Defending champ verge of maiden European Tour win AFP who shot seven birdies, said. Kuala Lumpur Crowd favourite Ernie Els will also be confi dent of ending a six- year title drought after another Casey holds share acho Elvira edged clos- consistent showing for a 69. er to a maiden Europe- The South African sits only four an Tour trophy after he strokes away from Elvira at nine- posted a six-under-par under-par 207. The local crowd N66 to gain a two-shot advantage will also pay attention to Nicho- over David Lipsky at the May- las Fung on the fi nal day on Sun- bank Championship penultimate day after the Malaysian ended round yesterday. The title, how- the day tied-13th, seven shots off of halfway lead ever, remains up for grabs with the pace. The US$3mn event is Australian Scott Hend, Germa- co-sanctioned by the Asian and ny’s Maximilian Kieff er and Thai European tours. stalwart Jazz Janewattananond Co-leader Cook makes five birdies and one bogey in his four-under 67 only three shots off Elvira. LEADING Elvira had been in contention THIRD-ROUND SCORES AFP after he joint-led with Marcus 203 — Nacho Elvira (ESP) 65-72-66 Miami Fraser on Thursday. Coming into the third round, Elvira of Spain 205 — David Lipsky (USA) 72-66-67 trailed Thomas Pieters by a sin- 206 — Scott Hend (AUS) 69-70- efending champion Paul Ca- gle shot in stifl ingly hot condi- 67,Jazz Janewattananond (THA) sey fi red a fi ve-under par 66 tions, but gained the advantage 66-72-68, Maximilian Kieff er (GER) to grab a share of the 36-hole courtesy of his seven birdies. 71-67-68 lead alongside American Austin “I’m very happy with a 66. It 207 — Benjamin Hebert (FRA) 69- CookD at the US PGA Tour Valspar Cham- was tough with the heat and hu- 73-65, Ernie Els (RSA) 68-70-69 pionship on Friday. England’s Casey and midity today. I stayed patient and Cook each stood on six-under 136 after it paid off in the end,” he said. “It 208 — Oliver Fisher (ENG) 70-70-68 two rounds at the Innisbrook Resort Cop- would be great to start here (win- 209 — Louis De Jager (RSA) 71-69- perhead course in Palm Harbor, Florida. ning on the European Tour but 69, Andy Sullivan (ENG) 72-70-67, England’s Luke Donald, South Korean I really don’t think about it too Siddikur Rahman (BAN) 70-71-68, Im Sung-jae and American Scott Stall- much. I like the way things are Ross Fisher (ENG) 72-71-66 ings were a stroke back on 137. Donald had right now with my swing.” fi ve birdies and four bogeys in his one- Two-time European Tour 210 — Fabrizio Zanotti (PAR) 72-72- under 70, surrendering a one-shot lead winner Lipsky will be hoping to 66, Nicholas Fung (MAS) 68-73-69, with two bogeys in his last four holes. Im add a third after he fi nished the Johannes Veerman (USA) 72-69-69 posted a 67 and Stallings a 68. day with a 67 despite two bogey 211 — Paul Peterson (USA) Casey, who edged Tiger Woods and fl aws. “It’s a tricky course so you 70-68-73, Lucas Herbert (AUS) Patrick Reed by a stroke last year for are going to make bogeys out 69-69-73,Prom Meesawat (THA) the crown, began on the back nine and there, you have just got to make 68-71-72, Matthew Southgate (ENG) promptly birdied three of his fi rst four your share of birdies. If I can keep 74-69-68, Matthias Schwab (AUT) holes, sinking a 10-foot putt at 10 and making birdies like I am, I think 66-75-70, Dean Burmester (RSA) landing his third shot inches from the cup I’ll be alright,” the American, 68-70-73 before a tap-in at the par-5 11th. Casey scored on the other par-5 holes as well, sinking a three-foot birdie putt at 14, a six-footer at the fi rst before hol- ing a 27-footer for eagle at the fi fth. “I feel really good about (my game) because last week was rubbish,” said Casey, who was stung by a missed cut at the Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass. “I struggle a little bit around Sawgrass and that frustrated me, annoyed me, coming in here trying to defend my title, which I would love to do because I never defended a professional title, I’ve de- Paul Casey flips his putter after missing a putt during the second round of the Valspar Championship. (USA TODAY Sports) fended amateur titles, English Amateurs and PAC 12 titles, I would love to do that you can just minimize those, it puts you included a double-bogey at the par-three 137 - Scott Stallings 69-68, Im Sung-jae here. So I worked very, very hard on the in a good position.” 13th – where his tee short tee shot found (KOR) 70-67, Luke Donald 67-70 game and for whatever reason it’s slowed Cook had fi ve birdies and one bogey in the water. Johnson, who played alongside 138 - Dustin Johnson 69-69, Joel Dahmen things down. Quieted the transition at his four-under 67. He opened with a bird- Casey, was two-over through nine holes 66-72, Curtis Luck 70-68 the top of the swing,” Casey said. “Nice to ie from seven feet, added a tap-in birdie but made fi ve of his six birdies coming in turn it around after last week to suddenly at the par-4 third and then ran off three to post a 69 that left him tied with Joel 139 - Roberto Castro 68-71, Lucas Glover be not in control of this event but I’m near birdies in a row with 12-foot putts at the Dahmen (72) and Curtis Luck (68). 72-67, Shawn Stefani 68-71, Kramer Hickok the top, which is good.” ninth and par-5 11th around one half as 71-68, Rory Sabbatini (SVK) 70-69, Jon Rahm (ESP) 71-68 Casey’s lone bogey came on his closing long to begin the back nine. His only bo- LEADING SECOND-ROUND SCORES 140 - Brandt Snedeker 70-70, Bubba Watson ninth hole, fi nding bunkers with his fi rst gey came at 12 after fi nding a greenside (USA unless noted, par 71): two shots and missing a six-footer for bunker. 69-71, Jim Furyk 69-71, Danny Willett (ENG) par. “Disappointing on nine,” Casey said. World number one Dustin Johnson was 136 - Paul Casey (ENG) 70-66, Austin Cook 69-71, Ryan Blaum 73-67, Sam Saunders 71- Nacho Elvira of Spain looks on after playing a shot during the third “But everybody’s going to make bogeys. If among three players on 138 after a 69 that 69-67 69, Brian Stuard 68-72, Jason Kokrak 69-71 round of the Maybank championship in Kuala Lumpur. (AFP)

FOCUS PGA Tour bans Garrigus for three months aft er positive drug test Park, Liu tied for Founders Cup lead Miami: Robert Garrigus, an suspension from the PGA Tour, for Garrigus came at the 2010 American golfer who hailed which did not reveal when the Children’s Miracle Network AFP conquering substance abuse test was taken or what exact Classic at Walt Disney World Los Angeles in 2010 after his lone PGA title, substance was involved. Gar- near Orlando, when he battled was banned three months on rigus last cracked the top 10 in back on the final day with his Friday by the tour for a posi- a PGA event last year at Torrey tour status at stake for a three- hina’s Liu Yu made the tive drug test. The 41-year-old Pines, where he shared eighth. stroke triumph. most of her early morn- Phoenix resident, ranked In seven starts for the Garrigus spoke after the ing start, fi ring an eight- 450th in the world, was found 2018-19 campaign, Garrigus final round about having used under par 64 on Friday to have violated the PGA Tour has missed five cuts, shared recreational drugs before toC join world number one Park anti-doping program with a 64th at Riviera and 20th last undertaking a rehabilitation Sung-hyun atop the leaderboard positive test for a substance October at the Sanderson program in Southern California of the LPGA Founders Cup. Liu identified as a “drug of abuse” Farms Championship. His most in 2003. His best result in a matched France’s Celine Boutier rather than of performance recent start was a missed cut major tournament was a share — a former teammate at Duke enhancement. at last month’s Puerto Rico of third at the 2011 US Open in University — for low round of the That brought a three-month Open. The only PGA victory Washington. tournament to seize a share of the halfway lead on 12-under par 132. South Korea’s Park posted her second straight 66 at Wildfi re BOXING Golf Club in Phoenix, Arizona. She and Liu were two strokes clear of a group of eight players on 10-under 134 that included Filipino legend Pacquiao polls overnight leader Boutier as well Yu Liu of China tees off as former world number one during the second round Lydia Ko of New Zealand. of the LPGA Founders Cup Twitter on who to fi ght next They were joined by Ameri- in Phoenix, Arizona. (AFP) cans Angel Yin and Cheyenne AFP Knight, Sweden’s Linnea Strom, Manila That group is headlined by top-15 players Amy Yang of South Korea and Lydia Ko of New Zealand. It hilippine boxing legend Manny also includes Boutier, Americans Pacquiao took to social media to poll Angel Yin and Cheyenne Knight, said, adding that the chilly tem- happy with the play today, espe- Sung-hyun (KOR) 66-66 millions of fans on who they think should Sweden’s Linnea Strom, Den- peratures that greeted her group cially putting was really good and 134 — Linnea Strom (SWE) 69-65, be his next opponent, having brushed off mark’s Nanna Koerstz Madsen slowed her early. My putting the shots were better than yes- callsP to hang up his gloves after turning 40. “Who Amy Yang (KOR) 68-66, Hur Mi- and South Korean Hur Mi-jung. defi nitely helped me a lot on the terday,” Park said. jung (KOR) 68-66, Angel Yin 67-67, should I fi ght next?” the world’s only eight-di- Defending champion Park front nine,” she said. “On the Strom was eyeing a share of Lydia Ko (NZL) 67-67, Cheyenne vision champion asked in a Twitter survey that In-bee of South Korea headed back nine the weather warmed the lead with nine birdies and no Knight 66-68, Nanna Koerstz Mad- drew 27,380 votes after fi ve hours and listed Floyd a group of fi ve players on 135. up and I was hitting it close and bogeys through 17 holes before a sen (DEN) 65-69, Celine Boutier Mayweather, Keith Thurman, Danny Garcia and Liu was in the fi rst group off the I was able to capitalise on those double bogey at 18. Boutier, who (FRA) 64-70 Shawn Porter as the choices. tee at 10, bouncing back from short- and mid-range birdie fi red eight birdies without a bo- The poll, also linked to Pacquiao’s Facebook an opening bogey with three putts.” gey on Thursday, was as low as 13 135 — Lee Jeong-eun (KOR) 70-65, wall, has 18 more hours to run. It did not indicate quiao, who has 61 wins including 39 knockouts straight birdies. She followed an- Park also teed off on 10 and af- under after three birdies and an Park In-bee (KOR) 69-66, Nelly how the voting had gone so far. Pacquiao, who against seven losses and two draws in a 24-year other bogey at 14 with birdies at ter playing her fi rst nine holes in eagle at the par-fi ve 15th. But she Korda 68-67, Brooke M. has 2.51mn followers on Twitter and 11.76mn on career, to fi ght Mayweather. 15 and 18, and birdied fi ve holes two-under. She came alive over fell back with a bogey at 16 and a Henderson (CAN) 67-68, Carlota Facebook, is known to have been angling for a re- “Floyd of course then retire,” Carlos De Luna coming in. “Just everything kind her fi nal nine, with birdies at double bogey at the last. Ciganda (ESP) 66-69 match with Mayweather, who beat the Filipino on Lagunsad added. But another fan urged the of clicked all together,” said Liu, fi ve of six holes that included a 136 — Jessica Korda 69-67, Kim points in the world’s richest prize fi ght in 2015. 40-year-old to face International Boxing Federa- who admitted that it’s not some- run of four straight from the fi rst LEADING SECOND-ROUND Sei-young (KOR) 69-67, Cristie Kerr Pacquiao’s decisive victory over American tion welterweight champion Errol Spence, who thing she would expect to hap- through the fourth. SCORES 69-67, Pornanong Phatlum (THA) fi ghter Adrien Broner in January was supposed to easily beat challenger Garcia in a match between pen every day. “When a day like A bogey at the ninth prevented (USA unless noted, par 72): 66-70, Choi Na-yeon (KOR) 65-71, have opened the door to that route. But the un- two previously undefeated boxers yesterday. this comes, I just am glad I was her from holding the solo 36- Charlotte Thomas (ENG) 65-71 beaten Mayweather, offi cially retired, has been “Show this young guys why u r a living legend,” able to take advantage of it,” she hole lead. “Overall I’m really 132 — Liu Yu (CHN) 68-64, Park non-committal. Many Facebook users urged Pac- Meg Osh Tin Oniuqa said. Gulf Times Sunday, March 24, 2019 5 SPORT

NBA MLB White Sox, Jimenez Harden scores 61 as agree to $43mn deal Reuters Chicago

he Chicago White Sox offi cially announced on Friday that they have Rockets stop Spurs agreed to terms on a Tsix-year, $43mn contract with outfi elder Eloy Jimenez, plus ‘I got a chance to be one of the best players to ever touch a basketball’ two club options that could ex- tend the deal through the 2026 season. Multiple outlets on Wednesday reported the deal was in the works. The White Sox said Jimenez said, “My family and I are very will receive a $5mn bonus in ad- happy and excited to sign this dition to $1mn in 2019, $1.5mn in deal. It gives us the opportunity 2020, $3.5mn in 2021, $6.5mn in to ensure our future, but more 2022, $9.5mn in 2023 and $13mn importantly, to reinforce my in 2024. The team holds options commitment to the White Sox for $16.5mn in 2025 and $18.5mn organization. All of my eff ort, fo- in 2026, with $3mn buyouts for cus and desire is to help this team either season. The 22-year-old win multiple championships and Jimenez has played in the White bring joy to our fan base.” Sox organization since 2017, Jimenez batted.337 with 22 when he was acquired in the deal home runs and 75 RBIs in 108 that sent left-hander Jose Quin- games last season between Dou- tana to the Chicago Cubs, but he ble-A Birmingham and Triple-A has yet to play in a regular-sea- Charlotte. He is a.311 hitter in son game in the majors. fi ve minor league seasons with The White Sox’s top pros- 65 home runs. The previous MLB pect and No 3 overall in baseball, record in guaranteed money for Jimenez had already been as- a player already in an organiza- signed to Triple-A Charlotte to tion was the six years and $24mn start the upcoming season, but that the Philadelphia Phillies the deal means that he could be and Scott Kingery decided on in in the team’s Opening Day lineup March 2018. on March 28 at Kansas City. The previous record before The 6-foot-4, 245-pound that was the $10mn guarantee Jimenez, a native of Santo Do- between Jon Singleton and the mingo, Dominican Republic, Houston Astros in 2014.

NHL Wild move into wild-card spot with victory over Caps Houston Rockets guard James Harden (right) dribbles past San Antonio Spurs guard Derrick White during the NBA game in Houston on Friday. (USA TODAY Sports) Reuters nearly as many scoring chances. Reuters NETS 111, LAKERS 106 Toronto. Pascal Siakam added 25 points CLIPPERS 110, CAVALIERS 108 Washington Wild goalie Devan Dubnyk Houston Joe Harris scored 26 points, and visiting while Danny Green had 19 points. Danilo Gallinari scored 27 points, and fi nished with 21 saves in the win Brooklyn made enough plays down the Los Angeles hung on to beat host Cleve- while Holtby made 25 stops. stretch to earn the victory and eliminate NUGGETS 111, KNICKS 93 land. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 16 uke Kunin scored with The Capitals also were hurt by ames Harden matched his career Los Angeles from postseason contention. Nikola Jokic scored 21 points and pulled points, adding fi ve assists and two steals 7:35 remaining to give the the loss of defenseman Michal high with 61 points, delivering The Nets followed up their historic come- down 17 rebounds night for surging Den- as the Clippers earned their ninth win in visiting Minnesota Wild Kempny, injured during the sec- early and late to bail out the host back win in Sacramento and improved to ver, which moved back into a tie for the 10 games. a 2-1 victory over the ond period of the loss to Tampa Houston Rockets in their 111-105 2-3 on a season-high, seven-game road top seed in the Western Conference by Lou Williams scored 15 and had six as- LWashington Capitals on Friday Bay. This season, he’s posted winJ over the San Antonio Spurs on Fri- trip that continues Monday in Portland. cruising past host New York. With their sists off the bench for Los Angeles. Mont- night. The Wild forced a neutral- career highs in goals (six) and day. Harden, who also scored 61 points on D’Angelo Russell had 21 points and 13 sixth straight win, the Nuggets (49-22) rezl Harrell scored 14 and had a crucial of- zone turnover and turned it into assists (19). The Wild took a 1-0 Jan. 23 at Madison Square Garden against rebounds for Brooklyn. JaVale McGee led tied the idle Golden State Warriors for the fensive board late in the game to stave off a mini-breakaway. lead in the fi rst period thanks to the New York Knicks, fi nished 19 of 34 Los Angeles with career highs of 33 points best record in the West. the Cavaliers. Kevin Love led Cleveland Zach Parise then made a quick a good individual eff ort from Jor- from the fl oor while drilling 9 of 13 from and 20 rebounds. The Lakers lost their Denver has never earned the top seed in with 22 points and had eight rebounds. pass that sprung Kunin, who beat dan Greenway. He made his way 3-point range. fi fth straight, dropped to 2-12 in their last the West and has yet to make an appear- The Cavaliers had their four-game home goalie Braden Holtby with a wrist through traffi c along the right “I work every single day to be the best 14 games and will miss the playoff s for the ance in the NBA Finals. winning streak snapped. shot for the 2-1 lead, and that wing, quickly cut to the front of I can be,” Harden said. “I got a chance to sixth straight season. Jamal Murray scored 18 points for the held up for the Wild. The win the crease and beat Holtby with be one of the best players to ever touch a The loss offi cially ensured that LeB- Nuggets, who also received 14 points MAGIC 123, GRIZZLIES 119 (OT) moved Minnesota, which had 3:27 left in the period. Washing- basketball. As a kid that’s what you dream ron James will miss the postseason for from Gary Harris. Evan Fournier gave Orlando its fi rst lead lost fi ve of its previous six games, ton tied it midway through the about.” the fi rst time since his second season of the game with 4:05 to go in overtime, into the second wild-card spot in second period when Brett Con- After the Rockets coughed up a with the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2004-05. BUCKS 116, HEAT 87 then gave the Magic the upper hand for the Western Conference. nolly scored his 21st goal of the 19-point, third-quarter lead and fell James had 25 points, 14 assists and nine Giannis Antetokounmpo posted 27 good with another hoop with 1:14 re- Washington remains in fi rst season. Connolly redirected a into a 100-94 hole late in the fourth, rebounds. points, eight rebounds and seven assists maining, giving the Eastern Conference place in the Metropolitan Divi- Nick Jensen shot past Dubnyk. Harden responded with three succes- to lead host Milwaukee over Miami. The postseason hopefuls a much needed vic- sion and holds a three-point lead In another match, Jakob Sil- sive 3-pointers and a pair of drives to the THUNDER 116, RAPTORS 109 Bucks’ Khris Middleton contributed 18 tory over visiting Memphis. over the New York Islanders and fverberg scored 38 seconds into basket to secure the victory, the Rockets’ Russell Westbrook had his 28th triple- points, a game-high 10 assists and eight The come-from-behind win allowed Pittsburgh Penguins. Minnesota overtime and added two assists third consecutive win over the Spurs. double of the season as he scored 18 rebounds. the Magic to stay within arm’s length shut down the potent Capitals’ as the Anaheim Ducks defeated Bryn Forbes led fi ve Spurs in double fi g- points, grabbed 12 rebounds and added The Heat, who were led by Hassan Wh- of the seventh and eighth playoff posi- attack. The Wild outshot Wash- the visiting San Jose Sharks 4-3.. ures with 20 points while Derrick White 13 assists, and visiting Oklahoma City iteside’s 14 points, nine rebounds and a tions in the East, spots currently held by ington 27-22 and limited the Rickard Rakell had two goals and added 18 with eight rebounds. came back to defeat Toronto and end a game-high three blocks, had closed their Brooklyn and Miami. Capitals to the one goal. an assist for Anaheim, and Adam DeMar DeRozan posted 16 points, eight four-game losing streak. Paul George defi cit to 63-58 early in the third quarter Fournier fi nished with 27 points, eight Washington got 58 shots on Henrique also tallied. Troy Terry rebounds and eight assists while LaMar- added 28 points, and Dennis Schroder before falling apart. rebounds and six assists while team- goal in its previous game, a 5-4 and Cam Fowler each contribut- cus Aldridge paired 10 points with fi ve had 26 points for the Thunder, who lost Their three-game winning streak end- mate Terrence Ross led all scorers with 31 overtime loss to the Tampa Bay ed two assists, and John Gibson blocks for San Antonio, which captured to the Raptors in overtime on Wednesday ed. The Bucks have the best record in the points. Memphis lost despite a 23-point, Lightning on Wednesday, but the made 23 saves. Kevin Labanc, its fi rst lead at 85-84 on a Patty Mills re- and overcame a 13-point defi cit on Fri- NBA at 54-19. Their 29-6 home record is 24-rebound performance by Jonas Val- Wild slowed the Capitals in this Timo Meier and Justin Braun verse layup with 10:48 to play. day. Kawhi Leonard scored 37 points for the best in the Eastern Conference. anciunas. game. Washington could not fi nd scored for the Sharks.

SPOTLIGHT Lakers’ James eliminated from NBA postseason picture AFP James played in Friday’s contest at expected him to extend his streak of Los Angeles Staples Center Arena despite miss- fi nals appearances to nine straight, ing games recently to get rest for his but not many thought it would be due lingering groin injury. He also took to a failure to get into the playoff s. It egendary superstar LeB- a hard tumble against the Nets after has been a season of blown opportu- ron James will miss the NBA slipping on the baseline while driving nities, broken promises and with the playoff s for the fi rst time to the basket with 22 seconds left in Lakers now offi cially out of conten- since 2005 as the Los Ange- the fourth. He left the game for one tion late in the season, it leaves the Lles Lakers were offi cially eliminated possession, then returned. James coaching staff and the front offi ce with a 111-106 loss to the Brooklyn shot eight-of-25 from the fl oor in under fi re. Nets. The four-time league MVP also 35 minutes of action as the Lakers “I played a lot basketball over the had his eight-year run to the NBA fi - are now 2-11 in their last 13 games. last 16 years. So for me to go into an Not only has LeBron James reached nals snapped on Friday night as the “I took a pretty nasty fall when I off season as healthy as possible will the playoff s for 13 consecutive loss takes the lowly Lakers out of the slipped. Hopefully I will feel better give me time to recalibrate my body seasons with the Cleveland Cavaliers playoff picture for a franchise-record tomorrow,” said James, who missed a and recalibrate my mind and get and Miami Heat, he has also played in sixth straight season. three pointer and committed a turn- ready for next season,” James said. eight straight NBA finals. (AFP) “It is a tough season for all of us,” over in the fi nal seconds. With the struggling Lakers limit- James said. “It is not what we signed Asked how much more he wants to ing James’ minutes down the stretch, up for. Throughout the year things play this season, James said, “With the forward had sat out two of the happen, suspensions, injuries. You us being offi cially eliminated, I will past three games heading into the don’t even try to wrap your head probably have a conversation with Nets’ game. He did not play in last around it. Just keep pushing see how the coaching staff . Hopefully I can be Friday in the Lakers’ 111-97 loss at you can get better. The playoff s is in as many games as possible down Detroit or Tuesday on Los Angeles’ never a promise. You got to come out the stretch.” 115-101 loss to Milwaukee. and do the work. For me personally, Joe Harris scored 26 points and Three-time champion James you do the work and see what you can former Laker D’Angelo Russell tallied was doing his part by averaging 27.5 do to help.” 21 points and 13 assists for the Nets, points, 8.5 rebounds, and eight as- James had 25 points, 14 assists and who boosted their playoff hopes with sists this season, but he hasn’t nine rebounds, but it wasn’t enough their second-straight win during a gotten consistent help from an in- to get the victory in a tight contest seven game road trip. JaVale McGee experienced supporting cast. “One that featured 23 lead changes. The had career highs of 33 points and thing you can’t control is injuries. last time the NBA’s best player wasn’t 20 rebounds along with six blocked Throughout the whole season we just in the postseason was in 2004-05, shots to lead the Lakers. had bodies, bodies, bodies be down. his second season with the Cleveland When James signed with the sto- It is hard to get chemistry on the Cavaliers. ried franchise before the season, few fl oor,” he said. Gulf Times 6 Sunday, March 24, 2019 SPORT

CYCLING HOCKEY India beat Japan 2-0 in Azlan Shah Alaphilippe claims Cup opener

IANS Japan. The third quarter saw Ipoh, Malaysia Japan make amends for a be- low-par start as they got their fi rst penalty corner in the 33rd he Indian men’s hock- minute. But experienced goal- fi rst ‘Monument’ win ey team started their keeper PR Sreejesh did well to 28th Sultan Azlan save and clear the ball ensuring Shah Cup campaign on that India remained in the lead. Ta positive note as they defeated The following minutes saw Asian Games champions Japan both India and Japan create 2-0 yesterday. scoring opportunities but in It was the team’s resilient vain. With two minutes re- attack, structured defence and maining for the third hooter, in Milan-San Remo solid eff ort in the midfi eld that Japanese striker Kenji Kitazato ensured India remained domi- took a brave shot on goal but ‘In the sprint all I was thinking about was not to make a mistake’ nant through the match. missed the post by a big mar- After getting off to a goalless gin. Off a rebound, Kazuma France’s Julian Alaphilippe fi rst quarter, India seemed to Murata struck the ball towards poses with his trophy as he shake of the opening match jit- the post but it went over it. celebrates on the podium ters to take control of the pro- Simranjeet Singh found aft er winning the one-day ceedings. With good ball pos- the back of the net in the 55th classic cycling race Milan-San session, they sought the right minute that put India ahead by Remo yesterday. (AFP) opportunity to make an early 2-0. With just two minutes re- breakthrough. maining, Japan created a pen- Eight minutes into the sec- alty corner but the attempt was ond quarter, India won a pen- well-defended by Surender alty corner and Varun Kumar Kumar backed by goalkeeper stepped up to capitalise with a Krishan Pathak, who replaced powerful, direct fl ick. Sreejesh after half-time. The 1-0 lead in the 24th Varun was adjudged the Man minute put India in good stead of the Match. India will next and mounted pressure on take on Korea on Sunday.

SPOTLIGHT Chen outshines Hanyu to retain world skate title

AFP the penultimate obstacle head- San Remo, Italy Cycling chief who brought Tour de France depart to Britain quits ing down towards the coast. On the Poggio, the last climb, The off icial who brought the leading road race - to the north- made clear how much her pass- Alaphilippe’s teammates Zdenek rance’s Julian Alaphilippe Grand Depart of the Tour de ern English county of Yorkshire, ing has aff ected him. Speaking Stybar and dic- won a sprint fi nish to the France to Britain in 2014, has his home region, five years ago. after his resignation was an- tated the pace before the French- Winner Nathan Chen of the US poses with his free skating gold Milan-San Remo yester- resigned as chief executive of He also established the legacy nounced, Verity said: “Over the man provoked a breakaway medal at the ISU World Figure Skating Championships in Saitama day, claiming his fi rst vic- Welcome to Yorkshire, it was event, the Tour de Yorkshire, last ten-and-a-half years I have with Sagan, Alejandro Valverde, yesterday. (AFP) Ftory in one of cycling’s ‘Monu- Kwiatkowski, Naesen, Wout Van announced on Friday amid an the fifth edition of which takes always tried to set the highest ment’ classic races. expenses row. A statement said place in May. Verity was also standards of personal perform- Aert and Matteo Trentin. AFP lutz, triple toe-loop combo on The Deceuninck Quick-Step Sir Gary Verity had stepped a central figure in bringing ance and leadership.“Where The group crested the summit Saitama, Japan his way to a score of 206.10 rider fi nished ahead of a small down due to “ill health” but September’s UCI Road Cycling this has been achieved, I am a handful of seconds ahead, but points, becoming the fi rst group of riders, who had broken added that “concerns have World Championships to grateful and when, on occa- were joined by other riders in the skater to clear the 300-point away near the end of the 291km been raised in relation to his Yorkshire. sions, I have fallen short, I descent and on towards the fl at. merican Nathan mark by 0.97. The 24-year- race under the sunshine through behaviour towards staff and But there have been reports apologise. My health is now my But no one could break out Chen overcame a old Hanyu pumped his fi st and north-western Italy, for his sev- his expenses”. The statement those latter events could be main priority. I ask for time and alone on the streets of San Remo, dashing Yuzuru shot a death glare towards the enth win of the season. added “The board has investi- in jeopardy given Verity’s space to heal. “It has been an despite an attempt by the Italian Hanyu free routine judges as an avalanche of Pooh The 26-year-old Alaphilippe Trentin neutralised by Belgian withA an electrifying perform- bears rained onto the ice from gated these and concluded that friendship with Tour de France honour and a privilege to lead went for the line with 600m re- Sir Gary made errors of judge- director Christian Prudhomme such an inspirational organisa- Van Aert. ance of his own Saturday to his legions of adoring fans. maining, before raising his arms ment regarding his expenses at was thought to be central to tion and work with such a crea- “In the group, there were very retain his world fi gure skating But despite immense pres- in triumph after a narrow victory a very diff icult time for him and Welcome to Yorkshire’s relation- tive and talented team.” strong riders, Trentin was to title in Japan. sure, Chen hit back with in- on the Via Roma in the Italian his family.” ship with the Amaury Sports Welcome to Yorkshire’s state- watch but fi nally everything is The 19-year-old, who dom- terest, crushing four gorgeous Riviera resort, with Belgian Ol- Verity, 54, had been in the post Organisation which operates ment said Verity has “agreed to back in order,” said Alaphilippe, inated Thursday’s short skate, quadruple jumps, including iver Naesen (AG2R) second and since 2008 but was best known the races. Verity’s sister died in voluntarily reimburse Welcome after his 25th victory, and the kept his cool after watch- a quad toe-loop, triple toe- Poland’s Michal Kwiatkowski for bringing the Tour - cycling’s January and he has previously to Yorkshire for monies owed”. most important of his career. ing Hanyu break the world loop combination he executed (Sky) in third. record to smash it again him- in an apparently eff ortless Three-time world champion in the 2017 race in San Remo be- trolled. horic at 600 metres. I made no RESULTS self, scoring 216.02 points for manner. Peter Sagan of Slovakia fi nished hind Kwiatkowski and Sagan. “I was protected, the team had mistake. It’s unbelievable.” 1. Julian Alaphilippe (FRA/ a winning total of 323.42 in Fellow American Vincent fourth with last year’s winner But since he has powered to total confi dence in me,” said the A breakaway group of ten rid- DEC-QST) 6hrs 40min 14sec Saitama. Zhou took bronze after an Vincenzo Nibali of Italy crossing two stage wins in last year’s Tour French rider. “In the sprint all ers, representing second-divi- (average: 43,6 km/h), 2. Oliver Olympic champion Hanyu, ethereal free skate that earned in eighth place, after over seven de France, where he claimed the I was thinking about was not to sion teams invited by the organ- Naesen (BEL/ALM) same time, 3. just recently returned from an him a total of 281.16 points. A hours in the saddle. top climber’s jersey, and won the make a mistake.” isers, had opened the road right Michal Kwiatkowski (POL/SKY) ankle injury that forced him shattered Hanyu could barely Alaphilippe has been the in- Fleche Wallonne and Clasica San In the sprint, Alaphilippe out of Milan. s.t, 4. Peter Sagan (SVK/BOR) s.t, out of December’s Japanese conceal his disappointment form rider at the start of the sea- Sebastian. emerged from behind Slov- They held fi rm until after the 5. Matej Mohoric (SLO/BAH) s.t, nationals, took to the ice to after failing to win a third son, winning the Strade Bianche All that was missing was a win enian Matej Mohoric, before area of the “Capi” - small hills 6. (NED/JUM) s.t, deafening cheers after gen- world title. in Tuscany, and two stages of in one of cycling’s fi ve ‘Monu- the last 200 metres. “I will need going into the fi nal hour of rac- 7. Alejandro Valverde (ESP/MOV) tly tweaking the nose of the “Honestly, I’m gutted to the Tirreno-Adriatico in re- ment’ one-day classics, and he some time to realise what I have ing. s.t, 8. Vincenzo Nibali (ITA/BAH) stuff ed Winnie the Pooh he lose, but I have to accept that I cent weeks. The rider from the lived up to his status as pre-race achieved today,” he continued. Italian Fausto Masnada had s.t, 9. Simon Clarke (AUS/EF1) s.t, carries with him everywhere. just wasn’t good enough,” said mountainous Auvergne region favourite in a race which his De- “We made the race hard and I led for almost 260km, before 10. Matteo Trentin (ITA/MIT) s.t., Third after the short rou- the two-time Olympic gold in central France had missed out ceuninck team perfectly con- stayed focused. I followed Mo- being caught on the Cipressa, 11. Tom Dumoulin (NED/SUN) s.t. tine, Hanyu nailed a quadruple medallist.

OPINION ‘Team Sky deal should motivate chasing pack’ Reuters Sky pumped 34 million formerly Lotto NL-Jumbo, be- president of the International London pounds ($44.93 million) into lieves rather than cast envious Association of Professional Cy- Brailsford’s team last year glances, teams should regard cling Teams (AIGCP) which has around twice as much as their taking on Sky as a challenge. demanded a fairer deal from ot everyone has been biggest rivals spend annually. “A team can only have so world governing body the UCI, celebrating Team Sky’s It was a year when Geraint many riders,” Plugge told Reu- says they are not unbeatable. impending takeover by Thomas won the Tour de France ters. “They also have to train, “Whether they are even big- Britain’s richest man – the sixth time Sky have won prepare and race, the same roads ger or not, they will set the pace Nbut it must not be regarded as a the Tour since 2012. et cetera. It is up to the competi- in terms of quality, level of their negative, according to one per- Add in Froome’s 2017 Vuelta tion to beat them. riders and innovation, but of son tasked with trying to beat victory and his Giro d’Italia tri- “In every sport there is al- course we can compete!” he said. them on the road. umph last year and Sky boast ways a ‘best’ team for a couple “We will chase them, we will When British broadcaster Sky eight Grand Tour titles. of years, whether it is football, hunt them and see where we announced last December it was With Ratcliff e, whose wealth tennis, F1 or cycling. The mo- can beat them by being smarter. pulling the plug on the outfi t set is reported to be 21 billion ment these moguls are beaten by There will always be a ‘biggest’ up by Dave Brailsford in 2010, it pounds, bankrolling the outfi t smaller teams, is satisfying for team. The ones behind have to seemed like good news for teams that will morph into Team IN- everybody. The sport is not less fi ght them wherever they can.” with lesser budgets. EOS on May 1 to at least the same interesting to the fans.” Vaughters said Sky had “pur- Tuesday’s announcement that level, maybe more, no wonder With Thomas, Froome, young chased” the ability to win by billionaire Jim Ratcliff e, owner of Jonathan Vaughters, boss of ri- Colombian Egan Bernal, plus a collecting all the best riders and British chemicals giant INEOS, val team EF Education, believes host of “super-domestiques” this week UCI president David had stepped in to buy the star- they have an “impenetrable wall who would be leading men in Lappartient told Reuters that studded team that has dominat- of money”. other teams, INEOS will be for- budget caps could be discussed ed cycling in recent years means But Richard Plugge, manager midable this year. as a way of preserving fairness in Team Sky rider Luke Rowe of Britain in action during the Tour de France’s 156.5-km Stage 9 from Arras the status quo is likely to remain. of Dutch outfi t Jumbo-Visma, But Plugge, who is also vice- the Grand Tours. Citadelle to Roubaix on July 15, 2018. (Reuters) Gulf Times Sunday, March 24, 2019 7 FOOTBALL

FRIENDLIES SPOTLIGHT Wilson nets debut goal as Angola seal Messi injured on Cup of Nations return

Reuters favourites at the fi nals, were held Cape Town to a 0-0 draw away to Malawi in Group B in Blantyre where their substitute Rachid Alioui struck the return as Argentina ngola striker Wilson post with two free kicks in the 81st Eduardo scored on his minute and in stoppage time. debut as they beat Bot- Already qualifi ed Algeria ended swana 1-0 to qualify for the Group D hopes of Gambia as theA expanded 24-team Africa they played out a 1-1 draw in Blida. Cup of Nations fi nals being host- Mehdi Abeid scored for the ed in Egypt from June 21-July 19. home side before Futty Danso lose to Venezuela Wilson, a former Portugal jun- grabbed a late equaliser for the ior international, netted midway Gambians, who could not end through the fi rst half to ensure their 36-year wait for a competi- Barcelona forward will sit out Tuesday’s friendly against Morocco in Tangier his side’s passage to the conti- tive away win. nental championships in a game Benin must avoid defeat at Reuters that was delayed for 30 minutes home to Togo on Sunday to take Madrid after halftime by a partial fl ood- second spot in the group. light failure. Tunisia had too much qual- Angola have missed the last ity for Eswatini (formerly Swa- ionel Messi returned to two Nations Cup tournaments, ziland) as they romped to a 4-0 Argentina duty for the but secured their passage as home win in Group J, with their fi rst time since the World Group I winners having leap- place at the fi nals already secure. Cup on Friday but it was frogged Mauritania, who lost 1-0 In Group A, Equatorial Guin- La disappointing outing for the at Burkina Faso but had already ea’s Emilio Nsue scored two forward as they lost 3-1 to Ven- sealed their place in Egypt before fi rst-half goals in a 4-1 away vic- ezuela and he was ruled out of the fi nal round of qualifi ers. tory in Sudan, a meeting of two their next match with a groin Bertrand Traore scored the fi rst- teams already out of the running problem. half winner for the Burkinabe, who for a place in Egypt. Messi showed fl ashes of bril- needed Angola to slip up at bottom liance but it was not his night as side Botswana. BURUNDI QUALIFY FOR FIRST Venezuela put three past their Nigeria clinched top spot in FINALS more illustrious rivals for the Group E with a 3-1 home victory Burundi qualifi ed for the African fi rst time with goals from Salo- over the Seychelles with a below- Cup of Nations fi nals for the fi rst mon Rondon, Jhon Murillo and par performance that was maybe time as they kept Gabon striker Josef Martinez. Lautaro Martin- due to them having already qual- Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in ez got Argentina’s consolation. ifi ed for the fi nals. check to get the point they need- Messi fi nished the match but Odion Ighalo put the Super ed in a 1-1 draw yesterday. felt some pain in his groin and Eagles ahead with a penalty after While Burundi needed only to will sit out Tuesday’s friendly 35 minutes but the Indian Ocean draw, visitors Gabon, who hosted against Morocco in Tangier, the islanders equalised before the the last fi nals in 2017, had to win Argentine Football Association break when a mistake by goal- in Bujumbura to join Group C win- said after the game. keeper Francis Uzoho saw the ners Mali in the expanded 24-team The injury, described as a fl are ball fall kindly for Roddy Melanie fi nals in Egypt in June and July. up of an existing problem, was to sidefoot into the empty net. Burundi were kept at bay re- not thought to be serious. Mid- Henry Onyekuru restored Ni- peatedly throughout the match fi elder Gonzalo Martinez will geria’s lead with a close-range by the heroics of Gabon’s veteran also miss the Morocco match header after the break and Moses goalkeeper Didier Ovono before with a thigh strain. Simon added a late third. Cedric Amissi fi nally broke the Messi took a sabbatical after South Africa must avoid de- deadlock in the 75th minute. his country’s last-16 exit from feat by Libya in neutral Tunisia Yet celebrations were kept on the 2018 fi nals in Russia but he on Sunday to come second or the hold until the fi nal whistle as Ga- returned with a clean shaven Argentina’s forward Lionel Messi (left) reacts after the loss to Venezuela in an international friendly in Madrid on Friday. (AFP) Libyans will qualify instead. bon equalised with eight minutes new look to captain the side in to go when Burundi defender the all-South American aff air at FAVOURITES MOROCCO Omar Ngandu turned the ball Atletico Madrid’s Metropolitano Morocco, who will be among the into his own net. stadium. Brazil denied victory by determined Panama Venezuela had only beaten AFP long-distance header over a Argentina once in 23 previous Porto, Portugal stunned Ederson who appealed encounters, but they got the for off side. South Africa, Ivory Coast win perfect start after fi ve minutes Everton attacker Richarlison when Rondon brought down razil were held to a 1-1 came close to bagging his away Olympic qualifi ers a long pass inside the box and draw against Panama in side’s second as his eff ort crashed a shot past keeper Fran- Ban international friendly smashed the crossbar five AFP first round exits in Sydney in co Armani. played at Porto’s Dragao Sta- minutes after the break. Johannesburg 2000 and in Rondon should have made it dium yesterday. Real Madrid’s Casemiro had three years ago. two with a header in the 40th AC Milan’s Lucas Paqueta two chances to win the game The result thrilled coach David but the second goal was only claimed his first international for Tite’s outfit with a header outh Africa and the Notoane as Europe-based moments away as Murillo took goal for the five-time World Cup and a powerful shot with quar- Ivory Coast secured professionals like Singh ar- advantage of a quick free kick to winners before captain Adolfo ter of an hour remaining. Simpressive away wins rived in Johannesburg only on scamper to the edge of the box Machado responded for the Both teams made a wave of sub- Friday in second round first Tuesday, giving little time to and curl a lovely right-foot shot side in 76th place in the world stitutions in the closing moments leg qualifiers for the 2020 build team cohesion. into the far corner of the net. rankings. and Eder Militao went close with Tokyo Olympic Games football Should South Africa advance Lautaro Martinez fi nished off Injured Paris Saint-Germain for- an injury-time header. tournament. to the third round during June, a superb counter attack to pull ward Neymar watched the game Next for Brazil is Tuesday’s Portugal-based Luther Singh they will face Mozambique or Argentina back into the game from the stands as he recovers Midfielder Paqueta was on the teams level four minutes later. friendly against the Czech Re- created goals for Phakamani Zimbabwe, who drew 0-0 in after 59 minutes but their hopes from a fractured right foot. end of a deep Casemiro cross Erick Davis’ central free-kick public as they prepare to host Mahlambi, Thendo Mukumela Maputo. were short lived and Venezuela’s The Selecao opened the scoring to volley home at the back post. found the centre-back near the this year’s Copa America which and Grant Margeman as South Meanwhile, Czech Republic- Josef Martinez made it 3-1 from just after the half-hour mark. Skipper Machado brought the penalty spot who lobbed his starts on June 14. Africa triumphed 3-1 over based Youssouf Dao scored the penalty spot with a quarter Angola in Luanda. after 75 minutes to earn Ivory of an hour remaining. Lopez Texeira pulled one goal Coast a 2-1 victory over Niger “In the fi rst half we created Argentina face Morocco in half goals in quick succession the 52nd minute in front of a to put the contest out of Chile’s back for the home side with in Niamey. chances but they scored twice Tangier on Tuesday, while Ven- to defeat Chile 3-1 on Friday crowd of more than 41,000 at reach. four minutes left, but they Anderson Niangbo, who when we made mistakes,” said ezuela’s next face Catalonia in and give new manager Tata the friendly in San Diego. The win is the fi rst for the must score at least three goals plays for an Austrian club, put Lautaro Martinez. “In the sec- Girona tomorrow. Martino a winning start to his Hector Moreno headed home 56-year-old Argentine Mar- in Johannesburg this Tuesday the Ivorians ahead midway ond half we did well and moved tenure. a corner kick in the 64th minute tino, who led Atlanta United to to have a chance of survival. through the first half and the ball about but they got that MEXICO GIVE MANAGER Mexico’s Raul Jimenez broke and Hirving Lozano chipped a the MLS Cup last season before South Africa have qualified for Mahamadou Sabo levelled for penalty. We need to keep im- MARTINO A WINNING START the scoreless game open when shot over the Chilean goalkeep- being named as Mexico’s head the Olympics twice, but made Niger just before the hour. proving.” Mexico scored three second- he converted a penalty kick in er’s head less than a minute later coach in January.

BOTTOMLINE Catch them while you can: Messi and Ronaldo will not be around for ever

By Amy Lawrence seduced a stadium full of Real Messi will be 32 in June. The After travelling by rail to Italy, ment to ponder how or when it The Guardian Betis fans with an explosively compulsion to go and see them Juventus’ Portuguese 29 September 1991 was the date might be possible to see Messi beautiful hat-trick, coming so while you can, if you have not forward Cristiano Ronaldo. of destiny, having secured a or Ronaldo, to be able to go soon after Cristiano Ronaldo already, is powerful. ticket outside San Siro for Milan through life and say: “I saw him o a 70s kid the sense of carried Juventus onwards in the A group of eagle-eyed parents v Genoa. What happened next play.” It is strange to ponder awe even to meet anyone Champions League fuelled by his recently provided their off spring made the moment memorable how the game may feel in the who had seen Pelé or own theatrical charge, it was only with the opportunity of a life- if not in the ideal way. A biblical probably not too distant future Eusébio or Johan Cruyff natural to think about how lucky time when they spotted one of storm broke. Three minutes and when they are no longer the Tplay was overwhelming. Just we are to love football at the same the Champions League sponsors 12 seconds into a second half that protagonists, no longer on stage imagine that … watching such point in history that these two off ering a mascot experience for resembled more of a water sport and under the lights, no longer players in the fl esh … in front are playing, especially as so much the quarter-fi nals. Two English than football, with Milan lead- active players. of their own eyes. Some people is accessible, in real time, to be boys were selected to attend ing 1-0, the referee called it off . Messi has been in Barcelona’s of my parents’ generation had watched by anyone anywhere. Juventus v Atlético Madrid, and Some 69,909 spectators were fi rst team since 2005. Ronaldo attended the 1966 World Cup in Even so, the idea of seeing one for Lyon v Barcelona. The infuriated and had little option became the world’s most expen- England, so every now and again them play, not through a screen cost for this chance to brush ri- but to wade off . sive teenager, a leap to propel a football conversation would but with the naked eye, retains diculously close to greatness was There were some kerfuffl es him into the international con- turn in the direction of the greats that elemental magic that made €350 (£303). It might sound on outside at the Piazzale Axum, the sciousness, in 2003. Any football and these lucky souls would not anyone who had seen Pelé on the the steep side but it turned out area where the buses and trams lover on the planet under the age be able to contain their welling pitch seem like a special person. to be bargain. Two face-value ferry supporters to and from the of roughly 21 will not remember satisfaction as they piped up: “I The clock is ticking. Messi and prime tickets for parent and stadium. Everywhere was ankle a time when football’s constella- saw Pelé play.” Ronaldo have been the centre of child, at €220 each, already more each mascot is appointed is ran- was more excited than him to be deep in water. L’Unita newspaper tion did not revolve around these It was jaw-dropping stuff . football’s universe for around 15 than pays back the outlay. dom, but when Ronaldo noticed honest,” his father said. the following day would describe two most luminous stars. And For us kids Pelé’s legend mainly years and, however much their The mascots in Turin met a kid with CR7 shaved into his I remember a considerably less San Siro forlornly as a “barca”, maybe, when all is said and done, existed in books and maga- brilliance seems superhuman, up at 4.30pm on the day of the hairstyle, there was a last mo- glitzy experience in my youth- a boat. that is what has made this era zines, short clips on a football however convincingly they ap- match, got a training session and ment switch as to which mascot ful attempt to pay homage to It is funny the details that stick so extraordinary. People craw or programme every now and again, pear to play in a diff erent zone of snacks at a nearby sport centre, got the best gig. While most of Arrigo Sacchi’s legendary Milan in the mind for decades. Some wince at the who is better or who or a montage every four years time and space from anyone else, went to their dressing room to be the other mascots were Italian a team, the most glamorous thing pathetically made espadrilles is your favourite nonsense. when it was World Cup time. well, it is not realistically going handed their kit to keep (you had girl fl ew in from Indonesia who in football at the age when it was disintegrated in this sudden urban But what brilliant luck to have The mystique about his genius to go on forever. to supply your own black boots; did not really seem to know what suddenly possible to go off on lake, so I ended up walking away these two somehow pushing shimmered in a particular way It is a scary and somehow Adidas was requested but black was going on but her father was footballing travels. Clapping eyes from my dream visit to watch the themselves as well as each other. because so much was left to discomforting thought. What tape was available to mask any very happy. on Milan’s Dutch trio, Marco van team I most admired in the world, It would not have been the same our imagination. Names like will the football landscape look non-offi cial manufacturer). The boy who travelled to Lyon Basten, Ruud Gullit and Frank barefoot. It might not have gone had there been a Messi era and Garrincha, Puskas, Di Stéfano like without them? How will we Then came the big moment, against Barcelona, a nervous Rijkaard, with the masterful entirely to plan but still, I had seen a Ronaldo era without them somehow felt more fantastical manage? It feels like a neces- to meet the players in the tunnel eight-year-old from London, defender Franco Baresi patrolling Van Basten, Gullit, Rijkaard, Baresi constantly overlapping. than real. sity to savour the spells they and march hand in hand into the had the ridiculous luck to land behind, felt like an obligation, a et Al. Catch it, catch as much of it as The other day, as Lionel Messi continue to cast. Ronaldo is 34. spotlight. Apparently the player Messi as his hand to hold. “I pilgrimage. It is not an uncommon senti- you possibly can.

Sunday, March 24, 2019 GULF TIMES FOOTBALL

EURO 2020 QUALIFIERS SPOTLIGHT Mourinho targets England, France win; June return to club Ronaldo, Portugal management Sterling’s hat-trick fires England to 5-0 win over Czech Republic; draw blank France hand Moldova 4-1 defeat

AFP Paris

aheem Sterling showed that he is coming of age on the international stage as his hat-trick sawR England start their Euro 2020 qualifying campaign by hammering the Czech Republic 5-0, while Antoine Griezmann inspired France to a battering of Moldova. Reuters want. That’s the reason why I had Manchester City attacker Ster- Bengaluru to say (no) already to three or four ling had scored just two goals in diff erent off ers. And I know what his fi rst 45 caps, but he now has I want, in terms of not a specifi c fi ve in his last three international ormer Manchester Unit- club but the nature of the job, the appearances following Friday’s ed manager Jose Mour- dimension of the job.” treble, which helped England inho is targeting a return Mourinho had said in January storm to the top of Group A ahead to club management dur- that he was not sure if he would of Monday’s trip to Montenegro, ingF the close season in June and manage another club in England who drew 1-1 at Bulgaria. has an idea about the type of club after stints with Chelsea and Sterling opened the scoring in he wants to take charge of, the United. the 24th minute when he tapped Portuguese has said. The 56-year-old, however, home Jadon Sancho’s cross, and Mourinho has been out of a job ruled out taking the reins of a na- struck twice more in the second since he was sacked by United in tional team as he prefers the day- half to put the result beyond December following a dismal run to-day work that comes with be- doubt after Harry Kane fi red of results that left the club sixth ing a club manager. home his 21st England goal from in the Premier League standings, “I don’t think so,” Mourinho the penalty spot. 19 points behind league leaders said, when asked if he would “It was a beautiful team per- Liverpool. take charge of a national team. “I formance and I was happy to “What I have in mind is that I think a national team job is a very help the team get the win,” Ster- would like to be back in the sum- specifi c job. I like daily football, I ling said. mer, in June, for a new club, for a like daily work, I like many com- Sterling has 24 goals for club new pre-season,” Mourinho told petitions, I like matches and I and country this term and his beIN SPORTS. want to stay in football club level. impressive form is a fry cry from “I know exactly what I don’t But who knows?” the dark days when he was vili- fi ed as England crashed out of Euro 2016. FOCUS “I’m just being confi dent in myself, I’m trying to get in ar- eas and take shots, not to worry about anything,” he added. Dutch not favourites England carried the momen- England’s Raheem Sterling (right) celebrates after completing his hat-trick during the Euro 2020 Qualifier Group A match against Czech tum from a run to the World Cup Republic at in London on Friday. (Reuters) semi-fi nals and qualifi cation against struggling for the last four of the Nations William Carvalho had a fine League into the Euro qualifi - header ruled out for offside in ers and blooded young hopeful the 16th minute and Ronaldo, Germany: Van Dijk Sancho, who impressed on his Pepe and Andre Silva all went full England debut. close to opening the scoring, The 18-year-old who has but Ukraine stopper Andriy shone in the Bundesliga for Pyatov was on fine form to Borussia Dortmund, gave Eng- deny them. land fans further cause for ex- In the end the away side could citement, with his potential have snatched the three points adding to that of Sterling and through Junior Moraes, only for Kane coming into their prime. the debutant to fl uff a golden “I thought Raheem was elec- chance to grab a shock win. tric. He has looked like that all “We didn’t play as we wanted week in training. I’m pleased for to. We started slowly, not press- him, it is a special night for him,” ing the way we wanted,” said coach Gareth Southgate said. Manchester City midfi elder “I think he’s really matured Bernardo Silva. “The second as a person and a footballer. half we tried to create chances to He’s hungry for goals and hit- go after the game but unfortu- ting things instinctively without nately we didn’t score.” thinking too much.” RESULTS GRIEZMANN SHINES FOR Group A FRANCE England 5 (Sterling 24, 62, France also got off to a perfect 68, Kane 45+2-pen, Kalas 84-og) start after an older head in An- Czech Republic 0 toine Griezmann spurred the Bulgaria 1 (Nedelev 82-pen) world champions on to a com- France’s Antoine Griezmann kicks to score a goal during the Euro 2020 qualifier match against Moldova Montenegro 1 (Mugosa 50) fortable 4-1 victory at Moldova. in Chisinau, Moldova, on Friday. (AFP) Group B Griezmann opened the scor- Luxembourg 2 (Barreiro ing with his 27th France goal in rout with three minutes left, be- and Andorra respectively. Cristiano Ronaldo drew a Martins 45, Rodrigues 55) Lithua- the 24th minute of their Group fore Vladimir Ambros claimed a “We played a very consum- blank on his return to interna- nia 1 (Cernych 14) H encounter before crossing for late consolation for Moldova. mate fi rst half in terms of con- tional football after nine months Portugal 0 Ukraine 0 Raphael Varane to double the Griezmann would have had trol and attacking organisation. away, as Ukraine battled to a Group H scores three minutes later. two more assists had Giroud and The second half was less fulfi ll- goalless draw in Lisbon. Albania 0 Turkey 2 (Burak Olivier Giroud equalled David Paul Pogba been more clinical in ing due to substitutions,” said The draw was the fi rst time Yilmaz 21, Calhanoglu 55) Trezeguet as Les Bleus’ third front of goal, but France’s dis- coach Didier Deschamps. Santos’ side have failed to score Andorra 0 Iceland 2 (B. Bjar- Netherlands’s Quincy Promes (left) and Virgil van Dijk during training highest scorer of all time with play was easily enough for the “We’ve opened our campaign at home in 19 matches and nasson 22, Kjartansson 80) in Zeist, Netherlands, yesterday. (Reuters) his 34th international goal nine three points and top spot in the well and the second game comes leaves them second in the group Moldova 1 (Ambros 89) minutes before the break and group ahead of Iceland and Tur- around quickly. In three days we behind Luxembourg, who beat France 4 (Griezmann 24, Varane Reuters ess,” Van Dijk said on the eve of the Kylian Mbappe completed the key, 2-0 winners against Albania have do it again.” Lithuania 2-1. 27, Giroud 36, Mbappe 87) Amsterdam game at the Amsterdam Arena. “The Germans still have fan- tastic players even if they might BOTTOMLINE he Netherlands will not be talking over there (in Germa- be lulled into a false ny) about a crisis. We also had a sense of security when spell like that, where things did they face a struggling, not go for us,” added Van Dijk, McCarthy begins second Ireland spell with nervy win Tnew-look Germany in their Euro referring to his team’s failure to 2020 qualifi er in Amsterdam to- reach the 2016 European Cham- AFP know he has plenty of work to do with only a single goal to cheer day, captain Virgil van Dijk has pionship in France and last year’s Paris after seeing his men struggle to against the 194th-ranked team said. World Cup in Russia. claim just their second win in 12 in the world. The Dutch beat the Germans “That was not a good phase. matches. Elsewhere, World Cup quar- 3-0 at home last October and But we must worry about our- ick McCarthy made The visitors failed to break ter-fi nalists Sweden made a came from behind with two late selves and not Germany. I don’t an inauspicious down a stubborn Gibraltar in the winning start in Group F as goals to force a 2-2 draw away in think we are favourites but that is start to his second fi rst half despite dominating pos- midfi elders Robin Quaison and Gelsenkirchen one month later up to you members of the media stint in charge of the session, with Wolves full-back Viktor Claesson both scored to win a place in the Nations to decide.” MRepublic of Ireland as his team Matt Doherty starting in midfi eld in the space of seven fi rst-half League fi nals. The Dutch are, however, in laboured to a 1-0 Euro 2020 to accommodate captain Seamus minutes in a 2-1 success over The contrast in form contin- confi dent mood after Thursday’s qualifying victory over Gibraltar Coleman at right-back. . ued this week when Van Dijk was comfortable victory. on Saturday. Gibraltar almost took a shock Claudiu Keseru pulled one among the scorers as the Nether- “At times we played really The 60-year-old McCarthy, lead straight after the restart, back for the away side in Stock- lands beat Belarus 4-0 in Rotter- good football but it can, and it who led Ireland to the 2002 but captain Roy Chipolina saw holm, but Sweden held on, while dam on Thursday in their open- must be, a lot better on Sunday,” World Cup last 16 before resign- his header brilliantly saved by Ireland manager Mick McCarthy with player Jeff Hendrick at the end 10-man Malta saw off the Faroe ing Group C qualifi er, a day after said Van Dijk. “There were times ing later that year, was reap- Darren Randolph. of the match against Gibraltar yesterday. (Reuters) Islands 2-1 in the group’s other Germany proved unconvincing where we did not put enough pointed manager last November, Ireland took the lead less than game. in a 1-1 draw at home to Serbia in pressure on them and were slop- replacing Martin O’Neill. two minutes later, though, as But Gibraltar did not give up Ireland should have added a Earlier yesterday, Switzerland a warm-up international. py and lost the ball. The result leaves Ireland sec- Burnley midfi elder Jeff Hendrick and almost found an equaliser second late on, only for Bright- safely negotiated a tricky trip to “It does look like the Germans “Against Germany we can ex- ond in the early Group D table slotted home his second inter- when 37-year-old forward Lee on centre-back Shane Duff y to Georgia thanks to second-half are still in a building phase but pect a completely diff erent game behind Switzerland, who beat national goal from David Mc- Casciaro curled wide after a fi ne head wide with the goal gaping, goals from Steven Zuber and don’t forget that the Dutch side is and we all realise that. We know Georgia 2-0, but McCarthy will Goldrick’s cutback. team move. as their travelling fans were left Denis Zakaria. also going through the same proc- what we are capable of.”