FFORMULAORMULA 1 | Page 2 GGOLFOLF | Page 4 Round 1 to Horschel Hamilton but outlasts Verstappen Scheffl er to win hard to beat Match Play title

Tuesday, March 30, 2021 CRICKET Sha’aban 17, 1442 AH Bubble life is GULF TIMES tough, says Indian captain Kohli SPORT Page 3 FOOTBALL Qatar face Ireland today, eye hat-trick of wins By Sports Reporter Doha

atar will be aiming to record a hat-trick of wins when they take on Ireland today in the EuropeanQ Zone FIFA World Cup 2022 qualifi ers at the Nagyerdei Stadium in Debrecen, Hungary. After their 1-0 win over Lux- embourg in the fi rst match, Felix Sanchez’s men came back from a goal down to beat Azerbaijan 2-1, with captain Hassan al-Haydos striking twice. Going by Qatar’s and Ireland’s current form, the former will hold the advantage today. Ireland are on a terrible run of results and have yet to win a game during Stephen Kenny’s time in charge. They have drawn four and lost six under the former Dundalk manager. Qatar coach Felix Sanchez (centre) shares a light moment with off icials yesterday in Debrecen, Hungary. There were positive signs in At right, players go through their drills at a training session. Ireland’s 3-2 defeat to Serbia but Saturday night’s 1-0 reversal to But despite Ireland’s woeful cent defeats. That will motivate tinue the good out good run,” Luxembourg has compounded form and injury concerns, Qatar them,” the Spaniard said yester- he added. Ireland’s awful run of form. With coach Felix Sanchez expected a day. Sanchez hinted he will play a Tottenham full-back Matt Do- ‘diffi cult confrontation’ against a “I will be a high level match, strong team – the one he fi eld- Whoever plays will have to give said: “We hope to continue our thing is for the team to provide a herty and Enda Stevens ruled out ‘strong team’. especially from the physi- ed against Luxembourg last their 100 percent. We always good form. We want to play as decent performance. of today’s friendly, 58th ranked “There is no doubt that it cal point of view. They have Wednesday. strive to work hard and prepare a team with a collective spirit, “Personally, I want to help the Qatar will fancy their chances is a diffi cult match against a good players in their line-up. “I have an idea about the team our best to compete in the best which has been key for our suc- team and this is my goal and if I against Ireland, who are 29th in strong team that will be looking We will try to provide the best we will play but will take a fi nal possible way,” he said. cess in the recent past. It doesn’t get the opportunity I will score FIFA rankings. to bounce back from their re- possible level in order to con- decision after today’s training. Meanwhile, striker Almoez Ali matter who scores, the important goals of course,” he said.

MOTORCYCLING Vinales, Yamaha back in business with Losail victory Of course, lots can change very quickly in MotoGP. There’s no doubt that every rider will be stronger next weekend We are back.” Those were off , not look uncomfortable doing the rousing words of Maver- so, and going on to win the race in ick Vinales (Monster Energy commanding fashion was simply Yamaha MotoGP) straight stunning. “after he performed arguably his Yamaha’s game, and the vic- best premier class performance tories we’ve seen from Vinales in to date to claim victory at the 2021 recent years, has been to get out Barwa Grand Prix of Qatar. And at the front from the get-go and he’s not wrong. run your own race. Malaysia 2019 The Losail International Circuit is the prime example. It’s been the has only seen one manufacturer trademark for years for the Iwata win there in the last two seasons. factory, and a lot of the time it’s That is, of course, Ducati. Head- worked. But after last season es- ing into the opening race of 2021, pecially, something needed to the Italian manufacturer in the change. And seemingly, some- capable hands of Francesco Bag- thing has. naia, Ducati Lenovo Team team- Both Vinales and Yamaha look mate Jack Miller and Johann Zarco like improved weapons in 2021, (Pramac Racing) were favourites to and what was uplifting to see was continue the trend. What very few the Spaniard speaking with such people expected was a Vinales vic- pride in the post-race Press Con- tory. Not because he isn’t capable, ference about how happy he is but because Ducati’s straight-line with life at home. He’s now a hus- speed and off the mark advantage band and a father to be. A stress- seemed a bit too much to over- free Vinales is obviously a very, come for the Yamahas, especially very quick Vinales. after what we saw in 2020. Many It might have only been Round 1 were proved wrong. of the season, but we learned a lot As the lights went out, Ducati’s from Qatar’s opener. When Vinal- monsters roared into Turn 1 four es says “we are back”, it looks like abreast. Vinales and teammate Fa- he really means it. The Spaniard Maverick Vinales celebrates winning the season-opening bio Quartararo were helpless from won one race last season but it was Barwa Grand Prix of Qatar on Sunday. the front row as Bagnaia, Miller, a largely disappointing year for Zarco and even Jorge Martin both him and Yamaha in general. (Pramac Racing) – from 14th on Yes, they won seven out of 14 rac- the grid – shot into the fi rst corner es, but Vinales and Quartararo’s in P1, P2, P3 and P4. It was unreal title challenges on the latest spec to watch. But what happened next machinery went up in smoke. To proved that Yamaha and Vinales display such a performance that is have turned a corner. pretty much the total opposite of Through the fi rst sector, Vinales what we’ve seen from Vinales and was P9. From there, previously, it Yamaha in recent years is a tell-tail was probably game over in terms sign that the combination is here for Vinales in Iwata blue. Three be the start of what we all came to take anything away from what we There’s no doubt that every rider we’re only one race into a season. of a decent points haul for Yamaha to stay at the top of the Champi- wins in the opening fi ve races was expect though. witnessed on Sunday under the will be stronger at the Losail In- A lot can change over the com- as battling in a pack with diff erent onship for the foreseeable. a dream start to life as a Yamaha It must be said that Yamaha lights. Let’s reiterate: it’s not the ternational Circuit next weekend, ing months. However, Vinales machines is something that has Since winning his fi rst race rider, but fi ve wins – including the have always performed well in the win that was most impressive, it but Vinales has rekindled old feel- has returned to action with an been a huge weak point in the last with Yamaha in Qatar at the start latest triumph – since the famous Qatari desert: Vinales, Valentino was the style of win that has raised ings with his YZR-M1. Winning in almighty bang. Is this form here couple of seasons. So for Vinales to of the 2017 season, it’s fair to say Le Mans encounter hasn’t been Rossi and Jorge Lorenzo have all eyebrows. Of course, lots can such fashion sends out a warning to stay? Time will tell. (motogp. then pick each rider in front of him it hasn’t completely gone to plan the icing on the cake. This might won at Losail. But that shouldn’t change very quickly in MotoGP. shot to the rest of the fi eld, but com) Gulf Times 2 Tuesday, March 30, 2021 SPORT

FORMULA ONE Round one to Hamilton but Verstappen is hard to beat Bold strategy and supreme racecraft won the day after Verstappen, who had led testing and every practice session

Reuters London

ewis Hamilton and Mercedes took top honours in the sea- son’s opening Formula One race on Sunday in Bahrain but RedL Bull’s Max Verstappen will be hard to beat as the championship continues. Bold strategy and supreme racecraft won the day after Verstappen, who had led testing and every practice session, started from pole position with a faster car only to fi nish second. The 23-year-old Dutch driver would surely have won had he not gone off track while passing Hamilton on fresh- er tyres with four laps remaining, and then been ordered to hand back the lead in a key moment of a nail-biting race. “If somebody would have told me this is going to be the result on Sunday, I would have probably not believed it,” said Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff . “I have no doubt that they (Red Bull) are extremely diffi cult to beat. They are the ones that are leading the pack. And I think today, the racing gods were on our side. “It’s not that we have found sudden- Mercedes’ British driver Lewis Hamilton celebrates after winning the Bahrain Formula One Grand Prix at the Bahrain ly some awesome performance.” International Circuit in the city of Sakhir on Sunday. At right, Max Verstappen. The victory, by a margin of 0.7 of a drivers’ and constructors’ titles, after Hamilton said he was as excited as second, was Hamilton’s record-ex- already looks a lot harder. Bahrain has not been Red Bull’s whose win was his 75th for Mercedes Red Bull won four in a row with Sebas- anyone at the prospect of such a gen- tending 96th and continued for a 15th “Last year we would have been su- strongest race in the past, which made and the 300th by a British driver since tian Vettel from 2010-13. erational battle. successive season his run of winning per-happy with this result and now their form on the opening weekend all the championship started in 1950. Verstappen, who at 18 became the “I think it’s something that all the in every year he has competed in the we are disappointed, so we defi nitely the more ominous. “We just don’t know how much bet- youngest race winner in the sport’s fans have wanted for a long time. Of sport. made a good step forward,” said Ver- “Red Bull’s pace is incredibly strong, ter they’ll be in other places that we go history, has long been seen as the course, this is only one race, so we The 36-year-old won 11 of the 16 stappen, whose new teammate Sergio as you could see. We can’t match them to, or how much worse.” champion-in-waiting and there is a don’t know what the future holds,” he races he started last year but the task Perez went from last to fi fth. in qualifying right now,” said Hamilton, Mercedes have won the last seven mounting feeling his time has come. added.

SPOTLIGHT FOCUS I loved every Morbidelli questions Yamaha’s minute, says priorities aft er Losail race Hamilton aft er ensions between Franco entino Rossi, are ahead of him in the fered an issue during the race: “I don’t tough opening win Morbidelli (Petronas Yamaha pecking order despite last year’s hero- know with what rush they will take this SRT) and Yamaha look to be ics. The former Moto2 World Cham- problem,” said the Petronas Yamaha Reuters tending 96. Formula One has for fraught following a disap- pion is one of only three men on the SRT man. “But I hope they will take it Manama years been waiting for a proper Tpointing start to the 2021 MotoGP grid not to be riding 2021 machinery, with a lot of seriousness.” battle between the sport’s most World Championship that saw last along with premier class rookies Enea Morbidelli won’t be riding a 2021 bike successful driver and the man year’s runner-up slump to 18th. A Bastianini (Esponsorama Racing) and for the rest of the year, with rules for- ewis Hamilton fended off tipped to be his successor and problem with his Yamaha M1 moments Luca Marini (SKY VR46 Esponsorama). bidding him from receiving an upgrade young challenger Max Sunday delivered round one in a before the lights went out in Qatar, be- In 2020, he was able to make the most halfway through the year. Instead, he Verstappen in one of the record 23-race season. lieved to be with his holeshot device, of a 12-month-old package to fi nish will remain on the ‘A-spec’ Yamaha M1, toughest battles of his “I loved every minute of it. saw the three-time race winner quickly just 13 points adrift of eventual World diff erent from the ‘factory-spec’ ma- FormulaL One career in Bahrain Every minute of the weekend I’ve drop backwards and out of points con- Champion Joan Mir (Team Suzuki Ec- chines that Qatar GP winner Viñales, on Sunday and said he had loved loved,” said Hamilton. tention on the opening lap. star). But, as nearly every other rider plus Quartararo and Rossi, ride. every minute of it. Mercedes’ “These guys (Red Bull) have Speaking after the season-opener on the grid made a step forwards with There is no doubt that the Ital- seven times world champion took done a better job so far and so for in Qatar to motogp.com, Morbidelli new machinery for 2021, Morbidelli has ian will bounce back and we won’t see the chequered fl ag in the season- us to come away with this result, pointed the fi nger at Yamaha: “I know stood still and is now two years behind him languishing outside of the points opener with less than a second given that we weren’t the fastest I’m not on the top of Yamaha’s list at the rest by continuing to ride predomi- very often. But the relationship be- separating him from his Red Bull this weekend, is a real result.” the moment,” said the irate Italian, nantly a 2019 Yamaha M1. Morbidelli’s tween Yamaha and himself does appear rival after soaking up intense Verstappen had led from the clearly feeling both Monster Energy jibes at Yamaha after the race then con- strained following the out-of-charac- pressure over the closing laps in start but Mercedes pitted Ham- Yamaha men Fabio Quartararo and tinued as he questioned how bothered ter outburst on Sunday night. a long fi nal stint on hard tyres. ilton early to try and get a jump Maverick Viñales, plus teammate Val- the Iwata factory would be that he suf- (motogp.com) Verstappen had reeled in Hamil- on the Red Bull, with the lead ton steadily to seize the lead with switching between the two on four laps to go after going behind diff ering tyre strategies. BOTTOMLINE on strategy but in doing so ran “Stopping early, we knew it wide, outside the track limits, was going to be diffi cult but we and had to hand back the advan- had to cover Max. They’ve had tage. There was to be no second amazing performance all week- Seib Al Massiya Golf Tournament held at ECGC chance. The Dutch 23-year-old end so it was going to take some- had been fastest in pre-season thing pretty special,” said the brings to the forefront a new testing, topped all three practice Briton “Max was all over me right experience premium medical sessions, secured pole position at the end.” insurance for the first time in and was the hot race favourite. “The pressure was immense. Qatar. The plan includes global “I think ultimately if he hadn’t “He’s a fantastic driver and coverage, premium benefits, a made the mistake he probably they have the quicker car so to dedicated concierge desk and would have won the race, but keep him behind, on fresh tyres service flexibility. that’s what makes and loses you also, was one of the hardest Commenting on the event, wins,” said Hamilton, who took (challenges) that I’ve had for a Elias Chedid, Deputy Chief his career tally to a record-ex- while.” Executive Officer at Seib In- surance, stated: “I am pleased to congratulate the winners of the first edition of Seib Al Sandwich wrapper wrecked Alonso’s comeback Massiya Golf Tournament whose skills and passion made Manama: Fernando Alonso’s “The start was fun, we gained the event a truly remarkable Renault-owned Alpine team some places and I had some The winners walked away with attractive prizes. experience. I would also like to have blamed a discarded enjoyable battles with old thank the golfers in our com- sandwich wrapper for wrecking colleagues. However, it was eib Insurance and Re- dedicated concierge desk and munity who participated mak- the double world champion’s disappointing to not see the insurance Company service flexibility. ing it lively with their enthusi- Formula One comeback race in chequered flag in the end,” said organised the Seib Al To this end, Seib Insurance asm and high spirits. Bahrain on Sunday. the 39-year-old. S Massiya Golf Tourna- sponsored one million riyals “All of this could not have The Spaniard retired from his Sunday’s season-opener had ment on March 19 at the Edu- worth of prizes in line with its been possible without our first race since 2018 after the fans in attendance after organis- cation City Golf Club. ongoing investment in sports partners at the Education City car’s rear brakes overheated. ers made tickets available to The event gathered the activity and its belief in fos- Golf Club, who organised the “After the second stop, a those fully vaccinated against club’s members and golfers tering the community’s well- event and Alfardan Medical sandwich wrap paper got stuck Covid-19 or who had recovered from around Doha in an en- being. with Northwestern Medicine inside the rear brake duct of from the virus. Most of last gaging tournament to learn Prizes were given out by whose support was instru- Fernando’s car, which led to high year’s grands prix were behind about Seib Insurance & Rein- esteemed guests attending Naimi, Deputy General Man- The tournament also awarded mental in bringing this event temperatures and caused some closed doors. surance’s advanced healthcare the tournament, including ager at Education City Golf Mohamed al-Mansour the title to life. damage to the brake system,” “It’s the first time we have seen coverage plan – Massiya. Sheikh Dr Mohamed bin Ha- Club. Division A winners in- of the best Qatari player of the “With the conclusion of this said team executive director fans in a long time and it’s so The prestigious coverage mad al-Thani, Director of The cluded Arnaud Kervren in first tournament. tournament, we look forward Marcin Budkowski. good to see people out here and plan, Massiya, brings to the Public Health Department at place, Chris De Kock in second The winners walked away to more editions in the com- “So we retired him for safety everyone keeping their distance forefront a new experience of the Ministry of Public Health place, and Mark Cooke in third with exciting prizes alongside ing years and to partnering reasons.” and staying safe,” seven-times individual and family medical (MoPH), Mohamed Noor A. place. Division B winners were trophies, including exclusive with more key local entities as Alonso had qualified ninth for world champion Lewis Hamilton insurance for the first time in al-Obaidli, Board Member at Scott John in first place, Omar vouchers to Massiya, Seib In- a part of Seib’s relentless com- the race at Sakhir but retired on said after winning the race for Qatar. The plan includes global Seib Insurance & Reinsurance Elkhatib in second place and surance and Reinsurance’s ad- mitment to the well-being of lap 32. Mercedes. coverage, premium benefits, a Company, and Mohamed al- Simon Cockbill in third place. vanced healthcare plan which the society.” Gulf Times Tuesday, March 30, 2021 3 CRICKET

SPOTLIGHT FOCUS Smith puts hand up to lead Bubble life is Australia again if given chance tough: Kohli ‘You can’t expect everyone to be at the same level of mental strength’

Reuters “I’ve certainly had a lot of time would be required. Sydney to think about it and I guess now Few players have better cre- I’ve got to a point where if the dentials to succeed Paine than opportunity did come up again, I the 31-year-old Smith but it has hree years after his ig- would be keen,” Smith told News been fast bowler Pat Cummins nominious exit as Aus- Corp. who has been nurtured in the tralia’s captain in the “If it was what Cricket Aus- past as Australia’s vice-captain. Twake of the ball-tam- tralia wanted and it was what was “I’m always going to have to pering scandal, Steve Smith has best for the team at the time, it’s live with Cape Town regardless said he is keen and ready to lead certainly something I would be of whether I lead again or not. It’s the national side again if an op- interested in now, that’s for sure.” always there,” Smith said. “I’ve portunity came his way. The scandal centred around been through all that now. Smith, one of the world’s best Smith, his deputy David Warner “Time keeps moving forward, contemporary batsmen, was sus- and Cameron Bancroft, who was and I’ve learnt so much the India’s captain Virat Kohli celebrates beating England in the ODI series in Pune on Sunday. pended from international crick- caught on camera attempting to last few years about myself and et for 12 months and banned from change the condition of the ball grown as a human being. I feel as leadership roles for two years for using sandpaper, and it plunged though I’d be in a better place if AFP two to three months, is going to England’s rest-and-ro- jured Eoin Morgan in the last his role in the “sandpaper-gate” Australian cricket into crisis. the opportunity did come up. Pune be very, very diffi cult going for- tate policy ensured players two one-day internationals. scandal in Cape Town in March, Paine has since led Australia’s “If it doesn’t, that’s fi ne as ward,” Kohli said. had breaks during their three “So we are all very thankful 2018. Test side with distinction, but well and I’d support whoever is “You can’t expect everyone months touring Sri Lanka, of that to help with those situa- After Smith’s ban Tim Paine with the wicketkeeper-batsman in charge the same way I’ve sup- irat Kohli says cricket- to be at the same level of mental where they played two Tests, tions and also it’s about how we took over the reins of Austral- turning 37 by the time he cap- ported Tim and Finchy. I haven’t ers are suff ering after strength. Some times you do get and India. plan moving forward. That’s go- ia’s test side while Aaron Finch tains the hosts in the Ashes se- always felt like I wanted to do it months of bio-secure cooked and you do feel like a bit England beat Sri Lanka 2-0 ing to be part of player welfare.” was handed the captaincy of the ries against England at the end again. That’s only come in the “bubble” life during of a change. but went down to India 3-1 in Curran, who said he had come white-ball formats. of 2021, a clear succession plan last little bit.” Vthe coronavirus pandemic as “I am sure things will be dis- Tests and 3-2 in the Twenty20 back “refreshed” after going they head into the high-stress cussed and things will change in series. England players includ- home during the four Tests, hit environment of the Indian Pre- the future as well. ing Ben Stokes, Jos Buttler a valiant unbeaten 95 in the fi nal mier League. “But a diff erent tournament, (both Rajasthan Royals), Jonny ODI. Kohli, one of the game’s most it brings fresh challenges head- Bairstow (Sunrisers Hydera- “It’s another learning series SA venues suit Pakistan, says Misbah disciplined captains, raised his ing into the IPL.” bad) and Sunday’s batting hero for me, really enjoyed it and I concerns after his India side edged Most international players Sam Curran (Chennai Super feel like it has given me lot of AFP nationals. England by seven runs in a thrilling have been restricted to staying Kings) are staying on to join confi dence going into the IPL,” Johannesburg Bavuma said he respected the decider to clinch the one-day se- inside bio-secure “bubbles” the IPL. said Curran after his man-of- relationship between the South ries 2-1 in Pune on Sunday. since August, with only small Buttler said he was “excited” the-match performance just African and Indian boards that Players from both the sides breaks. From September until to take part in the tournament failed to produce a stunning vic- akistan head coach enabled star players to fulfil moved on immediately to join January, India’s players went which lasts until May 30. He tory for England who had fallen Misbah-ul-Haq said their IPL contracts. their squads for the world’s through similar quarantine and said England management had to 200-7 chasing 330 to win. yesterday he believed Quinton de Kock, Kagiso Ra- richest franchise Twenty20 isolation regimes in the delayed kept players in top mental and England, who have already the venues for two bada, Lungi Ngidi, David Miller tournament, which starts on 2020 IPL in the UAE and their physical shape. played six Tests in 2021, have white-ballP series in South Af- and Anrich Nortje will miss the April 9, and all will have to go tour of Australia before having “It’s been great that eve- an intensive calendar ahead and rica would suit his team, as third one-day international and through restrictions again in the a short break ahead of the home ryone’s health has been really are scheduled to play another they stepped up preparations all four Twenty20 internation- IPL “bubble”. England series which com- looked after and whenever it’s 12 Tests by January 2022, fi ve at after arriving in the country. have already played here and als because of their IPL com- “Scheduling needs to be prised four Tests, fi ve Twenty20 possible to get out of the ‘bub- home against India, two against Misbah, speaking for the first performed very well. mitments. looked at in future, because matches and three one-day in- ble’ and back in,” said Buttler, New Zealand and fi ve away Ash- time since Pakistan arrived in “Those previous performances “For the first two games we playing in ‘bubbles’ for so long, ternationals. who stood in as captain for in- es Tests in Australia. South Africa, said he looked and experiences definitely help have got all our best players forward to three one-day inter- you. Pakistan always have the so it is important to get posi- nationals and four Twenty20 luxury of good fast bowlers and tive results in those first two BOTTOMLINE internationals, which will be I think that is the reason why games,” said Bavuma. shared between the Wanderers we do well here.” “But that is not to say we are Stadium in Johannesburg and South Africa played a Test conceding the third game. We SuperSport Park in Centurion series and a T20 series in believe we have the replace- in order to adhere to Covid-19 Pakistan recently and Misbah ments with guys coming in to protocols. said the reciprocal series was fill those boots.” The series starts with a one-day important in times made dif- Bavuma said that the tour England will not panic international is in Centurion on ficult because of the Covid-19 provided an opportunity for Friday. pandemic when the calendar players to stake a claim for two “If I look back, when we used had been impacted by the World T20 tournaments in the to come here and play, these crisis. next two years as well as the two wickets, Centurion and “It is our duty as diff erent 2023 Cricket World Cup. despite defeats: Buttler Wanderers, we always enjoyed nations to keep going, keep “We’ve got 22 players, which AFP these pitches,” said Misbah, helping each other and keep is a big squad,” he said. “The Pune who captained Pakistan on a this game alive.” message to the players is that 2012/13 tour of South Africa. New South African white-ball 90 % of the World Cup squads “The bounce and pace is very captain Temba Bavuma con- will come from this group. It is onsecutive Test, Twen- true and as a batsman you firmed earlier that South Africa important that the guys under- ty20 and One-Day se- enjoy that,” he said. “You get would only be able to use their stand there is an opportunity ries defeats would be full value for your shots. Some Indian Premier League players and also that they know where enough for most cricket of the players in this team for the first two one-day inter- they stand.” nationsC to ring the changes, but not England, according to team stalwart Jos Buttler. India captain Virat Kohli said COMMENT after claiming the ODIs with a seven-run win in a tense de- cider on Sunday that it had been “sweet” to beat old rivals England learned valuable England in every contest on the three-month tour. Kohli predicted “exciting lessons, says Silverwood times” ahead for his side who are now expected to depose AFP But Virat Kohli’s men bounced Silverwood said England, world England as the world’s top one- London back strongly to win the last three champions in the 50-over ODI day side in the ICC rankings the T20 tournament in October in so low in the order and nearly things right,” said Buttler. Tests and also took the Twenty20 format, had garnered valuable ex- before they host the Twenty20 and again in 2023 when they de- securing an unlikely win. “Liam is obviously a very at- and one-day international (ODI) perience for the T20 World Cup, World Cup this year. fend their 50-over World Cup “Many guys are never re- tacking, aggressive batsman and ngland cricket coach honours after both series went to being held in India later this year. The Tests, won 3-1, saw In- title in India. ally exposed to that situation we want him to play in exactly Chris Silverwood said his a decider. The England coach also revisited dia showcase a devastating new The unbeaten 95 by number in their whole career so he will that fashion when he comes in,” team had learned many “I’m very proud of them,” said the controversial rotation policy, spinner in Axar Patel, while eight Sam Curran and two ag- take great learning from that,” he added. lessons from their tour of Silverwood. “I’m proud of each which was used to give a number Prasidh Krishna was unleashed gressive innings by one-day said Buttler. “It is brilliant to see some- IndiaE even though they left emp- and every player who has been out of multi-format players including as a new pace threat in the ODIs. debutant Liam Livingstone “He is still only 22 and the one like Liam come in and play ty-handed after series defeats in here. Jos Buttler, Jonny Bairstow and Buttler, who stood in for in- caught the eye of England’s scope of where he can take his straight away in the fashion that all three formats. England have “I’m proud of the eff ort and Joe Root a rest at various points of jured captain Eoin Morgan, said management. game to is massive so we are all we would like people to play in. been on the road for almost three the attitude that’s been shown the tour. The approach attracted however that England’s rivals “Any time we expand the very excited for him.” “That shows that we are do- months, fi rst in Sri Lanka and towards the game. I think we’ve criticism in some quarters, with should not read too much into player pool, that creates com- Livingstone also impressed ing things right, the message is then in India, during one of the learned a lot and from that point frequent comings and goings seen the defeats. petition, that creates better per- with his unbeaten 27 in Eng- getting through to people and most restrictive away trips ever of view I couldn’t ask any more of as disruptive. “We have been a brilliant side formances and that creates the land’s emphatic six-wicket win we will continue to play in that undertaken as a result of corona- them. I think we take a lot of ex- However, Silverwood said he for a long period of time now.” upward trajectory we are always on Thursday followed by his 36 way.” virus protocols. perience. would not do things any diff er- Buttler and Morgan believe after,” said Buttler. on Sunday. England may not have won a England started their tour well, “It’s a very diffi cult place to ently given the psychological de- that exposing new players to The England wicketkeeper- “Liam coming in and playing series in India but Buttler said: winning their Test series against come and win, we know that In- mands of touring during a pan- India’s bedevilling sun-baked batsman said Curran had been in those two games the way he “We are in a really good place as Sri Lanka 2-0 and won the fi rst dia are very strong in their condi- demic and the already punishing pitches will benefi t England at put in a unique position coming has, it shows that we are doing a side.” Test against India in Chennai. tions.” physical workloads. Gulf Times 4 Tuesday, March 30, 2021 GOLF

FOCUS Dahmen wins fi rst US PGA crown in windy Dominican thriller AFP is pretty incredible. This is unbe- caddie with delight, and tapped in went in,” Dahmen said. “I don’t Miami lievable. This is awesome.” for par while Campos left his chip know how I’m here. It’s crazy.” Joel Dahmen poses with the trophy Northern Ireland’s Graeme short and two-putted for bogey, aft er winning the Corales Puntacana McDowell and Canada’s Michael leaving Dahmen ahead by one. LEADING SCORES AFTER FINAL Resort & Club Championship in Punta merican Joel Dahmen Gligic shared fourth on 278 with At the par-4 18th green, Dah- ROUND Cana. (Getty Images/AFP) held off Puerto Rico’s Argentina’s Emiliano Grillo and men was 30 feet from the cup while (USA unless noted, par 72) Rafael Campos over the American Hudson Swaff ord on 279 Campos was half that distance. 276-Joel Dahmen 67-71-68-70 gusty fi nal holes Sun- and England’s Danny Willett in Dahmen rolled his putt to three 277-Sam Ryder 68-72-70-67, Rafael Aday to win his fi rst US PGA title, eighth on 280. feet, putting the pressure upon Campos (PUR) 68-69-69-71 capturing the Corales Puntacana Dahmen birdied four of the fi rst Campos. 278-Graeme McDowell (NIR) Championship. seven holes to pull away but bo- After backing off for a wind 70-69-70-69, Michael Gligic (CAN) Dahmen, who missed the cut in geys at the par-3 11th and par-5 gust, Campos made his putt and it 73-66-68-71 six of his past seven starts, fi red 14th dropped him back level for the looked good - the Caribbean golfer 279-Hudson Swaff ord 70-71-68-70, a two-under par 70 to fi nish on lead with Campos, who had birdied bending his knees and cocking a Emiliano Grillo (ARG) 70-73-65-71 12-under 276 at the windy Domini- the par-5 fourth and seventh, and fi st pump - only to have a wind gust 280-Danny Willett (ENG) 70-70- can resort to defeat Campos and Gligic on 12-under with three bru- deny the ball a spot at the bottom 67-73 American Sam Ryder by one stroke. tally windy holes remaining. “I was of the cup. 281-Brice Garnett 70-72-71-68, Ben “It’s so fricking hard to win a in control, or so I thought. I don’t “I knew this putt. I’ve putted Martin 71-70-71-69, Greyson Sigg golf tournament,” Dahmen said. “I know what happened to me. I kind this putt. Five inches out I thought 72-70-70-69, Sepp Straka (AUT) knew it was hard but I can’t believe of lost it,” Dahmen said of his back- it was right in the heart,” Campos 72-68-69-72 how hard it actually is.” nine stumbles. said after settling for the best fi nish 282-David Hearn (CAN) 72-72-72- World number 81 Dahmen’s best Gligic, whose best prior PGA ef- of his PGA career. 66, Joseph Bramlett 69-73-72-68, prior PGA fi nishes were runner- fort was a share of 11th last year in “Really hurts. But great week. I Chesson Hadley 70-70-73-69, up eff orts at the 2019 Wells Fargo Bermuda, fell back with bogeys at can’t complain. I grinded it out. It Thomas Detry (BEL) 70-70-72-70, Championship and 2018 John the par-4 16th and stumbled back wasn’t meant to be.” Thomas Pieters (BEL) 69-70-69-74 Deere Classic. with a bogey at the par-4 16th and Dahmen sank his tense fi nal putt 283-Jonhattan Vegas (VEN) 73-70- “It has been a tough start to 18th. At the pivotal par-3 17th, for the long-sought triumph. “I 72-68, Chase Seiff ert 73-71-71-68, the year,” Dahmen said. “To turn Dahmen barely missed a chip-in, don’t know how I tapped in that Tyler McCumber 72-69-73-69, around (6 of 7) missed cuts to this nearly fl ipping his club into his three-footer but I’m thankful it Roberto Castro 70-69-70-74

REPORT SPOTLIGHT South Korean Park takes wire-to-wire Horschel outlasts LPGA Kia Classic win AFP Leading fi nal-round Los Angeles scores (USA unless noted, par-72) PGA Hall of Famer Park 274-Park In-bee (KOR) 66-69- Scheffl er to win WGC In-bee of South Korea 69-70 fi red a two-under par 70 279-Amy Olson 75-69-67-68, on Sunday to win the Kia Lexi Thompson 72-72-66-69 ‘There’s so much LClassic by fi ve strokes for her 280-Ko Jin-young (KOR) 71-71- 21st career LPGA title. 68-70 emotion, so many Park, a seven-time major win- 281-Kim Hyo-joo (KOR) 67- ner and the 2016 Olympic cham- 72-72-70, Minjee Lee (AUS) turns of tides’ pion, fi nished on 14-under 274 72-69-68-72 Match Play title after 72 holes at Aviara, north of 282-Stacy Lewis 73-70-74-65, San Diego. In her fi rst event of Danielle Kang 70-74-69-69, AFP the season, Park shocked herself Hsu Wei-ling (TPE) 71-69-72-70 Washington and onlookers with an overpow- 283-Nelly Korda 75-69-70-69, ering performance. Brooke Henderson (CAN) 73- “It was a great week,” Park 70-68-72 illy Horschel defeated said. “It was my fi rst week back 284-Ryu So-yeon (KOR) 74-73- fellow American Scot- in three months or so. I played so 70-67, Amy Yang 69-76-70-69, tie Scheffl er 2&1 on good. I couldn’t believe how well Ayako Uehara (JPN) 72-73-69- Sunday to win the WGC I was doing out there. 70, Jenny Shin (KOR) 71-74-68- MatchB Play Championship and “I came here to prepare for 71, Marina Alex 73-69-71-71, Yan capture his sixth career US PGA next week and I exceeded (my Jing (CHN) 73-69-71-71, Annie title. expectations) – so much more.” Park 72-74-66-72, Nicole Broch Horschel, the 2014 Tour Americans Lexi Thompson Larsen (DEN) 70-71-71-72, Hur Championship and FedEx Cup and Amy Olson shared second Mi-jung (KOR) 71-71-67-75 playoff winner, chipped in from on 279. South Korean Ko Jin- 285-Lee Mi-hyang (KOR) 43 feet to win the par-4 fi fth young, the world number one, 72-74-70-69, Lizette Salas hole and level the fi nal, won the was fourth on 280 with South 75-68-72-70, Cheyenne Knight seventh and ninth with pars and Korea’s eighth-ranked Kim 72-72-70-71, Ariya Jutanugarn halved the fi nal eight holes at Hyo-joo and 10th-ranked Aus- (THA) 73-74-66-72, Sophia Austin (Texas) Country Club for tralian Minjee Lee shared fi fth Popov (GER) 68-68-76-73. the victory. on 281. “There’s so much emotion, Park, 32, was a wire-to-wire so many turns of tides,” said winner without ties for the fi rst spiration, the LPGA’s fi rst ma- Horschel, who ousted French- time in her LPGA career after jor tournament of 2021, which man Victor Perez 3&2 in a leading by fi ve strokes when the starts Thursday at Rancho Mi- morning semi-fi nal. day began. rage, California. “I didn’t play really good. It It was Park’s fi rst victory since Park birdied the par-4 seventh was a tough day. I had two op- last year’s Women’s Australian and ninth holes and added her ponents that didn’t make any Open just before the LPGA shut third in four holes at the par-5 putts and I did and that was the down due to the Covid-19 pan- 10th. She stumbled with back- diff erence today.” demic. to-back bogeys at 12 and 13 but Horschel’s fi rst PGA triumph Park moved four shy of answered with an eagle 2 at the since taking the 2018 pairs event matching legend Park Se-ri for 16th and not even a bogey at the in New Orleans with country- the most career LPGA titles by a last could defl ate her victory. man Scott Piercy came after South Korean with 25. “I felt some pressure today, seven matches over fi ve days “It’s somebody I always especially on the back nine,” and an intense back-nine battle looked up to growing up,” Park Park said. “I don’t know why. I without a stumble by the win- said. “She’s always big in my had quite a bit of cushion. I made ner. heart. Trying to follow in her a couple of mistakes. The eagle “It’s huge,” Horschel said. “I footsteps is a big thing. I’m glad on 16 was a great eagle for me.” know I’ve won on tour and I feel I’m getting close.” Park is currently in position like I should have won more. I World number four Park dom- to qualify for the South Korean should have at least contended inated an event that featured the women’s Olympic team and a more in some of these WGC world’s 14 top-ranked players, chance at defending her gold events and majors.” a fi nal tuneup for the ANA In- medal in Tokyo. Local hero Scheffl er, seeking his fi rst US PGA title in his WGC Match Play debut, would have been the event’s youngest ever champion at 24. He watched the tournament while playing at the nearby Uni- versity of Texas and lives only a 15-minute drive from the course and was cheered by a limited crowd allowed to attend due to Covid-19 restrictions. Billy Horschel of the United States celebrates with the Walter Hagen Cup after winning 2&1 against Scottie Scheff ler of the United States in “I’m proud of the way I fought the final round of the World Golf Championships-Dell Technologies Match Play at Austin Country Club in Austin, Texas. (Getty Images/AFP) all week,” Scheffl er said. “My game was trending in the right birdie putt to win the par-5 sec- blasting out of a bunker within going, the juices get going and of the cup. direction pretty much the entire ond hole with an eagle, Scheffl er inches of the cup to halve the you don’t want to lose. It was a The 28-year-old Frenchman time. This afternoon was really saw Horschel swipe momentum par-5 16th. good battle with Victor, but it’s a moved to Scotland to be with the fi rst time I didn’t feel like I with the dramatic chip-in then At the par-3 17th, Scheffl er tough match to be a part of.” his dentist girlfriend and has played my best. lost holes with bogeys. needed to sink a birdie putt from Kuchar won the fi rst hole embraced Scottish golf culture “I grinded it out. I fought re- “That’s crazy my only birdie just inside 11 feet to win the hole with a bogey but Perez equalized living near St. Andrews. ally hard and I just wasn’t able of the day was that chip in,” and extend the match, but he with a 20-foot birdie putt at the to make the putts. I just couldn’t Horschel said. “I hit a lot of good missed to end the match, having par-4 second. Kuchar won the RESULTS FROM get really get anything going. putts early on I thought I made never managed a birdie against eighth with a par and then bird- CONCLUDING MATCHES Did what I could with what I that just missed. Horschel. ied three in a row to win the par- (x denotes seed) had. It just wasn’t enough.” “From there, it was just hold- 4 10th, par-3 11th and par-5 12th Final Scheffl er, the 30th seed, ing on to the reins and hopefully KUCHAR FINISHES THIRD and seize command. Billy Horschel (USA x32) bt Scot- edged US 52nd seed Matt Ku- I didn’t get bucked off .” Kuchar beat Perez 2&1 in the Perez sank a birdie putt from tie Scheff ler (USA x30) 2&1 char, the 2013 winner and 2019 Both players had bogeys at the third-place match, denying the just inside fi ve feet to win the Third-Place Match runner-up, 1 up in the semis. par-5 12th after Scheffl er found Frenchman special temporary par-4 13th and an eight-foot Matt Kuchar (USA x52) bt Victor Scheffl er never trailed in water and Horschel a greenside US PGA membership. birdie putt at the par-4 14th to Perez (FRA x31) 2&1 beating English Ryder Cup star bunker. Perez, ranked 33rd, is the pull within 2-down. Semi-finals Ian Poulter and Spanish third Scheffl er missed a birdie putt world’s top-rated player who is After pars to halve 15 and 16, Billy Horschel (USA x32) bt Vic- seed Jon Rahm in Saturday from just inside fi ve feet to halve not a US PGA Tour member. Perez needed a 20-foot birdie tor Perez (FRA x31) 3&2 Inbee Park of South Korea holds the winners trophy after her 14-under knockout matches. the par-4 14th and stay 2-down. “It was anti-climatic,” Ku- putt at the par-3 17th to extend Scottie Scheff ler (USA x30) bt par victory during the Final Round of the KIA Classic at the Aviara Golf After rolling in a 34-foot Horschel kept his margin by char said. “But once you get the match but rolled it just left Matt Kuchar (USA x52) 1 up Club in Carlsbad, California. (Getty Images/AFP) Gulf Times Tuesday, March 30, 2021 5 SPORT

NBA BASKETBALL Lakers add free agent Drummond Lakers hang on for the photo on Instagram on Sun- Reuters New York day evening and wrote: “Back to work.” The post included a pur- ple heart and a gold heart. he Los Angeles Lakers Drummond was not listed as offi cially announced the active when the Lakers tipped acquisition of free agent off their game against Orlando at center Andre Drum- 10pm EDT on Sunday night. narrow win over Tmond on Sunday, making offi cial The Lakers’ star players and a move that for days had been ru- members of the front offi ce moured to be happening. “have been recruiting Drum- The two-time All-Star and mond hard,” per ESPN. four-time NBA rebounding lead- Drummond, 27, and his agent, er agreed to a buyout with the Jeff Schwartz, also had discus- Cleveland Cavaliers on Friday sions with the Los Angeles Clip- and subsequently cleared waiv- pers, New York Knicks, Boston Magic, Suns survive ers. Celtics, Charlotte Hornets and The Lakers signed him to the others, sources told ESPN. veteran minimum for the re- Drummond averaged 17.5 ‘I think it’s a good win for our guys. I’m proud of how they competed’ mainder of this season. points and 13.5 rebounds in 25 “Andre Drummond gives us games this season. powerful, anchor-point skills on He has been sitting out since AFP both ends of the court,” Lakers February 12 while the Cavs un- Los Angeles executive vice president of bas- successfully attempted to fi nd a ketball operations and general trade partner before last week’s manager Rob Pelinka said in a deadline. ennis Schroder scored 24 points statement. The Cavaliers acquired Drum- Sunday as the injury-depleted “We feel extremely fortunate mond in February 2020 from the Los Angeles Lakers held on late to add a player of his calibre and Detroit Pistons for John Henson, for a much-needed 96-93 NBA magnitude to our core group at Brandon Knight and a 2023 sec- victoryD over the Orlando Magic. this stage of our journey to de- ond-round pick. The reigning NBA champion Lak- fend the NBA title.” In 624 career games (573 ers won their second straight game after Drummond, using an image starts), he has averaged 14.6 dropping four in a row since superstar of himself in a Lakers uniform points and 13.8 rebounds per LeBron James suff ered a high right an- and cradling a basketball, posted game. kle sprain, joining star big man Anthony Davis on the sidelines. Kyle Kuzma added 21 points for the Lakers, who rallied from fi ve points down Falcons restructure contract of Jones with 7:19 remaining in the fourth quar- ter against the second-worst team in the The Atlanta Falcons have from 14 games to 16 in 1978. Eastern Conference. restructured the contract of The change has been expected A 12-1 scoring run helped the Lakers linebacker Deion Jones, accord- since the NFL and the National take a seven-point lead with 2:56 to play. ing to an ESPN report Sunday. Football League Players Asso- But amid a stream of missed shots by ESPN cited agent Drew Rosen- ciation approved the latest col- the Lakers, the Magic sliced the defi cit to haus per its report that Jones lective bargaining agreement in three. agreed to defer $4 million of his March 2020. Orlando’s Otto Porter Jr. had a chance scheduled $8.2 million salary Owners of the 32 NFL teams to tie it on the fi nal possession, but his to 2022. are scheduled to hold meet- three-point attempt bounced off the back In exchange, Jones’ base salary ings remotely on Tuesday and of the rim, to the relief of the increasingly in 2022 will be fully guaranteed. Wednesday. desperate-looking Lakers. He will have a $9.64 million salary that season due to the OWENS ‘THANKFUL’ AFTER RESULTS restructuring. CAR WRECK The Falcons coveted the Hall of Fame wide receiver Lakers 96-93 Orlando reworking of the deal after the Terrell Owens took to social Denver 126-102 Atlanta salary cap dropped to $182.5 media to say he was “thankful” Portland 122-117 Toronto million after the coronavirus for being able to walk away pandemic. from a bad car wreck over the Phoenix 101-97 Charlotte Jones is entering the second weekend. “We made some mistakes at the end, season of a four-year, $57 mil- Owens, 47, posted photos couldn’t really get shots to fall, but we got lion extension he signed prior Sunday of three cars - one of the win and on to the next,” said Lakers to the 2019 season. them totaled - of a wreck that forward Markieff Morris. Jones was a Pro Bowl selec- happened the day before. “It certainly wasn’t pretty,” said Lakers tion in 2017 when he recorded “I was on my way home but coach Frank Vogel, “but we executed well. career highs for tackles (138) this is.. HOW MY DAY ENDED “We got high quality shots,” Vogel said and stops for losses (10). YESTERDAY and.. HOW MY DAY before adding with a laugh: “We couldn’t He has 11 career interceptions STARTED TODAY,” Owens wrote throw it in the ocean. I think it’s a good and has returned five for touch- on Instagram. win for our guys,” he concluded. “I’m downs. “Thankful for no injuries, health proud of how they competed.” Los Angeles Lakers guard Dennis Schroder makes a pass as he is defended by Orlando Magic guard Karim Mane in the first-half at Last season, Jones had 106 and able to see another day. The Lakers are due to get reinforce- Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. (USA TODAY Sports) tackles and returned one of his God is Good.” ments, with the signing of free agent two interceptions for touch- It’s unclear how the crash center Andre Drummond confi rmed points and 14 rebounds as the Suns im- 8.3 seconds remaining. Graham stole the scoring seven of his 23 points in the last downs while also recording a happened or how many people shortly before tip-off . proved to 31-14, second in the Western ball but Paul stole it back from Rozier two minutes as the Trail Blazers beat the career-high 4.5 sacks. were involved. “Andre Drummond gives us power- Conference. and sank two fi nal free throws with 3.2 Toronto Raptors 122-117. Overall, he has 515 tackles. 6.5 “Trust me, I’m so thankful and ful, anchor-point skills on both ends of The host Hornets had 30 points from seconds remaining to produce the fi nal Damian Lillard scored 22 points and sacks, three forced fumbles and grateful because this could the court,” Lakers general manager Rob Devonte Graham and 22 from Terry Ro- margin. handed out 11 assists for the Blazers, who two fumble recoveries in 69 have been worse than it looks,” Pelinka said. zier in a losing cause. Despite the defeat, the Hornets fi n- held the Raptors to 10 points in the third games (67 starts) over five NFL Owens wrote on Instagram. “We feel extremely fortunate to add a Graham’s late 8-0 run, a layup and ished the day half a game ahead of Atlanta quarter to take charge of the contest. seasons. Owens was inducted into the player of his calibre and magnitude to our back-to-back 3-pointers, deadlocked the in fi fth place in the East, after the Hawks Pascal Siakam led the Raptors with 26 Pro football Hall of Fame in core group at this stage of our journey to game at 90-90 to force overtime. fell 126-102 to the Denver Nuggets. points and Fred VanVleet added 20 with NFL TO APPROVE 17-GAME 2018. The six-time Pro Bowl se- defend the NBA title.” Bridges lifted the Suns ahead to stay at Aaron Gordon scored 13 points in his eight assists, but the Raptors lost for the SEASON THIS WEEK lection enjoyed a 15-year career In Charlotte, Phoenix’s Devin Booker 95-92 on a 3-pointer with 3:09 remain- debut with Denver, who acquired him at 11th time in 12 games. NFL owners will approve the that ended with 1,078 recep- scored 35 points and Chris Paul added 16 ing in the extra session and Paul added the trade deadline last week. The contest came days after the trade expansion of the regular season tions for 15,934 yards and 153 while both made key overtime plays to two free throws with 83 seconds to play. Nikola Jokic fi nished with 16 points, 10 that sent Norman Powell from the Rap- to 17 games this week, ESPN touchdowns with five teams, spark the Suns over the Hornets 101-97. Graham answered on a 3-pointer with rebounds and eight assists, and JaMychal tors to Portland for Gary Trent and Rod- reported Sunday. most notably the San Francisco Mikal Bridges added 13 points and a 45.8 seconds remaining and responded Green added 20 points off the bench for ney Hood. It would be the first expansion 49ers for eight seasons. career-high six steals while 22-year-old to two Booker free throws and two of his Denver. Powell scored 13 points against his old of the schedule since moving (Reuters) Bahamas big man Deandre Ayton had 14 own to pull Charlotte within 99-97 with CJ McCollum starred late for Portland, team.

NHL Capitals start quick, hold off Rangers Oshie’s goal made it 5-2 with 8:14 re- 86 seconds to take a 2-1 lead, with Hu- Reuters RESULTS Washington maining. berdeau and Duclair scoring to push the Capitals 5-4 Rangers Panthers to their fi rst advantage. HUBERDEAU’S TWO GOALS LEAD Huberdeau’s sly steal of a pass on the om Wilson scored two goals Panthers 4-1 Stars PANTHERS PAST STARS half boards led to the left winger charg- and Alex Ovechkin added one Red Wings 4-1 Blue Jackets Jonathan Huberdeau scored twice and ing in and roofi ng a shot high over Oet- more as the Washington Capi- Ducks 3-2 Blues had an assist Sunday to lead Florida to tinger on the stick side. Soon after, Du- tals notched three goals in a a 4-1 win over the host Dallas Stars in a clair was fouled by Andrew Cogliano on Tfour-plus minute span of the second Devils 1-0 Bruins game marred by an injury to Panthers’ a breakaway, resulting in a penalty shot. period before holding on for a 5-4 vic- Predators 3-2 Blackhawks No. 1 defenseman Aaron Ekblad. Goalless on three career penalty tory over the visiting New York Rangers The No. 1 overall selection in the shots, Duclair skated in wide from the on Sunday afternoon. for this game along with Jacques Mar- 2014 draft, Ekblad fell after being tan- right and rang a forehander in on his Those three goals came in a span of 4 tin. Assistant coach David Oliver is still gled up near the end boards with Dallas fi rst penalty-shot attempt since 2018. minutes, 24 seconds and gave the Capi- in Covid protocol. defenseman Esa Lindell in the Florida Seven minutes later, Huberdeau wrist- tals a 3-0 lead. Evgeny Kuznetsov made New York nearly took a 1-0 lead just off ensive zone at 8:58 of the second ed in his 13th goal on Florida’s second it 4-0 early in the third period, but the past the halfway mark of the fi rst period period. After about 10 minutes, Ekblad man advantage for a 3-1 lead. Driedger Rangers scored four times in nearly 9 when Mika Zibanejad fl ipped a shot off was stretchered off the ice. made 27 saves over the fi nal two peri- 1/2 minutes although they never caught the face of Oshie that appeared to roll Huberdeau’s tallies gave him 18 ods, including a breakaway by Hintz at Washington. over the line. But the offi cials ruled that points – seven goals and 11 assists – in 7:08 of the third, to improve to 9-4-2. TJ Oshie fi nished with one goal and the puck didn’t fully make it across, and 16 career games against Dallas. He as- Meanwhile Michael Rasmussen two assists to help the Capitals, while the game remained scoreless. sisted on Owen Tippett’s empty-net scored the go-ahead goal early in the Ilya Samsonov made 16 saves. The Caps then took over in the sec- goal with 1:05 left in regulation. third period, and goalie Calvin Pickard Colin Blackwell celebrated his 28th ond period, thanks to those three quick Anthony Duclair scored on a penalty collected his second win in as many birthday with two goals for New York goals. Wilson made it 1-0 by putting shot, and Chris Driedger stopped 33 of days Sunday, leading the host Detroit while Alexis Lafreniere and Chris Krei- away the rebound of a Jakub Vrana shot 34 shots to win for the second time in Red Wings to a 4-1 victory over the Co- der both scored once. Keith Kinkaid with 9:17 remaining. six starts (2-3-1). Rookie Jason Robert- lumbus Blue Jackets. made 17 stops for New York. Then, just 1:46 later, Ovechkin son tallied for the Stars, and Jake Oet- Rasmussen›s tally was his fi rst of Washington now has won three scored his 724th career goal. He was tinger allowed three goals on 22 shots the season. Evgeny Svechnikov, Filip in a row and 10 of its last 11 games. at a sharp angle in the left corner and and fell to 0-2-0 against Florida. Hronek and Vladislav Namestnikov Ovechkin continued his roll and has threw the puck towards Kinkaid, and In the fi fth meeting between the also scored for Detroit. Namestnikov›s scored 11 goals in that run. it defl ected in to give Washington a 2-0 Central Division foes, the play was fast goal gave him 200 career points. Pick- The Rangers got their bench boss edge. early as the clubs put three tallies on the ard had not recorded a victory since back as coach David Quinn returned Wilson then wrapped up the quick board in a span of 1:56. The Stars scored November 2018 until the back-to-back after missing six games while on the three-goal run by knocking a shot in fi rst when Roope Hintz sent a shot that wins in his fi rst two starts this season. Covid-19 protocol list – New York went out of mid-air. Nicklas Backstrom fi red Robertson redirected in for his sixth He made 16 saves Sunday, one day after Washington Capitals right wing Tom Wilson (left) celebrates with teammate Nicklas 4-2-0 under acting coach Kris Kno- one that Kinkaid stopped but it popped goal on their fi rst power play. saving 20 of 21 shots as the Red Wings Backstrom after scoring his second goal of the game against the New York Rangers blauch – who remained as an assistant up, and Wilson buried it for a 3-0 lead. However, Florida notched a pair in beat Columbus 3-1 on Saturday. during the second period at Capital One Arena. (USA TODAY Sports) Gulf Times 6 Tuesday, March 30, 2021 SPORT

AMIR CUP VOLLEYBALL: AL RAYYAN AND AL AHLI REGISTER WINS

Al Rayyan (in yellow and black) defeated Qatar SC (in black and red) 3-0 (25-23, 25-13, 25-22) in their Amir Cup volleyball match at the QVA Hall yesterday. (Right) In the second match of the day, Al Ahli (in green) defeated Al Wakrah (in white and blue) 3-1 ( 25-12, 19-25, 25-18, 25-20).

TENNIS FOCUS Tokyo Olympics chiefs prepare to resume Medvedev toils ‘safe’ test events

AFP mon spaces ventilated every 30 Tokyo minutes. Fourteen of the test events will be organised by Tokyo okyo Olympics or- 2020, with the other four run into Miami Open ganisers yesterday by international federations. unveiled virus coun- Nakamura said the athletics termeasures for test test event at Tokyo’s National ‘There were moments eventsT that will resume later Stadium on May 9 will be the this week for the fi rst time only event organised by Tokyo where I just wanted to lie since the Games were post- 2020 where overseas athletes poned by the pandemic. will participate and spectators down and say, OK, it’s over’ Tokyo 2020 chiefs pledged will be present. fourth round to hold the remaining 18 test events – which function as dress rehearsals for each sport – in a “safe and secure” man- ner, to see what they can “learn as we work towards the Games”. Test events were halted af- ter the sport climbing event He said fans and overseas was held from March 6 to 8 last athletes will likely be involved year, with Tokyo 2020 staff re- in the four events organised placing athletes because of in- by international federations fection concerns. – diving, water polo, artistic The fi rst test event since the swimming and the marathon. unprecedented postponement “Athletes coming here for of the Games will be wheel- the events organised by the chair rugby on April 3-4, with international federations will water polo to follow one week have to go through immigra- later. Tokyo 2020 Games deliv- tion controls, so of course ery offi cer Hidemasa Nakamu- they’re important test events ra said countermeasures would for the organising committee,” be based on the virus rulebooks said Games offi cial Yasuo Mori. unveiled by organisers earlier Earlier this month, Olympic this year. offi cials announced that over- “We’re trying to limit con- seas fans will be barred from tact, avoid handshakes and the Games, which open on July other physical contact, and 23, to help limit the virus risk. keep distance between athletes A decision on how many do- – one metre if two isn’t possi- mestic spectators will be al- ble,” he said. Cheering will be lowed to attend is expected in banned and rooms and com- April.

CYCLING UCI for Bouhanni Daniil Medvedev of Russia hits a forehand against Alexei Popyrin of Australia (not pictured) in the third round in the Miami Open at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami. (USA TODAY Sports) sanctions aft er barrier AFP RESULTS ter-fi nal Miami loss to Isner. Miami Italian teenager Jannik Sinner out-last- MEN’S 3RD RD Duckworth (AUS) 6-4, 6-4 ed 14th-seeded Karen Khachanov 4-6, shove disqualifi cation Daniil Medvedev (RUS x1) bt Alexei Popy- WOMEN’S 3RD RD 7-6 (7/2), 6-4, in a physically taxing 2hr op-seeded Daniil Medvedev hob- rin (AUS) 7-6 (7/3), 6-7 (7/9), 6-4 Bianca Andreescu (CAN x8) bt Amanda 50min battle. AFP would ask you what you was bled into the fourth round of the Frances Tiafoe (USA) bt Dusan Lajovic Anisimova (USA x28) 7-6 (7/4), 6-7 (2/7), “I’m very happy that I won today this Paris thinking...but you clearly have Miami Open on Sunday, defying (SRB x16) 1-6, 7-5, 6-3 6-4 tough match,” said Sinner, who booked a no brain cells. The ironic thing crippling leg cramps to beat Aus- John Isner (USA x18) bt bt Félix Garbine Muguruza (ESP x12) bt Anna last-16 meeting with Finland’s Emil Ruu- is, you told me I had ‘no re- Ttralian Alexei Popyrin 7-6 (7/3), 6-7 (7/9), Auger-Aliassime (CAN x11) 7-6 (7/5), 7-6 Kalinskaya (RUS) 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 suvuori. he International Cycling spect’ after the fi nish. Here’s 6-4. (7/5) Sara Sorribes (ESP) bt Elena Rybakina Ruusuvuori, who toppled third-seeded Union (UCI) yester- an educational video of what World number two Medvedev, increas- Roberto Bautista (ESP x7) bt Jan-Lennard (KAZ x21) 6-1, 3-6, 6-2 Alexander Zverev in the second round, day called for sanctions ‘no respect’ looks like...” ingly hampered as the third set wore on in Struff (GER x31) 4-6, 6-3, 6-2 Ons Jabeur (TUN x27) bt Sofia Kenin (USA beat Sweden’s Mikael Ymer 4-6, 6-1, 7-5. against sprinter Nacer The British rider’s team the heat and humidity of South Florida, Emil Ruusuvuori (FIN) bt Mikael Ymer x4) 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 In the women’s draw, second-seeded TBouhanni after the Frenchman Groupama-FDJ were more re- nevertheless mustered the only service (SWE) 4-6, 6-1, 7-5 Jessica Pegula (USA x29) bt Karolína Naomi Osaka reached the fourth round was disqualifi ed at the Cholet- strained, tweeting: “On the break of the third set on the way to a dra- Jannik Sinner (ITA x21) bt Karen Khach- Plísková (CZE x6) 6-1, 4-6, 6-4 for the fi rst time, without lifting a rac- Pays de Loire race. wheel of Elia Viviani with 200 matic victory over 86th-ranked Popyrin anov (RUS x14) 4-6, 7-6 (7/2), 6-4 Maria Sakkari (GRE x23) bt Liudmila Sam- quet, when scheduled opponent Nina The UCI “strongly con- meters to go, Jake Stewart was in the ATP Masters and WTA hardcourt Taylor Fritz (USA x22) bt Cameron Norrie sonova (RUS) 6-0, 6-1 Stojanovic withdrew with a right thigh in- demned the dangerous con- blocked against the barrier tournament. (GBR) 6-4, 3-6, 6-1 Elise Mertens (BEL x16) bt Anett Kontaveit jury. duct” of Bouhanni in the sprint when he started his sprint. The “It’s probably one of the sweetest victo- Alexander Bublik (KAZ x32) bt James (EST x22) 6-2, 0-6, 6-2 The US and Australian Open champion, fi nish of Sunday’s race fol- Briton managed, by chance, to ries in my career, because I was cramping who could overtake number one Ashleigh lowing his shouldering of Jake stay on his bike.” like hell in the third set,” Medvedev said. Barty in the rankings with a title victory if Stewart into the crash barriers. Bouhanni, who rides for “It was really painful,” Medvedev said. formality. Instead, Medvedev was broken will next face unseeded American Frances the Australian fails to reach the fi nal, next The 30-year-old was dis- Arkea-Samsic, has 69 vic- “A few moments during rallies, I felt like to love in a game that featured a double Tiafoe, who beat 16th-seeded Dusan Lajo- faces 16th-seeded Belgian Elise Mertens, qualifi ed after he went on to tories, including three Giro my legs were not following me any more. fault and three superb forehand winners vic of Serbia 1-6, 7-5, 6-3. who defeated Anett Kontaveit of Estonia fi nish third behind Italian win- d’Italia stages and three in the The only thing I was thinking about was from Popyrin – including a stinging cross- John Isner, the 2018 champion and 2019 6-2, 0-6, 6-2. ner Elia Viviani. Vuelta a Espana, but his career not to fall down because if I fell down, I court return on break point. runner-up, booked a fourth-round spot Spain’s Garbine Muguruza, a two-time “The UCI has decided to has been marked by alterca- don’t think I’d be able to get up. Popyrin promptly fell to 0-40 in the with a 7-6 (7/5), 7-6 (7/5) victory over Grand Slam winner who ended a two-year refer the incident to its disci- tions. “There were moments where I just next game but an ace, a service winner and 11th-seeded Canadian Felix Auger-Alias- title drought in Dubai this month, dropped plinary commission and to re- On 2017 Tour de France, he wanted to lie down and say, ‘OK, it’s over,’ a forehand long from Medvedev erased sime. The match was a near-carbon copy the fi rst set on the way to a 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 quest the imposition of sanc- was fi ned for hitting New Zea- but I couldn’t accept that.” three match points. Medvedev saved two of Isner’s two-tiebreak win over Auger- victory over Anna Kalinskaya. She will tions commensurate with the lander Jack Bauer and later that Medvedev had appeared to be cruising set points in the tiebreak before Popyrin, Aliassime in the 2019 semi-fi nals. The US face eighth-seeded Canadian Bianca An- seriousness of the alleged act,” season he had to be pulled off to the fi nish line when he seized a 5-2 lead who won his fi rst ATP title at Singapore in veteran, 35, next faces another familiar foe dreescu, a 7-6 (7/4), 6-7 (2/7), 6-4 winner the UCI said. compatriot Rudy Barbieri who in the second set. February, leveled the match with a fore- in Roberto Bautista Agut. over American Amanda Anisimova. Stewart posted a video of the had just won Paris-Bourges. Popyrin held serve for 5-3, but since hand winner on his third set point. The seventh-seeded Spaniard beat Ger- Fourth-seeded American Sofi a Kenin incident on Twitter with a furi- He also reportedly once Medvedev hadn’t faced a break point in The Russian, runner-up to Novak Djok- many’s Jan-Lennard Struff 4-6, 6-3, 6-2 was eliminated by 27th seed Ons Jabeur of ous comment. fought with his team director the match another hold seemed a mere ovic at the Australian Open in February, to book a chance to avenge his 2019 quar- Tunisia 6-4, 4-6, 6-4. “Yo @BouhanniNacer I after dropping out of a race. Gulf Times Tuesday, March 30, 2021 7 FOOTBALL

SPOTLIGHT Mbulu sends Malawi to third Cup of Nations

Bale reiterates plan to Johannesburg: Richard Mbulu scored after 16 minutes to give Malawi a 1-0 Group B victory over Uganda yester- day, and qualification for the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations. The 27-year-old forward headed powerfully past return to Real Madrid Uganda goalkeeper Denis On- yango off a cross from former Atletico Madrid youth squad 'Real are my parent club and as far as I agreed I was on Tottenham on loan until the end of season' member Robin Ngalande. It was the second time in Reuters six days that a goal from the London South Africa-based attacker proved decisive as he also scored in last Wednesday’s areth Bale has reiterated his 1-0 win at South Sudan. plan to return to Real Madrid The son of a former once his loan spell at Tot- footballer, Mbulu was based tenham Hotspur is over and in Mozambique twice and Gplayed down suggestions his comments Portugal before signing a were disrespectful to the London club. three-year contract with The 31-year-old raised eyebrows last South African Premiership week when appearing to rule out any club Baroka in 2019. chance of staying with his former club Hosts Malawi needed Tottenham for a longer period, having maximum points at Kamuzu returned on loan in September. Some Stadium in commercial capital of the club’s fans took to social media Blantyre to secure a first ap- to accuse Bale of using Tottenham to pearance since 2010 while a get himself fi t for this year’s Euros, hav- draw would have suff iced for ing fallen out of favour at Real Madrid, Uganda. where he has a contract until 2022. And Mbulu delivered when “Obviously, going into next season, it mattered for his team. legally my contract says I have to go back Victory took Malawi to the to Real Madrid, which is what I stated, top of the table with 10 points, which I don’t think is being disrespect- but they will be overtaken ful to anybody. That’s legally what I if fellow qualifiers Burkina have to do,” Bale said yesterday from the Faso defeat South Sudan in Wales camp ahead of today’s World Cup Ouagadougou. qualifi er at home to the Czech Republic Popularly known as the in Cardiff . Flames, Malawi are ranked “Real Madrid are I guess my par- 123rd in the world, 40 places ent club and as far as I agreed I was on below Uganda, and will be Tottenham on loan until the end of the making a third appearance season and I go back. That’s the plan so at the finals after first-round far. The reason I left is because I wanted exits from the 1984 and 2010 to play games and enjoy my football. editions. Come summer I will go back to Real They are the 19th qualifiers Madrid and we will go from there. Then after Algeria, Burkina Faso, whether then I sit down with my agent Cameroon, Comoros, Egypt, and decide, that’s something I will do in Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, the summer.” Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Ivory Bale has scored 10 goals in 25 appear- Coast, Mali, Morocco, Nigeria, ances in all competitions since his loan Senegal, Sudan, Tunisia and move and has recently begun to show Zimbabwe. some of his best form after struggling The remaining five places initially for fi tness. Bale said his only will be filled today with the priority at the moment was helping Central African Republic, who Wales in their bid for World Cup qualifi - have never qualified, among cation and fi nishing the season strongly Wales’ Gareth Bale (left) trains with teammates on the eve of the World Cup Qualifier against Czech Republic in Hensol, Wales. (Reuters) 12 hopefuls. with Tottenham. Wales are looking to They host Mauritania in bounce back from defeat by Belgium in legend Thierry Henry disabled his ac- ing if he had posted images of the match statement then I think it could help. If “It’s very diffi cult to eradicate eve- Bangui and a victory will take their opening qualifi er last week. counts. Henry quit social media at the they would have been removed. Face- that was the case I’m all for that.” rything but can it be safer? We all know them to Cameroon unless “I am concentrating on this season. weekend, saying he would stay away book, which owns Instagram, later re- Henry, who had 2.3mn followers on that it is a great tool but a lot of people Burundi achieve an unlikely There’s a game tomorrow, big end of the until platforms did more to tackle “tox- moved a number of accounts that were Twitter and 2.7mn on Instagram, said are using it as a weapon. Why? Because away win over Group E win- season with Tottenham. I don’t need ic” racism and harassment. used for the racial abuse. that he would return to social media they can hide behind fake accounts.” ners Morocco. to worry about anything else,” he said. Two of Bale’s Wales teammates, Ben Bale said only a mass boycott would when it was “safe”. “People are getting Instagram took action in relation Known as the ‘Wild Beasts’, “After the Euros and my summer holi- Cabango and Rabbi Matondo, were ra- have an impact. “If everyone did it racially abused but, when you see the to 6.6mn elements of hate speech be- the Central Africans will day I will sit down, we’ll go through it cially abused on Instagram following at once, not just one or two people, I statement (he made), I talk also about tween October and December last year. become the third first-time then and come to a solution.” Saturday’s 1-0 friendly win over Mexico would,” said the 31-year-old forward. bullying, harassment that can cause Twitter has said it will cooperate with qualifiers after the Comoros Bale said he would be willing to join a — the latest footballers to be attacked “If it was a campaign where a lot of in- mental issues, people commit suicide authorities to erase racial abuse and and the Gambia if they suc- boycott of social media to tackle online online. Matondo criticised Instagram fl uential people in sport and other forms because of it,” said the 1998 World Cup hate-fi lled posts but would stop short ceed. abuse after former Arsenal and France for not reacting quickly enough, say- of life on social media (acted) to make a winner. of banning anonymous accounts.

FOCUS BOTTOMLINE Pandemic blamed for lack of Fallen giants Deportivo endure VAR in World Cup qualifi ers new low but worse could come AFP Paris Reuters Madrid EFA has said the impact of the Covid-19 pan- eportivo La Coruna hit a new demic meant plans to low in a litany of recent disap- use VAR in the Europe- pointments on Sunday when they Uan 2022 World Cup qualifi ers had missed the chance to return to the to be abandoned after a weekend secondD division and Spanish football’s fallen in which Cristiano Ronaldo’s an- giants now face a frantic fi nish to avoid sink- ger at being denied a late winner ing to even lower depths. for Portugal against Serbia high- La Liga winners 21 years ago and Cham- lighted the lack of technology to pions League semi-fi nalists as recently as help offi cials. 2004, Deportivo last year fell into the dread- “In 2019, UEFA had proposed ed regionalised third tier (Segunda Division to FIFA the implementation of B) and this season went 628 minutes with- VAR in the current World Cup out scoring a goal. qualifi ers. The impact of the Their dismal form left them in danger of pandemic on operational and an unthinkable relegation to the fi fth tier logistical capabilities led UEFA of Spanish football due to the federation’s to delay the implementation of radical redesign of the lower leagues which VAR in the Europa League group comes into place next season. A late rally phase as well as to withdraw the avoided that fate but even with three con- proposal to implement VAR in Cristiano Ronaldo was angry at being denied a late winner for secutive wins in their fi nal three games they the 2022 European qualifi ers,” Portugal against Serbia. (AFP) could only fi nish fourth in their 10-team UEFA said in a statement. division, missing out on the playoff s by one Video assistant referees are clear. The Portugal captain was been awarded had video assist- point. Most humiliatingly, they fi nished be- now set to come into the Europa booked for protesting by Dutch ant referees been available, while hind the reserve team of hated local rivals League group stage as of next referee Danny Makkelie as play Republic of Ireland manager Celta Vigo. Deportivo will now be placed in season. “VAR was also not in was waved on and the game fi n- Stephen Kenny felt they were a mini-league containing three other teams use in the UEFA Nations League ished in a 2-2 draw. Ronaldo denied a spot-kick in their defeat and must fi nish among the top two to reach group stage in the autumn of threw away his captain’s arm- by Serbia. the RFEF Primera. Otherwise they will drop 2020 and has therefore to-date band in disgust at full-time. “How can there not be VAR? into the fourth-tier RFEF Segunda. never been used in UEFA nation- “I always give and will give There is for some matches and “The reality is we have to lift ourselves al team qualifying group stage everything for my country, that not for others. I don’t understand back up right away. We might be disap- Deportivo last year fell into the dreaded regionalised third tier (Segunda Division B) and matches,” European football’s will never change. But there are how. There’s nothing we can do pointed but there’s no time for us to mope,” this season went 628 minutes without scoring a goal. governing body added. diffi cult times to deal with, espe- about that now,” Kenny said. said coach Ruben de la Barrera. Deportivo’s It follows several moments cially when we feel that an entire VAR and goal-line technol- fall from grace has been particularly dif- the Italian side and holders 4-0 at a raucous in 2004 and has witnessed their remarkable of controversy since the start of nation is being harmed,” Ronaldo ogy are used in leading Euro- fi cult to digest after a golden period in the Riazor stadium. downward spiral fi rst hand. Now, he is fo- qualifying last week for the Qa- later posted on Instagram. pean leagues as well as the UEFA 90s and early 21st century, in which they They lost the semi-fi nal to Jose Mourin- cused on damage limitation after a chaotic tar World Cup, with the Ronaldo A Portuguese daily published Champions League. FIFA intro- became one of Spain’s top sides and major ho’s Porto and a period of mid-table obscu- 12 months. fl ashpoint casting a light on the an interview with Makkelie in duced GLT at the 2014 World force in Europe. They agonisingly missed rity followed until the team were relegated in “It’s hard to swallow but given how the lack of any goal-line technology which the offi cial said he had Cup and VAR in 2018 in Russia, out on the La Liga title on the fi nal day of the 2011, ending two decades in the top-fl ight. year has gone, getting into Primera RFEF (GLT). Ronaldo thought he had apologised to coach Fernando and its regulations for the 2022 1993-94 season after missing a penalty but Things have never quite been the same since would be a very important cushion for us,” scored a stoppage-time winner Santos and the Portugal team. qualifi ers do make it possible for made amends by capturing the champion- and the club’s fi nancial situation continued he added. “At the start of the season we’d for Portugal in Belgrade as foot- Elsewhere Spain defender Ini- video assistant referees and goal- ship in 2000. In 2004 they staged one of the to worsen, leading to local bank Abanca as- see staying in the division as a failure given age appeared to show the ball had go Martinez claimed that a pen- line technology to be introduced. greatest comebacks in Champions League suming ownership last year. what people expect of Depor. But earlier in crossed the line before Serbia alty given against his side in a 1-1 European World Cup qualifying history, overturning a 4-1 defi cit with AC “Football has no memory,” said club cap- the season when things were at their worst defender Stefan Mitrovic could draw with Greece would not have action continues this week. Milan in a quarter-fi nal fi rst leg to thrash tain Alex Bergantinos, who joined the club we’d have signed up to being where we are.” Tuesday, March 30, 2021 GULF TIMES FOOTBALL

WORLD CUP QUALIFIERS SPOTLIGHT Poland suff er blow as Lewandowski Belotti, Locatelli ruled out of clash with England

Reuters Bundesliga leaders Bayern’s top- London of-the-table clash with second- give Italy 2-0 win placed RB Leipzig on Saturday in which Bayern begin four points oland suff ered a mas- clear. Poland are expected to be sive blow ahead of this the biggest threat to England week’s crunch World in the group but having already Cup qualifi er away to dropped points in a draw with EnglandP when striker and talis- Hungary, tomorrow’s Wembley man Robert Lewandowski was meeting is crucial to their hopes over Bulgaria ruled out because of a knee injury of challenging for top spot which yesterday. would bring automatic qualifi - Lewandowski injured his right cation for the Qatar 2022 World ‘There are no easy games. Especially against a team like Bulgaria who wait to counterattack’ knee just past the hour mark of Cup. Sunday’s victory over Andorra Lewandowski has scored 66 AFP and underwent scans on Mon- goals for Poland from 118 ap- Sofia day. The Bayern Munich player pearances and would have repre- is expected to be out for 10 days. sented the fi rst real examination “Robert Lewandowski will not of an England defence that has taly kept their World Cup qualify- play in Wednesday’s World Cup not been tested in easy wins over ing campaign on track with a hard- qualifying match against Eng- San Marino and Albania. fought 2-0 Group C win over Bulgaria land in London due to an injury,” England top the group with six who fell to their second consecutive the Polish Football Association points followed by Poland and Idefeat in Sofi a on Sunday night. said on their website. “Clinical Hungary with four and Albania Andrea Belotti got the fi rst goal from and imaging studies have shown on three. Despite the impor- the penalty spot just before the break damage to the collateral ligament tance of the game, Poland said with Manuel Locatelli sealing the win of the right knee. The short time Lewandowski cannot be risked. with his fi rst ‘Azzurri’ goal with eight remaining until the next match “That would carry too much minutes to go. Roberto Mancini’s side of the national team excludes risk of aggravating the injury. are top of their group after winning their the participation of the national This decision is the only right opener 2-0 against Northern Ireland in team captain in this match.” one, bearing in mind the up- Parma on Thursday with Bulgaria losing The 32-year-old Lewandowski coming Euro 2020 tournament,” 3-1 at home against Switzerland. has been in scintillating form this the statement added. “Robert The four-time world champions season and already has struck 42 Lewandowski will return to the missed out on the fi nals in 2018, but un- goals for Bayern in all compe- club, where he will undergo fur- der Mancini extended their unbeaten run titions this season. He scored ther rehabilitation.” to 24 games, after their perfect Euro 2020 twice for Poland in the 3-0 win Poland coach Paulo Sousa has qualifying campaign. over Andorra in the Group I fi x- other options in attack with the “There are no easy games,” said the ture. Lewandowski is on track likes of Hertha Berlin’s Krzysztof former Manchester City coach. “Espe- to break Gerd Mueller’s 1971-72 Piatek, Olympique de Marseille’s cially against a team like Bulgaria who Bundesliga season record of 40 Arkadiusz Milik and PAOK’s gets behind the ball and waits for the league goals in one campaign, Karol Swiderski who scored on counterattack. It’s obvious we fi nd less having already bagged 35 with 8 his international debut after re- space and it’s diffi cult to break the dead- league games left. His injury will placing Lewandowski against lock. Victory is the most important thing, almost certainly rule him out of Andorra. the team has shown consistency. At this time of the season all teams are tired.” Italy were without defender Giorgio Chiellini with forwards Domenico Berar- di and Francesco Caputo also ruled out, with six changes from the side who beat Northern Ireland. Torino captain Belotti started up front alongside Juventus for- Italy’s forward Federico Chiesa (left) controls the ball past Bulgaria’s defender Vasil Bozhikov during the FIFA World Cup Qatar ward Federico Chiesa, with the midfi eld 2022 qualification Group C football match at the Vasil Levski Stadium, in Sofia, on Sunday. (AFP) seeing the return of Inter Milan players Nicolo Barella and Stefano Sensi, after a fano Sensi handball ruled out after 57 next play Lithuania in Vilnius tomorrow. The win leaves Germany top of Group coronavirus outbreak at their club side. minutes. And Belotti missed a chance for They fi rst come up against their main J by just a single goal ahead of Armenia Despite Italy dominating early against a second midway through the second half group rivals Switzerland in September. who also won their fi rst two games. “If the country they beat in the 1994 World with a lob hitting the post and sending Bulgaria, who have not qualifi ed for the there’s anything to criticise, it’s the way Cup semi-fi nals, the visitors were pegged the rebound over. World Cup since 1998, travel to Northern we used our chances,” said Germany head back by the Bulgarians. Yasen Petrov’s Locatelli came on for Stefano Sensi Ireland next week. coach Joachim Loew, who will step down home side had conceded three goals in after 68 minutes, with Ciro Immobile re- Meanwhile, a fi rst-half goal by Serge after the Euro 2020 fi nals this summer. the fi rst 13 minutes against the Swiss on placing Belotti and Federico Bernardeschi Gnabry was enough to seal a tight 1-0 Loew has targeted three straight wins Thursday, but were tougher against Italy. in for Chiesa for the fi nal quarter of an away win for Germany against Roma- from their opening 2022 World Cup qual- Chiesa and Belotti were both unable hour. Insigne teed up Locatelli to curl in nia in their World Cup qualifi er. Bayern ifi ers. Germans can complete the hat- to connect with crosses from Leonardo the second with eight minutes to go. Munich winger Gnabry has now scored trick of wins against North Macedonia in Spinazzola and Alessandro Florenzi. But “My fi rst Italy goal, it’s incredible, I’ve 15 goals in just 19 appearances for the na- Duisburg tomorrow. the breakthrough came when Belotti still got goosebumps,” said the 23-year- tional team. Having also raced into an early lead in went down under a Daniel Dimov chal- old Sassuolo midfi elder. Germany out-muscled their hosts with Thursday’s 3-0 win over Iceland in Du- lenge as he ran to connect with Lorenzo “It’s impossible to describe. I play 18 shots on goal, twice as many as the isburg, Germany again wasted no time as Poland’s Robert Lewandowski injured his right knee just past the Insigne’s through ball. football for this kind of emotion and I will Romanians. However, the hosts fi nished the same team started against Romania. hour mark of Sunday’s victory over Andorra. (Reuters) “It was an important goal because we always carry this with me.” stronger with clear chances in the dying Antonio Rudiger put a ball over the de- unlocked a diffi cult match,” said Belotti Italy claimed their fi rst ever win in Bul- stages. “We could have made it easier for fence to Chelsea teammate Kai Havertz who slotted in his 11th goal in 32 interna- garia on their seventh attempt. Mancini ourselves,” admitted Germany midfi elder who squared the ball for Gnabry to fi re FOCUS tional appearances. “We practised a few extended his unbeaten run with Italy to Joshua Kimmich. “We were lucky in the home on 16 minutes. penalties before the game because our 24 consecutive games, just behind former 90th minute that they didn’t equalise. It was almost 2-0 four minutes later specialist Jorginho was not playing.” World Cup winning coaches Marcello We simply have to decide things earlier when Kimmich clattered the crossbar Bulgaria had penalty appeals for a Ste- Lippi (25) and Vittorio Pozzo (30). Italy and give ourselves a calmer evening.” with a defl ected shot from 25 metres. Southgate hails

HONDURAS BOOK TOKYO OLYMPICS BERTH, DENY UNITED STATES ‘exceptional’ Mount London: England manager Ga- trumpeting the 22-year-old Guadalajara, Mexico: Honduras in July after being postponed for a year them miss their third straight Games out of bounds. These are things you reth Southgate says it has taken Chelsea player despite previous reached the Tokyo Olympics football because of the coronavirus pandemic, since qualifying for Beijing in 2008. kind of scratch your head. At the end of Thomas Tuchel’s arrival at Chel- criticism from supporters. tournament on Sunday, denying the via semi-final victories. It was the second consecutive time the day it just wasn’t quite there from a sea to persuade many fans that Mount’s second-half strike, United States a place with a 2-1 semi-final Honduras’s Juan Carlos Obregon the United States had been denied by confidence point of view.” Mason Mount is an “exceptional which came after a fi rst-half victory in the CONCACAF qualifying scored in first-half injury time and a Honduras, who also derailed their bid Mexico, the 2012 gold medallists, player.” Mount produced an im- header for Harry Kane, gave Eng- tournament. Mexico joined Honduras second came in the 47th minute when for a 2016 Rio de Janeiro berth. The US booked their 12th trip to the Olympic pressive goalscoring perform- land six points from a possible six at the delayed Tokyo 2020 Games after US goalkeeper David Ochoa’s attempt to men’s team’s last major international Games with two second-half goals ance in England’s 2-0 win against ahead of qualifi er against Poland, beating Canada 2-0 in the second semi- clear the ball rebounded off Luis Palma tournament appearance was at the 2014 against Canada. Mexico dominated Albania in Sunday’s World Cup likely to prove their toughest op- final to secure the second berth available and into the goal. Jackson Yueill pulled World Cup. “I think it just comes down possession in the first half but were frus- qualifi er in Tirana. ponents in the group. from the North and Central America and one back for the United States in the to general sharpness of players,” said trated by Canada’s determined defense. The midfi elder is the fi rst “Mason Mount is an excep- Caribbean region. 52nd minute with a blast from outside Kreis, whose players didn’t have a shot Uriel Antuna broke the deadlock in Chelsea player to score or assist tional player,” said Southgate. Honduras and Mexico will contest the box. But Honduras held on to qualify on goal until Yueill’s goal. “I don’t know the 58th minute and Johan Vasquez in three consecutive England “But I was saying this in the au- the tournament final today, but the real for their fifth Olympics and fourth in a that I’ve ever seen a game where we had added a second goal in the 66th to seal appearances since Frank Lamp- tumn. I suppose now (Chelsea business was concluded when each row. “We’re devastated,” US coach Jason players mis-control the ball so much — the victory that denied Canada a third ard, who did so in seven games manager) Thomas Tuchel picks advanced to the Olympics, due to begin Kreis said after a defeat that will see balls rolling under people’s feet, passing Olympic appearance. in a row in a run ending in 2013. him probably everybody will Southgate said he had long been agree,” he said.

QATAR HELD BY KOSOVO IN U-23 FRIENDLY

Qatar drew 2-2 against Kosovo in an Under-23 friendly match at Aspire yesterday. Hashem Ali and Mustafa Mashaal were the goal scorers for Qatar, who had won the first match 2-0 last week. Qatar are preparing for Asian U-23 qualifiers in October.