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Sunday, March 8, 2020 Rajab 13, 1441 AH Battle-hardened GULF TIMES Australia ready for ‘biggest’ game: Lanning SPORT Page 3

GOLF / COMMERCIAL BANK ’s Campillo grabs lead despite late glitches Two bogeys on the back nine halts Campillo’s surge at 14-under; Drysdale and Winther in hunt a shot behind

By Yash Mudgal Doha

orge Campillo kept his momentum going in the third round to emerge as the sole leader going into theJ decider at the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters at the Edu- cation City club yesterday. Looking for his second Euro- pean Tour title, Campillo played a third round 67 to take a one- shot lead over title-less veteran Scot and Dane into the fi nal day of the tournament. The Spaniard started the day in a share of the lead and picked up fi ve shots in six holes around the turn to move three ahead and into a commanding position. However, his 44-hole bogey- free streak came to an end on the 12th. Campillo’s sixth birdie of the day too was cancelled out by Denmark’s Jeff Winther tees off on the 18th hole yesterday. a bogey on the 15th, as he came home in level par for a 14-under total. “It was tough, especially the last four holes into the wind, so it wasn’t playing easy at all. The front nine wasn’t windy, it was playing easy, and the back nine was tough. I missed a few short putts but overall a good last three holes,” Campillo said. “I am in a good position for Spain’s on his way to a four-under 67 during the third round of the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters at Education City Golf Club tomorrow but still 18 holes to go. in Doha yesterday. PICTURES: Jayaram It is going to be a tough day to- morrow, but I am glad with the gan the third round in a tie for bit of help off the tee at the mo- tough and very tricky. I felt that LEADING ROUND III SCORES position I am in right now be- the lead with Campillo, but three ment but otherwise than that I I played well with some good 199 — Jorge Campillo (ESP) 66 cause I wasn’t playing good, so bogeys and a double-bogey on really like it. The greenkeepers putts including a 15-metre one 66 67 being leader after three days after the 18th meant that he carded a have done very well this week, on the 13th. Another 18 holes to 200 — David Drysdale (SCO) 67 the last few weeks is nice,” the disappointing 72 to fall fi ve shots it’s phenomenal to putt on. I’ll go… let’s see what happens,” the 69 64, Jeff Winther (DEN) 66 69 33year-old said. off the pace. keep doing the same. I’m going fi ve-time champion on the Eu- 65 Campillo won his maiden title On the other hand, Drysdale to try not to think about it and ropean Tour said. The 37-year- 201 — Benjamin Poke (DEN) 68 Trophee Hassan II in April 2019 is aiming for his fi rst title in his it’ll be exciting. I look forward old Spaniard ended his four-year 67 66 and is hopeful of another good 498th European Tour event while to it.” wait for a European title in De- 202 — Alexander Bjork (SWE) 70 day today. a win for Winther would come at Pablo Larrazabal, the other cember 2019 when he won the 63 69, Pablo Larrazabal (ESP) 72 “If I had not won a golf tourna- his 97th attempt. Spaniard, also came up with a Alfred Dunhill Championship. 67 63 ment already I would have been “We had good fun, good play- fi ne round yesterday. He carded Finn Kalle Samooja and Eng- 203 — Kalle Samooja (FIN) 70 67 a little bit nervous coming into ing partners are always good to an eight-under 63 with two ea- land’s Jack Senior were at ten- 66, Jack Senior (ENG) 69 66 68 tomorrow, but since I have won, have and you can lean on your gles and six birdies, the lowest under, a shot clear of two more 204 — Marcus Armitage (ENG) 67 it is a little bit more familiar, so caddie as well. We just enjoyed of the day to fi nish tied fi fth with Englishmen in Marcus Armitage 71 66, Andy Sullivan (ENG) 66 66 I will still be a little nervous but it and played very well. I putted Swede Alexander Bjork at 11-un- and Andy Sullivan, India’s SSP 72, S.S.P Chawrasia (IND) 67 69 hopefully tomorrow I can play as very well as well and that’s a big der overall with three birdies and Chawrasia, Belgian Thomas De- 68, Thomas Detry (BEL) 72 66 66, good as today and win.” factor,” Winther said. a bogey. try and Scotland’s Scott Jamie- Scott Jamieson (SCO) 67 68 69 England’s Andy Sullivan be- “It’s wide and I like it. I need a “The pin positions are super son. 205 — Lorenzo Gagli (ITA) 66 70 69 Sweden’s Alexander Bjork prepares to hit out of a bunker.

SPOTLIGHT Chawrasia within striking distance of best Indian fi nish at Qatar Masters

By Yash Mudgal long time… 18 more holes to go,” fi rst two days as well, before re- double fi gures under par, is still Doha Chawrasia said. gaining a stroke. fi ve behind leader Jorge Camp- If Chawrasia fi nishes higher He was looking steady and illo, who carded a third round 67 than seventh, it would be the best parred the next three holes. to take a one-shot lead into the ndia’s SSP Chawrasia looks Indian performance at the event However, a blip in concentration fi nal day. set for a strong fi nish in the in its 23-year history. Jyoti Rand- led to another bogey on the 15th. Chawrasia was a bit lucky at 2020 Commercial Bank Qa- hawa’s tied seventh in 2008 is the However, he regrouped himself the end of the day as he got a free tar Masters after carding a best by any Indian in Doha. He and carded par on the remaining drop when his approach shot Ithree-under par 68 to fi nish the also had a shared 12th in 2005. three holes. landed in stands at the 18th hole third round at 9-under. Having fi nished 47th as his best Talking about the conditions, and he fi nished the hole at par Chawrasia, who shot 67 and result in previous eight appearanc- he said: “When I came here, it was four with a fi ne chip shot. 69 on the fi rst two days, had four es and after missing cuts for three so windy. I was wondering how I “Luckily I got the free drop, birdies on the front and one more successive years since 2017 at the would play. It is so tough to play in and I had a good chip and parred on the back, and a bogey on either Doha Golf Club, the 41-year-old windy conditions, but I managed the fi nal hole to complete a sat- side to fi nish tied ninth along- golfer from Kolkata managed to good scores and I hope for a better isfactory round considering the side England’s Andy Sullivan play well over the last 36 holes this day tomorrow,” the two-time In- conditions,” said Chawrasia, who and Marcus Armitage, ’s time at the new venue — the Edu- dian Open champion said. is going to play in Indian Open Thomas Detry and Scotland’s cation City Golf Club. Chawrasia had carded a 67 at next. Scott Jamison. The four-time winner on Eu- last week’s fi nal round in Oman Chawrasia, who missed the cut “It was a good day for me. I ropean Tour Chawrasia had his and has now shot four successive last year at the Doha Golf Club have been playing good over the best start with four shots saved rounds in 60s. Another good one (DGC), said “I like this course last three days and now looking in the fi rst seven holes. But he could see him fi nish with a fl our- too. It is beautiful, but I think forward to the fourth day. I am suff ered a bogey on the ninth – ish. Doha Golf Club is a tough course India’s SSP Chawrasia plays a shot during the third round yesterday. PICTURE: Jayaram really enjoying my game after a something which he did on the The Indian, who twice touched to play in windy conditions.” Gulf Times 2 Sunday, March 8, 2020 GOLF

Sights from the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters at Education City Golf Club PICTURES: Jayaram

COMMERCIAL BANK QATAR MASTERS ARNOLD PALMER INVITATIONAL Team Drysdale Hatton and Kang lead aft er 36 holes Reuters Cary, North Carolina targeting long yrrell Hatton and Sung Kang took the second- round lead while Rory McIlroy stayed in con- Ttention at a windswept Arnold Palmer Invitational in central Florida on Friday. awaited win England’s Hatton by his own admission held his score to- Commercial Bank Qatar Masters 2020 is the Scot’s 498th event gether with smoke and mirrors on his inward nine but managed a three-under-par 69 on the Bay Hill course in Orlando. South Korean Kang tamed the Sung Kang of South Korea in action during the second round of the whipping winds, racking up six Arnold Palmer Invitational in Orlando, , on Friday. (AFP) birdies in a 68 that was bettered by only one player, Danny Lee, Co-leader Kang said he felt at son, Adam Scott, Lee Westwood who shot 67. home in the cool northerly wind. and Justin Rose. At seven-under 137, Hatton “I drove it great and putted Overnight leader Matt Every and Kang lead New Zealander nicely,” said the 32-year-old also exited early, by one shot, Lee by one shot, while 2018 who secured a breakthrough vic- thanks to an 83 that included a champion McIlroy is two behind tory last May at the Byron Nelson double-bogey at the last. after a 73 marred by a double- tournament in Dallas. He is the fi rst outright fi rst- bogey at the par-four eighth. round leader to miss a cut on the South Korea’s Im Sung-jae, RUES POOR DECISION PGA Tour since 2013. winner of last week’s Honda World No.1 McIlory, meanwhile, Former number one, Jason Classic, continued his stellar was not at his brilliant best, and Day, withdrew after four holes, form with a 69 and joined McIl- particularly rued the way he citing a bad back. roy two back, along with Ameri- played the eighth hole, where can Harris English (70). he drove into the rough with a LEADING ROUND II SCORES Hatton, in his second event three-wood and barely advanced 137 — Tyrrell Hatton (ENG) 68-69, back after three months out with the ball with his second shot. Kang Sung (KOR) 69-68 a wrist injury, was delighted with “The decision off the tee was 138 — Danny Lee (NZL) 71-67 his score in the circumstances. what I was most annoyed about,” 139 — Harris English (USA) 69-70, “I hit it in some interesting he said. “If I’d hit a fi ve-wood Im Sung-jae (KOR) 70-69, Rory spots,” said the four-time Euro- down the fairway it would have McIlroy (NIR) 66-73 pean Tour winner. “I don’t know been a whole diff erent story. I 140 — Marc Leishman (AUS) how I’ve got to seven-under with tried to take too much on with 71-69, Patrick Reed (USA) 70-70, how I played the back nine today. the tee shot, put myself in a really Christiaan Bezuidenhout (RSA) “I feel like I lost my swing quite bad spot and compounded that 68-72, Sam Burns (USA) 68-72, a bit on the back nine. error with a couple of other ones. Brendon Todd (USA) 68-72, Tom “Just didn’t have a clue where I bounced back well after that.” Hoge (USA) 70-70 it was going, struggling with hit- Recent world No.1 Brooks 141 — Scottie Scheff ler (USA) ting it quite far left. Just happy Koepka (73) trails by eight shots, 67-74, Rickie Fowler (USA) 71-70, to get in the clubhouse with no while a host of big names missed Scott Harrington (USA) 71-70, Col- damage done really.” the cut, including Phil Mickel- lin Morikawa (USA) 70-71

David Drysdale (left) heads to a green with caddie and wife Vicky during the third round of Commercial Bank Qatar Masters at Education City Golf Club yesterday. PICTURE: Jayaram UPDATE avid Drysdale and wife who celebrated her birthday this off there,” he said. “Got it down looks to establish himself on Vicky have formed one week. on a good number, 160 into the Tour, and he insists he will be of the European Tour’s “It was good fun,” said David. breeze, and it was perfect — four treating day four in the desert Tough decision to skip Players most famous teams “It’s my birthday in a couple of inches short. That’s the sort of like any other round. andD they will head into the fi nal weeks so we’re getting older to- birdie putt you like. “I’ll keep doing the same,” round of the 2020 Commercial gether but we’re enjoying each “I started quite well, I was he said. “I’m going to try not to Championship, says Woods Bank Qatar Masters looking for other’s company on the golf four under through six holes think about it and it’ll be excit- victory at the 498th attempt. course. and I just holed a couple of nice ing. I look forward to it. Reuters his title at Augusta National. made the cut and complained of David played his fi rst European “The fi rst couple of seasons putts. In the middle of the round “We had good fun, good play- Cary, North Carolina “It was not an easy decision,” back stiff ness. Tour event in 1999 and while worked very well. I haven’t I struggled a wee bit and hit a lot ing partners are always good to Woods said in a Twitter post of Woods then skipped the Vicky may have only been on the played the best the last 14 to 40 or 50 feet but managed to have and you can lean on your skipping the Players. WGC-Mexico Championship, bag for the past few seasons, they months or so, I’ve been grind- two putt them and move on and caddie as well. We just enjoyed iger Woods is “simply “I have to listen to my body Honda Classic and this week’s have formed a formidable pairing ing away, but we haven’t fallen capitalise on my good shots.” it and played very well. I putted not ready” to play next and properly rest when needed. Arnold Palmer Invitational. and achieved David’s third run- out yet.” Jeff Winther is alongside very well as well and that’s a big week’s Players Champi- My back is simply just not ready A source with knowledge of the ner-up fi nish at the 2019 Alfred A stunning second to tap-in Drysdale at 13-under as he too factor. onship in Florida, he said for play next week. I’m sad to matter told Reuters that Woods Dunhill Championship. range at the 17th put the icing on looks for a maiden victory in his “It’s wide and I like it. I need a Ton Friday of his decision to skip miss one of the best events of the tweaked his back while testing A bogey free 64 on day three a wonderful round, and Drys- 96th European Tour appear- bit of help off the tee at the mo- the prestigious $15mn event due season, OUR Championship.” drivers before the Genesis, where at Education City Golf Club dale was delighted with his per- ance. ment but otherwise than that I to a back issue. Former world number one he serves as tournament host. moved them within one of 54 formance. The Dane has graduated from really like it. The greenkeepers The setback, barely a month Woods has not competed since “He’s still sore from that. He hole leader Jorge Campillo and “I was pretty aggressive off the European have done very well this week, before the Masters, inevitably the Genesis Invitational at Rivi- probably shouldn’t have played a long awaited victory would be the tee (at the 17th), I hit driver, and come through the Quali- it’s phenomenal to putt on.” raises concerns about whether he era in mid-February, where he Riviera,” the source said, speaking the perfect present for Vicky, most guys would hit three wood fying School three times as he (European Tour) will be physically ready to defend fi nished last among those who on the condition of anonymity. Gulf Times Sunday, March 8, 2020 3 CRICKET

WOMEN’S T20 Battle-hardened Australia ready for ‘biggest’ game, says Lanning

Hosts face unbeaten India in a bid for record-extending fifth title SPOTLIGHT

Reuters Melbourne, Australia Restless India champing at ustralia captain Meg Lanning says the de- the bit for decider fending champions’ rocky road to the Twen- Reuters much and we didn’t manage haired teenager to deliver again ty20A World Cup fi nal against In- Melbourne, Australia to play the important game and not be overawed by the dia has them ready for the “big- against England. occasion. gest game” of women’s cricket in “We were all in touch and “She’s very excited, she’s some- Melbourne today. ndia will have energy to doing indoor training, but it one who has always enjoyed Since losing their tourna- burn when they take on doesn’t give you full confidence playing cricket,” Kaur said. ment opener to India, the hosts IAustralia in the Women’s because the surface is totally “I’m sure tomorrow again she lost talismanic all-rounder El- Twenty20 World Cup decider, diff erent.” will have a great time and she lyse Perry to injury and scraped after their semi-final against First-time finalists India have will get all the runs that we are through a string of do-or-die England was washed out by been a revelation since kicking expecting from her.” games, including the rain-hit rain, captain Harmanpreet Kaur off their tour six weeks ago Victory today would be the semi-fi nal against , said yesterday. with a five- loss to a Indian women’s greatest cricket to reach the Melbourne Cricket Undefeated India head into local selection of ‘B’ players triumph, two-and-a-half years Ground decider. today’s clash at the Melbourne in Sydney, the first match on after they lost the final of the Lanning said the testing cam- Cricket Ground after an eight- Australian soil for most of the 2017 one-day World Cup to paign had them in good stead to day break since their last group Indian squad. England at a sold-out Lord’s. take on Harmanpreet Kaur’s un- match against Sri Lanka. But they upset defending More than 75,000 tickets have defeated India. With Thursday’s semi-final in champions Australia in the been sold for the final and “It hasn’t been an easy road to Sydney abandoned without a tournament opener at Sydney many will have been snapped the fi nal but I wouldn’t have had ball bowled, the long rest pe- Showgrounds and have been up by Melbourne’s big Indian it any other way,” Lanning told riod did not go down well with untroubled since, with 16-year- community. reporters at the MCG yesterday. all the Indian players, Kaur said. old sensation Shafali Verma “It’s a great feeling... We’re really “We’re sort of match and bat- Australian captain Meg Lanning (right) speaks with coach Matthew Mott on the eve of the Twenty20 “No-one wanted to take rest, leading from the front with (feeling) positive for that,” Kaur tle-hardened, really. women’s World Cup final against India in Melbourne, Australia. (AFP) everyone was so keen, every- firepower. said. “The last four games have been one was on the ground and Opener Verma has scored 161 “Rather than thinking about cut-throat, must-win clashes... “all options were on the table” ready to deal with the situa- runs to top India’s batting and what is going to trouble us and we’ve had to deal with that Routes to the fi nal in terms of selection changes, tion,” Kaur told reporters at the leads the tournament with a (on field), it’s only about being pressure and the need to stand up pending a review of the MCG MCG yesterday. fierce strike-rate, also of 161. there, enjoying the moment when you’re under the pump. INDIA AUSTRALIA pitch. “We haven’t been outdoors Kaur backed the stocky, short- and giving our best.” “I’ve been extremely proud Group A Group A Although Australia were yet to about how the group’s handled bt Australia by 17 runs. lost to India by 17 runs. play their “best game”, Lanning that.” India 132-4; Australia 115 Australia 115; India 132-4 said there was little need for ma- Australia, long the benchmark bt Bangladesh by 18 runs. bt Sri Lanka by 5 . jor changes. of women’s cricket, will bid for India 142-6; Bangladesh 124-8 Australia 123-5; Sri Lanka 122-6 “I think we’ve shown that a record-extending fi fth T20 bt New Zealand by 4 runs. bt Bangladesh by 86 runs. we’re able to cope and be really World Cup title in front of a huge India 133-8; New Zealand 130-6 Australia 189-1; Bangladesh calm under pressure and that’s crowd at the 100,000-capacity bt Sri Lanka by seven wick- 103-9 what’s going to be needed tomor- stadium. ets. India 116-3; Sri Lanka 113-9 bt New Zealand by 4 runs. row,” she said. Organisers hope the attend- Semi-final Australia 155-5; New Zealand 151-7 “Often in fi nals you don’t need ance on International Women’s v England. Match aban- Semi-final to go above and beyond what Day might set a record for a doned due to rain. India pro- bt South Africa by 5 runs. you’ve already presented. It’s ac- women’s sporting event. gressed as highest-placed team Australia 135-5; South Africa tually just about producing that “To know that game day’s to- from group 92-5 (revised DLS target) again and making sure you do the morrow, we’re involved in the basics really well. biggest game of women’s cricket “Especially early in the game that’s been, everyone’s just look- “We’re not coming here just to Sydney Showgrounds, their when there are a lot of nerves fl y- ing forward to the occasion,” said put on a show, we’re coming here batswomen struggling against ing around, that’s going to be re- Lanning. to win, that’s the attitude we’re the wrist spin of Poonam Yadav, ally important. “I always dreamed of being in- going in with.” who took 4-19. “I think the team that set- volved in this game when I saw Australia were comprehen- Lanning said their would be tles the quickest will give them- India’s Shafali Verma has scored 161 runs to top India’s batting and leads the tournament with a fierce it was at the MCG and they were sively beaten by the Indians in plenty of practice against slow selves a really good chance in this strike-rate, also of 161. (AFP) hoping for a big crowd. the tournament opener at the bowling at training and that game.”

BOTTOMLINE PAKISTAN SUPER LEAGUE Lahore Qalandars ride to win Labuschagne ton in vain as on Patel’s career-best fi gures ahore Qalandars’ Samit Patel recorded his best South Africa sweep series bowling fi gures in T20 cricket against Quetta South African seamer Daryn LGladiators to help his side to their Reuters Potchefstroom, South Africa Dupavillon (1-21), who was in second win of the HBL PSL 2020 the team after the home side at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium yes- rested the spearhead of their at- terday. ustralia’s Marnus La- tack, Lungi Ngidi. The left-arm orthodox re- buschagne scored his Labuschagne set about build- turned four for fi ve in four overs, fi rst one-day interna- ing the innings, though, as he put which also included a maiden, as tional century but it on 81 for the fourth wicket with Qalandars won by eight wickets. wasA in a losing cause as South D’Arcy Short (36) and 53 for the Patel’s all four wickets came Africa breezed to a six-wicket fi fth with Mitchell Marsh (32). inside the Powerplay as Gladia- victory in Potchefstroom yes- He reached his maiden ODI tors reeled at 21 for six by the end terday and a clean sweep of the century off exactly 100 balls, of the sixth over. Lahore Qalandars’ Samit Patel (right) celebrates the dismissal Quetta three-match series. much to his delight and that of Gladiators managed 98 for Gladiators’ Sarfaraz Ahmed (centre) yesterday. (AFP) After being sent into bat, a sizeable group of family and nine in 20 overs and that their Australia posted a below-par friends in the stands. bowlers had something to bowl ZALMI WIN ON DLS as he made 41 runs from 25 balls. 254 for seven in their 50 overs, South Africa’s chase came at was due to Sohail Khan’s 35- In the earlier match, Peshawar Peshawar Zalmi were given a with South African-born La- at a good rate, with Smuts’s 84 ball 32. He hit two sixes and two Zalmi beat Islamabad United fl ying start by Kamran Akmal, buschagne hitting a run-a-ball coming off 98 balls, including fours, and crafted a 34-run part- by seven runs on Duckworth- who made a 21-ball 37. Tom Ban- 108 to bolster an otherwise me- 12 fours, before he fell with his nership with Zahid Mehmood, Lewis-Stern method. ton and Haider Ali were batting diocre eff ort from the visitors. hundred, and victory, in sight. who made run-a-ball 19. Zalmi were 85 for two in nine at 20 and 16 when the play was The home side always looked He added 96 with Verreynne Qalandars chased down the overs – seven runs ahead of the halted. (PSL-T20.com) in control of their chase, J J for the third wicket, a partner- target with 49 balls spare with par score – in their chase of 196 Smuts playing the anchor role ship that laid the platform for a Mohamed Hafeez (39 off 32) and when rain brought the match to a BRIEF SCORES with a career-best 84 and ably comfortable victory as man of Ben Dunk (30 off 21) taking them halt in Rawalpindi. Quetta Gladiators 98-9 in 20 supported by other new faces the series Klaasen smashed the over the line. United put an impressive 195 overs (Sohail Khan 32; Samit Patel Kyle Verreynne (50) and Hein- South Africa’s J J Smuts acknowledges the crowd after reaching his winning runs with a six to take Their innings got impetus in for fi ve as Colin Munro (35-ball 4-5, Shaheen Afridi 2-20, Raja Far- rich Klaasen (68 ) as they 50 as teammate Heinrich Klaasen (left) looks on during the third ODI his tally in the three matches to the second over as Fakhar Zaman 52) and Shadab Khan (42-ball 77) zan 2-24) lost to Lahore Qaland- romped to victory with 27 balls in Potchefstroom, South Africa, yesterday. (Reuters) 242. (20 off 13) smashed Mohamed scored half-centuries. The pair ars 100-2 in 11.5 overs (Mohamed remaining. South Africa now embark on Hasnain for three fours and a six. crafted a 67-run partnership af- Hafeez 39 not out; Mohamed South Africa continued their Australia struggled to get go- tion of another 16 runs as South a three-game ODI tour of In- Mohamed Nawaz was the only ter Luke Ronchi (six) and Rizwan Nawaz 2-9) by 8 wickets. recent dominance of Australia ing in their innings, managing Africa picked up the key wickets dia starting on Thursday, while bowler to take wickets in the Hussain (fi ve) were dismissed by Islamabad United 195-5 in in this format having won 11 of just 39 in the fi rst 10 overs for of Steve Smith (20) and captain Australia return home to host run-chase as the left-arm ortho- Rahat Ali (one for 41) and Hasan 20 overs (Shadab Khan 77, Colin their last 12 ODI meetings dat- the loss of David Warner (4), and Aaron Finch (22). New Zealand in a limited-overs dox accounted for the wickets of Ali (two for 36). Munro 52; Hasan Ali 2-36) lost to ing back to 2016. were three down for the addi- Finch was a debut wicket for tour beginning on Friday. Fakhar and Sohail Akhtar (fi ve off Colin Ingram was the other Peshawar Zalmi 85-2 in 9 overs fi ve). notable performer with the bat (Kamran Akmal 37) by 7 runs (DLS) Scorecard AUSTRALIA Extras (lb3, w5) 8 SOUTH AFRICA Total (4 wkts, 45.3 overs) 258 D. Warner c De Kock b Nortje 4 Total (7 wkts, 50 overs) 254 J. Malan c Carey b Hazlewood 23 Fall of wickets: 1-47 (De Kock), Malan added to South Africa squad for India A. Finch c Miller b Dupavillon 22 Fall of wickets: 1-12 (Warner), 2-54 (Malan), 3-150 (Verreynne), Q. de Kock b Hazlewood 26 AFP Malan will be part of a 16-man days earlier. 2-43 (Smith), 3-55 (Finch), 4-136 4-229 (Smuts) S. Smith lbw b Phehlukwayo 20 J. Smuts c Warner b K. Richardson Potchefstroom, South Africa squad which will depart from He made a strong claim for (Short), 5-189 (Marsh), 6-189 Bowling: J. Richardson 10-1-58- Johannesburg on Sunday. The inclusion when he scored a M. Labuschagne b Nortje 108 84 (Carey), 7-253 (Labuschagne) 0 (1w), Hazlewood 10-1-37-2, K. first match is in Dharamshala match-winning 129 not out K. Verreynne c Labuschagne b D. Short c Klaasen b Smuts 36 Bowling: Nortje 7-0-35-2, Richardson 9-0-63-1, Zampa 10- pening batsman Jan- on Thursday. in the second match against Zampa 50 M. Marsh run out (Miller) 32 Sipamla 8-0-40-0 (1w), Dupavil- 0-45-1, Marsh 1.3-0-21-0, Finch neman Malan has been Malan, 23, was not included in Australia in Bloemfontein on added to South Africa’s a squad which was announced Wednesday. A. Carey b Smuts 0lon 6-0-21-1 (1w), Phehlukwayo H. Klaasen not out 68 2-0-11-0, Short 3-0-20-0 O 7-0-49-1 (3w), Maharaj 10-0- squad for three one-day inter- last Monday after being out first Malan made 23 in the final J. Richardson not out 24 D. Miller not out 3 RESULT: South Africa won by 45-0, Klaasen 3-0-19-0, Smuts nationals in India, Cricket South ball on his one-day internation- match against Australia yes- Extras (lb3, w1) 4 six wickets K. Richardson not out 0 9-1-42-2 Africa announced yesterday. al debut against Australia two terday. Gulf Times 4 Sunday, March 8, 2020 SPORT

RUGBY/ SIX NATIONS GAME PREVIEW ’s coach Fabien Watson shines as ‘on alert’ in Scotland England beat Wales 33-30 to stay in hunt France’s players attend the Captain’s Run training session at England led 20-9 at half-time thanks to tries from Watson and full-back Daly Murrayfield Stadium in Edinburgh yesterday. (AFP)

AFP terpart Gregor Townsend has Edinburgh enlisted the help of exiled fl y- half Finn Russell, who plays his club rugby with Paris’ Rac- rance head coach Fabi- ing 92, as well as scrum coach en Galthie says his side Pieter de Villiers who made are “on alert” against 69 appearances for France be- complacency as they tween 1999-2007. travelF to Scotland today with Despite his input, Russell an eye on setting up a Six Na- will not feature for his country tions showdown this weekend due to a break- with Ireland. down in his relationship with Galthie’s les Bleus are un- Townsend. beaten in their opening three “We don’t know the French games of the tournament but as well as the other teams, we head to Murrayfi eld without a don’t play them on a regular win in Edinburgh since 2014. basis in the PRO14, and the A victory in the Scottish French have brought a number capital would give Galthie’s of new players into their side a shot at a fi rst Grand squad,” Townsend said. Slam since 2010 by hosting “Conversations with play- Ireland on March 14. ers who are playing in France, “We have to keep the stand- people who have worked under ards we have been looking for Fabien Galthie in the past, and on and off the field,” Galthie also having a former French said on Friday. international (Pieter de Vil- “It’s what’s at stake. We are liers) on our coaching staff has on alert for this type of expe- certainly helped. rience, we are on alert for this “It was good to have that danger,” he added. contact to help us with our The former scrum-half’s preparation,” he added. team manager Raphael Ibanez Despite the absence of the also had a word of warning for infl uential Russell, Galthie their inexperienced side. said Townsend’s men remain Only winger Gael Fickou has dangerous. more than 50 Test appearances “When they get into the ac- and lock Bernard Le Roux is tion zone, they are capable of the sole member of the squad creating chaos by moving the older than 30. ball wide, long passes, and the “We’re in a positive situa- speed of their players,” he said. tion. Obviously there’s per- “Individuals like Hamish spective of great things to Watson, who is an excellent come but with that in mind player, and Stuart Hogg too. nothing is written before- Their organisation around hand,” Ibanez said. the ball is capable of hurting England’s Anthony Watson scores their first try during the Six Nations match against Wales at the Twickenham, west London, yesterday. (Reuters) “We will remain careful, pretty much any team in the humble and we will work.” world,” he added. AFP with his second try, crossed Eng- kicks in a 15-point haul. Wales’ line. North’s knock-on ond penalty then extended Eng- The game takes place under Twickenham land’s line in the closing stages Wales’ fi rst-half points came allowed England lock Maro Itoje land’s lead. Russell’s inside information the cloud of the coronavirus but it was all too late for the courtesy of two penalties from to charge through as he set up a But, with England overplaying Galthie’s Scotland coun- outbreak. visitors. Defeat meant reigning full-back Leigh Halfpenny and line-out deep in Welsh territory. after the 40-minute mark, Big- nthony Watson marked Grand Slam champions Wales, one from fl y-half Biggar. England won the set-piece gar’s penalty reduced the arrears. his return to Test rugby under new coach Wayne Pivac, England had been 10-3 up and, with Wales braced for a Wales started the second half with a try inside four had suff ered a third successive at the break in last year’s cor- driving maul, scrum-half Ben with a brilliant score. Women’s Six Nations match postponed minutes as England Six Nations defeat for the fi rst responding fi xture in Cardiff , Youngs released Watson with a From the kick-off , England- beatA Wales 33-30 at Twicken- time since 2007. only to lose 21-13. And they were clever inside pass that saw the born centre Nick Tompkins ex- Scotland’s women’s Six well.” ham yesterday to win the Triple This is likely to be World Cup cold from the kick-off at Bath fl yer dance past scrum-half changed passes with returning Nations match against The Scotland women’s team Crown and keep alive their Six fi nalists England’s last match for the start of the second half thanks Tomos Williams and wing Liam No 8 Josh Navidi before fi nding France was postponed returned from northern Italy Nations title hopes despite a red several months, with their sched- to a brilliant Wales breakaway try Williams. Tomos Williams and, with Tipu- on Friday after a Scottish on February 23 after their card for Manu Tuilagi. uled Championship fi nale against fi nished by fl anker Tipuric before Farrell converted to take the ric on his shoulder, the scrum- player tested positive for the scheduled match against England were cruising at 33-16 Italy in Rome next week post- pulling clear again, with Tuilagi’s centre past 900 points for Eng- half released the charging fl anker coronavirus, off icials said. Italy was postponed. ahead on the hour mark thanks to poned due to the deadly corona- score leaving them in command. land. But Farrell was at fault when for a try between the posts. “This decision has been In Italy, 197 people have tries from Anthony Watson, El- virus. England have a habit of mak- conceding a penalty with a late Biggar converted and Eng- taken as a result of a Scottish died from the coronavirus, liot Daly and Tuilagi. Victory saw England, beaten ing fast starts under coach Eddie challenge as England lost Jonny land’s lead was down to 20-16. player testing positive for making it Europe’s worst But fi ve minutes from time, by France in their tournament Jones — coming into this game May to a head injury. But two Wales infringement coronavirus today,” said a aff ected country. powerhouse centre Tuilagi was opener, keep the pressure on the they had scored a try in the fi rst Farrell and Halfpenny ex- allowed Farrell and Ford to calm Scottish Rugby statement. “We are pleased that our shown a red card by referee Ben Grand Slam-chasers ahead of Les 10 minutes in 16 of their past changed penalties before Eng- home nerves with a pair of penal- “Seven members of player is doing well and O’Keeff e for a shoulder charge on Bleus’ match away to Scotland 30 Tests, winning 75 % of those land scored their second try eight ties that left England two scores management and players that all the correct medical George North as he prevented the today. England led 20-9 at half- matches. minutes before the break, which ahead at 26-16. are self-isolating on medical procedures have been Wales wing going in at the corner time thanks to tries from Watson And it took Watson, making his came from an attacking line-out. England had their third try advice. The player has followed and continue to after replacement England for- and full-back Daly. fi rst England appearance since Itoje again won the set-piece, when Tuilagi strolled in against been admitted to a health be followed,” said James ward Ellis Genge had been sin- Both scores were converted by November’s World Cup fi nal de- with fl y-half George Ford sending a tiring defence only for their care facility as part of the Robson, Scottish Rugby’s binned. England captain Owen Farrell, feat by South Africa in Japan, Daly in at the left corner. indiscipline to set up a frantic fi - protocol but is otherwise Chief Medical off icer. Dan Biggar and Justin Tipuric, who landed all six of his goal- fewer than four minutes to cross Farrell converted and his sec- nale.

BOXING Fury hints retirement is near, Top Rank’s DuBoef not so sure Reuters “Manny Pacquiao was retired for a while Los Angeles and he’s 42,” DuBoef told Reuters, referring Thai champ Chayaphon to to the Filipino legend who is planning to fi ght defend crown in USA in April again this year. BC heavyweight champion Ty- “Bernard Hopkins was never coming back. Thailand’s undefeated the crown in 12 of them. His son Fury stunned boxing fans Conor McGregor retired. We’ll see how it Chayaphon Moonsri will most recent triumph was a on Wednesday when he said he plays out,” he said. fight outside his homeland 12-round unanimous decision would only fi ght twice more but “He may get inspired and there could be a for the first time next month, over South Africa’s Simphiwe Wthe president of his promotional company Wilder-Fury four fi ght. There could be an An- defending his World Boxing Knonco in a title defence last wouldn’t be surprised if his career carried on thony Joshua one, two and three fi ghts. Who Council minimumweight October. longer than that. the hell knows, right? world title at Indio, , The fight is among four world Fury soundly defeated Deontay Wilder last “I’m not going to predict anything but I’ve promoters said Thursday. title bouts on the undercard month to claim the WBC belt and the pair are been in the business a long time and I’ve seen Chayaphon, 54-0 with 18 of a 12-round cruiserweight expected to meet for a third time in early July af- people when they’ve thought it was time to knockouts, will face 20-year- fight between Russian former ter the American, who fought Fury to a draw in get out, come back.” old Filipino southpaw Marco light-heavyweight world their fi rst meeting, triggered a rematch clause. DuBoef said despite the one-sided nature Rementizo, 12-3 with nine champion Sergey Kovalev, Boxing fans hope to see an all-British battle of the recent Wilder-Fury showdown, which knockouts, in a 12-round 34-3 with one drawn and between Fury and WBA, IBF and WBO cham- set a Las Vegas gate record for a heavyweight mini-flyweight (105 pounds) 29 knockouts, and Cuban pion Anthony Joshua, possibly in December, fi ght, there will be no trouble drumming up matchup on April 25 at former world title challenger and Fury said he was then likely to hang up his interest in a third instalment given Wilder’s Fantasy Springs Resort Sullivan Barrera, 22-3 with 14 gloves. knockout power. Casino. knockouts. “I’ve got two more fi ghts left and then we’re “Most people picked Wilder going into this Chayaphon, also known as Nicaraguan twin brothers going to really think about what we’re going to fi ght,” DuBoef said of the Alabama native, who Wanheng Menayothin, is the Felix and Rene Alvarado, both do from there,” Fury, 31, told British TV show is 42-1-1 with 41 KOs. longest-reigning active world 31, will each defend a world This Morning while seated alongside his wife “Tyson shocked everybody in this one champion, having taken title on the card. Paris. by executing a game plan but the one game his crown from Mexico’s Felix, 35-2 with 30 knockouts, “I’m undefeated in 31 professional fi ghts, plan he can’t execute is defence against Oswaldo Novoa with a ninth- will make the second defence this is my 12th year as a professional, so yeah, a guy that has dynamite in his hand,” he round stoppage in November of his International Boxing that’s what I want.” added. 2014. Federation light flyweight Top Rank president Todd DuBoef said he “As long as a guy can crack the way Wilder Since then, the 34-year-old world title against South had seen fi ghters he’s worked with say they does, he’s always in the fi ght. Thai fighter has won 18 Africa’s DeeJay Kriel, 16-1-1 are going to retire, only to be lured back into “Just because you got him on one night consecutive bouts, defending with eight knockouts. the ring later. doesn’t mean you can get him every night.” File photo of Tyson Fury. (Reuters) Gulf Times Sunday, March 8, 2020 5 SPORT

NBA NHL Devils continue home win streak James, Davis star as by beating Blues

Reuters back wall, then fed Schwartz Los Angeles cutting through the slot. But Anderson’s empty-net goal with 57 seconds left for ory Schneider made the Devils sealed the victory. Lakers end playoff 31 saves as the New Jersey Devils beat JETS TOP GOLDEN the visiting St. Louis KNIGHTS ‘HE IS SUCH A GREAT PLAYER. I JUST CBlues 4-2 Friday night in Ne- Goalie Connor Hellebuyck wark, NJ. worked his league-leading WANTED TO KEEP A BODY IN FRONT OF The Devils won their fi fth sixth shutout, Kyle Connor straight home game, while netted his team-high 36th HIM AND MAKE IT TOUGH ON HIM’ snapping the Blues’ eight- tally in Winnipeg’s three- drought game winning streak. goal fi rst period and the Jets New Jersey earned its fi rst victory over RESULTS the Blues since Jan. 21, 2014. New Jersey 4-2 St. Louis Schneider is 3-0-1 Detroit 2-1 Chicago with just six goals al- lowed in four games Winnipeg 4-0 Las Vegas since returning from Calgary 3-2 Arizona the AHL. The Devils Anaheim 2-1 Toronto supported him with goals from Jesper Vancouver 6-3 Colorado Bratt, Dakota Mermis, Con- earned a 4-0 home win over nor Carrick and Joey Ander- the Vegas Golden Knights on son. Friday night. Vince Dunn and Jaden Hellebuyck stopped all 29 Schwartz scored for the Blues, shots in his fourth straight and Jordan Binnington made start (3-1-0), authoring his 28 saves. 20th career shutout and mov- The Devils struck fi rst. ing to 17-11-3 at home. Bratt burst in on right wing, Nikolaj Ehlers scored his raced around defenseman 24th goal in the game’s fi rst Colton Parayko, cut to his minute, and Patrik Laine forehand and beat Binnington notched his 27th and added one-on-one at the 8:38 mark an assist as the Jets built a 3-0 of the fi rst period. lead in the opening period of The Blues tied the game 1-1 the second meeting between nearly four minutes later on the teams. a power play. Robert Thomas Mathieu Perreault pot- set up Tyler Bozak in front of ted a goal in his return from a the net, then Dunn converted three-game absence because the rebound from the near of injury, with Ehlers chipping edge of the right circle. in an assist for a two-point Mermis put the Devils up night for the Jets, who won for 2-1 at 6:50 of the second pe- the third time in four games riod, fi ring a turnaround shot and are 10-5-2 since Feb. 1. from the back edge of the Winnipeg also claimed its left circle that found its way fi fth straight home win, im- through traffi c and inside the proving to 8-2-1 in its last right post. 11 on home ice. The Jets are That was the fi rst NHL goal 4-2-1 all time vs. the Golden for Mermis, a native of Alton, Knights. Ill., a nearby suburb just over Marc-Andre Fleury made 20 miles from St. Louis. 20 saves for Vegas, which is Carrick made it 3-1, fi ring still 9-2-0 in its last 11. a shot from the right point The Golden Knights were through Travis Zajac’s screen shut out to open a fi ve-game with 2:02 left in the second road trip – their fourth time period. being blanked this season The Devils believed they – and nine of their fi nal 13 pushed the lead to 4-1 mo- games will be played away LeBron James (right) of the Los Angeles Lakers backs in on Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks during the third quarter at Staples Center in Los Angeles on Friday. (AFP) ments later with a Kevin from Las Vegas. Rooney goal, but the Blues Ehlers started the scor- AFP The Bucks led by as much as nine in the a good dinner. Then lock in on Clippers to- erased it with a successful ing just 32 seconds into the RESULTS Los Angeles fi rst half before the Lakers forced a tie 48- morrow,” James said. goaltender-interference chal- contest by swooping around 48 at halftime. Davis was limited to fi ve Elsewhere, Josh Hart scored 19 points lenge. Upon further review, Fleury’s net and curling the Washington 118-112 Atlanta points in 10 fi rst-half minutes because of with 12 rebounds and rookie Zion William- Rooney displaced Binning- puck around the post and eBron James and Anthony Davis Brooklyn 139-120 San Antonio foul trouble. James also talked about the son tallied 17 points as the New Orleans Peli- ton’s stick as he skated along into the vacated crease. Vegas scored all but one of Los Angeles’ Oklahoma 126-103 New York possibility of playing NBA games without cans snapped a three-game winless streak the top of the crease. winger Ryan Reaves – a Win- points in the fi nal quarter as the Lak- Utah 99-94 Boston fans in the arena due to fears over the coro- with a 110-104 win over Miami on Friday. Schwartz cut the lead to 3-2 nipeg native – inadvertently ers rallied to beat the NBA-leading navirus outbreak. This was the fi rst game in the last 14 that with 3:11 left. Brayden Schenn tipped in the puck off the re- LMilwaukee Bucks 113-102 and clinch a play- Indiana 108-102 Chicago The league sent a memo to each team on rising star Williamson scored fewer than 20 forced a turnover along the treating Fleury for a 1-0 lead. off spot on Friday. Orlando 132-118 Minnesota Friday asking them to develop contingency points, but the host Pelicans still managed The dynamic duo combined for 67 points New Orleans 110-104 Miami plans to combat the spread of the virus. One to pull out the victory in front of a crowd of as James scored 11 of his team-high 37 points of the alternatives is playing games behind 18,300 at the Smoothie King Center. in the fi nal quarter and Davis scored 14 of Dallas 121-96 Memphis closed doors. Brandon Ingram woke up in the fourth his 30 in the fourth in the clash between the Phoenix 127-117 Portland “Nah. It’s impossible,” said James. “If I quarter to off set a poor shooting night by teams with the league’s best records. LA Lakers 113-103 Milwaukee show up to the arena and there ain’t no fans making two key late jump shots. Ingram The two stars played keep away from their in the crowd, then I ain’t playing. made just four of 20 shot attempts. teammates and would have shut out the rest of The Lakers earned a measure of revenge “I ain’t never played the game without no Jrue Holiday scored a team high 20 points their bench had guard Alex Caruso not made with Friday’s win. In their initial meeting fans. Ever since I started. This ain’t Europe. and Lonzo Ball had 16 in the win. a free throw with 14 seconds left on the clock this season on December 19 in Milwaukee, Jimmy Butler scored 28 for the Heat, and the game out of reach for Milwaukee. the Bucks defeated the Lakers 111-104. ‘AIN’T PLAYING’ Duncan Robinson scored 24, including eight “I am extremely tired,” said James, who Antetokounmpo played a huge role in “I play for my teammates and I play for the three pointers. Goran Drajic scored 15 and also had eight rebounds and eight assists in that victory with 34 points, 11 rebounds and fans. That’s what it is all about.” Andre Iguodala had 10 for Miami, who saw 37 minutes of playing time. seven assists. The Lakers have another diffi cult oppo- their four-game winning streak stopped. The Lakers clinched a playoff spot for the “He got to the free-throw line a lot,” said nent on the weekend. Today they face Kawhi Robinson broke the Heat’s single-season fi rst time since 2013, ending a seven-year James of Antetokounmpo on Friday. “He is Leonard and the Los Angeles Clippers, who record of 227 three-pointers which was pre- tailspin. such a great player. I just wanted to keep a are in second place behind the Lakers in the viously held by Wayne Ellington. Reigning league MVP Giannis Antetok- body in front of him and make it tough on Western Conference standings. Elsewhere, Mike Conley scored 25 points ounmpo had a double double with a team- him.” James said he wants to enjoy their third thanks to some brilliant three-point shoot- high 32 points and 11 rebounds in the loss. He Kyle Kuzma, with 11, was the only other win in a row for a few hours before he starts ing as the Utah Jazz overcame a poor per- Cory Schneider (right) of the New Jersey Devils makes the first was matched up against James for much of Laker to fi nish in double fi gures while the thinking about how to play the Clippers. formance from Donovan Mitchell to beat the period save as Oskar Sundqvist (left) of the St. Louis Blues looks for the evening. Bucks had fi ve in double fi gures. “I am going to get some rest tonight. Get injury-riddled Boston Celtics 99-94. the rebound at the Prudential Center in Newark on Friday. (AFP)

BASEBALL Mets reassign Tebow to minor league camp Reuters cut short by a hand laceration Los Angeles sustained on July 21. Saints placing 1st-round tender on QB Hill In three minor league sea- sons in the Mets’ organisation, Even though the New Orleans Saints been an explosive performer for the he New York Mets Tebow has a collective.223 av- are likely to have star quarterback Saints since he was signed three years reassigned outfi elder erage with 18 homers and 107 Drew Brees back for another year, they ago as an undrafted free agent. Not Tim Tebow to their RBIs in 287 games across all appear to be looking ahead to ensure only can Hill play quarterback, but he minor league camp on levels. that backup Taysom Hill will return, as also can move to wide receiver, tight TFriday. Tebow was a star quarter- well. end and running back, and he plays on The 32-year-old Tebow back who won the Heisman at The Saints plan to place a first-round special teams. went 2-for-13 (.154) in 10 Florida in 2007. He spent four tender on the restricted free agent, On Thursday, Brees again indicated spring games with four walks seasons (2006-09) with the ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported Friday. that he wants to remain with the and six strikeouts. Gators and passed for 9,285 That would mean another team Saints. The former Heisman Tro- yards, 88 touchdowns and interested in signing him would need “Listen, I have no intention of going phy winner homered off De- 16 interceptions, while also to give the Saints a first-round pick in anywhere,” he told The Greg Hill troit’s Alex Wilson on Febru- compiling 2,947 rushing yards the upcoming NFL draft. Morning Show on Boston’s WEEI FM. “I ary 25. and 57 touchdowns. The Saints also will be able to match don’t care what the off er would be or In four spring trainings He played in 35 NFL games any team’s off er for the versatile Hill what the situation might be, I am Who with the Mets, Tebow has with the Denver Broncos following their qualifying off er of one Dat Nation for life.” batted.151 (11-for-73) with 28 (2010-11) and New York Jets year and $4.67mn, according to Over In 2019, Hill completed 3 of 6 passes strikeouts. (2012) and passed for 2,422 the Cap. New Orleans would like to for 55 yards, rushed for 156 yards and a Tebow batted.163 with yards, 17 touchdowns and sign Hill before the off icial start of score on 27 carries, and caught 19 balls four homers and 19 RBIs in 77 nine interceptions while free agency on March 18, though, for 234 yards and six touchdowns. He games for Triple-A Syracuse rushing for 989 yards and 12 thus making the first-round tender also completed a 50-yard pass in the last season. The outfi elder scores. unnecessary. Saints’ playoff loss to the Minnesota struck out 98 times in 239 Tebow was one of 11 players Hill, who will turn 30 in August, has Vikings. Reuters at-bats before his season was reassigned on Friday. File photo of New York Mets outfielder Tim Tebow. PICTURE: USA TODAY Sports Gulf Times 6 Sunday, March 8, 2020 SPORT

SPOTLIGHT Mbappe shows stunning talent as doubts about PSG future re-emerge

AFP substituted in a recent win for which France have quali- Madrid’s interest in the striker Paris over Montpellier — surely does fi ed for the fi rst time since never goes away. not help. 1996. Mbappe has in the past Nevertheless, probably “Everyone knows he has the said playing at the Games was the most important factor in his week has seen new talent, but you are also judged a “boyhood dream”. However, Mbappe opting to stay or push doubts raised about on the image you give off ,” clubs are not obliged to release for a move at the end of this Kylian Mbappe’s long- former PSG player and coach players for the Olympics and season is PSG’s performance term future at Paris Luis Fernandez told L’Equipe. PSG have reportedly written in the Champions League. TSaint-Germain, but the World By Wednesday, the focus to the French Football Federa- Trailing 2-1 from the fi rst Cup winner also underlined had switched to reports that tion to say they would now al- leg of their tie against Borussia how vital he is to his club as Mbappe and the club were on low him to go. But could pre- Dortmund, the risk of a fourth they prepare for a make-or- a potential collision course venting Mbappe from going successive exit in the last 16 is break Champions League date regarding the player’s possible to Tokyo only help push him real. It is hard to see how the with Borussia Dortmund. participation at the Olympics, towards the exit? Talk of Real Qatar project in Paris would On Tuesday, the main story remain credible if they go in sports daily L’Equipe won- PSG’s game at Strasbourg postponed over virus out in next week’s return dered why Mbappe — born in match. the French capital and brought Paris: Paris Saint-Germain’s The decision was made after a In the meantime, Mbappe up in the Paris suburbs — was Ligue 1 game at Strasbourg yes- number of people tested posi- made clear his importance not revered by PSG support- terday has been postponed over tive for COVID-19 in the Haut- to Thomas Tuchel’s team ers in the way former stars coronavirus fears, the French Rhin region, which neighbours with a hat-trick in Wednes- had been.One banner dur- football league (LFP) said. the Bas-Rhin region where day’s 5-1 French Cup semi- ing a recent match at the Parc “Following an order from the Strasbourg is located. fi nal win at Lyon, including des Princes targeted Mbappe, Bas-Rhin authorities concerning “The arrival of 26,000 at the a stunning run from inside Neymar and captain Thiago the spread of the coronavirus, Stade de la Meinau, a quar- his own half for his second Silva, asking them if they were the meeting is postponed,” the ter of which would come goal. It was a display which “afraid of winning” and urging LFP said in a statement. from the Haut-Rhin region, is confi rmed one thing: there them to “show some balls”. It is the first French league likely to promote the spread of is little stopping Mbappe on The 21-year-old’s perceived match to be postponed be- COVID-19,” local authorities said that form. For Mbappe and arrogance — encapsulated by cause of the new coronavirus. in a statement. his club, all thoughts for his angry response to being now are on Dortmund.

MOTORCYCLING/ QNB GRAND PRIX OF QATAR / DAVIS CUP Millman heroics hand Australia USA’s Roberts stuns win over

AFP back to beat John Peers and Adelaide James Duckworth 5-7, 7-5, 7-6 (8/6) in almost three hours to pull Brazil back to trail 2-1. ohn Millman lifted Aus- The jubilant pair fi nally got with maiden Moto2 tralia to a gritty 3-1 vic- Brazil home on their fi fth match tory over Brazil with a te- point after Australia saved four nacious win over Thiago match points in a fl uctuating In Q1 Marcel Schrötter went MonteiroJ yesterday to qualify fi nal set tiebreaker. Demoliner his country for the Davis Cup and Alves had to win the dou- just a thousandth of a second fi nals later this year. bles after Jordan Thompson and Millman proved to be his Millman won Friday’s opening of Roberts’ Friday lap record team’s hero with a second fi ght- singles to give Australia a com- pole in Doha ing win in the singles wearing manding 2-0 lead. down Monteiro 6-7 (6/8), 7-6 Australia went into the home oe Roberts (American Rac- (7/3), 7-6 (7-3) in three hours tie without Nick Kyrgios, side- ing) slammed in a stunning fi ve minutes at Adelaide’s Me- lined with a wrist injury, while 1:58.136 in Moto2 Q2 at the morial Drive. was a late with- QNB Grand Prix of Qatar to The victory followed up his drawal as he struggles to over- earnJ his maiden Grand Prix pole other come-from-behind win come an abdominal tear. position, with America also seeing over Thiago Seyboth Wild in their fi rst intermediate class pole three sets in Friday’s singles. ECUADOR UPSET JAPAN in almost a decade. Lleyton Hewitt’s Australians Underdogs Ecuador swept their The Free Practice paceset- will now join 11 other qualifi - Davis Cup qualifi er against Ja- ter’s qualifying time was ex- ers and the 2019 semi-fi nalists pan yesterday in a match played actly the same as second place — , Britain, Russia and behind closed doors due to the Luca Marini’s (SKY Racing Team Spain — along with wildcards coronavirus outbreak. VR46), but Roberts’ second best France and Serbia for the Davis The hosts took to the court in time was faster than the Italian’s. Cup fi nals in Spain in November. Japan’s western Miki city with- Enea Bastianini (Italtrans Racing Team skipper Hewitt said it out two star players — injury-hit Team) completes the fi rst Moto2 would be a weekend for Millman and world number front row of the season. to remember. 48 Yoshihito Nishioka, who de- From the off under the Losail “What a performance. That’s cided not to join his team to avoid lights, the Moto2 pace was elec- what Davis Cup tennis is all a possible virus quarantine on his trifying. In Q1 Marcel Schröt- about, the boys left it all out return to the United States. ter (Liqui Moly Intact GP) went there in the doubles, came up Gonzalo Escobar and Diego just a thousandth of a second of a little short and Johnny had to Hidalgo outplayed home duo Roberts’ Friday lap record and at come out and back up what he Ben McLachlan and Yasutaka the beginning of Q2, fellow Q1 did on Friday,” Hewitt said. Uchiyama 7-6 (7-3), 6-3 in the graduate Jorge Navarro (Beta Tools Monteiro proved a tough ob- decider to give 27th-ranked Ec- Speed Up) set a 1:58.396 to set the stacle with his big serves and uador a 3-0 victory. scene for a cracking fi rst Moto2 powerful groundstrokes, taking Uchiyama said it was hard to qualifying of 2020. Tucked in be- the opening set in a tiebreaker concentrate while playing in a hind teammate Marco Bezzecchi, but edged out in two more tie- nearly empty arena, “but I don’t Marini then went P2 as the SKY breaks by Millman in a gruelling want to use it as an excuse.” Racing Team VR46 duo sat P2 and encounter. A limited number of journal- P3 in the early stages, but it was an Marcelo Demoliner and Felipe ists and other spectators were ever-changing aff air on the timing Meligeni Alves earlier kept Brazil permitted to enter the arena screens. alive in the tie with a gripping once they had their body tem- After impressing in Free Prac- three-set win in the doubles. perature checked, with some or- tice, Bo Bendsneyder (NTS RW Demoliner and Alves fought ganisers wearing facemasks. Racing GP) then went just 0.014 off Navarro’s time to launch him into a provisional front row start, Pole position winner American Moto2 rider Joe Roberts (centre) of American Racing poses with second placed Italian Moto2 rider Luca but Roberts – having pitted in the Marini (left) of SKY Racing Team VR46 and third placed Italian Moto3 rider Enea Bastianini of Italtrans Racing Team after the qualifying early stages in the session – was session of the Motorcycling Grand Prix of Qatar at the Losail International Circuit in Doha yesterday. setting red sectors. On his open- ing fl yer, lapping by himself, the ing to earn P6. Bezzecchi got his number 16 went to P3 as 0.051 split best lap time in on his fi nal lap to the leading trio halfway through start from P7, the Italian will lead the session. It was anybody’s Jorge Martin (Red Bull KTM Ajo) guess as to who was going to grab and Q1 graduate Lorenzo Baldas- pole but then Marini launched an sarri (FlexBox HP 40) off the third attack, the Italian setting a new lap row. Xavi Vierge (Petronas Sprinta record to go P1 with seven minutes Racing) stuck in a late fl yer to grab remaining. Then, Roberts fl ashed a top 10 slot on the Qatar GP grid. across the fi nish line and set the Meanwhile, SIC58 Squadra exact same time as his counter- Corse’s Tatsuki Suzuki survived part – the American going to P1 two late scares to bag only a second because of his previous lap time career Moto3 pole position at the John Millman of Australia hits a return during his Davis Cup quali- being better than Marini’s. QNB Grand Prix of Qatar all after fying tie against Brazil in Adelaide yesterday. (AFP) Would that be it? Not quite in progressing through from Q1. The terms of the front row as ‘The Japanese rider ended just 0.008 Beast’ turned up the wick in the of a second clear of Red Bull KTM east to propel himself into P3. Bas- Ajo’s Raul Fernandez in second, Injured Halep and Kerber tianini going just over a tenth shy with Aspar Team Gaviota’s Albert pull out of Indian Wells of Roberts and Marini to secure Arenas completing the front row. his fi rst Moto2 front row, and that There was plenty of late drama Former world number ones said in a statement on the was all she wrote at the sharp end in the closing moments of the and Angelique tournament’s Twitter. of the grid. Roberts had done it, fi rst qualifying session of 2020, all Kerber have pulled out of “Unfortunately, the foot injury but it literally couldn’t have been starting when Suzuki was unable next week’s BNP Paribas that I picked up before Dubai any closer – not that the American to get in one fi nal fl ying lap due to Open in Indian Wells after fail- is still causing me trouble and will care. an issue with seat unit. The Japa- ing to recover from injuries. I will be unable to recover in Heading Row 2 is Navarro, the nese rider got back out on track but The tournament is the sea- time to travel to Indian Wells.” Spaniard will be happy with that was unable to get across the line son’s first Premier Mandatory Halep, who won the Dubai ti- having come through Q1, with before the chequered fl ag came Japanese Moto3 rider Tatsuki Suzuki of SIC58 Squadra Corse celebrates with team members after finishing event and Romanian Halep, tle last month, was champion Bendsneyder doing a sterling job out, meaning he had to sit, wait first place in the Moto3 qualifying session of the Motorcycling Grand Prix of Qatar at the Losail International the reigning Wimbledon at Indian Wells in 2015. on the NTS bike to sit P5 on the and pray. Circuit in Doha yesterday. champion, has not shaken off Three-times Grand Slam grid for Sunday’s race – that’s the It didn’t look like anybody was a foot problem. champion Kerber has not Dutchman’s best Moto2 qualifying going to threaten his 2:04.815, with teammate Kaito Toba but he came Completing the fi rst front row Q1 and with his fi nal lap was able “I’m incredibly disappointed recovered from a leg injury result. Having suff ered two crash- Fernandez the only rider in touch- across the line just shy of Suzuki’s of the 2020 Moto3 World Cham- to clinch fourth spot before then to have to withdraw from the and the 32-year-old is also set es in Free Practice, Remy Gardner ing distance. The former Junior time and had to settle for second pionship is Arenas after he also going on to grab a fourth career 2020 BNP Paribas Open,” to miss this month’s Miami (Onexox TKKR SAG Team) kept World Champion exited the fi nal place, matching his career-best moved from Q2. The Spaniard front-row grid slot. Halep, the world number two, Open. Reuters it rubber side down in qualify- corner in the perfect slipstream of qualifying performance. was the last man across the line in (motogp.com) Gulf Times Sunday, March 8, 2020 7 FOOTBALL

QNB STARS LEAGUE LA LIGA Messi penalty ensures Barcelona Al Rayyan hand edge past Sociedad Al Sadd another Clasico defeat

Bounedjah, Asia’s best player Akram Afif, Nam Tae-Hee all tried hard in the AFP lems off the pitch. Barcelona Setien said he had apologised second half for Al Sadd, but they either shot wide of the target or over the bar to the squad after his assist- ant Eder Sarabia was shown to By Sports Reporter arcelona needed a du- have launched into a number Doha bious late penalty given of foul-mouthed rants against by VAR and converted the players during the game by Lionel Messi to against Madrid, even if there l Rayyan continued to Bscrape past Real Sociedad 1-0 were chants in support of Sara- pile on the pressure yesterday and avoid another bia before kick-off. on leaders Al Duhail, slip-up in La Liga’s title race. Barcelona created a handful beating Al Sadd 1-0 in Messi’s 24th goal of the sea- of openings during the first half theA QNB Stars League yester- son, and fifth in four games, and Martin Braithwaite, making day at Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad was enough to save Barca, de- his first start, was at the heart Stadium. spite a drab display that threat- of most of them, with his will- Franck Kom scored the all- ened to bring more disappoint- ingness to run in behind offer- important goal in the ninth ment following last weekend’s ing a good alternative in attack. minute as Al Rayyan, with their loss against Real Madrid. Twice Messi sent Braithwaite 11th victory, took their points Madrid drop to second in the free early on but his lung-bust- tally to 38, four less than leaders table but can restore their one- ing runs ended in tame shots, Al Duhail who defeated Al Saili- point advantage at the top by even if they were still greatly ya 2-1 in the day’s early kick-off . winning away at struggling Real appreciated by an encouraging Al Sadd remained on 32 points Betis on Sunday night. home crowd. When he did hit after suff ering their fifth defeat. Their Clasico victory at the one into the net, he was pulled The high-profi le Qatar Cla- Santiago Bernabeu put the back for offside. sico between teams with a large pressure back on Barcelona, Messi created a chance of his and passionate fan base lived up whose response was hardly re- own by hunting the ball down to expectations. sounding, with Quique Setien’s in the corner before retrieving Al Sadd had more of the ball, side ultimately reliant on VAR a chipped Sergio Busquets pass but Al Rayyan succeeded in to spot a handball in the 81st over the top only to scuff the scoring an early goal that gave minute from Robin Le Nor- finish. them advantage. mand. The chances came more fre- Al Rayyan captain Rodrigo The lack of appeal from Bar- quently in the second half as Tabata gave Al Sadd a scare in ca’s players and the chunk of Barca turned the screw. Messi the fourth minute as he hit his play that passed before VAR slid one past the post and then shot against the right upright. intervened made the decision sliced another over from An- Not long after came the goal Al Rayyan players acknowledge their fans after beating Al Sadd in the QNB Stars League yesterday. At bottom, Duhail’s Han Kwang-Song all the more surprising and la toine Griezmann’s cushioned when Kom controlled the ball celebrates after scoring against Al Sailiya. Real’s players were still shaking header. as Abdelkarim Hassan failed to their heads at the final whistle. Ivan Rakitic’s drive was par- deal with a Khaled Muftah cross shot was blocked by Al Dossari tory, the most by any team. Yet the win was all-impor- ried, Gerard Pique’s header too from deep on the left and hit the and Al Sadd’s Hashem Ali’s long Al Duhail dominated the pro- tant for the Catalans at the end straight and Jordi Alba’s ball ball home from an acute angle cross landed on to the horizontal ceedings throughout and wing of another week dominated by across the face of goal just too past a diving goalkeeper Saad and went out. play as they forced seven cor- headlines surrounding prob- far ahead of the diving Rakitic. al-Sheeb. Al Sadd, the season-opening ners as against Al Sailiyas three. Al Sadd had a good chance Sheikh Jassim Cup as well as Paulo Edmilson had a role in Al immediately afterwards, but 2020 Qatar Cup champions, Duhail’s both goals. Han opened BUNDESLIGA Baghdad Bounedjah’s header off did everything but scoring as the scoring by banging home the Abdelkarim’s cross was blocked Al Rayyan defended stoutly and rebound after Edmilsons an- by Al Rayyan goalkeeper Fahad thus extended their domination gular shot hit the right upright Younis. of Qatar Clasico, having beaten and came back into play. Boudiaf Leipzig draw blank Tabata then curled a free-kick The Wolves 4-2 in the fi rst leg. scored the second goal for Walid on to the crosspiece in fi rst-half Yacine Brahimi, in the middle, Regraguis wards off Edmilsons injury time. Yohan Boli upfront and Gabriel free-kick. In between the goals, at Wolfsburg Bounedjah, Asia’s best player Mercado at the rear stood out for Al Duhail came close to scor- Akram Afi f, Nam Tae-Hee all Al Rayyan. ing, with Edmilson, Almoez and AFP At the BayArena, Bayer tried hard in the second half, but The tactical battle between all threatening. Al Sailiya were Berlin Leverkusen dominated Eintracht they either shot wide of the tar- coaches Xavi Hernandez (Al awarded a penalty after Ali Afi f Frankfurt 4-0 to jump up to fourth get or over the bar. Sadd) and Diego Aguirre (Al handled Karim Ansaris header in the table. German football’s Bounedjah headed in Ab- Rayyan) was the sub-plot of the Earlier, Al Duhail continued and a comfortable lead on top of in the last minute of regular time B Leipzig dropped more golden boy Kai Havertz opened the delkarim’s cross in the 68th game. their march towards the title af- the standings. Al Sailiya stood and Boussoufa was spot-on. The points in the Bundesliga scoring in the fourth minute with minute, but was ruled off side by This was the third time that Al ter they beat Al Sailiya 2-1 at Al on 23 points. defeat was a setback for Al Saili- title race after labouring his sixth of the season, tapping in referee Abdulrahman Al Jassim. Rayyan and Al Sadd were play- Ahli stadium. Han Kwang-Song Mbarak Boussoufa scored ya, coached by Sami Trabelsi, to a 0-0 draw at Wolfs- a cross from Moussa Diaby. Karim There was a missed chance ing against each other this sea- (12th minute) and Karim Boudiaf their goal by converting from the who were coming off back-to- burgR yesterday. Leipzig missed the Bellarabi scored the home side’s at both ends towards close. Al son, with the latter winning 4-1 (86th minute) scored for Al Du- penalty spot in the 90th minute. back victories, against Qatar SC goal threat of Timo Werner, who second just 10 minutes later when Rayyan’s Abdulaziz Hatem’s in the 2020 Qatar Cup semifi nal. hail, who now have 42 points It was The Red Knights13th vic- and Al Gharafa. started the game on the bench af- chipping in from close range. ter overcoming a muscular prob- Leverkusen’s teenage Brazilian lem during the week. forward Paulinho added two more PREMIER LEAGUE Despite being subbed on in the in a fi ve-minute period midway 60th minute, Werner — who has through the second half, both a 21 goals for RB in the Bundesliga direct product of Bayer’s com- this season — failed to make an mitment to counter-pressing and impact in a dour encounter with counter-attacking under coach few chances for either side, mark- Peter Bosz. Schalke and Hoff en- ing just the third time this season heim fought out a 1-1 draw at the Liverpool bounce back as that Leipzig have failed to get on Veltins Arena. American mid- the scoresheet. fi elder Weston McKennie scored Second-placed Leipzig could just his second goal from 67 Bun- fi nish the weekend fi ve points desliga appearances when his left- behind Bayern if the leaders beat footed drive put his side 1-0 up in Arsenal close gap on top four Augsburg today. the 20th minute. Reuters at home to Brighton left them still two London points adrift of Chelsea in fi fth. A vital point for the Seagulls edges them two points clear of the relegation Griffi ths hits hat-trick as Celtic rout St Mirren iverpool moved to within nine zone.Sheffi eld United moved above Man- Glasgow: Leigh Griff iths down the gauntlet to Rangers points of claiming the Premier chester United and Tottenham into sixth made his case for inclusion in ahead of the Old Firm derby League title by coming from be- to further their dreams of Champions Scotland’s quest to qualify for next weekend. hind to beat Bournemouth 2-1 as League football next season thanks to Euro 2020 later this month with “I’m delighted for Leigh Griff iths LArsenal boosted their charge towards the captain Billy Sharp’s winner to beat bot- a first hat-trick in four years as and Odsonne Edouard is also in Champions League places with a 1-0 win tom-of-the-table Norwich 1-0. Celtic thrashed St Mirren 5-0 the goals,” said Celtic boss Neil over West Ham. Roy Hodgson celebrated his new con- yesterday. Lennon. Jurgen Klopp’s men had suff ered three tract as Crystal Palace boss with a 1-0 win Griff iths led the way as the Scot- Motherwell remain the best of defeats in four games in all competitions, over Watford as the Eagles moved into the tish champions opened up a the rest behind the two Glasgow including their fi rst in the Premier League top half of the table. commanding 16-point lead over giants but saw their lead in third for 45 matches at Watford last weekend. Newcastle also secured the win that Rangers, who have two games cut to one point after blowing Callum Wilson’s controversial early should guarantee their survival cour- in hand, at the top of the table. a lead to draw 1-1 at bottom-of- opener threatened another major upset. tesy of Allan Saint-Maximin’s strike to The 29-year-old missed most of the-table Hearts. Chris Long But all of Liverpool’s setbacks of late have beat 10-man Southampton 1-0. Moussa last season due to mental health opened the scoring for the visi- come away from Anfi eld and they set an Djenepo gave the Saints a mountain to troubles but has hit top form tors at Tynecastle, but Connor English top-fl ight record for 22 consecu- climb when he was shown a straight red since the winter break. Washington’s equaliser early in tive home league wins as two quickfi re card for a lunge of Isaac Hayden on 28 Griff iths struck twice with two the second half keeps Daniel goals from Mohamed Salah and Sadio minutes. composed finishes to end the Stendel’s men just three points Mane turned the game around. Liverpool’s Senegalese striker Sadio Mane celebrates scoring his team’s second goal Alex McCarthy kept Southampton in game as a contest before half- behind St Mirren. The runaway league leaders still need- during his team’s English Premier League match against Bournemouth at Anfield in the game as he saved Matt Ritchie’s pen- time. Odsonne Edouard then Aberdeen closed in on third ed a miraculous goal-line clearance from Liverpool yesterday. alty, but Saint-Maximin stabbed home netted his 28th goal of the cam- place as the Dons came James Milner to deny Ryan Fraser an the winner 11 minutes from time to take paign despite being surrounded from behind to beat 10-man equaliser, but defeat leaves Bournemouth the only disruption to the Premier League Michail Antonio and Sebastien Haller, the Magpies eight points clear of the drop by St Mirren defenders inside Hibernian. Steven Whittaker’s still marooned in the bottom three. calendar this weekend. Despite the coro- but it was Arsenal who made the break- zone. the area as Celtic cut loose after dismissal began the Aberdeen “We are not geniuses, but we can re- navirus risk there was no halt to players through 12 minutes from time. the break. revival before an own goal ally fi ght and that’s all we have to do until celebrating wildly with each other and Mesut Ozil was originally fl agged off - RESULTS Griff iths’ third came 16 minutes by Adam Jackson, and eff orts the end of the season and see what we get Arsenal players piled on top of Alexan- side as he latched onto Pierre-Emerick Arsenal 1 (Lacazette 78) West Ham 0 from time when he drilled a from Andrew Considine and from it,” said Klopp. dre Lacazette after a long VAR review of Aubameyang’s defl ected shot and headed Crystal Palace 1 (Ayew 28) Watford 0 shot in from just outside the Curtis Main secured a vital three The spread of coronavirus could have a the Frenchman’s winner at the Emirates. down for Lacazette to sweep home. Liverpool 2 (Salah 25, Mane 33) Bourne- box for his first hat-trick since points. Hibs’ place in the top big impact on the Reds’ title celebrations West Ham were made to rue a series of But the goal was fi nally given after a de- mouth 1 (Wilson 9) January 2016, in an 8-1 win over six is now under threat from St in the weeks to come with the possibil- missed chances as they remain just out- lay of several minutes to move Arsenal to Sheff ield United 1 (Sharp 36) Norwich 0 Hamilton. Callum McGregor Johnstone, who were 1-0 victors ity of games being played behind closed side the relegation zone on goal diff er- within fi ve points of the top four. Southampton 0 Newcastle 1 (Saint- added a fifth from the penalty over Livingston thanks to Cal- doors. But the abandonment of the nor- ence. Jarrod Bowen hit the woodwork and Wolves missed the chance to move into Maximin 79) spot late on as Celtic threw lum Hendry’s late winner. mal pre-match ritual of handshakes was Bernd Leno made a string of saves from the top four as a disappointing 0-0 draw Wolves 0 Brighton 0 Sunday, March 8, 2020 GULF TIMES SPORT

SHOWJUMPING German ace Deusser claims Longines Grand Prix in style Deusser astride 10-year-old Mare Killer Queen VDM conquered the 1.60m class, the pair’s second Grand Prix win in a week

By Sahan Bidappa Doha RESULTS

Longines Global Champions Tour €30,042 aniel Deusser capped a terrifi c Grand Prix of Doha CSI5* with 2. Paris Panthers: Penelope last 10 days in Qatar as the jump-off (1.60m) Leprevost (GFE Excalibur De La Tour German World No 3 clinched 1. Daniel Deusser (GER); Horse: Killer Vidal) 0; 73.04; 0; 82.82; Gregory the Longines Grand Prix at Queen VDM; Pen: 0; Time: 74.41 sec; Wathelet (Indago) 0; 70.57; 0; 84.45. theD Global Champions Tour yesterday. jump-off Pen: 0; Time: 42.54 secs; Team Total: 167.27; €25,185 At the Longines Arena at Al Shaqab, Prize: €123,750 3. Berlin Eagles: Marco Kutscher Deusser astride 10-year-old Mare Kill- er Queen VDM conquered the 1.60m 2. Nicola Philippaerts (BEL); Katanga (Chaccorina) 0; 72.30; 4; 83.31; class – the marquee event of the open- vh Dingeshof; 0; 75.59 secs; 0; 44.08 Philipp Weishaupt (Coby) 0; 74.52; ing leg of the tour. It was the second secs; €75,000 Philipp Weishaupt (Che Fantastica) biggest win for the pair in a week, with 3. Jerome Guery (BEL); Quel Homme 0; 72.41secs. Team Total: 4; 157.83; Deusser having led Killer Queen VDM de Hus; 0; 76.99 secs; 0; 46.27 secs; €21,300 to victory in the Grand Prix at the CHI €56,250 Al Shaqab. Hathab National series Big Tour Deusser, who had topped the time against the clock (1.30/1.45 m) sheets after the fi rst round, was the Global Champions League - last to go in jump-off , which had seven Individual classification against 1. Kamil Sabitov (KGZ); Horse: combinations. And the German rider the clock (1.55 m) Quintendro; Pen: 0; Time: 58.35 secs; showed his class and mastery of the Prize: QR8,750 course as he galloped to victory with 1. Philipp Weishaupt( GER); Coby; 0; 74.52 secs; €23,750 2. Mohamed Saeed Haidan (QAT); Killer Queen VDM in 42.54 seconds. Miss Chili; 0; 60.28 secs; QR7,000 Belgian rider Nicola Philippaerts fi n- 2. Emanuele Gaudiano (ITA); Chalou; ished second with Katanga vh Dinge- 0; 76.68 secs; €19,000 3. Hamad Nasser al-Qadi (QAT); SIEC Lonnie; 0; 66.88 secs; QR5,250 shof, while Jerome Guery was third on 3. Daniel Deusser (GER); Killer Queen Quel Homme de Hus. VDM; 0; 77.76 secs; €14,250 Deusseur was ecstatic after becom- Hathab National series Open Class ing the fi rst rider to book a place in against the clock (1.15/1.25 m) the LGCT Super Grand Prix at the GC Global Champions League of Doha Prague Playoff s in November. “I am Against the clock (1.55/1.60m) 1. Nasser al-Ghazali (QAT); What a still speechless to be honest. She is still Pleasure; 0; 53.92 secs; QR3,750 1. London Knights: Olivier Philip- quite young at 10 years old and I think paerts (H&M Extra) Pen: 0; Time: 2. Mohamed Hazim Abara (QAT); she has just shown everyone that she is 82.33secs; Nicola Philippaerts Ambre de Beaufour; 0; 56.05 secs; one of the best horses in the world right QR3,000 now. The winner of each Grand Prix (Katanga V.H. Dingeshof) 0; 67.45; 0; qualifi es for the season-ending Super 80.12; Olivier Philippaerts (Zayado) 0; 3. Ghanim Nasser al-Qadi (QAT) Nu- GP. So being able to qualify for that in 74.43secs. Team Total: 162.45; Prize: mero Uno-T; 0; 57.23 secs; QR2,250 the fi rst event of the season really takes a lot of pressure off me going forward. But that doesn’t mean I don’t want to win again,” the 38-year-old said. “I haven’t decided which events to take part in next, but I want to be com- petitive and win more Grand Prix events this season ,” added Deusseur, who took home €123,750 in prize money. Max Kuhner was the fi rst to go in the jump-off with nine-year-old Ele- ktric Blue P but a four-second penalty spoiled his chances. Marcus Ehning was faster with 15-year-old Funky Fred after they came home in 42.79 seconds, but had one rail down. Guery, who was fi fth to go, was the fi rst one to go clear as he crossed the Twin brothers Nicola and Olivier Philippaerts (centre) led London Knights to line with Quel Homme de Hus in 46.27 victory in the Global Champions League team event. seconds. Philippaerts and Katanga vh Dingeshof followed next and were two seconds faster but Deusser and Killer Queen VDM produced a super fast round to ease to a comfortable win. ’s Daniel Deusser astride 10-year-old Mare Killer Queen VDM celebrates after winning the Longines Grand Prix PHILIPPAERTS TWINS SEAL during the Global Champions Tour at the Longines Arena at Al Shaqab yesterday. LONDON KNIGHTS’ VICTORY Meanwhile, London Knights stamped time. Paris Panthers, featuring Gregory for the events and we hope to do well new signing in German rider Philipp their authority on the fi rst leg of the Wathelet and new signing Penelope again in the Super Cup, all the teams Weishaupt, fi nished third on four Global Champions League team series Leprevost, were the only other team to work towards it,” said Olivier Philip- faults. After the fi rst round, St Tropez after a last-minute drama crushed the produce a full set of clear rounds giving paerts. Pirates were in pole position but Pi- hopes of their closest rivals St Tropez them a well-deserved second place. Nicola added: “It’s really cool to eter Devos dramatically put them out Pirates. Twin brothers Nicola and Ol- “The pressure is on. We have won the win with my brother for the fi rst time. of contention when his mare Claire Z ivier Philippaerts emerged triumphant last two years, but we started off with a We’re very happy, both horses jumped refused at the narrow white wall leav- in the opening GCL competition of win so that gives great motivation for very well. It’s very nice to have a kick off ing new teammate Deusser to deliver a the new season with an impressive the next few shows. The season is still here and win straight away in Doha.” necessary clear round to keep them in clean scoresheet and an unbeatable very long but we choose our best horses Berlin Eagles, also with a strong the top tier fi nishers. Packed house watch the action at the Longines arena at Al Shaqab.

QATAR OPEN TABLE TENNIS GYMNASTICS Ito shocks Ding, seals fi nal spot QGF to mark 20th year By Sports Reporter anniversary with World Cup Doha By Sports Reporter Doha apanese teen Mima Ito created a sen- sation when she beat ’s Ding Ning in the semi-fi nals of the 2020 atar Gymnastics Federation (QGF) will ITTF World Tour Platinum Qatar mark its 20th year anniversary by host- OpenJ in Doha. In the fi nal today at the As- ing the annual FIG Artistic Gymnastics pire Dome, Ito will take on world number World Cup from March 18-21 at the As- one and top seed Chen Meng, who beat de- pireQ Dome. Under QGF president Ali al-Hitmi, fending champion Wang Manyu. gymnastics has made some huge strides in Qatar Ito’s win came in four straight games, the and have hosted number of international events. 19-year-old prevailing 11-6, 14-12, 11-0, 11- This year’s FIG World Cup will be the 13th edition, 5, incredibly not losing a point in the third. while QGF also successfully hosted 2018 FIG World Ding is a player who has won every ma- Gymnastics Championships, which was the fi rst in jor title the sport has to off er. A three-time the Middle East. world champion, she also won the singles The 2018 Worlds, which saw participation of gold at the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. gymnasts from 78 countries, was rated as one Although the result was technically not of the best in history of the competition. “This Qatar Gymnastics Federation president Ali al-Hitmi. an upset as Ito is seeded third while Ding Japan’s Mima Ito in action during the semi-finals of the Qatar Open table tennis at the year’s event will be special as we are celebrating 20 was sixth, it still will be considered worthy Aspire Dome yesterday. PICTURE: Hussein Sayed / ittf.com years since the Qatar Gymnastics Federation was we can expect thrilling performance from gym- of a special mention considering the Chi- formed,” said al-Hitmi. “We have come a long way nasts during the event,” he added. nese player’s vast experience and superstar four straight games (14-12, 11-8, 11-5, 11-7). at the 2018 Czech Open and 2018 Austrian in making Qatar a hub of the gymnastics world. We Speaking on the coronavirus outbreak which is status. Ito later won the mixed doubles title, Arguably a surprise feature in the quar- Open. are looking forward to hosting a successful event. aff ecting sports competitions worldwide, al-Hit- partnering Jun Mizutani. The top seeded ter-fi nals, Chuang Chih-Yuan, required to Pitchford’s straight games victory over Many countries have already confi rmed their par- mi said the organising committee will take maxi- Japanese players defeated China’s Wang qualify, beat Japanese teenager Tokomazu Chuang comes off the back of two excellent ticipation and we are expecting a big number of mum precautions for safety of all the participants. Chuqin and Sun Yingsha in a gripping four Harimoto and Yukiya Uda on his way to the performances from the Englishman in his gymnasts in action at Aspire Dome,” he added. “Health safety is our priority and we will make all games duel 11-8, 7-11, 11-4, 15-13. last eight. In their previous encounter at opening two fi xtures, taking down Spain’s Al-Hitmi said QGF has received confi rmation the possible arrangements to ensure safety of the Chen, three times a world champion, the 2019 Bulgaria Open it was Chuang who Alvaro Robles (11-6, 11-7, 8-11, 11-9, 10-12, from around 250 gymnasts, who will represent 44 gymnasts. We are in constant touch with our health earned a 10-12, 11-7, 11-9, 11-13, 11-5, 11-4 struck victory in a seven-game thriller, but 11-9) and Belarusian legend Vladimir Sam- countries, with entries still open. “We have re- ministry for guidance. We will do our best to pro- victory against fellow Chinese Manyu. this time the scores were much more deci- sonov (11-7, 11-7, 6-11, 12-10, 8-11, 18-16). ceived confi rmation from 156 male and 91 female vide such an environment for the athletes that they Meanwhile, in the men’s singles, Eng- sive and in Pitchford’s favour. Pitchford is now looking to make a ca- gymnasts so far. At QGF, we have a vast experience will only have to focus on their performance and land’s Liam Pitchford, semi-fi nalist last The result means Pitchford becomes the reer-fi rst ITTF World Tour men’s singles of organising top-notch events and we are confi - nothing else,” he said. month in Budapest, has backed it up with fi rst English player to reach the men’s sin- fi nal but fi rst must overcome a mighty chal- dent to host this event in a befi tting way,” he said. The qualifi cation rounds will be held on the fi rst another guaranteed top-four fi nish. gles semi-fi nals at an ITTF World Tour Plat- lenge. Placed in the lower half of the draw, The World Cup will also carry Olympics quali- two days of the competition, with the fi nals sched- Yesterday, at the quarter-fi nal stage, he inum event. It’s also his third semi-fi nal on Pitchford’s next opponent is none other fi cation points. “The FIG World Cup in Doha will uled for the last two days. All the top gymnasts are beat Chinese Taipei’s Chuang Chih-Yuan, in the World Tour, having reached the last four than world No 1, Xu Xin. carry points for Tokyo Olympics qualifi cation and expected to feature in the upcoming event.