FFOOTBALLOOTBALL | Page 2 Bounedjah, Afi f put Al Sadd in pole position for title

Sunday, March 17, 2019 FORMULA 1 Rajab 10, 1440 AH Dominant Hamilton GULF TIMES snatches Australian Grand Prix pole SPORT Page 7

BOXING Unstoppable Sheikh Fahad stretches unbeaten record to 10-0

By Mikhil Bhat “A milestone has been left hands, which were very Going into the Friday’s bout, Doha achieved,” Sheikh Fahad told Gulf straight and accurate. However, Sheikh Fahad had told this news- Times yesterday, referring to his I tried to close the gaps, and put paper that he plans to fi ght in 4-6 tenth pro victory. more pressure, and moved side- bouts this calendar year. atar’s fi rst professional “I feel great and learned a lot ways to fi nd the openings for the Yesterday, he added, “It’s an- boxer Sheikh Fahad from the fi ght. It was a great ex- body shot.” other stepping stone, another bin Khalid al-Thani perience.” Giving some context to his day in the ring, good experience was unstoppable in his Talking about his bout, Sheikh strategy, he spoke about his fi rst and I look forward to continue. super-welterweightQ bout in Val- Fahad, who is coached by Ismael fi ght against Racaru. Hopefully the next fi ght is very ladolid, Spain, on Friday. Salas and has Franck Bohec as “When I had fought him the soon, before Ramadan. I will try The 31-year-old stretched his his trainer in Doha, said, “Going fi rst time, I had caught him with to squeeze one in. I need to sit unbeaten record to 10-0, pick- against Marius was very tricky; a very, very strong hook to the with my team and review the next ing up a dominant win over Ro- he is a southpaw with very, very body. However, this time he step forward.” mania’s Marius Racaru, after the good fundamentals and a strong managed to control the distance Sheikh Fahad made a winning southpaw retired in the second amateur background. He was very well. He didn’t allow me to debut against Hungary’s Bela round. tactically correct at the begin- come in close, to throw the same Sandor in May 2016. He has since This was the second time ning of the fi rst round, but I hook, and countered me. How- beaten a string of Romanians, in- that Sheikh Fahad had come up slowly adjusted and tried to fi nd ever, I found success with the cluding Adrian Parlogea (thrice), against Racaru, having fought gaps after weathering the initial right hook, after feigning the jab, Gheorghe Ghiompirica (twice), him two years ago, almost to the storm. which was quite good,” Sheikh Racaru (twice) Ionut Bogheanu day, in Barcelona. “Caught a few of his straight Fahad said. and Dumitru Nicu Manea. Qatar’s Sheikh Fahad bin Khalid al-Thani (left) in action against Romania’s Marius Racaru on Friday.

MANATEQ QATAR INTERNATIONAL RALLY Al-Attiyah cruises to 14th Compatriot Abdulaziz al-Kuwari confirms second; crushing MERC 2 Qatar rally victory win for Kuwait’s Meshari al-Thefiri

By Sports Reporter Matthieu Baumel (FRA) Volkswa- Lusail gen Polo GTI R5 1hr 56min 18.8sec 2. Abdulaziz al-Kuwari (QAT)/Mar- shall Clarke (GBR) Skoda Fabia R5 asser Saleh al-Attiyah 1hr 59min 48.4sec cruised through the fi - 3. Hamed bin Eid al-Thani (QAT)/ nal six gravel special Dale Moscatt (AUS) Ford Fiesta stages of the Manateq R5 2hrs 07min 22.4sec QatarN International Rally to seal a 4. Nasser Khalifa al-Attiyah (QAT)/ convincing victory by the margin Nicola Arena (ITA) Ford Fiesta R5 of 3min 29.6sec yesterday. 2hrs 08min 58.5sec A record-breaking 14th victory 5. Khalid al-Suwaidi (QAT)/Adel in his home event also marked a Abdulla (QAT) Ford Fiesta R5 2hrs remarkable 70th MERC victory 09min 48.6sec in the 211-event history of the 6. Meshari al-Thefiri (KWT)/ FIA Middle East Rally Cham- Nasser al-Kuwari (QAT) Mitsubi- pionships since 1984. Al-Atti- shi Lancer Evo X (MERC 2) 2hrs yah’s French co-driver Matthieu 10min 47.5sec Baumel duly claimed his third 7. Stefano Marrini (ITA)/Nicolas win in Qatar and a career 18th in Garcia (ARG) Mitsubishi Lancer the MERC. Evo X (MERC 2) 2hrs 29min The success also marked the 21.6sec fi rst outright FIA championship 8. Rashid al-Mohannadi (QAT)/ rally win for Volkswagen’s Polo Yousef Juma (JOR) Mitsubishi GTI R5 that made its debut at the Lancer Evo X (MERC 2) 2hrs WRC in Spain last October and 34min 12.6sec claimed WRC 2 success in Swe- 9. Abdulla al-Kuwari (QAT)/Hugo den in February with Norwegian Magalhaes (POR) Subaru Impreza driver Ole Christian Veiby. Cus- (MERC 2) 2hrs 35min 25.0sec tomer Polos have already won 10. Abdullah al-Ruwahi (OMN)/ national events in Belgium, Nor- Ata Hmoud (JOR) Subaru Impreza way, Sweden and Latvia this year. (MERC 2) 2hrs 51min 04.1sec Al-Attiyah won each of the 11. Henry Kahy (LEB)/Musa Djiy- 11 special stages. He said: “The erian (JOR) Skoda Fabia (MERC 3) fi rst win for the Polo in history 2hrs 53min 19.2sec in the Middle East. The car and 12. Asem Aref (JOR)/Faris al-Tal the team were working very well. Qatar’s Nasser Saleh al-Attiyah and his French co-driver Matthieu Baumel celebrate with their trophies on the podium after winning the Manateq Qatar International Rally yesterday. (JOR) Renault Clio (MERC 3) 3hrs We learn a lot from this race. It 35min 07.6sec was fun to drive. I get the feeling ful. It is fantastic to drive. I just with 11th overall and fi rst in the quickly, like I know the car very need a little more experience. I two-wheel drive category. Jor- MANATEQ QATAR well. Now we prepare for Jordan. also drive a little safe to go to the dan’s Asem Aref closed off the NATIONAL RALLY It’s important that we stay in the fi nish.” FIA fi nishers in 12th. POSITIONS AFTER SS11 Middle East Championship.” Veteran Nasser Khalifa al-At- Jarah al-Touqi began the last Baumel added: “I have 18 wins tiyah managed to stave off a late day with a 17min 26.1sec lead in 1. Jarah al-Touqi (OMN)/Issa al- but I am not at the level of Nasser challenge from Khalid al-Suwaidi the Manateq Qatar National Rally Wardi (OMN) Mitsubishi Lancer (70). The last two years we had to conserve fourth overall in the and fi nished with a winning mar- Evo VIII 2hrs 38min 22.3sec problems and we retired here in battle of the two Ford Fiesta R5s. gin of 20min 03.4sec. Hamid al- 2. Zakariyah al-Amri (OMN)/ Qatar. This year, with the new Kuwait’s Meshari al-Thefi ri Qasimi was on a charge over the Abdullah al-Amri (OMN) Subaru car, we were a little bit scared, but mixed it with the R5 cars for fi nal day and managed to pass Impreza 2hrs 58min 25.7sec the car was perfect. No punctures much of the rally before slipping Zakariyah al-Amri to take second also. A small scare with a sensor back to sixth overall after the pe- place before retiring on the last 2019 FIA MIDDLE EAST RALLY set-up last night but, I guess, this nultimate stage. The Mitsubishi stage. CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS was because it was a new car. It driver’s consolation was a mas- Oman-based Briton Shaun was a good week.” sive winning margin of 18min McGonigal failed to restart from 1. Nasser Saleh al-Attiyah (QAT) Abdulaziz al-Kuwari got to 34.1sec in MERC 2. third after his Subaru sustained 39pts grips with his Skoda Fabia R5 as Italy’s Stefano Marrini was the suspension bush damage after a 2. Abdulaziz al-Kuwari (QAT) 30 the event progressed and he and leading non-Arab driver in sev- puncture on the fi fth stage. 3. Sheikh Hamed bin Eid al-Thani British co-driver Marshall Clarke enth overall and a distant sec- Action resumes in the region- (QAT) 24 fi nished in a comfortable second ond in MERC 2. Qatar’s Rashid al series in Jordan at the end of 4. Nasser Khalifa al-Attiyah (QAT) place. Winners on the podium for the Manateq Qatar International Rally yesterday. al-Mohannadi and Abdulla al- April. 19 Al-Kuwari said: “Good rally Kuwari were eighth and ninth 5. Khalid al-Suwaidi (QAT) 16 and we enjoyed a lot. We were better than second place behind claimed his fi rst podium fi nish “I am so happy about the third and Oman’s Abdullah al-Ruwahi MANATEQ QATAR 6. Meshari al-Thefiri (KWT) 14 safe and clean. This is a good sign Nasser to help me to continue. I at the event since 2010 to give position. I also thank Dale (Mo- rounded off the top 10. INTERNATIONAL RALLY 7. Stefano Marrini (ITA) 7 that I am driving safe. We need congratulate him for the win.” the host nation a fi rst 1-2-3 fi nish scatt), my-co-driver. He taught Defending MERC 3 champion POSITIONS AFTER SS11 8. Rashid al-Mohannadi (QAT) 4 more time in the car in the desert Sheikh Hamed bin Eid al-Tha- since al-Attiyah’s last home win me so much inside the car. This Henry Kahy got the defence of 9. Abdulla al-Kuwari (QAT) 3 to improve the set-up. Nothing ni, the 1993 regional champion, in 2016. car is like a new toy. It is beauti- his title off to the perfect start 1. Nasser Saleh al-Attiyah (QAT)/ 10. Abdullah al-Ruwahi (OMN) 1 Gulf Times 2 Sunday, March 17, 2019 SPORT

MARK OF RESPECT Sports cancelled as traumatised New Zealand mourns shooting victims

Reuters respect. It’s about family and with a mathematical chance of Wellington community. catching Central Districts in the “Cricket and sport takes a fi nal round of games, but their back-seat to personal welfare.” decision not to travel to Welling- raft of top class sporting The third cricket Test between ton for match starting on Sunday events were cancelled in New Zealand and Bangladesh, gave the title to last year’s win- New Zealand yesterday whose team were on a bus ap- ners. as a traumatised nation proaching one of the mosques Chief executive Jeremy Curwin startedA burying the dead from the with the attack underway, was said Canterbury Cricket had con- worst peacetime mass killing in cancelled on Friday. sulted with the players, who were its history. The Test was due to start at given the opportunity to make A lone gunman killed 49 peo- Hagley Oval in Christchurch their decision whether to play the ple and wounded more than 20 yesterday but the Bangladesh fi nal game as individuals or col- at two Christchurch mosques on team left New Zealand less than lectively. Friday in a shooting which Prime 24 hours after the shooting and “The team showed a united Minister Jacinda Ardern con- about an hour after the initial front in terms of the decision,” demned as “a terrorist attack”. scheduled start time. Curwin said in a statement. While one National Rugby The Super Rugby clash in “It is clear that this tragedy will League match went ahead in Dunedin between the Otago aff ect people in diff erent ways, Auckland yesterday, a horse rac- Highlanders and Canterbury and Canterbury Cricket is here to ing meeting, a top class rugby Crusaders, who are based in support our players however we union match, a cricket Test, and Christchurch, was called off out can. string of netball games were all of respect for the victims and “We fully respect their deci- scratched from the schedules in their families. sion, and I am incredibly proud of the wake of the attack. The Canterbury cricket team, how they conducted themselves “This isn’t about cricket,” New one of six fi rst-class sides in throughout this process.” Zealand Cricket chief executive New Zealand’s domestic Plunket New Zealand internationals David White said when discuss- Shield competition, also chose Martin Guptill and Lockie Fergu- ing the cancellations in his sport. not to play their fi nal round match son, who play fi rst class cricket “It’s about something much in Wellington, which handed the for Auckland, also withdrew from bigger and much more important title to Central Districts. their team’s match against Otago Christchurch residents pay their respects to the victims of the attack on Christchurch mosques yesterday. A right-wing Australian terrorist, than that. It’s about life, it’s about Canterbury were the only side in Dunedin. who filmed himself rampaging through two mosques killing 49 worshippers, appeared in court on murder charges yesterday.

FOOTBALL/ QNB STARS LEAGUE SPOTLIGHT US federation defends support Bounedjah, Afi f for women’s team aft er lawsuit

Reuters put Al Sadd in pole Los Angeles he US Soccer Federation defended its treatment of the World Cup-win- ning national women’s teamT and said it was surprised at a recent lawsuit (USWNT) position for title alleging gender discrimination. All 28 members of the US women’s squad were named as Duhail also win but are four points adrift with three more matches to go plaintiffs in the lawsuit that was filed in federal court in Los By Sports Reporter minutes) and substitute Mo- Angeles on International Wom- Doha hamed Muntari (90+4) scored en’s Day last week. the goals for Al Duhail as the It includes complaints about reigning champions stayed in wages and nearly every other eration had in recent years in- aghdad Bounedjah and the hunt for the title. aspect of the team’s working creased its investment in the Akram Afi f struck ei- It was the 14th victory of The conditions. USWNT program and worked ther side of half-time as Red Knights, who dominated Federation president Carlos in close partnership with the Al Sadd moved closer to with 65 per cent ball possession Cordeiro said in an open letter players to ensure they have eve- Btheir fi rst league title in six years and earned eight corner kicks that the body had made a sin- rything they need. with a 2-0 win over Al Sailiya compared to Umm Salal’s three. cere effort to provide the very “We have added additional yesterday. Lawrence Quaye had put best resources possible to the technical and high-perform- The meteoric rise of Lekhwi- Umm Salal ahead in the 54th women’s team. ance staff focused only on the ya, now named Al Duhail, had minute following a goalless fi rst “US Soccer believes that all USWNT, provided additional stolen Al Sadd’s thunder after Al half, where both teams’ eff orts female athletes deserve fair and charter flights to improve trav- Sadd had claimed their 13th and did not fetch any goal. equitable pay, and we strive el, and created two elite wom- last title in the 2012-13 season. Al Duhail now have 46 points, to meet this core value at all en’s international tournaments But four defeats for Al Duhail four less than Al Sadd, ahead of times,” he added. to provide high-level com- this season so far saw Al Sadd the heavyweight clash between The lawsuit comes just three petition in the United States, gain the upper hand, and yes- them in the next round. months before the US women among other efforts to support terday’s convincing win helped Umm Salal, who stayed on open their World Cup title de- the team,” he said. them maintain a four-point lead 20 points, thus crashed to their fence in France. “We also continue to expand (50-46) with three matches re- third successive defeat, and The players said they have our investment in female player maining in the tournament. sixth this season. The Orange been consistently paid less development programs, includ- It was Al Sadd’s 16th victory, Fortress had lost to Al Kharaiti- money than their male coun- ing our eight Youth National the most by any team, as The yat and Al Khor, both by a 0-1 terparts even though their per- Team programs and the Girl’s Wolves, coached by Portuguese margin, in the previous rounds. formance has been superior to Development Academy.” Jesualdo Ferreira, asserted their Umm Salal took a surprise the men’s team. Cordeiro also pointed to a supremacy over Al Sailiya. lead when Quaye capitalised According to the lawsuit, 2017 agreement with the wom- Al Sadd had dropped two cru- on a goalmouth melee and re- filed three years after several en’s team. cial points after being held to a sultant confusion for Al Duhail players made a similar com- “In April of 2017, we agreed 1-1 draw by Al Sailiya in the fi rst goalkeeper Amine Lecomte plaint with the US Equal Em- to a fair and equitable collective leg. This time around, The Per- following a free-kick taken by ployment Opportunity Com- bargaining agreement with the egrines had to play second fi d- Mahmoud Al Mawas from the mission, US soccer has “utterly Women’s National Team, which dle to their formidable rivals. left. failed to promote gender equal- included a contract structure Al Sailiya had the ignominy of El Arabi drew Al Duhail level ity.” that the players specifically re- having their goalkeeper Saoud two minutes later, slotting home Cordeiro, however, said the quested to provide them with a al-Khater sent off following a swift cross by Paolo Edmilson soccer federation continues to guaranteed salary and benefits. his foul on Akram in the 64th from the right. be a champion for the women’s “At no point since that time minute. The Peregrines were El Arabi was at it again in the game in the United States and have players raised concerns also unlucky when Abdulkadir fi rst minute of added time as he on the global stage. about the CBA itself, and we Ilyas missed a penalty, blocked found the net after Ali Afi f did “From our proactive efforts continue to work with them in by Al Sadd goalkeeper Saad al- a brilliant spadework from the to grow and invest in women’s good faith.” Dossari, awarded after a free- left. soccer at every level in the US, Cordeiro said he had spo- kick hit the hand of defender Muntari, who came off the to advocating for the improve- ken on Wednesday with some Boualem Khoukhi. bench to replace Murad Naji in ment and increased support of of the veteran players to better Ilyas was on target towards the 55th minute, then rounded the women’s game worldwide, understand their thoughts and the end, but the lanky striker’s off the tally right at the death. US Soccer is active, committed concerns. eff ort was ruled off side by ref- Umm Salal had a penalty ap- and passionate in its support “Our initial conversation was eree Saoud Ali Al Athba. peal ruled out by referee Salman today and will be into the long- open, cordial and professional, Al Sadd, for whom Spanish Falahi, who referred to Video term future.” and we will continue to work to midfi eld maestro Xavi took the Al Sadd’s Hassan al-Haydos (L) and Baghdad Bounedjah celebrate after their team’s win over Al Sailiya Assistant Referee, after Yannick Cordeiro added that the fed- resolve this matter,” he said. fi eld after one hour following yesterday. At bottom, Al Duhail’s Youssef El Arabi celebrates in his unique style after scoring against Sagbo appeared to have been his return from an injury layoff , Umm Salal. PICTURES: Noushad Thekkayil and Shemeer Rasheed. fouled. dominated the game with 60 French parents barred from per cent of possession and four naming baby ‘Griezmann Mbappe’ corner kicks, compared to three by Al Sailiya. AFP French families are now free to Tournament top scorer Brive-la-Gaillarde, France choose first names — up until Bounedjah took Al Sadd ahead 1993 they had to pick from an in the 18th minute by heading approved list — but local au- in a cross from the left by Ab- football-mad couple thorities can still refer parents delkarim Hassan, who was ad- in south-west France to prosecutors if their choices judged the best player in Asia have been barred are seen as damaging for the last year. from naming their son child. Akram then found the mark A “Griezmann Mbappe” after two A local official who deemed in the 84th minute after latch- of the stars of France’s World that “Griezmann Mbappe” — ing on to a long through pass as Cup-winning team. after Atletico Madrid forward Al Sadd coasted to yet another A family judge in the central Antoine Griezmann and Paris victory. town of Brive-la-Gaillarde Saint-Germain’s Kylian Mbappe Meanwhile, Al Duhail stripped the infant of his two — was “contrary to the child’s bounced back from a goal down first names, nearly five months interest” referred the case to to defeat Umm Salal 3-1. after his birth, the local town the public prosecutor. Last two season’s league top council told AFP. Other names to have run afoul scorer and Moroccan striker His parents have decided to of the law in France in recent Yousef El Arabi (64th and 90+1 call him Dany Noe instead. years include “Jihad”. Gulf Times Sunday, March 17, 2019 3 FOOTBALL

LA LIGA PREMIER LEAGUE Bale and Isco give Burnley in peril, Zidane winning Newcastle salvage start against Celta late draw Isco had not started a single La Liga game under Santiago Solari, but opened the scoring shortly after the hour before Bale struck to consolidate

AFP Madrid

inedine Zidane brought Real Madrid’s outcasts in from the cold, and Zthey repaid him with a win in his fi rst game back as Isco and Gareth Bale each scored in a 2-0 victory over Celta Vigo yes- terday. Isco had not started a single La Liga game under Santiago Solari, but opened the scoring here shortly after the hour, be- fore Bale got the goal his own committed display deserved to put sorry Celta out of sight. Bale was teed up by Marcelo, who was also dropped by Solari Real Madrid’s but recalled, while Keylor Navas Gareth Bale scores Newcastle United’s Salomon Rondon celebrates scoring his team’s pulled off a superb save in the against Celta Vigo first goal with teammates. fi rst half, having been brought yesterday. back ahead of Thibaut Courtois. Reuters ter manager, keeping his side in “My team-talk was really London 10th spot. simple,” Zidane said. With three of their last four “I just told them to have fun, too big to close but Zidane’s what his next couple of months and cheered their new coach’s Maxi Gomez, with only Ra- games of the season against to play, to run together and to be job is to restore morale in the 11 hold, given Navas, an old fa- name when it was announced mos to beat, curled wide while urnley suff ered a ham- Chelsea, Manchester City and united when we don’t have the league games that are left and to vourite of Zidane, looks to be before kick-off . Sofi ane Boufal’s fi nish had to be mer blow to their Pre- Arsenal, Sean Dyche knows his ball. When we have it, let’s have fi nd out what, and who, needs back in favour. Bale came closest to scoring blocked on the line by Marcelo mier League survival side will have to emerge from fun, and that’s what we did.” changing in the summer. “There are 10 games left, to- in the fi rst half with an acro- as Madrid were again caught Bhopes as Wes Morgan their slump as a matter of ur- Even Marco Asensio has been At times, this felt like a pre- day Keylor played, on another batic scissor-kick that crashed upfi eld. scored a 90th-minute winner gency. almost anonymous through season fi xture, not just because day it could be Thibaut,” Zidane against the crossbar and later Benzema’s goal was ruled out for 10-man Leicester City at a A home game against mid- Madrid’s troubles this season of the baking hot sun but the re- said.”Real Madrid needs two or teed up Karim Benzema to tap just before half-time and Luka stunned Turf Moor yesterday. table Leicester had looked like and he seemed rejuvenated too, laxed atmosphere and the sense three great goalkeepers. in, only for the referee to book Modric had one chalked off just With only three Premier a good opportunity but Dyche his weaving run leading to the this is now a team on trial. We’ll see what happens next the Welshman for a foul in the after, this time VAR intervening League games the focus was said the early sending-off of opener from Isco, who was oth- Bale, whose relationship with year. “Zidane had enjoyed his build-up.In between, Madrid to show Raphael Varane off side very much at the foot of the ta- Maguire had actually thrown erwise the quietest of Zidane’s Zidane deteriorated to breaking press conference on Friday, jok- were rather muted, but domi- and close enough to be deemed ble with fourth-bottom Burnley his team. recovering group. point last season, was arguably ing with journalists about their nant in possession. active. and Newcastle United having “It can play with you psycho- The victory ends a run of four the biggest winner, his perform- changed hairstyles and smirking Marcelo pulled back for Isco, Isco’s infl uence had dimin- opportunities to ease the pres- logically when someone gets consecutive home defeats and ance proving there could yet be a as he admitted he had given the who slipped, and then watched ished and Dani Ceballos was sure. sent off so early, and we didn’t means Madrid reduce the gap to place for him in what the club’s same answers before. his fi zzing shot from distance ready to replace him just before While Burnley slumped to a get to grips with the game in the nine points behind Barcelona, president Florentino Perez has There was a cosy feeling at the pushed away by Ruben Blanco. he scored the opening goal. 2-1 defeat, 13th-placed New- first half,” he said. who play away at Real Betis to- dubbed “the glorious new era”. Santiago Bernabeu too, where Celta found chances on the Asensio made it, a superb run castle earned a point in a 2-2 “You need results, we are in a day. Marcelo impressed too while fans had a new song to the tune break but never looked liked allowing Benzema to cross and draw at Bournemouth thanks tough spell now and you want to That defi cit will surely prove Courtois might well wonder of ‘Hey Jude’, replaced by ‘Zizou’, converting. Isco to bundle in. to a superb late equaliser from come away with something es- former Bournemouth player pecially against 10 men.” Matt Ritchie. Salomon Rondon gave New- SPOTLIGHT Bottom club Huddersfield castle the lead in first-half Town looked on course for only stoppage time with a superb their fourth league victory of free kick but Bournemouth lev- the season when they led 3-1 elled through Josh King’s dubi- City reach semis aft er stunning comeback vs Swansea at West Ham United, but ca- ous penalty and when he struck pitulated late on to lose 4-3 again in the 81st minute New- and leave them 16 points below castle looked sunk. City’s FA Cup hopes would end at Swansea Watford manager Javi Gracia said. Burnley. But Ritchie’s superb volley as the Championship side took a deserved “It is an important day to have the Burnley’s fourth successive from DeAndre Yedlin’s cross 2-0 lead. chance to enjoy a semi-fi nal, we are keep- league defeat left them perched sent the Magpies fans into rap- With Raheem Sterling and Aguero on ing the same level, competing well and perilously above the drop zone, tures. the bench, City fell behind at Swansea that it is our target in this moment.” two points above 18th-placed West Ham trailed 3-1 in the when Fabian Delph gave away a penalty, Capoue redirected a wayward shot to Cardiff City who now have a 75th minute at the London scored by Matt Grimes on 20 minutes. put Watford in front but Palace levelled game in hand. Stadium with some home fans And when Bersant Celina doubled their when Batshuayi closed down Mariappa It looked good for Burnley heading for home. lead nine minutes later a shock looked and after driving in from the left wing, when Leicester’s Harry Maguire But Angelo Ogbonna headed more probable than possible. he picked out the far corner with his right was given a straight red card in in before substitute Javier Hern- But City manager Pep Guardiola foot. the fourth minute for bringing andez struck twice. brought on Sterling and Aguero in the But three minutes after coming on as a down Johann Berg Gudmunds- West Ham had actually taken second half and it paid off almost imme- substitute, Gray put Watford back in front son. the lead through Mark Noble’s diately as Silva fl icked in their fi rst goal on as he guided home a volley after Pererya’s Despite their numerical dis- early penalty but Huddersfi eld 69 minutes. perfect pass. advantage, Leicester went belied their lowly position with Nine minutes later, Aguero’s penalty — “I was confi dent we would be able to ahead through James Maddi- Juninho Bacuna and Karlam after a foul on Sterling — hit the post but win the game (even after the equalizer),” son’s 33rd-minute free kick. Grant scoring before halftime. ricocheted in off goalkeeper Nordfeldt to Gracia said. Dwight McNeil swept in a Youngster Grant thumped make it 2-2. “We put Andre Gray on the pitch, he al- 38th-minute equaliser to settle home a 25-metre shot and a rare And then Aguero rounded off a stunning ways has a good chance to score and scores home nerves and Burnley had Saturday afternoon to savour comeback with the third shortly before important goals for the team, he deserves several penalty claims turned looked likely for the Terriers the end of normal time, though there was it and I am happy for him. down in the second half as they but West Ham were not in the more than a suspicion of off side against “It is the moment to enjoy it but we are chased a winner. mood to be fall guys and fi nished Manchester City’s Sergio Aguero celebrates with Bernardo Silva after scoring the Argentina forward. ambitious. Morgan’s header gave with a fl ourish to move to within Manchester City’s third goal yesterday. Earlier, Watford booked their place in We want to achieve the fi nal, that is our Brendan Rodgers his second two points of seventh-placed the last four as they edged out Crystal Pal- target and to enjoy the semi-fi nal in Wem- win in three games as Leices- Wolves. DPA saw them level and Sergio Aguero struck in ace 2-1. bley.” London the 89th minute for a 3-2 win. Substitute Andre Gray scored the win- Palace manager Roy Hodgson said his With the League Cup already in the bag, ner 11 minutes from time, players had given everything on the day. We need you: PSG tell rebel City remain on track to win four trophies, converting Roberto Pereyra’s lofted “Every time you get to the quarter-fi - anchester City scored three sitting top of the Premier League and al- pass to score with his left foot. nals and you are that close to Wembley and fans ahead of Marseille crunch goals in the last 25 minutes to ready into the quarter-fi nals of the Cham- Michy Batshuayi had earlier equalized you don’t win it is an opportunity missed, reach the semi-fi nals of the FA pions League. for Palace, taking advantage of a mistake but I can’t criticize my players through a Paris: Paris Saint-Germain coach have said they will not cheer their Cup yesterday and keep alive Watford beat Crystal Palace 2-1 in the from Adrian Mariappa, following Etienne lack of eff ort or desire,” he said. Thomas Tuchel has called for the own team. theirM bid to win four trophies this season. day’s early quarter-fi nal while Manchester Capoue’s 27th-minute opener for Wat- “(Premier League) safety has always club’s angry fans to rally behind “If they do that I will be very disap- City trailed 2-0 at Championship club United will look to join them by winning at ford. been the main goal, the FA Cup has been the club as they try to put the pain pointed,” said Tuchel. Swansea but Bernardo Silva pulled one Wolves in the late game. “It is amazing for all of us, for the play- a very nice bonus and we are disappointed of Champions League humiliation “I know they are disappointed, but back, an own goal by Kristoff er Nordfeldt For well over an hour, it looked like ers, staff and supporters,” we couldn’t take it further.” behind them. they have no need to keep show- Frustrated fans turned on the play- ing it again and again,” said the ers, booing them at training and German coach, mainly in reaction organising strikes, after PSG gave to rowdy scenes at a training ses- up a 2-0 lead against Manchester sion last weekend. Bangladesh detains FIFA offi cial for ‘defaming’ PM United to be once more dumped “A strike helps nobody,” he out of the Champions League at insisted. the last-16 stage. “We the team and the staff are the Dhaka: Bangladesh authori- Sheikh Hasina had neglected Faruk said. accused the Bangladeshi gov- months after Bangladesh ar- Despite vast investment from their ones left more disappointed than ties jailed a senior member of football in the cricket-mad A magistrate in the city’s ernment of using harsh laws to rested and changed award- Qatari owners PSG’s loss on away anyone else. football’s world governing body country. metropolitan court denied stifl e dissent. winning photographer Shahidul goals to United added to a legacy “In a match like this it’s crucially yesterday, hours after she was A Dhaka court issued an ar- her bail application in a hear- Scores of people have been Alam with making “false” and of choking in the competition, important, they can fill us with arrested for allegedly defaming rest warrant against Mahfuza ing later that day, according to arrested under strict internet “provocative” statements in a after they went out lamely to Real confidence,” he said as Marseille the country’s leader. on Tuesday after a formal libel Mahfuza’s lawyer Liakat Hos- laws and cases have been fi led televised interview in August. Madrid last year and collapsed at come to Paris on a roll of form Mahfuza Akhter, a FIFA complaint from local sports ad- sain said. against at least 200 people for He was jailed for 107 days — Barcelona the year before. since Italian striker Mario Balotelli council member since 2017 ministrator Abul Hasan Chow- “We sought bail for her af- making derogatory comments the photographer said he was PSG host their bitter Ligue 1 rivals joined in January. and national chief of women’s dhury. Mahfuza was arrested ter she was taken to the court. about Hasina online, according badly beaten while in custody Marseille today, the only French “With him (Balotelli) in the side soccer, had told a TV talk show yesterday morning in the capi- But our prayer was rejected,” to a cyber crime prosecutor. — and denied bail four times club to have won the Champions they will always have a presence last month that Prime Minister tal, Dhaka police offi cer Omar he added. Rights groups have Mahfuza’s arrest came before being freed in November. League (when it was the Euro- in the box and they will be pinging pean Cup), and some fan groups in crosses.” Gulf Times 4 Sunday, March 17, 2019 SPORT

RUGBY Wales hammer Ireland 25-7 to claim Grand Slam Stunning victory extends Wales’ winning streak to 14 matches, moving them to second in the World Rugby standings England and Scotland draw 38-all in extraordinary Six Nations fi nale

Reuters London

eorge Ford rescued Eng- land with an 83rd-minute Gtry to secure a 38-all draw with Scotland yesterday after the visitors had come from 31-0 down to lead 38-31 in one of the most remarkable games in Six Nations history. England began the match knowing the title was out of their hands after Wales completed the Grand Slam by England’s George Ford dives over the line to score England’s final beating Ireland earlier but still try during the Six Nations match against Scotland yesterday. (AFP) ripped into Scotland from the start. 13 minutes — two for wing Darcy under the posts at the death. Jack Nowell grabbed the first Graham and one each for Mag- I’m gutted to be honest,” man- try after 56 seconds and further nus Bradbury and Finn Russell of-the-match Russell said. “Eve- scores by Tom Curry, Joe meant that after an hour they ryone wrote us off at halftime. Launchbury and Jonny May — had come back from 31-0 down But I am so gutted we didn’t his sixth of the championship, to level the game at 31-all. manage to finish it off . had them 31-7 up at the break They then looked to have “First half we got caught off after Stuart McInally scored snatched their first Twickenham guard. Second half we had a charge-down try in a rare win since 1983 when centre Sam nothing to lose. We played good bright moment for the visitors. Johnson blasted through four Scottish rugby in the second It clearly gave them a lift as defenders to score in the 76th half. We did ourselves proud. they were unrecognisable in the minute, only for replacement It was a good way to finish the second half, scoring four tries in flyhalf Ford to find a way through campaign.” Wales players celebrate completing the Grand Slam, and winning the Triple Crown and Six Nations Championship with the trophies, after beating Parisse tears for Ghiraldini on Six Nations ‘farewell’ Ireland at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff yesterday. (Reuters) AFP When you see teammates hurt- AFP in 2014, was then on hand to pro- Rome ing themselves it’s hard.” Cardiff , United Kingdom duce a superb try-saving tackle The Italians missed numerous on Stockdale in what turned out chances to break their 22-match to be a disappointing Ireland’s taly rugby great Sergio losing run in the tournament ales claimed a record best chance of the game. Parisse fought back tears going back to February 2015. third Six Nations World Rugby player of the year Iafter what could be his final “It’s a moment of emotion, but Grand Slam of coach Johnny Sexton caught the Welsh Six Nations match but insisted not for my last match, but disap- Warren Gatland’s defence fl at-footed with a clever his emotion was for veteran pointment,” continued Parisse. Wreign yesterday as Gareth Ans- raking cross-kick, Stockdale ex- teammate Leonardo Ghiraldini “It’s complicated to explain how, combe kicked 20 points to help pertly gathering and shrugging who was stretchered off with a with so much possession and beat an ill-disciplined Ireland off Gareth Davies as he steamed knee injury in a 25-14 defeat to ardo’s situation.” opportunity, a little bit of bad 25-7. down the line before Parkes France. Toulouse hooker Ghiraldini was luck, you lose.” The stunning victory extend- hauled him down with the line “My last game of the tourna- carried off with a knee injury Parisse is the tournament ed Wales’ winning streak to 14 beckoning. ment? I don’t know if this is my to thundering applause for his record cap-holder with 69 matches, moving them to second Infl uential playmaker Dan last match, we don’t care,” said final home game after 104 caps. games played, including 51 in the World Rugby standings and Biggar made an earlier-than-ex- the 35-year-old Stade Francais The 34-year-old could have suf- as captain, ahead of Irishman handing Gatland’s team a mas- pected entry after North went off player of a game which was fered a cruciate ligament injury Brian O’Driscoll’s 65. sive psychological boost looking with an injured left wrist, Ans- there for the taking against a which would rule him out of the He earned his first cap against ahead to this year’s Rugby World combe slotting in at full-back weakened France. World Cup in September. the All Blacks in June 2002, and Cup in Japan. Wales head coach Warren Gatland smiles after winning the Six Nations with Liam Williams moving to “My emotion was not for my “When I saw Leo at the end it was has played 138 Tests since his The Grand Slam was the 12th tournament yesterday. (AFP) the wing. last match but because of Leon- hard because he gives so much. debut. achieved by Wales, who opened When Sexton was pinged for this campaign with a 24-19 victory “For me it’s a day and weekend Gargantuan winger George a ruck infringement in the 18th over France before following up to remember for Welsh rugby.” North followed up on Ans- minute, Anscombe made no mis- his head in despair. And it was he who held up James half in a game he will want to for- with wins over Italy (26-15), Eng- Wales captain Alun Wyn Jones combe’s kick-off , catching Jacob take with the penalty to stretch Anscombe increased the home Ryan early in the second period to get, so the mistakes kept coming land (21-13) and Scotland (18-11). admitted the team had “just put Stockdale in possession and Wales’ lead. side’s lead to 16 points with two force an attacking scrum in an- for his team. It was the third under Gatland a big target” on their backs going driving him into touch. further penalties just before half- other blow to Ireland as Schmidt’s Winger Keith Earls badly mis- in his 50th and fi nal Wales game into the World Cup, adding that The crowd, barely in their IRELAND’S ILL-DISCIPLINE time, ironically the same lead men tried to fi nd a foothold. judged a defensive back-tracking in European rugby’s showcase there was “still potential in us”. seats after stirring anthems, were Sexton spurned a shot at goal him- France held over Wales after the Cian Healy then gave away a touchdown to again hand Wales tournament following Grand Ireland captain Rory Best quickly galvanised as Ken Owens self after a rare spell of Irish pres- fi rst 40 minutes in the opening soft penalty with an off -the-ball the advantage and when replace- Slams in 2008 and 2012, and a called Wales “a very determinded peeled off the attacking line- sure, but Adam Beard launched match of this Six Nations cam- hit on opposite number Tomas ment Andrew Porter strayed off - fi rst Six Nations title since 2013. side and hard to beat here”. out, Hadleigh Parkes gathering himself into the attacking Irish paign. Francis, Anscombe hitting an side at a ruck, again in front of Anscombe, who scored six “We couldn’t get footing in the Anscombe’s dink over the top to maul off the line-out, Justin Tipu- Alun Wyn Jones, equal- elementary three points to take the posts, Anscombe gleefully penalty goals and a conversion, game. Our set-piece wasn’t up touch down within two breath- ric isolating Irish skipper Rory Best ling Gethin Jenkins as the most Wales out to 19-0. stepped up with kicking tee for a said: “It’s hard to put into words to the standard that we expect. taking minutes, the fl y-half con- and forcing a knock-on. capped Welshman of all-time Further ill-discipline handed sixth successful pot at the sticks. what this means, we’ve worked They put a lot of pressure on us verting. Things weren’t going Ireland’s with 134 caps (including nine Anscombe a fi fth shot at goal, There was a late consolation incredibly hard over the last year. and we struggled to respond.” Kiwi-born Parkes, who made way, experienced No 8 CJ Stand- matches for the British and Irish the Kiwi born to a Welsh mother try for Ireland from Jordan Lar- We have a habit of winning. It’s The tone of what turned out his Super Rugby debut along- er then losing control of a quick Lions), was to the fore as the go- making no mistake with Ireland mour, converted by Jack Carty, a special group and we worked to be an electrifying start was set side Anscombe for the Auckland tap and go to lose all momentum, to line-out jumper and around looking increasingly ragged. as the team avoided a fi rst white- hard for each other. from the off . Blues before relocating to Wales coach Joe Schmidt left holding the park with ball in hand. As Sexton misfi red from fl y- wash since 1990.

GOLF McIlroy, Fleetwood share lead at Players Championship

AFP the right track with the Masters, and three island green. He fi nished tied for Los Angeles a chance to complete a career Grand 39th with a three-under 141 total, nine Slam, just a month away. strokes back of the leaders. He began Friday’s round with his Teeing off on his eighth hole of the ory McIlroy charged up the lone bogey of the day before going on to day after starting on the back nine, leaderboard on the back nine, make one eagle and six birdies. Woods’ tee shot from 146 yards was fi ring a seven-under 65 on Fri- “I felt like I came back well,” McIlroy long and left over the island green and day to grab a share of the lead said. “Once I got a birdie on the eighth his next shot from the drop zone was withR Tommy Fleetwood at the halfway it started to snowball.” also long. stage of the Players Championship. McIlroy also slammed the PGA Tour “I was pretty ticked, no doubt about McIlroy, of Northern Ireland, went for allowing players to take too much that,” Woods said. seven under par on his fi nal 11 holes, time between shots, describing it as After starting the day with birdies making an eagle on the par-fi ve 16th, an “epidemic”. McIlroy and his playing at numbers 12, 13 and 16, Woods was a birdie on the par-three 17 and par partners had to wait on almost all the at fi ve under par. But his rough hole on the par-four closing hole to reach a tee boxes. moved him to one under for the tour- 12-under 132 total. “It’s become somewhat of an epi- nament. He is tied with England’s Fleetwood demic on tour.... Honestly, I think (the He fought back with a birdie on the who shot a fi ve-under 67 for his sixth Tour) should just be a little tougher and par-fi ve second hole and the par-four straight round under par. start penalizing shots earlier, and that seventh. “It was just another good day on would be an easy way to fi x it,” he said. “I ended up getting back to three un- the golf course. I did everything pretty This is the second straight week der,” Woods said. “It was a good fi ght.” much the way I wanted to,” McIlroy Fleetwood has had a share of the 36- Woods is confi dent he can make up said. “My attitude has been great all hole lead after starting quickly Friday more ground on the weekend. year.” with a birdie-eagle-birdie beginning to “I just need to go out and put it to- Ian Poulter (66), Jim Furyk (64), his round. gether, because right now literally Brian Harman (69) and Abraham An- “It was a bit tougher today. The anybody who makes the cut has got a cer (66) are tied for third at nine-under greens got crustier and crustier,” Fleet- chance to win this tournament,” Woods 135 at the TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra wood said. “All in all I am very happy. said. Beach, Florida. “Happy my game is improving and I Players who didn’t make the cut Fri- Australia’s Jason Day shot a 66 and is am getting up there more and more.” day included American Jordan Spieth, tied for seventh with Keith Mitchell and Tiger Woods just made the cut with Vijay Singh of Fiji, China’s Li Hao-Tong Kevin Kisner at eight-under 136. a one-under 71 but was left hovering and Phil Mickelson who missed the cut After making changes last year to along the cut line after a quadruple here for the sixth time in his last seven Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland plays his shot from the ninth tee during the second round of The Players Championship on correct struggles, McIlroy feels he is on bogey seven on the picturesque par- tries. The Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, on Friday. (AFP) Gulf Times Sunday, March 17, 2019 5 SPORT

NBA MLB Ichiro dodges retirement Bucks overcome slow question before openers AFP Tokyo

apanese superstar Ichiro Suzuki is refusing to say start to beat Heat whether his involvement in Major League Baseball’s seasonJ openers in Tokyo next Middleton and Eric Bledsoe scored 21 and 17 points respectively for the Bucks week would mark his swansong after a record-breaking career. Reuters The 45-year-old, who has set Miami a handful of MLB milestones since sweeping to rookie of the year honours in 2001, is set to Leaguer to record 200 hits in 10 he Milwaukee Bucks overcame a suit up for the Seattle Mariners consecutive seasons in 2010 — 23-point fi rst-quarter defi cit to when they take on the Oakland an achievement that was marked rally past the host Miami Heat Athletics in back-to-back games with a commemorative stamp in 113-98 on Friday night. Giannis in midweek. His future remains Japan, where he remains a celeb- TAntetokounmpo tallied 33 points, 16 re- in doubt after stepping aside to rity, appearing on TV commer- bounds and nine assists, giving him his move into a front offi ce job early cials and billboards nationwide. 49th double-double. last season, but Suzuki was giv- He also helped Japan win the Khris Middleton and Eric Bledsoe had ing little away at a press confer- World Baseball Classic in 2006 21 and 17 points, respectively, for the ence yesterday “I’m extremely and 2009 but Suzuki hit just.080 Bucks, who top the NBA with 52 wins, grateful for the chance to be in spring training this season and including 25 on the road. The Bucks out- back,” said Suzuki. could face the cut when the Mar- scored the Heat 71-36 in the second half “This is a gift — and I want to iners trim their roster to 25 after to seize control of the game, and Milwau- savour every moment of it. I’ve returning from Tokyo. kee won its league-best 16th game when thought about retirement since “I’ve had spring training trailing by more than 10 points in a game I was traded from Seattle to the where I haven’t hit well before,” this season. The Bucks won for the fi rst New York Yankees (in 2012),” shrugged Suzuki. “It’s not easy to time ever in 78 tries when trailing by at added the future Hall of Famer. go from a minor league contract least 20 points at the half. Justise Wins- “The MLB is tough and you could to stepping out at Tokyo Dome. low scored 20 — all in the fi rst half — and be let go at any time, but I’m still Based on my spring training form Hassan Whiteside had 14. here. How will I know when it’s I shouldn’t be here perhaps but I Josh Richardson scored 11, while time to retire? I have no idea.” love playing here and you never Dwyane Wade, Bam Adebayo, Dion Wait- Suzuki, about to enter his 19th know what will happen.” ers and Kelly Olynyk each had 10 for the MLB season on a minor league Ahead of sellout games on Heat, who have won six of their past nine. deal with the Mariners, has bro- Wednesday and Thursday, Seat- ken records for fun in the big tle manager Scott Servais also ROCKETS 108, SUNS 102 leagues. Most notably in 2004 he refused to be drawn on Suzuki’s James Harden recorded a double-double, broke an 84-year-old milestone future. “We are really taking it a with his fi nal assist resulting in a criti- for hits in a single season, fi n- day at a time,” he said. “He will cal basket that helped cement Houston’s ishing with 262, fi ve more than be available for these two games win over visiting Phoenix. Harden posted baseball legend George Sisler had against Oakland and we’ll take it 41 points and 11 assists and fi nished a re- in 1920. from there — he’s had an unbe- bound shy of a triple-double. Suzuki became the fi rst Major lievable career.” He added six steals, but his fi nal assist, a pass that resulted in a Danuel House Jr. 3-pointer with just under a minute left, FOCUS provided the Rockets a 105-100 lead and sealed their 10th win in 11 games. House, seeing his fi rst action since Jan. 14 after a contract dispute punched his ticket back USA to launch to the G-League, scored 18 points and fi nished 4 of 8 from behind the arc. World Cup defence SPURS 109, KNICKS 83 LaMarcus Aldridge scored 18 points and grabbed 11 rebounds in three quarters against Czechs to lead a balanced scoring attack as San Antonio throttled visiting New York to AFP the draw ceremony: “The USA capture its seventh straight victory. The Shenzhen, China has some really stiff competition. Spurs (40-29) have used their winning I believe it is going to be a great, streak to fl y up in the Western Confer- competitive tournament,” said ence standings and to move 11 games United States team the 40-year-old, who was given above.500, their best mark of the season. packed with NBA stars a rousing reception from the San Antonio posted its ninth consecu- will begin its bid for an 8,000 crowd at the draw and had tive victory at home and dominated the unprecedented third his name chanted on several oc- hapless Knicks, who have the NBA’s worst BasketballA World Cup title in a casions. “It’s a real sense of hon- record at 13-56 and have lost eight games Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (left) and Miami Heat guard Josh Richardson reach for a rebound row with a clash against debu- our to be playing for your coun- in a row. during the NBA game in Miami on Friday night. (USA TODAY Sports) tants the Czech Republic. try. At the start of the game you Team USA, who have named hear your national anthem being 76ERS 123, KINGS 114 Spurs forward LaMarcus Aldridge for ahead of the ninth-place Kings for the fi - James after he scored 29 points in a loss the likes of LeBron James, Kevin played, you see everyone in the All fi ve starters scored 18 or more points, second place on Portland’s all-time scor- nal playoff spot. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to Toronto on Thursday. Tyson Chan- Durant and Stephen Curry in arena with their fl ags, represent- propelling Philadelphia over visiting Sac- ing list. Clyde Drexler is the Blazers’ all- had 17 points, seven rebounds and seven dler (neck), Josh Hart (knee) and Lance their 2019-2020 roster, will be ing their country and colour.” ramento. Joel Embiid had 21 points and a time leading scorer. McCollum fi nished assists, and fellow point guard Patrick Stephenson (toe) also sat out. strong favourites to retain their Serbia, beaten by the USA in game-high 17 rebounds, while teammate with 23 points, Enes Kanter and Rodney Beverley fi nished with 13 points, eight re- crown at the August 31-Septem- the fi nal in Madrid in 2014, are in Jimmy Butler collected seven assists to Hood added 17 points each, Zach Collins bounds and seven assists for Los Angeles, HORNETS 116, WIZARDS 110 ber 15 showpiece in China. Group D with the Philippines, Ita- complement a game-high 22 points as the scored 12, and Jusuf Nurkic had 11 points which has won six of seven. Kemba Walker scored 28 points, Jeremy Yesterday’s draw in the south- ly and Angola. Group H looks par- 76ers (44-25) moved back into a tie with and 12 rebounds as the Blazers improved Lamb added 18 and visiting Charlotte ern Chinese city of Shenzhen ticularly competitive, lining up idle Indiana (44-25) for the No 3 playoff to 8-3 since the All-Star break. LAKERS 111, PISTONS 97 defeated Washington. Nicolas Batum pitted a biggest-ever 32 teams Canada, Senegal, Lithuania and position in the Eastern Conference. Langston Galloway scored 23 points off and Tony Parker had 16 points each for from fi ve continents and placed Australia. France, ranked third in Sacramento (33-35) lost a third straight CLIPPERS 128, BULLS 121 the bench, one shy of his season high, and the Hornets in a game between two of the USA in Group E in Shanghai the world behind top-rated USA contest, including its second in two Danilo Gallinari scored 27 points, and Los host Detroit downed depleted Los An- the teams chasing the Miami Heat for the alongside the Czechs, minnows and then Spain, are in Group G nights. The Kings were beaten 126-120 at Angeles continued to better its playoff geles. The Pistons snapped a two-game fi nal playoff berth in the Eastern Confer- Japan and Turkey — the team the with the Dominican Republic, Boston on Thursday. chances with a win over visiting Chicago. losing streak, while the Lakers lost for the ence. USA beat in the 2010 fi nal. Jordan and European rivals Ger- Montrezl Harrell scored 26 points off the seventh time in eight games. Walker was coming off a 40-point ef- Shanghai and Shenzhen are many. There is an added incentive TRAIL BLAZERS 122, PELICANS 110 bench, and Lou Williams had 21 in a re- Reggie Jackson had 20 points, fi ve re- fort in a loss to the Rockets. Bradley Beal, among the eight host cities, for teams at this World Cup, with Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum com- serve role for the Clippers, who remain bounds and fi ve assists, while Andre who had 15 points in a loss at Charlotte along with Beijing, which will seven spots at the Tokyo 2020 Ol- bined for 47 points as visiting Portland tied for eighth in the Western Conference Drummond powered for 19 points and last Friday, had 23 by halftime Friday stage the fi nal. Former NBA and ympics up for grabs. The top two held off short-handed New Orleans. Lil- with the Utah Jazz. 23 rebounds for the Pistons. The Lak- night and fi nished with 40 points on 15- Team USA star Kobe Bryant, now from each group will go into the lard scored 24 points and passed current Los Angeles also moved six games ers rested superstar forward LeBron of-29 shooting. a World Cup ambassador, told second round in China.

NHL Tkachuk posts fi ve-point game as Flames rout Rangers

Reuters rallied from a three-goal defi cit to de- leading 35th victory as visiting Las New York feat Philadelphia. Patrick Marleau, Vegas defeated Dallas. Max Pacioretty Zach Hyman and Martin Marincin each also scored for Vegas, which improved contributed one goal for the Maple its lead over fourth-place Arizona to six atthew Tkachuk collected Leafs, who snapped a two-game los- points in the Pacifi c Division with its two goals and a career-high ing streak. Ron Hainsey, Nazem Kadri, seventh win in its last eight games. fi ve points — his second William Nylander and Nikita Zaitsev Fleury extended his personal win- game of the week with at each had two assists. Maple Leafs goal- ning streak to six games, during which Mleast four points — and the host Calgary tender Frederik Andersen stopped 23 of he has allowed a total of fi ve goals. Flames climbed back atop the Western 29 shots on goal. James van Riemsdyk Roope Hintz scored for Dallas, which Conference with a 5-1 victory over the paced the Flyers with a hat trick, while lost for just the second time in eight New York Rangers on Friday night. Jakub Voracek, Radko Gudas and Shay- games. Goalie David Rittich stopped 24 ne Gostisbehere added one goal apiece. The Stars, playing the second half of shots for the Flames, who have racked a back-to-back that started with a 4-1 up 20 goals during a three-game win- BLUE JACKETS 3, HURRICANES 0 win at Minnesota on Thursday night, ning streak. Tkachuk has been as hot Columbus goalie Sergei Bobrovsky didn’t land in Dallas until 2:30 in the as anybody through the winning spree, made 46 saves for his sixth shutout of morning. having netted six goals and 10 points the season as host Columbus defeat- in that span, and coming through at ed Carolina. Adam McQuaid, David DUCKS 5, AVALANCHE 3 key times. Case in point was his game- Savard and Josh Anderson scored for Corey Perry scored a tie-breaking winning goal three minutes into the Columbus, with two early goals provid- power-play goal with 57 seconds left, second period. With the score tied 1-1, ing the Blue Jackets with a cushion as Josh Gibson had 41 saves, and visiting Tkachuk defl ected Mark Giordano’s the Hurricanes peppered Bobrovsky at Anaheim beat Colorado. Perry fi nished waist-high point shot en route to his times. Bobrovsky stopped 22 second- with two goals, Ryan Getzlaf had a goal sixth four-point game of the campaign. period shots, as the Hurricanes held a and two assists and Daniel Sprong Seventy seconds later, Tkachuk had a 22-2 edge on shots but didn’t change had a goal and an assist for the Ducks, hand in Garnet Hathaway’s tally, feed- the scoreboard. who dealt a blow to Colorado’s playoff ing the puck to the front of the net for hopes. a nifty redirect for his 100th career as- DEVILS 3, CANUCKS 2 Matthew Tkachuk (left) of Calgary Flames and Brady Skjei of New York Rangers vie for the puck during the NHL game at Nathan MacKinnon had a goal and an sist. Damon Severson’s shootout goal gave Scotiabank Saddledome in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, on Friday night. (AFP) assist, and Mikko Rantanen and Sven visiting New Jersey a comeback victory Andrighetto scored for the Avalanche. MAPLE LEAFS 7, FLYERS 6 over Vancouver. Severson, New Jersey’s shot from the doorstep. The Devils posted their second straight GOLDEN KNIGHTS 2, STARS 1 Colorado (30-29-12) is now fi ve points Jake Muzzin scored two goals and add- seventh shooter in the shootout, was He decided the contest after Van- win following seven consecutive losses. Ryan Reaves scored the game-winner behind Arizona for the Western Con- ed an assist, Auston Matthews added falling down as he beat Vancouver goal- couver’s Elias Pettersson and Drew The Canucks took their 14th loss in 19 early in the third period, and Marc-An- ference’s second wild-card spot with 11 another pair of goals and host Toronto tender Jacob Markstrom with a wrist Staff ord had exchanged shootout goals. games. dre Fleury had 40 saves for his league- games remaining for both teams. Gulf Times 6 Sunday, March 17, 2019 SPORT

TENNIS SPOTLIGHT Gladiators take on Nadal pulls out of Zalmi in PSL fi nal Agencies Last year, Watson decided to Karachi stay away for the Eliminators in Lahore, leaving Quetta depleted. But this time Watson, who has uetta Gladiators and amassed 423 runs in the tour- Peshawar Zalmi will nament, made a late decision to lock horns in the Paki- play in Karachi. Federer semi-fi nal stan Super League T20 “This time, we are at our full fiQ nal at Karachi’s National Stadi- strength, so we will do our best um today. A star-studded closing to play like we have done and win ceremony will be held before the the tournament. Obviously, win- much-anticipated fi nal. ning the trophy is every captain’s Quetta are hoping their in- wish. We have come close, but form opener Shane Watson will were not able to win. This time, make them third time lucky we will do our best, though we with knee injury as they look to avoid another have a strong team against us,” knock-out punch from a spirited he said. Zalmi It is befi tting for the Pakistan Canadian teen Andreescu to face Kerber in Indian Wells WTA final Quetta have beaten Peshawar Super League fi nal that the two in both the league games this most in-form teams are in the AFP season, before having the bet- fi nal, fi nishing with seven wins Indian Wells, United States ter of their arch-rivals in the and three losses each in the fi rst Wednesday’s Qualifi er. But they phase. Peshawar skipper Sammy will be wary of Daren Sammy-led admitted Watson was the danger dejected Rafael Nadal pulled out Peshawar today. man for his team. of his Indian Wells semi-fi nal Despite beating Peshawar in “Shane Watson has really been against old foe Roger Federer the Qualifi ers in 2016 and 2017 the pain for us,” said Sammy of yesterday with a right knee in- in thrilling last-over fi nishes by the former Australia opener, juryA and said he’ll turn his attention to one-run, Quetta lost in the 2017 who has 265 runs at 66.25 in fi ve getting fi t for the claycourt season. The fi nal by 58 runs in Lahore and in matches against Peshawar in two Spanish superstar, who has battled knee the Eliminator 1 last year. years. “He is pretty experience tendinitis and other injuries throughout Quetta captain Sarfaraz and he is enjoying his form.” his career, confi rmed he won’t compete Ahmed hoped it will be a case of But Sammy hoped his team at next week’s Miami Masters, targeting third time lucky. “We are playing will give another knock-out a return to competition at Monte Carlo the fi nal for the third time, so we punch. “Quetta has had the bet- April 14-21. will do our all-out eff ort to play ter of us throughout the season “What I’m going to do is come back in the same manner which we and I always tell my boys that home and try to do a smooth transition have done in the whole tourna- everything in life happens for a to clay, try to be 100% for the fi rst event, ment,” Sarfaraz said yesterday. reason. If it is one time we chose that’s going to be Monte Carlo for me,” he “If you look at the previous to beat them, whey not in the fi - said. World number two Nadal had made years, there were some factors nal when it really matters. Hope- it to the last four without dropping a set, which hurt us as some players fully, it’s a cracker of a game and so it was especially devastating when didn’t come,” said Sarfaraz of we fi nd ways and means to ex- knee pain fl ared up during his 7-6 (7/2), the Lahore fi nal when Kevin Pi- ecute our plans against them and 7-6 (7/2) quarter-fi nal victory over Rus- etersen and Rilee Rossouw were we will need that but that Shane sian Karen Khachanov on Friday. not available. Watson guy is pain for us.” He soldiered through to what would have been a 39th career meeting with Fe- derer, but said he knew when he practised yesterday morning that he wouldn’t be able to play to an adequate standard. “I wanted to try my best to be competitive today,” he said. “I warmed up today in the morning, and I felt that my knee was not enough good to compete at the level that I need to compete, to play semi-fi nals match of this event.” It’s particularly devastating since Nadal was looking forward to a relatively healthy 2019 campaign after coping with multiple injuries last year. Nadal reached the fi nal at the Australian Open, and while Rafael Nadal, who has battled knee tendinitis and other injuries throughout his career, confirmed he won’t compete at next week’s he lost in straight sets to Novak Djokovic Miami Masters, targeting a return to competition at Monte Carlo April 14-21. (AFP) he said it was a positive sign after he had to pull the plug early on his 2018 season. times I feel sad because I feel always in dian Wells had breezed past 67th-ranked the second to subdue Bencic, who was His run at the fi rst Grand Slam of the disadvantage compared with all my op- Hubert Hurkacz of Poland 6-4, 6-4 in the coming off her fi rst WTA title in four year marked his return to competition for ponents in terms of preparation and in quarters. years in Dubai. The 22-year-old Swiss, the fi rst time since a similar knee prob- terms of practice and sometimes under Meanwhile, Canadian sensation Bian- whose career was disrupted by a string lem forced him to retire from his US Open competition,” an emotional Nadal said. ca Andreescu toppled sixth-ranked Elina of back and wrist injuries, had beaten six semi-fi nal against Juan Martin del Potro “But at the same time, in the other Svitolina 6-3, 2-6, 6-4 on Friday and will top-10 players in her winning streak, in- in September. He underwent surgery on hand, I went through fantastic moments face Wimbledon champion Angelique cluding world number one and defending his ankle to remove an intra-articular and still going with that feeling a lot of Kerber for the WTA title in Indian Wells. Indian Wells champion Naomi Osaka in loose body in November and only re- times.S o I’m just going to keep going. Germany’s Kerber, ranked eighth in the the fourth round here. sumed training in December. I’m just going to keep doing the things world, ended Belinda Bencic’s 12-match Andreescu, ranked 60th in the world While Nadal said he feels knee pain that work well for me and accepting that winning streak with a 6-4, 6-2 victory to after starting the year at 152, continued “almost always”, in the face of this lat- sometimes these issues can happen. All reach the fi nal in the California desert for a stellar run that included a quarter-fi nal est setback he insisted: “My goal doesn’t the things that are in my hands I am do- the fi rst time in her third semi-fi nal ap- victory over former world number one Peshawar Zalmi captain Daren Sammy (left) and his Quetta change”. “Even if sometimes it’s tough for ing well. The things that I can’t control, I pearance. Garbine Muguruza. She’s the fi rst wild Gladiators counterpart Sarfraz Ahmed pose with Pakistan Super me to accept all these things that I am go- can’t control.” Kerber won the last four games of the card to reach the women’s fi nal at Indian League trophy ahead of today’s final at the National Cricket ing through during all my career, some- Federer, a fi ve-time champion at In- opening set and the last three games of Wells. Stadium in Karachi. (AFP)

ONE-OFF TEST FOCUS Ireland trail by 120 runs aft er Bangladesh cricketers arrive home AFP Afghan Shah’s batting blitz Dhaka AFP Dehradun, India he Bangladesh cricket team arrived home in Dhaka yesterday, a day af- ter narrowly escaping the mosque fghanistan batsman attack that killed 49 people in New Rahmat Shah fell two TZealand. At least 17 members of the Bang- runs short of his maid- ladesh cricket team drove up to Christch- en Test century as he urch’s Masjid Al Noor mosque in a bus to guidedA his team to a 142-run fi rst join Friday prayers when a gunman stormed innings lead over Ireland on the the building, in what is thought to be the second day of the one-off Test worst act of terror directed against Muslims match yesterday. The Irish team in a Western country. lost captain William Porterfi eld The team arrived at Dhaka airport late Bangladesh cricketers at the Christchurch Airport before boarding a flight to Dhaka. (AFP) in the closing hour of the game yesterday, according to Bangladesh Cricket at 22-1 after Afghan batsmen had Board spokesman Rabeed Imam. “The only Team manager Khaled Mashud said play- better that we are returning... because eve- dominated the day in the north thing I can say that we are very lucky,” skip- ers and staff on the bus watched as blood- ryone’s family is worried. I just hope after Indian city of Dehradun. per Mahmudllah Riyad said after arrival. soaked victims staggered from the building. returning home we can overcome it with the Maiden half-centuries by As- “With all of your prayers... now we could They stayed in the bus for eight to 10 min- passing of time,” Tamim said. ghar Afghan, with 67 runs, and return here alive. I cannot describe what utes before leaving it after sensing danger, Australia’s cricket team cancelled a tour Hashmatullah Shahidi (61) piled is going inside us, what we have seen,” he according to Mashud. in Bangladesh in 2015, citing a lack of secu- up 314 all out in reply to 172 added. “All of us in the team could not sleep Bangladesh opening batsman Tamim rity, while the Australian Under-19 cricket from the visitors. Afghanistan properly. The only thing that popped up in Iqbal said it would be diffi cult for the na- team skipped ICC Under-19 World Cup in resumed the day’s play at 90-2 our mind was how lucky we are.” tional cricket team to overcome the shock Bangladesh in 2016 on the same ground. with Shah (22) and Shahidi (13) The team was in Christchurch for their of narrowly escaping the shooting. “It will England’s cricket team was provided secu- sharing a second day 124-run third and fi nal Test match against the home certainly take some time for us to get out of rity equal to that of a head of a state when stand for the third wicket before side scheduled to begin yesterday, which it after the experience we had here,” he told they visited Bangladesh in 2016, months Andy McBrine picked up Sha- was promptly cancelled to allow the crick- reporters at Christchurch airport, moments after one of the worst extremist attacks on hidi. Shah continued his journey eters to return home as soon as possible. before the team left for Bangladesh. “It is foreigners in a Dhaka cafe. towards scoring the fi rst ever Afghanistan batsman Rahmat Shah plays a shot during the day two Test century for the team but his of the one-off Test match against Ireland in the northern Indian city innings ground to a halt at 98 off of Dehradun yesterday. (AFP) FIFTH ODI 214 balls when he chopped on a delivery by Tim Murtagh. three for 28, including the wicket stan lost to India inside two days Murtagh, who saved the day of all-rounder Mohammad Nabi in Bangalore while Ireland went for Ireland in the fi rst innings af- for nought. down to Pakistan in Dublin. South Africa sweep ODI series aft er DLS win ter scoring an unbeaten maiden McBrine took 2 for 77. Andy Test half century at number 11, Balbirnie (14) and Paul Stirling BRIEF SCORES AFP al at Newlands yesterday. The hosts, leading Isuru Udana took them to respectable total. had bowling fi gures of 1-33. Ire- (8) were out at the crease at the Ireland I innings 172 all out and Cape Town the fi ve-match series 4-0, were 135 for two land trail by 120 runs with eight close of the play, with Afghan after 28 overs, chasing a target of 226. They II innings 22 for 1 (Balbirinie 14 BRIEF SCORES: wickets in hand on day three of bowler Yamin Ahmadzai end- were well ahead of the DSL par of 97. Earlier, the match after the team’s bat- ing the day at 1-9. Both sides are not out, Stirling 8 not our) vs outh Africa beat Sri Lanka by 41 runs a 56 by Kusal Mendis and an adventurous Sri Lanka 225 all out in 49.3 overs (K. tling line-up crumbed against playing their second Test after Afghanistan I Innings 314 all out according to the Duckworth/Lewis/ lower order partnership lifted a struggling Mendis 56; K. Rabada 3-50) lost South the Afghan spin attack on day making their debut in the fi ve- (Rahmat 98, Asghar 67, Shahidi 61, Stern method when fl oodlight failure Sri Lankan team. A eighth wicket stand of Africa 135-2 in 28 overs (A. Markram 67 one. Stuart Thompson picked day format last year. Afghani- Thompson 3-28, McBrine 2-77) Sended the fi fth one-day internation- 61 off 53 balls between Priyamal Perera and not out) by 41 runs (DLS Method) Gulf Times Sunday, March 17, 2019 7 SPORT

BEACH VOLLEYBALL Grimalt cousins win Katara Beach Cup for second successive title By Sports Reporter Paulo Moreira de Costa, better known Doha as Paulao. He has many years of experi- ence coaching on the World Tour and is now bringing it to bear on a team who arco and Esteban Grimalt made their Tour debut in 2011. won their second FIVB “He is an excellent coach,” Esteban Beach Volleyball World Grimalt said. “He has given us so many Tour gold medal in two new ideas and gives us so much infor- Mweeks when they beat Phil Dalhausser mation before every game. Because of and Nick Lucena in the Doha 4-Star that we are more prepared before every Katara Cup yesterday. game. He is part of our team and it is a The Chilean cousins beat the Ameri- dream for all of us.” For Dalhausser and can pair 2-0 (21-15, 21-15) to add their Lucena the silver is their fi rst World fi rst 4-Star gold to the Sydney 3-Star Tour medal since the won the Fort gold they won last Sunday. Lauderdale 5-Star in March 2018. The Katara Beach Cup was the fi fth The Americans enjoyed a long off - time that Qatar has hosted a World season and the Doha 4-Star was their Tour tournament and it had begun on fi rst tournament since August 2018. March 12 at the Katara – the Cultural They appeared back to their best in Village. “It was a crazy two weeks, and Doha and before the gold medal match we are so proud of our team, our fam- had lost only one set in fi ve matches. ily and our country,” Esteban Grimalt Meanwhile, Pablo Herrera and Adri- said. “I don’t have words to describe an Gavira won bronze when they de- our feelings right now. feated Poland’s Grzegorz Fijalek and “When we started on the World Tour Michal Bryl. The Spaniards won 2-0 nine years ago it was against Dalhausser (21-17, 22-20). The bronze is Herrera (and Todd Rogers) and now many years and Gavira’s fi rst World Tour medal later we have beaten him in a fi nal. It is since they won silver at the Gstaad a dream come true for us, but we want 5-Star and will provide them with vital more and to keep improving.” points as they chase qualifi cation for After the Grimalt won the Sydney the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. 3-Star they fl ew 14 hours to reach the “It was a tough match,” Gavira said. Qatari capital and competed in the “We were in the bronze medal match so qualifi cation tournament on Tuesday. I think we have played a good tourna- Their victory in Sydney was their sec- ment and really, really happy to start ond World Tour victory in the past year the year like this. Now we have one following gold at the Tokyo 3-Star in week off at home and have to celebrate Qatar Volleyball Association (QVA) President Ali Ghanim al-Kuwari (centre left) and Katara Cultural Village Foundation General Manager Dr Khalid al-Sulaiti hand July. Much of the turnaround is down with family and friends and then work over the winning cheque to Chile’s Marco and Esteban Grimalt, who won the FIVB Beach Volleyball World Tour Katara Cup yesterday. United States’ Phil Dalhausser to the infl uence of Brazilian coach hard.” and Nick Lucena finished runner-up, while Spain’s Pablo Herrera and Adrian Gavira took bronze.

FORMULA ONE SPOTLIGHT Vettel says Ferrari Dominant Hamilton should be better Reuters slow — but didn’t feel like it.” Melbourne German Vettel’s new team- mate Charles Leclerc qualifi ed fi fth fastest behind Red Bull’s perplexed Sebas- Max Verstappen but the high- tian Vettel was left ly regarded 21-year-old was snatches Australian scratching his head harder on himself than the car. after the promise of “I’m not happy with myself. I Ferrari’sA pre-season perform- didn’t do the job in Q3, which is ance was shattered by the pace a shame,” said the Monegasque, of Mercedes during Austral- who locked up in turn one of a ian Grand Prix qualifying yes- “messy” second lap. terday. Formula One cham- “I’ve been struggling quite a Grand Prix pole pion Lewis Hamilton claimed lot last year on this track so I’m a record-extending eighth pole pretty sure things will get better at Albert Park, edging team- but I also need to work on my ‘I really was not expecting to see the performance diff erence we have here’ mate Valtteri Bottas in a Mer- side to put the things together cedes one-two as the Silver when I have to. It’s a shame. I AFP Arrows gave Ferrari a stinging think top three was defi nitely Melbourne reality check. there, top two not. But we will Third fastest Vettel was more work to get better.” than seven-tenths of a second While Hamilton claimed pole ercedes’ world champion slower than Hamilton, a gap for a sixth time in succession Lewis Hamilton picked up similar to last year’s qualifying at Albert Park, Vettel won the where he left off last year to when the Briton blew former last two races in Australia de- reassert his authority and Ferrari driver Kimi Raikkonen spite conceding plenty of pace Msnatch a record-extending eighth pole out of the water. Runners-up to to Mercedes’ cars. Fortune and position at the season-opening Austral- Mercedes in the last two con- a safety car deployment helped ian Grand Prix yesterday. structors’ championships, Fer- him pip Hamilton last year and The Briton clocked a fastest lap of one rari arrived in Melbourne with a well-timed pit-stop sealed minute 20.486 to narrowly pip teammate confi dence for the new season victory over the Briton in 2017. Valtteri Bottas, with Ferrari’s Sebastian after being slightly faster dur- Despite the qualifying set- Vettel third, but a massive 0.704 seconds ing winter testing. But Bar- back, Vettel said he felt Ferrari behind his arch-rival. The German will celona must have felt very far had a “good race car” and could start on the second row with Red Bull’s away for Vettel, who was at a still take maximum points to- Max Verstappen while Ferrari newcomer loss to explain the sudden and day. “Obviously Mercedes are Charles Leclerc and Haas’ Romain Gros- glaring gap. “I think, there is the clear favourites after the jean make up row three. still a bit of margin (to improve) result today and the pace they Fellow Haas driver Kevin Magnussen is but certainly the gap is there have shown so far. behind them alongside British young gun today, and it was a surprise,” But we are here to race,” he Lando Norris, who steered his McLaren the four-times champion told said. “This track is very spe- to an admirable eighth in his debut quali- reporters. “We didn’t expect it cifi c, so (I’m) not worried too fying session. Hamilton, 34, is the pole coming here but now it is that much, but for sure it’s not great. master in Melbourne, claiming it eight way. Obviously there is a lack I would have loved for it to be times and every year since 2014, although somewhere, because we are too the other way round.” he has only twice won a race at Albert Park, in 2008 and 2015. He knocked out his rivals with a blis- FOCUS tering lap at the death to claim an 84th career grid-leading time and said after- wards he was “shaking, it was so close out there”. Hamilton, who is bidding for Norris thrilled with a sixth world title to move within one of Michael Schumacher’s record seven, had complained after pre-season testing in ‘massive’ qualifying Barcelona that Ferrari was much quicker. But this has proved to be a fallacy with Reuters on debut. Norris was fi ned 5,000 the Briton fastest in all three free prac- Melbourne euros for an unsafe release in the tice sessions. “Coming from Barcelona, fi nal free practice but otherwise we have made some really big steps in has barely put a foot wrong in the past few days with the setup. And it cLaren debu- his fi rst race weekend. He said seems to have worked,” he said. “I really tant Lando Nor- crippling nerves had threatened was not expecting to see the performance ris looked a wise, to contain his joy, however, and diff erence we have here.” old head on young he was relieved just to get quali- Bottas was equally stunned by their Mshoulders as the 19-year-old fying done. pace. “Like Lewis I’m a little bit blown enjoyed a solid qualifying debut “I was so nervous, that al- away by the performance we had today,” for the success-starved For- most overrode a lot of the en- said the Finn. I don’t think anyone in the mula One outfi t at the season- joyment,” he said. “The enjoy- team could have imagined we’d be in this Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton (centre) poses for a photo after taking pole position for the Australian Grand Prix with teammate Valtteri opening Australian Grand Prix ment comes from once I know position after the testing we had.” Bottas (left) in second and Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel in third in Melbourne yesterday. (AFP) yesterday. Britain’s youngest I’ve completed a lap I’m happy Vettel, who has won the last two races F1 driver claimed eighth on with and seeing how happy the in Melbourne, admitted he too was sur- ning into the gravel at Turn 12, kicking the grid for today’s race after whole team were. That’s what prised at the size of the gap with Mer- up dirt and dust. Australian Daniel Ric- QUALIFYING TIMES thrashing his papaya and blue- makes me happy, seeing how cedes. “I think everybody is, probably ciardo was a big casualty, fi nishing 12th in coloured car into the third and hard everyone has worked and even themselves,” he said. “We have 58 his fi rst outing for new team Renault after QUALIFYING 3: ELIMINATED IN Q2: fi nal qualifying session. His how it’s all come together for laps tomorrow to get a proper read on moving from Red Bull. 1. Lewis Hamilton (GBR/Mercedes) 11. Nico Hulkenberg (GER/Renault); compatriot Lewis Hamilton qualifying. It’s good to get it off where we are. Tomorrow is a new day,” he His teammate Nico Hulkenberg also 1:20.486; 2. Valtteri Bottas 12. Daniel Ricciardo (AUS/Renault); 13. took a record-extending eighth my chest.” added. Mercedes and Hamilton have been missed the Q2 cut, as did Toro Rosso (FIN/Mercedes) 1:20.598; 3. Sebastian Alexander Albon (THA/Toro Rosso); 14. pole in Australia, ahead of Mer- Lining up behind both of dominant in Formula One in recent years, pair Daniel Kvyat and Alexander Albon. Vettel (GER/Ferrari) 1:21.190; 4. Max Ver- Antonio Giovinazzi (ITA/Alfa Romeo); 15. cedes teammate Valtteri Bottas. Haas’s cars on the grid today, winning the drivers’ and constructors’ ti- Leclerc topped Q1 with 1:22:017 ahead of stappen (NED/Red Bull) 1:21.320; Daniil Kvyat (RUS/Toro Rosso) While outshining senior Norris will have a chance to tles fi ve years in a row and Ferrari — and Hamilton and Bottas. 5. Charles Leclerc (MON/Ferrari) 1:21.442; teammate Carlos Sainz, who push McLaren higher in the Vettel — are desperate to catch up. While Red Bull newcomer Pierre Gasly was 6. Romain Grosjean was knocked out in Q1 and will pecking order. “I think it’s mas- ELIMINATED IN Q1: the German won in Melbourne last year among those who failed to get out of Q1 (FRA/Haas) 1:21.826; 7. Kevin start from 18th, Norris was also sive,” he said of his big day out. and backed it up with victory at the next along with McLaren’s Carlos Sainz and Magnussen (DEN/Haas) 1:22.099; 8. 16. Lance Stroll (CAN/Racing Point); 17. the standout for the champion- “To see that it is possible to race in Bahrain, Hamilton roared back to Racing Point’s Lance Stroll. Robert Ku- Lando Norris (GBR/McLaren) 1:22.304; Pierre Gasly (FRA/Red Bull); 18. Carlos ship’s fresh faces. Toro Rosso’s do it and that we have in some sweep 11 of the remaining 19 Grand Prix to bica, who sustained a puncture in his London-born Thai rookie Al- ways moved forward from last 9. Kimi Raikkonen (FIN/Alfa Romeo) Sainz Jr (ESP/McLaren); 19. George Rus- comfortably be crowned champion. Williams, was last on his comeback after exander Albon was 13th, while year. I feel like I really maxim- 1:22.314; 10. Sergio Perez (MEX/Racing sell (GBR/Williams); 20. Robert Kubica Hamilton topped Q2 in 1:21:014 from his arm was partially severed in a horror George Russell could manage ised everything, not completely Point) 1:22.781 (POL/Williams) Bottas and Verstappen, with Vettel run- rallying accident eight years ago. only 19th for troubled Williams but to an extent.” Sunday, March 17, 2019 GULF TIMES SPORT

FOCUS ACHIEVEMENT Qatar wins one gold, two bronze at GOLF PROS WITH special Olympics Education City Golf Club QNA powerlifting, bowling, and roll- professionals have set out to Abu Dhabi er-skating. Head of the delegation Mo- help grow the game in Qatar hamed Duhaim al-Dosari said A MISSION atar won a gold and that the Qatari team will par- two bronze medals ticipate in four of the games in By Mikhil Bhat And I am in a position today to Steel himself has experience and you can’t rely on a choco- on their fi rst day of Abu Dhabi and the other two Doha give that information to others in the Gulf, having worked for late bar, or a fi zzy drink. Sugar participation in the in Dubai. He said that Qatar is to progress and to develop,” he six years at the Abu Dhabi Golf fi xes are not good for a golfer at SpecialQ Olympics World Games participating with new players says. Club. A challenge he noticed is all. You have to eat something taking place in Dubai and Abu in this edition, who are very de- nywhere else in the Caira, along with golf pro- “building that base of young with low glycemic content so Dhabi. termined to win medals. He ex- world, growing up fessionals Martin Steel from golfers”. that the energy is stored over Shua al-Abdullah won the pressed the hope that the players in the shadows of St Australia and Rachel Choi from And that’s something the trio a long period of time. That gold for roller-skating, while will get more medals in the com- Andrews in Scotland the US, are working at Qatar’s has cut their work out for. itself is an education. You are Khalifa al-Dosari and Mubarak ing days. itselfA could perhaps be consid- newest golf facility to help grow “We are here in Education focusing on building an athlete, al-Hebabi won two bronze med- Qatar Paralympic Committee, ered an initiation into golf. the game in the country. City. I would like to think that and if we focus on building the als in the same discipline. under the presidency of Sheikh In reality, however, things Steel had his own journey this is university of golf right athlete, the golfer will prosper,” The Qatari delegation has 14 Abdulrahman bin Saoud al-Tha- can be slightly more intense and with golf, learning with some of here,” Caira says, referring to Caira explains. players participating. They are ni, is committed to the integra- complicated. Australia’s biggest coaches, and the ECGC. Talking about the athlete in competing in six games -- ath- tion of people with disabilities in Ask Anthony Caira. The brushing shoulders with some “Centre of Excellence has got a golfer, Tiger Woods, widely letics, swimming, badminton, society, al-Dosari said. 56-year-old grew not too far of the biggest stars in pro golf all the technologies. There is considered the fi rst to bring away from what is considered today. a gymnasium to help with the in the fi tness aspect into golf, the “home of golf” and even “Steve Bann, Dale Lynch, kind of fl exibility, mobility and inevitably comes up for discus- took to the sport at an early age. they are two of the biggest stability that is needed.” sion. Despite his prowess at his “I suppose most golfers visu- coaches, who have taught some As he grew as a golf profes- peak, records from yesteryears alise playing in the spotlight of the biggest names — Geoff sional, Caira found inspiration like most Majors by Jack Nick- of the Tour, but not everyone Ogilvy, Aaron Baddeley, Marc in player, coach and administra- laus (18 titles) still remain. is fortunate enough,” says the Leishman. Top Australians ECGC’s Anthony Caira gets down tor Jim Farmer. While Steel and Choi talk Scotsman, who is the head golf have been under their tuition at to explaining basics to a batch of “He helped me a lot with my about the lack of depth in talent professional at the Education Victoria Institute of Sport,” the students. own game, and from a teaching at the time, Caira mentions the City Golf Club. 30-year-old from Melbourne perspective. He worked with likes of Ben Hogan and Sam “Personally, I felt I wasn’t says. He adds: “Everyone has a dif- Paul Lawrie, and I think he was Snead. “I think nowadays you taught very well. After a few “Playing with someone like ferent tempo, their arms work at very instrumental in Paul win- don’t realise that Ben Hogan years when I looked at it, I Jason Day,” he says, “made me diff erent times in the swing. So ning the Open in 1999; although was an athlete. His swing was recognized that the information realise how much better they that’s why you see many upright he wasn’t his coach at the time, fantastic. Sam Snead... The I was given was wrong,” Caira were than I was, pushing me to funny swings work, and very he helped him grow as an indi- mobility they had, the speed… tells Gulf Times. get better.” fl at swings working as well.” vidual,” Caira says. There was no emphasis during And so he began his journey In sport, however, one size Steel has a case in point. Apart from being PGA their time as to why they were to ensure that others did not fi ts all as a philosophy has never “Someone like Jason Day, he certifi ed, Caira also has other good, but reality is that because face a similar fate. really worked. “It’s more about was the same size when he was certifi cations for fi tness, pain they were also athletes. It just “I became very strong sorting a player’s problems out 14 as he is now. So watching him and time management. wasn’t talked about,” he says. minded that I want to learn when they fall down, rather hit 280 yards at 14, while you are “What we don’t realise is that Caira hopes to bring the con- more about the technical aspect than telling them this is how hitting only 220, you can’t really in golf, pressure on your spine is versation back about the vital of golf. So I went down the you do it. There is a diff erence,” do much about that unless you fi ve times more than it is in run- things, as he and his team help educational journey myself. Caira says. grow in size yourself,” he says. ning. A lot of energy is required grow the game in the country.

Qatar roller-skater Shua Abdulla celebrates with her gold medal won at the Special Olympics World Summer Games in the UAE yesterday. At bottom, bronze winners Khalifa al-Dosari and Mubarak al-Hebabi.

Education City Golf Club head golf professional Anthony Caira (centre) with golf pros Rachel Choi (left) and Martin Steel at the driving range.

TOP OF THE LINE Qatar to host artistic gymnastics W Cup from Wednesday

By Sports Reporter Romania’s 38-year-old Mar- Doha ian Dragulescu will also be back to compete with a younger gen- eration of athletes. Ferhat Ari- fter successfully host- can, who became the fi rst male ing the World Cham- Turkish gymnast after 108 years pionships last October, to compete at an Olympics in Rio, Qatar is all set to host will also hope to pick up a medal theA annual 12th FIG Artistic In- on parallel bar. dividual Apparatus World Cup World’s oldest Olympian from this Wednesday. The four- Oksana Chusovitina, 43, of Uz- day event, which will be held at bekistan is also returning to Doha Aspire Dome, will feature a total in pursuit of her eighth appear- of 188 gymnasts (128 men and 60 ance at the Games. Belgium’s women) from 57 countries. reigning world champion Nina This year’s World Cup event Derwael will also be seen in ac- attains huge importance as the tion in the women’s events. gymnasts will not only eye for Hosts Qatar will be represent- medals, but also vie for berths ed by three gymnasts — Ahmed that are on off er for the 2020 To- al-Dayani, Ahmed Mosa and kyo Olympic Games. Raslan Saoud — in the event. The top-ranked gymnast on While al-Dayani and Mosa have each apparatus at the end of the enjoyed good experience in the 2018-2019 and 2019-2020 se- past events, Aspire’s Saoud will ries will have the opportunity make his debut in the competi- to qualify for the 2020 Olym- tion. pic Games. However, gymnasts, (From left) FIG World Cup venue manager Anis Saoud, competition manager Abeer al-Buainain, Qatar Gymnastics Federation president Ali Ahmed al-Hitmi, QGF’s president of Public “We are hoping for a good who were part of a team which Relation and Media Mohamed al-Meraghi at a press conference yesterday. performance from our athletes qualifi ed at the 2018 or 2019 FIG as they have trained well for this World Championships, will not And now QFG wants to follow pionships last year was a huge will also be attended by some of Doha event, including world took the fl oor honours with a important competition,” said be eligible for an additional quota it up by organising another high success and hailed as the best- the best gymnasts in the planet. champions Xiao Ruoteng , Zou score of 14.566 at the Melbourne al-Hitmi. “Raslan Saoud is a tal- place in Tokyo. class event. ever event by top FIG offi cials. It “We have a star-studded lineup Jingyuan of China and Dutchman edition. ented gymnast from Aspire and The Qatar Gymnastics Federa- “I am confi dent that we will motivates us to continue hosting of gymnasts this year also and I Epke Zonderland. Carlos Edriel Chinese Taipei’s Lee Chih-kai, we are happy to see him featuring tion (QGF) hosted a hugely suc- live up to expectation and host events on that scale. Though it am sure fans will enjoy their ex- Yulo of the Philippines, who be- who won bronze in pommel horse in his fi rst senior competition. cessful World Championship, another successful competi- is a diffi cult task to maintain top perience of watching the live ac- came his country’s fi rst medal- at the Worlds, can also spring a We are thankful to Aspire, which dubbed as the ‘best-ever’ edition tion,” QGF President Ali Ahmed standards, I am confi dent of our tion,” noted the QGF President. winner in a World Champion- surprise after his triumph in the is making huge contribution in by the international governing al-Hitmi told a press conference team,” he added. Prominent names have con- ships here, will be the cynosure same apparatus with 15.266 points promotion of gymnastics in the body, FIG. yesterday. “The World Cham- Al-Hitmi said the World Cup fi rmed their participation in the of all eyes. The talented Filipino last month in a World Cup event. country,” said al-Hitmi.