SATURDAY 24 MARCH 2018 SPORT 21 The number one ranking is in my head a little bit, but no more than CRICKET that. It’s a mini-goal. It would be World Number One vs South Africa vs nice to stay there but it’s no more Roger Federer 3rd Test - Day 3 1st Test - Day 3

important than that. ACTION at Newlands, Cape Town at Eden Park, Auckland (d/n) TODAY’S

Mercedes’ British driver Lewis F1 teams urge Hamilton takes a selfie as he gets ready for the second better deal to avoid practice session in Melbourne yesterday, ahead breakaway series of the Formula One Australian Grand Prix. AFP “Everybody is trying to position themselves, but all the MELBOURNE: Mercedes boss time with respect for the series Toto Wolff on Friday urged and comments that have been Formula One owners Liberty made by the Ferrari chairman Media and the sport’s regulators Sergio Marchionne show that FIA to come up with an he cares,” he added. improved deal to avoid a “We all have a vision and breakaway championship. perspective in Formula One and Formula One’s biggest how we want to see it going teams Mercedes and Ferrari are forward and it needs to fit that questioning some of Liberty’s opinion and that is why these plans for the sport beyond the statements are being made.” expiration of the Concorde Wolff said the teams owe it Agreement -- a deal which to Formula One to get things binds teams and stakeholders right and they have at least together until the end of 2020. three more years together Disgruntled Ferrari before the expiration of the chairman Sergio Marchionne current agreement. has voiced dissatisfaction with “We just need to give our Hamilton is fastest but Liberty’s proposed re-distri- support in the best possible bution of prize money, and the way to this great sport, regu- concept of a simpler engine. lated by the FIA and owned by Wolff, who has overseen the Liberty, run by competent men, Lewis Hamilton-led Mercedes’ so we are not devaluing it,” he Red Bull, Ferrari in hunt dominance of F1 for the past said. four years, supports Ferrari’s Red Bull team principal REUTERS the past four years, there was AUSTRALIAN GRAND PRIX FREE PRACTICE TIMES The second session was stance and did not rule out the Christian Horner said it was up less than three-tenths of a suspended for a few minutes prospect of a rebel champi- to governing body FIA (Feder- MELBOURNE: Formula One second separating the cham- 1. Lewis Hamilton (GBR) Mercedes-AMG 1:24.026 after some cabling became onship formed by leading ation Internationale de champion Lewis Hamilton pions from the Red Bull and 2. Valtteri Bottas (FIN) Mercedes-AMG 1:24.577 unearthed at the start-finish teams. l’Automobile) and Liberty topped the timesheets for Ferrari cars. 3. Max Verstappen (NED) Red Bull 1:24.771 line. Tipped to be the big “We are all carrying the Media to come up with a deal Mercedes in both practice Verstappen sandwiched 4. Kimi Raikkonen (FIN) Ferrari 1:24.875 improvers after a positive pre- torch of a great series and a and present it to the teams. sessions at the Australian Grand himself between the Mer- 5. (GER) Ferrari 1:24.995 season, Haas delivered in great brand that was built “My view on this is very Prix yesterday but Red Bull’s Max cedes drivers, 6. Daniel Ricciardo (AUS) Red Bull 1:25.063 spades, with Romain Grosjean 40-50 years ago and has tre- simple. Trying to get a con- Verstappen showed enough pace with Hamilton’s team sixth quickest in FP2 and his mendous value,” he told a news sensus between teams of 7. Romain Grosjean (FRA) Haas 1:25.730 to give the Silver Arrows pause mate Valtteri Bottas third team mate Kevin Magnussen conference ahead of this week- varying objectives and different 8. Fernando Alonso (ESP) McLaren-Honda 1:25.896 for thought. quickest despite taking a ninth. There was also some end’s season-opening Aus- set-ups is going to be impos- 9. Carlos Sainz Jr (ESP) Renault 1:25.922 After lapping Albert Park in couple of slides off the track. encouragement for McLaren, tralian Grand Prix in sible,” Horner said at a team 10. Stoffel Vandoorne (BEL) McLaren-Honda 1:26.482 one minute, 24.026 seconds to “That’s what I call a pos- whose day began bleakly with Melbourne. principals news conference. 11. Pierre Gasly (FRA) Toro Rosso 1:26.494 dominate the first practice of the itive start to the season,” Ver- engineers fussing over an 12. Sergey Sirotkin (RUS) Williams 1:26.536 new season, Hamilton improved stappen tweeted. “The car exhaust system problem that 13. Nico Hulkenberg (GER) Renault 1:26.583 the mark slightly to 1:23.931 in handled well and I’m happy left twice champion Fernando the second session on a balmy with today.” 14. (FRA) Force 1:26.605 Alonso and Stoffel Vandoorne F1 team rules autumn day. Fourth in FP2, Kimi Raik- 15. (CAN) Williams 1:26.636 confined to the garage for “The car is quicker here than konen showed why Ferrari 16. Sergio Perez (MEX) Force India 1:26.767 most of the session. out name change this year it was last year, so it feels better may also be in the hunt for 17. Kevin Magnussen (DEN) Haas 1:27.035 However, Alonso finally REUTERS everywhere,” the four-times Sunday’s race but he will have 18. Brendon Hartley (NZL) Toro Rosso 1:27.745 emerged to post the eighth from what I understand, you champion told reporters. to face the stewards after 19. Marcus Ericsson (SWE) Sauber 1:27.964 fastest lap and held the can’t do it in the middle of the “It closed up a little bit in FP2 allegedly impeding fellow 20. Charles Leclerc (MON) Sauber 1:28.853 position through FP2. MELBOURNE: Force India will season... in terms of the gap between us Finn Bottas, who nearly Canadian Lance Stroll’s not be changing their name this “We went around to find the all, but that’s exciting. It’s more rammed into his rear and day ended in frustration, with season despite having a new best name, we had some dis- challenging for me to try and eke ended up in the gravel. too worried because I know if I his Williams forced to a halt at the one in mind, the Formula One cussion with partners, sponsors out a little more from the car.” It was a tougher day for Raik- get everything right we should end of FP2 with overheating team said at the opening and employees. Then we went Red Bull’s Dutch wunderkind konen’s four-times champion be in better shape,” the German issues. He was 14th for the session, Australian Grand Prix. to the (governing) FIA and FOM Verstappen was snapping at his team mate Sebastian Vettel, who told reporters. ahead of his debutant team mate Chief operating office and they said ‘well, you’re a bit heels, however, finishing only was more than a half-second off Red Bull’s Daniel Ricciardo Sergey Sirotkin (18th). Otmar Szafnauer said they had out of time’.” 0.127 seconds adrift of the Briton the pace in FP2 down in fifth was seventh in FP2 but his day While Mercedes showed they run out of time. Szafnauer had told after the second session. position, a disappointing run he ended on a sour note, the home hold a slight edge in pace, rain “It’s not going to happen this reporters during testing in Bar- Raising hopes of a contest for later downplayed. hope handed a three-place grid forecast on Saturday could yet year,” he told the formula1.com celona last month that a name Mercedes, who have swept the “We still have quite a lot of penalty for going too fast during add an element of uncertainty website. change could happen before driver and constructors’ titles for performance in hand. I am not red flag conditions. during qualifying. “To change chassis name, Sunday’s race in Melbourne. Halep rallies to advance in Miami Federer relaxed about REUTERS Halep won the next game to love, rocketing down an ace on No.1 ranking quest MIAMI: World number one match point to set up a meeting Simona Halep survived a scare with 30th-seeded Pole Agnieszka from ’s Oceane Dodin on Radwanska who defeated AFP Thursday, beating the lucky loser Belgian Alison Van Uytvanck 6-3, one, it helps my motivation to have a 3-6, 6-3, 7-5 to reach the Miami 7-6(4). MIAMI: Roger Federer (pictured) said goal. But even if I don’t manage it, it’s Open third round. Halep has amassed enough on Thursday that retaining his world not the end of the world.” An upset looked possible in ranking points that her number number one ranking is no more than a Federer will launch his Miami cam- the first set when Dodin’s big first one standing is not in jeopardy “mini-goal” as he prepares his bid to paign on Saturday against a qualifier. serve troubled Romanian Halep in Miami. She would have main- defend the ATP Miami Open title. Federer, winner of an incredible 20 who appeared to be continuing tained top spot even if she had The 36-year-old Swiss star needs Grand Slam singles titles, meanwhile the lacklustre form that got her lost on Thursday and world to advance to the quarter-finals in spoke admiringly of Del Potro’s reha- crushed by Naomi Osaka in the number two Caroline Wozniacki Florida to hold on to his number one bilitation into the tennis circuit’s winners Indian Wells semi-finals last went on to win the ranking, or face being supplanted by old circle following a career-threatening week. tournament. rival Rafael Nadal in top spot. wrist injury. But the defensive-minded Angelique Kerber, the However Federer, who was beaten “I can only look from far away and Halep, who at times reached 10th seed, cruised to a 6-2, by Juan Martin Del Potro in Sunday’s think, ‘I wonder how it was for him.’ down to rub a troublesome right 6-2 win over Swede Johanna Indian Wells final, said he is not attaching Hard to imagine how -- most important ankle, improved as a match Larsson, setting up a third- too much importance to hanging on to about having had surgeries, I guess, and lasting over two hours wore on, round showdown with his ranking. being injured is the doubts you have. Are getting the better of Dodin in Russian 23rd seed Anastasia “The number one ranking is in my you ever going to come back? And over- extended rallies and in the key Pavlyuchenkova. head a little bit, but no more than that,” coming that fear and gaining confidence moments of the match. Fifth-seeded Czech Karolina Federer said. “It’s a mini-goal. It would again,” Federer said. “It’s such a nice The turning-point came Pliskova dispatched Russian Eka- be nice to stay there but it’s no more story because he finally did it, but he had when Halep had break points at terina Makarova 7-5, 7-5 and important than that. to do it the hard way, put himself out 5-5 in the third set and jumped unseeded German Carina Wit- “You have to win matches to go far there, knowing he was not going to win all over a weak second serve thoft upset her 12th-seeded here. Going far enough to stay number all the matches he was going to play. from the 21-year-old Dodin to countrywoman Julia Gorges move ahead. 7-6(2), 4-6, 6-4. 22 SPORT SATURDAY 24 MARCH 2018

Stanikzai propels Williamson notches record ton Afghanistan as New Zealand extend lead to World Cup REUTERS New Zealand’s Kane Williamson celebrates after SCOREBOARD REUTERS reaching his 18th Test century during the second day of the ENGLAND, first innings 58 AUCKLAND: Kane Williamson first cricket Test match against England in Auckland yesterday. NEW ZEALAND, (overnight 175-3) moved into sole possession of J. Raval c Bairstow b Anderson ...... 3 HARARE: Afghanistan qualified for next the New Zealand Test century T. Latham c Woakes b Broad ...... 26 year’s as captain Asghar record on a rain-disrupted K. Williamson lbw Anderson ...... 102 Stanikzai played through the pain barrier to second day of the series R. Taylor c Woakes b Anderson ...... 20 produce a heroic innings and lead them to a opener between a dominant H. Nicholls ...... 49 five- victory over Ireland yesterday. New Zealand and England B. Watling not out ...... 17 Stanikzai returned to the team last week Extras: (lb7, w5) ...... 12 yesterday. Total: (for 4 ; 92.1 overs) ...... 229 for the closing stages of the qualifying tour- Williamson, who had Fall of wickets: 1-8 (Raval), 2-92 (Latham), nament after having surgery to remove his resumed on 91, stroked his 3-123 (Taylor), 4-206 (Williamson) appendix. way to an 18th Test century To bat: Colin de Grandhomme, Todd Astle, Tim He batted in obvious pain and with a before the teams were driven Southee, Neil Wagner, . heavy dressing under his shirt, to score an off the field for the first time : Anderson 20-7-53-3, Broad 20-5- unbeaten 39 off 29 balls, as he and Najibullah on a day when a little more 37-1, Overton 18-7-43-0, Woakes 23-8-55-0 Zadran saw their team home with five balls (1w), Ali 11.1-1-34-0 than 90 minutes of play was Toss: New Zealand to spare. completed. Ireland scored a modest 209 for seven Henry Nicholls was 49 not in their 50 overs in the winner-takes-all out and wicketkeeper BJ them off after about an hour’s match to decide who would join the West Watling on 17 when the play play in the middle session and Indies in securing a place at the World Cup was finally abandoned shortly while the umpires had expected from the qualifying tournament. after 9 p.m. (0800 GMT) with to resume under lights at 7 p.m., Afghanistan reached their target as Sta- New Zealand on 227 for four, the visitors for a measly 58 down the ground to the the field for the first time about another downpour arrived just nikzai squeezed a boundary with the first a lead of 171 runs. runs. long-on boundary to move to three minutes later. as the players were emerging ball of the last over as they scored 213-5. Despite being in a fantastic Williamson then domi- 95. The 27-year-old, however, from the changing rooms. Ireland opener Paul Stirling top scored position, the hosts would have nated New Zealand’s reply, He took his time to reel off was unable to kick on, with Two further pitch inspec- with 55 and Kevin O’Brien hit 41 runs off 37 undoubtedly been both bitterly showcasing all of the talents the next four runs before he England taking the second new tions were taken by umpires balls near the end of their innings on a slow disappointed and frustrated at that have driven him into the brought up the milestone with ball shortly after they returned Paul Reiffel and Bruce wicket as they sought to accelerate the run not being able to force the record books at a faster rate a characteristic late dab and Jimmy Anderson trapped Oxenford, who decided the rate but managed only 81 runs in last 15 overs. game on further. than former captain Martin through gully for a single. him in front for 102. outfield conditions were too , who had skippered Afghan- They had already taken a Crowe and current team mate While he raised his bat and Nicholls and Watling then wet to resume. istan through most of qualifying tournament strong hold of the first day- , who are locked took off his helmet to continued to build a huge Rain is forecast for each of in Zimbabwe, took 3-40. night Test in New Zealand in on 17 centuries. acknowledge applause from advantage as they sought to the remaining three days. The Afghanistan made a positive start in their the opening 90 minutes of the After his team resumed on the Eden Park crowd, there capitalise on the home side’s second Test, a standard chase with openers Mohammad Shahzad (54) match when Trent Boult and 175-3, he opened his account was typically little in the way superb bowling display from daytime match, is at Hagley and Gulbadin Naib (45) putting down the produced a swing with minimal effort when he of exuberant chest beating. the first day. Oval in from platform for victory. Shahzad was named bowling onslaught to dismiss drove Stuart Broad straight Rain then forced them from Rain, however, forced March 30-April 3. man of the match. They will now play the West Indies on Sunday in the final of the qualifying tour- nament in Harare. Morkel reaches 300 club as SA take charge It will be Afghanistan’s second World Cup appearance after their debut in 2015 in Aus- tralia and New Zealand where they beat AFP South Africa’s Morne Morkel SCOREBOARD Scotland by a single wicket but lost their other (top) celebrates after taking SOUTH AFRICA, first innings (overnight AUSTRALIA, first innings five matches. CAPE TOWN: Fast bowler the wicket of Australia’s Shaun 266-8) C. Bancroft lbw b Philander ...... 77 Morne Morkel took his 300th Marsh. D. Elgar not out ...... 141 D. Warner b Rabada ...... 30 Test wicket as South Africa A. Markram c Smith b Hazlewood ...... 0 U. Khawaja c Rabada b Morkel ...... 5 bowled themselves into a H. Amla c Cummins b Hazlewood ...... 31 S. Smith c Elgar b Morkel ...... 5 strong position on the second A. de Villiers c Warner b Cummins ...... 64 S. Marsh c De Kock b Morkel ...... 26 Rashid on F. du Plessis c Smith b Cummins ...... 5 day of the third Test against M. Marsh c De Kock b Philander ...... 5 T. Bavuma c Smith b Cummins ...... 1 T. Paine not out ...... 33 Australia at Newlands Q. de Kock c Paine b Cummins ...... 3 yesterday. P. Cummins c De Villiers b Rabada ...... 4 track to smash V. Philander c Paine b M. Marsh ...... 8 M. Starc c De Villiers b Rabada ...... 2 Australia were 245 for nine K. Maharaj c Bancroft b Starc ...... 3 N. Lyon c Elgar b Morkel ...... 47 K. Rabada c Smith b Lyon ...... 22 when bad light ended play, 66 J. Hazlewood not out ...... 1 M. Morkel c Smith b Lyon ...... 4 Starc’s record runs behind South Africa’s first Extras (b1, lb5, nb4) ...... 10 innings total of 311. Extras (b13, lb11, nb3, w2) ...... 29 Total (97.5 overs) ...... 311 Total (9 wkts, 67 overs) 245 But it could have been Fall of wickets: 1-6 (Markram), 2-92 (Amla), Fall of wickets: 1-43 (Warner), 2-61 (Kha- THE PENINSULA worse for Australia. They were 3-220 (De Villiers), 4-234 (Du Plessis), 5-236 waja), 3-72 (Smith), 4-150 (S. Marsh), 5-150 in deep trouble at 175 for eight (Bavuma), 6-242 (De Kock), 7-254 (Philander), (Bancroft), 6-156 (M. Marsh), 7-173 (Cummins), before Nathan Lyon hit a Test- 8-257 (Maharaj), 9-307 (Rabada), 10-311 8-175 (Starc), 9-241 (Lyon) HARARE: Afghanistan leg-spinner best 47 in a ninth wicket part- Bowling: Starc 21-3-81-1 (2nb), Hazlewood 23-4- Bowling: Philander 15-5-26-2 (1nb), Raba- Rashid Khan is just one wicket away nership of 66 with Tim Paine, 59-2, Lyon 19.5-6-43-2, Cummins 26-6-78-4 (1w), da 19-1-81-3 (3nb), Morkel 20-6-87-4, Ma- from becoming the fastest to take 100 haraj 12-3-35-0, Bavuma 1-0-10-0 who was unbeaten on 33. M. Marsh 7-2-26-1 (1nb, 1w), Smith 1-1-0-0 One Dai International wickets. Rashid Morkel, who will retire captured his 99th wicket in his 43th ODI from international cricket before wicket to Vernon Phi- Warner was bowled for a world record when he Smith was only the second yesterday against Ireland in the World after the series, took three of lander in the last over before 30. carried his bat through a com- Australian to achieve the feat Cup Qualifier in which he finished with the first four Australian tea to leave Australia in a pre- Rabada, who had a two- pleted innings for the third after Vic Richardson in 3-40. wickets to fall and became the carious position. match ban for making contact time. 1935/36. Rashid, who is only 19 years old, fifth South African to join the Morkel, 33, playing in his with Australian captain Steve Elgar finished unbeaten Elgar and Rabada frus- will have the opportunity to break the 300 club. 85th Test, took a fourth wicket Smith overturned before the on 141. Only Desmond Haynes trated the Australians for 50 record in the tournament final against Morkel dismissed Usman when Lyon’s adventurous Test, ran down the wicket to of the West Indies had previ- minutes as they took South West Indies tomorrow. Khawaja and Steve Smith in 38-ball innings was ended by celebrate but did not go near ously batted through a Test Africa’s overnight total from The current record holder, Aus- his first spell, then came back a catch by Dean Elgar running the batsman. innings on three occasions. 266 for eight. tralian pace ace achieved to break a 78-run fourth back from point. But Warner appeared to Smith also equalled a They shared a partnership the landmark in his 52nd match, a game wicket stand between Earlier, react to a comment from a world record when he of 50 before off-spinner quicker than , and two Cameron Bancroft and Shaun was hit for five boundaries in spectator in the members’ South Africa’s last two Nathan Lyon had Rabada quicker than Shane Bond. Marsh when Marsh flashed at a row by David Warner but pavilion, stopping and turning batsmen for a total of five caught by Smith at slip for 22 But if Rashid adds one more scalp a wide ball and was caught won a duel with the Australian as he climbed the steps to the catches in the innings, the off his first ball of the day. during tomorrow’s match in Harare, he behind. opening batsman when he dressing room. joint most by a fielder. Elgar batted for 434 will be smashing Starc’s record by eight Bancroft made 77 off 103 sent Warner’s off stump South African opening Although ten other minutes, faced 284 balls and matches. balls with 14 fours but was leg cartwheeling. batsman Dean Elgar equalled fielders shared the record, hit 20 fours and a six. Queen Elizabeth to flag Johnson crashes out at WGC Match Play off London Marathon AFP chance after hitting his iron from did, I think everybody did coming REUTERS the fairway to within four feet. into this week,” Hadwin said. AUSTIN: World number one Johnson birdied the fifth to Elsewhere on Thursday, LONDON: Britain’s Queen Elizabeth will be the official Dustin Johnson crashed out of the draw level but Hadwin edged back European Ryder Cup star Ian starter of this year’s London Marathon -- 30 miles away World golf Championships Dell in front on the sixth after draining Poulter once again demonstrated on a special rostrum in the grounds of Windsor Castle. Technologies Match Play on a 13-foot eagle putt on the 590- his penchant for match play with This year’s London Marathon, which starts in Black- Thursday after suffering his second yard par-five. his second win of the tournament, heath, will mark 110 years since the 1908 London defeat of the tournament. The 30-year-old from Moose defeating 26th seed Daniel Berger Olympics when the marathon route went from Windsor Defending champion Johnson, Jaw went two up at the turn with 2 & 1. to White City and used the now-standard 26.2 mile dis- who suffered an upset loss to Bernd another superb putt, rolling in a Poulter, who is seeded 58th, tance for the first time. Wiesberger on Wednesday, was 38-footer. has reverted to the putter that he The first royal to start the London Marathon was beaten 4&3 by Canada’s Adam Johnson then found himself used during Europe’s “Miracle at Princess Diana in 1988 while last year the Queen’s Hadwin at the Austin Country Club three down after three-putting on Medinah” Ryder Cup win in 2012. grandsons, Prince William and Prince Harry and the in Texas. The loss made it impos- the par-three 11th, and his problems The Englishman is aiming for Duchess of Cambridge, acted as race starters for the sible for Johnson to progress from mounted on the 13th when his tee a high finish in Austin this week as event. There has never been a conclusive explanation Group One in the round-robin shot found the water hazard to help he aims to snare a place in the as to why the 1908 race was run over 26.2 miles. phase for the weekend’s knockout Hadwin go four up. Masters by breaking into the top Historians suggest the extra 385 yards were included rounds, with Hadwin -- who halved Hadwin sealed victory at the 50 in the world. either to finish the race in front of the Royal Box at the his opening match with Kevin 15th when Johnson conceded. Poulter, who defeated compa- White City stadium, or to start it in front of Windsor’s Kisner -- assured of finishing above A delighted Hadwin admitted triot and ninth seed Tommy Royal nursery. the top seed. he had expected a tougher chal- Fleetwood on Wednesday, will now Dustin Johnson of the United States Around 40,000 runners are expected on the start Johnson trailed from the lenge from Johnson. face 33rd seed Kevin Chappell on reacts after being defeated by Adam line this year on April 22. opening hole against 38th seed “Obviously I really expected Friday aiming to seal his place in Hadwin, who set up a simple birdie Dustin to play a lot better than he the last 16. Hadwin of Canada on Thurdsay. SATURDAY 24 MARCH 2018 SPORT 23 Argentina to be ‘Messi’s team’ at Cup, says Sampaoli REUTERS

LONDON: Barcelona talisman Lionel Messi (pictured below) has the talent and maturity to carry Argentina’s hopes of a successful World Cup campaign this year, the national team’s manager Jorge Usain Bolt (left) Sampaoli has said. takes part in a Five-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi training session has led Barcelona to 30 domestic and of Dortmund European trophies during a stellar career yesterday. but is yet to win a major trophy with the national team, apart from a gold medal at the 2008 Olympics. Argentina finished runners-up to at the 2014 World Cup and to Chile at the 2015 and 2016 Copa America tournaments, and Sampaoli believes that Messi can help the team go one step further and end their trophy drought in . “This is going to be his team,” Sam- paoli told a news conference on Thursday. “He is the best of all and is in a stage of maturity that can he can carry the team on his shoulders. This is going to be his team.” Messi, who is the all-time top goal- scorer for both club and country, initially announced his retirement from interna- tional football after the loss to Chile in 2016 but the 30-year-old has since reversed his decision. Meanwhile, Manchester City forward Sergio Aguero has been ruled out of Argen- Upbeat Bolt ‘serious’ about tina’s friendly against Italy at the Etihad Stadium on Friday due to a knee injury but could return for next week’s trip to Spain. Two-time winners Argentina open becoming a top footballer their World Cup campaign with a Group D encounter against Iceland on June 16, and will also face Croatia and Nigeria in AFP athletics to football. “He’s an the suggestion of playing for the pool stage. unbelievably laid-back guy, Dortmund’s reserves in Ger- DORTMUND: Athletics an athlete with so much many’s third division to gain legend Usain Bolt insists he success, but with his feet very experience. is ‘serious’ about realising his I really want to try and make it much on the ground. “I wouldn’t want to play dream of becoming a top- “He had fun and he got in a lesser league, I want to class footballer after training professionally, to play at a high level. some feedback, which was play in the top league - this with Borussia Dortmund. My goal is to make a top team and play his wish. is why I am here,” he added. “I really want to try and in one of the top leagues in the world: “He understands the “I would like to work make it professionally, to game, what he’s missing is with the team more and play at a high level,” the Usain Bolt the team work and how to improve my skills, get better sprint superstar told move.” - Watching, learning and try to play in the big reporters yesterday at the insists he is deadly serious record holder, showed phe- - Bolt wants to be invited league. German league club. about starting a new career nomenal pace over the turf. back to train again -- and “I don’t set any standards, “My goal is to make a top - at an age when most foot- He was proud of the maybe even sign -- with I don’t know where I am at. team and play in one of the ballers are hanging up their header he scored in a Dortmund. “If it gets to the time top leagues in the world.” boots. practice game, but admits “I hope to come again where I feel like I am at the Nearly 200 journalists - ‘Unfit’ - Bolt, who having much to learn. and hopefully they will level, then the coaches or the and around 1,500 fans saw retired from athletics last “I’m tall, so it’s one of the welcome me, I can get better club will say ‘alright, you the eight-time Olympic gold year, admits he lacks the things I have practised over and (they’ll) sign me -- you know what? You can play at medallist put through his endurance fitness football the years,” he said of his never know,” he said. this level or that level’ “Until paces with the first-team demands. header with sweat pouring The Jamaican refused to then, I am just going to squad at Dortmund’s training “Overall, I’d give myself down his face. measure himself against working hard and pushing ground. a seven out of ten,” he said. “I was working hard out Dortmund’s professionals. myself.” Having already trained “It was fun, the guys were there, I wanted to play my “I don’t compare myself Bolt, a Manchester United with the team behind closed cool and they were wel- best, move and give the guys to them yet. I want to play at fan, is already due to play at doors on Thursday, Yester- coming, but I can tell I was options.” the level I know I can, to the club’s iconic Old Trafford day’s open session could be unfit. Dortmund coach Peter improve and to learn from stadium in a charity football seen as a publicity stunt as “I like to play on the Stoeger gave a realistic them,” he said. match on June 10. both Bolt and Dortmund are wing, right now I am unfit so appraisal of Bolt as a “This is what they do for Bolt will line up opposite sponsored by Puma. I try to stay up top as a striker. footballer. a living and I am trying to get British pop star Robbie Wil- The Bundesliga club live- “I’ve heard a lot about the “He is talented, but if he into this by watching and liams and captain the Soccer streamed the training session fans here - that really was an wants to make it at the top learning.” However, he was Aid World XI in a match to and in China alone 1.2 million experience.” level, there are still a few very clear that he does not raise funds for the United viewers tuned in. As expected, Bolt, the things to do,” said the Aus- want to play lower league Nations Children’s Fund, The 31-year-old Bolt 100m and 200m world trian. “It’s a big leap from football. Bolt dismissed even Unicef. Azzurri shirt homage for Galaxy confirm Ibrahimovic signing late Astori AFP “He’s“He’s givinggiving up a lot to TTrafford,rafford, wherewhere he was AFP comecome here,”here,” BeckermanBeckerman toldtold troutroubledbled bbyy injuries and LONDON: Zlatan Ibrahimovic thethe LA Times.Times. HHe’se’s mmadeade iitt limited to onlyonly ssevene says he is ready to win clearclear he’she’s coming herehere to win appearancesappearances this ROME: Italy will pay homage to the silverware with Los Angeles I wanted people to chchampionships.ampionships. It’s not aboutabout season,season, hehe said late defender Davide Astori with an Galaxy after a full page advert enjoy my game the monemoney.y. hehe was rreadye inscription on the national team’s shirt in yesterday’s LA Times “LA is a placeplace fforor stars, anandd for action.action. during friendly against Argentina, the confirmed his move to the MLS there and to win. he’she’s goinggoing to be one of the “I am reareadyd to Italian football federation (FIGC) club from Manchester United. And I chose the bbrightestrightest stars that’sthat’s ever gogo now,” IbrahimovicIbrahim announced. The advert, in which Ibra- playedplayed in tthishis marmarket.ket. In any said.said. “Davide, you’re still with us. 13,” himovic was pictured in the Galaxy to do that: sport.”sport.” “First“First of all,all, I’m reads the inscription to appear on white Galaxy kit, carried a Zlatan Ibrahimovic Ibrahimovic,Ibrahimovic, wwhoho scorescoredd therethere to playplay football.foot Azzurri shirts for the match in Man- message from the 36-year-old 6262 ggoalsoals in 116 gamesgames for I’m notnot therethere forfor some-so chester against World Cup-bound saying “Dear Los Angeles, SwedenSweden andand won lleagueeague tittitlesles thingthing else.else. My first Argentina. you’re welcome”. interview in the LA Times. inin IItaly,taly, thethe NetNetherlands,herlands, objeobjectivective is to pplay The 31-year-old Astori, who had The Swedish striker left “I wanted people to enjoyoy Spain and France, is reported footballfootball aandnd do whwhata I’m 14 caps for Italy and was captain of United on Thursday when the my game there and to win. Andnd to hhaveave acceptedaccepted $$3m3m over two goodgood at. Fiorentina, died in the early hours of Premier League club agreed I chose the Galaxy to do that,”,” seasonseason to playplay for Galaxy,Galaxy, a “I’m excitedexcited to cocomeme overo March 4 after suffering a suspected to terminate his contract. he added. hugehuge wage cut fromfrom hishis UnitedUnited andand to get tthehe experienceexperie cardiac arrest in his hotel room prior “After being in Europe, Dan Beckerman, the pres-s- salary.salary. witwithh thethe GalaxyGalaxy aandn to to a game at Udinese. winning 33 trophies, playing ident of entertainment giantnt AfterAfter a larlargelygely frus-frus- eexplorexplore how the The number 13 shirt Astori occa- in the best teams in the world, AEG, the Galaxy’s parentnt tratingtrating ttimeime at footballfootball is there.the I sionally wore when playing for Italy playing with the best players organisation, said Ibrahimovicic OldO l d want to be part will not be attributed during either in the world, I wanted to come would become one of thehe of it and Friday’s match at the Etihad stadium, to the US and play my game biggest stars in the Hollywoodd make it or Tuesday’s friendly against England. there,” Ibrahimovic said in an city. better.”better SPORT Saturday 24 March 2018

PAGE | 21 PAGE | 22 PAGE | 23 Hamilton fastest Williamson hits tons Ibrahimovic readyy but Red Bull, record as NZ to win as Galaxy Ferrari in hunt extend lead confirm signing

Ageless Oksana defends Doha crown

FAWAD HUSSAIN The podium winners of the Women’s , champion Oksana Chusovitana of Uzbekistan (centre), silver medallist Pyon PODIUM WINNERS OF THE PENINSULA Rye Yong of North Korea (left) and bronze winner Coline Devillard of France pose for a photograph during the presentation ceremony yesterday. PICS: WASFY ABU SHOUSHA YESTERDAY’S FINALS DOHA: At 42, she is as robust, Men’s Pommel Horse brisk and energetic as any top Gold: Zou Jingyuan (CHN) 15.100 young athlete. Oksana Chuso- Silver: Lee Chih Kai (TPE) 14.800 1 vitana is a wonder of gymnastics world and in Doha she has made Bronze: Alec Yoder (USA) 14.700 a habit of winning gold medals. As the two-day finals of the Men’s Exercise FIG Artistic Individual World Gold: Lankin Dmitrii (RUS) 14.733 Cup begun yesterday, the Uzbek Silver: Yulo Carlos Edriel (PHI) 14.433 veteran stole the limelight in Bronze: Kato Ryohei (JPN) 14.200 front of a packed crowd at Aspire Dome by defending her vault Men’s Rings title, after an improved show Gold: Igor Radivilov (UKR) 15.266 than the last year. Silver: Colak Ibrahim (TUR) 15.000 In the 2017 edition, Oksana bagged 14.166 points to win the Bronze: Zou Jingyuan (CHN) 14.966 final and yesterday, the oldest among the Olympians in the Women’s Vault sport, upped the ante to collect Gold: Oksana Chusovitana (UZB) 14.433 14.433 to take gold medal. Silver: Pyon Rye Yong (PRK) 14.383 She showed no signs that she Bronze: Coline Devillard (FRA) 13.949 is in the business for more than a quarter century, displaying Women’s flawless performance to out- Gold: Derwael Nina (BEL) 15.300 shine 17-year-old Pyon Rye Yong Silver: Uliana Perebinosova (RUS) 14.566 (PRK) who claimed the silver medal with 14.383 points. Coline Bronze: De Jesus dos Santos (FRA) 14.400 Devillard of France took bronze medals after a tally of 13.949 with 14.733 points. There were A Japanese gymnast in action points. cheers for Filipino spectators too during the Men’s Pommel Horse “It feels great to win in Doha. with Yulo Carlos Edriel dis- event at the Aspire Dome during I love to be crowned here in front playing an impressive show to It feels great to win the FIG Artistic Individual World of these fans who like gym- take silver medal. Japan’s Kato Cup finals yesterday. nastics,” Oksana told reporters in Doha. I love to be Ryohei ended up with a bronze after the final, adding that she crowned here in front medal after accumulating 14.200 was looking forward to come of these fans who like points. back to Qatar, which will host In the last men’s final of the the World Gymnastics Champi- gymnastics: Oksana day, ’s Olympic medallist onships later this year. Igor Radivilov excelled to top the “I am enjoying gymnastics men’s rings final, compiling and I am fit. Definitely, I will like Santos, who topped the quali- 15.266 points. Promising Turkish to return to win more gold fying round, had to content with gymnast Colak Ibrahim was medals at my favourite venue. a bronze medal. close to the Ukrainian finishing The organisation here is great,” Chinese gymnast Zou Jin- his attempts collecting 15.000 she added. gyuan won the men’s pommel points to win the silver medal. In other final featuring horse title, finishing the compe- Jingyuan secured his second women gymnasts, Belgium’s tition with 15.100 points, ahead medal of the day by finishing Derwael Nina put up a domi- of Lee Chih Kai (Chinese Taipei) third with 14.966 points. nating performance for a gold and Alec Yoder (USA) who took Today, the last of four-day medal in uneven bars. She silver and bronze medals annual event, the finals of men’s looked in top form grabbing respectively. vault, parallel bars and hori- 15.300 showing top class skills. Russia’s Lankin Dmitrii zontal bars will be held while Russia’s Uliana Perebinosova reigned supreme in men’s floor women gymnasts will compete came second for a silver while exercise final to win his maiden for gold medals in French gymnast De Jesus dos gold medal in the competition and floor exercise.

International Friendly Championship: Qatar ready for Syria game

Qatar football players in action during a training session on the eve of their International Friendly Championship match against Syria in Basra, Iraq yesterday. RIGHT: Qatar head coach Felix Sanchez during yesterday’s session.