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Tuesday, March 29, 2016 CRICKET Jumada II 20, 1437 AH South Africa sign off GULF TIMES with eight-wicket cruise past Sri Lanka SPORT Page 5 FOOTBALL Qatar aim to make Group C clean sweep with China win China, on the other hand, will be determined to avoid a second straight defeat against Qatar while hoping that other results today would somehow help them sneak into the final qualifying phase as one of the four best-placed group runners-up among the several teams in the fray

Qatar coach Daniel Carreno talks to his players during a training session in Xi’an, China, yesterday. Qatar will be aiming to beat China in their Group C match in the Asian World Cup qualifying campaign today.

By a correspondent Qatar coach Daniel Carreno, mean- After thrashing Tajikistan 7-0 on Xi’an, China while, has drilled into his team the im- Thursday, the Socceroos need only a portance of not taking the foot off the draw from their fi nal Group B fi xture Philippines hope to shock North Korea accelerator even though the team have to progress to the third stage of Asian atar will aim to make a clean already made the cut for the 12-team qualifi ying, from which four countries Philippines coach Thomas Dooley sees no reason why his also challenging for top spot, Dooley insists his team must sweep of their Group C cam- fi nal phase of qualifying starting later will secure tickets to Russia in 2018. charges cannot defeat North Korea in the 2018 FIFA World believe in themselves, especially after last Thursday’s brave paign when they meet China this year. The Jordanians, who trail Australia Cup/2019 AFC Asian Cup joint-qualifiers at the Rizal Memo- display in a narrow 1-0 defeat to Uzbekistan. in a World Cup qualifying “It’s important we don’t lose our by two points, infl icted the only de- rial Stadium in Manila today. “Because of the fight last week against Uzbekistan, they matchQ here today. momentum. China are a dangerous feat of the campaign so far on Australia After beginning their campaign in impressive form with know how to play against those big teams,” he said, accord- With 21 points from seven match- team when playing at home and we with a 2-0 win in Amman last October. victories over Bahrain and Yemen, the Azkals have since ing to Philippine Daily Inquirer. es, Qatar have already made the fi nal must always keep our level of football Postecoglou has previously said that suff ered four defeats and a draw and are currently fourth in “They just have to have confidence against North Korea. round of the World Cup qualifi ers from high,” Carreno told journalists at his avenging that defeat would be a spur Group H. “This time, it’s a little bit diff erent; I want to win now, and my Asia, but a victory against China would pre-match press conference yesterday. at the Sydney Football Stadium but a Bahrain are presently in third place and will advance opinion is we can win. give them an eight-match winning Qatar beat China 1-0 in the fi rst leg grumpy Australia coach performed an straight to the third round of the Asian Cup qualifiers, with “Anything is possible.” streak in a major event, something in Doha last October, but Uruguayan about-turn on Monday. the Philippines running the risk of having to go through the There will also be extra motivation for the Philippines after which is unprecedented for the coun- Carreno said that past results don’t “It’s not about revenge, it’s about playoff s should they not finish as one of the four best fourth- veteran defender Juan Luis Guirado confirmed in Monday’s try. mean much. fi nishing strongly,” he told reporters at placed teams. pre-match press conference that the game would be his last China, on the other hand, will be “We should concentrate on the the team hotel. But with the Bahrainis facing a tricky visit to Group leaders before retiring from international football. The 36-year-old, determined to avoid a second straight present with an eye on the future, “If we win tomorrow night, it’s not Uzbekistan, the Azkals know that a victory of their own who was born in Spain but qualified to play for the Azkals defeat against Qatar while hoping that which is qualifying for the 2018 World going to erase what happened in Jor- should be enough to see them climb above their competi- through his mother, has been a mainstay in the team since other favourable results today would Cup,” he said. dan, that’s not the way football works. tors. 2012 and represented them at two AFC Challenge Cups and somehow help them sneak into the fi - Qatar are likely to test their bench “Revenge is best left to the movies, Although it will not be easy against a DPR Korea outfit AFF (Asean Football Federation) Championships. nal qualifying phase as one of the four strength, especially with some of their mate, this is real life. We just want to best-placed group runners-up among seniors out with injury or suspension. fi nish this group off strongly, I think the several teams in the fray. Hassan al-Haydos, Sebastian So- we’ve got stronger throughout this With everyone else in the squad “in “I’ll let other people worry about will hopefully be a by-product of us If China fail to beat Qatar, it would ria and Ali Asad are suspended, while group and we want to fi nish it off to- good nick”, other changes to his team points and top of the table and seeds, playing good football. mark another disappointment for the Ahmed Yasser is nursing an injury. morrow night.” from the Tajikistan match would be because if we have a scrappy perform- “It’s all about the performance, it al- sporting powerhouse. While the Chi- Meanwhile, Australia coach Ange Postecoglou has fi tness concerns about form and the kind of match he ance tomorrow night and fi nish on top, ways is about the performance for us.” nese are world-beaters when it comes Postecoglou has dismissed revenge as about his captain Mile Jedinak, who did wanted to play. that’s not going to make me happy,” he Postecoglou, however, thought that to Olympic sports, they have never a motivation for the Asian champions not train with the team at the weekend Most important of all, though, was said. whatever line-up he put out, they qualifi ed for the quadrennial football in today’s crunch World Cup qualifi er because of a thigh injury, and said he a good performance to improve his “We want to keep progressing our would be able to break down the some- showpiece. against Harry Redknapp’s Jordan. would not “risk him unnecessarily”. mood. football. A win and top of the group times negative Jordanians. Gulf Times 2 Tuesday, March 29, 2016 FOOTBALL

SPOTLIGHT BOUNCE BACK Shocked Germany take on bogey side Ebullient England Italy today gunning for depleted Dutch

‘I am sure he wants that. He wants everyone on top form and applying themselves Germany’s head coach Joachim Loew during a training session. well. You want the best players to be on form come the Euros’ AFP against another strong oppo- Munich nent, you have to live with results AFP like that, but they are annoying,” London said Loew. hell-shocked Germany Germany are still waiting for hunt a rare win over bo- a fi rst win over Italy at a ma- nvigorated by Saturday’s thrilling gey side Italy in a friendly jor tournament—they have won 3-2 friendly win over world cham- international in Munich none of their three meetings at pions Germany, England tackle the todayS as the world champions European championships or fi ve Netherlands today seeking to sustain seek to bounce back from their at the World Cup. Ithe feel-good factor ahead of the Euro- defeat to England. In the 32 meetings between pean Championship. Joachim Loew’s Germany threw the two European powerhouses, Goals from Harry Kane, Jamie Vardy away a two-goal lead in Berlin on Germany have won just seven and Eric Dier saw an England team in- Saturday to slump to a 3-2 loss games, all friendlies and qualifi - spired by Dele Alli come from 2-0 down against Roy Hodgson’s England. ers, with Italy winning 15 and the to beat Germany and while manager Roy “That was a wake-up call,” other ten games drawn. Hodgson was quick to downplay the re- fumed Germany’s captain Sami Germany left Warsaw empty sult’s importance, there was no disguis- Khedira, a stand-in with Bastian handed when they last met nearly ing the ebullience of his youthful team’s Schweinsteiger ruled out of the four years ago at Euro 2012 as two display. Italy friendly with a knee injury. Mario Balotelli fi rst-half goals Today’s game is Hodgson’s last chance Less than three months before sealed their 2-1 semi-fi nal win. to experiment before he announces his the start of the European cham- Previous to that, the Azzurri squad for Euro 2016 on May 12 and with pionships in France, the England also ended the hosts’ dreams of Daniel Sturridge, Danny Welbeck and defeat exposed sloppy defend- reaching the 2006 World Cup Theo Walcott also candidates for at- ing and lack of composure in the fi nal as Fabio Grosso and Ales- tacking roles—not forgetting injured duo world champions’ ranks. sandro Del Piero scored in a 2-0 Wayne Rooney and Raheem Sterling—he On the back of an unconvinc- extra-time win in the semi-fi nal. has plenty of options. ing qualifying campaign for Euro Antonio Conte’s Italy warmed “I am sure he wants that,” said Totten- 2016, the defeat to England has up for the Munich match with a ham Hotspur striker Kane, who took his further rattled the Germans. 1-1 draw against defending Euro- international tally to four goals in nine “We have to be clear that a pean champions Spain in Udine appearances. game like that in a tournament on Thursday. “He wants everyone on top form and means you’re going home,” said The draw ended Spain’s six- applying themselves well. You want the Germany striker Mario Gomez, match winning run as Lorenzo best players to be on form come the Eu- who netted against England and Insigne gave Italy a second-half ros. had a goal disallowed. lead before veteran Spanish “I am sure it is a problem he enjoys Most worrying for Loew was the striker Aritz Aduriz equalised having. All we can do is keep doing what way his defence buckled without just three minutes later. we are doing, to keep playing, as we have his World Cup-winning centre- Gomez’s place in Germany’s great belief. backs Mats Hummels, who went starting line-up is set to go to “Wayne and Raheem are great play- off injured, and Jerome Boateng, Mario Goetze, who needs a con- ers and I am sure they will be back in the who is nursing a groin problem. vincing display after a frustrat- squad. Everyone is fi ghting for places and Loew will demand an im- ing three years at Bayern Munich. it is what this country needs. It will only proved performance against Italy The 23-year-old, whose goal make us better players.” at Munich’s Allianz Arena in his won the 2014 World Cup, has Hodgson always intended to make fi nal international before naming found himself mainly on the wholesale changes for the encounter his squad in May for Euro 2016, Munich bench during an injury- with Holland, who have not qualifi ed which runs from June 10-July 10. hit season since his high-profi le for Euro 2016, and injuries have already “At least we have the chance switch from Borussia Dortmund forced his hand. England’s striker Jamie Vardy (L) shares a joke with defender Phil Jagielka (2R) during an England training session. now to correct a few things in 2013. Fraser Forster is expected to start in goal, having come on as a substitute for ielka, meanwhile, could be given a chance Key friendly fixtures other stalwart in the game against France Jack Butland in Berlin after the Stoke City to demonstrate that they can plug the when Wesley Sneijder succumbed to a IN SUPPORT goalkeeper—himself deputising for the defensive holes that almost proved Eng- Germany vs Italy 9:45pm hamstring injury. injured Joe Hart—fractured his ankle. land’s undoing at the Olympiastadion. Ireland vs Slovakia 9:45pm Goalkeeper Jasper Cillessen and mid- Vardy will hope to start after scoring The match will feature a tribute to Portugal vs Belgium 9:45pm fi elder Davy Klaassen have also with- his fi rst international goal with a brilliant late Dutch great Johan Cruyff in the France vs Russia 10pm drawn from the squad—the former after Hodgson backs back-heeled equaliser against Germany 14th minute—a nod to his iconic shirt England vs Netherlands 10pm breaking his nose in training, the lat- and his Leicester City team-mate Danny number—with an image of the former Scotland vs Denmark 10pm ter after injuring his knee—with Michel Drinkwater should win his fi rst cap as a Ajax and Barcelona star displayed on Vorm and Marco van Ginkel called up as injured Rooney to starter in central midfi eld. Wembley’s big screens, but play will not replacements. stop as it did during Holland’s 3-2 loss to Holland won 3-2 in their last game at Meanwhile, Daley Blind, the coach’s CRUYFF TRIBUTE France on Friday. Wembley in February 2012, courtesy of son, is a doubt with a hamstring problem come back strongly Fit-again Liverpool striker Sturridge The original Wembley held special an Arjen Robben brace, and prevailed by of his own. is also in contention for a place in the meaning for Cruyff , for it was there that the same scoreline against Wales on their “My hamstring is stiff ,” said the poly- Reuters starting XI, having missed the entirety he won the fi rst of his three European most recent trip to Britain in November. valent Manchester United defender. “I London of England’s Euro 2016 qualifying cam- Cups with Ajax as a player in 1971 and led Robben also netted twice in Cardiff , didn’t want to take any risks in view of paign with a succession of injuries. Barcelona to their fi rst European crown but he is currently absent with a thigh the upcoming games. We have to look Everton pair John Stones and Phil Jag- as manager in 1992. problem and coach Danny Blind lost an- how it goes.” ngland manager Roy Hodgson has spoken out in support of Wayne BOTTOMLINE Rooney after Saturday’s 3-2E comeback win over Germany sparked renewed debate about where the absent captain fi ts in his Euro 2016 plans. England fell 2-0 behind to the world champions before the Pre- More questions than answers mier League’s two leading scor- ers, Tottenham Hotspur’s Harry England’s Wayne Rooney Kane and Leicester City’s Jamie Vardy, levelled with superb goals. involvement, tending to drop too Hodgson told the BBC on Sun- deep to seek the ball. for Spain ahead of Euros day that suggestions Rooney Before injuring a knee against DPA But before heading off into everybody wants to beat the should make way for the emerg- Sunderland on Feb. 13 Rooney Madrid the sunset, he will have to de- reigning champions, and tries a ing strikers were unwelcome. was on a good run, but still has cide who will be his fi rst-choice little bit harder against them.” “I have to repeat Wayne is our only seven league goals this goalkeeper, who will be his at- The question of who will lead captain and he has captained the season—like Alli—compared to ohnny Nash had a big hit tack leader - and, just as impor- the attack is a rather more dif- team extremely well in the past Kane’s 21 and Vardy’s 19. in 1972 with There Are tantly, how to fi re up a seemingly fi cult one for Del Bosque to re- two years,” he said. Hodgson said, however, that More Questions Than jaded group of players who have solve. “He took us through a quali- Rooney would show what he Answers, and this song already won everything on off er Fernando Torres and David fying campaign where we had was made of. “When he comes mightJ be in the head of Spain in international football. Villa - the tandem that gave complete success with 10 wins back and is fi t again, he is going manager Vicente del Bosque af- He seems to have fi nally opted Spain so much success between out of 10. It doesn’t please me to be putting enormous pressure ter the disappointing friendlies for David de Gea in goal ahead 2008 and 2012 - are both out of too much that it is suggested on these players, just like these against Italy and Romania. of veteran Iker Casillas, whose the reckoning, the same as fel- now that the moment he is in- players will be putting enormous Del Bosque’s dull, apathetic lethargy against Romania sug- low veterans Alvaro Negredo, jured and doesn’t play he gets pressure on him - and this is the team were rather lucky to escape gests that he has already been Fernando Llorente and Roberto jettisoned in some way. situation we are looking forward from Italy with a 1-1 draw - and given the bad news. Soldado. “He doesn’t deserve that,” to,” he said. then could only manage a tedious Casillas, 34, established a new Del Bosque left out Diego added the manager. Geoff Hurst, whose hat-trick 0-0 draw in Romania Sunday. European record of 166 interna- Costa from this week’s squad Many observers, including won England the 1966 World “This Team Is Sowing Doubts” tional appearances in Romania. because of his poor behaviour Germany’s former World Cup- Cup fi nal against West Germany, was one of the headlines in “I am pleased with this record. in England, and an online poll winning captain Lothar Mat- believes Vardy could be a sur- sports daily AS, which went on I have experienced good and bad taken by AS shows most readers thaeus, made teenager Dele Alli prise package in the European to comment: “The only positive moments (with Spain) in these preferring not to take the Chel- the man of the match in what Championship fi nals in France. thing about these two games is 16 years. sea striker - who has scored just Hodgson called his best night as “He’s come from nowhere, that nobody got injured. What “The day of my retirement is one goal in 10 games for la Roja England manager. a very good level-headed guy else is there to say?” Spain coach Vicente del Bosque (C) oversees a training session. coming closer. Time passes for - to the Euros. Alli, 19, played in the ‘No.10’ who’s very sensible, very intel- Meanwhile, rival daily Marca everybody and I am no excep- Del Bosque took 35 year-old role just behind the main striker, ligent,” Hurst told the BBC on opened with “Spain Without going through the motions.” Del Bosque, 65, is planning to tion ... I don’t know if this is my Aritz Aduriz plus Alvaro Mor- which is arguably Rooney’s most Sunday. Spark.” And Cadena COPE com- retire in July, regardless of how last year with Spain, I am just ata, Nolito and Paco Alcacer eff ective position. With 51 international goals, Radio station Cadena SER said mented: “Del Bosque has many successful La Roja has been in trying to enjoy every day that to Italy and Romania, but none When playing as a lone striker, Rooney is England’s record scor- that “most players did not look questions to answer before June its attempt to become the fi rst comes. of them gave the impression of the Manchester United captain er and his 109 appearances make interested in the match (against - some of them very serious country to win three consecu- “It will be really hard for us being top-quality internation- has often looked isolated and him the country’s fourth most Romania), and were really just questions indeed.” tive Euros. to win the Euros again because al forwards. become frustrated by a lack of capped player. Gulf Times Tuesday, March 29, 2016 3 FOOTBALL

SPOTLIGHT CARRYING ON ‘Two jobs’ Redknapp open to extending Brazil without Jordan spell

Reuters Sydney

arry Redknapp’s oppor- Neymar, Luiz for tunity to coach at an in- ternational level has not come the way he once hopedH it might, but the English- man is having a ball and open to extending his spell with Jordan beyond today’s crunch World Cup qualifi er with Australia. Paraguay trip The former Tottenham Hot- spur and West Ham United man- Jordan’s football team coach ager was overwhelming favourite Harry Redknapp. Brazil coach Dunga has called up teenage striker Gabriel Barbosa, star of the Olympic to replace Fabio Capello as Eng- land manager in 2012, only to be Smith I think is going to be a big team, to replace Neymar while Corinthians defender Felipe will come in for Luiz ultimately overlooked in favour player for Liverpool in the future, of Roy Hodgson. they’ve got a bit of pace in their AFP Today, though, he will con- team, they’re a dangerous team, Montevideo, Uruguay clude a two-match cameo as a good team, there’s no doubt an international coach when he about that at all,” he said. leads Jordan out to face Australia While also picking out the po- razil will be without Barcelona in a match they must win to be tential threat of Tim Cahill - “as star Neymar and Paris Saint- certain of progressing to the next good as anyone I’ve seen of arriv- Germain defender David Luiz round of Asian qualifying for the ing and fi nding space in the box” when they face a tricky 2018 2018 World Cup. - Redknapp said there was also WorldB Cup qualifying trip to Paraguay Redknapp said that while he quality in the Jordan squad. with renewed uncertainty swirling was also committed to his post as “When I came over, I had ab- around their campaign. an advisor to Derby County un- solutely no idea about Jordan The Brazilians are licking their wounds til the end of the English season, football, or how good they were,” after the disappointment of Friday’s 2-2 he would consider extending the he added. draw with Uruguay, when they squan- role if asked. “I’ve been really, really sur- dered a two-goal lead and fi nished the “I’ve really enjoyed it, the prised at the standard, it’s much, game clinging on for the point. people have just been fantastic,” much higher than I ever expected. For the opening half hour in Recife, Redknapp told reporters yester- “So, yeah, we are underdogs, Brazil were irresistible, attacking with day. but we’re underdogs with a real precision and purpose in what looked “All the staff and everybody, fi ghting chance.” like being their best performance since they’re the friendliest people I’ve Jordan, two points behind their 2014 World Cup semi-fi nal debacle dealt with, it’s been a great expe- Australia in Group B, could still against Germany. rience for me, it really has. get through to the third round of But Uruguay’s fi ghtback, begun with “So if there was something in Asian qualifying with a draw if Edinson Cavani’s superb volley and com- the future, I’d look at it, for sure.” other results go their way. pleted by Luis Suarez’s predatory strike Redknapp’s fi rst game in Whatever happens, striker after half-time, has reawakened all of the charge was an 8-0 thrashing of Hamzeh Aldardour would like old concerns about Brazil’s brittle de- Bangladesh in Amman on Thurs- Redknapp to stick around. fence, humiliated in the 7-1 thrashing by day but the 69-year-old knows “We have learned so many the Germans two years ago. that Asian champions Australia things,” the Jordan captain said. The frustration of allowing Uruguay will present an altogether tough- “It has been an honour and back into the game eventually got the er challenge. privilege working with him and better of Neymar, who was cautioned “They are a threat, the full- we hope he can prolong his man- for a petulant kick on Alvaro Gonzalez, backs get forward, the boy (Brad) agement of the team.” meaning he will now be suspended for Tuesday’s trip to Asuncion. Former Chelsea centre-back Luiz also earned a booking on Friday that will see Division of opinion in Barcelona him miss the game against Paraguay, who about naming stadium after Cruyff are level on eight points with third placed Brazil after fi ve matches. There is a clear division of Several sections of the Catalan opinion in Barcelona about media have suggested that ‘GABIGOL’ CALL-UP the idea of naming the club’s the Camp Nou - which is to be Brazil coach Dunga has called up Santos’s remodelled stadium after extensively remodelled be- exciting teenage striker Gabriel Barbosa, Brazilian coach Dunga (right) gives instructions to his players during a training session, in Viamao, Brazil. former club captain and coach tween 2017 and 20121 - should a star of the Olympic team, to replace Johann Cruyff , to judge by an now be named after Cruyff . Neymar while Corinthians defender Copa America quarter-fi nals in 2015 and Fixtures opening fi ve matches, but will be strong online poll taken yesterday. However, a poll published Felipe will come in for Luiz. 2011 and will be quietly confi dent of an- favourites to notch another win against Cruyff played for Barca Monday by daily paper Sport Gabriel, 19, known widely as “Gabigol” other win today. 1st round a Bolivian side who are second bottom between 1973 and 1978, and showed only 53 per cent of and regarded as the heir apparent to Ney- The Paraguayans were deprived of (Wednesday early morning) with three points from fi ve games. coached them between 1988 readers in favour of this, with mar, will be making his fi rst senior ap- what would have been a deserved vic- Uruguay vs Peru 2am Elsewhere, Ecuador face a demand- and 1996. He passed away at 47 per cent opposed. pearance for Brazil after starring for the tory against Ecuador on Thursday when Argentina vs Bolivia 2:30am ing trip to face Colombia in Barranquilla the age of 68 after a long bat- Cruyff was named “President Under-23s last year where he scored six a dubious late equaliser saw the surprise Venezuela vs Chile 2:30am while Uruguay host Peru in Montevideo. tle against lung cancer. of Honour” by Barca president goals in four matches. qualifying leaders snatch a 2-2 draw. Paraguay vs Brazil 3:45am Chile will aim to bounce back from More than 31,000 people Joan Laporta in 2010, just “I will be realising a dream that I did Coach Ramon Diaz believes the per- the disappointment their home defeat have paid their last respects before he stepped down. His not expect so soon,” Gabriel said. “I’m formance against Ecuador augurs well for by Argentina last week when they travel to Cruyff outside the club’s successor Sandro Rosell con- happy for the opportunity.” the clash with Brazil. Boliva in Cordoba aiming to continue to bottom side Venezuela, who have only Camp Nou stadium in the past troversially cancelled this ap- Paraguay meanwhile will be looking “We showed that we’re a competitive their recovery with a third consecutive one point from fi ve matches. four days, with many leaving pointment, claiming that such for all three points against opponents team who can fi ght against anyone,” Diaz victory following away wins over Colom- The top four teams from South Ameri- flowers and messages of a position was not included in whom they have caused repeated prob- said. “I hope that the team will continue bia and Chile. ca’s round robin qualifying league qualify condolences. the club’s off icial statutes. lems in recent years. to grow.” Argentina are currently fi fth in the automatically for the World Cup in Rus- Paraguay knocked Brazil out of the In other matches today, Argentina face standings with eight points from their sia in two years time.

WORRY BOTTOMLINE Greece hoping to Russia’s Slutsky — from a teen avoid FIFA sanctions aft er Cup move

Reuters with further is a law which was heartbreak to the national boss already passed in parliament and Athens AFP trols,” Slutsky recounted. “They The arrival of Slutsky—the is already being applied to the Moscow had to get up, eat, sleep at a fi xed fi rst Russian to coach the na- letter. For all themes, however, time.” tional team in almost 10 years— eputy Sports Minis- I want to hear suggestions and immediately reinvigorated the ter Stavros Kontonis I believe that we’ll have a very orced to give up his play- RISE TO TOP squad, which went on a four- is hoping his country smooth meeting.” ing career as a teenager After getting the team promot- match winning streak to assure will avoid international Before the FIFA and UEFA after falling from a tree ed into the lowest professional its passage into the Euro-2016 Dsanctions after cancelling this delegations arrive, the Hellenic rescuing a neighbour’s league Slutsky then headed for fi nals. season’s Greek Cup because of Football Federation will appeal cat,F Leonid Slutsky is now a stint as assistant coach at Pre- Even despite the success, crowd violence. to Greece’s Supreme Court on seen as Russia’s saviour, coach mier League side Uralan Elista Slutsky says he still faces scepti- FIFA and UEFA, the respec- Tuesday to reverse the decision of the national side, which plays before taking over at FC Moscow cism from some fans and foot- tive ruling bodies of world and made by Kontonis. France in Paris today. and then Samara. ball experts after failing to prove European soccer, have asked for “We are fi ghting to get our de- The burly 44-year-old In 2009 he got his big break himself on the pitch. the Greek Cup to be reinstated by cision validated,” said the Deputy stepped in to the top job last year when he was appointed man- “There is a huge group, in- April 1 after the competition was Sports Minister. “It was an entire- after the dismissal of highly paid ager of CSKA Moscow where he cluding the fans of CSKA, who scrapped by the government ear- ly legal move and, as a measure, Italian Fabio Cappello, and over- replaced ex-Real Madrid coach are still convinced that my ap- lier this month. solves a serious problem, that of saw a dramatic turnaround in Juande Ramos, who had been in pointment at the club is an in- The decision was made after preserving public order.” Russia’s fortunes that fi red the charge for just 47 days. credible error, and are waiting the fi rst leg of the semi-fi nal be- Kontonis also explained why squad to an unlikely qualifi ca- For the fi rst time Slutsky every day for my resignation,” tween PAOK Salonika and Olym- he cancelled last week’s meet- tion for Euro 2016. then set about turning around Slutsky told R-Sport earlier this piakos Piraeus on March 2 was ing between the presidents of the The Russian was handed the a team after taking over from a year. abandoned due to a violent pitch elite clubs including Olympia- reins after working his way up big-name foreign coach whose “When I was coaching kids, it invasion, with fans hurling fl ares kos, PAOK, Panathinaikos and from the lowest leagues to win tenure had ended in disappoint- was the same thing: scepticism and missiles before being dis- AEK Athens. back-to-back titles with CSKA making it big as a goalkeeper and “For a long time I worked hard ment and after just two games he and rejection. Maybe the reason persed by riot police. Panathinaikos refused to take Moscow, who currently top the upon leaving school he signed to get better. I tried to return to led CSKA to a thrilling 3:3 draw is that my appearance, demean- Failure to meet the April 1 part and Olympiakos owner Van- pile in Russia as he continues to with a local team. playing football but it didn’t with Alex Ferguson’s Manches- our and way I communicate are deadline could result in the sus- gelis Marinakis was advised not to manage them alongside the na- But after only 13 games he saw work out.” ter United at Old Traff ord. not all according to the coaching pension of the Greek federation, attend by the Athens sports pros- tional team. his dreams dashed at the age of Instead Slutsky fl ung himself Under Slutsky’s guidance, manual. clubs being stopped from playing ecutor due to an ongoing investi- Slutsky’s rise has been im- 19 after a fateful request by a into training, gaining a degree CSKA then won back-to-back “However hard I work, I have in European club competitions gation into a match-fi xing probe pressive but it was built on early neighbour to fetch her cat down from a coaching academy and titles in 2014-2015. to keep proving something to and the national side barred from in which the shipping magnate has heartbreak—sparking compari- from a tree left him with a shat- taking over as the coach of a That success eventually someone”. international tournaments. been accused of involvement. sons with the likes of ex-Chelsea tered knee. youth team where he immedi- brought him to the attention of Slutsky’s charges will have “I took the initiative to speak “We learned at the last minute coach Jose Mourinho, who also “I spent a year in hospital. ately set about putting his own the country’s national team after a chance Tuesday against the today because the situation is that he is a citizen currently with failed to make it as a player. They told me it wouldn’t bend stamp on his young charges. Capello—reportedly the world’s hosts to show what Russia is very unsettled and many peo- restrictive conditions imposed Born in 1971 in the southern at all again,” Slutsky said in an “I put a lot of pressure on the highest paid coach—was sacked capable of ahead of their group ple perceive that as a weakness,” on him by law but from our side Russian city of Volgograd—once interview with Sovetsky Sport footballers. There were very as Russia was struggling to qual- games with England, Wales and Kontonis said yesterday. we will move on and rearrange a Stalingrad—he fi rst dreamt of daily. strict rules and draconian con- ify for the Euro 2016 in France. Slovakia this summer. “What cannot be tinkered new meeting,” said Kontonis. Gulf Times 4 Tuesday, March 29, 2016 CRICKET

SPOTLIGHT Stokes revels in role as England death bowler

AFP including Stuart Broad who was hit Collingwood, who has captained ed any notion of split loyalties. New Delhi for six sixes by India’s Yuvraj Singh in Stokes back home in Durham, is cur- “Ever since I made a choice of hav- the 2007 World T20—the 24-year-old rently in India as a consultant for the ing a career of a professional cricketer, Stokes is relishing the responsibility. England team. ever since getting picked for the Eng- ce-cool all-rounder Ben Stokes “I would much rather be doing that “Colly actually did say that at the land under-15s, I’ve just wanted to play said yesterday he was revelling in last over thing rather than hoping that start of the tournament that we got for England.” his role as England’s death bowler whoever is bowling it gets us through. beaten by the West Indies in the fi rst Stokes insisted England would not after his nerves of steel once again I’d rather be the man doing it,” he said game. It’s a good omen because that’s underestimate the unheralded Black Ikept his side in the World Twenty20. in the build-up to tomorrow’s semi- what happened to him,” Stokes told re- Caps, but pointed out that they did With Sri Lanka needing 15 runs to fi nal against New Zealand. “Yes, I love porters in New Delhi. beat them in a World T20 warm-up. win and their captain Angelo Math- being involved in the game and being Under the captaincy of Eoin Morgan, “They’re obviously the in-form ews hitting England’s bowlers around in high pressure situations. I think it a young England side is developing a team, they haven’t lost a game yet. We the park in Saturday’s crunch match in probably brings the best out of me in reputation for aggressive strokeplay played them in a warm-up game and New Delhi, Stokes was handed the ball terms of my cricket. I enjoy getting which has surprised many observers. beat them and we still take confi dence at the start of the 20th over. into the big moments of the game.” Stokes is one of the more seasoned from that and we obviously beat them But after spinners Moeen Ali and England’s passage to the semis was members of the team after making his in the English summer when we had Adil Rashid were clattered for 21 in hampered by defeat to the West In- international debut in 2011. the series against them,” said Stokes. their fi nal overs, Stokes bowled a string dies in their opening match, meaning He said that as “one of the least ex- “So we just know that if we play to of near-perfect yorkers and conceded they had to win all of their other three perienced teams out here”, England our capability like we did against Sri only four runs to secure England’s games against Sri Lanka, Afghanistan have an opportunity to “prove a lot of Lanka, no matter who we face, we can place in the semi-fi nals. and South Africa. people wrong”. give any team a good run.” Stokes also held his nerve in Eng- The West Indies also beat England in Stokes was born in Christchurch on While it will be the fi fth diff erent ven- land’s previous match against Afghan- 2010 but Paul Collingwood’s side went New Zealand’s South Island and his ue for New Zealand in the tournament, istan, taking the fi nal over as the min- on to win the tournament in the Carib- father was a New Zealand rugby league England should have an advantage by nows fell 16 runs short of their target. bean, the fi rst time that the team had international. But while admitting that playing their third match in a row in While other England bowlers have ever won a major international tourna- he might have dreamed of playing for Delhi, with Stokes saying that “it’s a come unstuck on the global stage— ment. New Zealand as a youngster, he reject- home game even if we are in India”.

FOCUS Kohli batting prompts Sachin comparisons

Reuters You have not won New Delhi

ndian great Sachin Tendulkar re- mains the gold standard of batting Iin the post-Bradman era but Virat Kohli’s latest masterclass in Sunday’s World Twenty20 shootout against anything yet, Bayliss Australia has prompted comparisons with his famous compatriot. Not for the first time in the tourna- ment, it took Kohli’s masterly knock to get India across the line in a virtual quarter-final against the reigning 50-overs world champions. Kohli remained unbeaten after a warns Eng players sublime 82, burnishing his reputa- tion as arguably the best chaser in limited-overs cricket with a knock that ‘It’s like a mini-tournament starting again now. Let’s not go over the top. No one ever remembers reminded many of Tendulkar’s 143 against Australia in a 1998 one-dayer the runners-up or the semi-finalists. It’s a good achievement but it’s just a semi-final we’ve reached’ at Sharjah dubbed “desert storm”. “He will always be the same. He will be an aggressive character who will be ready to take on challenges and he will be ag- gressive on the fi eld. But he will also improve. He is shift ing in the right direction but he is a tre- mendous character. He should not lose his character because that’s what his strength is”

Shane Warne was at the receiving end of Tendulkar’s wrath in that match and 18 years since the contest, the Australian spin great saw Tendulkar’s shadow in Kohli’s latest knock. “Great knock by @imVkohli. Reminded me of one of your many special innings buddy,” Warne tweeted to his great rival Tendulkar after Kohli secured India a place in the semi-finals. Kohli bejewelled his knock with two sixes and nine boundaries and sprinted tirelessly between wickets in a flawless display of limited-overs bat- ting under tremendous pressure. He middled every ball, timed his shots with surgical precision and found gaps with eerie regularity to stamp his class. “Of the modern players, I’ve always thought that Brian Lara was the best placer of the ball,” former Australia captain Ian Chappell told www.espn- cricinfo.com. “I think I have got Brian in second spot now.” The West Indian batting great was also bowled over by what he saw and requested videos of Kohli’s early days, hailing the Indian as the “best timer of a cricket ball” that he has seen. At 27, Kohli stands on the brink of By Vic Marks in New Delhi semi-fi nal we’ve reached.” don’t think it’s ever been played,” our x-factors. He hasn’t taken a bagful of their games on turning tracks, with batting greatness with 36 interna- The Guardian Bayliss does not seem to get car- mused Bayliss. of wickets but we’ll be playing a dif- their two young spinners, Mitchell tional centuries against his name and ried away by anything. Occasion- He may ooze pragmatism and ferent opposition in a few days’ time. Santner and Ish Sodhi, excelling. averages of 44 in Tests, 51 in one-day- ally he raises an eyebrow sitting in the cricketing common sense, but Eng- I’m not overly worried about him. We By the same token, if England do ers and 55 in Twenty20 matches. here is a temptation to cel- T20 dugout under his ever-present, land’s coach is also prepared to give probably got our lengths a little bit make the fi nal in Kolkota they will It has been a fascinating transfor- ebrate too much after Eng- broad-brimmed, white fl oppy hat. due credit to his players. Once again a wrong against good players of spin, probably be in alien territory on the mation of a Delhi cricketer perceived land’s victory over Sri Lanka He must be a nightmare for TV direc- Jos Buttler innings was crucial. over-pitching a fraction.” fi rst turning track that they have en- initially as yet another brash brat from and their rare qualifi cation tors who have grown accustomed to “There aren’t too many guys around The yearning to bowl fuller at countered in the tournament. the streets of a city long accused of Tfor an ICC semi-fi nal and Trevor switching their cameras towards Jur- the world who can hit the ball 360 de- Mathews was easy to understand as From afar Bayliss has admired New inculcating aggression in its youth. Bayliss is well aware of that. gen Klopp or Jose Mourinho. grees like he can,” he said. “He’s a lit- both Rashid and Moeen Ali wanted to Zealand’s ability to adapt to condi- Since Kohli’s international debut in England’s phlegmatic, easy-going, Bayliss’s impassive exterior may tle like AB de Villiers and hopefully in prevent him having the leverage to hit tions, leaving their most notable a one-dayer against Sri Lanka eight drawling, adopted Aussie, who has refl ect his character but there is also the years to come his record will be the ball into the stands, which proved two pacemen, Trent Boult and Tim years ago, Mahendra Singh Dhoni has a habit of improving cricket teams an element of calculation, which he very similar.” to be a forlorn desire. Southee, out of the team. “Don’t take closely watched the tattoo-wearing, somehow, had a simple message on acknowledges. “Sitting there I’m like Then he noted the understated role However, Bayliss intimated that this the wrong way,” he said, “but blunt-speaking, heart-on-his-sleeve the morning after, which he was go- everyone else, churning up inside. Buttler played in partnership with Joe England know their best team when New Zealand have got a very working- youngster transform into a mature ing to impart to his players as soon as But if the players look to the bench– Root in the run-chase against South playing in Delhi, which is the XI that class mentality. They’re hard grind- match-winner. they reconvened for practice before or if we’re batting and they look left Africa. “He also knows how to play was selected for the Sri Lanka match ers; they’ll do what they need to win. Kohli hates the idea of on-field tomorrow’s semi-fi nal against New or right–and they see the coach is a the situation. He knew Joe was in a even though the spinners were so ex- They’ve always been like that, wheth- confrontations that doesn’t include Zealand. nervous wreck, it doesn’t make it any good spot and so he just knocked the pensive. That side most defi nitely in- er it’s rugby or cricket. So they’re go- him and Dhoni argued it suits the The mood at the team hotel among easier for them.” ball around.” cludes Liam Plunkett now. ing to be very diffi cult to beat.” player who succeeded him as India’s wealthier supporters, ECB offi cials In this tournament England’s per- Naturally he backed his captain, “We set him the target in the UAE of However, Bayliss says they can be Test captain. and even gnarled old pressmen was formances have not been suitable Eoin Morgan, who has yet to deliver trying to work on his slower balls and beaten. “On your day in T20 cricket “He will always be the same,” Dhoni one of congratulation that England for those of a nervous disposition. a major innings. “It’s very diffi cult to cutters to try to get his performance anyone can win. We are down to the said after the victory in Mohali. “He had progressed so far. But this was not So far every game has swung to and get him fl ustered (somehow it is no to another level,” Bayliss said. “He last four so we have a chance to win. will be an aggressive character who Bayliss’s state of mind. fro violently, creating some terrifi c surprise that this should impress Bay- went away to the nets when he wasn’t The other three teams will be thinking will be ready to take on challenges “We haven’t won anything yet,” cricketing theatre–for the neutral ob- liss). I’m sure he’d have liked to score playing and worked on it day-in, day- the same and they have been playing and he will be aggressive on the field. he said. “It’s like a mini-tournament server. For a while there seemed to be more runs so far but we may have two out. Now he’s deserved his spot and very good cricket. So it’s certainly not But he will also improve. He is shift- starting again now. Let’s not go over a chance of a comfortable, textbook games left and that’s when the good bowled extremely well.” going to get any easier.” ing in the right direction but he is a the top. No one ever remembers the win against Sri Lanka and then Angelo players stand up.” There may be a slight advantage in It’s not quite an Alf Ramsey tremendous character. He should not runners-up or the semi-fi nalists. It’s Mathews got going. He was also quick to support Adil playing New Zealand in Delhi. Eng- moment but Bayliss has not ruled lose his character because that’s what a good achievement but let’s keep “Coaches are always looking for Rashid, who suff ered at the hands of land know the conditions here now, out England coming home with the his strength is.” everything in perspective. It’s just a that absolutely perfect game but I Mathews on Saturday. “He’s one of while the Kiwis have played all four trophy. Gulf Times Tuesday, March 29, 2016 5 CRICKET

DEAD RUBBER FOCUS Dhoni helped me South Africa sign stay calm: Kohli AFP kistan earlier in the tourna- Mohali ment, was learning how to stay calm in pressured situations while not losing his natural ag- irat Kohli was hailed gression. as a batting genius “I think it was an incredible after his brilliant in- innings, especially the fact that off with 8-wicket nings led India to an the wicket was not easy to bat Vimprobable victory over Aus- on,” said Dhoni. “A lot of things tralia and sealed a semi-fi nal pop into your head at that point berth for the hosts at cricket’s of time (the last overs) and World Twenty20. when you’re calm it just helps Kohli hit an unbeaten 82 you to pick the right one... and off 51 balls that mixed classic not be too impulsive.” strokeplay with raw power in “He will always be the same. cruise over Lanka Mohali on Sunday night, as In- He will be an aggressive char- dia chased down Australia’s to- acter who is willing to take on tal of 160-6 in a pulsating fi nal challenges and he will be ag- ‘We prepared well coming from home and I think we just needed luck on our side. We group match. gressive on the fi eld, but he will With three overs to go, India also improve,” Dhoni added. gave it our all and we tried to make South Africa proud. It was tough to play what you were still 39 runs short of their Kapil Dev, who captained In- target but they cantered home dia to victory at the 1983 World call a dead rubber. But we play for our country and we are very proud to represent it’ with fi ve balls to spare as Kohli Cup, praised Kohli for resist- and skipper Mahendra Singh ing the temptation to slog, in- Dhoni laid into the Australian stead playing orthodox shots attack. Kohli hit four bounda- that would have graced a Test South Africa opener Hashim Amla ries in the penultimate over off match. plays a shot during his unbeaten Nathan Coulter-Nile before “Hats off to this genius with a 56 against Sri Lanka in their World Dhoni fi nished the job with an- bat,” Dev wrote in the Mail To- Twenty20 dead rubber match, in other four. day newspaper. “I have always New Delhi yesterday. (AFP) Had India been knocked out, believed that T20 cricket is not it could well have been Dhoni’s just about slamming the ball or last innings amid widespread indulging in ambitious shots. expectations that he will call it You can play your normal crick- quits after the tournament. et strokes and win your battles Kohli, 27, has already re- against the bowlers. Virat’s ex- placed the 34-year-old Dhoni hibition proved it.” as Test captain but his regard for India, who now play the West the older man was underlined Indies in the second semi-fi nal when he paid tribute to India’s in Mumbai on Thursday, are ‘Captain Cool’ for helping him hoping to become the fi rst team keep his head at the fi nale. to win the World T20 twice, “MS in the end kept me calm, and the fi rst on home soil. I could have got over-excited,” Former all-rounder Ravi said Kohli after being named Shastri, who is now India’s man-of-the-match. “Trust coach, said that Kohli’s “fabu- me, you don’t like these situa- lous” innings had proved that tions very much, (but) they im- the team was hitting its stride at prove you as a cricketer.” the crucial moment. “From In- Dhoni said Kohli, who was dia’s point of view, I think they’ll also the match winner in a get stronger as this tournament high-octane clash against Pa- progresses,” said Shastri.

India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni (right) chats with Virat Kohli during the World Twenty20 game against Australia in Mohali on Sunday night. (Reuters)

AFP purposeful during their respective knocks ball was stopping and turning. It’s been a T Perera c Behardien b Steyn ...... 8 New Delhi as the duo got stuck into Dale Steyn’s sec- bit tough, we prepared well coming from D Shanaka (not out) ...... 20 ond over which cost 16 runs. home and I think we just needed luck on R Herath c de Kock b Abbott ...... 2 But the introduction of spin changed our side. We gave it our all and we tried to J Vandersay b Abbott...... 3 pener Hashim Amla’s half cen- the course for Proteas as Aaron Phangiso make South Africa proud,” he said. S Lakmal (run out) ...... 0 tury helped South Africa beat struck twice in his fi rst over. The left-arm “It was tough to play what you call a Extras (b4, lb2, w2, nb2) ...... 10 defending champions Sri Lanka spinner cleaned up Chandimal and then dead rubber. But we play for our country Total (all out, 19.3 overs) ...... 120 by eight wickets in the last group Lahiru Thirimanne on consecutive deliv- and we are very proud to represent it. It’s Fall of wickets: 1-45 (Chandimal), 2-45 matchO of the World Twenty20 in New Del- eries to be on a hat-trick. always a good experience to play here, be- (Thirimanne), 3-75 (Siriwardana), 4-78 (Ja- hi yesterday. Dilshan tried to steady the innings cause in South Africa wickets don’t help yasuriya), 5-85 (Dilshan), 6-85 (Kapuged- Amla’s unbeaten 56 guided his team to amid the regular wicket-fall but became (spin) much,” he added. era), 7-96 (Perera), 8-109 (Herath), 9-120 victory with 14 balls remaining in the Pro- Farhaan Behardien’s second victim to be South African skipper Du Plessis rued (Vandersay), 10-120 (Lakmal) teas innings, after Sri Lanka were bundled lbw while attempting a reverse sweep. another missed chance for his side. “I’m Bowling: Steyn 4-0-33-1, Abbott 3.3-0-14-2, out for 120 in 19.3 overs. Both teams have The South African dominance con- very baffl ed… We score 230 in that fi rst Phangiso 4-0-26-2, Tahir 4-0-18-1, Wiese already bowed out of the event. tinued as Lankan batsmen failed to show game, but we didn’t bowl well and lost (to 1-0-8-0, Behardien 3-0-15-2 Earlier, South African bowlers fi nally application in an inconsequential match England). Afghanistan are a dangerous South Africa came good to bundle out the defending where the teams were playing for pride. team and we beat them… We didn’t do well H Amla (not out) ...... 56 champions for 120 in 19.3 overs. Kyle Abbott, Phangiso and Behardien against West Indies either,” he said. Q de Kock (run out)...... 9 The Proteas bowlers justifi ed their bagged two wickets apiece as Steyn also F du Plessis lbw Lakmal ...... 31 captain’s decision to fi eld fi rst as regular got a scalp in Thisara Perera to enjoy his Scoreboard AB de Villiers (not out) ...... 20 wicket-taking saw a clueless Lanka fall second outing in the tournament. Sri Lanka Extras (lb2, w4) ...... 6 like a pack of cards. Dasun Shanaka, coming in at number D Chandimal b Phangiso ...... 21 Total (2 wickets, 17.4 overs) ...... 122 Sri Lankan stand-in skipper Dinesh eight, made an unbeaten 20 to give some T Dilshan lbw Behardien...... 36 Fall of wickets: 1-15 (de Kock, 2-75 (du Plessis) Chandimal (21) and Tillakaratne Dilshan respect to the score at run-a-ball. L Thirimanne b Phangiso ...... 0 Bowling: S Jayasuriya 1-0-9-0, S Lakmal (36) did give the team a brisk start but soon Phangiso, who was adjudged the man- M Siriwardana (run out) ...... 15 3.4-0-28-1, R Herath 4-0-21-0, J Vandersay lost the momentum after losing a couple of-the-match for his spell of 2 for 26, S Jayasuriya c du Plessis b Behardien ....1 4-0-25-0, D Shanaka 2-0-17-0, T Perera 2-0- of wickets. Chandimal and Dilshan looked praised the pitch. “It’s a great pitch, the C Kapugedera b Tahir ...... 4 15-0, M Siriwardana 1-0-5-0

BOTTOMLINE Smith rues middle over woes, hails ‘genius’ Kohli

Reuters The “conditions”, slow pitches it the ‘Virat show’ and he was right,” Mohali which favour spin bowling, were a re- Virat Kohli (centre) celebrates India’s wrote Chris Barratt in the The Syd- curring theme throughout Smith’s win as Australia’s James Faulkner (right) ney Morning Herald, acknowledging postmortem of the campaign but it was and Usman Khawaja walk off dejected, in the dejected skipper’s post-match ustralia captain Steve Smith, the batting in the middle overs that he Mohali on Sunday night. (Reuters) remarks. “With one of the greatest while tipping his hat to a pinpointed. ever Twenty20 international innings bArilliant innings from In- “We probably let ourselves down in India’s batting maestro all but single- dia’s Virat Kohli, was left ru- the middle overs again ... losing a few handedly sent Australia home from the ingA his team’s middle overs malaise af- wickets in clumps, not being able to 20-overs world championship.” ter their sixth attempt to win the World get that partnerships together to get “One man wins it,” agreed The Daily Twenty20 came up short in Mohali. the score above par to 170-odd, so that Telegraph’s Ben Horne. “I think it’s safe Kohli’s magnifi cent unbeaten 82 was a bit disappointing,” Smith added. to say there is no talent in world cricket from 51 balls helped India overhaul “But I think the players will learn a lot at the moment quite like Virat Kohli.” Australia’s 160 with fi ve balls to spare from this tournament, playing in these Writing in The Australian newspa- on Sunday, sending the hosts into the conditions again, it’s very valuable and per, Gideon Haigh said Kohli’s unbeat- semi-fi nals as Group 2 runners-up and hopefully we can continue to learn and en 82 off 51 balls had “made an awk- Smith’s men home. get better.” ward chase look like simplicity itself”. Smith was quick to pay tribute to Smith paid tribute to all-rounder “Not a stroke, by the way, would Kohli’s “seriously unbelievable” knock Shane Watson, who took 2-23 and a have looked out of place in a Test but said Australia had contributed to stunning diving catch to dismiss Yuvraj match,” he wrote. “Much as the mar- their failure to sustain a challenge for Singh in his last match as an interna- keters would like to take the cricket out the one major international trophy tional cricketer before retirement. of T20, Kohli keeps putting it back.” they have never won. “Obviously there’s no real fairytales Geoff Lemon, writing for the Aus- Dismissing criticism of Australia’s in sport very often,” Smith said of his tralian Broadcasting Corporation, said preparations and the make-up of the 34-year-old teammate. “Shane gave it was hard to feel disappointed at be- squad, Smith said it had been in the ex- his all as he did every game for Austral- ing knocked out by such an impressive ecution of their skills that the players ia, I thought he bowled beautifully and innings. “It is hard to feel anything but had fallen short. looked like he was 25 again when taking awe,” he wrote. “You have to try and fi nd your best that catch.” Cricketing greats also heaped praise 15, particularly in these conditions, and Smith was in mood to complain on Kohli. “Wow! That was absolute I think we had the right 15, we just let about his own dismissal despite tel- class from Virat. Congrats India on your ourselves down in key moments,” he told evision pictures indicating he had been “I think we let ourselves down were always chasing our tail from player going off to take the game win,” tweeted spin master Shane Warne. reporters in his post-match news con- unfortunate to be given out for two. against New Zealand, we probably there. We had to win every game we away.” Former Australia captain Michael Clarke ference. “Obviously we haven’t done as He said the foundations for Aus- should have won that game,” Smith played after that and in Twenty20 Australian commentators, mean- added: “Looked like a class performance well as we’d have liked in this format but tralia’s demise had been laid in their said. “To lose that game (by eight cricket that’s quite hard. It’s quite while, were full of praise for Kohli’s from @imVkohli#T20WorldCup”. hopefully we’ll continue to improve.” opener against New Zealand. runs) was quite shattering. And we a fickle game and all it takes is one thrilling batting. “Steve Smith called Gulf Times 6 Tuesday, March 29, 2016 SPORT

NBA SPOTLIGHT Jeff erson’s injury showed that Golden Warriors rout Hornets’ Zeller is an NBA center

By Rick Bonnell 76ers for record 53rd The Charlotte Observer ’m sorry Al Jeff erson lost six weeks of his season to a torn meniscus, but I doubt the Charlotte Hornets would have discovered this season what Cody Zeller is without that happening. IZeller is an NBA center. The way coach Steve Cliff ord wants a power forward with big-time 3-point range,that was not straight home victory going to work out. As I said, Zeller is an NBA center. He demonstrated that once again in the Hornets’ 115-91 road blowout of the Bucks. ‘I’m not forcing anything and playing within the off ence while trying to be aggressive’ The Bucks spent a lot of money to bring Greg Monroe to Milwaukee. Logically, based on experience and bulk, Monroe should be a tough cover for Zeller. Here were the numbers in the fi rst half when this game was Klay Thompson (L) of the Golden State Warriors looks decided: Monroe had four points and four rebounds on 0-of- to shoot over TJ McConnell of the Philadelphia 76ers 4 shooting from the fi eld. Zeller had four points and three re- during their NBA game at ORACLE Arena in Oakland, bounds and shot 2-of-4 from the fi eld. California. (Getty Images/AFP) I know how spectacular Nic Batum was Saturday - 25 points, eight assists, seven rebounds and 5-of-9 shooting from 3-point range. But we kind of expect such things from Batum, who was handed control of the off ense in June upon his trade to Charlotte from Portland. Zeller is diff erent. You didn’t know exactly what he was at this level and there were numerous stops and starts to his de- velopment. Then Big Al gets hurt and Cliff ord fi gures Zeller is the best alternative to muddle through at centre until Jeff erson was healthy. He certainly hasn’t muddled through, and the box score doesn’t represent how good he was Saturday. The Bucks are among the biggest, longest teams in the NBA, creating all sorts of matchup problems, particularly when Giannis An- tetokounmpo moves into the backcourt. Zeller was more than solid in every phase of defense: Clif- ford said he was obviously very good against Monroe one-on- one. The subtler thing was what a good team defender Zeller was in the pick-and-roll. Bucks guard Khris Middleton is more than a jump-shooter. He and Monroe are very eff ective in that pick-and-roll play. Not so much Saturday. If Zeller continues to develop _ and the worst of his adjust- ment to both the NBA and the NBA center position are likely over -- he’s going to be a worthy top-fi ve pick, and I’m not sure I would have said that two months ago.

CODY ZELLER

DPA high-level; he’s being very aggres- ghts had 11 of his 15 in the second game slide. Prior to the game, DeMarcus Cousins had 20 and Los Angeles sive, very confi dent,” the league period. “Mo was terrifi c for us,” the Clippers activated Blake Grif- 12 rebounds as the Kings (29-44) top scorer off ered. “It’s good tim- Kerr said of Speights. “The key fi n who began serving a team- manhandled the visiting Mav- ing to keep our momentum going stretch was in the second quarter imposed four-game suspension. ericks. Dallas (35-38), remains a ot-shot Klay Thompson heading into the playoff s.” when Ian Clark, Brandon Rush, The All-Star forward is expected half game behind Houston for the fi lled up the basket on Marresse Speights tossed in 17 Leandro Barbosa along with to return on April 3 against Wash- fi nal playoff spot West despite its Easter Sunday. points off the bench while Dray- (starter) Harrison Barnes made ington after being sidelined since eighth loss in 10 games. Thompson fi red in 40 mond Green had his 12th triple- a big push. ‘That opened up the December 25 with a quadriceps Washington Wizards 101, Hpoints, leading the Golden State double of the season, with 13 game and gave us that lead we injury, and punching an assistant LA Lakers 88: John Wall had Warriors to a 117-105 victory over points, 11 rebounds and as many were comfortable with the rest of equipment manager in January. 22 points with 13 assists, Marcin the league-worst Philadelphia assists for the Golden State (66-7), the night.” Jusuf Nurkic led Denver (31-43) Gortat added 16 points with 13 76ers, and extend their NBA- which needs to fi nish 7-2 to break The Warriors stayed comfort- with a game-high 19 points. rebounds, and the visiting Wiz- record home winning streak to 53 the NBA-record of 72 victories set ably ahead and never allowed the Indiana Pacers 104, Hou- ards coasted past the lowly Lak- games, with 35 coming this sea- by the 1995-96 Chicago Bulls. lead to dip below 11 in the second ston Rockets 101: Paul George ers. The victory pulled the Wiz- son at Oracle Arena. Thompson “Our guys are fantastic, they half. Carl Landry had 22 points, scored 25 points, Monta Ellis ards (36-37) within two games recorded his fourth game of 40 or just keep doing it,” Warriors Ish Smith added 20 for the Six- had 23, and the Pacers (38-34) of idle Detroit for the eighth and more points this season and his coach Steve Kerr said. ers (9-65), who lost their ninth regrouped to beat the visiting fi nal spot in the Eastern Confer- fi rst-ever back-to-back. “It’s not as easy as it looks. straight and 22 of its last 23. Rockets after blowing a 16-point ence playoff chase. “I’m in a good zone, not forc- They genuinely like each other, Elsewhere: third-quarter cushion. The win D’Angelo Russell scored 22 ing anything and playing within they like winning and it shows.” LA Clippers 105, Denver eliminated New York, Orlando points while Kobe Bryant added the off ence while trying to be ag- The Warriors led by just one Nuggets 90: DeAndre Jordan and Milwaukee from pot-season 17 in 23 minutes for the lowly gressive,” said Thompson, who after the fi rst quarter before re- had 16 points, 16 rebounds and contention. James Harden had Lakers (15-58), who have lost sev- hit 15-of-27 fi eld goals and 7-of- ceiving a much-needed spark six blocked shots, as the Clippers 34 points, eight rebounds and en of eight. 14 3-pointers. Speights and the second unit. sailed past the visiting Nuggets eight assists for Houston (35-37), “I can be a great shooter in this The defending NBA Champs to clinch their fi fth consecutive which still occupies the eighth RESULTS league and scorer if I just stay hit a sizzling 16-of-21 shots and playoff berth. spot in the Western Conference within myself.” outscored the Sixers 39-24 in the Chris Paul and reserve Jamal playoff race despite its second LA Lakers 88 Washington 101 Reigning league MVP Stephen second quarter, including 31-15 Crawford had 14 points apiece straight loss. Indiana 104 Houston 101 Curry, who had a quiet 20-point after being knotted at 40-apiece, for the Clippers (45-27), who Sacramento Kings 133, Golden 117 Philadelphia 105 outing, said his fellow-Splash to take a 71-55 cushion into the used a game-breaking 25-12 third Dallas Mavericks 111: Willie Sacramento 133 Dallas 111 Brother has caught fi re at the right locker room. Thompson led the quarter en route to their second Cauley-Stein led eight players in LA Clippers 105 Denver 90 time. “Klay is playing at a very way with 19 points, while Spei- straight win following a three- doubles fi gures with 21 points,

NHL Hawks clinch playoff spot with win over Canucks

By Chris Hine cracked the ice late in the fi rst Eric Staal scored twice for the The Penguins second line tied it Chicago Tribune when a Tomas Fleischmann shot Rangers in regulation before goal by right back up when Kessel fi nished from right circle found the back Matt Cullen and Phil Kessel tied it. a rebound at 8:36. of the net thanks to a screen from With one second left in regulation, Carl Hagelin legged down a poor he Blackhawks won their Dennis Rasmussen. It was Fleis- the Penguins got their second pow- clear attempt by Lundqvist, fi red second consecutive game chmann’s fourth goal since joining er play of the night when Derick the puck back at the net, catching and clinched a playoff the Hawks. Brassard high-sticked Ben Lovejoy Lundqvist out of position when spot Sunday night with a Canucks answer in second in the face. the rebound was backhanded in by T3-2 victory over the Canucks. An- The Hawks could not quite carry But the power play was unable to Kessel. drew Ladd scored his third goal over their dominance from the fi rst convert _ a refrain heard a time or The second line had a 12-point in two nights in the third period period to the start of the second. two of late. game on Saturday, with a goal and that proved to be the game winner. A lacklustre power play from the The Penguins improved to 42- four assists credited to both Kessel Ladd’s goal, which was set up by a Hawks gave the Canucks some life 25-8 as the Rangers dropped to 43- and Nick Bonino, a pair of goals by drop pass from Jonathan Toews, and they eventually tied the score 25-8. Hagelin. was his third in two nights. He now on a goal from Alexandre Burrows. Staal one-armed a shot past Fleury denied Staal a hat trick has six goals since re-joining the Burrows got position in front of Marc-Andre Fleury at 4:19 of the late in the second period, turn- Hawks. (Darling) and one-timed a shot af- fi rst period, getting behind the ing him away after he got the puck Hawks center Artem Anisimov ter receiving a pass from behind the defense to take a feed from Kevin alone in the slot and shot from missed Sunday’s game because of net from Linden Vey. Hayes. close range. a lower-body injury. He is con- Cullen tied it at 15:49, poking a The Penguins had shifted their sidered day-to-day, the Hawks Penguins beat the Rangers in rebound past Lundqvist off a shot defensive pairs to deal with the loss said. Teuvo Teravainen moved up overtime 3-2 by Derrick Pouliot, who returned of Brian Dumoulin (undisclosed to center Patrick Kane and Ar- Sidney Crosby scored in over- to the lineup for the fi rst time since injury). Trevor Daley and Letang temi Panarin on the second line time to lead the Penguins to a 3-2 March 6. skated together on the top pair- while Dennis Rasmussen drew into win against the Rangers at Madison Staal struck again in the second ing, Pouliot skated on a line with the lineup for the fi rst time since Square Garden on Sunday night. period, capitalizing on a loose puck Ben Lovejoy, and Ian Cole-Justin March 9. Crosby defl ected a shot by Kris the Penguins failed to clear from Schultz stayed intact. The Hawks had a strong 20 min- Letang past goalie Henrik Lun- the zone. RESULTS utes, dominating possession and dqvist in a game that could be a He beat Marc-Andre Fleury high NY Rangers 2 Pittsburgh 3 (OT) generating several quality chances preview of the fi rst round of the on the short-side from a tough an- Vancouver 2 Chicago 3 Chicago Blackhawks goaltender Scott Darling stops a shot by the Vancouver Canucks during the across all their lines. The fi nally Stanley Cup Playoff s. gle to make it 2-1 at 2:07. Carolina 3 New Jersey 2 first period at Rogers Arena. PICTURE: USA TODAY Sports Gulf Times Tuesday, March 29, 2016 7 SPORT

FOCUS Phillies’ Mackanin, Klentak on the same page

By Bob Brookover the news conference at Bright has played poker.” stark contrast to the way Mack- but they were not built to last. In The Philadelphia Inquirer House Field. Commissioner Fay Vincent’s anin has run this year’s spring their current confi guration, the “Pete and I have developed a response was also a joke. He training. Phillies are likely more than two very strong working relationship placed Dykstra on probation for A few days after the McIlroy years away from being in another he news from Clearwa- over the last fi ve months and I’m one year. implosion, Thomas was asked if World Series, but in my estima- ter late last week jarred absolutely confi dent that he is Things got much worse from he had considered fi ring Leyva. tion, they are only a few years my memory. In fi ve the right person to lead the or- there. “I really have no comment ex- away from being good for a very short months, without ganization as we grow forward,” After a winter of optimism, cept to say that if he got in trou- long time. Tseeing him manage a single game Klentak said. “In my open- Leyva became irritated with just ble, it would be because of his Klentak obviously believes that counted, Matt Klentak de- ing press conference I talked at about every pitcher on his staff mouth,” he told the Daily News. things are going in the right di- cided he wanted to see more of length about building an envi- and created an atmosphere that McIlroy was traded to the rection based on what he has Pete Mackanin. ronment in which the players alienated him from his players. Chicago Cubs in the Mitch Wil- seen from Mackanin and the Klentak, the Phillies’ 35-year- had the ability to play loose and The height of his disdain came liams deal just before the start of players in spring training. In all old general manager, sat next play confi dently, to have fun and after a fall-from-ahead loss the season and went on to have a likelihood, some diffi cult days to Mackanin, the 64-year-old ultimately to reach their ceilings. to the New York Mets in Port great year and good, long career. lie ahead for the manager and Chicago native who had waited “Pete has taken that philoso- Philadelphia Phillies general manager Matt Klentak (left) with manager St. Lucie when rookie reliever Leyva was fi red after 13 games in his mostly young team. Klentak a lifetime for the opportunity to phy and turned it into a real- Pete Mackanin. Chuck McIlroy surrendered a 1991 and replaced by Jim Fregosi. and the Phillies obviously be- become a big-league manager ity this spring, both in the club- game-ending grand slam. The relevance to today’s Phil- lieve Mackanin is the right man without an interim label, as the house and on the fi eld. Pete, by 10 games the year before and had been called upon as a gov- “It’s a shame to lose the lies and Mackanin’s new con- to handle that situation, too. He team revealed its biggest news congratulations, you’ve earned general manager Lee Thomas ernment witness and, in typical game, but you have to give kids tract is that this rebuilding proc- has shown the ability to put a of spring training. The Phillies it.” was convinced the Phillies were Dykstra fashion, he turned it into a chance to pitch and eliminate ess seems to be going so much positive spin on things without tore up the contract that did not The memory jarred by Klen- ready to take another step for- a joke. themselves,” Leyva said. “He is smoother than that one. The fact being a pushover and if the Phil- guarantee Mackanin anything tak’s passionate vote of confi - ward. “I’m just going to be a witness, scared to death out there. That’s that the new general manager lies continue to move in the right beyond this season and gave him dence took me back to 1991. Nick Instead, the Phillies became to be the good citizen that I am,” what happens when you have a and the relatively new manager direction, he will still be around one that takes him through next Leyva, still only 37, was entering a dysfunctional mess upon ar- he said at the time. “I just want little pressure, a chance to make are on the same page bodes well when this team is good again. season with a club option for his third season as Phillies man- rival in spring training. The to help the government any way the ball club. Some guys can for the Phillies as they head into That scenario seemed so un- 2018. ager. Thanks to trades that had spate of negative events started I can. I just have to go and say I handle it and some guys can’t.” 2016. likely when he was tagged with It was the right thing to do for brought in Lenny Dykstra, John with news that Dykstra had been got a couple of full houses and Those words infuriated Tho- Sure, the Phillies of 25 years an interim label for the third a lot of reasons and the best ones Kruk, Terry Mulholland and involved in illegal high-stakes got beat by four of a kind. It was mas because he was trying to ago were only two years away time in his career in the middle were provided by Klentak during others, the team had improved poker games in Mississippi. He just a poker game. Everybody trade McIlroy and they are also a from reaching the World Series, of last season.

BASEBALL NFL Linebacker Alec Ogletree’s move Flipping bats or fl ipping to the middle looms as the key people, it’s time to get to Rams’ defense By Gary Klein Los Angeles Times

or the fi rst time in eight years, the Rams are set to begin a season with a new middle linebacker. Alec Ogletree, a fi rst-round draft pick in 2013, used to the antics is replacing James Laurinaitis, who signed re- centlyF with the New Orleans Saints after being released by the Rams. Ogletree, 24, played the weak-side linebacker ‘Hey, how about just appreciate it and move on? Awesome play. Sick celebration. Move on’ position his fi rst two seasons. Now he will take on much more responsibility in the middle. “It’s going to be a great challenge for me _ probably my biggest challenge that I’ve had my whole football career,” Ogletree said this month after a team meeting in Manhat- tan Beach. “I’m defi nitely excited about it and ready to get the ball rolling.” Ogletree, 6 feet 2 and 245 pounds, got off to a fast start in 2015 before he suff ered a season-ending ankle injury in Week 4 against the Arizona Cardinals. The situation ena- bled Mark Barron to move into a hybrid safety/linebacker role in the fi nal year of his contract. Barron fi nished the season as the team’s leading tack- ler, and the Rams this month re-signed him to a fi ve-year contract reportedly worth $45 million. He is set to play on the weak side. Former UCLA standout Akeem Ayers is on track to start again at the strong-side position. Ayers played three-plus seasons for the Tennessee Titans and part of one for the New England Patriots before signing with the Rams before last season. Bryce Hager, a seventh-round draft pick last year from Baylor, and Cameron Lynch, an undrafted free agent from Syracuse, also are on the roster. So the Rams might at- tempt to bolster the group with a veteran free agent before the draft. But Ogletree will be the key. Coach Jeff Fisher and general manager Les Snead said Ogletree’s intelligence would enable him to smoothly transition to the middle. “He’s a very smart player,” Snead said. “So he can handle the mental side. He’s got plenty of size, but he’s also fast and quick.” Laurinaitis departed as the Rams’ all-time leading tackler, a veteran who knew every nuance of coordina- tor Gregg Williams’ 4-3 scheme. Ogletree said he learned from playing alongside Laurinaitis. “He’s a great player and, pretty much, he helped me since the day I walked in,” Ogletree said. “It was sad to see him go, but I take the position knowing that I learned some stuff from him as far as how to be a leader on the fi eld. How to be accountable. Just be there in the time of need. Just be dependable.” This will be the fi rst time Ogletree will play middle linebacker in more than spot duty. “It will be a diff erent experience now that I have to know everything that goes on and basically be the quarterback of the defense,” he Jose Bautista’s bat flip during last season’s ALDS caused much debate among baseball fans. said. Ogletree said he was prepared to spend extra time preparing for the challenge. By Ron Cook Indianapolis Colts and, at full speed, leaped about a certain way to act. Flipping the bat Leyland always taught me the game needs to He will not change the way he plays, he said, but he is Pittsburgh Post-Gazette crotch-fi rst into the goal post. He was pe- isn’t part of that.” be respected above all else. cognizant of the added responsibilities that come with nalized 15 yards for using the goal post as a Gossage’s comments led to a national de- Today’s players tend to see it Harper’s playing middle linebacker. prop. bate about baseball’s decorum. The Wash- way, although the Los Angeles Angels’ Mike “I do have to change my mind-set of having to tell have something in common with Hall of “It just amazes me that we, meaning ington Nationals’ Bryce Harper — the best Trout — the second-best player in the game somebody what they need to know,” he said. “Playing Famer Goose Gossage. those of us who have interest in sports, can player in the game — called baseball “tired” — told the Los Angeles Times, “I just hit the [middle linebacker], you have to know all the other 10 po- I am old, too. take the life out of a beautiful play and mo- this spring in an interview with ESPN The ball and go. I go out there and try to respect sitions.” I look at sports from an old-school ment by analysing it and over-analysing Magazine. “It’s a tired sport because you the game. My parents always taught me to perspective.I Like Gossage, I don’t have it on silliness like that,” Tomlin said. “Hey, can’t express yourself. You can’t do what be humble.” Draft prospects much appreciation for the look-at-me gen- how about just appreciate it and move on? people in other sports do.” Slowly but surely, the look-at-me gen- The Rams have the 15th overall pick, two second-round eration. Their antics often make me sick. Awesome play. Sick celebration. Move on.” Harper made it clear he has no problem eration is winning the day. Maybe that’s a picks and slots in the third, fourth and sixth rounds. Maybe it’s time I change my views. It really is a diff erent era. with Bautista’s bat fl ip or other individual good thing for baseball. Television ratings Barron is now in the fold for the long term and Snead When the Steelers coach tells me it’s OK Gossage, who pitched for the Pirates in celebrations. are down. The game is too slow for young has spoken of a desire to extend Ogletree before he be- for players to express their emotions on the 1977 on his way to Cooperstown, hates it. “That’s part of the game. It’s not the old people even if baseball continues to tweak comes eligible for free agency, but depth is an immediate fi eld — even if it results in the occasional He made news earlier this month when he feeling — ‘If you pimp a homer, I’m going to its rules to speed it up. The fans want action. issue at linebacker. penalty — I probably should listen. called Toronto Blue Jays slugger Jose Bautis- hit you right in the teeth.’ No. If a guy pimps They want emotion. They want to see play- The Rams are in need of a top receiver and have said “I understand what game day is,” Mike ta — another former Pirate — “a (bleeping) a homer for the game-winning shot, I mean, ers celebrate their feats. They love it. they would seek to upgrade at quarterback through the Tomlin said last season. “It’s emotional. It’s disgrace to the game” in an interview with sorry. Younger Steelers fans loved Brown’s fl ip draft. If they don’t trade up with their fi rst and second- guys playing on the edge. I move very me- ESPN. Bautista famously fl ipped his bat “If a guy pumps his fi st at me on the and leap. Just about everyone remembers round picks, a top linebacker prospect is not out of the thodically and slowly in terms of judging last fall after hitting a two-out, three-run mound, I’m going to go, ‘Yeah, you got me. his antics more than anything else that question. But the later rounds are probably more likely some of the shows of exuberance that occur home run in the seventh inning to give the Good for you. Hopefully, I get you next time.’ happened in either Steelers win. Those an- spots. in the stadium because that’s a natural act. Blue Jays the lead against the Texas Rangers It’s that fl air. The dramatic. That’s what tics added — not detracted — from Brown’s In his fi rst mock draft, The Times’ Sam Farmer pro- It’s a charged environment. To deny them in Game 5 of the American League division makes the game fun. You want kids to play popularity. jected UCLA’s Myles Jack as the eighth overall pick and that is inhumane.” series. It didn’t matter that the Blue Jays the game, right? What are kids playing these Give him credit for knowing how to mar- Ohio State’s Darron Lee as the 18th. They were the only This was after Antonio Brown landed a went on to win their fi rst post-season series days. Football. Basketball.” ket himself. It wasn’t an accident he ended linebackers in Farmer’s fi rst round. front-fl ip in the end zone after a 56-yard in 22 years. Bautista was criticised by many This seems to be a generational thing. up on “Dancing with the Stars.” His Q Rat- Georgia’s Leonard Floyd, Ohio State’s Joshua Perry, touchdown catch against the Cleveland for showing up Rangers pitcher Sam Dyson. Dinosaurs like Gossage and me see the cel- ing will continue to soar. Alabama’s Reggie Ragland, Notre Dame’s Jaylon Smith Browns. Three weeks later, Brown returned “Those are things I have a hard time ebrations as not just disrespectful to an Gossage and I had better get used to it. and USC’s Su’a Cravens are among other linebackers in a punt 71 yards for a touchdown against the with,” Gossage said. “I was passed the torch opposing player, but to the game itself. Jim The worst emoting is yet to come. the draft. Gulf Times 8 Tuesday, March 29, 2016 GOLF

SPOTLIGHT Day celebrates top ranking with WGC Match Play title Day opened the title match with a bogey to go 1 down, but squared the match at the third when Oosthuizen conceded the hole in the wake of a wayward tee shot

Jason Day of Australia poses with his wife, Ellie, and children, Dash and Lucy, after defeating Louis Oosthuizen of South Africa in the championship round of the World Golf Championship- Dell Match Play at the Austin Country Club on Sunday. PICTURE: Erich Schlegel-USA TODAY Sports

AFP champion Rory McIlroy followed by his victory brera Bello 4 and 3 in the semis, but he was no a 13-foot par putt to halve the fi nal hole and seal McIlroy called it a “good quality match”. Austin, Texas over Oosthuizen. match for the second seeded Day in the fi nal. the victory. “I did miss a couple of opportunities on the “To be able to play the way I did from tee to Day opened the title match with a bogey to go That match was all square through 11 when front side,” McIlroy said. “He got off to a great green and then on top of it make tough matches 1 down, but squared the match at the third when Day drove the green at the par-fi ve 12th, win- start. I didn’t birdie 12 or 13, that was probably, I ustralian Jason Day celebrated his re- and hit the clutch shots has been fantastic,” said Oosthuizen conceded the hole in the wake of ning the hole with a birdie then winning the 13th feel, what cost me the match. turn to world number one with his Day, who arrived in Austin off a win last Sunday a wayward tee shot. Day took a 1 up lead with with a chip-in birdie. “From there I was really just battling back.” second WGC Match Play crown on at the Arnold Palmer Invitational in Bay Hill. an 11-foot birdie at the fourth and stretched his McIlroy drained a 12-foot birdie putt to win Day, who confi rmed his status as a Masters Sunday, beating Louis Oosthuizen 5 Day joined Tiger Woods and fellow Australian lead from there. the 14th, but couldn’t win another hole. favorite with the fi rst major of the year coming andA 4 in the title match. Geoff Ogilvy as multiple Match Play winners. He was 3 up through nine, and drained a six- “It was very stressful,” Day said. “There were up in two weeks at Augusta National, said the Day, was assured of regaining the world He won his fi rst title in 2014 in Arizona before footer for birdie at the 13th to go 4 up. moments where I think they’re the most fun, same sharp short game that carried him to vic- number one ranking on Saturday when he the tournament adopted its current round-rob- He landed his approach at 14 within three feet because I have to get up and hit the clutch putt tory at Bay Hill was key in Austin. reached the semi-fi nals as American Jordan in format for the fi rst three days. for a birdie to seal the win. at the right time. But the mind-set for match play versus stroke Spieth was eliminated in the round of 16. Third-seeded McIlroy, denied a chance to “I’m very, very thrilled. It’s been a memo- “I wasn’t as tight from tee to green as Rory play was diff erent. And on Sunday, fi ve days after fearing a bad join Woods as the only back-to-back winners of rable week this week not only to win the Dell was. I just kept on saying I’ve got to frustrate “You’re playing against a guy that’s across the back might force him out after his opening the event, then was beaten 3 and 2 in the con- Match Play Championship but also to get back him with my short game. tee from you,” Day said. “You have to know when match on Wednesday, Day completed an un- solation fi nal by 52nd-seeded Spaniard Rafa to number one in the world,” Day said. “If I miss a green I’ve got to get up and down. and when not to go for things. When someone beaten week at Austin Country Club in Texas Cabrera Bello. He said the see-saw battle with McIlroy in the If I don’t hit a good chip then I’ve got to hole the makes a mistake (you must) be able to aim it 20 with a gritty 1 up semi-fi nal win over defending Oosthuizen, the 16th seed, had beaten Ca- semi-fi nal was nerve-wracking, but he drained putt.” feet from the pin and be able to hole the putt.”

BOTTOMLINE Kiwi Lydia Ko cruises to Kia Classic crown

AFP South Korea’s Park In-Bee shot a fi rst PGA Tour victory, in his second full Carlsbad, California fi ve-under 67 to fi nish alone in second season on the PGA Tour. place at 15-under 273. She had birdies He shot a closing 70 to fi nish regu- on three of her fi rst eight holes Sunday lation locked with Marino (70) at orld number one Lydia Ko to apply some pressure on Ko. 12-under-par 276, one stroke ahead of captured her 11th USLPGA “I took a peek at the leaderboard and Mexican Rodolfo Cazaubon (68) and Tour title as she cruised to saw that In-Bee was making a lot of third-round leader Ian Poulter, of Eng- a four-stroke victory at the birdies,” Ko said. “I knew that I had to land, who carded 72. WKia Classic tournament on Sunday. focus until the last moment. Finau played his fi nal eight holes in The 18-year-old New Zealand teen- “Fortunately, I made some bird- two-over in windy conditions at Coco ager fi red a fi ve-under par 67 to fi nish ies down the stretch, and that really Bach to allow Marino to extra holes. at 19-under 269 and earn $255,000 in helped.” They played the par-fi ve 18th three fi rst place prize money. She will remain Japan’s Ai Miyazato shot a six-under times in the playoff . Both players bird- number one for the 23rd straight week. 66 in the fi nal round to fi nish in third ied the fi rst two times, but Marino The win puts Ko in the driver’s seat place at 276, while two South Koreans, could not match Finau’s birdie on the heading into next week’s ANA Inspira- Park Sung-Hyun and Jenny Shin, fi n- third try, when the latter got up-and- tion, the fi rst major championship of ished tied for fourth at 277 after both down from a greenside bunker, while the season. shot even par on the fi nal day. Marino’s putt from just outside four “I’ve been playing consistently well, Four players tied for sixth at 10-un- feet missed to the right. so I’m really happy about that. But who der 278, comprising Gerina Piller, Chi- “I learned a lot being in contention knows what’s going to happen tomor- na’s Feng Shanshan, Jessica Korda and (at several tournaments) last year,” Fi- row,” Ko said. South Korea’s Kim Hyo-Joo. nau told PGATour.com. “I learned you Ko maintained the lead throughout LPGA Commissioner Michael Whan Peurto Rico: Long-hitting Tony have to take the good with the bad. the fourth round as she went into the looks on from a golf cart during the Finau birdied the third extra hole to “I’m proud of the way I stuck in there fi nal day holding a three-shot lead. final round of the KIA Classic at the beat fellow American Steve Marino in and happy I made that last putt when I She fi nished with seven birdies, in- Park Hyatt Aviara Resort in Carlsbad, a playoff at the Puerto Rico Open on needed to.” cluding birdies on each of the fi nal California, on Sunday. Sunday. Runner-up Marino remained winless three holes. The 26-year-old Finau clinched his in 182 starts on the PGA Tour. Gulf Times Tuesday, March 29, 2016 9 SPORT

BOXING Eubank told son to stop hitting opponent’s head ‘Chris and Nick were involved in a very tough fight, and it was a very sad thing to see Nick hurt at the end and then to hear what has happened to him after the fight. It was a real sense of deja vu as the story unfolded’

AFP face, you’re going to take him out to the body.” London Watson’s case sparked major changes in the provision of ringside medical cover. Peter Hamlyn, the neurosurgeon who op- hris Eubank told his son to stop hit- Chris Eubank Jr and his father erated on Watson, said the medical support ting the head of an opponent who was Chris Eubank. had done its job on Saturday but added it was later placed in an induced coma, it has “insane” that referee Victor Loughlin had not emerged. stopped the fi ght earlier. CSaturday saw Chris Eubank Jr win the Brit- “The procedure in medical care was fol- ish middleweight title from Nick Blackwell at lowed carefully and precisely and Mr Black- London’s Wembley Arena when the referee well did not suff er hypoxia (oxygen starvation stopped the contest in the tenth round af- to the brain) and was medically induced into a ter the ringside doctor ruled a closed left eye coma,” Hamlyn told the Telegraph. meant the defending champion could not con- “But the fi ght was not stopped when it tinue. should have been. It was clearly a one-sided Eubank senior’s words had a special reso- fi ght by the seventh or eighth round, and it nance as back in 1991, his World Boxing Or- should have been stopped. He took too many ganisation super-middleweight title stop- uppercuts and he suff ered a blitz. page-win over Michael Watson in London “It seemed insane for it to go on, because ended with his beaten opponent needing ma- only one man was going to win the fi ght.” jor surgery in order to survive life-threatening Robert Smith, general secretary of the Brit- injuries. ish Boxing Board, told the BBC he was “satis- “I went down memory lane in many senses,” fi ed” with Loughlin’s handling of the contest. Watson wrote in yesterday’s edition of Brit- “I’ve spoken to the referee, Victor Lough- ain’s Daily Telegraph newspaper. lin, I’ve spoken to Gary Lockett (Blackwell’s “Chris and Nick were involved in a very coach),” he said. tough fi ght, and it was a very sad thing to see “I’m satisfi ed with their decisions on the Nick hurt at the end and then to hear what has evening. It’s just the nature of the sport and happened to him after the fi ght. It was a real we wish Nick well.” sense of deja vu as the story unfolded. Eubank Jr dominated Saturday’s fi ght and “I obviously wish Nick and his family love on Sunday he wrote on Twitter: “My thoughts and prayers as he is cared for in hospital.” & prayers go out to (Blackwell’s) family & Ringside television coverage by broadcaster friends. He’s a true fi ghter & I whole heartedly Channel Five showed Eubank telling Chris believe he will pull through.” junior at the end of the eight round: “If the Meanwhile Watson tried to console Eubank referee doesn’t stop it then, I don’t know what Jr by saying: “Young Chris need not blame to tell you, but I will tell you this, if he doesn’t himself for what has happened. It was not his stop it and we keep beating him like this, he is intention to bring harm to his opponent, as getting hurt, and if it goes to a decision why strange as that sounds. didn’t the referee stop the fi ght, I don’t get “It was an accident. Just as it was when I why, so maybe you shouldn’t leave it to the fought Eubank all those years ago. I have for- referee. given Chris (Sr) for what happened and I know “Now you’re not going to take him out to the he feels that in his heart.”

SPOTLIGHT Hebei promises clean-up for 2022 Winter Games

Reuters bei’s government website (http://www.hebei.gov.cn) on Beijing Monday. Hebei aims to cut coal consumption by 40 million tonnes over the period from 2013 to 2017 and slash its 2013 he top offi cial in China’s northern province of He- levels of small particulate matter in almost half by 2020. bei, one of the country’s most polluted, has vowed It will also reduce annual crude steel capacity below 200 to use the staging of the 2022 Winter Olympics to million tonnes by 2020. drive eff orts to cut smog, promote clean energy Zhao said the plans included the planting of new forest Tand ease dependence on heavy industry. and the creation of an ecological conservation zone around ONE SMOKER. The city of Zhangjiakou, around 200 km (124 miles) Zhangjiakou, where a “renewable energy demonstration from Beijing, will stage skiing and snowboarding events zone” would also be set up. during the 2022 winter games, awarded to China last Zhangjiakou plans to boost total renewable electricity year. capacity to 1.28 gigawatts by 2017. It is already the site of TWO PATIENTS. But the plan has fuelled concern, as Beijing is prone to 500 megawatts of wind capacity, 100 MW of solar panels air pollution and Hebei was home to China’s seven smog- and 70 MW of power storage capacity at a renewable en- giest cities last year, largely because of its dependence on ergy demonstration project run by the China State Grid heavy industries, such as coal-fi red power and steel pro- Corporation. duction. The facility tests new renewable equipment models, Speaking at a weekend meeting on preparations for the with fuel cells designed to off set the intermittent nature of Olympics, Zhao Kezhi, the provincial Communist Party wind and solar power for safer connection to transmission chief, said Hebei would work to meet targets for cutting lines. cut industrial overcapacity, coal consumption and air pol- China has repeatedly pledged to hold an environmental- lution. ly-friendly Winter Games. “We must use the staging of the Winter Olympics as an Beijing hosted the 2008 Summer Games to wide ac- opportunity to stimulate economic and social develop- claim, but its bid for the Winter Games was dogged by TOBACCO KILLS ment, speed up our transformation and upgrading, expand concerns over issues ranging from the city’s notorious eff ective investment and strengthen poverty alleviation,” smog problem to a lack of snow and the country’s poor Zhao said, in an account of the meeting published on He- record on human rights.

BOTTOMLINE Petrova denies wrongdoing aft er positive meldonium test

Reuters 2016.” Meldonium, which helps boost “It has nothing to do with the Sofia blood fl ow and increases the amount Sharapova case,” Petrova said. “She of oxygen taken in by the body, allow- said she took the medication in 2016 ing athletes to recover faster while to treat a health problem.” ulgarian triple jumper Gabri- training, was added to the World The Bulgarian pulled out of the ela Petrova, runner-up at the Anti-Doping Agency’s list of banned world indoor championships in Port- 2015 European indoor cham- substances on Jan. 1. land, Oregon earlier this month. pionships in Prague, has de- Since then, more than 100 athletes “She was ready to win the world ti- niedB any wrong-doing after testing have been found to have used it. tle but I decided it was better not to positive for the banned substance Petrova, who also fi nished fourth participate because we received the meldonium. at the world outdoor championships information about the positive test “I have not violated, in any way, the in Beijing last year, failed an out-of- several days before the champion- anti-doping rules and I can move on competition drug test on Feb. 6. ship,” said coach Atanas Atanasov. with my head held high,” Petrova told The 23-year-old has joined a long Petrova, named Bulgaria’s Athlete a news conference at the Vasil Levski list of athletes, including former of the Year in December, is hoping stadium yesterday. world tennis number one Maria she will avoid a suspension and be “I stopped taking this medication Sharapova of Russia, who have re- able to compete at the Rio Olympics Issued in Public Interest by GULF TIMES in September. I haven’t touched it in corded positive tests for meldonium. in August. Gulf Times 10 Tuesday, March 29, 2016 SPORT

TENNIS RUGBY Clerc closes in on try record as Toulouse Djokovic powers rout Stade Francais

AFP elsewhere—it was a successful Paris evening,” said Toulouse coach Ugo Mola. “We had been in cri- sis but our enthusiasm has re- eteran winger Vincent turned.” into Miami last 16 Clerc closed in on the Stade back-rower Rafael French try-scoring Lakafi a was blunt in his assess- record on Sunday as ment. ‘He’s one of the players in the next generation we should all look out for’ VToulouse routed old rivals Stade “We have to be conscious of Francais 36-3 to stay on course our reality today—reaching sixth for the Top 14 play-off s. place and a play-off place is mis- Clerc, 34, scored twice to take sion impossible.” Novak Djokovic waves to fans aft er his match against Joao his club career try total to 97, just Springboks fl y-half Morne Sousa during day six of the Miami Open at Crandon Park three behind the all-time record Steyn gave Stade an early lead Tennis Center. Djokovic won 6-4, 6-1. PICTURE: USA TODAY of 100 held by Laurent Arbo. with a penalty which was quickly In all, Toulouse ran in fi ve tries cancelled out by Luke McAlister. for a bonus-point win which al- Steyn was then yellow-carded lowed them to open up an eight- on the half-hour mark as Stade point gap on seventh-placed buckled in front of their posts Castres and well-placed for the with the referee awarding a pen- end of season play-off s. alty try as the home forwards Earlier Sunday, Clermont hammered away. went fi ve points clear at the Sebastien Bezy added the ex- summit by coming from 19-0 tras before Clerc slalomed to a down to defeat Bordeaux 24-19. second try of the fi rst half after Toulouse had been co-leaders being smartly set up by forwards of the Top 14 at the end of Janu- Louis Picamoles and Imanol ary but with a host of stars away Harinordoquy carving out the on Six Nations duty, they suf- opening. fered a fi ve-game run without a It was Clerc’s 96th career club victory to fall badly off the pace. try, taking him just four away In stark contrast, defending from the all-time record held by champions Stade remain third former Montpellier and Castres from bottom although they do star Arbo. have the attraction of a Euro- Bezy again hit the conver- pean Cup quarter-fi nal against sion as Toulouse led 17-3 at the Leicester on the horizon. break although their joy would Their chances on Sunday were have been curtailed by seeing not helped by having 15 players Picamoles—just back after suf- sidelined through injury. fering a groin injury in France’s “After a complicated period, Six Nations opener against Ita- fi ve points against the cham- ly—limp off . pions—albeit they were under Toulouse grabbed a third try strength and have priorities 10 minutes into the second half.

AFP hito Nishioka 6-2, 6-2 in 64 Kerber, Azarenka advance Key Biscayne minutes. Reigning Australian Open “He has one of the most pow- champion Angelique Kerber and erful baseline games in tennis,” last week’s Indian Wells winner orld number one Djokovic said of Thiem. Victoria Azarenka, who each Novak Djokovic “He likes to construct his upset world number one Ser- advanced to the points so I will try and take away ena Williams in the fi nal to win fourth round of his time. He’s had one of the those titles, reached the last 16 Toulouse’s French number eight Gillian Galan (R) passes the ball Wthe ATP and WTA Miami Open best years of his life. He’s beaten on the women’s side. during the French Top 14 rugby union match Toulouse against Stade on Sunday, defeating Portugal’s Nadal on clay. He’s one of the German second seed Kerber Francais at the municipal Stadium in Toulouse. (AFP) 38th-ranked Joao Sousa 6-4, players in the next generation advanced 1-6, 6-2, 3-0 when 6-1. we should all look out for.” 108th-ranked Dutch qualifi er Two-time defending cham- Thiem captured his fi fth ca- Kiki Bertens retired due to ill- pion Djokovic, trying to match reer ATP title last month by ness. Wales’ Williams set for hamstring lay-off Andre Agassi’s record of six beating Australia’s Bernard “I was not fi nding a rhythm Wales full-back Liam Williams has been sidelined for up to six weeks career Miami titles, needed Tomic in the Acapulco fi nal and at the beginning of the match,” with a hamstring injury, his regional side Scarlets announced yester- only 78 minutes to win his 12th downed 14-time Grand Slam Kerber said. “I had to stay Angelique Kerber hits a backhand against Kiki Bertens during the Miami day. The 24-year-old suff ered the injury in Wales’ final match of this match in a row at the hardcourt winner Rafael Nadal on the strong, believe and keep fi ght- Open at Crandon Park Tennis Center. PICTURE: USA TODAY Sports season’s Six Nations, against Italy in Cardiff on March 19. event and 26th in his past 27 way to a Buenos Aires claycourt ing. I hope she gets well soon Williams missed Saturday’s derby game between the Scarlets and Miami starts. crown. but I’m glad to be in the next Two-time Australian Open Martin Del Potro in the second Welsh rivals the Ospreys, with club coach Wayne Pivac subsequent- “That fi rst set could have “I’m sure he wants to show- round.” champion Azarenka is trying to round. After winning two in a ly confirming the No 15 would miss the rest of the regular Celtic gone either way,” Djokovic said. case all that he’s got in his arse- Kerber next faces Hungary’s become only the third woman to row for the fi rst time in more League season. “Four to six weeks is what we’re told, don’t expect to “I managed to hit the right balls nal but I will be sure to be ready 49th-ranked Timea Babos, who take Indian Wells and Miami in than two years, he faces Indian see him in the next few weeks,” said Pivac, whose side face Munster at the right moment and make it for him,” Djokovic said. ousted 18-year-old Japanese the same year after Graf in 1994 Wells semi-fi nalist David Goffi n on May 7 in their final regular season game. to the fi nish.” Sousa fell to 0-3 against 104th-ranked wildcard Naomi and 1996 and Kim Clijsters in for a quarter-fi nal berth. Williams has made just one Celtic League appearance for the The 28-year-old Serbian, Djokovic and 1-21 against top- Osaka 7-5, 6-0. 2005. “Life changed for me a lot Llanelli-based Scarlets this season, after returning from the ankle who won his 11th Grand Slam 10 foes with his 19th such loss in Eighth-ranked Azarenka, a Argentina’s Horacio Zebal- here,” Zeballos said. “Beating injury he aggravated during the World Cup, before returning to crown at the Australian Open a row since beating David Ferrer 26-year-old from Belrus who los, a lucky loser who replaced ‘DelPo’ and Verdasco, two bet- Wales action in the Six Nations. “We’ve had 60 minutes from him so two months ago, also has crowns in Kuala Lumpur in 2013. won 2009 and 2011 Miami ti- Roger Federer in the draw when ter players than me, I greatly far this season which is disappointing but there’s no one more dis- at Doha and Indian Wells this “He came out with a clear tles, eliminated Polish qualifi er the 17-time Grand Slam cham- improved both the ranking and appointed than Liam,” said Pivac. “We just have to get him right for year and hopes to complete the game plan,” said Djokovic. “He Magda Linette 6-3, 6-0. pion withdrew due to illness, economically.” the latter part and who knows there may be more rugby to come. Miami-Indian Wells sweep for wanted to take his chances. He She next faces last year’s advanced to the fourth round by The South American is as- Pivac added centre Scott Williams, who suff ered a knee injury in the third consecutive year. did not have much to lose. It Wimbledon runner-up, Gar- overcoming Spain’s Fernando sured $67,590, which will help Wales’ World Cup win over England in October, is expected to make Djokovic’s next foe will be can be dangerous. I know the bine Muguruza. The Spanish Verdasco 1-6, 6-4, 7-6 (7/4). since his wife is due to give birth his Scarlets return at the end of April. Both injured players will be Austrian 14th seed Dominic importance of stepping up a fourth seed ripped 74th-ranked Zeballos, ranked 112th, had to their fi rst child on April 10. hoping to feature in Wales’ international against England on May 29 Thiem, who dispatched 124th- few levels and delivering my ‘A’ US wildcard Nicole Gibbs 6-1, not won a match since last July “I am living happy moments,” before June’s Test series away to world champions New Zealand. ranked Japanese qualifi er Yoshi- game.” 6-0 in 55 minutes. before beating countryman Juan he said.

FOCUS Marler taunted too, say Quins as ‘gypsy’ row continues

AFP ercising its right to take appropri- “It would be fair to say that London ate action before an independent there were a couple of things said JOE MARLER judicial committee”. to him with words that you can’t Further footage released over use but such is life,” the former he furore over Joe Marler the weekend appeared to show Ireland full-back added. calling Wales’s Samson Marler telling Lee, who is from “Posh, English and a four-letter Lee a “gypsy boy” has tak- a travelling community back- word seems to be fi ne one way but en a new twist as the Eng- ground, to “get back to your cara- not the other. I just think both Tland prop’s club Harlequins claim van”. wanted to draw a line under it. The their man he was called “posh” But on Sunday, Harlequins di- process has just dragged. It’s un- and a “four-letter word”. rector of rugby Conor O’Shea said fair on him. Tournament offi cials decided to Marler had been the subject of a “Do we condone it? No, nobody take no action against Marler for four-letter insult in the same game does, he knew he had done wrong, his words to Lee, which they said “I know Joe and whatever has he apologised but to let it drag came “in the heat of the moment” gone on, Joe is not in any way, the way it has for him is not par- or indeed his striking of Rob Evans shape or form racist,” O’Shea was ticularly fair, especially when you during a 25-21 Six Nations win quoted as saying by Britain’s Daily know some of the stuff that was over Wales at Twickenham on Telegraph newspaper. said to him. We will support him March 12. “Things are said in the heat of through it.” As a result, Marler was able to the moment that shouldn’t be,” But O’Shea made clear Marler take part in England’s Grand Slam- added O’Shea, who next season would not contest any penalty im- clinching win against France in will coach habitual Six Nations posed on him. Paris the following weekend. wooden spoon winners Italy. “He’s going in to World Rugby The lack of disciplinary action Marler apologised to Lee dur- to say ‘I am sorry and I will take prompted World Rugby, the global ing the match, with the Welshman whatever comes my way’,” he said. governing body to intervene, say- making clear he had accepted the Marler was dropped to the ing Marler’s comments amounted apology. bench for the France game, but to misconduct and that in “the “He owned up and apologised England coach Eddie Jones was absence of such a process by Six at the time, both accepted it, said adamant this was a tactical change Nations Rugby, World Rugby is ex- O’Shea. and not a disciplinary measure. Gulf Times Tuesday, March 29, 2016 11 SPORT

CYCLING Belgian Demoitie dies in race motorbike smash The 25-year-old, a member of Belgium’s Wanty-Gobert team, was involved in a fall along with three other riders

AFP Brussels A picture taken on March 25, 2016 shows Belgium’s Antoine Demoitie of Wanty-Groupe Gobert competing the elgian cyclist Antoine Demoitie has died Prijs Vlaanderen Harelbeke race. (AFP) after he was struck by a motorbike fol- lowing a fall during the Gent-Wevelgem race in Belgium, police said. BThe 25-year-old, a member of Belgium’s Wanty-Gobert team, was involved in a fall along with three other riders around 150 kilometres (90 miles) into the race on Sunday as it lopped briefl y out of Belgium into northern France. He was then hit by a race motorbike while on the ground, before being transported fi rst to Ypres hospital and then being transferred to an intensive care unit at Lille, where he succumbed to his injuries. “The rider died. An inquiry is under way to determine the circumstances,” Frederic Evrard, spokesman for the Nord-Pas- de-Calais regional gendarmerie in France, said late on Sunday. A witness quoted by Belgian daily SudPresse said four riders were involved in a fall in front of the motorbike, which “literally fell on top of” Demoitie. Other witnesses said the Belgian rider was hit on the head. The cyclist’s team earlier said Demoitie was taken to hospital in “extremely serious condi- tion”. “His wife and his family are at his side,” the team wrote on Twitter. The International Association of Professional Cyclists (CPA) said yesterday that they wanted “light to be shed upon the circumstances” of Demoitie’s accident. “In this moment of grief and sorrow we do not want a debate, but we do feel a lot of frustration,” said CPA president Gi- anni Bungo. CPA president Gianni Bugno, who won the world road race title in 1991 and 1992, said it was a time of “sadness and sorrow”. “We have always maintained that the cyclists’ safety must be fi rst in the discussions of the dif- ferent key players in cycling. We do not want to accuse anyone, but to refl ect on the respon- sibilities of everyone to ensure that attention, awareness and control over safety standards are maintained to a very high level.” The Gent-Wevelgem cobbled classic lived up to its gruelling reputation on Sunday, with riders battling strong winds as they tackled 10 climbs over a 243 kilometre route. Former Belgian national champion Jens De- busschere was also hospitalised after he sus- tained a concussion following a heavy crash, his Lotto-Soudal team said. The race, which includes two ascents of the hills of Kemmelberg, was won by Slovakia’s Peter Sagan. A number of accidents have struck the sport this year, in- French Warren Barguil, were injured in a col- Criterium International race in Corsica. He was zame Classic and GP Stad Zottegam in Belgium is due to start today, after the death of Demoitie. cluding the death of young hope Romain Guyot. lision with a car during a training ride south put on artifi cial respiration and was said to be in in 2015. “We have total understanding for the deci- The 23-year-old Frenchman died on March 3 of Valencia. In 2011, Demoitie’s compatriot a coma. Demoite joined the Wanty-Gobert team sion of the team not to take part,” UCI com- when he was hit by a truck at a crossroads in the Wouter Weylandt died from injuries suff ered in in early 2016 after three seasons at Walonnie- DEMOITIE’S TEAM PULL OUT OF missioner Guy Dobbelaere told the Belga news west of the country. a crash during the third stage of the Giro d’Italia. Bruxelles. An excellent sprinter, particularly in THREE DAYS OF DE PANNE agency. Wanty sporting director Hilaire Van der In January, six racers from the Giant-Alpecin On Saturday, 22-year-old Belgian rider Daan uphill fi nishes, he won the Tour of Finistere in Meanwhile, Wanty-Gobert cycling team have Schueren said they had made the decision after team, including German John Degenkolb and Myngheer suff ered a heart attack during the France in 2014, and was second in the Hand- pulled out of the Three Days of De Panne, which meeting Demoitie’s family.

WORKERS’ CUP FOOTBALL PSG midfi elder Pastore visits Aspetar AALCO, Galfar play out an entertaining draw

By Sports Reporter at the start of the second half following Doha a fi ne top corner fi nish from Benup. De- spite being pushed back for most of the second half, Delta Doha confi rmed all ALCO and Galfar shared the three points, four minutes before time points in an entertaining 3-3 with a fi ne lobbed eff ort to confi rm all draw at the fourth annual Work- three points. ers’ Cup in Doha. AThe Workers Cup, which is organised GROUP E by the Qatar Stars League, consists of 24 Taleb Group shared the points with Al teams of blue-collar workers who are in- Asmakh Facilities Management in a 1-1 volved in building 2022 World Cup stadi- draw. Al Asmakh scored their fi rst goal of ums and diff erent infrastructure projects the 2015 Workers Cup courtesy of Uchen- around the country. na with a tidy fi nish. Taleb pushed hard In a Group A match, AALCO’s speedy for an equalizer and where duly rewarded forward Soe Wai Lin struck 2 goals in the in the second half, when Franklin Antwi 15th and 25th minute of the fi rst half to of Taleb slotted it past the keeper on the gives his team a comfortable 2-0 lead. second attempt, levelling the tie on the However, Galfar found their way back 67th minute. Despite frantic fi nal min- into the tie, and leveled the tie at 2-2 in Action from the Workers Cup, organised by the Qatar Stars League. utes of the game, no team could gain the the second half. Six minutes from time upper hand, with the game ending 1-1. AALCO took the lead through Captain G4S ran out as comprehensive winners Muhammad Sharif, only to be pegged defeating Qatar Aviation Services (QAS) back by Galfar striker Hom Bahadur to 3-0 in the second tie in Group E. Three give his side a share of the spoils. goals in the fi rst half, including a brace In the other Group A tie, Larsen & Tou- from striker Raju ensured that G4S se- bro scored two late goals to confi rm their cured all three points. victory over Nakheel Landscapes. L&T opened the scoring on the 52nd minute GROUP F from Ali Bashiru, and a brace from Arafat QIEI downed Byrne Equipment Rental Youssef eight minutes from time gave his 3-0 in an entertaining Workers Cup tie. side the win. It was QIEI who came out with full intent and took the lead on the 34th minute from GROUP B ace striker Mohammed Salman. QIEI Outlook Trading edged out 2015 doubled their advantage at the start of the Champions Midmac 1-0 in what was a re- tense 0-0 draw on Friday afternoon. Both GROUP D second half, midfi elder Rifkas with a fi ne Doha: Argentinian national He added: “We come to match of the 2015 Workers Cup Final. The sides battled for dominance in the tie, Shapoorji Pallonji Qatar defeated Con- fi nish. The win was complete on the 85th football team player and Qatar with Paris Saint-Germain overjoyed and ecstatic Outlook Trading however both lacked that killer instinct in solidated Contractors International Co minute when Wasim Akil scored an own Paris Saint-Germain midfielder, every year, and we visit continue their winning streak with the the fi nal third. The game also saw plenty (CCC) 4-0 in the opening match of group goal for Byrne. Javier Pastore, arrived in Doha Aspetar as part of our prepa- dangerous Amir Shretta scoring the only of yellow cards, in what proved to be a D. Shapoorji Forward Kwadwo Akulley’s A large crowd was in attendance to see last Friday accompanied by his rations for the upcoming sea- goal of the match in the 34th minute. feisty encounter. Both sides will be hop- fi rst half brace along with second half Gulf Contracting Co beat Carillion Qa- physician. sons. Aspetar is a world-class MedGulf Construction won compre- ing for better things in their fi nal group C strikes from Mamuda and Abdul gave tar 2-0 in the second match of group E. During his stay, Pastore said, hospital with experienced and hensively, beating Dico-Tech Qatar 15-0. clashes. Shapoorji Pallonji their fi rst victory in the At the stroke of half time Denis Kingara “I’m spending three days here professional medical staff . Striker Peter and Idrissu scored 9 goals In other group C match, Mowasalat 2015 Workers Cup. found the back of the net for his side. to undergo screening for an The hospital attracts players between themselves as MedGulf eased to picked up a 4-0 win over BOTC. Braces The second game of the day in Group In the second half, GCC came out with injury in my leg by Aepetar’s from around the world, and we victory against the minnows. in the fi rst half from midfi elder Abderre- D saw table topping Delta Doha Corpo- renewed vigour and doubled their lead specialists. I am familiar with are delighted to have such a hmane and striker Alexander, ensured an ration run out as 3-1 winners against vs on the 49th minute from defender Su- Aspetar as I have been here destination for treatment and GROUP C easy days work for the Mowasalat team. TRAGS Engineering & Contracting. Del- bash, after a fi ne through ball from Kes- twice and this is my third visit.” rehabilitation.” The opening clash in Group C saw The result means that Mowasalat now top ta Doha raced into a 2-0 lead in the fi rst hav Thapa, GCC held out to grab all three Dulsco Qatar and Aamal played out a Group C with two wins from two. half, before being pegged back by TRAGS points. Tuesday, March 29, 2016 GULF TIMES SPORT

SPOTLIGHT Three female-funded teams prepare for Sealine Rally After a gruelling selection process in Qatar at the end of last year, six candidates were chosen to compete in Sealine event

By Sports Reporter Doha

hree female crews have begun their countdown to the start of next month’s Sealine Cross-Country Rally, round three of the FIA Cross-Country Rally TWorld Cup, which takes centre stage in the State of Qatar from April 16 to 22. They are the six individuals who have been chosen to represent a group of ladies who took part in an international competition to fi nd ideal candidates for funded drives on the event. They were selected after a meticulous assess- ment programme, held by the Qatar Motor and Motorcycle Federation (QMMF) in conjunction with FIA Women in Motorsport. After that gruelling selection process in Qa- tar at the end of last year, six original candidates were chosen to compete in the Sealine event, but both Australia’s Molly Taylor and Belgium’s Lara Vanneste had to withdraw from taking their prize drives because of other contractual agree- ments. Taylor has secured a factory drive with Sub- aru Australia and Vanneste will be competing full-time in the German Rally Championship. Events in both disciplines clash with the Sealine Rally. Vanneste actually won the 2015 Cedars Rally in Lebanon alongside Roger Feghali. New Zealand’s Emma Gilmour and Dutch co-driver Lisette Bakker will crew the fi rst car. Charlotte Berton was the fi rst reserve and the French girl will now team up with Jordanian Spain's Cristina Gutierrez. navigator Yasmeen Elmaed in the second T2 ve- hicle, while South African Sandra Labuscagne Last year's winners, New Zealand's will now navigate for Spain’s Cristina Gutierrez Emma Gilmour and the Netherlands' Herrero in the third car. Lisette Bakker. “This is a great adventure. I love to discover new horizons in competition,” enthused Berton. “I have been working hard on my physical train- ing to be strong enough to face the heat and in- evitable diffi culties in the desert. Yasmeen and I drove together during the selection last year. We both had a good feeling and I am confi dent in mission for this opportunity.” the season, underlining the talent we saw in maximum benefi t from these fi nal prepara- sharing the car with her.” “The assessment programme took place be- them,” said Michèle Mouton, President of the tions.” Labuscagne added: “My selection came as fore I took over in my role at the QMMF, but I FIA Women in Motorsport Commission and The fi nal deadline for entries for this year’s a big surprise. I am very grateful for the amaz- am looking forward to meeting the winners and FIA Safety Commission. “While it is an intense Sealine Cross-Country Rally has been set for ing opportunity. It’s a dream come true and a wish them a safe and successful week at the Sea- preparation period for Charlotte and Sandra, Thursday, March 31st. The event is also the sec- privilege to compete in the 2016 Sealine Rally. line Cross-Country Rally,” said QMMF presi- who we welcome to the team, we have a con- ond round of the FIM Cross-Country Rallies Training and preparation will be key in our suc- dent Abdulrahman Abdulatif al-Mannai. fi rmed fi tness, navigation and driver training World Championship and competitive action cess and I am looking forward to the challenge. “It’s a shame for Molly and Lara, but we are programme organised in Qatar before the event gets underway from Losail International Circuit I would like to thank the QMMF and the Com- delighted they both have full programmes for and I am confi dent that everyone will take the on Monday, April 18. French driver Charlotte Berton.

FOCUS Jordan next stop for Qatar's al-Attiyah By Sports Reporter fi nalised by organisers, Jordan FIA World Rally Championship Amman, Jordan Motorsport, which has offi cially (WRC) in 2008, 2010 and 2011. announced that entries are now The overall distance is being taken. 643.28km with 222.74km to be he region’s motor sport- “I always look forward to Jor- run over timed special stages ing attention turns to- dan immensely because it is such held on May 6 and May 7 through wards Jordan for round a memorable occasion,” said al- the Dead Sea and Jordan Val- three of the FIA Middle Attiyah. “It is probably the most ley areas. A ceremonial start and TEast Rally Championship from diffi cult round of the Middle East spectator event will be held on May 5-7, after Nasser al-Attiyah Rally Championship. The stages the afternoon of May 5 in Amman put on a driving master class to are never easy and provide a great at a location to be revealed. clinch round two in Kuwait at the challenge. For several reasons, I The itinerary also reveals weekend. The Qatari 11-time re- didn’t have much competition in that there will be a return to the gional champion eased to victory Kuwait but I hope my rivals will world class King Hussein Bin Ta- Around 12 teams took part in the “Aspire Jam” street basketball tournament at the Aspire Park. after winning all 13 of the timed all be in Jordan.” lal Convention Centre managed special stages to cruise home Held under the patronage of by Hilton – Dead Sea where the BASKETBALL with a winning margin of 11 min- Prince Feisal al-Hussein, the headquarters were based during utes and 24.9 seconds. Chairman of Jordan Motorsport, those memorable WRC years. And with Kuwait in the bag, rally regulations have now been Work is also continuing una- the regional road show will be- published and it shows a test- bated on the stages, which are gin to wind its way across to Jor- ing route including many of the being repaired following a Jor- Doha Ballers clinch dan where one of the best routes competitive kilometres used dan winter which brought heavy Aspire Jam tournament in the world of rallying is being by Jordan when it hosted the rainfall. Qatar’s Nasser Saleh al-Attiyah was Doha: Aspire Zone Foundation concluded The tournament witnessed an exciting hardly challenged as he won all the 13 the 5th edition of the “Aspire Jam” street show for the Lords of Gravity international timed special stages to record his sixth basketball tournament last Saturday at the group who performed a mix of acrobatic and victory in the Kuwait International Rally. Aspire Park. Around 12 teams participated in basketball moves that refl ect strength, fl ex- the championship, held for players aged 18 ibility, and endurance. Children also enjoyed years old and above. a variety of entertaining activities. The Doha Ballers clinched the tourna- Aspire Zone has grown signifi cantly since ment title following an exciting fi nal with its inception as an international sport des- the All Stars team who came second, where tination in 2003. The offi cial umbrella, the the Lebanese Vipers managed to secure the “Aspire Zone Foundation” (AZF), was estab- third place. lished by Emiri decree on 1 January 2008.