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AFC CHAMPIONS LEAGUE: Al Sadd to bank on in-form Group Stage Fixtures (Kick off times in time) TODAY: players against Al Wasl Group C FC Nasaf (UZB) vs Persepolis RIZWAN REHMAT FC (IRN) THE PENINSULA Group D Esteghlal FC (IRN) vs SC (QAT) : Football giants Al Sadd are Azadi Stadium, Tehran: delighted to welcome back national 18:30 team players for their AFC Champions Group D League clash against UAE’s Al Wasl FC (UAE) vs Al Hilal SFC today. (KSA) striker and captain Hassan Al Haydos, reliable midfielder Abdul Group C Kareem Hassan, rising foward Akram Al Sadd SC (QAT) vs Al Wasl Afif, defender Pedro Miguel and goal- FC (UAE) keeper Saad Al Dosari played key roles , in guiding Qatar to title glory in Iraq Doha: 19:00 last week. Coach Jesualdo Ferreira said yes- TOMORROW terday: “It was a good performance Group G from our international players (who Cerezo Osaka (JPN) vs Jeju were) with the national team. That is United FC (KOR) a great motivator for us, especially Group G after winning the International Buriram United (THA) vs Friendship Championship in Iraq. All Guangzhou Evergrande FC those players have the confidence and (CHN) motivation to do well going into this Group H match.” Al Sadd’s players in action during a training session ahead of their AFC Champions League clash against UAE’s Al Wasl yesterday. Al Sadd are at the top of Group C (KOR) vs Sydney FC (AUS) with nine points from four matches. Group H Second-placed Persepolis of also Shanghai Shenhua FC (CHN) vs have nine points. (JPN) The veteran Portuguese coach ACL: Al Rayyan eye away win Group B said Al Wasl, despite being already THE PENINSULA eliminated from this year’s champi- Zobahan FC (IRN) vs Al onship, remained a potent threat in Duhail SC (QAT) the game at Jassim bin Hamad TEHRAN: Al Rayyan will be Foolad Shahr Stadium, Stadium. looking for a win against group Isfahan: 17:15 “The game will not be easy. Eve- leaders Esteghlal, coach Michael Group B ryone knows that there is a psycho- Laudrup said ahead of the team’s Al Wahda FSCC (UAE) vs PFC logical aspect to such matches,” Fer- AFC Champions League clash Lokomotiv (UZB) reira said. “We are looking to get three today. Group A points and seal our qualification to the Al Rayyan, who have 6 points Al Gharafa (QAT) vs Al Jazira next round,” he added. “The players from 4 matches, will tackle home FSC (UAE) are looking confident,” he said. team Esteghlal at Azadi Stadium Thani bin Jassim Stadium, “We will be up against a fighting where crowd pressure can be a Doha: 18:30 team and it is a very important match tough task for visitors to counter. Group A for us. It is important that the team “We have the experience in Al Ahli Saudi FC (KSA) vs wins and that we qualify for the dealing with crow pressure,” Tractorsazi Tabriz (IRN) second round. We have no excuse not Laudrup said yesterday. “ Our Al Rayyan players, officials and supporing staff pose for a photograph upon their arrival in Tehran to win tomorrow at home, in front of goal is to get to the round of 16. on the eve of their AFC Champions League clash against Esteghlal. WEDNESDAY our own fans,” he added. We can do it. We presented a big Group F Defender Hamed Ismail said yes- game in Doha (against Al Hilal),” Khater said: “We have studied their unbeaten run and remain head-to-head record and would Ulsan Hyundai FC (KOR) vs terday: “We have worked hard during the popular Dane added. Esteghlal really well. We will on top of the standings. relieve any pressure going into Melbourne Victory (AUS) the last few days that we got off from Victory for either Esteghlal or work to create early attacks and Al Rayyan talisman Rodrigo the final round of fixtures. the league. The team is fully prepared, Al Rayyan when the pair clash in play to our strengths. It will be Tabata scored the decisive goal Esteghlal, who have never Group E especially after the return of our inter- Group D of the AFC Champions 11 players against 11 players and as the Qatari team defeated Al lost at home to a Qatari side on Kashiwa Reysol (JPN) vs national players. We are looking at a League at Azadi Stadium today yes, crowd pressure is always Hilal 2-1 to claim their first victory the continent, warmed up for FC win and we will play to win.” would secure their passage into there but that is not an hindrance of what is also an undefeated the game with a 2-1 league win (KOR) Ismail added: “Our goal is to go the knockout stage with a game to us.” campaign and move level on six over Naft Tehran on Thursday Group E advance in the AFC Champions to spare. Esteghlal played out a 1-1 points with today’s opponents. while Al Rayyan, who have had Kitchee SC (HKG) vs Tianjin League. We want to compete for all “It will be a difficult match for draw with Al Ain on their last With the sides playing out a a two-week break, welcome Quanjian FC (CHN)Group F the events we take part in. We will try both teams but we seek to return appearance in Tehran when 2-2 draw in the opening game of Sebastian Soria back into the Shanghai SIPG FC (CHN) vs to go the distance but with a step-by- with the three points,” Laudrup said. 90,000 spectators turned out to the group stage, three points for fold after the striker served a Kawasaki Frontale (JPN) step approach to achieve our goals.” Al Rayyan defender Saud Al see the Iranian giants maintain either ensures a better one-match ban. beIN to broadcast Indian Premier League in MENA

THE PENINSULA it gives us great pleasure that ever reach for fans of VIVO IPL this time around, beIN worldwide Star India has tied DOHA: The most popular SPORTS will take the IPL to mil- up with like-minded partners Twenty20 cricket league in the lions of fans across the Middle who share the same passion for world, the VIVO Indian Premier East and North Africa, through the game. In the MENA region League (IPL), has a new home portfolio, following long term Interest in the VIVO IPL has TV and Digital.” we are happy to partner with across the Middle East and North rights agreements signed in 2017 never been greater and the spec- Sanjay Gupta, MD of Star beIN SPORTS for the Vivo IPL Africa (MENA) following a major with Cricket Australia (CA) and tacle is ready made for tele- India, said: “VIVO IPL is a 2018 which will enthrall mil- deal announced yesterday by the England and Wales Cricket vision, with several innovations Rahul Johri, CEO of contest of the world’s best lions of cricket fans across the beIN Media Group (beIN). Board (ECB), which saw beIN designed to engage new fans and BCCI, said: “The IPL is an initi- cricketers pitted against each region on both, TV and Digital.” Under the five-year deal, broadcast both the 2017 Ashes bring cricket closer to viewers. ative that has greatly extended other in the most gruelling, Since 2007, the IPL has Star India has awarded the tel- test series and the 2018 Big Bash “By adding the VIVO IPL to the appeal of Cricket from die- competitive tournament - a fan- grown into one of the world’s evision & digital rights to beIN League. our existing ECB and CA cov- hard sports lovers to entire fam- tastic celebration of the game leading sports and ranks as the who will screen the upcoming Commenting on the erage, we can now provide ilies. While the IPL has grown of cricket. Reimagining how sixth most attended sports 2018 VIVO IPL competition, announcement, Yousef Al viewers with top class premium each year since its inception, VIVO IPL 2018 will reach fans league in the world in terms of together with the proceeding Obaidly, Deputy CEO of beIN cricket content all year round. Vivo IPL 2018 promises to be across TV and digital, Star India live in-stadium attendance. This four editions of the tournament Media Group, said: “Today’s These agreements further an inflection point that will truly has harnessed the trans- year’s tournament starts on April until 2022. announcement further estab- strengthen beIN’s position as the galvanize its popularity and fol- formative power of technology 7 and will be broadcast and The announcement sees a lishes beIN’s position as the new undisputed first choice sports lowing. We at BCCI are proud to make one of the biggest streamed live by beIN SPORTS further strengthening of beIN’s home of cricket across the and entertainment broadcaster to have given the world its most leagues in the world even across 24 countries throughout burgeoning global cricket Middle East and North Africa. in the region.” loved cricket extravaganza, and bigger. To enable the widest the MENA region. 30 SPORT MONDAY 2 APRIL 2018 High-flying Al Duhail eye Zobahan scalp in Group B

RIZWAN REHMAT play the way we want to,” THE PENINSULA Mendes said. Belmadi’s men gunning to Defender Murad Nagy Zobahan DOHA: Qatar champions Al said winning the QSL title has keep unbeaten record intact Duhail will be playing for a We are looking for a been driving force in Al win against feisty Iranian positive result. After Duhail doing well in the AFC Al Duhail are within one match of finishing the desperate hosts Zobahan when the two we won the QNB Champions League. Qatari League season unbeaten, having sealed side clash in a Group B clash Stars League (QSL) “The team proved its the title with three games to go. Now, they have in the AFC Champions strength and depth by the chance to join an elite group of clubs in the title, we turned our for a win League tomorrow. winning the QSL title. We AFC Champions League. Unbeaten in four attention to the AFC thank God for that glory,” THE PENINSULA matches, Al Duhail players Champions League. Nagy said yesterday. Al Duhail fans breathed a sigh of relief as are well rested following a “We feel we have We still have two the final whistle at the Lokomotiv Stadium in break of more than 10 days important games to play. The DOHA: Al Duhail are the only team due to international games to go and we players are ready, I can tell Tashkent confirmed a hard-fought win for their is West Asia to have already booked friendlies at the end of are fully focused: Al you that much. We have side. their passage to the knockout phase March. Duhail’s defender already qualified but we are and the Qatari side travel to the “We are looking for a Lucas Mendes playing for wins,” Nagy Two goals from Youssef El Arabi had brought Islamic Republic of Iran to face positive result,” Al Duhail’s added. them from the brink of a first defeat in the Zobahan today. Brazilian defender Lucas “Like Lucas said, we want competition to seal their passage into the 2018 Zobahan are three points clear of Mendes said ahead of his to lead the scorers’ sheet for to remain unbeaten and we AFC Champions League knockout stage with two Lokomotiv and Al Wahda in second team’s fifth AFC Champions this season so far. will put in greater amounts place. The Iranian side could join Al matches to spare. League match to be played “I am happy to say that of effort to get a positive Duhail in the next round if they win at Foolad Shahr Stadium in my team mates are ready for result,” he said. and the game between the other two Isfahan, Iran. this match. We will play to “I am hopeful we can The result also meant Djamel Belmadi’s men sides ends in stalemate. Lokomotiv “After we won the QNB get positive results so that we deliver a special per- can join an elite group of clubs to win all six desperately need a win after three Stars League (QSL) title, we keep our slate clean. This is formance as we are playing AFC Champions League group stage matches in defeats in a row and face an Al Wahda turned our attention to the an important game and our an away game,” Nagy said. a season, should they achieve victories against side who drew level on points with AFC Champions League. We motivation is to remain “I wish the best for other Zobahan and Al Wahda in April. them following their first win of the still have two games to go unbeaten this phase. We Qatar sides - Al campaign against Zobahan three and we are fully focused,” he have never done this before,” Sadd, Al weeks ago. added. Mendes said. Rayyan and Al Gharafa - as they are also their preparation for the Iran Regardless of the result, Lokomo- Al Duhail have been well “We’ve trained well with playing this week,” he trip, club said yesterday. tiv’s 5-0 victory over the Emirati side served by star striker Youssef a lot of energy. The atmos- added. A club official said star on Matchday One is likely to mean El Arabi who has found the phere in the dressing rooms Al Duhail, coached by striker Youssef Msakeni is they have a better head-to-head net six times in four matches is great. This will help us Djamel Belmadi, concluded back in training with the side going into the last game; however, it following a break due to a is possible the three teams could all knee injury. end on six points.

Players of Al Duhail celebrate a goal against Al Kharaitiyat in their QNB Stars League match in Doha in this file photo.

Hulk to lock horns with former side WWW.THE-AFC.COM Confederations Cup and has earned “Today, after 13 years, I step again strong-bodied attacker and signed him almost 50 caps for Brazil, started his on the pitch of Todoroki Stadium not on a permanent deal, before loaning SHANGHAI: After spending his early professional career in Japan, playing in to play for, but to play against Kawasaki him to Consadole Sapporo and Tokyo playing days at Kawasaki Frontale, Hulk the J.League from 2005 to 2008, and Frontale. Today I’m playing for Shanghai Verdy for the 2006 and 2007 seasons has fond memories of Japan, but the his first port of call was Kawasaki SIPG from China. I’ll get the chance to respectively. Shanghai SIPG captain could now be Frontale. play against my old teammates that It was in Sapporo and Tokyo that the man to oust his former team when As fate would have it, both welcomed me so good in 2005 when I Hulk really started to blossom, with 62 they clash in the 2018 AFC Champions Kawasaki and Shanghai SIPG were was just starting my career as a pro- goals in 80 matches, and before long League tomorrow. drawn in Group F of this year’s AFC fessional football player. he was on his way to Europe where he Since moving to Shanghai SIPG in Champions League, meeting on Few could have predicted the enjoyed a successful nine seasons with 2016, Brazilian superstar Hulk has Matchday One in Kawasaki in what was stellar career the Brazilian would have both FC Porto and Zenit St Petersburg, become one of the most dangerous and a homecoming of sorts for the Brazilian when he was a raw, prodigiously tal- before he once again returned to Asia. threatening strikers on the continent, superstar, as his latest team defeated ented teenager arriving in Japan at the But this time he arrived as a genuine with 10 goals in 17 AFC Champions his former side 1-0. tail end of 2005. international superstar, breaking the League appearances for the Chinese Before that match, Hulk took to Originally on loan from Vitoria, he Asian transfer fee record. side. Instagram to reminisce about his time in played nine times for Kawasaki at the This week Shanghai SIPG once But as many followers of Asian Kawasaki and the affection he still feels end of 2005, finding the back of the again take on Kawasaki, this time in his football will be well aware, this isn’t the towards the club. “In 2005 I had the net once, as the team faded to finish new home of Shanghai, and Hulk once first time Hulk has played club football opportunity of an adventure in Asia. Des- mid-table. again gets a chance to line up against in Asia. tination: Japan. Club? Kawasaki Frontale,” But officials at Kawasaki liked what the club that gave him his first big break Shanghai SIPG’s Brazilian forward Hulk The 31-year-old, who won the 2013 he wrote to his 2.6 million followers. they saw of the fresh-faced, as a professional player. MONDAY 2 APRIL 2018 SPORT 31 Coach Emery hails PSG after League Cup triumph AFP June, will be renewed. Names of Presnel Kimpembe was uneasy. potential successors at PSG have “Today, it went in our favour, BORDEAUX: Despite their elim- begun to leak out with several so we are going to say that we ination from the Champions French media saying the German are happy, but the video is a League, Paris Saint-Germain are Thomas Tuchel was the problem,” Kimpembe said. The ‘going well’ said coach Unai favourite. delay meant the “players got Emery, while defending his “Even if there is a very, very cold, everyone was waiting, it record, after his team won the solid project it can be difficult to was rather a pain in the neck.” French League Cup final. keep patience,” said Emery. Colombian striker Falcao was PSG beat Monaco 3-0 in Bor- “It’s necessary to have unhappy. deaux on Saturday night in a final patience and consistency.” “I don’t know what the that created more debate over Neymar, the club’s biggest star, referee could have seen on his video replay, was followed by sent his congratulations from video screen to give the penalty,” messages of congratulation from Brazil, where he is recuperating the Monaco captain said. PSG’s injured superstar, Neymar, from foot surgery, singling out “This type of decision could and was accompanied by vio- Dani Alves. kill football, above all when it lence off the pitch which left four Both should be part of the isn’t clear cut, notably for offside. policemen hurt. Brazil squad at the World Cup We lost four minutes and then “I believe the club is going that starts on June 14. the referee only played two well,” Emery said after PSG won Neymar posted a photo of the minutes of added time at the end the trophy for a fifth straight 34-year-old defender, who won of the first half.” The violence off time. his 36th trophy on Saturday, the field involved confrontations “It’s stronger now to make standing next to a collection of between rival groups of PSG fans history here in France and then cups with the headline “Greatest and supporters of both clubs and to continue to grow abroad, in champion in history.” In the the police. PSG’s players after victory against Monaco in the French League Cup final in Bordeaux on Saturday. Europe and in the rest of the accompanying text, mixing Por- The match “was the scene of world.” Yet the main target this tuguese and French, the striker many clashes between the police season had been Europe rather wrote: “Congratulations to all, hopefully more will come, two men fought over who should down Kylian Mbappe. Later in and the supporters of the two than a fourth domestic league very happy for you!!! ALLEZ including July. I love you idol!” take a spot kick. the first half, Monaco had a goal teams who came to Bordeaux to title. The second straight elimi- PARIS @psg @danialves this con- Neymar also posted a video of The penalty on Saturday fol- by Radamel Falcao ruled out on fight,” the French police union nation in the last 16 of the Cham- gratulations is more special for the fourth-minute penalty kick lowed a three-minute delay for review for a tight offside. said in a statement, adding that pions League makes it unlikely you brother, for whom trophies by Edinson Cavani that put PSG video review after Monaco Even though video review four officers from special units his contract, which runs out in are part of this your history.. ahead. Earlier this season, the centre-back Kamil Glik brought benefited his team, PSG defender were hurt, “some seriously.” Alli shines as Spurs break Chelsea jinx REUTERS Zlatan Ibrahimovic of Los Angeles LONDON: Tottenham Hotspur Galaxy warms up claimed a first victory at Chelsea before the game for 28 years with Dele Alli against the Los scoring twice in the second half Angeles FC on as they came back to win 3-1 and Saturday. cement fourth place in the Premier League yesterday. It looked like being a familiar tale of woe for the north London Ibra stars on side when Hugo Lloris’s error of judgement allowed Alvaro Morata to head Chelsea in front after half an hour. debut as Galaxy Tottenham responded in first-half stoppage time with midfielder Christian Eriksen, rally for a win who had already tested home keeper Willy Caballero with one REUTERS fizzing effort, dipping a right- crossbar before the ball foot shot over the bemused landed over the line. Argentine from 30 yards. CARSON, CALIFORNIA: An own goal by Galaxy There was a growing sense Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored defender Daniel Steres in the of belief in Tottenham’s play twice on his LA Galaxy debut 48th minute gave LAFC a 3-0 after the interval and Alli struck including a winner in lead and the highly-antici- twice from close range in four stoppage time as his new pated first meeting between minutes just past the hour to turn Tottenham’s Dele Alli (left) celebrates with team-mates after scoring their second goal against team battled back from the two LA teams appeared the game on its head. Chelsea yesterday. three goals down to defeat all but over. Tottenham, who enjoyed a the upstart LAFC 4-3 in a But Galaxy fought back further boost when Harry Kane thrilling match on Saturday. in the second half with goals came off the bench having occasional booing from the PREMIER LEAGUE RESULTS Ibrahimovic, who came by Sebastian Lletget and recovered from an ankle injury, home crowd, Mesut Ozil won a Yesterday on as a substitute in the 71st Chris Pontius before Ibrahi- moved eight points clear of fifth- penalty when he raced into the Arsenal 3 (Aubameyang 75-pen, 86, Lacazette 89-pen) Stoke 0 minute, scored six minutes movic stole the show. placed Chelsea with seven box only to be brought down by Chelsea 1 (Morata 30) Tottenham 3 (Eriksen 45+1, Alli 62, 66) into his first MLS game with Trailing 3-1, Galaxy fans games left. They have 64 points, Stoke’s Bruno Martins Indi. Played on Saturday a dipping 35-metre shot that began chanting for Ibrahi- two points behind third-placed Pierre-Emerick Aubam- Brighton 0 Leicester 2 (Iborra 83, Vardy 90+6) soared over the outstretched movic and coach Sigi Schmid Liverpool with a game in hand. eyang scored from the spot and Crystal Palace 1 (Milivojevic 13-pen) Liverpool 2 (Mane 49, Salah 84) arms of LAFC goalie Tyler obliged, bringing the tow- Earlier, Arsenal dealt Stoke then struck again from close Everton 1 (Bolasie 63) Manchester City 3 (Sane 4, Jesus 12, Sterling Miller. ering forward into his first City’s Premier League survival range 12 minutes later, before 37) The Swedish striker fol- match since December as hopes a cruel blow at the Alexandre Lacazette converted Manchester United 2 (Lukaku 5, Sanchez 20) Swansea 0 lowed up with a gutsy he recovers from a knee Emirates with three late goals in another penalty, having been Newcastle 1 (Perez 80) Huddersfield 0 header in the 91st minute injury suffered playing for a 3-0 victory that left the visitors brought crashing to the ground Watford 2 (Femenia 13, Pereyra 49) Bournemouth 2 (King 43-pen, from a pass by Ashley Cole England’s Manchester second from bottom with six by Badou Ndiaye. Defoe 90+2)

that proved to be Galaxy’s United. games left to play. The loss leaves Stoke 19th in West Brom 1 (Rondon 83) Burnley 2 (Barnes 22, Wood 73) winner, sending the sell-out Ibrahimovic exceeded After a dreary hour and a the league with 27 points, while West Ham 3 (Mario 13, Arnautovic 17, 45+4) Southampton 0 crowd of 27,068 into a the sky-high expectations quarter of play punctuated by Arsenal stay sixth with 51 points. frenzy on a sun-soaked day placed on his shoulders and in Southern California. instantly made good on his “I heard the crowd promise to help the Galaxy saying ‘We want Zlatan, we return to their winning ways want Zlatan’,” the 36-year- after a dismal 2017 cam- Messi keeps Barca’s unbeaten run alive old told reporters. paign where they failed to AP “So I gave them Zlatan. make the play-offs for the on the bench at Sanchez-Pizjuan They were pushing me and first time since 2008. Stadium and went on in the 58th, I was giving back.” “My history when I MADRID: Lionel Messi kept not long after Sevilla scored its The inaugural “El come to a new team, I alive Barcelona’s unbeaten second through Luis Muriel. Traffico” derby was all always score in the first streak in the Spanish league by Franco Vazquez put the hosts one-way traffic at the start game,” said Ibrahimovic, coming off the bench and ahead in the first half. as expansion team LAFC who has played for scoring an 89th-minute Suarez scored from inside immediately put pressure on European heavyweights equaliser to draw with Sevilla the area and Messi quickly got a short-handed Galaxy Ajax Amsterdam, Juventus, 2-2 on Saturday. the equalizer with a well-placed squad, who were playing Inter Milan, Barcelona, AC Sevilla led 2-0 until the 88th left-footed shot into the lower without Romain Alessandrini, Milan and Paris St Germain. minute when Luis Suarez scored. corner, taking his league-leading Jonathan dos Santos and “I didn’t want to let it Then Messi got on the board a tally to 26. Giovani dos Santos. down this time.” minute later to keep the Catalan Sevilla had good chances for The Mexican struck again Next up for the Galaxy club’s 30-match unbeaten run its third goal while it was 21 minutes later from close (2-1-1) is a trip to Sporting going. leading. Sevilla stayed in sixth range when Galaxy keeper Kansas City on April 8 while Messi, who recently missed place. Sevilla and Barcelona will David Bingham fell down LAFC (2-1) host Atlanta two international friendlies with play the Copa del Rey final on and Vela hit the top of the United next Saturday. Argentina because of an unspec- April 21 at Atletico’s Wanda Met- Barcelona’s Argentinian forward Lionel Messi (right) celebrates a ified leg muscle problem, started ropolitano Stadium in Madrid. goal with team-mate Jordi Alba on Saturday. 32 SPORT MONDAY 2 APRIL 2018 MONDAY 2 APRIL 2018 SPORT 33 Vince, Stoneman give England Patient Proteas build massive lead AFP South African batsman Aiden Markram plays a shot SCOREBOARD on the third day of the fourth Test cricket match SOUTH AFRICA, first innings, 488 JOHANNESBURG: South Africa moved against Australia at the Wanderers cricket ground AUSTRALIA, first innings (overnight 110-6) into a powerful position despite a fight- in Johannesburg, South Africa yesterday. M. Renshaw c De Kock b Philander ...... 8 back by Australia and an injury to fast J. Burns c Du Plessis b Rabada ...... 4 bowler Morne Morkel on the third day U. Khawaja c De Kock b Philander ...... 53 scent of victory in Christchurch P. Handscomb b Philander ...... 0 of the fourth Test at the Wanderers S. Marsh c De Villiers b Maharaj ...... 16 Stadium yesterday. M. Marsh b Morkel ...... 4 AFP and has been removed by Trent Boult South Africa finished the day on 134 T. Paine c Elgar b Rabada ...... 62 each time. But Vince and Stoneman SCOREBOARD for three in their second innings, an P. Cummins lbw b Maharaj ...... 50 CHRISTCHURCH: James Vince and put England’s innings back on track, overall lead of 401. N. Lyon c Elgar b Rabada ...... 8 ENGLAND first innings 307 (J. Bairstow C. Sayers c Amla b Maharaj ...... 0 Mark Stoneman were the toast of helped by a benign wicket which 101, M. Wood 52; Southee 6-62, Boult The Proteas, leading the series 2-1, J. Hazlewood not out ...... 1 England yesterday as they ended day offered little assistance to the 4-87) need only to draw to beat Australia in Extras (b3, lb 9, nb3) ...... 15 three of the second Test against New bowlers. NEW ZEALAND first innings (overnight a home series for the first time since Total (70 overs) ...... 221 Zealand sensing their first away Stoneman, whose previous best 192-6) 1969/70. Fall of wickets: 1-10 (Burns), 2-34 (Renshaw), 3-38 victory in two years. was 56 in the third Test against Aus- J. Raval c Bairstow b Anderson ...... 5 But Australia provided the fight that (Handscomb), 4-90 (Khawaja), 5-96 (M. Marsh), 6-96 (S. Marsh), 7-195 (Cummins), 8-206 (Lyon), 9-207 (Sayers), England, who have not tasted tralia three months back, had an T. Latham c Bairstow b Broad ...... 0 had been promised the previous K. Williamson c Bairstow b Anderson ...... 22 10-221 (Paine) success in their last 12 away Tests, anxious moment on 35 when given R. Taylor c Cook b Broad ...... 2 evening by bowling coach David Saker. Bowling: Philander 18-8-30-3, Rabada 19-7-53-3 (1nb), hold a healthy 231-run lead with out caught behind, but the decision H. Nicholls lbw Broad ...... 0 From a seemingly hopeless over- Morkel 12.2-3-34-1 (2nb), Maharaj 20-3-92-3, Markram 0.4-0-0-0 seven second innings wickets in was overturned on review. B. Watling b Anderson ...... 85 night total of 110 for six, they added hand. On 48 he was dropped by Ross C. de Grandhomme c Bairstow b Broad ...... 72 another 111 runs before being bowled SOUTH AFRICA, second innings “A good couple of sessions (on Taylor at first slip and he brought up T. Southee b Anderson ...... 50 out. A. Markram c Handscomb b Cummins ...... 37 Monday) and we’ve got a chance of his 50 with a nick off Tim Southee I. Sodhi c Bairstow b Broad ...... 1 South Africa did not enforce the fol- D. Elgar not out ...... 39 forcing a win,” batting coach Gra- that sailed just past the outstretched N. Wagner not out ...... 24 low on, with doubts about the ability H. Amla c M. Marsh b Lyon ...... 16 ham Thorpe said with their strong arm of wicketkeeper BJ Watling to T. Boult c Malan b Broad ...... 16 of Morkel to bowl because of a side A. de Villiers c Paine b Cummins ...... 6 Extras: (lb1) ...... 1 F. du Plessis not out ...... 34 position the result of a 123-run stand the boundary. Total: (for 10 wickets; 93.3 overs) .278 strain. Extras (lb2) ...... 2 by Vince and Stoneman for the sec- But on 60 his luck ran out when Fall of wickets: 1-0 (Latham), 2-14 (Raval), Australia’s bowlers then restricted Total (3 wkts; 56 overs) ...... 134 ond wicket. he tried beating the cordon once too 3-17 (Taylor), 4-17 (Nicholls), 5-36 (Williamson), the hosts to a run rate of 2.4 in the sec- To bat: T Bavuma, Q de Kock, V. Philander, K. Maharaj, K. The pair came together at 24 for often and another edge off Southee 6-178 (de Grandhomme), 7-226 (Watling), ond innings. Rabada, M. Morkel Fall of wickets: 1-54 (Markram), 2-79 (Amla), 3-94 (De was pouched by a diving Watling. 8-231 (Sodhi), 9-239 (Southee), 10-278 (Boult) one after the loss of Alastair Cook New captain Tim Paine set the Villiers) with Vince going on to make 76 and Vince went in similar fashion Bowling: Anderson 24-5-76-4, Broad 22.3-5- example in the morning. Despite bat- Bowling: Hazlewood 13-5-20-0, Sayers 8-2-33-0, Lyon Stoneman his highest score in Tests when he nicked Boult to the sole slip 54-6, Wood 21-3-69-0, Leach 19-3-52-0, Root ting with a hairline fracture of his right 25-11-44-1, Cummins 10-2-35-2 with 60. Taylor who made no mistake with 1-0-9-0, Stokes 6-2-17-0 thumb, he made a defiant 62 before ENGLAND second innings “Both would have loved to have the second chance to fly his way. being last man out. A. Cook c Watling b Boult ...... 14 got 100s and gone on, but they will Root and Malan carried England M. Stoneman c Watling b Southee ...... 60 Paine and Pat Cummins walked out get a good pat from us in the dress- through until bad light stopped play J. Vince c Taylor b Boult ...... 76 to resume the Australian innings on a ing room,” Thorpe said. three overs early and will face a fur- J. Root not out ...... 30 heavily overcast morning, with their Joe Root was not out 30 at the ther 14 overs on Monday before the D. Malan not out ...... 19 team facing the humiliation of being end of the day with Dawid Malan on new ball is due. Extras: (lb1, w1, nb1) ...... 3 bowled out quickly and forced to fol- 19 as England ended the day on 202 The New Zealand first innings Total: (for 3 wickets; 66 overs) ..... 202 low on. leaving the field two balls into his South Africa did not attempt to force captain Graeme Smith, achieved the feat South Africa finished the Fall of wickets: 1-24 (Cook), 2-147 (Stone- for three. BJ Watling, who made 85 survived nearly 20 overs at the start But they stayed together for most fourth over of the day. the pace in the second innings, although in 17 innings. day on 134 for three in in New Zealand’s rearguard action of the day. Watling advanced his over- man), 3-165 (Vince) of the morning, with Cummins making A South African team spokesman Aiden Markram again struck the ball The scoring rate dried up, with off- Bowling: Boult 15-3-38-2, Southee 13-3-42-1, spinner Nathan Lyon gaining turn and their second innings, an to lift their first innings to 278, night 77 to 85, Ish Sodhi had a brief de Grandhomme 12-0-37-0 (1w, 1nb), Wagner a Test-best 50 off 92 balls before he said the injury was in the same area that crisply in making 37 off 56 balls. believed the first session on Monday stay for one, and Tim Southee made 15-2-37-0, Sodhi 11-0-46-0. missed a sweep and was leg before he damaged in a Test against Bangla- With a 2-1 lead in the series and only bounce from the golf course end, while overall lead of 401. would likely dictate the outcome. 50 -- his fourth Test half century. Neil Toss: New Zealand wicket to left-arm spinner Keshav desh in October, keeping him out of three fully-fit front-line bowlers, South Cummins again challenged the batsmen “We’re probably fractionally Wagner and Boult put on a rollicking Series: New Zealand lead 1-0 Maharaj shortly before lunch. action for two months. Africa may have wanted not only to with high-quality fast bowling. behind. Obviously Vince and Stone- 39 off 42 deliveries for the last wicket Their seventh wicket partnership But after being strapped up, Morkel build an indomitable lead but to use up AB de Villiers threatened briefly to The Proteas, leading the man had a really good partnership,” before Boult was out for 16, leaving was worth 99, the best for any wicket bowled a few gentle deliveries to coach time. ignite the scoring rate, but was caught series 2-1, need only to he said. Wagner unbeaten on 24. by Australia in the series. Ottis Gibson during lunch and took the Markram’s innings took him to behind when he tried to cut a ball from draw to beat Australia in Cook went early for 14, continu- Stuart Broad finished with six for England’s Mark Stoneman bats during day three of Morkel, playing in his last Test field with the rest of the team after the exactly 1,000 runs in 18 innings in his Cummins that bounced sharply. ing a disappointing run for the 54, the ninth-best return in his sto- the second cricket Test match against New Zealand at before retiring from international interval, giving hope that he may be able first ten Tests. Opening batsman Dean Elgar was a home series for the first opener in which he has totalled only ried 115-Test career, while Anderson Hagley Oval in Christchurch yesterday. cricket, broke down as South Africa to bowl in the second innings, even if it The only South African to reach the particularly obdurate, scoring 39 not out time since 1969/70. 23 in four innings in New Zealand, took four for 76. toiled in search of a breakthrough, is not at full pace. mark in fewer innings was former off 158 balls.

SteynSt Candice blames herself for Warner’s Pakistan thrash Windies in 1st T20 AFP part in ball-tampering scandal Pakistani cricketer Hussain Talat watches the ball after SCOREBOARD revereveals playing a shot during the first T20 cricket match against KARACHI: Pakistan downed a West Indies at The National Stadium in Karachi yesterday.PAKISTAN A. Fletcher c talat b Amir ...... 0 AFP depleted West Indies side by 143 Fakhar Zaman run out ...... 39 M. Samuels c Ashraf b Nawaz ...... 18 comebackcomeb runs in the first of three Twenty20s Babar Azam lbw b Emrit ...... 17 J. Mohammad c talat b Amir ...... 0 Hussain talat run out ...... 41 D. Ramdin c Nawaz b Hasan ...... 0 SYDNEY: Disgraced Australia in Karachi yesterday, the first inter- Sarfraz Ahmed c Fletcher b Powell ...... 38 R. Powell c and b Shadab ...... 5 former vice-captain David national match in the city for nine Shoaib Malik not out ...... 37 K. Paul not out ...... 10 pplan Warner’s wife Candice said years. Asif Ali b Paul ...... 1 R. Emrit c talat b Malik ...... 11 Faheem Ashraf not out ...... 16 K. Williams c Babar b Malik ...... 0 yesterday she blamed herself The hosts had equalled their high- Extras: (lb6, nb1, w7) ...... 14 S. Badree c Malik b talat ...... 7 for his part in the ball-tamper- est-ever T20 score of 203-5, with Total: (for five wkts; 20 overs) ...... 203 V. Permaul absent injured - AFP ing scandal, adding that the Hussain Talat top-scoring with a Did not bat: Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Extras: (w3) ...... 3 taunts they faced in South 37-ball 41, opener Fakhar Zaman get- Amir, Shadab Khan, Hasan Ali Total: (all out: 13.4 overs) ...... 60 Fall of wickets: 1-46 (Azam), 2-65 (Zaman), Fall of wickets: 1-6 (Walton), 2-8 (Fletcher), JOHANNESBURG:JOHANNE South Africa took a huge toll. ting a 24-ball 39 and skipper Sarfraz 3-140 (talat), 4-150 (Sarfraz), 5-156 (Asif) 3-8 (Mohammad), 4-15 (Ramdin), 5-27 (Powell), AfricanAfrican ffasta bowler Dale Opening batsman Warner Ahmed hitting 38 off 22 balls after the Bowling: Badree 4-0-37-0 (w5), Paul 4-0-26- 6-33 (Samuels), 7-51 (Emrit), 8-51 (Williams), SteynSteyn ((pictured)pic revealed was banned for one year from West Indies sent them into bat. 1 (nb1), Emrit 4-0-43-1, Williams 4-0-42-0, 9-60 (Badree) yesterdayyesterd that he is domestic and international Shoaib Malik scored an unbeaten Permaul 0.3-0-8-0 (w2), Samuels 0.3-0-7-0, Bowling: Nawaz 4-0-19-2 (w1), Amir 2-0-3-2 Powell 3-0-34-1, (w2), Hasan 1-1-0-1, Ashraf 1-0-9-0, Shadab ttargetingarget a stint with cricket over the plot to change 37 from 14 balls. WEST INDIES 3-0-13-1, Malik 2-0-13-2, talat 0.4-0-3-1 EEnglishngl county the condition of the ball on the The West Indies were bowled out C. Walton c Asif b Nawaz ...... 6 Result: Pakistan win by 143 runs HamHampshire in June third day of the third Test for their lowest T20 total of 60 in 13.4 as his comeback to against South Africa eight days overs. The second match will be competitivec ago. Australian played today and the last tomorrow, cricket.c In a tearful press confer- cricketer David all in Karachi. Steyn, 34, has ence in Sydney on Saturday, Warner and his seldoms played in the 31-year-old spoke of his wife Candice theth past two fear that he would never get arrive at a press yearsy because of to represent Australia again as conference at the injuries.inj his wife watched on. Sydney Cricket But he told “I feel like it’s all my fault Ground (SCG) Taylor says Australia may ban verbals in Sydney on SuperSportS tele- and it’s killing me -- it’s abso- Saturday, after visionv yesterday lutely killing me,” Candice returning from thatth he was close Warner told Sydney’s Sunday AFP are not going to stop people imposed a no-sledging policy South Africa. to full fitness Telegraph. talking out on the field. Talking in 2013 after their own crisis of afteraf missing the The Test series was already SYDNEY: Former captain Mark is one thing,” he added. confidence. seriesser against Aus- fractious before the ball-tam- Taylor said yesterday that “Abusing, sledging... bully- Australian Prime Minister traliatralia following his pering affair, with a row “But Dave would come saying the batsman was strug- Cricket Australia were consid- ing, verbalising whatever you Abusing, sledging... Malcolm Turnbull has also latestlatest setback, a heel between David Warner and home from the game and see gling to cope with the ering a ban on sledging, or want to call it is another thing. bullying, verbalising called for an end to sledging, It’s gone too far.” injury suffered in the Quinton de Kock during the me in tears in the bedroom, fallout. verbal taunting, after the ball- whatever you want saying Tuesday that the “strong- first TestTes against India first Test which the Australian and the girls just looking at Warner evaded questions When we were in tampering scandal and fractious The practice of sledging -- est action” needed to be taken inin JanuarJanuary.y said was sparked when the their mum, it’s been heart- during the press conference current Test series with South taunting opponents verbally on to call it is another as the verbal abuse had gotten “I could get through 12 South African insulted his wife. breaking,” she said. about whether the ball-tam- Cape Town and Port Africa. the field with the aim of dis- thing. It’s gone too “right out of control”. or 15 overs but that’s not Two senior Cricket South “When we were in Cape pering plan was his idea, Elizabeth I always The cheating crisis in the tracting them -- has been in the far: Former Australian The recent Ashes series was put on a strong front enoughenough to bbee competitive in Africa officials were also pho- Town and Port Elizabeth, whether it was the first time, third Test, which saw Steve spotlight after Warner and captain Mark Taylor likewise marred by sledging, a Test matchmatch,”,” he said. tographed with three Dave would come home and, who else was aware of it and and I turn out to the Smith and David Warner South Africa’s Quinton de Kock with tensions between Smith SteynSteyn is jujusts two short of spectators wearing All Black yes, I always put on a strong whether he had been made a games. But seeing stripped of the captaincy and were involved in a physical con- and England bowler James ShaunShaun PPollock’sollock’s South African rugby player Sonny Bill Wil- front and I turn out to the scapegoat. them wearing the vice-captaincy and banned frontation during the first Test. Anderson leading umpire Aleem Test record of 42142 wickets. He is liams face masks during the games. He has appeared isolated from the sport for a year, fol- Warner had said the con- happen in a board meeting in Dar to have to separate the pair likely to hhaveave ananothero chance to second Test in reference to a “But seeing them wearing after being charged by Cricket masks, to have people lowed an ill-tempered start to frontation was triggered by a three weeks’ time that’s not to when the Australian was breakbreak tthehe rrecordecord w whenh South Africa reported encounter Candice the masks, to have people Australia with developing the staring and pointing the series. Cameron Bancroft jibe about his wife, reportedly be aired on national television,” batting. tourtour Sri Lanka in JuJulyl and August. Warner had with him in 2007 staring and pointing and plot and telling Cameron Ban- and laughing at me, was also suspended for nine in retaliation after De Kock was he said. Anderson described the “The“The Proteas dodon’tn play for quite before she met Warner. laughing at me, to have the croft -- who was suspended for to have the signs, to months. sledged by the Australian. His comments came in the Aussies as bullies who over- a while,” said SteynSteyn. Candice Warner said she signs, to have, you know, the nine months -- to carry it out. have, you know, the When asked if a ban on Taylor would not reveal wake of outgoing Australia stepped the line ahead of the “I’m goinggoing ttoo ta takeke another month was not making excuses for songs made up about me, I “I’m sure there were things songs made up about sledging was “a possibility”, what his plans were when asked coach Darren Lehmann’s vow Adelaide Test, with Smith off. I’m not going toto the IPL (Indian her husband’s behaviour over would have to sit there and he wanted to say but he just me, I would have to Taylor, a Cricket Australia board if he would move a motion on to “take a leaf” out of the play- retorting that the Englishman Premier League). I’mI’m looking to go the scandal but added that he cop that.” couldn’t get it out. He is hurt- member, told broadcaster the CA board to ban sledging. ing style and conduct of teams was one of the biggest sledgers Former captain Mark Taylor over to Hampshire ini June to play a was “protecting me as much Candice Warner also ing. He is seriously, seriously sit there and cop that: Channel Nine: “Absolutely. You “That may or may not such as New Zealand, who in the game. littlelittle bit of cricketcricket,, tthenh Sri Lanka in as he could and protecting the called for sympathy and struggling and he’s not in a Candice Warner July.” girls (their children)”. patience from Australian fans, great headspace,” she said. 34 SPORT MONDAY 2 APRIL 2018

NBA round-up: Swimmers aim to set the tone for Wall returns as Wizards clinch Aussies at Commonwealth Games play-off spot AP AP This picture taken as a long exposure shows NEW YORK: Otto Porter Jr rain clouds moving over the Gold Coast, the GOLD COAST: Twelve months scored 26 points and Bradley out of competitive swimming host city of 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Beal pitched in with 22 after the last Olympics gave Cate Games, yesterday. points as the Washington Campbell a good dose of Wizards defeated the Char- perspective ahead of the lotte Hornets for the first Commonwealth Games. time this season, winning She knows that as a 107-93 on Saturday swimmer competing at a major afternoon at Capital One meet in Australia, the public has Arena in Washington DC. high expectations. Australia is With the win, the Wizards among the leading nations in the (42-34) officially clinched a sport globally, and the swimmers playoff spot. The Miami Heat don’t have a forgiving crowd. and Milwaukee Bucks sit a “We do set the standard of game and 1 1/2 games back, the meet,” Campbell said yes- respectively, in the seventh terday before the team gathered and eighth spots in the Eastern at the outdoor Southport pool for Conference, but ninth-place their first look at the venue in Detroit (36-40) is well out of games mode. striking distance. “But I don’t think Australia Porter, who also pulled in has ever been beaten in the pool a team-best 11 rebounds, and (at the Commonwealth Games) Beal each made six 3-point and I don’t think this team is shots, combining to go going to let that record fall.” 12-for-18 from long range. The Australian swim team John Wall, who played in won 19 gold medals - including his first game since Jan. 25 five of the six relays - and 57 after a knee injury, scored 15 overall at the last Common- points and 14 assists and Mike wealth Games in Glasgow four Scott also added 15 points for years ago. the Wizards, who won for only That was double the total the second time in their last haul of second-place England. six outings. Canada was third was four gold gold and silver in Glasgow four 49-member squad that also first three of her planned six Olympic breaststroke champion Nets 110, Heat 109 (OT) and 11 overall, with South Africa, years ago, didn’t compete at a includes Olympic champions events at the games. If she makes Adam Peaty is expected to Visiting Brooklyn used a Scotland and New Zealand high level in 2017 after an Kyle Chalmers and Mack Horton the finals, she’ll race five times produce a much closer contest strong second half to get the behind that with three gold Olympic campaign in Rio that and world champion back- on the opening day of the meet. in the pool. game to overtime and beat She won four Canada has also changed its Miami to prevent the hosts gold medals and approach to planning to ensure from clinching a playoff berth. two bronze its 26-member squad is prepared Dwyane Wade’s potential medals in to compete in an outdoor pool, game-winning layup rolled off Glasgow, and is adjacent to the sea in the Aus- the rim in the final seconds of happier most of tralian autumn. overtime to give the Nets their her toughest day Unlike the Australians, who third win in four games will be early on had the benefit of swimming against Miami this season. the Gold Coast. their trials at the games pool a The loss snapped the “I’ll be month ago, Canada held its trials Heat’s nine-game home fresher on my last year. winning streak. Miami slipped first day,” she “We did an early selection so to the eighth seed in the said. they could focus from September Eastern Conference, a half- “It’s a good till March without any interrup- game behind Milwaukee. day to have a tions of getting ready again and Warriors 112, Kings 96 busy one. It will no dramas,” Swimming Canada Kevin Durant recorded 27 be easier from high performance direct John points, 10 rebounds and five India’s Farzana Khan takes part in a then on.” Atkinson said, noting his squad assists, and Golden State lawn bowls practice session, ahead of The last time had 10 days to familiarize them- ended a three-game slide with the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth the games were selves with Australian a victory over host Games, at the Broadbeach Bowls Club held in Australia conditions. Sacramento. on the Gold Coast, yesterday. - at Melbourne in “Everyone’s in good spirits. Klay Thompson returned 2006 - the home We’re coming into this on the from a thumb injury to score swimming team back of a Canadian winter, 25 points as the Warriors won medals apiece. The Australians didn’t return the individual stroker Emily Seebohm. To be was dominant with a haul of 16 which can be fairly harsh, so for just the fourth time in their may have won the contest in the success she’d expected. back wearing the green and gold golds, double second-place even though it’s been a little bit past 11 games. Quinn Cook water, but England won more She beat a long-standing makes my heart beat a little bit England. of rain, it’s still warm and eve- added 10 points for Golden medals overall in Glasgow. world record in the women’s faster,” she said. “I can’t wait to But an England squad led by rybody’s in a good place.” State, which received eight That ended Australia’s dom- 100-meter freestyle in June, see what we points, nine rebounds and inating run of finishing atop the 2016, but finished out of the can do over seven assists from Draymond standings for six straight Com- medals in her event at the the next Green. monwealth Games, and any Olympics. couple of Golden State reserve chance of complacency coming She picked up a gold medal days.” guard Patrick McCaw was back to the Gold Coast. as part of the 4x100 freestyle Most of taken off the court via There’s a lot of emphasis on relay and a silver in the medley the Australian stretcher after being undercut the swimmers after Australia’s relay. swimmers will while scoring a basket with below-par performance at the “I’ve never had a home- miss the 41.8 seconds left in the third last Olympics and world cham- crowd advantage,” she said. “We opening cer- quarter. pionships, events that forced a saw it in Glasgow in 2014 - the emony on The Warriors said McCaw rethink on how the team pre- Scots just lifted. There was some- Wednesday, was transported to nearby UC pares and is selected for major thing in the air there that helped because com- Davis Medical Center. events. them lift. petition starts Celtics 110, Raptors 99 The emphasis now is on a “It’s not so much the pressure the following Marcus Morris had 25 short turnaround between trials of expectation because (the day when An athlete trains in the swimming pool at the Optus points and nine rebounds and and competition, similar to the home crowd) want to see you Emma Aquatic Centre (GAC), ahead of the 2018 Gold Coast Jayson Tatum scored 24 as successful US format. swim well.” McKeon will Commonwealth Games, yesterday. host Boston beat Toronto in a Campbell, who won three Campbell is part of a compete in the battle of Eastern Conference powerhouses. Terry Rozier added 21 points and seven assists and Hamilton starts Flames’ 3-goal first in 3-2 win Al Horford had 14 points for the Celtics, who earned their sixth straight victory and AP Calgary to its first win since a 1-0 13 goals since Jan. 1, tying him Oilers coach Todd McLellan said. consecutive 2-on-1s, Connor pulled within two games of victory over Edmonton on March with Sean Monahan for second “If we could get one of them McDavid and Leon Draisaitl the Raptors for first place in CALGARY: Dougie Hamilton is 13. Michael Frolik added two on the team behind Matthew back, we’d take it. But he’s been failed each time to get a shot on the East with six games closing out an impressive assists, and Smith stopped 34 Tkachuk in that stretch. tremendous. In the last six goal. Early in the third, the same remaining for each team. performance in a disappointing shots. “It’s so heavy and his release weeks, he’s been a rock for our duo combined again, but Drai- DeMar DeRozan scored a season for the Calgary Flames. Anton Slepyshev and Mike is quick, he doesn’t need a team.” saitl rang a shot off the post. game-high 32 points with Hamilton’s league-leading Cammalleri scored for wind-up to get the velocity on it. The Oilers were the much NOTES: McDavid, the NHL’s seven assists and seven 17th goal by a defenseman Edmonton. Cam Talbot gave up I thought Dougie had an better team in the second period, leading scorer, failed to pick up rebounds, Serge Ibaka had 15 helped Calgary snap a seven- three goals on seven shots before excellent game,” Flames coach outshooting Calgary 12-5 and a point, snapping his six-game points and 10 rebounds and game losing streak with a 3-2 he was pulled 15 1/2 minutes in Glen Gulutzan said. narrowing the deficit to 3-2 on scoring streak (seven goals, Jonas Valanciunas had 13 and win over the Edmonton Oilers with the Oilers trailing 3-1. Al Hathaway put the Flames in Cammalleri’s deflection with 7:19 seven assists).... Edmonton was 11 for Toronto, which suffered on Saturday night. Montoya came on and stopped front at 11:54, beating Talbot on left. 0 for 5 on the power play. its fourth loss in the last seven “Quick release. (His shot) all 13 shots he faced. a wrist shot inside the post from “A tale of two teams. First Calgary was 0 for 3 and fell to 1 games following an 11-game comes on you in a hurry,” said Edmonton grabbed the lead nearly 60 feet out. The short- period, not good, nothing to be for 47 over the last 16 games.... win streak. Flames goaltender Mike Smith, on Slepyshev’s sixth of the handed goal was Hathaway’s proud of,” said Cammalleri, who Calgary F Johnny Gaudreau Pistons 115, Knicks 109 who only has to stare it down in season 2:41 into the first, but the first goal in 42 games. hadn’t scored since Dec. 28. returned to the lineup after Andre Drummond had 22 practice. “He changes the angle Flames responded with three Backlund neatly pulled the “Second two (periods), probably missing two games (family points and 17 rebounds to lead really well. He’s definitely got a goals in less than nine minutes. puck around Talbot and fired in more how we want to play.” matter). five starters in double-figure good shot.” Hamilton got it started with his 14th goal of the season with In one sequence, Edmonton Oilers: At Minnesota tonight scoring as visiting Detroit Mikael Backlund had a goal a wicked 30-foot wrist shot that 4:32 remaining in the first. That had three odd-man rushes before closing the season with picked up a crucial win over and an assist and Garnet beat Talbot at 6:43 on the Oilers’ was it for Talbot. within the same penalty kill, but two home games. Flames: Host New York. Hathaway also scored to help first shot on goal. Hamilton has “It wasn’t his best night,” it only got one shot out of it. On Arizona tomorrow night. MONDAY 2 APRIL 2018 SPORT 35 Poulter shares lead in Houston, eyes Augusta Masters ticket

LEADING SCORES AFP He later learned that “I’m in a no-lose situ- move to 13-under par. He 202 - Ian Poulter (ENG) 73-64-65, Beau Hossler 65-68-69 information was wrong, just ation. I haven’t won a stroke came to the last and duly 204 - Greg Chambers (AUS) 67-72-65, Emiliano Grillo (ARG) 69- HOUSTON: Ian Poulter kept 10 minutes before he teed off play event on the PGA Tour delivered the birdie to tie 68-67, Kevin Tway 65-70-69, Paul Dunne (IRE) 64-71-69 alive his dream of a ticket to in a semi-final with Kevin and I’m in a position where Poulter, and much to the next week’s Masters on Kisner, which he duly lost. I’ve got an opportunity to.” wild applause of a partisan 205 - Robert Garrigus 69-68-67, Chesson Hadley 68-68-69, Matt Saturday, firing a seven- Poulter, who delayed his Poulter had earlier kick- Texas crowd. Kuchar 68-68-69, Keith Mitchell 67-71-67, Sam Ryder -68-68-71, under-par 65 to grab a share decision to compete in started his third round with While both Poulter and Henrik Stenson (SWE) 68-68-69 of the third round lead at the Houston, said he had still four birdies in his opening Hossler are desperately

206 - Abraham Ancer (MEX) 68-66-72), Luke List 68-68-70, Houston Open. been irked by the mix-up eight holes. seeking the win to qualify for Jordan Spieth 68-67-71, Shawn Stefani 68-68-69 The English Ryder Cup when he arrived this week, He then holed a 13-foot Augusta there are four star, who must win in Texas shooting a 73 in the first birdie putt at the par-4 10th players in third place at this weekend to snare the round as he attempted to hole to move to 12-under 12-under par and if any of final invitation on offer for force the pace. ahead of a superb tee shot to those should win they will Augusta National, produced “Maybe I was a bit angry just seven-feet at the par-3 be heading to the Masters seven birdies and no birdies on Thursday, maybe I was 16th. He then split the instead. to move to 14 under. kind of forcing, trying to fairway at 17 to land his They include - Aus- Poulter was joined at the force my way into a tour- second shot to just six-feet tralia’s Greg Chambers (65), top of the leaderboard by nament,” Poulter said. for a seventh birdie and a 65. Argentina’s Emiliano Grillo Texas resident Beau Hossler, “It didn’t work, had to Poulter headed to the (67), American Kevin Tway who drained a birdie on the rethink it, had to kind of scorer’s hut leading at (69) and Ireland’s Paul last to move to 14 under with blow the cobwebs out 14-under par and waited as Dunne (69). a 69. Poulter’s performance Thursday night and reset Hossler, the overnight Looming at 11-under par was the latest twist of a roller and go again.” leader, did his best to match are two players already coaster week for the Although one strong his English rival’s effort. qualified for the Masters, 42-year-old, who was round could vault him into The 23-year-old Sweden’s Henrik Stenson informed incorrectly during the Masters, Poulter said he struggled with just one birdie and American Matt Kuchar the WGC-Dell Techologies would be relaxed either way. in his opening 10 holes only who signed for 69s. Match-Play championship “I’ll have no emotion at to drop a shot at 11 before the Jordan Spieth is four off in Austin that he had earned all. I’m going to go play golf,” Austin resident steadied to the pace at 10 under after a a place at Augusta. he said. birdie the next two holes and third round 71.

Ian Poulter of England in action during the third round of the Houston Open in Humble, Texas on Saturday.

Joshua wants fight against David says Wilder after Parker win pressure’s off AFP for squash Anthony Joshua celebrates with CARDIFF: Anthony Joshua called the belts after winning the fight for a heavyweight unification fight against Joseph Parker on Saturday. hat-trick with Deontay Wilder, saying it was AFP “not time to sit back and enjoy the ride”, after beating Joseph Parker in Cardiff on Saturday. GOLD COAST: Joshua added Parker’s World Malaysia’s squash Boxing Organisation heavyweight superstar Nicol David title to his International Boxing (pictured) said Federation and World Boxing Sunday the “pressure Association belts with a unan- is off” as she bids for imous points decision over the a third straight gold New Zealander after being taken medal at the Gold to 12 rounds for the first time in his Coast Common- unbeaten 21-fight professional wealth Games. career. The eight-time Now the pressure will build for world champion, 34, a unification bout with the United currently ranked States’ Wilder, the World Boxing sixth in the world, is Council heavyweight champion. lining up for her sixth “I want Wilder... Get him in the Commonwealth ring and I’ll knock him spark out,” Games, but for the Britain’s Joshua said in the ring first time since Manchester 2002 she is not the tour- immediately after judges had nament top seed. scored the fight 118-110, 118-110, “I’ve got nothing to lose,” David said. 119-109 in his favour. “I want to start strong and see how far I go. But the London 2012 Olympic “The depth of the game is so strong. It’s anyone’s champion was in more considered competition, anyone in the top 10 could win. mood at the post-fight press he was “the baddest man in the believe.” Meanwhile a gracious it’s important when we do close “The gold medals I have are very close to my heart conference. world, the baddest man on the Parker had no complaints after his the distance so that we are able to and that is spurring me on.” “2018 was always a time to planet, and that’s fact”. first defeat in 25 bouts as a work,” he said. David competed in her first Commonwealth Games capture all the belts,” said Joshua, Joshua refused to rise to professional. “Unfortunately for us, the as a 14-year-old at Kuala Lumpur in 1998 before flanked by promoter Eddie Hearn Wilder’s comments, including a “We enjoyed being here, he referee just didn’t allow us to do spending a record 108 consecutive months (2006- and trainer Rob McCracken. previous remark when the (Joshua) deserved to win. that. 2015) on top of the official women’s world rankings “We are one away now. American said he wanted a “body” “We’re still young, we’ll be “I knew he was from Italy but and amassed an incredible 56-match unbeaten run “In my eyes, it’s not time to sit on his record. back, we’ll be champion again,” I obviously expected we would in 2009. She won Commonwealth singles gold at Delhi back and enjoy the ride,” he said “I’m not into the business of added the 26-year-old. have a guy who could commu- 2010 and Glasgow 2014. The women’s singles com- The unbeaten Wilder took to hype, hype, talk, talk. I’d love to Parker and his camp were nicate with the two participants petition begins on Thursday. Twitter after Saturday’s contest in maybe go to America with Eddie frustrated by the way Italian fighting.” Meanwhile, squash star Nick Matthew credits Brit- front of a 78,000 capacity crowd and Rob and look at the landscape referee Giuseppe Quartarone Butt Joshua’s trainer ain’s 2012 Olympic heptathlon champion Jessica Ennis- at the Principality Stadium to insist and see how serious they are, and repeatedly intervened to stop any McCracken countered: “When he Hill for getting him back on track in his bid for a fourth deal with this behind closed close-quarter work developing explained the rules for two Commonwealth Games title. doors.” between the two boxers. minutes he spoke English,” he said. The 37-year-old Englishman -- who has also Hearn added: “I think it has to They questioned the Italian’s Barry, however, would not accrued three British Opens and three World Opens happen in 2018 otherwise we are suitability for taking charge of such blame the referee for Parker’s during his stellar career -- told The Times on Saturday going to hit some major problems a big fight given what they said defeat. Ennis-Hill had dispelled his most recent bout of self I want Wilder... Get with the politics and the manda- was his poor grasp of English. “I was quite impressed with a doubt. him in the ring and I’ll tories (mandatory defences of the “We’re not blaming the ref (for lot of things Joshua did, he held his “She (Ennis-Hill) is one of my wife’s closest friends various belts). the defeat) but he couldn’t really hands better and was quite hard but we don’t really speak about sport,” said Matthew, knock him spark out. “If they (Wilder’s camp) speak English,” said Parker. to hit,” Barry said. whose wife Esme is a sports physiologist. In my eyes, it’s not stepped up and were actually “I wanted to work on the Meanwhile David Higgins, “I was feeling flat and had the worst week of serious about the fight, and serious inside more.” Parker’s trainer, Parker’s promoter, said there was training I’d had all year. time to sit back and about a deal we are more than fair Kevin Barry, agreed. plenty more to come from his man. “She said it was probably my body’s radar pro- enjoy the ride: to offer them, it could happen next. “Obviously when one guy “I saw the look in Joseph’s tecting me. “It took a couple of words from Jess for me “But they are so erratic and unpre- (Parker) has got a 76-inch reach eyes, this has made him hungrier,” to realise my subconscious had the handbrake on.” Anthony Joshua dictable, I don’t know what to and the other guy has got 84 or 85, Higgins insisted. MONDAY 2 APRIL 2018 SPORT 36

I wasn’t expecting a title here or anywhere, really. I just Sloane Stephens, says CRICKET CRICKET after winning the Miami wanted to make sure I got my South Africa vs Australia, New Zealand vs England, Open title game back where I wanted it fourth day of fourth Test LIVE ON fourth day of second Test to be. in Johannesburg TUBE in Christchurch

Cross-Country Rally: Al Attiyah targets victory in home round

THE PENINSULA with fellow Czech David Pabiska Martin Prokop of Czech Republic in his Ford to push his Ford F150 Evo to F 150 Evolution in this file photo. DOHA: After missing the UAE victory over Poland’s Jakub Pry- legs of FIA World Cup for Cross- gonski by the impressive margin Country Rally, star Qatari driver of 13min 30.2sec on the six-day Nasser Saleh Al Attiyah marathon across the UAE (pictured) will be looking to earn deserts. maximum points in the fourth That earned Prokop 60 round of the series on home soil crucial championship points and later this month. he now holds an unofficial Czech driver Martin Prokop advantage of nine points over the is the leader of the FIA World Pole in the rankings heading to Cup for Cross-Country Rallies Qatar. heading to the Qatar CrossCross- Sixty points will again be on Country Rally,Rally, thethe fourthfourth roundround offeroffer forfor thethe winner ofof thethe Losail-Losail- of the series being hosted by the basedbased event, which Qatar Motor and MotorcycleMotorcycle ggetsets under way Federation (Q(QMMF),MMF), from withwith a nnewew ccer-er- AprilApril 17 to 22. emonialemonial start The former WRC star in Doha from claimedclaimed the biggest victory 20.00hrs20.00hrs on ofof hihiss ccareerareer at llastast weweek-ek- AprilApril 17. STANDINGS AFTER ROUND 3 end’send’s AAbubu DhDhabiabi DDesertesert Al CChallengehallenge anandd hhasas now Attiyah knows 1. Martin Prokop (CZE) 93pts putput the ppressureressure on all his thatthat mismissingsing the 2. Jakub Przygonski (POL) 84pts rivalsrivals inin thethe Drivers’ Cham-Cham- ralliesrallies in DubaiDubai 3. Vladimir Vasilyev (RUS) 69pts pionship – Al Attiyah,Attiyah, who andand AbuAbu DhDhabiabi 4. Nasser Saleh Al Attiyah (QAT) 30pts missedmissed rroundsounds ttwowo andand couldcould prove costly 5. Yasir Saeidan (SAU) 26pts threethree ofof thethe 11-race11-race at thethe enendd ooff tthehe series.series. seasonseason if he is 6. Cyril Despres (FRA) 24pts ProkopProkop toto wwinin 7. Stephan Schott (DEU) 20pts teamed upu p

the FFIAIA World Cup for a fifth time Rally and holds fourth in the Schott, scored points in Abu after retiring from the Desert and prprevente a new name gracing rankings behind the experienced Dhabi but have not arranged a Challenge after oil pressure thethe FIAFIA World Cup trophy. Russian driver Vladimir full programme of FIA World issues following damage to his TheTh Qatari has a total of 30 Vasilyev. Cup events this season, while Toyota Hilux. Entries for all cat- pointspoints ffrom his win in February’s Several other drivers, like Yasir Saeidan lies fifth in the egories in the Qatar Cross- Baja RRussia Northern Forest Cyril Despres and Stephan standings and suffered a set back Country Rally close on April 5.

Sloane Stephens of the United States Three Qatar boxers to take holds aloft the Miami Open trophy after beating Jelena Ostapenko of Latvia on part in Sudan competition Saturday.

QNA will be very strong, due to the On the absence of Amir Al high technical levels of the par- Saai, who won a silver medal in DOHA: Qatar’s boxing team ticipating players. He high- Poland, Al Kazim said that the yesterday finished their prepa- lighted in particular the threat player suffered an injury to his rations for the week-long Arab of Algerian, Moroccan, Tunisian, shoulder that will keep him out boxing event starting today in Egyptian, and Iraqi players. of the competition. The player Sudan. Al Kazim told said that the will up his rehabilitation A total of 11 teams will par- federation opted to participate however in order to be ready for ticipate in the competition with the players who were ready the Asian games in Indonesia. where three Qatari pugilists will regardless of how many they Al Kazim who is also the Stephens take part. were. He added that he expects head of the Arab Federation, President of the Qatar the three players to give a good said that its executive office Boxing Federation Yousuf Al account of themselves during meeting will take place on claims Kazim said that the competition the competition. April 7. Miami title

REUTERS 6-0. “I knew if I just got back to Ostapenko saved four set the drawing board I would be points but couldn’t halt Stephens MIAMI: American Sloane OK.” as the Latvian lost her first tie- Stephens kept intact her streak The crowd favourite had just break - and first set - of the of never having lost a final as six winners, compared with 25 tournament when Stephens’ she defeated Latvia’s Jelena for Ostapenko, but 48 unforced return pulled Ostapenko wide Ostapenko 7-6(5), 6-1 to claim errors by the Latvian and to the backhand and the Latvian the Miami Open title on Stephens’ relentless defence netted. Saturday. were the difference. Ostapenko grabbed the first After a tense first set, the US Adding to her triumphant break in the second set, but Open champion reeled off six weekend, Stephens, who was Stephens broke straight back consecutive games in the second seeded only 13th in Miami, will and cruised to victory in an hour to beat the French Open winner make her world top-10 debut and 31 minutes. “I was a little and claim her first Miami title on Monday, after rising to nervous and it was showing in after a slow start to the season. number nine. my game,” Stephens said of the “I wasn’t expecting a title Ostapenko is currently first set. “My feet weren’t Al Mohannadi attends ITTF Museum opening here or anywhere, really. I just ranked fifth. moving. I wasn’t swinging good wanted to make sure I got my Their error-strewn first set at the ball. The Deputy President of International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) and President Qatar Table game back where I wanted it to began with four consecutive “I just needed a little Tennis Association (QTTA) Khalil Al Mohannadi (centre) along with other top ITTF officials during be,” Florida native Stephens said service breaks and went to 6-6 reminder to go for my shots, go the star-studded opening of ITTF Museum in Shanghai, China on Saturday. in a courtside interview after before Stephens pushed ahead for my forehand and really go extending her record in finals to 6-2 in the tiebreak. for it if I wanted to take the title.”