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Thursday, March 18, 2021 TENNIS Sha’aban 5, 1442 AH Teenager Sinner GULF TIMES ousts Bautista Agut to enter quarters SPORT Page 3 FOCUS ATHLETICS Olympic Refuge Foundation renews Barshim jumps 2.25m in fi rst Sheikh Joaan’s membership for four years competition aft er 2019 Worlds

By Sports Reporter number of topics, including the By Sports Reporter cember last year. Doha Foundation’s activities during Doha On Monday, Barshim won the past year and its priorities in gold ahead of Qatar SC’s Mo- the current year in addition to the hamed Hamdi al-Ameen, who E the President of Qa- amendments that must be made t may not have been a set- jumped 2.14m and Al Ahli’s tar Olympic Committee amid the outbreak of the Cov- ting that he is used to but Sreenith Mohan, who cleared (QOC) Sheikh Joaan bin id-19 pandemic in the world. The Qatar’s high jump star 1.80m. Hamad al-Thani at- Foundation Board also approved Mutaz Essa Barshim was Posting his competition vid- Htended the fourth meeting of the the four-year plan for 2021 to Imore than happy to win gold eo from the QAF Field Cham- Olympic Refuge Foundation (ORF) 2024, setting the strategy that will when he returned to competi- pionships, Barshim wrote on Executive Offi ce, held yesterday allow it to deliver on its ambition tion for the fi rst time since he 2.25m to win a competition that Instagram: “Back at it! .... First via video conferencing. The meet- to ensure that one million young successfully defended his gold kickstarts his preparation for competition since Doha 2019 !! ing was chaired by the IOC Presi- people aff ected by displacement at the 2019 World Athletics the Tokyo Olympics later this ... 2.25 to win the nationals feels dent Thomas Bach and was also have access to safe sport by 2024. Championships in Doha. year. good and looking forward for attended by UN High Commis- Since its creation in 2017, the Barshim, returning from a While Barshim has fl own over more soon.” sioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi, ORF has coordinated several pro- career-threatening injury, had higher bars in his spectacular Earlier this year, Barshim had who is acting as vice-chairman, grammes around the world. As a wowed a packed Khalifa Inter- career so far, going over 2.40m made his intentions about the ORF Council Members and ORF result, 200,000 young people are national Stadium in October for six straight years between Olympics very clear. “I’m look- Executive Board members. currently benefi ting from sports 2019, to become the fi rst high 2013-2018, with his highest ing forward to what is next for During the meeting, Sheikh programmes designed to improve jumper to win two straight jump being the Asian record of me. I’m very fortunate to have Joaan’s membership was renewed their well-being and social in- world championship golds in 2.43 in Brussels (2014), the win been a professional for 10 years for another four-year term. The clusion. In addition, the Olympic history. on Monday perhaps gave him and I’ve won literally every- Board also appointed Kenya’s Solidarity is currently support- At the Qatar Athletics Fed- confi dence and a benchmark thing except an Olympic gold. double Olympic 10,000m silver ing the 55 refugee athlete schol- eration’s Field Championships after a long hiatus forced by the It is the one thing missing from medallist and IOC member Paul arship-holders vying to be part at Qatar Sports Club earlier this Covid-19 pandemic. The two- my CV – and I would like to add Tergat as a new member. of the Refugee Olympic Team for HE the President of Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC) Sheikh Joaan bin week, Barshim, representing Al time Olympic medallist had it,” he was quoted as saying on The meeting discussed a Tokyo 2020. Hamad al-Thani. Rayyan Sports Club, jumped himself tested positive in De- World Athletics’ website.

HORSE RACING Zarandi stars in feature win, Qatari jockeys shine Saleh Salem al-Marri, Abdulaziz Jaber Dharman and Rashid Ali al-Marri ride five winners between themselves

By Mikhil Bhat al-Malki-trained gelding landing 1:04.40. Owner: Osama Omer Doha the 1,900m aff air by seven-and- al-Dafea. Trainer: Osama Omer a-half lengths. al-Dafea. Race 6: THOROUGHBRED andler Hamad al-Jeha- RESULTS HANDICAP (Class 5) (Division 2) ni closed out the Me- Race 1: LOCAL THOROUGHBRED (75 & below) (Distance: 1,100m) saimeer Cup day at Al MAIDEN PLATE (Distance: 1,100m) 1. Rock Bottom (Alberto Sanna), Rayyan Park yesterday 1. Hazm Al Uraiq (Rashid Ali 2. My Kinda Day (Ivan Rossi), 3. Hwith a double, including Saeed al-Marri), 2. Umm Thaga (Saleh Royal Court (Khalid al-Balushi), 4. Nasser al-Qadi-owned feature Salem al-Marri), 3. Elaaf (Alberto Creativity (JP Guillambert). Won winner Zarandi. Sanna), 4. Adaam Bu Thaila (Qais by: Shd, 2 ½, 2 ½. Time: 1:04.97. Zarandi had fi nished outside al-Busaidi). Won by: 1 ¼, 5 ¾, 1 Owner: Osama Omer al-Dafea. the top fi ve behind winner Al ½. Time: 1:06.50. Owner: Rashid Trainer: Osama Omer al-Dafea. Shaman when the two had last Ali Mohamed al-Saaq al-Marri. Race 7: THOROUGHBRED lined up for the same start two Trainer: Ali al-Marri. HANDICAP (Class 5) (Qatari weeks ago at Al Uqda Equestrian Race 2: LOCAL PUREBRED Riders Only) (Division 2) (80 & Complex near Al Khor. Yesterday, ARABIAN MAIDEN PLATE below) (Distance: 1,900m) the two, however, were involved (Distance: 1,100m) 1. Al Modajal (Abdulaziz Jaber in a close battle for supremacy, 1. Madaya (Saleh Salem al-Marri), Dharman), 2. Wakeel (Meshaal one which Soufi ane Saadi-ridden 2. Sukaar (Khalid al-Balushi), 3. Al Abdlatif al-Mohannadi), 3. Mes- Zarandi won by a neck as Tomas Mahyoub (Alberto Sanna), 4. Sa- sage (Saleh Salem al-Marri), 4. Al Lukasek helmed Julian Smart- laah (Meteb Ali al-Marri). Won by: Mujahaz (Saad Turki al-Dosari). saddled Al Shaman to runner-up Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club Acting CEO Bader bin Mohamed al-Darwish (third from right) and Racing manager Abdulla Rashid al-Kubaisi 2 ¾, 1 ½, 1 ¾. Time: 1:12.28. Owner: Won by: 1 ¼, ¾, 1 ¾. Time: 2:01.86. spot. (right) with the winners of Mesaimeer Cup after Zarandi won the 1,900m feature at Al Rayyan Park yesterday. PICTURES: Juhaim Khalid Abdulaziz al-Kuwari. Owner: Jassem Mohamed al-Badi. In the penultimate race of the Trainer: Zuhair Mohsen. Trainer: Jassim Ghazali. day, it was Ahmed Hassan al- guided Ali al-Marri-trained fi ve- Race 3: PUREBRED ARABIAN Race 8: THOROUGHBRED Malki al-Jehani’s Shaweesh who year-old to a local Thoroughbred MAIDEN PLATE (Fillies & Mares) HANDICAP (Class 4) (90 & entered the winner’s enclosure maiden sprint victory. (4-6-year-old) (Distance: 1,900m) below) (Distance: 1,900m) with an Arabian handicap victory Besides Al Modajal and Gold 1. Divine Princess (Marco Casa- 1. Massam (Anas al-Seyabi), 2. under Saleh Salem al-Marri. Fleece, Ghazali had one more mento), 2. Salsabeel (Francois Ernest Aldrich (Meteb Ali al-Marri), Qatari jockeys had a great day winner yesterday. His Highness Herholdt), 3. Badira (JP Guillam- 3. Huwaiteb (Tomas Lukasek), 4. in offi ce yesterday having won Sheikh Mohamed bin Khalifa al- bert), 4. Cocktail Du Loup (Tomas Luneray (Alberto Sanna). Won by: fi ve out of the 10 races on the Thani’s Divine Princess shed her Lukasek). Won by: 1 ½, ½, 5 ¾. 7 ½, 2, 3 ¾. Time: 1:58.97. Owner: card yesterday, including doubles maiden status in a 1,900m Pure- Time: 2:14.12. Owner: His Highness Sheikh Khalid bin Jassim bin Thani for al-Marri and Abdulaziz Jaber bred Arabian Maiden Plate event, Sheikh Mohamed bin Khalifa al- al-Thani. Trainer: Ibrahim al-Malki. Dharman. leading a one-two for the famous Thani. Trainer: Jassim Ghazali. Race 9: PUREBRED ARABIAN Win astride Shaweesh was al- royal blue and white stars silks Race 4: THOROUGHBRED HANDICAP (90 & below) Marri’s 19th winner this term. with Francois Herholdt guiding HANDICAP (Class 5) (Qatari (Distance: 1,900m) In the 1,900m victory, Shaweesh Smart-saddled Salsabeel to run- Riders Only) (Division 1) (80 & 1. Shaweesh (Saleh Salem won with two lengths to spare ner-up fi nish. below) (Distance: 1,900m) al-Marri), 2. Bsheer (Faleh winning in front of Bsheer, also Owner-trainer Osama Omer 1. Gold Fleece (Abdulaziz Jaber Bughanaim), 3. AJS Al Moheeb ridden by a Qatari rider – Faleh al-Dafea celebrated two Thor- Dharman), 2. Arrow (Salman Fa- (JP Guillambert), 4. Mountasir Bughanaim. oughbred Handicap winners yes- had al-Hajri), 3. Immoral (Meshaal (Qais al-Busaidi). Won by: 2, 2 ¾, Al-Marri fi rst guided Khalid terday including Izzer and Rock Abdlatif al-Mohannadi), 4. Al Mik- ½. Time: 2:13.52. Owner: Ahmed Abdulaziz al-Kuwari’s Madaya, Bottom. While Izzer was helmed dam (Rashid Ali al-Marri). Won by: Hassan al-Malki al-Jehani. Trainer: trained Zuhair Mohsen, to the by Anas al-Seyabi in the 1,100m 5 ¾, Hd, ¾. Time: 2:02.08. Owner: Hamad al-Jehani. six-year-old’s fi rst career vic- sprint for horses rated 75 and be- Nasser Saeed al-Eida. Trainer: Race 10: MESAIMEER CUP tory in the 1,100m local Arabian low, Sanna was astride Rock Bot- Jassim Ghazali. (THOROUGHBREDS (Class 2)) maiden sprint. Soufiane Saadi (left) rides Zarandi to victory ahead of Al Shaman, ridden by Tomas Lukasek, in the Mesaimeer tom in the second leg of the same Race 5: THOROUGHBRED (Distance: 1,900m) Dharman was astride win- Cup at Al Rayyan Park yesterday. race half an hour later. HANDICAP (Class 5) (Division 1) 1. Zarandi (Soufiane Saadi), 2. ners in the two legs of the Class In a scintillating victory later (75 & below) (Distance: 1,100m) Al Shaman (Tomas Lukasek), 3. 5 Thoroughbred Handicap for Fleece in the colours of Nasser row to second place. colours of Jassem Mohamed al- in the day, Sheikh Khalid bin Jas- 1. Izzer (Anas al-Seyabi), 2. Villains Shakour (Marco Casamento), horses rated 80 and below, which Saeed al-Eida to an easy win, In the second leg, Dharman Badi. sim bin Thani al-Thani’s Massam Voice (Alberto Sanna), 3. Tuff 4. Qatari Gold (Ronan Thomas). were reserved for Qatari riders. topping the 1,900m affair by entered the winner’s enclosure The day’s fi rst race was landed dominated the Thoroughbred Rock (Saleh Salem al-Marri), 4. Won by: Nk, 3, ½. Time: 2:00.75. In the first leg, he guided almost six lengths, with Sal- astride another Ghazali ward, by Rashid Ali al-Marri’s Hazm Al Handicap race for horses rated Bariq Al Thumama (Carlos Hen- Owner: Saeed Nasser al-Qadi. Jassim Ghazali-trained Gold man Fahad al-Hajri riding Ar- Al Modajal, but this time in the Uraiq as the owner-cum-rider 90 and below, with the Ibrahim rique). Won by: 1 ½, 2, 1 ½. Time: Trainer: Hamad al-Jehani. Gulf Times 2 Thursday, March 18, 2021

T20 SPOTLIGHT England’s Buttler Gurbaz shines in hails ‘pioneer’ Morgan aft er 100th T20 Afghanistan’s win AFP Buttler, 30, admitted he some- Ahmedabad, India times felt under pressure to re- tain his opening spot, a position he has held since 2018. “I don’t atch-winner Jos But- know if it will ever end, people tler praised England seem to quite enjoy talking about captain it. I certainly feel the pressure of as a “pioneer” after that sometimes,” he said. over Zimbabwe Mhis landmark 100th Twenty20 “We have lots of guys who appearance in Tuesday’s vic- would love to bat in that open- The right-hander hit seven sixes and six boundaries in his dominating 45-ball 87 tory over India. Buttler, whose ing position. For most people it’s unbeaten 83 eclipsed India skip- probably the best place to bat in AFP per Virat Kohli’s swashbuckling the game. But I know I’ve got the Abu Dhabi 77, said Morgan was an inspira- full backing of Morgs to go and Afghanistan’s Rahmanullah Gurbaz tion to up-and-coming England do it, which gives me a lot of con- plays a shot during the first Twenty20 cricketers. fi dence. I know Morgs is keen for pener Rahmanullah Gurbaz international against Zimbabwe in Abu Morgan, 34, has revamped me to open in this team and I do it smashed a fi ery half century to Dhabi yesterday. (Abu Dhabi Cricket) England’s approach to limited- with his backing.” anchor Afghanistan’s convinc- overs cricket, highlighted by Buttler said he wanted to sur- ing 48-run win over Zimbabwe their 2019 ODI World Cup win — prise the Indians by taking on inO the fi rst Twenty20 international in four years after they failed to get their spinners. “It just felt like a Abu Dhabi yesterday. The dashing right- out of their pool in 2015. “He’s good time to attack. People don’t hander cracked seven towering sixes and been a pioneer for English white- expect me to attack spinners, so I six boundaries in his dominating 45-ball ball cricketers — he was a pioneer tried to take them on. It was nice 87 to steer Afghanistan to an imperious as a player to start with and cer- to chance my arm today against 198-5 in 20 overs after they won the toss tainly as a captain and leader,” Chahal. First six off Chahal (off and batted at Sheikh Zayed Stadium. Buttler said. “He has always been the fi rst ball of his spell) got me Ace spinner Rashid Khan (3-28), Karim someone who has been ahead of off and running,” said Buttler. Janat (2-14) and Fareed Ahmad (2-31) then the curve.” The right-hander did not let restricted Zimbabwe to 150-7 in their 20 Dublin-born Morgan became leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal overs to give Afghanistan a 1-0 lead in the the fi rst England men’s player to settle in after the leg-spinner three-match series. The second match is play 100 T20 internationals in was brought on in the fourth over tomorrow and the third on Saturday, both the eight- win, which put of the innings. Buttler hit Cha- also in Abu Dhabi. the tourists 2-1 up in the fi ve- hal for a six off the fi rst ball of It was Gurbaz who gave the cavalier match series. Morgan has “taken his spell and though the bowler Afghanistan the robust start of 80 in just England’s white-ball cricket to managed to get rid of Jason Roy a eight overs and continued after Janat (26) places it’s never been before and couple of balls later, the England fell, adding another 74 for the second he’s done it in a quite incredible wicket-keeper-batsman did not wicket with skipper Asghar Afghan who way”, Buttler said. “He’s a selfl ess hold back as he hammered an- made a 38-ball 55. Asghar hit six bounda- guy but it’s no mean achievement other six a few balls later to get ries and two sixes. to reach 100 caps.” going. Gurbaz holed out to leg-spinner Ryan Morgan, who will lead Eng- “It was nice to spend time in Burl while Asghar fell to pacer Blessing land at the T20 World Cup in the middle. It was a great team Muzarabani in the fi nal over as Afghani- India later this year, said receiv- performance. We got some good stan added 42 in the last fi ve overs. Zim- ing the 100th cap from his “great partnerships to see us home. We babwe took three for 7 runs in 13 friend” Buttler was an emotional managed to have a good power- balls in the last two overs to keep Afghan- moment. “It nearly brought me play,” added Buttler while point- istan a shave under 200. Muzarabani was to tears to be honest,” Morgan ing to the 57/1 England got in the the pick of Zimbabwe bowlers with 2-38 said of Buttler’s short address to fi rst six overs. while Richard Ngarava took 2-43. the team. “Playing in 100 games As against that, India managed Gurbaz said: “If you start like that, it is a proud moment for me but just 24 for three in the fi rst six looks good for the series. So I am really the words that he said really did overs. “Every time you get early happy. I was trying to play for the team warm my heart and I am very wickets in the powerplay, it sets and not for myself. Hopefully, I will get a grateful,” said the captain. you up,” added Buttler. hundred in the next game,” Captain Asghar hailed the team’s spir- it. “The fi rst game of the series is very important,” said Asghar. “If you win, the morale is high. Rahmanullah and Janat partnership was good. Then bowlers were very good.” Zimbabwe were also off the track rap- idly, putting 38 by 4.5 overs but then lost wickets at regular intervals to lose the AFGHANISTAN INNINGS SCOREBOARD R. Mutumbami b Rashid 15 momentum required for the big chase. R Gurbaz c Tiripano b Burl 87 W. Madhevere lbw b Rashid 2 Opener Tinashe Kamunhukamwe scored a quick 37-ball 44 with four boundaries Karim Janat c Mutumbami b Ngarava 26 (Rashid) D. Tiripano 6 while Sikandar Raza and skipper Sean Asghar Afghan c Raza b Muzarabani 55 Bowling: Raza 2-0-16-0, Ngarava 4-0- B. Mavuta not out 10 Williams made 22 each which were not Mohammad Nabi c Mavuta b Ngarava 7 43-2 (w4), Muzarabani 4-0-38-2 (w2), Extras: (b4, lb3, w2) 9 enough. This becomes Afghanistan’s Tiripano 4-0-46-0 (w4), Williams 1-0-14- ninth win in 10 Twenty20 internationals Rashid K c Mutumbami b Muzarabani 7 0, Mavuta 2-0-13-0 (w2), Burl 3-0-24-1 Total: (Overs 20; for seven wkts) 150 against Zimbabwe, with just one defeat. Najibullah Zadran not out 0 Did not bat: B. Muzarabani, R. Ngarava Zimbabwe skipper said: “Winning the Usman Ghani not out 0 Fall of wickets: 1-38 (Musakanda), 2-83 toss was a big thing but Gurbaz batted ZIMBABWE INNINGS Extras: (lb4, w12) 16 (Williams), 3-106 (Kamunhukamwe), really well. Hit the ball really cleanly and T. Kamunhukamwe b Rashid 44 4-111 (Burl), 5-124 (Raza), 6-133 (Mutum- fast. His opening partner played a crucial Total; (Overs 20; for five wkts) 198 T. Musakanda c Zadran b Fareed 18 bami), 7-134 (Madhevere) role as well and then skipper too. Our ex- Did not bat: H Shahidi, Amir Hamza, S. Williams c Shahidi b Janat 22 Bowling: Haq 3-0-27-0, Hamza 3-0-19-0, ecution with the ball was poor and it was Naveen-ul-Haq, Fareed Ahmad very diffi cult to come back from that. We Sikandar Raza c Zadran b Fareed 22 Fareed 4-0-31-2 (1w), Nabi 2-0-24-0, Fall of wickets: 1-80 (Janat), 2-154 (Gur- Janat 4-0-14-2, Rashid 4-0-28-3 (1w) haven’t had much training leading into R. Burl b Janat 2 the T20I series but our death bowling was baz), 3-185 (Nabi), 4-192 (Asghar), 5-198 Result: Afghanistan win by 48 runs really good.” England opener . (Reuters)

FOCUS BOTTOMLINE Sri Lanka ignoring local talent for foreign India’s Kohli moves back into coaches: Former captain Ranatunga top-fi ve of ICC T20I rankings

AFP IANS Colombo New Delhi

ormer World Cup-win- ndia captain Virat Kohli has moved back ning skipper Arjuna into the top fi ve of the International Cricket Ranatunga slammed Sri Council’s (ICC) T20I rankings for batsmen. Lanka Cricket yesterday, Kohli recorded unbeaten knocks of 73 and 77 accusingF it of hiring “garbage” Iin the second and third T20Is against England. foreign coaches while ignoring Kohli, who has had lengthy spells as the top local talent. Sri Lanka won the ranked batsman in T20Is in the past, rose to fi fth World Cup once — in 1996 — and on the back of his performances in the second and were runners-up to Australia and third T20Is. India in 2007 and 2011 respec- Meanwhile, Shreyas Iyer jumped 32 places to tively. In the most recent tourna- 31st while Rishabh Pant gained 30 places to reach ment in 2019, they did not make 80th in the rankings. All-rounder Washington it out of the group stages. Sundar (up two places to 11th) and seam bowlers “We spend huge amounts to Shardul Thakur (up 14 places to 27th) and Bhu- eff ort against Sri Lanka, in which he had scores of import garbage coaches,” Rana- Sri Lanka’s Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa (left) and 1996 cricket World Cup-winning skipper Arjuna vneshwar Kumar (up seven places to 45th) have 110, 84 and 64, have helped him gain fi ve slots and tunga said, adding that the for- Ranatunga attend the silver jubilee ceremony of the 1996 World Cup victory in Colombo yesterday. (AFP) moved up the list for bowlers. reach joint-seventh position, three off his career eign imports were partly respon- England’s Dawid Malan retains the No.1 rank best fourth position attained in May 2019. sible for the low ranking of the not name any foreign coaches, and rebuilding the national team. He previously coached Bang- among batsmen in T20Is while Jos Buttler’s Nicholas Pooran (up one place to 32nd), Evin national team in all formats of the team is currently coached by Other former foreign coaches ladesh and is currently assistant match-winning 83 not out in the third match has Lewis (up 10 places to 44th) and Darren Bravo the game. South African Mickey Arthur. included Bruce Yardley, John coach of state side New South helped him advance fi ve places to 19th position, (up eight places to 99th) are the other West In- “There is good (coaching) tal- Ranatunga was marking the Dyson, Paul Farbrace, Graham Wales in Australia. Ranatunga just two shy of his career-best 17th position at- dies players to move up in the batting list after ent in the country, but they are silver jubilee of the 1996 victory Ford and Geoff Marsh. The World added that mounting scrutiny in tained in October 2018. their team won the ICC Men’s Cricket World going abroad because there is no at a national ceremony hosted Cup-winning coach in 1996 was recent years over cricket corrup- Jonny Bairstow, who chipped in with 40 runs Cup Super League series 3-0. Fast bowler Alzarri recognition for them at home.” by Prime Minister Mahinda Ra- Sri Lankan-born Australian Dav tion in Sri Lanka had painted his and was associated in an unbroken 77-run stand Joseph’s four wickets see him advance seven plac- Ranatunga said former nation- japaksa. Whatmore. country in a negative light. with Buttler in the eight-wicket win on Tuesday, es to a career-best 27th position. al players such as his 1996 vice- The country’s governing body Former national Test star In 2019, then sports minis- has moved up two slots to 14th position in the list For Sri Lanka, Danushka Gunathilaka has captain Aravinda de Silva, as last month hired Tom Moody, Chandika Hathurusingha ter Harin Fernando introduced led by his compatriot Dawid Malan. Jason Roy has gained 20 slots to reach 51st position after scor- well as and an Australian former Test player coached Sri Lanka from 2018 to tough anti-corruption laws, after advanced four slots to 24th with scores of 49 and ing 187 runs in the series while PWH de Silva (up , were among who coached Sri Lanka from 2019, but was sacked following saying the International Cricket 46 in the fi rst two matches. from 94th to 66th) and Lakshan Sandakan (up the best batting coaches in the 2005 to 2007, as a consultant the team’s disappointing World Council considered Sri Lanka the In the ICC Men’s ODI Player Rankings, wicket- from 124th to 99th) are among those to move up world. While the 57-year-old did tasked with reviving the game Cup exit that year. most corrupt cricketing nation. keeper-batsman Shai Hope’s player of the series the bowlers’ list. Gulf Times Thursday, March 18, 2021 3 SPORT

TENNIS Qatar student wins Teenager Sinner paralympic swimming golds ousts Bautista Agut to enter quarters ‘HE’S AN INCREDIBLE PLAYER, HE’S VERY, VERY SOLID’

AFP Dubai

talian teenager Jannik Sin- ner overcame 2018 cham- pion Roberto Bautista Agut 6-4, 3-6, 7-5 in Dubai on IWednesday to reach his third quarter-fi nal of the season. Making his tournament de- but this week, the 19-year-old Sinner fi red 16 aces during the HOPE Qatar student Shamil Shahov won three gold medals two-hour 24-minute battle to in Open Paralympic Championship swimming event held in set up a last-eight encounter Minsk, Belarus, from March 12 to 14. Visually impaired Shahov, with Lorenzo Sonego or Aslan representing Qatar’s Elite Swimming Academy, won 100m Karatsev. The youngest player in breaststroke, 200m individual medley and 400m freestyle the top-100, Sinner is already a gold medals. The 17-year-old Azerbaijani was also adjudged two-time titlist on tour, having best swimmer of the competition. picked up trophies in Sofi a and Melbourne within the last six months. Sinner squandered a 4-2 lead RUGBY in the decider and was limited to a 38 per cent success rate be- hind his second serve but played some clutch Tennis in the dy- ‘World-class’ France ing moments of the match to squeeze past the fourth-seeded Bautista Agut by striking his stand in way of Wales 48th winner of the contest. “He’s an incredible player, he’s very, very solid. For me, Grand Slam bid personally, it has been tough to have the right balance on court, AFP fact we have got a huge game in not going for too much and not Cardiff , United Kingdom front of us and we need to be bet- going too slow. So I think that ter than we were in all the games was the key today,” said the Tour quarter-fi nal of his career eran Jeremy Chardy. Shapovalov a mere four points on serve form this week. before this.” 16th-seeded Sinner. with a commanding 6-4, 6-3 brought his explosive brand throughout to advance in domi- “Obviously I’ve struggled ssistant coach Jonathan Wales lost twice to France last “I’m looking for these kind of victory over Polish world No.35 of Tennis from the start, and nating fashion. against Hubert in the past. He’s Humphreys believes year, and Wales forwards special- matches, tough matches, know- Hubert Hurkacz. it earned him an early break in “For sure I’m playing some such a great player, he’s got great Wales will face “one of ist Humphreys said the home side ing myself a little bit better, match Contesting the 200th match game three. The world No.12 really good Tennis,” said Shapo- weapons. He’s really tough to the best teams in the would pose a huge physical chal- after match trying to improve, I of his career, the 21-year-old scooped the opening set in 43 valov, who credited a training play against so I’m really happy world”A when they target Grand lenge. “Collisions are going to be think that’s my main goal.” Shapovalov scored his fi rst win minutes, dropping just one point block with his coach Mikhail to get my fi rst win against him. Slam glory in the Six Nations on massive in this game,” he said. “I Earlier on centre court, Ca- in three meetings with Hurkacz on his fi rst serve along the way. Youzhny in Dubai following his Defi nitely with the way I played, Saturday. Wales tackle France in keep on saying it, but to get what nadian third seed Denis Shapo- to set up a last-eight show- Shapovalov kept up the pres- Australian Open third-round I felt like I was just really feeling Paris, where victory would yield we want out of this game, we are valov advanced to the 21st ATP down with in-form French vet- sure in the second set and lost exit last month, for his sharp it in the important points.” a sixth Six Nations crown and going to have to be very clinical fi fth tournament clean sweep. and at our very, very best.” The Welsh head to the French Wales have already won the capital after winning there on Triple Crown and European rug- Sexton hopes Ireland can give fi tting send-off for retiring Stander three of their past four visits in by’s two biggest prizes are tanta- the competition, but Wales as- lisingly close. Johnny Sexton says he was shocked to formed of the decision on Monday and for Ireland since his debut in 2016 after was still playing some of my best rugby. sistant coach Humphreys is “There are 25 of this squad learn about teammate CJ Stander’s deci- said he would be a major loss. he qualified under residency rules. I also knew I wanted my daughter Everli braced for a ferocious challenge. who have won big in this tourna- sion to retire and hopes Ireland can give “(I was) shocked - didn’t see it coming,” He was part of the 2017 Lions tour of to grow up around her family in South And he does not believe ment,” Humphreys said. him a fitting send-off in their final Six he said. “He’s done things for the right New Zealand and represented Ireland Africa.” Sexton praised his teammate’s France’s 23-20 loss to England “You are led by that, you are Nations match against England. reason - his wife and daughter are back at the 2019 World Cup in Japan, as well work ethic and commitment. on Saturday will aff ect Les Bleus’ led by Al (captain Alun Wyn South Africa-born back row Stander, 30, in South Africa at the moment, they’ve as winning a Six Nations Grand Slam in “I’ve played against him numerous mindset. “They still have a hell Jones), who sets the tone very, announced on Tuesday that he would been there for a few months and they 2018. Stander issued a statement an- times,” he said. “I’ve been on the receiv- of a lot to play for, and the DNA very well about this. There is no- call time on his career at the end of the went back for the last (coronavirus) nouncing his retirement from all forms ing end of a few carries. He’s got the of the team does not change,” he body who has been through this season for family reasons. lockdown as well, so it takes its toll,” of the game. utmost respect of anyone that’s played said on Tuesday. “We believe we more than he has. He is set to pull on the Irish jersey for Sexton added. “You just take a decision “I asked myself whether I was still enjoy- with or against him. Ultimately when are going up against one of the “When you have a team meet- the 51st time in Dublin on Saturday but based on family reasons and we respect ing this enough to earn the continued you finish up, that’s what you want.” best teams in the world, and that ing and one of those (senior play- could yet be involved in the British and him for that. He is a big loss to Munster support of Munster and Ireland, and Ireland are second in the Six Nations we are going to have to be at our ers) stands up and says some- Irish Lions tour against the country of and Irish rugby... but we wish him well to justify the sacrifices my family was table with 11 points after four matches very, very best to get what we thing, you listen, based on the his birth. and we hope that his last game in green making,” he said. “From a performance but cannot catch leaders Wales, while want from the weekend. fact that they have been there, Ireland captain Sexton, who is almost will be one to remember.” perspective, the answer was ‘yes’. But England are in fourth, a point behind “There is excitement that we done it and experienced all that five years older than Stander, was in- Stander has been virtually ever-present I always had the intent to retire while I Andy Farrell’s men. are obviously in the hunt for a big stuff . That is worth its weight in prize, but it is contained by the gold.”

MOTORSPORT Vettel already has some catching up to do Reuters questions about whether he was a spent Sabine Schmitz, ‘Queen force but Aston Martin, the former Rac- ing Point team who won in Bahrain last of the Nuerburgring’, year with now-departed Mexican Sergio ebastian Vettel will want to show Perez, are sure Vettel still has plenty in dies at 51 he still has the speed and spirit of the tank. Former racing driver Sabine Schmitz, a four-times world champion as They value his feedback and see him the ‘Queen of the Nuerburgring’ who he makes a fresh start with Aston as key to helping the progress of Cana- was also a presenter of the popular MartinS this season, but the German al- dian teammate Lance Stroll, son of Aston BBC Top Gear television programme, ready has some catching up to do. Martin owner Lawrence. “I think we’re has died at the age of 51. The German Through no fault of his own, the going to get the best out of Seb, I really circuit announced on Wednesday that it 33-year-old ended Formula One’s pre- do,” said technical director Andrew Green had “lost its most famous female racing season testing in Bahrain with less mile- at the team’s car and livery launch. driver”. age than any of his rivals and with the Vettel did only 10 laps on day two of “Sabine Schmitz passed away far too fi rst race looming at the same Sakhir cir- testing, a total of 54km, as a result of a early after a long illness. We will miss cuit on March 28. Such a situation would gearbox problem and then had a loss of her and her cheerful nature. Rest in have alarmed him back in the day when boost pressure on the Sunday that forced peace Sabine,” it said on Twitter. he won four successive titles with Red an early fi nish and left plenty of boxes The German, who grew up near the cir- Bull but Vettel, winner of 53 races, is older still to tick. Over three days he managed cuit and won the 24 Hours of Nuerbur- and wiser now. 117 laps, less than half the total of Alpha- gring touring car race with BMW in 1996 “Probably 10 years ago I would fi nally Tauri’s Pierre Gasly (237). and 1997, had revealed last year that panic now,” Vettel told reporters. “But The German told reporters that doing she was diagnosed with cancer in 2017. then again, if I were to panic now would it laps was more important than the times, Also known as ‘the world’s fastest taxi help? Probably not. that he was around 100 short of where he driver’ for the passenger rides she gave “We are just trying to do our things wanted to be and expected the opening around the 20.8km Nordschleife – the and use the time now we have. We still races to be a steep learning curve. “The north loop of the old ‘Green Hell’ circuit got some running, And for me it was su- car feels very promising but there’s still – Schmitz estimated she had lapped it per, super useful. It could be better, but it a lot of things that I need to get used to,” more than 20,000 times. In 2004 she could be worse. So I think it’s about re- said Vettel. “It’s a new environment, new drove a Ford diesel van around the maining calm, doing one thing at a time people and a new way of doing things. I track for a Top Gear episode, lapping in and moving forward when it’s time to.” need to adapt and learn so that will take just over 10 minutes – only nine seconds Vettel arrives at the Mercedes-pow- some time. The more time you get, the slower than fellow presenter Jeremy ered, Silverstone-based team after six better it is. “The one and a half days each Clarkson’s best eff ort in a Jaguar S-type. years at Ferrari, the last two spent un- of us get (in testing) are very crucial but... “Terrible news about Sabine Schmitz. comfortably alongside rising star Charles it’s normal that it takes more than one Such a sunny person and so full of Leclerc, and with a new role. and a half days to get back into a rhythm beans,” Clarkson said on Twitter. Glaring mistakes at Ferrari raised and everything.” Gulf Times 4 Thursday, March 18, 2021 SPORT

GOLF FOCUS Woods back home and recovering aft er Johnson expects car accident

AFP Los Angeles

iger Woods said Tues- tougher test to day he has left hospi- tal and is recovering at home after being seri- Tously injured in a car crash in Los Angeles last month. In a statement released on social media, the golf superstar thanked hospital staff who cared defend Masters title for him following his single vehi- cle car accident on February 23. “Happy to report that I am ‘IT LOOKS LIKE IT’S SHAPING UP TO BE A NORMAL MASTERS’ back home and continuing my recovery,” Woods said. AFP “I am so grateful for the out- Washington pouring of support and encour- agement that I have received over pare for a run at the Masters in the past few weeks.” April – when the crash occurred. efending champion “Thank you to the incredible Investigators in Los Angeles Dustin Johnson surgeons, doctors, nurses and have said Woods does not face says he does not feel staff at Harbor-UCLA Medical charges of reckless driving over shortchanged by hav- Center and Cedars-Sinai Medi- the crash, describing it as “pure- ingD only fi ve months to reign as cal Center. You have all taken ly an accident” and adding there Masters champion after winning such great care of me and I can- was no evidence of impairment. the green jacket last November not thank you enough,” he add- Last month’s accident was the at Augusta National. ed. “I will be recovering at home latest dramatic chapter of Woods But the 36-year-old Ameri- and working on getting stronger career, which saw him dominate can expects the famed course every day.” the golf world for more than a will play much harder and Woods suff ered serious inju- decade before a 2009 sex scandal quicker next month than when ries when his car fl ew off the road sent his game into freefall. he shattered the course record and fl ipped several times during He later divorced from his after a Covid-19 pandemic last month’s accident. Swedish wife Elin Nordegren af- postponement to capture his The 45-year-old 15-time ma- ter a cascade of women came for- second major title. jor champion later underwent ward to say they had aff airs with “November, the greens were hours of surgery to repair his the golfer. soft. You could be a lot more ag- shattered lower right leg and an- In May 2017, he was arrested gressive with longer clubs. They kle, which included the insertion near his home in Florida for be- would stop and hold the greens,” of a rod into his tibia and the use ing asleep at the wheel of his car Johnson said Tuesday in a Mas- of screws and pins to stabilise the in a traffi c lane. Woods said he ters conference call. joint. had taken prescription drugs and “I’d imagine it’s going to be pleaded guilty to reckless driv- pretty fi rm and fast. It’s defi - ‘PURELY AN ACCIDENT’ ing. nitely not going to be as soft as Woods faces a lengthy recovery A series of operations on it was. You’re going to have to be from his injuries, which included his back left many wondering able to land the ball in diff erent open fractures aff ecting his right whether Woods could ever re- spots. leg, raising questions over his turn to the top of his sport, but he “It looks like it’s shaping up to future playing career which has completed a fairytale comeback be a normal Masters.” also included 82 tour victories. with victory at the 2019 Mas- That means lightning-fast Woods was already recovering ters to clinch his 15th major title, greens and formidable shot- from his fi fth back surgery – and three shy of the record of 18 held making choices among the hoping he would be able to pre- by Jack Nicklaus. Georgia pines, where world number one Johnson won in a tournament-record 20-under Nine British athletes test positive par last year. the course in “immaculate con- “It’s defi nitely relieves a lot of a lot further than the one I’m leading up to Augusta. After growing up only an hour dition” and spent a night there pressure when I step back on the playing. The little bit of extra “It’s really close to being pret- for Covid-19: Times north of the course, Johnson is for the fi rst time. grounds for the Masters once distance, the harder you swing, ty good again.” Nine members of Britain’s athletics team have tested positive for fi ne with his reign lasting only “Ate dinner in the green jack- again.” the bigger your misses are. It Being a Masters champion has Covid-19, raising concerns over the risks involved in travelling as fi ve months instead of the usual et. That was fun,” he said. “On Johnson, who withdrew from just didn’t help. been as thrilling as Johnson im- a group ahead of this year’s Tokyo Olympics, the Times reported. 12. most of the holes, I was defi nite- Tokyo Olympics consideration “When I think I can’t beat agined it would. British media reported last week that the entire team was forced “No, I do not feel shortch- ly thinking about the shots I hit to focus on the British Open and someone, then I might look at “It’s incredible. It’s some- to isolate after returning from the European Indoor Champion- anged. It wouldn’t bother me if on the Sunday, especially that WGC St. Jude Invitational, said changing. When I play my best thing I dreamed of as a kid,” he ships in Poland after a staff member tested positive for the novel I only had it for a day,” Johnson fi rst round.” he pondered trying for more dis- golf, I feel like I can beat who- said. “It has just been an amaz- coronavirus. While a majority of the group travelled on the same said of the green jacket. “The Johnson, whose only other tance such as reigning US Open ever I’m playing against.” ing experience.” flight out of Warsaw, those that caught alternative flights were coolest thing was probably go- major title came at the 2016 champion Bryson DeChambeau, That said, Johnson still has Now Johnson wants to re- also made to isolate and informed not to attend training, the ing back up to Augusta last US Open at Oakmont, says the but didn’t see any advantage for some fi ne tuning to make on vive the form he displayed fi ve Times said. More athletes and staff will be tested today. week, wearing the jacket on the Masters victory provided a him. his game before he defends the months ago. UK Athletics did not immediately respond to Reuters’ request grounds.” measure of validation. “It’s what works for him,” green jacket on April 8-11. “I felt like I was in complete for comment. The positive tests are likely to disrupt the training After his journey down Mag- “It defi nitely gives me more Johnson said. “If you can hit it “I’ve got a little ways to go,” control of the golf ball the whole schedules of the athletes preparing for the Olympics, which are nolia Lane on March 2-3, John- confi dence. It defi nitely reas- further and control it, you defi - he said. week,” Johnson said. “I was su- due to begin on July 23. son went down memory lane in sured me that I am a very good nitely have an advantage. “My game is not quite where I per focused all week and knew The Times added that the Netherlands had also recorded nine his fi rst round at Augusta Na- player and I can win these big “If I want to, I could hit it fur- would like it to be. I’ve got plen- exactly what I was going to do positive cases. tional since winning, declaring golf tournaments,” Johnson said. ther. I have a driver I could hit ty of time to get it back in order and was able to execute.”

SPOTLIGHT SKIING Im ready to defend at formidable PGA National Weather hands AFP Els, Clarke, Furyk lead Miami golf’s inaugural World World Cup downhill Champions Cup m Sung-jae defends his fi rst Ernie Els, Darren Clarke and titles to Feuz, Goggia PGA Tour title at this week’s Jim Furyk will serve as playing Honda Classic, hoping to captains for the inaugural World Reuters was postponed. She had aimed to recapture the magic form Champions Cup, a team show- Zurich return in Lenzerheide to defend Ihe enjoyed before the Covid-19 down for golfers 50 and over her advantage. pandemic shut down the sport. that debuts in 2022. The event, The cancellations will help The 22-year-old South Ko- announced Tuesday in Chicago witzerland’s Beat Feuz men’s and women’s overall rean tackles one of the toughest by sports marketing firm Inter- and ’s Sofi a Goggia World Cup leaders Alexis Pin- courses on the tour at PGA Na- sport, will be a match-play battle won the men’s and wom- turault of France and Slovakia’s tional, which features “The Bear between United States, Europe en’s World Petra Vlhova, whose closest ri- Trap” – the par-3 15th, par-4 and World teams in an annual CupS downhill titles respectively vals had hoped to catch up in the 16th and par-3 17th holes. event fashioned after the Ryder yesterday after the fi nal races in speed races. “This is one of the toughest Cup and Presidents Cup. Lenzerheide were cancelled due Both overall titles are yet to be courses,” Im said Tuesday. “It The three-day event for Cham- to bad weather. decided with three races – each tends to get really windy here. pions Tour talent, sanctioned by Organisers had already been win worth 100 points – remain- “Even without winds the the US PGA Tour, will debut in the unable to hold the required train- ing for men and women; giant greens are always fi rm, and off fall of next year at an American ing runs on Monday and Tuesday slalom, slalom and super-G. the tee box there’s so much wa- course according to organisers. due to heavy snow and strong Vlhova is 96 points clear of ter everywhere that it just gives Four-time major winner Els will winds in the Swiss resort and the Switzerland’s Lara Gut-Behrami. a lot of pressure before you hit guide the global squad with 2003 schedule has no reserve days. Pinturault, who has not raced every shot.” US Open winner Furyk serving as “According to World Cup downhill this season, leads Swit- But Im says he enjoys the most US captain and 2011 British Open Rules, the races will not be re- zerland’s Marco Odermatt by 31. challenging courses the best. champion Darren Clarke mas- scheduled. Globes will be award- “The greens are fi rm. There’s terminding the European side. ed today,” the governing FIS said. Both overall titles are yet a lot of water. I know all the In this file photo taken on February 21, 2020, Im Sung-jae of South Korea tosses his ball to his caddie All will be playing captains on a Feuz, who was 68 points clear to be decided with three players will be struggling, in- on the second green during the third round of the World Golf Championships-Mexico Championship six-man squad with two nine-hole of Austria’s Matthias Mayer, has races – each win worth 100 cluding myself,” Im said. at Club de Golf Chapultepec in Mexico City, Mexico. (AFP) matches each day. “International now won the men’s downhill points – remaining for men “But I try to have fun playing team golf events have provided World Cup for four years in a row and women; , through the challenges. I tend lieve what just happened,” Im coming back up and I’m fi nding change in wind... it can change me with some of my greatest golf – matching the feat of compa- slalom and super-G to play well overall when the said of last year’s triumph. “So my game and it’s great to be back how the course plays drasti- memories,” Els said. “It’s a great triot Didier Cuche. courses are more challenging.” that memory in itself is the best here.” cally. honour to be named the captain Olympic champion Gog- The World Cup fi nals are being Im, ranked 17th, was the 2019 memorable moment from last In the 2020-21 campaign, “The guy who is comfortable of Team World for the inaugural gia had been 70 points clear of held without spectators because rookie of the year, took his fi rst year.” Im has made the cut in 15 of 16 with the change is going to do World Champions Cup.” Switzerland’s in of the Covid-19 pandemic. tour title in 2020 and produced Im played 12 of 13 weeks when starts. “As far as preparation, well, and the guy who isn’t is Furyk, a member of nine Ryder the women’s standings despite The FIS said yesterday that his best major fi nish with a the PGA returned from a three- nothing has changed,” Im said. going to really struggle.” Cup teams and seven Presidents a knee injury that forced her to men’s race director Emmanuel runner-up eff ort at last Novem- month layoff last June, with a “I’ve played really consistently Scott is impressed with what Cup squads, fired a PGA-record miss last month’s world cham- Couder had tested positive for ber’s Masters. He won last year’s 10th at Colonial in his fi rst event overall.” he has seen of Presidents Cup score of 58 in the fourth round pionships in Cortina d’Ampezzo. the virus and gone into self- Honda event by one stroke over back and a ninth at Greensboro Australia’s Adam Scott, the teammate Im. of the 2016 Travelers Champion- It was her second downhill isolation, with all those who had Canada’s Mackenzie Hughes his best results. 2016 Honda champion, expects “He (Im) thinks he can just ship. “I’m excited to lead Team globe after winning it in 2018. contact with the Frenchman re- and fi nished third the following “During the off time and the wind to play a major factor. pin-seek it all day,| Scott said. USA and recapture the great glo- She won four downhills in a row tested. week at Bay Hill before the virus coming back for the resumption, “This is a very demanding golf “He has obviously got a lot of bal team championships I have this season before suff ering the Austrian Hannes Trinkl, a shutdown struck. to my standard, I think I played course,” Scott said. confi dence and we’ve seen that been fortunate enough to enjoy injury in Garmisch-Partenkirch- former downhill world cham- “I went back to my hotel room mediocre,” Im said. “The wind makes this course in his consistent play the last during my career,” Furyk said. en in January while skiing back pion, will take over Couder’s re- and I just really couldn’t not be- “But my condition is slowly extremely diffi cult. If there’s a couple of years now.” to the valley after a Super-G race sponsibilities. Gulf Times Thursday, March 18, 2021 5 SPORT

NBA NFL San Francisco re-sign Williams to historic Lillard’s 50 seals six-year deal

Reuters pending the results of a physical, New York which could be more than a foot- note. The compensation from the Lions in the deal is expected an Francisco 49ers off en- to be modest, per reports. Blazers comeback, sive tackle Trent Wil- Brockers agreed to terms with liams has agreed a six- the Baltimore Ravens prior to the year deal worth $138.06 2020 season but failed his physi- millionS to stay with the fran- cal due to chronic ankle issues. chise, his agency said yesterday. Instead, Brockers returned to The deal includes $55.1 million the Rams on a three-year, $24 in fully guaranteed money and million deal. a $30.1 million signing bonus, He declined a paycut to stay Jazz bounce back making him the highest paid of- with the Rams and is owed $8 fensive lineman in NFL history, million in 2021 after starting 15 NFL Network said. games in Los Angeles alongside ‘WE JUST STAYED THE COURSE AND SHOWED A LOT OF RESILIENCE’ Eight-time Pro Bowler Wil- Aaron Donald last season. liams, 32, was drafted by the This is the second trade this Washington Football Team with off season between the Rams and the fourth overall pick in 2010. Lions, who are swapping quar- He spent nine seasons in Wash- terbacks Matthew Staff ord and ington before his relationship Jared Goff . with the team soured and he was Current Lions general manag- acquired by the 49ers in the off - er Brad Holmes was in the scout- season last year. ing department of the Rams in Williams started 14 games for 2012 when general manager Les San Francisco last season and Snead made Brockers the 14th fi nished with the fourth-best overall pick. Brockers, 30, gives pass-block win rate (93.6%) the Lions a presence in the mid- among off ensive tackles. dle of the defensive line after Danny Shelton was released. LIONS LAND BROCKERS IN Of note on Brockers and Goff : TRADE WITH RAMS the defensive lineman called The Los Angeles Rams report- Staff ord “a level up” from Goff in edly traded defensive tackle an interview with NFL Network. Michael Brockers to the Detroit They’ll now be teammates again Lions early yesterday morning, in Detroit.

Portland Trail Blazers point guard Damian Lillard shoots the ball past New Orleans Pelicans center Steven Adams during the second half of their NBA game at Moda Center in Portland, Oregon, USA. (USA TODAY Sports)

games for the Western Conference lead- Utah. Jayson Tatum led the Boston scor- AFP RESULTS Los Angeles ers. ing with 29 points while Jaylen Brown Trail Blazers 125-124 Pelicans However after a sluggish start on Tues- added 28 as the Celtics fell to 20-19 to day, which saw the Celtics race into an remain in sixth place in the Eastern Con- amian Lillard delivered a Lakers 137-121 Timberwolves 11-point lead midway through the fi rst ference. 50-point performance and led Jazz 117-109 Celtics quarter, normal service resumed as Utah Elsewhere Tuesday, the New York James wants an NBA franchise a remarkable fourth quarter Bulls 123-102 Thunder asserted themselves late on. Knicks pushed the Eastern Conference- comeback as the Portland Trail A 40-point fourth quarter wrapped up leading Philadelphia 76ers all the way be- aft er Fenway stake BlazersD defeated the New Orleans Peli- Hawks 119-107 Rockets a morale-boosting victory which saw the fore losing their road game 99-96. cans 125-124 on Tuesday. Heat 113-98 Cavaliers Jazz improve to 29-10 at the top of the The Knicks, who ran the second-placed Los Angeles Lakers forward Association MVP a part-owner Lillard drained six three pointers and 76ers 99-96 Knicks Western Conference. Brooklyn Nets close on Monday, led for LeBron James says he wants of Major League Baseball’s made 13-of-20 from the fi eld with six re- While Mitchell led the scoring for long periods but were overpowered in to own an NBA franchise after Boston Red Sox. bounds and 10 assists to give the Blazers getting worse, I felt our communica- Utah, Jordan Clarkson provided an inval- the fourth quarter as the Sixers outscored taking a stake in Boston-based FSG also owns Premier League an improbable victory at Portland’s Moda tion and our trust in each other just kept uable stint off the bench with 20 points their opponents 26-14. Fenway Sports Group (FSG). soccer champions Liverpool. Center Arena. building.” - including fi ve three-pointers – in just Tobias Harris led the Sixers scoring “My goal is to own a team, own “For me, and for my partner The Pelicans looked to be cruising to Lillard’s masterpiece leaves the Blazers over 30 minutes on court. with 30 points while Ben Simmons had an NBA team,” he said after the Maverick (Carter), to be the victory after surging into a 17-point lead in sixth place in the Western Conference Clarkson said Utah had been deter- a double-double with 16 points and 13 Lakers beat the Minnesota Tim- first two black men to be a part with just over six minutes remaining, up standings. mined to regroup after Sunday’s defeat to rebounds. Seth Curry had 20 points as berwolves at the Staples Center of that ownership group, in 115-98 thanks to big performances from The Portland talisman was backed with the Warriors. Philadelphia improved to 27-12. on Tuesday night. the history of that franchise, I Brandon Ingram and Zion Williamson. 22 points from Gary Trent Jr and 10 apiece “This is our last big road trip, and af- Julius Randle and Alec Burks led the “I got so much to give to the think it’s pretty damn cool,” said But Lillard then seized control of the from Derrick Jones Sr, Enes Kanter and CJ ter losing that one to the Warriors we just New York scorers with 19 points apiece. game, I know what it takes to James. “It gives me and people contest down the stretch, rattling off 15 McCollum. wanted to come back and get something In Los Angeles, LeBron James had 25 win at this level, I know talent that look like me, you know, points in a 25-7 run for Portland including The Pelicans scoring was led by Ingram tonight,” Clarkson said. “We’re just try- points as the Lakers cruised to a 137-121 and I also know how to run a hope and inspiration that they two ice-cool free throws with 1.2 seconds (30 points) and Williamson (28 points). ing to string these wins together. victory over the Minnesota Timber- business as well. So that is my can be in a position like that as remaining to seal the Blazers comeback. Elsewhere Tuesday, Donovan Mitchell “We know we can handle our business wolves. goal. My goal is to own a NBA well, that it can be done. It gives “In the huddles we just kept telling scored 20 points as the Utah Jazz bounced at home, but on the road we’ve got to take In Miami meanwhile, Jimmy Butler franchise, and you know it’ll be my kids at my primary school each other that we were the more expe- back from a run of disappointing recent everything into account, do all the small had 28 points as the Heat extended their sooner than later.” more and more inspiration as rienced team, and these are the kind of outings with a battling 117-109 road vic- things well, and that’s going to help us winning streak to fi ve games with a com- The Boston Globe reported on well. “It’s a pretty amazing thing games we’re capable of winning,” Lillard tory over the Boston Celtics. Utah arrived win.” fortable 113-98 win over the Cleveland Tuesday that James had joined and for me to continue to build said afterwards. at Boston’s TD Garden still smarting from Point guard Mike Conley had 17 points Cavaliers. Miami improved to 22-18 with FSG as a partner, making the my Portfolio off the floor also in “We just stayed the course and showed a 12-point loss to the Golden State War- and French international Rudy Gobert the win to remain in fourth place in the four-time National Basketball a beautiful game like baseball.” a lot of resilience. When it seemed it was riors on Sunday, a fourth defeat in six added 16 points with 12 rebounds for Eastern table.

NHL Ovechkin’s milestone goal helps Caps end Isles’ run allowed four goals on seven shots. Reuters RESULTS New York Adam Henrique had a goal and two Capitals 3-1 Islanders assists, Troy Terry had a goal and an assist, Danton Heinen and Derek Grant Avalanche 8-4 Ducks lex Ovechkin hit two more had a goal each and Ryan Miller stopped milestones Tuesday night, Lightning 4-3 Stars 28 shots for the Ducks. Anaheim took when the star left winger as- Wild 3-0 Coyotes its fourth loss in a row and its 13th de- sisted on the Capitals’ fi rst Red Wings 4-2 Hurricanes feat in 15 games (2-10-3). goalA and scored the second one in The game was tied at 4 after two pe- Washington’s 3-1 win over the visiting Devils 3-2 Sabres riods, but the Avalanche scored twice New York Islanders. Bruins 2-1 Penguins in the fi rst four minutes of the third. The goal was the 718th of Ovechkin’s MacKinnon’s power-play blast made career, breaking a tie with Phil Esposito ers scored on the power play fewer it 5-4 at 1:01, his eighth of the season, for sixth on the all-time list. Ovechkin than four minutes later. A pass from and Girard shot one in off Anaheim de- is 13 goals behind fi fth-place Marcel Washington’s Zdeno Chara glanced off fenseman Josh Mahura at 3:24. Dionne. Ovechkin’s assist gave him Panik’s skate to Wahlstrom, whose shot Bellemare scored an empty-net goal 1,300 career points, and the goal gave ticked off Panik’s stick and into the net and Saad tallied on the power play in him sole possession of 34th place on for the unassisted goal at 4:17. the fi nal four minutes. Burakovsky gave the all-time points list, one point ahead Colorado a 1-0 lead when he knocked in of Jarome Iginla. AVALANCHE DOUBLE UP DUCKS Kadri’s rebound just 1:01 into the game, TJ Oshie scored in the second period FOR FOURTH STRAIGHT WIN but Terry tied it at 2:16. Just 2:17 later, and Nicklas Backstrom scored on the Nazem Kadri recorded two goals and Heinen beat Miska to put the Ducks power play in the opening seconds of two assists as the Colorado Avalanche ahead 2-1. Kadri tied it again at 7:02 of the third as Washington won its sixth rallied to beat the Anaheim Ducks 8-4 the opening period, but the Ducks went straight. The Capitals moved into a tie in Denver on Tuesday night. back in front on Henrique’s one-timer for fi rst place in the East Division with Mikko Rantanen, Andre Burakovsky, at 15:59. Colorado got a power play late the Islanders, who had their nine-game Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin celebrates after scoring a goal against the New York Islanders in the second Brandon Saad and Samuel Girard had in the fi rst, but Grant was tripped by winning streak snapped. Capitals goal- period at Capital One Arena in Washington. (USA TODAY Sports) a goal and an assist each for the Ava- Gabriel Landeskog on a breakaway to ie Ilya Samsonov made 21 saves. Oliver lanche, who earned their fourth con- give Anaheim a penalty shot. Grant beat Wahlstrom scored in the third period from Ovechkin, deked as if he were go- fi ring a shot from the left faceoff circle Mayfi eld, who was whistled for rough- secutive win and matched their highest Miska in the one-on-one showdown for the Islanders, who also had their 12- ing to shoot and got past Varlamov be- that sailed over Varlamov’s shoulder for ing after a skirmish with the Capitals’ goal total of the season. at 19:42 for his fi rst goal of the season. game point streak snapped. Goalie Se- fore fi ring a shot into the open net. The a power-play goal with 4:36 remaining Richard Panik after the second-period Nathan MacKinnon and Pierre- Grubauer replaced Miska to start the myon Varlamov recorded 19 saves. shot bounced off the post and into the in the middle period. horn, set up Washington’s third goal. Edouard Bellemare added goals for the second and the Avalanche tied it up. Ovechkin was credited with the crease, where Oshie swooped in for the Ovechkin got up, pumped his fi st and Backstrom dashed to the net, took a Avalanche, while Devon Toews notched Rantanan’s backhander went off Miller’s second assist when Oshie scored the easy put-back. Ovechkin broke the tie went back down to one knee before be- pass from Jakub Vrana and tipped the three assists and Joonas Donskoi had shoulder and in at 11:25, his 14th of the game’s fi rst goal at 10:36 of the second with Esposito just under fi ve minutes ing embraced by teammates. puck beyond Varlamov’s pads just 28 two. Colorado’s Philipp Grubauer made season, and then Kadri tipped in a shot period. Evgeny Kuznetsov took a pass later, when he went to one knee while A penalty on the Islanders’ Scott seconds into the third. The Island- 15 saves in relief of Hunter Miska, who by Burakovsky at 18:26 to make it 4-4. Gulf Times 6 Thursday, March 18, 2021 FOOTBALL

EUROPA LEAGUE FOCUS PSG beat Lille Ibrahimovic fi t to to reach French Cup quarters

AFP Meanwhile, Paris St Germain PARIS have closed their training facil- play a role for Milan ity as a precautionary measure after detecting several cases of aris St Germain forwards Covid-19, the French club Mauro Icardi and Kylian said. The training centre will be Mbappe fi red them to a closed until Monday and another 3-0 win over Lille yes- screening session will be carried Pterday to reach the quarter-fi nals out tomorrow. against Man United of the French Cup. The men’s team faced Lille in Argentine Icardi put the hold- the French Cup last 16, but the ers in front by bundling the ball women’s team were unable to Milan have a slight advantage thanks to Kjaer’s stoppage-time away goal in first leg into the net in the ninth minute play their game against Sparta while France striker Mbappe Prague in the Champions League. AFP doubled their advantage from PSG lead 5-0 from the fi rst leg of Milan the penalty spot shortly before the last-16 tie but would advance halftime. on aggregate if the match is for- Lille, who lead PSG at the top feited, which would be consid- latan Ibrahimovic will return of the Ligue 1 standings by three ered a 3-0 loss. from injury for AC Milan’s Europa points, were awarded a penalty “Given the mandatory quaran- League last 16, second-leg clash in the second half which would tine of the Paris Saint-Germain against the Swede’s former club have given them hope of clawing team... the UEFA Champions ZManchester United in the San Siro, coach their way back into the Cup tie. League match between Sparta Stefano Pioli said yesterday. But PSG keeper Keylor Navas Prague and Paris Saint-Germain, Pioli said that forward Ibrahimovic and saved Yusuf Yazici’s spot-kick, a initially scheduled for Wednes- midfi elder Ismael Bennacer are both fi t to week after keeping out a penalty day March 17, 2021 in Chomutov, play a role today as Milan target the quar- from Barcelona’s Lionel Messi cannot be held,” UEFA said. “The ter-fi nals with the tie 1-1 after the fi rst in the Champions League, and case is submitted to the UEFA leg in Old Traff ord. Ibrahimovic, 39, has Mbappe rounded off the victory Ethics and Disciplinary Control been out for over two weeks, missing the for the hosts by striking again in Body, which will take a decision away leg with an adductor muscle injury, stoppage time. shortly.” while Algerian Bennacer has been side- lined since mid-February with a muscu- lar problem. “Ibra and Bennacer will be available, I’m happy with their recovery,” Pioli said in Milan. “Obviously (Ibrahimovic) can’t have the 90 minutes in his legs, but it’s an important return for us.” However, Ante Rebic, Davide Calab- ria, Rafael Leao and Alessio Romagnoli are still doubts with various ailments. “The more choices I have, the better it is. Let’s see who will be there tomorrow. In any case, we have shown that we can do well even with absences,” the coach continued. Milan have a slight advantage thanks to Simon Kjaer’s stoppage-time away goal in the fi rst leg at Old Traff ord last week. Pioli credited Ibrahimovic and Dane Kjaer with lifting the team since their arrival in January 2020. Paris Saint-Germain’s French forward Kylian Mbappe celebrates after Despite a recent dip in form the team sit scoring against Lille during the French Cup round of 16 match at the second in Serie A. “The arrival of Zlatan AC Milan’s Zlatan Ibrahimovic has recovered from adductor muscle injury, which had sidelined him for two weeks. (AFP) Parc des Princes stadium in Paris yesterday. (AFP) and Kjaer has helped improve our team in terms of character, they’re big voices in standards since replacing the sacked fore that, Mourinho’s predecessor Louis thanks to their two-goal leads going into on the pitch,” said Pioli. “Zlatan is a great Jose Mourinho in 2018. “When you see Van Gaal won the FA Cup during his reign. their second-leg matches. Olympiakos COMMENT champion and has given us a lot in terms the culture and what’s happening every But they are United’s only major silver- head to the Emirates to face Arsenal, who of personality and depth. We’ve raised day, I feel a lot of improvement in the eve- ware since Alex Ferguson retired in 2013. are fresh from a derby triumph over Tot- the bar, raised our own expectations.” ryday routine and everyday work we do,” However, while he is keen to win his fi rst tenham, but face a battle at 3-1 down. Mourinho warns Son may not be Solskjaer said. trophy as United boss, Solskjaer believes SOLSKJAER WON’T MEASURE MAN “The boys have taken on board what cup glory is less important than sustained EUROPA LEAGUE LAST 16 released for South Korea duty UNITED PROGRESS BY TROPHIES we want and it’s for others to assess how league success. SECOND LEG FIXTURES Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said yesterday much of an improvement. We’re 12 points Of the remaining Europa ties, only League last-16 second-leg tie (kick-off s 2000 GMT unless stated; AFP Manchester United’s progress under his ahead of what we were at the same time Rangers’ with Slavia Prague looks to be in with Dinamo Zagreb today. The first-leg scores in brackets) London leadership should not be judged by how in the league last season. Of course we’re the balance as they will kick off at Ibrox London side are 2-0 up after the many trophies they win. Solskjaer’s side all aiming to win trophies. But, as we’ve all square at 1-1 following their draw in At Budapest (1755 GMT): Molde (NOR) fi rst leg. Mourinho said if Son face a defi ning week in their season as said, sometimes a trophy can hide the the Czech Republic last week. Steven v Granada (ESP) (0-2); At Zagreb (1755 ottenham boss Jose missed Sunday’s game against they bid to move a step closer to the fi rst other fact what’s happening at the club.” Gerrard’s side have already been crowned GMT): Dinamo Zagreb (CRO) v Totten- Mourinho has cast doubt Aston Villa he could not be ex- silverware of the Norwegian’s reign. Having lost at the semi-fi nal stage of Scottish champions, although they will ham Hotspur (ENG) (0-2); At London over whether Son He- pected to play for his country in United travel to AC Milan for a Europa four successive cup competitions, the also have one eye on the Old Firm derby (1755 GMT): Arsenal (ENG) v Olympiakos ung-min will be released Yokohama. “If a player is injured League last-16 second-leg clash in a tie next few days are seen by fans and pun- with Celtic at the weekend. (GRE) (3-1); At Kiev (1755 GMT): Shakhtar Tto play for South Korea against it doesn’t matter if it’s a friendly that is poised at 1-1 after the fi rst meet- dits as vital for Solskjaer’s job security. Four-time European champions Ajax Donetsk (UKR) v Roma (ITA) (0-3); At Japan next week. Son has been or offi cial match,” Mourinho ing in Manchester. After that tricky test, He has led United to second place in the and Roma are both virtually assured of Glasgow, Scotland: Rangers (SCO) v Sla- named in South Korea’s squad said. “If we get to next week and United head to Leicester for an FA Cup Premier League, but they are 14 points passage into the next round as they are via Prague (CZE) (1-1); At Milan, Italy: AC for the friendly match on March he is injured and we can prove quarter-fi nal on Sunday. behind leaders Manchester City. 3-0 ahead in their ties with Young Boys Milan (ITA) v Manchester United (ENG) 25 despite limping off during that to the Korean association But regardless of the results in those The Europa League provided United’s and Shakhtar Donetsk. Also strong fa- (1-1); At Vila-real, Spain: Villarreal (ESP) v Sunday’s defeat to Arsenal with then what can they do? If a player matches, United boss Solskjaer is con- last silverware in 2017, when Mourinho vourites to go through are Tottenham Dynamo Kiev (UKR) (2-0); At Bern: Young a hamstring injury. The forward cannot play for the club he can- vinced he has overseen a signifi cant rise added it to that season’s League Cup. Be- Hotspur, Arsenal, Villarreal and Granada Boys (SUI) v Ajax (NED) (0-3) is ruled out of Spurs’ Europa not play for the country.”

SPOTLIGHT Fans to return for Spain’s Copa del Rey fi nals: Report Madrid: Supporters will be able to attend Athletic and Sociedad today to make ar- regional government spokesman Bingen Odegaard has settled in the two Spanish Copa del Rey finals next rangements for the final, with the prospect Zupiria said. month, radio station Cadena Ser reported of fan attendance to be discussed. “The health situation does not permit a yesterday. Spectators have been barred from elite trip like this and obliges us to take a lot of quickly at Arsenal, says Arteta Seville’s La Cartuja stadium, which Spanish football matches since March, care when we are watching the game and holds 60,000 spectators, will be at 20-25% 2020 because of the Covid-19 pandemic, when we want to celebrate the result.” Reuters clever striker... in the opponents’ capacity for last season’s rescheduled final which led to Athletic and Sociedad agree- The two Basque sides have never before London box,” he said. “His movement is between Real Sociedad and Athletic Bilbao ing to postpone last season’s final by a year met in a Copa del Rey final and even very intelligent and we’ll have to on April 3 and this season’s showpiece so fans could attend. agreed to surrender potential qualifica- be careful with him tomorrow between Barcelona and Athletic on April 17. The Basque government criticised the tion for this season’s Europa League so the rsenal midfi elder again.” However, only spectators living in move, saying mass gatherings should not match could be played in front of their fans Martin Odegaard has Arteta said he has has held Andalusia will be able to buy tickets for the be permitted while the virus remains a a year later. adapted very quickly “positive” talks with Arsenal game, the report said, as travel between threat. “We don’t think it’s the best time to president Javier Tebas said he after arriving on loan captain Pierre-Emerick Aubam- Spanish regions is not permitted due to invite people to attend a football match hoped fans would be able to start attend- fromA Real Madrid in January and eyang after dropping him for a Covid-19 restrictions. The Spanish football while we’re still telling them not to not ing league games in late April, once the the Norwegian can only get bet- breach of club discipline, but federation declined to comment on the re- gather in crowds or meet up in their homes central government had re-assessed the ter, manager Mikel Arteta said refused to guarantee the Gabon port but said it was holding a meeting with with anyone outside their households,” situation following Holy Week. yesterday. Odegaard, 22, has forward will get his place back scored in his last two games, against Olympiakos. grabbing Arsenal’s opener in the Aubameyang was left on the fi rst leg of the Europa League bench after reportedly arriving last-16 tie against Olympiakos as late for a team meeting before well as Sunday’s derby win over Arsenal beat Tottenham. The Tottenham Hotspur. 31-year-old left the Emirates “I think everybody has been Stadium instead of joining his Nagelsmann demands Leipzig focus really impressed with how fellow substitutes for a warm- quickly he adapted, how profes- down session on the pitch after sional he is, how quickly he en- the match. gaged with everybody and the Gunners boss Arteta said he on Bielefeld as Bayern Munich loom performances he is putting in as had to take a strong approach AFP said the 33-year-old. “If we lose and Bayern well,” Arteta told reporters. with Aubameyang to sustain the Berlin win they will be very far ahead.” “I think his understanding of club’s long-term foundation. Defender is out with a what we want is excellent. His day with a 3-1 lead from the fi rst The Spaniard has cleared the air leg injury he picked up last Sunday. Having work rate has been phenomenal leg and Arteta said the job was far with Aubameyang but stopped B Leipzig coach Julian been knocked out of the Champions League and he’s doing something which from done against the Greek side short of saying the striker would Nagelsmann said yesterday that in the last 16 by Liverpool, Leipzig can put in my opinion he could improve a who eliminated them from the be recalled for the Europa League he has warned his players that if all their eff orts into the Bundesliga title race. lot, which is getting in the oppo- competition last season. “From last 16 second leg against Olym- they want to be serious Bundesliga Angelino, who is sidelined by injury, and nents’ box and being more deci- what I’ve seen from Olympiakos piakos. “We talked. Everything contendersR they need to focus on their game scored in a 2-1 home sive in the score line. He’s doing and the amount of games that has been resolved in a really pos- at relegation-threatened Arminia Bielefeld. win over Bielefeld when the sides met last that, he’s scored two goals, he’s they’ve won in the last minutes itive way. So we move forward,” Second-placed Leipzig trail Bayern Mu- November. Bielefeld climbed out of the got some really important en- and the belief that they have in Arteta said. “Everybody has to nich by four points and the leaders visit the bottom three with a shock 2-1 win at Bayer trances in the zone and he looks that team, it will be tough and obviously perform at the high- Red Bull Arena on April 3. Before that, RB Leverkusen last Sunday, which Nagelsmann all the time really dangerous. It’s they’ll try to put us under pres- est level to earn his place in the visit Bielefeld tomorrow, while Bayern en- insisted is “a warning for us”. something that if he adds that to sure,” Arteta said. team and there is no exceptions tertain mid-table Stuttgart on Saturday. second-half goal in Sunday’s 1-1 home draw Leipzig’s Willi Orban, and his game he becomes a real com- Arsenal will be wary of striker there. “We will try and put a re- “If we want a showdown, then we need with fourth-placed Eintracht Frankfurt to are all on four yellow cards plete player.” Youssef El-Arabi, who scored in ally competitive team out to try to win the game against Bielefeld,” Nagels- lose ground to Bayern. “That’s why it makes and one more could lead to an automatic Arsenal host Olympiakos to- the fi rst leg. “(El-Arabi) is a really and win the game.” mann said yesterday. Leipzig conceded a little sense to take them (Bielefeld) lightly,” suspension for the Bayern game. Gulf Times Thursday, March 18, 2021 7 FOOTBALL

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE Real Madrid’s old guard see off Atalanta to reach last 8 ‘We showed how much hunger there still is in this team. We can go far. How far let’s see but today was an important step’

AFP short against Manchester City last year Madrid and Ajax the year before that, both in the last 16. They will be unlikely to benefi t from eal Madrid avoided another the same generosity Atalanta aff orded early Champions League exit them across the two legs. Remo Freul- on Tuesday night by beating er’s red card and a late goal spoiled the Atalanta 3-1 to win the tie 4-1 Italians’ night in and it was onR aggregate and reach the quarter- individual errors from Sportiello and fi nals for the fi rst time in three years. then Rafael Toloi for the penalty that let Sergio Ramos marked his return from them down again here. injury by converting a penalty after “We started strong and we were suc- Karim Benzema continued his scor- ceeding with our pressing,” said Mu- ing streak by capitalising on a glaring riel. “It’s a shame because from our two error from Atlanta goalkeeper Marco mistakes came the two goals that cut Sportiello. our legs from under us.” Sportiello’s scuff ed clearance in the Atalanta tore into Madrid early on, fi rst half resulted in Benzema being giv- with the intensity of their press giving en an easy fi nish at the Alfredo di Ste- their opponents no time to settle and fano stadium and after an electric start, Robin Gosens could have scored, only Atalanta never really recovered. Luis to fail to connect with Muriel’s cross. Muriel pulled one back for the visitors The early storm weathered, Madrid late on but any hopes of a comeback found their feet as Kroos began to dic- were quickly dashed as substitute Mar- tate from deep and the tireless Modric co Asensio fi red in a third for Madrid. popped passes around Atalanta’s mid- Zinedine Zidane’s side will be in to- fi eld. The lively Vinicius Junior took too morrow’s draw for the last eight and long after a neat one-two with Ben- with their old guard fi t and fi ring again, zema, who then showed the youngster they will be hopeful of exceeding what how it should be done. Sportiello’s are now dampened expectations of La clearance was tamed by Modric, whose Liga’s reigning champions. “We showed second touch pushed the ball into the tonight how much hunger there still is box before a third cut the ball back to in this team,” said Luka Modric. “We Benzema, who had an open net. can go far. How far let’s see but today The goal killed Atalanta’s belief and was an important step.” Vinicius almost added a second af- Ramos played just over an hour in ter half-time, only to prod wide after his second appearance since recover- a surging run to the edge of Atalanta’s ing from a knee injury while Benzema’s six-yard box. But the warning was not goal was his eighth in as many games heeded and Vinicius raced past Toloi, and 70th in the Champions League, whose dangling leg made enough con- making him only the fi fth player to tact to concede the penalty, which Ra- reach that number. mos whipped into the corner. The 35-year-old Modric and Toni Ramos signalled to the bench that his Kroos were dominant in the absence of work was done and he departed shortly the suspended Casemiro. “I feel 27!” after, before Benzema headed Lucas joked Modric. “The years on your pass- Vazquez’s cross at Sportiello and the port don’t matter, it’s about what you rebound against the post. Muriel gave do on the pitch.” Atalanta hope by curling in a superb How Madrid’s veterans would fare free-kick with eight minutes left but in against more polished opposition re- an instant it was gone again, as Asensio mains to be seen, after they came up drove in a third. Real Madrid’s Karim Benzema (centre) scores against Atalanta in the Champions League last 16 second leg match in Madrid on Tuesday. (Reuters)

FOCUS SPOTLIGHT Guardiola admits pressure to Fury in Germany as UEFA says it win Champions League at City wants fans at every Euro match slammed UEFA’s stance given the high lev- since March 8 2020. Dieter Reiter, the Mayor AFP els of Covid-19 across Europe. “UEFA’s re- of Munich, said it is impossible to predict if Berlin quirement is ignorant and irresponsible in levels of Covid-19 in June could allow fans view of the pandemic-related challenges back into the stadium. that the 12 host countries still have to face,” “At this point in time, it is simply not lans by European football’s gov- Freitag told AFP subsidiary SID. “It only possible to make a statement as to whether erning body UEFA to ensure fans documents, once again, how far the parallel or not the situation will allow spectators in can attend all fi xtures at this year’s world of football has distanced itself from June,” Reiter said. “What is clear, however, delayed pan-continental Euros has the current reality of life in our societies.” is that events of this kind with spectators Psparked fury in Germany, where Munich is If countries are unable to ease coronavi- are not permitted under the current regula- due to host matches. rus restrictions to allow fans into stadiums, tions,” Reiter added. Held over from 2020 due to the coronavi- the tournament could be reduced to “10 or The organisers in Munich said “it was out rus pandemic, the European championships 11 countries”, Ceferin indicated. Alongside of the question” that the Bavarian capital are due to be held in 12 diff erent countries Munich and London, the other host cities would withdraw as a host city. According to from June 11-July 11, with London’s Wem- are Amsterdam, Baku, Bilbao, Budapest, SID, Ceferin’s comments led to the organis- bley hosting the semis and fi nal. Bucharest, Dublin, Glasgow, Copenhagen, ers in Munich calling an emergency meeting Yet UEFA has warned it could change the Rome and St Petersburg Each has until April yesterday. venues if a host city insists on holding a 7 to let UEFA know what their scenarios are Reiter also took a dig at European foot- match behind closed doors. “If a city pro- in terms of attendance ahead of an execu- ball’s governing body. “Especially in these poses a ‘no fans’ scenario” the matches due tive committee meeting on April 19, on the times, I would like to see those responsible to be held there “could” be switched “to cit- eve of the federation’s annual congress in at UEFA seek a direct exchange with the host ies able to welcome supporters”, UEFA told Montreux. cities in order to work out a solution togeth- AFP yesterday. The Allianz Arena, home of Bayern Mu- er,” he added. The federation’s president, Aleksander nich, is due to host Germany’s group games However, UEFA says the multi-venue Ceferin, assured Croatian newspaper Sport- against France, Portugal and Hungary plus a format, whilst complex, gives organisers Manchester City’s Belgian midfielder Kevin De Bruyne scores during the UEFA Champions League last ske Novosti on Sunday the fi nals would not quarter-fi nal. The German Football Asso- fl exibility to deal with issues arising from 16 second leg match against Borussia Monchengladbach at the Puskas Arena in Budapest. (AFP) be “staged in front of empty stands”. “Every ciation (DFB) said it is looking all scenarios the pandemic. “If we can no longer do any- host must guarantee the presence of fans”, “under the regulations” in the hope fans can thing in one country there are still 11 others AFP are chasing an unprecedented the same venue three weeks ago. he said. attend games in Munich. where preparations are already in progress,” London quadruple in the current cam- Early strikes from De Bruyne and However, Dagmar Freitag, chair of the Spectators have not been permitted to UEFA’s health advisor Daniel Koch had said paign. They look almost certain Gundogan put the match beyond German parliament’s sports committee, watch games at the 75,000-capacity ground at the start of the month. to win a third Premier League the reach of the Bundesliga club. ep Guardiola admits he title in four seasons, face Ever- The matches were moved to Bu- has felt under pressure ton in the FA Cup quarter-fi nals dapest because of coronavirus ROUND-UP to win the Champions on Saturday and play Tottenham travel restrictions. League since becoming in the fi nal of the League Cup in De Bruyne and Gundogan PManchester City manager after April. “I’m more than incredibly were two of a host of fi rst-team they qualifi ed for the quarter-fi - impressed and delighted for our regulars left out by Guardiola for USA’s Pulisic in, McKennie out of friendlies nals for a fourth successive year. players in this tough year for eve- Saturday’s 3-0 win at Fulham The Premier League lead- ryone in society,” said Guardiola. and City looked refreshed in a helsea midfi elder Christian yesterday and secure their fi rst home Serie ers sealed a 4-0 aggregate win “Being 14 points clear in the Pre- fast start. De Bruyne blasted in Pulisic was among 26 players A victory of the season. Captain Andrea against Borussia Moenchengla- mier League, in the fi nal of the the opener from outside the box called up yesterday by US coach Belotti returned for the game, one of two dbach in Budapest on Tuesday League Cup, quarter-fi nal of the off the underside of the bar on 12 Gregg Berhalter for two March postponed because of a coronavirus out- night after a 2-0 victory in the Champions League and going to minutes. friendlies,C but Juventus midfi elder Weston break at the Turin club. second leg, courtesy of goals play to get to the semi-fi nals of Six minutes later a fl owing McKennie is absent. A mostly European Domenico Berardi scored twice in the from Kevin De Bruyne and Ilkay the FA Cup. move from back to front saw collection of talent will gather in Austria fi rst half for eighth-placed Sassuolo, the Gundogan. “This is more than winning Phil Foden release Gundogan in ahead of matches against Jamaica near Italian forward lashing home from Franc- The Champions League is the one quarter-fi nal or one last- behind the Gladbach defence to Vienna on March 25 and against Northern esco Caputo’s knock-down on six minutes one major prize that has eluded 16 game. It means that in nine score his 15th goal of the season. Ireland at Belfast on March 28. and adding a second just before the break. Guardiola since he arrived at the to 10 months, every three days, “The start obviously helps a lot,” The lineup features 16 players who are 22 Dortmund, Josh Sargent of Werder Bremen But Zaza came off the bench in the 72nd Etihad in 2016. “Since the fi rst you are there – and this is the said De Bruyne. “We were patient or younger, including 18-year-old Valencia and Lille’s Tim Weah plus Wolfsburg minute to inspire struggling Torino to their year I arrived they told me that best title you can get. Of course in the beginning and then scor- midfi elder Yunus Musah, who committed defender John Brooks Leipzig midfi elder fi rst home win since July, fi nding the net you have to win the Champions for the prestige for all of us, be- ing the two goals gives us a bit to playing for the United States on Monday. . The Americans face North fi ve minutes later by drilling in after Anto- League,” said the City boss, who cause we are here to win like all of a cover knowing they need to McKennie is absent after being nagged by a America’s Gold Cup tournament in July nio Sanabria nodded the ball on. won Europe’s elite club competi- other clubs, we have to try in the come out a little bit more. I think recent hip injury. Pulisic last played for the ahead of the start of 2022 World Cup quali- Juventus loanee Rolando Mandragora tion twice as Barcelona manager. end to lift some titles,” added the we controlled the game.” US against Canada in October 2019. fying later this year. pulled the hosts level with three minutes “It is always on our shoulders but 50-year-old Catalan. Gladbach have now lost all Both matches will be played behind to go, bundling in a rebound, with Zaza I’m not concerned about that. If City already had one foot in seven games since manager closed doors due to Covid-19 pandemic ZAZA GRABS FIRST TORINO HOME WIN nodding in to complete the comeback two you deserve it in football, you go the last eight before they re- Marco Rose announced he will safety measures. Covid-19 quarantine re- OF SEASON AGAINST SASSUOLO minutes into injury time. Torino move out through. If you don’t, you don’t.” turned to the Hungarian capital be leaving the club at the end of strictions will force seven players to return Simone Zaza scored twice, including of the relegation zone and into 17th posi- City, who have never been to complete the job they started the season to join Borussia Dort- to their clubs after the Jamaica match, a dramatic late winner, as Torino came tion, with a game in hand. Sassuolo are 11 crowned European champions, against Moenchengladbach at mund. including forwards Gio Reyna of Borussia from two goals down to beat Sassuolo 3-2 points off the European berths.

Thursday, March 18, 2021 GULF TIMES SPORT

MOTORSPORT FOOTBALL Hosting of 25th Gulf Jordan Baja to Cup will be sorted get underway within a month in Aqaba today Qatar’s Khalifa al-Attiyah has a great opportunity for a podium finish

Arabian Gulf Cup Football Federation President HE Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa bin Ahmed al-Thani (centre) led the Executive Off ice meeting through video conferencing yesterday.

QNA topics that were on the agenda, Al-Rumaihi added that the de- Doha as the minutes of the fi rst meet- cision to decide the country host- ing of the Executive Offi ce for the ing the Gulf 25th Gulf Cup will year 2021 were approved, and the take place within a month from he Gulf Cup Football As- President of the Federation and now through a meeting to be held sociation recommended members of the Executive Offi ce by the heads of football federa- that a meeting of the reviewed the report of the com- tions in the Arab Gulf states who presidents of the Gulf mittee to study hosting fi les pre- represent the General Assembly. Tfederations be held within one sented by Vice President of the The Secretary General of the month make the fi nal decision to federation and Chairman of the Federation indicated that every- name the country that will host Committee Dr Jassim bin Mo- one is keen to hold the tourna- the 25th Gulf Cup. hamed al-Shukaily. ment that has a special place in This came during the meet- Secretary General of the Ara- the hearts of the people of the Gulf ing of the Executive Offi ce led by bian Gulf Cup Federation Jassim and to show it at the level that be- President of the Arabian Gulf Cup al-Rumaihi said that the meet- fi ts it, and that everything that Football Federation HE Sheikh ing of the executive offi ce of the is in the interest of Gulf football Hamad bin Khalifa bin Ahmed federation was positive by the and national teams, representing al-Thani yesterday through video participants, as it considered an important pillar for the Ara- conference with all members and the interest and development of bian Gulf Cup Federation and the the Secretary General of the Fed- football in the gulf, which is the brothers in the federations who eration participating. goal pursued by the Federation are in charge of the tournament is The meeting discussed many and all members. of the utmost importance.

EQUESTRIAN Qatar’s Khalifa al-Attiyah had impressed with a top 10 overall finish in the Dakar Rally’s T4 section. He will be partnered by Xavier Panseri.

By Sports Reporter at the Dakar this year and se- “I am told it is a very diffi cult The Kuwaiti will be taking Aqaba, Jordan cured victory at the second of challenge, particularly for the part in the Jordan Baja for the the Ha’il Bajas last December. navigators, and it is also one fi rst time at the wheel of the Longines Hathab 11th The Doha-based driver will be where there is a lot of punctures second of fi ve South Racing- he Jordan Baja gets un- partnered by the experienced due to rocks. built Can-Ams on the entry list, derway in Aqaba today Frenchman Xavier Panseri for “Of course, I hope to win, but and teams up with Qatar’s Nass- evening and sees Jordan the first time. I know it will be tough as the er al-Kuwari for the second time Motorsport hosting its What also helps Khalifa Saleh other drivers are very good. I am this season. round this Saturday Tfi rst international motor sport- al-Attiyah is the absence of his one of the oldest guys compet- “This is the fourth round of ing event since September 2019. T4 competitors Pavel Lebedev, ing, at 69, but I am feeling fi t the Baja Championship and we QNA Competitors from 15 nations Saeed al-Mouri and Laia Sanz, and strong. I hope I can do well are third overall and half a point Doha will take part in the fourth round who have already scored points here to help me win the World behind Saleh Al-Saif,” said al- of the FIA World Cup for Cross- this season in T4. Championship and also to set Thefi ri. “Our programme is to Country Bajas, round two of the Frenchman Claude Fournier me up well for the fi ve European compete in all the rounds, fi nish he Future Knights and FIM Bajas World Cup and a Na- has taken part in the opening events coming up next.” the championship and try and Dressage competitions tional Baja running behind the three rounds of the 2021 Baja Al-Saif is, perhaps, the fa- be champions in T4.” of the 11th round of the two international status events. series in Russia, Dubai and Sau- vourite on the T4 starting list in UAE-based Thomas Bell Longines Hathab – Qa- The FIA T4 category for mod- di Arabia, and arrives in Aqaba Aqaba after claiming maximum drives the fi fth of the Can-Ams Ttar Equestrian Tour will be held ifi ed production cross-country with a 19.5-point advantage points at the recent round in in Jordan alongside Spanish on Saturday at Longines Arena at side-by-side (SxS) vehicles is over Saudi Arabia’s Saleh al- Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Prov- navigator Armand Monleón. Al Shaqab. one of the fastest growing cat- Saif in the standings. He fi rst ince. Technical issues meant The duo tackled the recent The events will start in the egories in off -road rallying and took part in the Dakar Rally back that he could only collect points Sharqiyah International Baja morning with two rounds of fi ve of the world’s leading pro- in 1991 and won the rookie cat- for fi fth place in Dubai, but he and set some competitive times dressage, followed by the two tagonists in the category will egory. delivered a terrifi c performance before their T4 challenge came rounds of the Future Knights line-up at the start of the Jordan Fournier was victorious on two weeks ago to fi nish third to an abrupt end on a treacher- competitions, the fi rst at a height Baja. the opening round and third and overall and fi rst in T4. ously muddy section of terrain of 80 cm and the second at a points, ahead of Ghanem Nasser 137 points, ahead of Fahd Abdel Qatar’s Khalifa Saleh al-At- fourth places in the two Middle Meshari al-Thefi ri has been a near the coast. height of 90 cm in the evening. al-Qadi and Jasim Mohamed. Karim and Hamad Adel. tiyah has a great opportunity to East events have given the Can- regular visitor to Jordan to take Today, competitors will carry In the overall championship, As for the Future knights, in The fourth season of the challenge for a podium fi nish. Am driver a solid foundation on part in the Dead Sea-based spe- out their pre-event scrutineer- Maryam Ahmad al-Sumait leads the fi rst level, Hadi Mansour al- Longines Championship is held The brother of the illustri- which to build his title challenge cial stage round of the FIA Mid- ing and administration checks with 138 points, followed by Shahwani leads the tally with 132 in partnership between the Qa- ous Nasser Saleh al-Attiyah – with Polish co-driver Szymon dle East Rally Championship from 09.00hrs, after strict Maryam Jassim al-Buainain in points, followed by Barzan Az- tar Equestrian Federation and Al a three-time Dakar Rally win- Gospodarczyk. and has a perfect opportunity Covid-19 testing protocols were second place, Jassem Aljahham zam Saleh in second place and Shaqab (a member of the Qatar ner and 13-time Jordan Rally “This is my fi rst time in Jor- to overhaul al-Saif and put the applied before individuals could al-Kuwari in third place. Asma Oqab Mohamed al-Rasheed in Foundation). The tournament winner – has already finished dan, as it was cancelled last pressure on Fournier in the title gain access to the service park Yasser Mohamed Forsan leads the third. The second-level knights is supported by the Social and ninth overall in the T4 section year,” said Fournier. race. and rally headquarters. second level in dressage with 144 table is led by Ken Monty with Sport Contribution Fund.

Qatar U23 squad train ahead of friendlies

Qatar U23 football team take part in a training session yesterday. Nicolas Cordova, Qatar’s Under-23 coach, has named a 33-player squad for a two-week training camp that will include two friendlies against Kosovo. The two friendlies will be played on March 27 and 29 at Aspire Academy’s No. 4 pitch.