RUGBY | Page 10 CRICKET | Page 5 England stay Zimbabwe To Advertise here Call: 444 11 300, 444 66 621 on course for ousted by Six Nations Afghanistan Grand Slam in World T20

Sunday, March 13, 2016 FOOTBALL Jumada II 4, 1437 AH Messi masterclass GULF TIMES as Barcelona hit Getafe for six SPORT Page 3

SPOTLIGHT BASKETBALL FOOTBALL/FA CUP Schumi manager Rembert Lukaku on avoids target twice giving detailed shines as as Everton updates Khor bounce sink Chelsea back for win El Jaish hold nerve to edge Al Arabi 81-77

Michael Schumacher suff ered a serious skiing accident in 2013 and is undergoing treatment in Switzerland.

AFP Berlin

ichael Schumacher’s manager Sabine Kehm admits purposefully avoiding giving out Mexact details about the health of Germany’s Formula One legend to prevent speculation or misinter- pretation in the media. “At the moment, I see no alter- native,” she told yesterday’s edi- tion of the Munich-based news- paper the Sueddeutsche Zeitung. “Every sentence is a catalyst for new inquiries, every word is a beacon for further information. It never dies down.” Former seven-time world champion Schumacher suff ered head injuries in a skiing accident Everton’s Romelu Lukaku celebrates scoring their second goal against in the French Alps in December Chelsea in their FA cup quarter-final yesterday. 2013 and spent six months in an induced coma before returning to AFP million, 258 million euros) to buy his home in Switzerland to con- Liverpool 49.9 percent of the club, having tinue his rehabilitation. made a pre-match address to sup- Any updates by Kehm on Schu- porters in the media. macher’s health over the last two- Al Khor's Ronald Rembert drives past Qatar Sports Club's Ibrahim al-Muftah during their Qatar Cup clash yesterday. omelu Lukaku scored two In it, he talked of investment in and-a-half-years, which have superb goals to give Everton players, as well as a pledge to hold been few and far between, are By Sports Reporter a 2-0 FA Cup quarter-fi nal onto existing talent and solve the pounced on by the media. Doha victory yesterday over his club’s search for a new state-of-the- Last month, ex-Ferrari chief Luca Rformer club Chelsea, for whom Diego art stadium. di Montezemolo shed brief light on Costa was sent off . But the future of manager Rob- Schumacher’s condition by saying: onald Rembert and Charles Abouo combined for a As a fractious match neared its erto Martinez was not on the agen- “I get news about him constantly, whopping 64 points as Al Khor bounced back from conclusion, Lukaku took a Tom Clev- da, despite disquiet among Everton and unfortunately it’s not good” and a seemingly hopeless position to score an 84-77 win erley pass in his stride after 77 min- supporters over the club’s current added “Unfortunately, a skiing ac- over Qatar Sports Club in the Qatar Cup basketball utes and powered past four defenders 12th-place standing in the Premier cident ruined his life.” Rtournament at the Gharafa Club yesterday. before burying an unstoppable shot League. Kehm refused to comment on Di Qatar Sports Club were quick off the mark, leading 23-13 into the back of the visitors’ goal. There was little for the home fans Montezemolo’s comments. after the fi rst period and maintained their ascendancy even Just fi ve minutes later, after neat to cheer in the early stages, apart She says Schumacher took pains during the second quarter after which they appeared cruis- passes from Gareth Barry and Ross from a fi rst-minute Cleverley volley to keep his private life separate ing comfortably towards victory with a 40-30 cushion. Barkley, it was left to Lukaku to de- into the body of Chelsea goalkeeper during his career and she is just But Al Khor were not done yet as they produced a sen- liver the killer blow with another Thibaut Courtois. doing the same. sational third period during which they scorched the court emphatic fi nish that earned Everton Costa was the victim of a crude “Before his accident, Michael’s with 32 points, while restricting Qatar Sports Club to just 18. a place in the semi-fi nals. early foul from Barry and retaliated private life was sacred and everyone That gave them a slender 62-58 advantage going into the The controversy was still to come, within seconds, earning a caution as accepted that,” said the 51-year-old fi nal session, but that was all the encouragement they need- however, as Costa earned a second he challenged the Everton midfi elder Kehm. The former journalist says she ed as they poured in 22 more points to clinch a deserving win. yellow card after 84 minutes as he re- with a leading arm. is careful what fans are told when they Rembert was the top scorer for either side with 38 points, acted to a Barry foul by motioning his Chelsea left-back Kenedy was for- write to ask how their hero is. which included 12 from three-pointers, while Abouo chipped head towards the Everton man and tunate not to be cautioned after two “One can’t answer that question in with 26, nine of which came from the three-point mark. apparently threatening to bite him. clumsy trips on Aaron Lennon, while in a few sentences,” said Kehm, Abouo also had six assists and three steals. Barry did not cover himself in Costa made the most of slight con- adding Schumacher’s recover is “a Alen Hadzibegovic also contributed 13 points for the win- glory and after being booked for his tact with home defender Phil Jagielka continuous process”. ners, while none of the others could manage double fi gures. part in that fl ashpoint, he received off the ball, appealing for a penalty In January, Pope Francis prayed for For Qatar sports Club, Anthony White excelled with 34 a second yellow three minutes later that was instantly rejected. Schumacher as he off ered his back- points, while Consteveous Jeff erson had 24 and Abdulrah- for a foul on Cesc Fabregas, which Nor were Everton blameless, with ing for a Formula One-led road safety man Muftah 14. meant that both teams fi nished with Jagielka booked just before the inter- campaign aimed at reducing the Al Khor scored 26 points from turnovers while Qatar 10 men. val for a wild kick at Fabregas. number of children killed by cars. Sports Club had just nine. El Jaish's Leon Macklin soars above the Al Arabi defence to Defeat brought an end to a misera- From the ensuing free-kick, Joel Kehm last spoke about Schu- In the second match of the day, El Jaish held their nerve to score. ble week for Chelsea, who were elim- Robles made the fi rst meaningful macher’s health in February dur- post an 81-77 win over Al Arabi. inated from the Champions League save of the game by tipping over a ing the opening of an exhibition in In a close match, El Jaish just about managed to stay in ing only a slender lead throughout, the lead never changed by Paris Saint-Germain on Wednes- dipping eff ort from Willian. Marburg, central Germany, dedi- front throughout the match and never cracked under pres- even once during the match. day and no longer have any chance of On Friday night, late goals by Yo- cated to his Formula One career. sure. Oumar Seck and Narcellius Soyebo scored 20 points winning any silverware this season. han Cabaye and Fraizer Campbell “The exhibition allows the Ernest Bell top-scored for the winners with 19 points, apiece for Al arabi, while Mohamed Matalaqh and Moutasim Everton’s new co-owner Farhad gave Crystal Palace a 2-0 victory at memory of the time of Michael while Yousuf Mohamed and Leon Macklin had 18 each. Hamed chipped in with 16 and 14, respectively. Moshiri was in attendance at Goodi- Championship (second-tier) club with Ferrari, Mercedes and Benet- El Jaish led 23-20 after the fi rst quarter, 45-42 after the On Tuesday, Al Khor play Al Shamal at 5pm followed by a son Park for the fi rst time since pay- Reading in their FA Cup quarter- ton to be revived,” she said. second and 63-61 after the third. Remarkably, despite enjoy- match between El Jaish and Al Wakrah at 7pm. ing a reported £200 million ($287.7 fi nal. Gulf Times 2 Sunday, March 13, 2016 FOOTBALL

SETBACK SPOTLIGHT Pelle gives Saints European edge Man City hopes over Stoke City hit by stalemate with Norwich The result also jeopardised the visitors’ hopes of Champions League qualification Southampton’s Graziano Pelle in action with Stoke’s Phillipp Wollscheid during their EPL clash yesterday.

AFP Butland parried from Shane London Long shortly after, but on the half-hour the Stoke goalkeeper was at fault as Pelle swapped raziano Pelle ended a passes with Dusan Tadic before 13-game goal drought curling in a tame shot that the with a brace as South- England international should ampton won 2-1 at have saved. GStoke City yesterday to steal a To make matters worse for the march on their European qualifi - home side, winger Xherdan Sha- cation rivals. qiri was then forced off holding The Italy striker struck twice the top of his thigh, with Bojan in the fi rst 30 minutes and de- Krkic coming on. spite Marko Arnautovic reduc- Southampton squandered a ing the arrears and Southampton gilt-edged chance to eff ectively substitute Sadio Mane seeing red kill the game off before half-time at the death, Ronald Koeman’s as Long freed Tadic, whose deci- side held on for victory. sion to cut inside onto his right In ending a three-game win- foot allowed Geoff Cameron to less run in the Premier League, come across and block. Southampton climbed above Stoke sought to exploit the let- Mark Hughes’s Stoke to seventh off and reduced the defi cit in the place, three points below Man- 52nd minute, Arnautovic fl icking chester United, who currently the ball into the roof of the net occupy the last Europa League from Afellay’s cross. slot. Stoke pushed for a leveller, but It was Southampton’s fi rst found no joy, Afellay shooting league win at the Britannia Sta- over from range and Virgil van dium since April 2006. Dijk brilliantly diverting Mame Stoke welcomed captain Ryan Biram Diouf’s shot over the bar. Shawcross back after eight Southampton should have games out with a back problem been awarded a penalty when and they made a positive start, Tadic was sent sprawling by But- Giannelli Imbula shooting wide land after knocking the ball past after a positive run and Ibrahim him, only for referee Lee Mason Afellay seeing a shot blocked. to shake his head. But no sooner had Southamp- After Southampton substitute ton stirred as an attacking force, James Ward-Prowse had struck Stoke goalkeeper Jack Butland the bar with a free-kick, Ma- tipping Pelle’s header over the son angered the visitors again bar, than they went ahead. by showing Mane a straight red From Steven Davis’s left-wing card for an aerial challenge on corner, Pelle rose at the near post Erik Pieters, but Koeman’s men to glance a header past Butland. survived.

AND ACTION! Manchester City’s David Silva fights for the ball with Norwich City’s Timm Klose during their EPL match yesterday.

AFP now nine points behind leaders Leicester It was certainly a safety-fi rst approach In the closing stages of the fi rst half Bournemouth set Norwich City, who host Rafael Benitez’s Newcastle from manager Alex Neil, whose 4-2-3- they grew in confi dence in possession and United tomorrow. 1 formation quickly reverted to a 4-5-1 came the closest to opening the scoring. The result also jeopardised the visitors’ when Norwich lost the ball. Bamford, on loan from Chelsea and for survival aft er resolute Norwich City placed a hopes of Champions League qualifi cation, Ruddy, the Norwich goalkeeper, was making his fi rst start in the Premier signifi cant dent in Manchester which would be an embarrassing scenario called into his fi rst serious action on 15 League, unleashed an instinctive drive City’s Premier League title aspi- ahead of Pep Guardiola’s arrival as man- minutes when he unconvincingly tipped from 25 yards that rattled the bar. Cook strikes rations with a hard-fought 0-0 ager. Manchester City began with a 4-4-2 Aguero’s swerving free-kick over the bar Despite losing the lively Nathan Red- Adraw at Carrow Road yesterday. formation, the muscular presence of Wil- after Gary O’Neil was penalised for a push mond to injury, Norwich fi nished the half Manchester City enjoyed plenty of pos- fried Bony providing support for 21-goal on Fernandinho. strongly, with Matt Jarvis seeing his de- session, but aside from a Sergio Aguero striker Aguero in attack. Aguero, who had scored six goals in his fl ected goal-bound shot loop into the air eff ort that was superbly saved by John Immediately the visitors took charge of previous six appearances against Nor- and land agonisingly wide of Joe Hart’s Ruddy in the fi rst half, they created pre- possession, with David Silva drifting in wich, then fl ashed an angled low drive goal. cious little. from the left fl ank to link the attack, while just wide of Ruddy’s left-hand post from Pellegrini’s side dominated after the It could have been so much worse for Jesus Navas provided width on the right. 18 yards. The Argentine striker was an ex- break and even more so when Raheem Manuel Pellegrini’s side had Patrick Bam- Norwich had claimed just one point cellent outlet for the visitors and he forced Sterling replaced the ineff ective Bony. ford’s 25-yard half-volley that crashed from their previous nine league matches— a terrifi c low save from Ruddy after wrig- But Norwich simply refused to buckle against the woodwork just before the their worst run since 1946 -- and they gling free of Timm Klose. and their stubborn rearguard off ered ex- break been a fraction lower. looked edgy in the opening exchanges Norwich, though, led by the excel- cellent protection for Ruddy, who was Norwich remain in the bottom three, against a team who had won 3-0 at Car- lent Klose, were resolute in defence and rarely troubled as the away team failed to below fourth-bottom Sunderland on goal row Road in the FA Cup earlier in the sea- snapped into tackles as they began to muster a single shot on target after the diff erence, while Manchester City are son. squeeze their opponents back. break.

BOTTOMLINE Steve Cook celebrates scoring the third goal for Bournemouth against Swansea City during their EPL clash.

AFP after a loss that leaves them eight London points above the bottom three. Swansea head coach Francesco Guidolin had missed his team’s Troubled Van Gaal back in ournemouth look set last two matches after the Italian to preserve their Pre- was hospitalised with a chest in- mier League status after fection. Guidolin was still recov- Steve Cook’s late strike ering so, although he picked the Bclinched a 3-2 win over fellow team after leaving hospital this spotlight against Hammers strugglers Swansea yesterday. week, his assistant Alan Curtis Eddie Howe’s side embarked took charge again. AFP leg and keeping alive a potential provide some solace and salva- pool and keep open at least one Meanwhile, West Ham man- on their fi rst ever top-fl ight cam- Bournemouth were quickly London route back into the Champions tion to a troubled campaign. avenue to a successful end to the ager Slaven Bilic is treating paign widely tipped for a quick into their stride and King headed League. Defeat to West Ham, who season. United’s latest slip with a degree return to the Championship, but just over from Gradel’s cross be- Qualifying via a top-four fi n- have won their last four games “The FA Cup is very special of caution. they seem certain to defy the fore Andrew Surman hit a post anchester United’s ish in the Premier League also and lost only one of their last for all of us and it is against a “We all know that their game pundits’ predictions after a thrill- with a curling free-kick. troubled season looks beyond United, who are 10, would not only snuff out that very good team like West Ham,” against Liverpool last night was ing clash at Dean Court. Max Gradel was the game’s most appears to have sixth in the table, in their cur- hope but also increase the pres- Mata said. not a normal game,” he said. Gradel put Bournemouth ahead infl uential fi gure though and he reached another tip- rent form. sure on Van Gaal, whose posi- “We need to recover as soon “It was at Anfi eld in an intim- before Swansea forward Modou opened the scoring in the 37th Mping point as they prepare for an Winning the FA Cup would tion has been under the clos- as possible and then focus just idating atmosphere and it is just Barrow equalised to become the minute. FA Cup quarter-fi nal against in- only guarantee entry into next est scrutiny ahead of each of on the FA Cup. Then, after the a one-off game. fi rst Gambian to score in the Pre- Lukasz Fabianski made a hash form West Ham today. season’s Europa League but de- United’s previous three wins in weekend, we can look at the Eu- “On Sunday, they will be play- mier League. of punching clear when he came An abject 2-0 defeat at arch livering a piece of silverware the competition this season— ropa League again. ing in front of their own fans and Josh King restored the hosts’ for Adam Smith’s cross and Ivo- rivals Liverpool in the fi rst leg looks increasingly like Van Gaal’s against Sheffi eld United, Derby “It was not a good perform- so unfortunately for us, we ex- advantage, then Gylfi Sigurdsson rian winger Gradel pounced with of their Europa League tie on only hope of staying as manager and Shrewsbury. ance and not a good result obvi- pect a better performance than drew Swansea level, only for Cook a cool fi nish into the far corner for Thursday had the critics again at Old Traff ord into next season. United will have to try and ously. But we need to move on, last night (Thursday’s game). to win it for Bournemouth with 12 his fi rst Premier League goal. sharpening their knives and Even that might not be avert another crisis without we need to win on Sunday. It “It is Manchester United and minutes left. Gradel charged towards the tongues. enough to save the Dutchman’s Juan Mata, who captained the is a chance to play at Wembley although they are under pres- Bournemouth’s third suc- Bournemouth bench to celebrate United greats Paul Scholes job following a season of appar- side against Liverpool but who again.” sure they are capable of play- cessive win lifts them 13 points with the medical staff who helped and Rio Ferdinand were damn- ent under-achievement. serves a one-match ban follow- Winger Jesse Lingard will ing better and they have always clear of the relegation zone on 38 him during his long spell out with ing in their assessment of an- But with United failing to win ing the fi rst red card of his career be back in United’s squad after bounced back after a tough loss, points with eight games remain- a cruciate ligament injury earlier other lifeless display from Louis anything since the last of Alex in last weekend’s 1-0 Premier missing the loss at Liverpool so it will be a tough game.” ing. Given that 37 points was this season. van Gaal’s side. Ferguson’s Premier League title League defeat at West Bromwich through suspension but captain The Hammers’ recent form, enough points to stay up in each The visitors hit back two min- The loss at Anfi eld has made successes in 2013, and having Albion. Wayne Rooney, winger Ashley however, means Bilic’s side will of the last four seasons, the Cher- utes later as Barrow cut in from it odds-against United reaching enjoyed the last of their 11 FA But the Spaniard is urging his Young and defenders Phil Jones travel to Old Traff ord believing ries should be back in the Premier the right before curling his shot the quarter-fi nals of the compe- Cup successes way back in 2004, team-mates to respond posi- and Antonio Valencia are still to they are capable of reaching the League next season. into the far corner for his fi rst ever tition in next Thursday’s home going on to lift the trophy would tively to their defeat at Liver- return. last four. Swansea’s future is less certain Swansea goal. Gulf Times Sunday, March 13, 2016 3 SPORT

LA LIGA SPOTLIGHT Messi masterclass Al Gharafa, Al Ahli post sees Barcelona wins in QSL hit Getafe for six The European champions weren’t even at full strength as coach Luis Enrique left Luis Suarez on the bench ahead of Barca’s return to Champions League action

Al Gharafa players celebrate their win over Al Sailiya in the Qatar Stars League yesterday. Picture: Noushad Thekkayil.

By Sports Reporter placed in 8th in the QSL stand- Doha ings with a tally of 30 points from 22 matches. It was Al Gharafa’s second win in their last four fi x- ormer Qatar Stars League tures. Seventh-placed Al Sailiya champions Al Gharafa has 31 points from 22 matches. and Al Ahli posted con- For Al Sailiya, it was their fi rst vincing wins as round 22 loss in the last three matches. ofF the season came to an end yes- Earlier, two goals each brace terday evening. by captain Mashael Abdulla (77 Al Gharafa crushed Al Sailiya and 95) and Mouhssine Iajour (27 4-0 at Thani Bin Jassim Sta- and 56) saw Al Ahli pick up three dium where the hosts looked in points against Umm Salal at Al little trouble as they registered Ahli Stadium. The win helps Ahli Barcelona’s Lionel Messi kicks their eighth win of the season. pull away from the QSL relega- the ball during his team’s La Liga Earlier, hosts Al Ahli picked up tion zone. match against Getafe CF at the key points with a slick 4-2 win A brace from Umm Salal strik- Camp Nou stadium yesterday. against Umm Salal. er, Abdulqadir Ilyas was too little For Al Gharafa, Thamer Jamal too late for the Orange Fortress kicked off the proceedings by who registered their fi rst defeat scoring the opening goal with a in six QSL matches. Ilyas scored smartly placed header in the 11th in the 23rd minute in what was minute. the fi rst goal of the hard-fought Substitute Adel Ahmad then clash. Ilyas also grabbed his sec- found the net in the 62nd minute ond in the 80th minute to reduce AFP Deportivo la Coruna in a late match. Messi took responsibility, but for the Messi then took out his frustration at as Gharafa consolidated. An own Al Ahli’s lead. Barcelona Real Madrid are now 15 points adrift of ninth time in 20 spot-kicks Barca failed not netting from the spot to rifl e home goal by Dragos Grigore in the For sixth-placed Umm Salal, Barca in third ahead of their trip to Las to convert as Guaita dived to his left to the fourth from outside the box fi ve min- 68th minute added to Al Sailiya’s it was their third straight match Palmas today. turn the fi ve-time World Player of the utes before half-time. woes, while Hungarian striker without a win. Umm Salal, ionel Messi scored, provided An eighth defeat in nine games leaves Year’s eff ort to safety. The pattern continued after the Krisztian Nemeth completed coached by Bülent Uygun, have a three assists and missed a penalty Getafe just a point above the relegation Guaita’s intervention kept Getafe in break with Messi in generous mood the rout with a fourth goal in the tally of 32 points from 22 match- as Barcelona pressed home their zone. the game for just a further nine min- with another clinical through ball for 72nd minute. es. Al Ahli, placed 10th, have 25 advantage at the top of La Liga The European champions weren’t even utes as Messi directed Andres Iniesta’s Neymar to sweep home his 25th goal of Al Gharafa are currently points from 22 matches. Lwith a 6-0 thrashing of Getafe yesterday. at full strength as coach Luis Enrique left through ball onto El Haddadi’s head for the season. Juan Rodriguez’s own goal opened Luis Suarez on the bench ahead of Bar- the second. And Turan added a sixth just before the the scoring before Messi saw his penalty ca’s return to Champions League action Gerard Pique then hit the bar as Getafe hour mark with an acrobatic overhead CHAMPIONSHIP saved by Vicente Guaita, teed up Munir El against Arsenal on Wednesday. failed to contain the waves of Barca attack. kick which left Guaita fl atfooted. Haddadi and Neymar and smashed home Yet, the hosts still only took seven Neymar’s display had been under Iniesta was rested for the fi nal half his 36th goal of the season all before half- minutes to break the deadlock as Jordi scrutiny after he took advantage of being hour ahead of Arsenal’s trip to the Camp time. Alba’s driven cross towards Messi was suspended for last weekend’s 4-0 win at Nou, despite Barca holding a command- Burnley move Neymar and Arda Turan rounded off scooped into the far corner of his own net Eibar to fl y back to Brazil to celebrate his ing 2-0 fi rst-leg lead. the scoring to seal Barca’s 12th straight by Rodriguez. sister’s birthday. Yet, Suarez didn’t get the chance to La Liga win after the break. Barca’s one fallibility this season was Yet, the break seemed to do the further his case in the battle with Cris- closer to EPL return A 37th consecutive game without de- exposed moments later when Neymar 24-year-old good as he raced onto a bril- tiano Ronaldo to be La Liga’s top scorer feat opens up an 11-point lead on sec- was chopped down by Emiliano Velzquez liant Messi pass to slot home his fi rst goal as he remained on the bench for the full AFP ter a reported bust-up with his ond-placed Atletico, who were playing inside the area. in four games. 90 minutes. London players, are seven points behind the leaders, but have two games in hand and can close the gap if SCOTTISH PREMIER LEAGUE urnley moved a step they beat Charlton on Sunday closer to returning to with assistant head coach Steve the Premier League Agnew in charge. as the Championship Third placed Hull missed the Bleaders swept to a 3-1 win at chance to go above Middles- Huddersfi eld yesterday. brough after being held to a 1-1 Sean Dyche’s team are nine draw by lowly Milton Keynes Celtic on track aft er nervy win points clear of the play-off Dons at the KC Stadium. places after goals from Stephen Antony Kay opened the scor- AFP Results Ward, Sam Vokes and Ben Mee ing for the visitors just after the Glasgow scored in the fi rst half. restart but Sam Clucas levelled Aberdeen 2 (Taylor 37, Logan Joe Lolley briefl y made it 2-1 two minutes later for the Tigers, 71) Kilmarnock 1 (Magennis before Mee scored just before who leapfrogged Brighton in eltic survived a nervy 47) the break to give the Clarets third on goal diff erence. fi nish as they ended a Dundee 0 Hearts 1 (Walker a sixth successive second tier Fifth placed Derby blew a 3-0 two-game winless run in 52) victory. lead with just seven minutes the Scottish Premiership Inverness CT 0 Hamilton 1 Second placed Middles- left as struggling Rotherham withC a narrow 2-1 win over Partick brough, with manager Aitor mounted a stunning recovery to (Morris 59) Thistle at Firhill yesterday. Partick 1 (Welsh 85-pen) Karanka’s future in doubt af- draw 3-3. The home side were without Celtic 2 (Griff iths 45, McGre- a victory against Celtic since gor 54) 1995 but they held out against Played Friday the Hoops until the 45th minute Motherwell 2 (Johnson 45+1, Spending a penny costs player 900 when Leigh Griffi ths sent a shot Moult 65) Dundee Utd 1 euros in fine on the turn past Tomas Cerny for (Anier 22) his 35th goal of the season. London: English fourth divi- Mansfield manager Adam Celtic added another in the sion footballer Adi Yussuf was Murray said he was disap- 54th minute when Callum Mc- With the game heading to banned for five games and pointed by the length of the Gregor fi red home from a tight the break it was Celtic who fined £700 (902 euros) on ban. angle to put the Scottish champi- made the vital breakthrough. Friday after being found guilty “Whilst the club does not, in ons on course for victory. Gary Mackay-Steven swung of urinating at the back of a any way, condone the isolated However, Thistle set up a tense Patrick Thistle’s David the ball into the box from the stand during a game. ‘act’, it should be borne in fi nale when Sean Welsh netted a Amoo (R) in action by-line and Griffiths took a The incident happened as his mind that Adi has stated that 85th minute penalty after Steven with Celtic’s Kieran touch to control it before spin- club Mansfield were playing he was given alleged guidance Lawless had been fouled by Erik Tierney during their ning round to lash the ball low at Plymouth on February 13 as by both a steward and unused Sviatchenko as Thistle ended a six SPL match yesterday. past Cerny, who couldn’t keep 23-year-old Yussuf was warm- substitutes from Plymouth game goalless run against Celtic. it out despite getting a hand ing up as a substitute. Argyle as to where to perform The win restores Celtic’s four- to it. Celtic only needed nine “Adi Yussuf has been sus- this act, which was at the back point advantage at the top of the jured Stefan Johansen. stabbed a cross from Kris Com- sneaking into the top corner. minutes of the second half to pended from all domestic of the stand and out of public table over Aberdeen, who take on Partick Thistle had suff ered 22 mons wide before McGregor The home side then had a great add another. Mackay-Steven club football for five first team view,” he said. Kilmarnock later on Saturday. consecutive defeats against Celtic dragged a shot wide from the edge chance to end their goal drought was the architect again as he competitive matches and “Furthermore, the toilets at At Firhill, Dedryck Boyata’s so it was no surprise that the Hoops of the box as Celtic looked for an against the Hoops when Kris held up the ball before slotting fined £700 after he admitted this ground (Home Park in suspension meant Charlie Mul- started the stronger of the two sides early goal. However, it wasn’t all Doolan evaded a couple of chal- the ball through for McGregor an FA misconduct charge,” Plymouth) are a fair distance grew moved into the centre of with Cerny diving low to stop a div- one-way traffi c with Craig Gor- lenges to break into the box but who evaded the challenge of said a Football Association away (in the home dressing defence to partner Sviatchenko ing header from Griffi ths early on. don scrambling to keep a Liam Gordon was quick off his line to Dan Seaborne and fired an an- statement. room).” while Nir Bitton replaced the in- Gary Mackay-Steven then Lindsay eff ort from 25 yards from block his shot. gled shot past Cerny. Gulf Times 4 Sunday, March 13, 2016 FOOTBALL

SERIE A PSG poised to lift crown as Monaco Buff on goes past are held by Reims AFP to collect. The third (placed Paris team) will play against the fourth (Rennes-Lyon), both won’t win.” aris Saint-Germain’s Lyon, coming off last path to claiming the weekend’s 5-1 win against PLigue 1 title in record Guingamp, travel to another Zoff as Juve heap time this weekend was Brittany side Rennes today, cleared on Friday as nearest with the hosts also in impres- challengers Monaco were sive form having beaten held 2-2 at home by Reims. Nantes 4-1 last Sunday. A win at lowly Troyes today Rennes are just a point would give Laurent Blanc’s behind Lyon along with Nice. side 77 points—25 more than Meanwhile, Italian mid- Monaco who are currently fielder Marco Verratti will pressure on Napoli second with 52 points after miss Paris Saint-Germain’s 30 games—and a fourth suc- trip to Troyes today in which cessive crown to round out the Ligue 1 leaders could sew ‘This win was crucial for our campaign, and for the record of Buff on who totally deserves it’ an excellent week after reach- up the French title with eight ing the Champions League games to spare. quarter-finals. Monaco’s 2-2 draw at home Until now the fastest a team to Reims on Friday night has won the French league means a victory today would title was after 33 games when give PSG an unassailable Gerard Houllier led Lyon to 25-point lead and a fourth the crown in 2007. straight title. But if they are to Monaco are targeting the do so, they will have to man- second direct Champions age without Verratti and per- League spot with Leonardo haps also France midfielder Jardim’s side having no room Blaise Matuidi. for error with Lyon, the only “Verratti won’t be in the team to beat the Parisians this squad,” said coach Laurent season, third, seven points Blanc. Verratti also missed behind the Principality side. the trip to Chelsea in the Monaco had gotten off Champions League in mid- to a bright start with winter week due to a groin problem. signing Vagner Love getting a “We’ve been managing first-half double. The Brazilian Verratti as we should,” added opened after just five minutes Blanc. “We tried everything at Stade Louis II only for Ga- possible, with his agreement, etan Charbonnier to get the to get him fit to play in the equaliser six minutes later Champions League. We man- following a superb cross from aged it in the first leg but not Nicolas De Preville. the return.” Vagner got his second Verratti played in the first on 37 minutes following an leg at home to Chelsea three error by Charbonnier only for weeks ago, a 2-1 victory, before fellow Brazilian Diego to pull missing the return in which Reims level after 79 minutes, another success by the same for a precious point as they score took the French champi- sit three points above the ons into the quarter-finals. drop zone. PSG will look to have him “Our situation isn’t good,” fit for the last eight starting said Jardim. “I’m not happy. next month. “His injury is not At 2-1 we had the chance to very serious,” said Blanc. “It score a third and we missed. needs rest.” When you miss the third goal Matuidi has a thigh prob- you give a lot of confidence lem and although he played to your rivals.” at Stamford Bridge, Blanc said He added: “But there are “it’ll will be tough for him to eight games left, 24 points make the squad.”

FOCUS Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buff on celebrates with teammates after their 1-0 win over Sassuolo in Benitez reveals their Italian Serie A match in Turin on Friday. (AFP) relegation clause AFP he attempts to pull off a 10- AFP Dybala’s 14th strike this season saw zukic’s lay-off skimmed the crossbar, while peared to handle outside the area. London game rescue mission, which Turin him overtake his previous best of 13 while the Bosnian drilled wide from Dybala’s pass Juve were running out of ideas but after gets underway with a daunt- at Palermo, and although he admitted it soon after. applause for Buff on just after the hour Juve ing trip to leaders Leicester wasn’t “my best goal”, he told Sky Sport: “It Brazilian wingback Alex Sandro saw his moved up a gear, only for Khedira to fumble ewcastle manager tomorrow. ianluigi Buff on’s impressive un- wasn’t too bad either. In the fi rst half of the back-post header from a free kick blocked Dybala’s cutback and then Cuadrado scuff Rafael Benitez has “Yes, but some people can beaten run in Serie A gave Juven- season, we were given up for dead, but now by Consigli, while Sassuolo were denied a the follow-up. admitted there see this as special, but it’s tus a second reason to celebrate on we’re here at the top, in the Italian Cup fi - 20th minute lead when Alfred Duncan fi red Paul Pogba replaced Khedira with 18 is a clause in his normal,” Benitez said when Friday as the champions opened nal (against AC Milan) and travel to Bayern wide when he ran unchecked on to a cut- minutes on the clock but Buff on was at full Ncontract that allows him to asked if he had the escape Gup a six-point lead on title rivals Napoli Munich next week.” back into the area. stretch to parry Sansone’s well-hit drive. leave the struggling Premier clause. “I am coming here try- with a 1-0 win over Sassuolo. When Juve travel to the Allianz Arena Allegri’s patience on the touchline was At the other end Kwadwo Asamoah got League club if they are rel- ing to do my best to stay in the Paulo Dybala’s superb 36th-minute looking to build on a shaky 2-2 draw from the stretched further on 25 minutes when Sami a shot away that failed to threaten but egated this season. Premier League and if I have a strike made the diff erence in Turin as Juve, fi rst leg of their Champions League last 16 Khedira bundled Dybala’s cut-back over Juve crept closer to their second when Benitez was offi cially un- compromise for the future, it’s bidding for a record-equalling fi fth consec- tie, they will be hoping Buff on remains im- from close range after Mandzukic’s weight- Cuadrado controlled well to set up Pogba veiled as Newcastle’s new because I am convinced that utive crown, took their unbeaten run to 19 pervious. The Italy veteran started the game ed delivery into the box. for a first-timer that forced Consigli into boss at a press conference we will do well. I want to stay games to keep the pressure on Napoli ahead unbeaten over 836 minutes and, having sur- Juve had the momentum, with Dybala action. yesterday and he was imme- here... that means that I want of tonight’s trip to Palermo. passed the legendary Dino Zoff ’s tally of 903 linking well with Cuadrado but then fi ring With one eye on their Champions League diately quizzed about reports to win from Monday.” Reputed giant-killers Sassuolo were un- minutes in the 67th minute, he went on to Sandro’s inviting backheel over. decider away to last 16 opponents Bayern he is able to quit St James’ “I am here because I be- beaten since a 2-0 home defeat to Roma in fi nish on 926 minutes unbeaten, just three Dybala made amends on 36 minutes Munich on March 16, Allegri replaced Dy- Park in the event the Magpies lieve we can do it, for sure. I early February, Eusebio Di Francesco’s men behind the 929-minute record set by Sebas- when a one-two with Cuadrado saw the bala with Alvaro Morata 10 minutes and the fail to win their battle to avoid said before, we have enough beating Lazio and AC Milan amid a recent tiano Rossi with AC Milan in 1994. Colombian draw three players and then fi nd Spaniard snap shot after bursting into the relegation to the second tier. quality in the squad. It will be three-game winning run. “This win was crucial for our cam- Dybala in space to beat Consigli with a great area had Consigli scrambling onto his back. The 55-year-old Spaniard, diffi cult, for sure, but again I But their winning streak came to an end paign, and for the record of Buff on who curling drive from 20 yards. Sassuolo refused to buckle though, who has taken over from the will say the atmosphere of the when Dybala latched on to Juan Cuadrado’s totally deserves it,” said Juve coach Massi- Juve remained in command after the re- and soon after Buff on was forced down sacked Steve McClaren, con- fans, everybody in the city is well-worked delivery, controlled on the right miliano Allegri. start but a mazy run by Nicola Sansone kept desperately to save at the second attempt fi rmed that was the case but helping, so hopefully we can side of the area and beat Andrea Consigli at the Juve started brightly and after just 25 Juve’s back three on their toes, and then from Sansone’s drive as Juve’s defence he is convinced the break do well,” the former Liverpool ‘keeper’s far post with a superb curling drive. seconds Dybala’s volley from Mario Mand- Buff on courted controversy when he ap- backed off tamely. clause will not be needed as and Real Madrid boss added.

BUNDESLIGA Frankfurt embarrassed in Kovac’s fi rst game DPA Munich welcome Werder Bremen in Champions League play-off spot. They who dominated the fi rst half against the deadlock with Leonardo Bitten- tha’s run of 14 games without a win Berlin Saturday’s late game. leapfrogged Schalke, who lost 2-0 at Augsburg but somehow let the three court fi nishing off a swift move. against Schalke. Former Croatia boss Kovac, a Bun- third-placed Hertha Berlin on Friday. points slip. He scored his second for the ninth- Ibisevic struck near the penalty spot desliga stalwart as a player, took over Mainz can snatch fourth when they Hosts Darmstadt took the lead after placed side on the hour after Karaman three minutes before the break after ew Eintracht Frankfurt coach at Eintracht in midweek after Armin travel to Borussia Dortmund in second 12 minutes when Mario Vrancic netted was too easily dispossessed. Salomon Kalou’s pass was knocked Nico Kovac suff ered a de- Veh’s departure following seven games on Sunday when Bayer Leverkusen also on the rebound after a weak parry from An exciting midtable scrap in In- into his path by Genki Haraguchi. but to forget with a 3-0 loss without a win. host fellow midtable side SV Hamburg. Marwin Hitz. Sandro Wagner doubled golstadt ended with a superb late rally Hertha increased their lead when at fourth-placed Borussia But with leading scorer Alex Mei- Hoff enheim, managed by 28-year- their lead with a brave diving header from Stuttgart. Stark rose to head in a corner on the right NMoenchengladbach sucking the Bun- er still injured, the away side rarely old Julian Nagelsmann, pulled them- from a corner before Markus Feulner Moritz Hartmann smashed home from Vladimir Darida in the 65th minute. desliga strugglers further into a relega- threatened and it was little surprise selves up to 24 points alongside Ein- pulled one back. after a defensive mix-up on four min- Dennis Aogo had gone close for Schalke tion dogfi ght yesterday. when Gladbach opened the scoring on tracht after Croatia striker Andrej Augsburg, fi fth last term, then had a utes but Stuttgart levelled soon after 10 minutes after the break but Hertha Second bottom Hoffenheim 36 minutes. Kramaric netted after just three min- leveller ruled out for a debateable push when Filip Kostic broke clear and fi n- created several chances for a bigger win. boosted their hopes of avoiding Lars Stindl slammed home via a utes at home to Wolfsburg. before Koo Ja Cheol went down dra- ished calmly. Both Tolger Cigerci and Ibisevic the drop with a 1-0 win over VfL defl ection after Lukas Hradecky’s ill- It should have been 2-0 in the sec- matically in the box and Iceland’s Al- A close-range header from Australian missed the target from good positions, Wolfsburg which puts them level on judged punch following a free kick. ond period but Wolfsburg reserve fred Finnbogason converted the 90th Mathew Leckie put Ingolstadt 2-1 ahead and Cigerci struck a 25-metres shot points with Eintracht, who occupy The goalkeeper’s day got worse early keeper Koen Casteels redeemed him- minute spot-kick. before a perfect Dario Lezcano free kick onto the underside of the bar. Darida the relegation play-off spot with in the second half when he ran out of self for conceding a penalty when he Augsburg stayed level on points with looked to have secured the points but followed up to head the rebound home eight games left. his area only to completely miskick his saved Kevin Volland’s central eff ort. their opponents but with a better goal Stuttgart duo Lukas Rupp and Dan- but was in an off side position. Bottom side Hannover look doomed clearance and Raff ael was able to curl The visitors reached the Champi- diff erence. iel Didavi were their saviours yet again “Compliments to the boys. They did however after their 2-0 home defeat the ball into the empty net. ons League quarter-fi nals for the fi rst Hanover slipped seven points adrift at with two late goals for the draw. it perfectly today,” Hertha coach Pal by Cologne while Augsburg came from “We were too passive in the fi rst half. time on Tuesday but their inconsistent the bottom and must be planning for the On Friday, Hertha Berlin improved Dardai told Sky television. 2-0 down to draw 2-2 at fellow strug- We had too many simple mistakes,” Ko- Bundesliga form continued with Hof- second tier after another pathetic dis- their chances of qualifying directly The win keeps Hertha third, mov- glers Darmstadt. vac said. “Everything went against us fenheim dealing easily with their spo- play in their 19th defeat of the season. for next season’s Champions League ing to 45 points, four ahead of Schal- VfB Stuttgart also fought back to today but we’ve got to pick ourselves up.” radic and lethargic attacks. Kenan Karaman went close for the with a 2-0 victory over fourth-placed ke, who could be overtaken by Mainz draw 3-3 at Ingolstadt in the other Mahmoud Dahoud added a third as Hoff enheim are now just three bereft home side in the fi rst half but Schalke. Vedad Ibisevic and Niklas and Borussia Moenchengladbach at early kick-off before leaders Bayern Gladbach moved in to fourth and the points off fourth-bottom Darmstadt, just before the interval, Cologne broke Stark scored in each half to end Her- the weekend. Gulf Times Sunday, March 13, 2016 5 CRICKET

ENGLAND vs NEW ZEALAND England beat Kiwis by 6 wickets in warm-up tie IANS New Zealand a slight advantage. to pile up some useful runs, off -spin- England all-rounder Ben Stokes Mumbai With Hales looking good to bring ner Moeen Ali got the much-needed plays a shot during yesterday’s up his half-century, off -spinner breakthrough dismissing Nicholls in World T20 warm-up game against Nathan McCullum got him caught the eighth over. New Zealand in Mumbai. (IANS) ngland produced an impres- and bowled in the 16th over followed Next batsman Luke Ronchi (13) sive all-round performance by Eoin Morgan (20) in the 18th over along with his skipper helped the to outclass New Zealand by to take the pressure away from the team cross the 100-run mark in the six wickets in their warm-up Kiwis. But incoming hard-hitting 10th over itself. matchE ahead of the World Twenty20 batsmen Jos Buttler (24 not out) and The Kiwis suff ered a double blow cricket tournament, at the Wankhede Ben Stokes (8 not out) took their team when set batsmen Rochi and Wil- Stadium here yesterday. over the line. liamson were dismissed in the 11th Batting fi rst, skipper Kane Wil- Mitchell Santner (2/24) and Nath- and 13th overs respectively to have liamson struck a quickfi re half-cen- an McCullum (2/25) were the pick of New Zealand at 110/4. tury as New Zealand posted 169/8 in the Kiwi bowlers. From there on, the middle and low- 20 overs. Earlier, opting to bat, New Zea- er order batsmen (Mitchell Santner In reply, openers Jason Roy (55) and land’s hard-hitting opener Martin 10, Nathan McCullum 2, Grant Elliott Alex Hales (44) used their skills to Guptill (16) gave the team a good start 14, Mitchell Mcclenaghan 1) departed good eff ect as England chased down but unfortunately threw his wicket in quick succession as a disciplined the total with ease, scoring 170/4 in away as he was caught by Chris Jor- English bowling line-up held New 19.2 overs. dan at mid-on off the bowling off Zealand to less than 170 in 20 overs. Chasing a target of 170, England got Reece Topley in the second over itself. Ross Taylor (19) and Tim Southee (11) off to a fl ying start with openers Roy New Zealand were 19/1 then. remained unbeaten. and Hales smashing the Kiwi bowlers Leading from the front, his open- Off -spinner Rashid (3-15) and to all parts of the ground to pile up 53 ing partner and skipper Kane Wil- seamer Reece Topley (2-39) were the runs in the powerplay overs. liamson (63) held on, striking nine pick of the bowlers for England. But after striking seven fours and boundaries and one six to help his two sixes, Roy had to head back to the team cross the 50-run mark. Brief scores pavilion as he was caught by Trent Williamson was well supported in New Zealand 169/8 in 20 overs Boult off the bowling of off -spinner the end by Henry Nicholls (14). (Kane Williamson 63; Adil Rashid 3/15, Mitchell Santner to have England at Despite the fall of Guptill, William- Reece Topley 2/39) lost to England 77/1 in 8.2 overs. son scored at a good pace to bring up 170/4 in 19.2 overs (Jason Roy 55, Incoming batsman Joe Root (12) too his half-century in just 26 balls. But Alex Hales 44; Mitchell Santner 2/24, fell in the space of four overs to hand as both the batsmen was looking set Nathan McCullum 2/25) by 6 wickets

WELL PLAYED Pakistan team arrives in Kolkata Afghanistan thump IANS Kolkata

he Pakistan cricket team finally set foot on Indian soil yester- Tday evening amidst Zimbabwe to make tight security to take part in the World Twenty20. With elite commandos, Rapid Action Force person- nel and crack teams from the city and state police putting up several layers of security, World T20 main draw the Shahid Afridi-led Paki- stan squad landed at the ‘People in Afghanistan are crazy about cricket. They love the game, so (winning it) was very important for us’ Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport at 7.44 pm, ending weeks of uncer- tainty over their arrival. The visitors travelled from Lahore to Abu Dhabi and rested there for some time before boarding an Etihad Airways flight to reach the city, where they will be stay- ing for around a week to tune up for the big tourna- ment, play a warm-up game and then engage in a mouth- watering clash with India on March 19. The Pakistan government on Friday off icially decided to send the cricketers to take part in the ongoing World Twenty20 tournament. The decision came after Indian Home Minister Rajnath Singh said the Pakistan cricket team will be provided adequate security during their World Twenty20 campaign in India. “Whosoever will come to India will be secured,” Ra- jnath told reporters in New Delhi on Friday. The team was originally scheduled to depart for India on Tuesday evening. But the departure was de- layed by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) as they awaited the report of a Afghanistan players celebrate their 59-run win over Zimbabwe yesterday. three-member team sent (Below) Afghanistan supporters at the VCA Stadium stands in Nagpur. (AFP) to review security arrange- ments in India. Reuters portant for us,” victorious captain As- Benefi ciary of a missed stumping op- After the International New Delhi ghar Stanikzai said. portunity, Nabi hit Wellington Masa- Cricket Council (ICC) an- With a place in the main draw at kadza for two sixes in the same over and nounced on Wednesday that stake, Stanikzai opted to bat and was brought up his maiden fi fty in 30 balls fghanistan roared into the vindicated as Shahzad set alight Nag- before falling in the fi nal over. the India-Pakistan match has main draw of the World Twen- pur’s VCA Stadium with his swash- Zimbabwe’s erratic bowlers con- been shunted out of Dhar- ty20 with an emphatic 59-run buckling batting. ceded 25 extras, including 17 wides, to amsala, the PCB had said on victory over Zimbabwe in a The portly 28-year-old hit Tendai make things diffi cult for themselves. Thursday that the team will Afi rst round Group B match yesterday. Chatara for four successive boundaries Chasing a daunting target, Zimba- be allowed to leave for the Mohamed Shahzad (40) gave Af- after a quiet opening over, forcing the bwe lost their top half for 65 inside 12 World T20 early on Friday. ghanistan a fl ying start before Moham- pacer off attack. overs. Tinashe Panyangara’s unbeaten ed Nabi (52) and Samiullah Shenwari Donald Tiripano was pressed into 17 was the top score in the Zimbabwe But the team’s departure (43) added 98 runs off 64 balls to power service but there was no respite from innings which ended with two balls left. was further postponed later them to 186-6, their highest total in Shahzad who hit him for three succes- Leg-spinner Rashid Khan was the on Thursday when the Paki- this format. sive fours. Shahzad greeted left-arm pick of the Afghan bowlers, claiming stan government insisted on The associate nation then returned to spinner Sean Williams by hitting his three for 11 in his tidy four overs but written assurances from the bowl out Zimbabwe for 127 to register a fi rst delivery for a six but fell in the Nabi, who also got a wicket with the Indian authorities. memorable victory over a full-member same over after a 23-ball blitz attempt- ball, was adjudged man-of-the-match. The delay has aff ected the nation and join England, South Africa, ing a reverse sweep. West Indies and Sri Lanka in Group His dismissal triggered a mini-col- Brief scores Pakistan team’s prepara- One of the Super 10 stage of the tour- lapse as Afghanistan, cruising at 49 Afghanistan 186/6 in 20 overs (Mo- tions for the World T20 as nament. for no loss in the fi fth over, slumped to hamed Nabi 52, Samiullah Shenwari the warm-up game against “This was a very important match 63-4 in the eighth. 43, Mohamed Shahzad 40; Tinashe the Bengal state team, which for us. People in Afghanistan are crazy Nabi then joined forces with Shen- Panyangara 3/32) beat Zimbabwe 127 was scheduled for yesterday, about cricket. They love the game pas- wari to fi rst steady the innings before in 19.4 overs (Rashid Khan 3/11, Hamid had to be cancelled. sionately, so (winning it) was very im- accelerating. Hassan 2/11) by 59 runs Gulf Times 6 Sunday, March 13, 2016 CRICKET

CONFIDENT IPL experience will hold us in good stead: Smith

AFP cently performed well. there is going to be a lot of pressure on ward to the Indian challenges. Kolkata He said inclusion of debutant leg- them and they are a great side. He was also all praise for India's young spinner Adam Zampa in the squad will "But at the end of the day it's a game pacer Jasprit Bumrah. "He is a very good boost the team’s bowling department of 20-20 and is a matter of who turns bowler. I saw him two years ago. He kipper Steve Smith (pic) said on slow Indian tracks. up on the day and anyone can beat bowls with a good change of pace." yesterday that Australia were The 26-year-old skipper said his anyone, that's the nature of the tour- Asked about his role as a fi nisher in determined to break their team will adapt to the conditions nament," the 24-year-old Marsh said. the T20 format, Marsh said: "I try to World T20 hoodoo, saying his quickly and will fully utilise the Indian Marsh, who has turned out for Dec- hit as many balls as I can. It's about team’sS vast experience of playing in experience to win the cup. can Chargers and Pune Warriors in the being fl exible. You can't get 30 off ten the Indian Premier League would give “We know what to expect from the IPL, said his team was high on confi - balls every match. I try and keep it sim- them a defi nite edge. conditions over here, a lot of us have dence about doing well as several play- ple. I have prepared for the fl at kind of Five-time World Cup champions played here before, either in IPL or ers in the dressing room have rich ex- wickets we will encounter here." Australia have been under-performers against India so we know what to ex- perience about the Indian conditions. Marsh comes from a family of sport- in the shortest format and their best pect and we’re ready for the challenge,” "There are some players in the dress- spersons. While his father Geoff Marsh showing in the tournament has been the skipper said. ing room who have the experience of played 50 Test matches and 117 ODIs the runners-up fi nish in 2010 when Smith and fi ve of his teammates in playing in India. for Australia, brother Shaun Marsh is they lost the fi nal to England. the World T20 squad are part of the "Several of them have had individ- also an international batsman, while “Traditionally we haven’t done as various IPL franchises and their fa- ual successes in India at some point of his sister Melissa is a basketball player. well as we would have liked in this for- miliarity with Indian pitches will auger time. We are high on confi dence of do- To a poser as to how much of cricket mat of the game. well for them. ing well in India, where the conditions is discussed at home on the dinner ta- “This is a tournament that has elud- Coming into the sixth edition of the can be challenging," Marsh said. ble, Marsh replied: "Probably the fi rst ed us so we are here to try and win it,” tournament at the back of a 2-1 T20 se- He said international cricket also 10 minutes and then we go back to Smith told reporters in Kolkata at Aus- ries win against South Africa, the fi fth- instils an ability to adapt to all condi- more family issues." tralia’s opening press conference of the ranked side will play New Zealand in tions. "In the last two years, being in Marsh also spelt out how he benefi ts 16-team tournament. “We feel pretty their opener on Friday. I think playing a World Cup...playing that they would be under pressure in a international set-up I have learnt to from his father's advice. settled, we have 15 guys who can give Australia will play favourites India in international cricket, there is always tournament where any team can beat adapt to all kind of situations. When "Yes certainly, I am very lucky to this tournament a pretty good shake,” on March 27 and Smith insisted that lots of pressure. So for us it’s taking the other on their day. you play so much of cricket all around have a father who played 50 Tests and he added. there is no added pressure on the side each game at a time,” he said. "Certainly we have to go past In- the world, you learn to adapt." 117 ODIs, obviously his experience is Smith, who leads the team in all the that recently lost the T20 series 0-3 Meanwhile, Australian all-rounder dia, they are playing well, they know The Western Australia player has vast, but at the same time he is my fa- three formats, said they will be bank- against the MS Dhoni-led side. Mitchell Marsh, while acknowledg- the conditions well, won the 50-over been a regular for his country over the ther, so be it cricket or life , I go to him ing on their all-rounders who have re- “I don’t think there is any pressure. ing that the hosts are a great side, said World Cup here a few years ago, so past year and says he was looking for- for advice. I am lucky to have him."

WARM-UP GAMES OPINION Allowing BCCI arrogance on Duminy, de Kock star DRS sign of ICC’s toothlessness, as South Africa down says Brearley hosts India by 4 runs Scotland beat Hong Kong in rain-curtailed game for their first win in a global tournament

South Africa fast bowler Dale Steyn (centre) celebrates with teammates after dismissing India's Virat Kohli during IANS yesterday's World T20 warm-up game at Kolkata the Wankhede stadium in Mumbai. (AFP)

ulling up the International Cricket Council (ICC) for its “toothless- ness” in allowing the Indian crick- et board (BCCI) to get away by op- Pposing use of the umpire Decision Review System in bilateral series involving India, former England captain Mike Brearley (pic) yesterday said the technology could not be held back for long. “I gather that the BCCI (Board of Con- trol for Cricket in India) is still against the use of the DRS. And I want to declare my point of view. I am In favour of DRS,” he said while delivering the Pataudi Memorial Lecture in Kolkata yesterday. Brearley, arguably one of the best cap- tains ever in cricket history, said he found it “absurd” that “everyone” except the umpires and the players taking part in a match “should know the truth about a de- cision on the fi eld”. “It seems absurd to me that there should be separate technology arrangements in Test matches involving India from those in- volving every other team. Imagine if all the Premier League football matches use the goalline technology, except the matches in- volving Manchester United,” he added. The 73-year-old said the use of DRS was “irresistible”, despite what BCCI was doing in the short term. “Like Canute’s waves it can’t be held back.” He termed as “toothelssness” the ICC’s failure to stand up to the “arrogance” of the BCCI. “It’s a sign of the toothlessness of the ICC and the arrogance of the BCCI that this is allowed to happen. Agencies But in the end they fell just short on a Ravindra Jadeja at point off the bowling with 12 balls to spare thanks to Mat- and seamer Richie Berrington con- "The BCCI should argue their case as Mumbai total of 192 for three. off Mohamed Shami to have the Proteas thew Cross’ quickfi re 22. Mark Chap- ceding fewer than fi ve runs an over. forcefully as they can, but go along with Dhawan looked in good touch as he at 33/2 in 3.5 overs. But from there on man made 40 in Hong Kong’s modest Although Chapman helped Hong the vast majority,” sid Brearley. kept on striking boundaries to not let it was entirely a de Kock and Duminy 127-7 with Matt Machan taking 2-26. Kong recover from 33-3 alongside An- “I am angry that in the old regime of outh Africa defeated hosts In- the required run rate climb too high. show as the duo piled on some quickfi re Earlier on the same ground, Af- shuman Rath, they struggled to fi nd cricket England and Australia had the dia by four runs in their World Ajinkya Rahane (11), who came in after runs to score 50-run partnership for ghanistan beat Zimbabwe to top the the boundary until Nizakat Khan hit power and used it to suit themselves. Twenty20 warm-up match in Kohli’s dismissal, was looking good the third wicket in just 25 balls. The duo group and qualify for the Super 10s. two sixes in his 17 off 10 balls late on. "I am equally angry that India has some- Mumbai yesterday. but he too departed after being clean brought up team’s 100 in just 10.5 overs. Scotland’s win earned them third Scotland’s chase, delayed by a sec- times done the same, and that England and SThe Proteas won the toss and opted bowled off a googly by leg-spinner Pandya (3-36), Shami (2-37) and place in the group, with Hong Kong ond rain delay lasting 45 minutes, was Australia joined in, on India’s side a couple to bat, going on to make 196 for eight Imran Tahir and India were reduced to Bumrah (2-51) were the pick of the bottom after losing all three matches. little more than a formality. Cross of years ago.” in their 20 overs at the western Indian 48/3 in the seventh over. bowlers for India. Beaten by Afghanistan and Zim- provided the early impetus, opener He argued that not only the players, city’s Wankhede Stadium. JP Duminy But incoming batsman Suresh Rai- India play New Zealand on Tues- babwe in their opening two games, Kyle Coetzer made a patient unbeaten even the umpires wanted the DRS, and top-scored for South Africa, hitting na (41 retired not out) gave good com- day in the fi rst Super 10 group stage Scotland’s sequence without a win at 20 and Machan wrapped up victory expressed support for the hawk eye tech- 67 off 44 balls. His impressive knock pany to Dhawan as the duo gathered game of the tournament. England are a major tournament stretched back to with a six over deep mid-wicket. nology, saying “the predicted path is more included six fours and three sixes. a crucial 94-run partnership for the in action against the West Indies on the 1999 World Cup. accurate than the line decisions”. Left-handed batsman Quinton de fourth wicket before both decided to Wednesday before facing South Africa “It’s a great day for Scottish crick- Brief scores Brearley claimed DRS has led to im- Kock stylishly played his way to 56 retire not out. Dhoni (30 not out) and on Friday in the Proteas’ fi rst match of et,” said man-of-the-match Machan, South Africa 196/8 in 20 overs provement in players’ on-fi eld behaviour runs before retiring not out. Yuvraj Singh (16 not out) tried their the championship. who hit the winning runs to fi nish 15 (JP Duminy 67, Quinton de Kock 56 and also umpiring. Hardik Pandya was the pick of In- best with a cameo innings at the end not out off four balls. “We haven’t retired not out; Hardik Pandya 3-36, However, he agreed with the BCCI that dia’s bowlers, grabbing three wickets. but failed to take it over the line. played our best cricket this week but Mohamed Shami 2-37, Jasprit Bumrah the regulations governing DRS were not India’s run chase got off to a bad Earlier, South Africa got off to a dis- Scotland beat Hong Kong we’ve got the monkey off our back and 2-51) beat India 192/3 in 20 overs perfect. “There are problems that result start with opener Rohit Sharma go- appointing start losing opener Hashim Elsewhere, Scotland recorded their we’re very happy.” (Shikhar Dhawan 73 retired not out; from the limits on the numbers of review ing for 10 and Virat Kohli managing Amla (5) in the third over itself. But the fi rst win in 21 attempts at a major glo- Scotland captain Preston Mom- Imran Tahir 1-25, Kyle Abbott 1-32, Dale allowed,” Brearley said. just one before being caught off only fall of wicket didn’t worry his open- bal tournament by beating Hong Kong msen added: “It’s huge... it’s been a Steyn 1-36) by 4 runs He suggested that conversations be- his second ball. Shikhar Dhawan was ing partner de Kock as the left-handed in their fi nal World Twenty20 group long time coming. The boys are abso- Hong Kong 127-7 in 20 overs tween on-fi eld umpires and TV replay um- India’s highest scorer with 73 while batsman scored at a good pace to take match in Nagpur yesterday. lutely chuff ed to get on the board.” (Mark Chapman 40; Matt Machan pires should be heard by players, specta- Suresh Raina notched 41 and captain the pressure away from the team. Chasing a revised Duckworth- Scotland’s victory owed much to 2/26) lost to Scotland 78-2 (target tors and viewers. Mahendra Singh Dhoni recorded 30 Skipper Faf du Plessis (12) after hit- Lewis target of 76 in 10 overs after the discipline of their bowling attack, 76) in 8 overs (Matthew Cross 22) by “It will be better if all reviews were in the as the home side got into their groove. ting three boundaries was caught by rain, Scotland won by eight wickets with slow left-armer Con de Lange eight wickets (D/L method) hands of the umpires,” he said. Gulf Times Sunday, March 13, 2016 7 SPORT

GOLF FOCUS Hend widens Spieth says Twitter lead in Thailand

AFP tirade likely his last Hua Hin, Thailand ustralia’s big-hitting ‘It’s just really frustrating. I should never respond to any of that, just let it go’ Scott Hend will head into the fi nal day of the AFP True Thailand Classic withA a two-shot lead after push- Palm Harbor, Florida ing ahead of the pack yesterday. He carded two-under par 70 in orld number one Jordan windy conditions on the Black Spieth blamed a Twitter Mountain Golf Club in seaside tirade at critics on frustra- Hua Hin. tion and boredom on Fri- American golfer Peter Uihlein Wday as he fought back to make the cut at jostled with Hend for the top of the PGA Valspar Championship. the leaderboard after three bird- The 22-year-old American, defend- ies in the morning, but fell back ing champion at this week’s event just later in the day with a bogey, fi n- as he will be at next month’s Masters ishing in second at 12-under 204 and the US Open in June, followed an for the three rounds. opening fi ve-over-par 76 with a 68 on A victory today will be Hend’s Friday to stand on two-over 144 after 36 second European tour title. “I holes on the Copperhead course at In- knew it was going to be a tough nisbrook. That left him one shot inside day, very windy, so I’m very the cut line and seven off the lead at 137 pleased,” Hend said according to shared by compatriots Steve Stricker a report from the tour organisers. and Will MacKenzie. Day two frontrunner Pelle Ed- But it was the shots Spieth took at berg dropped back to third yes- Twitter critics after his fi rst round terday, after fi ve bogeys saw him Thursday that were the hot topic of card one-over 73 for the round. conversation, the fi rst after Spieth read The Swede is sharing third his Twitter feed and saw a “troll” who place with Belgium’s Thomas asserted that when Spieth’s putter “is Pieters, who sailed through not working, he’s garbage.” the tough conditions with the Spieth responded: “Couldn’t be fur- strongest showing of the day, ther from the truth troll. Go do research carding a bogey-free six-under before hating.” On Friday, Spieth said, 66. Local hopeful 23-year-old “You’ll probably never see me do that Panuphol Pittayarat meanwhile again,” when it comes to responding struggled in the afternoon with to future critics online. “It’s just really four bogeys and fell back from frustrating. I should never respond to second to end the day tied for any of that, just let it go. By the time the fi fth. next tournament rolls around no one Leading third-round scores even remembers it any ways.” 202 - Scott Hend (AUS) During post-round comments to re- 204 - Peter Uihlein (USA) porters after his 76, Spieth had joked, 205 - Thomas Pieters (BEL); Pelle “What good does kicking the hotel room Edberg (SWE) door do other than possibly injuring my 206 - Benjamin Hebert (FRA); David foot and then having to withdraw?” Lipsky (USA); Shaun Norris (RSA) That was the quote the PGA Tour 207 - Prom Meesawat (THA); chose to use in a tweet to spark interest Panuphol Pittayarat (THA); Simon in a link to its story on Spieth, a decision Yates (SCO) that drew Spieth’s ire as well. 208 - Rikard Karlberg (SWE); “@PGA Tour: seriously? That’s the Jordan Spieth reacts after chipping in for a birdie on the fifth green during the second round of the Valspar Championship in Palm Harbor, Florida. (AFP) Thongchai Jaidee (THA); Joost quote you’re going to use out of that ar- Luiten (NED); Marc Warren (SCO); ticle?” Spieth tweeted. “I felt it was un- him level 21st, he missed the cut at Rivi- Stricker, 49, has his fi rst 36-hole so good with the putter. That’s the dif- (the claw grip) until it doesn’t work any Piya Swangarunporn (THA) called for when I composed myself well era after a career-high fi rst round of 79 lead since 2012, thanks in part to a ference,” he said. “I’m going to ride more.” after the round,” Spieth said. and back-to-back weekend 73s left him hole-out from 150 yards for eagle at the The Twitter exchanges prompted level for 17th last week at Doral. All that par-4 10th. A new driver and reduced four-time major winner Rory McIlroy set the stage for his Thursday frustra- schedule -- 14 events over the past LEADING SECOND ROUND SCORES of Northern Ireland to tweet support for tions. “There will always be plenty of two years—have helped his bid for his Spieth, noting that while he might not people who have their own opinion and fi rst title since the 2012 Tournament of 137 - Will MacKenzie 70-67, Steve Stricker 71-70, Cameron Smith (AUS) 70-71, Jamie be Tiger Woods, he’s far from woeful. people that don’t like the way I play the Champions. 71-66 Lovemark 70-71, Steve Wheatcroft 73-68, “No, he’s not TW, he’s not slumping game or the way I handle things,” Spieth “I like my progression, the way I’m 138 - Daniel Berger 70-68, Graham De- Charl Schwartzel (RSA) 71-70, Patrick and he’s not done. He’s a double major said Friday. “I’ve just got to be confi dent going,” he said. “I’ve been working at Laet (CAN) 72-66, Bill Haas 71-67 Reed 71-70, Charley Hoff man 69-72, winning 22 year old. He’ll be just fi ne!!” in what I’m doing and know many more home. Things are starting to look up. 139 - Scott Brown 70-69, Retief Goosen Henrik Stenson (SWE) 71-70 McIlroy tweeted. Spieth, who ended do appreciate it. I’m putting a lot better than I have the (RSA) 70-69, Ryan Moore 70-69, Justin 142 - Noh Seung-Yul (KOR) 71-71, Danny last season by winning the Tour Cham- “I was a bit bored yesterday afternoon past year and a half. When I’m putting Thomas 72-67, Charles Howell 67-72, Lee (NZL) 70-72, Louis Oosthuizen (RSA) pionship and the $10 million season and looking at my feed after a tough well, things are better in my world.” Jerry Kelly 70-69 72-70, Tyler Aldridge 70-72, Kyle Stanley Scott Hend playoff points bonus, won the Tourna- round and not good things were pop- MacKenzie, using a claw-style to 140 - George McNeill 74-66, Ken Duke 73-69, Kevin Na 74-68, Danny Willett ment of Champions to open 2016 but ping up. You can imagine if someone putt, birdied four of the fi rst seven holes 67-73, Kang Sung (KOR) 72-68 (GBR) 70-72, John Huh 71-71, Greg Yates has had frustrations since then. was talking to you like that it would be a and sank a 36-footer for birdie at 18 to 141 - KJ Choi (KOR) 74-67, Matt Kuchar 69-73. A third-round 74 at Pebble Beach left bit frustrating. But I got over it quickly.” grab a share of the halfway lead. “I feel

SPOTLIGHT BOTTOMLINE ‘Improving’ Woods working hard Chawrasia aims on short game as Masters looms for home title Agencies New Delhi AFP Los Angeles Tiger Woods has been sidelined second-place fi nisher from competition since August on four previous occa- ormer world number one Tiger due to back surgeries. sions, Indian golfer SSP Woods, who has not played com- Chawrasia (right) is petitively since August following hopingA to be fi fth time lucky and back surgery, has no timetable lift the trophy when he tees up forF a return as the year’s fi rst major, the at the $1.66 million Indian Open Masters, looms less than a month away. next week. The EurAsia Cup “Health-wise, I continue to improve,” star was defeated in a play-off Woods said in a blog posting on his web- to eventual champion Anirban site on Friday. “I’m working hard on my Lahiri last year but he remains short game at my outdoor practice facil- hopeful of landing the prestig- ity and on my indoor full swing golf sim- ious title when the event takes ulator. Still no timetable on my return, place at the Delhi Golf Club, but I’m excited to get back out there with March 17-20. He also fi nished the guys.” second in 1999, 2006 and 2013. The 14-time major champion, second “The Indian Open is the big- only to the record 18 majors won by Jack gest event in my country and two-time Asian Tour number Nicklaus, has not won a major since the every Indian golfer wants to win one Jeev Milkha Singh. 2008 US Open. Woods has 79 career PGA it. When I lose in any tourna- Asia’s rising stars Miguel titles, three shy of the all-time record set ment, I realise I learn from it and Tabuena of the Philippines, by Sam Snead. that helps me improve. I’ve come Natipong Srithong of Thailand, Woods has not won a title since the close so many times so I’m a bit Danthai Boonma and Chiragh 2013 World Golf Championships Bridge- disappointed but this is part of Kumar, who won his fi rst Asian stone Invitational at Firestone Coun- golf,” said Chawrasia. Tour title at the Delhi course last try Club in Akron, Ohio. Woods said he “I’m very excited to play at year, will also feature in event spent time at sponsor events this week Delhi again because I always sanctioned by the Asian Tour and congratulated retiring NFL quar- have good results. All the Indian and European Tour for the sec- terback Peyton Manning, calling him players know how to tackle the ond consecutive year. a friend and adding, “I look forward to course and my game is slowly Mithun Perera of Sri Lanka, playing more golf with him, and right “It was fun to catch up and rib each I think the dinner was a great idea and ford at age 20 and being the only tour getting better so I’m feeling con- Jeunghun Wang of Korea, Car- now, getting more shots.” other,” Woods said, noting he talked with brought a lot of guys closer. player his age. fi dent,” he said. los Pigem of Spain, Paul Peter- Woods pondered his youthful days and Nicklaus about the progress of his recov- “What I tried to explain is that a lot of “That was tough,” Woods said. “Even- Chawrasia will be among a son of the United States, Sam the new young guns of the PGA after a ery and fi shing. times you don’t have the same rhythm of tually, guys I played with in college trick- strong cast at the Indian Open Brazel of Australia and Than- dinner last month hosted by Jack Nick- “It was good to hear from the younger playing like you do in a PGA Tour event. led out. Now, there’s a core of younger which include title holder La- yakon Khrongpha of Thailand laus for 22 US Ryder Cup team hopefuls guys who are on the cusp of making the You don’t know how much you’re going guys, like Rory (McIlroy), Jason (Day), hiri, three-time Major champion are among the players hoping to plus US captain Davis Love and vice cap- team for the fi rst time. It was nice to get to play, and that uncertainty requires an Rickie (Fowler) and Jordan (Spieth). It’s a Padraig Harrington of Ireland, secure their fi rst Asian Tour title tains Woods, Jim Furyk and Tom Leh- things out in the open, so they under- adjustment.” talented group that will compete against current Order of Merit leader after coming close on numerous man. stand what the atmosphere will be like. Woods said he recalled leaving Stan- each other for a long time. Marcus Fraser of Australia and occasions. Gulf Times 8 Sunday, March 13, 2016 SPORT

NBA Thompson, Curry combine for 71 as Warriors rout Blazers Warriors extend their record-setting home winning streak to 47 and 29-0 this season

DPA Los Angeles

he ‘Splash Brothers’ were on target early and often, and the Golden State War- riors avenged their worst loss of the season. Klay Thompson dropped in 37 Tpoints, Stephen Curry had 34 and combined for 15 three-pointers, as the Warriors extended their record-setting home winning streak to 47 - 29-0 this season - with a 128-112 domination of the Portland Trail Blazers on Friday. “We were both on fi re not settling for good shots but great shots,” said Thompson. “When that happens we’re a tough team to beat.” The defending league champions got a meas- ure of payback after being dealt a 137-105 drub- bing on February 19 at Portland. “You want to have a short-term memory in this league but they gave us our worst-beating of the season,” Thompson said. “We wanted to show them what a great team we are at home and redeem our- selves.” Draymond Green collected 17 points, 13 re- bounds and as many assists as the Warriors (58- 6), matched a season-low with eight turnovers in the beat-down. “Our focus and ball move- ment were great, and when you don’t have many turnovers you tend to defend better,” Warriors coach Steve Kerrr said. “For the most part our defence was really good.” Thompson hit seven three-pointers and Curry connected on four from behind the arc en route to 23 points apiece, as the Warriors shot a sizzling 58.7 per cent from the fi eld en route to a season-high 81-61 halftime cushion. “From the start, Klay came out blazing, not so much me and we fed off that,” Curry said. “It was a huge pick-up.” Golden State kept its foot on the pedal and led by as many as 32 in the third quarter and never allowed the lead to dip below 14. CJ McCollum led Portland (34-32) with 18 points, while Dam- ian Lillard had just 17 on 5-of-19 shooting after torching the Warriors for a career-high 51 points in the last meeting. The Warriors (18) and Blaz- ers (19) combined for 37 3-pointers, the most by two teams in an NBA game.

ELSEWHERE MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES 99, New York Knicks’ Kristaps Porzingis (left) moves in to score a basket against the defence of Los Angeles Clippers center DeAndre Jordan during the second half in Los Angeles. (USA TODAY Sports) OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER 96 Spaniard Ricky Rubio had 13 points, 12 assists LA CLIPPERS 101, NEW YORK KNICKS 94 HOUSTON ROCKETS 102, Jrue Holiday tossed in 34 points while Antho- (18-47), who fi nished 3-6 on their road trip. and the game-winning triple with two-tenths Chris Paul had 24 points with 15 assists, DeAn- BOSTON CELTICS 98 ny Davis had 25 with 13 rebounds for the Peli- of a second left, as the lowly Timberwolves (21- dre Jordan grabbed 19 rebounds, and the Clip- James Harden dropped in 32 points, including cans (22-40), who were outscored 22-15 in the UTAH JAZZ 114, 43) stunned the Thunder. Kevin Durant scored pers (42-22) beat the visiting Knicks for the Houston’s fi nal eight, and the Rockets snapped extra session. WASHINGTON WIZARDS 93 28 points to lead Oklahoma City (44-21), while eighth straight time. the Celtics’ 14-game home winning streak. Isai- Shelvin Mack scored a career-high 27 points and Russell Westbrook had 26. Latvian Kristaps Porzingis scored 23 points ah Thomas scored 30 points to pace the Celtics PHILADELPHIA 76ERS 95, the Jazz (30-35) ended a two-game slide after to pace the struggling Knicks (27-40), who (39-27), who lost at home for the fi rst time since BROOKLYN NETS 89 drumming the visiting Wizards (30-34), led by MIAMI HEAT 118, CHICAGO BULLS 96 dropped to 5-18 since January 22. January 6. Carl Landry scored 14 of his 16 points in the John Wall’s 24 points. Slovenian Goran Dragic scored a season-high 26 second half, and the league-worst Sixers (9-56) points and rookie reserve Josh Richardson added CHARLOTTE HORNETS 118, DETROIT MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES 121, snapped a 13-game slide after clipping the road- ORLANDO MAGIC 107, a 16 of his career-high 22 in the decisive 34-15 PISTONS 103 NEW ORLEANS PELICANS 114 (OT) weary Nets. SACRAMENTO KINGS 100 fourth quarter, leading the visiting Heat (38-27) Marvin Williams had 22 points and 11 rebounds, Lance Stephenson scored a career-high 33 Sixers Robert Covington was carried off on a Aaron Gordon had 20 points with 11 rebounds, over the Bulls for their sixth win in seven games and the Hornets (36-28) handled the visiting points, Matt Barnes had his fi rst career triple- stretcher early in the third quarter with a pos- and the visiting Magic (28-36) took advantage Spaniard Pau Gasol had 17 points, 12 rebounds Pistons for their sixth straight victory. Detroit double, with 26 points, 11 rebounds and 10 as- sible neck injury, after colliding with teammate of the absence of suspended All-Star centre De- and nine assists Bulls (32-22), playing without (33-32) was led by Kentavious Caldwell-Pope’s sists, leading the Grizzlies (39-26) past the vis- Jerami Grant under the basket. Marcus Cousins for one game, to beat the Kings starters Derrick Rose and Jimmy Butler. 24 points. iting Pelicans. Brook Lopez scored 24 points for the Nets (25-39).

NHL NFL ROUND-UP Stars win 5-2; move into fi rst place Broncos acquire Reuters Chicago quarterback amie Benn, Tyler Seguin and Ja- son Spezza had a goal and an as- sist each and goaltender Kari Mark Sanchez Lehtonen stopped 21 of 23 shots forJ the Dallas Stars in a 5-2 win over the old Fitzpatrick. Reuters Chicago Blackhawks at the National Denver - - - Hockey League on Friday night at Ameri- Thirty-three additional draft can Airlines Center. The trio helped the picks were announced by the Stars move atop the Western Conference he Denver Broncos, with NFL, with four teams receiving standings. Peyton Manning retir- additional third-round compen- Antoine Roussel and Ales Hemsky also ing and heir-apparent satory selections in the top 100. scored for Dallas (41-20-8) with Seguin starter Brock Osweiler The Detroit Lions, New Eng- scoring the game-winner in the second Tsigning with the Houston Tex- land Patriots, Seattle Seahawks period. Teuvo Taravainen and Tomas ans this week, acquired veteran and Denver Broncos had one ex- Fleischmann scored for Chicago (41-22- quarterback Mark Sanchez from tra third-round pick tacked onto 8). Kari Lehtonen made 21 saves for the the Philadelphia Eagles. the end of that round as com- Stars, who are 3-0-1 in their last four The Eagles will receive a con- pensation for losses in 2015 free games. “Everything he shoots goes in,” ditional late-round pick in the agency. The Lions will pick 95th Stars coach Lindy Ruff said of Spezza. 2017 NFL Draft, the Broncos an- overall, followed by the Patriots, “He’s had some around the net front, he’s nounced. The draft pick headed Seahawks and Broncos at Nos. had some great shots.” to Philadelphia is a seventh- 96-98. Dallas improved to 41-20-8 with 90 round pick, according to multi- - - - points, one more than St. Louis and two ple reports. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers more than Chicago. Each team has 13 - - - agreed to terms with veteran games remaining. The Stars will host the Restricted free agent running cornerback Brent Grimes and Blues on tonight with fi rst place again back C J Anderson signed a four- defensive end Robert Ayers Jr. on the line. “St. Louis might be the best year, $18 million off er sheet with Grimes, a four-time Pro Bowl team in the league right now,” Ruff said. Dallas Stars left wing Jamie Benn (right) scores a goal past Chicago Blackhawks goalie Corey Crawford during the second period the Miami Dolphins, leaving the selection, agreed to a two-year “It’s going to be, ‘Put this one away and at American Airlines Center in Dallas. (USA TODAY Sports) Broncos to face the possibility of contract reportedly worth $16.5 get ready for (Saturday),’ because (Satur- losing their entire starting back- million. Ayers received a three- day’s) task is going to be even a little more The Penguins (35-24-8) are trying to its past seven games and remains in con- COYOTES 4, FLAMES 1 fi eld in the span of one week. year deal worth $21 million. The daunting.” Chicago will return home to hold off rival Philadelphia for the second tention for a wild-card spot in the East- Brad Richardson scored two third-period Anderson’s deal includes $10 deal with Grimes was reached play Los Angeles tomorrow. and fi nal wild-card playoff spot in the ern Conference. goals and Antoine Vermette had one on million in guarantees. just two days after he was re- Eastern Conference. The win preserved Friday night to lift the Arizona Coyotes to - - - leased by the Miami Dolphins. PENGUINS 3, BLUE JACKETS 2 their three-point cushion. BLUES 5, DUCKS 2 a 4-1 win over the Calgary Flames, end- Former Washington Redskins - - - Carl Hagelin’s second-period goal, his The St. Louis Blues got their off ense go- ing their franchise-record road losing quarterback Robert Griffi n III The Washington Redskins re- fourth since joining Pittsburgh earlier in FLYERS 3, LIGHTNING 1 ing on Friday as they moved closer to the streak at 10 games. visited the New York Jets, ac- signed tight end Logan Paulsen the season, led the Penguins to a 3-2 win Sam Gagner scored a power-play goal top spot in the Central Division. Richardson’s second goal of the period cording to multiple reports. The and signed unrestricted free over the Columbus Blue Jackets on Friday and Steve Mason had 18 saves as the Vladimir Tarasenko scored twice late into an empty net iced the game with 1:41 Jets are locked in a testy contract agent defensive end Kendall in Nationwide Arena. Philadelphia Flyers posted a 3-1 win over and Paul Stastny, Jori Lehtera and Patrik remaining. stalemate with incumbent start- Reyes to one-year contracts. Chris Kunitz and Kris Letang also the Tampa Bay Lightning on Friday night Berglund added goals to lead the Blues to Boyd Gordon also scored for Arizona er Ryan Fitzpatrick and are look- Reyes’ deal is worth $2.5 mil- scored for the Penguins, while goaltender at Amalie Arena. a 5-2 victory over the Anaheim Ducks on (29-32-7) and Mikael Backlund replied ing at other quarterbacks in case lion and could rise to $3.35 mil- Marc-Andre Fleury had 25 saves. Philadelphia (32-23-11) has won six of Friday night at Scottrade Center. for Calgary (28-35-4). they part ways with the 33-year- lion with incentives. Gulf Times Sunday, March 13, 2016 9 TENNIS

SPOTLIGHT Sharapova lashes out at critics over dope test

AFP to the banned list from January 1. Los Angeles The Times said all of the warnings from the ITF and WTA arrived in December, with the fi - nal reminder landing on December 29. Shara- aria Sharapova hit back on Friday pova said on December 18 she received an at suggestions she received fi ve email titled “Player News” and mixed in with separate warnings about changes to the rankings, tournament news, bulletins, and tennis’ anti-doping rules which ul- birthday wishes was the notifi cation of changes Mtimately led to her testing positive for a banned to the anti-doping rules. drug. A defi ant Sharapova defended herself in “In other words, in order to be aware of this a post on her Facebook page, saying that she “warning”, you had to open an e-mail with a received one clear notice in December titled subject line having nothing to do with anti- “Main Changes to the Tennis Anti-Doping Pro- doping, click on a webpage, enter a password, gramme for 2016.” enter a username, hunt, click, hunt, click, hunt, “I should have paid more attention to it. But click, scroll and read. the other “communications”? They were bur- “I guess some in the media can call that a ied in newsletters, websites, or handouts,” the warning. I think most people would call it too Russian star said. Former world number one hard to fi nd.” Sharapova announced Monday that she failed a Sharapova said earlier this week that she used drug test at the Australian Open in January. meldonium for the past decade to treat illness- Sharapova tested positive for meldonium, es, a heart issue and a magnesium defi ciency. which was added to the World Anti-Doping Sharapova also took issue with reports that the Agency’s banned list on January 1. The 28-year- normal course of treatment with meldonium old Sharapova also insisted Friday that she has spanned four to six weeks. never faked an injury to try and foil the drug “I didn’t take the medicine every day. I took testers. “I won’t pretend to be injured so I can it the way my doctor recommended I take it hide the truth about my testing,” said Shara- and I took it in the low doses recommended,” pova, vowing to set the record straight over her she wrote. “I’m proud of how I have played the supposed multiple warnings. game. I have been honest and upfront.” “I am determined to fi ght back,” she said. Sharapova said she is eager to have her hear- “No excuses, but it’s wrong to say I was warned ing with ITF offi cials so she can give her side of fi ve times.” The Times of London on Wednesday the story. “I look forward to the ITF hearing at reported that Sharapova had received fi ve sepa- which time they will receive my detailed medi- rate notifi cations that meldonium was to be cal records.” banned. The newspaper said three correspond- She said she hopes to return to tennis but also ences had been sent by the International Ten- admitted that because of the scandal her career nis Federation [ITF] and two from the Women’s may be in jeopardy. “I hope I will be allowed Tennis Association (WTA). to play again,” she said. “But no matter what, I WADA had also issued communications in Maria Sharapova’s products called ‘sugarpova’ are seen for sale in the merchandise store during day four of the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells want you, my fans, to know the truth and have September that the substance was to be added Tennis Garden in California (AFP) the facts.”

INDIAN WELLS OPEN FOCUS Sharapova Venus ends desert courageous but must suff er boycott, Serena wins consequences, Venus hopes for a storybook ending in her return to California desert dashed says Djokovic

DPA testing positive at the Australian Indian Wells, California Open for the recently-banned Serena breezed through her medicine meldonium which she opening match on Friday, has been taking 2006 on pre- beating German qualifier Laura ovak Djokovic on Fri- scription from her doctor. Siegemund 6-2, 6-1. (AFP) day re-emphasised Anti-doping offi cials commu- his strong support for nicated through e-mail to play- longtime friend Maria ers before banning the substance NSharapova in her drug-test dra- from January 1, with Sharapova ma while adding that communi- testing positive three weeks later. cation to player on the important The Russian - the highest subject of banned substances earner in all of women’s sport could be vastly improved. and the face of the WTA - said “I think the communication she somehow missed what offi - from the governing bodies of cials said were the series of alerts tennis maybe should be a little sent during December. bit better in terms of involve- Djokovic is caught between his ment of maybe ATP,” the top seed friendship with Sharapova and said as he prepared to start at the his role as the ATP world number Indian Wells Masters. one. He said that as a a friend “I feel like sometimes ATP is “of course I do feel sorry about stepping on the side because it’s what’s happening with her.” (anti-doping protocol) is a mat- He added: “She has always ter of ITF (the international fed- been very responsible and aware eration) and WADA (anti-doping towards herself, towards the enforcers). sport, very disciplined, very kind “There should be a little bit of hard working and loving what more of involvement maybe, she does. “I really hope that she people, players relations side, will fi nd the best possible way. I people engaged in this commu- thought she was very courageous nication with players. You can and was very human to go out say, ‘if a player was informed and take the responsibility and once, it’s not our fault that this say what has happened. She did player hasn’t checked his email admit that she made a mistake or thoroughly went through the with her team.” Djokovic said it changes.’ was “completely normal” to ex- “But on the other side, we live pect that a player who has made a very busy life and there is a lot a mistake “has to suff er certain happening. I think at least what kind of consequences.” we can do is to have this kind of He added that he has shied confi rmation from the ATP side.” away in the past from physician- Five-time grand slam winner prescribed medicine due to fear Sharapova awaits her fate after of anti-doping consequences.

AFP be the past. When I was out there I didn’t advances to the third round where she on her serve and broke the German’s serve Indian Wells, California think back. It was a long time ago,” said will face unseeded Yulia Putintseva of four times. Venus, who was seeded 10th in the tour- Kazakhstan. “The key was my intensity,” Serena said. nament. Venus is a former world number one “She was close to breaking me at one point enus Williams fi nally made In 2001, spectators at Indian Wells and the fi rst African-American to be- and I knew if I didn’t give 100 percent at peace with Indian Wells tennis booed Serena during the fi nal and jeered come the top-ranked women’s player in that point it was going to be a long night.” fans Friday by ending her 15- her sister and father Richard Williams the world. Tenth-seeded Venus blasted Meanwhile, Polish third seed Agnieszka year boycott of the hardcourt when the pair arrived to watch the match. three aces but made four double faults Radwanska survived a scare to defeat Slo- Vtournament, but she couldn’t put away Richard Williams alleges that racist com- and won just four of 12 break points in the vakian veteran Dominika Cibulkova 6-3, her Japanese opponent. ments were directed at them. 101-minute match. 3-6, 7-5 in her opening match. Williams’ hopes for a storybook end- “We could have come back here and A rain and wind storm struck in the She advances to the third round, where ing in her return to the California desert everyone could have picked up where they middle of the fi rst set as the driving she will face Monica Niculescu, who beat were dashed when she lost 6-4, 6-3 left off ,” Venus said. showers sent spectators and players run- Heather Watson 6-4, 2-6, 6-2. to qualifier Kurumi Nara in a second- “There had to be a change of attitude ning for cover. “It was a tough day,” Venus In other women’s matches on Fri- round match delayed 30 minutes be- on both ends. It isn’t always easy. Us, the said. “Very tough conditions. Just brutal day, defending champion Simona Halep cause of a storm. fans and the city had to have a positive at- out there.” cruised past American Vania King 6-1, The 35-year-old Williams received a titude about it.” Venus added that luck wasn’t on her 6-1; eighth seed Petra Kvitova needed hearty reception from the main stadium Venus’ upset loss to the world number side Friday. “She played well. Her shank three sets to beat Danka Kovinic 6-3, 4-6, crowd of about 7,000, with some in at- 89 dashed any hopes that the Compton, shots kept going in. I thought, ‘How do I 7-6 (7/5); and Jelena Jankovic dominated tendance standing up to cheer. California, sisters could meet in the quar- get some of mine in?’” Venus said. Carina Witthoeft 6-1, 6-3. But it was a more low-key response ter-fi nals at Indian Wells, one of the big- This was Serena’s fi rst competitive On the men’s side, qualifi er Bjorn Fra- than the 57-second standing ovation that gest events on the tennis calendar outside match since her Australian Open fi nal de- tangelo defeated Teymuraz Gabashvili Serena received here last year when she of the Grand Slams. feat to Angelique Kerber. 6-4, 6-4 to set up a second round clash ended her 14-year boycott of the joint Serena breezed through her opening The world number one didn’t look with world number one Novak Djokovic, WTA and ATP Tour event. match on Friday, beating German quali- rusty from the nearly two-month layoff who is hoping to win his third straight In- “It is time to move on and let the past fi er Laura Siegemund 6-2, 6-1. Serena as she saved three-of-three break points dian Wells title. World No. 1 Novak Djokovic. Gulf Times 10 Sunday, March 13, 2016 SPORT

RUGBY FOCUS Russia confi dent of ticking IAAF boxes Hosts England stay for Olympic spot

AFP sia was doing everything pos- Moscow sible to meet the strict criteria set by the world athletics rul- ing body but stressed that he he IAAF has given Rus- believed the responsibility for on course for Six sia a tight two-month doping code violation should be stay of execution to get personal. “When we speak about its anti-doping house in doping there’re no guarantees Torder, but Moscow insists it is possible,” Mutko said. “It’s all confi dent Russian athletes will individual, that’s why we’re talk- compete in the Rio Olympics. ing that there should be personal Russia was suspended in responsibility for doping use.” November after revelations of Coe, who has endured a tough Nations Grand Slam state-sponsored doping and time since taking over the IAAF widespread corruption, the IAAF from now-disgraced ex-presi- setting up an independent task- dent Lamine Diack last year, re- Nine-try Ireland rediscover form to steamroll Italy force to monitor the athletics peated his vows to crack down on powerhouse’s compliance to the doping on Friday. “My job is not verifi cation criteria for re-entry actually to get as many athletes to international competition. to the Olympic Games as possi- Taskforce head Rune An- ble,” the British two-time Olym- dersen, a former World Anti- pic gold medallist said. Doping Agency (WADA) direc- “The job of the IAAF Council tor, recommended to the IAAF is to make sure that those ath- Council that while Russia had letes who are going to the Olym- made some advances, they sim- pics are clean and are in systems ply were not enough for the mo- that are based upon integrity.” ment. “The view of the taskforce Russia was banned in Novem- is that there is signifi cant work ber following a sensational re- still to be done to satisfy the re- port by an independent commis- instatement conditions and so sion of the World Anti-Doping the Russian athletics federa- Agency (WADA) that found evi- tion should not be reinstated to dence of state-sponsored dop- membership at this stage,” IAAF ing and large-scale corruption in president Sebastian Coe said. Russian athletics. The IAAF said Time is now ticking fast for Russia could only be reinstated if Russian athletes ahead of the Ol- it fulfi lled strict criteria outlined ympic Games, not least because last year, including compliance they have to attain Olympic- with all WADA and IAAF anti- standard qualifying marks be- doping rules and requirements fore teams are registered in the The IAAF Council’s decision second week of July, with track was widely expected, coming and fi eld set to kick off on August just two days after infl uential 12 in Rio. anti-doping czar Dick Pound But the door was left ajar compared Russian eff orts to for Russia’s re-inclusion in the combat doping in athletics to IAAF family, Coe saying that an changing deckchairs on the Ti- extraordinary Council meet- tanic. ing would be held in May, with Russia aside, the Council also Andersen and his team again fi red out a warning to fi ve other reporting their fi ndings before a countries, including east African collective decision is taken. track giants Ethiopia and Ken- Strict criteria ya, saying they were in “criti- Despite Andersen saying Rus- cal care” over their anti-doping sia’s problem was one of a cul- programmes. tural change that, worryingly, “The reform process has led to could take years, one person more information being shared in no doubt that Russia would and recommendations owed at tick all the boxes in the coming Council level around the fi ght to two months was Russian Sports protect clean athletes,” Coe said. Minister Vitaly Mutko. “To this end, our review by anti- “I don’t see any insurmount- doping teams has identifi ed fi ve able obstacles that may prevent countries who the IAAF Council the closing of the issue in May,” have agreed are in critical care at Mutko said. Mutko insisted Rus- diff erent degrees.” England celebrate with the trophy after winning the Triple Crown. (Reuters)

DPA England’s early dominance against Warren Gatland’s land demolished Italy at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Isles advances but Lagat, Eaton falter London side was rewarded by three Farrell penalties while Dan Ireland’s other tries came from Andrew Trimble, Jack Cole came close to scoring a try on 14 minutes but he was McGrath, Jared Payne, CJ Stander, Sean Cronin, Ian Ma- US rugby star Carlin Isles advanced to the 60m semi-finals at the deemed to have been held up on the line. digan and Fergus McFadden. US Indoor Track and Field Championships while Olympians Ashton ngland remain on course for a Six Nations Grand However, an Itoje break eventually led to Watson David Odiete and Leonardo Sarto scored tries for Italy Eaton and Bernard Lagat faltered. Slam after a nervous 25-21 defeat of Wales yes- touching down in the corner after 32 minutes for the in the second half. In a dominant display, Ireland opened At the same Portland, Oregon, venue where the world indoor terday while Ireland ran in nine tries in a 58-15 game’s fi rst try. the scoring after just seven minutes when Sarto tapped championships will be staged next week, the first eight finals were rout of Italy to register their fi rst win in this sea- Farrell moved England further in front with another the ball back past Odiete and into the path of Payne who staged and qualifying heats were conducted in several track events son’sE championship. penalty four minutes after the restart before Wales fi - offl oaded for Trimble to score in the corner. for final day of competition. Isles, 26, says he hopes to qualify for England led 16-0 at the break at Twickenham thanks nally sprang to life, laying siege to the English line with McGrath burrowed over for the home side’s second try the Rio de Janeiro Olympics in August with the rugby sevens and to a converted Anthony Watson try and three penalties a number of scrum penalties. after 15 minutes before Stander powered his way over the athletics squads. from Owen Farrell. A Dan Biggar try for Wales reduced The English defence held fi rm but just as the danger Italian line on the half-hour mark to move Ireland fur- Touted as the world’s fastest rugby player, Isles could play for the US the defi cit before two further Farrell penalties looked to seemed to have passed, George Ford’s clearance kick was ther ahead. Eagles in Brazil as rugby returns to the Olympic lineup with rugby have secured a comfortable win. charged down by Biggar, who touched down under the The try of the match came a minute before the break sevens. Isles placed 12th in the 60m preliminaries in 6.68 seconds, However, late tries by George North and Taulupe Fa- posts. from Heaslip. He fi nished off a slick Irish passing move fourth in his heat but still good enough to be among 16 semi- letau set up a nail-biting fi nish but England held on Biggar slotted over the resultant conversion to move that started in their own 22-metre area following an ini- finalists advancing. Haitian-born Barbara Pierre led women’s 60m grimly for the win. Wales within 12 points and although the visitors con- tial line break by Simon Zebo to send Joe Schmidt’s side semi-finalists in 7.13 seconds. The fourth successive victory for England under new tinued to pressure the English defence, the home side into half-time leading 25-3. Eaton, the reigning world and Olympic decathlon champion and the coach Eddie Jones now sets up a Grand Slam and prob- weathered the initial storm. Any slim chances of an Italian comeback ended four two-time reigning world indoor heptathlon champion, was sixth in able championship decider against France at the Stade England slowly reasserted control of the game and minutes after the restart when Payne intercepted Edoar- the long jump at 7.60m and next-to-last among 23 60m preliminary de France next Saturday. But fi rst France need to defeat were rewarded on the scoreboard by two further pen- do Padovani’s long pass to touch down beneath the posts. runners in 6.80 seconds as he conducted early work toward his bid Scotland at Murrayfi eld today to keep their slim title alties from Farrell but were forced to play the last 10 Further quick tries from Heaslip and replacement to defend Olympic gold at Rio. hopes alive. minutes with 14 men when Cole was sent to the sin- hooker Cronin extended Ireland’s lead before Odiete fi - Millrose Games champion Ryan Hill won the men’s 3,000 in 7:38.60 “It was pretty tough, especially the last 20 minutes. bin. North touched down with six minutes remaining nally breached the Irish line. with Paul Chelimo .40 behind. Three-time world indoor 3,000m Thank God we managed to see it through,” man of the for what seemed a consolation score but when Faletau Continued Irish pressure saw replacement Madi- champion Lagat, the Kenyan-born 41-year-old hoping to reach his match Maro Itoje told ITV. breached the English line again a minute later, the hosts gan touch down with Sarto then scoring Italy’s second fifth Olympics this year before retiring, just missed the podium, “We talked through the diff erent scenarios in the week found themselves hanging on for the win. try before McFadden completed the rout with Ireland’s finishing fourth in 7:41.25, .06 behind third place Eric Jenkins. and luckily we had enough time to see it through.” Earlier, Jamie Heaslip scored a try in each half as Ire- ninth try two minutes from time.

BADMINTON Lin Dan into All-England fi nal, Marin out

AFP The day before Lin lost the fective pattern which, it became these remarks, she responded Birmingham fi rst game to Jan Jorgensen, the China’s Lin Dan in action during the increasingly clear, would win her with a smile and a comment fi fth seeded Dane, but once his quarter-fi nals of the All England Open the match if she could maintain that: “She was making a lot of recovery had gathered momen- Badminton Championships in it. The cool and slow condi- errors,” adding that” “if she had in Dan recovered from a tum fi nished the match with Birmingham yesterday. (Reuters) tions may have made it hard for fi xed those errors in might have game down for the sec- brilliant combinations. Marin to create real openings been a tougher match.” ond day in succession to “I don’t know why I have lost and to fi nish the rallies off , and Okuhara next plays Wang reach his fi rst All-Eng- the fi rst games in these match- the longer the match went on the Shixian, another former All- landL fi nal for four years yester- es,” said Lin. more it became apparent that England champion from China. day but women’s world cham- “And today I think I made a she was struggling. Shixian, the conqueror of pion Carolina Marin was a shock major mistake. I don’t know why The outcome was not however Olympic champion Li Xuerui, casualty. that happened. It shouldn’t hap- as surprising as it may seem, as overcame Tai Tzu Ying, the Lin, the 32-year-old two-time pen. I really need to go away and Okuhara also beat Marin while former Super Series fi nals win- Olympic champion, who hopes fi nd out. winning the Super Series fi nals ner from Taiwan, 21-23, 21-12, to win the sport’s oldest title “I am pleased though with the title in Dubai in December, and 21-15. again as part of his bid to qualify way I came back. It proved that has now beaten her three times Shixian too had criticisms, in for the Rio Games, came through my winter training is eff ective in a row. her case of the court offi cials, 18-21, 21-15, 21-9 against his un- and has improved my physical But Marin, who claimed to who were apparently all English. seeded Chinese compatriot, Xue resources.” have had a shoulder injury which Two or three decisions which Song. Lin, bidding for a sixth All limited her winter training, was brought controversy and delay. For long periods, Lin unac- England title, will face compa- not impressed with her oppo- “The line judges have to be a countably made little attempt triot Tian Houwei, the eighth nent’s qualities. little bit fairer in dealing with to put the shuttle on the fl oor, seed, who overcame surprise “She doesn’t really have good Asian players,” she complained. and instead became involved in semi-fi nalist, Hans Vittinghus, holder and world champion, drawn out and perhaps ominous by Nozomi Okuhara, the hard- strokes,” the beaten champion Saina Nehwal, the former lengthy clearing and lifting ral- the unseeded Dane, by 15-21, 21- became the latest in a cull of all semi-fi nal encounter. working, patient and consistent said. “She just plays it around world number one and last year’s lies which extended the contest 14, 21-14. the favourites at the tournament The 22-year-old Spaniard eighth-seeded Japanese player the court.” runner-up in the singles was to fully 82 minutes. Marin, the top-seeded title- when she was beaten in a long- was beaten 11-21, 21-16, 21-14 who gradually developed an ef- When Okuhara was told of knocked out by Ying. Gulf Times Sunday, Match 13, 2016 11 SPORT

QATAR INTERNATIONAL ENDUROCROSS

Qatari riders Jassim al-Emadi, Mubarak Khalifa al-Khelaifi and Rashid Jumal al-Muhannadi finished 1-2-3 in the second round of the QMMF T3 Challenge yesterday at the Sealine track. British rider Ryan Blair won both E-1 Class races in the second round of the QMMF Qatar International Endurocross. South African Wade Den won the E2 category by winning both races in the second round. In the Quad category, Emirati rider Mansoor al-Suwaidi won both races. His nemesis Fahad Musallam finished second on both occasions. Shannon O’Cannor won the first race of the over 40-year-old category, while Geoff Den won the second.

FOOTBALL FOCUS Doha Secondary Independent School Turkey coach Terim win HADAF tourney

By Sports Reporter Doha

oha Secondary Independent School defeated Doha Col- praises Qatar team lege 2-1 to win the HADAF Football Tournament at As- pire Academy yesterday. Focusing on the promotion of health through fun ‘Qatar 2022 will be a great organisational success, and the stadiums will be great’ sportingD events, the HADAF fi ve-a-side schools’ tournament took place at the Aspire Academy indoor football pitch and saw a number of football teams from independent and British curricu- s the legendary Turkey lum schools compete for the trophy as part of this year’s Great national coach Fatih British Festival Qatar 2016 – which runs from March 6 to 19. Terim walks into a Supported by the Qatar Football Association (QFA) and As- room at the Turkish pire Academy, the tournament was attended by Ajay Sharma, the FootballA Federation facilities in British ambassador to Qatar, Ali Homoud al-Naimi, head of com- Riva, Istanbul, you can immedi- petitions from the QFA, and Frank Fitzpatrick, country director of ately feel his enormous charisma the British Council in Qatar. and experience as he sits down Speaking at an awards ceremony Wajdy Imam Shehada, PE co- for an interview. ordinator, and coach of the winning team, said: “Today was re- Terim pulls up a chair to the ally great fun and we enjoyed playing on the world-class pitches backdrop of the training fi elds at Aspire. Thank you to everyone for making this event a success. extending behind him, where It was good to win but, more importantly, amazing to see so many he his team will soon begin fi nal people turn out to play the game.” preparations for their Euro 2016 Five-member teams from the following six British curricu- campaign, and says he is particu- lum schools competed -- Doha College – Evo Team, Gulf English larly pleased with the excellent School, Park House English School, International School of Lon- form of his star player Arda Turan don, Al Jazeera Academy, English Modern School – took part in since the Barcelona midfi elder the tournament. resumed his club career in Janu- In addition, fi ve-person teams from four independent schools ary after missing the fi rst half of — Al Yarmouk Independent School, Omar bin Khatab Independ- the season because of the Catalan ent School, Hamad bin Abdullah bin Jassim Independent School, club’s transfer ban. Doha Secondary Independent School — also participated in the “Arda can help Barcelona win tournament. all three trophies again,” Terim British ambassador to Qatar Ajay Sharma awarded the Ambas- told www.sc.qa in an exclusive sador’s Cup to the winning team. interview. “His passes to the “It’s been an absolute pleasure to host the third annual HADAF front three are very important. It fi ve-a-side schools’ football tournament this year and, on be- is not easy for Arda after coming half of the British embassy, I’d personally like to thank all of the back from a long break, but he is schools for participating with so much enthusiasm. The tourna- used to adapting fast because he ment is another example of the UK’s fi rm commitment to help- is such a big talent. He is a very ing develop a sports culture in Qatar – by providing training in important player for us, and a sports facility booking management, referee development and very important person for Turk- grassroots schools football coaching – as the country continues ish football. I have been very hap- to make rapid progress towards hosting the 2022 FIFA World Cup py with his form after he started Qatar,” Sharma, said. his Barcelona career in January. Frank Fitzpatrick commented: “For the third year running, the He is a big player, a good charac- tournament has shown that sport is a great way to bring together ter, and in France I am awaiting a young people from Qatar, the UK and the rest of the world. In line good performance from him be- with the British Council’s objectives to help young people realise cause he is our big star.” talya and there will be two more “It is very important for Qatar to help Qatar on any level we can. were better than I expected, it their potential, we hope that the local and international schools Looking ahead to his nation- games, one of them in England. to be hosting the tournament as Turkey is a Muslim country, so I was a good game and they need involved will continue to play football matches against one an- al team’s preparations for the The draw we got was a Group of the fi rst Arab and Muslim coun- think we will see a lot of Turk- to keep improving to reach an- other on a regular basis.” tournament this summer, Terim Death, with Croatia, Spain and try. I was in Doha in November ish fans visiting Qatar. We’d also other level in the World Cup, to Ali Homoud al-Naimi said: “QFA is delighted to be the event added that the friendly match Czech Republic, it is more dif- for Turkey’s fi rst of back-to- love to be there with the team. be tougher, stronger, as the level partner of the HADAF fi ve-a-side schools’ tournament for the against England on May 22 fi cult than the other groups. But back friendlies against Qatar and When we come there we will be of play is very high. Qatar 2022 second consecutive year and congratulates Doha Secondary Inde- would take on an important part we hope to qualify for the second Greece. I think Qatar has all the aware of the advantages of play- will be a great organisational pendent School on clinching the title this year. Our collaboration on the way to France: “My play- round.” capabilities to host a fantastic ing in a Muslim country.” success, and the stadiums will be with the British Council and Aspire Academy to support the tour- ers are working very well, and we Looking ahead to the 2022 tournament. There was great Looking back on the recent in- great, but everyone will expect nament showcases QFA’s commitment to develop the football have had big success as we have FIFA World Cup Qatar, Terim hospitality, even though we were ternational match, Terim added success for the national team as culture, sports education, sportsmanship and the positive values not lost a game in one year. We said his side’s November friendly there only for two or three days. I that he had been impressed with well. I will always be of help to of the game across all segments of the community.” are preparing for France now, in Doha had given him a good in- believe it will be a very nice and Qatar’s improvement – and said Qatar whenever needed, because Director General from Aspire Academy Ivan Bravo said: “It is with games against Sweden, dication of the rapidly advancing well organised World Cup. In the they would need to continue get- it is a country close to our heart.” our pleasure to once again partner with the British Council for Austria and then we head to An- preparations in the country. meantime we are trying our best ting better ahead of 2022: “Qatar sc.qa the second time since we hosted the Research Links event back in February 2014. Today, hosting the British Council HADAF Foot- ball tournament fi nal in Aspire Academy is another step ahead to confi rm that good relation. It is also refl ecting part of the acad- Britain’s Thomas in Paris-Nice yellow as Zakarin wins stage emy mission to promote sport in Qatar and support the sporting movement in the country.” Britain’s Geraint Thomas took a huge step Welshman will be feeling confident. His yesterday as Czech Zdenek Stybar held on that was ok but it seemed to work out. towards winning Paris-Nice as he finished Sky team controlled the pace on the final to the overall lead of the Italian stage race. “I was pretty confident and pretty aero on second behind Russian Ilnur Zakarin in 15.3km ascension of Saturday’s stage de- Cummings admitted his Dimension Data the bike. Everybody else had been pulling yesterday’s sixth and penultimate stage. spite Contador attacking on several occa- team had been trying to set up Norwegian and I hadn’t been pulling. It was a great Thomas took the race leader’s yellow jer- sions. Porte burst out of the leading group Edvald Boasson Hagen for the win at the team performance and I was just lucky at sey off Australian Michael Matthews in the with a kilometre to go as the victory came end of a long and undulating 222km ride the end.” Stybar, of the Etixx-Quick Step only uphill finish of the race after 177km down to a fight between the top four. between Montalto di Castro and Foligno. team, retained the overall lead with a nine- from Nice to La Madone d’Utelle. Thomas was next to have a go before But the Briton found himself in contention second advantage on Italian Damiano Ca- Two-time Tour de France winner Alberto Zakarin, 26, who announced himself to for victory 3.5km from home and played ruso and two other BMC riders, Greg Van Contador was third on the stage a second the world with a shock victory at the Tour his cards to perfection to solo over the Avermaet and Tejay Van Garderen sitting back with reigning champion Richie Porte de Romandie ahead of Chris Froome last finish line and leave Salvatore Puccio of in third and fourth places overall. of Australia, who was Thomas’s team year, claimed the sprint finish. Team Sky in second place. Sunday’s fifth stage is a hillier 178km ride leader at Sky last year, taking fourth at Matthews had been distanced on the pe- “We were trying to do a stage for Edvald which begins in Foligno and ends at the 7sec. Thomas now leads by 15sec overall nultimate climb some 20km from home. Boasson Hagen, we thought that he was summit of Monte San Vicino. from Contador with Katusha rider Zakarin the best chance for today,” Cummings The ‘Race of the Two Seas’ is used by at 20sec and Porte another second Cummings wins Tirreno 4th stage, said. many riders in the peloton to prime for the behind that. Today;s final hilly 134km Stybar still leads “He’s in super form, so I was there as the season-opening classic at Milan-San Remo stage around Nice gives Thomas’s rivals Britain’s Steven Cummings claimed victo- policeman but it came to 3km and nor- later this month, and finishes on Tuesday some chances to snatch victory but the ry in the fourth stage of Tirreno-Adriatico mally I can do 3km alone. I don’t know if in San Benedetto del Tronto.

Sunday, March 13, 2016 GULF TIMES SPORT

EQUESTRIAN/DOHA TOUR FOCUS Saudi’s al-Rajhi storms into big lead Qatar’s al-Ajami and in Ha’il Nissan Rally

Agencies After injuring his back over a Ha’il, Saudi Arabia heavy jump in Muteb-Saud al- Shammeri’s Nissan on Friday, Emirati co-driver Ali Mirza was audi driver Yazeed al- detained in hospital overnight Kuwait’s al-Khorafi Rajhi and German navi- with back injuries, but was given gator Timo Gottschalk the all clear to leave on Saturday extended their overall afternoon. leadS in the Ha’il Nissan Interna- Riding a Kawasaki, Ab- tional Rally from 9min 43sec to dul-Majeed al-Khulaifi held a massive 37min 17sec after the a lead of just three seconds second selective section around over Ahmed al-Nasser after Baqa’a yesterday. the opening leg in the quad shine on the last day The Hummer driver was in and motorcycle category. The scintillating form and crushed former winner maintained his the opposition with a time of advantage in the quad section ‘I am delighted with this win, especially as it has come at home and in front of my people’ 2hr 42min 12sec to fi nish the after the second leg and held day’s timed section 26min 47sec an unofficial lead of 6min 15sec in front of runner-up Rajah- over Heshayan al-Heshayan’s Farhan al-Shammeri. Yamaha, but Al-Nasser was Qatar’s Faleh Suwead al-Ajami (C), Saudi’s Abdullah Alsharbatly, Khalid al-Fraihi, driving the quicker and the solitary motor- and Qatar’s Ali Yousef al-Rumaihi (R) celebrate on the podium of fi rst of a fl eet of Nissans in the cycle rider headed the overall CSI4*, the marquee event at the second leg of the QNB Doha Tour, top 10, fi nished the special in category by 3min 16sec. yesterday. PICTURES: Abdo Garsi third and holds second over- Saudi rider Sultan al-Masood all. T2 leader Rajah-Fahan al- crashed his Yamaha heavily and Shammeri is third and Saad was airlifted to Baka hospital and Salman and Ahmed al-Gashimi then on to King Khalid hospital, round off the unoffi cial top fi ve. where he remains stable with “I am very happy with the stage bruising. Mohammed al-Dar- and was able to extend my lead wish suff ered technical issues today,” said Al-Rajhi. “I was able near the end of the special and to win the stage for the third day, retired. but it was not easy and there were The rally is being staged un- tricky places where I was cau- der the patronage of His Royal tious to avoid making a mistake.” Highness Prince Saud bin Abdul Ahmed al-Shegawi’s delight Mohsen bin Abdul Aziz, Gov- at winning the opening leg had ernor of Ha’il, President of the been short lived when the Saudi Supreme Commission for Ha’il incurred a time penalty for a Development and the Head of route infringement and dropped the Supreme Commission of the from second overall to 32nd at Ha’il Rally. the start of Saturday’s stage. The The SAMF runs under the decision promoted Al-Fraihi to chairmanship of His Royal second overall and Qatar’s Sheikh Highness Prince Sultan bin Hamed bin Eid al-Thani into the Bandar al-Faisal and the event is top 10 at the start of the day. being organised in conjunction Crews tackled a much longer with the High Authority for the selective section on Saturday Development of Ha’il. that looped for 216.40km along There is no respite for com- a route around Baqa’a. Al-Rajhi petitors on Sunday. The penul- was the fi rst on the road in his timate third selective section of Hummer and began to storm this year’s Ha’il Nissan Inter- clear of his rivals. national Rally starts at 09.05hrs He reached the fi rst of the ma- and runs for 206.4km between jor checkpoints three minutes a start 61km from the overnight ahead of Shegawi, 6min 02sec halt at the town of Shot and a in front of runaway T3 leader fi nish in Jubbah. Khaled al-Jafl ah and 9min 24sec ahead of Ahmad al-Gashami. Leading positions after Leg 2 Yasir-Hamad Seaidan had 1. Yazeed al-Rajhi (SAU)/Timo started in 16th place and was Gottschalk (DEU) Hummer By Sahan Bidappa The trio shared 89,088 in prize money. running fi fth in his Toyota with 4hr 14min 07sec Doha The second place went to Lusail, com- French navigator Sébastien De- 2. Khalid al-Fraihi (SAU)/Ali prising Hamad Ali al-Attiyah, Mohd Os- launay. He climbed to second at Obaid (ARE) Nissan ama El Borai and Ramzy Hamad al-Du- the last passage control before 4hr 51min 24sec atar’s Faleh Suwead al-Ajami hami, while the third spot was claimed rolling out of contention. 3. Rajah Farhan al-Shammeri held his nerves to win the by Al Shaqab’s Ibrahim Hani Bisharat, Technical issues sidelined Farhan (SAU)/Mubarak al-Shammeri QR460,300 CSI4*, the mar- Khaled Abdulrahman Almobty and Al-Shammeri and Sami Al-Sham- (SAU) Nissan 4hr 52min 30sec quee event at the second leg of Kamal Abdullah Bahamdan. meri early in the stage and Butti 4. Saad Salman (SAU)/Nawaf theQ QNB Doha Tour equestrian champi- Banjr al-Qahtani’s car caught fi re al-Anzi (SAU) Toyota 4hr 52min onship. Kuwait’s al-Khorafi after a fuel leak. 53sec All eyes were on al-Ajami and his dominates CSI2* Hamed bin Eid al-Thani stopped 5. Ahmed al-Gashami (SAU)/ 11-year-old Bay, Armstrong Van De Ka- Meanwhile, there was no stopping for a long time with mechanical is- Waleed al-Fiuam (SAU) Nissan pel at the Qatar Equestrian Federation Kuwait’s Ali al-Khorafi , who kept his sues before the halfway point after 4hr 55min 59sec yesterday, as only the Qatari rider and stronghold in the CSI2*, as he won both running second fastest behind Al- 6. Faris al-Mashna (SAU)/Saud Abdullah Alsharbatly of Saudi Arabia had the events on the fi nal day. Rajhi at the fi rst checkpoint. al-Zayed (SAU) Nissan 4hr 58min qualifi ed for the jump-off out of 19 riders The 26-year-old has nearly swept the Al-Jafl ah was running inside 03sec for the CSI4* Table (A) Two rounds, Art. CSI2* events held in Doha over the last the top fi ve and comfortably lead- 7. Meshaal al-Saeedi (SAU)/ 273.3.4.1, 4.5, 2.2, 160cm. three months and yesterday he was once ing the T3 category until he suf- Bandar al-Saeedi (SAU) Nissan Al-Ajami was the fi rst one to go. But again in his elements. Al-Khorafi part- fered its own fair share of techni- 5hr 00min 20sec the Qatari didn’t let the burden of ex- nered with Cheril to win the CSI2* Table cal issues and retired. UAE T3 rival 8. Ahmed Abdullah al-Shehail pectations get the better of him, as the (A) Against the clock with jump off , Art. Atif al-Zarouni also retired and (SAU)/Rasheed Mslet (SAU) Nis- 29-year-old guided Armstrong Van De 238.2.2, 145cm, keeping the two Qataris this opened the door for Rakan- san 5hr 00min 47sec Kapel to a faultless routine in 39.08 sec- at bay. The Kuwaiti came home in 34.21 Yousef al-Salloum to head the T3 9. Emil Khneisser (LEB)/Alexei onds. Thereafter, the pressure was on seconds to pocket QR17,500. Al Udeid trio of Saed Saad, Salman Mohamed al-Emadi and Tina Lund combined to give section in his Polaris into the sec- Kuzmich (RUS) Nissan 5hr Alsharbatly to not only beat time set by Qatar’s Rashid Towaim al-Marri (Kan- their team a comfortable victory in the CSI4* Table (A) One round against the clock event. ond half of the day’s stage. 05min 42sec al-Ajami but also clear the hurdles. nada) and Awad Alqahtani (Santos) were However, Alsharbatly riding the second and third, respectively. 15-year-old Little Pezi, tripped on the In the CSI2* - Two Phases, Art. Yazeed al-Rajhi moved into a massive lead second obstacle, which set off a victory 274.5.3, 125cm event, al-Khorafi tri- in the Ha’il Nissan Rally yesterday. celebrations in al-Ajami’s camp at the umphed this time with Ungarin 4. QEF arena. Al-Ajami took home a whop- The pair produced a winning time of ping QR115,075 for the biggest triumph 24.19 seconds, for a pursue of QR12,500. of his career, but more importantly his Saudi rider’s Saad Alajami (Wait N See) horse Armstrong Van De Kapel also ob- was second, while Abdullah Alrajhi (H tained the qualifi cation certifi cate to take Zoe) came third. part in the Rio Olympics later this year. Al-Ajami had already sealed the Ol- Results ympic spot in the team event, as he was CSI4* Table (A) Two rounds with jump part of the Qatari team which earned a off , Art. 273.3.4.1, 4.5, 2.2, 160cm place at the Rio 2016 with victory at the 1. Faleh Suwead al-Ajami (Qatar) Arm- second leg of the Furusiyya 2015 series in strong Van De Kapel. Time: 39.08 secs, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates in Feb- QR115,075 ruary last year. 2. Abdullah Alsharbatly (Saudi Arabia) “I am delighted with this win, espe- Little Pezi, QR92,060 cially as it has come at home and in front 3. Ali Yousef al-Rumaihi (Qatar) Gunder, Kuwait’s Ali al-Khorafi receives the winner’s trophy after winning the CSI2* Table (A) of my people,” said al-Ajami. “I didn’t QR69,045.00 against the clock with jump off , Art. 238.2.2, 145cm. expect to win to be honest. It was a tough CSI4* Table (A) One round against the fi eld, with riders like Alsharbatly, who clock , Art. 238.5.1, 145cm - Team event have lot of experience, also competing. So 1. Al Udeid (Saed Saad, Salman Moham- I am glad I could win in the end,” he added. med al-Emadi, Tina Lund) Total Time: The Qatari praised his horse, Armstrong 222.99 secs, Prize money: QR89,088 Van De Kapel. 2. Lusail (Hamad Ali al-Attiyah, Mohd Os- “We just bought him a few months ama El Borai, Ramzy Hamad al-Duhami), back for the Olympics. He has done re- 240.45 secs, QR 70,656. ally well. At the Olympics, we will try 3. Al Shaqab (Ibrahim Hani Bisharat, Kha- our best. It won’t be easy but Olympics led Abdulrahman Almobty, Kamal Abdul- is our big target and we are working hard lah Bahamdan), 221.14 secs, QR55,296 towards doing well at Rio,” al-Ajami said. CSI2* Table (A) Against the clock with Alsharbatly took home QR92,060 jump off , Art. 238.2.2, 145cm for fi nishing second, while Qatar’s Ali 1. Ali al-Khorafi (Kuwait) Cheril. Time: Yousef al-Rumaihi came third in Gunder 34.21 secs, QR17,500 for a prize money of QR69,045. 2. Rashid Towaim al-Marri (Qatar) Kan- Earlier, Al Udeid trio of Saed Saad, nada, 36.27 QR14,000 Salman Mohammed al-Emadi and Tina 3. Awad Alqahtani (Qatar) Santos, 38.43 Lund combined to give their team a com- secs, QR10,500. fortable victory CSI4* Table (A) One CSI2* - Two Phases, Art. 274.5.3, 125cm round against the clock, Art. 238.5.1, 1. Ali al-Khorafi (Kuwait) Ungarin 4. Time: 145cm team event.Saad of Egypt, Mo- 24.19 secs, Prize money: QR12,500 hammed al-Emadi of Qatar and Den- 2. Saad Alajami (Saudi Arabia) Wait N mark’s Lund were in fi ne form as they See, 25.86 secs, QR10,000 Khalid al-Fraihi maintained an collectively timed 222.99 seconds to lead 3. Abdullah Alrajhi (Saudi Arabia) H Zoe, excellent second overall. Al Udeid to top spot. 26.15 secs, QR7,500. A rider in action on the last day of the Doha Tour yesterday.