VAR Technology Approved for Use at 2018 Russia World

SUNDAY, MARCH 4, 2018

Zarco tops MotoGP Qatar Test ‘Neymar’s foot operation a success’ Johann Zarco of Monster Yamaha Tech 3 Surgery on the broken right foot of PSG superstar CRICKET TEST emerges as the fastest at Losail PAGE 27 Neymar went successfully, say officialsPAGE 24 SOUTH AFRICA VS AUSTRALIA VAR technology approved for use at 2018 Russia World Cup FOOTBALL’S LAWS BODY SAYS VIDEO ASSISTANT REFEREE IS GOOD FOR GAME; IFAB ALSO OKAYS 4TH SUBSTITUTE IN EXTRA TIME

AFP ZURICH

FOOTBALL'S lawmakers on Saturday approved video assistant referee technology (VAR) for this summer's World Cup, in one of the biggest changes to the sport in years. The International Football Association Board (IFAB), meeting in Zurich, rubber- stamped a move already backed by FIFA's top brass, including president Gianni In- fantino. “We came to the conclu- sion that VAR is good for football,” Infantino told reporters shortly after IFAB announced

Convinced I was pretty much against CAN WE HAVE THE REPLAY PLEASE! The video assistant referee technology (VAR) has already been implemented in top European leagues including the German Bundesliga and Italy’s Serie A. it (video assistant referee technology – VAR) a IFAB said in a press release But opinion is still divided. sion-making was "almost per- stitutes a "clear and obvious Pierluigi Collina, the chair- couple of years ago and I that the decision “represents a Players and managers have fect", Infantino said. error" that justifies a VAR re- man of FIFA's referee commit- new era for football with video complained of referees being Others have voiced con- view, Glenn said. tee, noted that the governing changed my mind because assistance for referees helping to too eager to defer to technol- cern about video assistance Asked about reported body had been preparing for I studied it. increase fairness in the game”. ogy, while fans in stadiums slowing down the game, pos- hostility towards video more than a year to use VAR Separately, the IFAB meet- have been left in the dark as to For what VAR sibly breaking a team's mo- review with the Premier at the 2018 World Cup even FIFA President ing also approved a fourth sub- why decisions are being made. mentum or diminishing fan League, Glenn said he be- though the decision has not Gianni Infantino stitute in the case of extra time. UEFA president Aleksand- will be used experience by forcing people lieved English clubs under- been made. “FIFA is not going VAR can only be used er Ceferin said this week that to abruptly halt a celebration stood the benefits of VAR to start tomorrow,” he told re- when there is doubt surround- European football’s governing VAR can only be used when while a goal is reviewed. “conceptually” and that its porters. “We already started in the decision. ing any of four key game- body would not introduce VAR there is doubt surrounding Infantino said that rather implementation was likely December 2016.” He added that the final de- changing situations: goals, in next season's Champions any of four key game-chang- than ruining celebrations, only a matter of time. For Infantino, the over- cision to use the technology at penalty decisions, straight red League due to ongoing "confu- ing situations: goals, penalty VAR will create “an additional Some sceptics also have riding objective was to en- the World Cup in Russia will cards or mistaken identity of a sion" surrounding its use. decisions, straight red cards moment of tension”. reservations about introduc- sure that referees are able to be made when the FIFA Coun- sanctioned player. Infantino conceded that he The Football Association’s ing such a significant change make the right calls, espe- cil – world football's top deci- It has already been im- too was once a sceptic. or mistaken identity of a chief executive Martin Glenn, at the June 14 to July 15 World cially in an era when many sion-making body – meets in plemented in top European “I was pretty much against sanctioned player. seated next to Infantino, con- Cup, before all the kinks have fans have access to a full Colombia on March 15 and 16. leagues including the German it a couple of years ago and I ceded that improvements been resolved at lower-profile range of replays on their “We will hope and encour- Bundesliga and Italy's Serie A. changed my mind because I were needed. competition. smartphones. age the council to take a fa- Spain's La Liga on Friday studied it,” he said. without VAR -- which stood at That includes better com- “I can guarantee the ref- “At the end of the day what vourable decision,” Infantino began training officials ahead He pointed to IFAB re- 93 percent – rose to 99 per- munication with fans while erees that will be at the World is... important for us is that we said, voicing confidence that of the technology's expected search from 1,000 matches cent with video assistance. reviews were ongoing and a Cup will be ready,” Infantino can help the referee to take the VAR will secure final approval. introduction next season. showing that referee accuracy With VAR, referee deci- better definition of what con- pledged. right decision,” he said. Al Sadd players arrive to a warm welcome TRACK TALE Collins bids farewell after longest sprint in Uzbekistan ahead of AFC CL clash BIRMINGHAM: As usual, Kim Collins -- at 41 one of track's IKOLI VICTOR half of the crucial game. The most enduring, popular and DOHA Spanish star underwent a test charismatic figures – made on Friday under the supervi- everyone in the athletics arena THE Al Sadd football team sion of the club’s medical team smile on Saturday but it was for delegation arrived to a warm and a tear on his back muscle the last time. welcome at the Qarshi Airport, was confirmed. “I keep telling them I could be Uzbekistan, ahead of their Al Sadd are currently lead their father so they need to give Asian Football Confederation Group C in AFC Champions me some respect!” laughed (AFC) Champions League on League with two wins from the man who seems to have Saturday. The team had flown two games, having defeated Al sprinted on forever as he talked from Doha in a chartered jet. Wasl 2-1 and Persepolis 3-1. of his opponents in the heats The two-time Asian The team held their last of the 60 metres at the world champions will face Nasaf on training in Doha Saturday, be- indoor championships. Matchday Three of the AFC fore leaving for Hamad Inter- “Some of them don’t like it that Champions League fixture at national Airport at 4pm to fly their mum is my biggest fan – the Qarshi Central Stadium to Qarshi. but it’s all fun and games.” on Monday. According to the club’s It has always been fun and The players were wel- website, the team will only games with this most laid-back comed with bouquets amid a hold a single training session and cool of Caribbean athletes tune of the city’s music by a before the match on Sunday but Collins, the one-time world band much to the admiration from 4.30pm local time. 100 metres champion who put St Kitts and Nevis’s Kim Collins of the Wolves. The 19-member squad: his home of Saint Kitts & Nevis competes in the men’s 60m round Al Sadd General Manager Saad al Dosari, Meshaal Bar- on the sporting map, confirmed 1 event at the 2018 IAAF World Turki al Ali led the delega- sham, Abdelkarim Hassan, the bad news for his huge Indoor Athletics at the Arena in tion and was accompanied by Morteza Pouraliganji, Bagh- fan club. Birmingham on Saturday. (AFP) Sporting Director Moham- dad Bounedjah, Pedro Miguel, “This is it. My last competition. med Gholam al Baloushi, The Al Sadd football team on arrival at the Qarshi airport in Uzbekistan ahead of their AFC Champions Ahmed Sohail, Hassan al Hay- I just can’t do it any more,” said ‘bye’ and for me it’s peace. Media Officer Ahmed al An- League match against Nasaf on Monday. dos, Ali Asad, Akram Afif, Sa- Collins with a pained look. “It’s not about the high note or sari and first team manager lem al Hajri, Hassan Ahmed, “Of course, you feel young and the low note, it’s just about leav- Abdullah al Breik. of assistant coach Nuno captain Xavi Hernandez, during the 3-4 loss to Al Ahmed Sayyar, Musab Kheder, I’d love to carry on but the body ing in peace.” (REUTERS) Head coach Jesualdo Migue and fitness coach who has been ruled out for Duhail in the QNB Stars Jugurtha Hamroun, Hamed has been doing so much for so Ferreira led the coach- Jose Pedro. The team left three weeks due to a back League on Thursday. Ismail, Yasser Abubakar, Ali many years, it’s time to just say See also page 27 Ô ing staff, which consists with 19 players excluding muscle injury suffered Xavi played only in the first Ferydoon, Jehad Mohammed. Sports Sunday, March 4, 2018 27

WORLD INDOORS ATHLETICS Gallo’s penalty secures Triple jumper Rojas, shot putter Walsh valuable point for QSC strike gold

REUTERS they enjoyed watching it.” BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND The woman coached by Cuba’s former Olympic long VENEZUELA’S Yulimar Ro- jump champion Ivan Pedroso jas, an athletics heroine who in Madrid had looked as if she has shone in dark times for might miss out as the Birming- her country, again made her ham-based Jamaican Kimberly compatriots proud as she suc- Williams led with a fine series, cessfully defended her triple headed by her third round jump crown at the world indoor 14.48m. championships on Saturday. Yet before her fifth round Tom Walsh, a New Zea- effort, Rojas started whooping lander who never fulfilled his loudly to get the crowd involved mother’s dream of him becom- and soared out to 14.63. Wil- ing a rugby All Black, again liams was unable to respond, excelled in his preferred ath- with Spain’s Ana Peleteiro tak- letic field, winning the shot gold ing the bronze with 14.40. with a record-breaking put on the penultimate morning of the Right choice four-day worlds. Walsh, rapidly becoming Rojas’s victory, after she as dominant in the shot put belatedly roused herself to pro- arena as his female compatriot duce a fifth-round winning leap Valerie Adams has been, put of 14.63 metres, the best in the the competition to bed with his world this year, proved another opening effort of 22.13 metres, emotional one for the dramatic which he matched in the third figure from Caracas. round. When she won the equiva- Then, with the competition lent crown in London last year won and to the accompaniment to become the first Venezuelan of rock music in the dimly-lit to strike gold at an outdoor arena, the 26-year-old un- world championships, Rojas leashed his celebratory ‘shot in dedicated her triumph to her the dark’ of 22.31 metres, a life- country, which was embroiled time best and Oceania record in political and economic strife. that put him fourth on the all- Again, after adding a third time list. world title to her impressive The mark also erased East resume at the age of just 22, Ro- German Ulf Timmermann’s jas felt moved to declare: “This 31-year-old championship is a great achievement for Ven- record of 22.24m, the longest- Umm Salal striker Yannick Sagbo dribbles the ball against Qatar Sports Club midfielder Bruno Gallo during a QNB Stars League Week 19 match at the Qatar Sports Club Stadium ezuela, for our nation. I hope I standing world indoor champion Saturday. brought a bit of joy to them and onship mark.

the ball to the top of the net crossbar following a cross ing goal from a penalty in Al Arabi beat Al Markhiya 3-1 in in one quick move. from Sagbo. the eighth minute set things In the fast-paced match, After a series of attacks, rolling for the Dream Team. QNB Stars League Qatar SC nearly pulled off an Qatar SC produced their first Kwame Karikari scored a equaliser when Omari flat- goal through Omari, who de- brace in between Leo Minei- TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK Qatar SC hit back through footed a powerful drive from flected the ball into the net ro’s lone strike for the relega- DOHA Osama Omari (65th) and inside the box, but Umm from close after Umm Salal’s tion bound Markhiya. Bruno Gallo (76th-min pen- Salal goalkeeper Baba Malick Abdul Hussain failed to stop Karikari eased Arabi’s HOSTS Qatar SC fought back alty). was alert to thwart the danger a low cross from the flank. It nerves after doubling their in style to share honours with Umm Salal opened the by punching the ball away. was Omari’s sixth goal of the advantage in the 21st minute Umm Salal in Week 19 of the scoring early when Sagbo Umm Salal went 2-0 up season. but Mineiro pulled one back QNB Stars League on Satur- found the net with a neat when Darragi flicked home Eleven minutes later, Qa- for Al Markhiya just nine day. It was Umm Salal’s sev- clip to the top right of the net from close range following tar SC drew level with a well- minutes later. enth draw of the season. from close range. a cross from Mahmoud Ma- taken penalty kick by Gallo. Karikari sealed victory in Feared striker Yannick Darragi found the Ivory was. It was Darragi’s third In the late kick off, Al the 95th minute as Al Arabi Sagbo (third minute) and Coast striker, stationed in- goal of the season. Arabi beat fellow strugglers pick up their first back-to- Oussama Darragi (20th) side the box, with a short Nine minutes into the Al Markhiya 3-1 to move back victories of the season Gold medallist Venezuela’s Yulimar Rojas poses on the podium after were on target as Umm Salal clip on an indirect free-kick. second half and Mawas end- up to ninth in the 12-team after last week’s 2-1 victory the women’s triple jump final at the 2018 IAAF World Indoor Athletics raced to a 2-0 lead. However, Sagbo swivelled and rifled ed up hitting the Qatar SC league. Diego Jardel’s open- over Al Kharaitiyat. Championships at the Arena in Birmingham on Saturday. (AFP)

Al Rayyan cruise in blow Zarco, Rossi and Dovizioso rise to rule Day 3 at Losail out win over Al Khor AGENCIES (LCR Honda Castrol) was the LOSAIL fastest Honda with a 1:54.457 – continuing his fantastic pre- AYENI OLUSEGUN rebounds. Stephen Hurt shot JOHANN Zarco (Monster season form – after putting in DOHA almost perfectly from the field Yamaha Tech 3) emerged as 57 laps, which was the most on eight of nine, making seven the fastest man on track at Qa- of the top five. It was incred- AL Rayyan turned a close game of his two points attempt. tar Test on Saturday with the ibly close between the Brit and in the first quarter into a blow- Al Khor were left to rue Frenchman just over a tenth the third Yamaha Maverick out victory as they beat Al Khor their poor bench production. over Jorge Lorenzo’s 10-year- Viñales (Movistar Yamaha 104-84 in the Qatar Basketball Khor’s bench were outscored old pole lap record to top the MotoGP), however, with the Cup at Al Gharafa Sports Club 19-2 while the entire team com- test with a 1:54.029. Spaniard – fastest in testing at on Saturday. bined for 10 turnovers which Valentino Rossi (Movistar the venue last season and the Point guard Terrel Stoglin gifted Al Rayyan 14 points. Yamaha MotoGP) shot back race winner – just 0.014 off af- scored a team high 25 points, Dominique Lacy led Khor up into the higher echelons ter he made a late attack. dishing seven assists to go with with a game high 26 points but to get closest to the French- The top five were the six rebounds. Six Rayyan play- shot poorly from three point man as he was 0.247 further same as the combined times ers finished in double figures range, making just three of back – with Andrea Dovizioso to add some extra lustre to the on Day 3, but the man who as the Lions pulled away in the his ten attempts. Isaac mack (Ducati Team) completing the Tech 3 rider’s laptime. leaves the desert sixth over- second quarter to finish the first managed just seven points in top three as he was once again Behind that show of out- all set his best laptime on period 51-42. 40 minutes on the floor. Aladji a constant presence to be reck- right pace from the French- Day 2 – Andrea Iannone In the third quarter, The Magassa recorded a double- oned with. man’s Yamaha, Rossi’s two (Team Suzuki Ecstar). Lions continued their offen- double with 21 points and 12 Lorenzo’s record that and a half tenth deficit as nev- The Italian, whose sive onslaught before opening a rebounds. Zarco was hunting down is a ertheless enough to put the 1:54.586 was the fastest lap on 20-point lead at the end of the The Cup games continue 1:53.927, set in 2008 when the Italian into P2 – and Dovizio- Friday, was sidelined on the quarter. Forward Tanguy Ngo- on Sunday with Al Wakrah now five-time World Cham- so was just 0.055 off his com- third and final day of the third mbo finished with 19 points against Al Shamal after which pion debuted – a longstand- Johann Zarco (Monster Yamaha Tech 3) in action at the Losail Interna- patriot. and final preseason test, suf- on 7 of 10 shooting with eight Al Gharafa host Al Sadd. ing mark of pace at the venue tional Circuit on Saturday. In fourth, Cal Crutchlow fering with illness. Jefferson & Julio aim to make a strong start in Katara Cup have been sharing practice Pereira added. Qatar pair wants sessions for long. So I hope we “We’re working hard and should be able to find the nec- can’t wait to start the season to make up for essary cohesion and unity re- here. Despite a bit late start, the lost time quired in the beach volleyball. we’re optimistic about a good “The Katara tournament is finish here,” Pereira said. RAAJIV TRIPATHI a big opportunity for all of us Do Nascimento is the play- DOHA to showcase our talent and I’m er to have teamed up with him. confident that we’ll will put Earlier, Thiago Santos was TWO of hosts Qatar’s three up our best-ever show at the the partner with him from pairs will start charting new home event,” he added. December 2013 to November life on the FIVB Beach World Pereira however feels that 2014. Younousse then played Tour through the upcoming if he had started the World along side with him. Assam prestigious four-star Katara Tour a bit earlier, it would Ahmed Mahmoud figured in Beach Volleyball Cup 2018, have given his team more just one event with Pereira which will take place at the competition time. “We’re go- before Younousse returned to scenic sandy beach in Katara Jefferson Santos Pereira (left) and Julio Cesar do Nascimento will be ing to start the World Tour in pair up with him again. from March 6 to 10. one of Qatar’s three pairs taking part in the Katara Beach Volleyball the Katara tournament, while Both Pereira and Younousse This is the first time that Cup 2018 to be held from Match 6 to 10. other teams have already got had indeed formed a potential a four-star status event is be- a head start on us by playing a combo. Besides clinching the ing organised in the Middle nousse were treated as the No. since the 2014 Doha Open, finished third. perience for me and let us see couple of events. three-star Kish Island Open in East and Qatar has fielded 1 team of Qatar. But towards while Pereira and do Nasci- Ahead of going for a prac- how it goes.” “We can’t afford to miss 2016, they figured in two World a trio Cherif Younousse & the close last year, the Qatar mento have yet to launch the tice session in Katara, Pereira The two used to play to- big events like four-star or Championships and the 2016 Ahmed Tijan, Jefferson San- Volleyball Association decided New Year together. Both the said he was keen to have a gether when they were young five-star tournaments on the Rio Olympic Games. tos Pereira & Julio Cesar do to change the top pair and re- Qatari teams appeared in the strong start to the World Tour so Pereira doesn’t forsee much World Tour. There are lot of With a new test coming up Nascimento and newcomers placed Jefferson with Tijan. Palembong AVC Beach Tour after the change in the team. problem in terms of adjust- points at stake and the more at home, Pereira and do Nas- Benlouaer Ziad & Ahmed Ali Todate, Younousse and Ti- Event in November last year “This is our first event together ments. “When we were young, you play, the chances are bet- cimento would be more than Nassir – with an eye on the jan have already got the taste in Thailand. Younousse and on the World Tour. After Julio we played a lot of junior tour- ter to improve the rankings, keen to give it a good shot and 2020 Olympic Games. of two events on the World team bagged the title, while joined me in the new team, it naments in Brazil together. which help you to get auto- make up for the lost time on Earlier, Jefferson and You- Tour after reuniting first time Pereira and do Nascimento is indeed going to be a new ex- We know each other well and matic spots in major events,” the Tour. 26 Sunday, March 4, 2018 Sports Oz ensure SA face Ali, Rashid spin England to dramatic win over NZ AFP daunting run chase WELLINGTON

AFP A devastating spell by spin DURBAN twins Moeen Ali and Adil Rashid and a freakish run AUSTRALIAN opening bats- out saw England pull off a man Cameron Bancroft said dramatic four-run victory in on Saturday that South Afri- the third One-Day Interna- ca's batsmen will face a major tional against New Zealand challenge in the fourth innings in Wellington on Saturday. of the first Test at Kingsmead. The game boiled down to Although South Africa New Zealand skipper and cen- fought back to reduce Austral- turymaker Kane Williamson ia to 213 for nine in their sec- needing a six off the final ball ond innings at the end of the as they chased a 235 target. third day, the Australians hold But he was unable to dean overall lead of 402. liver, leaving New Zealand on Bancroft, who top-scored 230 for eight as England went with 53, said conditions would 2-1 up in the five-match series. be difficult for the South Af- New Zealand appeared to ricans when they eventually have the game in their hands start to bat. at 80 for one in the 18th over, “The ball is starting to re- before Ali and Rashid turned verse-swing a lot more,” said the match with five wickets for Bancroft. “For new batters 23 runs in a 41-ball burst. starting their innings that's Australia opener Cameron Bancroft during his innings of 53 in the second essay against Australia in the Ali finished with three for very, very difficult. The wicket first Test at Kingsmead in Durban on Saturday.(REUTERS) 36 and Rashid took two for 34. has just slowly deteriorated. They were assisted by a There are a lot more bare SCOREBOARD out for 162 in their first in- stunning catch from Ben Stokes patches and the ball's reverse- nings. diving to his left to remove Colin swinging earlier and earlier Australia (1st innings): 351 N. Lyon c Amla b Morkel 2 "A few guys probably came Munro (49) to ignite the New because of that abrasiveness.” South Africa (1st innings): 162 J. Hazlewood not out 4 in not having hit enough but Zealand slump from a comfort- Australia (2nd innings): Extras: (lb5) 5 Adding to what is already C. Bancroft st De Kock b Maharaj 53 Total: (For 9 wkts, 71.4 overs) 213 they have played a lot of crick- able 80 for one to 103 for six. shaping as a massive task for the D. Warner c sub (Mulder) b Rabada 28 Fall of wickets: 1-56 (Warner), 2-71 (Khawaja), 3-108 et and they know what is re- Williamson, who had England’s Chris Woakes (right) celebrates his team’s win as New hosts, opening batsman Dean U. Khawaja c De Kock b Maharaj 6 (Bancroft), 4-146 (Smith), 5-156 (M. Marsh), 6-175 quired to do well at this level. struggled for runs in recent Zealand’s captain Kane Williamson stands dejected during their third Elgar suffered a dislocated right S. Smith lbw b Elgar 38 (Paine), 7-185 (S. Marsh), 8-203 (Starc), 9-209 (Lyon). We've got faith that we can innings and missed the sec- ODI at Westpac Stadium in Wellington on Saturday. (AFP) S. Marsh c De Villiers b Morkel 33 Bowling: Morkel 13.4-4-42-3, Philander 14-4-35-0, little finger when he held a catch M. Marsh c Amla b Rabada 6 Maharaj 28-4-93-3, Rabada 13-6-27-2, Elgar 3-1-10-1. still be a factor in the game," ond ODI, which England won, at cover off a ferocious drive by T. Paine c De Villiers b Maharaj 14 Match situation: Australia lead by 402 runs with one he said. because of a hamstring strain, SCOREBOARD Mitchell Starc off Morne Morkel P. Cummins not out 17 wicket remaining in the second innings. Kagiso Rabada bowled returned to the arena with an late in the day. M. Starc c Elgar b Morkel 7 Toss: Australia. with pace and hostility and imperious performance for his ENGLAND NEW ZEALAND Elgar left the field and a was unlucky not to claim more 11th ODI century. J. Roy c Guptill b Boult 15 M. Guptill c Curran b Woakes 3 J. Bairstow b Sodhi 19 C. Munro c Stokes b Rashid 49 team spokesperson said the fin- runs in 44.4 overs before the ery from Morkel in a testing than the two wickets he took He faced 143 deliveries J. Root c Sodhi b de Grandhomme 20 K. Williamson not out 112 ger had been put back in place umpires took the players off first over. But he went on bat for 28 runs. and was in the middle for most E. Morgan b Southee 48 M. Chapman c Morgan b Ali 8 and Elgar would be able to bat. the field. impressively, scoring his runs Bancroft and Warner at- of the New Zealand innings af- B. Stokes c Munro b Sodhi 39 T. Latham lbw Ali 0 Bancroft and David Warn- Bancroft made his first off 83 balls with ten fours be- tacked Maharaj when he ter the early dismissal of Mar- J. Buttler c Latham b Sodhi 29 H. Nicholls lbw Rashid 0 M. Ali run out (de Grandhomme/Southee) 23 C. de Grandhomme c Woakes b Ali 3 er got Australia off to a bright fifty since he scored 82 not out fore he was stumped off left- started to bowl on Saturday, tin Guptill for three. C. Woakes c Williamson b Boult 16 M. Santner run out (Woakes) 41 start against the new ball on debut against England in arm spinner Keshav Maharaj. scoring 20 runs off his first Williamson shared a 68-run A. Rashid run out (Boult) 11 T. Southee c Stokes b Woakes 7 when they started the second Brisbane in November. South African assistant two overs. But Maharaj settled stand with Munro, and once Ali T. Curran not out 2 I. Sodhi not out 2 innings with the consider- "It's pretty important," he coach Malibongwe Maketa down and again bowled the and Rashid had destroyed the M. Wood run out(Nicholls/Boult) 1 Extras: (lb1, w4) 5 Extras: (b2, lb2, wd7) 11 Total: (For 8 wickets; 50 overs) 230 able cushion of a first innings said. "Cricket is one of those said South Africa's bowlers had most overs for South Africa, rest of the recognised New Zea- Total: (For 10 wickets; 50 overs) 234 Fall of wickets: 1-12 (Guptill), 2-80 (Munro), 3-97 lead of 189. They put on 56 in games where it can be not shown improvement on their following up a five-wicket haul land batting he engineered a re- Fall of wickets: 1-25 (Roy), 2-53 (Root), 3-68 (Chapman), 4-97 (Latham), 5-98 (Nicholls), 6-103 (de 13 overs before Warner was very rewarding at times. In my first innings performance. in the first innings by taking vival with Mitchell Santner. (Bairstow), 4-139 (Morgan), 5-168 (Stokes), 6-184 Grandhomme), 7-199 (Santner), 8-210 (Southee) caught at mid-on for 28. own game I feel I have been “We did feel we gave away three for 93 in 28 overs. Santner was given the ben- (Buttler), 7-215 (Woakes), 8-222 (Ali), 9-231 (Rashid), Bowling: Woakes 10-1-40-2 (3w), Wood 6-0-36-0, 10-234 (Wood). Curran 7-0-49-0, Stokes 6-0-27-0 (1w), Rashid 10-1- The scoring remained improving, doing a lot of very way too many boundaries,” Morkel, who did not bowl efit of the doubt on two when Bowling: Southee 10-0-48-1 (1w), Boult 10-1-47-2, 34-2, Ali 10-1-36-3, Root 1-0-7-0. brisk as Australia reached 112 good things and sometimes he said. between lunch and tea after Jason Roy took a catch at Santner 2-0-12-0, de Grandhomme 10-1-24-1 (1w), Toss: New Zealand; Result: England won by four runs. for three at lunch. But it dried they don't come out and be Maketa acknowledged that bowling poorly in the morn- ground level and there was no Sodhi 10-0-53-3, Munro 8-0-46-0 (1w). Series: England lead 2-1. up after lunch, however, and recognised in the middle." South Africa were in a difficult ing, came back strongly in late clear evidence the ball had not Australia lost six more wickets Bancroft was struck on the position after a poor batting afternoon and finished with touched the grass. in the final over, conceded two and then fired in two dot balls to while eking out another 101 body by a hostile lifting deliv- effort when they were bowled three for 42. Woakes, defending 15 runs twos and a six to Williamson prevent a New Zealand victory.

Al Adaid Desert Challenge Qatar Tour De France legend Dekker storms to victory

Dutch star Erik Drekker (centre) on the podium with New Zealand’s Roman Van Uden and French Frederic Gombert after the UCI Men’s Elite Race.

Cyclists take off for a gruelling test in the second edition of the Al Adaid Desert Challenge in Al Khor. TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK er on the dunes.” RESULTS from Saleh Almuhannadi and DOHA Dekker, who was in Qatar Ahamd Alsubaey. The Qatari with his wife continued; “It is re- ELITE - UCI C3 ladies event was won by Tala DUTCH, multiple Tour De ally nice to come to Qatar from Men: 1. Erik Dekker (Netherlands) 1:24:55; 2. Abujbara. Roman Van Uden (New Zealand) 1:25:27; 3. France stage winner, Erik Europe at this time of year. Qa- Frederic Gombert (France) 1:25:59. The race organisers spiced Dekker took victory in the tar has great weather, city and Women: 1. Pia Sundstedt (Finland) 1:47:00; 2. up the event with race in- Union Cycliste Internationale beautiful desert… it’s great to Sophie Giovane (France) 2:06:23. side the race on the 800 me- (UCI) MTB Elite Race at the combine your visit of the coun- Mountainbike ters long sandy patch. The Men: 1. Glenn Bull (Australia) 1:41:14; 2. Fawaz al second edition of the Al Adaid try with the event. I would rec- Hichan (Qatar) 1:55:06; 3. Max Caparanga “Garmin Sinking Sand” sec- Desert Challenge in Qatar this ommend it to everyone.” (Philippines) 2:00:52; 4. Mehdi Mersni (Tunisia) tion was won by Dekker who weekend. The women’s event was 2:02:16; 5. Abdulaziz al Kuwari (Qatar) 2:02:58. managed to get out the most Participants go down a sand dune during the Al Adaid Desert Challenge Qatar held over the weekend. Dekker won in the Qa- won by Qatar resident, Pia Women: 1. Julie Melville (Australia) 2:24:03; of his special sand bike. 2. Tessa du Toit (South Africa) 2:33:00; tar Cyclist Centre organised Sundstedt with a time of 3. Carla Pregigueiro (Spain) 2:43:52. Omar al Jaber, Director of the Al Adaid Challenge as Ethicon, Ooredoo, Rayyan pants, both local and the grow- event in 1.11:39s over the new 1h30m03s. The Finish moun- of Shared Services at Qatar a Qatari-owned and founded water, Qatar Cycling Federa- ing number of international 38.6km course that included tain bike star, who won multi- Tourism Authority (QTA), the initiative, which has steadily tion, Mawater, Rassen Sport, participants, travelling from six testing sand dunes. ple UCI MTB World Cup’s dur- compete on the day. Riders principle partner of the event grown over the years.” GMC, Garmin, Royal Riviera afar to take on this new must New Zealand’s Roman Van ing her career beat Australia’s competed in mountain bike, commented, “The Al Adaid Event Managing Direc- Hotel, Carbon Wheels and do race on the UCI MTB cal- Uden and French national Julie Melville respectively. fat bike and Qatari national’s Desert Challenge’s ability to tor, Dr. Jamal al Khanji Qatar Airways.” endar. Taking care of cyclists MTB marathon champion Pia commented, “As a rider categories. draw participants from 15 added: “I would like to thank President of Qatar Cyclists in this remote location repre- Frederic Gombert came in sec- experience it was perfect… the The rapid growth of cy- countries and 39 different na- everybody who came to the Center, the organising body, sents a real challenge. ond and third respectively in atmosphere is amazing. The cling in Qatar, was reflected tionalities to a hidden gem in event from all around the Dr. Abdulaziz al Kuwari said, “We collaborate with sev- the UCI elite race, in times of new finish was nice, especially by the 30 Qatari nationals, the Qatari desert, is testament world to participate. It was “This race is the most impor- eral authorities and organisa- 1h14m53 and 1h22m59. the last sand dune, from where who took to the start line of to the power of sport in bring- very interesting race and I tant event for Qatar Cyclists. It tions in order to organise this A delighted Dekker said, “I you could see the water and the this epic desert challenge. The ing people together to share hope all the riders enjoyed is a very special event for the beautiful event. love the race, I love the chal- finish line. Riding down the battle for the title of top Qatari unique challenges and experi- it. We are happy that our nation as it is hosted in one of “The family friendly atmos- lenge. I broke from the pack dune was real fun. I had a sup- rider was very tight, with vic- ences. QTA is delighted to be event is growing bigger by our most beautiful and iconic phere at the finish line gave already 3 km after the start port from my husband and son. tory decided on the last sand supporting a sporting event the year. This would not be locations in the desert, Khor participants another experience near the 1st dune. I waited for We all enjoyed in the event.” dune of the race. The first which promises to contribute possible without our spon- Al Adaid. to enjoy a peaceful beautiful sce- Van Uden since it is long way In addition to the elite’s, three riders came to finish line to the growing sports tourism sors and supporters Ministry “We really enjoyed organ- nic view with a kids race at the to ride alone for 30 km, but the race also saw over 240 am- in the gap of 20 second with sub-sector in Qatar.” He add- of Culture and Sports, Qatar ising the event, as it presents end to try to promote healthy then realised I was much fast- ateur riders register and 200 Mubarak Alajji taking victory ed, “We are particularly proud Tourism Authority, QNB, a unique challenge for partici- lifestyle for kids.” Sports Sunday, March 4, 2018 25 Juventus edge Lazio as Dybala gets last-gasp winner DPA Immobile in a dull first half at ROME Rome’s Stadio Olimpico. After the break the Bian- PAULO Dybala’s last-gasp coneri brought on Douglas goal sealed a 1-0 win for Ju- Costa and Alex Sandro on the ventus at Lazio on Saturday wings to inject some pace but despite a dismal showing from failed to threaten Strakosha the Serie A champions. until Daniele Rugani fed Dy- The win brings them with- bala late on. in one point of leaders Napoli, Promoted Spal moved out who play Roma in Saturday’s of the relegation zone after late game. winning 1-0 against 10-man Argentinian Dybala Bologna in a regional derby. stormed into the box in stop- Alberto Grassi volleyed page time and beat Lazio home in the 48th minute after keeper Thomas Strakosha the ball was cleared following with from the Bianconeri’s a corner kick to help Spal go only shot on target. two points clear of third-bot- Napoli can go four points tom Crotone, who play Sunday clear of the champions if they at Torino. beat Roma, who sit in fifth Bologna, who are 12 points position - though Napoli will off the drop zone, had Gian- then have played one game carlo Gonzalez dismissed on more than Juve. 10 minutes for fouling goal- Lazio, who are third, 17 bound Mirco Antenucci. Spal’s points from the top, had few Federico Mattiello was also problems controlling Juve’s sent off in stoppage time. sluggish play, which provided Paris Saint-Germain’s Argentinian forward Angel Di Maria celebrates his goal during the French L1 match at the Aube Stadium in Troyes on Saturday. (AFP) no chances for forwards Dyba- la and Mario Mandzukic, with Results Gonzalo Higuain sitting in the stands with a bruised ankle. SPAL 1 - 0 Bologna Juve captain Gianluigi Buf- Lazio 0 - 1 Juventus fon saved two attempts from Di Maria on the mark as Sergej Milinkovic-Savic and Napoli v Roma PSG turn focus to Real the league’s top scorer Ciro

Marco Verratti was also goal was breached after a de- strayed marginally offside. Coach Emery rested Cavani, Mbappe rested for Saturday’s trip, as fensive lapse on 47 minutes. Emery then handed a first- Di Maria again took full ad- A poor clearance followed team debut to Timothy Weah, ahead of Tuesday’s Champions clash vantage of the opportunity by further miscommunica- as the son of former PSG star, presented to several mem- tion in the Troyes backline and current Liberian presi- AFP right foot. bers of PSG’s expensively as- gifted Julian Draxler the dent, George Weah replaced PARIS Academy product Chris- sembled squad in the wake of opening to slide in Di Maria Lo Celso for the final few min- topher Nkunku marked his Neymar’s injury. and the Argentine master- utes. ANGEL Di Maria kept up his first start of the season with Di Maria himself was fully dinked the ball over an The 18-year-old US youth irresistible form as a Paris his first goal this term 13 min- feted as the player to turn advancing Zelazny. international, whose father Saint-Germain side miss- utes from time to complete a PSG into genuine Champi- Twenty-year-old Nkunku won the 1995 Ballon d’Or, ing Neymar, Edinson Cavani victory that left PSG 14 points ons League contenders when sealed the win on 77 min- nearly bagged a debut goal and Kylian Mbappe defeated clear of defending champions he signed from Manchester utes, picking out the far cor- in stoppage time after racing Troyes 2-0 ahead of their Monaco at the top of Ligue 1. United for 63 million euros ner of the net after gathering clear of the Troyes defence be- Champions League show- With a 3-1 deficit to over- ($78 million) in 2015, and a threaded pass from Dani fore being foiled by Zelazny. down with Real Madrid. come in the second leg of the 30-year-old has arguably Alves as the linesman’s flag On Friday, Rony Lopes The Argentine notched their last-16 tie against Real been their best performer of controversially stayed down. scored his sixth goal in seven his 13th goal in 14 starts this on Tuesday, PSG coach Unai late. Troyes boss Jean-Louis games as Monaco came from year during Saturday’s visit to Emery refused to risk Cav- Troyes goalkeeper Erwin Garcia and his assistant were behind to beat Bordeaux 2-1 the Stade de l’Aube, which co- ani while Mbappe stayed in Zelazny produced a series of both ordered to the stands to tighten their grip on sec- incided with Neymar success- Paris to continue treatment saves to deny Di Maria, and after protesting the decision ond place, with Marseille and fully undergoing an operation on an ankle injury sustained then Giovani Lo Celso twice to allow the goal, with re- Lyon not in action until Sun- Juventus’ Paulo Dybala celebrates scoring his goal during an Itlian to repair a broken bone in his against Marseille in midweek. in the first half, but the home plays indicating Nkunku had day. Serie A match at Stadio Olimpico, in Rome, on Saturday. (REUTERS)

Bundesliga’s top four race will go to the wire Sevilla sink Bilbao to move Schalke, Frankfurt and Leverkusen win clear of faltering Villarreal DPA are now four points clear of sixth- as battle for second hots up in Germany BARCELONA placed Villarreal who were beaten by Girona earlier Saturday. SEVILLA consolidated their Girona on Saturday upset place in the race for a European Villarreal 2-0 in the 27th round Marko Pjaca scored the winner for spot in La Liga with a 2-0 win of La Liga, moving within strik- Schalke against Hertha Berlin over Athletic Bilbao on Satur- ing distance of qualifying posi- day. tion for the European club foot- Luis Muriel opened the scor- ball tournaments. DPA fore the break. But the second ing on 26 minutes from Franco The match got off to a fast BERLIN half was very poor... We hardly Vazquez’s assist and the Argen- start, as Villarreal were very won a second ball... There’s a tine playmaker scored himself on active and sought to open the SCHALKE, Eintracht Frank- lot of work to do.” 31 minutes with a header making scoring, but Girona forward furt and Bayer Leverkusen all Niko Kovac has done a sim- it 2-0. Cristhian Stuani made use of an recorded wins on Saturday in ilar job of galvanizing Frank- Athletic Bilbao were disap- error by Villarreal defender Javi- the Bundesliga as the race for furt, and Danny da Costa’s pointing once more and de- er Calleja, netting the first goal in second place showed no signs close-range strike on 39 min- fender Iñigo Martinez said: “We the 16th minute. of slowing down. utes kept them in the hunt for know Sevilla start strongly at With just 10 minutes to go, A first-half Marko Pjaca second. The video assistant ref- home and with a couple of stupid Anthony Lozano netted the sec- goal was enough to give Schal- eree (VAR) team was due some mistakes we fell behind.” ond goal for Girona to secure ke a 1-0 win at home to stuffy credit for their win after they Sevilla’s Vazquez said: “We the away win and the second Hertha Berlin and move them rescinded a penalty for a foul have had a long week with three straight victory for his side. up to second on 43 points, on Hanover’s Miiko Albornoz games so now we can rest before After this win, Girona jump to while Frankfurt’s Danny da and instructed the referee to our next match.” seventh place in the La Liga ta- Costa scored the only goal at book the substitute for diving. Sevilla remain fifth but they ble with 40 points. . home to Hanover to move his And Kovac felt his team side a point behind the Royal had learned from last week’s Blues in third. surprise defeat to Stuttgart. A gem of a goal from Ju- “After Stuttgart, I told lian Brandt sealed a 2-1 win the team clearly what wasn’t Two officials in jail after for Leverkusen away to Wolfs- good,” he said. “The boys re- burg as they move fifth, level acted positively and showed a Burundi leader is ‘roughed on 41 points with fourth-placed good mentality.” Borussia Dortmund, who play In Wolfsburg, a Lucas RB Leipzig in Saturday’s late Alario penalty gave Leverkusen up’ in football game game. a first-half lead, which Brandt Schalke’s midfielder Marko Pjaca (centre) is congratulated by his teammate Breel Embolo (left) after Relegation-threatened SV extended on 78 minutes with scoring his goal during the German Bundesliga match in Gelsenkirchen, on Saturday. (AFP) AFP is well aware they are playing Hamburg were desperate for a sumptuous dink over the BUJUMBURA against the country’s president, all three points as they looked keeper after a neat exchange ate to claim all three points cally, the only thing that was Alfred Finnbogasson. The and it has been said they go easy to make up a seven-point defi- with Alario. here to cut the deficit on the missing was a key moment. hosts have now scored just TWO Burundi officials have in the games, even perhaps allow- cit on visitors Mainz, but they Admir Mehmedi respond- visitors, who sit seven points We gave everything. I really once in their last four games. been imprisoned after the Afri- ing Nkurunziza to score. could only draw 0-0. Hof- ed instantly with a long-range above them in the relegation feel for the team. And for the Dortmund can retake can country’s president was al- But as the Kiremba team con- fenheim eased to a 2-0 win in strike for Wolfsburg but play-off spot. fans.” second spot with a win away legedly “roughed up” in a football tained Congolese refugees who Augsburg. Leverkusen held on to keep Kostic had a first-half goal Hoffenheim claimed an to Leipzig in Saturday’s late match they organised. did not know they were playing Schalke coach Domenico pace with the pack in the chase chalked off for offside after important win in the fight for game, while the hosts them- President Pierre Nkurun- against Burundi’s president, they Tedesco continues to work for the runners-up spot and consultation with the VAR the Europa League spots with selves need three points to re- ziza is a ‘born-again’ evangeli- “attacked each time he had the wonders with his team, who ruin Bruno Labbadia’s home and then missed a second-half an easy 2-0 win at toothless tain a realistic chance of being cal Christian who spends much ball and made him fall several picked up their third win on the debut as Wolfsburg coach. penalty as Hamburg failed Augsburg. Andrej Kramaric’s the best of the rest. of his time travelling Burundi times”, a witness told AFP. trot thanks to a 37th-minute Filip Kostic had a night- to turn their dominance into eighth of the season put them On Sunday, bottom side with his own team, Haleluya FC. Kiremba’s administrator strike from Juventus loanee mare for Hamburg, who goals. ahead on the half-hour and Cologne will be aiming to take He travels with his own choir, Cyriaque Nkezabahizi and his Pjaca to edge ahead of arch- played out an excruciating The result leaves belea- a well-worked Serge Gnabry advantage of Hamburg’s draw “Komeza gusenga”, which means assistant, Michel Mutama, were rivals Dortmund. goalless draw against Mainz guered Hamburg coach Bernd goal on 50 minutes clinched with Mainz at home to resur- “pray non-stop” in the local Ki- imprisoned on Thursday, the But Tedesco felt a weak to sink deeper into relegation Hollerbach still without a win the three points. gent Stuttgart, while champi- rundi language. news agency reports. second half could have cost trouble. from his six games in charge The win sees Hoffenheim ons-elect Bayern Munich will On 3 February, his team AFP cited a judicial source his team. “It was enormously With a tough away fixture since replacing Markus Gisdol. go seventh, three points clear look to continue their march faced a side from the northern as saying they had been arrest- important to play cleverly to- next week against Bayern Mu- “It’s not a great moment of Augsburg, who are badly to the title with three points in town of Kiremba. ed on charges of “conspiracy day,” he said. “We did that be- nich, Hamburg were desper- for us today,” he said. “Basi- missing the goals of injured Freiburg in the late game. Normally, the opposition against the president”. 24 Sunday, March 4, 2018 Sports In race to recuperate before World Cup Son hits brace to lift Tottenham into third place in Premier League Spurs open up a five-point lead over fifth-placed Chelsea in the battle for top four finish AFP off the post and hit a fiercely LONDON struck low drive that forced Lossl into action once more. SON Heung-Min struck twice Son was in a class of his as Tottenham Hotspur’s chal- own all afternoon and it was lenge for Champions League little surprise he showed football next season contin- more poise than his team- ued unabated with a routine mates in front of goal to fi- 2-0 win over Huddersfield at nally open the scoring 27 Wembley on Saturday. minutes in. Spurs leapfrog Liverpool, Alli’s fine pass split the who host Newcastle later Huddersfield defence wide (1730GMT), into third in the open and Son took his time Premier League, but more to round Lossl before slotting importantly open up a five- into an empty net. point lead over fifth-placed It took Huddersfield 53 Chelsea in the battle for a top minutes to pose a treat when four finish. substitute Tom Ince latched Son was the star of the onto a long ball in behind show as the South Korean the Spurs defence and saw took his tally for the season his well-struck effort beaten to 15 with a pair of calm fin- away by Hugo Lloris. ishes either side of half-time However, seconds later to extend Tottenham’s un- the game was over as a con- Brazilian superstar Neymar (right), is pictured next to his doctor Rodrigo Lasmar (left), upon his arrival in Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais state, Brazil on Friday. (AFP) beaten run in all competi- test when Son stooped to tions to 17 games. head home at the back post. By contrast, Huddersfield Kane may have failed offered barely any attacking to score for a sixth straight threat as a 10th defeat in 15 game, but the England strik- Neymar’s foot operation away league games leaves er deserved most of the credit David Wagner’s men just for Son’s second, though, as three points above the rel- his wonderful cross picked egation zone in 15th. out his teammate perfectly. Despite the spectre of a Son was denied the chance a success: Brazil officials huge Champions League last of a hat-trick as he was re- 16, second leg with Juventus placed 20 minutes from time to come on Wednesday, Mau- by Erik Lamela as Pochettino ricio Pochettino named his began to look ahead to Ju- Staff at the hospital have been banned using cellphones anywhere near the PSG star strongest available side. ventus with Moussa Dembele Harry Kane, Dele Alli and Alli also withdrawn. AFP cally and emotionally,” said and Christian Eriksen were And Kane’s failure to BELO HORIZONTE, BRAZIL Cristiano Nunes, the physi- among those restored to continue his scoring streak otherapist for Brazilian first the starting line-up from was the only negative of a SURGERY on the broken right division club Internacional in Wednesday’s 6-1 demolition comfortable afternoon for foot of Brazil and Paris Saint- Porto Alegre. of third tier Rochdale in the the hosts as he skewed wide Germain superstar Neymar Neymar may not be able to FA Cup. when completely unmarked went successfully Saturday, walk for a while, but he is al- And that trio should have from an Eriksen corner 10 officials said, leaving the plan- ready carrying the burden of a put Spurs out of sight of a minutes from time. et’s most expensive footballer nation’s expectations. limited Huddersfield in the in a race to recuperate before “I hope he recovers quickly first 45 minutes. Results the World Cup. in time for the Cup, so that he Alli just couldn’t stretch Burnley 2 Everton 1 The operation, performed can play,” said Mateus Fal- to turn home Kane’s driven by Brazilian national team queto, 13, who waited outside cross inside three minutes Leicester 1 Bournemouth 1 surgeon Rodrigo Lasmar, be- the hospital in the hope of get- before the on-form Son’s Southampton 0 Stoke 0 gan early on Saturday morn- ting Neymar’s autograph on cut-back for Kane produced Swansea 4 West Ham 1 ing in the Mater Dei hospital a yellow Brazilian team shirt a fine save from Jonas Lossl. Tottenham 2 Huddersfield 0 in Belo Horizonte. that had already been signed Eriksen then saw a de- Watford 1 West Brom 0 Just after midday (1500 by several other players. flected free-kick come back GMT), a spokesman from the Rita di Cassia Sepulveda Brazilian football federation stopped by with her seven- announced that the operation year-old twin sons, Gabriel was over. “Neymar is already and Rafael, who are avid fans in his room. It went well,” he Soccer fans pose in front of Mater Dei hospital where soccer star Neymar is undergoing surgery on a frac- of the star. “I don’t think fans said. Neymar broke his fifth tured metatarsal and a sprained ankle, in Belo Horizonte, on Saturday. (REUTERS) like them exist anywhere else,” metatarsal -- the bone leading she said. “It’s remarkable. to his small toe -- during a 3-0 club and country appeared Staff at the hospital in Belo Jose Luiz Runco, a former There’s a sacred place at home drubbing of Marseille on Feb- to erupt into tension just as Horizonte, were put on pa- chief medical officer for the where they keep anything that ruary 25. The striker -- whose he went under the knife, with parazzi lockdown, with a ban Brazilian team, told AFP that has something to do with Ney- transfer from Barcelona cost Paris newspaper L’Equipe re- on using cellphones anywhere Neymar will walk with crutch- mar. They watch all the games PSG a record 222 million eu- porting Saturday that PSG be- near the star. es after two to three weeks, ex- and when Neymar was injured ros ($264 million) last August lieves Lasmar lied about Ney- After a remarkable turna- ercise while putting weight on they cried.” -- has scored 28 goals in 30 mar’s condition. round in fortunes since the his repaired foot after about “Their dream is to meet appearances in all competi- The report said that Ney- shambolic exit in a 7-1 semi- 60 to 75 days, and then return- Neymar. They know it’s very tions for the club. mar was initially found to have final loss to Germany in the ing to training. “He’s likely to hard but at least here they can Neymar will miss PSG’s suffered a minor fracture and 2014 World Cup, Brazil are recover pretty quickly because feel close to him.” make-or-break game against that PSG was shocked to hear seen as top contenders in he’s an athlete and young.” Neymar has suffered 14 in- Real Madrid next Tuesday. Lasmar say Thursday that it Russia. But a big part of that A potential plus for Ney- juries that forced him to miss But with Lasmar predicting a was a serious break requiring optimism depends on the tal- mar is that the enforced break at least one game, including recovery period of two and a a longer than expected recu- ented Neymar, who missed from competitive football may the fractured vertebrae during half to three months, Brazil is peration. that infamous semifinal four do him good. the 2014 World Cup which for- worried that Neymar, 26, may Globoesporte.com report- years ago and looks likely to “When you think how ex- cied him to miss the infamous not be fit for the World Cup in ed that PSG also insisted it miss two warm-up friendlies hausting the European season thrashing by Germany, but the Russia starting in June. control any future information against Russia and Germany is, he could even arrive fresher latest is by far the most serious, Tottenham’s Son Heung-min goes around Huddersfield Town’s Jonas The rival demands from on the player’s health. in March. than the others, both physi- GloboEsporte.com said. Lossl in a Premier League match in London on Saturday. (REUTERS) Allardyce vows to turn around Everton City’s stability leaves Chelsea playing catch up The 2-1 loss at Burnely is Everton’s AFP the Premier League season to fifth straight away loss MANCHESTER go. “When you work very well REUTERS is only his second start ... We PREMIER League champions and there is a great feeling BURNLEY, ENGLAND replaced him with fresh legs Chelsea travel to Manches- between the manager and the which is Oumar (Niasse) who ter City on Sunday, 22 points club, you can work in the way EVERTON fans vented their has scored more goals recently adrift of the side destined to you want, to try to improve frustration with manager Sam than anyone else. take their crown and fighting your team in the best way,” Allardyce during Saturday’s “It hasn’t worked by the fact just to salvage a place in the Conte said. 2-1 loss at Burnley, leaving the we haven’t played well enough top four. “Manchester City has the much-travelled boss vowing to in the second half to create Antonio Conte’s men could possibility to spend a lot of turn the club around. enough chances. Everyone has be five points adrift of the money. Although Everton have an opinion on a game of foot- Champions League places by “When you link this situ- climbed clear of relegation ball.” the time they kick-off at the ation, good manager, much trouble under Allardyce, the The 63-year-old said he, Etihad. money to spend in the transfer fans remain unhappy with the too, was frustrated by his The Italian is strongly ru- market, the same ambition, quality of football and turned team’s fifth straight away loss. moured to be on his way out as this is the final result.” on the manager in the 68th “I feel worse than the fans - boss at Stamford Bridge come Should he go, Conte will be minute when he took off striker they won’t believe this - but it’s what may in the remainder of ninth manager to leave in the Cenk Tosun, who had put the my responsibility. I go home Burnley striker Chris Wood (centre) turns to celebrate after his header beats Everton’s goalkeeper Jordan the season despite Chelsea still Roman Abramovitch era, with Toffees ahead at Turf Moor. and say to myself ‘How do I put Pickford (second left) during the English Premier League match at Turf Moor in Burnley, on Saturday. (AFP) competing on three fronts. Jose Mourinho and Guus Hid- The chants, personal in na- this right?’ For me to see the Conte has repeatedly dink enjoying two spells each ture, were aimed directly at Al- players under-perform in the have been hugely difficult for penalty area and was handed a ley Williams,” added Allardyce, clashed with the Chelsea hi- in charge in that time. lardyce, who replaced caretaker second half is very disappoint- them. straight red card. who suggested the Welsh inter- erarchy over his lack of input By contrast, City’s cash- David Unsworth in December ing for me. It’s my problem to “That’s five away defeats on “Ashley Williams getting national would be fined. into the club’s recruitment rich Emirati owners stood by after Ronald Koeman had been sort it out,” he said. the trot. It’s simply not good sent off sums our day up. It “There is the fines system policy. Guardiola after a disappoint- sacked in October with the “We lost it by not scoring enough.” shouldn’t happen, he’s swung which is in place for everyone He hinted at his frustra- ing trophyless first season, team in the relegation zone. the second goal when we had Everton’s disappointing his arm and he’s an experi- in the country, which is across tions once more when asked and doubled down by spend- “It happens,” said Allardyce clear, clear opportunities. At day was made worse by the enced player,” he said. the board. Straightforward for how City had overturned a ing reportedly over 300 mil- of the crowd reaction. least three in the first half. late sending off of skipper Ash- “No complaints with the everyone to follow so there is no 15-point deficit on Chelsea last lion euros (£266 million, $366 “My job is not what the fans “Burnley hadn’t won in 11 ley Williams, who lashed out red card, you can’t do that. It need other than to go through season into such a command- million) in the transfer market are saying or not saying. This and if we went 2-0 up it would at Ashley Barnes in a crowded was unprofessional from Ash- the system. Silly thing,” he said. ing lead with still 10 games of to bolster Guardiola’s squad. Sports Sunday, March 4, 2018 23

WGC-Mexico Championship Road Warriors sink Hawks, Sharma upstages Curry suffers ankle injury big names to take lead in Mexico The point guard tweaked ankle in second quarter; Raptors extend Eastern Conference lead REUTERS MEXICO CITY AFP LOS ANGELES INDIA’S Shubhankar Sharma surprised a few people, but not STEPHEN Curry and Kevin himself, as he upstaged the big- Durant each scored 28 points gest names in golf for a two-shot as the Golden State Warriors halfway lead at the WGC-Mexi- beat the Atlanta Hawks 114- co Championship on Friday. 109 on Friday despite losing In his first appearance in Curry in the second half to a World Golf Championships an ankle injury. event, Sharma added a five-un- Curry tallied 15 of his der-par 66 to his opening round points in the final seven 65 to set the pace at 11-under minutes of the second quar- 131 at Club de Golf Chapultepec ter, then left the game for in Mexico City. good in the third after ini- “I didn’t really put any pres- tially tweaking his right an- sure on myself before I came kle in the opening period. here. I expected to play well,” Curry played just six the 21-year-old told Golf Chan- minutes in the third before nel. “I’m really happy that I’m sitting down for the rest of playing at such a high level and the contest. playing with all these great play- He said he doesn’t expect ers. I’ve tried to enjoy myself as to miss much time going for- much as possible out there and ward. this is the best position I could “Basically their call,” have been in. Curry said. “Frustrating, but “I’ve definitely proved to in the big picture I under- myself that I belong here and I stand. I don’t think it’s going can play with the big boys.” Indian golfer Shubhankar Sharma to be anything that will keep Several of those big boys is pictured after his shot at the me out.” were lurking close, with Span- eighth tee, during the second round Warriors swingman An- ish duo of Sergio Garcia (65) of the World Golf Championship in dre Iguodala made a clutch and Rafa Cabrera Bello (67) in a Mexico City on Friday. (AFP) dunk in the final seconds of share of second with American the fourth quarter to help Xander Schauffele (68) on nine- the ball in the fairway and gave seal the win. With Golden under. myself as many chances to at- State ahead by three points, First round leader Louis tack the pin as possible.” the Hawks took posses- Oosthuizen (71) backtracked to Sharma has plenty to play sion with a chance to tie the fall four shots off the pace in a for over the weekend, not least game. large group sharing fifth, which a shot at securing a spot at next But Iguodala stripped also included defending cham- month’s Masters. the ball from a Hawks player pion Dustin Johnson (66). Currently ranked 75th in then raced the length of the An eagle on Friday at the the world, he needs to climb court for a slam dunk with short par-four first hole, where into the top 50 in the next four five seconds left. Sharma drove the ball to inside weeks, or better yet win a tour- The play solidified the two feet for a tap-in, changed nament, to qualify for Augusta defending NBA champion that and bogeys at the next two National. Warriors’ 25th road win Golden State Warriors forward Kevin Durant dunks against the Atlanta Hawks in the first quarter of an NBA game at Philips Arenain Atlanta, holes proved minor setbacks. But Sharma is likely to of the season, giving them Georgia on Friday. (USA TODAY SPORTS) The five birdies he picked feel some heat in the final two the best road record in the up on the back nine, including rounds, with reigning Masters league (25-7). least 200 threes in six differ- Results we didn’t want him to stay in Eastern Conference lead- at the final three holes, helped champion Garcia among those Atlanta rallied from an ent seasons. just because of the potential ers Toronto have won 10 of him stamp his authority on the poised to pounce. 18-point deficit. Prior to Ig- Curry missed time earlier Utah 116, Minnesota 108 to make it worse,” Kerr said. their last 11 contests. event. “We still have a long week- uodala’s dunk they had used this season with a sprained Washington 95, Toronto 102 Elsewhere, DeMar DeRo- Otto Porter led Washing- “I just kept the ball in play end to go,” Garcia said. “The a 9-0 burst to pull within right ankle and his health LA Clippers 128, New York 105 zan scored 23 points and re- ton with 24 points on nine- throughout the day,” Sharma course is getting firmer and two points with 20 seconds would most likely be a factor Atlanta 109, Golden State 114 serve CJ Miles chipped in 20 of-12 shooting and Bradley said. tougher as the week goes on. remaining. in determining the Warriors’ as the Toronto Raptors won Beal rebounded from an “The only two bogeys I Hopefully I can play more of the Curry shot eight-of-15 chances of winning back-to- Phoenix 116, OKC 124 their season-high fourth eight-point game Wednes- made were three putts. I kept same.” from the field, four-of-nine back titles. Chicago 108, Dallas 100 straight game on the road day against Golden State to from three-point range and His history of ankle in- Memphis 102, Denver 108 with a 102-95 win over the finish with 23. made all eight of his free juries includes missing 13 Milwaukee 96, Indiana 103 Washington Wizards. In Milwaukee, Victor throws in 23 minutes of games this season after Orlando 115, Detroit 106 (OT) Miles scored 11 points Oladipo had 21 points, and playing time. spraining it on December in the second half and was the Indiana Pacers nearly Formula One hires Curry also hit his 200th 4th in New Orleans. Philadelphia 110, Charlotte 99 six of nine from beyond the blew a 17-point lead in the three-point field goal of the Warriors coach Steve arc as the Raptors’ reserves fourth quarter before hold- season. He is the first player Kerr said they don’t want to ry’s health. dominated the Wizards’ ing off the Milwaukee Bucks Hollywood composer to in league history to sink at take any chances with Cur- “He wanted to stay in but bench 50-15. for a 103-96 win. write new theme

REUTERS ter feed. US teen Korda tops leaderboard in Singapore LONDON U.S.-based Liberty Media took over the global sport in FORMULA One has hired January last year and has set AFP American star Michelle Wie and 18 saw her hand up the the composer of several about engaging a younger SINGAPORE leads a group of four players lead to the charging Korda, who “Fast and Furious” movies to audience as well as develop- tied for fifth at 10-under after leads by a stroke from her rival write a new theme tune for ing a digital strategy. TEEN sensation Nelly Korda she shot a six-under 66. going into the final round. the motor racing organisa- Formula One launched a powered her way into the lead But the day belonged to the Victory would certainly tion. television streaming prod- at the HSBC Women’s World 56th-ranked Korda, in just her been in keeping with tradition Brian Tyler, an Emmy- uct, F1 TV, last Tuesday. Championship Saturday as a second year on the LPGA Tour among a Korda clan sired by nominated American has “Within the context of third-round seven-under par but having so far already fin- former tennis pro father Petr, made music for “Aveng- looking at ways to bring fans 65 left the American poised to ished in the top-10 six times. winner of the 1998 Australian ers: Age of Ultron”, “Iron closer to Formula One, we claim her first LPGA Tour title “I was aggressive when I Open. Man 3”, “Thor: The Dark are exploring all avenues to and a unique hat-trick of sport- needed to be, so I’m just happy Korda’s elder sister Jessica World” as well as the “Fast refresh the look and feel of ing successes for the Korda clan with the way it ended and really won the Honda LPGA Thailand and Furious” franchise, and the show,” said a Formula this year. looking forward to tomorrow,” last weekend while her younger also wrote theme music for One spokesman. It was a day of high drama said the 19-year old after ending tennis-playing brother Sebas- ESPN’s National Football “Music is a key compo- as the chasing pack went out in the day on 15-under 201. tian picked up the boys’ singles League (NFL) shows. nent of the emotion of sport hunt of overnight leader, rising Korda went on a birdie at the Australian Open back in “What an honor to be and we are engaging with American star Danielle Kang, blitz through the middle of her January. chosen to compose the For- top international talent in as former world number ones round, picking up five strokes Korda admitted to feeling mula 1 theme! This is a life order to develop a new sig- Lydia Ko of New Zealand and from across holes six to 11 to put a little sibling heat coming in long dream come true as I nature tune for F1. Park Inbee of South Korea con- the pressure on Kang. to the Sentosa Golf Club, say- am a massive #formula1 fan. “This is a process in de- tinued to lag behind, finishing Nelly Korda hits a shot from the bunker during round three of the Up until that point the ing she had been reminded that Thank you #F1!,” Tyler, who velopment and we will make tied for 12th and 30th respec- HSBC Women’s World Championship golf tournament in Singapore on 25-year-old Kang’s play had it was her turn to win “all the was a guest at last year’s U.S. a formal announcement at tively. Saturday. (AFP) been flawless but bogies on 15 time.” Grand Prix, said on his Twit- the right time.” Mental battle key to Djokovic comeback, says Becker AFP Dkoko’s have to accept that renewed him (Djokovic) coming back how many players have elbow, MONACO success might not come im- and winning his first tourna- ankle and foot injuries.” battle mediately. ment at a Grand Slam,” said Becker added: “I hate to FORMER world number one “Mentally is going to be Becker. tell you tennis is a very physi- Novak Djokovic’s toughest The 30-year-old Serbian’s the biggest challenge,” said “Rafa and Federer have cal game. Period. I can’t ad- hurdle when he returns to the return to competitive action Becker at the event staged by set examples of coming back mire them (Federer, Nadal, ATP Tour after a long injury Laureus, a global movement but they are not normal. Usu- Djokovic and Andy Murray absence will be a mental one, is yet to be confirmed that aims to use the power ally it takes time.” who has undergone hip sur- believes former coach Boris although he published of sport to tackle social chal- Becker, who won six gery) enough. To play 75-80 Becker. photos of himself on the lenges. Grand Slams including his matches a year -- most sports The 30-year-old Serbian’s practice courts earlier this “How much you accept to first Wimbledon aged just 17, aren’t like that.” return to competitive action is week for the first time since do the dirty work like Monday denied Djokovic’s situation Becker, who named Aus- yet to be confirmed although he underwent a minor morning practice, the first would be better if he had un- tria’s Dominic Thiem and hot- he published photos of him- “medical intervention” and second round of tourna- dergone surgery earlier. headed Australian Nick Kyr- self on the practice courts ear- following a fourth round exit ments you are expected to win “Tennis players don’t have gios as potential successors to lier this week for the first time at the Australian Open. and it is hot and windy condi- only one injury,” said the the likes of Federer, Nadal and since he underwent a minor tions. 50-year-old German. “You Djokovic when they finally re- “medical intervention” follow- “Usually they say the play a Grand Slam over two tire, said injuries were nothing ing a fourth round exit at the since Wimbledon last year, amount of time you have weeks it is more than an elbow new. Australian Open. and a hip problem. been away takes you the same Novak Djokovic that hurts. “It is the nature of the The 12-time Grand Slam Becker, who coached amount to come back to your “You take the decision to beast of a professional tennis winner struggled through his Djokovic to six Grand Slam previous level and I hope that fael Nadal and Roger Federer nated the Slams in 2017 while have surgery when it is a seri- player,” he said. defeat by Chung Hyeon of titles from 2014-16, told jour- is not the case for Djokovic had shown it was possible to the Swiss star defended his ous problem. “You have it in the 1980s South Korea, troubled still by nalists earlier this week at the because that would mean the succeed after long injury ab- Australian Open in January, “If you were to go into and 90s but the difference a persistent elbow injury, that Laureus Awards in Monte end of the year.” sences. claiming a 20th major. the locker room on a Monday now is it is becoming more had seen him off the circuit Carlo that Djokovic would Becker said legends Ra- Federer and Nadal domi- “It would be a lot to expect morning you would be amazed public.”