FFOOTBALLOOTBALL | Page 2 WWINTERINTER OOLYMPICSLYMPICS | Page 6 Duhail face Hirscher rules Al Wahda the slopes as challenge in Russian doping Abu Dhabi spectre returns

Monday, February 19, 2018 CRICKET Jumada II 3, 1439 AH Kohli limps off as GULF TIMES India begin T20 campaign with win SPORT Page 4 TENNIS / QATAR TOTAL OPEN Kvitova reigns supreme in Qatar to clinch top 10 spot The triumph is even more extraordinary as Kvitova is still suff ering from nerve damage to her playing hand and cannot entirely clench her fist or feel two of her fingers

By Sahan Bidappa Doha

fter a terrifying knife attack in December 2016 that seriously injured her left hand, not many gave Petra Kvitova a chance Ato play tennis again. They didn’t know, however, that the Czech is a tough char- acter, with steely determination instilled in her by her father from a very young age. Last night at the Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex, Kvitova displayed her never-say-die attitude in abundance as she continued her remark- able turnaround by clinching her maiden Qatar Total Open title. With her back against the wall for sec- ond night in succession, No. 16 seed Kvi- tova came back from a set down to outlast Petra Kvitova of the Czech Republic (2L) stands with her winning cheque fourth seed Garbine Muguruza 3-6, 6-3, on the podium between Laurent Wolff sheim, Managing Director of Total 6-4 in the title clash. E&P Golfe and Group Representative (3R) and WTA President Nicky It was Kvitova’s 13th straight win, hav- Lawler (L), as President of the Qatar Tennis Federation (QTF) and ing come to Doha with victory in St. Pe- Chairman and chief executive off icer of Paris Saint-Germain Football Club tersburg followed by Fed Cup wins. It also Nasser al-Khelaifi holds her winning trophy. rocketed the two-time Wimbledon cham- pion back into top-10 for the fi rst time since June 2016, having started the year at No. 29. She also beat three top fi ve players in six matches that she played in Doha. “It feels great. It’s a beautiful trophy. It took a while to win it, for sure defi nitely,” said Kvitova after taking home $591,750 in prize money. “Today it was a big fi ght. Coming back from one set down was very diffi cult. I spent two and something (hours) on the court again. So I don’t know how I did it. But it’s worth it,” the Czech added, while grinning ear to ear with trophy by her side. The triumph is even more extraordi- nary as Kvitova is still suff ering from nerve damage to her playing hand and cannot entirely clench her fi st or feel two of her fi ngers. “I couldn’t really dream about it one year ago when I was in a totally diff erent position, trying to come back and play. I couldn’t really wish for more. I played great tennis, St. Petersburg and here as Qatar Total Open winner Petra Kvitova poses with children after the final. well. So that means a lot to me,” Kvitova said. “It feels great to be in top 10. I think SPOTLIGHT that it feels much better right now be- cause top 10 is the number. Of course, it’s Petra Kvitova of the Czech Republic poses with the Qatar Total Open trophy after her win over Garbine Muguruza in the final such a great achievement to be back there. in Doha yesterday. PICTURE: Jayan Orma But I never really was thinking about the Federer wins 97th title numbers, but about the game and kind of on court, including 2 hours and 35 minutes The eff ects of that long semi-fi nal French Open champion Muguruza, with results, which I have it now. So it’s a nice on Saturday night to beat No.1 Caroline showed last night, at least in the fi rst set, the Spaniard twisting her knee while going AFP He is three years older than bonus,” she added. Wozniacki in the semi-fi nals. as Kvitova found herself 0-5 down in no for a deep shot and had to call for a trainer. Rotterdam American Andre Agassi was when The road to her 22nd career title in Doha Muguruza, on the other hand, spent time. The Czech struggled with her serves With a bandaged left knee, she held her previously holding the record for wasn’t easy for the 27-year-old, which is half of that time and was also lucky to get a and committed 15 unforced errors as Mu- serve in the ninth game but Kvitova sealed oldest No.1 back in 2003. why Kvitova would treasure the Golden free pass into the fi nal, after Simona Halep guruza capitalised to pocket the fi rst set, the title on her second championship oger Federer celebrated This was his third title in Rot- Falcon trophy more. Coming into the fi nal, pulled out from the semi-fi nal with a foot despite being broken while serving for the point as a Muguruza backhand found the his return to the top of the terdam following successes in Kvitova had spent 8 hours and 22 minutes injury. set at 5-1. net. world rankings by win- 2005 and 2012 and he now stands The match looked like it would not last Muguruza, who will climb one place to Rning the Rotterdam Open 12-0 for the season. an hour before Kvitova found her range third in the rankings paid tribute to her op- yesterday, his 97th career title. The iconic Swiss star needed Dabrowski and Ostapenko clinch doubles title in Doha in the second set. Her resilience came ponent. The 36-year-old, the oldest just 55 minutes to dispatch Dim- through, too, as she saved a break point in “I think she (Kvitova) has great shots, No.1 in history, thrashed Bulgar- itrov who looked to be under- Gabriela Dabrowski and Jelena Ostap- nals to claim her third title with as many the fi fth game with a stunning backhand so she puts you in diffi culties very soon in ian Grigor Dimitrov 6-2, 6-2 in a cooked in the quickfi re fi nal. enko won their maiden doubles title partners, following St. Petersburg and slice to go 3-2 up. It soon became 4-2 to the point. She has a good serve. She has a one-sided fi nal. Federer now stands a perfect as a pair after defeating No.8 seeds Stuttgart last year with Alicja Rosolska Kvitova as she converted her third break very good fi rst, second shot, so it’s always In the Open era, only American 7-0 over the Bulgarian in their Andreja Klepac and Maria Jose Martinez and Raquel Atawo respectively. point from Muguruza’s serve. tricky to fi nd your game or your rhythm,” Jimmy Connors has won more ti- head-to-head series. Sanchez 6-3, 6-3 in the final to clinch the Yesterday at the Khalifa International Going for a decisive lead, Kvitova was she said. tles with 109. Two breaks per set were enough Qatar Total Open. Tennis and Squash complex, Dabrowski once again in trouble as Muguruza earned The Spaniard also rued her missed op- “What a fantastic week,” the for Federer to advance to the tro- Playing just their fourth tournament and Ostapenko were on top of their a break point only to see the Czech turn it portunities, when she could not convert top seed said. “The goal at start of phy. together, the unseeded duo Dabrowski game against long-time doubles special- around with a stunning backhand cross- fi ve break points on off er in the second set. week was to make it to the semi- Federer will now decide within and Ostapenko beat seeded pairs en ists Klepac of Slovakia and Martinez court winner to make it 5-2 . She then “I think in the fi rst set she wasn’t maybe fi nals. This is absolutely amazing, a few days whether or not to travel route to winning the title in Doha. Sanchez of Spain. served out the set in the fi rst opportunity. playing her best. I think she made a lot I’m really pleased.” to Dubai for the ATP event start- For Dabrowski, it marked her seventh The duo saved a break point in the With her serve improving as the match of unforced errors right away, so it gave Federer, the record 20-time ing a week from today. career doubles title and second of the opening game, but did not face another went on, Kvitova was holding all the aces me a lot of advantage. In the second set it Grand Slam winner, will reclaim Federer has a home and train- year following Sydney, alongside Xu for the remainder of the set. Martinez in the deciding set. Playing her third three- was more what I was expecting, a tough the number one ranking he last ing base in the UAE and has won Yifan. The Canadian had also won the Sanchez was broken in the fifth game, as setter of the tournament, mentally too she match. And in the third it was just a little held in October 2012 when the the hardcourt tournament seven Australian Open mixed doubles crown Ostapenko served out the first set. seemed more prepared than Muguruza. bit more equal. I think I had a lot of break new ATP rankings are published times. with Mate Pavic and the Roland Garros The second set followed a similar pat- After saving two break points to make it points, and I didn’t convert them. I think today. His eff ort in Rotterdam ap- mixed doubles title with Rohan Bopanna. tern as Dabrowski and Ostapenko once level at 2-2, Kvitova took a giant step to- also because she came out with all those He has played two tournaments peared to take little out of him Latvia’s Ostapenko, meanwhile, main- again broke Martinez Sanchez to seal wards the title by breaking Muguruza in winners. I think if I would have get one of this year and won both — the physically, with his only loss of tained an unbeaten record in doubles fi- the title. the fi fth game for a 3-2 lead. Any hopes of those break points, it would be diff erent,” other being January’s Australian a set coming in the quarter-fi nal a comeback also disappeared for the 2016 she said. Open. against Robin Haase. Gulf Times 2 Monday, February 19, 2018 SPORT

AFC CHAMPIONS LEAGUE LOCAL MOTORSPORT Al Duhail face Hamad wins both Wahda challenge races but in Abu Dhabi Abdullah Al Gharafa aim to bounce back against Iran’s Tractorsazi in Doha claims title

By Sports Reporter cure the championship this Doha weekend. “Today I was planning to maintain at least third position atar’s Hamad al-Asam to secure the championship and enjoyed a perfect cou- then push harder if I can,” said ple of days during the al-Khelaifi . Qfourth round of the “The second race was perfect Qatar Touring Car Champion- as I had secured the champion- ship held this weekend at Losail ship. It was fun racing with Ha- International Circuit. mad.” On Friday, al-Asam got the Ahmed al-Kuwari joined the pole position with a lap time of championship for fi rst time and 2:24.011, and on Saturday he won he couldn’t have had a better de- both races ahead of the leader of but. Al Duhail's Karim the championship, Abdullah al- “The fi rst race was fun. It was Boudiaf (R) scored Khelaifi . nice to be involved with all these two goals for his Al-Khelaifi fi nished second guys. It is my fi rst time I am rac- team against Iran's in both races, and has already ing in the championship and to Zobahan last week. secured the QTCC champion- be on the podium was great. ship with only one round to go “The second race was nice but in April. after the fi rst race I realised that I The third position in both rac- had one bad injector, the engine es was won by newcomer Ahmed was slow in power so I couldn’t al- Kuwari. push and catch the guys as I Al-Asam was extremely happy might have damaged the engine. with his result during the week- So I decided to look after the en- end. gine.” “First of all congratulations to Champion al-Khelaifi has 148 Abdullah as the champion of the points while al-Asam is second season. I had a hat-trick so this with 93 and Adham El Dib third is perfect. It took a lot time to get place with 78. on the podium but fi nally I made Trophies were presented by it. I did the best pole position Abdulrazak al-Kuwari, QMMF this year, the car was fantastic,” General Secretary. he said. The fi fth and last round will be Al-Khelaifi ’s plan was to se- held on April 6 and 7.

By Sports Reporter the Algerian said yesterday. games. It means they are a good team, Abu Dhabi/Doha “Our performance this season has but I have told my players to go ahead and been excellent and we would like to keep do the job,” added Reghecampf. it that way,” he added. Meanwhile in Doha today, Al Gharafa l Duhail will face a tough chal- Al Duhail’s line-up is the envy of other will be looking to get points on the board lenge from the UAE’s Al Wahda clubs in Qatar. Apart from the deadly duo when they welcome Iran’s Tractorsazi when they clash in their AFC of El Arabi and Msakni they also boast Tabriz at the Thani bin Jassim Stadium. Champions League Group B fi x- creative midfi elders Nam-Tae-hee and New acquisitions Mehdi Taremi and tureA at the Sheikh Zayed Sports City Sta- Boudiaf, not to mention the young for- Wesley Sneijder both got their names dium here today. ward Almoez Ali, the leading scorer at on the scoresheet on Matchday One, but Djamel Belmadi’s Al Duhail have been the recent Asian U-23 Championship. their goals were not enough as Al Jazira in tremendous form this season, leading Al Wahda have been never beaten by a claimed all three points in an entertain- the QNB Stars League with an unbeaten Qatari side, but last week they crashed to ing encounter in Abu Dhabi. run in 17 matches with Moroccan striker an ignominious 5-0 defeat against Uz- Tractorsazi also got off to a losing start Youssef Msakni and their Tunisian cap- bekistan’s Lokomotiv Tashkent, sending when 2017 quarter-fi nalists Al Ahli de- tain Youssef Msakni topping the scoring their confi dence tumbling. feated them 1-0 in Oman as the Tabriz Hamad al-Asam and Abdullah al-Khelaifi receive their trophies from charts. It was the heaviest defeat they suff ered side’s return to continental action after QMMF General Secretary Abdulrazak al-Kuwari. At bottom, action They were off to a winning start in the at the Asian level, although they had a one-year hiatus ended in disappoint- from the race. continental tournament, rallying from some key players missing. ment. However, Tractorsazi have not a goal down to beat Iran’s Zobahan 3-1 Against Al Duhail, though they will been beaten in Qatar on two previous last week, with midfi elder Karim Boudiaf be at full strength, including Argentine trips and, should they leave the Gulf scoring a brace and Msakni adding the forward Sebastian Tagliabue who also state with their record unscathed, will third in Doha. missed the previous match against Loko- be fi rmly back in the hunt for the two A second straight victory for the Qa- motiv. qualifi cation spots. tari side would open up a six-point gap Their morale, however, has risen after “We have little choice but to win the between themselves and Al Wahda and they thrashed Al Ain 5-1 to qualify for match to keep our hopes alive,” said Al would put them in a strong position go- the semi-fi nals of the Arabian Gulf Cup, Gharafa’s Turkish coach Bulent Uygun. ing into the double header with Lokomo- which coach Laurentiu Reghecampf said “Against Al Jazira last week we made tiv in March. will serve the team well. errors at crucial moments and ended up Belmadi, however, was not thinking “We lost the fi rst match very badly and losing a close match. We can’t aff ord to that far ahead. we are not at all happy with that. Howev- do that again,” he added. “The tournament has just started and er, we are confi dent of bouncing back and Gharafa coach Bulent Uygun Meanwhile, Al Gharafa have asked we are happy to have begun on a winning I am looking forward to a positive match their fans to turn up in large numbers to note. For sure we will like to win all of our tomorrow,” said Reghecampf. “We are aware that our opponents cheer the team. Many messages to this matches and try to make the last 16 but He, however, added that Al Duhail are a diffi cult team. They are leading the eff ect have been also put on social me- we are thinking of one match at a time,” would be tough to beat. league in Qatar, scoring heavily in many dia.

BOTTOMLINE Referee Candidate Seminar for FIFA Women’s World Cup 2019 concludes

By Sports Reporter man of QFA Referees’ Committee said: Doha “I am very happy to be here with you today and thank FIFA for organising this important seminar here in Doha. he Referee Candidate Seminar I wish you success in your career and for the FIFA Women’s World hope that you benefi ted from the sem- Cup France 2019 concluded in inar as part of your preparation for Doha on Friday with a closing the FIFA Women’s World Cup France Tceremony which took place at the In- 2019.” tercontinental Hotel. He added: “I am very happy with The closing ceremony was attended the FIFA’s confi dence in the country’s by Pierluigi Collina, Chairman of the capabilities to host this seminar and Referees’ Committee at FIFA, Hani Bal- a series of FIFA seminars in Qatar this lan, Vice Chairman of FIFA Referees’ month. Throughout the week, 33 ref- Committee, Chairman of AFC Referees’ erees from all 6 confederations and Committee, and Chairman of QFA Ref- 56 countries have benefi ted from both erees’ Committee, Massimo Busacca, theoretical and practical sessions, FIFA Director of Refereeing, Neji Jouini, while having the opportunity to discuss Executive Director of the QFA Referees and share their experience and exper- Committee and Kari Seitz, FIFA’s Senior Hani Ballan, Vice Chairman of FIFA Referees’ Committee, and other off icials pose with instructors on the conclusion of the seminar. tise in the refereeing world.” Manager of Refereeing. When asked about the absence of The seminar was held in Doha from Candidate referees will take the FIFA Women’s World Cup France 2019, The referees’ practical training with Speaking at the closing ceremony, Arab referees from the seminar, Ballan 12 to 16 February and witnessed the opportunity during the preparation and this will be based on their fi tness, players took place at Qatar Sports Club Pierluigi Collina, Chairman of the Ref- said it was not up to FIFA, but to the participation of 33 candidate referees period to convince the members of technical ability and football under- every day throughout the seminar du- erees’ Committee at FIFA thanked the member associations that are required representing all 6 confederations and the FIFA Referees Committee of their standing. ration. QFA for hosting the seminar in Qatar to organise strong championships. He 56 countries. skills before the fi nal assignments are The seminar prepared the referees Theoretical sessions included lec- and for providing assistance to ensure said that the last World Cup in Canada The purpose of the fi ve-day prepar- made for France 2019, which will take by allowing them to undergo practical tures on improving football under- the success of the seminar. did witness the participation of a Mo- atory workshop was to allow the ref- place from 7 June to 7 July. training with players, fi tness testing, standing, positioning, challenges and Hani Ballan, Vice Chairman of FIFA roccan assistant referee, and hoped to erees to prepare as a team in the build- Only a limited number of match of- video tests, theoretical and practical tactical fouls, and fi tness presenta- Referees’ Committee, Chairman of see more Arab referees present during up to the tournament. fi cials will be selected to offi ciate in the sessions throughout the week. tions. AFC Referees’ Committee, and Chair- the future tournaments. Gulf Times Monday, February 19, 2017 3 FOOTBALL

SPOTLIGHT Napoli reply to Juventus to stay on top of Serie A Both clubs could thank Brazilians for the three points with Alex Sandro scoring the only goal for Juventus after 33 minutes and Allan putting Napoli ahead after just six minutes

Juventus celebrate in front of their fans at the end of the match against Torino yesterday.

AFP top two with a 2-0 win at Udinese Sat- champions dominated despite injuries Torino had an early chance with Joel FA CUP Milan urday as Inter Milan fell back into crisis and losing top scorer Gonzalo Higuain Obi and Andrea Belotti two on one against with a 2-0 loss in Genoa. to an early knock. Juventus centre-back Daniele Rugani but Luciano Spalletti’s side, who were top Juventus were without injured Mario Belotti failed to control the ball. apoli matched Juventus with a of Serie A two months ago and unbeaten Mandzukic, Blaise Matuidi and Juan Douglas Costa then burst down the Rochdale stun 1-0 win over SPAL yesterday to until December 16, are now fourth and Cuadrado, with Paulo Dybala and Fe- right, his cross found Kwadwo Asamoah regain top spot in Italy from the could fall to fi fth if Lazio beat Verona on derico Bernardeschi starting on the for a low volley that was cleared off the champions who had earlier won Monday. bench. line by Nicolas N’Koulou of Torino. Spurs with late Nthe Turin derby by the same score. In the battle for European places Dybala made his comeback from a A Belotti volley from a Iago Falque The two Serie A pacesetters both Sampdoria, in sixth, travel to AC Milan, hamstring injury in the second half. cross went into the side-netting with bounced back from European setbacks just below them, later on Sunday. “Juve are a strong side with extraor- Juventus goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny, draw, force replay to claim their ninth consecutive league In Naples, Lorenzo Insigne hit the dinary players that for years has been replacing rested Gianluigi Buff on, stop- wins. post after four minutes before Al- challenging in all fronts and I don’t ping a Lorenzo De Silvestri header mid Napoli — shocked 3-1 at home by RB lan broke through after good work by consider the 2-2 with Tottenham to be a air. AFP Leipzig in the Europa League — stayed Jorginho and Jose Callejon. tragedy,” said Allegri. Dybala came on in place of Douglas London top with a narrow home victory at their Callejon was denied a second by Pepe “I’m proud of the lads and today we Costa after 66 minutes and the Argen- San Paulo Stadium and injury-depleted Reina who also cleared a Federico Vivi- saw a good reaction, we enjoyed our- tine almost doubled Juventus’ advantage Juventus — held at home by Tottenham ani long-range eff ort. selves even during diffi cult moments. immediately, picking up a perfect assist owly Rochdale scored in the Champions League — continued Marek Hamsik looked to have scored “We will go to London convinced we from Bernardeschi, but failing to fi nish deep into stoppage time their derby domination of Torino 1-0. a second after 63 minutes but he was can do it,” said Allegri. off . to deny Tottenham Hot- Both clubs could thank Brazilians for ruled off side by the video assistant ref- With tensions already running high in The win was an 18th for Juventus in the spur victory as their FA the three points with Alex Sandro scor- eree (VAR). the traditional “Derby Della Mole” the last 24 Turin derbies, with Torino sitting LCup fi fth-round tie ended in a ing the only goal for Juventus after 33 It was a new club record of nine con- visitors were reeling after three minutes ninth, fi ve points off the European places. thrilling 2-2 draw yesterday. minutes and Allan putting Napoli ahead secutive league wins for Napoli. when Higuain landed awkwardly on his Elsewhere bottom side Benevento It seemed Spurs had done after just six minutes. Maurizio Sarri has insisted that Na- ankle as he rushed to pick up a Miralem claimed just their third win of the season enough to book their place in Napoli have 66 points after 25 games poli’s focus this season is a third Serie A Pjanic cross. The Argentine played on coming back from a goal down to beat the quarter-fi nals when in-form with Juventus one point behind. AS title and fi rst since 1990. from another 12 minutes before being re- Crotone 3-2, as Bologna, in 13th, beat England striker Harry Kane, on Roma moved third 15 points behind the In Turin, the six-time defending placed by Bernardeschi. relegation-threatened Sassuolo 2-1. as a substitute, scored from the penalty spot with two minutes of normal time remaining to make it FOCUS 2-1 to the visitors. But Rochdale, who had opened Rochdale’s Steven Davies the scoring on the stroke of half- celebrates scoring their time through Ian Henderson, second goal against My goal rush is far from over, predicts Salah equalised when substitute Steve Tottenham yesterday. Davies scored from 12 yards in AFP at a club like Liverpool,” he told with Egypt. est strike forces. the third minute of stoppage Rochdale manager Keith Hill London the club’s website while attend- Few expected such a prolifi c Last Wednesday’s 5-0 win time. added: “We had to do it our way ing Liverpool’s training camp in strike rate when Salah joined over Porto established Liver- This result means Rochdale, and we did. The players will be Spain. in a 36.9mn pounds ($51.8mn) pool as the Champions League’s bottom of third-tier League One, looking forward to it (a replay at ohamed Salah pre- “It’s something huge, so I deal from AS Roma last year. top scorers this season with 28. can now look forward to a lucra- Wembley) as well as the support- dicts there will be no am very happy about it — but I But he is already being com- With such a fi rst-leg advantage, tive replay at Wembley — Lon- ers.” let-up in his goals- have to carry on and keep look- pared with the club’s most cel- they are seemingly certain of a don club Tottenham’s tempo- His Spurs counterpart, Mau- coring after netting ing forward to score many more ebrated goalscorers and, with place in the quarter-fi nals. rary home while their successor ricio Pochettino, tried to play Mhis 30th for Liverpool in a pro- goals. I feel good, and that’s the 22 Premier League goals from Although Salah was upstaged ground to White Hart Lane is down the inconvenience of an lifi c season. most important thing — and 26 games, is second only to Tot- by three-goal Mane on the completed. unscheduled extra game for his The 25-year-old took 36 100 %, there is still more to tenham Hotspur’s Harry Kane night, he said he is constantly “They say it’s every kid’s side, still involved in the Cham- games in all competitions to come.” in Europe’s top fi ve leagues this working on improving his game. dream (to play at Wembley) pions League and in the hunt for become just the 13th Liverpool He has reached the 30-goal season. “In my mind I am always try- and we have done enough to go a top-four fi nish in the Premier player to notch up the landmark mark quicker than any other Yet while Kane is an out-and- ing to improve and I’m doing it there,” Davies told the BBC, be- League. in a single season and the fi rst to Liverpool player since George out striker, Salah is a winger, every single day. Every day I look fore saying of his equaliser: “I’ve “The FA Cup is magic,” said do so since Uruguay striker Luis Allan 121 years ago and he has who has also created chances, at myself and try to improve my- done my job, it’s dropped to me Pochettino, the Tottenham man- Suarez four years ago. more than two months left to particularly for Roberto Firmi- self all the time,” he said. and I’ve fi nished it.” ager giving voice to one of Eng- “It is a great feeling to have add to this season’s total before no and Sadio Mane in what has Liverpool next play West Ham Rochdale went ahead when lish football’s best-loved, but in scored 30 goals in a fi rst season heading off to the World Cup become one of Europe’s deadli- United at Anfi eld on Feb. 24. Henderson crowned a slick move this case apt, cliches. that made a mockery of the club’s “We have another opportu- league position with a composed nity at Wembley, the same situa- BOTTOMLINE fi nish after an excellent angled tion like before,” the Argentinian through-ball from Andrew Can- added. non split Spurs’ defence. Pochettino insisted he did Lucas Moura, however, drew not believe the prolifi c Kane’s Wigan revenge next step for City’s quadruple chase Spurs level, exchanging passes goal had settled the tie in favour with Moussa Sissoko and beating of eight-times FA Cup winners AFP Pep Guardiola’s side have for six weeks. they think about the fi nal next Monday.” Rochdale keeper John Lillis just Tottenham. Wigan, United Kingdom blown away any suggestion City can deliver the fi rst trophy of Wigan were relegated from the Premier shy of the hour-mark. “No — I was so calm on the injuries and fatigue could derail Guardiola’s reign in charge next Sunday League four days after upsetting City to It seemed Spurs’ recovery bench because I know very well their quest to win the Premier against Arsenal in the League Cup fi nal. win the FA Cup with a Ben Watson goal was complete when Rochdale what happens if you believe the anchester City’s bid for a League, Champions League, However, Guardiola has warned against in 2013, and have endured a turbulent fi ve defender Harrison McGahey tie is over. That happens. We historic quadruple rolls into League and FA Cup by scoring nine complacency at League One promotion years since, with two further relegations brought down Dele Alli and Kane concede two clear chances, one Wigan for today’s FA Cup fi fth goals in their last two matches chasers Wigan, who have beaten two Pre- and a promotion. beat Lillis, who dived the right was nearly and one was a goal.” round tie, with avenging a mier League sides in Bournemouth and Paul Cook’s side have led League One way, with a well-struck penalty. Pochettino paid tribute to Ro- shockM defeat to the Latics in the 2013 fi nal Even more good news for Guardiola in West Ham to get to this stage. for most of the season, but ceded fi rst But there was still time for one chdale, saying the way they had also in mind. Switzerland was the return from injury of “Of course I am concerned because place to Shrewsbury after successive de- more twist which means Spurs raised their game for the FA Cup Pep Guardiola’s side have blown away Leroy Sane, David Silva and Fabian Delph. I saw the game against Bournemouth,” feats against Southend and Blackpool. are facing a Wembley replay for was no shock in his eyes. “I was any suggestion injuries and fatigue could Silva’s substitute appearance was proof Guardiola said. “Bournemouth are one of Wigan do pose an attacking threat, the second round in a row, having not surprised,” he said. “This derail their quest to win the Premier that he is over a hip problem, while Eng- the teams I like to watch the most in the though, thanks to former Manchester needed two games to end fourth- competition is completely dif- League, Champions League, League and land utility player Delph, a midfi elder used Premier League and Wigan were able to United forward Nick Powell and Northern tier strugglers Newport County’s ferent. Newport gave us a fantas- FA Cup by scoring nine goals in their last largely as a left-back by his club this sea- beat them. Ireland international Will Grigg, who have FA Cup run. tic game and they lost their next two matches. son, made his return after six matches out “I think in the FA Cup there are a lot of 27 goals between them this season. It was “It’s unbelievable,” said Hend- game in the league 5-0. A 5-1 victory over Leicester last week- with a knee injury. surprises, not just this season or previous Grigg who scored twice as West Ham were erson. “We played some incred- “The motivation is always end extended City’s lead at the top of the Sane’s reappearance as a second-half seasons, but all throughout history you beaten 2-0 in round four. ible football against Spurs. We massive. It’s not easy to play Premier League to 16 points, and that was substitute came well ahead of schedule as always have these kind of situations hap- “Football has a funny way of sending cannot wait to go to Wembley to this type of game. Of course we followed on Tuesday with a 4-0 victory at ankle ligament damage suff ered in City’s pening. out shock results and our belief on Mon- play them. I knew that we would wanted to win but we have the Basel in the fi rst leg of their Champions last FA Cup outing at Cardiff on January “It would be good for my players not to day night must be that we can win the always have an opportunity (to possibility to win (the tie in a re- League last-16 tie. 28 was expected to keep the German out think too much of the fi nal next Sunday; game,” said Cook. equalise).” play).” Gulf Times 4 Monday, February 19, 2018 CRICKET

FOCUS Mendis drives Sri Lanka to T20 series sweep AFP ting some confi dence. That’s the Tharanga then hit 25, and Dasun SCOREBOARD Sylhet, Bangladesh main thing,” Sri Lanka captain Di- Shanaka smashed an unbeaten 30 off nesh Chandimal said after the win. 11 balls, to lift the score past the 200- Sri Lanka Mahmudullah Riyad run out ...... 41 “Hope the boys do their best moving run mark. D. Gunathilaka c Tamim b Soumya ...... 42 Ariful Haque lbw b Mendis ...... 2 pener Kusal Mendis hit a forward – we have a really good com- In reply, Bangladesh lost three K. Mendis c Mahedi b Mustafizur ...... 70 Mohamed Saifuddin c sub b Udana...... 20 blazing half-century as Sri bination of youngsters and seniors.” early wickets for just 22 runs and T. Perera c Soumya b Jayed ...... 31 Mahedi Hasan c Udana b Shanaka ...... 11 Lanka thrashed Bangladesh Mendis once again stood out for never caught up with the ever-in- U. Tharanga c Soumya b Saifuddin ...... 25 Mustafizur Rahman b Gunathilaka ...... 8 by 75 runs in the second the visitors with his second succes- creasing required run-rate. Apart D. Shanaka not out ...... 30 Abu Jayed st Chandimal b Gunathilaka . 2 Twenty20O international to complete sive fi fty of the series, as his 98-run from Tamim and Mahmudullah, Mo- D. Chandimal not out ...... 2 Nazmul Islam not out ...... 1 a 2-0 series sweep yesterday. stand with fellow opener Gunathi- hamed Saifuddin and Mahedi Hasan Extras (lb2, w7, nb1) ...... 10 Extras (w10) ...... 10 Sri Lanka rode on Mendis’ 70 off laka gave Sri Lanka a solid start after were the only other batsmen to man- Total (4 wickets; 20 overs) ...... 210 Total (all out; 18.4 overs) ...... 135 42 deliveries to post 210-4 and then being put into bat fi rst. age double fi gures for the hosts, who Fall of wickets: 1-98 (Gunathilaka), 2-149 Fall of wickets: 1-8 (Soumya), 2-14 bowled out the hosts for 135 in Sylhet. Mendis, who was named both man were all out after 18.4 overs. (T. Perera), 3-160 (K. Mendis), 4-205 (Mushfiqur), 3-22 (Mithun), 4-59 (Tamim), Skipper Mahmudullah Riyad top- of the match and series, hit six fours “You need to have partnerships (Tharanga) 5-68 (Ariful), 6-110 (Mahmudullah), 7-113 scored for Bangladesh with 41 before and three sixes in reaching his T20 when you are chasing 200-plus,” said Bowling: Jayed 4-0-45-1 (w3), Nazmul (Saifuddin) 8-132 (Mahedi), 9-132 (Mustafi- being run out, with opener Tamim international career-best score, tak- Mahmudullah. 4-0-28-0 (w1), Mahedi 2-0-25-0, Mustafi- zur), 10-135 (Jayed) Iqbal making the only other mean- ing the attack to the opposition while “You must have at least 60 to 75 zur 4-0-39-1 (nb1), Saifuddin 4-0-46-1 (w2), Bowling: Madushanka 2.1-0-23-2 (w3), ingful contribution with 29. Sri Lanka’s Kusal Mendis poses with Gunathilaka at the other end made a runs in the powerplay. But today we Soumya 2-0-25-1 (w1) Dananjaya 4-1-20-1, Shanaka 1.5-0-5-1 (w1), Sri Lanka paceman Shehan his man-of-the match and man-of- brisk 42. succumbed to scoreboard pressure. I T. Perera 3-0-33-0 (w2), Aponso 4-0-31-1, Madushanka, who left the fi eld with the-series trophies after the second Bangladesh dropped Gunathilaka am feeling quite disappointed.” Bangladesh (target 211) J. Mendis 1-0-8-1 (w1), Udana 2-0-12-1 (w3), an injured hamstring after bowl- Twenty20 match against Bangladesh twice on 15 and 28 and had to wait Sri Lanka also won the preced- Tamim Iqbal c Dananjaya b Aponso .....29 Gunathilaka 0.4-0-3-2. ing just 2.1 overs, and off -spinner in Sylhet, Bangaldesh. (AFP) until the 11th over for their fi rst suc- ing tri-nation one-day international Soumya Sarkar c J. Mendis b Dananjaya 0 Danushka Gunathilaka claimed two cess in the game. tournament and a two-Test series by M Rahim c T. Perera b Madushanka ...... 6 Result: Sri Lanka win by 75 runs wickets each to wrap up a compre- “We had a really bad couple of Number three Thisara Perera 1-0 in their successful month-long M Mithun c J Mendis b Madushanka ...... 5 Series: Sri Lanka win the series 2-0. hensive victory. years. I think now players are get- chipped in with a quickfi re 31. Upul tour.

TWENTY20 TRI-SERIES England win battle, but Munro ensures Kohli limps off as Kiwis win the war

AFP run, nine-over stand with Dawid Hamilton, New Zealand Malan who made 53 – his fourth half-century in fi ve internation- al Twenty20 innings. n aggressive Colin Opener Jason Roy made a fl y- India beat Proteas Munro belted New Zea- ing start to the innings with 21 land into the Twenty20 off 13 balls, while Dawson and ‘I tweaked my glute a little bit. Thankfully it’s not my hamstring. I felt a little more tri-series fi nal against David Willey with 10 each were AustraliaA despite England the only other players to reach stiff ness (in the field) so I decided to go off and not be stupid and tear a muscle’ claiming their fi nal round-robin double fi gures. match by two runs in Hamilton For New Zealand, Trent Boult AFP yesterday. Munro plundered the took three wickets at an expen- Johannesburg England attack at the top of the sive 50 runs while Tim Southee New Zealand innings, equalling was economical with two for 22. the sixth-fastest half-century of irat Kohli limped off the field all time in cricket’s shortest form SCOREBOARD before India completed another as he raced past 50 in just 18 de- England dominant performance over liveries. J. Roy c Williamson b Boult ..... 21 South Africa in the fi rst Twen- England, on the back of an A. Hales c Williamson b Southee Vty20 international at the Wanderers unbeaten 80 by returning cap- ...... 1 Stadium yesterday. tain Eoin Morgan, posted 194 for D. Malan c Chapman b de Shikhar Dhawan and Bhuvneshwar seven after being sent into bat. Grandhomme ...... 53 Kumar were mainly responsible for In- New Zealand, with Martin E. Morgan not out ...... 80 dia’s 28-run win, just two days after the Guptill adding 62 and Hong J. Buttler st Seifert b Sodhi ...... 2 tourists completed a 5-1 thrashing of the Kong-born Mark Chapman un- S. Billings b Boult ...... 6 hosts in a one-day international series. beaten on 37, made 192 for four in D. Willey c Guptill b Southee .10 India captain Kohli left the fi eld 13 reply. The narrow two-run win- L. Dawson c Guptill b Boult ....10 overs into South Africa’s innings after ning margin was a bittersweet C. Jordan not out ...... 6 suff ering a left leg strain while batting. result for Morgan. Extras: (w 4, nb 1) ...... 5 “I tweaked my glute a little bit. Thank- It provided a confi dence- Total: (for seven wickets, 20 fully it’s not my hamstring,” he said. boosting fi rst win in the series overs) ...... 194 “I felt a little more stiff ness (in the but England needed to win by 20 Fall: 1-22 (Hales), 2-24 (Roy), 3-117 fi eld) so I decided to go off and not be runs to overtake New Zealand on (Malan), 4-123 (Buttler), 5-165 stupid and tear a muscle.” overall run-rate to face unbeaten (Billings),6-176 (Willey), 7-187 Dhawan made 72 in an Indian total of Australia in Wednesday’s fi nal. (Dawson) 203 for fi ve after they were sent in to bat. New Zealand passed that tar- Bowling: Boult 4-0-50-3, Then opening bowler Kumar produced a get at the start of the 18th over Santner 2-0-32-0 (3w), Southee masterly display as he claimed career-best but the groundwork had been 4-0-22-2 (1w), de Grandhomme fi gures of fi ve for 24 as South Africa were laid by opener Munro’s whirl- 4-0-32-1, Williamson 1-0-16-0, restricted to 175 for nine. Kumar took the wind 57 in a big-hitting innings Sodhi 4-0-31-1 (1nb), Munro fi rst two wickets and put a clamp on South that included seven sixes and 1-0-11-0 Africa’s scoring rate with an opening spell three fours. After New Zealand’s New Zealand of two for 19 in three overs, displaying su- rollicking start, England spinners M. Guptill b Malan ...... 62 perb control and changes of pace. Adil Rashid and Liam Dawson C. Munro c Willey b Rashid .... 57 Then he came back to settle the con- quietened the pace through the K. Williamson b Dawson ...... 8 test and secure the man of the match middle of the innings. New Zea- M. Chapman not out ...... 37 award by taking three wickets and con- India’s Bhuvneshwar Kumar (left) celebrates with teammate Suresh Raina (right) after dismissing South African batsman Chris Morris land were 77 without loss after six R. Taylor c Morgan b Curran ...... ceding only fi ve runs in the 18th over. (not in the picture) during the first T20 match at the Wanderers Cricket Stadium in Johannesburg yesterday. (AFP) overs when Rashid came on and C. de Grandhomme not out ...... 7 South Africa were outplayed once quickly claimed Munro’s wicket. Extras: (b2, lb8, w2, nb2) .....14 again despite a fourth wicket partnership six in an over which yielded 18 runs. pleted a 5-1 series win. J. Smuts c Dhawan b Kumar ...... 14 Seven overs later, when Rashid Total: (for 4 wickets; 20 overs) of 81 off 54 balls between Reeza Hen- Sharma was caught behind off new cap R. Hendricks c Dhoni b Kumar ...... 70 was bowled out and Dawson had ...... 192. dricks (70) and Farhaan Behardien (39) Dala in the second over but all the Indian SCOREBOARD J. Duminy c Raina b Kumar ...... 3 claimed the prized wicket of Fall of wickets: 1-78 (Munro, with India superior in all departments. batsmen followed his attacking example India D. Miller c Dhawan b Pandya ...... 9 Kane Williamson, New Zealand 2-100 (Williamson), 3-164 Kohli hailed “one of our most balanced on a ground where there had been three R. Sharma c Klaasen b Dala ...... 21 F. Behardien c Pandey b Chahal ...... 39 were 108 for two with Guptill (Guptill), 4-173 (Taylor) performances” in a T20 international. successful run chases of over 200 in T20 S. Dhawan c Klaasen b Phehlukwayo .72 H. Klaasen c Raina b Kumar ...... 16 and Chapman primed to fi nish Bowling: Willey 3-0-33-0 (1w), South African captain JP Duminy ad- internationals. S. Raina c and b Dala ...... 15 A. Phehlukwayo c Chahal b Unadkat .. 13 the innings off . Curran 3-0-32-1, Jordan 4-0- mitted he was “very disappointed” but Kohli’s run of big scores ended when V. Kohli lbw b Shamsi ...... 26 C. Morris c Raina b Kumar ...... 0 Dawson missed a caught- 42-0 (1w, 2nb), Rashid 4-0-22-1, backed a policy of short-pitched bowling he was leg before wicket to left-arm M. Pandey not out ...... 29 D. Paterson run out (Pandya) ...... 1 and-bowled chance from Gup- Dawson 4-0-27-1, Malan 2-0-27-1. in an attempt to take wickets when India wrist spinner Tabraiz Shamsi for 26. He M. Dhoni b Morris ...... 16 J. Dala not out ...... 2 till on 25, who then lashed out batted.The left-handed Dhawan hit ten had been dropped off the same bowler at H. Pandya not out ...... 13 T. Shamsi not out ...... 0 to reach 62 off 47 balls before he fours and two sixes in a 39-ball innings. long-on when he had ten. Extras (lb2, w9) ...... 11 Extras (b1, lb1, nb1, w5) ...... 8 was dismissed in the 17th over. He was lucky to escape on ten when he South Africa were without star batsman Total (5 wkts, 20 overs) ...... 203 Total (9 wkts, 20 overs) ...... 175 England skipper Morgan, who fl icked at a ball down the leg side from AB de Villiers, who was ruled out of the se- Fall of wickets: 1-23 (Sharma), 2-49 Fall of wickets: 1-29 (Smuts), 2-38 missed their last two matches Junior Dala. South Africa appealed half- ries after suff ering a blow to his left knee (Raina), 3-108 (Kohli), 4-155 (Dhawan), (Duminy), 3-48 (Miller), 4-129 (Behar- because of a groin strain, hit six heartedly for a catch behind and the ball ahead of the sixth one-day international 5-183 (Dhoni) dien), 5-154 (Hendricks), 6-158 (Klaasen), sixes and four fours in a crucial was called wide. Replays showed the ball in Centurion on Friday. Bowling: Paterson 4-0-48-0 (1w), Dala 7-158 (Morris), 8-159 (Paterson), 9-175 innings that ensured his side had brushed his glove. India also suffered an injury blow, 4-0-47-2 (3w), Morris 4-0-39-1 (3w), (Phehlukwayo) posted a competitive score. New Zealand’s Colin Munro in India made a fl ying start, with Rohit with left-arm wrist spinner Kuldeep Ya- Shamsi 4-0-37-1 (1w), Smuts 2-0-14-0, Bowling: Kumar 4-0-24-5, Unadkat 4-0- He went to the middle in the action during the Twenty20 Sharma square-cutting the fi rst ball from dav missing because of a thumb injury Phehlukwayo 2-0-16-1 (1w) 33-1 (1w), Bumrah 4-0-32-0 (1nb), Pandya fourth over when England were match against England in Dane Paterson for six. He added a second suffered in Centurion when India com- South Africa 4-0-45-1 (3w), Chahal 4-0-39-1 (1w) two for 24 and featured in a 93- Hamilton yesterday. (AFP)

SPOTLIGHT Gulf Lights emerge victorious in inaugural match

By Sports Reporter man who registered double digit scores Man-of-the-Match. Managing Direc- CCRC defeated Al Jazeera Media Doha with Tushitha top scoring with 15 runs. tor of Gulf Lights Sanaullah inaugurated Network by 120 runs Gulf Lights, Sarvar took six wickets the tournament in the presence Qatar CCRC massive total was 234 for 10 dor giving 12 runs in his allotted three Veterans Cricket offi cials and players. wickets in 20 overs (Inthekab 44 in ulf Lights defeated Serandib overs, while Hussain, Tariq, Asif, Umar 23 balls, Ehfaz 41, Muzzamil 36, Nihal ‘B’ by six wickets in the inau- and Javed took one wicket each. OTHER MATCHES 2 for 27 and Mustaqeen 2 for 33) beat gural match of the Gulf Lights In reply, Gulf Lights lost their open- McDonald bt Talib XII by 62 runs Al Jazeera Media Network 114 for 11 in Cricket Tournament 2018 at er Asif for a duck on the third ball of the Mcdonald 214 runs for 7 in 18 overs 16.3 overs (Shadab 19, Sardar 3 for 27, Gthe Losail Cricket Complex. fi rst over without opening the team ac- (Sudarshana 34, Charles 31, Mustaq Mazhar 2 for 8, Ehfaz 2 for 15). After winning the toss, Gulf Lights count. Thereafter the incoming bats- 2 for 42)) beat Talib XII 152 for 9 in 18 Man of the match: Mazhar of CCRC captain Rahid put Serandib B into bat. man played carefully and upped the overs (Khaleel 24, Dhanuska 3 for 10 Al Zaman Exchange defeated Cey- In the misty weather, Serandib ‘B’ had scoring rate. Javed scored 29 runs in 12 runs, Chaminda 2 for 5). lon Warriors by 25 runs started cautiously and scored 27 runs balls with four sixes. Man of the match: Tanuj of McDonald Al Zaman Exchange 198 runs for 10 for the loss of two wickets in fi rst six Tariq scored 13 runs, Qadir and Hus- MIC defeated Engineering Supplies wickets in 20 overs (Mazar 43 in 23 overs. Gulf Lights bowlers never allowed sain scored 12 runs each. Gulf Lights by two wickets. balls with, Firdosh 26, Shaji 24, Kadir Serandib ‘B’ batsman to score freely and won the match in 10.4 overs losing fi ve Engineering Supplies 118 for 4 in 20 21, Rizan 2 for 15 runs) beat Ceylon took wickets at regular intervals. wickets. Priyantha, Sujeewa, Upul, overs (Ashik 23, Nasir 2 for 6) lost to Warriors 173 for 11 in 18.4 overs (Thush- Serandib fi nally were all out to 84 Raju and Harendra took one wicket MIC 122 for 9 in 16.5 overs (Bhaskar 26, ar 41, Pradeep 32, Irshad 22, Amol runs in the 17th over. Tushitha, Chana- each. For his all-round performance, Ranjith 3, Pramod 3 for 27). 19 for 4, Shaji 2 for 30). Man of the Managing Director of Gulf Lights Sanaullah inaugurating the Gulf Lights Cricket ka and Priyantha were the only bats- Javed of Gulf Lights, was adjudged Man of the match: Nasir of MIC match: Shaji of Al Zaman Exchange. Tournament at the Losail Cricket Complex. Gulf Times Monday, February 19, 2018 5 SPORT

NBA NHL Matheson, Barkov lead Panthers past High-fl ying Rookie Calgary Flames 6-3

Reuters Yandle’s shot for another power- Florida play goal, the Russian left wing- er’s 15th, for a 3-1 edge at 3:09. Barkov, who had a three-point he Florida Panthers game, tipped in a long shot at Mitchell showcases scored three quick goals 6:03 for his 19th marker, chasing in the second period in a Rittich at 4-1. 6-3 win over the Calgary Hamilton’s second power- TFlames at the Scotiabank Sad- play goal from the high slot at dledome in Calgary on Saturday. 12:15 cut the defi cit to 4-2, but Mike Matheson netted a pair, Matheson’s second tally 3:41 while Vincent Trocheck, Evge- into the third gave Florida a 5-2 nii Dadonov, Aleksander Barkov lead. McCann chipped in his dunking excellence and Jared McCann also scored sixth goal at 5:42, becoming one for Florida. of 10 Panthers to get on the score ‘Believe it or not I have been preparing for this since I was a kid. Growing up I was a big Goalie Roberto Luongo re- sheet. corded 30 saves in his fi rst game Hamilton’s third goal for his dunker. I wasn’t really much of a basketball player. I just dunked and played defence’ in over two months. He suff ered fi rst career hat trick bounced in a groin injury on Dec. 4 against off a Florida skate at 11:55. the New York Islanders. Florida won for the seventh Dougie Hamilton had a hat time in its last eight games and trick for Calgary. improved to 17-0-0 when lead- David Rittich had 11 saves in ing after two periods. his third straight start replacing The Panthers, whose arena is injured Mike Smith. 15 miles from Parkland and Mar- After yielding four goals, Rit- jory Stoneman Douglas High tich was replaced by Jon Gillies, School, wore “MSD” patches who posted 13 saves in his third stitched on their sleeves. NHL appearance. Both clubs featured “Stone- Matheson scored an unassist- man Douglas” stickers on their ed goal just 1:09 after the puck helmets in remembrance of the dropped by zipping through the lives lost in Wednesday’s school neutral zone and ripping a shot shooting. over Rittich’s glove from atop the right circle. Hamilton evened RESULTS it 1-1 on the power play at 14:10 Panthers 6 Flames 3 for his 11th goal. Blackhawks 7 Capitals 1 Trocheck scored his 22nd on Kings 4 Sabres 2 the power play 58 seconds into Senators 6 Rangers 3 the second by taking a slick pass Coyotes 1 Oilers 0 from Barkov, streaking through Penguins 5 Maple Leafs 3 the slot and beating Rittich be- Devils 4 Lightning 3 tween the pads to make it 2-1. Red Wings 3 Predators 1 Dadonov defl ected in Keith Canucks 6 Bruins 1

Calgary Flames goaltender David Rittich reacts as Florida Panthers centre Colton Sceviour tries to score during the first period of their NHL game. PICTURE: USA TODAY Sports

Vikings to hire ex-Raiders OC Downing as assistant Donovan Mitchell of the Utah Jazz with the 2018 Verizon Slam Dunk Contest trophy at Staples Centre in Los Angeles. (Getty Images/AFP) The Minnesota Vikings are expected to hire former Oakland Raiders off ensive co-ordinator Todd Downing as a senior off ensive assist- AFP kid,” Mitchell said. ers in the league competing for His fi rst perfect dunk score “I’m really excited about it,” ant, according to Sirius XM’s Adam Caplan. An Eden Prairie native, Los Angeles “Growing up I was a big dun- three separate titles, compris- came in the semi-fi nals when Booker said. Downing began his NFL coaching career in Minnesota, holding three ker. I wasn’t really much of a ing the Skills Challenge, Three- he jumped over three people in- “I always said I always want to diff erent positions from 2001 to 2005. He spent time with the Rams, basketball player. Point Contest and the Slam cluding his sister, Jordan. represent the city the best I can, Lions and Bills before joining the Raiders as quarterbacks coach in igh-fl ying rookie “I just dunked and played Dunk Contest. He donned the jersey of with the support they 2015. Downing, 37, was not retained by the Raiders when the team Donovan Mitchell defence and I watched a lot of It is part of the build up to former Toronto Raptor star always show for me since day hired Jon Gruden as its new head coach in January. A report in launched an aerial Vince’s (Carter) videos.” Team LeBron and Team Curry Carter for his fi nal jump which one. December called it “a near certainty” that Downing would be fired assault on the basket Mitchell needed at least a 47 taking the fl oor Sunday at Sta- included a 180 degree spin and “The season is not going how after the season even if previous head coach Jack Del Rio was not Hand Devin Booker showed off point on his fi nal dunk in the ples Centre arena which is host- then a right-handed slam. we planned, but I know a lot of fired. Quarterback Derek Carr and the Raiders’ off ense took a major his silky smooth shooting skills championship round to defeat ing the All-Star Game for the Phoenix Suns Booker won the city was ready for this all- step back in 2017, Downing’s first season as a co-ordinator, a year at the 2018 NBA All-Star Game Nance Jr. of the Cleveland Cav- third time. the three-point shooting con- star weekend and having some- after the unit thrived under then-co-ordinator Bill Musgrave. Oakland skills competition on Saturday. aliers and he did it by earning a Mitchell joined the dunk fi eld test in superb fashion, outlast- body participate. So I’m glad I chose last off season not to retain Musgrave, whose contract expired, Mitchell had two perfect 50 48. after 2016 Slam Dunk runner- ing Golden State Warriors Klay could win it.” promoting Downing from QBs coach to OC instead. The Raiders scores over four dunks to edge Mitchell is leading his Utah up Aaron Gordon was forced to Thompson, Tobias Harris, of Brooklyn Nets point guard finished 2017 ranked 23rd in points per game and tied for 17th in runner-up Larry Nance Jr. and Jazz team in scoring and is one withdraw from the contest due the Los Angeles Clippers, in fi - Spencer Dinwiddie defeated the yards, down from seventh and sixth, respectively, in 2016. Carr’s QB win the Slam Dunk contest of the frontrunners to win the to injury. nal. Chicago Bulls’ Lauri Markkanen rating dropped more than 10 points (96.7 to 86.4), and he threw in- which capped the two day fes- Rookie of the Year award this Mitchell has scored at least The Suns guard hit 28 points in the fi nal round to take home terceptions on a career-high 2.5 percent of his passes. In Minnesota, tivities leading up to the 67th season. He leads all rookies by 40 points in a game twice, be- in the fi nal round. Overall, he hit the Skills Challenge trophy. Downing will join newly hired off ensive co-ordinator John DeFilippo All-Star classic on Sunday. averaging 19.6 points per game. coming the fi rst Jazz player with 20 of his 30 balls to beat former The Skills Challenge featured in replacing Pat Shurmur, who guided the Vikings’ off ense to a terrific “Believe it or not I have been Saturday’s events included multiple 40-point games in his champ Thompson, who was the two sessions, the chest pass and 2017 campaign before leaving to be the New York Giants’ head coach. preparing for this since I was a some of the more talented play- rookie season. runner up with 25 points. a top-of-the-key three pointer.

CYCLING NFL Lutsenko wins Oman Tour, Kristoff claims fi nal stage Eagles give Wisniewski AFP Froome fi nishes 10th as Wellens wins Ruta del Sol Muscat bonus to make up for Chris Froome finished in 10th place at the Ruta del Sol on his re- turn to racing, as Belgium’s Tim Wellens claimed overall victory azakh Alexey Lutsenko clinched overall in southern Spain yesterday. Froome has dominated the atten- missed incentive victory at the Tour of Oman as Norwegian tion on the event in Andalusia, as the Team Sky rider competes Alexander Kristoff won yesterday’s sixth for the first time since the revelation of his abnormal doping test Reuters stretch before returning to the and fi nal stage. at last year’s Vuelta a Espana. But the four-time Tour de France Los Angeles lineup. The Eagles will reported- KKristoff sprinted to victory along the Muscat ly take cap hits of $125,000 each winner only just scraped into the top 10 after the final stage, a corniche, a hair ahead of France’s Bryan Coquard 14.2km individual time-trial around Barbate, near Cadiz. of the next two seasons because and Giamco Nizzolo of Italy in a little over three Froome’s Sky team-mate David de la Cruz of Spain won the he Philadelphia Eagles, of the bonus. hours on the 135.5km course. stage in a time of 17min 11sec, while the 32-year-old Briton was still riding high on the Wisniewski, who moved from And the bunch sprint fi nish meant overnight 11th on the day after finishing 27sec adrift. Froome, whose team’s fi rst-ever Super centre to left guard when he leader Lutsenko held on to claim overall victory general classification hopes were ended by a puncture on Bowl title, reportedly did joined the Eagles two seasons with Astana team-mate Miguel Moreno of Colom- Tone of their key players a solid on ago, started 11 of the 14 regular- Kazakh rider Alexey Lutsenko (centre) of the Saturday’s penultimate stage, ended 1min 57sec behind overall bia second and Spaniard Gorka Insausti third. Astana Pro Team celebrates on the podium with winner Wellens, of the Lotto-Soudal team. Another of Froome’s Saturday. season games he played in this his Colombian teammate and runner-up Miguel Sky colleagues, Dutchman Wout Poels, came second overall. Guard Stefen Wisniewski, who season. He played in all three of Stage six results Angel Lopez (left) and third place Gorka Izagirre With cycling’s governing body, the UCI, yet to rule on the doping narrowly missed meeting the the Eagles’ playoff games. 1. Alexander Kristoff (NOR/Emirates) 3hrs, 11min, of the Bahrain Merida team after the sixth and case, Froome is set to continue his season at next month’s week- playing time requirements for a The 28-year-old was a sec- 29sec, 2. Bryan Coquard (FRA/VC) same time, 3. last stage between Al Mouj Muscat and Matrah long Tirreno-Adriatico in Italy. $250,000 incentive, will instead ond-round pick of the Oakland Giacomo Nizzolo (ITA/Trek-Segafredo) s.t., 4. Mag- Corniche in Muscat yesterday. (AFP) Ruta del Sol standings receive the money as a signing Raiders in 2011.Chile grabbed a nus Cort Nielsen (DEN/Astana) s.t., 5. Nathan Haas Fifth and final stage: 1. David de la Cruz (ESP/Sky) 17:11, 2. bonus for 2018, according to NFL consolation through left wing (AUS/Katusha) s.t., 6. Davide Martinelli (ITA/Quick- 50sec, 2. Miguel Moreno (COL/Astana) at 11sec, 3. Andrey Amador (CRC/Movistar) at 0:06, 3. Stef Clement (NED/ Network’s Mike Garofolo. Italo Zunino but the New Zea- Step) s.t., 7. Amaury Capiot (BEL/Vlaanderen-Ba- Gorka Insausti (ESP/Bahrain-Merida) 28, 4. Jesus LottoNL-Jumbo) at 7sec, 4. Alexis Gougeard (FRA/AG2R-La Wisniewski was hampered land-born Lasike rumbled over loise), s.t., 8. Greg Van Avermaet (BEL/BMC) s.t., 9. Lopez (ESP/Cofidis) 30, 5. Nathan Haas (AUS/Katu- Mondiale) at 8sec, 5. Marc Soler (ESP/Movistar) at 9sec late in the season by an ankle late on to seal a deserved win. Benjamin Declercq (BEL/Vlaanderen-Baloise) s.t., sha) 32, 6. Dries Devenyns (BEL/Quick-Step) 1:05, Overall: 1. Tim Wellens (BEL/Lotto-Soudal) 17:41:50, 2. Wout injury but was able to help carry The US now travel to South 10. Floris Gerts (NED/Roompot-Nederlandse) s.t. 7. Daniel Garcia (ESP/Cofidis) 1:14, 8. Odd Eiking Poels (NED/Sky) at 0:08, 3. Marc Soler (ESP/Movistar) at 27sec, the Eagles on their playoff run. America for away games at Brazil (NOR/Wanty) 1:24, 9. Merhawi Ghebremedhin (ERI/ 4. Jakob Fuglsang (DEN/Astana) at 30sec, 5. Luis Leon Sanchez He was hurt early in the team’s and Uruguay knowing that two Overall standings Dimension Data) 1:29, 10. Rui Costa (POR/Emirates) (ESP/Astana) same time. Super Bowl win against the Pa- wins will see them retain their 1. Alexey Lutsenko (KAZ/Astana) 22hrs, 49min, 1:37. triots, leaving the game for a crown. Gulf Times 6 Monday, February 19, 2018 WINTER OLYMPICS

SPOTLIGHT SPEED SKATING Japan’s Kodaira wins gold in women’s 500m Hirscher rules slopes skate.” Reuters Gangneung, South Korea Lee, who won back-to-back titles in the shortest speed- skating distance at the last two ao Kodaira stormed to Olympics, suff ered a chronic gold in the women’s knee injury last year and though 500m in an Olympic Kodaira won the day, it was the record time of 36.94 Korean who drew the loudest as Russian doping Nseconds at the Gangneung Oval cheers from the packed Oval. yesterday , becoming the fi rst fe- “It doesn’t matter, I still have ‘After the first run I thought male speed skater from Japan to two gold medals and I still have win an Olympic title in an indi- the world record,” said Lee, who that the confidence is here vidual event. was in tears after her lap. “I was Defending champion Lee between nervous and excited be- and speed is here and I Sang-hwa of South Korea settled fore racing and when I fi nished for silver, while Karolina Erba- everything, I was really happy. spectre returns nova of the Czech Republic won “It was the fi rst time my can win the race’ the bronze medal. mother saw me competing in the AFP Kodaira, the reigning world Olympics, I think she cried too. Pyeongchang, South Korea champion who has dominated I had a goal of coming in at 36.8 the distance over the past sea- seconds, that didn’t happen... sons, shaved 0.34 seconds off well it’s over, I still achieved eve- arcel Hirscher claimed his the previous record set by Lee at rything I could as a skater.” second Pyeongchang Winter the Sochi Games four years ago Kodaira, who also won sil- Olympics ski title on Sunday and is the fi rst woman to fi nish ver in the women’s 1,000m on as a doping case involving a the race in under 37 seconds at Wednesday, joins Tomomi Oka- MRussian curler threatened to cast a fresh sea level. zaki, who won bronze at the shadow over the Games. The Japanese spoke to Lee af- Nagano Games in 1998, as the While America’s Mikaela Shiff rin and ter the race and the two skaters only Japanese skaters to win a Lindsey Vonn licked their wounds, the raised the Korean and Japanese medal in the event. She got off to Austrian Hirscher hit his groove in the fl ags together. a lightning quick start over the men’s giant slalom, winning by an im- “Sports can make the world fi rst 100 metres and fl ew around pressive 1.27sec – fi ve days after his de- one together. It’s simple,” Ko- the track and although Lee start- but Olympic victory in the combined. daira told reporters, speaking ed quicker than her rival, she Norway’s Oystein Braaten won the through an interpreter. “She was could not maintain her momen- men’s freestyle skiing slopestyle and under big pressure. She fought tum on the back straight. Norway also triumphed in the 4x10km well. I told her, ‘I respect you still The 28-year-old crowd fa- men’s cross-country relay to reach nine and a lot’.” vourite still managed to fi nish gold medals and draw level with Germa- The 31-year-old came into the 0.01 seconds ahead of Erbanova ny at the top of the medals table. race with huge expectations of for her fi rst medal of the Games. Martin Fourcade became France’s fi rst herself due to her sheer domi- The race was the fi rst speed- four-time Winter Olympic gold-med- nation of the distance in recent skating event at the Oval in allist after a mad dash to the line in the seasons – she has won in each which no Dutch skaters fi nished men’s 15km mass start biathlon, where of her last 15 World Cup appear- on the podium. he edged Germany’s Simon Schempp in a ances stretching back to 2016. The United States endured dramatic photo fi nish. “I was the captain of the whole another day of disappointment, But away from the action a fresh dop- Japanese delegation this time. with Brittany Bowe ending in ing scandal threatened to set back Rus- I know a lot of attention comes fi fth place, ahead of the highest- sian eff orts to return to the Olympic fold from the Japanese people. I knew placed Dutch skater, Jorien ter after they were banned over a major drugs that,” she added. “All I had to Mors, who beat Kodaira to gold scandal. do is skate as I am supposed to in the 1,000m. Sources said a curler with the Olympic Athletes from Russia team has been im- plicated in a doping case involving mel- donium – the same banned substance that earned Russia’s former number one tennis player Maria Sharapova a 15-month suspension. Russia was banned from the Games after the emergence of systemic doping, but it was allowed to send 168 athletes deemed clean to compete as neutrals. The International Olympic Committee said if the case was confi rmed, it would be considered by the panel deliberating whether to lift Russia’s ban before the end of the Games. Marcel Hirscher of Austria poses with his two gold medals from the men’s Alpine Combined and the Giant Slalom of the Pyeongchang “On the one hand, it is extremely dis- Winter Games at the Austria House yesterday . (Reuters) appointing when prohibited substances might have been used, but on the other cess on the World Cup circuit proved Japanese people,” said Kodaira, who also hand, it shows the eff ectiveness of the vital as he beat Norway’s Henrik Kristof- broke Lee’s Olympic record. Medals table (top 10) anti-doping system at the Games,” an fersen and France’s Alexis Pinturault into “All I could do is skate the way I was IOC statement said. second and third place. supposed to skate. I’m glad I did what I G S B T The incident emerged on a day when “After the fi rst run I thought to myself practised and prepared.” Norway 9 9 8 26 the Olympic Athletes from Russia won that the confi dence is here and speed is Biathlon’s Fourcade outstripped ski Germany 9 5 4 18 two medals: silver in the cross-country here and I can win the race.” legend Jean-Claude Killy as the fi rst Netherlands 6 5 2 13 relay and bronze in the men’s aerials. “There’s always a mind game between Frenchman to win four Winter Games the fi rst and second runs, but the years of gold in the most dramatic of circum- Canada 5 5 6 16 ‘It’s incredible’ experience helped me,” the 28-year-old stances. After fl inging himself over the US 5 3 2 10 It has been a long wait for Games gold said. line, Fourcade was convinced he had Sweden 4 3 0 7 for Hirscher, who is the dominant fi gure Later, Japanese world champion Nao missed out to Schempp – before the Austria 4 2 4 10 of World Cup racing but whose best pre- Kodaira stunned the hosts when she de- photo fi nish revealed he had won by mere vious Olympic result was slalom silver in throned South Korea’s two-time defend- inches. France 4 2 4 10 2014. ing gold-medallist Lee Sang-hwa in the “It’s incredible, I can’t answer, I’m still South Korea 3 1 2 6 Japan’s Nao Kodaira celebrates on the podium after winning the However, the Austrian has fl ourished women’s 500m speed skating. waiting for them to tell me that I’m not Japan 2 5 3 10 women’s 500m speed skating event at the Pyeongchang 2018 Winter in South Korea. He said his years of suc- “I knew I had the attention of all the the winner,” said a disbelieving Fourcade. Olympic Games in Gangneung yesterday. (AFP)

HOCKEY Canada, Sweden, Czechs win to reach quarters AFP land’s Sami Lepisto said. “We just have to clear Gangneung, South Korea in front of our net. We have to be stronger.” Sweden awaits either Germany or Switzer- land. wo-time defending champion Cana- “We have a very important game coming up da, unbeaten Sweden and undefeated for sure,” Lundqvist said. “We’re happy so far Czech Republic advanced to the Ol- but if we lose the quarter-fi nal it will be so dis- ympic men’s hockey quarter-fi nals appointing.” Twith impressive victories yesterday. The Olympic Athletes from Russia will have Sweden, which took 2014 silver at Sochi, three days off before meeting the winner be- defeated Finland 3-1 while the Czech Repub- tween Norway and Slovenia. lic downed Switzerland 4-1 and the Canadians “It’s very important because whoever you blanked South Korea 4-0 to book a last-eight play against, you are wasting strength and en- date. “It’s a big win,” Sweden’s Joel Lundqvist ergy,” said Russian star Ilya Kovalchuk. “It’s said. “We played really well. We were just bat- good we’ll get another day off .” tling out there.” Together with the Olympic Athletes from ‘The big games come now’ Russia, seeking the fi rst Olympic gold for Rus- Goals from Christian Thomas, Eric O’Dell, sian talent since 1992, they will enjoy a break Maxim Lapierre and Gilbert Brule lifted the until Wednesday’s tension-packed knockout Canadians over the hosts in a must-win game quarter-fi nals. to avoid the extra qualifying round tension. “For sure it’s one of the scariest games of Michal Repik scored two goals for the Czechs, the Olympics,” Czech veteran Martin Erat said. seeking their fi rst Olympic men’s hockey title “You work to get there and if you don’t win, since 1998. Repik’s power-play goal opened you don’t get anything and you go home.” the scoring 7:09 into the fi rst period but Tho- The United States and Finland could be mas Rufenacht answered for the Swiss 7:38 ousted before the quarter-fi nals. They are later. among eight teams who face knockout match- Dominik Kubalik’s goal 3:02 into the third es Tuesday to decide the other four spots in the period lifted the Czechs back on top. Repik and quarter-fi nals. Roman Cervenka added empty-net goals in “Now it gets real,” Czech assistant coach Ja- the dying seconds after the Swiss pulled goal- roslav Modry said. tender Jonas Hiller for an extra attacker. The Americans will face Slovakia, whom Patrik Zackrisson broke a 1-1 deadlock with they edged 2-1 in group play thanks to two 11:07 remaining in the third period to lift Swe- goals from Harvard University star Ryan Do- den to victory, Oscar Maller adding an empty- nato. The winner meets the Czechs in the net tally fi ve seconds from the end to seal Fin- quarter-fi nals. land’s fate. Canada’s quarter-fi nal foe will be the Fin- “We battled but we could not capitalise on land-South Korea winner. “Now it’s game our power play,” Lepisto said. “The big games South Korea’s Kim Sangwook (left) and Canada’s Mat Robinson clash in the men’s preliminary round ice hockey match during the Pyeongchang 2018 time. We’re ready and we feel confi dent,” Fin- come now and we have to be able to score. Winter Olympic Games at the Gangneung Hockey Centre in Gangneung yesterday. (AFP) Gulf Times Monday, February 19, 2018 7 SPORT

GOLF / NBO OMAN OPEN SPOTLIGHT Minister of Culture Luiten overcomes and Sports crowns winners at marine good mate Woody sports festival QNA offi cials and various committees Doha at the Doha Marine Sports Club. He stressed that the Ministry will raise the level of support given inister of Culture and to the club in view of the large role Sports HE Salah bin and the many community activi- Ghanem bin Nasser ties that it oversees, adding that to win in Muscat al-Ali on Saturday there will be a meeting with the Mcrowned the winners of the 1st offi cials of the club to identify all Al-Dasha Marine Sports Festi- the details and ideas that the club Dutchman’s win is a boost to his bid of making Thomas Bjorn’s Ryder Cup team val, the fi rst tournament of the is keen to implement in the com- Doha Marine Sports Club sea- ing period to serve the community. By A Correspondent son, which was held for fi ve days He expressed the hope that Muscat at Doha Corniche, with a broad this festival will continue in the participation of professional and coming years, especially after amateur athletes. the great success achieved in its oost Luiten came out on top of a The Minister handed the tro- fi rst edition, pointing out that captivating battle with his good phies to the winners in diff erent the Ministry is always seeking friend Chris Wood over the fi - categories of the competition. to support the activities that nal round at Al Mouj Golf Club in The festival was organised in achieve its goals from both the MuscatJ to be crowned champion of the co-operation between Doha Ma- societal and sports levels. inaugural NBO Oman Open. rine Sports Club and the Qatar For his part, Doha Marine The Dutchman fi red a solid closing Sports For All Federation under Sports Club president Khalifa round of 68 to beat Englishman Wood by the supervision of the Ministry al-Suwaidi thanked the Minister two strokes with a 16-under par winning of Culture and Sports. for attending the fi nal day of the total of 272 in the US$1.75 million dollar The Minister praised the fi rst tournament and crowning the event. The eff ort gave his bid of making edition of the Al-Dasha Marine winners. Al-Suwaidi expressed Thomas Bjorn’s Ryder Cup team an early- Sports Festival, referring to the satisfaction with the success season boost with a sixth European Tour organisational excellence of the achieved by the fi rst edition of title. festival which brought together the festival, especially with re- “It feels great,” said the 32-year-old. “I traditional and modern marine gards to participation and at- didn’t know what to expect when I came sports. tracting spectators. here but to play a course like this which is The Minister said in press re- He added that the festival had in great condition and is a great technical marks that holding a festival with exceeded all expectations, which golf course as well was beyond my expec- these many diff erent events and signifi cantly encourages the club tation. To hold the trophy is even better. competitions is a clear indication to keep organising this festival “I need to win another couple I think to of the eff orts made by the team of every year. get in (the European Ryder Cup team), but it’s a great start to the year for me, this is what I was hoping for. This is what gets BOXING you right in there. I just need to play good golf and then we’ll see what happens come September.” Luiten, who entered the fi nal day in a Injured Groves risks three-way tie for the lead with France’s Juilen Guerrier and England’s Matthew Southgate, couldn’t have hoped for a bet- missing fi nal aft er ter start to his round as he separated him- Joost Luiten of the Netherlands celebrates with the trophy after winning the NBO Oman Open at Al Mouj Golf in Muscat yesterday. self from the pack with three birdies in the fi rst four holes. gave away a couple of shots with bogeys up short in his quest to add a fourth Euro- Wood, who had missed the cut in his victory over Eubank Jr “I had a great start, that’s what I was on seven and eight but he regained the pean Tour title to his collection and a fi rst fi rst three events of the season prior to hoping for,” he said. “I hit some nice ones momentum with a beautiful fi ve iron ap- since the 2016 BMW PGA Championship. arriving in Oman, can take heart from the in close and rolled in a couple of nice proach into the par fi ve 12th hole to set up “It’s golf, isn’t it? You are never happy,” fact that his return to form has come on putts and that gets you in the right posi- a tap-in birdie. he said. “I played poorly for six or eight the eve of this week’s Commercial Bank tion, where you want to be. Unfortunate- The key moment came on the par fi ve months and would have never thought I Qatar Masters where he won his fi rst title ly, I had a couple of bogeys as well on the 16th when Luiten used all of his experi- would have put myself into contention in 2013. front nine but I recovered from that with ence with some wise course management this week. Then when you do, you feel France’s Julien Guerrier, closed with 71 a couple of nice birdies on the back nine to decide against attacking the fl ag, opt- gutted when you don’t win. I’m pretty to take third place at 13 under par – his best and it was a good battle with Woody. To ing instead to lay up before sinking a 20- down really, but in the grand scheme of result so far on the European Tour – while battle it out with one of my best friends foot putt for his fi nal birdie of the day. things, when I refl ect after a couple of fellow countryman Alexander Levy, Span- on Tour was just great.” Wood, meanwhile, was philosophical days, I will think it is a big step in the right iard Jorge Campillo and America’s Seungsu Following his electrifying start, Luiten after signing for a 69 that saw him come direction.” Han shared fourth place at 11 under.

GOLF / GENESIS OPEN Watson takes one-shot lead over Cantlay at Riviera

AFP to cap a 69 for 204. four birdies in a fi ve-hole span. bogey-free six-under par 65. George Groves (right) lands a punch on Chris Eubank Jr during their Los Angeles Watson, energized perhaps by his ap- He followed his only bogey of the day at Cantlay was delighted with his closing World Boxing Super Series semi-final on Saturday. (Reuters) pearance in the NBA All-Star Celebrity 15 with a birdie at 17. birdie, but said the real key to his round Game on Friday night, produced his sig- “Knowing how diffi cult this golf was grinding through holes three through AFP “After a performance like that ubba Watson swooped for an ea- nature moment right out of the gate. course is, my whole thing was trying to seven without a bogey. Manchester, United Kingdom he’s the best super-middle- gle and fi ve birdies in a six-under His second shot at the par-fi ve fi rst hit greens, somehow just hang in there “I hit great pitches and I hit a great weight on the planet. We fulfi lled par 65 at Riviera Country Club on rolled within 18 inches of the pin to give wherever I was,” Watson said. “We hung bunker shot on three and I made all those the game plan to the T and ex- Saturday to seize a one-shot lead him a tap-in eagle. on.” putts and that was huge for the momen- eorge Groves’ place in ecuted it perfectly. We beat them goingB into the fi nal round of the Genesis “We guessed right on number one to- With his monster birdie at 18 Cantlay tum,” he said. the World Boxing Super on many diff erent levels.” Open. day, trying to get the right yardage, the separated himself from a chasing pack. The stretch included a tough up and Series (WBSS) fi nal is in Kalle Sauerland, promoter and Two-time Masters champion Watson right club for the wind and everything,” Australian Cameron Smith, Northern down at the par-three six, where he opted doubt after his unani- co-founder of the WBSS, said is also a two-time winner at Riviera, Watson said. Ireland’s Graeme McDowell and Ameri- to chip over the small bunker in the mid- Gmous points win over Chris Eu- the tournament’s duration is fi - claiming the most recent of his nine US “It calms you down real fast when you cans Kevin Na and Tony Finau shared dle of the green. bank Jr. nite. “We have scope of when the PGA Tour titles here in 2016. tap in for eagle.” third on 205. His shot landed perfectly above the cup Groves earned scores of 117- tournament must be completed,” His 10-under-par total of 203 put A par save from a bunker at the sec- McDowell, who shared the overnight and funnelled down to the hole for a par. 112, 116-112 and 115-113 over his he said. him one stroke in front of Southern ond kept the momentum going. Watson lead with Cantlay, carded a one-under “I was able to get so much height on English rival at the Manches- “We will wait until Monday. California native Patrick Cantlay, who chipped in for a birdie from just off the par 70. Na posted a 67, Finau a 68 and it that I thought it would be pretty good ter Arena on Saturday, but went With those sort of injuries you can rolled in a 55-foot birdie putt at the 18th green at the par-three sixth, the fi rst of Smith climbed up the leaderboard with a when it was in the air.” straight from the ring to hospital train very quickly again — if it’s a after suff ering a suspected dis- case of it just popping out. No one located left shoulder in the last knows until it has been scanned.” round. Sauerland said that despite South Korea’s Ko Victory over Eubank in a sec- losing, Eubank could fi nd him- Mackay excels in National Sports Day golf tourney ond defence of his World Box- self in the WBSS fi nal if Groves is tops Women’s ing Association (WBA) super- ruled out through injury. Australian Open middleweight title also secured “He will defi nitely be on the Groves a place in the fi nal of the list,” said Sauerland. “It’s a deci- Ko Jin-young ignored eight-man tournament. sion that’s taken by the (WBSS) persistent screeching by “I haven’t diagnosed it yet board. I will make my recom- a flock of sulphur-crested but it feels pretty sore,” Groves mendations.” cockatoos yesterday to said in the ring afterwards before Eubank Jr, 28, said he was record an emphatic wire-to- missing the traditional post- hampered by a cut above his right wire victory at the Handa fi ght press conference. eye suff ered in the third round. Women’s Australian Open in “I wasn’t going to let anything “This is the fi rst time I’ve been Adelaide. beat me. I’ve boxed on with cuts, cut in my career,” he told reporters. Ko produced a meticulous broken jaws, everything. Here, I “I couldn’t see out of my right back nine to card a closing wasn’t going to let any injury get eye for pretty much most of the three-under-par 69 and me out. fi ght and that aff ected my style. I head a South Korean one- “It was about who wanted it had to resort to loading up. Eve- two finish, with Choi Hye-jin most I think, and I obviously ry time he moved to my right, I (67) in second place three wanted it most,” added Groves, couldn’t see him. strokes further back. still due to fi ght the winner of “In the later rounds I was Swinging with metronomic the second semi-fi nal between hurting him with a lot of shots. I consistency and putting England’s Callum Smith and thought I did enough in the later with unerring accuracy, Germany’s Jurgen Braehmer on rounds to nick it, but George had she finished at 14-under February 24. a good game plan.” 274 at the historic Kooy- The WBSS fi nal is meant to Eubank’s father Chris Sr, who onga course that has take place at the O2 Arena in was world middleweight and hosted five men’s Austral- London on June 2, but Groves’s super-middleweight champion ian Opens. trainer Shane McGuigan said in the 1990s, admitted Groves Ko is already a 10-times there are now concerns over deserved the decision. winner on the Korean LPGA. whether the champion will be fi t “He (Junior) didn’t perform,” Last October she captured by then. said Eubank Sr. “He’s a lot bet- National Sports Day Golf Tournament winners pose with Qatar Golf Lovers captain PK Mathew and other off icials at the Doha Golf the LPGA KEB Hana Bank “He suff ered a shoulder injury ter than what you saw because he Club. Ann Mackay overcame stiff competition to emerge as winner in the tournament, organised by Qatar Golf Lovers. As many Championship title and in the last round, we don’t know was loading up. He didn’t close as 40 golfers competed in the event, which was played in strokeplay format. Arnab Dutta was the runner-up. Aaron Lee won the earned a ticket to the lucra- what that is at the moment but him down. No combinations, ‘longest putt’, Sandeep Nanda the ‘longest drive’, Sanjay Jain the ‘closest to rope’, and Simon Rowlands the ‘closest to pin’ awards. tive US women’s tour. hopefully he can box again soon,” just power, but that’s okay, he McGuigan told a press conference. will live and learn.”

Monday, February 19, 2018 GULF TIMES SPORT

MOTORSPORT Al-Attiyah-Baumel cruise to victory in Baja Russia Qatari duo of Adel Abdulla-Nasser al-Kuwari recovers from stage delay on Saturday to finish third in T2 category

By Our Correspondent Karelia, Russia

asser Saleh al-Attiyah began the defence of his FIA World Cup title in convincing style with a start-to-fi nish maiden victoryN in Baja Russia Northern Forest Rally, the opening round of the 2018 FIA World Cup for Cross-Country Ral- lies, while compatriot Adel Abdulla recovered well from his stage delay on Saturday to confi rm third position in the T2 category. The Qatari driver and French navi- gator Matthieu Baumel won four of the fi ve stages in their Overdrive Rac- ing Toyota Hilux, running under the Tamim Al Majd Team banner, to reach the fi nish well ahead of former WRC star Martin Prokop. Overdrive Racing entered three Toyotas in the only snow and ice round of the series, held over the demand- ing snow-covered forest trails of the Republic of Karelia in north-western Russia. Saudi Arabia’s Yasir Saiedan fi nished fi fth with Russian navigator Alexei Kuzmich. Poland’s Aron Domzala and Maciej Marton endured a fraught weekend Qatari driver Nasser Saleh al-Attiyah (right) and French co-driver Mathieu Baumel celebrate their victory in the Baja Russia Qatar’s driver Adel Abdulla (right) and co-driver Nasser al-Kuwari finished third in in the third Toyota. Last year’s win- Northern Forest Rally, the first round of the 2018 FIA World Cup for Cross-Country Rallies, yesterday. (Twitter/MathieuBaumel) T2 category. ner rolled his car on both of Saturday’s timed stages and retired before the sec- champion by four seconds to snatch the stage to hold sixth overall, but Domzala 50sec through the fi rst stage to beat snow bank on Saturday, but he and fellow “But, we took some risks and pushed ond of the stages on the fi nal day. overnight lead. dropped 13 minutes in the opener and Prokop by 1min 18sec and extend his Qatari Nasser al-Kuwari put that fi rmly hard today. We took around four min- Al-Attiyah said: “It was a good rally Saeidan carded an impressive time of then lost a further 24 minutes in SS3 af- comfortable lead in the overall classifi - to the back of their minds over the re- utes from him on the fi rst one. Even on for me. We were here for the fi rst time 13min 31sec on his debut with the Toy- ter rolling his Toyota twice. He slipped cation. Saeidan and Domzala were fi fth maining two selective sections. the last stage we took six minutes and and managed to win. I have a lot of fans ota and settled into sixth overall, beat- to 16th overall. and seventh. Running a Toyota Land Cruiser VDJ that moved us right up behind him at in Russia. It was a nice start to the sea- ing Przygonski and the experienced The Pole said: “Yes, we rolled over There were no late dramas for the 200 with support from the Qatar Mo- the end,” he said. son and, of course, thanks to Toyota. Russian Boris Gadasin in the process. twice. You can say, it was a pretty bad Qatari in the shorter fi nal selective sec- tor and Motorcycle Federation (QMMF) “I would like to thank the QMMF for It’s the best team.” Al-Attiyah extended his lead through day. The fi rst time I was a bit quicker tion and another fastest time – 15 sec- and the Qatar Government, Abdul- their support. This is a small gift for Al-Attiyah and Baumel kick-started the fi rst of the selective sections on in the turn that it was necessary. There onds quicker than Prokop – earned the la carded a time of 1hr 46min 25sec His Highness the Emir Sheikh Tamim the action through a 17km super spe- Saturday morning by beating Tapio was a snow bank and we overturned two-time Dakar winner his fi rst victory through the tricky fourth selective and bin Hamad al-Thani and a good result cial stage on Friday afternoon and set Lauronen by 48 seconds and the Qatari and blocked the road. Thanks to Ya- in Russia. Saeidan was sixth quickest that enabled him to beat Oliveira by for us to get 15 points here in Russia at the target time of 12min 12sec in their was four minutes quicker than Rus- sir Saiedan for helping us and Martin but Domzala retired before the stage 4min 04sec, as Titov extended his out- the beginning of the season. Nasser, my 2017-specifi cation Toyota Hilux. Rival sian driver Vladimir Vasilyev through Prokop the second time.” start to cap a disappointing weekend right lead with the fastest time. Abdulla co-driver, also did a very good job on Jakub Przygonski dropped 1min 25sec the second one to extend his lead at the Teams tackled a further two selective for the Pole. repeated the feat in the shorter fi nal his fi rst time in snow. The car was new to the Qatari, but al-Attiyah’s Over- second overnight halt to 4min 20sec sections on Sunday before the ceremo- In the T2 category, Abdulla, the 2016 stage to earn the second fastest time in for me and I was happy with the team. drive Racing teammate and last year’s over Martin Prokop. Saiedan was sixth nial fi nish in the village of Vyartsilya. FIA T2 champion had been fi ghting with T2 behind Titov and confi rm a useful They did a good job with the car. I hope Russian winner Domzala pipped the in the opener and fourth in the second Al-Attiyah carded a time of 1hr 19min Russian driver Alexey Titov until he hit a haul of T2 championship points. to do even better in the next races.”

SPOTLIGHT HORSE RACING / HH THE EMIR’S SWORD FESTIVAL Red Bull brings Yazeed is the horse to beat, back Car says Ebraz trainer Smart Park Drift

By Mikhil Bhat reeh, according to Smart. Doha Smart’s wards have notched 12 top four fi nishes in the last fi ve years in HH the Emir’s Sword race, but the ulian Smart knows a thing or trainer, who has been in Qatar for two about winning the million- the eight years, doesn’t always have dollar HH The Emir’s Sword a great build-up of results heading to (Gr1 PA), the highlight of the the big race. ArabianJ racing calendar in Qatar. Last two years, Gazwan and Ebraz Drift star Abdo Feghali. After all he has won the mile and were the only winners for the trainer a half race three times in the last fi ve over the three-day racing festival. By Sports Reporter years, and is up for a hattrick on Sat- Understandably, there were even a few Doha urday. He even seems to have the right tears among the connections last year ammunition for it — Gazwan and after the big win. Ebraz — the two horses owned by His One of the reasons perhaps is that ed Bull Car Park Drift Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Kha- Smart is largely known to train Arabi- will be held at the Lo- lifa al-Thani who have bagged it for ans, and that also means the number sail Circuit Sports Club the London-born trainer in 2016 and of races his wards participate in are (LCSC) on Friday. 2017 respectively. lesser. A recent success with Barwod RThe annual drift event, which Yet the 48-year-old is not tak- in the Thoroughbred Trophy Trial, will begin at 7pm, will be held ing it lightly, “hoping it would be a however, gave him a reason to cheer. with the support and under the good race”. Before he laughs and says, “It’s way too much pressure. Al supervision of Qatar Motor and “Well, I am not, I am hoping I am a Shahania is all about winning big rac- Motorcycle Federation (QMMF), long way in the front.” es,” Smart said. and in partnership with Voda- “(I am) Always second-guessing fone Qatar, LCSC, Total, and myself. When people ask me about Falken Tires. this job, I keep telling them it’s exactly Contestants will be expected like being a Premier League football to display their profi ciency be- manager. Because my horses are Pre- hind the steering wheel as they mier League players, the only diff er- take on a challenging new course ence is that Premier League players inspired by Abdo Feghali, who can speak to their managers and tell will be supervising and perform- them if they are not feeling right or if ing at the event. they have a problem,” said the Chelsea “We’re going to be setting up Form book says the race will be be- In this February 25, 2017, picture, trainer Julian Smart (left) celebrates his fifth HH The Emir’s Sword (Gr1 PA) victory after FC supporter, who thinks that Anto- at the Losail Circuit Sports Club, tween arguably two of the best Ara- His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Khalifa al-Thani’s Ebraz won under Alan Munro at the QREC. PICTURE: Juhaim nio Conte’s team is going to get “mull- which means we have even more bian colts today —Ebraz and in-form ered” by Barcelona tomorrow. space for the drifters to comfort- Yazeed, trained by Alban de Mieulle. de l’Arc de Triomphe weekend. better on the day. Look, all being well, had one,” says Smart, who will also “But I have been lucky. Eight years, ably demonstrate all their skills, The Umm Qarn colt seems to have “Yazeed is without question the the pair will start together at the top of have Sheikh Khalifa bin Mohamed bin fi ve Emir’s Sword, four big ones in techniques and control. I’m look- Ebraz’s number, at least in Qatar. horse to beat in the race. I just hope, the stretch and then come down nose Khalifa al-Thani’s Shabih Alreeh in France.” ing forward to crowning Qatar’s In 2017, the three times Yazeed and that it’s the same kind of race that to nose and the best horse will have his the Group 1 race “probably running So what does he expect come Sat- next King of Drift that will qualify Ebraz have gone up against each other we have had all year long with Ebraz nose in the front.” for minor honours”. urday? for the grand fi nale in Lebanon,” at the Qatar Racing and Equestrian and Yazeed together and who knows The 2016 Emir’s Sword winner And then there is Ba’sil, who was on “Nobody wants to see the best drift champion Feghali said. Club, the two have put up a scintillat- it might be Ebraz in front this time,” Gazwan was the last horse to beat pacemaking duty last year too when Group 1 Arabians in the world hack The contestants are judged ing show for the audiences, with the Smart says ahead of the three-day Yazeed anywhere in the world. The Smart outsmarted Thomas Fourcy for canter around and then sprint for a based on their skills, precision former edging out Smart’s ward every HH The Emir’s Sword Racing Festival, seven-year-old, however, had been the second year in a row denying Al fi nish. They want to see a mile and a and creativity as they aim to at- time in close fi nishes. which gets underway on Thursday. nursing bit of a niggle but is back in Shaqab Racing’s Al Mourtajez a vic- half race, and we will make sure that tain the highest scores. In France, however, Ebraz won the “Honestly the way he (Yazeed) has full work. tory in the race. it’s a mile and a half race. The best The Red Bull Car Park Drift Qatar Cup - Prix Dragon in Chantilly been racing this year, I think it is going “We are going to have Gazwan Jockey Theo Bachelot will be on mile and a half horse will win the series comes with a high stand- handsomely ahead of Yazeed, who then to take a 100 percent Ebraz to show up coming back after a long layoff too. He Ebraz for the big one, while Cristian Emir’s Sword, whoever that may be, ard of safety and security that fi nished behind Gazwan in the Qatar on the day and a 98 percent Yazeed. is working well. His biggest problem is Demuro will ride Gazwan, and Chris- but it will have to be the best one. The guarantees an entertaining en- Arabian World Cup over the Qatar Prix It’s all about who wakes up feeling that he needs a prep race and he hasn’t tophe Soumillon will helm Shabih Al- one that stays.” vironment for both the partici- pants as well as the audience.