MONDAY 10 FEBRUARY 2020 SPORTSPORT 07

CRICKET FOOTBALL The greens were firm, the wind made it difficult First Test, 4th AFC Champions and I ended up making a good score, did a good Day: Pakistan vs League: Group Stage job of getting the ball in the hole: Phil Mickelson Bangladesh matches ACTION

after third round of Pebble Beach TODAY’S Duplantis breaks world pole vault record Phillies agree to re-sign AGENCIES — PARIS Long considered the man Hunter: Report most likely to push the event Armand Duplantis of Sweden forward, Duplantis began REUTERS — NEW YORK set a world pole vault record of breaking age group records 6.17 metres at an indoor aged seven. He announced his The Philadelphia Phillies have meeting in Poland. prodigious talent to a wider agreed to re-sign right-handed Duplantis, the US-born audience when he won the reliever Tommy Hunter to a 20-year-old who won silver at European outdoor title in Berlin contract for the 2020 season, last year’s World Champion- in 2018 with a vault of 6.05m, according to an MLB.com ships in Doha, cleared the bar a world junior record. report. on his second attempt in Torun Coached by his American Hunter will be the 70th to break the previous record of father Greg -- himself a former player in Philadelphia’s spring 6.16m set by French vaulter pole vaulter who cleared 5.80m training camp, although it is Renaud Lavillenie in February -- Duplantis was a product of a unclear if the contract is a 2014. track and field-crazy family major league deal or not. “It’s something that I which had their own vaulting Hunter, 33, missed the wanted since I was three years apparatus in the garden. majority of last season because old,” Duplantis told the website He competed for Louisiania of a strained right forearm that of World Athletics. State University in the United forced him to spend two sep- “It’s a big year, but it’s a States last year. arate stints on the Phillies’ good way to start it.” Meanwhile, Lavillenie, 60-day injured list last season. Lavillenie, the 2012 Olympic whose mark was shattered by The 12-year veteran signed champion, said he was not sur- a centimetre, said Duplantis with the Phillies as a free agent prised his record had been can reach even the higher on a two-year, $18m deal in eclipsed. Duplantis had almost heights. Sweden’s Armand Duplantis celebrates next to the board after he broke world pole vault record of December 2017. He went 5-4 broken the record at a meeting “It is completely con- 6.17 metres at the Orlen Copernicus Cup 2020 World Athletics Indoor meeting. with a 3.80 ERA in 65 appear- in Duesseldorf last Tuesday. ceivable, there is no reason why ances in 2018, but was able to His performance marks him it cannot be in the long term,” Duplantis might one day clear vaulting in Rouen, France, when expecting it. “I was prepared,” pitch only 5 1/3 scoreless out as a clear favourite for the Lavillenie told newspaper 6.20 metres. he heard about Duplantis’ he said. “He did it and it’s cool innings of relief in his injury- Olympic title in Tokyo this year. L’Equipe when asked if The Frenchman, who was record, said he had been for him.” riddled 2019 campaign. NBA: Raptors beat Brooklyn Morris ready to make LA Clippers debut in to extend winning streak Cavaliers game

AFP — LOS ANGELES rebounds and six assists come REUTERS — LOS ANGELES to a halt. Fred VanVleet scored 10 of his Khris Middleton scored 21 Marcus Morris was acquired 29 points in the fourth quarter points and 13 rebounds while by the Los Angeles Clippers, It’s going to be easy as the Toronto Raptors Eric Bledsoe and Wesley Mat- watched his new team-mates extended their franchise-best thews also scored in double play on Saturday at for me. I’m a winning streak to 14 games with digits for Milwaukee, netting Minnesota and is now high-IQ guy, can a 119-118 victory over the 18 and 12 points, expected to make his debut play any position Brooklyn Nets. respectively. with the team at the Pascal Siakam scored 20 Nikola Vucevic collected 21 Cleveland Cavaliers. on the court, and I points, including the winning points and 14 rebounds for his The Clippers’ deal for think it’s going to free throw with 22 seconds left team-leading 26th double- Morris was one of the high- for Toronto, who have also won double for the Magic, who lost lights of a busy NBA trade be very beneficial 10 consecutive home games. their eighth game in their last deadline on Thursday, as for both sides: The Raptors squandered an nine. one of the top teams in the Marcus Morris 18-point second-half lead, Milwaukee began the third NBA got even better with a allowing the visiting Nets to tie quarter on a 9-0 run to stretch player who is averaging 19.6 Saturday’s game 118-118 with their lead to 72-46. Orlando points per game this season to see how well I fit,” Morris 35 seconds left before Siakam made a short-lived comeback and is a solid long-range told reporters before Satur- drained the go-ahead free to halve that deficit entering the shooter. day’s game at Minnesota. throw. fourth quarter, but the Bucks Morris joins a mix of solid “It’s going to be easy for Terence Davis tallied 20 Toronto were in control the rest of the 3-point shooters for the me. I’m a high-IQ guy, can points, Matt Thomas had a Raptors guard way. Clippers, including Landry play any position on the career-best 15 and Serge Ibaka Fred VanVleet Also, Anthony Davis made Shamet, Kawhi Leonard, court, and I think it’s going scored 12 in the win. controls a three clutch free throws late in Paul George and Lou to be very beneficial for both Caris LeVert had 37 points ball during the game as the visiting Los Williams. sides.” for Brooklyn, Spencer Din- game against Angeles Lakers held off the Veteran Patrick Beverley, The Clippers really could widdie delivered 21 points and Brooklyn Nets. hapless Golden State Warriors currently out with a groin have used Morris on Sat- 11 assists, DeAndre Jordan had 125-120. injury, has even become urday in what ended as a 15 points and 14 rebounds for Davis shot nine-for-13 at more proficient from dis- brutal 142-115 defeat to the the Nets, who have won five of about it.” The Raptors had an triple double and Brook Lopez the line and finished with a tance as the season has Timberwolves, who entered their last seven games. 18-point lead during the third finished with 23 points as the team-high 27 points. progressed. on a 13-game losing streak. Toronto has won the first quarter and led by 12 entering Milwaukee Bucks completed a In fact, the Clippers made Like the Clippers on three meetings between the the fourth. four-game season sweep of the NBARESULTS a franchise record 24 Wednesday, the Timber- teams this season. VanVleet’s jump shot Orlando Magic with a 111-95 3-pointers in a victory over wolves set their own fran- The Raptors won despite stretched the lead to six, but the victory. Indiana 117, New Orleans 124 the Miami Heat on chise record with 26 made playing without all-star guard Nets answered with four points The reigning league MVP Toronto 119, Brooklyn 118 Wednesday. 3-pointers. Kyle Lowry, who missed the to cut the lead to two. Antetokounmpo finished one Sacramento 122, San Antonio 102 The Clippers’ plans for The Clippers will con- contest with a whiplash injury. Another jump shot by assist shy of the triple double as Phoenix 108, Denver 117 their new toy remain to be sider the defeat “one of those “At this point, I think we’re LeVert tied the game 118-118 he delivered 18 points, 18 Minnesota 142, LA Clippers 115 seen, but Morris is ready to nights,” as the Wolves looked experienced enough in that before Siakam made one of two rebounds and nine assists for Charlotte 100, Dallas 116 deliver in whatever role head energised by a bevy of recent realm, unfortunately,” VanVleet free throws. LeVert and Harris Milwaukee, who have won 13 Detroit 92, New York 95 coach Doc Rivers asks. trades. They had three

said of winning without Lowry. missed shots to end the game. of their last 14 contests. Golden State 120, LA Lakers 125 “I’m excited to get players making their team “We’ve had a ton of guys out Elsewhere, Giannis Antetokounmpo saw his Orlando 95, Milwaukee 111 started, but you (are) going debut. this year. We don’t really think Antetokounmpo flirted with a streak of at least 30 points, 16 Bruins down Coyotes for 6th straight win

REUTERS — BOSTON Flyers 7, Capitals 2 since the roll began Dec. 23. Devils 3, Kings 0 Sean Couturier scored two Tampa Bay hasn’t trailed in MacKenzie Blackwood Charlie Coyle scored twice, goals, Claude Giroux added any of its last five victories. made 37 saves for his second and Patrice Bergeron had a one goal and two assists, and Stars 3, Blues 2 consecutive shutout as New goal and two assists as the Philadelphia scored three Roope Hintz scored two Jersey scored three times in Boston Bruins continued their goals in under two minutes in goals, including the overtime the second period and beat dominance of the visiting the second period to defeat game-winner, as Dallas won Los Angeles in Newark, N.J. Arizona Coyotes with a 4-2 host Washington. at St. Louis. Blackwood followed up a win Saturday. Alex Ovechkin came into Jamie Benn also scored, 46-save performance by Jake DeBrusk also scored, the game needing two goals and Anton Khudobin made 23 posting his third shutout of the and David Pastrnak had two for 700 in his career, but the saves for the Stars, who rallied season and fifth of his career. assists as the Bruins extended Washington captain did not from a 2-0 deficit. He made 13 saves in the first their winning streak to six. score. Avalanche 2, B. Jackets 1 period, 10 in the second and Tuukka Rask stopped 29 shots Lightning 3, Islanders 1 Nazem Kadri and Nathan 14 in the third. for Boston and improved to Brayden Point broke a MacKinnon scored third- Penguins 3, Panthers 2 12-0-6 at home. scoreless tie in the opening period goals, Philipp Grubauer Kris Letang scored a goal Phil Kessel and Jakob Chy- seconds of the second period had 31 saves and Colorado and added an assist to lead chrun scored for the Coyotes, for red-hot Tampa Bay, which rallied to win at Columbus. Pittsburgh to victory over host who have lost 10 of their last never trailed against New Gabriel Landeskog and Florida Panthers at Sunrise, 12 games (2-7-3). Adin Hill, a York. Cale Makar had an assist each Florida. late replacement for originally Carter Verhaeghe and to help the Avalanche improve The Penguins also got Boston Bruins centre Charlie Coyle (right) shoots the puck in front of scheduled starter Antti Steven Stamkos also scored to 3-1 on their five-game road goals from Sidney Crosby, the Arizona Coyotes centre Brad Richardson during the third period of their Raanta, had 29 saves for for the Lightning, who have trip. Colorado has won six of game-winner, and Teddy NHL game in Boston, Massachusetts. Arizona. won six straight and are 18-2-1 its last seven. Blueger. 08 SPORT MONDAY 10 FEBRUARY 2020

Lotus Elise driver dominates penultimate round of Qatar Touring Car Championship Al Maadheed unstoppable in QTCC 2K class

THE PENINSULA — DOHA A record number of 28 partici- the podium after long time," Al Khelaifi, second in the pants took part in the round. stated Abdulaziz. standings, had some issues with Ghanim Al Maadheed won both In the first race, Al In the QTCC M240 Class, his car during the practice ses- the races in the penultimate Maadheed finished in first place Hamad Al Sulaiti won the first sions and struggled to do a good round of Qatar Touring Car with a total time of 25:07.938, race with a total time of lap timing in the qualifying but Championship (QTCC) held this followed by Mohamed Al Aseeri 22:43.617 followed by Saadon he was happy with his race weekend at the Losail Interna- and Abdulaziz Abdulla. Al Kuwari and Abdulla Al results. tional Circuit. With the reverse grid in the Khelaifi. "The first race was very dif- In the QTCC 2K Class, the second race, it took only one lap In the second race of QTCC ficult, I was trying to catch Lotus Elise driver, Al Maadheed, for Al Maadheed to overtake the M240, with the reverse grid, Hamad (Al Sulaiti) but he was won both races in his category front cars and take the lead in Nasser Al Kuwari who started very fast and the pressure from and now has a lead of 19 points his category. from fourth position, lead the Saadon (Al Kuwari) was in the championship standings Al Maadheed won the race from the first lap and immense but I managed to fin- over his nearest rival Ibrahim second race in front of Hamad crossed the chequered flag with ished third. Al Abdulghani. Al Asam and Abdulaziz Abdulla. a total time of 22:45.476. "In the second race, it was Al Maadheed was very Al Khelaifi and Al Sulaiti fin- more challenging. I started in a happy with his performance at ished second and third respec- better position from the grid but the end of the round. tively in the second race. unfortunately for me Nasser "Two amazing and great Al Sulaiti, who is leading the had a better start. I managed to races with no problems at all QTCC M240 championship with take second place and close the Two amazing and with the car. Hopefully the last a lead of 8 points over Al gap but wasn’t enough. Happy round will be the same and I can Khelaifi, was extremely happy with the results so far, staying The podium winners at the Qatar Touring Car great races with no take the title" said Al Maadheed. with the result. on the podium for both races is Championship (QTCC) 2K Race held this weekend problems at all with Abdulaziz was delighted to "This weekend has been a good sign and hope to finish at the Losail International Circuit. the car. Hopefully step on the podium for the first very positive for me. I took my the season with no major time. first pole position, first and third issues," said Al Khelaifi. the last round will be "It was a great weekend for place in the races and leading The second race winner and Federation (QMMF) President, The fifth and last round of the same and I can me with great races, a lot of the championship. The car is third in the standings, Nasser Abdulrazak Al Kuwari, QMMF Qatar Touring Car Champi- take the title: Ghanim action and I enjoyed a lot. With very good but we need to keep was very happy with his results General Secretary and. Khalid onship will be held on March 13 the reverse grid in the second working until the last round as Trophies were presented by Al Remaihi Losail Circuit Sports and 14 as support race for the Al Maadheed race it was more exciting and I it will be very tight and compet- Abdulrahman Al Mannai, Qatar Club Vice President and Superbike World am very happy to be back on itive" said Al Sulaiti. Motor and Motorcycling General Manager). Championship. NZ’s rest policy Phil Mickelson of the United Lee wins Vic States plays a shot from a is affecting bunker on the second hole during the third round of international Open to make the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am at Pebble Beach careers: Brown Golf Links in Pebble Beach, California on Saturday. it a family affair REUTERS — WELLINGTON New Zealand Rugby’s (NZR) AFP — GEELONG, AUSTRALIA nine Minjee Lee, won the tour- controversial player nament, where men and women management policy could be Min Woo Lee followed in his tee off, in alternate groups on the costing fringe All Blacks their sister’s footsteps by winning the same course and for equal prize international careers, innovative Vic Open yesterday, money, in 2014 and 2018. according to Otago High- earning a two-year European Since her last triumph at the landers assistant coach Tony Tour exemption in the process, event -- the only one of its kind Brown. as South Korea’s Park Hee- in the world -- it has taken on The policy, which manages young claimed the women’s added significance with the the All Blacks playing minutes title after a play-off. European Tour and the US- in the opening weeks of Super Seen as one of Australia’s based LPGA Tour jointly sanc- Rugby and ensures they are most exciting young talents, tioning it for the first time last given at least two weeks off 21-year-old Lee showed nerves year. She hit a one-over-par 73 during the competition, has of steel to hold on to his over- yesterday to finish tied for been heavily criticised in night lead with a four-under- sixth, two behind Park. recent years. par 68 to win by two strokes “We’ve played twice before Critics have said the lack from New Zealander Ryan Fox. at tournaments and I’ve come Mickelson close to record of All Blacks in Super Rugby “It’s amazing, I have got to out on top on the third time, so was contributing to a fall off think it through,” said an I guess I’m the better one,” Min in crowd numbers and viewing ecstatic Lee of clinching his first Woo Lee joked when asked sixth Pebble Beach victory figures and that the policy tournament. about earning bragging rights showed NZR was down- “I just played awesome and over his sister, who was on the REUTERS — LOS ANGELES sharp for a while and his mind Pebble Beach Pro-Am grading the competition. out of myself. I’m over the moon” 18th green to give him a con- is finally getting out of the scores Brown, a former All Blacks His older sister, world number gratulatory hug. Nick Taylor maintained the way. flyhalf who is also the assistant lead after the third round at the He shot 67 at Pebble Beach Leading third-round scores coach for the Japanese Vic Open scores Pebble Beach Pro-Am on on a day when he weaved his on Saturday in US PGA Tour national team, however, said Final scores yesterday on day four of the joint European Tour and LPGA Tour- Saturday with Phil Mickelson old magic around and on the Pebble Beach Pro-Am, played the one-size-fits-all policy sanctioned Vic Open in Geelong, where the men's and women's tournaments are breathing down his neck in greens, holing a bunker shot on Pebble Beach Golf Links hampered those players on the played side-by-side. x-won at fourth playoff hole (par-72; AUS unless stated): search of an historic sixth and taking just 22 putts. (par-72), Spyglass Hill (par- fringes. victory at the storied event on “It was a nice score on a day 72) and Monterey Peninsula “It’s always been the sort Men the California coast. when it wasn’t easy,” he told (par-71) (USA unless noted): of Richie McCaw, Dan Carter, 269 - Min Woo Lee 66-67-68-68 In what is shaping up as a PGA Tour Radio. 198 - Nick Taylor (CAN) Kieran Read plan, where they 271 - Ryan Fox (NZL) 67-71-69-64 three-man race, Canadian “The greens were firm, the 63-66-69 need to give those guys all a 274 - Robin Sciot-Siegrist (FRA) 66-64-76-68, Marcus Fraser 70-65-69-70, Travis Smyth Taylor, at 17-under-par 198, wind made it difficult and I 199 - Phil Mickelson 68-64-67 rest,” Brown told New Zea- 65-67-72-70 will take a one-shot advantage ended up making a good score, 201 - Jason Day (AUS) land’s Newstalk ZB 276 - Jake McLeod 65-68-76-67 over American Mickelson into did a good job of getting the ball 67-64-70 yesterday. 277 - Sam Horsfield (ENG) 70-67-73-67, Darren Beck 69-70-69-69, Jediah Morgan 66-67- the final round, with resurgent in the hole.” 204 - Matt Every 70-66-68, “To keep it all even they 74-70, Sami Valimaki (FIN) 69-69-70-69, Ashley Hall 67-68-71-71 Australia Day three behind. A third place at the Saudi Kevin Streelman 69-67-68 make it mandatory to rest 278 - Niklas Lemke (SWE) 70-67-72-69, Nick Flanagan 67-67-74-70, Lucas Herbert Victory would be highly sig- International on the European 205 - Peter Malnati 70-69-66 every All Black. nificant to all three for their Tour last week boosted his “(But) I think in the past it’s 70-69-70-69 206 - Lanto Griffin 67-68-71, own reasons. confidence. actually cost a few players 279 - Alejandro Canizares (ESP) 63-71-76-69, Daniel Hillier (NZL) 68-70-72-69, Zach Dustin Johnson 69-65-72, For Mickelson, apart from “I knew I was playing well their All Black careers. Murray 66-69-73-71, Matthew Millar 72-66-68-73, Anthony Quayle 75-64-67-73 Charl Schwartzel (RSA) 67-66- boasting the Pebble Beach starting the year. The first “If you look at the High- Women 73, Scott Piercy 68-66-72, victory record, it would be a couple of tournaments I ended landers, guys like (former 281 - x-Park Hee-young (KOR) 68-68-72-73, Choi Hye-jin (KOR) 69-68-75-69, Ryu Matt Jones (AUS) 68-73-65 rocket-like boost to the up not really controlling my players) Malakai Fekitoa, So-yeon (KOR) 71-70-68-72 207 - Patrick Cantlay 66-69- 49-year-old whose form since thoughts and visualizing very Waisake Naholo, Elliot Dixon, 282 - Leona Maguire (IRE) 69-69-74-70, Linnea Strom (SWE) 66-69-76-71 72, Max Homa 67-69-71, Kurt winning last year has been well. those sort of guys who actually 283 - Su Oh 73-68-74-68, Robyn Choi 70-65-77-71, Minjee Lee 69-67-74-73 Kitayama 69-69 lackluster at best. “These last two weeks I’ve didn’t get a lot of time for the 284 - Christina Kim (USA) 67-70-77-70, Alena Sharp (CAN) 68-69-70-77 208 - Brian Gay 72-68-68, He is not yet exempt for started to see things a lot clear All Blacks, those guys getting 285 - Wichanee Meechai (THA) 72-69-74-70, Ally McDonald (USA) 68-65-81-71, Hannah Aaron Baddeley (AUS) 68-69- the US Open in June at Winged and execute a lot better without rested as well didn’t allow Green 69-73-71-72, Tiffany Joh (USA) 67-73-73-72, Tsai Pei-ying (TPE) 68-68-73-76 71, Cameron Champ 71-66-71, Foot, where he threw away any kind of negativity. So I’ve them to prepare for Super 286 - Ho Yu An (TPE) 70-71-72-73, Perrine Delacour (FRA) 69-69-75-73, Liu Yu (CHN) Viktor Hovland (NOR) 70-68- victory with a final-hole been much more assertive and Rugby. 70-71-72-73, Ayean Cho (KOR) 69-66-70-81 70, Matthew NeSmith 68-71-69 double-bogey 14 years ago, aggressive and controlling my “And then their Super but says his game has been mind a little bit better.” Rugby form actually cost them their All Blacks spot.” Typically most All Blacks are involved in a 10-month Quartararo fastest again in Sepang MotoGP pre-season test season that starts with Super Rugby in early-mid AFP — SEPANG, MALAYSIA February 22, adding he was mere 0.082 seconds behind the February and ends fol- hoping to work more on his former French rookie. “It was lowing their tour of Europe Fabio Quartararo topped the pacing. a good lap time, it was good that wraps up around early MotoGP pre-season test “(We need to) just keep to be able to go fast,” the December. timesheets in Malaysia working on the pace because 34-year-old told reporters. Super Rugby made its ear- yesterday, as the French rider we know that in one lap, we’re “It was my fastest time ever liest start in its 25-year history scored the fastest lap three days fast,” the 20-year-old said. in Malaysia and we look this year, although most All in a row at the Sepang test Quartararo’s best lap time forward to Qatar now.” Blacks also finished a month circuit. yesterday was also his fastest Spaniard Alex Rins came in earlier than usual in 2019 with Zipping through the track in over the past three days. third fastest, clocking 1min the World Cup ending on hot weather, Quartararo Yesterday’s riding also saw 58.450sec, as Italian Francesco November 3. clocked in on his Yamaha with overall best lap timings as he Bagnaia followed on his Ducati Super Rugby teams start a best lap time of 1min and 14 others zoomed in just in 1min 58.502sec. pre-season training in 58.349sec at the 17th lap, pulling under the 1:59-minute mark on Fifth speediest was veteran November with international 57 laps on the track’s last test the 5.5km track, up from eight Italian Valentino Rossi with players joining the sides in day. riders the day before. 1min 58.541sec, with fellow late January and Brown said He said his team’s pace was Following close behind as countryman Danilo Petrucci that it often affected their Petronas Yamaha SRT’s French rider Fabio Quartararo takes a “not so bad” and was looking second fastest yesterday was at 1min 58.606sec on his early season fitness, which corner during the last day of the pre-season MotoGP winter test forward to the second phase of Briton Cal Crutchlow, putting Ducati. The season will start in allowed other players to at the Sepang International Circuit in Sepang yesterday. MotoGP testing in Qatar on his best of 1min 58.431sec, a Qatar on March 8. surpass them. MONDAY 10 FEBRUARY 2020 SPORT 09 Returning Clijsters 'impatient to resume' career

AFP – BRUSSELS resume this sport which alternative, before she for the last time in Feb- The Swiss great, I love, in front of the accepted an invitation ruary 2011. speaking at the Australian Four-time Grand Slam fans.” from the Dubai Retiring for a first Open, said: “I think age winner Kim Clijsters The Belgian described organisers. time in May 2007 she doesn’t matter, to be announced yesterday she as “extraordinary” the The holder of 41 titles, returned in August 2009 honest. I think it’s the will return after seven support and encour- including three US Opens after giving birth to her fitness and the mind that Belgian former years in retirement at the agement she’d received (2005, 2009 and 2010) first child. matters. world number one WTA tournament in since announcing her and one Australian Open Her total prize money “So I think a lot is pos- Kim Clijsters warms Dubai starting on return in September. (2011), turned profes- earnings of almost sible, even though there up during a press February 17. Clijsters had originally sional in 1997, the year $24.5m puts her 12th in should be no expectations presentation about The 36-year-old planned to make her before the birth of the all time women’s from her side and from her comeback at former number one, who return at last month’s recently crowned Aus- prize money charts. anybody else.” her tennis center hung up her racquet after Australian Open. tralian Open champion One fan who believes called the Kim the 2012 US Open, said: “I A knee issue scup- Sofia Kenin. Clijsters can still achieve Clijsters Sports am so thrilled to be pered that plan, with She reached the world a significant amount & Health Club, in returning to the court. Mexico in March then number one ranking for despite the passing of Bree, in this file “I’m impatient to proposed as an the first time in 2003, and time is Roger Federer. photo. Belarus and Russia claw out victories AFP – MADRID distress with a wrist injury, Belarus seemed doomed. Aryna Sabalenka’s day of wild Somehow Sasnovich battled extremes ended with Belarus back to win 0-6, 7-5, 6-2. clawing their way into the Fed Then, in front of a noisy Cup final while Naomi Osaka’s home crowd, Sabalenka and participation ended tamely Sasnovich teamed up to outlast when she was benched as Japan Bertens and Demi Schuur in a lost. taut doubles to win 6-4, 3-6, 7-6 Belarus beat the Nether- (10/8). lands 3-2 in the Hague. Russia A nervy deciding set went was also forced to go the dis- to a tiebreak, Belarus raced to a tance as they beat Romania 3-2 5-2 lead but when Sabalenka in Cluj-Napoca. celebrated a winner too early Spain swept Japan aside 3-1. she was called for hindrance. Switzerland beat Canada, The Belarussians then each Belgium beat Kazakhstan and squandered a match point by Slovakia beat Britain, all 3-1. netting a forehand. Bertens FROM LEFT: Alison Riske, Kathy Rinaldi, Serena Williams, Sofia Kenin, Bethanie Mattek-Sands and Coco Gauff of USA posing for a photo while Germany thrashed Brazil 4-0 in saved another before the celebrating their win against Team Latvia in the 2020 Fed Cup qualifier at Angel of the Winds Arena in Everett, Washington, on Saturday. warm conditions in pressure told and she served a Florianopolis. double fault to lose the match. The USA claimed the final In the other tie decided by place when newly-crowned the doubles, the Russians Anna Australian Open champ Sofia Blinkova and Anna Kalinskaya USA overcome Latvia in doubles Kenin and Bethanie Mattek- had a less stressful time as they Sands defeated Jelena beat Jaqueline Adina Cristian Ostapenko and Anastasija Sev- and Elena Gabriela Ruse 6-3, astova 6-4, 6-0 in the deciding 6-2. decider to reach Fed Cup finals doubles against Latvia. Cristian had just kept the They join already-qualified hosts in the tie by beating AFP – LOS ANGELES in her first Fed Cup singles RESULTS OF FED CUP QUALIFIERS Australia, France, Czech Veronika Kudermetova 7-5, 6-3 match in four years. She had Republic and Hungary in the in the last singles. Sofia Kenin and Bethanie played doubles with sister SPAIN BEAT JAPAN 3-1 12-team finals in Budapest in In Cartagena, two-time Mattek-Sands defeated Jelena Venus in her last tournament April. Grand Slam champion Osaka Ostapenko and Anastasija appearance in 2018. Carla Suarez Navarro (ESP) bt Kurumi Nara (JPN) 6-1, 6-3 In the Hague, Sabalenka was replaced in the reverse Sevastova 6-4, 6-0 in a Williams’ loss to Sev- Sara Sorribes Tormo (ESP) v Misaki Doi (JPN) not played opened the day by losing 6-4, singles by Kurumi Nara, after deciding doubles as the USA astova comes just weeks after Shuko Aoyama/Ena Shibahara (JPN) bt Lara Arruabarrena/Aliona Bolsova Zadoinov 6-4 to Kiki Bertens. It was a an error-filled loss the day survived a Saturday scare to she was shocked by China’s (ESP) 6-2, 6-3 match notable for an awful miss before. beat unheralded Latvia 3-2 world number 27 Wang Qiang BELARUS BT NETHERLANDS 3-2 by the Belarussian who seemed Nara lost to Carla Suarez and reach the Fed Cup finals. in the last 32 of the Australian to start crying after netting an Navarro 6-1, 6-3 as Spain took New Australian Open Open. Kiki Bertens (NED) bt Aryna Sabalenka (BLR) 6-4, 6-4 easy winner. an unassailable 3-0 lead. champion Kenin and Mattek- The former French Open Aliaksandra Sasnovich (BLR) bt Arantxa Rus (NED) 0-6, 7-5, 6-2 “It was not the best tennis In Bratislava, Heather Sands ensured the USA champion Ostapenko had kept Aryna Sabalenka/Aliaksandra Sasnovich (BLR) bt Kiki Bertens/Demi Schuurs (NED) from myself,” Sabalenka said. Watson gave Britain hope when reached the finals in Budapest Latvia alive with a 6-3, 2-6, 4-6, 6-3, 7-6 (10-8) When Arantza Rus won the she beat Slovakia’s Rebecca from April 14-19 after both 6-2 upset against Kenin in just opening set of the fourth rubber Sramkova 6-0, 7-5 in the Serena Williams and Kenin under two hours after the RUSSIA BT ROMANIA 3-2 to love and Aliaksandra Sas- opening singles, but Anna had been stunned in the Americans went into the Ekaterina Alexandrova (RUS) bt Ana Bogdan (ROM) 7-5, 3-6, 7-5 novich took an injury time out Karolina Schmiedlova beat singles as Latvia levelled the second day with a 2-0 lead. Jaquelina Adina Cristian bt Veronika Kudermetova (RUS) 7-5, 6-3 in the next rubber in clear Harriet Dart 7-5, 6-3. qualifier 2-2 in Seattle. “Honestly it’s very special Anna Blinkova/Anna Kalinskaya (RUS) bt Jaquelina Adina Cristian/Elena Gabriela Sevastova had earlier to play for my country and I Ruse (ROM) 6-3, 6-2 inflicted a shock first Fed Cup was just trying my best,” said singles loss on Williams 7-6 Ostapenko, who raced to a 3-0 SLOVAKIA BT GREAT BRITAIN 3-1 Kyrgios out of New York (7/5), 3-6, 7-6 (7/4). lead against Kenin and broke Heather Watson (GBR) bt Rebecca Sramkova (SLO) 6-0, 7-5 “We were playing in the her again in the eighth game Anna Karolina Schmiedlova (SLO) bt Harriet Dart 7-5, 6-3 Open with shoulder injury USA so obviously the crowd on the way to winning the first was going to be for Serena. I set. BELGIUM BEAT KAZAKHSTAN 3-1 AFP – NEW YORK just tried to give it my best,” “I was fighting until the last Elise Mertens (BEL) bt Yulia Putintseva (KAZ) 6-1, 7-6 (7/1) Sevastova said of her win at point,” she said. “I knew it was Kirsten Flipkens (BEL) bt Zarina Diyas (KAZ) 6-3, 6-4 Nick Kyrgios (pictured), back in the world top 20 after a fourth- the Angel of the Wings arena. going to be a very tough match round run at the Australian Open, hash withdrawn from the ATP Williams, the 23-time and the key thing for me was SWITZERLAND BEAT CANADA 3-1 New YorkYork OpenOpen withwith a shoulder injury. Grand Slam champion, just to play aggressive.” Leylah Annie Fernandez (CAN) bt Belinda Bencic (SUI) 6-2, 7-6 (7/3) OrganisersOrganisers of the tournamentt that starts today bounced back from losing the That approach may have Jil Teichmann (SUI) bt Gabriela Dabriwski (CAN) 6-3, 6-4 tweetedtweeted a statement ffrom Kyrgios in which he told first set by cruising through the contributed to her 49 unforced New York fans he wasw “really disappointed” he second set in 33 minutes, but errors. Kenin made the most GERMANY BEAT BRAZIL 4-0 wouldn’t getget to test himself in the Long Island she was outplayed on the big of them in the second set, Laura Siegemund (GER) bt Gabriela Ce (BRA) 6-1, 6-2 event.event. points in the second fending off a break point in the Tatjana Maria (GER) v Teliana Pereira not played “My shouldershoulder hashas flared up and I am not able tiebreak. first game then pulling away Anna-Lena Friedsam/Antonia Lottner (GER) bt Laura Pigossi/Luisa Stefani (BRA) 6-1, 6-4 to play,”play,” said Kyrgios,Kyrgios who battled right shoulder Sevastova used her pow- to take a 4-0 lead on the way troubletroub that affected his serve late erful serve to deliver aces at to forcing a third set. USA BEATS LATVIA 3-2 lastlast year. key moments, and a precision In a third set that featured Jelena Ostapenko (LAT) bt Sofia Kenin (USA) 6-3, 2-6, 6-2 American John Isner is the forehand ended Williams’ six breaks of serve, Ostapenko Anastasija Sevastova (LAT) bt Serena Williams (USA) 7-6 (7/5), 3-6, 7-6 (7/4) topto seed in the event with Aus- perfect streak at 14 wins after held for 3-1 and, finally, held Sofia Kenin/Bethanie Mattek-Sands (USA) bt Anastasija Sevastova/Jelena Ostapenko traliantra Open quarter-finalist a 2hr 25min marathon. in the last game, sealing it on (LAT) 6-4, 6-0 MilosMi Raonic of Canada seeded Williams looked fatigued her second match point. second.sec Judo-Olympic champion Riner suffers first loss in 10 years

REUTERS – PARIS France’s Teddy Riner (right) in action during a men’s over 100 France’s double Olympic kg category fight at the Judo champion judoka Teddy Paris Grand Slam 2020, in Riner suffered his first Paris, yesterday. defeat in nearly 10 years yesterday, losing to Japan’s Kokoro Kageura in the IJF Paris Grand Slam at Bercy. The 30-year-old heav- yweight, who is on the comeback trail following a spell out since winning the Brasilia Grand Slam in Pedder wins QGL Golf Tournament October, had won his pre- vious 152 bouts. Hungarian Richard Sipocz their first meeting in Mon- Award winners of the Qatar Golf Lovers (QGL) Tournament posing for a photograph with QGL officials following His last loss was also at and Austrian Stephan treal last year, Kageura the prize distribution ceremony. Yohann Pedder emerged victorious in the tournament organized by QGL at the the hands of a Japanese Hegyi in the +100kg cat- countered his opponent Doha Golf Course over the weekend. Cody Baker was declared runner-up of the competition that was played on judoka, Kamikawa Daiki, egory at Bercy but showed with a uchi-mata-sukashi a Strokeplay format. Cherehzade Pedder won the ‘longest drive’ award, Naeem Nanji won the ‘closest to pin’ in September 2010. signs of rust against world after 40 seconds of golden award, Kunal Bhatia the ‘longest putt’ and Kanchan Ghoshal won the ‘closest to rope’ award. Riner, a 10-time world number 10 Kageura. score to seal victory and champion, defeated Having lost to Riner in leave local fans stunned. 10 SPORT MONDAY 10 FEBRUARY 2020 Bangladesh clinch historic U-19 World Cup title

IANS — POTCHEFSTROOM Openers Emon and Tanzid Hasan Bangladesh's players and officials were off to a good start chasing 177 after pose for a group photograph after Bangladesh U-19 team rode skipper they bowled India out for a paltry total. winning the ICC U-19 World Cup Akbar Ali’s heroic unbeaten knock to Hasan slog-swept Bishnoi for a six stun India and win their maiden World in the ninth over as Bangladesh looked final against India at the Senwes Cup by three wickets via D/L method in to be cruising to the small target. Park, in Potchefstroom, yesterday. a nerve-wrenching final, interrupted by But 19-year old Jodhpur-born rain towards the end, here yesterday. Bishnoi had the last laugh as his third Akbar remained not out on 43 off 77 googly in a row had Hasan (17) hole out balls (4x4, 1x6) and showed nerves of to Kartik Tyagi at mid-wicket. steel at his young age with Rakibul Earlier, sharp bowling from the fiery Hossain (9 not out) who hit the winning Bangladesh pacers and good fielding runs to break into emotional coupled with some slack running celebrations. between the wickets led to India folding Opener Parvez Hossain Emon top for 177. scored with 47 from 79 deliveries and Opener Jaiswal was the standout batted through pain after he had to retire performer for India, scoring 88 off 121 hurt when he was batting on 25. balls. For India, leggie Ravi Bishnoi returned superb figures of 4/30 and was BRIEF SCORES the highest wicket taker (17 wickets) as India U-19 177 in 47.2 overs (Yashasvi Jaiswal Yashasvi Jaiswal scored 88 and was also 88, Tilak Varma 38; Avishek Das 3/28) vs Bang-

the top-scorer with 400 runs. ladesh U-19 (170/7 Parvez Hossain 47, Akbar

Bishnoi also became the highest Ali 43; Ravi Bishnoi 4/30) Indian wicket-taker in U-19 World Cup history.

Lara shines in Naseem breaks hat-trick record bushfire relief match in as Pakistan sniff big victory Melbourne

AFP — RAWALPINDI AFP — MELBOURNE Pakistan’s Naseem Shah Aged 16 years and (right) celebrates his Teenage paceman Naseem 359 days, Naseem hat-trick with team-mate Brian Lara showed he still Shah became the youngest Shan Masood yesterday. has what it takes with a player to record a Test hat-trick becomes the youngest stylish 30 not out as crick- as Pakistan closed in on victory player to record a eting royalty helped raise against Bangladesh in Test hat-trick, besting money to aid Australian Rawalpindi yesterday. Bangladeshi Alok bushfire relief in a charity Just when Bangladesh Kapali who achieved match yesterday. seemed to have fought their the feat aged 19 in The West Indian way back into the match at 2003. legend stroked a series of 124-2 minutes before the close lofted cover drives and on the third day, Naseem straight drives, including destroyed them with three two sixes, before retiring wickets off successive to give another batsman deliveries. a chance in a star- Aged 16 years and 359 days, studded Bushfire Bash at he becomes the youngest player Melbourne’s Junction to record a Test hat trick, Oval. besting Bangladeshi Alok Kapali His captain Ricky who achieved the feat aged 19 Ponting, coming in after in 2003. Justin Langer was out, also Naseem trapped Najumul hit 26 as his team made Hossain Shanto leg before off 104 for five from their 10 the fourth ball of his seventh overs. over for 38, then followed up Adam Gilchrist with dismissals of Taijul Islam smacked a six off the first (lbw) and Mahmudullah Naseem had figures of 4-26 Shanto and Mominul Haque, second-ball duck in the first Babar Azam scoring a double ball in the run chase (caught) with the next two before he left the field with a unbeaten on 37 at the close, had innings but he started confi- hundred. before being knocked deliveries. shoulder injury. added 71 for the third wicket dently to reach 16 with four But resuming at 342-3, over, then Shane Watson after they lost Saif Hassan on 16 boundaries before he was Pakistan lost Azam to the first slammed 30 from nine SCOREBOARD and Tamim Iqbal on 34. bowled by Naseem. ball of the day. balls, with Wasim Akram Bangladesh 1st innings 233 139-2, Mahmudullah 2-0-6-0 At the close, Bangladesh Iqbal, fresh from scoring the Azam seemed caught in being punished. Pakistan 1st innings Bangladesh 2nd innings were 126-6 and needing highest first-class score on two minds whether to play or But despite a valiant Shan Masood b Islam ...... 100 Tamim Iqbal lbw b Yasir ...... 34 another 86 runs to avoid an Bangladeshi soil of 334 not out leave a length delivery from effort from the Gilchrist Abid Ali c Das b Jayed ...... 0 Saif Hassan b Naseem ...... 16 innings defeat with two days to last week, was trapped leg- pace bowler Abu Jayed and XI, Ponting’s side won by Azhar Ali c Shanto b Jayed ...... 34 Najmul Hossain Shanto lbw b Naseem ...... 38 play. before by Yasir. edged to Mohammad Mithun one run. Babar Azam c Mithun b Jayed ...... 143 Mominul Haque not out ...... 37 Naseem, who burst onto the Earlier, Pakistan lost seven at first slip. “All the players have Asad Shafiq c Das b Ebadat ...... 65 Taijul Islam lbw b Naseem ...... 0 Haris Sohail c b Islam ...... 75 Mahmudullah c Sohail b Naseem ...... 0 scene on Pakistan’s Australia wickets either side of lunch with Azam’s 143 was his fifth Test had a ball. They are all M Rizwan c Mahmudullah b Rubel ...... 10 Mohammad Mithun b Yasir ...... 0 tour last year, is also the Sohail holding the innings hundred and a masterclass of saying why couldn’t we Yasir Shah lbw b Rubel ...... 5 Liton Das not out ...... 0 youngest fast bowler and together. attractive batting, which play more,” said Ponting. Shaheen Shah Afridi lbw b Rubel ...... 3 Extras: (w 1) 1 second bowler overall to take He struck seven fours and included a six and 18 fours. After the game, Mohammad Abbas not out ...... 1 Total: (for six wkst; 45 overs) ...... 126 five wickets in a Test innings. two sixes for his third Test half- Asad Shafiq, who put on 137 Cricket Australia tweeted Naseem Shah run out ...... 2 Still to bat: Rubel Hossain, Abu Jayed, Ebadat He achieved that feat at 16 century before holing out off for the fourth wicket with Azam, that “thanks to the Extras: (b 1, lb 3, nb 2, w1) ...... 7 Hossain Fall of wickets: 1-39 (Saif Hassan, 8.6 ov), years and 307 days against Sri spinner Taijul Islam to deep added just five to his overnight incredible generosity Total: (all out; 122.5 overs) ...... 445 2-53 (Tamim Iqbal, 15.5 ov), 3-124 (Shanto), Lanka in Karachi last year. mid-wicket. score before he was caught from Australia and around Fall of wickets: 1-2 (Abid), 2-93 (Azhar), 3-205 4-124 (Islam), 5-124 (Mahmudullah), 6-126 (Mit- (Masood), 4-342 (Azam), 5-353 (Shafiq), 6-374 hun) Pakistan were bowled out Last man Naseem was run behind off fast bowler Ebadot the globe, we’ve raised (Rizwan), 7-415 (Yasir), 8-422 (Shaheen), 9-442 Bowling: Shaheen 11-2-35-0 (1w), Abbas 11.4-5- for 445 in their first innings with out to end Pakistan’s first Hossain for a 65 that included over A$ 7.7m to support (Sohail) 20-0, Naseem 8.2-2-26-4, Yasir 11-2-33-2, Shafiq Babar Azam scoring 143 and innings. nine boundaries. communities and families Bowling: Ebadat 25-6-97-1, Jayed 29-4-86-3 3-0-12-0 Haris Sohail 75. A healthy 10,000-strong Jayed was the pick of the impacted by the recent (1nb), Rubel 25.5-3-113-3 (1nb, 1w), Islam 41-6- Toss: Pakistan Saif, playing his first Test, holiday crowd had come in bowlers with 3-86 while Islam bushfires”. was on a pair after his anticipation of popular batsman finished with 2-139. Rashid stars as England square ODI series REUTERS — JOHANNESBURG SCOREBOARD South Africa England Leg-spinner Adil Rashid took the key Q. de Kock b Rashid ...... 69 J. Roy c Ngidi b B. Hendricks ...... 21 scalps of Quinton de Kock and Temba R. Hendricks b Mahmood ...... 11 J. Bairstow c Phehlukwayo b Sipamla ...... 43 Bavuma as England defeated hosts T. Bavuma lbw b Rashid ...... 29 J. Root c Bavuma b Shamsi ...... 49 South Africa by two wickets in the third H. van der Dussen b Ali ...... 5 E. Morgan c and b B. Hendricks ...... 9 and final one-day international J. Smuts run out (Banton) ...... 31 J. Denly c Phehlukwayo b Ngidi ...... 66 D. Miller not out ...... 69 T. Banton c De Kock b B. Hendricks ...... 32 yesterday. A. Phehlukwayo lbw b Rashid ...... 14 M. Ali not out ...... 17 World champions England won the B. Hendricks run out (Rashid) ...... 3 T. Curran c Bavuma b Ngidi ...... 5 toss and elected to field, restricting their L. Sipamla not out ...... 10 A. Rashid c De Kock b Ngidi ...... 2 hosts to 256 for seven in 50 overs, a Extras (b1, lb6, w8) ...... 15 C. Jordan not out ...... 0 below- par score on a day when the Total (7 wkts, 50 overs) ...... 256 Extras (w13) ...... 13 players wore pink to raise money for Fall of wickets: 1-23 (R. Hendricks), 2-89 (Bavuma), 3-94 Total (8 wkts, 43.2 overs) ...... 257 breast cancer awareness. (Van der Dussen), 4-140 (De Kock), 5-155 (Smuts), 6-188 Fall of wickets: 1-61 (Bairstow), 2-69 (Roy), 3-86 (Morgan), (Phehlukwayo), 7-204 (B. Hendricks) 4-162 (Root), 5-232 (Denly), 6-232 (Banton), 7-241 (Curran), The touring side looked composed Bowling: T. Curran 9-1-38-0 (3w), Mahmood 5-1-17-1 (1w), 8-252 (Rashid) in their chase, apart from some late Jordan 9-0-59-0 (4w), Root 7-0-42-0, Ali 10-0-42-1, Rashid Bowling: Ngidi 9-2-63-3 (4w), B. Hendricks 10-0-59-3 (2w), jitters, as Joe Denly top-scored with 66, 10-0-51-3 Sipamla 9.2-1-42-1 (1w), Shamsi 10-0-58-1, Smuts 3-0-12-0, reaching their target with 40 balls to Did not bat: L. Ngidi, T. Shamsi Phehlukwayo 2-0-23-0 (5w) spare to claim a share of the series after the second game was washed out by South Africa’s Quinton de Kock (left) and England’s captain Eoin Morgan (right) rain. our grasp and it was disappointing to victory in the opening ODI in Cape share the series trophy after the third ODI in Johannesburg. The teams meet in a three-match limp over the line. We should have Town. Twenty20 International series which done it four or five down with the part- Miller’s imperious hitting towards bowled by seamer Beuran Hendricks But Ali (17 from 16 balls) provided starts on Wednesday in East London, nerships we had.” the end of the innings, in which he (3-59) South Africa felt in the game, the steadying hand for England to seal and concludes next Sunday in South Africa struggled to build bludgeoned four massive sixes, took but Joe Root (49) and Denly provided the win. Pretoria. momentum in their innings, with the home side past 250 when it had the stability through the middle order “We thought it was getting tight “I thought we bowled well today,” captain De Kock (69 from 81 balls) and looked as though they would fall short to take their side to within sight of and we had a bit of a sniff,” De Kock England captain Eoin Morgan said. David Miller (69 not out from 53 balls) of that mark. victory. said. “Adil and Mo (Ali coming in and leading their charge. Jason Roy (21) and Jonny Bairstow The home team were given hope “It was cool to make it tough for showing their value, Adil with the Rashid proved a handful for the top (43) rocketed England to 61 in 6.2 overs when England lost four wickets for the the English guys. control and variation, he was order as he trapped Bavuma (29) lbw in reply before both fell in quick addition of 20 runs as Lungi Ngidi “Our energy has stood out, we’ve outstanding. and bowled De Kock, removing South succession. (3-63) recovered from a poor start to got a young team but they had a lot of “I thought the chase was well within Africa’s two batting stars from their When Morgan (9) was caught and rattle the visitors. energy on the field and I enjoyed that.” MONDAY 10 FEBRUARY 2020 SPORT 11

Atletico get Real Madrid rally to beat Osasuna timely win as Getafe continue AFP - MADRID La Liga his head in front of Casemiro’s Real Madrid forward Luka Jovic (centre) celebrates Spanish La Liga Results dangling foot and steered the after scoring his team’s fourth goal during the Spanish impressive run Gareth Bale came back into the yesterday: ball into the corner. League match against CA Osasuna at El Sadar Stadium team and Real Madrid came Espanyol 1 (Tomas 58) Real But Madrid improved as the in Pamplona, yesterday. MADRID back to beat Osasuna yesterday Mallorca 0 half wore on and Isco volleyed AFP — as a 4-1 victory in Pamplona Real Sociedad 2 (Portu 65, in an equaliser after Bale strengthened their hold on top Isak 83) Athletic Bilbao 1 attempted to divert Ferland Atletico Madrid won for the spot in La Liga. (Williams 71) Mendy’s cross, with the ball first time in four games on Bale had been left out com- Osasuna 1 (Garcia 14) real deflecting kindly into the Span- Saturday thanks to a 1-0 win pletely for Madrid’s previous Madrid 4 (Isco 33, Ramos 38, iard’s path. over Granada that moved four matches but the Welshman Lucas Vazquez 84, Jovic 90+2) Ramos was lucky to escape them into fourth place in La returned to the squad and the Played on Saturday a red card after sliding in on Liga, as Getafe continued their starting line-up at El Sadar, in Levante 2 (Rochina 20, Roger Ruben Garcia with a high foot surprising charge towards a surprise show of faith from 28) Leganes 0 and Madrid’s captain took full Champions League football. coach Zinedine Zidane. Getafe 3 (Jorge Molina 58, 67, advantage of his reprieve as he Argentinian forward Angel A fortuitious deflection Mata 87) Valencia 0 nodded in Casemiro’s looping Correa scored Atletico’s only meant Bale assisted Isco’s Real Valladolid 1 (Alcaraz 15) header to the back post. goal in the sixth minute at the equaliser too before Sergio Villarreal 1 (Gerard 54) Luka Modric had a strong Wanda Metropolitano, netting Ramos put Madrid in front after claim for a penalty after he for the fifth time in nine Atletico Madrid 1 (Correa 6) Unai Garcia had given Osasuna Granada 0 nipped the ball away from matches. an early lead. Pervis Estupinan in the area Atletico had goalkeeper Substitutes Lucas Vazquez of the kind of resilience that before Osasuna enjoyed their Jan Oblak to thank for pre- and Luka Jovic then scored Madrid’s rivals have so lacked most threatening spell. serving the three points with from late breaks as Madrid in recent weeks. Inigo Perez’s shot whistled a superb save from Roberto pulled six points clear of Bar- Bale also keeps coming just over and Ruben dragged Soldado’s crafty second-half celona, who play away at Real back under Zidane and the wide from Nacho Vidal’s pull- backheel. Betis later on Sunday. 30-year-old had chances to add back after making space with Diego Simeone’s side could Barca’s exit in the Copa del a goal to a spirited display a neat dummy past Ramos. be overtaken oby Sevilla, who Rey overshadowed Madrid’s before going off to a decent Bale went off to applause visit Celta Vigo, but the coach own shock defeat at home to reception from the away from the small number of away welcomed the return to form Real Sociedad in the quarter- support in the second half. fans, and Vazquez came on to for a side who must face finals, a loss that brought a dra- This was only his third add a third. Osasuna’s defence holders Liverpool in the last 16 matic end to their 21-match appearance since the turn of the were occupied by a Karim of the Champions League later unbeaten run. year. Benzema burst and he fed right this month. But Zidane will be relieved Osasuna were the better for Vazquez to drive in. Jovic “We needed to win. Our to see his team swiftly back on side in the early stages and took smashed in a fourth in stadium’s support was track with a performance full a deserved lead when Unai put injury-time. extraordinary, we needed that energy,” Simeone said. Getafe took another step towards Champions League qualification as Jorge Molina Sheffield United weather scored twice in a sensational 3-0 win over fellow top-four contenders Valencia. the storm to climb to fifth The 37-year-old Molina capped a storming per- Juventus forward Cristiano formance with two goals in the Ronaldo heads the ball AFP — SHEFFIELD, UNITED English Premier goal in three games with an second half before Jaime Mata during the Italian Serie KINGDOM League emphatic finish on the rebound added a third with three A match against Hellas English Premier League after Harry Wilson’s initial minutes left, after Valencia’s Verona at the Marcantonio Sheffield United closed to Result yesterday: effort was blocked. Alessandro Florenzi had been Bentegodi Stadium in within two points of a Cham- Sheffield United 2 (Sharp United responded just in sent off. Verona on Saturday. pions League place by coming 45+2, Lundstram 84) time to go in level at the break Getafe stay third, three from behind to keep Bourne- Bournemouth 1 (Callum when captain Sharp was points ahead of Atletico and mouth perilously close to the Wilson 13) quickest to react as the ball Sevilla. relegation zone with a 2-1 win Manchester City vs West Ham flashed across the Bourne- Up next for Jose Bordalas’ at Bramall Lane. - match abandoned mouth goal after the visitors side is a trip to Barcelona next Ronaldo sets scoring John Lundstram came off Played on Saturday failed to clear a corner. weekend but on this evidence, the bench to score the winner Everton 3 (Bernard 18, A day after Jordan Pick- it will be the stumbling Cat- as the Blades moved up to fifth Richarlison 58, Calvert- ford’s blunder nearly cost alans feeling nervous ahead of record but Juventus after Billy Sharp had cancelled Lewin 88) Crystal Palace 1 Everton all three points Dean that game. out Callum Wilson’s early (Benteke 51) Henderson did no harm to his Getafe face La Liga’s opener for the visitors. Brighton 1 (Mariappa 78-og) chances in his challenge to be defending champions on the Defeat leaves Bournemouth Watford 1 (Doucoure 19) England’s number one at Euro back of four consecutive vic- lose 2-1 to Verona still just two points above the 2020. Henderson produced a tories, in which they have bottom three, having played a brilliant save from Ryan Fraser scored nine goals and con- AFP — MILAN season for Maurizio Sarri’s side game more than most of their to prevent Bournemouth ceded none. but second in three games after rivals to avoid relegation. John Moss to abandon the retaking the lead 20 minutes They bullied Valencia from Cristiano Ronaldo on Saturday losing 2-1 at Napoli just two The only game in the game. from time. 0That save proved start to finish, faster to the ball became the first Juventus player weeks ago. Premier League due to on Early on it was the hosts crucial when six minutes from and hungrier in the tackles to score in 10 successive Serie A “We have to understand that Sunday went ahead after a pitch who were blown off course as time Lys Mousset’s cross was with all three goals coming games but the champions fell 2-1 winning is not a foregone con- inspection as the effects of the Cherries looked to build on controlled and finished by from Getafe’s players reacting at Hellas Verona to leave an clusion,” blasted Sarri. storm Ciara, which saw Man- back-to-back wins that had Lundstram on a trademark run quicker than their opponents. opening to their title rivals. “We need to get it into our chester City’s clash with West hauled them out of the bottom into the box to keep the Blades Valencia, meanwhile, have Ronaldo -- who turned 35 heads that we can’t have lapses Ham postponed, were not three. dreams of European football won only four out of nine this week -- broke through after in concentration as happened this enough to convince referee Wilson struck his second next season very much alive. games since the turn of the 65 minutes, to hit his 15th goal in evening. year, with their own Cham- 10 games and take his league tally “We dropped points through pions League last 16 tie against to 20. carelessness.” Verona meanwhile Atalanta fast approaching. The five-time Ballon d’Or are up to sixth after extending Getafe had to wait until 13 winner is closing in on the all- their unbeaten run to eight games minutes into the second for time Serie A record of scoring in days after earning a creditable Molina’s opener. He slid the 11 consecutive games held by goalless draw at Lazio, who can ball to Mata and then beat two Gabriel Batistuta and Fabio pull to within a point of Juve with Valencia defenders to the Quagliarella. a win at Parma on Sunday. rebound from Jaume But Juventus paid for “We’ve created a group of Domenech’s save. defensive errors with Fabio Borini hungry kids,” said Verona coach Dani Parejo was at fault for pulling Verona level with quarter Ivan Juric. the second as he gave the ball of an hour to go, before veteran “Heart played a big role, the away in midfield and one pass striker Giampaolo Pazzini won lads were tired but they gave it set Molina free. He had three the match for the promoted side everything.” defenders to beat but from the penalty spot four Earlier, Atalanta consolidated somehow bundled through, a minutes from time following a fourth place with a 2-1 win at final pirouette making space Leonardo Bonucci handball. Fiorentina that ended the for a smart finish. Florenzi was Juventus are three points Bergamo side’s 27-year away sent off with 12 minutes left for ahead of Inter Milan, who have a winless run against the Tuscan a frustrated spear tackle from chance to pull level when they club. behind on Marc Cucurella take on Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s AC Federico Chiesa’s scorcher before Mata made it three. Vil- Milan in Sunday’s derby clash at just after half an hour gave mid- larreal were held to a 1-1 draw the San Siro. table Fiorentina hope of another by Real Valladolid as well- Lazio are four points behind win over Atalanta, whom they travelled French forward the leaders in third before they eliminated from the Italian Cup Sheffield United’s Lys Mousset in action with Bournemouth’s Diego Rico during the English Premier Hartem Ben Arfa made his travel to Parma. at their Stadio Artemio Franchi League match at the Bramall Lane, Sheffield, Britain, yesterday. debut as a second-half The defeat was the third this last month. substitute. Guardiola set for Man City summer squad refresh AFP — MANCHESTER, UNITED Manchester when the arrival of “There are still are two or finish second in the league and has to be doing what is best for KINGDOM six new players inspired a romp three months to go and things we have two big games against City. to the title with a record 100 can change a lot in that time.” Real Madrid in the Champions “He has good points and Manchester City manager Pep points. City could still turn a League.” One of those who some have to improve. It is Guardiola (pictured) admitted “This group of players has hitherto disappointing cam- could be sacrificed by City to simple, he is a still a young his side could be set for an done something unique - they paign into a glorious one as they make room and resources for central defender,” said overhaul in the summer after have won the last six of the last face Aston Villa in the League summer signings is John Stones. Guardiola. falling 22 points behind seven domestic trophies in Cup final in three weeks’ time, The England international “I have to think about every Liverpool at the top of the England. I admire them and I have progressed into the fifth has been scarcely used by Guar- game and make decisions about Premier League. suffer with them when they round of the FA Cup and are diola this season despite a lack tomorrow and day after day, Guardiola will definitely don’t get what they deserve,” preparing for a blockbuster of cover at centre-back due to not for the future. lose David Silva, who has said Guardiola. Champions League last 16 clash the departure of Vincent “Of course, John, like eve- already announced he will leave “Of course we have to do with Real Madrid. Kompany and injury to Aymeric ryone, has a chance to play the club after a decade at the something because David Silva “There are still incredible Laporte. more games in the rest of the end of the season. is leaving and in some other nice things still to fight for,” Stones could easily miss out season, but I have to decide However, the Catalan coach positions we are going to do it, added Guardiola. on a place in Gareth Southgate’s whether to choose them. does not believe he needs the but I don’t know how many or “We are in the EFL Cup final squad for Euro 2020 due to his “They have to play here as same degree of change as after how much because the market in three weeks, we are still in lack of match practice, but best as possible then after that a difficult first season in is always difficult. the FA Cup, we want to try and Guardiola insisted his priority go to the national team.” SPORT SPORT | 09 SPORT | 10 Returning Naseem breaks Clijsters hat-trick record 'impatient to as Pakistan resume' career sniff big victory

MONDAY 10 FEBRUARY 2020 QOC holds 35th General Assembly The President of Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC), H E Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani and top officials of QOC during the 35th General Assembly held in Doha, yesterday. FROM LEFT: Mohamed Yousef Al Mana, the President of the Qatar Weightlifting and Fencing Federation; Nasser Bin Ghanim Al Khelaifi, Qatar Tennis Federation President; Dr Thani bin Abdulrahman Al Kuwari, QOC's Second Vice- President and Secretary-General, Jassim bin Rashid Al Buenain (second right) are also present. ACL: Al Sadd, Al Duhail set for opening battles CHINTHANA WASALA THE PENINSULA

Former champions Al Sadd and Qatar giants Al Duhail will be looking to launch their AFC Champions League (ACL) Group stage on a positive note tomorrow. Al Sadd, coached by Xavi Her- nanandez, yesterday left for Riyadh where they face Saudi Arabian side Al Nassr in their Group D opener while Al Duhail welcome Iran’s Persepolis in Group C opener. Al Sadd’s match kicks off at 6:15pm Doha time at the Prince Faisal bin Fahd Stadium. Al Sadd, who had defeated Al Nassr in the quarter-finals last year before bowing in the semi- finals to eventual champions Al Al Sadd's players (top), officials and coach Xavi Hernandez Hilal Saudi FC, are brimming Al Duhail's players in action during a practice session yesterday as they gear up for their AFC Champions (bottom, right) leaving for Riyadh where they will face Al with confidence following an League match against Iran's Persepolis. Nassr tomorrow. excellent display of quality football which earned them the 2020 Qatar Cup. Al Sadd recently added Meanwhile, Al Duhail’s new appearance in the continental The Wolves defeated Al attacking midfielder Marco coach, Moroccan Walid Regragui, event. Duhail 4-0 in the final following Fabian to their fold. However, the will also bank on an experienced Along with Manduzukic, a 4-1 thrashing of Al Rayyan in the London Olympics gold winning line-up against the visiting Iranian foreign signings Mehdi Benatia, semi-final. Mexican team-member is ineli- giants. Han Kwang-Song, along with Al Sadd’s latest win came gible to play in the ACL as he was The kick-off is at 6:15pm at the Qatari stars Almoez Ali, Ali Afif, against Al Kharaitiyat in the Amir not on the initial list of players Al Duhail Stadium. Sultan Al Breik, Assim Madibo Cup pre-quarter-finals last registered with the Asian body. Al Duhail are currently leading and Karim Boudiaf will be Thursday. However, South Korean star the QSL standings with 33 points, looking to make the opening Although they are ranked and former QFA Player of the Year but their recent loss in the Qatar game a memorable one for their third in the QNB Stars League Nam Tae Hee, internationals Jung Cup final against Al Sadd may add new coach. standings, Al Sadd’s recent wins Woo-Young, Baghdad Bounedjah, to their worries. However, they will miss the have shown that the team, one of former Atletico Madrid star Gabi The Red Knights also lost their services of Yousef Msakni, Paulo the best in Asia, is in good form Fernandez, Asian Player of the unbeaten status in this season’s Edmilson, Ismail Mohammed and ahead of the important away Year Akram Afif and Hassan Al QSL when they suffered a 0-1 Bassam. clash. Haydous make a strong line-up defeat at the hands of Al Rayyan. The finalists of this year’s ACL In tomorrow’s match, Al Sadd at Xavi’s team. However, Al Duhail will def- are guaranteed a spot in the 2021 will miss two key players, The team will also have the initely be looking to make a strong FIFA Club World Cup in China defender Salem Al Hajri due to an services of Pedro Miguel, Ali statement as both Regragui and while the winners get to play in injury and Abdelkarim Hassan Asad, Boualem Khoukhi and star Croatian forward Mario Mandu- the 2020 FIFA Club World Cup in (suspension). goalkeeper Saad Al Dossari. zukic look to make their maiden Qatar. Stellar line-up confirmed for FINA Marathon in Doha

THE PENINSULA – DOHA Olympic and World long course A total of 136 swimmers champion Gregorio Paltrinieri The FINA/CNSG Marathon Swim (ITA), former World champion World Series Doha (QAT) 2020 (82 male and 54 female (25km) Simone Ruffini (ITA), and is set for exciting action as many athletes) from 34 veteran swimmer Igor star athletes have signed up for Chervynskiy (UKR). the season-opening meet, countries are set to Plenty of thrilling action is which will be held at scenic also on the cards in women’s Katara Beach on February 15. compete in Doha. race that will be headed by 2019 The Qatar Swimming Asso- overall champion Rachele Bruni ciation (QSA) has finalised the (ITA), the same day. entry list of competitors for the Bruni will face Rio Olympic highly-anticipated meet of the gold medalist Sharon van Rou- 10km circuit, which includes a wendaal (NED) and defending total of 136 swimmers (82 male Doha champion Ana Marcela and 54 female athletes) from 34 Cunha (BRA), also the overall countries. winner of the FINA Marathon France will send the biggest Swim World Series in 2018, contingent which includes 16 2014, 2012 and 2010. Former Swimmers in action during last year's edition of the FINA/CNSG Marathon World Series Doha in this file photo. INSET: Last year's swimmers to the Qatari capital, European champion Arianna women's champion in Doha, Brazil's Ana Marcela Cunha. while Italy’s squad will consist Bridi (ITA) will be the other main of 14 athletes. Australia and contender for women’s crown Germany will have 10 Participants in both the men presence of world class athletes provide best facilities to all the (5km) in South Korea – will be besides other star athletes. swimmers each in their squads, and women’s races include for the competition,” QSA Pres- participants coming to Doha,” competing against the likes of Meanwhile, QSA has while Hungary will come with many Olympic and World ident, Khaleel Al Jabir, said in a he added. reigning Olympic champion received over 150 entries so far nine athletes. champions as well as several statement. It will be tough to predict a Ferry Weertman (NED), and for the Doha Open Water Chal- Two Qatari swimmers – other leading long-distance “We are hopeful that the winner in the men’s race, which current World champion Florian lenge to be held on February 14 Abdelrahman Hesham swimmers. swimmers will get perfect con- will see world’s best long-dis- Wellbrock (GER) in the grueling at Katara Beach. Mohamed and Ahmad Tarek A “We witnessed thrilling men ditions to compete at the beau- tance swimmers in action. 10km race. The competition, which K Samara – will also compete and women’s races last year, tiful Katara Beach. Our prepa- Defending his overall world Wellbrock will also be comprises different categories, in the first stop of the 10-meet and this year too we expect ration is on track as our team is title, Kristóf Rasovszky (HUN) – defending his Doha title in the is open for all. The last date for FINA /CNSG Marathon Swim another exciting round of FINA working hard to complete all also a gold medallist at the 2019 first meet. registration in the competition World Series 2020. marathon because of the the arrangements. We will World Aquatics Championships Also in the men’s line-up are is February 10.