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SUNDAY 21 MARCH 2021 DjokovicD pulls out of Miami Open, citingc virus restrictions I decided to use this precious time at home to stay with my family.f With all restrictions, I need to find balance in my time ono tour and at home.

World Number 1 Novak Djokovic Sport | 15

MOTO2 - OFFICIAL PRE-SEASON TEST Top 3 riders: 1 - Xavi Vierge 1:58.832, 2 - Aron Canet 1:58.858 + 0.026, 3 - Jorge Navarro + 0.056 European qualifiers: Team Qatar begins training in Hungary Qatar national team players taking part in their first practice session in Hungary ahead of their opening match of the European qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 yesterday. The Felix Sanchez-coached Asian champions arrived at the Debrecen International Airport in Debrecen, Hungary on Friday night. Qatar, the hosts of the global football spectacle next year, have already qualified for the tournament, but Al Annabi are taking part in the European stage with the hope of getting match practice in the lead up to the event. At the European qualifiers, Qatar will play in Group A – alongside UEFA Euro 2016 winners Portugal, Serbia, Republic of Ireland, Luxembourg, and Azerbaijan. Qatar take on Luxembourg in their first match on Wednesday. Lewandowski hits Dominant Al Wakrah storm into treble as 10-man final with 3-0 rout of Al Sailiya Bayern run riot REUTERS – MUNICH

THE PENINSULA – DOHA German champions and leaders Bayern Munich retained their four-point cushion at the top of Al Wakrah stormed to the the Bundesliga with a 4-0 home rout of VfB final of the 2020-21 Ooredoo Stuttgart yesterday with Robert Lewandowski Cup with a 3-0 win over Al netting a hat-trick after they had Alphonso Sailiya at Al Sadd Stadium Davies sent off early on. yesterday. Canadian left back Davies was shown a Omar Ali (26th minute) straight red card in the 12th minute for a studs- gave Al Wakrah lead, with up challenge on Wataru Endo but his dismissal Mohamed Benyettou (41st only galvanised Bayern with Lewandowski minute) doubling the firing them ahead five minutes later. advantage with a spot kick Serge Gnabry made it 2-0 in the 22nd after in the first half. Omar Ali a sweeping move involving Thomas Mueller (82nd minute) scored again and Leroy Sane. Lewandowski added the third in the second half to com- less than 60 seconds later when he rose to head plete a dominant victory. home a Mueller cross from the right. Al Wakrah will play the The Poland striker added some gloss in the final against the winners of 39th with a clinical left-footed finish from inside second semifinal, which will the penalty area as he pounced on sloppy be played between Al defending by Stuttgart after Sane’s jinking run Gharafa and Al Rayyan at the Al Wakrah players celebrate after Mohamed Benyettou scored their second goal against Al Sailiya yesterday. down the right flank. Bayern took their feet off the same venue today. The kick- pedal in the second half but despite their numerical off is at 17:00. disadvantage, they still dominated as Lewand- The first semi-final got off Al Wakrah finally took penalty kick, putting the ball owski and Gnabry missed chances to give them to a fast pace as Al Wakrah the lead following an attack in with a right-footed kick in an even bigger win against the hapless visitors. looked for gaps to launch from the right flank. Murad the left corner, leaving no attacks, putting pressure on Naji produced a brilliant chance for a diving Amine as Al Sailiya right from the kick- display, crossing the ball Al Wakrah went into the Benzema brace powers off. The Peregrines, on the towards Omar Ali, who just break with a 2-0 lead. other hand, were giving away had to chip the ball in from a Al Sailiya, who took just Real to 3-1 win at Celta the ball cheaply with miscued close range in an open goal. two shots on target as com- passes. But VAR confirmed the pared to Al Wakrah’s five in AP – BARCELONA Omar Ali took first shot player was onside. the first half, returned as a on target in the 13th minute After Al Khater made a better side as they looked to Karim Benzema netted twice to extend his deflecting a hit from diving save from Mohanad bounce back in the match. scoring streak as Real Madrid moved second in Isaias Sanchez, but Al Sailiya Ali’s strike 10 minutes before Tiago Bezerra led a few the Spanish league with a 3-1 win over Celta keeper Claude Amine was in half-time, Al Wakrah attacks by the Peregrines Vigo yesterday. the right place to block the doubled their lead, with soon after the start of final Toni Kroos set up Benzema for both his early attempt. Mustafa winning a session, but Al Wakrah were goals at Balaídos Stadium. Kroos slipped a short Mohanad Ali got an spot-kick. doing well with counter- pass through two defenders to leave Benzema opportunity to open account Moustafa made a fab- attacks to maintain their lead. alone to beat goalkeeper Iván Villar in the 20th. Al Wakrah's Brazilian for Al Sailiya, but his hit from ulous run towards the area In an Al Sailiya attack in The Germany midfielder gave his French striker defender Lucas Mendes the edge of the box was too and successfully dodged the the 57th minute, Ramin a second opportunity on the half-hour mark weak for keeper Saoud Al goalkeeper and when he was Rezaein’s hit went wide and controls the ball. when he stole the ball from Renato Tapia near Khater, who caught the ball about to unleash a shot on soon after that Al Khater Celta’s goal. comfortably. goal, Serigne Mbodji denied made a diving save from In the 69th minute, Rami slowed down the pace of the Celta improved after its shaky start. Striker The Blue Wave looked a him the opportunity by com- Tiago’s attempt. Fayez received a yellow card match and Al Wakrah took Santi Mina pulled one back with a header five better side and Abdulrahman mitting a foul. Referee After the hour-mark, Al for a dangerous tackle the scoreline beyond Al minutes before halftime. Iago Aspas drew a save Mustafa’s superb attempt Mohammed Ahmed Al Sherif Sailiya increased their attacks, against Abdulghani Muneer. Sailiya’s reach, with Beny- from Thibaut Courtois in the 62nd and the from an acute angle was had no hesitation in pointing but they were off target each Omar Ali was also cautioned ettou setting up Omar Ali for striker’s free kick hit the post with eight minutes punched away well by to the spot. time they took aim towards for a foul near the box, four his second goal, which was to play. Benzema crossed for Marco Asensio to Amine. Benyettou took the the goal. minutes later. The stoppages similar to his first one. complete the win on the last kick of the match. No international spectators to be allowed for Tokyo Olympics REUTERS – TOKYO pandemic. While the outbreak has He said costs for wave of the pandemic. will decide next month on caps for chilled public opinion toward the hotel cancellations A stripped-down spectators in venues. International spectators will not be event, both organisers and Prime Min- would not be covered. Games means the gov- “It’s very unfortunate,” Tokyo Gov- allowed to enter Japan for this ister Yoshihide Suga have vowed to Organisers may also ernment will not get the ernor Yuriko Koike said of the decision summer’s Olympic Games amid public press ahead with the Games. consider cutting the tourism boom it had on international spectators, speaking concerns over coronavirus, organisers The decision on international spec- number of stafff long counted on. Japan to reporters after the meeting. said yesterday, setting the stage for a tators will “ensure safe and secure members who will par- has grown increasingly But she added that the conclusion drastically scaled-back event. Games for all participants and the Jap- ticipate in the Games. reliant on foreign was “unavoidable” given that the main Some 600,000 Olympic tickets anese public,” Tokyo 2020 organisers The Games are tourists, particularly priority for holding a successful Games purchased by overseas residents will said in a statement following five-way scheduled for July 23 to from Asia, to bolster its would be the health of the athletes and be refunded, as will another 300,000 talks that included the head of the Aug. 8, and the Paral- weak domestic the Japanese public. Paralympic tickets, Toshiro Muto, the International Olympic Committee, ympics from Aug. 24 to economy. Kyodo news service earlier chief executive of the Tokyo 2020 Thomas Bach, and the Tokyo Sept. 5. Like other countries, reported that organisers were leaning organising committee told a news governor. Media polls have it has seen tourism towards barring overseas volunteers conference. “People who are involved in the shown that a majority off unravel with the pan- from helping at the Games. He declined to say how much the Olympics in some way may be allowed the Japanese public are wary about demic and its hotels and restaurants Sources told Reuters earlier this refunds would cost. to enter the country, whereas regular letting in international spectators to have been hit hard. month that the Japanese government The Olympic Games were post- visitors will not be able to,” Tokyo watch the Games as the country Saturday’s decision did not cover had concluded it will not be able to poned last year due to the COVID-19 2020’s Muto said. grapples with the tail-end of a third local spectators. Muto said organisers allow spectators from abroad. Sport SUNDAY 21 MARCH 2021 07

SCOREBOARD Bangladesh 1nb), Santner 8-0-23-2 (2) Kohli leads from front as India lbw b Boult ...... 13 New Zealand c Boult b Neesham ...... 19 M. Guptill c Mushfiqur b Taskin ...... 38 c Conway b Boult ...... 0 H. Nicholls ...... 49 c Guptill b Neesham ...... 23 D. Conway c b Mahmud ...... 27 Mohammad Mithun run out (Neesham) ...... 9 Will Young not out ...... 11 clinch series against England Mahmudullah c Santner b Henry ...... 27 Extras: (b1, lb2, nb2, w2) ...... 7 b Santner ...... 1 Total: (two ; 21.2 overs) ...... 132 Mahedi Hasan c Nicholls b Santner ...... 14 Fall of wickets: 1-54 (Guptill), 2-119 (Conway) REUTERS — AHMEDABAD c Santner b Boult ...... 10 Did not bat: , , Daryl Indian players Hasan Mahmud b Boult ...... 1 Mitchell, , Kyle Jamieson, , celebrate with Virat Kohli led from the front not out ...... 1 the trophy after Extras (lb3, w9, nb1) ...... 13 : Mustafizur 4-0-26-0 (1w), Mahmud 4.2- as India prevailed in a high- Total (10 wickets; 41.5 overs) ...... 131 0-49-1, Taskin 4-0-23-1 (1w, 2nb), Mahedi 6-0-17-0, scoring decider, beating winning the T20 series. Fall of wickets: 1-19 (Tamim), 2-19 (Soumya), Mehidy 2-0-9-0, Soumya 1-0-5-0 England by 36 runs in the final 3-42 (Das), 4-69 (Mushfiqur), 5-72 (Mithun), 6-78 Toss: New Zealand International to (Mehidy), 7-98 (Mahedi), 8-125 (Mahmudullah), Result: New Zealand won by eight wickets complete a 3-2 series victory 9-130 (Mahmud), 10-131 (Taskin) Umpires: Chris Gaffaney, Wayne Knights (NZL) yesterday. Bowling: Boult 8.5-0-27-4 (w4), Henry 9-1-26-1, TV Umpire: Chris Brown (NZL) Match referee: smashed 64 Jamieson 8-1-25-0 (w1), Neesham 8-1-27-2 (w2, Jeff Crowe (NZL) and Kohli remained not out on 80 to power India to 224-2, their highest total against New Zealand thrash England after being put into bat. Dawid Malan and Jos Buttler struck half-centuries to fuel Bangladesh by 8 England’s chase before India’s seam bowlers took the game away from them. wickets in first ODI Earlier, Kohli passed a fitness test and promoted AP — DUNEDIN second with Devon himself to open the innings with Conway (27). New Zealand won deputy Rohit. New Zealand needed just over the toss and sent in Bangladesh One of the game’s cleanest 21 overs yesterday to overtake in cool and overcast conditions. strikers of the ball, Rohit looked sprinted to his right to take a Thakur dismissed Jonny top-order batsmen made their Bangladesh’s total of 131 and When Trent Boult produced a in sublime form, smashing five running one-handed catch and Bairstow and Malan in the same India debut in the ongoing T20 win the first of three one-day late out-swinger with the first sixes in his 34-ball blitz. threw the ball to a grinning over to turn the match on its series against England, with internationals by eight ball of the match which sur- Ben Stokes ended the Jason Roy just before head. Kishan smashing an incendiary wickets. prised and beat Bangladesh 94-run stand with a leg-cutter momentum took him over the T Natarajan dismissed fifty in his first match. Bangladesh, recently out of captain Tamim Iqbal, it was which Rohit chopped onto his ropes. Kohli, who had been Stokes for 14 in the penultimate Yadav, who plays with managed isolation, was never clear the tourists were in for a stumps while attempting a watching the carnage over to effectively seal the Kishan for Indians in comfortable in unfamiliar tough day. pull-shot. from the other end, accelerated match in India’s favour and the , had batting conditions at the Uni- Bowling into the batsmen belted in company of England finished on 188-8. to wait until his second match versity Oval and was bowled and pitching short of a length, 32 before ’s athlet- who made a quickfire 39. The teams now move to to get a bat but also produced out by New Zealand in only 41.5 the New Zealand bowlers - icism and presence of mind sent Roy fell for a duck when Pune where they will play a a match-winning half-century overs. Mahmudullah’s 27 from especially Boult who took 4-27 him back. England began their chase but three-match one-day series in Ahmedabad. 54 balls was its highest score. - cut down scoring options both Stationed at long on, Jordan Dawid Malan (68) and Jos from Tuesday. "There is no question how After crashed square of the wicket and down Buttler (52) launched a spec- Yadav, Kishan good talented both the players are," 38 runs from 19 balls with three the ground. BRIEF SCORES tacular assault to shrug off the enough to play T20 World Tendulkar said in a telephone fours and four sixes at the top Bangladesh struggled to setback. Cup: Tendulkar interview. of the order, New Zealand was 33-2 after 10 overs and posted India: 224/2 wickets in 20 overs (Virat Kohli Malan, the top-ranked Batting great Sachin Ten- "It eventually boils down to always on target to win plenty their 50, with three wickets 80 not out, Rohit Sharma 64, Hardik Pan- batsmen in this format, roared dulkar is convinced Surya- selection and the selection of overs to spare. down, in the 16th over. dya 39 not out, Suryakumar Yadav 32) beat back into form, forging a kumar Yadav and committee. But I can say that Henry Nicholls made an Thanks to Guptill, New Zea- England: 188 for 8 wkts in 20 overs (Dawid 130-run partnership with are good enough to be in the having played in IPL against all unbeaten 49 in his 50th ODI to land’s 50 came without a

Malan 68, Jos Buttler 52, Buttler. India squad when the nation the leading foreign players, they steer New Zealand to victory wicket down and in only five 3/45, Bhuvneshwar Kumar 2/15) by 36 runs Kumar returned to send hosts the Twenty20 World Cup are ready to play (in the in the 22nd over, combining in overs, and it reached 100 in the back Buttler, and Shardul later this year. Both the Twenty20 World Cup)." a 65-run partnership for the 16th over. Djokovic pulls out of Zverev overcomes quake and Miami Open, citing Koepfer to reach Acapulco final virus restrictions REUTERS — ACAPULCO Acapulco. I’ve witnessed it here before, so I guess it’s normal. AP — MIAMI withdrew March 1. They’re Alexander Zverev has coped with the “Last year we had a similar thing based overseas, as is Djokovic. pressure of a Grand Slam final and not during my match or practice. It was Top-ranked Novak Djokovic “This has been a difficult year even an earthquake could jangle the bigger though, because I saw the lights pulled out of the upcoming for everyone,” Miami Open tour- nerves of the German youngster during shaking. I didn’t see anything today. Eve- Miami Open, citing coronavirus nament director James Blake said Germany’s his Mexican Open semi-final against rything proved to be stable… I hope eve- restrictions as he joined Rafael in a statement, “but especially for Alexander Dominik Koepfer on Friday. ryone is fine at the area that is closest to Nadal and Roger Federer on the players with families.” The 5.7 magnitude quake with an the earthquake.” Zverev in action sideline. There has been less attrition epicentre around 60 kms southeast of Briton Neal Skupski was hoping for during his The tournament begins on the women’s side. Serena San Marcos, a two-hour drive from a relaxing massage after securing a place semi-final Tuesday, with only 750 fans Williams, Australian Open Acapulco, sent tremors through the in the doubles final alongside brother against allowed on the grounds per champion Naomi Osaka and stadium for about 30 seconds with Ken, but the quake sent him quickly Germany’s session. The pandemic is also No. 1 Ash Barty are among Koepfer serving in the opening game of scrambling for his clothing. Dominik affecting attendance by players. those scheduled to compete. the second set. “It was really strange,” Neal said. Koepfer. “I decided to use this pre- Barty won the tournament “I didn’t know what happened. “I thought it was some massage tech- cious time at home to stay with in 2019. It was canceled last Neither did Dominik,” said Zverev, who nique that he was doing, because the bed my family,” Djokovic said. year because of the eased to a 6-4 7-6(5) victory. was shaking. I just thought it was normal. “With all restrictions, I need pandemic. “We just heard the crowd. I guess the “Then an alarm went off on his to find balance in my time on Djokovic won his 18th lights started shaking and the crowd felt phone and that’s when I thought, ‘This is tour and at home.” Grand Slam title at the Aus- it more than we did,” a bit strange.’ Nadal pulled out Tuesday, tralian Open last month. The “We were running around the court, Then he said, ‘We’re going to go citing a bad back that bothered Serb is in his 312th career week so we had to play a point during the outside because of an earthquake.’ I him during the Australian at No. 1 and recently broke Fed- earthquake. We didn’t feel much, but still couldn’t put my clothes on quick enough Open. Federer, mounting a erer’s record of 310 total weeks obviously I know it happens here in to get out of the building.” comeback from knee surgery, in the top spot.

LONGINES HATHAB ROUND 11: WINNERS Moto2: Vierge heads six-rider split Comp. (5) Dressage | Medium Championship (Level 1) | Test 1F CASAL DES FORETS / Ali Mohammed Al Marri: 65.833 - Prize Money: QR5,600 Comp. (6) Dressage | Prelim Championship (Level 2) by just 0.089 on second day at Losail NAVIGATER / Ali Mohammed Al Marri: 73.365 - Prize Money: QR3,750 Comp. (7) Future Riders | Table A, Special two phases, Art. 274.2.5 | Max. 80 cm

THE PENINSULA — DOHA JOLY'S ARNO / Jassim Adel Al Saegh: 1st Phase: 29.75 (0), 2nd Phase: 19.45 (0) Comp. (8) Future Riders | Table A, Special two phases, Art. 274.2.5 | Max. 90 cm Cometh the hour, cometh the GODETTE / Mohammed Yousef Al Jaber: 1st Phase: 27.44 secs (0), 2nd Phase: 29.11 (0) six riders within just 0.089: that’s how the saying shall henceforth go. The intermediate class in Qatar has been close in the current era, but never more so on Day 2 of the Official Moto2 and Moto3 Test at Losail Inter- national Circuit. The leader of the pack was Xavi Vierge (Petronas Sprinta Racing), and the rivals within 0.89 Aron Canet (Inde Aspar Xavi Vierge in action at Losail Team), Jorge Navarro (MB Con- International Circuit yesterday. veyors Speed Up), Remy PIC COURTESY: MOTOGP.COM Gardner (Red Bull KTM Ajo), Jake Dixon (Petronas Sprinta Racing) and Marco Bezzecchi yesterday. At the top was huge from there on out. Two 0.019 off Bendsneyder. Fern- (Sky Racing Team VR46). Vierge’s late charge with that and a half tenths off the super andez’ 1:59.204 is only just over It was windier on Day 2 and five-rider gaggle on his tail, six, Bo Bendsneyder (Pertamina a second off the 2020 pole lap… once again the morning session with Canet forced to settle for Mandalika SAG Team) slots into Two veterans came next, was a quiet one – lonely, even, second for the second day in a P7 as he settles in at his new with Sam Lowes (Elf Marc VDS for Stefano Manzi (Flexbox HP row but looking threateningly team and on his new chassis, Racing Team) in ninth by just 40) as the Italian was the sole fast, Navarro making waves up looking ever more impressive 0.007 and Joe Roberts (Italtrans rider to set a time. the timesheets, Gardner present as track time goes on. Likewise Racing Team) completing the By Session 2 though, the once more, Dixon improving as the man in eighth: Raul Fern- top ten by 0.034. Young Qatari rider Jassim Adel Al Saegh guides Joly’s Arno ante was upping and the pack he comes back from serious andez (Red Bull KTM Ajo). Both have shown good heading out, with the final injury, and Bezzecchi leaping The Spanish rookie pace on both days so far too, over a hurdle during the Future Riders 80cm class event in the session of the day then seeing into the higher echelons after a impressed on Day 1, so a and will likely be pushing for penultimate round of the Longines Hathab Qatar Equestrian Tour all but one improve to set the more muted Day 1. grander word is needed for Day a statement time attack on at the Longines Arena At Al Shaqab, yesterday. combined timesheets for The gaps didn’t exactly get 2 as he ended yesterday just today.