SPORT

SundaySunday 2 April 2017

PAGE | 25 PAGE | 26 PAGE | 27 Record-setting Kangng KulasekaraKul takes four All roads seizes PGA Houstonon to help Sri Lanka lead to today's Open lead draw home series Qatar Clasico

AFC Futsal Cup in Al Wakrah and Muaither Thailand: Qatar in Group C as draws finalised lose QSL relegation battle The Peninsula

atar have been were The Peninsula registered their first chance of note lead for Al Khor in the thirty sev- drawn in Group C of the In the 10th minute, Al Sailiya’s enth minute. The diminutive Four-star QAFC Futsal Cup as 20 l Wakrah and Muaither Romanian midfielder Valentin forward made a smart turn and other teams learned their oppo- have officially been Lazăr curled in a well-taken free- smashed the ball into the bottom nents at the official draw for the relegated to the Qatar kick but the ball narrowly missed left corner of the goal with a left Al Shahania inaugural competition took Gas League. the far goalpost. footed strike. Al Khor had most of place in the capital of Al Wakrah suf- At the half-hour mark, Al the ball in the first half and made Thailand. feredA a 2-0 defeat in the hands of Sailiya produced the equaliser the most of their chances. down Al Arabi Qatar have been tagged Al Khor last evening. Jean Fern- from the penalty spot .Uzbekistan Al Wakrah could not score a along with Uzbekistan, Leba- andez’s side proved to be too international Temurkhuja goal despite having some clear non, Myanmar and Hong Kong strong for Wakrah, and goals in Abdukholiqov stepped up for his chances especially when Moroc- The Peninsula in Group C. either half confirmed the inevita- side and wrong footed Muaither can midfielder Mouhcine Moutouali The 21 teams were drawn ble for the Blue Waves. goalkeeper Basel Zaidan who dove sent the ball wide when he was one espite trailing by a goal early in the match, Al Sha- into one group of six teams and Muaither also could not extend to his left, for his fifth goal of the on one with the keeper. hania yesterday produced four strikes across two three groups of five teams. their stay in the QSL for another season. In the 67th minute it looked D halves to beat hosts Al Arabi in a round 24 clash Football Association of year, following their one-all stale- Neither side managed to score like Maher Yousef was going to of the (QSL). Thailand Vice President Thana- mate at Al Gharafa Stadium in the remaining time of the sec- equalise for Wakrah. However, Nigerian striker Imoh Ezekiel had given Al Arabi - play- sak Suraprasert welcomed the yesterday. ond half though Al Sailiya defender after a brilliant counterattacking ing on home soil - the lead in the 6th minute but Al Shahania audience and said: "We are For Muaither, this was con- Rami Fayez was sent off for pick- run and finding himself in front of retained their composure to hit back with four goals over delighted and honoured to be firmed despite securing a battling ing up two yellow cards in the goal with just the keeper to beat the next 84 minutes. hosts of this new competition, 1-1 draw with Al Sailiya. Results game in the 84th minute.The point he sent his shot wide off the It was 12th-placed Al Shahania's only 3rd win of the and we welcome the new com- went against Phillipe Birol’s side, was not enough for the Stallions target. season that ends later this month. petition at u-20 level as an meaning that the Stallions are sent who have been relegated to the Al Khor made Wakrah to rue In just the sixth minute of the round 24 clash, Luis important step to support the straight back to the Qatar Gas Qatar Gas League with two games their missed chances when Jean Jimenez - stationed inside the Al Shahania box - tapped a development of futsal in League after one season in the of the season left to play. Fernandez's men added a second pass to Ezekiel who easily slotted the ball home from close Thailand." Qatar Stars League. Al Wakrah, confirmed their goal to make matters worse for Al range with goalkeeper Jassim Adel unable to block the The tournament will take Against the run of play, relegation after a 2-0 defeat to Al Wakrah. Madson got himself an move. place in the Thai capital from Muaither grabbed the lead in the Khor yesterday evening. Jean assist as his pass from the half way It was the Nigerian strikers's 6th goal of the season as May 16 to 26, 2017 at the Bang- 5th minute when Iranian interna- Fernandez’s side proved to be too line found an unmarked Mouh- the boys in red celebrated the early goal at Al Arabi kok Arena and the Huamark tional Ahmed Yasin scored a strong for Wakrah, and goals in cine Iajour, who ran with the ball Stadium Indoor Stadium. spectacular curling shot which was either half confirmed the inevita- towards the box and played it In the 12th minute, Jimenez received a long ball from The group winners and run- too much for Sailiya keeper Gre- ble for the Blue Waves. round the keeper, Hassan Idris, the flank but after dodging his marker inside the Al Sha- ners-up from each group, eight gory Gomis. Sailiya quickly Madson took the all important before sending it into the net. hania box, the Chilean striker missed the target with his teams in total, will qualify for close-range shot. the knockout stage QSL RESULTS Jassim Jaber provided some much-needed relief as the (quarter-finals). Qatari national team defender helped Al Shahania draw The four winners of the Al Kharaitiyat 2-0 Al Ahli level with the home team. quarter-finals will qualify to the Al Arabi 1-4 Al Shahania Al Wakrah 0-2 Al Khor After receiving a short tap inside the Al Arabi box, Jaber semi-finals and subsequently Muaither SC 1-1 Al Sailiyah aimed for the far left of goalkeeper for his team's equal- the winners of the semi-finals iser in 32nd minute. will advance to the final, while TODAY'S FIXTURES In the 38th minute, Al Shahania's Mohamed Bader the two losing teams will play Al Gharafa vs Umm Salal, Al Gharafa attempted a long-range shot from the edge of the Al Arabi in the third place Play-off Club (Thani Bin Jassim Stadium), 6.20pm box but the ball sailed above the home team's match. goalmouth. Lekhwiya vs El Jaish at Lekhwiya Club With 4 minutes to go for the first-half whistle, Ahmed (Abdullah bin Khalifa Stadium), 8.30pm TEAMS Fathy of Al Arabi was penalised with a yellow card for a Al Sadd vs Al Rayyan, at Al Sadd Club rough tackle on Mehrdad Pooladi of Al Shahaniya. GROUP A (Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium), 8.30pm With just a minute to go before the break, Al Shahania's Thailand, Iraq, Malaysia, Brunei Darus- Rahim Mehdi was quick to fire a swinging shot from just out- salam, Bahrain, Afghanistan Al Shahania and Al Arabi side the edge of Al Arabi box into the top half of the net. GROUP B players vie for the ball Just three minutes into the second half, Al Shahania Vietnam, Japan, Chinese Taipei, during their QSL game at Al jumped to a 3-1 lead. Tajikistan, Indonesia Arabi Stadium yesterday. After receiving a wobbly pass a few meters out of the GROUP C Al Arabi box, substitute Fahad Khalfan - outran his marker Uzbekistan, Qatar, Lebanon, Myanmar, and former Qatar national team midfielder Talal Al Balo- Hong Kong oshi - before calmly slotting the ball into the net in the 48th GROUP D

minute. Al Shahania's Luciano Santos Eduardo added the , Kyrgyzstan, China, Mongolia, fourth - following a defender's gaffe from Al Arabi - in the United Arab Emirates 78th minute. FIFA proposes new 6-team playoff ahead of 2026 World Cup

Zurich If agreed in May, the play- one team for the playoffs. The matches over several days that AP offs would give the 2026 hosts World Cup host continent would will decide the final two of 48 four more games to stage, add- provide the sixth playoff team. slots. IFA wants to hold a new ing to an 80-game tournament Before coming into effect, The suggested format would six-team playoff round in that has been 64 games since the FIFA Council must approve see the four lower-ranked teams Fthe 2026 World Cup host 1998. the proposal on May 9 in Bah- paired for single knockout country to complete the UEFA is set to get the three rain. The council, chaired by matches. The winners would expanded 48-team tournament extra guaranteed slots it wanted, FIFA President Gianni Infantino, advance in the bracket to face lineup. bringing its total to 16 qualify- agreed in January to expand the the two higher-ranked teams. The final two qualifying slots ing slots. The proposal also World Cup from 32 teams start- Using the current FIFA rank- would be decided in the pro- increases Africa to nine, Asia to ing with the 2026 edition. ings, a theoretical playoff lineup posed mini-tournament played eight, South America to six, FIFA also said its bureau — in November 2025 in the United in the November before the North America and Central comprising Infantino and the six States would be: China, Cura- World Cup as a test event, a America and the Caribbean to confederations presidents — cao, Ecuador, Morocco, Saint move that puts the Confedera- six and Oceania to one guaran- wants automatic entry for host Kitts and Nevis, and Tahiti. tions Cup's long-term future at teed slot. teams to come from a region's The Confederations Cup risk. Europe would be "fairly rep- quota. already faced an uncertain The idea was announced on resented" by the quotas, said With the United States, Mex- single-game playoffs to qualify European round of two-leg future after this year's edition Thursday as part of the FIFA UEFA President Aleksander ico, and Canada weighing a for the 2026 edition would playoffs that allocates the last in Russia. Bureau's proposal to award each Ceferin, whose members cur- co-hosting bid for 2026, the replace a scattered global for- four of UEFA's quota of 13 qual- With the 2022 World Cup in of the six continental confeder- rently fill 26 of the top 48 places decision on which hosts will get mat of two-leg playoffs for 2018. ifying slots. Qatar being played in Novem- ations extra places at the World in FIFA's ranking of 211 national direct entry is set to be made by In November, there will be two FIFA hopes to generate buzz ber and December, a Club World Cup, which will expand starting teams. the council and not individual intercontinental playoffs — among fans in the 2026 host Cup in November 2021 has in 2026 when North America is Excluding Europe, the other confederations, FIFA said. South America vs. Oceania, and country, or countries, by bring- become the preferred test event expected to host. five confederations would send The proposal for centralized CONCACAF vs. Asia — plus a ing in six teams to play four option. SPORT SUNDAY 2 APRIL 2017 25 Al Attiyah wins super special stage in Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi behind Sunderland’s factory Colombian driver Antonio Mar- The Peninsula KTM. Aussie Lee Stephens molejo suffered mechanical pushed hard on his KTM 500 issues and was not able to start atar’s Nasser Saleh Al Atti- EXC to finish sixth, but is not eli- at the 11th hour. yah, Dubai-based gible for the FIM World Seven cars started the event QEnglishman Sam Sunder- Championship. in the T2 category for series pro- Nasser Saleh Al land and Kuwait’s Fahad Al Yamaha-mounted Al-Mus- duction cross-country vehicles Musallam claimed the fastest allam, the winner of the recent Attiyah in action and the fastest time fell to Saudi times in the car, motorcycle and Dubai International Baja’s quad at the Abu Arabia’s Yasir Saeidan in his quad categories on the two section, snatched a 4.8-second Dhabi Desert Toyota Land Cruiser by a mere cross-over laps of the very short lead over Dutchman Kees Koo- Challenge. tenth of a second from the local super special stage of the Abu len, while Peru’s Alexis driver Mansoor Al-Helai. Dhabi Desert Challenge pow- Hernandez Ponce was third Defending FIA T2 World Cham- ered by Nissan, held at the quad home. pion Adel Hussein finished Al-Forsan International Sports Cars were flagged away several seconds behind in his Resort, yesterday. from the start by His Excellency Nissan Patrol. Behind the early pace-set- Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al- First blood in the T3 section ters in their respective Nahyan, Minister of Culture and went to the Frenchman Patrice categories, former Czech WRC Knowledge Development and Garrouste in his Polaris RZR 100. star Martin Prokop (Ford) and Chairman of the General Ahmed Al-Maqoodi, the winner Russian Vladimir Vasilyev Authority for Youth and Sports of the 2016 Dubai International (Mini) and were second and Welfare, and event founder and Rally, was second. third quickest in the cars behind ATCUAE President Mohammed The real meat of the desert Al Attiyah’s Toyota Hilux. Ben Sulayem. action gets underway with the Sheikh Khalid Al-Qassimi’s first “It’s all systems go now for first of five selective sections of competitive kilometres in his everyone for the next five days,” 276.59km today. new Abu Dhabi Racing Peugeot said Ben Sulayem. Schippers. Quads and motor- start on his Ride to Abu Dhabi was demoted to a national cat- The stage starts to the east 3008 DKR resulted in a cau- Twenty-five motorcycles, cycles ran in pairs in reverse Team KTM. egory running behind the last T3 of Arjan, south of Abu Dhabi, and tious sixth. 14 quads and 34 cars left the order, although local rider Qatar’s Mohammed Al-Meer car after homologation issues finishes 19km to the north of Frenchman Antoine Meo start and the honour of running Mohammed Al-Balooshi was and Khalid Al-Mohannadi were with his Toyota Prado. Saudi Hameem on a major truck road (KTM) and Chile’s Pablo Quin- first on the road for the stage given the task of being the first non-starters from the original Arabia’s Ahmed Al-Malki, mean- en route to the event’s purpose- tanilla (Husqvarna) rounded off was handed to the duo of Koo- bike and moving ahead of Pablo entry list and Dubai-based while, switched his Isuzu D-Max built bivouac near the remote the top three on two wheels lan and Guatemala’s Rodolfo Quintanilla for the ceremonial American dentist Mike Ziegler from T2 to the T1 category, but Qasr Al Sarab desert resort.

Tiger Woods won't Cavaliers stop Korea's Kang seizes rot but still Houston Open lead play the Masters trail Celtics Washington Masters," Woods said on his Los Angeles AFP website. "I did about everything AFP Los Angeles I could to play, but my back AFP iger Woods announced rehabilitation didn't allow me he Cleveland Cavaliers yesterday he had lost his the time to get tournament snapped a three-game outh Korea's Kang Sung Tbattle to be fit for the ready. Tskid on Friday, but the scorched the Tournament Masters, saying he was "not "I'm especially upset Boston Celtics' own narrow SCourse at the Golf Club of tournament ready" for the first because it's a special anniver- victory maintained their slen- Houston on Friday, firing a nine- major of the year and did not sary for me that's filled with a der lead over the reigning under par 63 for a record-setting have a timetable for his return. lot of great memories. I can't NBA champion Cavs atop the second-round lead at the Hou- Woods, whose 14 major believe it's been 20 years since Eastern Conference. ston Open. titles include four Masters green I won my first green jacket." The Cavs will have hoped The 29-year-old, who jackets, has not played since Woods's historic 1997 vic- to put a miserable March in entered the week ranked 202nd withdrawing from the Dubai tory at Augusta National, when the rear-view mirror with in the world, opened the second Desert Classic on February 3 he was 21 years old, was a their 122-105 victory over the round one shot off the lead held with ongoing back spasms. watershed for golf. hapless Philadelphia 76ers. by American Rickie Fowler. He made his comeback in He became the first black LeBron James scored 34 He produced seven birdies December after missing all of golfer to win a major, the points, Kyrie Irving added 24 and an eagle at the par-five the 2015-16 season in the wake youngest to capture the Mas- and Kevin Love contributed eighth hole, where he rolled in Kang Sung of South Korea celebrates after making a birdie of back surgery. ters and he shattered records 18 in the victory, which fol- a 30-footer. putt during the Houston Open at the Golf Club of Houston in But his return has run in winning by 12 strokes with lowed on the heels of a Kang's 16-under total of 128 Humble, Texas on Friday. aground, with the 41-year-old an 18-under par total. three-game losing streak. broke the 36-hole tournament withdrawing from the Genesis Woods won his second "We needed this game, record by a stroke. double-bogey -- left him alone major start, but hasn't posted a Open in Los Angeles in Febru- Masters in 2001, completing the we needed to get this win," His six-stroke advantage on 135, one stroke in front of Zac victory since the 2013 Korean ary, the Honda Classic and the "Tiger Slam" of four major admitted Irving after the Cavs heading into the weekend is the Blair and Aaron Baddeley. Open. Arnold Palmer Invitational in championship victories in a completed a 7-10 March. largest 36-hole lead on PGA "I putted pretty good yester- A victory today would see March. row. His 2002 victory made The Cavs had lost three TOUR this season, and the larg- day, putted really good today," him grab a last-gasp berth at the He even cancelled a him the first back-to-back win- stright, and five of their pre- est ever at the Houston Open. Kang said. "Plus I teed off the Masters, the first major of the planned press conference at the ner since England's Nick Faldo vious seven going into the Americans Hudson Swafford first off, and the greens are just year that tees off next Thursday Los Angeles tournament, say- in 1989 and 1990. contest, but Irving said the and Russell Henley both carded pure, nobody really had them. at Augusta National. ing doctors had advised him to Woods last won the Mas- turnaround, with the playoffs 67s to share second on 134. The putter just kept making the "It's not in my head," Kang "limit all activities" as he tried ters in 2005, and his a fortnight away, was under Fowler's one-under 71 -- putts." said of that tantalizing possibil- to get his balky back on track. announcement on Friday marks way. which included six birdies as Kang finished equal 18th at ity. "I'll go play. Whatever "Unfortunately, I won't be the third time in four years that "We've got to keep build- well as three bogeys and a last year's US Open in his only happens, happens." competing in this year's he will miss the tournament. ing from here and not look back," he said. "I'm excited about it." The Cavs struggles Ghathra Al Ruwais Point Race opened the door for the Celt- ics, and they have seized their opportunity. Two free throws from Al Horford with 1:22 remaining proved the difference in Bos- ton's 117-116 victory over the Orlando Magic, which kept them one-half game ahead of the Cavs atop the East. The Celtics' 15th win in their last 17 home games wasn't certain until Amir Johnson contested Elfrid Pay- ton's drive in the closing minutes. Payton missed, and Hor- ford grabbed the rebound. Isaiah Thomas scored 35 points and handed out seven assists for the Celtics, who notched their 49th win of the season -- their most since the 2010-11 campaign. The podium winners at the Ghathra Al Ruwais Point Race pose for a picture in Doha. Right: Action from the race. Nasser Aldoseri topped in the Men's "It was a crazy finish," A category while Mat Wilson took the second spot followed by Aday Alvarez Diez de Ulzurrun. In the Men's B, Mohammed Albuainain clinched the first Thomas said. place with Fahad Al Sangoor bagging the second position while Abdullah Alduhiam took the third place. In the women's section, Isora Sosa, bagged the "But we kept our compo- first place while Julie Melville took the second spot. sure and got stops when we needed it." 26 SPORT SUNDAY 2 APRIL 2017 Medals for 2020 Tokyo Federer outlasts Kyrgios to Olympics to be made set up Nadal final in Miami of recycled metal Tokyo swimming medalist Matsuda. Miami a battle against the former MIAMI OPEN RESULTS important title I haven't AP "I'm glad that by participating Reuters world number one and a won," Nadal told reporters. in this project, anyone can take partisan crowd. MEN: SEMI-FINALS "I served well (today). That rganisers of the 2020 part in the Games." oger Federer In their only previous Roger Federer (SUI x4) bt Nick Kyrgios (AUS gives you calm when you Tokyo Olympics have The organizing committee

needed more than match in Madrid in 2015, the x12) 7-6 (11/9), 6-7 (9/11), 7-6 (7/5) have opportunities on the Obegun collecting dis- aims to collect eight tons of raw

three hours to out- Australian came out on top Rafael Nadal (ESP x5) bt Fabio Fognini (ITA) return." carded electronic devices that metal which will yield around last Nick Kyrgios in a similar three-set thriller 6-1, 7-5 The fifth-seeded Span- will be used in the production two tons of pure metal, enough R7-6(9), 6-7(9), that went to three tiebreaks iard did not face a break of the medals to be awarded to to produce 5,000 medals for 7-6(5) in a pulsating Miami with the last decided 14-12. ties before serving up a point against Fognini and athletes. the Tokyo Games. Open semi-final on Friday to "It's great winning this double fault that gave Fed- put his opponent's serve Japanese Olympic swimmer Citizens are being asked to set up another mouthwater- way, especially of course I erer the window he needed under pressure throughout Takeshi Matsuda and Paralym- donate unwanted and obsolete ing final clash with Rafa remember the loss against to clinch the battle. the 90-minute match. pian Takuro Yamada attended electronic devices including Nadal. him few years ago," Federer "Obviously, I'm an emo- The 30-year-old raced a ceremony in downtown smartphones, digital cameras The Swiss, who has won told reporters. tional guy. I had some ups through the first set in 26 Tokyo on Saturday to kick off and laptops. two of his last three tourna- "I know I can't always and up and downs, bit of a minutes, losing only four the campaign. Collection boxes have been ments including the show my fighting skills roller coaster," Kyrgios said. points on serve while "It's a great project that set up throughout the country. Australian Open, had to dig because everything else sort "Ultimately, I think I put Fognini made 14 unforced turns your old unused phones The collection will end in the deep to get through a sec- of takes over." in a good performance. I errors. into athletes' treasured med- spring of 2019 or as soon as the ond straight test after The temperamental Kyr- thought the crowd would've "I was missing a lot of als," said four-time Olympic eight-ton target is reached. fending off a match point in gios came apart in the late enjoyed watching it, people balls," Fognini said. "I give his quarter-final victory over stages of the last tiebreak at home would've enjoyed him a present of the first set. Tomas Berdych. after a fan yelled out when watching it. But, I wouldn't I was playing really bad." The 35-year-old's victory he was leading 5-4 and he be surprised if they found The Italian came to life Jepkosgei smashes sets up a re-match of Janu- miscued a forehand. something bad to say about in the second set, especially ary's Melbourne Park The 21-year-old me." in a stretch where he title-decider against Span- turned to the fan Nadal, who lost all four of fended off five break points three world records at iard Nadal, who earlier rolled and unleashed his previous Miami Open during his first two service over unseeded Italian Fabio a volley of finals, will be out to snap a games. Fognini 6-1, 7-5. obsceni- run of three straight defeats At 5-5, however, just Prague Half Marathon Kyrgios, who has twice against Federer, including in when it looked as if Fognini beaten Novak Djokovic over the Melbourne final and at might force a decisive third the last month, left his Indian Wells. set, he double faulted and Prague Defending champion Vio- racket a twisted heap "Winning here Nadal grabbed the break Reuters lah Jepchumba of Kenya on the court after would be something before sealing the match finished second in 65:22, with coming up short in great, and an four points later. enya's Joyciline Jepkos- Fancy Chemutai third. gei broke the world half Jepkosgei was pushed to her Kmarathon record as well limits by Jepchumba as the pair as the 10km and 15km marks were separated by one second at at the Prague Half Marathon on the 10km mark, both well inside the way to winning the IAAF the previous record of 30:21 set Gold Label Road Race in one by Paula Radcliffe in 2003. hour, four minutes and 52 sec- However, Jepkosgei began onds yesterday. pulling away from Jepchumba The 23-year-old, who was as her lead grew to three sec- competing in just her fifth half onds at 15km and she crossed marathon, clocked splits of the line with 64:52 on the clock 30:05 and 45:37 to improve the to shave 14 seconds from the 10km and 15km world records. world half-marathon record set "I didn't know I would this year by compatriot Peres Roger Federer of Switzerland hits a forehand against Nick Kyrgios break the world record today," Jepchirchir. of Australia during a men's singles semi-final in the 2017 Miami said Jepkosgei, whose previous Ethiopia's Olympic 10,000m Open at Crandon Park Tennis Center yesterday. Federer defeated best time was 1:06:08 in this bronze medallist Tamirat Tola Kyrgios 7-6(9), 6-7(9), 7-6(5) to set up final clash with Rafa Nadal. year's Ras Al Khaimah Half won the men's race in 59:37. Marathon. Kenyans Josphat Tanui and "I only wanted to improve Geoffrey Yegon were second my time." and third. Ashwin and Vijay to Kulasekara takes four to help Sri Lanka miss IPL, Kohli out for draw home series against Bangladesh

part of tournament Colombo dismissal to Dilruwan effec- Reuters tively ended Bangladesh's Mumbai hopes of a series victory. Reuters eamer Nuwan Mehedi Hasan Miraz Kulasekara picked up delayed Sri Lanka's win with ndia's bumper 13-Test home His (kohli's) recovery Sfour to help Sri 51, his second half-century season has taken a big toll on will be assessed in Lanka register a comforta- in ODIs, before he was out to Iits players with a host of them ble 70-run win in the third the first ball of Kulasekara's set to miss at least part of the the second week of and final one-day interna- third spell. The seamer also Indian with April to determine tional against Bangladesh dismissed Taskin Ahmed to injuries. an exact return to yesterdayday and level the finish with figures of 4-37 in Royal Challengers Bangalore series at 1-1. 7.3 overs. will be without Virat play date for IPL Half-centuries from Earlier, captain Upul Kohli for at least the initial phase 2017: BCCI and Thisara Tharanga and Danushka of the tournament as Perera took the hosts, who Gunathilaka gave the hosts the India skipper recovers from lost the opening ODI in a brisk start with an opening a shoulder injury that forced him Dambulla, to 280 for nine in partnership of 76 before both to miss the series-sealing final their 50 overs after Bangla- were dismissed in quick Sri Lankan cricketer (centre) celebrates with Test win over Australia in India spinner Ravichandran desh won the toss at the succession. Dharamsala. Ashwin will sit out the entire Sinhalese Sports Club The 22-year-old Mendis, team-mates after he dismissed Bangladesh batsman Tamim Iqbal "His recovery will be campaign for Rising Pune Super- Ground. who scored 102 in the rain- during their third and final match assessed in the second week of giant as he recovers from groin Kulasekara's double disrupted second ODI in at the Sinhalese Sports Club (SSC) Ground in Colombo yesterday. April to determine an exact pain, the BCCI said. Left-arm strike at the start hampered Dambulla, continued his return to play date for IPL 2017," spinner Ravindra Jadeja and Bangladesh's chase as the strong form with a well- SCOREBOARD the Indian cricket board (BCCI) paceman Umesh Yadav will both touring side were reduced to made 54. SRI LANKA BANGLADESH said in a statement. miss the start of the tournament 11-3 and they never recov- Sri Lanka looked good D Gunathilaka c Mahmudullah b Mehedi...... 34 Tamim Iqbal c&b N Kulasekara ...... 4 South African AB de Villiers for Gujarat Lions and Kolkata ered before being bundled for a big total but lost their U Tharanga b Taskin ...... 35 Soumya Sarkar st Chandimal b D Perera ...... 38 will lead the side in Kohli's Knight Riders respectively. out for 210 in the 45th over. way in the middle after the K Mendis c Mushfiqur m Mustafizur ...... 54 Sabbir Rahman c Chandimal b N Kulasekara...... 0 absence. Jadeja has problems with his Kulasekara struck twice runouts of Dinesh Chandi- D Chandimal (run out) ...... 21 Mushfiqur Rahim lbw Lakmal ...... 0 Bangalore, who have already spinning finger, while fast in his first two overs to send mal and Milinda M Siriwardana (run out) ...... 12 Shakib Al Hasan c Gunathilaka b D Perera ...... 54 lost Australia paceman Mitchell bowler Yadav has right hip and back Tamim Iqbal and Sab- Siriwardana. A Gunaratne c Mahmudullah b Mortaza ...... 34 Mosaddek Hossain b Prasanna ...... 9 T Perera c Taskin b Mortaza ...... 52 Mahmudullah c Chandimal b Lakmal ...... 7 Starc to injury, will also be with- lower back soreness. bir Rahman while test Chandimal's knock was S Prasanna c Mahmudullah b Mustafizur ...... 1 Mehedi Hasan c Tharanga b N Kulasekara ...... 51 out Lokesh Rahul for the entire A number of India's test captain Mushfiqur Rahim cut short at 21 when he was D Perera c Tamim b Mortaza...... 15 Mashrafe Mortaza c&b Prasanna...... 16 tournament, with the India cricketers played through pain was out lbw first ball to out in bizarre fashion with N Kulasekara () ...... 1 Taskin Ahmed c Gunaratne b N Kulasekara ...... 14 opener likely to undergo surgery during the home season which paceman . Mushfiqur Rahim removing S Lakmal (not out) ...... 2 Mustafizur Rahman (not out) ...... 1 on his left shoulder. included a 3-0 whitewash of All-rounder Shakib Al the bails when the batsman Extras (LB-2, W-17) ...... 19 Extras (LB-2, W-14) ...... 16 Rahul's India opening part- New Zealand and a 4-0 defeat Hasan and opener Soumya had lifted his bat after hav- Total (for 9 wkts in 50 overs) ...... 280 Total (all out in 44.3 overs) ...... 210 ner Murali Vijay, who plays for of England in a five-match series. Sarkar put together a quick- ing initially grounded it in Fall of wickets: 1-76, 2-87, 3-136, 4-161, 5-194, 6-216, Fall of wickets: 1-4, 2-10, 3-11, 4-88, 5-111, 6-118, 7-127, 7-230, 8-275, 9-277. 8-155, 9-209, 10-210. Kings XI Punjab, will undergo India also beat Bangladesh fire partnership of 77 for the the crease. Bowling: Mortaza 10-0-65-3 (w5); Mustafizur 10-0-55- Bowling: Nuwan Kulasekara 7.3-0-37-4; Suranga Lakmal wrist surgery and is expected to in a one-off test before a 2-1 vic- fourth before the lat- Thisara's 40-ball 52, 2 (w1); Mehedi 10-1-49-1 (w1); Taskin 8-1-50-1 (w5); 8-0-38-2 (w-4); Dilruwan Perera 10-1-47-2 (w-6); Thisara miss the April 5-May 21 tory in a hard-fought four-Test ter fell to off-spinner which included four fours Mahmudullah 1-0-5-0; Shakib 8-0-41-0; Mosaddek 3-0- Perera 2-0-14-0; Asela Gunaratne 2-0-16-0; Seekkuge Pras- tournament. series against Australia. Dilruwan Perera. and a six, gave Sri Lanka's 13-0. anna 10-1-33-2 (w-4); Milinda Siriwardana 5-1-23-0. Shakib made 54 but his innings late momentum. SUNDAY 2 APRIL 2017 SPORT 27 All roads lead to today's Qatar Clasico

Armstrong Vas On the other hand, former The Peninsula champions Al Rayyan, who were Title aspirants Al tournced 5-0 in the first leg, can Sadd eye crucial win l Sadd will be look- still maintain their faint hopes of A filfile pip ctcturure off thehe ing for a repeat retaining the Qatar Stars League QaQataar ClClasasicco bebetwweeeen performance of their (QSL) title with a victory over Al AlAl Rayayyaan anand AlA Sadadd.d scintillating first leg Sadd. The pressure will be very show against rivals much on Al Sadd as they look to AlA Rayyan when they clash in the overhaul league leaders highly anticipated Qatar Clasico Lekhwiya to pick up their first today. QSL falcon shield since the 2012- For coach Jesualdo Ferreira 13 season. , the tie holds extra significance The Wolves will be aiming to as a full three points will keep put behind their frustrating 0-0 the Wolves in the title hunt, who draw against Umm Salal last time now are int eh second spot with out, which gave their title rivals It’s going to be a close xx points behind leaders the chance to overtake them in game, no one knows who Lekhwiya. the QSL standings. will win because it’s a Revenge on Al Ferreira is expecting a tough Clascio. I hope that my side encounter for his team. will perform against our Rayyan's mind “It’s going to be a close game; rivals Al Rayyan. no one knows who will win Jesualdo Ferreira because it’s a Clascio. I hope that Al Sadd coach my side will perform against our rivals Al Rayyan.” A host of key players in the Al Sadd set-up were called up for picking up 5-0 win. Striker Bag- the long term futures of two key hopefully two games in the Qatar the Qatar National team for the dad Bounjah was the hero attackers with both Sebastian Cup” added the Danish coach. World Cup qualifiers and Fer- notching a hat-trick in the tie, Soria and Tabata signing contract The Al Rayyan boss said the reira will be hoping that his and the Algerian international extensions with the club. pressure will be on his certainly serve up some of the players are fresh after the long will have to be at his best again Michael Laudrup will be hop- opponents. best football the QSL has to offer. away trip to Uzbekistan. if Sadd are to register a repeat ing that his two attacking stars “Al Sadd need to win to Meanwhile, table topping “It is good to have the pro- performance. come back from Uzbekistan at have a chance in the league. I Lekhwiya who are just three We have a big game fessional players with us after the As for Al Rayyan, they will full fitness after representing the think it will be a good game, wins away from lifting their fifth against Al Sadd, who are a international break, including come into the Qatar Clasico in Qatar national team. we have improved since the QSL title take on a El Jaish in one great team and are rightly Abdulkarim Hassan. I hope that good spirits following compre- “We have a big game against last game and I believe that of the standout fixtures of round looking to fight for the title. the returning players from inter- hensive victories in the QSL and Al Sadd, who are a great team they respect us. Looking at the 24. We are looking to do better national duty can hit the ground AFC Champions League. Last and are rightly looking to fight result on it’s own last time Red Knights coach Djamel than we did last time running and start strongly in the time out in the league, Rayyan for the title. We are looking to do against Al Sadd does not show Belmadi stressed on the impor- against Al Sadd. Clasico” added Ferriera. eased past bottom of the table Al better than we did last time the whole story it was a com- tance of the crucial tie. Michael Laudrup Ferreira said he’s not feel- Wakrah with a 4-0 win. Talis- against Al Sadd whilst looking to petitive game until the second “Three games left from the Al Rayyan coach ing the strain of the title race. manic captain Rodrigo Tabata maintain our third place in the half.I don’t believe in revenge end of the season, it’s just two “I don’t feel any pressure delivered the goods again for the league,” Laudrup said. but we want to get a result points difference between us from this game, and the situa- Lions, scoring a hat-trick for his “April is going to be an excit- against Al Sadd.” and Al Sadd. It’s a key game for tion in fact I enjoy it.” side. ing month with the end of the Today’s match could have a us and we have a big desire to Last time in the league, Al During the international league, two big games in the significant say in the destination win this match,” the Algerian Sadd ran riot against their rivals break, Rayyan moved to secure Champions League and of the QSL falcon shield, and will said. EPL: Palace's Zaha stuns Chelsea, Spurs close gap

London the league. No-one would allegiances from England to AFP expect us to come here and do Ivory Coast last year. that," said Zaha, whose side His side fell behind in the ilfried Zaha rocked have won four games in a row. fifth minute when Eden Hazard Chelsea as Crystal "We know there's talent crossed from the left for Fabre- WPalace breathed new here. We just needed to work gas to score at the near post. life into the Premier League title together. Everyone is seeing it But Zaha levelled matters in race with a stunning 2-1 win now." the ninth minute, drilling home over the leaders at Stamford Liverpool closed to within through a posse of defenders, Bridge yesterday. 10 points of Chelsea, albeit hav- and two minutes later his pass In a frantic start, the Ivory ing played a game more, after freed Benteke to dink a cocky Coast winger cancelled out Cesc sinking Everton 3-1 in the Mer- finish over Thibaut Courtois. Fabregas's opener and teed up seyside derby. Despite losing defenders Christian Benteke for the win- But Manchester United lost James Tomkins and Scott Dann ner as Chelsea lost at home for ground in the race for top-four -- Tomkins's replacement -- to the first time since September places following a frustrating injury, Sam Allardyce's patched- 16. 0-0 draw at home to West Bro- up Palace side gallantly held on Second-place Tottenham mwich Albion. to stay four points clear of the Hotspur took advantage by win- Zaha's headline-grabbing bottom three. ning 2-0 at Burnley to trim display against Chelsea followed "This is football. We must Crystal Palace striker Wilfried Zaha vies with Chelsea's defender Gary Cahill during the English Chelsea's lead to seven points. a week of headlines about his accept this result," said Chelsea Premier League football match at Stamford Bridge in London, yesterday. "I'm stunned. They're top of decision to switch international manager Antonio Conte. Aspire Academy U-18 defeat Olympiacos FC

The Peninsula against Olympiacos, Head Coach teams, the latest Tri-Series foot- were taking place. In relation to of Aspire Academy’s U-18's ball tournament also featured youth development and building Action from spire Academy's U-18s Hedider Abderrazak, said: competition between U-16s teams for the future, Gordon the Aspire side defeated an U-18s “Both games against Olym- teams, with LA Galaxy running Kljestan said: “Qatar as a country Academy and Ateam from Greek club piacos were very competitive. out winners over Olympiacos has a very good system for youth LA Galaxy Olympiacos twice last week in The challenge we faced and the and hosts Aspire Academy in development and Aspire Academy match. the latest Tri-Series experience of competing was as that competition. is a great set up. If I could offer any tournament. important as the results them- Gordon Kljestan, Director of words of encouragement, I would In the first match, Moham- selves. The way our players Soccer Operations at LA Galaxy simply say that with youth devel- med Al Bayati’s converted responded to what the opposi- praised the Tri-Series tourna- opment is a process. penalty gave the Academy team tion threw at them was very ment, and said: "Winning is not everything their first win. positive and encouraging to see. “This is a great competition at this point, it is about bringing In the second game, two "I'm very impressed with the and gives our players useful the players on. We are in a sim- days later, the visitors took the team's efforts against such international experience. The ilar situation in America. Our lead through Athanasios Kostan- strong opposition. Olympiacos team from Aspire Academy were league is only 22 year old and asious eight minutes after the is one of the strongest academies committed and well organized we cannot yet say that we are starting whistle. in Greece, if not the strongest, and really gave their all. The amongst the best leagues in the Their lead did not last long and one of the best in Europe as Academy team were also well world. Of course winning is however as Raben Boussafi well. Many players move to big disciplined and you could tell important, but it is a process and equalised just two minutes later. teams from Olympaicos. To play they have been playing together it is going to take time and Substitute Eisa Palangi scored against a side that is strong phys- for some time.” requires patience too. So we are the second goal for the Academy ically and technically is great Olympiacos and LA Galaxy in a similar position in the US, in the 47th minute securing vic- experience. I’m very pleased visited Qatar at the same time as and we share similar aims and tory for the home team. with the team's performance.” senior international 2018 FIFA objectives in terms of After the second game As well as involving U-18s World Cup qualification matches development."