CCRICKETRICKET | Page 4 GGOLFOLF | Page 5 India win third Tiger on prowl T20I to clinch as Lovemark, series against List lead at Proteas PGA National

Sunday, February 25, 2018 FOOTBALL Jumada II 9, 1439 AH Salah scores again as GULF TIMES Liverpool thrash West Ham United SPORT Page 3 HORSE RACING Gazwan, The Blue Eye wins light up Emir’s Sword Festival 2016 champions of HH The Emir’s Sword and HH The Emir’s Trophy register their second victories in the races

His Highness the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani presents Khalifa bin Sheail al-Kuwari (second from right) with the Silver Sword after Easter De Faust won HH The Emir’s Silver Sword race at the Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club (QREC) yesterday.

His Highness the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani applauds as The Blue Eye’s owner Khalifa bin Sheail al-Kuwari (centre) and trainer Jassim Mohamed Ghazali (left) lift their trophies after the six-year-old won HH The Emir’s Trophy (Gr1) yesterday.

By Mikhil Bhat Doha

is Highness Sheikh Moham- ed bin Khalifa al-Thani and trainer Julian Smart enjoyed a hat-trick in HH The Emir’s HSword (Gr1 PA) with unstoppable Gazwan taking the million dollar Ara- bian feature, while Khalifa bin Sheail al-Kuwari’s The Blue Eye too struck back for his second HH The Emir’s Trophy (Gr1) victory in three years at the Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club (QREC) yesterday. His Highness the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani presented His Highness the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani with winners of Al Sabiq races at the QREC yesterday. the trophies to the winners. In the fi nale, all eyes were on Umm year-old Purebred Arabians. Two big Qarn’s Yazeed, unbeaten in Qatar wins and the Brit was understandably this season coming into the race, and smiling. Smart’s other ward, Ebraz, last year’s “It was a little bit frustrating and winner, both of who were lighting up disappointing with some of the previ- the competition all season long coming ous races, but to get a win on this lad into yesterday’s big one. (The Blue Eye) is huge. I knew he had However, yesterday, when the fi eld a massive chance. Course form holds took the turn, Cristian Demuro let the big time. And we know he goes around 2016 champion go and that left too here so well. To come here and bounce much ground to cover for Alban de back and beat some really classy hors- Mieulle-trained Yazeed, helmed by es, winners from abroad; take nothing Olivier Peslier, even as Theo Bachelot- away from that,” he said. ridden Ebraz was fast gaining ground. Easter De Faust led a one-two for Yazeed perhaps found a mile and a al-Kuwari and Ghazali with Jethjath half too much, having to step up from fi nishing second behind Oisin Murphy, his 2200m trial victory, as Ebraz eased while Evolution Du Croate was a distant past to take the second spot two lengths third under Tomas Lukasek. ahead of the former. Among the international runners, “My biggest concern was that he had Jockey Cristian Demuro (left) rides Gazwan to victory ahead of Ebraz, with Theo Jockey Harry Bentley (left) rides The Blue Eye to victory in HH The Emir’s Trophy Al Rayyan Stakes topper Tip Two Win, not had a race since the Arc. But he is Bachelot astride, in HH The Emir’s Sword (Gr1 PA) yesterday. PICTURE: Juhaim (Gr1) at the QREC yesterday. PICTURE: Juhaim trained by UK trainer Roger Teal, made an absolute beast of a horse. Look he his second successful trip to Qatar to doesn’t win all of his races, but the rac- Nasser al-Ramzani-trained Cannon. Trophy victory in three years. side line but just made it to the frame, not going to be easy here. They need to win the Group 2 Al Biddah Mile hand- es that he does win, he beats the best,” Earlier in the day, the camp of Cham- Bentley had the six-year-old run while UK handler Andrew Balding’s El- know that there is a horse from Qatar, somely, while jockey Martin Harley Smart told Gulf Times after his sixth pion Trainer Jassim Mohamed Ghazali midfi eld even as Frankie Dettori, rid- bereth made it to fi fth. a trainer Jassim Ghazali, (an owner in) raced his third winner of the three-day win in Qatar’s fl agship Arabian race in and al-Kuwari went ballistic with their ing Money Multiplier in the famous “The Blue Eye is a champion. Every- Mr. Sheail bin Khalifa al-Kuwari, and festival with David O’Meara-trained the last eight years. celebrations after Champion Jockey colours of Al Shahania Stud, took on one knows that. He got beaten, but it it is not going to be easy to win against Intisaab beating Ghazali’s Izzthatright De Mieulle was all praise for the Harry Bentley rode two big winners, in- Ahmed Kobeissi’s Fort Moville early, doesn’t mean that he is not a champion them. Champion horse, he runs with a for the Group 3 Dukhan Sprint. winner. “Gazwan is a very good horse. cluding The Blue Eye in the million dol- and then set the pace before fi nding anymore. Champions emerge once in a heart, does everything that we ask of Ibrahim al-Malki-trained Pazeer Yes, I am a little bit disappointed about lar Thoroughbed feature and Easter De himself alongside Eduardo Pedroza- while, but they don’t run every day,” an him. I don’t know what happened last registered his second straight course Yazeed, but I think the distance may Faust in HH The Emir’s Silver Sword. ridden Noor Al Hawa coming off the elated al-Kuwari said. season, but today he sealed everyone’s and distance victory to win the 2000m have been a little too much for him. And The Blue Eye beat a highly-rated inter- fi nal bend. Ghazali, who had a hat-trick on Day mouths,” he said referring to The Blue HH The Emir’s Shalfa, a Thorough- the quality of the horses in front of him, national competition, including Andreas The Blue Eye surged forward com- Two of the festival and won two big Eye’s ninth place in the race’s 2017 edi- bred handicap race, while Yousef Ben Ebraz and Gazwan, is good,” he said. Wohler’s Noor Al Hawa, Chad Brown’s ing on to the home straight and eased ones yesterday, was a proud trainer. tion. Taher’s in-form ward Molheb Al Naif The victory was Demuro’s second on American raider Money Multiplier and past Al Wasmiyah Farm’s Noor Al Hawa “I feel the contenders who have come Bentley had two third places and a stayed unbeaten for the sixth straight the day having won the card-opening Qatar Derby-winning Italian contender metres out for a fantastic win. Mac Ma- from outside Qatar to race here, it second place yesterday before com- outing to capture the other Group 1 for Al Rayyan Breeders Cup with Hadi Mac Mahon, to snap up his second Emir’s hon, under Dario Vargiu, took the in- should be put in their heads that it is ing into the Silver Sword race for four- Arabians, the Qatar International Cup. Gulf Times 2 Sunday, February 25, 2018 SPORT

SHOWJUMPING Young Qatari rider al-Suwaidi The 23-year-old guides his veteran gelding Cantaro 32 clinches Emir’s Sword to victory in Big Tour class

By Sahan Bidappa Doha

almeen Sultan al-Suwaidi couldn’t have chosen a bigger stage to an- nounce himself, as the Qatari rider emerged triumphant in HH The Emir’sS Sword Equestrian championship yes- terday. The 23-year-old stole the thunder at the Qatar Equestrian Federation’s outdoor arena as he guided his veteran grey gelding Cantaro 32 to victory in the Big Tour class. Al-Suwaidi was thrilled to receive the Emir’s Sword from His Highness the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani. “It’s a pleasure for anyone to shake Emir’s hand and receive the sword from Emir. It’s such an hon- our,” the young rider said. Al-Suwaidi and Cantaro 32 proved to be a formidable com- bination as they galloped the long course and jumped clear with a faultless round, stopping the clock at an impressive 78.16secs. Unlike in the previous years, when a rider would win the championship if he did well on a particular day, this time the riders had to perform consistently over the three days of the championship. And al-Suwaidi walked away with the honour and QR68,750 in prize money after tallying highest points on the back of his impressive show yesterday. “I held Qatar Equestrian Federation President Hamad bin Abdulrahman al-Attiyah (second left) poses up my points since fi rst day. It was three days with HH The Emir Sword winner Salmeen Sultan al-Suwaidi (second right), runner-up Hamad of jumping. I made sure that I had very good Ali al-Attiyah (left) and third-placed Salman Mohammed al-Emadi. PICTURES: Lotfi Garsi time on the fi rst day because it would help me on the last day if I jump clean then I can win title,” he said. Al-Suwaidi paid credit to his horse Cantaro 32 for the victory. “It’s my fi rst Emir Sword win. It was a big challenge as there were strong competitors. I have an 18-year-old horse, which refuses to give up and pushed hard to today. I have been riding Cantaro 32 now for two and half years. Today, I was un- der pressure but it ended nicely. So I am very happy,” he said. Qatari Olympic rider Hamad Ali al-Attiyah and his 11-year-old gelding Clinton fi nished second, while Salman Mohammed al-Emadi and Zorro Z took third spot. “I was bit unlucky on the fi rst day. But thank God I was fi fth and held my ground in key rounds and today I fi nished second. I am very happy. Salmeen is a very good rider with Khalid Mohammed al-Emadi a really good horse. Both of them deserve it, as astride Fiji won the Medium they worked hard so hard the whole season to Tour class yesterday. achieve this victory,” al-Attiyah said. “This is my best result in Emir Sword. Every year I have come here with my second horse, this year I had a good horse. We were not ready for the show but we did what we can and we ended up second. We could have won but it was my mistake that cost us and not my horse’s fault,” he added. Salmeen Sultan al-Suwaidi rides Cantaro 32 to victory in the Big Tour class to clinch the HH The Emir’s Meanwhile, Khalid Mohammed al-Emadi Sword Equestrian championship yesterday. PICTURE: Mohamed Tinachikt won the Medium Tour class with his 10-year- old gelding Fiji. Al-Emadi was richer by QR41,250 after his victory. Sheikh Abdulla Emir’s Sword Equestrian championship results bin Nasser al-Thani (Dollar Van Ze Zuutho- eve) was second, while Cyrine Cherif (Gerlin Big Tour: Table A, One round (Fiji); 0; 74.85secs; 7.160; QR41,250 (Vlacido); 0; 62.79secs; 5.475; VD Waterkant) came third. against the clock, Art. 238.2.1 2. Sheikh Abdulla bin Nasser al- QR15,000 The Small Tour title went to Mohammed (140/150cm) Prize-money Thani (Dollar Van Ze Zuuthoeve); Dressage Level 1 Test Prize- al-Ghazali, who rode Michael Jackson to vic- QR250,000 4; 76.10secs; 7.565; QR30,000 money QR50,000 tory and clinch QR25,000 in prize money. 1. Salmeen Sultan al-Suwaidi (Can- 3. Cyrine Cherif (Gerlin VD 1. Hassan Hassan al-Nuaimi (Leslie Saeed Hamad al-Rashdi (Graffi ti De Lully taro 32); Faults: 0; Time: 78.16secs Waterkant); 8; 70.73secs; 6.365; Ann 2); Scores; 69.615; QR13,750 CH) fi nished second, while Mohammed Total Points: 1.785 Prize money: QR22,500 2. Saeed hamad al-Rashdi (Graff iti Nasser al-Qadi (Vlacido) third. 68,750 Small Tour: Table A, One round De Lully CH); 68.654; QR11,250 In the dressage events, Hassan al-Nuaimi 2. Hamad Ali al-Attiyah (Clinton); against the clock, Art.238.2.1 3. Amna Ahmad al-Saff ar (Leslie Ann 2) won the Level 1 event, followed 0; 74.78secs; 2.220; QR 56,250 (110/120cm) Prize-mon- (Rhythm); 67.692; QR8,750 by Saeed hamad al-Rashdi (Graffi ti De Lully 3. Salman Mohammed al-Emadi ey:100,000 Dressage Level 2 Test Prize- CH) in second and Amna Ahmad al-Saff ar Dressage winners pose with the off icials at the Qatar Equestrian Federation yesterday. (Zorro Z); 4; 71.74secs; 1.925; QR 1. Mohammed al-Ghazali (Michael money: QR30,000 (Rhythm) in third. The Dressage Level 2 top 43,750 Jackson); 0; 71.08secs; 0.560; 1. Mennatallah Hesham Mourad spot went to Mennatallah Hesham Mourad Attiyah, President of the Qatar and Asian trian Federation and Qatar Racing Club,” he Medium Tour: Table A, One QR25,000 (Quick Dance); 67.692; QR8,400 (Quick Dance). Aisha Ahmed al-Ahmadi Equestrian Federation, hailed the HH The said. “I also want congratulate the Salmeen round against the clock, Art. 2. Saeed Hamad al-Rashdi (Graf- 2. Aisha Ahmed al-Ahmadi (Wait (Wait And See Ze) took runner-up spot, while Emir’s Sword Festival. Al-Attiyah said: “The Sultan al-Suwaidi for winning the champi- 238.2.1 (125/135cm) Prize-money fiti De Lully CH); 0; 68.38; 4.530; And See Ze); 63.846; QR6,750 Maha Matar al-Kuwari (Fokke Van Orshof Emir’s Sword Festival has achieved outstand- onships and winning the precious sword. I 150,000 QR20,000 3. Maha Matar al-Kuwari (Fokke D’17) completed the podium. ing success. We are proud to contribute to the want to congratulate other Qatari riders too 1. Khalid Mohammed al-Emadi 3. Mohammed Nasser al-Qadi Van Orshof D’17); 61.731; QR5,250 Meanwhile, Hamad bin Abdulrahman al- success of the two federations – Qatar Eques- who competed for the podium,” he added.

QNB STARS LEAGUE Duhail outplay Al Khor, Markhiya down Gharafa

By Sports Reporter found the net after he latched on to a two-goal blitz (61st and 64th) turned Doha long through ball. the tide of the match in Al Markhiya’s Al Khor, without their key player favour. Abdelqadir Ilyas (27th) scored Madson, had a good chance to reduce their other goal. It was Al Markhiya’s l Duhail scripted yet another the margin at the stroke of half-time only second victory this season. They big victory, this time 4-0 whistle, but substitute Yousef Ahmed now have 12 points, but are still at the against Al Khor in Week 18 of skied the ball from close. bottom of the table. Al Gharafa re- the QNB Stars League in front Al Duhail had 71 per cent of posses- mained sixth on 23 points. ofA home fans yesterday. sion at full time. Such was their asser- Al Gharafa dominated the early ex- Ismail Mohamed (24th minute), tion on the match that Al Khor simply changes and were rewarded by two Youssef el-Arabi (30th-min penalty), found themselves at the receiving end. goals. Sneijder had a chance in the sixth Youssef Msakny (34th) and Murad Naji Murad found the back of the net with minute, but he skied his shot after being (53rd) scored the goals as Al Duhail an angular long-ranger. Al Duhail al- fed by Ahmed Alaaeldin. However, The moved on to 48 points and a further step most scored their fi fth only to see Ab- Cheetahs faded out as the game pro- closer to the title. Al Khor stayed on 15 dulrahman Mohammed’s shot being gressed and The Oryxes grew in con- points. A penalty was awarded when Al saved by rival goalkeeper Gheith Jumah. fi dence. Al Markhiya fought as if they Khor defender Ahmed Al Nehawi fouled Meanwhile, Al Markhiya bounced were battling for their life. Indeed, it Msakni inside the box. El Arabi took his back brilliantly from a two-goal defi cit was. De Oliveira’s goals came after one tally to 22 goals and Msakny 19 in the to defeat Al Gharafa 3-2 at the Al Arabi hour. The fi rst was an opportunistic top scorers’ chart. Stadium yesterday. strike and the second came off a long Al Duhail showed no signs of fatigue Al Gharafa went 2-0 up by the 23rd free-kick that landed in the corner of after their victory over the UAE’s Al minute through goals from Wesley Sne- the net. Wahda in the AFC Champions League ijder. The Dutch star fi rst found the tar- Alaaeldin soon had an opportunity in midweek and continued from where get in the 16th minute after linking up to level the score, but he headed against they left off . Al Duhail dominated with Iranian striker Mehdi Taremi. the body of Muntazar. The last min- throughout and the fi rst half ended with Sneijder’s second came through utes saw hectic action at both ends. The Red Knights having 75 per cent of a penalty that was awarded after Al Abdelqadir had his shot saved by Al the ball. They scored three times during Markhiya goalkeeper Mohamed Munta- Gharafa’s Brazilian midfi elder Diego that time. The fi rst goal came through zar tripped Taremi while attempting to Amado, whereas Muntazar came up an opportunistic strike by Ismail. After collect the ball. with yet another brilliant save to thwart El Arabi converted the penalty, Msakny Brazilian striker Eric de Oliveira’s Abdelaziz Hatem. Leaders Al Duhail moved to 48 points and a further step closer to the QNB Stars Leagu title after they beat Al Khor 4-0. Gulf Times Sunday, February 25, 2018 3 FOOTBALL

EPL LA LIGA Ronaldo strikes twice as Real thump Alaves Salah scores again league this season. AFP Madrid Benzema was again the crea- tor as Bale made it two less than a minute into the second period. Cristiano Ronaldo The Frenchman powered for- double and Gareth ward and laid the ball off for Bale, Bale’s fi rst goal in seven with the 28-year-old winger fi n- matches helped Real ishing with aplomb to end a run as Liverpool thrash MadridA thrash Alaves 4-0 at the of six games without scoring. Santiago Bernabeu yesterday to Ronaldo has been having no strengthen their grip on a top- such problems in front of goal, three spot in La Liga. though, and the fi ve-time Bal- The reigning champions’ ti- lon d’Or winner wrapped up the tle hopes are all but over, with points just after the hour mark. Real 11 points adrift of leaders He ran onto Lucas Vazquez’s Barcelona in third, but a run of pass to slot home his 13th goal in West Ham United four straight wins has ended his last seven games in all com- any worries of missing out on a petitions, including the vital West Brom manager Pardew under pressure after home defeat, Swansea crash 4-1 at Brighton Champions League spot. two in last week’s Champions Coach Zinedine Zidane brought League fi rst-leg win over Paris Bale back into the starting XI af- Saint-Germain. Benzema was ter dropping the Welshman to the rewarded for his earlier selfl ess- bench for the midweek victory ness with a late penalty as Ron- over Leganes, but the reunited aldo passed up the chance for a ‘BBC’ of Bale, Ronaldo and Karim hat-trick. Benzema were left frustrated for Barcelona can open up a much of the fi rst half. 10-point lead over Atletico Ma- The deadlock was fi nally bro- drid when they host Girona later ken shortly before the interval, on Saturday, with Diego Sime- as Benzema’s delightful fl ick one’s capital club not playing found Ronaldo, who duly drilled until their Sunday visit to Sevilla. the ball into the corner. Elsewhere, Celta Vigo gave The Portuguese forward’s re- their hopes of qualifying for the turn to top form has been key to Europa League a boost as Iago Real’s climb up the table, with Aspas scored in a 2-0 win over the opening goal his 13th in the Eibar.

Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates scoring a goal against Deportivo Alaves in Madrid. (Reuters)

LIGUE 1 Toulouse level late to frustrate Monaco AFP shot through the grasp of Mo- Paris naco goalkeeper Danijel Subasic to notch his fi rst-ever Ligue 1 goal midway through the second Liverpool’s midfielder Mohamed Salah (right) scores the team’s second goal against West Ham United during their EPL match at Anfield in Liverpool yesterday. (AFP) ormer Arsenal striker period. Yaya Sanogo scored a late Monaco were dealt another Reuters relegation rivals Huddersfi eld Results & standings Dutchman Juergen Locadia’s equaliser as Toulouse blow before half-time, as Sen- London Town. PRESSURE ON PARDEW goal on his Premier League de- staged a late comeback to egalese youngster Balde hobbled Swansea City crashed 4-1 at Leicester City ...... 1 Stoke City ...... 1 Elsewhere, West Brom’s de- but completed the rout. snatchF a dramatic 3-3 draw with off injured to be replace by Ste- Brighton & Hove Albion and Bournemouth ...... 2 Newcastle United ....2 feat will add to the pressure on Swansea drop back into the second-placed Monaco in Ligue van Jovetic. Brighton & Hove ...... 4 Swansea City ...... 1 ohamed Salah was Bournemouth came from two Albion Burnley ...... 1 Southampton ...... 1 manager Pardew whose side are relegation zone just ahead of 1 yesterday. The Montenegrin interna- inevitably on the goals down to draw 2-2 with Liverpool ...... 4 West Ham United ....1 now seven points off safety. Ra- Stoke City, who drew 1-1 with The point drags relegation- tional should have fi nished off a scoresheet as Liv- Newcastle United. West Brom Albion ...... 1 Huddersfield Town .2 jiv van La Parra and Steve Mou- Leicester City. threatened Toulouse two points wonderful, sweeping move early erpool took full ad- Liverpool’s win was not quite nie scored for Huddersfi eld, It would have been better for clear of the bottom three, while in the second half, but after his Standings P W D L F A Pts Mvantage of the inactivity of their as routine as the scoreline sug- whose win moved them three Paul Lambert’s side had keeper reigning champions Monaco re- eff ort bounced back off the post, top-four rivals to thrash West gested with West Ham occa- Manchester City 27 23 3 1 79 20 72 points up the table, one point Jack Butland not parried the ball main 11 points adrift of runaway Portuguese winger Lopes was on Liverpool 28 16 9 3 65 32 57 Ham United 4-1 at Anfi eld and sionally threatening on another Manchester Utd 27 17 5 5 51 19 56 ahead of Newcastle. into his own net when under leaders Paris Saint-Germain. hand to lash into the roof of the provisionally move into second nerve-tingling Anfi eld after- Chelsea 27 16 5 6 49 23 53 Rafa Benitez’s side looked to no obvious pressure, a howler Marseille visit PSG on Sunday, net to complete a brace. in the Premier League. noon although David Moyes’ Totten Hotspur 27 15 7 5 52 24 52 be guaranteed back-to-back made all the more embarrassing when Rudi Garcia’s men will be Jovetic made no mistake when With leaders Manches- long wait for a fi rst win at the Arsenal 27 13 6 8 51 36 45 victories for the fi rst time since by the presence of former Stoke, hoping to end a 15-match win- he was given another opportu- ter City facing Arsenal in the ground continues. Burnley 28 9 10 9 22 25 37 September after Dwight Gayle Leicester and England legend less streak against their arch nity in the 72nd minute, as he League Cup fi nal today, when Salah scored for the sixth Leicester City 28 9 9 10 40 41 36 ended his recent goal drought Peter Shilton in the stands. rivals to leapfrog Monaco into combined with Rachid Ghezzal Everton 27 9 7 11 32 46 34 Manchester United host Chel- successive game in all compe- Bournemouth 28 8 8 12 33 43 32 by scoring twice before the in- Manager Lambert refused to second. before stabbing in his third goal sea and Tottenham Hotspur titions and his goal took him Brighton & Hove 28 7 10 11 26 37 31 terval. criticise his keeper, whom he Leonardo Jardim’s principal- in two games, after his initial travel to Crystal Palace in the level with Harry Kane at the top Watford 27 8 6 13 37 47 30 Yet Adam Smith and former described as “the best in Brit- ity side took an eighth-minute chip was saved by Alban Lafont. league, Juergen Klopp’s free of the Premier League scoring West Ham Utd 28 7 9 12 35 50 30 Newcastle midfi elder Dan Gos- ain” although such an obvious lead at the Stadium Municipal on But former Wigan and Caen scorers topped 100 goals for the charts with 23 this season. Huddersfield Tn 28 8 6 14 25 48 30 ling completed an astonishing howler will do little to help But- Saturday as Rony Lopes grabbed striker Andy Delort gave rel- Newcastle United 28 7 8 13 27 38 29 season in their 40th match. But Can was equally infl uen- Southampton 28 5 12 11 29 41 27 comeback by one of the league’s land secure the England jersey his sixth league goal of the sea- egation-threatened Toulouse Emre Can, Roberto Firmino tial in Liverpool’s win, heading Crystal Palace 27 6 9 12 25 42 27 never-say-die specialists. for the World Cup. son. hope of a comeback with a 78th- and Sadio Mane also netted in the opener and laying on a su- Swansea City 28 7 6 15 21 41 27 “It’s another point that nudg- At Turf Moor, Southamp- Keita Balde, who has hit some minute penalty, and Sanogo had another Liverpool goalrush that perb through pass for Firmino Stoke City 28 6 8 14 28 54 26 es us towards where we want to ton’s Manolo Gabbiadini scored excellent form in recent weeks, the fi nal say. moved them 15 points behind to score Liverpool’s third before W Brom Albion 28 3 11 14 22 42 20 be - every one could be vital a 90th-minute equaliser as the caused havoc in the Toulouse The much-maligned 25-year- Pep Guardiola’s City. Mane chipped in with a fourth at the end of the season,” said visitors secured a nerve-jan- defence after chasing down a old, who only scored one goal in At the bottom of the table, goal in two games. whose six league goals represent Bournemouth manager Eddie gling 1-1 draw at Burnley, who long ball, before squaring for the 20 Arsenal appearances before the future of West Bromwich “It is diffi cult to be top, Man- the best haul of his Liverpool Howe. Swansea also scored late still await their fi rst win of the onrushing Lopes to score. joining Toulouse last year, fi red Albion manager Alan Pardew chester City are too far away, career which could be in its fi nal at Brighton but Lewis Dunk’s year. Watford were due to play But the hosts didn’t take long in an 87th-minute leveller with looks increasingly bleak af- but of course we want to fi n- season as his contract expires at own goal proved academic with Everton in Saturday’s late kick- to fi nd an equaliser, as midfi eld- his second league goal for the ter their 2-1 defeat at home to ish second,” said the German, the end of the campaign. the home side already 3-0 up. off . er Ibrahim Sangare sidefooted a club.

LEAGUE CUP FINAL BUNDESLIGA Arsenal stand in way of Pep’s Lewandowski and Heynckes miss records as Bayern Munich held fi rst Manchester City silverware AFP Lewandowski, making his 250th Bundesliga appearance, Berlin missed the out-right record of scoring in 12 consecutive AFP four seasons. “Not even in Barcelona ness. Guardiola confi rmed second- home league games. He now shares the league record of London when we won the fi rst title in the cup did choice goalkeeper Claudio Bravo will 11 with Bayern legends Gerd Mueller and current head I expect to win 14 titles in four years,” said start, having done so in all domestic cup obert Lewandowski and Jupp Heynckes both coach Heynckes. The 72-year-old Heynckes also missed Guardiola, anxious not to over-burden matches this season, but Fabian Delph is missed out on records as runaway Bundesliga the chance to become the fi rst Bayern coach to claim 15 ep Guardiola is anxious to play his players. “I’m more pragmatic.I think suspended after being sent off against leaders Bayern Munich were held to a lacklustre straight wins in all competitions. down suggestions that win- in football it’s a big mistake to think what Wigan. goalless draw at home by Hertha Berlin yesterday. Lewandowski, who accounted alone for 10 of Bayern’s ning his fi rst piece of silverware might happen in the next three years. It’s The Catalan boss earlier this season RDespite the disappointing result, Bayern moved 20 chances, was thwarted by Hertha’s goalkeeper Rune for Manchester City in today’s a big mistake for our heads, our targets, it questioned the value of the League Cup, points clear in the table as second-placed Borussia Dort- Jarstein and the Berlin defence, who ensured he did not PLeague Cup fi nal against Arsenal would makes no sense. “When people asked in saying “you waste a lot of energy” but it mund host Augsburg tomorrow. add to his 29 goals in all competitions. herald a period of dominance. the beginning, about winning four titles could serve as a springboard to further After thrashing 10-man Besiktas 5-0 at home in the “We did everything very well and made the spaces The former Barcelona and Bayern (this season), I said of course we’ll try, success, as it has done previously for the last 16, fi rst leg, of the Champions League on Tuesday, tight. Hertha Berlin were an unpleasant opponent,” said Munich coach takes his side to Wembley but the big teams have not been able to do likes of Jose Mourinho. Wenger has won this was a much more frustrating afternoon for off -key Berlin coach Pal Dardai with pride. Kingsley Coman with the Premier League title virtually that - the big Liverpools, the big Uniteds, the FA Cup a record seven times since he Bayern. Their run of 14 straight wins in all competitions played the last ten minutes with an ankle injury after in the bag and a place in the Champions the big Arsenals, the big Chelseas.” took the helm at Arsenal but has twice came to an end and it is only the second time they have picking up a knock after Bayern had used up their three League quarter-fi nals looking certain. Defeat for City could lead to a certain been beaten in the fi nal of the League dropped league points this season at the Allianz Arena. replacements. Third-placed Eintracht Frankfurt missed But despite City’s dominance this feeling of anti-climax at the Etihad as Cup, by Chelsea in 2007 and Birming- It was Bayern’s fi rst league draw since October -a 2-2 the chance to go second with a 1-0 defeat at resurgent season, Guardiola will be eager to get his it would follow hot on the heels of their ham City in 2011. against Hertha in Berlin - which also followed a Cham- VfB Stuttgart. Winger Erik Thommy scored his fi rst goal hands on a trophy, even if it would have FA Cup exit at the hands of lowly Wigan The French manager was asked at the pions League game, their 3-0 defeat at Paris Saint-Ger- for Stuttgart after only 13 minutes to lift his team to 12th been fourth on the list of his priorities Athletic - ending their quest for an his- press conference what the key was to main which cost Carlo Ancelotti his job as head coach. – seven points from the relegation places. when the campaign began. toric quadruple. Striker Gabriel Jesus beating City. “We created our chances, but if you want to win It was Stuttgart’s third straight win under new coach City are clear favourites to beat Arse- could make a shock return at Wembley “To fi rst of all have a strong belief that games, then you have to use them,” bemoaned Bayern Tayfun Korkut. Ex-Bayern striker Nils Petersen celebrat- nal but Arsene Wenger’s men have made after being out with a knee injury since we can do it, be well-organised and take defender David Alaba. Despite nearly four times as many ed extending his contract until June 2019 with a second- a habit of cup success in recent years, the end of December, although there every opportunity to go forward and chances -- 19 shots on goal to Hertha’s fi ve - Bayern half penalty as Freiburg earned a point in a 1-1 draw at winning the FA Cup in three of the past are doubts over Raheem Sterling’s fi t- play our off ensive game,” he said. could not break through, which cost them two records. Hoff enheim. Gulf Times 4 Sunday, February 25, 2018 CRICKET Australia captain Smith to lead Rajasthan Royals PSL

AFP the Twenty20 tournament, which runs to working with the King (Shane Warne),” New Delhi from April 7 to May 27. Smith said. “We came to the conclusion that Steve In 2008, Warne captained the Royals to Peshawar Smith would be the ideal candidate for victory in the inaugural season of what is ustralia captain Steve Smith the job,” Zubin Bharucha, Rajasthan Roy- now the world’s most watched domestic will lead the Rajasthan Royals in als’ head of cricket, said yesterday T20 league. the 2018 Indian Premier League “Smith has been incredible as captain The Royals, along with the Chennai Aseason, the club announced of Australia. He is someone who leads the Super Kings, were banned for two IPL and Quetta yesterday. team by example.” seasons over an illegal gambling scandal. Smith will join Australian spin legend The Australian skipper, in a statement They have put together a strong squad Shane Warne, who was announced as the released by the club, said he was looking ahead of their return for the 2018 sea- team’s mentor earlier this year. forward to leading the team. son, bagging top names like England all- The eight teams in the cash-rich IPL — $2.5-billion media deal — spent almost “It’s an honour and privilege to be lead- rounder Ben Stokes at the player auction record wins boosted recently by a new fi ve-year $70mn at an auction for players ahead of ing (the) Royals and I’m looking forward last month.

SPOTLIGHT India win 3rd T20I

to clinch series Kamran Akmal gave Peshawar Zalmi a flying start with a 32-ball 53. Agencies et came a little too late as a valiant Dubai 30-ball 54 from Ashraf went in Chasing a target of 173 runs, the Proteas could only manage 165/6 in 20 overs vain. Zalmi’s star with the ball was debutant Umaid Asif, who eshawar Zalmi registered picked the fi rst four wickets with their fi rst win in the on- the score at 25, and made early going Pakistan Super in-roads. Islamabad could never League (PSL) yesterday recover after losing early wickets Pas they defeated Islamabad Unit- as they were restricted for 142/9 ed by 34 runs at the Dubai Inter- in 20 overs. national Cricket Stadium. Pacer Asif was awarded the Islamabad skipper Rumman player of the match award for his Raees, standing in for the injured lethal bowling performance. Musbah-ul-Haq, won the toss Meanwhile, Quetta Gladia- and elected to bowl fi rst. Put in to tors defeated Lahore Qalandars bat fi rst, opener Kamran Akmal by nine wickets and six overs to gave Zalmi a fl ying start with his spare. quick-fi re 53 off 32 deliveries. Qalandars struggled to post Akmal was well assisted by a formidable total as they lost Bangladesh cricketer Tamim wickets at regular intervals and Iqbal who made 39 off 29 balls. made 119 for 9 with Brendon Mc- Islamabad bowlers then struck Cullum top-scoring with 30. to pullback things a little but A 66-run knock by Shane useful contributions from Watson and four overs of Jofra Dwayne Smith and Mohamed Archer with fi gures of 3/23 helped Hafeez, who both made 30, Gladiators reach the winning tar- helped them to make 176/6 in 20 get of 120 runs with nine wickets overs. to spare. Medium pacer Faheem Ashraf Asad Shafi q scored 38 from 36 emerged as Islamabad’s best balls to contribute from his side. bowler as he returned fi gures of Qalandars bowlers were unable to 2/37 from four overs. make breakthroughs. Narine was In reply, Islamabad batters just the only bowler to take wicket. failed to put up any kind of resist- Mohamed Nawaz took two ance as they kept losing wickets at wickets including that of Mc- regular intervals. Cullum who got out on 30 off 18. The innings biggest partner- Archer took three wickets in his ship of 38 runs for the ninth wick- four overs.

FOCUS Stokes to return for England-NZ ODI

India’s Jasprit Bumrah (C) reacts after taking the wicket of South Africa’s Chris Morris (R) during the third T20 international at the Newlands Cricket Ground in Cape Town yesterday. AFP “It’s a diff erent group this Wellington one-day squad. We’ve played IANS SCORECARD well, producing a quick fire 43. some good one-day cricket,” Cape Town The two of them added 65 runs be- said coach Mike Hesson with tween them off 49 deliveries which pro- en Stokes is set to re- the home side having enjoyed India D. Miller c Patel b Raina...... 24 vided a strong platform to the visitors’ turn to international a golden run in recent months ndia quelled a late charge by the R. Sharma lbw b Dala ...... 11 J. Duminy c Sharma b Thakur ...... 55 innings. cricket today when with a 3-0 ODI series win South African batsmen to clinch a S. Dhawan run out (Dala) ...... 47 H. Klaasen c Kumar b Pandya ...... 7 Asked to bat fi rst, the Indians started England play their fi rst against the West Indies and nail-biting seven-run victory in the their innings on a promising note with one-dayB international against beating Pakistan 5-0. S. Raina c Behardien b Shamsi ...... 43 C. Jonker c Sharma b Kumar ...... 49 third and fi nal Twenty20 Interna- M. Pandey c Miller b Dala ...... 13 C. Morris b Bumrah ...... 4 Rohit Sharma smashing two back to back New Zealand in Hamilton. But Hesson said his side Itional (T20I) here yesterday. boundaries off Chris Morris in the open- The star all-rounder, who had knows they will have to be at H. Pandya c Klaasen b Morris ...... 21 F. Behardien not out ...... 15 Chasing a target of 173 runs, the Pro- M. Dhoni c Miller b Dala ...... 12 Extras (b1, lb1, w2) ...... 4 ing over. been sidelined since his arrest their best to match England. teas could only manage 165/6 in their 20 D. Karthik lbw b Morris ...... 13 Total (6 wkts, 20 overs) ...... 165 But Dala dismissed him early for the following a nightclub incident “They (England) are ag- overs. India have thus won the three- A. Patel not out ...... 1 Did not bat: A. Phehlukwayo, A. Phang- second consecutive match when excel- last September, rejoined the gressive from ball one with match series 2-1. B. Kumar not out ...... 3 iso, J. Dala, T. Shamsi lent off the pitch movement and some England squad in New Zealand the bat. That in itself means The match came alive in the last seven Extras (lb2, nb1, w5) ...... 8 Fall of wickets: 1-10 (Hendricks), 2-45 poor footwork saw the Indian stand-in last week after pleading not we’ve got to keep taking overs as Jean-Paul Duminy and debutant Total (7 wkts, 20 overs) ...... 172 (Miller), 3-79 (Klaasen), 4-109 (Duminy), captain being trapped leg before in the guilty in the Bristol magistrates wickets. Christiaan Jonker took the battle to the Did not bat: S. Thakur, J. Bumrah 5-114 (Morris), 6-165 (Jonker) second over. court to a charge of aff ray. “Their whole (batting) order Indian bowlers. Fall of wickets: 1-14 (Sharma), 2-79 (Rai- Bowling: Kumar 4-0-24-2 (1w), Bumrah Raina brought the innings back on Although England have not from one to nine keep com- The hosts were struggling at 79/3 af- na), 3-111 (Pandey), 4-126 (Dhawan), 5-151 4-0-39-1 (1w), Thakur 4-0-35-1, Pandya track with a power packed 27-ball innings yet named their side for the ing hard out and obviously Ben ter 13 overs when Duminy and decided to (Dhoni), 6-163 (Pandya), 7-168 (Karthik) 4-0-22-1, Raina 3-0-27-1, Patel 1-0-16-0 which included fi ve boundaries and a six. fi rst ODI, and Stokes is short (Stokes) is one of those. We change gears with a 30-run stand which Bowling: Morris 4-0-43-2 (1nb, 1w), Dala He fell in the 10th over to Shamsi when he of match practice, captain Eoin can’t only focus on one player came off just three overs. 4-0-35-3 (1w), Duminy 3-0-22-0, Pheh- Result: India won by seven runs failed to clear the long-on boundary and Morgan suggested Saturday he because they’ve got plenty of Although Duminy fell after scoring 55 lukwayo 3-0-26-0 (3w), Shamsi 4-0-31-1, Series: India won the three-match series was caught by Farhaan Behardien. would be in the line-up. good ones.” runs off 41 deliveries, Jonker continued Phangiso 2-0-13-0 2-1 The in-form Manish Pandey did not “He looks in great nick, he’s Morgan believed that how to trouble the visitors with some superb Toss: South Africa last long, falling to a short-pitched de- hit the ground running since England adapted to New Zea- strokeplay.. South Africa: livery from Dala which cramped him for he’s been involved and he’s been land conditions would be cru- Jonker smashed his way to 49 runs off R. Hendricks c Dhawan b Kumar ...... 7 Umpires: Shaun George, Bongani Jele space and his mistimed pull holed out to himself, which is great to see,” cial to the outcome of the fi ve- just 24 balls and almost took the hosts to David Miller at long-on. Morgan said. match series. victory before falling off the last ball of Dhawan also fell soon after when an “He might be better for the “They’ve been on a run, the match. For India, fast bowler Bhuv- of 172/7. Rookie South African pacer Jun- 2/43 while left-arm spinner Tabraiz accurate throw by Dala from deep mid- more games he does play and have got a good well-balanced neshwar Kumar picked up two wickets ior Dala came up with an excellent per- Shamsi also got a wicket. wicket caught him short of his crease. feel more comfortable com- side and play extremely well at while Jasprit Bumrah, Shardul Thakur formance in what was the second T20I of Opener Shikhar Dhawan was the The visitors kept on losing wickets at ing back... it is his fi rst game in home,” he said. and Suresh Raina got a wicket each. his fl edgling career with fi gures of 3/35. highest scorer for India with 47 runs regular intervals but managed to reach a quite a long time.” “I mentioned before we Earlier, India posted a competitive total Fellow pacer Chris Morris returned off 40 balls. Suresh Raina also batted competitive total. Stokes has had long net ses- bowled a ball in Australia that sions since his arrival and was these two series we were going said to be middling the ball well to play have the potential to ex- BOTTOMLINE with the bat and bowling at pose some of the weaknesses of maximum eff ort. our side. Along with Stokes, Joe Root, “We’ve got to be open to Moeen Ali, Chris Woakes and learning and improving on those Shaun Marsh leads Australians to warm-up win Jonny Bairstow are also back weaknesses as we go along. in the England squad after Australia was a tough series and AFP Cameron Bancroft, who made 45 in the been announced in the morning, he gave Siboto attacked the spin of Nathan Lyon missing the recent tri-nations New Zealand are going to be no Benoni, South Africa fi rst innings, and Marsh were the only top- new squad member Wiaan Mulder a tor- and Smith before the last three wickets fell Twenty20 series in which Aus- diff erent.” order batsmen to reach 30 during a match rid welcome, with several hostile short- for no runs in ten balls. tralia beat New Zealand in the Morgan felt England’s ODI in which seam bowlers held sway. pitched deliveries. Scores in brief: fi nal. batting had taken “a backward haun Marsh guided the touring With his team needing to score reasona- Mulder made only fi ve before he was leg South Africa A 220 and 248 (P. Malan New Zealand have won just step” in Australia while their Australians to a fi ve-wicket win bly quickly, captain Steve Smith slammed before wicket to Mitchell Marsh. 34, S. Muthusamy 34, S. von Berg 52, M. one of their last seven Twen- bowling had strengthened in the over South Africa A at Willow- 25 off 13 balls, with three fours and two Australia’s progress was held up by an Siboto 32; M. Starc 4-46, M. Marsh 2-35, S. ty20 matches and only edged past year. moore Park yesterday. sixes. eighth wicket stand of 81 off 64 between Smith 2-22) England out of the fi nal on the “You can win a lot of games SMarsh made 39 not out as the tourists Left-arm fast bowler Mitchell Starc Shaun von Berg (52) and Malusi Siboto strength of a superior run rate, certainly with the bat, but re- Australians 329 and 140-5 (S. Marsh 39 chased down a target of 140 in 29.3 overs, had a good pre-Test work-out, taking four (32). not out, D. Olivier 4-74) and will be looking to turn their stricting how many you chase winning with 5.3 overs to spare. top-order wickets for 46 runs in 15 overs. With Smith deciding his fast bowl- Result: Australians won by five wickets fortunes with the change of for- down or controlling a game with Of concern for the Australians was that With South Africa’s Test squad having ers had done enough work, Von Berg and Toss: South Africa A mat. the ball is so powerful.” Gulf Times Sunday, February 25, 2018 5 SPORT

GOLF NBA Tiger on prowl at Bucks stop Raptors’ PGA National; List, streak with Overtime Lovemark lead victory ‘I feel like I’m right there. I’m right where I can win a golf tournament. Four back on this golf course with 36 holes to go? Anybody can win this golf tournament right now. It’s wide open’

Toronto Raptors forward Serge Ibaka (9) takes a rebound away from Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) as Toronto Raptors center Jonas Valanciunas (17) helps out during the first half of their game on Friday. PICTURE: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports

AFP victory over the Minnesota Los Angeles Timberwolves. The defeat was even more bit- Tiger Woods plays his shot from the bunker on the 18th hole during the second round of The Honda Classic yesterday. PICTURE: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports ter for the Timberwolves, who he Milwaukee Bucks lost All-Star Jimmy Butler to an AFP Woods’s one-over total of 141 put him Woods said his spot four off the pace Five birdies on the back nine made up turned the tables on apparent right knee injury late in Miami in a group of 10 players sharing 14th put him “right in the ball game.” for an early bogey to give Korda a 68 for Eastern Conference the third quarter. place. “It was a good grind today,” said the a total of 196 at the Siam Country Club leaders Toronto on Fri- Butler had seized a rebound, List had posted an early target, fi ring a 42-year-old 14-time major champion, course in Chonburi province. day,T winning 122-119 in overtime turned and planted his right foot iger Woods was in the thick of 66 for 137. He was joined on three-under who is vying to become a contender “I had no expectations, but my coach to snap the Raptors’ seven-game when he fell to the court, clutch- things Friday after a one-over by Lovemark, who carded a 69. again after spinal fusion surgery in April. and I have worked together and it is still NBA winning streak. ing his right knee. He was car- par 71 at windy PGA National List had fi ve birdies and a bogey in his “I feel like I’m right there. I’m right there,” Korda told LGPA.com. Giannis Antetokounmpo ried from the court by two team- left him four shots off the Hon- four-under eff ort, which was the lowest where I can win a golf tournament. Four “I was bit nervous on the front nine, scored 26 points and pulled mates. daT Classic halfway lead held by Luke List round of the day. back on this golf course with 36 holes to but I knocked the rust off ,” added the down 12 rebounds for the Bucks. “The only thing we know is and Jamie Lovemark. Only 10 players were under par for the go? Anybody can win this golf tourna- 24-year-old, who is now only 18 holes “We did a really good job just it’s a right knee injury,” Minne- Former world number one Woods, tournament through 36 holes. ment right now. It’s wide open.” from her fi fth win on the LPGA tour. moving the ball, defending, sota coach Tom Thibodeau said playing the third tournament of his lat- “I’m really pleased with the way I Woods had struggled off the tee in fin- Korda built on a four-shot lead from just playing together,” Antetok- after the game, adding that But- est comeback bid, shook off an early bo- played — a bunch of pars and just kind of ishing tied for 23rd at Torrey Pines last the day before but was outdone in round ounmpo said. “We were able to ler would have an MRI exam. gey with two birdies on the front nine. hanging on,” List said. “This golf course month and in missing the cut at Riviera three by her younger sister Nelly, who stay calm down the stretch and The Rockets were up 79-68 He had moved into the top 10 with fi ve is winning this week so far, and I think Country Club in Los Angeles last week. made eight birdies to card a seven-un- get a tough win.” when Butler went down and pars to open the back nine before his tee whoever hangs on the hardest is going to On Friday, he found eight of 14 fair- der 65 that launched her up from T17 to Raptors center Jonas Valan- stretched their lead to as many shot at the par-three 15th found the wa- come out on top on Sunday.” ways and 11 of 18 greens in regulation. a tie for sixth at 12-under. ciunas slammed down a dunk at as 17 points before the third ter. The leaders, both seeking a fi rst US After a 361-yard drive at the 10th, he Local favourites and sisters Moriya the buzzer in regulation to send quarter ended. He walked away with a double-bogey PGA Tour title, were one stroke in front missed a nine-foot birdie try. At 11, he and Ariya Jutanugarn also carded 65s to the game to overtime. Minnesota would whittle the and surrendered another shot at the of Webb Simpson (72), Russell Henley rolled in a 12-foot par-saving putt and clinch second and fourth respectively. But the Bucks, with 21 points defi cit to nine in the fourth pe- 16th, where his long birdie attempt went (70), Rory Sabbatini (69) and Tommy he got up and down for par from green- In between them was wedged Aus- apiece from Eric Bledsoe and riod, but with three minutes re- past the hole. Fleetwood (68). The halfway cut fell at side bunkers at 13 and 14. tralia’s Minjee Lee with an aggregate Khris Middleton, emerged with maining the Rockets had pushed But he rallied with a birdie at the par- fi ve-over par, and those who missed it American Jessica Korda heads into 201. the victory over a Raptors team the advantage back to 15 as they three 17th — the hardest hole on the included defending champion Rickie the Honda LPGA fi nal with a four-shot “I really enjoyed my game today, it’s that had won 15 of their 17 prior cruised home. course — where he found the middle of Fowler. lead after the third round Saturday saw working out pretty good,” Moriya, who encounters. In New Orleans, the Pelicans the green with his tee shot and drained Four-time major-winner Rory McIl- her younger sister and the Thai Jutanu- is hoping for her fi rst career win, said. “You’ve got to understand, edged the Miami Heat 124-123 in his 12-foot birdie putt to a massive roar roy made it after fi ring his second garn siblings jostling atop the leader- “There is a lot of support and it feels this team sent us home last year,” an overtime thriller. from the gallery. straight two-over 72. board. nice having people cheering you on.” Bucks guard Jason Terry said in Anthony Davis scored nine a halftime television interview. of his 45 points in the extra pe- “This game is personal. This is a riod and guard Jrue Holiday pro- FORMULA ONE pride thing.” duced the game-winning jump Toronto and Milwaukee also shot with 7.3 seconds left as the went to overtime on January 1, Pelicans dealt the Heat their when DeMar DeRozan set a To- eighth defeat in nine games. ronto franchise record with 52 It was close in Denver, where points in the Raptors’ 131-127 Nuggets center Nikola Jokic victory. posted a triple-double to lead Good times coming, Alonso It looked like the Raptors the hosts to a 122-119 victory would pull it off again when To- over the San Antonio Spurs. ronto scored the fi rst fi ve points Jokic fi nished with 28 points, of overtime, but Terry and Mid- 11 rebounds and 11 assists before dleton made three-pointers in fouling out with 1:46 to play — says aft er driving new McLaren an 8-0 Bucks scoring run that when Denver were leading by gave Milwaukee a 118-115 lead just one point. Reuters morning, which is a good sign,” with 1:58 remaining and they With Jokic off the oor,fl Gary Madrid McLaren’s Spanish driver Fernando Alonso posing by the MCL33 said the Frenchman. wouldn’t fall behind again. Harris drained a jump shot and Formula One racing car for the 2018 season. “We want to be competitive, “We showed growth as a team broke away for a dunk and Ma- we have to be competitive and tonight,” Antetokounmpo said. son Plumlee added a dunk as the ouble world cham- I hope we are back to at least The Raptors remained one Nuggets held on for the victory. pion Fernando Alonso fi ght with the top boys. It’s going game ahead of the Boston Celtics There was no such drama in sounded an optimistic to take time. We don’t need to atop the East. Memphis, where Cleveland su- note after driving the build now wrong expectations, The Celtics returned from the perstar LeBron James notched fiD rst Renault-powered McLaren we have to be humble as well.” All-Star break with a 110-98 his 11th triple-double of the sea- Formula One car in Spain yes- The season starts in Australia victory over the Pistons in De- son as the Cavaliers cruised to a terday. on March 25. troit. 112-89 victory over the Grizzlies. The Spaniard, who has en- Britain’s Oliver Rowland The Celtics were hurting James scored 18 points with 14 dured three hard years with has been appointed “offi cial heading into the break, losing rebounds and 11 assists for the unreliable and under-perform- young driver” for Williams even three straight and four of fi ve Cavs, who bounced back from a ing Honda engines, drove the though, at 25, he is older than to fall two games behind the loss to the Washington Wizards MCL33 as part of a limited mile- both of those who will be racing Raptors. It appeared the break, on Thursday.Washington, Feb age pre-season fi lming day at for the Formula One team this and the return of guard Marcus 24, 2018 (AFP) — Results and the Navarra circuit in northern season. Smart, who missed 11 games Spain. high, I think the team is stronger “It’s an important moment for Ferrari driver. The former champions have with hand lacerations, were just RESULTS “It felt great. It’s always a spe- now than three years ago. What McLaren. After a couple of years Alonso, who will also be rac- Canadian Lance Stroll, 19, and what the Celtics needed. LA Lakers ...... 124 Dallas ...... 102 cial moment when you drive the doesn’t kill you, makes you of not fi ghting for the champi- ing at Le Mans and in the World Russian rookie Sergey Sirotkin, Leading 77-73 with 2:47 left Toronto ...... 119 Milwaukee ...122 car for the fi rst time. Everything stronger.” onship, it’s time to come back to Endurance Championship 22, as their confi rmed race driv- in the third quarter, Boston Denver ...... 122 San Antonio 119 felt good,” he told Sky Sports McLaren have not won a grand that position,” said Alonso. (WEC) this season, said fi ghting ers. mounted a 22-6 scoring run to Phoenix...... 117 LA Clippers ..128 television. “The car is running, prix since 2012 and fi nished last “Now in winter testing we for podiums and race victories Williams said Rowland, who seize control, limiting the Pis- Utah ...... 81 Portland ...... 100 we’re all happy. season ninth of the 10 teams. need to make sure that we opti- could again be the aim. was third overall in Formula Two tons to three fi eld goals in the Houston ...... 120 Minnesota ...102 “I think good times are com- The new orange and blue car mise this package but so far I’m McLaren racing director Eric last season and will race in this span. Memphis ...... 89 Cleveland ...... 112 ing,” he added when asked was unveiled online earlier on very happy and very optimistic, Boullier said everything had year’s World Endurance Cham- Western Conference lead- New Orleans 124 Miami ...... 123 whether he had a message for Friday and will test properly for I think the team did an amazing gone well. pionship, would help in the sim- ers Houston notched their 11th Detroit ...... 98 Boston ...... 110 the long-suff ering fans. the fi rst time on Monday in Bar- job in the last couple of months,” “The drivers looked hap- ulator and drive the FW41 car at straight victory as James Harden Indiana ...... 116 Atlanta ...... 93 “We kept the motivation very celona. added the former Renault and py. Fernando was smiling this a young driver test. scored 31 points in a 120-102 Washington .. 105 Charlotte ...... 122 Gulf Times 6 Sunday, February 25, 2018 SPORT

WINTER OLYMPICS WORLD SCHOOLS HANDBALL Qatar go down Ledecka seals fi ghting to Austria

By Sports Reporter 17. The North Africans also lost Doha their fi nal match against Poland in what confi rmed their exit from the competition. atar boys’ team went The tournament for 16-18 down battling to Aus- year olds (born in 2000, 2001 stunning double tria 17-20 at the ISF and 2002) will run until next World Schools Hand- Wednesday (28 February). For ballQ Championships at the Ali the fi rst time in 24 editions, the Norway’s all-conquering team set a new record for medals at a Winter Olympics Bin Hamed Al Attiyah Arena yes- championship is taking place terday. It was the hosts’ second outside of Europe and the com- successive defeat after they were petition is set to be fi erce with beaten by Poland in a Group ‘A’ 19 girls and 18 boys teams from clash on Friday. They now have 21 countries across Africa, Asia, just one win from three matches, Pan America and Europe com- having won against Morocco on peting for glory. the opening day of the champi- Meanwhile, defending boys’ onship. champion Turkey lost to Ger- Austria had a fruitful day yes- many, while Czech Republic beat terday, as they had beaten Po- Georgia 36-12. Israel managed land earlier in the day 29-21. And to get a win in the competition they showed no signs of fatigue as they pipped Czech Republic against Qatar to all but confi rm 27-23. In the girls section, France their spot in the knockout stages. scored a comprehensive 35-6 Qatar team manager Ali Meddi victory over Georgia in a Group D now has an uphill task with just clash at Aspire Dome. Denmark match left for the hosts Denmark beat Croatia 30-18. to play, a match in which they Serbia fell to champions Hun- need a win to keep any hopes of gary 35-15 in a largely one-sided survival alive. Poland redeemed match. The German girls were their chances in the group af- also in action and cruised past ter an earlier defeat to Austria Israel 39-10, while Romania as they thrashed Morocco 29- thrashed Turkey 35-18.

Ester Ledecka of Czech Republic competes during the women’s Parallel Giant Slalom final at the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea, yesterday. (Reuters)

AFP doping, but the IOC let 168 heav- Pyeongchang, South Korea Top-10 medals tally ily vetted Russian athletes compete in Canadian athlete A Qatar defender attempts to stop a Austrian player from scoring Pyeongchang under a neutral fl ag as during the ISF World Schools Handball Championships at the Ali Bin G S B Total “Olympic Athletes from Russia”. In al- charged with stealing Hamed Al Attiyah Arena yesterday. ster Ledecka made his- Norway 13 14 11 38 pine skiing, in-form Wendy Holdener car: S Korean police tory with an unprecedented Germany 13 8 7 28 led Switzerland to victory in the new snowboard and skiing dou- Canada 11 8 9 28 team event, with Austria taking silver Pyeongchang, South Korea: Canadian skier ble yesterday, while Norway’s United States 9 8 6 23 ahead of Norway with the bronze. David Duncan was arrested on charges of all-conqueringE team set a new record Iivo Niskanen won Finland’s fi rst Netherlands 8 6 6 20 stealing a car in South Korea, where he was for medals at a Winter Olympics. As Sweden 6 6 0 12 gold medal in Pyeongchang in the competing at the Winter Olympics, off icials President Donald Trump’s daugh- South Korea 5 6 4 15 men’s 50km cross-country skiing, and Canadian media said yesterday. Duncan’s ter Ivanka descended on the Games Switzerland 5 6 4 15 while Lee Seung-hoon delighted wife, Maja, and manager, Willy Raine, also were in Pyeongchang, world champion France 5 4 6 15 home fans with victory in the inaugu- arrested, the Canadian Olympic Committee Ledecka reigned supreme with a con- Austria 5 3 6 14 ral men’s mass start speed skating. said. Raine was charged with impaired driving, fi dent victory in the women’s parallel Japan’s Nana Takagi won the wom- CBC News and the Canadian Press reported. giant slalom. the closing ceremony, they top the en’s race. Ivanka Trump’s whirlwind The three were released yesterday but restrict- It came after last week’s shock su- table with Germany on 13 golds, but Olympic schedule included the men’s ed from leaving South Korea, CBC reported. A per-G win for Ledecka, daughter of a with a vastly superior overall med- big air snowboard fi nal, another debut police off icial in charge of international crime Czech rock star, who has stunned ski als total. Norway’s haul had also been event, where Canada’s Sebastien Tou- at Gangwon Provincial Police Agency said that purists and confounded logic by tak- boosted when Kristin Skaslien and tant won gold. a Canadian athlete, his wife and manager had ing gold in two very diff erent events. Magnus Nedregotten were promoted America’s Kyle Mack took silver gotten into a car in Pyeongchang that had With yesterday’s win, Ledecka to bronze in the mixed doubles curl- in big air but there were more treats been left unlocked and unoccupied with the joins Thorleif Haug and Johan Groet- ing, after Russia’s Alexander Krushel- for Trump at the curling, where the engine running. tumsbraten as the only athletes to nitsky failed a drugs test. US men’s team — a surprise hit back The off icial, who did not identify the sus- achieve a multi-sport double at the The International Olympic Com- home — beat Sweden 10-7 to win the pects by name, said the manager drove off Winter Games. mittee’s executive board held lengthy title for the fi rst time. with the car before it was stopped by police. Both Norwegians won in cross- talks but failed to decide whether to Either Norway or Germany could The manager has been charged with drunken country and Nordic combined. As lift the suspension of Russia, two of edge ahead at the top of the gold driving, the off icial said. Once the investigation Ledecka rewrote the rules, Norway whose athletes have failed drug tests medal standings, with four-man bob- is complete the results will be sent to the pros- took bronze in the inaugural alpine during the Games. The latest off end- sleigh, men’s ice hockey, women’s ecution, the off icial said, adding that unless the skiing team event to reach 38 medals, er, women’s bobsledder Nadezhda curling and cross country still in play alleged off ence was deemed a serious crime, breaking the record of 37 set by the Sergeyeva, has been kicked out after before the Games close today. As IOC they would be able to leave the country after United States in 2010. failing a test for a banned heart drug, deliberations continue on Russia’s paying a fine. Canadian Olympic Committee Norway, led by their peerless cross- the Court of Arbitration for Sport suspension, the “Olympic Athletes CEO Chris Overholt said the Korean police had country skiers, have enjoyed a barn- said. Russia’s Olympic committee was from Russia” prepare to play Germany concluded their investigation and that the storming Olympics. One day before suspended in December over mass in the ice hockey fi nal today. team members had been released. Action from the girls’ match between France and Belgium.

TENNIS Svitolina joins Henin, Venus as back-to-back Dubai winner AFP in 2016 beat two-time fi nalist Mikhail American John Isner, while Opelka was Dubai Youzhny. He also took a set off Federer coming off an upset of Sock. in the fi rst round in 2013. BOUCHARD REACHES lina Svitolina joined former SHAPOVALOV REACHES DELRAY SETTLEMENT WITH USTA world number ones Justine BEACH SEMI-FINALS Eugenie Bouchard reached a settlement Henin and Venus Williams as a Canadian teenager Denis Shapovalov with the US Tennis Association on back-to-back Dubai title win- beat Taylor Fritz 7-5, 6-4 on Friday, but Friday to end her lawsuit over a locker nerE yesterday with a 6-4, 6-0 cruise had to wait to fi nd out who he’ll face in room fall at the 2015 US Open Tennis past Russia’s Daria Kasatkina. Svi- the semi-fi nals of the ATP Delray Beach Championships. The terms of the set- tolina, the world number four, won her Open. Shapovalov, ranked 46th in tlement were confi dential. 11th career title after a 70-minute rout the world, is vying to become the fi rst The resolution came a day after a jury of Kasatkina. 18-year-old since Japan’s Kei Nishikori in US federal court in Brooklyn found “When they announced our names, at Delray Beach in 2000 to win an ATP the USTA 75% liable for the fall, which they saying that Justine and Venus are Tour title. left Bouchard with a concussion. The the only ones who defended their ti- He’ll face either eighth-seeded 23-year-old Canadian, once ranked as tles, I was like, ‘Okay, c’mon, you have Chung Hyeon of South Korea or US high as fi fth in the world, had sought to do this.’ It really motivated me,” said wildcard Frances Tiafoe for a place in unspecifi ed damages in the suit, claim- the Ukrainian. The 20-year-old Kasat- the fi nal. But fi rst, Tiafoe and surprise ing the USTA was at fault for applying a kina came into the match after playing Australian Open semi-fi nalist Chung slippery cleaning product to the fl oor of for more than nine hours in previous will have to complete their rain-dis- a physiotherapy room where she fell af- rounds this week, saving fi ve match rupted contest, which was halted with ter playing a late mixed doubles match. points over two matches. Tiafoe leading 5-7, 6-4, 5-3. Organizers The USTA had argued that Bouchard “I was pleased with how I played here waited several hours to try to get the should have known the darkened room this week,” said Svitolina. “I expected contest completed, fi nally calling off was being cleaned at 11pm. The jury had the unexpected. I’m happy with how I play for the day after midnight. assessed Bouchard’s contributory neg- handled the pressure, I was very happy The two were scheduled to return on ligence at 25%. As the damages phase with my performance.” Svitolina beat yesterday afternoon to complete their of the trial began on Friday, lawyers for Kasatkina for the third time in as many Elina Svitolina of Ukraine poses with trophy after winning the Dubai Open yesterday. (AFP) match, which will be followed by the both sides had argued before the jury meetings. Kasatkina is guaranteed a fi rst semi-fi nal between Germany’s about the appropriate amount. Shortly move to a career-best 20th. season-ending ATP Finals in Novem- would head to the US next week to be- seeded second, ahead of Spain’s Rob- Peter Gojowczyk and American Steve before 3pm Judge called the jury in and ber, but he lost to Federer in the Rot- gin preparation for title defences at the erto Bautista Agut, Damir Dzumhur Johnson, a 6-1, 6-4 winner over Rus- said the parties had “agreed to resolve DIMITROV BECOMES TOP SEED AS terdam fi nal a week ago, at the end of a Masters 1000 events in Indian Wells and Frenchman Richard Gasquet (fi fth). sian Evgeny Donskoy. Shapovalov and the case”. “It’s been two and a half FEDERER SKIPS DUBAI tournament in which the 36-year-old and Miami. The 20-time Grand Slam Dimitrov has had a week to heal after either Tiafoe or Chung were then to years, so I’m happy it’s over,” Bouchard With the withdrawal of Roger Federer, Swiss regained the No 1 ranking. winner did off er to make himself avail- playing Rotterdam while ill. Dimitrov meet last night. said. “I feel vindicated that I got the Grigor Dimitrov will be thrust into the Tournament offi cials waited hope- able for Dubai in 2019. opens with a tricky test against Tuni- In the other half of the draw, Gojowc- verdict yesterday.” favourite’s role when the Dubai Cham- fully all week for Federer, but he fi nally Dimitrov takes over the top seed- sian wild card Malek Jaziri, with Pouille zyk defeated Reilly Opelka 7-6 (7/5), Bouchard shot to stardom when she pionships start today. The Bulgarian is decided to skip the event. ing at the Aviation Club. Frenchman facing a qualifi er. North African Jaziri 6-3. Gojowczyk’s victory followed his reached the 2014 Wimbledon fi nal, but ranked No. 4 in the world and won the He informed organisers that he Lucas Pouille, based in the emirate, is was a quarter-fi nalist here in 2014 and three-set triumph over sixth-seeded is currently ranked 116th in the world. Gulf Times Sunday, February 25, 2018 7 SPORT

GOLF RUGBY Making Ryder Cup Huw beauty as Scots stun team a tough task, England in says Chris Wood Six Nations Wood entered the Qatar Masters with the aim to repeat his 2013 title victory and in the process belatedly kick-start his bid for a Ryder Cup return

By Yash Mudgal Doha

e may have been amidst the familiar sights and sounds at the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters, but Chris Wood was Hanything but comfortable, having fin- ished round three tied ninth with an aggregate score of 11-under yesterday. “It was a scrappy round for me. It is frustrating as I had the opportunity to be among the leaders,” Wood said after finishing the round five stroke behind Oliver Fisher and Eddie Pepperell of England. Wood had a poor end to the last sea- Scotland’s Jamie Bhatti and Tim Swinson celebrate with the son, finishing 68th out of 72 in the Calcutta Cup trophy after their victory over England yesterday. Nedbank Golf Challenge and 57th out of 60 in the DP World Tour Champi- AFP by the home crowd who by that onship, although he was sick on the Edinburgh stage would have been aware of the course during the final round in Dubai. tunnel fracas. And 2018 got off to an even worse Scotland had not scored a try start with three consecutive missed uw Jones scored two against England at Murrayfi eld cuts before last week’s second place tries as Scotland pro- since wing Simon Danielli went behind good friend Joost Luiten at the duced a huge upset to over in 2004. NBO Oman Open proved there was beat Six Nations cham- But that miserable run came to an some light at the end of the tunnel. pionsH England 25-13 at Murray- end in the 15th minute when Scot- Riding on his confidence-boosting fi eld yesterday. land drove a maul into the 22, with second-place position in Oman, Wood It was Scotland’s fi rst victory England perhaps expecting Rus- entered the Qatar Masters with the aim over their oldest rivals in a decade sell to kick possession away and opt to repeat his 2013 title victory and in and just England’s second defeat for the penalty after referee Nigel the process belatedly kick-start his bid in 26 Tests under Australian coach Owens’s outstretched arm indicated for a Ryder Cup return. Eddie Jones, with Ireland now the the visitors had infringed. But in- “The season has not been great for England’s Chris Wood in action at the Doha Golf Club yesterday. only side left in this season’s Six stead Russell took the bolder course, me. I finished second last week in Nations who can complete a Grand his well-weighted grubber kick Oman, which is a good result to be here lowly 39th in the Ryder Cup standings “I have been there and tested the ac- “It was pretty special to win it with Slam. causing panic in England’s defence with some confidence,” he said. as he chases a place on the European tion so I want more of it. I don’t want to an eagle. I hadn’t looked at the leader- Scotland had not scored a try and bounced kindly for outside cen- “It’s a nice time to put in a bit of a team which will try to regain the trophy be somebody who is just going to play board all day, and when I got to the last against England at Murrayfi eld in tre Jones, who dived on the loose ball result the week before you come back at Le Golf National in Paris in Septem- one Ryder Cup. hole and knew I was there or therea- 14 years before Saturday’s match for a try under the posts which Laid- to somewhere you’ve won, because ber. “But, at this juncture, I am a way bouts, although I didn’t actually realise but, with fl y-half Finn Russell law duly converted to make it 10-3. whenever you come back somewhere The 30-year-old from Bristol was off from my Ryder Cup chances. I what I needed to do until I walked in the pulling the strings, they ran in Farrell’s second penalty cut you’ve won or done well there’s always one of the six rookies who made their need couple of wins to consolidate my green, just before I hit my putt. three in the fi rst half of a remark- the defi cit but there was no a little bit of confidence you take from debut two years ago, winning one point chances,” admits Wood. “I think I actually felt the weight lift able Calcutta Cup clash. doubt England were being har- that. But after three rounds, I am just from his two matches at Hazeltine. He termed his first title victory at off my shoulders when that ball disap- Jones crossed twice and Sean ried by Scotland’s high-tempo hanging in there,” the three-time Euro- Now having the experience of team the Qatar Masters, which he sealed in peared in the hole. Maitland also went over as the approach, skipper John Barclay pean Tour title winner said. golf at the highest level, he is very keen impressive style one-stroke win over Every time I played the 18th, I re- Scots surged into a 22-6 lead at leading the way in defence with Wood, who eagled the 72nd hole to become a Ryder Cup mainstay but Sergio Garcia and Geroge Coetzee with member that shot I hit there to win half-time and never looked back. a turnover. to win his first European Tour title at Wood also feels that at the moment he three superb shots on the daunting about 10 feet. It’s always gonna live The always fi ery nature of this Russell then twice played a key Doha Golf Club in 2013, is currently a is not there. par-5 closing hole, an special one. long with me that one,” he said. fi xture was refl ected by BBC re- role in creating Scotland’s second ports of a pre-match scuffl e in the try in the 31st minute tunnel between England’s Owen His long pass from just outside HORSE RACING Farrell and Scotland’s Ryan Wil- the 22 released Jones who sprinted son.Scotland were unchanged clear before being tackled by wing from the side that beat France 32- Jonny May. Scotland recycled pos- 26 last time out, with the mercu- session and, off the back of a ruck, rial Russell retained in the starting Russell’s cut-out ball sent left XV by coach Gregor Townsend. wing Maitland in at the corner. England, coming off a hard- Laidlaw missed the tricky con- Pressure’s off ... and it’s on again fought 12-6 win at home to Wales, version but Scotland led 15-6. made one change with the fi t- And just before half-time the again Nathan Hughes replacing Scots brought a capacity crowd at the injured Sam Simmonds at No Murrayfi eld to its feet with their 8.Greig Laidlaw kicked Scotland third try when when Jones burst for hat-trick star Julian Smart into an early lead with a third- through England’s midfi eld and minute penalty after England in- held off the despairing tackles of By Mikhil Bhat fringed at a ruck. fullback Mike Brown and wing Doha But England replied in kind Anthony Watson before going un- through Farrell’s 14th-minute der the posts, with Laidlaw adding penalty — a kick greeted with boos the simple conversion. s Gazwan made the fi - nal turn in the 2400m HH The Emir’s Sword (Gr1 PA), trainer Julian Stockdale keeps Irish Grand Slam hopes alive ASmart’s was up on his feet, egged his ward on from the grandstand Dublin: Two tries by try machine wing went over in the corner. box and then tightened his fi sts, Jacob Stockdale helped Ireland Sexton, though, had yet to find fl exed his muscles and yelled out keep their Six Nations Grand Slam his kicking boots as having seen loud in celebration while Cristian hopes alive with a pulsating 37-27 a penalty come back off the post Demuro guided the seven-year- victory over Wales at Lansdowne slotted his conversion wide and old to a memorable victory with Road yesterday another chance went abegging none other than His Highness Stockdale’s double — taking his with a kickable penalty on the the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Ha- tally to eight in seven Tests — quarter hour mark. mad al-Thani in audience yes- bookended a five-try display from Ireland coach Schmidt told ITV terday. the Irish which also garnered later: “Johnny was an angry man In the process, Smart and a bonus point as they sneaked out there today.” owner His Highness Sheikh their noses over the line against The hosts had the Welsh pinned Mohamed bin Khalifa al-Thani a Welsh side that refused to lie inside their 22 but were unable registered a hat-trick of wins in down and at one point had led to turn their possession into Qatar’s fl agship Arabian feature, 13-5. points and they were caught by having won with the Amer colt in The Irish, who maintained their a sucker punch just after the 20 2016 and his half-brother, Ebraz, proud Six Nations home record minute mark when Rob Kearney last year. under Joe Schmidt in never spilled the ball deep inside Welsh “It feels nice, long it may con- having lost since he took over territory. tinue,” was all he said. Trainer Julian Smart with Gazwan after the win in HH The Emir’s Sword (Gr1 PA) at the Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club after the 2013 edition, will host Sexton cleared the Welsh kick but While all the eyes were on yesterday. PICTURE: Juhaim the Scots in a fortnight and hope from the resulting line-out great Ebraz and Umm Qarn’s Yazeed, to go on from there for a mouth work by Welsh flanker Aaron who had form on his side given beaten him during the Qatar Prix last eight years. PA) in Goodwood, Qatar Arabian Smart laughed. “I couldn’t have watering potential Grand Slam Shingler and Rob Evans saw his unbeaten run in Qatar this de l’Arc de Triomphe weekend in “This guy (Gazwan) in the World Cup (Gr1 PA) and HH The taken Theo Bachelot off Ebraz, decider with champions England Gareth Davies pick up the ball, season, even though he had nev- Chantilly for the Qatar Arabian modern era, he is super tough. Emir’s Sword (Gr1 PA). because he had done a good job on March 17. outfox Stockdale and touch down er run a mile and a half, it was World Cup. We had problems in between, “It’s a shame that the one at for him here.” “Ireland were deserved winners. under the posts — Halfpenny Gazwan, who had not run com- “When they turned for him and nothing major but enough that Goodwood is only a mile. It is too Given his strike rate with the We got into the game too late, added the extras for 10-5. petitively since October who ran Cristian said go, and I thought we didn’t have a prep race. But short for him, so we can’t win the race, does it bring added pressure another 10 minutes would have Halfpenny extended the Welsh away with the prize. they are not going to catch him. today he was physically lighter Triple Crown,” Smart said. on him? been interesting, but it was too lead on the half hour with a finely- “He has beaten everyone you And I am very very very pleased than he has ever been. He was fi t Demuro had been astride “Now the pressure is off ,” h e little too late,” said Wales skipper struck penalty but Sexton at last can think. For the last few years, for Ebraz, he was a fast fi nish- and ready,” he said. Ebraz at the Qatar Arabian World said yesterday. That is before he Alun Wyn Jones. landed one of his own. he has beaten them all. But come ing second as well. It is a brilliant Gazwan won the last two rac- Cup in October. looked at Gazwan in the winning After Leigh Halfpenny gave Wales The hosts were geed up and on that was impressive,” Smart day. I don’t like (the pressure that es of the three-leg Doha Triple “He might have been a bit circle, and then course corrected an early lead the hosts hit back as stormed back up the field as told Gulf Times about Gazwan, comes with) this meeting at all, Crown that awards a million dol- upset with me because he was himself: “Yeah, okay, the pres- a sublime long pass from Sexton time ran down the clock on the who has now beaten Yazeed for but I like the result, usually.” lar bonus to a horse that tops the not on Ebraz. But there is always sure is on. Pressure is always on, picked out Stockdale and the first-half. second straight race, having Usually being six times in the Qatar International Stakes (Gr1 method behind my madness,” this is Al Shahania.”

Sunday, February 25, 2018 GULF TIMES SPORT

GOLF/ THE COMMERCIAL BANK QATAR MASTERS Advantage Fisher and Pepperell as thrilling fi nale looms in Doha ‘My caddie was great. I gave myself some chances coming in and thankfully I made them’

By Yash Mudgal Doha

fi nal day thriller is in the off - ing with Englishmen Oliver Fisher and Eddie Pepperell well-placed for victory and a hostA of others hoping to gatecrash their party in the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters. While Pepperell is looking for his fi rst career title, Fisher is aiming for his second win on the European Tour since 2011. At yesterday’s third round, Fisher reeled off eight birdies, out of which four came on consecutive holes, to end the day with a superb 65 to sit level with Pepperell on 16-under 200 on a cold but calm day at Doha Golf Club. The USA’s Sean Crocker is two shots behind on 202 while a bunch of fi ve players on 204 also fancy their chances. “I’m very pleased with my day today and looking forward to tomorrow,” said Fisher, who last won on the European Tour in 2011 at Czech Open, six years after becoming the youngest Walker Cup player at the age of 16. “The important thing for me is to make sure I give myself enough time with things, to make sure I’m aware of what I’m doing and try and enjoy it as much as I can, I did that today. My caddie was great. I gave myself some chances coming in and thankfully I made them,” the 29-year-old said. “We’ve still got one round to go, a lot Oliver Fisher lines up a shot at of golf to be played out there. I’m good the Doha Golf Club yesterday. friends with Eddie so hopefully we’ll At right, Eddie Pepperell in have a bit of fun out there,” he said. action. PICTURES: Jayaram Pepperell took a share of top spot on the fi rst hole and maintained that po- sition until Fisher fi nished with four was in going into the day. I hit a lot of THE NUMBERS GAME birdie-birdie fi nish as he also posted a birdies in a row to card a 65 and set the good shots, I maybe lost a little feeling 67, Kinhult eagled the 16th and birdied clubhouse target at 16 under. through the turn, but I bounced back the last en-route to the same score, He chipped in for a remarkable bo- nicely and I didn’t let it bother me,” 16 Oliver Fisher and Eddie Pepperell share the lead on 16 1 Crocker is the first player to make three eagles in one while Havret made a single bogey in his gey on the 12th after hitting the rocks said Pepperell. under par after 54 holes, thanks to third rounds of 65 and 66 week in this tournament. 70. Spanish duo Gonzalo Fernandez- in front of the green three times but he The 27-year-old has been working respectively. Castano and Pablo Larrazabal, English would soon lose his lead to a sensation- with a new coach recently and it looks 1006 Sean Crocker is making his tenth European pair James Morrison and Chris Wood, al fi nish from Fisher. to be paying rewards as he shares the 2 This is the second 54-hole lead for both Fisher and Pep- Tour appearance this week. His playing partners today, Gre- Swede Joakim Lagergren, Frenchman Pepperell then fought back with lead after 54 holes for the second time perell. gory Havret and Stephen Gallacher, have made a combined Mike Lorenzo-Vera and Japan’s Hideto birdies on the 16th and 18th in his 66 to at a European Tour event. 1,006 more appearances than the 21 year old American. Tanihara are at 11 under. move two ahead of Crocker, who is two “That’s a nice score on a Saturday 2011 Fisher’s only other 54-hole lead came at the 2011 MENA Golf Tour professional Josh strokes back at the end of the round, and coming down the last few holes, Czech Open, a tournament he went on to win. Pepperell’s 31 David Horsey was the biggest mover on Moving Day, White of England, who qualifi ed by representing the English duo’s closest certainly down the last seeing Oli on 16 came at the 2014 Nordea Masters. surging 31 places into a share of fourth. winning the professional division of challenge. under, I didn’t want to fi nish behind the the 2018 Qatar Open, has performed The pair has not enjoyed the best of leader so I’m happy to be at least tied.” 2013 At 16 under par, Pepperell has his best ever 0.61 The 307-yard par four 16th is currently playing as superbly. Having made the cut with starts to the season, with six missed David Horsey started with an eagle score score to par after 54 holes, beating his total of 14 the fourth easiest hole on tour this season at -0.61 under par. rounds of 67, 73, White shot an impres- cuts from 10 combined events, but they en-route to matching Fisher’s score under at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship in 2013. sive third round of 69 yesterday to sit in found their form in Qatar. Final-hole (-6) for the day, leaving him four adrift, 9 - 36-hole leader Adrian Otaegui opened with nine straight 207 There have been 207 birdies or better on the 16th a share of the 43rd place at seven under birdies for both the leaders highlighted while Adrian Otaegui, who began the pars. this week. par. their coolness, while a solitary bogey day in the lead is now fi ve shots back The fi nal round gets underway at apiece showed their consistency. after a disappointing 73. Doha Golf Club at 6.30am with the lead “I would say that was my best Italian duo Lorenzo Gagli and Andrea Swede Marcus Kinhult were then two had also shared the lead after bird- and tenth but parred his way home in group of Oliver Fisher, Eddie Pepperell round, especially with the position I Pavan, Frenchman Grrgory Havret and shots further back at 12 under. Gagli ies on the second, fourth, fi fth, ninth a bogey-free 67. Pavan had a birdie- and Sean Crocker teeing off at 8.30am.

SCORES CHECK AFTER THIRD ROUND BOTTOMLINE British unless stated 70 68 70, Stephen Gallacher 68 66 74, Sebastien Gros (Fra) 69 200 Eddie Pepperell 65 69 66, 70 69, Marc Warren 68 70 70, Oliver Fisher 66 69 65 Fabrizio Zanotti (Par) 70 69 69 202 Sean Crocker (USA) 67 209 Richard Bland 69 69 71, 68 67 Nico Geyger (Chi) 71 69 69, American Crocker enjoying 204 Marcus Kinhult (Swe) 68 Ashun Wu (Chn) 69 70 70, 69 67, Andrea Pavan (Ita) 68 Nicolas Colsaerts (Bel) 71 69 69 67, David Horsey 71 68 65, 69, Thongchai Jaidee (Tha) 70 Lorenzo Gagli (Ita) 67 70 67, 70 69, Seung-su Han (USA) 69 Gregory Havret (Fra) 65 69 70 71 69, Joshua White 67 73 69, European Tour adventure 205 Mike Lorenzo-Vera (Fra) 68 Marcel Schneider (Ger) 66 74 68 69, Chris Wood 68 69 68, 69, Oliver Farr 70 70 69210 European Tour Rounds of 67-68-67 had him right in Joakim Lagergren (Swe) 68 71 Robert Karlsson (Swe) 68 71 71, Doha contention at Doha Golf Club and he is 66, Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano Scott Fernandez (Spa) 69 70 71, delighted to be fi nding his feet and mix- (Spa) 68 68 69, Pablo Larraza- Erik Van Rooyen (Rsa) 68 66 76, ing it with the big boys. bal (Spa) 68 67 70, James Mor- Benjamin Hebert (Fra) 70 70 70, ean Crocker may only have “I love it,” he said. “It’s an honour to rison 72 66 67, Hideto Tanihara Richard Sterne (Rsa) 72 68 70, turned professional fi ve months be out here and not having a card and be- (Jpn) 70 69 66 Edoardo Molinari (Ita) 66 74 70 ago but he is making a big im- ing able to get invites and come out here 206 Sebastian Heisele (Ger) 67 211 Ricardo Gouveia (Por) 71 Spression as he tries to earn him- and play is so special. I can only thank the 68 71, Matthew Nixon 69 68 68 72, Ashley Chesters 72 68 self a place on the European Tour. guys that are allowing me to come out 69, Rak hyun Cho (Kor) 69 70 71, Romain Wattel (Fra) 71 69 Born in Zimbabwe, the 21 year old and play here. 67, Matthew Baldwin 68 70 68, 71, Chris Hanson 73 67 71, Paul moved to the United States as a young- “I like it out here. It makes you grow Adrian Otaegui (Spa) 67 66 73, Lawrie 68 72 71, Christiaan Bez- ster and had an impressive amateur ca- up faster, it’s helped me to mature a George Coetzee (Rsa) 69 66 71, uidenhout (Rsa) 68 72 71, Justin reer, playing for the University of South- lot faster than I thought I ever would Alvaro Quiros (Spa) 66 70 70 Walters (Rsa) 68 71 72, Nacho ern California before coming across the in golf and just mentally. I’m around 207 Matt Wallace 69 71 67, Cal- Elvira (Spa) 71 69 71 Atlantic to turn professional. guys who have been out here for a long lum Shinkwin 68 69 70, Renato 212 Andy Sullivan 69 70 73, He did that following last season’s time.” Crocker produced a remarkable Paratore (Ita) 71 66 70, Aaron Mikko Ilonen (Fin) 67 72 73, Omega European Masters and has barely finish on Friday after being level par on Rai 65 73 69, Jason Scrivener Bradley Dredge 70 68 74 looked back since. the 16th tee, making an eagle on the par (Aus) 70 70 67, Marcel Siem 213 Chase Koepka (USA) 71 The American has no offi cial status on four after driving the green and then (Ger) 73 66 68, Ryan Evans 69 68 74, David Howell 69 70 74, the European Tour and played his fi rst adding another on the last to be right 67 71, Jamie Donaldson 72 65 Soomin Lee (Kor) 72 68 73 four events of the season on invites, se- at the business end heading into the 70, Mark Foster 71 68 68, Tho- 214 Daniel Im (USA) 73 67 74, curing an impressive pair of top tens in weekend. mas Detry (Bel) 67 70 70 Grant Forrest 70 70 74, Matthias Australia. “I was kind of sloppy at the front 208 Steven Brown 69 69 Schwab (Aut) 70 70 74 A tie for fi fth at the ISPS HANDA and middle of my round but fortunate 70, Matthieu Pavon (Fra) 68 215 Scott Hend (Aus) 73 67 75, World Super 6 Perth got him into last enough to make eagles on 16 and 18. That 69 71, Paul Waring 68 70 70, Jin-ho Choi (Kor) 68 72 75, Scott week’s fi eld at the NBO Oman Open but helps any kind of round,” he said. Alexander Bjork (Swe) 70 69 Jamieson 69 71 75 he is playing on an invite again at this “I had a little taste of it two weeks ago 69, Raphael Jacquelin (Fra) 70 219 Pontus Widegren (Swe) 73 week’s Commercial Bank Qatar Masters in Australia but it was a little diff erent – 66 72, Jacques Kruyswijk (Rsa) 67 79. and was making the very most of the op- I was coming from behind – so we’ll see portunity. where we end up.”