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ESPERANCE VS ZAMALEK AT AL GHARAFA FROM 7PM Esperance keen to end CAF Super Cup title drought It’s Tunisian giants Esperance’s fifth CAF Super Cup appearance, but they have won the trophy only once – in 1995

By Sports Reporter Doha

sperance Sportive de Tunis will be eager to overcome last year’s dis- appointment when they takeE on Egypt’s Zamalek in the CAF Super Cup match at the Al Gharafa stadium today. But a fa- miliar foe stands against them in the form of Patrice Carteron. Last year, Carteron led Mo- rocco’s Raja Casablanca to the ti- tle with a 2-1 win over Esperance in Doha. Now the French coach is back with Egyptian giants Zamalek as he plots another win against the Tunisians. It’s Esperance’s fi fth CAF Su- per Cup appearance, but they Zamalek players warm up at the Al Gharafa stadium yesterday. have won the trophy only once – in 1995. They had to be content with runners-up fi nishes in in 1999, 2012 and 2019. On the oth- er hand, Zamalek are also making their fi fth appearance, with three victories in 1994, 1997 and 2003 and one defeat in 2001. The Al Gharafa stadium is ex- pected to be packed to the rafters as the tickets were sold out well in advance of the big clash. Both sides arrived in Qatar following strong starts to their respective domestic campaigns. Esperance top the Tunisian top fl ight, while Zamalek are in third place in the Egyptian Premier League with Esperance Sportive de Tunis players train on the eve of their CAF Super Cup match against Zamalek. PICTURES: Noushad Thekkayil Cairo rivals Al Ahly unstoppable at the summit with 14 wins from failure and are keen to take the competitive football in Doha for Egyptians including star forward eron said: “I have a lot of respect Zamalek’s French coach Patrice Carteron. 14 games. trophy back to Tunisia. the fourth time in the last year. Mostafa Mohamed. for the Esperance team and their Esperance, no doubt, will be “We were closest to win- After their runners-up fi nish in Zamalek coach Carteron said coach Moein El Shaabani. He has the fancied team for tonight’s ning the title last year, but we Super Cup, they won the Tuni- his team had little time to prepare been with them for two years and contest – which pits the winners did not win it. We have prepared sian Super Cup thanks to a 2-1 for the contest, due to a busy do- he is a great coach. I have seen of the CAF Champions League the players psychologically and victory over Club Athletique Biz- mestic schedule but was hopeful him keep the Esperance team and CAF Confederation Cup. we want to play at a good level ertin. his players can rise to the chal- at a very high level despite the They have won back to back CAF against Zamalek,” he said yester- In December, the Tunisians lenge. changes of players and this con- Champions League titles and day. fi nished fi fth in the FIFA Club “It is diffi cult to talk about fi rms the quality of his work. I am have cemented their status as one “Esperance have not won the World Cup after beating Qatari our readiness for this important sure it will be an excellent game,” of Africa’s greatest clubs, raising title for a long time, so there will side Al Sadd SC at the Khalifa In- match, because we have played This is the second time the their share of CAF trophies to be some pressure but we are used ternational Stadium. a game every three days. We did CAF Super Cup will take place in seven in all competitions. But it’s it. We are fully prepared to play Esperance often start with as not prepare specifi cally for this Doha following an agreement be- the Super Cup trophy drought, the game with our full strength many as seven non-Tunisians, match, but from a technical side tween the Confederation of Afri- which they could be keen to end. and have a great desire to win. It including four Algerians, al- we are ready. The players are mo- can Football (CAF) and the Qatar Magdy Traoui, the assist- won’t be easy against Zamalek,” though star defender Abdelkader tivated for the match and we are Football Association. The match ant coach of Esperance, said the he added. Bedrane will be absent due to so happy to be here,” he said. will also take place in the Qatari team have learnt from last year’s Esperance will be playing injury. Zamalek rely heavily on On facing Esperance, Cart- capital in 2021 and 2022. Magdy Traoui, the assistant coach of Esperance.

FOCUS Al Arabi and Al Ahli seal Ooredoo Cup semi-fi nal berths

Action from the Ooredoo Cup By Sports Reporter Idriss with a long-range shot. Mohamed al-Yahri, Yossef Muftah and Adlene Guedi- quarter-final match between Doha Benyettou spearheaded Al Wakrah’s chal- oura could not do much. Al Arabi and Al Wakrah. lenge even as injured forward Christian Ce- On the other hand, Al Ahli made up ballos continued to sit in the stands. for the absence of injured spearhead Abel l Arabi and Al Ahli stormed into Iliass Bel Hassani pulled the strings from Mathias, thanks mainly to outstanding dis- the semi-fi nals of the Ooredoo the midfi eld, while Benyettou and Omar Ali plays by Nabil and Hernan Perez. Cup yesterday. Pierre-Michelle made attempts for an equaliser. In the sec- Ahli even survived the absence of Her- Lasogga scored the only goal in ond half, Al Wakrah pressed hard for a goal nan to a red card (second yellow) from the AArabi’s 1-0 win over Al Wakrah in the fi rst in the face of exit from the tournament. 67th minute. After Al Ahli’s Abdelrahman quarter-fi nal, while captain Nabil El Zhar’s However, that never came as The Dream Moustafa’s long shot went wide in the fi rst all-important goal in the 55th minute Team hung on to the slender lead, thanks half, Kodjia fumbled with a one-on-one turned out to be the winner for Ahli against also to their goalkeeper Mahmoud Ibrahim. with goalkeeper Ivanildo Rodrigues. the two-time reigning champions Al Even some last-ditch eff orts did not help Soon at the other end, Nabil sent his shot Gharafa at the Al Arabi Stadium yesterday. the Blue Wave either. marginally over the bar. Al Ahli upped the In the fi rst quarter-fi nal, if it was Al Later, Gharafa thus suff ered the igno- ante in the second half and were rewarded Wakrah who had more possession in the miny of having bowed out of cup competi- when Nabil capitalised on a defensive mis- fi rst half, it was Al Arabi who created more tions in successive weeks in quarter-fi nal take by Homam Elamin, who misjudged the chances. Lasogga, who found the net after stage after they lost to Al Markhiya in the fl ight of a long ball. being set up by Morteza Mohamed with a Amir Cup. Al Ahli, who had reached the quarter- header, led Al Arabi’s charge as Mohamed Possession was even in the match that fi nal of Amir Cup last week by beating Qa- Salal El Neel, who has not recovered fully was fast-paced right from the onset. Al tar SC, had a goal scored by Abdelrahman from an injury, was replaced in the 11th Gharafa missed the services of Hector Moustafa disallowed through VAR in the minute by Yousef Abdurizag. Moreno, Koo Ja-Cheol, Ahmed Alaaeldin 74th minute. Today, Al Khor will face Al Yousef then made back-to-back at- and Sofi ane Hanni to injuries. Without Rayyan, while Qatar SC take on Al Sadd in tempts besides testing goalkeeper Hassan them, the likes of Jonathan Kodjia, Othman the remaining quarter-fi nal matches. Gulf Times 2 Friday, February 14, 2020 FOOTBALL

FRENCH CUP Six-goal PSG into semi-fi nals as Lyon knock out Marseille AFP squad, Thomas Tuchel’s team did pushing home his 11th of the season Paris include Kylian Mbappe and Edin- on the rebound. son Cavani, who was making his Senou Coulibaly watched on in fi rst start in over a month after horror with fi ve minutes left when aris Saint-Germain cruised nearly moving to Atletico Madrid Mbappe’s cross looped off his thigh into the semi-fi nals of the in January. over helpless stopper Runar Alex French Cup on Wednesday The Uruguayan was left waiting Runarsson, before Sarabia tapped after thumping Dijon 6-1 in his 200th goal for the club in the home his second in stoppage time aP match that saw the French cham- 21st minute when he turned home from another Mbappe centre. pions benefi t again from comical Thomas Meunier’s cross, only for Later, Lyon coach Rudi Garcia own goals. the strike to be ruled out for hand- knocked his former side Marseille PSG were ahead just 47 seconds ball by the Belgian after a VAR out as Houssem Aouar scored an after kick off thanks to Wesley Lau- check. 81st minute winner. toa shanking Mitchel Bakker’s low “It’s not that bad because he The winning goal came 10 min- cross into his own net to the be- can score his 200th goal on Satur- utes after Lyon’s Moussa Dembele musement of his teammates. day (against Amiens) or Tuesday had a penalty – awarded when Hi- It was the second own goal in a (against Borussia Dortmund). I can roki Sakai handled a shot from Karl week to be scored for PSG, who also feel he’s there,” said Tuchel. Toko Ekambi – saved by Yohan Pele saw Lyon’s Fernando Marcal slam a On the match, he added: “I’m in the Marseille goal. stunning eff ort past his own goal- happy because we deserved the It was the third time this season keeper at the weekend. victory. It’s a huge performance.” that Dembele had missed from the However the hosts were level in Mbappe put PSG ahead a spot for Lyon. On Thursday, fourth the 13th minute thanks to a impres- minute before the break, punish- division side Epinal – last 16 con- sive low curling eff ort from Mounir ing Jhonder Cadiz’s miss when querers of Lille – will look to con- Chouiar, which squeezed past Kay- clean through seconds before by tinue their stunning cup run going lor Navas. clinically slotting home a similar when they host Saint-Etienne. While the away side were far chance. Thiago Silva added a third They will try to succeed where from full strength, with Angel Di four minutes after the break with a fellow fourth-tier outfi t Belfort Maria and Mauro Icardi on the header from a corner before Pablo failed following their 3-0 defeat to bench and Neymar not even in the Sarabia ended Dijon’s resistance by holder Rennes on Tuesday. Paris St. Germain’s Kylian Mbappe celebrates their fifth goal with teammates in their French Cup quarter-final against Dijon. (Reuters)

EPL SCOTTISH PREMIERSHIP Celtic extend lead as Rangers crash Tottenham sense AFP A ground where Rangers had Glasgow won just once in their six pre- vious league visits could yet prove to be the graveyard for eltic moved a step this year’s aspirations as goals closer to a ninth from Stephen O’Donnell and successive Scot- Eamonn Brophy saw them slip tish Premiership ti- well adrift of Celtic. chance to put tleC with a 5-0 demolition of The Ibrox side still have two Hearts as Rangers crashed Old Firm clashes to play but to a damaging 2-1 defeat at Celtic will believe they have Kilmarnock on Wednesday. one hand on yet another title. Hoops midfi elder Olivier Scott Arfi eld had fi red Ntcham opened the scoring on Rangers ahead but Kilmarnock the half-hour mark at Celtic took advantage of the visitors’ Park. Second-half goals from nerves to claim a victory which squeeze on Chelsea Christopher Jullien, Callum keeps them just a point outside McGregor, substitute Ryan the top six. ‘It was really tough, there was so many emotions running through my head’ Christie and Jozo Simunovic “I thought we were in a completed the rout for Neil better place than what we’ve Reuters Lennon’s side. shown over the last four to six London Hearts substitute Marcel weeks,” Gerrard said. Langer was shown a straight “I thought we had the red card by Willie Collum late mentality and the charac- ottenham Hotspur on for a foul on Scott Brown. ters to sustain a push but on have the opportunity to The biggest cheer of the the evidence of the last four- crank up the pressure night came when news of Kil- fi ve weeks I’m getting proven on Chelsea in the battle marnock’s decisive late goal wrong. But having said that, forT fourth place in the Premier against second placed Rang- it’s me as well because I’m League this weekend as they ers came through, with Steven responsible for that group of emerge from their mini mid- Gerrard’s side now 10 points players.” season break. behind the champions, albeit Asked where the defeat Jose Mourinho’s side travel to with a game in hand. leaves Rangers in their quest relegation battlers Aston Villa “It might give them a bit of for a first league title since on Sunday on the back of con- confi dence but that’s about it,” 2011, Gerrard added: “Very, secutive league wins, knowing Lennon said of the night’s sig- very tough. You’ve got to another one will move them one nifi cance in the title fi ght. look at the form of other point behind their stuttering “We have a tough game on people that are relentless London rivals who host Man- Sunday at Aberdeen. We are right now. chester United on Monday. taking absolutely nothing for “There’s no denying they’re Another slimline Premier granted. The players know there obviously in the driving seat.” League programme also has Ar- is a long way to go and there will Livingston shrugged off senal hosting Newcastle United, be twist and turns as we go along. their Scottish Cup exit at the with the London club hoping “We just need to concen- hands of Championship oppo- to snap a run of four successive trate on every individual game nents Inverness as they beat St draws that have left them mean- as it comes along. They were Mirren 2-1. Hibernian claimed dering in mid-table. magnifi cent tonight. It was an consecutive victories for the Liverpool’s procession to- emphatic victory.” fi rst time since November as wards a fi rst title for 30 years Ayrshire was famously the they swept aside Ross County looks likely to continue at bot- venue where the wheels came 3-0 at Easter Road. tom club Norwich City tomor- off for Rangers during last sea- Substitute Chris Kane row, when the only other game son’s title race and they were scored a stoppage-time win- is Southampton’s home clash left with another dose of Rug- ner as St Johnstone beat 10- against Burnley. by Park regret. man Motherwell 2-1. A victory for either side at St Mary’s will go a long way to ban- ishing any lingering relegation worries. Unfashionable but unstoppable, Getafe With Manchester City en- Tottenham Hotspur’s Portuguese head coach Jose Mourinho gestures on the touchline during the English FA cup third round match against face Barca in clash of styles joying a week off, Leicester Middlesbrough at the Riverside Stadium in Middlesbrough on January 5, 2020. (AFP) City can move second if they Getafe coach Jose Bordalas ers, short on star names but win at Wolverhampton Wan- tenham back in the race to secure Villa, a 1-0 home defeat in 2015. reality is that they are,” Mour- The Villa Park clash will see has performed miracles with packed with experience and derers today. When Mourinho Champions League football with While another win will move inho said. “Not just because of Mourinho come up against his the modest Madrid club by desire. Their three top scorers arrived at Tottenham in No- a top-four fi nish. them within touching distance the position that they are in the former Chelsea skipper John taking them to third in La Liga Jamie Mata, Jorge Molina vember in the wake of Mauricio It has not been pretty, with of Chelsea into fi fth place, table, but because of the power Terry, who is cutting his teeth but a victory away to cham- and Angel Rodriguez have a Pochettino’s surprise sacking, Tottenham scrambling points in Mourinho knows the battle for and quality.” in coaching as Dean Smith’s as- pions Barcelona on Saturday combined age of 100, while the north London club were in unconvincing fashion, although fourth spot is not just with his If Saturday’s match represents sistant. Smith said he has been against old foe Quique Setien 37-year-old Molina is older 14th place after 12 games, 12 a smash-and-grab 2-0 home old club, with several other sides a chance for Tottenham, who “picking Terry’s brains” for would be his biggest feat of than the club itself. But not points behind Chelsea. victory over Manchester City in vying for the spot, none more have 20 points fewer than at the some insight into Mourinho’s all. Bordalas took over Getafe everyone is enamoured by Seven wins and four defeats in their last league game showed so than Sheffi eld United who same stage last season, to ad- likely tactics. in 2016 when they were Bordalas’ methods, not least their 13 league games since the much about the galvanising ef- moved fi fth by beating Bourne- vance their top-four claims, Vil- “There is a lot of mutual re- second bottom of Spain’s Setien. A disciple of Johan celebrated Portuguese arrived fect Mourinho has had. mouth last week. la know a win would give them spect between Jose and John,” second division but guided Cruyff ’s possession-based is hardly a spectacular turna- Tottenham, who remain with- “Wolves and Sheffi eld United some precious breathing space Smith said. “He’s played under them to promotion that same style of play, the Barca coach round but with Chelsea stalling out injured striker Harry Kane, are fi ghting for the top four, (the in the relegation scrap. Jose twice and they celebrated a campaign before turning is an ideological opposite to and other teams falling away it have lost only once in all compe- managers) they can say no, and I They are one place and one lot of success, so that respect is them into one of the top Bordalas, who has developed has been enough to push Tot- titions in the last 12 years against understand if they say no but the point above the bottom three. natural.” teams in the top flight, despite a reputation of building a meagre budget and small hard-nosed teams who are fan base. Getafe narrowly unafraid to dabble in the missed out on qualifying for dark arts. While in charge of Guardiola fears sack if Real Madrid tie goes wrong the Champions League for the second division Lugo, Setien first time last season, but have accused Bordalas’ Alcorcon of Manchester City manager Pep campaign now set to be judged times and could maybe hap- trophies. come back even stronger. time wasting. After a draw be- Guardiola said he could be on how they fare in Europe. pen.” “We give a bad, bad message They head to the Camp Nou tween Real Betis and Getafe, sacked if he fails to beat Real “I want to win the Champions Guardiola has a contract at the for the new generation, for our on a run of four consecutive he said the frequent fouling Madrid in the last 16 of the League. I dream (of it) and I will Etihad until the end of next kids, to just count the winner, league wins, sitting comfort- of Bordalas’ side made his Champions League. enjoy preparing for the games season. the trophies to win,” added ably in third place, three blood boil, calling their tactics Guardiola has won five major against Madrid,” Guardiola told After four years at Barcelona Guardiola. points above Atletico Madrid, “lamentable”. The coaches trophies in three seasons at the Sky Sports. and three in charge of Bayern “You say the season is a disaster seven behind second-placed did not shake hands in their Etihad, but a failure to progress “If we don’t beat them, OK, Munich, he is expected to fulfil but if you win the Champions Barca and 10 adrift of leaders next meeting. Bordalas has beyond the quarter-finals of come the chairman or the sport his deal and enter a fifth season League it will be exceptional. Real Madrid. Last week they since said he has no grudge the Champions League has director and say, ‘It’s not good at one club for the first time in Why? It is diff icult to win it. enjoyed a resounding 3-0 win against Setien, but stressed been the big disappointment enough, we want the Champi- his managerial career. “If you don’t, we can say in over Valencia, who had no that his side do not get the of his reign. Guardiola’s side ons League, I’m going to sack But the Catalan coach also hit more than 100 years of history shots on target and did not respect they deserve. “People trail Liverpool at the top of the you.’ back at the suggestion that the (there) were 100 failure seasons even win a corner. who dismiss us as defensive do Premier League by a mammoth “I don’t know (if this would success or failure of a season for Manchester City. That is not Getafe’s success has been not know what they are talking 22 points this season with their happen). It has happened many should only be measured in true.” based on a tight unit of play- about,” he told newspaper ABC. Gulf Times Friday, February 14, 2020 3 FOOTBALL

SPOTLIGHT FOCUS Gharbi double in PSG’s win over Kashiwa Aspire Academy By Sports Reporter ball into the box by Housni and Doha Abdulkareem al-Anazi pointed to the spot. Gharbi sent Itoh the wrong way with a well-taken aris Saint Germain spot-kick and it was no more (PSG), the most suc- than the Parisians deserved as cessful club in the his- they had dominated the game up tory of the Al Kass In- to that point. make winning ternationalP Cup, got the ninth PSG had a golden chance to edition of arguably the world’s double their advantage shortly best under-16 tournament off after the break but Jouvence to a fi ne start with an impres- Americo was stretching for the sive victory over Japanese outfi t ball and couldn’t keep his eff ort Kashiwa Reysol. down. The two clubs had met in the PSG produced the move of the fi nal of the 2018 edition, when match on 55 minutes when Vi- start in Al Kass Cup PSG recorded their third success moj Mungu and Americo com- in the competition, and Herve bined down the left and Housni’s The hosts will take on reigning champions Glasgow Rangers on Monday Guegan’s promising young- eff ort was on target but lacked sters will now be hoping to add the power to cross the line and By Sports Reporter to that trophy haul in the fi rst Kashiwa were able to clear. Doha competition since the tourna- Lemina then saw an eff ort ment became an under-16 event, blocked after the talented duo PSG were better than Kashiwa of Mungu and Americo again osts Aspire Academy in every department, displaying opened up the Japanese defence. made a winning start great skill to open up Kashiwa on PSG deservedly doubled their to the ninth Al Kass numerous occasions with French advantage on 63 minutes when International Cup, under-16 international Ismael Lemina found Housni on the Hwith a solid 3-1 victory over Ko- Gharbi scoring twice before sub- right and his cross set up player reans Suwon Samsung. stitute Yohan Tade made it 3-0 of the match Gharbi for his sec- Aspire, once again displaying in the 92nd minute. ond goal of the match. a steely nature to go with their Al Duhail striker Mario Man- As PSG turned on the pressure undoubted skill and hardwork- dzukic, who recently moved to substitute Wilson Odobert saw a ing attitude, came from behind Qatar from Italian giants Juven- powerful right-foot shot saved to record a deserved victory. tus, was the guest of honour and by Itoh, but it seemed only a The game was physical from he would have been impressed matter of time before the French the start and Mohamed Surag with the talented Parisians. side increased their lead. went into the book with just fi ve Lively winger Pascal Lemina Kashiwa forced a good save by minutes on the clock after his had the ball in the net on six Henri Maton after an excellent high foot caught Junbo Shim, minutes with a low right-foot turn by Ota Yammamoto and the who needed treatment for a cut drive but his eff ort was ruled out Japanese striker then tried his to the head. for off side. Lemina again found luck with a header without trou- Shim was still off the pitch himself in space two minutes bling the PSG keeper. receiving treatment when As- later and his right wing cross Lemina limped after the 77 pire had their fi rst eff ort of the found Ilyes Housni who tried minutes after an excellent per- game on seven minutes but Sur- an acrobatic backheel fl ick that formance and Kashiwa almost ag’s free-kick hit the wall and went wide. reduced the arrears two minutes went wide. PSG went close to scoring the later but Yammamoto was again Suwon went ahead on 12 min- tournament’s fi rst goal after half denied by Maton. utes when skipper Seongho Lee an hour with a good low eff ort Two PSG substitutes com- sent a looping header over Amir by talented midfi elder Ismael bined the PSG’s third in added Katoul following a fi ne cross by Gharbi after Lemina had again on time when Odobert found Hyeongpin Lee. caused Kashiwa problems, but Yohan Tade who produced a fi ne Sangmin Lee started the Takumi Itoh got down well to shot into the corner to complete move when receiving the ball save. the scoring. on the left wing and beating Gharbi fared better on 35 min- The three-goal victory was off several challenges to force utes when giving PSG a deserved thoroughly deserved by PSG, his way into the box before the lead. Ryoga Tanaka was harshly who will now face Barcelona on ball bobbled to Hyeongpin Lee adjudged to have handled a high Monday. and his fi ne cross was met by the skipper, who got to the ball Action from Aspire Academy-Suwon Samsung match at the Al Kass International Cup yesterday. PICTURES: Jayaram before Hassan Alghareeb and headed home. The Koreans had started positively but Aspire responded well to the setback and were the better team for much of the half. They deservedly equalised on the 31 minutes when Yousef Elkhatib drove home a low right-foot shot after Jassem Alsharshani’s goalbound eff ort had been touched onto the post. Surag then fi nished well to put the hosts ahead on 52 min- utes following a defence-split- ting pass from Mahdi Almejaba, and it was no more than Luca Nardi’s side deserved. Aspire were very much the better team but Suwon substi- tute Hojun Yoo gave a warning sign that the Koreans couldn’t be ignored as he had an eff ort SC Secretary-General Hassan al-Thawadi (centre), Aspetar Director General and CEO of Aspire Zone Foundation Mohamed Khalifa al-Suwaidi on goal that was well blocked (second right), Al Kass General Manager Essa bin Abdulla al-Hitmi (right), CEO of QNB Stars League Hani Ballan (left) and Secretary-General of midway through the second Qatar Olympic Committee Jassim bin Rashid al-Buainain during the opening day of the Al Kass International Cup yesterday. half. Another Suwon opportunity bark Hamza threw himself at it rahman al-Saoud waved away years, with several of its gradu- Kass champions. came following a corner fi ve but couldn’t get his head to the the appeals. It was a deserved ates going on to represent Felix Aspire, unlucky to go out at minutes later but Shim couldn’t ball as it went straight past the win for Aspire, who had former Sanchez’s side. the semi-fi nal stage last year keep his far-post header down. keeper into the net. Australian international and With interest in football con- when Roma defeated them on Aspire made sure of vic- Aspire felt they should have FIFA 2022 ambassador Tim Ca- tinuing to grow the nearer we penalties, will take on reigning tory three minutes from time had a penalty shortly afterwards hill among their coaches. get to 2022, the hosts are hoping champions Glasgow Rangers on when substitute Abdulaziz when Mohamed al-Quraishi Aspire have played a major they can now go on to see off the Monday when they can expect al-Naimi fl oated in a curling was tugged back by Shim on role in the emergence of Qa- big guns of PSG, Real Madrid to face a tougher test against the PSG player Ismael Gharbi (right) receives MVP award from CEO of free-kick from the left and Mo- the edge of the box but Abdu- tar’s national team in recent and Barcelona to be crowned Al skilful Scots. QNB Stars League Hani Ballan. PICTURE: Jayaram

ITALIAN CUP Napoli beat Inter Milan to close in on fi nal AFP Both sides had their chances in Milan the fi rst half with Lautaro Mar- Unpredictable Inter face test of Scudetto credentials at Lazio tínez nodding wide with Padelli denying Piotr Zielinski just before All eyes will be on Rome this day’s Coppa Italia semi-final are still some distance away,” he abian Ruiz scored the only the break in front of a crowd of Sunday as Inter Milan face Lazio first leg at San Siro. Inter were said. “We need to suff er these goal as Napoli shocked In- nearly 60,000 in northern Italy. in a crucial moment for a thrilling criticised for looking tired and defeats in order to improve and ter Milan 1-0 in their Ital- Conte sent on Cristian Erik- Serie A title race. lacking imagination, with Conte develop.” Lazio were described ian Cup semi-fi nal, fi rst leg sen after 65 minutes and the Dane The biggest question surround- facing calls to pick January sign- by Italy coach Roberto Mancini tieF in the San Siro on Wednesday. threatened but David Ospina held ing Antonio Conte’s Inter side ing Christian Eriksen from the this week as “the big surprise” of The Spanish midfi elder broke fi rm in the Napoli goal. ahead of the match is what team start rather than using him as a the season, as they mount an un- through after 57 minutes to get Napoli, who last won the trophy will turn up, after a week that has second-half substitute, as he has expected challenge at the top of Gennaro Gattuso’s side back to in 2014, now take a slim advantage highlighted the unpredictable in three of the former Tottenham the table. Simone Inzaghi’s side winning ways after their 3-2 league into the second leg at their Stadio nature of the league leaders. midfielder’s four appearances beat Parma 1-0 last weekend to defeat at home to lowly Lecce last San Paolo on March 5. Last Sunday, Inter were overrun so far. Nevertheless, the Milan set a new club record of 18 Serie weekend. “The derby certainly took away and outclassed by AC Milan in Derby win was enough to send A games without defeat, with Ruiz picked up a Giovanni Di a lot of energy,” said Conte. “But the first half of the Milan Derby, Inter to the top of the table on their last loss coming on Sept. 25, Lorenzo cross, beating three Inter we’re talking about Napoli, who and went in at the break deserv- 54 points, ahead of Juventus on 2019 - against Inter. defenders to curl in past a helpless beat Lazio, Juventus, Liverpool. edly trailing their rivals 2-0. goal diff erence. Yet Lazio lurk With two of their rivals facing Daniele Padelli. “It’s a team of substance despite But a sensational second-half just one point behind in third, in off , Juventus know that victory “This is the real Napoli. Big its position in the standings.” display turned the game on its the tightest Serie A title race in 18 in their home game against compliments to my lads,” said Record 18-time winners Juven- head, as Conte’s team over- years. Conte used his side’s un- relegation-battling Brescia on Gattuso, whose side are 11th in the tus take on AC Milan in the other whelmed the Rossoneri by inspiring display against Napoli Sunday is essential. Juve coach Serie A table. semi-fi nal on Thursday, again in scoring four goals to win a thrill- as an opportunity to remind the Maurizio Sarri came in for fierce But he warned: “There’s no the San Siro. ing encounter 4-2. The game public that Juventus, who have criticism after his side fell to a reason to smile, we still haven’t The match will be the fi rst clash showed the Nerazzurri at their won the last eight league titles in shock 2-1 defeat to Hellas Verona achieved anything yet.” in Italy between Juventus star abject worst and brilliant best in a row, remain the team to beat. last weekend, with media reports Antonio Conte’s side looked Cristiano Ronaldo and Sweden’s the space of 90 minutes, but the “If someone thinks that we will in Italy suggesting that the club sluggish days after their thrill- Zlatan Ibrahimovic. high of coming out on top soon suddenly be at the same level are considering replacing him ing 4-2 derby win over AC Milan The fi nal will take place in the evaporated when they fell to a of the team that has dominated with former boss Massimiliano which put them top of the Serie A Stadio Olimpico in Rome on May Napoli’s Fabian Ruiz (right) celebrates with teammates after winning 1-0 defeat to Napoli in Wednes- for years, I would say that we Allegri. table. 13. the Italian Cup semi-final against Inter Milan. (Reuters) Gulf Times 4 Friday, February 14, 2020 SPORT

CRICKET Tanveer leads Qatar to easy victory over Uganda By Sports Reporter runs in just 10.1 overs. Ibrahim was the He clobbered two sixes and three fours Doha fi rst to go when he got run out for 50, in a 33-ball 42, helping Akankwasa add which included a six and seven bound- 91 runs for the sixth wicket. Tanveer aries in 34 balls. bowled very impressively and got the ll-rounder Mohamed Tanveer Five runs later, Khan also departed, 17-year-old Akankwasa stumped for scored his career’s fi fth half- falling leg before to Frank Nsubuga. his fi gures of one for 12 in two overs. century and inspire Qatar to Khan took just 33 balls to make 43 with Akankwasa hammered six sixes and fi ve an emphatic 40-run win over three fours and a six. Tanveer and deb- boundaries in his 66-run charge but his AUganda in the fi rst Twenty20 Interna- utant Imal Liyanage then mustered 95 33-ball knock came a bit too late. tional at the Asian Town Stadium on runs for the unbroken third wicket to Wednesday night. help Qatar post a challenging total. BRIEF SCORES The 39-year-old Tanveer smashed Tanveer faced just 34 balls and Qatar: 201 for two in 20 overs (Zaheer- half a dozen sixes and a four in his un- equaled his career-best knock, while uddeen Ibrahim 50 in 34 balls, Kamran beaten 57 to lead Qatar to a massive to- Liyanage hit 37 not out. In his 22-ball Khan 43 in 33 balls, Mohamed Tanveer tal of 201 for two. He later removed top- innings, he cracked two sixes and three scorer Frank Akankwasa, who made his fours. 57 not out in 34 balls, Imal Liyanage 37 international debut, to set up a big vic- Uganda made a poor start, losing not out in 22 balls; Frank Nsubuga 1/25) tory and put the home team 1-0 ahead their top three batsmen for just 25 runs. bt Uganda: 161 for six in 20 overs in the three-match series. They lost their fourth player at 57 in 10.1 (Dusededit Muhumuza 42 in 33 balls, In October last year, Tanveer had also overs and never in a hunt to chase down Frank Akankwasa 66 in 33 balls; scored 57 not out to steer Qatar to a 3-0 Qatar’s total. Teenager Frank Akank- Mohamed Awais Malik 2/30, Gayan series victory against Jersey. wasa and Dusededit Muhumuza dug Budhika 1/29, Iqbal Hussain Chaudhry Batting fi rst after being asked to set in and played some electrifying knocks 1/18, Muhammad Nadeem 1/34, Mo- the target, Qatar made a brisk start to revive the Uganda challenge. How- hamed Tanveer 1/12) by 40 runs through Zaheeruddeen Ibrahim and ever, Malik separated the duo when he Player of the Match: Mohamed Tanveer Kamran Khan. The pair reeled off 101 bowled Muhumuza for 42 in 33 balls. Mohamed Tanveer (left) and Imal Liyanage added 95 runs for the unbroken third wicket to help Qatar post 201.

SPOTLIGHT GOLF Koalas get lucky as Ewart Shadoff leads Smith, Warner must Australian Open

AFP crowned an Open champion on Adelaide Australian soil. Dad Petr got the ball rolling by winning the Aus- tralian Open in 1998, while her ‘ride the storm’ in odi Ewart Shadoff made sister Jessica won the Australian a lot of koalas happy by Open golf in 2012. sinking seven birdies to Her brother Sebastian then lead the LPGA Australian took out the Australian Open JOpen with defending champion tennis boys’ title in 2018. “I had Nelly Korda three shots adrift af- a solid day out there,” said Ko- ter yesterday’s fi rst round. rda, who won two LPGA events The Englishwoman fi red a last year to race up the rankings. S Africa: Hazlewood blemish-free 66 around the “I drove the ball really well. Kind par-73 Royal Adelaide Golf Club of didn’t take advantage of all my having pledged to donate $100 opportunities, but it’s just the ‘Steve and Dave have ticked off pretty much every box since coming back’ for every birdie to a koala rescue fi rst day so hopefully I can just charity with her sponsor match- build from here on.” Reuters ing the sum. Park Hee-young, who won the Melbourne Ewart Shadoff has one-stroke LPGA’s Vic Open last weekend lead ahead of South Koreans Lee after a four-hole playoff , had a Jeong-eun and Park In-bee with horror start with a double bogey teve Smith and David Warner will three Americans — Marina Alex, and two bogeys blotting her card be ready for whatever South Afri- Jillian Hollis and Amy Olson — until birdies at the last four holes can crowds throw at them when a shot further back. Korda, the rescued her card, leaving her the Australia batsmen return to daughter of former Australian seven off the pace. theS nation two years after the ball-tam- Open Grand Slam tennis cham- pering scandal, paceman Josh Hazlewood pion Petr, is lurking in a pack of LEADING SCORES has said. The pair will fl y out with the 10 after a four-under 69. USA unless stated, par 73) Australia squad today for a limited overs Ewart Shadoff benefi ted from tour in the duo’s fi rst visit to the coun- being back in the clubhouse be- 66 — Jodi Ewart Shadoff (ENG) try since serving 12-month bans for their fore breezy conditions kicked in 67 — Lee Jeong-eun (KOR), Park parts in the tampering plot during the and with seven birdies in the bag In-bee (KOR) Cape Town Test. already, that’s $1,400 to help the The pair were jeered relentlessly by furry marsupials. “I mean again, 68 — Marina Alex, Amy Olsen, English crowds during last year’s one- really solid, really happy to make Jillian Hollis day World Cup and the following Ashes seven birdies. I’m donating to the 69 — An Ho-yu (TPE), Choi series, and Hazlewood said they would Adelaide Koala Rescue this week Na-yeon (KOR), Dani Holmqvist be unfazed by more hostility. “Steve and for birdies, so it’s nice to make a (SWE), Hsu Wei-ling (TPE), Dave have ticked off pretty much every tonne today,” she said. Nelly Korda, Madelene Sagstrom box since coming back,” Hazlewood told Told she would be making a (SWE), Yan Jing (CHN), Kristen reporters in Sydney yesterday. lot of koalas happy, she replied: Gillman, Hannah Green (AUS), “It’s just another one of those and I “Yes, I hope so.” Ewart Shadoff ’s Kelly Tan (MAS) don’t think it’ll faze them one bit. They best showing on the LPGA Tour probably play better when it’s like this. was her second place at the 2017 70 — Brittany Altomare, Dottie It’s nothing we haven’t experienced be- British Open. Ardina (PHI), Tonje Daff inrud fore... we’ll be fi ne.” She said: “I feel ready,” when (NOR), Manon De Roey (BEL), Both Smith and Warner have thrived asked of she could grab her maid- Georgia Hall (ENG), Kang Hae-ji since returning to the national fold af- en victory. She will be keeping (KOR), Pernilla Lindberg (SWE), ter their bans expired last March. Smith a close watch on world number Christina Kim, Minjee Lee (AUS), played a leading role in Australia’s re- three Korda, who last year added Stacy Lewis, Mind Muangkhum- tention of the Ashes while Warner was to an amazing family tradition of sakul (THA), Ally McDonald, awarded the Allan Border Medal for the winning top titles in Australia. Stephanie Meadow (NIR), Lizette third time on Monday as the country’s In holding off South Korean Salas, Jasmine Suwannapura top cricketer in 2019. Ko Jin-young, she joined her fa- (THA) Local media have reported that the ther, sister and brother in being head of the national players’ union will tour with the side in South Africa to off er extra support for the players. Hazlewood said Smith and Warner would not need to be shielded. “They’ll probably try to take as much heat as they can actually, try to keep the young guys out of the spotlight,” added the paceman. Hazlewood said engaging positively with fans was the best way to defuse Steve Smith (left) and David Warner served 12-month bans for their parts in the tampering plot during the Cape Town Test. them. “Join in and try to have a good time with them. Often when you do that, they The 23-year-old left-hander has failed once he is ready to resume playing.” Warner and Cameron Bancroft were sus- end up being on your side after a couple of to score a century in Australia’s domestic Renshaw had been expected to be pended for ball-tampering in South Af- overs,” he said. “It is when you fi ght them fi rst-class competition since playing the named in a Cricket Australia (CA) XI to rica the following year. that it becomes to and fro, and quite abu- last of his 11 Tests in 2018. play the England Lions development But after suff ering concussion during sive. Ride the storm and go along with it.” “As part of our usual review process squad in a four-day game in Hobart this a tour match leading into the 2018 series of player performance, our coaching and week but he told selectors he had decided against Pakistan in the United Arab Emir- FORGOTTEN OPENER RENSHAW support staff spent time with Matthew to step away from the game. ates, the Yorkshire-born batsman has TO TAKE BREAK FROM GAME this week and they all came to the con- Renshaw made his Test debut at 20 been overlooked by test selectors since. Matt Renshaw, once tipped as a long- clusion that he would benefi t from some against South Africa in 2016 and scored Fellow Queenslander Joe Burns has term fi x for Australia’s opening batting time away from cricket,” Queensland 184 against Pakistan in his fourth Test, an partnered Warner at the top of the Aus- problems, is taking a break from cricket performance boss Bennett King said. Australian record for a player of his age. tralia order for the past year, though after being dropped by Queensland ahead “We’re confi dent Matthew will benefi t Dropped ahead of the 2017-18 home Ash- Burns’s spot has also come under scruti- of the resumption of the Sheffi eld Shield from a break from the game to freshen up, es against England, Renshaw appeared ny after a lean series against New Zealand Jodi Ewart Shadoff fired a blemish-free 66 around the par-73 season. and look forward to working with him set to reclaim his spot after openers David over the home summer. Royal Adelaide Golf Club.

FOCUS Would have played longer if it wasn’t for chaos in CSA, says Philander IANS played a big role in him retiring from the behind me, but I would have considered Zealand despite nursing a hamstring play’. But they were clearly not open appointed as acting director of cricket Johannesburg game. “As a player you get to the point playing longer if it wasn’t for the chaos injury after then CEO Haroon Lorgat and honest with me and Kyle. There and former wicketkeeper Mark Bouch- where you’ve had enough,” Philander in our cricket administration.” reminded the national team selectors of were things happening behind closed er appointed as coach, Philander said told Arikaans weekly Rapport. “CSA’s Relationship between players and the transformation commitments. doors,” he said. that there is hope for a turnaround but ast bowler Vernon Philander, previous administration only looked Cricket South Africa has taken several Philander said that he should not “When I go to Durban, I have a beer it is too late for him to reconsider his who bowed out from interna- after themselves; the players were the hits over the past decade. The worst for have played that match. “It’s diffi cult with Kyle. There are no hard feelings decision. tional cricket in South Africa’s last people they worried about. Too Philander came when he replaced Kyle for me to look back on that,” he said. “I between us two. But the point is: Crick- Philander said that more former recently concluded Test series many things went wrong and I had to Abbott, South Africa’s best bowler in blatantly and openly told the coach that et SA must sort out their stuff . What players need to be brought back to againstF England, revealed that the in- decide what was the best way forward the 2015 World Cup, ahead of the semi- the best player must play. He told me, happened was a knock to both of us.” helping South African cricket but that stability within Cricket South Africa for me. I am 34 and have a good career fi nal of the tournament against New ‘you’re the best man for the day, you With former captain Grame Smith can happen only if they are paid well. Gulf Times Friday, February 14, 2020 5 SPORT

NBA NHL Pastrnak’s hat-trick leads Bruins to James’ triple-double victory over Habs

Reuters The Canadiens got back in Los Angeles it 36 seconds later when Su- zuki put the puck past Rask, tipping in Marco Scandella’s avid Pastrnak com- one-timer from the blue line. helps Lakers edge pleted his fourth hat After two sets off off set- trick of the season ting penalties midway through and surpassed 40 the middle period, the Bruins goalsD as the Boston Bruins beat found themselves on a four- the visiting Montreal Cana- on-three when Joel Armia was diens 4-1 Wednesday night. penalized for roughing Torey Pastrnak regained the Krug at 15:14. league lead with his 41st goal Just 31 seconds later, Pas- Nuggets in overtime when he scored his third of the trnak completed his hat trick night late in the second period. when Bergeron defl ected to ‘We wanted to make sure we came in and got a win on the road heading into all-star game’ Patrice Bergeron added him the rebound of March- an empty-netter and Brad and’s initial shot for a 3-1 mar- Marchand had two assists as gin. the Bruins won for the seventh The Bruins, who outshot the time in their past eight games. Canadiens 26-19 through two Tuukka Rask stopped 28 shots periods, kept up the pressure to improve to 13-0-6 at home through the third. Price was this season. pulled with about 2:30 re- Nick Suzuki scored for the maining, and Bergeron scored Canadiens, who lost their sec- with the net empty with 20 ond straight. Carey Price made seconds left. 34 saves for Montreal. Pastrnak scored his fi rst Pastrnak became the fi rst goal after Marchand stole the Bruin to reach 40 goals in a puck in the neutral zone, bat- season since Glen Murray tle toward the net through two scored 44 in 2002-03 when he defenders and found Pastrnak and Sean Kuraly teamed on a on his right to score at 6:59 of two-on-one breakaway up ice the fi rst period. at 4:16 of the second period. Pastrnak, 23, is the fi rst Pastrnak cut in front of Price Bruin to register four hat tricks and beat him with a snipe top in a season since Phil Esposito shelf for his second marker and Bobby Orr each did it in and a 2-0 Boston lead. 1974-75.

LeBron James (right) of the Los Angeles Lakers puts up a shot against Torrey Craig of the Denver Nuggets in the first quarter at Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado, on Wednesday. (AFP) David Pastrnak of the Boston Bruins skates against the Montreal Canadiens during the third period at TD Garden in Boston, AFP game win streak stopped. straight game following the birth of his Massachusetts, on Wednesday. (AFP) RESULTS Los Angeles Gary Harris scored 13 points and Monte fi rst child, Liam Charles. Morris added 12 for Denver, who lost both Milwaukee missed just one of 25 free LA Lakers 120-116 Denver home games to Los Angeles this season. throws on the night but they still had their nthony Davis scored a team- Dallas 130-111 Sacramento Elsewhere, TJ Warren scored 35 points fi ve-game winning streak stopped. Atkinson to miss 2-3 weeks high 33 points as the Los Angeles Brooklyn 101-91 Toronto as the Indiana Pacers ended a six-game Indiana were blown out in their fi rst with sprained ankle Lakers beat Denver 120-116 in Indiana 118-111 Milwaukee losing skid with a 118-111 win over the two meetings of the season against Mil- overtime in the fi nal game before shorthanded Milwaukee Bucks. waukee, losing 102-83 in November and Columbus Blue Jackets with a string of injuries, theA all-star break for two of the top teams Washington 114-96 New York Milwaukee clawed their way back from 117-89 on the road a month later. forward Cam Atkinson will including one that led to in the West. Phoenix 112-106 Golden State a 25-point second-quarter defi cit to pull miss two to three weeks due star defenseman Seth Jones “Our defense got us back in the game Utah 116-101 Miami within fi ve points early in the fourth but DONCIC SCORES 33 IN RETURN to an ankle injury, the team undergoing ankle surgery and we came down and fi nished at the end the Pacers were able to take advantage Also, Doncic marked a return from an an- announced Wednesday. earlier this week. Jones will of the game,” said Lakers all-star Davis. Memphis 111-104 Portland in the absence of star Giannis Antetok- kle injury with a 33 point and 12 rebound Atkinson sustained the be sidelined for eight to 10 “We wanted to make sure we came in and Charlotte 115-108 Minnesota ounmpo and pull out the victory. performance to lead Dallas to a 130-111 injury during the Blue weeks. Columbus also added got a win on the road heading into the all- Cleveland 127-105 Atlanta Warren shot a blistering 16 of 19 from win over the Sacramento Kings. Jackets’ Saturday loss to the forward Liam Foudy to the star game.” the fi eld for the Pacers, who made 62 % The Mavericks lost four of seven games Colorado Avalanche and sat roster on an emergency Orlando 116-112 Detroit LeBron James showed his two way of their baskets in the fi rst half in front of with Doncic out of the lineup. He was 10- out the Columbus’ overtime recall basis from the London prowess, fi nishing with a triple double of said. “We had our struggles, but we con- 17,000 fans at the Bankers Life Fieldhouse of-18 in shooting from the fi eld and made defeat against the Tampa Knights of the Ontario 32 points, 14 assists and 12 rebounds and tinued to fi ght. in Indianapolis. 10 of 12 from the free-throw line in 31 Bay Lightning on Monday. Hockey League. making several clutch stops on defense “We are going to try to have a better Malcolm Brogdon collected 17 points minutes of playing time. The 30-year-old missed 12 This is the second time down the stretch. second half. We got to pick it up defen- and 13 assists against his former team and Kristaps Porzingis poured in 27 points games earlier this season this week Foudy has James recorded his 12th triple double of sively in the second half.” Domantas Sabonis had 15 points and eight on 11-of-16 shooting and also contributed due to a sprained ankle, been summoned on an the season to tie Luka Doncic of the Dallas Nikola Jokic fi nished with 22 points and rebounds for the Pacers, who handed the 13 rebounds. returning to action on Jan. emergency recall. He made Mavericks for the league lead. 11 rebounds for the Nuggets, who missed Bucks their second loss in the last 16 con- Tim Hardaway made fi ve three-point- 16. Atkinson has 12 goals and his NHL debut on Monday Davis scored seven points in the extra their fi nal fi ve shots in overtime. tests. ers on his way to scoring 19 points, and 14 assists in 44 games this against the Lightning and session, including a three pointer that Dwight Howard had 14 points and 11 re- Donte DiVincenzo scored a team-high Seth Curry added 18 for Dallas. season. He scored a career- was scoreless. made it 119-116 for the Lakers with 2:41 bounds, and Alex Caruso and Avery Bra- 19 points and Khris Middleton added 17 In New York, Caris LeVert scored 20 best 41 goals last season and Foudy, who turned 20 on remaining. Davis said he enjoyed the fi rst dley scored 10 points each for the Lakers. for the Bucks, who also suff ered their fi rst points as the Brooklyn Nets registered a has 198 in nine NHL seasons, Feb. 4, has 44 points (20 half of the season but added wins are go- Jamal Murray had a team high 32 points loss in six games, without reigning league 101-91 victory over the Toronto Raptors, all with Columbus. goals, 24 assists) in 33 games ing to be harder to come by in the second. and 10 assists and Jerami Grant had 15 MVP Antetokounmpo in the lineup. who saw their team-record 15-game win- The Blue Jackets are dealing with London this season. “It been a fun fi rst half of the year,” he points for Denver, who had their four- Antetokounmpo sat out his second ning streak come to a sudden halt.

NFL My desire to play football is still there, says Kaepernick Reuters has been Kaepernick’s goal since 2017. Los Angeles “My desire to play football is still Bengals open to work with there,” Kaepernick said. “I still train fi ve days a week. I’m ready to go, I’m QB Dalton on trade olin Kaepernick hopes to return ready for a phone call, tryout, workout With the Cincinnati Bengals apparently plans to reboot to the NFL but has other plans at any point in time. I’m still waiting on in position to select Heisman at quarterback but wants to if his football playing days are the owners and their partners to stop Trophy-winning quarterback avoid moving Dalton to “a over. running from this situation. So I hope Joe Burrow with the No. 1 pick bad spot” out of respect for CKaepernick is writing a memoir and I get a call this off season. I’ll be looking in the NFL draft, the team is the nine years Dalton spent planning to launch a publishing com- forward to it.” apparently willing to help its with the organisation. pany, aff ording him a chance to answer Kaepernick is not playing in the XFL incumbent find a soft landing. Dalton, 32, won the starting questions and help steer a narrative he relaunch and commissioner Oliver NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport job in Cincinnati as a rookie believes has largely been controlled by Luck claimed this week the former San reported Wednesday that out of TCU after being drafted others. Francisco 49ers quarterback could be the rebuilding Bengals intend early in the second round “I’ve had a lot of questions sur- on the fi eld if not for high salary de- to trade Andy Dalton, the in 2011. Paired with talented rounding what got me to the point of mands. franchise’s career leader wide receiver AJ Green, the protesting,” he told USA Today. “Why Kaepernick Publishing has part- in touchdown passes, fourth overall pick in the did I do it? Why did I do it at that mo- nered with Audible and his memoir is “when the time is right” this same draft, Dalton made the ment? Why wasn’t it earlier in my ca- due out this year. off season. Pro Bowl in his debut season, reer? A lot of questions surrounding “I learned early on that in fi ghting The Bengals, who were an when he led Cincinnati to the what led me to that point. Which led against systematic oppression, dehu- NFL-worst 2-14 last season, playoff s. It would be one of me to wanting to share that story and manisation and colonisation, who con- are expected to select Ohio three Pro Bowl berths and give insight. So I think there’s a lot of trols the narrative shapes the reality of native Burrow, who led LSU four straight postseason trips interest around it, but time will tell how the world views society,” Kaeper- to the national championship for Dalton, who went 50-26-1 when the book comes out.” nick told USA Today. “It controls who’s in his final college season. as a starter in his first five The 32-year-old is likely running out loved, who’s hated, who’s degraded Burrow or not, Cincinnati seasons. Reuters of time to get back into the NFL, which and who’s celebrated.” File photo of San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick. PICTURE: USA TODAY Sports Gulf Times 6 Friday, February 14, 2020 SPORT

RUGBY Hong Kong, Singapore Sevens postponed over virus AFP concluding this year’s 10-stop world Asia’s sports schedule has been Hong Kong series. hammered by the coronavirus, with The COVID-19 death toll leapt to Singapore’s HSBC Women’s World 1,367 yesterday with nearly 60,000 Championship, starting on February ugby’s Hong Kong and Singa- infections in China, where the virus is 27, among two golf events cancelled pore Sevens were postponed thought to have emerged in the city of this week. from April to October over the Wuhan. The start of China’s Super League coronavirus yesterday, join- football is indefi nitely on hold, and Ring the Chinese Grand Prix, golf and Chinese clubs are mostly sidelined SIGNATURE EVENT football fi xtures on the growing list of The Hong Kong Sevens, held every from Asia’s Champions League until sporting casualties. northern hemisphere spring since April. The decision, which disrupts sev- 1976, is an important source of rev- Athletics’ World Indoor Cham- ens rugby in the run-up to the Tokyo enue and prestige for a city which pionships, due to be held in Nanjing Olympics, was made “in response to has plunged into recession following in March, were postponed for a year, continued health concerns relating months of pro-democracy protests while boxing, tennis, basketball, ski- to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) and the US-China trade war. ing, diving, snooker and badminton outbreak”, World Rugby said. The colourful, three-day tourna- have also been aff ected in China. “The health and safety of our play- ment is the signature event of the sev- A major sports conference sched- ers, fans and everyone working on the ens series and was a driving force be- uled for Beijing is another casualty. Or- event is always our highest priority,” it hind the sport’s Olympic inclusion. ganisers said they were looking for an added in a statement. The Hong Kong Sevens will return to alternative venue for the SportsAccord The announcement comes a day af- its usual slot next year, the city’s rugby World Sports and Business Summit ter Formula One’s Chinese Grand Prix chief told AFP, adding that he expected 2020, originally set for Beijing from in Shanghai, scheduled for April 19, to sell out both the 2020 and 2021 tour- April 19-24. was postponed, becoming the biggest naments even though they are just six The biggest domino to fall was single sports event aff ected by COV- months apart. Shanghai’s Formula One grand prix, ID-19 so far. “We’re disappointed that in Hong which was postponed “to ensure the The fl agship Hong Kong Sevens was Kong and China and globally we’re health and safety of the travelling staff , slated for April 3-5, with Singapore a struggling with a big health issue, but championship participants and fans”, week later. Both cities are scrambling we’re delighted that World Rugby were the FIA, motorsport’s governing body, to deal with the virus, with 50 con- able to confer us this slot,” said HKRU said on Wednesday. fi rmed cases each and one death in chief executive Robbie McRobbie. No new date was proposed for the Hong Kong. “We’ve always wanted to be the last race — one of 22 on this year’s calendar The Singapore tournament will now slot (on the world series), and we’ve fi - — and there has been no announce- take place on October 10-11 and Hong nally and rather bizarrely got our wish,” ment about the inaugural grand prix in In this file photo taken on April 5, 2017, captains of teams competing in the annual Hong Kong Rugby Sevens pose with the Kong a week later on October 16-18, he added. Vietnam, scheduled for April 5. winner’s trophy during a promotional event in Hong Kong. (AFP)

CYCLING /TOUR COLOMBIA TOUR DE FRANCE Cavendish must earn Molano claims tour his spot: team boss stage victory; Bernal ‘I’m delighted to have redeemed myself and stays in hunt returned to winning ways’

Reuters for Mikel Landa,” Ellingworth London told Cycling News. “For Mark, if he’s winning and performing well, why ritish sprint special- would we not think about go- ist Mark Cavend- ing on that journey and trying ish is not guaranteed to be the greatest stage winner to compete at the in Tour de France history? BTour de France with Bahrain “He knows it’ll be a hard McLaren and must earn his challenge. If he’s winning spot on the team by winning at World Tour level, why World Tour events before the wouldn’t we take him?” race in June and July, general Cavendish, who worked manager Rod Ellingworth has with Ellingworth at British said. Cycling, is chasing Belgian The “Manx Missile”, who Eddy Merckx’s record of 34 has won 30 Tour de France stage wins and is set to race at stages, is a part of a team roster the UAE Tour later this month. that includes Spaniard Mikel “In terms of his health, Landa, Dutchman Wout Poels we’ve now ticked that box,” and 2019 Tour stage winner Ellingworth added. “He had Dylan Teuns of Belgium. really struggled on and off . Cavendish, 34, has strug- That’s what that virus does, it gled with fi tness since he was limits you, you can’t go deep, diagnosed with the Epstein- you can’t back up day after Barr virus in 2017. He also day. missed the 2019 Tour when he “But he’s been training well was left out of the Dimension for four months so that’s good. Data squad. Then you have the race condi- “Nobody is guaranteed for tion, which has not been there the Tour. It’s a certain type for a while, but we’ve ticked of Tour this year, and I’m not that box now.” shying away from saying that This year’s Tour runs from Colombia’s Egan Bernal (left) and Ecuadorian Richard Carapaz of Great Britain’s Ineos team race during the second stage of the Tour Colombia 2.1, in Colombia, on Wednesday. (AFP) it’s an excellent Tour de France June 27-July 19.

AFP deg at the end of the 152km stage time, including Colombian pair 177km from Paipa to Sogamoso (COL) Colombia-Andina s.t., 9. Duitama, Colombia from Paipa to Duitama, with Is- Sergio Higuita and Daniel Mar- and includes two fourth category Marco Benfatto (ITA) Bardiani rael’s Itamar Einhorn in third. tinez who are expected to chal- climbs. The entire six-day tour CSF Faizane s.t., 10.Felix Baron Coleman looking to post fast time “The team did an amazing job, lenge for the fi nal victory. is raced at above 2,500m with (COL) Team Illuminate s.t. in 60m at US championships olombia’s Juan Sebas- I’m delighted to have redeemed “I’m going to make the most Sunday’s fi nale ending on the tian Molano continued myself and returned to winning of this jersey for as long as I can, climb to the Puerto de El Verjon OVERALL STANDINGS World 60m record holder ran in the championships UAE Team Emirates’ ways,” Molano, who had some but at the same time if I can fi ght at 3,290m. 1. Jonathan Caicedo (ECU) EF Christian Coleman wants to in the high altitude of Al- impressive start to the time off last year due to a broken to the end, I’ll be there,” said Pro Cycling 3hr 30min 10sec, put some excellent training buquerque in 2018. He had seasonC by sprinting to victory on hand, told ESPN. Caicedo, 26. RESULTS 2. Sergio Higuita (COL) EF Pro sessions to good use and been undecided on whether the second stage of the Tour Co- “There are still several stages “The main aim is to win the 1. Juan Sebastian Molano (COL) Cycling same time, 3. Daniel go for a fast time at this to run indoors this season lombia on Wednesday as reign- to come... I’ll be calmer because Tour Colombia with whichever UAE Team Emirates 3hr 12min Martinez (COL) EF Pro Cycling weekend’s US Indoor Cham- but “he has been having ing Tour de France champion I know I’ve already won and I one of us three, it doesn’t mat- 09sec, 2. Alvaro Hodeg (COL) s.t., 4. Tejay Van Garderen (USA) pionships in New Mexico, some good training sessions Egan Bernal fi nished safely in the don’t have this pressure any ter if it’s Higuita, Martinez or Deceuninck-Quick Step same EF Pro Cycling s.t., 5. Lawson his manager told Reuters on and he doesn’t want it to go pack. more so I can work better.” myself.” time, 3. Itamar Einhorn (ISR) Craddok (USA) EF Pro Cycling Wednesday. to waste,” manager Emanuel Ecuador’s Jonathan Caicedo Fellow Colombian sprinter Bernal, the inaugural winner Israel Start-up Nation s.t., 4. Jho- at 9sec, 6. Bert Van Lerberghe Coleman, who won the Hudson told Reuters by retained the leader’s yellow jer- Fernando Gaviria won three of this race two years ago, moved natan Restrepo (COL) Androni (BEL) Deceuninck-Quick Step 100m world title in Doha telephone. “He believes we sey he claimed when his EF Pro stages for UAE in the Tour de up to eighth in the overall stand- Giocattoli Siderm s.t., 5. Edwin 45, 7. Jannik Steimle (GER) last year and is a big favour- may be seeing something Cycling squad won Tuesday’s San Juan in Argentina a couple of ings at 46sec, one place ahead of Avila (COL) Israel Start-up Na- Deceuninck-Quick Step s.t., 8. ite for the Olympic crown (special),” Hudson added. opening team time-trial after weeks ago. Ineos team-mate and reigning tion s.t., 6. Bryan Steven Gomez Egan Bernal (COL) Team Ineos in Tokyo, set the indoor The first round of the 60m also fi nishing in the peloton. Caicedo maintained his lead Giro d’Italia champion Richard (ECU) Supergiros ALC Manizales 46, 9. Richard Carapaz (ECU) 60m world record of 6.34 is today with the semi-finals Molano, 25, powered home in the overall standings ahead of Carapaz of Ecuador. s.t., 7. Colin Joyce (USA) Rally Cy- Team Ineos s.t., 10. Jhonnatan seconds the last time he and final tomorrow. Reuters ahead of compatriot Alvaro Ho- three team-mates on the same Yesterday’s third stage covers cling s.t., 8. Julian David Molano Narvaez (COL) Team Ineos s.t. Gulf Times Friday, February 14, 2020 7 SPORT

FOCUS Generation Amazing wraps up packed week celebrating sport and football eneration Amazing ing Generation Amazing, in the in Qatar and around the world.” lfan, supported the activities. hosted a range of activi- run-up to the FIFA World Cup. Meanwhile, on Qatar National And, in a surprise visit, Algerian ties this week to mark Generation Amazing’s Mar- Sport Day, Generation Amazing football legend Rabah Madjer Qatar National Sport keting & Communications Di- hosted football for development also turned up to provide a pep GDay and the onboarding of new rector, Moza al-Mohannadi said: activities for staff and the pub- talk to the participants. ambassador Tim Cahill. “We’re thrilled to have Tim Ca- lic at the newly opened Al Bayt Generation Amazing utilises The Qatar 2022 legacy pro- hill joining our team as an am- Sports Park, in the precinct of the power of football to enhance gramme organised a training bassador and doing his part to Al Bayt Stadium – which is set knowledge and help people de- session for local schoolchildren motivate the children in the Gen- to host matches up to the semi- velop major life skills, like com- at Aspire Dome to welcome new eration Amazing programme, fi nals stage during Qatar 2022. munication and teambuilding. Supreme Committee for Deliv- something he is obviously very Children aged 8-12 from two Generation Amazing has ery & Legacy (SC) ambassador passionate about.” local schools were invited to take reached half a million benefi ci- Tim Cahill. During the event, Cahill said he was excited to be part in the activities and engage aries around the world since be- the Australia football legend took embarking on a new journey with with Generation Amazing mas- ing launched in 2009. The pro- part in several exercises before Generation Amazing. ter coaches. The sessions focused gramme aims to reach 1 million reading some of his Tiny Timmy “I am very excited about being on teamwork, organisation and benefi ciaries by 2022. children’s book to the partici- involved with Generation Amaz- communication. Stay tuned to @GA4Good on pants. ing and inspiring kids to follow A number of SC ambassadors, Twitter, Instagram and Facebook Cahill will support a number of their dreams. I’m inspired by the including Qatari football legends for the latest updates on Genera- Australian football legend and SC’s new ambassador Tim Cahill handed out copies of his book Tiny Timmy SC legacy programmes, includ- work Generation Amazing is doing Khalid Salman and Ibrahim Kha- tion Amazing. (SC.qa) to the participants.

FORMULA 1 Alonso rejected in pitch for Indy 500 ride: report

Two-time Formula One champion Fernando Alonso has been re- buff ed by two IndyCar teams in his bid to drive a one-off entry for the 104th Indianapolis 500, NBC Sports reported on Wednesday. Ed Car- penter says he rejected the Spaniard’s pitch to add a car because he Team-bonding top already has one extra entry for the May 24 oval classic, according to a report on the network’s website. “We’re not positioned to run more than three. We’re a two-car team,” Carpenter said. “If we doubled the size of our team for May, it wouldn’t be good for everybody.” Alonso, 38, was reportedly poised to drive for Honda-powered Andretti Aut- osport before the enginemaker rejected the plan. Last year, Alonso attempted to qualify for the race but was edged in qualifying for the on Ricciardo’s list last spot in the 33-car field. ‘In my opinion there is no-one better than Daniel to bring everyone together’

Reuters Paris, France

aniel Ricciardo’s Re- nault teammates had better beware: The Australian is planning toD take them out of their comfort zone and make them sweat as he chases a return to the Formula One podium. The cheerful Australian joined for 2019 from Red Bull, where he had been a race winner, and im- mediately noticed a diff erence. Renault, champions in a pre- vious existence but yet to feature on the podium since they re- turned as a factory team in 2016, have expanded rapidly as they Kubica joins DTM series at BMW seek to return to the top. Getting everyone to gel re- Poland’s Robert Kubica will compete for BMW in the upcoming mains a work in progress, how- German Touring Car Masters (DTM) series, it was announced ever. yesterday. DTM boss Gerhard Berger named the 35-year-old “a “When I fi rst came into the fantastic addition” while Kubica said the DTM is “one of the strong- team last year I did feel the ga- est and best racing series in the world.” Kubica will compete for rage was a little... it wasn’t as the BMW ART Racing team. He is also a reserve driver for the Alfa close as what I felt Red Bull had,” Romeo Formula One team. Kubica started his F1 career for BMW- Ricciardo told Reuters at the Sauber in 2006 and won the 2008 Canadian Grand Prix before team’s season launch in Paris on Renault F1 drivers Esteban Ocon (left) and Daniel Ricciardo (second from left) with team managing director Cyril Abiteboul and former F1 severe injuries in a rally accident in 2011 ended his ambitions. He Wednesday. champion Alain Prost (right) at a news conference in Paris, France, on Wednesday. (Reuters) returned to F1 last year at Williams but did not have his contract “I think it improved through renewed for 2020. the year but there’s still some room to go.” McLaren drivers keep the bromance bubbling at car launch As a result, Ricciardo reckons on doing “some team building Reuters Britain’s youngest F1 driver, the two at 25 years old and head- third place in Brazil. TENNIS stuff ” away from the track “to Woking, United Kingdom and Spaniard Sainz both liked ing into his sixth season, said it Norris said he was more give us some tasks together that what they saw as the Renault- looked slimmer and better: “I confident, more relaxed, in his aren’t just ‘make my car quicker’ powered papaya and blue car like it. I like it a lot,” he said of the second season. or ‘fi x the front wing’. To just cLaren teammates was pushed out at the Woking livery with its matt finish. “Especially working with Carlos, Pospisil stuns top work together on non-F1 tasks. Lando Norris and factory. The two drivers hit it off last year, there’s a lot of things I had to “I think that’s going to do MCarlos Sainz kept their “I pretty much designed the their friendly rivalry on and off improve on and work on,” he wonders for us as a unit,” he said. driver bromance bubbling at whole thing,” joked Norris. track providing plenty of enter- said of 2019. “It’s been good. seed Medvedev “We’re going to make a few the launch of their new MCL35 “Everything we went through tainment for the team’s army of It’s made it a lot more fun, people sweat as well and get Formula One car yesterday. last year, all our comments and fans, and they made clear they especially in my first year in Agencies them out of their limits and get The British-based team discussions between us as driv- expected that to continue. Formula One. Rotterdam, Netherlands them to reinsert some self-belief emerged from the doldrums to ers has been put into this and “We managed to develop a “I’ve been able to settle into in themselves and get them to do finish fourth last season and, based around that. good relationship with each things a lot quicker than I something maybe they didn’t in the 50th anniversary year “It’s a lot more my car, we’ve other but also a good working thought I would and a lot of that’s anada’s Vasek Pos- think they could do.” of the death of founder Bruce had the input into making this, relationship inside the team,” been down to Carlos and how we pisil, who stunned fans Renault dropped from fourth McLaren, are aiming to build on so it feels a lot more my baby,” commented Sainz, who last got along and helped each other. by sipping maple syrup to fi fth overall last season, a that momentum. added the 20-year-old. year took McLaren’s first podi- It’s been a lot of fun and I hope to during the Montpellier blow for a manufacturer target- CATP fi nal at the weekend, con- Norris, a rookie last year as Sainz, the more experienced of um since 2014 with an inherited continue that way.” ing a return to the top three. tinued his impressive form yes- The team have expanded from terday when he defeated top seed around 600 people to some young Frenchman Esteban Ocon ergy,” said Abiteboul of a driver on to the next stage. year now we can do more with Daniil Medvedev 6-4, 6-3 at the 1,200 in the past three or four replacing experienced German renowned for his smile. “I feel a lot more confi dent this... Just me being in the sport Rotterdam tournament. years and Renault F1 Principal Nico Hulkenberg. “That’s why I am pushing him and comfortable to act on more for longer, starting to under- Pospisil, a former top 30 player Cyril Abiteboul said it took time “Frankly, in my opinion there to talk about that — but not just of these understandings and stand what works and maybe now ranked 104, saved six of sev- to integrate so many fresh faces. is no-one better than Daniel to talk, act.” some ways to bring the team what doesn’t — these are some en break points as he clinched a Renault also have a changed bring everyone together and to Ricciardo said he had learnt a closer together,” he said. “I’m things I’m obviously looking to seventh top 10 career victory. driver line-up, with hungry bring this sort of positive en- lot last year and wanted to move confi dent that in the second explore.” The 29-year-old Canadian made the fi nal in Montpellier on Sunday where he lost to home COMMENT star Gael Monfi ls. However, he caused a stir on social media when he was pho- tographed drinking from a bottle of maple syrup, the emblematic Allowing coaching from stands is ‘no brainer’: King drink of Canada. “Maple Syrup: Best Sports 7-6(3) 3-6 6-3. Reuters Reuters by telephone this week. International Tennis Federa- “Let’s just look at the sports performance drink. Anti-can- “It’s never easy to come back London, United Kingdom “Look at baseball. They have a tion chief David Haggerty says in the United States. They talk cerous properties. Rich in nu- after a win,” Monfi ls said. “But fi rst base coach and a third base he prefers the status-quo as far about the coaches in college and trients & minerals. Shockingly I have great memories from last coach, the coaches are giving all as on-court coaching, which is pro sports as much as they talk good in coff ee. A great friend. year.” merican great Billie these signals, squeezing their allowed in the Davis Cup and about the players. We don’t do You’re Welcome, World,” he In an all-Spanish showdown, Jean King believes al- nose or whatever and making all Fed Cup team events where the that for our sport and we are los- tweeted earlier this week. Pablo Carreno Busta beat sixth lowing coaches to sig- these signals. It’s fascinating for captain sits on court. ing out on column inches, and Pospisil will face Serbia’s Filip seed Roberto Bautista Agut nal to players from the people. He said the ITF will use data time and media. Krajinovic for a spot in the Rot- 6-4 2-6 7-6(4) to qualify for Astands during matches is a “no “They make documentaries from the WTA Tour trial to re- “Every coach is a story.” terdam quarter-fi nals. the quarter-fi nals after a battle brainer” that will create more on these coaches. It’s just a story visit the issue. King, one of the toughest France’s Monfi ls started his lasting nearly two-and-a-half interest in tennis. to promote our sport and any- Twelve-times Grand Slam competitors the sport has seen, Rotterdam title defence with a hours. Women players are already al- thing we can do to promote it is singles champion King, a trail- disagrees with those who say convincing 6-3 6-2 victory over Carreno Busta fi red 11 aces and lowed to summon their coaches a good thing, it’s a no-brainer.” blazer for the sport throughout allowing coaching mid-match Portugal’s Joao Sousa. saved seven break points to ad- during changeover once per set, The topic of coaching divides her career and afterwards, said takes away the skill of decision- Monfi ls needed only 70 min- vance at his higher-ranked com- apart from at Grand Slams, and opinion and the ATP do not al- tennis needed to get with the making from players. utes to dispatch his Portuguese patriot’s expense. the Women’s Tennis Association low it in men’s tournaments. times and make coaches part of “Yeah, people say in tennis opponent, fi ring fi ve aces and Belgian fourth seed David Gof- (WTA) will trial a new system al- Players can receive code vio- the narrative, as in other sports. you have to think for yourself, converting four break points. fi n battled back from a set down lowing coaches to interact from lations for ‘coaching’ from the “I have always been for it but I’ve told players countless The 33-year-old Frenchman, and saved two break points in the the stands. stands. (coaching on the court)”, the times what to do and they can who is looking to become the decider to beat local hope Robin The trial will start at next The issue became a hot topic Japan’s Naomi Osaka at Flush- 76-year-old said. “We want either do it or they can’t, it’s up fi rst player to win back-to-back Haase 3-6 7-6(5) 6-4. week’s Dubai Duty Free Cham- following the 2018 US Open fi nal ing Meadows, leading to a code more people to go into coaching, to them anyway. Rotterdam titles since Sweden’s Goffi n will face Italian Jannik pionships. when Serena Williams’s coach violation and sparking a heated and you have to see it to be it. If “But if we can get more sto- Robin Soderling in 2011, next Sinner, who was awarded a walk- “They should be able to sig- Patrick Mouratoglou gestured to row between the American great they are sitting up in the stands ries, more attention for our faces compatriot Gilles Simon over after his opponent Radu Al- nal from the stands,” King told the player during her defeat by and the chair umpire. no one knows who they are. sport then I’m all for it.” who beat Mikhail Kukushkin bot withdrew.

Friday, February 14, 2020 GULF TIMES SPORT

HORSE RACING Guillambert rides Lekhraib to sprint feature victory Jockey and champion trainer Jassim Mohamed Ghazali combine for a double; Saleh Salem al-Marri rides two winners

By Sports Reporter straight time under al-Seyabi, rahim al-Malki-schooled Sky Doha the most recent in January, and Blue in the Local Thoroughbred the fi rst one in March last year. Maiden Plate. The penultimate race saw the njaaz Stud’s Lekhraib had fi ve-year-old beat the competi- RESULTS never fi nished outside the tion with easy, winning by three- Race 1: 1. Shaleesh (Gary money in ten races going and-a-half lengths. Sanchez), 2. Diyala (JP Guil- back to February last year, Said Khamis al-Mutani sad- lambert), 3. Monati (Ali Khalid Iand that record did not change dled his fi rst winner at the Al al-Mosallam), 4. Maysoon Al Naif in the horse’s 11th straight out- Rayyan Park yesterday when (Anas al-Seyabi). Won by: ½, ¼ ,2. ing yesterday as the six-year-old Al Ghazali Stud’s Crisscrossed Time: 2:05.69. Owner: Mansoor won for the second time this sea- bounced back from a string of Mesfer al-Hajri. Trainer: Mansoor son at Qatar Racing and Eques- forgettable fi nishes for a thrill- Mesfer al-Hajri. trian Club’s Al Rayyan Park. ing victory in the Thoroughbred Race 2: 1. Sky Blue (Eduardo Schooled by champion trainer Handicap event for horses rated Pedroza), 2. Qatar Gold (Al Moat- Jassim Mohamed Ghazali, the 75 and below. The eight-year-old asem al-Balushi), 3. Al Qamar (JP colt lined up in The Late Rashid topped the 1700m race by a half- Guillambert), 4. Al Magawir (Leo Mubarak Al Shafi Cup, the six- a-length under a fantastic ride Salles). Won by: 4 ¼, 9 ¼, 3 ¼. furlong sprint feature on dirt for from Tomas Lukasek. Time: 1:54.28. Owner: Abdulatif four-year-old and older Arabi- Abu Fass Stud’s Florin De Faust Hussain al-Emadi. Trainer: Ibra- ans, under JP Guillambert. held off a challenge from two Qa- him al-Malki. At the post, Lekhraib had tar bred rivals to win for the fi rst Race 3: 1. Khafooq (Saleh Salem edged out Luca Maniezzi-ridden time in his career yesterday. In al-Marri), 2. Lawless Louis (Ali Tahri Baha by a little less than the Purebred Arabian Handicap Khalid al-Mosallam), 3. Acclaimed length for a fi ne win, his fourth event, Mohamed Riyaz-trained Dancer (Meteb Ali al-Marri), Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club deputy chief steward Abdulla al-Kubaisi (centre) presents a memento to Nasser bin Mubarak Hamoud al-Shafi overall. horse edged out two wards of 4. Ranger Deelite (Rashid Ali (third from left) yesterday. PICTURES: Juhaim It was the second victory on Jassim Mohamed Ghazali, as Leo al-Marri). Won by: 5, 6, ¾. Time: the day for the Ghazali-Guillam- Salles guided the fi ve-year-old 1:13.05. Owner: Khalifa bin Sheail Stud. Trainer: Said Khamis al- bert combine. to a victory with three-quarters- al-Kuwari. Trainer: Mohamed Jas- Mutani. An unexposed Fahdah Al Naif of-a-length to spare. sim Ghazali. Race 7: 1. Fahdah Al Naif (JP raced to her second victory of the It was a fantastic day in offi ce Race 4: 1. Skip The Queue (Saleh Guillambert), 2. Ghazi Al Jeryan season when Guillambert guid- for Qatari jockey Saleh Salem Salem al-Marri), 2. Al Hazem (Luca Maniezzi), 3. Nashmi Brooq ed her to a comfortable victory al-Marri who rode two straight Storm (Meteb Ali al-Marri), 3. (Meteb Ali al-Marri), 4. Nomas in the Local Purebred Arabian winners on the day in two divi- Almasah (Rashid Ali al-Marri), Al Shajaa (Eduardo Pedroza). Handicap event for horses rated sions of Thoroughbred Handi- 4. Qatar Weave (Abdulla Saleh Won by: 2 ¼, ¾, ¾. Time: 1:20.03. 85 and below yesterday. cap event for horses rated 70 and al-Yafei). Won by: 13, 3, 4 ¼. Time: Owner: Al Naif Racing. Trainer: The six-furlong sprint saw the below. While Khalifa bin Sheail 1:12.57. Owner: Ibrahim Hassan Jassim Mohamed Ghazali. eight-year-old mare, trained by al-Kuwari’s Khafooq made a fan- al-Malki al-Jehani. Trainer: Hamad Race 8: 1. Dhergham Bu Thaila Ghazali, carry the momentum tastic winning debut in the fi rst, Ahmed al-Malki al-Jehani. (Anas al-Seyabi), 2. Latamah from her last outing, a third- it was Ibrahim Hassan al-Malki Race 5: 1. Florin De Faust (Leo (Luca Maniezzi), 3. Sarat Abha place fi nish over course and dis- al-Jehani’s Skip The Queue who Salles), 2. Saher Elleil Al Sulaimi (Al Moatasem al-Balushi), 4. tance, and entered the winner’s stormed to a dominant 13-length (JP Guillambert), 3. Dijlah Zakhir Footprintinthesand (Ivan Rossi). circle for the fourth time in her victory in the six-furlong sprint (Al Moatasem al-Balushi), 4. Won by: 3 ½, 2 ¼, 2 ½. Time: 1:13.10. career. on dirt. Satam (Tomas Lukasek). Won by: Owner: Subaiya Awad Ibrahim. In the penultimate race of the Earlier in the day, Mansoor ¾, ¾, ½. Time: 2:02.89. Owner: Trainer: Mohamed Khaled day, Anas al-Seyabi notched Mesfer al-Hajri’s Shaleesh and Abu Fass Stud. Trainer: Mohamed Elahmed. a hat-trick of sorts with Mo- Abdulatif Hussain al-Emadi’s Riyaz. Race 9: 1. Lekhraib (JP Guillam- hamed Khaled Elahmed-trained Sky Blue registered their fi rst Race 6: 1. Crisscrossed (Tomas bert), 2. Tahri Baha (Luca Maniez- Dhergham Bu Thaila winning the victories respectively. While Lukasek), 2. Comrade In Arms zi), 3. Almuheet (Pier Convertino), Local Thoroughbred Conditions Gary Sanchez rode Shaleesh to a (Ivan Rossi), 3. Luneray (Faleh 4. Rassan (Tomas Lukasek). Won event on dirt. close win in the Local Purebred Bughanaim), 4. Eledeed (Rashid by: ¾, 1 ½, 3. Time: 1:20.03. Owner: The victory meant that the Arabian Maiden Plate, Eduardo Ali al-Marri). Won by: ½, 1 ¾, ¾. Injaaz Stud. Trainer: Jassim Mo- gelding has won for the third Pedroza was in the saddle of Ib- Time: 1:50.52. Owner: Al Ghazali hamed Ghazali. JP Guillambert rides Injaaz Stud’s Lekhraib to The Late Rashid Mubarak Al Shafi Cup victory.

FOCUS Stage set for Marathon Swim World Series Doha By Sports Reporter Doha QNB is National Sponsor of FINA/CNSG

he Qatar Swimming As- Marathon Swim World Series 2020 sociation (QSA) is all set to stage the season- QNB Group, the largest financial opening FINA/CNSG institution in the Middle East MarathonT Swim World Series and Africa, has announced its Doha 2020 to be held tomorrow sponsorship of the FINA/CNSG at iconic Katara Beach, which Marathon Swim World Series will provide a stunning setting 2020 as the National Sponsor for elite athletes in the 10km of the event. races. The FINA/CNSG Marathon Swim QSA, which organised the last World Series 2020 and subsidi- two meets of the series in Cor- ary events will be held today will include races in various ing national and international niche waters, is confi dent that and tomorrow at Katara Beach, locations worldwide, ending sporting events in Qatar and athletes will have an amazing ex- and will bring to Doha some of in the final stage to be held in abroad as part of its robust CSR perience competing at this world the best swimmers, including Hong Kong in September. programme, of which the area class venue, which successfully Olympic and world champion- Over 200 athletes from 28 of sports is considered one of hosted Open Water events at the ship medallists. countries will participate in the the main six pillars. inaugural ANOC World Beach The event will feature the hold- important race, which will see QNB Group’s presence through Games last year. Qatar Swimming Association President Khaleel al-Jabir (right) and FINA Technical Delegate John West ing of the elite level 10km men swimmers complete 4 laps of its subsidiaries and associate This year’s FINA Marathon address a press conference at Katara yesterday. PICTURES: Jayaram and women’s races, which will 2.5km each to cover the total companies extends to more at Katara Beach will add to Qa- be held in Doha for the third distance of 10km. than 31 countries across three tar’s vast experience in host- consecutive year. The Doha QNB’s sponsorship of the event continents providing a com- ing multiple world-class FINA event is the first stage in the comes from its keenness to prehensive range of advanced events, including eight FINA world spanning series, which be at the forefront in support- products and services. World Cups and the 2014 World Swimming Championships (25m), as it builds up to the 2023 “We want to thank from FI- Last year we had water tempera- en’s crown besides other star FINA World Championships, NA’s perspective our colleagues ture of around 20 degrees and athletes. the pinnacle event of the aquat- in Qatar Olympic Committee and this time we have 16 degrees or “We have a tough fi eld in wom- ics calendar. Qatar Swimming Association for 17 degrees so it could be harder to en’s race but I am very excited to At the pre-event press confer- their support and hosting this defend the title,” Wellbrock said start the Olympic year in Qatar. ence yesterday at Katara Beach, event on our behalf. Without at the press conference. Venue is diff erent from last year QSA President Khaleel al-Jabir their support and consideration “Doha is a special venue for but it looks really nice out there,” said arrangements are complete we wouldn’t be able to run this me because we can see buildings said Anderson. for the fi rst competition of 10- series. The work, which we have around the venue, we don’t have meet series. done so far with the organis- something like that in Germany,” ARRANGEMENTS FINALISED “I would like to thank FINA ing committee, is very good and he added. FOR DOHA OPEN WATER for giving us opportunity to we are looking forward to a very Gregorio Paltrinieri and Si- CHALLENGE host event like this. We consider good competition on Saturday,” mone Ruffi ni of Italy, and veteran Action at the Katara Beach will it as a test event as we prepare he added. swimmer Igor Chervynskiy of begin today when over 150 swim- for the 2023 World Champion- The highly-anticipated Doha Ukraine are the other top athletes mers will take the plunge at Doha ships,” said al-Jabir. “I would event has attracted all the leading to compete in men’s race. Qatar Open Water Challenge – a sub- also like to thank Katara for long-distance swimmers, who will be represented by Abdelrah- sidiary event involving diff erent giving us this place. Katara has are starting their fi nal round of man Hesham Mohamed and Ah- categories – that takes place one done a great job for us. We are preparations for this year’s Tokyo mad Tarek Samara. day earlier from FINA Marathon, ready to organise the event and Olympic Games. In the gruelling 10km wom- and features amateur swimmers I wish the best for all athletes in The men’s race will see en’s race, 2019 overall champion of the host country. the competition.” 2019 overall champion Kristóf Rachele Bruni of Italy will be up There will be three categories The QSA President was ac- World champion Florian Wellbrock (left) of Germany and Olympic silver medallist Haley Anderson of the US Rasovszky of Hungary vying against Rio Olympic gold med- available for the public in the companied by FINA Technical also attended the pre-event press conference yesterday. against top-ranked athletes allist Sharon van Rouwendaal Doha Open Challenge: 400m for Delegate John West, reigning like Olympic champion Ferry of the Netherlands and defend- boys and girls aged 11-14, 800m world champion Florian Well- promoting swimming in the re- strong fi eld for this competition. fi eld for this event, 82 men and 54 Weertman of the Netherlands, ing Doha champion Ana Marcela for boys and girls aged 15-17, and brock of Germany and Olympic gion and predicted thrilling races Big teams from countries such women, and this competition is and Wellbrock, who will be de- Cunha of Brazil. 1,200m for boys and girls aged 18 silver medallist Haley Anderson tomorrow. as France are participating as we probably stronger in depth of the fending his Doha title. Former European champion and over. of the US at the press conference. “This is a very strong year build up to the Olympic qualify- fi eld than the Olympic Games,” “I won the race last here and Arianna Bridi of Italy will be the The races will start at 1pm after West praised Qatar’s eff ort in for us and we have a very, very ing competition. We have a large said West. I am very happy to be back here. other main contender for wom- Friday prayers.