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Thursday, March 16, 2017 Jumada II 17, 1438 AH Aussie skipper GULF TIMES Smith blasts Kohli for ‘talking rubbish’ SPORT Page 2 EMIR AWARDS CAMEL RACE WINNERS FORMULA ONE New cars give drivers an appetite for success

HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani yesterday awarded the winners of the annual HH The Emir’s Sword Camel Race Festival at Al Shahania camel racetrack. HH the Emir awarded the winners of the four main races with golden trophies. Al Shahania camels won three of the four races, with “Khoud” winning the golden sword. The other two camels Mesyan and Tashar won golden daggers. The winner of the fourth race was Al Wathba from UAE. HH the Emir also awarded the silver sword for Nasser Abdullah Nasser al-Misnad, owner of Shahalel, for winning the race of Al Hail category. HH the Emir then honoured the companies that sponsored this year’s event. Crown Prince of Dubai Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohamed bin Rashid al-Maktoum also took part in awarding the winners. Also present were Personal Representative of HH the Emir HH Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad al-Thani, President of Qatar Olympic Committee HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad al-Thani, Adviser to the UAE President and President of the Emirates Camel Racing Federation Sheikh Sultan bin Hamdan al-Nahyan, along with a number of their excellencies sheikhs, ranking off icials, and followers of the sport. (QNA) File photo of Carlos Sainz.

Reuters THE CHANGES SPOTLIGHT London TYRES Tyres are fatter. The width of the rears arlos Sainz is a happy eater has expanded from 325mm to 405. The again and the Spanish For- fronts are 305mm compared to a previous mula One driver’s mother is 245mm. The wheel rims remain unchanged. delighted. Pirelli expects the tyres to off er about 25% CHeavier, faster and more physical, more grip and last longer, which is likely to the 2017 cars are subjecting drivers like mean fewer pitstops. Manohar quits the Toro Rosso youngster to far greater AERODYNAMICS G-forces through corners that can now Front wings are wider, stretching out to be taken fl at out on fatter tyres. 1,800mm from a previous 1,650. Rear wings As a result, Sainz and others have are also wider but lower, helping give the been putting on muscle over the win- cars a more aggressive look. ter to gain upper body strength. Pre- Cars are wider, longer and heavier. The to- viously they were more preoccupied tal width has been expanded to 2,000mm, with losing weight in a sport where the up from 1,800mm — a return to pre-1988 as ICC chairman lightest men have enjoyed an advan- dimensions. tage. The cars are 20kg heavier at 722kg and Since India’s emergence as the most powerful country in world cricket, the Sainz, whose father and namesake “Shark fins” have appeared on most of them, was a world rally champion, was vocal leading off the airbox behind the driver’s ICC has often been accused of failing to exert its independence on key issues last year about the dangers of shedding head. The revised aero could make it harder too much but he told Reuters during to overtake, however. AFP fession, took over as president of the testing in Barcelona that the situation FUEL New Delhi Board of Control for Cricket in India was now much healthier. The fuel allowance has been raised by five (BCCI) in October 2015 for a second “This year I have had diets but diets kg to 105kg to compensate for increased stint after the death of veteran ad- to be fi t, not diets to be as slim and as consumption due to the extra grip, but ndia’s Shashank Manohar re- ministrator Jagmohan Dalmiya. skinny as possible...and because of there are concerns that is not enough. That signed yesterday as chairman But he soon became frustrated that, I am a much happier person,” said could lead to evident fuel saving at the end of the International Cricket after coming under pressure to in- the 21-year-old. of some races. ICouncil after a fallout with his troduce reforms to the BCCI’s gov- “At the end of 2016 my mum could CHAMPIONS own board over eff orts to reform the ernance recommended by a panel tell me, every time I was coming home: For the first time since 1994, the season af- game’s world governing body. convened by the Supreme Court and ‘You look like you are not yourself, ter Alain Prost won his fourth title and then Manohar took over last year as the stood down from the post in May you look very skinny, you can see your retired, Formula One will have no reigning fi rst independent ICC chairman for 2016. bones here.’ It’s not normal. champion on the starting grid with Nico a two-year term and had been trying Cricket’s massive popularity in “She’s extremely happy and she Rosberg quitting in December. to bring in changes to the ICC’s gov- India has helped the BCCI become now sees a smile on my face when I Jenson Button, the 2009 champion, has ernance designed to reduce the power by far the wealthiest of all of the eat her food, while before I was sitting also departed but four previous titleholders of cricket’s most powerful nations — sport’s national boards, netting mas- there sad with a piece of chicken and I remain — Hamilton, four-times champion India, Australia and England. sive money from sponsorship and TV was completely annoyed about it.” Sebastian Vettel (Ferrari), 2007 winner Kimi But the organisation now faces a deals. A year ago, Sainz and other drivers Raikkonen (Ferrari) and double champion fresh bout of turmoil after the divi- The BCCI expressed its “surprise such as Red Bull’s Australian Daniel Fernando Alonso (McLaren). sions between the powerful Indian at the sudden decision” by Manohar Ricciardo were being pushed to shed board and most of the rest of the to quit. kilos to gain performance. the gym to practise manhandling the game erupted into the open. “Mr Manohar’s contribution to In- Formula One cars have a minimum heavier and larger Pirelli tyres. “The ICC has confi rmed it has dian cricket is invaluable. He is a man weight limit, minus fuel but with If there are any complaints, they received an e-mail from Chairman of few words but excellent deeds,” the driver included, and designers aim to come from drivers like Force India’s Shashank Manohar tendering his board said in a statement yesterday. get it down as far as possible so that lanky Frenchman Esteban Ocon who resignation,” the organisation said in However, the BCCI has been em- additional ballast can be distributed has had to eat more than he would a brief statement after news of the broiled in a series of scandals in re- around the car to improve handling. wish. resignation had been leaked. it is not possible for me to hold the Since India’s emergence as the cent years, including accusations In 2014, the fi rst year of the V6 turbo “I had to eat so much food,” the “The ICC Board will assess the sit- august offi ce of ICC Chairman and most powerful country in world of corruption in the Indian Premier hybrid era, the limit did not compen- 20-year-old said of winter training uation and next steps before making a hence I am tendering my resignation cricket, the ICC has often been ac- League (IPL) involving a team linked sate suffi ciently for the heavier engines that has seen him add fi ve kg. “I was further announcement.” as Chairman with immediate eff ect.” cused of failing to exert its independ- to its former head Narayanaswami and drivers had to lose weight — in force-feeding, because you can’t take Manohar, the 59-year-old former India last month voted against a ence on key issues of governance. Srinivasan. In January, the Supreme some cases an unhealthy amount. on weight if you don’t do that. It’s been head of the Indian board, cited per- proposed shake-up of the ICC, fear- Many of the game’s smaller Test- Court ordered the dismissal of the Now, it is important to be strong very hard from all aspects but I’ve been sonal reasons in his letter to ICC chief ing a curb of its earnings and clout playing nations have been accused powerful BCCI president Anurag enough to get to the fi nish. progressing so much.” executive David Richardson, accord- as a result of the changes to the or- of bending to India’s demands in the Thakur over the failure to enact a “I think this year they will be proper Britain’s Jolyon Palmer, preparing ing to the cricinfo website. ganisation’s fi nancial and governance ICC, desperate to attract tours by In- series of recommended reforms, in- gladiators out there, you know,” com- for his second year with Renault, has “I have tried to do my best and have structure. dia which can ensure their fi nancial cluding age-limits for offi ce-holders. mented Mercedes’s reigning but re- put on three to four kg. tried to be fair and impartial in decid- Manohar had argued that the re- security by selling TV rights. The order came after judges slapped tired champion Nico Rosberg. “I had the full works at Christmas ing matters in the functioning of the forms would ensure “a more equi- Proposals by the ICC to create a restrictions on the BCCI’s accounts “The cars will take them to their (dinner),” he said. “Christmas was an- Board and in matters related to Mem- table distribution of revenues” and two-tier Test system were scrapped last year, a decision that nearly can- physical limits and we might even see ything goes.” ber Boards along with the able sup- greater equality within the game by last year after the Indian board came celled a series against England. The drivers losing race wins because of just The following looks at what diff er- port of all Directors,” he wrote. attaching equal weight to each mem- out in opposition to the plan. board is currently headed by former being ‘game over’ physically.” ences fans will see when the champi- “However, for personal reasons ber nation’s vote in board meetings. Manohar, who is a lawyer by pro- government auditor Vinod Rai. Pit crews have also been busy in onship starts in Australia on March 26. Gulf Times 2 Thursday, March 16, 2017 CRICKET

INDIA VS AUSTRALIA, 3RD TEST PREVIEW India, , Aussies won the first match Bangladesh triangular in Pune. series in 2018 “They might look at playing Jayant Yadav as a third spin- (SLC) yes- ner but I do not think they will terday proposed a triangular change the playing XI except contest between India, Sri Murali Vijay coming back into Lanka and Bangladesh for the the team,” Gavaskar said. ‘No regrets’ Kohli Nidahas Trophy between March 15 and 30 next year to mark the Ranchi pitch will island nation’s 70th anniversary crumble early, of independence, as reported predicts Smith by a cricket website. According to SLC President Australia skipper Thilanga Sumathipala, the yesterday said he expected tournament will consist of the pitch in the third Test in wants no more seven matches in all with each Ranchi to start breaking up team playing the others twice, from day two in a low-scoring before the top two progress series which has been marred to the final. However, it is not by complaints over sub-stand- yet clear if the matches will ard tracks. be Internationals or The pitches in the first two One-day Internationals (ODI). Tests have been under scan- “The (SLC) technical commit- ner after match referee Chris reviews of DRS row tee and cricket committee Broad rated the Pune track as is looking into it, but at the “poor” and reportedly termed moment we would like it to be the one in Bangalore as ‘We certainly don’t want to sit and think about one issue all the time. We have two a T20 triangular — that’s what “below average”.The tourists the agreement is,” Sumath- surprised ’s India in test matches to play and that’s what we need to focus on’ ipala said. the series opener in Pune by The proposed tournament, will wrapping up the game inside however reduce the number of three days on a pitch that matches, the Lankans are set turned viciously from day one. to play during their preced- Smith said the at ing tour of India. According to Ranchi, which is hosting its the Future Tours Programme first-ever Test from Thursday, (FTP), Sri Lanka are set to play looked dry from the outset. five ODIs, and a T20I in India “It was a little bit drier than it in March next year, which will was yesterday. The grounds- follow three Tests. men were pretty keen to get the Sumathipala said at least covers back pretty quickly, so some of those matches would it doesn’t see much sun,” Smith eff ectively be transmuted into told reporters yesterday. Nidahas Trophy games, while “It will play reasonably well Board of Control for Cricket in the first day. I don’t think there India (BCCI) CEO Rahul Johri will be a great deal of bounce. said the boards were still “work- I think it will shoot quite low. ing on” the exact schedule. Then from there it will break “We look forward to playing up as the game wears on. the Nidahas Trophy in Sri “So 22 yards and both teams Lanka next year, as it not only have to play on it. Hopefully coincides with the 70th year we can just do a little bit bet- of the independence of our ter,” Smith added. nation, but the 70th anniver- While Australia’s Steve O’Keefe sary of Sri Lanka Cricket,” returned with a match haul of Sumathipala said. 12 in the series opener, “As our nations gained inde- off spinner pendence within a short span bagged a career-best 8-50 in of each other in our contem- the second game. porary history, this will no Smith expects his bowlers to doubt be a significant moment once again come good against of similar sentimental value a strong Indian lineup for us to mark with pomp and that is yet to see Kohli, who pageantry as it rightfully war- has managed just 40 runs in rants,” he added. four innings, fire. “I think you have to be hitting Australian media an the stumps the majority of the extension of team time and that’s pretty basic... support staff , feels Try and build pressure, per- Gavaskar haps take wickets in diff erent ways,” said Smith. Taking a dig at the Australian “We have plans in place for media, former India cricket these kind of wickets where and batting legend there is not much bounce... File picture of Indian captain Virat Kohli taking a catch during a practice session. India will play against Australia in their third Test today in Ranchi. yesterday said Hopefully we can adapt and they should not be paid much execute our skills in this Test Reuters Addressing a news conference on the “It was a mature decision on every- The controversy dominated Kohli’s attention as they are an exten- match,” he added. Ranchi eve of the third test yesterday, Kohli said one’s part to move on from that,” Kohli pre-match news conference to such an sion of the team support staff . he did not regret his attack on Smith, said. “We’ve seen instances in the past extent that the India captain appeared “We should not bother too Players fl oored as who admitted to having a spur of the mo- when it stretched too long and it just relieved when asked about what adjust- much about the Australian local Aussie game ndia captain Virat Kohli has no re- ment “brain fade”. caused disharmony and there’s no (other) ments his batsmen had made to win in media and what they write as turns ugly grets about his angry outburst to- “I think about what I say. I don’t regret outcome.” Bengaluru. they are an extension of their wards Australia counterpart Steve anything that I’ve said,” Kohli told re- The episode has only enhanced Kohli’s “Thank you for asking about cricket, cricket team’s support staff . A cricket match in country Smith but says he has moved on from porters in Ranchi, which is hosting a test reputation as a feisty individual but In- fi nally,” he said. The focus now should shift to Australia has turned ugly with Ia controversy which injected consider- match for the fi rst time. dia’s batting mainstay remains unper- For his part, Smith said there was no cricket from off -the-field is- a batsman shoulder-barging a able acrimony into the four-match test “But at the same time, it’s very impor- turbed by how he is perceived in the me- lingering bitterness in his team over the sues,” Gavaskar told NDTV on celebrating bowler, knocking series. tant not to be stupid and go on with the dia, especially in Australia. incident. the eve of the third Test. him over and sparking an Smith’s glance over to the dressing same thing on a daily basis. “It does not matter to me honestly. I “Not from my point of view. It’s about On the Decision Review onfield clash. room for advice on whether to review a “We certainly don’t want to sit and don’t start a series saying ‘focus on me, moving on and concentrating on the test System (DRS) controversy The incident, which has gone leg before wicket decision drew an explo- think about one issue all the time. We speak about me or write about me’. It’s match here,” he said. that took centre-stage after viral online, came just days sive response from Kohli, who claimed it have two test matches to play and that’s not in my control,” the 28-year-old said. “It’s been a great series so far in the the second Test in Bengaluru after cricket’s law-makers, the was third such time the Australian had what we need to focus on.” “I’m not challenging anyone’s opin- cricket that’s been played. Hopefully when Smith asked his team- Marylebone Cricket Club, an- sought assistance in the second Test. The International Cricket Council ion... I’m not going to hold a banner say- cricket can be the winner out here in this mates sitting in the dressing nounced new rules to penalise The allegation has been dismissed by (ICC) took a somewhat lenient view of ing ‘don’t speak ill about me’. It’s fi ne, it’s test match. room balcony to help him in a bad on-field behaviour. the tourists, who collapsed to a 75-run the episode, opting against sanctions all part of the whole journey. “It’s an exciting 1-1 halfway through leg before decision, Gavaskar Footage from the incident last defeat in Bengaluru after Smith’s depar- for any player, and both boards issued a “No one plays 15-16 years of interna- the series. So we’re all excited about this said it was time, cricket be- weekend shows a paceman ture as India tied the series at 1-1. joint-statement announcing a truce. tional cricket without being criticised.” test match.” came the focus. for Yackandandah in Victoria “Neither India captain Virat state running towards the Kohli nor his Australian coun- Eskdale batsman after bowl- BOTTOMLINE terpart Steve Smith have said ing him out. anything about the issue in The celebration wasn’t appre- between the second and the ciated with the batsman drop- third Tests. Both captains had ping his shoulder into him, their say on the last day of the knocking him to the ground. Bengaluru Test and now they That prompted a fielder to Absolute rubbish: Smith raps Kohli have spoken ahead of the third charge at the batsman and Test,” said the 67-year-old. push him over with fellow AFP terpart. similar sort of thing with Richie “Nobody spoke anything fielders rushing in to break up Ranchi “Virat obviously stuck by his ensuring that we are both here in between about it but the the melee. comments. From my point of to play the game of cricket,” he media, otherwise there was “I understand people are pas- view they are completely wrong. added. nothing between them (Kohli sionate about their sport and ustralian skipper Steve I obviously came out of the game India and Australia, the and Smith). It is time look at where they come from — they Smith accused his In- and said I made a mistake,” top two-ranked teams in Test cricket now. A lot of good look after their hometowns dian counterpart Virat Smith told reporters. cricket, have often been at log- cricket that was played in the — but this is overstepping the Kohli of talking “abso- “In regards that we do it con- gerheads and relations hit a first two Tests has been swept mark, and it’s a big overstep,” luteA rubbish” yesterday despite sistently is absolute rubbish low point in 2008 when Indian away because of this one chair of the regional Albury eff orts to bring an end to the arch in my opinion. I think he was spinner Harbhajan Singh was incident.” Wodonga cricket competi- rivals’ bitter war of words. wrong in his statement.” accused of calling Andrew Sy- Gavaskar added that the ban- tion Michael Erdeljac told Win After Kohli said on the eve of monds a monkey. ter on field should be less with News television. the third Test that he had no re- UMPIRES’ PLEA Kohli himself was fi ned 50 the mouth and more with the The bowler was slapped grets over accusing Australia of While Smith did reveal that he percent of his match fee three game. India pace spearhead with a four-week suspended systematically abusing the deci- had met match referee Richie years ago for bringing the game Ishant Sharma, in the second sentence, while the batsman sion review system (DRS) in their Richardson, there has so far into disrepute after fl ashing the rubber, mocked Smith by and fielder were banned until last match in Bangalore, Smith been no clear-the-air meeting middle fi nger to the crowd in the making faces at him which left January next year. angrily denied that he was guilty between the two skippers. Sydney Test. captain Kohli in splits. The scuff le came in the wake of more than a momentary lapse. The four-match series is tan- The Indian skipper said he “There should be aggression of the MCC last week an- While the International talisingly poised at 1-1. was happy to put the events of but only in terms of cricket, nouncing that umpires would Cricket Council is set to hold “I just met with Richie... and the last Test behind him, ad- not otherwise. Young players soon be given powers to send clear-the-air talks between the the other umpires. Basically mitting too much bad blood has tend to misunderstand while players from the field — tem- two men, the new exchanges are what they said was ‘we want to fl owed in the past. expressing aggression and porarily or permanently — for likely to complicate their eff orts Australian cricket team captain Steven Smith prepares for batting see cricket as the winner in this “I think it was a mature deci- tend to do it with their mouths a range of on-field discretions to broker peace between the top practice during a training session ahead of their third Test. Test match (and) both teams sion on everyone’s part to move instead of the bat and ball. including acts of violence. two-ranked Test teams. to play within the rules of the on. We have seen instances in the Talking on the field has to be Excessive appealing, showing Kohli’s accusations last week his claims against Smith. after being given out lbw — a game’,” said Smith. past stretch on too long — it just brought down and the Interna- dissent and intentionally had plunged the teams’ often “I don’t regret anything that I clear breach of the DRS rules. “And they said, ‘we know both causes disharmony and there is tional Cricket Council (ICC) has making physical contact are tense ties back into crisis mode, have said but at the same time it’s While Smith called the inci- teams, Australia and India Test no outcome to it,” he said. to take a tough stand on it,” the among those off ences um- with Australia’s board calling very important not to be stupid dent on the fourth and fi nal day matches are fi ercely contested - “It’s time we focus on the re- former India opener said. pires will be able to penalise his comments “outrageous”, and go on about the same thing on a one-off , Kohli said after the number one and number two in mainder of the series. There’s a Gavaskar felt there is no under a new Code of Laws prompting an equally robust re- a daily basis,” said Kohli. match that it had been going on the world. It’s just about play- lot of cricket to be played and it need to change the winning which will be issued this year. sponse from the Indian camp. India were furious when for days. ing within the boundaries of the should not happen in bad taste.” combination as far as India At the umpires discretion, they Speaking to reporters ahead of Smith was spotted looking up at Asked yesterday about Kohli’s game’.” After the match in Ranchi, are concerned. The hosts won will be empowered to issue the third Test in Ranchi, Kohli said his dressing-room for guidance latest comments, Smith said he “Both Virat and I are meeting the series reaches its climax in the Bengaluru tie by 75 runs warnings, award penalty runs his focus was now on the cricket in Bangalore on whether to seek was keen to move things on but with Richie ahead of the game Dharamsala in a match starting to level the series 1-1 after the and send players off . but he refused to back down on a review of the umpire’s decision still snapped back at his coun- tomorrow. I think it will be a on March 25. Gulf Times Thursday, March 16, 2017 3 CRICKET

SRI LANKA VS BANGLADESH, 2ND TEST NEW ZEALAND VS SOUTH AFRICA, 2ND TEST SA buoyed as Kiwis Gritty Chandimal lose pacer Boult boosts Sri Lanka We need to take three more wickets, and having already bowled seven good balls to take their wickets, we can keep them within 300: Bangladesh’s Sabbir Rahman

AFP Colombo New Zealand will miss the services of both Trent Boult (left) and Ross Taylor for the second Test against South Africa which begins today.

inesh Chandimal rode his luck AFP Southee, who was dropped for to score an unbeaten half-cen- Wellington the Dunedin Test, confi rmed he tury for Sri Lanka against Bang- was back in the side. ladesh in Colombo yesterday “I’ll come in for Boulty, a afterD the tourists made a dream start to ew Zealand bowling straight swap for Trent who will their 100th Test match. spearhead Trent Boult unfortunately miss this one,” The home side reached 238-7 be- has been ruled out of Southee said, adding the balance fore bad light stopped the opening day’s the second Test start- of the side was still being debated play, recovering from 70-4 on a turning Ning in Wellington today, lifting despite the green wicket. pitch at the P. Sara Oval, owing mainly to South Africa’s chances of going Chandimal’s patient 86 . one up in the series. BROOM DEBUT Chandimal shared a 66-run stand with Boult pulled up lame during “There’s a couple of question Dhananjaya de Silva and then added 44 South Africa’s second innings in marks round a couple of players and 43 runs with and the drawn fi rst Test in Dunedin to but I can confi rm I come in for captain to halt what had be the second senior player to be Trent and Neil Broom comes in been a quick procession of wickets. sidelined after Ross Taylor suf- for Rosco (Taylor). But they’ll fi - Chandimal, who faced 210 balls and hit fered a calf tear. nalise the side tomorrow.” four fours in his knock, was given out lbw Neither side had fi nalised their It will be Broom’s Test debut on 38 off the bowling of left-arm spin- line up yesterday for what should but he has played 30 one-dayers ner Shakib Al Hasan but the decision was be a seam-friendly Basin Reserve including three in the recent series overturned following a review. wicket, but South African cap- against South Africa where he had He then top-edged another left-arm tain Faf du Plessis said the ab- scores of two, two and a duck. spinner to fi ne leg on 46 but sence of Boult and Taylor would Seven Test seamer Matt Henry was given a benefi t of the doubt by the hurt New Zealand. is the frontrunner to replace Boult third umpire as TV replays on whether “If you lose two key players and if the wicket dictates one Mehedi Hasan had caught him cleanly like that you defi nitely feel you’re spinner, New Zealand may over- were inconclusive. a little bit light,” he said. look Mitchell Santner in favour of Coming into the side for Lahiru Kuma- “For a new (batsman) com- Jeetan Patel who bore the brunt of ra as Sri Lanka’s only change from their ing in it’s important for us to put the workload in Dunedin. 259-run win in the fi rst Test in Galle, de pressure on him and not make Also in Patel’s favour was hav- Silva gave Chandimal good support be- him feel comfortable. From a ing claimed Quinton de Kock’s fore he was bowled by Taijul for 34. bowling perspective Boult is a wicket in his past four innings, huge loss.” although du Plessis said his mid- Second Test scoreboard With the fi rst Test drawn, dle-order batsman did not con- Sri Lankan cricketer watches the ball as he plays a shot during the first day of the second and final Test match Wellington is eff ectively the start sider himself Patel’s bunny. Sri Lanka 1st innings between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh at The P. Sara Oval Cricket Stadium in Colombo yesterday. of a two-Test series which du “Quinton doesn’t over-ana- D. Karunaratne c Mehedi b M’fizur 7 Plessis said heightened the need lyse things too much. He relies on U. Tharanga c Soumya b Mehedi 11 Wicketkeeper Niroshan Dickwella struck twice and fast bowlers Mustafi - Sri Lanka’s troubles deepened when to get a result. instinct so yes, Jeetan has got the K. Mendis st Mushfiqur b Mehedi 5 chipped in with 34 after de Silva’s depar- zur Rahman and Subashis Roy took one edged Mehedi to Sou- “When it comes to a two- best of him this series but Quin- D. Chandimal not out 86 ture before Herath joined Chandimal in wicket apiece. mya Sarkar at slip for 15 after earlier be- match series you have to be a lit- ton will always fi nd a way.” A. Gunaratne lbw b Roy 13 his eff ort to give Sri Lanka innings a de- ing given a reprieve by a television replay tle bit more street smart because South Africa were also weigh- D. de Silva b Taijul 34 cent look. MILESTONE TEST when he was given out lbw off Mustafi zur it can go both ways,” he said. ing up whether to change their N. Dickwella b Shakib 34 Herath, unbeaten on 18 at the close of Mustafi zur put the visitors in good heart for six. “You go 1-0 down in the series line-up with du Plessis saying D. Perera c Soumya b Mustafizur 9 play, also had his share of luck as he had in their milestone Test when he forced an Chandimal and Asela Gunaratne tried there’s no coming back from that the playing XI would be decid- R. Herath not out 18 an lbw decision overturned off Shakib. edge from opener , to revive the innings but Subashis struck so it’s getting yourself in a posi- ed by the state of the pitch on Extras (n1, lb12, w6, nb 2) 21 Bangladesh were hoping to restrict Sri having cranked up the pressure by bowl- on the stroke of lunchtime when he tion where you can try and make Thursday morning. Total (seven wickets, 83.1 overs) 238 Lanka within 300 runs. ing three successive maidens. trapped Gunaratne lbw for 13. sure you win.” “I don’t expect too many Fall of wickets: 1-13 (Karunaratne), “We need to take three more wickets, Mehedi took a brilliant catch at gully as Bangladesh, in their quest to draw level Although the team’s have not changes. We’re looking at pos- 2-24 (Mendis), 3-35 (Tharanga), 4-70 and having already bowled seven good Karunaratne departed after making just in the second match of the two-Test se- been announced, Boult’s long- sibly, maybe, one but highly un- (Gunaratne), 5-136 ( de Silva), 6-180 ( balls to take their wickets, we can keep seven runs. ries, made four changes to the squad. time new-ball partner Tim likely,” he said. Dickwella), 7-195 (Perera) them within 300,” said batsman Sabbir Mehedi then struck in his third over, en- Wicketkeeper-batsman Liton Das was To bat: S. Lakmal, L Sandakan Rahman. ticing out of his crease before ruled out on the eve of the match with a Bowling: Mustafizur 15-5-32-2 (w5), “We need to do it within the fi rst hour Mushfi qur Rahim completed a stumping. rib fracture, allowing Mosaddek Hossain RETIREMENT Roy 15-2-47-1 (nb2, w1), Mehedi 15-2- of play tomorrow.” Mendis was the man-of-the-match to earn his debut. 58-2, Taijul 14-2-34-1, Shakib 20.1-3-43-1, Bangladesh, sent into bowl fi rst by in the fi rst Test in Galle after scoring 194 Mominul Haque, and Mosaddek 4-0-11-0 Herath, had taken the honours in the but he departed this time having scored Taskin Ahmed made way for , opening session as off -spinner Mehedi just fi ve. Sabbir and Taijul. Aussies Voges and

BOTTOMLINE Doherty call it a day Pakistan recalls Shahzad and Kamran in limited-overs squads AFP Lahore File picture of Adam Voges (left) and Xavier Doherty. akistan yesterday re- called opener Ahmed Reuters and four tests in an international Shehzad and Kam- Melbourne career spanning 2010-15. ran Akmal in sepa- The slow bowler, nicknamed Prate squads for the four-match ‘X’, would still be available for the Twenty20 and three-match ate-blooming Australia domestic ‘Big Bash’ Twenty20 one-day series in the West In- batsman Adam Voges and tournament in the Australian dies starting later this month. spin bowler Xavier Doher- summer, said. Both batsmen earned their ty announced their retire- Voges played 31 ODIs and sev- recalls on the back of solid per- Lment from international and state en T20I’s from 2007-13, record- formances in the recently held cricket at the end of the domestic ing exceptional batting averages Pakistan Super League (PSL) Sheffi eld Shield season yesterday. of over 45 in both formats, but he where they played for opposing This file photograph shows Pakistan cricketer Kamran Akmal (R) Voges, 37, produced a moun- will long be remembered for the sides in the fi nal. playing a shot during the ICC World Twenty20 tournament in Dhaka. tain of runs in a 20-test cameo late fl owering of his test career. The limited overs squads will late in his career and leaves the Dominant at state level, he ap- be led by Sarfraz Ahmed, who game with the second-highest peared destined to join the long will also keep wicket, with the batting average (61.87) among list of top Australians never to play fi rst Twenty20 in Barbados on players with at least 20 innings. a test but that all changed when he March 26. Only the great Donald Brad- was called up for the 2015 West In- The remaining three matches man, who averaged 99.94 from 52 dies tour at the age of 35. will be played in Port of Spain on matches, has a better record than He became the oldest player to March 30, April 1 and 2. the mild-mannered Western Aus- score a century on debut with an The one-day matches are This file photograph shows Pakistan’s Ahmed Shehzad as he plays a tralian on the all-time list. unbeaten 130 and later piled on scheduled for April 7, 9 and 11 — shot during the World T20 cricket tournament in Mohali, India. Cricket Australia CEO James the runs against the same side all in Guyana. Pakistani cricket chief selector Inzamam-ul-Haq (C) announces the Sutherland praised Voges’ im- and New Zealand, plundering a Shehzad was dropped from Chief selector Inzamam-ul- was rested for the Twenty20 se- squad for the tour of the West Indies in Lahore yesterday. pact both on and off the pitch. double-century from both. the Twenty20 and one-day Haq said in addition to recalls for ries but was included in the ODI “Adam has made an outstand- He was dropped after a lean squad after former head coach some seniors, younger newcom- squad. However there was no rounder Shadab Khan, only 18, zad, Kamran Akmal, Mohammad ing contribution to Australian patch in Sri Lanka last year and Waqar Younis described him as ers were also being given a chance. room in either squad for Azhar impressed selectors with his Hafeez, Babar Azam, Shoaib cricket, and we congratulate him against South Africa in the home “undisciplined” following Paki- “We have given more chances Ali, who stepped down as ODI performances in the PSL to get a Malik, Fakhar Zaman, Imad on his achievements with both series, and while some felt he stan’s World Twenty20 failure in to the young players who are do- captain after losing a series 4-1 berth in both squads. Wasim, Shadab Khan, Moham- Australia and ,” had been harshly treated, Voges India last year. ing well at the domestic level,” in Australia in January. Left-handed batsman Fakhar mad Nawaz, Hasan Ali, Sohail Sutherland said in a media release. never complained, having felt But he has since shown good said Inzamam. Giant fast-bowler Mohammad Zaman, 26, was also rewarded Tanvir, , Rumman “An exceptional batsman and blessed to scale the heights so domestic form, scoring 653 and “The squads were also weighed Irfan and batsmen Sharjeel Khan for his domestic performances, Raees, One-day: leader, Adam has represented late in his career. 286 in two one-day tourna- on fi tness and that’s why Umar and Khalid Latif were all excluded while 23-year-old all-rounder Sarfraz Ahmed (captain), Ahmed his country in exemplary fashion However, his omission took its ments. Akmal failed to get a place on lack from both squads because they Fahim Ashraf, the best player Shehzad, Kamran Akmal, Mo- not only with his run-scoring toll, Voges revealed to local media The 35-year-old Akmal last of fi tness,” he said, referring to are suspended pending an inves- in last year’s National One-Day hammad Hafeez, Babar Azam, feats, but also in the manner with yesterday. “This season has been played for Pakistan in the 2014 Kamran’s younger brother. tigation into alleged spot-fi xing Cup, was included in the 50- , Fakhar Zaman, Asif which he conducts himself both particularly physically and men- World Twenty20 in Bangladesh The limited over series will be that took place in the PSL. over squad. Zakir, Imad Wasim, Shadab Khan, on and off the field.” tally tough, after being left out of and has also shown remarkable followed by three Tests for which The trio were teammates Mohammad Asghar, Hasan Ali, Left-arm spinner Doherty the test team and no longer having form to regain his place, fi nishing a squad will be announced later. for former champions Islama- Squads(Twenty20): Sarfraz Mohammad Amir, Wahab Riaz, bows out at 34 after playing 60 the carrot of international cricket as top scorer in PSL with 353 runs. Fast bowler Mohammad Amir bad United. Leg-spinning all- Ahmed (captain) Ahmed Sheh- Fahim Ashraf, one-day matches, 11 Twenty20’s to strive for,” said Voges. Gulf Times 4 Thursday, March 16, 2017 SPORT

NBA NHL Florida Panthers roll to 7-2 victory Curry drops 29 points over Maple Leafs

By Harvey Fialkov climes, albeit against the Blue Sun Sentinel Jackets, Rangers, and Pen- guins, the third-, fourth- and second-ranked teams in their ancel the caterer. conference. on his 29th birthday Send back the fl owers. Knowing their season was Postpone the funeral. on the line, the Panthers’ reu- The Florida Pan- nited top line wasted no time Cthers held off the grim reaper in grabbing a 1-0 lead just 18 and the upstart Toronto Ma- seconds after the two anthems ple Leafs in a 7-2 rout Tuesday were sung. Aleksander Barkov at the BB&T Center to snap a won the draw, drove to the net fi ve-game slide, maintaining and received a slick give-and- in Warriors’ victory a faint pulse to their fl ickering go pass from Jonathan Huber- playoff hopes. deau before steering it off the Led by a pair of goals from post and pads of Leafs goalie ‘It’s been a rough week obviously. Every NBA team goes through it at some point’ Jonathan Marchessault and Frederik Andersen. four gorgeous assists from Barkov’s 18th goal was the recently acquired Thomas fastest goal by the Panthers to Vanek, the Panthers remain start a game this season, and on life support after this four- 8 seconds off the franchise point swing meeting against record set by Johan Garpen- one of the teams they need to lov – who was in the building displace for the second wild- – against Colorado on October card playoff berth in the East- 17, 1996. The Panthers took a ern Conference. Vanek’s four 2-0 lead for the second con- assists tied the franchise mark secutive game when after a and were a career high. Leafs’ shot attempt during a The Panthers have 71 points power play caromed to center and still trail the Leafs by fi ve ice past a stumbling Nikita Za- points with 14 games remain- itsev, Panthers captain Derek ing for both. They also need MacKenzie sprung Colton to leapfrog the Lightning and Sceviour on a breakaway. Islanders, who both won and Sceviour, who seems to have have 77 points apiece. If the a breakaway per game, fi n- Panthers fi nish 10-3-1 for ished this one with a sweep- 92 points, they’d have a 22.9 ing wrister for his third shorty percent chance of making the (9th overall) of the season, the playoff s, according to sport- most by a Panther since Radek sclubstats.com The Panthers, Dvorak in 2009-10. 1-2-1 against the Leafs, have another crack at them on RESULTS March 28 in Air Canada Cen- Capitals 4 Wild 2 tre. The seven goals ties a sea- Panthers 7 Maple Leafs 2 son high set in a 7-4 win over Lightning 2 Senators 1 (OT) Nashville on February 11. Blackhawks 4 Canadiens 2 The Panthers, who had lost Islanders 3 Hurricanes 2 (OT) seven of their previous eight Oilers 7 Stars 1 at home, will happily escape Sharks 4 Sabres 1 South Florida for the snowy Coyotes 3 Kings 2 (SO)

Bach urges NHL not to dash ‘Olympic dreams’ IOC president Thomas Bach ers themselves, they want to yesterday urged the National play,” he said, during a visit to Hockey League to make the 2018 host Pyeongchang. “So I “Olympic dreams” of its play- would hope that the NHL and ers come true by giving them the International Ice Hockey the chance to compete at next Federation will be able to year’s Winter Games. make the Olympic dreams of Stephen Curry took control of the ball in the late seconds to deny Philadelphia 76ers. The world’s top ice hockey these players come true.” league is considering axing The absence of NHL play- AFP Curry had six rebounds and four which helped the Warriors get 10th triple-double of the season der romped past the Brooklyn the mid-season break it ers would be a blow to the Oakland, United States assists. over the line. “Fourth quarter in the Cavs 128-96 blowout over Nets 122-104. usually takes for the Games Pyeongchang Games, whose Green meanwhile scored 20 what Draymond did was amaz- the Detroit Pistons. The crowd saluted Westbrook in a row over money, after profile would get a lift from points and snared eight re- ing,” Curry said. The Cavaliers star — who has after he completed his 33rd tri- the International Olympic the presence of the sport’s tephen Curry scored 29 bounds and eight assists in a “We’ve just gotta fi ght now notched four triple-doubles ple-double of the season, leav- Committee refused to pay its big stars. points on his 29th birth- crucial performance that also through. Tonight we battled in March alone — fi nished with 16 ing him eight shy of Oscar Rob- player insurance and travel Ice hockey also has produced day as the Golden State included six blocks. through it,” added Curry, brush- points, 11 rebounds and 12 assists. ertson’s all-time record of 41. costs – a bill of about $14 mil- some magical Olympic mo- Warriors staged a fourth The Sixers, who fell to 24-43 ing off talk about his own recent It was the latest evidence that Westbrook, who fi nished with lion at Sochi 2014. ments including the United quarterS rally to defeat the Phil- with the defeat, saw Dario Saric dip in form. James is switching into playoff 25 points, 19 assists and 12 re- Bach said he hoped for States’ 1980 ‘Miracle on Ice’ adelphia 76ers and halt their top score with 25 points while “I don’t pay attention to mode as he has done consistent- bounds, later admitted he had positive results from talks upset of the Soviet Union. three-game losing streak on Jahlil Okafor added 22 points. slump talk,” he said. “I know that ly when the business end of the been taken aback by the warmth between the NHL and the NHL commissioner Gary Bett- Tuesday. Curry was relieved to have the shots haven’t been falling. season comes into view. of his reception. International Ice Hockey man said after a meeting of The Warriors looked to be drawn a line under the Warriors You’ve just got to fi ght through Cavs coach Tyronn Lue how- “They were loud. I thought Federation. But he refused team general managers this heading for a shock defeat at the recent run of poor form. it and shoot your way back to the ever insisted James’ form had something happened,” West- to comment on whether month that the league is still Oracle Arena after the hapless “It’s been a rough week ob- level I’m used to.” been solid for months. brook said. “I was wondering ice hockey, which has been focusing on abandoning the Sixers led by 12 points at the end viously. Every NBA team goes “He hasn’t done anything dif- why they were screaming so contested at the Olympics mid-season break next year. of the third quarter. through it at some point, we just Triples for LeBron, ferent,” Lue said. “He’s almost loud. I thought they were giving since 1920, could lose its place “I think the overwhelming But a defiant defensive per- gotta keep fi ghting,” Curry said. Westbrook averaging a triple-double. I think something out in the crowd or at the 2022 Beijing Games sentiment of the teams is that formance from Warriors stal- “Draymond said something in Elsewhere Tuesday, there he’s averaging 26 (points), nine something.” if the NHL doesn’t release it’s very disruptive on the wart Draymond Green and a timeout in the fi rst quarter that were easy wins for the Cleveland (assists), and eight (rebounds). its players. “I still hope for a season and there’s some- some merciless shooting from we needed to get our fl ow back. Cavaliers and the Oklahoma That’s almost a triple-double RESULTS positive outcome of these ne- where between fatigue and Curry saw the Dubs home in And it might not be pretty but City Thunder, with both LeBron every single night,” Lue said. Cavaliers 128 Pistons 96 gotiations because we would negativity on the subject,” he a nail-biting 106-104 victory that was accurate to say the least James and Russell Westbrook Westbrook meanwhile was Thunder 122 Nets 104 appreciate having the NHL said, in a posting on the NHL that saw them improve to 53- how the game went tonight.” notching triple doubles for their given a standing ovation by an Pelicans 100 Trail Blazers 77 players with us and the play- website. 14. Curry also praised Green’s respective teams. appreciative New York crowd at Knicks 87 Pacers 81 As well as his 29-point haul, fourth quarter performance James, 32, constructed his the Barclays Center as the Thun- Warriors 106 76ers 104

SPOTLIGHT CRICKET Stallions Cricket Torch Staircase Run on March 18 Academy tourney

By Sports Reporter pants in diff erent age groups. Aspire Zone Foundation has Doha The fi rst categories to com- also set up a resting zone after from March 18 pete will be the junior Male and the fi nish line so contestants junior female (16 to 17 years old), can recharge and enjoy some re- By Sports Reporter the leading sports academy in he sixth edition of the followed by the veteran male and freshments. There will also be a Doha Doha, affi liated to the Qatar Aspire Torch Staircase veteran female (40 years old and fan zone at the starting line, so Cricket Association. Run (ATSR), organised above), followed by the Open friends and family members can The academy currently pro- by Aspire Zone Founda- waiter/waitress category for the attend and support their cham- ity Exchange, White vides coaching in cricket, bas- Ttion, will start on March 18 from hotel’s wait staff , and nallyfi the pions. The fan zone will be fully Oceanic and Nice ketball and badminton for jun- 12:00pm to 4:00pm at the iconic open male and open female (18 to equipped with a number of fun Water Company have iors from the age of six years Torch Hotel with over 250 sports 39 years old) categories. activities, a warm-up zone and a come forward as part- and above through a well- enthusiasts competing to be the Competitors must be at the fun zone for children. nersC for the 3rd Intra Academy qualifi ed and experienced fi rst ones to reach the top. Torch Hotel before 11:00 to reg- Previous editions of the run Tournament of the Stallions team of coaches. This year’s route of the Aspire ister and receive their number generated unprecedented success Cricket Academy. The academy has already Torch Staircase Run will be the before joining peers in warm-up on par with international tower- The tournament will be completed several cricket tours ultimate challenge of endurance, sessions under the supervision running competitions, including for under-15 players in which to England, Sri Lanka and as runners will have to make of Aspire Zone’s coaches. The the Empire State Building Run- eight teams will be contesting. UAE during the past three their way to the top of the 300m race will kick off at 12:00pm at Up in New York, USA, and Berlin The tournament will be held years. The tour to Australia is tower to the 51st fl oor, climbing the designated racecourse, and Sky Tower in Germany. from the March 18 to April 8 already scheduled to be in July more than 1,300 steps. Those time will be calculated using an Over the past two editions, and at Qatar Cricket Associa- 2017. who fi nish the race in the short- electronic chip that will be at- ATSR attracted more than 600 tion Grounds. The academy was launched est time will receive valuable tached on the contestant’s foot. participants from both local and Commenting on the tourna- with the purpose of developing cash prizes. To guarantee safety and fair- expat communities alongside oth- ment, Sidath Tennakoon, the the game of cricket in Qatar, The competition has been a ness, contestants are required to er tower runners from all over the head coach of Stallions said, and to provide opportunities major draw in Qatar, with over leave space for each other when world. In 2015, ATSR was awarded “Our aim in this tournament is to aspiring young cricketers to 250 participants registered so competing and are not allowed an offi cial Grand Prix status as one to provide much needed play- have the opportunity to learn far, including last year’s veteran to run in groups to avoid clashes. of the top international tower run- ing experience to our young- from ICC and ACC qualifi ed male champion Ewan Cameron. If any contestant requires medi- ning competitions. sters. We believe that through coaches. Registration for this year’s cal assistance or wants to forfeit Interested community mem- such tournaments the players More details of the academy race is open for participants 16 the race, they can approach the bers can visit www.lifeinaspire. are able to perform to the best programmes can be obtained years of age and older and will medical staff and counsellors qa to register and fi nd out more of their abilities and improve by visiting www.stallion- feature several categories for that will be placed at fi ve level information about taking part in their skills” sqatar.com or calling admin both male and female partici- intervals on the course. the run. Stallions Sports Services is number 70030491. Gulf Times Thursday, March 16, 2017 5 SPORT

TENNIS SPOTLIGHT Vesnina upsets Kerber to set up Federer, Nadal book Venus quarter-fi nal

Reuters downs and errors,” Williams Indian Wells, United States told reporters. “But I feel like I got my focus more in that sec- ond set and towards the end of ussia’s Elena Vesnina the third.” 4th rd blockbuster, ousted German sec- Vesnina leads their head-to- ond seed Angelique head 3-2 and won their most Kerber 6-3 6-3 to recent match at last year’s Mi- reachR the quarter-fi nals of the ami Open. BNP Paribas Open at Indian World number three Karo- Wells, California on Tuesday. lina Pliskova advanced to the The victory was the 14th- last eight after 15th seed Timea seeded Vesnina’s fi rst against Bacsinszky of Switzerland re- Djokovic advances a top-three player and put the tired from their match while doubles specialist into a last- trailing 5-1 in the fi rst set. eight showdown against Venus The Czech will face reign- ‘I think it’s a great thing for tennis, and it’s exciting for Rafa and me’ Williams. ing French Open champion “I think I played a really Garbiñe Muguruza of Spain, a good match,” the Russian said 7-6(5) 1-6 6-0 winner over in- AFP in her courtside interview. form Ukrainian Elina Svitolina. Indian Wells, United States Vesnina blasted 28 winners Caroline Wozniacki, the to 21 unforced errors and broke 13th seed and 2011 champion, Kerber’s serve fi ve times to reached the quarters with a afael Nadal and Rog- forge ahead before holding off 6-4 6-4 victory over ninth- er Federer booked a a late rally by the German, who seeded American Madison mouthwatering fourth- will return to number one in Keys. The Dane will meet Kris- round clash at the ATP the world rankings next week tina Mladenovic of France, IndianR Wells Masters on Tues- despite her early exit in Cali- who beat American Lauren day, where fi ve-time champion fornia. Davis 6-3 6-3. Novak Djokovic also advanced “I was a little nervous at the Eighth-seeded Svetlana from the “group of death”. end of the match,” she said Kuznetsova, 31, was the fi rst With the three superstars about Kerber winning eight of to advance with a 6-1 6-4 win drawn in the same quarter, only nine points to recover from 4-1 over Caroline Garcia of France. one — at most — can make it to to 4-3 in the second set. “So Kuznetsova has reached the the semi-fi nals. I’m really happy that I closed quarters in six of her last eight The weeding out will start in that match.” tournaments, dating back to earnest, when Federer meets Seven-times grand slam Tianjin in October 2016. Nadal in the round of 16 in a re- winner Williams, the 12th “I have fallen in love with prise of the Australian Open fi - seed, recovered from a slow the game again,” she said of her nal in January that saw the Swiss start to grind down China’s resurgence. star claim an 18th Grand Slam Peng Shuai. After battling back Kuznetsova will com- crown. from match-point down ear- pete in an all-Russian quar- “I think it’s a great thing for lier in the week against Jelena ter-fi nal against Anastasia tennis, and it’s exciting for Rafa Jankovic, Williams executed Pavlyuchenkova, a 6-4 3-6 and me,” said Federer, a four- another turnaround against 6-2 upset winner over fi fth time Indian Wells winner. “It’s a Peng to win 3-6 6-1 6-3. seed Dominika Cibulkova of tough draw, but rankings are not “There were some up-and- Slovakia. the priority for both of us. “Anything else but a fi nals, it almost doesn’t matter which round it would be,” he added of what will be the 36th meeting between the two — their fi rst be- fore the quarter-fi nals since they launched their rivalry in 2004. Three-time Indian Wells champion Nadal was the fi rst through, defeating fellow Span- iard Fernando Verdasco 6-3, 7-5. Despite two “horrible” games, Nadal was pleased with his over- all eff ort against Verdasco, a left-hander like himself who has pushed him in the past. “I played a good match — very aggressive with my serve, serv- Roger Federer returns a shot to Steve Johnson during the BNP Pari- Rafael Nadal of Spain in action against Fernando Verdasco of Spain ing well, hitting good forehands, bas Open at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden in Indian Wells, California, during the BNP Paribas Open at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden in Indian good backhands. yesterday. (Getty Images/AFP) Wells, California, yesterday. (Getty Images/AFP) “I think I played much bet- ter today than the fi rst day. I Johnson 7-6 (7/3), 7-6 (7/4) in a Potro, who shocked the Serb star carry this confi dence level, es- vanced to the fourth round with a played two horrible games, ter- match in which neither player in the fi rst round of the Rio de Ja- pecially on the return, to the next 6-2, 6-2 victory over Gilles Mull- rible. That’s it. For the rest of was able to break. neiro Olympics last year en route match,” added Djokovic, whose er of Luxembourg. the match I think I played very Federer failed to convert his to singles silver. Djokovic eked reward for beating former US Nishikori booked a date with well.” four break chances, but was out the fi rst set despite going Open winner del Potro is a meet- unseeded American Donald The blip came after Nadal had pleased enough at not facing a down an early break, but couldn’t ing with 21-year-old Australian Young, who ousted 14th-seeded broken for a 2-1 lead in the sec- break point himself. do the same in the second. Nick Kyrgios, who stunned the Lucas Pouille of France 6-4, 1-6, ond set. He was promptly broken “I was very happy how I played In the third, however, he raced Serb star in their fi rst ever meet- 6-3. American Jack Sock saved to love himself, then Verdasco because I thought he played a re- away with it, winning the last ing this month in Acapulco. four match points in a 3-6, 6-3, held with a love game. ally good match,” said Federer, fi ve games with what he called Kyrgios defeated Germany’s 7-6 (9/7) win over Bulgarian But Nadal gained the break he who gave up just six points on his “probably the best tennis I’ve Alexander Zverev 6-3, 6-4 in a Grigor Dimitrov. Sock, winner needed for a 6-5 lead in a game fi rst serve in the encounter. played this year”. battle of two of the ATP Tour’s of ATP titles in Auckland and Verdasco book-ended with dou- “Obviously against delPo, most exciting young talents. With Delray Beach this year, next faces ble faults, and served it out with- Djokovic downs del Potro who has a big serve, to be able to the loaded bottom quarter the fo- Tunisia’s Malek Jaziri, a 6-4, out a hitch. Djokovic made it past danger- break him two times in a set was cus of attention, fourth-seeded 3-6, 6-3 winner over 19-year- Elena Vesnina of Russia in action against Angelique Kerber of Federer edged American Steve ous Argentine Juan Martin del great and I’m just hoping I can Kei Nishikori of Japan quietly ad- old American Taylor Fritz. Germany yesterday. (Getty Images/AFP)

GOLF Willett expects revival in return to Augusta

Reuters the champions locker room upstairs.” Bach raps Tokyo golf club Washington Last season Willett became worn over women members down by a schedule that included the Rio Olympics and a diffi cult Ryder Olympics chief Thomas Bach ramped anny Willett has had a Cup, where he was heckled relent- up pressure on the private club named bumpy ride on the golf lessly by galleries after his brother to host the Tokyo 2020 golf tourna- course since his surprise wrote a magazine story that crudely ment on Wednesday, reminding it to victory at the Masters last lampooned American golf fans. start admitting women as full members Dyear, but the Englishman reckons Willett felt burned out by year’s or face being replaced. he will be all smiles when he returns end. “You see yourself win one of the Bach said the International Olympic next month to defend the green best golf tournaments in the world. Committee (IOC) was “very clear” that jacket. You feel like you should be able to do it would look elsewhere if the Kasumi- A celebratory period after his surge that every week, but unfortunately gaseki Country Club failed to change its to victory past a fl oundering Jordan this isn’t a game that you can do admissions policy. Spieth, enjoying life at home with his that,” he said. The IOC president was speaking after baby boy and handling expectations “If I’m going to compare every Scotland’s prestigious Muirfield club after claiming his maiden major all week to that (Masters) week, I’m go- this week voted to allow women mem- took a toll on his game. ing to be pretty disappointed because bers, ditching a rule which had stood “I had some up-and-downs in the I don’t think that you can recreate for 273 years. last 12 months,” Willett, who has yet that week.” “We’re very clear that only a venue to win since his Masters triumph, Willett, 29, said he has returned to which is off ering equal access to men told a conference call on Tuesday the game refreshed after an extended and women can be an Olympic venue,” from Bay Hill, where he is playing Christmas break. Bach told reporters in South Korea’s in this week’s Arnold Palmer Invita- “We fi nished sixth in Hong Kong Pyeongchang, host of next year’s Win- tional. A bubbly enthusiasm rose in and we fi nished fi fth in Malaysia a ter Olympics. his voice as he talked about his return few weeks ago,” he said. “The game is “We’re still confident that this venue to Augusta National for the April 6-9 not far away.” (Kasumigaseki) will deliver. If they don’t tournament. A return to Georgia might be just deliver, it will be another venue.” “I’m pretty sure that as I get even the tonic, not only for this year but Bach’s comments underline the Olym- within the area of Augusta, there’s going forward since champions are pic body’s stance as described by IOC going to be a big Cheshire smile on always welcomed back. vice president John Coates during a my face,” said Willett. “It’s going to be an amazing feel- visit to Japan this month. “And then when you actually drive ing to be able to go back there and for The club’s chairman has told local down Magnolia Lane and you park in now, forevermore, my name is in his- media he was “flummoxed” by the row the car park and go put your shoes on, tory at that golf club and I’m going to over women members, prompting obviously it’s going to be diff erent. I’m be able to go there and be part of the further criticism of its policies. going to be able to slip my shoes on in Augusta family.” Gulf Times 6 Thursday, March 16, 2017 FOOTBALL

EUROPA LEAGUE IN BRIEF Casillas breaks Mourinho says Pogba appearance deserves ‘respect’ record Pogba has been under an understandably intense spotlight since his world record £89.3mn move

AFP the M6 (motorway), but we are profes- Manchester, United Kingdom sional so the next morning we were here to train and the same today and tomor- row (Thursday) The fans will give us this anchester United manager extra energy so we believe that tomor- Jose Mourinho has hit back row we can cope with the situation and at the mounting criticism fi ght to be in the quarter-fi nal.” being heaped upon Paul Zlatan Ibrahimovic is available for the MPogba, saying the France midfi elder is second leg against Rostov, with United the victim of jealousy from former pro- having drawn 1-1 in Russia. However, Porto’s goalkeeper Iker Casillas fessional players now working in the fellow strikers Anthony Martial and (left) is comforted by his media. Wayne Rooney are both injured as Unit- Juventus’ Gianluigi Buff on after Pogba has been under an understand- ed try to take another step towards win- losing in the Champions League ably intense spotlight since his world ning the Europa League and qualify for on Tuesday. (AFP) record £89.3mn pre-season return to next season’s Champions League. United from Italian side Juventus. In Rostov captain Aleksandr Kat- Iker Casillas set a new record recent weeks his form has been widely skan and Belarusian winger Timofei when featuring for Porto in criticised, especially after Monday’s FA Kalachev are both suspended after be- their Champions League last 16, Cup quarter-fi nal loss at Chelsea where ing booked in the fi rst leg, while full- second leg against Juventus on Pogba seemed to shoulder much of the back Vladimir Granat sustained a frac- Tuesday night as he made his blame for what was just United’s second tured collarbone. 175th appearance in European defeat since early November. But Mour- First-choice goalkeeper Soslan competition. inho has launched a passionate defence Dzhanaev has only recently returned Casillas, formerly of Real of Pogba, still only 24, and insists his from injury and is not expected to play Madrid, started for Porto in strong personality means that he ‘does at Old Traff ord. Turin to go past the mark previ- not give a ‘s**t about his critics’. Elsewhere, Lyon will look to close ously held by AC Milan legend “It is not Paul’s fault that he gets 10 out victory away to Roma after an eye- Paolo Maldini, who made 174 times the money some players did in the catching 4-2 win last week in which appearances in continental past,” Mourinho said yesterday ahead Nabil Fekir and Alexandre Lacazette competition and won fi ve Eu- of the second leg of United’s Europa scored a pair of superb late goals. It is ropean Cups. Former Barcelona League tie against Russian side Rostov all-square in the all-German clash be- midfi elder Xavi Hernandez, a at Old Traff ord today. “It is not his fault tween Borussia Moenchengladbach and four-time Champions League that some pundits are in real trouble Schalke, who drew 1-1 in Gelsenkirchen winner, is next on the list on 173. with their lives and need every coin to in their fi rst meeting. Dutch giants Ajax Casillas, 35, who made 157 survive and Paul is a multi-millionaire. will attempt to overcome a 2-1 defi cit at appearances for Real Madrid It is not his fault.” home to Copenhagen, while Genk’s 5-2 in UEFA competition and won “I think he deserves respect, I think win at Belgian compatriots Gent means the Champions League three his family deserve respect. He is from a they are already within touching dis- times before leaving for Porto working family, a family with three boys tance of the last eight. in 2015, will have to wait until and I am sure they need a lot of food on next season to add to his tally. their table each day because they are all Manchester United’s Paul Pogba (centre), Zlatan Ibrahimovic and manager Jose Mourinho (left) during a training session FIXTURES Porto, who lost the fi rst leg 2-0 giants so I am sure that the mum and yesterday, ahead of their Europa League match against Rostov. (Reuters) (aggregate scores in brackets) at home, lost 3-0 on aggregate dad had to work hard for many, many (2005 GMT unless otherwise stated) after a 1-0 defeat away to the years for them. everywhere. And I am very happy with A delay to the team plane arriving in day night and Tuesday 12 o’clock (1200 Krasnodar (RUS) v Celta Vigo (ESP) (1-2) Italian champions. “A kid that came to Manchester as a Paul and the club is very happy with London meant Mourinho and his squad GMT), they were here to train again as (1800 GMT) teenager, who fought for his career here Paul. And because of his personality he were forced into a long coach trip north they great professionals they are and Anderlecht (BEL) v APOEL (CYP) (1-0) KANE SUFFERS ANKLE and was not afraid to move and go to an- doesn’t give a ‘s’ to what people say.” which saw the team arrive back at their the great commitment they have and Borussia Moenchengladbach (GER) v LIGAMENT DAMAGE other country (Italy) and look for better The disappointment of losing at home base at 4:00am local time, eight the fantastic group of boys I work with,” Schalke (GER) (1-1) Tottenham Hotspur hinted that conditions for him, a kid that reached Stamford Bridge — in a last-eight tie hours before their next scheduled train- said Mourinho. Roma (ITA) v Lyon (FRA) (2-4) Harry Kane could return before the top of the world with this work, no- which featured the controversial send- ing session. “We had one ‘gift’ and we thought Manchester United (ENG) v Rostov (RUS) the end of the season as they body gave him anything.” ing off of United midfi elder Andre Her- But Mourinho believes such adver- one ‘gift’ was enough and we thought (1-1) confi rmed the England striker The Portuguese manager added: rera — was compounded by former sity can bring United — and support- two was too much and then the third Besiktas (TUR) v Olympiakos (GRE) (1-1) had suff ered ankle ligament “So I am really, really worried with the Chelsea manager Mourinho’s current ers — closer together. “The only thing ‘gift’. The fi rst ‘gift’ was to play Monday (1800 GMT) damage in last weekend’s FA previous generations that things are side facing travel problems on their re- I can tell you is that my players did and then the next ‘gift’ is 10 men and Genk (BEL) v Gent (BEL) (5-2) (1800 GMT) Cup win over Millwall. going in such a direction that envy is turn to Manchester. what everybody could see on the Mon- then third was to have a promenade on Ajax (NED) v Copenhagen (DEN) (1-2) Kane, who has scored 19 goals in the Premier League last sea- son, had to come off after just 10 QSL ROUND-UP AFC ASIAN CHAMPIONS LEAGUE minutes of a match Spurs won 6-0 on Sunday. There were fears the 23-year- old would miss the rest of the season as a result but Spurs Sadd train for Qatar Elkeson leads China’s did not put a timescale on his recovery. They did however say the injury was not as serious as a similar one suff ered in Septem- ‘Clasico’ against Rayyan Brazilian carnival ber that ended up keeping him out for seven weeks. AFP group that also controls Inter Milan, stayed on top If Kane can get match fi t AL Sadd are currently in Shanghai of Group H with a 1-0 win as the big-spending again within six weeks, the second place, two points club go in search of their fi rst Asian title. England forward could feature behind league leaders The Brazilian midfi elder, who cost Jiangsu in the FA Cup semi-fi nal against Lekhwiya with three hanghai SIPG’s prolifi c marksman Elke- 28mn euros from Chelsea in January 2016, struck Chelsea on the weekend of April games left to play. son scored with an outrageous 45-yard a gorgeous fi nish with his left foot from 20 yards 22, which marks the start of a eff ort as China’s Brazilian imports justi- six minutes before half-time. Gamba threw eve- potentially decisive period in fi ed their expensive price tags in the AFC rything forward in the second half as they went Tottenham’s campaign. ChampionsS League yesterday. in search of an equaliser, but it was Jiangsu who Hulk, a 55mn euro signing from Zenit St Peters- went closest to another goal with some lightning ROSTOV GROUND SHUT burg, was another Brazilian on the scoresheet as counter-attacking led by Ramires and fellow Bra- AFTER PITCH COMPLAINT Andre Villas-Boas’s SIPG kept their 100% record zilian Alex Teixeira, who cost 50 mn euros from Russia’s Premier League has in Group F with a 3-2 win against Japan’s Urawa Shakhtar Donetsk. The result put Jiangsu fi ve closed Rostov’s stadium because Red Diamonds. SIPG’s rivals, Jiangsu Suning also points clear at the top of Group H with a perfect of the poor condition of the dispatched Japanese opposition as former Chel- three wins from three games. pitch, a week after Manches- sea midfi elder Ramires was enjoying a carnival of Former Asian champions Western Sydney ter United boss Jose Mourinho his own at Gamba Osaka, scoring the only goal in Wanderers had lost both of their opening Group slammed the surface as unplay- a man-of-the-match performance. F games but they stunned FC Seoul 3-2 in the Ko- able. The league said yesterday Elkeson’s stunning strike past the stranded rean capital in the upset of the night. that it was banning matches at goalkeeper Shusaku Nishikawa put Andre Villas- the Olimp-2 arena – as well as Boas’s SIPG 2-0 ahead on the stroke of half-time RESULTS the Central Stadium in Kazan – after Shi Ke’s headed opener. With Brazil inter- Group H until the pitches meet its stand- national and record 60mn euro signing Oscar Adelaide United (AUS) 3 (Diawara pen 51, Cirio 73, ards. Mourinho had decried the pulling the strings in midfi eld it soon became 3-0 Ochieng 85) Jeju United (KOR) 3 (Mendy 61, Marcelo state of the pitch – which was By Sports Reporter for their crunch round 24 matches against league on 52 minutes when Hulk used all his strength to Toscano 71, Kwon 84) dry and devoid of grass in areas Doha leaders Lekhwiya. brush off three challenges before slotting through Gamba Osaka (JPN) 0 Jiangsu Suning 1 (CHN) (Ram- – ahead of the 1-1 draw with The club confi rmed that defender Yusef Muftah the hapless Nishikawa’s legs. Urawa got one back ires 39) Rostov in their Europa League is back in fi rst team contention after a one game against the run of play when Rafael Silva was match last Thursday. he Qatar Stars League side Al Sadd re- domestic ban for picking up four yellow cards hauled down in the box and got up to convert the Group F Premier League offi cials said turned to training ahead of their crunch this season. Muftah sat out of his sides 2-1 victory penalty himself. And Wataru Endo’s scrambled FC Seoul (KOR) 2 (Yun 66, 72) Western Sydney Wan- that Rostov will have their pitch round 24 Qatar ‘Clasico’ match against Al over Muaither, and now is free to be selected for goal six minutes from time gave SIPG a few nervy derers (AUS) 3 (Scott 24, Antonis pen 40, Sotirio 63) inspected again on March 24, Rayyan. the game against their local rivals. moments before the full-time whistle. Shanghai SIPG (CHN) 3 (Shi Ke 10, Elkeson 45+1, Hulk ahead of their next home game, TThe Al Sadd squad underwent their fi rst train- El Jaish also revealed that midfi elder Khalid Meanwhile in Osaka, Ramires was running the with Krasnodar on March 31. 52) Urawa Red Diamonds (JPN) 2 (Rafael Silva pen 73, ing session following an 11-day rest, due to the Abdulraouf is continuing his rehabilitation from a show as Jiangsu, bankrolled by the giant Suning Endo 84) break in the QSL season for international football. cruciate knee injury that the player suff ered at the ATHLETIC BILBAO The side, led by Spanish midfi elder Xavi has a beginning of the campaign. Club offi cials con- ’KEEPER HOSPITALISED number of notable absentees who are all currently fi rmed that Abdulraouf will now slowly return to BY HEAD INJURY representing Qatar including Hassan Haydoos, fi rst team training, and start to get back to full fi t- Athletic Bilbao goalkeeper Ibrahim Majid and goalkeeper Saad Al Dosari. ness. With the QSL making way for international Alejandro Remiro was rushed Iranian international defender Morteza Poura- football, El Jaish has also organized a friendly Shanghai SIPG’ Hulk (centre) and to hospital yesterday after suf- liganji has joined up with his country ahead of the match to maintain fi tness during the three week teammate Elkeson celebrate a goal fering a head injury when he Russia 2018 World Cup Qualifi ers. break in action. Sabri Lamouchi’s side is set to during the AFC Asian Champions was struck by a ball in training. One player already confi rmed to be out for take on Qatar Gas League side Al Shamal on the League group match against Japan’s The club said Remiro, 21, was the Qatar ‘Clasico’ is defender Mohammed Ka- 21st of March. The friendly will be seen as vital Urawa Red Diamonds in Shanghai conscious and teammate Benat sola who is set for a one game suspension, after preparation for their match against Lekhwiya, yesterday. (AFP) Extebarria told reporters the picking up his fourth yellow card of the season in which is set to take place over the weekend of the incident had thankfully just the Wolves last league game, a 0-0 draw against 1st of April. been a “scare.” Umm Salal. One player who will be unavailable for the “Traumatic head injury (suf- Sadd are currently in second place in the QSL friendly is Uzbekistan international Sardor Rash- fered) in the course of train- standings two points behind league leaders Le- idov who has left the squad to join up with his ing today Wednesday, March khwiya with three games left in the season to play. national team, as they begin their preparations 15,” Bilbao said in a statement. for their upcoming Russia 2018 World Cup Quali- “He is conscious and has been MUFTAH RETURNS FOR EL JAISH fi ers. El Jaish are currently in fourth place in the transferred to a health centre El Jaish will welcome back a key defender back to QSL standings, and have picked up 45 points from where additional tests will be the squad as the soldiers start their preparations 23 QSL games so far this season. carried out.” Gulf Times Thursday, March 16, 2017 7 FOOTBALL

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE SPOTLIGHT Dybala fi res Schmeichel thwarts Juventus past depleted Porto Sevilla as Leicester AFP minded 4-2-3-1 formation that Turin, Italy saw Higuain lead the Turin gi- ants’ attack. But it was Dybala, whose only fi rst-half penalty from previous Champions League goal Paulo Dybala helped this campaign came in a 4-0 win fi re Juventus into the at Dinamo Zagreb last Septem- rekindle fairytale Champions League ber, who had the majority of the quarter-fiA nals on Tuesday night chances. after a 1-0 win sent the Serie A The Argentinian had spoken champions through 3-0 on ag- on Monday of his desire to add Leicester’s Morgan, Albrighton scored before Schmeichel saved N’Zonzi’s spot-kick gregate. Porto coach Nuno Es- to his tally in Europe, but fi red pirito Santo had hailed Juve’s wide twice in the opening stages AFP 20-game unbeaten home run in as the hosts set the tone. At the Leicester, United Kingdom Leicester City’s goalkeeper Kasper Tai Tzu Ying of Taiwan Europe as he played down the other end, Brazilian Francisco Schmeichel (right) celebrates with Portuguese side’s chances of Soares curled directly into Gi- captain Wes Morgan after saving overturning a 2-0 fi rst leg defeat anluigi Buff on’s arms, but it was asper Schmeichel pulled off a a penalty during the Champions at the Estadio do Dragao. And the one of too few opportunities for dramatic late penalty save as League last 16 match against 43-year-old was right not to talk the visitors. Mario Mandzukic’s Leicester City sank Sevilla 2-0 Sevilla in Leicester. (Reuters) up their chances. header was smothered by Span- on Tuesday night to reach the Despite enjoying plenty of ish goalkeeper Casillas, who was KChampions League quarter-fi nals for the possession in a fi rst half that saw making a record 175th appear- fi rst time. Trailing 2-1 from the fi rst leg, the hosts squander a number of ance in European competition. after which Claudio Ranieri was sacked chances, their bid ended when The imposing Croatian forward as manager, Leicester scored through right-back Maxi Pereira saw red went closer with a header whis- Wes Morgan and Marc Albrighton before after handling Gonzalo Higuain’s tling wide of the far post from a Schmeichel repelled Steven N’Zonzi’s goal-bound shot fi ve minutes corner, before Pereira fl ew to save spot-kick. before the break. Higuain’s shot with his hand af- It gave them a 3-2 aggregate win and Romanian referee Ovidiu ter Alex Sandro’s header was continued a remarkable turnaround un- Hategan pointed to the spot and parried by Casillas. der new manager Craig Shakespeare, Argentinian playmaker Dybala That left the visitors a man who has won three games in a row since stepped up to drill into the bot- down and Dybala made no mis- stepping up from his role as Ranieri’s as- tom-right corner as Iker Casil- take from the spot to claim his sistant. “The players can be immensely las dived the other way. Juventus third goal in the competition. proud of themselves,” said Shakespeare. stretched their unbeaten home “I felt more pressure taking the “When we needed Kasper the most, he record in Europe to 21 games penalty against AC Milan than came up trumps. We deserve to be there. — the last time they suff ered tonight,” said Dybala, who hit We have just knocked out one of the best a home defeat in Europe was a a crucial, last-gasp winner in a teams in Europe in my opinion.” 2-0 Champions League loss to controversial 2-1 league defeat of Unrecognisable in the defence of their Bayern Munich, in the quarter- Milan on Friday. “I’m happy with miraculous Premier League title, Leices- fi nals, in April 2013. the goal, but also with the win ter have found solace in the Champions However, Juve coach Massi- and the fact we’re through.” League and have now won all four of their miliano Allegri warned his side Juve could have had a second home matches in the competition. They must improve, whoever they are goal just after the restart but also chose a good time to rediscover a bit drawn against in the last eight. Casillas produced a fi ne refl ex of defensive solidity — and good fortune “We’ll need a diff erent kind of save at his near post to stop a — having previously gone 12 matches performance when we come up wayward header by Porto mid- without keeping a clean sheet in all com- against better sides,” he said. “In fi elder Danilo. Minutes later petitions. the second half, with 11 against Buff on rushed out to close down Sevilla, winners of the last three Europa 10, we did the opposite of what Soares after he escaped Sandro Leagues, saw Samir Nasri sent off late on we achieved in Oporto.” to fi re an angled shot wide of the after he was shown an extraordinary sec- Juventus won 2-0 in Portugal ‘keeper’s far post. ond yellow card for aiming a headbutt thanks to goals from Marko Pjaca Allegri replaced Juan Cuad- at Jamie Vardy. N’Zonzi might yet have and Dani Alves after Alex Telles rado with Pjaca for the start of taken the game to extra time after Sch- was sent off on 27 minutes. Nuno the second half and the Croatian meichel was penalised for catching Vitolo lamented his side’s failure to starlet saw an angled eff ort spin after the forward had dinked a shot past score a “deserved” goal, but said: past Casillas’s far post after he him. But the Dane redeemed himself with the rousing William Shakespeare quote: that recalled the triumphs of last year and Adil Rami, allowing Albrighton to chest “The expulsions in both games controlled well under pressure a save low to his left, thwarting Sevilla’s “Let slip the dogs of war.” short of a mishit Gabriel Mercado cross the ball down and arrow a left-foot drive changed everything for us, and on the edge of the area. hopes of reaching the last eight for the For all the sound and fury generated by that Schmeichel had to palm over, Leices- past a statuesque Sergio Rico. when you’re playing against a Higuain, on 66 minutes, then fi rst time since 1958. “I think maybe we the home support, it was Sevilla who pro- ter reached the break without alarm. Nasri’s moment of madness arrived big side like Juventus it becomes fi red just wide after holding off lost it on one or two fi ne details,” said Se- cured the fi rst two sights of goal. Sampaoli made two changes at half- shortly after Schmeichel had parried diffi cult. “They’re one of the top two markers in the area in what villa coach Jorge Sampaoli, who was sent Nasri, one of eight changes made by time, sending on Mariano Ferreira and from substitute Joaquin Correa. four or fi ve sides in Europe.” was Juve’s last real chance to add to the stands late on. “We didn’t manage Sampaoli, was denied by a one-hand- Stevan Jovetic for Mercado and Sarabia, With play ongoing, the Frenchman, Allegri deployed an attack- to their tally. to fi nish our chances.” ed save from Schmeichel in the fourth and eight minutes in his side came within taking exception to a push from Vardy, The back-to-back 3-1 wins against minute, while Pablo Sarabia dragged wide millimetres of restoring their advantage. squared up to the England striker and Liverpool and Hull City overseen by with his left foot. Sergio Escudero let fl y with a fl uttering lowered his head, prompting a second Shakespeare had restored Leicester’s But in the 27th minute Leicester took eff ort from 35 yards that crashed against yellow card from referee Daniele Orsato. self-belief and the stadium crackled with control of the tie, Riyad Mahrez swing- the bar before bouncing down and out, Orsato was not prepared to abandon anticipation prior to kick-off . A carpet of ing a free-kick into the box after Vice- with Jovetic hoisting the rebound over. centre-stage and after awarding Sevilla’s blue and white fl ags greeted the teams, nte Iborra had felled Vardy and Morgan Barely a minute later Leicester took the penalty, he compounded the visitors’ while Leicester’s fans unveiled a giant bundling home with his right knee. The lead in the tie outright. Mahrez’s cross frustrations by sending the protesting banner of Shakespeare, accompanied by King Power Stadium erupted with a noise from the right was tamely headed away by Sampaoli to the stands. Valverde, Unzue primed for Barca job as Sampaoli’s star fades Barcelona: Sevilla’s Champions League Maria Bartomeu and the board due to said former Athletic goalkeeper Iago exit to Leicester City may have scup- his ties with the club and his knowledge Herrerin last month. “He has very clear pered JORGE SAMPAOLI’S chances of of La Liga. Valverde spent two years ideas and a lot of character. He has man- replacing Barcelona’s departing coach as a Barcelona forward under the late aged to make the regular starters and Luis Enrique next season, with Ernesto visionary coach Johan Cruyff and was fringe players happy at Athletic, which is Valverde and Juan Carlos Unzue now reportedly off ered the role when Tito Vi- the hardest thing to do in football.” seen as the favourites. lanova was forced to quit as coach after Koeman, whose free-kick at Wembley The Argentine was widely reported to being diagnosed with cancer in 2013, delivered Barca’s first ever European be among the top candidates to take the although he had already committed to Cup in 1992, has been linked due to his vacant Barcelona dugout in the summer take charge of Athletic. strong ties with the club and the success along with Athletic Bilbao’s Valverde, Valverde, who has also taken charge of previous Dutchmen such as Cruyff , Everton coach Ronald Koeman and Un- of Espanyol, Valencia and Olympiakos in Louis Van Gaal and Franck Rijkaard. zue, Luis Enrique’s current assistant. Greece, led Athletic back to the Champi- Unzue, meanwhile, represents a Sampaoli represents a popular choice ons League after a 16-year absence in his continuation of the style of Luis Enrique. among supporters for the thrilling style first campaign. The former Barca substitute goalkeeper of play he has served up with Sevilla, Marca reported yesterday that Barca’s Athletic, who only choose players followed Luis Enrique to the Catalan club but his stock is reported to have fallen board have ruled Sampaoli out of the with ties to the Basque region of Spain, from Celta Vigo in 2014 and coaches the with recent results. Tuesday’s 2-0 defeat running due to his lack of ties to Barce- reached the 2015 King’s Cup final, losing team in set pieces, although he has no at Leicester followed disappointing 1-1 lona, a factor seen as one of the reasons to Barca, but they exacted revenge with experience in charge of any club. draws with Leganes and Alaves which Gerard Martino proved an unsuccessful a 5-1 aggregate win in the Spanish Super According to a front page report in saw Sevilla drift further behind La Liga choice in 2013. Cup, their first trophy for 31 years. Barcelona-based daily Sport yesterday, pace setters Barcelona, and in recent Valverde, a former Barca striker who Valverde is also admired for his ability the prospect of appointing Unzue is weeks the team look as if they have run has enjoyed sustained success in four to manage squads and egos. “Ernesto becoming increasingly more attractive out of steam. years with Athletic, is reportedly the Valverde would fit in perfectly at Barce- to the board due to his popularity in the Radio Catalunya and Spanish daily number one choice for president Josep lona for his style of play and philosophy,” Barca dressing room. Juventus’ Paulo Dybala controls the ball during the Champions League Round of 16 second leg match against Porto. (Reuters)

FOCUS Goetze’s season over, confi rm Dortmund

AFP “Provided his treatment goes positively, turbances’. Goetze, who has won 62 caps Dortmund have locked into a long term Berlin Goetze can start again with performance- for Germany, was then sent for specialist contract recently after Julian Weigl (until orientated training in early summer,” help and Borussia’s CEO Hans-Joachim 2021) and US teenage international Chris- Dortmund said. “The overall sporting goal Watzke has said it would not be a “short- tian Pulisic (2020). orussia Dortmund admitted for the player is to be fully operational for term issue”. The club has also told Germany’s bad- on yesterday the season is over the start of next season,” which starts on Last July, Dortmund paid 22mn euros boy World Cup winner Kevin Grosskreutz, for Germany’s fallen star Mario Friday August 18 in Germany. The Dort- to buy Goetze back from Bayern Munich, who hails from Dortmund, he can train Goetze as the World Cup winner mund website said: “good news for Mario having been forced to sell him in 2013 for with Borussia’s reserve team after he was continuesB his battle against an unspeci- Goetze: Borussia Dortmund’s Germany 37mn euros after the Bavarians triggered sacked in disgrace by second division fi ed metabolism disorder. The world ap- international speaks positively about the a release clause. However, poor form and VfB Stuttgart. Grosskreutz was part of peared to be at the gifted Goetze’s feet in fi rst phase of his treatment,” but included injury meant he has played just six games the Germany squad which won the 2014 2014 when his extra-time goal won the no direct quotes. over the 90 minutes this season and he World Cup, but Stuttgart sacked him after Borussia Dortmund’s World Cup fi nal at Rio de Janeiro’s iconic Last month, Dortmund, who have has been a shadow of the player who left he reportedly took three youth team play- Mario Goetze is suff ering Maracana stadium. reached the Champions League’s quarter- Dortmund in 2013. Meanwhile, Dortmund ers with him on a boozy night out, which from an unspecified But his career has gradually gone off the fi nals, revealed tests to see why Goetze had announced they have extended the deal ended in a brawl. He won the Bundesliga metabolism disorder. (AFP) boil since then, culminating in the recent been suff ering from repeated injury and a of midfi elder Gonzalo Castro, 29, until twice during a successful six-year stint revelation he has metabolism disorder. lack of form had shown up ‘metabolic dis- 2020. Castro is the third fi rst-team player with Dortmund, who he left in 2015.

Thursday, March 16, 2017 GULF TIMES SPORT

SPOTLIGHT Mirza brothers lead UAE charge at GCC Road Cycling UAE riders, who claimed three gold medals on the opening day, maintained their domination yesterday

By Yash Mudgal them on the podium after Yousif’s victory,” day. UAE also won gold when Umar Abdur- Doha said Badr, who is four years older than his razzaq, Umar Salim, Rashid Ahmed and Kha- brother, in his Instagram post yesterday. lil Essa won the 23km cadet class race and the This not the fi rst time Yousif has won in 34.5km junior class race as Rashid Abdullah, AE riders made a clean sweep in the Qatar. He had won the overall classifi cation Abdullah Abdul Karim, Mohamed Farooq and 19th GCC Road Cycling Champion- triumph at the 2013 Tour of Al Zubarah — a Hamd Abdullah took 46:12s to fi nish the job ships yesterday, bagging all three 2-2 race on the UCI Asia Tour — among other on Tuesday. gold medals on off er with Mirza notable performances in Doha. Today, the 92km (eight laps) junior road Ubrothers fi nishing one-two in the Elite Indi- The Emirates’ top rider Yousif tasted a slice race and 46km (four laps) cadet road races vidual Time Trial (ITT). of history when he became the fi rst Emirati will be held at Lusail circuit. Tomorrow, the The 28-year-old rider Yousif Mirza, who cyclist to be part of a Union Cycliste Inter- 138km elite road race will be held around Ka- spent two weeks training with his team in It- nationale (UCI) World Tour team, when a tara and Lusail. aly in January, clocked 45.21 seconds to clinch revamped UAE Team Emirates was unveiled the ITT gold ahead of his older brother Badr ahead of the 2017 Tour. DAY TWO RESULTS Mirza. Badr clocked 46.11s. Bahrain’s Sayed In 2013, Yousuf went on to win the Shar- Elite Individual Time Trial Ahmed Khalil came third with a timing of jah Cycling Tour and capped a fi ne season by 1. Yusif Mirza (UAE) 45.21 seconds 47.19s. UAE riders, who claimed three gold coming fi rst in the mountains classifi cation 2. Badr Mirza (UAE) 46.11 seconds medals on the opening day of the champion- at the Tour d’Algerie. However, his breakaway 3. Sayed Ahmed Khalil (Bahrain) 47.19 seconds ship, maintained their domination yesterday. season came in 2015 when he bagged the silver Apart from Mirza brothers, their teammate medal at the Asian Road Race Cycling Cham- Juniors Individual Time Trial Abdullah Abdulkareem and Abdullah Jassim pionships to seal his spot at the 2016 Rio de 1 Abdullah Abdulkareem (UAE) 31.43 seconds won the Juniors Individual Time Trial and Janeiro Olympic Games, where the Emirati 2. Rashid Abdullah (UAE) 31.58 seconds Cadets Individual Time Trial gold. was not given a fi nishing classifi cation due to 3. Mohamed Ibrahim (Bahrain) 33.15 seconds Rashid Abdullah of UAE won the Junior’s exceeding the race’s time limit. silver medal. “It is nice to fi nish fi rst and Meanwhile, the UAE team comprising Cadets Individual Time Trial second with Yousif. I am proud of my team’s Badr Neerzra al-Hamadi, Muhamed Hasan 1. Abdullah Jassim (UAE) 16.09 seconds show on the fi rst two days of the champion- al-Marwi, Jabir al -Mansuri and Ahmed al- 2. Jassim Mohamed (Bahrain) 16.54 seconds ship,” Badr said. Mansuri won the 46km Elite class team time 3. Al Hassan al-Momin (Saudi Arabia) 17.37 “It’s a proud moment to listen national an- trial title, the feature event of the opening seconds.

UAE’s Yousif Mirza (left) beat his elder brother Badr to clinch the Elite Individual Time Trial title during the 19th GCC Road Cycling Championships yesterday. PICTURES: Jayaram UAE team riders and off icials pose after their rich haul of medals at the GCC Road Cycling Championship.

GCC Club Volleyball championship GYMNASTICS Mosa and Elkiki to make senior debut for Qatar at World Cup

By Sports Reporter against the best in the world but we feel this al-Hitmi said that the World Cup will act as Doha is a great way to learn. At the same time, we a prelude for the Worlds. will wait for good results from our gymnasts,” “It’s a matter of pride that we have earned he added. the trust of the FIG to host an important wo young Qatari gymnasts Ahmed Pommel horse specialist al-Dayani will be event like this,” said al-Hitmi.“Qatar has the Mosa and Jana Elkiki will make their the one to watch out for, having fi nished sev- necessary infrastructure and personnel to senior debut at the FIG Artistic World enth last year. The former Aspire Academy host any world-class event. Cup, which will be held at the Aspire student, who is rated as the best artistic Qa- We have professionals who can work for TAcademy from March 22nd to 25th. tari gymnast, had bagged six gold medals and such a big event and that made us ambitious Mosa and Elkiki will join Ahmed al-Dayani, a bronze at the 12th GCC Championships in to go for bigger events. who has been regular at the World Cup for Doha last September. We are also prepared to host a successful the last few years, revealed Qatar Gymnastics The qualifi cation rounds will take place on 2018 Artistic World Championships. With Federation (QGF) president Ali al-Hitmi at a the fi rst two days, where gymnasts will vie for the experience of having organised several press conference yesterday. eight spots available in the fi nal in each ap- World Cups in the last one decade, this one Al-Hitmi said it will be a good opportunity paratus. The fi nals will be held on March 24th too will be a successful one. As a pioneer in for the local gymnasts to rub shoulders with and 25th. Around 109 gymnasts — 78 men organising several gymnastics disciplines in the international athletes and gain some val- and 31 women from 30 countries are expected the region, the QGF has also shown eff orts to uable experience. “This will be a great event to be in action during the four-day event. promote the sport in the country as well as in for our gymnasts. The Qatar squad has been The total prize money for the event is the Arab region,” he added. preparing well and we expect them to shine at $50,000, with fi rst-placed apparatus walk- The QGF president was delighted with en- the home event. We will be hosting the 10th ing away with $1,400, while the second and tries for the event. “The distinct change in edition of the event and every year we fi eld third-placed gymnasts taking home $1,100 this year’s edition will be the participation Qatar’s Al Rayyan scored an easy 3-0 (25-18, 25-21, 25-13) win over of UAE in the group our own gymnasts. We have made signifi cant and $750 respectively. Qatar has won the of gymnasts from fi ve Arab nations including match of the GCC Club Volleyball Championship at the Ali bin Hamad Al-Attiyah stadium progress over the years,” al-Hitmi said. bid to host the 48th FIG Artistic Gymnastics Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Algeria, Jordan and Mo- yesterday. In another match (below), Oman’s Al Salam beat Bahrain’s Dar Kulaib 3-2 (25-20, “Our gymnasts know they will be up World Championships in October 2018 and rocco,” he said. 22-25, 25-19, 18-25, 15-11). PICTURES: Jayaram

Qatar Gymnastics Federation president Ali al-Hitmi (centre), Mohamed al-Maraghi (right), board member of QGF and tournament director Anis Saoud at a press conference to announce the details of the FIG Artistic World Cup to be held in Doha next week.