condemns RCB to their seventh 2019 IPL defeat PAGE 19 TUESDAY, APRIL 16, 2019

Al Sadd claim Cup Handball title UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE after 22-20 win over Al Gharafa PAGE 18 BARCELONA VS MAN UNITED Draw for the 47th Amir Cup held, QSL top four finishers to join in quarter-finals

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THE Amir Cup draw was held Players and coaches of Al Sadd and with Qatar Basketball on Monday at the Kempinski Federation officials during a press conference on Monday. Hotel in the presence of top officials of Qatar Football As- sociation (QFA). This year’s final will be held on May 16 at Al Rayyan, Al Sadd to clash in the new Al Wakrah Stadium. QFA President Sheikh Amir Cup basketball final today Hamad bin Khalifa bin Ahmed al Thani led the cer- TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK Al Gharafa in the semi-final emony which was attended DOHA 80-71 thanks to a dominant by club officials. second quarter outscoring The 47th edition of the AL Rayyan and Al Sadd will Gharafa 23-6. Amir Cup kicked off last lock horns on Tuesday in the Meanwhile, Al Sadd over- week with one match already Amir Cup basketball final at came defending champions played. There will be five Qatar Football Association (QFA) President Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al Thani leads other dignitaries during the Amir Cup Draw at the Kempin- the Al Gharafa Soports Club Al Arabi to book a finals spot. stages in the most popular ski Hotel in Doha on Monday. in a repeat of the 2013 finals. Ahead of the final, Al football tournament in the Both teams will be gun- Sadd coach said, “The fi- country. wari, Director of Marketing tee at the same venue in a late haniya and Al Ahli will take ning for the last basketball nal will be very difficult The draw ceremony was and Communication Depart- The ceremony began with fixture. on the winners of the second trophy of the season after and we have young players also attended by members ment of QFA was joined by an explanation of the various A day later, Al Markhiya round. losing out in both the league like Nasser al Rayes and of the Executive Committee Abdullah al Saai, Director stages of the draw along with take on Al Kharaitiyat at In the fourth round on and the Qatar Cup. Faisal Abu Issa. We also of QFA Ahmed Abdul Aziz al of Competitions and Players a video review of last year’s Grand Hamad Stadium while May 2, Al Duhail, Al Sadd, Al Al Rayyan are the record have experienced players Buainain, Sheikh Ahmed bin Affairs, Jassim al Rumaihi, Amir Cup. Muaither face Qatar SC at the Sailiyah and Al Rayyan will winners of the Cup with eight like Dominique and I have Hamad al Thani, Hani Talib Secretary-General of AGCFF, On April 20, Al Shamal same venue. play the winners of the third titles but haven’t reached the a good team of players who Balan and Mansour al Ansari, and a number of heads of de- will take on Umm Salal at In the third stage of the round. finals since their 2013 win are capable of achieving a Secretary- General of QFA. partments and committees of Thani Bin Jassim Stadium tournament on April 26, Al The semifinals will be over Al Sadd. The Lions beat good result in the final.” Khalid Mubarak al Ku- the local organizing commit- while Al Wakrah face Al Khor Arabi, Al Gharafa, Al Sha- held on May 11 and 12. ‘Redemption’ victory in Augusta could be just the start for Woods

DPA just enjoying 15,” he said. AUGUSTA, GEORGIA Woods is choosing his tour- naments carefully to conserve All hail Woods! Trump, Serena, A fifth Masters title for Tiger fitness, and has trimmed his Woods, 22 years after his first schedule after feeling he did too and 14 years after his last, and much too soon last year. Nicklaus join Tiger Twitter frenzy a 15th major triumph, follow- Players can extend their ing an 11-year hiatus, raises the careers with the right nutrition AFP “A big ‘well done’ from me to @TigerWoods!,” said Nick- question: What next? and training. And Woods, al- AUGUSTA laus on social media. At 43, Woods has a new ways the perfect physical speci- “I am so happy for him and for the game of golf. This is resident Donald Trump and Barack Obama were just fantastic!” lease of life after spinal fusion men, was a groundbreaker in among those hailing Tiger Woods on social media surgery helped rescue a ca- working on his physique when Pafter his 11-year major drought was ended by a Woods also set a record for the longest gap between reer also affected by personal he emerged on the scene. thrilling and emotional Masters victory on Sunday. Masters triumphs, the 14 years since his last win in 2005 eclipsing the old mark set by South African Gary troubles including a public sex The younger players now “Congratulations to @TigerWoods,” tweeted the US scandal, the break-up of his on the tour “are getting bigger, Player who won his second Augusta crown in 1961 and president Trump, who played a round of golf with Woods his third in 1974. marriage and a reckless driving stronger, faster, more athletic. earlier this year. “For most an impossible task. But case. They are recovering better. “A truly Great Champion!” Sunday’s victory was one They are hitting the ball prodi- not for you,” said South African “Congratulations, Tiger!” former presi- legend Player on Twitter. of perseverance through adver- gious distances, and a little bit dent Obama tweeted. “Congratulations Tiger. So special sity and means he is one short of that’s probably attributed to “To come back and win the Masters of the six Masters titles won by what I did,” he said. Woods finally found time to for you and your family. So great for after all the highs and lows is a testa- respond to all his well-wishers the game of golf. Simply unbeliev- Jack Nicklaus and three shy of When Woods first turned ment to excellence, grit, and determi- able.” the all-time record of 18 majors professional he often found saying the green jacket feels nation.” comfortable. won by the Golden Bear. himself in the gym with only As Woods went on a charge on the Nicklaus was 46 when he Vijay Singh for company. Now “I can’t thank my family, Other US Sports stars were quick to back nine at Augusta National with join in on Twitter. won the last of his Masters in everybody trains - “and hey, birdies at 13, 15 and 16 to win by a friends and fans enough for 1986. There was a six-year gap even Phil’s working out,” he stroke and claim his 15th major and their support. Having my fam- “A big BIG congratulations to @Ti- between that and his previous quipped in reference to veteran fifth Masters, social media lit up in a ily by my side today is some- gerWoods for winning the Masters!!” NBA icon Magic Johnson tweeted. major win at the PGA Champi- Phil Mickelson. frenzy of congratulations. thing I will never forget. onship in 1980. “I can play a much longer “I am literally in tears watching @ To not only be able to play “The roar of the Tiger is back!” Woods has gone five years period of time. I don’t have to TigerWoods this is Greatness like no again, but to be able to win “Congrats Tiger! What a perfor- longer between majors title, and hit the ball 340 yards. I can still other,” tweeted 23-time Grand Slam again, is something I will mance,” the New England Patriots’ only Nicklaus is older as a Mas- plod my way around the golf tennis champion Serena Williams. forever be grateful for. six-time Super Bowl-winning quarter- “Knowing all you have been through back Tom Brady said. ters champions. course,” he said. This jacket sure is comfortable.” But Woods could go on Woods winning majors can physically to come back and do what “Greatest comeback story in playing longer. He may have only be good for the business you just did today? Wow Congrats a sports!” said three-time NBA cham- million times! I am so inspired thank pion Stephen Curry. shed some of the sheer driving and marketing of golf and to in- you buddy.” power of younger years but he spire once again others to take “Congrats @ TigerWoods Let Fellow golfers and former greats of the game were also me hold one of can still hit the ball nearly 300 up the game. It does no harm ei- quick to hail Woods’ achievement in returning to the sum- those 5 jackets yards from the tee - his average Tiger Woods celebrates on the 18th hole after winning the 2019 ther for the bank balance of the mit of the sport after multiple surgeries and a string one time!” driving distance of 297.5 yards Masters. (REUTERS) player himself who earns 2.07 of off-course problems since his 14th major win at after the opening three rounds million dollars for his one-shot the 2008 US Open. was longer than many. other injuries, Woods can still “I’m sure that I’ll probably victory and, according to Forbes Just two years ago his back pain was so He takes care of his body. win majors. That much is now think of it going down the road. business magazine, has cumu- bad Woods thought he might never play Providing his back holds up and clear. The Nicklaus record is not Maybe, maybe not. But right lative career earnings of 1.5 bil- again, let alone win another major. he no does not have to deal with on his radar. For now. now, it’s a little soon, and I’m lion dollars. “Very few people really know what @TigerWoods has been thru to PGA TOUR Victories (81) get back to this point,” tweeted four-time major champion Rory McIlroy, who finished in a z1996 Las Vegas Invitational, Walt Disney World/ z2001 Bay Hill Invitational, THE PLAYERS Championship, World Golf Championships-NEC Championship, Arnold Palmer Invitational presented Oldsmobile Classic Championship, Masters Tournament, Memorial Invitational, World Golf Championships-American by MasterCard, US Open Championship tie for 21st on Sunday. z1997 Mercedes Championships, Masters Tournament, World Golf Championships-NEC Invitational Express Championship z2009 Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by “So cool seeing him with Tida, Sam, Charlie, Tournament, GTE Byron Nelson Golf Classic, Motorola z2002 Bay Hill Invitational presented by Cooper z2006 Buick Invitational, Ford Championship at MasterCard, the Memorial Tournament, AT&T Erica and the rest of the team behind 18 green. Western Open Tires, Masters Tournament, US Open Championship, Doral, The Open Championship, Buick Open, PGA National, Buick Open, World Golf Championships- Couldn’t be happier for him! What a great day Championship, World Golf Championships- Bridgestone Invitational, BMW Championship z1998 BellSouth Classic Buick Open, World Golf Championships-American for golf!” added McIlroy after an emotional z1999 Buick Invitational, Memorial Tournament, Express Championship Bridgestone Invitational, Deutsche Bank z2012 Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by Motorola Western Open, PGA Championship, World z2003 Buick Invitational, World Golf Championship, World Golf Championships-American MasterCard, the Memorial Tournament presented by Woods hugged his mother, children and partner Golf Championships-NEC Invitational, National Car Championships-Accenture Match Play Express Championship Nationwide Insurance, AT&T National Erica Herman after his winning putt. Rental Golf Classic/Disney, THE TOUR Championship, Championship, Bay Hill Invitational presented by z2007 Buick Invitational, World Golf z2013 Farmers Insurance Open, World Golf ‘Simply unbelievable’ -Aged 43, Woods became World Golf Championships-American Express Cooper Tires, 100th Western Open presented by Golf Championships-CA Championship, Wachovia Championships-Cadillac Championship, Arnold the second-oldest Masters winner, trailing only Jack Championship, World Golf Championships- Palmer Invitational presented by MasterCard, THE Championship Digest, World Golf Championships-American Express Nicklaus who won 46 in 1986. z2000 Mercedes Championships, AT&T Pebble Championship Bridgestone Invitational, PGA Championship, BMW PLAYERS Championship, World Golf Championships- Beach National Pro-Am, Bay Hill Invitational, Memorial z2004 World Golf Championships-Accenture Championship, THE TOUR Championship presented Bridgestone Invitational Tournament, US Open Championship, The Open Match Play Championship by Coca-Cola z2018 TOUR Championship Tiger Woods celebrates with the Masters Trophy during the Green Jacket Ceremony after winning Championship, PGA Championship, World Golf z2005 Buick Invitational, Ford Championship z2008 Buick Invitational, World Golf z2019 Masters Tournament the Masters at Augusta National Golf Club on April 14, 2019 in Augusta, Georgia. (AFP) Championships-NEC Invitational, Bell Canadian Open at Doral, Masters Tournament, The Open Championships-Accenture Match Play (Source: www.pgatour.com) Sports Tuesday, April 16, 2019 17 SOP 2019 to have five finals for boys at Aspire Dome gymnastics and tennis during also been sent to dignitaries. for their support in holding the UNESCO delegation Thursday’s finals. “We are set to make it a big event. “Aspire Academy is one to witness the “Our preparations are on event. The invitation has been of the most important sports track and we are looking for- extended to everyone, includ- institutions in the country. It action on April 18 ward to providing best facilities ing the Ministry of Education, contributes to the discovery of to the competing teams. We Higher Education and the Qa- talent. It is not only that as it al- TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK wish success to all the compet- tar Olympic Committee. We ways raises a slogan that actu- DOHA ing students,” Al Hitmi told the have also invited a delegation of ally appeared today as a dream press conference. UNESCO in Doha to attend the and a star tomorrow, and THE School Olympic Program “We will be back at Aspire finals and get the experience Aspire has presented us with (SOP) is all set for a thrilling Dome for the finals. We want to of the Olympic program,” said many stars in various games,” finish, with boys’ teams gearing thank Aspire for their coopera- Hitmi. he said. up to vie for top honours in five tion which is playing a key role Meanwhile, Muftah said the On his part, Dr. Salem said disciplines at state-of-the-art in success of the Olympic pro- SOP provides a very good op- Aspire plays an important role Aspire Dome on Thursday. gram,” said Hitmi. portunity to students to show in the success of the finals. The details of event were re- He pointed out that (SOP) their skills. “This SOP is a huge “We are very fortunate to vealed by Qatar Sports Federa- is one of the successful pro- advantage for schoolchildren. It partner with Aspire, where the tion (QSF) Secretary-General grams that serve sports in gives them a platform to show Academy’s excellent facilities Ali Al Hitmi at a press confer- general and school sports in their talent,” he said. and good playgrounds help stu- ence at Al Bidda Tower. Abdul- particular. “The Olympic pro- “We will leave no stone dents to offer their best levels,” rahman al Muftah, Executive gram has huge importance unturned in making the finals he said. Director of QSF, and Dr. Salah and it receives great attention a huge success. The SOP has “Aspire Academy has many Salem, QSL Technical Expert, from the officials of the Qatar Secretary-General Ali al Hitmi (right) with QSF Executive Director Abdulrahman al Muftah (centre) and QSL achieved a lot of success. This scouts who contribute to the were also present. Olympic Committee under the Technical Expert Dr. Salah Salem during a press conference for the SOP finals in Doha. year we saw more participants discovery of talent in various Hitmi informed that the chairmanship of His Excel- and the level of competition has games and the work of different boys teams will fight for titles of lency Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad objectives of the program is to for all,” he said. committee was expecting a full also raised,” he added. federations, which is important football, basketball, volleyball, al Thani. One of the important establish the principle of sport Hitmi said the organising house, saying invitations have Muftah also thanked Aspire for the program,” he added.

Quick read Qatar SC, Muaither to clash in QSL playoff Quarter-final curse looms as on Wednesday THE announced its final match of the 2018-19 season, the Play-Off that will pit the QNB Stars League’s 11th- Barca look to clear hurdle placed team Qatar SC against Second Division runners-up Muaither SC for a berth in next season’s top flight. his 108. The match will kick off on Wednesday, 17th April, 2019, at The Catalan club The game’s most illustri- 18:45 at the Al Duhail Stadium. ous pair could yet meet in According to the regulations, if the Play-Off ends in a draw after have not reached this year’s final, should Barca regular time, an extra time of 30 minutes (divided into two halves) a Champions capitalise on their 1-0 first- will be allowed. If the deadlock still continues, the match will be leg win over United and then decided on penalty shoot-out. (TNN) League semis overcome either Liverpool or Porto in the semis. in four years Ronaldo and Juventus, meanwhile, would have to beat AFP Ajax, and then either Manches- Pant left out, pick Karthik BARCELONA ter City or Tottenham. A showdown in Madrid and Rahul for World Cup FOUR years have passed since would throw an even brighter Lionel Messi last reached a glare on Messi’s record com- REUTERS be time for him. It’s unfortunate Champions League semi-final pared to Ronaldo, whose sensa- for him that he missed out.” and his drought has become a tional hat-trick against Atletico There were also specula- source of unease for Barcelona Madrid last month only en- VETERAN tion about who India pick as ahead of their latest attempt on hanced the sense this tourna- pipped young to their number four batsman and Tuesday. ment belongs to him. the second wicketkeeper’s spot Shankar pipped Rayudu. Manchester United are Messi is not one to com- in India’s World Cup squad on “What Vijay Shankar offers the ones looking to emulate plain, particularly given he Monday and all-rounder Vijay is three dimensional,” Prasad Atletico Madrid, Juventus and cannot be blameless in Barca’s Shankar also made the cut. said. “Apart from his , Roma by sending Barca out in underachievements in Europe. There was not much sus- he can bowl and he’s a fantas- the quarters for a fourth year But the fans are frustrat- pense hanging over chief selec- tic fielder...We are looking at running but for the Catalans, ed, with last season’s double tor M.S.K Prasad’s news confer- him as number four. We have another failure would be unfor- doing little to ease the dis- ence to announce a 15-member Dinesh Karthik and Kedar Jad- givable, not least because of the appointment of the collapse squad led by as hav also, so we have plenty of implications for their . against Roma. most of the players picked options at number four right “Last season we did the And his teammates feel it themselves. With Mahendra now.” double but we all felt bad about too, the weight of history on Singh Dhoni the undisputed Lokesh Rahul made the how it went in the Champions their shoulders from a need first-choice wicketkeeper, the squad as a back-up opener, League,” Messi said in August. FC Barcelona players during their team’s training session at Joan Gamper sport complex in Barcelona. (EPA-EFE) to square arguably the game’s selectors preferred Karthik’s but could also bat at number “We promise this season we will greatest ever player with a experience to the raw aggres- four, Prasad said. The World do all we can to bring that beau- There could be an historic stead show a decade swallowed Cristiano Ronaldo, closest in Champions League haul that sion of 21-year-old Pant. Cup in England and Wales tiful cup back to Camp Nou.” fifth consecutive Copa del Rey up by Real Madrid, whose do- second, has 311. befits that status. “We felt Rishabh Pant or DK starts on May 30. Barcelona’s dominance in too if Ernesto Valverde’s side mestic failings in that period But in the Champions “It is an important trophy,” will come into the playing XI Spain has been shaped by Mes- beat Valencia on May 25. have been exonerated by four League, Messi has lifted the Suarez said after following up only if Mahi (Dhoni) is injured,” Squad: si, who only this month over- But in Europe, Barca would Champions League triumphs in trophy four times, a relatively the league title by winning the Prasad told reporters, say- Virat Kohli (captain), took Iker Casillas as the player appear under-marked, with five years. modest return given it puts him Copa del Rey last season. “But ing Karthik’s superior keeping (vice captain), , with the most La Liga victories, only one success in the last sev- “Obviously it’s infuriating,” on a par with 11 current Real this does not hide what hap- and reputation as a “finisher” Lokesh Rahul, Vijay Shankar, 335, in its history. en years, three in 10 since Pep Luis Suarez said. “Madrid have Madrid players alone, includ- pened in Rome.” clinched it for the 33-year-old. Mahendra Singh Those wins have helped Guardiola took charge in 2008 made history and it’s a thorn in ing Nacho, Casemiro and Dani It means the pressure on “In crunch matches, who Dhoni(wicketkeeper), Kedar them capture seven of the last and set in motion what has felt, our side.” Carvajal. This year, Ronaldo is Barcelona in this competition can be the best guy who can Jadhav, Dinesh Karthik, Yuzvendra 10 league titles, a figure that in playing terms at least, like an Messi’s record is similarly hunting his sixth. runs deep, a psychological bur- handle the pressure? For that Chahal, , will surely become eight from iconic era. unbalanced. He has nine La And while Messi dwarfs the den that perhaps United, or reason, the decision went in fa- , Jasprit 11 next month, given their The list of clubs etched onto Liga titles and is by a distance Portuguese for goals in La Liga, their next opponents, will use vour of Dinesh Karthik. Other- Bumrah, Hardik Pandya, Ravindra nine-point lead at the top of the cup hoisted at the Wanda the competition’s top scorer, the opposite is true in Europe, to their advantage. For Messi, wise Pant is full of talent, there’ll Jadeja, the table. Metropolitano on June 1 will in- with an astonishing 414 goals. where Ronaldo has 125 goals to there is work to do. Smith, Warner recalled for Goffin advances to 2nd round at Monte-Carlo ’s World Cup defence Masters, birthday boy Shapovalov out AFP DPA from the baseline, the effects SYDNEY LONDON were devastating. When he did not, as was more common, and David DAVID Goffin moved to the Struff looked in control of the Warner completed their re- second round of the Monte- court. Still, the young Canadian markable comeback from the Carlo Masters with a comfort- held on to the crucial points and ball-tampering scandal that able 6-1, 6-4 win over Guido held up to duly convert his ad- rocked when they were Andreozzi on Monday, as the vantage at 6-5 to win the first on Monday selected in defend- other main names also made it set that lasted 56 minutes with ing champion Australia’s World through unscathed. a deep roar that evinced great Cup squad. The one exception was the satisfaction. But there was no room for 15th seed Denis Shapovalov, And yet it was Struff who or Peter Hand- who despite winning the open- kept his cool under the sun on scomb at the tournament in Australia’s one-day cricket captain speaks to the media as the ing set with relative ease could the Cote D’Azur, calmly slotting England and Wales. upcoming World Cup team is announced in Melbourne on Monday. (AFP) not later summon that same away winners in the second and It is the first call-up for the nous and went down 5-7, 6-3, third sets. By the end, he went former captain and his deputy themselves back at the Twen- great guys.” 6-1, to Jan-Lennard Struff. Belgium’s David Goffin plays a forehand return to Argentina’s Guido up 4-1, then 5-1, and won on an since the expiry last month of ty20 . But while Shapovalov en- Andreozzi during their match on day 3 of the Monte-Carlo ATP Masters unforced error. year-long bans for their part in Both grabbed the oppor- Australia World Cup squad: dured a birthday to forget - he in Monaco on Monday. (AFP) The outcome of that tie “sandpapergate” in Cape Town tunity and have been in good Aaron Finch (capt), , , turned 20 - on the main show means Struff will face Grigor Steve Smith, , , Marcus that had wide repercussions for touch, particularly the bombas- Stoinis, , , , court Rainier III, Goffin expe- ahead until a string of unforced Jaziri of Tunisia 6-4, 6-4. Vic- Dimitrov in the second round, Australian cricket. tic Warner who has made a blis- , Nathan Coulter-Nile, Jason rienced no such difficulties en errors allowed Andreozzi to tory then would set up the pos- while Rafael Nadal opens his Then-coach Darren tering return. Behrendorff, , route to his 10th tournament claim at least one game and sibility of a third-round show- title defence against Roberto Lehmann quit and all the top “As far as I’m concerned Australia one-day A squad: Travis Head (capt), victory in 85 minutes. spare him deeper blushes. down with Thiem. Bautista Agut, who beat John brass from left they have done everything , , Peter Handscomb, Goffin, who defeated Domi- The Argentine seemed to But there was to be no Millman 3-6, 6-1, 6-1. after a scathing review said their that’s been asked of them in the Ashton Turner, Mitch Marsh, D’Arcy Short, Kurtis nic Thiem and Novak Djokovic find his footing in the second big tennis birthday party for Fabio Fognini survived an “arrogant and controlling” win- last 12 months,” said one-day Patterson, , Michael Neser, James to progress to the semi-final in set, but he left himself vulner- Shapovalov who could not early scare in his first round at-all-costs culture was partly to skipper Aaron Finch, adding Pattinson, Josh Hazlewood, , Sean 2017, was largely error-free and able in surrendering his fourth channel the occasional flashes match with qualifier Andrey Abbott blame for players bending the that he didn’t believe their re- Australia four-day A squad: (capt), able to save five of six break service game, as a clinical Goffin of brilliance into a second win Rublev which ended 4-6, 7-5, rules. Both players were eligi- turn would be destabilising. Marcus Harris, Kurtis Patterson, Will Pucovski, Travis points to secure his place in the powered away with the follow- over Struff after beating him so 6-4. ble for the final two games of “Knowing them both per- Head, Peter Handscomb, Matthew Wade, Mitch next round. ing two for the match. well in Tokyo in 2018. Top seed Novak Djokovic is Australia’s recent limited-overs sonally as I do, I don’t think Marsh, Michael Neser, , James There was a sense of ruth- Goffin will face Dusan La- When Shapovalov com- set to play unseeded Philipp tour against Pakistan, but selec- there will be any issues what- Pattinson, , Josh Hazlewood, Chris lessness with Goffin, who jovic in the second round, after bined his flashy one-handed Kohlschreiber in the second tors preferred that they eased soever. They are both great, Tremain wasted no time in moving 4-0 the Serb earlier defeated Malek backhand and strong strokes round Tuesday. 18 Tuesday, April 16, 2019 Sports

AL SADD CLUB DOWN AL GHARAFA CLUB, CLAIM QATAR CUP HANDBALL TITLE

Al Sadd Club overpowered Al Gharafa Club 22-20 and emerged the champions in the Qatar Cup Handball Championship at the Duhail Complex on Monday. The winners led 13-10 at the half-time and maintained the gap till the final whistle. Qatar Handball Association President Ahmed al Shaabi crowned the champions at the closing ceremony. Hardik Pandya’s Rashid Hamad finishes cameo hands fifth in World Cup Skeet Bangalore The Qatari shooter comes quite close to equalise the world qualification record another defeat TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK Qatar’s Masoud Hamad Luke Peter Argiro from IANS and Ali picked couple of DOHA collected 117 to get the 63rd Australia shot a perfect MUMBAI each. spot among 125 shooters. 125 out of 125 targets and Earlier, AB de Villiers’ QATAR’S Rashid Hamad Kuwaiti Mansour al equalled the Qualification HARDIK Pandya’s (37 un- scintillating knock (75 off 51) Saleh could not carry on Rashedi, who qualified in the World Record. In the final, beaten off 16) cameo down the with Ali’s 50 off 32 propelled his sparkling qualification fourth spot with 123, shot 56 he could manage only 42 tar- order handed Royal Challeng- Bangalore to 171/7. form and finished fifth in targets to win the gold med- gets and secured the bronze ers Bangalore their seventh The visitors lost their skip- the Men’s Skeet at the World al, his career’s first. medal. defeat this season as Mumbai per Virat Kohli (8) off Jason Cup Shotgun in Al Ain, the In the medals tally, USA Indians won their Indian Pre- Behrendorff, edging to de United Arab Emirates on The former Asian champion are the leaders, Germany mier League (IPL) match at Kock behind the wickets. Monday. and fifth in the 2014 are second, while Croatia, the here Despite some early blows, The former Asian cham- Granda World France and Kuwait share on Monday by five wickets. de Villiers and Ali anchored pion and fifth in the 2014 third place. Despite a great start, Bangalore’s innings with a Granda World Champion- Championship, Saleh shot Mumbai faltered during valiant 105-run partnership ship, Saleh shot 26 out of 30 26 out of 30 to make a MEN’S SKEET RESULTS the slog overs but Pandya for the third before La- to make a shocking early exit shocking early exit in the 1.AL RASHEDI Mansour (Kuwait) (23 25 25 rescued his side as they sith Malinga (4/31) rattled the in the finals. finals. 25 25) 123+2 and 56 clinched the contest with an middle order. Earlier, he shot 124 out 2. HANSEN Jesper (Denmark) (25 24 25 25 over to spare. The two players also 23) 122+4 and 54 of 125 and came within a one Denmark’s Jesper Hansen 3.ARGIRO Luke Peter (Australia) (25 25 25 25 Chasing a competitive 172 notched up their respective target of equaling the qualifi- hit 122 targets in qualification 25) 125 EQWR and 42 for victory, Rohit Sharma (28 half-centuries with the team cation world record. He was to proceed to the final after a 4.WATNDAL Erik (Norway) 124+12 (25 25 25 off 19) and looking comfortable at 144/2 also involved in a thrilling four man shoot-off for one 24 25) 124+12 and 32 gave a perfect start to Mum- in 17 overs. shootoff to decide the second place. In the final, he hit 54 5.SALEH Rashid Hamad (Qatar) (24 25 25 25 bai’s innings, taking them to Malinga finally shattered best qualifier. However that targets to win the silver med- 25) 124+11 and 26 52 for no loss in the initial the partnership by packing honour went to Norwegian al. Both Rashedi and Hansen 6. KUNTSCHIK Sebastian (Austria) (24 24 25 five overs. Ali back in the 18th over. The Erik Watndal, who struck 12 also qualified for the Tokyo 25 25) 123+1 and 20 Rashid Hamad Saleh had a brilliant qualification round in World Cup Moeen Ali was the first to Sri Lankan pacer went on to to 11 by Saleh. 2020 Olympic Games as well. 63. HAMAD Masoud (Qatar) (23 23 24 23 24) 117 in Al Ain on Monday. strike as his off-break rock the lower middle order, clattered Sharma’s stumps, sending back leaving Mumbai at 70/1 in the (0), Akshdeep Nath (2) and eighth over. Just three balls Negi (0) to the hut in quick later, Ali once again jolted the succession. QATARI TEAMS NINTH IN SAMILA OPEN BEACH VOLLEYBALL hosts as he picked de Kock (40 De Villers finally depart- off 26) in front of the wickets. ed trying to convert a single Qatar’s Tamer Abdelrasoul and and Suryaku- as he fell short of the crease. Assam Mahmoud took a set off mar Yadav then forged a The South African super- fourth-seeded Australians Dam- 33-run partnership but Yuz- star’s knock was laced with ien Schumann and Cole Durrant vendra Chahal packed both six boundaries and four max- but lost the Round of 16 match of them back in short time to imums. in three sets at the Samila Open leave Mumbai reeling at 129/3 Behrendorff and Pandya Beach Volleyball Tournament in the 16th over. also picked a wicket each. in Samila, Thailand on Monday. It seemed Mumbai would Abdelrasoul and Mahmoud won suffer a batting collapse BRIEF SCORES: the second set to tie the scores but it was Pandya piloted : 172/5 in 19 overs (Quinton de before going doing 17-21, 23-12, them across the line as the Kock 40, Hardik Pandya 37 ; Moeen Ali 11-15 in 56 minutes. Qatar’s sec- 2/18) beat Royal Challengers Bangalore: 171/7 all-rounder and his brother in 20 overs (AB de Villiers 75, Moeen Ali 50; Lasith ond pair of Saifeddine Elmajid (11 off 21) took Maling 4/31) by 5 wickets. and Mahdi Sammoud suffered a Mumbai to 148 before the lat- straight-set loss to Iranians Arash ter became a victim of Mo- Vakili and Bahman Salemiin- hammed Siraj. IPL table TEAM M W L PT NRR jehboroun 22-24, 13-21 in 39 With 22 needed off the CSK 8 7 1 14 0.288 minutes. Both the Qatari teams last couple of overs, Pandya DC 8 5 3 10 0.418 earned the ninth place and 100 mustered those runs with long MI 8 5 3 10 0.244 points. handle off Pawan Negi to help KKR 8 4 4 8 0.35 KXIP 8 4 4 8 -0.093 Mumbai register their fifth SRH 7 3 4 6 0.409 win this season. RR 7 2 5 4 -0.587 For Bangalore, Chahal RCB 8 1 7 2 -1.114 Claes Byberg claims 2019 Qatar Senior Open golf title Eva Boeglin beats Tasnim Kazi to win the women’s title

TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK category, Eva Boeglin and DOHA Tasnim Kazi were the closest contestants and won the top CLAES Byberg displayed daz- two spots. zling form to emerge victori- Ammico has been sponsor- ous in the gross score category ing the event since its incep- of the Qatar Senior Open Golf tion three years ago. Ammico Tournament, organised by CEO Jamal Nasir and Manag- Doha Golf Club. ing partner Fazal Kazi were The two-day event, spon- present at the closing ceremo- sored by Ammico, was played ny and gave away the prizes. on the DGC Championship Fahad bin Nasser al Nai- course on and featured a big mi, Qatar Golf Association number of 120 golfers. General Secretary, crowned Byberg carded a gross the winner and said that the score of 143 after 36 holes to Qatar Senior Open sponsored win the title, Rashid scored by Ammico is unique event 146 and had to be satisfied and has a very good reputa- with his runner-up finish. tion among golf tournaments (Left) Qatar Golf Association General Secretary Fahad bin Nasser al Naimi and winner Claes Byberg with In the Ladies Best Gross in the region. Ammico officials at the prize distribution of the Qatar Senior Open Golf Tournament in Doha.