SUNDAY 11 FEBRUARY 2018 25

During the first skating lap SPORT I knew it felt very good, so Charlotte Kalla my plan was to try to do Swedish athlete who won ENGLISH the first gold medal of the Huddersfield Town vs AFC Bournemouth - 12:00GMT something quite early on Pyeongchang Winter Newcastle United vs Manchester United - 14:15GMT the last skating lap. Olympics. Southampton vs Liverpool - 16:30GMT ACTION TODAY’S TODAY’S Joint Olympic team makes history for two Koreas

AFP The Games have triggered Games in the women’s skiathlon, The two Koreas marched yesterday. North Korean cheer- Krista Parmakoski. rapid reconciliation between the followed by Germany’s Laura together at Friday’s opening cer- leaders let rip in support for Choe In biathlon, Germany’s GANGNEUNG, SOUTH KOREA: two Koreas, who are still tech- Dahlmeier who triumphed in the emony but they have never Un Song but he was eliminated Dahlmeier took the honours in North and South Korea competed nically at war. In talks on Sat- women’s 7.5km sprint biathlon. before competed side-by-side at in the heats for the 1,500m short- the women’s 7.5km sprint ahead together for the first time at an urday, South Korean President Five gold medals were up for an Olympics. track speed skating, failing to of Norway’s Marte Olsbu and Olympics yesterday as the first Moon Jae-in was invited to a grabs on day one, concluding Among the crowd was a large reach the semi-finals. Veronika Vitkova of the Czech of 102 gold medals were decided summit with North Korean with Kamil Stoch’s attempt to number of North Korea’s all- Earlier, Kalla won the skia- Republic. against a fast-moving backdrop leader Kim Jong Un. become the first back-to-back female “Army of Beauties” cheer thlon race ahead of Norway’s Carlijn Achtereekte made of diplomatic manoeuvring. There was joy for South ski jumping champion in the squad, known for their tightly Marit Bjoergen, preventing her her Olympic debut a golden one, Kim Yo Jong, the powerful Korea when short-track speed normal hill. choreographed moves and from collecting an unprece- leading a Dutch podium sweep sister of North Korean leader skater Lim Hyo-jun won the first But most South Korean fans chants. dented third straight gold medal in the women’s 3,000-metre Kim Jong Un, was among a high- gold for hosts on day one, were fixated on the ice hockey, At a Games rife with polit- in the event. But Bjoergen still speed skating. level delegation in the stands as claiming the men’s 1500m in where the combined North and ical overtones, US Vice-Presi- became the most decorated Ireen Wust, the 2006 and the joint Korean women’s ice front of a near-capacity crowd. South women’s team appeared dent Mike Pence was watching woman in Winter Olympics his- 2014 champion, was a narrow hockey team took on Switzer- Earlier, Sweden’s Charlotte at a packed Kwandong Hockey nearby as the first North Korean tory as she claimed her 11th second with Antoinette de Jong land in their opening match. Kalla won the first title of the Centre. athlete competed -- and flopped medal. Third came Finland’s third. Kenya’s lone Winter Sweden’s Kalla wins Olympian Simader skis into history books first Pyeongchang gold AFP As a one-woman team, Simader was the only person PYEONGCHANG: Sabrina available to carry the Kenyan REUTERS Simader said it was a “dream flag at Friday’s opening come true” to be at the Winter ceremony. PYEONGCHANG: Sweden’s Olympics as the first female “I was really proud. It’s cool Charlotte Kalla won the first gold alpine skier for Kenya. seeing a big team like Canada medal of the Pyeongchang Simader, 19, has lived in in front of you. That was funny,” Winter Olympics yesterday after Austria since the age of three she said. powering away from the field to and has an Austrian father, but “It was emotional for me secure victory in the women’s opted to take the Kenyan route too because the world is 7.5km + 7.5km skiathlon. to participating in the watching. It’s a dream come Sochi Games champion Pyeongchang Games. true.” Marit Bjoergen of Norway, who “I am happy to go for Chef de mission Boit knows has decided to skip Thursday’s Kenya, but there are some all about the learning curve of 10km sprint race, took the silver problems, it’s not so easy,” said Africans taking up little-known 7.8 seconds behind and Krista Simader, who is accompanied winter sports, but said it was Parmakoski of Finland won the Sweden’s Charlotte Kalla (centre), in South Korea by three-time definitely not the case for bronze. Norway’s Marit Bjoergen (left) and Olympian Philip Boit. Simader. Kalla made her break Finland’s Krista Parmakoski celebrate “The organisation is diffi- “For Sabrina, she grew up midway through the last of the on the podium during the medal cult because in Kenya skiing is in Austria, on skis. It is totally four laps, leaving Bjoergen to ceremony at the end of the women’s not so well known. different,” he said. battle Parmakoski and Swede 7.5km + 7.5km cross-country skiathlon “We are not professional in “It was tougher for me. I Ebba Andersson for the podium event during the Pyeongchang 2018 Kenya, we are still on our way was going from African tem- places. Winter yesterday. up. But we made it to peratures to freezing winter It was the third Olympic gold Pyeongchang and I am really temperatures” on a Nike pro- medal for the 30-year-old Kalla, glad for that.” gramme to retrain Kenyan run- who won the 10km freestyle at “During the first skating lap shoulder during the final three summer and fall, and just looked Simader still has extended ners as cross-country skiers. Vancouver in 2010 and followed I knew it felt very good, so my kilometres as she dug deep for forward all the time,” she said. family back in the east African “I used to wonder why on that up with a win in the 4x5km plan was to try to do something victory. Silver medalist Bjoergren has country and she said they had earth I was doing it,” he said. “I relay in Sochi four years later. quite early on the last skating “There were thoughts about decided not to participate in been “really supportive”. only started learning the tech- “I’m very happy today, it lap,” she explained. maybe what are the others Thursday’s 10km race, but said “My grandparents, aunties nique when I was 20. I’d never feels incredible,” a beaming “I didn’t know exactly where doing, but I just tried to focus on it had nothing to do with her and cousins and a lot of other skied before and I’m up against Kalla told a media conference. Marit was, I knew that she was my performance all the time and performance in the skiathlon. people are sending me messages skiers who have been doing it With about a dozen racers in the group somewhere, so I just just look forward,” she said, “It’s a decision I took a long saying ‘We are behind you’. since age two. close together as they made the tried to focus on my perform- acknowledging that she had time ago. I don’t feel like I have “That motivates me. To per- “Some people thought I was switch from freestyle skiing to ance and not evaluate what the found it tough. a chance of a medal, so that’s form excites me. I will give eve- a joke, it was not nice. But I was skating style, Kalla began eval- others did.” “I know that I have been in the why I made this choice,” she told rything I have. I feel strong and very fit and I got better and uating when she would attack. Kalla barely looked over her zone of pain many times in the broadcaster Eurosport. in a good way.” better.” Dutch women dominate South Korea open South Korea’s Lim 3,000m speed skating Hyojun (left) and We are not Hwang Daeheon professional in AFP But it was another near- medal account take part in the Kenya, we are still miss for Wust, a four-time men’s 1,500m GANGNEUNG, SOUTH Olympic champion who also short track speed on our way up. KOREA: Carlijn Achtereekte settled for second in the with Lim’s gold skating event. But we made it to made her Olympic debut a 1,000, 1,500 and 5,000 at Pyeongchang and golden one, leading a Dutch Sochi in 2014. podium sweep in the Wust missed out on I am really glad for women’s 3,000-metre speed becoming the first Dutch that: Kenya’s first skating yesterday at the woman to defend a Winter female alpine skier Pyeongchang Winter Olym- Olympic title and only the pics. second woman with back- Sabrina Simader The 28-year-old skated to-back golds in the event. in the fifth of 12 heats, well Wust also narrowly failed before the favourites, but her to become the first Dutch dazzling time of 3:59.21 held athlete to win five Olympic up to win. golds in the Winter or Ireen Wust, the 2006 and Summer Games. 2014 champion, was a Czech Martina Sablikova, I made a mistake. narrow second in 3:59.29 the 2010 Olympic champion It might have with Antoinette de Jong third and silver medallist at Sochi, in 4:00.02. was fourth, just 0.52 behind cost me a better Achtereekte was third at de Jong, with Japan’s Miho REUTERS out of the lead early and incurred originally finished sixth, was given position and even the Dutch Olympic trials and Takagi fifth in 4:01.35. a penalty. Lim finished first in a penalty for impeding. the race. I ended second in last month’s Euro- Pechstein, a record nine- GANGNEUNG, SOUTH KOREA: 2:10.485. Speaking to reporters after his pean championships in time Olympic speedskating Lim Hyojun won gold in the of the Nether- disappointing performance, up at the back 4:06.81, but was a shock medallist who turns 46 later 1500m short track speed skating lands took silver, finishing 0.70 Hamelin said it was difficult for of the pack. In winner when it matter most. this month, missed her to give Olympic hosts South Korea seconds behind Lim, while him to tell whether he had a race with nine Wust took her ninth chance to win a medal at a their first medal at the Olympic Athlete from Russia deserved the penalty. Olympic speed skating sixth different Winter Olym- Pyeongchang Games in front of a Semen Elistratov won the bronze. “I made a mistake,” he said. skaters, you never medal, matching the all-time pics, finishing ninth in jubilant crowd at the Gangneung Hamelin, a pre-event “It might have cost me a better want to end up in record total of Germany’s 4:04.49. Ice Arena yesterday. favourite, was looking to become position and even the race. I Claudia Pechstein and tying Italy’s Francesca Lollo- In an unusually crowded final the first short track speed skater ended up at the back of the pack. the back: Former the Dutch career record for brigida, the great-niece of with nine skaters, the 21-year-old to win a gold medal at three dif- In a race with nine skaters, you Olympic champion Olympic medals by eques- famed 1950s actress Gina took over after defending Olympic ferent Olympic Games but the never want to end up in the Charles Hamelin trian rider Anky Van Lolobrigida, finished 13th in champion Charles Hamelin fell 33-year-old Canadian, who had back.” Grunsven. 4:08.58. 26 SPORT SUNDAY 11 FEBRUARY 2018 Young French rugby stars train at Aspetar

THE PENINSULA 5500m, enabling athletes to “live “This is very important “We came to Doha for a devel- capable and confident than when high, train low” by replicating because we cannot achieve Asp- opment training camp for our they began. Collectively, we will DOHA: In preparation for the high altitude training from sea- etar’s level of quality in France, best under 20 Rugby XV players then improve both the U18 Rugby upcoming 2018 season, the level. The facility also uses especially during winter, when it and under 18 Rugby 7 players. 7 and U20 Rugby XV teams’ French U-18 and U-20 national advanced technology that ena- is cold and our grass pitches are This is very important The objective is to prepare the international rankings, with our rugby teams recently conducted bles conditions to be monitored easily damaged. Accessing such because we cannot U20s for the upcoming Six ultimate target being the podium a training camp at Aspetar, remotely from anywhere in the facilities is a great advantage. achieve Aspetar’s level Nations and World Cup tourna- at the World Championships and where they benefited from state- world. It houses up to 50 athletes Antonin’s colleague, Romain of quality in France, ments in June 2018, and the U18s Youth Olympic Games. of-the-art Altitude Rooms, the at any one time. Ntamack, U20 French national especially during winter, for the European Championships Aspetar has been collaborat- first fully-integrated dormitory Commenting on their train- team fly-half, said: “I came to when it is cold and our in May 2018 and the Youth ing with the French Rugby of its kind in the world. ing camp at Aspetar, Antonin Aspetar to enhance my training Olympic Games in South Amer- Federation for six years now to Designed specifically for elite Berruyer, U20 French national and my physical aptitudes and it grass pitches are easily ica in October. develop innovative new training training camps, the facility team blindside flanker, said: “The really worked. We have been damaged. Accessing “We select the best U18, U19, methodologies that help to allows athletes to improve infrastructure here is world class; welcomed very well here. These such facilities is a great and U20 players, and bring them improve the team’s performance. endurance by stimulating the we have the gym, cycling in the are excellent facilities and the advantage: French U-20 to this development stage here This partnership has recently body to increase production of heat chambers, and swimming staff are taking good care of us. player Antonin Berruyer at Aspetar, where we can bene- been strengthened by the sign- red blood cells, thus increasing pools for recovery. I do not think The rooms are very well cleaned, fit from the wonderful ing of another Memorandum of the proportion of oxygen in the that I have seen anything simi- the food is well served, and the infrastructure here. Understanding (MoU) between blood. lar in France, not this level of staff are great. The weather is Meanwhile, Sébastien Piqueronies continued: “We the French National Institute of The rooms can replicate an quality; even the training pitch also perfect and the pitches are Piqueronies, U20 French hope that each of our players fin- Sport (INSEP) and Aspire Zone altitude range of 500m to is of a very high quality. excellent.” national team manager, said: ishes the training camp more Foundation.

Tottenham Hotspur’s Harry Kane (second right) scores their only goal against Arsenal during their English Premier League match played at the in London yesterday. West Ham overcome Watford; Everton beat Crystal Palace

AGENCIES ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE YESTERDAY’S RESULTS LONDON: West Ham overcame Watford 2-0 in a game with plenty of chances at the London Everton 3 (Sigurdsson 46, Stadium yesterday, putting the Niasse 51, Davies 75) Crystal Hammers level on points with Palace 1 (Milivojevic 83-pen) their opponents in the middle of the Premier League table. Stoke 1 (Shaqiri 68) Brighton 1 The home side’s Mexican (Izquierdo 32) striker Javier Hernandez broke the deadlock in the 38th minute, heading in at the far Swansea 1 (Ki 81) Burnley 0 post after winger Michail Anto- nio wove through the Watford Tottenham 1 (Kane 49) Arsenal 0 defence to send in a long cross from the left. West Ham 2 (Hernandez 38, West Ham’s Austrian mid- Arnautovic 78) Watford 0 fielder Marko Arnautovic, back in the side after a hamstring injury, scored from close range Niasse’s header doubled the in the 78th minute to make it advantage. 2-0. Midfielder Davies all but The win leaves the two sealed the victory with a low sides level on 30 points apiece finish in the 75th minute against in the middle of the table, a Palace side who showed lit- though still just six points above tle threat until Luka Milivojevic Spurs, Kane continue derby the relegation zone. (Reporting converted a late penalty after by Hugh Lawson,; Editing by Ashley Williams handled the Neville Dalton) ball. Elsewhere, Stoke City blew Everton leapfrogged dominance over Arsenal a chance to move out of the Bournemouth to climb to ninth Premier League’s bottom three on 34 points from 27 games. when Charlie Adam missed a Palace are 14th with 27 points. REUTERS 90th-minute penalty as they At the Liberty Stadium, Top-four finish still were held to a 1-1 draw by Swansea City edged further LONDON: Harry Kane’s 101st Brighton and Hove Albion away from the Premier League Premier League goal was the yesterday. relegation zone as Ki Sung- difference as Tottenham Hotspur We feel very proud. priority for Wenger The substitute’s spot-kick yueng scored a late goal to beat earned a 1-0 win over Arsenal, to The performance was was brilliantly saved by Mat Burnley 1-0. continue their fine recent form in REUTERS Ryan - and moments later Swansea enjoyed more north London derbies in front of a fantastic. We have another replacement, Anthony than two-thirds of possession Premier League record crowd at to keep going: Spurs LONDON: Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger (pictured) Knockaert, headed Mame but both teams struggled to cre- Wembley yesterday. Diouf’s effort off the line to pre- ate clear-cut opportunities in manager Mauricio said qualifying for next season’s Champions League via Both teams struggled to get a Premier League top-four finish remained his priority serve Brighton’s hard-earned the first half. going in the first half, but the con- Pochettino after Arsenal slipped to a third league defeat in five games point. It changed after the inter- test burst into life straight after the at Tottenham Hotspur yesterday. The visitors had taken a val when visitors Burnley interval, with Kane heading in his first-half lead through a classy threatened to score with a Harry Kane’s second-half header gave Tottenham seventh goal in seven matches counter, but rarely troubled Hugo goal by Jose Izquierdo on 32 stinging half-volley from a 1-0 victory over their neighbours that left Arsenal five against Arsenal to break the dead- Lloris in the home goal during the minutes, but Xherdan Shaqiri winger Johann Berg Gud- points behind fourth-placed Chelsea having played a lock in the 49th minute. first half. equalised for much-improved mundsson but he was denied game more. Arsenal almost snatched a “The game should have been Stoke midway through the sec- with a stunning fingertip save Manchester United secured a return to the Cham- point at the death, but substitute finished at halftime,” Wenger said. ond half. by Swansea goalkeeper Lukasz pions League by winning last year’s Europa League and Alexandre Lacazette fired wide, “We missed opportunities on the The draw left Stoke 18th Fabianski. Arsenal are through to the last 32 of Europe’s second- and in truth, the margin of victory counter attack because of a poor while Brighton are 13th, but still Swansea boss Carlos Car- should have been greater, as Spurs final ball.” tier club competition. just three points clear of safety. valhal introduced January wasted several chances to double The second period was the “The priority remains being in the Champions League Meanwhile, Gylfi Sigurds- signing Andre Ayew to boost to their advantage in front of a crowd antithesis of the first, in terms of (qualification places) through the Premier League,” son, and Tom the attacking line and was of 83,222. action, as Spurs took the game to Wenger told reporters. Davies were on target as Ever- rewarded with a string of None the less, the hosts hung Arsenal. Kane brilliantly headed “I am not a great fan of the Europa League winner ton eased past Crystal Palace 3-1 chances before Ki’s drilled on for the victory that enables Ben Davies’ cross into the net four qualifying for the Champions League - I think it is not on Saturday to climb to ninth in effort from the edge of the area them to leapfrog both Liverpool minutes into the half before then right. If it is an opportunity we have to try to take it as the Premier League table. clinched victory with less than and Chelsea -- who do not play missing an easier header moments well, but the priority remains the Premier League.” After a committed but low- 10 minutes left. until Sunday and Monday respec- later. Arsenal struggled to create real openings against quality first half ended goalless, The victory moved Swan- tively -- into third place, seven Arsenal were reeling and had Spurs at Wembley, mustering one shot on target all Everton struck twice within six sea up to 15th in the table, two points clear of sixth-placed Arse- Petr Cech to thank for keeping match, and Wenger pointed to their poor record of 15 minutes after the break as Sig- points clear of the bottom three, nal, who have now beaten Spurs them in the match after the Arse- goals on the roadoad thithiss season as an urdsson beat Wayne Hennessey and extended their unbeaten just once in eight league games. nal goalkeeper tipped Eriksen’s area of concern.n. with a deflected shot before run to five matches. “We feel very proud.” free kick over. “Today wass a gamegame we couldn’tcouldn’t “The performance was fantas- As the visitors pressed for an afford to lose” WenWengerger added.added. “It tic,” Spurs manager Mauricio equaliser, they left gaps at the makes it muchh mmoreore ddifficultifficult nownow Pochettino said. “We have to keep back, and Dele Alli should have (finishing in topp four),four), but we have going.” capitalised from such space, but to fight. There was more at stakestake Pochettino went with the same prodded wide. in this game thanhan jjustust tthehe dderby,erby, side that drew at Liverpool, while The gilt-edged chances kept that’s why it is so disappointing.disappointing. counterpart Arsene Wenger left coming for Spurs, with Kieran “(Our awayy record)record) is veryvery poor.poor. Lacazette on the bench, with new Trippier next to shoot too close to Football is aboutout scorinscoringg goals,goals, andand signing Pierre-Emerick Aubam- Cech. if you look at tthehe numnumbers,bers, eyang up front. Lacazette came mightily close compared to thehe top It took until the 27th minute to snatching an undeserved point six, we do not sscorecore for the game’s first real chance to in stoppage time, but he could not enough goalsoals West Ham United’s Marko Arnautovic celebrates after scoring be created, but Kane could not find the target, and Arsenal slipped away fromom their second goal with Javier Hernandez during their English keep his header down. to a third defeat in five league home.” Premier League match against Watford yesterday. Arsenal were a threat on the games. SUNDAY 11 FEBRUARY 2018 SPORT 27

Sri Lanka’s Akila Dananjaya (left) celebrates with team-mates after taking the of Bangladeshi batsman during Six Nations: Shakib the third day of the second Test match at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka yesterday. returns for Ireland Bangladesh run riot T20 squad over Italy

AFP REUTERS

DHAKA: All-rounder DUBLIN: Ireland crushed Italy returned 56-19 yesterday to make it two from injury as Bangladesh Six Nations wins out of two, yesterday made whole- running in eight tries to secure sale changes in their their first bonus point of the squad for the two-match championship. international After Johnny Sexton’s last- series against Sri Lanka. gasp drop goal rescued a win At least five uncapped in Paris a week ago, Joe players - wicketkeeper- Schmidt’s side could not have batsman Zakir Hasan, asked for an easier afternoon pace bowler Abu Jayed but the eight-try victory could and all-rounders Ariful have come at a cost through Haque, and the loss of prop Tadhg Furlong Afif Hossain - have been and centre Robbie Henshaw included in the 15-man to injury. squad for the series. “After getting out of jail Fast bowler last week we were looking has been recalled for the forward to coming home and first time since the 2016 putting on a show. We’ll be ICC World Twenty20 in disappointed with the 19 India, while points we conceded but that’ll and Mustafizur Rahman kick start our campaign. It’s also returned after miss- Dananjaya’s maiden five-for exactly where we want to be,” ing a two-match scrumhalf Conor Murray said Twenty20 series against in a pitchside interview. South Africa in October. Ireland, who ran in nine Mominul Haque, seals big win for Sri Lanka tries against Italy in each of , , their last two meetings, looked , Mehedi to keep ball in hand through- Hasan, Shafiul Islam and REUTERS 226 earlier on Saturday with SCOREBOARD out and despite a couple of , who were Roshen Silva scoring half-centu- early handling errors, they part of the Bangladesh DHAKA: Sri Lanka off-spinner ries in both innings. Sri Lanka (I Innings): ...... 222 Bangladesh (II Innings): were three tries to the good squad for the South Afri- Akila Dananjaya took eight wick- The first Test of the two- Bangladesh (I Innings): ...... 110 Tamim Iqbal lbw b Perera ...... 2 after just 20 minutes Sri Lanka (II Innings): Imrul Kayes c Dickwella b Herath ...... 17 can T20s, have been ets on his debut, including a match series was drawn and Sri D Karunaratne c Kayes b Mehedi ...... 32 Mominul Haque c Dickwella b Herath ...... 33 Henshaw and centre part- dropped. maiden five-wicket haul in the Lanka skipper Dinesh Chandi- K Mendis lbw b Razzak ...... 7 st Dickwella b Herath ...... 25 ner Bundee Aki grabbed the Shakib will lead the second innings, to help his side mal was surprised that the hosts D de Silva b Taijul ...... 28 Liton Das c Mendis b Dananjaya ...... 12 first and third from close range side after missing out the to a 215-run win against Bangla- had gone into the deciding match D Gunathilaka lbw b Mustafizur ...... 17 Mahmudullah c Karunaratne b Dananjaya ...... 6 following intense forward just-concluded Test series desh in the second Test yesterday at the Shere Bangla National Sta- D Chandimal lbw b Mehedi ...... 30 c Mendis b Dananjaya ...... 1 pressure while Murray got the due to a finger injury. and a 1-0 series win. dium on a turning track. R Silva (not out) ...... 70 Mehedi Hasan c Dickwella b Dananjaya ...... 7 pick in between, finishing off N Dickwella c Mahmudullah b Taijul ...... 10 Abdur Razzak st Dickwella b Dananjaya ...... 2 The first of the two- Chasing 339 for victory, “This was a really good series. D Perera c Liton b Mustafizur ...... 7 Taijul Islam c Gunathilaka b Herath ...... 6 a slick touchline move neatly match Twenty20 series Bangladesh were all out for 123 The first game was a nightmare A Dananjaya c Liton b Mustafizur ...... 0 Mustafizur Rahman (not out) ...... 5 assisted by Six Nations debu- will be held on February in their second innings in the sec- for the bowlers and this one was S Lakmal b Taijul ...... 21 Extras (B6, LB 1) ...... 7 tant Jack Conan. 15 in Dhaka and the sec- ond session of the third day of the a nightmare for the batters,” R Herath lbw b Taijul ...... 0 Total (all out; 29.3 overs) ...... 123 Italy, coached by former ond match will be played match with Dananjaya taking Chandimal said at the Extras (LB 4) ...... 4 Fall of : 1-3, 2-49, 3-64, 4-78, 5-100, 6-102, Ireland fullback Conor O’Shea, at Sylhet on February 18. 5-24 in just five overs. presentation. Total (all out) ...... 226 7-102, 8-104, 9-113, 10-123 also tried to run what little ball Bangladesh squad: Dananjaya had taken 3-20 “The guys executed our game Fall of wickets: 1-19, 2-53, 3-80, 4-92, 5-143, 6-170, Bowling: Lakmal 3-0-11-0, Perera 10-0-32-1, Herath they had but, starved of 7-178, 8-178, 9-226, 10-226 11.3-1-49-4, Dananjaya 5-1-24-5 Shakib Al Hasan, Tamim in the first innings and ended up plans really well out in the mid- Bowling: Razzak 17-2-60-1, Mustafizur 17-3-49-3, Tai- Result: Sri Lanka won by 215 runs opportunity, they never came Iqbal, Soumya Sarkar, with the best figures for a Sri dle. After the first game we jul 19.5-2-76-4, Mehedi 20-5-37-2 Series Result: Sri Lanka won series 1-0 close to hurting Ireland early Mushfiqur Rahim, Mah- Lankan debutant. thought the second pitch might on. mudullah Riyad, Sabbir Veteran left-arm spinner be a turning wicket. We were sur- Aki, whose earlier try was Rahman, M Rahman, R Rangana Herath also took 4-49 prised, because we have all the “I thought this wicket was his side’s batting in the first innings his first for his adopted nation, Hossain, M Saifuddin, by eroding Bangladesh’s top half experienced spinners.” difficult so I just wanted to keep for the loss. showed off his pace to set up Abu Hider, Abu Jayed, A as the hosts capitulated after also Silva followed up his 56 in the it simple -- I just played my nor- “Their bowlers did the job the fourth as he sucked in the Haque, Mahedi Hasan, being all out for 110 in their first first innings with an unbeaten 70 mal game,” said the 29-year-old, really well, keeping the pressure Italian defence to put winger Zakir Hasan and Afif innings. in the second and was adjudged who scored his maiden hundred on us every time we came out. Keith Earls clear to secure the Hossain. Sri Lanka scored 222 in their the player of the match and the in the first Test in Chittagong. Our bowlers (only) did well in extra point before halftime. first innings and were all out for series. Skipper Mahmudullah blamed patches,” he said. The rout continued early in the second as Henshaw ran in a smart interception try but the celebrations were short- Australia trounce England by 7 wickets in Tri-series lived as he left the pitch in a sling following the grounding, AFP (20 not out from five balls), got Auckland on February 21 with sequence came when Maxwell Pacemen Kane Richardson joining Furlong who went off Australia comfortably home. preliminary matches now and Short accelerated the score and Billy Stanlake claimed five with a leg injury in the first half. MELBOURNE: Australia cruised The win ensured Australia switching to New Zealand. from 65 for two at the end of the wickets between them after Aus- The yawning gap meant to a seven-wicket victory over will play in the tri-series final in The game-defining ninth over to 104 for two after tralia was sent into bat. Ireland could afford to rest England with more than five the 11th, 39 runs flowing over England were reeling at 34 Sexton and Murray on 50 min- overs to spare to remain SCOREBOARD just two overs. for three in the fourth over when utes and count on more unbeaten after three games in But Warner’s form is again ran out Dawid forward superiority, handing the triangular Twenty20 series England Australia in the spotlight after his relent- Malan with a brilliant direct hit. Rory Best and Jacob Stockdale in Melbourne yesterday. J Roy c Carey b Richardson ...... 8 D Warner c Buttler b Willey ...... 2 less playing schedule. This time James Vince was skittled by a try each before the Ulster The Australians restricted A Hales c Finch b Stanlake ...... 3 D Short (not out) ...... 36 he lasted just four balls, nicking a slower ball from Andrew Tye winger sprinted through for a England to 137 for seven off their D Malan run out (Warner) ...... 10 C Lynn c Buttler b Jordan ...... 31 a David Willey outswinger on before Buttler (46) and Sam Bill- second late on. J Vince b Tye ...... 21 G Maxwell c Buttler b Jordan ...... 39 20 overs with paceman Kane J Buttler c Agar b Richardson ...... 46 A Finch (not out) ...... 20 two. ings (29) steadied the ship. However, emptying the Richardson taking three wick- S Billings c Warner b Stanlake ...... 29 Extras (LB2, W8) ...... 10 It was a second drubbing for Billings struck the only six of bench so early also left the ets and then the home team D Willey c Warner b Richardson ...... 10 Total (3 wkts; 14.3 overs) ...... 138 England after going down by five England’s innings when he hosts disjointed and Italy knocked up the runs off just 14.3 C Jordan (not out) ...... 1 Fall of wickets: 1-2, 2-51, 3-116 wickets to Australia in Hobart on smashed Ashton Agar over long grabbed three consolation overs. Extras (B2, W7) ...... 9 Did not bat: M Stoinis, A Carey, A Agar, A Tye, K Richard- Wednesday. on in the 14th over, but he fell to tries through Tomasso Allan, A match-winning partner- Total (7 wkts) ...... 137 son, B Stanlake Buttler was deputising for Stanlake with Warner taking the Edoardo Gori and Matteo ship of 65 between Glenn Fall of wickets: 1-12, 2-16, 3-34, 4-70, 5-113, 6-133, Bowling: Willey 3.3-0-30-1 (1w), Curran 2-0-23-0 (1w), injured skipper Eoin Morgan, first of two catches at mid-off. Minozzi and could have had a 7-137 Jordan 3-0-26-2 (1w), Rashid 4-0-34-0 (1w), Dawson Maxwell (39) and D’Arcy Short Bowling: Richardson 4-0-33-3 (2w), Stanlake 4-0-28-2 2-0-23-0 who missed the match after Stanlake (2-28) and Richard- bonus point of their own were (36 not out), plus cameos from (2w), Stoinis 4-0-18-0, Tye 4-0-29-1 (3w), Agar 4-0-27-0 Result: Australia won by 7 wickets straining his right groin during son (3-33) did the damage for it not for a try-saving tackle Chris Lynn (31) and Aaron Finch training on Friday. Australia. from Earls.

Johnson, Hossler share Pebble Beach Pro-Am lead

AFP The leading duo were two yesterday,” Johnson said. “I just felt Mickelson put himself in strokes in front of Julian Suri, who like I played really solid, hit a lot of the mix for the weekend SAN FRANCISCO: World number carded a four-under 67 at really good shots, hit a lot of good with a bogey-free 65 at one Dustin Johnson fired eight Monterey Peninsula to get to putts and it was a pretty easy day.” Monterey Peninsula that left birdies in a seven-under par 64 on 10-under and Troy Merritt, who Johnson said he’s approaching him tied for fifth on nine-under Friday to grab a share of the shot a five-under 67 at Spyglass the form that saw him win three par. Dustin second-round lead alongside Hill. straight tournaments early last year World number two Jon Johnson rookie Beau Hossler at the Pebble Johnson, who opened the year before he fell on some stairs and Rahm of Spain had five bird- watches his Beach National Pro-Am. with a victory at the Tournament hurt his back as he prepared to tee ies without a bogey in his shot from Johnson, playing on the par-71 of Champions in Hawaii last it up in the Masters. five-under par 67 at Pebble the 13th tee Monterey Peninsula course, one of month, teed off on the 10th hole at “The game’s really close,” John- Beach on Friday. box during three in use for the tournament, Monterey Peninsula and birdied son said. “I don’t know if it’s quite That put him alongside Mick- the second had just one bogey as he gained his first three holes. He followed as good as it was during that elson in the group of six players round of the ground on overnight co-leader his lone bogey of the day with stretch. That was probably some sharing fifth place on nine-under, AT&T Pebble Hossler. Hossler, who played the back-to-back birdies at 16 and 17, of the best golf I’ve played in my which also included former world Beach par-72 Spyglass Hill, had five bird- and picked up three more birdies career, but parts of the game are number one Jason Day who posted Pro-Am golf ies in a five-under 67 that put him coming in. just as good.” a six-under 65 at Monterey tournament on 12-under as well. “Kind of the same as Five-time major-winner Phil Peninsula. yesterday. SPORT Sunday 11 February 2018

PAGE | 26 PAGE | 26 PAGE | 27 Top-four finish Spurs, Kane continue Johnson, Hosslerer still priority derby dominance share Pebble Beacheach for Wenger against Arsenal Pro-Am lead Superstars set to battle in Doha

ARMSTRONG VAS THE PENINSULA

DOHA: ‘Doha is set for some great tennis this week’ that was the unan- imous opinion of some of the top players who have checked into the Qatari capital for the $2,897,250 Qatar Total Open which kicks off tomorrow. The draw held yesterday will not have much bearing on the end results but how you play on your day will matter, said some of the top players. The form of the day will play a huge part as to who picks up the $597,000 prize money on the final day of the WTA tournament on Feb- ruary 17, they said. With a spectacular line-up which includes eight of the world’s top 10 female players, the excitement is building for the tournament which gets underway from Monday at the Khalifa International Tennis Complex. The stellar line-up which is one (From left) Russia’s Elena Vesnina, Daria Kasatkina, Tunisian player Ons Jabeur, Oman’s Fatima Al Nabhani pose for a photograph with Qatar Tennis Federation and of the best fields to be seen outside Qatar Total officials following the Qatar Total Open 2018 official draw ceremony held in Doha yesterday.Pictures: Abdul Basit/The Peninsula of a Grand Slam, includes reigning Australian Open champion, Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark (World No.1), she is playing good tennis everything Simona Halep of Romania (No. 2), is fair,” said Kasatkina who is look- An Official picks up a slip during the QATAR TOTAL OPEN Women’s Singles Draw Elina Svitolina of Ukraine (3), Gar- ing enjoy the nice Qatar winter draw ceremony. First Round bine Muguruza of Spain (4), defending weather far away from her Peters- [1] C. Wozniacki (DEN) - Bye champion Karolina Pliskova from burg home where the temperatures T. Maria (GER) vs C. Witthoeft (GER) Czech Republic (5), Jelena Ostapenko have dropped to minus. Qualifier vs [WC] M. Sharapova (RUS) of Latvia (6), Angelique Kerber from Compatriot Elena Vesnina also [WC] F. Al Nabhani (OMA) vs. [14] M. Rybarikova (SVK) Germany (9) and Julia Georges of Ger- hopes to cash in on the ideal weather [10] J. Konta (GBR) vs Qualifier many (10). conditions to drive home the C. Suárez Navarro (ESP) vs Qualifier “It is one of the best tournaments advantage. S. Stosur (AUS) vs I. Begu (ROU) of the year, so you cannot get an eas- “Weather should be nice, it’s a [8] A. Kerber (GER) - Bye ier opponent here. It is the third time strong line up, you can see every top [3] E. Svitolina (UKR) - Bye I am coming to Qatar. It’s a good or name, every first round and second Y. Putintseva (KAZ) vs Qualifier bad draw I do not know,” said round matches would be like quar- M. Barthel (GER) vs A. Radwanska (POL) 20-year-old Daria Kasatkina of ter-finals and semi-finals of some [WC] C. Buyukakcay (TUR) vs [16] P. Kvitova (CZE) Russia. Grand Slam tournaments,” said [9] J. Goerges (GER) vs L. Safarova (CZE) The World No. 24 said she is Vesnina. B. Strycova (CZE) vs A. Krunic (SRB) slowing getting back into the groove The World No. 23 from Russia will L. Tsurenko (UKR) vs M. Buzarnescu (ROU) in the new season. face a qualifier in the first round, but [6] J. Ostapenko (LAT) - Bye “The beginning of the season was she is not ready to thing easily in [7] C. Garcia (FRA) - Bye not good, but I am much better now, Doha. D. Cibulkova (SVK) vs A. Pavlyuchenkova (RUS) I have got my confidence,” she said, “There is not much difference as it is difficult- tough for the body the court,” Total Qatar Deputy VP for E. Vesnina (RUS) vs Qualifier who also opens her campaign with a between players when it comes to and the mind else well. So, I am smart HR, Communication and CSR, Chris- S. Peng (CHN) vs [11] K. Mladenovic (FRA) match against a qualifier. rankings and its the beginning of the with my scheduling and hopefully we tophe Eon said. [15] E. Mertens (BEL) vs T. Babos (HUN) Kasatkina feels that is a strong year, so everybody is quite fresh and can do well in the singles and dou- He also informed that Qatar Ten- M. Sakkari (GRE) vs S. Cirstea (ROU) field she will face in Doha and the hungry for the wins, so Doha is set bles in Doha,” she added, who has nis Federation and Qatar Total have [WC] O. Jabeur (TUN) vs Qualifier draw will not matter much. for some great tennis this week,” said Olympic gold in doubles category. renewed the contract for two more [4] G. Muguruza (ESP) - Bye “It’s a strong tournament, all the Vesnina. “It will be brilliant tournament, years. [5] K. Pliskova (CZE) - Bye best players are here, it does not mat- The 31 -year-old has been trying first because of the weather and you “We have been associated with A. Kontaveit (EST) vs A. Cornet (FRA) ter who you play in the first round,” to strike a balance by playing both see the number of top players who tennis for the last ten years, we have Qualifier vs D. Kasatkina (RUS) she added. the singles and doubles and says it’s are here and as a French company renewed the contract for three years, Q. Wang (CHN) vs [12] M. Keys (USA) On Caroline Wozniacki of Den- a tough thing to do. who are proud to see three French so we will be there till 2020 and we [13] A. Sevastova (LAT) vs. D. Vekic (CRO) mark reaching the ranking summit, “I am going to play doubles and players in the main draw. And we are supporting tennis, supporting Qualifier vs K. Siniakova (CZE) she justified her ascendency. singles as well here in Doha. It’s not wish them all the best. There will be sport and good that the National Sport E. Makarova (RUS) vs S. Zhang (CHN) “She deserves it, she won the easy, we are playing just the big tour- good sporting spirit, good competi- day celebrations are taking place dur- [2] S. Halep (ROU) - Bye Grand Slam, had a good comeback, naments, I am not playing every week tion. We are eagerly waiting to be on ing the championship,” he added. Neymar nets winner as PSG beat Toulouse AFP 21 goals this term, missed the trip south bar and away to safety. Paris Saint-Germain’s with a hip complaint. PSG again went close 10 minutes Brazilian forward PARIS: Neymar scored the only goal as Lassana Diarra came in for his first into the second half when Neymar Neymar Jr and Paris Saint-Germain ground out a 1-0 start in the league as Unai Emery elected screwed a shot across goal that rolled Toulouse’s Yannick victory at Toulouse yesterday in their to rest both Marco Verratti and agonisingly out of the reach of a lung- Cahuzac (right) vie for final tune-up for next week’s Champi- Thiago Silva ahead of the visit to the ing Di Maria at the far post. the ball possession. ons League showdown against holders Bernabeu. But Neymar delivered the break- Real Madrid. Presnel Kimpembe, filling in for through on 68 minutes when he The runaway French league lead- Silva in central defence, forced 19-year- gathered Di Maria’s crossfield ball, ers stretched their advantage over old Toulouse goalkeeper Alban Lafont twisted his way past Steeve Yago, and Marseille to 13 points courtesy of Ney- into a terrific early save from point- fired in a shot that took a wicked deflec- mar’s 19th goal of the season blank range after latching onto a low tion off Issa Diop to beat Lafont. midway through the second half in cross from Neymar. Only the woodwork prevented the Toulouse. Former Arsenal striker Yaya Sanogo Brazilian from adding to his tally, as Unai Emery’s team will now turn also threatened for Toulouse as Neymar planted an effort against the their focus to Wednesday’s first leg of Alphonse Areola parried his diving base of the post before curling a sub- their heavyweight last-16 tie against header following a left-wing cross by lime 25-yard shot against the bar. Cristiano Ronaldo’s faltering Real in the who had escaped beyond Julian Draxler, who came off the Spanish capital. Dani Alves. bench in place of Di Maria, was thwarted Neymar returned to the PSG line- The home keeper was almost by the legs of an inspired Lafont late on up after sitting out Tuesday’s French caught out by an Angel Di Maria corner as the Germany international sought to Cup win over Sochaux, but Edinson just before the break but was relieved kill the game off in the closing Cavani, the league’s leading scorer with to see the ball smack against the cross- minutes.