SPORT Saturday 23 March 2019 PAGE | 17 PAGE | 19 Osaka Kohli vs Dhoni advances; as RCB meet Nishikori falls CSK in IPL in Miami opener Derwael, Carey strike gold in Doha

FAWAD HUSSAIN still needs to qualify as a team so YESTERDAY’S RESULTS THE PENINSULA we are going to do try and do that MEN’S FINALS at the World Championship in and this year,” she added. EXERCISE yesterday stole limelight on the Yilin (14.933) took the silver 1.Alexander Shatilov (Israel) 14.633 first day of finals at FIG ART Indi- medal while ’s Anastasiia 2.Rayderley Zapata (Spain) 14.433 vidual Apparatus World Cup in Iliankova (14.700) secured bronze 3.Carlos Yulo (Philippines) 14.266 Doha, winning gold medals to medal in the event. consolidate their chances of qual- Meanwhile, American star POMMEL HORSE ifying for Tokyo Olympics. Carey clinched gold to make it a 1.Chih Kai Lee (Chinese Taipei) 15.400 Five gold medals were brace of victories in within 2.Kohei Kameyama (Japan) 15.400 decided at the Aspire Dome yes- a week. Carey, who had won both 3.Kaito Imabayashi (Japan) 15.333 terday, which saw a full house of vault and floor gold at the Baku fans backing their favourite gym- World Cup last week, maintained STILL RINGS nasts. Secretary-General of the her top form to complete her hat- 1.Xingyu Lan (China) 15.100 Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC) trick of gold medals. 2.Artur Tovmasyan (Armenia) 14.833 Jassim bin Rashid Al Buenain, The 18-year-old controlled 3.Vahagn Davtyan (Armenia) 14.825 Qatar Gymnastics Federation her landing perfectly to top score President, Ali Al Hitmi and Qatar with 14.833 points, finishing ahead WOMEN’S FINALS Swimming Association President, of Russian (14.766) Khaleel Al Jabir were among the and Frenchwoman Coline Dev- VAULT spectators. illard (14.549). 1.Jade Carey (USA) 14.883 Belgium’s Derwael, as Yesterday’s win boosted 2.Maria Paseka (Russia) 14.766 Gold medallist Jade Carey (centre) poses along with silver medallist Maria Paseka (left) and bronze expected, won gold medal in Carey’s World Cup series ranking 3. (France) 14.549 medallist Coline Devillard after the medals ceremony for women’s vault event, yesterday. after claiming 15.033 points to 85, putting her first in the points. It was a typical Derwael vault race for Olympics UNEVEN BARS performance as she kept things qualifications. 1.Nina Derwael (Belgium) 15.033 dangerous and doing them com- “I think it was a really good 2.Yilin Fan (China) 14.933 fortably. The gold medal helped performance”, the ever smiling 3.Anastasia Iliankova (Russia) 14.700 the Belgian leapfrog to third Carey said. position in overall rankings of “It is cool to be in Doha, after uneven bars with 60 points. missing last year’s World Cham- She is now behind Chinese pionships. I am happy that I made pair of Lyu Jiaqi (75) and Fan Yilin both vaults, especially the first (65) in race to getting Olympic one, because it is the first time I berth in the discipline. have tried it in competition. I am Derwael, who will turn 18 on looking forward to final on the My preparation Tuesday, was delighted with her floor”. for this event was third triumph of her career in The 43-year-old Oksana not good enough Doha. Chusovitina finished fifth with which is why I am “My preparation for this event 13.866 points. The Uzbek, who has was not good enough which is competed in seven Olympic very happy to win why I am very happy to win a Games, is gunning for her eighth a gold. I had some gold,” Derwael, who also won a appearance as she looks to book little injuries that gold at World Championships in her place at the 2020 Tokyo prevented me Doha last year, said. Games. “I had some little injuries that from doing other prevented me from doing other Chih-Kai claims gold; Qatar Gymnastics Federation President Ali Al Hitmi (centre, competitions. But competitions. But now I am really heartbreak for China’s front), along with QGF officials poses with medal-winning now I am really happy to be back on the podium. Ruoteng gymnasts of men’s still rings event. happy to be back I wasn’t really anxious as I was comfortable out there and I knew In men’s pommel horse final on the podium. I could do it. I just did what I yesterday, world bronze medallist China’s Zou Jingyuan, the competition after a fall and a in Doha. Epke Zonderland will be I wasn’t really usuallyusually do inin training,”training,” she said. Lee Chih-Kai of ChineseChinese TaipTaipeiei reigningreignin Asian Games gold med- couple of mistakes on his seen in action on horizontal bar anxious as I was TheThe teenagerteenagerger hailedhailed Doha pippedpippeddf f formerormerwor worldworld allist,allist, missed out on a medal programme. as the Dutch star hopes to repeat as oneone ofof herherfar favouritefavourite championchamchampionpion KohKoheiei Kam-Kam- afterafter he missed his hand his gold medal-winning per- comfortable out venues,venues,s, sayisayingng sshehe willwilli eyamaeyameyyamyama oof JapanJapappann oonn placementpplaceme and came off early Derwael, Carey eye formance in Doha after his there and I knew returnreturnn ffromromm thee basibabbasiss ofo superiorsupsu erioioor on.o HHe also tumbled for a second brace of gold in Doha triumph in World Championships I could do it. I just QatariQatariic ccapitalapittal wwithithh difficultydiffififfffficuiccuculculu tyy sscores,coreoro ss, timetimme tot finish seventh 12.866. last November. did what I usually moree goodgoogo d afterafteaft r boboththh However,HHo China also Today five more finals will be Derwael will vie for second memories.memoorieses. earnedeearnedd1 15.40015.405..4000 receivedrecereceiveivive a gold medal, yesterday played bringing an end to the gold as she will compete in do in training: “II ama mrm reallyreallyallal pointspoinp i tstsas apiece.a piecpie ee. whenwhwhew en XXingyu Lan emerged as the four-day event, which is being while Carey will Nina Derwael happyhappppy too bee backbbaack Kameyama’sKamKameKamemem yamayam ’s undisputedundiu disp winner with 15.100 held for the 12th consecutive year feature in the floor exercise final. herehere,e, I havehha e wonw n countrymancouncouc trymtr mana points.poipoinntts The Armenian duo of goldd thrthricericicee nonownow inn KaitoKaitKaiKaaita o ImIma-ma- ArArtuArturtur Tovmasyan and Vahagn Doha.Doha. I am goinggoingi bayashibayabbaybay shish tooktkook DavtyanDaavtty were second and third to prepareprepapap ree forfor thethhe bronzebronb zeze afterafftfterfteer respectively.resrespespspspeec EuroEuropeanpeane champi-chah mmpmpi- tallyingtallta lyingngg 15.33315.333333 Earlier,Ea Alexander Shatilov onshiponshshhipppn now,”now,”w saidsaisasaiid points.poinp ntss.s. off IsraelIsra was the first winner of Derwael.Derwael.aea thethhee day,dada earning first place on “I aammmve vveveryry eexcitedxcicitteedd thehehe floorflofl with 14.633 points with aboutabououu ttTo TToTokyokykyoy Spain’sSpaiSppain’ss Rayderley Zapata coming Olympics.Olymmppicspic . TheThThe onon secondse place with 14.333 BelgianBelgiana teteameamamm points.popoinppoiooininntsts TheThTh World Championships bronzebrbronronz medalist, Philippine’s CarlCaCarCCarlosarla losos Yulo was only third (1((14.266),114..26 after his impressive pperperfperformancee f o in the qualification.qquaququalualif 4 TheT Chinese star Xiao RuotengRuoRuotuotot disappointed his fans, Lee Chih-Kai of Chinese Taipei (centre), Kohei Kameyama (left) of sincessincncc he managed only Japan and his compatriot Kaito Imabayashi pose with their medals. sevessevseseventheveeve place in the FIG WORLD CUP: TODAY’S FINALS

MEN HORIZONTAL BAR VAULT WOMEN FLOOR PARALLELPARA BARS Alexey Rostov (Russia) Jorge Vega Lopez (Guatemala) BALANCE BEAM Coline Devillard (France) FerhatFerha Arican (Turkey) Randy Leru (Cuba) Christopher Remkes (Australia) Nina Derwael (Belgium) (Italy) MitchellMitch Morgans (Australia) Hidetaka Miyachi (Japan) Wei-Sheng Tseng (ChineseTaipei) (France) Kim Bui (Germany) VasiliVasili Mikhalitsyn (Belarus) Milad Karimi (Kazakhstan) Giarnni Regini-Moran (Great Adela Sajn (Slovenia) (Russia) MatteoMatte Levantesi (Italy) Epke Zonderland (Netherlands) Britain) Hua-Tien Ting (Chinese Taipei) Marta Pihan-Kulesza (Poland) JingJingyuany Zou (China) Shudi Deng (China) Hakseon Yang (Korea) Yumika Nakamura (Japan) (Italy) VVladislavlad Poliashov (Russia) Carlo Macchini (Italy) Artur Davtyan (Armenia) Qui Li (China) Jade Carey (USA) AndreiAndr Likhovitskiy (Belarus) Tin Srbic (Croatia) Igor Radilov (Ukraine) SoyFinalska Hanawa (Japan) Marine Boyer (France) PhuongPhuon Thanh Dinh (Vietnam) Marian Dragulescu (Romania) Aneta Holasova (Czech Republic) Nina Derwael celebrates with her gold medal. SATURDAY 23 MARCH 2019 SPORT 17 Qatar down Afghanistan in opener

THE PENINSULA Two goals in yesterday. While an early goal DOHA from Yousuf Al Malki proved the opening 35 decisive, Oman squandered a Qatar got off to a flying start at minutes proved number of chances to extend the AFC U-23 Championship insurmountable their lead, particularly in a dom- Thailand 2020 qualifying, inant second half display. defeating Afghanistan 2-0 in for Afghanistan, The Omanis came into the tie their opening game in Doha, as the Qataris as warm favourites, and took the yesterday. made a successful lead when an overlapping Al The Qatari players looked in first step in their Malki found space on the left good form at the Aspire pitch as hand side before beating Nepal they led their opponents right bid to return to goalkeeper Arpan Karki with an from the start to claim win, the Finals, where accurate low finish on 13 which took Al Annabi on top of they finished minutes. Group A. third in 2018. Nepal held their own in the Two goals in the opening 35 minutes that followed, although minutes proved insurmountable Oman came closest to finding the for Afghanistan, as the Qataris net before half-time, with Zahir made a successful first step in Al Aghbari hitting the upright in their bid to return to the Finals, the 34th minute. After the break where they finished third in Oman assumed full control of the 2018. tie, but they were persistently Boasting a strong line-up thwarted in their search for a featuring AFC Asian Cup- second goal, with Karki making winning stars Bassam Al Rawi a save to deny Muhsen Al and Tarek Salman, Qatar were Ghassani and then Al Aghbari, in the ascendancy from the while Al Malki sent a thunderous beginning, and they took lead Qatar U-23 players long-range effort into the after a marauding run from celebrate a goal against crossbar. Abdurahman Moustafa set up Afghanistan yesterday. Qadhafi Al Mahruqi wasted Hassan Ahmad Palang for a close another opportunity when he range finish in the 13th minute. missed a free header in the dying Albert Caballeria’s men con- 10 minutes before half-time. a late blow when captain Aman- their strong start against Nepal Earlier, Oman got their qual- minutes, but it had no impact on tinued to pile on the pressure, Afghanistan fought valiantly ullah Sardari was shown a tomorrow, while Afghanistan ifying campaign up and running, the end result, as Oman ensured and they doubled their lead after the break, but they were second yellow card in the third need a result against Oman to securing three points with a 1-0 they will go into Sunday’s when Al Duhail’s Abdullah Al unable to make any inroads on minute of stoppage time. keep their qualification hopes win over Nepal in their opening meeting with Afghanistan with Ahrak converted a penalty kick the scoresheet, and they suffered Qatar will look to continue alive. Group A clash in Doha, three points under their belt. Osaka advances; Nishikori falls in Miami Finch century leads Australia to comfortable AFP Naomi Osaka of Meanwhile, Canadian teenage MIAMI Japan in action sensation Bianca Andreescu against Yanina pulled off a Miami Open great victory over Pakistan World number one Naomi Osaka Wickmayer escape by fighting back from a set of Japan opened her campaign at of Belgium and match point down to beat a AFP Ashraf, the only other success the WTA and ATP Miami Open (not pictured), dazed Irina-Camelia Begu 4-6, SHARJAH Pakistan’s new-look bowling yesterday by outlasting Yanina yesterday. 7-6(2), 6-2 in the first round on attack could achieve. Wickmayer 6-0, 6-7 (3/7), 6-1. Thursday. Aaron Finch’s fine century Pakistan rested six of Since winning her second The 18-year-old who stunned drove Australia to a their key players including consecutive Grand Slam title in the Tennis world last week by convincing eight-wicket win regular skipper Sarfraz January at the Australian Open, winning her first career title at the over a new-look Pakistan in Ahmed in order to keep them Osaka has failed to go deep in BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells the first one-day interna- fresh for the World Cup Dubai or Indian Wells. raised eyebrows again with a tional yesterday. starting in UK from May 30. But she appeared in sold form gritty and spirited comeback that The Austraian skipper But the young and inex- against 141st-ranked Wickmayer, underscored her status as a rising scored 116 off 135 balls for his perienced Pakistan led by digging deep after the Belgian star. 12th one-day international Malik proved no match for forced a third set. “The harder the battle, the century that helped his team Australia, who are on a roll “I had to work hard out there,” sweeter the victory,” Andreescu overhaul the 281-run target after their win in India earlier Osaka said. told reporters. in 49 overs on a flat Sharjah this month. “In the second set, I got really “I have gained a lot of expe- stadium pitch. Left-hander Sohail, who emotional, so in the third, I just Osaka broke twice for a 3-0 disappointment for her compa- rience from today, but hopefully The win gives Australia reached 1,000 runs in his tried to shut off my feelings,” she lead in the first set and blitzed triot Kei Nishikori. The fifth seed I don’t have to actually be down the lead in the five-match 27th one-day international added. through the final set as well to lost to Serbian Dusan Lajovic 2-6, match point to win matches. series and has come on the when on 40, anchored Paki- Osaka advanced to a third- capture her first match in two 6-2, 6-3. “Maybe I needed to almost back of their 3-2 series win stan’s innings, adding 98 for round matchup against Taiwan’s hours and nine minutes after an Serena Williams and Novak lose to wake up. That’s obviously in India earlier this month. the third wicket with Umar Hsieh Su-Wei, who defeated opening-round bye. Djokovic take the court in later what happened today. I’m really Finch’s match-winning Akmal who made a 50-ball American Alison Riske 6-2, 7-5. On the men’s side, there was matches. grateful how I managed.” knock overshadowed Haris 48 in his first international Sohail’s maiden one-day match for two years. hundred (101 not out) which Sohail took a single to helped Pakistan to 280-5 in complete his hundred in the Qatargas Chess: Gowtham clinches their 50 overs. last over, finishing with six The 32-year-old boundaries and a six. smashed Shoaib Malik for a Pakistan had handed huge six towards deep mid- one-day debuts to opener Rapid title as Indian players shine wicket to complete his Shan Masood and Abbas -- century -- his first since June who have played 15 and 14 THE PENINSULA QATARGAS RAPID The players last year against England at Tests respectively. DOHA taking part Chester-Le-Street -- off 120 Masood put on 35 in an CHESS TOURNAMENT in Youth balls. opening stand with Imam- India’s Gowtham Ramamoorthy U-16 event at Finch, who knocked four ul-Haq (17) before off- FINAL RANKING yesterday clinched the Qatargas Qatargas Chess sixes and eight boundaries, spinner Nathan Lyon dis- Rapid Chess Tournament title, 1: Ramamoorthy Gowtham (IND) Championship added an innings-building missed Imam in the seventh scoring a brilliant score of nine 2: Firdaus Rayyan (MAS) at Al Mirqab 172 runs for the second over, caught and bowled. points from as many rounds at 3: Mathews Chris (IND) Mall yesterday wicket with Shaun Marsh Masood, who hit five Al Mirqab Mall in Doha. who scored an unbeaten 91 boundaries in his 62-ball 40, Building on his overnight lead, 4: Gireesh Shivapriya (IND) off 102 balls with four bound- was then bowled by which the U-10 chess star shared 5: De Joya Yuri Evgeni (PHI) aries and two sixes. paceman Nathan Coulter- with his compatriot Anupama 6: Jayachandran R. Madhav (IND) With 46 needed Finch Nile who finished with 1-38 Sumith Aman after three rounds 7: Benov Anith (IND) became Mohammad Abbas’s in his 10 overs. on the opening day of the event, maiden wicket but Peter Umar smashed three Gowtham went on to sweep all 8: Allen Tom (IND) Handscomb hit 30 not out to sixes in one Jhye Richardson five of his games yesterday to top 9: Biju Adithya (IND) help Marsh cross the line. over but fell one short of his the standings. 10: Sharvesh Balagi (IND) Finch and Marsh came half century. Rayyan Firdaus of Malaysia together after opener Usman Malik fell for 11 and collected eight points out of eight Khawaja fell for 24 to Ashraf and Imad Wasim games to win the second place Rawda Qassabi, Layan Qassabi medium pacer Faheem scored 28 each. ahead of Indian U-12 player Chris and Aisha Al Khelaidi were named Mathews, who bagged seven Best Qatari Girls. SCOREBOARD points to finish third. The Rapid Chess Tournament India’s Gireesh Shivapriya for youth (U-16) was part of the PAKISTAN Maxwell 10-0-57-1 (2w), Zampa 10-0-44-0, secured fourth spot ahead of De 6th Qatargas Chess Championship, Imam-ul-Haq c and b Lyon ...... 17 Stoinis 2-0-14-0 (1w) Shan Masood b Coulter-Nile ...... 40 AUSTRALIA Joya Yuri Evgeni from the Phili- organised by the Qatar Chess Haris Sohail not out ...... 101 Usman Khawaja c Malik b Ashraf ...... 24 phines who booked the fifth Association. Umar Akmal c Finch b Coulter-Nile ...... 49 A. Finch c Rizwan b Abbas ...... 116 place. Today, the Qatargas Open Blitz Shoaib Malik b Maxwell ...... 11 S. Marsh not out ...... 91 Jayachandran R. Madhav, Tournament will take place at the Faheem Ashraf c Stoinis b Maxwell ...... 28 P. Handscomb not out ...... 30 Benov Anith, Allen Tom, Biju same venue, starting at 10.30am Imad Wasim not out ...... 28 Extras: (b4, lb8, w8) ...... 20 Adithya and Sharvesh Balagi com- and will be carried out over nine Extras: (lb1, w 5) ...... 6 Total: (for two wkts; 49 overs) .281 pleted the top 10 standings as rounds. Total: (for five wkts; 50 overs) 280 Did not bat: P. Handscomb, G. Maxwell, M. India accounted for eight out of The Blitz Open Tournament Did not bat: Mohammad Rizwan, Moham- Stoinis, A. Carey, N. Coulter-Nile, J. Richard- mad Amir, Yasir Shah, Mohammad Abbas son, N. Lyon, A. Zampa the 10 best players of the will be conducted according to the Fall of wickets: 1-35 (Imam), 2-78 Fall of wickets: 1-63 (Khawaja), 2-235 tournament. Swiss System, same as the junior (Masood), 3-176 (Umar), 4-190 (Malik), (Finch) Ali Al Saadi, Abdulla Al event, consisting of nine rounds. 5-239 (Ashraf) Bowling: Amir 9-0-59-0, Abbas 10-0-44- Homaid and Taleb Saeed Dahman The closing ceremony and the Bowling: Richardson 8-1-65-1 (1w), Coul- 1, Imad 10-1-50-0 (7w), Ashraf 9-0-50-1 were adjudged the Best Qatari award presentation will begin at ter-Nile 10-0-61-2 (1w), Lyon 10-0-38-1, (1w), Yasir 10-0-56-0, Malik 1-0-10-0 Boys of the tournament while 6.30pm. 18 SPORT SATURDAY 23 MARCH 2019 Belgium and Croatia battle to wins as 2020 qualifying starts

AP LONDON

The stars of last year’s World Cup had to dig deep as European Championship qualifying began on Thursday. World Cup finalist Croatia nearly dropped points against F1: Mick Azerbaijan, only to be saved by a fine curling shot from Andrej Schumacher Kramaric for a 2-1 win. Belgium needed two goals from Eden happy to be Hazard to defeat Russia 3-1 after a costly Thibaut Courtois error compared allowed the Russians back into the game. to his father The Netherlands failed to qualify for the last two major REUTERS tournaments but showed no sign BERLIN of nerves in a 4-0 win against Belarus. Memphis Depay gave Mick Schumacher (pic- the Dutch an early lead and fin- tured, above) says he has ished with two goals and two no problem with people assists. comparing him to father Even with Romelu Lukaku Michael as he prepares for and Kevin de Bruyne missing a Formula Two debut in through injury, Belgium took a Belgium’s forward Eden Hazard (rear centre) scores a penalty kick past Russia’s Bahrain next week. big step toward qualifying by goalkeeper Guilherme during their Euro 2020 qualifying match at the Roi Baudouin The 19-year-old beating Russia, its main rival in Stadium, in Brussels on Thursday. German is already part of Group I. the seven-times world Youri Tielemans’ early goal champion’s old Formula for Belgium was cancelled out penalty which Hazard converted. Cyprus routed San Marino There was violence ahead of After a poor 2018 for Poland, One team Ferrari, having when a Courtois gave away the Belgium could have scored more 5-0 in the third Group I fixture. the other Group E game as vis- its first game of 2019 offered joined their driver ball in a rare blunder which but for Michy Batshuayi hitting Ever since losing to France iting Hungarian fans clashed fresh hope in a tight 1-0 win over academy in January. allowed Russia’s Denis the post and having another shot in the World Cup final, Croatia with Slovakian supporters and Austria in Group G. One rung below Cheryshev to score. cleared off the line. has struggled to replicate the police. Slovakia beat Hungary Poland arrived at last year’s Formula One, he won the A new-look Russia team Far away in Central Asia, form of its greatest ever tour- 2-0. World Cup fresh off a dominant European F3 title last year. struggled to track Hazard and perennial outsider Kazakhstan nament showing. Memphis Depay needed just qualifying campaign, but went “Being compared to when defender Yuri Zhirkov celebrated a rare win over an Relegation in the Nations 50 seconds to score as the Neth- on to finish bottom of both its my father was never a tried, he ended up tripping the established football nation, League last year was followed erlands continued its fine form World Cup and Nations League problem for me. It is pretty Belgian and giving away a beating 3-0. on Thursday by a come-from- from the Nations League with a groups. simple,” he said in a video behind win over lowly straightforward win over Belarus Krzysztof Piatek scored the released by his Prema EURO 2020 QUALIFYING RESULTS Azerbaijan in Group E. in Group C. winner in the 69th minute as team, who won the 2017 F2 Azerbaijan - by far the The Dutch failed to qualify Austria failed to clear the ball title with current Ferrari Group C lowest-ranked of all next year’s for the 2016 European Champi- from its penalty area. That ended driver Charles Leclerc. In Rotterdam, the Netherlands 12 European Championship hosts onship and 2018 World Cup, but a six-game winless streak for “Being compared to Netherlands 4 (Depay 1, 55, Wijnaldum 21, Van Dijk 86) Belarus 0 - took the lead with a fine solo are now unbeaten in five games Poland, including friendlies. the best driver in F1 history In Belfast goal. Ramil Sheydaev sprinted including Nations League wins Also in Group G, Israel drew is the goal you want to Northern Ireland 2 (McGinn 56, Davis 75-pen) Estonia 0 down the right flank in the 19th over the last two World Cup 1-1 with Slovenia and North Mac- achieve and to have that as Group E before striking the ball over the champions, Germany and edonia beat Latvia 3-1. my idol and my father is In goalkeeper. France. There are a few key differ- something very special,” he Croatia 2 (Barisic 44, Kramaric 79) Azerbaijan 1 (Sheydaev 19) Azerbaijan then sat back to Depay backheeled a pass ences to European Champi- added. In Trnava, Slovakia defend, frustrating Croatia, who from Denzel Dumfries for onship qualifying this time. The “I feel honoured to be Slovakia 2 (Duda 42, Rusnak 85) Hungary 0 came close with headers from Georginio Wijnaldum to score in top two teams in each group compared to him because Andrej Kramaric and Luka the 21st, then converted a penalty qualify automatically, but third Group G I can just learn and try to Modric. in the 55th. His cross for Virgil place no longer means a shot at improve.” In Vienna Croatia finally leveled in the van Dijk to make it 4-0 in the qualifying through the Michael Schumacher, Austria 0 Poland 1 (Piatek 69) 44th thanks to Borna Barisic’s final minutes capped a dominant play-offs. now 50, has not been seen In Skopje quick reactions to jab the ball in display. That safety net is now for the in public since he suffered North Macedonia 3 (Alioski 11, Elmas 29, 90+3) Latvia 1 (Isajevs 87) on a rebound. The defender has now scored 16 teams who performed best in a serious head injury in a Group I A moment of skill from Kra- three goals in his last four games their Nations League tiers last skiing accident in France In Nicosia maric finally cracked the tena- for the Netherlands. year but who don’t end up with in 2013. Cyprus 5 (Sotiriou 19-pen, 23-pen, Kousoulos 26, Efrem 31, Laifis 56) cious Azerbaijan defense as he Northern Ireland ended a automatic spots. The German won five San Marino 0 cut in from the left flank and four-game winless run by That means Scotland is of his titles with Ferrari, In Nursultan curled the ball in at the far post. beating Estonia 2-0 in the other assured of a second chance to the sport’s most glamorous Kazakhstan 3 (Pertsukh 6, Vorogovskiy 10, Zainutdinov 51) Scotland 0 “It was difficult, more than Group C game. That helps its qualify in March 2020 even team, between 2000 and In Brussels we expected,” coach Zlatko Dalic chances of reaching the though a top-two finish now

2004 and still holds the Belgium 3 (Tielemans 14, Hazard 45-pen, 88) Russia 1 (Cheryshev 16) said. European Championship for the seems unlikely following its sur- record of 91 race wins. “We were patient, persistent second time ever, following a run prise opening-day loss to “I can learn so much and deserved this win.” to the last 16 in 2016. Kazakhstan. from Ferrari because they have so much experience,” said Mick. Liverpool as champions the stuff of nightmares for Rooney

NEWNEW YORKYORK thoughtthought that old foes Liverpool would rather defending cham- bear to see them win it, it would REUTEREUTERSRS mightmight win thethe Premier pions Manchester City won the be a nightmare for any Being compared to LeagueLeague titletitle tthishis season.season. league instead. Evertonian. Former MancManchesterhester Rooney,Rooney, whowho beganbegan Liverpool are top of the table “I remember in 2005 (Liv- the best driver in F1 UnitedUnited andand EvertonEverton hhisis cacareerreer wiwithth LivLiver-er- with two points more than erpool) won the Champions I hope Man City get history is the goal forwardforward WayneWayne pool’s MerseysideMerseyside rivals second-placed City, who have a League and they’re still talking over the line before you want to achieve RRooneyooney Everton beforebefore movingmoving game in hand. about it now so it would be Liverpool. I couldn’t and to have that ((pictured)pictured) to MManchesteranchester “It’s a great reason to be out another 10 or 15 years of that,” bear to see them hashas saidsaid hehe UUnited,nited, the country when those two are he said. as my idol and my cannotcannot sasaidid he going head-to-head for the title,” Liverpool have not won a win it, it would be a father is something bear Rooney, who now plays for league title in 29 years and nightmare for any very special: Mick thethe Major League Soccer side DC ending that drought this season Evertonian: Wayne Schumacher United, told talkSPORT. would allow them to move to 19 Rooney “I hope Man City get over the title wins in the English top flight, line before Liverpool. I couldn’t one behind United’s record. Els in the hunt for Maybank Championship title

AFP attention at the Saujana Golf and by Sunday, you have a chance so I am finishing the day with a 68. “I don’t MAYBANK CHAMPIONSHIP SCORES KUALA LUMPUR Country Club in Kuala Lumpur with a looking forward,” Els added. want to think too much about the consistent display under sweltering Pieters, who started the day in scale of the event. I was able to stay 136 - Thomas Pieters (BEL) 67-69 South African Ernie Els surged into conditions to sit tied fourth at six-under sixth, finished with a three-under par focused and my game plan and I did 137 - Nacho Elvira (ESP) 65-72, Danny Masrin (INA) contention at the halfway stage of the par 138. 69 for the slim advantage courtesy of that well.” 69-68 Maybank Championship yesterday after Els, a four-time Major winner, was four birdies. Despite the lead, big-hitting American David Lipsky also put 138 - David Lipsky (USA) 72-66, Dean Burmester he posted a 70 to sit two shots behind happy with his position despite the testy Pieters said it was not his best day. himself in the running by ending on tied (RSA) 68-70, Jazz Janewattananond (THA) 66-72, leader Thomas Pieters. conditions. “I struggled off the tee early on, at fourth alongside compatriot Paul Ernie Els (RSA) 68-70, Paul Peterson (USA) 70-68, Joint overnight leader Nacho Elvira “It is quite difficult because the the end it was a lot better. It didn’t feel Peterson. Lucas Herbert (AUS) 69-69, Maximilian Kieffer (GER) lies one shot away from Pieters, with winds are swirling a bit. But I happy like a good day to me, I made the best Malaysian favourite Gavin Green 71-67 Spaniard Elvira sharing tied second with my game. Hopefully it’s not too of what I had,” he said. did well to make the cut after he fin- 139 - Shubhankar Sharma (IND) 71-68, Scott Hend

with rank outsider Indonesian Danny far away tomorrow,” he told Indonesian underdog Masrin, ished tied-55. (AUS) 69-70, Prom Meesawat (THA) 68-71, Zach Mur- Masrin. reporters. ranked 1,000 on the world rankings, The US$3m event is co-sanctioned ray (AUS) 68-71, Masahiro Kawamura (JPN) 69-70 But it was Els who got the crowd’s “Even if you are three or four shots refused to get carried away despite by the Asian and European tours. SATURDAY 23 MARCH 2019 SPORT 19 Choi fires 65 ICC gives green light to name in return to LPGA tour

and jersey number in Tests AFP PHOENIX IANS Manager Claire Furlong said. whose calender was released in bilateral cricket over the next five NEW DELHI The ICC in recent times has June 2018, is being seen as a tool years. For Choi Na-yeon a boozy already taken major strides in the to make bilateral ties more “The World Test Champi- round of practise golf may not In a bid to further popularise Test direction to highlight Test format contextual. onship will get underway next be what the doctor recom- cricket the International Cricket -- the introduction of the World The move to introduce jerseys year with the ODI league kicking mended, but it served its Council (ICC) has allowed players Test Championship was in this line. with the name of players and their off in 2020 as part of the quali- purpose at the time given the to have their names and numbers The championship will start numbers will only make it more fication towards the ICC Cricket pressures involved in returning on the back of their shirts starting from July 15 and go on till April exciting for the fans who seem to World Cup 2023. from a back injury. with the World Test Champi- 30, 2021, with the final being be more interested to follow the “Bringing context to bilateral “I tried to drink some beer onship from August 1. played in June 2021. shorter formats of the game. cricket is not a new challenge, but and get a little tipsy and The Ashes series between With an aim to attract more Commenting on the fixtures with the release of this FTP, our playing golf,” Choi said of an England and Australia will be the fans to the game, the ICC has of the Test championship, ICC CEO members have found a genuine early round in her slow and first instance when the players approved the idea of having David Richardson had said: “The solution that gives fans around the steady comeback from the will sport these jerseys. players’ names and numbers on agreement of this FTP (Future world the chance to engage reg- injury. “Because we always “They will come into force on their shirts even in the longest Tours Programme) means we ularly with international cricket play golf in serious mode. I just August 1 as part of the World Test format of the gentleman’s game. have clarity, certainty and most that has meaning and the possi- like to play with more fun.” Championship,” ICC General The World Test Championship, importantly context around bility of a global title at the end.” That’s something the 31-year-old South Korean would never have thought of when she stopped playing on the LPGA Tour in April 2018 because of nagging back problems. This August 30, “I just kept playing golf and 2018 file photo my swing got worse and worse shows a freeze and hitting my ball going left frame from and right,” said Choi, who fired the fourth Test an opening round 65 in her between England first round in 11 months on and India at Thursday at the LPGA Tour’s the Ageas Bowl Founders Cup. in West End, “My mentally was like Britain. totally broken, so I just needed my body get ready first.” After she stopped, the first part of her recovery was to take a two week vacation to Europe, forget about golf for a Kohli vs Dhoni as RCB meet CSK in IPL opener while and get a fresh per- spective on life. IANS “I didn’t think about golf,” NEW DELHI Royal Challengers Bangalore captain Virat Kohli (left) Choi said. “I didn’t set the and Chennai Super Kings skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni. alarm every day. I just wake The Indian Premier League (IPL) up whenever I wanted and I is back and the 12th edition of just ate whatever I want. the cash-rich league couldn’t “It was a different life. I have hoped for a better start as was kind of a robot when I was defending champions Chennai growing up and then playing Super Kings (CSK) are all set to golf well in LPGA Tour. I was take on the star-studded Royal living in the box. I couldn’t do Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in anything besides golf. Only the opening game at the MA golf, only golf. Like 100 percent Chidambaram Stadium in focused on golf.” Chennai today. The 2012 US Women’s Cricket might be a team Open champ is one shot behind game, but today, it will be all leader Celine Boutier of France about CSK skipper Mahendra -- which is a big surprise con- Singh Dhoni versus Virat Kohli, sidering her lack of tour- captain of the RCB. nament action over the past He might be the former year. skipper of the Indian team, but “Golf is really funny game. for his legion of fans, Dhoni is no Chennai Super kings batsmen take part in a practice session ahead of their I didn’t expect any good scores less than god. Add to that the opening match of the IPL against Royal Challengers Bangalore, which will today because this is first day,” home factor, and there are no be played at MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai today. said Choi. points for guessing that Chennai Boutier finished her round will be all yellow on the night of of 64 with a four-foot birdie the opening game. CSK and RCB, the Bengaluru raring to go after resting his back an India cap on the basis of his runs against the RCB, the most putt on the par-four ninth hole. Kohli, on the other hand, outfit have managed only seven during the last stretch of the IPL performance. Not to forget by any batsman against the She captured the Vic Open last might be a demi-god himself for victories. Pakistan Super League (PSL). the tactical acumen of part-time franchise. month in Australia for her first his fans, but when it comes to In fact, the last time these They also have a young power spinner Suresh Raina and Kedar The IPL might not have an LPGA Tour title. fighting it out against Dhoni, he two teams met -- in Pune last hitter in Shimron Hetmyer of the Jadhav. opening ceremony this time Alana Uriell, Charlotte might just come out second best. season -- Chennai were all over West Indies to add to the arsenal. In the batting department around as the fund budgeted for Thomas, Ko Jin-young and For the record, RCB have Bengaluru and it was a cakewalk But CSK have the experience to too, if RCB have a run-machine the same is being handed over Nanna Koerstz Madsen joined lost six of the seven games they for Dhoni’s boys. But a lot has tackle the swashbuckling in Kohli, Dhoni too is coming on to the families of the Pulwama Choi at 65. have played so far at the changed since then and the batsmen in the RCB ranks. the back of an outstanding pre- martyrs, but one couldn’t have Top-ranked Park Sung- Chidambaram Stadium and the senior most team in the IPL -- If Harbhajan Singh was the vious season when he showed asked for a more blockbuster hyun, Jenny Shin, Spain’s numbers are again pitted CSK -- have grown a year older. stand-out bowler for CSK last why he is still one of the best in start to the 12th edition of one of Carlota Ciganda, Thailand’s heavily in favour of CSK. The positive for RCB is the season, Deepak Chahar too the business. the most followed domestic T20 Pornanong Phatlum and Overall, in 22 meetings between fact that AB de Villiers is fit and showed great maturity to earn In fact, Dhoni has scored 710 leagues in the world. Cheyenne Knight shot 66. Kenyans lament Diamond League scrapping 5,000m

AFP talented 17-year-old high school Athletes compete in the men’s 5,000m event during the IAAF Athletics Diamond League meeting individual meetings will still, NAIROBI student Zakayo, who is also the at the Letzigrund Stadium in Zurich, Switzerland in this file photo. however, have the opportunity reigning African 5,000m to stage a 5,000m race outside Kenya’s Commonwealth and champion. of the 90-minute international world junior 5,000m champion “Since the Diamond League broadcast window. Edward Zakayo expressed is not offering the 10,000m, and “The decision to reduce the concern yesterday over the both events having been dropped Diamond League international future of distance runners from the World U-20 athletics broadcast window from 120 following the axing of the event championships, we have no minutes to 90 minutes came from the Diamond League. alternative but to drop to the after consultation with both Last week the International road races and the marathon, current and prospective Association of Athletics Feder- which will very hard for the Diamond League broadcasters, ation (IAAF) announced the over- younger runners like me.” the majority of whom requested hauling of its lucrative track and Both Kenya and Ethiopia a faster, sharper and slightly field series by dropping the have criticised the decision as more concentrated product,” 5,000m, reducing the number “illegitimate” and even accused said IAAF CEO Jon Ridgeon. of events from 32 to 24 and it of being made to “target “In addition to the 90-minute leaving the 3,000m as the African nations” which have international window, please be longest race in the Diamond dominated the distance events. aware that the Diamond League League programme. Olympic and world mar- meetings will also offer a further “I took great offence with the athon record holder Eliud Kip- 30 minutes of additional cov- announcement to remove all the choge has also voiced his disap- erage to their own domestic distance races from the Diamond proval, saying the 5,000m had result into a great marathon world championships title in Berlin Marathon, and breaking broadcaster, which will include League, since the decision means been crucial to his career, and career,” said Kipchoge, who in 2003. the previous record by 1 minute extra events. If deemed to be of most of the distance athletes like helped him to be runner that he stormed the 5,000m field when Described as the greatest and 18 seconds. sufficient quality, this additional me will not get the chance to is. he defeated Ethiopia’s Kenenisa marathon runner of the modern While the 5,000m will no coverage will also be offered to make a smooth progress from “I believe in long term Bekele and Moroccan great era, Kipchoge set a new a world longer be an official event on the the international one event to another,” said the careers where track and field can Hicham El Guerrouj to win the record time of 2:01:39 at the 2018 Diamond League programme, broadcasters.”