SSPOTLIGHTPOTLIGHT | Page 3 GOLF | Page 6 Putin plays India’s Sharma football with gets invite to Infantino 100 play Masters days before WC in Augusta

Wednesday, March 7, 2018 Jumada II 19, 1439 AH Perera leads GULF TIMES Sri Lanka to big win over India SPORT Page 5 FOOTBALL/AFC CHAMPIONS LEAGUE Youssefs derail Lokomotiv as Duhail record third win Al Rayyan gain point by clinching creditable draw against Saudi’s Al Hilal MOTORSPORT By Sports Reporter Doha Qatar’s Adel pieces ogether they have torment- ed Al Duhail’s rivals in the QNB Stars League, scoring together last minute Ta mindboggling 44 goals in 19 matches between themselves this season. Dubai Baja deal Now the hot shot duo seem deter- mined to extend their fame to the rest of the continent. Namesakes Youssef El Arabi and Youssef Msakni, the collective envy and inescapable agents of despair for many a club in the region, were on song once again as they powered Al Duhail to their third straight win in the AFC Champions League yester- day. Their 3-2 victory over Uzbek giants Lokomotiv saw them maintain their top spot in Group B but, more impor- tantly, must have sent jitters across other teams in the competition. El Arabi, who has 23 goals this sea- son, helped Al Duhail make a blister- ing start to the match by scoring twice inside the fi rst 20 minutes after being set up by Al Moez Ali on both occasions. The Moroccan’s fi rst goal came via a fi erce low shot following a swift passing move in the ninth minute. In the 19th minute, El Arabi doubled the hosts’ lead by tapping in to an empty goal after Ali’s squared pass for his fourth AFC Champions League goal of the season. El Arabi then turned provider to Msakni for Al Duhail’s third goal in the 25th minute. Msakni latched onto El Arabi’s precise through pass and Al Duhail’s Youssef El Arabi By Sports Reporter the Emirates to be able to start the race, deftly chipped Ignatiy Nesterov to celebrates in his trademark Dubai but we were not able to ship my car in give his side a fi rm 3-0 lead going into style after scoring against the time we had available,” said Adel the break. Lokomotiv yesterday. At bottom Abdulla. “I am delighted that we have Lokomotiv looked a diff erent side Duhail Youssef atar’s Adel Abdulla has been able to rent the Y62, the car that after the restart and duly pulled a goal Msakni scores past Lokomotiv pieced together a last- was used by Emil Khneisser, and I hope back in the 57th minute, with sub- goalkeeper Ignatiy Nesterov. minute deal to take part in that this car has been prepared very stitute Nivaldo scoring with his fi rst PICTURES: Noushad Thekkayil and AFP Qthe Dubai International Baja, well. I will be looking to try and take touch just moments after coming on. this weekend’s second round of the FIA the win and ensure that I score as many Two minutes later, Marat Bikmaev World Cup for Cross-Country Rallies. points as possible.” made it 3-2 after a lobbed fi nish over The 2016 FIA T2 World Champion Adel’s 2018 rallying programme Al Duhail keeper Amine Lecomte. appeared to have run out of time to would not have been possible without However, despite pushing hard for transport his car to the UAE in time to the support of the Qatar Motor and Mo- an equaliser, Lokomotiv were unable take the ceremonial start at the Du- torcycle Federation (QMMF), the Qatar to complete what would have been an Jeju United. bai Autodrome tomorrow evening. But Government and Ooredoo Qatar and impressive comeback. On a night when it rained goals, the Doha-based driver reached a late he personally thanked His Highness “It was a great win for us,” said Du- Cannavaro’s former club Tianjin agreement to rent a Nissan Patrol Y62 the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al- hail coach Djamel Belmadi. Quanjian were thumped 6-3 at 2016 that was formerly used by - Thani for his support.” “We had a bit of a scare in the sec- winners Jeonbuk Motors, whose gi- based Lebanese driver Emil Khneisser Formerly run as the Dubai Interna- ond half but we never lost control,” ant striker Kim Shin-wook bagged his on rounds of the FIA World Cup. tional Rally the fi nal round of the FIA added the Algerian whose team are on fi rst Champions League hat-trick. Adel and fellow Qatari co-driver Middle East Rally Championship, the the brink of winning the QNB Stars Evergrande, the club who have de- Nasser al-Kuwari collected points for event switched to a cross-country for- League. clared they want to fi eld an all-Chi- second place in the FIA T2 Champion- mat two years ago and is based at the “I have always said my philosophy nese side by 2020, had to thank their ship at the opening round in the frozen Dubai Autodrome for the fi rst time this is to take one match at a time. Other- two prolifi c Brazilian forwards for the forests of the Russian Republic of Kare- year. It gets underway with a ceremoni- wise it puts unnecessary pressure on victory over their Korean visitors. lia last month, but the heat and dust of al start tomorrow evening (Thursday). everybody. The Chinese champions found the UAE’s Al-Qudra Desert will be a to- The fi rst of two 173km selective sec- Lokomotiv are in third place with themselves 2-0 down after 29 min- tally diff erent experience and one that is tions fi res into life on Friday morning three points but will now look to take utes at the Tianhe Stadium to goals more suited to Adel’s vast experience in (March 9) and a second timed section revenge when they host Al Duhail in from Jin Seong-uk and Magno Cruz. Middle East motor sport. follows on Saturday before the fi nish at Tashkent next week. But Goulart’s goal spree thrilled “In the end we had the approval from the Dubai Autodrome from 18.30hrs. In a late match yesterday, Qatar’s the raucous home crowd after fel- Al Rayyan wasted a golden chance to low Brazilian Alan’s opener deep into clinch three points away in Riyadh fi rst-half stoppage time had given Astori died of cardiac arrest, autopsy fi nds: reports when they were held 1-1 by Saudi gi- Guangzhou a lifeline. ants Al Hilal in Group D. The 2006 World Cup-winning cap- Rome: Italian footballer Davide Astori “We won’t have the definitive diagnosis Abdullah al-Zori’s second half goal tain Cannavaro had endured a stut- likely died from a cardiac arrest linked for two months (and then) we will be cancelled out Mohsine Moutouali’s tering start at the southern Chinese to the slowing of his heart rate, Italian able to say with certainty that there early strike as Michael Laudrup’s men city club since taking over from Luiz media reported yesterday following the was no detectable cause or any other had to be content with a single point. Ahmed Yasser. The 2017 runners-up remain with- Felipe Scolari, who led Evergrande to initial results of his autopsy. element of any type,” Udine prosecutor Al Rayyan came off the blocks rac- Al Rayyan thought they had dou- out a win in the group and will next a seventh successive Chinese Super The 31-year-old Fiorentina captain and Antonio de Nicolo said. ing and found the back of the net just bled their lead just before the half travel to Doha to face Al Rayyan, who League (CSL) title last year. Italy international was found dead in his De Nicolo was quoted Sunday as saying three minutes into the game after hour mark when Abderazak Hamdal- have now drawn all their three games. Evergrande drew both their pre- hotel room in Udine on Sunday ahead Astori died of “natural causes” after a captain Rodrigo Tabata’s pass found lah beat the goalkeeper, only to see his Meanwhile, a Morteza Tabrizi vious Group G matches and lost of a scheduled Serie A match against “cardiac circulatory collapse” — a type Moutouali who fi red a powerful strike goal ruled out for off side. brace fi red Zobahan to a 2-0 home win their CSL opener 5-4 to derby rivals Udinese, which was later postponed. of heart attack, which the autopsy ap- from outside the box that went in off The Saudi side started the second over the UAE’s Al Wahda in the same Guangzhou R&F on Friday. Doctors who carried out the player’s pears to confirm. the post to put the Lions in front. half brighter and in the 58th minute, group. But they now lead Group G by a autopsy referred to a “cardiac arrest Astori’s body will be taken to the Italian Al Hilal regrouped quickly and Bencharki sent an intelligent pass In the East Zone, a Fabio Canna- point from Thailand’s Buriram Unit- without a visible explanation, in all football association’s national training came close to levelling the score in into the box for overlapping left-back varo’s Guangzhou Evergrande roared ed, who enjoyed a 2-0 home win over likelihood due to a bradyarrhythmia centre in Coverciano, Florence, where the ninth minute when Achraf Ben- Al Zori who struck with venom into back from 2-0 down with four sec- Japan’s Cerezo Osaka courtesy of (slow heart rate)”, Corriere dello Sport people will be able to play their last charki’s close range shot from a nar- the top right corner to earn his side a ond-half goals from Ricardo Goulart goals from Andres Tunez and Edgar and Tuttosport reported. respects to the defender. row angle was blocked by defender point on the night. completing a sensational 5-3 win over Silva. Gulf Times 2 Wednesday, March 7, 2018 FOOTBALL

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE Man City not at Barcelona’s level yet, says coach Guardiola ‘No. It is not good to compare us with them. That team dominated the last 10 years. We just won our first title’

Reuters ALL-ROUNDER AGUERO BETTER Manchester THAN EVER FOR GUARDIOLA Meanwhile, Sergio Aguero’s willing- ness to do much more than just score anchester City manager that has won the confi dence of Guar- Pep Guardiola said that diola. The Catalan embraced Aguero in the Premier League leaders a bear hug as he left the pitch having ran must maintain a lengthy himself into the ground in Sunday’s 1-0 Mperiod of dominance in England and win over Chelsea, which edged City to Europe in order to be compared with within four wins of the Premier League his former club Barcelona. title. It was the fi rst time in eight home City have won the League Cup in games Aguero had failed to fi nd the Guardiola’s second season in charge net, but that mattered little to Guar- and are closing in on their fi rst league diola, who is now seeing the all-round title under the Spaniard. game from Aguero he demands of his They are virtually through to the strikers. “Since we were together here quarter-fi nals of the Champions with Sergio, I think the last month, two League after a 4-0 win over Swiss side months is the best Sergio I have seen,” Basel in the fi rst leg of their last 16 en- said Guardiola. “Not just scoring goals, counter last month. Asked ahead of but he doesn’t lose one ball. He makes today’s return fi xture at the Etihad Sta- a movement for runs in behind, he is dium if City were at the same level as La the fi rst guy to make a high pressing, to Liga leaders Barca, Guardiola said: “No. help that second line be more comfort- It is not good to compare us with them. able with the ball.” That team dominated the last 10 years. Those words contrast sharply with a We just won our fi rst title.” reportedly frosty relationship between Guardiola, 47, won 14 trophies in the coach and his star striker during four seasons as a manager with Barce- Guardiola’s trophyless fi rst season in lona, including three league titles and the northwest of England. Aguero, 29, two Champions League crowns. “To be still scored 33 goals in all competitions, compared with these teams you have to more than he ever had for City in a sin- be there for many, many years. We’ve gle season, but often found himself on just won one title,” he added. the sidelines in the second half of the City are 16 points clear of second- season as Guardiola opted instead for placed Manchester United in the league Gabriel Jesus. and despite needing just four wins “In the fi rst year at times we didn’t from the fi nal nine games to be sure of adapt,” Aguero said. “But this year, the title, Guardiola said he would not with all we have learned from last year, shift his attention to securing Euro- I think we have learned what he wants pean glory just yet. “We are so close. — how to play out from the back, the I’m not going to say we are not going to movements, so it makes it much easier win. We’re almost in the quarter-fi nals on the pitch.” of the Champions League and almost Aguero has also been aided by injury Manchester City’s Spanish manager Pep Guardiola (third right) with his coaching staff during a team training session at the City Football Academy in Manchester, north champions of the Premier League. But to Jesus. The Brazilian suff ered medial west England, yesterday, on the eve of their UEFA Champions League round of 16 second leg match against FC Basel. (AFP) football is not done until it is done.” ligament damage to his left knee on Even with a healthy advantage, January 31 and has only returned with volved in a bidding war with local rivals now backing Guardiola as the best in 2011, Aguero is still to taste Champi- Etihad, with the luxury of a 4-0 win Guardiola urged caution when his side three short cameos off the bench in the Manchester United for Alexis Sanchez coach he has ever had. “I’ve had a lot ons League glory. City, with the League against their Swiss opponents in the take on Basel. “It’s a Champions League past week. During Jesus’s two-month despite long-standing interest, and of coaches and they all had diff erent Cup in their trophy cabinet and the fi rst leg of their last-16 tie. “If we game and the Champions League is layoff , Aguero doubled his tally for the even though Guardiola had previously thoughts and obviously diff ering tac- Premier League virtually sewn up, have keep going like this we have a very something special. In football, any- season to move onto 30 goals and re- worked with the Chilean at Barcelona, tics,” said Aguero. “The truth is yes certainly never been as well-equipped good chance,” said Aguero. “The club thing is possible but we have to be calm establish himself as City’s number one was another vote of City’s confi dence in (he’s the best).” to do so in Aguero’s time. has invested a lot of money to win the and focused on what we have to do,” he striker. their all-time top goalscorer. Yet, for all his goals and all he has Guardiola’s team look assured of Champions League, so hopefully it is said. The club’s decision not to get in- That trust is mutual, with Aguero achieved since arriving in Manchester progress to the quarter-fi nals at the our year.”

Kante collapse at training FOCUS shocks Chelsea teammates ‘Spurs must play free against Juve’ London: N’Golo Kante did not feature in Chelsea’s match Reuters season.” against Premier League lead- London Tottenham are on a 17-match ers Manchester City at the unbeaten run in all competitions, weekend after fainting at the sit fourth in the Premier League, club’s training ground, reports auricio Pochettino have an FA Cup quarter-fi nal said yesterday. says his brave Tot- ahead and are within touching The Daily Telegraph tenham Hotspur distance of the business end of newspaper said shocked team must play with the Champions League. Mfreedom against Juventus today There is a feeling that Pochet- team-mates feared the France international had suff ered a as they seek to book their place tino is on the cusp of something heart problem when he briefly in the Champions League quar- special, but he urges caution, passed out after training on ter-fi nals. Tottenham battled preferring to concentrate solely Friday. back from 2-0 down with goals on the job in hand against a club It said a Chelsea doctor was from Harry Kane and Christian who have reached two of the last on the scene within seconds Eriksen to earn them a 2-2 draw Juventus’ goalkeepers Wojciech Szczesny (left) and Gianluigi Buff on three Champions League fi nals. of Kante slumping to one in Turin last month — a result arrive for training yesterday. (AFP) “I think we have a very good side in the dressing room at that means they are favourites to opportunity but in football you the club’s Cobham training progress. are yet to win any silverware and rienced Juve side off ers another need to earn things,” he said. ground southwest of London. urday’s Premier League home death was a “tragedy”. Kante, “We need to feel free. If we do fl opped in last season’s Champi- chance to move the club a step “Tomorrow we are going to face The 26-year-old was given the game against Crystal Palace. who has played 38 matches for that and enjoy the game we will ons League. Pochettino resents closer to that goal. one of the best teams in the world all-clear after cardiology tests, Kante’s health scare came two club and country this season, perform nearly at our best or at the suggestion that success can Asked what he could ulti- and in history. But we are a brave the report said, and Kante trav- days before Fiorentina captain won the Premier League title our best and if we do then we will only be measured in trophies, mately achieve at the north Lon- team, very positive people that elled with the squad to Man- and Italy international Davide with Leicester in 2015-16 and have the chance to win,” the Ar- saying he is part of a project to don club, Pochettino refused to love the challenge, and tomor- chester for Sunday’s match. Astori, 31, was found dead in repeated the feat under Conte gentine said. Tottenham’s pro- establish Tottenham as one of the be drawn. “We can’t set a limit. row is a massive challenge. We He was cleared to play but felt his hotel room in Udine. after joining the London club. gression since former Espanyol strongest clubs in Europe. I don’t do that. I am a dream- are going to compete, and at the unwell on Sunday morning. Chelsea boss Antonio Conte, He won the Football Writers’ coach Pochettino arrived in 2014 They have beaten European er. I don’t set minimums,” the same time try to enjoy, because The midfielder was back in who coached Astori when he Association and Professional has been impressive. champions Real Madrid and 46-year-old said. “We improved it’s a game to enjoy. We need to training on Monday and is ex- was in charge of the Italian Footballers’ Association player They fi nished third in the Pre- former winners Borussia Dort- a lot from two seasons ago. You think we can win, then what hap- pected to be available for Sat- national team, said the player’s of the year awards last season. mier League in 2015-16 and sec- mund home and away this sea- can see that the team is more ma- pens will be a consequence of our ond last season, although they son and the clash with an expe- ture and more competitive every performance.”

PREIMER LEAGUE Mourinho blast triggered United fi ghtback against Palace

AFP formance and he tore into them, while Chelsea last weekend, Mourinho insist- fi nish second, but it is huge pressure for Manchester United’s London demanding they show more tactical ed this was another demonstration that us to fi nish in the top four. Now we have Nemanja Matic (right) discipline. “I cannot tell you half of the United have the spirit and desire to over- a little pillow,” he said. celebrates with Chris things I told my team at half-time be- come perilous predicaments. Palace remain in the relegation zone, Smalling after ose Mourinho revealed his ex- cause there would be lots of bleeping on “We were losing to Chelsea last week, one point from safety, but Eagles boss scoring the winner pletive-fi lled half-time rant in- television,” Mourinho said. then we were losing away from home Roy Hodgson urged his players not to let on Monday. (Reuters) spired Manchester United’s dra- “There were a few strong words relat- against a Palace team that needs points,” the heartbreaking defeat infl uence their matic 3-2 win over Crystal Palace. ing to their attitude and the intensity of he said. “It’s very hard but we kept faith fi ght for survival. “We took the game to Mourinho’sJ side fought back from two the game. What I can say was all about and belief. I always believe we can win. I Manchester United. If we had drawn the goals down at Selhurst Park to snatch the tactical positioning. That second will be like that until my last day. Some game — I don’t think anyone, Jose in- the points thanks to Nemanja Matic’s goal was a goal to show kids in acad- days more than others but after Small- cluded — would have said it was a scan- blistering long-range strike in stoppage- emies around the country, to show that ing’s goal, I always thought it was pos- dal,” he said. time. top players can concede silly goals. sible. Matic scored amazing goals like “We once again go away with no United trailed to goals from Andros “David De Gea had to do better. He is this when he was with me at Chelsea, at points and, like the game against Tot- Townsend and Patrick van Aanholt be- the best, no doubt, but he had to do bet- Goodison Park, against Benfi ca.” tenham, I thought we deserved some- fore Chris Smalling gave the visitors a ter. But the intensity and character was United’s stirring revival moved them thing. But you always know the quality lifeline. Romelu Lukaku equalised with fantastic. We got a bit of luck in the last back above Liverpool into second place they possess and the strength and depth 14 minutes remaining, setting the stage minute but it was deserved. The urgency in the Premier League. They trail runa- they have. They can cause problems. for Serbia midfi elder Matic to notch his in that last half hour was huge.” way leaders Manchester City by 16 Where we are in the table doesn’t enter fi rst goal for United since his move from It was the fi rst time United had come points, but Mourinho is more concerned my mind. It would have been nice to have Chelsea last year. from 2-0 down to win a Premier League with securing the top four fi nish that two more points, but we still would have Mourinho admitted he was furious game since December 2013 at Hull. Af- guarantees qualifi cation for next sea- been very much in a relegation battle. It with his players’ lethargic fi rst half per- ter hitting back from a goal down to beat son’s Champions League. “We want to could well go down to the wire.” Gulf Times Wednesday, March 7, 2018 3 FOOTBALL

SPOTLIGHT SELECTION Nabbout named in Van Marwijk’s fi rst Putin plays football Australia squad

Reuters tier since returning to his former Melbourne club in February. The 38-year-old, Australia’s most prolifi c striker with 50 ndrew Nabbout’s big goals, has been retained along with Infantino 100 week in football took with regular forwards Tomi Ju- another dizzying turn ric, and Mathew yesterday as the Japan- Leckie. boundA winger was named in Burt The squad will be trimmed van Marwijk’s maiden Australia next week ahead of the March 23 squad for upcoming World Cup friendly against Norway in Oslo. warmups against Norway and “Since my appointment with Colombia. the Socceroos, my staff , scouts days before FIFA WC The former Newcastle Jets wide and I have monitored over 100 man Nabbout, who announced on Australian players in the... A- ‘As we say in Russia, better to see something once than to hear about it a hundred times’ Monday his transfer to J-League League, as well as in leagues power club Urawa Red Diamonds, across Europe and Asia,” Van AFP is one of four uncapped players in Marwijk said in a news release. Moscow Dutchman Marwijk’s preliminary “Our upcoming matches 29-man squad. against Norway and Colombia The others are Nabbout’s will provide a great chance for resident Vladimir Pu- former Jets team mate and mid- the players selected to press their tin played football fi elder Dimitri Petratos, Czech claims for Russia, however the with FIFA boss Gianni Republic-based defender Ale- door remains ajar for all players Infantino in the Krem- ksandar Susnjar and Belgium- not picked for the March window.” Plin yesterday as a festive Rus- based goalkeeper Daniel Vukovic. Van Marwijk has tinkered sia marked 100 days before the The 25-year-old Nabbout around the fringes of the squad, start of the World Cup. was at a career crossroads two with Cahill’s Millwall team mate The footage from Putin’s re- years ago after being cut adrift and defender ception offi ce was released by by Malaysia’s Negeri Sembelan recalled after some three years in football’s world governing body but revived his fortunes at the the international wilderness. in a tweet featuring legends of Jets, where he remains their top Feyenoord goalkeeper Brad the beautiful game juggling the scorer in the current A-League Jones, who has not featured for ball and doing tricks. season. the Socceroos since a 4-3 capit- The clip ended with Putin Apart from the new faces, ulation to Ecuador in 2014, was heading one back to Infantino Van Marwijk, who guided the also recalled along with fi ve-cap after a heavily edited kickabout Netherlands to the 2010 World midfi elder Josh Brillante. set to Rimsky-Korsakov’s Flight Cup fi nal in South Africa, has Van Marwijk coached Saudi of the Bumblebee. largely kept faith with the Ange Arabia to World Cup qualifi ca- “Some people just can’t wait Postecoglou-coached squad that tion in Russia before crossing for the greatest show on earth,” won an intercontinental play- to the Socceroos, who were left FIFA said in the tweet. off against Honduras to book a without a coach after Postec- Others playing around with fourth successive World Cup ap- oglou quit following the Hondu- the offi cial Telstar 18 World Cup pearance. ras playoff . ball included ex-England mid- Twenty-two of the play- Australia, drawn in Group C fi elder Wayne Rooney and Ar- ers involved in the playoff last with France, Denmark and Peru gentina’s Diego Maradona. November have been retained, at the World Cup in Russia, will Brazil’s Ronaldo juggled by including veteran striker Tim play the second friendly against the beach while Sweden’s Tho- Cahill, who has barely played fellow World Cup qualifi ers Co- mas Brolin had his fun in the for Millwall in England’s second lombia in London on March 27. snow. Putin is known for his sport- ing prowess, taking part in Judo Italy to close window early, play matches, skating, diving and playing ice hockey. matches at Christmas A judo black belt and all Italy will close the summer transfer window on Aug 18 this year, one round sports fan he is hoping to day before the start of the Serie A season, and schedule matches on use the World Cup to showcase December 26, the league’s extraordinary commissioner Giovanni Russia and boost its image at a Malago said on Monday. time of fraid relations with the The decision to shut the window early follows the example of the West. English Premier League which decided in September to end the Russia is hosting its fi rst Russia president Vladimir Putin with FIFA chief Gianni Infantino in the Kremlin yesterday. transfer window before the season gets underway. World Cup on June 14-July 15 in Until now, the window has closed at the beginning of September in 11 host cities stretching from its Minister Pavel Kolobkov was Organisers hope the February would improve people’s atti- most European countries, after the start of the season, leading to western exclave of Kaliningrad quoted as saying on Tuesday by 22 incident in which a handful tude toward his country. widespread complaints that transfer speculation overshadows the near Poland to Yekaterinburg in RIA Novosti. of Russians were arrested and a “The most important thing is football itself. Coaches also say they cannot prepare properly for the the Urals. policeman died of a heart attack to come to Russia with an open new campaign as they often lose key players after a few matches. Numerous Russian cities are ‘Open heart’ does not frighten away global heart and to try to understand Malago, who is president of the Italian Olympic Committee (CONI), planning events to commemo- Russia’s preparations for fans. our country and the places also told reporters that Serie A would stage two rounds of matches rate 100 days before the start of the showpiece event are going Tensions with the West have you are visiting,” Cherchesov between Christmas and the New Year, again following the English the 32 team tournament. largely according to schedule been compounded by the ig- said in an interview released by Premier League model. However, there would then be a three-week Moscow is staging an open but still being clouded by scan- nomy of Russians being forced FIFA. winter break. “Next season, matches will be played on December air concert for 6,000 volunteers dal and global disputes. to perform under a neutral Ol- “As we say in Russia, better to 22, 26 and 29 and the championship will restart on Jan 20,” he said, while Russia’s northern capital Fan violence that made Rus- ympic fl ag at the Winter Games see something once than to hear adding that the winter transfer window would also end before the Saint Petersburg is unveiling a sians infamous at the Euro 2016 in Pyongyang over doping alle- about it a hundred times.” Digital FIFA World Cup 2018 championship resumes. Italy has traditionally had a break over countdown clock. in France returned last month gations. The tournament kicks off countdown clock placed at the Christmas and the New Year but changed this season when a round “It is important to show Rus- during a Europa League match But Russian national team when Russia hosts Saudi Arabia Red Square in Kremlin, Moscow, of league matches were played on Dec 30 with Coppa Italia games sia the way it really is: open, in Spain between Spartak Mos- coach Stanislav Cherchesov in Moscow’s renovated Luzh- marks 100 days to the start of on Dec 26 and 27. hospitable and modern,” Sports cow and Athletic Bilbao. said he hoped the World Cup niki Stadium on June 14. the tournament. (AFP)

FOCUS CHAMPIONS LEAGUE Iniesta injury leaves Analysing just how bad Arsenal Barca looking for new hero against Chelsea have been this season Antonio Conte’s stuttering Reuters By Martin Laurence dip from last season is marked. es for team-mates has fallen in Barcelona Chelsea in the second leg at The Guardian Their total of 45 points after 29 each of the last four years. Camp Nou, where Barcelona are games is nine shy of their tally The IT Crowd sketch of Ar- unbeaten in all three major com- this time last season. That cam- senal “always trying to walk it arcelona’s Champions petitions this season, Iniesta’s rsene Wenger’s tough- paign that was labelled a disas- in” is truer now than it ever has League tie against Chel- absence is a setback for the hosts. est task in his long ter, so this must be considered been. Their cutting edge has sea is poised on a knife In La Liga, Barcelona’s record tenure at Arsenal may another year in which the famed diminished and with it has the edge but the Catalans will signing Philippe Coutinho can fi ll well be putting a posi- “top six” has become a top fear factor they used to pose to haveB to cope without their inspi- in for the 33-year-old playmaker tiveA spin on a decline that will fi ve. Arsenal fi nd themselves in opponents. We’ve now reached rational captain Andres Iniesta, but the Brazilian is cup-tied in surely bring his time at the club no-man’s land in the Premier a stage when Brighton can be the man who has pedigree when it the Champions League after to an end in a real whimper. League: cut adrift of the teams incredibly confi dent of unset- comes to beating the Blues. joining from Liverpool in January. Arsenal’s defeat at Brighton above them but relatively un- tling the Gunners. The defeat Barring what the Spanish me- That leaves Valverde with a tough on Sunday was their fourth in troubled by the sides below. at the weekend came as no real dia have called a “miracle recov- decision to make, over which of their last fi ve league games and Arsenal are not scoring as surprise. ery”, the hamstring injury Iniesta Paulinho, Andre Gomes, Denis their fourth in succession on the many goals as they did last sea- This current Arsenal side can suff ered on Sunday in Barcelo- Suarez or Ousmane Dembele road. Wenger managed to avoid son (down from 2.03 to 1.79 per count themselves fortunate that na’s 1-0 La Liga win over Atletico steps in for Iniesta. losing four straight away games game) but they have still out- Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger (left) and assistant manager Steve other teams have underper- Madrid will keep him out of the None of the options have con- in his fi rst 20 years at the club scored Chelsea this season and Bould (centre) look dejected during their EPL match against Brighton formed this season. Had Ever- last 16 second leg on March 14. vinced. Paulinho started the but has now succumbed to that have only scored three fewer & Hove Albion in Brighton, Britain. (Reuters) ton or Southampton, for exam- The Barcelona skipper scored season well but since Christmas fate in two consecutive seasons. goals than Tottenham so far. ple, performed to the levels they a dramatic 93rd minute goal at has looked jaded and was widely Arsenal have only picked up Their main problem is their de- if they continue at their cur- tion than ever, with both tack- have reached in recent seasons, Stamford Bridge in 2009 against criticised for a poor performance seven points from their eight fensive ineptitude; their goals rent rate, they will concede 54 les (16.5) and interceptions Arsenal’s position in the top six Chelsea in the semi-fi nals to in the fi rst leg. Gomes came on as league games so far in 2018. against column has taken a bat- goals this season – one more (11.6) per game lower than at would surely be under threat. send his side through on away a substitute for Iniesta during the They join Everton as one of two tering this season. than Middlesbrough conceded any point in the last decade. At this stage of last season, goals. Pep Guardiola’s men went win over Atletico but was whis- sides who have not won a single Arsenal have conceded 41 last season on their way to being Interceptions are almost half Everton had fi ve more points on to beat Manchester United tled by some Barcelona fans dur- point on the road in 2018. goals so far – one more than relegated. what they were in the 2009-10 than Wenger’s hapless team 2-0 in the fi nal, becoming the ing another disappointing display. Arsenal are already 33 points 16th-place Newcastle and only While the defence has been season (22.1). Such a dramatic has now. Arsenal’s statistical fi rst Spanish side to complete a Denis has the most similar off the searing pace set by Man- two fewer than last-place West a shambles at times, their con- decline means questions have rating is unsurprisingly at its treble, having won La Liga and style to the captain but has not chester City at the top and it Brom (who have won one league fi dence in Petr Cech has clearly to be asked about the players’ lowest since we began calcu- the King’s Cup. However, it was played for Barca since their 1-0 would be a surprise if that gap game since August). In this, waned. With half of his last 10 work ethic and their desire to lating them, with a score 6.88 a Iniesta’s stoppage time goal in King’s Cup defeat by Espanyol didn’t extend to 40 or more by Wenger’s 22nd season in charge, match ratings below a meagre perform for their manager. signifi cant drop off , again hav- London that stood out as many on Jan 17, while Ousmane Dem- the end of the season. With 13 his side has conceded as many score of six, Cech is perhaps the In terms of possession, Ar- ing fallen year-on-year over the fans’ highlight of the campaign. bele is a forward and his inclu- points separating themselves or more goals than in 16 of the onfi eld embodiment of his man- senal see as much of the ball last four seasons. The captain also helped sal- sion would see the formation and fourth-place Tottenham, 21 that preceded it – and there ager. One of the Premier League as ever. In fact, they are com- This Arsenal side is crying vage a 1-1 draw for Barcelona in change from 4-4-2 to 4-3-3. their hopes of returning to the are still nine games remaining. greats at his peak, the 35-year- pleting more passes per game out for a change from top to last month’s fi rst leg, when he Even without Iniesta, Barce- Champions League places end- This season is on course to old is a shadow of his former self (529.9) this season than over the bottom. Wenger’s departure teed up Lionel Messi to equalise, lona are favourites to progress, ed some time ago. be their worst defensively un- and needs to be replaced. last decade. would signal the dawn of a new in one of the few chances Ernes- given Chelsea’s struggles to keep Arsenal’s decline has been der Wenger; they conceded 49 That said, the players in front However, the percentage of era that is imperative if the club to Valverde’s side mustered. up with the top four in the Pre- apparent for a long time but the goals in the 2011-12 season but, of him are off ering less protec- those passes that create chanc- are not to be left further behind. Although the odds are against mier League. Gulf Times 4 Wednesday, March 7, 2018 CRICKET

SPOTLIGHT ICC considers radical plan to curb power of and save New suggestions aim to regulate rapid spread of T20; West Indies, England and Australia all support push for change

By Ali Martin international and domestic careers. The Guardian Perhaps the toughest proposal to get over the line – and one already seen as unlikely until 2023 – is regional win- he International Cricket Coun- dows for Twenty20 leagues. cil is set to consider a series of The idea is for the map to be split up radical proposals designed to into three zones – Asia, Europe/Ameri- stem the talent drain caused cas and Africa/Pacifi c – and restrict Tby domestic Twenty20 and protect each to two-month blocks in April/ the sport from being cannibalised at May, mid-July/mid-September, De- all levels. Cricket is at a crossroads and cember/January respectively. there is a growing acceptance among its This would allow international administrators that the primacy of in- cricket to breathe during the remaining ternationals – Test cricket in particular six months. It would also see the likes – is being diminished by the prolifera- of the IPL going up against the tion of short-form tournaments that, Super League and the Bangladesh Pre- if unchecked, could cause irreversible mier League in the Asian block, for ex- damage. ample, and co-operative TV scheduling To that end, the chief executives of would be required. the full member national boards will Beyond approving tournaments us- come together at the next ICC meet- ing its existing minimal criteria, the ing in Kolkata in April to debate a dis- ICC has always maintained that do- cussion paper on the possible future mestic Twenty20 cricket issues sit out- landscape for domestic Twenty20 side its remit. But though the ICC board cricket within the world game, and rec- is still unwilling to get involved directly, ommendations that include: the chief executives have been given • Restricting players under 32 to the green light to explore solutions that three domestic T20 leagues per year protect cricket’s current ecosystem. • Regional T20 windows that leave Another driver is the concern that six months of the year clear for inter- the ICC’s showpiece tournaments – the national cricket from 2023 onwards World Cup and the World Twenty20, as • All leagues to pay 20% of a player’s well as the new Test and ODI leagues – contract value to their home board as could see their commercial value great- mandatory compensation ly diminished. • Capping the number of overseas The doomsday scenario mentioned players in each domestic T20 league in the corridors of power sees a wealthy • Standardised conditions that guar- backer set up a league in an associate antee player welfare and payment nation for a nominal fee and place no This push to bring in greater global restrictions on overseas players, before regulation for Twenty20 is being led assembling squads along national lines by West Indies – the ICC full member and off ering broadcasters a quasi-in- most aff ected by the Twenty20 player West Indies won the 2016 T20 World Cup, beating England at Eden Gardens, but they are leading the battle to regulate the format more thoroughly. (AFP) ternational tournament. exodus over the past decade – and is If that appears far-fetched then understood to have had input and sup- broadcast deal, would likely be consoli- private owners, the grassroots of the during this time, the West Indies 50- to a player’s country of origin fl uctuates consider the proposed new leagues in port from England and Australia. The dated. sport could wither. over men’s team are playing qualifi ers greatly and is not mandatory. Making it Canada and the . global players’ union, Fica, will wel- Indeed, the intention is not to dimin- West Indies, for example, estimate for the 2019 World Cup while some of so, and standardised to 20% a player’s Organisers for the former say teams will come the elements that provide its ish the established T20 leagues but to that for every junior cricketer who its biggest names compete in the Paki- value (paid by the tournament) would require four local players per squad but members with greater security. ensure a balance is struck that means reaches international level, around stan Super League. ensure money is put directly back into none in the playing XI, while the latter India could well be persuaded by both domestic and international crick- $1mn has been invested. But once they West Indies have been a lone voice the systems that developed them. is said be to considering up to 10 over- some or all of the proposals too given it et can coexist and thrive when the ICC get there, a number disappear into the of protest but other major nations are By limiting the number of ICC-ac- seas cricketers per team. does not allow its cricketers to feature introduces Test and ODI leagues from domestic leagues – of which fi ve fall beginning to wake up to the challenge credited Twenty20 leagues that crick- Capping the number of overseas in overseas T20 competitions and its 2019. during the traditional Caribbean sea- as more and more players become eters under 32 can play in each year players is viewed as essential, while en- Indian Premier League already pays the It stems from a fear that, unless the son from October to March. globetrotting guns for hire, diluting the – one at home and two abroad is a sug- suring prompt payment – via the use of 20% compensation fi gure for players it governing body brings in tougher rules The result has left a trail of bad blood competitions and national teams they gested formula – it is believed a balance escrow accounts – and increased fi t- imports; the IPL’s status as the outright that guarantee league revenues go back between players and their board and leave behind. can be struck that sees workloads man- ness screening are other mooted safe- market leader, by virtue of its £1.97bn into player development rather than to though two World T20 titles have come Compensation paid by T20 leagues aged and cricketers less torn between guards.

FOCUS POSITIVE Warner to continue as Australia South Africa’s Steyn vice-captain, says Lehmann eyes return for third Test

Reuters Reuters Durban Cape Town

avid Warner will continue as Aus- outh Africa fast bowler tralia vice-captain despite his in- Dale Steyn is targeting volvement in a heated exchange in a return to Test cricket in the fi rst Test against South Africa the third match of the se- Dat Kingsmead, an incident which has drawn riesS against Australia this month, condemnation and put his fi ery personality he said yesterday. The 34-year- back in the spotlight. old, plagued by injury over the “He’s vice-captain of the Australian last two years, is three cricket team,” coach Darren Lehmann told away from becoming South Af- reporters as the team prepared to move to rica’s leading Test taker. Port Elizabeth for the second Test after the “I’m looking at trying to get side claimed the opener of the four-match into the third Test, get back with series by 118 runs on Monday. “We’re cer- the boys. It’s been a long time — tainly supporting David. We want to play shoulder, foot, all that kind of a way that gets us success and for us we’ve stuff . Watching the cricket and just got to make sure we don’t cross the line, seeing some of the things that that’s the key,” Lehmann added. are happening on the fi eld, I just “There are things that cross the line and want to get out there,” Steyn told evoke emotion and you’ve got to deal with local radio. that behind closed doors and get better at Steyn made a comeback after that. Everyone has their own opinion. We’ll 13 months out due to shoulder just wait and see what happens moving for- problems when he opened the ward, how both teams want to play it. For us, in January’s fi rst Test we’re here to win the series. It’s going to be victory over India at Newlands, a bloody tough series as we’ve seen over the only to hurt his heel. “I’ve had fi ve days here.” a bit of an unlucky one with my Footage of Warner being restrained by foot. It seems like every injury I teammates in an off -fi eld fracas with South Australian's vice-captain David Warner (left) with captain Steven Smith. (AFP) get is really bad. I’m probably an- Africa’s Quinton de Kock on Sunday has other two or three weeks away,” been viewed dimly in Australia, and he incident on the fi eld when he unleashed a going to push the boundaries. That’s part Steyn said. could yet face ICC sanctions for his part in withering verbal attack at Aiden Markram and parcel of test match cricket,” he added. “I have to play one or two He went home to Cape Town for lifi c record at Newlands with 67 the ugly incident. after the rookie opening batsman was cul- Lehmann expects the coaches and cap- warm-up games. So hope- surgery, followed by lengthy re- wickets in 14 tests. His captain Steve Smith suggested De pable in running out AB de Villiers in South tains of both teams to “chat” before the fully everything goes according habilitation before he was gently His tally of 419 Test victims Kock had enraged the hot-headed left- Africa’s second innings. second Test. Asked whether there would be to plan, and by the end of next eased back in Twenty20 action in is just shy of Shaun Pollock’s hander by getting personal in his sledging, “It’s always a worry in any situation when talks between the two sides in a bid to reduce week, I should be back on the November. record 421 wickets for South Af- the nature of which focussed on Warner’s someone is so extreme on one direction or hostilities, Lehmann said: “I’m sure the cricket fi eld,” he added. Steyn was due to return in the rica. South Africa take on Aus- wife, according to local media reports. The the other,” said former Australia wicket- coaches will chat and the captains will chat Steyn’s shoulder problems one-off Test against Zimbabwe tralia at Newlands from March South African camp retorted that whatever keeper Adam Gilchrist of Warner’s volatile and we’ll get away to play the game.” began in December 2015 and in December but on the opening 22-26. Australia won the opening was said was pay back for Warner’s own ag- personality. Lehmann expects the captains With both sides blaming the other for about a year later he broke his morning of the day-night match match of the four-Test series in gressive sledging of De Kock and other Pro- and coaches from both sides to get together sparking the incident by making personal right shoulder and tore three he was ruled out with fl u. Steyn, Durban by 118 runs on Monday teas players out on the fi eld. to clear the air before the second Test starts insults, Lehmann said: “Everyone has their major muscles during the fi rst whose Test average is an impres- and the second Test starts in Port Warner was involved in another unsightly at St George’s Park on Friday. “Both sides are own opinion.” Test against Australia in Perth. sive 22.32, can point to a pro- Elizabeth on Friday. Gulf Times Wednesday, March 7, 2018 5 CRICKET

T20 TRI-SERIES PSL Maqsood Perera leads Sri Lanka shines for Sultans

Agencies Dubai to big win against India ohaib Maqsood made 85 off just 42 balls to lead Multan Sultans to a 19- run win over Peshawar Chasing 175, the hosts ride on Perera’s 37-ball 66 to achieve their target with nine balls to spare ZalmiS in the third edition of the Pakistan Super League in Shar- AFP jah yesterday. Colombo Maqsood’s whirlwind knock helped Sultans amass a massive 185 runs. In reply, Zalmi could usal Perera hit a blazing half- only manage 164 for 8 in 20 overs to power hosts Sri as Sultans stayed on top the Lanka to a fi ve-wicket win league standings. Sultans were over India in the opening off to a fl yer after being sent to KTwenty20 international of the tri-na- bat as Kumar Sangakkara and tion tournament yesterday. Ahmed Shehzad posted 51 runs Chasing 175 for victory, the hosts rode for the opening wicket. San- on Perera’s 37-ball 66 to achieve their gakkara made 28. On the other target with nine balls to spare at Colom- hand, Shehzad carried his form bo’s R Premadasa Stadium. and made run-a-ball 37 before The left-handed Perera, who hit 6 getting run out by Umaid Asif. fours and 4 sixes, overshadowed Indian But Shoaib played one of the opener Shikar Dhawan’s career-best 90 best innings of his career, as he that saw the visitors post 174-5 after be- smoked unbeaten 85 runs with ing put into bat fi rst. Spinners Yuzvendra help of seven towering sixes Chahal and Washington Sundar hurt Sri and four boundaries. Later cap- Lanka’s chase by picking up two wickets tain Shoaib Malik got out for 13 each but Perera’s fi ery start made sure while Kieron Pollard remained the hosts stand tall. Sri Lankan batsman Kusal Perera plays a on 16, hitting two sixes The islanders lost an early wicket but shot during the Nidahas Trophy tri-nation in his eight-ball short innings. a 58-run second-wicket partnership be- match against India in Colombo. (AFP) For Zalmi, England spinner Laim tween Perera, who notched up his eighth Dawson and Umaid Asif picked T20 fi fty, and Danushka Gunathilaka put up a wicket each. Chasing a big their innings back on track. Perera, who target, Zalmi lost Kamran Ak- hit paceman Shardul Thakur for 27 runs mal and Andre Fletcher cheaply. with 5 fours and a six in the third over of Captain Mohamed Hafeez 56 the innings, took the steam out of the in- (41b, 5x4, 2x6) and Dawson 32 experienced Indian bowling attack. (17b, 3x6) tried their best but Perera though faltered after getting couldn’t catch up with soaring to Sundar’s off spin as the Sri required run rate. Lankan chase wobbled with the Indian For Sultans, seamers Sohail bowlers coming back with some disci- Tanvir and Mohamed Irfan were plined eff ort. Thisara Perera, on 22, and pick of the bowlers, picking three Dasun Shanaka, on 15, then put on an and two wickets respectively. unbeaten 39-run stand to keep up the spirits of a raucous home crowd. Earlier Dhawan’s 49-ball blitz, laced with 6 fours and 6 sixes, lifted India from a precarious 9-2 to put up a respectable total. Dhawan put on a crucial 95-run third-wicket stand with Manish Pandey, who made 37, to test the Sri Lanka bowl- ing but missed out on a ton after falling to Gunathilaka’s off -spin. Rohit also said that the batsmen could up. They are very much new into the 3-104 (Pandey), 4-153 (Dhawan), 5-174 D. Shanaka not out 15 Pace spearhead Dushmantha Cha- have stretched the target towards the scene, they have had enough experience (Pant) T. Perera not out 22 meera claimed two wickets including end. “I think it was a par score, defi nitely having been in these situations before.” Did not bat: W. Sundar, V. Shankar, Extras (lb4, nb1, w6) 11 the prized scalp of India skipper Rohit something we could have defended. We S. Thakur, J. Unadkat, Y. Chahal Total (5 wickets, 18.3 overs) 175 Sharma for nought in the fi rst over of the could have accelerated a bit more to- SCOREBOARD Bowling: Chameera 4-0-33-2 (w1), Pradeep Fall of wickets: 1-12 (Mendis), 2-70 innings. India will take on Bangladesh in wards the end. It was a decent wicket,” India innings 3-0-38-1 (w2), Dananjaya 4-0-37-0 (w1), (Gunathilaka), 3-98 (Chandimal), 4-127 the next match of the tournament, which he said. R. Sharma c Mendis b Chameera 0 Perera 3-0-25-0, Mendis 3-0-21-1 (w2), (Perera), 5-136 (Tharanga) is timed to commemorate Sri Lanka’s 70 “We all know on a wicket like that you S. Dhawan c Perera b Gunathilaka 90 Gunathilaka 3-0-16-1 Did not bat: J. Mendis, A. Dananjaya, years of independence, tomorrow. need your as strong as possible. S. Raina b Pradeep 1 D. Chameera, N. Pradeep Rohit said Indian players will learn Our squad is well equipped with plenty M. Pandey c Gunathilaka b Mendis 37 Sri Lanka innings (target 175) Bowling: Unadkat 3-0-35-1 (w2), Sundar from their mistakes for the next match. of all-rounders and that off ers the bal- R. Pant c Pradeep b Chameera 23 D. Gunathilaka c Pant b Unadkat 19 4-0-28-2 (w1), Thakur 3.3-0-42-0 (nb1, w1), “A lot of credit must go to Sri Lanka, to ance to the side,” he added. D. Karthik not out 13 K. Mendis c Dhawan b Sundar 11 Chahal 4-0-37-2 (w1), Shankar 2-0-15-0 (w1), their whole batting group. I’m sure we Commenting on the new-look bowl- Extras (b1, lb3, w6) 10 K. Perera st Karthik b Sundar 66 Raina 2-0-14-0 will learn from our mistakes,” Rohit said ing line-up, Rohit said: “I felt we’ve got Total (5 wickets, 20 overs) 174 D. Chandimal b Chahal 14 Toss: Sri Lanka after the match. enough experience in our bowling line- Fall of wickets: 1-1 (Sharma), 2-9 (Raina), U. Tharanga b Chahal 17 Result: Sri Lanka won by five wickets

WORLD CUP QUALIFIERS SPOTLIGHT Afghanistan collapse as Zimbabwe win Kohli reminds me of thriller, Gayle leads West Indies past UAE Imran, says Shastri

AFP IANS Harare Kolkata

hris Gayle hammered his eaping praise on skipper Virat 23rd one-day international Kohli and his recent exploits in hundred to lead the West South Africa, India cricket team Indies to victory in their coach Ravi Shastri has compared openingC World Cup qualifi er against theH mercurial player to Pakistan’s World the United Arab Emirates yesterday, Cup winning captain Imran Khan. while Afghanistan collapsed to de- “It’s still early days for Virat. He is still feat by Zimbabwe. very, very young. But he is already there Windies opening batsman Gayle among the very best. He wants to lead by struck 11 sixes in a blistering 91-ball example. He reminds me a lot of Imran. 123 in Harare as the two-time World He is still very young but he has got lot of Cup winners racked up 357-4 in their qualities that Imran had when it came to Group A clash, with the UAE fall- leading a side. Which is great,” Shastri was ing 60 runs short. Afghanistan’s quoted as saying. Imran Khan and Virat Kohli (below). hopes of taking one of the last two Kohli, ranked No 1 batsman in One Day places for next year’s tournament in Zimbabwe’s Brian Vitori (left) celebrates after taking Afghanistan’s last wicket of Shahpur Zadran during the ICC Internationals, was in imperious form England and Wales are hanging by Cricket World Cup Qualifier at Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, yesterday. (ICC). against the Proteas becoming the fi rst a thread, after following Sunday’s batsman ever to score 500 or more runs in shock loss to Scotland with an ago- off to a winning start, taking 5-53 af- to victory, but the pressure proved West Indies 357-4 in 50 overs (Shimron a bilateral ODI series. The right-hander, nising two-run defeat by the hosts. ter fast bowler Sheldon Cottrell’s day too much as they lost six wickets for Hetmyer 127, Chris Gayle 123) v United rated as one of the fi nest in modern times, Elsewhere, Ireland and Scotland was cut short by injury. only 21 runs. Arab Emirates 297-6 (Rameez Shahzad fi nished the series with 558 runs racking both made it two wins from two Afghanistan came into the qualifi - Last-wicket pair Dawlat Zadran 112 not out, Shaiman Anwar 64; Jason up three centuries, a record for an Indian by seeing off Papua New Guinea ers as favourites to qualify alongside and Shapoor Zadran dragged the Holder 5-53) batsman, and one fi fty in six innings. and Hong Kong respectively. The the West Indies, but will now prob- Asian outfi t to within four runs of West Indies won by 60 runs Imran led Pakistan to the 1992 World 38-year-old Gayle became only the ably need fi ve consecutive wins to their target heading into the fi nal Papua New Guinea 235 all out in 50 Cup and is arguably the best cricketer pro- third batsman in ODI history after have any chance of reaching a second over, but the latter was caught be- overs (Tony Ura 151; Andy McBrine 3-38) duced by Pakistan. Asked about the simi- Hashim Amla and Sachin Tendulkar straight World Cup. With the defeats hind off Brian Vitori to secure Zim- v Ireland 237-6 in 49.1 overs (William larities between Imran and Kohli, Shastri to score hundreds against 11 diff erent against Scotland and Zimbabwe babwe’s second win. Ireland and Porterfield 111, Ed Joyce 53) said the desire to always be on top and countries. set to count in the Super Six stage, Scotland look set to challenge the Ireland won by four wickets having an infectious energy level made After captain Jason Holder elected should Afghanistan get there, their West Indies and Zimbabwe for quali- him draw the comparison. “When you are the leading batsman in to bat fi rst, Gayle quickly got into his chances are all but over. fi cation, after both moved to the top Group B (At Bulawayo) “Just the ability to always want to dom- the side plus the captain, plus the condi- stride alongside big-hitting young- Rashid Khan and co put in a much- of their groups. Zimbabwe 196 all out in 43 overs inate, want to compete, irrespective of tions you get, plus the side that you are ster Evin Lewis in an opening part- improved display with the ball as Captain William Porterfi eld’s 111 (Brendan Taylor 89, Sikandar Raza 60; whatever conditions you get, believe that playing which is formidable, you need to nership of 88. Lewis fell for 31, but they limited Zimbabwe to 196 all steered Ireland to a four-wicket win Rashid Khan 3-38, Mujeeb Ur Rahman you can do it and when you have that kind be on top of your game. Shimron Hetmyer outdid even Gayle, out in Bulawayo. Teenage stand-in over Papua New Guinea, who had 3-49) v Afghanistan 194 all out in 49.3 of quality it spreads among the other play- “Mentally and physically. And he did plundering 127 to score his maiden captain Khan took 3-38 to reach 90 managed 235 thanks to a stunning overs (Rahmat Shah 69, Mohammad ers as well. And that was very similar to just that. For someone to score 870-plus international ton. The UAE, who had wickets in ODIs, while 16-year-old 151 from opener Tony Ura. Scotland Nabi 51; Blessing Muzarabani 4-47, the way Imran led.” score on a single tour in two months, is an beaten Papua New Guinea in their fellow leg-spinner Mujeeb Ur Rah- survived a middle-order collapse to Sikandar Raza 3-40) “I think he was fantastic on the last trip. unbelievable achievement. Really unbe- opening match, never threatened a man fi nished with 3-49. successfully chase down 92 to beat Zimbabwe won by two runs It was a tough trip,” Shastri said on Koh- lievable achievement,” said Shastri who famous run chase after slipping to But Brendan Taylor’s 89 and 60 Hong Kong, with skipper Kyle Co- Hong Kong 91 all out in 38.2 overs li’s leadership and performance in South has played 80 Tests and 150 ODIs for India. 69-3, but an excellent unbeaten 112 from Sikandar Raza proved crucial as etzer making 41 not out. (Tom Sole 4-15, Alasdair Evans 3-19) v Africa. India lost the Test series 1-2 but Shastri lashed out at former cricketers from Rameez Shahzad carried them Zimbabwe won in dramatic fashion. Scotland 92-6 in 23.3 overs (Ehsan Khan came back strongly in the 50-over format, asking Kohli to cut down on his aggression to a respectable 297-6. Windies At 156-3 with almost 17 overs re- BRIEF SCORES 3-29) winning the six-match series 5-1. In the on the fi eld, saying they should allow him skipper Holder ensured his side got maining, Afghanistan were cruising Group A (At Harare) Scotland won by four wickets T20Is, India edged past the hosts 2-1. and his captain to go about their business. Gulf Times 6 Wednesday, March 7, 2018 SPORT

GOLF NHL Schultz scores in Sharma OT as Penguins top Flames accepts Reuters New York

ustin Schultz was the hero and Evgeni Malkin netted one goal and two assists as the Pittsburgh Penguins Masters beatJ the Calgary Flames 4-3 in overtime in NHL action Mon- day night at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh. With the goalie slightly out of position anticipating him to shoot, Phil Kessel passed over to invite Schultz, and he buried the win- ner at 2:36 of overtime. ‘Shubhankar Sharma is a remarkable Not only was it a tough end- ing, but it was a tough start for Pittsburgh Penguins’ Justin young player, and we look forward to the Flames and rookie goalie Jon Schultz (left) celebrates his goal Gillies, who was victimized on in the match against Calgary welcoming him to Augusta’ two of the fi rst three shots on Flames on Monday. (USA TODAY goal. Chad Ruhwedel opened the Sports) Reuters I couldn’t fi nish it off today,” said scoring at the 2:10 mark when his Toronto Sharma. “But that’s what the game long wrister made it’s way past top of the key before sending a is about. And what I learned, espe- Gillies, who got a piece of the short dish to Backlund, who toe- cially playing with Phil, I’ll cherish puck. dragged around Letang before ndia’s Shubhankar Sharma, it forever.” Things went from bad to worse depositing a backhand. fresh off an impressive outing in Sharma was six when he went to for Gillies at 3:05 when he at- The roller coaster didn’t end his PGA Tour debut that made a golf course for the fi rst time and tempted to pass the puck from there. Letang made amends at the golfi ng world take notice, got hooked on the sport. His father behind his own net, only to see 17:01 of the second period when Ihas accepted an invitation to com- quit the Indian army to help his son Malkin knock it out of the air. The he sniped a top-corner, short- pete in next month’s US Masters, the chase his golfi ng goals. Sharma lives puck bounced toward the front of side dart from the right faceoff tournament said yesterday. in Chandigarh though his family the net, where Malkin was on the dot when the Penguins convert- Sharma, who led last week’s hails from the northern Indian state spot to slip it into an open cage to ed an odd-man rush. WGC-Mexico Championship af- of Jammu and Kashmir. give the Pens a 2-0 lead. However, Troy Brouwer again ter three rounds before fi nishing in To their credit, the Flames tied the game with 2.4 seconds a share of ninth, will become the TALENTED PLAYER controlled the rest of the open- left in the middle frame by fi n- fourth Indian player to compete in Five-times major champion Mick- ing period and drew even. Mark ishing a beautiful pass from T.J. the year’s fi rst major, following Jeev elson, who defeated Justin Thomas Giordano put the visitors on the Brodie, who raced deep into the Milkha Singh, Arjun Atwal and Ani- on the fi rst playoff hole to win the board at the 6:14 mark when he zone before feeding Brouwer rban Lahiri. event, had mistaken Sharma for a intercepted Kris Letang’s clear- in the low slot and staring at an “Golf is a global game, and through- member of the media on Saturday ing attempt at the side board, open net. out our history we have extended in- but will no doubt be able to put a eluded a check and then sent a Jarry stopped 35 shots in the vitations to deserving international name to the face in future. high, short-side shot that beat a win, while Gillies made 28 saves players not otherwise qualifi ed,” Fred “I saw how well he struck the golf screened Penguins goalie Tristan for the Flames. Ridley, Chairman of Augusta National ball. He hit a beautiful tee shot on Jarry. Golf Club and the Masters Tourna- one, you can tell he can really play,” Then Mikael Backlund made RESULTS ment, said in a statement. Mickelson said. it 2-2 with a highlight-reel goal Pittsburgh..... 4 Calgary ...... 3 (OT) “As his results have proven, “I saw some of the putts, some just past the period’s midway Buff alo ...... 5 Toronto ...... 3 Shubhankar Sharma is a remarkable of the highlights with the putter. point. After crossing the blue Ottawa...... 3 Dallas...... 2 (OT) young player, and we look forward to I know he’s a very talented player line, Michael Frolik stopped up Edmonton...... 4 Arizona...... 3 (OT) welcoming him to Augusta National and I believe he’s leading the Order like a basketball player at the Vancouver ..4 NY Islanders 3 (OT) in April.” of Merit on the European Tour, so I The 21-year-old Indian, who is know what a great player Mr. Shar- ranked 66th in the world, has won ma is. I probably shouldn’t say that, NFL twice in the past four months, at the he’s 26 years younger than me!” European Tour’s Joburg Open in De- With his two European Tour vic- cember and the Maybank Champi- tories, Sharma seems poised for a onship in February. The Masters will breakout year and compatriot Arjun Dolphins owner: be played from April 5-8. Atwal said he has the mental game to In Mexico City, Sharma’s hopes match his golf skills. of winning on his PGA Tour debut “To me, he has a very calm at- ‘Our players will be were dashed by a torrid fi nal round titude. He doesn’t get fl ustered, on Sunday but the 21-year-old im- he takes everything in his stride pressed many. and that’s what I’ve always noticed standing’ for Sharma teed off in the final about him,” said the fi rst Indian group along with Phil Mickelson winner on the PGA Tour. and Tyrrell Hatton at Club de Golf “He’s been very level headed since anthem in 2018 Chapultepec holding a two-shot I’ve known him. I can’t see him be- lead and needing one more great ing upset or cussing. It’s amazing to Reuters rything that he says. Overall, I round to become the youngest win- see what he’s doing at the age of 21. New York think he was trying to make a ner of a World Golf Championships “Shubhankar has got the type of point, and his message became event, as well as the fi rst to win in his game that you can’t pinpoint what what kneeling was all about. India’s Shubhankar fi rst WGC start. he needs to improve or get better. iami Dolphins own- From that standpoint, that is the Sharma prepares his However, his lead soon vanished There’s nothing that he’s very ex- er Stephen Ross way the public is interpreting it. shot at the first green, and a closing stretch of four bogeys ceptional at, but the thing is that changed his stance So I think that’s really incumbent during the fourth in his last six holes condemned him every part of his game he’s very good on kneeling for the upon us to adopt that. That’s to a three-over 74 in the fi nal round, at doing. Mnational anthem. how, I think, the country now is round of the World Golf Championship pushing him down to a tie for ninth “He’s like a Steve Stricker or Jim Ross, 77, received a lifetime interpreting the kneeling issue.” in Mexico City on on 274. Furyk. When you play with these achievement award from the Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Sunday. (AFP) “A little bit guys, they don’t do anything ex- Jackie Robinson Foundation but Jones, after orchestrating a team- disappointed, ceptional, like wow, but everything told the New York Daily News wide demonstration by kneeling I was lead- that they have in their game is good. afterwards that he changed his in unison before “Monday Night ing and I think There’s nothing bad at all.” opinion on civil pregame pro- Football” at Arizona last season, tests such as kneeling during the took a similar approach, publicly national anthem. stating his team would be stand- Ross said the debate became ing for the anthem. NBA focused more on “support of our Kaepernick and others voiced country or the military” and the their reason for protest being gesture began by former San Fran- unrelated to patriotism. cisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick maintains kneel- Kaepernick was lost in the blow- ing was a way to bring recogni- James, Nance power Cavs past Pistons back from some fans, NFL spon- tion and attention to his concern sors and President Donald Trump. over police brutality and racial “When that message changed, inequality. AFP with the Miami Heat and Milwaukee to a fi fth win in six games. and everybody was interpreting Dolphins wide receiver Kenny Los Angeles Bucks in seventh and eighth. The Celtics are 1 1/2 games behind the it as that was the reason, then I Stills was one of several NFL The Heat closed out a 4-1 homestand Toronto Raptors for the Eastern Confer- was against kneeling,” Ross told players who eventually chose to on Monday with a 125-103 victory over ence lead. The Daily News. “I like Donald kneel during the pregame play- leveland superstar LeBron James the Phoenix Suns. The Bulls, meanwhile, lost for the 14th (Trump). I don’t support eve- ing of the national anthem. poured in 31 points and Larry Center Hassan Whiteside scored 24 time in 17 games. Nance Jr. added 22 in his fi rst points with 14 rebounds in three quar- In San Antonio, veteran point guard start for the Cavaliers on Mon- ters and point guard Goran Dragic added Tony Parker scored 23 points and handed dayC in a 112-90 triumph over the Detroit 17 points for a Heat team that saw seven out four assists as the Spurs edged the Eagles getting calls for Foles, Pistons. players score in double fi gures. Memphis Grizzlies 100-98. Nance, who arrived in Cleveland in a The Bucks dropped to eighth in the “Tony was his old self,” guard Danny asking high price February 8 trade with the Los Angeles East with a 92-89 loss to the Indiana Pac- Green said of the French star, a 17-year Lakers, started at centre in place of Tris- ers in Indianapolis. veteran who came off the bench as he The Philadelphia Eagles have believes trade negotiations tan Thompson, who sprained an ankle Bojan Bogdanovic equalled a career continues to battle back from a quadri- received “multiple trade of- for Foles will start with two against Denver on Saturday. high with 29 points and came up with a ceps tendon injury suff ered last May. fers” for Super Bowl MVP Nick first-round picks, while former He and James combined to score Cleve- crucial jump ball in the waning seconds Green had 14 points and Davis Bertans Foles but are asking a high general manager and current land’s fi rst 20 points, and their combined as the Pacers thwarted the Bucks’ come- added 17 for the Spurs, who had lost four price, ESPN’s Chris Mortensen ESPN analyst Bill Polian said that 34 points in the fi rst half helped stake the back bid. at home and eight of their last 10 to fall reported on Monday. if he were the Philadelphia GM, Cavs to a 54-49 halftime lead. The Pacers trailed the Bucks by two at from third to sixth in the Western Con- As Mortensen made clear, the he wouldn’t field any off ers that Cleveland kept the pressure on in the halftime, but Bogdanovic scored 11 points ference. reigning NFL champions are did not start with two first- and third quarter, out-scoring Detroit 36-21. in a third quarter as Indiana took a 92-89 The win was especially important as not soliciting off ers for what he two second-round picks. That included 13 points from James in less lead. “I’m just trying to be aggressive,” he the Spurs now embark on a tough road calls the “best insurance policy Foles came off the bench after than fi ve minutes to open the second half. said. swing against the Golden state Warriors, in (the) NFL”. starter Carson Wentz suff ered He departed after three quarters hav- Oklahoma City Thunder and Houston While Mortensen says the a torn ACL against the Los ing handed out seven assists and seven Cleveland Cavaliers’ LeBron James (right) NO IRVING, NO PROBLEM Rockets. Eagles will demand more than Angeles Rams on Dec. 10. He rebounds. drives against Detroit Pistons’ Reggie The Boston Celtics didn’t feel the absence the first- and fourth-round went 5-1 as a starter, culminat- Nance pulled down 15 rebounds and Bullock in the game against Cleveland, of star point guard Kyrie Irving in a 105- RESULTS picks they received from the ing with a 41-33 win against helped limit Pistons centre Andre Drum- Ohio, on Monday. (USA TODAY Sports) 89 victory over the Bulls in Chicago. LA Lakers...... 103, Portland ...... 108 Minnesota Vikings for Sam New England in Super Bowl LII. mond to 15 points. With Irving nursing a sore knee, Bos- San Antonio .....100, Memphis...... 98 Bradford on the eve of the Foles threw for 373 yards and “It just kind of felt easy,” Nance said. eight rebounds and fi ve assists, but the ton started strong and never looked back Miami...... 125, Phoenix ...... 103 2016 season, some other three touchdowns against the “The guys were giving me all the oppor- Pistons dropped their third straight and — scoring the fi rst seven points en route Utah ...... 94, Orlando...... 80 estimates have been far more Patriots, and also caught a tunity in the world to make my shots, and have now lost nine of their last 11. to a 35-16 lead after one quarter. Chicago...... 89, Boston...... 105 aggressive. touchdown, en route to MVP I just happened to be making them.” They are ninth in the Eastern Confer- Jaylen Brown scored 21 points fr Bos- Cleveland...... 112, Detroit...... 90 MMQB’s Peter King said he honours. Blake Griffi n led Detroit with 25 points, ence, fi ve games out of playoff position ton, who led by as many as 37 on the way Indiana...... 92, Milwaukee ...... 89 Gulf Times Wednesday, March 7, 2018 7 SPORT

TENNIS SPOTLIGHT Ooredoo to support Katara Beach Serena has high Volleyball Cup 2018

By Sports Reporter that concludes on Saturday. Doha The total prize money for the event will be USD150,000. As Offi cial Telecommunica- expectations going oredoo is the Offi cial tion Sponsors, Ooredoo will en- Telecommunications sure seamless access to the Su- Partner of the 2018 pernet for athletes and visitors at Katara Beach Volley- the tournament venue. ballO Cup, it was announced yes- Talking about the sponsor- terday. ship, Manar Khalifa al-Muraikhi, This is the second tournament director of PR and Corporate in the FIVB World Tour and it is Communications, Ooredoo, into Indian Wells the fi rst time a four-star tourna- said, “Ooredoo is happy to once ment is being held in the Middle again support the Katara Beach East. Volleyball Cup and wish all par- 23-time Grand Slam champ is competing at elite hardcourt tournament this week The Katara Beach Volleyball ticipants the best of luck. We en- Cup began with the qualifi ers courage everyone to head along AFP yesterday and will see the partic- and support this event, to show New York ipation of 56 teams from 28 dif- the world that Qatar is passion- ferent countries in a tournament ate about sports.”

erena Williams said Monday that she “can’t wait for the future” as BASKETBALL she warmed up for her return to the WTA Tour at the Tie Break Tens ex- hibitionS at Madison Square Garden. The 23-time Grand Slam champion is Pilipinas Beton rally competing at the elite Indian Wells hard- court tournament this week, her fi rst tour action since her 2017 Australian Open to beat Qavana triumph. Williams was pregnant when she lifted the trophy in Melbourne last year, and Balkan in Inter missed the rest of 2017 awaiting the birth of her daughter in September. Monday’s event, which featured eight Nations Division players facing off in 10-point “super tie breaks” as they vied for a $250,000 win- ner’s prize, was a chance to sharpen her skills. Williams bowed out in the second round, gaining a 9-7 lead over China’s Zhang Shuai but eventually falling 13-11. “It was good,” she said of the experi- ence. “I wish I would have made a few more shots.” Williams opened the laid-back event with a 10-5 victory over Marion Bartoli, the 2013 Wimbledon champion who an- nounced in December she was planning to return to the court more than four years after retiring in the wake of her only Grand Slam triumph. Serena Williams of the US (left) hugs Marion Bartoli of France after their TieBreak Tens tennis match at Madison Square Garden in After correcting the protocol for the New York City on Monday. (USA TODAY Sports) “rock-paper-scissors” game used to de- termine who served fi rst, Williams fell sister Venus last month. “I think everyone should have high ex- Open later this month. behind 4-2, but a double-fault from Bar- The birth of Williams’s daughter, Alex- pectations,” said Williams, who will be However, the 33-year-old told AFP her toli followed by two aces from Serena saw is Olympia, was followed by complica- unseeded at Indian Wells and open her timetable would depend on how her body the American great ahead 5-4. tions that scuppered the player’s plans to campaign against 53rd-ranked Zarina Di- holds up to training. A couple of forehand winners and a defend her title in Melbourne. yas of Kazakhstan. “That’s the message “I do not know if my shoulder and my service winner saw Williams take an 8-4 But Williams says she’s aiming to be that I’m sending.” knees are going to hold, there are so many lead, and she fi nally fi nished it off with back at her best — apparently more than Bartoli, who was forced to pull out of an question marks,” she said. another winning serve. comfortable with coach Patrick Moura- exhibition event at Wimbledon last year “What is certain is that I will not return “It feels diff erent, it feels good,” said toglou’s comments to wtatennis.com because of a mystery virus and dramatic to the court until I consider myself 100%. Williams, who returned to competition that her goal for this season “will be to weight loss, has said she was targeting I stopped the competition for fi ve years — with a Fed Cup doubles loss alongside her win Grand Slams.” a return to the WTA Tour at the Miami and I’ll be back when I’m 100 percent.”

Dimitrov and Cilic to Queen’s crown in 2014 and went to reach at Queen’s and Britain’s Andy Murray, a coach who worked at Hertfordshire the Wimbledon semi-finals. “The Queen’s recovering from hip surgery, could also County LTA when Corrie was a member Rodel Mallari (left) of Pilipinas Beton in action during the Inter Nations play at Queen’s Club Championships is one of my favour- play in the tournament. of that body’s Executive Committee. The Division match against Qavana Balkan in the Ooredoo Basketball Cup ite tournaments, there’s so much history coach was investigated and sanctioned PIBAQ 25th Conference. PICTURE: Ronnie Castro Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov will revive at the event and grass is one of the best LTA chief steps aside by the LTA Disciplinary Committee at happy memories of London when he times of the year,” Dimitrov said. “Now the time. An LTA statement said it had By Sport Reporter advantage in the paint as they warms up for Wimbledon at the Queen’s that I have the 02 title, I am motivated to pending investigation undertaken a full internal review and Doha saw Qavana Balkan starting to Club tournament in June. The world do even better at Queen’s and Wimble- commissioned a further independent feel the fatigue. This enabled number four will be joined by fellow don this year.” Cilic lost in the Queen’s Martin Corrie, the president of Britain’s investigation. Corrie said it was right for Pilipinas to slowly close the gap former Queen’s champion Marin Cilic final last year to Feliciano Lopez and in Lawn Tennis Association (LTA), has him to step aside temporarily during he Pilipinas Beton team on Qavana Balkan. who has also confirmed he will sharpen the Wimbledon final to Roger Federer. He stepped aside pending an investigation the investigation. “I would not wish my came from behind to With 3 minutes remaining and his grasscourt game on the west London again fell one victory short at this year’s into the handling of a 2004 sexual as- presence in this significant public role pick up a thrilling 94-89 Qavana leading by 4, Pilipinas Be- lawns. Dimitrov, who won the ATP World Australian Open, losing to Federer in a sault allegation against a coach. The LTA to become a distraction from the very over Qavana Balkan in ton’s Nino Gelig launched back- Tthe Inter Nations Division of the to-back threes to grab the lead. A Tour Finals in London in November, five-set final. World number two Rafael said on Monday it received a complaint good work the LTA is currently doing in the biggest title of his career, won the Nadal has also confirmed he will play last December about a case concerning the safeguarding arena,” he said. Ooredoo Basketball Cup PIBAQ short stab by Albin Pjanic returned 25th Conference. the favour to Qavana but Gelig un- Qavana Balkan had kept Pili- leashed another three to up their pinas at bay for most of the game lead to two as Qavana lost steam in ATHLETICS with their unpredictable ball ro- the fi nal minutes. tation. Pilipinas were not able Rodel Mallari led Pilipinas to counter Qavana Balkan’s of- with a double-double perform- fensive prowess. The impressive ance of 25 points and 10 rebounds perimeter shooting by Andrija along with a block. While Adam IAAF maintains Russia ban over doping Stojancev made it even harder Rickwood paced Qavana with 22 for Pilipinas to lock down the de- markers. fence, forcing them to stretch to The Ooredoo Basketball Cup AFP lifted its ban on Russia at the end of the cover Qavana Balkan’s shooters. PIBAQ 25th Conference is brought Birmingham, United Kingdom Pyeongchang Winter Games last month. In the third quarter, Pilipinas to you by the Qatar Basketball Russia had been banned from the Ol- Beton’s woes continued as they Federation in co-operation with ympic movement over allegations it put saw Qavana Balkan’s lead reach the Samahang Basketbol ng he governing body of world ath- in place a huge system of state-sponsored double digits as Adam Rickwood Pilipinas Inc. and the Philippine letics said yesterday it was main- doping culminating at the 2014 Russian- led his team on the off ensive end. Embassy in Qatar. It is also spon- taining Russia’s ban from the hosted Sochi Winter Games. Pilipinas Beton barely closed the sored by Philippine Airlines, Mc- sport over mass doping, saying A team of 168 Russians competed in gap to single digit before the start Donald’s, Happy Journey Travels TMoscow had failed to provide evidence it Pyeongchang under the banner of Ol- of the fourth. and Season Restaurant. This year was adequately testing Russian competi- ympic Athletes from Russia, but a Rus- It was then that Pilipinas vet- PIBAQ will also have Filipiknows tors. sian curling medallist tested positive for a eran Rodel Mallari asserted his as its media partner. Despite Russian athletes being allowed banned substance. back into Olympic competition, the Inter- Dmitry Shlyakhtin, the head of Russian national Association of Athletics Federa- athletics, said he would seek a meeting tions (IAAF) said the country’s anti-doping with IAAF President Sebastian Coe and England red-hot favourites, says body RUSADA had met some of the re- Andersen to argue his case. quirements to be reinstated, but not all. “We’ve sent them all the materials and France rugby coach Brunel The IAAF’s medical expert Rune An- the documents (they asked for),” he said, dersen said the sport’s anti-doping task adding that the IAAF task force “has not England are red-hot favourites and they have consistently force had “recommended to the IAAF been in touch with us since October”. to beat France in Saturday’s maintained a high level of per- Council and the Council accepted that Sergei Shubenkov, Russia’s 2015 world Six Nations match at the Stade formance over two years.” RUSAF (the Russian athletics federation) 110m hurdles champion, said the IAAF’s de France, beleaguered French Brunel dismissed England’s not be reinstated”. decision was incomprehensible. coach Jacques Brunel has ad- surprise 25-13 defeat to “Because while many reinstatement “I just have no idea how to take all this,” mitted. He said if his side man- Scotland in their last match as conditions had been met, there are sev- he told R-Sport agency. “For a long time aged to beat the Six Nations a blip. eral that still have not been satisfi ed,” now I have not understood what’s going champions it would show that France on the other hand Andersen told a press conference in the on at these (IAAF) meetings and their de- France, who have won just have laboured through the Six English city of Birmingham. cisions. once in 11 months, had made a Nations, losing to Ireland and “For example, RUSAF and RUSADA “In any case there’s no choice (for us huge step forward. Scotland before a face-saving have still not provided a test distribu- athletes) and I’ll continue training and “England have won 24 of win against Italy. tion plan for 2018 that shows an adequate preparing.” their last 26 games, and they “We are trying create this kind amount of testing of Russian athletes.” Several Russian athletes competed come here not only as red-hot of leap forwards and get up Andersen also said RUSAF had not as neutrals in last week’s World Indoor favourites, they have to win to the level we should be at. demonstrated “that it has fi xed previous Championships in Birmingham, includ- here in France to win the tour- So if we can beat England that legal issues that meant it was unable to ing the winners of the women’s and men’s nament,” said Brunel. “Their would represent a significant enforce provisional doping bans”. high jump competitions, Mariya Lasit- In this March 1, 2018, picture, Authorised Neutral Athlete Danil Lysenko celebrates his results speak for themselves advance.” The International Olympic Committee skene and Danil Lysenko. men’s high jump final win at the IAAF World Indoor Championships in Birmingham. (AFP)

Wednesday, March 7, 2018 GULF TIMES SPORT

FIVB BEACH VOLLEYBALL TOUR Qatar teams to prep for Tokyo 2020 qualifi ers at Katara Cup ‘We want to put up our best in the Tokyo Olympic qualification process and see both the pairs into the Olympics’

By Sports Reporter Doha

atar Volleyball As- sociation (QVA) are considering the FIVB Katara Beach Volleyball CupQ as preparations for the 2020 Olympic Games qualifi ers. Qatar has fi elded three diff er- ent pairs for the four-star event with the aim to achieve the right balance for the teams before the Tokyo Games qualifi cation proc- ess, which is scheduled to start in September. This is the fi rst time that a four-star status event is being organised in the Middle East. Qatar’s three pairs are Cherif Younousse-Ahmed Tijan, Jef- ferson Santos Pereira-Julio Cesar do Nascimento, and newcomers Ziad Benlouaer Ziad-Ahmed Ali Nassir. Earlier, the No. 1 Qatar team comprised Pereira and You- nousse, while Julio Cesar do Nas- Qatar players with American top seeds Philip Dalhausser and Nicholas Lucena and FIVB off icials pose on the eve of the FIVB Katara Beach Volleyball Cup yesterday. PICTURES: Jayaram cimento and Tijan formed the second pair. game as they move on, but it’s we’ll also try to do our level best The two teams were together clear that they have bigger and and see how we progress from for more than two years and clearer ambitions. here,” he said. looked quite settled. However, Nassir is quite excited about During the presentation of the the QVA have now shuffl ed the getting the opportunity to play in Qatari players, Younousse said, two teams around, with Ti- such a high-profi le tournament “We started the season well. We jan paired with Younousse, and as he said, “This event is very fi nished among the top nine in Pereira with Julio. strong. Most of the top players the Holland event (four-star) and “This has been basically done in the world are here. It will not were not so good in Iran. That is to see if the new pairs can help be easy for us. It is pretty excit- why we want to do well here. improve the results. If this exper- ing that our fi rst match is against “Katara Cup is a good chance iment works, they will continue Dalhausser and Lucena. to show our fans that we can also or if the players don’t or can’t “Both I, and Ziad were play- play at good level.” Younousse perform up to our expectations, ing the indoors before. For the said. they will return to their original past two months or so, we started Younousse and Tijan will open teams,” Roberto Reggiani, a tech- playing together on the beach their campaign with a match nical beach volleyball expert in volleyball courts here. We’re very against American pairing of Ryan the association, said yesterday. new team, we’ve taken up the Doherty and William Allen in “We want to put up our best in challenge to excel and we’ll try Pool H today. the Tokyo Olympic qualifi cation to do our best in the Katara Cup,” With a new test coming up at process and see both the pairs said Nassir. home, Pereira and Do Nascimen- into the Olympics. So, we just “To succeed in beach volley- to are be more than keen to give it want to use this time to assess ball, you must have very good a good shot and make up for the all the technical aspects before understanding with your part- lost time on the Tour. we decide what are our best op- ner. It takes about two years or “I’m looking forward to play- tions,” the Italian said. so to become a good team. We’ve ing matches in the Katara Cup. Benlouaer Ziad Ziad and just started our career in this new This is the fi rst time that we’re Ahmed Ali Nassir, a relative sport and we hope to continue in playing out of Al Gharafa. This newcomers to the scene, are future,” said Nassir. looks a nice venue and hopefully, up against American top seeds He praised his teammates for there will be a big crowd to enjoy Philip Dalhausser and Nicholas their dedication and rise in beach the matches and support beach Lucena in Pool A. volleyball. volleyball,” Pereira said. Dalhausser and Lucena are fl y- “In 2014, these players were “We hope to do our best. Our ing high after winning the FIVB ranked over 50. But with hard main aim is to qualify for the World Tour event on their home work and playing together with main round and get a strong start sand in south Florida. total commitment, Cherif and to the year,” he said. The Americans said their fi rst Jeff erson managed to reach 17th Julio and Pereira will take on challenge was to get out of the ranking in the world. So Qatar are Martins Plavins and Edgars Tocs group stage and improve their really doing well in this sport and of Latvia in Pool F. Action from a qualifying round match of the FIVB Katara Beach Volleyball Cup yesterday.

FOCUS Top amateurs set for Bonallack and Patsy Hankins golf By Sports Reporter tion Chairman J. Muratsu said, (Germany), Rasmus Hojgaard Doha “This is the fi rst APGC event in (Denmark), Matias Honkala Qatar. As I have seen in my (Finland), Angel Hidalgo Portillo last three visits here in twelve (Spain), Matthew Jordan (Eng- ome of the world’s best years, Qatar is growing rapidly. land), Frederic Lacroix (France), amateur players will be We wish that golf also grows in Kristoff er Reitan (Norway), Sami seen in action at the Doha the country at the same pace. Valimaki (Finland). Golf club from March 8 to Golf has a big presence in Qa- Asia-Pacific Bonallack Trophy 10S when they vie for the Bonal- tar, thanks to eff orts of QGA and team: Rayan Thomas (India), lack and Patsy Hankins trophies, DGC.” Min Woo Lee (Australia), Shae the symbols of supremacy at the He thanked the EGA for bring- Wools-Cobb (Australia), Takumi non-professional level in Europe ing the Bonallack & Patsy Hank- Kanaya (Japan), Kazuya Osawa and the Asia-Pacifi c region for ins Trophies to Qatar. (Japan) Jaemin Han (Korea), men and women. “Through these trophies, Dong-min Kim (Korea), Daniel Played in a match play for- we’ve learnt a lot of things on the Hillier (New Zealand), Lloyd mat similar to the prestigious international scene of golf. For Jeff erson Go (Philippines), Ryder Cup this week’s amateur the players it’s a very important Gregory Foo (Singapore), events are named after two of and prestigious event which has Sadom Keawkanjana (Thailand) the world’s leading administra- produced many international and Kammalas Namuangruk tors of the game. stars,” he added. (Thailand). “These tournaments are the Qatar Golf Association Gen- Asia-Pacific Patsy Hankins pinnacle for amateur golfers. As eral Secretary Fahad Nasser Trophy team: Grace Kim (Aus- a sport golf unites Europe and we al-Naimi said he expects some tralia), Liu Wenbo (China), Du are very proud of this,” Richard tough competition at the Doha Mohan (China), Ya-Chun Chang Heath, General Secretary of the Golf Club which last month (Chinese Taipei), Yu-Chiang Hou European Golf Association told hosted the prestigious Commer- (Chinese Taipei), Yuna Nishimu- reporters at a press conference cial Bank Qatar Masters. ra (Japan), Riri Sadoyama yesterday. “We are proud to host these (Japan), Seo-yun Kwon (Korea), “Over the last 20 years this prestigious tournaments. We are Hae-ran Ryu (Korea), Yuka Saso match has played host to many fully prepared for the event and (Philippines), Paphangkorn of the world’s best amateur golf- we wish all the players the best Tavatanakit (Thailand) and At- ers and many who have become of luck.” thaya Thitikul (Thailand). top professionals such as Rory Besides being a top amateur Europe Patsy Hankins Trophy McIlroy, Jon Rahm and Hideki golfer who won several tourna- European Golf Association General Secretary Richard Heath (third from left), K. Muratsu, President, Asia Pacific Golf Federation (fourth from team: Elaine Ratcliff e, non-play- Matsuyama. ments, Englishman Sir Michael left) seen with QGA General Secretary Fahad Nasser al-Naimi (left), QGA Executive Director Mohamed Faisal al-Naimi (second right), Janet ing captain (England), Gudrun “The EGA is in its 81st year and Bonallack served as secretary Turner, Area Director of Sales InterContinental Hotels Group (second from left) and Nick Shan, Assistant Director Asia Pacific, R&A (right) at Bjorgvinsdottir (Iceland), Zhen has travelled a long way. We’ve of The Royal and Ancient Golf yesterday’s press conference at the Doha Golf Club yesterday. Bontan (The Netherlands), received a very warm welcome Club of St Andrews from 1983 to Bianca Fabrizio (Italy), Blanca in Qatar. We have 24 young and 1999 and Chairman of the PGA Association. 2015 at the age of 70, was Chair- comprise fi ve foursomes match- In the event of a tie, the trophy Garcia-Poggio (Spain), Annabell eager players waiting to compete of Great Britain and Ireland from Similarly the Patsy Hankins person of the board of Women’s es each morning and fi ve four- shall be retained by the holders. Fuller (England), Paula Grant and co-operate with each other 1976 to 1981. Trophy will be played between Golf New Zealand, and was only ball matches each afternoon. (Ireland), Frida Kinhult (Sweden), as a team and enjoy the sunshine He was also the President of the European and Asia-Pacifi c one in seven women off ered the On the fi nal day, all twelve team Europe Bonallack Trophy Amanda Linner (SWE), Clarisse here. It will be a challenging ca- the Golf Club Managers’ Asso- women’s teams and is named af- membership Royal and Ancient players compete in singles match team: Edgar Catherine (France), Louis (Belgium) Puk Lyng Thom- maraderie between the players,” ciation from 1974 to 1984 and ter one of New Zealand’s top golf Golf Club. play. A win counts as one point, a Todd Clements (England), Robin sen (Denmark), Elena Moosman he said. is currently the President of the administrators. There are three days of play in half yields half a point and a lost Dawson (Ireland), Oliver Gill- (Switzerland), Isobel Wardle Asia Pacifi c Golf Confedera- International Golf Greenkeepers Hankins, who passed away in both events. The fi rst two days match returns zero. berg (Sweden), Marc Hammer (England).