Ebraz, French King Scintillate with Sword and Trophy Wins

CCRICKETRICKET | Page 7 Sri Lanka defy the odds to claim historic Test series victory

Sunday, February 24, 2019 FOOTBALL Jumada II 19, 1440 AH ‘Decisive’ Messi GULF TIMES downs Sevilla with 50th career hat-trick SPORT Page 5

HORSE RACING / HH THE AMIR SWORD FESTIVAL Ebraz, French King scintillate with Sword and Trophy wins Ebraz ensures fourth straight Amir Sword win for Sheikh Mohamed, Smart; Sheikh Abdullah lifts Amir Trophy Maxime Guyon (left) rides Ebraz with French King to victory ahead of Yazeed, ridden By Mikhil Bhat by Olivier Peslier. Doha PICTURE: Juhaim

is Highness Sheikh Mo- hamed bin Khalifa al-Thani and trainer Julian Smart cel- ebrated a fourth straight HH HThe Amir Sword (Group 1 PA) victory with Ebraz winning the million-dollar Purebred Arabian feature in scintil- lating fashion, even as Olivier Peslier and French King ensured His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Khalifa al-Thani lifted HH The Amir Trophy (Group 1) after a gap of six years. In the Al Hazm-sponsored ﬁ nale, Smart’s other ward, Aaley Al Magam lit up the course in the 2400m Arabian feature early on, with Umm Qarn’s Yazeed following not too far behind under Peslier. As Alban de Mieulle’s charge took the advantage on the way home, Smart’s two-time winner Gazwan couldn’t keep up, and it was left to Maxime Guyon-ridden Ebraz to chase the leader down. And chase he did as His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani presents the sword to the six-year-old went past Yazeed for His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Khalifa al-Thani after Ebraz won HH The Amir his second victory in the race. Sword (Group 1 PA). “It’s a great weekend of racing, but for me, personally, pressure is im- mense. But it is also pressure I give myself, you know. Everybody expects the horses to perform, and luckily they do more often than not,” Smart said after the victory, which is his seventh in Qatar’s ﬂ agship Arabian race.

The jockey is the best. Very happy for this big big race win for Sheikh Abdullah in ‘ this very important race — Henri-Alex Pantall, trainer for His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Khalifa al-Thani’s French King

“It is lovely to have the quality of horses that I am getting from Shahaniya. Ebraz has won it twice, Gazwan has won it twice. Today, Ebraz was left to run his own race, while everyone else was fi ghting up front. Maxime never even hit him once today, just hand-ride. “This is what the Amir’s Sword is, an absolute test of stamina. The Arc, the English Derby, they are all 2400m. We don’t have enough racing over 2400m for Arabians. This is the best race for Arabians in the world. Some say at 2000m you will get more, but in my opinion you won’t get more quality. You had nine horses, but it was a good fi eld with four-fi ve horses rated over 120.” De Mieulle perhaps hoped for Pes- His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani presents the trophy to lier to work his magic in the Arabian His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Khalifa al-Thani after French King won HH The feature, just as the French jockey did Amir Trophy (Group 1). with a tactical race in the million-dollar Thoroughbred feature with French ers, who have good horses but most of to victory, leading two more foreign King. “But Yazeed can’t do the dis- them for a mile, nine furlongs, etc.” runners – Jerome Reynier’s Royal Ju- tance, 2400m is too long for him,” De Peslier’s tactical run in HH The lius and Aidan O’Brien’s Hunting Horn Mieulle said after the race. Amir Trophy (Group 1), presented by – to the paddock. “The leader in front of Yazeed sud- Longines, won him applause from all “The jockey is the best,” Pantall said denly stopped and Olivier decided to quarters. after the win. go ahead. Maybe those 200m made the He mixed up the pace during the race He added through a translator, “Very diff erence, but anyway a race is a race.” well after taking the lead on Henri- happy for this big big race win for He added: “Classic races around the Alex Pantall-trained French King. And Sheikh Abdullah in this very important world are 2000m, and I think they need with no challenge from the rest of the race. Umm Qarn’s horses came to the to rethink about the distance in the fu- fi eld, he managed to create enough gap stables through Alban de Mieulle, with ture to give more chance to more own- once on the home straight, and cruised whom I have a long relationship.” Gulf Times 2 Sunday, February 24, 2019 HORSE RACING Glimpses from HH The Amir Sword Festival

His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani applauds as Khalifa bin Sheail al-Kuwari (centre) lifts HH The Amir Silver Sword, sponsored by Ooredoo, after Fakhir His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani presents won the 1850m race yesterday. Fakhir may have lost in the Trials, he wasn’t going to let that dampen as a determined challenge on the home straight saw the Mohamed the trainer’s trophy to Julian Smart after his ward Ebraz won HH The Jassim Ghazali ward register his first career victory yesterday. Harry Bentley began the pursuit of Trial topper AJS Moaddie, helmed by Faleh Bughanaim, after the turn and Amir Sword (Group 1 PA) yesterday. steadily moved past him for a one-and-a-half length victory, leaving his young trainer teary-eyed.

His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani applauds the Al Sabiq races winner, Nasser Hamad Mubarak al-Hajri (third from right). Also seen are Qatar Olympic Committee President HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad al-Thani (left), His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Khalifa al-Thani (second from left), His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Khalifa al-Thani (third from left) and QREC chairman Issa al-Mohannadi (right). Abdulrahman Abdullah Faleh al-Hajri finished second in the Al Sabiq races, ahead of third-placed Talab Ali Olivier Peslier rides French King to victory in the HH The Amir Trophy Talab al-Hajri and fourth-placed Salah Qasim Mohamed al-Yafaei. (Group 1) yesterday. PICTURE: Juhaim RESULTS Race 5: 1. Beachwalk (Cristian Demuro), 2. Jewel House (Eduardo Race 1: 1. Asaaf (Ryu Abe), 2. Pedroza), 3. Khataaf (Theo Bach- Sraab (Ryan Curatolo), 3. Al Lu- elot), 4. Take A Nap (Ronan Tho- sail (Faleh Bughanaim), 4. Moad- mas). Won by: 1 1/4, 1/2, Shd. Time: die (Theo Bachelot). Won by: 2:00.60. Owner: Abdulhadi Mana Shd, ¼, ¾. Time: 2:02.55. Owner: al-Hajri. Trainer: Stefano Ibido. Ali Khalfan Mohamed al-Suwaidi. Trainer: Zuhair Mohsen. Race 6: 1. Fakhir (Harry Bentley), 2. AJS Moaddie (Faleh Bugha- Race 2: 1. Sharesa (Theo Bachelot), naim), 3. Tabouk (Cristian 2. Al Naama (Faleh Bughanaim), Demuro), 4. Al Junood (Oisin 3. Rajeh (Harry Bentley), 4. Ateej Murphy). Won by: 1 ½, 2, Hd. (Adrie de Vries). Won by: ½, ½, Time: 2:02.62. Owner: Khalifa ½. Time: 1:42.95. Owner: Sheikh bin Sheail al-Kuwari. Trainer: Khalifa bin Mohamed bin Khalifa Mohamed Jassim Ghazali. al-Thani. Trainer: Julian Smart. Race 7: 1. French King (Olivier Race 3: 1. Anima Rock (Theo Peslier), 2. Royal Julius (Gerald Bachelot), 2. Stone Of Destiny Mosse), 3. Hunting Horn (Ryan (Oisin Murphy), 3. Izzthatright Moore), 4. The Blue Eye (Harry (Harry Bentley), 4.Cristofano Allori Bentley). Won by: 1 ½, 1 ¼, ¾. Time: (Stephan Ladjadj). Won by: 1 ¼, ¾, 2:26.12. Owner: His Highness Abdulrahman al-Mansour (left) receives the owner’s trophy after 2 ¾. Time: 1:09.48. Owner: Khalifa Sheikh Abdullah bin Khalifa al- Sheikh Khalifa bin Mohamed bin Khalifa al-Thani’s Sharesa won bin Sheail al-Kuwari. Trainer: Jas- Thani. Trainer: Henri-Alex Pantall. the Qatar International Cup (Group 1 PA), which is sponsored sim Mohamed Ghazali. Race 8: 1. Ebraz (Maxime Guyon), by Social & Sport Contribution Fund (Daam), yesterday. Trainer Race 4: 1. Global Spectrum 2. Yazeed (Olivier Peslier), 3. Julian Smart’s third winner in the three-day flagship meeting (Gerald Mosse), 2. Luchador (JP Gazwan (Theo Bachelot), 4. Tayf was the prolific Sharesa. Theo Bachelot got the filly to move on Winners of HH The Amir Shalfa, sponsored by Manateq, pose on the podium after Abdulhadi Mana Guillambert), 3. Cococabala (Ivan (Ronan Thomas). Won by: ¾, Nk, the outside coming on to the home straight, and the two picked al-Hajri-owned Beachwalk won the 2000m race. Stefano Ibido’s ward emerged as the winner in the Rossi), 4. Admiral Rous (Cristian Hd. Time: 2:37.06. Owner: His up pace a little more than a furlong out, taking the advantage USD250,000 race. Under a fantastic ride by Cristian Demuro, the gelding beat Eduardo Pedroza and Demuro). Won by: 1/2, 2, 1. Time: Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin and beating De Mieulle-trained Al Naama by half a length. It was his mount Jewel House in the final 100m to pick up a victory in a field that also featured the Derby 1:35.29. Owner: Dr Johnny Hon. Khalifa al-Thani. Trainer: Julian Sharesa’s fifth straight victory. hero Full Moon. PICTURES: Juhaim Trainer: Gay Kelleway. Smart.

Winners of the Al Biddah Mile, sponsored by Al Muftah Group, pose on the podium Winners of Dukhan Sprint (QA Group 3), which is sponsored by Breeders’ Cup, on the podium. Jassim Mohamed Ghazali-schooled Anima Rock went yesterday. Gay Kelleway-trained Global Spectrum was the first overseas winner of the one better than his course and distance run last time out to win the six-furlong sprint. The local star beat British raider Stone Of Destiny, who was day when the Dutch Art colt edged out Jassim Mohamed Ghazali’s ward, Luchador, by ridden by Oisin Murphy for Andrew Balding, by a little more than a length. half-a-length to win the Group 2 race. Gulf Times Sunday, February 24, 2019 3 SPORT

EQUESTRIAN Al-Ajami leads Carport to stunning Amir’s Sword victory ‘This is the biggest triumph of my career as I had never won such a prestigious title before’

By Sahan Bidappa 2010 World Championships and Asian Doha Games, and achieved a silver medal in the team event at the 2011 Pan Arab Games. aleh Suwead al-Ajami scooped “My aim is to qualify for the Tokyo the biggest win of his career as Olympic Games in 2020. But fi rst I have he won the feature event at the to do well in the qualifi cation competi- HH The Amir’s Sword Eques- tion. I want to thank the Qatar Eques- trianF championship yesterday. trian Federation for doing a great job in A dark horse going into the Big Tour hosting this event. Everything is done 140/150cm class, al-Ajami created a professionally by the QEF. I would also upset of sorts as he guided 12-year- like to thank the QEF President Hamad old grey gelding Carport to a stun- Abdulrahman al-Attiyah, Secretary- ning victory at the Qatar Equestrian General Darwish Badr and Tourna- Federation’s outdoor arena. While all ment Director Ali al-Rumaihi for their eyes were on Awad Alqahtani and Mu- guidance over the last few years. The barak Yousuf al-Rumaihi, who had QEF continues to back young riders triumphed on day one and two respec- that helps them in improving their per- tively, al-Ajami stole the thunder in the formances,” al-Ajami said. biggest class of the championship. Meanwhile, Cyrine Cherif took her The 32-year-old proved to be a for- second win in two days after the French midable combination with Carport as rider stormed to victory in the Medium the pair galloped the long course and Tour 125/135 class. Cherif and 13-year- jumped clear with a faultless round, old bay Gerlin Vd Waterkant fl ew stopping the clock at an impressive around the course to fi nish in 76.90secs 78.41 seconds. While the other riders for a comfortable victory, which gave tried to beat al-Ajami’s time, they fal- her QR9,625 in prize money. tered by picking up faults on a diffi cult Mohamed Saeed Haidan on Quick course. Awad Alqahtani on 17-year-old Step came second, while Jaber Rashid stallion Cassander Van Het Bremhof al-Amri on Canavaro De Muze (ET) started on a right note by cutting cor- took the fi nal podium place. ners steadily, but the duo also picked In the Small Tour 110/120cm class, up eight faults along the way. Alqahta- Mohamed al-Ghazali astride Mara- ni’s timing was 82.14secs, which was donna 25 took the top honours, with the just good enough for him to settle for pair coming home in 64.16secs. runner-up place. Salmeen Sultan al- The second and third place went Suwaidi was third with Cantaro 32 in to (Fernhill Friendly Touch) and Hus- 82.55 secs, the four faults he incurred sain Saeed Haidan (Belucci Van ‘T also dashing his hopes of a victory. Vleminkhof) respectively. Mubarak Yousuf al-Rumaihi and his favourite mount, the 17-year-old QEF PRESIDENT AL-ATTIYAH chestnut gelding Vivaldi K, were off PLEASED WITH AMIR’S SWORD colour on the day as they fi nished a CHAMPIONSHIP’S SUCCESS disappointing fi fth in the 8-rider fi eld. Meanwhile, QEF President Hamad bin Al-Rumaihi and Vivaldi K committed a Abdulrahman al-Attiyah, also Chair- whopping 20 faults and were nowhere man of the Organising Committee, close to challenging for the podium. thanked the Qatar National Bank (QNB) For al-Ajami, who began horseback Group for their continuous support. riding as a hobby before a natural fl air Al-Attiyah said that the last day of HH for the sport convinced him to compete the Amir’s Sword Championship 2019 professionally, it was a stuff of dreams. produced a great competition. “I was honoured to receive the Gold- “We have witnessed a high level of en Sword from the Amir, His Highness competition on three days. All the rid- Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani. ers wanted to be on the podium and This is the biggest triumph of my career they showed their quality this week- as I had never won such a prestigious end. Many of them are preparing for the title before. I hope to put in hard work qualifi cation tournaments for the 2020 and continue to improve my perform- Olympic Games in Tokyo,” he said. ances in future competitions also,” said He also thanked all the commit- a delighted al-Ajami, who took home tees which worked towards making the QR50,000 and a brand new car. championship a huge success. He also After the biggest win of his career, appreciated the cohesion between QEF al-Ajami has his eyes set on represent- and Al Shaqab for all equestrian activi- ing Qatar at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. ties under the guidance of the country’s His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani presents the Amir’s Sword to Faleh Suwead al-Ajami, who won the feature event at the HH The Amir’s Sword He has previously competed at the wise leadership. Equestrian championship at Qatar Equestrian Federation’s outdoor arena yesterday.

AMIR’S SWORD EQUESTRIAN CHAMPIONSHIP RESULTS Big Tour, Table A, One round against the clock Height 110/120 cm; Prize Money: QR20,000 FEI Art. 238.2.1, Height 140/150 cm, Prize Money 1. Mohamed al-Ghazali; Maradonna 25; 0; 64.16secs. QR50,000 + Car QR5,000 1. Faleh Suwead al-Ajami; Horse: Carport; Faults: 0; 2. Ali Mohamed al-Marri; Fernhill Friendly Touch; 0; Time: 78.41secs; Prize money: QR14,000 + car 61.57secs; QR4,000 2. Awad Alqahtani; Cassander Van Het Bremhof; 8; 3. Hussain Saeed Haidan; Belucci Van ‘T 82.14secs; QR11,500 Vleminkhof; 8; 63.09; QR 3,000 3. Salmeen Sultan al-Suwaidi; Cantaro 32; 4; 82.55 Dressage Test, Level 1, Prize Money QR10,000 secs; QR8,750 1. Saeed Hamad al-Rashdi; Horse: Graff iti De Lully Medium Tour, Table A, One round against the CH; 71.667 points; QR2,800 clock FEI Art. 238.2.1, Height 125/135 cm, Prize Money QR35,000 2. Jessica Waldon; Lusso Del Castegno; 70.556; QR2,300 1. Cyrine Cherif. Gerlin Vd Waterkant; 0; 76.90secs; QR9,625 3. Amna Ahmad al-Saff ar; Rythm; 68.519; QR 1,750 2. Mohamed Saeed Haidan; Quick Step; 0; Dressage Test, Level 2, Prize Money QR5,000 75.86secs; QR7,000 1. Martina Stiel; Santa Cruz PHZ ; 69.423. QR1,250 3. Jaber Rashid al-Amri; Canavaro De Muze (ET); 0; 2. Iris Nijboer; Piet Mondrian (GB); 69.231. QR 1,000 72.12; QR5,250 3. Mohamed Salem al-Marri; Gin Tonic Van De Small Tour, Table A, One round against the clock Kranenburg. 68.654. QR750

Faleh Suwead al-Ajami is ecstatic after guiding 12-year-old grey Cyrine Cherif celebrates after winning the Medium Tour 125/135 class gelding Carport to a stunning victory. with 13-year-old bay Gerlin Vd Waterkant.

Tournament Director Ali al-Rumaihi (bottom right) and vice president of the Organising Committee Omar al-Mannai pose with the Small Tour winners.

HH The Amir’s Sword showjumping winner Faleh Suwead al-Ajami (centre) poses with Asian and Qatar Equestrian Federation President Hamad bin Abdulrahman al-Attiyah (right) and Abdulla Mubarak al-Khalifa, acting Group Chief Executive Off icer of Qatar National Bank. Gulf Times 4 Sunday, February 24, 2019 FOOTBALL

QNB STARS LEAGUE United aim to dent Liverpool title dream and boost top-four hopes Sadd ease past Rayyan Manchester: Manchester United fans are desperate to deny Liverpool Premier League glory this season, even if it means another title for their cross-town rivals Manchester City. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s in-form team have to go four points clear a chance to severely dent Liv- erpool’s chances today when they host Jurgen Klopp’s side in a fixture that has weighty Reigning champions Al Duhail drop two points after being held to a goalless draw by Al Gharafa historical importance to go with its significance in the title By Sports Reporter race. The match is eff ectively Doha Liverpool’s game in hand, with City, level on points at the top of the table after playing l Sadd beat Al Rayyan 4-0 in a game extra, facing Chelsea the Qatar Clasico to extend in the League Cup final on their lead to four points in the the same day. But they face a QNB Stars League yesterday. rejuvenated United under in- EarlierA reigning champions Al Duhail terim boss Solskjaer, who has dropped two points after being held to a lifted them into the top four goalless by draw by Al Gharafa. since he took over from the Al Sadd had won the Qatar Clasico beleaguered Jose Mourinho, against Al Rayyan in the fi rst leg by a sacked in December following 5-0 margin. Baghdad Bounedjah (33rd a 3-1 drubbing at Anfield. minute), Abdelkarim Hassan (35th), In his spell of more than 26 Akram Afi f (62nd-min penalty and years as manager at Old Traf- 72nd minute) scored the goals as Al ford, Alex Ferguson argued Sadd moved to 44 points, four ahead of more than once that a meet- Al Duhail and 14 more than Al Rayyan. ing with Liverpool, rather than It was Al Sadd’s 14th victory in the City, was United’s true derby. 2018-19 season QNB Stars League, It is a feeling that still holds the most by any team, while Al Rayyan sway among the club’s fans, suff ered their third defeat. The 76th- even though City have risen to minute red card to striker Sebastian So- win the Premier League three ria, for second booking, made matters times since 2012 and have worse for Al Rayyan. become the dominant force in Al Sadd’s Gabi Fernandez too was Manchester. sent off in the 82nd minute for fouling The antipathy between Khalfan Ibrahim in the ‘D’. In front of these two northwest cities, 56 a large crowd at the Al Sadd Stadium, kilometres (35 miles) apart, which wore a festive look for the big dates back at least to the date in Qatar football with Fan Zone economic rivalry inspired by among other activities, the hosts meant the industrial revolution start- business throughout. ing in the 18th century. On Al Sadd took the lead through tourna- the pitch, the mutual dislike ment top scorer Bounedjah who slotted between United and Liverpool home the rebound from Fahad Younis has grown since the early who blocked Gabi’s shot. The lead was 1960s, with the clubs taking doubled two minutes later through Ab- turns to rule the English game delkarim who headed in a corner kick — racking up 38 league titles taken by Akram as The Wolves took the and eight European Cups half-time break with a two-goal cush- Al Sadd’s Abdelkarim Hassan celebrates with teammates after scoring against Al Rayyan in the QNB Stars League yesterday. PICTURE: Noushad Thekkayil between them. ion. Captain Hassan al-Haydos had a United have not won the shot hit against the crossbar in the 19th fame Bassam al-Rawi almost put Al Premier League since 2013 minute. At the other end, Al Rayyan’s Duhail in the lead when he sent a free- and are realistically out of the Lucca Borges’ shot was blocked by Al kick slightly over the bar as the fi rst half running this season but would Sadd goalkeeper Saad al-Dossari a cou- drew to a close. Al Gharafa were more in still love to prevent Liver- ple of minutes later. the game in the second half and Alaael- pool from becoming English After one hour, Al Sadd made it 3-0 din tested Lecomte with a powerful, ris- champions for the first time when Akram converted from the spot ing shot from top of the box around the since 1990. With United taking after referee Khamis al-Kuwari awarded hour mark. 25 points from a possible 27 a penalty, awarded for Koh Myong-Jin Al Duhail, in their bid to intensify the since Solskjaer became their pulling down Pedro who chased a free- attack, brought in Ali Afi f in place of caretaker-manager, Klopp kick taken by Akram. Akram rounded Luis Martin and then Paolo Edmilson knows this is probably his off the tally with his second goal of the replaced striker Mohamed Muntari. The side’s most diff icult fixture of night following a Bounedjah assist. move looked fruitful as Edmilson found the run-in and believes the Earlier, Al Gharafa and Al Duhail the net in the 70th minute off a counter- home team will be a diff erent played out an entertaining goalless attack, but referee Abdulhadi al-Ruaile proposition from the team draw. However, the result dented a ruled the goal off side after referring to that surrendered at Anfield. blow to Al Duhail’s bid to retain the ti- Video Assistant Referee. Ali Afi f came “It’s a big one and we know tle as they suff ered their fourth draw to up with a feeble shot and Edmilson beat that it’s a diff icult one as well,” lag behind leaders Al Sadd. Al Duhail goalkeeper Yousef Hassan, who had a he said, adding that United’s moved to 40 points and Al Gharafa 19. good game, in the 86th minute, but Al attacking players were brim- Al Gharafa started off briskly and Gharafa defender Ilyas Ahmed saved the ming with confidence. “They earned a corner kick soon after the ball at the goalline. are in a really good moment, start, only to see Ahmed Alaaeldin head Al Duhail’s new signing and Moroc- really good moment. They are the ball straight to goalkeeper Amine can defender Mehdi Benatia then head- physically strong, they defend Lecomte off a kick taken by Abdulaziz ed the ball straight to the goalkeeper off well, they attack well.” Hatem. However, it was Al Duhail who a corner kick in the 90th minute as the United have ambitions of had more chances and ball possession stalemate continued at the Al Gharafa their own to finish in the top once they settled down. While captain Stadium. four, a dream that appeared to Karim Boudiaf sent a wayward shot, Edmilson was more enterprising as have died during the troubled new Japanese recruit Shoya Nakajima Nakajima and El Arabi both had a sub- end of Mourinho’s reign. “For and team’s top scorer Yousef El Arabi dued game. The result was a big con- them, it’s a big game, for us, came close to scoring with their at- solation for Al Gharafa, who had lost to it’s a big game,” said Solskjaer. tempts. Qatar’s Asian Cup triumph Umm Salal in the previous round. Al Gharafa and Al Duhail played out an entertaining goalless draw. PICTURE: Anas khalid

PREMIER LEAGUE Pochettino loses his cool as Spurs slump, Huddersfi eld closer to relegation

AFP on the pitch.” fi red wide moments later when East London The incident is certain to be included gave Bournemouth another controver- in the referee’s report and may earn sial penalty after Ryan Fraser appeared the Tottenham boss a touchline ban. to be fouled outside the area. auricio Pochettino “There were crossed cables inside my Crystal Palace won 4-1 at Leicester launched a furious rant brain. It was weird and strange and has on a memorable day for Roy Hodgson, at referee Mike Dean af- not happened before in 10 years,” Po- who became the Premier League’s old- ter Tottenham’s Premier chettino added. “Some stupid things est ever manager at 71 years and 199 MLeague title challenge suff ered a crush- happen and you react. I was never out days. Hodgson’s side struck in the 40th ing blow in a controversial 2-1 defeat of control but now I need to fi nd the minute when on-loan Chelsea for- against Burnley, while Huddersfi eld result.” Asked if he would apologise to ward Michy Batshuayi turned in James were pushed closer to relegation by Dean, Pochettino added: “Yes, maybe, McArthur’s shot. Jonny Evans equal- their 2-0 loss at Newcastle yesterday. good point. Maybe I go.” ised for Leicester in the 64th minute, Pochettino’s side would have moved At St James’ Park, bottom of the ta- but Wilfried Zaha, back from suspen- within two points of leaders Manches- ble Huddersfi eld’s plight worsened sion, restored Palace’s lead six min- ter City with a win at Turf Moor. But when defender Tommy Smith was sent utes later from McArthur’s cross. Luka they squandered the chance to enhance off for a crude lunge on Miguel Almiron Milivojevic scored an 81st minute pen- their title prospects with a sloppy dis- in the 20th minute. Newcastle made alty after Evans fouled Jeff rey Schlupp play that saw Chris Wood put Burnley their numerical advantage pay off just before Zaha’s stoppage-time second ahead after half-time. seconds after the interval, Venezuela added to the pressure on Leicester boss There was controversy about Wood’s striker Salomon Rondon converting Claude Puel. goal as it came from a corner which DeAndre Yedlin’s cross. Tottenham felt shouldn’t have been Ayoze Perez doubled Newcastle’s PREMIER LEAGUE RESULTS lead in the 52nd minute with a close- given. But Pochettino’s men had a Bournemouth 1 (King 14-pen) Wolves break of their own when Kane, back af- range fi nish from Rondon’s fl ick, mov- 1 (Jimenez 83-pen); Burnley 2 (Wood ter missing seven games with an ankle ing the Magpies four points clear of the injury, capitalised on a throw-in that bottom three and leaving Huddersfi eld 57, Barnes 84) Tottenham 1 (Kane 65); was taken in the wrong place. 14 points from safety. Leicester 1 (Evans 64) Crystal Palace 4 At that stage, Tottenham looked Tottenham Hotspurs manager Mauricio Pochettino (centre) remonstrates with referee Mike Dean after losing to Burnley in Josh King went from hero to villain (Batshuayi 40, Zaha 70, 90, Milivojevic poised to push on for a fi fth successive the English Premier League yesterday. (Reuters) as Bournemouth drew 1-1 with Wolves 81-pen); Newcastle 2 (Rondon 46, Perez league victory. However, they paid the at Dean Court. Bournemouth took the 52) Huddersfield 0 price for sloppy defending as Barnes points with City, win at Manchester rez reacting to something said to him “If we didn’t win, we cannot think now lead through King’s 14th minute spot Played Friday: Cardiff 1 (Bamba 82) struck with seven minutes left to ex- United today. Pochettino was fuming by Dean and the Argentine reportedly of being a real contender. It is a massive kick after he tumbled theatrically un- Watford 5 (Deulofeu 18, 61, 63, Deeney 73, tend Burnley’s unbeaten league run at full-time, confronting Dean and his carried on his fi nger-pointing protest opportunity lost for us,” Pochettino der pressure from Joao Moutinho. 90+1); West Ham 3 (Hernandez 29, Diop to eight matches. It was a bitter blow assistants on the pitch in a lengthy rant in the tunnel. But Pochettino refused to said “When you feel so disappointed Raul Jimenez equalised for Wolves 40, Antonio 90+1) Fulham 1 (Babel 3) for third placed Tottenham, who will that highlighted his frustration. elaborate on the row, instead admitting and upset, you make some mistakes. with an 83rd minute eff ort from the be eight points off top spot if second Television pictures seemed to show his out of character complaints were We made some mistakes on the pitch spot following a dubious handball de- Playing today: Arsenal v Southampton, placed Liverpool, currently level on Pochettino and his assistant Jesus Pe- sparked by the tension of the title race. and I made some mistakes afterwards cision by referee Roger East. Then King Manchester United v Liverpool Gulf Times Sunday, February 24, 2019 5 FOOTBALL

LIGUE 1 Mbappe double sees PSG strengthen hold on title AFP when he somehow hit Bernadoni’s out- Paris stretched leg instead of the back of the Alves house net when put clean through by a sump- tuous Verratti pass. burgled during ylian Mbappe struck twice as World Cup winner Mbappe thought match: L’Equipe Paris Saint-Germain tight- he had sneaked in the second with his ened their grip on the French hand just before the break, only to be Thieves broke in and stole title with a comfortable 3-0 caught punching instead of heading luxury watches from the Kwin over Nimes yesterday that saw the in Thiago Silva’s fl ick-on via the video home of Paris St Germain’s champions move 17 points clear at the assistant referee system and booked for Dani Alves while the Brazilian top of Ligue 1. his troubles. defender was playing a match Mbappe scored in the 69th and 89th The 20-year-old appeared on a per- earlier this week, French minutes as runaway league leaders PSG sonal mission to score in the second sports newspaper L’Equipe extended their lead on second-placed half but, fi rst cutting in from the left reported yesterday. Lille after the northern side’s 1-1 draw and fi ring just wide eight minutes after Alves is the third PSG player at Strasbourg on Friday. the restart before his volley from Mar- to be targeted by thieves in Christopher Nkunku’s 40th-minute quinhos’ chipped past was brilliantly recent months. strike, which came after a beautiful palmed away by Bernadoni. The homes of Alves’ chipped pass from Marco Verratti, got He somehow poked wide on the hour teammates Eric Maxim the ball rolling for Thomas Tuchel’s mark after charging onto a low cross Choupo-Moting and Thiago side against mid-table Nimes, who from the left before fi nally doubling Silva were also broken into had goalkeeper Paul Bernadoni and PSG’s lead in almost exactly the same in November and December poor PSG fi nishing – in particular fashion nine minutes later, meeting the during matches, L’Equipe said. from Mbappe – to thank for not taking surging Juan Bernat’s cut back with a Burglars entered Alves house an even heavier beating at the Parc de neat fi rst-time fi nish. in Neuilly-sur-Seine, just Princes. And the Frenchman made the result outside of Paris, on Wednes- Still missing injured strike partners even more emphatic when he fi nished day while he was playing Edinson Cavani and Neymar, Mbappe off a lightning break started by Nkunku a Ligue 1 match against should have put the hosts in the lead to take his league tally for the season Paris Saint-Germain’s French forward Kylian Mbappe celebrates scoring his team’s second goal during the Ligue 1 match against Montpellier. eight minutes before Nkunku’s opener to 22. Nimes at the Parc de Princes in Paris yesterday. (AFP)

LA LIGA BUNDESLIGA Bayern bridge gap to Dortmund with ‘Decisive’ Messi Berlin victory

AFP Berlin

avi Martinez fi red Bay- downs Sevilla with ern Munich to a 1-0 win over Hertha Berlin as the defending champi- onsJ won their 10th Bundesliga match from 11 to draw level on points with Borussia Dort- mund at the top of the table yesterday. 50th career hat-trick Bayern were until recently nine points adrift of Dort- ‘Messi is decisive and superlative, every team has decisive players but we have the best’ mund, who lead the Bavar- ians on goal diff erence ahead of their match with Bayer Leverkusen today. Munich’s man of the moment Martinez – fresh from a superb midweek Champions League performance against Liverpool – put the home side Bayern Munich’s James in the lead in the 62nd minute, Rodriguez (left) congratulates heading a corner into the top Javi Martinez after he scored left of the Berlin goal. against Hertha Berlin in Berlin’s comeback attempts Munich yesterday. (AFP) were scuppered in the 84th minute with centre-back Ka- Gladbach, who host Bayern rim Bekik picking up a red card next weekend, will be looking as his side ran out of steam. to fi nd the form that saw them Despite victory, Bayern romp to a 3-0 win over the coach Niko Kovac was con- champions earlier in the sea- cerned about injured winger son. Mainz overcame a recent Kingsley Coman, who limped slump to beat a disappointing off the fi eld in the 67th minute. Schalke 3-0 at home. “In the fi rst half we had some Karim Onisiwo gave the diffi culties. A set piece decided home side a narrow 1-0 lead this game. On the whole I’m going into half-time, before satisfi ed,” he said. late goals from Jean-Philippe “For Kingsley we will need Mateta and another from On- to wait for the results of the iswo left Schalke sitting just scan. I hope (the injury) isn’t two places above the relega- too bad.” tion playoff zone. Schalke, who Borussia Moenchenglad- pushed Manchester City all the bach, who were equal on points way in their midweek Champi- with Bayern just two weeks ons League clash before going ago, dropped eight behind the down 3-2, looked sluggish in leaders with a 3-0 loss at home both attack and defence. to Wolfsburg. The defeat sees the pressure Yannick Gerhardt put continuing to pile on young the visitors ahead in the 38th coach Domenico Tedesco. minute, before Admir Mehme- Freiburg walloped relegation di added a second in the 68th. battlers Augsburg 5-1, with Mehmedi took advantage the home side causing con- of Gladbach’s poor commu- stant problems for the visiting nication in defence, taking on defence. West Ham’s English keeper Yann Sommer one-on- loanee Reece Oxford was found one before tapping home from out several times in defence close range. The Swiss striker leading directly to Freiburg added a second 15 minutes goals, before picking up a late later, heading over Sommer to red card in the fi rst minute of put the match beyond doubt. second-half injury-time.

Izzo and Falque down Atalanta to spark Torino’s European ambitions Barcelona’s Lionel Messi celebrates after completing his hat-trick against Sevilla during their La Liga match yesterday. (Reuters) Armando Izzo and Iago Falque scored either side of the break for Reuters the area. Barca coach Ernesto being played through by a pass Andalusians outstanding record Sevilla are Messi’s favourite Torino yesterday as they beat Atalanta 2-0 in Serie A to join the Seville, Spain Valverde made two attacking from Messi. at their Sanchez Pizjuan, where victims, and last year he came off crowded race for European football next season. changes at the start of the sec- Barca lead the standings on they had thrashed Real Madrid the bench to score twice in two Izzo slotted in three minutes before the interval with Falque ond period by introducing Ous- 57 points after 25 games while 3-0 and beaten Barca 2-0 in the minutes and rescue a 2-0 draw blasting in the second just after the restart as Torino move sev- ionel Messi scored his mane Dembele and Sergi Rober- second-placed Atletico Madrid Copa del Rey this season. from 2-0 down. enth, equal on 38 points with Lazio and Atalanta. 50th career hat-trick to to and got the intended reaction have 47 but can reduce the gap They took the lead through a He went one better this time Walter Mazzarri’s side extended their run of games without confi re Barcelona to a 4-2 when the France winger laid the back to seven when they host lightning quick counter-attack and has now scored 36 times in ceding a goal to five, a feat they last achieved 24 years ago. win at Sevilla yesterday ball off to Messi just inside the Villarreal on Sunday. as Wissam Ben Yedder maraud- 37 games against the Andalu- Atalanta are losing pace after looking contenders for Champions Lafter the champions had twice area and the Argentine lashed it Sevilla fell to fi fth, slipping ed down the pitch and played sians. League football, suff ering a second consecutive defeat following fallen behind, giving the Cata- into the top corner. out of the Champions League in Navas, who took one touch “It’s always tough to win here, last weekend’s 3-1 home loss to AC Milan. lans a 10-point lead at the top of Messi, who has struggled for places behind Getafe. to control and the other to slide we know what it is like to come AS Roma, in fifth, take on lowly Frosinone later on Saturday look- La Liga. form in recent weeks due to a “Messi is decisive and super- the ball through the legs of the to this stadium and how good ing to keep pace with Milan, who beat Empoli 3-0 on Friday to Sevilla, who have only won niggling injury, looked on a mis- lative, every team has decisive diving Gerard Pique and beyond Sevilla’s players are, they made move four points ahead of the capital club. once in the league in 2019, took sion to grab the winner and after players but we have the best in the outstretched Marc-Andre ter things very hard for us by tak- Eusebio Di Francesco’s Roma also need a win to hold off the chas- the lead midway through the twice coming close he completed the world,” said Barca coach Er- Stegen into the bottom corner. ing the lead but we knew how to ing pack who are now just three points behind. fi rst half through veteran wing- his treble to put Barca ahead in nesto Valverde. Sevilla’s intensity prevented overcome all that,” Messi added. Fiorentina will look to join Lazio, Torino and Atalanta on 38 points er Jesus Navas but were soon the 85th minute, reacting quick- “It’s not just his goals either, Barca from replicating their usu- It was his 44th hat-trick for when they take on third-placed Inter Milan in Sunday’s late game. pegged back by an unstoppable ly to a poor Sevilla clearance to but because he always delivers in al slick passing game and it took Barca, with 32 coming in La Liga, Champions Juventus, who have a 13-point lead at the top, travel volley from Messi. dink the ball over goalkeeper To- the right place at the right time.” a superb goal from Messi to pull eight in the Champions League, to struggling Bologna in search of a boost after their 2-0 Cham- The home side capitalised on mas Vaclik. Sevilla had endured a humili- them level, the Argentine swiv- three in the Copa del Rey and pions League last 16, first leg defeat at Atletico Madrid during the sleepy defending from Barca to Luis Suarez made sure of the ating 3-0 loss at struggling Vil- elling to meet a cross from Ivan one in the Spanish Super Cup. week. re-take the lead before halftime points by scoring deep in stop- larreal last week but before the Rakitic on the volley, leaving Va- He has also struck six trebles for Napoli, in second, play at mid-table Parma. as Gabriel Mercado pounced in page time, chipping Vaclik after game Valverde warned of the clik with no chance. Argentina. Gulf Times 6 Sunday, February 24, 2019 SPORT

RUGBY GOLF Bogey-free Johnson grabs two-shot Wales stun England advantage

Reuters TRAHAN, LASHLEY AND Mexico City DIAZ SHARE HALFWAY LEAD DJ Trahan, seeking his fi rst US PGA title in 11 years, and fellow ustin Johnson surged American Nate Lashley, play- 21-13 to blow Six to a two-shot lead over ing on a medical exemption, Rory McIlroy and Matt shared the lead with Mexico’s Kuchar with a fl awless Roberto Diaz after Friday’s four-under-parD 67 in the sec- second round of the Puerto ond round of the WGC-Mexico Rico Open. Championship on Friday. Trahan closed with a birdie The world number three to fi re a fi ve-under par 67 and wiped out Northern Irishman stand on eight-under 136 after Nations wide open McIlroy’s early four-stroke 36 holes at windy Rio Grande advantage at the Club de Golf alongside Lashley and Diaz, Ntamack shines as France restore pride with 27-10 victory over Scotland Chapultepec to wind up at who each shot 68 for the sec- 11-under 131 for the tournament. ond day in a row. AFP A winner two years ago at Trahan’s two PGA triumphs Cardiff , United Kingdom the high-altitude course out- came at the 2006 Southern side Mexico City, the Ameri- Farm Bureau Classic and the can said he enjoyed playing the 2008 Bob Hope Classic. ory Hill and Josh Ad- challenging layout. Trahan, 38, birdied three of ams scored second-half Overnight leader McIlroy, the fi rst fi ve holes before fi nd- tries as record-breaking who shot a fi rst-round 63, ing a greenside bunker at the Wales came from behind looked set to break open the par-3 sixth on the way to a toC beat England 21-13 in the Six tournament with birdies at bogey. He began the back nine Nations in Cardiff yesterday to three of his fi rst four holes but with three birdies in a row be- stay on course for a Grand Slam. a bogey at the sixth and a dou- fore a bogey at the par-4 13th It seemed England were on ble at the ninth left him with a set him back until his birdie at course for a clean sweep of their 70. Kuchar’s six-birdie 67 kept the par-5 last. own when they led 13-9 early in him at the top end of the lea- Lashley, 36, reached the tour the second half. derboard, while Tiger Woods last year and made eight cuts in But Wales, in coach Warren and defending champion Phil 17 events before a knee injury Gatland’s fi nal Six Nations in Mickelson were on the move. ended his season, setting the charge before the New Zealand- Woods found his putting stage for him to play in 2019 er stands down after the World touch to advance to within six on a minor medical extension. Cup in Japan later this year, hit shots of the lead with a 66 and Lashley began on the back nine back in style. Hill forced his way Mickelson rebounded from an with a birdie, added another at over for a try before wing Adams opening 79 with the joint best 13 and closed his fi rst nine with caught a pinpoint cross-kick round of the day, a 65. back-to-back birdies. from replacement fl y-half Dan Biggar to go over for a late try that put the result beyond doubt. TENNIS Victory also saw Wales, who had been 16-0 behind at half- time in their tournament opener against France before winning Bencic upsets 24-19, establish a new national record of 12 successive wins and break a mark that had stood Kvitova to win title since 1910. England were seven points ahead at the break thanks Reuters Kvitova, however, stepped to fl anker Tom Curry’s converted Dubai up her game in the second try and a penalty from captain to break Bencic three times Owen Farrell, with Wales hav- and bagged the set with some ing to make do with Gareth Ans- witzerland’s Belinda powerful forehand returns and combe’s penalty. Wales’ wing Josh Adams dives over the line to score the final try against England during their Six Nations match in Cardiff yesterday. Wales Bencic ended a four- by coming up to the net. But it But two more penalties from won the game 21-13. (AFP) year title drought with was Bencic who won the men- Anscombe early in the second a 6-3, 1-6, 6-2 victory tal battle in the third set by half cut England’s advantage But from one such kick, Eng- to England’s line the visitors’ converted before Adams applied bifs’ since 1911. “Yes, of course overS Petra Kvitova in the fi nal breaking Kvitova at 1-1 before to just a point at 10-9. Far- land lock George Kruis stole pos- defence held fi rm and speedy the fi nishing touch from a cross- satisfaction is our fi rst feeling,” of the Dubai Duty Free tennis winning another break point rell nudged the visitors further session off a Welsh throw-in. wing Jonny May showed there kick, once again from Biggar. said Brunel. Championships yesterday. at 4-2 to serve for the match. ahead with a penalty to make it England, with prop Kyle Sin- was more to their much-talked Earlier in the day, Fly-half “After the defeat by England Victory gave Bencic, 21, her Kvitova’s return on match 13-9 only for Hill to put Wales ckler, lock Courtney Lawes and about kicking game than grub- sensation Romain Ntamack fi red we had to bounce back and show fi rst win over second seed Kvi- point went long, a decision that in front for the fi rst time with a Curry making plenty of tackles, bers behind the back-line with a France to their fi rst victory of unity and strength and I think we tova, who had breezed past was reviewed, to give Bencic the 63rd minute score before Adams went ahead in the 17th minute superb chip and sprint down the this year’s Six Nations with a 27- did that today. The team showed her in straight sets in the third win in an hour and 43 minutes. struck. This was England’s fi rst when they forced a scrum pen- left touchline to clear a poten- 10 defeat of Scotland yesterday a lot of character.” round of the Australian Open She is the second Swiss player, defeat in fi ve Tests against Wales alty inside Wales’ 22 to give tially dangerous situation on the to leave the injury-hit visitors Captain Guilhem Guirado had last month. The win was also after Martina Hingis won the since Eddie Jones took over as fl y-half Farrell a simple penalty stroke of half-time. without a victory in the French promised a revolt and so it came, Bencic’s fourth win over a top inaugural edition in 2001, to coach after the 2015 World Cup. chance before Anscombe re- But a scrappy start to the sec- capital in 20 years. of sorts, France enjoying domi- 10 player this week after get- win the tournament. With the Principality Sta- plied from similarly close range ond half saw Sinckler concede Ntamack, who has started at nance over a poor Scottish side ting past Aryna Sabalenka, dium’s retractable roof open at for Wales. The only try of an two penalties which Anscombe number 10 in just three games that struggled in the set-piece, Simona Halep and Elina Svi- MCDONALD OUTLASTS England’s request, the visitors absorbing fi rst half came in the kicked to cut England’s lead to for his Top 14 club Toulouse, desperately missed the creative tolina in the previous rounds. DEL POTRO saw long-range kick specialist 27th minute when a break across just a point at 10-9. was preferred by coach Jacques spark of the injured backline trio Kvitova continued to strug- American Mackenzie McDon- Elliot Daly push an early 48-me- the line by centre Henry Slade Unsurprisingly, Jones then Brunel in the key playmaking of Finn Russell, Stuart Hogg and gle with her rhythm, as she ald disrupted Juan Martin del tre eff ort wide of the left post. took England, whose vocal fans replaced Sinckler - labelled a role to Camille Lopez and proved Huw Jones, and were shown up had during the course of the Potro’s latest injury comeback England had scored tries in- were well represented in a ca- ‘time-bomb’ in the build-up by his worth throughout the match, defensively. “It’s frustrating to tournament, hitting only 53 on Friday with a three-set vic- side the fi rst three minutes of pacity crowd, into Wales’ 22. Gatland - with Harry Williams be it in defence or sparking his be involved in,” Scotland fl anker percent of fi rst serves on tar- tory over the top-seeded Ar- their last fi ve Tests but in a gru- It seemed Wales were clear- rather than run the risk of a yel- team in attack. Magnus Bradbury told the BBC. get in the opening set and also gentinian in the ATP Delray elling series of early exchanges ing the danger near their own low card or worse for the Harle- The French had lost 10 of “I’m sure you saw how many produced seven double faults. Beach Open quarter-fi nals. the Welsh defence held fi rm. line but Lawes stripped the ball quins front-rower their last 13 games going into chances we created for ourselves Bencic took the fi rst set with McDonald, ranked 84th in the Fly-half Anscombe, selected off Tipuric in a ruck and Curry A previously composed Eng- the Scotland encounter, having but we just couldn’t make those a searing backhand volley that world, outlasted the fourth- in place of proven goalkicker burst clear through an unguard- land were rattled and Wales after fallen to Wales in their opening fi nal passes stick. That’s some- got the crowd on their feet, ranked del Potro 6-4, 3-6, 7-6 Biggar, declined a couple of early ed blindside for a breakaway try a sustained period of possession championship match before be- thing we’re going to have to look fi nally winning a set against (7/5) to notch his fi rst victory penalty shots at goal, preferring that Farrell duly converted. sent Hill in for a 68th-minute ing hammered 44-8 by England, at next week and moving for- the world number four in their over a top-fi ve player and reach to kick for line-outs. When Wales did get close try that Biggar, signifi cantly, their heaviest loss to the ‘Ros- ward and get better at.” fourth meeting. his fi rst ATP Tour semi-fi nal.

NBA George, Thunder beat Utah Jazz in two overtimes sive, trying to make a play on the ball and AFP RESULTS Los Angeles then foul,” DeRozan said. “I’ve just got to Oklahoma 148-147 Utah be more aware.” This was his fi rst trip back to Toronto aul George capped a 45-point Denver 114-104 Dallas since the trade in the off season between performance with a last second Detroit 125-122 Atlanta the two teams that saw the two Los Ange- game-winning basket in double Minnesota 115-104 New York les area products being swapped for each overtime to lift the Oklahoma other. The sold-out crowd of 20,060 at Clippers 112-106 Memphis PCity Thunder to a 148-147 win over the the Scotiabank Arena gave DeRozan two Utah Jazz on Friday night. Charlotte 123-110 Washington standing ovations. The fi rst took place George drove between two defenders Indiana 126-111 New Orleans during team introductions and the second and fl oated in the clutch shot with 0.8 Chicago 110-109 Orlando came halfway through the fi rst quarter seconds left. Utah’s Kyle Korver launched when the Raptors honoured him with a a desperate shot on the fi nal possession Toronto 120-117 San Antonio video tribute during a stoppage in play. of the game but it sailed long as the horn “DeMar did a great job here with his sounded. “I knew I just had to step over in his return to San Antonio. It was a nine-year run,” said Leonard. and put it up. I tried to play the two on much diff erent story for DeMar DeRozan “He was leading all the stats with Rap- one,” said George. in Toronto. Raptors star Leonard scored tors all the time and the fans came out and Oklahoma City star Russell Westbrook a game-high 25 points and stole the ball showed him love.” fi nished 43 points, 15 rebounds and eight from San Antonio’s DeRozan at mid-court DeRozan is the Raptors’ all-time leader assists. But Westbrook also fouled out for the go-ahead dunk as the Toronto in points (13,296), fi eld goals (4,716), free with 69 seconds left in the fi rst overtime, Raptors held on to beat the San Antonio throws (3,539), games (675) and wins (353). ending his streak of 11 consecutive games Spurs 120-117. “Tonight was like a playoff “To come back here and get a reception with a triple-double. The game went to game,” Leonard said. “We just had to grind like that is defi nitely humbling, beyond overtime after the Thunder’s Jerami Grant away right to the end.” gratifying,” DeRozan said. “I appreciate it.” completed a tying three-point play, then Leonard scored the fi nal four points for Leonard could only fantasise about get- blocked Utah player Donovan Mitchell’s the Raptors, including a steal and a dunk ting the same warm welcome when the shot at the other end. Grant had 18 points. off DeRozan with 15 seconds to go with the teams met January 3 in San Antonio for In the fi rst overtime, Utah’s Rudy game on the line. the fi rst time since the trade. Gobert tipped in the tying basket with DeRozan tried to carry the ball up court Leonard scored 21 points in a 125-107 33.7 seconds left to make it 139-139 and but slipped while being pressured, and San Antonio win and was booed by the that is the way it stayed until the buzzer Leonard snatched the ball for the uncon- Spurs fans. DeRozan recorded his fi rst sounded. Westbrook and George became tested dunk to give the Raptors a one- career triple double in that one with 21 the fi rst pair of teammates to each scored point lead, 118-117. He then sank two free points, 14 rebounds and 11 assists. While 40 points in a game since Minnesota’s throws to seal it. It all added up to a night Leonard asked for a trade out of San An- Karl-Anthony Towns and Andrew Wig- of mixed emotions, but for DeRozan the tonio, DeRozan was stunned by the deal. Oklahoma City Thunder forward Paul George (centre) drives down the court between Utah Jazz forward Joe Ingles gins in 2017. ending could have been better. After re-signing with the Raptors in 2016 (left) Utah Jazz centre Rudy Gobert during the first-half of their NBA game at Chesapeake Energy Arena. PICTURE: Elsewhere, Kawhi Leonard got booed “I knew they were going to be aggres- he said he wanted to be a Raptor for life. USA TODAY Sports Gulf Times Sunday, February 24, 2019 7 CRICKET

SECOND TEST TWENTY20 Afghanistan set world record score Sri Lanka defy the as Zazai demolishes Ireland bowlers

AFP Gelkate went over the stands Dehradun and out of the ground. odds to claim historic Zazai’s stocks have risen dramatically despite miss- azratullah Zazai ing a place in the Indian Pre- smashed the ball to mier League this season were every corner of the dashed. In October, he became ground, and even out only the third batsman to hit Hof the stadium, as Afghanistan six sixes in a T20 over for his racked up a world record T20 Afghanistan Premier League Test series victory score of 278-3 in a crushing side Kabul Zwanan. demolition of Ireland yesterday. He equalled the record for ‘Those two tours were really tough and we learnt a lot of things’ The 20-year-old Zazai’s un- the fastest T20 half century in beaten 162 included 16 sixes 12 balls in the same match. Reuters and 11 fours, delighting Af- Stirling hardly knew who Port Elizabeth, South Africa ghan fans in the Indian city of to throw into the breach as a Dehradun. His haul of sixes bowler. Boyd Rankin fi nally was another record, as was his claimed a wicket for the Irish ri Lanka’s historic 2-0 stand of 236 with fellow opener when Ghani – who made 73 Test series victory over Usman Ghani and the 22 sixes off 43 balls – played a careless South Africa had seemed scored in all by Afganistan’s shot over long-on that Joshua somewhat fanciful when players. Little caught diving as he ran in theyS arrived in some disarray and Ireland captain Paul Stirling from the boundary. on a long losing streak, but leave also hit a six off the rstfi ball While Stirling and Kevin as the fi rst Asian side to win a se- of his side’s innings as they O’Brien were no slouches, they ries in the country. chased a mammoth 13.95 runs never kept up with the moun- South Africa had whitewashed an over to keep up. tainous run rate, which had Pakistan 3-0 at the start of the But they ended on 194-6 and risen to 17 by the 10th over. year and were on a run of seven Afghanistan won by 84 runs to Afghanistan’s star bowler home test series wins in a row, wrap up the three match series Rashid Khan came on for the dating back to 2016. with a game to spare. 11th over and was furious when Sri Lanka, meanwhile, had “It was a pretty disappoint- captain Asghar Afghan spilled been whitewashed 3-0 at home ing night,” said Stirling. a relatively simple catch off by England at the end of 2018 “We need to regroup now.” his fi rst ball to give O’Brien a and then axed captain Dinesh The night of cricket fi re- chance with Ireland on 109. Chandimal after losing succes- works belonged to Afghanistan O’Brien was bowled in the sive away series in New Zealand – who overtook Australia’s next over by Fareed Ahmad for and Australia – during which 260-3 against Sri Lanka in a 37 which included two sixes. they lost three out of the four 2016 – and Zazai, who plun- Rashid bowled Andy Balbi- tests contested. dered his giant innings off just rnie in the following over for In South Africa, they were 62 balls. “I just wanted to play two and Stirling started to run missing injured talisman Angelo my natural game and today was out of reliable partners. Mathews and had coach Chan- my day,” he said. “The wicket Mujeeb Ur Rahman claimed dika Hathurusingha reportedly was good for batting.” Stirling – who as a consolation at odds with his own board after After managing just seven made Ireland’s top T20 score being removed as an on-tour se- runs from their fi rst two overs, of 91 off 50 balls – when he was lector. Hence it was little wonder Zazai and Ghani fl ailed the caught by replacement Najeeb that a buoyant and confi dent Irish bowlers, who from then Tarakai on the boundary. The fi - South Africa were odds on to se- barely managed an over with- nal match of the series is on Sun- cure a comfortable win. out conceding a six. day. The two play fi ve one-day But after Sri Lanka were able Zazai made his century internationals from February 28 to blast their way to a one-wicket off just 42 balls – the second and a one-off Test in March. victory in the fi rst Test in Durban quickest in T20 internationals thanks to a remarkable unbeat- – completed with the ninth six BRIEF SCORES en 153 from Kusal Perera in the of his innings. Four of the sixes Afghanistan 278 for 3 second innings, they looked the came off Kevin O’Brien in the (Hazratullah 162*, Ghani 73) more confi dent and assured team 17th over which reaped 28 runs beat Ireland 194 for 6 (Stirling in the second match, cruising to in all. 91, O’Brien 37, Rashid 4-25) by an eight-wicket win yesterday. One giant hit off Shane 84 runs. Dimuth Karunaratne, cap- Sri Lanka’s Kusal Mendis (right) greets teammates after victory on the third day of the second Test against South Africa at St George’s Park taining the team in the series, Stadium in Port Elizabeth yesterday. (AFP) said the disappointing tours in Australia and New Zealand had keep us in the game.” laid the platform for their suc- Scorecard Karunaratne admitted the cess in South Africa. SOUTH AFRICA 1st innings 222 O. Fernando not out 75 Bowling: Steyn 8-0-38-0, Rabada enormity of their achievement “Those two tours were re- was just setting in. SRI LANKA 1st innings 154 K. Mendis not out 84 15-2-53-1, Olivier 12-2-46-1, Mulder ally tough and we learnt a lot of SOUTH AFRICA 2nd innings 128 4-1-6-0, Maharaj 6.4-0-45-0. “It’s a great feeling for me and things,” Karunaratne said. “After Extras (b4, lb5) 9 the team. It’s not easy when you SRI LANKA 2nd innings RESULTS: Sri Lanka won by eight that I think the players wanted to (overnight 60-2) Total (2 wkts, 45.4 overs) 197 come to South Africa, so to win do something better for the team wickets the series 2-0 is brilliant. and for themselves as well. D. Karunaratne c De Kock b Olivier 19 Fall of wickets: 1-32 (Thir- Series: Sri Lanka won the two- “It’s been a lot of hard work, “They realised quickly what to L. Thirimanne c De Kock b Rabada 10 imanne), 2-34 (Karunaratne) match series 2-0 but the guys did really well and do and what not to do (in South enjoyed it a lot, which is why I Africa), stuck to the basics and hands up at diff erent times and after which the South African to make sure that we do better,” think we created history.” started to enjoy their game. did a really good job for me.” batsmen could not capitalise on Karunaratne admitted. Sri Lanka stay in South Africa “I want to tell the younger Sri Lanka won the series de- good batting wickets. “All the time we were behind for fi ve One-Day Internationals players especially that they did spite fi rst innings scores of 191 “The only concern for me is the game but we came back hard. and three Twenty20 matches, really well. They all put their and 154 in the two test matches, fi rst innings batting, so we have The bowlers did a great job to starting on March 3.

ODI Afghan opener Hazratullah Zazai in action during Twenty20 Cottrell, Hetmyer lead Windies to win match against Ireland in Dehradun, India, yesterday. (AFP) PSL Scorecard

WEST INDIES Ali 7-0-51-0 (1w), L. Plunkett 7-0- M. Wood not out 1 C. Gayle b Rashid 50 39-1 (4w), B. Stokes 10-1-62-1 (2nb, Sarfraz’s last-ball Extras (lb3, w9) 12 4w), A. Rashid 6-0-28-1 (1w). J. Campbell c Ali b Plunkett 23 Total (47.4 overs, all out) 263 S. Hope c Bairstow b Stokes 33 Fall of wickets: 1-1 (Bairstow), six gives Quetta S. Hetmyer not out 104 ENGLAND 2-10 (Roy), 3-60 (Root), 4-159 J. Roy b Cottrell 2 J. Holder run out 3 (Morgan), 5-228 (Stokes), 6-233 J. Bairstow lbw b Cottrell 0 (Buttler), 7-233 (Curran), 8-260 win over Lahore C. Brathwaite b Wood 13 (Rashid), 9-261 (Ali), 10-263 J. Root c Hope b Thomas 36 their 20 overs after sent into A. Nurse not out 13 (Plunkett) Agencies E. Morgan c Hetmyer b Cottrell 70 bat. Extras (lb9, nb3, w13) 25 Bowling: S. Cottrell 9-0-46-5 Sharjah B. Stokes c Hope b Holder 79 Quetta have now chased Total (50 overs, 6 wickets) 289 (3w), J. Holder 10-1-53-3 (2w), O. down targets successfully in all J. Buttler c Hetmyer b Holder 34 Thomas 5-0-32-1, A. Nurse 6-0- Fall of wickets: 1-61 (Campbell), t could not have been a four matches, winning by six, 28-0, D. Bishoo 10-0-49-0 (1w), C. 2-98 (Gayle), 3-121 (Hope), 4-197 M. Ali b Cottrell 12 better sight than Pakistan seven, eight wickets in the pre- Gayle 2-0-15-0 (1w), C. Brathwaite Shimron Hetmyer of West Indies (Bravo), 5-207 (Holder), 6-237 T. Curran lbw b Holder 0 captain Sarfraz Ahmed vious matches. 5.4-0-37-1 (2w) celebrates his century in the 2nd West Indies’ Sheldon Cottrell (Brathwaite) sealing the fate of a HBL Sarfraz and Mohamed Na- A. Rashid c Hope b Cottrell 15 IPSL match, sending the last waz (18-ball 19 with a six) took ODI against England in Bridgetown, celebrates the dismissal of Result: WIndies won by 26 runs Bowling: M. Wood 10-0-38-1 (2w), L. Plunkett c Holder b Brathwaite 2 Barbados. (AFP) England’s Adil Rashid. (AFP) Series: 1-1 ball of the match over deep Quetta to within nine runs of T. Curran 10-0-62-0 (1nb, 1w), M. mid-wicket boundary to give victory. Quetta needed seven AFP 35 runs to be dismissed for 263 in Quetta Gladiators a three- off the last over which started Bridgetown, Barbados response to what looked a com- stage the tourists’ batting depth ets of Adil Rashid and Moeen Chris Gayle was off to a slow wicket win against Lahore Qa- with Wiese bowling Anwar Ali paratively modest West Indies was more than enough to take Ali before Liam Plunkett found start but eventually reached 50 landars in Sharjah yesterday. with a yorker. total of 289 for six. them to the target. For all of Cot- Holder’s bucket-like hands at before being bowled by Rashid. Quetta, chasing 144 to win, Sarfraz still knew a big hit heldon Cottrell marked Shimron Hetmyer’s unbeaten trell’s heroics, it was Holder who long-off as he attempted to Opening partner John Camp- needed three off the last ball could help Quetta cross the his return to the West 104 gave a labouring West Indies turned the match on its head heave Carlos Brathwaite beyond bell was the fi rst wicket to fall from David Wiese, and Sarfraz line and that he ultimately did, Indies team with a fi ve- innings late impetus when they with ten overs left. the boundary rope. off Plunkett for 23 and although completed the task for Quetta’s making Wiese – who hit a last wicket haul as the home batted fi rst but it looked to be in He had Stokes caught behind Ealier in the day it was Het- Shai Hope played well in get- fourth win in as many games to ball six in Lahore’s win over sideS snatched a series-levelling vain with England seeming to have for a top score of 79 and then re- myer’s impetuous aggression ting to 33, England’s bowlers keep them on top of the six- Multan Sultans on Friday – a 26-run victory over England in the match well in control at 228 moved Buttler in his next over. which gave the West Indies a were able to eff ectively shackle team HBL PSL table. villain from a hero. the second one-day international for four in the 40th over with Ben Tom Curran, who had re- measure of respectability to the all the batsmen until the arrival With that six Sarfraz fi nished of a fi ve-match series at Kensing- Stokes and Jos Buttler entrenched. placed Chris Woakes for this fi nal score after they were put in. of Hetmyer. Mark Wood, who with 52 not out off 36 balls with BRIEF SCORES ton Oval in Barbados on Friday. Earlier Cottrell had an im- match, looked desperately un- His third ODI hundred occu- impressed with his raw pace in a six and four boundaries. Lahore Qalandars 143-7 in Dropped for the curtain-raiser mediate impact with the ball lucky to be adjudged leg-before pied 83 deliveries and was em- England consolation victory in Lahore Qalandars found the 20 overs (AB de Villiers 45 not two days earlier where the Eng- when he removed openers Jonny to the fi rst delivery he faced from bellished by four sixes and seven the fi nal match of the preced- going tough against an accu- out; Ghulam Mudassar 3-21, lish cantered to a six-wicket win Bairstow and Jason Roy, man the West Indies captain but he fours, the last of the boundary ing three-Test series in St Lu- rate Quetta bowling, riding on Sohail Tanvir 2-21) in a high-scoring fi xture, the of the match in the fi rst ODI, in had no recourse to the television hits taking him to the three- cia, was the most economical of a laborious 40-ball 45 not out Quetta Gladiators 148-7 in 20 29-year-old Jamaican left-arm his fi rst two overs. He also ac- technology as Stokes had wasted fi gure landmark in the fi nal over the bowlers over a full ten-over by AB de Villiers which was, overs (Sarfraz Ahmed 52 not fast bowler returned fi gures of counted for England captain the review just minutes earlier. bowled by Stokes. After his hun- allotment, conceding just 39 uncharacteristically, without a out; Haris Rauf 2-25) fi ve for 46 as the top-ranked vis- Eoin Morgan for a well-played Cottrell then tightened the dred on Wednesday anchored runs and claiming the wicket of six and had only two bounda- Result: Quetta won by three itors lost their last six wickets for 70, although it seemed at that West Indies’ grip with the wick- the West Indies to 360 for eight, Brathwaite in his second spell. ries, to post a modest 143-7 in wickets.

Sunday, February 24, 2019 GULF TIMES SPORT

MANATEQ QATAR CROSS-COUNTRY RALLY Al-Attiyah extends lead with fastest 2nd stage time

By Sports Reporter leads Przygonski and his German navi- and Ten Brinke for third place. They tricky navigation and you lose yourself “But I hope to be 22 seconds in front of Lusail gator Timo Gottschalk by 8min 03sec were tied to the second after 220.78km every 100 metres. It was strange Reinaldo tomorrow….” TODAY’S ACTION in the overall standings. of the day’s demanding stage, but the having two punctures as well. It is not Mohamed al-Attiyah began the day The third selective section today is Al-Attiyah said: “It was a good day, Dutchman stopped with multiple tyre normal for this car. Maybe it was tyre in eighth and topping the T3 standings, the longest of the entire event, runs for asser Saleh al-Attiyah and except for one flat tyre before the first issues before PC3 and al-Rajhi was pressure issues.” but the rally leader’s cousin stopped 351.98km and follows a road liaison of Matthieu Baumel contin- PC where we lost close to two minutes. able to coast to the finish with the third Yasir Seaidan and French naviga- his Can-Am Maverick X3 with a series 69.14km from the Lusail Sports Arena. ued where they left off It was not easy to open, but we took a fastest time and a similar position in tor Laurent Lichtleuchter rounded off of punctures after the start and had A second road section of 68.95km Non Friday by setting the good stage without any technical prob- the rankings. Ten Brinke eventually the top six in the second of the X-raid dropped 17 minutes to Adel Abdulla by returns competitors to the bivouac and fastest time on the longer 323.58km lems. The navigation was very hard, finished the stage and plummeted to MINIs, despite two punctures, and the PC1. He recovered to hold 10th overall service park. second selective section of the but we had a good pace today.” 11th overall after sustaining a broken Czech driver Miroslav Zapletal guided and third in T3. Russian driver Fedor Manateq Qatar Cross-Country Rally “It was a good stage and we were steering arm. his Ford F-150 Evo to seventh overall. Vorobeyev was 11th and fourth in T3 POSITIONS on Saturday. pushing,” said Przygonski, who drives Al-Rajhi said: “We had two punctures, Monster Energy Can-Am driver Rein- with his South Racing Can-Am. 1. Nasser Saleh al-Attiyah (QAT)/Matthieu The Toyota Hilux crew reached the a MINI John Cooper Works Rally. “It but everything in the stage was okay. aldo Varela lost considerable time early Qatar’s Adel Abdulla was the first of Baumel (FRA) Toyota Hilux Overdrive 2hrs first checkpoint after 164.39km in just was hard navigation with a good job No problems. Ten Brinke had three flat in the special with a series of three flat the T3 runners to reach the opening 52min 29sec; 2. Jakub Przygonski (POL)/Timo under 90 minutes, despite a flat tyre, by Timo. The first part was really good, tyres and no more spare wheels….” tyres, but the Brazilian stormed back checkpoint in his Can-Am Maverick X3 Gottschalk (DEU) MINI John Cooper Works but main rival Jakub Przygonski gained then we get puncture and we were The Russian crew of Vladimir into contention for the win as the stage but the former T2 World Champion hit Rally 2hrs 56min 01sec; 3. Yazeed al-Rajhi 15 seconds on the Toyota driver after with Ten Brinke in the dust and we lost Vasilyev and Konstantin Zhiltsov were progressed and was rewarded with the technical trouble soon afterwards with (SAU)/Dirk von Zitzewitz (DEU) Toyota Hilux passing both Yazeed al-Rajhi and Bern- some time. The car was okay and we a distant fourth in their BMW X3 CC fastest time. reported water in the fuel tank. Overdrive 2hrs 57min 10sec; 4. Vladimir Vasi- hard Ten Brinke on the track. were happy we could push. It was too after their own flat tyres, while Italian Eighth in the overall rankings, the Mohammed al-Harqan benefited lyev (RUS)/Konstantin Zhiltsov (RUS) BMW Al-Attiyah redressed the balance dusty at the end of the stage and we Eugenio Amos continued the form he Brazilian now holds a 22-second advan- from delays for fellow Qatari Moham- X3 CC 3hrs 03min 43sec; 5. Yasir Seaidan through the subsequent kilometres lost time behind Yazeed.” showed on Friday and moved up to tage over South Racing Can-Am Team’s med al-Meer to snatch the advantage (SAU)/Laurent Lichtleuchter (FRA) MINI John and had eked out a virtual 90-second The pair were the class of the field, fifth in his Ford 2WD Buggy. Omani driver Abdullah al-Zubair. in the T2 category for series produc- Cooper Works Rally 3hrs 16min 40sec; 6. Eu- lead by PC2. He went on to finish the but a fascinating tussle developed Amos said: “It was the most diff icult “Punctures, belt issues, the whole tion cross-country vehicles, despite his genio Amos (ITA)/Sebastien Delaunay (FRA) stage in 2hrs 52min 29sec and now between Toyota teammates al-Rajhi stage of my life. It was very fast with shebang today,” reflected al-Zubair. own transmission problems. Ford 2WD Buggy 3hrs 22min 44sec

Nasser al-Attiyah powers his Toyota through the desert during the second day of the Manateq Qatar Cross-Country Rally yesterday.

FOCUS SPOTLIGHT MotoGP pre-season test First Qatar Satellite gets underway at Losail Squash starts today amaha’s Maverick Vinales set the was Vinales, a 1:56.280 leaving him 0.132 the Japanese rider. fastest time on the opening day of off Rins’ time. But the Spanish rider over- Nakagami bumped Franco Morbidelli the second and fi nal offi cial Mo- took Rins as the fastest rider in next session. (Petronas Yamaha SIC) down to eighth, YtoGP pre-season test at the Losail After completing 18 laps in the fi rst three while Johann Zarco (Red Bull KTM Factory International Circuit yesterday. Alex Rins hours, Andrea Dovizioso (Ducati) was Racing) sits P9 after completing 26 more of Suzuki also impressed under the fl ood- fourth on the timesheets – 0.402 off the laps. Cal Crutchlow (LCR Honda) com- lights. top. Completing the top fi ve is the impress- pleted the top ten with a 1:56.921. Reigning At the halfway through the fi rst day, Team ing Fabio Quartararo (Petronas Yamaha World Champion Marc Marquez (Honda) Suzuki Ecstar’s Alex Rins led the way with a SIC), the rookie just 0.017 off Dovizioso af- suff ered a small crash at Turn 16 as P14. 1:56.148, 0.121 faster than Danilo Petrucci of ter completing 24 laps on board his M1, with Jorge Lorenzo (Honda) returned to action Ducati. There was little action for the fi rst Takaaki Nakagami (LCR Honda Idemitsu) as we saw the fi ve-time World Champion hour or so, but every rider was out on the jumping up to sixth on the times with 2h take to the track in 2019 colours for the fi rst Losail Circuit and behind the leading duo 40mins to go of the session – a 1:56.618 for time. The Spaniard was P17.

Top seed Sayed Azlan Amjad of Qatar

By Sports Reporter in the first round. Doha This event is organised by the Qatar Tennis, Squash and Badminton Federation (QTSBF) in co- operation with the Professional Squash Associa- he ﬁ rst PSA Qatar Closed Satellite Squash tion (PSA) and will conclude on February 24. Tournament will begin today at the Khal- Tournament director Saad al-Mohannadi said, ifa International Tennis and Squash Com- “This competition is the main vehicle in the de- Tplex. velopment of young Qatari players as it provides The event will see the participation of five them the best chance to play against leading inter- countries including Qatar, India, Egypt, Iraq, and national players.” He also expressed the hope that Pakistan. Qatar’s national team is led by Qatar’s the Qatari players will achieve good results in the Yamaha’s Maverick Vinales in action on the opening day of the final MotoGP pre-season test at the Losail International Circuit yesterday. No. 2 Sayed Azlan Amjad who has received a (bye) tournament.