Al Gharafa Secure Top Four Finish As Umm Salal, Al Markhiya Share Points

SPORT Monday 9 April 2018 PAGE | 31 PAGE | 32-33 PAGE | 36 BlBlake coasts in 100; QSL title ‘just a start’ as Super Al Sulaiti hammer time for ambitious Duhail eye defends his England’s Miller Asian glory, Qatar treble title at LIC Al Gharafa secure top four finish as Umm Salal, Al Markhiya share points CHINTHANA WASALA THE PENINSULA Al Rayyan’s Rodrigo Tabata DOHA: Dutch midfielder (left) celebrates Wesley Sneijder played a with a team- mate after FINAL ROUND RESULTS perfect role as the captain as Al Duhail 5 - 2 Al Sailiya Al Gharafa signed off with a scoring against Al Al Sadd 9 - 1 Al Kharaitiyat 3-0 win against Qatar SC to Ahli yesterday. Al Ahli 1 - 4 Al Rayyan seal the fourth spot of the Al Khor 2 - 1 Al Arabi QNB Stars League (QSL) Umm Salal 1 - 1 Al Markhiya Qatar SC 0 - 3 Al Gharafa season yesterday. In front of their home fans, Sneijder gave his team the much needed lead in the 45th minute as a brilliant double by Mehdi Taremi (68th and 85th minutes) made the day for coach Bulent Ugyun’s team. Yesterday’s win also secured Al Gharafa their place in the elite Qatar Cup and will be joining the QSL It was Mawas’s third goal a superbly-taken curling left- At Al Sadd Stadium, Al champions Al Duhail, runner of the season. footed drive that was Rayyan proved to be too up Al Sadd and third placed In the 11th minute, Al punched by a diving Malick. strong for Al Ahli as skipper Al Rayyan in the tournament Markhiya’s Leonardo Hen- At the end of the first half Rodrigo Tabata scored twice which commences on April rique attempted a bicycle hour mark, Al Markhiya sur- to seal a 4-1 win yesterday. 21. kick from the edge of the box prisingly had more of the ball Tabata scored in the 18th Elsewhere, a second-half but his feeble shot was easily possession (62 percent) over and 49th minutes ’ goal by Bilal Rajab yesterday pocketed by veteran Umm their rivals in all black. while Gonzalo Viera (44’) saved the day for bottom- Salal goalkeeper Baba Malick Five minutes later, Umm and Andres Quintana (90’+2’) placed Al Markhiya who held who went on to defend well Salal’s Mahir Issa completely rounded up Al Rayyan’s score. Umm Salal to a 1-1 draw on for most part of the game. mistimed his snap-header as John Benson scored the the final day of the League. In the 21st minute, Umm he had an open goal to meet only goal for Al Ahli in the At Al Ahli Stadium, Salal’s Ramy Fayez was his target with keeper 80th minute. Al Gharafa’s Wesley Sneijder Mohammed Mawas opened booked for bringing down Khubroo embarrassingly out At Al Khor Stadium, hosts shoots to score during their the scoring for Umm Salal in Eric de Olieveira with a rough of position. beat Al Arabi 2-1 thanks to a ﬁnal QNB Stars League match just the second minute, sliding tackle that was Rajab equalised for Al brilliant double by Ariel of the season against Qatar clipping a lose ball into the quickly noted by referee Markhiya in the 73rd minute Ngueukam (15’ and 87’). Suad SC at the Al Gharafa Stadium net from close range as Al Abdulrahman Al Jassim. with a snap-header from Natiq (71’) added the only goal yesterday. Markhiya goalkeeper In the 29th minute, Al close range, causing Umm for the losing side. The win Muntata Khuroob could not Makrkhiya’s Saleh Badr Al Salal to lose ground on fourth- also secured them the eighth effect a save. Yazidi unleashed placed Al Gharafa. spot in the final QSL standings. Qatar’s riding star Bassem seals second spot in Miami

THE PENINSULA

MIAMI: Qatar’s popular riding star Bassem Mohammed produced a flawless routine with 12-year-old Gunder to finish second at the Longines Global Champions Tour of Grand Prix of Miami Beach on Saturday. Australia’s Edwina Tops- Alexander (California) topped the event while Ireland’s Darragh Kenny (Cassini Z) sealed the third spot. Belgium’s Pieter Devos (Claire Z) and Spain’s Eduardo Alvarez Aznar (Fidux) completed the top five. Showing a near-perfect routine, Bassem and Gunder cleared the first jump-off without any hiccups. The carefully undertaken ride put the Qatari rider ahead of his FROM LEFT: Qatar’s Bassem Mohammed, Australia’s Edwina Tops-Alexander and Ireland’s Darragh rivals. Kenny on the podium after ﬁnishing second, ﬁrst and third respectively at the Longines Global However, the formidable Edwina, who had the advantage Champions Tour of Grand Prix of Miami Beach on Saturday. LEFT: Bassem Mohammed guides Gunder of complete intel about the over an obstacle during the event in Miami, USA. course, sealed the win with a slight advantage over the second- with Brash of Great Britain 11-year-old Dutch mare, Cali- jump. But it wasn’t pedal to the LGCT MIAMI BEACH: TOP SIX placed Qatari. leading the charge for the 2018 fornia, she snatched glory as the metal — and that one rider was The Australian picked up the season. Edwina is the second rider final combination to jump in the formidable Edwina. 1: Edwina Tops-Alexander (AUS) on California top prize by managing a three- — after Mexico City Grand Prix today’s LGCT Grand Prix of Miami Her round on the 11-year-old 2: Bassem Mohammed (QAT) on Gunder second pace better than Bassem’s winner Brash — to qualify for the Beach, edging out Bassem, the Esprit mare California shaved 3: Darragh Kenny (IRL) on Cassini Z effort. Last year in November, Longines Global Champions Super only other rider who pulled off a more than three seconds off 4: Pieter Devos (BEL) on Claire Z Bassem regaled Doha fans with Grand Prix which will take place double clear. Bassem’s time, handing her 5: Eduardo Alvarez Aznar (ESP) on Fidux a sublime performance to win the at the GC Prague Play Offs this The ever-consistent Bassem victory and the lion’s share of the 6: Gregory Wathelet (BEL) on Coree LGCT leg held at Al Shaqab Arena. December. and 12-year-old Gunder put in class’s €300,000 prize-fund. Bassem has also featured at At the Miami Beach, Edwina the first clear of the jump-off, “I watched some of Bassem’s Egypt’s Abdel Said in 2016. “Still, at the Miami Beach leg of the Olympic Games when he made once again stepped up to the top making absolutely sure every rail round on the screen (in the I didn’t think I’d won or that I Longines Global Champions Tour. his showjumping debut in Rio De of the podium in the balmy stayed up. It was a cautious, tac- warm-up) and I knew he could was going that fast and I kept The next edition takes place in Janeiro in 2016. evening - repeating her feat from tically ridden round that did the have gone faster,” added Edwina, having to look at the screen to Shanghai from April 28 to 30 as The overall LGCT Ranking 2016, when she won on Lintea job and put him at the head of who has partnered California check.” the world’s best head to Asia’s battle is already an intense affair, Tequila. Competing on her gutsy affairs with only one rider left to since taking over the ride from This class concluded action Tour destination. 30 SPORT MONDAY 9 APRIL 2018

Ferrari’s German driver Chelsea’s Sebastian Vettel jumps out of his car after winning the Atletico hold top-four bid Bahrain Formula One Grand Prix at the Sakhir Circuit in in tatters Manama yesterday. Real Madrid AFP AP MADRID: Cristiano Ronaldo and Antoine Griezmann each scored LONDON: Chelsea’s faint yeserday as Atletico Madrid held Real Madrid 1-1 at Santiago hopes of a top-four finish in Bernabeu Stadium to keep a four-point lead over its city rival in the Premier League suffered the fight for second place in the Spanish league. a potentially fatal blow as The result benefited league leader Barcelona, which defeated Javier Hernandez’s late Leganes 3-1 on Saturday with a hat trick by Lionel Messi. Bar- equaliser gave struggling celona has an 11-point lead over Atletico at the top of the standings West Ham a 1-1 draw with seven matches left. yesterday. Atletico won La Liga in 2013-14 but has finished third behind Antonio Conte’s side went either Barcelona or Real Madrid in all other years since 2012-13, ahead through Cesar which was the team’s first full season under coach Diego Simeone. Azpilicueta’s first-half strike Madrid hasn’t finished worse than second since 2014, when it at Stamford Bridge. trailed Atletico and Barcelona. The other time it failed to finish in But Chelsea missed a host the top two was in 2003-04, when it was fourth behind Valencia, of chances to increase their Barcelona and Deportivo La Coruna. advantage and were made to Ronaldo opened the scoring early in the second half with a pay when Hernandez came shot from near the far post after a long cross by Gareth Bale from off the bench to snatch the the left flank. leveller with 17 minutes left. Griezmann equalized less than five minutes later with a strike Conte had admitted losing from near the penalty spot after a move started by Vitolo inside at home to Tottenham for the Vettel wins Bahrain the area. first time in 28 years last Ronaldo had scored 20 goals in his last 10 matches in all com- weekend was a huge setback petitions, including his acclaimed bicycle kick in the 3-0 first-leg in Chelsea’s bid to salvage a win at Juventus in the Champions League quarterfinals midweek. dismal campaign by quali- Grand Prix for Ferrari Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane rested some of his regular fying for the Champions starters ahead of the return leg against Juventus on Wednesday League. AP BAHRAIN GRAND PRIX RESULTS French driver Pierre at Bernabeu, including midfielders Luka Modric and Casemiro. With fifth-placed Chelsea Results of the Bahrain Grand Prix yesterday: Gasly driving superbly Striker Karim Benzema also started from the bench, replacing lagging 10 points behind SAKHIR, BAHRAIN: Sebastian 1. Sebastian Vettel (GER/Ferrari) 1hr 31min 59.491sec, 2. Valtteri to finish a career-best Ronaldo in the 64th. fourth-placed Tottenham Vettel just held on to win a Bottas (FIN/Mercedes) at 0.699sec, 3. Lewis Hamilton (GBR/Mer- fourth. But it was Atletico hasn’t lost at Bernabeu in four seasons in the Spanish with only six games dramatic Bahrain Grand Prix cedes) 6.512, 4. Pierre Gasly (FRA/Toro Rosso) 1:02.234, 5. Kevin determined and league. remaining, this frustrating from pole position yesterday Magnussen (DEN/Haas) 1:15.046, 6. Nico Huelkenberg (GER/Re- astute defending from result should end their top- and extended his championship nault) 1:39.024, 7. Fernando Alonso (ESP/McLaren) 1 lap, 8. Stoffel Vettel, who drove just four challenge. lead over Lewis Hamilton, who Vandoorne (BEL/McLaren) 1 lap, 9. Marcus Ericsson (SWE/Sauber- like a four-time F1 West Ham, now six points finished third behind teammate Ferrari) 1 lap, 10. Esteban Ocon (FRA/Force India) 1 lap, 11. Carlos champion. He was clear of the relegation zone, Valtteri Bottas despite starting Sainz Jr (ESP/Renault) 1 lap, 12. Sergio Perez (MEX/Force India) 1 under serious were ecstatic to escape with from ninth. lap, 13. Brendon Hartley (NZL/Toro Rosso) 1 lap, 14. Charles Leclerc pressure from the a point despite a largely limp Vettel was almost overtaken (MON/Sauber) 1 lap, 15. Romain Grosjean (FRA/Haas) 1 lap, 16. faster car of Bottas, display. by Bottas on the last lap, but Lance Stroll (CAN/Williams) 1 lap, 17. Sergey Sirotkin (RUS/Williams) who was on better But it was a disappointing made a crucial blocking move 1 lap tires, but did not conclusion to a miserable and won by only 0.6 seconds. Championship standings crack. week for Chelsea, who were Hamilton was gifted a Drivers Vettel whooped mourning the death of their podium spot after Ferrari 1. Sebastian Vettel (GER) 50 pts, 2. Lewis Hamilton (GBR) 33, 3. with joy as he crossed former star Ray Wilkins. botched Kimi Raikkonen’s Valtteri Bottas (FIN) 22, 4. Fernando Alonso (ESP) 16, 5. Kimi the finish line, Wilkins died at the age of second tire change. A rear wheel Raikkonen (FIN) 15, 6. Nico Huelkenberg (GER) 14, 7. Pierre Gasly although his team’s 61 after suffering a cardiac was not fitted properly and, in (FRA) 12, 8. Daniel Ricciardo (AUS) 12, 9. Kevin Magnussen (DEN) celebrations were arrest. his haste to get back into the 10, 10. Max Verstappen (NED) 8, 11. Stoffel Vandoorne (BEL) 6, more low-key than The former England mid-

race, Raikkonen’s car hit a team 12. Marcus Ericsson (SWE) 2, 13. Carlos Sainz Jr (ESP) 1, 14. Este- usual following the fielder, who played for mechanic. Ferrari said the ban Ocon (FRA) 1 mechanic’s Chelsea for six years in the mechanic was taken to the hos- hospitalization. 1970s and had several spells pital for treatment. There was Raikkonen came as the club’s assistant coach, no immediate update on his “A bit sad because one of our in for his second tire change of was remembered by fans who condition or the nature of his mechanics got injured,” Vettel the race after 36 of 57 laps of the laid flowers outside the injury. said. “A mixed day overall.” 5.4-kilometer (3.3-mile) desert stadium. Vettel made it two straight Red Bull had an awful race, circuit, but the left rear tire was Inside, Chelsea and West F1 wins after victory at the with Daniel Ricciardo and Max not secured properly. Raikkonen Ham supporters, usually season-opening Australian GP Verstappen retiring early on. In was given the green light to go fierce rivals, united to sing Atletico Madrid forward Antoine Griezmann reacts during the two weeks ago, sealing his 49th an ironic twist, Red Bull’s feeder but it was an unsafe release and, “there’s only one Ray Wilkins” Spanish League match against Real Madrid CF at the Santiago career win on his 200th race team Toro Rosso had arguably as he pulled away, he hit one of and held aloft a huge flag with start. the result of the day - with the mechanics. Bernabeu Stadium in Madrid yesterday. his image.

Four-wicket Kings XI Punjab batsman KL Rahul raises his bat after he completes his half century Clarke offers to win for KKR during the IPL Twenty20 match against against RCB Delhi Daredevils at the Punjab Cricket Association Stadium in Mohali yesterday. play for Australia IANS

AFP KOLKATA: Sunile Narine slammed a quick-fire fifty to help Kolkata Knight Riders SYDNEY: Retired cricket Test beat Royal Challengers captain Michael Clarke (pictured) Bangalore by four wickets in yesterday offered to play for their opening match of Indian Australia for free to help the team Premier League season 11 at recover after the downfall of his the Edens Gardens in Kolkata successor Steve Smith over a ball- yesterday. tampering scandal in South Africa. Set a 177-run target, hosts Smith and vice-captain David KKR chased down the target Warner were stripped of their lead- in 18.5 overs. Skipper Dinesh ership roles and banned from the Karthik, 35 not out off 29 sport for one year after a plot to balls, took the team home alter the ball’s condition during the with seven balls to spare. third Test in March. Chris Woakes (3/36) and IPL: Rahul and Nair guide “I would do anything to help the Umesh Yadav (2/27) shared Australian cricket team,” the five KKR wickets. 37-year-old told Sydney’s Sunday newspaper. “I’ve got the experience Earlier, AB De Villiers Telegraph. to help these young players and and Brendon McCullum Punjab to win over Delhi “Age is age. Is 17 too young? I’ve that’s where our focus should be scored 43 and 44 respec- never cared about age. Brad Hogg right now until the other guys come IANS tively while Mandeep Singh SCOREBOARD played at 45. I don’t think it’s about back.” Smith, Warner and bowler smashed a 18-ball 37 to help Delhi Daredevils 35-1; AJ Tye 4-0-38-0; MP Stoinis 1-0-7-0 a number. I think it’s about com- Cameron Bancroft -- who was RCB post 176 for 7 in 20 MOHALI: Opener Lokesh C Munro lbw b Mujeeb Ur Rahman ...... 4 Kings XI Punjab mitment and devotion. banned for nine months -- decided overs. Rahul’s (51) fastest fifty in the G Gambhir (c) run out (Mujeeb Ur Rahman) 55 KL Rahul c Mohammed Shami b Boult...... 51 “It’s like getting back on a bike. not to challenge their sanctions SS Iyer c Rahul b Patel ...... 11 MA Agarwal c Mohammed Shami b Morris ....7 KKR took wickets at Indian Premier League (IPL) V Shankar c Patel b Sharma ...... 13 Yuvraj Singh c Shankar b Tewatia ...... 12 I’m as fit and healthy as I’ve ever imposed by CA last week. regular intervals but in the history and Karun Nair’s RR Pant c Tye b Mujeeb Ur Rahman ...... 28 KK Nair c Boult b Christian...... 50 been. The time away has been great This means Smith and Warner last over, Mandeep’s pyro- explosive fifty helped Kings XI R Tewatia lbw b Ashwin ...... 9 DA Miller (not out) ...... 24 for my body.” The former batsman, will not be eligible to play for Aus- technics guided RCB to a Punjab beat Delhi Daredevils CH Morris (not out) ...... 27 MP Stoinis (not out) ...... 22 who is in India to cover the IPL and tralia until March next year, with DT Christian b Sharma ...... 13 Extras (NB 1) ...... 1 fighting total at the packed by six wickets in the second Extras (B 1, LB 1, NB 1, W 3) ...... 6 Total ...... 167/4 comments on the sport for Aus- wicketkeeper Tim Paine appointed Eden Gardens. As many as 16 match here yesterday. Total ...... 166/7 Yet to bat: AR Patel, R Ashwin (c), AJ Tye, MM Shar- tralia’s Nine Network, said he had captain. runs were leaked in the final Chasing modest target 167, Did not bat: A Mishra, TA Boult, Mohammed Shami ma, Mujeeb Ur Rahman messaged Cricket Australia (CA) Clarke said the ball-tampering over by Karnataka pacer R. Rahul slamming 50 of just 14 Fall of wickets: 1-12, 2-54, 3-77, 4-111, 5-123, Fall of wickets: 1-58, 2-64, 3-97, 4-138 chief executive James Sutherland affair, as Australia slips to fourth in Vinay Kumar who had a for- balls, gave a flying start to his 6-125, 7-166 Bowling: TA Boult 3.5-0-34-1; Mohammed Shami but had not received a reply. the world Test rankings, could set Bowling: R Ashwin 4-0-23-1-4; MM Sharma 4-0- 2-0-26-0; A Mishra 4-0-46-0; CH Morris-3-0-25-1 ; gettable comeback for KKR. team before being dismissed 33-2; Mujeeb Ur Rahman 4-0-28-2; AR Patel 3-0- DT Christian 2-0-12-1; R Tewatia 4-0-24-1 The ex-skipper retired in 2015 the team back for years. Two wickets also fell in that for 51 off Trent Boult in the after his 115th and final Test of the “I’m worried about it. I don’t over. fourth over after Mayank continue for long as he was thrashing Delhi bowlers at will Ashes series against England and want us to be like the West Indies,” De Villiers was at his Agarwal (7) fell cheaply. In the dismissed by Chris Morris in while Miller was rotating the said his experience could be useful he added. imperious best, his 23-ball 44 first over, Rahul smashed the 10th over. strike. for the embattled team either on or “We’re not talking about the laced with five sixes and one Boult for 16 runs. Middle-order batsmen But with 29 runs needing off the field. next five years. It’s the next six four. McCullum too looked Yuvraj Singh also joined Nair and David Miller (24 not in 27 balls, Nair was sent “I’ve experienced a lot of great months and we need to fix it now. good for his 27-ball 43 at the the party and hit a couple of out) then came and played packing by pacer Daniel things in cricket but some tough If Cricket Australia asks me, I’d drop start. boundaries but could not carefully. Nair was at his best, Christian. times as well,” he told the everything to help out.” MONDAY 9 APRIL 2018 SPORT 31 Scott pulls off stunning win in 100m freestyle AFP In a frantic finish, the victory in the 50m fly, clocking slender 20-year-old 25.59 after winning the 50m free GOLD COAST, AUSTRALIA: Scott mowed down and helping set a world record Scotland’s Duncan Scott punched in the 4x100m final earlier in the well above his weight by bagging Olympic champion meet. a stunning Commonwealth Chalmers and South “I’m really stoked with that Games gold in the men’s 100 African superstar Le one,” she said, after leading an metres freestyle yesterday in the Aussie clean sweep. biggest swimming upset so far. Clos with a sizzling “I picked up the 50m but- In a frantic finish, the slender last 25 metres to win terfly as a bit of a joke towards 20-year-old mowed down in 48.02 seconds. the end of last year for World Olympic champion Kyle Cups -- then I qualified for Com- Chalmers and South African monwealth Games and it sud- superstar Chad le Clos with a siz- swimming gold in Australia. denly didn’t become such a joke.” zling last 25 metres to win in “And I’m sure he’s going to Olympic champion Adam Peaty 48.02 seconds. become a great himself, if he’s backed up his 100m breaststroke Later, Australian flyer Cate not already a great.” Scott gold by topping the qualifying for Campbell romped to her third revealed that le Clos, who is the one-lap final in a Games title of the Games in the women’s chasing a butterfly treble in Aus- record of 26.49. 50m butterfly as the host nation tralia, had been the first to shake Elsewhere, Kylie Masse com- finished the day on 12 swimming his hand. pleted a backstroke double by gold medals -- well clear of “He was the first person to storming to gold in the women’s second-placed England’s five. say congratulations,” said Scott. 200m in a Games record of Scott, who had already “He’s an awesome gen- 2:05.98. pocketed three bronze medals tleman and one that a sport like The 100m world champion in the Gold Coast pool, slapped swimming really needs. It’s good led a Canadian one-two from the water and let out a roar of to beat him but he’s an incredible teenage sensation Taylor Ruck delight after flooring heavy- athlete.” Le Clos and Australian (2:06.42), who pocketed her sixth weights le Clos and Chalmers to Chalmers tied for silver in 48.15. medal of a breakout meet, as win Scotland’s first-ever Com- - ‘Please no, please no!’ - Australia’s Emily Seebohm took monwealth title in swimming’s “It’s unbelievable, I’m very bronze. Australian Mitch Larkin blue riband event. Duncan Scott of Scotland celebrates while Chad Le Clos of South Africa watches the giant screen proud,” said le Clos. added the 50m backstroke “I’m speechless, it doesn’t during the Men’s 100m Freestyle final at the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games - in Optus “Fair play to Duncan. I could crown to the 100m he won last happen very often,” said Scott, Aquatic Centre, Gold Coast, Australia, yesterday. see him coming from behind and week, while the home team set whose skinny build belies a fero- it was like ‘please no, please no!’ another Games record to win the cious competitive spirit. But it’s a personal best time for men’s 4x200m freestyle relay, “I just stuck to what I’m good I just stayed quite composed and to hunt him down.” “He’s beaten Phelps,” added Scott after me so you can’t complain.” anchor leg Mack Horton stopping at and that’s bringing it home, so let Chad le Clos go out and tried the god of swimming, Michael winning his country’s first Golden girl Campbell romped to the clock in 7:05.97. ‘Small step’ Blake coasts in 100; hammer as Australia clean up time for England’s Miller in cycling AFP AP She was 0.01 ahead of Jamaica’s Christania Williams BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA: The GOLD COAST, AUSTRALIA and 0.04 ahead of Michelle-Lee head of Australian cycling Yohan Blake received an encour- Ahye of Trinidad and Tobago. said his team had taken only aging message from Usain Bolt Elsewhere at the games a “small step” yesterday after before his Commonwealth Uganda got its first gold medal the rejuvenated hosts domi- Games debut, telling him: “I of the games when Joshua Kiprui nated four days of track believe in you.” Cheptegei won the 5,000 meters competition at the Common- That came in the wake of in 13 minutes, 50.83 seconds wealth Games. another one from his fellow from Mohammed Ahmed of A rampant Australia cel- Jamaican that was more direct, Canada and Kenya’s Edward ebrated a hat-trick of titles on Blake recalled: “You’ve got to Pingua Zakayo. the final day to take their haul win... or you can’t go home.” The first gold medal inside of gold medals to 10 and help No pressure at all. The 2011 the track and field stadium went banish the bitter memories of world champion kicked off his to England’s Nick Miller, who the 2016 Rio Olympics. Gold Coast 2018 campaign by broke a 12-year-old games The Australian cyclists qualifying fastest for the final record with a hammer throw of failed to win a single gold in after winning his semifinal heat 80.26 meters. Rio in one of their poorest in 10.06 seconds yesterday. That Australia’s Matt Denny took Olympic performances for followed a 10.15 in his opening silver at 74.88m and Mark Dry decades. heat on the first afternoon of the of Scotland produced a final There have since been track and field competition at the throw of 73.12 to overtake Can- swingeing changes at the top Carrara Stadium. ada’s Adam Keenan for bronze. of Australian cycling, with Blake wants to add a Com- The first gold medals in the Simon Jones drafted in last monwealth title to his collection athletics program were awarded year as high-performance from the Olympics and world in the 20-kilometer race walks, director from his position as Jamaica’s Yohan Blake competes in the athletics men’s 100m heats during the 2018 Gold Coast championships and, considering with Australia winning both the head of innovation at Britain’s Commonwealth Games at the Carrara Stadium on the Gold Coast yesterday. Bolt is the only person who has morning events. Team Sky. ever run faster times in the 100, Jemima Montag won the “It has exceeded our he has a good chance. of the Cayman Islands was next- of Adam Gimili of England and qualifiers into the women’s 100 women’s gold after race-leading expectations and overall fan- “There’s a lot more in the quickest qualifier for today’s Akani Simbine of South Africa. final by winning her semifinal Claire Tallent was disqualified tastically happy,” said Jones, tank,” Blake said. Kemar Hyman final in 10.10, fractionally ahead England’s Asha Philip led heat in 11.21 seconds. with two kilometers to go. who saw the Australians smash the world record in the men’s team pursuit and with COMMONWEALTH GAMES road cycling yet to come. “We’ve had a plan and MEDALS TALLY Squash legend David calls we’ve done a few things dif- ferently. I think that’s all it 1 Australia 31 25 28 84 needed -- a slightly different 2 England 19 19 9 47 perspective. 3 Canada 7 15 10 32 “We’ve got some great 4 India 7 2 3 12 time on CWG as reign ends people and some really good teamwork and we have done 5 Scotland 6 7 10 23 a lot of work on the people AFP 6 New Zealand 4 7 6 17 and I guess the way that we Malaysia’s Nicol David plays a shot 7 South Africa 4 1 49 8 work,” said Jones, for whom against England’s Alison Waters in 8 Wales 3 4 3 10 GOLD COAST, AUSTRALIA: the Commonwealths were Squash legend Nicol David said the women’s singles quarter-final seen as the first real test of his 9 Cyprus 2 0 2 4 squash match during the 2018 10 Malaysia 2 0 1 3 the Commonwealth Games in tenure. But Jones, a respected Australia will probably be her Gold Coast Commonwealth Games. figure in the sport who was 11 Papua New Guinea 1 2 0 3 last after the Malaysian was also at British Cycling, had a 12 Bermuda 1 0 0 1 beaten in the semi-finals warning for the Australians. 12 Northern Ireland 1 0 0 1 yesterday to dash her dreams of “This project is going to 12 Uganda 1 0 0 1 a third straight gold. take a long time,” he cau- 15 Sri Lanka 0 1 2 3 The 34-year-old, who spent tioned. “It’s a Commonwealth a record 108 consecutive months Games, it’s not a world-level 16 Bangladesh 0 1 0 1 (2006-2015) on top of the official competition. 16 Jamaica 0 1 0 1 women’s world rankings, was “We’ve had some fan- 16 Mauritius 0 1 0 1 well beaten 3-1 by New Zea- tastic performances, but it’s 16 Samoa 0 1 0 1 land’s Joelle King, the second just a small step in the right 16 Singapore 0 1 0 1 seed. direction. It’s not the desti- 16 Trinidad and Tobago 0 1 0 1 The best that David, the third rediscover things and start trying her. “I gave it my best but some- 2010 and Glasgow 2014. “Of nation for us.” - ‘Work on seed, can now hope for is bronze. to push to improve. The exciting times your best is not enough.” course losing today is disap- being better’ - On Sunday, in 22 Kenya 0 0 2 2 “I think it will probably be part is what we can get from the David, the eight-time world pointing, but I need to focus on front of another capacity 23 Fiji 0 0 1 1 my last Commonwealth Games,” next face of squash.” champion, will face Tesni Evans the bronze medal now,” said 4,000 crowd at the Anna 23 Norfolk Island 0 0 1 1 said David, as she approaches David added: “I gave it my of Wales today for bronze, in David. Meares Velodrome, Matt Gla-

23 Pakistan 0 0 1 1 the end of her glorious career. all and that’s all you can do. what is her sixth Commonwealth King plays number four seed etzer blitzed his way to gold 23 Solomon Islands 0 0 1 1 “The new generation is Joelle has been really consistent, Games. Sarah-Jane Perry of England for in the last outing in the always going to change. You also it was going to be tough to beat She won singles gold at Delhi the title. 1,000m time trial. 32 SPORT MONDAY 9 APRIL 2018 MONDAY 9 APRIL 2018 SPORT 33

FINAL STANDINGS

CLUBS M W D L GF GA GD POINTS Al Duhail 22 19 3 0 86 27 59 60 Al Sadd 22 16 1 5 68 25 43 49 Al Rayyan 22 13 4 5 54 39 15 43 Al Gharafa 22 10 5 7 43 34 9 35 Umm Salal 22 8 9 5 33 34 -1 33 Al Sailiya 22 8 4 10 40 42 -2 28 Al Arabi 22 6 6 10 30 42 -12 24 Al Khor 22 7 3 12 24 39 -15 24 Al Ahli 22 6 4 12 25 43 -18 22 Qatar SC 22 6 4 12 24 46 -22 22 Al Kharaitiyat 22 4 4 14 29 62 -33 16 Al Markhiya 22 2 7 13 19 42 -23 13 Al Duhail coach Djamel Belmadi M = Matches, W = Won, D = Drawn, L = Lost, GF = Goals For, GA = Goals Against, GD = Goal Difference Jubilant Belmadi TOP SCORERS THIS SEASON RANK NAME TEAM GOALS MATCHES 1 Youssef El Arabi Al Duhail 26 20 2 Youssef Msakni Al Duhail 25 22 credits hard 3 Abd Al Razke Hamdalah Al Rayyan 18 20 4 Baghdad Bounedjah Al Sadd 16 11 5 Rodrigo Tabata Al Rayyan 15 21 6 Rachid Tiberkanine Al Kharaitiyat 13 20 work for success 7 Wagner Ribeiro Al Sailiya 12 19 8 Hasan Al Haydos Al Sadd 12 21 THE PENINSULA 8 Nam Taehee Al Duhail 12 21 10 Jugurtha Hamroun Al Sadd 11 19 DOHA: Hard work. Hard work… That is 11 Madson Al Khor 10 19 what Al Duhail coach Djamel Belmadi said We beat a lot of records, 12 Yannick Sagbo Umm Salal 10 20 when asked about the recipe behind their a lot of statistics, which is 12 Andres Quintana Al Rayyan 10 20 2017-18 QNB Stars League triumph. 14 Temurkhuja Abdukhaliqov Al Sailiya 10 22 The jubilant Algerian made these amazing. We won six titles 15 Wesley Sneijder Al Gharafa 9 11 remarks during their coronation cere- in the last eight years and it mony on home turf on Saturday night. is not easy. It’s a lot of hard Al Duhail, maintaining an unbeaten record, clinched their sixth Qatar Stars work from everyone at the League title and first after they were club. From the players, the How they formed by merging Lekhwiya with El Jaish. administration, the support Four of them (2010-11, 2011-12, 2016- staff: Djamel Belmadi fared this 17 and 2017-18) came when Belmadi was at the helm. The Red Knights had sealed QNB Stars League champions Al We had one clear goal since the beginning QSL season the title after Week 20 with an unassail- statistics, which is amazing. It shows how Duhail players and officials celebrate of the season which was winning the league Sep 15, 2017 able lead. the club works. We won six titles in the on the podium after receiving the title. We’ve accomplished this goal under “Hard work was the secret of our suc- last eight years and it is not easy. It’s a lot Falcon Shield after winning their final Beat Qatar SC3-2 cess. Winning the league is a different of hard work from everyone at the club. League match against Al Sailiya 5-2 huge pressure and difficult conditions. I’m matter altogether. You can’t win it just like From the players, the administration, the at the Al Duhail Stadium yesterday. so happy with this title and now we’ve to set Sep 23, 2017 that. You’ve to work harder and stay support staff. So it’s a great achievement,” sights on the other tournaments such as Qatar Beat Al Arabi2-0 focused week in, week out and make win- said Belmadi. Cup, Emir’s Cup and AFC Champions League. ning a habit,” said Belmadi. “The most special thing about this tri- We’ve already reached the knockout stage of Sep 29, 2017 “We had started strongly preparing umph is that we did it by being unbeaten. Asian competition. Beat Al Rayyan5-3 for the QNB Stars League in the pre-sea- In the AFC Champions League also, we son with special focus on the fitness aspect played five games and won all. Our young Al Duhail forward Ismail Mohammed Oct 15, 2017 of players. At the same time, we made sure players are doing very well. So everything QSL title ‘just a start’ as ambitious Beat Al Ahli6-1 they stayed mentally fit as well. is working well for us. “You got to work on a daily basis for “The only sour note is the injury to ofOur our team excellent deserved performance the league and title results. because This a weekly-once game on an average. You Youssef Msakni. He isn’t a striker and for Oct 21, 2017 may only be the beginning as we’re competing can lift the Qatar Cup by winning two him to score so many goals is amazing. Beat Umm Salal4-1 games! What primarily makes the league Both Msakni and (Youssef) El Arabi for many titles. I hope we’ll keep doing well different is that you’ve to be prepared to deserved to be the top scorer,” he added. Duhail eye Asian glory, Qatar treblein the AFC Champions League. Oct 28, 2017 win all 22 games,” he said. Al Duhail skipper Msakni emerged as Al Duhail striker Youssef El Arabi Drew with Al Gharafa1-1 The coach was extremely delighted the second-best scorer in the tournament FAWAD HUSSAIN with his team’s performance. with 25 goals, one less than team-mate I’m proud to be a part of a big club such as Al Nov 3, 2017 “We beat a lot of records, a lot of and Moroccan striker El Arabi. THE PENINSULA Skipper Msakni out for six Duhail who have players and technical staff Beat Al Khor4-2 DOHA: Al Duhail enjoyed a near-perfect of high calibre. months, misses World Cup Nov 19, 2017 season to win the QNB Stars League I would like to thank everyone for supporting Beat Al Kharaitiyat8-2 (QSL) title but the Djamel Belmadi’s are AFP statement. The World Cup begins me as I promise them to keep serving the QSL CEO congratulates hungry for more and are daring to chal- on June 14. side and national team well. Al Duhail have Nov 24, 2017 lenge their continental counterparts as DOHA: Tunisia forward Youssef The 27-year-old, who had become a strong force to be reckoned with they set their sights on the Asian Cham- Msakni has been ruled out of the been instrumental in helping Tuni- Beat Al Sadd4-2 in Qatar football. We seek to compete for ‘worthy champions’ pions League glory apart from sealing World Cup after agonisingly sia qualify for the finals, the Qatar treble. suffering a cruciate ligament injury announced on his Instagram page more titles. Dec 2, 2017 THE PENINSULA champions, who excelled in figures and On Saturday, the team was crowned while playing his final Qatar Stars that he was “very sad” to miss the Defender Bassam Al Rawi Beat Al Markhiya2-1 statistics as well, saying the team dem- the QSL champions after nine months of League game of the season. tournament. We hope to continue with the same success. DOHA: Qatar Stars League Management onstrated remarkable levels of dominating football which saw them In a statement yesterday, Al His absence is a major blow to We’re capable of winning more titles. Dec 7, 2017 (QSLM) CEO Hani Taleb Ballan congrat- performance since the beginning of the clinching 19 victories and securing three Duhail said Msakni would not play Tunisia’s hopes of progressing Al Duhail midfielder Murad Naji Drew with Al Sailiya1-1 ulated Al Duhail, who were crowned the season. draws to end as winners without much until October at the earliest after from a group also including Bel- injuring his knee. gium, England and Panama. 2017-18 season QNB Stars League cham- “It’s a huge achievement for the club resistance. They thrashed Al Sailiya 5-2 Jan 13, 2018 pions on Saturday night. management, players, technical staff and in their final game before receiving the “Msakni will be absent for six Msakni injured himself play- Beat Qatar SC6-0 It was the second successive league officials who worked very hard since the ‘Falcon Shield’ to stay unbeaten through- months, and with this injury he... ing in Al Duhail’s final League triumph and sixth overall for Lekhwiya, beginning of the season, resulting in their out the contest. will be absent from participation match against Al Sailiya on Sunday relaunched as Al Duhail this season fol- second consecutive and sixth league They were superb in the attack scor- with his national team in the which saw them being crowned in Jan 19, 2018 Beat Al Arabi lowing the former’s merger with El Jaish. title,” he said. ing a whopping 86 goals from 22 matches World Cup in Russia,” read the front of the home crowd. 1-0 “I would like to extend the sincere The QSL CEO expressed his satisfac- averaging almost 4 goals per match with congratulations on behalf of the QSLM tion over the ceremonies, organised on their ‘Y Force’ - Youssef El Arabi and Jan 27, 2018 to the Al Duhail club management, play- the sidelines of the QNB Stars League Youssef Msakni – contributing more than Drew with Al Rayyan 3-3 ers, technical staff and officials on their Week 22 match between Al Duhail and half of their goals’ tally. Caen-born El success in winning the league shield this Al Sailiya, that culminated in The Red Arabi ended as top scorer with 26 goals Feb 2, 2018 season. We wish them all the best in their Knights’ coronation. while Tunisia-based Msakni scored a Beat Al Ahli4-0 future engagements at both domestic and “We always cherish and take pride total of 25 goals. continental levels, such as the AFC Cham- in the successes achieved by our clubs, Not just in the QSL, Al Duhail also Feb 8, 2018 pions League. That they have achieved in Qatar and beyond. Al Duhail are a good dominated their group in the Asian Beat Al Gharafa 5-1 good results and qualified for the Round example of professional football in the Champions League, sealing five out of Al Duhail skipper Youssef Msakni receiving the Falcon Shield from Qatar Football of 16 with an all-win record clearly shows country. The QSL is always partnering five victories to enter the knock-out Association Vice-President Saoud Al Mohannadi on Saturday. Pictures: Baher Amin / The Peninsula their strength,” Hani said. the clubs in the continuous development stage. Feb 15, 2018 Beat Umm Salal5-0 He described Al Duhail as worthy process which benefit professional foot- Their clinical performance so far in ball and consequently the Qatar national the season has made the players and offi- “This (QSL) title is just the first step, goals in 5-2 win over Al Sailiya said the teams as well as clubs,” Hani said. cial to believe that by maintaining their we’re not stopping here,” Al Duhail foot- QSL title-triumph will boost the team’s We started the season with a Feb 24, 2018 Beat Al Khor4-0 He also stressed the fact that this form, Al Duhail have a good chance of ball chief Adnan Ali said after his players confidence. lot of ambitions and winning league season witnessed many exciting sealing the Asian title as well as Qatar were crowned the champions. “We have more challenges ahead and battles between the teams. Cup and Emir Cup trophies. “We started the season with a lot of the QSL glory will help us in the rest of the QSL was just our first Mar 1, 2018 “The competition was fair and open. ambitions and winning the QSL was just the season. This achievement came after Beat Al Sadd4-3 I also extend appreciation to all partners, Not just in the QSL, Al our first target. We are looking for more a teamwork. All the team members target. We are looking for sponsors and stakeholders of the QSL as Duhail also dominated titles (Qatar Cup and Emir Cup) here and including all the players and officials more titles (Qatar Cup and Mar 9, 2018 well as the media and other entities that then winning the Asian Champions played their part and if we continue the Beat Al Kharaitiyat5-0 contributed to the success of the QNB their group in the Asian League is our main target this season,” same stuff we can achieve next targets Emir Cup) here and then Stars League. We’re always keen he added. too.” Another Al Duhail talent echoed his Champions League, winning the Asian Champions Mar 17, 2018 to work closely with all part- “The way team is performing, they team-mate’s comments. Al Duhail players Beat Al Markhiya4-2 ners, sponsors and sealing five out of five can achieve much more and I am pretty “We are in full confidence and looking League is our main target celebrate during stakeholders in the victories to enter the confident about that. I would like to con- forward to winning every match. Our form this season: Al Duhail football their final QNB Stars QSLM’s forthcoming gratulate all the team members including has been phenomenal and all we need is to League match played Apr 7, 2018 Qatar Stars League Management chief Adnan Ali on Saturday. Beat Al Sailiya5-2 (QSLM) CEO Hani Taleb Ballan events and competi- knock-out stage. players and officials,” he added. continue playing good football and keep an tions,” Hani said. Ismail Mohammed, who scored two eye on improvement at the same time.” 34 SPORT MONDAY 9 APRIL 2018

Nikola Jokic (right) NBA: Nuggets roll past shines in Nuggets win over Clippers. Clippers to stay alive

REUTERS allowing New Orleans to hold on for a key victory over host NEW YORK: Will Barton scored Golden State. 31 points and Nikola Jokic added Down 121-113 after an 23 points, 11 rebounds and 11 Anthony Davis basket with 3:22 assists for his ninth triple-double left, Golden State scratched back of the season as the Denver within two on hoops by Durant, Nuggets rolled past the Los Draymond Green and Andre Angeles Clippers 134-115 on Iguodala, the latter a dunk with Saturday afternoon at Staples 1:01 to play. Center in Los Angeles and But with a chance to tie, remained in the hunt for the Durant (41 points, 10 rebounds) postseason. had the ball knocked away by the The win was the fifth straight much smaller Rondo with 31.3 for the Nuggets, who are still out seconds left, and Moore followed of the play-off picture but tied, with his key hoop almost eight record-wise, with eighth-place seconds later. Minnesota. Spurs 116, Trail Blazers 105 The Timberwolves hold the LaMarcus Aldridge scored 28 head-to-head tiebreaker points and Manu Ginobili came between the two teams, but there off the bench for 10 of his 17 is still plenty to be decided points in the fourth quarter in between now and April 11, the San Antonio’s win over visiting final day of the NBA’s regular Portland. season. Ginobili was 7-for-7 from the The Clippers were eliminated field -- 3-for-3 from 3-point from play-off consideration with range -- in helping the Spurs Saturday’s loss. Los Angeles Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (right) dribbles claim their 10th straight win at (42-38) has lost four of its past the ball as Houston Rockets guard James Harden defends during home. five games. the ﬁrst quarter at Toyota Center on Saturday. Damian Lillard scored 33 Denver (45-35) outscored the points for the Trail Blazers, who contests. New York (28-52) failed sank 24 of 55 attempts from Clippers in every quarter and put lost their third straight game. to score for a four-minute stretch behind the arc, with eight players the game away with a final scored 24 points and Carmelo Antonio Spurs, who both won Evan Turner added 18 points and late in the fourth quarter as the hitting at least one 3-pointer and decisive run in the first half of Anthony added 22 for the Saturday, for fifth place in the CJ McCollum 17 for Portland. Bucks broke open the game, six making multiple threes. the fourth period that garnered Thunder, who won for just the Western Conference playoff race. Bucks 115, Knicks 102 securing the first double-digit Leading a balanced attack was the Nuggets a 119-101 lead. second time in the past six Oklahoma City needs to win one Eric Bledsoe and Khris Mid- lead for either team. Milwaukee reserve Quincy Acy with a game- Thunder 108, Rockets 102 games. Steven Adams con- of its final two games to clinch a dleton each had 22 points to lead trailed 95-94 with 5:51 left in the high 21 points, all but three of Russell Westbrook recorded tributed 12 points and eight play-off berth. all five starters in double figures game, but the Bucks used a 12-0 them on 3-pointers. Allen Crabbe 24 points, 10 assists, seven rebounds and Jerami Grant also Pelicans 126, Warriors 120 as Milwaukee defeated host New run to go up 11 before cruising to added 20 while Joe Harris rebounds and four steals to help scored 12 points for Oklahoma Rajon Rondo stripped the ball York. the win. chipped in 16 points. Oklahoma City post a crucial City. from Kevin Durant and E’Twaun Jarrett Jack had a team-high Nets 124, Bulls 96 In contrast to Brooklyn’s victory over Houston, snapping The victory leaves the Moore converted the steal into a 18 points off the bench to lead Unloading a non-stop assault from the perimeter, the Rockets’ 20-game home Thunder (46-34) tied with the short jumper at the other end the Knicks, who dropped their barrage of 3-pointers, Brooklyn Chicago made just 6 of 29 winning streak. Paul George also New Orleans Pelicans and San with 23.5 seconds remaining, fifth game in their last six routed host Chicago. The Nets 3-point tries.

Rangers ﬁre Jankowski stars in big win for Flames head coach AP tic-tac-toe passing play with after missing fourth liners Curtis Lazar and CALGARY: Mark Jankowski had Matt Stajan at 10:27. four goals, including his first NHL Ninety seconds later, Foo play-offs hat-trick, and the Calgary Flames made it two goals in two games, REUTERS beat the Vegas Golden Knights firing a shot through Fleury’s 7-1 Saturday night to finish a pads off a set-up from Mikael disappointing season. Backlund. Jankowski capped off NEW YORK: The New York Spencer Foo, Garnet his hat trick and made it 6-1 Rangers have fired head Hathaway and Johnny Gaudreau with a short-handed goal at coach Alain Vigneault after also scored for the Flames, who 18:06, bringing over 100 hats missing the play-offs for the had only nine goals while losing raining down onto the ice. first time in eight years, the eight of their previous nine. The 23-year-old capped off team announced on Saturday. Calgary finished the season his big night 1:32 into the third The decision was 37-35-10, and will miss the period, chipping his 17th of the revealed following the team’s playoffs for the seventh time in season past Malcolm Subban on 5-0 season-ending loss to the nine seasons. the power play. Philadelphia Flyers. A big factor was its 17-20-4 It was the first goal on the The Rangers finished home record, the worst since man advantage for Calgary in dead last in the Metropolitan going 12-18-11 in 2000-01. 14 games, snapping a 0-for-35 Division, with just 77 points, Cody Eakin scored for Vegas skid. and will be an observer of the (51-24-7), which will open the Gillies had 26 stops to finish post-season for the first time play-offs on home ice after fin- the season 3-5-1. The rookie’s since the 2009-10 campaign. ishing first in the Pacific in its best save came midway through Vigneault spent five seasons inaugural season. the second when he whipped at the helm, compiling a 226- The Golden Knights, who out his glove to rob Ryan Reaves 147-37 record in the regular Calgary Flames centre Mark Jankowski (left) controls the puck against the Vegas Golden Knights will play Los Angeles in the first on a rebound. season with a play-off record during the third period at Scotiabank Saddledome on Saturday. round, are the first modern-era Fleury gave up six goals on of 31-30. expansion team in any of the 18 shots before being replaced The 56-year-old four North America pro spots to Jankowski scored on a nearly Fleury at 7:31 of the first to make pass at the Golden Knights’ blue to start the third period. Vigneault took the Rangers win their division. identical play with Gaudreau on it 3-0. line sprung him on a breakaway. He fell to 29-13-4. It was the to the Stanley Cup season Ten seconds after Gaudreau the setup. Vegas got on the scoreboard However, the Flames most goals surrendered by during his first season in New one-timed in a slick cross-ice Jankowski added his second, 51 seconds into the second as responded with three goals Fleury since a 6-3 loss to Detroit York in 2013-14. The team pass from Michael Ferland at backhanding the puck in off the Eakin beat Jon Gillies through before the second intermission. on October 13. Subban had 12 lost to the Los Angeles Kings 4:03 of the first period, skate of goaltender Marc-Andre the pads after Gaudreau’s errant Hathaway converted a stops in relief. in five games. Rockies edge Braves on game-ending walk in 10th inning

AP intentionally walked Gerardo otherwise would have brought run, instead was doubled off It was his first blown save in Rockies. He allowed two runs Parra. home Ozzie Albies. second base. five chances. and seven hits over five innings. DENVER: Tony Wolters drew a The runners advanced on a Albies also flashed some In the 10th, Albies was The Braves went into the He struck out six and walked a bases-loaded walk off Arodys wild pitch before Vizcaino great defense. plunked by Ottavino and with game with the major’s most pro- pair of batters before leaving Vizcaino with two outs in the walked Trevor Story to load the After Ryan Flaherty tied it two outs stole second and ductive lineup, averaging eight with Atlanta trailing 2-0 after 10th inning, sending the bases. with a single in the ninth off advanced to third when catcher runs a game and leading the five innings. Colorado Rockies to a 3-2 Wolters looked at four Rockies closer Wade Davis, Wolter’s throw sailed into center majors with a .298 batting Story homered for the victory over the Atlanta Braves straight pitches out of the strike Atlanta’s second baseman field. average and a .381 on-base per- second straight game, sending following a thrilling battle on zone, making a winner out of saved the game - momentarily Chad Bettis stood to get the centage. But they were stifled a fastball into the left field seats Saturday night. Adam Ottavino (2-0). - with a diving catch of DJ win after giving up just one run by Bettis and the Rockies’ refur- in the fourth, one inning after After Carlos Gonzalez The right-hander escaped a LeMahieu’s line drive up the and four hits in 5 2/3 innings, bished bullpen until rallying in Nolan Arenado singled in a run. doubled down the left field line jam in the ninth when shortstop middle for a rally-snuffing but the Braves rallied against the ninth. Freddie Freeman’s RBI with one out, Vizcaino (1-1) Story leaped to snare a two-out double play. Wolters, who Davis in the ninth to erase a 2-1 Anibal Sanchez is unbeaten double with two outs in the sixth struck out Ian Desmond and line drive by Nick Markakis that might have scored the winning deficit. in six career starts against the made it 2-1 and chased Bettis. MONDAY 9 APRIL 2018 SPORT 35 Reed strengthens Masters hold with three-shot lead AFP Patrick Reed during the third Rory McIlroy of AUGUSTA: Patrick Reed fired two late round of the Northern Ireland eagles on a rain-softened Augusta 2018 Masters walks up the 18th National course to seize a three-shot Tournament at green during the lead over Rory McIlroy after the third Augusta National third round of round of the Masters on Saturday. Golf Club on the 2018 Masters Reed’s 5-under par 67 for a Saturday. Tournament at 14-under total of 202 through 54 holes Augusta National was his third straight round in the 60s Golf Club on and more than enough to keep him Saturday. atop the leaderboard in search of his first major title, even as McIlroy, Rickie Fowler and Jon Rahm all posted 7-under par 65s. “I think the biggest thing is just going out and playing golf, trying not to let the moment overwhelm me,” said Reed, who notched his first top-10 at a major last August at the PGA Championship. “I feel like I’m hitting the ball well enough, I feel like I’m putting well enough. I just need to go out and play the game.” Reed certainly did that, his four birdies including three in a row at the eighth, ninth and 10th after McIlroy had pitched in for eagle at the eighth to pull level. McIlroy, who can complete a career Grand Slam with a first Masters win, was alone in second on 205 with Fowler third on 207 and world number three Rahm on 208 after a day when threatened thunderstorms failed to materialize. Instead, intermittent showers only I feel like I’m hitting the ball well served to make Augusta’s treacherous enough, I feel like I’m putting well greens a little more benign. enough. I just need to go out and Famed for his unflinching play on play the game: Patrick Reed US Ryder Cup match play teams, 27-year-old Reed threatened to make it a runaway with his eagles at 13 and 15, swelling his lead to as many as five After an unlikely par at the fifth, You know, the chip-in on the eighth effort. Spain’s Rahm, 23, also played Woods was left spinning his wheels on shots. where his shot from the fairway hole, finding my ball in the azaleas on without a bogey and was one stroke Moving Day. He curled in a 14-foot eagle putt at bunker caught the lip but kept trav- 13. in front of former British Open The 14-time major champion, who the 13th, then saw his chip at 15 hit the elling, he tapped in for birdie at the “Then hitting the tree on 18 and champion Henrik Stenson of Sweden, insisted as he set out to close a 13-shot green and race toward the hole, sixth before holing his sand wedge for coming back in the fairway and who carded a 70 for 209. deficit on Saturday that he was looking striking the pin and dropping in. eagle at the eighth. making a birdie from that -- hopefully Two-time Masters champion for a “special weekend”, opened with “It was breaking so hard to the left, A run of six straight pars included I don’t have to rely on it too much Bubba Watson posted a 68 to share back-to-back bogeys on the way to a I couldn’t tell if it was going to go in or a save at the 13th, where he waded into tomorrow.” sixth on 210 with England’s Tommy 72. if it was just going to burn edges,” Reed the azalea bushes to hit his third shot. Although Reed and McIlroy are old Fleetwood and Australian Marc Woods, back at Augusta for the first said. And just when Reed was getting Ryder Cup foes, both said they couldn’t Leishman. Fleetwood’s 66 included time in three years, hit 4-of-14 fairways Northern Ireland’s McIlroy, who away, McIlroy added birdies at 15 and afford to focus on each other. five straight birdies on the back nine but said his real problem continued to started the day five shots off Reed’s 18 -- where he drained a 17-foot birdie Fowler, also seeking a first major while Leishman, who entered the day be poor iron play. halfway lead, started narrowing the putt after a lucky carom off a tree. title, kick-started his round with an trailing Reed by two, had just one “It has been scratchy this week. I’m gap with back-to-back birdies at the “A great day,” McIlroy said. eagle at the par-5 second and added bogey in his 1-over 73. not getting it done. My swing is just off third and fourth. “I rode my luck a little bit out there. five more birdies in a bogey-free Four-time Masters winner Tiger with my irons,” said Woods.

MASTERS SCORES Woods frustrated, disappointed 202 - Patrick Reed (USA) 69-66-67 205 - Rory McIlroy (NIR) 69-71-65 207 - Rickie Fowler (USA) 70-72-65 208 - Jon Rahm (ESP) 75-68-65 209 - Henrik Stenson (SWE) 69-70-70 after struggles at Augusta 210 - Tommy Fleetwood (ENG) 72-72-66, Bubba AFP Watson (USA) 73-69-68, Marc Leishman (AUS) 70-67-73 week with two bogeys and a 211 - Justin Thomas (USA) 74-67-70, Jordan Spieth Tiger Woods birdie Saturday. (USA) 66-74-71 AUGUSTA: Tiger Woods of the United “Played the par-5s awful,” 212 - Dustin Johnson (USA) 73-68-71 admitted frustration and disap- States waits on Woods said. “I’m hitting so 213 - Cameron Smith (AUS) 71-72-70, Justin Rose (ENG) pointment with slow progress many good putts. They’re just the ﬁrst fairway 72-70-71, Louis Oosthuizen (RSA) 71-71-71 in his comeback from back not going in. But I’m not hitting Given the fact that I was during the third 215 - Jason Day (AUS) 75-71-69, Bernd Wiesberger surgery after struggling off the it close enough. I’m not getting playing well coming in, round of the (AUT) 70-73-72, Jimmy Walker (USA) 73-71-71, Matt tee again in Saturday’s third 2018 Masters up there and not taking Kuchar (USA) 68-75-72, Charley Hoffman 69-73-73, Tony round of the Masters. my practice sessions Tournament on advantage of the par-5s and Finau (USA) 68-74-73 The 14-time major winner, have been good, I just Saturday. consequently a good round is 216 - Matthew Fitzpatrick (ENG) 75-74-67, Kim Si-Woo who had not competed at have not executed the even par.” Augusta National since 2015 What he wants to see is (KOR) 75-73-68, Kevin Kisner (USA) 72-75-69, Francesco because of nagging back issues, way that I have been: improvement in his short game Molinari (ITA) 72-74-70, Satoshi Kodaira (JPN) 71-74-71, fired a level-par 72 to stand on Tiger Woods as a sign of progress to the Russell Henley (USA) 73-72-71, Adam Hadwin (CAN) 4-over 220 after 54 holes in his long-term goal of competing 69-75-72, Hideki Matsuyama (JPN) 73-71-72 first major since 2015. in majors once again, his next 217 - Li Haotong (CHN) 69-76-72 The 42-year-old American, chance coming in June’s US 218 - Paul Casey (ENG) 74-75-69, Adam Scott (AUS) who underwent spinal fusion Open at Shinnecock. 75-73-70, Daniel Berger (USA) 73-74-71, Ryan Moore surgery last year, had notched “Hopefully I can hit my (USA) 74-72-72, Jhonattan Vegas (VEN) 77-69-72, Zach two top-5 finishes in tuneups irons better. It has been Johnson (USA) 70-74-74 last month to spark “Tiger- scratchy this week. I just 219 - Webb Simpson (USA) 76-73-70, Bernhard Langer mania” excitement that he was haven’t gotten it done,” Woods (GER) 74-74-71, Fred Couples (USA) 72-74-73, Rafael ready to again contend in said. majors. “And when I did miss I Cabrera Bello (ESP) 69-76-74 But he hit only 4-of-14 missed in the wrong spots. My 220 - Tiger Woods (USA) 73-75-72, Bryson DeCham- fairways and again struggled swing’s just off with my irons beau (USA) 74-74-72, Branden Grace (RSA) 73-73-74 with iron shots on a course my practice sessions have been dreamed of seeing him on “Hopefully tomorrow I can just at the wrong time.” Woods 221 - Kiradech Aphibarnrat (THA) 79-70-72, Xander where he won four green good, I just have not executed Sunday chase a 15th major title, shoot something, get me to opened with back-to-back Schauffele (USA) 71-78-72, Martin Kaymer (GER) 74-73- jackets after having no such the way that I have been.” It’s and first since the 2008 US even par or even in the red. bogeys, his worst start of the 74, Kyle Stanley (USA) 72-74-75 issues coming into the week. not like Woods isn’t trying to Open, they will settle for him That will be a good goal week after finding bunkers at 222 - Tyrrell Hatton (ENG) 74-75-73, a-Doug Ghim (USA) “That’s why it’s disap- solve his iron deficiencies. trying to shoot 67 or 68 and tomorrow and hopefully I can the first green and second 72-76-74, Chez Reavie (USA) 76-71-75 pointing and a little bit frus- “I know what the problem finish at par or better for the get it done.” fairway. He answered with 223 - Phil Mickelson (79USA) 70-79-74, Ian Poulter trating,” Woods said. is,” he said. week. Once a maestro over 7-foot birdie putts at the par-3 (ENG) 74-75-74, Brian Harman (USA) 73-74-76

“But I haven’t been sharp “I’m struggling trying to fix “I wish this week would Augusta National’s four par-5 sixth and par-5 eighth sand- 224 - Vijay Singh (FIJ) 71-74- with them. Given the fact that it on the fly and trusting it.” have been a little bit better,” holes, Woods is simply a mess wiched around an 8-foot par- I was playing well coming in, Where Woods and his fans had Woods said. now, 1-under on them for the save putt at seven. MONDAY 9 APRIL 2018 SPORT 36

“I’ve never cared about age. 5.00PM 6:00PM Brad Hogg played at 45. I don’t FOOTBALL SQUASH Michael Clarke think it’s about a number. I Leicester City vs Squash Canary Wharf is thinking of think it’s about commitment Newcastle United LIVE ON Classic 2018 and devotion.” playing Tests Live on beIN HD 2 TUBE Live on beIN HD Qatar Superstock 600 Championship: Super Al Sulaiti defends his title at LIC THE PENINSULA last round,” Al Malki said. “In the last race, I was doing my way and DOHA: Popular Qatari rider Saeed Al Sulaiti receives the winner’s trophy led almost all the race, until the Saeed Al Sulaiti yesterday from Abdulrazak Al Kuwari, Secretary ninth lap but I had a mechanical defended his Qatar Superstock General of QMMF, at Losail International problems with my throttle and 600 title by winning Race 1 of Circuit. BELOW: Al Sulaiti is seen in action it was dangerous to push so I the sixth and final round of the while racing against Mashel Al Naimi and slowed down and finished championship. Nasser Al Malki. fourth. I hope I can come back With riders battling for stronger for the next season and honours under lights at Losail be better prepared than this year. International Circuit, Al Sulaiti I take this opportunity to say edged out arch-rival and pole congratulations to Saeed and winner Mashel Al Naimi after a Mishal for an amazing season,” thrilling battle in Race 1. Al Malki said. Al Naimi, struggling with Al Naimi said things could health issues, remained in the have been different had he not lead for the first seven laps but fallen sick going into the last Al Sulaiti eventually overtook the round. former Moto2 rider and sealed “In general, I had a very good his win in Race 1. season. Until the last round, I had Young Abdullah Al Qubaisi the chance to win the champi- finished second while seasoned onship as I was one point ahead rider Nasser Al Malki grabbed the of Saeed but in the last round I third place, a notch above Al fell very sick from mid-week,” Naimi who clearly struggled for Al Naimi said. lack of fitness . “In Race 1 of the final round, With the championship title I felt very dizzy and I was losing already secured, Al Sulaiti concentration. So I said to myself focussed more on completing that if I am not able to win the Race 2 which was skipped by an first race, it will be very difficult unfit Al Naimi. fighting for the championship,” to do it in the second race. I went Al Qubaisi finished ahead of Al Sulaiti said. to the medical centre after the title winner Al Sulaiti and topped Al Sulaiti also took the first race and it was a difficult Race 2 while Hungarian rider opportunity to thank QMMF and decision not to take part in the Balint Kovacs completed the LCSC for their ‘whole-hearted second race as I was not fit podium. support’. “I want to thank Mr enough. Also, I did not want to Al Sulaiti ended up with 211 Abdulrahman Al Mannai, the take any risk as far as I was con- points, followed by Al Naimi (180 President of QMMF, and Losail cerned and for the rest of the points), Al Malki (165), Al Qubaisi Circuit Sports Club’s Mr Khalid riders,” Al Naimi said. (153), Fahad Al Sowaidi (113) and Al Remaihi for setting up this “I want to thank the QMMF Kovacs (98). great championship. Their and Losail Circuit Sports Club for “There are no words to support during the season has this great championship. A big describe my feelings, winning the been wonderful. ‘thank you’ to Ooredoo for spon- championship again,” a beaming “I big ‘thank you’ to Ooredoo soring me and for the support Al Sulaiti said. for sponsoring me and believing they gave me all this time. I hope “It has been a very tough in me. Nothing would be possible to come back next season season and my performances without their sponsorship,” Al stronger and to fight for the title,” and results have been better than Sulaiti said. Al Naimi said. last year. I won more races this Al Malki, who finished third in Hungarian rider Kovacs said: year than last year. Race 2, wasn’t a pleased rider at “This was a great season for me. “When I crashed in round 2 the end of the proceedings at LIC. I am very happy with my per- and 4, I thought winning the Al Malki pushed hard from formance as it was my first time. championship would be very dif- the beginning of the race and I found the perfect championship ficult. There was a lot of pressure was in the lead until the ninth lap to train in the winter season when I reached the final round but suffered due to mechanical since I will now feature in the only a point behind Mishal,” he season. I salute my team and my and other European countries, “Winning Race 2 and problems with the bike’s throttle German Championship with added. friends for giving me the moti- praised the performance of recording his top lap time by as he lost pace on fellow riders Suzuki in mid-April.” “But at the end of the day, me vation to do well. My team 18-year-old Al Qubaisi. 2:04.9 in the Superpole is a great and finished fourth. He added: “ We decided to and my team remained focused worked really good on the set “I am really happy with the feat. For us, it took us years to do “I am not happy at all come and race here. With and we took the victory,” Al up,” Al Sulaiti said. overall performance of Abdullah that and this is amazing what he because I worked hard all the another podium has been great Sulaiti said. Al Sulaiti, who has raced this season. He worked a lot and has done. He proved he is really season to have a good feeling for me and overall, I take with “I want to thank everyone extensively in Spain also besides now he gets all the good results strong and for next year I think with the bike. But I managed to me a very positive experience. I who has stood with me this featuring in races across France that he deserves,” Al Sulaiti said. we may have a new challenger have the good feeling only in the hope to come back next season.” Top Qatari athletes conﬁrmed

Abderrahaman for Doha Diamond League Samba

THE PENINSULA in Tehran in February when he behind Haroun at this year’s in a medal position but stumbled became the first back-to-back Asian Indoor Championships to finish in seventh place. Aspire DOHA: Team Qatar will be out winner of an Asian indoor 400m with a personal best time. Academy graduate, Bader will in full force at this year’s Doha title. Speaking ahead of the Doha line up in what promises to be a Diamond League. The 2016 Under 20 World Diamond League, Haroun, said: thrilling javelin final, featuring 2017 World bronze medallist, Champion and World Indoor “I was so proud to win bronze reigning Olympic Champion, Abdaleleh Haroun, 2017 Doha silver medallist claimed his first for Qatar in the London World Thomas Röhler of Germany, Diamond League winner, Abder- senior outdoor title last year with Championships last year but I reigning World Champion rahaman Samba and Olympian bronze at the London IAAF want to achieve even more Johannes Vetter, also of and World Championship finalist World Championships. success in the future. I can’t wait Germany, reigning World silver Ahmed Bader Magour, will Haroun will line up in an to get out on the track at Qatar medallist and 2018 Diamond feature amongst the 14-strong incredibly strong field that fea- Sports Club and compete in front League Champion, Yakub squad challenging athletics’ tures last year’s World silver of the home crowd in the Vadlejch of the Czech Republic, superstars at Qatar Sports Club medallist Steven Gardiner of the Diamond League.” and reigning Olympic silver on May 4, organisers said Bahamas and 2017 Diamond Samba stunned an incredibly medallist, Julian Yego of Kenya. yesterday. League Champion, Isaac strong field of experienced ath- Two Team Qatar athletes, Tickets are on sale now Makwala of Botswana. letes in only his third attempt at Jamal Hairane and Abubaker online at https://bit.ly/2GVnHqN Another rising Qatari star, the 400m hurdles to storm to Haydar Abdalla, will feature in 2010 Youth Olympic Games silver medallist in both the and at Virgin Megastores for the Mohamed Nasir Abbas, will also victory in last year’s Doha an exciting Men’s 800m, which silver medallist and 2012 World 1500m and 3000m, Yaser Salem action-packed evening of world- be looking to get his outdoor Diamond League. includes 2017 World silver and Under 20 Champion, Hamza Bagharab and 2012 Under 20 class athletics. season off to a strong start ahead Samba, 22, will be looking to bronze medallists Adam Kszczot Drioch, who will join Asian 3000m steeplechase champion, Ferocious young talent, of this year’s Asian Games in overcome his disappointment of Poland and Kipyegon Bett of Under 20 5000m and 3000m Hashim Mohamed Salah and 21-year-old Haroun, got his 2018 Indonesia. and use the experience from last Kenya respectively. steeplechase champion Adam Ali 2010 Asian Games bronze med- season off to an electric start at The 2014 U20 Asian year’s World Championships Team Qatar athletes com- Mousab and Said Aden in the allist Rashid Ahmed Al Mannai the Asian Indoor Championships Champion claimed bronze when he entered the final hurdle peting on May 4 will also include Men’s 1500m, 2018 Asian Indoor (triple jump).