FORMULA 1 | Page 5 RUGBY | Page 6 Hamilton Barclay To Advertise here hails new to captain Call: 444 11 300, 444 66 621 Mercedes as Scotland 'awesome' vs Wales

Friday, February 24, 2017 Jumada I 27, 1438 AH FOOTBALL GULF TIMES I am staying at United, says Rooney SPORT Page 3

HH THE EMIR’S SWORD FESTIVAL Mixture of relief & disappointment as Budapest gives up Olympic dream

Majeed prevails over Reuters Budapest

ungarians displayed a mixture of disappointment and relief yester- Hday after the government ended Budapest’s bid to host the 2024 summer AJS Al Rayyan in Day Olympic Games in the face of growing popular opposition. The Momentum Movement (MoMo), a new force in Hungarian politics, last week submitted a petition with 266,000 signa- tures demanding a local referendum on an event seen as symbolically important to Prime Minister Viktor Orban. Many in One feature thriller Budapest were vocal in their opposition. “It would have been a gigantic over- stretch,” 45-year-old Budapest teacher, ‘It was very close and Olivier did well. After the turn the horse was on the outside and was very Lajos Szanto, said. “Now we can all calm down and look at the actual problems we keen to go. Olivier also was keen, and he let Majeed move. So that was a challenge but I am have. Schools, hospitals, the usual perennial problems that someone ought to tackle very happy we won. In my opinion, we should have more easily but he moved ahead too early’ at last. Then we can fool around with an Olympics. That’s the correct order.” By Mikhil Bhat But for some, such as Denes Kemeny, Doha who coached the Hungarian water polo team to three successive Olympic golds, the way the bid ended was a “very sad story”. mm Qarn’s Majeed and Al Jeryan Stud’s “Last fall the majority supported the bid AJS Al Rayyan ensured an exciting start and our chances were improving,” said to the three-day HH The Emir’s Sword Kemeny, one of the faces of the off icial Festival at the Qatar Racing and Eques- Budapest 2024 campaign. Utrian Club (QREC) yesterday. “We could have convinced the public There was very little to set the two Amer colts for a plebiscite but the recent period apart at the post, with trainers Alban de Mieulle ruined our chances... With unity it can and Jassim Ghazali going through some anxious work — but only with unity.” moments after the 2000m Qatar Local Purebred Orban’s ruling right-wing populist Arabian Trophy, yesterday’s feature. Fidesz party laid the blame on opposition Eventually the Umm Qarn’s seven-year-old, politicians who had voted in favour of the ridden by Olivier Peslier, was announced the win- bid but then turned against it. ner by smallest of margins, with a lunging head Fidesz party parliamentary group the diff erence, and in sporting fashion Ghazali leader, Lajos Kosa, told news channel and De Mieulle shook hands on the result. ATV that the petition was motivated by “It was very close and Olivier did well. After Momentum’s political ambitions and said the turn the horse was on the outside and was the movement was “cowardly... using the very keen to go. Olivier also was keen, and he let plebiscite as an excuse to form a party”. Majeed move. So that was a challenge but I am Student, Andrea Szalai, 23, agreed: “(Mo- very happy we won. In my opinion, we should mentum) turned a great sporting oppor- have more easily but he moved ahead too early,” tunity into a political comedy with their De Mieulle told Gulf Times after the race. petition. And then the government puts “The meeting has started on a good note but up no fight and backs out of it instead of this meet is a big challenge with all the quality campaigning to convince naysayers.” horses coming from abroad. We saw some nice AJS Al Rayyan, ridden by Harry Bentley (foreground) finishes Fidesz’s Kosa said whatever the out- horses and races today. second, behind Majeed, ridden by Olivier Peslier (left, back- come of a referendum, holding it so close “I am a little bit disappointed because one of ground), while Reda, helmed by Marco Monteriso (right) finishes to the September decision on the host my horses (Diese) fi nished second but then he is third in the Qatar Local Purebred Arabian Trophy yesterday. city would have scuppered Budapest’s a maiden with very little experience. I do expect chances. Government-friendly media ech- him to do well in the future.” oed that thought with headlines like “We While the Frenchman had only one winner debut in January, and yesterday too the four- World Fegentri Championship — For Lady Rid- Trainer: Jassim Ghazali. had a dream”, “The opposition smashed on the day, Ghazali had two, including Caid De year-old fi lly won comfortably, fi nishing a little ers, saw Umm Qarn’s Taima take the lead early Race 3: 1. Thorndyke (Harry Bentley), 2. Moueen our Olympic dreams” and “Leftists once L’Ardus and Hillside Dream, both ridden by Har- under two lengths ahead of Substantiate, under on with Namroud right behind. Coming off the (Saleem Golam), 3. Poet’s Song (Faleh Bughanaim), again betrayed the nation”. ry Bentley to victory. Bentley’s third win on the Almotasem al-Balushi’s ride. fi nal bend, Namroud stepped out and eased past 4. Middawi (JP Guillambert). Won by: Shd, ½, 2. Other media welcomed the news. The day was with Thorndyke, schooled by Ghazali’s Adnan Hawa guided Red Connect to third for Larissa Biess’ mount with 100m to go. Time: 1:11.28. Owner: Khalifa bin Sheail al-Kuwari. news website Index.hu wrote in an opin- son, Mohamed. trainer Hadi al-Ramzani. Falot Del Falot, ridden by Bethany Baumgard- Trainer: Mohamed Jassim Ghazali. ion piece that the decision was “the end Ibrahim al-Malki’s only winner of the day was The top owner-trainer-jockey from last year ner of the USA, was third for Hassan al-Matwi. Race 4: 1. Al Mirzem (Andrew Elliot), 2. Diese (Jean of a nightmare driven by irrationality”. Adham, ridden by Eduardo Pedroza to the colt’s came together to pick up their fi rst win of the In the two maiden races, Bentley rode Mo- Baptiste Hamel), 3. Mohssn (Alberto Sanna), 4. The chief of Budapest’s bid committee fi fth career victory in the Class 3 Thoroughbred three-day festival when Bentley, in the silks of hamed Jassim Ghazali-saddled Thorndyke to the Waqaar (Gaetan Faucon). Won by: Hd, 1, ¾. Time: deplored the capital’s withdrawal from Handicap event for horses rated 76-90. Khalifa bin Sheail al-Kuwari, guided Ghazali- three-year-old gelding’s fi rst victory in the Class 1:32.45. Owner: Nasser Abdullah Khalifa al-Attiyah. the 2024 race. The decision leaves Paris Al-Malki’s other ward in the race, Shaka Zulu, schooled Caid De L’Ardus to his second straight 6 Thoroughbred Maiden Plate, while Andrew El- Trainer: Hussein Aashoor. and Los Angeles to fight a neck-and-neck took the early lead in the six furlong sprint but victory in Qatar yesterday. liot guided Hussein Aashoor-trained Al Mirzem Race 5: 1. Hillside Dream (Harry Bentley), 2. Substanti- battle for 2024. The International Olympic was passed by Adham and Deborah Moun- In the seven furlong Purebred Arabian Cup, to a victory in the Purebred Arabian Maiden Plate. ate (Almotasem Al Balushi), 3. Red Connect (Adnan Committee (IOC) is due to vote for the tain-trained Palmetto Dunes, ridden by Marco the fi ve-year-old colt moved into the lead early Hawa), 4. Ras Abrouq (Marco Monteriso). Won by: 1 host city on September 13. Monteriso, two furlongs from the post. on and had little trouble in keeping a clean pair ¾, Shd, 1 ½. Time: 1:24.55. Owner: Shaheen bin Khalid Boston, Hamburg and Rome had Adham got to the post fi rst, even as a fast ap- of heels, winning by three and a half lengths. Ju- RESULTS Shaheen al-Ghanim. Trainer: Jassim Ghazali. already pulled out of the contest to follow proaching Hope Cove, a Ghazali ward ridden by lian Smart’s duo She’ris and Hagwa fi nished sec- Race 1: 1. Namroud (Elisabetta Marcialis), 2. Taima Race 6: 1. Adham (Eduardo Pedroza), 2. Hope 2020 hosts Tokyo, all because of pressure Bentley, edged out Monteriso’s ride for the sec- ond and third respectively. “He has some natural (Larissa Biess), 3. Falot Del Falot (Bethany Baumgard- Cove (Harry Bentley), 3. Palmetto Dunes (Marco over the cost. ond spot. speed going for him. Just a few fl icks and he was ner), 4. Bouhour (Sara Vermeersch). Won by: 1 ¼, 5, 1 Monteriso), 4. Perigee (Almotasem Al Balushi). Won “It frustrates me because we have Shaheen bin Khalid Shaheen al-Ghanim- off ,” Bentley said after the race. ¼. Time: 1:48.42. Owner: Sheikh Khalifa bin Mohamed by: ¾, Nk, ½. Time: 1:11.37. Owner: Abdulatif Hussain never been so close... We dropped out owned Hillside Dream led a one-two for trainer In the fi rst race of the day, Italian jockey Elisa- bin Khalifa al-Thani. Trainer: Pierre Deymonaz. al-Emadi. Trainer: Ibrahim al-Malki. in front of the finish line,” Balazs Furjes, Ghazali in the Class 5 Thoroughbred Handicap betta Marcialis picked up the maximum number Race 2: 1. Caid De L’Ardus (Harry Bentley), 2. She’ris Race 7: 1. Majeed (Olivier Peslier), 2. AJS Al Rayyan chairman of Budapest 2024, said. “We event for horses rated 56-75. of points (20 points), riding Pierre Deymonaz- (Alberto Sanna), 3. Hagwa (Marco Monteriso), 4. (Harry Bentley), 3. Reda (Marco Monteriso), 4. Damas had unity and we lost it,” he added of the Helmed by Bentley, Hillside Dream had won saddled Namroud to his second victory in Qatar. Bayriq (Darren Williams). Won by: 3 ½, Shd, 1 ¼. (Jean Baptiste Hamel). Won by: Shd, ½, 1. Time: 2:15.62. failed campaign. over the same course and distance on her Qatar The mile-long race, fi rst of the 2017 Longines Time: 1:30.92. Owner: Khalifa bin Sheail al-Kuwari. Owner: Umm Qarn. Trainer: Alban de Mieulle. Budapest City Council has to vote on the bid’s withdrawal on March 2, before Eduardo Pedroza the committee can off icially inform the rides Adham to IOC of its exit. The IOC said it would not victory in Class comment until off icially notified. 3 Thoroughbred The move is a setback for the sports- Handicap race. mad premier Viktor Orban, a key backer of the bid. It comes just months after low voter turnout voided his anti-migrant referendum aimed at rejecting a troubled European Union refugee quota plan. Hungary’s Olympic bid unravelled after a group of young activists collected over a quarter million signatures demanding a referendum, almost double the threshold required to trigger a ballot. Critics of the Olympics drive, fearing spiralling costs and corruption, said taxpayers should World Arabian Horse Organisation (WAHO) president decide how their money is spent Peter Pond (right) presents the owner's trophy to Alban “I work in sports... but even if my heart de Mieulle after Umm Qarn's Majeed won the Qatar U-13 riders take part in a kids pony race. Riders Sultan Salem al-Naemi, Mohamed Hassan was beating for the Hungarian Olympics, Local Purebred Arabian Trophy at the Qatar Racing and al-Mutwi, Mohamed Amjad al-Jumaily, Sheikh Jassim Faisal Abdulrahman al-Thani, Saeed my mind said no,” Eszter Balatoni, 37, said. Equestrian Club yesterday. PICTURES: Juhaim Mubarak al-Naemi, Salem Ajab al-Hajri and Zayeb Ajab al-Hajri took part in the race. Gulf Times 2 Friday, February 24, 2017 SPORT

HH THE EMIR’S SWORD INTERNATIONAL SHOWJUMPING CHAMPIONSHIP TENNIS Svitolina storms into Dubai semis Al-Duhami leads to close in on top 10 breakthrough AFP Earlier on Wednesday, Ker- Dubai ber dominated Monica Puig podium sweep 6-2, 6-3 in barely an hour to move a step closer to return- lina Svitolina queued ing to the number one ranking. up a possible break- The top-seeded German, who through into a fi rst- held the top WTA spot in 2016 time top 10 ranking as before Serena Williams took it sheE reached the semi-fi nals of back in September, could re- the Dubai Tennis Champion- gain the number one ranking if for Saudi Arabia ships yesterday with a 6-0, she wins the title in Dubai. 6-4 defeat of Lauren Davis. Kerber’s victory also pro- Qatar’s Ghanim Nasser al-Qadi brought some cheer when he finished third with Numero Uno The seventh seed, currently vided revenge against Puerto ranked 13th and winner of a fi fth Rican Puig, who beat the career title this month in Taipei, 29-year-old for the Rio Olym- By Sports Reporter Saudi Arabia’s Ramzy Hamad al-Duhami in action 1. Ramzy Hamad al-Duhami (Saudi Arabia) will line up today against ei- pic gold medal in August. Doha with Garlic van het Kapelhof en route to victory in the Garlic VH Kapelhof. Time: 62.80 seconds. ther top seed Angelique Kerber feature event of The Emir’s Sword International Show- Prize money: €15,450. or Croatian Ana Konjuh after Raonic advances jumping Championship yesterday. PICS: Lotfi Garsi 2. Abdulrahman Alrajhi (Saudi Arabia) Chilli those two meet in a quarter- amzy Hamad al-Duhami led a Pepper Van De Helle. 64.97 secs. €12,360. fi nal at the Aviation Club. at Delray Beach podium sweep for Saudi Arabia 3. Abdullah Alsharbatly (Saudi Arabia) Kerber can regain the WTA as the veteran rider clinched the Domingo. 66.00 secs. €9,270. top ranking from Serena Wil- Canadian top seed Milos Raon- Rfeature class on the opening day CSI5*, Two phases, Art. 274.5.3, 145cm — liams with a trophy perform- ic advanced to the quarter- of the HH The Emir’s Sword International Prize money: €24,600. ance tomorrow after losing the fi nals of the ATP Delray Beach Showjumping Championship. 1. Andres Penalosa (Colombia) Tenor De top honour after the American Open by defeating Croatia’s At the Qatar Equestrian Federation’s Rouhet. 25.19 seconds. €6,150. won the Australian Open. Borna Coric 6-3, 7-6 (7/2). (QEF) outdoor arena yesterday, al-Duhami 2. Abdullah Alsharbatly (Saudi Arabia) “I’m really happy the way I On a night when rain delayed with the BWP-bred Garlic van het Kapel- Woulon L. 25.41 secs. €4,920. started and the way I fi nished the the start of play for more than hof under the saddle, jumped clear in 62.80 3. Emanuele Gaudiano ITA (Italy) Chalou. match, I was being very aggres- eight hours, world number four seconds to win the CSI5* 150cm event. 25.55 secs. €3,690. sive and it worked really good,” Raonic fi red 12 aces on his way The 2012 Olympic bronze medallist is a CSI2*, Table A, One round against the said Svitolina. “I was calm and to victory after 94 minutes. regular competitor in Doha and has made a clock, Art. 238.2.1, 130cm — Prize money: positive today. I’m really happy Raonic, who reached the habit of winning here. Yesterday, he was at €9,000. with the performance. tie-breaker with his 11th ace his best again to take a comfortable victory 1. Rakan al-Hasawi (FEI) Dennis. 59.08 secs. “I was expecting she would and reached match point with over his compatriots, and will be eyeing €2,250. do something diff erent after his last ace, booked a quarter- for a repeat in tomorrow’s Grand Prix. The 2. Saad Alajmi (Saud Arabia) Cornelexs. losing 0-6 — it’s always tough. fi nal matchup against British 45-year-old took home €15,450 in prize 59.75 secs. €1,800. I was expecting her to come eighth seed Kyle Edmund, who money for his victory. 3. Ghanim Nasser al-Qadi (Qatar) Numero back to the game. I was trying outlasted Taiwan’s Lu Yen- Saudi’s other riders Abdulrahman Al- Uno — T. 61.09 secs. €1,350. to stick to my plan and stay re- Hsun 6-3, 3-6, 6-2. rajhi and Abdullah Alsharbatly took the CSI2*, Two phases, Art. 274.5.3, 120 CM — ally positive. I knew that there Also advancing to the last second and third spots respectively. Alrajhi Prize: €8,000. would be some up-and-downs, eight was US third seed Jack left the wood untouched with his trusted 1. Rakan al-Hasawi (FEI) Denver. 23.85 secs. but I tried to do more, more ef- Sock, who downed Spain’s 15-year-old Chilli Pepper Van De Helle, but €2,000. fort from my side so I didn’t Guillermo Garcia-Lopez 6-4, the pair were more than two seconds be- 2. Mohamed Taleb al-Marri (Qatar) Goldan. lose my focus too much.” 6-1, and American fi fth seed hind the winning time as they crossed the 24.90 secs. €1,600. Latvian Anastasija Sevastova Steve Johnson, who eliminated fi nish line in 64.97 seconds. 3. Abdullah Faris Abaalkhail (Saudi Arabia) put out the week’s last Chinese Japan’s Yoshihito Nishioka Alsharbatly made it a clean sweep for Chaleur 2. 24.94 secs. €1,000.00. hope, defeating Wang Qiang by the same score. Sock and Saudi Arabia as he completed the podium 6-4, 7-5 as the Asian lost her Johnson will meet in another with Domingo, jumping clear in 66 seconds. ternationale (FEI) emerged triumphant in nered Denver to victory. The Kuwaiti and Today’s schedule fi rst sets of the week. Sevastova quarter-fi nal. Earlier, Alsharbatly had fi nished second both the events. his nine-year-old bay jumped clear in 23.85 1 pm: CSI2* Accumulator with Joker FEI Art. will meet 10th seed Caroline The other matchups fi nd in the CSI5* 145cm class. Colombian Andres In the One round against the clock 130 seconds to claim the top spot. 269 | Max. 120cm | 1 Horse per athlete | 350 Wozniacki, who saw off teen- Argentina’s seventh-seeded Penalosa had emerged victorious with his cm class, al-Hasawi and Dennis fi nished Qatar’s Mohamed Taleb al-Marri took m/min | €10,000.3:30pm: CSI2* Two Phases aged American CiCi Bellis. Juan Martin Del Potro, in his 10-year-old stallion Tenor De Rouhet. The in 59.08 seconds for a thrilling win. Their second place with Goldan, fi nishing in FEI Art. 274.5.3 | Max. 130cm | 1 Horse per Wozniacki, the 2011 Dubai fi rst tournament of the year pair’s winning time was 25.19 seconds, which time was just 0.67 seconds better than 24.90 seconds, while Saudi’s Abdullah athlete | 350 m/min | €11,000 champion, put an end to Bellis’ after helping his homeland fetched Penalosa €6,150 for his eff orts. Saudi Arabia’s Saad Alajmi and Cornelexs, Faris Abaalkhail and Chaleur 2 came third 5:30pm: CSI5* Speed & Handiness FEI Art. dream run with a commanding win the Davis Cup, meeting Alsharbatly timed 25.41 seconds with who stopped the clock in 59.75 seconds. in 24.94 seconds. 263 – Table C 239 | Max. 145cm | 1 Horse per 6-3, 6-2 win over the 17-year- Bosnia’s Damir Dzumhur. Woulon L, ahead of Italy’s Emanuele Gau- Qatar’s Ghanim Nasser al-Qadi brought athlete | 350 m/min | €24,600 | LR (Group D) old American. Bellis announced Two other second-round diano, who completed the podium with some cheer to the local crowd when he fi nished Results 7:30pm: CSI5* Table A against the clock herself in a big way with her matches will be all-American Chalou in 25.55 seconds. third with Numero Uno — T in 61.09 seconds. CSI5*, Table A, One round against the with Jump Off . FEI Art. 238.2.2 | Max. 155cm stunning upset of world No. 6 aff airs, with teen star Tay- In the CSI2*, Kuwait rider Rakan al-Ha- In the championship’s opening event, clock, Art. 238.2.1, 150cm — Prize money: | 1 Horse per athlete | 350 m/min | €61,800 | Agnieszka Radwanska to reach lor Fritz facing Donald Young sawi representing Fédération Equestre In- CSI2* 120cm class, al-Hasawi had part- €61,800. LR (Group C) the quarterfi nals, but she had and fourth-seeded defending no answers against her child- champion Sam Querrey meet- hood idol Wozniacki. ing Jared Donaldson. Ramzy Hamad al-Duhami receives the trophy from Qatar Equestrian Federation president Hamad bin Abdulrahman al-Attiyah yesterday.

Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark returns to Catherine Bellis of USA. Wozniacki won Qatar's Sheikh Ali bin Khalid al-Thani astride Carolina 31. 6-3, 6-2. (Reuters)

BOTTOMLINE Budapest snub highlights need for Olympic changes

Reuters cities, including Rome’s short-lived a great Olympic history and it is disap- The IOC have said they are looking at London 2024 campaign. pointing that they decided not to re- changes to the bid process to avoid hav- “There has to be a serious discus- main in the competition.” ing “too many losers”. sion to make it clear that organising More than 200,000 Hungarians “We have to take into consideration udapest’s withdrawal from the Games has transformative powers signed a petition against a possible Bu- that the procedure as it is now produces bidding for the 2024 summer for the cities. The IOC also needs to tell dapest Games that was supposed to be too many losers,” IOC President Tho- Olympics, a process already those bidding that there are benefi ts a new model of Olympics in mid-sized mas Bach said in December. “It is not marred by a string of exits, when doing so even if they are not cho- cities. Since Agenda 2020 was intro- the purpose of an Olympic candidate highlightsB the need for changes to the sen,” Safi oleas added. duced, the two bid campaigns have city procedure to produce losers.” Games model, insiders say. So far four cities, including Boston, both resulted in just two cities slug- After the latest Olympic snub those The Olympic Games were once the Hamburg and Rome, have dropped out ging it out, after eight would-be hosts changes seem imperative, with increased most hotly contested sports commodity despite a string of changes agreed back dropped out of the 2022 and 2024 races. calls for the IOC in September to make a in the world, but in recent years the IOC in 2014 to make the Olympics more at- Oslo, Stockholm, Krakow and Lviv double award of the 2024 and 2028 Games have seen the bidding process turn into a tractive. Agenda 2020, a set of 40 IOC re- withdrew from the 2022 winter Games. to Los Angeles and Paris or vice versa. carousel of early exits, with cities scared forms aimed at reducing the cost, size and In addition, Munich and St Moritz had Supporters of such a move say it off by costs, size or local opposition. complexity of the Games to attract a new fl edgling bid proposals shot down by would provide stability over a longer Hungary pulled out yesterday, citing a batch of medium-sized potential hosts, local referendum defeats. Most of the period of time and eliminate any “los- lack of political and national unity, leav- has seemingly failed to halt the exodus. cities that have dropped out of the last ers”. But it would also automatically ing Los Angeles and Paris in a two-horse “We need to take a long look at what two campaigns have been from Europe, exclude any other cities which might race ahead of the IOC vote in September. we need to improve,” IOC member the Lausanne-based IOC’s home turf. consider bidding for 2028, with Qatar’s “The IOC must become more coura- Adam Pengilly, a former Olympic skel- “Obviously there is an issue there Doha and a Russian city already seen as geous in defending its product and the eton athlete, says. “Agenda 2020 has with European nations putting their likely candidates. Olympic values,” said Stratos Safi oleas, moved things forward and it needs to Traff ic lights switch to red in front of a Hungarian pro-Olympics billboard with hat in the ring and then pulling out,” Awarding the Games 11 years in ad- a long-time Olympic consultant who continue. It is obviously disappointing two-times sabre fencing Olympic champion Aron Szilagyi advertising the Games, Pengilly said. “A lot of thought needs vance also implies increased fi nancial has worked on several bids and host that Budapest pulled out. Hungary has billboard saying “Give it all for the Budapest Olympics” in central Budapest. (Reuters) to go into how we address it.” and political uncertainty. Gulf Times Friday, February 24, 2017 3 FOOTBALL

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE SPOTLIGHT I’m staying at Vardy gives United, says Rooney Leicester hope in Sevilla defeat Despite Sevilla’s dominance, Schmeichel’s heroics and Vardy’s strike means the English champions are well in the tie ahead of the second leg at home on March 14

RESULTS AT OPORTO, PORTUGAL FC Porto (POR) 0 Juventus (ITA) 2 (Pjaca 72, Dani Alves 74) AT SEVILLE, SPAIN Sevilla (ESP) 2 (Sarabia 25, Correa 62) Leicester City (ENG) 1 (Vardy 73) Manchester United’s Ashley Young (L) and Wayne Rooney during a training session.

AFP United,” the 31-year-old Rooney London said in a statement released to Britain’s Press Association. “I hope I will play a full part in ayne Rooney said helping the team in its fi ght for yesterday he was success on four fronts. staying with Man- “It’s an exciting time at the chester United fol- club and I want to remain a part Wlowing persistent speculation he of it.” could make a lucrative move to Speculation over the experi- the Chinese Super League. enced forward’s future has in- British media reports said tensifi ed in recent weeks with Rooney’s agent, Paul Stretford, Rooney, whose current United had been in China speaking to in- contract runs until mid-2018, terested clubs but the United and often sidelined by manager Jose England captain insisted he was Mourinho. remaining at Old Traff ord. Chinese clubs said to be in- “Despite the interest which terested in Rooney, United’s all- has been shown from other clubs, time leading scorer, included for which I’m grateful, I want to Guangzhou Evergrande, Beijing end recent speculation and say Guoan, Jiangsu Suning and Tian- that I am staying at Manchester jin Quanjian.

Workers Cup kicks off today

QNA, Doha: The 2017 edition of more than 600 players com- Leicester City’s Jamie Vardy scores their first goal against Sevilla during their Champions League match on Wednesday. of the Workers Cup kicks off peting for 32 teams, surpassing today under the aegis of the the 24 teams that took part in AFP we have a very big heart.” Correa won a battle with his team- good work in the fi rst half with an auda- Qatar Stars League and the the previous edition. Seville, Spain The two sides couldn’t be in more mates to take the spot-kick, but was less cious eff ort from the narrowest of angles sponsorship of the Supreme Workers of local and interna- contrasting form with Sevilla just three successful with a tame eff ort that Sch- that clipped the inside of the Leicester Committee for Delivery & tional firms make up the teams points off the top of La Liga, whilst meichel easily collected. ‘keeper’s near post. Legacy (SC). and the majority of them are amie Vardy’s fi rst Champions Leicester face a relegation battle just a The Dane then showed fi ne refl exes to Just as the visitors were beginning to The opening match will be working on infrastructure and League goal gave Leicester City year after defying all the odds to win the get down low to his left to parry Sergio gain a foothold, Sevilla doubled their played at Suhaim bin Hamad 2022 World Cup projects under a lifeline in their last 16 tie de- Premier League. Escudero’s low driven eff ort from the lead as Jovetic held off two Leicester de- Stadium at Qatar Sports Club the supervision of SC. spite going down 2-1 to Sevilla in And Sevilla boss Jorge Sampaoli la- edge of the box. fenders then laid the ball perfectly into and will be preceded by an The final match of the 2016 Wednesday’sJ fi rst leg. mented his side’s inability to make the Sevilla fi nally made their superiority Correa’s path to fi nish high past Sch- opening ceremony. edition draw a large crowd of Goals from Pablo Sarabia and Joaquin gulf in class count in a more compre- count 24 minutes in when Escudero’s meichel from close range. The fifth edition of the tourna- 11,000 at Al Ahli Club’s Hamad Correa had given Sevilla a deserved 2-0 hensive advantage. cross from the left was met with a pow- However, Claudio Ranieri’s men re- ment will see the participation bin Khalifa Stadium. lead, whilst Correa also saw a penalty “It is diffi cult to imagine such a big erful header from his opposite wing- sponded to get an away goal that could saved by the inspired Kasper Schmeichel. diff erence (between the sides) in a back Sarabia that nestled in the far cor- prove vital in three weeks’ time. However, despite Sevilla’s dominance, Champions League game,” said Sam- ner for his ninth goal of the season. Danny Drinkwater broke down the left Schmeichel’s heroics and Vardy’s strike paoli. The one way traffi c continued as Ste- and his low cross was turned home on the FOCUS means the English champions are well in “I am happy with how the game went fan Jovetic’s looping long-range eff ort stretch by Vardy for his fi rst goal since the tie ahead of the second leg at home on because we had chances, but disap- was turned over by Schmeichel before December. March 14. pointed with the result because we de- the ‘keeper produced another stunning Leicester still had to see out a late on- “We didn’t give up and scored the goal served more.” stop to once again deny Correa. slaught as Sevilla sought to restore their Khedira confi dent which is important,” said Leicester man- Sevilla’s fi rst big chance arrived 14 Leicester didn’t have a single eff ort on two-goal advantage. ager Claudio Ranieri. minutes in when Correa showed more goal in the fi rst-half, but did at least test Adil Rami came closest when his thun- “It gives us strength, it gets Vardy back fi ght and fl eetness of foot than the Sergio Rico early in the second period, derous header came back off the bar, but Juve can end among the goals and it opens up the tie. Leicester defence inside the area and albeit with a routine save when he col- Leicester held out to maintain hope their “We know they are better than us. They was chopped down by visiting captain lected Wilfred Ndidi’s volley from range. maiden Champions League campaign can are a big team, an experienced team, but Wes Morgan. Vitolo then nearly undid Schmeichel’s stretch into the last eight. 21-year wait for

BOTTOMLINE European glory the same feeling,” the Germany midfi elder told BT Sport. “We have to work, go forward with much concentration and I think we can reach it.” Mourinho’s United building Serie A leaders Juventus trans- ferred their rampant domestic form onto the European stage with a dominant display against Porto to end the hosts’ 20-game momentum aft er slow start unbeaten home streak. Khedira, however, believes it is AFP ing the season in the top four and with Juan Mata made space on the left and too early to write off the Portu- Saint-Étienne, France one or more trophies looks increasingly crossed for Henrikh Mkhitarayan, dis- guese outfi t. likely. secting the home centre-backs with a “We know football is crazy But for a raft of draws early in the cam- clever angled run, to prod nonchalantly and anything can happen, as we inning by a single goal away paign, they would likely be challenging past goalkeeper Stephane Ruffi er. Reuters saw last night in Manchester to Saint Etienne in the Eu- Chelsea for top spot. Saint Etienne coach Christophe Galtier Lisbon (as Manchester City twice came ropa League may not seem With eight wins and three draws from admitted United were “clearly better” back from behind to beat Monaco a signifi cant milestone for a their last 11 league matches, they have than his team and had “left us no hope” 5-3),” he added. “It’s absolutely Wteam of Manchester United’s stature but picked up more points than anyone else by killing the tie early. ami Khedira believes this not over. manager Jose Mourinho knew other- over that period. From then on, United controlled the could be the season that “We’re happy with tonight wise. But they have nine draws this season game expending minimal energy. Juventus end their 21-year but in three weeks we’ll need to United are desperate to recapture compared to Chelsea’s three and that has Mkhitaryan and Michael Carrick were wait for a third European be careful as Porto are angry and the glory days of past when under Alex been the diff erence, particularly at home. forced off with injuries but were replaced Stitle after the Italian side beat have nothing to lose.” Ferguson they dominated the Premier The likes of Stoke, Burnley, West Ham with the eff ervescent pace and energy of Porto 2-0 away in their Champi- The victory was Juventus’s League, winning 13 titles in 21 years. and Hull have all left Old Traff ord with a Marcus Rashford and the cool experi- ons League last-16 fi rst leg match fourth consecutive European Since the great Scot’s departure, share of the spoils. ence of World Cup winner Bastian Sch- on Wednesday. away triumph and they have now United have failed to even qualify for the They have only the ninth best points weinsteiger. Even when Eric Bailly was Marko Pjaca and Dani Alves scored in their last 23 matches in Champions League in two of three sea- per game ratio at home in the league, sent off for two bookable off ences, United came off the bench to break 10- all competitions. sons, with a best league fi nish of fourth while away they have dropped the fewest reorganised quickly and settled into a man Porto’s resolve with two “We played 90 minutes with place. Last season under Louis van Gaal 15 wins from their last 19 matches in all points alongside Chelsea and Manchester deep counter-attacking style that saw goals in three second-half min- control and patience, so it’s a they did at least claim a trophy — the competitions, conceding just eight goals. City. But at Saint Etienne there was an them remain far more dangerous than St utes after the hosts had lost Alex good result going into the second FA Cup — but with the self-styled ‘Spe- “We are not unbeatable but the record indication that Mourinho is really start- Etienne, even with 10 men. Telles to a mindless fi rst-half red leg,” added Khedira, a Champions cial One’ Mourinho at the helm, there is is really good,” said Mourinho after ing to stamp his authority on this team Mourinho has proved increasingly card. While Khedira maintains League winner with Real Madrid a growing feeling that the Red Devils are Wednesday’s game. and that the season could yet end in great adept at managing his resources as the the tie is still alive, he said he in 2014. building momentum. And Wednesday They have scored in 25 of the last 26 success. season has progressed in effi cient rather had a “good feeling” about Juve’s “It’s hard to play 11 against 10, night’s controlled, professional, clinical matches and lost only once in that time, United were ruthless. Leading 3-0 than spectacular style. chances of winning a fi rst Euro- especially at this level, as it’s dif- display at the Geoff roy Guichard ‘Caul- progressing in three cup competitions from the fi rst leg at Old Traff ord, they They have scored four goals in a game pean crown since 1996. fi cult to break the deadlock. dron’ epitomised the change in United’s and closing in on the Champions League extinguished any faint hopes St Etienne six times this season, but only once in “Sometimes you have a feel- “We scored late but we never recent fortunes. places. may have harboured of getting back into the league, which explains why they have ing and this year I do have a very lost control.” Firstly, the statistics show that Unit- Catching Chelsea and winning the the tie with a goal of beautiful simplicity scored 16 fewer goals than the likes of Ar- good feeling, but unfortunately Juventus host Porto in the sec- ed are in championship-winning form: league might be beyond them but fi nish- after just 16 minutes. senal and Liverpool. seven or eight other teams have ond leg on March 14. Gulf Times 4 Friday, February 24, 2017 FOOTBALL

QATAR STARS LEAGUE LASPOTLIGHT LIGA Leaders Real stunned by Lekhwiya regain struggling Valencia

Reuters Madrid

eal Madrid suff ered a top spot with 2-1 surprise 2-1 defeat at struggling Valencia on Wednesday as they missedR the opportunity to extend their lead at the top of La Liga after losing for only the second time in the league this season. Simone Zaza, who endured win over Sailiya an unhappy loan spell at West Ham United earlier this season, Al Sailiya came into the game on a high following their last-gasp 2-1 win over Al gave Valencia the lead in the fi fth minute with a brilliant shot Ahli last time out but left empty handed as Moez and Youssef struck for Lekhwiya on the turn and Fabian Orellana added the second in the ninth. Real Madrid’s Welsh forward Cristiano Ronaldo headed Real Gareth Bale gestures after By Sports Reporter back into contention just before missing an attempt on goal Doha Lekhwiya’s Youssef al-Arabi halftime, but the visitors were against Valencia on Wednesday. (C) is congratulated by Nam unable to build on their momen- Tae-hee after his goal against tum after the break. to Zaza, who swivelled and fi red ekhwiya recorded a hard-fought Al Sailiya yesterday. Real remained top on 52 points, the ball into the far top corner. 2-1 win over Al Sailiya to regain one ahead of Barcelona and three Zaza, who joined Valencia in the top position in the Qatar Stars clear of Sevilla in third, and still January on loan from Juven- League yesterday. They now have have one game in hand on both of tus after fl opping at West Ham, L53 points from 22 matches with four re- their title rivals. scored his fi rst goal for his new maining to be played, while Al Sadd have “The truth is we lost the game club in Sunday’s 2-0 win over 50 from 21. in 10 minutes. We started well Athletic Bilbao. He was a con- Al Sailiya came into the game on a high with the ball, we had chances stant thorn in Real’s side, linking following their last-gasp 2-1 win over Al but we made two errors and they up superbly with wingers Nani, Ahli last time out but left empty handed. scored two goals. We had 80 Orellana and Munir El Haddadi. As for Lekhwiya, they were desperate to minutes to rescue the game and Real responded with a way- make amends for a recent slump after tried but we lacked many things ward shot from Toni Kroos but their shock 3-1 defeat to Umm Salal saw today,” Real coach Zinedine Zi- left themselves exposed on the them lose the top spot to Al Sadd on goal dane told reporters. break and were soon another goal diff erence. “We had the chance to pick down as Zaza spread the play to After an opening 18 minutes which saw up points and we didn’t do it. I Nani and Orellana darted on to Lekhwiya sit deep in Al Sailiya’s half but hope this has no psychological the Portuguese’s pass to knock create very few chances, the Red Knights eff ect on us. We need to be more the ball through keeper Keylor fi nally broke through and took the lead focused in future games because Navas’s legs. thanks to a goal from Moez Ali. if you don’t concentrate you get Valencia might have got a third Lekhwiya attacked down the right punished. In those 10 minutes we had it not been for a decisive wing, where they’d been fi nding plenty weren’t clever or ready.” block from Marcelo on Munir’s of space, and struck through Moez who Real’s match at Valencia was shot, and the Brazilian played a capitalized on a low cross and poked the rearranged after the original fi x- crucial role in giving Real a foot- ball home from just six yards out. ture was postponed in December hold in the game, sending an The Red Knights were unable to add due to Zidane’s side taking part arcing cross into the box which to their opener though, despite being in the FIFA Club World Cup. Ronaldo leapt to head past Alves. awarded a penalty in the 35th minute as Valencia have endured a Gareth Bale was brought on to Al Sailiya’s goalkeeper Gomis produced a nightmare season fi lled with dis- help Real’s push for more goals in fi ne save low to his right after he guessed mal results and upheaval off the the second half but they barely which way Lekhwiya’s goal scoring ma- pitch, but they got off to a yingfl mustered a decent attempt while chine, Yousef El Arabi, was going with the start when a long pass from goal- Munir had a strong penalty ap- shot. keeper Diego Alves found its way peal waved away at the other end. Lekhwiya headed into the tunnel with just a one goal lead that should have been more. SPOTLIGHT Al Sailiya came out looking like a dif- ferent team in the second half and had long spells pressed deep into Lekhwiya’s half. Messi happy In the 50th minute they were unlucky not to equalise after they had a fl urry of shots cleared off the line by Lekhwi- at Barcelona, says ya’s stretched defense, with Al Sailiya’s Marius Lazar having back to back shots cleared. Argentina coach The tide soon turned in the favour of Lekhwiya though as they stepped up a AFP Messi’s Barcelona were beat- gear. After 10 minutes of second half play, Buenos Aires en 4-0 at Paris Saint-Germain their captain Mohamed Moosa somehow last week in their fi rst-leg last- managed to miss from just two yards out 16 Champions League tie and in what may be the miss of the season. ionel Messi could not with his contract running out in Luckily for him, just minutes later be happier than at Bar- 2018 there is speculation he may Yousef El Arabi found the back of the net celona, and can crown leave. to bag his 22nd goal of the season. just six his status as an all time The coach refused to be drawn yards out. Lgreat by winning the World Cup on Messi’s future. Al Sailiya tried desperately to get back with Argentina, national coach “At Barcelona, Manchester into the game and got one back on the Edgardo Bauza told AFP on City or wherever, that’s his de- 83rd minute when halftime substitute Wednesday. cision to take. I just want him to Madether hammered one from the edge “I can see just how happy he play and that’s all.” of the 18 yard box with a fi ne fi nish. is at Barcelona with his family “He’s the type of player who around him,” said Bauza, who always wants to be on the pitch, has been at the helm of the Ar- never wants a rest.” BOTTOMLINE gentine national team since Au- The coach went on to say gust 2016. Messi’s international record, “Of course when Leo is hap- with the trophy cabinet with py that helps him give his best Argentina bare, was no stain on performance, morale is crucial his achievements. for form,” said the 59-year-old “Some say the fact he’s won former defender. nothing with Argentina means Own goal gives Umm Salal “A footballer is happy when he’s not the best in the world, he is playing and winning, oth- not the most dangerous, not erwise he is rarely happy,” said worth as mush as some others,” lucky victory over Muaither Bauza. said Bauza. Maracana to reopen aft er dispute By Sports Reporter own goal to give The Orange Fortress a Doha lucky lead. Muaither pressed on though and AFP, Rio de Janeiro: Rio’s during the summer Olympics as looked the better team for the re- mythic Maracana stadium, fallen Rio was the centre of the sport- mm Salal beat Muaither SC mainder of the half, coming close to into disrepair since taking centre ing world’s attention. 1-0 at Qatar Sports Club in an equaliser on the 44th minute when stage at the 2014 World Cup and But en its electricity has been the Qatar Stars League thanks their Japanese midfielder, Minori Sato, 2016 Olympics, is due to reopen cut off for months as the various to a lucky first half own goal, picked up the ball on the edge of the 18 next month. entities involved in running and Uleaving the league strugglers facing im- yard box and turned on his defender Left abandoned due to a using the stadium bicker over minent relegation as the end of the sea- and onto his right before unleashing political-legal dispute over who should be handling the son nears. a fierce shot towards the bottom right upkeep Brazil’s legendary venue maintenance. Umm Salal came into game full of corner of the goal. Fortunately for Umm will stage its first game this year The private consortium Mara- confidence after their shock 3-1 defeat Salal, Baba Malick was well positioned on March 8. cana SA ceded the stadium to over then league leaders Lekhwiya in and able to smother the shot. Brazilian club Flamengo an- the organizers of the Olympic Round 21. Muaither SC turned up hop- Muaither came out in the second half nounced Wednesday they are Games for eight months up to ing to bounce back after a heavy defeat at the same pace and nearly equalised hosting Argentine side San October 30 last year. at the hands of Al Rayyan who ham- on the 71st minute in dramatic fashion Lorenzo in the Copa Liberta- Maracana SA is owned by mered them 5-0 in the last round but when substitute Ibrahim al-Nasr hit a dores. Odebrecht, a giant Brazilian they were unlucky after looking the lovely volley from 20 yards out. But the The proud stadium is in a sorry firm whose executives have better team over the 90 minutes. ball skimmed the outside of the post state — the grass of the pitch is been jailed in a huge corruption The first half was an open and fairly and went out for a goal-kick. yellowing, the stands are rusting scandal also implicating Brazilian balanced affair with both teams having Muaither hammered Umm Salal for and thieves have stolen seats politicians. decent spells of possession and both the remainder of the second half and — symptoms of a legal mess The Maracana’s owners, the goalkeepers seeing their fair share of for the last 10 minutes Baba Malick was that have left this Rio de Janeiro Rio state government, say the action in the box. Despite both teams the busiest man on the pitch, making a landmark abandoned. consortium is responsible for looking good, it was an own goal that number of crucial stops, fingertip saves First opened in 1950, the 79,000- its upkeep with Brazilian justice broke the deadlock and gifted Umm and having to constantly defend cor- seat Maracana was renovated ordering it to take charge, a deci- Salal a 1-0 lead. ners and free kicks conceded outside ahead of the 2014 World Cup sion that has been challenged. Muaither’s Ahmed Shahi headed the box. for $372 mn — twice the initial Flamengo say the deal reached the ball into the back of his own net on Umm Salal celebrate their goal against Muaither in the QSL yesterday. Despite the pressure, Muaither were budget — in a project tainted by with Maracana SA “has nothing the 34th minute when attempting to not able to find the equaliser and left corruption allegations. to do with the ongoing negotia- stop Umm Salal’s Yannick Sagbo con- wing. Looking to put the ball out for a near post, Shahi instead headed it into empty handed and firmly in the relega- The stadium glittered last August tions”. nect with a fierce cross from the right corner and out of Sagbo’s reach at the the bottom right hand corner of his tion danger zone. Gulf Times Friday, February 24, 2017 5 SPORT

CRICKET/ IND VS AUS, 1ST TEST BOXING Manny Pacquiao ‘in negotiations’ to Renshaw and Starc fi ght Amir Khan

AFP quiao’s aides insisted nothing Manila had been confi rmed. A business adviser of the Filipino ring icon nicknamed hilippine boxing hero “Pac-man” said this week revive Australia Manny Pacquiao that his next opponent would yesterday said he was “most likely” be Khan in Du- “in negotiations” to bai, but other aides declined to ‘...But he understands that when you need to go to the toilet, you need to go to the toilet’ Pface British fi ghter Amir Khan, comment. after weeks of confl icting re- Pacquiao, the WBO welter- ports over his next bout. weight champion, tweeted on AFP “My team and I are in ne- February 11: “See you in UAE Pune gotiations with Amir Khan for my next fi ght. #TeamPac- for our next fi ght. Further an- quiao”. nouncements coming soon,” He also posted a poll on ustralia’s Matt Ren- Pacquiao, 38, said on his offi - his Twitter feed asking his shaw admitted he cial Twitter feed. 108,000 followers to choose feared he had let his Spokesmen for Pacquiao either Horn, Khan, American teammates down by could not be contacted for Terence Crawford or Briton leavingA the fray with an upset comment. Kell Brook as his next oppo- stomach before returning to hit Pacquiao’s Tweet follows nent. a gritty half-century in the fi rst various accounts from diff er- The poll has since been taken Test against India yesterday. ent sources over who he will be down. In the opening day of a four- facing next and where the fi ght Pacquiao announced a brief match series between the world’s might be held. retirement last year but made top two sides, Renshaw’s innings Pacquiao’s promoter, Top a successful comeback against and some late Mitchell Starc Rank’s Bob Arum, told ESPN Jessie Vargas in Las Vegas in fi reworks pulled Australia back sports network that he was November, saying he still felt from the brink as they reached sceptical about a Khan fi ght. like a youngster. 256 for nine at stumps. “Manny seems to believe Pacquiao had said he was re- Starc has so far made 57 off 58 they will come up with the tiring to focus on his new role balls and Josh Hazlewood was money. I have some reserva- as Philippine senator, after with him at the crease on one at tions whether it will happen winning elections last year on Pune’s Maharashtra Cricket As- or not,” American Arum was the back of his sporting fame. sociation Stadium. quoted as saying on the ESPN Indian seamer Umesh Yadav website. claimed four wickets while the Arum had been seeking a spinners Ravichandran Ashwin deal with Duco Events, a New and Ravindra Jadeja took two Zealand promotional company each. The left-handed Renshaw he has close ties to, for Pac- was the anchor of the innings, quiao to defend the 147-pound top-scoring with 68, although belt against Australia’s Jeff it was Starc who provided the Horn in Brisbane, Australia. entertainment and caused a re- “The Australian deal is not think in assessments of who had going to happen now, because the better of the day. Manny is trying to get a fi ght All had seemed calm with done in the United Arab Emir- Renshaw for most of the morning ates, and the people there fa- session but when David Warner vour him fi ghting Amir Khan,” fell with the scores on 82, the Arum reportedly said. English-born batsman caused Since January, Arum had a stir by following his opening been widely quoted as saying partner back to the pavilion. the Filipino would next face As news fi ltered out that Horn in April, although Pac- he had an upset stomach, the 20-year-old Renshaw became the talk of social media with even the famously tough former Dumped Maddinson to return Australian captain Allan Border for NSW aft er taking break weighing in. “Hope he’s lying down half- Dumped Test batsman Nic playing first-class Cricket, he’s dead, because as a captain I Maddinson is poised to return an outstanding talent and wouldn’t be happy,” Border to first-class cricket after we’ve seen that time and time wrote on Twitter as Renshaw lay Australia’s Matt Renshaw (L) and Mitchell Starc celebrate their half centuries during the first day of the first Test against India in Pune. (Reuters) being named in the New again. on his sick-bed. South Wales squad for a “He’s come back into the But after Australian skip- Smith ‘wasn’t thrilled’ His dismissal was swiftly fol- a dreadful recent record on the S. Marsh c Kohli b J. Yadav 16 Sheff ield Shield clash against Shield squad and from there it per Steve Smith fell for 27 just Renshaw admitted his cap- lowed by the departure of Steve sub-continent — had slumped P. Handscomb lbw b Jadeja 22 Tasmania. will depend on how we set the before the tea break, Renshaw tain Smith “wasn’t too thrilled” O’Keefe and Nathan Lyon who from 119-1 to 205 for nine before M. Marsh lbw b Jadeja 4 Maddinson asked not to be team up and whether we stick then strode back to the crease to about his retirement just before both fell for ducks off consecu- Starc put on an unbeaten 51-run M. Wade lbw b U. Yadav 8 considered earlier this month with six batters or go with the register his second Test fi fty in the break. “But he understands tive Umesh deliveries. stand with Hazlewood. M. Starc not out 57 due to ‘personal reasons’ after extra batter and go in a quick his fi fth game. Renshaw said he that when you need to go to the Warner, who had tackled Starc, better known for his S. O’Keefe c Saha b U. Yadav 0 being dropped by Australia. light.” had been feeling unwell for most toilet, you need to go to the toi- the Indian spinners with good fast-bowling, caught the In- N. Lyon lbw b U. Yadav 0 However, New South Wales The 25-year-old’s decision to of the morning and had tried to let,” he said. feet movement, was the fi rst of dian attack by surprise by cart- J. Hazlewood not out 1 coach Trent Johnston take a break from the game tough it out before deciding he “It was probably a couple of Umesh’s four victims, falling to a ing them around the ground in Extras (lb 6, nb 9) 15 said he had spoken to Mad- after being dropped created had to leg it off the pitch. hours before I came back back good length delivery that hit the a blistering innings which fea- Total (9 wickets; 94 overs) 256 dinson about a possible debate in Australia over how “It was tough. I wasn’t too but I felt bad knowing that I bat en route to stumps just be- tured fi ve boundaries and three Fall of wickets: 1-82 (Warner), comeback. young players were being sure on the ruling, I didn’t know could be letting the team down — fore the lunch break. sixes. It was the ninth Test fi fty. 1-82 (Renshaw retired not out), “I spoke to ‘Maddo’ in the mid- treated by the sport’s govern- you could retire ill so I thought that’s why I went back out there. “There was some movement, The match is the fi rst in a four- 2-119 (S. Marsh), 3-149 (Hands- dle of last week ... and he was ing body. I just had to get out there and “I wanted to do my bit for the there was a bit of reverse swing Test series between the world’s comb), 4-149 (Smith), 5-166 (M. in a good place,” Johnston Former Test opener Ed Cow- make sure I batted till lunch,” he team and try and make sure we as well. I tried to keep the ball on two top-ranked sides. Marsh), 6-190 (Wade), 7-196 said in a statement ahead of an, a New South Wales team told reporters. had a pretty good day.” the up,” Umesh said of Warner’s (Renshaw), 8-205 (O’Keefe), their four-day match in mate of Maddinson, said the “It wasn’t an ideal situation Renshaw struck 10 fours and wicket. SCOREBOARD 9-205 (Lyon). Wollongong starting national side “churned and and coming back it was probably a six during his 156-ball stay “It is a turning wicket and re- Australia 1st innings Bowling: Sharma 11-0-27-0 (1nb), tomorrow. burned” through young play- a bit strange for me, waiting to which ended when he edged a verse swing is always helpful on D. Warner b U. Yadav 38 Ashwin 34-10-59-2, J. Yadav 13-1- “I’m happy that he’s back in ers and needed to do more to bat because as an opener you just ball from Ashwin and was caught such pitches.” Lyon’s dismissal M. Renshaw c Vijay b Ashwin 68 58-1 (1nb), Jadeja 24-4-74-2 (2nb), the right frame of mind to be look after their mental health. go straight out there and bat.” by Murali Vijay in the slips. meant the visitors — who have S. Smith c Kohli b Ashwin 27 U. Yadav 12-3-32-4 (1nb).

FORMULA ONE Hamilton hails ‘awesome’ new Mercedes

Reuters Silverstone, United Kingdom ‘Outdated F1 not winning’ warns Hamilton Lewis Hamilton said that For- ing in Formula One and I am ewis Hamilton declared mula One was “outdated” as he excited for the new owners his new Mercedes “pretty urged grand prix racing’s new coming in and I hope they do awesome” yesterday after owners to lead a revival of the something new. “Formula One lapping a blustery Silver- sport’s fortunes. is a bit outdated in the sense Lstone circuit in the car he hopes Three-times world champion of, if you look at other sports, will secure him a fourth Formula Hamilton’s comments came they are further ahead in the One world championship. on Wednesday, the eve of his entertainment factor. Formula “It felt incredible,” added the Mercedes team’s launch of their One is really catching up and Briton, who fi nished runner-up new car for the 2017 season. they have a lot of catching up last season behind now-retired They were also broadcast on to do.” team mate Nico Rosberg despite the same day that his former There have long been calls for winning more of the 21 races. team, McLaren, announced more entertainment in Formula “Yesterday was the fi rst time they had signed another One, with many arguing the seeing the car come together. It’s promising British teenager with dominance of Mercedes — the most detailed piece of ma- a view to developing his career who’ve won 51 of the last 59 chinery I’ve seen so far in For- just as they had done with Grand Prix, with Hamilton mula One. Mercedes AMG Petronas Formula One drivers Britain’s Lewis Hamilton (L) and Finland’s Valtteri Bottas pose by the new 2017 season Mercedes Hamilton. Bernie Ecclestone’s pipped to the world title last “The car feels wider, which W08 EQ Power+ Formula One car at its launch event at Silverstone motor racing circuit near Towcester, central England yesterday. (AFP) time as the colourful ringmas- year by now retired team-mate it is obviously. The front tyres ter of the Grand Prix circuit was Nico Rosberg — is bad for the obviously feel huge,” added the seconds quicker than 2016 with and the pairing start on equal before it was wheeled out to the and constructor’s titles. eff ectively finished last month sport. And Hamilton said that 32-year-old, who won 10 races in cornering speeds putting more terms. media shivering on the Silver- “It has been a really motivat- when US-based Liberty Media technical changes caused by 2016 and starts the season with a G-forces on the drivers, who “I think I have done the most stone straight. ing challenge to develop a brand completed its takeover of wider, bigger and faster cars new team mate in Finland’s Valt- have had to bulk up and add amount of training of any win- The team were then set to new car concept and I have never motorsport’s most prestigious could actually decrease rather teri Bottas. muscle. ter so far. I have done some complete a limited 100km fi lm- seen our determination to suc- brand in a deal valued at about than increase the amount of Formula One has undergone Bottas, who has joined from good training camps and feel in ing day in the afternoon with ceed higher than it is right now.” $8 bn. “I don’t feel Formula One overtaking that Formula One big rule changes over the winter, Williams following Rosberg’s the best shape I’ve ever been, both drivers taking a turn. Testing will start in Barcelona is winning, and it hasn’t been fans so enjoy. with wider front and rear tyres decision to retire only days after defi nitely ready for the season “The dominant feeling in the on Monday, with Bottas doing for a long time,” Hamilton told Meanwhile McLaren announced and diff erent aerodynamics taking the title, has yet to win a ahead,” said the Finn. team right now is one of excite- the fi rst stint before handing BBC Radio Five Live. “That is to they had signed British teenag- designed to make cars faster, grand prix. The new car was fi rst pre- ment - the factory is buzzing over to Hamilton for the after- do with rule changes and not er Lando Norris as part of their more aggressive and harder to He has already said that he is sented to fans online, with the with anticipation,” said team noon. engaging the fans enough. young driver academy after he handle. not intending to play second fi d- drivers pulling the covers off the boss Toto Wolff , whose team The season starts in Australia “There still is a great follow- impressed in junior series. Lap times should be several dle to his team mate, however, W08 behind closed garage doors have won the last three driver’s on March 26. Gulf Times 6 Friday, February 24, 2017 SPORT

RUGBY FOCUS England drop Joseph for Italy match Huget draft ed in for AFP we will change it up a bit,” said London Jones, yet to lose a match as England coach. “We want to play a diff er- onathan Joseph has ent sort of game against them been dropped from the and it’s a great chance for us England side to face to do something diff erent,” Italy in the Six Nations added the Australian, who be- France as Noves thisJ weekend as the Bath cen- came England boss after the tre was omitted from a 24- team crashed out on home soil man squad announced by the in the fi rst round of the 2015 reigning champions. World Cup. With Joseph out of conten- The former Australia and tion for both a starting spot Japan coach has long made it and even a bench positi