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Monday, March 28, 2016 CRICKET Jumada II 19, 1437 AH Kohli knocks out GULF TIMES Australia as India make semis SPORT Page 2 CRICKET Minnows Afghanistan stun West Indies to make history Afghanistan had lost all of their previous Super 10 matches, but they have won new admirers in India with their aggressive and carefree brand of cricket that has caused some anxious moments for their opponents

AFP Nagpur SCORECARD

Afghanistan fghanistan downed the pow- Mohd Shahzad c Benn b Badree ...... 24 erful West Indies by six runs Usman Ghani b Badree ...... 4 in a historic World Twenty20 Asghar Stanikzai c Bravo b Badree ...... 16 match yesterday, handing the Gulbadin Naib c Bravo b Sammy ...... 8 never-say-dieA underdogs their fi rst Samiullah Shenwari c Sammy b Benn ...... 1 ever Super 10 victory. Najibullah Zadran not out ...... 48 Afghanstan had failed to qualify for Mohd Nabi c Samuels b Russell ...... 9 the semi-fi nals heading into yester- Shafiqullah Shafiq c Fletcher b Russell ...... 4 day’s match, but were determined to Rashid Khan not out ...... 6 take home a consolation victory against Extras (lb 2, w1) ...... 3 the West Indies, who had already made Total (7 wickets, 20 overs) ...... 123 the fi nal four. After being sent into bat, Fall of wickets: 1-8 (Ghani), 2-33(Shahzad), Asghar Stanikzai’s side posted a re- 3-50 (Stanikzai), 4-52 (Shenwari), 5-56 (Naib), spectable 123/7, with Najibullah Zadran 6-90 (Nabi), 7-103 (Shafiq) smashing an unbeaten 48 against the Bowling: Russell 4-0-23-2, Badree 4-0-14-3, 2012 World T20 champions. Brathwaite 2-0-21-0, Benn 4-0-18-1, Bravo 4-0-28- The West Indies, who had a perfect 0, Sammy 2-0-17-1 record heading into the match with West Indies three straight wins, warned that they Johnson Charles b Hassan ...... 22 were not going to let up against Af- Evin Lewis c Khan b Hamza ...... 0 ghanistan. Andre Fletcher not out ...... 11 But their run chase got off to a shaky Marlon Samuels b Khan ...... 5 start, with opener Evin Lewis dismissed Denesh Ramdin st Shahzad b Khan...... 18 for a duck, and some excellent Afghani- Dwayne Bravo lbw b Nabi ...... 28 stan spin bowling led by 17-year-old Andre Russell run out ...... 7 Rashid Khan (2-26) meant the wickets Darren Sammy c Shenwari b Naib ...... 6 kept falling. Carlos Braithwaite c Zadran b Nabi ...... 13 With the West Indies needing 10 runs Samuel Badree not out...... 2 from the fi nal over, Najibullah sprinted Extras (lb 1, w 2, nb 2) ...... 5 several metres along the boundary to Total (8 wickets; 20 overs) ...... 117 take a spectacular, tumbling catch and Fall of wickets: 1-17 (Lewis), 2-33 (Charles), claim Carlos Braithwaite for 13, just 2-34 (Fletcher rtd not out), 3-38 (Samuels), 4-79 when he looked like bringing the West (Bravo), 5-89 (Ramdin), 6-98 (Russell), 7-107 Indies home, as he had done against (Sammy), 8-114 (Braithwaite) South Africa on Friday. Bowling: Hamza 4-0-9-1, Nabi 4-0-26-2, Samuel Badree and an injured Andre Hassan 2.4-0-19-1, Khan 4-0-26-2, Shenwari 4-0- Afghanistan’s players celebrate Fletcher could only manage to push the 22-0, Naib 1.2-0-14-1 after winning the World T20 cricket total to 117 in the three remaining deliv- Result: Afghanistan won by six runs tournament match against the West eries. Indies at the Vidarbha Cricket Despite the loss, the West Indies still Association Stadium in Nagpur fi nish top of Group One, and will play that has caused some anxious moments yesterday. either Australia or India, who clash later for their opponents. Sunday in Group Two, in the semi-fi - Opener Mohammad Shahzad made nals. After being sent in to bat, Najibul- a confi dent 24, but was caught off leg- lah top scored for Afghanistan, striking spinner Badree, trying to heave over the four fours and one six in his 40-ball infi eld, just as he was looking exciting. knock to bring cheers from the small Asghar Stanikzai also made a handy but vocal crowd. 16. The skipper shuffl ed down the Afghanistan had lost all of their pre- wicket to smash a six over long on, but vious Super 10 matches, but they have was caught the next ball by Dwayne won new admirers in India with their Bravo off Badree attempting the same aggressive and carefree brand of cricket shot.

BOTTOMLINE Al Rayyan Stadium passes safety milestone

By Sports Reporter stantly working to make sure that the “This is a fantastic initiative by these Safety days and awards Doha highest safety and security practices kids to meet and thank the workers for ceremonies are held on a are in place for any task that is carried their eff orts,” former Qatar national regular basis across all SC out on site. We aim to eventually leave team player Adel Lamy told www. project sites as a top priority is l Rayyan Stadium has passed a lasting legacy of safety practices in sc.qa. “These kids are the country’s placed on ensuring a safe and a major safety milestone as people’s daily lives.” future as footballers and citizens. And secure working environment for it completed 1.3 million man The milestone was marked recently they are sending a message that labour all those building the stadiums hours without Lost Time In- with an awards ceremony which fea- is appreciated and rewarded. They are and facilities for the 2022 FIFA cidentA (LTI), an industry standard for tured construction workers from the saying that no job is small and insig- World Cup Qatar work completed without accidents. This companies and contractors involved nifi cant and that the workers are doing milestone for the Supreme Commit- in the SC project, including Bin Om- something really huge for them.” “We will tell them of our grati- tee for Delivery & Legacy (SC) came as ran, Nakheel, Ramboll, Manco Inter- The 25 children, aged 9 and 10, were tude for their efforts to give their work continues to progress on the new national and AECOM. Safety days and from the Saad Bin Abi Waqas Inde- children back home a better life, home of Qatar Stars League champions awards ceremonies are held on a regu- pendent School for Boys, and were and to provide us with a fantastic Al Rayyan, set for completion in 2019. Al lar basis across all SC project sites as a visibly excited as they headed to the stadium,” said Abdulrahman Mo- Rayyan Stadium is a proposed host ven- top priority is placed on ensuring a safe workers’ accommodation in their hammed Riaz. ue for matches up to the quarter-fi nals of and secure working environment for all school bus. On the way to the accom- In addition to meeting the work- the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar. those building the stadiums and facili- modation, three of the school children ers, playing football and volleyball, the “The milestone of 1.3 million man ties for the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar. said that their aspiration was to repre- children also delivered self-made per- hours without Lost Time Incident is Children visit Khalifa Stadium Adel Lamy interacting with schoolchildren at the Khalifa Stadium. sent their country in the world’s great- sonalised thank you cards. very important to us, as we have very For a former Qatar national team est sporting event in 2022. And all of “This is one of the best gifts I have stringent site security and rules in player and a group of 25 children from Stadium was a special opportunity to Committee for Delivery & Legacy (SC) them unequivocally stated their objec- ever received,” said Gardev Singh, a place,” said Abdulla al-Fehani, SC Al a local primary school, an excursion to express their gratitude to those help- took place recently at the accommoda- tive was to personally thank the people 50-year-old construction worker from Rayyan Project Manager. “Safety is al- the accommodation of construction ing to build the country’s future. The tion of MIDMAC company construc- building the venues of the 2022 FIFA India. “We know the value of making ways our top priority and we are con- workers of the Khalifa International school visit facilitated by the Supreme tion workers. World Cup Qatar. things with our hands.” Gulf Times 2 Monday, March 28, 2016 CRICKET

SPOTLIGHT CONFIDENT Amla insists current SA stars can still win Brilliant Kohli a global title takes India into World T20 semis

Star batsman Virat Kohli’s powerful 51-ball 82 propels India to a thrilling six-wicket South Africa’s Hashim Amla (C) during a training session. victory as they successfully chase down Australia’s 160-6 with five balls to spare AFP Dale Steyn, the Proteas have seen New Delhi the ‘golden generation’ fail to Scoreboard claim a global title. Amla assures the big boys will hang around for AUSTRALIA: outh Africa batsman a while. Usman Khawaja c Dhoni b Nehra ...26 Hashim Amla insisted his “Lot of us feel we have a few Aaron Finch c Dhawan b Pandya ....43 team’s World Cup dream more years left in us, so the David Warner st Dhoni b Ashwin ...... 6 lives on, saying the top Champions Trophy is next year ProteasS stars are still hoping for and it would be great if we could Steve Smith c Dhoni b Singh ...... 2 Glenn Maxwell b Bumrah ...... 31 glory in the near future. make to the next World Cup, that Shane Watson not out ...... 18 Apart from their Champions will be ideal,” said Amla. James Faulkner c Kohli b Pandya ....10 Trophy triumph in 1998, South “We take it as it comes. As long Peter Nevill not out ...... 10 Africa have never won a major as you are fi t and healthy, scoring Extras: (lb2, w11, nb1) ...... 14 International Cricket Council runs and the form is good and Total: (6 wickets, 20 overs) ...... 160 event since their post-apartheid you want to perform for the team Did not bat: Adam Zampa, Nathan return in 1991. then you can make it,” he added. Coulter-Nile, Josh Hazlewood Faf du Plessis’ side have al- With the chokers tag hanging Fall of wickets: 1-54 (Khawaja), 2-72 ready exited the World Twen- around their necks after a series (Warner), 3-74 (Smith), 4-100 (Finch), ty20, even before their fi nal of narrow defeats in the last two group game against Sri Lanka on decades, South Africa didn’t do 5-130 (Maxwell), 6-145 (Faulkner) Monday, their World Cup jinx their reputation any good after Bowling: Nehra 4-0-20-1, Bumrah 4-0- striking again. going down in crunch games this 32-1, Ashwin, 2-0-31-1, Jadeja 3-0-20-0, “Well listen, this team will time around. Singh 3-0-19-1, Pandya 4-0-36-2 win a World Cup or ICC tourna- The Proteas’ hopes of clinch- ment at some stage, I think we ing a fi rst international trophy INDIA: have won one in 1998,” Amla told were dented in their opening Rohit Sharma b Watson ...... 2 reporters at New Delhi’s Feroz match, when England chased S Dhawan c Khawaja b Coulter-Nile ...13 Shah Kotla. down a record 230 runs to win. Virat Kohli not out ...... 82 South Africa haven’t enjoyed They survived a scare to beat Suresh Raina c Nevill b Watson...... 10 much success of late, with a minnows Afghanistan by 37 Yuvraj Singh c Watson b Faulkner ...21 T20 series loss against Australia runs, but lost a thriller when the Mahendra Singh Dhoni not out ...... 18 heading into the world event, West Indies successfully chased Extras: (lb3, w2) ...... 5 where the side have lost two of 123 with just two balls to spare, Total: (4 wickets; 19.1 overs) ...... 161 their three matches so far. and Sri Lanka’s defeat to England Did not bat: Hardik Pandya, Ravindra “It’s an unfortunate situation on Saturday sealed their fate. Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Ashish that we have found ourselves in. “We haven’t had a game where Nehra, Jasprit Bumrah Certainly as a team we haven’t our batting and our bowling has Fall of wickets: 1-23 (Dhawan), 2-37 played our best cricket,” admit- clicked in the same game consist- (Sharma), 3-49 (Raina), 4-94 (Singh) ted Amla. ently enough and that has been Bowling: Hazlewood 4-0-38-0, With Amla, AB de VIlliers and our biggest downfall,” Amla said. Coulter-Nile 4-0-33-1, Watson 4-0-23-2, Faulkner 3.1-0-35-1, Maxwell 2-0-18-0, Zampa 2-0-11-0 WOMEN India’s Virat Kohli celebrates after victory in the World T20 cricket tournament match between India and Australia at The Punjab Cricket Association Stadium in Mohali.

AFP India had looked down and out at 94-4 Semi-final Fixtures chandran Ashwin for two sixes on the England, West Indies Mohali but Kohli and skipper Mahendra Singh trot as the Aussies raced to 50 runs inside Dhoni (18 not out) put on 67 runs to take Wednesday just four overs. the team to the fi nish line. At New Delhi The early onslaught stunned the In- take semi-fi nal spots ndia qualifi ed for the World Twen- The 27-year-old Kohli planned his England v New Zealand (4:30pm) dian crowd, which only came to life when ty20 semi-fi nals and knocked out knock to perfection, mixing caution with Ashish Nehra got rid of the dangerous Asian rivals India and Useful contributions from Pa- Australia after Virat Kohli smashed aggression to smash two sixes and nine Thursday Khawaja for 26 off 16 balls. Pakistan knocked out; til (26), Jhulan Goswami (25) and an unbeaten 82 in their do-or-die fours in a pressure-cooker atmosphere At Mumbai Ashwin gave India the second break- England captain Edwards Smiriti Mandhana (22) left India Ishowdown in Mohali yesterday. at the packed Punjab Cricket Association through by having David Warner needing 10 runs with four wick- West Indies v India (4:30pm) becomes fi rst woman to Kohli’s powerful 51-ball knock pro- ground. stumped, and in the process he became score 2,500 T20I runs ets in hand in the fi nal over that pelled India to a six-wicket victory, as Dhoni, who eff ected three dismiss- the fi rst Indian and 12th player in the was given to Dottin. they successfully chased down Aus- als, hit the winning four with fi ve balls to accounting for Dhawan and Suresh Raina world to grab 50 wickets in T20 interna- Agencies The 24-year-old from Bar- tralia’s 160-6 to keep their dreams alive spare to trigger wild celebrations in the in consecutive overs. tionals. Chennai bados yorked Ekta Bisht with of becoming the fi rst nation to win two stands. Yuvraj Singh, who had to get his ankle Part-time bowler Yuvraj got rid of Smith the fi rst delivery, ran out Shikha World T20 titles. strapped after pulling a muscle, made a for two, before Hardik Pandya dismissed Pandey fourth ball and then had India, who won the inaugural tourna- WATSON GETS A SAD GOODBYE valiant 21. Finch to reduce Australia to 100-4. harlotte Edwards be- Sushma Yadav caught at mid-off ment in 2007, now face the West Indies Shane Watson’s international career Earlier, opener Aaron Finch shared Bumrah clipped the stumps of Glenn came the fi rst woman with the fi fth with India manag- in the semi-fi nals in Mumbai on Thurs- ended in disappointment although the 54 runs for the opening wicket with Us- Maxwell who made 31 off 28 balls, cap- to surpass 2,500 runs ing just six runs in the over. day after fi nishing second in the Super 10 retiring all-rounder did well to grab two man Khawaja to give Australia a fl ying ping a fi ne turnaround for the bowler af- in the shortest format Taylor praised Dottin for her group stage. key wickets and a spectacular running start after Steven Smith won the toss and ter he was whacked for 17 runs in his fi rst ofC the game as England topped all-round prowess, saying she was But Australia’s hopes of winning their catch. elected to bat. over. Group B with a 68-run rout of delighted to pull off a “good” win. fi rst ever World T20 trophy are once India suff ered early setbacks in their Khawaja, enjoying a purple patch with Watson remained not out on 18 while Pakistan in the ICC Women’s “My partnership with Dottin again in tatters, with the top-ranked Test chase, with openers Shikhar Dhawan (13) the bat, smashed rookie fast bowler Jas- Peter Nevill took 10 runs from the fi nal World Twenty20 2016 yesterday. was crucial after we lost those side now bowing out of the tournament. and Rohit Sharma (12) cooling their heels prit Bumrah for four boundaries in the two balls. The England captain hit an un- early wickets, but having ended New Zealand play England in the other in the dressing room with 37 runs on the second over of the innings. Nehra was the standout bowler for In- beaten 77 to lift her team to 148 up with 114 we knew we had to semi-fi nal on Wednesday in New Delhi. board. Finch matched his opening partner dia, giving away 20 runs while picking for fi ve after electing to bat, before bowl tight,” said Taylor. Chasing Australia’s challenging total, Watson proved his worth with the ball, in aggression, carting off -spinner Ravi- the key wicket of Khawaja. Pakistan were shot out for 80 in a “The important thing was not one-sided contest in Chennai. to allow India to get away in the West Indies also moved into fi rst six overs and we managed to BOTTOMLINE the semi-fi nals from the same pull back well. group with a thrilling three-run Indian captain Mithali Raj victory in Mohali that knocked rued the narrow defeats in the host India out of the tournament. last three matches against Paki- England, winner of the in- stan, England and the West In- augural edition in 2009 and dies, but said the experience will runner-up to Australia in 2012 stand her team in good stead. Stanikzai hails historic victory and 2014, topped the group with “Though we could not make it eight points. The West Indies to the semi-fi nals, I am proud of AFP With the West Indies needing and come back again.” fi nished second on six points. the way the girls played the last Nagpur 10 runs from the fi nal over, Na- After being sent in to bat, Na- England will face three-time three games where there were jibullah sprinted several metres jibullah top scored for Afghani- defending champion Australia in challenges each time,” she said. along the boundary to take a spec- stan, striking four fours and one a mouth-watering semi-fi nal at In Chennai, the 36-year-old fghanistan skipper As- tacular, tumbling catch and claim six in his 40-ball knock to bring the Feroze Shah Kotla ground in Edwards played a captain’s knock ghar Stanikzai hailed Carlos Braithwaite for 13, just cheers from the small but vocal Delhi on Wednesday, 30 March. for England, reaching the 2,500- his underdog side after when he looked like bringing the crowd. The match will be played ahead run mark when she made three. their historic six-run West Indies home, as he had done Afghanistan had lost all of of men’s semi-fi nal between Edwards said that she was victoryA over the powerful West against South Africa on Friday. their previous Super 10 matches, New Zealand and England, and more pleased with the team’s Indies at the World Twenty20 Samuel Badree and an injured but they have won new admirers will start at 14h30. victory than her own personal match in Nagpur yesterday. Andre Fletcher could only man- in India with their aggressive Group A winner New Zealand milestone. “The main aim, of Afghanistan had failed to age to push the total to 117 in the and carefree brand of cricket will clash with the West Indies in course, was to win the match and qualify for the semi-fi nals head- three remaining deliveries. that has caused some anxious the second semi-fi nal in Mumbai confi rm a semi-fi nal place,” the ing into Sunday’s match, but Despite the loss, the West In- moments for their opponents. on Thursday. England captain said. “But more were determined to take home a dies still fi nished top of Group Opener Mohammad Shahzad Deandra Dottin starred with importantly, the way we played consolation victory against the One, and will play Indiain Group made a confi dent 24, but was both bat and ball as the West today ... our batting and bowling West Indies, who had already Two, in the semi-fi nals. caught off leg-spinner Badree, Indies, restricted to 114 for eight was clinical.” made the fi nal four. Afghanistan bowler Gulbadin Naib (L) celebrates after taking the Captain Darren Sammy said trying to heave over the infi eld, after being sent in to bat on a Pakistan captain Sana Mir Stanikzai paid credit to his wicket of West Indies’s batsman Darren Sammy yesterday. the loss would not derail his just as he was looking exciting. sluggish pitch, hit back to keep revealed she was giving up the never-say-die charges especial- side’s campaign for the title, Asghar Stanikzai also made a India down to 111 for nine. leadership of the T20I team. ly batsman Najibullah Zadran, “We knew the conditions but perfect record heading into the describing the loss as a “banana handy 16. The skipper shuffl ed West Indies captain Stafanie “This was my last game as T20 named man-of-the-match, af- the bowlers and fi elders played match with three straight wins, skid” on the road to the fi nals. down the wicket to smash a six Taylor led from the front with captain,” she said. “I am happy ter Afghanistan notched up their very well. We know about our warned that they were not going “Obviously we are disap- over long on, but was caught the 47 off 45 balls after her team was with the way the girls fought fi rst ever Super 10 victory at a team’s strengths, we have expe- to let up against Afghanistan. pointed but we are not going next ball by Dwayne Bravo off reduced to 26 for three in seven during the tournament because World T20. rienced so much at this WT20.” But their run chase got off to to let this dampen our spirits, Badree attempting the same shot. overs. Dottin chipped in with a we came close to qualifying for Stanikzai said his side, who After being sent into bat, Sta- a shaky start, with opener Evin we played well, we just need to As the wickets started to tum- 40-ball 45 after sharing a 77-run the semi-fi nals. had lost three straight group nikzai’s side posted a respectable Lewis dismissed for a duck, and fi nd a way to chase down those ble thanks to some strong fi eld- stand with Taylor. “The support we have got in stage matches, had learnt “so 123/7, with Najibullah smashing some excellent Afghanistan small totals,” he said. “We have ing, 23-year-old Najibullah held Harmanpreet Kaur claimed India has been very good. On be- much” at the T20 and would an unbeaten 48 against the 2012 spin bowling led by 17-year-old two more steps to take, and we his nerve, guiding Afghanistan four wickets for 23 runs, three of half of the Pakistan team I would now head home and “work on World T20 champions. Rashid Khan (2-26) meant the just had a slight banana skid in the past the 120 mark and to what them in the fi nal over, and Anuja like to thank everyone for making our weaknesses”. The West Indies, who had a wickets kept falling. race, and we just have to regroup proved a winning total. Patil fi nished with three for 16. our stay so enjoyable.” Gulf Times Monday, March 28, 2016 3 CRICKET

SPOTLIGHT IMPRESSED McMillan heaps praise on versatile ‘Happy dressing Kiwi batsmen

Reuters nings on Saturday against Bang- Kolkata ladesh. The burly left-hander has a career strike rate in excess of 145 ew Zealand’s impres- in the shortest form of the game, room’ as fl awless sive bowling and fi eld- but tempered his stroke making ing in their unbeaten on the slow Eden Gardens’ pitch. run at the World Twen- Munro scored 35 from 33 balls Nty20 has captured the attention, but hit only two sixes and one yet batting coach Craig McMil- boundary along with 17 singles lan has been most impressed in his innings, with his scoring with his side’s adaptability when shots mostly concentrated be- building totals. tween mid-on and mid-wicket. Kiwis march on Having won all four tosses, Williamson’s man-of-the- New Zealand captain Kane Wil- match 42 from 32 balls was also liamson has chosen to bat fi rst in restrained though his character- ‘As the tournament has gone on, we are winning those crucial moments and putting each of their games on surfaces istic cover-drives brought four that have all diff ered in pace, of his fi ve boundaries as New pressure on opponents. Still a long way to go but it’s a pretty happy dressing room...’ bounce and turn. Zealand scored 145-8 in their 20 Their bowlers have then ex- overs. AFP ploited the slow, turning wickets Their bowlers, like they had New Delhi to ensure they won their pool and against India in their opening advanced to a semi-fi nal against game at Nagpur, then mixed their either England or West Indies in pace and strangled Bangladesh’s nsung New Zealand have be- New Delhi on Wednesday. run chase, eventually dismissing gun to emerge from Brendon “That has been one of the them for 70 in the 16th over. McCullum’s shadow and are strengths of the guys. They have McMillan said he felt the score revelling in their success over adjusted really quickly,” McMil- had been crucial in enabling the Ucricket’s big guns, according to veteran lan said of the batters. bowlers to put pressure on Bang- Ross Taylor. “It hasn’t been the wham, bam ladesh, something that had been After they cruised through the group ...sort of way that T20 cricket evident throughout the tourna- stages of the World Twenty20 in India, has been. ment. winning all four matches, the spotlight “They have had to assess it ... “I thought the total we got is beginning to be shone on a team that is and have done a really good job was just above par,” McMillan largely devoid of household names. of putting the runs on the board said. “That has been one of the While pre-tournament favourites In- to give the bowlers something to strengths throughout the tour- dia and World Cup holders Australia have work with.” nament, we have faced diff erent put in nervy performances, New Zealand That approach was none more conditions and managed to get a have appeared serene even when defend- evident than Colin Munro’s in- total just above par every time.” ing modest totals. After McCullum’s retirement on the eve of the tournament, few observers gave the Black Caps much hope in India England’s Roy, Willey fined as but their unblemished group stage record emotions spill over at T20 has prompted a rethink. Taylor, himself a former captain who England opener Jason Roy Willey, meanwhile, who took was replaced as skipper by McCullum, and fast bowler David Willey 2-26, was fined 15 percent of said the New Zealand dressing room was have been fined at the World his fee after giving a colourful a happy place to be these days, with play- Twenty20 after emotions send-off to Milinda Siri- ers comfortable in their roles. spilled over during their win wardana when the Sri Lankan “As the tournament has gone on, we over Sri Lanka on Saturday. was dismissed immediately are winning those crucial moments and Both players gave solid per- after hitting the seamer for six. putting pressure on opponents,” the formances during England’s The ICC said he breached the 32-year-old told reporters after Satur- nailbiting 10-run victory over code of conduct for “actions day’s 75-run victory over Bangladesh. Sri Lanka in New Delhi to se- or gestures which disparage “Still a long way to go but it’s a pretty cure a place in the semi-finals. or which could provoke an happy dressing room and obviously we’re But Roy was fined 30 percent aggressive reaction” from a now looking forward to the fi nal, er, the of his match fee for swearing batsman on their dismissal. semi-fi nal,” he added to laughter from and then throwing his bat and Both players admitted the of- the assembled reporters. helmet upon leaving the field, fences during a meeting with New Zealand’s next assignment is that after being given out lbw for match referee Jeff Crowe, the semi-fi nal, in New Delhi on Wednesday, 42 off 39 balls. ICC said in a statement. when they are likely to play England. The The International Cricket England will face New Zealand World T20 fi nal is in Kolkata next Sunday. Council said yesterday that in a semi-final in Delhi on Taylor admitted New Zealand had been Roy had shown “dissent at an Wednesday, with the West lucky to have won every toss but said the umpire’s decision during an Indies having already qualified team’s unheralded spinners deserved File picture of New Zealand’s Ross Taylor playing a shot during the World T20 match against Bangladesh. international match”. from their group. praise for taking advantage of the condi- tions. stages with nine scalps while fellow spin- “Twenty20 is a very fickle game T20s, was growing into his new leader- ner Ish Sodhi has eight. and all it takes is a world-class ship role, partly by absorbing lessons Skipper Mortaza blames ICC ban ‘FICKLE GAME’ Their performances have meant pace- batsman to take it away from you. learnt from playing under the famously for Bangladesh T20 exit “Twenty20 is a very fi ckle game and all it men Trent Boult and Tim Southee, New But the bowlers have to take a lot swashbuckling McCullum. takes is a world-class batsman to take it Zealand’s premier bowlers in Test cricket, of credit for the way this team has “Any time you have an infl uential Bangladesh skipper Mashrafe the best in the world. So it was away from you. But the bowlers have to have been kicking their heels on the bench. gone so far in this tournament,” captain, there’s still going to be a period Mortaza yesterday blamed the always diff icult to lose him,” take a lot of credit for the way this team But Taylor said everyone had bought he said where his infl uence is still in,” said Taylor. ICC’s suspension of two of its Mortaza said at Dhaka airport has gone so far in this tournament,” he into the philosophy of playing horses for “But I think Kane has come a long way key bowlers for illegal actions after returning home. said. courses and the selections showed the shows you the depth of the New Zealand and over the next few years he’ll develop for his side’s exit from the “The way he was bowling, “We don’t want to get too carried away strength in depth of one of the smallest side at the moment and the confi dence his own style and I think he already is. World Twenty 20. we had our plan set around but you have got to enjoy the success of Test-playing nation. that it has that whichever eleven go out There is a little bit of learning from what Bangladesh were bundled out him. We had to change the everyone and every bowler has played “Over the last few years we’ve had onto the fi eld are very comfortable in Brendon did but also doing his own thing of the tournament after four entire game plan. Before the their part.” some pretty good depth in our cricket,” their roles and confi dent of doing a job as well. straight losses in the Super Australia game when he was Mitchell Santner, who has been play- he said. for the team.” “I’m sure in a few years time we will talk- 10 group stage—including a banned we could not hold our ing international cricket for less than a “Obviously losing Brendon was a big Taylor said captain Kane Williamson, ing about Kane Williamson as a very good crushing 75-run defeat to New emotions due to this shock. year, is the top wicket-taker in the group thing at the top of the order but it just who has gone up the order to open in the captain as we talk about Brendon as well.” Zealand on Saturday. “We accepted that Sunny’s But Mortaza said they were action has problems. Even hobbled by the Interna- Sunny himself accepted it. But BOTTOMLINE tional Cricket Council’s (ICC) Taskin’s ban was a complete decision to bar key pacemen shock for us,” he said. Taskin Ahmed and left-arm Bangladesh qualified for the spinner Arafat Sunny early in group stages after command- the group stages. ing wins over the Netherlands Bangladesh, whose side and Oman, and Mortaza said finished runners-up to India the tournament had been a Mathews exits World Twenty20 in the Asia Cup just before good learning experience. the World T20, made a failed “From now on, whoever we frantic appeal to the ICC to face, if we don’t keep making have Taskin’s suspension small mistakes, it will not be overturned. easy to beat us. This is what I as Sri Lanka’s tragic hero “In the last eight matches, believe. We could not do this Taskin’s economy rate was in Twenty20 in the past.” Reuters in the next delivery when Adil the last moment. It was a big New Delhi Rashid nearly grabbed his scoop blow for the whole team.” shot at short fi ne leg. Sri Lanka press urges ‘fresh blood’ Stokes sealed the contest with TRICKY TRANSITION after team crashes out of World T20 amstrung, running three successive dot balls. A de- A depleted pace attack put the out of partners and his jected Mathews hurled his bat on pressure on their spinners and Sri Lanka’s press yesterday “Where on earth would you team’s title defence the turf, his unbeaten 73 doing Rangana Herath was not the force called for “fresh blood” in the find the selected squad at stake—the stage little more than burnishing his that many expected him to be in a national cricket side after the changed just hours before Hwas set for Angelo Mathews to personal reputations. spin-dominated tournament. reigning champions crashed its departure to an all emerge from the Saturday night “We were just short of a bat- A misfi ring batting order add- out of the World Twenty20 at important tournament?” the drizzle and enter Twenty20 ter in the last couple of overs,” ed to the problems for Sri Lanka, the group stages. paper quoted an unnamed folklore but the Sri Lankan cap- the all-rounder rued, confessing who conclude their campaign Sri Lanka suff ered a narrow former player as saying. tain fell agonisingly short. they did not deserve to be in the with Monday’s inconsequential 10-run defeat to England on Sat- “This I believe had a huge At 15-4, after England had set semi-fi nals. group match against South Af- urday, with the 2014 trophy win- impact on our perform- them a 172-run victory target in Outside their ardent fans, not rica. ners being bundled out of the ance.” the World Twenty20 match, Sri many expected them to reach Their early exit, on the back tournament after a disastrous The paper warned Sri Lanka Lanka’s title defence looked all the last four either. of a poor Asia Cup, suggests Sri showing at the recent Asia Cup. could not make an impact at but over inside three overs. Sri Lanka suff ered a jolt even Lanka still remain in the throes The local Sunday Times international level with the Their skipper then engi- before kicking off their title de- of a tricky transition since the blamed a selection crisis on current team, which have neered a stunning recovery in fence with Lasith Malinga hand- retirements of stalwarts Kumar the eve of the tournament for been unable to fill the void the tournament’s most porten- ing over the captaincy to Math- Sangakkara and Mahela Jaya- Sri Lanka’s poor performance, left by retiring greats Kumar tous contest that was key to the ews following a slow recovery wardene two years ago. which also saw them badly Sangakkara and Mahela Jaya- semi-fi nal hopes of three teams, from a knee injury, which would Mathews knows the reality beaten by the West Indies and wardene. including South Africa. subsequently rule him out of the and urged for patience. scrape home against minnows “...one believes turning the But the lion-hearted eff ort tournament. “It has been a disappointing Afghanistan. tide with the current crop of took its toll on his hamstring and “It was a big blow for us,” few months for all of us. We let Sri Lanka’s national selectors players seems almost impos- Mathews was clearly struggling File picture of Sri Lanka’s captain Angelo Mathews playing a shot. Mathews said of the paceman, down the fans, we let down the were sacked and the new sible,” it said, adding that when he took guard for the fi nal who has been instrumental in Sri whole country,” he said. panel, headed by former skip- selectors should “replace the over from Ben Stokes — 15 runs Feroz Shah Kotla Stadium, Mathews bashed the fi rst Lanka’s progress to three World “All we can do is stick to one per Aravinda de Silva, stood misfiring cricketers with new separating him from Twenty20 Stokes charged in with a ball in delivery to cover and declined Twenty20 fi nals over the last combination, not try and change down injured captain Lasith blood to inject life back into greatness and his team from a hand and ice in veins to thwart a single. Stokes replied with a four editions. the team too much. Quick deci- Malinga shortly before they the game.” place in the last four. Mathews’ audacious bid to pull yorker which Mathews dug out “He has won us so many sions won’t solve this matter, we left for India. Now to see what happens. As a mild drizzle fell on the off a heist. for two runs and two more came games but he had to pull out at got to try and be patient.” Gulf Times 4 Monday, March 28, 2016 FOOTBALL

RACE AGAINST TIME Rooney faces battle to regain spot in Euro team Reuters Alli, 19, played in the ‘No.10’ role “He’s come from nowhere, a very warm-up games in May and June and London just behind the main striker, which is good level-headed guy who’s very sen- Wayne’s got to prove he’s worth his arguably Rooney’s most effective po- sible, very intelligent,” Hurst told the place,” added Brooking. sition. When playing as a lone striker, BBC yesterday. “Either Harry Kane or “It’s very tempting to have Kane and utstanding performances the Manchester United captain has Vardy defi nitely deserve their place Alli as automatic choices if they stay by three attacking players often looked isolated and become with the season they’ve had. fi t and continue playing like they are. in England’s 3-2 comeback frustrated by a lack of involvement, “And Alli has made an impact not Then you’ve got the option to bring win over Germany on Satur- tending to drop too deep to seek the just at club level but in internationals.” Jamie Vardy on.” dayO has sparked renewed debate about ball. Under-achievers at recent interna- With 51 international goals, Rooney where injured captain Wayne Rooney Before injuring a knee against Sun- tional tournaments, England have of- is England’s record scorer and his 109 fi ts in for the Euro 2016 fi nals. derland on Feb. 13 Rooney was on a ten been criticised for taking players appearances make him the country’s After Roy Hodgson’s team fell 2-0 good run, but still has only seven league who were not 100 per cent fi t—includ- fourth most capped player. behind to the world champions in Ber- goals this season—like Alli—compared ing Rooney at the 2006 World Cup. Solutions to the selection dilemma lin, the Premier League’s two leading to Kane’s 21 and Vardy’s 19. Trevor Brooking, the FA’s director of could include playing him on the left of scorers this season, Tottenham Hot- “I am a big fan of Wayne Rooney, but football development from 2004-14, the midfi eld three, where he has some- spur’s Harry Kane and Leicester City’s today we didn’t miss him in the game,” told the BBC the most important thing times operated for United, or dropping Jamie Vardy, brought England level Matthaeus said during live television for Rooney was to be fully fi t this time. Alli deeper, which might limit the Tot- with superb goals. coverage. “The starting point is get himself fi t tenham man’s eff ectiveness. Many observers, including Germany’s Geoff Hurst, whose hat-trick won because he’s not an automatic choice Suddenly, however, the prospect of former World Cup-winning captain Loth- England the 1966 World Cup fi nal to come back in, with the side as they Rooney catching Steven Gerrard (114 ar Matthaeus, made teenager Dele Alli the against West Germany, believes Vardy have done without him,” he said. caps) and David Beckham (115), let man of the match in what Hodgson called could be a surprise package in the Eu- “He’s not quite cracked tourna- alone goalkeeper Peter Shilton (125) his best night as England manager. ropean Championship fi nals in France. ments for England. You’ve got three looks less than a formality. SPOTLIGHT Coach Hodgson stays humble, New England off er as Kane hails ‘special night’

AFP shows character,” said the Tot- hope aft er years Berlin tenham Hotspur striker. “We dug in and got the goals. It will be a night many oy Hodgson (pic of us won’t forget. below) insists England “You dream about scoring Rare still “a work in against teams like Germany progress”, but goal-scorer on the big stage, but to have Harry Kane hailed a ‘special gone and won makes it all the of disappointment night’ after the Three Lions’ more special. stunning 3-2 fightback win “We have a great men- away to Germany. tality about us, we never England team has underachieved for years but a new generation is showing promise Toni Kroos and Mario stopped playing and things Gomez had put the world were working. It was about and a nation could be daring to dream once more ahead of Euro 2016 in France champions 2-0 up at Berlin’s staying focused, not just Olympic Stadium on Saturday kicking long balls, and staying with an hour gone before the patient enough to wait for our game turned England’s way. chances.” Eric Dier celebrates after scoring the third The Three Lions roared Hodgson played down goal for England in their 3-2 win over world back with three unanswered expectations on England, who champions Germany in a friendly in Berlin on goals from Kane and Jamie host the Netherlands on Tues- Saturday night. (Action Images via Reuters) Vardy, then Eric Dier headed day, before their opening Euro the winner on 91 minutes to 2016 match against Russia, stun the World Cup winners. having also drawn Wales and “It’s important to remain Slovakia in Group B. humble in these moments. But he was pleased with the “We have an awful long performances of inexperi- way to go before we can claim enced wingbacks Danny Rose, to be like the Germans, after who was making his debut, what they have achieved in and Nathaniel Clyne, who won the last few years,” said Eng- his 10th cap. land manager Hodgson. “The result won’t do any “But it was a good perform- harm, but it’s a friendly match ance and we can take a lot and you have to be careful of of pride and encouragement attaching too much impor- from it. It was good to see the tance to it,” he said. players play their way back “I’m pleased with the into the game. It showed char- progress the young lads are acter to come from 2-0 down. making. It was a good step “What pleased me most forward in terms of the work was quality in our passing and we are doing, but there is an movement, we ended up scor- awful lot we can still do better. ing three goals from an awful “We still have four more lot of chances. friendlies and two months of “I am pleased to have been work before we play the first able to pick up from where we game which will count which left off in November having is the group game against played well against France.” Russia in Marseille. Nevertheless, Hodgson “Jamie (Vardy) and Harry conceded this was his best Kane have had wonderful night so far with England seasons with their clubs and since taking charge in May are playing with confidence. 2012. “But Clyne and Danny Rose England’s goal-scorer Kane are also playing with a degree was thrilled to have beaten of confidence. I’ve felt for a the world champions in Berlin. while that this is the start of “It’s a special night. When something. Let’s keep these you’re 2-0 down to the world players feet on the ground champions, to then turn it and more importantly, I want around in their backyard them to stay hungry to learn.”

DPA win this summer’s Euro 2016 in Their next assignment is a levelled with a neat fl ick before just we came in 1-0 down. To go London France. friendly at Wembley on Tuesday Dier headed the winner. 2-0 down was even more unfair That might be far-fetched, against the Netherlands, who “When you start off as sub you but to come back and score three given England’s abject record in failed to qualify for this sum- want to come and try and make goals is tremendous and the ptimism is a dangerous the European Championships, mer’s fi nals. an impact if possible,” Vardy said. players will take enormous heart word when it comes to with just one semi-fi nal in 1996 “We just need to keep do- “I have done that in the fi rst from that.” the England national to show for their eff orts since ing what we are doing, there’s few touches and we have gone on Hodgson will use Tuesday’s team with years of dis- 1968. another important game on to win the game. game to test out a few more com- appointmentsO still fresh in the But in Harry Kane, Jamie Vardy Tuesday and we go from there,” “I just wanted to get across the binations but will be without memory. and Eric Dier, who scored their Kane said. near post and get something on goalkeeper Jack Butland, who But their 3-2 win over world goals in Berlin as they came from “We played brilliantly and I it, I tried the little backheel and went off injured in the first half champions Germany in Berlin on 2-0 down, and the likes of Dele thought we fully deserved the luckily it has come off .” against Germany. Saturday has breathed new life Alli in midfi eld, England have win. We had a lot of chances Hodgson refused to get car- “It’s an ankle injury but we into a team used to the hype of enough players unscarred by and on another day we probably ried away with the result but was don’t know the extent,” Hodg- expectation and the pain of fail- previous failures to believe they could have scored a few more.” understandably delighted with son told reporters. “When you’re ure on the world stage. can make their mark in France. Kane and Vardy, the Premier what he saw. talking about ligaments, there’s Hope should be tempered by Kane, who set England on the League’s two leading scorers this “You don’t beat Germany eve- always some kind of worry but the fact that it was only a friendly comeback path with their open- season, showed critics they could ry day,” he said. “It was a good we’ll assess him.” but England played with a real ing goal, described it as “a great yet be the striking pair come the follow up from the performance With number one Joe Hart freshness which can only bode night for England. 2-0 down summer. against France. Albeit that was a missing the game through in- well for the future. against the world champions and Tottenham’s Kane scored Eng- few months ago, but I thought we jury, Fraser Forster, who came on Bookmakers reacted by slicing coming back shows what kind of land’s fi rst and Leicester’s Vardy, picked up from where we left off . against Germany, is likely to start a fraction of England’s price to a team we are,” he said. on as a second-half substitute, “At half-time it was very un- against the Dutch. Gulf Times Monday, March 28, 2016 5 FOOTBALL ROUND-UP Crowd trouble Dier spurs England mars CAN qualifi er in Kenya to German victory; he 2017 Africa Cup of Nations quali- fier between Kenya and Guinea-Bis- Tsau was held up just before full-time due to chaotic scenes at the Nyayo National Stadium yesterday. Guinea-Bissau were leading 1-0 in the 83rd minute when crowd trouble forced play to be stopped. Angry Kenyan fans threw missiles onto the pitch after the goal Russia, Poland win scored by Sanchez Semedo was flagged off by assistant referee Edgar Rumeki, who ‘We played brilliant today. I thought we fully deserved the win. We had a lot of chances that on later allowed it to stand. Players from both sides were forced to another day we probably could have scored two more. We’re all buzzing. We never gave in’ leave the ground after the incensed fans invaded the pitch, throwing flares and fire- works. One fan was seen ripping out a corner AFP flag before disappearing into the crowd. Riot London England players celebrate their 3-2 police were forced to fire tear gas and use friendly win over world champions water cannons to disperse the crowd and Germany in Berlin on Saturday night. restore order before the match was allowed ric Dier scored a dramatic (Action Images via Reuters) to resume for the final five minutes. stoppage-time winner as Kenya are likely to be heavily punished England rallied from two by the Confederation of African Football goals down to stun world (CAF) as a result of the incident. Kenya, who championsE Germany 3-2 in Satur- suff ered a 1-0 loss in the first meeting in day’s international friendly in Berlin. Bissau in midweek, were in a commanding Elsewhere, Russia and Poland position before the goal was scored. stepped up their preparations for Skipper Victor Wanyama and Jesse Were Euro 2016 with thumping victories missed two good first-half chances to put over Lithuania and Finland, while Kenya ahead after dominating possession. Austria overcame tournament new- The defeat leaves Kenya at the bottom of comers Albania 2-1. Group E with one point from four matches, In Berlin, a minute’s silence was with their hopes of reaching next year’s observed in memory of the victims finals in Gabon all but over. of the Brussels terror attacks, with both sets of players wearing black Cash-strapped Chad fined armbands in honour of Dutch great $20,000 for Nations Cup pullout Johan Cruyff who passed away on Thursday at the age of 68. Cash-strapped Chad were fined $20,000 Toni Kroos gave Joachim Loew’s yesterday for pulling out of the Africa Cup men a 43rd-minute lead at the Ol- of Nations on the grounds they could not ympic Stadium with a crisp left- aff ord the trip to play a qualifying game. footed drive that beat Jack Butland, Chad had been due to travel to Tanzania for who was then immediately stretch- today’s game in Dar El Salam but their foot- ered off with a leg injury, at his near ball federation said the coff ers were almost post. empty due to a financial crisis. The Con- After seeing a fi rst-half eff ort in- federation of African Football (CAF) said correctly ruled out for off side, Mario Chad would be fined and banned from the Gomez doubled Germany’s advan- next edition. “Our country is suff ering the tage on 57 minutes by heading home eff ects of the global economic crisis and, as a Sami Khedira cross for his fi rst in- a consequence, our participation in various ternational goal in almost four years. competitions has taken a serious blow due But Harry Kane halved the defi cit to financial shortages,” said a Chad federa- four minutes later as the Tottenham tion statement. Chad had been playing in striker produced a piece of skill be- Group G for the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations fi tting the late Cruyff to fi re beyond a to be staged in Gabon. Their withdrawal helpless Manuel Neuer. leaves Egypt, Nigeria and Tanzania to fight Substitute Jamie Vardy made an for the lone qualifying spot for the finals. immediate impact after replacing Danny Welbeck, with the Leicester City forward superbly fl icking home Nathaniel Clyne’s right-wing cross Euro 2016 fan zones ‘as safe on 74 minutes. as stadiums’, says French PM England should have gone ahead after Vardy pounced on a loose pass rench Prime Minister Manuel Valls insisted inside the Germany area, only for Fyesterday that fan zones at the June 10- Dele Alli to blaze over with the goal Juky 10 Euro 2016 will be as safe as the tourna- gaping. But Dier ensured Roy Hodg- ment’s stadiums despite fears they may be soft son’s side weren’t left to rue that miss targets for terror attacks. Fan zones, which as the Tottenham midfi elder powered will be based in each of the 10 host cities, are home a header from Jordan Hend- expected to welcome between 10,000 and erson’s corner in the 91st minute to 100,000 supporters during matches. complete a remarkable turnaround. “These fans zones will be secure, closed, “We played brilliant today. I England, it’s a great night for our 3-0 victory over Lithuania in Moscow zolek both netted twice apiece with defeated an Albania team heading to bags will be searched and at the same time thought we fully deserved the win,” nation. 2-0 down away from home with goals from Fedor Smolov, Ale- Filip Starzynski also on target as star their fi rst major tournament cour- the party will take place,” Valls told France 2 Kane told ITV. to the world champions and coming ksandr Golovin and Denis Glushakov. striker Robert Lewandowski came on tesy of early strikes from Marc Janko television. “There will be seven to eight mil- “We had a lot of chances that on back shows what kind of team we are. Poland have again been drawn for the fi nal 27 minutes. and Martin Harnik, with Ermir Len- lion people expected during the tournament, another day we probably could have “We just need to keep doing what alongside title frontrunners Ger- Austria co-hosted the 2008 fi - jani pulling one back for the visitors. mostly in the fan zones. The interior minister scored two more. We’re all buzzing. we’re doing, another important many at this summer’s fi nals, having nals with Switzerland and booked Hungary will also travel to France has discussed it with the mayors of the cities We never gave in and what a night.” game on Tuesday (against the Neth- already faced them in qualifying, and their place at this year’s edition af- in June after a 30-year fi nals absence, which will organise the Euros. France is a Asked about the result raising ex- erlands) and we’ll go from there.” strolled to a morale-boosting 5-0 ter dropping just two points during and Balazs Dzsudzsak struck 11 min- great, modern country which is capable of pectation levels in France, Kane re- Earlier Russia, who will face Eng- demolition of Finland in Wroclaw. qualifying in a group that also fea- utes from time in Budapest to can- assuring the security of its citizens in the plied: “Everyone needs to stay calm, land in their opening match of the Rennes midfi elder Kamil Gros- tured Sweden and Russia. cel out Mario Mandzukic’s fi rst-half face of the terrorist menace.” it’s a friendly. It’s a great night for European Championship, cruised to a icki and Verona winger Pawel Ws- In Vienna, Marcel Koller’s side opener in a 1-1 draw with Croatia.

BOTTOMLINE Loew tries to remain calm as Germany struggle

DPA “We played well for an hour Berlin (against England),” Sami Khedira, captain in place of Schwein- Bruised Germans face Italy tomorrow steiger, said. “We need to play well oaches the world over for 90 minutes against Italy and in DPA likely to be his main focus. expects another brisk perform- are accustomed to the European Championship.” Rome Italy have been waiting for a ance from the Azzurri. dismissing defeats in One of the few players who can world-class striker since Paolo “We are aiming to win in friendlies as meaning- be truly happy with his perform- Rossi’s six goals helped them lift Munich,” said the 22-year-old. “We lessC by claiming the performance ance in Berlin is striker Mario taly take the confidence their third World Cup in 1982 - want to prove to everyone that was more important. Gomez, who claimed his fi rst in- gained from a 1-1 draw with beating West Germany 3-1 in the we are a very strong team, one But losing and playing badly ternational goal since 2012 with a ISpain into another tough final - and relied on a solid defence that can focus well.” into the bargain is undeniably a second-half header and had a fi rst- pre-Euro 2016 test away to world to win their fourth in 2006, when The explosive striker said he poor outcome over 90 minutes half strike wrongly disallowed. champions Germany tomorrow. star centre-back Fabio Cannavaro expects a competitive Italy at and Germany coach Joachim “Personally, I am happy that The Azzurri’s dynamic showing also won the Ballon d’Or. Euro 2016, where he sees no team Loew must now lift his squad for I am back and been able to have Thursday against the European “Everyone is important here starting as obvious favourites, and the next friendly against Italy to- another chance,” he said. “I am champions soothed pessimistic and no one is indispensable,” added a personal remark about morrow after Saturday’s 3-2 loss looking to help the team more fans and helped coach Antonio winger Emanuele Giaccherini Juve’s recent elimination in the to England from two goals up. now rather than worrying about Conte quench the brooding that said. “We may not have a Messi or last 16 of the Champions League. “Such a defeat in a friendly is Hector and Emre Can, deputis- es in qualifi ers and friendlies with whether or not I score goals.” followed his decision to leave, most a Cristiano Ronaldo in our squad, “This friendly will be an op- not quite so diffi cult to cope with ing from his usual place in mid- only a solitary win over Georgia Germany have played without likely for Chelsea, after the conti- but we have good players who portunity to get revenge after he said. “We now have a game on fi eld, also failed to impress. brightening defeats against Ire- an out and out goalscorer since nental tournament ends in July. can stand up when needed. We losing to Bayern Munich; despite Tuesday when a really strong op- “We know where we have to land, France and England. Miroslav Klose retired follow- In Munich, La Nazionale can ex- also always put in a strong team not facing them (personally), that ponent in Italy is coming to us. work after such a game,” Loew Italy in Munich is the next step ing the 2014 World Cup. Gomez, pect true grit from the four-time eff ort on the pitch.” defeat still hurt a lot,” he said. We will analyse the (England) said. “It was clear our combina- on the road to the Euro 2016 in after a poor spell in Italy, has re- world champions after their 3-2 Against Spain, the Azzurri’s As supporting striker Gi- match although we can live with tions and runs did not always France but Antonio Conte’s team discovered his goal touch with loss to England, who on Saturday attacking package switched acomo Bonaventura may remain it. But of course you are annoyed.” work out as I had imagined. Es- is not one the Germans have tra- Besiktas and could well be an op- rallied from two goals down in a gears with the second-half sidelined with the flu, Stephan El Loew will wonder just what pecially in the second half we ditionally relished meeting. tion in France. Berlin friendly. introduction of Simone Zaza and Shaarawy should have a chance happened in the midfi eld, with- were not well organized or com- The Italians have never lost “He has the nose for goals With Andrea Barzagli and Gior- Lorenzo Insigne, who scored off in Munich, possibly next to the out injured captain Bastian Sch- pact. We gave up an incredible to Germay in a major fi nals and again,” Loew said. “In Italy he gio Chiellini still missing in defence, Giaccherini’s assist before Aritz in-form Insigne, while Federico weinsteiger, which allowed Eng- amount of room.” eliminated Loew’s side from the was injured a lot and never had a Conte called AC Milan’s Mattia De Aduriz’s equalizer. Bernardeschi could be confirmed land to fl ow forward so freely in The fact is that World Cup Euro 2012 semis. Germany’s last good competitive run. In Turkey Sciglio for the game at the Allianz Zaza, a reliable reserve at in the team following his positive the last half hour and turn the champions Germany have now friendly win over Italy came way he nearly always plays and you Arena, where off ensive tactics are Italian champions Juventus, now debut against Spain. game in Berlin. Full-backs Jonas lost three of their last four match- back in 1995. see that.” Gulf Times 6 Monday, March 28, 2016 FOOTBALL

FOCUS Underwhelming results are becoming alarmingly routine for Klinsmann’s USA

The United States’ 2-0 loss to take on the historic ethos of US Soc- lively Darlington Nagbe at half-time Guatemala in Friday night’s cer) is an adequate ambition for an in- and could have no complaints. He’s World Cup qualifier showed a ternational team that wants to punch USA players leave the field in started the season well playing in the team that seems to exist in a their weight at the levels the USA as- dejection after their 2-0 defeat centre for NYCFC, but could soon be permanently provisional state pires to. And Klinsmann came in with a at the hands of Guatemala in a shunted out wide to accommodate the mandate to transform not just the team Concacaf World Cup qualifier, in returning Frank Lampard. For the USA By Graham Parker but the system that produces the team, Guatemala City on Friday. (AFP) too, Diskerud’s yet to fi nd a comfort- theguardian.com and to be fair to him, there have been able position for his talents. myriad interventions that he has made But he’s hardly alone. In mitigation within the bureaucracy of the national for Diskerud, he wasn’t set up to suc- he most alarming thing about game that needed to happen, even if ceed by his coach. The basic errors that the USA’s 2-0 loss in Guate- they’re not the type of actions that gifted Guatemala their goals were not mala City might not have been make for sensational headlines. Klinsmann’s fault, but the incoherent the result—though that in itself But the team drifted into a pattern of team that tried to recover was. willT have ramifi cations that will ripple late losses in the immediate aftermath And yes, a US optimist, or a head through at least the rest of the year. It of the World Cup—and even allowing coach, might argue that but for bet- was how routine it has come to feel for for eye-catching friendly wins in the ter fi nishing past an inspired Paulo the USA, under Jürgen Klinsmann, to Netherlands and Germany last year, Motta in the Guatemala goal, that all underwhelm when they need a result. they appear to have stayed in that state this might be moot, but the fact is that Instead of revealing new talent, or of drift since. there’s a sense of inevitability about new combinations for existing tal- There’s a paradox here. Klinsmann’s these sorts of results at the moment. ent, Klinsmann’s post-World Cup ex- ideal schedule for preparation for the Had the USA drawn, or even won in perimental selections and formations 2018 World Cup included participation Guatemala, it would have been possi- (seemingly in pursuit of an endlessly in the Confederations Cup, Olympics, ble to kick the can down the road a lit- deferred fi rst-choice team) have be- Copa America and ideally, qualifi ca- tle with this team, but you get the feel- come the default mode for the USA. tion for the Hex prior to the latter two. ing that a performance and result like The team feels as if it exists in a per- He had a defi nite vision of how and this would still have been waiting, and manently provisional state. That’s true when he wanted to cycle new players probably when it mattered most. even in the competitive scenarios (a into the team to peak perfectly for the So now there are more obstacles to Gold Cup semi-fi nal, a Concacaf Cup World Cup against ideal opposition. avoid. A win on Friday night and again playoff , a World Cup qualifying road Yet he has not put the teams in place to in Columbus tomorrow would have game) where you’d feel a team should win the games to make that schedule assured the US of qualifi cation for the at very least know itself. happen. Asked to cohere on demand, periment again. Granted, the injuries other unfamiliar centre back pairing, Diskerud ended up concluding a dif- Hex. Instead, with Guatemala ahead Down 2-0 in Guatemala on Friday the USA have instead fallen apart to John Brooks and Matt Besler may not to mention giving Edgar Castillo fi cult week in which he was named the of them in the group, the Columbus night, and needing to impose them- against notionally inferior but better- have forced his hand in selecting Omar his fi rst start since 2014 outside them, most overrated player in MLS—in an game becomes a must win, just to keep selves on a compact home defense, the organised opposition. Gonzalez and Michael Orozco at center Klinsmann decided to partner Michael ESPN poll of his peers—with a poor the USA’s destiny in their own hands. USA didn’t seem to know what they Guatemala on the road was always half (he may have looked wistfully at Bradley with Mix Diskerud in midfi eld, half of soccer. He stumbled horribly to The US could feasibly end up play- were trying to impose—indeed, who going to be a tricky game, though few Tim Parker and Matt Miazga’s per- rather than the trusted physical pres- gift Guatemala their opener, and asked ing Trinidad and Tobago in their fi nal they were trying to impose. anticipated a scenario worse than a formances for the U-23s in Colombia ence of Kyle Beckerman, who would at to perform in a holding role when game, with both sides needing a win to It’s not to say that “run fast, try physical battle and maybe a scrappy earlier in the day). least have shielded the defense as his Bradley stepped up, at best he looked advance. Would you bet on the current hard” (to paraphrase Matthew Doyle’s draw. But Klinsmann elected to ex- But knowing he’d be trying out an- primary duty. anonymous. He was replaced by the US team in that scenario?

AFRICA CUP OF NATIONS QUALIFYING Court orders Egypt football federation board to be dissolved

AFP Cairo

Wonder goal for Kekana, gypt’s top administrative court yesterday ordered Ethat the board of Egyptian Football Federation be dissolved fol- lowing allegations of rigging during the 2012 election of its members. The judgement, which is final and can not be appealed, ordered dream debut for Renard Egypt’s minister of youth and sports to dissolve the board. The 2-2 draw with Cameroon lift South Africa off the bottom of Group M standings, but they still trail Two candidates who had partici- pated in the October 11, 2012 elec- Cameroon by five points with three rounds left. The 13 group winners and best two runners-up qualify tion for the federation’s board had filed a case alleging that the results were rigged at that time. Election AFP Although the Frenchman for the federation’s next board is Limbe failed to save one Ligue 1 club Spain-based striker Youssef El Arabi scheduled for September 2016. from relegation and was fi red by converted a first-half penalty to give The same court also ordered the another, he has been highly suc- Morocco a 1-0 away win over top-ranked dissolution of Cairo-based Al Ahly outh African Hlompho cessful in Africa. African team Cape Verde in their first club’s board over similar reasons. Kekana struck a wonder The 47-year-old former Paris match under French coach Herve Renard. In November, a lower court goal and French coach garbage collector led no-hopers had ordered Al Ahly’s board be Herve Renard made an Zambia to the African title in dissolved, but an appeal was filed instantS impact with Morocco in 2012 and repeated the feat with against that order. The higher court Africa Cup of Nations qualifying perennial underachievers Ivory upheld the earlier verdict yesterday. on Saturday. Coast last year. Kekana scored from inside his Egyptian Hassan Shehata own half fi ve minutes after half- and the late Ghanaian Charles POLL time as South Africa drew 2-2 Gyamfi each won three Cup of with Cameroon in Atlantic town Nations titles as a coach, but Limbe after leading twice. only Renard has succeeded with French public Spotting Cameroonian goal- diff erent countries. keeper Guy Roland Ndy Assembe He replaced Badou Zaki last off his line, the recalled South month after indiff erent Moroc- want Euro 2016 African midfi elder thumped the can results and another win over ball from close to the touchline. Cape Verde in Marrakech on to go ahead And to the horror of the ca- Tuesday would virtually clinch a AFP pacity 20,000 predominantly fi nals slot. Paris Cameroon-supporting crowd, Morocco top Group F with the ball sailed over the goalkeep- nine points followed by Cape er and dropped into the middle Verde with six, Sao Tome e he French public is strongly of the net. Principe have three and Libya against any cancellation of Kekana has scored spectacu- none. this summer’s Euro 2016 lar long-range goals for leading Cedric Bakambu, the leading football championships due South African club Mamelodi African scorer in the Spanish La Tto the fear of further terrorist at- Sundowns, but none to match Liga this season with 11 goals, tacks, an opinion poll has shown. the one that gave Bafana Bafana put the Democratic Republic of The poll was carried out by (The Boys) a 2-1 lead. Congo ahead in a 2-1 win over the Odoxa institute for RTL and Cameroon recovered to equal- Angola in Kinshasa. Winamax two to three days after the ise for a second time midway Victory lifted the 2015 bronze bomb attacks in Brussels that killed 31 through the second half when medallists from third to fi rst in people and left 340 others wounded. defender Nicolas Nkoulou nod- Group B with six points, Angola Asked whether, in the context of ded a free-kick past hesitant and the Central African Republic the terrorist threat, it would be bet- goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune. have four each and Madagascar ter to cancel Euro 2016, due to be Striker Tokelo Rantie two. held in France from June 10 to July 10, shrugged off rustiness after in- Traditionally diffi cult to beat 79% of those questioned replied no. juries and a lack of game time at home, Burundi slumped 3-1 On the matter of fan-zones, spe- with English Premier League to previously winless Namibia in cial areas set up around the country club Bournemouth to put South Group K with Benson Shilongo, in front of giant screens for match- Africa ahead on 17 minutes. Peter Shalulile and Hendrik So- viewing, 58% replied no to the Midfi elder Sebastien Siani maeb scoring for the visitors. question of whether they should be levelled in the fi nal minute of the Burkina Faso replaced Ugan- scrapped with 41% saying yes. fi rst half with a shot that fl ew da as Group D leaders thanks The French government has al- into the corner. to a 1-0 win in Ouagadougou ready made it clear that there is no A draw lifted South Africa through a Jonathan Pitroipa contingency plan to call off the Euro off the bottom of the Group M penalty on the hour. 2016 tournament, although Inte- standings, but they trail Cam- Although Indian Ocean island- rior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve has eroon by fi ve points with three ers Mauritius and Seychelles have said that the fan-zone situation will rounds left. virtually no chance of reaching be closely monitored. The 13 group winners and best Gabon, they celebrated rare vic- Fears that the Euro 2016 champion- two runners-up qualify for the tories after beating Rwanda and ships, involving 24 teams playing at 10 2017 Cup of Nations in Gabon. Lesotho respectively. city venues across France, could be a Spain-based striker Youssef A Francis Rasoloforinasa goal terrorist target were heightened with El Arabi converted a fi rst-half gave the Mauritians a 1-0 Group the jihadist attacks on Paris on No- penalty to give Morocco a 1-0 H win and Gervais Waye-Hive vember 13 which left 130 people dead, away win over top-ranked Afri- and Dean Suzette scored as the including suicide bombers outside can team Cape Verde in their fi rst Seychellois triumphed 2-0 in the Stade de France during a friendly match under Renard. Group J. match between France and Germany. Gulf Times Monday, March 28, 2016 7 SPORT

NBA Westbrook, Thunder race past shorthanded Spurs ‘We come out every night and play for ourselves. We don’t worry about other teams and what they’re doing’

DPA Los Angeles

espite resting fi ve of their top players, the San Antonio Spurs jumped out to a sur- prisingD lead on the Oklahoma City Thunder. Then Russell Westbrook went to work. Westbrook scored 20 of his 29 points in the middle two quar- ters and added eight assists Sat- urday night, and the host Thun- der raced past the shorthanded Spurs, 111-92, for their seventh straight victory. Kevin Durant had 31 points and 10 rebounds for the Thun- der, who have not lost since a 93-85 setback at San Antonio on March 12. Oklahoma City (51-22) is the only team to have beaten San Antonio (61-12) twice this season. “We come out every night and play for ourselves,” said Westbrook, who made 10- of-18 shots. “We don’t worry about other teams and what they’re doing.” “They did what they were supposed to do,” Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said. “In the end, they kicked our butt.” As he often does, Popovich decided to rest his star players. Given the night off were All-Star LaMarcus Aldridge, Tim Dun- can, “French Flash” Tony Parker Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (R) and Argentine supersub Manu drives to the basket in front of San Antonio Spurs guard Ginobili. In addition, All-Star Danny Green during the second quarter at Chesapeake Kawhi Leonard sat out with a Energy Arena. PICTURE: USA TODAY Sports bruised quadriceps. The starting lineup included Serbian rookie Boban Mar- janovic and little-used second- year forward Kyle Anderson. Zealand’s Steven Adams and swered and stopped some runs,” New York Knicks 93: LeB- who have won eight of nine. The Charlotte Hornets 115, Mil- Portland Trail Blazers 108, But David West made four jump Congo native Serge Ibaka with Thunder coach Billy Donovan ron James had his second tri- Pistons fell to 5-2 on their league waukee Bucks 91: France’s Nic Philadelphia 76ers 105: CJ shots in a 19-3 run that gave the nifty passes for powerful dunks, said. “That second and third ple-double of the week with 27 season-high nine-game home- Batum scored 25 points for the McCollum scored 25 points for Spurs a 34-25 lead early in the then added his own fl ying slam quarter he really played well.” points, 11 rebounds and 10 as- stand. visiting Hornets, who are 12-3 the Trail Blazers, who have won second quarter and had the sell- for a 74-59 lead with 2:37 re- Turkey’s Enes Kanter had sists as the visiting Cavaliers Brooklyn Nets 120, Indiana in March and handed the Bucks four in a row at home and hand- out crowd at Chesapeake Energy maining. “I just tried to stay in 20 points and 10 rebounds and kept their 2 ½-game lead atop Pacers 110: Brook Lopez scored their fi fth straight setback. ed the 76ers their eighth straight Arena groaning. “They’re a good attack mode,” Westbrook said. Ibaka added 15 and eight for the the Eastern Conference. 23 points as the host Nets rallied Utah Jazz 93, Minnesota loss. team, regardless of who they “They do a good job of packing Thunder, who shot 52 percent Toronto Raptors 115, New past the Pacers, who remained Timberwolves 84: Gordon RESULTS play,” Westbrook said. “They the paint. I just tried to take what (44-of-85) and held a 47-34 Orleans Pelicans 91: DeMar seventh in the East, a percentage Hayward scored 16 of his 18 Detroit ...... 95 Atlanta ...... 112 have a good system.” the defense was giving me.” advantage on the boards. West DeRozan scored 23 points to lead point ahead of Detroit. points in the fourth quarter as New York ...... 93 Cleveland ...... 107 Westbrook, who scored eight A three-pointer by Durant and rookie Jonathan Simmons seven players in double fi gures Orlando Magic 111, Chica- the visiting Jazz moved into the Orlando ...... 111 Chicago ...... 89 points in the fi rst quarter, found pushed the margin to 83-61 late scored 17 points apiece for the for the visiting Raptors (49-23), go Bulls 89: DeWayne Dedmon eighth and fi nal playoff spot in Phoenix ...... 99 Boston ...... 102 another gear. He scored 12 points in the third period, and San An- Spurs, who shot 43 percent (37- who tied a franchise record for had a career-high 18 points and the West. Portland ...... 108 Philadelphia .105 in the last eight minutes of the tonio got no closer than 17 points of-86) and lost the second of wins in a season. season-high 13 rebounds as the Boston Celtics 102, Phoe- Minnesota ...... 84 Utah ...... 93 half as the Thunder regained thereafter. The Spurs were out- back-to-back contests for the Atlanta Hawks 112, Detroit host Magic dealt a third straight nix Suns 99: Former Sun Isaiah Oklahoma ...... 111 San Antonio ...92 a 48-44 lead. Oklahoma City scored, 59-37, in the middle two fi rst time in 15 tries this season. Pistons 95: Paul Millsap scored loss to the Bulls, who remained Thomas scored 28 points for the Milwaukee ...... 91 Charlotte ...... 115 broke open the game in the third quarters. “I thought (West- Elsewhere: 23 points to lead eight players two games out of the East’s fi nal visiting Celtics, who won their New Orleans .91 Toronto ...... 115 quarter. Westbrook found New brook’s) off ence kind of an- Cleveland Cavaliers 107, in double fi gures for the Hawks, playoff spot. fourth straight game. Brooklyn ...... 120 Indiana ...... 110

NHL Los Angeles Kings hold off Oilers to end slide

By Helene Elliott RESULTS be all that he was advertised. But Los Angeles Times the Oilers still have many defen- Toronto ...... 1 Boston ...... 3 sive shortcomings, and the Kings Montréal ...... 2 NY Rangers .....5 capitalized on several. he Los Angeles Kings Ottawa ...... 3 Anaheim ...... 4 The Kings struck 16 seconds punched their ticket to Tampa Bay ....2 Florida ...... 5 into the game, when Toff oli con- the playoff s more than Washington .0 St. Louis ...... 4 verted the rebound of a shot by a week ago, but they’re Carolina ...... 3 NY Islanders 4 Brayden McNabb. But Jordan Tstill not in a playoff frame of Eberle, who had an active fi rst Calgary ...... 1 Chicago ...... 4 mind or playing the tight style Nashville ...... 5 Columbus ...... 1 period, made a fi ne move to the that’s associated with consistent Arizona ...... 2 Philadelphia ...... 1 outside to dodge Kings defense- postseason success. Los Angeles 6 Edmonton ...... 4 man Jake Muzzin and rifl ed a They barely held off the draft Detroit ...... 2 Pittsburgh ...... 7 wrist shot home at the 38-sec- lottery-bound Edmonton Oilers San Jose ...... 2 Dallas...... 4 ond mark. on Saturday night, surviving the Colorado ...... 0 Minnesota ...... 4 The Oilers took a 2-1 lead at frantic fi nal minutes for a 6-4 Buff alo ...... 3 Winnipeg ...... 2 9:53, after McDavid poked the victory at Staples Center that puck off the stick of veteran ended a three-game losing streak. centre Vincent Lecavalier and But it was closer than it needed to “I think we let some things fl icked a rapid shot past Quick be, and the Kings knew it. go a little bit, but for the most for his 15th goal this season. “As of late, we need to clean part we scored goals at the The Kings pulled even at 10:20, things up defensively and stuff right time and made big stops,” on a play the Oilers challenged on like that,” said left wing Milan said Tyler Toffoli, who scored the basis of goaltender interfer- Lucic, who tied a career mark twice to help the Kings extend ence. And they seemed to have a with three assists. “I know it’s their home winning streak over good case, as replays showed Lu- great we got six tonight, but get- the Oilers to nine games. “The cic clipped the leg of goaltender ting four against is kind of un- penalty kill was pretty good. Laurent Brossoit and hampered acceptable. We’ve got to clean We’ve got to move on and focus his ability to stop a shot by Carter. that up here, with seven games for San Jose.” However, the goal was reviewed before the playoff s start, because That game will be Monday, and allowed to stand. you can’t just fl ip a switch and giving the Kings another chance The Kings scored three times expect it to just happen once the to clean up their act, this time in the second to build a 5-2 lead playoff s start.” against a division foe. and pull away. Toff oli’s second The Kings had separated “We want to get our game 100 goal of the game, at 3:11, was set themselves from the young but percent going into the playoff s,” up by Lucic. Andy Andreoff , in erratic Oilers by scoring three Toff oli said. “And playing the the midst of a scrum in the slot, times in the second period, but right way. It’s a good sign we’re poked the puck as Brossoit tried Edmonton scored twice in the scoring big goals but at the same to cover it at 13:07. And Trevor third and swarmed around Kings time we’ve got to tighten it up a Lewis continued the scoring spree goaltender Jonathan Quick as little bit and just get better.” with a short-handed goal at 17:26. tension overtook fans’ exulta- The Kings swept the season Patrick Maroon scored a power- tion. It took an empty-net goal series, 5-0, but Edmonton has play goal from the left circle at by Jeff Carter for the Kings to great individual skill. Rookie 9:22 of the third period to cut the subdue the Oilers and maintain Connor McDavid, who scored a Kings’ lead to 5-3, and he was set their three-point lead over the goal in the frantic fi rst period and up by McDavid at 16:50 to trim Los Angeles Kings center Tyler Toff oli (R) and Edmonton Oilers right wing Iiro Pakarinen battle along the boards in the third period of the Ducks atop the Pacifi c Division. set up the fourth goal, appears to the lead to 5-4. game at Staples Center. PICTURE: USA TODAY Sports Gulf Times 8 Monday, March 28, 2016 SPORT

BASEBALL Cubs glad to give rivalry with Cardinals face lift

By Paul Sullivan take Epstein to build some real, un- mere a blip in the 124-year-old rivalry? take our player or if we were competing Chicago Tribune fi ltered, deep-seated hatred for the “Defi nitely it was a watershed mo- over the same player,” he said. Cubs’ archrivals? ment for us to beat our rivals in the “On (Mark) Teixeira we drew a line in “It didn’t take that long,” he said with postseason for the fi rst time ever,” Ep- the sand (on his $180 million demand), ating the Yankees is part of a laugh. “All it took was a couple of road stein said. and they got him. Great. And then we your DNA when growing up trips — they were really good and we “Granted, there are obviously rea- went and got Adrian Gonzalez. “That in Boston, passed down from weren’t — to feel the proper amount of sons why we haven’t played them part of (the competition) was overblown generation to generation like loathing. much in the postseason. But still, to for me. It’s not like the Cardinals are not Ha family heirloom. “I mean, I respect them. I’ve said be- beat them in the postseason in that going to go out and get good players to So when Theo Epstein got his dream fore, respect and contempt aren’t mu- manner was transformative. I hope it replace (Heyward and Lackey). job as general manager of the Red Sox tually exclusive. So I defi nitely respect transformed the rivalry and not just “I’m really glad we signed them. I in 2003, he already had the prerequisite them. Look at them as a franchise, year our organisation.” think they’re perfect fi ts, but it had loathing in his blood. After that it was in, year out, decade in, decade out, cen- Now the Cubs are at the point where very little to do with them being Car- just a matter of fi nding a way to con- tury in, century out. ... It doesn’t feel they not only can compete with the dinals. It had more to do with the fact quer the Evil Empire and ending one good to have (Tony) La Russa and those Cardinals on the fi eld, they can hang we wanted those guys.” of the most storied droughts in sports guys (beat you).” with them off the fi eld as well. Luring Regardless, the Cardinals haven’t history. And that’s exactly what the Cardi- free agents Jason Heyward and John conceded the division, despite the Check, and check. nals did during the fi rst four years of Lackey not only improved the Cubs’ nonstop hype of the Cubs from the na- Now Epstein has put his hatred of The Plan, going to the playoff s every World Series’ hopes, it weakened the tional media. They immediately went all things Yankees on the back burner season and winning National League Cardinals at the same time. out and signed free-agent pitcher Mike while he tries to fi nd a way to knock Central titles the last three years. They “I never read too much into that,” Leake to replace Lackey and will use the Cardinals off their lofty perch and took 10 of 17 from the Cubs in 2012, 12 Epstein said. “That’s not why we got promising 25-year-old Stephen Pis- end the longest drought in sports his- of 19 in ’13, 10 of 19 in ’14 and 11 of 19 those guys.” Perhaps, but after all cotty, who hit three home runs off the tory. Like the Yankees-Red Sox rivalry last year. That’s a combined .581 win- those heated off season battles over Cubs in the postseason, in right fi eld. before Epstein’s arrival, the Cubs- ning percentage over four seasons. free agents with the Yankees when he The next chapter of the classic rival- Cardinals wars have been one-sided But something diff erent happened was Red Sox GM, Epstein had to relish ry begins April 18 in St. Louis when the for most of their existence. last October, and fi ve months later the stealing two Cardinals stars. teams meet for the fi rst time. The Cubs were always the ceremo- Cubs’ 3-1 triumph over St. Louis in the Or maybe not. Only then will we start to know if the nial pinatas, and the Cardinals were Division Series still resonates on the “We tried to have discipline not to tide is actually turning after all these always the big stick. How long did it North Side. Was it a turning point or a worry if (the Yankees) were trying to years, or it’s just another mirage. St. Louis Cardinals and Chicago Cubs fans display their teams logo.

NFL Panthers aware that Super Bowl runner-up rarely returns ‘I can’t report if I haven’t signed anything so I don’t feel as if I’m at the point where I’m ready to get back to working right now’

By Joseph Person The Charlotte Observer CAROLINA PANTHERS HEAD COACH RON RIVERA Wait ‘til next year” has long been the rally cry for fans whose teams fell short of a championship. “But next year hasn’t been kind to the Super Bowl runner-up. It’s been 23 years since a team that lost the Super Bowl made it back the following season. The Buff alo Bills became synony- mous with Super Bowl futility in the early 1990s, losing four con- secutive years. The ’93 Bills were the last Su- per Bowl runner-up to return to the game the following year _ a fact that a reporter mentioned to Panthers coach Ron Rivera last week at the NFL annual meet- ings in Boca Raton, Fla. Rivera, who found motiva- tional chips to play throughout the Panthers’ 15-1 regular season in 2015, perked up when he heard about the curse of the Super Bowl loser. “It’s a challenge. And I think you may have just given me my next challenge as we go forward – something people say we’re not going to be able to do and we can’t do because it hasn’t been done,” Rivera said. “Why don’t we try? Seriously, that’s the way I look at it.” Rivera was a member of the 1985 Chicago Bears team that won 15 regular-season games and steamrolled through the playoff s for a Super Bowl title. The ’86 Bears went 14-2 and looked to be on their way to back-to-back championships. But behind the tough running of running back George Rogers, Washington beat Rivera’s Bears 27-13 in the divisional round to end Chicago’s hopes of repeat- ing. There are a number of rea- sons why only two teams besides those Bills squads — the 1974 Minnesota Vikings and 1987 Denver Broncos — went back to the Super Bowl a year after los- “There’s two gals there. Then appears to be headed toward Panthers during a couple of na- Carolina was able to over- Oakland), as well as a Super Bowl Super Bowl a year after losing in ing it. they announce who the fi rst a dark place, to borrow one of tional TV appearances last week. come the loss of Benjamin last rematch at Denver. The Panthers the game. Not the least of which is the runner-up is. Just imagine you Norman’s favorite expressions. “I can’t report if I haven’t season until the Super Bowl, will face six teams that made the Rivera told his players after emotional hangover inherent come in second,” Gettleman The Pro Bowl corner and the signed anything so I don’t feel when Jerricho Cotchery had playoff s last season, including Super Bowl 50 they could fi nd in enjoying a dominant regu- said. “Coming in second sucks.” Panthers are nowhere close to a as if I’m at the point where I’m three drops and the rest of the their seventh game in fi ve years inspiration in the Broncos, who lar season only to have the rug Ask quarterback Cam New- long-term contract, and Nor- ready to get back to working receivers (with the exception of against the Seahawks. beat the Panthers two years after pulled out from under you on the ton, whose distaste for losing man has yet to sign the franchise right now,” Norman told NFL Philly Brown) had a hard time After the Panthers’ only other getting crushed by the Seahawks world’s biggest stage. was on display for millions to see tag the Panthers put on him Network. getting open. Benjamin is a Super Bowl appearance, they in the New York/New Jersey Su- Nearly two months after the when he sulked his way through March 1. Missing OTAs and minicamp big-time weapon, particularly went 7-9 in 2004 and missed per Bowl. Panthers’ 24-10 loss to Denver in his post-Super Bowl press con- The tag is worth a guaran- won’t necessarily set Norman in the red zone, who has New- the playoff s. Such a slide seems But despite what the past 23 Super Bowl 50, general manager ference in Santa Clara, Califor- teed $13.95 million for 2016, but back from a skills standpoint. ton’s complete trust. unlikely with this group, which years might suggest, Rivera isn’t Dave Gettleman still hasn’t brought nia. Newton’s reaction makes it Norman and his agent want the But it would be a bumpy start for The Panthers won three games boasts the MVP, an elite defense conceding anything in 2016. himself to watch the game. fair to question how the reigning security of a long-term deal. a team that had remarkably lit- early last season when Kuechly and playmakers on both sides of Rivera said several players, “I will eventually. But not yet. league MVP will bounce back Norman doesn’t have a ton of tle drama during its Super Bowl was sidelined with a concus- the ball. principally Pro Bowl center Ryan It’s hard,” Gettleman said last from the toughest loss of his ca- leverage: If he doesn’t sign the season. sion. But they wouldn’t want to The Panthers still look like the Kalil, indicated they’ll have a week and the annual meetings. reer. tag by Week 10, he’ll miss the Two of the Panthers’ key go without Kuechly, whose pick- team to beat in the NFC South, better sense of what to expect if “You’re devastated. You’ve got “Knowing him,” Rivera said, entire season and won’t have players are coming off surgeries. six vs. Seattle’s Russell Wilson although it’s tough to envision there is a next time. 125 people, 150 people working “he’s going to savour it as his made a dime from the Panthers. Both Kuechly (torn labrum in left was the playoff s tone-setter, for another 15-win regular season “It’s like, ‘OK, we get it. We their asses off and you’re this driving motivator.” Gettleman said last week he’s shoulder) and Kelvin Benjamin a long stretch in 2016. given the slate of opponents. know what it’s like to be here. We close. And then, wham! It’s hard. A look at several other po- not worried about Norman’s (torn ACL in left knee) are pro- The Panthers will play a fi rst- (The NFL will release its full understand.’ Now all of a sudden It sucks.” tential stumbling blocks for the contract situation becoming a gressing well, according to team place schedule for the third con- schedule, with times and dates, the great unknown is no longer Gettleman compared it to Panthers on the way to Houston, distraction. But Norman, who’s offi cials. secutive season, and will load next month.) the great unknown,” Rivera said. pageant contestants who have to site of Super Bowl 51: looking for a deal in the neigh- But the Panthers can’t aff ord up on frequent fl ier miles in the But there’s a reason why the “We’ve got to get past where we remain on stage until the winner The Josh Norman situation: bourhood of $16 million a year, to have either player suff er a set- process. Carolina has three West 1972 Dolphins are the only team were and get back to where we is announced. Norman’s contract standstill applied public pressure on the back in his recovery. Coast trips (Seattle, Los Angeles, in the past 43 years to win the need to start from.” Gulf Times Monday, March 28, 2016 9 SPORT

SPOTLIGHT BOXING Amir Khan claims he was off ered £10mn Spieth loses match, for Kell Brook fi ght top ranking, but is still confi dent ‘I’ve been in that position. He’s going to learn very quickly what works for him and didn’t. But Jordan Spieth will be just fine, I can tell you that’ File picture of British boxer Amir Khan.

By Kirk Bohls, MCT James Riach, The Guardian through 12 years ago, stepping Austin, Texas London up from welterweight to a catch weight of 155lb against Álvarez, and said he would be calling on ordan Spieth cleared up one big mir Khan has claimed those Olympic memories against myth. Eddie Hearn off ered the Mexican. He was not undefeated in Aus- him £10mn to fi ght Kell “Obviously Canelo is one of tin. Apologies for the double Brook, before cutting the best fi ghters in the world, one negative,J but for the fi rst time in a while, thatA fi gure signifi cantly during of the most dangerous fi ghters in something negative cropped up in Spi- negotiations. Khan will instead the world that not many people eth’s formidable golf game. challenge the middleweight would say yes to fi ght. That’s the In common folklore, the former Texas champion Saúl Álvarez in the de- type of guy I am, I’ll fi ght who- Longhorn was thought to have had a fi ning fi ght of his career. ever they put in front of me and perfect record inside these city limits. Khan shocked the boxing whatever makes sense. I think He was 3-0 in high school state champi- world this week by announcing it will bring out the best in me, onships, counting a tie for fi rst in 2010. he will face Álvarez for the WBC whenever you go into a fi ght as And he was 1-0 in the Morris Williams world middleweight title on 7 an underdog you want to prove Intercollegiate although technically he May in Las Vegas. The Bolton people wrong,” said Khan. tied fellow Longhorns Dylan Frittelli and fi ghter had been in negotiations “This reminds me of the Ol- Julio Vegas, and Texas coach John Fields with Brook but will instead step ympics when I was 17 and a lot chose not to play it off for true medallist up in weight and face a man who of people said I was going to get honours. has lost only once in his profes- beaten up and not get through “I was following the ol’ Harvey Pen- sional career, and that against the fi rst round. I went and proved ick philosophy,” said Fields, invoking the Floyd Mayweather. Brook, everybody wrong and just fell name of the former Texas coach and Aus- meanwhile, will make the third short in the fi nal. When Oscar tin Country Club legendary teacher. “I’d defence of his IBF welterweight asked me if I wanted to take the rather have three champions than one. So title against Kevin Bizier. fi ght, I said: ‘In a heartbeat.’ I didn’t let ‘em play it off .” Khan’s team had been in ne- “I’ve got a lot of advantages on Fields, who followed Spieth around in gotiations last year with Hearn, my side, I’ve got the speed and his fourth round Saturday, wasn’t posi- Brook’s promoter, regarding I’m going to bring a lot of power. tive about Spieth’s overall record in his a potential “Battle of Britain” “I’ve got too much pride to go second hometown. between the pair. In January, into a fi ght thinking that some- “It’s safe to say he won 98 percent of Hearn wrote in a tweet, since de- one is going to beat me, or going them,” Fields said. “There may be a little leted, that Khan had asked for an in to a fi ght just for the money. I’d junior tournament here he didn’t win.” 80% share of the purse but the never do that, that’s not the type Spieth confi rmed as much Saturday 29-year-old claims an original of guy I am. I really believe I can and, unfortunately for his loyal follow- off er of £10mn was cut. make history.” ing that showed up in throngs and even “I was off ered by Eddie Hearn De La Hoya said: “It’s tak- shouted out encouragement from the £10mn, when I was at a fi ght in ing boxing back to the roots of 20-odd boats and barges populating Lake Liverpool. That’s what I stuck to what it should be, fi ghting for Austin, can now add another tournament and as soon as I said: ‘That’s what pride and fi ghting for history. He he didn’t capture in Austin. Jordan Spieth of the United States loses his club after his second shot on the 16th hole at the Austin Country Club. I want for the fi ght,’ everyone [Khan] wants to show that he’s He failed to advance to Saturday’s fi nal turned against me and said I was the very best, that’s what boxing eight after a bad day with three bogeys single summer. But any time he fl inches Greller before blading his shot into the lip “I’d say he’s probably a little upset right overvaluing myself. He said: ‘You was when I was fi ghting, when and a double-bogey in the Round of 16 for and shows even a hint of being a mor- of the bunker and coming up way short now,” Spieth confi dante Ben Crenshaw can make £10mn if you take the Tyson was fi ghting, when Mo- an emphatic loss to South African Louis tal, it sends alarms in this social media- of the green to lose the hole. He got one said. “But it will fuel his desire. He relishes fi ght against Kell Brook.’ Coming hammed Ali was fi ghting.” Oosthuizen, who reached the quarterfi - crazy, what’s-wrong-with-Spieth envi- back on No. 10 with a 26-foot birdie putt (Augusta) and he knows how to play it. It back to negotiations, they said: The 155lb catchweight is eight nals of this event for the third consecu- ronment. He didn’t play well Saturday, but gave it right back with an 8-iron that suits him. I’ll say there’s no doubt he’ll be ‘We can’t off er you that much.’ It pounds heavier than Khan’s tive year. So Spieth won’t be adding a but golf can be cruel sport, and it’d be a landed in the water on No. 11 and lost the right in there at the Masters.” was nowhere near that number.” weight for his last fi ght against trophy from the World Golf Champion- stretch to suggest Spieth won’t be ready next two holes to basically end his tour- Spieth’s institutional knowledge of In January, Hearn tweeted: Chris Algieri in May last year, ship-Dell Match Play Championships to for the Masters in two weeks. nament. Augusta National, along with his win at “He [Khan’s lawyer] asked for a and if he wins he will be only the his growing collection although he does Local golf architect Roy Bechtol, who Before the WGC-Dell tourney began, the Hyundai Tournament of Champions £10m guarantee with upside to fourth Briton to secure the mid- receive credit for a top nine fi nish here. worked closely with Pete Dye to design Day worried that Spieth might be burn- in Hawaii by eight strokes and three oth- fi ght Brook with Kell getting ap- dleweight title. He also won’t retain his No. 1 world the Austin Country Club course three ing himself out by playing in so many er Top 25 fi nishes, should keep his spirits prox £2-2.5mn. After I spat my On the challenge of moving ranking that he’s held for 21 weeks, decades ago, said this week, “I call Pete events around the world. McIlroy, who high. coff ee out we said no thanks. up in weight, Khan said: “I think thanks to No. 2 Jason Day’s advance to the most clever masochistic architect closed out 54th-ranked Chris Kirk 4 and He’s played Augusta twice since last Enough of the insults. We will the weight issue is going to add Sunday’s semifi nals against Rory McIl- ever invented. He said golf is a game for 3 to reach the semifi nals, pooh-poohed April, working in a round over the win- make this easy for you: 60-40 in excitement. It is two diff erent roy and his new ascension to the top spot. masochists, and I intend to make ‘em all that idea. ter and another with his father, Shawn, your favour (Kell is world champ) size guys and I’ve seen in boxing But he doesn’t consider that a bad thing. very happy.” “I’ve been in that position,” he said. before the Florida golf swing. He doesn’t and you have it.” many times where the smaller “To be honest,” Spieth said, “it could Spieth wasn’t happy with his day but “He’s going to learn very quickly what appear worried. Álvarez, known as Canelo, is guy has come through and won be a good thing for me going into the took solace in the fact he had 17 bird- works for him and didn’t. But Jordan Spi- “From Tuesday to now, I feel much regarded as the next boxing su- the fi ght. I’m at my peak now and Masters.” ies and an eagle among his 62 holes this eth will be just fi ne, I can tell you that.” more confi dent than I did about Augus- perstar and the 25-year-old has I’m going to show the world how And why’s that, he was asked as he week and, had this been stroke play, He seemed fi ne after his match when ta,” Spieth said. “I played very, very solid knocked out 32 of his 48 oppo- good Amir Khan is. walked off . would have come in at 13-under par. he fell 4 and 2 to Oosthuizen. He was per- the last few days, and most importantly I nents. The fi ght, promoted by “I’m going to be at a good “More (attention) on other people,” he Until Saturday, he had never trailed in plexed because he was slicing his irons all made a lot of birdies. You feel the nerves Oscar De La Hoya’s Golden Boy, weight, I’m working on the said. “Less on me.” this tournament but was ragged all day, a day, a pattern he fell into on the practice on almost every swing out here. I have is Álvarez’s fi rst defence of the strength side. I’m going to be Ranking notwithstanding, the focus trend that continued when he landed in range and failed to solve on the course. this entire week. So that’s certainly good title he won in November against happy and comfortable at the likely won’t shift far from the 22-year- a fairway bunker on No. 9 that fl abber- But he didn’t seem disturbed and play- for me.” Miguel Cotto. weight. I’m going into the fi ght old wunderkind who won two majors last gasted him. fully signed two golf balls and bounced So maybe it’s fi ne if he doesn’t win Khan believes he will have with no pressure, not killing year, including the Masters, and fl irted “Oh, my God, can they put any more them across the parking lot to an eager every single tournament, juniors or oth- to draw on the underdog spirit myself making the weight. It’s a with completing the Grand Slam in a sand in here?” he asked caddie Michael pair of youngsters. erwise. of his Athens Olympics break- fi ght for me to prove myself.”

BOTTOMLINE Heat see no issue with LeBron as friend and foe

MCT player, to say I’m going to give up this “For me, personally,” Spoelstra said, “To me it’s tough. I can talk hours Miami and that because we’re friends,” Wade “if I’ve coached somebody and I’ve about it. Because I don’t under- said. “I use the analogy, it’s just like been through the wars and the battles stand why people don’t under- growing up with my brothers. I love and the competition of an NBA season stand friendships. And you can t some point before or even ‘em to death, but I want to beat them and deep into the playoff s, to me those set limits to it. And you know how during Wednesday’s game every time. That’s the same thing. I love relationships are for life. not to cross those bounds.” against the Los Angeles Lak- ‘Bron. My respect for Kobe, my friend- “The only thing that matters is ers, Dwyane Wade will share a ship with all these guys, I love ‘em all. in between the four lines. This is a have respect for, that I have friendships personal,A heartfelt moment with Kobe But I want to beat them every time, and business of competition, but it also with. And those games, they probably Bryant. The same likely will be the case vice versa.” is a business of relationships and hurt a little more when I lose, and they the following game, when the opposi- This, of course, from a player on a those relationships are dear to me. probably feel a little better when I win tion is Caron Butler and the Sacramen- team lorded over by Pat Riley, who back And it would be disingenuous that I just because of those relationships.” to Kings. in his days of New York Knicks antipa- wouldn’t show that.” If last weekend produced any type Just as he did a week ago with LeBron thy and even in his early Heat years Spoelstra said he fi nds it off ensive of controversy, Wade said that is for James and the Cleveland Cavaliers. made helping a fallen opponent a fi ne- that Wade or James would be viewed as someone else to resolve. As for what anyone outside of those able off ense. something less than passionate. “Do you get to the case,” he said, circles of friendship thinks? Couldn’t That was then, before the AAU and “If Dwyane is in a close, competitive “where people start to tell you how care less. USA Basketball systems brought op- game and one of his friends on another to live your life, telling you who to be “People just don’t know a lot about it,” posing players together at a young age team is going for a layup, I know in my friends with, telling you how to be Wade said as he looked ahead to the Mi- and has kept such rivals together. Amid heart of hearts that is going to be chal- friends with ‘em, how you can talk to ami Heat’s upcoming three-game western the increased movement in NBA free lenged with a fi erceness and a physical- somebody, where to talk to somebody? swing. “To me it’s tough. I can talk hours agency, players now can go from oppo- ly that transcends any kind of friend- You can’t allow someone to run your about it. Because I don’t understand why nent to teammate back to opponent, as ship,” Spoelstra said. life that way, because they don’t have people don’t understand friendships. And with the James-Wade dynamic. Wade said relationships endure be- those kinds of relationships, so they you can set limits to it. And you know how Before James and Wade shared their cause of the respect shown amid play. don’t know how those things can work. not to cross those bounds.” moments amid the Heat’s blowout “I think it’s very underrated how “So LeBron is going to be LeB- That his interactions with James a victory, James shared a pregame em- much you want to win against your ron. Dwyane is going to Dwyane. week ago at AmericanAirlines Arena be- brace with Heat coach Erik Spoelstra, friends, how much you want to play in And we’re going to do what we feel is came fodder for questions about James’ who was alongside James for four those games,” Wade said. right for our friendship. And when we focus both amused and annoyed Wade. Heat trips to the NBA Finals and two “My best-focused moments have compete against each other, we’re go- “That’s just disrespectful to the File picture of LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers. championships. always been against those guys that I ing to compete.” Gulf Times 10 Monday, March 28, 2016 SPORT

WGC MATCH PLAY British boxer in coma aft er Day downs McIlroy to book brain injury

London: British boxer Nick Blackwell has been placed in an induced coma after losing a domestic title fight. Saturday’s British mid- fi nal against Oosthuizen dleweight belt contest at London’s Wembley Arena saw Blackwell stopped in the The Australian will regain the world number one ranking from Spieth today tenth round by Chris Eubank Jr after the ringside doctor AFP ruled a closed left eye meant Austin, Texas he could not continue. It was not the first time a member of the Eubank ewly minted world number family had been involved in one Jason Day edged defend- a contest that ended with a ing champion Rory McIlroy 1 boxer being taken to hospital. up yesterday to reach the fi - Michael Watson sustained Nnal of the World Golf Championships life-threatening brain injuries Match Play in Austin, Texas. after being stopped by Chris Day triumphed in a heavyweight bat- Eubank senior after 11 rounds tle of the past two WGC Match Play of their 1991 World Boxing champions and was to duel with Louis Organisation super-middle- Oosthuizen in yesterday afternoon’s weight title bout at Tottenham championship match. The South Afri- Hotspur’s White Hart Lane can beat Rafa Cabrera Bello 4 and 3 in ground in north London. the other semi-fi nal. Watson survived but as Day’s quarter-fi nal victory over there was no ambulance and Brooks Koepka on Saturday, coupled no doctor at the fight, it was with Jordan Spieth’s round of 16 defeat, several minutes before he ensured the Australian will regain the received any treatment. His world number one ranking from Spieth case sparked major changes today. in the provision of ringside Day, the 2014 champion, can join Ti- medical cover which were ger Woods and Geoff Ogilvy as multiple all in force at Wembley on Match Play winners. He ended McIl- Saturday. roy’s bid to join Woods as the only play- The 25-year-old Blackwell er to successfully defend the title, but was carried out of the ring the Aussie admitted he found the tense on a stretcher and was still see-saw battle nerve-wracking. in hospital, under observa- “It was a hard match today,” said Day, tion, yesterday. British Boxing admitting he was nervous as he stood Board of Control general over the 13-foot par putt at the fi nal secretary Robert Smith said: hole, which he rolled into halve the hole “I spoke to one of the doctors and win the match. this (Sunday) morning and he “I would have been a little disap- said there is a bleeding of the pointed to go through all this stuff and brain. not have a chance of winning (the title),” “He’s in intensive care, he’s Day said. in an induced coma and he is Day took a one-up lead with a birdie resting and being looked after at the fi rst, then made a double bo- by the experts. It’s a very nor- gey at the second. The match was all mal procedure. They put you square through 11 when Day drove the in a coma to get the swelling green at the par-fi ve 12th, winning the to go down. There’s no time- hole with a birdie then winning the 13th scale. Now it’s just a matter of with a chip-in birdie. McIlroy drained a waiting and seeing.” 12-foot birdie putt to win the 14th, but World heavyweight cham- couldn’t win another hole. pion Tyson Fury tweeted his Oosthuizen is through to the fi nal for best wishes to Blackwell on the fi rst time after falling in the quarter- Saturday: “Will u all pray for @ fi nals each of the past two years. He has nickblackwell02 please ASAP yet to play the 18th hole this week. Ca- as he has been taken to hospi- brera Bello, who will move into the top tal, God be with him.” 50 in the world next week and thereby gain entry to the Masters, didn’t look as sharp as he had all week. Oosthuizen took the lead with a bird- ie at the fi rst and never relinquished it, winning the 14th and 15th to close it out as Cabrera Bello bogeyed both. “I could see he was not playing well,” Oosthui- Jason Day of Australia celebrates his par-saving putt on the 18th green to defeat Rory McIlroy (left) during their semi-final match at the WGC-Match Play in Austin. (AFP) zen said. “So I just wanted to hit greens, put pressure on him and make sure I third time in his career. He took a quick old Texan had never trailed in his three fi nish at the Singapore Open in Janu- hit those good wedges or iron shots in.” made pars.” lead over Chris Kirk with an 11-foot round-robin matches, but was dis- ary and fi rst on the US PGA Tour since Spieth said it might be no bad thing On Saturday, Day had advanced to birdie putt at the opening hole, but his patched 4 and 2 by Oosthuizen in the he opened the year with a victory at the that Day returns to the top of the rank- the semi-fi nal with a 3 and 2 victory three-putt bogey at the ninth let Kirk round of 16. “I didn’t make it very hard Tournament of Champions in Hawaii. ings, putting the spotlight on the Aussie over Brooks Koepka, which meant the square the match. McIlroy responded on Louis today, which is unfortunate,” Nevertheless, Spieth said he feels heading into the Masters. The American Australian will regain the world number emphatically, with birdies to win the Spieth said. “I was off from when I hit more confi dent about the year’s fi rst said he would now turn his attention one ranking from American Jordan Spi- 10th, 12th, 13th and 15th—all with putts my fi rst 10 shots on the range.” major at Augusta National after four toward next week’s Masters tuneup the eth, who was ousted on Saturday morn- from within 10 feet. By reaching the last 16, Spieth offi - days of pressure-packed match play. “I Houston Open. He was second in Hou- ing in the round of 16 by South African Meanwhile, with his Masters title cially fi nished the week tied for ninth— played very, very solid the last few days ston last year the week before he won at Louis Oosthuizen. defence a fortnight away, Spieth was ending a streak of four starts without a and most importantly I made a lot of Augusta National. Spieth was confi dent McIlroy, seeded third, reached the puzzled by the swing troubles that con- top 10 fi nish. birdies. That’s something I haven’t been his swing would be sorted by the time he semi-fi nals of the elite event for the tributed to his early exit. The 22-year- It’s his fi rst top 10 since a runner-up doing as of late, capitalizing when I do hit the practice range.

GOLF ROUND-UP RUGBY Jones braced for Poulter leads at Puerto Rico Open rough ride at home Reuters KO IN THE DRIVER’S SEAT Rio Grande, Puerto Rico AT KIA CLASSIC AFP Well, as respectful as Australians World number one Lydia Ko carded a bo- London can be! It defi nitely sets things gey-free 67 to seize a three-shot lead after up for a fantastic series on June an Poulter, without a win in more than three rounds of the Kia Classic in southern 11 (the date of the fi rst Test, in four years, birdied two of the fi nal four California on Saturday. ddie Jones is expect- Brisbane), and that’s very im- holes to grab the third-round lead at New Zealander Ko began the day tied ing a hard time from his portant.” the Puerto Rico Open on Saturday. for second with Brittany Lang and one Australian compatriots Jones, who took over after IWorld number 67 Poulter, the highest shot behind leader Jenny Shin but surged when he returns in June hosts England were knocked ranked player in the fi eld, made a late deci- three clear after shooting a tidy fi ve-under aimingE to lead England to more out of last year’s World Cup in sion to travel to the Caribbean island after round for a 14-under 202 total. success. But the tough-talking the pool phase following a 33-13 missing out on a place in this week’s WGC- Lang is tied with South Koreans Shin Tasmanian, who led the Wal- defeat by Australia, added: “It’s Dell Match Play event by one spot. and Park Sung-hyun at 11 under at the de- labies for four years including a nice to go down there with what But the Englishman is making his trip manding Aviara course in Carlsbad. home World Cup fi nal defeat by they will see as a resurgent Eng- worthwhile, a 68 giving him an 11-un- Ko was two-under for her front nine England before being ousted, is land team. “Australia had France der 205 total with one round left at Coco then reeled off three straight birdies from relishing the “intense” atmos- out there two years ago and, to Beach. Americans Tony Finau, Jonathan the 11th to put her in a strong position to phere of a tour down under and be quite honest, the three Tests Byrd and Steve Marino trail by one stroke. win her 11th LPGA Tour title. trying to build on England’s re- were quite morbid. They weren’t Overnight leader Rafael Campos, seeking “You don’t get that many opportuni- cent Grand Slam success. great. France didn’t front up at to become the fi rst Puerto Rican to win a ties where you’re going into the fi nal round Jones knows all too well that all. They were pretty poor events PGA Tour event since Chi Chi Rodriguez at with a three-shot lead,” the 18-year-old while getting England to com- and the crowds were poor. the 1979 Tallahassee Open, kept his chanc- said. “But I’ll take it. I’d rather be a couple plete a Six Nations clean sweep “But they are going to see an es alive with a 72 to fall two shots behind. shots ahead than a couple shots behind.” in his fi rst season in charge was England side full of energy, full Poulter, 40, is winless since the 2012 Park kicked off a run of vefi consecutive a fairly diffi cult hill to climb, of life, that wants to play posi- WGC-HSBC Championship in China. “It’s birdies at the 12th but an errant tee shot on overcoming Australia in the tive rugby and is going to take it been a while since I’ve been right there to 17 led to a double bogey. She hit back im- fi rst-ever three Test series there to the Aussies. It is going to be a have an opportunity to win a tournament,” mediately though with a birdie on the fi nal between the two nations will be tough and intense tour but it will he told PGATour.com. hole to stay in touch. Australia’s Minjee considerably harder. also be an exciting one.” “I’ve got to take things slowly. I’m try- Lee provided the highlight of the day when Asked if he expects to be tar- With his England players back ing to improve my swing. I’m trying to im- her 5-wood tee shot at the 275-yard par-4 geted by the Australian media at their respective clubs for the prove my consistency on the course. There 16th landed in front of the green, kicked as a potential ‘traitor’, Jones re- run-in to the English Premier- has been a lot of good stuff and lot of bad left and rolled into the cup for the second plied: “I am a target here (Eng- ship season, Jones’ biggest worry stuff as well. It’s about time to not allow hole-in-one on a par-4 in LPGA history. land) so it is not going to make is avoiding any sort of injury cri- the bad stuff to kick in, keep persevering, The fi rst came earlier this year from South much diff erence! sis between now and the end of keep working on the swing and hopefully Korean Jang Ha-na in the Bahamas. “That’s part of the game. If it May when the squad fl y out. at some stage the adrenaline will kick in “Just lucky,” said Lee, adding that it was does help take some of the pres- Despite a fi rst Grand Slam in and get me across the line.” her fi rst hole-in-one. “I hit a good one sure off the players then that can 13 years, and installing a clinical American George McNeill, who started shot, though. It’s a bit of both.” only be a good thing. It doesn’t winning attitude in a short time, the day in second place, was disqualifi ed World number two Park In-bee is four bother me. “I think they will be Jones will not be happy unless after the round for having used a non-con- strokes off the pace on 10-under with Jes- Ian Poulter of England plays his third shot from the bunker on the 14th hole respectful about what we have he turns England into the global forming club, the tour announced. sica Korda a shot further back. during the third round of the Puerto Rico Open in Rio Grande. (AFP) done regarding the Grand Slam. game’s dominant force. Gulf Times Monday, March 28, 2016 11 SPORT

TENNIS Murray wins but Nadal out in Miami health scare Nadal playing in the heat of the afternoon, feared for his safety and handed 94th-ranked Dzumhur a 2-6, 6-4, 3-0 triumph

AFP Miami

ritain’s Andy Murray moved into the third round of the ATP and WTA Miami Andy Murray hits a forehand during Open on Saturday but Rafael Nadal, his win over Denis Istomin at the dizzy as he struggled to cope with heat Miami Open. (USA TODAY Sports) andB humidity, retired from his match. World number two Murray, twice a Grand Slam champion, downed Uzbekistan’s 76th- ranked Denis Istomin 6-3, 7-5 to reach the third round in a night match. “That second set was tight but I managed to get through it,” said Mur- ray, who next faces Bulgarian 26th seed Grigor Dimitrov in his quest for a third Miami crown. Spanish fi fth seed Nadal, a 14-time Grand Slam champion playing in the heat of the af- ternoon, feared for his safety and handed 94th- ranked Bosnian Damir Dzumhur a 2-6, 6-4, 3-0 triumph, stopping during a match for the fi rst time in six years. “Everything was fi ne until the end of the fi rst set and I started to feel not very good,” Nadal said. “It was getting worse and worse and worse. “I get a little bit scared to be too dizzy and to lose fl uids. I called the doctor a couple of times. I decided I was not safe. I wanted to fi nish the match but I decided I would not.” Two-time Slam winners Stan Wawrinka and Petra Kvitova crashed out of the hardcourt event, although Nadal’s exit proved most stun- ning of all. “Hopefully it’s nothing,” Nadal said. “Hopefully it’s just the extreme conditions out there, the beginning of a virus combined with the conditions.” Nadal, a four-time Miami fi nalist but never a champion, was also a fi rst-match loser at the Australian Open, only the second Grand Slam opener defeat of his career. Dzumhur, 23, won 22 of the last 29 points as Nadal, 29, repeatedly spoke with a trainer, asking for his blood pres- sure to be taken after two games of the third set. “Can we not check the tension, if it is good or bad please?” he said. Told it was good, he said, “Continue.” After dropping the third game, he sat with his head down as a trainer told him, “If you’re feeling bad, there’s no point to continue.” Nadal battled through three more points and fi nally said he could not go on. “Defi nitely I want Rafa to recover,” said Dzumhur. “He’s one of the best players and I wish all the best for him.” World number one Serena Williams ousted Kazak Zarina Diyas 7-5, 6-3, in the match after Nadal and was also tested by the conditions. “It was defi nitely humid,” Williams said. “Rafa played before me. He was in the most intense part of the sun whereas I was on the tail end of it.” Swiss fourth seed Wawrinka, who has won titles this year at Chennai and Dubai, was oust- ed by Russia’s Andrey Kuznetsov 6-4, 6-3 while runner-up showing at Indian Wells. Ukraine’s 27th-seeded Alexandr Dolgopolov. retired, back injury Andrey Kuznetsov (RUS) bt Stan (FRA x9) bt Santiago Giraldo (COL) 6-3, 6-1 Andy Czech eighth seed Kvitova, the 2011 and 2014 Raonic beat American Denis Kudla 7-6 (7/4), Australian 24th seed Nick Kyrgios routed Wawrinka (SUI x4) 6-4, 6-3 Gael Monfils (FRA x16) Murray (GBR x2) bt Denis Istomin (UZB) 6-3, 7-5 Wimbledon winner, fell to Russian 30th seed 6-4 and next faces US 22nd seed Jack Sock, who Cypriot Marcos Baghdatis 6-2, 6-1, to set a bt Tatsuma Ito (JPN) 6-3, 6-2 Damir Dzumhur (BIH) Women’s 3rd rd Ekaterina Makarova 6-4, 6-4. advanced 6-2, 3-2 when Ukraine’s Sergiy Sta- third-round date with 132nd-ranked US quali- bt Rafael Nadal (ESP x5) 2-6, 6-4, 3-0, retired, illness Ekaterina Makarova (RUS x30) bt Petra Kvitova Wawrinka, the 2014 Australian Open and 2015 khovsky retired with a back injury. fi er Tim Smyczek, who outlasted US 13th seed Mikhail Kukushkin (KAZ) bt Thomas Bellucci (BRA (CZE x8) 6-4, 6-4 Svetlana Kuznetsova (RUS x15) bt French Open champion, managed only 16 win- The losses also mean highest-rated obstacles John Isner 6-2, 2-6, 7-6 (7/5). x30) 5-7, 6-3, retired, dehydration Pablo Cuevas Caroline Garcia (FRA) 4-6, 6-2, 7-6 (8/6) Agnieszka ners against 37 unforced errors and went 0-for- to Murray reaching the fi nal are in his quarter of RESULTS (URU x23) bt John Millman (AUS) 7-5, 6-4 Grigor Radwanska (POL x3) bt Madison Brengle (USA) 6-3, 8 on break point chances. Kuznetsov, ranked a the bracket, Japanese sixth seed Kei Nishikori (x denotes seeded player): Dimitrov (BUL x26) bt Frederico Delbonis (ARG) 7-6 6-2 Heather Watson (GBR) bt Yanina Wickmayer career-best 51st, avenged a third-round loss to and French ninth seed Jo-Wilfried Tsonga. Men’s 2nd rd (10/8), 4-6, 6-4 Nick Kyrgios (AUS x24) bt Marcos (BEL) 3-6, 7-5, 6-3 Simona Halep (ROM x5) bt Julia Wawrinka at Indian Wells and made the Swiss Nishikori advanced to the third round by Kei Nishikori (JPN x6) bt Pierre-Hugues Herbert Baghdatis (CYP) 6-2, 6-1 Roberto Bautista Agut (ESP Goerges (GER) 6-4, 6-1 Serena Williams (USA x1) his highest-ranked beaten foe. downing 107th-ranked French qualifi er Pierre- (FRA) 6-2, 7-6 (7/4) Alexandr Dolgopolov (UKR x27) x17) bt Aljaz Bedene (GBR) 7-5, 2-2, retired, wrist in- bt Zarina Diyas (KAZ) 7-5, 6-3 Timea Bacsinszky With Nadal and Wawrinka out, the top- Hugues Herbert 6-2, 7-6 (7/4). The 2014 US bt Andreas Seppi (ITA) 6-4, 6-4 Milos Raonic (CAN jury Tim Smyczek (USA) bt John Isner (USA x13) 6-2, (SUI x19) bt Ana Ivanovic (SRB x16) 7-5, 6-4 Elina ranked player in their quarter of the draw is Open runner-up, coming off a fourth consecu- x12) bt Denis Kudla (USA) 7-6 (7/4), 6-4 Jack Sock 2-6, 7-6 (7/5) Adrian Mannarino (FRA) bt Sam Quer- Svitolina (UKR x12) bt Caroline Wozniacki (DEN x23) Canadian 12th seed Milos Raonic, coming off a tive title at Memphis last month, next meets (USA x22) bt Sergiy Stakhovsky (UKR) 6-2, 3-2, rey (USA x29) 6-7 (5/7), 6-2, 6-4 Jo-Wilfried Tsonga 5-7, 6-4, 7-6 (7/1)

SQUASH Sagan triumphs Gent-Wevelgem marred by motorbike accident El Sherbini makes history for Brussels: Slovakia’s Peter Sagan prevailed in a Cappel, northern France, with Demoitie, 25, four-man sprint to claim victory in yesterday’s transported to a hospital in Lille. Gent-Wevelgem cobbled classic in Belgium, but Egypt with British Open victory the race was overshadowed by a serious crash QUINTANA WINS TOUR OF CATALONIA involving Belgian rider Antoine Demoitie. Colombia’s Nairo Quintana won the Tour of Sagan, who was second at Friday’s E3 Harel- Catalonia on yesterday with the final stage—a AFP beke, held off Fabian Cancellara, Vyacheslav 136km circuit around Barcelona’s Montjuic area, London Kuznetsov and Sep Vanmarcke to record his the site of the 1992 Olympic Games—going to second Gent-Wevelgem triumph after winning Alexey Tsatevich of Russia. the 2013 edition. “I’m very happy that I’ve won Quintana, head of the Movistar team, took our El Sherbini became the fi rst finally in this (rainbow) jersey,” said Sagan, after the lead in what is Spain’s oldest stage race at Egyptian woman to win the earning his first win as world champion. the end of the fourth stage at Port Aine and he 94-year-old British Open title “I’m reassured. I showed on the Kemmel never looked like losing that yesterday. when she overcome her compatriot NNouran Gohar in fi ve tight games yesterday. (climb) that my legs respond,” added the Slovak The Colombian successfully resisted a series who will go into next weekend’s Tour of Flan- of attacks from Chris Froome, Alberto Conta- Gohar, aged only 18, had been trying to be- ders, one of cycling’s five Monuments, as one of dor and Dan Martin in a race that featured the come the youngest women’s winner, but after the favourites. majority of this year’s contenders for the Tour a match full of unusually hard hitting she was Yesterday’s race lived up to its gruelling repu- de France. While Tsatevich edged out Slovenia’s beaten 11-7, 9-11, 7-11, 11-6, 11-8. tation, with riders battling strong winds as they Primoz Roglic in a sprint finish, Quintana fin- For the second time in the tournament tackled 10 climbs over a 243km route, including ished seven seconds clear of Spain’s Contador Gohar suff ered a bleeding knee which re- two ascents of the Kemmelberg. (Tinkoff ) overall with Ireland’s Martin (Etixx) in quired treatment, and after a nine-minute The decisive breakaway came just after third at 17 seconds off the pace. delay Sherbini produced a brilliant forehand the final climb of the Kemmelberg, around 35 Defending Tour de France champion Froome counter-hit and then two more heavy, accu- kilometres from the finish, as Sagan, Cancellara (Team Sky) was forced to settle for eighth place rate forehand drives to close it out. and Vanmarcke reeled in Kuznetsov to form a as he ended 46 seconds adrift. “It’s really weird to hear that I am cham- leading quartet. The Etixx-QuickStep team of “There’s a lot of emotion to have been able pion,” said Sherbini, who played in the 2012 three-time winner Tom Boonen and Niki Terp- to beat my rivals. It gives me confidence that fi nal but is still only 20. “The last two points stra launched a bid to chase them down but we are working well,” said Quintana, who, like depended on such a small margin. were foiled as the gap quickly increased, before Froome, was racing for the first time in Europe “I’m very proud be the fi rst Egyptian an inevitable dash to the finish ensued. this season. However, he was mindful not to (woman) to win. It’s a huge thing and hope- Egypt’s Nour El Sherbini (left) and Mohamed El Shorbagy pose with their trophies after Meanwhile, Demoitie was rushed to hospital read too much into the result, adding: “I won fully other Egyptians will make us proud.” winning the British Open squash titles yesteday. in a serious condition after he was struck by a the Tour of Catalonia by seven seconds, which With the men’s fi nal later being between motorbike following a fall earlier in the race. isn’t very much.” two of her compatriots, that sentiment was trated by a controversial “no let” decision ing back the tears while still on court. “Antoine Demoitie is in Lille hospital after For Contador, who like Froome is a two-time certain to be realised soon. Mohamed El which helped Gohar to reduce a three-point “I was so close. But it was my fi rst fi nal and a serious crash with a motor bike in Gent- winner of the Tour de France, his second-place Shorbagy, the defending champion, was tak- defi cit to one at 6-7. I didn’t quite have the experience to win it.” Wevelgem,” read a post on the Wanty-Gobert finish marked another near-miss for the Span- ing on Ramy Ashour, who became the fi rst It was still one point, at 7-8, when Sher- FINAL RESULTS team’s Twitter account, confirming earlier infor- iard. “It’s a pity that I missed the win for four Egyptian in almost 50 years to take the title bini pointed out that her already badly cut Men: Mohamed El Shorbagy (EGY x1) bt Ramy mation provided to AFP by emergency services. seconds at Paris-Nice and seven here, it would when he won three years ago. knee had started bleeding again, and she was Ashour (EGY x5) 11-3, 11-5, 11-9 The accident occurred in Sainte-Marie- have been to round it off ,” he said. In a thrilling fi nal game, Sherbini was obliged to leave the court. Women: Nour El Sherbini (EGY x4) bt Nouran warned for a collision early on, and then frus- “I am very sad,” Gohar said, bravely hold- Gohar (EGY x8) 11-7, 9-11, 7-11, 11-6, 11-8

Monday, March 28, 2016 GULF TIMES SPORT

FOCUS China’s Long, Shiwen clinch Qatar Open table tennis titles Zhang Jike-Fan Zhendong and Ding Ning-Liu Shiwen win the men’s and the women’s doubles titles respectively

ITTF singles title at the Grand Finals Doha on one occasion, Long has won four times; thus overall Sam- sonov has 27 men’s singles titles hina’s Ma Long and Liu and Long is one behind. Shiwen won the men’s The women’s singles crown and women’s singles also went the way of the top seed titles of the 2016 ITTF as China’s Liu Shiwen cruised to WorldC Tour Qatar Open at Ali a comfortable 4-1 triumph over Bin Hamad al-Attyia Arena compatriot and number two yesterday. seed Ding Ning. Ma, the current world cham- Shiwen, who lost out to Ding pion and world number one, in the fi nal of the 2015 World raced into a two-game lead Championships in Suzhou, before Fan got himself back never looked in doubt of claim- into contention by taking the ing the title despite dropping the third. second game. It proved to be a fl eeting mo- The 24-year-old ensured she ment of success for Fan in an ea- fi nished top of the pile by re- gerly anticipated clash between cording an 11-8, 9-11, 11-8, 11-9, the world’s top two competitors 11-9 win against Ding, who was as Ma went on to secure an 11- no match for her team-mate and 9, 11-9, 5-11, 13-11, 11-5 victory was forced to settle for second to reassert his status as the best place. male table tennis player in the Shiwenhad been in confi dent world. form throughout the tourna- He had overcome a dangerous ment and reached the fi nal by opponent in Germany’s Dimitrij dispatching another Chinese Ovtcharov in the last four earlier player in Zhu Yuling, the third on the fi nal day of the competi- seed, in straight games 11-6, 11- tion, progressing to the tourna- 3, 11-8, 11-2. ment’s showpiece contest by Ding also enjoyed a relatively virtue of a 9-11, 11-6, 11-7, 11-4, straightforward path to a meet- 11-7 success. ing with Shiwenas she beat Hong The result means that Long Kong’s Tie Yana, seeded 14th, 11- maintains his dominance over 7, 11-5, 11-6, 9-11, 11-2. Zhendong; they have now met The two formidable Chinese China’s Ma Long (C) celebrates on the podium with secretary general of Qatar Olympic Committee Dr. Thani Abdulrahman al-Kuwari (R) and Qatar Table Tennis Association presi- on seven occasions in world players were involved in a thrill- dent Khaleel Ahmed al-Mohannadi (L) after winning men’s singles title at the ITTF World Tour Qatar Open yesterday. PICTURES: JAYARAM ranking events and Long has won ing women’s doubles fi nal be- all seven. fore they faced off for singles “We both played well, there supremacy as they teamed up might not have been many fan- to oust Japan’s Ai Fukuhara and tastic rallies, but we were both Mimo Ito 6-11, 11-9, 11-6, 4-11, fully focused,” said Long. 11-7. “It’s only been a month since “I think the match wasn’t the World Championships in as exciting as we had hoped Kuala Lumpur, and we didn’t it would be, probably because have much rest to recover to our this is the second consecutive best state.” World Tour event, so we were “It was a very tight match, the a little exhausted,” said Shiwen. fi rst three games that I won were It was the fourth time that both decided by the minimal two Shiwen reached the women’s points”, said Long. singles fi nal in Doha and the “It was not easy at all, the fi rst third time she had faced Ning in three games were the most criti- the fi nal. cal in the match.” “Today’s win is a confi dence It was Long’s 22nd win in his booster for me ahead of the Rio 32nd second ITTF World Tour Games,” said Shiwen. men’s singles fi nal. “We are in a crucial period of He is now the most successful time where our internal compe- of the Chinese male players as he tition is very intense to qualify surpasses Wang Liqin, who won for Rio,” said Shiwen. on 21 titles. China’s Zhang Jike and Fan He trails Vladimir Samsonov Zhendong defeated Japan’s Koki of Belarus, who has 26 titles but Niwa and Maharu Yoshimura if you add the Grand Finals, he is (11-8, 11-9, 11-7) in the men’s only one behind. doubles. Samsonov has won the men’s China’s Liu Shiwen (R) poses with the women’s singles trophy yesterday.

SPOTLIGHT QIGC helps promote sustainability in community

By Sports Reporter most sustainable projects in the one of three schools already tak- Doha world. It is currently working ing part in a dedicated schools through the Golf Environment outreach initiative, the Pearl Organisation’s (GEO) OnCourse Coaching Programme, put in atar International Golf Developments programme to place by the golf club to give the Club (QIGC), Doha’s achieve GEO Certifi ed Develop- youngest members of the com- new world class golf- ment status with the aim of max- munity a chance to learn and en- ing destination, has imising the role of the project in joy golf with expert coaching and shownQ its commitment to be- enhancing nature, conserving tuition. The programme is an- coming one of the most socially resources and supporting local other important part of QIGCs and environmentally sustainable communities. QIGC is an early commitment to providing ben- projects in the world by hosting adopter of the programme and efi t to the local community and local schoolchildren to take part has been working with GEO, a aims to get golf clubs into the in a live science lesson at the de- not-for-profi t that is dedicated hands of 2,000 local school chil- velopment. to supporting the global golf dren to encourage them to keep 25 students from the local community in sustainable de- an active and healthy lifestyle Qatar Academy Sidra, which is velopment, since 2012. through sport. also taking part in the golf club’s Mohamed al-Naimi, Deputy Qatar International Golf Club Pearl Coaching Programme, General Manager at Qatar Inter- is a landmark project for Qatar were invited to the project to national Golf Club commented: and the world of golf, off ering a learn more about the importance “One of the most unique things revolutionary and holistic ap- of sustainability. about our project globally is its proach to growing the game of After planting a tree on the commitment to becoming one golf. The cutting edge facility has 14th hole of the new course and of the most sustainable projects been designed to support every hearing from Darren Smith, Golf in the world, not just from an member of society regardless of Course Superintendent, on how environmental perspective but age or ability - from complete plants and trees are used to help also socially. As well as making beginners to the world’s leading water conservation, students sure we are enhancing the natu- professionals – and focusses on went back to the classroom to ral habitat and conserving re- accessibility and enjoyment. take part in educational experi- sources throughout every stage It comprises a range of short ments where they had the op- of our build and operation, it is game formats, a state-of-the- portunity to build a fairway pro- also important that a project of art learning and practice facil- fi le and learn more about how this nature supports the local ity and an18-hole championship golf courses are built. community. golf course, 6-hole champion- The activity was conducted “The recent schools activity ship course and 9-hole par-3 in support of World Soil Day we hosted was a perfect way to course all designed by two-time which helped students under- bring these objectives together. major winner Jose Maria Olaza- stand more about using turf, soil Local students had an opportu- bal. The unrivalled combination and plants to help reduce water nity to learn from the project and of a premium golfi ng, leisure and consumption and respecting the the techniques we are using to sports education facility in one natural environment. make sure we are advancing golf location, Qatar International The activity comes as part of course sustainability.” Golf Club is truly unique to the QIGCs aim to become one of the The Qatar Academy Sidra is region and the world. Local school students learn about sustainabilty at QIGC.