QatarTribune Qatar_Tribune QatarTribuneChannel qatar_tribune Nasser Al Attiyah upbeat as Jordan Rally begins today page 15 THURSday, MAY 27, 2021

Qatar’s Ambassador to China, hosts promotional reception for FIFA World Cup 2022

His Excellency Mohamed bin Abdullah Al Dehaimi, Ambassador of the State of Qatar to the People’s Republic of China, hosted a promotional reception for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 at his residence in . Rojas ready to fly again in

Worldathletics 47.50 and 47.68 respectively when finishing behind Benja- hirty-two athletes min at Mt SAC, are also in the Twho earned medals at the line-up. Champion- Two of the greatest all- ships Doha 2019 – including round sprinters in history will 12 champions – will return to clash at their specialist distance the Qatari capital on Friday for when Michael Norman takes the second Wanda Diamond on Fred Kerley over 400m. League meeting of 2021. Norman, the world leader Every scoring discipline in 2019 and 2018, is undefeat- on the programme includes ed at 400m this year. World at least one world medallist, bronze medallist Kerley, HE Dr. Thani bin Abdulrahman Al Kuwari, President, Qatar Athletics while four of the disciplines – meanwhile, has impressed at a Federation, and Second Vice-President Qatar Olympic Committee. the women’s triple jump, pole range of distances, clocking a vault, discus and 100m PB of 9.91 and an indoor – boast the full complement 400m best of 45.03. Qatar Athletics of podium finishers from the The US duo’s head-to-head 2019 World Championships. record currently stands at 3-3. All eyes will be on the tri- Norman won two of their three Federation prez ple jump after world cham- clashes in 2019, but Kerley pion Yulimar Rojas bounded took the US title ahead of Nor- out to a world-leading 15.43m man that year with both men affirms readiness at the World Athletics Conti- dipping inside 44 seconds. nental Tour meeting in Andu- QOC success. jar last week. Her leap is the Venezuelan athlete Yulimar Rojas – Olympic silver medallist and two time world champion in triple jump – Obiri and Cheruiyot target Doha He underlined that Doha same distance as her world bounded out to a world-leading 15.43m at the World Athletics Continental Tour meeting in Andujar last week. triumphant return is ready to host this global indoor record and just seven Kenyan distance duo Timothy HE Dr. Thani bin Abdulrah- sporting event, and is able to centimetres – which, if you’re burn and Kenya’s Hyvin Ki- Cheruiyot and Hellen Obiri man Al Kuwari, Second Vice- fulfill this challenge through reading this on a smartphone, yeng – are also in the line-up, struck gold in Doha two years President of the Qatar Olym- the great cooperation with the is roughly the width of your along with world bronze med- ago and will be aiming to come pic Committee and President Ministry of Public Health and device – away from the long- allist Gesa Felicitas Krause, out on top again this weekend. of Qatar Athletics Federation, the responsible and relevant standing world record. Asian champion Winfred Yavi, Obiri will contest the affirmed full readiness to host authorities in the country, as The last time Rojas was in Ugandan record-holder Peruth 3000m, the event she won the Wanda Diamond League well as the full commitment Doha, she won the world title Chemutai and sub-nine-min- at last year’s Doha Diamond 2021 (Doha Round) which will to local and international re- with 15.37m. The Venezue- ute performer Norah Jeruto. League meeting, and she’ll be be held at Suheim Bin Hamad quirements and the health lan will be reunited with the The women’s pole vault is of up against world 5000m silver Stadium at Qatar Sports Club protocol required to make top five finishers from that a similarly high standard and is medallist Margaret Chelimo on Friday. this edition of the Diamond occasion, including Olympic essentially a replay of the 2019 Sha’Carri Richardson lines up the field. Kipkemboi and 2017 world In a statement on Tuesday, League a success in the best champion Caterine Ibarguen, World Championships, featur- against world champion Shelly- The men’s 400m hurdles cross-country bronze medal- HE Dr. Al Kuwari said that the possible way. He noted that all world silver medallist Shanie- ing the top eight finishers from Ann Fraser-Pryce over 100m. has been one of the hottest list Lilian Rengeruk. All three Doha Round will, as usual, wit- participants will be subjected ka Ricketts, Commonwealth that competition. Their previous outing, at disciplines on the Wanda Dia- Kenyan women have set their ness a wide participation from to the safe medical bubble sys- champion Kimberly Williams, World champion Anzhe- the Wanda Diamond League mond League circuit in recent 3000m PBs in Doha. world and Olympics cham- tem to keep everyone safe. and 2011 world champion lika Sidorova returns to Dia- opener in Gateshead, was held years, and it makes its 2021 While Cheruiyot has domi- pions, where medal holders For his part, Deputy Di- Olga Saladukha. USA’s Ketu- mond League action for the in heavy rain and run into a debut in Doha with world sil- nated the 1500m on the Wan- of the last world champion- rector of the Tournament, rah Orji and Dominica’s Thea first time in almost two years. strong headwind with Rich- ver medallist Rai Benjamin da Diamond League circuit ships, which was held in Doha Khalifa Abdul-Malik, said that LaFond, both of whom have She vaulted 4.90m during the ardson clocking 11.44 (-3.1m/ lining up against world bronze in recent years, he has yet to in 2019, and medal holders of all preparations are going well set national records this year, indoor season but hasn’t com- s) and Fraser-Pryce a few hun- medallist Abderrahman Sam- win at the Doha meeting. He the last in Rio at Suheim Bin Hamad Sta- are also in the line-up. peted since then. dredths behind in 11.51. ba – half the members of the hopes to rectify that on Fri- de Janeiro 2016, will compete dium, stressing that the wide As with the triple jump, World indoor champion Conditions in Doha will be event’s sub-47-second club. day, though, when he takes on through 13 competitions to participation of international the women’s steeplechase also Sandi Morris and 2019 Dia- be far more conducive to fast Benjamin looked extreme- the lines of Australian record- qualify for the upcoming Olym- athletics champions confirms features the top five finishers mond League winner Katerina times. Fraser-Pryce owns the ly comfortable when racing to holder Stewart McSweyn, pic Games in Tokyo, scheduled the reputation that the State of from the World Champion- Stefanidi – both with season’s Qatari all-comers’ mark with the a world-leading 47.13 at the world indoor champion Sam- from July 23 to August 8. Qatar enjoys in this field, es- ships, led by a world champion bests of 4.80m – are also slat- 10.71 she recorded to win the Continental Tour Gold meet- uel Tefera, Ugandan record- The QFA president ex- pecially in light of the facilities and world record-holder. ed to compete, but Katie Na- 2019 world title. Richardson, ing at Mt SAC earlier this holder Ronald Musagala and pressed his happiness at host- which participants will find Beatrice Chepkoech hasn’t geotte may start as the slight meanwhile, holds the world- month. Samba hasn’t con- world indoor 3000m bronze ing the Doha Diamond Round, since their arrival at Hamad contested a steeplechase so favourite. The US vaulter re- leading mark at 10.72 and looks tested a hurdles race since the medallist Bethwell Birgen. which he described as a major International Airport, along far this year, but the Kenyan cently cleared a world-leading primed to go even faster. 2019 World Championships World silver medallist global event watched by millions with the luxurious accommo- has shown great form on flat PB of 4.93m, moving her up World bronze medallist final, but a 45.43 clocking on Amel Tuka and world bronze of people around the world, in dations and world-class train- events, clocking a world 5km one place to equal fifth on the Marie Josee Ta Lou, Nigeria’s the flat in South Africa two medallist Ferguson Cheruiyot light of these exceptional cir- ing facilities. record of 14:43 in February, world all-time list. Blessing Okagbare, world months ago shows the Qatari Rotich will square off in the cumstances the world is going Abdul-Malik indicated followed three days later by an indoor champion Murielle hurdler is in good form. men’s 800m. Britain’s Daniel through due to the outbreak of that the Doha Round is an ide- indoor 3000m PB of 8:31.72. Richardson takes Ahoure, World Indoor Tour Kyron McMaster of the Rowden, who made a break- the Coronavirus (COVID-19). al opportunity for the national The two women who pre- on Fraser-Pryce winner Javianne Oliver and British Virgin Islands and Ali- through last year with some Al Kuwari emphasized the team to strengthen its pres- ceded Chepkoech as world For the second time within the USA’s Hannah Cunliffe add son Dos Santos of , who notable international victo- full readiness and ability of the ence in the Olympic Games in champion – USA’s Emma Co- space of a week, world leader further depth and quality to recorded national records of ries, will make his 2021 debut. local organizing committee Tokyo by achieving the neces- to make this championship a sary qualifying scores. Barshim and Drouin to resume duel or the first time in almost winning the world title in sen- All three world medallists Ffour years, world cham- sational style on home soil, in the women’s discus – Yaime pion Mutaz Barshim will com- while Drouin has been out of Perez, Denia Caballero and pete against Olympic cham- action since 2017 and is only Sandra Perkovic – will be in pion Derek Drouin in the high just returning to top-flight action on Friday. The pres- jump at the Wanda Diamond competition, having cleared ence of USA’s Valarie Allman league in Doha on Friday. 2.24m at a low-key meeting means the line-up contains The duo racked up a last week. three women with 70-metre- stack of medals and Dia- World bronze medallist plus PBs. mond League wins between Ilya Ivanyuk, who cleared In the men’s shot put, 2012 and 2017, both joining a world-leading 2.37m last meanwhile, two-time world the exclusive 2.40m club in weekend, also competes, as indoor champion Tom Walsh the process, but their careers does European indoor cham- takes on Serbian record-hold- were hampered by injuries in pion Maksim Nedasekau and er Armin Sinancevic, Croatia’s World high jump champion Mutaz Barshim will competing against recent years. 2018 Diamond League winner Filip Mihaljevic and Poland’s The Suhaim Bin Hamad Stadium at Qatar Sports Club will play host to Olympic champion Derek Drouin For the first time in almost four years. Barshim returned in 2019, Brandon Starc. Konrad Bukowiecki. the Doha Round of Wanda Diamond League 2021 on Friday. 14 Thursday, May 27, 2021 Sports

Yousuf Hassan added to Qatar squad for games against India and Oman: FIFA WC 2022 & AFC 2023 Qualifiers Expectations high, but situation hasn’t been ideal: India coach Stimac ANI in Doha. “We are thankful to New Delhi you President and all in the AIFF for providing us the op- All India Football Federa- portunity to come earlier, and tion President Praful Patel also taking our cause with the on Wednesday met senior Government of Qatar and ar- members of the Indian sen- ranging for us to train even ior national team via video- during quarantine.” conferencing to get a feel of “The expectations are high their preparations in Doha but realistically the situation ahead of the FIFA World Cup hasn’t been ideal,” he added. Qatar 2022, and AFC Asian India are scheduled to play Cup China 2023 Qualifiers, Asian Champions Qatar on slated to be played from June June 3, Bangladesh on June Yousuf Hassan (left) has been called up to the Qatar national football team ahead of the games against India and Oman in the joint qualifiers for FIFA World Cup 2022 and AFC 3 onwards. 7, and Afghanistan on June Asian Cup 2023. (On right) Qatar coach Felix Sanchez imparts intructions during a training session on Tuesday. The AIFF President en- 15 with all three matches to be couraged the players to stay fit played at the Jassim Bin Ham- and wished them good luck. ad Stadium, Doha. “More power to all of you. The players in unison also I wish all of you good health expressed their gratitude to Chelsea and strength. We are ex- Patel for his endeavour in tremely proud of you,” Patel helping the squad, and ex- return unsold said, as reported by official pressed their commitment, Kiel on brink of website of AIFF. despite “the preparation not Champions “We spoke to the Qatar being an ideal one owing to the government and we were lucky current circumstances.” League final that they didn’t insist on the “We are making the most 10-day quarantine, and that of the circumstances,” talis- tickets: Report has allowed the squad to as- manic captain Sunil Chhetri after semble in Doha and begin our maintained, only to be com- DPA training sessions,” he added. plemented by Sandesh who Speaking about the up- quipped: “The confidence in coming matches, Patel said: the squad is high. We have Chelsea have returned “This has been a terrible time. done it earlier and there’s no more than 800 tickets for Sat- play-off win We have not had any normal- reason why we can do it again. urday’s Champions League cy as such. The format of the We have grown as a team and final against Manchester City leagues was also different - all we need to take it forward to- in Porto, the BBC reported on DPA played from inside the bubble. gether.” Wednesday. Cologne () I understand and appreciate Gurpreet Singh Sandhu UEFA gave Chelsea 5,800 the concern of Igor and the said: “We understand that the tickets. The unsold tickets are just 90 entire team arising out of the preparations have not been are part of a charter package, minutes away from a maiden difficult circumstances.” ideal but we are confident in which included flights. promotion to the Bundesliga Head coach Igor Stimac our abilities as a team. We are Chelsea Supporter Trust after super-sub thanked the President for not scared, and moving into the board member Dan Silver headed the only goal of their helping the squad arrive early qualifiers, that’s important.” was quoted as saying by the promotion play-off first leg at BBC: “UEFA’s insistence on Cologne on Wednesday. having charter flights – ini- Lorenz had been on the tially linked to 90 per cent pitch less than 60 seconds of tickets which the clubs when he nodded the decisive pushed back on - spending 59th minute goal and Kiel will only 24 hours in Portugal defend their 1-0 lead at home with added Covid testing and on Saturday. additional costs have made it Cologne saved themselves very prohibitive. from automatic relegation “Selling tickets for up to late in the final round of the 400 euros (489 dollars) for a Bundesliga regular season last limited access final with un- weekend but face the drop re- necessary travel is outrageous gardless unless they can make when there were obvious solu- play-off history. tions closer to home.” Since the clash between the Porto’s Dragao Stadium third-placed side in the second is allowed to have 16,500 division and third last in the fans under coronavirus pro- Bundesliga was reintroduced tocols. in 2009, no side has triumphed The final was meant to be having lost the first leg. in Istanbul but after Britain put “Seeing the whole game, Turkey on its red list of coun- a draw would have been tries, effectively banning travel fair,” Cologne captain Jonas from there, UEFA moved the Hector told DAZN. “I’m disap- India’s head coach Igor Stimac with the team during a training ses- venue at short notice. pointed we’ve lost the game.” sion in Doha. India are scheduled to play Asian Champions Qatar on Chelsea and City fans had Cologne coach Friedhelm Holstein Kiel’s German defender Simon Lorenz (Up 3rd R) heads the ball during the German relegation June 3, Bangladesh on June 7, and Afghanistan on June 15 with all wanted the all-English final in Funkel remained confident, Bundesliga match against first division team 1 FC Cologne in Cologne on Wednesday. The retour relega- three matches to be played at the Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium. Britain but coronavirus entry saying: “We have half-time tion match will take place on May 29. (AFP) rules made it too complicated now. There is nothing at all for UEFA sponsors. decided.” Kiel have never second division side. spring. maintained their lead by clear- UEFA could face similar previously played in the Bun- “We have nothing to lose Cologne made the bet- ing Jonas Hector’s free kick issues at the continent-wide desliga and failed to secure because we’re already in the ter start but could only make from the lined and completing Quick read Euros in June and July, where automatic promotion on the second division. I think the half chances before they fell a brilliant block on Sebastian London’s Wembley is due to last two games of the second pressure is on Cologne.” Pro- behind against the run of play. Andersson’s follow up. Swedish star Ibrahimovic fined host the semis and final. division season. They also lost motion would conclude an Lee Jae Sung headed a cor- Should Cologne’s two- Germany has also banned play-offs in 2018 and 2020. astonishing Kiel campaign ner back across goal and Lor- year stay in the top-flight end, : Zlatan Ibrahimovic has been fined 50,000 euros travel from Britain for non- “The first stage is done. which included a run to the enz, about 20 seconds after they will join fellow fallen ($61,000) for holding a financial stake in a betting company in German residents, potentially We’ll take confidence and the German Cup semi-finals hav- entering the pitch, scored with giants Schalke and Werder breach of UEFA rules, the European football governing body said causing havoc for a Munich 1-0 score,” said Kiel midfield- ing eliminated champions his first touch. Bremen in a strong second di- Wednesday. The 39-year-old attacker was also ordered to give up quarter-final which will have a er while coach Ole Bayern Munich and a long rattled the bar vision next season which also his interest in the firm, previously reported by theA ftonbladet paper team who played at Wembley Werner insisted “we still have spell out of action following as Kiel tried to make things includes former European as being the Malta-based Bethard. His club AC Milan were fined in the previous round. the situation that we’re the a coronavirus outbreak in safe before champions SV Hamburg. 25,000 euros for their player’s infringement of the regulations. (dpa) Aspetar to provide medical support at Diamond League Doha 2021 Tribune News Network sporting events in Qatar. throughout the event at the Club. In addition, the provision Doha Aspetar will play a piv- venue and in the hotel which of medical services to the work- otal role as an official medical houses the participants.” force and media professionals Doha will host the second partner for the tournament by The competitions this year at events will be coordinated round of the Diamond League providing all medical services are conducted according to a with the Qatar Red Crescent at for Athletics for 2021 on Friday, at the event, and emphasizing health protocol that has been various other locations. to be held at Suhaim Bin Ham- the provision of comprehen- approved by the organizers It is worth noting that As- ad Stadium at Qatar Sports sive and high-quality services in accordance with the deci- petar and Qatar Athletics Fed- Club, and is expected to witness to the participants in vari- sions of the Ministry of Pub- eration signed a cooperation the participation of the most ous places of the tournament, lic Health and in compliance agreement early this year un- prominent stars of the world, such as the residence of del- with health and precautionary der which Qatari athletes will in a fierce competition in order egations, as well as during the measures in light of the COV- benefit from the distinguished to win and qualify for the Tokyo competitions. ID-19 pandemic, as Aspetar medical services provided by 2020 Olympic Games . The CEO of Aspetar Ab- will conduct tests to detect the Aspetar and the latest scientific For the ninth year in a row, dulaziz Jaham Al-Kuwari, said: coronavirus (COVID-19) for research and sports sciences. Aspetar, the Orthopedic and “Athletics is one of the most all athletes participating in the Qatari athletics stars will Sports Medicine Hospital, will popular sports in Qatar, and tournament in coordination benefit from comprehensive be providing their world-class through the Diamond League with the Qatar Athletics Fed- medical support in prepara- medical services to local and competition we seek to provide eration, and it was decided to tion for the Tokyo Olympics, international athletes partici- excellent services to athletes by For the ninth year in a row, Aspetar, the Orthopedic and Sports Medicine Hospital, will be providing their hold the championship (with- to confirm their merit, espe- pating in the event with the aim providing them with compre- world-class medical services to local and international athletes participating in the event. out fans) due to the pandemic. cially after the successful or- of providing medical coverage hensive medical support.” Aspetar will provide medi- ganization of the IAAF World for the Diamond League - Doha He added: “We are pleased achieved by the Qatari athlet- this beloved sport. team consisting of doctors, cal support services for athletes Athletics Championships 2019 Round, which is an example to be partners in this distin- ics champions in international “Aspetar has a medical nurses, physiotherapists and and IAAF officials at athletes’ organized by the International of Aspetar’s commitment to guished annual event. We are competitions and we are hap- clinic at Qatar Club stadium masseuses, who provide medi- hotels and during training and Athletics Federation and the support athletes during major also proud of the successes py to continue our support for led by a qualified medical cal care to the participants competition at Qatar Sports positive results achieved. Sports Thursday, May 27, 2021 15 Jamie Murray attacks French Open for cash cut and ‘toilet’ hotel DPA London

Jamie Murray has launched an attack on the French Open for cutting doubles prize mon- ey, while also calling the offi- cial hotel an “absolute toilet.” The clay-court grand slam starts next week and the 35-year-old Scot is due to play in the men’s doubles tourna- condition of the official tourna- ment with Brazilian partner ment hotel in Paris. Bruno Soares. He said on Twitter: “On Due to the ongoing corona- top of twice moving their event virus pandemic, the tournament dates to suit themselves, The has been moved for the second @FFTennis continues their successive year - starting a week “we don’t give a ****” mental- later than usual, while the over- ity by cutting the doubles prize all prize money has been cut by fund by 23%. around 10 per cent. “Thanks for actively sup- Team technicians prepare Qatar’s ace rally driver Nasser Saleh Al Attiyah’s car in Jordan. However, the coffers for porting all players across the the doubles competitions have tour. Ps. Your official hotel had a 23 per cent cut which for doubles players is absolute has angered Murray. toilet. He accused the French Ten- “Pps. Thanks for allowing nis Federation (FFT) of adopt- us the opportunity to bring ing a “we don’t give a **** men- one team member to support Jordan Rally gets underway tality” while also criticising the us during the event.”

Eng vs NZ: Edgbaston Test at Dead Sea from today to accommodate 18,000 Tribune News Network Meshari Al Thefiri is bid- spectators each day DEAD SEA (JORDAN) ding to continue his remark- able run of successes in the ANI Cricket wrote: “We CANNOT The 2021 edition of the world- MERC2 category with his Birmingham wait to have you back with us!” renowned Jordan Rally, round Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X. The As per the report, the pro- two of this year’s FIA Middle Kuwaiti said: “Everything is The second Test between cess has been agreed by Culture East Rally Championship, gets excellent. We tested the car England and New Zealand at Secretary Oliver Dowden and underway at the Dead Sea on on Monday in the Panorama Edgbaston will be the first pilot supported by Public Health Thursday afternoon. stage before we went to the event within the second phase of England, the England & Wales Record-breaking Qatari ral- recce. We did a 30-kilometre the government’s world-leading Cricket Board, Birmingham ly driver Nasser Saleh Al Attiyah test to fine tune everything and Events Research Programme City Council and Edgbaston’s will be aiming to rewrite his own the plan was to do another test and have crowds coming in for own Safety Advisory Group. history and win the event for a today. The stages look good. the June 10 to 14 encounter. “Whilst public health is the 14th time as he bids for a 17th The organisers have done a re- As per a report on edgbas- priority, the first stage pilots regional rally title and a 78th ally good job of planning. We ton.com, the stadium will be have shown how people can victory on a round of the cham- have won the Group N catego- able to accommodate around safely start to enjoy the things pionship since 2003. ry in the last three years and, 18,000 spectators each day, they love; live sport and mu- Speaking during the recce of course, we want to finish the 70 per cent of total stadium sic. It will be great to welcome Al Attiyah said: “We are really rally without problems.” capacity. Each individual tick- cricket fans to Edgbaston and happy to come back here to Jor- Several of the leading et holder must present a nega- give the England team a huge dan after the rally was cancelled drivers will attend the official tive COVID-19 result from an boost as nothing beats the at- last year because of COVID-19. pre-event press conference NHS Rapid Lateral Flow Test, mosphere that crowds create Thanks to the organisers and on the podium before the first completed within 24 hours in here,” Stuart Cain, Chief Ex- Prince Feisal to make this hap- car crosses the Dead Sea start advance of the day they are at- ecutive at Edgbaston, said. pen. It is very important for our ramp from 16.20hrs on Thurs- tending, and give consent to Tom Harrison, Chief Ex- region. Me and Matthieu are Abdullah Al Rawahi tests his Ford Fiesta in Jordan. day afternoon. take part in the programme. ecutive of the ECB, said: “Hav- excited to be here. The competitive action will The pilot event will have ing crowds back into cricket “I have a lot of nice memo- to compete in the Middle East nine nations. They completed ing Abdullah Al Rawahi and then take place over 10 gravel fans following all COVID-19 grounds is so important. The ries here. My start of racing Championship. I hope all the their two days of stage recon- Hamed Al Wahaibi of the special stages on Friday and protocols and the programme last 15 months have shown just was here in Jordan in 1989 in drivers continue to come back naissance today (Wednes- Oman Rally Team, also man- Saturday. will be used to collect informa- how big a role cricket plays in the Desert Challenge. We are each year.” day) before cars pass through aged to fit in a shakedown of Support for the event tion on the risk of transmis- many people’s lives, and we can- ready and are so happy to see The Jordan event has at- the mandatory FIA technical their cars at the start of the comes from Zain Jordan, sion of coronavirus at mass not wait to welcome a growing our friend Hamed Al Wahaibi tracted 13 entries in the FIA checks on Thursday morning. week to iron out any last min- Guarantee Travel Group and participation events. number of fans back to our sta- come back to do the race and category and competitors from Several drivers, includ- ute issues. Nestle Waters Jordan. On Twitter, the England dia over the coming months.”

Never thought I’d experience NBA D/N Test, says Mandhana ANI Lakers even series against Phoenix Suns New Delhi TCA/DPA Porzingis the only Mavericks India women’s opening batter Phoenix (Arizona) defender between him and Smriti Mandhana has said that the rim, the Clippers’ other she never felt that she would After Kentavious Caldwell- All-Star forward pulled a spin experience a day-night Test. Pope accused his team of not move that left him wide open India Women will play being ready for Game 1 of for a layup as Porzingis looked against Australia Women in a their first-round playoff series the other direction. day-night Test later this year at against the Suns, the Lakers Take a time machine back the WACA, Perth. The match bullied Phoenix on Tuesday, two years to the moment the would be played from Septem- playing with a different level Clippers acquired the star duo, ber 30-October 3. “Frankly, of physicality than they had and this was the kind of per- when I used to watch day-night when losing the opener. formance the franchise would Tests of men, I actually never The Lakers would be ready have dreamed of. felt that I will be able to experi- for what the Suns had to offer Leonard scored 30 points ence this moment - it is wrong in Game 2, pulling out a 109- before halftime Tuesday night to say ‘I’ at the moment - that 102 victory Tuesday night to in Game 2 of this first-round the Indian team will be able to Smriti Mandhana. even the best-of-seven series. playoff series, his most in any experience the moment. So, But even with the Lakers play- half of the postseason in his when it got declared, I was like one Test match on this tour. ing much sharper basketball, decorated career. - Oh, wow. That’s going to be “When we got to know of the Suns proved that the Lak- George, determined to crazy,” ESPNcricinfo quoted the first Test, againstE ngland, ers’ mere attendance wouldn’t bounce back from his off night Mandhana as saying. the whole team was really ex- be enough in this series. in Game 1, scored his team’s “I remember playing my cited. We all were looking for- Behind Andre Drum- first three baskets and had 17 first day-night one-day or T20 ward to it. The last Test match mond’s bulk and Anthony Da- by halftime, to pull the Clip- match. I was pretty excited, I was part of was in 2014, so vis’ length, the Lakers built a Andre Drummond #2 of the Los Angeles Lakers and Jae Crowder #99 of the Phoenix Suns reach for a pers out of a nine-point hole like a small kid. I was like, it’s been quite a long time, we double-digit lead. But the Suns’ jump-ball during the second half of Game Two of the Western Conference first-round playoff series at to trail by just two after two ‘Wow, we’ll be able to play a haven’t gone out in whites, so Cameron Payne caught fire in Phoenix Suns Arena in Phoenix, Arizona, on Tuesday. (Getty Images/AFP) quarters. day-night match’ and all of that excitement of playing a the fourth, leading the Phoenix Leonard finished with 41 that,” she added. Test match after nearly seven comeback and ensuring that a proved again that he’s wor- night, finishing with 24 points, dribbles with Paul George’s points while George had 28. Talking further about the years was on another level,” blowout wouldn’t happen. thy of almost instant double Caldwell-Pope and Kyle Kuz- right hand: the first going to Reggie Jackson was the only day-night Test, Mandhana said Mandhana. Davis - who had 34 points teams, while Ayton continued ma struggled for the second his right, then immediately other Clipper in double figures said: “Now that we are going “It’s too early at the mo- and 10 rebounds - and LeB- to feast around the basket. straight game, combining to pulling it back left. with 15 points. to play a day-night match, we ment. It is just going to be ron James scored 16 of the The Lakers’ shooting again shoot 1-for-8 and score one But they happened so Their performances were have lots of things to work a process. You have to get Lakers’ last 18 points. James failed to show up, the team basket. quickly, and the change of di- why everything else about on but there is a lot of excite- adapted to it. It’s too early for finished with 23 points and spending long chunks of ac- Marc Gasol gave a small rection was so unexpected for Game 2, a slugfest between ment...excitement about being us to start the pink-ball prepa- nine assists, while Drummond tion clanging open 3s, with lift off the bench, but the Lak- Kristaps Porzingis, that Dallas’ stars, was so concerning for the part of a day-night Test match, rations because the match is contributed 15 points and 12 Caldwell-Pope even hitting ers’ reserves were out-scored 7-foot-3 [2.21-meter] center Clippers. They needed every and that too in Australia, three-four months later. At rebounds. the side of the backboard on a by Payne, who was nearly out lost his footing and tipped single point from their stars just against Australia; it is always a the moment it’s more about While the Lakers were big- clean corner look. of the NBA before the Suns over onto his backside, help- to stay within 10 points early in good challenge. It’s going to be the England Test match, the ger and definitely stronger, the But the Lakers did get to signed him late last season. less as the Clippers forward the fourth quarter. But the Clip- a great moment for the Indian Duke’s ball, and all of that Suns were game for the fight. the foul line, led by Davis, who Game 3 is Thursday in Los took one long stride past him pers’ rally late that pulled them women’s cricket team.” stuff, so let’s see,” she added. With Chris Paul limited, made up for a bad night from Angeles. Tuesday for a second-quarter, within four points fell short, India Women will first play Recently, BCCI unveiled his injured shoulder taped, the perimeter with a good volume-raising basket at Sta- and a 127-121 loss Tuesday left against England in a multi-for- annual contracts for the wom- Devin Booker and Deandre night from the stripe. Clippers fall again to ples Center. them trailing the Mavericks 2-0 mat series this June-July. Mith- en’s players and Mandhana was Ayton gave the Lakers’ defense While Dennis Schroder Mavericks, trail 2-0 Only minutes later, it was in the best-of-seven series. ali Raj’s side will also be playing placed in the Grade A category. problems. The Suns guard had an excellent offensive Los Angeles: It was just two Kawhi Leonard’s turn. With Game 3 is Friday in Dallas.