SPORT Wednesday 9 May 2018

PAGE | 21 PAGE | 22 Simona Halep Alex Ferguson overpowers ‘showing signs Mertens in Madrid of recovery’

Brilliant Al Duhail thrash 4-2 CHINTHANA WASALA THE PENINSULA

DOHA/AL AIN: A brilliant team effort from Al Duhail earned the Qatar giants a significant 4-2 win against UAE’s Al Ain in their AFC Champions League Round of 16 match played at the Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium yesterday. Youssef El Arabi (16), Nam Tae-hee (39), Ismail Mohammad (48) and (55) were on target for Al Duhail who gained a massive advantage in yester- day’s away match ahead of their second leg clash which will take place in Doha on May 15. The unbeaten Qatari side was in control from the beginning of the game. Several attempts were made by Al Duhail’s Karim Boudiaf, Mohammad and Tae- hee, but El Arabi was the first to open the scoring the visitors. In the 16th minute, El Arabi headed the ball from the centre of the box but was saved by the Al Ain goalkeeper Khalid Eisa. However, the ball was picked up by Ali who passed it through to El Arabi who found the net this time with a left-footed shot from the same spot to the bottom right corner. The South Korean star Tae-hee doubled their lead in the 39th minute when he almost single-handedly carried the ball from his own box after a fast Al Ain’s Khalid Eisa (left) reacts as Al Duhail’s Almoez Ali celebrates his goal during the AFC Champions League match played at the Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium in Al Ain, break to the opposite end of the yesterday. pitch and beat the goalkeeper. Tae-hee was given a chase all the way by Mohammed Abdul- corner as Al Duhail took a 2-0 following a clever through pass to receive a cross from Tae-hee the ball into the net from very Elsewhere, Giorgi Gvele- rahman, but the Al Ain midfielder half-time lead. by El Arabi. and made no mistake in directing close range after he received a siani’s last-gasp penalty kick was failed to stop the Korean who Just three minutes after the By this time the Al Ain the ball into the bottom left cross from Omar Abdulrahman. the difference as Iranian giants produced one of the best goals half-time break, coach Djamel looked totally dejected, but Al corner from the left side of the With just four minutes to go Zobahan overcome fellow seen this season. Belmadi was delighted to see a Duhail put more misery on the box with a left-footed kick to bag for full time, they reduced the Iranian side Esteghlal 1-0 in the Tae-hee easily got the ball third away goal, this time when home side, making it 4-0 in the his first goal of the day. deficit again with Ibrahim Diaky first leg of the 2018 AFC Cham- past Al Ain goalkeeper with a Ismail shot from close range 55th minute. Al Ain made it 4-1 in the 68th firing into the bottom left corner pions League Round of 16 clever kick into the bottom left into the centre of the goal Ali perfectly placed himself minute as Ahmed Khalil headed following a set piece situation. yesterday. Rajasthan Qatar Airways partners with Boca Juniors beat Punjab THE PENINSULA Partnership will see the Qatar Airways logo on the by 15 runs to DOHA: Qatar Airways is further strength- Argentinian club’s jersey. ening its sporting partnerships around the stay alive world with the announcement that from Based in Buenos Aires, Boca AGENCIES the upcoming season (2018/19) it will Juniors is Argentina’s most become the Official Jersey Sponsor of the successful football club. world-renowned Argentinian football club JAIPUR: Rajasthan Royals the Boca Juniors through the 2022/23 lived to fight another day with season. very fruitful for both institutions in ful- a 15-run win over Kings XI The new partnership further filling their objectives and goals,” Angelici Punjab as KL Rahul’s strengthens Qatar Airways’ global part- added. unbeaten 95, coming amidst nership portfolio and will see the airline’s Qatar Airways is already renowed a surprise batting meltdown, logo proudly appear on the club’s jerseys, for championing sport as a means of went in vain in the Indian allowing the Qatar Airways brand to be connecting communities around the yesterday. seen by millions of football fans around world. Opting to bat in this must- the world, while championing the airline’s Qatar celebrates a dedicated National win game, Rajasthan Royals belief of sports as a means of bringing Sports Day each year, while the airline could only muster 158 for people together. already partners with other football club eight despite Jos Buttler’s Qatar Airways has long celebrated giants, German football team FC Bayern blazing 58-ball 82 at the strong ties with the South American con- Munich AG, of which it is a Platinum Sawai Mansingh Stadium. tinent, where it flies daily to Sao Paulo and Partner, and as announced in April, as The home team, however, to the capital of Argentina, Buenos Aires, Main Global Partner of AS Roma, with the staged a strong fightback with since 2010. Qatar Airways Group further airline’s logo appearing on the team’s the ball as it restricted Kings strengthened these ties in December 2016 shirts. XI Punjab to 143 for seven in through a strategic investment by our sporting sponsorship portfolio with Boca Juniors President, Daniel Qatar Airways is also the Official the stipulated 20 overs. acquiring 10 per cent of South American the world’s best teams. We are excited to Angelici, said: “We are very proud and Airline Partner of FIFA, which includes Brief Scores: LATAM Airlines Group. further expand our presence in South grateful that one of the most prestigious 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia, the FIFA Club Rajasthan Royals: 158/8 Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, America with our brand represented on airlines in the world has chosen Boca World Cup, the FIFA Women’s World Cup (Jos Buttler 82, Sanju Samson Akbar Al Baker, said: “Qatar Airways is the club’s jerseys, and look forward to sup- Juniors as part of their regional expansion and the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar, as 22; Andrew Tye 4/34) delighted to partner with world-renowned porting the Boca Juniors in their forth- strategy in South America.” well as the Formula E electric street racing Kings XI Punjab: 143/7 Football Club Boca Juniors as we enhance coming seasons.” “We are sure this agreement will be series. (Lokesh Rahul 95) 22 SPORT WEDNESDAY 9 MAY 2018 Amir Cup Trophy Tour continues

THE PENINSULA the prestigious tournament.” He added: “The sponsorship of DOHA: The Amir Cup Trophy Abdulla Abdulghani & Bros. tour was given a grand reception Toyota – Lexus is a unique type at Al Abdulghani Tower by of sponsorship, and this is Abdullah Abdulghani & Bros. Co. reflected in the final match (AAB), sole agents for Toyota through their provision of a vehicles in Qatar. number of Lexus vehicles for the The grand ceremony was transfer of VIP spectators to attended by Ali Al Salat, Head of Khalifa International Stadium, Media, Adulrahman Abdul Jabar, as well as a number of buses to Social Media Specialist and transport volunteers and media Fadala Al Fadala from QFA. from the parking to stadium The Trophy was received by gates.” RK Murugan, Chief Acting CEO “This is not unusual of and Senior Officials from Abdulla Abdulghani & Bros. Abdullah Abdulghani & Bros. Co. Toyota – Lexus, they have been Amir Cup football is the most our partner for many years and popular game in the country we value this partnership which is watched by large extremely as they have been number of people across all ages present with us for a long period and nationalities. Abdullah while supporting the QFA’s Abdulghani & Bros. Co. has been various tournaments, specifically supporting this popular game for the Amir Cup.” the many years in the capacity Abdullah Abdulghani & Bros. of “Official Car”. Co. as part of its corporate policy, Abdullah Abdulghani & Bros. has been always supporting Co will be providing a Fleet of major activities in the country, Toyota vehicle comprising be it sports, cultural, social, edu- Sedans, SUVs and Buses for the The Amir Cup Trophy tour was given a grand reception at Al Abdulghani Tower by Abdullah Abdulghani & Bros. Co. The grand ceremony cational, etc., with the intention transportation of Spectators to was attended by Ali Al Salat, Head of Media, Adulrahman Abdul Jabar, Social Media Specialist and Fadala Al Fadala from QFA. to provide a strong national feel the stadium during the finals and show their respect to the which will be held on May 19. great nation of Qatar. Since the very beginning, the Amir Cup matches bring out the as a dream by players. Cup is the perfect example of a continuation of the great part- AAB is a leading company in Amir Cup has had enjoyed a best in every team and coaches. Ali Al Salat, Head of Media of fruitful partnership. Having nership we have with Abdulla the Qatari Automotive sector special place in the county’s The chance of receiving the QFA commented: “The spon- Abdulla Abdulghani & Bros. Abdulghani & Bros. Toyota – with customers appreciating the national sports calendar. A trophy from none other than sorship of Abdulla Abdulghani & Toyota – Lexus on board as the Lexus, who has become one of quality, durability & reliability of dream for any football player, H.H. the Emir is often described Bros. Toyota – Lexus of the Amir Official Car of the Amir Cup is a the most important sponsors of Toyota products. Ferguson ‘showing signs of recovery’ Wenger AFP ‘surprised’ globe and different walks of life, from all the players and staff at people have shown their Man United and football around at job LONDON: Former Manchester support,” he told MUTV. the world.” United have thanked United manager Alex Ferguson “That’s the effect he had on the many well-wishers, (pictured) was sitting up and people. It was the effect he had including Premier League man- offers talking to his family, reports said on everyone. He means a lot to agers Arsene Wenger, Pep Guar- AFP yesterday, as he recovers from me, as he does to this club. diola and Jurgen Klopp, who emergency surgery following a “We were all praying for him have spoke of their admiration brain haemorrhage. and thinking of him, Cathy and for Ferguson. LONDON: Arsene Wenger The 76-year-old, who suf- the family. It’s a tough time for Wenger enjoyed a long, and said yesterday he has been fered the haemorrhage on Sat- everyone but I’m thinking pos- at times fractious rivalry with surprised at the number of job urday, remains in intensive care itive and hoping he will pull Ferguson as they battled for offers he has received since and there has been no official through.” - Premier League supremacy in his departure from Arsenal update on his condition from the Wales manager Ryan Giggs, the first decade of the French- was announced, urging the Premier League club. who was part of all of Ferguson’s man’s long reign in charge of club to appoint his successor But Britain’s Mail Online said 13 Premier League title-winning Arsenal. as soon as possible. the Scot, who retired in 2013, teams after being given his debut However, they later became The Frenchman will step was out of a coma and showing as a 17-year-old in 1991, told the friends and with Wenger leaving down as Gunners boss after promising early signs of BBC: “I know the operation has Arsenal at the end of the season, Sunday’s Premier League trip recovery. been a success -- but he is a Ferguson presented his old to Huddersfield, with “Surgery went very well and fighter and that is what makes adversary with a memento on his Juventus coach Massimiliano the 76-year-old’s response to me think he will be able to make final visit to United’s Old Trafford Allegri reportedly the first treatment has given encour- a recovery. ground just last weekend. choice of the Arsenal board agement and cautious optimism “Now is the time to pray and “I was with him on the pitch as his replacement. to those close to him,” the report hope he can make a full last week. I went to see him in Wenger will leave after said. recovery. He has been the the box after the game and he almost 22 years at the helm “However, they recognise it biggest influence in my career, looked in perfect shape,” said and was handed an emotional will still be a slow road to full both on and off the pitch.” Wenger, after his final home tribute from the club fol- recovery as he continues to be in football history, Ferguson won those outside the game and Defender Phil Jones, one of game as Arsenal boss on Sunday. lowing Sunday’s 5-0 defeat assessed.” 38 trophies in more than 26 United midfielder Michael a handful of players signed by “He told me he is doing a lot of Burnley, his final game in “The prognosis is good and years in charge of United, Carrick said that the response Ferguson who is still at the club, of exercise, and he looked very charge at the Emirates his closest friends in football are including 13 Premier League shows the esteem in which his added: “I know his character. I happy but that kind of accident Stadium. being kept abreast of any devel- titles and the Champions League former boss is held. know he has that fight in him. can happen. We wish him all The 68-year-old has said opments,” a source told The Sun twice. “The whole football world is Hopefully he’ll recover well. well and to recover very quickly. he will take a break from newspaper. Support has flooded in from incredible but outside of that as “He has got all his family and He is a strong man and an opti- football before deciding on One of the greatest managers the football world and from well, from all corners of the friends around him, the support mistic man.” his next move but revealed on Tuesday he has not been short of suitors since last month’s surprise announcement. Qatar’s inaugural Equine Foot Conference a grand success Asked if he had received any offers, Wenger replied: “Yes, more than I expected! THE PENINSULA Farriers and veterinarians learnt “At the moment I focus about evidence-based strategies to on doing my job well. I didn’t DOHA: The Qatar Equine Foot successfully manage a variety of analyse anything or consider Conference 2018, first of its kind in hoof problems in foals, horses in anything. I want to work the country organised by the Equine training and breeding horses. well until the last day of my Veterinary Medical Centre (EVMC) Common foot ailments involving contract, and then after, I and Al Shaqab specifically dedicated limb imbalance, foal podiatry, lam- will rest a little bit and go to the education of the horse foot initis and correct horseshoeing from there.” and lower leg, concluded with a methodology were also expounded. Allegri, who is set to resounding success recently. In addition to lectures and demon- deliver a fourth successive The conference saw some 90 strations, foreign companies set up Serie A title with Juventus, is horse owners, farriers and veteri- exhibition booths to market their reportedly the frontrunner narians from major equine organi- equine products during the but Carlo Ancelotti and Luis sations and stud farms in Qatar conference. Enrique, both currently out coming together at the Qatar Dr Mats H. Troedsson, Director of work, have been linked National Convention Centre (QNCC) EVMC said “This is the first of many with the job. and Al Shaqab from May 3 to 5. educational seminars and short “I think the earlier, the Internationally renowned courses that the EVMC is planning better,” Wenger said when experts in the field of equine limb to organize. I was very pleased with asked if an appointment anatomy, biomechanics, locomotion the turnout and support of the local should be made ahead of the and lameness from Great Britain, equine community towards the con- World Cup, but he refused to Italy and Germany, conducted lec- ference. It provides us with the moti- be drawn on who he tures and practical sessions for par- vation to conduct the conference on favoured. ticipants. Focusing on the form and an annual basis”. “People want hope and function of the foot, the conference Participants at the conference they need as well to prepare was meant to help owners and were fully satisfied with the con- for the next season. I must say trainers make management deci- ference especially the quality of the Horse owners, farriers and veterinarians participate in the squad doesn’t need much, sions on the care of their horses’ presenters and felt that the con- the Qatar Equine Foot Conference 2018. because there’s a huge hooves. ference fulfilled its objectives. potential in there. WEDNESDAY 9 MAY 2018 SPORT 23 Tae-hee, Msakni and Xavi vie for QFA Best Player Award

ARMSTRONG VAS Education City on May 17, where Xavi award and the Best Referee will THE PENINSULA the winners will be announced. Hernandez be announced at the gala event. Last year, Tae-hee, beating The Mansoor Muftah Award DOHA: Feared Al Duhail strikers an accomplished field – com- for the QNB Stars League’s top Nam Tae-hee and Youssef prising of Al Sadd duo Xavi Her- scorer will be presented to Al Msakni along with Al Sadd nandez and Hassan Al Haydous Duhail striker Youssef El Arabi, captain Xavi Hernandez are in to win his first QFA award who scored 26 goals and played the running for the Qatar This year, the Korean will a key role in Djamel Belmadi’s Football Association (QFA) Best face stiff competition from team- side winning the League with an Player Award, it was revealed mate Msakni. The Tunisian, who unbeaten record. here yesterday. got injured in the last round Belmadi, the QSL and Qatar The QFA Awards Committee match of the QNB Stars League Cup winning coach, is also in the board meeting was held at the at (QSL) and will miss the upcoming running for the best coach award Al Bidda Tower yesterday and Russia World Cup, is a serious along with Al Sadd Portuguese the final nominations for end- contender for the best player tactician Jesulado Ferreira and of-season honours were selected. award . Michael Laudrup of Al Rayyan. Tae-hee has been working Former Barcelona legend, Both Belmadi and Ferreira relentlessly in the midfield and Xavi who has revealed that he have been successful in taking has been instrumental in setting will retire in the coming season, Nam Tae-hee Youssef Msakni the QSL side to the ongoing pre- up a few goals for his teammates will be hoping enough people quarter-final stage of the AFC and scoring some in the process. have voted for him to so that he Champions League. The 26-year-old will be can lay his hands on the trophy. coach, team managers, media members of the QFA to partic- Besides the Best Player The finalists for the Best looking to clinch his second suc- QFA sent out forms after the representatives, representative ipate in the voting process. Award, the other awards which Under-23 Player Award are cessive award at the end-of- conclusion of QSL to QSL team of the QFA, Representative of Out of the 52 forms that were will be decided are the Best Bassam Al Rawi, Almoez Ali (both season ceremony at the Qatar coaches, Qatar national team Qatar Stars League Management sent out, 43 came back out of Under-23 Player Award, Best Al Duhail) and Salem Al Hajri (Al National Convention Center in coach, Qatar Olympic team and President and Board which one was incomplete. Coach Award, Football for All Sadd). Coach Ferreira sees tough challenge for Al Sadd in Jeddah

FAWAD HUSSAIN THE PENINSULA Al Sadd and Al Ahli Saudi FC’s players vie for the ball during their AFC Champions DOHA: Al Sadd coach Jesualdo League Pre-quarter-finals Ferreira has warned his players to first leg match played at the look out for Al Ahli backlash after Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium the Doha giants beat the Saudi side in Doha on Monday. in the first leg of their Round of 16 clash in the AFC Champions League on Monday. Ferreira, 71, said the opponents beIN launches will return as a very tough side in front of home fans in the second leg to be played next week. Summer Bundle Boualem Khoukhi scored a brace to give the Qatari club a for football fans narrow advantage in the first leg which was played in Doha on THE PENINSULA Monday. Inspite of a win, Ferreira lamented that his team missed DOHA: beIN yesterday launched its special Summer several opportunities and wasted Bundle which offers more than 70 premium enter- a chance to score a big victory tainment channels along with the 2018 FIFA World against the Saudi club. Cup Russia for football fans in and North “This is not a good result,” the Africa (MENA). Al Sadd coach said while com- This special promotion gives opportunity to sports menting on his team’s win. “I am fans to watch 2018 FIFA World Cup while they also not satisfied with the result. If this sample the best beIN entertainment programs for three was a match for three points, it months, all at a special price. would have been good but in the From June 14, beIN exclusively broadcast 2018 knock-out stage it has now become suffering from fatigue. We played “WeWe pushed forward from the FIFA World Cup Russia in the MENA region. As always, very challenging for us.” the Qatar Cup final against Al beginningning and we scored twice in beIN has prepared an outstanding coverage of this If Al Ahli win 1-0 in the next Duhail, and then the Amir’s Cup the firstst half. However,However, we con-con- unmissable event with live broadcast and up to 2000 week’s second leg scheduled to be quarter-final against Al Khor. Three ceded in the second half. Anyway, hours of live and exclusive programs and matches. played in Jeddah, the Saudi club days later, we played this game and what iss important is that we gotgot a beIN has dedicated several channels, broadcasting will be advancing in the now we have the Amir’s Cup semi- win in this ggame.”ame.” in three different languages (Arabic, English and quarter-finals. final coming up (on Friday) before “Thehe match was tough,tough, justjust as French). “It was crucial that we did not we travel to Saudi Arabia.” we expected,pected, but we had a lot of The beIN free to air channel beIN SPORTS News concede. Now, we have made However, he said despite all the easy chances,hances, wwhichhich coucouldld hhaveave will also broadcast all the news of the 2018 FIFA World things difficult for ourselves. I did challenges, his team was capable been enoughenough to put us in a strong Cup Russia. In addition, beIN has produced dedicated not like the Al Sadd defence. We of resisting Al Ahli on their home positionon fforor tthehe away leg.leg. programs hosted by famous commentators, analysts could have scored five goals but soil. Regardless,dless, we are capablecapable and reporters to cover this event. instead we were punished by con- “This is the seventh game we of achievinghieving a positive The 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia holds special ceding a goal.” have played in the AFC Champions result withwith determi-determi- significance in the MENA territories as this is the first “Al Ahli will be a tough side to League this season. We won five nationn andand desdesire.”ire.” time in the history of the FIFA World Cup that it will play in front of their fans, especially and lost twice. Despite our diffi- Boualemem alsoalso witness the simultaneous participation of four Arab as they need just one goal to qualify. culties, we are moving ahead suc- expressedsed hishis teams: Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia and Saudi Arabia. This is a tough task for us and I am cessfully and we have the potential happinessiness beIN fans can also enjoy beIN extensive digital very disappointed.” to advance in the tournament,” he after hiss two-goaltwo-goal coverage enabling them to follow the latest sports The coach added the players said. performance,ormance, news through www.beinsports.com as well as enjoy were suffering from burn out owing Meanwhile, Boualem, Man-of- sayingg thatthat it social media coverage through Facebook, Twitter and to a hectic domestic and interna- the-Match in the first leg, said Al would helhelpp him Instagram @beinsports. tional schedule. Sadd can achieve good result in the give hishis bestbest in More information on beIN special Summer Bundle “Al Sadd have a very congested second leg with teamwork and the upcomingpcoming can be found at www.bein.net/en/promotions Al Sadd coach Jesualdo Ferreira schedule and the players are determination. game. MOFA, Jordan to clash in Aspire Embassies Futsal final

THE PENINSULA Qatar’s Ministry Sudan, who lost during the semi-finals will also play against each other, of Foreign DOHA: Jordanian Embassy in Qatar where one of them will get a chance Affairs (MOFA) and Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs to win third place. The game is due to and Embassy of (MOFA) will clash in the final of the be played on the same day prior to the Sudan’s players Aspire Embassies Futsal Tournament final, at 6.30pm at the same venue. vie for the ball 2018 on Friday. The tournament is in line with possession during The final will kick off at 8.00pm AZF’s efforts to promote a healthy and the semi-final at the Ladies Sports Hall in Aspire active lifestyle for people of all ages. of the Aspire Zone. Football fans are welcome to attend Embassies Futsal The MOFA team beat Aspire Zone the tournament and cheer on their Tournament in 11-6 at the quarter-finals last week, favourite teams. this file photo. going on to defeat Sudan 6-4 in the This year, the tournament featured The MOFA team semi-finals. Meanwhile, their oppo- 16 teams representing: Algeria, Dji- beat Sudan 6-4 nents, Jordan, advanced after over- bouti, Ethiopia, France, India, Jordan, in the semi-finals coming a tough match against Kenya Kazakhstan, Kenya, Somalia, South to advance to the in the quarter-finals which ended in Africa, Spain, Sudan, Syria and the a score of 9-8, and beating Syria’s United Kingdom, as well as a team final in which they team in the semi-finals 6-0. from MOFA representing Qatar and will face Jordan Teams representing Syria and Aspire Zone team. on Friday. WEDNESDAY 9 MAY 2018 21

I’m really happy that this very SPORT intense period is over now Coach Jurgen Klopp is because we have one week to confident Liverpool will FOOTBALL FOOTBALL prepare for Brighton -- that seal qualification for EPL: Chelsea vs Spanish La Liga: feels like a year and we will Champions League in LIVE ON Huddersfield Town; Barcelona vs Villarreal; use that. their final game. Leicester City vs Arsenal TUBE Sevilla vs Real Madrid Rahane to lead India in one-off Afghanistan Test

AFP

NEW DELHI: India’s selectors yesterday said Ajinkya Rahane Romania’s will captain the Indian side for Simona Halep the historic one-off Test against Afghanistan after regular skipper celebrates after Virat Kohli opted to play for winning her Surrey in county cricket. second round Rahane, 29, will lead the match against 15-member Indian squad for Belgium’s what is the first Test ever for Elise Mertens Afghanistan, the newest entrants yesterday. to big league cricket. Middle-order batsman Karun Nair will replace Kohli in the Indian team which will take on the Afghans in Bangalore from June 14-18. The charismatic Kohli, who Halep overpowers wants to adapt to English con- ditions before his team’s tough Mertens in Madrid tour there, would be available to AFP play two Twenty-20 interna- victory in a brief one hour and tionals against Ireland in Dublin, 11 minutes. Ajinkya Rahane (centre) will lead India in one-off Test against Afghanistan in Bangalore. in late June. MADRID: Reigning champion Earlier, Petra Kvitova India are set to take on Simona Halep edged closer to battled to a 6-3, 7-6 (10/8) England in a three-match T20 Test and will hold the game in in Adelaide as a pink-ball match in Australia, no doubt about it,” a third consecutive Madrid victory over Puerto Rico’s and one-day series in July fol- normal hours instead after India but India baulked at playing BCCI administrator Vinod Rai Open title by beating Belgium’s Monica Puig to register her lowed by a five-match Test refused to play, cricket officials under floodlights. said earlier this month. Elise Mertens yesterday. seventh consecutive win. series. said yesterday. “We can confirm that we The Australians have played Halep, the winner here in Kvitova’s hard-hitting game Meanwhile, Australia have Cricket Australia had pen- have received advice from the four day-night Tests since 2015, 2016 and 2017, was made to lends itself more to the faster been forced to scrap a day-night cilled in the December 6-10 Test Board of Control for Cricket in three of them in Adelaide, work harder in the second set surfaces but after the lifting the India (BCCI) that it is not pre- winning all of them. on Manolo Santana but the title on clay in Prague at the INDIA SQUADS pared to participate in a pro- India have not yet played a world number one’s 6-0, 6-3 weekend, she has maintained posed day-night Test in Adelaide pink-ball Test and would be victory was never in doubt. her momentum here. India squad for one-off Test against Afghanistan this summer,” CA chief James reluctant to give the hosts any Kristyna Pliskova of the A tight second set was Ajinkya Rahane (capt), Shikhar Dhawan, M Vijay, KL Rahul, Cheteshwar Pujara, Karun Nair, Wriddhi- Sutherland said in a statement. advantage as they seek a first Czech Republic will now await decided by a tie-break and man Saha (wk), R Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Umesh Yadav, Mohammed Shami, Hardik “As a result, we can now Test series win in Australia. Halep in the last 16 as the Kvitova almost threw it away Pandya, Ishant Sharma, Shardul Thakur. confirm this Test match will be “I think everyone in world Romanian continues to prepare when she served two double India squad for two-match T20I series against Ireland a day format.” CA believes day- cricket knows that, to be frank, for the French Open, where she faults. The first came on her has twice gone the distance own match point and the Virat Kohli (capt), Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul, Suresh Raina, Manish Pandey, MS night Test cricket is a more tel- I think (India) want to come out only to finish runner-up. second after a malfunction Dhoni(wk), Dinesh Karthik, Yuzvendra Chahal, Kuldeep Yadav, Washington Sundar, Bhuvneshwar evision-friendly format and here and beat us,” Sutherland perhaps the only way to save the told Australia’s SEN Radio in Halep won the first eight with the court’s sound system Kumar, Jasprit Bumrah, Hardik Pandya, Siddharth Kaul, Umesh Yadav. five-day version of the game fol- early May. games in a row to lead 6-0, meant music played just as she India squad for three-match T20I series against England lowing the rise of the quickfire Sutherland said Australia 2-0, with her clay-court was about to serve. Virat Kohli (capt), Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul, Suresh Raina, Manish Pandey, MS Twenty20 format. would still play a day-night Test counter-attacking too strong But the world number 10 Dhoni(wk), Dinesh Karthik, Yuzvendra Chahal, Kuldeep Yadav, Washington Sundar, Bhuvneshwar But India, who are the against Sri Lanka in Brisbane in for the 22-year-old Mertens to recovered her composure to Kumar, Jasprit Bumrah, Hardik Pandya, Siddharth Kaul, Umesh Yadav. world’s top-ranked team, said January. handle. seal a place in the next round, India squad for three-match ODI series against England they didn’t want to play their “We are committed to Mertens offered some late where she will meet either Virat Kohli (capt), Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul, Shreyas Iyer, Ambati Rayudu, MS first day-night Test during such hosting at least one day-night resistance as her opponent’s Estonia’s Anett Kontaveit or

Dhoni(wk), Dinesh Karthik, Yuzvendra Chahal, Kuldeep Yadav, Washington Sundar, Bhuvneshwar a high-profile series. Test each home summer as part concentration wavered, but a Aliaksandra Sasnovich of Kumar, Jasprit Bumrah, Hardik Pandya, Siddharth Kaul, Umesh Yadav. “Yes, it’s pretty clear that we of our continued focus to grow double fault confirmed Halep’s Belarus. are not playing a day-night Test Test cricket,” he said. Al Arabi thrash NBA: LeBron leads Cavaliers Etihad in GCC sweep as Sixers stay alive

Club tourney AFP give the Philadelphia 76ers a Cleveland lifeline with their 103-92 win THE PENINSULA PGulf competition. The event LOS ANGELES: LeBron James Cavaliers over the Boston Celtics. brings together as many 7 clubs led the way as the Cleveland forward LeBron The Celtics could have : Qatar’s Al Arabi distributed into two groups, A Cavaliers wrapped up a series James in action clinched a 4-0 sweep but instead recorded a comfortable victory includes Al-Arabi (Qatar), Al sweep with a ruthless demolition against Toronto the Sixers’ win ensured there will over Al Etihad of KSA on Etihad (KSA), Al Muharraq of the Toronto Raptors on Raptors on be a game five in Boston today. Monday in the prestigious GCC (Bahrain), while group B includes, Monday to book their place in Monday. McConnell’s introduction Club Basketball Championship Nizwa (Oman), Al Sharja (UAE) the NBA Eastern Conference into the starting line-up proved 2018 taking place at Sultan and Manama ( Bahrain). finals. crucial for the Sixers, with the Qaboos Sports Complex in The event is a qualifying James, the buzzer-beating point guard scoring a career- Oman. tournament to the Asian Cham- hero of Cleveland’s epic victory high 19 points. Al Arabi displayed high pions Cup will take place from in game three on Saturday, Croatian power forward technical performance in bas- September 25 to 30, where the scored 29 points as Toronto’s bid Saric added 25 points while Ben ketball game to secure a con- winners of the three top places to avoid the ignominy of a 4-0 Simmons finished with 19 points vincing 107-82 victory over will get spots in this continental series loss ended in a 128-93 and Joel Embiid 15. opponents in this prestigious event. pounding. Sixers coach Brett Brown Toronto had entered the said McConnell had been play-offs as the number one brought in for his positive seed from the Eastern Con- mindset as the Sixers attempted ference, and were desperate to (Toronto) had in the regular all-round offensive display had to stave off a clean sweep. avoid a third straight series season. But we had a great been crucial factors in the “We wanted to remind the defeat to James and the Cavs gameplan and we executed it. sweep. Toronto’s miserable night team of how good a season they after losses in 2016 and 2017. James was once more the saw DeMar DeRozan ejected in have had to this point,” Brown But their fragility was under- tormentor in chief for Toronto, the fourth quarter while Kyle said afterwards. scored by a rampant Cleveland contributing eight rebounds and Lowry was restricted to just five “We showed a lot of maturity on Monday, with James leading 11 assists in addition to his 29 points. today and came up with a win,” a blowout win that ensures the points. Jonas Valanciunas was a said McConnell, adding that the Cavs will be well rested for the Four other Cavaliers starters notable beacon of resistance, team was unfazed by the statis- Eastern Conference finals, where cracked double digits, with providing 18 points off the tical improbability of over- they will play either Boston or Kevin Love scoring 23 points and bench. But it was too little, too turning a 0-3 series deficit. Philadelphia. Kyle Korver 16 points. late for Toronto, who were com- “We had nothing to lose. Our “It was a great series for us,” JR Smith added 15 points prehensively outplayed in every coach told us that the team that is James said afterwards. while George Hill added 12. department. down 0-3 is 0-129. So we’re just Action from a GCC Club Basketball Championship 2018 match “We had a lot of challenges, Cleveland coach Tyronn Lue Meanwhile, TJ McConnell trying our hardest to be that one between Al Arabi and Al Etihad in Oman on Monday. considering the dominance said the Cavs’ defense and and Dario Saric combined to team that comes back,” he said.