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Tuesday, March 28, 2017 CRICKET Jumada II, 29, 1438 AH India set for GULF TIMES win aft er Aussie batting collapse SPORT Page 7

FOOTBALL/ ROAD TO RUSSIA SPOTLIGHT Qatar praying for Don’t take Thais lightly, miracle as they Japan coach warns team

AFP take on Uzbeks Tokyo Like Qatar, the Uzbeks too have never qualified for the World Cup finals apan coach Vahid Halilhod- zic has told his players they will Qatar players train “carry the future of Japanese ahead of their World football on their shoulders” Jwhen they face Thailand in a World Cup qualifier against Uzbekistan in Tashkent. Cup qualifi er today. No pressure there, then. Further turning up the heat on his own side, the fi rebrand Franco-Bos- nian also warned against over-confi - dence, insisting that the visitors were more than capable of punishing any slackness from Japan. “We must not underestimate Thai- land,” Halilhodzic told reporters in Saitama. “I’ve watched all their games and they can play. We will need to be fo- cused and put in a real shift.” Halilhodzic has taken pains to keep Japan grounded since last week’s 2-0

The Blue Samurai are level on game,” Halilhodzic waxed lyrically. His points with Saudi Arabia at the team are trying to strengthen their grip top of Group B and are expected on one of the group’s two automatic to brush aside Thailand, even qualifying spots ahead of Asian Cup with captain Makoto Hasebe holders Australia, who lurk behind sidelined with a knee injury them in third. “We have the future of Japanese victory in the United Arab Emirates football on our shoulders, so we have moved them closer to a sixth succes- to fi ght for it. sive World Cup. “People seem to think Thailand will The Blue Samurai are level on points be pushovers,” added the 64-year-old. with Saudi Arabia at the top of Group B “Well, they won’t be. We will need to and are expected to brush aside Thai- show real heart.” land, even with captain Makoto Hasebe Further injuries to midfi elder Yas- sidelined with a knee injury. uyuki Konno and forward Yuya Osako “Winning in the Emirates has put have added an unwanted twist to Ja- us in a privileged position,” said Halil- pan’s preparations, exposing a worry- hodzic. “But it will mean nothing if we ing lack of depth to the former Asian blow it against Thailand.” champions. Japan trail Saudi Arabia on goal dif- “We don’t have a player who can ference, with both teams on 13 points carry the team,” admitted Halilhodzic. from six games and four to play in the “There isn’t a player who will dribble fi nal round of Asian qualifying for the past fi ve defenders. But if the players By Sports Reporter Sunday and hit the ground running win would have lifted the Central Elsewhere Japan host Thailand, 2018 Russia World Cup. aren’t motivated, then there’s a prob- Tashkent with coach Fossati supervising their Asians into second place in Group South Korea play Syria and table- “Fame and majesty rest on this lem. training, but it will be the form of A but Omar Kharbin’s injury-time topping Saudi Arabia entertain Iraq as their star players that would be a ma- penalty now leaves Uzbekistan, who the road to Russia 2018 heads towards ith just four points from jor worry. will be without the suspended Islom its conclusion. CONFIDENT six matches in their kitty, Many of Qatar’s star players have Tukhtakhujaev, with a major fi ght to Lippi, who coached Italy to World Qatar will need nothing been off colour, and it showed against secure a top-three position as Syria Cup victory in 2006, has been hailed short of a miracle if they Iran last week. Striker Sebastian Soria lurk just a point behind in fourth. as a hero for fashioning China’s rare Ware to qualify for the World Cup in has hardly won a match on his own for Meanwhile, China’s fl edgling re- win over South Korea, which hauled Australia in control of 2018. Qatar in the many years he has been vival under Marcello Lippi will be them off the foot of Group A with four The long-drawn qualifying cam- with the Qatari team, while the others tested by Asia’s top team Iran, while games to go. paign that got off to a poor start un- have also not lived up to expectations. Australia need to return to winning He said China now need to main- World Cup fate — coach der Jose Daniel Carreno before fellow To add to Qatar’s woes, key play- ways when they play UAE. tain their momentum. They now lie Uruguayan Jorge Fossati took charge ers Boualem Khoukhi and Abdelkarim China shocked South Korea 1-0 fi ve points back from an automatic and sparked a minor revival with a Hassan are both suspended, leaving last week for their fi rst win of Asia’s berth and have games to come against Reuters was,” Postecoglou told reporters on win over Syria and a draw against Fossati with a selection headache. fi nal qualifying groups, and Lippi Syria, Uzbekistan and Qatar, after Sydney Monday, referring to the draw with Iraq China. Uzbekistan, too, are smarting says there is much more to come from their trip to Tehran. in Tehran last week. But a soul-crushing 1-0 loss to Iran from their loss to Syria last week. A Team Dragon. “We worked hard to get the three “Obviously it’s a World Cup qualifi er last week in Doha saw Qatar plum- points we needed (against South Ko- nder-pressure Australia and we’ve kind of set up an environment met to the bottom of Group A leav- rea),” said the 68-year-old Italian, ac- coach Ange Postecoglou has where we prepare for each game the ing them with the improbable task of Coach Jorge Fossati cording to Xinhua news agency. downplayed the signifi cance same way and this is no diff erent. winning their next four matches at supervises Qatar’s “But it is not enough to win a ticket Uof today’s World Cup quali- “If we win tomorrow night, it doesn’t the same time hoping that other re- training session yesterday. to the World Cup. We need to contin- fi er against United Arab Emirates as the make the Saudi Arabia game (on June sults go their way. ue this momentum and win the fol- Socceroos battle to remain in conten- 8) less important, if we don’t win, it As things stand now, Iran have one lowing matches.” tion for an automatic berth to Russia doesn’t make it more important. I think foot in Russia with 14 points, having Lippi added: “We still have room to in 2018. Australia sit third in Group B we’re still, in terms of qualifying, where not lost a single match so far. South improve. We didn’t play the same lev- of Asian qualifying after their 1-1 draw we know that our fate’s in our own Korea, who were upset 1-0 by China el as we did in the last match against against Iraq, three points adrift of lead- hands,” added Postecoglou, whose side last week, are second with 10 points Qatar.” ers Saudi Arabia and Japan. have laboured to four consecutive draws followed by Uzbekistan on nine, Syria However, playing ’s and struggled to score. on eight and China on fi ve. Iran away is a diff erent proposition to “Obviously it’s a World Cup “We’ll only start looking at other Qatar, who were beaten 1-0 by Uz- last week’s home game in Changsha, qualifi er and we’ve kind of set things if that gets out of our control.” bekistan in Doha earlier, will take on and Lippi said China cannot aff ord to up an environment where we The UAE sit just one point behind the Central Asians in Tashkent today sit back in the Azadi Stadium. prepare for each game the same Australia after losing to Japan last week. hoping to gain three points and in the “In the fi rst half, we played too de- way and this is no diff erent” The third placed team in each of Asia’s process avenge their loss. fensively when we were under pres- two qualifying groups goes into a play- Like Qatar, the Uzbeks too have sure. I don’t want to see the same 45 Only the top two are guaranteed qual- off . never qualifi ed for the World Cup fi - minutes in the following matches any ifi cation for Russia and with four games Vahid Halilhodzic’s Japan host Thai- nals and the outcome of their clash more,” he said. remaining, Australia’s hopes of a fourth land at Saitama Stadium and will be ex- today will provide a much clearer pic- “In the second half, my team was straight World Cup appearance could pected to collect three points, while Bert ture of who among them have a better well organised in defence and created hinge on the outcome of the meeting at van Marwijk’s Saudi Arabia play an Iraq chance to make it to Russia in 2018. several chances to score. We still have Sydney Football Stadium. side in Jeddah that have picked up just The Qataris arrived in Russia on much work to do.” “It’s no bigger than last Thursday four points from their fi rst six games. Gulf Times 2 Tuesday, March 28, 2017 FOOTBALL

SPOTLIGHT OUSTED Blind sacked as Dutch coach aft er Recharged France World Cup fl op

AFP Amsterdam

anny Blind was sacked ready for Spain as coach on Sunday after a 2-0 Fresh from a 3-1 victory over Luxembourg in a World Cup qualifier at the weekend, Ddefeat to Bulgaria left the team’s chances of reaching the World Cup fi nals hanging by the Euro 2016 runners-up will line up against a tottering Spanish side the slenderest of threads. Blind, 55, had been in charge since July 2015, succeeding , but Saturday’s loss in Sofi a left the Dutch in fourth place in qualifying Group A, six points behind leaders France. Former Dutch national football Only the group winners are team head coach . guaranteed a place in the 2018 fi nals in Russia. ball past . Blind said he was saddened by Blind said he “did not baulk” the decision. at the diffi cult choice to select de “We were on the right track Ligt, said the federation. in Bulgaria, but it’s a pity that it After the match Blind ques- ends like this,” he said. tioned whether he was still the Blind’s assistant Fred Grim man for the job. will take charge of the team for “I have to refl ect on whether today’s friendly against Italy in I am capable of getting us out of Amsterdam, the Dutch football this jam,” he said. federation (KNVB) said. “We (the federation) have a lot Van Gaal to help in search for of respect for Danny, but due to new Netherlands coach negative results and the diffi cul- featured promi- ty we have to qualify for the 2018 nently as Dutch media specu- World Cup, we must part com- lated over possible coaches for pany with him,” said the KNVB the national team but the coun- in a statement. try’s football association (KNVB) The Netherlands, three-times wants him to help search for World Cup runners-up, also Danny Blind’s replacement, De failed to qualify for Euro 2016. Telegraaf reported yesterday. “To qualify for Russia will be Blind’s 20-month tenure end- very complicated,” admitted star ed after a 2-0 loss in Bulgaria on midfi elder Wesley Sneijder. Saturday left the Dutch in fourth The writing was already on the place in their World Cup quali- wall for Blind after he was sum- fying group and facing an up- moned to meet the federation in hill struggle to reach next year’s the aftermath of the Bulgarian tournament in Russia. setback. “We hope to have a new coach Dutch newspapers pro- in place quickly but it won’t be nounced the defeat a “debacle”. ready in one week,” KNVB tech- Failure to qualify for Russia next nical director Jean Paul Decos- year, on the back of failure to saux said on Sunday. reach the 2016 Euro fi nals, would “A foreign trainer is also an France’s head coach Didier Deschamps (C) looks at his players during a training session in Clairefontaine near Paris ahead of his team’s friendly match against Spain today. be a major shock for one of the option. Our list of candidates can most successful footballing na- be made up of whoever is going AFP “I’ll try to give the maximum number Fixtures (GMT) fourth place in qualifying Group A, six tions who were World Cup fi - to take Dutch football forwards. Paris of my players some game time,” said De- points behind leaders France. nalists as recently as 2010 when That will undoubtedly include schamps. Georgia v Latvia (1400) Only the group winners are guaranteed they lost to Spain. although we Spain’s Chelsea striker , Albania v Bosnia-Herzegovina (1600) a place in the 2018 fi nals in Russia. They fi nished third in 2014 in know he is also under contract rejuvenated France will take on scorer of one of the goals in Spain’s 4-1 Egypt v Togo (1600) And in Russia, the home side host . Netherlands skipper Ar- with his club,” Decossaux added. Spain in a gala friendly today, win over Israel in Friday’s World Cup Estonia v Croatia (1600) in what will be the fi rst football jen Robben said the defeat in So- Koeman, manager of Premier French coach Didier Deschamps qualifi er, suff ered an ankle injury in Macedonia v Belarus (1600) game played at Sochi’s Fisht arena. fi a was a “nightmare”. League club Everton, has told Asuff ering a timely embarrass- training on Sunday which could rule him Russia v Belgium (1600) The stadium, which hosted the open- “It’s sad. I’m speechless. The Dutch media he is not available. ment of riches from which to pick in a bid out of the friendly. “He is staying with South Africa v Angola (1700) ing and closing ceremonies of the Winter fi rst half was shocking,” said The 65-year-old Van Gaal has to extend a seven-match unbeaten streak. the squad but his participation in the Luxembourg v Cape Verde (1800) Olympics in 2014, was then transformed the 33-year-old Bayern Munich previously said that he has now Fresh from a 3-1 victory over Lux- game on Tuesday in Paris is uncertain,” Austria v Finland (1845) into a 47,600-seat football ground, winger. retired from coaching. embourg in a World Cup qualifi er at the the Spanish federation said. Netherlands v Italy (1845) where four matches of June’s Confedera- Bulgaria stunned the Dutch He has had two spells as Neth- weekend, the Euro 2016 runners-up will The Netherlands take on Italy, who Portugal v (1845) tions Cup, including a semi-fi nal, will be with two goals in the fi rst 20 erlands coach, taking the team to line up against a Spanish side that has are vying with Spain for top spot in their Republic of Ireland v Iceland (1845) played in preparation for the World Cup. minutes, both coming from Spas third place at the 2014 World Cup. dipped since winning the treble of two World Cup qualifying group, at the worst Cameroon v Guinea (1900) Belgium look clear favourites, with Delev, who opened his interna- Since he left to join Manches- Euros (2008, 2012) and the 2010 World possible time. France v Spain (1900) Russia never having beaten them in the tional account. ter United, however, the Dutch Cup, but remains strong on paper. Danny Blind was sacked as Dutch post-Soviet era and coming off the back The fi rst came from an error side have been in freefall, failing As for any friendly, falling as it does be- coach following a 2-0 defeat by Bulgaria of a fi rst ever defeat to an African team on by 17-year-old Matthijs De Ligt, to qualify for last year’s Europe- tween World Cup qualifi ers and a heavy that left the team’s chances of reaching said, with his assistant Fred Grim to take Friday, when they lost 2-0 to Ivory Coast. Holland’s youngest debutant an Championship and in serious club schedule, Deschamps will likely ro- the World Cup fi nals hanging by the slen- charge in Amsterdam. Madeira’s Maritimo Stadium will be since 1931, who misjudged a pass danger of not making the World tate his squad, notably with the League derest of threads. Blind, 55, had been in charge since packed to capacity as Portgual captain and allowed the striker to slot the Cup. Cup fi nal between Paris Saint-Germain “We were on the right track in Bulgar- July 2015, succeeding Guus Hiddink, but returns home with the and Monaco scheduled for Saturday. ia, but it’s a pity that it ends like this,” he Saturday’s loss in Sofi a left the Dutch in European champions hosting Sweden. IRELAND BOTTOMLINE O’Neill hopes injured Sweden waiting for next ‘Zlatan’ Coleman can follow AFP today in Funchal in the Azores. pression so it could go quickly,” Larsson example Instead, coach Janne Anders- he told AFP. son called on Anderlecht’s Isaac But for now, other, older play- AFP “The fi rst reaction is that you Kiese Thelin to replace striker ers are trying to make up for the Dublin know you have lost a great player wedes have a reputation . Thelin scored. gaping hole left by Ibrahimovic’s for a start, and you know the sort as level-headed and pa- absence. of pain that he’s going to be going tient, and it’s just as well: SPOTLIGHT ON ISAK Wearing Ibra’s old number 10 epublic of Ireland man- through, obviously the immedi- Sthey’ll have to wait a while “I want to play on the national is 25-year-old off ensive mid- ager Martin O’Neill ate pain and then his recovery,” for a new “Zlatan” to suit up on team, and to do that I have to fi elder , who plays hopes injured captain he said. “It’s a major blow, not the national football squad. make a good impression,” Isak for another club, RB Seamus Coleman will only for the player, but obviously Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Sweden’s told football channel Fotboll- Leipzig. beR able to follow the example of for his family, people who were all-time high scorer with 62 goals, skanalen in January. He scored twice in Saturday’s former Celtic star Henrik Lars- at the game watching that,” the put an end to his 116-cap interna- But for now, he’s setting his World Cup qualifi er against Be- son in recovering fully from a former Northern Ireland inter- tional career in June 2016. sights on the Euro Champion- larus. “Together with Victor broken leg. national added. Since then, the team has had ships for the under-21s, where Nilsson Lindelof, he’s part of a Coleman, 28, was still in a Dub- “But as Seamus mentioned to no star player of top interna- he’s still a novice having made new generation of players who lin hospital yesterday, two days me the other day, he just said that tional calibre to fi ll Ibrahimov- the team just once. have taken important roles in after he had surgery on the tibia it has happened now, he can’t do ic’s shoes. File picture Zlatan Ibrahimovich in his Sweden colours. “I’m really keen. Obviously. ’s new team. and fi bula bones in his right leg anything about it and it’s what he Some young hopefuls have This tournament would be my They can become even better,” which were snapped by an ap- does now in the next few months however shown promise, like Emil That was back in 2014, when diff erent. The AIK forward was fi rst, because I missed the Un- Lundh told AFP. palling tackle from Wales’s Neil that is very, very important.” Forsberg and . no one came close to Ibrahimov- sold to in der-17 one in 2016 and I’m a lit- Lindelof, a 22-year-old de- Taylor, who was promptly sent off O’Neill, however, urged Cole- Commentators have repeated ic’s star power on the Swedish January for a reported 10 mil- tle bitter about that. So my goal fender, will feel at home against in a goalless World Cup qualifying man to take heart from the ex- the phrase so often it’s almost squad. lion euros ($10.7mn), just two is to be in Poland this summer,” European champions Portugal draw at Lansdowne Road. ample of Larsson, whom he saw comical. “The next Zlatan. Or Many young talents have weeks after becoming Sweden’s he said. on Tuesday — he has played for O’Neill, speaking about Cole- make a full recovery while man- the new Zlatan, Zlatan junior, been compared to him over the youngest ever international Swedish TV4 commentator Benfi ca since 2012. man at his pre-match news con- ager of Glasgow giants Celtic. Zlatan of the North... It’s a jour- years, but none have lived up to goalscorer. Olof Lundh says he’s following Last week he was preparing ference ahead of today’s friendly “Before I went to Celtic, about nalistic genre that’s existed for expectations upon arriving in But despite that, Isak was not Isak’s progress with Dortmund, the game against Belarus when international with Iceland, said: fi ve or six months before that, almost 15 years,” Swedish Radio the big league. selected for Sweden’s 4-0 win where he’s only played for a few he learned that he had been “I think he’s just beginning to Henrik Larsson had a very seri- sports commentator Johannes But 17-year-old wunderkind against Belarus on Saturday, nor minutes in the German Cup. elected to the Portuguese All- come to terms with it. ous injury and he recovered mag- Finnlaugsson once joked. Alexander Isak hopes he’ll be for the friendly against Portugal “It’s clear he’s making an im- Star team by his peers. “I saw him yesterday and he’s nifi cently and the injury didn’t still pretty down about it. He’s bother him again from then until not in as much pain, the operation the end of his career, so players went very well and it’s just a mat- have recovered,” O’Neill said. Man City fi ned 35,000 pounds Michael Oliver who had awarded Liver- against Liverpool on 19 March 2017, the from the club. ter of coming to terms with it.” “Great players have broken for failing to control players pool a spot kick following a foul by Gael club failed to ensure that its players “It’s all false, that I’m looking for another The extent of Coleman’s injury their legs and come back, and Clichy on Roberto Firmino. conducted themselves in an orderly place to play and that I want to leave,” was so great that match broad- Seamus, obviously it’s very early Manchester City have been fined 35,000 “Following an Independent Regulatory fashion.” the 33-year-old Chilean told the Man- casters took the decision not to for him to start considering all pounds ($44,030) by the English FA after Commission hearing today (yesterday), chester Evening News. “These are things show replays of Taylor’s tackle those things, but he is positive. they accepted a misconduct charge for Manchester City have been fined 35,000 Bravo pours cold water on talk that are not true. I’m happy in England and its aftermath during the “As I mentioned earlier at the the way their players reacted to a 50th pounds after the club admitted an FA of Man City exit and so is my family. fi xture, although images were start, he’s down, as he would be minute penalty in the 1-1 Premier League misconduct charge,” the governing body “The issue that I was not playing came widely seen on social media. as the realisation that he is going draw with Liverpool on March 20. said in a statement. Manchester City goalkeeper Claudio out, many examples of fake news have O’Neill admitted to hav- to be out of action for quite some City were charged by the FA last week “City breached FA Rule E20(a) in that in Bravo has dismissed media reports sug- come out. Things that, above all, have no ing mixed emotions as he dealt considerable time has dawned on after their players surrounded referee or around the 50th minute of the game gesting he is looking for a move away information about them.” with the initial fall-out of seeing him, so those type of things don’t Coleman taken off the field. just take fi ve minutes to get over.” Gulf Times Tuesday, March 28, 2017 3 FOOTBALL

SPOTLIGHT CHANCE Southgate opens WC door to Defoe Buoyant Brazil on AFP London

ngland manager Gareth Southgate said there was no reason why Jermain Defoe could not play at brink of World Cup nextE year’s World Cup after he marked his international come- back with a goal. If people want a perfect coach, they should look elsewhere, because at some point Sunderland striker Defoe, 34, scored the opener as England I’m going to make a mistake: Brazil coach Tite toiled to a 2-0 qualifying win over Lithuania on Sunday, following close to three and a half years in the England’s Jermain Defoe (L) with international wilderness. manager Gareth Southgate. He has scored 14 goals for Sun- derland in the Premier League side Dele Alli in England’s 4-2- this season, but he also owed his 3-1 system and Southgate hailed international recall to the ab- their contributions. sences through injury of Harry “He’s a player we really like,” Kane and Daniel Sturridge. Southgate said of Manchester “I think we’ve got to look every City winger Sterling. time we get together as to who is “We don’t have a lot of players in form,” Southgate told report- in the country who can beat peo- ers at Wembley. ple in one-versus-one situations “I don’t know if we can have and he’s explosive in those types a distinct pecking order because of areas. players who are playing well de- “He’s improving all the time serve the opportunity. If we are and has the hunger and desire to going to be successful, we have to improve. He’s a ballsy player and have that competition for places. I like that about him as well.” “The reality is we will always On Lallana, he added: “Adam lose players to injury. We’re never injects something. able to pick a full cohort, so it’s im- He created a really good open- portant we can call upon the likes ing just before the fi rst goal. of Jermain and he can have the im- The game in tight areas is pact he does like he did today. where his quick feet and quick “If he scores like he is in the brain stand out. Premier League, there’s no rea- “There weren’t so many op- son why he wouldn’t be (picked portunities for us to turn the for the World Cup).” ball over high up the pitch, but Defoe’s 20th international he starts that press off . I’m re- goal arrived in the 22nd minute ally impressed with his mentality as he directed a side-foot shot and quality.” past Ernestas Setkus following Having successfully trialled a a burst down the left by Raheem 3-4-2-1 formation in last week’s Sterling. 1-0 friendly loss to Germany, Substitute Jamie Vardy Southgate opted for a 4-2-3-1 notched the hosts’ second in the shape against Lithuania. 66th minute, fi nishing coolly “The good thing now is every Brazil’s team players Willian (L), (C) and Paulinho (R) take part in a training session at the Arena Corinthians stadium in Sao Paulo, Brazil. after being set up by Adam Lal- coach who plays against us has lana’s exquisite fl icked pass. got to prepare for two systems,” AFP 1970 World Cup in Mexico. make Brazil less reliant on Barcelona su- for the 2010 World Cup. Sterling and Lallana were he said. “They’re going to have to Montevideo Brazil’s magnifi cent run of form un- perstar Neymar. In qualifying for the 2014 World Cup, given freedom to roam along- work a bit harder, which is great.” der Tite means they now lead the South was left vomiting at half- American standings with 30 points from ALL-ROUNDED TEAM time while Angel Di Maria needed to be uoyant Brazil could book their 13 games, seven points clear of second While Neymar has fl ourished under Tite given oxygen on the pitch before Argen- place at the 2018 World Cup to- placed Uruguay who have 23 points. — scoring fi ve times in qualifying since tina ground out a 1-1 draw. BRIEFS day while Argentina will attempt It is all a far cry from the state of the the former Corinthians coach took over Failure to beat Bolivia today could see to give their qualifying campaign table last September. — the “Selecao” is now a more rounded Argentina fall out of the automatic quali- Ronaldo tops Messi in the AFA for a presidential elec- moreB breathing space with a game at alti- When Tite took charge of his fi rst attacking force. fying positions once more, if Colombia earnings - report tion which is due to be held on tude against Bolivia. qualifying game, Brazil were languish- Goals have arrived from all areas, with beat Ecuador in Quito and reigning South Wednesday. Maradona took After sinking into a protracted depres- ing in sixth place overall, with only nine China-based midfi elder Paulinho — one American champions Chile down bottom Real Madrid’s Portuguese up his new role in February sion after the trauma of their humiliating points from six games. of the most maligned players of Bra- team Venezuela in Santiago. striker Cristiano Ronaldo was and said at the time he had 2014 World Cup exit, Brazil have under- But today, if Brazil beat Paraguay in zil’s ill-fated 2014 World Cup campaign Chile, back-to-back winners of the the best paid footballer in fulfilled a lifelong dream. gone a transformation since new man- Sao Paulo, and Chile and both Ecuador — conjuring an improbable hat-trick Copa America in 2015 and 2016, are cur- 2016-17, with 87.5 million euros ager Tite took over last year. and Chile lose their games, the fi ve-time against Uruguay last week. rently outside the qualifying places fol- ($95.3m) in earnings, ahead India’s fi rst FIFA Tite, who was appointed after the de- World Cup-winners will have secured Yet if Brazil’s passage to Russia is now lowing last week’s defeat in Buenos Aires. of his Argentinian rival at Bar- tournament to be bacle of the 2016 Copa America Cente- their berth in Russia. a formality, the situation is anything but Captain Claudio Bravo vowed ‘La Roja’ celona, Lionel Messi (76.5m), staged in Delhi nario, when Brazil failed to qualify from Tite meanwhile has attempted to keep straightforward for the chasing pack. would go all out to secure victory against according to figures to appear the group stage, has overseen a record- the soaring optimism that accompanied Argentina hauled themselves back into Venezuela. “We will be more aggressive in today’s edition of France The Under-17 World Cup will breaking run of seven straight wins. Brazil’s revival in check, insisting that he the qualifying places on Thursday with a at home, for sure,” Bravo said. Football. kick off in New Delhi, marking The latest of those victories came on is not a miracle-worker. battling 1-0 win over Chile. The fact that Chile dominated Argen- Messi’s Brazilian teammate India’s first-ever FIFA tourna- Thursday, when Brazil shrugged off an “If people want a perfect coach, they The Argentinians will attempt to build tina for long periods on Thursday has left Neymar is third with 55.5 mil- ment, world football’s gov- early Edinson Cavani goal to destroy should look elsewhere, because at some on that crucial victory when the travel to the squad encouraged, the Manchester lion euros ahead of Real Ma- erning body said yesterday Uruguay 4-1 in Montevideo. point I’m going to make a mistake,” Tite the thin air of to face Bolivia today. City goalkeeper added. drid’s Welsh forward Gareth despite initial concern over That win marked a new record for said following Thursday’s rout of histori- The city’s Estadio Hernando Siles is “We lost but analysis of the game Bale (41m) and Argentina’s air quality in the world’s most Brazil in qualifi ers, surpassing the six cal rivals Uruguay. situated some 3,600 metres (11,800 ft) leaves us strengthened, because we are Ezequiel Lavezzi (28.5m), who polluted capital. straight victories recorded by the fabled Arguably, Tite’s most signifi cant above sea level, and was the scene of a fa- convinced that by playing this way we plays for Hebei Fortune in the After a week-long inspection, Pele-led team which went on to win the achievement since taking charge is to mous 6-1 Argentinian defeat in qualifi ers will reach the World Cup,” Bravo said. Chinese Super League. authorities selected six cities Manchester United’s Jose across the country including Mourinho is the best paid Mumbai and New Delhi for the QATAR STARS LEAGUE coach, with income of 28 mil- U-17 matches, FIFA said. lion euros, the magazine said. “The match schedule has France Football said it based been created following a its figures on salary, bonuses thorough analysis of players’ and advertising income for health, competition format, the 2016-2017 season. team movements, weather, local festivities, geography QSL title at stake when Rayyan and other factors,” said Jaime FIFA says no word from Maradona over Yarza, head of FIFA tourna- threat to quit ments, in a statement. Last month FIFA U-17 World Soccer’s governing body FIFA Cup tournament director face Sadd in Qatar ‘Clasico’ said yesterday it had heard Javier Ceppi said that air By Sports Reporter The pressure will be very nothing off icial from Diego quality in Delhi was a “serious Doha much on Al Sadd as they Maradona since the Argentine concern”, particularly since look to overhaul league World Cup winner threatened the tournament will be held leaders Lekhwiya to pick last week to quit his ambas- in the same month as the he QSL returns after a up their fi rst QSL falcon sadorial role. Diwali festival, when residents three-week hiatus with shield since the 2012/2013 FIFA said its last off icial con- celebrate by setting huge a match of the week season tact with Maradona had been amounts of fireworks. with real quality when when he took part in a draw Pollution levels spiked to TAl Sadd take on their local rivals During the international for the under-20 World Cup in record levels in Delhi around Al Rayyan in a highly anticipated break, Rayyan moved to secure South Korea on March 15. Diwali last year, forcing Qatar Clasico match-up. The tie the long term futures of two key “There have been no updates schools to shut as authorities will hold extra signifi cance for attackers with both Sebastian from him since then,” said a ordered a series of emergency Al Sadd who is very much in the Soria and Tabata signing con- FIFA spokesman. measures including a tempo- title hunt; only a victory will do tract extensions with the club. Maradona told Argentine rary ban on construction. for Jesaldo Ferriera’s side, whilst Michael Laudrup will be hoping newspaper Clarin last A 2014 World Health Organi- the former champions Al Rayy- that his two attacking stars come Wednesday that he was angry zation survey of more than an can still maintain their faint back from Uzbekistan at full fi t- over the Argentina Football 1,600 cities ranked Delhi as hopes of retaining the QSL title ness after representing the Qatar Association’s (AFA) decision to the most polluted. Yester- with a victory over Sadd. national team. appoint television presenter day’s statement said at least The pressure will be very Al Rayyan are taking on the Marcelo Tinelli as head of its eight matches would be held much on Al Sadd as they look to second deadliest attack in the national teams committee. at each venue, with India’s overhaul league leaders Lekhwi- QSL in the clasico, and will be Maradona told FIFA president football-mad city of Kolkata ya to pick up their fi rst QSL fal- looking to stop Bagdad Bounjah in a telephone set to host the final at its Salt con shield since the 2012/2013 who is in the running for the call that he would step down if Lake Stadium. season. The Wolves will be aim- Mansor Muftah award for the the decision was not reversed While cricket is India’s number ing to put behind their frustrat- league’s top goal scorer. Cen- within two days, the interview one sport, Kolkata is often re- ing 0-0 draw against Umm Salal tre back Nathan will be charged said. The AFA is currently un- garded as the premier football last time out, which gave their with looking after the Alge- der FIFA intervention which, city and it is just as common to title rivals the chance to overtake File picture of Rayyan coach Michael Laudrup (left) and Sadd coach Jesualdo Ferreira. rian attacker at set-pieces and Maradona said, gave soccer’s see youngsters kicking a ball on them in the QSL standings. if Bounjah is silenced then Al governing body the power to the streets as wielding a bat. A host of key players in the Al away trip to Uzbekistan and will will have to be at his best again if spirits following comprehensive Rayyan have a great chance of reverse the appointment. India are currently 130th in the Sadd set-up have been called up need to be fresh for the Sunday Sadd are to register a repeat per- victories in the QSL and AFC beating their rivals. Last June, FIFA responded to FIFA world , wedged for the Qatar National team, and evening match. formance. More encouraging for Champions League. Last time out Sunday evening’s match could a financial and governance between minnows Suriname head coach Ferriera will be hoping Last time in the league, Al Coach Ferriera was that Bounjah in the league, Rayyan eased past have a signifi cant say in the des- crisis in the AFA by stepping and the Dominican Republic that none of them suff er any nasty Sadd ran riot against their ri- was not called up to represent bottom of the table Al Wakrah tination of the QSL falcon shield, in and putting it under the and with little sign that an injuries which could put them in vals picking up 5-0 win. Striker Algeria, meaning more time with a 4-0 win. Talismanic cap- and will certainly serve up some administration of a ‘normalisa- upturn in fortunes is around doubt for the Clasico. The likes of Bagdad Bounjah was the hero training at the club. tain Rodrigo Tabata delivered the of the best football the QSL has tion committee’.The commit- the corner. The event will be Ibrahim Majid, Ali Asad and Has- notching a hat-trick in the tie, As for Al Rayyan, they will come goods again for the Lions, scoring to off er. You can pick up tickets tee’s main role is to prepare held from October 6-28. san Haydoos have made the long and the Algerian international into the Qatar Clasico in good a hat-trick for his side. for the match here. Gulf Times 4 Tuesday, March 28, 2017 SPORT 'I should have taken time off aft er mistake’ SPOTLIGHT BMW M3 and X5 M Reuters New Zealand Rugby last October fol- tally — it really aff ected me and my Warren Gatland to call him the best Wellington lowing revelations of a liaison in a performance. The way it hurt my player in the world last year, Smith disabled toilet at Christchurch Air- family and my partner and myself, felt he was gradually working his way offi cial safety cars at port. obviously, it was just a really tough back. ll Blacks scrumhalf Aaron He returned to the team for the Ire- time. “I think a lot of positives have come Smith has said he should land clash in Chicago in November “I probably should have put rugby from that incident for me, personally, MotoGP Grand Prix have taken time away from and also played against Italy in Rome, on the backburner then and focused on the fi eld and off fi eld,” the 28-year- Arugby as he battled with the Ireland in Dublin and France in Paris. on myself and my family.” old said. embarrassing fallout from a tryst He was off his best, however, and Smith will play his 100th match for “I’ve had heaps of help. I’ve done lfardan Automobiles – Both models had been modi- with a woman in an airport toilet last Smith said the controversy had taken Super Rugby side Otago Highlanders a lot of counselling and sought out the offi cial importer of fi ed before they made their way year. its toll on and off the eld.fi against the Melbourne Rebels on Fri- the right people. But also from inci- BMW in Qatar – cel- to Losail International Circuit. Smith was suspended for one test, “It was a huge mistake by me, obvi- day. dents like that you learn who your ebrated the successful Low-slung and broad-set, the voluntarily stood down for another ously,” he told reporters yesterday. While he is yet to return to the level real friends are. It puts everything in conclusionA of the BMW brand’s BMW M3 and BMW X5 M both and received an offi cial warning from “Just the eff ects it had on me men- that led British and Irish Lions coach perspective." thirteenth consecutive year as share a fi nely balanced stance on the offi cial safety cars of MotoGP the road. The M-specifi c design Grand Prix of Qatar 2017, with of the two high-performance the BMW X5 M and BMW M3. sports cars underlines their per- GOLF Riders, offi cials and organizers formance capability. Large air of the premier Grand Prix mo- intakes and Air Curtains at the torcycle race event, which took front end and aluminium body place last at the Losail Interna- components, and the diff user tional Circuit, which took place at the muscular rear end are not from 25th till 26th of March, also merely design fl ourishes; they enjoyed a weekend of premium also fulfi l functional roles in BMW models, with a fl eet of lux- terms of aerodynamics, cooling ury models featured throughout and weight saving. Johnson holds the event for chauff euring and The BMW M3 is fi tted with other transportation needs. Ad- a free-revving straight-six en- ditionally, the BMW X6M, BMW gine with M TwinPower Turbo X5 M and BMW M6 Gran Coupe technology and 317 kW/431hp were displayed during the event. provides the power. Rigorously Together with BMW M GmbH, applied intelligent lightweight Alfardan Automobiles celebrat- design elements include the ex- ed the launch and start of the tensive use of lightweight mate- off Rahm for WGC grand prix season with an ex- rials such as CFRP and alumin- clusive event, in which media ium for many chassis and body representatives and customers components. All of which has were invited to attend the race shaved around 80 kilograms off at the Alfardan Automobiles VIP the weight of its predecessor. lounge. With the latest M TwinPower “Alfardan Automobiles has Turbo engine, the BMW X5M has gone from strength-to-strength the most powerful engine ever Match Play crown in Qatar, continuing our suc- developed by BMW for an all- cessful partnership for the thir- wheel-drive vehicle. Boasting teenth year running with the innovative M TwinPower Turbo Rahm’s comeback bid fell short when he was unable to birdie the 18th internationally focused MotoGP. technology with a pair of Twin- We continue to be committed to Scroll turbochargers, cross-bank AFP Johnson said. “So, to win both those supporting and promoting Qa- exhaust manifolds, VALVETRO- Miami matches not having my best stuff is def- tar’s ever expanding sporting NIC and High Precision Direct initely a positive. calendar” said Ihab Allam Gen- Petrol Injection, the 4.4-litre V8 “And I’m defi nitely proud of the way I eral Manager of Alfardan Auto- produces maximum output of ustin Johnson held on to beat hung in there and played tough and just mobiles. 423kW/575hp Spain’s Jon Rahm 1 up on tried to never give away holes, which I Sunday to win the World Golf felt like I did a pretty good job of.” Championships Match Play crownD and become the fi rst player to POINTS CHAMP win all four WGC events. American journeyman D.A. Points World number one Johnson was 5 up reaped the benefi ts of a recent switch to through eight holes but withstood a fu- a cross-handed putting style, rolling in rious rally by the 22-year-old Spaniard, nine birdies on his way to a two-stroke who was trying to become the youngest victory at the Puerto Rico Open on Sun- winner of one of the elite WGC events. day. Rahm’s comeback bid fell short when Points made a blazing start to the he was unable to birdie the 18th to ex- fi nal round with fi ve successive bird- tend the match. Johnson rolled in a ies, and also birdied four of the last six four-footer for a par to halve the hole holes, carding six-under-par 66 despite and seal the win. three mid-round bogeys on the Coco Johnson, the reigning US Open cham- Beach course in Rio Grande. pion, won the WGC HSBC Champions He fi nished at 20-under 268, while in 2013, the WGC Cadillac Champion- South African Retief Goosen stormed ship in 2015, the WGC Bridgestone In- home with a 64 to tie for second with FORMULA ONE vitational in 2016 and the WGC Mexico Americans Bryson DeChambeau (67) Championship earlier this month. and Bill Lunde (68) on 18-under. His wins in Mexico and on Sunday Overnight leader Chris Stroud proved in Austin, Texas, saw him join Tiger prescient in his prediction of a winning Stung Mercedes Woods as the only players to win back- score of at least 20-under, but was not to-back WGC titles. the man to post that number, carding 71 The victory capped a dominant week to fi nish four shots behind. vow to strike back for Johnson, who never trailed in any of It is the third PGA Tour victory for his seven matches. 40-year-old Points, after Pebble Beach Johnson took the fi nal by the throat in 2011 and Houston in 2013. AFP when he won four straight holes from Melbourne the third through the six as the ever- LEE WINS KIA CLASSIC more frustrated Rahm struggled with South Korean Lee Mi-rim turned the putter. a close Kia Classic into a procession, ewis Hamilton’s Mer- But Rahm kept his nerve after falling charging clear for a six-stroke victory in cedes are vowing to come 5 down when Johnson won the eighth Carslbad, California on Sunday. back hard in China after with a par. Starting the day one-stroke in front, being ambushed by resur- And the young Spaniard, who won Lee birdied all fi ve odd-numbered holes Lgent Ferrari in the Formula One his fi rst US PGA Tour title at Torrey on the front nine en route to a seven- season-opener in Australia. Pines this year, won the 13th, 15th and under-par 65 on the Aviara course. The German outfi t, who have 16th with birdies — rolling in a clutch Her 20-under 268 total matched the ruled the sport for the last three 32-footer at the 16th. tournament record low set by Cristie years, got a rude awakening in the After both parred the par-three 17th, Kerr in 2015, when Lee fi nished runner- fi rst race of the new season when they went to 18 with Johnson 1 up. up. Sebastian Vettel beat Hamilton by Johnson hadn’t been beyond the 16th “It’s been a long time to be winner almost 10 seconds in Melbourne on hole until Sunday. He also had to hang of the tournament,” Lee told reporters Sunday. on for a 1 up win over Japan’s Hideto via a translator after clinching her third Vettel’s triumph has overturned early-season expectations and Tanihara in the semi-fi nals on Sunday LPGA victory at the age of 26. raised the prospect of a Ferrari-Mercedes battle for the world title morning. “So I (was) kind of nervous before I over the remaining 19 races. “I defi nitely didn’t play my best to- started. But I tried to focus and then it Dustin Johnson of the USA poses with the trophy after winning the World Golf All eyes will now be on the next grand prix in Shanghai on April 9 day in the fi rst match or the second,” gave me a good result.” Championships in Austin, Texas. to see if Ferrari can repeat their improved performance through Vettel and Kimi Raikkonen. “If it wasn’t already clear after qualifying, then it’s certainly clear TENNIS now that this is going to be a season of very small margins,” Mercedes technical director James Allison said. “Credit to Ferrari, they had a very quick car and we just weren’t quite good enough to stick with them. We won’t panic, though. “It’s race one of a long season and we scored some very good points Nadal rallies to reach fourth round in Miami with both cars in Melbourne. We’ll be determined to come back stronger in China and make sure those small margins go our way next AFP I tried to play a little bit higher “Fernando is a very solid player. time.” While Vettel’s fi rst win for Ferrari since Singapore in 2015, and Miami balls against his backhand. He has a great serve and great his 43rd victory overall, has supercharged the season, he said there “That happened...and I think groundstrokes. I knew it was go- was still a lot of work to do. my serve worked so good in the ing to be long rallies. “This is one of many steps and we have to enjoy what we do. It’s afael Nadal came back second and third set,” added Among women, world number great to see people smiling,” said Vettel. “Now we have to reset to go to from an awful fi rst set Nadal, who next faces France’s one Angelique Kerber came back China and try to do a good job.” to defeat Germany’s Nicolas Mahut. Mahut beat Ar- from a break down in both sets Ferrari president Sergio Marchionne said the team returning to the RPhilipp Kohlschreiber gentine Guido Pella 6-4 6-3. to beat American Shelby Rogers top of the podium was long overdue, with the victory meaning a non- 0-6, 6-2, 6-3 and advance to the Japan’s Kei Nishikori came 6-4, 7-5 to move into the fourth Mercedes driver leads the championship for the fi rst time since 2013. fourth round of the Miami Open through a tough test against round. “It was about time,” Marchionne said. “We’ve been waiting for this on Sunday. Spaniard Fernando Verdasco 7-6 With no sign of the rain that victory for almost a year-and-a-half. Hearing the Italian national an- The Spaniard, playing his (7/2), 6-7(5/7) 6-1. interrupted the past two days on them again was very moving. 1,000th ATP match, suff ered just Last year’s beaten fi nalist, Key Biscayne, Kerber was joined “Sebastian delivered a great race and I am sure Kimi will be soon up the 14th 0-6 set of his career, Nishikori will face Argentine Fe- in the round of 16 by Britain’s there battling alongside his team-mate.” claiming just 33% of fi rst serve derico Del Bonis, who beat Ger- Johanna Konta, American Venus But like Vettel, Marchionne is not getting carried away at the start of points won and making a string many’s Jan-Lennard Struff 7-6 Williams and Russia’s Svetlana a globe-trotting season which will wrap up in Abu Dhabi in November. of unforced errors. (7/5), 6-1. Kuznetsova all who had com- “It is absolutely essential to remember that this is not the destina- After looking badly out of somebody is playing the way change the tempo and rhythm of Verdasco has yet to post a win fortable wins. tion but the fi rst step on a long road that must see us all focused on sorts, Nadal was able to redis- that he was playing the fi rst set... the match. against a top ten opponent this Although ranked 61st in the improving each and every day,” he said. cover his form in the second set he was playing too good. That’s “It was obvious that the points year but showed plenty of spirit world, Rogers has beaten Karo- Shanghai will also be an opportunity for Australian Daniel Ric- and in the end ran out a comfort- it,” said Nadal. had been too quick. He was able in a two hours 44 minute contest lina Pliskova, Petra Kvitova, Si- ciardo to bounce back after his traumatic outing in Melbourne. able winner. “The positive thing is I han- to return so quick and to hit eve- on centre court at Crandon Park mona Halep and Daria Kasatkina The amiable Red Bull driver crashed in qualifying, was hit with a Nadal said that there was lit- dled the pressure very well after ry ball as hard as he could. So I fi ghting back to win a second set in the last year and had her eye grid penalty and started Sunday’s race from pit lane, before his car tle he could do against Kohlsch- a very tough fi rst set. I resisted needed to play a little bit longer tie-break. on beating the top seed. stopped on lap 29 of his 58-lap home GP. reiber’s outstanding play in the well the fi rst few games of the points. But Nishikori stepped up in An upset looked possible when “Sure, I’m disappointed now but it is what it is. I’ve been here be- opening set. second, and then I think I played “It’s not about being more or the third, running away with the the American won the fi rst three fore so I’ll wake up tomorrow and be motivated to get ready for China,” “He was doing everything a great second and third set,” he less aggressive, it’s about chang- set to ensure his progress. games of the opening set but Ricciardo said after the race. good. So that’s sport, as I said said. Nadal said the key to his ing a little bit the position on the “I knew it was going to be Kerber recovered to win six of “If any Aussies have a bit of energy left in a few weeks, then come hundred of times and when comeback had been his ability to court. I went back on the return. a tough one,” Nishikori said. the next seven. out to China and you’ll hopefully see a better race from me.” Gulf Times Tuesday, March 28, 2017 5 SPORT

CYCLING Wiggins slams marginal gains as ‘a load of rubbish’

AFP at a corporate event in the City Olympics and four years later in London of London, was unimpressed. London, has spoken of how Pe- “A lot of people made a lot ters helped her career. of money out of it and David But Wiggins said: “Vicky’s radley Wiggins has la- Brailsford used it constantly a bit of a milkshake (mixed up) belled the marginal as his calling card, but I always anyway. You can over-analyse gains philosophy said to thought it was a load of rubbish,” things but at the end of the underpin much of Brit- said Wiggins. day, it’s about your ability and ishB Cycling’s recent success as “a “It’s a bit like the whole chimp whether you’re a better athlete load of rubbish”. thing,” added the fi ve-times Ol- than the other person or not. In comments reported by the ympic gold medallist, who won “Whether you’ve come to Daily Telegraph yesterday, Wig- several golds when Brailsford grips with this other person liv- gins was equally dismissive of was in charge of the British Cy- ing inside you, it’s all a bit... well, the ‘chimp paradox’ theory for cling team. He also won the 2012 each to his own. That may work dealing with pressure promoted Tour de France for the Team Sky with some people, but as (former by sports psychologist Dr Steve outfi t headed up by the celebrat- footballer) Roy Keane would say: Peters and said former Brit- ed coach. it’s utter nonsense.” ish track team-mate and fellow “At the end of the day, chimp The Telegraph said Wiggins Olympic gold medallist Victoria theories and marginal gains and all was not asked at the event about Pendleton was a “bit of a milk- these buzzwords — a lot of the time, the ongoing investigation into shake”. I just think you have got to get the whether he had broken anti- Britain was seen to gain a fundamentals right: go ride your doping rules at the 2011 Crite- technological advantage over its bike, put the work in, and you’re ei- rium du Dauphine race. rivals thanks to research carried ther good or you’re not good. Last week Wiggins told Sky out under what became known “Sometimes in life or in sport, Sports he would have a “lot to as the ‘Secret Squirrel Club’ whatever, you’re either good at say” and “shock a few people” headed up by former Olympic something or you’re not. That’s when he fi nally comments in champion Chris Boardman that what makes you a better athlete: details on the allegations which looked for legal improvements in your physical ability and wheth- centre on whether he was given bike design and rider equipment. er you’ve trained enough — not a legal decongestant or received It all became known as part of whether you’ve slept on a certain an unauthorised injection of the the search for “marginal gains” pillow or mattress.” powerful corticosteroid Tri- but Wiggins, in what the Tel- Pendleton, who won cycling amcinolone without an offi cial egraph said were remarks made golds at both the 2008 Beijing medical exemption. Bradley Wiggins has taken aim at a number of high profile figures within the sport.

NBA NHL Flyers beat Penguins 6-2 in Pittsburgh Celtics cool off Heat, By Sam Carchidi on a rebound with 7:11 to go in The Philadelphia Inquirer the second, giving the Flyers a 2-1 lead. Weal kept the puck alive in he road trip wasn’t front and it bounced to Filp- quite what the Flyers pula, who scored his fi rst goal needed – they had a in 12 games - and his second 2-2 record as they des- with the Flyers. join Cavs atop East Tperately tried to gain ground in About fi ve minutes earlier, the playoff race – 6-2 win Sun- Steve Mason kept the game day night against their bitter tied at 1, making a stick save ‘Our focus was to get another game, keep that momentum going before we start the playoff s’ rivals, the Pittsburgh Penguins. on Oskar Sundqvist from the Jordan Weal, the Flyers’ doorstep. coming-of-age left winger, Weal’s fourth goal in his last AFP had a goal and an assist as 10 games knotted the score at 1 Los Angeles the Flyers moved to within with 54.4 seconds left in a fi rst six points of the fi nal Eastern period that, until the latter Conference wild-card spot. stages, was controlled by the he Boston Celtics held They began the trip seven Penguins. off the Miami Heat 112- points behind. Using Filppula as a decoy 108 on Sunday to pull The Flyers have seven games on a two-on-one, Weal fi red into a virtual tie atop the left, including the next three at a left circle shot past the out- TNBA’s Eastern Conference with home against Ottawa, the New stretched glove of Murray. the reigning champion Cleve- York Islanders, and New Jersey. The Penguins had eight of land Cavaliers. It was the Flyers’ second win the game’s fi rst nine shots and The Celtics’ fourth straight in the last 11 days against Pitts- took a 1-0 lead on Matt Cul- victory gave them one more win burgh, which has lost three len’s power-play goal with than the Cavs — who fell to the straight overall for the second 15:29 left in the fi rst. Washington Wizards on Satur- time this season. The Flyers Mason didn’t realize the day. But they also have one more handed the Penguins just their puck had dropped behind him, defeat, leaving them technically third regulation loss at the PPG inches from the goal line, and just a few percentage points be- Paints Arena in 28 games this Cullen knocked it in by reach- hind Cleveland. season (22-3-3). ing back as he was skating Knowing plenty can happen Dale Weise put the Flyers behind the net. Cullen scored with just over two weeks left in in front, 3-1, by scoring on his with Gudas in the penalty box the regular season, the Celtics own rebound with 18 minutes, for cross-checking. weren’t getting too excited. 49 seconds left in the third pe- “They have a potent power “I mean, it’s nice. It’s just a riod. Travis Koenecy set up the play, and the best way to stop tie though. So it’s not that cool,” goal, Weise’s third in the last that is to stay out of the box and said Isaiah Thomas, who led the seven games. He scored two keep working hard,” Weal said. Celtics with 30 points. goals in his fi rst 50 games. The Flyers were getting “We hear it, but that wasn’t With 11:19 to go, Jake Vo- thoroughly outplayed until our focus tonight,” said Boston’s racek (19th goal) made it 4-1, Brandon Manning decisively Jae Crowder, who scored a sea- following up on Claude Giroux won a fi ght against Cameron son-high 25 points and grabbed shot and putting the rebound Gaunce with 12:02 remain- six rebounds. “Our focus was to just inside the left post. Vo- ing in the fi rst. That seemed to come in, get another game, keep racek has 17 goals in 32 career change the momentum in the that momentum going before we games against the Penguins. Flyers’ favor. start the playoff s.” The Penguins, who were Connor Sheary, Pittsburgh The Celtics have a day off on outshot by a 33-27 margin, top-line left winger, was in- Monday, when Cleveland face cut the defi cit to 4-2 on Patric jured blocking a shot in the fi rst the dangerous San Antonio Hornqvist’s goal with 6:24 to period. The Penguins spent the Spurs. The Celtics and Cava- play. rest of the night rotating left liers will meet one more time in But Radko Gudas’ empty- wingers on a line with Sidney the regular season, on April 5 in net goal with 2:29 remaining Crosby and Bryan Rust. Boston. iced the victory, giving the The Penguins were already The defeat, and the Chicago Flyers a 12-3-1 record in this without seven injured regulars, Bulls’ 109-94 victory over the building (formerly known as including Evgeni Malkin and Milwaukee Bucks, left Miami the Consol Energy Center) Kris Letang. just a half-game ahead of Chica- since it opened in 2010-11. go for the eighth and fi nal playoff Shayne Gostisbehere added RESULTS spot in the East. another goal while Matt Mur- Jets 2 Canucks 1 The Bucks are in a three-way ray was back in the net. Flyers 6 Penguins 2 tie for fi fth place in the East with Earlier, Valtteri Filppula, Stars 2 Devils 1 (OT) the Atlanta Hawks and Indiana battling hard in front, scored Red Wings 3 Wild 2 (OT) Pacers. The Pacers snapped a two-game losing streak with a 107-94 victory over the Phila- delphia 76ers, while the reel- ing Hawks endured a seventh straight defeat — 107-92 to the Brooklyn Nets. Miami Heat forward James Johnson (No 16) shoots over Boston Celtics forward Amir Johnson (No 90) during the first half of their NBA game. Rockets silence Thunder PICTURE: USA TODAY Sports In Houston, the Rockets with- stood Russell Westbrook’s 36th sists, engineering an outstand- straight, pulling away in the Curry added 21 and Andre Iguo- for New Orleans, who are now triple-double of the season to si- ing off ensive eff ort by the Rock- fourth quarter for a 106-94 dala connected on seven of eight four games behind Denver for lence the Oklahoma City Thun- ets that included 31 points from home win over the Memphis shots from the fl oor en route to the eighth and fi nal spot in the der 137-125. Lou Williams and 24 apiece from Grizzlies. 20 points. West. The contest featured two top Trevor Ariza and Eric Gordon. The Warriors took their record MVP candidates in Westbrook Houston made 63.3 % of their to 59-14 and pushed their lead Jazz playoff bound RESULTS and Houston’s James Harden. shots and 20 three-pointers and over San Antonio atop the West The Utah Jazz didn’t play Kings 98 Clippers 97 Westbrook, who scored 39 are third in the West compared to 2 1/2 games. Sunday, but they clinched their Celtics 112 Heat 108 points with 11 rebounds and 13 to the Thunder’s sixth place. The Warriors led 83-81 going fi rst playoff berth since 2012 Pacers 107 76ers 94 assists, is within sight of leg- “It’s important to have depth, into the fi nal period. Stephen when the New Orleans Pelicans Hornets 120 Suns 106 endary Oscar Robertson’s 41 and the fact that we have so Curry contributed two three- defeated the Denver Nuggets Nets 107 Hawks 92 triple-doubles of the 1961-62 many versatile guys or guys that pointers to a 14-5 fourth-quarter 115-90. Rockets 137 Thunder 125 season. can put the ball in the basket, run that saw the Warriors pull Anthony Davis led the Peli- Bulls 109 Bucks 94 But the Rockets’ superior that’s a big, big key,” Ariza said. away. cans with 31 points and 15 re- Pelicans 115 Nuggets 90 Philadelphia Flyers centre Jordan Weal (L) and Pittsburgh Penguins depth was on display. Harden Meanwhile, the Golden State Klay Thompson led the War- bounds. Jrue Holiday and Jordan Warriors 106 Grizzlies 94 centre Sidney Crosby reach for the puck during the second period delivered 22 points with 12 as- Warriors won their seventh riors with a game-high 31 points. Crawford scored 13 points apiece Trail Blazers 97 Lakers 81 at the PPG PAINTS Arena. PICTURE: USA TODAY Sports Gulf Times 6 Tuesday, March 28, 2017 CRICKET

THIRD TEST Record-equalling Williamson ton puts New Zealand on top Skipper Williamson, who equalled Martin Crowe’s record of 17 Test centuries for the Black Caps, was not out on 148

AFP Williamson worked the ball to all parts of the Hamilton, New Zealand ground including a six off Keshav Maharaj over the bowler’s head. He followed up with two Kane Williamson of New Zealand cuts more off Vernon Philander and Morkel over the en route to his unbeaten hundred during record-equalling Test century by Kane square leg boundary — three sixes in one innings the third Test against South Africa at Williamson yesterday put New Zea- from a batsman who only had nine from his pre- Seddon Park in Hamilton yesterday. (AFP) land in charge of the third Test against vious 60 Tests. South Africa and had them talking of The six off Philander made him the sixth and victoryA in Hamilton. At stumps on the third day, fastest New Zealander to reach 5,000 Test runs, New Zealand were 321 for four, leading South seven innings quicker than the previous record Africa by seven runs with Williamson — who set by Crowe. equalled Martin Crowe’s record of 17 Test cen- When Williamson smacked part-timer Dean turies for the Black Caps — not out on 148 with Elgar to the boundary for his hundred, he had Mitchell Santner on 13. equalled Crowe’s New Zealand record of 17 cen- It was a remarkable fi ghtback by a side com- turies in 16 fewer Tests. pletely outclassed in the second Test when they While Williamson punished the bowling, were beaten by eight wickets inside three days. Raval was impressively patient as he picked up Opener Jeet Raval, who put on a 190-run part- ones and twos off the pace attack of Philander, nership with Williamson, said New Zealand Morkel and Kagiso Rabada. He batted for 390 were eyeing a 200 fi rst innings lead. “We’d love minutes before getting an inside edge to Morkel to get 500. We’re in a good position and we’ve to give de Kock his second catch. still got six wickets in the shed,” said Raval. Rabada then accounted for Neil Broom (12) “If we can get a couple of hundred-run lead and Henry Nicholls (nought) in successive balls and then put South Africa under pressure with before Santner joined Williamson to guide New the new ball it puts us right in the game. It’s Zealand through to stumps. For South Africa, about putting us in a position where we can win Morkel has two for 74 and Rabada two for 83. this game and draw the series.” New Zealand, battling to square the series SCOREBOARD which South Africa lead 1-0, enjoyed a solid South Africa I innings 314(Q. de Kock 90. F. du start from Raval and Tom Latham with an 83- Plessis 53, H. Amla 50; Henry 4-93, Wagner 3-104) run opening partnership before Williamson New Zealand I innings (overnight 67-0) took control. “I felt like bit of a clown batting T. Latham c de Kock b Morkel 50 with the master at the other end. Just to watch J. Raval c de Kock b Morkel 88 him bat was unbelievable,” added Raval, whose K. Williamson not out 148 88 came from 254 balls while Williamson has N. Broom lbw Rabada 12 faced 216 deliveries for his 148. H. Nicholls c de Kock b Rabada 0 South African quick Morne Morkel, who took M. Santner not out 13 the wickets of Latham and Raval, described Extras: (lb3, nb7) 10 Williamson’s performance as “exceptional”. Total (4 wickets, 104 overs) 321 “There’s only one team under pressure now and Fall of wickets: 1-83 (Latham), 2-273 (Raval), 3-293 that’s us,” he said. (Broom), 4-293 (Nicholls) Latham progressed from his overnight 42 To bat: BJ Watling, Colin de Grandhomme, Jeetan to 50 before he was caught behind by a diving Patel, Matt Henry, Neil Wagner Quinton de Kock off Morkel. It was another 58 Bowling: Philander 25-6-59-0 (2nb), Morkel 24-5-74- overs before a second wicket fell as Williamson 2, Rabada 21-1-83-2 (1nb), Maharaj 29-2-71-0, Duminy and Raval dictated terms to a bowling attack 4-0-18-0, Elgar 1-0-13-0 toiling on a fl at track. Series: South Africa lead 1-0

SECOND ODI FOCUS Bangladesh eye rare away glory KSD XI, Scorpions enter fi nal

AFP form lately, winning fi ve consecutive series Dambulla, Sri Lanka in the past two years before narrowly losing to England in October. of QPlays Sixes Gully Cricket They failed to win a single match in their angladesh skipper Mashrafe Mor- most recent away series in New Zealand By Sports Reporter wickets, while Dawood A, Faslin taza said yesterday he’s confi dent however, although Mortaza said his team- Doha Mohamed Ismail and Hadi Kho- his side can secure a rare series win mates had learnt from the disappointment. rasani took one apiece. away from home when they face Sri “New Zealand was diffi cult for us but that In reply, CCRC could only LankaB in the second One Day International experience will work for us here,” he said. SD XI and Scorpions manage 32 for 6 in six overs. this week. Sri Lanka, who are staring at a fi fth con- will face-off in the fi nal Kasim and Sadiq, who had con- The tourists lead 1-0 going into today’s secutive ODI series loss against a Test na- of the QPlays Sixes Gul- tributed with bat for KSD, deliv- contest at Dambulla and know that vic- tion, added fast bowlers Nuwan Kulasekera ly Cricket Carnival 2017 ered with the bat too. They took tory would secure their third ever series and Nuwan Pradeep to their squad due to atK the Asian Town International two wickets each, so did Irshad. win away from Bangladeshi soil. Bangla- fi tness concerns over Suranga Lakmal. Cricket Stadium tomorrow. The Hadi Khorasani and Mohammed desh dominated Sri Lanka with bat and ball Bangladesh captain Mashrafe Mortaza Team manager Asanka Gurusinha said league matches and the semi- Haseeb Khan scored 12 and 11 during the opening game Saturday of the stretches during a practice session. (AFP) Lakmal was likely to play though and warned fi nals of the inaugural tourna- who won the toss and elected to respectively for CCRC, but that three-match series to clinch a crushing 90- Bangladesh that his side were hurting from ment was held last Thursday and bowl, were left to rue their deci- wasn’t enough for them to reach run win against their more illustrious oppo- to push us from the start. They know how the humiliation of Saturday’s defeat. Friday, with 24 teams contesting sion after Elite amassed 76 for 6 the target. nents. A win today would see them take an to play aggressive cricket. We have to ex- “(The) team is really pumped up after los- for the top honours. in six overs. The Sixes Gully Cricket Car- unassailable 2-0 lead in the series. ecute our plans properly and start anew,” ing the fi rst game. We know the pressure The event is organised by Elite lost fi ve wickets cheaply, nival has also been backed by “I am fully confi dent we will play our he added. Bangladesh have only ever beaten is on us because we don’t have any more QPLAYS, in association with Ibn but A Azhar’s 37 (16 balls, 1x4, number of brands like Grand best. It will give us a good chance (of victo- fellow-strugglers Zimbabwe and an under chances,” he said. “It’s like a main fi nal for Ajayan Projects, one of the lead- 4x6) and Fasalu Rahuman’s 22 Mart, Doha Rocks, Smile Hy- ry),” said Mortaza. “They will try very hard strength West Indies team in an away series. us. We are pretty confi dent that we can play ing facility management com- (8b, 3x6) made sure they reached permarket, Lamborghini Energy too since they are 1-0 behind. They will try But at home they have enjoyed a fi ne run of much better than we did,” Gurusinha added. panies in Qatar and QECC – The a healthy total. Ishak T took three Drink, Sharaf DG and Al Wadi. Largest Cricket Players Commu- wickets for Scorpions, while The media partners for the tour- nity in Qatar. The tournament is Rashid and Rizwan got one each nament are Q Tickets, BQ Maga- LOCAL CRICKET managed by Qbiz Events. In reply, Scorpions reached the zine, Al Raza Solutions and Clear The fi nal will held tomorrow target in just 4.1 overs losing two Graphics and Print. from 8:45pm till 9:30pm, with wickets. Opener Faisal Moideen Brief scores (semifinals) the prize distribution ceremony led the charge with a quick-fi re KSD XI 45 for 5 in 6 overs. (Riyas R scheduled at 9:45pm. Winners 21 off just 7 balls. Ismail (16) and 11, Kasim K 9, Sadiq S 9; Dawood Pallonji beat GC Stars to win opener will take home a cash prize of Ishak T (32) remained unbeaten A 1-14, Faslin Mohamed Ismail 1-10, QR 5,000 and a trophy, while the to see their team through. Hadi Khorasani 1-9, Ahfaz Ahmed By Sports Reporter runner-up will get QR 2,500 and In the other semi-fi nal, KSD Shah 2-5) bt CCRC 32 for 6 in 6 Doha also a trophy. XI beat CCRC by 13 runs. KSD XI, overs (Hadi Khorasani 12, Moham- In the two closely-contested who were put into bat, scored 45 med Haseeb Khan 11; Irshad 2-6, semi-fi nals, KSD XI and Scorpi- for 5 in the allotted six overs. Ri- Kasim K 2-2, Sadiq S 2-3) by 13 runs . Pallonji defeated GC Stars ons put up a strong show to enter yas R was the top-scorer with 11 Elite 76/6 in 6 overs (Azhar A 37, by fi ve wickets in the inaugu- the title clash. In the fi rst semi- runs, which came off just 5 balls Fasalu Rahuman 22; Ishak T 3-16; ral match of the 3rd M. Pallonji fi nal, T Ishak’s all-round per- and included a six and a four. Rashid 1-11, Rizwan Scorpions 1-9) cricket tournament at the West formance helped Scorpions beat Kasim K and Sadiq S contributed lost to Scorpions 78/2 in 4.1 overs MBay Cricket Complex. GC Stars elected to Elite by 8 wickets in an exciting nine runs each. For CCRC, Ah- (Faisal Moideen 21, Ismail 16, Ishak T bat fi rst, and their opening batsmen Shahid high-scoring match. Scorpions, faz Ahmed Shah picked up two 32; Wasif 2-26) by 8 wickets (39) and Naveed (25) gave them a brisk start. There after some splendid bowling by Thisuru and Ayub kept GC Stars in check A DIVISION CRICKET and they were all out for 143 runs in 19.3 overs For GC Stars, Zafar with 34 runs was the major contributor. Thisuru and Ayub took 3 wickets each for M. Pallonji, while CBQ Club register easy victory Naveed and Alban claimed one each. In reply, M. Pallonji had a shaky start and By Sports Reporter fours and two sixes. Asif chipped lost both their openers Amruth and Razik in Doha in with 55 off 47 balls. the fi rst over bowled by Shahid. But Thisuru Earlier, CBQ posted a chal- 38 runs (5x6) changed the momentum in fa- lenging 280 for seven in 45 overs. vour of Pallonji. Sandhesh (22) and Melroy BQ Club scored a com- Zaheer top-scored with 60 from (29) ensured that Pallonji reached the target fortable 48-run win over 71 balls, which contained eights in 14 overs. Shahid took two wickets, Na- Warriors Club in the Qa- fours. Waleed took 59 balls to deem, Khurram, Parvez and Omar took one tar Airways Division ‘A’ hit 49 with only two fours. Amir wicket each. In the other matches, McDon- CricketC Tournament on Friday. was undefeated on 46 after clob- alds defeated Metabo by 24 runs and QALCO Qatar Airways is the sponsor of bering three fours and two huge beat Tulukoota by 91 runs. Chidananda Nayak, General Manager of M. Pallonji inaugurates the 3rd M. Pallonji cricket the tournament, which is hosted Man of the match: Zaheer of CBQ sixes. Brief scores: tournament at West Bay Cricket Complex. by the Qatar Cricket Association Brief scores: CBQ Club 280 for 7 Qalco 203 for 7 wickets in 20 overs (Suminda in various divisions. an impressive fi ve-wicket haul. in 45 overs (Zaheer 60, Waleed 49, 20, Azhar 31, Amir 24, Ifzal 32, Muzammil 33; McDonalds 175 for 9 in 20 overs (Bari 59, Iftikar GC Stars 143 all out in 19.3 overs (Shahid 39, At the West Bay Cricket Com- Basharat also took three for 47 as Amir 46 not out, Asif 2/43, Asad Rizwan 2 wickets) bt Tulukoota 112 all out in 19.1 21, Haneef 2-39 runs, Shariq 2-36) bt Metabo 151 Naveed 25, Zafar 34. Thisuru 3-17, Ayub 3-23) plex, Warriors Club were set 281- Warriors were all out for 232 in 2/38) bt Warriors Club 232 all out in overs (Abdul Gani 36, Shukur 21; Majeed 2-7, all out in 18 overs (Asif 55, Shariq 21; Chaminda lost to M. Pallonji 149 for 6 in 14 overs (Thisaru run target. But Philip made deep 38.3 overs. Faisal made 65 off just 38.3 overs (Faisal 65, Asif 55, Philip Ruwan 2- 20) 2- 14, Sudarshan 2-26 runs, Yasir 2-18 runs) 38, Melroy 29, Sandesh 22. Sahid 2-1 run) inroads into the rival batting with 55 balls, which included eight 5/30, Basharat 3/47) Gulf Times Tuesday, March 28, 2017 7 CRICKET

FOURTH TEST IN BRIEF Australia India set for win aft er batting coach defends Aussie batting collapse Warner Australia opener David Warner Hosts were 19-0, needing 87 more to win the match and clinch the Border-Gavaskar trophy will assess his performance after failing yet again to improve his AFP poor away record in the Test Dharamsala, India series against India, batting coach Graeme Hick said yester- day. Warner averages nearly 60 ll-rounder Ravindra Jadeja at home but the number drops starred with both bat and ball below 35 when the 30-year-old on the third day of the fourth left-hander is batting abroad. Test yesterday to put India on Fourteen of his 18 centuries courseA for a series-clinching victory came on home soil and the against Australia in Dharamsala. The opener managed just one fi fty left-hander top-scored with 63 to help in his eight innings in India. India surpass Australia’s fi rst-innings “Obviously David will be very total of 300 and then snared three wick- disappointed with his aggregate ets with his spin bowling as the visitors on tour,” Hick told reporters crumbled. after the third day’s play in the India’s pacemen did the early dam- fourth and fi nal Test. “He was age, with Umesh Yadav picking up two desperate to have a very big tour wickets and Bhuvneshwar Kumar dis- and to have a very big infl uence missing the in-form Australian skipper here. Whether he put himself Steve Smith for 17 to leave the Aussies under a bit too much pressure to reeling on 31-3 inside 10 overs. A short do so, only he can answer that. ball from Kumar hit the bottom edge He will refl ect on it, as cham- of Smith’s bat before crashing onto the pions do, and feel and assess it stumps in spectacular fashion. himself. But without a doubt, he Smith ended the four-Test series is one of our major players and with 499 runs including three centu- you would have hoped for a little ries, only the sixth visiting batsman bit more from him...” to have scored so many hundreds in a Warner scored 56 in the fi rst series in India. The spinners then got innings and six in the second down to business on a lively track that and has struggled against the off ered plenty of bounce, with Ravi- Indian spinners Ravichandran chandran Ashwin also grabbing three Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja. “It wickets to help his side skittle out Aus- is tough up front (with) Jadeja tralia for just 137 in the fi nal session. bowling into the rough and At stumps the top-ranked home side Ashwin bowls really well at him. were 19-0, needing 87 more to win the (They) certainly questioned match and clinch the Border-Gavaskar him,” Hick said. trophy with a 2-1 series scoreline. With “That’s the beauty of the two days of play remaining and all their game, it puts these challenges wickets intact, India appear all set to up between great players and seal a memorable win, capping weeks makes it very interesting to of controversies and verbal volleys be- watch. David will obviously be tween the top sides. very disappointed with the way Day three also had its share of drama things have gone,” added the when Murali Vijay claimed a catch off former England Test batsman. Josh Hazlewood at the fag end of the Australian innings. Replays however AUSTRALIA PACER TAIT showed the ball had spilled onto the ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT grass. TV cameras then showed Smith India’s Umesh Yadav (right) celebrates with his teammates after dismissing Australia’s Matt Renshaw during the fourth Test in Dharamsala, India, yesterday. (Reuters) Australian fast bowler Shaun fuming in the dressing room and ap- Tait has announced his retire- pearing to mumble angrily at Vijay’s at- Warner ended the four-Test series with way. “You couldn’t have asked for more. Fall of wickets: 1-21 (Vijay), 2-108 (Rahul), Extras (b4, lb1) 5 ment from all forms of the game tempt to claim the catch. an average of 24.12 — his lowest in a Jadeja and Saha batted really well. This 3-157 (Pujara), 4-167 (Nair), 5-216 (Rahane), Total (all out; 53.5 overs) 137 yesterday due to persistent Australian batting coach Graeme series of four or more matches, and his morning was really special. The way 6-221 (Ashwin), 7-317 (Jadeja), 8-318 (Ku- Fall of wickets: 1-10 (Warner), 2-31 (Smith), elbow injuries. Tait, who had Hick sought to play down the incident third lowest overall. The Indian fast they batted was fantastic,” said Ashwin. mar), 9-318 (Saha), 10-332 (K. Yadav). 3-31 (Renshaw), 4-87 (Handscomb), 5-92 retired from fi rst-class cricket in after the day’s play. “We were watch- bowlers exploited the pace off ered by “I told Jadeja there was a hundred for Bowling: Hazlewood 25-8-51-1, Cummins (Marsh), 6-106 (Maxwell), 7-121 (Cum- 2009 and one-day internation- ing it on our own little pads and the the wicket to put relentless pressure on the taking. He is a very talented bats- 30-8-94-3, Lyon 34.1-5-92-5, O’Keefe 27-4- mins), 8-121 (O’Keefe), 9-122 (Lyon), 10-137 als in 2011, continued to play ball defi nitely touched the ground,” the batsmen. man: if he puts his head down, he can 75-1, Maxwell 2-0-5-0 (Hazlewood). as a Twenty20 specialist, with Hick said. “Having fi elded in slips my- Yadav also accounted for Matt Ren- get that hundred.” Bowling: B. Kumar 7-1-27-1, U. Yadav 10-3- his last match coming for the self, sometimes you’re not 100 per cent shaw before Glenn Maxwell put on 56 Australia II innings: 29-3, K. Yadav 5-0-23-0, Jadeja 18-7-24-3, Hobart Hurricanes against the sure. He would have felt that go into his for the fourth wicket with Peter Hands- SCOREBOARD M. Renshaw c Saha b U. Yadav 8 Ashwin 13.5-4-29-3. Sydney Thunder in the 2016-17 fi ngers and felt it was a clean catch. At comb to steady the ship briefl y. But Australia I innings: 300 (Smith 111, Wade D. Warner c Saha b U. Yadav 6 Big Bash League. times this series has been heated but Handscomb was brilliantly caught by 57, Warner 56; K. Yadav 4-68) S. Smith b Kumar 17 India II innings: “I honestly wanted to play this game has been played in very good India’s stand-in skipper Ajinkya Ra- India I innings (overnight 248-6): P. Handscomb c Rahane b Ashwin 18 L. Rahul not out 1 3 a couple more years, whether spirit.” hane off Ashwin while Jadeja dismissed W. Saha c Smith b Cummins 31 G. Maxwell lbw b Ashwin 45 M. Vijay not out 6 it was over in the UK or here,” India got their fi rst breakthrough Shaun Marsh for one. R. Jadeja b Cummins 63 S. Marsh c Pujara b Jadeja 1 Total (for no loss, 6 overs) 19 the 34-year-old Tait said. “The when Yadav had David Warner caught Jadeja had played a crucial knock B. Kumar c Smith b O’Keefe 0 M. Wade not out 25 To bat: Pujara, Rahane, Nair, Ashwin, Saha, elbow has pretty much gone behind cheaply for six, just after the with the bat earlier in the day, starring K. Yadav c Hazlewood b Lyon 7 P. Cummins c Rahane b Jadeja 12 Jadeja, Kumar, K. Yadav, U. Yadav off a cliff now, it’s done and opener had been dropped in the slips in a seventh-wicket stand of 96 with U. Yadav not out 2 S. O’Keefe c Pujara b Jadeja 0 Bowling: Cummins 3-1-14-0, Hazlewood dusted. I suppose when you’re by Karun Nair, who had also dropped Wriddhiman Saha (31) to help India post Extras (b4, lb11, w5) 20 N. Lyon c Vijay b U. Yadav 0 2-0-5-0, O’Keefe 1-1-0-0 not contributing on the fi eld as the same batsman in the fi rst innings. 332 and swing the momentum their Total (all out; 118.1 overs) 332 J. Hazlewood lbw b Ashwin 0 India need 87 more runs for victory much as you’d like to, it’s time to fi nish up.” Tait was instrumental in SPOTLIGHT Australia’s 2007 World Cup triumph in West Indies, where he was the joint-second highest wicket-taker with 23 dismiss- als in the tournament. “In his India’s Jadeja passing the test on ‘auto-mode’ prime, Shaun was the world’s fastest bowler. It was incredibly Reuters one test bowler in the rankings. “Today I realised that what exactly exciting to watch him full fl ight Dharamsala, India Jadeja proved his worth again yes- people mean when they talk about bursting through the defences terday, smashing 63 and claiming challenges of Test cricket.” of the game’s best batsmen,” three wickets to put India on the verge Jadeja’s bowling has been a revela- Cricket Australia CEO James avindra Jadeja has endured of victory over Australia. “It feels tion this season and his 25-wicket tally Sutherland said in a statement. constant doubts about his good to be considered a responsible means the spinner is likely to fi nish as Tait represented Australia in Test credentials but the fl am- and valuable member of the side who the highest wicket-taker in the series. three tests, 35 ODIs and 21 T20s boyant all-rounder is con- can contribute — whether it’s with his Asked about the secret behind his and made his last international vincedR he belongs in the longest for- batting, bowling or fi elding,” Jadeja bowling success, Jadeja said with a appearance against India in the mat of the game after putting India told reporters at the Himachal Pradesh chuckle, “Well, my shoulder is now on shortest format at Sydney last on the verge of a series victory against Cricket Association Stadium. auto-mode. Everything is happening year. Australia yesterday. “Feeling good that I’m doing well in automatically.” The 28-year-old made his Test de- Test cricket. I played many one-dayers Jadeja and Australian wicketkeeper but in 2012 but has always been la- and this year I played quite a few Test Matthew Wade were seen exchanging belled as a bits-and-pieces player matches and did well, which gives me words on at least a couple of occasions whose nagging left-arm spin and a lot of satisfaction. I consider myself in a tense fi rst session. “I just told him swashbuckling batting as well as agile suitable for both the formats. It gives (Wade) that once you lose and are free, fi elding were more suited to limited- me confi dence that I can play and do we will have dinner together!” overs cricket. But India’s current 13- well in the long version.” Jadeja celebrated his second succes- Test home season has seen the emer- Australia fast bowler Pat Cummins sive fi fty with his trademark twirling gence of Jadeja the Test player. The treated Jadeja to a barrage of bounc- of the bat held like a sword. “You’d be bearded cricketer with tousled hair has ers on a lively track. “It was a tough seeing it again and again,” added the stepped out of spin partner Ravichan- situation as the ball was seaming and all-rounder. India need 87 runs with dran Ashwin’s shadow and has re- bouncing and their fast bowlers were all 10 wickets in hand to seal victory placed the off -spinner as the number bowling 140 (kmph) plus,” he said. today.

Saha and Jadeja were fantastic: Ashwin

Dharamsala, India: India’s premier couldn’t have asked for more. Jaddu he added. Ashwin, who scalped three off -spinner Ravichandran Ashwin and Saha batted really well. We get wickets in the second session, also yesterday heaped praises on Ravindra our noses ahead,” Ashwin said after lauded pacers Umesh Yadav and Jadeja and Wriddhiman Saha for their the day’s proceedings. Bhuvneshwar Kumar for bowling tight gritty knocks that helped the hosts “This morning was really special. spells that helped to build the pres- to take a 32-run lead over Australia in Saha and Jaddu were fantastic. It has sure on the Australians. “Great spells the first innings. been a magical season. I told Jaddu by Umesh and Bhuvi. Australia batted Resuming the Day Three of the there was a hundred for the taking. really well yesterday too, we had to fourth and final Test here yesterday He is a very talented batsman, if he buckle down,” Ashwin said. at 248/6, overnight batsmen Ravindra puts his head down, he can get that At the end of the day’s play, India Jadeja (63) and Wriddhiman Saha hundred. Hope there is more tight had scored 19/0 and needed only 87 (31) added 69 runs to take India past batting from Vijay and Rahul, and that runs more to win the final Test and India’s Ravindra Jadeja proved his worth again yesterday, smashing 63 and claiming 300-run mark. “It was magical. You they can get fifties for themselves,” also the four-match Test series. three wickets to put India on the verge of victory over Australia. (Reuters)

Tuesday, March 28, 2017 GULF TIMES SPORT

ABU DHABI DESERT CHALLENGE Al-Attiyah, al-Qassimi rivalry set to take centre stage

Agencies Abu Dhabi

he world’s leading driv- ers and riders are be- ginning to arrive in the United Arab Emirates Tahead of next week’s Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge powered by Nissan. The third round of the 2017 FIA World Cup for Cross-Coun- try Rallies and the opening round of the FIM Cross-Country Ral- lies World Championship kicks off with a super special stage at the Al-Forsan International Sports Resort on April 1 and runs through the deserts of the Rub Al-Khali until April 6. A fi erce rivalry has existed be- tween Qatar’s Nasser Saleh al- Attiyah and Abu Dhabi’s Sheikh Nasser Saleh al-Attiyah is aiming for a third victory at the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge. Sheikh Khalid al-Qassimi heads for a duel at the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge next week. Khalid al-Qassimi for 14 years. The pair locked horns for the egories and al-Qassimi agreed to and now has the latest version of and almost lasted the distance ern Deserts by competing along- race behind Poland’s Aron Dom- Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge,” fi rst time in the FIA Middle East drive works Fords and Citroëns Peugeot’s all-conquering 3008 at the Dakar Rally in January, side Abu Dhabi veteran Yayha al- zala. He also has two wins at the enthused Mohammed Ben Su- Rally Championship and al- in the main World Rally Car cat- DKR at his disposal for the Abu before mechanical issues inter- Helai on many occasions. Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge un- layem, rally founder and Presi- Qassimi drew fi rst blood with a egories. Dhabi Desert Challenge. vened. He will be determined to Al-Attiyah, meanwhile, is on der his belt but al-Qassimi will dent of the ATCUAE. title victory in 2004. Now the pair are specialising A mechanical issue robbed push for the top of the podium a winning streak with his Over- be aiming to prevent the Doha- “The success of both driv- The pair continued their duel in cross-country rallying. Al- him of a top fi nish on his ADDC to keep up the momentum in his drive Racing Toyota Hilux and based driver from adding a third. ers has encouraged many more for several seasons in the re- Attiyah has more experience in debut in 2015, but he went on to fi rst real season-long challenge claimed six event victories last “Both Nasser and Khalid have people in the region to become gional rallying series and then this discipline, as his two Dakar fi nish seventh overall with a Mini for FIA World Cup honours. Al- year in Abu Dhabi, Qatar, Spain, been at the forefront of rallying interested in the sport and their the competition extended to the Rally victories and numerous All4 Racing last year. Qassimi’s navigator Khalid al- Italy, Poland and Morocco on his in the Middle East for the last 14 interest in the discipline of FIA World Rally Championship, wins on rounds of the FIA World The Emirati shadowed his Kendi is one of the most experi- way to the FIA World Cup title. A years and it is fascinating that cross-country rallying is anoth- where al-Attiyah concentrated Cup would suggest. But al-Qas- Qatari rival to the fi nish of the enced in the UAE and developed win in Dubai recently has moved they will lock horns again across er reason this sport is so popular on the PWRC and WRC 2 cat- simi is a determined character recent Dubai International Baja a sound knowledge of the West- him up to second in the 2017 title the sands of the UAE, here at the now in the region.”

ATHLETICS/DOHA DIAMOND LEAGUE FIA WC FOR CROSS-COUNTRY RALLIES, ROUND 3 Qatar’s Abdulla aims to retain T2 title Rio stars to clash in By Sports Reporter hindered their TOK Sport Nis- Abu Dhabi san’s progress and they now lie second in the series sandwiched between the Saudi Arabian driv- issan’s Adel Abdulla ers Yasir Saeidan and Ahmed will be hoping to put al-Malki and closely pursued by the minor setback he Abu Dhabi’s Mansoor al-Helai. incurred at the recent “I won this event last year but 800m, steeplechase NDubai International Baja fi rmly it is one of the toughest events in to the back of his mind when he the calendar,” said Adel Abdulla. continues the defence of his FIA “This rally is long and the fi rst Jebet, Kiyeng and Coburn set to recreate 3,000m steeplechase Olympic final T2 World Championship title at of the three rounds of the cham- next week’s Abu Dhabi Desert pionship so far where you score Challenge Powered by Nissan. double points. It is completely By Sports Reporter The event starts with a short diff erent to the two Bajas in Rus- Doha spectator stage at the Al-Forsan sia and Dubai. At least I scored International Resort on April 1 points at both of those rounds and fi nishes at the Yas Marina and I am second in the champi- ith the Doha 2017 Circuit in Abu Dhabi on April onship. My aim is to win the rally Diamond League 6 after fi ve punishing selective and, in so doing, I would be lead- now less than six- sections through the UAE’s no- ing the championship. We have weeks away, some torious Empty Quarter or Rub carried out some development Wof athletics’ biggest female stars Al-Khali. work with the car and the team have been added to the world- The Qatari guided his power- is confi dent that the hard work class line up of Olympic and ful Nissan Patrol to the prestig- will pay off with a top result in World Champions that will open ious title for Series Production Abu Dhabi. their outdoor seasons in Doha. Cross-Country vehicles in last “I am also delighted to confi rm Tickets are on sale now at year’s FIA World Cup for Cross- that Ooredoo has come on board www.q-tickets.com to watch Country Rallies and knows that as an important sponsor for me some of the world’s best athletes a podium fi nish is crucial to his and I would like to thank them, reignite rivalries from Rio 2016 2017 chances on this six-day in addition to Saleh Al-Hamad for a thrilling night of world- third round of the series held Al-Mana Co, Nissan Middle East class athletics at Qatar Sports across some of the remotest ter- and the QMMF for their ongoing Club on May 5. rain in the UAE deserts. support.” The women’s 800m event Adel Abdullah and his French In a total route of around will witness some of the fi ercest navigator Sébastien Delaunay 2,073km, competitors will tackle competition at this year’s event, have support from Nissan Mid- 1,324km against the clock. with an epic showdown prom- dle East, Saleh Al-Hamad Al- ised between the three Rio 2016 Mana Co. and the Qatar Mo- FIA T2 Cross-Country Rally Olympic medallists Caster Se- tor and Motorcycle Federation World Cup – positions after menya, Francine Niyonsaba and (QMMF), for their challenge for round 2 (unoff icial): Margaret Wambui. honours and have attracted ad- 1. Yasir Saeidan (SAU) 37pts Semenya, who won South Af- ditional backing from Ooredoo, 2. Adel Hussein Abdulla (QAT) rica’s fi rst ever Olympic track the Qatari telecommunications 27pts gold at Rio 2016 after winning company. 3. Ahmed al-Malki (SAU) 25pts silver at London 2012, and had Rio 2016 800m Olympic champion Caster Semenya of South Africa. The crew fi nished third over- 4. Mansoor al-Helai (ARE) 25pts an unbeaten season last year, all at the recent event in Dubai 5. Marat Abykayev (KAZ) 18pts will surely look to secure the top in Doha, especially after having class athletes announced last after early mechanical issues 6. Emil Khneisser (LEB) 18pts, etc. spot from rivals Niyonsaba and run the second-fastest 3,000m week, which included Qatar’s Wambui. steeplechase ever for Rio 2016 sporting hero Mutaz Barshim, Burundi’s Niyonsaba won sil- Olympic medallists Caster Se- 200m rivals Elaine Thompson ver in Rio 2016 and with it also menya, women. Kenyan Kiyeng and Dafne Schippers, and 400m made history - becoming her and USA’s Coburn will also be sprint sensations Kirani James country’s fi rst-ever female Ol- eyeing an opening victory to and LaShawn Merritt. ympic medallist, and securing their seasons after an incredibly With so many Olympic and Burundi’s second ever Olympic close race in Rio, and the fi rst World Champions lining up in medal. meeting of the Diamond League Doha, this year’s event promises The 21-year-old Wambui of in Doha is a chance to start their to create a memorable open- is the 2014 World Junior outdoor season with a bang. ing to the 2017 IAAF Diamond Champion and last year won the Fans can expect to see further League season. IAAF World Indoor Champi- Olympic medallists in the wom- Tickets are priced from just onships before taking Olympic en’s shot put, which will see Rio QR50 and are on sale now at bronze, showing her exceptional 2016 gold medallist Michelle www.q-tickets.com to witness talent and setting up an unmiss- Carter of the USA, and bronze the unmissable evening of ath- able 800m race in Doha. medallist Anita Marton from letics at Qatar Sports Club on The women’s 3,000m stee- Hungary battle for maximum May 5 from 5-9pm. plechase is also set to be elec- points. Doha fi rst staged a major trifying as another thrilling Rio Carter was crowned Olympic athletics event in 1997 with the 2016 Olympic fi nal will be Champion in Rio after an as- Doha Grand Prix, which was el- re-created. tounding throw of 20.63m in the evated to the Super Grand Prix The top six athletes and 11 sixth and fi nal round, breaking in 2005. athletes in total from Rio 2016 her own US record in the process, In 2010, Doha hosted the fi rst- will line up for the Doha event, and beating two-time Olympic ever IAAF Diamond League which will see Ruth Jebet, Hyvin Champion Valerie Adams. fi xture which has continued to Kiyeng and Emma Coburn - the The Doha Diamond League grow in strength every year and Rio 2016 Olympic gold, silver will witness an exciting bat- provides an ideal opening to the and bronze medallists respec- tle between Carter and Marton, outdoor season. tively compete head-to-head who set a Hungarian record with Doha’s hosting of world-class once again. her bronze medal winning throw athletics events goes beyond the Jebet fl ew past the competi- in Rio, as Carter aims to contin- Diamond League season with tion in Rio to become Bahrain’s ue her massive success from last further major events including fi rst-ever Olympic gold medal- year – which saw her also take the 2010 IAAF World Indoor list and fi nish less than a second home the gold medal in the IAAF Championships and the upcom- away from the world record set World Indoor Championships in ing 2019 IAAF World Cham- at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Portland March 2016. pionships, which will be the Still only 20 years old, Jebet The female stars unveiled fi rst-time that athletics’ fl ag- was in top form last year and will today further strengthen the ship event will be hosted in the seek to continue her dominance breath-taking fi eld of world- Middle East. Rio 2016 shot put champion Michelle Carter of the USA. Qatari driver Adel Abdulla.