RUGBY | Page 6 CCRICKETRICKET | Page 7 Resurgent Pujara hits Ireland deny ton to keep England India in grand slam the fi ght

Sunday, March 19, 2017 FOOTBALL Jumada II 20, 1438 AH Guardiola on GULF TIMES ropes as Liverpool come swinging SPORT Page 2 FOOTBALL/EPL LA LIGA Wenger to decide Casemiro guides leaders ‘soon’, Cahill to Real through Athletic test

Reuters Zinedine Zidane’s side had returned to Chelsea’s rescue Barcelona the top of the table last week after capi- talising on Barcelona’s shock defeat at Craig Dawson scored two headers at The Hawthorns as West Brom Deportivo La Coruna with victory over eal Madrid went fi ve points Real Betis. condemned Arsenal to a sixth defeat in nine games in all competitions clear a the top of La Liga af- But the coach faced criticism for the ter coming through a testing team’s leaky defence, which had shipped AFP manager Antonio Conte termed a “lit- Rgame at Athletic Bilbao to win nine goals in the last fi ve league games. London tle problem” aff ecting his calf. 2-1 thanks to Brazilian midfi eld linchpin They knew they would be tested by an They took the lead in the 13th minute Casemiro’s strike yesterday. Athletic side who had the second-best when Willian’s free-kick from wide on Karim Benzema fi red Real ahead in the home record in the league and had not rsene Wenger revealed he the left caught out Stoke goalkeeper 25th minute with an exquisite fi rst-time lost at home since being beaten by Bar- will make an announcement Lee Grant at his near post. fi nish from a Cristiano Ronaldo cross af- celona in August. about his Arsenal future Jonathan Walters levelled with a ter Casemiro had begun the move with a The Basques made a more energetic “very soon” after his side’s 38th-minute penalty awarded for a clever long ball from the halfway line. start and nearly took the lead when Raul Aproblems increased in a 3-1 defeat at push on him by Cahill, but the England Athletic worked hard to get back into Garcia acrobatically volleyed at goal, West Bromwich Albion yesterday. defender atoned to smash in a late win- the game and, after Real keeper Keylor catching Keylor Navas off guard al- “I know what I’ll do in my future, so ner from Cesc Fabregas’s free-kick. Navas produced a brilliant save to deny though the goalkeeper reacted well to tip you will know very soon,” Wenger told Stoke’s Phil Bardsley was sent off in Inaki Williams, veteran striker Aritz the shot away to safety. reporters after Arsenal’s fourth loss in stoppage time for a second bookable Aduriz headed the home side level from Ronaldo had a frustrating day in front fi ve Premier League games. off ence. close range in the 65th minute. of goal, fi rst having a strike ruled out for Wenger, Arsenal’s manager since Chelsea provisionally moved 13 Casemiro restored Real’s lead in the off side and then seeing a hooked eff ort 1996, is under heavy pressure, after his points clear of Tottenham Hotspur 68th, however, by controlling Ronaldo’s turned away by Athletic goalkeeper Kepa team were thrashed 10-2 on aggregate and Manchester City ahead of today’s fl icked header from a corner and calmly Arrizabalaga, yet he played a crucial role by Bayern Munich in the Champions games. Second-place Tottenham host taking his time to tuck the ball into the in Real breaking the deadlock. League and fell fi ve points off the top Southampton, while City, level on net from close range, thanks to some The Portuguese latched onto Casem- four in the Premier League. points with Spurs, entertain Liver- careless defending. iro’s lofted pass and generously squared Gary Cahill’s 87th-minute win- pool, who trail Pep Guardiola’s side by Real lead La Liga on 65 points, fi ve to Benzema, who added to his two goals ner earned leaders Chelsea a 2-1 win a point. clear of second-placed Barcelona, who at San Mames in last year’s 2-1 win by at Stoke City that sent them 13 points A day after being drawn against have also played 27 games and host Va- meeting the bouncing pass fi rst time and clear, while champions Leicester City’s Atletico Madrid in the Champions lencia today. sending the ball into the far corner. resurgence continued with a 3-2 vic- League quarter-fi nals, Leicester won tory at West Ham United. 3-2 at West Ham to record a fourth Craig Dawson scored two headers straight win since Craig Shakespeare at The Hawthorns as West Brom con- succeeded Claudio Ranieri as man- demned Arsenal to a sixth defeat in ager. nine games in all competitions. Leicester led 2-0 inside seven min- Dawson’s 12th-minute opener was utes, Riyad Mahrez’s cross from the right curling straight in before Robert Huth headed in a cross from Marc Al- Results West Bromwich Albion’s Craig Dawson scores his team’s third goal against brighton. Arsenal yesterday. Manuel Lanzini’s 20th-minute free- Crystal Palace 1 (Deeney 68-og) Watford 0 kick reduced the arrears before Jamie Everton 4 (Calvert-Lewin 9, Valencia 78, cancelled out by Alexis Sanchez, but “We lose game after game at the Vardy smashed in Leicester’s third. Lukaku 90+1, 90+4) Hull 0 substitute Hal Robson-Kanu restored moment and that for me is much more Despite Andre Ayew reducing the Stoke 1 (Walters 38-pen) chelsea 2 (Willian the hosts’ lead before Dawson headed important than my future.” arrears, the visitors held on to pull six 13, Cahill 87) in his second goal with 15 minutes to Arsenal also lost goalkeeper Petr points clear of the bottom three. Sunderland 0 Burnley 0 play. Cech to a muscular problem and Everton drew level on points with West Brom 3 (Dawson 12, 75, Robson- “You will see,” Wenger added on the Wenger revealed talisman Sanchez had fi fth-place Arsenal, albeit having Kanu 55) Arsenal 1 (Sanchez 15) subject of his future. “Today I do not sustained an ankle injury that “doesn’t played two more games, after Romelu West Ham 2 (Lanzini 20, Ayew 63) Leices- necessarily worry about that. We are look good”. Lukaku scored his 20th and 21st goals ter 3 (Mahrez 5, Huth 7, Vardy 38) in a unique bad patch we never had in Chelsea were missing Eden Hazard of the campaign in a 4-0 home win 20 years. at Stoke’s Bet365 Stadium due to what over Hull City.

QATAR AT SPECIAL WINTER GAMES

Real Madrid’s Brazilian midfielder Carlos Henrique Casemiro (R) celebrates after scoring his team’s second goal against Athletic Club Bilbao in Bilbao yesterday.

BASKETBALL Gharafa thrash Al Khor in opener

By Sports Reporter who could only manage 36. Doha Gary Layton ploughed a lone furrow for with 21 points for Al Khor while no other played managed a double digit score. aad Abdulrahman scored a The second match of the day, however, match-high 23 points and was closely fought with Al Wakrah edg- Michael Taylor and Sammy ing out Al Shamal 98-91. SMonroe contributed 21 each as It was a tense aff air throughout, before Al Gharafa thrashed Al Khor, 106-47, on Al Wakrah put on a much improved dis- the opening day of the Qatar Cup bas- play in the fourth quarter during which ketball tournament yesterday. they scored 33 points to clinch the issue. In a hopelessly one-sided match, Al Thomas Blair was the top scorer for Al Team Qatar began its campaign in the 11th Special World Winter Games in Austria yesterday. The Gharafa raced to a 30-13 lead in the fi rst Wakrah with 37 points, 12 of which came prestigious games are bringing together 3,000 athletes from 110 countries, including 15 Arab countries, quarter and never looked back, consoli- from three-pointers, while Ayeni Ola- namely Qatar, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Bahrain, Oman, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Palestine, Libya, Tunisia, Algeria, dating every minute to put the match be- tokunbo had 32. Egypt, Morocco and Syria. The Qatari delegation will participate in the games, which will be held in yond Al Khor’s reach by the time it was at For Al Shamal, Mohamed Harat scored four Austrian cities: Graz, Schladming, Ramsau, and Rohrmoos. Qatar will take part in speed skating the halfway stage. 36, while Saleh Ali and Nikola Vasojevic competitions in the city of Graz, and snowboarding in Ramsau. The delegation is headed by Executive In fact matters got so ridiculous that chipped in with 21 and 17, respectively. Director of Qatar Special Olympics Amir al-Mulla along with Sarah al-Dosari. Al Gharafa had 86 points after the third Today, Al Ahli play Qatar Sports Club at quarter, a whopping 50 ahead of Al Khor, 5pm, while Al Sadd meet Al Arabi at 7pm Gulf Times 2 Sunday, March 19, 2017 FOOTBALL

PREVIEW CONFLICT Pro and anti-Wenger Guardiola on banners on display ropes as Liverpool come swinging ‘Klopp is a top coach. It’s an attacking side: win the ball and attack. He likes to attack in Arsenal fans hold up anti-Arsene Wenger signs yesterday. four, five, six seconds all the time. He’s a top trainer. I respect (him) a lot’ AFP fans after Arsenal were humili- West Bromwich ated 10-2 on aggregate by Bay- ern Munich in the Champions League and dropped out of the ival groups of Arse- Premier League top four. nal fans paid for planes The 67-year-old Frenchman trailing both critical is believed to have been off ered Rand supportive Arsene a new two-year contract by the Wenger banners to fl y over The club. Hawthorns during yesterday’s He refused to be drawn on his game against West Bromwich future prior to Saturday’s game. Albion. “I have nothing to say about A banner that read “NO that anymore,” Wenger told re- CONTRACT #WENGER OUT” porters at Thursday’s pre-match was seen fl ying above the sta- press conference. dium shortly before the Premier “Every press conference is League game kicked off . about that and we have talked But in the 16th minute, with enough about that. the score 1-1, another plane was I’ve talked enough about that.” spotted overhead with a ban- Arsenal’s support is split over ner that read: “IN ARSENE WE Wenger, who won seven trophies TRUST #RESPECTAW”. Wenger, in his fi rst nine seasons as man- Arsenal’s manager since 1996, ager but has won only two FA has come under pressure from Cups in the 12 years since.

ROADBLOCK Pogba injury gives coach Mourinho fresh headache

File picture of Manchester City’s Spanish manager Pep Guardiola reacting during the UEFA Champions League round of 16 football match against Monaco.

AFP attack. He likes to attack in four, fi ve, six Fixtures “For me City is the most diffi cult team London seconds all the time. to play,” said the Liverpool manager, who “He’s a top trainer. I respect (him) a (1500 GMT unless stated) oversaw a 4-1 victory at the Etihad Sta- lot. Huge, talented players, English play- Manchester City v Liverpool (1630 dium last season. anchester City launch them- ers and foreign players. I think it’s a really GMT), Middlesbrough v Manchester “I know their image at this moment in selves into a foreboding run good team. United (1200 GMT), Tottenham v this country is a little bit diff erent. of fi xtures at home to Liver- “A good test against one of the best Southampton (1415 GMT) “I’ve heard about Pep Guardiola’s style Man United’s Paul Pogba (L) with manager Jose Mourinho. pool today with Pep Guar- teams in the Premier League.” and all that stuff , but it is real football and Mdiola under pressure to prove he has not City go into the weekend third in the it is diffi cult to defend against them and a demands of television, arguing AFP lost his magic touch. Premier League table, one point above The victory against City left them six lot of teams have failed already. Middlesbrough, United Kingdom that a later kick-off on Sunday Dumped out of the Champions League fourth-place Liverpool with a game in points below leaders Chelsea, but they “If you are passive against City, you would have given his players a by Monaco on Wednesday, City face a hand. have won just three of their nine matches have no chance. You have to be active and crucial extra few hours to rest. fi ve-way scrap with Tottenham Hotspur, It is a measure of the extent to which since and continue to fl uctuate between to be active, you need to be brave.” aul Pogba’s absence has “We have lots of enemies. It’s Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester Unit- Guardiola’s stock has fallen in England bewitching and bewildering. Whereas three of City’s fi ve defeats given Jose Mourinho an- diffi cult to play Monday with ed over the three spots in next season’s that Liverpool could become the fi rst A dismal 3-1 defeat at Leicester City have come against other teams in the top other headache as Man- 10 men, it’s diffi cult to play on competition. team to record a home-and-away double bridged impressive home wins over Tot- six — Tottenham, Chelsea and Liverpool Pchester United look to Thursday, it’s diffi cult to play 12 Liverpool’s visit precedes back-to- over a side he has managed. tenham and Arsenal and they laboured to — Klopp’s side have shown a particular revive their Champions League o’clock on Sunday,” he said. back trips to Arsenal and leaders Chelsea In addition, City have already lost fi ve a 2-1 home victory over Burnley in their aptitude for top-of-the-table clashes. qualifi cation hopes at manager- “I don’t think it’s a funny situ- and having already seen his side lose at times this season and Guardiola has nev- most recent outing. They are unbeaten in the nine league less Middlesbrough today. ation. When I watch marathons Anfi eld, Guardiola knows just how dan- er suff ered six league defeats in the same games they have played to date against United midfi elder Pogba will and people go to their limit, I don’t gerous Jurgen Klopp’s side can be. campaign. ‘BE BRAVE’ the other teams in the top six and have miss the Premier League fi x- think it is funny, and I don’t think “Klopp is a top coach,” the City man- But while Liverpool will draw encour- Klopp enjoyed a good record against Guar- emerged victorious on fi ve occasions. ture, plus France’s forthcoming it’s funny some of my players in six ager told his pre-match press conference, agement from their 1-0 win over City diola when they were in charge of Borussia City captain Vincent Kompany will matches against Luxembourg weeks play 11 matches. two days on from his side’s disjointed 3-1 on New Year’s Eve, secured by an early Dortmund and Bayern Munich respec- hope to feature after overcoming a knee and Spain, with a hamstring “Play on Monday with 10 men, loss to Monaco at Stade Louis II. Georginio Wijnaldum header, they re- tively, but he says reports of the Catalan’s injury, having been left out of the squad problem sustained during enjoying fi ve hours on the M6 “It’s an attacking side: win the ball and main beset by doubts themselves. demise have been greatly exaggerated. for the trip to Monaco. Thursday’s 1-0 Europa League coming back to Manchester. victory over Rostov. “We are living all these things Mourinho is hopeful Pogba, and let’s see if Sunday we get a BOTTOMLINE who has had an inconsistent sea- point. That would be great result.” son following his world record move from Juventus, will be ready STORMY after the next international break. United captain Wayne Rooney, But the United manager will left out of the England squad for have to rejig his midfi eld as he at- the forthcoming matches against tempts to boost his team’s chal- Germany and Lithuania, has de- No Kane, no worry: Pochettino lenge for a place in next season’s clared himself fi t after a recent AFP ing to Pochettino, and play some starting 11.” Champions League. knee injury, and may be recalled. London part in the run-in. Pochettino faces his former In truth, their best hope of Meanwhile, Steve Agnew in- “We need to assess him day- club in Southampton, who have qualifying for that competi- sists he can fi ll the void left by by-day. He’s very positive, he’s seen Nathan Redmond and tion may be to win the Europa the sacking of Middlesbrough auricio Pochettino always joking about being fi t after James Ward-Prowse win their League, given that they go into boss Aitor Karanka. believes Tottenham the international break or in three fi rst England call-ups this week. the weekend in sixth in the table, The club’s assistant man- are better equipped or four weeks,” Pochettino said. Saints manager Claude Puel six points behind fourth placed ager has stepped in as caretaker to cope without star “He’s very positive and that expects the pair to be fl ying at Liverpool. after the Spaniard’s stormy Mstriker Harry Kane than they is good, but at the same time we White Hart Lane on the back of United must face Middles- three-and-a-half year reign was were earlier this season, as they need to be careful with his injury. their maiden international calls. brough not only without Pogba, brought to an end with the Tees- approach the defi ning point in “We trust completely in our “It’s fantastic for them and for but also minus top scorer Zla- siders second-bottom of the their campaign. doctor and physios and depart- the club,” he said. tan Ibrahimovic and midfi elder Premier League and in danger Kane is sidelined for several ment that looks after them in the “They deserve it and we wish Ander Herrera, both suspended, of an immediate return to the weeks with ankle ligament dam- best way. We’ll see but we hope them well. Lately we’ve been in and they may also be missing de- Championship. age sustained against Millwall in that yes, as soon as possible he good form, scoring lots of goals fender Daley Blind, who suff ered The 51-year-old will be given the FA Cup quarter-fi nals last will be available again.” and they have played a part in us a head injury against Rostov. an opportunity to prove himself weekend. achieving that.” Thursday’s win set up a two- until the end of the season, and Tottenham last time failed to FORM TEAMS But Southampton’s impres- legged Europa League quarter- has brought experienced former fi ll the void left by Kane’s 10- In his absence South Korea for- sive recent run will be on line fi nal tie against Anderlecht next Scotland international Joe Jor- game absence with the same in- File picture of Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino. ward Son Heung-Min and Vin- when they face a Tottenham side month, but also added to the dan in as his number two. jury, going six matches without a cent Janssen are vying to start who have won nine successive fi xture congestion that has left Middlesbrough are assessing win during a lean run in October solid. We have improved a lot days later. up front as Spurs try to close the league games on home soil. Mourinho deeply unhappy. other potential candidates to and November. since then. League matches in April 10-point gap on leaders Chelsea. “They have a lot of wins at The Portuguese coach was not succeed Karanka on a permanent But Pochettino believes his “We had a very diffi cult pre- against Burnley, Swansea City, Son bagged a hat-trick in home, so it’s a good challenge for pleased that their FA Cup quar- basis, but Agnew says the club title hopefuls, who host South- season with players returning Watford and Bournemouth the 6-0 quarter-final win over us,” Puel said. “It will be inter- ter-fi nal defeat at Chelsea, origi- need look no further than him ampton today, will ensure there from Euro 2016, so today is a com- could also come too soon, while Millwall, while Janssen scored esting to see our progress. They nally scheduled for last weekend, to lead a successful survival fi ght isn’t another drop in form with pletely diff erent period and we are an FA Cup semi-fi nal against his long-awaited first goal are a very good side who are very was moved to Monday so it could and to lay the foundations for a England forward Kane back on at a completely diff erent level.” Chelsea is looming next month. from open play. strong. be televised. brighter future. the treatment table. Kane will also miss England’s But Kane, who has 24 goals in Pochettino expects the pair “They have beaten a lot of He has also criticised the Pre- “It’s something I’ve always “It was a diff erent period,” he friendly against Germany on all competitions this season, is to seize their chance: “This is a teams, especially at home, so we mier League for ordering the wanted to do,” he said. “I have said. “We are fi nding our best March 22 and the World Cup confi dent he will return from in- great opportunity for Vincent need to concentrate and play to match at Middlesbrough to kick- had opportunities in the past but form now and the team is more qualifi er against Lithuania four jury ahead of schedule, accord- and Sonny to play more in the our ability that we are capable of.” off at 1200 GMT, again to suit the it didn’t feel quite right. Gulf Times Sunday, March 19, 2017 3 SPORT

BUNDESLIGA Advocaat to quit weekend’s first leg matches Fenerbahce, retire at at home in the second round season end of Africa’s secondary club tournament, with Djoliba Turkish club Fenerbahce’s 2-0 up over Egypt’s Al Masry well-travelled manager Dick and Onze Createurs having Advocaat is retiring at the end a single goal advantage over of the season, the Dutchman Rayon Sports from Rwanda. Leipzig collapse drawing the curtain on his The two clubs had already set three decade career. off for their return matches “The decision was already in Ismaili and Kigali but were made by me that I will quit at barred from playing after the end (of the season) and FIFA banned the west African quit means I stop,” Advocaat country on Friday, the Con- told reporters after Fener- federation of African Football bahce lost 2-3 at home to confirmed in a letter to the once again with Konyaspor late on Friday. Mali Football Federation. “Not only at Fenerbahce. Fen- The ban comes after Mali’s erbahce will be my final club,” sports minister Housseini he added. Amion Guindo sacked the Advocaat, who had man- executive committee of the aged teams from Rangers in country’s football federation, Scotland to Zenit in Russia to in violation of FIFA regulations Sunderland in England, joined that member FAs must be able Bayern out of sight Fenerbahce in the pre-season to manage their aff airs inde- on a one-year deal. pendently without govern- But the yellow canaries have ment interference. Having begun their first Bundesliga season with a record 13-match unbeaten run, remained in the doldrums The decision means that and are virtually out of title Mali, placed 61st in the world Leipzig’s title challenge has collapsed following four defeats in their last seven games contention this year in fourth rankings, cannot be involved place, an unacceptable posi- in any international activity of tion for fans. any kind until the dispute is The defeat by seventh-place resolved to the satisfaction of Konyaspor was just the latest world football’s governing body. humiliation for a star-studded “The suspension will be lifted side that includes Robin van once ministerial decisions are Persie of the Netherlands and nullified and the executive Simon Kjaer of Denmark. committee of FEMAFOOT and But Advocaat said he had ar- its president, Boubacar Baba rived too late in the pre-sea- Diarra, is reinstated,” said FIFA. son to turn round the fortunes There is a very fine divid- of an unbalanced side. ing line in African countries “Some players for us don’t between governments and have the fitness and the sharp- football federations, who often ness that you need on this depend heavily on the sports level,” he said, adding that for ministry for funding. most of the Konyaspor game The rule is a controversial “it was too poor, not good one as it means that national enough” governments are powerless “There is something wrong, to intervene in their country’s that’s for sure.” football federation even when “I came in too late with a they suspect cases of misman- squad not in balance but I agement or corruption. cannot blame them... During the season you cannot change French football that,” he added. federation president After a playing career with wins new term a succession of Dutch sides, Advocaat went into manage- Noël Le Graët, 75, won a new ment in his native Netherlands term yesterday as French in the mid 1980s. Football Federation president Possibly his finest period was and said his convincing major- a successful stint of over three ity gave him a strong mandate years with Scottish giants to lead the organisation for Rangers from 1998-2001. another four years. “The outcome is very clear, we Mali clubs are fi rst can work in a serene fashion,” casualties of FIFA ban he said after he was carried to victory by 57.4% of the 216 Bamako-based clubs Djoliba federation votes at a general and Onze Createurs became assembly. the first casualties of FIFA’s He denied there were rifts suspension on Mali after they in the federation which he were stopped from playing has led since 2011 despite in African club competition charges from his rival for the yesterday and eff ectively job, Jacques Rousselot, that disqualified. Le Graet had gone back on his Both clubs had leads from last promise to step down. Leipzig players vie for the ball during the Bundesliga football match against Werder Bremen in Bremen yesterday. Bremen won 3-0.

AFP made one. Results fi nishing to make it 3-0 to the hosts. Berlin The dead-ball expert crashed home a Hertha’s top scorer Vedad Ibisevic OLYMPICS curling, thunderbolt goal from outside Wolfsburg 1 (Gomez 45+1) Darmstadt 0 pulled a goal back on 50 minutes when he the area on 34 minutes, then provided the Cologne 4 (Osako 6, Modeste 35, converted a penalty after Cologne’s goal- econd-placed RB Leipzig crashed free-kick which saw relegation-threat- 37, 63) Hertha Berlin 2 (Ibisevic 50, keeper Timo Horn fouled Berlin mid- 3-0 at Werder Bremen yesterday ened Bremen double their lead. Brooks 69) fi elder Niklas Stark in the area. Kenya escapes to suff er a shock second consecu- Junuzovic spotted Florian Grillitsch Augsburg 1 (Stafylidis 38) Freiburg 1 Modeste wrapped up his hat-trick by tive Bundesliga defeat which al- unmarked on the edge of the area and the (Niederlechner 30-pen) fi nishing off a superb Cologne counter lowsS Bayern Munich the chance to extend attacking midfi elder beat Leipzig goal- on 63 minutes, then Hertha’s US interna- Werder Bremen 3 (Junuzovic 34, threat of ban aft er their runaway lead. keeper Peter Gulacsi on 59 minutes. Grillitsch 59, Kainz 90) RB Leipzig 0 tional John Brooks headed home to make Carlo Ancelotti’s Bayern started the Leipzig’s humiliation was complete as Hoff enheim 1 (Wagner 62) Bayer it 4-2 with 20 minutes left. weekend 10 points clear in their seem- their defence capitulated when Bremen’s Leverkusen 0 Fresh from their mid-week Champi- resolving to adopt ingly unstoppable march to a fi fth Fin Bartels led a counterattack and Flo- ons League exit at Atletico Madrid, Bayer straight German league title, which will rian Kainz tapped home on 90 minutes. Leverkusen suff ered a 1-0 defeat at Hof- become 13 points if they win at Borussia All three Bremen goals were scored by as Cologne broke into the top six with a fenheim thanks to Sandro Wagner’s sec- new constitution Moenchengladbach today. Austrians — an extra-bitter pill for RB, 4-2 win over Hertha Berlin. ond-half goal for the hosts. Having begun their fi rst Bundesliga who are sponsored by Austria’s energy The Frenchman needed less than 30 Mario Gomez scored Wolfsburg’s win- Reuters Extraordinary General Assembly season with a record 13-match unbeaten drinks giant Red Bull. minutes to claim his second hat-trick of ner to seal a 1-0 victory over bottom side Nairobi already reconvened by your NOC run, Leipzig’s title challenge has collapsed Leipzig are now just three points ahead the season after also netting three against Ingolstadt. on 28 March 2017. following four defeats in their last seven of third-placed Borussia Dortmund af- Hamburg last October. Mid-table Augsburg were held to a 1-1 “In view of this signifi cant games, taking a meagre seven points. ter Dortmund’s lacklustre 1-0 home win Japan striker Yuya Osako gave Cologne draw at home to Freiburg. enya’s national Ol- progress, no further action will After losing 1-0 at home to Wolfs- over Ingolstadt on Friday. an early lead, then set up Modeste’s fi rst Greek defender Konstantinos Stafylid- ympic committee has be taken at this stage by the IOC. burg last weekend, Leipzig folded again Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, the goal on 35 minutes. is equalised for Augsburg in the fi rst half escaped the threat of Nevertheless, the IOC EB has in Bremen as Werder’s Austria interna- league’s top scorer, hit the winner. His second followed two minutes later after Freiburg’s Florian Niederlechner Ksuspension after fail- confi rmed that all payments of tional Zlatko Junuzovic scored one and Anthony Modeste claimed a hat-trick as the Frenchman showed some ice-cool had converted a penalty. ing to adopt a new constitution subsidies to your NOC continue but funding will continue to be to be on hold until further no- withheld until further notice, the tice,” said the letter. BOTTOMLINE International Olympic Commit- “The IOC will continue to tee (IOC) said yesterday. monitor closely the completion The IOC froze fi nancial sup- of the entire process – including port to Kenya nine days ago, after the adoption of the revised NOC the country’s troubled national constitution, as a fi rst step, and committee (NOCK) failed to the holding of your NOC Elective adopt a revised constitution, and General Assembly, as a second Diffi cult to rest Messi: Enrique said it would discuss the matter step – in accordance with the AFP La Liga by two points, but have frightening opponent of the at its executive board (EB) meet- road map established in Septem- Barcelona also played a game more than standard you expect in the ing in Pyeongchang this week, ber 2016,” the letter said. their eternal rivals. quarter-fi nals of the Champions leading to speculation that it The IOC wants the body to “La Liga will be decided in the League.” might ban the country. adopt a new constitution barring arcelona boss Luis En- last few games. The most deci- Off the fi eld, tying down Mes- However, IOC Deputy Director incumbent offi cials from cast- rique suggested Lionel sive part of the calendar is still to si’s long-term future remains General Pere Miro said a Kenyan ing their vote during general as- Messi will have to be come,” added Enrique. Barca’s priority with just over undertaking to bring in the new semblies, which some have been rested for some of an “It is a brutal schedule for a year to run on the Argentine’s constitution at a meeting later accused of using to prolong their AprilB packed with huge clashes, those us in European competi- contract. this month meant the IOC had own terms in offi ce. but that even the Catalan gi- tion and those at the bottom are However, club captain Andres stayed the threat of further ac- Kenya last month accepted a ants would struggle without the going to fi ght too.” Iniesta’s deal is also due to run tion. local high court decision over- “best player in the world”. Barca’s route to a potential out in 2018. “The IOC EB noted, with dis- ruling last year’s government Messi has started every Barca second treble in three seasons Iniesta said this week his in- appointment, that your NOC order to disband its Olympic game in 2017 and will do so once under Enrique before he leaves tention was to sign a new deal failed to adopt its revised con- committee after accusations that more when Valencia visit the at the end of the campaign but that he wouldn’t hang stitution at its meeting on 7 it had poorly handled arrange- Camp Nou today. wasn’t made any easier by a around if his role within the March 2017,” Miro said in a let- ments for the 2016 Rio Games. However, the Spanish cham- pairing with Juventus in Friday’s squad deteriorated. ter to NOCK President Kipchoge Sports Minister Hassan Wario pions face 10 games in April after Champions League draw. And Enrique hopes Iniesta, Keino. had ordered that the NOCK be a two-week international break, Enrique’s men beat the Italian 32, decides to stay rather than “However, the IOC EB wel- disbanded last August, saying including a two-legged Cham- champions 3-1 in the fi nal two following former teammate Xavi comed the recent positive de- the body had not arranged ade- pions League quarter-fi nal years ago to complete the treble. Hernandez’s example in playing velopments, as mentioned in quate accommodation and travel against Juventus and crucial La And despite a signifi cant turn- out his twilight years in Qatar. your letter dated 14 March 2017, for the Olympic team in Rio and Liga clashes against Sevilla and over in personnel for Juventus in “There are two options when in particular the fi rm commit- had mishandled other issues. Real Madrid. the intervening two years, he ex- you get to the last few years,” ment from your NOC to rectify Despite problems in the build “To do without the best player pects a “frightening” challenge. added Enrique. “One is to stay the situation and the resolution up to Rio, the East African nation in the world is diffi cult, but we “We have the fi nal in Berlin with the club you always have signed by the members of your enjoyed its most successful Ol- have thought about resting him,” fresh in our minds. been with, which is what I want. NOC Executive Committee to ympics, winning six gold medals, said Enrique yesterday. “They have changed play- The other is to go like Xavi, support the adoption of this re- six silvers and one bronze, all in Barca trail Madrid at the top of File picture of Barcelona’s Lionel Messi. ers, but they are a diffi cult and which I also understand.” vised constitution at its next track and fi eld. Gulf Times 4 Sunday, March 19, 2017 SPORT

TENNIS GOLF Hoff man surfs into Kuznetsova and Bay Hill lead Vesnina set up all-Russian fi nal Charley Hoff man of the United States plays a shot. Reuters Results Cary, North Carolina ‘It’s not easy to hold your nerve. But I’m really happy the way I handled it. I was not Leading scores after the second round of the US PGA thinking about the final. I was just thinking particularly about every single game...’ ong-haired Californian Arnold Palmer Invitational Charley Hoff man found at par-72 Bay Hill in Orlando, his putting touch to surf Florida (USA unless noted): into the halfway lead at Lthe Arnold Palmer Invitational in 134 - Charley Hoff man 68-66 Florida on Friday. 135 - Emiliano Grillo (ARG) Hoff man carded six-under- 67-68 par 66 to head an international 136 - Matthew Fitzpatrick leaderboard after the second (ENG) 67-69 round at Bay Hill in Orlando, 137 - Lucas Glover 68-69, one stroke ahead of Argentine Kevin Kisner 70-67, Marc Emiliano Grillo and two in front Leishman (AUS) 71-66 of Englishman Matthew Fitz- 138 - Francesco Molinari (ITA) patrick. 70-68 Jason Day fi nished seven strokes off the pace but it could have been much worse for the “This year has been a below Australian than a one-under 71. average putting year. I really The world number two re- stumbled onto something this ceived an extraordinarily lucky week and it feels great.” break at the par-four 18th, where Hoff man holed two putts from he hooked his drive over the outside 30 feet among his seven out-of-bounds line and into the birdies, but he was most proud of property of an adjacent house. the 10-footer he sank at the last. Fortunately, his ball hit a tree “Those 35-40 footers are luck in the backyard of the house and but if I keep making them inside took an enormous ricochet back 10 feet I’m going to be OK,” he into play, leaving a relieved Day said. in position to salvage par. Grillo was not pleased with the Hoff man had no such wayward quality of his play despite a 68 issues and also made his share of putting him in second place on putts for a change after discov- the leaderboard. ering pre-tournament that his “It was a very up-and-down alignment had been a little off . day,” the world number 32 said. Despite the blond locks and “I didn’t hit it good off the tee. laid-back attitude that make him I was very lucky today, made a look more surfer than golfer, the couple of chip-ins.” San Diego native is widely re- Third-placed Fitzpatrick also garded as having one of the best used a sharp short game to stay long games on tour. on the leaderboard with a 69. “Year in and year out, ball- “I scrambled really well,” he striking is what I do well,” the said. “That was a big thing, sav- four-times PGA Tour winner ing par. Just really comfortable told Golf Channel after posting a with the putter right now.” 10-under total of 134. In the fi rst staging of the event “I’m driving it in play but any since the September death of Russia’s Svetlana Kuznetsova (left) and Elena Vesnina in action against their respective opponents during the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells Tennis Garden. time I get the putter going I can Palmer, his grandson Sam Saun- play well. ders missed the cut by one stroke. AFP “I tried my best to fi ght every point,” Results thinking about the fi nal. I was just think- Indian Wells, United States said the 31-year-old Kuznetsova, owner ing particularly about every single game, of two Grand slam singles titles who en- Results in the BNP Paribas Open ATP every single shot.” LPGA joyed a resurgence in 2016, winning two Masters/WTA tournament in Indian Vesnina built commanding leads in vetlana Kuznetsova toppled world titles as she returned to the top 10 in Wells, California (x denotes seeded each set — 5-0 in the fi rst and 5-1 in number three Karolina Pliskova the world for the fi rst time since 2010. player): the second. Mladenovic, who claimed a 7-6 (7/5), 7-6 (7/2) on Friday to “Karolina is one of the best players this maiden WTA title in St. Thailand’s Ariya book an all-Russian Indian Wells year.” Men Petersburg last month before reaching fiS nal against Elena Vesnina. After falling behind 5-3, the Czech the fi nal in Acapulco, couldn’t fi nd an an- Quarter-finals Vesnina powered past France’s Kristina made Kuznetsova work to close out the Jack Sock (USA x17) bt Kei Nishikori swer no matter how she tried. maintains share of Mladenovic 6-3, 6-4, continuing a spar- opening set, saving a set point in the (JPN x4) 6-3, 2-6, 6-2 “I really think she was just too good for kling campaign that has seen her shock ninth game and four more in the tie- Roger Federer (SUI x9) bt Nick Kyrgios me today,” said Mladenovic, who went to German’s soon-to-be world number one breaker after Kuznetsova seized a 6-2 (AUS x15) walkover her slice to no avail before attempting an lead at Founders Cup Angelique Kerber in the fourth round and lead in the decider. aggressive serve and volley game late in seven-time Grand Slam champion Venus A double fault left Kuznetsova with Women each set in an bid to regain ground. Williams in the quarter-fi nals. one more chance at 6-5, and she grabbed Semi-finals “I felt like I had to do kind of crazy It’s a sharp turnaround from Vesnina’s it with a forehand passing shot. Svetlana Kuznetsova (RUS x8) bt points to win,” Mladenovic said. “She fi rst-round ouster in qualifying here last After an exchange of breaks in the sec- Karolína Pliskova (CZE x3) 7-6 (7/5), didn’t really allow me to put my game on year, and marks her fi rst trip to a fi nal of ond they went to the tiebreaker, where 7-6 (7/2) tonight.” one of the WTA’s elite Premier Manda- Kuznetsova again took a 6-2 lead and the Elena Vesnina (RUS x14) bt Kristina Down a set and three service breaks at tory events. increasingly frustrated Pliskova surren- Mladenovic (FRA x28) 6-3, 6-4 5-1 in the second set, Mladenovic won World number eight Kuznetsova is dered with a string of errors. three straight games — fending off one back in the Indian Wells fi nal for the fi rst match point — before Vesnina held serve time since back-to-back runner-up fi n- VESNINA ‘TOO GOOD’ medal at the 2016 Rio Olympics — had for the victory. ishes in 2007 and 2008. Vesnina, a Wimbledon semi-fi nalist last helped her big-match composure. “Kiki was always trying to play her best She withstood 10 aces from Pliskova, year who has reached a career high of “It’s not easy to hold your nerve,” she tennis when she was behind on the score,” who has already won titles at Brisbane 15th in the world at the age of 30, said im- said. “But I’m really happy the way I Vesnina said. “It’s not easy to come back and Doha this year. portant doubles wins — including a gold handled it. I was very focused. I was not from 5-0 and 5-1. It’s not easy at all.”

BOTTOMLINE Ariya Jutanugarn of Thailand in action the second round.

AFP morrow it is just go have fun.” Phoenix Ariya began her round on the back nine and it didn’t take long for the birdies to start falling. hailand’s Ariya Jutanu- She had four birdies in six Sock knocks out Nishikori garn and American Sta- holes beginning at the par-four Reuters semi-fi nals without lifting a pinpoint groundstrokes. cy Lewis shot identical No. 13. Lewis’ bogey-free round Indian Wells, California racket as suspected food poi- The American earned the im- Tscores for the second also has her sitting in a good po- soning forced Australian Nick portant second break against a straight day to sit atop a crowded sition heading into the weekend. Kyrgios to withdraw from their battling Nishikori by converting leaderboard at the LPGA Tour’s She is seeking her fi rst win ack Sock celebrated a pair much anticipated quarter-fi nal. his fi fth break point of a mara- Founders Cup with Michelle Wie since 2014. “I played really solid; of fi rsts on Friday by pow- Kyrgios, who beat Novak thon fi fth game before going on lurking close behind. today was another good day,” said ering past fourth seed Kei Djokovic for the second tourna- to serve out victory in one hour Ariya and Lewis fi red fi ve-un- Lewis. “Didn’t have the distance Nishikori 6-3 2-6 6-2 to ment in a row to reach the last 48 minutes. der 67s Friday following 64s in the control with my wedges quite di- bookJ a date with Roger Federer eight, took to twitter about an “I think he served really well,” opening round to reach 13-under alled in the way I would’ve liked, in the semi-fi nals of the BNP hour before the scheduled start said Nishikori. “I was having a par heading into the weekend at but still made a bunch of birdies Paribas Open in Indian Wells, of the match against the Aus- really tough time with my re- the Desert Ridge course. and shot a good round. California. tralian Open champion to an- turn, missing a lot, and giving The duo leads Lee Jeong-Eun, “It’s always hard to follow up Relying on his big serve and nounce his withdrawal. him a lot of short balls. And he Hur Mi-Jung, Wie and Vicky a round like yesterday. So happy blistering forehand, the 17th- “I’m so sorry but I can’t play was attacking really well, fi rst Hurst by one stroke and has a with the day again.” seeded American fi nally reached today,” he said. “After a restless and third sets. group, including Park In-Bee, Wie is one stroke back of Ariya a Masters 1000 semi-fi nal in his night of being sick I have noth- “I didn’t play my best tennis Jessica Korda and fi rst round co- and Lewis as the American start- 28th appearance and notched his ing left and to play a great cham- today, but I think he played good leader Chun In-Gee within three ed her day on the front nine and fi rst ever victory against a top- pion like Roger, I need to be at tennis also.” shots of the lead. had a hot putter. fi ve opponent in eight attempts. my best to have a chance. Sock has lost his two previous Ariya, Lewis and Chun were She posted six birdies before “I’ve given everybody their “I don’t take this decision matches against Federer, includ- among fi ve tied for the fi rst round dropping a shot with a bogey on money’s worth, a three-setter lightly, these are the matches we ing a 6-3 6-2 decision at Indian lead. “It’s pretty hard because I the par four, 13th to card a fi ve- every match so far,” the 24-year- train for but I’m in no fi t state to Wells in 2015. feel like every hole, everybody under 67. old Sock said in an on-court in- take the court.” “The last time I played him has a chance to make birdie,” “The front nine went very terview. Sock had no such problems and here I didn’t really go out on said Ariya, the reigning Women’s well. Every time I had a birdie “I feel like I’m playing some he hit the mark right at the start court thinking I had much of a British Open champion. opportunity I took advantage great tennis right now.” Jack Sock celebrates a point against Kei Nishikori of Japan. of deciding third set by breaking chance,” said Sock. “He’s play- “I’m not really worried about of it,” said Wie. “That’s kind of Sock’s stock has been soaring Nishikori in the opening game as ing some good tennis, I’m play- who is going to be in the leader- what you need to do on this golf this year, claiming tournament Beach Open in Florida and at the Eighteen-times grand slam the world number fi ve struggled ing some good tennis, so I’m re- board. I just really focus on like course. You just have to keep titles last month at the Delray Auckland Classic in January. winner Federer advanced to the to fi nd the range on his usually ally looking forward to a battle.” what is under my control. So to- making birdies to stay afl oat.” Gulf Times Sunday, March 19, 2017 5 SPORT

NBA NHL Pittsburgh Penguins beat Devils 6-4 Whiteside powers By Dave Molinari After Stefan Noesen coun- Pittsburgh Post-Gazette tered for the Devils just 32 sec- onds later, Crosby restored the Penguins’ advantage during a onventional wisdom fi ve-on-three power play with says that NHL teams 14.5 seconds to go before inter- generally struggle mission. in their fi rst game at He scored his 36th of the streaking Heat homeC after a long road trip. season from the bottom of the That makes perfect sense, right circle, off assists by Mark but there are exceptions. Streit and Justin Schultz. Witness the Penguins, Nick Bonino made it 4-2 whose 6-4 victory against at 15:47, throwing a shot past New Jersey at PPG Paints Are- Kinkaid from between the left na Friday night makes them circle and the crease for his 8-0-1 in their past nine home 14th of the season and fi fth in past Timberwolves games when returning from a the past six games. trip of fi ve or more games. Former Penguins winger They also have won fi ve Beau Bennett cut New Jersey’s ‘I think just the fourth quarter we gave up a lot of open threes, and a lot of straight line drives’ games in a row against the defi cit in half just 51 seconds Devils for the fi rst time in fran- before the intermission, rap- chise history. ping a rebound past Murray AFP The victory pulled them out for his fi fth in 53 games this Los Angeles of a 0-1-1 stretch, raised their season. record to 44-17-9 and moved Kessel was awarded a pen- them back into second place in alty shot with 21.5 seconds left assan Whiteside deliv- the Metropolitan Division, one in the period, but couldn’t beat ered his 11th straight point behind Washington and Kinkaid. double-double as the one ahead of Columbus. Hall could have – and prob- Miami Heat continued The Penguins played with- ably should have – gotten a theirH hot streak with a wire-to- out centre Evgeni Malkin and penalty shot as the period wire 123-105 victory over the defenseman Ron Hainsey, was about to expire because Minnesota Timberwolves on both of whom have joined the Schultz slashed him from be- Friday. team’s lengthy list of injured hind while Hall was going to Miami has made a stunning players. the net, but Schultz was as- turnaround from the team that However, they got right sessed only a minor penalty. struggled to an 11-30 to start winger Patric Hornqvist back Devils coach John Hynes the season as they have won 23 after he had missed fi ve games protested that call vigorously, of their last 28 games for the because of a concussion. earning New Jersey an un- best record in the NBA over that New Jersey, coming off a 6-2 sportsmanlike conduct call. stretch. victory against Philadelphia The Devils pushed for the The Heat like Whiteside’s Thursday night, took a 1-0 lead tying goal early in the third, off ence but coach Erik Spoel- at 5:35 of the opening period, but Carter Rowney put the stra said he was also a force on as Kyle Palmieri took a feed Penguins back up by two when defence. from Taylor Hall and broke he scored his fi rst NHL goal at “It felt like (Whiteside) had down the left wing before cut- 5:17, beating Kinkaid from near seven or eight blocks,” Spoelstra ting toward the net and slid- the bottom of the right circle. said. “And that’s the most im- ing a shot between goalie Matt Tom Kuhnhackl and Tom portant thing — that they feel his Murray’s leg and the right post Sestito got assists. size, that they feel his presence, for his fourth goal in the past New Jersey didn’t wilt, how- that they feel his impact at the three games. ever, and Palmieri got the Dev- rim and in the paint.” Winger Phil Kessel, who ils within a goal during a power Whiteside fi nished with 23 shifted from the right side to play at 16:21, eight seconds points and 14 rebounds as his the left, pulled the Penguins after Bonino was sent off for 11th consecutive double-double even at 6:37, beating Dev- hooking. tied a Heat franchise record, set ils goalie Keith Kinkaid from Crosby, though, sealed the by Rony Seikaly in 1991-92. just above the left hash for his victory by scoring into an Tyler Johnson scored 23 off the 22nd of the season and fi rst in empty net – tying him with bench for Miami who are also 15-1 14 games. Hornqvist and Matt Brad Marchand for the league in their last 16 games at home. But Cullen got assists. lead in goals – with 33.4 sec- the win could prove to be costly as Jake Guentzel gave the Pen- onds to play. The Penguins are Miami lost starting shooting guard guins a short-lived 2-1 advan- off until Sunday, when they and third leading scorer Dion tage by chipping in a Brian Du- will play Florida at 1:08pm at Waiters to an ankle injury. moulin shot from the right side PPG Paints Arena. He left the game with 3:24 left Miami Heat’s Hassan Whiteside finished with 23 points and 14 rebounds as his 11th consecutive double-double tied a franchise record in a 123-105 of the crease at 13:30 for his in the second quarter and did not win over Minnesota. 11th. The second assist went RESULTS return. The good news is that X- to Sidney Crosby, moving him Sabres ...... 2 Ducks ...... 1 (SO) rays showed he did not suff er a still managed to hold on and end Celtics overcame the absence of tallied 16 points in the opening took a 99-81 lead into the fourth into a tie with Jaromir Jagr for Penguins ...... 6 Devils ...... 4 fracture. a modest two game losing streak. star point guard Isaiah Thomas quarter as New Orleans jumped quarter. Hill’s previous season second place on the franchise’s Panthers ...... 4 Rangers ....3 (SO) “It’s unfortunate,” Spoelstra Otto Porter and Wall each and held on for a 98-95 victory out to a 36-23 lead. The Pelicans high was 16 points as he stepped all-time list with 640. Flames ...... 3 Stars ...... 1 said. “You feel the crowd (react made two free throws inside over the Brooklyn Nets. improved to 28-41 on the season up his game with Cousins sit- to Waiters’ going down), and the fi nal 19 seconds after Jimmy The Celtics played without despite playing without centre ting out. In addition, Hill played that’s how we felt, too.” Butler’s three-pointer made Thomas, who sat out due to a DeMarcus Cousins. strong defence against Harden, Senators to host Canadiens in Waiters got hurt while driv- the score 108-107 with 39 sec- bone bruise in his right knee. Cousins was out with a sore holding him to six points in the outdoor anniversary game ing to the rim and landing on the onds left. Wall had 14 points With Thomas missing his fi fth left knee and a bruised rib and fi rst quarter. foot of a Minnesota defender. and played 33 minutes despite game of the season, it was an up- the Pelicans didn’t appear to By the time the Pelicans built The Ottawa Senators will host tribute to the league’s history Waiters had six points when he suff ering a sprained left foot hill battle for Boston. miss him, building a 68-50 lead a 52-36 lead with 6:30 left in the the Montreal Canadiens next as part of the NHL’s Centen- left the game. Wednesday’s 112-107 loss to the at the half at the Smoothie King second quarter, Davis had only December in the NHL 100 nial celebration and the 125th Goran Dragic scored 19 points Dallas Mavericks. Hill on fire as Pelicans Center arena. The Rockets got a three points. The Pelicans shot Classic as two original teams year for its championship and added 10 assists for Miami. topple Rockets game-high 41 points from James 51 percent in the fi rst half and meet outdoors on the 100th trophy, the Stanley Elsewhere, John Wall set a Better consistency Forward Solomon Hill scored Harden to go with his 14 re- held the Rockets to 36 percent anniversary of the NHL’s first Cup. career high with 20 assists and “I think just the fourth quarter a career-high 30 points and bounds and 11 assists. Houston shooting, including just six of 21 game, the league announced Through March 16, the Bradley Beal scored 24 points we gave up a lot of open threes, Anthony Davis fi nished with 24 cut a 23-point defi cit to 114-103 from long range. Friday. league has staged 54,004 as the Washington Wizards and a lot of straight line drives,” points and 14 rebounds as the with 5:27 remaining but that was The game will be played at regular-season games, with bounced back from a rare home Wall said. “Other than that, I New Orleans Pelicans defeated as good as it got for them. RESULTS Ottawa’s Lansdowne Park, the the opening night in NHL loss with a 112-107 win over the think we played a great game, the Houston Rockets 128-112, The Rockets opened the third Bucks ...... 107 Lakers ...... 103 25,000-seat home stadium history including the original Chicago Bulls. but we just have to do a better spoiling a triple double perform- with back-to-back threes by Wizards ...... 112 Bulls ...... 107 of the Canadian Football Ottawa Senators facing the The Wizards improved to 42- job of being consistent for 48 ance by James Hardin. Trevor Ariza and Patrick Bev- Heat ...... 123 Timberwolves 105 League’s reigning Grey Cup Canadiens at Dey’s Arena in 26 on the season but not before minutes.” Hill, who entered Friday’s erley to cut the defi cit to 68-56, Pelicans ...... 128 Rockets ...... 112 champions, the Ottawa Ottawa, with Joe Malone letting let most of a 19-point In New York, Jae Crowder col- NBA contest averaging just 6.5 but Hill and guard Jrue Holi- Celtics ...... 98 Nets ...... 95 RedBlacks. scoring five goals in Mon- halftime lead slip away because lected a season-high 24 points points per game, shot six-of- day combined for 21 points in Raptors ...... 87 Pistons ...... 75 The outdoor contest will pay treak’s 7-4 triumph. of some sloppy defence. But they and 12 rebounds and the Boston nine from beyond the arc. He the third quarter as the Pelicans 76ers...... 116 Mavericks ...... 74

BASEBALL Puerto Rico defeat US to reach WBC semi-fi nal

AFP the championship game at Dodger Stadium San Diego two nights later. Brandon Crawford hit a two-out, two-run triple off Edwin Diaz in the ninth before Josh uerto Rico defeated the USA 6-5 Fri- Harrison struck out for the fi nal out of the day at the World Baseball Classic to contest. punch their ticket to the semi-fi nals Buster Posey and Adam Jones blasted solo and keep their unbeaten streak intact. homers for the Americans. PSecond baseman Javier Baez singled, stole Angel Pagan, Francisco Lindor and Car- three bases and scored a run for Puerto Rico, los Correa began the parade of singles in the who fi nished runner-up in the 2013 World fi rst inning off US starter Marcus Stroman. Baseball Classic. Carlos Beltran singled in Lindor and Yadier Baez won a World Series with the Chicago Molina followed with a single to drive in Cubs just four months ago and said this is Correa. Baez singled to load the bases before almost as enjoyable. Eddie Rosario’s sacrifi ce fl y to left fi eld made “It is really close to it. We are having fun it 4-0. and staying together,” he said. I love the Posey’s homer in the fi fth made it 4-2 and Cubs and I love this team.” Jones’ second homer of the tournament in Puerto Rico improved to 5-0 in the tour- the sixth made it 4-3. nament as they built their early lead Friday Puerto Rico’s bullpen had pitched nine on six singles in an explosive four-run fi rst scoreless innings overall in the second round inning in front of a crowd of 32,000 at Petco before surrendering two runs to the US in Park. the ninth. A throwing error by American third base- “We kind of gave up and you can’t do that man Nolan Arenado gave them two un- here. All the teams are really good,” said earned runs and a 6-3 lead in the sixth. Baez. The US and the Dominican Republic, both Puerto Rico has quick turnaround with a 1-1, will play Saturday night for the fourth game against Venezuela on Saturday. and fi nal berth in the semi-fi nals. The Americans will meet the Domini- Two-time winner Japan and the Nether- cans in Saturday’s fi nal game of the second lands already have qualifi ed. round, with left-handed pitcher Danny The fi nal round of the 16-team tourna- Duff y scheduled to face right-hander Ervin ment begins Monday in Los Angeles with Santana. Puerto Rico players celebrate after defeating the US in the 2017 World Baseball Classic at Petco Park. Puerto Rico won 6-5. PICTURE: USA TODAY Sports Gulf Times 6 Sunday, March 19, 2017 SPORT

RUGBY/SIX NATIONS FOCUS Scotland rout Italy to fi nish in style Resurgent Ireland Reuters half an hour for their fi rst big Edinburgh breakthrough. Following a penalty lineout, scrumhalf Ali Price passed to vibrant Scotland side Russell on the blind side and ran in four tries to the fl yhalf darted between two crush Italy 29-0 and defenders to score the fi rst try. give departing coach Scotland changed ends 15-0 deny England grand VernA Cotter a fi tting send-off up after Scott, who had come in their fi nal Six Nations match on for the injured Huw Jones, at Murrayfi eld yesterday. touched down after Hogg had Flyhalf Finn Russell, re- tapped back Price’s chip into placement centre Matt Scott the corner. and wingers Tim Visser and Wooden spoon holders Italy Tommy Seymour scored tries should have scored a try soon as the Scots earned a bonus- after the break but a mixture of slam with 13-9 win point win and protected their dogged Scottish defence and fi fth place in the world rank- their own inept ball-handling ings ahead of the 2019 World out wide denied them. ‘It was probably a game for purists. But a game that demonstrated courage is still important’ Cup draw. The visitors camped on the Italy, who lost all fi ve Scottish line for what seemed matches in the tournament, an age, earning fi ve penal- failed to register a point as fl y- ties as they repeatedly tried half Carlo Cana missed three to force their way over from penalties and the backs fl uff ed mauls and home captain John two clear try-scoring chances Barclay was sin-binned. early in the second half. But when Italy should have The Scots, humbled 61- scored in the corner on two oc- 21 by England last weekend, casions, the backs were pon- climbed to second in the derous and butter-fi ngered in standings before the day’s their passing and the chances later matches after notching a went begging, something their fourth consecutive home win Irish coach Conor O’Shea will for the fi rst time since 2006. have to work hard on. The Scots “I would like to thank the recovered their dominance in players and everyone for the the fi nal quarter and Visser and last three years it has been Seymour added tries with Rus- fun,” New Zealander Cotter sell converting both. told the crowd in an emotional “Great performance from farewell. the boys,” Russell told the Fullback Stuart Hogg got BBC. “We knew we had to try Scotland off the mark with a and get a bonus point, so it penalty after fi ve minutes be- was great to get a fourth try fore Cana missed a chance to and to keep them to nil helps level when he pulled his kick if it comes down to that. “We wide from a good position. were very disappointed after That miss summed up Ita- last week. It was great to come ly’s miserable afternoon even back and get a bonus point if it took the home side nearly here.”

England players celebrate with the Six Nations trophy in Dublin yesterday. (AFP)

AFP steps forward. That 20 mins gave Dublin just one win away from the wing to knock under pres- stretched out for a 24th minute Dublin us confi dence,” Ireland’s head a Grand Slam but only on one sure from England’s defence. try. Sexton converted and Ire- coach Joe Schmidt said. of those occasions, their World But England had infringed and land led 10-3. “It was probably a game for Cup winning year of 2003, had Sexton kicked Ireland into a 3-0 Roared on by a capacity crowd, eter O’Mahony made the purists. But a game that they come away with the cher- lead with a simple penalty. Ireland attacked again only for Scotland’s Finn Russell scores their first try against Italy in Edin- the most of a late call- demonstrated courage is still ished prize. It was not long, however, be- Earls to once more lose the ball burgh yesterday. (Reuters) up to lead a superb de- important at this level.” Five years ago they suff ered fore Farrell, whose father Andy in contact. fensive eff ort as Ireland They scored the only try of the a 24-8 loss to Ireland when 80 is now Ireland’s defence coach, Half-time saw coach Joe beatP England 13-9 to deny the match when lock Iain Henderson minutes away from a Slam and drew England level with a Schmidt replace Earls with Test visitors a record-breaking grand went over in the 24th minute, England’s side on Saturday con- 35-metre penalty after an Irish debutant Andrew Conway, while France sink Wales after slam victory in Dublin yesterday. with the rest of their points tained several survivors from ruck off ence. Jones brought on Mako Vunipola Had England, who’d already kicked by fl y-half Jonathan Sex- that match, including captain Irish playmaker Sexton, often in place of prop Joe Marler. chaotic and extended finale won a second straight Six Na- ton. Dylan Hartley. the recipient of rough treatment, Farrell cut the lead to 10-6 tions title, come out on top they All England, who ran in seven Ireland, already without was tackled late in the 20th with a 47-metre penalty early in France beat Wales 20-18 following a bizarre and chaotic end would have surpassed the record tries during last week’s 61-21 Conor Murray after the star minute by Maro Itoje. the second half. to their final Six Nations match yesterday as replacement of 18 consecutive Test wins they rout of Scotland, had to show scrum-half was injured in a French referee Jerome Garces England, however, were still Damien Chouly scored a try 20 minutes after full time had share with world champions New for their eff orts were three Owen 22-9 defeat by Wales in Cardiff gave the blindside fl anker a talk- four points down heading into elapsed. Zealand and become the fi rst side Farrell penalties as they suff ered that eff ectively ended their title ing to, rather than a yellow card, the last quarter. The clock showed 99 minutes and 55 seconds when Chouly in the Six Nations era to complete their fi rst defeat under Austral- hopes last week, lost Heaslip just and Sexton kicked the resulting If ever they needed their re- dotted the ball down after nine penalty scrums and Camille back-to-back Grand Slams. ian coach Eddie Jones. before the kick-off . penalty deep for an attacking placements or “fi nishers” as Lopez slotted over the conversion as France saved their place But Ireland, who ended the O’Mahony, who only started line-out. Jones likes to call them, it was in the second pot ahead of the 2019 World Cup draw. All Blacks’ winning streak with a after fellow back-row Jamie Ferocious Ireland Ireland battered away at Eng- now. But instead Sexton, after Wales had victory in their sights when Leigh Halfpenny’s sixth 40-29 win in Chicago in Novem- Heaslip was ruled out after roll- Despite the disruption, Ire- land’s line, with No 8 Billy Vu- another late tackle, extended penalty earned them a 18-13 lead but France won a key five- ber, proved too strong at a rain- ing his ankle in the warm-up, land made a ferocious start and nipola eventually conceding a Ireland’s lead with a superb metre penalty scrum with one minute left. swept Lansdowne Road. exemplifi ed Ireland’s display, they nearly had a try in the ninth penalty. long-range penalty from wide Eight scrums later, after Wales prop Samson Lee was shown “I thought we played re- with his line-out steal six min- minute. Rather than go for goal, Ire- out on the left. a yellow card and a series of controversial incidents and deci- ally well in the fi rst 20 mins. utes from time denying England Ireland captain Rory Best pro- land opted for a line-out just fi ve Farrell’s third penalty made it sions, France finally got over the line for the second time. We went very close it the right hope of a potentially match- duced a reverse pass worthy of metres out. 13-9 but that was as close as it Lopez scored two penalties and two conversions, making sure hand corner twice with Earls and winning try. a centre rather than a hooker to Best found his man and from got, with Hartley collecting the Les Bleus will finish the championship in third or second place Ringrose. Ringrose was a revela- Three times before in the Jared Payne and the fullback in the catch and drive, Henderson, Six Nations trophy on the back and leaving Wales in fifth ahead of the Ireland v England clash. tion again today. He keeps taking 2000s had England arrived in turn found Keith Earls only for chosen ahead of Devin Toner, of a defeat. Guy Noves’s team started well, going ahead when Remi Lam- erat collected a subtle chip over the top from Lopez and dive over the line, with the flyhalf slotting home the conversion and Bahrain’s Dar Kulaib win GCC Clubs Volleyball Championship he added a routine penalty as French domination continued. Wales, however, responded with a Halfpenny penalty after Virimi Vakatawa was shown a yellow card for a deliberate knock on and Halfpenny booted another as Wales took advan- tage of being a man up. Wales reduced the arrears again when Halfpenny slotted his third kick as France were penalised time and again by referee Waynes Barnes. The hosts struggled to retain possession in a scrappy start to the second half. Wales also failed to go through the phases but Halfpenny’s perfect afternoon con- tinued as he booted a 45-metre penalty to put the visitors in front for the first time. Sebastien Vahaamahina grabbed Tipuric’s arm in the air in a lineout, handing Halfpenny another 45-metre opportunity which the fullback slotted between the posts to give Wales a five-point lead. The teams traded penalties and France, needing a try, opted for the scrum when they were awarded a last-minute penalty. After 20 minutes of mayhem, including numerous replacements, a biting allegation and desperate Welsh defence, Chouly finally claimed the winning try.

France’s Camille Lopez (2nd R) celebrates with teammates Dar Kulaib of Bahrain captain receives the winners’ trophy from Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC) secretary-general Dr Thani Abdulrahman al-Kuwari after defeating Qatar’s Al after defeating Wales in their Six Nations tournament match Arabi 3-1 (16-25, 26-24, 25-23, 25-22) in the last match of the 36th GCC Clubs Volleyball Championship at the Ali Bin Hamad Al Attiyah Arena on Friday. PICTURE: Jayaram at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis yesterday. (AFP) Gulf Times Sunday, March 19, 2017 7 CRICKET

REPORT SPOTLIGHT South Africa clinch eight-wicket victory Pujara helps India in second Test

Reuters then bamboozled New Zea- Wellington land’s middle and lower order with his variations in pace and fl ight. Opener Jeet Raval, who eshav Maharaj took ca- survived three chances after narrow defi cit aft er reer best fi gures of 6-40 he had passed 50, was the fi rst as South Africa romped of Maharaj’s victims after tea to an eight-wicket vic- when he was stumped on 80 by toryK over New Zealand on the wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock. extended third day of the second BJ Watling, who shared a 65- Test yesterday to take a 1-0 lead run partnership with Raval, had in the three-match series. made the next best score of 29 Hashim Amla and JP Du- before he was the last man out Cummins blows miny guided the tourists to to give Maharaj his sixth wick- victory in an additional 30 et. The Proteas had added 10 minutes of play at the Basin runs to their overnight score of Pujara hits first ton by an Indian in the series, Cummins claims four wickets in comeback Test Reserve, the latter fi ring the 349 for nine before Morkel was boundary that saw the Proteas bowled by Jeetan Patel for 40. ease past the 81-run victory The tall fast bowler took off Reuters target to 83-2. Amla fi nished his pads and had soon put his Ranchi on 38 not out and the winning side fi rmly in charge when he four gave Duminy an unbeaten had Tom Latham and Kane Wil- 15 but it was a victory set up by liamson caught behind to re- op order batsman the bowling unit, who had dis- duce the hosts to 26 for two. Cheteshwar Pujara missed New Zealand for 171 in New Zealand limped to 55 for compiled an industri- their second innings after tea. two at lunch but Morkel wasted ous unbeaten century to South Africa had themselves little time in making another Tkeep India on course to match been bowled out for 359 in breakthrough when Neil Broom Australia’s fi rst-innings total of their fi rst innings in the open- was caught behind for 20 in the 451 in the third Test yesterday. ing session of the day before second over after play resumed. Australia paceman Pat Cum- fast bowler Morne Morkel tore Maharaj then turned the game mins made a successful return to the top off New Zealand’s line- fi rmly in South Africa’s favour test cricket after fi ve years in the up with the fi rst three wickets. with the wickets of fi rst innings wilderness, oozing hostility and Maharaj, who took his previ- centurion Henry Nicholls and claiming 4-59 on a placid track ous career-best fi gures of 5-94 Neesham in one over that left to help restrict the hosts to 360- in the fi rst Test in Dunedin, the hosts 90 for fi ve before tea. 6 on day three of the contest. Pujara was batting on 130 at SCOREBOARD stumps, the fi rst century by an Indian batsman in the four-Test New Zealand first innings ...... 268 series, having spent nearly seven South Africa first innings (overnight 349-9) hours at the crease to consoli- S. Cook c Neesham b Southee ...... 3 date his team’s position in the D. Elgar c Neesham b de Grandhomme ...... 9 contest. Wriddhiman Saha was K. Rabada b Southee ...... 9 giving him company on 18 with H. Amla c Nicholls b de Grandhomme ...... 21 India still 91 runs behind. J. Duminy c Nicholls b Wagner ...... 16 Pujara is a steady accumulator F. du Plessis c Watling b de Grandhomme ...... 22 of runs in an Indian line-up of T. Bavuma c Neesham b Wagner ...... 89 mostly fl amboyant stroke-mak- Q. de Kock c Watling b Neesham ...... 91 ers and his solid defence stood V. Philander not out ...... 37 him in great stead as his 11th Test K. Maharaj c Williamson b Wagner ...... 1 century underlined the virtue of M. Morkel b Patel ...... 40 playing along the turf, minimis- Extras: (b4, lb5, w12) ...... 21 ing risks. Total (all out; 98 overs) ...... 359 The 29-year-old hit 17 Fall of wickets: 1-12 (Cook), 2-12 (Elgar), 3-26 (Rabada), 4-59 boundaries in his composed India’s Cheteshwar Pujara celebrates his century against Australia in Ranchi yesterday. (Reuters) (Duminy), 5-79 (Amla), 6-94 (du Plessis), 7-254 (de ock), 8-290 knock, often threading the ball (Bavuma), 9-302 (Maharaj), 10-359 (Morkel) through gaps and letting the ex- the fi nal over before lunch, Vijay “Not really, I think the game is Bowling: Southee 27-7-98-2 (1w), de Grandhomme 23-7-52-3, Wag- ceptionally fast outfi eld carry it jumped out to a Steve O’Keefe evenly poised,” the opener told Returning Cummins exceeded ner 22-1-102-3 (1w), Patel 14-1-57-1, Neesham 12-2-41-1 (2w) across the rope. Australia bowl- delivery only to be stumped for reporters. “If we can get closer to New Zealand 2nd innings ing coach David Saker said the 82, which included 10 bounda- the target and maybe if possible expectations, say Australia T. Latham c Duminy b Morkel ...... 6 contest was interestingly poised ries and a six. get a lead from there, it would be Pat Cummins exceeded expectations in his first Test match in J. Raval st de Kock b Maharaj ...... 80 after a hard-fought day. Virat Kohli walked out after a good game in hand.” more than five years and the speedster will pose a sweet selection K. Williamson c de Kock b Morkel ...... 1 “It’s great Test-match crick- lunch to thunderous applause, The four-Test series is level at headache for Australia, bowling coach David Saker said yesterday. N. Broom c de Kock b Morkel ...... 20 et,” Saker, who was England’s having stayed away from the 1-1 with Dharamsala hosting the Long touted as a future leader of the pace attack, Cummins made H. Nicholls b Maharaj ...... 7 bowling coach from 2010 to field since injuring his shoul- fi nal match from March 25. a stunning seven-wicket debut in South Africa as an 18-year-old in J. Neesham c du Plessis b Maharaj ...... 4 2015, told reporters. der on Thursday, and there was 2011 but has since been beset by injuries. B. Watling c Duminy b Maharaj ...... 29 “We really put them under a silence as he departed after SCOREBOARD After a fractured foot ended spearhead Mitchell Starc’s India tour, C. de Grandhomme b Maharaj ...... 0 lot of pressure. They absorbed facing 23 balls that yielded six Australia 1st innings 451 the selectors took a gamble of sorts by plucking Cummins out T. Southee c Duminy b Maharaj ...... 4 it, especially Pujara who played a runs. India 1st innings of domestic cricket and planting him into the team for the third J. Patel c de Kock b Rabada ...... 0 fantastic innings.” Armed with the second new (overnight 120-1) test against India. The right-arm pacer grabbed the opportunity N. Wagner not out ...... 4 “We’re still ahead of the game ball, Cummins induced Kohli L. Rahul c Wade b Cummins...67 with both hands, breathing fire on a placid track and claiming four Extras (b10, lb1, wd5) ...... 16 but they are getting closer every into a loose drive and Australia M. Vijay st Wade b O’Keefe ...... 82 wickets to help restrict India to 360-6 in reply to Australia’s first- Total (all out: 63.2 overs) ...... 171 over... we’ll be coming out pretty skipper Steve Smith took a sharp C. Pujara not out ...... 130 innings total of 451. Fall of wickets: 1-16 (Latham), 2-26 (Williamson), 3-64 (Broom), strong tomorrow.” catch at second slip. V. Kohli c Smith b Cummins ...... 6 “I thought last night he bowled particularly well but today he 4-86 (Nicholls), 5-90 (Neesham), 6-155 (Raval), 7-161 (de Grand- Resuming the day on 120 for Ajinkya Rahane belied his rep- A. Rahane c Wade b Cummins 14 backed that up and to produce some of the balls he produced to homme), 8-167 (Southee), 9-167 (Patel), 10-171 (Watling) one, Pujara and Murali Vijay utation as a watchful batsman K. Nair b Hazlewood ...... 23 get wickets is pretty exciting,” Saker said. Bowling: Morkel 11-0-50-3 (1w), Philander 12-3-28-0, Rabada 17-5- raised their sixth century part- with a ramp shot more suited to R. Ashwin c Wade b Cummins ..3 “Hats off to the selectors to go with him. Ball speed in India is a big 38-1, Maharaj 20.2-7-40-6, Duminy 3-1-4-0 nership of the season to lead In- limited-overs cricket, feathering W. Saha not out ...... 18 thing because the wickets don’t generate any pace. But he was South Africa 2nd innings dia’s strong reply. a Cummins delivery to wicket- Extras (b14, lb3) ...... 17 way higher than the expectations we had. We know what talent he S. Cook c Neesham b Southee ...... 11 Playing his 50th Test, Vijay, keeper Matthew Wade. Karun Total (6 wickets; 130 overs) 360 is but it’s so pleasing to see him go so well.” D. Elgar c Watling b Elgar ...... 17 then on 58, survived a bat-pad Nair lost his off -stump to Josh Fall of wickets: 1-91 (Rahul), Cummings oozed hostility with the second new ball yesterday, H. Amla not out ...... 38 catch when the inside edge went Hazlewood and Ravichandran 2-193 (Vijay), 3-225 (Kohli), 4-276 dismissing India captain Virat Kohli and the dependable Ajinkya J. Duminy not out ...... 15 undetected and Australia could Ashwin could only glove a Cum- (Rahane), 5-320 (Nair), 6-328 Rahane while sending back Ravichandran Ashwin with a sharply Extras:(w2) ...... 2 not challenge the not-out deci- mins snorter to Wade in the fi nal (Ashwin) rising delivery. With the born-again Cummins joining Starc and Total: (two wickets; 25 overs) ...... 83 sion having exhausted their re- session. Bowling: Hazlewood 31-9-66-1, Josh Hazlewood in the mix and James Pattinson waiting in the Fall of wicket: 1-18 (Cook), 2-48 (Elgar) views. Vijay dismissed suggestions Cummins 25-8-59-4, O’Keefe 43- wings, Saker said Australia now had an embarrassment of pace Bowling: Southee 6-2-17-1, de Grandhomme 8-1-20-0, Wagner 8-2- The opener did not make the that India had lost momentum 11-117-1, Lyon 29-2-97-0, Maxwell riches. 18-1, Neesham 3-0-28-0 (2w). most of the reprieve, however. In towards the end. 2-0-4-0.

FOCUS Bangladesh on top, but Sri Lanka hang on

AFP strikes in his second spell as Mendis Shakib fi nished the day with 3-61. Colombo edged an angular ball outside the off - stump to wicketkeeper Mushfi qur Ra- SCOREBOARD him for 36. Sri Lanka 1st innings 338 (D. Chandi- ustafi zur Rahman and Five overs later it was the turn of mal 138, Mehedi Hasan 3-90) Shakib Al Hasan shared fi rst-innings centurion Dinesh Chan- Bangladesh 1st innings 467 ( Shakib six wickets between them dimal, who played a loose drive to Al Hasan 116, Mosaddek Hossain 75, but Sri Lanka fought back be caught behind for fi ve. Asela Gu- Soumya Sarkar 61, Mushfiqur Rahim Mthrough a fi ghting century of Dimuth naratne was adjudged leg-before for 52; R. Herath 4-82, L. Sandakan 4-140) Karunaratne in the second Test in Co- seven off Shakib without off ering any Sri Lanka 2nd inning (overnight lombo yesterday. shot before Mustafi zur struck again to 54-0) Karunaratne held one end for a long hand Dhananjaya de Silva a duck. D. Karunaratne c Soumya b Shakib 126 period to score 126 before a dogged Niroshan Dickwella survived a close U. Tharanga b Mehedi ...... 26 unbeaten inning of Dilruwan Per- call for lbw but could not make use of K. Mendis c Mushfiqur b Mustafizur 36 era helped Sri Lanka reach 268-7 at it giving Mushfi qur his fourth catch D. Chandimal c Mushfiqur b Mustafi- stumps on the fourth day to stretch down the leg off Shakib to depart for zur ...... 5 their lead over the visitors to 139 runs. fi ve. A. Gunaratne lbw b Shakib ...... 7 This much lead looked a distant pos- An edge off Mustafi zur fl ew to third D. de Silva c Mushfiqur b Mustafizur .0 sibility once Mustafi zur and Shakib man boundary to earn Karunaratne N. Dickwella c Mushfiqur b Shakib ...... 5 triggered a collapse in Sri Lankan in- his fi fth Test century but he fell in the D. Perera not out ...... 26 nings in the post lunch session but fi nal session edging Shakib to Soumya R. Herath lbw b Taijul ...... 9 Karunaratne hang on to score 126 be- Sarkar at slip. S. Lakmal not out...... 16 fore Perera hit an 26 off 126 balls. Perera batted with grit but should Extras (b4, lb7, w1) ...... 12 Perera received support from tail- have been dismissed for four had um- Total (eight wickets; 100 overs) 268 enders Rangana Herath (9 off 32 balls) Bangladesh’s Sabbir Rahman (L), captain Mushfiqur Rahim (C) and fielder Shakib Al Hasan (R) unsuccessfully appeal for the pires Aleem Dar not made an error of Fall of wickets: 1-57 (Tharanga), 2-143 and Suranga Lakmal, 14 not out as the wicket of Sri Lankan batsman Suranga Lakmal (2R) during the fourth day of the second Test in Colombo yesterday. (AFP) judgment with Bangladesh already (Mendis), 3-165 (Chandimal), 4-176 hosts were hoping to expand their lead completing their quota of reviews. (Gunaratne), 5-177 ( de Silva), 6-190 to give their bowlers something to fi ght Sri Lanka resumed on 54-0. But Karu- think the wicket is really good. We lost play our normal game,” he said. “If we Taijul Islam removed Herath, who (Dickwella), 7-217 ( Karunaratne), 8-238 with. naratne and Kusal Mendis shared 86- a few wickets and after that we could can get 200-plus, it’s a good score. We was equally stubborn but Bangladesh ( Herath) Bangladesh struck in the day’s sec- run for the second wicket to help the not capitalise,” said Karunaratne. are happy if they can bat till we get 200 were yet to fi nd an answer for Perera’s Bowling: Roy 16-4-36-0 (w1), Mehedi ond over through off -spinner Mehedi hosts wipe out their fi rst innings defi - “Three of our main batsmen got out or more.” ultra-defensive batting, much-needed 22-0-67-1, Mustafizur 19-3-52-3, Shakib Hasan, who spun one sharply to bowl cit and put Sri Lanka in good stead to in one phase. At the end of the day we Mustafi zur helped Bangladesh eff ort for Sri Lanka though. Mustafi - 30-8-61-3, Mosaddek 3-0-10-0, Taijul out opener Upul Tharanga for 26 after set up decent target for Bangladesh. “I have stay positive. We just wanted to bounce back in the contest with quick zur claimed 3-52 for Bangladesh while 10-1-31-1.

Sunday, March 19, 2017 GULF TIMES SPORT

ASPIRE TORCH STAIRCASE RUN GYMNASTICS TRAINING England’s Jones is champion again This year’s competition was the ultimate challenge of endurance, as runners climbed more than 1,300 steps to the 51st floor of the 300m tower

By Sports Reporter Doha

ngland’s Andi Jones won the Aspire Torch Stair- case Run for the second year in succession, storming up the 1,304 steps of the hotel in a time Eof seven minutes and 12 seconds in the Open cat- egory for men yesterday. Jones, who has excelled in road, cross country and mountain running all over the world, comfortably beat Qatar’s Mohamed al-Obaidly, who clocked eight minutes and 49 seconds. Hillary Rotich was third in a time of nine minutes and fi ve seconds. Jones praised the race and expressed his enthusiasm at being able to participate in such an innovative event, say- ing: “I’m very proud of my achievement and for earning fi rst place once more. My participation in this competi- tion stems from my constant need to challenge myself and surpass my previous results. I prepared really well for this and it paid off in the end. I’m really happy.” Around 300 athletes took part in the event which was held in partnership with the iconic Torch Doha Hotel at Aspire Zone. The runners were divided into four catego- ries: Juniors (16-17 years old), Open category (18-39 years old) and Veterans (40 and older), along with a category dedicated to hotel waiters and waitresses who wished to take part. This year’s competition was the ultimate challenge of endurance, as runners climbed more than 1,300 steps to Nasser Abdulla al-Hajri, AZF’s director of PR and communications, with open category winner Andi Jones, runner- Qatari gymnasts training for the FIG World Cup to be held in the 51st fl oor of the 300m tower, racing to be named Qa- up Mohamed al-Obaidly and third-placed Hillary Rotich. Doha later this month. Three gymnasts — Ahmed al-Dayani, Nabil tar’s fastest stair climbers and win cash prizes. Musa and Jana al-Kiky will be representing Qatar in the prestig- Katerina Matousova was awarded fi rst place in the open ious event. “It is a very important event for three gymnasts. It will female category (18-39) with a time of 10 minutes 42 sec- give them a great opportunity to learn from top gymnasts,” the onds, while Lily Saad and Gretta Beckett fi nished second Qatar Gymnastics Federation said. and third respectively. Andrew Buckley earned fi rst place in the male veteran category with a time of 9 minutes 31 seconds, while Car- mel Lord earned fi rst place in the female category with a SPOTLIGHT time of 12 minutes 59 seconds. In the male junior category, Oliver Guest earned fi rst place with an impressive time of 9 minutes 31 seconds. Hallie Harris earned fi rst place in the female junior cat- ICSS previews egory with a time of 11 mins 46 seconds. In the Waiter/Waitress Challenge, Khagendra Bharati came in fi rst place with 11 minutes 9 seconds. Trusted Athlete Several offi cials from Aspire Zone Foundation and the Torch Doha Hotel were present to witness the closing cer- emony and present prizes to the winners. Among them App at Global Ethics were Nasser Abdullah al-Hajri, Director of PR and Com- munications at AZF, Abdullah al-Khater, Events Manager at AZF, Sherif Sabry, General Manager of the Torch Doha Summit 2017 Hotel, and Gerhard Foltin, Consultant for the Torch Doha Hotel. Commenting on the successful conclusion of the race, Abdullah al-Khater said: “This competition required high levels of endurance and we’re very proud of the contest- ants. I’m delighted to see so many community members, locals and expats, participate in an event that so eff ec- tively refl ects our mission to promote active and healthy lifestyles in Qatar. Thanks to this popularity, the Torch Staircase Run has become an important part of the year- round schedule of events that Aspire Zone Foundation organises.” In 2015, the Run was awarded offi cial Grand Prix status as one of the top international tower running competi- tions, on par with the Empire State Building Run-Up in New York, USA, and Berlin Sky Tower in Germany. Khagendra Bharati gets rewarded for his eff orts.

FOOTBALL Michael Hershman, Group CEO, ICSS

s part of its ongoing sharing their consumption his- eff ort to help protect tory with coaches, managers, ethical and fair com- sponsors and other relevant Apetition in sport, the third-parties. Aspire’s youth win Tri-Series International Centre for Sport Speaking about the Trusted Security (ICSS) has unveiled the Athlete app at the Global Ethics development of a new and in- Summit 2017, Michael Hersh- teractive mobile application that man, ICSS Group CEO, said: aims to help athletes and partici- “The need to protect and safe- pants scan, record and be alerted guard ethics and values in sport about medicines and their legal has never been greater. As we status in sport. have seen recently, various high- Introduced at the 9th An- profi le cases of doping and sub- nual Global Ethics Summit 2017, stance abuse have aff ected many which brought together CEOs athletes and people who play and leading ethics and compli- sport – including amateurs and ance experts from around the professionals. world, the mobile device app – “As a fi rst step to better protect known as the Trusted Athlete athletes and help parents, coach- App – will provide sports stake- es and participants at all levels holders including amateur and identify harmful and banned professional athletes, coaches, substances, the ICSS has begun doctors, teams and support staff to work with relevant interna- with a comprehensive and easy- tional authorities and technology to-use tool to scan medication companies in the fi eld of athlete and be immediately informed health to develop the Trusted with information about the item. Athlete app. When scanning a product with “Through the development of the Trusted Athlete App, the user innovative mobile technology, will be instantly alerted about the Trusted Athlete App aims specifi c dosage limitations, as to reduce the risk of doping and well as potentially harmful or substance abuse to athletes at all banned substances within the levels and to ensure they – as well item. As part of the ICSS’s ongo- as coaches, parents, sponsors and ing portfolio of work to encourage other third parties – are appro- By Sports Reporter Fouad al-Fadil, praised his team’s per- ries tournament and Aspire Academy’s tives that aim to scout and develop young fairer and more ethical competi- priately informed about harmful Doha formance and emphasised that this tour- sports development initiatives, saying: local talents to produce Malaysia’s next tion in sport, the Trusted Athlete medications and substances to nament provides a much-needed experi- “I have visited the Academy previously generation of world-renowned football- App will utilise the latest mobile their health, as well as the latest spire Academy concluded its ence for young players at their age. He said: when I was working with the French club, ers. It’s a long journey and requires a lot of app development technology rules and regulations, to ensure latest Tri-Series football tour- “I am pleased with the way my team played Paris Saint-Germain, and the tourna- patience, but it is worth it, and we com- and is currently in the develop- better compliance and fair and nament with its youth division against two strong teams who have diff er- ment is still as strong as I remember it. We mend Aspire Academy for its eff orts to de- ment phase, working towards ethical competition in sport.” Ateam U-11 emerging as the win- ent footballing styles. The game against FA are very pleased with how our youth team velop the talents of its student-athletes.” combining separate international Scheduled to be launched later ners, after leading the scoreboard with Malaysia was particularly challenging, yet performed against Nagoya and Aspire, and The Tri-Series football tournament databases with the aim of adding this year, details of the Trusted 13 impressive goals in two matches. This our youngsters stayed motivated and per- we’re grateful to Aspire Academy for invit- resumes from 19-23 of March and will see nutritional supplements at a later App were revealed at the Global round of the Tri-Series football tourna- formed exceptionally well.” ing us to participate.” youth teams from Aspire Academy com- date. In addition to the scanning Ethics Summit 2017, which saw ment featured guest teams Nagoya Gram- Meanwhile, Saad Ichalelene, Head of He added, “Malaysia has set for itself a pete against two world-renowned football and alert functions, the Trusted the ICSS moderate the panel pus FC and FA Malaysia. Coaching Methodology & Scouting at similar mission to what have been achieved clubs from Europe – Atletico Madrid from Athlete App will also provide us- entitled ‘Standing Up in Sport: Commenting on their remarkable win, the National Football Development Pro- by Aspire Academy in Qatar, and have also Spain and Eintracht Frankfurt from Ger- ers with the option of recording Preserving Integrity in the Global Aspire Academy’s U-11 Head Coach, gramme in Malaysia, praised the Tri-Se- set up several football development initia- many. and confi dentially and securely Sports Environment’.”