Sport FRIDAY 9 APRIL 2021 15

WINNERS: 46th Bottom Bay shines as Al Marri Race Meeting at QREC Park corners Al Mamoura Cup glory Horse, Trainer, Jockey

THE PENINSULA - DOHA horse to a ½-length win in the AL MAMOURA CUP 2200m Class 3 run Bottom Bay, Zuhair In a fiercely contested battle at Abdulhadi Mana Al Hajri’s the Racing and Equestrian Monsieur Noir (GB) (Shamardal Mohsen, Saleh Salem Al Club’s (QREC) Al Rayyan Park, x Night Frolic) clinched the issue Marri Khalifa Bin Sheail Al Kuwari’s in the Thoroughbred Handicap PUREBRED ARABIAN Bottom Bay (GB) (Oasis Dream) (70-90) class when Alberto CONDITIONS yesterday completed a double Sanna rode the Stefano Ibido- Al Walid, Alban de Mieulle, landing by winning the Al trained 5YO gelding to a Carlos Henrique Mamoura Cup on turf. 2¼-length win in the 6f Class 3 LOCAL THOROUGHBRED Jockey Saleh Salem Al Marri run. rode the Zuhair Mohsen-trained The Ibrahim Saeed Ibrahim HANDICAP 4YO gelding to a ½-length win Al Malki-owned and trained In Al Hindi (QA), Jassim in the Class 2 mile for TBs under The Night (IRE) (Shamardal) Ghazlai, JP Guillambert lights at QREC. completed a double winning in THOROUGHBRED Al Marri won the top prize the Thoroughbred Handicap HANDICAP (Class 3) of QR 57,000 for his effort. (0-85) on turf. Receding Waves (GB), Earlier in the evening, Al Tomas Lukasek rode 4YO Shaqab Racing’s Al Walid (FR) gelding to a length win in the Ali Yousuf Al-Kubaisi, Al (Dahess x Al Sarwa) won the 1850m Class 4 run. Moatasem Al Balushi Purebred Arabian Conditions H E Sheikha Iman Bint THOROUGHBRED class at Al Rayyan Park. Mohammed Bin Khalifa Al HANDICAP (Class 3) Carlos Henrique rode the Thani’s Saad (QA) (Munjiz) Monsieur Noir, Stefano Alban de Mieulle-trained 8YO bagged the honours in the Local Bottom Bay, ridden by Saleh Salem Al Marri, crosses the finish line to win the Al Mamoura Cup at QREC's Ibido, Alberto Sanna horse to a 2-length win in the Purebred Arabian Novice Plate Al Rayyan Park yesterday. THOROUGHBRED mile run. on turf at Al Rayyan Park. Henrique won the top prize Lukasek rode the Julian Smart- HANDICAP (Class 4) of QR 42,750. trained 4YO colt to an In The Night (IRE), Ibrahim Sheikh Abdulla Bin Thani Al impressive 6-length win in the Saeed Al Malki, Tomas Thani’s homebred Al Hindi (QA) 7f run. LEFT: Omran Lukasek (Sleeping Indian) completed a Eng. Hassan AliAlabdulma- Mohammed Darwish, LOCAL PUREBRED double in a Local TB Handicap lik’s Main Reef (GB) (Pivotal x QREC PR and External ARABIAN NOVICE PLATE (70-90) in the third-last race Coral Mist) won the Thor- Communication Saad (QA), Julian Colin yesterday. oughbred Maiden Plate when Director, presents Smart, Tomas Lukasek JP Guillambert rode the Faleh Bughanaim rode the the Al Mamoura Cup THOROUGHBRED MAIDEN Jassim Ghazali-trained 4YO colt Debbie Mountain-trained 4YO trophy to Khalifa to a 4¾-length win in the 7f run. colt to a 2½-length win in the bin Sheail Al Kuwari, PLATE (Class 6) Guillambert won the top 1850m Class 6 run. owner of Bottom Main Reef, Deborah prize of QR 34,200. Al Ghazali Stud’s Malik (QA) Bay, winner of the Amanda Clare Mountain, Injaaz Stud’s Receding (French Fifteen x Phone The main event at QREC’s Waves (GB) (Dick Turpin x Diva) won the Local Thor- Faleh Bughanaim Al Rayyan Park LOCAL THOROUGHBRED Welanga) won the honours in oughbred Maiden Plate with yesterday. the Thoroughbred Handicap Soufiane Saadi who rode the MAIDEN PLATE (75-95) at Al Rayyan Park. Jassim Ghazali-trained 5YO Malik (QA), Gassim Al Moatasem Al Balushi rode horse to a 2¾-length win in the Ghazali, Soufiane Saadi the Ali Al Kubaisi-trained 8YO mile run. Cricket: Mumbai go from strength Retired batting star Tendulkar out of hospital to strength as IPL hat-trick beckons after COVID treatment REUTERS — NEW DELHI AP - NEW DELHI Mumbai Indians have India cricket great Sachin Tendulkar returned home yesterday assembled a side that looks after nearly a week in a Mumbai hospital with the coronavirus. even stronger than their back- The 47-year-old Tendulkar, Test cricket’s all-time leading to-back title-winning teams, run-scorer, tested positive for COVID-19 on March 27 and was with only Delhi Daredevils and hospitalized last Friday. Sunrisers Hyderabad appearing “I have just come home from the hospital and will remain capable of denying them a third isolated while continuing to rest and recuperate,’’ Tendulkar straight Indian Premier League tweeted. He thanked the healthcare staff “who took such good (IPL) crown. care of me and have been working tirelessly for over a year in Mumbai get the money- such difficult circumstances.” spinning tournament rolling in The Press Trust of India news agency said all of his family Chennai today, just four months members have tested negative. after claiming their second suc- In March, Tendulkar was part of the Road Safety World cessive title, with a match Series Challenge in Raipur, a veterans' tournament that fea- against Royal Challengers Ban- tured retired players from India, Sri Lanka, West Indies, South galore, led by India captain Africa and England. Virat Kohli. A week after Tendulkar led India Legends to the title, he Captain Rohit Sharma West Indies' Kieron Pollard of Australia's Steve Smith was among four players - Irfan and Yusuf Pathan and S headlines a Mumbai batting Mumbai Indians of Delhi Capitals Badrinath - to test positive. Badrinath recently tweeted about lineup teeming with explosive testing negative and resuming work as a commentator for IPL hitters including Ishan Kishan 2021. and Suryakumar Yadav, who South Africa quick Dale Delhi had to change their perennial underachievers, have made impressive India debut Steyn was in no doubt Mumbai captain after Shreyas Iyer, who added Australian Glenn in the recent Twenty20 series were the favourites again. led them to their maiden final Maxwell to the batting order but against England. “I have got them as number last year, was ruled out of the their death-overs bowling Power-hitters Kieron one,” he toldespncricinfo this tournament with a shoulder remains a worry. Conway included in Pollard and Hardik Pandya are week. “I’m going with them injury. England's World Cup winnig adept at launching a late winning it again.” At 23, Rishabh Pant will be captain Eoin Morgan will lead assault, while Trent Boult’s David Warner led the IPL’s youngest skipper this Kolkata Knight Riders’ quest for New Zealand Test powerplay skills and Jasprit Hyderabad to their maiden IPL year but Delhi head coach Ricky a third title but Chennai Super Bumrah’s death-overs mastery title in 2016 but the Australian’s Ponting has high hopes for the Kings, who finished second squad for England tour mean they have no real bowling nagging groin injury remains a stumper-batsman. from bottom last year, may woes either. concern. “I think extra responsibility struggle again. REUTERS - WELLINGTON So dominant are Mumbai Hyderabad also lack fire- is going to sit really well with The three-time champions that they have won five of the power in their lower order, him,” the former Australia failed to make the playoff for South African-born batsman Devon Conway was one of three last eight titles and former though they have a potent captain said. “We’ll help him the first time last year and their uncapped players named in New Zealand’s 20-man Tsquad for England captain Michael bowling attack that includes through, but honestly, I don’t core of ageing players, including the upcoming tour of England yesterday. Vaughan has said this side swing bowler Bhuvneshwar think he’s going to need much captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Conway, who was cleared to play for the Black Caps on res- might be even better than Kumar and Afghan spin help at all.” had little game time heading idential grounds last August, was joined in the squad for the India’s Twenty20 team. spearhead Rashid Khan. Bangalore, the tournament’s into this year’s tournament. matches at Lord’s and Edgbaston in June by all-rounder Rachin Ravindra and swing bowler Jacob Duffy. First Week's Matches The squad will be whittled down to 15 players ahead of the World Test Championship final against India at the Rose Bowl in Southampton later in June, New Zealand Cricket said. APRIL 9 – MI vs RCB in Chennai Conway has forced his way into the international reckoning at 5:00PM (All Qatar Times) with a torrent of runs since moving to New Zealand in 2017 and notched up his maiden one-day international century against APRIL 10 – CSK vs DC in Bangladesh in Wellington last month. Mumbai at 5:00PM The 29-year-old left-handed batsman was only assured of a place in the squad last week after securing his permanent resi- APRIL 11 – SRH vs KKR in dency, without which he would not have been able to return to Chennai at 5:00PM New Zealand after the tour. Conway is the most likely of the three uncapped players to APRIL 12 – RR vs PK in Mumbai make their Test debut on the tour with Kane Williamson’s team at 5:00PM in fine form over the home summer with series sweeps over West Indies and Pakistan. APRIL 13 – KKR vs MI in Ravindra, who combines top or middle order batting with Chennai at 5:00PM left-arm finger spin, is only 21, while Duffy would have to force his way into a top class bowling attack. APRIL 14 – SRH vs RCB in New Zealand Squad: Chennai at 5:00PM Kane Williamson (captain), Tom Blundell, Trent Boult, Doug Bracewell, Devon Conway, Colin de Grandhomme, Jacob Duffy, APRIL 15 – RR vs DC in Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, Tom Latham, Daryl Mitchell, Henry Mumbai Indians players are seen during a team training session. Pic: @mipaltan Mumbai at 5:00PM Nicholls, Ajaz Patel, Rachin Ravindra, Mitchell Santner, Tim Southee, Ross Taylor, Neil Wagner, BJ Watling, Will Young. Sport

FRIDAY 9 APRIL 2021 Tendulkar out of hospital after treatment I have just come home from the hospital and will remain iso- lated while continuing to rest and recuperate. I am extremely thankful to all who took such good care of me and have been working tirelessly for over a year in such difficult circumstances. Sachin Tendulkar Sport India cricket great | 15 NBA RESULTS: Nets 139, Pelicans 111; Rockets 102, Mavericks 93; Celtics 101, Knicks 99; Nuggets 106, Spurs 96; Grizzlies 131, Hawks 113

FIFA ready to Al Sadd look to end QSL on a high use automated offside calls at ahead of AFC Champions League Qatar 2022, FAWAD HUSSAIN importance for Al Ahli as a win THE PENINSULA will guarantee them fourth says Wenger position and a chance to feature Champions Al Sadd take on in the ACL. REUTERS — LONDON Qatar SC today in their final “It is very important for us match, looking to conclude a to finish the season strongly,” FIFA will be ready to phenomenal QNB Stars League Al Ahli coach Nebojsa Jovovic implement an automated (QSL) season on a high ahead told reporters yesterday. system for offside calls at the of their Asian Champions “We are in a good position FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, League (ACL) campaign, which in the QSL and we want to finish Arsene Wenger (pictured) kicks off next week. this way so we can have the said. ‘The Wolves’ - having sealed honour of representing Qatar The game’s rulemaker, the title in Round 18 – have not in the AFC Champions League IFAB, said last month it was suffered a single defeat this next season,” he added. continuing to review the season and a victory against Al Duhail coach Sabri Lam- offside law and planned to ‘The Kings’ today will be icing ouchi, while expressing his dis- test technology that would on the cake for Xavi Hern- content over a 1-1 draw against allow for ‘semi-automatic’ andez-coached side. They have 11th-placed Al Khor in the last decisions to limit the need accumulated 57 points from 18 round, said his team must show for long waits for VAR victories and three draws, improvement in their last match reviews. scoring a whopping 74 goals, before kicking off the ACL Wenger, however, said while conceding only 14 goals. campaign. he supported the ‘auto- However, Qatar SC, coached “We must avail our chances mated’ offside technology, by Younes Ali, will be hoping to and bring improvement. The Al which directly informs a ref- surpass Al Ahli to finish fourth Ahli match is our last rehearsal eree’s assistant if an incident before travelling to Jeddah (for is offside. ACL),” he said. According to FIFA, Al Rayyan want to secure offside technology provides Al Sadd's players during a training session yesterday, ahead of their QSL Round 22 clash against Qatar SC. third position VAR with additional infor- Meanwhile, Al Rayyan will mation before the referee in order to qualify for ACL. They Al Ahli to a 1-1 draw after advantage going into the be looking to maintain their makes the final call in the ROUND 22 FIXTURES are fifth with 32 points – one Cristian Prieto was sent off at upcoming games (in Asia).” third position to qualify for ACL match. point behind ‘The Brigadiers’, hour mark. Qatar SC coach Ali said his when they will take on Al Khor “The automated offside TODAY who will face runners-up Al “But, focusing on our team, team must go all-out for a in their last match today. I think will be ready for 6:15pm: Al Sadd vs Qatar SC at Duhail in their Round 22 match we would like to finish this victory. Al Rayyan suffered a 1-2 2022,” Wenger, FIFA’s head Al Sadd Stadium today. competition unbeaten, and of “Facing Al Sadd is not easy defeat in ‘Qatar Clasico’ against of football development, The 6:15pm: Al Duhail vs Al Ahli Xavi, whose side played a course, we want to get three at all, especially as they are pre- Al Sadd in the previous round, was quoted as saying in 1-1 draw against Qatar SC in the points. We are going to use paring for Asian Champions with coach Laurent Blanc Times. at Al Ahli Stadium first leg, expected a tough fight rotation again because in this League. But, we are looking for hoping to grab full points to “I’m pushing very hard 8:30pm: Al Rayyan vs Al Khor from Qatar SC on their home last period, in six days, we had a win and we must focus and secure third position. With 34 to have the automated off- at Al Sadd Stadium turf today. three games. But there are no play with the same enthusiasm points, ‘The Lions’ are just one sides, which means straight “Qatar SC are a very good excuses. We want to finish well like we played against Al Ahli,” point ahead of Al Ahli. away the signal goes to the TOMORROW team. They are trying to qualify and we want to finish with three he said yesterday. “We want to win to maintain linesman. 6:15pm: Al Arabi vs at for the Champions League next points.” Al Ahli, Al Duhail eye our third place in the league and “On average, the time Qatar SC Stadium season. In their last game, they Al Sadd defender Hussam strong finish Al Khor want to win as well so we have to wait is around 8:30pm: Umm Salal vs Al Gharafa drew with 10 players against 11. Kamal said: “It’s the final game Meanwhile, Al Duhail – who it could be an exciting match. In 70 seconds, sometimes 1 It means that the match will be of the league for us, against have already secured the the last match against Al Sadd, minute and 20 seconds... It at Qatar SC Stadium difficult and complicated,” Xavi Qatar SC, and we want to end second position with 44 points we lost but after playing with a is so important because we 8:30pm: Al Kharaitiyat vs Al told a press conference yes- the season without any defeats. – will visit Al Ahli Stadium for big heart. I hope we continue to see many celebrations are Wakrah at Al Sadd Stadium terday, referring to the match Getting a win will be a huge their final QSL clash. carry on this performance,” cancelled after that for in which ten-man Qatar SC held boost for us, and will give us an The match is of huge Blanc said yesterday. marginal situations,” he added Last month, former Netherlands forward Marco Mbappe looking for more after van Basten called on foot- ball’s lawmakers to consider scrapping the offside rule, double against Neuer in first leg saying the game would be better off without it. REUTERS — PARIS drilling in from a tight angle pressure.” PSG hadhad lost to and with two defenders in Bayern 1-0 in thehe Cham-Cham- Paris St Germain’s Kylian I love to play against the front of him to put PSG back pions League finalfinal last Mbappe said he felt no best player in the world in front and hand Bayern season but are noww one stepstep pressure in facing one of the and Manuel Neuer is one their first Champions closer to knockingng out the world’s best keepers in of the best keepers in the League defeat in more than title holders aheadead ofof thethe Bayern Munich’s Manuel history of the game. two years. second leg at homeme on April Neuer on Wednesday and Mbappe said he relished 13. hoped to add to his tally the chance to test himself “We played inn the final after beating the German Kylian Mbappe against Neuer. against him (Neuer)euer) and twice in their 3-2 Cham- “I love to play against didn’t score butut nownow I pions League win. the best player in the world scored two goals,”als,” Mbappe scored an early through Eric-Maxim and Manuel Neuer is one of added Mbappe. “I opener for PSG and Mar- Choupo-Moting and the best keepers in the will play one (more)re) quinhos put them 2-0 up in Thomas Mueller. history of the game,” time against himm PSG's Kylian Mbappe (right) in action with the 28th minute before The 22-year-old Mbappe told BT Sport. so I hope to scoree Bayern Munich’s David Alaba on Wednesday. hosts Bayern hit back Mbappe then scored again, “I don’t have any again.” French Open postponed to May 30 amid COVID-19 crisis

REUTERS — PARIS The grasscourt Grand Slam start on June 7 in grounds than last year, when criticised for postponing last said it would not change its s’Hertogenbosch (WTA and only 1,000 were allowed at year’s tournament until the end It will give the health This year’s French Open has dates following the French ATP), Stuttgart (ATP) and Not- Roland Garros every day. of September without con- situation more time to been postponed by a week due Open’s decision, which it tingham (WTA) are set to clash “It will give the health situ- sulting the elite men’s and improve and should to the COVID-19 pandemic and supported. with the second week of the ation more time to improve and women’s tours, who this time will begin on May 30, the “This decision has been dis- claycourt major. should optimise our chances of have been kept in the loop. optimise our chances of French Tennis Federation (FFT) cussed with the Grand Slam FFT President Gilles welcoming spectators at “Both the ATP and WTA are welcoming spectators at said yesterday. Board, and, given the excep- Moreton said it had made the Roland-Garros...,” he added. working in consultation with all Roland-Garros The claycourt Grand Slam, tional circumstances, is fully decision after consulting with “For the fans, the players parties impacted by the post- which was postponed by four supported by the Australian public authorities, the gov- and the atmosphere, the ponement to optimise the cal- Gilles Moreton months last year and took place Open, Wimbledon and the US erning bodies of international presence of spectators is vital endar for players, tournaments, in front of limited crowds, will Open,” Wimbledon said in a tennis, and its partners and for our tournament, the spring’s and fans, in the lead up to and FFT President finish on June 13, two weeks statement. broadcasters. most important international following Roland-Garros,” the before the expected start of The postponement means It hoped the delay would let sporting event.” WTA and ATP said in a joint Wimbledon. grasscourt events scheduled to them welcome more fans on the The FFT had been heavily statement.