WEDNESDAY 11 MARCH 2020 SPORTSPORT 06

FOOTBALL FOOTBALL When you read about it or when you watch it on TV it Y’S CL, Round of CL, Round of

looks horrifying but when you see the real devastation A 16: Liverpool vs 16: Paris Saint up close, and how vast the land is, it's even more D Atlético Madrid Germain vs Borussia O ACTION

heartbreaking: Lewis Hamilton on bushfires in Australia. TODAY’S T (Agg 0-1) Dortmund (Agg 1-2)

Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray (right) shoots Rudisha says back on the ball over Milwaukee Bucks forward Thanasis Boxing: India’s Antetokounmpo (centre) during the second half of their NBA game. Kom makes track, chasing history Olympic cut after losing way again

AFP — LONDON “Well, I, you know, I have AFP — NEW DELHI never really directly spoken David Rudisha (pictured) says about partying but, you know, Indians hailed boxer Mary he is back on track after just a social life that everybody Kom after the six-time injuries, partying and a close has the right to enjoy,” he said. world champion qualified shave with death in his bid to “Whenever we have a (ath- for Tokyo 2020 in what is become the first man to win letics) meet, sometimes we go likely to be her last bid for three successive 800 metres to socialise, to go out for Olympic gold in an illus- Olympic titles. instance. That is normal life. trious career. The 31-year-old Kenyan’s “I never meant anything The 37-year-old world record run of 1min extreme, because that is not pugilist earned a 5-0 win 40.91sec to win the 800m in what I do... Sometimes when against Irish Magno of the London in 2012 was hailed as you have friends, you go out Philippines in the quarter- the greatest track performance and throw a party and so forth, finals of the Asia/Oceania of those Games by many, and that is actually what I qualifying event in including global athletics chief meant.” Amman, Jordan. Sebastian Coe. Rudisha said returning to The pair squared off in Rudisha returned in Rio to training had altered his mindset a tight first round before defend his title but the four for the better. “I am happy,” he Kom’s experience saw her years since have been frus- said. “I missed the track and I comfortably take rounds trating for him in terms of missed training for the past two two and three with a injuries interrupting his years. Nuggets send Bucks strong counter-attacking training and he has not run “Whenever I am out there strategy. competitively since July 2017. and training I feel like I am After the bout, the It has also been upsetting doing what I really truly love, mother-of-three kissed off the track with his father and I am passionate about it. and pointed to a card she Daniel -- a 4x400m relay silver “If I make the team, go to to third straight loss held with the words “You medallist in the 1968 Olympics Tokyo, qualify for the final and have qualified for Tokyo -- passing away last year. be in that final, yes I will say I REUTERS — DENVER Jamal Murray scores 21 to leg cramps, had 22 points. 2020”. The two-time world will be standing there as a points, including Denver’s The Hornets got a career-high “For this only, so outdoor champion at 800m potential gold medallist, or Jamal Murray scored 21 points, first nine to start the 40 points from Terry Rozier, 27 long... I was working so also saw his weight balloon as medallist in that event. including Denver’s first nine to fourth quarter, Paul points and 10 rebounds from hard,” she told the he confessed to looking for “a “But before I get there I start the fourth quarter, Paul Millsap has 20 points and Devonte’ Graham, and a career- Olympic Channel. bit of destruction to distract”. cannot start counting things Millsap had 20 points and 10 10 rebounds, and the high 23 points from rookie “I had to go through He was more reserved that are not ready yet.” rebounds, and the host Nuggets Caleb Martin. many challenges... The host Nuggets beat the about hohoww he RudishaRudisha says hhee isi fortunate beat the short-handed Toronto Raptors 101 - Utah dream is almost foundfound that to even be around ttoo have a tilt Milwaukee Bucks 109-95 on Milwaukee Bucks 109-95. Jazz 92 complete.” difficultdifficult at makingmaking hhistoryistory as his car had Monday night. Serge Ibaka scored 27 The Boxing Federation periodperiod a head-on collisiocollisionn with a bus Jerami Grant added 19 with a season-high 23 points, points and grabbed 13 rebounds of India tweeted that Kom whenwhen ---- whichwhich was on the wrong points for Denver, and Gary Sterling Brown had 16 points, as Toronto defeated Utah in Salt was a “class act” who he sideside ofof thethe roaroadd --- last year. Harris had 15. Will Barton Robin Lopez scored 11 and DJ Lake City to extend its winning “shows the world how to spokespoke HisHis car was writtenw off scored 13 points and Nikola Wilson contributed 10 points streak to four games. Pascal win a bout... with a classic to tthehe butbut hhee emergeemergedd unscathed Jokic had 10 points, nine and nine boards. Siakam added 27 points, 11 display of counter BBCC. physically but tthe mental rebounds and seven assists for Atlanta Hawks 143 - Char- rebounds and eight assists, and boxing”. scarsscars remain.remain. the Nuggets, who swept the lotte Hornets 138 Kyle Lowry had 21 points for Fans also took to “Actually I don’t even season series from the NBA De’Andre Hunter gave host the Raptors, who finished a 4-1 social media to laud her have words to eexplain the leaders. Atlanta the lead by making road trip. achievements. accident,”accident,” hhee said.sa Milwaukee played without three free throws with 13.3 Joe Ingles had 20 points off “More power to you “It“It was realreally horrific reigning MVP Giannis Antetok- seconds left in the second the bench -- 10 in the fourth lady...!! Your perseverance andand scarscary.y. It was nnoto easy and ounmpo (left knee injury) and overtime, and the Hawks held quarter -- for the Jazz, who and determination makes everybody,everybody, every time, kept nearly the entire starting lineup on to defeat Charlotte. had their winning streak end #india proud,” one fan askingasking me: ‘How did to end an 0-3 road trip. Atlanta was led by Trae at five. tweeted. you eveneve survive? Also out were Eric Bledsoe Young with 31 points and 16 The Raptors lost guard Kom, nicknamed How ddid you get (knee), George Hill (groin), Khris assists. Norman Powell 95 seconds into “Magnificent Mary”, won a ououtt of that car?’ Middleton (rest), Brook Lopez John Collins had 28 points the first quarter with a sprained silver at the inaugural “To“T come out (rest) and Donte DiVincenzo on 12-for-13 shooting and left ankle after he collided with women’s world champion- withoutwitho a single (rest), leaving them without grabbed 11 rebounds, and Cam team-mate OG Anunoby on a ships in 2001, kickstarting scratchscratch was just their top six scorers. Reddish, who returned after defensive play under the her international career. likelikeae a mmiracle.” Kyle Korver led the Bucks exiting the previous game due basket. Quick stars as Kings take down Tennis: Miami Open to go ahead after Indian Wells Avalanche for 6th straight win axed, say organisers LOS ANGELES — REUTERS

Jonathan Quick made 21 saves, AFP — MIAMI in tennis outside of the four and the Los Angeles Kings Grand Slams -- after California extended their season-high Organisers of the Miami Open authorities declared a public winning streak to six games said the tournament was still health emergency in the region with a 3-1 victory against the set to go ahead, a day after the east of Los Angeles where the visiting Colorado Avalanche on ATP/WTA Indian Wells event tournament is staged. Monday night. in California was cancelled due That declaration followed Quick has allowed one goal to coronavirus. confirmation of a COVID-19 or fewer in five of his past six A brief statement released case in the region. starts, going 5-0-1 in that span. by the Miami Open organisers Last week, Indian Wells Mikey Anderson scored his on Twitter said preparations for organisers said they planned first NHL goal in his fifth game, the March 23-April 5 event to go ahead with the tour- and Austin Wagner and Alex were “moving forward as nament but had put in place a Iafallo also scored for the Kings scheduled.” range of health measures such (28-35-6, 62 points), who hadn’t “Safety remains a top pri- as hand-sanitising stations, won six in a row since an eight- ority, and we are monitoring beefed-up cleaning protocols game winning streak from Nov. the COVID-19 situation closely and gloves for ball kids, volun- 25-Dec. 9, 2017. with local, state and federal teers and food workers. Pierre-Edouard Bellemare officials and health organisa- Florida health authorities scored, and Pavel Francouz tions in the lead up to the tour- on Friday confirmed on Friday made 32 saves for the Ava- nament,” the statement said. two deaths from COVID-19, the lanche (41-20-8, 90 points), “In addition we are working first US fatalities outside the who missed a chance to tie the with the ATP and WTA tours on west coast states of Washington St. Louis Blues for first place in recommended best practices and California. the Central Division. and following CDC (Centers for In a separate statement on Wagner gave the Kings a Disease Control) guidelines Monday, ATP Tour chairman 1-0 lead at 14:22 of the first Los Angeles Kings goaltender Jonathan Quick defends the goal against the Colorado Avalanche closely to provide a safe envi- Andrea Gaudenzi said the cal- period. during their NHL game. ronment for fans, players and endary beyond Indian Wells Nikolai Prokhorkin’s shot staff,” it added. “remains as status quo.” from the left face-off circle The statement came less “We continue to monitor the went off Francouz and then off Nathan MacKinnon before right point, and it went off the close on Ian Cole 25 seconds than 24 hours after organisers situation daily, working closely the body of Avalanche forward Wagner came around from blade of Colorado defenseman later. Quick, who was coming of this week’s ATP/WTA Indian with our player and tournament behind the net and shot it into Kevin Connauton and into the off a 36-save shutout in a 1-0 Wells event said the tour- members with the under- Jonathan Quick makes the goal. net. shootout win against the nament was being cancelled -- standing that direction must be 21 saves, and the Los MacKinnon, who is tied for Colorado forward Gabriel Toronto Maple Leafs on just days before it was due to taken from local public health Angeles Kings extend fourth in the NHL with 93 Landeskog, who had his eight- Thursday, gave up his first goal begin. authorities,” Gaudenzi said. their season-high points (35 goals, 58 assists), game point streak come to an in 160 minutes when Belle- Indian Wells is the most “We are committed to winning streak to six left during the second period end, hit the crossbar at 6:41 of mare’s point shot got past him high-profile sporting event to exploring all options for the games with a 3-1 victory with a lower-body injury and the second period. to make it 2-1 at 2:19 of the third be cancelled in North America operation of upcoming tourna- did not return. Quick saved a penalty shot period. because of the coronavirus. ments as the health and safety against the visiting Anderson made it 2-0 at by Valeri Nichushkin at 13:15 of Iafallo scored with 5:25 left Officials said they opted to of our players and all other Colorado Avalanche. 15:25 of the first period. the middle period and made in the third period to give the call off the event -- regarded as stakeholders remain our top He shot the puck from the another strong save from in Kings a two-goal edge. one of the biggest tournaments priority.” WEDNESDAY 11 MARCH 2020 SPORT 07

The empty O’Brien’s last-ball 6 Borussia-Park football Stadium is pictured in helps Ireland clinch Mnchengladbach.J Rhine Bundesliga derby between super-over win Borussia Moenchengladbach GREATER NOIDA and Cologne, AFP — scheduled for today, will be Kevin O’Brien hit a last-ball six as Ireland clinched a consolation held behind super-over win against Afghanistan in the third Twenty20 inter- closed doors national in India yesterday. due to the With three runs needed for victory off the final ball of the coronavirus, super over, O’Brien cleared the long-off fence to end his team’s the first game 12-match losing streak in T20s against the Afghans. in Bundesliga O’Brien made 26 off 21 balls in Ireland’s 142 for eight after history to be electing to bat first. played without Afghanistan, who won the series 2-1, replied with 142 for seven. fans, club officials “Luckily that last hit came off,” a relieved O’Brien said after announced receiving the man of the match award. yesterday. “We have learnt from game one to game three, about specific plans for each player. You have to adjust quickly and I think we did.” Afghanistan needed 16 to win off the final six deliveries of normal play, and paceman Craig Young claimed Asghar Afghan for 32 before Rashid hit a boundary off the last ball, taking the Spanish football games to be game into a deciding over. Young then bowled a disciplined line and length to keep Afghanistan to just eight runs in six balls. Gareth Delany also played a key part in Ireland’s win after top-scoring with 37 and then taking two wickets with his played in empty stadiums leg-spin. Off-spinner Simi Singh hurt Afghanistan’s middle-order with AP — MADRID two wickets off successive balls to send back Mohammad Nabi, Napoli at the Camp Nou Stadium. Bar- watch it closely together in rooms and I’m for four, and Najibullah Zadran, for nought. All upcoming professional soccer games celona said that match will have no fans not sure which is better in this case, to be Wicketkeeper-batsman Rahmanullah Gurbaz top-scored with in Spain and Portugal, as well as some in in attendance. honest," Klopp said. 42 and was named player of the series for amassing 105 runs in Germany and a European Championship Spain had previously announced a The Irish soccer association said its the three matches. qualifying match, will be played in empty decision to play yesterday’s Champions Euro 2020 playoff match against Slovakia Bowlers Naveen-ul-Haq and Qais Ahmad took three wickets stadiums because of the coronavirus League game between Valencia and Ata- on March 26 will be played in an empty each in the Ireland innings. outbreak. lanta in an empty stadium. Two Europa stadium “on the instruction of the Slo- “I think the wicket was good but our batsmen played some The Spanish league said yesterday that League matches in the country also had vakian government.” poor shots,” said Rashid. matches in the first and second divisions been affected - Sevilla vs. Roma tomorrow Sports around the world have been Brief scores: will be played without fans for at least two and Getafe vs. Inter Milan on March 19. affected by the virus, including a major 3rd T20I, Ireland tour of India at Greater Noida weeks. The Spanish track federation also said tennis tournament scheduled for this week Ireland: 142/8 The announcement came after the it was told by the government of measures in California and many Olympic qualifying Afghanistan: 142/7 (20 ov, target 143) government outlined a series of prevent- affecting all professional and non-profes- events. Result: Match tied (Ireland won the one-over eliminator) ative measures being implemented to help sional sporting events in the country. Bas- For most people, the new coronavirus contain the spread of the virus, including ketball games in Spain will also have to be causes only mild or moderate symptoms, ordering all sporting events with a signif- played in empty venues. such as fever and cough. For some, espe- icant number of fans - professional and Spain’s health minister on Monday cially older adults and people with existing non-professional - to be played in empty announced a sharp spike in coronavirus health problems, it can cause more severe venues. cases in and around Madrid, and said all illness, including pneumonia. The league said it will “follow its rec- schools in the region will close for two The vast majority of people recover ommendations and/or decisions, priori- weeks from today. from the new virus. According to the WHO, tizing the health of fans, players, club There were more than 1,600 confirmed people with mild illness recover in about employees, journalists, etc., due to the cases in Spain on Tuesday, with 35 deaths two weeks. Those with more severe illness COVID-19 health crisis.” and more than 100 people in intensive may take three to six weeks to recover. In Portugal announced similar measures care. mainland China, where the virus first for the professional league and said youth In Germany, the Bundesliga will stage exploded, more than 80,000 people have soccer competitions would be suspended its first games without spectators this been diagnosed and more than 63,000 so between Saturday and March 28. week. Borussia Mönchengladbach said its far have recovered. It also said non-professional soccer match against Cologne today would take In Greece, the owner of the Olym- matches can’t be played with crowds place in an empty stadium. On Saturday, piakos and Nottingham Forest soccer clubs bigger than 5,000 people. Borussia Dortmund will face Schalke in said he has the virus. The moves in Spain and Portugal came one of German soccer’s fiercest local Greek shipowner and businessman a day after Italy said all sports events in rivalries without fans. Evangelos Marinakis said in a post on his the country, including Serie A soccer Dortmund will also play at Paris Saint- verified Facebook page that “the recent games and preparatory events for the Germain in the Champions League today virus has ‘visited’ me and I felt obliged to Tokyo Olympics, would be suspended until without fans under measures previously let the public know.” April 3. imposed by French authorities. His post says he feels well and is fol- The first major game without fans in The other two Champions League lowing doctors’ instructions. ’ fast bowler celebrates a wicket the Spanish league will be between Real games this week, Also, Polish Sports Minister Danuta during his team’s (PSL) match against Madrid and Eibar at the Santiago Bernabéu Leipzig’s match against Tottenham Dmowska-Andrzejuk recommended that Stadium on Friday. yesterday and Liverpool’s home game athletes from her country refrain from Peshawar Zalmi in Lahore yesterday. “For weeks, LaLiga has been working against Atletico Madrid today, are expected going to sports events abroad. on alternative plans in coordination with to be played with fans. Poland is due to host the Europa UEFA in case health authorities decide to Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp said League soccer final on May 27 in Gdansk, suspend any match, creating a plan to play closing stadiums to fans - a measure not three days before Turkey hosts the Cham- PSL: Zaman and Lynn these matches,” the Spanish league said. yet taken by English soccer authorities - pions League final in Istanbul. Tickets are Champions League matches are also wouldn’t necessarily be the best solution. on sale for both games. being affected in Spain, including next “The problem with football games is UEFA said yesterday that both games show top form as week’s game between Barcelona and if you are not in the stadiums, then you go will be played as scheduled. Qalandars beat Zalmi Cycling: Cancelling Giro, Tour de France WWW.PCB.COM — LAHORE and Chris Lynn struck form at the right time when they stroked sparkling half-centuries as Lahore Qalandars defeated would be disaster: UCI’s Lappartient Peshawar Zalmi by five wickets on the penultimate ball of the 24th match of the HBL Pakistan Super League 2020 in front of a REUTERS — AIGLE, SWITZERLAND of infections. The packed-to-capacity yestersday. number of recorded Fakhar belted four fours and three sixes in a 46-ball 63, while Cancelling the Giro d’Italia and Tour de cases has jumped by Lynn clubbed six fours and three sixes in a 32-ball 59 as the two France would be a disaster for cycling, says 24% over the past 24 batsmen added 116 runs for the second wicket to help Lahore UCI president David Lappartient whose hours to 9,172 while the Qalandars overhaul the 188-run target with one ball to spare. sport has already been badly hit by the number of deaths rose Their stand came after captain Sohail Akhtar (21) had com- coronavirus crisis. 26.5% to 463. bined with Fakhar, later declared player of the match for his Several races, including the Tirreno- France, which match-winning innings, to provide a 50-run start, before a mix-up Adriatico and Milan-San Remo, have been recorded its 21st death ended the former’s innings following a flat and accurate throw called off as Italy deals with rapidly esca- on Monday, has banned by Haider Ali from deep mid-wicket at the striker’s end. lating numbers of infections and deaths. gatherings of more There were late jitters in Qalandars’ run-chase following the The Giro d’Italia, the second-biggest than 1,000 people as dismissals of Lynn, Fakhar, and , race behind the Tour de France, is due to the death toll and who departed in a space of 12 balls for 14 runs. start on May 9 in Budapest, ending in Milan number of coronavirus Nevertheless, (17 not out) and (11 not on May 31. infections continued to out) kept cool heads on their shoulders to help the home side Italy’s Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte rise. record their fourth win in eight matches. said on Monday all sports events in the The Paris-Nice race Qalandars had required 32 off 18 balls, 24 off 12 balls and eight country were suspended. is ongoing, but with off the last over. After three singles of the first four balls, Wiese’s Asked by reporters about the prospect infections rising in straight six off Carlos Braithwaite led to tremendous celebrations of the Giro and Tour de France falling victim France, Lappartient as another full-house saw a remarkable Qalandars’ run-chase to the coronavirus crisis, Lappartient said: said there was a danger two days after they had chased down 188 to beat Karachi Kings “That would be a disaster for our sport of that race might have to by eight wickets. course if we can’t have the Giro D’Italia or Spanish cyclist Ivan Garcia Cortina celebrates on the podium be cancelled too or Qalandars’ victory has opened up the tournament with second- the Tour de France.” after winning the 212,5km 3rd stage of the 78th Paris-Nice fans barred from placed Peshawar Zalmi separated by sixth-placed Quetta Glad- Cycling blue-riband event the Tour de cycling race stage between Chalette-sur-Loing and La Chatre watching it. iators by three points. Multan Sultans are already assured of a France starts in July and Lappartient yesterday. “I hope Paris-Nice place in the playoffs, as they sit pretty on 11 points from seven expressed some optimism that by that time can go to the end. This matches. Karachi Kings are fifth with seven points, but have three the worst of the coronavirus outbreak may “We know what the decision from the is indeed the goal. But maybe the prefect matches in hand. However, the sides in bother are former cham- be over. Italian government is until April 3, but who (French state representative) will have to pions Islamabad United (seven points from nine matches) and “Maybe the gap of two months in knows what will be the situation after. So decide whether or not they close for the defending champions Quetta Gladiators (six points from eight between (the Giro and Tour de France) will there is a potential risk that the Giro can be finishing area without fans and so on,” he matches). have also some consequences on the virus,” cancelled.” said. Gladiators will meet Multan Sultans at the Gaddafi Stadium the Frenchman said. “Maybe in summer The Giro began in 1909 and has been “This is not what we want, but if it’s the in a must-win match today, with the game starting at 7pm. we hope so, that it will after the summit of held every year apart from during the two only solution to organise the race, we’ll have Brief scores: the peak, decrease. World Wars while the Tour de France was to go ahead with this. So we are in touch Peshawar Zalmi: 187-7, 20 overs (Haider Ali 69, Shoaib Malik “So we hope that these races will be able first held in 1903 and has been contested day by day (with race organisers ASO). 62; Shaheen Shah Afridi 3-28, Samit Patel 2-37) to take place. But we are, due to the situ- every year since 1947. “We have to follow the situation with Lahore Qalandars 189-5, 19.5 overs (Fakhar Zaman 63, Chris ation in Italy, a little more worried today Italy has been severely hit by corona- the virus and take the best decision at the Lynn 59, Sohail Akhtar 21; Carlos Braithwaite 3-28) with the situation with the Giro d’Italia. virus and is second behind China in terms moment.” Player of the Match: Fakhar Zaman (Lahore Qalandars) SPORT SPORT | 06 SPORT | 07 Rudisha says Kevin O'Brien'sn's back on track, last-ball six earnsearns chasing history Ireland T20 winwin in after losing way super over

WEDNESDAY 11 MARCH 2020 Klopp unsure games behind Amir Cup: Resolute Al Ahli look closed doors are the best to upset Al Arabi in 'Hilal derby'

ARMSTRONG VAS option THE PENINSULA QFA announces

AFP — LIVERPOOL Al Ahli will be looking for a referee roster positive result when they take Liverpool manager Jurgen on arch rivals Al Arabi in today’s for Amir Cup Klopp accepted “some things quarter-final match of the Amir are more important than Cup at Duhail Stadium. quarter-finals football” but is unsure whether Besides a place in the semi- the closure of stadiums across final, much will be at stake in Europe will help prevent the the 'Hilal derby' clash. THE PENINSULA — DOHA spread of coronavirus. Coach Nebojsa Jovovic, who Klopp’s side will host replaced Spaniard Ruben de la The Qatar Football Association Atletico Madrid in a crucial Barrera midway through the (QFA) has announced the list Champions League last 16, season, is aware of the challenge of referees appointed for the second leg today in front of a which lies ahead for his team in Amir Cup quarter-finals, which capacity crowd of over the most prestigious tour- start today and will continue 50,000. nament, played on a knockout until Saturday. No restrictions have been basis. The matches will be held placed on matches played in “Past two games we did not with same kick-off times at the United Kingdom, but have positive results against Al 6:30pm, QFA said. nearly 3,000 Atletico fans are Arabi, we know that well, but we Today, Al Arabi face Al Ahli expected to travel for the are keen to improve our per- while Al Rayyan take on Al game. formance and we will make sure Markhiya tomorrow. La Liga announced yes- we come up with an improved On Friday, Al Wakra play terday that all matches in show in today’s match,” said the We have been missing some Amir Cup is a special competition Al Sadd while the last quarter- Spain will be played behind 45-year-old, ahead of the derby key players. For the moment and full of surprises between final will see Al Duhail playing closed doors for the next two clash. Al Sailiya. weeks. Jovovic said his team has we need all our strongest eight best teams. It’s one game The four matches will be “Some things are more been improving over the last few players. I hope we have all our and like a qualifier. So, we are played at the Jassim bin Hamad important than football, we matches but that has not players and we are at full keen to give a high level per- Stadiums and Abdullah bin realise that in this moment,” reflected in the end results. Khalifa Stadium. said Klopp at his pre-match “We are improving but that strength: Al Arabi coach formance: Al Ahli coach Nebojsa press conference yesterday. is not showing off with positive Heimir Hallgrímsson Jovovic REFEREE ROSTER “I don’t know enough results but we are keen to have Today about how much it would help some wins in our bag,” said the earlier round they drew 2-2 with side won 1-0 against Al Khor qualifying matches for Iceland. with the football games. The former Montenegro striker. Qatar SC. while the earlier week they drew Gunnarsson, joined Al Arabi Al Arabi vs Al Ahli problem with football games “Amir Cup is a special com- The Brigadiers are lying in with third-placed Al Sadd 1-1. in March last year from Cardiff Khamis Al Marri is if you are not at the stadium petition and full of surprises the eight place at the end of the The former Iceland coach is City on a two-year contract after Saud Ahmed you are in closed rooms between eight best teams. It’s 17th round with 19 points. hoping to have all his key serving the English Premier Majed Hudders watching, maybe together. I’m one game and like a qualifier. Al Arabi, on the other hand, players back on duty after League club for eight years. Meshari Al Shammari not sure what is better in this So, we are keen to give a high are in the fifth place with 24 missing a few of them for most The 30-year-old Gun- Abdullah Azbah case.” level performance,” said Jovović. points and go into today’s match part of the season, one of them narsson, who has 81 caps for his Salem Taleb Liverpool are expected to Al Ahli go into the match having a positive result against Iceland captain Aron country and has been their Tomorrow wrap up a first English league having lost 1-0 to Al Rayyan in their name from the Round 17 Gunnarsson. captain since 2012, has overseen Al Markhiya vs Al Rayyan title in 30 years over the next their Round 17 match of the QNB tie against Al Khor. “We have been missing some both their inaugural major tour- Meshari Al Shammari 10 days, but could do so in an Stars League (QSL) while in the Coach Heimir Hallgrímsson key players including Aron nament appearances at Euro Ramzan Al Nuaimi empty stadium if extra (Gunnarsson) for three months. 2016 in France and the 2018 Faisal Al Yafei measures are imposed in For the moment we need all our FIFA World Cup in Russia. Khaled Al Nabet Aroon Gunnarsson Britain. strongest players to perform our He was one of the heroes of Hamad Al Subaie during a presss “Whatever is decided we best. I hope we have all our their maiden Euro Cup cam- Muhammad Gorman confn errence yesterdaya . will respect because we all players and we are at full paign in 2016 where they Friday have families. Parents, kids, strength,” Hallgrimsson said on stunned England 2-1 in the pre- Al Wakrah vs Al Sadd friends which we want to do the eve of the match. quarter-finals before going well, for that it’s clear we will Gunnarsson, who has down 2-5 to France in the Mohammed Ahmed Al Shammari accept that,” the Liverpool returned after an injury lay off quarter-finals. Salem Taleb coach added. is keen to sign off the season- In Cardiff City, he holds the Khaled Ayed The Champions League ending tournament record as the longest-serving Mohammed Al Sharif has been severely disrupted successfully. player having played 278 games, Abdul Rahman Al Jassim by the chaos caused by the “We want to finish the scoring 25 goals. Saud Ahmed virus. season on a high note,” said The clash between Al Ahli Saturday Paris Saint-Germain and Gunnarsson. and Al Arabi, which kicks off at Al Duhail vs Al Sailiya Barcelona will play the second The 30-year-old was ruled 6.30pm, is the first of the four Abdul Rahman Al Marri leg of their last-16 ties behind out of action due to an ankle quarter-finals. Muhammad Gorman closed doors, while it remains injury he picked up while Tomorrow, Al Rayyan take Youssef Aref to be seen if Juventus can host playing for Al Arabi in the QSL on Al Markhiya while on Friday, Yousef Al Sharshni

their clash with Lyon next action. Al Wakra square up to Al Sadd Saud Azbah week with Italy in lockdown The injury meant he also while on Saturday Al Duhail play Ramzan Al Nuaimi to halt the contagion. missed some key Euro 2020 Al Sailiya. Qatar’s Tijan, Younousse advance at Katara Cup

THE PENINSULA — DOHA first match ball by dominating said. “The air here is so different at the net. Qatar's Ahmed Tijan (left) to Brazil though. It is more Qatari pair of Ahmed Tijan and “It was a really tough game,” and Cherif Younousse humid there and the ball moves Cherif Younousse cruised to the Stoyanovskiy said. celebrate a point differently here, it floats more. Round of 24 on the opening day “They have changed their yesterday. “Then there is the wind of FIVB Beach Volleyball World coach and play differently with which makes it change even Tour 4-Star Katara Beach more spikes on the second ball. more and affects the speed of Volleyball Cup after beating a That was a problem for us in the the ball. It took us a while to French duo yesterday. whole match, especially in the adapt in the first match, but that Tijan and Younousse put up first set. is beach volleyball and you have a dominant display to beat “We found the key to to adapt. It is the first tour- Quincy Aye and Arnaud Gauth- overcome that and we put more nament of the year and eve- ier-Rat 2-0 (21-16, 21-15). pressure on their service to ryone is working to adapt to the Meanwhile, reigning world bring them away from the net different conditions.” champions Oleg Stoyanovskiy and that was fruitful for us.” The men-only tournament and Viacheslav Krasilnikov hit Stoyanovskiy and Via- is running from March 9-13 at their stride early as they won cheslav enjoyed a stellar 2019 Katara Cultural Village in the two from two on the first day of in which they won gold at the north of the city. It is the second the main draw. Hamburg 2019 FIVB Beach of nine 4-Star events on the The Russian duo began with Volleyball World Champion- 2019-2020 calendar and the a 2-0 (21-14, 21-12) over Qatar’s ships and ended the season by winners will leave with 800 Benlouaer Ziad and Saifeddine topping the podium at the ranking points. El Majid and then defeated Rome 2019 FIVB World Tour Qatar has built up a strong Latvia’s Aleksandrs Samoilovs Finals. tradition of hosting World Tour and Janis Smedins 2-1 (16-21, Meanwhile, former world events since it hosted its first in 21-16, 15-11). champions Bruno Schmidt and 2014. Two more followed in Krasilnikov wrapped up the Evandro Goncalves also enjoyed 2015 and 2016, then in 2018 the win over Samoilovs and a brace of victories on the Belgium’s Dries Koekelkoren off their day’s work by beating “Of course, two victories tournament grew from a 3-Star Smedins with an ace after Stoy- opening day of pool play. and Tom Van Walle 2-1 (12-21, USA’s Stafford Slick and William mean it is a good start, it is what tournament to a 4-Star anovskiy had brought up the First off, they defeated 21-14, 15-9) and then rounded Allen 2-0 (21-15, 21-17). everyone is trying to do,” Bruno tournament.