14 Wednesday, June 17, 2020 Sports Another sizzling show by Al Aufi, Al Balushi ner and Abdulla was under 11 seconds behind the Omani The Omani pace-setter. With today’s per- drivers maintain formance, El Khouly removed Kuwait’s Meshari Al Thefiri, their top spots; the MERC 2 regional cham- pion, from overall third place. Al Maraghi grabs Al Balushi tops the pool with two stages; El 80 and Abdulla has 69, two points more than El Khouly. Khouly recovers Al Thefiri is fourth with 64. Only top three from each pool to overall third will qualify for the final. Al Balushi said after the TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK rally, “By God’s grace, I fin- DOHA Zakariya Al Aufi of Oman Ammar Al Balushi of Oman Khalid Al Maraghi Ahmed El Khouly Mansour Dbeissy ished first again despite losing two stages due to huge gap as ZAKARIYA Al Aufi and his SECOND SEMI-FINALS RESULTS SPANISH RALLY (SEVEN STAGES) Aufi added. STANDINGS a result of crashes and time co-driver Ammar Al Balushi, Group A Al Maraghi said he was Group A penalties. On the remaining both Omani rally champions, # Driver Time proud of his performance to- # Driver R1 R2 R3 Pts stages, I kept great focus and overcame some spirited chal- 1 27 Zakariya Al Aufi/Oman .......................................37:43.534 day. “I was really surprised by 1 27 Zakariya Al Aufi/Oman ..................... 40 40 - 80 I was almost flying. I made lenge by Qatari drivers and 2 13 Khalid Al Maraghi ..............................................+2.726 what I did today. Really happy 2 13 Khalid Al Maraghi ............................ 36 36 - 72 up later for the lost time and maintained their places as 3 16 Mansour Dbeissy ..............................................+49.469 for the first three stages. I was 3 16 Mansour Dbeissy ............................ 33 33 - 66 stayed at the top. I’d like to the leaders of their respec- 4 2 Ahmed Al Kuwari .................................................+2:27.681 so good on them. It was actu- 4 2 Ahmed Al Kuwari ............................... 31 31 - 62 play safe as I am already in tive groups after winning the 5 23 Patrick Roux .....................................................+3:55.482 ally almost gravel tracks, and I 5 23 Patrick Roux ................................... 30 30 - 60 the final.” Spanish Rally on Tuesday. 6 17 Misfer Al Hajri ...................................................+4:24.521 found that the grip was much 6 17 Misfer Al Hajri ................................. 29 29 - 58 El Khouly said, “It is very It was the second semi- better for me in gravel stages difficult to race against top final of the WRC 8 and both Group B rather than the asphalt ones. Group B drivers. I’m in a tough group. I Al Aufi and Al Balushi post- 1 4 Ammar Balushi/Oman .........................................37:33.266 The final stage was almost as- 1 4 Ammar Balushi/Oman ....................... 40 40 - 80 was able to do better than the ed five stage wins apiece to 2 3 Ahmed El Khouly .................................................+9.899 phalt and I found some diffi- 2 1 Adel Hussein Abdulla ........................ 36 33 - 69 first semi-final and delighted ensure their place in the up- 3 1 Adel Hussein Abdulla ..........................................+10.866 culties to deal with it. 3 3 Ahmed El Kholay ............................... 31 36 - 67 to bounce back. Today’s rally coming single race shootout 4 18 Meshari Al Thefiri/Kuwait ..................................+24.750 “However, I’m happy with 4 18 Meshari Al Thefiri/Kuwait ................ 33 31 - 64 was quite tricky and fast. Even for prizes. 5 9 Hamad Al Sulaiti .................................................+2:41.696 P2 and hopefully I should 5 9 Hamad Al Sulaiti ............................... 30 30 - 60 a single mistake cost a lot.” After Khalid Al Maraghi 6 22 Nasser Al Kuwari ..............................................+3:28.317 qualify for the final rally with- 6 22 Nasser Al Kuwari ............................ 29 29 - 58 Abdulla is focusing on stormed to victory in the out any problem in the next getting enough points and opening two stages, Al Aufi Patrick Roux (fifth) and Mis- round, I’ll still come second race,” said Maraghi, who has top places has taken new lev- la, the 2016 FIA World Cup for making to the final. He said, reeled off five stages in a row fer Al Hajri (six) fought for the in my group. So I’m looking clinched seven stages till now. els as the competing drivers Cross-Country Rallies T2 title “We have a group of drivers to take his tally to 28 and minor places in the Group A. forward for the organisers Third-placed Dbeissy ex- has got great skills.” winner, wrested one stage. with very high level. So the managed to beat the Qatari by Al Aufi was extremely to announce the final round pressed his joy for his third- The Group B’s top spot Al Balushi, however, times are quite close. Right less than three seconds. While thrilled to have dominaed venue so that I can start place finish despite some also looks liked locked out stepped up his pace and now it is not important to the two were seen in a hot- the second rally in a row. He practising immediately and grave errors. “The results of by Ammar Al Balushi. The wrapped up three stages on win stages. Rather I am con- paced battle at the front, Man- commented: “It was a fantas- be fully prepared for it. the rally were good for me. I Omani grabbed two of his the trot to take his tally 25. centrating on getting a good sour Dbeissy, who pushed Al tic show for the fans, I think. “It was a thrilling rally. made some mistakes in the five stages in the first three But he needed to absorb a rhythm against these skillful Aufi to third spot in the first Yeah, I’ve already secured Less mistakes and Khalid fourth and fifth stages which timed runs. Ahmed El Khouly great deal of pressure from El drivers and collecting enough stage, finished in third, being my place in the finals. I just drove extremely well as were fatal, but the spirit of bounced back from his fourth Khouly and Abdulla today. points to enter the final. In- 49 seconds off the winner. did the calculations and even there was a close gap of just enthusiasm will not be able spot finish to bag the second El Khouly was under 10 shallah I’ll be much tougher Ahmed Al Kuwari (fourth), if I finish last in the third 2.7 seconds between us,” Al to stop me. The fight for the stages. And then Adel Abdul- seconds adrift of the win- in the final rally.” CA boss resigns; T20 WC chief Hockley Cricket Australia admits T20 new replacement World Cup plans ‘unrealistic’ AFP AFP Eddings said India’s Test SYDNEY SYDNEY tour in December-January ap- peared set to go ahead, with CRICKET Australia Chief STAGING the Twenty20 World the tourists willing to undergo Executive Kevin Roberts re- Cup in Australia this year is quarantine to enter Australia. signed on Tuesday after the “unrealistic” in the midst of a “We’ve had a lot of very troubled organisation’s board global coronavirus pandemic, positive chats with India, demanded a leadership “reset” Cricket Australia Chairman they’re very keen to tour,” he as anger simmers over its han- Earl Eddings admitted on said. Hamilton’s dling of the coronavirus crisis. Tuesday. “Now it’s a matter of how father calls on Roberts’ departure makes The tournament is sched- we get over the hurdles with him the third Australian sport- Cricket Australia’s CEO Kevin uled to take place from October COVID-19 for them to come F1 to follow son ing chief to fall on his sword Roberts. 18 to November 15, and offi- into the country.” during the pandemic, after cials have previously said they However, the T20 World and take a knee Rugby Australia’s Raelene risks posed by the virus. are planning for it to proceed Cup, involving 15 visiting teams Castle and the National Rugby “He’s led a panic, a very on those dates. and support staff, presents a DPA League’s Todd Greenberg. premature panic, on the pan- But with many global bor- far greater logistical challenge. BERLIN CA Chairman Earl Eddings demic for no great reason and ders still shut due to virus- The most likely scenario said T20 World Cup chief Nick no reason he’s been able to related travel restrictions, appears to be rescheduling the LEWIS Hamilton’s father has Hockley would take over from explain transparently to the Eddings conceded that was tournament until next year, urged everyone in Formula One Roberts on an interim basis states and the players,” Healy looking increasingly unlikely. but it will depend on the status to follow the world champion while an international search told Melbourne’s SEN radio. “While it hasn’t been for- of the pandemic and finding a and “take a knee” when the mo- was conducted for a perma- Roberts laid off most of mally called off this year, spot in cricket’s crowded cal- tor racing series starts its season nent replacement. Cricket Australia’s staff and or postponed, trying to get endar. in Austria on July 5. “Kevin feels, and the board tried to slash budgets to state 16 countries into Australia Postponing the World Cup Mercedes driver Hamilton, agrees, that now’s the right bodies and players, arguing in the current world, where could have a knock-on effect F1’s only black world champion, time for new leadership at revenues would be hit hard by most countries are still go- for the Indian Premier League, has criticized the sport for leav- Cricket Australia to reset the the virus.