SPORT05SUNDAY 24 MARCH 2019

I started thinking about winning and not the things I

could do in order to win. I had a dip and she started playing

really well.

Naomi Osaka after her win over Wickmayer in the Miami Open.

Netherlands vs

Germany, 10,45pm, Euro

Championship qualifying

2nd ODI: Pakistan vs

Australia; Sri Lanka vs South

Africa, 3rd T20

FOOTBALL CRICKET

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Djokovic, Osaka off to winning starts as Thiem crashes out

AFP MIAMI

Novak Djokovic put his Indian Wells disappointment behind him on Friday at the ATP and WTA Miami Open with a ruthless 7-6 (7/2) 6-2 destruction of Australian Bernard Tomic to move into the third round.

The Serbian world number one endured a meek exit at the hands of German Philipp Kohls-chreiber in the California desert but arrived desperate to land what would be a record seventh title in South Florida.

Tomic, the current world No. 81, gave the 31-year-old a few problems yet the Australian struggles to consistently chal-lenge the best players and this was evident once again as Djokovic eased through the gears at Hard Rock Stadium with just one hour and 13 minutes on the clock.

“In Indian Wells I wasn’t feeling my best,” conceded Djokovic who won 81% of points on his first serve and hit 11 aces.

“Everyone has nerves coming onto center court regardless of how much expe-rience you have and what your ranking is. You care about it and if you are nervous that means you care.

“I commonly feel like that. This was my first time playing at

this new stadium, it felt like being indoor a little bit. It’s unique.

“Now hopefully,” he added, “I can build some

momentum.” On a day that saw Djokovic,

top-ranked woman Naomi Osaka and 23-time Grand Slam champion Serena Williams advance, the shock of the day was the departure of Indian Wells Masters winner Dominic Thiem, who was beaten 6-4, 6-4 by highly rated Polish 22-year-old Hubert Hurkacz.

Elsewhere, there was dis-appointment for Kei Nishikori. The fifth seed lost to Serbian Dusan Lajovic 2-6, 6-2, 6-3 but reigning champion John Isner outlasted Italian qualifier Lorenzo Sonego 7-6 (7/2), 7-6, (9/7).

Japanese star Osaka had to keep her emotions in check as she opened her campaign by outlasting Yanina Wickmayer 6-0, 6-7 (3/7), 6-1.

Since winning her second consecutive Grand Slam title in January at the Australian Open, Osaka has failed to go deep in Dubai or Indian Wells.

But she appeared in solid form against 141st-ranked Wick-mayer, despite losing her way in the middle of an entertaining match at Hard Rock Stadium.

The 21 year-old was forced

to dig deep after the Belgian, who reached the Miami Open last eight in 2010, forced a third set as Osaka’s game badly dipped.

“In the second set, I got really emotional, so in the third, I just tried to shut off my feelings,” Osaka said.

“I started thinking about winning and not the things I could do in order to win. I had a dip and she started playing really well.

“I just had to breathe and regroup,” she said.

“I find myself doing it often when I am in emotional situa-tions, it’s like an energy saver.”

Next up in the third round is Taiwan’s Hsieh Su-Wei, who defeated American Alison Riske 6-2, 7-5.

The pair had a rollercoaster clash in the Australian Open at the start of 2019 with Hsieh a set and 4-1 up in Melbourne only to lose a dramatic third-round encounter.

Serena Williams survived a second-set lull to beat Sweden’s Rebecca Peterson 6-3, 1-6, 6-1, and elder sister Venus also advanced with a 7-6 (7/4), 6-1 win over Spain’s Carla Suarez Navarro.

There will be a repeat of last week’s WTA final in Indian Wells between Bianca Andreescu and Angelique Kerber.

Novak Djokovic of Serbia returns a shot to Bernard Tomic of Australia during the Miami Open at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida on Friday.

Elvira has two-shot advantage heading into the final round AFP KUALA LUMPU

Nacho Elvira edged closer to a maiden European Tour trophy after he posted a six-under-par 66 to gain a two-shot advantage over David Lipsky at the Maybank Championship penultimate round yesterday.

The title, however, remains up for grabs with Australian Scott Hend, Germany’s Maxi-milian Kieffer and Thai stalwart Jazz Janewattananond only three shots off Elvira.

Elvira had been in con-tention after he joint-led with Marcus Fraser on Thursday.

Coming into the third round, Elvira of Spain trailed Thomas Pieters by a single shot in sti-flingly hot conditions, but gained the advantage courtesy of his seven birdies.

“I’m very happy with a 66. It was tough with the heat and humidity today. I stayed patient and it paid off in the end,” he said.

“It would be great to start here (winning on the European Tour but I really don’t think about it too much. I like the way things are right now with my

swing.” Two-time European Tour

winner Lipsky will be hoping to add a third after he finished the day with a 67 despite two bogey flaws.

“It’s a tricky course so you are going to make bogeys out there, you have just got to make your share of birdies. If I can keep making birdies like I am, I think I’ll be alright,” the American, who shot seven birdies, said.

Crowd favourite Ernie Els

will also be confident of ending a six-year title drought after another consistent showing for a 69.

The South African sits only four strokes away from Elvira at nine-under-par 207.

The local crowd will also pay attention to Nicholas Fung on the final day today after the Malaysian ended the day tied-13th, seven shots off the pace.

The $3m event is co-sanc-tioned by the Asian and European tours.

Nacho Elvira of Spain plays a shot during the third round of the 2019 Maybank Malaysia Golf Championship at Saujana Golf and Country Club, in Shah Alam, on the outskirt of Kuala Lumpur, yesterday.

Casey, Cook joint leaders at Valspar ChampionshipAFP MIAMI

Defending champion Paul Casey fired a five-under par 66 to grab a share of the 36-hole lead alongside American Austin Cook at the US PGA Tour Valspar Championship on Friday.

England’s Casey and Cook each stood on six-under 136 after two rounds at the Innisbrook Resort Copperhead course in Palm Harbor, Florida.

England’s Luke Donald,

South Korean Im Sung-jae and American Scott Stallings were a stroke back on 137.

Donald had five birdies and four bogeys in his one-under 70, surrendering a one-shot lead with two bogeys in his last four holes. Im posted a 67 and Stallings a 68.

Casey, who edged Tiger Woods and Patrick Reed by a stroke last year for the crown, began on the back nine and promptly birdied three of his first four holes, sinking a 10-foot putt

at 10 and landing his third shot inches from the cup before a tap-in at the par-5 11th.

Casey scored on the other par-5 holes as well, sinking a three-foot birdie putt at 14, a six-footer at the first before holing a 27-footer for eagle at the fifth.

“I feel really good about (my game) because last week was rubbish,” said Casey, who was stung by a missed cut at the Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass.

“I struggle a little bit around Sawgrass and that frustrated me, annoyed me, coming in here trying to defend my title, which I would love to do because I never defended a professional title, I’ve defended amateur titles, English Amateurs and PAC 12 titles, I would love to do that here.

“So I worked very, very hard on the game and for whatever reason it’s slowed things down. Quieted the transition at the top of the swing,” Casey said.

“Nice to turn it around after last week to suddenly be not in control of this event but I’m near the top, which is good.”

Casey’s lone bogey came on his closing ninth hole, finding bunkers with his first two shots and missing a six-footer for par.

“Disappointing on nine,” Casey said.

“But everybody’s going to make bogeys. If you can just minimize those, it puts you in a good position.”

Park, Liu share LPGA Founders Cup leadAFP LOS ANGELES

China’s Liu Yu made the most of her early morning start, firing an eight-under par 64 on Friday to join world number one Park Sung-hyun atop the leaderboard of the LPGA Founders Cup.

Liu matched France’s Celine Boutier -- a former teammate at Duke University -- for low round of the tour-nament to seize a share of the halfway lead on 12-under par 132.

South Korea’s Park posted her second straight 66 at Wildfire Golf Club in Phoenix, Arizona.

She and Liu were two strokes clear of a group of eight players on 10-under 134 that included overnight leader Boutier as well as former world number one Lydia Ko of New Zealand.

They were joined by Amer-icans Angel Yin and Cheyenne Knight, Sweden’s Linnea Strom, That group is headlined by top-15 players Amy Yang of South Korea and Lydia Ko of New Zealand. It also includes Boutier, Americans Angel Yin and Cheyenne Knight, Swe-den’s Linnea Strom, Denmark’s Nanna Koerstz Madsen and South Korean Hur Mi-jung.

Defending champion Park In-bee of South Korea headed a group of five players on 135.

Liu was in the first group off the tee at 10, bouncing back from an opening bogey with three straight birdies.

She followed another bogey at 14 with birdies at 15 and 18, and birdied five holes coming in.

Paul Casey of England reacts to a missed putt on the 16th hole during the second round of the Valspar Championship on the Copperhead course at Innisbrook Golf Resort in Palm Harbor, Florida on Friday.

Favourite Alaphilippe sprints to win

PARIS REUTERS

French all-rounder Julian Alap-hilippe justified his tag as race favourite as he timed his sprint to perfection to claim his first Monument victory at Milan-San Remo yesterday.

With the field whittled down to a lead group of 11 riders after the Cipressa and Poggio ascents, Alaphilippe burst to the front with 100 metres to go and held on for victory in the Spring classic.

France have now won two consecutive Monuments for the first time since 1992 after Thibaut Pinot won last year’s Lombardia.

Last year’s winner Vin-cenzo Nibali, three-times world champion Peter Sagan and reigning world champion Ale-jandro Valverde were also in the small lead group that broke clear off the Poggio, but when a game of cat and mouse developed on Via Roma it was Alaphilippe who made the decisive move.

Slovenia’s Matej Mohoric (Bahrain-Merida) took it on ini-tially but Alaphilippe was quickly locked onto his back wheel and surged past, punching the air as he crossed the line. The red hot 26-year-old Deceuninck-Quick Step rider now has seven victories this season, having also won the Strade Bianche.

AFP CHENNAI

India’s Harbhajan Singh led an inspired spin attack to help Chennai Super Kings open the 2019 Indian Premier League season with a comprehensive seven-wicket win over Royal Chal lengers Bangalore yesterday.

Singh and South African leg-spinner Imran Tahir claimed three wickets each to dismiss Royal Challengers for a paltry 70, a total the defending champions achieved with 14 balls to spare in Chennai.

Captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who led the Super Kings to their third IPL title after returning from an illegal gam-bling ban last year, elected to field first in the 12th edition of the world’s most popular Twenty20 league.

The 38-year-old Singh got Super Kings their first break-through after sending back opposition skipper Virat Kohli for six in the fourth over of the innings.

Singh ran through the Royal Challengers top-order with his wily off-spin, getting the big wickets of England’s Moeen Ali for nine and South African AB de Villiers, also for nine.

West Indies batsman Shimron Hetmyer was run out for nought and soon the Royal Challengers batting crumbled with spinners Tahir and Ravindra Jadeja, who took two wickets, combining to pack them off in 17.1 overs.

Opener Parthiv Patel top-scored with 29 and remained the only batsman to cross double figures in what was the IPL’s sixth lowest total.

Chasing 71 for

victory, Super Kings lost opener Shane Watson for nought after Yuzvendra Chahal got the Aus-tralian bowled with his leg-spin.

Ambati Rayudu, who made 28, and Suresh Raina, who scored 19, then put on 32 runs for the second wicket to get the chase on track.

The left-handed Raina became the first batsman in IPL history to cross the 5000-run

barrier during his 21-ball stay. Raina (5004) is

ahead of Kohli (4954) in the IPL batting chart.

Ali dismissed Raina and Rayudu was cleaned up by paceman Mohammed Siraj. Kedar Jadhav, on 13, and Ravindra Jadeja, on six, took the Super Kings home.

Brief scores: Chennai Super Kings 71/3 in 17.5 overs (Ambati Rayudu 28, Suresh Raina 19; Yuz-vendra Chahal 1/6) beat Royal Challengers Bangalore 70 all out (Parthiv Patel 29, AB de Villiers 9; Imran Tahir 3/9) by 7 wickets.

06 SUNDAY 24 MARCH 2019SPORT

Doha hosts ITTF Referee Meeting

QNA DOHA

A three-day referee meeting of International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) is currently taking place in Doha on the side-lines of the 24th Qatar International Table Tennis Championship.

On Friday, the first day of the meeting was attended by Khaleel Al Mohannadi, the president of Qatar and Arab Table Tennis Associations and the first vice president of both Asian table Tennis Federation and ITTF, and Bruce Burton, Vice Pres-ident of the ITTF who is in charge of the referee d evelo pmen t . Th e meetings, which will con-clude today, will be joined by the head of the ITTF ref-erees committee.

Al Mohannadi wel-comed all the attendees of the referee meeting and wished them success to achieve the required goals, stressing that the ITTF’s family is working hard to develop the game, con-tinue its progress, increase its popularity and develop all local federations around the world, as well as develop players, coaches and referees.

He added that the Qatar international cham-pionship is witnessing many meetings which are preliminary to the World Championship, including a meeting between the European Union and the ITTF, the meeting of the players’ committee of the Federation, as well as the meeting to prepare for the 100th anniversary of the establishment of the ITTF in 2026.

Al Mohannadi stressed the need for everyone to contribute to the devel-opment of the game by working to discuss all views, noting that the ITTF always welcomes all ideas that contribute to the development of table tennis.

Canadian Burton hailed Qatar’s hosting of the referee meeting on the sidelines of the Qatar inter-national championship, pointing out that the next period will see great chal-lenges for the table tennis game and for the con-tinued ITTF’s efforts to develop this sport.

the IPL s sixth lowest total.

Chasing 71 for

in IPL history to cross the 5000-run

barrier during his 21-ball stay. Raina (5004) is

Qatar’s Special Olympics World Summer Games delegation members pose for a photograph upon their arrival at the Hamad International Airport yesterday. Team Qatar won 13 medals at the Games in Abu Dhabi, including four gold medals, four silver and five bronze. Saoud Al Sulaiti (badminton), Salma Al Hammad (100m sprint), Hamad Mubarak (powerlifting) and Shua Al Abdullah (roller-skating) won the gold medals while the silver medals were won by Mohammed Ali Al Abd (shot put), Naif Al Jassim (badminton), Hamad Mubarak (powerlifting), and Bakhita Azab (softball throw). Khalifa Al Dosari (roller skating), Hadam Al Jaber (two bronze medals in powerlifting), and Mubarak Al Hebabi (two bronze medals in roller skating) were the rest of the medal winners for Qatar. RIGHT: An official welcomes the members of the delegation.

Malinga to retire after Twenty20 World CupAFP CENTURION

Sri Lankan limited overs captain Lasith Malinga (pictured) will retire from international cricket after next year’s Twenty20 World Cup, he revealed on Friday.

Malinga said that he would quit one-day inter-nationals after the World Cup in England and

Wales this summer before calling time on his career following the Twenty20 tour-

nament, being played in Australia over October-November 2020.

“After the World Cup, my crick-eting career is ending,” the 35-year-old said after his side was beaten by 16

runs by South Africa in the second Twenty20 international at SuperSport

Park.“I want to play in the T20 World Cup

and then end my career.”Malinga dismissed South African top-

scorer Reeza Hendricks for 65 on Friday, his 97th T20 international wicket. He is one short of the world record of 98 held by Pakistan’s Shahid Afridi.

REUTERS MUMBAI

Sri Lanka’s limited-overs

skipper Lasith Malinga says he

is ready to sacrifice his earnings

from the lucrative Indian

Premier League (IPL) in order

to win a place in the country’s

World Cup squad.

Selectors have made it

mandatory for Sri Lanka players

to participate in a 50-overs

tournament at home if they

want to be considered for

selection in the 15-member

squad for the May 30-July 14

Cricket World Cup in England

and Wales.

“I had asked the board for

the No-Objection Certificate for

me to play in the IPL, and they

had said that was fine, but that

all players who want to go to

the World Cup would need to

stay back for the provincial

tournament,” Malinga told

ESPNcricinfo.

“So I told them I’d play in

the provincial tournament, and

I asked the board to inform

Mumbai Indians and IPL, since

it was their decision. I’m ok with

losing those earnings from IPL.

I’m doing it for the country.”

The 35-year-old fast

bowler, who has taken the

most wickets (154 in 110

matches) since the first edition

of the IPL in 2008, was bought

by the Mumbai franchise for 20

mill ion Indian rupees

($289,184.50) in the January

auction for the upcoming

season.

He had worked as a

bowling mentor for the same

team after going unsold in

2018. Malinga is currently

leading the Sri Lanka limited-

overs team in South Africa with

one Twenty20 match remaining

in the series.

“Once I become available

for Mumbai Indians, I would

have missed seven or eight

games,” Malinga added. “So

there’s probably no point in

them waiting around for me.

Better for them to find someone

else to replace me with.”

The IPL kicked off

yesterday.

Malinga puts country before IPL cash

Warm welcome for Qatar’s Special Olympics World Summer Games delegation

Warner gears up for innings 2.0 amidst much fanfareIANS KOLKATA

Sunrisers Hyderabad’s star opener David Warner is back in the 12th edition of the Indian Premier League after missing the last edition due to the ban imposed on him by Cricket Australia for his involvement in Sandpaper Gate.

While the suspension didn’t include club games, the IPL governing council felt it was best that Warner along with former Australia skipper Steve Smith miss the 11th edition of the cash-rich league.

Now, with the act of shame behind him, the Australian is as eager as ever to scale back up the dizzy heights that saw him reign supreme as one of the most destructive batsmen in world cricket. And he has the backing of his teammates who have welcomed him with open arms.

Warner - now hipster-bearded - might have physically skipped the league in 2018, but teammates and support staff say that he was there for them over messages and phone throughout the season. In fact, he himself revealed that he was a part of the group chat and would constantly motivate the team.

The statement was sec-onded by Yusuf Pathan yes-terday when he said that Warner made his presence felt every moment despite being away from the field.

Team mentor VVS Laxman, whom Warner thanked for the support, said on Friday that the former Aussie vice-captain looked in superb rhythm and is raring to go.

“He is totally fit and raring

to go. He has really worked hard on his fitness and also what really amazed me was the kind of rhythm he showed from the first practice session,” Laxman said.

The IPL will also be a platform for Warner to get some runs under his belt before the all-important World Cup as national coach Justin Langer has already sounded him and Smith that their performance in the cash-rich league will be closely followed.

Warner underwent an elbow surgery in January during the Bangladesh Premier League, but the 32-year-old made a roaring comeback for his Sydney club Randy Petes with a 77-ball hundred in a one-day game earlier this month.

For now, it is all about returning to the league that saw Warner lead the Sunrisers to their maiden title in 2016 and follow that up with some quality knocks in 2017 as he finished as the leading run-getter for the team in 2017.

Sunrisers Hyderabad’s Australian batsman David Warner

Chennai start witha bang in IPL opener

Chennai Super Kings’ Harbhajan Singh celebrates after

taking the wicket of Royal Challengers

Bangalore’s Virat Kohli during the Indian

Premier League (IPL) Twenty20 cricket

match played at the M A Chidhambaram Stadium in Chennai,

yesterday.

07SUNDAY 24 MARCH 2019 SPORT

Sterling hits hat-trick as England trounce Czechs AFP PARIS

Raheem Sterling showed that he is coming of age on the international stage as his hat-trick saw England start their Euro 2020 qual-ifying campaign by hammering the Czech Republic 5-0, while Antoine Griezmann inspired France to a battering of Moldova.

Manchester City attacker Sterling had scored just two goals in his first 45 caps, but he now has five in his last three international appearances following Friday’s treble, which helped England storm to the top of Group A ahead of Monday’s trip to Montenegro, who drew 1-1 at Bulgaria.

Sterling opened the scoring in the 24th minute when he tapped home Jadon Sancho’s cross, and struck twice more in the second half to put the result beyond doubt after Harry Kane fired home his 21st England goal from the penalty spot.

“It was a beautiful team performance and I was happy to help the team get the win,” Sterling said.

Sterling has 24 goals for club and country this term and his impressive form is a fry cry from the dark days when he was vilified as England crashed out of Euro 2016.

“I’m just being con-fident in myself, I’m trying to get in areas and take shots, not to worry about anything,” he added.

England carried the momentum from a run to the World Cup semi-finals and qualification for the last four of the Nations League into the Euro qual-ifiers and blooded young hopeful Sancho, who impressed on his full England debut.

The 18-year-old who has shone in the Bun-desliga for Borussia Dortmund, gave England fans further cause for excitement, with his potential adding to that of Sterling and Kane coming into their prime.

“I thought Raheem was electric. He has looked like that all week in training. I’m pleased for him, it is a special night for him,” coach Gareth Southgate said.

“I think he’s really matured as a person and a footballer. He’s hungry for goals and hitting things instinctively without thinking too much.” -

France also got off to a perfect start after an older head in Antoine Griezmann spurred the world champions on to a comfortable 4-1 victory at Moldova.

Griezmann opened the scoring with his 27th France goal in the 24th minute of their Group H encounter before crossing for Raphael Varane to double the scores three minutes later.

O l i v i e r G i r o u d equalled David Trezeguet as Les Bleus’ third highest scorer of all time with his 34th international goal nine minutes before the break and Kylian Mbappe completed the rout with

three minutes left, before Vladimir Ambros claimed a late consolation for Moldova.

Griezmann would have had two more assists had Giroud and Paul Pogba been more clinical in front of goal, but France’s display was easily enough for the three points and top spot in the group ahead of Iceland and Turkey, 2-0 winners against Albania a n d A n d o r r a respectively.

“We played a very consummate first half in terms of control and attacking organisation. The second half was less fulfilling due to substitu-tions,” said coach Didier Deschamps.

“We’ve opened our campaign well and the second game comes around quickly. In three days we have do it again.”

Cristiano Ronaldo drew a blank on his return to international football after nine months away, as Ukraine battled to a goalless draw in Lisbon.

England’s Raheem Sterling with manager Gareth Southgate during the Euro 2020 qualifying match agianst Czech Republic - Wembley Stadium, London, Britain on Friday.

Mourinho sets June return to club managementREUTERS LONDON

Former Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho is targeting a return to club management during the close season in June and has an idea about the type of club he wants to take charge of, the Portuguese has said.

Mourinho has been out of a job since he was sacked by United in December following a dismal run of results that left the club sixth in the Premier League standings, 19 points behind league leaders Liverpool.

“What I have in mind is that I would like to be back in the summer, in June, for a new club, for a new pre-season,” Mourinho told BeIN Sports.

“I know exactly what I don’t want.

That’s the reason why I had to say (no) already to three or four different offers. And I know what I want, in terms of not a specific club but the nature of the job, the dimension of the job.”

Mourinho had said in January that he was not sure if he would manage another club in England after stints with Chelsea and United.

The 56-year-old, however, ruled out taking the reins of a national team as he prefers the day-to-day work that comes with being a club manager.

“I don’t think so,” Mourinho said, when asked if he would take charge of a national team. “I think a national team job is a very specific job.

“I like daily football, I like daily work, I like many competitions, I like matches and I want to stay in football club level. But who knows?”

Messi injured on return as Argentina lose to VenezuelaREUTERS LONDON

Lionel Messi returned to Argentina duty for the first time since the World Cup on Friday but it was a disappointing outing for the forward as they lost 3-1 to Venezuela and he was ruled out of their next match with a groin problem.

Messi showed flashes of brilliance but it was not his night as Venezuela put three past their more illustrious rivals for the first time with goals from Salomon Rondon, Jhon Murillo and Josef Martinez. Lautaro Martinez got Argen-tina’s consolation.

Messi finished the match but felt some pain in his groin and will sit out Tuesday’s friendly against Morocco in Tangier, the Argentine Football Association said after the game.

The injury, described as a flare up of an existing problem, was not thought to be serious. Midfielder Gonzalo Martinez will also miss the Morocco match with a thigh strain.

Messi took a sabbatical after his country’s last-16 exit from the 2018 finals in Russia but he returned with a clean shaven new look to captain the side in the all-South American affair at Atletico Madrid’s Metropol-itano stadium.

Venezuela had only beaten Argentina once in 23 previous encounters, but they got the perfect start after five minutes when Rondon brought down a long pass inside the box and crashed a shot past keeper Franco Armani.

Rondon should have made it two with a header in the 40th but the second goal was only moments away as Murillo took advantage of a quick free kick to scamper to the edge of the box and curl a lovely right-foot shot into the far corner of the net. Lautaro Martinez finished off a superb counter attack to pull Argentina back into the game after 59 minutes but their hopes were short lived and Venezuela’s Josef Martinez made it 3-1 from the penalty spot with a quarter of an hour remaining.

“In the first half we created chances but they scored twice when we made mistakes,” said Lautaro Martinez.

Ronaldo draws blank against Ukraine AFP LISBON

Ukraine snuffed out Portugal on Cristiano Ronaldo’s return to international football, defending stoutly as they held the European champions to a goalless draw in their opening Euro 2020 Group B qualifier on Friday.

Ronaldo was handed the captain’s armband by Portugal coach Fernando Santos for his comeback nine months since he last played for his country, in the 2018 World Cup, but the Juventus attacker couldn’t help his side find a way past Andriy Shevchenko’s stubborn outfit. The draw was the first time Santos’ side have failed to score at home in 19 matches and leaves them second in the group behind Luxembourg, who beat Lithuania 2-1.

“We didn’t play as we wanted to. We started slowly, not pressing the way we wanted,” said Man-chester City midfielder Bernardo Silva.

“The second half we tried to create chances to go after the game but unfortunately we didn’t score.” William Carvalho had a fine header ruled out for offside in the 16th minute and Ronaldo, Pepe and Andre Silva all went close to opening the scoring, but Ukraine stopper Andriy Pyatov was on fine form to deny them.Ronaldo, who was rested for the last six Portugal games while he settled at new club Juventus, was one of the few players who looked like he had any idea of how to break Ukraine down, but he couldn’t inspire his team to victory.

In the end the away side could have snatched the three points through Junior Moraes, only for the debutant to fluff a golden chance to grab a shock win.

Portugal’s forward Cristiano Ronaldo shouts during the Euro 2020 qualifying football match against Ukraine at Luz Stadium in Lisbon yesterday.

Dutch not favourites against struggling Germany: Van DijkREUTERS AMSTERDAM

The Netherlands will not be lulled into a false sense of security when they face a struggling, new-look Germany in their Euro 2020 qual-ifier in Amsterdam today, captain Virgil van Dijk has said.

The Dutch beat the Germans 3-0 at home last October and came from behind with two late goals to force a 2-2 draw away in Gelsenkirchen one month later to win a place in the Nations League finals.

The contrast in form continued this week when Van Dijk was among the scorers as the Netherlands beat Belarus 4-0 in Rotterdam on Thursday in their opening Group C qualifier, a day after Germany proved unconvincing in a 1-1 draw at home to Serbia in a warm-up international.

“It does look like the Germans are still in a building phase but don’t forget that the Dutch side is also going through the same process,” Van Dijk said on the eve of the game at the Amsterdam Arena.

“The Germans still have fantastic players even if they might be talking over there (in Germany) about a crisis. We also had a spell like that, where things did not go for us,” added Van Dijk, referring to his

team’s failure to reach the 2016 European Championship in France and last year’s World Cup in Russia.

“That was not a good phase. But we must worry about ourselves and not Germany. I don’t think we are favourites but that is up to you

members of the media to decide.” The Dutch are, however, in confident mood after Thursday’s comfortable victory.

“At times we played really good football but it can, and it must be, a lot better on Sunday,” said Van Dijk.

“There were times where we did not put enough pressure on them and were sloppy and lost the ball.

“Against Germany we can expect a completely different game and we all realise that. We know what we are capable of.”

German players take part in a training at the Johan Cruyff Arena in Amsterdam on the eve of the Euro 2020 qualifying match against Netherlands .

Former Manchester United’s Portuguese coach Jose Mourinho speaks to journalists in Basel yesterday.

SPORTSunday 24 March 2019

PAGE | 06 PAGE | 07Malinga to retire after Twenty20

World Cup

Sterling hits hat-trick as England trounce Czechs

Behbehani hails rise of Arab gymnastsTHE PENINSULA DOHA

Mohamad Behbehani, the Secretary-General of Arab Gymnastics Federation (AGF) has praised the performance of Arab gymnasts at the 12th Artistic Gymnastics World Cup, saying the sport is fast becoming a culture in the region.

In Doha to witness the 12th Artistic Gymnastics World Cup which concluded at the Aspire Dome yesterday, Behbehani of Kuwait said he was delighted to see the performance of Arab gymnasts and the large turnout of spectators.

“The level of performance of athletes from the Arab region in artistic gymnastics has gone up. It’s not like earlier when it was about just participating. Now the gymnasts from this region are quite on par and aim to take one of the three places on the podium.

“Considering that this was the World Cup series and also at the world championships, the effort is highly appreciable of these athletes and hopefully we shall find them on the podium more often than not,” said Behbehani.

Highlighting the good show of some of Middle East gymnasts, he said, “If you see at this World Cup, gymnasts from the Middle East and Ali Zahran of Egypt were impressive in the finals against some of the best of the world. Ibrahim Colak of Turkey on Still Rings, and Saeedreza Keikha of Iran on Pommel Horse I thought were exceptional.

“I also hope that we will be seeing more gymnasts from the Middle East at the world cham-pionships next March and at the Tokyo Olympics in 2020.”

Mohamad Behbehani

Li Qi stars, double delight for CareyFAWAD HUSSAIN THE PENINSULA

Dubbed as the ‘star of future’, China’s Li Qi stunned a strong field to claim her maiden gold medal at the FIG ART Individual Apparatus World Cup in Doha, yesterday.

The final day’s action at Aspire Dome also saw American star Jade Carey clinching her second gold medal in the four-day event to become the best individual gymnast of the 12th edition of FIG ART Individual Apparatus World Cup in Doha.

However, the day belonged to the 16-year-old Li Qi, who wowed a packed house at Aspire Dome with her spectacular per-formance in balance beam final to overcome Belgium’s Nina Derwael.

Li Qi collected 14.333 points for her first-ever World Cup gold, denying Derwael her second title in the event.

“I was very nervous before the final as I was competing against the best gymnasts,” Li Qi said after her victory.

“It’s my first gold medal in World Cup and I am very happy to achieve the title. We have a tough competition in China and this win will give me a lot of con-fidence,” she said.

Derwael, who had to content

with a silver medal, was satisfied with her overall performance in Doha, which also includes an uneven bars gold.

“Li Qi was better and I am not surprised with her victory. Overall, I am happy. Coming to Doha always excites me as I have achieved a lot here. My next targets this year will be the European and the World Cham-pionships,” said the Belgian.

Frenchwoman Marine Boyer claimed bronze medal in the event with 13.333 points.

Carey, meanwhile, will return home with two gold medals after she won the floor exercise final. The American amassed 14.466, winning the final with a clear margin of over one point.

“It feels pretty good… great to win two gold medals in Doha,” said Carey, who also won vault gold on Friday.

“There was definitely some pressure (in the floor final) since we all competed together last week so I knew it was going to be a good competition here in Doha as well. I was just focused on not getting nervous,” she added.

Italy’s Lara Mori (13.433) and Vanessa Ferrari (13.300) bagged silver and bronze in the event.

Srbic reigns as Zonderland falls in

horizontal bar

There was a huge surprise in horizontal bar final, when three-time world champion Epke Zonderland fell to miss the podium, with Croatia’s Tin Srbic claiming the gold with a ta l ly of 14.400

points.

“I am really excited and happy because it’s always hard to go last in the finals,” said Srbic, who also topped the qualifying round of the event.

“I always like to be in Doha, I won last year and was second year before. I love competing here and really wanted to win again. I am glad I could do that.

“I did a harder routine than the one I did in the qualifications. But I can do even harder, so I have train a bit more and compete to get better. There is still a room to improve,” said the Croat.

Japan’s Hidetaka Miyachi (14.300) and Cuba’s Randy Leru (14.000) secured silver and bronze medals.

Zonderland was disappointed with his 7th finish of the event.

“My first release was itself a mistake because I was too

close to the bar and then the second was that you have

to throw yourself over the bar and again I

was too close t h e r e b y I

couldn’t hold on to the

b a r

properly and I fell down. I made a technical mistake and it’s highly disappointing,” said the Dutchman.

Meanwhile, Jingyuan Zou clinched victory in parallel bars, making China the most successful nation in the 57-team event with three gold medals. Russia’s Vladislav Poliashov (15.066) and Australia’s Mitchell Morgans (14.566) took silver and bronze medals respectively.

In vault final, South Korea’s Hakseon Yang emerged as the winner with a score of 15.266 fol-lowed by Ukraine’s Igor Radivilov (14.916) and Armenia’s Artur Dav-ityan (14.695).

The four-day event, which Qatar hosted for the 12th consec-utive year, witnessed a total of 128 male and 60 female gymnasts from 57 countries in action.

The top-ranking gymnasts on each apparatus at the conclusion of the World Cup series will earn a spot at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020. Doha marks the halfway point of the eight-com-petition series, which also con-cludes in the Qatari capital in March 2020.

MEN’S FINALS

VAULT

Hakseon Yang (KOR) 15.266Igor Radivilov (UKR) 14.916Artur Davityan (ARM) 14.695

PARELLEL BARS

Jingyuan Zou (CHN) 15.700Vladislav Poliashov (RUS) 15.066 Mitchell Morgans (AUS) 14.566

HORIZONTAL BAR

Tin Srbic (CRO) 14.400Hidetaka Miyachi (JPN) 14.300Randy Leru (CUB) 14.000

WOMEN’S FINALS

BALANCE BEAM

Li Qi (CHN) 14.333Nina Derwael (BEL) 13.633Marine Boyer (FRA) 13.333

FLOOR EXERCISE

Jade Carey (USA) 14.466Lara Mori (ITA) 13.433Vanessa Ferrari (ITA) 13.300

YESTERDAY'S RESULTS

I was very nervous before the final as I was competing against the best gymnasts. It’s my first gold medal in World Cup and I am very happy to achieve the title. We have a tough competition in China and this win will give me a lot of confidence: Li Qi

Chinese teenager Li Qi celebrates with her gold medal after winning the Balance Beam yesterday.

The podium winners of the Women’s Floor Exercise, American Jade Carey (centre) and Italians Lara Mori (left) and Vanessa Ferrari, pose for a photograph during the final day of the Artistic Gymnastics Individual Apparatus World Cup at Aspire Zone, yesterday.

Qatar Gymnastics Federation President Ali Al Hitmi (front, left), along with other officials pose for a photograph with the podium winners of the Men’s Horizontal Bar, Croatia’s Tin Srbic, Japan’s Hidetaka Miyachi and Cuba’s Randy Leru.

FIG ART Individual Apparatus World Cup concludes in Doha

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