SPORT SPORT | 18 SPORT | 19 Hamilton regrets Tests return as being ‘silenced’ star all-rounders on taking a knee Stokes, Holder get in the past set for battle TUESDAY 7 JULY 2020 Al Khor players take Al Khor players gear up for QSL action part in a training session in Doha yesterday as they prepare for the QNB Stars League (QSL) action. Al Khor will face Qatari giants Al Sadd in their Round 18 fixture which will take place at the Wolves' home ground on July 25. Al Khor are currently struggling at the 11th position in the QSL standings with just 14 points from 17 matches played so far. Barcelona keep Venue selection for 2026 FIFA title hopes alive with away win World Cup delayed by COVID-19 REUTERS – VILA-REAL Barcelona responded to a trying REUTERS – ZURICH FIFA will select up to 16 of week by thrashing Villarreal 4-1 the 23 venues for the 2026 Another milestone for Al Rayyan Stadium away to stay alive in the Liga title A final decision on the venues for World Cup which will be race, producing one of their best the 2026 World Cup being jointly jointly hosted by the United displays under coach Quique hosted by the United States, Canada Setien. and Mexico has been significantly States, Canada and Mexico. The Catalans had drawn their delayed by the COVID-19 outbreak, last two matches to hand more global soccer’s governing body FIFA FIFA had initially hoped to momentum to league leaders Real said yesterday. finalise venues by spring Madrid but Sunday’s win took them FIFA’s chief tournaments and 2021 but that timeline was to 73 points after 34 games, four events officer Colin Smith said they based on having started behind their arch-rivals who won had initially hoped to finalise venues 1-0 at Athletic Bilbao earlier on the process in March and by spring 2021 but that timeline was Sunday. based on having started the process conducting two rounds of An own goal from Pau Torres in March and conducting two rounds inspection visits by year end. put Barca in front in the third of inspection visits by year end. Aerial views of Qatar's majestic Al Rayyan Stadium which is nearing completion. minute, with Villarreal’s Gerard “Obviously now we have had to The Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy yesterday said that the FIFA World Moreno levelling on the rebound delay that,” Smith said on a con- obviously the time needed for the Cup Qatar 2022 venue achieved a milestone by becoming the first project site to in the 14th before the visitors ference call ahead of today’s virtual selection.” reach 20 million working hours on two occasions without a lost time injury. The restored their lead through an out- workshop with the 17 US cities under The US candidate cities are 40,000-capacity stadium will host matches through to the quarter-final stage standing curling strike from Luis consideration. Atlanta, Baltimore, Boston, during the next football World Cup. PICTURES: SC Suarez six minutes later. “It is very difficult to give a final Cincinnati, Dallas, Denver, Houston, Antoine Griezmann stretched date because we don’t know when Kansas City, Los Angeles, Miami, Barca’s advantage just before the the start date is.” Nashville, New York/New Jersey, break with a sublime chip, having The workshop was originally set Orlando, Philadelphia, San Francisco been dropped from the starting to be held in March in person but Bay area, Seattle and Washington. lineup in the last two games, while was delayed due to the virus. Canada FIFA will select up to 16 of the 23 17-year-old Ansu Fati added a and Mexico, who each have three venues put forward in the joint bid. fourth in the second half with a low candidate cities, held their work- Smith said the decision on which strike. shops earlier this year before venues to pick will be made based on Griezmann adorned his per- COVID-19 lockdowns. criteria like their location, time zones formance with a sumptuous goal, “The start date of the workshop and weather conditions rather than receiving a back-heeled lay off is tomorrow but it’s not clear yet simply try and showcase different from Messi and coolly delivering a obviously when we will be able to parts of the country. chip that skimmed off the crossbar come and conduct those inspection “Nothing is set in stone from our and into the net. visits,” said Smith. point of view. We want to look at the Messi also produced an out- “I would say we need a few whole picture,” said Smith. standing performance but failed more weeks yet to see how things “We look at all those considera- to score as the Argentine had one develop and then I would say Q3, tions and ultimately what we are effort ruled out for offside after a beginning of Q4 this year we would looking to do is to come up together thrilling team move and then have a better idea as to the with US Soccer the best list of stadiums hammered the bar with a late free inspection visit schedule and then for hosting this tournament.” kick. ATP unveils revised rankings Federer 'missing' Wimbledon systems due to virus stoppage but aiming to be back next year AFP – PARIS running shoes created by Swiss brand On. AFP – MIAMI rankings could become “skewed,” "But of course I miss Wimbledon, of Murray suggested looking at a Roger Federer (pictured) yesterday said he course I would like to be there currently The ATP announced a revised two-year rolling ranking “so the is "missing" Wimbledon after the grass-court playing on Centre Court for a place in the system for calculating the men’s guys who did well last year and Grand Slam was cancelled, but hopes to play second week. tennis world rankings when the are not able to defend their points the tournament in 2021. "Clearly, one of my big goals, and that's coronavirus disrupted season properly aren’t punished.” The 38-year-old, who has undergone why I do recovery work every day and work resumes in August. Noting the jammed schedule two knee surgeries this year, had already so hard, and why I'm preparing for a Rather than the current or prefer not to compete in 2020 envisioned for the tour’s return announced he will not playay again until next 20-week20-week physical preparation block system based on a player’s “best because of health and safety -- with the US Open to run from year. thisthis year,year, is because I hopeho to 18” results over a 52-week period, concerns. August 31 to September 13 fol- This week was scheduledled to be thethe play at Wimbledon next yyear." the temporary revisions will see The ATP believes the system lowed by two elite Masters second week of Wimbledon,don, where FedererFederer saidsaid thethe corona-cor the rankings cover a 22-month can adapt to further changes in events and the rescheduled Federer has won a recordord eighteight virusvirus lockdown gavegave himhi the period from March the calendar if necessary. French Open -- Murray said that men's singles titles, but tthehe toutour-r- chance to recuperaterecuperat fol- 2019-December 2020. The world rankings have been consistent winners would have nament was cancelled foror thethe firstfirst lowinglowing surgery,surgery, butbu said The tour said in a statement frozen since March 16, just days trouble committing to so many time since World War II due to tthehe he will havehave tto be that the system is designed to after the ATP Tour suspended play events. coronavirus pandemic. "patient""patient" as he provide fairness to players across because of the COVID-19 The principle of defending "Personally, it has beenen veryvery waitswaits to all levels of the game in parallel pandemic. tournament points week by week pleasant to stay in the samesame returnretur to with the condensed number of Britain’s Andy Murray had will remain. Tournament points place for a long time, I hadn'tadn't tthe points available after multiple suggested last month that the added in 2020 that count in a experienced that for moreore court.co tournament cancellations, the tour rankings system might need player’s ranking will remain for than 25 years," Federerrer said in a statement. adjustment to ensure fairness in 52 weeks or until the event in said at the launch of thehe In addition, it should provide the disrupted season. question is played again in 2021, "Roger Center Court"" stability for players who cannot Saying there was a danger the whichever comes first. 18 SPORT TUESDAY 7 JULY 2020 Vietnam may host Even without a crowd, F1 F1 race in November REUTERS – HANOI Vietnam could host the country’s first Formula One Grand happy to be racing again Prix in late November, the ruling body of its capital city said yesterday, as the country approaches three months without domestic transmission of the coronavirus. REUTERS – SPIELBERG Norris, third behind Mercedes’ Leclerc, who grew up The Vietnam Grand Prix was initially due to take place race winner Valtteri Bottas and watching Ferraris race around in Hanoi on April 5 but was postponed because of the McLaren’s Lando Norris felt the Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc. his native Monaco, said it had COVID-19 pandemic. Organisers said they would monitor absence of cheering fans more “And I think something that been a strange weekend -- and the virus situation and pick another time for the race. than most as the Briton cele- makes it so special is always No doubt we’re lacking a one that is set to continue with “We are assessing all virus-related issues and will brated his first Formula One having the crowds there, cele- bit of atmosphere -- but it Formula One’s European races discuss them with the organisers.