Excitement Builds Ahead of Club World Cup

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WEDNESDAY 3 FEBRUARY 2021 AgueroA still weeks away from return after COVID-19,C says City manager Guardiola When one guy suffers (from) COVID-19 it can take weeks to feel better.b He is still not training on the field. He started to move a littlel bit yesterday so he will need a few weeks to come back.

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola Sport |10

QVA SENIOR LEAGUE: Al Rayyan beat Al Khor 3-1 (28-26, 22-25, 25-20, 25-22); Al Wakrah beat Al Sadd 3-0 (26-24, 25-17, 25-19)

This is a chance for us to show our potential, says Al Duhail's Bassam Excitement builds ahead of Club World Cup

FAWAD HUSSAIN THE PENINSULA Participation in this tournament The FIFA Club World Cup Qatar means a lot to us. We are not 2020, set to kick off tomorrow, just representing our club but is taking place amid strict we our also playing for Qatar. COVID-19 protocols but the There is a lot of excitement and excitement buzz ahead of the six-team tournament is building at the same time we feel the with each passing day. responsibility of doing well. This Whether the players, the is an opportunity team officials or the die-hard for us to show our fans, all the stakeholders are potential and we looking forward to an action- packed week of top-notch are ready for this football, defying the difficulties challenge: of unavoidable safety and Bassam Al Rawi health measures taken by FIFA. The two FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 stadiums – Edu- cation City Stadium and Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium - are ready to host the matches with fans allowed at 30% capacity throughout the tournament, which will conclude on Feb- ruary 11. Al Duhail players taking part in a training session yesterday ahead of their 2020 FIFA Club World Cup match against Egypt's Al Ahly The popular event will kick which will take place tomorrow. off with a game between Asian champions Ulsan Hyundai FC and CONCACAF Champions Ahly, scheduled to kick off fans, and we want to perform performance,” El Shenawy told We’re determined to win our League winners Tigres UANL at tomorrow at 8:30pm. well in the match which is a FIFA.com. sixth title,” Neuer told FIFA. Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium “Participation in this tour- tough one,” said Bassam. Bayern Munich raring to com. tomorrow, followed by the nament means a lot to us. We While Al Ahly will be hot win the title in Qatar The star goalkeeper, who match between Qatar cham- are not just representing our favourites to beat the Red The winner of the game has visited the Qatari capital pions Al Duhail and African club but we our also playing for Knights tomorrow, the Egyptian between the two sides will enter several times with his team for champions Al Ahly at the Edu- Qatar,” Al Duhail star Bassam side’s goalkeeper Mohammed the February 8 semi-final the winter training camps, said cation City Stadium. Al Rawi said yesterday. El Shenawy said the match will against pre-event favourites Doha gives a chance to focus on The COVID-19 tests, which “There is a lot of excitement be a difficult challenge. Bayern Munich, who are eyeing football. is a must for all to attend the and at the same time we feel “We’ve got Al Duhail first sixth title in the astonishing “The conditions and the games at the venues, continued the responsibility of doing well. up, which will be a special game 2019-20 season. pitches are good, and the dis- yesterday as players flexed This is an opportunity for us to because they’re an Arab team The 2013 CWC champions, tances are short between the muscles in training sessions. show our potential and we are playing at home and in front of this year have won the Bun- hotel and the training complex. The players and officials, who ready for this challenge,” said their own fans. We’re expecting desliga, DFB Cup, UEFA Cham- That puts the focus on football,” have already arrived in Doha, Bassam, who played key role a tough match,” he said. pions League besides clinching he said. are a part of medical bubbles in Qatar’s 2019 Asian Cup title “Al Duhail are a strong side the domestic and the European Neuer was also excited to designed to protect them from triumph. with some quality players. Super Cups. play at the Qatar 2022 venues. virus, yet there is no hindrance Al Duhail’s opponents Al They’ve made some big Best FIFA Men’s Goalkeeper “It’s definitely a first expe- to their preparations. Ahly, who got a warm welcome signings, bringing in a forward Manuel Neuer still remembers rience as far as the World Cup Yesterday, Al Duhail players by their fans upon their arrival and a defender. We’ve watched the feeling of winning the is concerned. We can get to - hoping to leave a mark on in Doha, are also expected to get their last few games in the maiden CWC title when Bayern know the stadiums in advance their debut in the tournament good crowd support against the Qatari league and we know it’s defeated Raja Casablanca 2-0 and share that knowledge with - underwent another strenuous home side. going to be a big battle. We need in December 2013. our respective national teams. training session prior to their “We are also looking for to prepare the best we can so “Now we’ve got the chance I hope we’ll be able to report second round match against Al good support from our home we can put in a good to play two games in Qatar. back positively,” he said. QTF welcomes Federer's participation in Qatar ExxonMobil Open QNA – DOHA For his part, Qatar ExxonMobil The Qatar Tennis Federation (QTF) Open Tournament confirmed yesterday that Swiss tennis Director Karim Alami We are delighted to legend and 20-time Grand Slam titles said that “as Tour- have the great Roger winner Roger Federer would headline nament Director for Federer back in Doha this year’s Qatar ExxonMobil Open to the Qatar ExxonMobil for this year’s be held from March 8 to 13 at the Open 2021, I am very Khalifa International Tennis & Squash happy to announce tournament. It is Complex. that Roger Federer always a pleasure to Federer, who will be starting his has chosen our event, have a player of 2021 season in Qatar after opting out which will take place Federer’s caliber at a of this year’s Australian Open, is a from March 8 till three-time former champion in Doha, March 13, as his first prestigious triumphing in 2005, 2006 and 2011 - stop in his return to tournament like this. where he beat Russia’s Nikolay Dav- competitive action.” Doha is home of great ydenko in straight sets. “I would like to tennis, and it is not His last appearance was at the 2012 welcome Roger back tournament where he withdrew ahead to action after a year surprising that the of his semi-final with Jo-Wilfried away from compe- tournament has Tsonga due to a back injury. tition, and I am continued to attract Commenting on the occasion QTF certain he will big names since it first Secretary-General Tariq Zainal said, provide many more “We are delighted to have the great unforgettable started in 1993: QTF Roger Federer back in Doha for this moments to all Qatar Secretary-General year’s tournament. It is always a ExxonMobil Open Tariq Zainal pleasure to have a player of Federer’s guests and audience, caliber at a prestigious tournament like and to all the tennis Qatar Tennis Federation President Nasser bin Ghanim Al Khelaiﬁ welcoming Swiss tennis star Roger Federer ahead of the this. Doha is home of great tennis, and world. Finally, I open 2021 in which Qatar ExxonMobil Open in this January 2, 2011 ﬁle photo. it is not surprising that the tournament would also like to it will be held days has continued to attract big names thank our title before Qatar Exxon- since it first started in 1993.” sponsor ExxonMobil and all our Open tradition keeps going on,” he and Dominic Thiem, the 2020 Aus- mobil 2021. Qatar Tennis federation “This year’s event promises to be exclusive sponsors, to the Qatar Tennis added. tralian Open finalist, among the stars will release the list of the players com- greater than ever, and we look forward Federation, and to all relevant gov- The 2021 Qatar ExxonMobil Open confirmed for the tournament and peting in Qatar total open 2021 in the to welcoming all the players to this ernment entities for their continuous promises to be a star-studded event other names will be announced soon. coming days, with a promise of annual feast of tennis come March,” support during these difficult times and with two-time Grand Slam winner Stan It is worth noting that Qatar Tennis splendid list headed by number one he added. for making sure the Qatar ExxonMobil Wawrinka, a finalist at the 2008 event, Federation is preparing for Qatar Total Ashleigh Barty. WEDNESDAY 3 FEBRUARY 2021 SPORT 11

UEFA sets rules Ulsan looking to live up to and deadlines for Champions ‘Tigers of Asia’ nickname League games FIFA.COM – DOHA also enjoyed playing together,oggether,r Gignac.Gignac. JJuJustst llikeike KiKim,m, tthehhe uuniquenessniqueness ofo tthehe CClublub which I think gave us popositivesitive WorldWorld CCuCupp is nnotot llostost on WWon.ono . AP – GENEVA This week will see the ‘Battle of the Tigers’ take energy and enabled us to performerformm “This“TThis isn’tisn’n t a competitioncompete itioi n ththatat jjustust ananyoneyoonene place. Separated by almost 11,500 kilometres as well as we did. cancan enenter.ter. WWhetherheh thher yyou’reou’re fromfrom AAsiasia or Europe,Euru ope, UEFA set Champions League clubs an extended April on opposite sides of the Pacific Ocean, Ulsan “The most memorablele gogoalal onlyonly ttheheh bbestesst teteamsamms frfromom eeachaca h reregionegiono ppartic-ara tic- 2 deadline yesterday to complete their round of 16 Hyundai Tigers of the K-League and Tigres would be the one against FFCC ToTokyokyo ipate.ipata e. IIt’st’t s a grgreateaat hohonournoour aandnd wwee hahaveve ttoo beb aatt games, with Germany’s limit on travel from England UANL of Liga MX will get the rare opportunity (during the group phase),e), whenwwhenn I thetht e totopp of oourur ggame.ame. a pending problem. to see which tiger is superior when the sides scored direct from a free-kick.reee--kkickk. It wwasasa aann “I tthinkhink allall thethe pplayerslayerss havehavve ththehe sasameme ggoal:oao l: Liverpool’s visit to Leipzig on Feb. 16 for a first- face off in the second round of the FIFA Club important equaliser in a hhaniljeonana iiljeon dderbyerbyb ((oneone whichwhici h iss to gog allall thethe way.way. ButBuut wee wantwant to wwinin leg game could be affected by federal restrictions on World Cup Qatar 2020. involving teams from KKoreaororeae RRepublicepublic anandd ourour upcomingupu coomingg ggameama e firstfirst andand onlyonlyy thenthen thtthinkinink arrivals from England where an aggressive variant Ulsan’s players are relishing the opportunity Japan), which is why this gameggaame sstandstaands ououtt foforr aboutabout ouourur overallovo erall oobjective.”bjej ctive.” of COVID--19 is spreading. fresh off winning the AFC Champions League me the most.” If TTigresiggres findfind a wwayay ppastast them,thhem, WWoWonn andannd “Currently there is no special arrangement for at the end of 2020. The Korea Republic side Not only can coach Hongonng MyungboMyyuungbo relyrelyy onon KimKiK m knknowow theythey hahaveve a goalkeepergoaalkeeper inin JJoo professional athletes,” the German interior ministry will be in familiar surroundings as the Asian Yoon to be the fulcrum off a deadlydeadlyy aattack,ttacck,k hhee HyeonwooHyyeonwooo wwhohoo hashas experienceexpere ience beingbeinng susuc-c- said on Tuesday. club championship was postponed due to also has a sturdy defence layinglaayiy ng thetheh foundationfoundata ion cessfulcessful on thetheh iinternationalnternatit onal stage.stage. JoJo wwasas UEFA requires clubs to “cooperate with COVID-19 and restarted with a centralised tour- of what got them to Qatartaar 20202020 iinn ththee fifirstrsr t in ggoaloal foforor KoKorearea ReRepublicpublic wwhenhen tththeyeyy their national association in order to obtain nament held in Qatar. place. Ulsan allowed onlyy ssesevenveen goggoalsals in ttenen shockedshhoco keed GeGermanyrmanny at thetheh from the relevant authorities exemptions from The Tigers’ sensational journey culminated matches throughout theireirr AAFCFCC CChampionshampions 20182018 FFIFAIFA WorldWorld existing travel restrictions, such as border clo- with a 2-1 victory over Persepolis in the final League campaign. CupCuC p RuRussia.sss iaa. sures and quarantine requirements.” with Yoon Bitgaram named the tournament’s Centre-back Kim Keeheeehheee aandnd ddefensiveefensive The Champions League last 16 is scheduled most valuable player. midfielder Won Dujae willill to finish on March 17, and quarterfinal first legs “I just tried to enjoy the games rather than be key in stifling the goal-- are set for April 6-7. feeling burdened with pressure to perform,” scoring threat posed byy The scope for rescheduling games was Yoon said. Tigres’ all-time leadingg “We“We detailed in updated competition rules pub- “It wasn’t just me – the rest of the squad goalscorer Andre-Pierree hahaveve toto cocomeme outout lished by UEFA yesterday for organizing the strongerstrongger tthanhan ouourr opoppo-po- knockout rounds of the Champions League nents,”neents,” Jo ssaid.aid.d ““OurOur 11 and Europa League. The Europa League resumes playersplp ayers ggelel wewellll asas a teamteamm aandnd on Feb. 18 at the last-32 stage and the Benfica- willwiw ll produceproduce excitingexciting dis-dis- Arsenal games also have potential travel issues. playsplaya s on thethe ppitch.iti ch. We nneedeed UEFA set a March 5 deadline to complete the round, to livelive upu toto ouourr ‘T‘TigersTigers of six days before the last-16 stage starts. Asia’Asia’ ninicknamecknan me aandnd pproverove There are already few options to reschedule thatthhat wwe’ree’e re nnotot aann eaeasysy postponed games in congested domestic and teamteam ttoo plplayay aagainst.”gagainnstt.”” international programs. If thetheh ‘Tigers‘TiT gers ooff Asia’Asia’ National teams worldwide will cancan bbeateat tthehe ‘Ti‘Tigersgers ooff call up players for the March 22-31 Concacaf’,Concacaf’,, ttheyhey wiwillll international break, including bebe metmet by a PoPorcorco World Cup qualifying games. If (Pig)(Pigg) in the semi-semmi-i clubs have travel restrictions final,final,l tthehhe nnicknameickkname affecting their home European ofof CopaCopa Liberta-Liberta- games, the competition rule doresdod res winners books set a deadline of Monday in Ulsan Hyundai players taking part in a training session at the Qatar University yesterday. Palmeiras.Palmeiras. the week before to alert UEFA. Gearing up for contest Unforgettable comebacks in the history of Club World Cup

FIFA.COM - DOHA

It ain’t over till it’s over. The FIFA Club World Cup has repeatedly backed up that old expression. FIFA.com looks at five of the best comebacks in the competition’s history. AL AHLY-PACHUCA (2008 quarter-finals) Score in the 46th minute: 2-0 Final score: 2-4 Al Duhail's Moroccan defender Mehdi Benatia playing table tennis with team-mates. Pachuca had the better chances initially, but it was Al Ahly who took a 2-0 lead after an own-goal from Fausto Pinto following a counter-attack and a strike from Flavio. They even scored again early in the second half, but the goal was disallowed for offside. Pachuca reduced the deficit immediately after that via a Luis Montes free-kick, before Christian Gimenez sparked wild celebra- tions with the equaliser from another superb Real Madrid players celebrate with the FIFA Club World Cup trophy after defeating Kashima free-kick after 72 minutes. The Mexicans Antlers in the final at the International Stadium in Yokohama, Japan in this December were the better side in extra-time, and put the seal on their come-from-behind triumph 18, 2016 file photo. with goals from Damian Alvarez and Gimenez. Pachuca ultimately lost 1-0 to another comeback when they needed to. swing the game Real Madrid’s way, Gamba Osaka in the play-off for third place. Goals from Ismail Matar and Mahmoud although Yuma Suzuki hit the bar for the Khamees had given a hard-working Al lively Japanese side with the score still at ESTUDIANTES-BARCELONA Wahda side a deserved 2-0 advantage with 3-2. (2009 final) just under 15 minutes to play. Score in the 88th minute: 1-0 Despite being a man down following AL AIN-WELLINGTON Final score: 1-2 a sending off, Al Wahda even pushed for (2018 first round) a third but were caught out twice on the Score in the 44th minute: 0-3 Pep Guardiola’s side were the runaway break through goals from Dario Cvitanich. Final score: 4-3 on penalties (after a 3-3 Al Ahly players taking part in a training session in Doha yesterday favourites to triumph and started on top, but The Mexicans went on to prevail in the draw) ahead of their opening FIFA Club World Cup clash against Al Duhail. it was their Argentinian opponents who ensuing penalty shootout. TWITTER/@ALAHLYENGLISH opened the scoring just after the half-hour Hosts Al Ain welcomed Team Wel- mark through a superb Mauro Boselli header. REAL MADRID-KASHIMA lington to their own stadium, but the vis- Estudiantes subsequently sat very deep ANTLERS itors were 3-0 up after 44 minutes thanks and battled hard to preserve their lead. (2016 final) to some eye-catching goals. Indeed, when Barcelona squandered the few Score in the 59th minute: 1-2 However, Tsukasa Shiotani pulled one chances they were able to create, it looked Final score: 4-2 back for Al Ain on the stroke of half-time, like the South Americans’ game plan was and they struck again early in the second going to pay off. However, Pedro came off Just like Messi seven years previously, period through Tongo Doumbia. The home the bench and levelled the score with a this time Cristiano Ronaldo was the match- side continued to push for more, but header in the 89th minute. The huge sense winner in the Club World Cup final. Karim became increasingly frustrated by of relief in the Barcelona camp was visible, Benzema prodded the odds-on favourites wayward finishing. They finally managed as they were determined to win a historic in front in the ninth minute, but Gaku Shi- to force an equaliser five minutes from sixth title that year. Messi then chested in basaki sent the majority of the 70,000- time when substitute Marcus Berg shot on the winner in extra-time. strong crowd in Yokohama into raptures the turn to take the game into with a brace to give the J.League cham- extra-time. PACHUCA-AL WAHDA pions an unexpected lead with around 40 It proved largely uneventful, meaning (2010 play-off for fifth place) minutes left to play. the tie had to be decided by a penalty Score in the 81st minute: 0-2 Then came the Ronaldo show. After he shootout, in which Al Ain completed the Final score: 4-2 on penalties (after a equalised from the penalty spot in the 60th comeback. Subsequent victories over 2-2 draw) minute, both sides continued to have Esperance Tunis (3-0) and River Plate chances, and Kashima still sensed an upset (5-4 on penalties) even took Al Ain into Tigers UANL players taking part in a training session in Doha Two years after that quarter-final win was possible. The match went into extra- the final, where they lost 4-1 to Real yesterday. TWITTER/@TIGRESOFICIAL over Al Ahly, Pachuca were able to muster time, with Ronaldo scoring twice more to Madrid. 10 SPORT WEDNESDAY 3 FEBRUARY 2021

Bayern Munich are one of only four teams with a 100 FIFA Club World Cup in numbers per cent winning record in 4 the FIFA Club World Cup. Internazionale, Milan and – set for Brazil against Wales at 4-2 Kashima Antlers in 2016. The fellow Brazilians Vasco da Gamaama in Sao Paulo are the other three clubs. Sweden 1958 – to become the competition has never produced a the first, while Congolesese TTPP youngest scorer in a senior FIFA men’s victory by more than a four-goal Mazembe, Moroccans Raja CasaCasa-- 79 seconds is all Al tournament. Pato had never even margin. blanca, Japanese Kashima Antlersers aandnd Ain’s Mohamed Ahmed made a professional appearance when Emirati Al Ain played Old Continentntinent 79 required to head home he was named in Internacional’s Japan Toni Kroos has participated opposition in the 2010, 2013, 2017017 anandd the fastest goal from 2006 squad, though he netted one in the FIFA Club World Cup 2019 deciders respectively. kick-off in FIFA Club minute into his debut three days later. final five times and won all World Cup history against Esperance Javier Zanetti, who was 37, is the com- 5 of them; he won the tour- 4.1 goals perr gamegame at UAE 2018. It broke Diego Tardelli’s petition’s oldest marksman. nament in 2013 with Bayern was the whoppingopping record, set for Atletico Mineiro against Munich, and then in 2014, 2016, 2017 average off UAE Guangzhou Evergrande in 2013, by 32 14 years is the longest and 2018 as a Real Madrid player. 4.1 2018 (33 goalsoals inin seconds. gap between a club’s eight matches),ches), consecutive appear- 7 goals is what makes Cris- smashing the previous record of 3.50 44 years and ten 14 ances in the compe- tiano Ronaldo the leading shared by Morocco 2013 andd JapJapanan months was the age at tition. Real Madrid marksman in the competi- 2016. The 2019 tournament producedoduced 44 which Oscar Perez appeared first at Brazil 2000 and next 7 tion’s history, having netted the second highest average, withith 3.753.75 kept goal for Pachuca at Morocco 2014, while Liverpool once for Manchester United goals per game scored (30 goalsoals in against Gremio in the equaled this record last year with a in 2008, four times for Real Madrid eight matches). UAE 2017 semi-finals, making him the victorious comeback 14 years after the in 2016 and twice for the same side oldest player to appear in the tour- final lost in 2005. the following year. Gareth Bale is next 4 players have scoreded CClublub nament by over five years. He is fol- on six goals, while Cesar Delgado, World Cup hat-tricks:tricks: lowed by 39-year-olds Mitsuo 8 goals is what makes Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez have Suarez against Guangzhoungzhou Ogasawara, Miguel Calero, Ante Covic Gamba Osaka 3-5 Man- five apiece. All of Suarez’s goals came 4 Evergrande in thee 2015 and Paolo Maldini. chester United at Japan at Japan 2015, making him the leading semi-finals, Ronaldonaldo 8 2008 the highest-scoring marksman at one edition. against Kashima Antlerstlers 17 years and three match in Club World Cup in the 2016 final, Bale against tthehe months was the age at history. Two finals have produced an 5 finals have not been Antlers in the last four in 201818 which Alexandre Pato unparalleled six goals: AC Milan 4-2 Europe versus South and ES Tunis’ Hamdou Elhounii 17 broke Pele’s record Boca Juniors in 2007 and Real Madrid 7 America. Corinthians faced against Al Sadd last year. Messi contract Marseille suspend highlights tax burden coach Villas-Boas REUTERS – PARIS of striker Nemanja Radonjic for Hertha for players Berlin, saying he was French club Olympique de Marseille informed of the sale announced that they suspended at 10.30pm local AP – MADRID manager Andre Villas-Boas yesterday, time on Monday. hours after the Portuguese coach said “We ended I offered my The leak of Lionel Messi’s he had offered to resign over disagree- the transfer resignation, saying multimillion dollar contract has ments with the club’s board. window with a brought attention to the high “Olympique de Marseille announces new player. He that I did not agree amount of taxes soccer players the pending disciplinary proceedings is a player that with the sporting policy pay in Spain, prompting the of Andre Villas-Boas,” the club said in I had said ‘no’ league to raise concerns about a statement. for,” Villas-Boas We ended the transfer the departure of its top stars. “This protective decision has said. window with a new Details of Messi’s €555m become inevitable given the recent Marseille said they ($671m) contract over four repetition of actions and attitudes were considering sanctions player. He is a player seasons were released by the which are seriously damaging to the against the Portuguese coach, that I had said ‘no’ for. El Mundo newspaper on Marseille Olympic institution and its following disciplinary Sunday, upsetting the club and employees, who defend it daily.” proceedings. The results - it’s my fault. instigating the promise of Villas-Boas, who joined the club in “The comments made today at I’m very upset. But if lawsuits. 2019, had criticised the board for a press conference ... are unac- there’s something you The contract made head- recruiting a player he had rejected and ceptable,” the club added. Marseille lines everywhere, and Spanish for informing him at the last minute were knocked out of the Cham- cannot touch, it’s my league president Javier Tebas that another was leaving as the transfer pions League at the group stage and professionalism. took the opportunity on window closed on Monday night. sit ninth in the French league, 16 Monday to underline the high “I offered my resignation, saying points behind leaders Lille. I cannot accept this. This amount of taxes owed by Messi. that I did not agree with the sporting “The results - it’s my fault. I’m club has already been He noted that the Argentina policy,” Villas-Boas told a news con- very upset. But if there’s something great has to pay about €270m ference earlier yesterday. you cannot touch, it’s my profession- through a couple of ($326m) in taxes for his con- Villas-Boas, who last month said alism,” Villas-Boas said. messy years in tract, nearly half of its value. he would leave when his contract “I cannot accept this. This club terms of transfers: Tebas said that in Italy, for expired at the end of the season, ref- has already been through a couple of example, a player with a similar erenced the club’s signing of Olivier messy years in terms of transfers.” Villas-Boas contract would have to pay Ntcham from Celtic and the departure Marseille travel to RC Lens today. Andre Villas-Boas about €135m ($163m) in taxes. “We will have an exodus of talent to other countries,” Tebas wrote on Twitter. “The (league) will lose players who help gen- Aguero still weeks away from Liverpool need erate 1.37% of the country’s GDP and more than 180,000 jobs.” Tebas has long criticized return after COVID-19: Guardiola ‘miracle’ for Van Dijk Spain’s tax requirements for soccer players, saying they put the league at a disadvantage in REUTERS – LONDON and Kevin De Bruyne remaining to return this season transfer negotiations. He has sidelined. City have won 12 games pushed for the Spanish gov- Manchester City striker Sergio in a row in all competitions and REUTERS – LONDON ernment to change some of its Aguero is out of COVID-19 Guardiola has never lost against tax rules that may scare some isolation but still weeks away Sean Dyche’s Burnley in 12 Liverpool centre back Virgil van Dijk will need a miracle to players away. Rules in Italy and from returning, manager Pep meetings, winning 11. play any part in the club’s Premier League title defence this France are considered less Guardiola said yesterday. “The past is nothing. Every season, manager Juergen Klopp said yesterday. Sergio strict on players than in Spain. The Premier League leaders’ team is a new chance, a new The 29-year-old Dutch defender was injured against Aguero Local tax authorities in all-time top scorer tested positive challenge, to do a good game,” Everton in October, needing knee surgery after goalkeeper Spain have been going after for the new coronavirus early last said the Spaniard. “What hap- Jordan Pickford’s reckless challenge. soccer stars in recent years, month and has not started since pened in the past, I don’t pay zero British media suggested this week he may return in April. accusing several of them of October due to knee surgery attention. It is about tomorrow, “No doctor told me there’s a chance for Virgil to play fraud over how they have ruling him out early in the what we have to do to beat them. again this season. I don’t want to say it’s impossible but it’s interpreted the local laws, campaign. That is only my concern.” not likely,” Klopp told reporters ahead of Wednesday’s especially regarding image The Argentine posted a Premier League game against Brighton & Hove Albion. rights. Authorities amped their message on Twitter on Sunday, “If there is no space (in the squad) we have to make a monitoring of players’ tax however, saying he was now fully decision. If he’s on the list it’s only because we hope for a filings and have been making recovered. miracle. a point of bringing attention to “I was at the club’s gym today, “I think we have space for Virgil on the Champions alleged irregularities. and soon I’ll be back training with “But it’s importanttant thatthat hhee is League (squad) list. If we have space, then Virgil will be on Messi himself was con- my team mates. Can’t wait,” he negative, this iss the most the list.” Liverpool brought in defensive reinforcements on victed of tax fraud in Spain in said. important thing, he’s healthy transfer deadline day, signing centre-backs Ben Davies and 2017, receiving a 21-month sus- Guardiola ruled Aguero out again and now he cancan come back Ozan Kabak, even as they were hit with more bad news that pended prison sentence that of Wednesday’s trip to Burnley again. It’s importantnt for us to defender Joel Matip was also out for the season with an ended up as a fine. Cristiano and indicated the player would have him back here.”ere.” CityCity ankle ligament injury. Ronaldo and Neymar also were have to be patient. are three points clearclear ofof “I don’t have the right words for it. It’s a big, big blow,” among the several players tar- “When one guy suffers (from) second placed MaMan-n- Klopp added. geted by authorities. Neymar COVID-19 it can take weeks to chester United and ffourour “You lose the player on the pitch and also the person in left for French club Paris Saint- feel better. He is still not training ahead of championsions the dressing room. It looks like he will need surgery ... It’s Germain and Ronaldo for on the field,” the manager told Liverpool, with a gameame really harsh. These last few weeks ... we had to consider Italian team Juventus. José reporters. in hand over both. our situation and what we have to do. We were looking Mourinho was investigated as “He started to move a little bit Guardiola said City in each league and then I saw Ben and was really inter- well for the time he was coach yesterday so he will need a few had no fresh injuryy cocon-n- ested ... He’s a really competitive player who is used to of Real Madrid. weeks to come back. cerns, with Nathann AkeAke Pep Guardiola playing a lot of games," he said. Sport WEDNESDAY 3 FEBRUARY 2021 09 Australia pulls out of 3-Test South Africa angry as Australia pulls out of cricket tour of South Africa tour at short notice AP - MELBOURNE inaugural ICC world Test championship in July. New South Africa has recorded championship.” Zealand is in prime position, more than 1.45 million corona- REUTERS - MELBOURNE Cricket Australia has pulled out Tim Paine’s Australia team with India, England and Aus- virus cases and over 44,000 of a three-Test series in South just finished a 2-1 home series tralia also in contention pending deaths. Since late last year, it Australia’s decision to pull out of next month’s three-Test tour Africa next month, citing an loss to India following a first the outcome of the India- has been battling a more trans- in South Africa due to the COVID-19 pandemic is “extremely “unacceptable risk” of sending defeat at the Gabba since 1988. England series. missible variant of the virus. disappointing” considering the hosts had put in place a number players there during the South Africa is 1-0 down in Australia selected two CSA acting chief executive of safety measures, Cricket South Africa (CSA) said yesterday. COVID-19 pandemic. Pakistan with the second and squads because of a schedule officer Pholetsi Moseki said The tour’s postponement means New Zealand have become Interim chief executive Nick final Test starting tomorrow. clash that involved a tour to the first team to qualify for the inaugural Hockley issued a statement late Hockley said the South New Zealand for five Graeme Smith ICC World Test Championship final, which yesterday saying he believed African and Australian cricket Twenty20s and the test series will be held in England from June 18, the there was no choice but to boards weren’t able to finalize in South Africa. International Cricket Council (ICC) said. postpone the tour and he had a bio-security plan for the series It’s unlikely any of the Test “New Zealand are currently ranked informed his South African that was scheduled for March. players will be redeployed for second on the ICC WTC table with a points counterparts. It’s a setback for coach the T20 series, with Cricket percentage of 70%, which has secured them “Due to the public health Justin Langer and Test captain Australia saying when the sep- a place in the final,” the ICC added. situation in South Africa, which Paine, who were appointed in arate squads were announced “They will be joined by either India, includes a second wave and the wake of the ball-tampering that there wouldn’t be changes England, or Australia with the second spot new variant of the virus, and scandal in South Africa in 2018 in personnel even if the South being determined by the outcome of the following extensive due dili- that resulted in 12-month bans Africa series was scrapped. India v England four-match test series due gence with medical experts, it for then captain Steve Smith South Africa also had to deal to start on Friday.” has become clear that traveling and vice-captain David Warner. with a cancellation in early Cricket Australia’s interim chief exec- from Australia to South Africa “As difficult and disap- December when England utive Nick Hockley had said in an earlier poses an unacceptable level of pointing a decision as this is, withdrew from the ODI portion costs already incurred by the statement that travelling from Australia to South Africa posed health and safety risk to our especially for Justin, Tim and of its tour after a virus outbreak organisation in planning for the an unacceptable level of health and safety risk to players, players, support staff and the the team, we have a duty of care at the supposedly bio-secure Australia tour were support staff and the community. community,” Hockley said. to our people and their health Cape Town hotel where both significant. No dates were given on when the tour might take place. “This decision has not been and safety can’t be compro- teams were staying. “In this challenging period But CSA Director of Cricket Graeme Smith believes the Aus- made lightly and we are mised,” Hockley said. “We look Both squads had members for cricket and its member tralian concerns are unfounded. extremely disappointed, espe- forward to playing the series at infected, along with two hotel countries, we believe the stance “We are extremely disappointed by the decision of CA,” cially given the importance of a date to be confirmed.” workers. taken by CA is regrettable and Smith said in a statement. “CSA has been working tirelessly in continuing international cricket Missing the series means South Africa later hosted will have a serious impact on recent weeks to ensure that we meet every single expectation at this time, our valued rela- Australia has no control over its and won a two-Test series the sustainability of the less of CA. “So to be informed about the CA decision at the eleventh tionship with CSA, and our aspi- prospects of qualifying for the against Sri Lanka which ended wealthy cricket playing hour is frustrating.” rations to compete in the inaugural world Test on Jan 5 in Johannesburg. nations.” Archer defends England’s rotation policy in busy year

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Anyone criticising England’s much debated rotation policy has not spent time inside a bio-secure bubble to understand the toll its strict COVID-19 protocols takes on players’ mental health, fast bowler Jofra Archer (pictured below) said yesterday. England are scheduled to play 17 Tests this year apart from the Twenty20 World Cup and other limited over internationals and while their workload in a busy year is a concern, players have been urged to come forward if the mental strain is too much. England rested Archer and all-rounder Ben Stokes for the Sri Pakistan cricket players in action during a team training session in Rawalpindi yesterday. Pakistan host South Africa in the second Test Lanka series and both return for the four-Test India series that at the same venue starting tomorrow. Pakistan won the ﬁrst Test by seven wickets in Karachi last week. begins on Friday in Chennai while Jonny Bairstow, Sam Curran and Mark Wood are rested for the first two Tests. “It’s going to be a long, long year. There are a few series coming South Africa seek end to batting up and body management will be important,” Archer told reporters. “Anyone that’s criticising (player rotation) has never stayed in a bubble. “At the end of the day, humans are social people, especially woes in 2nd Test against Pakistan when you’re not having a great game. There’s no escape, nowhere to go. “The ECB has been great, making it a priority so you can come REUTERS - RAWALPINDI had to adjust to conditions and there are also catchers Pakistan coach Misbah-ul- back fresh and ready to go. I know I’ll get my time away and focus better in the second Test around the bat.” Haq has no qualms about tink- on the job at hand. If it gets overbearing, there’s no shame in that, South Africa batsman Rassie starting in Rawalpindi There have been sugges- ering with his line-up, even but right now I’m good to go.” van der Dussen says his team tomorrow. tions the Rawalpindi pitch will deciding to drop one of the spin The four Tests are being played in bubbles in Chennai and mates must show more appli- “We knew we needed 350 be more seamer friendly than duo of Nauman Ali and Yasir Ahmedabad and though there is a possibility that fans will be cation at the crease if they are and if we could have batted the Karachi, where there was pro- Shah despite their impressive allowed to attend, to beat Pakistan in the second whole day, we would have got digious turn from day one, but combined figures of 14-206 in Archer said he was and final Test to share the there,” Van der Dussen told Van der Dussen is not so sure. the first test. not getting his hopes series. reporters of the first Test, where “It looks like most of the “The weather and pitch is up after playing at Van der Dussen scored a they were dismissed for 220 in grass has been taken off and different from what we got in empty venues amid patient 64 in his side’s second their first innings after winning how hard they will make it is Karachi,” he said. the pandemic. innings of their seven-wicket the toss and electing to bat. difficult to say. My first “We are open for change if “If it happens, I’ll loss in the first Test in Karachi, “It was a combination of impression is that there won’t needed and it’s not compulsory believe it when I see one of the few among the good bowling, indecision from be much for the new ball,” he to play a spinner just because it,” he said. “The last tourists to get to grips with the the new guys, and run outs that said. “There was a fair amount he did well (in the first Test),” eight months have lower bounce of the wicket and shouldn’t happen. of reverse (swing) in the first he said. been crazy. They’ve the skill of the home team’s “In the subcontinent, all dis- match and I think it will play “The conditions are likely made promises spinners. missals are in play all of the the same role.” to be different but we have to which have never South Africa have passed time. Because the ball is not South Africa have won 15 of carry on with all the good things come off so I’ll 300 just three times in their last bouncing over the stumps, you their last 31 Tests, losing the we did in the first Test and look believe it when fans 25 innings on the sub-continent have to set yourself up to other 16 due mainly to their frail out for the areas where we can walk in through the and Van der Dussen said they counter being bowled and lbw, batting. improve.” gates.” 'Fan favourite' Hughes inducted Langer says reports of player into Australia’s Hall of Fame discontent a ‘wake-up call’

REUTERS - SYDNEY different days. Hughes, 59, also the sport and a deserved REUTERS - SYDNEY that he hoped his players would talk to him about played 33 one-day interna- inductee,” Australian Cricket issues. Former fast bowler Merv tional matches claiming 38 Hall of Fame Chairman Peter Australia’s national cricket coach Justin Langer “Do I get grumpy sometimes? Yeah... I’m not Hughes (pictured) has been wickets. Following his King said. “A lion-hearted com- said media reports that his coaching style had perfect, that’s for sure, but I’m pretty good at inducted into the retirement, petitor, Merv boasts a proud caused discontent in the dressing room will serve some of the things I do... I would rather they came Australian Cricket Hall of Hughes career for Victoria and Australia as a “wake-up call”. straight to me, that’s the Australian way... let’s Fame, the country’s worked as in the Test and one-day inter- The Sydney Morning Herald reported last talk through it and work things out.” cricket board said selector and national arenas, paving the way week that Langer’s style had worn thin with Test captain Tim Paine last week stepped yesterday. bowling for an incredible era of Aus- players, with an unnamed source saying senior forward to defend Langer via News Corp, where Renowned for his coach for tralian cricketing dominance. members of the squad were frustrated by the he is contracted as a columnist, but others have trademark handlebar Victoria state Even as synonymous as his on- atmosphere among the group. been extremely hesitant to stick their heads above moustache as well as his before field record, Merv will be “I’m not going to ignore this... absolutely, it’s the parapet in public. aggressive bowling style, replacing forever remembered as a a wake-up call,” Langer, whose team were beaten “JL is a passionate guy, particularly when it he took 212 wickets in 53 Allan Border fan-favourite.” 2-1 by India in their Test series last month, told comes to this team and Australian cricket," Paine Tests between 1985 and as national Inductees are selected by ESPNcricinfo. said. “He's also the guy who kicks the bin over 1994. selector in representatives from all levels “Whenever I finish this coaching career I hope and then puts the rubbish back in. He wears his His career-best test 2005. of cricket including the Mel- I’m still calling myself a novice... I’ll see this crit- heart on his sleeve, is tough, fair and at times figures of 8-87 came “Merv bourne Cricket Club chairman, icism as a great gift in a few weeks or months. emotional, just as he was as a player and now as against the West Indies at the was an icon of the Australian three ex-players, CEOs of “My greatest mentors in life are the people a coach. You would be worried if that wasn't the WACA in 1988 and included the summer for so many of us, a Cricket Australia and Australian who told me the truth and were toughest on me... case.” final wicket of a hat-trick larger-than-life personality, a Cricketers’ Association along I’ve always needed that honest feedback. I might Langer played 105 Tests for Australia during spread across three separate wonderful international with two members of the not enjoy it at the time, but it’s so, so valuable.” his career that started in 1993 and ended with an overs, two innings and two cricketer, an ambassador for media. Langer said on the Cricket Et Cetera podcast Ashes series win in 2007.