Sport

MONDAY 9 NOVEMBER 2020 Hathab Series has done wonders for young Qatari riders: QEF chief The young riders participating in our competitions have shown great interest in becoming better. That was the sole reason we started this series, to get the young riders interested and in helping them achieve their dreams. Hamad bin Abdul Rahman Al Attiyah Sport |10

VUELTA A ESPANA: Stage 18 winner: Pascal Ackermann (Germany) 3:28:13 Overall winner: Primož Roglic (Slovenia) 72:46:12 City, Liverpool draw as Kane joins 150 club

AFP – LONDON Bruyne cross but the Belgian skewed wide. Harry kane you have to say has this Kevin De Bruyne missed a The draw left Liverpool in many goals, this many assists, this penalty as Manchester City third place on 17 points after number of balls recovered, this number squandered the chance to close eight games, one behind of duels won. When you go to stats in the gap on Liverpool yesterday Leicester and five clear of City, relation to the strikers, I always say while Tottenham’s Harry Kane who have a game in hand. celebrated joining the Premier that the stats should be how many League’s 150 club. Kane reaches 150 goals goals has a striker scored, and what he A win at the Etihad would Earlier, Kane headed in a did for his team in the matches where have taken the Reds to the late winner in a 1-0 victory he didn't score. And many of the summit but they were forced to against struggling West Brom strikers that history will show an settle for a 1-1 draw in a battle to briefly lift Jose Mourinho’s incredible number of goals that they between the two dominant side to the top of the table after powers over the past two their fourth win in five league scscore,oree, pplusllus zezero:eror : JoseJooses MMourinhoouo rinhho insistsinsists seasons. games. strikersttriker HarryHaarry kane'skaanne'ss influenceinflul ene ce forfor That meant Leicester clung Only Alan Shearer and TottenhamTToottenham HoHotspurotst pur goesgooes wayway beyondbeyyond onto top spot after leapfrogging Sergio Aguero have scored 150 thethhe 20120201 goalsgooals he hashass nownow scoredscoreed foforr Spurs with a 1-0 win at home Premier League goals in fewer thethhe northnoortrth LondonLoL nddon clubclulub to Wolves. appearances than Kane, who Jurgen Klopp’s champions reached the landmark in his made an aggressive start against 218th match. City, with Sadio Mane, Mourinho was effusive in Mohamed Salah, Roberto his praise for his star striker, Firmino and Diogo Jota all in a who also has 10 assists in all fearsome-looking starting competitions this season. line-up. “Harry Kane, you have to The visitors went ahead in say has this many goals, this the 13th minute when Salah many assists, this number of Tottenham Hotspur’s English striker Harry Kane (left) celebrates after scoring the opening converted a penalty after Kyle balls recovered, this number of Walker clipped Mane in the box. duels won, this number of balls goal during the English Premier League match against West Bromwich Albion, yesterday. City drew level just after the that he saved his team in a half-hour mark when De defensive set-piece,” he said. Mourinho started with Brom team still without a league Johnstone and the England 15th minute -- following a VAR Bruyne picked out Gabriel Jesus “This is Harry Kane. It’s Kane, Gareth Bale and Son win this term. arrived to flick a header check -- after Max Kilman in the area with his back to goal. goals plus this and this and this Heung-min in his front three for Son wasted an early chance into the far corner. handled Dennis Praet’s cross in The City striker cleverly turned and that.” the first time, and while the but the home side had oppor- But Spurs’ stay at the top of the area. past Trent Alexander-Arnold The landmark effort for latter two were quiet, Kane was tunities of their own through the Premier League table was But he blew a chance to and poked past Alisson Becker. Kane, who scored his 200th on hand to clinch Tottenham’s Karlan Grant, Kyle Bartley and short-lived as Jamie Vardy make it 2-0 when he was City were awarded a penalty Tottenham goal in all competi- third successive league victory. Jake Livermore. netted his eighth Premier denied by Rui Patricio late in the themselves just before the tions against Ludogorets on Spurs are now unbeaten in Kane finally broke Albion’s League goal of the season for first half after James Justin was interval after a VAR check when Thursday, was perfectly timed their past seven league games resistance in the 88th minute Leicester. brought down in the box but Joe Gomez was unable to get his after they had laboured to break but were below their best for when Matt Doherty’s cross Vardy scored the decisive Brendan Rodgers’ team held on arm out of the way of a De down stubborn Albion. long periods against a West caused indecision from goal from the penalty spot in the to win all three points. QSL hosts coordination meeting and friendly match

THE PENINSULA – DOHA

In line with the policy of continuous co-ordination and co-operation in order to reach the best technical, administrative and organisational levels, and within the framework of continuous development of Qatar football, the Qatar Stars League (QSL) held several meetings with coaches of Al Sadd's coach Xavi Hernandez, Al Sailiya coach Sami Trabelsi, Al Duhail coach Sabri Lamouchi and officials in action during a friendly match played at the Aspire clubs and officials at the Aspire Zone Zone, in Doha, yesterday. The match was hosted by the Qatar Stars League (QSL), on the sidelines of the QSL co-ordination meetings. yesterday. Executive Director of Competi- tions and Football Development at the QSL, Ahmed Khellil Abbassi, met with coaches, where the calendar for the Ronaldo strikes but Caicedo disappoints Juventus current season 2020-21 and the approved health protocol for the next AFP – MILAN top striker , phase were discussed, and all opinions midfielder and and proposals were reviewed, lis- again rescued goalkeeper Thomas Stra- tening to the coaches, their comments Lazio, scoring deep into injury kosha, who remain in coro- and their points of view on technical time to cancel out Cristiano navirus isolation. matters. Ronaldo’s early goal for The Roman club are being Director of QSL’s Competitions Juventus in a 1-1 draw investigated by the Italian Department, Ahmed Salman Al yesterday. football federation for pos- Adsani, held a meeting with the sports Ronaldo had opened after sible Covid violations. officials of clubs, the calendar and quarter of an hour in Rome Immobile was among a tournaments of the season were but second-half substitute number of Lazio players reviewed. Caicedo once again proved blocked by UEFA from taking The coaches and sports officials decisive firing in the equaliser part in Champions League expressed their happiness with the five minutes into injury time. games against Club Bruges Lazio’s Felipe discussions and by presenting all the The 32-year-old Caicedo and Zenit Saint Petersburg Caicedo (centre) views and opinions and comments had rescued his side in a 1-1 after testing positive. celebrates with that emerged out of the meetings. Champions League draw at But they were included in team-mates Adam They also expressed their optimism Zenit Saint Petersburg during last weekend’s game against Marusic and Andreas about reaching the common targets the week and also an injury Torino, in which Immobile Pereira after scoring and goals. time 4-3 winner against also scored, following neg- against Juventus, yesterday. On the sidelines of the meetings, Torino last weekend. ative tests carried out in a lab a friendly exhibition match was Juventus missed the used by the club. played in accordance with the chance to move second Inzaghi had been opti- after a month out injury. sixth goal in four league went off with 15 minutes to COVID-19 precautionary measures behind leaders AC mistic about them lining out Leonardo Bonucci, making games. Sergej Milinkovic- go after taking a knock to his and procedures, in the presence of Milan, with the champions in the Stadio Olimpico but his 400th start for Juventus, Savic sent a header wide for ankle. And Caicedo, who had Executive Director of Sales, Mar- three points behind their they were left out after they proved decisive early the hosts with Joaquin Correa come off the bench nine keting and Communication at the northern rivals who host were also reported to have blocking Vedat Muriqi. also testing Wojciech minutes after the break, once QSL, Hassan Rabiah Al Kuwari, Exec- Hellas Verona later on tested positive in another But it was again Ronaldo Szczesny. again had the final word. utive Director of Competitions and Sunday. Italian lab. who proved decisive finishing Ronaldo had two chances The Ecudorian picked up Football Development at the QSL, Simone Inzaghi’s Lazio, Lazio midfielder Luis off a Juan Cuadrado cross for a second in the first half, a Correa cross, swivelling to Ahmed Khellil Abbassi, and a number currently embroiled in coro- Alberto returned after recov- after the Colombian shook off rattling the post, with Pepe fire in the equaliser to hand of oficials and members of the QSL navirus chaos, are ninth, five ering from coronavirus with defenders Luis Alberto and Reina tipping a free-kick over Juventus their fourth staff. points off the leaders. the hosts also boosted with Mohamed Fares. the bar. But with Juventus stalemate in seven league The match was held at the Aspire Lazio lined out without defender Stefan Radu back Ronaldo, 35, scored his looking in control, Ronaldo games. Zone. MONDAY 9 NOVEMBER 2020 SPORT 11 Magnificent Medvedev wins Paris Masters

AFP – PARIS Both players continued their excellent serving form for much of the Third seed Daniil Medvedev claimed opening set, but the German waited his first Paris Masters title at Bercy for his moment to pounce, bringing up Arena yesterday by battling back from three set points in game 11 with a fine a set down to beat Germany’s Alex- backhand passing shot. ander Zverev. It looked as though he had sealed The Russian was on top form in a the set at the second opportunity when high-quality encounter, winning 5-7, a Medvedev backhand was shown by 6-4, 6-1 to secure his first trophy of the Hawkeye to have flown long, but there season and the eighth of his career. was no challenge from Zverev. “It’s great, I’m really happy. As I It mattered little, as the world always say, I don’t always show this number seven secured a one-set lead after matches, but I’m always happy when his opponent fired off target on to win,” said Medvedev after securing the next point, celebrating with a fist his third Masters title. pump matched by coach David Ferrer Both players will now turn their sitting in his player’s box. attentions to the ATP Tour Finals in Medvedev put Zverev under serious London, an event won by Zverev in pressure in a marathon third game of 2018. the second set, but after eight deuces Medvedev has had an up-and- and four break points, the 23-year-old down season, but was at his best this managed to hold on thanks to strong week in Paris, continuing his magnif- play at the net. icent record on hard courts -- all of his Russia’s Daniil Medvedev But Medvedev kept pushing and ATP titles have come on the surface. celebrates with the trophy after finally broke through to lead 5-4 as “Before this tournament I wasn’t winning the singles final against Zverev sent a forehand long. in great form, zero finals this year and Germany’s Alexander Zverev, He confidently served it out to force I was crying, well complaining, to my on day 7 at the ATP World Tour a decider for only the second time in wife, ‘Oh my God, I don’t have the level, Masters 1000 - Paris Masters, the pair’s seven meetings. Medvedev not playing well, not even any finals’,” yesterday. had seized the momentum and he he said. broke to love in the opening game of “But now, three Masters titles, it’s the third set before staving off four great. I have had the level this week. I winning streak ended. He has recently a smile off my face, but I’m still smiling near-empty Bercy Arena -- with break points to take a 2-0 advantage. managed to keep the pressure on and denied allegations from his ex-girl- under this mask,” said Zverev. France in its second coronavirus His return game was in full flow in the end I broke his level a little bit.” friend Olga Sharypova that he tried to The 24-year-old Medvedev has lockdown -- securing the win after two and he all but ended Zverev’s challenge Fourth seed Zverev, who was “strangle” her while at last year’s US won two of his last three matches hours and eight minutes on court. by sealing a sixth straight game to bidding for a third straight tournament Open. against Zverev, having also beaten him Zverev, who knocked out Rafael move a double break in front. victory after back-to-back successes Zverev hit out at those criticising in last year’s Shanghai Masters final, Nadal in the semi-finals, was left to rue Zverev was visibly deflated by his on home soil in Cologne, remains him after the match. but still trails their head-to-head 5-2. a losing run of seven straight games opponent’s surge and he double- without a Masters title since the 2018 “I know that right now there are a The world number five outlasted from the end of the second set and into faulted on Medvedev’s second match Madrid Open after seeing his 12-match lot of people who will be trying to wipe the US Open runner-up in a the decider. point.

Delhi Capitals' Ali, Qadir lift to T20 celebrates after series win against Zimbabwe taking a .

AFP – RAWALPINDI Pakistan’s Haider SCOREBOARD Ali plays a shot ZIMBABWE Pakistan proved too strong during the second B. Taylor c Rizwan b Rauf ...... 3 for a sloppy Zimbabwe as C. Chibhabha c Ashraf b Rauf ...... 15 they won the second match against S. Williams b Ashraf ...... 13 by Zimbabwe W. Madhevere lbw b Usman ...... 24 eight in Rawalpindi yesterday. Sikandar Raza b Usman ...... 7 on Sunday, taking an unas- R. Burl ...... 32 sailable 2-0 lead in the E. Chigumbura st Rizwan b Usman ...... 18 three-match series. D. Tiripano c Zaman b Rauf ...... 15 T. Chisoro not out ...... 3 Riding on half centuries Extras: (lb1, w3) ...... 4 from skipper Babar Azam Total: (for seven wkts; 20 overs) 134 (51) and 20-year-old Haider Did not bat: R Ngarava, B Muzarabani Ali (66 not out), Pakistan Fall of wickets: 1-5, 2-30, 3-38, 4-65, Clinical DC beat SRH to made short work of a modest 5-66, 6-90, 7-120 135-run target, achieving Bowling: Hasnain 4-0-28-0, Rauf 4-0- victory with 29 balls to spare. 31-3, Ashraf 4-0-20-1 (2w), Riaz 4-0-31- enter maiden IPL final Zimbabwe, who were 0 (1w), Usman 4-0-23-3 sent in to bat, never IANS – ABU DHABI which meant that SRH had lost their recovered from early strikes PAKISTAN top order in the powerplay. F Zaman c Chigumbura b Muzarabani ..5 by paceman Haris Rauf ’s four wicket-haul, This was in stark contras to DC B Azam c Chigumbura b Muzarabani ..51 (3-31) and spinner Usman Haider Ali not out ...... 66 ’s 78 and an all- whose openers Stoinis and Dhawan Qadir (3-23) as they were Khushdil Shah not out ...... 11 round effort by Marcus Stoinis led a had scored 65 runs in the first six overs. restricted to 134-7 in 20 Extras: (lb1, w3) ...... 4 clinical (DC) to a 17-run However, SRH were kept in the overs. Total: (for two wkts; 15.1 overs) .137 win over SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH) game by their middle order anchored Haider, playing only his Did not bat: Mohammad Hafeez, Mo- in the second Qualifier of the 2020 by Kane Williamson, who scored 67 third international match, hammad Rizwan, Wahab Riaz, Haris Rauf, (IPL) runs in 45 balls. He first shared a cracked three sixes and six Mohammad Hasnain, Faheem Ashraf, Us- yesterday. Chasing a target of 190, 46-run stand with for boundaries in a 43-ball man Qadir SRH were limited to 172/8 in their 20 the fourth wicket and a 57-run stand knock and was declared man Fall of wickets: 1-10, 2-110 overs. with Abdul Samad for the fifth. of the match. Bowling: Muzarabani 4-0-33-2 (2w), DC have gone through to their Williamson fell to Stoinis after Ngarava 3.1-0-28-0, Tiripano 2-0-18-0, Azam, ranked second in Chisoro 3-0-26-0, Williams 1-0-11-0, first IPL final, where they face which Rabada got Samad, Rashid the world T20 Raza 2-0-20-0 (1w) defending champions Mumbai Khan and Shreevats Goswami in the rankings, smashed eight Indians (MI) on November 10. The 19th over to effectively end the fours and a six off just 28 final this season will thus be con- contest. balls, the fastest of his 16 T20 including Azam. Khushdil innings for a big six. Paki- over. Usman, son of the late tested between the two highest Earlier, Stoinis and Dhawan’s international fifties. Shah cracked the winning stan’s Rauf, who took 20 Pakistan star spinner Abdul ranked teams in the group stage with 86-run opening stand followed by Haider and Azam added boundary in his 11 not out. wickets in last year’s Big Qadir, chipped in with the DC finishing second with 16 points Shimron Hetmyer’s fireworks 100 for the second wicket, The last match of the Bash in Australia, removed wickets of Madhevere, and MI first with 18. towards the end of the innings helped taking away the game from series is scheduled for (three) and Sikandar Raza (seven) and SRH were off to a shakey start in DC scored 189/3 in their 20 overs. Zimbabwe despite losing Tuesday, also in Rawalpindi. skipper (18) to the chase with their captain and Brief scores: opener Fakhar Zaman for Earlier, Ryan Burl (32 not (15) in successive overs. further derail Zimbabwe. opener David Warner falling to DC 189/3 (Shikhar Dhawan 78, just five in the third over. out) and Wesley Madhevere Donald Tiripano (15) Pakistan’s Ahsan Raza Rabada in the second over for just Shimron Hetmyer 42 not out; Rashid Zimbabwe fast bowler (24) were the main scorers added 30 for the seventh became the first umpire to two runs. Fellow opener Priyam Garg Khan 1/26) vs SRH 172/8 (Kane Wil- Blessing Muzarabani took for Zimbabwe, with Burl wicket with Burl before officiate in 50 T20 next fell to Stoinis in the fourth over liamson 62, Abdul Samad 33; Kagiso two wickets for 33 runs, smashing the last ball of the falling to Rauf in the 19th internationals. and Manish Pandey fell two balls later Rabada 4/29) Rangers thrash Di Maria brace keeps injury-hit PSG on top Hamilton 8-0 AFP – PARIS defence following injury to centre-back unlikely to improve Tuchel’s precarious AFP – GLASGOW Presnel Kimpembe, while Pablo Sarabia position at PSG though as last season’s Angel Di Maria scored twice as Paris failed to overcome a muscle strain. Champions League finalists struggle in Rangers restored their nine-point lead Saint-Germain made short work of New arrival Kean put the hosts this year’s edition. at the top of the Rennes despite a raft of absences in a ahead after 10 minutes with his third The 47-year-old German, whose with an 8-0 thrashing of Hamilton as 3-0 win on Saturday that enables the Ligue 1 goal of the season when he col- contract is up at the end of this campaign, Celtic bounced back with a 4-1 win at champions to hold onto their lead at lected Di Maria’s pass following is rumoured to be in his last season in Motherwell yesterday. the top of Ligue 1. pressure on the Rennes defence and the French ’s men have played Di Maria struck in each half, with lashed a low shot past Alfred Gomis. capital two more matches than their Glasgow Moise Kean scoring the other, to move Di Maria then added the second 10 after rivals but showed why they are now the PSG up to 24 points, five ahead of minutes later when Ander Herrera PSG bookmakers’ favourites to end Celtic’s second-placed Lille. picked him out with a fine through ball lost record-equalling run of nine straight Rennes stay third on 18 points -- and he dinked his finish over Gomis. 2-1 at RB league titles. but can be overtaken by Nice should PSG suffered what looked to be Leipzig on Hamilton shocked the hosts on their they beat Monaco on Sunday -- while more injury strife when Thilo Kehrer Wednesday to last visit to Ibrox in March, but Rangers Montpellier are a further point back in left the field 10 minutes before the end leave them with are a team transformed since Scottish sixth after their 2-0 win at Bordeaux. of the first half, before Kean then began two defeats out of football’s return in August, unbeaten in PSG’s win was their eighth in a row limping on the hour mark before being three in the competi- 20 games in all competitions this season. in the French top flight and came as substituted shortly afterwards. tion’s group stage. Joe Aribo, and James Tav- under-fire coach Thomas Tuchel The result was never really in doubt It has become an open PSG’s Argentine ernier all scored twice, while battles with an injury crisis that has left however, and Di Maria made absolutely secret that Tuchel does not get midfielder Angel Di and were also on target him without the likes of Neymar, Kylian sure of the points in the 73rd minute on with Leonardo, PSG’s powerful Maria celebrates after against the rock-bottom Accies. Mbappe and Marco Verratti. when his low drive squirmed past the sporting director, who did not hire the scoring his team’s In stark contrast to Rangers’ fine Striker Mauro Icardi was also out, unfortunate Gomis. German and wants to bring in his own third goal against European form, Celtic suffered a 4-1 Marquinhos was moved back into the A thumping win over Rennes is man. Rennes, on Saturday. home defeat to Sparta Prague. 10 SPORT MONDAY 9 NOVEMBER 2020

Woods bids Hathab Series has done wonders to repeat Augusta for young Qatari riders: QEF chief glory after

THE PENINSULA - DOHA The Indoor Arena at the headquarters of the Qatar Equestrian Federation. poor outings

The hugely popular Longines Qatar REUTERS - AUGUSTA Equestrian Tour Hathab series has helped the young Qatari riders improve their skills significantly since its launch Tiger Woods will hope in 2016, Qatar Equestrian Federation familiarity helps him (QEF) President said yesterday. recapture his form at The third round of the 2020-21 Augusta National this week season concluded successfully on Sat- as the 15-time major urday with Mohammed Khalifa Albaker winner aims to repeat the guiding Verona to a convincing victory magic of his stunning in the Big Tour competition at QEF’s Masters win last year. Indoor Arena. Overcoming personal Hamad bin Abdul Rahman Al Attiyah, and physical obstacles that President of QEF, said the Hathab Series at times in his career - supported by the Social and Sport Con- appeared insurmountable, tribution Fund - has done wonders for Woods ended an 11-year the young riding community in the major drought to claim his Hamad bin Abdul Rahman country. fifth Masters in 2019, Al Attiyah, President of QEF “Now we are into our fourth edition capping one of the most of the Longines Qatar Equestrian Tour remarkable comebacks in Hathab series. This competition has have developed young riders and dis- season and the ones held in the past have partnership is evident from the successes the history of professional achieved great success from the time we covered new talent at the same time, allowed Qatar to develop a young we have shared in the continuity of sport. started this in 2016-2017 season. The talent that needs more riding, more com- women’s dressage squad capable of Longines Qatar Equestrian Tour Hathab But a recent string of riders receive great attention from their petition, more training. These young improving their skills further. series,” he said. lacklustre performances trainers, fans and family. All of this has riders will go on to serve the national Al Attiyah said QEF is currently When asked about Qatar’s seasoned have rendered that success helped in the looking at riders taking part in international a distant memory. development of increasing the events, Al Attiyah said the process Woods has failed to their riding skills,” number of events would continue in the new season. He crack the top 30 at any Al Attiyah said on provided that the said Qatar’s top riders like Bassem event since the PGA Tour the sidelines of the prevailing cir- Muhammad, Salman Al Emadi and returned from its third round. cumstances Hamad bin Ali Al Attiyah will continue COVID-19 hiatus in June, “The young involving to take part in top events held around missing the cut at the US riders partici- Covid-19 threat the world including the ones that are Open in September and pating in our com- eases away. The staged at Al Shaqab Arena. He said Qatar finishing tied 72nd in the petitions have QEF President riders will also be part of international Zozo Championship last shown great details on the training camps next year. month -- a tournament he interest in new events will He QEF will organize a long camp won a year ago. becoming better. be given in due for its riders starting from May 2021 in “Last year he came into That was the sole course of time. the Netherlands in preparation for their the Masters doing a lot of reason we started “We look to participation in the Asian Equestrian things well. His iron play this series, to get continue to host Championship that will be held in China was really, really good a the young riders the Hathab Series in 2022. year ago. We haven’t seen interested and in as it is serving Al Attiyah confirmed the 2020 Amir’s that this year,” said com- helping them our purposely Sword Festival will be held next Feb- patriot Andy North, a achieve their nicely. It has ruary, the country’s richest show retired twice major winner dreams,” he said. become one of jumping event that attracts international and now golf analyst for “We are looking the best con- riders. ESPN. forward to the ducted events in “The sport of equestrian has a rich Woods, who won his remaining rounds the region. The history in Qatar. We have local and inter- first major at Augusta 23 of the 12-round continuity has national events. We have a good rider years ago, knows the series,” he said. team in the Olympic Games and other attracted sponsorship support for which base that can go on to become interna- course’s unique tests, giving “What we have seen is the riders top international events. That’s what we are grateful to our partners,” Al Attiyah tional stars. We give our thanks to the him a possible advantage showing interest in horses they get to seek from this series,” he said. “The said. wise leadership of the Amir H H Sheikh over youngsters such as ride and the horses they want for future Longines Qatar Equestrian Tour Hathab Regarding the joining of hands Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and the PGA Championship winner competitions,” Al Attiyah said. “When series offers stiff competition. We seek between QEF and Al Shaqab, Al Attiyah Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC) Collin Morikawa, 23, and the young riders or the seasoned ones, to create an international event envi- said that the partnership now has com- Chairman H E Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad 21-year-old Matthew Wolff, compete in our series, they strive to win ronment and we feel we are doing it suc- pleted four years. Al Thani who back us in our endeavour the US Open runner-up. in actual competition environment. cessfully. We have technical staff of the He said Al Shaqab continues to invest to popularise the sport of equestrian,” But changes to the tour- That’s what we want,” he said. “This very highest calibre. We have well-drilled heavily in hosting world-class events Al Attiyah said. nament this year due to the attitude will help them win international organizing teams that put together this that bring in international riders who “We have international trainers like COVID-19 pandemic - events also in the future,” the QEF Pres- fine series every year,” he said. create competitions held on Qatari soil Jan Tops to assist our young riders, including the move from ident said. The QEF President said the current the ‘best in the world’. getting them ready for competitions in April to November and the “Over the course of three years, we Longines Qatar Equestrian Tour Hathab “The success of four-year Qatar and away from the country. absence of fans - could limit Wood’s expertise. “There are a lot of guys that haven’t played there Qatar National Sprint very much,” said North. “You know, I kind of thought, is this going to negate some of the history that our veteran players have and some of the course knowledge that they have versus some of the younger guys that we have seen play so well this fall?” For Woods, the quieting of the crowd’s roar may be the hardest part to reconcile. “The one component that is going to be just, I Participants in the Qatar National Sprint are seen in action in their cars in the parking area of Losail International Circuit. The Qatar Motor and Motorcycle Federation think, so odd for all of us (QMMF) stages the multiple-round series every season. who have played there and who have been there is to have no spectators,”p Woods told reportersrters aafterfter tthehe final Al Khelaifi impresses with top speed round at the ZozZozoo Championship.onship. THE PENINSULA - DOHA “Sometimesmetimes we’ve been oonn the puttinputtingg One of Qatar's top racing green ththereere before we tee drivers, Abdullah Al Khelaifi off andnd you hear roars clinched the honours in the downn there, 12 and 13, Open Class 1 category in the they rreverberateeverberate all the fourth round of the Qatar way up to the clclub-ub- National Sprint Championship. house,use, and there’s The hugely popular one-day goingng to be nothing.”nothing.” event was organised by the TheThe MastersMasters Qatar Motor and Motorcycle startsarts on ThursdayThursday.. Federation (QMMF) in the parking area of Losail Interna- tional Circuit. Al Khelaifi just had a one run out of three allowed for the competitors, but that was enough for the Qatar Touring Cars Championship champion to seal the victory in his West- Khayarin (Mitsubishi Evo 10, OPEN CLASS 1 PRODUCTION CARS 1 field Sport. 59.649) was second, followed 1. Abdullah Al Khelaifi (Model: Westfield Sport) 58.610 1. Nadim Ziade (Renault Clio) 1:00.569 His winning time was by Ali Emadadhi (Nissan 370Z, 2. Abdul Aziz Al Jabri (Westfield Sport) 1:00.517 2. Henry Kahy (Renault Clio) 1:00.710 58.610 seconds, well ahead of 1:01.249) in third. 3. Ayyad Al Okar (Subaru BRZ) 1:01.590 3. Mansour Chebli (Renault Clio) 1:00.806 Abdul Aziz Al Jabri, who clocked The Open Class 3 category 1:00.517 also in Westfield Sport was won by Abdulla al-Abassi, OPEN CLASS 2 PRODUCTION CARS 2 to take the runner-up spot. who edged out Al Khelaifi this 1. Mohammed Al Basti (Model: Subaru STI WRX) 58.693 1. Jad Alawar (Ford Focus) 58.506 Ayyad Al Okar was third in his time. 2. Mohammed Al Khayarin (Mitsubishi Evo 10) 59.649 2. Dean Bail (Porsche Boxster 718) 1:01.787 Subaru BRZ. Al Abassi clocked 58.302 3. Ali Emadadhi (Nissan 370Z) 1:01.249 3. Dennis Nikitopoulos (Nissan 370Z) 1:03.552 In the Open Class 2 cat- seconds in a Lotus Exige, with OPEN CLASS 3 PRODUCTION CARS 3 egory, Mohammed al-Basti Al Khelaifi following him in a 1. Abdulla Al Abassi (Lotus Exige) 58.302 1. Fransesco Fornaciari (Lotus Exige) 58.070 came out victorious in Subaru Supra in a time of 1:00.507 2. Abdullah Al Khelaifi (Supra) 1:00.507 2. Hosam Al Qatami (BMW M2) 1:02.234 STI WRX in a time of 58.693 seconds. Yousef al-Jabri (Supra, 3. Yousef Al Jabri (Supra) 1:01.425 3. Mohmoud Al Mahmoud (Porsche GT3) 1:03.380 seconds. Mohammed Al 1:01.425) was third. MONDAY 9 NOVEMBER 2020 SPORT 09 Handball: Al Arabi are League champions

Al Arabi players (above and right) and team officials celebrate winning the handball league title for the 2019-20 season. Al Arabi yesterday became the league champions for the second time in their history by beating Al Wakra 31-29. Al Arabi had won their first title in 1983. Al Arabi produced a slick game yesterday and managed to lift the League Shield for the second time in the club's history. Good news: Tokyo holds one-day gym meet to show Olympics may be possible

AP – TOKYO Russia’s Nikita The good news for the Tokyo Olympics Nagornyy performs is that Japan yesterday held a one-day on the horizontal exhibition gymnastics meet in front of bar at Friendship several thousand fans with 22 athletes and Solidarity participating from Russia, China and Competition in the United States. Tokyo. They were joined by eight from Japan. The non-Japanese entered after a 14-day quarantine at home and were largely kept penned up in their Tokyo hotel in strict isolation. They also underwent PCR tests daily in Japan. The event is the latest - a Japanese baseball stadium was filled to capacity last week - intended to show that the postponed Tokyo Olympics can open Shane Wiskus of the in just under nine months. US performs on the But there are more difficult numbers parallel bars in Tokyo. that the Olympics must overcome. Next year’s Games will involve 11,000 athletes from 206 nations and territories, all affected differently by COVID-19. Add to this 4,400 more Par- alympians and thousands more offi- cials, judges, VIPs, media, broadcasters and sponsors who will also need to enter Japan. Will tens of thousands of non-Jap- anese fans be allowed to attend, or will the Games be for only Japanese Spectators wearing protective masks watch athletes’ performances at spectators? Friendship and Solidarity Competition, the first international event at a Tokyo organisers and the Interna- Tokyo Olympic venue since the Games were postponed in March due to tional Olympic Committee have given the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, in Tokyo, Japan, yesterday. few details and concrete plans are not expected until next year when a vaccine and rapid testing might be available to way,” he added. “But I would like people President Thomas Bach and Vice Pres- - even inside the hotel. I wanted to have expensive Summer Olympics on record. resolve some problems. Kohei Uch- to change their minds from: We can’t ident John Coates have acknowledged a tour of Tokyo. But it’s impossible to Just over 1,800 people in Japan have imura, Japan’s three-time Olympic gold hold the Olympics to how can we do this. Fans entering the stadium, which do that this time. I totally died from COVID-19. Japan has con- medal gymnast, set out the problem it?” was the venue for swimming in the ‘64 understand.” trolled the virus better than most, very clearly after yesterday’s exhibition Uchimura pointed out that many Olympics, had temperatures taken and Japan is officially spending $12.6bn although Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga meet. athletes had not been able to practice hands sanitized. Seating was spread out to organize the Olympics, although a warned on Friday of a resurgence of “Unfortunately, 80% of the Japanese and many have gone the entire year and everyone wore masks, a standard government audit last year said it was the coronavirus in Japan. The north- don’t believe that the Tokyo Olympics without any competition. practice everywhere in Japan. And twice that much. All but $5.6bn is public ernmost island of Hokkaido also raised can take place as a result of the If the Olympics happen, these will cheering was not allowed. money. warning levels last week. COVID-19 pandemic,” he said, speaking not be Olympics like any other. Rules “My only problem is my life inside Over and above this, estimates Gymnastics organizers also said the after the meet in Japanese on a public- will be strict. Travel will be limited. And the hotel,” Angelina Melnikova, who suggest the postponement will cost southern Japanese city of Kitakyushu address system to fans in the Yoyogi despite all the precautions, some ath- won silver at the 2016 Olympics in Rio another $2bn to $3bn. The University will hold the 2021 world championships National Stadium. letes are bound to get COVID-19 and be de Janeiro, said before the meet. “I was of Oxford published a study in Sep- in artistic and rhythmic gymnastics on “I know it is natural to think this removed from the competition. IOC surprised that I couldn’t walk freely tember showing these are the most Oct. 17-31. Mir cruises to European Grand NZ tips scales for Priz victory in Suzuki one-two smaller rugby players AFP - WELLINGTON VALENCIA REUTERS - EUROPEAN MOTOGP RESULTS AND STANDINGS The tackles still crunch and the darks arts of the front row remain, Suzuki’s Joan Mir edged out team mate Alex but don’t expect to see the big men fly in New Zealand’s weight- Rins to claim his maiden MotoGP victory MOTOGP restricted rugby competition. at the European Grand Prix in Valencia 1. Joan Mir (ESP/Suzuki): 41min 37.297, 2. Alex Rins (ESP/Suzuki) at 0.651sec, 3. Pol Espargaro New Zealand Rugby set up a national tournament this year yesterday, extending his lead at the top of (ESP/KTM) 1.203, 4. Takaaki Nakagami (JPN/Honda-LCR) 2.194, 5. Miguel Oliveira (POR/ that allows only players weighing 85 kilograms (187lb, 13st 5lb) the world championship standings. KTM-Tech3) 8.046, 6. Jack Miller (AUS/Ducati-Pramac) 8.755, 7. Brad Binder (RSA/KTM) or less to compete, an innovation that has proved immensely Starting fifth on the grid, Mir moved up 10.137, 8. Andrea Dovizioso (ITA/Ducati) 10.801, 9. Johann Zarco (FRA/Ducati-Avintia) popular among the game’s grassroots. to second inside the opening three laps 11.550, 10. Danilo Petrucci (ITA/Ducati) 16.803 Former All Blacks coach Sir Graham Henry believes the com- before overhauling Rins with 11 laps Selected: 14. Fabio Quartararo (FRA/Yamaha-SRT) 39.639 petition will lift flagging player participation rates and has the remaining at Ricardo Tormo Circuit. potential to boost the game’s appeal in Asia. Mir absorbed the pressure from Rins to MOTOGP STANDINGS AFTER 12 OF 14 RACES “Since the advent of professionalism, there’s probably been become the ninth different winner of the 1. Joan Mir (ESP) 162 points, 2. Fabio Quartararo (FRA) 125, 3. Alex Rins (ESP) 125, 4. a focus on the elite, rather than everybody,” Henry, who guided 2020 premier class season, while pole-sitter Maverick Vinales (ESP) 121, 5. Franco Morbidelli (ITA) 117, 6. Andrea Dovizioso (ITA) 117, the All Blacks to World Cup success in 2011, said. “This gives an Pol Espargaro took the final podium spot 7. Pol Espargaro (ESP) 106, 8. Takaaki Nakagami (JPN) 105, 9. Jack Miller (AUS) 92, 10. opportunity for those who can’t compete because they’re smaller on his KTM. to fulfil their ambitions and keeps them in the game.” Miguel Oliveira (POR) 90 After getting on the podium in five of A case in point is Joel Taylor, captain of the Eden Lizards, who the previous six races, Mir’s victory has won the competition final against Auckland University Squids MOTO2 made him a heavy favourite to become 27-24 on Saturday at Eden Park, the spiritual home of New Zealand world champion and end Marc Marquez’s 1. Marco Bezzecchi (ITA/Kalex) 40min 06.441sec, 2. Jorge Martin (ESP/Kalex) at 1.941sec, rugby. four-year reign. 3. Remy Gardner (AUS/Kalex) 3.553, 4. Enea Bastianini (ITA/Kalex) 4.494, 5. Lorenzo Taylor, who describes himself as “a comfortable 83kg”, was “I feel super happy. This is what I was Baldassarri (ITA/Kalex) 4.648 unsure if he would still be playing rugby if the weight-restricted missing and it comes at the perfect game was not an option. moment,” Mir, 23, said. “The team did an MOTO2 STANDINGS AFTER 13 OF 15 RACES The 27-year-old advertising executive is a flanker, a position unbelievable job this weekend and I felt 1. Enea Bastianini (ITA/Kalex) 184, 2. Sam Lowes (GBR/Kalex) 178 pts, 3. Luca Marini (ITA/ where elite players often weigh in excess of 110kg. really good with the bike.” Kalex) 165, 4. Marco Bezzecchi (ITA/Kalex) 155, 5. Jorge Martin (ESP/Kalex) 125 “It’s definitely nice to be one of the bigger blokes on the field,” Petronas Yamaha’s Fabio Quartararo he said. New Zealand Rugby’s head of participation and devel- started 14 points behind Mir in the title race opment Steve Lancaster said the competition emerged after the but the Frenchman went down on the Italian great Valentino Rossi, who exceeded his engine allocation, finished a union held focus groups to examine ways to address declining opening lap along with Aprillia’s Aleix missed the last two rounds due to a pos- disappointing 13th to drop down to fourth player numbers. Espargaro. itive COVID-19 test, pulled out on lap five in the title standings. “The reality in open-grade rugby is there can be a big size and Quartararo, the only rider to win three due to a mechanical failure in his factory The championship continues in weight disparity and that creates physical mismatches,” he said. races this season, was able to remount and Yamaha bike. Valencia next weekend and another podium “At this grade, you’ve got a cohort of players that are all within a finish 14th but his title hopes are all but His team mate Maverick Vinales, forced finish for Mir would see him crowned world relatively close weight range and it leads to a much more even over, with the gap to Mir now 37 points. to start from the pitlane after Yamaha champion. competition.” Sport MONDAY 9 NOVEMBER 2020 08 Record-setting Roglic defends Vuelta crown

AFP – MADRID Jumbo-Visma’s Primoz Roglic (centre) celebrates VUELTA A ESPANA SUMMARIES on the podium after winning the Vuelta a Espana STAGE 18 WINNERS Slovenia's Primoz Roglic alongside second placed INEOS Grenadiers’ 1. Pascal Ackermann (GER) BORA - hansgrohe 3:28:13 2. Sam Bennett (IRL) Deceuninck won the Vuelta a Espana for Richard Carapaz and third placed EF Pro Cycling’s - Quick-Step " 3. Max Kanter (GER) Team Sunweb " 4. Jasper Philipsen (BEL) UAE Team Emirates " 5. Jasha Sütterlin (GER) Team Sunweb " 6. Emmanuel Morin (FRA) the second time in as many Hugh Carthy, in Madrid, Spain, yesterday. Cofidis " 7. Reinardt Janse van Rensburg NTT Pro Cycling Team " (RSA) 8. Lorrenzo years on Sunday to make up Manzin (FRA) Total Direct Energie " 9. Robert Stannard (AUS) Mitchelton - Scott " for his crushing disap- 10. Jon Aberasturi (ESP) Caja Rural - Seguros RGA " pointment at the Tour de France. OVERALL LEADERS Jumbo-Visma's Roglic 1. Primož Roglic (SLO) Jumbo - Visma 72:46:12 2. Richard Carapaz (ECU) INEOS becomes the first rider to Grenadiers +24 3. Hugh Carthy (GBR) EF Pro Cycling +1:15 4. Daniel Martin (IRL) defend the Vuelta since Rob- Israel Start-Up Nation +2:43 5. Enric Mas (ESP) Movistar Team +3:36 6. Wout Poels erto Heras in 2005, with (NED) Bahrain - McLaren +7:16 7. David De La Cruz (ESP) UAE Team Emirates +7:35 Germany's Pascal Ackermann 8. David Gaudu (FRA) Groupama - FDJ +7:45 9. Felix Großschartner (AUT) BORA - clinching the 18th and final hansgrohe +8:15 10. Alejandro Valverde (ESP) Movistar Team +9:34 stage victory in Madrid. Ecuadorian Richard Car- apaz finished runner-up after leading the general classi- fication for five stages and putting Roglic under intense pressure in the penultimate stage on Saturday. But Roglic rallied to avoid another collapse and instead took a 24-second advantage this time around, the 31-year- at the finish and I was ask- It was a final-stage pro- into the last day, which he old a deserved winner and ing Sam who won," said cession for Roglic, who linked maintained to cross the line arguably rider of the year at Ackermann. arms with Carapaz and as a worthy champion. the end of an unprecedented "The team are so happy Carthy en route to Madrid, Britain's Hugh Carthy cycling season. about the victory and I have with the podium separated secured third place while Ackermann of Bora- to say thank you to my team- by only 75 seconds. Ireland's Dan Martin and Hansgrohe edged the final mates. I think that today was "My whole team is spe- Spaniard Enric Mas com- stage win in a photo-finish an amazing lead-out. You cial and we've done special pleted the top five. with Sam Bennett of Deceu- could see it on the television. things all year," said Roglic Roglic's triumph will taste ninck-Quick Step. Sunweb's I'm really happy to take the earlier on Sunday. particularly sweet after a late Max Kanter came third. victory, and I'm just so happy." "This Vuelta they've collapse cost him victory in Bennett looked like he The day though belonged pushed even when we've not the Tour in September, when might edge it when the Irish- to Roglic, who had never been been in our best moments. he fell away at the end, allow- man powered through in a fast lower than fourth in the over- We've done our best and it's ing compatriot Tadej Pogacar and furious last 100 metres all race and now has a second been amazing. I'm really Team Jumbo’s Slovenian rider Primoz Roglic (left) is congratulated for winning the to claim first place. but Ackermann held on. success to go with his 11 stage happy and glad that I'm part 2020 La Vuelta at the end of the 18th and final stage of the 2020 La Vuelta, yesterday. There was no flinching "I wasn't sure who won wins in the Grand Tours. of this team." Unbeaten Magnussen says 'overkill' to strip Australia’s London medals REUTERS – MELBOURNE of Arbitration for Sport of the guys in that team, Haney (CAS) hearing rules against it’s the only medal Former world champion them. they’ve got. It would be I didn’t swim in the heat swimmer James Magnussen Magnussen, who was an even bigger blow to of that relay ... He didn’t dominates (pictured) has said it would be informed of the case in an them.” stand there on the “overkill” to strip Australia’s email from Rickard, said it Rickard told the podium, he didn’t have entire 2012 men’s medley relay would be “a long bow” for team he took over-the- Cuba’s team of their bronze medals CAS to cancel the whole counter medication in an impact on the result from the London Olympics after team’s medals. the week before the test of that race. You never Gamboa a retrospective positive drug “When I first read the in 2012, which might want to give up an test for Brenton Rickard. message (from Rickard), I have contained the Rickard, who swam a heat was wondering what it had diuretic. Olympic medal and for AFP – MIAMI in the 4x100 medley and took to do with me. But then he He said he planned some of the guys in that no part in the final, tested pos- said he was a heat to fight any move to dis- team, it’s the only medal Undefeated Devin Haney itive for a banned diuretic in a swimmer in the medley qualify the London they’ve got. It would be easily beat former title-holder rescreening of the sample he relay team, so they are results. Yuriorkis Gamboa by a unan- gave eight years ago.. thinking about taking your Magnussen said it an even bigger blow to imous decision on Saturday The team’s six swimmers, medal,” Magnussen told was a “hard situation” them: Former world night to defend his World including twice 100-metre local broadcaster Nine for Rickard. champion swimmer Network Boxing Council lightweight freestyle world champion Mag- late on Saturday. have an impact on the result of “You have to feel for him James Magnussen belt in Florida. nussen, could become the first “I didn’t swim in the heat of that race. because how do you defend Haney, who was fighting Australians to lose Olympic that relay ... He didn’t stand “You never want to give up yourself eight years later? It’s a for the first time since last medals from doping if a Court there on the podium, he didn’t an Olympic medal and for some hard situation for him.” November after suffering from a shoulder surgery, cruised to victory over Cuban Action during game five of the 2019 NBA Finals between veteran Gamboa in the Golden State Warriors and Toronto Raptors. Cowboys’ Gilbert 12-round bout. Two judges gave the 21-year-old Haney majority ready for first points for every round while the other judge had Haney winning all the rounds except NFL start against for two. Because of the global pandemic, which has gripped the Steelers the US for the past seven months killing over 230,000 AP – ARLINGTON, TEXAS Americans, no spectators were allowed inside the Hard Garrett Gilbert appears set for his first NFL start for Rock Hotel in Hollywood, the Dallas Cowboys against the rival Pittsburgh Steelers. Florida. The NFL Network, citing unidentified sources, Haney improved to 25-0 reported the Cowboys planned to start Gilbert at home with 15 knockouts while yesterday. Gamboa lost his second Gilbert’s agent, Leigh Steinberg, posted on Twitter straight bout to drop to 30-3 that he was travelling to “see Garrett Gilbert start” with 18 KOs. against the Steelers. Haney underwent Players' Union approves The Cowboys will start their fourth different quar- shoulder surgery in Los terback in the past five games. Star Dak Prescott is out Angeles in January after for the season after breaking his ankle in Week 5 beating Dominican challenger against the New York Giants. Two weeks later, Andy Alfredo Santiago two months NBA’s December 22 tipoff Dalton was knocked out of a game in Washington earlier. because of a concussion and has since been placed on The 38-year-old Gamboa the COVID-19 list. looked Saturday to be in the AFP – NEW YORK a start date of December 22, 2020 play-offs before the Tokyo Ben DiNucci started last week’s 23-9 loss to Phil- twilight of his boxing career for the 2020-2021 NBA season,” Olympics in mid-July -- will be adelphia, but the rookie seventh-round pick was so which at one time included The National Basketball Players it said in a statement. worth between $500m and $1bn overmatched, coach Mike McCarthy said the starter winning a gold medal at the Association said on Thursday Additional details on to a league that is set to lose against Pittsburgh would be either Gilbert or Cooper 2004 Olympics. night it voted in favour of remaining issues were still to be money this year. Rush. Neither has started an NFL game, but both have Gamboa’s best rounds working towards a late negotiated, the statement added Players would face giving 18 been in the league much longer than DiNucci. were early in the fight as he December start date to the without details, but said the percent of their salary to the Gilbert’s first start would come six years after he appeared to tire late, spending 2020-21 season and a planned NBPA were confident that an league for the next two years, was drafted by the Rams. He has thrown six passes in more time clinching in the ring 72-game season. agreement would be reached. sharing the losses while keeping his career. Dallas signed him off Cleveland’s practice than throwing any meaningful The players union voted to The league plans to start the salary cap levels in place to avoid squad after Prescott’s injury. Rush was Prescott’s punches. “tentatively approve” a season with no spectators roster issues for teams. backup for most of three seasons before the Cowboys Haney rocked Gamboa December 22 start date that the allowed in team arenas as coro- NBA players had been signed Andy Dalton in the offseason. Dalton started with several solid jabs and left owners have expressed interest navirus restrictions ban major reluctant to start so soon after an for nine years in Cincinnati before the Bengals drafted hooks but was unable to get in. The vote was conducted by indoor public gatherings. October finish, with some Joe Burrow No. 1 overall and moved on from Dalton. the knockout. the NBPA’s board which is made Other matters that must still pushing for a January start on the Dallas waived Rush after signing Dalton, and Rush He had been hoping to up of player representatives from be resolved are how players’ sal- Martin Luther King Jr. holiday ended up on the practice squad of the New York Giants score an impressive victory so each team. aries will be managed, as well as even if it meant less money for before his release in late September. Rush rejoined the he could land a shot at a uni- The players association how the league will conduct fewer games and an August Cowboys after Dalton’s concussion. fication showdown with stressed that the vote is part of a Covid-19 testing while the global finish. The Cowboys were expecting Dalton to return unbeaten Teofimo Lopez who lengthy process in which a pandemic still rages through the A deal would be needed against Pittsburgh before the COVID-19 issue arose. holds all the other major word number of issues still need to be US. quickly to begin a turnaround for McCarthy says Dalton should return late next week, titles in the 135-pound resolved. The NBA, according to US the 2020-21 campaign, including when Dallas has its bye. Gilbert is the son of former division. “The Board of Player Repre- media, said starting before a planned November 18 NBA NFL quarterback Gale Gilbert, who was the backup to Three weeks ago Lopez sentatives of the National Bas- Christmas Day -- keeping the draft, the start of free agency and Jim Kelly on all four Buffalo teams that reached the boosted his record to 16-0 ketball Players Association traditional holiday television pre-season training camps that Super Bowl in the 1990s. He started for the Texas Long- after defeating Ukraine’s Vasyl (NBPA) has tentatively approved matches while finishing the would open around December 1. horns in 2010-11 before losing his job and eventually Lomachenko. transferring to SMU.