Badr Mubarak Al Marri wins first horseback archery Al Nashaab Championship page 14 WEDNESday, DECEMBER 30, 2020 Rising stars & champion boys among 2021 Doha qualifiers

Tribune News Network Doha

Rising stars and former Australian Open boys’ singles champions Sebastian Korda (AO 2018) and Lorenzo Mu- setti (AO 2019) are headlining a thrilling entry list of talents that will be on display at the Australian Open 2021 men’s qualifiers in Doha. The tournament, to be held from Sunday 10 to Wednesday 13 January at the Khalifa International and Squash Complex in Doha, will feature a total of 128 play- ers who will be competing for sixteen qualifying spots in the Australian Open main draw to be held in Melbourne from February 8 to 21. World No.118-ranked Kor- da, a 20-year-old American who made the fourth round at American-born Sebastian Korda, son of former Czech tennis star , had faced Rafael Nadal in the Italian Lorenzo Musetti became the youngest ATP Tour semi-finalist at 2019 Antwerp Open in Sardinia. He Roland Garros as a qualifier quarter-finals. He won the Australian Open Boys’ singles title in 2018. won the Australian Open Boys’ singles title in 2019. earlier this year, is the son of AO 1998 champion Petr Korda. draw include former world No.5 qualifying event in Doha,” three qualifying matches to of the confidence the tennis World No.128-ranked Mu- Tommy Robredo, an Austral- Australian Open Tournament qualify for the main draw and family have in us as wonder- setti, aged 18, also enjoyed a ian Open 2007 quarter-finalist, Director Craig Tiley said. all matches are best of three ful hosts, and we are grateful breakout 2020 season, win- and 36-year-old Italian Andreas He also said, “Staging the sets. Following the event the for the opportunity. All the ning his maiden ATP Chal- Seppi, a former world No.18 AO qualifying event, and pro- 16 qualifiers will be joined by participants are assured of a lenger title and scoring his who advanced to the Austral- viding players with the oppor- a further six alternate players very safe tournament and our first top-20 victory against ian Open fourth round on four tunity to both earn prize mon- and travel to Australia to un- top-notch hospitality as usual. Stan Wawrinka in Rome. occasions and boasts wins over ey and win the chance to play dertake 14 days of mandatory We look forward to welcoming Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz, and Grand Slam tennis during this quarantine with other main everybody to Doha.” a 17-year-old ranked No.141 at Melbourne Park. difficult time has been a key draw players. The qualifying draw will who won three ATP Challeng- Former world No.10 Er- objective in all our planning. Karim Alami, QTF Board take place at 3pm local time er titles in 2020 and was voted nests Gulbis, former world “I would particularly like to Member of Qatar Tennis Fed- (GMT+3) on Saturday, Janu- the ATP Tour’s Newcomer No.12 Viktor Troicki and big- in history, advanced to the sec- Harris (Vic), Thanasi Kok- thank Nasser Al Khelaifi, Karim eration, said, “We are very ary 9, and will be streamed of the Year, and France’s serving former world No.14 ond round at AO 2020, mak- kinakis (SA) and Aleksandar Alami and Qatar Tennis Fed- delighted to host the 2021 live on all QTF and AO social Hugo Gaston, a 20-year-old Ivo Karlovic will also rely on ing him the AO’s oldest singles Vukic (NSW) are also on the eration who have led the charge Australian Open qualifying media accounts as well Live who made the Roland Garros their experience at the top of match winner since Australia’s entry list. to help us stage this event due matches - the first time it is be- scoring and live streaming of fourth round in 2020, are also the game to progress to the Ken Rosewall in 1978. “We are grateful to our to the current travel restrictions ing held outside its traditional qualifying where available will on the list of players to watch. main draw. Karlovic, aged 41 Australians Alex Bolt (SA), friends in Qatar for hosting the into Australia,” he added. home in Melbourne. Selecting be hosted via ausopen.com More familiar names in the and the tallest top- 20 player Bernard Tomic (Qld), Andrew Australian Open 2021 men’s Players will need to win Doha as hosts is further proof and the AO app. India coach hails ‘one Qatar edged by Spain in handball thriller Tribune News Network Youssef Benali and Ahmed Doha Madadi all impressed in the of the great comebacks tournament, while goalkeeper Hosts Qatar went down Medan Abdi also stood out fighting 26-28 to Spain in with his terrific saving skills. in history’ their final match of the Qatar In the last few months, the International Handball Tour- Qatar team underwent several nament at the Al Duhail In- training camps besides featur- AFP door Hall on Tuesday. ing in a number of friendly Melbourne Al Annabi put up a valiant matches, including games fight against the European against top clubs of Qatar. India coach Ravi Shastri champions, but fell short in Rivera wanted to have a hailed his team’s eight- the end. At half-time Qatar camp in a European country win over Australia on Tuesday were just a point behind Spain but the travel restrictions in as one of the great comebacks of at 12-13. place due to COVID-19 pan- all time, praising their character Spain by virtue of win- demic meant Qatar had to after a crushing loss in the first ning two matches and drawing train at home. Test last week. one, topped the four-nation Meanwhile, Qatar Hand- Despite missing superstar friendly championship with ball Association President Virat Kohli, the Indians out- five points. Ahmed Al Shaabi said the tour- played the hosts in Melbourne Asian champions Qatar nament had achieved its goals. to silence their critics after be- were second with four points, “The tournament achieved its ing dismissed for 36 in Adelaide having won two matches prior objectives, which was to pro- on their way to an 8-wkt defeat. to their loss against Spain. vide teams with game time. “I think this will go down India’s cricket coach Ravi Shastri (left) shakes hands with his Australian Argentina finished third after The tournament witnessed in the annals of Indian cricket, counterpart Justin Langer at the end of the second cricket Test they edged past Tunisia 28-27 high quality matches from top world cricket, as one of the great between Australia and India at the MCG in Melbourne on Tuesday. (AFP) on Monday. Qatar Handball Federation President Ahmed Al Shaabi honours teams. All the teams that par- comebacks in the history of the The friendly tournament Qatar National football team coach Felix Sanchez on the sidelines ticipated have benefited from game,” said Shastri after they the numbers to show for it, but middle, it helped the debutants was held as Qatar and three of the Qatar-Spain handball match of the Four-nation tournament the tournament and the inter- levelled the series 1-1. the discipline and the ability to and I think it helped the bowlers other teams prepare for the at the Al Duhail Indoor Hall on Tuesday. national federation (IHF) has “To be rolled over for 36, bowl long spells was outstand- as well. It was a calming influ- World Championship in Egypt praised the organisation of the then three days later to get up ing. ence.” to be held from January 13-31. memorable matches from the had hoped to test the squad tournament. and be ready to punch was out- “More than anything, they Despite winning, India head At next month’s IHF 2019 World Championships. against tough opponents “We have received praise standing. I think the boys de- have shown great character.” into the third Test next week event, Al Annabi, drawn in The EURO 2020 runners-up ahead of the Worlds and he from officials of the IHF for serve all the credit for showing Kohli, watching at home in with selection dilemmas. Group C, open their campaign Croatia and Japan are the oth- would have been pleased with hosting this tournament in real character.” India ahead of his wife giving Shastri said they were moni- against Angola in what will be er teams in their group. what he saw from his play- the difficult times. Qatar, is India’s win was built on a birth to their first child, was toring Yadav but would be stick- a rematch of one of the most Qatar coach Valero Rivera ers. Rafael Da Costa Capote, always a safe place to host first-innings century by stand- equally impressed by what he ing with their five-bowler strat- various sporting events,” Al in Ajinkya Rahane on saw. “What a win this is, ab- egy, having included allrounder Shaabi said. their way to 326 in reply to Aus- solutely amazing effort by the Ravindra Jadeja for Melbourne. Qatar player Wagdy Sinan tralia’s 195, with young debu- whole team,” he tweeted. They also have key batsman said the tournament was a tant Shubman Gill also excel- “Couldn’t be happier for the Rohit Sharma out of mandatory vital rehearsal for the World ling with the bat. boys and specially Jinks (Ra- quarantine and ready to join the Championships. But their attack, hane) who led the team to vic- team after recovering from a “The tournament was a minus Umesh Yadav who tory amazingly.” hamstring injury. strong dress rehearsal for pulled out injured on Monday, “We will stick to five bowl- the World Championship also delivered, with a standout ‘Shrewd leader’ Rahane ers,” Shastri said. next month. We came away performance from Mohammed Shastri paid particular tribute “On Rohit, he joins the team with some useful match prac- Siraj, another on debut. to Rahane, who in contrast to tomorrow so we will have a chat tice against some tough op- Shastri said both Siraj and Kohli is a less flamboyant cap- with him to see where he is ponents. We succeeded in Gill had big futures ahead. tain, but equally effective. placed physically, because he’s achieving the goal we had set “These two debutants “He is a very shrewd leader, been in quarantine for the last out and we look forward to showed a maturity and flair and he has a good understanding of couple of weeks. working hard ahead of the discipline and it was great to the game, he’s a good reader of “We also need to see how he Worlds,” Sinan said. see,” he said. the game,” he said. feels before we make the call.” Qatar have been runners- “Today Siraj, his effort was “And I thought his calm up at the 2015 World Champi- outstanding. He might not have composure out there in the Match Report page 12  Action from Qatar-Spain match which the visistors won 28-26. onships held in Doha. 12 Wednesday, December 30, 2020 Sports Resilient India thump Aussies by eight wkts, silence critics AFP Melbourne

David Warner. Stand-in captain Ajinkya Ra- hane led India to a dominant eight-wicket win over Australia in the second Test Tuesday, lev- Injured elling the series 1-1 and capping an extraordinary turnaround Warner tipped after their record collapse in the opening game. to return for Rahane, deputising dur- ing Virat Kohli’s paternity leave, hit an unbeaten 27 in struggling Melbourne -- after a century in the first innings -- asIndia Australia reached the meagre target of 70 for the loss of two . AFP It capped a remarkable Melbourne comeback for an Indian side desperate to make amends af- Australia captain Tim ter losing in Adelaide by eight Paine Tuesday said the signs wickets, when they posted their were good for David Warner’s lowest ever score of 36 and return from injury, in a glim- were widely criticised at home. mer of hope after another me- And they bounced back diocre batting display against without superstar and batting India in the second Test. maintstay Kohli, who has re- The explosive opener, turned home for the birth of who sat out the first two Tests his first child. with a groin injury, has been “Really proud of all the badly missed as Australia’s players,” said Rahane. top order struggled to build “I want to give credit to partnerships. But he is back in the debutants (Mohammed) training and Paine said it was Siraj and (Shubman) Gill, the looking “very good” for his character they showed after return for the third Test next the Adelaide loss was great to week, after India levelled the see. Character was important series 1-1 with an eight-wicket for us.” win in Melbourne. Kohli, watching at home in India captain Ajinkya Rahane (2nd left) bumps fists with Australia skipper Tim Paine at the end of the second Test between Australia and India at the MCG in Melbourne on Tuesday.(AFP) “David looks really good India, tweeted his congratula- from what I’ve seen. He’s been tions. prit Bumrah, Ravindra Jadeja Starc was unbeaten on 14 training this week in the nets “What a win this is, ab- and Ravi Ashwin grabbing two Scoreboard with Nathan Lyon caught be- and has started running be- solutely amazing effort by each. Australia (1st innings): 195 India (2nd innings) hind off Siraj for three, and tween the wickets,” said Paine. the whole team,” he said. Rahane and Gill (35) then India (1st innings): 326 M. Agarwal c Paine b Starc 5 Hazlewood making 10. Australia (2nd innings; Overnight 133 for six) S. Gill 35 “So I think the early signs “Couldn’t be happier for the saw India home, but not be- C. Green c Jadeja b Siraj 45 C. Pujara c Green b Cummins 3 Australia’s hopes rested with him are very good for the boys and specially Jinks (Ra- fore some nervous moments. P. Cummins c Agarwal b Bumrah 22 A. Rahane not out 27 with the tail-enders after their third Test, which is awesome hane) who led the team to vic- Mitchell Starc got a nick M. Starc not out 14 Extras: 0 top order failed to fire, expos- for us.” tory amazingly.” from the out-of-form Mayank N. Lyon c Pant b Siraj 3 Total: (For two wickets, 15.5 overs) 70 ing the fragile nature of their J. Hazlewood b Ashwin 10 Fall of wickets: 1-16 (Agarwal) 2-19 (Pujara) He added that fellow Agarwal (5), which Tim Paine Extras: (lb5, nb3) 8 Bowling: Starc 4-0-20-1, Cummins 5-0-22-1, batting in the absence of the opener Will Pucovski, who has ‘Sloppy cricket’ caught, then Pat Cummins Total: (All Out, 103.1 overs) 200 Hazlewood 3-1-14-0, Lyon 2.5-0-5-0, Labuschagne injured David Warner. also missed both Tests, with a Under the mild-mannered snared Cheteshwar Pujara for Fall of wickets: 7-156 (Cummins), 8-177 (Green), 1-0-9-0; Did not bat: Hanuma Vihari, Rishabh Pant, Opener Joe Burns again concussion, was similarly “not Rahane, India battled hard to three, edged to Green at gully. 9-185 (Lyon), 10-200 (Hazlewood). Ravindra Jadeja, Ravi Ashwin, Umesh Yadav, flopped, out for four, to put his Bowling: Bumrah 27-6-54-2, Yadav 3.3-0-5-1, Siraj Mohammad Siraj, Jasprit Bumrah. far away”. dismiss Australia for 195 in the It left India on 19 for two 21.3-4-37-3, Ashwin 37.1-6-71-2, Jadeja 14-5-28-2. Toss: Australia; Result: India won by eight wickets. place in the team for the third first innings and then posted before they regained their Mohammed Siraj (right) doffs his Test next week at risk, while 326 in reply. composure to seal the win. cap as he walks off on the fourth Travis Head (17) also disap- Australia resumed their “Very disappointed, played for Australia, they were fined weather 18 overs and steer day of the second Test at the pointed and Steve Smith’s poor second innings on day four on poor cricket, sloppy cricket,” 40 percent of their match fee them to stumps. MCG. Siraj, who lost his father run continued, gone for eight. David (Warner) looks 133 for six with a two-run lead, said Australia captain Paine. and docked four World Test Green showed glimpses of during the tour, claimed five Their troubles came de- really good from what I’ve and their hopes resting on “Let’s not take anything Championship points for a his magic, cutting Ashwin and wickets on his debut. (AFP) spite India being a bowler 21-year-old rookie all-rounder away from India, they forced us slow over-rate. driving Bumrah beautifully for down following Umesh Ya- seen. He’s been training Cameron Green. to make mistakes. They bowled fours, while also exhibiting pa- ending a 146-ball stay. dav’s calf strain on Monday, this week in the nets and He made 45 as they battled beautifully, we haven’t adapted Match-winner Rahane tience. Cummins survived chanc- a further setback for a team has started running to 200 before tail-ender Josh as well as we would’ve liked. Australia had collapsed But in only his second Test, es on 15 and 19, but when already missing Mohammed Hazlewood was the last man “Disappointed as a batting to 99 for six in the run chase he was undone by Siraj, caught Bumrah took the new ball he Shami and Ishant Sharma. between the wickets. to fall before lunch. group, but two Tests to go.” on Monday before Green and by Jadeja as he looked to find finallyfell, gloving a rising de- But India’s weakened Australia captain Tim Paine Siraj took 3-37 with Jas- To make matters worse Cummins knuckled down to the boundary with a pull shot, livery to Agarwal. attack rose to the occasion.

Australia managed just 195 in their first innings in Melbourne, with Marnus La- buschagne top-scoring on 48. South Africa hammer injury-hit Lanka at Centurion They went five runs better sec- ond time round, when Cam- AFP eron Green’s 45 was the best Centurion We will try to stay positive, they could muster. Opener Joe Burns appears South Africa wrapped up vic- says Karunaratne after loss most at risk of being axed after tory by an innings and 45 runs scores of nought and four in shortly after lunch on the fourth AFP who was ruled out of the series Melbourne. day of the firstT est against Sri Centurion with a torn thigh muscle after His half-century in Adelaide Lanka at SuperSport Park in scoring an impressive 79 in the looks like an anomaly in a sea- Centurion on Tuesday. Sri Lankan captain Dimuth first innings.H e did not bat in son where he has struggled to , needing 225 Karunaratne said his team the second innings. make double figures. runs to avoid an innings de- would try to stay positive af- Karunaratne did not indi- Travis Head has also dis- feat, were bowled out for 180. ter losing the first Test against cate who might replace De Sil- appointed in both Tests, get- hit a spirited 64 South Africa by an innings va at the Wanderers but hinted ting himself in but failing to off 87 balls for the tourists and and 45 runs inside four days it could be a “youngster”. build a big score. debutant Wanindu Hasaranga at SuperSport Park in Centu- Asked if changes to the slammed 59 off 53 balls, taking rion on Tuesday. Good feeling batting line-up were inevita- advantage as South Africa seem- Karunaratne bemoaned New South African captain ble, Paine insisted: “No, not ingly tried to lift their over-rate the injuries that derailed said South necessarily.” by rushing through six overs of his bowling attack, with fast Africa’s firstT est win since the “You just need to bat bet- slow bowling after lunch. bowlers Kasun Rajitha and corresponding match against ter. It doesn’t matter who’s Sri Lanka resumed at 65 Lahiru Kumara both suffer- England at the same venue last out there, we need to be scor- for two on Tuesday but never ing groin injuries and being December “feels really good”. ing runs, that’s our job as the recovered after all-rounder unable to bowl again. De Kock said he was dis- top seven of the Australian Wiaan Mulder dismissed over- “We were in the driving appointed with South Africa’s cricket team,” he added. night batsman Dinesh Chan- South Africa’s Temba Bavuma (front centre) celebrates with teammates after catching the ball leading to seat after scoring nearly 400 bowling performance at the “But if you’re not, obvi- dimal and Niroshan Dickwella the dismissal of Sri Lanka’s Wanindu Hasaranga on the fourth day of their first Test at SuperSport Park in runs,” the skipper said. “We start of Sri Lanka’s first innings ously they’ll look for other in quick succession. Centurion on Tuesday. (AFP) were doing pretty well as a but “we came back nicely” to- people.” Batsman Dhananjaya de batting unit but we lost a cou- wards the end of the innings. Steve Smith, the world’s Silva, who retired hurt after by having Niroshan Dickwella ple of bowlers.” He said a strong batting top Test batsman, has also making 79 in the first innings, Scoreboard caught behind. He provided Karunaratne said Rajitha performance had been set up struggled for runs in the se- did not bat for Sri Lanka. He Sri Lanka (1st innings): 396 D. de Silva absent hurt the control that was missing and Kumara would not have by openers Dean Elgar and ries, but Paine said he was not was ruled out of the rest of the South Africa (1st innings): 621 Extras: (b4, lb2, nb3) 10 from much of South Africa’s time to recover before the Aiden Markram, who put on Sri Lanka (2nd innings; Overnight 65-2) Total: (All Out, 46.1 overs) 180 concerned, crediting India’s tour with a torn thigh muscle. D. Karunaratne b Ngidi 6 Fall of wickets: 1-10 (Karunaratne), 2-22 (Mendis), bowling in the first innings second and finalT est, which 141 for the first wicket. bowlers for executing so well. Sri Lanka suffered a spate K. Perera c De Kock b Nortje 64 3-85 (Chandimal), 4-99 (Dickwella), 5-114 (Perera), during a spell of two for 29 in starts at the Wanderers in Jo- “Getting off to a great start “Steve in particular just of injuries during the match K. Mendis c Van der Dussen b Ngidi 0 6-142 (Shanaka), 7-148 (Fernando), 8-179 nine overs. hannesburg on Sunday. always helps the team. There hasn’t been able to get in yet. but bowlers Kasun Rajitha and D. Chandimal b Mulder 25 (Hasaranga), 9-180 (Rajitha). Fast bowler Anrich Nortje But he expected key bowl- were quite a lot of demons N. Dickwella c De Kock b Mulder 10 Bowling: Ngidi 10-2-38-2 (1nb), Nortje 10.1-1-47-2 Once he does, he’ll find a way, Lahiru Kumara hobbled to the D. Shanaka c De Kock b Sipamla 6 (1nb), Mulder 12-1-39-2 (1nb), Sipamla 5-0-24-2, had the left-handed Perera er to have in the wicket but they played he always does, and the rest of crease to delay the inevitable. W. Hasaranga c Bavuma b Sipamla 59 Maharaj 6-3-20-0, Markram 3-2-6-0. Toss: Sri Lanka. caught behind off a faint edge, recovered from the hamstring some great cricket shots and us will follow suit,” he said. Both suffered groin injuries V. Fernando run out (Maharaj) 0 Result: South Africa won by an innings and 45 runs. with South Africa successfully injury which kept him out of showed great intent and that Paine blamed the loss in- while bowling. K. Rajitha c Maharaj b Nortje 0 Series: South Africa lead the two-match series 1-0. reviewing what was originally the firstT est, while fast bowler filtered through to the rest of side four days in Melbourne Sri Lanka started the L. Kumara not out 0 Remaining match: January 3-7, . a not-out decision. Perera hit Dushmantha Chameera was the batting line-up.” not only on their batting woes match well, making 396 after 10 fours. waiting in the wings. He praised Du Plessis and but “a sloppy performance in winning the toss but an injury- ond win in eight matches in the end of Monday’s play, re- Debutant Lutho Sipamla “We have another game to Temba Bavuma for rebuild- the field”. depleted bowling attack con- the world Test championship. sumed his innings on Tuesday and Nortje both finished with go and I will try to keep them ing the innings after a flurry “Credit to India, they ceded 621 runs when South They have suffered six defeats. and survived for 40 minutes two wickets, while Vishwa together. We need to keep a of wickets left South Africa on forced us into mistakes with Africa batted, with former cap- Sri Lanka have won one, lost before being bowled for 25 by Fernando was run out without positive mindset. Suranga and 220 for four. “It’s important the bat, ball and also on the tain hitting 199. three and drawn one of their a ball from the medium-paced scoring. Dushmantha can do a good that senior guys in the team field. And when you do that Du Plessis was named man of five matches. Mulder which cut back off the The second and finalT est job for us,” he said. stand up. There’s no better against a quality team, it the match. Chandimal, who appeared pitch. starts in nearby Johannesburg Sri Lanka also lost bats- person to have in that situa- costs you.” It was South Africa’s sec- to suffer a groin injury towards Mulder, 22, followed up on Sunday. man , tion than Faf,” he said. Sports Wednesday, December 30, 2020 13 PSG confirm Tuchel departure, Pochettino favourite to take over AFP his opening match in charge will reported that he is organising Paris be January 6’s trip to Saint- a huge New Year’s Eve party Etienne on Ligue 1’s resumption despite the coronavirus pan- Paris Saint-Germain on I would like to thank after the winter break. demic – claims his lawyers Tuesday confirmed the sack- Thomas Tuchel and his staff Then, on February 16, the have denied. ing of coach Thomas Tuchel, for everything they brought Argentinian could face his first Pochettino is the son of a who had been at the club since to the club. Thomas has put massive test against his com- farmer from Murphy, in the July 2018, but did not name a lot of energy and passion patriot Lionel Messi’s Barce- north of Argentina. his successor. lona, with the return leg on He is known as a stickler “After an in-depth analy- into the job, and we will of March 6. for detail, which coupled with sis of its sporting situation, course remember the good Pochettino was let go after his tactical acumen, devotion Paris Saint-Germain decided moments we shared five and a half years at Tot- to an attractive style of play to terminate Thomas Tuchel’s together. I wish him all the tenham in the aftermath of and his popularity amongst contract,” the French giants best for the future leading the north London side Parisian fans, makes him a po- announced in a statement. to their first ever appearance tentially ideal fit as the new oc- Argentinian Mauricio Po- PSG President Nasser in a Champions League final cupant of the PSG dugout. chettino, the ex-Tottenham Al Khelaifi. against Liverpool in 2019. He would have under his coach and a former PSG play- Although he has yet to wing several compatriots such er, is widely reported to be the win any silverware the former as Mauro Icardi, Angel Di Ma- favourite to take over. Despite appearing to be PSG defender’s stock is high in ria and Leandro Paredes. Tuchel, whose axing was adept at man-managing PSG’s managerial circles. His anticipated arrival be- widely reported but uncon- squad of superstar players The Parisians will be fore the winter transfer win- firmed last week, managed such as Neymar and Kylian keen to complete his signing dow will allow him to bring PSG 127 times in all competi- Mbappe, Tuchel reportedly and avoid missing their man in new faces, potentially one tions, with 95 wins, 12 draws upset the Qatari-backed club who has been linked to the former Spurs charge, Inter and 20 defeats. after complaining about an Thomas Tuchel with Paris Saint-Germain President Nasser Al Khelaifi at the Khalifa International Tennis likes of Real Madrid, Man- Milan’s attacking midfielder His trophy haul featured apparent lack of recognition at and Squash Complex in Doha. chester United and Barca in Christian Eriksen. two Ligue 1 titles (2019, 2020) leading PSG to the Champions recent months. And looking further ahead, as well as the French Cup and League final. job, and we will of course re- to leave mid-season since a last 16 Champions League Importantly, Pochet- given their Argentine ties, Po- French League Cup in 2020. “I would like to thank member the good moments Antoine Kombouare was re- clash with Barcelona and PSG tino, like Tuchel, is at ease chettino may be the catalyst The 47-year-old German Thomas Tuchel and his staff we shared together. I wish him placed by Carlo Ancelotti in sitting third in Ligue 1 – a in man-managing a dressing for six-time Ballon d’Or win- also led the Parisian club for all they have contributed to all the best for the future.” December 2011. point shy of leaders Lyon – room crammed with a galaxy ner Messi to start regarding to their first ever Champi- the club,” said PSG chairman Less than three months on despite being plagued by inju- of stars. PSG as potential new employ- ons League final lastA ugust, Nasser Al Khelaifi. from the final defeat to Bayern Barca date looms ries, suspensions and corona- Neymar has been at the ers when he is free to move which they lost 1-0 to Bayern “Thomas has put a lot of Munich in Lisbon, Tuchel has Tuchel departs the Parc virus infections. centre of new controversy this from the Camp Nou at the end Munich. energy and passion into the become the first PSG coach des Princes having secured Should Pochettino take over, week after Brazilian media of the season. ATP adjusts 2021 tennis PREMIER LEAGUE calendar, Qatar ExxonMobil Arsenal ease pressure on coach Open scheduled for March Arteta amid Covid concerns

AFP strike in off the post before Indian Wells London Jack Harrison slotted home the third after a neat one-two on hold Arsenal further eased the with Patrick Bamford. AFP pressure on manager Mikel Rodrigo’s deflected strike Paris Arteta with a 1-0 win at made it 4-0 before half-time Brighton on Tuesday, but the and Raphinha’s powerful The coronavirus pandemic continuation of the Premier strike into the top corner in- continues to reshape the men’s League in the coming weeks flicted Sam Allardyce’s heav- tennis calendar with Indian was cast into doubt after a iest ever home defeat in the Wells absent from the sched- record 18 positive tests for Premier League. ule for the eight weeks follow- coronavirus among players Sheffield United are the ing the Australian Open, re- and staff earlier in the day. only side below West Brom leased by the ATP on Tuesday. After Manchester City’s in the table and their chances Indian Wells in California trip to Everton on Monday of survival are diminishing is traditionally the first Mas- was postponed due to a Covid rapidly with just two points ters event of the year on the outbreak in Pep Guardiola’s from their opening 16 games. men’s tour and runs alongside squad, all five matches sched- Ben Mee scored the only a women’s tournament. uled for Tuesday went ahead goal at Turf Moor as Burnley The ATP said that “due to despite disruption for Sheffield moved five points clear of the the impact of COVID-19” it United and Southampton. relegation zone and above would not be held on “its cus- Bottom-of-the-table Brighton into 16th. tomary dates in March.” United revealed they had Southampton missed the The tournament organis- pushed back to February 8-21 Aires host events starting on suffered a number of positive chance to move into the top ers released a statement say- in a reconfigured schedule for Monday, March 1 and Santiago, Covid-19 cases but were still four as they failed to score for ing: “This decision was made the first seven weeks of 2021 Doha and Marseille hold tour- able to field a squad of 18 for the third consecutive game in after thorough consultation released on December 17. naments the following week. their 1-0 defeat at Burnley. a 0-0 draw with West Ham. with state and local health On Tuesday, the ATP said The tournaments in Aca- Southampton manager Danny Ings had an early authorities.” that the Australian Open, the pulco and Dubai will be played Ralph Hasenhuttl coached goal ruled out for offside “The tournament is pro- men’s tour would be followed in the week of March 8. his side from his home for a against Che Adams and de- actively working with the ATP by European indoor events The ATP had already an- 0-0 draw against West Ham spite the Saints’ dominance and WTA Tours as well as title and swings through Latin nounced that events not tak- after a member of his house- they were nearly hit by a sponsor BNP Paribas to con- American and the Middle East ing place in 2021 due to the hold tested positive. sucker punch late on when firm dates later in the year to leading up to the Miami Open, pandemic would include the On the field,A rsenal eased Alex McCarthy had to spread hold the event.” a Masters event, from March ASB Classic in Auckland and fears they could be dragged himself to block Said Ben- California is suffering a 24 to April 4. the New York Open, while the into a relegation battle with a rahma’s shot from point- spike in virus cases. Under the revised sched- Maharashtra Open in India is 3-1 win over Chelsea on Sat- blank range. “As of December 28, ule, the week following the under a cloud. urday and can now look up Southampton remain California has 2,155,976 con- Australian Open will offer The Rio Open will not take the table with hope thanks to Arsenal’s French striker Alexandre Lacazette (centre) celebrates ninth with West Ham three firmed cases of COVID-19, tournaments in Cordoba in place as originally scheduled, consecutive league wins for scoring during the English Premier League match against Brighton points further back in 10th. resulting in 24,284 deaths. Argentina and Montpellier in with the ATP saying alternative the first time since the open- and Hove Albion at the American Express Community Stadium in Manchester United can The number of COVID-related France. They replace events in dates were being considered. ing two games of the season. Brighton, England, on Tuesday. (AFP) move up to second and deaths increased by 0.3 per- Santiago in Chile, which has The ATP said that “all sub- Pierre-Emerick Au- within two points of leaders cent from the prior day total of been pushed back two weeks, sequent sections of the 2021 bameyang returned from in- 26 seconds after coming on evaporated in a 5-0 hammer- Liverpool when they host 24,220,” the state government Acapulco and Dubai, which calendar, beginning with the jury in the place of Alexandre Victory moves the Gun- ing by Leeds. Wolves later on Tuesday at said on Monday. have been pushed back by spring clay-court season from Lacazette in the only change ners up to 13th, within seven A miserable night for West Old Trafford. The tournament organis- three weeks. week 14, remain unchanged at made by Arteta. points of the top four. Brom started with a self-in- ers said they anticipated that The following three weeks, this time.” But Lacazette came off West Brom are next up flicted wound asR omain Saw- Results new dates would be arranged. which had been left blank in It said it was looking at the the bench to make an instant for Arsenal at the weekend yers scored a remarkable own Brighton 0 Arsenal 1 (Laca- The Australian Open, orig- the ATP schedule, now contain possibility of adding one-off impact and win the game and the Baggies confidence goal as his backpass sailed zette 66) inally scheduled to start on tournaments. tournaments to fill gaps in the with a fine near-post finish after a shock 1-1 draw at Liv- past Sam Johnstone. Burnley 1 (Mee 32) Sheffield January 18, had already been Rotterdam and Buenos schedule. from Bukayo Saka’s pass just erpool on Sunday quickly Ezgjan Alioski smashed a United 0. Southee leads Kiwi charge to have Pak on the ropes AFP they are to be in contention to deliveries. Mount Maunganui Scoreboard make the World Test Champi- Azhar Ali and Haris Sohail New Zealand (1st innings): 431 (1nb), Naseem Shah 12.3-1-55-3 (4nb), Ashraf 4-1- onship final at Lords in June. provided some resistance for Swing king Tim Southee cel- Pakistan (1st innings): 239 18-0, Yasir Shah 6-0-21-0, Masood 1-0-4-0. In New Zealand’s second 15 overs and 37 runs before So- ebrated his milestone 300th New Zealand (2nd innings) Pakistan 2nd innings innings, the Pakistan quicks hail chipped Southee to Mitch- T. Latham c Abid Ali b Naseem Shah 53 S. Masood c Taylor b Southee 0 struggled to get any assistance wicket as New Zealand sensed T. Blundell b Abbas 64 Abid Ali c Watling b Boult 0 ell Santner at short cover -- victory over Pakistan at stumps K. Williamson c Rizwan b Naseem Shah 21 Azhar Ali not out 34 from the fourth-day wicket, making Southee only the third on day four of the first Test in R. Taylor not out 12 H. Sohail c Santner b Southee 9 but Southee and Trent Boult New Zealander, after Richard Mount Maunganui on Tuesday. H. Nicholls c Abbas b Naseem Shah 11 F. Alam not out 21 immediately had the ball Hadlee and Daniel Vettori, to B. Watling run out (sub/Rizwan) 5 Extras: (b4, lb2, w1) 7 New Zealand declared M. Santner not out 6 Total: (For 3 wickets; 38 overs) 71 dancing to their tune. take 300 Test wickets. their second innings at 180 for Extras: (lb2, w1, nb5) 8 Fall of wickets: 1-0 (Abid Ali), 2-0 (Masood), 3-37 Abid Ali fended a rising But Southee said the land- five and Pakistan, set an un- Total: (five wickets dec; 45.3 overs) 180 (Sohail). Boult and was caught mark delivery was not the one likely target of 373, will go into Fall of wickets: 1-111 (Blundell), 2-139 (Latham), Bowling: Southee 9-5-15-2, Boult 10-4-24-1 (1w), behind, while Shan Masood he was looking for. 3-147 (Williamson), 4-165 (Nicholls), 5-170 (Watling) Jamieson 7-6-3-0, Wagner 6-3-4-0, Santner 6-1-19-0. the final day at 71 for three. Bowling:Afridi 11-0-47-0 (1w), Abbas 11-2-33-1 Toss: Pakistan. was caught at first slip off “I would have loved one to New Zealand’s Tim Southee (centre) celebrates the wicket of Paki- Azhar Ali will resume on Southee and Pakistan were pitch off and nip away and get stan’s Haris Sohail on the fourth day of their first Test at the Bay Oval 34 with Fawad Alam on 21. The Black Caps need to sweep the two-Test series if two down for no runs after 14 caught behind,” he said. in Mount Maunganui on Tuesday. (AFP) 14 Wednesday, December 30, 2020 Sports QMMF to host FIM Bajas World Cup 3rd round in April, 2021 Tribune News Network Doha

The Qatar Motor and Motor- cycle Federation (QMMF) will host the third round of the FIM Bajas World Cup from April 8 to 10 next year. The FIM re- leased the 2021 calendar, with ten events scheduled for next year from February to October. In recent times, QMMF has promoted events of bikes, FIM Bajas World Cup 2021 calendar with the governing body host- ing two rounds at the Qatar 18 – 20 Feb. EMSO Dubai Intl. Baja * Dubai UAE Big participation National Baja in November 18 – 20 Mar. RMCJ Jordan Baja * Aqaba Jordan Qatar is hosting one of the and December. QMMF Executive Director 08 – 10 Apr. QMMF Qatar Intl. Baja * Doha Qatar rounds of the FIM World Championships for Amro Al Hamad said: “Qatar 28 – 30 May FMP Baja do Pinhal * Serta Portugal is hosting one of the rounds of Motorbikes. It’s going to the FIM World Championships 17 – 19 Jun. CBM Baja Jalapao 500 * Sao Felix do Tocantins Brazil be in April, just a couple for Motorbikes. It’s going to be 23 – 25 Jul, RFME Baja Aragon * Teruel Spain of days before Ramadan. in April, just a couple of days before Ramadan. We got a con- 05 – 08 Aug. MAMS Hungarian Baja * Varpalota Hungary We expect a lot of competitors from the firmation from FIM yesterday.” 29 Aug. - 01 Sept. FMC Atacama Baja 1 * Copiapo Chile Al Hamad expected a good Middle East. A lot of number of local entries for 02 – 04 Sept. FMC Atacama Baja 2 * Copiapo Chile riders from Doha will also the World Cup, having seen a 28 – 30 October FMP Baja Portalegre ** Portalegre Portugal participate. So this is a huge number of participants at the Qatar National Baja. Each Event in the Qualifying Series has a scoring coefficient of 1 *. very good achievement “We are hosting the event The Final has a scoring coefficient of 2 **. for QMMF to host an after Jordan, so we expect a lot The FIM released the 2021 calendar, with ten events scheduled for international event for of competitors from the Mid- next year from February to October. our local riders. dle East to compete in Qatar. There are also a lot of riders believe we will have at least rector said the World Cup, It’s going to be like a training events as well as a final.E ach points in at least one of the Qatar Motor and Motorcycle here in Doha, who will also 15 to 20 riders. There could be besides being an international ground for good riders and we event in the qualifying series events of the qualifying series. Federation (QMMF) Executive participate. So this is a very more entries as it’s a bucket exposure will also give an idea will see if they have the skills has a scoring coefficient of 1, Only these competitors will be Director Amro Al Hamad. good achievement for QMMF list for riders to compete in the of local riders’ skill level. “Will to compete in the rest of the while the final has a scoring eligible for the final ranking of to host an international event FIM Bajas World Cup. I can’t there be anyone from Qatar World Cup,” Al Hamad said. coefficient of 2. the FIM Bajas World Cup. for our local riders,” the give an exact number, but I am who is going to continue par- The FIM Bajas World Cup The final is open to all com- The final ranking of the awarded in the final. This is QMMF official said. confident locally there will be a ticipating in the World cham- will be held in a format in petitors. In order to be included FIM Bajas World Cup will be valid in all three categories “We already had 30 riders lot of riders taking part in the pionship. Maybe it’s possible. 2021, the FIM said in a state- in the ranking of the FIM Bajas established on the basis of the (Motorbikes, Quads and SSV) from Qatar taking part in the event,” Al Hamad added. We will find out that in the ment. The event takes place World Cup, competitors must two best results of the qualify- and in all three classes (wom- Qatar National Baja, so I do The QMMF Executive Di- Qatar off-road championship. over a series of qualifying have completed and scored ing series, added to the points en’s, junior and veteran).

INAUGURAL AL NASHAAB CHAMPIONSHIP Men’s handball, volleyball events attract crowds at Badr Mubarak Al Marri wins first QOC Beach Games Tribune News Network tory while the other match in horseback archery competition Doha the Group between Al Edaid and Al Soqour also ended 2-0 The ongoing maiden edition in favour of Al Edaid. of the QOC Beach Games be- In Group B, El Khafji de- QEF President ing held at the Aspire Park in feated Al Ruwais 2-0 while Al Doha has continued to gener- Hazm won against Al Nomour Hamad Al Attiyah ate massive interests from the B also by the same scoreline. says event to be populace with an increasing Meanwhile, the keenly con- number of spectators attend- tested Group A beach volley- included in ing the four different events, ball match between Al Adaam beach volleyball, beach basket- and Nawakhza ended with Al annual calendar ball 3X3, beach handball and Adaam winning 2-0 while Al beach football, daily. Nojoom were the winners in Tribune News Network The men’s beach handball their match against the Lusail Doha and the men’s volleyball were team, winning 2-1. the main attractions on Mon- With the tournament The first horseback shoot- day. The two events witnessed reaching a crescendo, football ing competition (Al Nashaab impressive attendances with fans are in for very thrilling Championship) organised by the stands almost filled to ca- encounters on Tuesday as the the Qatar Equestrian Federa- pacity -a significant indica- semi-finals of the men’s beach tion and Modern Pentathlon tion of the general acceptance football will be played. was successfully held on Mon- of not only the games but the Al Ennabi will square up day evening in cooperation with tournament as a whole. against Al Shahaniya at 5:30 the Horseback Archery Society The ticket-free tourna- pm for a chance in Saturday’s at the outdoor arena of the Qa- ment has struck a responsive final while the clash for the tar Equestrian Federation. chord with the adults and second finalists’ ticket will be A strong competition en- young since it started as it a between the Doha team and sued where Badr Mubarak Al common sight to see even the Madinat Khalifa. Marri emerged as the win- Hamad bin Abdulrahman Al Attiyah, President of Qatar and Asian Equestrian Federations, with winners, and members of the organising children rooting and cheer- The two-week QOC Beach ner in the men’s category on committee of Al Nashaab Championship. ing heartily for their favourite Games will close on Saturday, his mount Mokhlis scoring teams at the event. January 2, 2021, with a spec- 22.37 points. Four games were played in tacular closing ceremony at the Abdulaziz Al Qahtani the men’s beach handball on Aspire Park. (also riding Mokhlis) finished the day with Al Nosour going Over 500 male and female second with 20.92 points, up against Al Fohoud in Group athletes are taking part in the while Ali Al Kuwari on Izz Al- A. Al Nosour proved too hot to tournament, a legacy event of zobara was third with a score handle for their opponent as the 2019 ANOC World Beach of 19.51 points. they ran away with a 2-0 vic- Games Doha.​ In the youth category, Ab- dullah Al Jumaili stood first on his horse Fajer with 20.72 points. Abdul Rahman Al Hajri on Izz Alzobara was second with 18.94 points, and Muham- mad Al Jumaili on Fajer third with 18.65 points. Hamad bin Abdulrahman Al Attiyah, President of Qatar Hamad bin Abdulrahman Al Attiyah, President of Qatar and Asian and Asian Equestrian Fed- Equestrian Federations, honours Fuad Al Mudahka, President of erations, and Chairman of the Horseback Archery Society, and sports director of the championship. Organizing Committee of the Action from the first horseback archery competition (Al Nashaab Archery Shooting Champion- Championship) held at the outdoor arena of the Qatar Equestrian ship, praised the good turnout Federation on Monday. of horseback archers pointing out that the championship is countries and is one of the of the first edition in order to one of the competitions that heritage sports and is ex- prepare for its presence in the the federation aims to set up in pected to grow in Qatar in local calendar of the federation order to support sports tour- the future. so that it is held regularly annu- ism in the country. He noted that in the future ally and includes more than one He added that the cham- the federation will work to host round in the season. pionship was successful since the championship at an inter- Fuad Al Mudahka, Presi- its first day of qualifiers as it national level and that QEF is dent of Horseback Archery So- witnessed a great competition happy to include it in the an- ciety, confirmed that Qatar is between the horseback arch- nual calendar. the third country in the region ers who showed high enthu- For his part, Fuad Al Mu- to organise these competitions, siasm and skills in achieving dahka, the sports director of which has an international their best results. the championship, said that federation that includes more Al Attiyah explained that the event achieved the success than 30 national federations, the horseback archery com- that the organizing committee adding that the Horseback Ar- petition is spread in many was aiming for in terms of the chery Society along with the presence of a good number Qatar Equestrian Federation Fuad Al Mudahka, President of of participants at both youth will work to prepare Qatari Horseback Archery Society, and senior level. horseback archers to represent and sports director of the He said that the organizing the national teams in interna- championship, with the winners. committee will study the results tional tournaments.