THURSDAY 9 SEPTEMBER 2021 US Open: Qualifier Raducanu makes history as Sabalenka reaches semi-finals I needed extra balls kind of a little bit to move, a little bit to feel my legs, to feel the move, to feel the court. Also my serve was really, I wouldn't say terrible, but was really bad today. I was trying to find the rhythm.

Aryna Sabalenka Sport |16 2022 QUALIFIERS: Paraguay vs Venezuela, Uruguay vs Ecuador, Colombia vs Chile, Argentina vs Bolivia, Panama vs Mexico

Youssif Hassan We have benefitted from playing ‘tough matches’ in Europe, says Qatar's Youssif

THE PENINSULA – big teams that we shall play in the World Cup,” Hassan added. Qatar goalkeeper Youssif Hassan has “We could have come out better said the team had benefited immensely against Luxembourg, but we did not from playing ‘tough matches’ at the adjust to the atmosphere of the match European Qualifiers for next year's FIFA quickly. That does not mean that we World Cup. did not get a good return. We were On Tuesday, Asian champions Qatar good, especially in the second half,” he produced a fighting 1-1 draw against said. Luxembourg following two tense Regarding his absence from the matches against Portugal and Serbia national team in the last week, he con- earlier in the week. cluded: “I had to step away due to In their third match of the second injury, and I am now returning grad- leg of the UEFA Qualifiers, Ivandro ually, step by step.” Borges Sanches scored for hosts Lux- Earlier, Qatar coach Felix Sanchez embourg while Homam Alamin had also said that the team stands to equalised for Qatar. gain a lot by playing against top “Our team has benefited immensely European teams like Serbia – ranked from the experience of participating in 29 on FIFA computer – and Portugal – the European qualifiers. We faced Qatar's tries to block the ball during the match against ranked 8 in the world. strong teams such as Serbia, Portugal Luxembourg, on Tuesday. In recent times, Qatar have also and Luxembourg. Playing against was appeared in Copa America and CON- an outstanding experience,” Hassan said qualifiers as a guest team, having “The results are not important in CACAF Gold Cup to enhance player after the match on Tuesday. already qualified as hosts of the global such matches, and the most important experience ahead of next year’s World Al Annabi took part in the European football spectacle. thing is to gain experience from facing Cup. Qualifier Raducanu makes history QFA's Al Mohannadi meets Football as Sabalenka reaches semi-finals Federation President REUTERS – NEW YORK Emma Raducanu of the United THE PENINSULA – DOHA British teenager Emma Raducanu Kingdom returns the ball to produced yet another exquisite Belinda Bencic of Switzerland Saud bin Abdulaziz Al Mohannadi, Vice-President of the performance to become the first during their US Open quarter-final Qatar Football Association (QFA), received in his office qualifier to reach the US Open match, yesterday. yesterday, Shahaboddin Azizi Khadem, President of the semi-finals yesterday, defeating Football Federation Islamic Republic of Iran (FFIRI). Olympic champion Belinda Vice President of IFA, Dr. Mahad Hamy, was also present. Bencic 6-3, 6-4 on Arthur Ashe This visit comes on the sidelines of the Iranian team’s Stadium. presence in Doha. Iran played Iraq in their 2023 Asian Cup Down an early break, the and 2022 World Cup joint qualifying match at Khalifa Inter- Briton recovered swiftly to win national Stadium on Tuesday. four straight games to close out During the meeting, the officials discussed topics of the first set in which she had common interest between the two federations, the impor- seven forehand winners and three tance of initiating ways to develop football in the two coun- aces. tries in the coming months and years. Like Raducanu, Bencic had It is worth noting that the two federations have had close reached the last eight without relations over the past many years following a joint dropping a set in Flushing agreement to develop the and Qatar. Meadows but yesterday she The discussions also dealt with the consideration of struggled with her first serve and future projects at the level of exchanging experiences related misfired a pair of costly double to football and how to enhance the roles between the two faults in the opening set. to hold serve, then came back in In men's side, Felix Auger-Ali- Coming off gruelling back- sides in order to serve the game. Raducanu maintained her the second game to break a assime moved into the semi-finals to-back five-set matches, At the end of the meeting, Al Mohannadi stressed the momentum in the second set, listless Krejcikova, who had just when Spanish teenager Carlos including a third-round win over importance of continuing permanent cooperation between fending off three break points in five winners in the first set and Alcaraz retired due to an abductor Stefanos Tsitsipas, Alcaraz the two federations. the second game. struggled badly with her serve. injury while trailing 6-3 3-1. stepped onto the court with both Khadem said he was pleased to be in Qatar where ‘QFA A frustrated Bencic handed Krejcikova, who captured her The 18-year-old Spaniard legs heavily strapped and seemed has always welcomed the Iranian sides with open arms’. Raducanu a break with a double maiden major at Roland Garros showed no signs of distress as to lack the power and energy that He added that the two federations will continue to join fault in the fifth game and her this year, saw her serve broken Auger-Aliassime took the had carried him to the hands to develop football around the Asian continent. frustration boiled over as the at the start of the second set and opening set but after the quarter-finals. match progressed, the Swiss while she got a bit of her spark Canadian broke to open the "I didn't see it coming. It's smacking her racket to the back as the match went on it was second Alcaraz slumped. unfortunate to finish like this," ground. too little, too late. During the first changeover said Auger-Aliassime. "I didn't Infantino in Doha Down 0-30 in her final two Belarusian Sabalenka, who of the second set, Alcaraz called really see anything. service games, Raducanu kept her reached the semi-final at Wim- for the physiotherapist but did "Either I was too focused on The current match calendardar showsshows us thatthat nerve on both occasions and bledon, won eight of the first 10 not receive any treatment. A my game or I'm not seeing we have reached some limits...limits... wewe havehave toto soaked in the cheers of the New points in the second set and did game later, however, the things." have a system that is simple,mple, which clearlyclearly York crowd after triumphing in a not face a single break point after Spaniard turned and indicated Auger-Aliassime becomes defines when there are nationalnational teamteam nine-shot rally in the final point. fending off five of the six she faced he could not go on. the first Canadian man to reach games and when there areare club games.games. Earlier, world number two in the first set. "It's really tough to end a the US Open semi-finals where Aryna Sabalenka bulldozed her She closed out the match after great tournament like this," said he will take on second seeded FIFA President Gianni Infantinontino way past Barbora Krejcikova 6-1 one hour and 26 minutes with an Alcaraz. "I had no choice to still Daniil Medvedev of Russia. says that there are too manyny 6-4 to reach the semis for the first ace and beamed at the cheering playing. The 21-year-old joins com- meaningless games and thathat time. New York crowd. "First of all I have to take care patriot Leylah Fernandez, who such a structure was unsus-s- Sabalenka had three double "I’m really enjoying my game of my body. booked her spot in the women's tainable for the health off faults in the first game at Arthur here and every second on this "I didn't feel good to still last four earlier in the day by players and the global Ashe Stadium but still managed court," said Sabalenka playing, so I had to retire." beating Elina Svitolina. game.

Doha to host FINA World Cup Stage set for second round of Qatar National Sprint THE PENINSULA – DOHAA (HUN) on OctoberOcto 1-3, and October THE PENINSULA – DOHA Emadadhi excel in two categories, winning both Open 7-9,7-9, respectively,respe while Doha Class 2 and Production Cars Class 2 events. The Qatar Swimmingng (QAT)(QAT) aandn Kazan (RUS) will The second round of the Qatar National Sprint 2021, Abdullah Al Khelaifi (Westfield Sport - Open Class 1), Association (QSA) beganan stagestage theth two remaining legs organised by the Qatar Motor & Motorcycle Federation Abdulla Al Abbassi (Lotus Exige - Open Class 3), Henry its preparations to hostost on OcOctober 21-23 and (QMMF), will take place outside Losail International Circuit Kahy (Renault Clio - Production Class 1) and Francesco the 3rd round of thehe OctoberOctob 28-30. tomorrow. Fornaciari (Lotus Exige - Production Class 2) were the rest FINA Swimming Worldrld AllAl four stops of the The opening round of the popular series saw Ali of the winners in the opening round. Cup, which will bee at 2021 World Cup will be Hamad Aquatics Centerenter competedcomp in 25m-pools A driver next month. andand aarer qualifying events competes As per the final forfor the postponed 15th in an earlier FINA Swimming FINAF World edition of the World Cup 2021 cal- Swimming Champi- Qatar National endar, announced onships (25m) to be Sprint recently, the first held in Abu Dhabi Championship two legs will be con- (UAE) from in this file tested in Berlin December 16-21, photo. (GER) and Budapest Qatar swimmer Abdulaziz Al Obaidly 2021. Sport THURSDAY 9 SEPTEMBER 2021 15

Al Duhail look to bounce back after trophyless season, eye crown QSL: Al Sadd face tough task in title defence

FAWAD HUSSAIN THE PENINSULA FIXTURES: ROUND 1 SATURDAY Al Sadd clinched the 2020-2021 18:05 QNB Stars League (QSL) title with a clear lead of 13 points Al Gharafa vs Al Shamal over Al Duhail. It may not be the Thani Bin Jassim Stadium case again as ‘The Wolves’ are expected to face a tough chal- 20:20 lenge in their title defence in the new season, which kicks off on Qatar SC vs Al Ahli Saturday. Saoud Bin Abdulrahman Though Al Sadd – coached Stadium by Barcelona legend Xavi Her- nandez – will start as favourites 20:20 to retain the ‘Falcon Shield’ after winning the crown in a domi- Umm Salal vs Al Rayyan nating fashion, the new season Thani Bin Jassim Stadium is set to bring exciting matches and lots of surprises as all the SUNDAY clubs are ready to excel fol- 18:05 lowing extensive home and overseas and training camps. Al Wakrah vs Al Arabi Most of the clubs started Thani Bin Jassim Stadium their preseason camps in July and headed for overseas 18:05 training the following month. Al Khor vs Al Duhail Al Sadd too started their prep- Al Sadd players taking part in a training session ahead of the kick off of the new QNB Stars League Season.PIC: TWITTER/ALSADDSC Al Khor Stadium arations in the third week of July and underwent their overseas camp in Olot, Spain Al Rayyan players taking part in a practice session. 20:20 involving a couple of friendly PIC: TWITTER/@ALRAYYANSC Al Sadd vs Al Sailiya games. Al Sadd will start their Thani Bin Jassim Stadium title defense against Al Sailiya on Sunday. Xavi, who renewed his con- tract with Al Sadd for two more Turkey. The Brigadiers have seasons at the conclusion of Michael Olunga will continue signed four foreign players - 2020-2021 edition, retained Though Al Sadd – coached by to perform for the club. Moroccan Soufiane Bouftini professional players including Al Duhail set up their from Hassania Agadir, Hossein Spaniard Santi Cazorla - Best Barcelona legend Xavi overseas training camp in Kanaani from Iranian club Player Award last season - Hernandez – will start as Vienna in August and showed Persepolis, Serbian player Algerian striker Baghdad favourites to retain the ‘Falcon some good performance in Marko Jevtovic and Nigerian Bounedjah – the top scorer in Shield’ after winning the friendly matches, which include striker Patrick Eze while the league championship last crown in a dominating fashion, a 4-1 win over Al Sailiya in Doha retaining the service of Hernan season with 21 goals, and South recently. Perez. Korean Jung Woo-Young and the new season is set to bring Meanwhile, Al Rayyan, who Meanwhile, Qatar SC, who Brazilian Guillerme Torres. exciting matches and lots of finished third in the last season, finished sixth in the last Ghana’s Andre Ayew will be surprises as all the clubs are will be eyeing to capture the season, will be guided by Bra- the new player for the ready to excel following crown under Frenchman zilian Ze Ricardo, who defending champions, replacing extensive home and – a former Paris replaced Qatari coach Younes Nam Tae-Hee as the South Saint-Germain and Bordeaux. Ali. They made two big deals, Korean returned to Al Duhail, overseas training camps. The Lions retained all its signing Spaniard Javi Martinez who appear to be the main foreign players with the from Bayern Munich and challengers for Al Sadd in the exception of Argentinian Algerian Djamel Belamri while upcoming season. open their campaign against Al Gabriel Mercado as Franck keeping Youcef Belaili Al Duhail endured a tough Khor on Sunday, signed three Kom, Johan Boli, Yacine (Algeria), Anthony Okpotu last season in which they failed new foreign players including Brahimi and (Nigeria) and Bashar Resan to win a single title in a season Tunisian Ferjani Sassi, Bel- stay with the side, hoping to win (Iraq). They underwent their for the first time in 10 years, gium’s Toby Alderweireld, a title after their triumph in training camp in Serbia. triggering major changes in the former captain of English club 2015-2016. Clubs, who finished in the team. They will have a new Tottenham Hotspur and Al Rayyan, who held their respectively in the next three bottom half in the last QSL coach in Portuguese Luis Castro Tae-Hee after parting ways training camp in Spain last rounds. season, are also hoping for a as replacement for Frenchman with Moroccan Mehdi Benatia, month, will play Umm Salal on Al Gharafa too will have Al Gharafa too will have their turnaround after hectic prepa- Sabri Lamouchi. Brazilian Dudu and Iranian Ali Saturday and will clash with Al their eyes on the title after qual- eyes on the title after qualifying rations and key changes in their ‘The Red Knights, who will Karimi. Paulo Edmilson and Wakrah, Al Sadd and Al Khor ifying for the and the for the Qatar Cup and the AFC squads. AFC Champions League fol- Champions League following While Al Arabi will be lowing their fourth finish on a their fourth finish on a better pinning hopes on new coach better goal difference ahead of Younes – replacing Icelander Al Ahli. goal difference ahead of Al Ahli. Heimir Hallgrimsson – to bring The Cheetahs made a spate improvement in team’s per- of changes ahead of the new formance, Al Wakrah are season hoping for a repeat of banking on Spanish coach 2008, 2009 and 2010 when They have so far signed Marquez Lopez to achieve good they clinched three titles in a Algerian defender Mehdi Tahrat results. row. and are yet to rope in other two Sami Trabelsi’s Al Sailiya are Former Italy defender professional players. targeting a strong show this Andrea Stramaccioni will be at Al Gharafa prepared for the season after bringing three new the helm after replacing Serbian new season by training in Doha professionals – Tunisian coach Slavisa Jokanovic. Al under the Italian coach before defender Nassim Hnid, Gharafa also changed three of a camp in Nuremberg, Moroccan midfielder Driss Fet- their foreign professionals – Germany. touhi and Norwegian striker Adlene Guedioura (Algeria), Koo After an impressive last Agama Diamond. Ja-Cheol (South Korea) and season, Al Ahli under Mon- Umm Salal, Al Khor and Serge Wilfried Kanon (Ivory tenegrin coach Nebojsa Jovovic promoted Al Shamal are also Coast) while retaining Algerian will also be looking for a strong looking to challenge top sides Al Duhail players during a practice session. PIC: TWITTER/@DUHAILSC striker Sofiane Hanni and start to the new season fol- as they eye solid performance Ivorian Jonathan Kodjia. lowing a training camp in Izmit, in the upcoming season. Mutabahi clinches second win of the season

THE PENINSULA – DOHA advantage 400m out as the sprint for home Owned by H H Sheikh began, but he always Abdullah bin Khalifa Al looked covered by Thani, the progressive Mutabahi, who closed Mutabahi (French steadily and led 50m Fifteen x Marina from the line. Mutabahi Piccola) maintained his went on win cosily by unbeaten record at quarter a length from Lyon-Parilly, France, Saboor (Beladro) who when taking the Prix headed Abraaj by a Robert De Grandry, a Olivier Peslier nose on the post. Class 2 contest for guiding Mutabahi to Bred by Haras De three-year-olds, victory. PIC: STUDIO Victot, Mutabahi is by yesterday. HENRI DURAND French Fifteen (Turtle Trained by Henri Bowl), who also carried Alex Pantall and ridden the colours of H H to success by Olivier Peslier, Joyeux (Rock OfGibralter) and there Sheikh Abdullah bin Khalifa Al Thani. QOC holds strategic workshop Mutabahi won his second race from was very little change to the order His dam Marina Piccola only five starts this season. throughout the first half of the tac- (Halling) was a listed winner over in preparation of Doha 2030 Ridden towards the rear of the tical race. Abraaj (Shalaa) was 2,400m at ParisLongchamp and An official addressing the participants during a workshop conducted by the Qatar Olympic five runners on his first attempt at always close to the pace and moved has produced the German Group 2,400m, the chestnut colt always up to challenge Rock Joyeux on the One winner French King (French Committee (QOC) at the QOC Headquarters. The workshop was focused on the strategy travelled well in the hands of turn for home. Fifteen), who coincidentally, like to prepare national teams for the Doha 2030 Asian Games. The workshop was attended Peslier. Still travelling well, Mutabahi Mutabahi, also broke his maiden at by QOC Secretary-General Jassim bin Rashid Al Buainain, heads and representatives of A steady pace was set by Rock followed the move. Abraaj took the Lyon-Parilly. Qatar federations and a number of other officials.