Saudi says his team is ready “We congratulate Bahrain on reaching the final. We are ready with all the enthusiasm and sUNday, DECEMBER 8, 2019 desire to win.” Saudi Arabia set sights on their 4th title, Bahrain seek maiden triumph

Bahrain coach Helio Sousa addresses the media ahead of the 24th final. Herve Renard, coach of Saudi Arabia, speaks at the pre-final press conference in on Saturday. Coach Herve Renard wants Saudi Arabia to stay focused  Bahrain coach Helio Sousa hopes for a result within 90 minutes Tribune News Network Doha

Having edged hosts Qatar 1-0 in the semi-final, which their coach Herve Renard termed as a ‘heroic’ win, Saudi Arabia are now keen to get past Bahrain in the final of the 24th Arabian Gulf Cup and lift the trophy on Sunday. Bahrain, who beat three- time winners Iraq on penal- ties following a 2-2 draw in the other semi-final, too are brimming with confidence and aiming to win their maiden Gulf Cup trophy. Both sides exuded confi- dence at the pre-match con- ference with rival coaches sure of their players display- ing their best. Saudi’s French coach Bahrain during one of their training sessions at the 24th Arabian Gulf Cup. Saudi Arabia on defeating Bahrain during the group stage. Herve Renard indicated that focus was an important fac- “We played the Bahrain ment,” he added. the final against SaudiA rabia. trust all of my,” he added. will always be there because tage in the clash. “It is impor- tor to win the title, stressing and matches with the at- On the impact of the vic- “We will try to continue to Sousa also wished that the you are required to accom- tant to score in this match, that they came to Qatar for tack, and the game against Qa- tory (2-0) over Bahrain in the do better than we did in the final would be decided in 90 plish a task from every match, and it would be special if we this goal. “We are very happy tar was very different. We deal group stage, he said, “I’ve al- previous games in the group minutes of play. “It is true that and such pressures are good would score early. We will try to be in the final, and I think with each match with a special ways said earlier we are here league. This time we must be we played added times in the for the players. to attack as we did in previ- that we deserved to be present strategy and also depend on the to win. Even after losing to stronger and more efficient previous games, but this does “I am satisfied with all the ous games, and we are a team in this big final. This was our deficiencies that it suffers from. , I told you that we still and we must score. I am sure not diminish our chances. We technical and professional capable of bouncing back goal from the beginning – not We presented a heroic match have our ambition. Bahrain is that the players will do their hope to win the match within work that we have done in any time, as what happened only to participate, so we must against Qatar,” he said. a strong team and showed a best to win. the 90 minutes without going this tournament. We have against Kuwait and Iraq.” be ready for it,” he said. “We have a distinguished good level. We must focus and “We care a lot about win- again for the additional time dealt with the pressure of the About star striker Thiago Despite the presence of team, including eight players, fight until the last minute to ning, but also we are still build- where it will be difficult, but matches in the best way, and Augusto, Sousa said, “He is an some new and young play- who have made it to the AFC achieve this goal,” he said. ing a team for the future. These in the end we are ready for any we played four matches with important player and he was a ers, Renard stressed that his Champions League, and for Bahrain’s Portuguese high-level matches are what scenario,” he said. strong teams.” contributing factor in reaching team’s plans helped them this, Saudi Arabia remains a coach Helio Sousa, however, make the team in terms of per- Regarding the pressure, he He hoped for an early the final. He knows what we achieve success. strong team in any tourna- hoped for a different result in sonality and experience, and I said, “This is football. Pressure breakthrough to gain advan- must do against Saudi Arabia.” Saudi-Bahrain face off in final in a Gulf Cup rivalry of 49 years

Tribune News Network finished second after Kuwait, and Bahrain coming second. Doha they drew (2-2) against Saudi In Gulf Cup 17, Bahrain Arabia. scored a big result against Fans of both Gulf and Arab Two years later in Muscat First final Saudi Arabia (3-0). Saudi Ara- football are awaiting the 24th in 1984, Saudi Arabia outper- bia responded in the Gulf of Gulf Cup final between Saudi formed with Al Mojil’s goals. Saudi Arabia and Bahrain will be playing in a final Abu Dhabi thereafter through Arabia and Bahrain, the first In the 9th Gulf Cup in Ri- of the Gulf Cup for the first time since the Yasser al Qahtani, and then final between the two teams yadh 1988, Saudi Arabia won tournament was introduced in 1970. During the Saudi Arabia repeated the vic- since the introduction of the with the goal of Majed Abdul- tournament, they have otherwise met 18 times tory in the 22nd Gulf with the new system in the 17th Gulf lah, and in Gulf Cup 11 (Qatar with Saudi Arabia winning 10 of these matches, goals of Hamdan and Moham- Cup held in Qatar. 1992), Bahrain won with the and Bahrain four with four games ending in draw. med Khubrani. The age of Gulf Cup and re- goals of Ahmed Abdul Amir In general, the two teams gional competitions between and Moham- have met in the Gulf Champi- the two teams is 49 years old. med. After that Saudi Arabia onships 18 times with Saudi Their first encounter was took the lead in Gulf Cup 12 Arabia winning 10 times, Bah- in the first edition Gulf 1 in and 13 (3-1), respectively. rain have won four times, and Manama in 1970 and which In the 14th Gulf Cup host- a draw has been the result four ended in a goalless draw. ed by Bahrain, Saudi Arabia times. The Green attack scored During the third edition of advanced with the goal of Al 31 goals against 18 goals for the tournament Saudi Arabia Thanyaan before Bahrain re- the Red. won (4-1). Bahrain returned turned through Abdul Razzaq The Asian qualifying match to win soon after in Gulf Cup 4 Mohammed. for the 2010 FIFA World Cup in Qatar (2-1), and in Gulf 5 in The 15th Gulf Cup was won South Africa is the most fa- Baghdad, the match between again by Saudi Arabia through mous in the history of the two the two teams resulted again the three goals of Hussein al teams, where they drew (0-0) to a draw (1-1). Yami, Sami al Jaber and Ibra- in Manama, and five days later In Gulf Cup 7, in which him Suweid which ended with in Riyadh which ended in a the Bahraini Reds shone and Saudi Arabia winning the title The 24th Arabian Gulf Cup final will be played at the Abdullah Bin Khalifa Stadium (Al Duhail) from 7pm onwards. dramatic (2-2) draw. 12 Sunday, December 8, 2019 Sports

Arab Gulf Cup Football Federation Executive Committee Meeting held

Gulf Cup and its exciting history of finals

he Gulf Cup is in its fifth Iraq and Qatar, where the two decade, and it is proven teams equaled the number of Tday after day that it was points, which ended in a 1-1 born to survive. The prestig- draw, before Al Rafidain Li- ious tournament – a symbol of ons decided it with a penalty regional footballing suprema- shootout 4-3. cy – will be alive and kicking The tournament returned on Sunday, on the final event to its 17th edition of the two The Executive Committee meeting of the Arab Gulf Cup Football Federation (AGCFF), chaired by Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al Thani, President of the federation, and Dr. Jassim bin between Saudi Arabia and group system. Qatar achieved Muhammad al Shukaili, Vice-President, AGCFF, was held at the Al Bidda Tower in Doha on Saturday. The meeting discussed arrangements for the 24th Arabian Gulf Cup final and the Bahrain of the 24th Arabian its second title with a penalty hosting of the 25th edition of the tournament. Gulf Cup. shootout on the Omani Red, The final of the 24th edi- while the 18th title also saw tion will be the final num- the first title at the expense of ber nine in the history of the Oman to return to the last and championship, compared to embraced history by achieving Liverpool cruise against Bournemouth 15 championships played in the first title in the 19th edition the one group system. at the expense of Saudi Arabia The first final of the Gulf in the final penalty shootout. Championship was in the 1974 In the 20th edition in Yem- ahead of Champions League test edition, when six teams partic- en, Kuwait outperformed Saudi ipated for the first time. They Arabia by the extra time. The were divided into two groups. UAE returned and achieved its AFP The first and second qualified second title in Gulf 21 in Ma- Bournemouth for the Golden Box, and Ku- nama. Riyadh smiled to Al An- wait and Saudi Arabia reached nabi in the 22nd copy of the end Jurgen Klopp could hardly the final. Al Azraq achieved its of 2014 at the expense of Saudi have asked for more as his third title by Hamad Buhamad Arabia before the Omani team Liverpool side eased their way and Fathi Kamil. achieved its second title in the to a comfortable 3-0 win at The championship contin- previous version at the expense Bournemouth ahead of Tues- ued with the one-group sys- of the UAE on penalties. day’s decisive Champions tem despite the participation Saudi Arabia reached the League visit to RB Salzburg. of Iraq. The championship final match in the history of First-half goals from Alex witnessed two separate en- the championship four times Oxlade-Chamberlain and counters after two equal teams in 1974, 2009, 2010 and 2014 Naby Keita put the Reds in with the same points balance. without achieving the title control before Mohamed The beginning was with the through it. Their titles came in Salah wrapped up the win Qatar Championship in 1976. the 1994, 2002 and 2003 ver- early in the second half while Kuwait overtook Iraq in the sions of the one group system. a first clean sheet since Sep- 4-2 interval after a hat-trick However, for Bahrain it was tember ensured there was no from Abdulaziz al Anbari and their first arrival into the final chance of a late scare. the goal of the terrifying Jasim after they had achieved second Victory moved Klopp’s Pre- Yaqoub. The second interval place several times in the pre- mier League leaders 11 points was in Muscat 1984 between vious system. (AGCFF.com) clear of Leicester City, 24 hours before Brendan Rodgers’ team face Aston Villa, and added more pressure on Manchester City immediately before the Liverpool’s Egyptian midfielder Mohamed Salah heads the ball during the English Premier League football match against Bournemouth at the Manchester derby. Vitality Stadium in Bournemouth, England, on Saturday. Liverpool won 3-0. (AFP) It was the ideal prepara- tion for the visit to Austria, 5-2 on Wednesday and the con- the performance of Salah, who assist for Keita – impressive on That all changed 10 min- where Liverpool need a point trolled manner of this victory delivered the desired response his first Premier League start utes before the interval when to guarantee their progress meant his players were spared after being withdrawn in the of the season – and tormented the balance of the game shift- into the Champions League any unnecessary exertion be- previous weekend’s uncon- Bournemouth throughout. ed over the course of a minute, knockout stages. fore their European challenge. vincing defeat of Brighton and The only flaw from Klopp’s and ensured Liverpool could Klopp made seven changes And the manager could rested for the Everton clash. point of view was that his side sign off their domestic duties to the side that beat Everton also draw satisfaction from The forward provided an took time to get into their stride. in style.

Inside view of the Education City Stadium. When it officially opens, the stadium will accommodate 40,000 fans, and after the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, 20,000 seats will be donated to develop sports infrastruc- United win Manchester bragging ture in some developing countries. Education City Stadium rights with thrilling 2-1 win to open in 2020 afp Premier League Tribune News Network now operational. However, the London Doha necessary certification process Everton 3 1 Chelsea took longer than expected and Manchester United deliv- Bournemouth 0 3 Liverpool Khalifa International Sta- therefore the stadium was un- ered a potentially fatal blow dium , the home of Qatar’s able to host the required test to Manchester City’s Premier Tottenham 5 0 Burnley national team, will host three events prior to the semi-final League title hopes on Saturday. Watford 0 0 C Palace additional matches during the and final of the FIFA Club City came into the match at Man City 1 2 Man Utd FIFA Club World Cup 2019 af- World Cup at full capacity. the Etihad knowing they had ter the official opening of Edu- The priority is to ensure an en- to win after Jurgen Klopp’s cation City Stadium was post- joyable experience for all fans men coasted to a 3-0 victory earlier in the season. poned until early 2020. so it was decided to open the on England’s south coast but “A perfect day,” Mourinho In addition to the double- stadium at a later date. succumbed to United’s light- told the BBC. “No injuries, a header of games on 17 Decem- In 2020, Education City ning-quick attacks, losing 2-1. clean sheet, goals, perfect foot- ber – the fifth-place play-off Stadium – which is scheduled Earlier, Jose Mourinho’s ball, kids coming on for first and the semi-final involving to host matches up to and in- Tottenham blitzed Burnley Premier League football.” CONMEBOL Libertadores cluding the quarter-finals of 5-0, with Son Heung-min Everton made it a miser- winners CR Flamengo – Khal- the FIFA World Cup – will scoring a sensational indi- able day for Frank Lampard’s ifa International Stadium will become the third tournament vidual goal, to close to within Chelsea thanks to an early also host the second semi-fi- ready venue ahead of 2022. six points of fourth-placed strike from Brazil forward nal, involving UEFA Champi- Fans who successfully Chelsea, who went down 3-1 to Richarlison and two goals from ons League winners Liverpool applied for tickets to Match Everton at Goodison Park. England under-21 internation- FC on 18 December, along 6 and the double-header of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s al Dominic Calvert-Lewin. with the final and the third- matches 7 and 8 will not be United side started the even- Former Everton player place play-off on 21 December. impacted – all their tickets ing match at the Etihad buoyed Duncan Ferguson, in charge Khalifa International Sta- will be automatically issued by their victory against Spurs for the first time of the Tof- dium has a capacity of 45,416 to Khalifa International Stadi- in midweek and were immedi- Manchester United’s English striker Marcus Rashford (centre) celebrates scoring the opening goal from the fees after the sacking of Marco and reopened in May 2017 fol- um, and their seats will be al- ately on the front foot, sprinting penalty spot during the English Premier League match against Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium in Silva, refused to talk up his lowing a successful redevelop- located within the same price forward at every opportunity. Manchester, England, on Saturday. (AFP) chances of getting the coach- ment to prepare it for the FIFA category. Marcus Rashford opened ing job full-time, telling BT World Cup Qatar 2022. The The date and time of those the scoring from the penalty ing a frantic wave of City at- December 25. Son stole the show just after Sport: “I’m sure they’re out stadium is fully operational matches will remain as previ- spot in the 23rd minute and tacks but they failed to find the half hour, running from there looking for other candi- at present and has hosted ously indicated in the match Anthony Martial doubled the an equaliser and are now Son’s stunning strike deep inside his own half past a dates, and rightly so. We want large crowds during the on- schedule. visitors’ lead six minutes later. 14 points behind Liverpool. Spurs flew out of the blocks host of Burnley defenders and the best guys in the world going Arabian Gulf Cup. It is In due course, all suc- City came back strongly, United are up to fifth. at the Tottenham Hotspur capped the astonishing burst managing our football club.” also just a short walk from the cessful ticket applicants will dominating possession, but Klopp’s team took advan- Stadium. with an ice-cool finish. Watford, who appointed nearest Doha Metro station, receive a dedicated email could not force a breakthrough tage of playing before their Harry Kane scored twice Spurs are still six points former Leicester boss Nigel making it easy for fans to get with further information, and the visitors continued to closest rivals to widen the gulf and there were also goals for behind fourth-placed Chelsea Pearson as their new man- to and from the venue. including details of how and look dangerous on the break. at the top of the table to 11 Lucas Moura and Moussa Sis- but will fancy their chances of ager on Friday, were unable Construction at Educa- when to download the tickets Eventually City’s pressure points, with Leicester not in soko but it was Son Heung- closing the gap on their Lon- to force their second win of tion City Stadium is complete from their account on FIFA. paid off, with Nicolas Ota- action until Sunday, meaning min’s goal that caught the eye. don rivals, who are stumbling the season, drawing 0-0 with (watch here ) and the venue is com/tickets. mendi’s late header spark- Liverpool cannot be caught by With Spurs already 2-0 up, after a six-game winning run Crystal Palace. Sports Sunday, December 8, 2019 13 Neymar’s sublime goal inspires PSG to comeback win at Montpellier

AFP the world’s two most expen- Paris sive players combined to sup- ply Mauro Icardi for the third Former world No. 1 Caroline Neymar scored a sublime goal in a seven-minute blitz. Wozniacki of Denmark. (AFP) free-kick and set up another Played into space down goal as Paris Saint-Germain Free kick the left flank by Neymar, rallied to beat 10-man Mont- Mbappe clipped a delightful Wozniacki to pellier 3-1 on Saturday and delight cross with the outside of his restore their lead at the top of right boot for Icardi to volley retire after Ligue 1 to eight points. Neymar curled a free-kick home from eight yards. Montpellier, unbeaten at from 25 yards beyond There was concern in Australian home since the opening day of Geronimo Rulli and into the closing stages when PSG the season, grabbed the lead the top corner for his sixth goalkeeper Keylor Navas was Open on 41 minutes at the Stade goal this season to bring struck on the head by a water de la Mosson when Daniel PSG level. bottle thrown from the stands. AFP Congre’s header was diverted The Costa Rican was tended Paris into his own net by the hand to by the medical staff but fin- of Argentine midfielder Lean- ing free-kick from 25 yards be- ished the game as PSG put an Former world number dro Paredes. yond Geronimo Rulli and into end to Montpellier’s six-match one Caroline Wozniacki PSG had failed to win on the top corner for his sixth goal unbeaten run in the league. announced on Friday that any of their last three trips to this season to bring PSG level. Marseille have won five she will retire after next Montpellier and were forced Neymar then slipped a ball games on the bounce to month’s Australian Open, into a pair of early changes as through to Kylian Mbappe emerge as the closest chal- insisting she “has accom- Presnel Kimpembe and Idris- in the Montpellier area, the lenger to PSG. It is their best plished everything” she sa Gueye hobbled off with in- French forward cutting inside sequence since winning eight wanted on a tennis court. juries. But the dismissal of Pe- Arnaud Souquet and lashing in a row in 2014 when Marcelo The 29-year-old Dane dro Mendes on 72 minutes for inside the far post to put the Bielsa was at the helm. won her only Grand Slam a second yellow card after he visitors ahead. They will look to reduce singles title in Melbourne last scythed down Neymar proved Neymar almost netted the gap at the top back to five year in her third major final. the turning point. again from a free-kick in a points on Sunday at home to “I’ve accomplished eve- The Brazilian dusted him- similar position when his ef- Paris Saint-Germain’s Brazilian forward Neymar (right) runs with the ball next to Montpellier’s Portuguese fourth-placed Bordeaux, who rything I could ever dream self down and curled the result- fort struck the upright, before defender Pedro Mendes during the French L1 match at the Mosson Stadium in France on Saturday. (AFP) put six past Nimes in midweek. of on the court,” she said in an Instagram post. “I’ve always told myself, when the time comes, that there are things away from QBF League tennis that I want to do more, Save the Dream promotes sport volunteerism then it’s time to be done.” at International Forum 2019 in Sochi Big wins for

Tribune News Network Sochi I’ve accomplished Al Arabi, Ahli everything I could During the international ever dream of on the Volunteer Forum 2019 held Tribune News Network gest run of 22 points, which court. There are in Sochi, Save the Dream and Doha sent them 54-25 clear in the things away from Future Team, an international third quarter. movement that bring together Al Arabi Club cruised to an For Al Khor, Maroin (22 tennis that I want to prominent young leaders from 85-56 victory in the open- points and 12 rebounds) and do more. This 180 countries, organised a spe- ing match of the QBF League Bobo Magassa (16 points and (decision) has cial event to discuss the role of against Al Khor Club at the Al 10 rebounds), Madrios (15 nothing to do with youth in sport volunteerism Gharafa Club Indoor Hall on points) excelled. my health. in major sporting events and Saturday. In another match, Al Ahli projects that promote sport for Mohamad Harat (19 points thrashed Al Sadd 102-61 with – Caroline Wozniacki development and peace. and 15 rebounds) led the win- all nine players scoring five or Organised by the Russian ners, who had overall five dou- more points. Federation with the aim of ble-digit scorers in the game. Aaron Rountraa (20) and Wozniacki, who turned promoting the role of youth Miroslav Todic (14), Kevin Louis Munks (17) led the way professional at the age of through different forms of Galloway (12), Momar Talla for the winners, while Babacar 15 in 2005, spent 71 weeks volunteerism the Interna- Save the Dream Panel featured Honey Thaljieh, FIFA Corporate Communications Manager, Save the Dream (12) and Ahmed Saeed (10) Dieng (24 points and 12 re- at the top of the WTA rank- tional Volunteer Forum 2019 Ambassador, co-founder of women’s football in Palestine as well as Katerina Salta, International Olym- were other main contributors. bounds) waged a lone battle ings after first becoming the brought together over 6,500 pic Truce Centre, Founder of Hestia Football Club, the first refugee and migrant women football team in The winners had their big- for Al Sadd. world’s best player in Octo- participants from all over the Greece who shared her personal story of sport volunteerism. ber 2010. world who shared their expe- She has won 30 WTA riences in implementing suc- titles so far in her career, cessful volunteer initiatives including the 2017 Tour Fi- and pave the path to future nals in Singapore. collective efforts, including Wozniacki, who finished sport volunteerism. 11 straight seasons in the During the forum Save world top 20, is currently the Dream hosted a debate on ranked 37th after struggling “Volunteering at Major Sport- with injuries and poor form ing Events and Beyond: An in 2019, reaching only one Avenue of Opportunities” with final. She said she wanted the aim of provoking insights to focus on family life with from leaders in sport and civil her husband and former society on the role of sport NBA champion David Lee, volunteers in the promotion as well as raising awareness of sport values, focusing on a of the auto-immune disease wide range of concepts, from she suffers from, rheuma- integrity to social inclusion, toid arthritis. protection of human rights “In recent months I’ve and peace-building. realised that there is a lot The discussion also fo- Participants at the forum in Sochi, Russia. more in life that I’d like to cused on methodologies to accomplish off the court,” design volunteer programs, digm towards utilising sport vanced policies, mechanisms The panel featured Hon- added Wozniacki, who was as well as on ways to promote volunteerism not only during and tools to support volun- ey Thaljieh, FIFA Corporate briefly engaged to four-time benefits for young volunteers wide scale events but also in teers in preparation, during Communications Manager, golf major champion Rory and create new opportunities international development and after the completion of Save the Dream Ambassador, McIlroy in 2014. This (deci- to foster global citizenship and humanitarian context” their mission”. co-founder of women’s foot- sion) has nothing to do with through sport volunteerism. Massimiliano Montanari, Speaking at the panel Al- ball in Palestine as well as my health.” During the discussion, Dr. Executive Director of Save exander Maksimov, Head of Katerina Salta, International Wozniacki will end her Bahruz Balayev, Acting Direc- the Dream said: “’Volunteers Volunteer program UEFA Olympic Truce Centre, Found- career with appearances in tor, Legacy & Innovation at should always have the cause Euro 2020 in St. Petersburg er of Hestia Football Club, the WTA event in Auckland ICSS INSIGHT and moderator they intend to serve as a prior- mentioned; the first refugee and migrant and the Australian Open, of the panel said: “The trajec- ity. What’s also important is “The major sporting events women football team in Greece the first Grand Slam tour- tory of young people becoming that as an international com- contribute to the development who shared her personal story nament of 2020, which gets sport volunteers is in the rise munity, we should prioritise of international cooperation of sport volunteerism. underway on January 14. and it is time to shift the para- the development of more ad- and intercultural dialogue” Al Gharafa storm into Ooredoo Cup quarter-finals

Tribune News Network Al Khor, Qatar SC and Al it to the knockout quarterfinals. minute through Khaled Mo- team to reach the knockout Doha Arabi had earlier progressed And they did it after rivals Al hammed, but Al Arabi hit back quarterfinals with five points. to the quarterfinals from Duhail were held 2-2 by Al Ara- through Mohammed Salem. Ali Al Amri turned out to Group B. bi in the day’s another kick-off Yousef Msakni put Al Du- Al Khor edge QSC be the hero on Saturday as Going into the game, Al and the former finished their hail ahead again by scoring in Al Khor defeated Qatar SC 1-0 Al Gharafa stormed into the Sailiya were out of conten- campaign on three points. the 49th minute, a lead that in Round 5 of Group B at the Al quarter-finals fromG roup B tion for a quarterfinal berth as Al Gharafa drew 2-2 with was nullified by Hamdi Har- Khor Stadium. Tiago Bezerra of the 2019-20 Ooredoo Cup they were lying at the bottom Al Duhail and 1-1 with Al baoui in the 73rd minute. converted a penalty in the 71st defeating Al Sailiya 2-1 in their of the table with just a point Arabi. The Cheetahs lost their Al Arabi moved on to sev- minute as Al Khor topped the Round 5 match at the Al Wak- that they collected from their games against Qatar SC (0-3) en points and finished third, group with 13 points. Qatar SC rah Stadium. 2-2 draw with Al Duhail in the and Al Khor (1-3). behind Al Khor (13 points) and stood second with 10 points. Al Amri struck in the sev- third round. Qatar SC (10 points). The game’s interest was mainly enth and 82nd minutes to The Peregrines had lost 0-4 Al Duhail bow out Al Duhail ended their to decide the group winners as take reigning champions Al to Qatar SC, 1-2 to Al Arabi and Al Arabi and Al Duhail played campaign on three points and both sides had progressed to the Gharafa on to five points and 1-2 to Al Khor in the last round. out a 2-2 draw in their Round bowed out of the competition last eight following their wins in fourth place. Abdullah Al Anzi On the other hand, Al 5 Group B match at the Al Sha- as Al Gharafa, who beat Al the 4th round when Qatar SC Action from the Al Gharafa and Al Sailiya Group B Ooredoo Cup scored Al Sailiya’s goal in the Gharafa had a chance to be- mal Stadium. Al Duhail took Sailiya 2-1 in the day’s another defeated Al Duhail 1-0 and Al match played at the Al Wakrah Stadium on Saturday. 46th minute. come the fourth team to make the lead as early as the second kick-off, became the fourth Khor put it across Al Sailiya 2-1. 14 Sunday, December 8, 2019 Sports

Suwaira Al Shaqab, Fattam Al Nasser excel on second day of Qatar National Arabian Horse Show

Suwaira Al Shaqab (left) and Fattam Al Nasser were among the impressive winners in their respective categories on the second day of the Qatar National Arabian Horse Show. At the Qatar Equestrian Federation Indoor Arena on Saturday, Suwaira Al Shaqab triumphed in the fillies (2 years) category, while Fattam Al Nasser claimed the top spot in the mares 4 to 6 years group. The show will conclude on Sunday. Anderson, I don’t want to Forgotten Fawad Bairstow & Wood back in entertain people Alam returns to England team with hits in the AFP London air, says Kohli James Anderson was recalled by England on Saturday for Test team their upcoming tour of South in every team I play in. The Africa after recovering from Second T20I vs basic fundamental is that a calf injury, while his fellow I don’t want to change my Stages comeback to the national team after a gap of 10 long years bowler Mark Wood and wick- West Indies today game too much for T20s. I’m etkeeper Jonny Bairstow also an all-format player. I just AFP returned to the squad. AFP want to score runs in every The 37-year-old Ander- Hyderabad (India) game.” son, England’s all-time leading Kohli has amassed 21,266 Pakistan recalled forgot- -taker, last played inter- Skipper Virat Kohli said he runs across all three formats ten batsman Fawad Alam on nationally in the first Ashes Test is an “all-format player” after including 70 centuries in Test Saturday for the upcoming against Australia at Edgbaston his blistering 94 powered In- and one-day since making his two-match Test series against in August before pulling up af- dia to a six-wicket win over international debut in 2008. Sri Lanka, after a gap of ten ter bowling only four overs. West Indies in the first Twen- years following the left-hand- Bairstow, who has played ty20 international on Friday. Trial and error er’s prolific form in domestic 69 Tests, was left out of the re- The star batsman Left-handed batsman matches. cent Test tour of New Zealand smashed six fours and six Shimron Hetmyer made 56 The 34-year-old hit a debut but was named in the 17-man sixes to record his career- – his maiden T20 fifty – and century against Sri Lanka but squad. Fast bowler Wood is also best T20 international score put on 71 with skipper Kieron was discarded after playing just back in the fold after sitting out in 50 balls as he surpassed Pollard to lead West Indies three Tests in 2009. of the 2-2 Ashes draw with a his previous high of 90 with to 207 for five after being put But Alam hit four hun- knee injury and side strain suf- a winning hit over the rope. in to bat on a good batting dreds in the current Quaid-e- fered during England’s victori- The second match of wicket. Azam trophy - piling up 781 ous World Cup campaign. the series is in Thiruvanan- “Batters did a good effort. runs - and boasts a first class “It is not predicted that thapuram on Sunday. You’d take 208, ten out of ten average of 56.84, 22nd highest Mark (Wood) will be avail- times,” said Pollard. in the world. able for selection for the earliest 1st T20I scores “We lost due to the And chief selector Misbah- matches,” said England nation- extras column. Nearly 2 and ul-Haq said Alam’s form is not al selector Ed Smith. India 209 for 4 (Kohli 94*, Rahul 62) a half overs of extra deliv- spread over one year. “However, he will travel beat West Indies 207 for 5 (Hetmyer 56, eries. Yes, it was a batting “Alam has been perform- Pakistan’s Fawad Alam has been recalled to bolster the Pakistani middle-order. with the team and continue his Lewis 40, Chahal 2-36) by six wicket, but if we executed ing so well at the domestic rehab work with the medical our plans better, it could’ve level so we have recalled him staff on tour. been a different story.” for a chance and we hope he Squad Pakistan are smarting from “There is no exact date given Kohli arrived with the The Indian innings wit- delivers,” said Misbah, also the Azhar Ali (captain), Abid Ali, Asad Shafiq, last week’s 2-0 defeat – for his return, but the medical score on 30 for one to com- nessed 23 extra runs with team’s head coach. Babar Azam, Fawad Alam, Haris Sohail, both by an innings – in team is working towards him plete his 23rd fifty and soon four byes, two leg byes, three Pakistan are smarting from Imam-ul-Haq, Imran Khan, Kashif Bhatti, Australia that has left not becoming fully available for se- launched an attack to pulver- no balls and 14 wides. last week’s 2-0 defeat - both by Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Rizwan only Misbah but new lection during the tour.” ise the West Indies bowlers The match also witnessed an innings - in Australia that left Smith confirmed that off- as India pulled off their high- the start of a latest trial of (wicketkeeper), Naseem Shah, Shan captain Azhar Ali under not only Misbah but new cap- tremendous pressure. spinner Moeen Ali remains est ever T20 chase. technology using a TV umpire tain Azhar Ali under tremen- Masood, Yasir Shah, Usman Shinwari unavailable after asking to take “I’ve always believed in instead of the on-field official dous pressure. a break from Test . the past as well, whenever to call front foot no-balls. Middle-order batsman If- over matches between 2015- Meanwhile, 16-year-old The opening match of the I’ve played T20 cricket. I’m India’s Anil Chaudhary tikhar Ahmed, who managed 2019 although no team has pacer Naseem Shah is also re- four-Test series starts on De- not someone who comes to called the first no-ball with just 44 runs in four innings in yet agreed to play five-day tained despite being selected in cember 26 at Centurion. the stadium wanting to en- paceman Kesrick Williams Australia, and the teenage pacer matches. Pakistan’s Under-19 squad for Uncapped seamer Saqib tertain people hitting the ball overstepping the line in Mohammad Musa Khan were Pakistan Cricket Board Sri Lanka, who also played next month’s Junior World Cup Mahmood missed out after in the air. I want to get the the 13th over of the Indian left off the newly announced (PCB) chief selector Misbah-ul- three one-day internationals in South Africa. being part of the squad in job done,” Kohli commented innings. squad list. Haq during a press conference n and as many Twenty20s in Pa- Yasir Shah and uncapped New Zealand. after the man-of-the-match The system was trialled Lahore on Saturday. The first Test starts in Raw- kistan in September-October, left-armer Kashif Bhatti will England squad: ceremony. once in 2016, in the series be- alpindi from Wednesday, a arrive on Sunday. be the two spinners in the Joe Root (Capt), James Anderson, Jofra Archer, “The aim is not to play tween England and Pakistan, match that marks the return home matches in the United Left-arm pacer Usman 16-man squad. Jonny Bairstow, Stuart Broad, Rory Burns, Jos slam-bang cricket. Either Ro- but the International Cricket of to Pakistan after Arab Emirates after the 2009 Shinwari, 25, is also drafted in The second Test will Buttler, Zak Crawley, Sam Curran, Joe Denly, Jack hit (Sharma) or I have to play Council wants to come out ten years. terror attacks. The country the squad and may play a Test be played in Karachi from Leach, Matthew Parkinson, Ollie Pope, Dominic long in this team. with a clear implementation They were forced to play hosted international limited for the first time. December 19. Sibley, Ben Stokes, Chris Woakes, Mark Wood “That’s the role I play of the plan this time around. Naimi tops QSTK 600 official practice Abdulla al Qubaisi, who was 1.410 seconds behind Riders ready ahead of the 1st round of Naimi and nearly 0.398 adrift of Sulaiti, ended in third posi- Qatar Superstock 600 next weekend tion and 18-year-old Bulgarian Mihail Florov was fourth with Tribune News Network - QSTK600 and QSTK Trophy 2:10.252 time. Sheikh Jassim DOHA - for those riders whose best lap al Thani rounded out the fast- time is lower than 2.09 at the est five, clocking his best lap of The new season of the Qatar Qatari track. 2:10.690. Superstock 600 kicked off on Qatar’s Mashel al Naimi “This is my first time that Friday with an official practice was the fastest rider during I am riding at the Losail Inter- at the Losail International Cir- both practices, with a lap time national Circuit and my first cuit before the first round of the of 2:03.879. impression is amazing. The championship is due to start “I am happy with the of- track is great and the competi- next weekend on December 13 ficial practice results as I did Qatar’s Mashel al Naimi sets the pace in the official practice. tion is really good. I have expe- and 14. a good lap time. From the rience of racing in the Spanish Most of the last season’s morning, I felt something Now I feel I am stronger to fight “I tried to get the feeling Championship and this cham- riders joined several new en- wrong with my bike. I lost the for this season’s title. For sure back since we didn’t ride for pionship is a great opportunity trants like Sheikh Saoud al Tha- front tyre and it came from that the competition will be a long time. In general, it was for me to improve. I am really ni, Rayad al Emadi and Ahmad the clutch. We’ll try to fix it on tougher as Saeed and Abdulla good. I finished second overall, looking forward to start the first al Sahouti from Qatar, Mihail the track day before the first are also ready,” Naimi added. although I was expecting to do round,” said Florov. Florov from Bulgaria, Jeremy round,” said Naimi. Defending QSTK600 better,” Sulaiti said. The first round of the sea- Parola from France, Gary Little “For the new season, I have champion and three times win- ‘I can’t wait to start an- son will be take place on De- from UK and Stephen Turnbull good feeling after the Spanish ner Saeed al Sulaiti finished the other exciting championship cember 13 and 14. Spectators from Canada. Championship. My thanks to official practice in second place, and looking forward to win the may have free entrance at the As was in the previous the QMMF and Losail Circuit after having his best time of fourth title in a row. I know that paddock and grand stand of (Top) Defending champion and three-time winner Qatar Superstock years, there will be two cat- Sports Club for giving me the 2:04.891, a little over a second it will be difficult but not im- the circuit to enjoy the thrills of 600 winner Saeed al Sulaiti and Bulgarian Mihail Florov on the track egories in the championship opportunity to race in Spain. off Naimi’s pace. possible,” Sulaiti added. bike racing in Qatar. of the Losail International Circuit.