Tabata Optimistic About Qatar's Chances

WEDNESDAY, MArch 30, 2016 VOLUME XI ISSUE NO.8 Q r2.00 www.dohastadiumplusqatar.com

P 6 | FOOTBALL P 24 | MOTORSPORT CHINA DOWN QATAR CRUISE CONTROL QATAR’S FIRST China hand Qatar their only defeat Nasser Saleh Al Attiyah easily ENGLISH SPORTS in the second round of World Cup wins in Kuwait to extend his WEEKLY Asian Zone qualification. lead in Mideast championship.

PAGES 8-9 P 7 | FOOTBALL P 20 | POSTER DSP EXCLUSIVE P 28 | HANDBALL INTERVIEW SHANE Tabata optimistic WATSON Lekhwiya crowned about Qatar’s chances Asian champions

EXCITEMENT NOW JUST A TOUCH AWAY

OutlookThe writer can be contacted at [email protected]

Use criticism in a positive way to improve things

ĈĈThere’re areas where we need to act due to more and more big projects, some of them improve the plight of migrant workers. I’m not fast and show more transparency related to the 2022 FIFA World Cup, there’re fresh trying to paint a rosy picture. I’m aware there’re challenges. We aren’t running away from them. areas where we need to act fast and show more OME wasn’t built in a day! This proverb Even our prime minister admitted that as a coun- transparency and resoluteness, especially on the metaphorically means great things can only try we faced “a big challenge on the labour front”. complex issue of kafala (sponsorship). Rbe achieved over a period of time. I would But then, when we look back, we realise that There’re three fundamental ILO conventions Qatar like to urge all those who criticise Qatar, including even some of the world’s most advanced coun- needs to ratify. These’re decisions to be taken at the Amnesty International which is expected to soon tries have gone through similar difficulties dur- government level and the State Communication release a report on the so-called ‘exploitation of ing their transitional phase. Their journey to pro- Office should answer the critics and not SCDL, migrant workers’, to be patient and give us more gress and prosperity has been slow and, in some which is tasked with delivering stadiums and other time to achieve our goals. cases, agonising. None of them got transformed infrastructure for the World Cup. Until then, there could be small gaps here overnight. It’s time all stakeholders co-ordinated better, took and there, but that doesn’t mean we aren’t try- It takes time to bring about fundamental changes criticism in a positive way and silenced the critics. ing. The International Labour Organisation in any society and Qatar can’t be an exception. The (ILO) has also pointed out certain anomalies in NGOs, other activists and even the media must our system dealing with migrant workers, but realise it. They can’t accuse us of inaction or doubt has given a year’s time to put things in order. our intent. They should also refrain from using In a country like Qatar, where nationals consti- the World Cup to hold us as a hostage. tute only 12 per cent of its population, migrant As a Qatari, I’m proud of the progress we’ve made workers form the backbone of its human resource so far. The Supreme Committee for Delivery and Dr Ahmed Al Mohannadi requirements. Obviously, as their number increases Legacy (SCDL) has taken several initiatives to Editor-in-Chief

We must make sure Stadium Plus, March 23). Kane is cru- football is clean cial not only to their title chances, INBOX but also to England’s performance The cover story on match fixing Doha( at the European Championship. Stadium Plus, March 23) was perfectly England have a lot of talented

Editor-in-Chief Dr Ahmed Al Mohannadi P.O. Box: 24598, Doha, Qatar timed as the Qatar Stars League is youngsters, but no player is more Tel: +974 44138065, Fax: +974 44138597 heading for an exciting finish. important than Kane. Managing Editor Kumar Ravi WEDNESDAY, MArch 23, 2016 VOLUME XI ISSUE NO.7 Q r2.00 www.dohastadiumplusqatar.com

www.dohastadiumplusqatar.com P 10 | FOOTBALL P 28 | TABLE TENNIS MERRY-GO-ROUND! FIRM FAVOURITES Samuel John, Doha. QATAR’S FIRST Disciplined Al Sadd defeat 10-man World No.1 Ma Long heads a strong There have been occasional Senior Editor/Writer ENGLISH SPORTS Lekhwiya and jump to third position contingent of Chinese competitors Aswin Abraham in the Qatar Stars League. at the World Tour Qatar Open. WEEKLY Editorial: Tel: +974 44138522, Fax: +974 44138593 FOLLOW US Senior Sports Writer rumours and whispers of suspi- N Ganesh e-mail: [email protected] Sports Writers cious games in the past and Qatar Sajith B Warrier Marketing & advertising: Tel: +974 44138566 Good for the sport Mohammad Amin-ul Islam e-mail: [email protected] Football Association President Sheikh

Sarath Pookkat Distribution: Tel: +974 44138535/36, Fax: +974 44138597 Hamad bin Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Abdalelah Haroun’s silver medal e-mail: [email protected] Thani would be concerned about in 400M at the IAAF World Indoor Photographers Mohan Qatar Football Association chief Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Thani warns of ruthless punishment if teams’ involvement any controversy that could damage Championships (Doha Stadium Plus, Vinod Divakaran in match fixing is proved. PAGES 6-7 Fadi Al Assaad Qatar’s reputation on the world stage. March 23) will definitely motivate a

Mohammed Dabboos P 25 | MOTORSPORT P 20 | POSTER We want the authorities to make lot of young Qatari athletes. DSP EXCLUSIVE P 27 | VOLLEYBALL Harris, the voice RIYAD INTERVIEW MAHREZ Rayyan stay of MotoGP Gulf champs DSP/ Fadi Al Assaad Publishers: ASPIRE Printing, Publishing and Distribution A K BijuRaj UK £1, Europe €2 | Oman 200 Baisas | Bahrain 200 Fils | Egypt LE 2 | Lebanon 3,000 Livre | Kuwait 250 Fils | Morocco Dh 6 | UAEDh 5 | Yemen 75 Riyals | Sudan 1 Pound | KSA 2 Riyals | Jordan 500 Fils | Iraq $1 | Palestine $1 | Syria LS 20 sure the game is clean and the QFA Mutaz Essa Barshim’s fourth-place Publishers: ASPIRE Printing, Graphic Designers Abhilash Chacko chief is doing exactly that. finish in high jump was disappoint- P O Box: 24598, Doha, Qatar. Publishing and Distribution Habib Sadek, Doha. Marketing & advertising: Tel: +974 44138566 Gopakumar K Printed at ASPIRE Printing Press ing, but let’s hope he’ll peak in time Joice Michael for the Rio Olympics. Qatar now have e-mail: [email protected] www.twitter.com/dohastadiumplus Technical support Shaheen Mohammed so many athletes capable of shin- Distribution: Tel: +974 44138535/36, Fax: +974 44138597 www.facebook.com/dohastadiumplusqatar Kane’s timely form e-mail: [email protected] Abdul Naser M www.flickr.com/photos/dohastadiumplusqatar ing on the world stage and that’s It’s great for Tottenham Hotspur sure to inspire more youngsters to www.facebook.com/dohastadium www.twitter.com/dohastadiumplus www.flickr.com/photos/dohastadiumplusqatar © Stories and photographs appearing in this publication may not be reproduced without the permission of that Harry Kane has regained his take up track and field as a career. ASPIRE Printing, Publishing and Distribution. sizzling form of last season (Doha Mansour Hadi, Doha. Wednesday, March 30, 2016 | www.dohastadiumplusqatar.com 3

OutlookThe writer can be contacted at [email protected]

Use criticism in a positive way to improve things

Mohammed Dabboos P 25 | MOTORSPORT P 20 | POSTER We want the authorities to make lot of young Qatari athletes. DSP EXCLUSIVE P 27 | VOLLEYBALL Harris, the voice RIYAD INTERVIEW MAHREZ Rayyan stay of MotoGP Gulf champs DSP/ Fadi Al Assaad A K BijuRaj UK £1, Europe €2 | Oman 200 Baisas | Bahrain 200 Fils | Egypt LE 2 | Lebanon 3,000 Livre | Kuwait 250 Fils | Morocco Dh 6 | UAEDh 5 | Yemen 75 Riyals | Sudan 1 Pound | KSA 2 Riyals | Jordan 500 Fils | Iraq $1 | Palestine $1 | Syria LS 20 sure the game is clean and the QFA Mutaz Essa Barshim’s fourth-place Publishers: ASPIRE Printing, Graphic Designers Abhilash Chacko chief is doing exactly that. finish in high jump was disappoint- Publishing and Distribution Gopakumar K Printed at ASPIRE Printing Press Habib Sadek, Doha. ing, but let’s hope he’ll peak in time Joice Michael for the Rio Olympics. Qatar now have www.twitter.com/dohastadiumplus Technical support Shaheen Mohammed www.facebook.com/dohastadiumplusqatar Kane’s timely form so many athletes capable of shin- Abdul Naser M www.flickr.com/photos/dohastadiumplusqatar ing on the world stage and that’s It’s great for Tottenham Hotspur sure to inspire more youngsters to

© Stories and photographs appearing in this publication may not be reproduced without the permission of that Harry Kane has regained his take up track and field as a career. ASPIRE Printing, Publishing and Distribution. sizzling form of last season (Doha Mansour Hadi, Doha. 4 Wednesday, March 30, 2016 | www.dohastadiumplusqatar.com Wednesday, March 30, 2016 | www.dohastadiumplusqatar.com 5 Extra time

Most of the Rio Olympics-bound Qatari athletes will make their outdoor debut of the season at the IAAF Doha Diamond League. They’ll gain a lot of experience by competing against the best at a top international meeting. Dahlan Al Hamad, Qatar Athletics Federation President. GIULIA STEINGRUBER STAR OF THE WEEK / Geoff Burke REUTERS ššSerena Williams DSP/Mohan DSP/Vinod Divakaran DSP/Vinod ššMembers of the Al Rayyan team celebrate their Qatar Cup triumph with Qatar Basketball Federation officials. Serena, Murray bow out in Miami

ORLD No.1 as well as three- time defending champion ‘I love coming to WSerena Williams and second-ranked Andy Murray both crashed Doha every year’ out of the ATP and WTA Miami Open. Russian 15th seed Svetlana Kuznetsova WISS Giulia Steingruber won two stunned 21-time Grand Slam cham- gold medals at the FIG Artistic Rayyan reign pion Serena 6-7 (3-7), 6-1, 6-2 while SWorld Challenge Cup in Doha British world No.2 Murray dropped a last week. The 22-year-old talks about The Qatar League champions annex Qatar Cup to complete a double. third-round match to Bulgarian 26th her favourite gymnast and actor. seed Grigor Dimitrov 6-7 (1-7), 6-4, 6-3. Serena and Murray each made 55 ЂЂWhat’s so special about Doha? found their rhythm to lead 25-18 after performance. I’m really happy that unforced errors, fading in the third set ЃЂI enjoy the city’s hospitality. It makes Mohammad Amin-ul Islam the first quarter. They steadily consol- Rayyan lived up to their reputation when it mattered the most. me feel at home. I love coming to Doha idated their advantage after the next as one of the most successful sides in “A lot of unforced errors crept in and every year. My favourite hangouts are two quarters. Although Gharafa came Qatar,” Rayyan coach Koufos Stergios he was a lot more solid than me. I made the Souq Waqif and Corniche. told Doha Stadium Plus. “We hope to many more mistakes than usual, espe- ATAR League champions Al carry on with our good work and com- cially in the third set,” said Murray, who ЂЂWho’s your idol? Ѓ Rayyan defeated Al Gharafa We hope to carry on plete a treble by winning the Emir’s had 22 unforced errors in the last set ЂI don’t have any idol now. Earlier, I Q83-71 in the Qatar Cup final to Cup, but we must not become com- alone. used to like Russian gymnast Svetlana win their second title of the season, at with our good work and placent as there’ll be stiff challenges.” Serena’s struggles prompted ques- Khorkina. She was one of the best, win-

the Al Gharafa Indoor Hall on Tuesday. complete a treble by The season-ending Emir’s Cup will tions about her fitness and movement, Singh AFP/ Prakash ning seven Olympic medals. Abdulla Malek Salim top-scored for winning the Emir’s Cup. start on Saturday. which irked her. the winners with 25 points. He was ably Holders El Jaish, Gharafa, Qatar “I don’t think it’s appropriate to criticise ЂЂWhat sort of movies you like? supported by Davon James Dominic Sports Club, Al Khor and Al Arabi are my movement right now. I did the best ЃЂI like comedies. Humour keeps me and Ngombo Tanguy Alban with 22 back strongly in the fourth, Rayyan held in Group A while Rayyan are clubbed I could. I can’t win every match. These in good spirit. I don’t have much time to and 14 points respectively. fort to emerge as comfortable winners. with Al Sadd, Al Ahli, Al Shamal and players come out and give their best. VIRAT KOHLI watch movies, but when I’m free I love After a sedate start, Rayyan soon “I thank my players for their excellent Al Wakrah in Group B. DSP I’ve to give 300 per cent every match,” to watch Charlie Chaplin movies as well. said Serena. The 34-year-old American was seek- IRAT Kohli was hailed as a batting match at the PCA Stadium. Kohli, 27, has already replaced 34-year- ЂЂYour favourite actor? ing her ninth Miami crown but instead genius after his brilliant innings led With three overs to go, India were still 39 old Dhoni as Test captain, but his regard ЃЂAngelina Jolie. matched her earliest-ever exit from VIndia to an improbable victory over runs short of their target but they cantered for the older man was underlined when Merritt for Doha Diamond League 2000 with a fourth-round departure. Australia last Sunday and sealed a semifinal home with five balls to spare as Kohli and he paid tribute to India’s ‘Captain Cool’ for ЂЂFavourite author and music “It’s obviously disappointing, but I’ve berth for the hosts at the World Twenty20 skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni laid into helping him keep his head. band? won here a lot, so it’s okay,” added Serena. cricket. the Australian attack. “MS in the end kept me calm, I could’ve ЃЂI don’t have any favourite author, but Federation (QAF) President Dahlan Al Kohli hit an unbeaten 82 off 51 balls that Kohli hit four boundaries in the got over-excited,” said Kohli after being I read thrillers. I listen to pop music. I Sajith B Warrier Hamad while announcing the second mixed classic stroke play with raw power penultimate over off Nathan Coulter-Nile named man of the match.“Trust me, you don’t follow any musical group or band. list of star names for the IAAF Diamond in Mohali as India chased down Australia’s before Dhoni finished the job with another don’t like these situations very much, (but) League season opener. Other top names total of 160 for six in a pulsating final group four. they improve you as a cricketer.” » email: [email protected] include Kenya’s reigning 1,500M world WO-TIME 400M world champion champion Asbel Kiprop and Canada’s LaShawn Merritt is one of the high jumper Derek Drouin. Inside Tbig names to have confirmed With Merritt and Drouin in the fray, for the International Association of Qatar’s Abdalelah Haroun and Mutaz Athletics Federations (IAAF) Diamond Essa Barshim face stiff competition in League meet, to be held at the Qatar their disciplines. Sports Club on May 6. The QAF also announced the for- The American is no stranger to Doha, mation of a ‘Masters Committee’, to having set the current meet record of be chaired by Qatar’s former sprint star 22 26 27 44.19 in 2014. Talal Mansour. “The IAAF Diamond League has been The main aim of the committee is to held annually in Doha since 2010 and keep retired athletes active and it will AFP/ Sean M Haffey is well established as one of the series’ organise local competitions for women Brunskill AFP/ Clive ššLaShawn Merritt top meetings,” said Qatar Athletics above 35 and men above 40. DSP ššAndy Murray Wednesday, March 30, 2016 | www.dohastadiumplusqatar.com 5

‘I love coming to Doha every year’

WISS Giulia Steingruber won two gold medals at the FIG Artistic SWorld Challenge Cup in Doha last week. The 22-year-old talks about her favourite gymnast and actor.

ЂЂWhat’s so special about Doha? ЃЂI enjoy the city’s hospitality. It makes me feel at home. I love coming to Doha every year. My favourite hangouts are the Souq Waqif and Corniche.

ЂЂWho’s your idol? ЃЂI don’t have any idol now. Earlier, I used to like Russian gymnast Svetlana Khorkina. She was one of the best, win-

AFP/ Prakash Singh AFP/ Prakash ning seven Olympic medals.

ЂЂWhat sort of movies you like? ЃЂI like comedies. Humour keeps me in good spirit. I don’t have much time to VIRAT KOHLI watch movies, but when I’m free I love to watch Charlie Chaplin movies as well.

IRAT Kohli was hailed as a batting match at the PCA Stadium. Kohli, 27, has already replaced 34-year- ЂЂYour favourite actor? genius after his brilliant innings led With three overs to go, India were still 39 old Dhoni as Test captain, but his regard ЃЂAngelina Jolie. VIndia to an improbable victory over runs short of their target but they cantered for the older man was underlined when Australia last Sunday and sealed a semifinal home with five balls to spare as Kohli and he paid tribute to India’s ‘Captain Cool’ for ЂЂFavourite author and music berth for the hosts at the World Twenty20 skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni laid into helping him keep his head. band? cricket. the Australian attack. “MS in the end kept me calm, I could’ve ЃЂI don’t have any favourite author, but Kohli hit an unbeaten 82 off 51 balls that Kohli hit four boundaries in the got over-excited,” said Kohli after being I read thrillers. I listen to pop music. I mixed classic stroke play with raw power penultimate over off Nathan Coulter-Nile named man of the match.“Trust me, you don’t follow any musical group or band. in Mohali as India chased down Australia’s before Dhoni finished the job with another don’t like these situations very much, (but) total of 160 for six in a pulsating final group four. they improve you as a cricketer.” » email: [email protected] Inside 22 26 27 6 Wednesday, March 30, 2016 | www.dohastadiumplusqatar.com Wednesday, March 30, 2016 | www.dohastadiumplusqatar.com 7 Football

COLLATED RESULTS THURSDAY UAE bt Palestine 2-0 Australia bt Tajikistan 7-0 Jordan bt Bangladesh 8-0 China bt Maldives 4-0 Tabata stays optimistic Qatar bt Hong Kong 2-0 Iran bt India 4-0 Oman bt Guam 1-0 Japan bt Afghanistan 5-0 Syria bt Cambodia 6-0 Vietnam bt Taiwan 4-1 about Qatar’s chances Iraq drew Thailand 2-2 South Korea bt Lebanon 1-0 DRAGON BLOW! Uzbekistan bt Philippines 1-0 new journey with the match against Goals from Huang Bowen and Wu Lei topple Qatar’s plans in China. Bahrain bt Yemen 3-0 EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW Hong Kong. I’m not fully happy with my TUESDAY performance, but it was my first com- Australia bt Jordan 5-1 petitive game in Annabi colours. I’m Tajikistan lost to Krygyzstan 0-1 N Ganesh Eight group winners and best four from forwards Hassan Al Haidous and China bt Qatar 2-0 confident of improving my level with Special Correspondent runners-up have made it to the next Sebastian Soria. We observed the match India lost to Turkmenistan 1-2 the help of team-mates,” said Tabata, stage, where they will be drawn into two Against China, Qatar coach Daniel closely and there were Japan bt Syria 5-0 who is currently the league’s top scorer Afghanistan bt Singapore 2-1 groups of six teams each. The top two Carreno opted for a second string as he negatives and positives. with 19 goals. sides from each will progress directly missed Al Haidous, Soria and midfielder Lebanon drew Myanmar 1-1 TTACKING midfielderRodrigo Tabata was once again the crowd We’ll take the positives Philippines bt North Korea 3-2 ATAR turned in a lacklustre to the Russia finals, with the two third- Ali Asad (all suspension) and Ahmed Tabata, who played his first favourite. When he came out, a and work on our Uzbekistan bt Bahrain 1-0 performance and went down placed nations going into play-offs. Yasser (injury). Keeping the gruelling UAE drew Saudi Arabia 1-1 Acompetitive match for Qatar young fan dressed him up as a weaknesses. We were Q0-2 to China in their last Group The 12 teams to reach the final will final round in mind, the Uruguayan, Iran bt Oman 2-0 against Hong Kong last week, said they local man using his own skull expecting a tough game. C match in the second round of 2018 also qualify for the 2019 Asian Cup in as promised, gave starts to debutant Iraq bt Vietnam 1-0 had a squad strong enough to qualify cap, black cord and head scarf. Palestine bt Timor Leste 7-0 World Cup Asian Zone qualification Pedro Miguel and several others who I had said earlier anyone for the 2018 World Cup. Asked about his season, Maldives bt Bhutan 4-2 in Xian on Tuesday. have not played enough so far in the from the group of 28 “We’ve been having a good tourna- Tabata said, “Of course, I’m It was Qatar’s first defeat in the cam- competition. players could be selected ment so far. We’re hopeful of extend- having a great season. I Qatar had qualified for FINAL STANDINGS paign. Qatar looked far from impressive for this game. China ing the fine work to the final round. I’m won my first league title the third round of the GROUP A Goals from Huang Bowen (57th) right from the start and could not cre- employed good tactics. Saudi Arabia 8 6 2 0 28 4 20 optimistic because Qatar have a good with Rayyan and we’re the and Wu Lei (92nd) toppled the plans qualification with two ate enough chances in the first half. We expected a tough UAE 8 5 2 1 25 4 17 group of players who can really make favourites at the moment to of Qatar, who had won their previous matches to spare. They paid for their lethargy close to fight, no doubt. Now, Palestine 8 3 3 2 22 6 12 things happen,” Tabata, who helped win the Emir’s Cup and Qatar seven games and qualified for the third the hour mark when midfielder Huang we’ve time to plan for the Malaysia 8 1 1 6 3 30 4 Al Rayyan end their league drought Cup. I also want to give my best to Timor-Leste 8 0 2 6 2 36 2 round with two matches to spare. shot home from outside the penalty next stage. recently, told Doha Stadium Plus. the Qatar national team and help them GROUP B China, who made their only World the UAE. The draw for the final round box into the corner following a goal- “I’m confident of contributing in my book their maiden World Cup berth in Daniel Carreno, Qatar coach. Australia 8 7 0 1 29 4 21 Cup appearance in South Korea and will be held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, mouth melee. Jordan 8 5 1 2 21 7 16 own right to the team. I’ve started my Russia,” he said. DSP Japan in 2002, scraped through to the on April 12. Wu, who came close twice before, Kyrgyzstan 8 4 2 2 10 8 14 DSP/ Fadi Al Assaad final phase, thanks to North Korea’s 2-3 Qatar had defeated Hong Kong then sealed the Gulf side’s fate with a Tajikistan 8 1 2 5 9 20 5 Bangladesh 8 0 1 7 2 32 1 surprise slip-up against the Philippines. earlier last week in Doha, with goals close-range strike in injury time. DSP GROUP C Qatar 8 7 0 1 29 4 21 ŢŢQatar’s Luiz Martin tries to stop China’s Jiang Ning. China 8 5 2 1 27 1 17 Hong Kong 8 4 2 2 13 5 14 Australia, Japan through Maldives 8 2 0 6 8 20 6 Bhutan 8 0 0 8 5 52 0 GROUP D Iran 8 6 2 0 26 3 20 late strikes from Keisuke Honda and Oman 8 4 2 2 11 7 14 Talek Harris Genki Haraguchi gave the scoreline gloss. Turkmenistan 8 4 1 3 10 11 13 Japan ended the second round of Guam 8 2 1 5 3 16 7 qualifiers with 27 goals scored and none India 8 1 0 7 5 18 3 conceded from their eight games, but GROUP E Japan 8 7 1 0 27 0 22 SIAN heavyweights Australia Honda warned the Samurai Blue would Syria 8 6 0 2 26 11 18 and Japan booked their places face tougher challenges ahead. Singapore 8 3 1 4 9 9 10 Ain the next round of World Cup “But there’re still some things we Afghanistan 8 3 0 5 8 24 9 qualifying with big wins on Tuesday. need to work on. We got caught on Cambodia 8 0 0 8 1 27 0 Veteran striker Tim Cahill scored twice the counter several times and stronger GROUP F Thailand 6 4 2 0 14 6 14 as Australia eased past Harry Redknapp’s opponents will make us pay so we need Iraq 6 3 3 0 13 6 12 Jordan 5-1 while Borussia Dortmund’s to be wary of that,” said AC Milan’s Vietnam 6 2 1 3 7 8 7 Shinji Kagawa also netted a double in Honda. Chinese Taipei 6 0 0 6 5 19 0 Japan’s 5-0 win over Syria. In Sydney, Cahill, now 36 and playing GROUP G War-torn Syria made it through as for China’s Hangzhou Greentown, struck South Korea 7 7 0 0 24 0 21 Lebanon 8 3 2 3 12 6 11 one of the best second-placed teams twice in the first half against Jordan to Kuwait 6 3 1 2 12 4 10 despite the late flurry of goals, which stretch his record Australian tally to 47 Myanmar 8 2 2 4 9 21 8 consigned them to a 0-5 defeat in goals in 89 games. Laos 7 0 1 6 3 29 1 Saitama. Australia’s other scorers were home- GROUP H REUTERS/ Jason Reed A freak own goal from Hamdi Al based midfielder Aaron Mooy, Glasgow Uzbekistan 8 7 0 1 20 7 21 North Korea 8 5 1 2 14 8 16 ššAustralia’s Tim Cahill leaps onto goal-scoring team-mate Masri after 17 minutes put Japan in Celtic’s Tom Rogic and QPR youngster Philippines 8 3 1 4 8 12 10 Tomas Rogic during their match against Jordan. front before Kagawa’s double alongside Massimo Luongo. Bahrain 8 3 0 5 10 10 9 Yemen 8 1 0 7 2 17 3 FIFA cancelled Kuwait’s matches against Laos and South Korea after the Gulf nation was banned A 1-1 draw with the UAE was enough to see Saudi Arabia go through as from international football last October due to Saudi top Group A winners on Tuesday. government interference. Their qualifier against Myanmar in November was cancelled and The UAE were in with an outside chance of taking the top spot in the Myanmar were awarded a 3-0 win. group table if the 2015 AFC Asian Cup semifinalists could win at least by a 3-0 despite margin, but that scenario looked increasingly unlikely when Taiseer Al QUALIFIED TEAMS Jassim put visitors Saudi ahead in the 24th minute. Qatar UAE Iran Thailand The home side dominated large parts of the game and were worthy AFP/ Karim Sahib China Australia Japan Iraq UAE draw of at least a point, which came courtesy of a superb strike from Al Ain ššUAE’s Omar Abdulrahman celebrates after Saudi Arabia South Korea Syria Uzbekistan star Omar Abdulrahman seven minutes into the second half. DSP

DSP/ Fadi Al Assaad scoring against Saudi Arabia. Wednesday, March 30, 2016 | www.dohastadiumplusqatar.com 7

Tajikistan 8 1 2 5 9 20 5 DSP/ Fadi Al Assaad Bangladesh 8 0 1 7 2 32 1 GROUP C Qatar 8 7 0 1 29 4 21 China 8 5 2 1 27 1 17 Hong Kong 8 4 2 2 13 5 14 Australia, Japan through Maldives 8 2 0 6 8 20 6 Bhutan 8 0 0 8 5 52 0 GROUP D Iran 8 6 2 0 26 3 20 late strikes from Keisuke Honda and Oman 8 4 2 2 11 7 14 Talek Harris Genki Haraguchi gave the scoreline gloss. Turkmenistan 8 4 1 3 10 11 13 Japan ended the second round of Guam 8 2 1 5 3 16 7 qualifiers with 27 goals scored and none India 8 1 0 7 5 18 3 conceded from their eight games, but GROUP E Japan 8 7 1 0 27 0 22 SIAN heavyweights Australia Honda warned the Samurai Blue would Syria 8 6 0 2 26 11 18 and Japan booked their places face tougher challenges ahead. Singapore 8 3 1 4 9 9 10 Ain the next round of World Cup “But there’re still some things we Afghanistan 8 3 0 5 8 24 9 qualifying with big wins on Tuesday. need to work on. We got caught on Cambodia 8 0 0 8 1 27 0 Veteran striker Tim Cahill scored twice the counter several times and stronger GROUP F Thailand 6 4 2 0 14 6 14 as Australia eased past Harry Redknapp’s opponents will make us pay so we need Iraq 6 3 3 0 13 6 12 Jordan 5-1 while Borussia Dortmund’s to be wary of that,” said AC Milan’s Vietnam 6 2 1 3 7 8 7 Shinji Kagawa also netted a double in Honda. Chinese Taipei 6 0 0 6 5 19 0 Japan’s 5-0 win over Syria. In Sydney, Cahill, now 36 and playing GROUP G War-torn Syria made it through as for China’s Hangzhou Greentown, struck South Korea 7 7 0 0 24 0 21 Lebanon 8 3 2 3 12 6 11 one of the best second-placed teams twice in the first half against Jordan to Kuwait 6 3 1 2 12 4 10 despite the late flurry of goals, which stretch his record Australian tally to 47 Myanmar 8 2 2 4 9 21 8 consigned them to a 0-5 defeat in goals in 89 games. Laos 7 0 1 6 3 29 1 Saitama. Australia’s other scorers were home- GROUP H REUTERS/ Jason Reed A freak own goal from Hamdi Al based midfielder Aaron Mooy, Glasgow Uzbekistan 8 7 0 1 20 7 21 North Korea 8 5 1 2 14 8 16 ššAustralia’s Tim Cahill leaps onto goal-scoring team-mate Masri after 17 minutes put Japan in Celtic’s Tom Rogic and QPR youngster Philippines 8 3 1 4 8 12 10 Tomas Rogic during their match against Jordan. front before Kagawa’s double alongside Massimo Luongo. Bahrain 8 3 0 5 10 10 9 Yemen 8 1 0 7 2 17 3 FIFA cancelled Kuwait’s matches against Laos and South Korea after the Gulf nation was banned A 1-1 draw with the UAE was enough to see Saudi Arabia go through as from international football last October due to Saudi top Group A winners on Tuesday. government interference. Their qualifier against Myanmar in November was cancelled and The UAE were in with an outside chance of taking the top spot in the Myanmar were awarded a 3-0 win. group table if the 2015 AFC Asian Cup semifinalists could win at least by a 3-0 despite margin, but that scenario looked increasingly unlikely when Taiseer Al QUALIFIED TEAMS Jassim put visitors Saudi ahead in the 24th minute. Qatar UAE Iran Thailand The home side dominated large parts of the game and were worthy AFP/ Karim Sahib China Australia Japan Iraq UAE draw of at least a point, which came courtesy of a superb strike from Al Ain šUAE’s Omar Abdulrahman celebrates after star Omar Abdulrahman seven minutes into the second half. DSP š Saudi Arabia South Korea Syria Uzbekistan scoring against Saudi Arabia. 8 Wednesday, March 30, 2016 | www.dohastadiumplusqatar.com Wednesday, March 30, 2016 | www.dohastadiumplusqatar.com 9 Football

COVER STORY ‘Serious consequences if betting is proved’

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW the number of matches on which bets are betting is also illegal in the State of placed across all sports, both in legal and Qatar, so one would expect there to illegal markets,” ICSS Anti-Corruption be serious consequences for anyone and Transparency Operations Director in the country found to be betting on Mohammad Amin-ul Islam Fred Lord told Doha Stadium Plus. a match,” said Lord, a former head of It’s important that all sports “It would be inappropriate to com- anti-corruption at Interpol. and competitions put in place ment on rumours and speculation Asked about the chances of match betting in a comprehensive integrity (about the prevalence of betting in fixing in Qatar, Lord said, “No sports programme that includes HE International Centre for Sport competition is immune to it. However, strengthening betting Security says betting industry, the QSL and various authorities have monitoring, education and Tboth legal and illegal, has grown We’re unable to estimate been proactively protecting themselves governance structures. manifold over the last 10-15 years largely from the threat. due to the emergence of several websites how much money is bet “The ICSS and our sport integrity Fred Lord, ICSS Anti-Corruption and which offer odds online. However, the from other countries on experts have forged a strong relation- Transparency Operations Director. Doha-based independent organisation, matches in Qatar. ship with the QSL ever since we were Qatar? which stands to safeguard sports, said established in 2010 and have provided it was unable to estimate how much betting monitoring as well as educa- BigThere are hushed whispers that bets are placed on matches in Qatar money was bet from other countries Qatar). What I do know is that the Qatar tion seminars for players, coaches and on matches in Qatar. Stars League (QSL) and the country’s administrators from the league and even though there is no conclusive proof to link anyone with it. “We’re unable to accurately estimate football authorities have been leaders overall integrity support and advice. how much money is bet from other coun- in putting in place anti-match fixing “Match fixing is a concern for many tries on matches in Qatar. More broadly, measures as well as providing proac- clubs and competitions around the ĈĈSome data providers even countries as per Sharia law. However, Confederation (AFC), which has part- the increased accessibility to sport bet- tive education programmes for play- world. However, I think Qatar is well- cover the Qatargas League there is easy access to online betting nership agreements with some of them. ting through websites and phone apps ers, officials and coaches. equipped to protect itself from such sites even in Qatar though certain com- For example, Sportradar is a global has resulted in a significant increase in “It’s also worth highlighting that challenges,” Lord added. DSP panies and institutions, like the Aspire leader in leveraging the power of sports N Ganesh Zone Foundation, have blocked them. data and digital content for its clients If you want to bet on this week’s Qatar around the world. It also doubles as an Stars League matches, then enough integrity monitor and the AFC recently More bookmakers tips and predictions about all seven signed a new agreement with the firm. HE words ‘punting’ and ‘betting’ matches are available on websites like Accordingly, Sportradar will observe put money into used to transport our minds www.betexplorer.com, www.windraw- more than 4,500 Asian matches through a Tprimarily to horseracing in the win.com and www.soccerpunter.com, bespoke AFC Monitoring System, includ- European game past, but the exponential growth of to name but a few. ing games from its competitions and football as a glamorous sport of the Other options, like opportunity for all top-tier member leagues as well as HERE is no reticence about hook- youth and into an industry involving ‘spot betting’, are also available. There continental and regional tournaments. ing up with bookies in the Euro- billions of dollars has changed that are a few websites that offer ‘live’ data Even without official approval, it is Tpean football world. A new study perception. of matches. In many cases, these data easy for anyone to purchase a ticket, by sports and entertainment intelligence Football, followed by cricket and are available on websites a few seconds get inside the stadium and upload the advisor Repucom shows bookmaker tennis, accounts for a vast majority of ahead of live coverage. Broadcasters data using a smartphone, be it for the investment in European football jersey money involved in the betting industry. often use a short delay to prevent pro- integrity monitor or for a betting web- sponsorship rose a staggering 180 per While Doha-based integrity watchdog fanity, bloopers or other undesirable site. But the big question is, “What’s the cent in just one year. International Centre for Sport Security guarantee that the live data uploaded The European Football Jersey Report

(ICSS) estimates that amount to be in by the integrity monitor itself isn’t (mis) DSP Photo 2015-2016 shows betting/lottery com- š the range of $1.5tn to $2tn a year, some Before the whispers used by unscrupulous elements to their šBadr Bilal panies spend €42m on football shirt analysts find it to be a conservative fig- advantage?” deals in the current season, up from just ure and believe the total sum splashed turn into a roar, it is There is no conclusive proof that bet- €15m in the 2014-2015 report. The surge out across legal and illegal markets is better to take more ting is prevalent in Qatar. The ICSS says made the betting sector the sixth larg- double that. preventive steps. it is unable to accurately estimate how Sports is all about fair play: Badr est on the football sponsorship charts, In Europe, there are different legisla- much money is bet from elsewhere up from 11th in the 2014-2015 report. tions in various countries but, by and on matches in the country. It will be The top five are (in order of magnitude) large, that continent is believed to be material from making it to air, includ- of some academic interest, especially be crossed. Football, as such, has eve- the west, such rackets are so powerful travel and tourism, automobile, bank- the ideal place for legal betting. The ing more mundane problems such as when there are hushed whispers that Aswin Abraham rything to offer. It shapes the players’ that you can do very little against them. ing/financial/insurance, automotive restrictions on online bookmakers are technical malfunctions. In broadcast the bets placed on a single game runs personality, helps boost your coun- “I don’t know why people resort to and telecommunications. not as stringent as in other parts of the parlance, it is often referred to as a into a few millions. try’s profile, etc. The game should be such acts. Perhaps, money is the driv- The report covers shirt sponsorships world and, no wonder, there is a pro- seven-second delay or profanity delay. Are Qataris into it? In these technolog- played in its true spirit,” Badr told Doha ing force as massive sums are involved,” in the English Premier League (EPL), liferation of betting websites in recent Some of the data providers also exten- ically-advanced days, with easy access ADR Bilal, whose three goals Stadium Plus. he said. Germany’s Bundesliga, Spain’s La Liga, years. They constitute the sixth biggest sively cover the Qatargas League (sec- to online betting, it is hard to believe played a key role in Qatar’s The 53-year-old dismissed rumours Italy’s Serie A and the Netherlands’ sector on football sponsorship charts ond division), international matches otherwise. But there is no conclusive Brunners-up finish at the 1981 that a betting racket was at work in Eredivisie. Total shirt sponsorship rose and it can only get bigger in the com- including friendlies and even age- proof to link anyone with it. FIFA World Youth Championship in In the west, betting the country, especially in the Qatargas nearly 13 per cent year-on-year to more ing years, but all under the purview of group tournaments involving clubs Having said that, before the whispers Australia, said any sort of betting, legal League (Second Division). than €830m, with the EPL accounting existing laws in those countries. and national teams. Many of them are turn into a roar, it is better to take more or illegal, was against the very essence rackets are so powerful “In Qatar, betting is forbidden accord- for just under 40 per cent of this sum, On the contrary, and quite sadly, some aiming to make inroads into the Qatari preventive steps. Why doesn’t Qatar block of the game. that you can do very ing to our religious beliefs. I’ve no clue having enjoyed over 35 per cent growth of the Far East countries are home to market, some even approaching Doha websites that offer odds and also pro- The former striker called those involved little against them. whatsoever as to its prevalence in the last year. illegal betting syndicates, which have Stadium Plus, expressing interests to vide live data, which can lead to illegal in sports betting, especially football, as country. Repucom said if the current rate of been spreading their vicious tenta- place advertisements on the weekly’s betting and eventually match fixing as diabolic forces and demanded strin- “I’m not a keen follower of the Qatargas growth persisted, the top six leagues cles, destroying the game’s integrity, website. they did with some sites offer- gent action against them. “There’re chances of players getting League either. If at all it’s there, then could soon be collectively earning over by colluding with greedy agents and Interestingly, it is learnt that the staff ing obscene contents? “We’ve to accept that betting is legal trapped by betting syndicates, directly the people associated with it should be €1bn per year just from shirt deals. It even managing to fix matches includ- working for these ‘data-providing’ web- The ICSS can effec- in many countries, but we also have to or indirectly. Sports is all about fair play banned for ever,” added Badr, a mem- called the rise of betting companies’ ing World Cup qualifiers. sites have got official approval to oper- tively help the coun- admit that it’s a dark spot on sports. and betting is against its core values. ber of 1989 Asian Club Championship- sponsorship involvement “certainly Gambling is banned in Islamic ate within Asia from the Asian Football try go about it. DSP There must be a line which shouldn’t You’ve to be straight in these matters. In winning Al Sadd team. DSP worth noting”. 8 Wednesday, March 30, 2016 | www.dohastadiumplusqatar.com Wednesday, March 30, 2016 | www.dohastadiumplusqatar.com 9 Football

COVER STORY ‘Serious consequences if betting is proved’

(ICSS) estimates that amount to be in by the integrity monitor itself isn’t (mis) DSP Photo 2015-2016 shows betting/lottery com- š the range of $1.5tn to $2tn a year, some Before the whispers used by unscrupulous elements to their šBadr Bilal panies spend €42m on football shirt analysts find it to be a conservative fig- advantage?” deals in the current season, up from just ure and believe the total sum splashed turn into a roar, it is There is no conclusive proof that bet- €15m in the 2014-2015 report. The surge out across legal and illegal markets is better to take more ting is prevalent in Qatar. The ICSS says made the betting sector the sixth larg- double that. preventive steps. it is unable to accurately estimate how Sports is all about fair play: Badr est on the football sponsorship charts, In Europe, there are different legisla- much money is bet from elsewhere up from 11th in the 2014-2015 report. tions in various countries but, by and on matches in the country. It will be The top five are (in order of magnitude) large, that continent is believed to be material from making it to air, includ- of some academic interest, especially be crossed. Football, as such, has eve- the west, such rackets are so powerful travel and tourism, automobile, bank- the ideal place for legal betting. The ing more mundane problems such as when there are hushed whispers that Aswin Abraham rything to offer. It shapes the players’ that you can do very little against them. ing/financial/insurance, automotive restrictions on online bookmakers are technical malfunctions. In broadcast the bets placed on a single game runs personality, helps boost your coun- “I don’t know why people resort to and telecommunications. not as stringent as in other parts of the parlance, it is often referred to as a into a few millions. try’s profile, etc. The game should be such acts. Perhaps, money is the driv- The report covers shirt sponsorships world and, no wonder, there is a pro- seven-second delay or profanity delay. Are Qataris into it? In these technolog- played in its true spirit,” Badr told Doha ing force as massive sums are involved,” in the English Premier League (EPL), liferation of betting websites in recent Some of the data providers also exten- ically-advanced days, with easy access ADR Bilal, whose three goals Stadium Plus. he said. Germany’s Bundesliga, Spain’s La Liga, years. They constitute the sixth biggest sively cover the Qatargas League (sec- to online betting, it is hard to believe played a key role in Qatar’s The 53-year-old dismissed rumours Italy’s Serie A and the Netherlands’ sector on football sponsorship charts ond division), international matches otherwise. But there is no conclusive Brunners-up finish at the 1981 that a betting racket was at work in Eredivisie. Total shirt sponsorship rose and it can only get bigger in the com- including friendlies and even age- proof to link anyone with it. FIFA World Youth Championship in In the west, betting the country, especially in the Qatargas nearly 13 per cent year-on-year to more ing years, but all under the purview of group tournaments involving clubs Having said that, before the whispers Australia, said any sort of betting, legal League (Second Division). than €830m, with the EPL accounting existing laws in those countries. and national teams. Many of them are turn into a roar, it is better to take more or illegal, was against the very essence rackets are so powerful “In Qatar, betting is forbidden accord- for just under 40 per cent of this sum, On the contrary, and quite sadly, some aiming to make inroads into the Qatari preventive steps. Why doesn’t Qatar block of the game. that you can do very ing to our religious beliefs. I’ve no clue having enjoyed over 35 per cent growth of the Far East countries are home to market, some even approaching Doha websites that offer odds and also pro- The former striker called those involved little against them. whatsoever as to its prevalence in the last year. illegal betting syndicates, which have Stadium Plus, expressing interests to vide live data, which can lead to illegal in sports betting, especially football, as country. Repucom said if the current rate of been spreading their vicious tenta- place advertisements on the weekly’s betting and eventually match fixing as diabolic forces and demanded strin- “I’m not a keen follower of the Qatargas growth persisted, the top six leagues cles, destroying the game’s integrity, website. they did with some sites offer- gent action against them. “There’re chances of players getting League either. If at all it’s there, then could soon be collectively earning over by colluding with greedy agents and Interestingly, it is learnt that the staff ing obscene contents? “We’ve to accept that betting is legal trapped by betting syndicates, directly the people associated with it should be €1bn per year just from shirt deals. It even managing to fix matches includ- working for these ‘data-providing’ web- The ICSS can effec- in many countries, but we also have to or indirectly. Sports is all about fair play banned for ever,” added Badr, a mem- called the rise of betting companies’ ing World Cup qualifiers. sites have got official approval to oper- tively help the coun- admit that it’s a dark spot on sports. and betting is against its core values. ber of 1989 Asian Club Championship- sponsorship involvement “certainly Gambling is banned in Islamic ate within Asia from the Asian Football try go about it. DSP There must be a line which shouldn’t You’ve to be straight in these matters. In winning Al Sadd team. DSP worth noting”. 10 Wednesday, March 30, 2016 | www.dohastadiumplusqatar.com Wednesday, March 30, 2016 | www.dohastadiumplusqatar.com 11 Football

El Jaish look to extend good run, cops eye win

L JAISH face off with Uzbekistan’s to win and are at the bottom of Group Plenty to play for Nasaf away while Lekhwiya host B with two points from three matches. ESaudi Arabia’s Al Nassr in their They played a goalless draw with Iran’s El Jaish, Al Sadd and Lekhwiya are in the race for a top-three finish in the Qatar Stars League, behind next AFC Champions League matches Zobahan at home in the third round. DSP scheduled for April 5. recently-crowned champions Al Rayyan, as they target the two play-off berths in AFC Champions League. Jaish had beaten Nasaf 1-0 at home FIXTURES in the previous round to extend their Kick-off in Doha time. Tuesday, April 5 all-win record to three matches and Ĉ Lekhwiya (QAT) vs Al Nassr (KSA), Lekhwiya ĈFourth-placed Lekhwiya increase tally to nine. They are cur- Stadium, 6.30pm. have the easier fixture rently the Group D leaders. Nasaf (UZB) vs El Jaish (QAT) Karshi Central Stadium, Karshi, 4.45pm. ĈĈRelegation battle also Djamel Belmadi’s Lekhwiya are yet hots up šЂQatari colts proved too good for Costa Rica. N Ganesh Qatari U-19 boys blank

RESH from the break, El Jaish, Costa Rica in friendly Al Sadd and Lekhwiya are all Fdetermined to make the most of the remaining three matches in the HE Qatar Under-19 team defeated The camp and friendlies were part of Qatar Stars League and finish in the top Costa Rica 2-0 in a friendly in Qatar’s preparations for the AFC U-19 three, which would guarantee them a TMalaga last week. Championship, to be held in Bahrain in play-off berth for the AFC Champions Qatar had lost to Ivory Coast 2-3 in October. Qatar are the reigning Asian League. another friendly played as part of their champions. Al Rayyan booked the automatic slot 11-day camp, which concluded in the Oscar Cano’s boys, who had camped for the premier club competition in Spanish port city last Sunday. in Morocco last month, will travel to Asia with a dominating performance, Hazem Ahmed and Khalid Munir Croatia next and train there from April which saw them win the league with scored for Qatar against Costa Rica, a 15 to 22. They will also play friendlies five matches to spare. traditionally strong country in world against the East European country on That was demoralising for Jaish, Sadd šЂEl Jaish’s hopes rest on striker Abderrazak Hamdallah, right, football. April 19 and 21. DSP and Lekhwiya who all looked good in

Al Rayyan booked the automatic slot ‘2022 FIFA World Cup can for the premier club competition in Asia. be a positive force for Qatar’

the pre-season to land the title, and š finishing without any trophy, which ЂJavier Pastore which I’ve experienced. When we drove It’s important to make something of looks a strong possibility as Rayyan INTERVIEW to training or games, we drove through the event. are more than capable of extending Pastore in Qatar masses of flag-waving fans. their domination to the cup tourna- I played every game and did well. ЂЂGermany’s chances at ments, would be further embarrassing. for treatment ERMANY’S Lukas Podolski We went very far. I’ll carry these expe- the Euro Championship in

Jaish, with 43 points, are second, with DSP Photo has been through a remark- France... Sadd (42) and Lekhwiya (41) hot on šĈAl Sadd will take on El Jaish in the last match of the league. RGENTINA and Paris-Saint Ger- Gable journey since shining ЃЂAs world champions, we’ll be their heels. The three teams, along with main midfielder Javier Pastore as one of the young stars of the 2006 For every country it’s the team everyone wants to beat. Rayyan, are expected to complete the Bilal is back to Areached Doha last Sunday to FIFA World Cup on home soil. He has We’ll enter the tournament looking top four, which will see them qualify before the break, have failed to repro- moves in the January transfer window. receive treatment at Qatar’s orthopaedic since featured for some of the biggest an opportunity. It’s to win a second straight major title. for the Qatar Cup semifinals and Emir’s duce their last season’s form, but they Twelfth-placed Kharaitiyat (23 points) full fitness and sports medicine hospital Aspetar. clubs in the world and capped his important to make Cup quarterfinals. The draw for the have relatively easier matches among the too looked gritty in the last fixture “I’m undergoing a screening for an sparkling international career with something of the event. ЂЂThe difficulty in being a Centre-back Bilal Mohammed Emir’s Cup will be held on Wednesday. three as they will play bottom-half teams against Al Gharafa, but injuries suf- injury in my leg. I’m familiar with Aspetar the World Cup winner’s medal in Rio player watched closely by the returned from a muscle injury to Lekhwiya, who lost 2-3 to Sadd just Al Wakrah, Al Ahli and Al Mesaimeer. fered by striker Hassan Abdelfattah give Qatar Stars League side Al as I had been here twice before,” said de Janeiro in 2014. social media? Ѓ Back-in-form Jaish, who will meet (calf muscle) and centre-back Assie Gharafa a big boost going into the Pastore. Excerpts from his interview with riences with me until the end of my ЂBefore you used to buy news- Sadd in the final round, are to play Qatar Vivien (groin) during that game mean final weeks of the season. “We come to Qatar with Paris-Saint www.sc.qa. career and life. paper to find out what happened KICK-OFF The Qatar national team captain Friday, April 1 Sports Club and Umm Salal prior to they will find the going tough against Germain every year and we visit Aspetar in training. Now you’ve everything has been out of action for more than Ђ Ђ Al Wakrah vs Lekhwiya, Al Wakrah Stadium, 6.15pm. that fixture. Sadd’s next two fixtures are Al Khor on Sunday. DSP as part of our preparations for the upcom- ЂPlaying World Cup at home... ЂFirst World Cup in the Middle online within a few seconds. It’s impor- two months. El Jaish vs Qatar SC, Lekhwiya Stadium, 6.15pm. against Al Sailiya and Rayyan. ing season. Aspetar is a world-class facil- ЃЂEvery international game gives you East... tant for me to communicate directly Gharafa, however, will continue Al Rayyan vs Al Gharafa, Al Sadd Stadium, 8.30pm. At the other end of table, the fight ity with experienced and professional additional experience, but there’s noth- ЃЂIt’s an opportunity for every host with the fans and I’m able to give them Saturday, April 2 to miss Ibrahim Al Ghanem, who is Al Sailiya vs Al Sadd, Al Ahli Stadium, 6.15pm. for relegation too is hotting up. The recuperating from a hamstring injury. medical staff. The hospital attracts playing more special than playing a World country. We saw that in Germany it back something which is why I do it. Al Arabi vs Umm Salal, Al Arabi Stadium, 6.15pm. momentum is with 13th-placed Qatar more rounds are to be The Cheetahs, who are eighth in ers from around the world, and we’re Cup at home. Germany 2006 was my brought a real move forward, and Ten years ago there was nothing like Mesaimeer vs Al Ahli, Al Arabi Stadium, 8.30pm. SC (22 points), who have improved tre- the standings with 31 points, will next delighted to have such a destination most beautiful experience even if we for an Arab country like Qatar, I defi- this, and now it’s a constant Sunday, April 3 mendously under Sebastiao Lazaroni, played in this season’s meet recently-crowned Qatar Stars for treatment and rehabilitation,” he won the title in 2014. The World Cup nitely think it can be a positive force. companion which I really Al Kharaitiyat vs Al Khor, Al Khor Stadium, 6.15pm. 3 Qatar Stars League League champions Al Rayyan. DSP DSP DSP especially since making some smart added. in 2006 as a package was the best thing For every country it’s an opportunity. enjoy. Wednesday, March 30, 2016 | www.dohastadiumplusqatar.com 11

El Jaish look to extend good run, cops eye win

L JAISH face off with Uzbekistan’s to win and are at the bottom of Group Nasaf away while Lekhwiya host B with two points from three matches. ESaudi Arabia’s Al Nassr in their They played a goalless draw with Iran’s next AFC Champions League matches Zobahan at home in the third round. DSP scheduled for April 5. Jaish had beaten Nasaf 1-0 at home FIXTURES in the previous round to extend their Kick-off in Doha time. Tuesday, April 5 all-win record to three matches and Lekhwiya (QAT) vs Al Nassr (KSA), Lekhwiya increase tally to nine. They are cur- Stadium, 6.30pm. rently the Group D leaders. Nasaf (UZB) vs El Jaish (QAT) Djamel Belmadi’s Lekhwiya are yet Karshi Central Stadium, Karshi, 4.45pm.

šЂQatari colts proved too good for Costa Rica. Qatari U-19 boys blank Costa Rica in friendly

HE Qatar Under-19 team defeated The camp and friendlies were part of Costa Rica 2-0 in a friendly in Qatar’s preparations for the AFC U-19 TMalaga last week. Championship, to be held in Bahrain in Qatar had lost to Ivory Coast 2-3 in October. Qatar are the reigning Asian another friendly played as part of their champions. 11-day camp, which concluded in the Oscar Cano’s boys, who had camped Spanish port city last Sunday. in Morocco last month, will travel to Hazem Ahmed and Khalid Munir Croatia next and train there from April scored for Qatar against Costa Rica, a 15 to 22. They will also play friendlies traditionally strong country in world against the East European country on šЂEl Jaish’s hopes rest on striker Abderrazak Hamdallah, right, football. April 19 and 21. DSP ‘2022 FIFA World Cup can be a positive force for Qatar’

š ЂJavier Pastore which I’ve experienced. When we drove It’s important to make something of INTERVIEW to training or games, we drove through the event. Pastore in Qatar masses of flag-waving fans. I played every game and did well. ЂЂGermany’s chances at for treatment ERMANY’S Lukas Podolski We went very far. I’ll carry these expe- the Euro Championship in has been through a remark- France... RGENTINA and Paris-Saint Ger- Gable journey since shining ЃЂAs world champions, we’ll be main midfielder Javier Pastore as one of the young stars of the 2006 For every country it’s the team everyone wants to beat. Areached Doha last Sunday to FIFA World Cup on home soil. He has We’ll enter the tournament looking receive treatment at Qatar’s orthopaedic since featured for some of the biggest an opportunity. It’s to win a second straight major title. and sports medicine hospital Aspetar. clubs in the world and capped his important to make “I’m undergoing a screening for an sparkling international career with something of the event. ЂЂThe difficulty in being a injury in my leg. I’m familiar with Aspetar the World Cup winner’s medal in Rio player watched closely by the as I had been here twice before,” said de Janeiro in 2014. social media? Pastore. Excerpts from his interview with riences with me until the end of my ЃЂBefore you used to buy news- “We come to Qatar with Paris-Saint www.sc.qa. career and life. paper to find out what happened Germain every year and we visit Aspetar in training. Now you’ve everything as part of our preparations for the upcom- ЂЂPlaying World Cup at home... ЂЂFirst World Cup in the Middle online within a few seconds. It’s impor- ing season. Aspetar is a world-class facil- ЃЂEvery international game gives you East... tant for me to communicate directly ity with experienced and professional additional experience, but there’s noth- ЃЂIt’s an opportunity for every host with the fans and I’m able to give them medical staff. The hospital attracts playing more special than playing a World country. We saw that in Germany it back something which is why I do it. ers from around the world, and we’re Cup at home. Germany 2006 was my brought a real move forward, and Ten years ago there was nothing like delighted to have such a destination most beautiful experience even if we for an Arab country like Qatar, I defi- this, and now it’s a constant for treatment and rehabilitation,” he won the title in 2014. The World Cup nitely think it can be a positive force. companion which I really added. DSP in 2006 as a package was the best thing For every country it’s an opportunity. enjoy. DSP 12 Wednesday, March 30, 2016 | www.dohastadiumplusqatar.com Wednesday, March 30, 2016 | www.dohastadiumplusqatar.com 13 Football

Ibra is heading Payet’s form for English Let’s not get delights coach Premier League? IMITRI Payet received a resound- ing vote of approval from France WEDEN captain Zlatan Ibra- Dcoach Didier Deschamps after himovic hinted last Sunday at carried away, ššJack Butland the midfielder made an impressive Sa move to the Premier League return to international football with and promised big things to come in a starring role in the 3-2 win over the his career. Injured Butland Netherlands in Amsterdam last week. “I’ve had four fantastic years with says Hodgson “He confirmed with us what he Paris Saint-Germain,” said Ibrahimovic, doubtful for Euro has been doing with his club,” said adding that there were no ongoing talks Deschamps of Payet’s form with West with the French champions about an NGLAND goalkeeper Jack Butland Ham United over the last months. “Every extension to a contract that expires at Erik Kirschbaum looks doubtful for Euro 2016 after time he touched the ball, he made some- the end of the season. “The relation- Ea scan last Sunday showed he thing happen. He has enormous qual- ship I’ve with them is only positive. had fractured his ankle during the 3-2 ities and made a massive effort. He’s They’ve done everything they could friendly win against Germany in Berlin. on top form.” for me and my family.” ANAGER Roy Hodgson tried to “Today’s scan revealed I’ve fractured Available on a free transfer, Ibrahimovic keep things in perspective after my ankle, absolutely devastated! I’ll be said there had been interest from Premier MEngland fought back from 0-2 doing everything I can to get back fit League clubs. down to beat world champions Ger- as soon as I can!” 23-year-old Butland “Yes, there’s an interest, I can con- many 3-2 in a friendly, thanks to three said on Twitter last Sunday. firm that. We’ve to see where it leads. goals in the final 30 minutes last week. Neither the FA nor Butland’s club

When the moment comes, when all the Ganea REUTERS/Octav “I’m a bit worried that all of the crit- Stoke City gave details about how long cards are on the table, that’s when I’ve šĈSpain’s Jordi Alba, left, is challenged by Romania’s Adrian Popa while Marc Bartra looks on. icism we’ve had in the past will sud- he would be out for but sources indi- to go through what I want, and then denly be forgotten. This team is def- / Carl Recine cated a three-month layoff. we’ll see who wants it more,” he said. initely a work in progress,” Hodgson That would rule him out of the rest

“It’s like a marriage. Two parties have to REUTERS of the Premier League season, a big want it, not one or the other. Each side ššRoy Hodgson blow to eighth-placed Stoke. ššDimitri Payet needs to want it as much as the other.” We’ve an awful long Having already secured the French title, PSG face Manchester City in the way to go before we “If we had lost 2-3 and Germany quarterfinal of the Champions League can claim to be like the scored the late goal I wouldn’t be bit- finishes while Ibrahimovic’s attention Germans. terly disappointed. Sterling out for eight weeks will turn to leading Sweden at the Euro “I’d still be pleased with the way we 2016 finals in France. played the game and approached it. “A lot of big things will happen this Stalemate said. “Let’s not get carried away. Let’s We’ve a lot of players playing their sec- ANCHESTER City forward summer. Have a little patience and you make certain these players keep their ond or third game,” added Hodgson. Raheem Sterling could be out will’ve things to write about. The future Romania hold Spain goalless in a friendly as the latter’s goalkeeper feet on the ground. I want them hungry, Germany took command with goals Mof action for up to eight weeks looks very good,” said Ibrahimovic. to keep learning from their mistakes.” from Toni Kroos and Mario Gomez before due to a groin injury, the BBC reported The Swede had been linked to a move Iker Casillas equals the record for most caps by a European player. Hodgson fielded an experimental the visitors rallied through Harry Kane, last week. to Major League Soccer earlier in the line-up, partly out of necessity, which Jamie Vardy and Eric Dier. The 21-year-old, signed from Liverpool season but his scintillating form has included Dele Alli, 19, and a debut for “It’s important to remain humble in for a British record £49m last year, was opened up other possibilities, includ- ĈĈThe Spain keeper has not Astafjevs in the continent’s record books. days following their fortuitous 1-1 draw Danny Rose and they responded with these moments,” said Hodgson. “We’ve hurt during the Manchester derby defeat ing the chance of playing for Sweden conceded in 710 minutes The goalkeeper has also not conceded away to Italy in Udine that ended their a performance that ensured injured an awful long way to go before we can by United recently. He will miss City’s at the Rio Olympics in August as an a goal in 710 minutes for Spain, but he run of seven successive wins as well as captain Wayne Rooney was not missed. claim to be like the Germans. It’s a good Champions League quarterfinal against over-age player. was forced to make a couple of fine a run of six successive clean sheets. “It’s a friendly and one must always be step forward and a moment of pro- Paris Saint-Germain and will need to Angel Krasimirov saves to keep the clean sheet. David de Gea played in goal for Spain careful not to attach too much impor- gression. We’ll be analysing the game, prove his fitness to play for England in The stalemate also showed that both in that match. tance,” said the England manager. there’s an awful lot we could do better.” ššRaheem Sterling the Euro Championship starting in June. Against Romania, Spain coach Vicente del Bosque made 10 changes to the side OMANIA held European cham- It was Spain’s second that started against Italy, with centre pions Spain to a 0-0 draw last back Gerard Pique the only survivor friendly in four days RSunday in a Euro 2016 warm-up and Barcelona midfielder Sergi Roberto Suarez back in business for Uruguay match in Cluj that saw visiting goal- following their 1-1 draw making his international debut. keeper Iker Casillas equal the record away to Italy in Udine. The second-string line-up started for most international caps by a Eu- well, creating some decent chances, and “As always, we showed character,” minutes when Carlos Sanchez headed ropean player. Romania keeper Ciprian Tatarusanu pro- Andrew Downie said Barcelona striker Suarez. a ball down to Cavani and the Paris Casillas’s 166th appearance for Spain, teams have work to do in front of goal duced an excellent save to deny Pedro Playing in front of a capacity crowd Saint-Germain striker hammered home over a 16-year span that includes win- before the European Championship Rodriguez an opener after 10 minutes. at the Pernambuco arena, Brazil took from 10 yards out. ning the World Cup in South Africa in finals in France in June. The open, attacking nature of the the lead after just 39 seconds through Uruguay came out for the second half 2010, took him level with Latvia’s Vitalijs It was Spain’s second friendly in four game continued, but it was obvious UIS Suarez ended his nine-match looking the hungrier of the two sides that Spain needed more quality in the biting ban in fine style last week, and Suarez got the equaliser with the penalty area against a team unbeaten Lgrabbing the second-half equal- help of slack marking by David Luiz. Lionel Messi’s return in their 16 previous games. iser that gave Uruguay a 2-2 draw in Elsewhere, Lionel Messi’s return I’m happy to reach 166 games and Both coaches made a number of an enthralling battle with Brazil in the sparked Argentina to sparked Argentina to a 2-1 win over be the player with the most games substitutions after the break with the 2018 World Cup qualifiers. a 2-1 win over Chile in Chile in Santiago, breathing new life for the national team. In these years flow fizzling out before Florin Andone Playing his first competitive inter- Santiago. into their campaign. I’ve lived good times and bad times, beat his marker in the penalty area and national since being banned for biting Messi, who had missed the first four but I’ll stick with the good ones. The smashed a low left-footed shot just wide. Giorgio Chiellini in the 2014 World Cup games last year with a knee injury, laid time of my retirement is getting Romania are in Group A with hosts Finals, Suarez, along with striking part- Douglas Costa. They got a second 24 on the 24th-minute winner for defender closer and closer. France, Switzerland and Albania at Euro ner Edinson Cavani, dragged Uruguay minutes later thanks to Renato Augusto, Gabriel Mercado after Angel Di Maria

2016. Spain are in Group D alongside back into the game after they went 2-0 and were dominating the game, but had cancelled out Felipe Gutierrez’s Almeida AFP/ Vanderlei Iker Casillas, Spain goalkeeper. šĈZlatan Ibrahimovic Turkey, Croatia and the Czech Republic. down after 25 minutes. Uruguay got back into the match after 31 opener for Chile. ššBrazil’s David Luiz, left, vies with Uruguay’s Luis Suarez. Wednesday, March 30, 2016 | www.dohastadiumplusqatar.com 13

Payet’s form Let’s not get delights coach IMITRI Payet received a resound- ing vote of approval from France Dcoach Didier Deschamps after carried away, ššJack Butland the midfielder made an impressive return to international football with a starring role in the 3-2 win over the Injured Butland Netherlands in Amsterdam last week. says Hodgson “He confirmed with us what he doubtful for Euro has been doing with his club,” said Deschamps of Payet’s form with West NGLAND goalkeeper Jack Butland Ham United over the last months. “Every Erik Kirschbaum looks doubtful for Euro 2016 after time he touched the ball, he made some- Ea scan last Sunday showed he thing happen. He has enormous qual- had fractured his ankle during the 3-2 ities and made a massive effort. He’s friendly win against Germany in Berlin. on top form.” ANAGER Roy Hodgson tried to “Today’s scan revealed I’ve fractured keep things in perspective after my ankle, absolutely devastated! I’ll be MEngland fought back from 0-2 doing everything I can to get back fit down to beat world champions Ger- as soon as I can!” 23-year-old Butland many 3-2 in a friendly, thanks to three said on Twitter last Sunday. goals in the final 30 minutes last week. Neither the FA nor Butland’s club “I’m a bit worried that all of the crit- Stoke City gave details about how long icism we’ve had in the past will sud- he would be out for but sources indi- denly be forgotten. This team is def- / Carl Recine cated a three-month layoff. initely a work in progress,” Hodgson That would rule him out of the rest

REUTERS of the Premier League season, a big ššRoy Hodgson blow to eighth-placed Stoke. ššDimitri Payet We’ve an awful long way to go before we “If we had lost 2-3 and Germany can claim to be like the scored the late goal I wouldn’t be bit- Germans. terly disappointed. Sterling out for eight weeks “I’d still be pleased with the way we played the game and approached it. said. “Let’s not get carried away. Let’s We’ve a lot of players playing their sec- ANCHESTER City forward make certain these players keep their ond or third game,” added Hodgson. Raheem Sterling could be out feet on the ground. I want them hungry, Germany took command with goals Mof action for up to eight weeks to keep learning from their mistakes.” from Toni Kroos and Mario Gomez before due to a groin injury, the BBC reported Hodgson fielded an experimental the visitors rallied through Harry Kane, last week. line-up, partly out of necessity, which Jamie Vardy and Eric Dier. The 21-year-old, signed from Liverpool included Dele Alli, 19, and a debut for “It’s important to remain humble in for a British record £49m last year, was Danny Rose and they responded with these moments,” said Hodgson. “We’ve hurt during the Manchester derby defeat a performance that ensured injured an awful long way to go before we can by United recently. He will miss City’s captain Wayne Rooney was not missed. claim to be like the Germans. It’s a good Champions League quarterfinal against “It’s a friendly and one must always be step forward and a moment of pro- Paris Saint-Germain and will need to careful not to attach too much impor- gression. We’ll be analysing the game, prove his fitness to play for England in tance,” said the England manager. there’s an awful lot we could do better.” ššRaheem Sterling the Euro Championship starting in June.

Suarez back in business for Uruguay

“As always, we showed character,” minutes when Carlos Sanchez headed Andrew Downie said Barcelona striker Suarez. a ball down to Cavani and the Paris Playing in front of a capacity crowd Saint-Germain striker hammered home at the Pernambuco arena, Brazil took from 10 yards out. the lead after just 39 seconds through Uruguay came out for the second half UIS Suarez ended his nine-match looking the hungrier of the two sides biting ban in fine style last week, and Suarez got the equaliser with the Lgrabbing the second-half equal- help of slack marking by David Luiz. Lionel Messi’s return iser that gave Uruguay a 2-2 draw in Elsewhere, Lionel Messi’s return an enthralling battle with Brazil in the sparked Argentina to sparked Argentina to a 2-1 win over 2018 World Cup qualifiers. a 2-1 win over Chile in Chile in Santiago, breathing new life Playing his first competitive inter- Santiago. into their campaign. national since being banned for biting Messi, who had missed the first four Giorgio Chiellini in the 2014 World Cup games last year with a knee injury, laid Finals, Suarez, along with striking part- Douglas Costa. They got a second 24 on the 24th-minute winner for defender ner Edinson Cavani, dragged Uruguay minutes later thanks to Renato Augusto, Gabriel Mercado after Angel Di Maria

back into the game after they went 2-0 and were dominating the game, but had cancelled out Felipe Gutierrez’s Almeida AFP/ Vanderlei down after 25 minutes. Uruguay got back into the match after 31 opener for Chile. ššBrazil’s David Luiz, left, vies with Uruguay’s Luis Suarez. 14 Wednesday, March 30, 2016 | www.dohastadiumplusqatar.com Wednesday, March 30, 2016 | www.dohastadiumplusqatar.com 15 Football

Fan zones to be heavily Like father, like son! guarded: French PM There have been some extremely rare instances, like that of Rivaldo and Rivaldinho, where father RENCH Prime Minister Manuel with the mayors of the cities. There’ll be Valls insisted that fan zones at the same security with the same meth- and son have gone on to become contemporaries, gracing the pitch at the same time as team-mates. FEuro 2016 would be as safe as ods, staffing that apply to the grounds.” the tournament’s stadiums despite In the immediate aftermath of the fears they may be soft targets for ter- Brussels attacks, Valls said there was ITH a FIFA Ballon d’Or and return to the game in June, 2015 and a Father and son scoring in the same back-to-back Finnish Veikkausliiga titles, ror attacks. no intention whatsoever of calling off FIFA World Cup winners’ month later, etched his name in foot- fixture is a remarkable feat, but perhaps as well as the 2003 Finnish Cup. Security concerns around the June the tournament, saying to do so would Wmedal to his name, 74-time ball folklore once more by scoring in even more extraordinary is both claim- Upon leaving HJK, Eremenko Sr linked 10-July 10 event, which is expected to be “a victory for terrorists”. Brazil international Rivaldo is no stran- the same match as his 20-year-old son ing trophies together. up with his second son and current CSKA attract up to eight million fans, have “France is a great, modern country ger to achieving extraordinary things. in a 3-1 victory against Macae. George Eastham Jr’s 1966 FIFA World Moscow star Roman Eremenko at FF been heightened after the Brussels which is capable of assuring the secu- Shortly before hanging up his boots, Cup medal will naturally take pride of Jaro. Both were a chip off the old block attacks which left 28 people dead and rity of its citizens in the face of the ter- Rivaldo enjoyed another remarkable feat, place in his prize collection, but he holds as they went on to play in the same posi- 340 injured. rorist menace,” he added. playing alongside his son Rivaldinho. I only have God to thank another from a smaller tournament that tion as their father: “These fans zones will be secure, Rivaldo returned to Brazilian side boasts notable personal significance. Sweden international and 2005-06 closed, bags will be searched and at Mogi Mirim in 2013, the club that helped for having the fortune to At the age of 18 in 1954, he lined up Champions League winner Henrik Larsson the same time the party will take place,” launch his glittering career. It was at start a game alongside alongside his father George Eastham made his final bow at Swedish fourth-tier said Valls. the Sao Paulo-based side in February, my son and score a goal. Sr for Ards in Northern Ireland’s Gold team Hogaborgs BK, and it was at the ššPatrick Broome Since the Brussels attacks, many pol- 2014, that the former Barcelona and AC Cup, lifting his first piece of silverware Helsingborg-based side that he played iticians on the right have cast doubts Milan star achieved his dream of play- with the 39-year-old, who bagged the with 15-year-old son, Jordan, who reg- ing with his son before announcing his “I think we made history. I’ve only winning goal in the final. istered himself on the scoresheet. retirement a month later. God to thank, because after stopping Russian midfielder Alexei Eremenko “We didn’t combine a whole lot, but Fans zones will be Yet, there was still another twist in the for 15 months I still returned, having the Sr also had a similar experience when he obviously I’m proud,” said Larsson, World champions tale of Rivaldo’s remarkable career. 15 good fortune to start a game alongside shared Finnish HJK Helsinki side’s dress- who was a member of the Sweden secure, closed, bags will ŢŢRivaldo, right, months after seemingly hanging up his my son and score a goal and he did too,” ing room with son Alexei Eremenko Jr with his son team that finished third at the 1994 be searched while the boots, the 43-year-old announced his Rivaldo told www.fifa.com. for two campaigns where both claimed Rivaldinho. FIFA World Cup. Germany adopt party will take place.

over how safe the fan zones will be and yogic methods fear that the high profile supporters areas such as the one in the shadow of the Eiffel Tower will be targetted. N THE macho world of international to World Cups and European Fan zones, which will be based in football, world champions Germany Championships over the last decade. each of the 10 host cities, are expected Ihave taken a more spiritual approach He offers sessions to help the football- to welcome between 10,000 and 100,000 and will again employ a yoga teacher, ers “improve flexibility, concentration supporters during matches. whose pupils include Madonna and and performance on the field” which “There’ll be seven to eight million peo- Sting, to help prepare for Euro 2016. in turn helps keep them free of injury. ple expected during the competition, “To my knowledge, I was the only Broome will hold daily sessions of mostly in the fan zones,” added Valls. yoga teacher working with a national up to 45 minutes during Germany’s “The interior minister has discussed it ššManuel Valls team at the World Cup in Brazil,” said training camp in Switzerland, then at Munich-based yoga teacher Patrick Broome. Broome is part of Germany’s backroom Germany coach Joachim Supporters want staff for major tournaments and puts their stars through a series of exercises Loew is also a fan of Euro to go ahead to relax them physically and mentally. the ancient Indian Former Manchester United star Ryan discipline. he French public is strongly Giggs, who was still playing at 40, says against any cancellation of Euro yoga helped extend his career. T2016 due to the fear of further Germany coach Joachim Loew is also the Euro 2016 finals in France from terrorist attacks, said an opinion poll. a fan of the ancient Indian discipline. June 10-July 10. The poll was carried out by the Odoxa Now the likes of Germany’s Thomas His sessions are not compulsory and institute for RTL and Winamax two to Mueller, Marco Reus and Mats Hummels only three of the squad regularly decline three days after the recent bomb attacks are no strangers to yoga postures like to take part. in Brussels. ‘lotus”, ‘warrior’ and ‘cobra’. “Good recovery after a game is essen- Asked whether, in the context of the “We don’t just want to be top fit phys- tial for the players to maintain their terrorist threat, it would be better to ically, but also in the head,” explained level of performance,” said Broome, cancel the competition, due to be held Loew. who is in his 40s and has been prac- in France from June 10 to July 10, 79 Broome has accompanied Germany tising yoga for 20 years. per cent said no. On the matter of fan zones, special areas set up around the country in front of giant screens for match-viewing, 58 We don’t just want to per cent replied no to the question of be top fit physically, whether they should be scrapped with but also in the head. 41 per cent saying yes. Joachim Loew, The French government has ruled out Germany coach. any plans to call off the tournament. Wednesday, March 30, 2016 | www.dohastadiumplusqatar.com 15

Fan zones to be heavily guarded: French PM

RENCH Prime Minister Manuel with the mayors of the cities. There’ll be Valls insisted that fan zones at the same security with the same meth- FEuro 2016 would be as safe as ods, staffing that apply to the grounds.” the tournament’s stadiums despite In the immediate aftermath of the fears they may be soft targets for ter- Brussels attacks, Valls said there was ror attacks. no intention whatsoever of calling off Security concerns around the June the tournament, saying to do so would 10-July 10 event, which is expected to be “a victory for terrorists”. attract up to eight million fans, have “France is a great, modern country been heightened after the Brussels which is capable of assuring the secu- attacks which left 28 people dead and rity of its citizens in the face of the ter- 340 injured. rorist menace,” he added. “These fans zones will be secure, closed, bags will be searched and at the same time the party will take place,” said Valls. ššPatrick Broome Since the Brussels attacks, many pol- iticians on the right have cast doubts

World champions Fans zones will be secure, closed, bags will be searched while the Germany adopt party will take place.

over how safe the fan zones will be and yogic methods fear that the high profile supporters areas such as the one in the shadow of the Eiffel Tower will be targetted. N THE macho world of international to World Cups and European Fan zones, which will be based in football, world champions Germany Championships over the last decade. each of the 10 host cities, are expected Ihave taken a more spiritual approach He offers sessions to help the football- to welcome between 10,000 and 100,000 and will again employ a yoga teacher, ers “improve flexibility, concentration supporters during matches. whose pupils include Madonna and and performance on the field” which “There’ll be seven to eight million peo- Sting, to help prepare for Euro 2016. in turn helps keep them free of injury. ple expected during the competition, “To my knowledge, I was the only Broome will hold daily sessions of mostly in the fan zones,” added Valls. yoga teacher working with a national up to 45 minutes during Germany’s “The interior minister has discussed it ššManuel Valls team at the World Cup in Brazil,” said training camp in Switzerland, then at Munich-based yoga teacher Patrick Broome. Broome is part of Germany’s backroom Germany coach Joachim Supporters want staff for major tournaments and puts their stars through a series of exercises Loew is also a fan of Euro to go ahead to relax them physically and mentally. the ancient Indian Former Manchester United star Ryan discipline. he French public is strongly Giggs, who was still playing at 40, says against any cancellation of Euro yoga helped extend his career. T2016 due to the fear of further Germany coach Joachim Loew is also the Euro 2016 finals in France from terrorist attacks, said an opinion poll. a fan of the ancient Indian discipline. June 10-July 10. The poll was carried out by the Odoxa Now the likes of Germany’s Thomas His sessions are not compulsory and institute for RTL and Winamax two to Mueller, Marco Reus and Mats Hummels only three of the squad regularly decline three days after the recent bomb attacks are no strangers to yoga postures like to take part. in Brussels. ‘lotus”, ‘warrior’ and ‘cobra’. “Good recovery after a game is essen- Asked whether, in the context of the “We don’t just want to be top fit phys- tial for the players to maintain their terrorist threat, it would be better to ically, but also in the head,” explained level of performance,” said Broome, cancel the competition, due to be held Loew. who is in his 40s and has been prac- in France from June 10 to July 10, 79 Broome has accompanied Germany tising yoga for 20 years. per cent said no. On the matter of fan zones, special areas set up around the country in front of giant screens for match-viewing, 58 We don’t just want to per cent replied no to the question of be top fit physically, whether they should be scrapped with but also in the head. 41 per cent saying yes. Joachim Loew, The French government has ruled out Germany coach. any plans to call off the tournament. 16 Wednesday, March 30, 2016 | www.dohastadiumplusqatar.com Wednesday, March 30, 2016 | www.dohastadiumplusqatar.com 17 Football Bite into the slices of history in a trendy setting

HE FIFA World Football Museum Netherlands. Shirt colours often have their roots in has now opened its doors in As many as 209 shirts lined up along- history, back when monarchies influ- TZurich, and it is certainly mak- side and above each other like a rain- enced their country’s coat of arms. It Enjoy the ing an impression. As soon as visitors bow is certainly a sight to behold. Can goes without saying that these little stroll into the first exhibition area, they you find the 20 World Cup stars among anecdotes enthral visitors. know that this is somewhere they can Croatia, for instance, are the only kick back and relax. team to play in chequered shirts. The The films, though, are only a backdrop Croatia are the only team story behind it is as simple as it is bril- as the focal point of this exhibition is a to play in chequered liant. While being held prisoner by the striking curved glass cabinet displaying Republic of Venice, Croatian King Stjepan the home shirt of every one of FIFA’s shirts. The story behind it Drzislav was set a challenge — if he game, don’t 209 member associations. The shirts is simple and brilliant. could beat his captors at chess three are not arranged alphabetically though, times in a row, he would be set free. nor in terms of the number of titles the Drzislav, a keen chess player himself, countries have won, but by colour. This the shirts? Can you find a shirt with promptly did so. And the rest, as they

is perhaps the only place where fans one or more World Cup stars? There! say, is history. Coffrini AFP/ Fabrice will realise that only one team in the Germany! There! Brazil! Yes, the team Brazil ditched their white shirts in šЂFIFA President Gianni Infantino, left, holds a football with endure it! world actually plays in orange — the with the most stars. favour of yellow after their traumatic Museum Director Stefan Jost during its inauguration. Renowned sports psychologist Bill Beswick says the game will be The Indomitable Lion who feels dominated by mental advancement in the next 20 years. proud to have inspired Buffon OACHES need coaching. In technical and tactical development. I I think too much football is a danger- the modern environment of think the next cycle is psychological and ous thing. Cprofessional football, pressures technological. The next 20 years, sports The biggest tragedy of coaching is T THE age of 38, Gianluigi Buf- from various sources can overwhelm can be dominated by psychological and over-coaching. I like coaches to be inter- fon has achieved yet another coaches and players, and it can become technological advancement. ested in different things. There’s a thing Amilestone, beating the Serie crippling. called emotional drain, which I’m very A goalkeeping record for the longest No one has understood this more than ЂЂWhat does it look like to you? interested in and football drains you. run without conceding a goal. Bill Beswick. Having worked with Steve ЃЂThis means more support for the Unless you go into another environ- Behind one legendary figure there McClaren with the England national players mentally and emotionally — ment, which replenishes you, you’re is very often another. And the inspira- team and at clubs including Manchester better training earlier in dealing with working with the energy tank drain- šЂCarli Lloyd tion for the 2006 World Cup-winning United and Middlesbrough, Beswick is the pressures and stresses of sport, ing away. A lot of coaches are running Italian has been none other than for- the first sports psychologist to operate more work on character as against tal- on empty. mer Cameroon keeper Thomas Nkono, fully in the English professional game. ent. Technologically, it means more real- I talk about treadmill psychology; it’s It’s all about whose exploits at the 1990 World Cup Beswick spoke to www.fifa.com about non-stop. They’re working to live and in Italy encouraged young Buffon his journey and vision for psychology. they’re not living. Many coaches I work visualisation! to try his hand at keeping. The coach is put under with aren’t living. There’s a word I use Nkono, now a goalkeeper Fife AFP / Franck ЂЂYou’re the first sports psy- called ‘harmony’. We should teach our N SPORTS, wanting to do something coach with Espanyol, spoke šЂThomas Nkono chologist operating fully in the pressure and tries to kids a balanced life. Football is impor- very badly and visualising doing it to www.fifa.com of his pride English professional game. How answer it by working tant to us but it’s not as important as Ican impact the actual outcome a lot. at having inspired Buffon. I learned to play at the street and I ever since. He named his son Thomas did you get there and what moti- harder. good health and having a nice family. American woman footballer Carli Lloyd had my first real training sessions with in my honour. I was surprised and very vated you? But it starts with the coach. had said how she visualised winning ЂЂHow do you feel Vladimir Beara, the former Yugoslavia touched by that. ЃЂI started life as an average player, a the World Cup and scoring four goals about being idolised goalkeeper, when he came to take charge point guard, in basketball. I became a time feedback, more profiling, more tal- ЂЂWhat has contributed to before she went on to hit a stunning by such an ace goal- of Cameroon. ЂЂWhat can you tell us about successful national coach and realised, ent identification and more analysis of ‘treadmill psychology’ becoming hat-trick in the opening 16 minutes of keeper? Buffon’s style? as a lot of experienced coaches do, that performance so the players have better a problem? the final against Japan. Bill Beswick ЃЂIt’s an honour for me ЂЂCan you tell us about your first ЃЂTo my mind, he symbolises better than performance is driven by attitude and feedback situations. ЃЂIt’s this thing about how we’re only too feels visualisation is very to have inspired a player meeting with Buffon? anyone the development of the position character. I came to a stage in interna- satisfied if we win. It’s the owners at the important. who has given so much ЃЂFortunately, our paths have crossed a since the back-pass law was changed. tional coaching where I was deciding ЂЂYou talk a lot about the impor- football clubs, the pressure of the leagues “What the psychologist joy to football lovers and He’s one of those players who reads the which player had the ball at the end of tance of family with coaches. Are and parents. It’s parents on the sideline tries to do with a player or to have influenced his game well and who knows what has to be there tools for coaches to use the game for the final shot on charac- that’re difficult with a young coach trying a team is provide a mental script or a career. I also feel very Buffon named his son done when you play with a high backline. ter, not talent. to develop an understanding of to develop young children. The parents way of thinking your way through the proud to have opened He’s the leader of a generation which has I thought psychology of performance the importance of things off the are often not in harmony with what the game situations,” said Beswick. the way for lots of keep- Thomas in my honour. I taken goalkeeping to a new level. Buffon was interesting and got a master’s degree. field? coach is trying to achieve, so the coach is “Top level athletes don’t need to con- ers in Africa and shown that was surprised and very has always been calm. With all the expe- I had been a teacher, so I put every- ЃЂI ask coaches when I first go into a put under pressure and tries to answer stantly think during games. When you’re it’s possible to succeed at touched by that. rience he has now, he keeps things a lot thing together and said, “I’ll give it a go!” club to pick a player out and tell me five the pressure by working harder. playing a big game, you actually don’t the highest level. simpler and he’s more effective in eve- We need to shape our sport in a dif- things about that player that are not to The answer is not working harder, think, you’re in automatic mode. What rything he does. If you ask me, Buffon is ferent way. My motivation was to help do with football. I can tell when a coach it’s working easier. Very often I say to you do is go into the game trusting the ЂЂDid you’ve an idol few times. The first was in Italy, when he one of the best players in the world and develop this newly recognised avenue is caring and building relationships and the team, “You’re training too hard, get preparation you’ve done, your body when you were young? was just starting his career with Parma. has earned his place as one of the great- of performance. has depth of concern. a smile back on your face. Enjoy foot- and your mental script,” he said. Who was your Nkono? I think he was surprised to see me. I saw est keepers in the history of the game. Often coaches don’t know a thing ball, don’t endure it.” Many coaches “So I might say to players, ‘Just think ЃЂI didn’t have an idol. I him again at the 1998 World Cup, which ЂЂHow have you seen the field about them. They see players, but they endure football, and they forget why about the first kick, the first touch, the had heard on radio about I attended as my country’s goalkeeping ЂЂCan you sometimes see your- evolve in the last 10 years? don’t see people. I’m trying to move they’re doing it and they stop enjoy- first pass, the first header, the first tackle. legends like Lev Yashin and coach. I took the opportunity to invite self in him? ЃЂIt has been incredible. I wish I were them to see people and then get to playing it. The best thing that happened The rest of the game will flow because Ricardo Zamora, but in him to my 25th anniversary celebra- ЃЂPerhaps in the way that he stays calm, starting again! Sport evolves, it goes in ers. You’ll make better players if you to me as a coach was having my two you know what to do.’ Visualisation is Cameroon, there was no tions in Cameroon, which was his first in his ability to put things into perspective. šЂBill Beswick cycles. I think we’ve had a cycle of physical, care for them as people. I like balance. boys. Perspective changed dramatically. a way of scenario planning,” he added. way of watching them. time in Africa. We’ve stayed in contact That’s the only thing I can see, though. Wednesday, March 30, 2016 | www.dohastadiumplusqatar.com 17

Bite into the slices of history in a trendy setting

HE FIFA World Football Museum Netherlands. Shirt colours often have their roots in has now opened its doors in As many as 209 shirts lined up along- history, back when monarchies influ- TZurich, and it is certainly mak- side and above each other like a rain- enced their country’s coat of arms. It ing an impression. As soon as visitors bow is certainly a sight to behold. Can goes without saying that these little stroll into the first exhibition area, they you find the 20 World Cup stars among anecdotes enthral visitors. know that this is somewhere they can Croatia, for instance, are the only kick back and relax. team to play in chequered shirts. The The films, though, are only a backdrop Croatia are the only team story behind it is as simple as it is bril- as the focal point of this exhibition is a to play in chequered liant. While being held prisoner by the striking curved glass cabinet displaying Republic of Venice, Croatian King Stjepan the home shirt of every one of FIFA’s shirts. The story behind it Drzislav was set a challenge — if he 209 member associations. The shirts is simple and brilliant. could beat his captors at chess three are not arranged alphabetically though, times in a row, he would be set free. nor in terms of the number of titles the Drzislav, a keen chess player himself, countries have won, but by colour. This the shirts? Can you find a shirt with promptly did so. And the rest, as they

T THE age of 38, Gianluigi Buf- fon has achieved yet another Amilestone, beating the Serie A goalkeeping record for the longest run without conceding a goal. Behind one legendary figure there is very often another. And the inspira- šЂCarli Lloyd tion for the 2006 World Cup-winning Italian has been none other than former Cameroon keeper Thomas Nkono, It’s all about whose exploits at the 1990 World Cup in Italy encouraged young Buffon visualisation! to try his hand at keeping.

Nkono, now a goalkeeper Fife AFP / Franck N SPORTS, wanting to do something coach with Espanyol, spoke šЂThomas Nkono very badly and visualising doing it to www.fifa.com of his pride Ican impact the actual outcome a lot. at having inspired Buffon. I learned to play at the street and I ever since. He named his son Thomas American woman footballer Carli Lloyd had my first real training sessions with in my honour. I was surprised and very had said how she visualised winning ЂЂHow do you feel Vladimir Beara, the former Yugoslavia touched by that. the World Cup and scoring four goals about being idolised goalkeeper, when he came to take charge before she went on to hit a stunning by such an ace goal- of Cameroon. ЂЂWhat can you tell us about hat-trick in the opening 16 minutes of keeper? Buffon’s style? the final against Japan. Bill Beswick ЃЂIt’s an honour for me ЂЂCan you tell us about your first ЃЂTo my mind, he symbolises better than too feels visualisation is very to have inspired a player meeting with Buffon? anyone the development of the position important. who has given so much ЃЂFortunately, our paths have crossed a since the back-pass law was changed. “What the psychologist joy to football lovers and He’s one of those players who reads the tries to do with a player or to have influenced his game well and who knows what has to be a team is provide a mental script or a career. I also feel very Buffon named his son done when you play with a high backline. way of thinking your way through the proud to have opened He’s the leader of a generation which has game situations,” said Beswick. the way for lots of keep- Thomas in my honour. I taken goalkeeping to a new level. Buffon “Top level athletes don’t need to con- ers in Africa and shown that was surprised and very has always been calm. With all the expe- stantly think during games. When you’re it’s possible to succeed at touched by that. rience he has now, he keeps things a lot playing a big game, you actually don’t the highest level. simpler and he’s more effective in eve- think, you’re in automatic mode. What rything he does. If you ask me, Buffon is you do is go into the game trusting the ЂЂDid you’ve an idol few times. The first was in Italy, when he one of the best players in the world and preparation you’ve done, your body when you were young? was just starting his career with Parma. has earned his place as one of the great- and your mental script,” he said. Who was your Nkono? I think he was surprised to see me. I saw est keepers in the history of the game. “So I might say to players, ‘Just think ЃЂI didn’t have an idol. I him again at the 1998 World Cup, which about the first kick, the first touch, the had heard on radio about I attended as my country’s goalkeeping ЂЂCan you sometimes see your- first pass, the first header, the first tackle. legends like Lev Yashin and coach. I took the opportunity to invite self in him? The rest of the game will flow because Ricardo Zamora, but in him to my 25th anniversary celebra- ЃЂPerhaps in the way that he stays calm, you know what to do.’ Visualisation is Cameroon, there was no tions in Cameroon, which was his first in his ability to put things into perspective. a way of scenario planning,” he added. way of watching them. time in Africa. We’ve stayed in contact That’s the only thing I can see, though. 18 Wednesday, March 30, 2016 | www.dohastadiumplusqatar.com Wednesday, March 30, 2016 | www.dohastadiumplusqatar.com 19

Former Barcelona and current Al Sadd captain Xavi Hernandez said Johan Cruyff Most relevant was the most relevant person in the history of Barcelona. “For me, he’s the most relevant person in the history of Barca. He was ahead of his times, a professional person in the reference for all of us who love this sport, an example to follow. At Barca, he should history of Barca! always be remembered by everyone, his philosophy was the best in the history of Football football,” said Xavi, who left Barca and joined Sadd at the start of this season.

FAST FACTS

Born Hendrick Johannes Cruyff in fee of around $2m. “The sale In 1979 he moved to the Los players including future Amsterdam on April 25, 1947. of Rembrandt’s Night Watch Angeles Aztecs in the North manager Pep Guardiola — that could not have caused more American Soccer League and won four straight titles between Cruyff began playing on the streets dismay,” commented one Dutch then joined the Washington 1991 and 1994. Until Guardiola, of Amsterdam and started his magazine at the time. Diplomats in 1980. The club he was the club’s most career with local side Ajax where he folded later that year and Cruyff successful coach. went on to win eight Dutch league He won the second of his three returned to Europe where he ššPep Guardiola titles. He also won three successive Ballon d’Or awards in 1973 and played for Spanish second In 1999, he was voted European Pythagoras European Cups between 1971 and in 1974 helped Barcelona win Player of the Century. division side Levante and then 1973. their first league title in nearly 15 Ajax (where he won two more Cruyff was a chain smoker for years. He also endeared himself league titles) and Feyenoord Lithe, wiry and strong, Cruyff made to locals by choosing a Catalan much of his career, but gave his international debut in September (another title). He retired in May, up the habit after a double Cruyff helped us name for his son Jordi (born 1984, aged 37. 1966, scoring in a 2-2 European 1974) at a time when Spanish heart bypass in 1991 while qualifier against Hungary. From 1970, was the country’s only official Cruyff then entered still coaching Barcelona. He understand the he always wore the No.14 jersey. language under the rule of management, coaching Ajax subsequently lent his image to an anti-smoking campaign Moved to Barcelona in 1973 for what general Francisco Franco. to European Cup Winners’ Cup game: Guardiola success in 1987. under the slogan “Soccer gave in Boots! was then a world record transfer Cruyff led the Dutch national me everything, but smoking team, the masters of Total He returned to Barcelona as nearly took it away.” EP Guardiola said last week Johan Football, to the 1974 World Cup manager in 1988, where he Cruyff had taught him everything Dutch legend Johan Cruyff, who succumbed final where they inspired a oversaw the rise of a ‘Dream He was diagnosed with cancer Pabout football and often shocked in 2015. generation with their fluid style Team’ — a host of talented his players with his half-time pep talks. of play that he once described to cancer, is remembered as the man who as ‘controlled chaos’. The Bayern Munich boss, who was part of the Barcelona ‘Dream Team’ They lost 1-2 to hosts West epitomised the concept of Total Football. Germany after taking a 1-0 that Cruyff coached to the club’s first lead but he was named player European Cup triumph in 1992, said, of the tournament, famed for “I knew nothing about football before popularised the concept of Total Football close control and dazzling knowing Cruyff. He protected me in I don’t go through trickery with the ball including Tom Williams — a fluid playing system based on aggres- life cursing the the famous ‘Cruyff Turn’ — the my early days as a footballer. He gave sive pressing, swarming attacks and movement in which the player me a footballing lesson in how to con- positional interchanging that seemed to fact that I didn’t with the ball plays it behind duct myself, to keep my distance from depend on an almost telepathic under- their own leg before swerving the media.” win a World Cup. away. T WAS during a group-stage match standing between players. I played in a Cruyff has been widely credited against Sweden at the 1974 World Cruyff, given licence to roam from He retired from international with laying the foundations that made fantastic team that football in 1977, the year before ICup in Germany that Johan Cruyff his nominal position as centre forward, the Dutch again reached and Barcelona such a powerhouse under unveiled the move that would come to was the on-pitch conductor, calculat- gave millions of lost the World Cup final in ššBarcelona President Josep Maria Bartomeu, left, and his Real Guardiola and now with Luis Enrique. bear his name. ing angles, cajoling his team-mates Argentina to the hosts. He had Madrid counterpart Florentino Perez walk past a picture of Johan Guardiola said the advice given by the people watching a scored 33 goals in 48 matches. Finding his route blocked by Swedish into position and launching vertigi- Cruyff during a memorial at the Camp Nou. Dutchman often surprised his players. right-back Jan Olsson on Holland’s left nous dribbles into opposition terri- great time. That’s “At half-time when you had played flank, Cruyff feinted as if to play the tory with the ball at his feet. what football is all badly, you expected to get an earful ball infield, only to drag the ball behind Former Times sportswriter David about. There’s no and be told to push yourself and fight his standing leg with his right foot and Miller dubbed him “Pythagoras in Boots”. more,” he said. race off towards the touchline, leaving The 1974 World Cup was Cruyff’s better medal than HOW THEY REACTED “He told you that you were playing his bewildered opponent floundering being acclaimed badly because you were running too in his wake. for your style. much. You had to send the ball where “I played 18 years in top football and Cruyff was a balletic you wanted it to go and not to run after 17 times for Sweden, but that moment Johan Cruyff We’ve lost a great man. May we carry on his it. He told you completely the opposite against Cruyff was the proudest moment player who embodied example of excellence. Johan Cruyff was to what you had always learnt. of my career,” Olsson told British writer the brilliant Ajax and a great player and coach. He leaves a very “He helped us understand football... David Winner in the 2000 book Brilliant Netherlands teams. important legacy for our family of football. and he encouraged you to trust your Orange. “I thought I would win the ball Pele, Brazil’s triple World Cup winner. instinct, your nose. To make decisions,” for sure, but he tricked me. I wasn’t said Guardiola. humiliated. I had no chance. Cruyff finest hour and although Holland fell was a genius.” short in pursuit of glory, losing 1-2 to We’ll never forget Johan Cruyff was a An idea that had sprung from West Germany in the final, he took you, skinny. magnificent player, one Cruyff’s imagination left observ- immense solace from the plaudits Diego Maradona, of the greatest players the Tributes pour in ers open-mouthed and like so they had earned. Argentinian world has ever known. many of the things that he intro- A child of the 1960s, Cruyff also boasted football legend. A symbol of elegant for the legend duced to the game, the ‘Cruyff a personal style that transcended foot- play. An inspiration. A turn’ became a football ball, with his long brown hair and irrev- source of admiration ARCELONA fans, players and staple. erent pronouncements turning him into for fans. He has officials paid tribute to the Cruyff, who died the game’s first counter-cultural icon. I’m shocked. He was not Bmemory of Johan Cruyff in front marked football from lung cancer He insisted on wearing the number of a memorial space set up inside the only a good friend, but history for ever. aged 68 last week, 14 shirt, despite starting players usu- like a brother to me. club’s Camp Nou stadium. was a balletic, daz- ally wearing 1-11, and wore a jersey Gianni Infantino, The eulogies for the Dutch legend who zlingly-elegant with two stripes, rather than the three Franz Beckenbauer, FIFA President. were led after a minute’s silence by played against Cruyff in the player who came stripes of kit manufacturer adidas at 1974 World Cup final. club president Josep Maria Bartomeu. to embody the the 1974 World Cup so as not to anger Standing in front of a giant photo of brilliant Ajax and his sponsor Puma. a smiling Cruyff, Bartomeu said that the Netherlands He was no less distinctive as a coach, CRUYFF’S GAME IN NUMBERS it was a sad day not only for everyone teams of the firstly with Ajax and then Barcelona — who loved Barcelona football club, but mid-1970s. a beige trench coat cloaking his slender also for everyone who loved football. Together with frame, a cigarette dangling from his lips European European Cups (six Dutch league titles (eight with goals for the club goals “In agreement with the Cruyff fam- visionary coach (to be replaced by a lollipop after he Footballer of the Champions Cups and one Ajax, one each with Netherlands from from 661 ily we set up this memorial to allow Rinus Michels, he underwent open-heart surgery in 1991). 3 Year awards Cups 7 Copa del Rey) 10 Barcelona and Feyenoord) 33 48 appearances 369 appearances everyone to express their feelings and say a final farewell to this legend,” said Bartomeu. Wednesday, March 30, 2016 | www.dohastadiumplusqatar.com 19

Former Barcelona and current Al Sadd captain Xavi Hernandez said Johan Cruyff Most relevant was the most relevant person in the history of Barcelona. “For me, he’s the most relevant person in the history of Barca. He was ahead of his times, a professional person in the reference for all of us who love this sport, an example to follow. At Barca, he should always be remembered by everyone, his philosophy was the best in the history of history of Barca! football,” said Xavi, who left Barca and joined Sadd at the start of this season.

FAST FACTS

We’ll never forget Johan Cruyff was a you, skinny. magnificent player, one Diego Maradona, of the greatest players the Tributes pour in Argentinian world has ever known. football legend. A symbol of elegant for the legend play. An inspiration. A source of admiration ARCELONA fans, players and for fans. He has officials paid tribute to the I’m shocked. He was not Bmemory of Johan Cruyff in front marked football of a memorial space set up inside the only a good friend, but history for ever. like a brother to me. club’s Camp Nou stadium. Gianni Infantino, The eulogies for the Dutch legend who Franz Beckenbauer, FIFA President. were led after a minute’s silence by played against Cruyff in the 1974 World Cup final. club president Josep Maria Bartomeu. Standing in front of a giant photo of a smiling Cruyff, Bartomeu said that CRUYFF’S GAME IN NUMBERS it was a sad day not only for everyone who loved Barcelona football club, but also for everyone who loved football. Cups (six Dutch league titles (eight with goals for the club goals “In agreement with the Cruyff fam- Cups and one Ajax, one each with Netherlands from from 661 ily we set up this memorial to allow Copa del Rey) 10 Barcelona and Feyenoord) 33 48 appearances 369 appearances everyone to express their feelings and say a final farewell to this legend,” said Bartomeu. SHANE WATSON

Wednesday, March 30, 2016 | www.dohastadiumplusqatar.com AFP/ Money Sharma AFP/ Money AFP/ Money Sharma 22 Wednesday, March 30, 2016 | www.dohastadiumplusqatar.com Wednesday, March 30, 2016 | www.dohastadiumplusqatar.com 23 Gymnastics

RESULTS MEN HORIZONTAL BARS Fuya Maeno JAP 15.175 Double delight Ashley Watson GBR 15.050 Marijo Moznik CRO 15.850 VAULT Mingqi Huang CHN 15.200 Christopher Remkes AUS 14.950 SPIRITED for Steingruber Diego Hypolito BRA 14.900 FLOOR Diego Hypolito BRA 15.175 Rok Klavora SLO 15.000 WITZERLAND’S Giulia Stein- chart in the three-day competition. Sam Oldham GBR 14.925 gruber bagged two gold medals “My goal is to compete in the Rio PARALLEL BARS Sin four events to emerge as the Olympics. The wins here will moti- Oleg Stepko AZE 15.825 top woman gymnast at the Ninth FIG vate me to do well in test events. Manrique Larduet CUB 15.775 Hung Phuoc Pham VIE 15.350 Artistic World Challenge Cup. It’ll be tough, but I’ll give my POMMEL HORSE The 24-year-old was at her best in best,” Steingruber told Doha Harutym Merdinyan ARM 15.675 vault, where she brushed aside the Stadium Plus. “I won’t partici- Robert Seligman CRO 15.300 pate in the other Challenge Cup Oleg Stepko AZE 15.000 RINGS series as I’ll be concentrating on Eleftherios Petrounias GRE 15.875 the European Championships Vahagn Davtyan ARM 15.800 SHOW I’ll be concentrating in my hometown of Bern in Artur Tovmasyan ARM 15.775 Qatar’s Ahmed Al Dayani puts up an on the European May.” WOMEN In floor exercise, the European VAULT Championships in my Giulia Steingruber SUI 14.712 impressive show in men’s pommel horse hometown of Bern. champion put up a superb show Teja BELAK SLO 14.337 to collect 14,700 points and fin- Tjasa Kysselef SLO 14.087 at the Ninth Artistic World Challenge Cup. ish ahead of Romania’s Diana UNEVEN BARS Slovenian challenge of Teja Belak and Bulimar (14,125) and Hungary’s Jonna Adlerteg SWE 14.925 Rebeca Andrade BRA 14.250 Tjasa Kysselef to win the title with 14.712 Zsofia Kovacs (13,925). Filipa Martins POR 13.625 “I think I’ll have to work a lot more points. Belak and Kysselef had 14.337 “The Doha event is always a spe- FLOOR Mohammad Amin-ul Islam on my confidence and movements. and 14.087 points respectively. cial one for me. I’ve really enjoyed Giulia Steingruber SWIS 14.700 These ‘re very important factors to Steingruber’s confidence and abil- participating here. I hope to come Diana Bulimar ROM 14.125 Zsofia Kovacs HUN 13.925 excel at the top level. I’ll try to do my ity to stay focused helped her top the back next year,” said Steingruber. DSP BEAM best,” said the 23-year-old, who joined DSP/Mohan Catalina Ponor ROU 14.650 ATAR’S Ahmed Al Dayani did Aspire in 2006. Thauany Araujo BRA 14.150 not really hope for a podium Qatar Gymnastics Federation President Ana Filipa Martins POR 13.900 Qfinish at the Ninth Artistic Ali Ahmed Al Hitmi was happy with Al World Challenge Cup, where the field Dayani’s performance. constituted several world and European “This was a big stage with a lot of top Ponor determined champions as well as Olympians, at the gymnasts. I think Al Dayani’s perfor- ASPIRE Academy last week. mance was a huge success. It’ll moti- But the former ASPIRE Academy stu- vate him as well as other youngsters This was a big stage with a lot of to lift Romania dent displayed excellent skills en route top gymnasts. I think Al Dayani’s to the final in men’s pommel horse. Al performance was a huge success. It’ll Catalina Ponor Dayani accumulated 14.600 points to I agree I didn’t win motivate him as well OMANIA’S proved Olympic podium since 1976, now face qualify from a star-studded line-up, that close to four years being in stiff challenges from Brazil, Germany, a medal, but the as other youngsters š which itself was a commendable effort. Rthe wilderness has not affected France, Belgium, Australia, South Korea šGeorges Guelzec to perform Armenian Harutym Merdinyan won performance gave me a her class as she came out of retirement and Switzerland for one of the four team better in future. the title with 15.675 points followed lot of satisfaction. and accumulated 14.650 points to win berths that are still available. He has shown by Croatia’s Robert Seligman (15.300) the beam event in Doha. “It’ll be tough, but I want to give it ‘Qatar will host and Azerbaijan’s Oleg Stepko (15.000). improvement in the Brazil’s Thauany Araujo (14.150) and a shot,” the five-time Olympic med- Al Dayani, who tallied 13.475 in the to perform better in future events. He last few years and it Portugal’s Ana Filipa Martins (13.900) allist said. the best Worlds’ final, exuded confidence that with bet- has shown improvement in the last few was a first step towards finished second and third respectively. Romania would heavily bank on Ponor ter exposure, he can do much better years and it was a first step towards becoming a top-class gymnast. “I’m happy with my performance. It UROPEAN Union of Gymnas- than his seventh-place finish. becoming a top-class gymnast,” said Ali Ahmed Al Hitmi, showed I’m still in good nick to compete tics President Georges Guelzec “I’m happy because it was my best Al Hitmi. Qatar Gymnastics Federation President. at the top level. It’ll surely boost my con- I’m happy with my Eexuded confidence that Qatar performance so far. Last year, I came Qatar’s only female competitor Farah fidence to help my country qualify for the would host an incredible World Cham- ninth. I agree I didn’t win a medal, but Mahmoud finished 24th (11.550) in Olympics,” Ponor, who had retired performance. It showed pionships in 2018. the performance gave me a lot of satis- the uneven bars qualification, but the after the London Olympics, told I’m still in good nick to “Hospitality is always good. The Doha faction,” Al Dayani told Doha Stadium 18-year old earned a wild card in the Doha Stadium Plus. compete at the top level. leg is one of my favourite events because Plus. final where she accumulated 10.250 Based on their rankings in of its excellent arrangements and ambi- to finish ninth. the last World Championships, ence,” Guelzec, who officially declared “It wasn’t easy to excel at this level 24 teams have already booked as they attempt to qualify for the Games his candidacy for the international fed- because Farah returned from an injury. their Olympic berth while eight in the absence of Larisa Iordache, who eration’s (FIG) presidency last week, We wanted to boost her confidence by will go through test events. pulled out of the Doha event due to a told Doha Stadium Plus on the sidelines giving her the opportunity to compete Romania finished 13th at the finger injury, and looks doubtful for of the Ninth Artistic World Challenge in the tournament. I’m happy with the Worlds qualifiers and failed to the test event in Rio de Janeiro from Cup at the ASPIRE Academy last week. overall performance of our gymnasts,” qualify automatically for the April 16 to 24. “Qatar has gained good experience added Al Hitmi. Olympics first time The 28-year-old was the most dec- and I’m confident it will host the best On the sport’s development, he said, since 1966. orated gymnast at the 2004 Games World Championship,” said Guelzec, “The sport is still at its nascent stage. The former in Athens, winning gold in the team, a long-serving vice-president of the We’re trying our best to include it in the gymnastics floor and balance beam events, but French Gymnastics Federation. curriculum at schools so that we can superpower, announced her retirement after she The 67-year-old was a member identify talent at a young age. We’ve our who have fin- won a silver in floor and bronze with of France team at the 1972 Munich dedicated training centre at Al Luqta, ished on every the team at the London Games. DSP Olympics, and became a coach and where our coaches train the selected director of the La Nantaise club in his ššQatar’s Ahmed Al Dayani performs on pommel horse. ššFarah Mahmoud children.” DSP DSP/Mohan native Nantes after retirement. DSP Wednesday, March 30, 2016 | www.dohastadiumplusqatar.com 23

RESULTS MEN HORIZONTAL BARS Fuya Maeno JAP 15.175 Double delight Ashley Watson GBR 15.050 Marijo Moznik CRO 15.850 VAULT Mingqi Huang CHN 15.200 Christopher Remkes AUS 14.950 for Steingruber Diego Hypolito BRA 14.900 FLOOR Diego Hypolito BRA 15.175 Rok Klavora SLO 15.000 WITZERLAND’S Giulia Stein- chart in the three-day competition. Sam Oldham GBR 14.925 gruber bagged two gold medals “My goal is to compete in the Rio PARALLEL BARS Sin four events to emerge as the Olympics. The wins here will moti- Oleg Stepko AZE 15.825 top woman gymnast at the Ninth FIG vate me to do well in test events. Manrique Larduet CUB 15.775 Hung Phuoc Pham VIE 15.350 Artistic World Challenge Cup. It’ll be tough, but I’ll give my POMMEL HORSE The 24-year-old was at her best in best,” Steingruber told Doha Harutym Merdinyan ARM 15.675 vault, where she brushed aside the Stadium Plus. “I won’t partici- Robert Seligman CRO 15.300 pate in the other Challenge Cup Oleg Stepko AZE 15.000 RINGS series as I’ll be concentrating on Eleftherios Petrounias GRE 15.875 the European Championships Vahagn Davtyan ARM 15.800 I’ll be concentrating in my hometown of Bern in Artur Tovmasyan ARM 15.775 on the European May.” WOMEN In floor exercise, the European VAULT Championships in my Giulia Steingruber SUI 14.712 hometown of Bern. champion put up a superb show Teja BELAK SLO 14.337 to collect 14,700 points and fin- Tjasa Kysselef SLO 14.087 ish ahead of Romania’s Diana UNEVEN BARS Slovenian challenge of Teja Belak and Bulimar (14,125) and Hungary’s Jonna Adlerteg SWE 14.925 Rebeca Andrade BRA 14.250 Tjasa Kysselef to win the title with 14.712 Zsofia Kovacs (13,925). Filipa Martins POR 13.625 points. Belak and Kysselef had 14.337 “The Doha event is always a spe- FLOOR and 14.087 points respectively. cial one for me. I’ve really enjoyed Giulia Steingruber SWIS 14.700 Steingruber’s confidence and abil- participating here. I hope to come Diana Bulimar ROM 14.125 Zsofia Kovacs HUN 13.925 ity to stay focused helped her top the back next year,” said Steingruber. DSP BEAM DSP/Mohan Catalina Ponor ROU 14.650 Thauany Araujo BRA 14.150 Ana Filipa Martins POR 13.900 Ponor determined

This was a big stage with a lot of to lift Romania top gymnasts. I think Al Dayani’s performance was a huge success. It’ll Catalina Ponor motivate him as well OMANIA’S proved Olympic podium since 1976, now face that close to four years being in stiff challenges from Brazil, Germany, as other youngsters Rthe wilderness has not affected France, Belgium, Australia, South Korea ššGeorges Guelzec to perform her class as she came out of retirement and Switzerland for one of the four team better in future. and accumulated 14.650 points to win berths that are still available. He has shown the beam event in Doha. “It’ll be tough, but I want to give it ‘Qatar will host improvement in the Brazil’s Thauany Araujo (14.150) and a shot,” the five-time Olympic med- last few years and it Portugal’s Ana Filipa Martins (13.900) allist said. the best Worlds’ was a first step towards finished second and third respectively. Romania would heavily bank on Ponor becoming a top-class gymnast. “I’m happy with my performance. It UROPEAN Union of Gymnas- Ali Ahmed Al Hitmi, showed I’m still in good nick to compete tics President Georges Guelzec Qatar Gymnastics Federation President. at the top level. It’ll surely boost my con- I’m happy with my Eexuded confidence that Qatar fidence to help my country qualify for the would host an incredible World Cham- Olympics,” Ponor, who had retired performance. It showed pionships in 2018. after the London Olympics, told I’m still in good nick to “Hospitality is always good. The Doha Doha Stadium Plus. compete at the top level. leg is one of my favourite events because Based on their rankings in of its excellent arrangements and ambi- the last World Championships, ence,” Guelzec, who officially declared 24 teams have already booked as they attempt to qualify for the Games his candidacy for the international fed- their Olympic berth while eight in the absence of Larisa Iordache, who eration’s (FIG) presidency last week, will go through test events. pulled out of the Doha event due to a told Doha Stadium Plus on the sidelines Romania finished 13th at the finger injury, and looks doubtful for of the Ninth Artistic World Challenge Worlds qualifiers and failed to the test event in Rio de Janeiro from Cup at the ASPIRE Academy last week. qualify automatically for the April 16 to 24. “Qatar has gained good experience Olympics first time The 28-year-old was the most dec- and I’m confident it will host the best since 1966. orated gymnast at the 2004 Games World Championship,” said Guelzec, The former in Athens, winning gold in the team, a long-serving vice-president of the gymnastics floor and balance beam events, but French Gymnastics Federation. superpower, announced her retirement after she The 67-year-old was a member who have fin- won a silver in floor and bronze with of France team at the 1972 Munich ished on every the team at the London Games. DSP Olympics, and became a coach and director of the La Nantaise club in his native Nantes after retirement. DSP 24 Wednesday, March 30, 2016 | www.dohastadiumplusqatar.com Wednesday, March 30, 2016 | www.dohastadiumplusqatar.com 25

Three Qatar Motor and Motorcycle Federation-trained female Female drivers teams — New Zealand’s Emma Gilmour and Dutch co-driver Lisette Bakker, France’s Charlotte Berton and Jordan’s Yasmeen Elmajed all set for and Spain’s Cristina Gutierrez Herrero and her South African navigator Sandra Labuscagne are all set to show their mettle at the Qatar event Sealine Cross-Country Rally. The six drivers were selected after a FIA Motorsport five-day Cross-Country Rally training held in November in Qatar.

The result of Kuwait rally was a foregone conclusion as Abdulaziz Abdulaziz Al Kuwari, who realistically was the only driver who could prevent Nasser Saleh Al Attiyah from steamrollering his fails to opponents, could not start after failing to get his car ready in time for the event. start in Abdulaziz’s Skoda Fabia had a crash in the opening round in Qatar. His wrecked Skoda Kuwait was returned to Europe and Abdulaziz was hoping to drive the repaired car in Kuwait. But the plans of the Qatari and his Irish navigator Killian Duffy could not materialise as the cargo flight was cancelled due to security reasons after the bombing incidents near the Brussels airport. DSP

ššAlexander Cudlin is all set to make his debut for the French team. Qatar’s Nasser returns Motors Events ropes in to Overdrive Racing Cudlin for endurance

HOUGH Nasser Saleh Al At- round of the World Cup. tiyah has decided to cut down The 45-year-old had won in the IVE-TIME defending Qatar Su- and I respect both Greg and Gregory. Ton his rally commitments to 2012 Sealine Cross-Country Rally in perbikes champion Alexander They know how to ride a motorcycle focus more on shooting as he is eyeing an Overdrive Toyota. FCudlin has joined French team fast and both have done well in the a record sixth appearance at Olympics, “Everyone at Overdrive is delighted Motors Events for the 2016 FIM Endur- longer and more gruelling 24-hour the Qatari ace confirmed his participa- to welcome Nasser back for two of the ance World Championship. races,” said Cudlin. tion in two rounds of FIA World Cup most demanding rallies on the World The season begins with the traditional After dominating the Superstock šĈNasser Saleh Al Attiyah takes to the air for Cross-Country Rallies, where he is Cup calendar,” said Overdrive Racing 24 Hours of Le Mans race in France. category in which they won the title during the Kuwait Rally. the defending champion. Team Director Jean-Marc Fortin. Cudlin will line up alongside French twice, Motor Events made the switch Nasser is scheduling his World Cup Though Nasser has won his home champion Greg Black and Belgian ace to the Superbikes two years ago and are programme in such a way that it does event in Sealine three times in the last Gregory Fastre in a three-pronged attack, widely tipped to win the title this time. not clash with his shooting preparations. four years, he has not won in Abu Dhabi which will have a shot at the title. “We’ve a fantastic crew, a great team Nasser, who drove a MINI ALL4 Racing since 2008 and would be keen to set The Australian said he was thrilled of technicians and a good bike to ride. for the X-raid team, returns to Overdrive his record straight. at the prospect of lining up for a team I’m really looking forward to get some Racing and will drive a Toyota Hilux for He was initially declared the winner that he has watched over the years. good results. To have an Australian, a the Belgian team in the forthcoming last year, but was later disqualified for “In 2010 when I won the Endurance French and a Belgian rider on the team Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge (April 3 using an illegal suspension bracket. Superstock title, Motor Events were our will be a perfect mix,” added Cudlin, to 7) and Sealine Cross-Country Rally The Qatari challenged the verdict in toughest competitors. I’ve been com- who touched the base in Le Mans early Cruise control (April 17 to 22), the second and third an FIA court, but in vain. DSP peting against them for many years to test his bike. DSP Qatar’s Nasser Saleh Al Attiyah easily wins in Kuwait to extend his lead in the Middle East Rally Championship. I’ve improved as a driver, says Frijns Qatar-based Charlie Frijns, who finished fifth overall in the seventh season of the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Ĉ ĈKuwait’s Meshari Al Thefiri Matthieu Baumel controlled their pace structure, the champion will also be Middle East, is eyeing more success. finishes second in the three-day rally right from the awarded an additional seven for win- HOW THE RALLY Dutchman Frijns, who had a rollercoaster season, hopes to inspire others to step into the one-make ĈĈNasser wins all 13 timed start as they won all 13 timed special ning the second day and up to a max- WAS WON stages. For Baumel, it was his 11th win imum of seven more points for lead- car series, which has developed an enviable special stages reputation as a breeding ground for local racing as Nasser’s navigator. ing after day one, besides the usual Nasser produces a clinical talent. “Though I wasn’t really pushed in 25 points. display of car control on the tight confines of the Sirbb circuit to “I’ve improved as a driver and learnt a lot about. this rally, it was important that I won After two rounds, Nasser now sits on edge into a 3.8sec lead after the Being able to pick yourself up when things aren’t Sajith B Warrier top with 78 points and looks well on opening special stage. going well and learning from mistakes are extremely course to annex a 12th regional crown. important in the progress as a driver,” said Frijns. DSP “With the new points system, it was He surges into a commanding It was the ace Qatari’s 6min, 23.2sec lead after six timed important that we finished both days on sixth win in Kuwait and special stages in the southern ASSER Saleh Al Attiyah makes top, but I’m taking it easy now,” added deserts on the first day. winning look so simple. Back a record 62nd in the Nasser. There was no drama on the Nbehind the wheel of his Skoda MERC history. The regional series moves on to the Ţ Nasser Saleh Modified route for Sealine Rally Ĉ final day as the Qatari reaches Fabia R5 after taking a break from the more demanding Jordan leg to be held Al Attiyah and the finishing point in Fintas with Matthieu Baumel. sport to concentrate on shooting, Nasser near Dead Sea from May 5 to 7. DSP a comprehensive margin of 11min, showed no sign of rustiness as he won and collected maximum points. This 24.9sec. HE Qatar Motor and Motorcycle The QMMF has planned 1,633.49km in Kuwait, the second round of the is one of my favourite rallies,” said Federation (QMMF) has an- of competitive route in a total distance FIA Middle East Rally Championship Nasser, who had won the opening Tnounced a radically modified The Sealine event is the of 2,435.63km. (MERC). round in Qatar as well. RESULTS and longer route to challenge the com- third round of the FIA The bivouac has been moved to Losail Nasser’s sixth win in Kuwait and a To make the 1. Nasser Saleh Al petitors at the Sealine Cross-Country Cross-Country Rally for the first time and will enable com- Attiyah (QAT)/ Skoda FabiaR5 2:08.06.1 record 62nd in the MERC history was regional series Matthieu Baumel (FRA) Rally, to be held from April 17 to 22. World Cup. petitors to benefit from the world-class 2. Meshari Al Thefiri achieved with consummate ease as more compet- Mitsubishi Lancer The Sealine event is the third round of facilities on offer at the race circuit. (KUW)/Nasser Al at 11:24.9 Evo X he crossed the chequered flag 11min, itive, FIA has Kuwari (QAT) FIA Cross-Country Rally World Cup and “The team we’ve in place has consid- 24.9sec ahead of Kuwait’s national cham- revised the 3. Yigit Timur/Ufuk Mitsubishi Lancer second of FIM World Championship. The opening leg will start at the Losail erable experience of running first rate 1:28.2 pion Meshari Al Thefiri. Turkey’s Yigit usual 25 points Uluocak (TUR) Evo X Qatar’s Nasser Saleh Al Attiyah, International Circuit on April 18 and Cross-Country Rallies and I’m looking Timur finished third, a further 1min, for a win, 18 for STANDINGS Spaniard Marc Coma and Poland’s the first of five selective sections will forward to being involved in one of the 28.2sec adrift. second and 15 for third for- 1. Nasser Saleh Al Attiyah (QAT) 78 Rafal Sonik are the defending cham- run for 226.42km (25km longer than most demanding events on the FIA and

The ace Qatari and his French co-driver mat. According to the new 2. Khalid Al Suwaidi (QAT) 40 pions in the car, motorcycle and quad 2015) from the new location of a stun- FIM calendars,” said QMMF President DSP/Mohan š 3. Meshari Al Thefiri (KUW) 30 bike category respectively. ning ancient fort at Al Zubarah. Abdulrahman Al Mannai. DSP šAbdulrahman Al Mannai Wednesday, March 30, 2016 | www.dohastadiumplusqatar.com 25

Three Qatar Motor and Motorcycle Federation-trained female Female drivers teams — New Zealand’s Emma Gilmour and Dutch co-driver Lisette Bakker, France’s Charlotte Berton and Jordan’s Yasmeen Elmajed all set for and Spain’s Cristina Gutierrez Herrero and her South African navigator Sandra Labuscagne are all set to show their mettle at the Qatar event Sealine Cross-Country Rally. The six drivers were selected after a FIA five-day Cross-Country Rally training held in November in Qatar.

ššAlexander Cudlin is all set to make his debut for the French team. Qatar’s Nasser returns Motors Events ropes in to Overdrive Racing Cudlin for endurance

I’ve improved as a driver, says Frijns Qatar-based Charlie Frijns, who finished fifth overall in the seventh season of the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Middle East, is eyeing more success. Dutchman Frijns, who had a rollercoaster season, hopes to inspire others to step into the one-make car series, which has developed an enviable reputation as a breeding ground for local racing talent. “I’ve improved as a driver and learnt a lot about. Being able to pick yourself up when things aren’t going well and learning from mistakes are extremely important in the progress as a driver,” said Frijns. DSP Modified route for Sealine Rally

HE Qatar Motor and Motorcycle The QMMF has planned 1,633.49km Federation (QMMF) has an- of competitive route in a total distance Tnounced a radically modified The Sealine event is the of 2,435.63km. and longer route to challenge the com- third round of the FIA The bivouac has been moved to Losail petitors at the Sealine Cross-Country Cross-Country Rally for the first time and will enable com- Rally, to be held from April 17 to 22. World Cup. petitors to benefit from the world-class The Sealine event is the third round of facilities on offer at the race circuit. FIA Cross-Country Rally World Cup and “The team we’ve in place has consid- second of FIM World Championship. The opening leg will start at the Losail erable experience of running first rate Qatar’s Nasser Saleh Al Attiyah, International Circuit on April 18 and Cross-Country Rallies and I’m looking Spaniard Marc Coma and Poland’s the first of five selective sections will forward to being involved in one of the Rafal Sonik are the defending cham- run for 226.42km (25km longer than most demanding events on the FIA and

pions in the car, motorcycle and quad 2015) from the new location of a stun- FIM calendars,” said QMMF President DSP/Mohan š bike category respectively. ning ancient fort at Al Zubarah. Abdulrahman Al Mannai. DSP šAbdulrahman Al Mannai 26 Wednesday, March 30, 2016 | www.dohastadiumplusqatar.com Wednesday, March 30, 2016 | www.dohastadiumplusqatar.com 27 At a glance

Samsonov’s run SQUASH ends in last 8 EFENDING champion Vladimir Al Tamimi on a roll Samsonov’s World Tour Qatar DOpen sojourn ended in the quarterfinal after he lost to China’s ATAR’S Abdullah Al Tamimi above him on the PSA World Tour. No.2 seed Fan Zhendong 7-11, 11-9, beat Egypt’s top seed Karim Third seed Al Tamimi used all his all- 4-11, 11-9, 9-11, 5-11. QAli Fathi 5-11, 11-4, 7-11, 11- round skills to stage a comeback win It was clear right from the start that 6, 11-9 in the final to win the Qatar in the PSA M15 tournament. with the return of Chinese paddlers, Circuit III tournament, his second title Going into the tournament, Ali Fathi who skipped the tournament last year of the month. was in good form having reached the as the dates clashed with their New The ASPIRE Academy product, who semifinal of recent Qualico Manitoba Year, the rest of the field would have had recently won the Atlanta Open which Open and finished runner-up at the nothing much to hope for. was his first-ever Professional Squash Oregon Open. Despite the defeat, Samsonov put Association (PSA) World Tour senior But Al Tamimi played to his strengths up a good fight, extending Zhendong title, continued his rich vein of form to emerge victorious. to six games, which must have pleased at the Khalifa International Complex “I had lost two finals last year (Nash the tall Belarusian. last week. Cup and Any Presence Open). Now I’ve “Samsonov is very experienced at It was an impressive performance won two in two. So that kind of sets

this level. He knows how to play against by the world No.61, who was playing the record straight,” said an elated Al Divakaran DSP/Vinod different players. He kept changing his against an opponent ranked 18 places Tamimi, who had turned pro in 2011. DSP šš Abdullah Al Tamimi tactics and I had to adapt and face the difficulties he posed,” said Zhendong. “I won the first and third games eas-

DSP/Vinod Divakaran DSP/Vinod ily, but I let my guard down at the start TENNIS RUGBY ššChina’s Ma Long, left, and Liu Shiwen. of second and fourth games. I couldn’t adjust fast enough to his changes and Rakan shines as lost those games, but I managed to come Tyler, Davies champs TABLE TENNIS back,” he added. DSP Lions impress

NGLAND’S Joe Tyler beat com- The event featured players from 30 ATAR international Rakan Mu- patriot Aidan Mchugh 6-2, 6-4 countries. tawa was in top form as Lions Eto clinch the boys’ singles title in None of the local players made it to the Qnotched up two important the First Qatar ITF Junior Open at the title round, but Qatar Tennis Federation victories in the seven-team Qatar 7s Khalifa International Complex last week. Assistant General Secretary Tariq Zainal League at the Aspire Zone last week. Megan Davies, also of England, Lions defeated College of North claimed the girls’ title by defeating Atlantic Qatar (CNAQ) 19-12 before Chinese story šš Jose Maria Olazabal Esther Adeshina 1-6, 6-1, 6-3 in the final. hammering Blue Falcons 31-0. However, Italy’s Martina Biagianti Tyler won a second title, pairing with they lost their third game to Camels played well. There weren’t any fantas- consecutive World Tour event after Will Davies in boys’ doubles. The duo and the Czech Republic’s 2 (14-24). Mohammad Amin-ul Islam tic rallies, but we were both very much Kuwait. We were both a little exhausted,” ššVladimir Samsonov GOLF beat Egypt’s Mohamed Abdel Aziz and Denisa Hindova won the “I was happy with our performances. into the games and fully focused,” Ma said Liu. England’s Aidan Mchugh 6-2, 4-6, 10-1 girls’ doubles title. The victories were important as we’re told Doha Stadium Plus. Meanwhile, Liu and Ding joined hands Olazabal to lead in the final, decided in super tie-breaker. currently fifth. Our target is to seal a to overcome Japan’s Ai Fukuhara and In the girls’ doubles final, Italy’s semifinal berth,” said Lions captain HERE was little doubt about Mima Ito 6-11, 11-9, 11-6, 4-11, 11-7 Qatar to bid for Greens Planting Martina Biagianti partnered the Czech Al Darwish, who awarded the winners, Rakan. the Chinese domination at the Ma proved he was still in the women’s doubles final. Republic’s Denisa Hindova to defeat is hopeful of a better show from Qataris In other matches, Hurricanes thrashed TWorld Tour Qatar Open as they Zhang and Fan defeated Koki Niwa 2020 Worlds Ceremony British duo of Adeshina and Davies at the Second Qatar ITF Junior Open, Blue Falcons 68-0 while league leaders won both men’s and women’s singles the best, despite his and Maharu Yoshimura 11-8, 11-9, 11-7 6-3, 6-4. which began last Monday. DSP Camels blanked Al Khor 35-0. as well as doubles titles at the Ali bin recent loss to Zhang at in the men’s doubles and avenged the ATAR Table Tennis Associa- WO-TIME Masters champion The semifinals and final will be played Hamad Al Attiyah Arena last Sunday. the Kuwait Open. loss of their team-mates Xu Xin and tion (QTTA) President Khaleel and course architect Jose Maria on April 9. DSP World No.1 Ma Long proved he was Ma Long, who had gone down to the QAhmed Al Mohannadi said the TOlazabal will lead the ‘Greens still the best, despite his recent loss to Japanese pair in the semifinal. country would bid for the 2020 World Planting Ceremony’ of the proposed compatriot Zhang Jike at the Kuwait The women’s final was also an all-Chi- In the Under-21 category, Hong Kong’s Team Championships. Qatar International Golf Club (QIGC) Open, by pulling off an impressive nese affair, with world No.1 Liu Shiwen Ho Kwan Kit overcame France’s Alexandre “We had thought about it earlier, but we at Doha’s Education City on Sunday. 11-9, 11-9, 5-11, 13-11, 11-5 victory beating world No.2 Ding Ning 11-8, Robinot 3-11, 11-8, 11-9, 9-11, 11-7 to didn’t bid. We’ve given it a deep thought The event marks an important step against compatriot Fan Zhendong in 9-11, 11-8, 11-9, 11-9. win men’s title while Singapore’s Zeng and we plan to go ahead for the 2020 in the development of a world-class the men’s final. “It wasn’t as exciting as we hoped Jian beat Japan’s Hina Hayata 11-7, 11-5, Worlds. We want to host it before the golf destination. “I think it was a difficult final. We both it to be because this was the second 11-8 for the women’s honour. DSP FIFA World Cup,” Al Mohannadi told The visionary project will be showcased Doha Stadium Plus on the sidelines of to the public for the first time. During the World Tour Qatar Open. the event, Ryder Cup legend Olazabal Doha had hosted the inaugural World will reveal more details about the design RESULTS All finals Championships in 2004 while the 2018 and development of the course which MEN tournament will be held in Halmstad, comprises an innovative 6-hole cham- Ma Long (CHN) bt Fan 11-9, 11-9, 5-11, SINGLES Sweden. This year’s edition was held pionship course, a 9-hole par-3 course, Zhedong (CHN) 13-11, 11-5 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. driving range and practice facilities, a Ho Kwan Kit (HKG) bt 3-11, 11-8, 11-9, UNDER-21 Alexandre Robinot (FRA) 9-11, 11-7 With Qatar fast emerging as a hub for centre of excellence and a public park Zhang Jike/Fan Zhendong top international events, Al Mohannadi featuring indoor and outdoor activities. ššMaciej Lenartowicz of Camels 2 in action DOUBLES (CHN) bt Koki Niwa/Maharu 11-8, 11-9, 11-7 against Lions. Yoshimura (JPN) exuded confidence that the country was It may be recalled that a model of WOMEN prepared to host any big competition. the course was unveiled in Shanghai in RESULTS Liu Shiwen (CHN) bt Ding 11-8, 9-11, 11-8, “If we bid for the 2019 event, which is November at the Golf Business Forum. SINGLES Lions bt CNAQ 17-12 Ning (CHN) 11-9, 11-9 an individual championship, the focus “I believe long-term growth in the Zeng Jian (SIN) bt Hina Lions bt Blue Falcons 31-0

UNDER-21 11-7, 11-5, 11-8 Divakaran DSP/Vinod Hayata (JPN) will be on a few players from some coun- sport can only happen if we make the Hurricanes bt Blue Falcons 68-0 Liu Shiwen/Ding Ning (CHN) 6-11, 11-9, 11-6, Camels 2 bt Lions 24-14 DOUBLES ššMa Long, second right, Fan Zhendong with Khaleel Ahmed Al Mohannadi, left, and Qatar Olympic tries while the team event will’ve a much game easily accessible that lies at the bt Ai Fukuhara/Mima Ito (JPN) 4-11, 11-7 Committee Secretary General Dr Thani Abdulrahman Al Kuwari. wider audience,” he said. DSP heart of QIGC,” said Olazabal. DSP ššWinners with Qatar Tennis Federation officials. Camels bt Al Khor 35-0 Wednesday, March 30, 2016 | www.dohastadiumplusqatar.com 27

SQUASH Al Tamimi on a roll

ATAR’S Abdullah Al Tamimi above him on the PSA World Tour. beat Egypt’s top seed Karim Third seed Al Tamimi used all his all- QAli Fathi 5-11, 11-4, 7-11, 11- round skills to stage a comeback win 6, 11-9 in the final to win the Qatar in the PSA M15 tournament. Circuit III tournament, his second title Going into the tournament, Ali Fathi of the month. was in good form having reached the The ASPIRE Academy product, who semifinal of recent Qualico Manitoba had recently won the Atlanta Open which Open and finished runner-up at the was his first-ever Professional Squash Oregon Open. Association (PSA) World Tour senior But Al Tamimi played to his strengths title, continued his rich vein of form to emerge victorious. at the Khalifa International Complex “I had lost two finals last year (Nash last week. Cup and Any Presence Open). Now I’ve It was an impressive performance won two in two. So that kind of sets

by the world No.61, who was playing the record straight,” said an elated Al Divakaran DSP/Vinod against an opponent ranked 18 places Tamimi, who had turned pro in 2011. DSP šš Abdullah Al Tamimi

TENNIS RUGBY Rakan shines as Tyler, Davies champs Lions impress

HORSERACING Star Deal pulls off thrilling victory

L JASRA Stud’s Star Deal (Elusive City-Cinzia Vegas) clinched a Athrilling pillar-to-post victory in the Al Areeq Cup, a Class 2 Thor- oughbred Conditions race, at the Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club last week. Hilal Kobeissi-trained Star Deal, who had won the Thoroughbred Handicap last month, was brilliantly ridden by Qatari Yousef Al Hajri. Roman Legend came up with a spirited bid, but found the winner too good DSP/Mohan DSP/Mohan to handle. Upholland and Zman Awal ššLekhwiya players and officials celebrate with Qatar Handball Association President Ahmed Mohammed Abdulrab Al Shaabi. were third and fourth respectively. ššSheikh Ali bin Khalid Al Thani Sheikha Rowdha bint Mishal bin

Hamad Al Thani-owned Jazz (Danehill Babu Photo/Juhaim HANDBALL Al Shaabi praises Dancer-Jazz Baby), who had finished ššYousef Al Hajri pilots Star Deal to victory in the Al Areeq Cup. Sheikh Ali wins triumphant cops feature event RESULTS in the rear of the field for most part of Hilal Kobeissi-trained Gathurst (Harry Bentley) 1, Izghawa 2, ATAR Handball Association the 1,800M journey. Rome 3, Town Crier 4. Won by: ¾, ½, 1. ATAR’S Sheikh Ali bin Khalid Star Deal was brilliantly Race 1 Time; 1:03.56. Trained by: Jassim Al Ghazali. (QHA) President Ahmed Mo- Damas raced upfront, surged ahead Al Thani won the feature event ridden by Qatari Yousef Owned by: Yousuf Abdulbasit Ahmed Qhammed Abdulrab Al Shaabi in the home stretch and established a Abdul Rahman Al Shaibei. Qin the third and final leg of the was delighted to see a home club win- Al Hajri. good lead. Al Sahm (Harry Bentley) 1, Damas 2, Abeah QNB Doha Tour Equestrian Champi- 3, Kasser 4. Won by; 1 ¾, 12, 3. Time: 2:01. 48. Lekhwiya champs Race 2 ning the Asian title again. Meanwhile, Bentley alighted Al Sahm Trained by: Julian Smart. Owned by: HH onship at the Katara cultural village El Jaish were the defending cham- to the task on hand and the three-year- Sheikh Mohamed bin Khalifa Al Thani. last week. pions, but with most of their players a close second to Aqdaar in his previ- old Amer progeny displayed good accel- Wafa (Gaetan Faucon) 1, Ashkal 2, Heytam Sheikh Ali guided Impreio Egipcio Former Qatar League winners book berth in the IHF Super Globe. 3, Meqdam Al Zaidy 4. Won by: ½, 2, Hd. Race 3 preparing with the national team for ous outing, scripted a fluent victory in eration to go clear of Damas and record Time: 1:50.02. Trained by: Alban de Mieulle. Milton to victory in the CSI4*160cm the Rio Olympics, the club decided to the Class 3 Thoroughbred Handicap his first win in four starts. Abeah and Owned by: Umm Qarn. class, which offered a total prize money Power Play (Harry Bentley) 1, Tashiriyan 2, difference. on. We’re happy to have won. We hope skip it. for horses rated 70 to 90. Kasser completed the frame. Stolen Story 3, Markstein 4. Won by; 1 1/2, 1 of QR460,300. Sajith B Warrier After Noor beat Muscat SC 31-13, to do well in the Super Globe,” said So the QHA fielded last year’s Qatar Mohammed Jazzim Al Ghazali-trained Umm Qarn’s Wafa (Nizam-Mashaeel), Race 4 1/2, 2. Time: 2:00.21. Trained by: Mohamed Saudi Arabia’s Khaled Abdulaziz Al Jassim Al Ghazali. Owned by: Sheikha Lekhwiya had to beat local rivals Al Lekhwiya coach Sabith Mahfouz. League champions Al Gharafa and run- Jazz had Bentley on the saddle. New ridden by Frenchman Gaetan Faucon, Ayisha bint Mishal bin Hamad Al Thani. Eid (Old Chap Tame) and his compa- Gharafa at least by 10 goals to triumph. Former Qatar League champions ners-up Lekhwiya at the event, which Pearl was second ahead of Al Gomry overhauled the challenge of Ashkal in Daleem (Cedric Segeon) 1, Al Mayeda 2, triot Abdullah Al Sharbatly (Roso Au Akram 3, Ammon 4. Won by: 3/4, 1, Shd. And in a dramatic end, with sec- Lekhwiya suffered only one defeat, was also a qualification for the IHF and Ventura Shadow. the shadow of the winning post to win Race 5 Crosnier) finished second and third Time: 1:12.00. Trained by: Ibrahim Al Malki. EKHWIYA booked their berth onds to go for the final whistle, Hani against Najma 26-27, in the tournament. Super Globe to be held in Doha later Sporting the silks of HH Sheikh the Purebred Arabian Handicap for Owned by: Abdulatif Hussain Al Emadi. respectively. at the IHF Super Globe by win- Qatari clubs have now won nine of this year. Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Thani, Al horses rated 70 to 90. Jazz (Harry Bentley) 1, New Pearl 2, Al Al Eid had more to cheer as he won ning the 18th Asian Club League the 18 editions. “Lekhwiya proved there’s no dearth of Sahm (Amer-Nisaee) produced a win- Alban de Mieulle-trained Wafa chased Gomry 3, Ventura Shadow 4. Won by: 1 1/2, the QNB Tour Series Trophy for collect- L Race 6 1, 1. Time: 1:09.21. Trained by: Mohamed Championship. Qatari clubs have now Al Sadd have won it a record five times, talent in the country. They raised their ning gallop in the final furlong and got Ashkal all the way into the straight and Jassim Ghazali. Owned by: Sheikha ing most points over three legs. In the six-team round-robin qual- El Jaish twice, and Lekhwiya and Al game when it mattered the most. Hats the better of Umm Qarn’s Damas to gathered momentum in the dying stages Rowdha bint Mishal bin Hamad Al Thani. Saudi Arabia’s Ramzy Al Duhamy won nine of the 18 DSP Star Deal (Yousef Al Hajri) 1, Roman ification tournament at the Qatar Rayyan one apiece. off to them. They deserved the title,” reign supreme in the Purebred Arabian of the race to win by half a length. Legend 2, Upholland 3, Zman Awal 4. Won guided Garlic VH Kapelhof to a deserv- Race 7 Handball Association Complex Hall editions of the biennial said Al Shaabi. Maiden Plate. Heytham was two lengths behind in by: 1/2, 3/4, 1/2. Time: 1:51.85. Trained by: ing win in the CSI 48 145cm class, which Hilal Kobeissi. Owned by: Al Jasra Stud. at Duhail last week, Lekhwiya and Saudi tournament. FINAL STANDINGS Meanwhile, Qatar, as part of their Julian Smart-saddled Al Sahm raced third, ahead of Meqdam Al Zaidy.DSP had a prize money of QR130,000. DSP Arabia’s Al Noor ended up with eight Read as played, won, lost, drawn, goals for, goals preparations for the Rio Games, will points each and same goal difference, against, difference and points. play in a four-team friendly tourna- Lekhwiya (QAT) 5 4 0 1 138 109 29 8 but the Qatari side emerged champi- Tanabane scored for Lekhwiya for a ment at the QHA Complex Hall from Al Noor (KSA) 5 4 0 1 135 106 29 8 ons by virtue of their better head-to- 27-17 victory. Al Najma (BRN) 5 4 0 1 134 116 18 8 Sunday. BEACH VOLLEYBALL head record. Bahrain’s Al Najma also “It was a tense match as just a win Al Ahli (UAE) 5 2 0 3 132 136 -4 4 Brazil, Argentina and newly-crowned had eight points, but they were out of wasn’t enough for us. A lot of permu- Al Gharafa (QAT) 5 1 0 4 117 134 -17 2 league champions Jaish are the other title reckoning because of inferior goal tations and combinations were going Muscat (OMA) 5 0 0 5 95 150 -55 0 teams featuring in it. DSP Cherif and Pereira to

lead Qatar’s charge ššQatar coach Christos Paparrodopoulos VOLLEYBALL presents the trophy to Rayyan team members.

OP pair of Cherif Younousse and 16-21, 14-21 to Australia’s Bo Soderberg Jaish back to their fighting best Jefferson Pereira will lead the and Cole Durant. SWIMMING Thost nation’s charge in the FIVB The Qatar Open is part of the Road to World Tour Qatar Open, to be held at Rio that lasts until June 13, with FIVB Rayyan triumph L JAISH continued their win- But they seem to have regained their saving grace for Ahli, but he lacked the Al Gharafa courts from April 4 to 8. World Tour events counting towards ning run in the Qatar League touch and are slowly emerging as title support. It is for the third straight year that the the Olympic ranking in order to deter- L RAYYAN clinched overall title Eby beating Al Ahli 25-21, 25-14, contenders. Mariusz Sordyl’s men will have to Qatar Volleyball Association is hosting mine 15 of the 24 teams that will take in the Qatar Swimming Shield 25-23 last week. Seasoned campaigner Christian lift their performance as the league the FIVB World Tour event. part in the Olympics. ALong Course Championship at It was the Armymen’s second straight Pampel has been a consistent player reaches its business end. DSP Cherif and Pereira have been in good “It’s a big year for us and we’re keen the Hamad Aquatic Centre last week. win against a tough opponent after throughout their campaign and Pape form of late. They won the inaugural FIVB to garner as many points as possible. Rayyan bagged 34 medals and col- beating Police in their previous encoun- Magath, who was graduated to the sen- Kish Island Open in Iran last month, I’m really optimistic as we’ve had some lected 29, 213 points while Al Ahli (24, ter. ior team this season, a welcome addi- RESULTS beating Russia’s Oleg Stoyanovskiy and great results against strong opponents 258) and Al Sadd (22, 349) finished sec- Jaish had begun the season with a tion upfront. El Jaish bt Al Ahli 25-21, 25-14, 25-23 Artem Yarzutkin 21-13, 14-21, 15-12 this season,” said Pereira, who has been ond and third. Al Sadd bt Al Wakrah 25-23, 29-27, 25-23 bang by winning the Association Cup, Ljubomir Travica-trained squad will Al Shamal bt Al Gharafa 25-22, 25-22, 25-12 in the final. gelling well with Cherif, who is five years The event saw 394 swimmers from beating Al Arabi. They followed it up face a real test of character on Friday, 24-26, 25-20, 25-22, The duo also reached the quarterfinal younger than him. nine clubs — Al Gharafa, Al Arabi, Qatar Al Khor bt Al Sadd

DSP/Vinod Divakaran DSP/Vinod with three impressive wins later in the when they take on Arabi. 20-25, 15-12 of the Asian Volleyball Confederation’s Qatar, being the hosts, may field one SC, Al Wakrah, Al Shamal and Al Khor ššEl Jaish’s Pape Magath executes a smash against Al Ahli. opening phase before enduring a slump. Skipper Mahmoud Essam was the El Jaish bt Police 28-26, 25-18, 25-19 ššCherif Younousse, left, and Jefferson Pereira. Sydney Open, last week, where they lost more team. DSP being the others — in action. DSP Wednesday, March 30, 2016 | www.dohastadiumplusqatar.com 29

HORSERACING Star Deal pulls off thrilling victory

L JASRA Stud’s Star Deal (Elusive City-Cinzia Vegas) clinched a Athrilling pillar-to-post victory in the Al Areeq Cup, a Class 2 Thor- oughbred Conditions race, at the Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club last week. Hilal Kobeissi-trained Star Deal, who had won the Thoroughbred Handicap last month, was brilliantly ridden by Qatari Yousef Al Hajri. Roman Legend came up with a spirited bid, but found the winner too good to handle. Upholland and Zman Awal DSP/Mohan were third and fourth respectively. ššSheikh Ali bin Khalid Al Thani Sheikha Rowdha bint Mishal bin

Hamad Al Thani-owned Jazz (Danehill Babu Photo/Juhaim Dancer-Jazz Baby), who had finished ššYousef Al Hajri pilots Star Deal to victory in the Al Areeq Cup. Sheikh Ali wins feature event RESULTS in the rear of the field for most part of Hilal Kobeissi-trained Gathurst (Harry Bentley) 1, Izghawa 2, the 1,800M journey. Rome 3, Town Crier 4. Won by: ¾, ½, 1. ATAR’S Sheikh Ali bin Khalid Star Deal was brilliantly Race 1 Time; 1:03.56. Trained by: Jassim Al Ghazali. Damas raced upfront, surged ahead Al Thani won the feature event ridden by Qatari Yousef Owned by: Yousuf Abdulbasit Ahmed in the home stretch and established a Abdul Rahman Al Shaibei. Qin the third and final leg of the Al Hajri. good lead. Al Sahm (Harry Bentley) 1, Damas 2, Abeah QNB Doha Tour Equestrian Champi- 3, Kasser 4. Won by; 1 ¾, 12, 3. Time: 2:01. 48. Race 2 Meanwhile, Bentley alighted Al Sahm Trained by: Julian Smart. Owned by: HH onship at the Katara cultural village to the task on hand and the three-year- Sheikh Mohamed bin Khalifa Al Thani. last week. a close second to Aqdaar in his previ- old Amer progeny displayed good accel- Wafa (Gaetan Faucon) 1, Ashkal 2, Heytam Sheikh Ali guided Impreio Egipcio 3, Meqdam Al Zaidy 4. Won by: ½, 2, Hd. Race 3 ous outing, scripted a fluent victory in eration to go clear of Damas and record Time: 1:50.02. Trained by: Alban de Mieulle. Milton to victory in the CSI4*160cm the Class 3 Thoroughbred Handicap his first win in four starts. Abeah and Owned by: Umm Qarn. class, which offered a total prize money Power Play (Harry Bentley) 1, Tashiriyan 2, for horses rated 70 to 90. Kasser completed the frame. Stolen Story 3, Markstein 4. Won by; 1 1/2, 1 of QR460,300. Mohammed Jazzim Al Ghazali-trained Umm Qarn’s Wafa (Nizam-Mashaeel), Race 4 1/2, 2. Time: 2:00.21. Trained by: Mohamed Saudi Arabia’s Khaled Abdulaziz Al Jassim Al Ghazali. Owned by: Sheikha Jazz had Bentley on the saddle. New ridden by Frenchman Gaetan Faucon, Ayisha bint Mishal bin Hamad Al Thani. Eid (Old Chap Tame) and his compa- Pearl was second ahead of Al Gomry overhauled the challenge of Ashkal in Daleem (Cedric Segeon) 1, Al Mayeda 2, triot Abdullah Al Sharbatly (Roso Au Akram 3, Ammon 4. Won by: 3/4, 1, Shd. and Ventura Shadow. the shadow of the winning post to win Race 5 Crosnier) finished second and third Time: 1:12.00. Trained by: Ibrahim Al Malki. Sporting the silks of HH Sheikh the Purebred Arabian Handicap for Owned by: Abdulatif Hussain Al Emadi. respectively. Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Thani, Al horses rated 70 to 90. Jazz (Harry Bentley) 1, New Pearl 2, Al Al Eid had more to cheer as he won Sahm (Amer-Nisaee) produced a win- Alban de Mieulle-trained Wafa chased Gomry 3, Ventura Shadow 4. Won by: 1 1/2, the QNB Tour Series Trophy for collect- Race 6 1, 1. Time: 1:09.21. Trained by: Mohamed ning gallop in the final furlong and got Ashkal all the way into the straight and Jassim Ghazali. Owned by: Sheikha ing most points over three legs. the better of Umm Qarn’s Damas to gathered momentum in the dying stages Rowdha bint Mishal bin Hamad Al Thani. Saudi Arabia’s Ramzy Al Duhamy Star Deal (Yousef Al Hajri) 1, Roman reign supreme in the Purebred Arabian of the race to win by half a length. Legend 2, Upholland 3, Zman Awal 4. Won guided Garlic VH Kapelhof to a deserv- Race 7 Maiden Plate. Heytham was two lengths behind in by: 1/2, 3/4, 1/2. Time: 1:51.85. Trained by: ing win in the CSI 48 145cm class, which Julian Smart-saddled Al Sahm raced third, ahead of Meqdam Al Zaidy.DSP Hilal Kobeissi. Owned by: Al Jasra Stud. had a prize money of QR130,000. DSP

BEACH VOLLEYBALL Cherif and Pereira to

lead Qatar’s charge ššQatar coach Christos Paparrodopoulos presents the trophy to Rayyan team members.

OP pair of Cherif Younousse and 16-21, 14-21 to Australia’s Bo Soderberg Jefferson Pereira will lead the and Cole Durant. SWIMMING Thost nation’s charge in the FIVB The Qatar Open is part of the Road to World Tour Qatar Open, to be held at Rio that lasts until June 13, with FIVB Rayyan triumph the Al Gharafa courts from April 4 to 8. World Tour events counting towards It is for the third straight year that the the Olympic ranking in order to deter- L RAYYAN clinched overall title Qatar Volleyball Association is hosting mine 15 of the 24 teams that will take in the Qatar Swimming Shield the FIVB World Tour event. part in the Olympics. ALong Course Championship at Cherif and Pereira have been in good “It’s a big year for us and we’re keen the Hamad Aquatic Centre last week. form of late. They won the inaugural FIVB to garner as many points as possible. Rayyan bagged 34 medals and col- Kish Island Open in Iran last month, I’m really optimistic as we’ve had some lected 29, 213 points while Al Ahli (24, beating Russia’s Oleg Stoyanovskiy and great results against strong opponents 258) and Al Sadd (22, 349) finished sec- Artem Yarzutkin 21-13, 14-21, 15-12 this season,” said Pereira, who has been ond and third. in the final. gelling well with Cherif, who is five years The event saw 394 swimmers from The duo also reached the quarterfinal younger than him. nine clubs — Al Gharafa, Al Arabi, Qatar of the Asian Volleyball Confederation’s Qatar, being the hosts, may field one SC, Al Wakrah, Al Shamal and Al Khor ššCherif Younousse, left, and Jefferson Pereira. Sydney Open, last week, where they lost more team. DSP being the others — in action. DSP 30 Wednesday, March 30, 2016 | www.dohastadiumplusqatar.com Wednesday, March 30, 2016 | www.dohastadiumplusqatar.com 31 At a glance

CRICKET GOLF MOTORSPORT Domination Day in Texas! F1 qualifying will not change

ASON Day continued his sensa- Oosthuizen, qualified for the final ORMULA One’s much-criticised tional streak with an emphatic when he beat Spaniard Rafa Cabrera- new qualifying format will stay Jvictory at the WGC-Dell Match Bello 4&3 in the other semifinal. Fin place for Sunday’s Bahrain Play in Texas and the new world No.1 Meanwhile, long-hitting Tony Finau Grand Prix, but could change after could not be happier with his game birdied the third extra hole to beat fel- that, commercial supremo Bernie Ec- heading into the Augusta Masters. low American Steve Marino in a play- clestone said. KOHLIFIED! Puerto Rico Open. The Australian beat South African Louis off at the “The outcome I think is that we’re Virat Kohli’s blitzkrieg floors Australia as India Oosthuizen 5&4 in the final at Austin The 26-year-old clinched his first PGA going to stay as we’re,” said Ecclestone Country Club to clinch his sixth win Tour victory, in his second full season after a vote by the sport’s Strategy Group qualify for World Twenty20 semifinal. in his last 13 tournaments worldwide. on the PGA Tour. that agrees what to put forward to the Earlier, he sank a 12-foot par putt at the Elsewhere, world No.1 Lydia Ko won broader F1 Commission. final hole to beat defending champion the Kia Classic by four strokes over Park “After Bahrain, we’re going to have N EMOTIONAL Virat Kohli “This certainly has to be in my top Rory McIlroy one-up in the semi-final. In-Bee in southern California. ššJason Day a look at it,” he added. hailed his match-winning 82 three, but probably it’s top right now, for Bahrain is the second race of the Aruns as one of his best-ever I’m a bit emotional. A lot was riding on FIA season. knocks as he catapulted India into us playing at home and with the crowd the semifinal of the World Twenty20 you want to give them as much enter- ATHLETICS TENNIS and knocked out Australia last Sunday. tainment as possible,” said Kohli after Kohli’s powerful 51-ball knock pro- being adjudged player of the match. Kenyans rule the pelled India to a six-wicket victory over Dhoni, who effected three dismiss- Nadal withers in Miami heat the Australians who had posted a chal- als, hit the winning four to trigger wild roost again lenging 160 for six in Mohali in their celebrations in the packed stands. final group match. ENYA’S Geoffrey Kamworor HEALTH scare for his safety as he felt dizzy and strug- India now take on the West Indies recovered from falling flat on that forced Ra- gled to cope with heat and humidity. in a semifinal clash in Mumbai on This knock certainly has Khis face at the start to retain his A fael Nadal to re- “Very bad feelings, but even with this, Thursday, as the hosts bid to become world half-marathon title in rain-swept tire from his second-round I had finished a lot of matches in the ššBernie Ecclestone the first nation to win two World T20 to be in my top three, Cardiff ahead of compatriot Bedan match at the ATP and WTA past. But here I didn’t know what was titles and the first ever on home soil. but it’s top right now, for Karoki Muchiri. Miami Open raised concerns going on. I wasn’t sure as to whether I New Zealand play England in the other I’m a bit emotional. Britian’s Olympic and world 5,000 about the 14-time Grand Slam can finish the match, so I had to stop,” semifinal in New Delhi on Wednesday. and 10,000M champion Mo Farah fin- champion’s claycourt campaign. said Nadal, who handed handed Bosnian BADMINTON Chasing Australia’s total, India were ished third. The nine-time French Open Damir Dzumhur a 2-6, 6-4, 3-0 triumph reeling at 94 for four before Kohli joined A dejected Australian skipper Steven Kenya’s women completed a second champion whose mastery on clay when he stopped during a match for Life bans to curb forces with skipper Mahendra Singh Smith heaped praise on Kohli. successive clean sweep of the podium helped make him a legend, feared the first time in six years. Dhoni to put on 67 runs and hand India “Virat (Kohli) played an unbelieva- with Peres Jechirchir kicking away from match fixing victory with five balls to spare. ble knock. I think 160 was around par pre-race favourite Cynthia Limo near The 27-year-old mixed caution with on this pitch, it just took an unbeliev- the finish to take the title. HE Badminton World Federation aggression in a scorching knock that able innings to get India over the line,” ROWING (BWF) has brought in lifetime included two sixes and nine fours. said Smith. Tbans for match fixers and illegal gamblers as part of a new charter, Cambridge supreme which gives the game’s governing body PATH TO SEMIFINALS greater scope to root out corruption. GROUP 1 GROUP 2 The BWF also made it an offence not WEST INDIES ENGLAND NEW ZEALAND INDIA AVOURITES Cambridge won the although Cambridge still fielded three to report knowledge of illegal betting bt England by lost to West Indies bt India lost to New Zealand 6 wickets by 6 wickets by 47 runs by 47 runs annual University Boat Race in Americans, one German-American and or failure to co-operate with its inves- bt Sri Lanka bt South Africa bt Australia bt Pakistan Fchoppy conditions on London’s one Austrian in their eight. tigations. by 7 wickets by 2 wickets by 8 runs by 6 wickets River Thames, extending their lead over Their coach Steve Trapmore, who won “BWF is committed to clean sport bt South Africa by 3 bt Afghanistan bt Pakistan bt Bangladesh šVictor Espinoza rides California Chrome. wickets by 15 runs by 22 runs by 1 run š Oxford in the series to 82-79. a gold medal in Great Britain’s eight at and this code is for everyone in bad- lost to Afghanistan bt Sri lanka bt Bangladesh bt Australia Their more experienced crew was in the 2000 Olympics, said it was an “epic” minton,” said BWF Secretary General by 6 runs by 10 runs by 75 runs by 6 wickets front from the start and finished com- victory given the conditions. Thomas Lund. ššVirat Kohli acknowledges the crowd after India’s victory against Australia. HORSERACING fortable winners to end a run of three “I’ve never felt prouder,” he said. SUPER 10 STANDINGS successive defeats. Earlier, Oxford easily won the 71st edi- (Read as played, won, lost, tied, no result, points and net run rate). Afridi undecided Chrome finish As usual in an Olympic year, both tion of the women’s race, now held over GROUP 1 crews were under strength, with lead- the same course, after the Cambridge CYCLING West Indies 4 3 1 0 0 6 +0.359 over retirement ing rowers preparing for Rio instead, boat took on water and almost sank. Watson calls it a day England 4 3 1 0 0 6 +0.145 in Dubai! South Africa 4 2 2 0 0 4 +0.651 Sagan lays down Sri Lanka 4 1 3 0 0 2 -0.461 Pakistan skipper Shahid Afridi ALIFORNIA Chrome, ridden USTRALIAN all-rounder Shane Watson made his ODI debut against Afghanistan 4 1 3 0 0 2 -0.715 is yet to decide whether to retire by Victor Espinoza, sprinted the marker! GROUP 2 from internationals Watson called it quits after South Africa in 2002, three years before New Zealand 4 4 0 0 0 8 +1.9 Cto victory in the $10m Dubai after his team Athe loss against India in the he broke into Tests led by Ricky Ponting. India 4 3 1 0 0 6 -0.305 was eliminated World Cup, beating Mubtaahij in the ORLD champion Peter Sa- Super 10 tie, cutting the team’s last link Australian skipper Steven Smith Australia 4 2 2 0 0 4 +0.233 from the World world’s richest horse race. gan of Slovakia won the Pakistan 4 1 3 0 0 2 -0.093 Twenty20 in to their golden era in the early 2000s. paid tribute to Watson, who took Bangladesh 4 0 4 0 0 0 -1.805 Trained by Art Sherman, the joint WGent-Wevelgem classic, The 34-year-old blond quit Tests last 2-23 and a stunning diving catch India. favourite won the 2,000M race by 3.75 laying down a marker for this weekend’s year after losing his battle against a spate to dismiss Yuvraj Singh in his SEMIFINAL LINE-UP Pakistan lost lengths, despite Espinoza having to Monument race, the Tour of Flanders. Wednesday, March 30 of injuries that plagued his career, has last match. to Australia, New battle with a slipping saddle. The Tinkoff rider beat his breakaway England vs New Zealand, in New Delhi Zealand, India and had just one not featured in a One-Day International “Obviously there’s no Thursday, March 31 win, against Bangladesh, in four “He likes to run clear of his horses, companions after taking the wheel of since September. real fairytales in sport West Indies vs India, in Mumbai matches. doesn’t like to be bumped around. Victor Russian Vyacheslav Kuznetsov, who “One morning when I woke up, I very often. Shane FINAL “I’ll take a decision and knows him, he did a super job,” said launched the sprint hoping to cause an knew now was the right time. I’ve really (Watson) gave his all Sunday, April 3 whatever is better for the country, trainer Sherman upset on the 243km course but ended enjoyed my time being in the Australian as he did every game in Kolkata I’ll go with that. I’ll announce this Hoppertunity came third of the 12 up third. Belgian Sep Vanmarcke (Lotto Matches start at 4.30pm Doha time squad,” said Watson. for Australia,” said Smith. in my country,” said Afridi. runners in the contest. ššMembers of the Cambridge team celebrate their win. Jumbo-NL) finished second. Wednesday, March 30, 2016 | www.dohastadiumplusqatar.com 31

GOLF MOTORSPORT Domination Day in Texas! F1 qualifying will not change

ENYA’S Geoffrey Kamworor HEALTH scare for his safety as he felt dizzy and strug- recovered from falling flat on that forced Ra- gled to cope with heat and humidity. Khis face at the start to retain his A fael Nadal to re- “Very bad feelings, but even with this, world half-marathon title in rain-swept tire from his second-round I had finished a lot of matches in the ššBernie Ecclestone Cardiff ahead of compatriot Bedan match at the ATP and WTA past. But here I didn’t know what was Karoki Muchiri. Miami Open raised concerns going on. I wasn’t sure as to whether I Britian’s Olympic and world 5,000 about the 14-time Grand Slam can finish the match, so I had to stop,” and 10,000M champion Mo Farah fin- champion’s claycourt campaign. said Nadal, who handed handed Bosnian BADMINTON ished third. The nine-time French Open Damir Dzumhur a 2-6, 6-4, 3-0 triumph Kenya’s women completed a second champion whose mastery on clay when he stopped during a match for Life bans to curb successive clean sweep of the podium helped make him a legend, feared the first time in six years. with Peres Jechirchir kicking away from match fixing pre-race favourite Cynthia Limo near the finish to take the title. HE Badminton World Federation ROWING (BWF) has brought in lifetime Tbans for match fixers and illegal gamblers as part of a new charter, Cambridge supreme which gives the game’s governing body greater scope to root out corruption. The BWF also made it an offence not AVOURITES Cambridge won the although Cambridge still fielded three to report knowledge of illegal betting annual University Boat Race in Americans, one German-American and or failure to co-operate with its inves- Fchoppy conditions on London’s one Austrian in their eight. tigations. River Thames, extending their lead over Their coach Steve Trapmore, who won “BWF is committed to clean sport ššVictor Espinoza rides California Chrome. Oxford in the series to 82-79. a gold medal in Great Britain’s eight at and this code is for everyone in bad- Their more experienced crew was in the 2000 Olympics, said it was an “epic” minton,” said BWF Secretary General front from the start and finished com- victory given the conditions. Thomas Lund. HORSERACING fortable winners to end a run of three “I’ve never felt prouder,” he said. successive defeats. Earlier, Oxford easily won the 71st edi- Chrome finish As usual in an Olympic year, both tion of the women’s race, now held over crews were under strength, with lead- the same course, after the Cambridge CYCLING in Dubai! ing rowers preparing for Rio instead, boat took on water and almost sank. Sagan lays down ALIFORNIA Chrome, ridden by Victor Espinoza, sprinted the marker! Cto victory in the $10m Dubai World Cup, beating Mubtaahij in the ORLD champion Peter Sa- world’s richest horse race. gan of Slovakia won the Trained by Art Sherman, the joint WGent-Wevelgem classic, favourite won the 2,000M race by 3.75 laying down a marker for this weekend’s lengths, despite Espinoza having to Monument race, the Tour of Flanders. battle with a slipping saddle. The Tinkoff rider beat his breakaway “He likes to run clear of his horses, companions after taking the wheel of doesn’t like to be bumped around. Victor Russian Vyacheslav Kuznetsov, who knows him, he did a super job,” said launched the sprint hoping to cause an trainer Sherman upset on the 243km course but ended Hoppertunity came third of the 12 up third. Belgian Sep Vanmarcke (Lotto runners in the contest. ššMembers of the Cambridge team celebrate their win. Jumbo-NL) finished second. 32 Wednesday, March 30, 2016 | www.dohastadiumplusqatar.com Wednesday, March 30, 2016 | www.dohastadiumplusqatar.com 33 Movers&Shakers Kaleidoscope

ĈĈNew study promotes a more Guilherme enters Benteke clueless plant-based diet record books about Klopp A COOLER, Y EATING less meat, and Barclays signs new RAZIL-BORN goalkeeper Guil- IVERPOOL striker Christian more fruits and vegetables, herme made history when he Benteke admitted he found it Bthe world could avoid several deal with EPL Bwent on as a half-time substitute Ldifficult to understand why club million deaths by 2050, cut planet- in Russia’s 3-0 friendly victory over manager Juergen Klopp was ignoring warming emissions substantially, and UK-based banking giant Barclays, Lithuania. him. save billions of dollars in healthcare the title sponsor of the English HEALTHIER costs and climate damage, Premier League, recently signed The Lokomotiv Moscow stopper The Belgian has started just five of a new deal to be its partner from researchers said. became the first player born outside the last 16 games. 2016-17 to 2018-19. The league had of Russia to represent the national team “Some team-mates said that I was A new study, published in decided to eschew a title sponsor when he replaced Stanislav Kritsyuk. ššFrom left, Hassan Al Thawadi, Mutaz Essa Barshim and Khalifa Al Haroon. lucky with the arrival of Klopp because the Proceedings of the National in favour of having a limited num- The 30-year-old Guilherme, who I certainly would play,” Benteke said Academy of Sciences of the US, is ber of category partners. Meanwhile, received his Russian passport last of the German, who replaced Brendan VEG WORLD the first to estimate both the health Chinese five-a-side football centre year, had little to do as the European Rodgers in October. “When your coach and climate change impacts of a Soccer World China became a non- professional partner of Manchester Championship finalists eased to a com- says he wanted to take you to Dortmund global move towards a more plant- Al Thawadi among most City. fortable win. and a little later you sit at the same based diet. club and he ignores you, it’s hard to Unbalanced diets are responsible influential young Arabs understand.” for the greatest health burden around the world and our food Airweave boost for system produces more than HREE personalities associated Al Thawadi is ranked as high as fourth a quarter of greenhouse gas British Swimming with Qatar sports figured in the in the list, London Olympic bronze- emissions, said lead author Marco Tlist of 100 most influential Arabs medal winning high jumper Mutaz Essa Springmann of the Oxford Martin under the age of 40, published by the Barshim is 61st. Programme on the Future of Japanese bed man- Arabian Business Food. ufacturer Airweave weekly magazine Online specialist and Qatar Stars signed a one-year Adopting a diet in line with last week. League Communications and Marketing sponsorship agree- While Supreme Committee for Delivery Director Khalifa Al Haroon is 74th on the global guidelines could ment with British ššGuilherme and Legacy Secretary General Hassan the list. DSP ššChristian Benteke avoid 5.1 million deaths Swimming. The per year by 2050. deal will see the company provide mattresses, mattress toppers and seat cushions to the UK swimming team ahead of its preparations for Debesay lost and found! Tallent calls for Russia’s ban this year’s Olympic Games.

RITREA’S Mekseb Debesay will after setting out and covering 240km. USTRALIAN race walker Jared handed a three-year, two-month sus- not forget his first WorldTour “He fell behind a small group Tallent said it would be a pension by his country’s anti-dop- Erace after getting lost on Bel- that decided to take back roads Adisgrace to have to compete ing agency, backdated to the London gium’s back roads and being rescued to Harelbeke around 20km from in the Rio de Janeiro Games in August Games. by a good Samaritan, who offered him the finish. Debesay was afraid of against the man who cheated him out “I’m very strongly against Russia food and a shower. becoming lost and decided to fol- of London Olympic gold. competing at the Olympics and Yonex supports Debesay, who rides for Africa-based low the course arrows to get to the Tallent finished second in 50km hope the IOC (International Olympic Wrong way proves badminton Dimension Data, got lost while riding finish. Unfortunately, he wandered walk at the 2012 Olympics behind Committee) and IAAF(International the 206km E3 Harelbeke, finally arriv- from the correct path,” team sports Russian Sergey Kirdyapkin, who was Association of Athletics Federations) the right way! Leading Japanese sportswear and ing back at the team hotel 15 hours director Pierre Heynderickx said. found guilty of doping last year and stand firm,” said Tallent. equipment brand Yonex signed SPIRING cricketers who face a four-year contract with the up the ‘wrong way round’ Badminton Europe Confederation are seven times more likely (BEC). According to the deal that A runs till the end of 2020, Yonex, in to become professional batsmen, addition to providing equipment for according to a new BEC tournaments, will offer stringing Former England football great Britain’s Kell Brook said he Los Angeles Clippers power study by the Anglia service at the tournaments as well as David Beckham took a key step wanted a fight against rival forward Blake Griffin was back Ruskin University in run sales booths. towards his goal of launching a (WBC) world champion Danny in practice last week, moving Major League Soccer franchisee Garcia after making short work closer to a return from thigh Cambridge, the UK, and by buying land for a stadium of his International Boxing and hand injuries. He has which was published in the in Miami. Beckham’s group Federation welterweight title missed the past 41 games and, journal Sports Medicine. šĈFilm stars and Kalyan Jewellers proprietors at the launch of a showroom. of investors acquired land in defence with a second-round once he is fit, must still serve Young players have the Overtown neighborhood stoppage of Canada’s Kevin a four-game ban for the traditionally been told to place northwest of downtown in the Bizier. Victory in front of his January incident in which their dominant hand lower down Florida city. The 40-year-old has home crowd in Sheffield he broke his right hand Top indian jewellery brand to the blade, with the result that pursued the project for a 20,000- saw Brook extend his perfect punching Clippers equipment seat stadium since late 2013. professional record to 36 wins. staffer Matias Testi. natural right-handers have their weaker left hand on top. launch World Cup souvenirs TCS backing for The study found that cricketers London Marathon adopting a reversed stance EADING Indian jewellery group souvenir items to mark the 2022 ’s return from a Former England international , former head Roger Federer Viktor Chegin (right-handers batting left- Kalyan entered the Qatar FIFA World Cup, which Qatar will Global IT consulting and busi- knee surgery will have to wait Adam Johnson was jailed coach of the Russian race- handed, and vice versa) are market by simultaneously host. ness solutions organisation Tata after he withdrew from his for six years after being walking centre in Saransk, L Consultancy Services (TCS) signed second-round match at the found guilty of sex offences has been banned for life for far more likely to reach first- launching seven outlets. The firm, which has set a three-year partnership with the Miami Open last week because involving a 15-year-old girl. breaking anti-doping rules. The class and international level. Popular Indian film stars Amitabh industry benchmarks in quality, Virgin Money London Marathon to of a stomach virus. The Swiss, The 28-year-old, who was Russian Anti-Doping Agency Some of the world’s leading Bachchan, Nagarjuna, Prabhu transparency, pricing and enhance the digital experience of sidelined for almost two months sacked by Premier League club said, “Looking at the seriousness batsmen of recent times have Ganesan and Manju Warrier opened innovation, announced a 45-day its participants. TCS will become the after tearing his meniscus, was Sunderland last month, was of consequences, the Russian used a reversed stance, including the showrooms at Al Khor, Abu inaugural campaign Win 100gm race’s Official Technology Partner for due to play Argentinian Juan convicted earlier this month Olympic Committee has Clive Lloyd, David Gower, Brian Hamour, Barwa Village, Gharafa, Al Gold Everyday for customers 2016, 2017 and 2018. Martin del Potro, who defeated of sexual activity with a child, confirmed Viktor Chegin will , Matthew Hayden, and Rayyan, Asian Town and HBK Signal. who make a minimum the former world No.1 in the having already admitted receive a life ban.” Lara 2009 US Open final. grooming the teenager. current England pair Alastair A company spokesman said purchase of QR500 in any » Courtesy CSM Sport & Entertainment, Cook and Ben Stokes. it had plans to unveil a series of of the showrooms. DSP www.csm.com, @FastTrack_ME Wednesday, March 30, 2016 | www.dohastadiumplusqatar.com 33 Kaleidoscope

ĈĈNew study promotes a more plant-based diet

A COOLER, Y EATING less meat, and more fruits and vegetables, Barclays signs new Bthe world could avoid several deal with EPL million deaths by 2050, cut planet- warming emissions substantially, and UK-based banking giant Barclays, save billions of dollars in healthcare the title sponsor of the English HEALTHIER costs and climate damage, Premier League, recently signed a new deal to be its partner from researchers said. 2016-17 to 2018-19. The league had A new study, published in decided to eschew a title sponsor the Proceedings of the National in favour of having a limited num- Academy of Sciences of the US, is ber of category partners. Meanwhile, VEG WORLD the first to estimate both the health Chinese five-a-side football centre and climate change impacts of a Soccer World China became a non- global move towards a more plant- professional partner of Manchester City. based diet. Unbalanced diets are responsible for the greatest health burden around the world and our food Airweave boost for system produces more than a quarter of greenhouse gas British Swimming emissions, said lead author Marco Springmann of the Oxford Martin Programme on the Future of Japanese bed man- Food. ufacturer Airweave signed a one-year Adopting a diet in line with sponsorship agree- the global guidelines could ment with British avoid 5.1 million deaths Swimming. The per year by 2050. deal will see the company provide mattresses, mattress toppers and seat cushions to the UK swimming team ahead of its preparations for this year’s Olympic Games.

Yonex supports Wrong way proves badminton the right way! Leading Japanese sportswear and equipment brand Yonex signed SPIRING cricketers who face a four-year contract with the up the ‘wrong way round’ Badminton Europe Confederation are seven times more likely (BEC). According to the deal that A runs till the end of 2020, Yonex, in to become professional batsmen, addition to providing equipment for according to a new BEC tournaments, will offer stringing study by the Anglia service at the tournaments as well as Ruskin University in run sales booths. Cambridge, the UK, and which was published in the journal Sports Medicine. šĈFilm stars and Kalyan Jewellers proprietors at the launch of a showroom. Young players have traditionally been told to place their dominant hand lower down Top indian jewellery brand to the blade, with the result that natural right-handers have their weaker left hand on top. launch World Cup souvenirs TCS backing for The study found that cricketers London Marathon adopting a reversed stance EADING Indian jewellery group souvenir items to mark the 2022 (right-handers batting left- Kalyan entered the Qatar FIFA World Cup, which Qatar will Global IT consulting and busi- handed, and vice versa) are Lmarket by simultaneously host. ness solutions organisation Tata far more likely to reach first- launching seven outlets. The firm, which has set Consultancy Services (TCS) signed class and international level. Popular Indian film stars Amitabh industry benchmarks in quality, a three-year partnership with the Virgin Money London Marathon to Some of the world’s leading Bachchan, Nagarjuna, Prabhu transparency, pricing and enhance the digital experience of batsmen of recent times have Ganesan and Manju Warrier opened innovation, announced a 45-day its participants. TCS will become the used a reversed stance, including the showrooms at Al Khor, Abu inaugural campaign Win 100gm race’s Official Technology Partner for Clive Lloyd, David Gower, Brian Hamour, Barwa Village, Gharafa, Al Gold Everyday for customers 2016, 2017 and 2018. Lara, Matthew Hayden, and Rayyan, Asian Town and HBK Signal. who make a minimum current England pair Alastair A company spokesman said purchase of QR500 in any » Courtesy CSM Sport & Entertainment, Cook and Ben Stokes. it had plans to unveil a series of of the showrooms. DSP www.csm.com, @FastTrack_ME 34 Wednesday, March 30, 2016 | www.dohastadiumplusqatar.com Wednesday, March 30, 2016 | www.dohastadiumplusqatar.com 35 Spot shots

Ĉ ARTISTIC WORLD CHALLENGE CUP GYMNASTICS Ĉ WORLD TOUR QATAR OPEN TABLE TENNIS DSP/ Vinod Divakaran DSP/ Vinod DSP/ Mohan Wednesday, March 30, 2016 | www.dohastadiumplusqatar.com 35

Ĉ WORLD TOUR QATAR OPEN TABLE TENNIS DSP/ Vinod Divakaran DSP/ Vinod 36 Wednesday, March 30, 2016 | www.dohastadiumplusqatar.com Wednesday, March 30, 2016 | www.dohastadiumplusqatar.com 37

www.facebook.com/dohastadium www.twitter.com/dohastadiumplus www.instagram.com/dohastadiumplus Society www.flickr.com/photos/dohastadiumplusqatar

Kids enjoy live science lesson SPORT THIS WEEK TOP TWEETS BLAST FROM THE PAST INSTAGLOW

Qatar International Golf Club, keen to Ĉ become one of the most socially and QATAR MUBARAK MUSTAFA Second highest scorer for Qatar environmentally-sustainable projects, hosted local schoolchildren at a live 1973 WEDNESDAY, MARCH 30 SUNDAY, APRIL 3 science lesson. A total of 25 students from the Qatar HORSERACING BASKETBALL Academy Sidra had the opportunity to Weekly races, 4pm onwards at Emir’s Cup, Al Arabi vs Al Khor, build a fairway profile and learn more Qatar Racing and Equestrian 5pm Al Wakrah vs Al Shamal, about how golf courses are built in an Club. 7pm, Al Gharafa indoor hall. environment-friendly manner. They TENNIS FOOTBALL also planted trees at the proposed new Second Qatar ITF Junior Open, Qatar Stars League, Al course at Doha’s Education City. 5.30pm at Khalifa International Complex (till Friday). Kharaitiyat vs Al Khor, 6.15pm at Chris Brookman sent the details and Al Khor Stadium. photograph. VOLLEYBALL HANDBALL Virat Kohli last week played one of Qatar League, Al Khor vs Al Gharafa, 4.15pm and Al Shamal Friendly tournament, Qatar vs the most amazing innings ever in vs Al Ahli, 6.15pm at Al Arabi El Jaish, 6pm at Qatar Handball tiring circumstances to help India Association Complex Hall. Sports Club. beat Australia and storm into the THURSDAY, MARCH 31 MONDAY, APRIL 4 semifinal of ICC World Twenty20. His 81 runs off 51 balls, which BEACH VOLLEYBALL HORSERACING underlined his status as the ultimate Weekly races, 4pm onwards at FIVB World Tour Qatar Open, player when it comes to chasing a 3.30pm at Al Gharafa (till April 8). Qatar Racing and Equestrian total, drew huge praise from fans, Club. peers and rivals. FRIDAY, APRIL 1

FOOTBALL Qatar Stars League, Al Wakrah Shane Warne vs Lekhwiya, 6.15pm at Al @ShaneWarne Wakrah Stadium; El Jaish vs Great knock by @imVkohli Qatar SC, 6.15pm at Lekhwiya Reminded me of one of your many Stadium; Al Rayyan vs Al HANDBALL Gharafa, 8.30pm at Al Sadd special innings buddy !!!!! https:// Stadium. Friendly tournament, Argentina vs Brazil, 6pm at Qatar twitter.com/sachin_rt/status. VOLLEYBALL Handball Association Complex Hall. Qatar League, Al Arabi vs El Michael Vaughan Jaish, 4.15pm and Police vs VOLLEYBALL @MichaelVaughan Doha Ballers NBA stars to play in Doha Al Rayyan, 6.15pm at Al Arabi No question @imVkohli is the Sports Club. Qatar League, Al Shamal vs greatest ever judge of a chase I Al Sadd, 4.15pm and Qatar SC have ever seen ... Cool as you like .. UBARAK Mustafa, one of the most famous footballers in Qatar, NBA stars Jerome Williams and Martin Norris will be the top SATURDAY, APRIL 2 vs Al Khor, 6.15pm at Al Arabi win Aspire Sports Club. #Timing #Genius. was born in Umm Ghuwalina, a Doha suburb, on March 30, attraction at a 3x3 basketball festival at the Al Gharafa Stadium on FOOTBALL Friday (4pm to 6pm) and Saturday (2pm to 7pm). The event also TUESDAY, APRIL 5 M1973. The former national team captain was widely popular Qatar Stars League, Al Sailiya Ashwin Ravichandran includes a slam dunk contest, youth clinic and an exhibition game vs Al Sadd, 6.15pm at Al Ahli with Al Arabi whom he represented between 1990 and 2003. He also Jam title FOOTBALL @ashwinravi99 between the Qatar national team and an All-Star side featuring the Stadium; Al Arabi vs Umm had stints with Al Khor (2003-2006) and Al Gharafa (2006-2007). Salal, 6.15pm at Al Arabi AFC Champions League, Sandstorm from sachin at Doha Ballers won the fifth NBA legends. Mubarak (34 goals) is Qatar’s second highest scorer, behind Mansour edition of the Aspire Jam street Stadium; Mesaimeer vs Lekhwiya vs Al Nassr, Lekhwiya Sharjah,and the hailstorm in Patricia Jaecklein sent the details and photograph. Al Ahli, 8.30pm at Al Arabi Stadium, 6.30pm. basketball tournament. Mohali from @imVkohli should Muftah, who has 53. He started his senior career in 1992, at the age Stadium. be written in the same paragraph. of 19, and scored his first international goal in an Asian Cup qualifier All Stars came second and HANDBALL 3 8 2 Lebanese Vipers third in the HANDBALL Friendly tournament, El Jaish #chasemaster. against Oman in the same year. Under-18-category one-day event Qatar League, Al Wakrah vs vs Brazil, 4pm and Qatar vs 2 6 7 He 4has played a key role in Qatar’s rise to prominence on the inter- Al Rayyan, 5.30pm at Qatar Argentina, 6pm at Qatar held at the Aspire Park. Twelve Glenn Maxwell national stage. He was a member of the 1992 Gulf Cup and 1998 Arab Handball Association Complex Handball Association Complex @Gmaxi_32 9 4 6 teams competed. The Lords Hall. Hall. Well... That innings was a different Nations Cup-winning squads, but the high point of his career came of Gravity international group 9 3 when2 Qatar reached the 1992 Barcelona Olympics quarterfinal. performed a mix of acrobatic level... Mubarak, now a football pundit on Al Dawri and Al Kass channel, is and basketball moves to bring Ĉ Not a lot more to say really... 8 3 4 curtains to a day of fun and frolic. INTERNATIONAL Absolutely shattered. Beaten by 1 the first Qatari to win the International Olympic Committee’s annual Ghaith Al Faqih sent the details cricketing genius. #toogood. 2 6 ideal 7player award in 2009. and photograph. 5 4 6 3 WEDNESDAY, MARCH 30 SUNDAY, APRIL 3 6 7 1 CRICKET CRICKET World Twenty20, first semifinal, World Twenty20 final, Kolkata, 1 2 8 9 New Zealand vs England, New India. Delhi, India. SUDOKU-518 CYCLING SKATING Tour of Flanders 3 8 2 World Figure Skating MOTORSPORT Championships, Boston (till Bahrain Formula One Grand Sudoku is a number- 2 6 7 4 Ђ Sunday). ЂWho are the reigning ICC World Prix; Argentina MotoGP placing puzzle Solution-517 Twenty20 cricket champions? TENNIS MONDAY, APRIL 4 based on a 9x9 9 4 6 ATP and WTA at Miami Masters grid with several (till Sunday). 6 9 3 5 8 7 1 4 2 TENNIS given numbers. 9 3 2 THURSDAY, MARCH 31 ATP at Marrakech and The object is to 2 4 8 9 6 1 7 3 5 Houston; WTA at Charleston place the numbers CRICKET Name and Katowice (till April 10). 1 to 9 in the empty 1 5 7 3 4 2 9 8 6 8 3 4 World Twenty20, second squares so that each semifinal, West Indies vs India, TUESDAY, APRIL 5 4 6 1 7 5 8 2 9 3 SEND YOUR ANSWER TO row, each column Mumbai, India. CYCLING 2 6 7 [email protected] Phone No and each 3x3 box 7 8 9 2 3 4 5 6 1 GOLF Tour of Basque Country (till April 9). contains the same and be the lucky winner to get USPGA at Houston Open; LPGA number only once. 3 2 5 1 9 6 8 7 4 5 4 6 3 e-mail FOOTBALL three months’ subscription of at ANA Inspiration, Rancho 5 3 6 8 2 9 4 1 7 Mirage (till Sunday). Champions League 6 7 1 DSP magazine for free. quarterfinal first leg GYMNASTICS matches: Bayern Munich vs 9 7 2 4 1 3 6 5 8 World Championships in Benfica; Barcelona vs Atletico 1 2 8 9 Putian, China (till Monday) Madrid. 8 1 4 6 7 5 3 2 9

6 9 3 5 8 7 1 4 2 2 4 8 9 6 1 7 3 5 1 5 7 3 4 2 9 8 6 4 6 1 7 5 8 2 9 3 7 8 9 2 3 4 5 6 1 3 2 5 1 9 6 8 7 4 5 3 6 8 2 9 4 1 7 9 7 2 4 1 3 6 5 8 8 1 4 6 7 5 3 2 9 Wednesday, March 30, 2016 | www.dohastadiumplusqatar.com 37

www.facebook.com/dohastadium www.twitter.com/dohastadiumplus www.instagram.com/dohastadiumplus www.flickr.com/photos/dohastadiumplusqatar

SPORT THIS WEEK TOP TWEETS BLAST FROM THE PAST INSTAGLOW

MUBARAK MUSTAFA 1973 Second highest scorer for Qatar

Virat Kohli last week played one of the most amazing innings ever in tiring circumstances to help India beat Australia and storm into the semifinal of ICC World Twenty20. His 81 runs off 51 balls, which underlined his status as the ultimate player when it comes to chasing a total, drew huge praise from fans, peers and rivals.

Shane Warne @ShaneWarne Great knock by @imVkohli Reminded me of one of your many special innings buddy !!!!! https:// twitter.com/sachin_rt/status.

Michael Vaughan @MichaelVaughan No question @imVkohli is the greatest ever judge of a chase I have ever seen ... Cool as you like .. UBARAK Mustafa, one of the most famous footballers in Qatar, #Timing #Genius. was born in Umm Ghuwalina, a Doha suburb, on March 30, M1973. The former national team captain was widely popular Ashwin Ravichandran with Al Arabi whom he represented between 1990 and 2003. He also @ashwinravi99 had stints with Al Khor (2003-2006) and Al Gharafa (2006-2007). Sandstorm from sachin at Sharjah,and the hailstorm in Mubarak (34 goals) is Qatar’s second highest scorer, behind Mansour Mohali from @imVkohli should Muftah, who has 53. He started his senior career in 1992, at the age be written in the same paragraph. of 19, and scored his first international goal in an Asian Cup qualifier #chasemaster. 3 against8 Oman2 in the same year. 2 6 7 He 4has played a key role in Qatar’s rise to prominence on the inter- Glenn Maxwell national stage. He was a member of the 1992 Gulf Cup and 1998 Arab @Gmaxi_32 9 4 6 Well... That innings was a different Nations Cup-winning squads, but the high point of his career came level... 9 3 when2 Qatar reached the 1992 Barcelona Olympics quarterfinal. Not a lot more to say really... 8 Mubarak,3 4 now a football pundit on Al Dawri and Al Kass channel, is Absolutely shattered. Beaten by 1 the first Qatari to win the International Olympic Committee’s annual cricketing genius. #toogood. 2 6 ideal 7player award in 2009. 5 4 6 3 6 7 1 SUDOKU-518 1 2 8 9 3 8 2

Sudoku is a number- 2 6 7 4 placing puzzle Solution-517 based on a 9x9 9 4 6 grid with several 6 9 3 5 8 7 1 4 2 given numbers. 9 3 2 The object is to 2 4 8 9 6 1 7 3 5 place the numbers 1 to 9 in the empty 1 5 7 3 4 2 9 8 6 8 3 4 squares so that each 4 6 1 7 5 8 2 9 3 row, each column 2 6 7 and each 3x3 box 7 8 9 2 3 4 5 6 1 contains the same number only once. 3 2 5 1 9 6 8 7 4 5 4 6 3 5 3 6 8 2 9 4 1 7 6 7 1 9 7 2 4 1 3 6 5 8 8 1 4 6 7 5 3 2 9 1 2 8 9

6 9 3 5 8 7 1 4 2 2 4 8 9 6 1 7 3 5 1 5 7 3 4 2 9 8 6 4 6 1 7 5 8 2 9 3 7 8 9 2 3 4 5 6 1 3 2 5 1 9 6 8 7 4 5 3 6 8 2 9 4 1 7 9 7 2 4 1 3 6 5 8 8 1 4 6 7 5 3 2 9 38 Wednesday, March 30, 2016 | www.dohastadiumplusqatar.com Hearsay Sampaoli will replace Carreno

as Qatar coach yxyxyxyxyx yxy xy xy xyxyxxyy ATAR coach Daniel Carreno is Annabi, helping them progress to likely to return to Saudi Ara- the third round of 2018 World Cup yxyxyxy yxyxy ALL SPORTS, Qbia to manage their national Asian Zone qualification with two team. Argentinian Jorge Sampaoli is matches to spare. Under him, they expected to replace the Uruguayan. lost only one qualifier, against China Carreno had been at the helm of (0-2) on Tuesday. ONE STADIUM Riyadh club Al Nassr before moving Saudi Arabia too have progressed to Doha as Al Arabi coach in 2014. to the third round, but they are eager He took charge of the Qatar national to part ways with Dutchman Bert van team last May and, since then, has Marwijk, reportedly for his reluctance ššDaniel Carreno done a commendable job with Al to stay in the Gulf country. DSP ššJorge Sampaoli

Al Gharafa keen Umm Salal’s Uygun to to sign Menez Rayyan striker from Milan Garcia joining take up Lekhwiya job Al Sadd ranks Publishers: ASPIRE Printing, Publishing and Distribution ATAR Stars League club Al P O Box: 24598, Doha, Qatar. Gharafa are interested in L RAYYAN’S URKISH coach Bulent Uy- are not yet sure of a top-four finish. Marketing & advertising: Tel: +974 44138566 Qsigning French international Spanish striker gun will leave Umm Salal this The Lekhwiya management and e-mail: [email protected] Jeremy Menez, who is struggling for ASergio Garcia is Tsummer and take charge of some senior players find Algerian a regular first-team place at Italian expected to move to Al Lekhwiya. Belmadi’s whimsical attitude as the Distribution: Tel: +974 44138535/36, Fax: +974 44138597 giants AC Milan. Sadd this summer. Former Barcelona and Real Madrid major reason for their poor perfor- www.twitter.com/dohastadiumplus www.facebook.com/dohastadiumplusqatar www.flickr.com/photos/dohastadiumplusqatar e-mail: [email protected] Former Paris Saint-Germain forward The former Espanyol great Michael Laudrup had guided the mance this season. Menez refused to come on as a substi- captain, who joined cops to Qatar Stars League and Qatar Uygun, a former Fenerbahce player, tute for Milan in their recent 1-1 draw Rayyan at the start of Cup triumphs last season, but under took charge of Umm Salal in 2013 and against Lazio in the Serie A before he was the season, lived up to his comeback coach Djamel Belmadi, they has done well so far, considering that persuaded by coach Sinisa Mihajlovic’s reputation and helped the have been a pale shadow of them- they have only limited player pool. assistant. Lions regain the Qatar Stars selves this season. Lekhwiya, fourth Meanwhile, Belmadi, a former Qatar Gharafa sent emissaries to Milan just League (QSL) title after a two- in the standings and 20 points adrift of national team coach, is linked with to understand Menez’s situation and decade gap. newly-crowned champions Al Rayyan, the Algeria job. DSP TO OUR PUBLICATION may try to enter into negotiation with He has scored 13 goals in the the 28-year-old for a possible summer QSL so far. move. DSP Garcia, who also came up Subscribe Yes, send Doha Stadium Plus to me with several vital assists, is one of the strong contenders for the Qatar Football Association’s best Name: ...... player award. Once the deal is through, he will join his for- Company: ...... mer Barcelona team-mate Xavi Hernandez at Sadd. DSP Address: ......

ššBulent Uygun, left, and Djamel Belmadi. Telephone: ......

Fax: ...... Pellegrini bound for Zenit Fahad says no to Qatar SC e-mail: ......

Payment can be made by cash, cheque or DD payable to Estad Al Doha. ANUEL Pellegrini can take been strongly linked with the job in ATARI coach Fahad last season and the club aimed for a Zenit St Petersburg to another Russian media. Thani turned down better show this time while retaining Mlevel if the Chilean decides to Zenit asked Pellegrini to become Qan offer to manage Radhi Shenaishel as coach. However, take over as manager of the Russian their head coach in March, 2014, Qatar Sports Club for the rest their terrible run of form led to the sack- SIX MONTHS ONE YEAR QR 50 (26 ISSUES) QR 100 (52 ISSUES) club at the end of the season, accord- but the 62-year-old chose to stay in of the season. ing of the Iraqi and the management ing to former Manchester United Manchester. They are now report- Qatar SC are currently 13th brought back Sebastiao Lazaroni. SEND THIS TO winger Andrei Kanchelskis. edly ready to offer him €3.5m a year. in the Qatar Stars League with Though Lazaroni could manage a Zenit coach Andre Villas-Boas has “Pellegrini is a great coach and I’m 22 pointsand are staring at rel- few wins, the management is not fully The Distribution Manager, Doha Stadium Plus announced his intention to step down sure that at all levels he is much bet- egation with only three matches happy with him. They wanted Fahad to P O Box: 24598, Tel: +974 44138527/44138567, Fax:+974 44138592/44138597, e-mail: [email protected] in May and Pellegrini, who is leav- ter than Villas-Boas,” Kanchelskis, to be played. do the rescue act, but the Qatari coach ing Manchester City this year, has who is coaching Solyaris Moscow. Qatar SC had finished fourth felt it was too late. DSP yxyxyxyxyx yxy xy xy xyxyxxyy yxyxyxy yxyxy ALL SPORTS, ONE STADIUM

Publishers: ASPIRE Printing, Publishing and Distribution P O Box: 24598, Doha, Qatar. Marketing & advertising: Tel: +974 44138566 e-mail: [email protected] Distribution: Tel: +974 44138535/36, Fax: +974 44138597 www.twitter.com/dohastadiumplus www.facebook.com/dohastadiumplusqatar www.flickr.com/photos/dohastadiumplusqatar e-mail: [email protected]

Subscribe TO OUR PUBLICATION Yes, send Doha Stadium Plus to me

Name: ......

Company: ......

Address: ......

Telephone: ......

Fax: ......

e-mail: ......

Payment can be made by cash, cheque or DD payable to Estad Al Doha.

SIX MONTHS ONE YEAR QR 50 (26 ISSUES) QR 100 (52 ISSUES) SEND THIS TO The Distribution Manager, Doha Stadium Plus P O Box: 24598, Tel: +974 44138527/44138567, Fax:+974 44138592/44138597, e-mail: [email protected] WEDNESDAY, MArch 30, 2016 VOLUME XI ISSUE NO.8 Q r2.00 www.dohastadiumplusqatar.com

Catch every pulse of action... Stay tuned www.dohastadiumplusqatar.com

PAGES 8-9 Publishers: ASPIRE Printing, Publishing and Distribution P O Box: 24598, Doha, Qatar. P 7 | FOOTBALL P 20 | POSTER Marketing & advertising: Tel: +974 44138566 DSP EXCLUSIVE P 28 | HANDBALL e-mail: [email protected] INTERVIEW SHANE Distribution: Tel: +974 44138535/36, Fax: +974 44138597 Tabata optimistic WATSON Lekhwiya crowned e-mail: [email protected] about Qatar’s chances Asian champions www.facebook.com/dohastadium www.twitter.com/dohastadiumplus www.flickr.com/photos/dohastadiumplusqatar