Haydos extends contract, says Al Sadd is my home PAGE 11

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2020 AFC thanks FA for hosting return of Champions League in West region

Asian Football Confederation (AFC) President Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa during the online meeting on Thursday. He congratulated everyone involved in the hard work that has been required to en- sure that the AFC Champions League Group Stage West region and knockout rounds can go ahead safely. AFC Executive Committee announces updates to 2020 competitions calendar AFC football is something to cel- essary decisions in urgent mat- ebrate and so is the contribu- ters which relate to the central- Members of various federations of AFC from all over during the meeting, held onlne, on Thursday. tion of the frontline workers. ised competition. It is intended SHAIKH Salman bin Ebrahim “It gives some hope to see that a similar Committee will Al Khalifa, the Asian Football football back and there has be formed in due course for the Members of the Committee congratulated Shaikh Salman and the AFC for keeping the football Confederation (AFC) Presi- been great work in putting in AFC Champions League East world ‘moving forward’ and also thanked the Qatar FA for hosting the matches in the coming dent, on Thursday thanked the place the necessary protocols Zone matches which are now month. Under the banner of #FootballforHeroes, the AFC Champions League (West) will be played Qatar Football Association for and procedures to keep every- scheduled to be played between their willingness to host the one safe, so we are taking the Nov 15 and Dec 13, 2020. under special rules to reflect the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and these include AFC and return of the AFC Champions first steps. We will also work The Executive Committee Host Country Medical Protocols, temperature checks on entry to the Stadium and testing. League in the West region. closely with all the stakeholders also agreed that the final of the At the AFC Executive in Asia and with FIFA to ensure AFC Champions League will be meeting, held online, the AFC that football continues.” played in the West Zone on De- challenges, the AFC U-16 and be cancelled with the UAE Licensing Task Force and the ons League (West), where they President congratulated eve- Members of the Commit- cember 19, 2020 – in a single AFC U-19 Championships, hosting the next event in 2021. AFC Safety and Security Task currently occupy second place ryone involved in the hard tee congratulated Shaikh Sal- match rather than in the tradi- scheduled for Bahrain and Shaikh Salman added: Force for the remainder of the in Group A, after several mem- work that has been required to man and the AFC for keeping tional home and away format. , have been post- “These are tough times for 2019-2023 term. bers of the club tested positive ensure that the AFC Champi- the football world ‘moving The AFC Futsal Champion- poned until early 2021. everyone connected with foot- The challenges presented by for COVID-19. ons League Group Stage West forward’ and also thanked ship will now be staged in Ku- In view of the logistics in ball – and sport in general. We the COVID-19 pandemic mean The AFC has written to the region and knockout rounds the Qatar FA for hosting the wait but shall be moved from coordinating the five zones are taking steps to ensure the that the AFC Executive Commit- United Arab Emirates Foot- can go ahead safely. matches in the coming month. the original dates in November of the AFC Cup and complet- financial well-being of the AFC tee agreed that it was no longer ball Association (UAE FA) to Shaikh Salman said: “A Under the banner of to new dates between Decem- ing the Inter Zone matches, and its MAs. possible to host the 30th AFC inform them that the request huge amount of work has been #FootballforHeroes, the AFC ber 2-13 to allow Member Asso- the AFC Executive Committee “I am certain that with the Congress in person in Kuala by the UAE FA and the club for undertaken to ensure these Champions League (West) ciations time to prepare them- also agreed that the pandemic unity and solidarity for which Lumpur, on December a postponement of the Group matches can kick off on Sep- will be played under special selves for the competition. created complexities which the AFC has become admired 9, 2020. The 30th AFC Con- matches cannot be accommo- tember 14 and the AFC has rules to reflect the impact of The AFC Executive Com- constituted a Force Majeure across football, we can over- gress will now be held online. dated because of the advanced been extremely professional in the COVID-19 pandemic and mittee recognised that the event and, with sadness, led come this latest challenge.” preparations in which many ensuring that the matches can these include AFC and Host pandemic has affected the to the cancellation of the 2020 The AFC Executive Com- Al Wahda unable teams have already travelled go ahead and go ahead safely. Country Medical Protocols, ability of the AFC to deliver competition. The AFC Solidar- mittee approved the 2019 Au- to travel to Qatar for the competition. “These matches will be temperature checks on entry its competitions. With this in ity Cup has also been cancelled dited Financial Statement and Meanwhile, Al Wahda have The matter will now be dedicated to our frontline to the Stadium and testing. mind and taking into consid- because of the Force Majeure the independent Audit Report informed the Asian Football referred to the relevant AFC health and care workers who A sub-committee of the AFC eration the need to prioritise event and will now be played in as well as the revised Budget Confederation (AFC) that they Committees for a decision in have been the real stars in Competitions Committee has the welfare of young players, 2024 and the AFC Futsal Club for 2020. They also approved are unable to travel to Qatar to accordance with the applica- recent months. The return of been formed to make any nec- as well as the travel and health Championship UAE 2020 will the members of the AFC Club compete in the AFC Champi- ble regulations. ACL 2020: Watch out for these stars in Qatar this month

AFC Matchday One and Two of the tapped in the opener. record 34 goals is no easy feat, AFC Champions League this but to then go on and repeat season. Capable of playing SANTI CAZORLA the achievement, finishing as WITH the resumption of the as an advanced or deep-lying The Spanish international top scorer the following the 2020 AFC Champions League playmaker, Resan combines vi- joined Qatar’s Al Sadd SC from season ahead of the likes of drawing ever closer, we profile sion and the ability to find the La Liga outfit Villarreal ahead Bafetimbi Gomis and Omar seven players who could shape target from range, while he also of the 2020/21 season and has Al Somah is a testament to the their clubs’ fortunes in Qatar possesses the skill to dribble his already hit the ground running genuine quality of Moroccan this month. way into the danger zones. in the , fir- striker Hamdallah. Having looked at some of ing a brace in his club’s 5-1 The Al Nassr frontman the finest goalscorers in the SALEM AL DAWSARI defeat of Al Kharaitiyat on his also boasts a record few play- tournament, we turn our at- Since the resumption of the debut, and adding another in ers have been able to achieve, tention to a group of stars who Saudi Pro League after the the following game against Al which is to score in the AFC are set to be the focal points COVID-19 enforced break, Al Sailiya from the penalty spot. Champions League with four for their sides to build their Dawsari continued the form Alongside his experience different teams, having first come back from a long term MEHDI GHAYEDI brushed aside Al Rayyan 5-0 success around over the next that was so important to Al Hi- of playing at the top level, got on the scoresheet with injury that sidelined him Widely considered as one of to reach the group stage. few weeks. lal SFC’s continental triumph Cazorla possesses undoubt- Guangzhou R&F in 2015, then for most of the season the most exciting young tal- in 2019. The winger contrib- ed ability and his remark- finding the back of the net prior the UAE Pro League’s ents in the country, Ghayedi DRAGAN CERAN BASHAR RESAN uted four goals and seven as- able comeback from a career with Qatari sides El Jaish and cancellation. has risen in profile every year Pakhtakor’s Serbian forward The 23-year-old Iraq interna- sists as the Blue Waves won a threatening foot injury is a Al Rayyan in 2016 and 2018 A vital cog in Sharjah’s since joining Esteghlal from has had a profound effect on tional joined Islamic Repub- record 16th league title. testament to his resilience respectively, and finally scor- machine, the 28-year-old has Iranjavan Bushehr as an his club since joining the Tash- lic of Iran’s Persepolis FC in Al Dawsari also took and perseverance - something ing two for Al Nassr in 2019 an unparalleled record for his 18-year-old, having previously kent based side back in 2018 2017 from perennial AFC Cup his form into the 2020 AFC head coach and compatriot and adding two more in this club, with 24 goals and 21 as- been part of the IR Iran side from FC Nasaf. He currently champions Air Force Club, Champions League as he as- will bank on him passing edition. sists in 37 league matches. that played in the 2017 FIFA leads the Uzbekistan Super and has recently renewed his sisted Andre Carillo’s goal in on to his teammates. With the addition of Ar- The former Palermo man U20 World Cup. League scoring charts with 13 contract with the Tehran gi- the opening game against IR Surrounded by heaps of gentinian midfielder Pity has never previously fea- Despite his tender years, goals, and has also contribut- ants until 2021. Iran’s Shahr Khodro FC. talent in the form of Hassan Martinez from MLS side At- tured in the AFC Champions Esteghlal FC’s number 10 has ed four assists. Resan has made a total of The Saudi international Al Haydos, Baghdad Bouned- lanta United, Hamdallah is League, with injury side- been a prominent figure in the This excellent return 22 appearances in the AFC has remarkably just missed jah and 2019 Asian Footballer certain to find a new line of lining him off the first two side that came second in both comes on the back of a mas- Champions League since join- eight minutes of football in the of the Year Akram Afif, the supply, which will only boost matches, so the game against the Iran Pro League and Hazfi sive debut season that saw him ing Persepolis, including a run competition since the start of two-time UEFA European his credential as one of the key Al Duhail SC could potential- Cup in 2019-20. Ghayedi led score 23 goals and assist six in to the final of the 2018 edition the knockout stage of the 2019 Championship winner is sure dangermen in the 2020 AFC ly be his debut. the league’s assist charts with 24 matches – winning the top which saw them lose out to Ja- version. With that sort of con- to produce nothing short of Champions League. With compatriot and eight, as well as contributed scorer award and the league pan’s Kashima Antlers. sistency, head coach Razvan the spectacular football we’ve teammate Welliton Soares the highest number of match title as well. With teammates The midfielder featured Lucescu can rely on him to pro- come to see from him. IGOR CORONADO now back in Sharjah, the duo winning goals for his club dur- Igor Sergeev and Jaloliddin in 25 Iran Pro League games duce in the toughest of stages, Sharjah’s talismanic play- could rekindle the deadly part- ing the league season with four. Masharipov in the side provid- in 2019-20 as his side burst just as he did in the away leg ABDERRAZAQ HAMDALLAH maker and 2018/19 UAE Pro nership that saw them fire the He also chipped in with a brace ing assists left, right and cen- through unchallenged to the of the final against Urawa Red To win the top scorer award League Best Foreign Player, club to an historic league title in the 2020 AFC Champions tre, Pakhtakor have a formida- title, while featuring in both Diamonds, when he delicately in the Saudi Pro League with a Coronado has done well to in 2018/19. League play-offs as Esteghlal ble attacking force. Sports Friday, September 11, 2020 11

AFC CHAMPIONS LEAGUE TEAMS START ARRIVING IN DOHA

The AFC Champions League (West region) teams began arriving in Doha from Thursday morning in preparation for the competition’s resumption. The rst to arrive at Hamad International Airport on Thursday was the Esteghlal FC of Iran. A biosecure bubble has been put in place for the resumption of matches in Qatar, similar to one implemented for the UEFA Champions League. A total of twenty matches will be played from September 14 to October 3 involving 16 teams from four groups (Group A, B, C and D) of the AFC west region including two quarter- nals, and one semi- nal match. The matches will be played at Khalifa International Stadium, Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium, Al Janoub Stadium, and the Education City Stadium. This is my home, says Al Sadd’s Sheikh Tamim bin Fahd Al Thani elected Al Arabi SC president

Haydos after extending contract QNA DOHA TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK DOHA HE Sheikh Tamim bin Fahd Al Thani officially won the presi- HASSAN Al Haydos has ex- dency of Al Arabi Sports Club tended his contract with Al during the ordinary general as- Sadd SC till 2025, with the sembly meeting of the club held Qatar international saying he on Wednesday evening. is determined to be part of a The general assembly “wonderful project”. also elected Mohammed bin Jassim Al Kuwait as vice president for the (2020-24) term. It recommended the list of HE Sheikh Tamim Al Sadd are going through a bin Fahd Al Thani for being more than wonderful period. the only list that entered the Leadership is a responsibil- election race, following the HE Sheikh Khalifa bin Hamad Al Thani, former president of Al Arabi ity. Al Sadd players are like withdrawal of Ahmed Hilal SC, congratulated HE Sheikh Tamim bin Fahd Al Thani on winning the my brothers. Our goal is Al Khulaifi’s list. club’s elections, wishing him “All support and success” on his tenure The meeting was attended with the club. one, as a family, which is to by a large number of mem- keep Al Sadd always at the bers, who declared their sup- HE Sheikh Tamim ex- that will be carried out within a top. Our ambition is huge port for the new president in pressed pleasure for obtaining week, as well as support and in- and our goal is to compete order to achieve the hopes and the confidence of the general as- vestments to enhance the capa- for all titles. aspirations of Al Arabi Club. sembly, referring to a work plan bilities of the club. – Hassan Al Haydos Al Sadd captain Hassan Al Haydos with coach Xavi Hernandez after extending his contract with the 14-time Qatar Stars League champions until 2025. Al Sadd, who will head into next week’s AFC Cham- pions League, are top of Group D with four points from two matches. They take on UAE’s Al Ain FC at the Having only played for Al Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium on Tuesday (September 15). Al Duhail announce squad Sadd since his professional debut in 2007, Al Haydos, 29, The 14-time Qatar Stars matches. They take on UAE’s Al “Leadership is a responsi- said he had no reservations League champions have begun Ain FC at the Jassim Bin Ham- bility. The Al Sadd players are about extending his contract. the new season strongly with 5-1 ad Stadium on Tuesday (Sep- like my brothers, and we have “I thank the club for trust- wins over Al Kharaitiyat and Al tember 15) with Al Haydos de- been playing together for a ing me and renewing my con- Sailiya in the Qatar Stars League termined for continental glory. long time. Our goal is one, as tract until 2025. I am very and will head into next week’s “Al Sadd are going through a family, which is to keep Al happy here,” said Al Haydos. 2020 AFC Champions League a more than wonderful period; Sadd always at the top. “This is my home, and there’s brimming with confidence. the start of the league has been “Our ambition is huge no need for any contract be- Al Sadd are top of Group perfect after the victories over and our goal is to compete tween me and the club.” D with four points from two Al Kharaitiyat and Al Sailiya. for all titles.”

AFC Cup put off due to virus Ooredoo Cup final to be AFP said it would take place on KUALA LUMPUR December 5. played on October 10th East Zone group matches, ASIA’S football body on originally scheduled from TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK Thursday cancelled this year’s mid-October to early Novem- DOHA AFC Cup because of the coro- ber, will now be played from navirus pandemic – and also November 15 to December 13. THE Qatar Stars League an- announced further delays Officials had already an- nounced the date of 2019- to Champions League nounced that West Zone 20 season Ooredoo Cup fi- matches in what it said group games will be in nal, which will pit Al Arabi were “tough times” for the Qatar this month, while against Al Sadd. sport. matches in two of the The match will be played Officials East Asia groups at the Al Duhail Stadium on also said some will be played in 10th October. The kick-off is matches in the Malaysia. at 6pm. Champions Other venues The date was finalised League – the are yet to be an- in agreement with the two region’s show- nounced. teams and their coaches, and piece tournament, The AFC Fut- also taking into considera- which resumes next sal Championship tion Al Sadd’s participation week in Qatar – for the has been pushed back by a in the 2020 AFC Champions Wakrah, Qatar SC; East Zone would be fur- month to December, while League. Group B: Al Rayyan, Al ther delayed. the AFC Solidarity Cup and The Qatar Stars League Kharaitiyat, Al Gharafa, The single-leg final will AFC Futsal Club Champion- also held the 2020-21 season Umm Salal, Al Arabi, Al Ahli. now take place on Decem- ship UAE 2020 have been Ooredoo Cup draw, where The participation of ber 19. Officials previously cancelled. 12 teams have been divided Al Sadd and Al Duhail in into two groups as follows: the 2020 AFC Champions Group A: Al Duhail, Al League was also taken into The AFC Cup trophy. Sadd, Al Sailiya, Al Khor, Al consideration. 12 Friday, September 11, 2020 Sports Tour de France nearly man Hirschi comes good at last AFP SARRAN

PERSISTENCE paid off for Marc Hirschi as the Swiss so- loed to victory on stage 12 of the Tour de France on Thurs- day, putting behind him two gut-wrenching near misses. Clubs forget There was no change in the overall standings a day ahead of a massive mountain slog, virus crisis in with Jumbo’s Primoz Roglic staying 21 seconds ahead of defending champion, Colom- transfer splurge bian Egan Bernal of Ineos. The 22-year-old Hirschi was first pipped at the line AFP page to the campaign. by flying Frenchman Julian LONDON Last week the Premier Alaphilippe on Nice’s iconic League announced its deal Promenade des Anglais on JUST five months after Pre- with Chinese streaming plat- stage two. He then suffered mier League clubs consulted form PPTV, understood to be another blow when the Slove- their players about taking a worth about $700 million, had nian pair Tadej Pogacar and 30 percent wage cut, the Eng- been cancelled, with political Roglic caught him at Laruns at lish top-flight is again blowing tensions between Britain and the end of Sunday’s stage nine. Europe’s other top leagues out potentially making a new The Sunweb man finally the water when it comes to contract difficult to negotiate. found the right formula with a splashing the cash. European Club Associa- heroic long-range solo victory A return to the routine tion chairman Andrea Agnelli on the Tour’s longest stage spending of tens of millions said on Tuesday that rebates of 218km from the chateau- of pounds on players jars owed to Champions League dominated town of Chauvigny with the bleak forecasts often and Europa League broadcast- over four rolling hills to Sar- presented by the clubs them- ers totalled 575 million euros, ran in central France’s pasto- Stage winner Team Sunweb rider Switzerland’s Marc Hirschi celebrates as he crosses the nish line at the end of the 12th stage of the Tour de selves as a result of the coro- warning football was in “cri- ral heartland. France on Thursday. (AFP) navirus pandemic. sis-management” mode. “I haven’t been sleeping At the height of the pan- well and I had a bad back but minating with 1,783m up the Correze region, and payed demic, Liverpool and Tot- Big-spending Chelsea I said to myself just go for it,” extinct volcano of Puy Mary in Stage 12 results homage to another, the re- tenham planned to use Yet no such downturn has said the bearded escape artist. the Massif Central. 1. Marc Hirschi (SUI/SUN) 5hrs 8min 49sec 11. Julian Alaphilippe (FRA/DEC) 1:48 cently deceased Jacques Chi- government money to pay been noticeable among Pre- “I never would have be- “Our team needs a win,” 2. Pierre Rolland (FRA/VCC)at 47 sec 12. Marc Soler (ESP/MOV) 2:05 rac who came from the arrival non-playing staff, only to back mier League clubs. lieved it and even in the final Bernal said. 3. Soren Kragh Andersen (DEN/SUN) 52 13. Peter Sagan (SVK/BOR) 2:30 town Sarran. down in the face of public an- Chelsea have led the way kilometre I still didn’t allow “The final 2km are really 4. Quentin Pacher (FRA/VCC) 52 14. Greg Van Avermaet (BEL/CCC) 2:30 The Tour also remem- ger, while Arsenal announced with a £200 million rebuild, myself to hope,” said the 2018 steep and there will be time 5. Jesus Herrada (ESP/COF) 52 15. Jasper Stuyven (BEL/TRE) 2:30 bered one of its favourite sons proposals to cut 55 jobs just signing Kai Havertz, Timo under-21’s world road race differences for sure, so we need 6. Maximilian Schachmann (GER/BOR) 52 16. Michael Gogl (AUT/DDT) 2:30 Raymond Poulidor, who never last month. Werner, Hakim Ziyech and champion. to get there with fresh legs.” 7. Hugo Houle (CAN/AST) 52 17. Cyril Barthe (FRA/VCC) 2:30 won the race or wore its yellow If Premier League clubs re- Ben Chilwell. “I was so close twice. And Leader Roglic offered a 8. Sebastien Reichenbach (SUI/FDJ) 52 18. Oliver Naesen (BEL/ALM) 2:30 jersey, but became a national quire a reminder that Covid-19 Manchester City have on Sunday I got caught 1.6km deadpan analysis. 9. Kenny Elissonde (FRA/TRE) 56 19. Wout van Aert (BEL/JUM) 2:30 hero for coming second or remains a threat, they need spent more than £60 million from the line. But there was “The Puy Mary looks very 10. Nicolas Roche (IRL/SUN) 56 20. Bauke Mollema (NED/TRE) 2:30. third eight times. only look to the empty stands on two players in Nathan Ake sadness because I lost the difficult, so it’ll be a great chal- There was heartening news that will accompany the start of and Ferran Torres who will sprints twice. It was tactics lenge,” he said. suggested he was looking for- bit stronger every day,” said for the four teams cowering the new season from Saturday. struggle to start in Pep Guar- that let me down,” he said. The Puy Mary is a 15km wards to measuring himself the slightly built Bernal,” who beneath the dangling Sword of Gate receipts may only diola’s strongest XI, while Hirschi was given a late climb to a summit finish with against the leader. snatched the yellow jersey on Damocles final round of Covid account for 13 percent of the Donny van de Beek could end scare again by Alaphilippe but gradients of 9 percen. “There have been some stage 19 in 2019 Tour de France. tests to be held next Monday. Premier League’s revenue, up costing Manchester United the Frenchman quickly aban- “We are expecting a ma- fairly stressful days trying to Hardy fans will be wel- The original ruling of two according to figures from around £40 million. doned his late pursuit. jor battle from our rivals up avoid falls, in the wind and the come to climb Puy Mary on strikes and you’re out has UEFA’s latest benchmarking Even more striking are the “He deserved his win, I’m there, but we are just planning sprints,” said the man who cut foot, but no vehicles will be al- been adjusted, so only teams report, but the other major sums spent by non-Champi- glad for him, I just didn’t have to race our own race,” said his own hair to comic effect on lowed on the slopes. returning two more positive streams of income such as tel- ons League clubs. the legs. He was too strong,” the 30-year-old who won the Monday, ending up with a mo- Thursday’s stage was held tests will be excluded. In- evision rights and commercial Wolves broke their trans- Alaphilippe said at the line. Vuelta Espana last year. hican style. in the presence of one former eos, FDJ, Mitchelton-Scott sponsorships are also not im- fer record on a 40-million- The Tour goes climbing Bernal appeared a lit- “I’m looking forwards to president, Francois Hollande, and CCC all had one positive mune to the crisis. euro capture, Portuguese on Friday seven ascents cul- tle washed out Thursday but the mountains now. I feel a who hails from the verdant among their staff last Monday. A rebate worth a reported teenager Fabio Silva, who had £330 million ($429 million, 363 scored three goals and started million euros) was due to do- one league match for Porto. mestic and international broad- Newcastle, Crystal Palace casters because the 2019/20 and Leicester are also among season was not completed on those to have spent around £20 Raptors outlast Celtics to force Game 7 time after a three-month stop- million on a single signing. in NBA playoffs; Clippers beat Nuggets QVA postpones start of 3rd AFP things like that swirling,” National volleyball c’ship MIAMI Brown said. “It’s an intense series. It’s a lot of testoster- QNA (QVA )Chairman of the Board WITH their season on the one. Things like that happen. DOHA of Directors and the heads of brink and title repeat hopes in Grown men should be able to the clubs’ volleyball appara- jeopardy, the Toronto Raptors keep it respectable.” THE Qatar Volleyball Fed- tus, where it was decided to outfought Boston for a dramat- The Clippers have never eration has decided to post- cancel the completion of the ic series-tying 125-122 double- reached a conference final pone the completion of the general league for (Al Amal) overtime triumph Wednesday since the franchise began play third national volleyball U-13 category (second section) in the NBA playoffs. in 1970 as the Buffalo Braves, championship for men for for the current sports season Kyle Lowry led Toronto but they are on the verge of the current season 2019- 2019-2020, and to approve with 33 points and Norman ending a half-century of futil- 2020 to September 23 to 27 the winning clubs according Powell added 23 off the bench ity by advancing past the sec- – instead of the previous date to the current arrangement Al in an emotional thriller that ond round of the playoffs for September 10-14 – at the Vol- Rayyan (First), Al Khor (Sec- resembled the intensity of a the first time. leyball Association hall. ond), and Al Gharafa (Third). heavyweight boxing matchup. The team spent eight sea- The decision came dur- It was also decided to post- The defending champion sons in Buffalo and six more ing the meeting of the Qatar pone start of the youth & junior Raptors equalized the best- as the San Diego Clippers be- Volleyball Association headed matches for the new season of-seven Eastern Conference fore moving to Los Angeles by Ali bin Ghanem Al Kuwari 2020-2021 until further notice. semi-final with a winner-take- in 1984. all game seven set for Friday, The Clippers jumped a conference final against Mi- ahead 26-12 after the first pe- ami awaiting the winner. riod and the Nuggets never Rayyan bt Al Sadd in handball “We play every possession led as Leonard’s squad shined like it’s our last and find ways despite shooting a season-low to pull out victories,” an ex- 41.8 percent from the court. hausted Lowry said after play- “We just focused, came out ing 53 minutes. knowing the game plan, gave “That was two hard teams Toronto Raptors players reacts after their win against the Boston Celtics during double overtime in our energy in those first five playing hard. Win or go Game Six of the Eastern Conference Second Round NBA Playoffs on Wednesday. (AFP) minutes and it carried over home. Get it done. Don’t mat- from there,” Leonard said. ter who has to do it. Ready for remaining. throws and Marcus Smart rebounds and 10 assists. When it comes to clos- game seven.” “I was just really focused missed a last-chance 3-pointer Fred VanVleet added 21 ing out the series on Friday, The Raptors won their on the defensive end and let for Boston. points for Toronto, and Ger- Leonard said the Clippers first NBA crown last season that spill over to the other “We didn’t play as poised man center Daniel Theis had must “just be consistent, play but NBA Finals Most Valuable end,” Powell said. as we needed to down the 18 points for Boston. defense, share the ball, eve- Player Kawhi Leonard left in “I pride myself on mak- stretch,” said Boston’s Jaylen “They are defending rybody having the mindset of the off-season for the Los An- ing winning plays. The game Brown. “We didn’t take care of champs. We’ll get their best playing every possession.” geles Clippers, who defeated called on me to be aggressive the ball as well as we needed every time,” Boston’s Kemba Nikola Jokic led Denver Denver 96-85 in a Western and that’s what I did. It’s what to. We had some turnovers Walker said. with 26 points and 11 re- Conference semi-final to seize I play for. It’s what I pride my- that just killed us. “We fought hard. We made bounds. a 3-1 edge over the Nuggets. self in playing for.” “Got to embrace the chal- plays. I’m confident. We have Results from NBA playoff Leonard just missed his Boston’s Jayson Tatum an- lenge. This is what adversity is a good group of guys. I know games on Wednesday first career NBA playoff tri- swered with an inside jumper about. We have to give every- we will respond. (All series best-of-seven): ple double with 30 points, 11 but Lowry hit a fall-away thing for game seven.” “We have to find a way.” EASTERN CONFERENCE Al Rayyan secured a 32-28 win over Al Sadd in their match at Al Duhail rebounds and nine assists to jumper -- Toronto’s sixth suc- Brown scored 31 points Teams exchanged emo- Semi-finals: Toronto Raptors Sports Hall as the Qatar Men’s Handball League resumed after the spark the Clippers, who can cessful shot in a row -- to put and grabbed 16 rebounds to tional words as they departed 125 Boston Celtics 122 pandemic break. With this victory, Al Rayyan, who nished the rst advance with a victory Friday. the Raptors ahead 123-119. lead Boston while Tatum had the court, cooler heads pre- (2OT) (Series level 3-3) half with a difference of two goals (15-13), raised their points tally to Powell made a crucial Tatum sank a 3-pointer 29 points, 14 rebounds and venting more as intensity WESTERN CONFERENCE 11, while Al Sadd stood at 9. The match was strong and Al Rayyan steal and fast break layup plus to pull Boston within a point nine assists and Smart man- nearly bubbled over before Semi-finals: Los Angeles Clip- managed to achieve a relative advantage to end the rst half in their a free throw to lift Toronto with 6.2 seconds remain- aged only his second career Friday’s decider. pers 96 Denver Nuggets 85 favour 15-13 and in the second half with 32-28 win over Al Sadd. (QNA) ahead 121-117 with 38 seconds ing but Powell sank two free triple double with 23 points, 11 “A lot of emotions and (LA Clippers lead series 3-1) Sports Friday, September 11, 2020 13 The Younger Games: ‘Hungry’ pretenders seek 1st Grand Slam

AFP ovic was not in my half (of NEW YORK the draw) even. So in order to meet him, I would need to be DOMINIC Thiem and Da- in the final,” he told reporters. niil Medvedev are among the “Right now I still have semi-finalists looking to capi- semis to play. Djokovic is the talise on the absence of the other side of draw, so that’s “Big Three” and win a break- how I think pragmatically, and out maiden Grand Slam title at that’s how I take it.” the US Open. Thiem versus Medvedev The tournament, already for a place in Sunday’s final missing defending champion has all the hallmarks of being Rafael Nadal and Swiss great a classic. Roger Federer through coro- Both are aggressive base- navirus fears and injury, was line players with powerful blown wide open when No- serves and groundstrokes. vak Djokovic was disqualified They also have strong de- for accidentally hitting a line fensive games and like to judge with a ball in the last 16. wear opponents down during His shock departure means lengthy rallies. a first-time Grand Slam cham- “I would say that he comes pion will be crowned at Flush- very close to the big three ing Meadows on Sunday for the players in terms that he can first time since Croatian Marin play his level, his top level, for Cilic won at the US National it doesn’t matter how long. I Tennis Center in 2014. mean, four, five, six hours,” It also means there will Thiem said of Medvedev. be a Grand Slam champion “That’s going to be really, other than Djokovic, Nadal or really difficult.” Federer for the first time since Zverev, just 23 years old, Switzerland’s Stan Wawrinka takes on Spanish journeyman won the third of his tennis ma- Pablo Carreno Busta in Fri- jors at the US Open in 2016. day’s other semi-final. The circumstances pre- Spain’s 20th seed ben- sent a golden opportunity for efitted from Djokovic’s mo- the next generation of stars -- ment of anger on Sunday, second seed Thiem, third seed progressing to the quarter- Medvedev and fifth seed Al- “We’re going to have a that are hungry for it. come close to winning Grand He also fell at the final hur- dal to five sets in last year’s finals by default. exander Zverev -- to enter the new Grand Slam champion. “I know that all the young Slams before. dle of the French Open, to Na- US Open final. The 29-year-old took ad- pantheon of Slam champions. This is the one thing that we guys are hungry for it, and Thiem, who turned 27 dal, in 2018 and 2019. The Russian insists he vantage of the opportunity by “It’s different,” Zverev know for sure. it’s going to be interesting,” last week, lost the Australian has tried to put any thoughts downing Canadian rising star said, referring to the Big “We don’t know who it is, he added. Open final in five sets to de- ‘Really difficult’ about Djokovic’s absence out Denis Shapovalov in an epic Three’s absence, after reach- but there’s a lot of guys that Both Thiem, from Austria, fending champion Djokovic The 24-year-old Medve- of his mind. five-setter to reach his second ing the last four. want it. There is a lot of guys and Medvedev, of Russia, have earlier this year. dev, meanwhile, forced Na- “The problem is that Djok- US Open semi-final.

Aussie Open aspiring for England’s Morgan has an eye on up to half-full stadiums World Cup in ODI series AFP “I would be jumping up and down if that was the re- “I think going away from sult,” Tiley added. what we are strong at will do AUSTRALIAN Open chiefs “That’s our aspiration. us good for a period of time,” are hoping to see Melbourne (But) anything is possible.” he said. “It allows us to focus Park’s stadiums up to half full Tiley has previously said It’s been overcast and that on things that are our weak- at the opening Grand Slam of contingency plans were in nesses as a side, so it creates a 2021 in January. place for Melbourne Park, makes it tacky. That’s the new dynamic.” The fate of the tournament with reduced seating due to sort of wicket we will be remains up in the air with Vic- social distancing, players in a more than likely to play RASHID THREAT toria state battling a second secure bio-security “bubble” on in India in the World A powerful batting order wave of Covid-19, although the and the likelihood of no over- Cup of 2023. might need to evolve its meth- caseload is dropping. seas spectators. ods, while Jofra Archer and Several big events in the “Players, if they come England captain Mark Wood will hope to bal- country’s second biggest city, to Melbourne they’ll stay in Eoin Morgan ance their outright speed with including the Australian Rules Melbourne for 14 days and other tools. grand final and a Wallabies we’ll create a bubble between Test skipper Joe Root, argu- Test against the All Blacks, the hotel, transport and the AFP be held in India in 2023, as well ably England’s least explosive have already fallen victim to courts,” he said on Thursday. LONDON a T20 World Cup there next batsman, could play a crucial the pandemic. A key lead-up event to the year, Morgan is embracing the role on sub-continental style But Australian Open chief Australian Open is sched- EOIN Morgan believes England need for change. pitches, while leg-spinner Adil Craig Tiley remains optimistic uled to be the 24-nation ATP must adapt to spinning pitches “It’s a huge benefit to us Rashid will be a key weapon. Sweden sign up that the Grand Slam will go Cup team tournament, with if they are to successfully de- playing at Old Trafford, par- “For me he’s the number ahead, with at least some fans groups games in , fend their World Cup title in ticularly if we play on the wicket one variation bowler in the to cheer on the players, in con- and before the India, and hopes that work can I think we’re going to play on, world at the moment,” said former SA star Rhodes trast to the US Open which is finals in Sydney. begin during the one-day series which will hopefully be slow Morgan of Rashid. “He’s con- spectator free. But with uncertainty over against Australia. and take a lot of turn,” he said. tinuing to improve his game. “Under what we expect the whether players will be able Captain Morgan is antici- “It’s been overcast and that He’s been in as fine form as I’ve in bid to build cricket restrictive conditions to be, 25 to cross state borders without pating a gentle turner at Old makes it tacky. That’s the sort seen him.” AFP my energies in a completely percent crowds would be the quarantining for 14 days, the Trafford, where the arch-rivals of wicket we will be more than As for Root, who was dis- PARIS new environment. I can’t wait bottom end and 50 percent newspaper said Tennis Aus- will play three ODIs over the likely to play on in India in the appointed to be overlooked to get started.” would be the top end,” he told tralia was mulling a single next week, with the weather World Cup of 2023 and to play for England’s recent Twen- FORMER South Africa Test The Swedish federation the Melbourne Age. location. conditions and wicket likely to on that for a period of time will ty20 series win over Austral- player Jonty Rhodes has been said cricket was the second- “But a lot’s going to de- “We’re working close- favour slow bowlers. expose us in different areas we ia, the Dubliner added: “Joe appointed as Sweden’s head fastest growing sport in the pend on the condition of the ly with the ATP, and the England’s rise to top spot in need to get better at.” is one of the best players in coach as part of plans for country, seeing a 300 percent environment at that time. players,” said Tiley. the 50-over rankings was built He said over the past few the world. Throughout the “growth and development” of increase in participation over around posting big totals on years England had had to wait last World Cup it was clear the game, the country’s crick- two years. good batting tracks and their to play at Cardiff or Old Trafford what a valuable player he et federation announced on “Our growth targets and tournament triumph last year to experience such conditions, is to us and I think he’s un- Thursday. key areas are directed toward was driven by their pace attack. and that more exposure would dersold a lot of the time in “Swedish Cricket Federa- junior cricket and high perfor- Zverev and Murray to play But with the next edition due to help them. white-ball cricket.” tion to invest in junior cricket, mance,” said Benn Harradine, high performance and growth sports director of the Swedish in Cologne as ATP adds through the appointment of Cricket Federation. South African cricket great, “Jonty will play a pivotal Quick read Jonty Rhodes as head coach,” role in lifting our players as four autumn events said the federation’s statement. well as assisting in securing IPL’s Chennai player rejoins Two teenage cricketers dead Rhodes, who played 52 quality coaching framework DPA team after virus recovery in Bangladesh lightning strike Tests and 245 ODIs for the for the future sustainability of STUTTGART in Germany,” Zverev said in a Proteas, averaged over 35 with the game.” statement. NEW DELHI: Indian paceman Deepak Chahar has DHAKA: Two promising teenage cricketers were the bat in both formats and is Rhodes will start his job in FOUR more tournaments Organisers said that spec- returned to the Chennai Super Kings bio bubble killed by lightning in Bangladesh Thursday, of- regarded as one of the greatest mid-November. have been added to the men’s tators would be permitted, after recovering from coronavirus ahead of the Indian cials said, as the death toll during the annual fielders ever to play the game. While Sweden have never tennis calendar in autumn, with the number based on cor- Premier League in the United Arab Emirates. monsoon season rose to at least 350. Since retiring from play- featured strongly in the cricket including back-to-back events onavirus-related restrictions. Chahar, one of two Chennai players who tested Scores of people die every year after being struck ing, Rhodes, who also played world, the game has long been in Cologne, Germany, the ATP Also set to start on Octo- positive for Covid-19 last month, needs to undergo by lightning during Bangladesh’s wet season, which hockey for South Africa, has played by Scandinavian neigh- Tour announced on Thursday. ber 12 is a clay court event in further tness tests to start training for the Twenty20 runs from April to October. The boys, named by of- been a fielding coach for the bours Denmark. The Cologne indoor events Sardinia. tournament starting September 19. cials as Mohammad Nadim and Mizanur Rahman, Proteas as well as for Kings XI Several Danes have pro- are set for October 12-18 The fourth new event is in “Deepak Chahar has tested negative twice and is were playing football after rain halted their cricket Punjab in the Indian Premier gressed to first-class cricket and 19-25 and are to feature Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan from back in the team bubble,” Chennai chief executive training at a stadium in Gazipur outside the capital League (IPL). including Ole “Stan” Mortens- among others three-time October 26, like Cologne on Kasi Viswanathan said. Dhaka when they were hit by lightning. “I am really excited to relo- en, who spent 11 years with grand slam champion Andy an indoor hard court. The player will undergo further tests, including a “All of a sudden... lightning struck and I saw three cate to Sweden with my fam- Derbyshire, and Copenhagen- Murray of Britain and Ger- The pandemic has led to a cardio examination, under BCCI (Board of Control boys collapse on the eld,” witness Mohammad ily and work together with the born Amjad Khan who played man star Alexander Zverev, complete overhaul of the tennis for Cricket in India) medical team guidance before Palash told AF P. Swedish cricket community,” for Kent and Sussex as well as an Australian and US Open calendar, with no play between he can train. Another uncapped Indian player, “Other players rushed to them and took them said the 51-year-old, currently one Test for England in 2009. semi-finalist. March and August and the en- Ruturaj Gaikwad, is still in isolation and will rejoin to a nearby hospital. Later two of them died.” in Dubai ahead of this year’s Another Scandinavian “It is great that two ATP tire Asian swing in autumn also the team in a few days, part of the squad to play A doctor at Shaheed Tajuddin Medical College delayed IPL. player, Buster Nupen, who events are staged in Cologne scrapped. The season is to end the opener against defending champions Mumbai Hospital, Ra qul Islam, con rmed the “This opportunity has was born near Alesund in Nor- in this difficult season. It is with the ATP Finals in London Indians in Abu Dhabi. (AFP) 16-year-olds death from lightning. (AFP) come at a perfect time and I way, played 17 Tests for South always special for me to play from November 15. am grateful to be able to invest Africa between 1921 and 1936. 14 Friday, September 11, 2020 The Last Word

PM VISITS SABAH AL AHMAD CORRIDOR PROJECT

Prime Minister and Minister of Interior HE Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa bin Abdulaziz Al Thani, during an inspection visit to the Sabah Al Ahmad Corridor project carried out by the Public Works Authority (Ashghal). The Prime Minister was joined by a num- ber of senior of cials and engineers from Ashghal and representatives of the implementing companies in Doha on Thursday. ATTIYAH MEETS UK DEFENCE OFFICIAL Construction of berths for boats in nal phase at Al Khor harbour The building of berths is expected to support Qatar maritime transport and tourism markets SANTHOSH CHANDRAN DOHA

WITH the new berths for ves- sels in the final phase of con- DEPUTY Prime Minister and Minister of State for Defence Affairs HE Dr Khalid bin Mohammed Al At- struction at Al Khor Corniche, tiyah met on Thursday with Secretary of State for Defence of the United Kingdom Ben Wallace, who is the residents of the area are visiting the country. During the meeting, they reviewed bilateral relations in the military and defence looking forward to seeing elds between the two friendly countries, and the ways to enhance and develop them. The meeting was luxury yachts anchoring there attended by a number of senior of cers of the armed forces, and the delegation accompanying the Brit- in near future, adding to the ish Secretary of State for Defence. (QNA) beauty of the Corniche. Being carried out under the guidelines of the Ministry of Transport and Communi- cations (MoTC), the project Qatar, China must cooperate on cyber at Al Khor harbour aims at boosting water tourism in Qatar. and data security, says Chinese envoy The construction of berths for private boats in Al Khor is ASHRAF SIDDIQUI context a proposal made by guard data and cyber security also expected to promote Qa- DOHA the Amir of Qatar His High- to serve our common inter- tar’s marine transportation ness Sheikh Tamim bin Ham- ests and contribute to global and tourism markets. THERE is an urgent need for ad Al Thani at the 73rd session digital governance”. “The pace of construction Qatar and China to work to- of the United Nations General “We could be advocates of was interrupted and slowed gether on safeguarding cyber- Assembly, for an internation- data and cyber security. The down amid the COVID-19 Construction work in the port of Al Khor is ongoing and residents are looking forward to seeing luxury yachts. space and ensuring data secu- al conference on cooperation world today is seeing a new protocol. However, we are in rity, Chinese Ambassador to in information security and wave of information revolu- the final phase of construc- operation between the Min- are expected to be complete of Municipality and Envi- Qatar HE Zhoe Jian has said. joint risk prevention, as well tion, that has profound im- tion now and it would be istry of Transport and Com- in the next couple of months. ronment (MME), will open In an exclusive interview as another made by Chinese pact on the economic and completed shortly,” the offi- munications (MoTC), Qatar Once all these projects are a potential market for water with Qatar Tribune, the am- State Councilor and Foreign social development of coun- cial supervising the construc- Ports Management Company completed, the harbours will tourism and marine trans- bassador said that both China Minister Wang Yi to hold an tries,” the ambassador re- tion at Al Khor harbour told (Mwani Qatar) and private provide berths for over 1,000 portation. and Qatar are highly devel- international conference on marked. Qatar Tribune. sector companies, will be an private boats to boost marine The project being execut- oped in ICT industries with information security. He added: “While ensur- The eco-friendly project additional boost for marine transport and tourism. ed on public-private part- booming digital economies, The ambassador praised ing data security according is equipped with the latest fa- transport sector. Tour operators feel that nership basis will also offer and at the same time, have the formulation of the Na- to domestic laws, we should cilities to protect boats from Meanwhile, works on the projects being imple- a solution for anchoring the witnessed frequent cyber at- tional Cyber Security Strat- guarantee an open, fair and risks during storms. similar projects are under- mented by MoTC, in asso- growing number of private tacks in recent years. egy in Qatar, noting “it is our non-discriminatory environ- The project that comes way at Al Ruwais, Al Zakhira ciation with the Fisheries ships and boats registered He also mentioned in this shared responsibility to safe- ment for all businesses.” within the framework of co- and Al Wakra harbours and Department of the Ministry under MoTC. QF’s Doha Debates enhances voices in youth-led UN dialogue event TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK DOHA

IN a special edition of the Doha Debates #DearWorldLive pro- gramme, presented as part of the UN’s 75th anniversary Youth Plenary, young activists from Brazil, Luxembourg and South Africa discussed lessons learned from the global fight against the COVID-19 pan- demic. The programme, produced by the Doha Debates of the Qa- tar Foundation, examined the successes and failures of world leaders and global institutions in the fight against COVID-19 and identified the changes that need to be made in our communities and nations and Participants at the Doha Debates #DearWorldLive UN75 Youth Plenary session. around the world. Participants in the pro- lenging times, Leseyane said: gramme were Paloma Costa “A lot of problems are deeply Oliveira, a Brazilian climate political, and they are deeply activist; Obakeng Leseyane, entrenched in the systems. problem and a global problem Brazil, India, Turkey, the US, nayake. founder of South Africa’s Ed- So if you’re not happy about needs a global solution – it all and Indonesia among the top The first season of #Dear- Connect Education Initiative; your particular institution and starts with local activists on the five viewing nations. WorldLive, recently conclud- and Félix Feider, a Luxem- if you’re not happy with how ground. Doha Debates correspond- ed, focused on the global re- bourg environmental and con- your congress is functioning, “We need system-wide ent Nelufar Hedayat hosted sponse to the COVID-19 crisis. servation activist. if you’re not happy with how transformative change to move the 30-minute #DearWorld- The second season of the live Oliveira said that the sani- your local municipality is func- away from a system of decades Live programme and moder- streaming program, which will tary challenges associated with tioning, engage. Part of engag- of colonialism and exploitation ated the three-hour virtual begin this fall, will examine coronavirus in the developing ing is not just voting; it means of nature and of the poor and UN75 Youth Plenary, includ- the struggle for racial equality world are enormous, saying, you spread electoral educa- then move towards a system ing the opening session with around the world. “How can you not give ac- tion.” that promotes nature and pro- UN Secretary-General António #DearWorldLive episodes cess to the water that is being parts of the world,” society is the pandemic. Feider called for a com- motes equality and justice and Guterres; UN General Assem- livestream on Doha Debates’ treated, but at the same time still filled with ego and indi- Urging individuals to play bination of community activ- fairness.” bly President Volkan Bozkir; Twitter, Facebook, and You- say that you have to wash your viduality, “leaving many with their part in ensuring good ism and international solu- The live programme was and UN Secretary-General for Tube channels and at DohaDe- hands? “She said that in some a” failed system “to cope with leadership during these chal- tions, saying: “This is a global broadcast worldwide, with Youth Jayathma Wickrama- bates.com/DearWorldLive.