Khalid al Emadi scores a grand double in Hathab third leg PAGE 18

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2018

Japan’s Kashima Antlers down Iran’s Persepolis PREMIER LEAGUE PAGE 19 to win first Asian Champions League title MANCHESTER CITY VS MAN UTD

HH SHEIKHA MOZA CROWNS LONGINES GLOBAL CHAMPIONS TOUR WINNERS

Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad al Thani, LGCT founder and president Jan Tops, and Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, along with HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad al Thani, President of the Qatar Olympic Com- Longines vice president Juan Carlos Capelli with the 2018 Longines Global Championship Tour Grand Prix of Doha winner mittee, attended the finale of 2018 Longines Global Championship Tour at Al Shaqab in Education City.(HHOPL/AR AL-BAKER) and runners-up at Al Shaqab on Saturday. (HHOPL/AR AL-BAKER) Ben caps it with ‘Explosive’ show British rider wins Grand Prix of Doha; 2018 LGCT & Global Champions League

VINAY NAYUDU off watched by Her Highness DOHA Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, HH Father Amir Hamad bin Khalifa WHEN the much experienced al Thani, HE Sheikh Joaan bin British showjumper Ben Ma- Hamad al Thani, President of her brought along with him his Qatar Olympic Committee, and superstar young stallion Ex- several other distinguished dig- plosion W to Doha for the Lon- nitaries besides another near- gines Global Champions Tour packed house crowd at the glori- (LGCT) finale, it was a declara- ous Al Shaqab. tion of his intent to be the best. As the climactic jump-off On Saturday, the final day gathered momentum, almost all of the Doha leg, the 35-year- awaited Maher’s turn which was old crowned a season of a life- the last. “The jump-off didn’t go time winning the LGCT Grand as planned but we got on well,” Prix final astride Explosion W, explained the man himself. and was crowned the new 2018 “He’s (Explosion W) natu- Champion of Champions. rally fast. It has been a massive Riding the crest of a wave, rise for him. I got him when he The Longines Global Champions League Championship podium finishing teams Knights, Miami Maher, who had won the team was 7, but I finally got him in British showjumper Ben Maher with his superstar young stallion Celtics and Rome Gladiators with their trophy and medals at Al Shaqab on Saturday. gold for Team Britain at the Shanghai. He’s been incredible. Explosion W after winning the Longines Global Champions Tour London Olympics – their first All credit to my team,” he added. Grand Prix of Doha event at Al Shaqab on Saturday. LONGINES GLOBAL CHAMPIONS TOUR GRAND PRIX OF DOHA in 60 years, also anchored of Indeed, both Maher and his the dominant London Knights horse will be the ones to watch Ben’s incredible perfor- ful indoor Riding Academy. International Showjumping Competition with jump-off (1.60 m) Table A, FEI Art. 238.2.2 - CSI5* to win the final of the Global at the new €12 million Global mance during the season se- Last year’s winner Bassem 1. Ben Maher (GBR) Horse: Explosion W Faults: 0 Time: 70.40secs Jump-off: Faults:0 Time: 35.50secs Prize: €123,750 Champions League team cham- Champions Playoffs in Prague cured the Championship at the Hassan Mohammed of Qatar 2. Peder Fredricson (SWE) Hansson WL Faults: 0 Time: 73.17secs Jump-off: Faults: 0 Time: 36.34secs Prize: €75,000 pionship the same evening. in December where he will com- last leg in Rome netting almost had the unenviable task of go- 3. Harrie Smolders (NED) Don VHP Z N.O.P. Faults: 0 Time: 74.68secs Jump-off: Faults: 0 Time: 36.94secs Prize: €56,250 The double delight capped pete in the LGCT Super Grand €1 mn in prize-money in the in- ing first with Gunder – with lo- 4. Lorenzo de Luca (ITA) Irenice Horta Faults: 0 Time: 72.38secs Jump-off: Faults: 0 Time: 37.19secs Prize; €37,500 a phenomenal finish to 2018 Prix and the GCL Super Cup. dividual alone. But there was a cal support backing him. But it for Maher with no less than How good Maher’s season fiercely competitive overall sev- wasn’t to be their day, as the duo 5. Edwina Tops-Alexander (AUS) California Faults: 0 Time: 75.36secs Jump-off: Faults: 0 Time: 37.71secs Prize: €22,500. five LGCT Grand Prix wins and has been was also highlighted en-way battle to reach the LGCT took out three fences and went quite expectedly he was at a loss by last year’s LGCT Champion Championship podium in Doha. out of contention. GLOBAL CHAMPIONS LEAGUE TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP of words to express himself. “I and current World No.1 Harrie Spectators filled the grand- The two women in the LGCT 1. London Knights: Nicola Philippaerts on H&M Chilli Willi; Rd 1: Faults: 0; Time: 79.60secs; Rd 2: 0; 74.36secs; Ben Maher on Explosion W; can’t quite take it in to be hon- Smolders (NED), who speaking stands, with the ringside cafes Grand Prix jump off were im- Rd 1: 0; 73.36secs; Rd2: 0; 70.33secs; Team Total; 0; 144.69; Prize: €32,908 est. I have such a good bond of Ben, quipped: “He was out of and traditional Qatari cultural pressive too. While Australian 2. Miami Celtics: RMF Swinny Du Parc on Jessica Springsteen; Rd 1: 0; 79.23; Rd 2: 0; 72.86; Michael Duffy on Egalini; Rd 1: 1; 82.51; with Explosion W. our league.” tent bustling with excitement in Edwina Tops-Alexander riding Michael Duffy on Quintano 35 Rd 2: 1; 77.40secs; Team Total: 2; 150.26; Prize: €27,423. “It’s been absolutely a great In the LGCT Champion- anticipation of the final LGCT California produced a superb 3. Rome Gladiators: Lorenzo De Luca on Irenice Horta Rd 1: 0; 77.81; Rd 2: 4; 74.17; Laura Kraut on Zeremonie Rd 1: 0; 76.74; Rd 2: 0; season. I have such a good bond ship ranking Maher finished Grand Prix of the 2018 season. clear round but with 37.63 74.46. team Total: 4; 148.63; Prize: €23,035 which has been created in such a 43 points ahead of Smolders A shopping village and Kids’ wasn’t quick enough, Greek 4. Shanghai Swans: Daniel Deusser on Calisto Blue Rd 1: 1; 80.21; Rd 2: 4; 72.24; Shane Sweetnam on Indra Van De oude Heihoef Rd 1: 4; short period of time. He (Explo- and London Knights teammate Activity area kept families enter- Athina Onassis on MHS Going 75.21; Rd 2: 0; 74.11. Team Total: 9; 146.35; Prize: €20,841. sion W) makes my life easier.” Nicola Philippaerts (BEL), who tained, with children enjoying Global seemed going great until 5. Doha Fursan Qatar: Michael Whitaker on Strides Hilanasterne Rd 1: 1; 80.48; Rd 2: 1; 77.34; Bassem Mohammed on Gunder Rd 1: 0; Maher was the last of nine came in third on the podium pony rides, bouncy castles and a clip of the fence fetched four 79.63; Rd 2: 8; 74.17. Team Total: 10; 151.51; prize: €18,647. riders in the Grand Prix jump- after a hugely successful season. fun-filled activities in the beauti- penalties to see hopes dashed. Audible wins first running of Qatar Cherokee Run Stakes TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK LOUISVILLE (KENTUCKY)

GRADE 1 winner, Audible re- turned to the races with a bang after a six-moth lay-off to win the Qatar Racing and Eques- trian Club (QREC)-sponsored Qatar Cherokee Run Stakes at Churchill Downs, on the sec- ond day of the Breeders’ Cup in the United States last week. Officials of the Embassy of Qatar in Washington DC were present at the event and Khat- er Mohamed Khater al Khater, First Secretary, awarded the winners, in presence of Dr. Audible, ridden by Javier Castellano, wins the 1st running of the Qatar Hamad Mohammed Hus- Cherokee Run Stakes on Breeders Cup World Championships at sain Ali al Muftah, Minister Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky, last week. Khater Mohamed Khater al Khater, First Secretary of the Embassy of Qatar in Washington DC, with the winners. Plenipotentiary, Ahmad Ab- dulrahman Mohammed Ab- served for three-year olds, by a professional today,” said Star Farm, Horse Club, pressed his pleasure on being of the illustrious partnership and historic win with En- dulrahman al Jufairi, Second two lengths. Javier Castellano. “The seven Head of Plains Partners and at the prestigious event. between the QREC and the able’s victory in the Breeders’ Secretary and Fahad Ali Saed The 3-year-old ridden by furlongs may have been a bit Starlight Racing. “It is a pleasure to be Breeders’ Cup, which brings Cup Turf to secure the dream Khamis al Nuaimi Second Sec- Javier Castellano for trainer short, but he handled eve- Following the race, Dr part of this prestigious event, together two legends of the double by becoming the first retary. Todd Pletcher covered seven rything like a pro. We broke Hamad Mohammed Hussain which bears the name of the sport of kings. Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triom- Audible marked the big re- furlongs over the fast main great and got into a great po- Ali al Muftah, Minister Pleni- State of Qatar,” he said. “The event had special phe winner ever to win at the turn kicking late to go by the track in 1’22’’47. sition with the pace up front.” potentiary of the Embassy of “We are proud of QREC’s significance this year as it saw Breeders’ Cup in the same field rallied to win the race, re- “He did everything like Audible is owned by Win- Qatar in Washington D.C., ex- sponsorship of this race and a very special achievement year,” he added. 18 Sunday, November 11, 2018 Sports Federer, Djoko top the bill for London finale -Djokovic has made an incred- The two men, ible comeback following elbow surgery early in the year, over- with 34 Grand coming indifferent form to win Slams between Wimbledon and the US Open and haul himself back to the them, are the number one spot. The 31-year-old, who twin titans at the slipped to 22nd in the world season-ending in May, admitted that after his surgery it looked improbable event that he would finish the year as number one. Khalid Mohammed al Emadi after winning the Hathab Big Tour at Al AFP “But there was always part Shaqab on Saturday. LONDON of me that believed I could make it back and I never ROGER Federer is aiming to thought it was impossible,” he Emadi scores grand complete a century of titles at said. “I just thought at the time the ATP Finals but will likely it might take more time than I have to find a way past the ir- wished it to be.” Hathab double repressible Novak Djokovic, “It turned to out to be a who is looking to round off his perfect five months of the year, topped the One round against astonishing season in style. with two Grand Slam titles,” Young rider wins the clock (1.15/1.25m) event The two men, with 34 he added. with a best time of 56.88secs. Grand Slams between them, Nadal this week pulled out Big Tour & Open Given Emadi’s dominance, are the twin titans at the sea- of the tournament in London Class titles it was a tough act to catch up son-ending event at London’s -- guaranteeing Djokovic will but Cyrine Cherif on her trusted O2 arena. end the season as the world VINAY NAYUDU mount Gerlin VD Waterkant But the tournament, number one. DOHA did impressively well with fault- which starts on Sunday, lacks That followed the injury less runs and time of 79.37secs an element of star power Serbia’s Novak Djokovic and Switzerland’s Roger Federer shake hands at the end of their men’s singles withdrawal of Del Potro, who FOR someone whose target is and 42.43secs in the jump-off without the injured Rafael semi-final match at the ATP World Tour Masters 1000 - Rolex Paris Masters, recently.(AFP) reached a career-high rank- to represent Qatar in equestrian to claim the runners-up place in Nadal and Juan Martin del ing of third this season and at the 2020 Olympics, the Big Tour. Mohammed Said Potro, both of whom were the knockout semi-finals stage. Australian Open and Wim- career. reached the final of the Lon- young Khalid Mohammed al Haidan on Casanova finished forced to pull out of the sea- Federer is expected to bledon, Federer was clear “I love playing this event. I don event in 2009. Emadi did himself proud by third clocking 42.56secs in the son finale. emerge from Group Lleyton that his 2018 season has been always have, ever since I quali- Zverev, 21, has been touted scoring a double in the third leg jump-off. Former champion Andy Hewitt, also featuring Kevin a success despite a mixed run fied for the very first time back about as one of the leaders of of the national series Hathab at In the Open class, Ghanim Murray, still making his way Anderson, Dominic Thiem of results in recent months. in 2002.” the new generation and has Al Shaqab on Saturday. Nasser al Qadi riding Jalieny back from injury, and defend- and Kei Nishikori, while The 37-year-old has won a Federer will have been won three Masters titles in his Emadi, who trains at Valk- Diamant was second in ing champion Grigor Dim- Djokovic is highly fancied record six titles at the ATP Fi- buoyed by his battling perfor- short career but he has flat- enswaard, The Netherlands -- a 58.05secs, while Abdullah Ali itrov are other star names to top Group Guga Kuerten, nals -- including two in Lon- mance against Djokovic in the tered to deceive at the Grand team of which also competed in al Ajeil on Wadi Rum DH third missing. which also includes Alexan- don -- but has not lifted the semi-final of the Paris Masters Slams. the Global Champions League with 59.99secs. The title is contested by der Zverev, Marin Cilic and trophy since 2011. last week but he still lost the Cilic, Anderson, Nishikori as part of the Global Champions Among the Future Rid- the eight players who have ac- John Isner. “I don’t think it matters re- match -- his fourth consecu- and Thiem are all Grand Slam Tour Doha finale – exhibited his ers, in the Optimum Time cumulated the most ranking After a stunning 2017 ally where I win my 100th as tive defeat against Djokovic, finalists. growing skills to a large and var- (85/100cm) class, Saoud ab- points over the season and is season which saw the Swiss long as it’s going to happen at with the Serb now leading But it is difficult to see ied audience as he claimed the dulla al Kubaisi (on Selest); was in a round-robin format, with capture seven titles, includ- one point,” said Federer,who their head-to-head 25-22. anybody other than Federer or Big Tour and Open class titles of the winner in 53.75secs, while the best four players reaching ing Grand Slam crowns at the has 99 titles in his illustrious - Djokovic comeback Djokovic prevailing. Hathab. Sheikh Khalid bin Ali al Thani The 24-year-rider strode out (riding Loughnatousa Rafa) on his mount Fiji, an eight-year- runners-up in 49.99secs. old bay gelding, in the Big Tour Sultan Nasser al Bader rid- and cleared the 1.30/.145m ing Funny Thing finished third. fences with ease and swiftness In the One round against Hamilton edges Vettel for 82nd career pole to top times in both the routine the clock (70/85cm) event, Ab- and jump-off. Emadi clocked dulaziz Khalid al Bukhari on DPA end. The last lap wasn’t that call us in (for weighing) when 81.20secs and 41.09secs respec- Dusty Moon (Shakira emerged SAO PAULO great to be honest so I was so the conditions are changing like tively to steer clear of the com- as the best, followed by Ab- grateful to hear that I had pole.” that,” Vettel said. “To call some- petition with the best podium dulhadi Salah Alyafei (Frie- LEWIS Hamilton edged Sebas- However, both Hamilton one in, I think it isn’t fair and I finish. Earlier, Emadi rode drichshof Dark Dream) and tian Vettel to grab pole position and Vettel were involved in in- wanted them to hurry up.” 15-year-old bay mare Dolce Vita Abdulla Fahad al Rumaihi (Ike- in qualifying for Sunday’s Bra- cidents which could yet lead to Behind the leading four to sizzle in the Open class as he bana Des Hayettes). zilian Grand Prix. grid penalties. were the Red Bulls of Max Ver- The Mercedes driver, who A slow-moving Hamilton stappen and Daniel Ricciardo, has clinched a fifth Formula nearly drove into the passing with the Saubers of Marcus RESULTS One drivers’ title, saved his best Sergey Sirotkin’s Williams dur- Ericsson and Charles Leclerc, Big Tour: Table A, One round with Jump-Off, Art. 238.2.2 (130/145cm); Prize-money QR35,000 for the last session to finish just ing Q2 when the Russian had to Romain Grosjean in a Haas and 1. Khalid Mohammed al Emadi (Fiji); Faults: 0; Time:81.20secs; Jump-off: Faults: 0; Time: 41.09secs; Prize:QR8,750 0.093 seconds ahead of Vettel. swerve to avoid a collision. Pierre Gasly in a Toro Rosso 2. Cyrine Cherif (Gerlin VD Waterkant); 0; 79.37secs; 0; 42.43secs; QR7,000. 3. Mohammed Said Haidan (Casanova); 0; 83.94secs; 0; 42.56secs; QR5,250 Hamilton’s Mercedes The Briton then appeared to completing the top 10 positions. 4. Mubarak Yousuf al Rumaihi (Al Rumaihi); 0; 77.46secs; 4; 38.43secs; QR3,500. team-mate Valtteri Bottas was veer towards Raikkonen, telling Kevin Magnussen in a Haas, Open Class: Table A, One round against the clock, Art. 238.2.1 (115/125cm); Prize-money QR15,000 third and will line up on the his team he didn’t know which Force India duo Sergio Perez 1. Khalid Mohammed al Emadi (Dolce Vita); Faults: 0; Time: 56.88secs’ Prize: QR3,750 grid alongside Ferrari’s Kimi way the Finn was going. and Esteban Ocon, Renault’s 2. Ghanim Nasser al Qadi (Jalieny Diamant Z); 0; 58.05secs; QR3,000 Raikkonen after a session in Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel (left) Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton (centre) Vettel meanwhile showed Nico Huelkenberg and Sirotkin 3. Abdullah Ali al Ajeil (Wadi Rum DDH); 0; 59.99secs; QR2,250 4. Ali Mohammed al Marri (Fernhill Friendly Touch); 0; 60.62secs; QR1,500. which teams had to contend Mercedes’ Valtteri Bottas after the qualifying session for the Brazilian impatience after his car was missed in the cut in the second Future Riders: Optimum Time (85/100cm) with the threat of rain. Grand Prix at Autodromo Jose Carlos Pace, Interlagos, Sao Paulo on chosen for the weigh bridge qualifying session 1. Saoud abdulla al Kubaisi (Selest); 0; 53.75secs It was Hamilton’s 10th pole Saturday. (REUTERS) during Q2 when the German al- While Hamilton has al- 2. Sheikh Khalid bin Ali aL Thani (Loughnatousa Rafa); 0; 49.99secs of the season and the 82nd of legedly failed to turn his engine ready captured his fifth For- 3. Sultan Nasser al Bader (Funny Thing); 0; 49.26secs his career as Mercedes enjoyed constructors’ title. the championship. off and damaged the scales as mula One drivers’ title, Mer- Future Riders: Table A, One round against the clock, Art. 238.2.1 (70/85cm) 1. Abdulaziz Khalid al Bukhari (Dusty Moon (Shakira)) a fifth straight pole in Interla- “That was a tough qualify- “With the rain, we didn’t he drove off. cedes are out to clinch the 2. Abdulhadi Salah Alyafei (Friedrichshof Dark Dream) gos and its 100th in all as it at- ing,” said Hamilton who has know what to expect. Ferrari “I think it’s better if I don’t constructors’ crown in the sea- 3. Abdulla Fahad al Rumaihi (Ikebana Des Hayettes) . tempts also to make sure of the yet to win a race after sealing are incredibly quick this week- say anything. They shouldn’t son’s penultimate race.

Quick read Mexican Lopez wins in Blue Bay for maiden LPGA title Czechs take 2-0 lead against United States REUTERS the par-three 17th during the Lopez enjoyed the shower in Fed Cup final third round on Friday to help of sparkling drinks from her her to a one-shot lead over fellow players that is traditional PRAGUE: World doubles number one Katerina Siniakova helped the GABY Lopez was unable to world number one Ariya Juta- for maiden winners. Czech Republic to sweep the opening-day matches in the Fed Cup final snare a second ace on China’s nugarn going into the final day. “It wasn’t an easy day, it against defending champions the United States on Saturday, overpow- Hainan island on Saturday but The world number 136 was tough,” said Lopez, the first ering Alison Riske 6-3 7-6(2). The Czech team, facing a U.S. squad rock solid golf in windy condi- hit four back-nine birdies in a Mexican winner on the tour without their top players and fielding three debutantes, will take a 2-0 tions gave the Mexican a one- one-over-par 73 that proved since Lorena Ochoa claimed lead into Sunday as they seek a sixth Fed Cup title since 2011. Sini- shot victory at the Blue Bay enough to keep her Thai play- the last of her 27 titles in 2009. akova cruised in the first set but fell behind in the second before pull- LPGA for her first title on the ing partner at arm’s length as “I wasn’t going to sit and ing level. She and Riske battled back and forth then and the American elite women’s tour. she finished on eight-under protect my lead, I was going to pushed the set to a tiebreak, where Siniakova took control. Barbora Gaby Lopez of Mexico holds her trophy after winning the Blue Bay LPGA Lopez celebrated her 25th 280 for the $2.1 million tour- go out and give it my all and if Strycova had put the Czechs 1-0 up with a 6-7(5) 6-1 6-4 win over Fed golf tournament in Sanya on China’s Hainan Island on Saturday. (AFP) birthday with a hole-in-one at nament. it didn’t go my way, then okay.” Cup newcomer Sofia Kenin in the opening rubber.(REUTERS) Sajjad excels as Qatar sweep two-match series against Singapore

highest 45 and was followed by event in Oman. Sajjad emerges Kamran Khan (37), while Mohd “We look at this series as a man of the match Tanveer made 35, and stand-in first but important step towards captain Tamoor Sajjad 32. building strong and healthy in both games In reply, Singapore could sporting relations between Qa- only muster 161, succumbing tar and Singapore in the future. TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK to Sajjad’s superb bowling. Saj- More such series would certain- DOHA jad grabbed four wickets, while ly push the game to new heights Iqbal Chaudhary claimed two. and both teams would benefit Just like the first match, Saj- immensely from such bilateral HOSTS Qatar scored a convinc- jad was adjudged the Man of the series,” he added. ing 79-run win over Singapore match once again. Mr Ahmad also said Qatar to wrap the two-match warm Qatar had won the first and Singapore are exploring up series 2-0 at the Asian Town match by five wickets. QCA Operations Manager Manor the opportunities for new col- Stadium recently. While Qatar was led by In- Ahmad presents the runners-up laborations to develop the sport The two One-day matches am-Ul Haq in the first match, Qatar and Singapore teams with QCA officials during the two-match series at the Asian Town Cricket Sta- trophy to Singapore team captain and they will start working on were played as part of Sin- and Sajjad in the second game; dium, Industrial Area. Chetan Suryawanshi. jointly hosting an international gapore’s preparation for the Singapore were skippered by cricket tournament in Qatar in six-nation ICC World Cricket Chetan Suryawanshi. Qatar Cricket Association captain Inam-Ul Haq and vice- as Singapore will next travel show and winning the series the future. League Division 3 Champion- The match referee and head Operations Manager Mr Man- captain Tamoor Sajjad. to Oman for the ICC tourna- against a strong side like Sin- At the six-nation ICC World ship to be held in Oman. of technical committee for the zoor Ahmad, along with QCA A memento was presented ment and Qatar will soon fig- gapore. Cricket League Division 3 Qatar provided a solid chal- series was Syed Hassan Raza. officials Syed Hassan Raza, to Singapore Team CEO Saad ure in the ACC Tournament in “We also saw some nice Championship, besides Singa- lenge in both the matches to The umpires were Shivani Amin-Ul Islam, Amjad Baig, Janjua. Kuwait. We wish good luck to individual performances from pore and hosts Oman, the other Singapore. In the second match, Mishra, Mohammad Riyaz, Ab- Mohammad Asif Raza, Jam- Speaking during the prize both teams. Singapore and Qatar. We hope four teams are Kenya, Uganda, batting first Qatar made a good dul Salam and Malik Nadeem, shaid Ahmad, was present at distribution ceremony Mr Ah- “We also congratulate Qa- that the visitors warmed up the USA and Denmark. Two top 240 before being all out in the while Raza was the official the closing ceremony and hand- mad said, “It was an impor- tar team manager Gul Khan well and got the required mo- teams will be promoted to the 50th over. Rizlan made the scorer. ed the winner’s trophy to Qatar tant series for both the teams Jadoun for his team’s superb mentum before the prestigious Division 2. Sports Sunday, November 11, 2018 19

News Kashima win first Asian in brief Emirates to end shirt sponsorship of Paris St Germain: Report Champions League title LONDON: Ligue 1 champions Paris St Germain are set to lose long-term sponsors Emirates after the Dubai based airline said that the company would not renew its contract which expires next The Japanese club held Persepolis to a goalless draw in Tehran after a 2-0 win in the first leg year, a media report has said. Emirates has been a shirt sponsor of PSG since 2006, five years before the club was bought by Qa- tar Sports Investments. PSG, one of the richest soccer teams in the world, are seeking a more lucrative sponsorship deal, a club spokesperson told Bloomberg. The current deal with Emirates is reported to be worth around 30 million euros ($34 million) a season. Emirates and PSG did not immediately respond to a Reu- ters request for comment. The French club may be seeking more income to offset the record 222 million-euro transfer of Brazilian forward Neymar from Barcelona last year, which was followed by a deal for French teenager Kylian Mbappe worth a reported 180 million euros. (REUTERS)

Atletico Madrid need VAR, late Godin winner to beat Athletico Bilbao MADRID: Diego Godin scored a 91st-minute winner as Atletico Madrid twice came from behind to beat Athletic Bilbao 3-2 in La Liga on Saturday. Godin’s close-range finish was initially ruled out for offside at the Wanda Metropolitano but referee Jose Sanchez overturned the decision after consulting his video assis- tant referee. It proved a dramatic finale to a pulsating encounter, which Bilbao twice led thanks to two goals from Inaki Williams. A stunning long-range strike from Thomas Partey and Rodrigo’s header 10 minutes from time, however, pulled Atletico level, be- fore Godin snatched all three points. Victory means Diego Sime- one’s side move to within a point of Barcelona, who play at home to Real Betis on Sunday. Bilbao remain 17th, without a win since the opening day of the season. That run has, however, included draws against both Barca and Real Madrid, and for much of this contest they were the better side too. (AFP)

Copa Libertadores final postponed to Sunday due to rain BUENOS AIRES: Torrential rain forced the postponement of the Copa Libertadores final first leg clash between Argentinian -ri vals River Plate and Boca Juniors, officials confirmed Saturday. With rain deluging Boca’s famous La Bombonera stadium, officials took the decision to reschedule kick-off for Sunday at 4pm local time (1900 GMT). “For reasons of force majeure the game is suspended for tomorrow at 4pm,” South American football’s governing body CONMEBOL announced on Twitter. ’s Kashima’s players celebrate with the trophy after winning the AFC Champions League final match against Iran’s Persepolis at the Azadi Stadium in Tehran on Saturday. (AFP) The announcement came roughly 95 minutes before Saturday’s first leg was scheduled to kick off, with fans already AFP title, with plenty to do in Teh- two with South Korea’s Jeon- Al Sadd’s Bounedjah in their seats at the Bombonera. The game had been in doubt TEHRAN ran and although they cre- Japanese buk Hyundai Motors, was at bags Top Scorer Award for several hours with Buenos Aires drenched with unrelenting ated several chances in front triumph the top of his game, keeping rainstorms. Huge puddles of water could be seen on the Bom- JAPAN’S Kashima Antlers of a 100,000-strong crowd at the Iranians, especially Ali Baghdad Bounedjah has bonera pitch while water several inches deep flowed in parts of won the Asian Champions the Azadi Stadium, Go Oiwa’s Alipour and Bashar Resan, at won the 2018 AFC Champi- the stadium. (AFP) League for the first time in men held on to their two-goal Kashima’s triumph was bay. ons League top scorer award their history with a 2-0 ag- advantage. the second straight time Seven minutes before after the Algerian’s 13 goals gregate victory after their re- Kashima’s triumph was a Japanese team had half-time Resan muscled his saw him finish ahead of Su- Tunisia’s Esperance win African turn leg against Iranian giants the second straight time a won the title, following way past two defenders close won Samsung Bluewings’ Champions League, beat Ahly 3-0 Persepolis ended in a goalless Japanese team had won the to the Kashima goal, but Dejan Damjanovic and Al Du- draw Saturday. title, following Urawa Red Urawa Red Diamonds’ failed to beat Kwoun at his hail’s Yousef El Arabi. TUNIS: Esperance mid- The Japanese side had Diamonds’ victory last year. victory last year. near post. The Al Sadd forward fielder Saad Beguir scored won the first leg 2-0 in Kashi- Before that Gamba had Persepolis coach Branko matched the all-time single either side of halftime to ma last week with Brazilian claimed the crown in 2008. Ivankovic sent on Mohsen tournament record held by help the Tunisian side win duo Leo Silva and Serginho Persepolis, known for Kwoun Sun-tae put in a vir- Rabiekhah and Ehsan Alvan- Muriqui who netted the same the African Champions on target. their mean defence, had no tuoso performance. zadeh in a desperate attempt tally by the conclusion of League with a 3-0 victory That left Persepolis, also option but to attack on Satur- Kwoun, for whom this was to break the deadlock but to Evergrande’s 2013 over Al Ahly of Egypt in the chasing their first continental day, but Kashima goalkeeper a third Asian crown following no avail. campaign. second leg of to claim the trophy 4-3 on aggregate on Friday. Esperance fought back from a 3-1 defeat in last week’s incident-filled Tottenham move two points from the top first leg in Alexandria, where controversial VAR before time. decisions clouded the Newcastle win second straight game Cardiff moved up one place to outcome, to lift the con- 18th but Brighton manager Chris tinent’s top club prize in Khalil Chemmam of ES Tunis DPA saving well from Alexander Sor- Hughton was frustrated by the convincing fashion. celebrates winning the CAF LONDON loth - to continue their superb manner of the result. The Tunisians had Champions League final.(EPA) start to the season. “Normally when you play that struggled to break down TOTTENHAM Hotspur Foyth conceded two penalties long with 10 men, you deserve a a dogged Ahly defence but made better headway as the game squeezed out a 1-0 win at Crystal last time out against Wolves but result,” he told BBC Radio 5 Live. progressed, cheered on by a noisy 60,000-strong crowd. Palace on Saturday to move lev- was the hero as his second-half “I think he (Bamba) was in an off- Beguir scored with virtually the last touch of the first el on points with Chelsea and header secured all three points at side position for the goal.” period, slipping the ball home after being teed up by a cut back Liverpool, two behind leaders Palace, who are 16th, one point Burnley, who are 15th, earned from the left by Taha Yassine Khenissi. Manchester City in the Premier above the drop zone. a point with a 0-0 draw at Leices- The 24-year-old midfielder then got the all-important League. Newcastle United made it ter, the home side’s first game at second goal as he rose to head home Mohamed Ali Yaccoubi’s Juan Foyth, with his first two wins out of two as they beat the King Power Stadium since the cross in the 53rd minute before going off minutes later with a senior goal, secured the points Bournemouth 2-1 to move out of tragic death of their chairman Vi- knee injury. The second goal prompted a switch in tactics from for fourth-placed Spurs, who the relegation zone. chai Srivaddhanaprabha. both sides as Ahly switched to attack and Esperance immedi- are on 27 points before the top Salomon Rondon scored Huddersfield are a point be- ately made changes to bolster their defence to hold onto their three sides play on Sunday when both goals in the first half to put Tottenham Hotspur’s defender Juan Foyth (centre) celebrates with hind Cardiff, in second-bottom, advantage. But Esperance caught Ahly on the counter attack City host local rivals Manchester Newcastle in control and though teammates after scoring a goal during the EPL match against Crystal thanks to a 1-1 draw with West with Anice Badri adding a third in the 86th minute with his United. Jefferson Lerma pulled one back Palace at Selhurst Park in London on Saturday. (AFP) Ham. eight goal of this year’s competition. The match had a tense Newcastle United picked up a they held on to climb to 14th, al- Southampton were furious at build-up after the first leg in which the referee handed Ahly two second consecutive win to climb beit just one point above the bot- have done well in some games but tire second half with 10 men after a disallowed goal as they drew 1-1 questionable penalties and there were accusations of violence out of the relegation zone while tom three. “We have to give credit that was one of the best mentali- the sending-off of Dale Stephens. with Watford to stay 17th. by the players of both clubs on the pitch and in the tunnel after Cardiff also won on a good day to our players, they were very ties and the way we competed for Lewis Dunk gave Cardiff the Leading 1-0 through Mano- the match. It was Esperance’s third Champions League suc- for most of the sides in the bottom good,” Newcastle manager Rafael the ball.” early lead but Callum Paterson lo Gabbiadini, Southampton cess following titles in 1994 and 2011, while Ahly had hoped six. In driving rain in south-east Benitez said. Cardiff boosted their morale headed an equalizer just before thought they had scored a second to extend their record of eight titles by winning for the first time London, Spurs withstood a late “They gave everything and with a 2-1 win over Brighton & the half-hour mark, only for Sol through Charlie Austin, only to since 2013. (REUTERS) rally from Palace - Hugo Lloris theatmosphere was good. “We Hove Albion, who played the en- Bamba to snatch the winner just see it ruled out for offside. Alcacer fires Dortmund past Bayern to maintain Bundesliga lead

Dortmund in their own half and are three points ahead of Bay- Plea hits hat-trick as Gladbach down restricted to counter-attacking Results ern, in their 3-1 win at Werder through Germany pair Mario Hoffenheim 2 - 1 Augsburg Bremen. Bremen 3-1 Goetze and Reus. Plea took just 13 minutes to AFP Bremen 1 - 3 M’gladbach aged just eight points from the The visitors took a deserved Freiburg 1 - 3 Mainz 05 claim his hat-trick to leave him DORTMUND last 21 available. lead when Serge Gnabry curled level on eight goals at the top Lucien Favre’s Dortmund in a cross for Lewandowski to Düsseldorf 4 - 1 Hertha BSC of the goalscoring charts along PACO Alcacer scored the win- remain unbeaten and four power a header past stand-in Nürnberg 0 - 2 Stuttgart with Alcacer and Lewandowski. ner as Bundesliga leaders points clear of Gladbach at the Dortmund goalkeeper Marwin Dortmund 3 - 2 Bayern Hosts Bremen suffered Borussia Dortmund twice came top of the table. Hitz on 26 minutes. their third straight league de- from behind to beat defend- After Robert Lewandowski It was 1-0 at the break, but the ball away, Alcacer made up feat to drop further back in the ing champions Bayern Munich twice gave Bayern the lead at Dortmund drew level when Ma- for his earlier miss with a classy title race to sit seventh. 3-2 on Saturday and move Signal Iduna Park against his nuel Neuer brought Reus down finish by rounding Neuer to put Ten-man Hertha Berlin, seven points clear of their third- former club, Dortmund captain in the area in the 49th minute Dortmund ahead for the first who like Bremen have seen placed rivals. Marco Reus hit two equalisers and the skipper calmly convert- time. Bayern kept the pressure their title aspirations fall apart, The result will pile added before substitute Alcacer struck ed the penalty. Dortmund’s forward Paco Alcacer celebrate after scoring his goal past on during a tense five minutes crashed to a 4-1 defeat at strug- pressure on Bayern head coach in the 73rd minute. Lewandowski restored the Bayern Munich’s goalkeeper Manuel Neuer during their German first of added time. gling Fortuna Duesseldorf after Niko Kovac, as his side’s chanc- Alcacer has scored seven of lead three minutes later, head- division Bundesliga match in Dortmund, on Saturday. (AFP) Lewandowski had the ball winger Maximilian Mittelstaedt es of winning a seventh straight his eight goals in just six league ing home his second -- his 14th in the net for a fourth time, but was sent off for two yellow cards title in his first season in charge appearances for Dortmund af- goal in 16 matches for Bayern was flagged for offside. before Reus fired over. again the flag went up for off- in the first half. took another blow. The Ba- ter coming off the bench as he against Dortmund, who he left It was end-to-end stuff as However Reus made side to the delight of the home However, Fortuna remain varian giants have now been added to his phenomenal run in 2014 on a free transfer. Dortmund then blew two more amends by finally firing Dort- fans in the sell-out 81,365 second from bottom after VfB beaten in three of their last six since signing on loan from Bar- Reus had a chance cleared golden chances. mund level when he volleyed crowd. Stuttgart also claimed victory as Bundesliga games after defeats celona. off the line on 59 minutes, just First Alcacer, on for Goetze, home a Lukasz Piszczek cross in Earlier, Alassane Plea defender Timo Baumgartl and by Hertha Berlin and Borussia Bayern dominated the before Lewandowski had the was tackled on the edge of the the 67th minute. scored a quickfire hat-trick for midfielder Erik Thommy scored Moenchengladbach, and man- opening exchanges, keeping ball in the Dortmund net, but box with the goal at his mercy, When Franck Ribery gave second-placed Gladbach, who in a 2-0 win at Nuremberg.