Akram Afif’s late strike steers Al Sadd past Al Khor PaGe 13

Wednesday, January 22, 2020

Kuwait win Qca women’s T20I title All-rounder Priyada Murali stars in Kuwait’s win in the final over Oman at Asian Town PaGe 14 QaTar Quell Iran challenGe TO sTOrm InTO semIs nadal in the pink as sharapova hits all-time low AFP mELBoUrNE

TOP seed turned on the style as he launched his bid for a record-equalling 20th Major title at the Australian Open on Tuesday, but falling star Maria Sharapova hit a ca- reer low. ’s Nick Kyrgios also cantered into the second round, but fourth seed Daniil Medvedev had to fight his way past American in four sets. Nadal, one shy of ’s Grand Slam mark, dropped only five games as he swatted aside Bolivia’s Hugo Spain’s rafael Nadal celebrates victory against Bolivia’s Hugo Dellien Dellien 6-2, 6-3, 6-0 in just during their men’s singles match on day two of the Australian open in over two hours at a sunny Rod Melbourne on Tuesday. (aFP) Laver Arena. Qatar cruised into the semi-finals of the Asian Men’s Handball Championship in Kuwait defeating Iran 31-25 in their second main group match “It was a positive start,” said but it’s not really in my charac- 7-6 (7/3), 7-6 (7-1) win over at the Sheikh Saad Al Abdullah Sports Hall in Kuwait City on Tuesday. Qatar, who had beaten South Korea in their first main group tie, trailed the reigning Roland Garros and ter to,” Sharapova said. of . 11-13 at half time. The win also saw Qatar qualifying for the 2021 World Handball Championship to be held in Egypt. Qatar were runners-up at US Open champion, wearing a “I was there, I put myself “I feel super-comfortable, the 2015 World Championship held in Doha. bright pink singlet and match- out there (playing). As tough as you guys are the best. I feel ing trainers. it was, I finished the match – it the support.... I am ready to go “What you want in the first wasn’t the way that I wanted.” again,” Kyrgios told the crowd. round is just to win, Britain’s Johanna Medvedev, the narrow loser rui Faria quits as al duhail coach and it’s better if it’s in Konta, a two-time to Nadal in September’s US straight sets.” Slam semi-finalist, Open final, dropped the second He joins Federer also fell at the first set against Tiafoe before recov- TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK and defending cham- hurdle as she battles ering to win 6-3, 4-6, 6-3, 6-2. Doha QNB SL Standings pion to overcome a knee Austria’s Dominic Thiem, in round two as the Big Three problem, losing 4-6, 2-6 to un- who has reached the last two RUI Faria has resigned from Club MP W D L GF GA GD Pts look to tighten a stranglehold seeded Tunisian Ons Jabeur. finals, went his position as coach of QSL 1. Al Duhail 12 9 3 0 24 10 14 30 that has brought them all but On a bumper day of 88 first- through in straight sets against side Al Duhail for ‘personal 2. Al Rayyan 12 8 4 0 28 9 19 28 one of the last 14 Australian round matches, after rain wiped Adrian Mannarino, while reasons’, the club announced 3. Al Sadd 12 8 0 4 35 21 14 24 Open titles. out half of Monday’s schedule, 2014 champion Stan Waw- late on Monday. Nadal, the first player to former US Open champion Ma- rinka needed four to get past The Portuguese coach 4. Al Gharafa 12 6 2 4 22 18 4 20 be world number one in three rin Cilic and both Damir Dzumhur. Seventh seed joined the club almost a year 5. Al Arabi 12 5 3 4 23 19 4 18 different decades, is still thriv- moved safely through. beat Marco ago for his first coaching job 6. Al Sailiya 12 5 2 5 15 16 -1 17 Al Duhail’s ing at 33 but it’s a different Italy’s , two Cecchinato in straight sets but after quiting as Jose Mour- 7. Al Wakrah 12 4 3 5 18 21 -3 15 Portuguese story for five-time Grand Slam sets down against America’s there was disappointment for inho’s assistant. 8. Qatar SC 12 4 3 5 18 21 -3 14 coach winner Sharapova. Reilly Opelka when their match ’s Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, “The club administration 9. Al Ahli 12 4 1 7 16 23 -7 13 rui Faria The 32-year-old, playing on was suspended on Monday, re- the 2008 finalist, who retired has accepted the resignation resigned a wildcard as she wrestles with turned to win it in five after a with a back injury against Aus- of coach Rui Faria from his 10. Al Khor 12 2 3 7 14 22 -8 9 citing a shoulder injury, lost 6-3, 6-4 stormy encounter when both tralia’s Alexei Popyrin. duties as coach of the first 11. Al Shahania 12 1 5 6 11 24 -13 8 ‘personal to Croatian 19th seed Donna players argued furiously with Elsewhere, women’s fourth team for personal reasons. 12. Umm Salal 12 1 2 9 7 27 -20 5 reasons’. Vekic, making her an opening- the umpire. seed Simona Halep survived And the club administration round loser at three straight A new star emerged in some painful-looking falls to thanked coach Rui Faria for Grand Slams for the first time. 18-year-old Italian Jannik Sin- beat America’s Jennifer Brady, the period he spent with the The future looks uncertain ner, last year’s NextGen cham- and 2016 champion Angel- team and wished him success for the former world number pion, who earned his first Grand ique Kerber dropped only four in his next journey,” Al Duhail one, who won Wimbledon Slam victory against Australia’s games against Elisabetta Coc- said in a statement. Oliveira met the media after hail after the sacking of Nabil rivals Al Sadd last year. when she was just 17 but has . ciaretto of Italy. His resignation comes af- the loss. Maaloul in December due to So far this season, he has not reached a Grand Slam final Australia’s Kyrgios, who has Air pollution from the ter Al Duhail were crushed by The manner of the defeat poor results. led the club to top of the QNB since she lifted the 2014 French spearheaded fundraising efforts bushfires disrupted the build- Al Sadd in the Qatar Cup final and the criticism of Faria’s The team however enjoyed Stars League standings with Open trophy. for the country’s deadly bush- up to the year’s first Grand -- a result which visibly left coaching style may have fueled a resurgence under Faria, fin- 30 points from 12 matches – “I can speak about my strug- fire disaster, kept his notorious Slam, but after Monday’s Faria fuming on the sidelines. his decision to leave. ishing second in the QSL and two points ahead of second gles and the things that I’ve temper in check despite being heavy rain the skies were clear Faria’s assistant Bruno Faria took over Al Du- winning the Amir Cup against placed Al Rayyan. gone through with my shoulder, taken to two tie-breaks in a 6-2, and sunny on Tuesday. Zverev, McEnroe pledge thousands of dollars to bushfire victims DPA nis community when he said mELBoUrNE he would donate money for every ace he hit in tourna- RISING star Alexander I will donate 10,000 ments entered in January. Zverev and tennis hall of fam- dollars for every match “Obviously I felt like he er John McEnroe on Tuesday that I win here. And if I – wanted to help. I mean, I’m night pledged thousands of I know I am not a sure a lot of people appreci- dollars in support of individu- favourite to win this event ate that,” the Australian told als and communities affected journalists when asked about by bush fires in Australia, – but if I win this event McEnroe’s generosity. joining others in the tennis I’m gonna donate every But Australians shouldn’t community raising funds and single cent (US $2.83 be holding their breath in an- awareness for the cause. million) to the bushfires. ticipation of big cheques. After his first round win Zverev has never gone be- against Alexander Zverev yond the quarter-finals at a at the Australian Open, the of Germany grand slam, and not past the German star pledged to do- fourth round in Melbourne. nate 10,000 dollars for every Tuesday’s win against Cecchi- match win and the whole bag the Margaret Court Arena. nato was his first of the year, in case of lifting the trophy. “And if I – I know I am Germany’s Alexander Zverev after defeating Italy’s Marco Cecchinato Former uS tennis player John McEnroe (left) watches Australia’s after he lost all three matches “Obviously Australia is a not a favourite to win this at the Australian open in Melbourne on Tuesday. (aFP) Nick Kyrgios on Day Two of the Australian open on Tuesday. (aFP) at the ATP Cup. country that is home for us event – but if I win this event “I was thinking about it for ... over a month-time eve- I’m gonna donate every single I did not win the Australian “We as the fortunate Seven-time Grand Slam bush fires and pledged to do- from the ATP Cup,” he told ry single year, and we heard cent to the bushfires,” the sev- Open yet, I won one match, people, as the people that champion McEnroe inter- nate 1,000 dollars for every journalists after the win, “but what is going on with the bush enth seed added. The winner but I hope maybe I will get a are not as affected ... should viewed Australia’s Nick Kyr- set won by the Australian in I didn’t win any matches, it fires ... with the animals, with on February 2 recieves 4.12 lot of support, maybe it will try to help in any way pos- gios after his first round win the Slam. was tough to say.” the people losing their homes. million Australian dollars (US come to it, and if it happens sible,” he added. over Lorenzo Sonego. “I hope you go a long Kyrgios’ best result at the “So I will donate 10,000 $2.83 million). I’ll be the happiest person His pledge closely fol- McEnroe congratulated way,” McEnroe told Kyrgios. majors are not better either, dollars for every match that I “This is a gesture that I on this planet,” he later told lowed that of a former star the 24-year-old for his efforts Kyrgios sparked a fund- quarter-finals at Wimbledon win here,” he said to cheers at thought about for a long time, journalist. of the game. in raising funds victims of the raising movement in the ten- 2014 and Australia 2015. 12 Wednesday, January 22, 2020 sports Sinner, 18, revels in Federer, Nadal praise after first Slam win

AFP Rafael Nadal has also nice for me. But, you know, we think is a huge advantage for mELBoUrNE taken note. still have to work,” said Sin- movement for the future.” The Spanish world num- ner, who was speaking before Sinner, who is coached FAST-RISING teenager Jan- ber one said he had seen a lot Nadal lavished praise. by , who has nik Sinner won his first Grand of promising teenagers fail to previously worked with No- Slam match Tuesday and live up to their potential, but ‘I have to learn everything’ vak Djokovic, Ivan Ljubicic, basked in praise from Roger he felt Sinner was different. Federer played with Sinner, and Milos Raonic, welcomed Federer, who said “we’ll see a “Personally I think that who made his Grand Slam de- Federer’s input but said he lot more of” the Italian. this will not be the case be- but at last year’s US Open, los- was still improving. The 18-year-old, a former cause my feeling he’s a humble ing in the first round to Stan “Because I’m young, fore- champion skier before switch- guy, he’s a hard worker. I prac- Wawrinka, in Rome last year hand and backhand are quite ing to tennis, swept past Aus- tised with him the other day, and also practised with him af- solid. The shot is getting better tralian Max Purcell 7-6 (7/2), he has a good character on ter the Laureus sports awards and better, which is our goal,” he 6-2, 6-4 at the Australian Open. court, he’s positive,” he said. in Monaco. said. “And of course there will be The win reinforced Sinner’s “I see him having a great “What I like about him is matches where maybe you can- credentials after he won the tennis career. He has every- that he’s almost got the same not feel the shot so you have to NextGen ATP Finals in Milan thing to achieve a great tennis speed of off-shot on forehand, maybe slow down a little bit, try- last November – a tournament career. The only thing that he backhand,” said the Swiss ing to find another solution. You that features the eight best needs to do, in my opinion, is great on Monday. cannot play the whole match men’s players aged 21 or under. have the right people around “He has great footwork for with the same speed. His progress has caught and work.” a big guy, because we forget “You have to change a lit- the eye of 20-time Grand Slam Sinner, the youngest play- how tall he is, as well. tle bit the ball some heights, champion Federer, who said: er in the year-end top 80 last Italian teenager during his “And then he can play, which I have to learn. I have to “I think we’ll see so much year since a 17-year-old Nadal first round Australian open match against again, like most of the best learn everything.” more from him. He’s an excit- in 2003, said he was honoured Australian Max Purcell in Melbourne on movers in the game right now, The 82nd-ranked Sinner ing guy and super-sweet kid, by the comments. Tuesday. he can also play open stance next faces Hungarian Marton which I always love to see.” “What he (Federer) said is and closed stance, which I Fucsovics. Foul-mouthed tirades as sharapova set to drop Fognini survives five-set, two-day epic vs Opelka below 350 in rankings AFP mELBoUrNE AFP mELBoUrNE FIVE-TIME Grand Slam I don’t know, I don’t know. champion Maria Sharapova It’s tough for me to tell ITALIAN firebrand Fabio Fog- admitted she does not know if what’s going to happen nini came through an intense she will be back at the Austral- in 12 months’ time. five-set epic at the Australian ian Open next year after suf- Open on Tuesday in a match fering a first-round defeat in Maria Sharapova when asked overshadowed by expletive- Melbourne on Tuesday. if she would be back at laden rants at the umpire, who The former world number Melbourne Park in 2021 was slammed as “pathetic”. one, playing on a wildcard, is The 12th seed was two sets set to drop below 350 in the down when his first round rankings following her 3-6, ranking and really think about clash against giant American 4-6 defeat to Croatia’s 19th- it in depth,” she said, cutting a Reilly Opelka was halted by seeded Donna Vekic. forlorn figure. rain on Monday. It was the 32-year-old “Just because I really They returned under blue Sharapova’s third first-round haven’t played and I was in- skies on Tuesday when Fog- exit in a row at Grand Slam jured most of the year. nini emerged a 3-6, 6-7 (3/7), tournaments, and will increase “You know, I certainly have 6-4, 6-3, 7-6 (7/5) winner. speculation over her future. to take that into account.” But it was a niggly affair Sharapova, banned for 15 Sharapova, who last lost in with no love lost between the months for failing a drugs test the Melbourne first round in players. at the 2016 Australian Open, 2010, has struggled for form When Opelka felt Fognini was unable to say whether she and fitness since returning got away with time-wasting and would return next year. from the ban for taking mel- not being penalised for throw- “I don’t know, I don’t donium. ing his racquet, he confronted Italy’s Fabio Fognini speaks to the umpire after a point against reilly know,” said the Russian, al- Sharapova, once a rival umpire Carlos Bernardes. opelka of the uS during their men’s singles match at the Australian ready ranked a lowly 145th, russia’s Maria Sharapova leaves after her defeat to Croatia’s Donna to Serena Williams at the top “Let me ask you some- open in Melbourne on Tuesday. (aFP) when asked by AFP if she Vekic during their women’s singles first round match of the Australian of women’s tennis, refused to thing, real quick,” an incensed would be back at Melbourne open in Melbourne on Tuesday. (aFP) blame her right shoulder prob- Opelka said, before aiming a Asked afterwards whether an umpire in his first round Park in 2021. lem for her latest early exit. volley of swear words at the ranting at the umpire helped defeat by Hungarian Marton “It’s tough for me to tell Haunted look pulling power -- she lost the “I can speak about my official. him let off steam, Opelka told Fucsovics. what’s going to happen in 12 Against Vekic there were first set in 36 minutes. struggles and the things that “You’re pathetic. You give AFP: “No, not at all. It hurts The umpire gave the world months’ time.” flashes of the form that helped She broke to go 4-1 up I’ve gone through with my me one warning after one me. “It’s a negative emotion, number 13 a code violation for Sharapova, who won the make Sharapova one of the in the second set, but Vekic shoulder, but it’s not really in throw. He’s thrown his three especially against a guy like throwing his racquet and it Australian Open in 2008, most marketable women in struck back and sealed victory my character to,” she said. or four times, bro,” he added. him. You want to keep him out didn’t go down well. was similarly vague about the sport, but she carried a haunt- on the second match point “I was there, I put myself Fognini, who lost his tem- of the match as much as pos- “I’m not breaking any months or even weeks ahead. ed look at times, too. when Sharapova fired wildly out there (playing). per several times on Monday, sible. rules,” he shouted at the offi- “Honestly, I’d give you the After missing large chunks wide. “As tough as it was, I fin- also had a meltdown at the “You don’t want to engage cial. “It’s my racquet, I can do answer, I just don’t know,” she of last year with a shoulder in- Sharapova said she was ished the match – it wasn’t the umpire, ranting in Italian and with a guy like that. It’s defi- whatever the hell I want with it. said about what tournaments jury, she needed a wildcard to not taking much notice of her way that I wanted.” gesturing with his hands. nitely not a positive thing.” “If I broke it, give me a she will play in the near future. compete in Melbourne. plummeting ranking. Vekic plays France’s Al- He reportedly told Ber- The ugly scenes came a day code, 100 percent. I didn’t “I haven’t thought of my Playing on the centre “Last year I think I played ize Cornet or qualifier Monica nardes: “You’re not fit for after feisty Canadian Denis break my racquet. It was a ter- schedule moving forward from court, Rod Laver Arena -- a seven or eight tournaments so Niculescu of Romania in this.” Shapovalov verbally abused rible call, do your job.” here yet.” sign of Sharapova’s enduring I don’t know if I can look at the round two.

Medvedev Halep braves falls, sore wrist Open Results (Day 2) MEN’S SINGLES (1st round) Roberto Bautista (ESP x9) bt Feliciano Lopez (ESP) 6-2, 6-2, 7-5 subdues Rafael Nadal (ESP x1) bt Hugo Dellien (BOL) 6-2, 6-3, 6-0 Diego Schwartzman (ARG x14) bt (RSA) 6-4, 6-2, 6-2 Federico Del Bonis (ARG) bt João Sousa (POR) 6-3, 6-4, 7-6 (7/3) Alejandro Davidovich (ESP) bt (SVK) 4-6, 6-4, 2-6, 6-3, 6-2 to surge into second round Peter Gojowczyk (GER) bt Christopher Eubanks (USA) 7-6 (7/1), 6-3, 4-6, 6-0 (AUS) bt Mikhail Kukushkin (KAZ) 6-4, 6-3, 4-6, 6-7 (8/10), 6-4 tiafoe Pablo Carreño-Busta (ESP x27) bt Jozef Kovalík (SVK) 6-4, 3-6, 6-1, 7-6 (7/2) Dusan Lajovic (SRB x24) bt Kyle Edmund (GBR) 7-6 (9/7), 6-3, 7-6 (7/4) AFP Nick Kyrgios (AUS x23) bt Lorenzo Sonego (ITA) 6-2, 7-6 (7/3), 7-6 (7/1) Tatsuma Ito (JPN) bt Prajnesh Gunneswaran (IND) 6-4, 6-2, 7-5 challenge mELBoUrNE Gilles Simon (FRA) bt Pablo Cuevas (URU) 6-1, 6-3, 6-3 (SWE) bt Yasutaka Uchiyama (JPN) 6-4, 6-1, 6-2 WOMEN’S SINGLES (1st round) AFP TWO-TIME Grand Slam (RUS x16) bt Mario Vilella (ESP) 4-6, 6-4, 7-6 (7/4), 6-3 Polona Hercog (SLO) bt Rebecca Peterson (SWE) 6-3, 6-3 Greet Minnen (BEL) bt Aliaksandra Sasnovich (BLR) 7-6 (7/3), 4-6, 7-5 mELBoUrNE champion Simona Halep sur- Gael Monfils (FRA x10) bt Lu Yen-Hsun (TPE) 6-1, 6-4, 6-2 Ivo Karlovic (CRO) bt (CAN) 7-6 (7/4), 6-4, 7-5 Elena Rybakina (KAZ x29) bt Bernarda Pera (USA) 6-3, 6-2 vived a couple of tumbles and Aljaz Bedene (SLO) bt (AUS) 6-4, 6-7 (5/7), 6-7 (5/7), 6-2, 6-4 Alison Riske (USA x18) bt Wang Yafan (CHN) 7-6 (7/5), 2-6, 6-3 TOWERING fourth seed Da- a sore wrist before surging Ernests Gulbis (LAT) bt Félix Auger-Aliassime (CAN x20) 7-5, 4-6, 7-6 (7/4), 6-4 Madison Keys (USA x10) bt Darya Kasatkina (RUS) 6-3, 6-1 niil Medvedev navigated a into the Australian Open sec- Taylor Fritz (USA x29) bt Tallon Griekspoor (NED) 6-3, 6-3, 6-3 Arantxa Rus (NED) bt Magda Linette (POL) 1-6, 6-3, 6-4 challenging first-round clash ond round on Tuesday. (RSA) bt Ilya Ivashka (BLR) 6-4, 2-6, 4-6, 6-4, 7-6 (10/8) Nao Hibino (JPN) bt Shuai Peng (CHN) 4-6, 7-6 (8/6), 6-3 against last year’s quarter- The Romanian fourth seed (AUS) bt Albert Ramos (ESP) 7-6 (7/1), 1-6, 6-7 (5/7), 6-1, 6-4 Maria Sakkari (GRE x22) bt Margarita Gasparyan (RUS) 6-2, 6-2 Dominic Thiem (AUT x5) bt Adrian Mannarino (FRA) 6-3, 7-5, 6-2 finalist Frances Tiafoe to kick- recovered from a poor start to Ons Jabeur (TUN) bt Johanna Konta (GBR x12) 6-4, 6-2 Daniil Medvedev (RUS x4) bt Frances Tiafoe (USA) 6-3, 4-6, 6-4, 6-2 Caroline Garcia (FRA) bt Madison Brengle (USA) 6-7 (5/7), 6-2, 6-2 start his Australian Open cam- beat the big-hitting American Pedro Martínez (ESP) bt Dominik Koepfer (GER) 6-3, 6-4, 7-5 Dayana Yastremska (UKR x23) bt Kaja Juvan (SLO) 6-1, 6-1 paign on Tuesday. Jennifer Brady 7-6 (7/5), 6-1 Jaume Munar (ESP) bt (FRA) 7-5, 5-7, 6-0, 6-3 Wang Qiang (CHN x27) bt Pauline Parmentier (FRA) 7-6 (7/2), 6-3 The talented 23-year-old, and launch her title bid. Alexei Popyrin (AUS) bt Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (FRA x28) 6-7 (5/7), 6-2, 6-1, 0-0 abandon Fiona Ferro (FRA) bt Alison Van Uytvanck (BEL) 6-2, 6-1 who won four titles last year and The 2018 Roland Garros John Isner (USA x19) bt Thiago Monteiro (BRA) 6-7 (5/7), 7-6 (7/4), 7-6 (9/7), 7-6 (7/5) Belinda Bencic (SUI x6) bt Anna Karolina Schmiedlova (SVK) 6-3, 7-5 Alejandro Tabilo (CHI) bt Daniel Galán (COL) 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, 6-7 (6/8), 6-4 Jelena Ostapenko (LAT) bt Liudmila Samsonova (RUS) 6-1, 6-4 was runner-up at the US Open, and 2019 Wimbledon champi- (ITA) bt Miomir Kecmanovic (SRB) 6-4, 6-4, 7-6 (7/3) Donna Vekic (CRO x19) bt Maria Sharapova (RUS) 6-3, 6-4 ultimately showed his class to on faces British qualifier Har- Stanislas Wawrinka (SUI x15) bt Damir Dzumhur (BIH) 7-5, 6-7 (4/7), 6-4, 6-4 Alize Cornet (FRA) bt Monica Niculescu (ROU) 5-7, 6-1, 6-0 outlast the American 6-3, 4-6, riet Dart next in Melbourne. (BEL x11) bt Jérémy Chardy (FRA) 6-4, 6-3, 6-1 Catherine Bellis (USA) bt Tatjana Maria (GER) 6-0, 6-2 Pierre-Hugues Herbert (FRA) bt (GBR) 7-5, 3-6, 3-6, 7-5, 6-4 6-4, 6-2 on Rod Laver Arena. The 28-year-old Halep Karolina Muchova (CZE x20) bt Kirsten Flipkens (BEL) 6-3, 2-6, 7-6 (10/7) Yuichi Sugita (JPN) bt Elliot Benchetrit (FRA) 6-2, 6-0, 6-3 It was a tough workout for had her serve broken in the Danielle Collins (USA x26) bt Vitalia Diatchenko (RUS) 6-1, 3-6, 6-4 (RUS x17) bt Christopher O’Connell (AUS) 6-3, 0-6, 6-4, 7-6 (7/5) the in-form Medvedev, who first game by the 49th-ranked Nikoloz Basilashvili (GEO x26) bt Soonwoo Kwon (KOR) 6-7 (5/7), 6-4, 7-5, 3-6, 6-3 Yulia Putintseva (KAZ) bt Hsieh Su-wei (TPE) 6-1, 6-3 began his year strongly at the Brady, who defeated world Fernando Verdasco (ESP) bt Evgeny Donskoy (RUS) 7-5, 6-2, 6-1 Harriet Dart (GBR) bt Misaki Doi (JPN) 2-6, 6-4, 7-6 (10/6) ATP Cup, winning four of his number one Ashleigh Barty in Egor Gerasimov (BLR) bt (NOR) 6-3, 7-6 (8/6), 1-6, 4-6, 7-6 (10/6) Simona Halep (ROU x4) bt Jennifer Brady (USA) 7-6 (7/5), 6-1 five singles matches. the build-up to the year’s first Alexander Zverev (GER x7) bt Marco Cecchinato (ITA) 6-4, 7-6 (7/4), 6-3 Elina Svitolina (UKR x5) bt Katie Boulter (GBR) 6-4, 7-5 “It was a really tough first Grand Slam. Tennys Sandgren (USA) bt Marco Trungelliti (ARG) 6-1, 6-4, 7-5 Lauren Davis (USA) bt Leylah Fernandez (CAN) 6-4, 6-2 Garbine Muguruza (ESP) bt Shelby Rogers (USA) 0-6, 6-1, 6-0 match, it was up and down Halep, the 2018 runner- romania’s Simona Halep celebrates after defeating Jennifer Brady of (AUS) bt (KAZ) 6-4, 6-3, 6-2 Fabio Fognini (ITA x12) bt Reilly Opelka (USA) 3-6, 6-7 (3/7), 6-4, 6-3, 7-6 (10/5) Ajla Tomljanovic (AUS) bt Anastasija Sevastova (LAT x31) 6-1, 6-1 for both of us. A first round is up, was uncharacteristically the uS at the Australian open on Tuesday. (aFP) Jannik Sinner (ITA) bt Max Purcell (AUS) 7-6 (7/2), 6-2, 6-4 Zarina Diyas (KAZ) bt Amanda Anisimova (USA x21) 6-3, 4-6, 6-3 never easy, especially against flustered, taking a couple of Tommy Paul (USA) bt Leonardo Mayer (ARG) 4-6, 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 Anna Blinkova (RUS) bt Jasmine Paolini (ITA) 7-5, 6-4 someone like Frances,” said falls, tossing her racquet and ment,” the former world num- tough minutes, having saved (POL x31) bt Dennis Novak (AUT) 6-7 (4/7), 1-6, 6-2, 6-3, 6-4 Arina Rodionova (AUS) bt Kateryna Bondarenko (UKR) 3-6, 7-6 (7/5), 6-0 the 6ft 6in (198cm) Russian. complaining to her coach. ber one said afterwards. three set points to force the John Millman (AUS) bt (FRA) 7-6 (7/3), 6-3, 1-6, 7-5 Kiki Bertens (NED x9) bt Irina Begu (ROU) 6-1, 6-4 “There were many moments She appeared to hurt “So I will see tomorrow tie-break. Filip Krajinovic (SRB) bt Quentin Halys (FRA) 7-6 (9/7), 7-6 (7/1), 3-6, 4-6, 7-5 Svetlana Kuznetsova (RUS) bt Marketa Vondrousova (CZE x15) 6-2, 4-6, 6-4 where I felt I had momentum, her right wrist in one fall in Christian Garín (CHI) bt (ITA) 6-4, 6-3, 6-4 Camila Giorgi (ITA) bt Antonia Lottner (GER) 6-3, 6-3 morning after I wake up.” The second set was far Milos Raonic (CAN x32) bt Lorenzo Giustino (ITA) 6-2, 6-1, 6-3 Priscilla Hon (AUS) bt Kateryna Kozlova (UKR) 6-3, 6-4 but he straightaway came back. the first set, and had heavy With both players relent- more straightforward as the Benoît Paire (FRA x21) bt Cedrik-Marcel Stebe (GER) 6-4, 3-6, 6-3, 6-7 (2/7), 6-0 Angelique Kerber (GER x17) bt Elisabetta Cocciaretto (ITA) 6-2, 6-2 I think I could do many things strapped by a medic. lessly pummelling from the 24-year-old Brady appeared to Marin Cilic (CRO) bt Corentin Moutet (FRA) 6-3, 6-2, 6-4 Laura Siegemund (GER) bt Coco Vandeweghe (USA) 6-1, 6-4 better, but it is a big win and I’m “A little bit sore but noth- baseline, Halep finally put a run out of gas and Halep made Michael Mmoh (USA) bt Pablo Andújar (ESP) 6-1, 6-4, 6-4 Karolina Pliskova (CZE x2) bt Kristina Mladenovic (FRA) 6-1, 7-5. happy to be through.” ing dangerous at this mo- punishing first set away in 69 light of her painful wrist. sports Wednesday, January 22, 2020 13 ‘Qsl’s target is to achieve top spot in asian league rankings soon’

AYENI OLUSEGUN Doha STATS SPEAK

THE Qatar Stars League is hE level of participation of an Under-23 player with our clubs the goal difference percentage reached 3 goals in 28.7% of the aiming to become the best in the QNB Stars League in the past three seasons reached matches. one victory was by a 10-1 margin and 3 games were football league in Asia soon, t10%. It increased to 14.5% in the current season (2019-20). won by 6-0 margins. according to Qatar Stars the QSL became better than the Saudi, Chinese, UaE and English the number of matches in which the difference was 3 goals in League’s Executive Director leagues in this aspect and our goal in the future is to make the the first leg last season reached 19. at the end of the league, for Competitions and Foot- participation rate of a player under 23 years of age to more than the number reached 38 games. ball Development Ahmed 20%, as in the case of german, French and Belgian League, where that percentage changed for the best at the end of this season’s Khellil Abbassi. it is more than 20%. league and reached 12 games, down to 18%. the ratio in Europe Already ranked in the top is 17-18%, which indicates that the teams have evolved and the two in AFC’s club competi- more rapid playing pace level has become closer among the clubs. Examples are second- tion behind China, the Qatar placed al rayyan being held to a 2-2 draw by lowly-placed al league has grown in the last the league is looking for a faster playing pace in the matches and Shahania in Week 10 of the QNB Stars League. few years especially as the this playing pace is calculated through the number of passes per 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar minute. the higher the number, the faster the playing pace. Previous- Goal ratio draws nearer. ly, the playing pace in our league reached 16.3 passes per minute. “QSL has the vision to be- It is now 16.5 passes and this number is one of the best in asian With regards to the percentage of goals, the number reached come the best league in Asia leagues compared to European leagues, where the ratio in the Eng- 212 goals at the end of first leg in the 2018-19 season at an on and off the field. We have lish, Italian, german and French leagues reaches 17.3 passes. the average of 3.2 goals in each match. this season, it was 201 some of the most developed QSL’s goal is to reach above 17 passes in the QNB Stars League. goals at an average of 3.1 goals in each match. the worldwide frameworks in the world in average is between 2.7 and 2.8 goals per match and that is what regards to clubs and players’ change of coaches Qatar targets. professionalism and financial Qatar Stars league’s Executive Director for Competitions and Football sustainability. Development Ahmed Khellil Abbassi among the good figures recently achieved in the league is the Percentage of goals decreased “We are working and drop in the percentage of change among the coaches. In the last on track to become the best U23 players which has given the Asian Cup last year was three seasons, it was 50% at the end of the league’s first leg, top scorer Baghdad Bounedjah of al Sadd, at the end of first leg league in Asia,” Abbassi said them a chance to grow. made up of players from the meaning half of the 12 clubs changed their coaches. In the cur- last season, scored 19 goals from 11 games during 945 min- during an interaction with the “Right now we are one of league and we have attracted rent season, it decreased to 25% at the end of first leg as only utes, at an average of one goal every 49 minutes. media recently. the top teams in Asia and our several top stars like Xavi, three coaches were changed. however, at the end of first leg in the current season, the top “We had set a goal to be ambition is to become the best Mario Mandzukic, Yacine scorer had 9 goals in 731 minutes, at an average of one goal one of the top three by 2020 by 2022,” Abbassi added. Ibrahimi, Gabi and some Goal difference every 81 minutes, which is a big achievement and came near and last year we were the Qatari clubs have been a from the Algerian African that in the Spanish League recorded by Karim Benzema, who second in Asia. The league is constant in the later stages of Cup-winning team.” after 11 rounds (at the end of the league’s first leg last season), scored a goal every 105 minutes. growing and one of the ma- the AFC Champions League The league was also one of jor changes is that we have and also the Asian Cup-win- the first in the world to imple- smaller gaps among the teams ning team players all ply their ment the ‘Live Match Analysis’ cal video camera positioned in cal data to the iPad of coaching progress of the teams as well and innovation which is im- especially between the top trade in the league. alongside Denmark. the main tribune of stadiums, staff positioned in the team as general research into the portant for us. We see what teams and smaller clubs. “The growth in the league The ‘Live Match Analysis’ is which will enable the perfor- bench during matches. league’s growth. others are doing and process “There’s a smaller gap this has also helped the national a computer-based match analy- mance analyst to send short Abbassi said the QSL uses “We compare our league how we can adapt great ideas year and the clubs have a lot of team. The team which won sis system connected to a tacti- tactical video clips, and techni- these statistics to track the to others through research into our league.”

Farah happy Afif strikes late as Al Sadd earn to have doping nervy 2-1 win against Al Khor samples retested AFP TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK LoNDoN Doha FORMER Olympic champion AKRAM Afif’s injury time Mo Farah said on Tuesday he is winner secured a hard-fought happy for his old doping sam- comeback win as Al Sadd beat ples to be retested at any time. Al Khor 2-1 at the Al Khor The World Anti-Doping Stadium in a rescheduled Agency is expected to retest QNB Stars League match on the samples from athletes who Manchester united’s Marcus rashford is consoled by Anthony Martial Tuesday. trained at Alberto Salazar’s con- after picking up an injury against Wolverhampton Wanderers recently. Al Khor had taken a shock troversial Nike Oregon Project. lead three minutes in, before The probe comes after Sala- goals from Nam Tae-Hee and zar was banned for four years in Ole rejects Neville criticism Afif sealed the deal for Xavi 2019 for doping violations fol- Hernandez’s men. lowing a probe by the US Anti- as Rashford begins recovery Al Sadd, fresh from their Doping Agency (USADA). triumph in the 2020 Qatar Cup UK Anti-Doping chief exec- AFP historically,” he admitted. where they defeated Al Duhail utive Nicole Sapstead said last maNChEStEr “It’s down to us to work bet- 4-0 in the final last Friday, now week that it would need to see ter and from my experience in have 24 points as they com- “credible evidence” that there MANCHESTER United man- the 12, 13 months I’ve been here, pleted 12 rounds of action, six was a justification to hand over ager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has the players that I’ve brought in less than leaders Al Duhail and samples to any other agency. contradicted former team- have been good, so I have no four adrift of second-placed Al Al Sadd players celebrate scoring against Al Khor during their QNB Stars league match at the Al Khor Farah took to social media mate Gary Neville by saying complaints whatsoever.” Rayyan. Stadium on Tuesday. Nam Tae-hee (centre) scored the opening goal for Al Sadd. to reveal he won’t complain if on Tuesday United are on the On the pitch, United will It was Al Sadd’s eighth vic- his existing samples are looked “right track”. give Marcus Rashford all the tory as Al Khor remained in the Al Sadd in the first half as The Akram kept making attempts cruit Lucca Borges sent his shot at again. Outspoken TV pundit Nev- time he needs to recover from 10th position with nine points Wolves attacked in waves, with at the rival goal even after the wide in the 68th minute. “I’ve seen reports of my ille had said in a podcast after a double stress fracture to following their seventh defeat. Baghdad Bounedjah, Akram game resumed. Soon, Al Sadd’s Ali Asad name in connection to UKAD United’s 2-0 defeat at leaders his back. Rashford picked up Al Khor gave Al Sadd a Afif and Nam at the helm of af- Al Sadd attackers gave a had a goal ruled out offside and WADA about sample re- Liverpool on Sunday, which left the injury in the 1-0 win over scare by scoring an early goal fairs. harrowing time to Al Khor, through VAR, but their per- testing,” Farah tweeted. the Red Devils 30 points be- Wolves in the FA Cup replay as Tiago volleyed the ball home Nam helped Al Sadd draw whose performance upped con- sistent efforts paid off finally “Just to be clear, I was not hind their rivals in the Premier last Wednesday, and will miss amid confusion among the level with a diving volley from siderably in the second half, of- in added time when Akram consulted about this and as League, the club was in a mess. at least three months. Al Sadd defenders following close after Bounedjah set him ten through counter-attacks. slammed home a weak clear- I’ve said many times, I am hap- The former United captain The England striker, who Ahmed Hammoudan’s first at- up by chesting down a cross Tiago could not properly ance from Al Khor goalkeeper py for any anti-doping body to pinned much of the blame for has scored 19 times for United tempt at the goal. from the right by Hashim Ali. connect a free-kick in the 55th Baba Djibril following a Nam test any of my previous sam- the team’s current problems on this season, had been monitor- Barring the goal, it was all Bounedjah, Nam and minute and Al Khor’s new re- free-kick. ples anytime.” the recruitment undertaken by ing his back following the away chief executive Ed Woodward. match at Burnley on December But with United still fifth 28, but Solskjaer says it was not in the league and competing in a previous injury. caF draw held for 2022 FIFa World cup Qatar three cup competitions, Solsk- “Marcus will be out for a Barca considering signing jaer believes it is not the right while, but he will get the time he time to start a blame game. needs to recover,” he said. “We’ve just lost to Liver- “He’s not had that injury a striker, says Setien pool, who you all say are fan- before. He complained a lit- tastic and we have been in the tle bit after the last time we AFP that the sports department will game until the last kick of the played Burnley. maDrID consider in more depth.” ball,” he said at his press con- “We managed him as well as Setien has also opted to ference on the eve of United’s we could then. QUIQUE Setien said on Tues- leave Lionel Messi, Gerard Premier League game with “He had some days off for day that Barcelona are consid- Pique and Sergio Busquets out Burnley on Wednesday. treatment, we took him off in ering signing another striker of the squad to face Ibiza in the “For me, that is strides for- some games and then suddenly before the end of the January Copa del Rey on Wednesday. ward. The signs are there that this was a new injury.” transfer window to stand in for Messi played more centrally we’re on the right track, defi- Solskjaer must now decide the injured Luis Suarez. in Setien’s first game against nitely. whether to make a late move in Suarez is unlikely to play Granada on Sunday but the Ar- “For me, now is not the time the transfer window for a striker again this season after undergo- gentinian prefers to play off the to talk about recruitment. to cover for Rashford’s absence. ing surgery on his knee earlier right. “We are always looking to If he cannot bring anyone this month, which has left Barca Antoine Griezmann thrived improve the squad, so now is in, the Norwegian will look to short in the centre of their front down the middle for Atletico not the time to start that discus- 18-year-old Mason Greenwood African football champions Algeria, led by riyad Mahrez, will take on Burkina Faso, Djibouti and Niger in three. Madrid but offers less of a di- sion, Gary.” and veteran midfielder Juan the second round of qualifying for the 2022 World Cup after Tuesday’s draw. other heavyweights such “We are considering it,” rect, physical presence than Su- Fighting for fourth place Mata – who scored the goal that as Senegal, relying on 2020 African Footballer of the year Sadio Mane, and Mohamed Salah’s Egypt will said Setien, when asked if Barca arez, who has scored 14 goals in – the final Champions League knocked Wolves out of the FA take on less-fancied nations. Madagascar, surprise quarter-finalists in last year’s Africa Cup of Nations, would go in for another for- 23 appearances this term. spot – is not what is expected Cup – to try and plug the gap. will face the Democratic republic of Congo. All five African teams failed to reach the knockout stage ward. We are talking about that Ousmane Dembele has re- of a club of United’s stature, “Mason will get more of the 2018 World Cup, the first time that had happened since 1982. Forty teams will compete in 10 but we still have to think about sumed training this week after but the manager remains con- chances now and Juan will have groups after the draw in Cairo. Winners from the first round join 26 top-seeded sides based on FIFA’s it a bit more, it’s not an issue recovering from a hamstring fident they are doing things to to step up again,” he said. world rankings. The matches will take place from March 2020 until october 2021. Group winners will that worries me too much. injury and the Frenchman’s re- rectify that. “We know we’re stretched advance to the third round which will be played in November 2021. The five winners of the final round “I’m worried about the turn in the coming weeks would “We know we’re not where with the injuries we’ve had but will secure berths in the 2022 World Cup. (AFP) match tomorrow and the match be a major boost to the team’s we want to be and should be, we’ll cope with that.” against Valencia. It’s an issue attacking options. 14 Wednesday, January 22, 2020 sports Qca Women’s T20I cricket Tournament 2020 Injured Dhawan out of India’s nZ tour ODI, t20 squad AFP at the National Cricket Acad- NEW DELhI emy.” The left-handed opener SHIKHAR Dhawan has been suffered a fall after trying to ruled out of India’s limited- stop the ball in the fifth over of overs teams for their tour of the Australian innings and left New Zealand after injuring his the field in pain. shoulder in their series-clinch- He did not come out to bat ing one-day international with as India chased down their Australia, the country’s cricket target of 287 to clinch the board said Tuesday. three-match ODI series 2-1 af- Opening batsman Dha- ter their 10-wicket drubbing in Kuwait team players with the trophy and QCA officials after the prize distribution ceremony of the QCA Women’s T20I Cricket Tournament on Tuesday. (right) QCA President yousef wan, who hurt this left shoul- the opening game. Jeham al Kuwari presents the winner’s trophy to Kuwait captain after the final at the Asian Town Stadium on Tuesday. der while fielding in Sunday’s It was one of the many seven-wicket victory in Ban- injuries that the 34-year-old galore, will be replaced by Dhawan sustained in the last youngster Prithvi Shaw in the eight months starting with a 16-man one-day international broken thumb that cut short squad. his World Cup campaign in murali steers Kuwait to Wicketkeeper-batsman England in June. Sanju Samson will take Dha- wan’s place in the T20 team India teams that is in New Zealand for the five matches starting January T20I squad: Qatar T20I title victory 24. Virat Kohli (Capt), Rohit Sharma, Sanju The T20s will be followed Samson, KL Rahul, Shreyas Iyer, Manish by three ODI matches starting Pandey, Rishabh Pant, Shivam Dube, February 5 and two Tests be- Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, Winners outclass Oman by seven wickets in a one-sided final at Asian Town Stadium ginning on February 21. Washington Sundar, Jasprit Bumrah, “An MRI of his (Dhawan’s) Mohammed Shami, Navdeep Saini, TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK QCA President Yousef Je- shoulder was conducted, and Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur Doha Scores ham Al-Kuwari and other QCA the results have confirmed a QCA Women’s T20I Cricket Final officials were present during grade II injury of his acromio- ODI squad: ALL-ROUNDER Priyada Kuwait beat Oman by seven wickets the prize distribution ceremo- clavicular joint,” said Board Virat Kohli (Capt), Rohit Sharma, Prithvi Murali turned in a stand-out Oman: 93 for six (Sakshi Vijaya 19 in 32 ny. Al-Kuwari presented the of Control for Cricket in India Shaw, KL Rahul, Shreyas Iyer, Manish showing and steered Kuwait balls, Vaishali Vijaya 14 in 24 balls, Fiza awards and trophy. He con- (BCCI). Pandey, Rishabh Pant, Shivam Dube, to a surprise seven-wicket 18 not out in 24 balls, Priyanka Edna 18 gratulated the winners Kuwait “His hand will be in a sling Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, triumph over Oman in the in 15; Maria Jasvi 1/29, Priyada Murali for their fine triumph. “We ex- and he has been advised rest Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, final of the QCA Women’s 1/11, Mariamma Hyder 2/16, Siobhan tend out heartiest congratula- for some time. He will start Mohammed Shami, Navdeep Saini, T20I Triangular Tournament Lee 1/14) tions to champions Kuwait for his active rehab management Shardul Thakur, Kedar Jadhav at the Asian Town Stadium Kuwait: 94 for three in 16.5 overs superb performance in the fi- in the first week of February on Tuesday. (Priyada Murali 35 in 40 balls, Amna nal. Oman also played well but The Qatar Cricket Associa- Shareef 25 in 56 balls; Yashika Verma they fell a bit short especially tion, headed by Yousef Jeham 1/13, Sameera Khan 1/16) in the final. Al-Kuwari, hosted the event to Player of the Final: Priyada Murali “Our aim was to provide give exposure and experience (Kuwait) opportunity to all the partici- to the regional teams in a bid pating teams to play hard and to raise their standard. Vijaya for 19 to make it two learn through competition. Kuwait’s 94-run chase be- for 47. The teams and players must gan with a setback as Zeefa They lost four more play- have got a lot of positives from Jilani was dismissed for a Player of the Final Priyada Murali square-cuts the ball during the QCA ers for an addition of 36 runs the triangular series. duck by Yashika Verma. But Women’s T20I Tournament final against oman on Tuesday. to be restricted at 93 for six. “Also we are delighted that Priyada Murali and new player Besides Jasvi, Mariamma Hy- another international event Amna Shareef dug in and built runs later, Murali was re- beaten and completed the for- der grabbed two wickets, while under the QCA banner came a solid 79-run stand for the turned by Sameera Khan. malities in 16.5 overs. Murali and Siobhan Lee col- to a successful end after the second wicket. Murali, who was also de- Batting first, Oman also lected one scalp each. inaugural Qatar T10 League, Just as Kuwait looked clathe Player of the Final, fol- suffered an early loss but their Fiza made 18 not out with which we hosted last month. like getting a big win, they lowed up her one wicket with real problems began when a four in 24 deliveries, Pri- We are committed to rais- lost two quick wickets. At 80, cracking three boundaries in they were about to reach the yanka Edna chipped in with ing the level of the Qatar and India’s Shikhar Dhawan with an arm sling after his on-field injury Shareef got run out for 25 in 40-ball 35. Later, Siobhan Lee half-century mark. Maria 18 with a boundary in 15 balls other teams in the region,” during the third and last oDI cricket match against Australia in 56 balls with a four and five and Maria Jasvi remained un- Jasvi bowled opener Sakshi and Vijaya made 14 in 24 balls. he added. Bangalore on Sunday. (aFP) Shamal overcome Sadd fright u-19 cricket World cup Mathews & Mendis prop secured a double-double of 15 Al Rayyan’s third points and 10 rebounds. Faisal Sri Lanka quarter flourish Abuissa came off the bench to get 13,while Ndour collected 12. at Harare sinks fighting Rayyan regain rhythm Al Rayyan Club had a third AFP Qatar SC quarter flourish which enabled hararE the former champions to wear TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK out a battling Qatar Sports ANGELO Mathews and Kusal Doha Club by 87-81 in another Mendis both struck measured match. half-centuries as Sri Lanka DEFENDING champions Al Trailing by three points at India u-19 players celebrate the fall of a Japan wicket during their reached 295 for four at close Shamal Club needed a free the interval (41-44), The Lions ICC u-19 World Cup match at Mangaung oval in Bloemfontein, of play on a stodgy third day throw from centre Emir Mu- strung together a 13-point run South Africa, on Tuesday. (ICC) of the first Test against Zimba- jic to shake off Al Sadd Club to open a seven-point breath- bwe in Harare on Tuesday. with two seconds left in the ing space. However, QSC hit Mendis battled his way QBF League’s 13th round at back almost immediately and to 80 while former skipper the Al Gharafa Club Indoor initiated an 11-point sequence India outclass Mathews was far from fluent Hall on Tuesday. which fetched them a slender in reaching 92 not out from The game was full of surpris- advantage with over two min- 253 balls as Sri Lanka closed es and thrills as Al Shamal were utes left in the quarter. hapless Japan 63 runs in arrears on the first forced to surrender advantages Mohamed Abdelkawy’s innings with six wickets in twice – a six-point edge in the floater was supported by Abdel- AGENCIES 2nd largest margin of victory hand. first quarter and a nine-point rahman Abdelhaleem and two BLoEmFoNtEIN (in terms of balls remaining) With two days remaining, lead in the third. At one stage more baskets by Tony Farmer in all U-19 ODIs. the visitors appear to hold the even Al Sadd also got ahead by and Eric Lockett again sent Al DEFENDING champions In- Earlier, India U-19 bowlers upper hand although the pitch four points (24-20) but their ri- Rayyan seven points clear. This dia thrashed debutants Japan ran through Japan’s batting looks likely to have the final say. vals quickly negated it. Emir Mujic of Al Shamal scores against Al Sadd during a QBF league gap was sufficient for the win- by 10 wickets in their second order as the minnows, playing The Sri Lankan batsmen The lead also changed hands match in Al Gharafa on Tuesday. ners, who later opened a cru- match of the ICC U-19 World a mojor ICC tournament for struggled hard all day to im- 14 times and the two outfits were cial 12-point lead in the fourth Cup on Tuesday. the first time, managed to put pose themselves, scoring 82 locked on eight occasions. The quarter to subdue the rivals. Their 2nd successive win a platry 41 on the board after in the morning, 81 in the af- last time when Al Shamal and Results Lockett (21 points and 11 saw India all but secure a spot India gave away 19 extras (12 ternoon and 90 in the evening Al Sadd were tied at 72-72 with Al Shamal beat Al Sadd 73-72 (half-time (half-time 41-44) rebounds) and Farmer (18 in the quarter-finals of the wides, 7 leg byes). while losing a single wicket in one minutes and four seconds 33-33) Main performers – Al Rayyan: Eric Lockett points and 10 rebounds) had tournament. None of the Japan batsmen each session. left in the fourth quarter. In the Main performers – Al Shamal: Emir Mujic 22 21 pts & 11 rebounds, Tony Farmer 18 pts & a double-double each for Al Chooing to field first, India managed to get double-digit The 24-year-old Mendis remaining time, forward Faris pts & 14 rebounds, Aaron Mitchell 20 pts, 10 rebounds, Abdelrahman Abdelhaleem 15 Rayyan, who jumped to third bowled out Japan for mere 41 scores whereas 5 of them got struck eight boundaries in his Avdic failed to pull off a layup Mikheil Berishvili 19 pts pts, Tanguy Ngombo 12 pts, Mohamed in the table from fifth. Abdel- runs in 22.5 overs with leg- dismissed for a duck. Shu No- 163-ball innings, including for Al Shamal and Al Sadd’s Al Sadd: Justin Baker 18 pts, Juan’ya Green Abdelkawy 10 pts haleem added 15, while Tan- spinner Ravi Bishnoi taking guchi (7) and Kento Dobell (7) three off successive deliver- 15 pts & 10 rebounds, Faisal Abuissa 13 pts, Qatar Sports Club: Kevin Bracy 34 pts & 10 guard Abdulrahman al Muftah Mame Ndour 12 pts rebounds, Jonathan Lee 17 pts & 13 assists, guy Ngombo collected 12 and four wickets and Kartik Tyagi emerged as the joint highest ies from Sikandar Raza, be- tried a trey in vain. Al Rayyan beat Qatar Sports Club 87-81 Keanau Post 14 pts & 12 rebounds. Abdelkawy earned 10. picking up 3. run-scorer among the team. fore flashing at an outswinger But centre Mame Ndour Kevin Bracy (34 points Japan’s 41-all out is the Four-time title holders, from debutant Victor Nyauchi fouled on Mujic with three to go to the top with 23 points. (49-40), was the second best and 10 rebounds), Jonathan joint 3rd-lowest total in U-19 India, had opened their cam- that flew to Brendan Taylor at seconds left and Al Shamal For Al Shamal, Mujic with 20 points. Small forward Lee (17 points and 13 assists) international cricket history. paign with a 90-run win over first slip. needed at least one free throw topped the scoring with 22 Mikheil Berishvili, who was Keanau Post (14 points and 12 It took India just 29 balls Sri Lanka on Sunday. Nyauchi was the pick of in to continue their winning and he completed his double- not as effective in the floor rebounds) performed well for (4.5 overs) to chase the joint India will play their final the attack, taking two for 38 run and Mujic did not let them double with 14 rebounds. scoring as he is normally, Qatar Sports Club but their second-lowest in the history of league game against New Zea- from 22 overs. down. He nailed the first one Guard Aaron Mitchell, whose managed 19 points. efforts lacked support from the U-19 World Cup. land on Friday. but missed the next. However, lone three-pointer launched For Al Sadd, who are eighth other teammates. With the Yashasvi Jaiswal and Ku- Scores: Japan 41 all out in 22.5 overs (R Brief Scores: Zimbabwe 358 it was good enough to see Al his team’s biggest scoring after the 12th loss, swingman ninth loss in 13 games, QSC mar Kushagra remained un- Bishnoi 4-5; K Tyagi 3-10) lost to India 42-0 Sri Lanka 295-4 (A. Mathews 92 not out, Shamal through and they re- eight-point run on the way to Justin Baker was the top scorer stayed at the seventh spot with beaten on 29 and 13 respec- in 4.5 overs (Y Jaiswal 29 n.o., K Kushagra 13 K. Mendis 80, D. de Silva 42 not out, corded their fifth win in a row their biggest nine-point lead with 18. Guard Juan’ya Green 17 points. tively as India registered the n.o.) by 10 wkts. F. Karunaratne 37; V. Nyauchi 2-38).