10 Friday, September 3, 2021 Sports Ronaldo hails Ali Daei I’ve nothing to prove: after setting new record AFC Hamilton dismisses KUALA LUMPUR CRISTIANO Ronaldo has paid tribute to Ali Daei after possible Russell rivalry bettering the Islamic Repub- lic of Iran legend’s goalscor- ing record. DPA the former childhood friends Ronaldo struck two late ZANDVOORT (NETHERLANDS) duelled for the championship. goals as Portugal came from Team principal Toto Wolff behind to defeat Ireland 2-1 in LEWIS Hamilton insisted on vowed never to place two al- their FIFA World Cup Qatar Thursday he had nothing to pha drivers together, with Bot- 2022 qualifier on Wednesday. prove with George Russell tas seen as an able wingman. Ronaldo had missed a 15th TWO EARS APART: Ali Daei (left) and Cristiano Ronaldo. poised to be announced as But the Finn’s decline this minute penalty but equalised his team-mate for 2022 - be- season, and Russell’s emer- in the 89th minute with a “First of all, because every his Instagram account when fore calling on his compatriot gence as a world champion in header for his 110th interna- time I represent my coun- the Portuguese legend had to “respect” the harmony at waiting, has forced their hand. tional goal - one more than try is a special moment, for equalled the Iranian’s record Mercedes. “If it does turn out that I Daei - before outjumping the knowing that I’m defending during Euro 2020 in June. It is understood that the have got a new team-mate, I Irish defence again in the sixth Portugal and showing to the “Another reason for me Silver Arrows will confirm am in a different place in my minute of added time. world what Portuguese peo- to appreciate this achieve- 23-year-old Russell’s arrival life,” added Hamilton, who has Following his latest ple are made of. Secondly, be- ment as much as I do right as Valtteri Bottas’ replacement been paired with Bottas since achievement, Ronaldo - who cause National Teams com- now, is because Ali Daei has before next weekend’s Italian Rosberg’s retirement in 2016. has returned to Manchester petitions have always had a set the standards in such a Grand Prix. “We are much better pre- United on a two-year contract very strong impact in me as I high level, that at some point Russell’s elevation as a pared than we were in previ- - wrote an emotional post on was growing up, watching my even I started thinking that I Mercedes junior driver to the ous years so it doesn’t really Instagram in which he re- idols playing for their flags might never catch him. Con- hottest seat in Formula One worry me. served special praise for Daei. every other Summer in Euros gratulations to the “Shariar” comes after three seasons with “When you start with “I can’t even start to ex- and in World Cups. for holding the record for so Williams, and his impressive someone new it takes time for press myself in words! I’m “But finally and above all, long and thanks for always stand-in display for a Covid- them to gel, but George has thrilled with an overwhelm- because scoring 111 goals for showing so much respect for hit Hamilton in Bahrain last been on the circuit for us, he ing sensation! Let’s go, Por- Portugal means 111 moments me every time I scored and as December. has raced for the team, and tugal! Let’s go! like the ones we experienced I became closer and closer to Russell, from Kings Lynn, been in the background, too. “From all the records that today in Algarve, moments of his outstanding number. Norfolk, also produced a “Our relationship will be I have broken during my ca- worldwide union and happi- “Thank you Portugal. memorable qualifying lap to good. He is clearly an incredi- reer – and fortunately there ness for millions and millions Thanks to all my teammates put his uncompetitive Wil- bly talented driver and I would have been a few – this one of Portuguese citizens all and opponents for making this liams on the front row of the say the only highlight from last is very special for me and it’s around the Globe. For them, journey so unforgettable. Let’s grid for last weekend’s Belgian week was his amazing qualify- certainly on the shelf of the every sacrifice is worth it.” keep meeting inside the pitch Grand Prix, duly taking sec- ing lap. He is humble and I am achievements that make me Ronaldo also paid tribute in the years to come! I’m not ond following the farcical two- excited to see the youngsters truly proud.” to Daei, who had posted on closing the count just yet…” lap safety car race. coming through. Speaking ahead of his “I don’t want to lose to home event in Zandvoort, them, but I want to see the pro- Dutchman Max Verstappen gression of the sport because I stirred the pot by suggesting Mercedes’ British driver Lewis Hamilton arrives at the track in Zandvoort am a fan. These guys are fierce AFC QUALIFIERS: ROAD TO QATAR Russell will “make life very dif- on Thursday, three days before the race of the 2021 Formula One Dutch and I see a lot of myself in the ficult” for Hamilton. Grand Prix. The Formula One Dutch Grand Prix returns to Circuit Zand- younger generation.” But, in response, the sev- voort on September 5, 2021, for the first time in 36 years. (AFP) Russell kept his cards close en-time world champion said: to his chest when quizzed on “I don’t feel I have anything to Alonso in my rookie year. the core of that. George being his imminent move, but re- prove. “There will be things we British will help.” vealed for the first time he “I have raced against some learn from one another and it Hamilton’s remark was in was told where his future lay incredible drivers as team- is important respect is always reference to his fractious rela- during last month’s summer mates, including Fernando there. Communication is at tionship with Nico Rosberg as shutdown. Raikkonen retiring with no regrets DPA ule put on, because obviously BERLIN the last 18, 19 years in F1, since I started, I did rally in those two KIMI Raikkonen says he I had fun and I did it my years [away from F1 in 2010 and “wouldn’t change a single way, and I wouldn’t change 2011], there was always a sched- thing” about his Formula One a single thing even if I ule, always what is coming next career and does not expect to could, because otherwise and what is this date and that miss racing once he retires at then maybe we wouldn’t be date. So I don’t want that. the end of the season. “That’s for sure one of Australia’s Awer Mabil (L) celebrates with teammates during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Asian qualifi- The 2007 world champion sitting here today if you the big reasons why I want to cation football match between Australia and China, at the Qatar Sports Club in Doha on Thursday. (AFP) announced on Wednesday that changed one thing along also do something else. Obvi- this will be his final campaign. the way. No complaints - I ously, there’s other schedules: Finn Raikkonen made his cannot really complain. family, the kids’ schools and Australia turn on the style debut at the 2001 Australian kindergartens and that stuff. Grand Prix and has gone on to Kimi Raikkonen “But I don’t want the family start a record 341 races, win- life to be dictated by when is ning 21 and finishing on the Alfa Romeo’s Finnish driver Kimi wouldn’t change a single thing the next race or test or flight against China at QSC podium 103 times. Raikkonen arrives at the track at even if I could, because other- or next work. I’m not in a rush, The 41-year-old Alfa Ro- Zandvoort on Thursday , ahead wise then maybe we wouldn’t and I’ve not even thought AFC ter-hour. Australia grew in con- Wu quiet at the opposite end. meo driver insisted ahead of of the Netherlands F1 Grand Prix. be sitting here today if you about it at all. DOHA fidence as the minutes ticked The hour-mark came the weekend Dutch Grand (AFP) changed one thing along the “Obviously I’ve known this by, and they found the open- and went with China PR still Prix he will walk away with no way. No complaints - I cannot situation for quite a while, so AUSTRALIA made an ideal ing goal through Mabil after a searching for their first shot regrets. ed to win a championship, I really complain.” there’s always obviously op- start to their AFC Asian Quali- scramble in the 24th minute. on target, while Australian op- Asked what his biggest got close quite a few times and Raikkonen has not thought portunities to do this or do that, fiers – Road to Qatar cam- It was a defender who un- portunities continued to flow, strength as a driver is, he said: managed to win it with Ferrari, about what comes next - and but right now I’m not interested paign, powering to a compre- locked the Chinese backline, with Mabil, Taggart and Boyle “I don’t know if I have one! I so happy that it happened, es- is certainly in no rush to com- to even think about it.” hensive 3-0 win over China with Trent Sainsbury’s su- all seeing chances go abegging had a good run, I’m happy pecially with them.