Sports Thursday, January 10, 2019 17

AFC ASIAN CUP 2019 coach strikes confident note ahead of clash with hosts ians But unfortunately, he did not have much game time recently. You put Jeje in the position and Before taking on hosts he will score for you. I was so (UAE) happy that he scored the goal in their second match of the against Thailand. He deserves AFC Asian Cup 2019 here on to get the goal, especially at this Thursday, India coach Ste- level,” the coach said. phen Constantine stressed “They are a physical, as that the “game is played on the well as a skilful side. I am not pitch, not on paper.” worried about our fitness. We “We know all the three have to play our best game to games are going to be very get the result,” he added. tough. There’ll be no easy game , who added at this level. But we’ll go toe-to- another two to his internation- Results toe with them. A game is not al goal tally in the last outing, Group F: Japan 3 (Osako played on paper, but on the also earned huge plaudits from 56, 60, Doan 71) pitch. The UAE are the hosts the coach. The two goals took 2 (Amanov and will be under pressure. It’s him to 67, surpassing Lionel understandable they will go for Messi in the highest scoring ac- 26, Atayev pen 79) all three points,” Constantine tive player’s list. 2 (Ahmedov said on the eve of the game. “Sunil has always given 34, Shomurodov 86) UAE are currently ranked everything whenever he has Oman 1 (Al-Ghassani 72) 79th in the FIFA rankings, and played for the National Team. I Group E: 2 they have been on the winning can’t complain about this. He is side on eight occasions against there to do his job and his job (Bassam al Rawi 65, India out of the 13 matches is to score goals. He has a phe- 79) Lebanon 0 played between the two sides. nomenal scoring record and India have won thrice. we’re better with him in the (right) of Japan celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal during the 2019 AFC Asian Cup Group F preliminary match in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday. (EPA) The last encounter be- team,” the coach remarked. tween these two sides which “Against Thailand, we gave took place at the Ambedkar the ball away too many times Stadium in New in 2011 which put the opposition in had ended in a 2-2 draw, with an advantageous position. We the last goal being scored by have to look after the ball bet- Japan survive fright . ter. I feel we started a bit nerv- Constantine was all praise ous. Some young boys were too for the Mizo striker. eager to press. We can’t repeat against Turkmenistan “Jeje is a very good player. it against UAE.” Yuya Osako scores twice in Blue Samurai’s thrilling 3-2 comeback win afp have not had it all their own The Blue Samurai have The Werder Bremen In Wednesday’s other way at this Asian Cup. arguably the best pedigree striker put Japan in front Group F fixture, in , “The first match is always in the competition after four minutes later, tapping was the Yuya Osako’s quickfire dou- a bit special and we expected reaching the last 16 of last into an empty net after Yuto hero for Uzbekistan as he ble spared Japan’s blushes a battle,” said Japan coach year’s World Cup and were Nagatomo’s dinked pass struck four minutes from against lowly Turkmenistan , who was not expected to be troubled over goalkeeper Mammet time to grab a 2-1 win. as Uzbekistan’s late winner relieved to get off to a win- by Turkmenistan, the world Orazmuhammedow. Shanghai SIPG midfield- saw off Oman at the Asian ning start in Group F. number 127. Doan added a deflected er fired the Cup on Wednesday. “Obviously we’re happy But Turkmen captain third after 70 minutes, but White Wolves ahead on 34 Arslan Amanov’s first-half to get the three points but we Amanov put the heavy under- Atayev smashed in a penalty minutes with a low free kick rocket raised the prospect of have a lot of things to work on dogs ahead after 26 minutes nine minutes later to ensure that pierced the Oman wall a titanic upset of the four- for the next game.” in Abu Dhabi, unleashing a more anxious moments for and crept past goalkeeper time champions but Osako’s Earlier in the opening ferocious long-range drive the Japanese. Faiz Al-Rushaidi. brace restored order before group games, defending that arrowed into the top “I was actually surprised Oman’s Muhsen al Ghas- Ritsu Doan appeared to make champions Australia were corner. how well we did in the first sani levelled midway through the game safe. shocked 1-0 by Jordan, South Osako produced a smart half,” said Turkmenistan the second half but as full However, Ahmet Atayev Korea laboured to a 1-0 win turn and finish inside the box coach Yazguly Hojageldiyew. time loomed, Shomurodov buried a penalty 11 minutes over the Philippines and to equalise for Japan 10 min- “We lost our way a bit in shrugged off the attentions from time before Japan sur- China needed an own goal to utes into the second half after the second half, but we’re not of two defenders and beat India’s coach gives instructions to his players vived to win 3-2, a further spark their 2-1 comeback win sustained pressure from the out of it yet. We’ll give every- Al Rushaidi at his near post to during the 2019 AFC Asian Cup Group A game against Thailand at reminder that the big teams against Kyrgyzstan. former champions. thing in the next two games.” clinch victory. the Al Nahyan Stadium in Abu Dhabi on Monday. (AFP)

KAS Eupen seal loan 2022 World Cup preparations Iniesta apologises over move for Al Duhail’s Dutch legend Neeskens blackface photo post afp Day celebration also known as Msakni until season-end praises Qatar’s plans Tokyo Epiphany, which is widely cel- ebrated in Spain. IKOLI ViCTOR the six-time QNB Stars League Barcelona legend An- The , who lifted champions. dres Iniesta has apologised 32 major trophies and made The QFA player of the year after posting a photo on so- 674 appearances for Catalan Aspire-owned KAS Eupen has been capped 49 times by his cial media with two people in giants Barca, joined Vissel of Belgium have signed Tu- national team and has scored blackface as part of Epiphany Kobe in May, calling his J- nisian international Youssef nine, including a hat-trick celebrations. League move an “important Msakni in a shock loan-move against Guinea as Tunisia quali- The 34-year-old superstar career challenge”. from QNB Stars League cham- fied for the World Cup after a who currently plays at Japan’s The Spain icon’s decision pions Al Duhail until the end of 12-year absence. Vissel Kobe had no intention to choose Vissel arguably rep- the season on Wednesday. The move to Belgium came “to upset anyone by display- resents Japanese football’s Msakni had been out with as a surprise considering the ing that photo,” according to biggest transfer coup, with a cruciate ligament injury that 28-year-old was on the radar of a statement by his agency sent many top players now moving saw him miss the World Cup English clubs to AFP on Wednesday. to cash-rich Chinese clubs in with Tunisia was injured dur- Brighton, Watford and Cardiff “He would like to apologise the twilight of their careers. ing Al Duhail’s 5-2 victory over City. to those people who may have It also came as a timely Al Sailiya in the Qatar Stars KAS Director General Chris- felt offended,” the statement boost to the J-League, which League (QSL). toph Henkel said: “Thanks to said. used to attract luminaries such The Tunisian striker fin- the good contacts of KAS Eupen Iniesta’s picture on Twit- as Brazilian great and for- ished as second top scorer in with Al Duhail SC and the desire ter and Instagram posted on mer England Gary Linek- the league with 25 goals - one of Msakni to play in Europe, we Former Netherlands football star Johan Neeskens at the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy office Sunday showed his family and er when it began in 1993, but behind teammate and Morocco managed to sign this top player at the Al Bidda Tower in Doha on Tuesday. a group of people in costumes, has struggled to attract mar- international Youssef El Arabi. until the end of the season. Of taking part in the Three Kings quee players in recent years. His injury dealt a significant course, signing him gives us Tribune News Network – a unique tactical style which months. blow to the club’s campaign in the opportunity to intensify our doha involves any outfield player He said: “I recently the AFC Champions League, attack. Contrary to our original taking over the role of any watched Qatar draw against where they were eliminated by plan to stop making any further Two-time FIFA World other player in the team. Total Iceland and beat Switzerland Iran’s Persepolis in the quarter- transfers, we were delighted to Cup finalist Johan Neeskens Football meant the Dutch be- – and they played very good Higuain poised to complete finals. take this opportunity.” praised Qatar’s preparations came famous for their classy football. Switzerland then beat The Al Duhail talisman can Meanwhile, the Belgian club for 2022 during a recent visit style – though it marginally Belgium 5-2, so this shows Chelsea move: Reports be used both in the position of arrived in Doha on Tuesday for to Doha. failed to bring success, with how much Qatar has been im- the left wing and in the middle their winter training at the As- Neeskens, who starred the Netherlands losing succes- proving. AFP club, who would take over Mi- of the centre. Since his arrival pire Academy. They will play for the Netherlands in both sive World Cup finals to West “The World Cup can give Milan lan’s option to eventually make in 2013, he has scored 69 goals Iranian giants Persepolis in a the 1974 and 1978 tourna- Germany and Argentina re- so much – especially if the host the deal permanent. in 103 league appearances for friendly at Aspire on Sunday. ments, took a tour of the Leg- spectively. nation is performing well – so ac Milan striker Gonzalo Milan paid 18 million euros acy Pavilion at Al Bidda Tower After hearing about Qatar’s I hope Qatar can keep it up. Higuain has “agreed terms” ($20.75 million) to sign him on alongside Gijs de Jong, Gener- infrastructure projects and I also hope the Netherlands and is set for an imminent loan, with a clause to make the al Secretary of the Royal Dutch legacy programmes, Neeskens qualifies for 2022 and we -fi move to Premier League club deal permanent for a further 36 Football Association (KNVB). said: “You have four years to nally win the tournament!” Chelsea, Italian sports daily million euros. The visit coincided with the go but what you have already De Jong was also im- Gazzetta Dello Sport reported Higuain had his most suc- KNVB signing a memorandum achieved – and what you’re pressed with Qatar’s prepara- on Wednesday. cessful season under Sarri, of understanding with the Qa- still planning – is very impres- tions – particularly plans to Higuain joined Milan on a breaking the goalscor- tar Football Association. sive.” donate stadium infrastructure season-long loan from Juventus ing record with 36 goals in the Famous for being the sec- Neeskens continued: “I to developing countries after in July with an option to make 2015/16 campaign. ond ‘Johan’ alongside Johan think it is amazing how you the tournament. the deal permanent, but he has He scored 91 goals dur- Cruyff, Neeskens won three want to show the world what “I’ve been very impressed struggled to settle at San Siro, ing his three years at the club successive European Cups you can achieve because the by all the preparations,” said scoring eight goals in all com- before moving to Juventus in playing alongside Cruyff at ideas are unbelievable – from de Jong. “The stadium models petitions. 2016 when the Turin club acti- Ajax, before the pair moved the stadiums to the accom- look good and the distances “Chelsea have an agreement vated his 90 million-euro buy- to Barcelona to claim further modation, such as the desert are so short between venues. with Higuain to take him imme- out clause. honours, including the Eu- camps and cruise ships.” The legacy part is also very diately,” Gazzetta reported. He scored 40 league goals ropean Cup Winners’ Cup. Neeskens also believes important. It’s a good idea to The 31-year-old Argentina in two seasons for them, but left During this spell, the Dutch Qatar’s national team is on help other parts of the world international reportedly wants for Milan in the last close season Youssef Msakni of Al Duhail signs a loan deal to Belgium club KAS national team developed its the right track after a string and to get everyone involved to join his former Napoli coach after ’s arrival Eupen at the in Doha on Wednesday. famous ‘’ brand of positive results in recent in the tournament.” Maurizio Sarri at the English in Turin.