El Shorbagy First to Clinch Qatar Classic Thrice
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FFOOTBALLOOTBALL | Page 2 MMOTORSPORTOTORSPORT | Page 6 Arsenal Warning through, shot: Ferrari Everton out could quit of Europa Formula 1 Saturday, November 4, 2017 TENNIS Safar 15, 1439 AH Rafa’s participation GULF TIMES in Tour finals in the balance SPORT Page 7 SQUASH / QATAR CLASSIC El Shorbagy fi rst to clinch Qatar El Shorbagy beats Momen Classic thrice to win title By Sports Reporter The 29-year-old showed his met- “When I saw the draw pre-event PSA World Tour titles – 14 of Doha tle to take the second game, but he I knew it would be tough. I had to which have come at World Series was ultimately found short of El play the World No 9, the No 5, the level – as he dug in with dogged Shorbagy in the end as the former No 1 and the No 7 to win, but play- determination to come through ohamed El Shorbagy world No.1 prevailed over him 11- ing tough opponents is the chal- a crucial stage of the match and won the all-Egyptian 8, 10-12, 11-7, 11-7. lenge that I live for. To be the best complete the win. Qatar Tennis, Squash and Badminton Federation president Nasser al-Khelaifi (left) presents f4inal to clinch his “What made the diff erence to- you have to beat these players. “Today it didn’t matter how the winner’s trophy to Mohamed El Shorbagy (also below) after he won the Qatar Classic third Qatar Classic day was my experience. I have “At the end of the day you want tired I was – it was about how Mtitle at the Khalifa International been in so many fi nals. But it was to challenge yourself against the much I wanted to win. I just killed squash title yesterday. PICTURES: Jayan Orma Tennis and Squash Complex yes- his fi rst. I knew the emotions he best. Backing it up mentally each myself on every shot and I’m so terday. was going through. I was trying day was not easy – but I’m really happy to have won,” the champion In the fi nal, which lasted 64 min- to contain him but at times he happy. Last season I didn’t play said. utes, the former world champion was like a train – I just couldn’t like a winner – this week I feel like After the match Momen said: overcame world No.7 Tarek Momen stop him. When he took the sec- I played at my best level and that “It’s been an incredible week for 3-1 to become fi rst player to win ond game it was a big blow for was my focus coming here.” me. I didn’t know what to expect the PSA World Series tournament me. He really pushed me and I After dropping the second game coming here and making my fi rst thrice after appearing in his sixth feel this is just the beginning for to Momen, El Shorbagy looked ever World Series tournament fi - consecutive fi nals in Qatar. him. If he can keep that momen- to be up against it in the third as nal was very special. Obviously “I’m extremely proud of how tum, he’ll be hard to stop,” said El Momen, utilising his speed and I’m disappointed to lose but think I performed this week,” said El Shorbagy, who showed his calibre agility, attacked in the mid-stages it was a good match.” Shorbagy. throughout the event as he swept to string together a series of pun- It was El Shorbagy who took the past World No 8 Fares Dessouky, ishing rallies and exhausted El RESULT opening game as Momen, com- World No 4 Ali Farag and World Shorbagy. [3] Mohamed El Shorbagy (EGY) peting on the biggest stage of his No 1 Gregory Gaultier to reach the But the Bristol-based player bt [8] Tarek Momen (EGY) 3-1: 11-8, career, showed signs of nerves. title-decider. showed just why he has won 28 10-12, 11-7, 11-7 (64m) QNB STARS LEAGUE Msakni strikes twice as Duhail see off Al Khor By Sports Reporter off the ball just outside the box. Doha Meanwhile, former champions Al Gharafa were held to a 1-1 draw by a fi ghting Al Markhiya. oussef El Arabi and Nam Tae- Hosts Al Gharafa saw Vladimir hee had off days but that still Weiss score in the 10th minute, but Al couldn’t stop Al Duhail from Markhiya equalised through Kwame beating Al Khor in the QNB Karikari in the 64th. Both teams have YStars League yesterday. only one win each thus far. Al Gharafa Their 4-2 win came didn’t come with have six points and Al Markhiya fi ve. the usual degree of comfort Al Duhail Al Gharafa launched the proceed- are accustomed to but that would suf- ings on a cautious note, but it did not fi ce for the moment as they reclaimed help them take the lead in the hard- their top position in the standings with fought clash. However, they opened the 19 points from seven matches. scoring through Slovakian midfi elder Youssef Msakni scored a brace and Weiss, who found the net in spectacu- Luiz Martin and Abdullah Abdulsalam lar fashion. also registered on the scoresheet for Al Weiss, surrounded by four Al Duhail, while Brazilian Madson scored Markhiya defenders, outpaced his a twice for Al Khor, including one from challengers and forced goalkeeper Mo- the penalty spot. hamed Khoroub to charge out of spot. A With their fi fth defeat in seven Al Duhail’s Nam Tae-hee (left) congratulates Youssef Msakni after the latter scored Al Rayyan’s Musa Haroun (second from right) celebrates his goal with teammates calm Weiss ran around the goalkeeper matches, Al Khor remain in 10th place a goal against Al Khor yesterday. PICTURE: Othman Iraqi during the match against Qatar SC yesterday. and clipped the ball into the net from and further setbacks would mean they close range. It was Weiss’ fourth goal of would be ending up fi ghting a relega- comte. In between, he saw Luiz Martin dominated Qatar SC for a 2-0 win at the spite enjoying more of the ball. game. Qatar SC just could not match the season. tion battle. answer his back pass with an on-the-run Al Sadd Stadium . After coming close on a few occa- the rivals’ might despite trying hard. Al Duhail, who were held by Al bullet shot from distance. Defender Musa Haroun (43rd sions, Al Rayyan had to wait till the Ibrahim Jamal, the most enterprising RESULTS (home teams first) Gharafa in the last round, meant busi- Al Duhail took their feet off the pedal minute) and playmaker Rodrigo Tabata 43rd minute to open the scoring. Tall among Qatar SC ranks, took another Al Rayyan 2 (Musa Haroun 43, Rod- ness straightaway and Msakni played in the second half, whereas Al Khor did (61st) scored the goals. defender Haroun placed the ball home shot from outside the box, but in vain. rigo Tabata 62) Qatar Sports Club 0 the captain’s role to perfection. all what they could thanks mainly to Al Rayyan thus took their points tally after Abderrazak Hamdallah set him up Al Rayyan doubled the lead after Al Gharafa 1 (Vladimir Weiss 40) Al He fi rst found the mark with a diagonal Madson’s brilliance. However, Abdul- to 18 with six wins from seven matches, with a header off a Gonzalo Viera cross Tabata curled his free-kick to the far Markhiya 1 (Kwame Karikari 64) shot from the left and then capitalised on salam’s goal sealed the issue in the Du- while Qatar SC stood at three at the from the left. corner of the net, leaving the opposing Al Khor 1 (Madson 68, pen; 87) Al a mistimed header by Al Khor’s Khalid hail’s favour. bottom. Al Rayyan reduced their pace on goalkeeper stranded. The free-kick was Duhail 4 ( Y. Msakni 30, 45+1; Luiz mar- Nawaf, aimed at goalkeeper Amine Le- Earlier, Al Rayyan, as expected, Al Rayyan created less chances de- resumption and played a composed awarded after Jasem Ali felled Tabata tin 34, Abdullah Abdulsalam 90+2) Gulf Times 2 Saturday, November 4, 2017 FOOTBALL EPL Chelsea, United battle to stay in touch with City AFP hind leaders Manchester City and de- stand-out star at many Premier League Everton boss, including me, needs time London feat against United at Stamford Bridge clubs. But it is a measure of the attack- with this set of players,” he said. tomorrow would leave them with an ing riches at Guardiola’s disposal that impossible-looking task. he has to share star billing with a host of Can Burnley gatecrash the party? helsea and Manchester United “We must fi nd the hunger we showed other quicksilver forwards. The Premier League has a familiar go head to head this weekend in all of last season, and sometimes this Aguero is some way down the goal- look after 10 matches with the “Big Six” a match neither club dare lose season,” said Conte. “But this season scoring charts, at 12th on the Premier in the top six spots. But lurking just out- as Manchester City entertain has been up and down. We need to fi nd League list, well behind Alan Shearer at side that gilded group are Burnley, level CArsenal eyeing a chance to stretch their consistency.” the top on 260 goals. But it is his strike with Liverpool on 16 points.