OOLYMPICSLYMPICS | Page 3 RUGBY | Page 4 Tokyo Games All Blacks test events driven by to resume in ‘horrible’ March defeats

Saturday, November 28, 2020 CRICKET Rabia II 13, 1442 AH Finch, Smith tons, GULF TIMES Hazlewood strikes as Aussies beat India SPORT Page 2 QNB STARS LEAGUE FOCUS QFA delivers on government Duhail, Sadd and guarantee requirements for Gharafa win on Asian Cup 2027 By Sports Reporter

he Football As- sociation (QFA) handed over the third part of big-scoring day its bid to host the AFC AsianT Cup 2027. This section of the fi le includes the delivery of Almoez double in Duhail’s win; U-23 players Homam, al-Janehi shine for Gharafa a government guarantee that is compatible with the AFC’s re- By Sports Reporter quirements for a successful bid. Doha The government guarantees pledged by the State of Qatar is a commitment to meeting all s many as 18 goals regulatory conditions for host- two decades. were scored on a big- ing the tournament to the high With Qatar now considered to scoring day in the QNB standards that the QFA aims to be the sports hub of the region, it Stars League that saw achieve. The pledge fulfi ls the is fully prepared to host the cham- Aholders Al Duhail, Ooredoo approved schedule laid out by pionship – especially given the Cup champions Al Sadd and Al the Asian Football Confedera- participation of 24 teams, who will Gharafa pick up comprehensive tion, the game’s ruling body on play a total of 51 matches. wins yesterday. the continent. This (24 Team) tournament While Al Duhail beat Al This commitment is part of will require the preparation of 8 Kharaitiyat 4-1, Al Sadd regis- the Qatar National Vision 2030, to 10 stadiums to international tered a 3-1 win over Umm Salal which promotes the advance- specifi cations, providing the best and Al Gharafa won 6-3 against ment of the country’s capabili- possible facilities for players, Al Khor in Week 7 of the 2020-21 ties in all fi elds, with the help of fans and partners alike, in line season. massive investment in the com- with the values and global stat- At Abdullah Bin Khalifa Sta- ing years – already evident from ure of the AFC Asian Cup 2027. dium, (13th and 40th the mega-projects currently un- The QFA submitted the fi rst minutes) scored a double while derway in Qatar. part of its bid fi le on August 26, Ramin Rezaein (37th minute) The guarantees confi rms the followed by delivery of the sec- and Khaled Mohamed (90+1) QFA’s desire to fulfi l all the host- ond part, including the legal re- also got on to the scoresheets ing requirements – drawing on quirements on October 29. The as the Red Knights swelled their its accumulated experience and fi le incorporates all aspects of points tally to 12 with their organisational expertise, ac- hosting the tournament and em- fourth victory. quired from staging many major phasises Qatar’s proven ability to Khaldoun Ismail pulled one sporting events over more than stage top sporting events. back in the 55th minute for Al Kharaitiyat, who remained on six points following their fi fth HORSE RACING defeat. Al Duhail looked like they were out to make up for the 0-3 loss to Al Gharafa in the previ- Abdullah al-Attiyah’s ous round and were in attacking Al Duhail’s Almoez Ali (left) in action during the QNB Stars League match against Al Kharaitiyat yesterday. (Twitter/QSL) mode from the word go. Karim Boudiaf, Edmilson Munir Du Soleil wins Junior, Rezaein & Co gave good support to the frontliners. Edu- ardo Rodriguez was the pick of Listed Prix Ourour the players, especially in the fi rst half, even though he could not get into the scoring act. The Brazilian was unlucky on more than one occasion, with him be- ing either off target or thwarted by goalkeeper Shehab Ellethy. Al Duhail’s other main miss during the opening session was when Abdullah Abdulsalam hit one against the left upright. Al Kharaitiyat’s only worth- while attempt was made by their spearhead Rachid Tiberkanine, but that was saved by goalkeeper Mohamed al-Bakri. Julien Auge (left) rides Munir Du Soleil to victory in the Prix Ourour Almoez started the scoring by (Listed PA) in Toulouse, France, on Thursday evening. (Robert Polin) heading in Edmilson’s cross. Re- zaein followed it up by nodding Agencies third consecutive year. He re- home Eduardo’s cross. Toulouse, France marked on this year’s winner, The duo of Almoez and Ed- “He’s done it well, without being milson combined for a second Al Gharafa’s Homam Ahmed (centre) celebrates his goal with his impressive, but that’s how he his time to produce the team’s third teammates during the QNB Stars League match against Al Khor at Al Sadd’s (centre) vies for the ball with Umm Salal players unir Du Soleil was – he always does the minimum. goal. Thani Bin Jassim Stadium yesterday. during their match yesterday. (Twitter/AlsaddSC) the comfortable He will improve with time and In the second half, Al winner of the Prix should be an interesting horse Kharaitiyat reduced the margin aerial ball was controlled by sending on for Al Gharafa. big victory underlined the im- Ourour (Listed PA) for next year.” through Khaldoun, who was as- Baghdad Bounedjah before it and Hassan al-Haydos in place For Al Khor, Rafael Dos San- portance Al Gharafa have given Min Toulouse, France, on Thursday A staying colt, Munir Du Soleil sisted by Abdulmajid Anad in fell in front of Afi f, who made no of Mohamed Waad and Rod- tos (fourth minute), captain Naif to youth development over the evening for owner Abdullah bin could head to Qatar for the winter, the process. mistake with his fi nish past Baba rigo Tabata. Al-Haydos would al-Breiki (74th minute) and Le- last few years. Fahad al-Attiyah. It was his fi rst but nothing has been decided yet. Al Duhail sealed the issue Malick. go on to score Al Sadd’s third onardo De Souza (79th minute) Another Under-23 player, career win, and the horse has Munir Du Soleil is one of the through Under-23 player Khaled Five minutes later, Umm Salal goal in the fi rst minute of stop- were the scorers. goalkeeper , too shown promise given that he has top class purchases made by the Mohamed in stoppage time. replied through a rare foray page time, dribbling into the box Al Gharafa took their tally to had an outstanding game, mak- already performed at Group 1 PA young owner, Abdullah bin Fa- Al Sadd’s 3-1 win over Umm up front. The Al Sadd defence from the right and fi nishing past 15 points with their fi fth victo- ing a few saves. level, despite his lack of experi- had al-Attiyah. Raised at Haras Salal ensures that the Wolves failed to clear the ball following Malick. ry, while Al Khor suff ered their The Cheetahs are having a ence. du Saubouas, he was bred by Du remain top of the QNB Stars a free-kick delivery into the box, Earlier, in the fi rst match yes- third defeat to be on four points. good run, having beaten reign- Soko took the lead in the race, Soleil Stud, which is run by Lisa League table with 19 points from and Cheshmi bundled it in from terday, Al Gharafa overcame It was an open game end-to- ing QNB Stars League cham- alongside Muntasir with Munir and Pierre Deymonaz. He is by 7 games. close range to level the score. Al Khor, winning 6-3 at home end that resulted in a nine-goal pions Al Duhail 3-0 in the last du Soleil in third in the rail. Com- the late, great sire Munjiz and Akram Afi f (35th minute), Al Sadd got back in front boosted by doubles from Un- thriller. round. Al Gharafa, coached by ing into the straight, Munir Du out of Rahab, a sister to cham- Santi Cazorla (50th minute pen- after the break. In the 50th der-23 players Homam Ahmed Al Khor opened the fl oodgates Serb Slavisa Jokanovic, had fi n- Soleil took the lead and cruised to pion General, dual Qatar Arabian alty), and Hassan Al-Haydos minute, Cazorla dispatched a (42nd and 50th minutes) and as early as the fourth minute, ished a creditable fourth in the an impressive victory with Julien World Cup (Gr1 PA) winner who (90th+1 minute) scored for Xavi penalty that was awarded for Ahmed al-Janehi (75th and 90th but it was Al Gharafa who most- 2019-20 season. Augé in the saddle. Soko held on stands at Haras du Grand Cour- Hernandez’s side, while Rooz- Omar Yahya’s foul on Afif in minutes). ly called the shots throughout. They had recently reached the for second, with Al Shaqab Rac- geon, and the champion mare beh Cheshmi (40th minute) net- the box. Koo Ja-Cheol (16th minute) That Under-23 players semifi nals of 2020-21 Ooredoo ing’s Hazzam in third. Al Dahma, winner of 25 races, ted the lone goal for Umm Salal. Xavi made his fi rst two sub- and (59th Homam and al-Janehi both con- Cup by beating reigning cham- Trainer Thomas Fourcy was including four wins in the Qatar Al Sadd scored after Cazorla’s stitutions in the 61st minute, minute) were the other scorers tributed a double to the team’s pions Al Sadd 4-2. winning the Prix Ourour for the International Trophy. Gulf Times 2 Saturday, November 28, 2020 CRICKET

INDIA’S TOUR OF AUSTRALIA / 1ST ODI FOCUS Pakistan team’s Finch and Smith tons, isolation behaviour ‘signifi cantly improved’: NZ govt

Reuters the team’s entry to New Zealand, Hazlewood strikes as Wellington, New Zealand where all arrivals have to undergo 14 days of isolation. The ministry added that the he Pakistan cricket squad had undergone a second team’s behaviour in round of Covid-19 testing yes- their bio-secure facil- terday. ity in Christchurch had The team had been given an T“signifi cantly improved”, New exemption to train together in Aussies beat India small ‘bubbles’ after the second Zealand’s Ministry of Health said yesterday, just 24 hours after the round of testing but that has ‘I don’t think there’s any excuses on the field when you don’t pull up as a side’ tourists had been warned about been temporarily rescinded after breaching Covid-19 protocols. the positive results. AFP The ministry had confi rmed Health offi cials were still Sydney, Australia on Thursday that six of the 53 conducting interviews with the touring party members had test- squad. Anyone considered to ed positive for the novel corona- have been in close contact with kipper Aaron Finch and virus upon arrival, while there the six positives will not be al- Steve Smith blazed cen- was also evidence there had been lowed to train. turies and Josh Hazle- breaches of bio-security rules. News of the positive tests and wood ripped apart the “Since the team was issued the restrictions being placed on IndianS top order as Australia with a warning, compliance with the team sparked an angry re- won by 66 runs in the fi rst one- MIQ (managed isolation and sponse from former Pakistan fast day international at the Sydney quarantine) rules in the facil- bowler Shoaib Akhtar, who said Cricket Ground yesterday. ity has signifi cantly improved,” it New Zealand offi cials had treated The Indians, coming out of said in a statement yesterday. them like a club team. coronavirus quarantine, looked “We thank members of the “I want to give a message to rusty in their fi rst taste of inter- team for their co-operation with New Zealand board (NZC) that national cricket since February, the case investigations following this is not a club team, it’s Pa- as the Australians went on a run the announcement of positive kistan national cricket team,” rampage to reach 374 for six after cases within the team. Shoaib said on his YouTube winning the toss. “Co-operation and compli- channel. “We don’t need you. Hazlewood then put the skids ance are critical in ensuring New You are talking about Pakistan — under the tourists, triggering a Zealand is kept safe from Cov- the greatest country on the plan- top-order wobble. Among his id-19.” et — so behave yourself and stop victims was coveted wicket of The positive results had come giving such statement. Be careful skipper Virat Kohli, as India from tests administered upon next time.” amassed 308 for eight in reply. Australia enjoyed perfect bat- ting conditions. Finch belted 114 TWENTY20 and shared an opening stand of 156 with David Warner, who made 69 off 75 balls. Smith had some early luck Bairstow guides early before taking charge and hitting 105 off 66 balls with four sixes. England to victory He was saved by DRS after a confi dent appeal for leg before wicket on 15. Then Shikhar Dha- over South Africa wan badly missed Smith’s mis- Australia’s captain Aaron Finch (centre) and teammate Steve Smith (left) celebrate as India’s Mohamed Shami walks away during the first ODI cue on 38 at long on. at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) in Sydney, Australia, yesterday. (AFP) Reuters “I’ve been searching for Cape Town something for a couple of months now, but a couple of Scorecard days ago I started to hit the ball ngland’s Jonny where I wanted it, and every- AUSTRALIA 3-271 (Stoinis), 4-328 (Maxwell), 5-331 (La- R. Jadeja c Starc b Zampa 25 Bairstow bludgeoned thing came back, the rhythm D. Warner c Rahul b Shami 69 buschagne), 6-372 (Smith) N. Saini not out 29 a brilliant unbeaten 86 came back,” man-of-the-match from 48 balls as the tour- A. Finch c Rahul b Bumrah 114 Bowling: Shami 10-0-59-3, Bumrah 10-0-73-1, M. Shami b Starc 13 Smith said. Eists chased down 180 to beat Saini 10-0-83-1, Chahal 10-0-89-1, Jadeja “Finchy and Davey set an ex- S. Smith b Shami 105 10-0-63-0 J. Bumrah not out 0 South Africa by fi ve wickets with cellent platform, we could come M. Stoinis c Rahul b Chahal 0 Extras (lb2, nb3, w15) 20 four balls to spare on a slow wick- and just take off .” et in the fi rst Twenty20 Interna- G. Maxwell c Jadeja b Shami 45 INDIA Total (50 0vers; for 8 wkts) 308 After Finch raised his 17th tional at Newlands yesterday. S. Dhawan c Starc b Zampa 74 ODI century he was out for 114 M. Labuschagne c Dhawan b Saini 2 Fall of wickets: 1-53 (Agarwal), 2-78 (Kohli), Sent into bat, South Africa off 124 balls trying to steer a A. Carey not out 17 M. Agarwal c Maxwell b Hazlewood 22 3-80 (Iyer), 4-101 (Rahul), 5-229 (Dhawan), posted a respectable 179 for six 6-247 (Pandya), 7-281 (Jadeja), 8-308 (Shami) Jasprit Bumrah lifter behind the P. Cummins not out 1 V. Kohli c Finch b Hazlewood 21 in their 20 overs, before claiming and clever change of pace and wicket in the 40th over. S. Iyer c Carey b Hazlewood 2Bowling: Starc 9-0-65-1, Hazlewood 10-0- early wickets to have England in ability to surprise with the short Glenn Maxwell hit a rumbus- Extras (b1 lb6 nb2 w12) 21 55-3, Cummins 8-0-52-0, Zampa 10-0-54-4, trouble in their reply. ball on a slow wicket. tious 45 off 19 balls as Australia Total (50 overs; for 6 wkts) 374 K.L. Rahul c Smith b Zampa 12 Stoinis 6.2-0-25-0, Maxwell 6.4-0-55-0 But Bairstow, batting in an un- Quinton de Kock (30 from 23 built a massive total to defend Fall of wickets: 1-156 (Warner), 2-264 (Finch), H. Pandya c Starc b Zampa 90 RESULT: Australia won by 66 runs familiar number four position, balls) and Rassie van der Dussen under the evening lights. led the fi ghtback as he sat deep (37 from 28 balls) also provided India made a fast start, the in his crease and smashed nine useful runs for the home side. openers fl aying the Aussie at- “It’s probably the fi rst long the tourists at 80 for three. Zealand earlier in the year and it tour, which also includes four fours and four sixes with the kind England were in early trouble tack for 53 before Mayank Agar- game we’ve played in a while. Shikhar Dhawan and Hardik showed with their outfi elding Tests, to go ahead, with the of exquisite timing few other in their reply, losing Jason Roy wal fell to Hazlewood for 22. The body language after 25-26 Pandya gave India an outside ragged at times. funds generated crucial after the batsmen found on the day. (0) second ball to George Linde Kohli was dropped on one by overs was disappointing. chance of pulling off victory in In contrast, Australia came sport was hit hard by the Cov- The win will be pleasing for as South Africa took pace off the Adam Zampa at fi ne leg after top- “A quality side will hurt you (if a 128-run partnership before into the match on the back of id-19 shutdown. captain Eoin Morgan, who said ball at the start of the innings. edging a Pat Cummins lifter. you have fi elding lapses). We’ll Dhawan was caught by Mitchell beating 50-over world champi- Before play, both teams this week he did not know his When Jos Buttler (7) and Daw- The reprieve did not last long have to fi nd out ways of getting Starc off Zampa for 74. ons England in September. formed a ceremonial, barefoot best XI in the shortest format id Malan (19) fell the visitors had when the India skipper was a few overs from a few part-time India’s remaining hope went Even getting to the opening circle to acknowledge the tradi- but could already have had some slumped to 34-3 in the sixth over. cramped by Hazlewood and (bowlers) in the side.” with Pandya who took on Zampa toss was an uphill battle for In- tional indigenous owners of the questions answered ahead of But Bairstow and Ben Stokes (37 found Finch at mid-wicket, his but failed to clear the rope and dia, with wrangling over quar- SCG land. the second fi xture in the three- from 27 balls) rallied, putting night over at 21. BAREFOOT CIRCLE was caught by Starc for 90 off 76 antine requirements and a recent Both teams also observed a match series in Paarl tomorrow. on 85 in 8.4 overs for the fourth “We got enough time to pre- Hazlewood picked up Shreyas balls. Zampa fi nished with four outbreak of coronavirus in Mel- minute’s silence for the passing South Africa’s innings was wicket to drag England back into pare, I don’t think there’s any ex- Iyer, who failed to get his bat for 54 off his 10 overs. bourne complicating matters. of Australia batting great Dean anchored by the experienced the contest. cuses on the fi eld when you don’t away from a bouncer and skying India had not played interna- But Cricket Australia was Jones, who died of a heart attack Faf du Plessis (58 from 40 balls), England still needed 51 from pull up as a side,” Kohli said. to Alex Carey for two, leaving tional cricket since a tour of New desperate for the blockbuster in India last September. who was especially brutal on the fi nal four overs, but when Tom Curran (1-55), smashing the Beuran Hendricks conceded 28 England seamer for 24 runs in his runs in his last over, the game SPOTLIGHT second over that contributed to swung heavily in their favour. the bowler’s most expensive fi g- ures in international Twenty20 BRIEF SCORES cricket. South Africa 179-6 in 20 overs New Zealand down Windies in ‘topsy-turvy’ T20 Brother Sam Curran (3-28) ex- (Q. de Kock 30, F. du Plessis 58, acted some family revenge when H. van der Dussen 37; S. Curran AFP showed with us on the bowling when Ross Taylor was run out. he had Du Plessis caught on the 3-28) lost to England 183-5 in 19.2 Auckland, New Zealand side.” The Black Caps’ South Afri- boundary by Chris Jordan and overs (J. Bairstow 86 not out, B. Before play commenced, both can-born debutant Devon Con- was the pick of the visitors’ at- Stokes 37; G. Linde 2-20, L. Ngidi sides took a knee in a gesture way and Jimmy Neesham were tack with his career-best fi gures, 2-31) by five wickets. aceman Lockie Fergu- against racism, with the West looking dangerous when Pollard son unleashed a dev- Indies players each raising a broke their 77-run partnership astating fi ve-wick- black-gloved fi st. when Conway was caught on 41. et barrage as New But Neesham, who scored 48 England-Netherlands ODI series PZealand downed the West Indies ‘LONG TIME COMING’ from 24 balls, steered the New in a roller coaster Twenty20 se- West Indies opener Andre Zealanders home with Mitchell postponed over virus ries opener in Auckland yester- Fletcher smashed back-to-back Santner, who hit a six to claim AFP we are unable to play the day. sixes off debutant Kyle Jamie- victory with four balls to spare. London, United Kingdom Netherlands in May in what The match — the fi rst inter- son, who conceded 18 from his “It was a very strange game would be England’s first visit national cricket played in New fi rst over in international T20. but nice to come out the right to Holland. Zealand for almost nine months The tourists were even more side,” said Southee, who is ngland’s one-day series “Hopefully, with the prospect — produced a nail-biting fi nale brutal against Hamish Ben- standing in as regular skipper against the Netherlands of crowds returning to sport as the Black Caps reached 179-5 nett, plundering 29 runs from Kane Williamson focuses on Escheduled for 2021 has soon, we can rearrange the in the fi nal over after being set a a nightmare over for the fast Test cricket. “It’s been a long been postponed for a year due three matches in 2022 and target of 176. bowler. time coming, we’re fortunate to to continuing uncertainty over showcase international cricket Persistent showers meant the They were 58 without loss be- be back out here playing in front the coronavirus pandemic, it to capacity crowds.” innings were reduced to 16 and fore Ferguson broke through and of the crowds and hope the fans was announced yesterday. Dutch high performance many players, particularly the New Zealand’s Lockie Ferguson (right) takes the wicket of West clean-bowled Fletcher on 34. enjoyed it.” Eoin Morgan’s 50-over world manager Roland Lefebvre tourists, were rusty after only Indies’ Shimron Hetmyer (left) during the Twenty20 match at Eden The West Indies then lost fi ve The next fi xture in the three- champions were set to play said: “The prospect of playing emerging from Covid-19 quar- Park in Auckland, New Zealand, yesterday. (AFP) wickets for a single run over the match series is in Mount Maun- the three-match series as part the world champions in a full antine on Thursday. course of 11 balls, with Ferguson ganui tomorrow. of the International Cricket house is exciting, and we look But there were outstand- West Indies, saying the short mentum back to the West Indies claiming three scalps during the Council’s (ICC’s) World Cup Su- forward to welcoming the ing individual performances on boundaries at Eden Park helped single-handedly, clubbing eight spell and captain Tim Southee BRIEF SCORES: West Indies per League. The Royal Dutch team back in 2022.” both sides, particularly man of his cause. sixes and four fours to ensure his two. 180 for 7 in 16 overs (Pollard 75 Cricket Association said it was The Super League will deter- the match Ferguson and West “It’s one of the craziest team set a competitive target. Pollard’s contribution looked not out, Fletcher 34; Ferguson not viable to play the games mine qualification for the 2023 Indies captain Kieron Pollard’s grounds you could ever play at, “It was fantastic cricket, in like it would prove decisive when 5-21, Southee 2-22) lost to New with few or no fans. Word Cup in India. The Neth- unbeaten 75 from 37 balls. the ball fl ies everywhere and terms of the ball fl aying all over New Zealand made a shaky start Zealand 179 for 5 in 15.2 overs Ashley Giles, managing direc- erlands, an associate member, Ferguson claimed a career- fortunately for me today it went the boundaries,” he said. and veteran opener Martin Gup- (Neesham 48 not out, Conway tor of England men’s cricket, are taking part along with the best haul of 5-21 to put the to hand, which is nice,” he said. “It was a topsy-turvy sort till departed for fi ve. 41; Thomas 2-23) by 5 wickets said: “It is disappointing that 12 full members of the ICC. brakes on a fl ying start from the Pollard almost swung mo- of game, a bit of indiscipline They were soon 63 for four (DLS method) Gulf Times Saturday, November 28, 2020 3 SPORT

SPOTLIGHT TENNIS Organisers await govt nod Tokyo Olympics to allow players to train in Australian Open quarantine

Reuters Organisers have been in ported locally-acquired case of Melbourne, Australia lengthy discussions with au- novel coronavirus infection. thorities over the Covid-19 Due to border restrictions test events to protocols to be established between states and varied quar- ustralian Open organ- for those arriving in Australia antine requirements by local isers said yesterday ahead of the Melbourne Park governments across the coun- that nothing regard- tournament, which is slated to try, TA plans to shift all build- ing the quarantine for be held from January 18-31. up tournaments for the Grand playersA arriving in the country State offi cials on Wednesday Slam to Victoria. for the Grand Slam had been confi rmed the Melbourne Park The report said the ATP Cup, decided yet despite a report in tournament would go ahead, the 24-nation men’s event resume in March local media that competitors though it would likely take which made its debut this year would be able to train while in place a week or two after the in Brisbane, Perth and Sydney There will be no decision on spectator numbers until the spring self-isolation. scheduled start date and that as a Grand Slam tune-up, would The Age newspaper reported players would have to undergo be cancelled in 2021 though that the men’s governing body quarantine. other ATP and WTA lead-up ATP has told the players that they Men’s number one Novak events would go ahead. would be allowed to train during Djokovic recently called on ATP had no comment on the their 14-day quarantine period the authorities to ensure play- report but the governing body ahead of the Australian Open. ers are allowed to train during is expected to release the 2021 A Tennis Australia spokes- quarantine, while Russia’s Da- calendar in early December. person told Reuters that the or- niil Medvedev said it would be TA said a decision on the ATP ganisers are still waiting for ap- “dangerous” to be confi ned to Cup was yet to be taken and the provals from the Victoria state a hotel room for two weeks and organisers would only be able to government for all details on then go straight into a Grand fi nalise details of lead-up tour- the year’s fi rst Grand Slam, in- Slam. naments to the Australian Open cluding those relating to prac- Melbourne yesterday com- once dates and quarantine de- tice during quarantine. pleted 28 days since the last re- tails are fi nalised.

GOALS Grand Slam box ticked, Thiem targets Tokyo podium

Reuters “I am going to participate at Mumbai, India the Olympic Summer Games in Tokyo starting on July 23!” Thiem said in a post on his web- aving fulfi lled his site. “I have been thinking about dream of joining the it for a longer period of time, and Grand Slam winners next year it eventually fi ts into club by taking the US my tournament schedule.” OpenH title this year, Austrian Thiem is coached by Chile’s Dominic Thiem is setting out Nicolas Massu, who won both his goals for 2021 and hopes to the singles and doubles gold be standing on the podium at medals in Athens in 2004. the Tokyo Olympics. “And I am looking forward to International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach speaks to the media as he visits the National Stadium, the main venue for the 2020 The 27-year-old lost three it to compete for a medal. My Olympic and Paralympic Games, in Tokyo, Japan, on November 17, 2020. (Reuters) Grand Slam fi nals before fi nally miss Tokyo due to scheduling coach Nicolas Massu won two winning at Flushing Meadows issues before the Games were gold medals in Athens in 2004, AFP coronavirus, becoming the fi rst However, no date was an- lockdowns worldwide prompt in September, becoming the pushed back to 2021 due to the he told me about the incredibly Tokyo, Japan to be rescheduled in peace time. nounced for the marathon test, renewed concerns over the Ol- fi rst player outside the trio of Covid-19 pandemic. wonderful emotions,” he added. The 2020 Games will now start with Mori saying further discus- ympics. Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal While next year’s tennis cal- “I want to feel these kind of on July 23, 2021. sions were needed. But organisers have been up- and Novak Djokovic to win a endar has yet to be confi rmed, emotions myself. For an athlete okyo Olympics test “We are... thinking about what Sapporo is in the Hokkaido re- beat. Bach, on a visit to Tokyo, major since 2016. the men’s world number three the atmosphere at the Olympics events will resume in kind of Tokyo 2020 Games we are gion, which has been hit hard by said athletes would be encour- Thiem skipped the Rio Ol- said Tokyo was pencilled into must be unique, I want to soak March and a decision on going to have in terms of specta- the coronavirus. aged but not required to take a ympics in 2016 and was set to his plans. it all up.” fan attendance will come tors,” Mori told reporters, adding “For the marathon, we’re go- vaccine, if one is available. Tin the spring, an offi cial said yes- that government policy on the ing to use a public road, and we This month Tokyo successfully terday, as preparations continued matter “will probably be decided need the local people’s opinion. staged a four-nation gymnastics ATHLETICS for the postponed Games despite in the spring.” All that needs to be taken into competition in front of a socially ongoing coronavirus fears. Most of the test events, which consideration when we decide distanced crowd that was told The comments from Yasuo function as dress rehearsals for if we can have a marathon test not to shout or cheer. Mori, deputy executive director each sport, had already taken event in Sapporo,” Mori said. Japan has seen a relatively Doctors warn over health of the Games Operations Bureau, place before the Games were de- Fans and foreign athletes small coronavirus outbreak over- come after International Olym- layed in March. will be allowed at some of the all, with just over 2,000 deaths pic Committee chief Thomas But 18 remain to be held, in- test events, which will also be and 137,000 confi rmed cases. risk at Delhi’s half-marathon Bach last week said he was “very cluding a trial run of the Olympic used to assess anti-coronavi- But it is now battling a third confi dent” the Games will have marathon which was relocated rus measures and contingency wave of the respiratory disease, AFP cases, and air quality in the fans. from Tokyo to the northern city plans. reporting record numbers of New Delhi, India world’s most polluted capital The Tokyo Olympics were of Sapporo due to concerns over The tests were announced as daily infections nationwide in hovering between ‘unhealthy’ postponed for a year over the the capital’s summer heat. spiralling infections and new recent days. and ‘hazardous’, health ex- op doctors have perts said the athletes should warned elite runners think twice. FORMULA 1 are taking a major “It will be suicidal for run- health risk by com- ners to run the race this time. Tpeting in Sunday’s New Delhi We have such high levels of half-marathon in the midst of pollution, we have the risk of Hamilton fastest in practice, Albon crashes a major coronavirus outbreak coronavirus,” Arvind Kumar, and soaring air pollution. while thousands of amateurs founder trustee of the Lung Reuters Women’s marathon world are taking part virtually. Care Foundation, told AFP. Manama Hamilton: record-holder Brigid Kosgei Organisers say the “high- Randeep Guleria, director of Would from Kenya and Ethiopia’s est level of safety-standards, the All India Institute of Medi- two-time men’s winner An- with bio-secure zones” have cal Sciences, the country’s top even-time Formula One never refuse damlak Belihu are among the been laid on for the race. research body, told AFP that champion Lewis Ham- knighthood 49 elite athletes running the But with New Delhi record- “in an ideal situation” the race ilton set the pace on the 21-kilometre (13.1 mile) race, ing more than 500,000 virus should not be run. opening day of practice Seven-times Formula One forS the Bahrain Grand Prix with world champion Lewis Ham- the fastest lap in a fl oodlit session ilton left no doubt that he that was interrupted by a stray would accept a knighthood if GOLF dog and a crash for Red Bull’s Al- it was off ered to him. exander Albon. The Mercedes driver is now The Briton, who equalled the most successful grand Michael Schumacher’s record prix driver of all time and has Meronk three shots ahead as world title haul at the last race been tipped by the media to in Turkey, stormed around the become Britain’s latest sport- 5.4-km Sakhir desert track in one ing “Sir” in the country’s New he seeks fi rst Polish win minute, 28.971 seconds yesterday Year’s honours list. evening, having also set the pace “Firstly, I would never ever AFP six birdies and two bogeys over Tour for 15 full seasons without in afternoon practice. turn down the royal family,” Johannesburg, South Africa a course that borders the world a victory, bogeyed the opening Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, the 35-year-old told reporters renowned Kruger National Park hole, then reeled in six birdies. sixth in the fi rst of the day’s two at the Bahrain GP when asked game reserve. After a disappointing open- 90-minute sessions, emerged as Mercedes’ British driver Lewis Hamilton arrives for the first practice what his response would be. drian Meronk fi red This is his 28th attempt to ing round 71, Nienaber was his closest challenger with a time session yesterday. (AFP) “I’ve grown up in the UK and a six-under-par 66 win a European Tour event hav- much steadier second time that was 0.347 seconds adrift. I’m an avid fan of them. yesterday for a three- ing triumphed on the second- round with six birdies, and his Valtteri Bottas, who complet- for good with 27 minutes left on rain last year, failed to make the “There is no greater honour shot halfway lead at tier European Challenge circuit lone blemish was a double-bo- ed a Mercedes one-two behind the clock, with Verstappen at top 10 in either of yesterday’s two theA Alfred Dunhill Champion- last year in Portugal. gey six at the ninth. than your country recognis- Hamilton in the fi rst session, the top of the timesheets before sessions. ing you and honouring you ship in South Africa as he bids “If I was to win on the Eu- slipped back to end the day third. Hamilton re-established his su- Sebastian Vettel, the most with such an award.” to become the fi rst Polish win- ropean Tour, it would be huge LEADING ROUND II SCORES Yesterday evening’s running premacy. successful driver in Bahrain with Triple world champion Jackie ner on the European Tour. for golf in Poland,” he said, re- 131 — Adrian Meronk (POL) was interrupted by two red fl ags. Sergio Perez, who had gone four wins, was 12th. Team mate Stewart, now 81, is the only He leads Richard Bland (67) ferring to a minor but grow- 65-66 The fi rst stoppage was caused third fastest in the opening ses- Charles Leclerc, who was on one of Britain’s 10 Formula from England and Joachim B. ing sport in the east European 134 — Richard Bland (ENG) by a heavy crash for Albon. sion, ended the day fourth quick- course for an almost certain win One world champions to Hansen (64) from Denmark, country. 67-67, Joachim B. Hansen (DEN) The Thai driver, under pres- est in his Racing Point ahead of in Bahrain last year until engine have been knighted. who last Sunday won the Joburg “Because of the coronavirus 70-64 sure to keep his drive at Red Bull, Renault’s Daniel Ricciardo and problems denied him, was 14th. The late Australian triple Open at the start of a three- pandemic, people have been 136 — Robin Roussel (FRA) 65- lost control of his car on the exit Pierre Gasly in the AlphaTauri. Alfa Romeo reserve driver world champion Jack tournament South African looking for things to do out- 71, Jayden Trey Schaper (RSA) of the fi nal corner and smashed Lando Norris was seventh for Robert Kubica made his fourth Brabham was also knighted, swing for the European circuit. doors and golf has benefi ted.” 69-67 into the barriers. He escaped un- McLaren ahead of Lance Stroll in practice appearance of the sea- as was the late Stirling Moss South African big-hitter Wil- Hansen, whose win last 137 — Adri Arnaus (ESP) 70-67, scathed, apologising to his crew the other Racing Point. son, taking over Kimi Raikko- who is widely regarded as co Nienaber, who struck a 439- weekend was his fi rst on the Christiaan Bezuidenhout (RSA) over the radio. Gasly’s AlphaTauri teammate nen’s car for the fi rst session. the greatest driver never to yard drive during the Johannes- European Tour, stormed into 69-68, Scott Jamieson (SCO) No sooner had the marshals Daniil Kvyat was ninth. At Williams, development have won the title. burg event, carded a 68 to trail contention with the lowest 66-71 cleared away the wreckage of his The crashed Albon, who had set driver Roy Nissany got some Hamilton, winner of a record Meronk by eight shots at Leop- score of the second round. 138 — Christiaan Basson (RSA) mangled Red Bull than the red a time before his practice-ending track time in Briton George Rus- 94 races, secured his seventh ard Creek Country Club near The 30-year-old picked up 69-69, Sean Crocket (USA) fl ags came out again this time be- smash, rounded out the top 10. sell’s car. title in Turkey this month to northeastern town Malelane. three birdies over the front nine 70-68, Oliver Farr (WAL) 70-68, cause of a dog that had run onto Ferrari, who had locked out the Drivers also dedicated some of equal Ferrari great Michael Meronk, 27, who was born and his inward trek included an Benjamin Follett-Smith (ZIM) 69- the circuit. top two spot in every session of their Friday running to evaluat- Schumacher’s tally. in Germany but moved to Po- eagle, fi ve birdies and two bogeys. 69, Ockie Strydom (RSA) 68-70, The session fi nally resumed practice and qualifying in Bah- ing new prototype tyres for 2021. land when two, had an eagle, Bland, part of the European Oliver Wilson (ENG) 69-69 Gulf Times 4 Saturday, November 28, 2020 RUGBY

PREVIEW FOCUS Botham confi dent of family backing All Blacks driven by against England

AFP family know that. Hopefully, I Llanelli, United Kingdom will do everyone proud. “It is doing my own thing and creating my own legacy. ales fl anker James “I did play a bit of cricket ‘horrible’ defeats Botham has no when I was younger, but rug- doubt his family by has defi nitely always been will be support- the one for me. I am sure he ‘Everyone in the squad is hurting and there is an opportunity to try and right some wrongs’ Wing him when he faces England (Ian Botham) will be backing today. me 100 percent even though The 22-year-old grand- I haven’t got the white (Eng- son of England cricket great land) jersey he supports on.” Ian Botham will win just his Today’s match will see second cap when he runs out Botham moving from blind- against the Six Nations cham- side to openside fl anker after pions in Llanelli. Justin Tipuric was ruled out Cardiff -born Botham, now with a head injury suff ered playing for the Welsh capital against Georgia. club as his father Liam did be- A good performance this fore him, had a heartening de- weekend is sure to strengthen but as Wales ended a run of six Botham’s chances of remain- straight defeats with victory ing in Wales coach Wayne Pi- over Georgia last weekend. vac’s squad for the 2021 Six But a far sterner test awaits Nations. against a formidable England “The Georgia game was a big back-row of Billy Vunipola, step up from playing for the Sam Underhill and Tom Curry (Cardiff ) Blues,” said Botham. at Parc Y Scarlets. “It’s going to be an even bigger “I can’t wait,” Botham said step up this weekend. Thursday. “It’s a dream come “It’s just dealing with that true. I have dreamt about this and getting on with it. moment since I was a kid, “We know what the English chucking a ball around. back-row are going to come “Words can’t really de- with, the intensity they are scribe it. You work for some- going to come with, we know thing your whole life and this what they do. I just want to is probably the one thing I focus on myself, really, and do have worked for my whole life, my teammates proud. to get the jersey on and play “I prefer to play seven against England.” (openside). Playing with Shane He added: “Obviously, eve- (Lewis-Hughes) at six will be ryone gives me stick about great. I just want to bring some the family being English and physicality over the ball and stuff , but in my heart it’s Wales with the ball, so it will be good through and through, and the to play with him again.”

COMMENT Under-fi re Pivac must be given time, says Jones

AFP ing at him ... He’ll be feeling Llanelli, United Kingdom the pressure now but he’s a good, young coach and if he’s given time he’ll do a great job ngland head coach for them. Eddie Jones says his “He has taken over from a Wales counterpart successful coach in Warren, Wayne Pivac should who did a great job with Wales, beE given time to get things and wants to play a slightly right after a poor run of form diff erent way. New Zealand players attend a training session at St. Joseph’s College in Sydney. (AFP) put the New Zealander under “That will always come with pressure. criticism. I can remember AFP against Australia. Cane said suf- to give ourselves the best chance sure that we’re under as a team crashed to Argentina a fortnight Pivac took over from Warren Warren being criticised for the Sydney fering two defeats in a row - they of playing well.” but using that in a really positive ago. Gatland after last year’s World way his team played. Wayne also lost to the Wallabies - and a Much of the fl ak from the way to drive us. In contrast, Pumas coach Cup in Japan and after begin- had a great run with the Scar- backlash from their notoriously back-to-back defeats has been “The last two games, the feel- Mario Ledesma has replaced ning the 2020 Six Nations with lets and deserves the opportu- ll Blacks skipper Sam demanding fans had left them directed at coach Ian Foster, al- ing has just been horrible and 10 of his run-on side after two a 42-0 win over Italy the side nity to coach Wales.” Cane yesterday said rattled. though Cane has also come un- there would be nothing worse bruising games in as many weeks endured a run of six straight England, who top Group his team has an extra “Everyone in the squad is der scrutiny for his leadership than feeling that again leading as they prepare to play in honour defeats. A with nine points from two “edge” about them hurting and there is an oppor- skills. into the (southern hemisphere) of deceased football legend Last week’s 18-0 victory games, face Wales today. headingA into their crunch clash tunity to try and right some summer, so we’re just driven to and compatriot Diego Mara- over Georgia in the Autumn “I prefer to play seven with Argentina, driven by the wrongs and put some pride back ‘Wee bit more passion’ try and put a performance to- dona. Nations Cup eased some of the (openside). Playing with Shane “horrible” feeling of two straight in the All Blacks jersey,” he said. He insisted his head had been gether that we’re proud of.” Cane said he expected Argen- pressure and Jones backed Pi- (Lewis-Hughes) at six will be defeats. New Zealand are in the “There’s a slightly diff erent “in a good place” this week with Foster has reshuffl ed his for- tina to bring the same aggression vac to turn things around. great. I just want to bring some rare situation of trying to avoid mood. The easiest way to explain “tremendous support” from his wards to better tackle the physi- and fl air in the re-match, and “It’s been a tough time,” physicality over the ball and three losses in a row, a fate they it is that there is a bit of an edge, teammates. cality of Argentina, bringing urged his team to show similar Jones told BBC. with the ball, so it will be good have not suff ered since 1998. almost a grumpiness throughout “We are very focused on what in prop Nepo Laulala for Tyrel attributes. “The media and fans are go- to play with him again.” Standing in their way at New- the week. we can control and in trying to Lomax, lock Scott Barrett ahead “Defi nitely a wee bit more castle, north of Sydney, yester- “Sometimes (in training) it’s get a good performance and sort of Patrick Tuipulotu and loose passion,” he said. “We’re coming day is an Argentinian side that good to have a bit of fun, but of blocking out any outside noise forward Akira Ioane instead of up against one of the most pas- not only beat them 25-15 in the we are so focused and have just and just worrying about what is Shannon Frizell. sionate sides in world rugby, but Georgia ring changes for Ireland Tri-Nations this month, but fol- wanted to get the most out of important,” he said. Otherwise, the team is un- also just being physical, clinical Autumn Nations Test lowed it up with a battling draw every training session this week “We’re embracing the pres- changed from the one that and smart.” Georgia head coach Levan makes his first start of the Maisashvili has made six competition on the wing. SPOTLIGHT changes for tomorrow’s final Maisashvili sticks with the pool half-back partnership of match against Ireland after scrum-half their defeat to Wales last and fly-half Tedo Abzhan- Rugby saved my life, says Owens ahead of 100th Test week. Georgia, the dominant dadze. Skipper Merab Shari- force in second-tier European kadze will captain the side in AFP game over the years and if I have, “When I got my 71st cap, I be- rugby, will be seeking to his 70th Test and teams up London then I am really glad, because came the most capped ref- score their first point in the with Giorgi Kveseladze in the believe me, I owe more to rugby eree, I overtook (South Africa’s) tournament after their 18-0 centres. Maisashvili has used and the people in the sport, than Jonathan Kaplan. defeat in Llanelli and their the tournament to blood new igel Owens has said rugby will ever owe to me,” he “It wasn’t something I was 40-0 mauling against Eng- faces after several regulars rugby union “saved” added. “If it wasn’t for the great chasing, but something you be- land. Maisashvili has made retired following the World his life as he prepares sport rugby is, I wouldn’t be come aware of and something four changes in the scrum Cup last year. Two more may to become the fi rst ref- able to be who I am today. Rugby you become very proud of.” and two in the backs, in what make their debut on Sunday, ereeN to take charge of 100 Tests. saved my life.” “It is very similar now with could be their final game. with Mikheil Alania and The Welsh offi cial will reach Owens eventually became so this. If I was to tell you I don’t Georgia are likely to finish 18-year-old full-back David the landmark when he presides at ease with his homosexuality really care about numbers, and bottom of their group but po- Niniashvili on the bench. over the Autumn Nations Cup he once said “I’m straighter than if any referee was to tell you that, tential play-off opponents Fiji international between France that one” to Harlequins hooker I don’t think they are being very have yet to be cleared to play TEAM (15-1) and Italy in Paris today. Dave Ward after a wayward line- honest with you because it is after their squad was hit by Soso Matiashvili; Akaki And while proud of that out throw. something special, something the coronavirus pandemic. Tabutsadze, Giorgi Kves- achievement, Owens believes “Contrary to what people you can look back at.” Veteran hooker Shalva eladze, rugby union has been central think or may tell you, I certainly Owens, who cites the 2015 Mamukashvili returns as one (capt), Tamaz Mchedlidze; to his very existence after the don’t go out onto the fi eld having World Cup fi nal, where New of the quartet of changes in , Vasil sport helped him recover from prepared one-liners or to try and Zealand beat Australia at Twick- the scrum. Maisashvili has Lobzhanidze; , the trauma of a failed suicide at- be funny,” Owens said. enham, as the highlight of his 17 chosen a fresh second-row Tornike Jalagonia, Beka Sagi- tempt when he was struggling “Dave Ward thanked me after years as a Test referee, thought pairing of Nodar Cheishvili, nadze; Lasha Jaiani, Nodar with his identity as a gay man. the game for that comment be- about calling time on his inter- who returns from injury, and Cheishvili; Beka Gigashvili, “I spent about nine to 10 cause he was so embarrassed at national career following Eng- Lasha Jaiani. Flanker Tornike Shalva Mamukashvili, Mikheil years of my life pretending to the time and he said it made him land’s semi-fi nal victory against Jalagonia, who plays his club Nariashvili be someone I wasn’t and that laugh and helped him to move on the All Blacks at this year’s edi- rugby for Biarritz in France, is Replacements: Giorgi nearly cost me my life,” Owens from it. tion in Japan. Maisashvili’s final change in Chkoidze, Lexo Kaulash- told World Rugby’s ‘Between the “I was on stage at 14 years of And with that match leaving the scrum for the trip to Dub- vili, Giorgi Melikidze, Giorgi Lines’ podcast. age in a local working men’s club him on 97 Tests, he decided to lin. The two changes in the Javakhia, Mikheil Gachechi- “From that day on, when I had doing stand-up comedy, so this press on to three fi gures. backs mean full-back Soso ladze, Mikheil Alania, Demur that second chance, I’ve always is who I am, I am on that fi eld “I was just loving it and Matiashvili will win his 29th Tapladze, David Niniashvili said to myself, ‘Just be yourself’. and I am myself.” couldn’t fi nd it in me to say, cap after recovering from in- Coach: Levan Maisashvili “I’d like to think that I have Owens, who turns 50 in June, that’s it, I’m done,” explained jury, while Tamaz Mchedlidze (GEO) contributed something to the said of his landmark match: Owens. Gulf Times Saturday, November 28, 2020 5 SPORT

NFL SPOTLIGHT Ravens QB Jackson reportedly tests Texans stay hot with positive for Covid-19

Reuters inform them of Covid-19- Los Angeles related symptoms and had not consistently worn a mask or tracking device, as required altimore Ravens quar- by NFL protocols, the team Thanksgiving day terback Lamar Jackson announced. Running backs has tested positive Mark Ingram II and J.K. Dob- for Covid-19, NFL bins, defensive tackle Brandon ‘We wanted to show we NetworkB and ESPN reported Williams, linebacker Pernell Thursday. McPhee, defensive ends Calais can have an explosive Jackson’s positive test Campbell and Jihad Ward, of- marks the fourth straight day fensive linemen Patrick Mekari off ense and defense’ a Ravens player has been di- and Matt Skura, McSorley and win over Lions agnosed with the coronavirus, defensive back Iman Marshall leaving the status of Balti- are on the reserve/Covid-19 list. AFP more’s scheduled Sunday road Los Angeles game against the Pittsburgh Former Cardinals coach Steelers uncertain. Hanifan dies According to ESPN, Ravens Former St. Louis Cardinals eShaun Watson threw coach John Harbaugh told head coach and longtime NFL for four touchdowns his team Thursday that due off ensive line coach Jim Hani- and 318 yards as the to safety precautions, players fan has died at age 87. red-hot Houston Tex- will not be allowed back in the Hanifan passed away Tues- ansD kept their playoff hopes alive training facility until Monday day evening at Missouri Bap- with a 41-25 victory over the at the earliest. Jackson, the tist Hospital in St. Louis. His Detroit Lions on Thanksgiving reigning NFL Most Valuable daughter, Kathy Hinder, told Thursday. Player, is arguably the highest- the St. Louis Post-Dispatch on Will Fuller fi nished with two profi le player in any sport to Wednesday night that doc- touchdown catches and a total test positive for coronavirus. tors still were determining the of 171 yards, while defensive end Not including Jackson, cause of death, but it was not JJ Watt returned an intercep- whose positive test has yet to related to Covid-19. Hanifan tion for a TD for the Texans, who be confi rmed offi cially by the coached the Cardinals for six have won three of their last four team, the Ravens have 10 play- seasons, compiling a 39-49-1 games. ers on the reserve/Covid-19 record from 1980-85 that in- “We wanted to show we can list, which indicates a player cluded a playoff appearance have an explosive off ense and has tested positive or is con- during the strike-shortened defense,” said Watson. “It was sidered a high-risk close con- 1982 season. He also went 0-4 fun. We are ready to get home to tact with an infected person. as an interim head coach for have some celebrations. The outbreak in Baltimore the Atlanta Falcons in 1989. “We plan on feeding off this. previously forced the NFL to “Jim Hanifan was a great We got Indy next week and we reschedule the game between football coach but an even bet- are ready to go.” the Ravens (6-4) and Steel- ter man and mentor to many The game was one of two ers (10-0) from Thanksgiving men and women around the played on US Thanksgiving, one night to Sunday afternoon, but game of football,” Cardinals of the most important days on it is unclear if the pivotal AFC owner Michael Bidwill said in the American gridiron calendar. North game will be held. a statement released Thursday. In the other matchup, Anto- If Jackson can’t play and the “On the fi eld, he was known nio Gibson ran for three touch- game is still contested Sunday, as one of the greatest teachers downs, and Washington moved the Ravens likely would turn of off ensive line play the game into fi rst place in the hapless to Robert Griffi n III, who has has ever seen. He’ll also be NFC East Division with a 41-16 thrown two passes this season remembered as one of its all- win over the Dallas Cowboys at – a 9-yard completion in Week time best story tellers. AT&T Stadium. 1 against the Cleveland Browns “He was a friend to so many The NFL’s showcase day was and an interception in Week 4 and meant so much to our marred by the postponement against the Washington Foot- family. Our hearts go out to his of the marquee evening contest ball Team. He’s rushed for one family, friends and all of those between the undefeated Pitts- yard on fi ve carries. fortunate enough to cross burgh Steelers and Baltimore Trace McSorley went on paths with Jim, a true original after several Ravens’ players the reserve/Covid-19 list last who will never be forgotten.” were diagnosed with the coro- week, leaving practice-squad A native of Compton, Calif., navirus this week, resulting in an rookie Tyler Huntley as the Hanifan was an All-American angry response from the Steel- team’s only available quar- at Cal and played one season ers’ organisation. The Ravens’ terback after Griffi n, a former in the CFL with the Toronto outbreak now means that seven Heisman Trophy winner. Argonauts in 1955. He was in- players are on the Covid-19 in- Jackson has thrown for 1,948 ducted into Cal’s Athletics Hall jury list, which indicates a player yards with 15 touchdowns and of Fame in 2006. has tested positive or is consid- six interceptions this season. After coaching in the college ered a “high-risk” close contact He has completed 63.4 per- ranks at Utah, Cal and San Di- with an infected person. cent of his passes while start- ego State from 1966-72, Hani- Running backs Mark Ingram ing all 10 games. On Wednes- fan became the off ensive line and JK Dobbins are among those day, the Ravens disciplined coach of the Cardinals from on the list. The addition of de- Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson is sacked by Detroit Lions outside linebacker Jamie Collins during the first quarter of their NFL a staff member who didn’t 1973-78. fensive end Jihad Ward to the list game at Ford Field at Detroit. (USA TODAY Sports) on Thursday means that Sun- day’s game is also in jeopardy. curity. “My focus every day is on races heat up. targets: tight end Travis Kelce, age dictates you go to that guy. Belinelli signs 3-year deal with Italian club Texans’ Tyrell Adams racked the guys in that locker room and Mahomes is coming off a 35-31 who ranks third among receivers I think we can do a better job up a season-high 17 tackles, working as hard as I can to help win over the Las Vegas Raiders with 896 total yards. of utilising the deep ball in our Veteran guard Marco Belinelli teams, recording at least 100 and Duke Johnson rushed for 80 them be successful,” Patricia last Sunday, while Brady had an Despite some of his recent game plan.” has signed a three-year con- 3-pointers in six occasions. yards and also scored a touch- said. Tampa Bay faced one of the uncharacteristically subpar per- struggles, Brady is still an iconic The Chiefs-Buccaneers game tract to play for Italian team Belinelli spent the last two down in the win at Ford Field. NFL’s stingiest defenses in their formance in his last outing, a 27- quarterback capable of explosive is the only one that showcases Virtus Bologna for a second seasons with the San Antonio Detroit’s Matthew Staff ord last outing, but the Buccaneers 24 loss to the Los Angeles Rams. plays. He’s gone zero-for-nine teams with winning records. The stint, the team announced on Spurs in his second stint with passed for 295 yards and one will shift gears in week 12 and “We’ve built chemistry with in his last four games on passing remainder of the games features Thursday. It is a return home the franchise. He averaged 6.3 touchdown, while Adrian Peter- face one of the league’s most ex- bringing the same guys back, attempts of more than 20 yards, teams that are looking to play the for the 34-year-old Italian who points per game last season son gained 55 yards on 15 carries plosive off ences. year-in and year-out, so we but he’s not the type of quarter- role of spoiler. has spent 13 seasons in the while averaging 15.5 minutes in and scored twice for the Lions, The marquee quarterback know where each other is on that back to stay in a funk very long. In another key matchup, the NBA. Belinelli has averaged 9.7 57 games off the bench. During who dropped to 4-7 on the sea- matchup of Chiefs’ Patrick Ma- football fi eld,” Mahomes said. “We’ve got guys open, we’ve Green Bay Packers will seek to points per game in his career. Belinelli’s first tour of duty with son. Lions coach Matt Patricia homes and Bucs’ Tom Brady on League MVP candidate Ma- just missed them,” Tampa Bay extend their lead in the NFC He’s made 1,216 3-point baskets the Spurs, he was part of the was bombarded with questions Sunday could result in plenty of homes leads the Chiefs’ off ense, coach Bruce Arians said. “And North to three games when they in 860 games with nine NBA team’s 2014 NBA title team. from reporters about his job se- fi reworks as the NFL’s playoff along with one of his favourite there are times when cover- face the Chicago Bears.

FOCUS Seahawks seek third win at Philadelphia in 53 weeks Reuters coach better, we have to practice This will be the Seahawks’ third Los Angeles better, and ultimately, we have to trip to Philadelphia in the past 53 play better in order to really get this weeks. They posted a pair of 17-9 thing back on track.” victories there last season, one he Monday night NFL That starts with fi fth-year quar- of those occurring in the opening game will feature a pair terback Carson Wentz, who is hav- round of the playoff s. of teams that entered the ing the worst season of his career. Seattle snapped a two-game weekend in second place in Wentz has an NFL-leading 18 turn- losing streak with a 28-21 victory Ttheir divisions. overs (14 interceptions, four fum- against visiting Arizona on No- That fact is far more impressive bles) and has been sacked a league- vember 19. Carlos Hyde returned for the visiting Seattle Seahawks leading 40 times. after missing three games with than it is for the host Philadelphia His passer rating of 73.3 is third- a hamstring injury to rush for a Eagles. worst among starting QBs, ahead of season-high 79 yards and a touch- The Seahawks (7-3) own the only Denver’s Drew Lock (67.5) and down. same record as the Rams in the NFC the New York Jets’ Sam Darnold The Seahawks expect starting West, but Los Angeles is on top of (65.9). running back Chris Carson back the league’s best division in terms There have even been calls for Monday after he was sidelined for of winning percentage thanks to a the Eagles to bench Wentz in favour the past month with a mid-foot head-to-head win. of second-round draft pick Jalen sprain. The Eagles (3-6-1) are a half- Hurts. “I think balance is always great, game behind the fi rst-place Wash- That talk intensifi ed after Wentz but I think that we’ve got to do ington Football Team in the NFC had an interception returned for a whatever it takes to win,” Seahawks East, the league’s worst division. touchdown in a 22-17 loss at Cleve- quarterback Russell Wilson said. “There have been a lot of things land last week. “To have our running backs that have surrounded this football “In this city, it’s all about the QB healthy, we want to have everybody team this year with the pandemic and the head coach, and everybody out there. We want to have all our and Covid and injuries and dif- else can almost go by the wayside, best players out there and get the ferent things,” Eagles coach Doug I guess,” Pederson said. “So it’s ball facilitated whether it’s run- Pederson said. almost like a two-man band, but ning it, throwing it, all that stuff “We still have a lot to play for. We there is enough work to be done by we want to be able to do.” Sea- still have an opportunity in our di- all positions.” hawks cornerback Shaquill Griffi n vision... Wentz could get some help Mon- (hamstring) and center Ethan Pocic “Listen, I guess it’s a hard task, day, as tight end Zach Ertz is ex- (concussion) have also returned right? It’s an uphill battle. But we pected to return after missing four to practice this week after missing just have to do our part. I’ve got to games due to an ankle injury. multiple games with injuries. Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson. Gulf Times 6 Saturday, November 28, 2020 FOOTBALL

PREMIER LEAGUE Lampard stresses ‘respect’ for Mourinho ahead of key clash ‘You don’t get a record as decorated as Jose Mourinho has as a manager without being a very talented coach’

AFP got respect for him and it’s nothing “When I see the young talents we London contentious for me.” have got here and the future that we can Tomorrow’s match will be the produce for them, it’s things that get 1,000th game since Roman Abram- me really excited,” he said. “We know helsea boss Frank Lampard ovich became owner of Chelsea, trans- that we are going to go through diffi cult believes Jose Mourinho is as forming the club from also-rans to periods because you don’t change is- good a manager as he has ever serial trophy contenders. Since Abram- sues that have been going on for years been, insisting he respects ovich’s takeover in 2003, the Blues in a small amount of time.” hisC former boss despite recent spats. have won fi ve Premier League titles, Fans have been patient so far with Mourinho’s Tottenham are top of the the club’s only Champions League, two their manager, who arrived late last Premier League ahead of this week- Europa Leagues, fi ve FA Cups and three year, but will start to get edgy unless end’s fi xtures, just two points clear of League Cups. they see an upturn in results soon. Chelsea. The Portuguese has enjoyed “As manager and as a player who Manchester City, who host Burnley huge success throughout his career but was involved in a lot of those games I today, have not scored more than once in struggled towards the end of his spell can give him a huge thank you because a Premier League match since Septem- at Manchester United and took time to nothing that we have achieved in the ber. It was the same old story last week- fi nd his feet at Spurs. Roman Abramovich era could have end. City had 22 shots in their 2-0 de- The two managers clashed on the happened without him and his sup- feat against Tottenham, who mustered touchline in their League Cup meeting port,” said Lampard. just four shots, with two on target. The in September and last year Mourinho “Whether you’re talking about fi rstly club’s record goalscorer, Sergio Aguero, suggested Lampard had used former the fi nancial input but also the devel- had a brief runout in Wednesday’s 1-0 Chelsea boss Antonio Conte’s tactics to opment of the training ground, the love win at Olympiakos as he makes his way beat Spurs in the league. and time put into the academy and the back to fi tness following a hamstring in- But Lampard, who won two Premier trophies we’ve been able to win have all jury. City boss Guardiola said this week League titles under Mourinho at Stam- been made possible because of him.” he was being cautious with the Argen- ford Bridge, played down the incidents Four straight wins have taken Spurs tine striker. and said the Portuguese was still a top to 20 points after nine games, ahead of “We have many, many games to play manager. “You don’t get a record as Liverpool on goal diff erence, but Frank this season and we’ll need him,” he said. decorated as Jose Mourinho has as a Lampard’s Chelsea are just two points “What we want is him to recover in his manager without being a very talented behind them. Champions Liverpool best condition.” But it is a diffi cult bal- coach,” he said yesterday. “For all of us travel to Brighton, while goal-shy Man- ancing act for the manager, whose side the game is so reactionary at the mo- chester City host Burnley in the unac- are already eight points behind Spurs ment, particularly in the modern era, customed position of 13th in the table and Liverpool. with social media reactions, that form and Arsenal seek a win to lift them out will always be judged very harshly for of their slump. FIXTURES (ALL TIMES GMT) any manager.” Arsenal’s indiff erent start to the sea- Today: Brighton v Liverpool (1230), Lampard, who is in his second sea- son has left them languishing 12th in Manchester City v Burnley (1500), son in charge at Chelsea, said he was the Premier League table, with just four Everton v Leeds (1730), West Brom v not surprised by anything management points from their past fi ve matches. Sheff ield Utd (2000) threw at him. “I’ve got respect for Jose Mikel Arteta, whose side host Wolves as a manager and I think that’s just how tomorrow, remains optimistic despite Tomorrow: Southampton v Manches- it is,” he said. “I didn’t take any off ence his side’s poor run and struggles in ter United (1400), Chelsea v Spurs to the talk of Antonio Conte’s system front of goal — Arsenal have now not (1630), Arsenal v Wolves (1915) or whatever. Jose can have his opinions scored from open play in fi ve Premier On Monday: Leicester v Fulham (1730), and it’s not a problem,” he added. “I’ve League games. West Ham v Aston Villa (2000) Chelsea’s English head coach Frank Lampard. (AFP)

SERIE A FOCUS Conte under pressure as Inter Guardiola banks on Aguero for goals AFP start since the fi rst few months of the club’s season,” said Guardiola. “He is still not in his Milan take on Sassuolo Manchester Abu Dhabi-backed ownership as Guardiola’s best condition, we cannot forget how long his men sit 12th after scoring seven goals in their injury was. He is a guy he needs to be so sharp. last seven league games. Aguero missed the His quality to score goals in the box always ep Guardiola believes Sergio Aguero end of last season and most of the current was, always is and always will be, we don’t will always retain his predatory in- campaign through injury, but returned as a have doubts about that.” stincts in front of goal as Manches- substitute in Wednesday’s 1-0 Champions Aguero could be entering his fi nal few ter City hope the return of the club’s League win over Olympiakos that booked months in Manchester after nine years at the recordP scorer will end a Premier League goal City’s place in the last 16. club with his contract expiring at the end of drought. City are off to their worst league “He’s going to give us good moments this the season.

SPOTLIGHT clubs remember Maradona but try not to forget collecting points AFP

he Barcelona squad observed a minute’s silence for their former star Diego Maradona before training yes- terday and will continue to lead the mourningT in Spain when they do the same before they play Osasuna in La Liga tomorrow. Inter Milan’s Italian coach Antonio Conte. (AFP) Club captain and fellow Argentine Lionel Messi bowed his head yesterday as the team AFP two games with coronavirus. Fiorentina are 15th formed a circle in honour of the Maradona Milan with new coach Cesare Prandelli looking for his who died on Wednesday aged 60. All La Liga fi rst win. games this weekend will start with a minute’s Sixth-placed Napoli, mourning the loss of club silence for Maradona who played two seasons nter Milan face a stiff test of their Serie A title icon Diego Maradona, face a stiff test against for Barcelona from 1982-84. He returned to ambitions at Sassuolo today after their Euro- third-placed Roma, who are three points be- Spain in 1992 and spent one season at Sevilla. pean hopes were left hanging by a thread. An- hind Milan. Gennaro Gattuso denied a rift with Meanwhile, Real Madrid manager Zinedine tonio Conte’s side were pushed to the brink his players, describing the heated exchange after Zidane praised Maradona at his press confer- Iof group stage elimination from the Champions their 3-1 loss to Milan last weekend as “an open ence ahead of a match with Alaves today, but League after their 2-0 midweek home defeat to dialogue”. “All I said was I want to see a bit more refused to be drawn on whether the Argentine Real Madrid. grit and determination,” said the Napoli coach. was the greatest. “There is lots of discussion Inter turn their focus back to their push for a “Sometimes you need to don your helmet and get about who the best player in the world is but fi rst league title since 2010, before next week’s stuck in.” we’ve lost a player who was the absolute,” said European trip to Borussia Moenchengladbach. Juventus head for Benevento after sealing their the French World Cup winner. “Others might Inter, who are fi fth, fi ve points off leaders AC Mi- place in the Champions League last 16, but with opt for Cruyff , Messi or Ronaldo. They’re all Barcelona captain Lionel Messi (centre) and his teammates observe a minute’s silence for late lan, showed their shortcomings against La Liga just one win on the road in Serie A this season. phenomenal. It’s sad because we’ve lost a Argentine legend Diego Maradona before training yesterday. champions Real at the San Siro. “We need to work Cristiano Ronaldo, with eighth goals, will be guy who was important to football and to the to bridge the gap and return to be being protago- looking to possibly overtake top scorer Ibrahi- world. Maradona was a unique player. Now the disadvantage of returning from play- team against Milan. I believe in myself and nists,” said Conte. movic in the Swede’s absence. we’ll show respect for his memory, his family ing away in the Europa League on Thursday. the players. The players believe in me and the Sassuolo are second, two points behind league The Portuguese striker has scored 29 goals in and all those who loved him”. Second place Atletico Madrid visit Valencia team. If you ask me, we’re a team.” leaders AC Milan, who have a chance to consoli- Serie A in 2020, and is on course to reach 30 league Both Barcelona and Real Madrid are strug- today. Zidane said full-back Dani Carvajal will date their lead at home against struggling Fioren- goals in a single calendar year for the ninth time in gling to fi nd inspiration in the league. Barce- Asked about Real Madrid’s erratic recent miss the game with a muscle injury. Captain tina. If Inter lose and city rivals Milan win, Con- his career. Further back, seventh-placed Atalanta lona won away to Dynamo Kiev on Tuesday form, Zidane said that “fi nding consistency Sergio Ramos, top scorer Karim Benzema and te’s side will fi nd themselves eight points adrift of host mid-table outfi t Hellas Verona boosted by to ensure qualifi cation in the Champions is the most diffi cult thing in football and we Uruguayan Fede Valverde are all still recover- top spot. Both Inter and Sassuolo have the best their 2-0 Champions League win over Liverpool League. The next night Real Madrid won at work on it”. Zinedine praised his players for ing from their injuries while Serbian striker attack in Serie A this term, hitting 20 goals each in at Anfi eld. Verona’s last away win in Serie A was Inter Milan to improve their chances of ad- their midweek display in the San Siro in a Luka Jovic is in isolation after testing positive eight games, so a high-scoring game looks on the back in January. vancing after a shaky start. match Real could not aff ord to lose. “It is one for Covid-19. cards. Romelu Lukaku has accounted for seven of In La Liga, both are coming off disappoint- more game where we did very well. It was a Inter’s goals, with Federico Caputo Sassuolo’s top FIXTURES (ALL TIMES GMT) ing results. Barcelona lost away to Atletico fi nal. The players were phenomenal,” he said. FIXTURES (TIMES 2000 GMT scorer with fi ve for the unbeaten side from Emil- Today: Sassuolo v Inter Milan (1400), Benevento Madrid last Saturday to slide to 13th in the “But we are judged in each game and we have UNLESS SPECIFIED) ia-Romagna. v Juventus (1700), Atalanta v Hellas Verona 20-team division, 12 points behind leaders to continue working with the team and get the Today: Elche v Cadiz (1300), Valencia v AC Milan forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic will miss (1945) Real Sociedad. best of ourselves.” Atletico Madrid (1515) Huesca v Sevilla (1730) the Fiorentina game with a muscle injury picked Real Madrid lost ground for the second “We’ve got another fi nal on Saturday with Real Madrid v Alaves up last time out against Napoli. The 39-year-old Tomorrow: Lazio v Udinese (1130), Bologna round in a row, drawing 1-1 away to Villar- three hugely important points up for grabs has scored 10 of Milan’s 19 goals this season, fi nd- v Crotone, AC Milan v Fiorentina (both 1400), real. In the last match before the internation- and it’s La Liga. It’s diff erent opposition,” he Tomorrow: Barcelona v Osasuna (1300) ing the net in all six games he has played. Cagliari v Spezia (1700), Napoli v AS Roma (1945) al break, Real lost 4-1 at Valencia. They are said. “They’ll make life diffi cult for us and Getafe v Athletic Bilbao (1515) Celta Vigo v But Stefano Pioli’s side have shown that they Monday: Torino v Sampdoria (1700), Genoa v fourth, six points off the lead. Real Sociedad we want to keep up the good work. We want Granada (1730) Real Sociedad v Villarreal, can win without the Swedish star, who missed Parma (1945) meet third-placed Villarreal who both have to do against Alaves what we showed as a Real Betis v Eibar Gulf Times Saturday, November 28, 2020 7 FOOTBALL

TRIBUTE ‘Diego was unlucky in Barcelona,’ says man who signed Maradona and Messi

Barcelona: The diff erence a serious injury and an illness between Diego Maradona’s deprived him of his explosive- Maradona buried diff icult spell at Barcelona and ness, “ said Minguella. “The Lionel Messi’s triumphant reign explosion came in Naples.” at the club is largely down to Messi’s experience has been luck, said the man who helped much happier. “Leo has been bring both Argentines to the of a benchmark of Barcelona Camp Nou. “They are two very football,” said Minguella. “He similar players. They are two has shaped an era, won titles, number 10s. That is a position broken records of all kinds. We as world mourns highly valued historically in could say that Leo has been the Argentina,” said Jose Maria more successful in terms of tro- Minguella. “The number 10 is phies, but as far as players are the creator of the game, the concerned I don’t notice any one who collects the ball and great diff erences between one somehow creates danger.” and the other,” Minguella said. Minguella has been involved “They are left-sided, a similar with Barcelona since the start of height and the only contrast is football great the 1970s and helped arrange they played in diff erent eras. the deals to secure not only the In the time of Maradona, the two Argentine stars but also a referees were much more In a day of high emotion, the Argentine legend was taken by hearse late on host of other players includ- permissive, all the teams had ing such international stars as their warriors in the midfield Thursday to the Bella Vista cemetery on the outskirts of Buenos Aires Romario and Hristo Stoichkov. and defence who in one way After a long courtship, he or another, would deprive op- Reuters brought Maradona, aged 21, ponents of the chance to show Buenos Aires to Barcelona for a then world their skills,” Minguella recalls. record fee of 7.6mn dollars in “And then there was also the 1982. He was also involved in condition of the ball, the quality rgentina’s Diego Maradona, the deal that brought Messi of the boots, the playing fields, one of the world’s greatest ever to the club at the age of 13. which are now real billiard ta- football players, was buried yes- Remembering Maradona, who bles. efore players had to cope terday amid a global outpouring died on Wednesday aged 60, with water and mud. All this ofA grief from the streets of Buenos Aires Minguella told AFP: “Diego was makes it a comparison very dif- to Naples in Italy. unlucky.” ficult, but I would say that they The death of Maradona at the age of 60 Maradona played for are players obsessed with their on Wednesday, following a heart attack, Barcelona from 1982-84, but game, with playing football, ob- has sparked both mourning and celebra- his first season was cut short sessive about tactics, obsessed tions of a true sporting star, who was a by hepatitis and in his second with getting to the opponent’s genius on the football fi eld but lived a life Athletic Bilbao defender Andoni area as fast as possible and marred by struggles with addiction. Goikoetxea broke Maradona’s obsessive about scoring goals. In a day of high emotion, the World left ankle. When the two clubs “They are two players who Cup winner was taken by hearse late on met in the cup final at the are not very expressive, but Thursday to the Bella Vista cemetery on end of the season, Maradona rather closed off . When you the outskirts of Buenos Aires — where his started a brawl that earned him went on a trip with the team, parents are also interred — for an small a three-month Spanish ban. He the players would go out for private ceremony of his family and close then moved to Napoli, where he walks on the morning of the friends. was adored. game. Diego would stay in the Thousands of Argentines lined the “He was alone for two years, room,” he recalls. roads as the procession passed on the hour-long journey from the presidential palace in central Buenos Aires, where Maradona had lain in state during the day. Earlier, there were clashes between police BUNDESLIGA and fans and a febrile atmosphere more akin to a rowdy soccer game than a wake, with fans clambering up the palace gates to get as close as possible to their hero. Pavard, Tolisso fi t In Italy, crowds tied hundreds of blue and white scarfs to the railings outside his former club Napoli, while in France, A family poses with murals depicting late Argentinian football legend Diego Maradona, outside Boca Juniors’ stadium in Buenos for Bayern’s match sports paper L’Equipe’s front page blared Aires yesterday. Maradona died of a heart attack on Wednesday at the age of 60. (AFP) out: “God is dead”. In Argentina, three days of national mourning were called for belongs to Argentina, Diego belongs to against Stuttgart the player who led the country to a 1986 the country,” said Dario Lozano, waiting World Cup win and is revered with cult- in line to view the casket. AFP often we are making mistakes. In like status. Tens of thousands took to the Beloved in his homeland after leading Berlin tennis, they call them ‘unforced streets, not all wearing masks, despite Argentina to World Cup glory in 1986 and errors’. We have to improve that,” fears over the Covid-19 pandemic. adored in Italy for taking Napoli to two said Flick. “Nobody expects a bad Some left fl owers and messages at his Serie A titles, Maradona was a uniquely orld Cup winners pass, so you position yourself dif- childhood home. “Maradona for me is the gifted player who rose from the tough Benjamin Pavard ferently. Then we have to put more greatest thing that happened to me in life. streets of Buenos Aires to reach the pin- and Corentin Tolisso pressure on the ball to win it back. I love him as much as my father and it’s nacle of his sport. The 1986 World Cup are included in the We have a lot of games, so it’s un- like my old man died,” Cristian Montelli, included a quarter-fi nal game against WBayern Munich squad for to- derstandable when the concen- 22, a supporter of the star’s former club England where Maradona scored two day’s away match at Stuttgart tration isn’t always very high.” Boca Juniors said with tears in his eyes of the tournament’s best-known goals as the Bundesliga leaders aim to Bayern are a point ahead of after he had fi led past the coffi n. “If I die ever — an illicit “Hand of God” goal and preserve their slender lead. Mid- Borussia Dortmund in the Bun- young, hopefully upstairs I can play ball one that followed an incredible swerving, fi elder Tolisso has recovered from desliga table and the holders and watch a Boca game with him,” added dribble. Maradona also battled various a muscular injury which saw him have qualifi ed for the last 16 of Montelli, who had a tattoo of Maradona’s health problems over the years as a result miss the last two games and gives the Champions League as group face on his leg. During the day, Mara- of his addictions. Earlier this month, he extra options in midfi eld. winners with two games to spare. dona’s body lay in state in a closed casket was hospitalized for symptoms including Likewise, fellow Frenchman Second-placed Dortmund at the Casa Rosada presidential palace on anemia and dehydration and underwent Pavard has shaken off the ef- host Cologne today with Erling the central Plaza de Mayo. emergency surgery for a subdural hae- fects of Wednesday’s 3-1 win Braut Haaland having scored It was covered with the blue and white matoma — a blood clot in the brain. over Salzburg in the Champions six goals in his last two games. national fl ag and an Argentina soccer On Thursday, Maradona’s lawyer, League. The right-back took a Dortmund have won six of their jersey with the number 10 that had been Matías Morla, said he would ask for a full knock at the Allianz Arena which last seven games and all of their part of his nickname “D10S” — a play on Diego Maradona’s daughter, Dalma (left) and ex-wife Claudia Villafane leave the Casa investigation into the circumstances of “looked worse than it was”, Bay- last four games against Cologne. “dios”, the Spanish word for God. Start- Rosada government house to the cemetery, in Buenos Aires. (AFP) the death, and criticised what he said was ern coach Hansi Flick said. ing at dawn on Thursday, thousands of a slow response by emergency services. Pavard was a Stuttgart player FIXTURES (ALL TIMES fans had formed a snaking line estimated the ground,” President Alberto Fernandez huge procession of police and others on In Italy, Massimo Vignati, owner of a when he helped France win the 1430GMT UNLESS STATED) at over a mile (1.6 km) long through the said. He visited the casket on Thursday. motorbikes and cars. Maradona museum in Naples, said the 2018 World Cup and Flick hopes Today: Borussia Dortmund v streets of Buenos Aires near the plaza, af- As authorities started to close down In Naples, meanwhile, fans laid out player had become almost like family. his return will give “extra moti- Cologne, RB Leipzig v Arminia “My mother was the Neapolitan mother ter a night of mourning and reminiscing. access to the central square on Thursday fl owers, children’s pictures, candles and vation”. It has been 13 years since Bielefeld, Union Berlin v Eintracht of Maradona. He was our twelfth broth- Fans who got inside the palace — many afternoon, scuffl es broke out, with police even a bottle of wine in a rapidly expand- Bayern last lost at Stuttgart, who Frankfurt, Augsburg v Freiburg, missed out — threw soccer shirts, fl ow- using rubber bullets and water cannon to ing, makeshift shrine. Major athletes and er,” he said, surrounded my memorabilia have drawn their last four league Stuttgart v Bayern Munich, ers and other items towards the casket. disperse the unruly crowds. The tensions world leaders, including Argentina-born of the player. “We must remember him games, but Flick is concerned by Borussia Moenchengladbach v “He was someone who touched the sky eased after Maradona’s body was trans- Pope Francis, have paid their own trib- with his smile as always. He made his last the mistakes Bayern are making. Schalke 04 (1730) with his hands but never took his feet off ferred to the cemetery, surrounded by a utes. “Diego belongs to the people, Diego dribble and left us suddenly.” “When we have the ball, too

EUROPA LEAGUE Napoli honour Maradona with win, Leicester and Arsenal in last 32 UEFA EUROPA LEAGUE RESULTS Group G: AEK Athens (GRE) 0 Zorya AFP lands. Fellow Italian side Roma made Luhansk (UKR) 3 (Gromov 61, Kabaiev Paris their way into the last 32 with a 2-0 win Group A: CFR Cluj (ROM) 0 Roma (ITA) at Romanian side Cluj, while Hoff en- 2 (Debeljuh 49-og, Veretout 67-pen); 76, Yurchenko 86-pen); Braga (POR) 3 (Al heim joined them after ensuring their CSKA Sofia (BUL) 0 Young Boys (SUI) 1 Musrati 4, Paulinho 24, Fransergio 90+1); apoli honoured the memory respective passages into the next round (Nsame 34) Leicester City (ENG) 3 (Barnes 9, Thomas of Diego Maradona with a 2-0 from L. 79, Vardy 90+5) Group B: Molde (NOR) 0 Arsenal (ENG) win over Rijeka which allowed Earlier Jame Vardy’s last-gasp lev- Group H: Lille (FRA) 1 (Bamba 65) AC Mi- 3 (Pepe 50, Nelson 55, Balogun 83); Dun- them to go top of Europa eller in a thrilling 3-3 at Braga sent lan (ITA) 1 (Castillejo 46); Sparta Prague NLeague Group F in the fi rst match since Leicester City through to the knockout dalk (IRL) 1 (Shields 63) Rapid Vienna (CZE) 4 (Hancko 27, Julis 38, 80, Plavsic (AUT) 3 (Knasmullner 11, Kara 37, 58) the death of their Argentine icon. Gen- rounds, where they were also joined 90+4) Celtic (SCO) 1 (Edouard 15) naro Gattuso’s side entered the fi eld all by Arsenal thanks to their 3-0 win Group C: Bayer Leverkusen (GER) 4 Group I: Qarabag (AZE) 2 (Zoubir 8, wearing the number 10 jersey of Mara- at Molde. Leicester looked dead and (Schick 29, Bailey 48, Demirbay 76, Matic 51) Sivasspor (TUR) 3 (Kone 40- dona, who won Napoli’s only Serie A ti- buried when Fransergio put the hosts Alario 80) Hapoel Be’er Sheva (ISR) 1 pen, 79, Kayode 58); Maccabi Tel-Aviv tles in 1987 and 1990 as well as the 1989 3-2 ahead in the fi rst minute of added (Shviro 58); Nice (FRA) 1 (Gouiri 61) Slavia UEFA Cup. time, but Vardy stole in at the back post (ISR) 1 (Pesic 47) Villarreal (ESP) 1 (Alex Prague (CZE) 3 (Lingr 15, Olayinka 64, Baena 45) “Diego is a legend and will never die,” shortly after to tap in the goal that put Sima 75) Gattuso said after the match. “Since the Premier League side into the last 32. Group J: Tottenham Hotspur (ENG) 4 yesterday you could see that the city Brendan Rodgers’ side are top of Group D: Rangers (SCO) 2 (Arfield 7, (Carlos Vinícius 16, 34, Winks 63, Moura breathed a diff erent atmosphere. “We Group G on 10 points, three ahead of Roofe 69) Benfica (POR) 2 (Goncalo 73) Ludogorets (BUL) 0; LASK Linz (AUT) hope to dedicate something important Braga in second and seven in front of Ramos 78, Pizzi 81); Standard Liege (BEL) 0 Royal Antwerp (BEL) 2 (Refaelov 53, to him and win a trophy. In this city we third-placed AEK Athens with two 2 (Tapsoba 63, Laifis 90+3) Lech Poznan Gerkens 83) (POL) 1 (Ishak 61) have talked about it for too many years.” games to play after the Greeks’ 3-0 A screen displays a photo of late Argentinian football legend Diego Maradona Group K: Wolfsberg (AUT) 0 Dinamo Napoli made sure the fans gathered home defeat at the hands of Zorya Lu- as players hold a minute of silence prior to the Europe League Group F match Group E: Granada (ESP) 2 (Suarez 8, Zagreb (CRO) 3 (Majer 60, Petkovic 75, outside to pay their respects to Mara- hansk. Tottenham Hotspur are level on between Napoli and Rijeka at the San Paolo stadium in Naples. (AFP) Alberto Soro 73) Omonia Nicosia (CYP) Ivanusec 90+1); CSKA Moscow (RUS) 0 dona weren’t disappointed by the cur- nine points with Group J leaders Royal 1 (Asante 60); PSV Eindhoven (NED) 3 (NED) 0 rent team as an Armando Anastasio Antwerp after a 4-0 thumping of bot- from near the left wing put Jose Mour- derby with in-form Chelsea at the (Gakpo 20, Madueke 51, Malen 53) PAOK Group L: Gent (BEL) 0 Red Star Belgrade own goal and a simple Hirving Lozano tom side Ludogorets, who are yet to inho’s side three goals ahead following weekend. Lille missed out on qualifi ca- (GRE) 2 (Varela 4, Tzolis 13) fi nish sealed the points. pick up a single point. an earlier Carlos Vinícius brace. Lu- tion after they could only draw 1-1 with (SRB) 2 (N. Petrovic 2, Milunovic 58); Group F: AZ Alkmaar (NED) 0 Real So- Napoli are now two points ahead of Spur’s comfortable home win was cas Moura rounded off the scoring in an AC Milan side missing the injured Slovan Liberec (CZE) 0 Hoff enheim ciedad (ESP) 0; Napoli (ITA) 2 (Anastasio AZ Alkmaar and Real Sociedad follow- the stage for an incredible long range the 73rd minute as the Premier League Zlatan Ibrahimovic. The Ligue 1 outfi t (GER) 2 (Baumgartner 77, Kramaric ing their goalless draw in the Nether- strike from Harry Winks, whose launch high-fl yers eye an intriguing London are top of Group H. 41-og) Lozano 75) Rijeka (CRO) 0 89-pen) Saturday, November 28, 2020 GULF TIMES FOOTBALL

ASIAN CHAMPIONS LEAGUE SPOTLIGHT Looking forward Beijing storm into to visit Qatar in 2022, says Iniesta ive Andres Iniesta a pressive. Though not as a player, football at his feet and I am looking forward to come to he becomes a quintes- Qatar for the 2022 World Cup. sential magician as was It may be one of the best ever,” last 16 but deja vu Gwitnessed on that July evening said the four-time UEFA Cham- of 2010 in Johannesburg when pions winner. That could well he netted the match-winner in be the time when Iniesta gets extra-time to give his nation his friend and comrade-in-arms Spain their maiden FIFA World during many major tournaments Cup win. for club and country to show him If the fi rst African FIFA World around Qatar. Cup was blessed to witness the Xavi Hernandez, a resident of for Perth Glory Barcelona legend at his peak, the Qatar since 2015 and an ambas- fi rst West Asian one might well sador for the 2022 FIFA World get the privilege of hosting the Cup, had formed a lethal midfi eld ‘We controlled the game and scored two goals in the first half which was important’ man, now retired from interna- partnership with the J. League tional football, as a guest in Qa- superstar for both Barcelona and AFP tar in 2022. Spain with the duo winning sev- Doha The 36-year-old playmaker en La Liga, four UEFA Champion expressed his desire to visit the League and one FIFA World Cup host nation of the 2022 FIFA titles together. eijing Guoan and Ulsan Hyundai World Cup, while addressing Iniesta admitted that Covid Motors continued their relent- media at 2022 FIFA World Cup protocols would not enable him less march in the Asian Cham- venue Khalifa International to catch up with the Al Sadd pions League at the expense of Stadium after producing a mid- coach during the 2020 AFC AustralianB sides who suff ered another fi eld masterclass to enable his Champions League. “I know day of misery yesterday. side Vissel Kobe claim all three Xavi for a long time. He is a very While Beijing Guoan stormed into the points against Chinese superclub good friend and we were in con- last-16 phase of the tournament with a Guangzhou Evergrande in Group tact before I travelled to Qatar. Of 2-0 win over Melbourne Victory in Group G of the ongoing 2020 AFC course I will not be able to meet E, Ulsan Hyundai Motors edged past Champions League. him in Qatar this time because of Perth Glory by a similar margin to boost His man-of-the-match win- the circumstances,” said Iniesta. their chances of qualifying from Group F. ning eff ort helped his side to keep Iniesta also complimented the Bruno Genesio’s Beijing Guoan have its perfect all-win record intact – tactical nous of his long-time yet to drop a point, their fourth win in as the J.League side now have nine senior professional at Barcelona. many matches proving they are the team points from three matches and “I hear that he is doing well as a to beat in this year’s competition as they have qualifi ed for the knockout coach. In the future, he will be made the next stage with two matches stages of the tournament. one of the best coaches in the to spare. Spaniard Jonathan Viera was “It (the stadium) looks im- game,” said Iniesta. (qfa.qa) Beijing’s star yesterday, scoring their fi rst goal with a superb fi nish in the ninth minute and providing the assist to Zhang Yuning in the 35th for their second win over Melbourne Victory in three days. “Overall the team had a very good per- formance. We controlled the game very well and scored two goals in the fi rst half which was very important for us,” said Frenchman Genesio. “We were also able to keep a clean sheet, but it would have been good had we scored a couple of goals more.” Victory’s Steve Kean was struggling to cope with the result. “It’s obviously a dif- fi cult result for us, but I think we need to Beijing’s forward Wang Ziming (right) vies for the ball with Melbourne’s forward Jake Brimmer during the AFC Champions League put the game into perspective,” he said. Group E match at the in Doha yesterday. (AFP) “There are mistakes to work on, but over- all, while we are bitterly disappointed land’s Chiangrai United injected new life with the result, our performance showed into their campaign with a shock 2-1 win we are making strides to get to where we over FC Seoul. Bill’s side were hammered want to go.” 5-0 by the Koreans as they suff ered their Meanwhile, Perth Glory were strug- third straight defeat three days ago, but gling to deal with their fourth straight yesterday’s revenge win gave them their loss as Ulsan Hyundai notched their third fi rst points and a sliver of hope of making win in four matches. Ulsan had beaten the last 16 from Group E. Perth 2-1 three days ago in Doha, fi rst There was revenge also for Tokyo FC equalising in the 89th minute through who improved their chances of qualify- Kim In-Sung and then netting the winner ing for the round of 16, beating Shanghai through Junior Negao four minutes later Shenhua 2-1. Tokyo had lost against the when the match was into stoppage time. same side 1-0 earlier in the week but sec- In an unusual coincidence that will ond-half goals by Leandro and Shuto Abe haunt Perth Glory for long, it was Kim yesterday saw them shift Shenhua from and Negao who again scored in the 87th the second spot behind Ulsan in Group F. Spanish midfield maestro Andres Iniesta. and 89th minutes yesterday as Ulsan Tokyo suff ered a blow in the 50th again clinched a late victory. “It’s deja minute when Oliveira was stretched off vu time for us, unfortunately,” lamented following a heavy challenge from Qin FOCUS Perth Glory coach Christian Ola, whose Sheng. team are playing at this level for the fi rst Seven minutes after the break, Shenhua time and now stand eliminated with not a came close to taking the lead as Peng Xin- Rooney ready to hang up his single point from four matches. li’s cushioned header set up Yu Hanchao “We tried a lot during the match and to strike on the half-volley from outside showed a lot of resilience but couldn’t the box, but the veteran’s shot was ex- boots if named Derby boss keep our composure until the end,” added pertly tipped behind by Tokyo goalkeeper Reuters ing Dutchman Cocu’s departure Ola. “We kept them at bay largely so they Go Hatano. London this month and will take sole did not have many chances, but in key Leandro fi nally broke the deadlock charge of the Championship moments our players failed to stay com- for the Japanese side just after the hour (second-tier) club when they posed and we conceded twice.” mark. He collected a perfectly weighted erby County’s Wayne host Wycombe Wanderers today. Ulsan coach Kim Du-hoon was all through pass from skipper Higashi and Rooney is prepared to “If I’m managing the team for praise for his team although he hinted the curled it into the far corner to open the call time on his playing a longer scale, I don’t think it’s match could have gone either way. “First scoring. career if asked to fi ll the possible to manage and play, so of all both teams played well until the end Tokyo’s injury woes were slightly re- positionD of manager left vacant that (no longer playing) is a pos- and I would say that the Perth Glory play- lieved as substitute Taichi Hara who had following Phillip Cocu’s sacking, sibility,” Rooney was quoted as ers must be applauded too,” said Kim. “I come in for the injured Oliveira latched the former England captain said saying by Sky Sports. hope those players will fi ght and give onto a through pass and supplied a cut- yesterday. Bottom-placed Derby have their best again next time.” back cross for Shuto Abe to slot home his Player-coach Rooney has been lost their last two matches, Elsewhere, Brazilian forward Bill side’s second of the evening and put the assisted by Liam Rosenior, Shay against Bristol City and Mid- scored either side of the break as Thai- game beyond doubt in the 82nd minute. Chiangrai and Seoul players go for a header during the AFC Champions League. (AFP) Given and Justin Walker follow- dlesbrough.

LIGUE 1 Tension gets to coach Tuchel at crunch point in season for PSG AFP of Ligue 1 despite being plagued by injuries, all still injured. The player to watch out this Paris suspensions and coronavirus infections this weeks is Boulaye Dia. The story goes that as season. a kid Dia was on his way to a trial at Saint- The run to last season’s Champions League Etienne when his father’s car broke down, aris Saint-Germain are in their usual fi nal also makes him a diffi cult man to sack, while Lyon rejected him for being too small. position on top of Ligue 1 but, with but he is out of contract after this campaign He seemed to have given up on a football their Champions League hopes and any chance of him signing a new deal ap- career as he worked as an electrician, while a still in the balance, their coach pears slim. It needed a soft penalty converted trial in Wales did not work out. But Dia signed PThomas Tuchel has been letting the tension by Neymar, and poor fi nishing from their his fi rst professional deal with Reims in 2018 get to him. The German appeared particularly opponents, for PSG to beat Leipzig, but they and, having recently turned 24, he has devel- agitated as he spoke after PSG’s 1-0 win over face Manchester United at Old Traff ord next oped into one of the stars of the Ligue 1 season RB Leipzig on Tuesday, a crucial victory in the Wednesday and a defeat there could still leave so far. context of their European campaign but one them staring at a group-stage exit from the Dia, who was born in France but recently that came in another unconvincing perform- Champions League for the fi rst time since the made his international debut for Senegal, has ance from last season’s Champions League Qatari takeover of 2011. eight goals in nine league games for Reims. All runners-up. Given the nature of their performances re- of his goals have come away from home, and “You always ask me the same thing. If you cently, it is not easy to imagine them winning on Sunday he goes back to Lyon as a player have the balls to do that, why don’t you go that game, and their domestic displays could now very much in the spotlight. into the dressing room and say it to the play- even off er a glimmer of hope to the teams be- ers,” an angry Tuchel said in response to one low them. The reigning champions lost 3-2 at FIXTURES (KICK-OFFS GMT) question about the quality of PSG’s display Monaco last weekend and they are two points Today: Marseille v Nantes (1600), Paris against the Germans. “I am tired of always above second-placed Lille before hosting Saint-Germain v Bordeaux (2000) having to answer to these expectations.” mid-table Bordeaux tomorrow. Tuchel’s exasperation is partly under- Marco Verratti could get a run-out for Paris Tomorrow: Lyon v Reims (1200), Lens v standable, given PSG still have qualifi cation after injury with a view to the Italian featur- Angers, Lorient v Montpellier, Metz v Brest, for the last 16 of the Champions League in ing at Old Traff ord, but the likes of Juan Ber- Monaco v Nimes (all 1400), Nice v Dijon their hands and are two points clear at the top nat, Idrissa Gana Gueye and Julian Draxler are (1600), Saint-Etienne v Lille (2000)