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FOCUS Jabeur aims to ‘inspire generation’ aft er Arab tennis breakthrough

AFP is amazing,” Jabeur said. tournaments. It will be really Melbourne, Australia “I mean, it’s not impossible. amazing. I really hope I can give I made it. Like I said before, I’ve a good example.” been practising in Tunisia from the Jabeur’s success has not come unisia’s Ons Jabeur said age of three through 16 or 17. I’m easy — Tunisia has been through she hoped to inspire 100 percent Tunisian product.” a period of upheaval surrounding young people across the Africa’s number one, the fi rst the revolution of 2011, with secu- Arabic-speaking world Tunisian woman to win a main- rity parlous for a time. Tafter she became the fi rst Arab draw match at the Australian “It was little bit tough after the woman to reach a Grand Slam Open, said she had received mes- revolution. It was not really safe quarter-fi nal yesterday. sages from people watching in at the time. Now everything, like, The unseeded 25-year-old the early hours back home. is normal,” said Jabeur, who now knocked out China’s Wang Selima Sfar is the only other feels she’s getting the reward for Qiang, who upset Serena Wil- Tunisian woman to win at a years of hard work. liams in the previous round, 7-6 Grand Slam after she reached the “I called my mom right away. (4), 6-1 to extend her dream run second round at Wimbledon, Ro- She was really, really happy. in Melbourne. land Garros and the US Open in Probably receiving a lot of calls. Jabeur, the highest-ranked Arab the 2000s. My father, as well. I think he was woman in history — she reached a “I’m receiving a lot of messag- crying, I don’t know,” she said. career-high 51 last year, and is now es, especially people waking up at “The family, everyone was be- 78th — will next play America’s 5 am in the morning to watch my hind me. They couldn’t go back Sofi a Kenin in the last eight. match. I’m really proud,” Jabeur to sleep again, of course. But “I’m trying to inspire many (of said. I’m happy that I have this sup- the) young generation back home “Hopefully they can still watch port because we’ve been through either in Tunisia or the Arabic me and follow more, not just in rough times. world, especially in Africa, which the Grand Slam but the other “Now it’s fi nally paying off .” Tunisia’s Ons Jabeur celebrates her win over China’s Wang Qiang (not pictured) at the Australian Open in Melbourne yesterday. (AFP)

TENNIS Barty, Federer, Djoko into Australian Open quarters Federer will next play American Sandgren, who beat 12th seed Fognini 7-6 (5), 7-5, 6-7 (2), 6-4; Kenin ends Gauff run

DPA Melbourne, Australia

orld number one and 2019 Roland Garros champion Ashleigh Barty got revenge for Wlast year’s Wimbledon defeat by Alison Riske with a 6-3, 1-6, 6-4 win over the American to reach the quarter-fi nals of the Mel- bourne major on Australia Day yesterday. The 23-year-old will meet fel- low former Grand Slam winner Petra Kvitova in the quarters for a second straight year after the Czech went past Greek rising star Maria Sakkari 6-7 (4), 6-3, 6-2. In the men’s draw, defend- ing champion Novak Djoko- vic dismissed Argentina’s Diego Schwartzman 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 to set up a quarter-fi nal against Cana- da’s Milos Raonic after he defeated 2014 US champion Marin Cilic 6-4, 6-3, 7-5 in a clash of former world number threes. In the last match of the day, third seed Roger Federer defeated world number 67 Marton Fuc- sovics 4-6, 6-1, 6-2, 6-2 to make the quarter-fi nals of the Austral- ian Open for a record 15th time. At Margaret Court Arena, Ons Jabeur defeated China’s Wang Qiang, who two days earlier sent Serena Williams packing, 7-6 (4), 6-1 to become the fi rst Arab Switzerland’s Roger Federer hits a return against Hungary’s Marton Fucsovics (not pictured) during their Australia’s Ashleigh Barty celebrates after victory over Alison Riske (not pictured) of the US during their woman to reach a Grand Slam men’s singles match on day seven of the Australian Open in Melbourne yesterday. (AFP) women’s singles match on day seven of the Australian Open in Melbourne yesterday. (AFP) quarter-fi nal. The Tunisian will next verse 101th win at the Australian Open match against the American in a last year beat Barty in the quar- of-16 appearance at a slam — and experience got the edge over “It feels great. I had a fantastic American Sofi a Kenin after she in much smoother fashion than windy Rod Laver. ters on the way to the fi nal. Barty who was supported by a raucous the young Greek, who dropped couple of matches in a row... To- ended the dream run of compa- his century — a four-hour fi ve-set After Barty took the opener has beaten the Czech all three Greek contingent throughout the her serve in the fi rst game of the day was a good test because Diego triot Coco Gauff with a 6-7 (5-7), marathon against John Millman. Riske went two breaks up in the times she has met her since. contest at Rod Laver Arena. third and never recovered. was in form, he hasn’t dropped a 6-3, 6-0 rout. “The morning after Johnny’s second — after Barty hit her 12th “I love Petra but let’s hope she Both players had their chances Two-times Wimbledon cham- set in three rounds... All in all, it Fellow American Tennys match, and this morning, I lay in unforced error of the period — doesn’t break my heart on Tues- to take the opener — which was pion Kvitova last year reached the was a very solid performance,” Sandgren followed Kenin and bed for like an hour and I was like and served the set out to force a day night, or Tuesday... I’m just played as an aerobatic team con- Melbourne fi nal in her best result the defending champion said. Gauff at Melbourne Arena to de- ‘when are we gonna stand up? decider. excited that I get another op- ducted an aerial display overhead since returning in mid-2017 from Djokovic’s next opponent, feat 12th seed Fabio Fognini of One, two, three...” Federer told In the third, the two again portunity in a quarter-fi nal of a in support of Australia Day cel- a career-threatening hand injury. Raonic, only faced four break Italy 7-6 (5), 7-5, 6-7 (2), 6-4 in a John McEnroe after the match, exchanged breaks before Barty Grand Slam, you don’t get those ebrations — with two breaks of At Rod Laver Arena, seven- points — none of which were con- contest fi lled with drama. which featured some of his trade- broke Riske’s serve one more every week so I’m really excited,” serve a piece. time Melbourne champion verted in part helped by an unreal In his second Melbourne quar- mark drop and passing shots. time on 5-4 to continue her cam- the Australian star said. The second set also saw six Djokovic only dropped one serv- 35 aces — to defeat Cilic and reach ter-fi nal Sandgren will meet Fe- Earlier on Barty, who as a paign to become the fi rst Aus- Seventh seed Kvitova came breaks of serve, with 2019 Mel- ice game against Argentina’s his fi fth Melbourne quarter-fi nal. derer, who dropped a set against newly crowned Roland Garros tralian woman to win the singles back from a set and a break down bourne runner-up Kvitova taking Schwartzman, defeating him The big-serving Canadian has Hungary’s Fucsovics before right- champion in 2019 was upset by home slam since 1978. to clip the wings of the 24-year- four to force a decider. in just over two hours, his third a 0-9 record against the second ing the boat and grabbing his Riske at Wimbledon, had a tough Next up will be Kvitova, who old Sakkari — in her fi st round- In the end, Kvitova’s power straight sets win in a row. seed. Gulf Times 2 Monday, January 27, 2020 TENNIS

AUSTRALIAN OPEN COMMENT Barty says proud of indigenous heritage ‘Couldn’t write this’: aft er victory on Australia Day

Reuters best hope to end its long wait Melbourne, Australia for a fi rst home-grown women’s Gauff , 15, proud aft er champion since Chris O’Neil won the tournament in 1978. ustralian top seed Ash- Her win over 18th seed Riske ‘I can get better on. Even my parents, my leigh Barty said she was came a day after she was named proud of her indigenous Young Australian of the Year to team, they all believe I can get better. I don’t heritage but defl ected honour her rise to the number Aquestions about a contentious one ranking and French Open even think this is close to a peak for me’ national holiday after advancing win last year. teary exit to the Australian Open quarter- “It’s just amazing. It’s a privi- fi nals yesterday. lege, it’s an honour, and ex- AFP The Queensland-born Bar- tremely humbling,” Barty said. Melbourne, Australia ty delighted the crowd on Rod Backed by numerous support- Laver Arena when she mounted ers chanting “Come on Barty, a comeback from a set down to let’s go party!”, the Austral- oco Gauff warned she beat American Alison Riske 6-3 ian cruised through her fi rst set is not even close to 1-6 6-4 on Australia Day, which against Riske but struggled to achieving her full po- marks the 1788 arrival of British deal with gusty conditions in the tential and targeted ships to the continent. second, allowing the American theC Tokyo Olympics after the Many indigenous Australians to level the match at one set all. 15-year-old exited the Austral- have called for the holiday to be The deciding set was a tighter ian Open in tears yesterday. abolished, regarding it as “Inva- aff air as Riske fought back from Gauff ’s fellow American So- sion Day” or the start of white a break down but was unable to fi a Kenin recovered from a set settlement. keep up her standards on serve, down to win 6-7 (5), 6-3, 6-0 “I’m an extremely proud in- double-faulting on match point and reach the last eight in Mel- digenous woman. It’s not for me to seal the victory for Barty. bourne. to decide what day Australia Day “It was just about adapting The 14th seed plays Ons is on,” Barty told reporters. and trying to work through it as Jabeur after the unseeded Tu- “I am extremely proud of my best as you can,” Barty said. nisian defeated China’s Wang heritage. That’s going to remain “It was important to try and Qiang to become the fi rst Arab the same every single day of eve- hold and stay and fi ght for every woman to reach a Grand Slam ry single year for the rest of my point from the end where you quarter-fi nal. life. It doesn’t really matter what were against the wind, and make Gauff , the youngest player in day it is. the most of it when you were the draw, is one of the stories “Every single day I want to be with the wind.” of the Australian Open, beat- kind, I want to be honest, I want Barty will next take on Czech ing Venus Williams in the fi rst to be humble, I want to give the seventh seed Petra Kvitova, who round and then reigning cham- best that I can. That’s all that defeated the Australian in the pion Naomi Osaka in round matters for me.” same round last year before los- three. Barty is seen as the country’s ing to Naomi Osaka in the fi nal. Gauff , who turns 16 in March and now has to get back to school homework, blamed her SPOTLIGHT loss on too many errors and said that nerves had nothing to do with it. But she also admitted that the Djoko’s fi ve-year-old last few weeks had almost been too good to be true. “I couldn’t really write this, I son ‘born with a don’t think anybody could re- ally write how this past couple months have gone,” said the backhand’ teenager. “I still have so much I feel like I can get better on. Even my par- ents, my team, they all believe I can get better. “I don’t even think this is close to a peak for me, even though I’m doing well right now.” Coco Gauff (left) of the US walks off the court after losing against Sofia Kenin of the US during their women’s singles match on day seven of The French Open is the next the Australian Open in Melbourne yesterday. (AFP) Slam in her sights as she bids to become the youngest player to “It will be diffi cult, but I’m Moscow-born Kenin. Kenin took the second set in Gauff lost to then-number win a Grand Slam in the Open going to try as hard as possible.” Gauff restored parity to force 38 minutes and carried the mo- one Osaka in the third round at Era, which began in 1968. the tie-break and — aided by mentum into the deciding set, the US Open, but got her revenge The current record-holder is ‘I’M PROUD’ two Kenin double-faults — took breaking Gauff to love in the at the same stage in Melbourne. Martina Hingis, who triumphed Gauff was under the cosh im- the fi rst set in 58 minutes. opening game and racing to- Gauff shed tears of disap- at the 1997 Australian Open at mediately against Kenin, the The younger American’s serve wards victory. pointment as she trudged off 16 years and nearly four months 21-year-old breaking in the fi rst is powerful but she was totting Touted as heir apparent to court after defeat, but said that old. game at Melbourne Arena and up the double faults, her seventh Serena Williams, Gauff burst she was happy with how she Now ranked 67th in the world, comfortably holding for a swift of the match off ering Kenin a onto the scene when she beat dealt with the occasion. AFP forehand so far. I’m trying to get Gauff said it would be “pretty 2-0 lead. second break point with the lat- Venus Williams in the Wimble- “The thing I’m most proud of Melbourne, Australia him to hit a few backhands. He’s cool” to reach the Olympics this There was no mistaking who ter 2-1 up in the second set. don fi rst round last year on her myself is how I handled it on the been telling me that he is born summer. the crowd wanted to win — each A determined Kenin broke at Grand Slam debut. court,” she said. with a backhand.” “That’s defi nitely the goal. point for Gauff was greeted with the third time lucky to lead 3-1, She went out in the fourth “Even though today I lost a set ovak Djokovic says The 16-time Grand Slam win- Hopefully I can get my ranking cheers and screams, while there triggering a rare show of anger round to eventual champion Si- 6-0, I was still believing I could his young son is a big ner, who began playing the sport up and qualify,” she said. was only polite applause for from Gauff . mona Halep, but a star was born. win it.” tennis fan who likes aged four and was sent to a Mu- picking up a racquet, nich tennis academy at 12, said Nbut he won’t be pushing him to he would not press his children PREVIEW follow in his footsteps. into the sport unless they showed The Serbian star has two chil- genuine desire. dren with wife Jelena and fi ve- But the ultimate call might year-old Stefan told his dad he come down to his wife. was “born with a backhand”. “I really want him and my Rafa meets the ‘new Nick’ in blockbuster “Obviously he’s exposed to daughter (Tara) to express hon- tennis a lot when he travels with est desire to take the racquet Reuters me but also on the TV. He knows and the ball and just hit. Go Melbourne, Australia what is going on. He knows Roger to the court or up against the (Federer), he knows Rafa (Nad- wall,” he said. al),” Djokovic said after easing “I would be more than happy orld number one into the Australian Open quar- to support them in their tennis Rafael Nadal re- ter-fi nals yesterday. careers and journeys but it’s still news his rivalry “He knows a couple of the very early to talk about it... my with Nick Kyrgios other guys. His favourite shot is wife says!” Win a blockbuster fourth-round clash at the Australian Open today, as the Spaniard prepares for the trickiest test of his Mel- Olympic football qualifi ers, tennis bourne campaign. Nadal has not dropped a set so moved from China over virus far as he bids for just his second AFP in a statement. title at Melbourne Park and was Sydney, Australia China’s Xinhua news agency at his ruthless best to dismiss said the Chinese Football As- compatriot Pablo Carreno Busta sociation took the decision to and reach the last 16. omen’s Olympic off load the Olympic qualifiers, In Kyrgios, however, he faces football qualifiers which involve China, Australia, an opponent who has won two Wand a Fed Cup tennis Taiwan and Thailand, after of their three previous matches event have been shifted out of cases of the virus came to light on hardcourts. China due to growing concerns in Jiangsu. It will be the fi rst singles over the deadly coronavirus, No date has been given for the meeting between the pair since off icials said yesterday. re-arranged competition, which last year’s Wimbledon when the Australia’s Nick Kyrgios will play Spain’s Rafael Nadal (right) today. (AFP) The football tournament had was originally scheduled for temperamental Kyrgios, who already been moved from February 3-9. had previously described Nadal ent side to his character in re- your own slam, it’s pretty damn “At the end of the day, we’re we like each other, but... we’re Wuhan, the epicentre of the Separately, the International as a sore loser and “super salty”, cent weeks, calling on the tennis cool,” Kyrgios said. two different players. We go going to go out there and give outbreak, to Nanjing in Jiangsu Tennis Federation said next lost in four sets. world to help the victims of Aus- “It’s going to be another about it completely different. contrasting styles and person- province, but will now be held month’s Fed Cup’s Asia/ “When he plays good ten- tralia’s bushfi re crisis and trig- physical battle. Nothing comes After Wimbledon, I got beaten alities.” in Sydney, the Asian Football Oceania Group I event had nis and shows passion for this gering an appeal that has raised easy with him... I’m looking by the better player. I shook In other matches, Dominic Confederation said. been moved from Dongguan, game, he’s a positive player for more than A$5.5mn ($3,755,675). forward to it. That’s why you his hand, looked him in the eye Thiem faces Gael Monfi ls, Daniil “The safety of all players, southern China, to Kazakhstan our tour, and I want my tour After edging past Russia’s play.” and said ‘too good,’” Kyrgios Medvedev meets Stan Wawrinka off icials and fans is of para- because of increasing travel bigger, not smaller,” Nadal said Karen Khachanov in fi ve sets to Kyrgios had come under added. and Andrey Rublev squares off mount importance to Football restrictions in China. when asked about Kyrgios, who set up an eighth meeting with further scrutiny for mocking “Regardless, if we don’t like against Alexander Zverev. Federation Australia and the The women’s team event, has been placed on probation by Nadal, he also had kind words Nadal’s pre-serve routine in his each other or whatever, there’s a In the women’s draw, 2018 Asian Football Confederation, involving China, Taiwan, India, the ATP for his behaviour. for the 19-times Grand Slam second-round match against layer of respect. He’s one of the runner-up Simona Halep plays and we are confident we will South Korea and Uzbekistan “It’s clear, of course, that champion. Gilles Simon following a time greatest of all time. I also read Elise Mertens, Anastasia Pavly- host a successful tournament will now be held in the Kazakh when he does stuff that in my “I’m super excited honestly. violation, but the 24-year-old that he thinks I’m good for the uchenkova faces 17th seed An- here in Sydney,” Australian capital on the originally sched- opinion is not good, I don’t like.” Playing one of the greatest ten- said he only had respect for the sport. gelique Kerber while Garbine football chief Chris Nikou said uled dates, February 4-8. Kyrgios has shown a diff er- nis players on centre court at Spaniard. “Doesn’t necessarily mean Muguruza meets Kiki Bertens. Gulf Times Monday, January 27, 2020 3 CRICKET

FOURTH TEST OPINION Pant has to silence his critics himself, England set South says Kapil

IANS look after themselves. They Chennai should never give the option to the selectors to drop them or give them a rest,” India’s n recent times, Rishabh fi rst World Cup-winning Africa improbable Pant has drawn a lot of captain added while answer- fl ak for his inconsist- ing a question on Pant. ency in the fi eld, however, KL Rahul has proved his ef- Iformer India skipper Kapil fi ciency both with the bat and Dev feels no one but Pant gloves and has surged ahead himself can silence his critics. of the Delhi batsman. Speaking at a promotional Kapil, who was in the city event in Chennai on Satur- for a promotional event, said target of 466 to win day, the legendary India all- that Rahul being asked to rounder said: “He (Pant) is do the gloveworks in place FOURTEEN WICKETS FELL ON A BUSY THIRD DAY AT THE WANDERERS very talented and he cannot of Pant is the team manage- blame anybody. He has to ment’s call. look after his own career. The “It is the team manage- only way for him is to keep on ment’s call. I don’t know getting runs and prove every- about these things. It is not body wrong.” my decision. The team has “When you are talented, to decide who opens, who it is your job to prove people bats at No. 3 and the rest of wrong. The players have to things,” the 61-year-old said.

England’s Mark Wood (right) celebrates after the dismissal of South Africa’s Dane Paterson during the third day of the fourth Test at the Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg yesterday. (AFP)

AFP Scorecard a hamstring injury after bowling Bangladesh to host Zimbabwe Johannesburg just nine balls in the second in- in February-March ENGLAND 1st innings 400 Total (68.3 overs) 183 J. Buttler c De Kock b Nortje 8 nings. He left the fi eld immediately Bangladesh will host Twenty20 internationals. oe Root made a patient SOUTH AFRICA 1st innings Fall of wickets: 1-29 (Malan), 2-37 S. Curran c Paterson b Hendricks 35 and was sent for a scan. Zimbabwe in an international The three ODIs will be held in half-century as England (overnight 88-6) (Van der Dussen), 3-43 (Elgar), C. Woakes c De Kock b Hendricks 0 England all-rounder Sam Cur- series in February-March, the the port city of Chittagong on set South Africa a world D. Elgar c Woakes b Stokes 26 4-60 (Du Plessis), 5-74 (Bavuma), ran had no doubt that his team Bangladesh Cricket Board March, 1, 3 and 6. 6-88 (Nortje) 7-93 (Philander), M. Wood b Pretorius 18 record target of 466 to win P. Malan c Buttler b Wood 15 will secure a 3-1 series victory. said yesterday. The tour will wrap up with Jthe fourth and fi nal Test at the 8-172 (Pretorius), 9-174 (De Kock), S. Broad not out 1 “The wicket will assist us, es- The series will kick off with two T20Is in Dhaka on March H. Dussen c Stokes b Curran 0 Wanderers Stadium yesterday. 10-183 Paterson) Extras (b4, lb8, w1) 13 pecially in terms of the carry, we a one-off Test in Dhaka 9 and 11. The England captain scored 58 F. du Plessis lbw b Woakes 3 Bowling: Broad 14-3-27-0, Curran Total (61.3 overs) 248 know the edges will carry to the on February 22, and will This will be Zimbabwe’s third and played an anchor role before 12-4-25-1, Woakes 17-7-38-2, Wood slips,” he said. also include three one-day visit to Bangladesh in the last Q. de Kock b Wood 76 Fall of wickets: 1-56 (Craw- he was last man out as England 14.3-2-46-5, Stokes 11-1-47-2 (1w) Despite the loss of their leading internationals and two five years. T. Bavuma c Stokes b Wood 6 ley), 2-75 (Denly), 3-92 (Sibley), were bowled out shortly before bowler, South Africa bowled and ENGLAND second innings 4-136 (Stokes), 5-150 (Pope), the close for 248. A. Nortje c Denly b Wood 6 fi elded better than in the fi rst in- 6-160 (Buttler), 7-206 (Cur- Root decided not to enforce the Z. Crawley c De Kock b Pretorius 24 nings when England scored 400. V. Philander c Broad b Woakes 4 ran), 8-206 (Woakes), 9-240 Philander fi ned in last Test follow despite England leading by D. Sibley c Malan b Hendricks 44 Left-arm seam bowler Beuran D. Pretorius c Crawley b Stokes 37 (Wood), 10-248 (Root) for Buttler send-off 217 runs on the fi rst innings. J. Denly b Paterson 8 Hendricks claimed a fi ve-wicket Fast bowler Mark Wood took B. Hendricks not out 5 Bowling: Philander 1.3-1-1-0, haul on debut, fi nishing with fi ve South African opening a level one off ence for J. Root c Du Plessis b Hendricks 58 fi ve for 46 as South Africa were D. Paterson c Buttler b Wood 4 Nortje 11-1-61-2, Paterson 13.3-5-18- for 64 when Root was last man bowler Vernon Philander, “using language, actions or B. Stokes c Dussen b Hendricks 28 1, Hendricks 15.3-2-64-5, Pretorius bowled out for 183 in their fi rst Extras (1W) 1 out to a sensational diving catch who is playing in his final gestures which disparage innings. O. Pope c De Kock b Nortje 11 18-2-87-2 (1w), Malan 2-0-5-0 by South African captain Faf du Test, has been fined 15 or which could provoke Quinton de Kock (76) and Plessis at a wide slip. percent of his match fee an aggressive reaction Dwaine Pretorius (37) kept Eng- series for the South African bats- time left in the game we’ve still strong possibility. Ben Stokes, Sam Curran and after a send-off of England from a batter upon his/her land in the fi eld for most of the men. got to look at going for a win,” he It was an unhappy day for Phi- Mark Wood all batted with free- batsman Jos Buttler during dismissal in an international morning and probably made His team-mates have con- said. lander, who will be retiring from dom as England stretched their the second day of the fourth match.” sure England would decide to bat tributed only fi ve other 50-plus “It’s never been done before international cricket at the end of lead despite losing wickets at Test at the Wanderers Buttler was fined 15 percent again. De Kock and Pretorius put scores between them. but we have to hold on to some the match. regular intervals. Stadium. of his match fee after the on 79 for the eighth wicket and South Africa coach Mark positivity.” Apart from his early dismissal Typically at the Wanderers, The International Cricket second Test in Cape Town prevented England from wrap- Boucher said his team, trailing 2-1 Vernon Philander was out to for four, he received a fi ne of 15 there was some uneven bounce Council announced where he was caught ping up the innings early. in the series, faced a huge task to the sixth ball of the day, reducing % of his match fee for his ‘send- as cracks opened up, which will yesterday that Philander on camera swearing at De Kock scored his fourth half- save the match with two days left. South Africa to 93 for seven, at off ’ of Jos Buttler on the second make South Africa’s task virtually had been found guilty of Philander. AFP century of what has been a poor “If you look at the amount of which stage a follow-on seemed a day and he then pulled up with impossible.

TWENTY20 India ease past Black Caps to take 2-0 series lead AFP land choose to bat fi rst. they did, then you never know.” Auckland Bowling fi rst was India’s For a brief moment at the start strength, he said. of the game, it looked as if Wil- “We demanded the bowlers liamson may have made the England’s Mark Wood (right) celebrates after the ith miserly bowling stood up and took control of what right choice when Martin Gup- dismissal of South Africa’s Dane Paterson during and another KL Rahul we wanted to do out there, and our till smacked sixes off consecutive the third day of the fourth Test at the Wanderers half-century, India line and lengths... was a very good deliveries from Shardul Thakur in Stadium in Johannesburg yesterday. (AFP) again outclassed New feature. the opening over. WZealand as they coasted to a sev- Even with a low target to chase, But for much of the remainder en-wicket victory in the second India had an early blip when Tim of the innings it was the Indian Twenty20 match in Auckland yes- Southee removed Rohit Sharma bowlers who were in charge. terday to go 2-0 up in the series. for eight and Kohli for 11. When Guptill was dismissed for On the Eden Park ground re- But Rahul and Shreyas Iyer, who 33 he had faced 20 deliveries and India’s Lokesh Rahul (right) in action nowned for its short boundaries set up India’s six-wicket win in only scored off 10 of them. during the second T20 against New — and which produced more than game one, were rarely troubled in Tim Seifert (33 not out) and Co- Zealand at Eden Park in Auckland 400 runs in game one on Friday — an 87-run partnership to ensure lin Munro (26) were the only other yesterday. (AFP) New Zealand struggled with the victory. batsmen to pass 20, while bowling bat and posted a meagre 132 for Iyer was eventually dismissed for India, left-arm spinner Ravin- fi ve, batting fi rst against a disci- for 44 while Rahul was unbeaten dra Jadeja had fi gures of two for 18 plined Indian attack. on 57. off his four overs. Rahul cracked his second half- Despite the comprehensive Jasprit Bumrah with one for 21 century in as many matches to defeat for New Zealand, captain and Mohamed Shami with none lead India’s reply in which they Kane Williamson stood by his de- for 22 off their four overs were also reeled in the target for the loss cision to bat fi rst. miserly. of only three wickets and with 15 “India were outstanding with The third match in the series is balls to spare. the ball so it was tough,” he said. in Hamilton on Wednesday. “Another good performance to- “But there’ve been good bits day, especially with the ball,” said in both of these games without BRIEF SCORES Indian skipper Virat Kohli who putting it all together. India 135 for 3 (Rahul 57*, Iyer 44, could scarcely contain his glee, ex- “On a small ground we knew if Southee 2-20) beat New Zealand claiming “oh happy days” when he we were able to take early wickets 132 for 5 (Seifert 33*, Guptill 33, lost the toss and heard New Zea- and try and build pressure, like Jadeja 2-18) by five wickets. Gulf Times 4 Monday, January 27, 2020 SPORT

GOLF SPOTLIGHT Herbert wins Dubai Classic in play-off Rahm grabs lead AFP Dubai

ucas Herbert celebrated Australia Day with his fi rst title on the Euro- pean Tour when he beat with Rory close as LSouth Africa’s Christiaan Bezui- denhout on the second play-off hole yesterday to win the Dubai Desert Classic. After hitting his second shot in the fi rst extra hole into the water on the par-5 18th hole, Herbert made a terrifi c up-and-down for Tiger in PGA hunt par, and then birdied the same hole a little while later. Bezui- ester of South Africa (72), Tom denhout overshot the green with Lewis of England (74) and Adri Rahm shoots a seven-under par 65 for a one-shot lead over Palmer his second and failed to make his Arnaus of Spain (70) — were tied up-and-down from there. third at seven-under par 281. Both Bezuidenhout and Her- Spaniard Jon Rahm plays a shot bert shot rounds of four-under FOURTH ROUND SCORES from a bunker during the third par 68 in extremely diffi cult con- (GBR & IRL unless stated): round of the Farmers Insurance ditions at the Majlis course of Open golf tournament in San Emirates Golf Club and set the 279 — Lucas Herbert (AUS) 69-71- Diego. (USA TODAY Sports) clubhouse marker at nine-under 71-68, Christiaan Bezuidenhout par 279. However, none of the (RSA) 73-66-72-68 leading players after the third (Herbert won on the second extra round could catch up with the hole) two as gusting winds of 30 miles 281 — Adri Arnaus (ESP) 72-68-71- per hour and more wreaked hav- 70, Dean Burmester (RSA) 69-68- oc on the fi eld. 72-72, Tom Lewis 73-69-65-74, It was the biggest fi nal-round comeback in the 31-year history 282 — Kurt Kitayama (USA) 69-70- of the tournament. Herbert had 68-75, Wu Ashun (CHN) 69-69-67- started the day fi ve shots behind 77 283 — Mike Lorenzo-Vera (FRA) overnight leader Wu Ashun of 74-71-67-71, Robert MacIntyre China. The previous record was 74-70-67-72, Bryson DeChambeau held by Tiger Woods who over- (USA) 70-67-70-76 284 — Matthieu came a four-shot defi cit in 2008. Pavon (FRA) 69-71-75-69, David It was the 24-year-old Her- Lipsky (USA) 68-75-71-70, Tommy bert’s 50th appearance on the Fleetwood 75-65-69-75, Shane European Tour and the win is Lowry 72-69-69-74, Eddie Pep- expected to lift him from 223rd perell 69-67-72-76 285 — Martin in the world ranking to number Kaymer (GER) 72-71-73-69, Ian 77. “It’s the best thing ever, it’s Poulter 71-73-71-70, Miguel Angel so good,” the 24-year-old said. Jiménez (ESP) 72-74-69-70, We’ve got a bottle of scotch at 286 — Louis Oosthuizen (RSA) home to celebrate back in Aus- 71-72-73-70, Sergio Garcia (ESP) tralia so I can’t wait to get into 71-72-70-73, Victor Hovland (NOR) that with the boys.” 71-70-71-74, Matthias Schwab Three players — Dean Burm- (AUT) 72-72-70-72,

FOCUS Soderberg sprints to

LEADING THIRD ROUND SCORES European record round AFP Second-ranked McIlroy, needing a ball in the correct spots, and when I did I Los Angeles victory to return to world number one poured them in there.” (USA unless noted, par-72): AFP revealed. “He said this morning for the fi rst time since 2015, fi red a 67 to Woods made bogey at the par-3 11th 204 - Jon Rahm (ESP) 68-71-65 Dubai that he was excited about it, so join a third-place pack on 207 with South then grinded out seven concluding pars, we said ‘let’s do this’.” hird-ranked Jon Rahm seized the Korean Kang Sung and Americans Harry the most crucial on a 15-foot putt — his 205 - Ryan Palmer 72-62-71 The previous fastest round on lead of the Farmers Insurance Higgs and Cameron Champ. “I hit the longest putt of the day — at the par-5 207 - Rory McIlroy 67-73-67, Kang Sung ebastian Soderberg made the European Tour was one hour Open on Saturday while Rory ball well off the tee. I gave myself plenty 18th. “It was important to make that putt (KOR) 69-71-67, Harry Higgs 70-68-69, golfi ng history yesterday, and 59 minutes by Belgium’s McIlroy chased the world number of chances,” said McIlroy. “If you can to salvage the round a little bit and get Cameron Champ 71-68-68 the Swede completing Thomas Pieters at the Italian Tone spot and Tiger Woods charged into pack your patience around this place, just some momentum going for the round to- his fi nal round at the Du- Open last year. On the PGA Tour, 208 - Tony Finau 70-70-68, Tyler contention for a record-setting 83rd ca- hang around, you should be OK. No one is morrow,” Woods said. baiS Desert Classic in a European American Wesley Bryan needed McCumber 72-68-68, Marc Leishman reer US PGA title. going to go out here and shoot the lights McIlroy sank a 19-foot birdie putt at (AUS) 68-72-68, Patrick Reed 69-69-70, record time of one hour and 36 just 89 minutes to fi nish his fi nal Rahm made fi ve birdies and an eagle out. If you keep putting it on the green the par-3 third, took his lone bogey at Sebastian Cappelen (DEN) 66-71-71, minutes. The 29-year-old was round at the 2017 BMW Cham- to shoot a bogey-free seven-under par and give yourself chances, you’re going to four, then birdied the par-5 sixth and Brandt Snedeker 69-67-72, JB Holmes playing alone and fi rst off after 71 pionship. Soderberg, the winner 65 and stand on 12-under 204 after 54 do well out here.” ninth holes. On the back nine, McIlroy 68-69-71 players made the cut. of last year’s European Masters, holes at Torrey Pines with American Ryan That’s what 15-major winner Woods birdied the par-4 12th and 15th and par-5 With his brother Jesper on the added: “We decided that when- Palmer one shot back after a 71. “I was re- hopes as the 44-year-old reigning Mas- 18th — the exact same trio of holes where 209 - Tiger Woods 69-71-69, Tom Hoge bag, the duo hatched a plot to ever it was a par-3, he would go ally focused. To stay bogey free at Torrey ters champion tries to move past the all- he made bogeys on Friday. 71-71-67, Mark Anderson 74-66-69, Bubba polish off the round as quickly and wait on the greens. On the Pines is a really good round,” said Rahm, time record 82 US PGA wins he shares Rahm, who won his fi rst US PGA title at Watson 67-73-69 as possible, their plan included par-4s and 5s, he would just who made all 15 of his putts from 10 feet with Sam Snead. Woods sank a 13-foot Torrey Pines in 2017, began with a birdie 210 - Jamie Lovemark 73-68-69, Cameron sprinting after hitting each shot leave me the appropriate clubs or less. “I hit a lot of really good putts.” birdie putt on the same fi rst hole where then holed out from 111 yards to eagle the Davis (AUS) 76-65-69, Zac Blair 72-66-72 and between the holes. Soder- and go to the fairways.” Woods, who has eight career triumphs Friday he four-putted to a double bogey, second and followed with birdies at the 211 - Jimmy Walker 71-70-70, Joaquin berg said he needed a buy-in After fi nishing the tournament at Torrey Pines, fi red a 69 to stand fi ve then curled in a seven-foot birdie putt par-5 sixth, ninth and 13th holes. His ap- Niemann (CHI) 71-70-70, Maverick Mc- from his brother and caddy to at 10-under par total, Soderberg proach at the par-3 13th landed three feet behind Rahm entering the fi nal round. on the par-3 third and chipped in from 17 Nealy 71-71-69, Ben Taylor (ENG) 71-69-71, execute the plan. said: “I always wanted to jog and feet to rescue par at the fourth. from the cup to set up a fi nal birdie. play as fast as I could. I struggled “I’m going to have to shoot a pretty good Brandon Wu 68-72-71, Kevin Streelman 72- “I thought about it last night, round tomorrow,” Woods said. “I’ll have Woods birdied the par-5 sixth and It’s only the second 54-hole US PGA but the important thing was that the last two days, so I fi gured it 71-68, Im Sung-jae (KOR) 67-73-71, Patrick my work cut out for me. I’ll have go out ninth to pull within two of the lead. edge for Rahm, who faded to a share of my brother on the bag, he had wouldn’t really hurt my game Rodgers 70-69-72, Beau Hossler 72-66-73, there and post a number and hopefully it “Most of my putts I made were all uphill,” 12th after leading to start the fi nal round the big job, because he ran non- just to jog in between, and not Keegan Bradley 66-72-73 will be good enough.” Woods said. “It’s important to leave the of the 2019 Players tournament. stop pretty much,” Soderberg think too much.”

QATAR TOURING CAR CHAMPIONSHIP Proposed Premier Golf League to feature 48 players Al-Maadheed takes double win in the QTCC 2K Class and 18 tournaments By Sports Reporter Doha London: The British-based World Golf Group (WGG) has finally publicly unveiled its hanim al-Maadheed won both plan for a new global tour races in the QTCC 2K Class that would comprise 18 yearly during the third round of the tournaments featuring 48 of Qatar Touring Car Champion- the game’s top players. Gship at the Losail International Circuit. The Premier Golf League The Lotus Elise driver is now leading (PGL) hopes to launch in Janu- the championship with 76 points. ary, 2022, it said in a detailed Al-Maadheed had engine issues dur- news release on Saturday. ing the qualifying session on Friday, Each tournament would but managed to fi x the car on time for have prize money of $10mn. the race. In the fi rst race, al-Maadheed Whether the tour is feasible fi nished in fi rst place with a total time remains to be seen on an of 24:54.727 seconds, followed by Mo- already-crowded calendar. hamed al-Aseeri, who was driving a The PGL said it wanted to Honda Civic and Hamad al-Asam with work with established tours a Honda VC5. With the reverse grid in rather than as a breakaway the second race, it took only one lap for circuit, but the US-based PGA al-Maadheed to overtake the front cars Tour and European Tour have and take the lead in his category. been all but dismissive about He won the second race in front of the proposed circuit. Nasser al-Ahbabi with a Toyota GT86 “We don’t comment on the and Abdulla al-Abbasi with a Honda Ghanim al-Maadheed celebrates his business of other tours, real Integra. “I had an engine problem dur- win at the Losail International Circuit. or hypothetical. We’re focused ing the qualifying session and I had to on our business,” the PGA change the whole engine. The team has the grid after the warm up lap. After the Tour said in a statement. been working very hard to fi x the prob- delay al-Kuwari took the lead from the The European Tour has lem. Although the car is not 100%, I am start until the fi nish line. Abdulla al- Action from the third round of the Qatar Touring Car Championship at the Losail International Circuit. been similarly dismissive. The very happy to take the double win this Khelaifi had a mechanical issue in the PGA Tour has a policy in which weekend,” al-Maadheed said. last lap and did not fi nish the fi rst race. and I cool down, so after the second In the second race of QTCC M240, has been amazing. I was second in the players must seek a “release” In the QTCC M240 Class, Nasser al- “This weekend I learnt a lot from Ab- green light, I jumped fi rst and as the cir- Hamad al-Sulaiti took the fi rst position fi rst race and the won the second one. from the commissioner each Kuwari emerged victorious followed by dulla and Hamad and I want to thank cuit was clear in front of me, I did 2 or 3 in the podium, followed by Abdulla al- This is incredible for me and also I did time they want to play an Hamad al-Sulaiti and Saadon al-Ku- them. First race was very good. I was fl ying laps and keep the gap, so I man- Khelaifi and Saadon al-Kuwari. Al-Su- the fastest lap, so I cannot ask for more event on anything other than wari. The fi rst race was delayed as one smart at the start, as with the delayed aged the race from the start to the fi nish’ laiti was extremely happy with his fi rst being my fi rst season in this champion- their home tour. of the drivers took a wrong position in start, the other drivers were in tension said Al Kuwari. victory of the season. “This weekend ship,” he said. Gulf Times Monday, January 27, 2020 5 SPORT

NBA NHL Hertl helps Pacifi c edge Atlantic James passes Kobe Reuters tan 9-5, and the Pacifi c beat Los Angeles Team Central 10-5. In the fi rst semifi nal, the Metropolitan forged a 5-4 second-period an Jose Sharks forward lead, then the Atlantic scored Tomas Hertl scored the fi ve unanswered goals — the game-winning goal as last two into an empty net — to Team Pacifi c defeated advance to the fi nal. on scoring list as STeam Atlantic 5-4 to win the Pastrnak and Ottawa Sena- NHL All-Star Game on Satur- tors forward Anthony Duclair day night in St. Louis. each scored a hat trick and Vancouver Canucks forward added an assist for the win- Elias Pettersson scored twice ners. Tampa Bay Lightning de- in the victory and Edmonton fenceman Victor Hedman had Oilers forward Leon Draisaitl a goal and three assists, and had a goal and an assist. Lightning goaltender Andrei Sixers rout Lakers David Pastrnak and Jonath- Vasilevskiy stopped six of sev- an Huberdeau had each a goal en shots in the second period. ‘The story is too much. Now I am here in a Lakers uniform in Philadelphia where he is from’ and an assist for Atlantic. Pas- The Metropolitan was led trnak was named the event’s by New Jersey Devils forward MVP with four goals and two Nico Hischier (two goals, one assists over his two games. assist), Columbus Blue Jackets “We all wanted to win at defenceman Seth Jones (one the end of the day. Too bad we goal, three assists) and Phila- didn’t,” Pastrnak told report- delphia Flyers forward Travis ers after the game. “I don’t Konecny (three assists). even know how they got votes In the second semifi nal, the in. I would expect the winner Pacifi c broke a 4-4 tie with to be the MVP, the winning a dominant second period — team. If it was voted in by fans, outscoring the Central 6-1 I appreciate the love. Probably to advance to the fi nal. Hertl wasn’t any fans from the St. scored four goals, including Louis building. Whoever vot- the fi nal three of the second ed, I appreciate it, I appreciate period, to lead the attack. the love.” “I thought Tomas Hertl was “He’s our MVP on a lot of really good, he played defence,” nights, too, so I’m used to see Pacifi c/Arizona head coach him going to work,” Atlantic/ Rick Tocchet said. “I said, Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy ‘You’re the next Brent Burns.’ I told reporters. “He got to play thought he was the next Brent with good players, score a few Burns out there, he was awe- goals. Too bad we came up a some for us.” little short.” Draisaitl (three goals, one The event featured four di- assist), Calgary Flames forward visional teams playing 3-on-3 Matthew Tkachuk (two goals, games with two 10-minute two assists) and Vancouver periods. The title game was Canucks defenceman Quinn more tightly contested than Hughes (goal, three assists) the wide-open semifi nal also starred off ensively. games. Toronto Maple Leafs Flames goaltender David goaltender Frederik Andersen Rittich stopped nine of 10 shots stopped seven of eight shots in the second period to seal the as the Atlantic built a 3-1 fi rst- victory and send Pacifi c to the period lead. fi nal. Pacifi c battled back in the Chicago Blackhawks for- second period to tie the game ward Patrick Kane scored twice 3-3 and later take the lead 5-4 for the Central, and forwards on Hertl’s goal with 2:36 left. Mark Scheifele (Winnipeg Jets) In the semifi nals, the Atlan- and Tyler Seguin (Dallas Stars) tic defeated Team Metropoli- each had a goal and an assist.

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James dribbles against the Philadelphia 76ers during the first quarter at Wells Fargo Center. PICTURE: USA TODAY Sports

AFP Twitter. “Continuing to move the game 23 points as Utah won its fourth straight RESULTS Los Angeles forward @KingJames. Much respect my game. Luka Doncic scored 25 points, Seth brother,” Bryant wrote. Curry added 19 points and Kristaps Por- Philadelphia 108-91 LA Lakers James spent 11 seasons across two dif- zingis added 15 for the Mavericks, who are eBron James passed Kobe Bryant Chicago 118-106 Cleveland ferent stints with the Cleveland Cavaliers, 1-2 in their last three after winning four on the all-time scoring list with Oklahoma 113-104 Minnesota with a four-season run in Miami in be- straight. a 29-point performance on Sat- tween. He is averaging over 25 points over In Detroit, Kyrie Irving scored 45 points Brooklyn 121-111 Detroit urday, but his Los Angeles Lakers 44 games this season, leading the Lakers and the visiting Brooklyn Nets snapped a Lsuff ered a one-sided loss to the Philadel- Utah 112-107 Dallas to the Western Conference’s best record of fi ve-game losing skid with a 121-111 over- phia 76ers, 108-91. 36-10. time victory over the Detroit Pistons. James, who was named to his 16th 36,928 points. Centre Kareem Abdul-Jab- Ben Simmons fi nished with 28 points, Irving added seven assists and six re- straight all-star game this week, etched his bar is the league’s all-time scoring leader 10 rebounds and eight assists to lead the bounds in his highest scoring game since name in the record books by becoming the with 38,387 points. After the game, James Sixers. Tobias Harris scored 29 points and his Nets debut in October. third leading scorer in NBA history. talked about meeting Bryant as a teenager Al Horford had 16 for the Sixers, who im- Jarrett Allen had 20 points, 15 rebounds With the Lakers trailing the host Phila- and getting a pair of shoes from his hero. proved to 21-2 at home. and four blocks and Joe Harris tossed in 16 delphia 76ers 74-52 with 7 1/2 minutes left They cramped his feet but he wasn’t going The shorthanded Sixers played without points for Brooklyn. in the third period, James received a pass to take them off . “I wore them that night. I Joel Embiid (injured fi nger) for the 16th Derrick Rose, who has scored 20 or more from Anthony Davis at the three-point was a 15 and he was a size 14. I wore them time this season and were also missing Josh points in 12 straight games, led Detroit line and drove across the lane, splitting anyways,” James said. Richardson with a strained hamstring. with 27 points and six assists. Detroit cen- two defenders for a layup and the historic “He was immortal off ensively because Anthony Davis led the Lakers with 31 tre Andre Drummond delivered 20 points points. of his skillset,” James said. “The story is too points, while James also had eight assists and 21 rebounds while Svi Mykhailiuk con- At the next timeout he received a stand- much. Now I am here in a Lakers uniform and seven rebounds. tributed 19 points and Bruce Brown added ing ovation from the crowd of 21,109 at the in Philadelphia where he is from. 17 points with fi ve assists. Wells Fargo Center arena. “The universe just puts things in your IRVING SHINES Drummond missed the previous two The basket put James at 33,644 career life. When you live the right way, things Elsewhere, Rudy Gobert fi nished with 22 games after taking an elbow to the face at points, one more than former Lakers great happen organically. It is not suppose to points as the Utah Jazz rallied to beat the Washington on Monday. Bryant’s 33,643. make sense but it just happens.” Dallas Mavericks 112-107. Brooklyn scored the fi rst six points of Longtime Utah Jazz star forward Karl Bryant congratulated James, who is Donovan Mitchell scored a team-high overtime and Harris nailed a three-pointer Tomas Hertl of the San Jose Sharks warms up prior to the All-Star Malone is next for James to pass with in his second season with the Lakers, on 25 points while Bojan Bogdanovic added with 2:40 remaining to seal the match. Skills Competition at Enterprise Center in Missouri on Saturday. (AFP)

NFL Pro Bowlers reportedly oppose 17-game schedule Reuters publicly in the past of his desire to push for an Los Angeles expanded NFL schedule, but has thus far been met with substantial player and owner resist- File photo of Atlanta Falcons ance. While most ideas to make a plan work in- tight end Austin Hooper. (TNS) everal Pro Bowl players polled this week volve cutting back on the number of preseason said they are still fi rmly against the games, many players pointed out that estab- NFL adding a 17th regular-season game lished veterans would not enjoy any decreased to its annual schedule if proposed, ac- workload under those scenarios. cordingS to an ESPN report published on Sat- “Most of the starters don’t play in that last urday. game anyway, so if you take away that one pre- While in Florida for practices and promo- season game, you’re not taking away anything tional events before the Pro Bowl is played on for us,” Baltimore Ravens guard Marshal Yanda Sunday, very few players supported the idea of said. “You’re just adding a game. I’m not for the league potentially adding another game to the extra game. I think the game’s long enough. the schedule. Players’ safety and overall health It’s physical enough, tough enough on people’s were the primary concerns. bodies to play 16 games and also playoff s, so “I don’t have the answers, but I think if the I’m just not for that. NFL says they care about player safety and tell “I understand that it’s going to be hard to the parents of kids in youth football how much stop it, but I’m not for increasing the games at they care about player safety, then it doesn’t all.” make sense to play football without more rest,” A proposed 18-game schedule was fi rst Atlanta Falcons tight end Austin Hooper told brought up by owners formally last July. The ESPN. “So it’ll be interesting to see if their ac- owners even proposed expanding rosters and tions align with their words. limiting players to 16 games in the 18-game “... I mean, the NFL is coming under a lot of season in an eff ort to simultaneously add player scrutiny — there’s a lot of former players games and address player-safety concerns. taking their own lives and having a lot of issues But the union has said players don’t want an — and their answer now is to play more football expanded regular season, particularly without and have more traumatic brain injuries. If they getting a “signifi cant increase” in their per- care as much as they say they do publicly, I feel centage of revenue generated by the games, that they should add another bye week.” according to past reporting by ESPN’s Adam Commissioner Roger Goodell has spoken Schefter. Gulf Times 6 Monday, January 27, 2020 TENNIS

RUGBY SEVENS ATHLETICS The men Kemp cruises produced an past Powell to win Back-to-back emphatic 27-5 victory over 60m at Boston GP

France,while AFP and the others are using this Los Angeles event as an early rehearsal for the women this year’s Tokyo Olympics as well as the World Indoors in won their third emek Kemp stormed March at Nanjing, China. double gold for past former two- The meet is the opener of consecutive time 100m world the seven-event World Ath- Drecord holder Asafa letics Indoor Tour, which also tournament Powell to win the 60m race at includes stops in Germany, the Boston Indoor Grand Prix Poland, Britain, France and when they beat on Saturday. Spain over January and Febru- Kemp clocked a winning ary. Canada 24-7 time and personal best of 6.50 England’s Chris O’Hare New Zealand seconds to edge out fellow needed an extra burst of en- American Keitavious Walter, ergy to beat Nick Willis in the who posted a time of 6.61. The mile. 37-year-old Powell fi nished O’Hare won with a time of fi fth with a 6.71. 3:59.62 while runner-up Wil- “Feels great,” said Kemp. lis of New Zealand also broke “I had some good competi- the four minute barrier with a tion. Glad to have a personal 3:59.89. record.” “That was way harder Jamaica’s Powell was one of should have been,” said Wil- the most dominant sprinters lis, of Wellington. “That was of his era, consistently break- a technical race but it sure was ing the 10 second barrier and fast.” twice setting the world 100m In the women’s events, record in 2005 and 2008. The reigning world outdoor 100m second time he did it with a hurdles champion Nia Ali blazing 9.74 seconds. outduelled Christina Clemons Powell also won a gold med- in the fi nal of the 60m hurdles. al in the 4 X 100m relay at the Ali clocked a winning time Rio Olympics and competed in of 7.94 seconds and Clemons three Summer Games. fi nished in 7.98. But asked what it was like to Ali said she is still trying to compete against the track and get in competition shape. fi eld icon, Kemp dismissed the “There is a lot to improve on notion saying, “He’s an old particularly in my take off and guy.” touch down over the hurdles,” Donovan Brazier recorded she said. “My coach told me to the second fastest indoor time execute and win and not focus in history to capture the 600m on the time. event in 1:14.39. “I feel like I belong here. I World champion Brazier can do this. It is a new look.”

Last Samurai cement place at the top

New Zealand men’s and women’s team celebrate winning their rugby final matches during day two of the World Rugby Sevens series at FMG Stadium in Hamilton yesterday.

AFP top of the table, co-captain Tim Mikkelson were again down a man with captain while Australia were in a three-way tie Hamilton, New Zealand said it was important for morale to improve Jonathan Laugel yellow-carded. with Fiji and Argentina with one loss each their home record. Ware and Curry (twice) scored again in in Pool D. As the Doha Dart League second place, with GCC Rebels “We haven’t gone that well in the last the second half. The New Zealand women, who beat entered week 14 of the now strong favourites to win ew Zealand captured both the couple of years, so we owed it to our crowd New Zealand reached the fi nal without Canada in the Dubai fi nal in early Decem- 2019/2020 season, only three the ‘Wooden Spoon’ for prop- men’s and women’s titles in the and our families,” he said. dropping a game, beating Wales, USA and ber, were behind for most of the fi rst half points separated the top three ping up the table. In other re- Hamilton round of the World “The boys were clinical and the boys that Scotland in their pool and rallying from following a Brittany Benn try. teams with 1st and 2nd facing sults Dart Vaders vanquished Sevens Series yesterday, repeat- came on at the end did the job and we came 14-5 down to beat Australia 17-14 in their They drew level with a try to speedster off . Exiles 8-4 and Who Darted and ingN their double success at the previous away with the victory.” semi-fi nal. Michaela Blyde just on half-time and then With Stray Qatz just one point GCC Renegades played out a tournament in Cape Town. Scott Curry put New Zealand on the France, like Australia, disproved the pre- pulled away after the resumption with a behind the Last Samurai, they hard fought 6-6 draw. The men produced an emphatic 27-5 board with a try in the second minute when tournament theory that the decision to second try to Blyde before Niall Williams knew a win would take them There are now just 7 fixtures victory over France to claim their home France dangerman Tavite Veredamu was scrap the quarter-fi nals, with pool winners and Stacey Fluhler scored in the closing top of the table heading into left in the Doha Darts League contest for the fi rst time in four years, spending early time in the sinbin. progressing directly to the semis, meant minutes. the final round of fixtures. climaxing on the 11th March while the women won their third consecu- Veredamu was no sooner back on the there was no room for error. “This is massive,” said skipper Sarah However, defending Cham- 2020, with three teams still in tive tournament when they beat Canada fi eld when he scored the only try for France. Both reached the fi nal four on points Hirini. pions Last Samurai stood up with a realistic chance of being 24-7. Regan Ware scored New Zealand’s sec- diff erential — France fi nished Pool C level “Canada are amazing, but obviously when it mattered raced into a crowned champions. Stray As the men extended their lead at the ond try right on half-time when France with Canada with two wins and a draw we’ve got some speedsters.” 5-1 lead and ran out convincing Qatz, Legacy and the Last 8-4 winners in the end. Samurai will fight it out for the The result meant with Legacy main prize, with GCC Rebels CYCLING registered a comfortable 9-3 hoping to take points off the win against GCC Rebels that teams above them and avoid- they leapfrog Stray Qatz into ing a last placed finish.

Neuville wins Monte Carlo Porte wins Tour Down Under season-opener for Hyundai despite losing Willunga crown AFP Adelaide

ichie Porte lost his unoffi cial King of Willunga crown but won his second Tour Down Under title in a punishing hill climb fi nish to theR fi nal stage of the UCI season-opening event in Australia yesterday. The Australian from team Trek Segafre- Toyota Hyundai i 20 WRC Belgium’s driver Thierry Neuville (R) do unleashed his trademark surge up the and his co-pilot Nicolas Gilsoul (L) celebrate on the podium after steep three-kilometre climb in a bid for a winning the 88th Monte-Carlo Rally, the inaugural race of the seventh win in the demanding Willunga 2020 FIA World Rally Championship (WRC), in Monaco. Hill stage, but was overtaken by England’s Matthew Holmes in the fi nal stretch. Monte Carlo: Belgian Thierry least once, and we’ve done it.” “I asked a lot of my team all week and Neuville won the season- Welshman Evans had led they did not miss a beat. Thanks Trek- opening Monte Carlo Rally for overnight with the top three Segafredo, what a team,” Porte said. Hyundai yesterday and ended separated by just 6.4 seconds “It was a little bit panic stations there in Sebastien Ogier’s bid for a but Neuville won all four of the middle of the stage (behind the break- record eighth victory and sev- Sunday’s slippery asphalt away). enth in a row in the principality. stages in the French Alps to go “We had to do the ride for the whole Neuville finished the final from third to first. day. My team today were absolutely fan- Australian rider Richie Porte power stage 12.6 seconds clear Neuville, who won nine of the tastic. It’s been an incredible week.” from team Trek-Segafredo of six-times world champion 16 stages in total, took five Porte, the 2017 winner, went into the fi - reacts after winning the Tour Ogier, who ended up 1.7 ahead bonus points by winning the nal stage trailing defending champion and Down Under UCI World Tour of his third-placed team mate final power stage, 0.016 faster race leader Daryl Impey by two seconds cycling event in Adelaide Elfyn Evans on their Toyota than Frenchman Ogier. but the South African Mitchelton-Scott yesterday. debuts. “We’ve really been able to in- lead rider couldn’t go the pace on the fi - It was Hyundai’s and Neuville’s crease our feeling and comfort nal climb and lost more than 30 seconds professional win. damage and trying to save the podium,” Australian individual world time trial first win in Monte Carlo, with in the car the past few days. I to fi nish sixth overall. “I’ve never really raced up a climb,” Impey said. champion Rohan Dennis, riding for Team the Belgian missing out by 2.2 could really push, and we’ve Holmes, who was part of a 26-strong Holmes said. “This is my second hilltop “I wasn’t on a great day today. I strug- Ineos, fi nished fourth overall and said he seconds last year when Ogier seen the results from the stage breakaway group which maintained a gap fi nish this week, and it seems to suit me.” gled a bit there on the bottom slopes, per- had work to do ahead of the international won for Citroen. times,” said the Belgian. of up to four minutes on the main pelo- Impey, who was chasing three straight haps paying for quite a busy week but, that season. “The target was to win this rally M-Sport Ford’s Finnish driver ton for much of the stage, stuck to Porte’s TDU victories, was a beaten man as he la- being said, we gave it our all.” “I felt good for January, but I’ve got a bit and take revenge and it feels Teemu Suninen took three back wheel as the Australian launched his boured towards the fi nish line. Italian Diego Ulissi (UAE Team Emir- of work to do before July and my big goal good right now,” he said. bonus points for third in the attack the second time up Willunga Hill. “I came over the line spent. I knew I was ates) fi nished second overall, 25 seconds of the Tokyo Olympics and for the Giro I “Monte Carlo is one of the stage, Evans two for fourth and The Lotto Soudal rider swept past Porte out of it there once I got dropped and I just behind Porte, with Germany’s Simon Ge- have to get better at climbing again,” he most historic events that every M-Sport’s Esapekka Lappi one through the fi nal corner to take his fi rst kept fi ghting to the line, trying to limit the schke (CCC Team) third. said. WRC driver wants to win at for fifth. Gulf Times Monday, January 27, 2020 7 FOOTBALL

REPORT SCOTTISH PREMIERSHIP Gerrard ‘shocked’ as Hearts strike blow to Manchester United Rangers’ title challenge

AFP one game in hand. At the other Glasgow end of the table, Hearts move to within one point of second-bot- tom Hamilton. teven Gerrard admitted he “We came back with a really hit Tranmere for six was shocked by how poor good mentality,” said Stendel. “I his Rangers side were as think we deserved the points. It’s they suff ered a 2-1 defeat a great day for us.” atS bottom-of-the-table Hearts in Rangers were without sus- his 100th game in charge. pended top scorer Alfredo More- Gerrard’s men had not lost in los after he was sent-off in a 2-1 the Scottish Premiership since win at Celtic in late December. early September and looked A fi rst victory at Celtic Park in FA Cup mauling to have ended some stiff fi rst in nine years had swung the half resistance from the Jam- momentum of the title race in ‘You can see everyone wanted us to Fail but it doesn’t bother me. I’m happy but won’t relax’ bos when Ryan Kent opened the Rangers’ favour, but Gerrard was scoring two minutes into the furious at his side’s lack of fi ght AFP second half. to throw away that advantage London However, Hearts secured their without the Colombian. fi rst win in seven league games “Hearts deserved their win. under Daniel Stendel to claim a They’ve rushed us off the pitch, anchester United huge three points in their battle they’ve dominated us in the ugly thrashed third-tier to avoid relegation. side of the game,” added Ger- Tranmere Rov- Steven Naismith levelled just rard, whose side had not previ- ers 6-0 yesterday before the hour mark against ously lost away from home in the Mto join Manchester City in the his former club before debutant league this season. FA Cup fi fth round but it failed Liam Boyce scored the winner “Our away form has been to silence protests against the seven minutes from time. good because we’ve been really club’s owners. “It’s always frustrating when organised, competed well and A muddy and bobbly Prenton you lose a game, but I’m a little won second balls. Today there Park pitch looked the perfect bit shocked because I didn’t see was nothing of that on either stage for an old-fashioned Cup that coming,” Gerrard told Sky side of the game from our point shock but it was Tranmere who Sports. of view.” sank as Harry Maguire’s thun- “When you don’t recognise Earlier, Aberdeen were booed derbolt signalled a United on- your players it’s a little bit of a off by their travelling support slaught that saw Diogo Dalot, shock.” after a 0-0 draw at St Mirren left Jesse Lingard, Phil Jones and Defeat leaves Rangers still fi ve Derek McInnes’s men still four Anthony Martial all score before points adrift of Celtic at the top points adrift of third-placed the interval. of the table, but now with just Motherwell. Mason Greenwood added a second-half penalty meaning it was the fi rst time since 1892 SERIE A that six diff erent players had scored in the same game for United. It was an impressive display Martinez sees red from a United side that had lost three of their last four Premier League games, and eclipsed as Nainggolan Manchester City’s 4-0 win over Championship side Fulham earlier, but it might only be a frustrates Inter Milan temporary respite for disgrun- tled fans. AFP with Ashley Young having an They sang songs against the Milan immediate impact on his debut Glazer family who own the club after arriving from Manches- and vice-chairman Ed Wood- ter United, providing the cross ward even as the goals rained in. adja Nainggolan which allowed Martinez to head “It was really important to grabbed the equaliser in in after half an hour. get the win, coming off the back a 1-1 draw for Cagliari to But the hosts failed to build on of a bad performance and result dent the title ambitions the momentum and the Sardin- against Burnley,” skipper Maguire ofR his parent club Inter Milan, ians stayed in the match until Manchester United’s Jesse Lingard celebrates scoring their third goal with teammates Diogo Dalot and Mason Greenwood in FA Cup fourth said referring to Wednesday’s round match against Tranmere Rovers at Prenton Park in Birkenhead, Britain, yesterday. (Reuters) who struggled to a third consec- Nainggolan’s defl ected long- 2-0 home defeat. “We set our utive stalemate yesterday. range equaliser on 78 minutes. stall out to put in a positive per- ford to force a replay but there a good day. Anthony Martial romped to victory over second- League One Shrewsbury earned Tensions reached boiling point “On the one hand I’m sorry to formance for the fans.” was no escape this time as Unit- added a fi fth goal just before the tier Fulham - a task made easier a fourth round replay at Anfi eld at the San Siro as Inter’s goals- have scored,” said Nainggolan. “I Tranmere knocked out Pre- ed turned on the style on the break with a defl ected eff ort and as the visitors played virtually thanks to Jason Cummings’s corer Lautaro Martinez was sent have a lot of respect for Inter, the mier League Watford’s second- type of surface rarely seen these poor old Rovers keeper Scott the whole game with 10 men double in a 2-2 draw at New off in injury time for arguing with fans and for my teammates, but string side in a replay on Thurs- days. Davies could have done nothing after Tim Ream was red-carded Meadow. the referee. The Argentinian risks on the other no, I’m happy. They day and were fi red-up for the “When you score two or three about any of them. after six minutes for conced- Jurgen Klopp showed Liver- a long suspension after reacting treated me a little badly, as if I visit of a United team missing goals in quick succession, it’s sit United had not scored fi ve ing a penalty converted by Ilkay pool’s focus is very much on a with fury, shouting and repeat- was a mediocre player.” key players and looking vulnera- down and enjoy the game and times before halftime since Gundogan. fi rst Premier League title for 30 edly punching the plexiglass at Nainggolan scored the deci- ble. But when Maguire advanced let the players enjoy it,” United 2001 and Greenwood’s penalty, Bernardo Silva made it 2-0 years as he made 11 changes to the side of the pitch, after being sive goal for Inter against Em- and belted a right-footed eff ort manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer after a foul on Tahith Chong, and Gabriel Jesus scored twice the side that won at Wolves on led away by his teammates. poli in the fi nal game last season into the top corner after 10 min- said. meant it was their biggest away after the break as City reached Thursday. Antonio Conte’s second- to snatch the last Champions utes before Dalot jinked into the If Maguire’s strike was a rar- win since they beat Nottingham 100 goals for the season in all However, unlike against placed Inter are now three points League berth at the expense of area to fi nish with aplomb three ity - it was his fi rst of the season Forest 8-1 in the Premier League competitions, the fi rst club to Everton in the third round, the adrift of leaders Juventus, who city rivals AC Milan. The 31-year- minutes later and Jesse Lingard - then when Phil Jones looped in in 1999. “You can see everyone do so in Europe’s top leagues. German’s gamble did not pay travel to 13th-placed Napoli old Belgian moved back to his curled home three minutes after a header for his fi rst goal since wanted us to fail but it doesn’t off as Shrews’ substitute Cum- later. They can also be caught former club in Sardinia this sea- that it was all over. 2014, after Dalot and Lingard bother me,” Solskjaer said. “I’m LIVERPOOL HELD BY mings cancelled out Curtis by Lazio, in third, who are three son for family reasons. Inter are Tranmere had come back had put United in control, the happy but won’t relax.” LEAGUE ONE SHREWSBURY Jones’s opener and a freak own points behind before their der- the ex-Roma player’s favourite from three down against Wat- visitors knew it was going to be Holders Manchester City Liverpool let a 2-0 lead slip as goal from Donald Love. by clash against fourth-placed victim having scored six career Roma. A win would see Simone goals against the northern club, Inzaghi’s Lazio join Inter in the four at the San Siro. Romelu Lu- standings, with a game in hand kaku missed a late chance for the Atletico held by Leganes as defender goes in goal to be played in February against hosts, sending an eff ort wide, as Atletico Madrid’s goalscoring would appear to rule Diego points behind city rivals Real, about his team’s direction of nately that hasn’t been the case Hellas Verona. both sides pushed desperately to troubles resurfaced as they Simeone’s team out of title who travel to Real Valladolid travel. “Honestly, we’re not these past few matches. We’re Martinez’s frustration mir- end their winless streak. drew 0-0 at home to a strug- contention. later, ahead of next week’s talking about the coach in the going through a bad patch.” Hav- rored that of his team who have Tensions were already high gling Leganes side that finished They are now winless in four Madrid derby at the Santiago changing room,” said Atletico ing sold French striker Antoine now been held to three consecu- when Martinez went down in a with a defender in goal after the games, their surprise cup exit Bernabeu. goalkeeper Jan Oblak. Griezmann to Barcelona, scoring tive 1-1 draws - at home against challenge and earned a yellow dismissal of Ivan Cuellar. preceded by a 2-0 loss at Eibar in Simeone admitted on Saturday “We all speak with him as players goals has been Atletico’s funda- Atalanta and Cagliari and at card for a comment to the ref- Atletico crashed out of the Copa La Liga last weekend and defeat his “life is consumed by Atletico” and we’re here to get better and mental weakness this season. Lecce. Inter have taken 11 points eree, promptly earning a straight del Rey in midweek after losing by Real Madrid in the Spanish and while his stock among the to play football the fans enjoy. They have managed only 22 in 21 from the last seven games, not red for then shouting at the of- to third-tier Cultural Leonesa, Super Cup. club’s fans remains largely un- “But what pleases supporters is league games, the same number enough to keep pace with eight- fi cial. The game ended in chaos and yesterday’s latest setback Atletico could finish the day 10 diminished, there are concerns to see their team win. Unfortu- as Real Mallorca in 17th. time reigning champions Juven- with Conte arguing with match tus. Inter made a promising start offi cials, before storming .off

AFC U23 CHAMPIONSHIP South Korea lift title to highlight Olympic credentials AFP But continental glory was at the far corner, but al-Yami got Bangkok stake and, given their impressive down to make a fi ne save. form, South Korea were favour- Saudi Arabia fi nally showed ites coming into the fi nal. some more attacking intent as outh Korea won the AFC After a scrappy opening pe- the match edged toward the U23 Championship fi nal riod, Jeong Woo-yeong brought 90-minute mark and Abdulrah- by dramatically beating the game to life in the 20th man Ghareeb fi red a powerful Saudi Arabia 1-0 after minute. eff ort over from 20 yards with extra-time.S The SC Freiburg forward three minutes remaining. Saudi Arabia’s superbly or- tricked his way past a defender The match entered extra time ganised defence looked set to to go through on goal before Mo- and, after an uneventful 20 min- frustrate the South Koreans until hammed al-Yami narrowed the utes, Lee Dong-gyeong threat- Jeong Tae-wook’s 113th-minute angle and saved his shot. ened with a low shot from the winner. The Saudis responded 10 edge of the box, but al-Yami It was the South Koreans’ fi rst minutes later when Abdullah al- made the save again. title in the fourth edition of Hamdan saw his eff ort blocked But South Korea fi nally broke this tournament, giving them from close range. the deadlock in the 113th minute the perfect ending to a campaign Three minutes from half- when Jeong Tae-wook rose to in which they qualifi ed for time, Jeong Woo-yeong missed head home Lee Dong-gyeong’s their ninth straight Olympic the best chance of the fi rst 45 free kick, sparking wild celebra- Games. minutes, blasting over from 12 tions. With the Top Three sides in yards out. the competition earning places South Korea again came close at Tokyo 2020, Olympic qualifi - to making the breakthrough in South Korean players celebrate cation had already been secured the 58th minute. winning AFC U23 Championship for the two fi nalists, alongside Lee Dong-jun cut inside from at the Rajamangala Stadium in third-placed Australia. the right and angled a shot for Bangkok yesterday. (AFP)

Monday, January 27, 2020 GULF TIMES SPORT

AL THUMAMA STADIUM — SYMBOL OF QATAR’S YOUTH AND ARAB HERITAGE

The Supreme Committee yesterday released the latest pictures of the Al Thumama Stadium which will host FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 matches through to the quarter-finals. Located 12km south of Doha’s glittering skyline and seafront promenade, Al Thumama Stadium’s design represents the gahfiya – a traditional woven cap worn by men and boys across the Middle East. The gahfiya forms a fundamental layer of the traditional clothing of the region. It is also a symbol of dignity and independence – a perfect analogy for Qatar and the surrounding region. Al Thumama Stadium is a nod to the past, while off ering an exciting glimpse into Qatar’s tomorrow. In Arab culture, the gahfiya forms an important part of every young boy’s path to adulthood. Every family from the region recognises the gahfiya, as they will all recognise this magnificent stadium once it has brought the world together in 2022. It is an arena that symbolises Qatar’s youth, the country’s emergence as a major player on the global sporting scene and the shared Arab heritage that inspired its creation.

AFC CHAMPIONS LEAGUE MOTORSPORT Oman International Rally returns to MERC Rayyan in play-off calendar in February he Oman International metres in a compact route of Rally makes a welcome 532.40km. The event is being return to the FIA Mid- organised under the chair- dle East Rally Cham- manship of Rtd. Brigadier Sal- Tpionship (MERC) calendar for im Ali al-Maskry with Anwar with Esteghlal for the fi rst time since 2015 on Ali Soomar working as Rally February 6-8. Director and Ahmed Abdullah Organised by the Oman Au- al-Zadjali appointed as Clerk tomobile Association (OAA), of the Course. the special stage rally has First held as a non-cham- been one of the most popular pionship event in 1979 - when rounds of the regional series the Swedish duo of Harri Kall- since its inception in 1984. The ström and Claes Billstam were main draw berth event off ers some of the finest victorious in a Datsun 160 J – rallying terrain in the Middle the event has seen many well Qatar club Al Sailiya to meet Iranian club Shahr Khodro in other play-off at Al Duhail Stadium East, with competitors able to known names grace its entry enjoy fast, smooth and fl owing lists. Former winners include l Rayyan take on Iran’s gravel roads through the Hajar Swedish legend Björn Walde- Esteghlal in the 2020 mountains. gard (1988), local hero Tony AFC Champions League The Oman event moves from Georgiou (1992) and Qatar’s play-off tomorrow for a its former date towards the end Saeed al-Hajri (1983, 1984 and berthA in the group stage. of the season to host the open- 1985). Qatar’s Al Sadd and Al Duhail, ing round of the MERC for the But the two dominant forces the top two teams in the 2018-19 fi rst time. Teams then heads off over the years have been the QNB Stars League, had qualifi ed to Qatar, Lebanon and Jordan UAE’s Mohammed Ben Su- directly for the group stage of before the series concludes in layem and Qatar’s defend- Asia’s premier club competition. Cyprus at the start of October. ing regional champion Nasser Al Sailiya and Al Rayyan, the It will be a counting round Saleh al-Attiyah. Ben Sulayem third and fourth-placed teams, for the MERC, MERC 2, MERC secured seven victories be- went into play-off to be eligi- 3 and MERC Junior Champi- tween 1986 and 1998 and al- ble to make it to the tournament onship for Drivers. Attiyah currently has fi ve proper. Crews will tackle a short victories to his name – 2003- Esteghlal qualifi ed to play Al special stage (15.45hrs) after 2006 and 2015. The event was Rayyan after they defeated Ku- the ceremonial start (15.00hrs) not held between 2008 and wait SC 3-0 in Dubai in the pre- at the headquarters of the OAA 2013 and since the Qatari’s last liminary round on Saturday. on February 6 and two fur- win with Matthieu Baumel in a The winners of the Al Rayy- ther legs of six stages apiece Ford Fiesta RRC. an vs Esteghlal match will join on February 7 and 8. There Entries close on Tuesday, Group A, which includes the will be 201 competitive kilo- January 28. UAE’s Al Wahda, Iraq’s Al Shorta and the winners of another play- off between Saudi Arabia’s Al Ahli and Tajikistan’s FC Istiklol, to be played tomorrow. Al Rayyan have had a bad run of late as they lost 1-4 to Al Sadd in the 2020 Qatar Cup semi-fi nal and 2-4 to Al Gharafa in the the QNB Stars League on Thursday. Uruguayan Diego Aguirre- coached Al Rayyan have in their ranks players, who can make a diff erence, such as Algerian Ya- cine Brahimi, new Ivorian pro- fessional Yohan Boli, South Ko- rean Lee Jae-Ik, Cameroonian Franck Kom, Rodrigo Tabata, Abdulaziz Hatem, Khaled Muf- Qatar’s Nasser Saleh al-Attiyah is the defending regional champion. tah and Ahmed Abdelmaksoud.

AL SAILIYA AIM TO CREATE HISTORY Al Sailiya are aiming to script his- tory in the 2020 AFC Champions League when they face Iranian team Shahr Khodro in play-off on Tuesday for a berth in the group stage at the Al Duhail Stadium. Qatar’s Al Sadd and Al Duhail, the top two teams in the 2018-19 QNB Stars League, had qualifi ed directly for the group stage of Asia’s premier club competition. Al Sailiya and Al Rayyan, the third and fourth-placed teams, went into play-off to be eligi- ble to make it to the tournament Al Rayyan players celebrate during a recent QNB Stars League match. proper. Shahr Khodro qualifi ed to play Al Sailiya after they defeated Sailiya are matching their wits in And the team camp is staying Al Duhail in the 2020 Qatar Cup Al Ahli Dubai and Uzbekistan’s Bahrain’s Riff a 2-1 at the Sharajah the AFC Champions League after confi dent even though they lost semifi nal. The winners of the Al Pakhtakor. Al Sailiya rely mainly Stadium in the preliminary round having their best-ever fi nish in 0-1 to Al Ahli in Week 13 of the Sailiya vs Shahr Khodro game on players such as Algerian Na- on 25th January. the Qatar League under Tunisian QNB Stars League in the week- will join Group B, which includes dir Belhadj, Iranian Karim Ansari It is for the fi rst time that Al coach Sami Trabelsi last season. end, following their 0-2 loss to Saudi Arabia’s Al Hilal, Shabab and captain Majdi Siddiq. qsl.qa A file picture of an Oman International Rally stage.