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THURSDAYT 22 JULY 2021 JapanJ win opener as Games 'of hope' begin TheT Olympics have the power to bring the world together, to iinspire,n to show what's possible. May the rays of hope from this landla illuminate a new dawn for a healthy, safer and fairer wworld. It is my sincere hope the Tokyo Games succeed.

TedrosT Adhanom Ghebreyesus Sport |11 WWHO Director-General GOLD CUP (RESULTS) - Group C: Costa Rica 1 Jamaica 0; Suriname 2 Guadeloupe 1 - Group D: Panama 3 Grenada 1; Qatar 2 Honduras 0 Gold Cup: Al Annabi storm into quarter-finals after unbeaten run Qatar down Honduras 2-0 to top Group D

THE PENINSULA — HOUSTON, TEXAS Coach Sanchez praises Asian champions Qatar continued their remarkable ‘excellent’ performance performance in Houston, defeating Honduras 2-0 to top — HOUSTON Group D and storm into the THE PENINSULA Panama before collecting a quarter-finals of the Concacaf 4-0 win over Grenada. Gold Cup at the BBVA Stadium Coach Felix Sanchez “The players have proven yesterday. yesterday praised Qatar’s that they are playing with Al Annabi will take on El Sal- performance, saying the team great responsibility and with vador on July 25, while Hon- deserved to reach the Gold great professionalism in such duras will be matched with Cup’s quarter-finals. crucial matches. The focus Mexico in the quarter-finals. Qatar beat Honduras 2-0 was there from our side, and Prior to the Gold Cup, Qatar for their second successive this is the one key thing I can defeated El Salvador 1-0 in a Gold Cup win. The Asian ask for as a coach,” Sanchez friendly during their training champions now face El Sal- said. camp in Croatia on July 4. vador in the quarter-finals on When asked about their Yesterday, Qatar resisted July 25. upcoming match against El well in the start as Honduras “Firstly, I congratulate the Salvador in the quarter- looked to take early control players for the excellent finals, Sanchez said: “We had before wrapping up the group accountccount of themselves theythey previously played aagainst stage recording two victories presentedresented in the match iinn themthem bebeforefore tthehe toutournamentrn and a draw in a commanding whichhich wwee wwereere the best ffromrom dduringuring our cacampm in fashion. thee start ooff tthehe matcmatch,”h,” Croatia, anandd iitt was a Honduras was on the attack Qatar players celebrate a goal against Honduras during their final Group D match yesterday. Sanchezanchez sasaid.id. friendlfriendlyy matmatch. So early and looked to be picking “In“In tthehe ffirstirst hhalf,alf, we hhadad we kknownow our up where they left off against minute and could not another star for the 2022 FIFA 67th minute, but was denied by manyany cchanceshances to score. In oppopponents,onents and Panama, but then Romell continue. World Cup hosts, Akram Afif, defender Abdelkarim Hassan. thee secosecondnd hhalfalf aalsolso wwee ttheyhey also kknown us. Quioto, during the run of play, After holding off pressure, from the spot to keep it a one- Abdelaziz Hatem was playedayed wewell."ll." TThehe ffriendlyrie picked up an injury in the 15th Homam Ahmed struck to give goal affair. another player looking to score HondurasHonduras camecame inintoto tthehe mmatchesatches are Qatar the lead in the 25th Honduras would lose in his second consecutive match, tiee oonn tthehe bacbackk ooff coconsecutivensecutive jujjustst a test minute of the match. It marked another important player to but was denied by Honduran victories.ctories. AAtt ththee sasameme ononly, Al Annabi will take on El Salvador the third straight match in which injury when team captain and defender Kevin Alvarez. time,me, Qatar – plplayingaying in although,alth on July 25, while Honduras will the champions of Asia scored all-time appearances leader Hatim eventually got his the h e ccompe-ompe- throughthr the opening goal. Maynor Figueroa had to be second of the competition titiontion thatt h be matched with Mexico in the Qatar kept pressing forward, pulled just before the half. though to secure the victory five onn an contest,con quarter-finals. Prior to the Gold but Almoez Ali was denied by Honduras remained on the minutes into second half invita-vita- wew Cup, Qatar defeated El Salvador Honduras goalkeeper Luis hunt for an equalizer into the stoppage time, polishing off the tionalo n a l llearnedear a 1-0 in a friendly during their Lopez. Lopez provided another second half and Alexander three points with a strong finish. basis,asis, startestartedd lolott about training camp in Croatia on July 4. vital save after Qatar were Lopez, who scored for Honduras Afif, Ali and Hatem lead theireir campaigncampaign witwithh a them.”them awarded a penalty. The San in the prior game against Qatar in scoring in the Gold Cup 3-3-3 draw aagainstgainst Felix Sanchez Pedro Sula native denied Panama, tried his luck in the with two goals each.

Bidding Team Qatar athletes get QOC Secretary General Jassim bin Rashid Al Buenain Borodin out attending beach volleyball practice session. process for set for Tokyo Olympics of Games 2027 Asian THE PENINSULA — TOKYO after testing Team Qatar stars yesterday continued their positive for Cup delayed practice sessions in Japan, giving final touches to their preparations for the Tokyo Olympics due to which will officially open tomorrow. coronavirus Qatar's medal contenders in beach volleyball, Cherif Younousse and Ahmed Tijan continued their REUTERS — TOKYO COVID-19 practice yesterday, with the Qatar Olympic Com- mittee (QOC) Secretary General Jassim bin Rashid Swimmer Ilya Borodin will REUTERS — KUALA LUMPUR Al Buenain also attending the session. miss the Tokyo Olympics after Qatar’s judoka Ayoub El Idrissi and shooter testing positive for COVID-19, The bidding process for the Mohammed Al Rumaihi also continued their the Russian Swimming Feder- hosting rights for the 2027 preparations for Olympics. Tala Abujbara, who ation said yesterday. Asian Cup has been delayed will become the first Qatari female rower to take The 18-year-old, the 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic part in Games was also busy with her training European champion in the and will be held in 2022 yesterday. men’s 400 metre individual instead of this year, the Asian medley, tested positive for the Football Confederation (AFC) Cherif Younousse and Ahmed Tijan pose with the officials. coronavirus during a training said yesterday. camp in the city of Vladivostok The selection of the host in the far east of Russia. nation was initially due to be “Ilya Borodin, a European done at the AFC Congress on champion and one of the Nov. 27, 2021. leaders on the Olympic team, India, Iran, Qatar and tested positive for COVID-19, Saudi Arabia are bidding to meaning he will not take part host the continental governing in the Tokyo Olympics,” the body’s flagship men’s Russian Swimming Federation tournament. said in a statement. “The AFC Executive Com- The federation said that all mittee acknowledged the other athletes and training travel restrictions in organ- staff had tested negative for ising the inspection visits to the the virus. The Tokyo Games, Tala Abujbara prepares for her maiden Olympics. Bidding Member Associations, which run from July 23 to Aug. which forms an essential part 8, were postponed by a year of the bidding process...,” the because of the pandemic. AFC said in a statement yesterday. “Therefore, it was agreed Naomi that the selection of the host Federer, Osaka and Djokovic to play at US Open Osaka for the AFC Asian Cup 2027 AP — NEW YORK will now take place in 2022, lost in the quarter-finals at Wim- to become the third man to win the defending US OOpenpen instead of the upcoming 31st Roger Federer, who withdrew bledon. Osaka has not played a all four Grand Slam singles titles champion, is ranked secondecond AFC Congress on November from the Olympics because a match withdrawing after the in the same year. Don Budge in ahead of Aryna Sabalenka,enka, a 27, 2021,” it added. knee injury, and Naomi Osaka, first round in Paris. 1938 and Rod Laver in 1969 are Wimbledon semifinalist,alist, and who skipped Wimbledon and The entry lists include the others. Sofia Kenin, the 202020 AusAus-- withdrew from the French players who make the field Djokovic is also playing at tralian Open champion.on. India, Iran, Qatar and Saudi Open because of mental issues, automatically. Players still can the Tokyo Olympics and could This week’s ATP aandnd WTA are both in the singles fields for withdraw from the become the first man to com- rankings were usedused to Arabia are bidding to host the the US Open. tournament. plete a “Golden Slam.” Steffi determine the entryry lists. continental governing body’s The USTA announced the Top-ranked Novak Graf did it in 1988. Seedings will be flagship men’s tournament. fields yesterday for the tour- Djokovic, who won the Aus- Wimbledon champion and announced closer too nament that runs from Aug. tralian Open, the French Open No. 1-ranked Ash Barty head- the start of the 30-Sept. 12 in New York. Federer and Wimbledon, will be seeking lines the women’s field. Osaka, tournament. Sport THURSDAY 22 JULY 2021 11 Qatar International Japan win softball opener Baja to kick off on as Games ‘of hope’ begin September 30: QMMF THE PENINSULA — DOHA There will also be a REUTERS — FUKUSHIMA/TOKYO National category for motor- Yamato The Qatar Motor and Motor- cycles, quads, SSVs and other The Japanese women’s softball Fujita of cycle Federation (QMMF) vehicles. The QMMF has team got the Tokyo 2020 Japan yesterday confirmed that the introduced an exciting new Olympics off to a winning start completes 2021 Qatar International Baja team concept for riders com- for the hosts yesterday, kicking a home run will take place on the new peting in the national event. off a pandemic-postponed yesterday. dates of September A team of two eligible riders Games that the World Health 30th-October 2nd and will will be able to enter and Organization says can be “a be a round of the 2021 FIM potentially run separately or celebration of hope” even as Bajas World Cup. share a motorcycle or a quad, COVID-19 cases surge. Originally scheduled in provided that both entrants Olympics and Japanese offi- the FIM calendar for the start possess the minimum of a cials have forged ahead with the of April, Qatar’s inaugural ‘National’ status licence. For sports spectacle despite oppo- FIM Bajas Cup counting teams using two machines, sition in the country to hosting round will run over a each must be fitted with a huge numbers of athletes, staff compact route laid on by the road book reader and a and media - more than 11,000 QMMF. Competitors will face mounting bracket to accept in the athletes’ village alone - three stages and 504.24 com- a Stella GPS unit. dozens of whom have already petitive kilometres in a route One of the team riders tested positive. of 872.44km. will tackle the super special WHO head Tedros Administration checks stage and then the concept Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the will take place at Losail follows a relay-type format. Games should go ahead to dem- Sports Arena on September Each day, one rider will onstrate to the world what can 29th and competitors will tackle roughly half of the be achieved with the right plan competitor. “I will need some then tackle a 6.7km super desert selective section to the and measures. time to let my broken heart heal special stage at Simasmina refuelling point, with the “May the rays of hope from The Games’ official opening ceremony tomorrow is expected to and recover from this,” Jacobs on September 30. other taking over for the this land illuminate a new dawn be a scaled-down, sobering performance, according to Marco wrote on her Instagram The result of the opening second part to the finish. for a healthy, safer and fairer Balich, a senior adviser to the Tokyo ceremonies executive account. stage will determine the Where a two-rider team is world,” he said, holding aloft an As cases climb in Tokyo, starting order for the opening entered, each competitor will Olympic Games torch as he producer. As with the opening ceremony, the women’s softball Japanese media reported that leg of around 248.80 com- tackle around 125km per day. addressed International match between gold-medal contender Japan and Australia was government adviser Shigeru petitive kilometres on This year’s FIM Bajas Olympic Committee members held without spectators, amid buzzing cicadas and polite Omi said Tokyo’s daily October 1. This selective World Cup is running to a in the Japanese capital. “It is my applause from a few hundred staff at a stadium in Fukushima, COVID-19 infections may spike section will starts at Al new format with a series of sincere hope the Tokyo Games to a record 3,000 in the first Jumaliyah and runs through qualifying events as well as succeed.” which was devastated by the 2011 tsunami and nuclear disaster. week of August. The capital the north-central Qatar a final. Spectators have been reported 1,832 new cases yes- deserts and incorporates one Each event in the Quali- barred and restrictions have terday, the highest for that day refuelling point around the fying Series has a scoring been imposed in and around expected to be a scaled-down, The game ended after five of the week and up by 683 from halfway mark. coefficient of 1 and the finale Tokyo, where COVID-19 infec- sobering performance, innings due to a mercy rule a week earlier. A second selective in Portugal in October has a tions have jumped and are pro- according to Marco Balich, a https://www.reuters.com/ Rising infections risk adding section of a similar distance coefficient of 2. jected to spike further, in an senior adviser to the Tokyo cer- article/olympics-2020-softball- to pressure on the already- (248.74km) starts at Al The final is open to all effort to minimise health risks emonies executive producer. focus-idCNL2N2NB1XQ as a trio stretched Japanese medical Kharsaah, west of Doha, and competitors, provided that among residents and visitors. As with the opening cer- of Japanese two-run homers system. will run through the central they have completed and Japanese people, only a emony, the women’s softball cleared the fence, while the Underscoring the down- and southern deserts on scored points in at least one third of whom have had at least match between gold-medal United States overcame Italy sized Games due to the pan- October 2. It also features a of the rounds of the Quali- one dose of the vaccine, have contender Japan and Australia 2-0 and Canada beat Mexico. demic, top government spokes- refuelling point before fin- fying Series. been concerned the Olympics was held without spectators, The first of six women’s person Katsunobu Kato said ishing close to Sealine, south The final ranking of the could become a super-spreader amid buzzing cicadas and polite soccer matches yesterday were Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga of Doha. FIM Bajas World Cup will be event. applause from a few hundred also underway. will meet with only about 15 Motorcycles up to 450cc established on the basis of In a recent poll in the Asahi staff at a stadium in Fukushima, Coronavirus infections con- world leaders on the sidelines (single or twin cylinder, 2T the two best results of the newspaper, 68% of respondents which was devastated by the tinued to take a toll among of the Olympics, compared with or 4T) will be eligible, in Qualifying Series added to expressed doubt about the 2011 tsunami and nuclear attendees, however, with at up to 120 previously. addition to quads and SSVs. points awarded in the Final. ability of Olympic organisers to disaster. least seven more positive cases In the skies above Tokyo, Riders of motorcycles over The new Baja will be held control coronavirus infections, Players standing along the bringing the total to more than Japanese pilots drew the five 450cc will be able to competecompete under the chairmanshipchairma of with 55% saying they opposed benches under the scorching 75. Olympic rings in a practice but,but, as per the QMMFQMMF PresidentPresident Abdul- the Games going ahead. sun - 30 degrees Celsius (86 Dutch skateboarder Candy flight for opening ceremony, 20212021 FIMFIM rahmanrahman Al Mannai, ‘SOBERING’ OPENING Fahrenheit) by midgame - Jacobs confirmed she had tested recreating a similar stunt at the BajasB ajas QMMF’sQMMF’s ExecutiveEx CEREMONY shouted at the hitters all positive for COVID-19 and is 1964 Tokyo Games, which were WorldWorld CuCupp DirectorDirector AAmromro Al Hamad The Games’ official opening morning, giving the game a pulling out of the Games, along held to highlight the country’s regulations,regulations, andand boardboard member ceremony tomorrow is Little League feel. with a Chilean taekwondo recovery from World War Two. willwill nnotot AbdulrazaqAbdulrazaq AAll Kuwari. score pointspoints forfor IN BRIEF the Cup. QMMF President Abdulrahman Al England sweat to Mannai T20 series victory over Pakistan

REUTERS — MANCHESTER

England beat Pakistan by three wickets, Creedmoor stars again and with two balls to spare, in a thrilling third T20 international at Old Trafford at Mont-de-Marsan on Tuesday to win the series 2-1. Pakistan, who won the toss and THE PENINSULA — DOHA metres, she ranged upsides opted to bat in front of a noisy 20,000- long-time leader Noelle and strong crowd on a dry wicket, had set Maintaining her 100% strike- began to pull clear from her England a target of 155 at Old Trafford rate at the course, Creedmoor rivals once asked for an effort with opener Mohammad Rizwan top (GB) (Invincible Spirit x Vorda), by Gutierrez-Val. scoring with 76 not out. Sweden players celebrate their owned by H H Sheikh Creedmoor stuck on well England were cruising half way third goal against the US. Mohammed bin Khalifa Al inside the final 200 metre and through their innings but the loss of Thani, took the Prix Jean Larre held off a strong challenge from Jason Roy, caught by Fakhar on 64, at in fine style at Mont-de-Marsan Azur As Well (FR) (Penny’s the halfway point left the hosts sweating yesterday. Picnic x Stormy Queen) to win in a breathless finish as the Pakistan Sweden end US unbeaten run Trained by Phillipe Sogorb by a length at the line. Azur As spinners went to work. and ridden to success again by Well finished second for trainer Brief Scores: England 155 for 7 (Roy Alejandro Gutierrez-Val, Charles Gourdain and jockey 64) beat Pakistan 154 for 6 (Rizwan 76*, as Dutch put 10 past Zambia Creedmoor scored for the Maxime Foulon. Rashid 4-35) by three wickets second time at the racecourse The Adélaïde Budka- REUTERS — TOKYO clash. No team has ever won seven Olympic Games. on her fourth start in France, trained and Delphine Santiago- Olympic gold while world Hosts Japan put up a having previously been trained ridden Selket (IRE) (Danon World champions the champion since women’s spirited fight in Group E to by Roger Charlton in the UK. Ballade x Bonne Nouvelle) fin- Australia thump United States were dealt a football made its Games draw 1-1 with Canada, A quick break from the ished third but was never 3-0 drubbing by Sweden to debut in 1996. whose forward Christine stalls saw in the 1,400-metre nearer as she was further a West Indies in end a 30-month unbeaten Brazil, seeking their first Sinclair celebrated her Class 2 race for 3YOs, length and three quarters run, and the Netherlands put gold medal in the event, 300th cap with her 187th Creedmoor was placed directly behind. rain-hit first ODI 10 goals past a hapless hammered China 5-0 with international goal - more behind race leader Noelle (FR) Bred by H H Sheikh Zambia on a day of drama veterans Marta and Formiga than any other player. (Penny’s Picnic x Noella) in the Mohammed bin Khalifa Al REUTERS — BARBADOS as the Olympics women’s writing their names into the Great Britain’s Ellen early stages. Thani’s Al Shahania Stud, soccer tournament kicked record books. White scored the first goal With a strong pace being Creedmoor is a daughter of top Australia’s stand-in captain Alex Carey off. Marta, widely regarded of the tournament in the set, Creedmoor settled well and stallion Invincible Spirit (Green scored a half-century and pace bowler Several teams including as the greatest women’s 17th minute against Chile in always looked comfortable. Desert), who stands at the Irish Mitchell Starc took five wickets as they the US, Britain, Chile, footballer of all time with a Group E and the Manchester Approaching the final 600 National Stud. beat West Indies by 133 runs in a Sweden and New Zealand record five World Player of City forward added another rain-hit opening match of their took the knee before yester- the Year awards, became in the second half to cap a Creedmoor in action yesterday. one-day international series in Barbados day’s kickoffs in support of the first footballer to score dominant 2-0 win. on Tuesday. racial equality, while two in five consecutive Olympic Australia edged New Chasing a Duckworth-Lewis-Stern Brazil veterans set Games Games, netting twice. Zealand 2-1 in the day’s final (DLS) adjusted 257 runs for victory after records. The 35-year-old passed match in Group G between Australia scored 252-9 in 49 overs after In an empty Tokyo up on the chance to com- the co-hosts of the 2023 three rain delays, the hosts suffered a col- Stadium, Sweden sent the plete her hat-trick and score World Cup. lapse to fold for 123 with only returning four-times Olympic gold her 13th Olympic goal, when West Ham’s Tameka skipper Kieron Pollard (56) offering medallists to their first she stepped aside to allow Yallop and Chelsea forward resistance. defeat in 45 international team mate Andressa to Sam Kerr scored in the first Brief Scores: Australia 252 for 9 matches, with forward Stina convert a penalty. half while Gabi Rennie (Carey 67, Turner 49, Walsh Jr 5-39) beat Blackstenius punishing Their 43-year-old team denied Australia a clean West Indies 123 (Pollard 56, Starc 5-48, sloppy US play with a mate Formiga became the sheet with a goal in second Hazlewood 3-11) by 133 runs (DLS method) double in their Group G first footballer to appear in half injury time.