Sanchez to Keep Al Annabi Away from Politics at the Asian Cup

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Kei Nishikori ends 3-year title drought with ASIAN CUP 2019 PAGE 18 win over Medvedev in Brisbane THE PHILIPPINES VS S KOREA Sanchez to keep Al Annabi away from politics at the Asian Cup

AFP and I am convinced that dur- DOHA FOCUS & ISOLATION ing the competition they will be able to maintain their focus QATAR coach Felix Sanchez This (political situation) on the sport and to isolate our- has vowed to “isolate” his play- is something we’ve selves from the rest of it all.” ers from politics at the Asian discussed with the The team arrived in UAE Cup, which is taking place players. They are very on Saturday, having to fly via in the United Arab Emirates Kuwait in the first sign this is during a diplomatic crisis conscious and I am no ordinary trip – a ban on di- between the countries. convinced that during rect flights has been imposed The tournament repre- the competition they against Qatar by the UAE, sents the first visit by the Qa- will be able to maintain Saudi and Bahrain. tari national side to the UAE their focus on the sport The Vice President of both since the beginning of the un- and to isolate ourselves the Qatar Football Associa- justified blockade imposed by from the rest of it all. tion and the Asian Football the neighbouring countries. Confederation and chairman Two of these four nations, Qatar coach Felix Sanchez of Organising Committee who have enforced the boy- of Asian Cup Saoud al Mo- cott, also have teams in the hannadi was earlier alleg- tournament – Saudi Arabia Dark horse? Yes, says Abdulkarim Hassan edly barred from entering and Bahrain. the UAE on his first attempt, With the dispute now into ON the pitch, Qatar have shown a distinct improvement since though officials in Abu Dhabi its nineteenth month, the Spaniard Sanchez took charge in 2017. Initially seen as a stop- disputed this. Asian Cup is the most high- gap appointment, the 43-year-old has transformed the team. He eventually entered the profile sporting competition He has placed emphasis on young, largely Qatari-born players, Emirates on Friday. But Qa- so far between teams from who have progressed through the Aspire Academy, the Doha tar-based journalists were not these nations. training centre which seeks to hothouse local talent. allowed into the UAE to cover And nothing is like- These include forward Akram Afif, the first Qatari to play in the tournament, after alleged- ly to be more highly- Spain’s La Liga, and defender Abdulkarim Hassan, just voted the ly being kept waiting at Dubai charged than the meeting AFC 2018 player of the year. airport for 13 hours before re- between Saudi Arabia and In November, Qatar achieved its most notable international turning to Doha. Qatar in a Group E match in victory, beating Switzerland 1-0 in Lugano. The average age of Qatari domestic sides who Abu Dhabi on January 17. Qatar’s starting line-up in Switzerland was 24 years and 195 have played in the UAE or As if the on-pitch weight days, and 13 of the 25 players who travelled to Europe were Saudi in the AFC Champions of expectation surrounding Aspire graduates. Sanchez has worked with the Qatari players at League have previously spo- Qatar’s young team ahead of every level from the academy through the Under-19s, Under-20s, ken of delays at airport immi- hosting the 2022 World Cup Under-23s and now the full team. It is the beginning of a mas- gration and comments about was not enough, now they sive year for Sanchez and Qatar, who will also play in the Copa Qatar, or encountered rival have to navigate a delicate America later in 2019. captains refusing to shake off-field situation. In an Asian Cup group also consisting of Lebanon and North hands before the match. Sanchez though has Korea, a resurgent Al Annabi (the Maroons) will be confident of However, goalkeeper vowed to concentrate solely reaching the knockouts. It is the tenth time they have qualified Saad al Sheeb said the players on football. for the Asian Cup but have never progressed further than the would remain unaffected. “This (political situation) quarter-finals. This time though they have a lot to prove. “In the end this is foot- is something we’ve discussed “I certainly nominate Qatar to be the dark horse ball,” he said. Qatar players on arrival at the airport in Dubai for the 2019 AFC Asian Cup. with the players,” he told AFP. of the tournament,” said Hassan. See also page 16 Ô “We just control ourselves “They are very conscious and play football.” Jordan shock defending champs Australia 10-man Palestine hold Syria to goalless draw DPA ABU DHABI

AUSTRALIA were stunned 1-0 by Jordan in Al Ain on Sunday as the reigning Asian Cup champions made the worst possible start to their title defence. Defender Anas Bani Ya- seen headed the only goal mid- way through the first half to give Jordan the perfect opening to Group B. They top the table as Syria drew 0-0 with Prince Ali bin al Hussein (centre), the President of Jordan Football 10-man Palestine in Sharjah. Association, greets his players after they won their 2019 AFC Asian Australia improved after a Cup Group B match against Australia at Al Ain on Sunday. (EPA-EFE) poor first half but Awer Mabil hitting the post late on was as so we’ll go and have a look nied by the offside flag and close as they came to an equal- where it went wrong and we’ll the impressive Shafi, saving iser. They next face Palestine fix it quickly. from Jackson Irvine and Chris on Friday, a day after Jordan “It’s a wake up call, if Ikonomidis deep into added meet Syria. Jordan players celebrate after they shocked defending champions Australia in Al Ain, UAE, on Sunday. (EPA-EFE) you’re going to lose a game in time ensured Jordan a historic Elsewhere, India ended a the tournament it’s better to victory – just their fifth ever at 55-year wait for their third win settled into their game plan of the bar en route to the net with Musa al Taamari. Mooy, they lacked inspiration lose one in the group, and we’ll the Asian Cup. at the competition in spectacular sitting deep and breaking af- keeper Mat Ryan helpless. Four years ago Australia and other than a penalty shout bounce back.” The other group game fashion by thrashing Thailand ter Australia came unstuck in Ryan kept his side in the had also fallen behind in their for handball, failed to threaten Mabil manufactured half a brought a first Asian Cup 4-1 to top Group A. They next their compact defensive lines. tie moments later by touch- opening Asian Cup game to before half-time. yard of space at the edge of the point for Palestine in their meet hosts UAE on Thursday But it was a short corner, ing Baha Abdel-Rahman’s Kuwait but stormed back to “We’ll go home and look box with 11 minutes remaining second tournament appear- while Thailand meet Bahrain. whipped in by Mousa Sulei- free kick onto the bar after win 4-1 and went on to lift the at the footage,” coach Graham and rattled the post, though ance despite having Moham- Jordan, ranked 68 plac- man, which broke the dead- defender Trent Sainsbury, trophy. But on this occasion, Arnold told broadcaster Fox keeper Amer Shafi appeared med Saleh dismissed for a es below their opponents at lock in the 26th minute as who endured a torrid half, badly missing the creativity Sports. “We had a number of to have it covered. second yellow card with 20 109th in the world, quickly Bani Yaseen’s header kissed was booked for hauling down of injured midfielder Aaron good chances but not enough, Jamie Maclaren was de- minutes remaining. Chhetri surpasses Messi as India thump Thailand 4-1

AFP schoolboys rescued from a (85) tops the Indian among Thai captain Teerasil Dan- minute before substitute Lal- in charge of Malawi, Sudan ABU DHABI ﬂooded jungle cave last year active players. gda restoring parity by bravely pekhlua Jeje completed the and Rwanda, has clashed with after being trapped for more “I’m just happy for the heading home a Theerathon rout to leave India as unlikely senior players and sparked SUNIL CHHETRI (in pic left) than two weeks, the War boys – you could see on the Bunmathan free kick. group leaders. dismay in India by stripping overtook Lionel Messi in inter- Elephants had little answer faces how jubilant they were But Chhetri came to the “Did I expect to win 4-1? Chhetri of the captaincy. national goals as cricket-mad to India’s brimming energy in after the game,” said 34-year- rescue by drilling home his No, but we’re not getting car- “There’s no controversy India stunned Thailand 4-1 at Abu Dhabi. old Chhetri. second of the game moments ried away,” insisted India about rotating captains!” he the Asian Cup football tourna- Chhetri moved past Argen- “The India fans were into the second half following coach Stephen Constantine. snapped when quizzed by In- ment on Sunday, the veteran tine Messi’s 65 international amazing so we hope we can go a lung-bursting run down the “It’s just another game. dian media. striker scoring twice in their goals when he opened the on and give them something right from Udanta Singh. There will be no issue with keep- “I’ve done it for four years. Group A opener to surpass the scoring from the penalty spot more to cheer about.” Things got worse for Thai- ing the boys’ feet on the ground, Chhetri gives everything every Barcelona superstar. after 27 minutes in a surprise The Blue Tigers were in land when Anirudh Thapa don’t worry about that.” game he plays whether he’s Watched by the 12 Thai rout. Only Cristiano Ronaldo front for just seven minutes, chipped in a third in the 68th The Englishman, formerly captain or not.” 16 Monday, January 7, 2019 Sports

Asian Cup 2019 Debutants Philippines face mighty S Korea Sven-Goran Eriksson eyes shock win against Bento’s South Korea

AFC.COM that we try to play our way as DUBAI well. “Korea Republic is a big THE Philippines are one of team, yes that’s for sure, but three AFC Asian Cup debu- the Philippines is a big team tants and will begin their as well from a big country. Group C campaign against Ko- You will see tomorrow, that rea Republic, but head coach we have a lot of good football Sven-Goran Eriksson is aiming players. I’m sure that they are to spring a surprise on the two- going out tomorrow, the start- time champions at the Al Mak- ing-11, they are coming out to toum Stadium on Monday. give Korea Republic a fight. “Of course we don’t have “On paper, they are the the easiest of opponents in strongest team in our group this tournament, we’re meet- and one of the strongest in the ing one of the favourites to win tournament, we know that, the Asian Cup but there are al- but that’s on paper, we will see ways, now and then, surprises how that is in reality.” in football,” expressed Eriks- Group C includes a Mar- son. “So why not even tomor- cello Lippi-led China PR and row?” Kyrgyz Republic, who will also Speaking at the pre-match be making their debut in the press conference in Dubai, Continental showpiece. Eriksson wasn’t shy to show While many have picked Manchester City’s English midfielder Phil Foden (left) celebrates with Riyad Mahrez (centre) and Raheem Sterling after scoring a goal during their English FA Cup third round match his excitement in leading the Korea Republic as the tourna- at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester on Sunday. (AFP) Azkals to their opening match ment favourites, head coach of the Continental showpiece, Paulo Bento has his feet declaring: “We are, of course, planted firmly on the ground, excited as most teams are be- emphasising his respect for cause you’re about to play the teams competing in the UAE City hit Rotherham 7-0, first game in such a big tour- 2019 and acknowledging that nament. it would be to their detriment “We have a team that has to underestimate their oppo- never been on this stage be- nents. fore, so that is very good for “We are going to respect the whole country, the squad all the teams that we are going Oldham blow for Fulham and everybody.” to play, and tomorrow we will Although the Philippines have this behaviour since the face the daunting task of play- beginning of the game, and we Barnet are the only non-league side in the 4th round after a 1-0 win to Championship club Sheffield United ing Korea Republic, who will had this behaviour since the be making their 14th appear- beginning of our preparations, AFP Fourth-tier Newport ance, Eriksson isn’t entirely which is the most important,” LONDON Results County are at home to Premier concerned about his oppo- said Bento, who replaced Shin Millwall 2 - 1 Hull City League Leicester in Sunday’s nents. Tae-yong at the helm last Au- PREMIER League champions Preston 1 - 3 Doncaster 1630 GMT kick-off. “When you meet such a gust. Manchester City began their Fulham 1 - 2 Oldham On Saturday, FA Cup hold- good team, of course you’d “A big mistake would be FA Cup campaign with a 7-0 ers Chelsea cruised to a 2-0 win have to look at how are they that if we think the game is go- thrashing of Rotherham on Man City 7 - 0 Rotherham over Nottingham Forest in what playing, what they are good at, ing to be easy. That is the worst Sunday but Fulham, battling to Woking 0 - 2 Watford seems certain to have been Cesc what do you think they will do mistake we can make. I believe avoid relegation from English QPR 2 - 1 Leeds United Fabregas’s final match for the against us,” he said. we are not going to make that football’s top-flight, were beat- Sheffield United 0 - 1 Blues. It was the same result as I think we have studied (mistake). I believe in my play- en 2-1 by fourth-tier Oldham. Barnet Manchester United beat Read- them enough, we think we ers in the way that they are go- Barnet ensured there would ing to make it five wins out of know what they will be trying to play. be a non-league presence in the Newport County 2 - 1 five under caretaker boss Ole ing to do tomorrow but at the “Our focus in this moment, fourth round with a 1-0 win Leicester City Gunnar Solskjaer. same time if you concentrate is the game that we are going away to second-tier Champion- Arsenal, the record 13-times everything on how Korea Re- to play tomorrow. After that, ship club Sheffield United. FA Cup winners, won 3-0 at public play, we will lose our we will think about the second, Manchester City manager Hornets debut at non-league Blackpool, West Ham beat Bir- identity. It is very important and after that, the third.” Pep Guardiola may have made Oldham interim manager Pete Wild celebrates with his players after Woking. mingham 2-0 and Everton de- eight changes from the team their FA Cup Third Round match at Craven Cottage in London on But hopes of Woking, 110 feated Lincoln 2-1. that beat Premier League lead- Sunday. (REUTERS) places adrift of the Hornets, Saturday also saw Cham- ers Liverpool on Thursday but enjoying a shock win suffered pionship club Bristol City beat still fielded a strong side for Sane added further goals. stuff,” said Oldham boss Pete a setback when Will Hughes top-flight basement club Hud- the visit of Championship side “We are going to try and Wild. “The character in the curled in a 13th-minute shot dersfield 1-0. Rotherham, with Raheem Ster- do well in every competition dressing room is phenom- from the edge of the area. Elsewhere, in an all-Pre- ling, Riyad Mahrez and Gabriel we play in,” Guardiola told the enal.” Elsewhere, Barnet beat Watford made it 2-0 16 mier League clash, Brighton Jesus all starting as playmaker BBC. Turning to Foden, he Championship high-flyers minutes from time when Troy won 3-1 away to south coast ri- Kevin De Bruyne returned from added: “He missed some sim- Sheffield United thanks to Deeney scored from close range. vals Bournemouth. injury. ple passes and he needs to be Shaquile Coulthirst’s 21st- “It was a good perfor- Second division Derby, Sterling made it 1-0 in the solid but he is young. When he minute penalty. “It’s unbeliev- mance,” Gracia told BT Sport. managed by ex-England mid- 12th minute and City then attacks the central defenders he able -- that’s the only word I “I was sure it was the best op- fielder Frank Lampard, came scored twice in the closing stag- is incredible.” - ‘Phenomenal’ have at the minute,” said Bar- tion for us (to change the side) from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 es of the first half. Oldham -Denis Odoi put Ful- net captain Callum Reynolds because we knew it would be with Premier League strugglers Phil Foden, the England ham ahead in the 52nd minute after the north London club’s a demanding game.” Millwall Southampton. Under-21 international, got on at Craven Cottage but Sam Stur- triumph. came from a goal down to beat Newcastle were also held to the end of a cross from Ilkay ridge drew Oldham level with a “I mean they (Sheffield Championship rivals Hull 2-1, a draw, 1-1 against second-tier Gundogan in the 43rd minute penalty before Callum Lang’s United) are third in the Cham- substitute Shane Ferguson Blackburn. to score his first home goal for header two minutes from time pionship and we beat them at scoring twice inside the closing Premier League lead- City before Rotherham defend- sealed a comeback win. their ground.” Watford manag- eight minutes. ers Liverpool will complete a er Semi Ajayi turned the ball Daniel Iversen compound- er Javi Gracia changed his en- QPR defeated Champion- third round that started with into his own net. ed Fulham’s misery by saving tire starting side from the team ship leaders Leeds by the same Tottenham’s 7-0 thrashing of Jesus made it 4-0 early in an Aleksandar Mitrovic penalty that drew 3-3 at Bournemouth, scoreline, Jake Bidwell grab- Tranmere on Friday when they the second half before Mahrez, just moments earlier. with Venezuela forward Adal- bing a 75th-minute winner for travel to top-flight rivals Wolves Philippines coach Sven-Goran Eriksson at a press conference in Nicolas Otamendi and Leroy “It is Roy of the Rovers berto Penaranda making his the west London club. on Monday. Dubail on Sunday.

Bayern hand Ribery ‘heavy Al Duhail fire Tunisian World Nakheel, Galfer complete fine’ for angry Tweetstorm Cup coach Nabil Maaloul Worker’s Cup semis line-up AFP Salihamidzic. BERLIN On Thursday, Ribery IKOLI VICTOR TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK Fixtures posted a video on social media DOHA DOHA Nakheel Landscapes vs Galfar BAYERN Munich on Sunday showing him in a Dubai steak said it will impose “a heavy house owned by celebrity Turk- QATAR league champions Al NAKHEEL Landscapes, Galfar Al Misnad fine” on Franck Ribery over an ish restauranteur Salt Bae and Duhail have terminated the Al Misnad, Larsen & Toubro Taleb Group vs Larsen & obscenity-laced outburst on rubbing his hands before tuck- contract of Tunisia’s 2018 and Taleb Group all booked Toubro social media, after the French ing into a huge chop coated in World Cup head coach Na- their berths in the semi-finals striker became embroiled in gold. bil Maaloul after just seven of 2019 Workers’ Cup, follow- kheel capitalised on the numeri- controversy for eating a gold- That ostentatious luxury, months in the job, the club ing their quar-terfinal victories cal advantage and added two coated steak. and the reported cost of the announced on its website on on Matchday 5 at the Al Sadd more goals for a 4-0 win. The punishment comes meal, drew ferocious criticism Saturday. Sports Club pitches last Friday. Galfar Al Misnad ensured after Ribery lashed out at crit- before Ribery -- who earns an The statement from the The seventh edition of they would take their place ics in a string of angry posts on estimated eight million euros a six-time QNB Stars League Workers’ Cup, the annual foot- alongside Nakheel in the semi- Twitter and Instagram on Sat- year with the German champi- champions reads: “Al Duhail ball tournament organised by finals after dispatching Medgulf urday. It is the latest scandal to ons -- hit back. club management has reached the Qatar Stars League and Construction 3-0. engulf the 35-year-old, who is “Let’s start with the envi- an agreement with coach Na- sponsored by Supreme Com- It was a tale of two distinct deeply unpopular in his native ous, the angry, surely born bil Maaloul to end his contract mittee for Delivery & Legacy for halves in the third quarterfinal, France but revered by German because of a broken condom,” with the club with mutual con- those involved in the construc- which pitted G4S against free- fans. read the first of the posts on sent and the club management Tunisian and former Al Duhail coach Nabil Maaloul tion sector in Qatar, had started scoring Taleb Group. “I had a long talk with Ribery’s Twitter account. will contract with a new coach on 7 December. Taleb grew into the game Franck and I let him know that “F*ck your mothers, your to take over the responsibility ons League quarter-finals.” in Austria. He led the team to a The final is scheduled for 25 quickly and dominated, but G4S we would impose a heavy fine grandmothers and your whole of the first team in the upcom- “The club management second-place finish in the league January. In the quarter-finals, managed to restrict them to a on him and he accepted it,” the family tree,” he wrote, having days.” thanks coach Nabil Maaloul for that is currently on break. reigning champions Nakheel one-goal advantage in the first club’s sporting director Hasan ing taken care to sanitise the “Coach Nabil Maaloul was taking the responsibility of the His biggest disappointment took some time to get into their half. Things changed dramati- Salihamidzic told journalists French word “n*quez”. coach of the first team before team in the last period, and they was his inability to take Al Du- groove, but eventually broke cally after half-time as Taleb in Qatar, where the club is on a Salihamidzic made clear the beginning of this season af- wish him success in his upcom- hail to the semi-finals of the down Spartan Ready Mix’s re- stepped on the gas and struck training camp. that Ribery did not pay the bill ter coach Djamel Belmadi left. ing coaching journey.” AFC Champions after they lost sistance, taking a two-goal lead five times more to register a 6-0 “He used words that we, FC himself because he had been in- He succeeded in leading the The 56-year-old who led 3-2 on aggregate to Persepolis into half-time. victory. Bayern, cannot accept and that vited to the restaurant. team in the league champion- Tunisia to qualify for the 2018 of Iran. He also surrendered In the second half, Spartan In what was the most ex- Franck does not have the right “Franck has been slandered ship in which the team is now World Cup in Russia took top spot and lost 3-1 to arch ri- were reduced to 10 men follow- citing game of the day, L&T to use, as a role-model and and insulted,” said Salihamid- in second place, and guided the charge of the Red Knights in vals Al Sadd to end the club’s ing Jabaru Shaibu’s dismissal mounted a thrilling comeback player of FC Bayern,” added zic. team to reach the AFC Champi- July during their training camp unbeaten run in the season. for a second yellow card. Na- to see off Shapporji Pallonji 3-1. Sports Monday, January 7, 2019 17 After victory, Du Plessis says he’s a fan of Tests, lively pitches

AFP more,” he said. were bowled out for 294, leav- rion.” who suffered a badly bruised CAPE TOWN “The speed of play has ing South Africa an easy target. Apart from being down on right thigh while fielding, gone up tremendously. Test “They had an opportu- pace, Sarfraz said the Pakistan made only four before he was FAF du Plessis said on Sunday cricket has evolved and it is nity to get 150 (ahead) on the bowlers delivered too many caught off his glove by Sar- that Test matches were crick- great for the fans. They are get- board but we did really well loose balls to provide scoring fraz while attempting to pull et’s most exciting format after ting fours, sixes, lots of wick- after tea, making sure we did opportunities for the South a bouncer from Mohammad his side clinched their series ets and pace bowlers bowling. not let the opposition get back African batsmen. Abbas. against Pakistan with a nine- Test cricket for me the last few in the game,” he said. Sarfraz acknowledged that Hashim Amla was forced wicket win on the fourth day years has been the most excit- a single warm-up game had to retire hurt on two after beat Newlands on Sunday. ing format of all.” Poor bowling not been enough to prepare ing hit on the right upper arm The South African captain Du Plessis said the pitch at Pakistan captain Sarfraz Pakistan for South African by a ball from Mohammad disagreed with Pakistan coach Newlands had been challenging Ahmed said the loss of five conditions but he took heart Amir which lifted sharply off a Mickey Arthur’s criticism of on the first two days but there wickets on the first morn- from the second innings in good length. the pitches for the first two were rewards for batsmen. ing after his side were sent in which Shan Masood, Asad Tests, both won by South Af- “If Pakistan batted well had put Pakistan in a position Shafiq and Babar Azam scored SCOREBOARD rica in less than four days. yesterday (Saturday), today from which it was difficult to impressive half-centuries. South Africa needed just and tomorrow would have recover. “That is how you play Test PAKISTAN (1ST INNINGS): 177 48 minutes and 9.5 overs to been good batting wickets. It A first innings total of 177 cricket,” he said. “We are get- SOUTH AFRICA (1ST INNINGS): 431 PAKISTAN (2ND INNINGS): 294 score the 41 runs needed on flattened out and the ball got was not enough to put pres- ting better day by day. Hope- SOUTH AFRICA (2ND INNINGS): Sunday to score a second suc- soft. It was tough on day two sure on the South African bats- fully we will do well in Johan- D. Elgar not out 24 cessive win - and a seventh but we scored close to 400 men, a situation made worse nesburg. We have nothing to T. de Bruyn c Sarfraz Ahmed b Mohammad Abbas 4 successive home series victory. runs,” he said. by what Sarfraz described as a lose.” H. Amla retired hurt 2 F. du Plessis not out 3 Du Plessis said lively sur- The South African captain poor bowling performance. South Africa lost a wicket Extras (b4, nb1, w5) 10 faces and an attacking mind- felt Pakistan had missed a “Our bowling was not up and added another injury con- Total (1 wkt, 9.5 overs) 43 set, encouraged by Twenty20 chance to put pressure on the to the mark,” said Sarfraz. cern before Dean Elgar struck Fall of wicket: 1-4 (De Bruyn) cricket, had helped make Test hosts by failing to capitalise on “Our bowling average speed part-time bowler Azhar Ali for Bowling: Mohammad Amir 5-2-17-0 (1nb, 1w), Mohammad Abbas 4-0-14-1, Azhar Ali 0.5-0-8-0. cricket exciting. a sparkling third wicket stand was 130 (kilometres an hour), two boundaries to finish the Result: South Africa won by nine wickets “There are not a lot of Test between Shan Masood and South Africa’s Dean Elgar celebrates with Faf du Plessis after win- South Africa were bowling at match. Series: South Africa lead the three-match series 2-0 matches that are going five Asad Shafiq on Saturday. The ning the second cricket Test match against Pakistan in Cape Town on 145. Our bowling was far bet- Theunis de Bruyn, opening Toss: South Africa days around the world any tourists reached 159 for two but Sunday. (REUTERS) ter (in the first Test) in Centu- in place of Aiden Markram, Ruthless India force Oz to follow ATTIYAH AIMS TO WIN on at home first time in 30 years SCOREBOARD med Shami without adding to Career’s second his overnight 25. INDIA (1ST INNINGS): ...... 622-7 DECL The recalled Peter Hand- 5-wicket haul for AUSTRALIA (1ST INNINGS, OVERNIGHT 236-6): scomb began with purpose, LANDMARK FIRST M. Harris b Jadeja ...... 79 confidently stroking two Kuldeep Yadav U. Khawaja c Pujara b K. Yadav ...... 27 M. Labuschagne c Rahane b Shami ...... 38 boundaries to move to 37 be- AFP S. Marsh c Rahane b Jadeja ...... 8 fore swiping at a Jasprit Bum- SYDNEY T. Head c & b K. Yadav ...... 20 rah delivery and dragging it P. Handscomb b Bumrah ...... 37 onto his stumps. DAKAR FOR TOYOTA T. Paine b Yadav ...... 5 A ruthless India took a stran- P. Cummins b Shami ...... 25 That brought Nathan Lyon glehold on the final Test in M. Starc not out ...... 29 to the crease but he only lasted Sydney on Sunday as they N. Lyon lbw Yadav ...... 0 five balls, out lbw to a full toss J. Hazlewood b Yadav ...... 21 forced Australia to follow on Extras (b4, lb2, w5) ...... 11 from Kuldeep Yadav. at home for the first time in 30 Total (10 wickets, 104.5 overs) ...... 300 Hanuma Vihari dropped years, leaving the hosts facing Fall of wickets: 1-72 (Khawaja), 2-128 (Harris), a sitter when Josh Hazlewood a full day’s batting to cling on 3-144 (S.Marsh), 4-152 (Labuschagne), 5-192 was on nought, and it proved (Head), 6-198 (Paine), 7-236 (Cummins), 8-257 for a draw. (Handscomb), 9-258 (Lyon), 10-300 (Hazlewood) costly with the tailender put- Play started almost four Bowling: Shami 19-2-58-2, Bumrah 21-5-62-1, ting on 42 with Mitchell Starc hours late due to rain, with the Jadeja 32-11-73-2, Yadav 31.5-6-99-5, Vihari 1-0- for the last wicket before he fell home team resuming on 236 2-0. to Yadav, who was the pick of for six after lunch in reply to AUSTRALIA (2ND INNINGS): the bowlers with 5-99 - his sec- India’s thumping first innings M. Harris not out ...... 2 ond career five-wicket haul. 622 for seven declared. U. Khawaja not out ...... 4 India lead the four-Test se- But needing a win to level Extras ...... 0 ries 2-1 and only need a draw Total (0 wickets, 4 overs) ...... 6 the four-match series, Aus- To bat: Marnus Labuschagne, Shaun Marsh, Travis to clinch a first-ever series win tralia crumbled to 300 all out, Head, Peter Handscomb, Tim Paine, Josh Hazlewood, Down Under, with Kohli’s men compounding the misery after Pat Cummins, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Starc on the cusp of doing some- some soft dismissals by the top Bowling: Shami 2-1-4-0, Bumrah 2-1-2-0. thing no Indian team has man- order on Saturday as they stare Toss: India aged since they began touring down the barrel of defeat. Australia in 1947-48. Indian skipper Virat Kohli doned for the day. Bowling coach Bharat sent them straight back into India’s spinners had picked Arun said India’s key moti- bat - the first time Australia up five of the six wickets on vation throughout the series have been asked to follow on Saturday, but under overcast was simply to get in front and at home since Mike Gatting’s skies when play finally began stay there. “The onus of this England did the same in 1988, on day four Kohli took the new particular group is putting the also in Sydney. ball straight away and threw it team in front. Irrespective of Qatar’s Nasser bin Saleh al Attiyah, the two-time champion, is determined to win the first Dakar Rally title for his Toyota Hilux team. Marcus Harris, not out to his quicks. what situation we are in, we two, and Usman Khawaja, un- It immediately paid divi- say we are going out there to TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK of focus. “This Dakar will be withdrawn from cross-country ota that first place they have beaten on four, survived four dends with Pat Cummins, who put our best foot forward and DOHA different - only in one country rallying, Hall is convinced his not yet achieved,” said 2009 overs before tea was taken scored a gutsy 63 in the Mel- play our best cricket,” he said. with 70 percent of the route team must seize its chance. champion de Villiers. early for bad light. They didn’t bourne Test, lasting just three “At the end of the day, the TWICE champion Nasser bin in sand dunes. It will be really “Last year our goal was also to “We have the same pres- come back with play aban- balls, clean bowled by Moham- effort is what counts.” Saleh al Attiyah feels that his hard. We need to respect all win, but this year we have to sure as last year with Peugeot, much improved Toyota Hilux the drivers. do it,” Hall was quoted by Au- I think we may have a slightly car may help in his mission to “Last year, Peugeot had tosport as saying. greater chance of winning now win the maiden Dakar Rally four cars and everybody was “We have a good car, good that there is no official team, for the Japanese manufac- helping the leader. This year, drivers, the same team from but it will be a tough race. The turers. all Peugeot riders are with last year. It is a positive conti- team that makes fewest mis- The torturous 5,000-km Mini. The race is shorter, we nuity. We had two chances to takes will win.” Dakar Rally begins on Monday need to be really focused and win [in 2018], but we finished According to Hall, the with the Lima to Pisco stage. don’t have not lose any time second and third. This year we team made only minor chang- The Qatari driver, runner-up with the navigation.” must achieve it.” es to the Hilux that contested to Spaniard Carlos Sainz last His Toyota Gazoo racing Attiyah and de Villiers will the 2018 event. year, is hoping to conquer the South Africa Team Manager again be partnered by third “The base is the same,” he Middle East-like landscapes of Glyn Hall also feels that his driver Bernhard ten Brinke, said. “We changed the cool- Peru as most of the rally is be- drivers must capitalise on the who likewise was a frontrun- ing system because we had ing contested in sand dunes. opportunity to claim a mile- ner last year and claimed a too much cooling last year. We Attiyah said on the rally stone first Dakar win for the stage win. worked a lot on the suspension website, “This time we have a Japanese giants in 2019. Toyota will face opposition and the shock absorbers, we really good car. Last year, we Toyota Hilux cars fin- from the X-raid Mini team made the car more comfort- finished in second place, de- ished best of the rest behind - which signed three drivers able for the drivers, because spite having a few problems. the dominant Peugeots in the from Peugeot’s works line-up their seat was too high. We improved a lot since the previous two editions of the and will also field five of its “We have an air restrictor last Dakar and my aim is to Dakar, with Gazoo drivers regular 4x4s - as well as the [that’s] 1mm narrower than win this rally for Toyota.” Attiyah and Giniel de Villiers PH Sport-entered privateer in 2018, which implies five But he insists the rally, making up the podium behind Peugeot of Sebastien Loeb. percent less power, but we though it is shorter and differ- winner Sainz last year. “We hope we can do a very changed the characteristics of India’s Kuldeep Yadav holds the ball up after taking five wickets for the innings on day four of the fourth ent, would still demand a lot Now that Peugeot has good job, we need to give Toy- the engine slightly.” cricket Test match against Australia at the SCG in Sydney on Sunday. (AAP)

Banned Warner, Shapoorji Pallonji claim Smith make QCA T20 Division C title BPL debut AFP TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK with 37. Salman followed him DHAKA DOHA Deepak excelled with both with 30, Hareesh hit 21 and bat and ball as he ena- Shibi got 14. BANNED Australian cricket- SHAPOORJI Pallonji hum- bled Shapoorji Pallonji to Gul Khan Jadoun, the ers David Warner and Steve bled Gulf Warehousing Com- skittle GWC out in 20 Head of Domestic Cricket at Smith made a low-scoring de- pany (GWC) by 30 runs to overs while they were QCA, was the chief guest at the but in the Bangladesh Premier emerge the Division C cham- chasing a stiff 155-run ﬁnal match and gave away the League on Sunday, amassing pions in the QCA Twenty20 prizes. just 30 runs between them. Cricket Tournament at the target The duo, who are serv- Asian Town Cricket Stadium, Brief scores ing international bans for ball Industrial Area. seven in 20 overs. Qasim and Division C final tampering, faced off in the Deepak excelled with Tarib batted aggressively to Shapoorji Pallonji beat Gulf BPL opener in Dhaka, with both bat and ball as he ena- collect 46 and 41. Deepak con- Warehousing Company by 30 runs Smith’s Comilla Victorians bled Shapoorji Pallonji to tributed 25, while Prathban Shapoorji Pallonji: 154 for seven in 20 edging Warner’s Sylhet Sixers skittle GWC out in 20 overs added 17. overs (Tarib 41, Qasim 46, Deepak 25, by four wickets. while they were chasing a Hareesh was the pick of Mustafa 17, Prathban 17; Haris 1 wkt, Sujit 1 Warner hit off-spinner stiff 155-run target. His five- GWC bowlers, grabbing two wkt, Hareesh 2 wkts) Mahedi Hasan for three four’s wicket haul derailed the ri- scalps. Haris and Sujit shared GWC: 123 all out in 20 overs (Getan 37 in one over at the Sher-e- vals, who could manage only two. runs, Salman 30 runs, Shibi 14 runs, Hareesh Bangla National Stadium be- QCA T20 Division C Tournament winners Shapoorji Pallonji and runners-up GWC players with QCA’s Do- 123. Besides Deepak, Lijju also 21; Lijju 3 wkts, Deepak 5 wkts) fore a mix-up saw him run out mestic Cricket Head Gul Khan Jadoun and other officials at the Asia Town Cricket Stadium after the prize Batting ﬁrst, Shapoorji bowled well and snared three Man of the Match: Deepak of Shapoorji for 14 off 13 balls. distribution. Pallonji rattled up 154 for wickets. Getan top-scored Pallonji Smith made 16 off 17 balls. 18 Monday, January 7, 2019 Sports Nishikori ends title drought with victory over Medvedev in Brisbane Former world number one Karolina Pliskova stages comeback against unseeded Ukrainian Tsurenko to win women’s title Sweet revenge It’s been like seven or eight times that I’ve been in this tournament. Congrats to Daniil (for) having a great final today. I actually lost to him last year in the final in Japan so it’s lovely to have revenge today. Kei Nishikori

DPA SYDNEY

KEI Nishikori put an end to a three-year title drought on Sunday, overcoming Daniil Medvedev 6-4, 3-6, 6-2 in the final of the Brisbane Interna- tional. It was sweet revenge for Nishikori, who was defeated by the 22-year-old Russian on his home turf in the final of the Japan Open in Tokyo last year. After the world number nine took the first set com- fortably, a clearly frustrated Medvedev fought back in the second, denying the 29-year- old Japanese a series of break points. Nishikori double-faulted twice in the first game of the third set but held and then appeared to regain his nerve Czech Republic’s Karolina Pliskova kisses the winning trophy after and take charge of the court. Japan’s Kei Nishikori lifts the trophy after winning the men’s singles final match against Daniil Medvedev at the Brisbane International tennis defeating Lesia Tsurenko of Ukraine in the women’s singles final in Despite a late break-back tournament on Sunday. (AFP) Brisbane on Sunday. (AFP) from Medvedev to go 5-2, the Japanese broke straight having a great final today,” he Medvedev paid tribute to unseeded Ukrainian Lesia ko appeared to lose all con- semi-finalist last year. the semi-final, congratulated back to claim the set and the added. Nishikori, saying they had Tsurenko 4-6, 7-5, 6-2. fidence in her game, just At the awards ceremo- Pliskova, telling her: “It was match. “I actually lost (to) him played an “amazing match.” The Ukrainian was serv- as the world number eight ny, Pliskova said Tsurenko an amazing final. You raised “I’m really happy that fi- last year in the final in Ja- “I’m really not happy that I ing for the match at 5-4 in the was regaining hers. Pliskova “played a great tournament.” your level so much and I’m nally I won this title,” Nishi- pan so [it’s] lovely to have re- didn’t get the title so I’m going second set when the 26-year- broke early and dominated, “She was very close today. I’m a fan of your tennis.” By co- kori said at the awards cere- venge today.” to come back!” he continued. old Czech broke back and breaking once again to win sure she’s going to play many incidence the pair have been mony. “It’s been like seven or The Japanese had lost Earlier on Sunday, Karoli- proceeded to level the sets, the set 6-2. more finals,” she added. drawn to play against each eight times (that I’ve been) in in the last nine finals he had na Pliskova fought back from winning 14 out of the last 15 It was her second Bris- World number 27 Tsuren- other again in the first round this tournament.” reached, with his last title in the brink of defeat to reclaim points. bane title, having previously ko, who had beaten US Open of the Sydney International “Congrats to Daniil (for) Memphis in 2016. the women’s title, beating In the third set, Tsuren- won in 2017. She was also a champion Naomi Osaka in which started Sunday. Goerges beats teen Andreescu Woodland leads McIlroy by three to retain Auckland crown at Tournament of Champions AFP a heavy heart after learning his AFP LOS ANGELES grandmother had died on Fri- AUCKLAND day night. GARY Woodland eagled the “I want to send a little shout JULIA Goerges drew on her 15th hole in a five-under par 68 out to my family back home,” he experience to retain the WTA on Saturday that kept him three said. “We lost my grandma last Auckland Classic title Sunday strokes in front of Rory McIlroy night. That put things in per- as she came from a set down atop the US PGA Tour Tour- spective real quick. to end the stunning run of Ca- nament of Champions leader- “It was a tough night last nadian teen sensation Bianca board. night -- today was a good day.” Andreescu. Woodland led McIlroy and Woodland said he didn’t re- There were tears from the two other players going into alize McIlroy had pulled into a 30-year-old German in an Saturday’s third round on the tie for the lead on the back nine. emotional celebration who Plantation Course at Kapalua, “I was just trying to stay took the match 2-6, 7-5, 6-1 Hawaii. within myself,” he said. “Trying with the final point coming Northern Ireland star McIl- to stay aggressive.” when an Andreescu forehand roy, a four-time major cham- He’ll do the same on Sun- went into the net. pion, had pulled level after his day, when he’ll be seeking a “This win means a lot to fifth birdie of the day at the 14th Gary Woodland lines up a putt fourth US PGA Tour title. Not me because not everything was -- coupled with Woodland’s on the 15th green during the known as a strong front-runner, working well in the beginning,” lone bogey of the day at 12. third round of the Sentry Tourna- Woodland said there’s no rea- said the 30-year-old Goerges But Woodland regained ment of Champions in Hawaii on son he can’t turn that around on who needed all her experience control at the par-five 15th, Saturday. (AFP) Sunday. and patience to recover from where he rolled in a 64-foot “The whole deal is I’m play- being down 4-5 in the second Julia Goerges defeats Bianca Andreescu to win the women’s singles final at the ASB Classic tennis tourna- eagle putt to stretch his lead to He gained ground with ing really well,” he said. set after losing the first. ment in Auckland on Sunday. (AFP) two, and he birdied the par-five three birdies in a row at the McIlroy said the key for him “I used my experience to- 18th to finish with a 17-under fourth, fifth and sixth and on Sunday would be to stay pa- day and really went for it in the three top 50 players on her way was really hard for me to stay was not finished, and the mo- par total of 202. picked up another stroke at the tient. important moments. My coach to her first WTA final includ- in the moment. I was ‘oh my mentum began to shift when “I played great,” said Wood- ninth. He got up and down for “I’ve just got to go about came at 5-4 and helped me find ing former world number ones god I’m one game away from she broke the Canadian at the land, “I would have liked to see birdie from the left rough at the my business, hit fairways and some solutions,” she said. Caroline Wozniacki and Venus winning this tournament’,” An- start of the second set. a couple of putts go in early. It 14th, but wouldn’t find another hit greens again,” he said. I just The ice-cool Andreescu Williams. dreescu said. Although she dropped her was nice to see that long one go birdie the rest of the way in his have to go out and try to play a had stunned the tennis world Her form continued into the “But Julia dominated from own serve at 4-4, Goerges gath- in on the par five there on the second straight 68 for 205. good round of golf.” during the week having arrived final when she raced through that point.” ered herself to break Andreescu back, nice to finish with a birdie “Could have been a couple McIlroy was one stroke in in Auckland ranked 152nd and the first set and recovered from Andreescu broke every again at 5-5 and held serve to here on 18.” better,” McIlroy said. “But good front of Australian Marc Leish- needing to play in the qualify- an early service break in the serve by Goerges in the first set, take the set. McIlroy, opening his year save at two, a good save at 16, so man, who also carded a 68. ing tournament to make the second to lead 5-4 when her at one stage leading 4-0 before She broke three more times at Kapalua for the first time, it could have been a little worse American’s Xander Schauf- main draw. concentration wavered. dropping her own serve twice. in the decider to claim her 15th couldn’t take advantage of the as well.” fele (78) and Bryson DeCham- The 18-year-old then beat “A 5-4 in the second set it But the wily Goerges, 30, WTA title. two par-fives on the back nine. Woodland was playing with beau (70) were tied on 207. ‘Heartbreaking’: Tennis stars lament potential end of Hopman Cup

AFP Federer and Serena face off for said she was unaware of specu- cutt and named after Austral- winner said. PERTH, AUSTRALIA the first time in a historic mixed lation on the Hopman’s fate, ian tennis great Harry Hop- “The players have always doubles clash -- came down to but that she was upset by the man, the Hopman Cup has enjoyed this event, so let’s hope THE likely demise of the Hop- a single match point shared by prospect of it vanishing. been used as preparation for it continues in some shape and man Cup after three decades of both sides in the final. “Obviously it would be the Australian Open by three form,” said Federer, adding that the unique mixed teams tennis However, the event is wide- heartbreaking,” she said. decades of players and has he believed a mixed teams event tournament has been greeted ly tipped to be scrapped to make German world number two held a unique place in the ten- was good for tennis. “Where with sadness by players at this way for the new ATP World Kerber, who has reached suc- nis world as the only top level and how and what, honestly I year’s edition, with Serena Team Cup, which will start next cessive finals in the past two mixed teams event. don’t know,” he added. Williams calling the prospect year. While Tennis Australia Hopman Cups, was saddened Swiss legend Roger Feder- Frenchwoman Alize Cornet, “heartbreaking”. has a contract with the West by the news. er, with five appearances in who played four times at the Swiss duo Roger Federer Australian State Government “I really love the tourna- Perth including one partnered Hopman and won the title with and Belinda Bencic beat Ger- to run the ITF-sanctioned tour- ment,” she said. “We all will with his future wife Miroslava Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in 2014, mans Alexander Zverev and nament until 2022, the new be sad that it is the last time at Vavrinec back in 2002, said it was mortified by the prospect Angelique Kerber in Saturday’s ATP event would make it very Hopman Cup. would be “a pity” if the event of the event disappearing. final in front of a sell-out crowd hard for the Hopman Cup to at- “Playing here as a team with did not continue. “That would be the worst in Perth, but it is expected to be tract top men’s players. your partner, playing the mixed “We had an unbelievable thing ever,” she said. the last instalment of the event. American superstar Ser- which is exciting, I will miss it.” event here for so many years “Losing the Hopman Cup A dramatic finish to what ena, who was playing in Perth Launched in 1989 by for- -- the Hopman Cup has been after losing Davis Cup and eve- Neale Fraser presents the Hopman Cup to Roger Federer and Belinda was arguably the best Hop- for the fifth time in her career mer Australian players Paul very successful from a player’s rything that is happening with Bencic of Switzerland after their win in the mixed doubles match man Cup ever -- which also saw and has won the title twice, McNamee and Charlie Fan- viewpoint,” the three-time the ITF, I think it’s a big shame.” against Germany in Perth on Saturday. (EPA-EFE) Monday, January 7, 2019 19 20 Monday, January 7, 2019 The Last Word Awqaf honours participants of Holy Qur’an workshop QNA DOHA

RELIGIOUS Calls and Guid- ance Department of the Ministry of Endowments (Awqaf) and Islamic Affairs has concluded the 5th Spring Session for students of pro- ﬁciency and performance workshops in the preserva- tion and revision of the Holy Qur’an. Director of Religious Calls and Guidance De- partment, Malullah Jaber, and developing plans to General Supervisor of mosphere for the partici- the means of assistance competitions. riod and their impact on the stressed that the adminis- enable them to participate the session, Ajiyan Jaber al pants to choose the place to prepare them to be am- He praised the students’ motivation of the partici- tration spares no effort in in major competitions and Ahbabi, stressed the keen- and the proficient teachers, bassadors of their country regularity and the accom- pants. At the end of the ses- encouraging outstanding represent Qatar in interna- ness of the administration with constant and continu- through their participation panying activities that were sion, the participating stu- and distinguished talent tional forums. to provide a suitable at- ous follow-up and provide in the international Qur’an held during the course pe- dents were honoured.

QNL to hold talk on historical manuscripts Czech band regales audience at Qatar Digital Library with folk music and dances TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK 1.5 million pages of history relating to the Gulf DOHA and the wider region are freely available online VISITORS to the Cultural Village Foundation – Katara were treated TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK to a marvellous folkloric show from DOHA the Czech Republic on Friday and Saturday as part of the ongoing AN in-depth discussion on the Cultural Diversity Festival being historical manuscripts which held at Katara Amphitheatre. are freely available on Qatar The festival with participation Digital Library will take place at by 18 countries aims to link cul- Qatar National Library (QNL) tures and nations while strength- on January 8. ening bonds between them Entitled ‘A Digital Journey through intercultural dialogues to the Past: Inside the Qatar and exposure. Digital Library’, the talk will be The Czech band Danag per- jointly conducted by Dr James ing the lecture,” said Dr Onley. formed traditional folk music and Onley, director of historical “Working in partnership dance from the Czech Republic research and partnerships at with Qatar Foundation and which impressed the audience. QNL, and Richard Davies, head QNL for the last seven years, the Meanwhile, the Iranian folk- of the British Library - Qatar British Library has been thrilled loric band Ile Ehsas from Kohge- Foundation Partnership at the with the success of Qatar Digi- louyeh and Bourahmad provinces British Library. tal Library. We are delighted of the country will perform at the Academics, researchers, to be able to make the British Katara Amphitheatre next week- students and the wider commu- Library’s unique collections re- end (January 11 and 12). nity will hear about the future of lating to Gulf history and Arab the Digital Library and the third science freely available for any- phase of the partnership, which one in the world to use for both will see the digitisation of a fur- research and enjoyment. This ther 900,000 pages of historical lecture will give a behind-the- records. scenes insight into the work of “As the world’s largest our partnership and the impact open access digital repository that the Qatar Digital Library for Middle Eastern history, the has had,” said Richard Davies. Qatar Digital Library records The Digital Library is the are routinely cited in histori- outcome of a partnership be- cal studies of the Gulf region tween Qatar Foundation, QNL and have become an important and the British Library, which source of information for schol- currently offers access to over ars across the world. Research- 1.5 million pages of history re- ers have already started using lating to the Gulf and the wider the Digital Library to produce region. It has been visited by exciting new research about Qa- more than 1.2 million users and tar and the wider region, exam- has generated more than 10 ples of which will be shared dur- million page views. 1 km-long tunnel opens at Gharrfat Al Rayyan Interchange

TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK DOHA

THE Public Works Authority ‘Ashghal’ opened a one kilometre long unidirectional tunnel with one lane at Gharrafat Al Rayyan Interchange along Al Luqta Street. The new tunnel, which forms part of Ashghal’s Dukhan Highway East project, facilitates direct free-flow connectivity from Gharrafat Al Rayyan to Doha. According to the project engineer Abdulla Qasim, the tunnel will accommodate up to 2,000 vehicles per hour and ease traffic congestion at Ghar- rafat Al Rayyan Interchange for commuters travelling from Gharrafat Al Rayyan to Doha. ity recently opened a three-kil- completing the last layer of as- ing efficient connectivity to Qa- East project which is scheduled Works Authority opened im- replaced the previous rounda- Qasim said that the road users ometre stretch of the main car- phalt. tar Foundation, Sidra Medical to be completed in Q3 of 2020. portant sections of Khalifa Ave- bout accommodates approxi- en route to Doha from Gharra- riageway with four lanes in each In addition to the main car- and Research Centre and Qatar Upon completion, the project nue Project, where it opened a 3 mately 1,500 vehicles per hour fat Al Rayyan can expect travel direction along Al Luqta Street riageway, approximately three National Convention Centre. will deliver approximately 11.6 kilometre road as well as signif- and provides free-flow traffic time reduction of up to 30 per- running from west of Tilted In- kilometres of parallel service To date, Ashghal has com- km of dual carriageway with icant sections of the three-level movements and is a key ac- cent. tersection until after Gharrfat roads with two lanes in each di- pleted 75 percent of construc- four lanes in each direction. Bani Hajer interchange. The cess to Dukhan Road, Al Luqta The Public Works Author- Al Rayyan Interchange after rection, were delivered provid- tion works on Dukhan Highway During 2018, the Public complex interchange which Street and Al Rayyan Road.