Anderson kept waiting for 600th wicket as Pakistan annoy England TUESday, AUGUST 25, 2020 page 14

‘Triple 2020’

Bayern Munich’s French for- ward raises the European Champions League Cup in Lisbon on Sunday. (AFP) Of the triumph and quotable quotes “It’s an incredible feeling, lots of happiness and a bit of sadness for Paris.” – Paris-born Kingsley Coman after scoring the that gave Bayern Munich a 1-0 win over PSG, his boy- hood club, in the Champions League final.

“We want and Kylian to score but we can’t ask for it all the time.” – PSG coach T. Tuchel. Bavaria’s State Premier Markus Soeder (centre) welcomes Bayern Munich’s players as they arrive at the airport in Munich, Germany, on Monday, a day after winning the UEFA Champions League final against Paris “Walking down 18th was Saint-Germain in Lisbon, Portugal. (AFP) strange with no crowds. But it was so beautiful. I thought it looked like Lord of the Rings.” – German golfer Sophia Popov at Royal Troon where Bayern arrive in Munich she won the Women’s British Open.

“Football without support- ers is not football.” – Shanghai SIPG’s Por- to low-key celebrations tuguese coach Vitor Pereira after the Chinese Super AFP/DPA mier Markus Soeder wel- at Munich Airport. sought to enforce corona- League allowed fans to at- Munich/Paris comed squad home. Soeder greeted the vic- virus restrictions on mass tend games for the first time Coach said had tors with the elbow bump now gatherings. since the lockdown. Champions League win- been no curfew the previous standard due to the coronavi- Hardcore supporters in ners Bayern Munich returned evening as the team celebrated rus pandemic, asking captain the Collectif Ultras Paris at “I have to lift my game so to Bavaria on Monday after at their hotel after lifting the Manuel Neuer and the team first called on fans to head to much because I don’t want clinching the side’s second European Cup for a sixth time. for a group photo. the Parc des Princes to wel- him to think, oh, I never treble but celebrations will be In the past, Bayern cel- “This is one of the most im- come the team home, but want to hit with her again. without their fans due to the ebrated by showing the trophy pressive Bayern teams that we later backed down after police She totally sucked.” coronavirus pandemic. to fans from a balcony at Mu- have ever seen,” Soeder said. banned all gatherings related -- Serena Williams after ThiagoA lcan- nich city hall. This time there “All of Bavaria is proud.” to the match and ordered bars practising with Stefanos Tsit- tara was the first off the plane, will be a private event at the Earlier coach Flick had and restaurants around the sipas in New York. Manuel Neuer carried the tro- . released the team from party stadium to close. phy as Players will have a two-week restrictions. “Enjoy the even- Earlier, city authorities “I saw the chequered flag and wore sunglasses, all wearing holiday after the festivities be- ing,” he told them. appealed to fans who had no one was around me and I t-shirts adorned with “Triple fore they start the new campaign Abandoning his normal taken part in celebrations or was like ‘I’m going to win’. It 2020” in bright sunshine. by travelling to fifth-tier ama- reserve, Flick added: “Really watched the match in groups was sweet. Super cool.” The players and coach- teur outfit Dueren to begin their men, I’m so proud to have been to get themselves tested for – Miguel Oliveira on win- ing staff wore club masks defence of the German Cup. allowed to be with you. I’ve nev- the virus. During the celebra- ning the Styrian MotoGP with while held the Following a night of er trained a team like this.” tions, police said they repeat- a daring double overtake on match ball from the 1-0 win celebrations after their 1-0 In Paris, PSG too made a edly had to remind people to Bayern Munich’s German goalkeeper Manuel Neuer carries the trophy the last bend. over French champions Paris victory in Lisbon, the dog- discreet return without any observe social distancing via as he, Robert Lewandowski (front) and their teammates arrive at the Saint-Germain as state pre- tired winners arrived back public events, as authorities loudspeaker announcements. Munich Airport in Germany on Monday. (AFP) After Neymar’s tears, PSG will hope CL final was no one-off

AFP dominated by a couple of su- Yet while there are posi- Lisbon perstars to all pull together in tives, questions remain and the same direction. Tuchel has much work to do, Paris Saint-Germain will Nobody thought we “The players are right be- and little time to reflect on look back at their narrow de- would make it to the hind the coach. I have heard what might have been -- PSG feat by Bayern Munich in Sun- things about how he suppos- play their first game of the day’s Champions League final final. We were very edly can’t handle the dressing new Ligue 1 season, away in in Lisbon and wonder what close to winning it, but room and the star players but Lens, on Saturday. might have been, while also that’s football. the truth is that he is oversee- The Champions League steeling themselves to come ing the best season in the his- group stage begins again in back stronger in Europe’s elite PSG president tory of the club,” said Mbappe October and between now and club competition in a new sea- Nasser Al Khelaifi of Tuchel ahead of the final. then Paris may need to get son which is already starting. PSG showed fantastic spir- busy in the transfer market. Kingsley Coman’s second- it to come from a goal down Edinson Cavani, right-back half goal decided the final at Qatar Sports Investments took next season because that is our and beat Atalanta in the quar- Thomas Meunier and young the Estadio da Luz in Bayern’s Paris Saint-Germain’s Brazilian forward Neymar (left) and French for- over in the French capital in objective and now we believe in ter-finals and then outclassed defensive prospect Tanguy Ni- favour, allowing them to be- ward Kylian Mbappe arrive at the Parc des Princes in Paris on Monday 2011 and they will be hopeful of it more than before.” RB Leipzig in the semi-finals. anzou Kouassi all left the club come European champions a day after the UEFA Champions League final in Lisbon, Portugal. (AFP) getting to another Champions On Sunday they became They had overturned a under freedom of contract be- for the sixth time and deny- League final while Neymar and the seventh consecutive side first-leg deficit to oust Borus- fore the ‘Final Eight’. ing PSG victory in their first early on, but Kylian Mbappe in tears at the end. Mbappe are still there. to lose when appearing in the sia Dortmund in the last 16, The latter has joined Bay- appearance in club football’s really should have done bet- “Inconsolable” was the “Nobody thought we Champions Leaague final for just before the coronavirus ern, becoming the latest in a biggest game. ter than shoot straight at the headline on the front page of would make it to the final. We the first time.A t least next shutdown, while in France long line of exciting young- The French champions goalkeeper just before half- sports daily L’Equipe on Mon- were very close to winning it, time, if there is one, they will they won every trophy going sters to walk away from PSG. were left to pay the price for time. The two most expen- day, underneath a photo of but that’s football,” said PSG’s not be novices. last season. Their improved They can only hope he failing to convert the oppor- sive players in football his- the Brazilian crying. Qatari president, Nasser Coach Thomas Tuchel, European performances rep- does not come back to haunt tunities that came their way tory were signed, ultimately, But PSG have muscled their Al Khelaifi. who put the defeat down to resent enormous progress af- them in the way Coman – an- -- Neymar was notably denied to win this game. It was not way into the very elite of Eu- “We are going to work hard “bad luck”, has been widely ter often humiliating defeats other Paris-born ex-PSG star- by a fine Manuel Neuer save their night, and Neymar was ropean clubs in the years since to win the Champions League praised for getting a team in previous campaigns. let – did in Lisbon. 14 Tuesday, August 25, 2020 Sports Former cricket chief Anderson kept waiting Sutherland lands top Australia golf job his experience. for 600th wicket as “He did so much in cricket at so many levels from playing to financial and corporate to stakeholder relations,” he said. “He knows what excellent and elite look like and I can’t Pakistan annoy hosts wait for him to impart his vision on the broader golf industry.” AFP Muttiah Muralitharan (800), Former Cricket Australia chief Sutherland spent 20 years Southampton Australia’s Shane Warne (708) James Sutherland during a press at Cricket Australia where he and India’s Anil Kumble (619). conference in Melbourne in was credited with increasing James Anderson was left just Anderson started the day August 2010. participation in the sport, par- one shy of becoming only the in sight of the select group af- ticularly among women. fourth bowler to take 600 Test ter taking 5-56 – his 29th five- AFP He was heavily involved wickets as a combination of wicket haul in 156 Tests – dur- Sydney with the introduction of the poor catching, bad weather ing Pakistan’s first-innings 273. highly-successful Twenty20 and some determined Paki- Scoreboard He might even have James Sutherland was Mon- Big Bash League and day- stan batting conspired against reached the landmark late on day appointed head of Golf Aus- night Test cricket. England 1st Innings 583-8 decl the England paceman at Pakistan 1st Innings 273 Sunday had not three catches tralia, two years after stepping But he also endured a pay Southampton on Monday. Pakistan 2nd Innings (following-on) been dropped off his bowling down as the country’s cricket war with players in his final Anderson, denied an early Shan Masood lbw b Broad ��������������������������������� 18 with the new ball. chief in the wake of a damaging few years and came under in- Abid Ali lbw b Anderson �������������������������������������� 42 breakthrough when Jos But- Azhar Ali not out �������������������������������������������������� 29 And there was more frus- ball-tampering scandal. tense pressure in 2018 when tler dropped a routine chance Babar Azam not out �����������������������������������������������4 tration for Anderson when The 55-year-old will take Steve Smith, David Warner to reprieve Shan Masood, re- Extras: (lb7) ����������������������������������������������������������7 Masood, on three, edged an in- over from Stephen Pitt from and Cameron Bancroft at- turned for a third spell late on Total: (For 2 wkts, 56 overs, 249 mins) ���������� 100 tended drive outside off-stump October 1. tempted to alter the ball dur- To bat: Asad Shafiq, Fawad Alam, Mohammad the fourth day of the third Test Rizwan, Yasir Shah, Shaheen Afridi, Mohammad only for the ball to hit Buttler “I’m genuinely excited to ing a Test in South Africa. to have opener Abid Ali lbw. Abbas, Naseem Shah. on the thigh as he failed to get have the opportunity to work They were all sent home That took the 38-year-old Fall of wickets: 1-49 (Masood), 2-88 (Abid). his gloves to a chance far less in golf, obviously for Golf Aus- in disgrace and banned in to 599 Test wickets but even Bowling: Anderson 12-3-18-1; Broad 11-5-23-1; difficult than several catches tralia, but more importantly for one of the biggest scandals to Woakes 8-2-14-0; Archer 9-5-8-0; Bess 14-3-27-0; though the floodlights were Root 2-0-3-0. he held on Sunday. the sport around the nation,” engulf the sport, which saw a on, the umpires ruled the only Match position: Pakistan are 210 runs behind with England batsman Ol- said Sutherland, who headed slew of executives at Cricket way play could continue safely eight second-innings wickets standing. lie Pope injured his shoulder Cricket Australia for 17 years. Australia leave. was with spin from both ends. Toss: England. chasing a ball to the boundary Golf Australia chairman Sutherland insisted he cri- As a result Anderson, who and was replaced by James Andrew Newbold said it was a sis had no bearing on his deci- had miserly figures of 1-18 Bracey, with the substitute coup to secure someone with sion to quit. from 12 overs was replaced fielder summing up the hosts’ by England captain Joe Root, morning when his needless who bowled his part-time off- shy at the stumps led to four breaks in partnership with England’s James Anderson reacts after England’s Jos Buttler (not in the pic) fails to take a catch off his bowling overthrows. frontline spinner Dom Bess. on the fourth day of the third Test against Pakistan at the Ageas Bowl in Southampton on Monday. (AFP) Pakistan resumed on Mon- Oz ready to hit ground running But with the natural light day a huge 310 runs behind a fading, the umpires decided captain, was 29 not out follow- Buttler drop a fourth catch in for a painstaking 42, with the total built on Zak Crawley’s Sydney: Justin Langer said his their lockdown and they will play conditions were unsafe even ing his first-innings century 37 balls off his bowling. batsman’s fruitless review 267 and Buttler’s 152. The pair Australia squad are super-fit four inter-squad warm-up games under for slow bowling. and Babar Azam unbeaten on After an initial rain break leaving Pakistan 88-2. shared an England fifth-wick- and ready to hit the ground run- to get match-ready after nearly Rain then fell to end any four. of more than three-and-a-half et record stand of 359. ning ahead of departing Sunday six months of inaction since hope of a resumption, with If England, as now seems hours, Masood fell lbw playing Select group Azhar’s superb 141 not out for a white-ball tour of England, the pandemic brought sport to more showers forecast for highly likely, avoid defeat they no shot to Stuart Broad for 18. No paceman has yet reached kept England at bay longer their first cricket since March. a halt. Tuesday’s final day. will win their first Test cam- The left-hander reviewed the landmark figure of 600 than looked likely after his side The 21-man squad gathered in They will head to a bio-secure Pakistan, following on, paign against Pakistan in a the decision but once again Test wickets. collapsed to 75-5 on Sunday. Perth before taking a direct flight hub in Southampton for the first were 100-2 – still 210 runs decade. Root’s men are 1-0 up technology upheld Michael The only bowlers ahead of Azhar found an ally in after which they will face several of three Twenty20s on Septem- behind England’s first innings in a three-match campaign. Gough’s original verdict. the 38-year-old Anderson in Mohammad Rizwan, with the days of isolation in Derby due to ber 4 against an England side 583-8 declared – at the close. Anderson started the day Anderson, switched to the all-time list are three re- wicketkeeper making 53 in a coronavirus restrictions. who have been back in action Azhar Ali, the Pakistan with 598 wickets and then saw Gough’s end, had Abid lbw tired spinners – Sri Lanka’s sixth-wicket stand of 138. Training will be permitted during since early July. (AFP) Medvedev makes strong start, NBA Kvitova shocked in opener Doncic nails epic buzzer-beater; DPA/AFP Celtics, Raptors set up clash New York AFP Daniil Medvedev com- Miami menced his Cincinnati title de- fence campaign with a smooth Luka Doncic wasn’t about to 6-4, 6-4 victory over Ameri- let a sprained ankle slow him can qualifier Marcos Giron to down, nailing a game-winning move into the third round on three-pointer at the buzzer to Monday, while Petra Kvitova lift the Dallas Mavericks to a fell in her opener to Marie 135-133 overtime playoff win Bouzkova 2-6, 7-5, 6-2. over the Los Angeles Clippers Cincinnati was one of six on Sunday. consecutive finals Medvedev The 21-year old Slovenian reached last season - a sensa- phenom, who was playing with tional run that also included a a tender ankle and missing his runner-up show at the US Open. offensive sidekick Kristaps Por- A break in the fifth game zingis, finished with 43 points, was enough to give Medve- 17 rebounds and 13 assists to dev the first set over Giron in level the first-round NBA West- Dallas Mavericks Luka Doncic celebrates a game winning three point 42 minutes and the Russian ern Conference playoff series at basket with teammates against the LA Clippers during overtime in number three seed broke early two games each. Game Four of the Western Conference First Round of the 2020 in the second to advance at the “This game was from an- NBA Playoffs on Sunday. (AFP) Western & Southern Open, other planet,” said Mavericks relocated from Cincinnati to Petra Kvitova of Czech Republic returns a shot to Maria Bouzkova of Czech Republic during the Western & coach Rick Carlisle of Doncic’s Porzingis. Doncic sprained his With their backs against New York this year. He takes Southern Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York on Sunday. (Getty Images/AFP) heroics. Doncic made a basket left ankle in the second half of the wall, Joel Embiid and the on Aljaz Bedene next. with 50 seconds left to tie the game three and had an MRI on 76ers kept it close and trailed “I’m just looking to try to due the coronavirus pandemic. and is accustomed to such dif- joined Medvedev in the last 16 score 130-130 then gave Dallas Saturday to determine the ex- by just two points late in the make the same, it’s not easy. I Her last appearance was in ficult conditions, saved three with a 6-3, 7-5 win over Brit- a two-point lead with a spin- tent of the damage. third quarter before forward don’t think many players were Doha, where she was runner- break points in the finalgame, ain’s Dan Evans. ning move to the basket with “This morning I wasn’t Tobias Harris took a hard fall able to do it in their careers, it up to Aryna Sabalenka. and needed five match points Britain’s Johanna Konta, 19 seconds remaining. feeling good but as soon as I under the basket, his head was something unbelievable,” The two-time Wimble- to complete the upset. the eighth seed, showed no He capped his triple-dou- stepped on the court I knew slamming the hardwood. said Medvedev, reflecting on don champion, seeded sixth “Being from Czech Re- signs of the heart palpitations ble with a 27-foot step-back I could go,” said Doncic, who Harris was able to leave his stellar run last summer. in New York this week, start- public like me, she’s an idol. that affected her in Lexing- jumper from the left side as recorded his second straight the court under his own steam, “Of course I cannot predict ed strong against her fellow I watched her so many times ton earlier this month, as she time ticked down, sparking a triple-double. holding a towel to his left eye the future but I’m going to try Czech but appeared to struggle in Fed Cup when I was small. blasted past Belgium’s Kirsten wild celebration on the floor in Said Carlisle: “He sees the and temple, and returned after to do my best.” in the heat and humidity as the So today to get the win is ex- Flipkens 6-2, 6-0 in a 63-min- the NBA’s quarantine bubble game in 6G, not 5G. He is a treatment for what the team Kvitova, a two-time Cincin- match went on. tremely amazing for me,” said ute second round clash. She in Orlando, Florida. very special player.” said was a cut over the eye. nati semi-finalist, was in fine The 48th-ranked Bouz- the 22-year-old Bouzkova af- plays either Laura Siegemund “I can’t explain the emotions Trey Burke added 25 But the Celtics closed the third form before the tennis tour kova, who spent the last few ter the win. or Vera Zvonareva for a spot in I had when I saw the ball go in,” points, Tim Hardaway scored quarter on a 12-0 run that effec- was suspended early March months training in Florida Canadian Milos Raonic the quarter-finals. Doncic said. “When I saw the 21 and Seth Curry chipped in tively ended the 76ers’ hopes. whole team coming towards me 15 points for Dallas, who led “I feel like the game flipped that was one of the best feelings by 12 with nine minutes re- when Tobias went out,” Sixers I have ever had as a player.” maining in the fourth quarter. coach Brett Brown said. While Dallas levelled their Lou Williams had 36 The Celtics will face the Quick read series, Boston became the points and Kawhi Leonard defending NBA champion Spain’s Suarez Navarro pulls out of US Open Djokovic pulls out of doubles in tune-up first team to reach the second finished with 32 points for the Toronto Raptors who moved round with a 110-106 victory Clippers, who blew a 21-point onto the next round after New YORK: Two-time US Open quarter-finalist Carla Suarez Nav- New YORK: World number one withdrew from doubles over the Philadelphia 76ers. first-half lead. sweeping the Brooklyn Nets. arro of Spain pulled out of the upcoming Grand Slam tournament Sunday at the Western & Southern Open in New York, citing neck pain. Kemba Walker scored 32 Game five is on Tuesday. Reserve Norman Powell Monday citing unspecified “health reasons”. Suarez, 31 and ranked The top-seeded Serbian was still scheduled to open singles play on points and Jayson Tatum added Meanwhile, the Celtics’ scored a career playoff high 68th in the world, had already pulled out of this week’s Western Monday against qualifierR icardis Berankis of Lithuania after a first- 28 and 15 rebounds for the Celt- Walker, who arrived in Boston 29 points and the Raptors won & Southern Open, the ATP and WTA event usually held in Cincin- round bye. Djokovic had been entered in doubles with compatriot Filip ics, who swept the Eastern Con- after eight seasons of frustra- their series with a dominating nati but moved this year to the National Tennis Center in New York Krajinovic, but he pulled out before their scheduled opener on Sunday ference first-round series 4-0. tion with the Charlotte Hor- 150-122 victory in Orlando. where players are competing in a quarantine “bubble.” The US against Tommy Paul and Frances Tiafoe of the United States. The Doncic, who is playing in his nets, was basking in his first Serge Ibaka came off the Open will begin at the venue on August 31. “Unfortunately I had to tournament normally played in Cincinnati, Ohio, is being held this year firstNB A playoffs, carried the NBA playoff series win. bench to score a playoff career withdraw from the @usopen due to health reasons,” she said on in a quarantine bubble at the US Tennis Association’s Billie Jean King Mavericks Sunday without Por- “It feels good,” Walker said high 27 points and grabbed Twitter. “I’m not ready to compete at the moment, so I’m following National Tennis Center, where the US Open will start on August 31. zingis, who was a late scratch but added: “The work’s not 15 rebounds for Toronto, who medical advice.” Suarez will be replaced in the main draw of the US Djokovic won the title in Cincinnati in 2018 to become the only player because of a knee injury. done. We won a series, but swept a best-of-seven series Open by Japan’s Kurumi Nara, ranked 142 in the world. (AFP) to win all nine of the ATP’s elite Masters 1000 tournaments. (AFP) But the pre-game buzz was we’re still looking forward to for the first time in their fran- all about Doncic’s health, not some more tough ones.” chise history. Sports Tuesday, August 25, 2020 15 Al Kharaitiyat crowned second division football champions

Tribune News Network moted to the Second Division DOHA last season following a lengthy stint at the top flight, but the Al Kharaitiyat were official- club dominated this season ly crowned Second Division’s from the early stages and se- champions after sharing a cured the promotion with 1-1 draw with Muaither at three rounds to spare. the Grand Hamad Stadium Meanwhile, at the Suhaim on Sunday. bin Hamad Stadium, Al Markh- Ayoub Widrasi opened iya got the better of Mesaimeer the score for Muaither against 3-2 in a keenly contested match the run of play on 16 min- which secured them second utes, while Rashid Teberk- place and the chance to return enin maintained his blazing to the QNB Stars League. hot form by equalising for the Al Markhiya are now poised champions just five minutes to face Al Khor in a one match inside the second half. promotion playoff scheduled The result propelled Al for Friday, 28 August. Kharaitiyat’s tally to 37 points, The Qatar Football Asso- Al Markhiya ended as the runners-up. They will now play Al Khor in a meanwhile Muaither finished ciation (QFA) regulations stip- one-match promotion playoff on August 28. their season with 25 points in ulate that the club coming in fifth place. last position in First Division while the club ranked 11th in against the club ranked second Al Kharaitiyat players celebrate with the second division Qatar Football Association shield at the Grand Al Kharaitiyat were de- will join the Second Division, the First Division will play in Second Division. Hamad Stadium on Sunday. Suazo: have quality, real match-winners VAR set to make AFC Champions ‘The Panther’ on his qualifying experiences and the road to FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 member of one of the another key factor was hav- Coito, will do a really good job, League debut finest generations of ing a coaching team that had because he’s got a very prom- Aplayers Honduras has worked with us for four years. ising squad of players. There AFC ever produced, David Suazo There was nothing improvised are a lot of youngsters but Kuala Lumpur knows better than anyone just about it and it helped Rueda to they’ve got quality. how hard and how satisfying get to know the players well, to The Asian Football Confeder- it is to reach the FIFA World pick out a captain like Amado Who do you think are the ation’s (AFC) commitment to Cup™. The former front man, Guevara and to blend home- key players in the squad? ensure Asian refereeing con- who ran out for the likes of grown players with those of us The experience of Maynor tinues to set new benchmarks and Benfica in playing abroad. It all helped Figueroa and was further underlined after his playing days, was on hand create a very strong team. is going to help and the Hon- it confirmed the implemen- as an assistant at this week’s duras forward line has a lot of tation of the Video Assistant Concacaf Preliminary Draw David Suazo starred in Honduras’ FIFA World Cup return in 2010. What was it like to play promise about it too: Anthony Referee (VAR) system from for the FIFA World Cup Qa- at the World Cup after so Lozano, who plays in Spain; the Quarter-final stage of the tar 2022™, which gave . have to make the most of your duran. It was an incredible at- many years of waiting? , who plays for 2020 AFC Champions League com the opportunity to ask home matches, and we lost mosphere. I ended my national team Houston Dynamo; and Romell – the first time that VAR will him about the qualifiers and just one of them, to USA, and We won but the USA-Cos- career on a high because going Quioto (Montreal Impact). All be introduced in the AFC’s his favourites to represent the won all the rest. ta Rica game was still going to and playing at the World Cup three of them are match-win- Club Competitions. region at the big event. We had a really good gen- on when our match finished. is what every player aspires to. I ners. I hope they believe it too, Asian football history was eration of players, with a lot of You can imagine what those thank God that I was able to do because they’ve got all the mak- made in 2019 when VAR made strengthen the AFC’s capabili- You took part in three guys playing in Europe. And five minutes were like for us: that with a great team. We also ings of being match-winners. its debut from the Quarter-fi- ties in the VAR system appli- qualifying competitions we also have to thank USA the longest of my whole ca- showed the way forward be- nal stage of the AFC Asian Cup cation in the AFC Champions and finally made it to South too because they helped us go reer (laughs)! We stayed on cause Honduras went and qual- Who are your favourites in the United Arab Emirates League, a virtual AFC VAR In- Africa 2010 in the third. through by scoring in the last the pitch waiting for the match ified for the next World Cup, to claim Concacaf’s 3.5 before the system was suc- formation Officer (VIO) Work- What did you make of the minute against . to end. We thought we were which helped all these young- qualification places? cessfully implemented across shop 2020 will be organised whole qualifying process? What are your memories out and then USA scored very sters believe that we could be in These preliminaries will all 32 matches at the AFC U23 on August 26 to ensure VIOs Honduras made it back to of that last day of the quali- late on, which meant another the regional elite. show us what the standard is Championship Thailand 2020 are well informed on the latest the World Cup after 28 long fiers, when Honduras beat El celebration. We couldn’t have like in Concacaf. In the end, in January. VAR developments. years of trying, which just goes Salvador with a Carlos Pavon been happier. After missing out on Rus- though, I think Mexico, USA, Having organised numer- The VAR system, which to show how difficult it is to goal that you set up and USA sia 2018, Honduras are Honduras and Costa Rica are ous VAR courses and semi- aims to provide minimum qualify, because you come up drew 2-2 with Costa Rica? Coached by Reinaldo about to have another the favourites to make it to Qa- nars since March 2017, the interference with maximum against really strong teams Our match was amazing. Rueda, what was special crack at World Cup quali- tar. It’s going to be tough be- AFC has a proven track record benefit, is limited to four like Costa Rica, USA and Mex- We were away but it was the about the team that made fication. How do you rate cause it’s a very long road, but in the implementation of the game-changing decisions or ico. They’re very tough sides to first time ever that Honduras history by qualifying for their chances of making it I reckon those four teams will VAR system which has been incidents, specifically – goal or play in their own backyards. played ‘at home’ in a foreign South Africa? to Qatar? be fighting it out for the quali- endorsed by both FIFA and no goal, penalty-kicks, direct We did really well in 2010 country. I reckon at least half Aside from the European It’s a very young side and fication places. They’ve got the the IFAB. red cards and mistaken iden- though. In the qualifiers you the 40,000 crowd were Hon- experience that a lot of us had, I know that the coach, Fabian quality to do it. Additionally, to further tity decisions.

Zamalek claim Cairo 5th IOC World Conference on Prevention of Injury & Illness in Sport bragging rights Aspetar experts to share insights on AFP instead of letting players return Johannesburg to their homes. Raja have 45 points as they Al Ahly may be on course for seek to become champions for illness, injury-prevention for athletes a record-extending 42nd Egyp- the first time since 2013, five tian Premier League title, but points more than Wydad Casa- Tribune News Network paediatric athlete, prevent- the bragging rights in Cairo on blanca, Mouloudia Oujda and Doha ing overuse injuries in team Monday belonged to fierce rivals Renaissance Berkane. sports, how to prevent ham- Zamalek. SOUTH AFRICA: Close en- Aspetar experts will be play- string injuries and one of the The White Knights defeated counters have been a feature ing key roles in the world’s most interesting topics ahead the Red Devils 3-1 at the week- of the South African Absa Pre- premier sports medicine of the Games, presented by end thanks to goals from Mosta- miership since the season re- event, the IOC World Confer- Prof. Sebastien Racinais, Head fa Mohamed and Osama Faisal started this month after being ence on Prevention of Injury of Research entitled ‘Tropical after Yassir Ibrahim of Ahly suspended in March due to the & Illness in Sport. The event paradise or danger zone? Beat had cancelled an Ahmed Sayed COVID-19 outbreak. is intended for individuals and the heat to protect athletes in a strike. Fourteen of the first 26 organisations with an interest sweltering 2020 Tokyo’. It was the first loss of the matches were drawn, 10 won by in the clinical aspects of sports Prof. Roald Bahr, IOCs season for record eight-time Af- one goal and the other two by and exercise medicine, only a Chair of the Scientific Commit- rican champions Ahly after 18 two goals, including a stunning few months before the largest tee of the conference and Head victories and two draws under 3-1 triumph for Bloemfontein sporting event, the 2020 To- Dr. Abdulaziz Al Kuwari, CEO, of the Aspetar Sports Injury Swiss coach Rene Weiler. Celtic over leaders Kaizer Chiefs. kyo Olympic Games. Aspetar. and Illness Prevention Pro- Ahly have 54 points with 13 The biggest crowd-pullers The 5th IOC World Con- gramme, said: “I am grateful rounds remaining, Zamalek 42, have fared poorly in four match- ference on Prevention of In- to Aspetar for contributing no Pyramids 39 and Al Mokawloon es each behind closed doors jury and Illness in Sport was The 5th IOC World less than 15 staff members as Al Arab 37. with Chiefs dropping seven initially scheduled to be on Conference on Prevention speakers, including the pres- EGYPT: With Ahly set to points and second-place Ma- March 2020 but had to be of Injury and Illness in tigious keynote spot with Prof. finish first, there is a three-club melodi Sundowns and Orlando moved until February 2021 Sport was initially sched- Sebastien Racinais on how to contest for second position and Pirates nine. due to the coronavirus (COV- uled to be on March 2020 prepare for the challenging cli- the prize of being the other : Tunisian Ligue ID-19) outbreak. The event mate awaiting participants in Egyptian representatives in the Professionnelle 1 title-holders will now take place in Monaco but had to be moved until Tokyo for the Olympic Games 2021 CAF Champions League. Esperance retained a 10-point from the 11th till the 13th of February 2021 due the in July. Few, if any, other insti- Own-goals played decisive lead over CS Sfaxien with five February 2021 and will bring coronavirus (COVID-19) tutions world-wide can match roles in the fortunes of Pyra- rounds left after the clubs together a diverse faculty rep- outbreak. The event will the wide-ranging spectre of ex- mids and Mokawloon, who trail achieved contrasting victories. resenting the foremost inter- now take place in Monaco pertise provided by Aspetar”. second-place Zamalek by three Four-time African champi- national expertise on injury from the 11th till the 13th It is noteworthy that As- and five points respectively. ons Esperance edged seventh- and illness prevention. and researchers to join hands lems associated with sports petar in November 2012 cre- A Mohamed Nady own-goal place 2-1 in a Aspetar’s participation in with healthcare professionals, participation, using a multidis- of February 2021 and will ated a sustainable long-term in stoppage time gave Pyra- derby through goals from the upcoming conference as sharing insights on illness & ciplinary approach. The pro- bring together a diverse programme on injury and ill- mids a 2-1 win at Smouha while Algerian Abderrahmane Mezi- partner of the conference, and injuries prevention in sports. gramme will consist of guest faculty representing the ness prevention, the Aspetar Mokawloon fell 1-0 away to As- ane and Youssef Mosrati. is considering its partnership We are proud to be partners speakers, panel discussions, foremost international Sports Injury and Illness wan after Ahmed al Shimi put Goals during the final six with the IOC as being one of in such a prestigious event. As symposia, workshops, free expertise on injury and Prevention Programme (AS- the ball into his own net. minutes from Jassem Ham- its accredited research cen- an IOC Research Centre for communications and posters. PREV), which is based on the MOROCCO: Leaders Raja douni and Walid Karoui sealed a tres and part of Aspetar fun- the Prevention of Injury and Aspetar experts including illness prevention. two main conjoined elements Casablanca and their three clos- surprisingly comfortable 4-0 tri- damental role to protect the Protection of Athlete Health, several recognised profession- of research and implementa- est challengers for the Moroccan umph for Sfaxien at sixth-place health of athletes and prevent Aspetar is committed to shar- als in the area of injury and case studies, informative panel tion. The objectives and activi- Botola Pro 1 title had their week- Ben Guerdane. injuries and illnesses ing the knowledge with our illness prevention have been discussions and workshops. ties within ASPREV are closely end fixtures postponed due to ESWATINI: Young Buffa- Commenting on Aspetar’s partners around the world”. invited as members of the sci- The attending experts aligned with those of the IOC; the coronavirus pandemic. loes have been declared eSwati- participation, Chief Executive Like previous editions, entific committee. will offer insights, obtained Aspetar has been recognised The setbacks came after of- ni (formerly Swaziland) cham- Officer of Aspetar, Dr. Ab- the conference will present Thor Einar Andersen, Chief through real-life case interac- as an IOC Research Centre for ficials ordered all 16 clubs to stay pions after the Premier League dulaziz Jaham Al Kuwari, said, evidence-based information of Sports medicine in Aspetar, tions, on topics including load the Prevention of Injury and in hotels or sport centres when was cancelled with eight rounds “this conference is an ideal op- on the prevention of injuries, and fifteen high-level experts management in elite football, Protection of Athlete Health they are not training or playing to go because of the coronavirus. portunity for Aspetar’s experts illness and other health prob- from Aspetar will present their cardiac screening of the elite since November 2014.