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FRIDAY 22 JANUARY 2021 Root wants improvement in second Test are a proud team and have a great record at this ground so we have to play smart again. We can't be happy with what we have achieved on this trip so far, we need to get better. We can't get ahead of ourselves and think we’re something we’re not. Sport | 15 VOLLEYBALL LEAGUE: TODAY'S FIXTURES - Al Sadd vs Qatar SC 4:00pm; Al Arabi vs Al Shamal 6:30pm, Venue: QVA Hall

FIFA Club World Cup: QSL champions plan top preparations for Al Ahly clash Al Duhail eye strong show on home soil

FAWAD HUSSAIN to preparee for the FIFA Club an important addition to the looking forwardforwar to give a strong THE PENINSULA World Cup.p. team,”team,” saisaidd AAll AAlili bbeforeefore aaddingdding show.show. IfIf we winwin against Al Ahly, “Our ppreparationsreparations for the thatthat the team wwillill do we will meet EEuropean cham- Adnan Al Ali, Al Al Duhail are aiming to leave a FIFA Clubb WorWorldld Cup wiwillll bebe iitsts bbestest toto get pions BayernBayern Munich. We Duhail Executive mark on their FIFA Club World different fromrom our preparations goodgood results.results. dependdepend on thethe abilities of our Director Cup Qatar 2020 debut with a for the localocal cchampionships.hampionships. “We playersplayers andand ttheirhe technical abil- strong performance in the pres- After the wwithdrawalithdrawal of the NeNeww are tthehe ities to appearappear in the way that tigious tournament, the club’s Zealand teameam and reachinreachingg the hosthost teamteam expressesexpresses the Qatari football, “ executive director Adnan Al Ali second stagetage ofof thethe champi-champi- of thisthis he said. said yesterday. onship, wee decided to enter the evente vent “Al“Al Sadd representedre Qatar As representatives of the team in a closed camp to givegive andand wewe in the last editeditioni and it is going host nation, ‘The Red Knights’ best possibleble preparations to thethe are to be a last of ththe two FIFA Club secured a berth in the next team,” saidd AlAl Ali. WorldWorld Cups pplanned in Qatar month’s top event courtesy of The RedRed KniKnightsghts have beforebefore the WWorldo Cup 2022, so their QNB Stars League (QSL) boosted theirheir squad by roropingpingg we are lookingloo forward to title win. in Kenyann strikerstriker MichaelMichael a goodgood performance,” Al Duhail, coached by Olunga andnd Iranian mmid-id- saidsaid Al Ali. Frenchman , are fielder AAlili KarKarimiimi Reigning Asian pitted against African cham- recently. chachampions Ulsan pions Al Ahly in the second in Zurich on January 19. They it. “The match against Al Ahly They alsoalso have HHyundaiy FC and round match following the draw were to meet Auckland City will be difficult and we will be quality playerslayers CCONCACAFO Cham- in the first round but the side ready for it,” Al Duhail’s chief like Qatarr stars pionspion League winners representing the Oceania executive said yesterday. Almoez Ali,Ali, TigresTigre UANL will kick Football Confederation Al Duhail are currently busy Mohammedmed startstart the tournament Al Duhail, coached by withdrew from the compe- in a hectic QSL season, in which Muntari,a ri, with theth opening match Frenchman Sabri Lamouchi, tition due to the COVID-19 they currently stand second Mohammedm ed onon FFebruarye 4 at the are pitted against African pandemic and quarantine behind Al Sadd. But for the FIFA Moosa besidesesides AhmadAhmA Bin Ali champions Al Ahly in the measures required by New Club World Cup, Lamouchi- Belgian pplayerlayer Stadium.Sta Zealand’s authorities. coached side has planned Edmilson JJunior.unior. The final of the second round match on Al Ali said the team’s tie special preparations. “We havehave includedincluded a tournamentt will February 4 at Education City against the Egyptian side to be Soon after their Amir Cup number off playeplayersrs to strestrengthenngthen beb played on Stadium. played at the Education City match against Qatar’s Al Ahli on the rankss (this season) and Almoez Ali February 11 at Stadium will be a tough challenge February 1, Al Duhail will among themem are and the Education and players must prepare well for undergo a closed training camp , and they are City Stadium.

WINNERS She’s Our Queen corners Pearl glory Horse, Trainer, Jockey T/B PEARL THE PENINSULA - oughbred Classic Race with Sou- She's Our Queen (IRE), fiane Saadi. Deborah Amanda Clare In a spectacular show of strength Saadi rode the Jassim Ghazali- She’s Our Mountain, Ivan Rossi Queen, ridden and stamina, the Hassan Ali trained 4-year-old colt to a T/B CLASSIC RACE Alabdulmalik-bred and owned ¾-length win in the 2000m by Ivan Rossi, Perfect Empire (GB), She's Our Queen yesterday won for 4-year-olds. wins the Class 2 the Class 2 Thoroughbred Pearl In the seventh race of the day, Thoroughbred Pearl Gassim Ghazali, Soufiane title on turf at Al Rayyan Race HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin at Al Rayyan Race Saadi Park. Khalifa Al Thani's Off He Goes Park yesterday. KHOR AL ADAID CUP Ivan Rossi rode the Debbie (Casino Prince) landed the Gr3 Off He Goes (AUS), Julian Mountain-trained 4-year-old filly Khor Al Adaid Cup honours with Colin Smart, Tomas Lukasek to a 1¼-length win in the 2000m jockey Tomas Lukasek in the AL AREEQ CUP run for F & M. saddle. Jabalaly (IRE), Ibrahim She's Our Queen clocked a Lukasek rode the Julian Smart- winning time of 2:05.82 as jockey trained 7-year-old gelding to a Saeed Al Malki, Ronan Rossi picked up the top prize of QR 3-length win in the 2800m run for Thomas 57,000. 4-year-olds+ TBs. PUREBRED ARABIAN Mahaarat, who had Alberto In the sixth race, Al Bida Rac- CONDITIONS Sanna in the saddle, and Festive, ing's Jabalaly (Moohaajim x Bahati) Ebraz (GB), Julian Colin guided by Ronan Thomas, finished completed a double landing Al Smart, Tomas Lukasek in second and third places respec- Areeq Cup. tively in the feature race of the Ronan Thomas rode the LOCAL PUREBRED ARABIAN night. Ibrahim Al Malki-trained 5-year- CONDITIONS Earlier Al Wasmiyah Farm's old gelding to a ¾-length win in Barra (QA), Alban Elie De Perfect Empire (Holy Roman the mile Class 2 run for Mieulle, Rashid Ali Al-Marri Emperor) won the Class 2 Thor- Thoroughbreds.

Denmark down Qatar’s Frankis Marzo in action with Denmark’s Magnus Saugstrup IOC President Bach says 'no Qatar at World Jensen during their Group 2 match Championship in Cairo, yesterday. Plan B' for Tokyo Games

DOHA — THE PENINSULA AGENCIES — TOKYO at this moment, no reason further reducing public support, whatsoever to believe that the Tokyo organisers have Reigning Olympic and world champions There is “no Plan B” for the Olympic Games in Tokyo will repeatedly ruled out postponing Denmark yesterday defeated Asian cham- Tokyo Games, says Interna- not open on the 23rd of July in the Games again. pions Qatar 32-23 in their opening Group tional Olympic Committee (IOC) the Olympic stadium in Tokyo,” Meanwhile, former IOC vice II match at the IHF Men’s World Champi- President Thomas Bach Bach told Kyodo News. president Dick Pound said Tokyo onships in Cairo yesterday. (pictured), who reaffirmed his “This is why there is no Plan Olympics could go ahead without New Capital Sports Hall, Qatar started commitment to holding the B and this is whywhy we are fully fans.fans. And he prpredicteded the games well and were neck and neck before the showpiece event this year in an committedcommitted to mamakeke will open on July 23 despite pre-event favourites took control of match. interview with Kyodo News thesethese GaGamesmes sasafefe and surgingsurging coronaviruscor cases Denmark were leading 17-12 at halftime. yesterday. successful,”successful,” he inin JaJapanpan aand around the Qatar attempted to make a comeback but After the Games were post- added. globe.globe. an experienced Danish side gave little room poned last year because of the WWithith tthehe “The ququestion is - is to their Asian opponents to seal first victory global novel coronavirus pan- Beijing 2022 tthishis a ‘must-have’‘m or in main round. demic, Saturday marks six Winter Olympics ‘nice-to-have.’‘nice-to It’s nice Qatar will next take Bahrain tomorrow months until the rearranged onon tthehe hhorizonorizon aandnd to havehave spectators. But before playing against Argentina on January Olympics are due to start on rapidlyrapidly escalatingescalating it’sit’s not a must-have,” 25, hoping to collect full points from the July 23. costs PoundPound said in an games. Despite dwindling public interviewint with Earlier yesterday, Hungary started their support and a surge in corona- Japan’s Kyodo mission in Group I of the main round by virus cases across the world, news agency beating Brazil 29:23, at New Capital Sports organisers are adamant the published Hall in Cairo. Games will go ahead. “We have yesterday. Sport FRIDAY 22 JANUARY 2021 15

FACTBOX: Sri Lanka vs England Root wants improvement in Second Test in

second Test against Sri Lanka GALLE: Factbox on the second and final Test between Sri Lanka and England, which begins today: WHEN: REUTERS — GALLE 135, though they Jan. 22-26 (10 a.m./0430 GMT) improved markedly in WHERE: England captain Joe Root has warned his the second. Batsman Galle International Stadium players not to get ahead of themselves and took MATCH OFFICIALS (all Sri Lankan) to continue improving as they seek to wrap the unusual step of Umpires: , Ruchira Palliyaguruge up the series against Sri Lanka in the second suggesting his team Third : Lyndon Hannibal and final Test at Galle International Stadium mates look to Root for Match referee: today. tips on how to master SRI LANKA England won the first match at the same the after the World ranking: 6 venue by seven in a dominant per- England skipper Coach: Mickey Arthur formance to record a fourth successive scored 228 in the Captain: away victory for the first time in 64 years. series opener. Team (from): Minod Bhanuka, , They have not won five Tin a row on the “Joe Root played a (wicketkeeper), , road since 1913. magnificent innings. , , Asitha Fernando, Another victory on a famously difficult We can learn a lot , , Santhush Gunathilake, ground for visiting teams would be a feather from the way he , , , Dilshan in the cap and a big boost ahead of Eng- batted,” Mathews said Madushanka, Angelo Mathews, , , land’s four-Test series in that follows yesterday. , , , Lahiru directly after. “You have to find Thirimanne “Sri Lanka are a proud team and have that tempo, especially ENGLAND a great record at this ground so we have to in these conditions. A World ranking: 4 play smart cricket again. We can’t be happy traditional Galle Coach: Chris Silverwood with what we have achieved on this trip so wicket is very slow Captain: Joe Root far, we need to get better,” Root told and takes turn, so you need to be able to England are currently playing a two- Team (from): , James Anderson, Jonathan Bairstow, reporters yesterday. find the shots according to each bowler. Test series in Sri Lanka where they lead 1-0 , , (wicketkeeper), Zak “We can’t get ahead of ourselves and “We need to be able to understand what going into today’s final match while India Crawley, , , Dan Lawrence, , think we’re something we’re not. This will we can and what we can’t do on these returned from a successful tour of , , , . not be an easy game, we will have to play wickets against their bowlers.” where they retained the Border-Gavaskar PREVIOUS SRI LANKA V ENGLAND GALLE TESTS some good stuff for five days if we want to Trophy with a 2-1 series win. 2001 - Sri Lanka won by an innings and 28 runs keep taking steps forward as a team,” Root Stokes and Archer England’s selectors have decided to rest 2003 - Match drawn said , Sam Curran and Mark 2007 - Match drawn England have made one change from return to England Test Wood, who are currently in Sri Lanka while 2012 - Sri Lanka won by 75 runs the first Test, with seamer James Anderson will also return home after 2018 - England won by 211 runs replacing Stuart Broad in an expected squad for India series the second Test in the island nation. 2021 - England won by seven wickets switch as they rotate bowlers in a busy REUTERS - The India series is scheduled to begin winter period. on Feb 5, with the first two matches to be Broad was effective with his guile on England all-rounder and fast played in before they travel to England vs India the spin-friendly Galle wicket and Anderson bowler will return for the four- for the last two games. Rousing brings plenty of that as he looks to add to Test series in India next month as the coun- England squad: Joe Root (captain), 1st Test: Chennai, Feb 5 - his 600 Test wickets. try’s cricket board (ECB) named yesterday Jofra Archer, Moeen Ali, James Anderson, Feb 9 welcome Neither seamers Chris Woakes or Olly the squad for the first two matches. Dom Bess, Stuart Broad, , Jos 2nd Test: Chennai, Feb 13 Stone were able to force their way into the Batsman Rory Burns also returns to the Buttler, , Ben Foakes, Dan - Feb 17 for India’s side, which means they will go into the India side after he skipped the Sri Lanka tour to Lawrence, Jack Leach, Dom Sibley, Ben 3rd Test (D/N): Ahmeda- series with little cricket under their belt. stay at home for the birth of his first child Stokes, Olly Stone, Chris Woakes. bad, Feb 24 - Feb 28 Rahane on Sri Lanka were roundly criticised for but has yet to recover from a Reserves: James Bracey, Mason Crane, 4th Test: Ahmedabad, Mar an abject display in the first innings shoulder injury and will be added to the , Matthew Parkinson, Ollie 4 - Mar 8 return from of the first Test when they were skittled for squad only when he passes a fitness test. Robinson, . Australia

REUTERS — MUMBAI

South Africa's star batsman Du Plessis gets India’s stand-in captain Ajinka Rahane returned home to a red carpet set for unexpected Test series in Pakistan welcome in Mumbai yesterday, having led a severely depleted side to a AP — LAHORE returned last November to famous Test series win in feature in Pakistan Super Australia. was not expecting League playoff for Peshawar India’s regular captain to play in Pakistan Zalmi at Karachi’s National and main batsman Virat so soon despite two visits for Stadium -- venue for the first Kohli had flown home to limited-overs formats over the test. attend the birth of his last four years. “That (2017) was the first daughter after the opening “That is one thing I did not step to bring any sort of cricket defeat in Adelaide where the see happening in my time,” the back (to Pakistan),” Du Plessis touring side were bundled veteran batsman said. out for 36 - their lowest told the Pakistan Cricket “What they did really well innings score in test cricket. Board’s digital channel at that stage was to bring Under Rahane, India lev- yesterday. players from all around the elled the series in Melbourne “I knew white-ball cricket world to come and play and to and secured a nerve- was happening here, but I did see that the security levels were wracking draw in Sydney not know that the red-ball going to be very, very good and before triumphing in the cricket was going to happen this it gave players peace of mind.” decider in Brisbane. soon,” he said. “I am looking Pakistan had long been Rahane, accompanied by forward to it and I hope that it trying to convince foreign teams coach Ravi Shastri and other is the same as it was 13 years to return for international com- team mates, were congratu- ago - the wickets are flat so we petition in Pakistan, where lated by local cricket admin- the batters can score some incoming cricket tours were istrators on their arrival in runs.” halted after a terrorist attack on Mumbai. A viral video on The 36-year-old du Plessis the Sri Lanka team’s bus at social media showed Rahane, is expected to form the nucleus Lahore in 2009. 33, being showered with of the Proteas batting in the Du Plessis made his Test flower petals as he walked upcoming two-Rest series debut in 2012 and has played along a red carpet amid the which will be first for South away matches in Australia, Faf du Plessis of South Africa is seen during a team training session in Lahore in this photo tweeted beating of drums and loud Africa in Pakistan in over 13 India, England, India, Sri Lanka, by @TheRealPCB yesterday. South Africa are getting ready for a two-Test series against Pakistan. cheers to enter his housing years. , and society with his daughter in The first Test starts Jan. 26 New Zealand. decade before Sri Lanka “It’s important for Pakistan seeing them play,” the right- his arms. India wicketkeeper at Karachi and the second starts Five of his seven Tests returned for two test matches to play in home conditions,” du hander said also received a at Rawalpindi on Feb. 4. against Pakistan have been in in 2019. Plessis said. Du Plessis will not stay after hero’s welcome in after Du Plessis first toured South Africa, the other two at The West Indies and Bang- “They have been playing in the Test matches to play in a being adjudged man-of-the- Pakistan when he led an Inter- and in 2013. ladesh have sent teams to play the UAE for the last 11 years so three-match series match in Adelaide and fin- national Cricket Council- Pakistan played a majority international cricket in Pakistan (some) fans have never seen because South Africa will be ishing as the highest scorer backed World XI for a of its home matches in the over the last six years. Now it’s them play - that’s almost like a preparing to host Australia in a for the team. Twenty20 series in 2017. He for a South Africa’s turn. generation and that’s missed Test series. Anderson urges players to respect Australia’s COVID-19 fight

REUTERS — MELBOURNE The world No. 1 from Serbia said on Adelaide in 14 other charter flights, were able to international tennis players to get some Wednesday his good intentions had been “mis- spend five hours a day outside their rooms to perspective. Former US Open and Wimbledon finalist Kevin construed as being selfish, difficult and practice as they were not on flights with pas- “I’m actually surprised to hear that the tennis Anderson appealed to players at the Australian ungrateful”. sengers later found to be positive for the virus. players are kicking up,” McGregor told Channel Open to show more respect for the local commu- Spaniard Roberto Bautista Agut and Alize FORGIVE PLAYERS 10’s The Project. nity’s fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, Cornet apologised for their comments over the “From the players perspective I really hope “We’ve gotta correct ourselves, there’s a lot following a chorus of complaints about quarantine last few days and Anderson said players had to that they can see what’s going on, and from the going on and a lot at risk,” he said. conditions in Melbourne. stop and think about how much Australians had community you know they at least forgive the “It’s everyone’s duty on this earth to do what As many as 72 players are confined to their sacrificed to stamp out the virus. players who have said things and understand they can. hotel rooms for two weeks and unable to train “We all really need to respect whatever Aus- that,” Anderson added. “To get to compete in a such a prestigious for the Feb 8-21 Grand Slam after passengers on tralia has gone through to get to this point where, Australia has managed the pandemic well tennis tournament - or any tournament - a two- three charter flights tested positive for the novel you know, just driving through the courts you see through targeted lockdowns and high rates of week lockdown prior, you should welcome it with coronavirus. the residents of Melbourne walking around testing and contact tracing. open arms. Complaints by some players over the severity without masks, interacting, and I know that Local media reported that world No. 1 Ash “I know I would,” he added. of the health measures, food quality and even they’ve sacrificed to get to that point,” he told Barty apologised after she was seen maskless at Maria Sakkari, ranked 22nd, is one of the mice infestations in their rooms have sparked a ABC Radio Melbourne. a departmental store in Melbourne despite a Vic- players in strict quarantine for 14 days, and while backlash in Australia, which has many citizens The 34-year-old Anderson, who stepped in toria state requirement that masks be worn inside the Greek said she missed breathing fresh air, she stranded overseas due to pandemic-linked border to lead the ATP Player Council last year after indoor shopping centres. appreciated the fact she was allowed to travel to restrictions. Djokovic stepped down to form a breakaway Victoria, home to the Australian Open, Australia. Novak Djokovic was panned after writing to players body, said comments from disgruntled recorded a 15th straight day without local infec- “I’m so grateful that you guys allowed us to Tennis Australia chief Craig Tiley to ask for players were borne of frustration. tions yesterday. come into your country while you were not reduced isolation periods and having players This was especially so as many of their fellow Former UFC champion Conor McGregor, allowing anyone else to come in,” Sakkari told moved to “private houses with tennis courts”. competitors, who arrived in Melbourne and never one to mince words, urged complaining Melbourne radio station 3AW.