14 Sunday, June 23, 2019 Sports

Qatar enter fifth straight Asian beach handball final Qatar’s Abdulla faces fightback after wiper issues in Italy Tribune News Network PORDENONE (Italy) RESULTS 1. Amerigo Ventura (ITA)/Icaro Ventura (ITA) Yamaha Qatar’s Adel Abdulla faces a YZX 1000R 2hrs 35min 14.4sec 2. Fedor Vorobyev (RUS)/Kirill Shubin (RUS) Can-Am fightback over the final stages Maverick X3 2hrs 38min 54.4sec of the Italian Baja, round three 3. Santiago Navarro (ESP)/Marc Sola (ESP) Can-Am of the FIA World Cup for Cross- Maverick X3 2hrs 39min 43.9sec Country Bajas, after slipping to 4. Michele Cinotto (ITA)/Mauricio Dominella (ITA) Polaris RZR 1000 2hrs 47min 12.9sec eighth in the T3 rankings with 5. Aleksandr Dorosinskiy (LVA)/Oleg Uperenko (LVA) windscreen wiper issues after Can-Am Maverick X3 2hrs 54min 10.4sec three of the event’s six timed 6. Abdullah Al-Zubair (OMN)/Faisal Al-Raisi (OMN) sections on Saturday. Can-Am Maverick X3 2hrs 58min 15.4sec 7. Michal Goczal (POL)/Szymon Gospadarczyk (POL) The Doha-based driver and Can-Am Maverick X3 3hrs 10min 51.0sec French co-driver Jean-Michel 8. Adel Abdulla (QAT)/Jean-Michel Polato (FRA) Can- Polato clocked a time of 10min Am Maverick X3 3hrs 16min 56.0sec 11sec through the opening Adel Abdulla in action on the dried river beds of northern Italy. 12.09km Murlis super special open the front screen.” on Friday evening and that left eighth in the overall rankings. cided to fix it in for this race. The Qatari returned to a the Can-Am Maverick X3 crew Problems with a faulty wind- The wiper broke in the first two competitive pace with the fifth in third in the T3 category for screen wiper had cost the Qa- kilometres of the first stage this fastest time of 1hr 17min 22sec modified cross-country vehi- tari 39 minutes in the muddy morning in a water splash. I on the second run through the cles. The early advantage went and sodden stage. could not see anything. I tried special. Dorosinskiy suffered to Latvian driver Aleksandr Dorosinskiy set the fastest to continue, hoping that the delays, dropped to fifth and Dorosinskiy with Santiago Na- time of 1hr 09min 54sec to ex- wind would drive the water off handed the lead to Ventura to varro of Spain in second place. tend his outright T3 lead over the screen at speed. Then I hit take into the final timed test of Three runs through a chal- Italian driver Amerigo Ventura a big ditch. I could not see it be- the day. Vorobyev and Navarro Holders Qatar set up their fifth Asian Men’s Beach Handball championship final in a row against four- lenging and slightly modified to 3min 53sec. Navarro held cause of the wiper problem. were second and third overall. time runners-up Oman as they outclassed Iran 2-0 in the semi-finals in Weihai, China on Saturday. Al gravel stage of 79.43km fol- third and Russian Fedor Voro- “We tried to continue with- Crews face two runs Annabi clinched the opening half 20-14 and dominated the Iranians in the next, taking it by 16-10 to lowed on Saturday. The timed byev and Italy’s Michele Cinot- out stopping but it was very through another challenging complete their dominant victory. On the other hand, Oman had to battle hard against Vietnam and the section started and finished at to rounded off the top five. risky. We spent a lot of time try- and revised stage of 80.15km 2004 winners advanced to their sixth final with a 2-0 victory (13-12 & 18-16). Qatar have played Oman Barbeano. Adel said: “We had a big ing to open the front screen and that starts and finishes in in four straight finals and have remained unbeaten. The final is scheduled on Monday. The champion- Adel ceded time to his rivals problem with the wiper on the remove it. Later on, it was rain- Gradisca before the return to ship is also qualifiers for the World Championships which Italy will host next year. in the opener and reached the screen. Normally there is no ing and there was a lot of mud. Pordenone for the ceremonial finish in ninth and slipped to screen for this car but we de- But we lost the time trying to finish on Sunday.

AFRICAN CUP OF NATIONS Uganda upset Ighalo snatches Nigeria DR Congo 2-0 for rare Cup of winner against Burundi Nations win Reuters afp CAIRO Alexandria, Egypt Uganda won at the Africa Odion Ighalo came off the Cup of Nations finals for the bench to score the goal that first time in more than 40 gave former champions Nige- years as they upset the Demo- Lewis Hamilton (centre), Charles Leclerc (left) and Valtteri Bottas after ria a 1-0 victory over stubborn cratic Republic of Congo 2-0 in the qualifying session of the French Formula One Grand Prix at Paul minnows Burundi on Satur- their opening Group A match Ricard circuit in Le Castellet on Saturday. (EPA-EFE) day in the opening Africa Cup at the Cairo International Sta- of Nations Group B match. dium on Saturday. The Shanghai Shenhua Both goals came from set- forward had been on the pitch pieces as Patrick Kaddu head- Hamilton powers only four minutes in Egyptian ed home a 14th-minute corner Mediterranean city Alexandria and then Emmanuel Okwi got when he struck the 77th-min- a touch onto a free kick just af- to French Grand ute winner. ter halftime. Uganda last won Bookmakers have made at the finals in 1978 when they Nigeria fourth-favourites at beat Nigeria in the semi-finals 9/1 to win the competition, and finished runners-up to Prix pole ahead behind hosts and record sev- hosts Ghana. en-time champions Egypt, Saturday’s surprise win Senegal and Ghana. served notice of the potential of of Bottas Debutants Burundi bat- a team not given much chance of tled bravely throughout before Nigeria’s forward Odion Ighalo celebrates his goal against Burundi during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations progressing past the first round. afp my lap and unfortunately it a small crowd that included at Alexandria Stadium in Alexandria on Saturday. (AFP) Kaddu attacked the ball at Le Castellet, France wasn’t enough! A good start will four-time African Footballer the near post and got a sharp be very important tomorrow.” of the Year Samuel Eto’o from and it took a brave parry from The Super Eagles fired As the hour mark ap- angle to his twisting header Lewis Hamilton timed his On an afternoon of searing Cameroon, one of the tourna- perfectly-positioned Nigeria blanks in two warm-up proached, Rohr took off vet- for the first goal. Okwi’s goal best lap to perfection on Satur- heat and a gusty wind at the ment ambassadors. goalkeeper Daniel Akpeyi to matches, a draw with Zimba- eran captain John Obi Mikel came when he looped the ball day when he took pole position remote Le Castellet circuit, the Burundi, who qualified at prevent a sizzling close-range bwe and loss to Senegal, and and introduced Ahmed Musa, over Congolese goalkeeper Ley ahead of his Mercedes team- track temperature was 55 de- the expense of a Gabon team shot finding the net. German coach Gernot Rohr hoping the pace of the wide Matampi with a flick-on. mate Valtteri Bottas with a blis- grees as the session began and including Arsenal star Pierre- The close shave came just expressed concern ahead of attacker could unlock the Bu- Miya almost made it 3-0 tering late effort at the French the air was 30, conditions that Emerick Aubameyang, lie 89 after beanpole Nigeria forward the Burundi clash. rundi defence. in the 56th minute with a Grand Prix. ensured plenty of complaints places below Nigeria in the Paul Onuachu had displayed “Players like Alex Iwobi Ighalo, the leading scorer rasping shot that Matampi did The five-time world cham- about the smooth, if slippery, world rankings. his aerial prowess to force a need to score more regular- in the qualifying competi- well to save while Congolese pion, who had struggled to asphalt surface. But they showed no signs good save from Jonathan Na- ly,” he said, referring to the tion with seven goals, later substitute Jonathan Bolingi match the Finn’s pace in the As he had on Friday after- of inferiority during the open- himana. misfiring 23-year-old Arse- replaced Onuachu and soon hit the Uganda crossbar with previous two practice sessions, noon and Saturday morning, ing half in the ancient city Nigeria, back at the Cup of nal forward. broke the deadlock. a 70th-minute header. reeled off a fastest lap in one Bottas was quick to set the pace and came closest to breaking Nations after failing to qualify Iwobi was well policed by a A superb pass from Ola The result is a setback for minute and 28.319 seconds to and topped Q1 ahead of Ham- the deadlock during the first for the last two editions, domi- Burundian side known as the Aina set up Ighalo to fire past the languid-looking Congo- beat him by 0.286 seconds. ilton with Leclerc a close third. 45 minutes. nated first-half possession as Swallows, who were enjoying the onrushing Nahimana and lese, who were semi-finalists It was the 86th pole of his Out went Daniil Kvyat, of Cedric Amissi darted on anticipated but seldom threat- their debut at the African foot- the ball landed in the far cor- in 2015 and quarter-finalists career for Hamilton, who won Toro Rosso, who will start at to a brilliantly weighted pass ened to score. ball showpiece. ner of the net. two years ago. last year’s race from pole, and the back of the grid after taking a record-increasing 63rd front- a new engine, Romain Gros- row lock-out for Mercedes. jean in his Haas, Lance Stroll Hamilton has taken 60 of his of Force India and the two Wil- poles with Mercedes. liams of George Russell and It was a master-class from Robert Kubica. World Cup winner Cafu unveiled as SC Ambassador the dominant Silver Arrows Both Mercedes and Ferrari team while their rivals laboured started Q2 on mediums and SC.QA nouncement, Cafu said: “It is Amazing and Challenge 22, I the work that the SC is doing, in pursuit, with Monegasque Hamilton responded with a lap Doha an honour and a privilege to of- have witnessed the SC’s com- through Josoor and also other Charles Leclerc taking third for in 1:29.520, only for Bottas to ficially become part of the team mitment to ensuring Qatar’s programmes such as Genera- Ferrari ahead of Max Verstap- reply with 1:29.437, taking an Brazil’s legendary 2002 helping to deliver the World World Cup looks beyond the tion Amazing. So to combine pen, fourth for Red Bull. extra lap to do so. FIFA World Cup winning cap- Cup in Qatar. The World Cup 28 days of football to inspire this kind of work with the next British rookie Lando Nor- As these are intended to tain Cafu has officially joined has played a dominant role and help people far away and World Cup in Qatar, and the ris impressed with a fine ef- be their race-starting tyres, Qatar’s journey on the road to in my life, some may say even for generations to come. It is work I have done in the past, it fort to take fifth ahead of his Hamilton’s more cautious ap- 2022 after being unveiled as an from birth. for these reasons that I did not really does feel a perfect fit for resurgent McLaren team-mate proach may have preserved SC Ambassador. “As many know, I was born hesitate to join the organisation me,” Cafu said. Carlos Sainz and, surprisingly, some life he can make use of Established by the Su- during the famous 1970 World and help it continue to deliver Thawadi commented: “We a despondent Sebastian Vettel on Sunday. preme Committee for Delivery Cup game between Brazil and its work.” are delighted to welcome Cafu finished down in seventh in the Alexander Albon, 11th for & Legacy (SC) – the organisa- England, so you could say it Although his remit will to our team. His legendary sta- second Ferrari after a gearbox Toro Rosso, also impressed tion responsible for delivering would be my destiny to have cover a wide range of SC pro- tus and the legacy he leaves be- issue during Q3. but missed out on the top-ten tournament infrastructure for Supreme Committee Secretary- a lifelong affiliation with the grammes, projects and ini- hind from his on-field activities Daniel Ricciardo was eighth shootout along with Kimi Raik- the FIFA World Cup 2022 – General Hassan al Thawadi with sport. From dreams of playing tiatives, Cafu will work closely are clear for all to see. But what for Renault ahead of French- konen in the second Alfa, Nico the ambassador programme former Brazil defender and SC as a small child, to getting the with the Josoor Institute to is equally impressive to us is the man Pierre Gasly in the second Hulkenberg of Renault, Sergio works alongside some of the ambassador Cafu. chance to represent my nation, help deliver its groundbreaking work, commitment and dedica- Red Bull and Antonio Giovinaz- Perez and Kevin Magnussen. game’s most iconic stars to to the ultimate honour – win- academic and vocational cours- tion he has shown towards us- zi of Alfa Romeo. On their first Q3 runs, it help deliver and promote the over Germany. With 148 inter- ning the World Cup – it has es and qualifications to the next ing his profile to deliver genu- “It’s not an easy track,” said was Hamilton on top by two- numerous legacy programmes national appearances, he is also always been my passion. generation of sports and events ine hope and opportunity to the Hamilton. “It’s very techni- tenths with Leclerc third and and infrastructure projects as- the most capped player in Bra- “During my time as a player professionals. Josoor Institute underprivileged. cal and Valtteri has been very Vettel forced to pit after miss- sociated with the Arab world’s zil’s illustrious football history. – and since then in retirement was launched in December “That he joins us with a quick all weekend. I’ve been ing an upshift -- his gearbox not first FIFA World Cup. At a special unveiling cer- – I have also witnessed the 2013 with the purpose of build- commitment to helping en- chipping away and the last two responding as required. One of the game’s most emony in his home city of Sao game’s unique power to edu- ing the capabilities of the sports sure that the next generation laps were the ones.” That left the four-time respected and iconic stars, Paulo, hosted by SC Secretary cate, inspire and provide out- and events industries in Qatar receives the opportunities and Bottas said: “I think Lewis world champion, already in a in 2002 Cafu joined an elite General, Hassan al Thawadi, lets for underprivileged people, and the MENA region through avenues to succeed – whether had a really good lap. It’s be- solemn mood after the rejec- group of just five men to have Cafu officially joined Xavi no matter where you are from education, training, profession- it be on or off the pitch – makes tween super close between us tion of Ferrari’s appeal against captained Brazil to FIFA World Hernández, Samuel Eto’o and in the world.” al certification, consultancy him a perfect fit for our organi- all weekend and it’s about fine the Montreal penalty which Cup glory when he lifted the Mohammed Saadon al Kuwari He continued: “Through its and research. sation. I look forward to work- details.” cost him victory in Canada, famous trophy in Japan fol- as an official SC Ambassador. legacy programmes, such as the “There are a great deal ing alongside him up to and A happy Leclerc said: “At sounding ironically grim ahead lowing his nation’s 2-0 victory Reflecting on the an- Josoor Institute, Generation of parallels between this and beyond Qatar 2022.” the end, I am pretty happy with of the final showdown.