Time to put on a show, says Morgan as England take on SA at Cape Town in T20I FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2020 PAGE 13 Last-gasp penalty sees Al Ahli hold Rayyan 1-1; QSC blank Al Arabi 3-0 Al Sadd coach Xavi Hernandez during the press conference ahead of TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK Incidentally, Belaili had net- his team’s QNB Stars League match against Umm Salal on Friday. ted the all-important goal in that match. In the process, The A last-gasp penalty strike saw Kings had jumped from the bot- Our goal is to keep Al Ahli hold Al Rayyan 1-1 in tom of the table to eighth posi- thrilling Week 7 round of the tion then. QNB Stars League at the Al On the other hand, Al Ara- on winning, says Ahli Stadium on Thursday. The bi’s woes compounded, having draw saw them stay second to lost 1-4 to Al Sadd in the Qatar Al Sadd in the standings with 16 Derby in Week 6. Al Sadd coach Xavi points to their credit. Belaili and Anthony Ok- Earlier, Qatar Sports Club potu were at the helm of Qa- TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK the lineup, but everybody is scored a 3-0 win over Al Arabi tar SC’s offensives, the former DOHA training really well and this is at the Qatar SC Stadium to playing a composed game and the way to compete,” the mid- move up the table to sixth spot the latter impressing with his AL Sadd Coach Xavi Hernan- field great said. with nine points. speed and power. dez has said his team would On the other hand, Umm In the third clash of the day, Okpotu came very close to look to keep their winning run Salal are last in the table with Al Wakrah scored a 3-1 win over scoring once, but for a goalline going when they take on Umm four points. They have only a Al Sailiya to be fifth on the table save by Al Arabi defender Marc Salal in the QNB Stars League victory (1-0 against Qatar SC) with ten ponts. Martinez even as goalkeeper on Friday. and goalless draw against Al The much looked forward Mahmoud Ibrahim had left his Al Sadd are the table top- Khor to show for their efforts. to tie between Al Rayyan and charge in pursuit of a rescue act. pers with 16 points. They are Askar said the pressure is Ahl saw put Al Al Arabi mainly had Aron also the only unbeaten team on Sadd to win the match, as Rayyan ahead in the 77th min- Gunnarsson’s aerial shot and so far in the tournament. The they are heavy favourites “We ute, the lead that was neutral- Abdulaziz Al Ansari’s weak shot Wolves have scored the most were disappointed after our ised by Al Ahli’s Nabil El Zhar to show for their efforts in the number of goals (24) as well. loss to Al Ahli in the last round, (90+5 penalty). first half. But Xavi was wary of but we will continue to work to The signature match of The opening goal came bottom-placed Umm Salal’s achieve our goal this season, Week 7, an encounter between when a penalty was awarded counter-attacking game and which is difficult though. We clubs with great history and rich against Al Arabi’s Jassem called their Moroccan coach go into the match without pres- tradition in Qatar football, had Jaber’s foul on Belaili and the Ben Askar ‘a fighter’. sure because the pressure is on all ingredients of a thriller. latter himself converted from “Umm Salal are a deter- Al Sadd. We are thinking about Possession was almost the spot. mined side and their coach is the points and we will see how equal, as both sides fought it Changing ends, Qatar SC a fighter. I think they will find things will go,” he said. out. continued from where they solutions through counter-at- “We are facing the lead- They attacked from the left off. They went 2-0 up af- tacks. We are the favourites to ers and the best team in Asia word go, but a goal eluded the Action from the Al Ahli vs Al Rayyan QNB Stars League match played at the Al Ahli Stadium on Thursday. ter Belaili was spot-on with a win. But as usual, we have to whose coach is doing a great opening session. penalty, awarded after he was show our true level on the field job. But as I kept saying, we In the first half, Gabriel tripped by substitute Moham- to collect the three points,” the focus on ourselves and I am Mercado sent his shot wide, med Bader Sayyar. Sadd coach said yesterday. happy that we have a good Abdulaziz Hatem was thwarted Jimena then headed in a “We have a great group group of players. For me, this by Al Ahli goalkeeper Ivanildo corner kick deep into stoppage of players and we are going is important because everyone Rodriguez and Kom headed time to seal the issue in Qatar through a good period, but we is waiting for good results and wide of the target for Al Rayyan, SC’s favour. have to keep going like this I think this is not difficult,” who continued to miss the ser- and keep winning. I try to ro- Umm Salal coach added. vices of their ace player Yacine Al Sailiya 1 Al Wakrah 3 tate the players because eve- Brahimi through illness. Al Wakrah prevailed over ryone deserves to play and we Al Duhail face Kharaitiyat For Al Ahli, Abdulrasheed Al Sailiya at the Al Ahli Stadi- have a large group and every Meanwhile, Al Duhail will Ibrahim, Mohammed Di- um with Mohamed Benyettou player is important to us. The face Al Kharaitiyat on Friday. ame and Shane Lowry were (49th minute), Omar Ali (52nd levels of players are close, and The reigning champions Al off-target. minute) and Cristian Ceballos we have outstanding young- Duhail have had a disappoint- Both teams sustained the (75th minute) scoring for Al sters and professionals,” the ing campaign so far as they are momentum in the second half. Wakrah, while Abdulqadir Il- Spaniard added. placed fifth with nine points. Al Ahli’s Ali Qaderi had a yas (90+1) pulled one back for Sadd goalkeeper Saad al- The Red Knights, coached goal disallowed for offside in Al Sailiya. Dosari returned to training by Sabri Lamouchi, lost to the 66th minute when he was with the first team, after re- Al Gharafa in the last round. on hand to send in a rebound QNB Stars League Standings covering from a head injury he Al Kharaitiyat, coached by off the left upright after Nabil had suffered during the Qatar Yousef Adam, are ninth in the shot first. Pos Club M W L D GF GA GD Pts national team’s friendly against table with six points. Much to Al Ahli’s dismay, an 1. Al Sadd 6 5 0 1 24 5 19 16 Ghana in October. Al-Dosari. In another match, Al unmarked Kom took Al Rayyan 2. Al Ahli 7 5 1 1 11 9 2 16 “The return of Saad Al Gharafa face Al Khor at home. ahead by taking advantage off Qatar SC players celebrate one of their three goals against Al Arabi at 3. Al Gharafa 6 4 2 0 12 8 4 12 Dossari to training after his in- Gharafa are third with 12 an assist by Yohan Boli. the Qatar SC Stadium on Thursday. 4. Al Rayyan 7 3 2 2 9 6 3 11 jury makes me very happy. He points and are on a high, hav- When it looked like Al Rayy - 5. Al Wakrah 7 3 3 1 9 7 2 10 completed his recovery pro- ing beaten Duhail in the last an would seal an important vic- Assistant Referee. And Nabil penalty) and Alejandro Jimena cess well,” said Xavi. round. It may be recalled that tory came the breakthrough converted from the spot. (90+5) scored the goals as Qa- 6. Qatar SC 7 3 4 0 7 7 0 9 “We need everybody: we Gharafa, coached by Serb Slav- deep into stoppage time. Al tar SC took their points tally to 7. Al Duhail 6 3 3 0 8 9 -1 9 need Saad, Meshaal Barsh- isa Jokanovic, had finished a Ahli’s substitute Nasser Khal- Qatar SC 3 Al Arabi 0 nine, while Al Arabi stood on 8. Al Sailiya 7 2 3 2 9 13 -4 8 am, Jehad Mohamed, Yousuf creditable fourth last season. fan was fouled by Mohammed Qatar SC blanked Al Arabi five points. 9. Al Kharaitiyat 6 2 4 0 5 13 -8 6 al-Baloushi; we need all the They had recently reached the Alaaeldin and referee Abdulla 3-0 with new recruit Youcef Be- Qatar SC thus continued 10. Al Arabi 7 1 4 2 8 16 -8 5 goalkeepers. It depends on the semi-finals of Ooredoo Cup by Ali Athba pointed to the spot, a laili scoring a brace (38th-min- their good run, having beaten 11. Al Khor 6 0 2 4 3 5 -2 4 performance in training. Now, beating reigning champions Al decision confirmed by the Video ute penalty and 87th-minute Al Wakrah in the last round. 12. Umm Salal 6 1 4 1 2 9 -7 4 it’s difficult for me to choose Sadd 4-2.

AL WASMIYAH FARM’S NOOR AL HAWA BAGS AL SAFLIYA CUP

Al Wasmiyah Farm’s Noor AL Hawa (FR) (Mak x Majestic Roi) landed the QA listed Al Sa iya Cup winning The winning team of Al Wasmiyah Farm’s Noor Al Hawa (which won Al Sa iya Cup) with the trophies presented to them by Abdulla Rashid Al the 2400m Class 1 race on turf at QREC’s Al Rayyan Park. Alberto Sanna rode the Georges Mikhalides- Kubaisi at Qatar Racing & Equestrian Club’s Al Rayyan Park on Thursday. trained 7YO horse to a 4¼-length win in the 2400m Class 1 race for Thoroughbreds. 12 Friday, November 27, 2020 Sports Chiangrai United Choi calls for focus as Shenhua haven’t given up on knockout stage: eye repeat win over FC Tokyo Coach Alongkorn AFC DOHA AFC “We hope that we can fol- DOHA low what we have planned, SHANGHAI Shenhua head and if we do, we believe we coach Choi Kang-hee has THEY have lost all three of can turn the situation around. called for focus as his side face their 2020 AFC Champions We are the underdogs here, so FC Tokyo for the second time League matches, but Chi- we have nothing to lose and in three days in Group F of the angrai United will fight for we must fight until the end.” 2020 AFC Champions League a place in the tournament’s Comprehensively beaten at the Education City Stadium knockout stage until it be- by a rampant Seoul in their at 4pm on Friday. comes a mathematical impos- first match on Qatari soil, The Chinese Super League sibility, according to interim Chiangrai are hopeful their side managed a narrow win coach Alongkorn Thongsaum. Doha travelogue will feature courtesy of a 72nd minute Speaking ahead of Chi- a much rosier second chapter. penalty scored by Yu Han- angrai’s Friday meeting with Pulling off a such a turna- chao, giving Shanghai Shen- FC Seoul, a side who beat round just 72 hours after suf- hua their second win of the them 5-0 on Tuesday, Along- fering such a heavy defeat is campaign and placing them in korn admitted the 2019 Thai no easy task, but Alongkorn second place in the group. champions have it all to do believes his side will be bet- “I felt that we were lucky to but insists his side will con- ter prepared this time, both win the first game,” said Choi. tinue to fight for as long as physically and tactically. “We have to treat our op- possible. “We will start with the ponents seriously. We are still “We have to start the players who are the most facing difficulties and we need match looking for the first ready to play the match and to stay focused. I trust the goal,” said Alongkorn. “If we who have the better fitness,” players to accomplish our tar- can score the first goal, we he said. get and play well. think we can get some points While the onus is on Chi- “They are quite a tough from this match. angrai to deliver a far better opponent to fight against and “For the next three match- performance, FC Seoul boss they are really talented espe- es, we are going to give our Lee Won-jun – also serving cially in attack, so we have to best. We know that it’s quite in an interim capacity – just focus on our defence and work difficult now to qualify for the needs more of the same for hard to stop them.” next round, but anything can his side to take another big With a win, a draw and a happen. It’s just three matches. step towards the Round of 16. loss from the first three group stage games, head coach Ken- Shanghai Shenhua’s mid elder Yu Hanchao (left) celebrates his goal during the AFC Champions League Group F match against at the ta Hasegawa’s FC Tokyo side Education City Stadium on Tuesday. The two sides will clash again on Friday at 4pm. (AFP) Standings Group E need a result on Friday if they Club P W D L GF GA GD PTS are to stand any chance of pro- and now we know the atmos- gression to the Round of 16. Standings Group F phere in Doha, the stadiums Beijing FC (CHN) 3 3 0 0 6 2 4 9 “This is an opportunity Club P W D L GF GA GD PTS and our opponents too so now FC Seoul (KOR) 3 2 0 1 7 2 5 6 Melbourne Victory (AUS) 3 1 0 2 2 4 -2 3 for us to get revenge after Ulsan Hyundai FC (KOR) 3 2 1 0 6 3 3 7 we can play an aggressive To- Chiangrai United (THA) 3 0 0 3 0 7 -7 0 losing out to a penalty goal Shanghai Shenhua FC (CHN) 3 2 0 1 4 4 0 6 kyo FC style.” last time,” said Hasegawa. FC Tokyo (JPN) 3 1 1 1 2 2 0 4 Friday’s match at the “We cannot give opponents Perth Glory (AUS) 3 0 0 3 2 5 -3 0 Education City Stadium will scoring opportunities like be preceded by a moment of this in a high-profile compe- coach is very experienced Nakamura caused the pen- perience and does not often silence for Argentina legend tition like the AFC Champi- and has delivered good re- alty kick but he is an interna- make such mistakes. Diego Maradona, who passed AFC president pays ons League. The opponent’s sults. Our player (Hotaka) tional player with a lot of ex- “We played the first game away on Wednesday. tribute to Maradona AFC steered Argentina, this time as Melbourne Victory better equipped for Beijing rematch: Kean KUALA LUMPUR coach, at the FIFA World Cup 2010 in South Africa.” AFC said he is looking no further ASIAN Football Confederation The AFC President also DOHA than Friday’s clash against (AFC) President Shaikh Sal- praised and recognised the Ar- Beijing. man bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa gentinian’s stint in Asian foot- MELBOURNE Victory will be “Both Grant (Brebner) and joined the world of football in ball where he was appointed well placed to challenge Bei- I stayed behind to watch that paying tribute and mourning coach of United Arab Emir- jing FC in the second of two match, but we have to almost the loss of global football icon ates’ Al Wasl Football Club in 2020 AFC Champions League park that aside and really Diego Maradona, who passed 2011 before returning to the matches played between the put our focus on this match away at the age of 60 from a country in 2017 to take charge clubs in the space of four days, (against Beijing),” he said. “If heart attack in his hometown of Fujairah FC. according to coach Steve Kean. we can get a positive result of Buenos Aires on Wednesday. “In the Middle East, he was The Chinese side were im- (against Beijing), it puts us in Recognising his incred- also a coach at both Al Wasl pressive 3-1 winners at Jas- a very strong position for the ible contributions to the game, and Fujairah in the UAE but it sim Bin Hamad Stadium on third match (in Doha).” Shaikh Salman said: “On be- is for his brilliance on the field Tuesday and have established With the group at its half- half of the AFC and the entire that he will be remembered themselves as the standout way point, it appears to be a Asian football family, I extend with such fondness not just in team in Group E, but their matter of when and not if Bei- my deepest sympathies on the Asia, but across the world. We Australian opponents are con- jing FC will join Japan’s Vis- passing of Diego Armando send our sympathy to his fam- fident of an improved perfor- sel Kobe in qualifying for the Maradona, one of the true leg- ily, friends, colleagues and the mance at the same venue at Round of 16, with the Chinese ends of our great game. Argentina football fraternity 1pm on Friday. club easing to three wins from “Diego Maradona was as the world game has today Tuesday’s hit out was Vic- as many matches. rightly recognised by FIFA as lost one of its greatest talents.” tory’s first in Doha, and their Action from the Melbourne Victory vs Beijing FC AFc Champions League Group E clash in Doha on Tuesday. With a loaded match one of the joint winners of the The thoughts and prayers of first competitive match since schedule still to come, Beijing ‘Player of the 20th Century the AFC and the rest of the Asian August, and Kean is sure his we finished the first half and They are what they are. We angrai United back in Febru- boss Bruno Genesio could be Award’ after not only enjoying football community are with the side will have gained from the the way we finished the game, feel we’re a lot closer to where ary, Victory are the only Aus- forgiven for resting some of a stellar club career with clubs family and loved ones of Mara- experience. was particularly pleasing for we want to get to at the end tralian side to have notched up his more pivotal players in in South America and Europe, dona, the Argentinian Football “Our preparations have us.” of this competition by having a win in this year’s AFC Cham- the remaining group stage fix- most notably Napoli, but also Association and the rest of the been very good for this match,” “We do feel that legs in the that first game. pions League and appear to be tures, but the Frenchman said for captaining Argentina to sporting world in mourning this said the former Blackburn competition and playing your “We feel as though we’re in only side from the country still he needs to weigh up his play- their FIFA World Cup success great loss to football. Rovers boss. very first game against such a better place. We’re confident with a good chance of reaching ers’ recovery with the rhythm in Mexico in 1986. In memory of his contri- “We’ve seen it as a ben- a tough opposition, in such a and are hopeful we can get the knockout stage. of regular football. “He was one of a select bution, all four Group Stage efit that we’re again playing high-profile competition is a something from the second To do that, they will likely The match will be pre- band of men who not only led matches of the AFC Champi- against the same team. We good barometer of where we game.” need to finish higher than FC ceded by a moment of silence their country on the field in a ons League (East) to be played take a lot of positives from the are. You can’t invent these With three points on the Seoul, who thrashed Chiangrai for Argentina football legend FIFA World Cup but also man- on Friday, 27 November will first game, especially the way types of high-quality games. board from their win over Chi- 5-0 last time out, but Kean Diego Maradona. aged the national side when he observe a minute of silence. Ahly, Zamalek face off in historic CAF Champions League nal

AFP especially on social media af- ing the disease. ual skills, especially (Achraf) “(FIFA’s) decision on ter the 2019 Egyptian Super Former star Emam says Bencharki and Ferjani Sassi,” holding the FIFA Club Cup, a match Ahly won 3-2. Ahly have switched to “col- said Salaheldin. THE 2020 CAF Champions World Cup in Doha next Supporters of Ahly took to lective football” since South Pacheco, who returned to League final in Cairo Friday February has raised the the street in several regions to African coach Zamalek six years after first between Egyptian giants Al intensity of the (CAF CL celebrate. arrived in September, while coaching the White Knights, Ahly and Zamalek will be the “Ahly and Zamalek are Zamalek’s recently hired Por- said he trusted his players, first pitting rivals from one final) confrontation.” like brothers,” said retired Za- tuguese coach Jaime Pacheco their strong personalities and country against each other. malek and Egypt star Hazem has changed little. ability “to please the fans”. The match, to be held be- have been Egyptian champi- Emam. Mosimane has beaten Zamalek stars include vet- hind closed doors under the slo- ons on 12 occasions. Zamalek in a final – guid- eran , Tunisian gan “no to fanaticism”, will bring Despite their popularity ‘Raised intensity’ ing Mamelodi Sundowns of Sassi, Moroccan Bencharki, together clubs whose clashes and wide fan bases, Egypt’s “(FIFA’s) decision on hold- South Africa to a 3-1 aggregate Ahmed ‘Zizou’ Sayed and have long dominated local and most successful player, Liver- ing the FIFA Club World Cup victory in 2016. Mostafa Mohammed. continental competitions. pool forward , in Doha next February has Those he will rely on in- Ahly reached the Champi- Former Arab League chief never played for either club, raised the intensity of the con- clude goalkeeper Mohamed el ons League final by defeating Amr Moussa once described lining up with Al Mokawloon Two giants of Egyptian football will face off in the CAF Champions frontation,” said former Ahly Shennawy, Mohamed ‘Afsha’ Wydad Casablanca of Moroc- Ahly and Zamalek as Egypt’s Al Arab in Cairo instead. League nal in Cairo on Friday. player Walid Salaheldin. Magdy, Tunisian Ali Maal- co 2-0 away and 3-1 at home “two largest popular parties”. The decision not to permit COVID-19 has affect- oul, Malian and while Zamalek overcame the Ahly have won the Cham- spectators at the 74,000-capac- rus pandemic, they said “their of clashes between supporters. ed both teams with Ahly’s Nigerian . other Casablanca giants, Raja, pions League eight times and ity Cairo International Stadium top priority was to ensure the Fans should be able to Walid Soliman, Mahmoud “Mosimane has freed the 1-0 away and 3-1 at home. been crowned Egyptian Pre- came in a joint statement by the safety of Egyptian and African watch the match on television ‘’ Abdelmoneim and players from restrictions im- The Cairo clubs faced off mier League champions on 42 Confederation of African Foot- football families”. in clubs or youth centres, but Saleh Gomaa and Zama- posed by former coaches, in the Champions League occasions while Zamalek have ball (CAF) and the Egyptian Besides health concerns, not in cafes and public places. lek’s Mahmoud ‘El Wensh’ which tips the scales in his on eight occasions with Ahly won the premier African club Football Federation (EFA). the historic rivalry between The rivalry between the Hamdy and assistant coach players’ favour against Zama- winning five matches and the competition five times and Referring to the coronavi- Ahly and Zamalek raised fears clubs peaked in recent years, Medhat Abdelhady contract- lek’s players and their individ- other three drawn. Sports Friday, November 27, 2020 13 Maradona death kept Fans pay respects to Maradona from ailing AFP former coach BUENOS AIRES THOUSANDS of Argentines Bilardo filed past Diego Maradona’s coffin in Buenos Aires on AFP Thursday after the country BUENOS AIRES and the world of football was plunged into mourning by his CARLOS Bilardo, the coach of death at the age of 60. Argentina’s 1986 World Cup- Mourners, many in tears, winning team who is in poor and many wearing the World health, was still unaware on Cup winner’s number 10 Ar- Thursday of the death of Diego gentina jersey, gathered at the Maradona on Thursday, be- Casa Rosada presidential pal- cause of his family’s wish not ace where the national hero’s to upset him. coffin was draped in the sky Maradona, who cap- blue and white Argentine flag. tained the 1986 team, died on Many more will pay hom- Wednesday from a heart at- age to one of the all-time tack at the age of 60. sporting greats before his bur- “I cannot tell him that Diego ial on the outskirts of Buenos is dead,” Carlos’s brother Jorge Aires later on Thursday. Bilardo told Radio Provincia, Maradona will be laid to because he had a “father-son” rest in the Jardin de Paz cem- relationship with Maradona. etery, where his parents were Carlos Bilardo had repeat- also buried, his spokesman Se- edly said during interviews bastian Sanchi told AFP. that Diego was “the son that Tributes poured in from (he had) not had”. around the world as support- Argentine President Alberto Fernandez (left) and his partner Fabiola Yanez pay tribute to the cof n of The former coach, 82, ers, players and government Argentine football legend Diego Maradona at the burning chapel in Casa Rosada presidential palace is suffering from neurologi- leaders marked the passing of in Buenos Aires on Thursday. (Argentinian Presidency/AFP) cal disorders. He lives in an a sporting genius whose career apartment in Buenos Aires and life was sometimes tainted was announced. nos Juniors’ Diego Armando unfashionable Napoli to their where he is treated by nurses by a loose interpretation of the Lionel Messi, Argentina’s Maradona Stadium, where he only two Italian league titles who are prohibited from let- rules of the game and a crip- modern-day superstar, led the started his career. in 1987 and 1990, befriending ting him watch television. pling addiction to cocaine. tributes as he said: “He has left a mafia family along the way. “The nurse already knew The outrageously skilful us but he will never leave us ‘Ciao Diego’ “Always in our hearts. Ciao Aerial view of people queueing along Avenida de Mayo avenue to reach that if this happened, the tel- Maradona, widely remem- because Diego is eternal.” Maradona grew up in pov- Diego,” Napoli tweeted, while the Casa Rosada presidential palace to pay tribute to late Argentine evision had to be turned off,” bered for his “Hand of God” Brazilian legend Pele, 80, erty, but his extraordinary tal- the club’s president and the football legend Diego Maradona in Buenos Aires on Thursday. (AFP) said Jorge Bilardo. goal against England in the constantly compared with ent was clear from a young age city’s mayor called for the Sta- “She did so by telling him 1986 World Cup quarter- Maradona in the debate over at Argentinos Juniors and Boca. dio San Paolo to be renamed Maradona married his Junior, born in Naples in 1986, that the cable had been cut.” finals, died Wednesday of a football’s greatest player, said He moved to Barcelona after Maradona. long-time girlfriend Claudia although he only acknowl- Carlos Bilardo took Argen- heart attack while recovering he hoped they would one day but was singled out for rough In recent years, Maradona, Villafane in 1984. They had edged paternity in 2004. tina to three World Cups, from from brain surgery, a member “play together in the sky”. treatment by opposing de- reduced to hobbling by the two daughters, Dalma and In 2000, FIFA ran an on- 1982 to 1990. They won in 1986 of his entourage told AFP. Despite a wave of coro- fenders and soon fell out of ravages of his career and life- Gianinna, but the relationship line Player of the Century poll. and, with Maradona still very Family members were navirus cases in Argentina, love with the Spanish club. style, had coached in the Unit- was punctuated by Marado- Maradona gained 54 percent much the playmaker, reached summoned to Maradona’s fans gathered at landmarks It was in Naples where ed Arab Emirates, Mexico and na’s extra-marital affairs and of the vote and Pele was sec- the final four years later when home north of the Argen- including Buenos Aires’ Ob- Maradona would enchant an Argentina without ever hitting they divorced in 2004. ond with 18 percent. FIFA de- they lost to West Germany. tine capital before his death elisk monument and Argenti- entire city by leading the then the heights of his playing days. He also had a son, Diego clared them joint winners.

Maradona ‘shone a very bright light’: Former agent India football stronghold mourns Diego AFP “When he (Maradona) was in Naples, he liked collecting in five years as his agent, until LONDON his contract was suddenly ter- Ferraris. He had several but a few were badly beaten minated: “In 1991 the powers DIEGO Maradona “shone a up. One looked like someone had walked all over it. that be in Naples thanked me very bright light” despite his In his worst English, he said ‘the problem is when I for a fantastic job but my ser- well-documented struggles off stop at red lights fans clamber all over them’.” vices were no longer required.” the pitch, his British former One story sums up the ma- agent told AFP. joined English club Tottenham, quarter-final. nia that surrounded Marado- Jon Smith, who pioneered was on the phone to Maradona, England goalkeeper Peter na. “When he was in Naples, the role of “super agent” in who was looking for an agent, Shilton remains upset that he liked collecting Ferraris,” the world of football, said the and the rest is history. Maradona never apologised recalled Smith. “One time I player who almost single- Smith said he was able for cheating by using his hand was there pre-lunch he took handedly drove Argentina to to wield some influence over to score. But Smith said oth- me downstairs to the garage to the 1986 World Cup title was Maradona but it was limited as ers were more than willing to show me his latest. a Jekyll-and-Hyde character. he was London and his client meet the Argentine. “When he “He had several and I no- On the one hand there was was in Naples, where he played was in London one time we ticed a few were badly beaten a “lovely boy” from Buenos his club football at the time. had dinner with Gary Lineker up. One looked like someone Aires and on the other there Smith said the Argentine and a few other people and had walked all over it. was the party animal whose fitted the archetype of the they got on well,” said Smith. “In his worst English he life spiralled out of control. “flawed genius”. Maradona “was very said, ‘the problem is when I Smith secured Maradona as Smith, who initially forged charming but obviously there stop at red lights fans clamber a client after the 1986 World Cup a successful career in the mu- was a bit of hurt and angst,” all over them’. finals by luck after two cancelled sic business, signed Maradona he added. “It was hard, it was “I think perhaps the best In this le photo taken on December 6, 2008 Diego Maradona gestures as he attends a felicitation meetings, when he happened to after he become the villain in tough but it happened and life deal I ever did was convincing programme at Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata in India. (AFP) be at Ossie Ardiles’ house. the eyes of English football was moving on.” the Naples police to give him Ardiles, a 1978 World Cup fans for his “Hand of God” Smith said life was never special dispensation to drive winner with Argentina who had goal in the 1986 World Cup boring with his illustrious client through red lights.” India’s Kerala announces two-day o cial mourning AFP KANNUR

SOUTH AFRICA VS ENGLAND T20I SERIES EVEN in the land of cricket, Diego Maradona’s death came as such a shock that one In- dian state declared two days Time to put on a show, says of official mourning and fans flocked to a hotel room where the football deity once slept. The Argentine footballer, England skipper Morgan who died on Wednesday at the age of 60, is so revered in Ker- AFP picked to cover both the T20 se- ala state that even the shells A frame with images of the late Diego Maradona outside the room CAPE TOWN ries and a one-day international from some prawns he ate dur- at Hotel Blue Nile in Kannur, Kerala, in India. where Maradona stayed series immediately afterwards. ing his visit in 2012 have been during his trip in 2012. (AFP) ENGLAND captain Eoin Mor- “We will narrow it down freeze-dried and framed. gan says his England team are to 12 or 13 when we get to the A steady stream of fans and “We have saved the cutlery, million people in 2017 to un- determined to “put on a bit of ground today,” he said. journalists went to the Hotel toiletries and even the bouquet veil the 12 feet (3.6 metre) high a show” in the Twenty20 in- Two unnamed South Afri- Blue Nile in Kannur to leave that we gave him. The flowers statue showing him wielding ternational series, which starts can players remain in isolation tributes as the state govern- have dried but it’s all framed.” the World Cup, he won in 1986. at Newlands stadium in Cape after testing positive for Cov- ment ordered the mourning pe- The prawn shells that were Fans left flowers and mes- Town Friday. id-19 but Cricket South Africa riod and a local musician sang part of the salad he ate are also sages at the foot of the bronze Morgan said he had be- announced on Thursday there a mournful tribute to the foot- displayed, along with footballs statue, which stands on a road come well aware of the impor- had been no new positive cases baller on television channels. and a menu that the World leading to Kolkata’s airport. tance of live televised sport after a third round of testing. Hotel owner Ravindran Ve- Cup hero signed. “It’s the time for tears. He during the lockdown imposed However, all-rounder leimbra recalled the day when will always be in our hearts,” by COVID-19. Dwaine Pretorius had been Maradona entered the lobby. ‘Time for tears’ said a West Bengal state min- “It’s huge,” he said of the ruled out of both series after “Our God had walked in. He “People ask us specifi- ister Sujit Bose, who was chance to play international England skipper Eoin Morgan looks on during a nets session in Cape suffering a hamstring injury was in front of us,” he told AFP. cally for a stay at the Mara- amongst those to pay tribute. sport and provide entertain- Town. (@ICC) during training. Maradona’s visit brought dona room. Everything that he Members of Kolkata’s Ar- ment for viewers. But Mor- De Kock said: “England chaos to the southern state, touched is still intact and his gentina Fan Club held a vigil gan said he did not foresee an England have further win- tive in the recent Indian Pre- have an unbelievable team full which bucks the trend in India fans want to experience that.” to recall his two visits to the early end to the need for teams ter tours planned to Sri Lanka mier League while others had of match-winners, but in the by preferring football to cricket. Veleimbra said he would city. On Maradona’s first visit to remain in bio-secure “bub- and India before then. benefited from an extended last series we gave them a run Veleimbra remembered now set up a Maradona statue. in 2008, nearly 50,000 peo- bles” while playing. Morgan said England in- off-season rest. for their money so I expect a how hordes of fans wearing Ar- “It’s a day of mourning for us. ple waited outside the airport “There’s news about vac- tended to field their best possi- “Training was very danger- close series.” gentina’s blue and white shirts He hugged me while he was hoping to get a glimpse. cines but the first to receive it ble team against South Africa. ous,” he joked about England’s Morgan echoed De Kock’s packed the road outside, some leaving and to this day I can Bollywood star Shah Rukh will be the people who really “It’s the first time in a long big-hitting batsmen flexing thoughts. “I expect an ex- having travelled hundreds of feel him around.” Khan and cricket legend need it. We are well down the time we’ve had a full-strength their muscles in practice. “We tremely competitive series,” kilometres in cars, buses and Fans also headed to a Sachin Tendulkar both paid pecking order of who should team available for selection. had open nets and balls were he said, pointing out that ear- on bikes. Thousands more Maradona statue in the east- tribute, while India’s Prime be prioritised,” he said. It’s very exciting.” flying about.” lier in the year the two sides packed a local stadium. ern city of Kolkata that is also Minister Narendra Modi said “I don’t see any change He said he believed his South Africa captain Quin- had drawn a one-day series in Everything Maradona known as a football holdout. Maradona was “a maestro before the start of our own team were well prepared, with ton de Kock said his country’s South Africa before England touched in Room 309 has been The Argentine superstar of football” whose “untimely summer.” some players having been ac- large 24-man squad had been narrowly won a T20 series. preserved, the owner said. went to the eastern city of 15 demise has saddened us all”. 14 Friday, November 27, 2020 The Last Word

AMIR, TURKISH PRESIDENT DISCUSS STRATEGIC BILATERAL RELATIONS, WITNESS SIGNING OF AGREEMENTS

The Amir His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani on Thursday visited Ankara, along with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, to chair the sixth meeting of the Qatar-Turkey Supreme Strategic Committee. HH the Amir and President Erdogan discussed the strategic bilateral cooperation between the two countries in all elds. The two leaders also witnessed the signing of a number of agreements between the two sides. HH The Amir attended a luncheon banquet hosted by Presi- dent Recep Tayyip Erdogan. (QNA)

Qatar-Turkey relations exceptional: Qatari ambassador

QNA of strategic and comprehen- ous efforts made by the two lations and lead to exploring timing of the visit, Ambas- change all the time. two sides,” he added. DOHA sive partnership. sides to preserve the relations. new horizons.” sador Shafi said that the visit “Turkish companies have The envoy said the visit In his statement to Qatar He said, “The official visit “This visit gives the Su- comes at a time when the won huge contracts to imple- will have a great impact on AMBASSADOR of Qatar News Agency (QNA), Ambas- of the Amir His Highness preme Strategic Committee’s world is suffering from severe ment infrastructure projects consolidating and stabilis- to Turkey HE Salem bin sador Shafi said the relation- Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad meetings a regular and per- polarisation and challenges, for the FIFA World Cup in ing the gains that have been Mubarak Al Shafi has said that ship was strengthened by the Al Thani to Turkey on Thurs- manent character. It will also in addition to the outbreak of 2022, while many Turkish achieved, organising the vari- Qatar-Turkey relations are dis- great convergence at the level day to chair the sixth meet- contribute to strengthening the coronavirus pandemic and and Qatari firms have active ous aspects of cooperation, tinct and governed by a moral of leaders and the people, the ing of the Qatar-Turkey Su- the bonds of strategic partner- the negative effects that this investments in the real estate, developing legal and imple- reference. unlimited solidarity in times preme Strategic Committee ship and exceptional relations has left, stressing that the visit contracting, tourism, manu- mentation frameworks for it, He said the relations have of crises, the harmonious po- with Turkish President Recep between the two countries,” he reflects the firmness of the two facturing and media sectors, in finding other prospects for co- gone through many challeng- litical visions on many issues, Tayyip Erdogan will add great added. countries’ relationship in a tur- addition to projects financed operation and providing more es before reaching the stage as well as sincere and continu- momentum to the bilateral re- On the importance of the bulent world in which alliances by joint capital between the beneficial measures.