Al Shaqab Awaits High Stakes Battles As World's Best Arrive
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Ronaldo to lead Juventus against Manchester United today WEDNESAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2018 PAGE 19 Attiyah at the helm of impressive line-up for CHAMPIONS LEAGUE PAGE 18 Manateq International Rally of Qatar JUVENTUS VS MANCHESTER UTD Al Shaqab awaits high stakes battles as world’s best arrive LGCT, GCL big London Knights, action to staged Valkenswaard United’s from November 8th to10th chase for glory will VINAY NAYUDU DOHA light up battle in Doha ONE of the finest equestrian centres in the world, Al Shaqab TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK right up to the wire in Doha. will once again come aglow DOHA Their squads benefit from this weekend with the world’s incredibly strong horse and top top riders and horses IT has been an enthralling rider talent securing podium competing in the finals of the season for the Global after podium on the circuit. Longines Global Champions Champions League (GCL) Statistics show how crucial Tour (LGCT) and the Global team series kicking off in consistent clear rounds have Champions League (GCL) The Americas then crossing been with Knights on a total of team competition. continents to China and 34 team clears after Rome and With high stakes battles back to Europe for a sizzling United on 28. Knights have ahead over the three days summer of competition. won an impressive four GCL (November 8-10) at the vast Qatar plays host to the competitions this season. state-of-the-art Al Shaqab, it finals and there are multiple Another great contest will is predicted that the sporting battles raging in the overall unfold between the teams drama will go down to the wire. GCL rankings creating a currently in 3rd, 4th and 5th At the pre-cursor press fascinating climax to the places on the ranking. Miami conference of the event on Longines Global Champions Tour (LGCT) President & Global Champions (GCL) League Co-Founder Jan Tops (centre) with Event Director Ali season. Team owners, Celtics on 244 points are only Tuesday, Event Director Ali al Rumaihi, Olympian Sheikh Ali bin Khalid al Thani, and LGCT & GCL Sport Director Marco Danese at Al Shaqab on Tuesday. managers and riders will nine points ahead of Rome al Rumaihi stressed on the be pulling out all the stops Gladiators and they are only importance of holding the Ahlmann competing for the to achieve the best possible one point in front of Shanghai LGCT and GCL final in Qatar. second and third place on the outcome in Doha. Swans. “We are proud to host podium so I think it’s very And the stakes are higher These highly competitive the final which has seen 15 It is one of our mission to interesting and I think that the than ever this year at the GCL teams are fielding their star exciting competitions around bring the best Tour to Qatar decision is always at the last finals at Al Shaqab. performers to ensure they the world. Hosting this event is and we are very proud to jump of the jump off.” Only 16 out of 19 teams can finish in the top 4 to go into within the vision of Al Shaqab, have it here and very proud Only 28 points separate qualify for the new GC Playoffs the GC Playoffs. a world-class equestrian to ride in it. I’m very excited current second place rider in Prague in December and Further down the ranking centre which promotes the Alberto Zorzi (ITA) (237 the top four teams will be fast- 6th place Montreal Diamonds, existence and development to be here and we have points) and eighth placed tracked to the semi-finals of 7th place Scandinavian of equestrian sport and its prepared well to come to Christian Ahlmann (GER) the GC Playoffs. Vikings and 8th place St heritage in Qatar.” this show. (209 points) setting up a high- There are two teams in hot Tropez Pirates will have a He also pointed out the high-powered contest among contention to win the trophy - laser-like focus on winning or tremendous work Al Shaqab, a Sheikh Ali bin Khalid al Thani seven elite riders fighting for London Knights on 323 points getting a podium spot to have member of Qatar Foundation, the highest spot possible on and Valkenswaard United on a last chance to move up into is doing within the community to have it here and very proud the overall ranking. 300 points. the top 4. and to increase equestrian to ride in it. Of course, we are Last year Her Highness Both teams have been It will be a formidable awareness, Qatari traditions always excited to be home and Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, locked in thrilling combat at test of strategy and on-the-go and history, while also have this amazing event at Al with children from the Al 15 events this season and the tactics as the teams line up for inspiring the next generation Shaqab. I’m very excited to place (Qatar), in this part of the the new GC Playoffs in Prague Shaqab Riding Academy, sporting drama continues the GCL finals in Qatar. of young talent. be here and we have prepared world. I think we have a great in December. presented both the coveted “Visitors can enjoy well to come to this show.” relationship built through the The winner of the LGCT LGCT Championship trophy to restaurants and cafes, pony Sheikh Ali also spoke of years and all the riders come Grand Prix of Doha will take Harrie Smolders and also the rides and kid’s areas, and his pride as GCL team Doha to Qatar to compete in this the last qualifying spot for winning medal to Qatari rider we encourage fans who have Fursan Qatar has qualified magnificent arena. the LGCT Super Grand Prix Bassem Hassan Mohammed. never seen the tournament to for the GCL Super Cup at the “It’s really a world village at the Playoffs. And the top HE Sheikh Joaan bin come and enjoy this special Playoffs. “We did our best and where everything is thought 16 teams in the final overall Hamad al Thani, President, event with many different we could also do better, but in about. From the stabling to ranking after Doha will go Qatar Olympic Committee, activities.” another way we are happy that the arena, everything is horse through to the GCL Super was also in attendance along Qatar’s Olympian rider we are at least qualified for the minded. We all love to come Cup at the Playoffs. with diplomats from around Sheikh Ali bin Khalid al Thani, final in Prague which was the here and are looking forward Danese said: “As always the world. who will also be in action at ambition for us this year and we to the final of this great sport, we have a lot of riders fighting On Wednesday, riders the Doha event, said, “We are are looking to have a podium in the best horses and the best for the podium in the final and horses will get their first very proud to bring this sport Doha this year,” he said. riders who will compete this and we have actually have chance to warm up, and GCL at this high level to Qatar. The LGCT President and weekend,” he said. seven riders, (Alberto) Zorzi, teams will make their final sport has grown a lot in the GCL Co-Founder Jan Tops LGCT and GCL Sport (Harrie) Smolders, (Daniel) tactical decisions on which last few years. It is one of our welcomed the return of the Director Marco Danese Deusser, (Scott) Brash, Nicola riders and horses to field mission to bring the best Tour LGCT finale to Doha. “It’s very predicted another nail-biting Philippaerts, Edwina Tops- for the big showdown of the to Qatar and we are very proud important for us to be in this climax to the season ahead of Alexander and Christian team series. The glorious Al Shaqab equestrian centre in Doha. Red Star shock Liverpool for first Champions League win in 26 years AFP started a 1-1 draw at Arsenal and Liverpool in their last two BELGRADE on Saturday. European encounters. Klopp handed a rest to However, they are a LIVERPOOL face the threat of Roberto Firmino with Daniel different proposition at home crashing out at the Champions Sturridge starting up front and and after holding Napoli to League group stage after a the English striker blazed over a 0-0 draw in their group shock 2-0 defeat to Red Star when it seemed easier to score opener, they kept Liverpool at Milan Pavkov Belgrade in the Serbian capital with the goal at his mercy on 18 bay after the break. scored twice in on Tuesday. minutes. That missed proved The decision to leave Milan Pavkov scored twice very costly as four minutes Xherdan Shaqiri back in seven first-half in seven first-half minutes later Liverpool trailed. Britain due to political tensions minutes to hand to hand Red Star their first Pavkov rose highest in will now be questioned as the Red Star their Champions League victory in a crowded penalty area to Swiss international’s guile first Champions 26 years. power home Marko Marin’s to break down a defence was League victory. Liverpool still lead Group corner to spark wild scenes of badly missed. C but could fall behind Napoli celebration. Kosovan-born Shaqiri or Paris Saint-Germain, who Moments later Red Star caused outrage in Serbia meet in Italy later on Tuesday, and their 55,000 fans packed with a pro-Kosovo “double and face both those sides in into the Rajko Mitic stadium eagle” gesture that represents their final two group games.