WEDNESDAY 18 SEPTEMBER 2019 SPORT 07 My head is 100 percent focused Neymar vows to give TODAY’S ACTION on PSG. I will give everything, his best to help PSG as I have at every club I have Saint-Germain vs Real Madrid achieve their targets Olympiakos vs Tottenham Hotspur

played for. in the new season. UEFA

LEAGUE Bayern Munich vs Red Star

CHAMPIONS CHAMPIONS Shakhtar Donetsk vs Manchester City Van Baarle Felix in US squad for Worlds signs new AFP Reigning world This season’s Diamond of this month’s World Champi- returned to training after an three-year LOS ANGELES champions Tori League champions Noah Lyles onships. Manangoi did not take earlier hamstring injury wrote Bowie, Kori Carter, (200m), Ajee Wilson (800m) and part in the Kenyan national trials on Facebook that he had once United States star Emma Coburn, Phyllis Michael Norman (400m) also in Nairobi last week but was again hurt himself. deal with Allyson Felix (pictured) was Francis, Justin Gatlin, received byes. named in a four-man 1,500m “Sad that I am not able to named to her ninth consecutive Meanwhile, 100m sprinter team to defend his title in Doha. defend my 1,500m title in Doha Ineos World Championships team on Sam Kendricks, Christiann Coleman is included in ButBut ManMan-- angoi,a ngoi, WorldWorld champions due anan ankle Monday as the United States Brittany Reese and the squadad after he recently who had injuryinjury I picked (up) in trainingtr REUTERS unveiled a powerful squad for Christian Taylor all escapedd a drug ban on a just lastlast week. I have no choichoice,”c said this month’s athletics showpiece receive byes into the technicality.ality. thethe 26-year-old.26-year-old. in Doha. championships. Colemanman risked a suspension HisHis coach Bernard Ouma Dutchman Dylan van Baarle Felix, 33, was selected as part after drug-testersug-testers were unable saidsaid the injury would take a said he is targeting one of the of the US team’s relay pool after to locatee him on three separate whilewhile to heal.heal. big classics next year after failing to qualify for an individual travel to Qatar for the World occasionsns in a 12-month periperiod.od. “It’s“It’s a tough decisiodecision,”n said signing a new three-year 400m berth at the US trials in Championships on merit. Howeverever the charges against Ouma.Ouma. contract with Team Ineos Des Moines, Iowa, in July. “If I feel like I’m in good form him weree witwithdrawnhdrawn because ooff “Manangoi“Manangoi has acceptedacce it yesterday. It means Felix has the chance to be able to help the team, then a technicalitycality onon SeptemberSeptember 2 andand we have also acceptedaccept that The 27-year-old, who to add to her astonishing col- yes (I’ll go),” the six-time after thee United States AntiAnti-- it is better for him to ooptp out of joined the British outfit in 2018, lection of 11 World Champi- Olympic gold medallist said. Doping AAgencygency (USADA) the championships and pprepare was a key component in Egan onship gold medals, won in indi- Felix is part of a 141-strong receivedd guidanceguidance on how the forfor next year’syear’s OlympicOlympic Games Bernal’s Tour de France victory vidual and relay events between US team for Doha that contains 12-monthth wwinindowdow shouldshould be inin Tokyo.Tokyo.”” this year as well as winning the 2005 and 2017. eight reigning world champions calculated.ed. Kenya willwill bbee represrepresentede in Herald Sun Tour. Felix, who first appeared in and 13 Rio Olympic gold That decisiondecision leftleft ColemanColeman the 1,500m at Doha byby ttheh 2019 “I became a better bike the 2003 World Championships medallists. free to runun in Doha where he will DiamondDiamond League winnerw rider here and I want to see that as a teenage prodigy, hit the Reigning world champions start as thethe favouritefavourite forfor thethe TTimothyimothy Cheruiyot, RonaldR progress to continue,” Van comeback trail this season after Tori Bowie, Kori Carter, Emma 100m. KwemboiKwemboi andand tthehe world Baarle, who will be part of a the birth of her daughter in Coburn, Phyllis Francis, Justin Meanwhile,nwhile, World juniorjunior champion,cham powerful Dutch team at the November last year. Gatlin, Sam Kendricks, Brittany 1,500m champchampionionn GeorgeGeorge MManangoi,a world championships in York- After her sixth place finish in Reese and Christian Taylor all Elijah ManMan-- whow ho is shire next week, said in a the 400m final at the trials, received byes into the champi- angoi ofof EElijah’sl i statement. which also served as the US onships which will take place Kenya ssaidaid yyoungero “This year with Egan championships, at Drake Uni- from September 27 to October he hashas brother.br winning the Tour it was a versity, Felix said she would only 6. pulled outout dream. Coming into this team, it’s what I was aiming for - to be part of the Tour team and hopefully winning. With first and second (Geraint Thomas) Fury ‘ready for war’ against Wilder it was a really nice three weeks.” Meanwhile, Tour de AFP heavyweight champion Wilder could France winner Egan Bernal LONDON be delayed if Fury does not heal will skip next week’s Road adequately. World Championships in (pictured) Tyson Fury claims he is If injury doesn’t heal well “If injury doesn’t heal well the England, the cycling feder- “ready for war” with Deontay Wilder fight may have to be pushed back,” ation in his native Colombia after the British heavyweight survived the fight may have to be Warren said. “Hopefully that will not said yesterday, without indi- two severe cuts in his weekend win pushed back: Promoter be the case. It depends how it heals. cating the reason. over Otto Wallin. Frank Warren If it’s OK it won’t be a problem. “The talented cyclist of Fury needed 47 stitches following “It’s not just the fight, it’s the Team Ineos decided to turn the Las Vegas bout, which saw Wallin training and sparring. He has to be 100 down the call-up” for the race take his rival to 12 rounds before the leaving Las Vegas, Fury said: “I went percent right.” in the Yorkshire town of Har- Briton eventually secured a unan- to the hospital, had a few stitches, But asked about a delay, Fury rogate, the Colombian Cycling imous points decision victory. went home and had an early night. made it clear he had no fears about a Federation said in a statement The 31-year-old former world “Then I’ve got up, gone to the quick return to the ring against the yesterday. heavyweight champion was taken to casino, won five grand.” formidable Wilder. The 285-kilometre course the University Medical Center of South Fury fought for more than nine “I’m ready for war. I think it was for the world championships Nevada with a gaping gash over his rounds with one of the cuts. just over 40 stitches inside and out road race on September 29 is right eye and another smaller one on The injury prompted promoter with both the cuts. Listen I’m all right. not particularly hilly and did the eyelid. Frank Warren to say a proposed Feb- It’s boxing. You can’t go swimming not seem ideally suited to Speaking to BBC Sport before ruary rematch with WBC world and not get wet. It’s the fight game.” mountain climbers like Bernal. Changing lives: Kabbadi making players millionaires

AFP The ancient game has undergone a glitzy raider from escaping their half NEW DELHI makeover through the Pro League of the court, often with body- (PKL), creating a new group of sports stars in a slamming tackles and vicious Siddharth Desai grew up in country traditionally obsessed with cricket. ankle-wrenches. humble surroundings but now It’s an entertaining sport for he’s living the life of a The franchise-based professional league TV and promoters have com- millionaire sportsman, driving Star Sports pleted the look with slick, Bol- a souped-up jeep and taking was launched by in 2014. Players lywood-style presentation of the selfies with fans -- and it’s all were auctioned, like in the hugely successful competition and players off the thanks to kabaddi. Indian Premier League (IPL) Twenty20 cricket court. The ancient game has tournament, with businesses and Bollywood Keen to follow the glam- undergone a glitzy makeover stars paying big money for players for their city orous IPL, PKL’s organisers set through the or state-based teams. about re-vamping the images (PKL), creating a new group of of the players, who mostly hail sports stars in a country tradi- from Indian villages. tionally obsessed with cricket. to touch me, media wants to and his married brother can “We groomed them, got Kabaddi -- which roughly interview me. People want to enjoy the finer things in life. them new haircuts and trained translates to “holding hands” -- take selfies with me.” “After the start of Pro them on how to be on TV,” PKL is a tag-meets-rugby contact The franchise-based profes- Kabaddi everyone is looking at commissioner Anupam sport widely believed to have sional league was launched by kabaddi as a career option,” said Goswami said. originated in the South Asian Star Sports in 2014. Players Siddharth. “We also made sure that the nation thousands of years ago. were auctioned, like in the “Now I like to go indulge in field of play looks slightly Siddharth and his elder hugely successful Indian my hobbies which include aspirational.” brother Suraj Desai went from Premier League (IPL) Twenty20 playing the guitar and music. I The success of the first few playing kabaddi in the dust in cricket tournament, with busi- will probably get a tattoo done.” seasons led Chinese smart- their village in the state of nesses and Bollywood stars Kabaddi is a highly physical phone-maker to VIVO sign up In this photograph taken on August 30, Maharashtra, to wrestling on paying big money for players for sport that requires teams to as PKL’s title sponsor in a 2019, a player of holds indoor mats in front of a TV their city or state-based teams. collect points by sending a reported $42m deal. onto India’s Siddharth Desai (left), raider audience of millions. Siddharth, who was paid raider to the rival side to tag an The tie-up made PKL the of the Telugu Titans, during their PKL “Even if you work for 50 $50,000 last season with U opponent before returning to second-largest league in India match in New Delhi. years of your life, you will never Mumba, was snapped up by safety. in terms of sponsorship money get a financial benefit like you Telugu Titans for a record Traditionally, raiders chant after the IPL, which also has career. “When you have money or football, annual wages of do while playing one year of $201,444 this year. Together “kabaddi, kabaddi” to prove VIVO as their lead sponsor. in your sport then your mind is $100,000 for a kabaddi player PKL,” the 27-year-old raider, with endorsements, kabaddi has they are only using one breath, One of the PKL’s foreign not busy on other things,” Atra- are “very respectable”. the proud owner of an orange- made him a wealthy man. although in the modern game stars, ’s former Iran chali said. “The bottom salary is seven and-black 4x4 off-roader, said. The previously shy village they usually breathe freely. captain Fazel Atrachali, says the Goswami said that, putting lakh ($9,860 per season) which “Nobody knew me before boy now dreams of buying a Defending teams can also league has given players the aside the massive salaries of top is a salary of a mid-level occu- season six but now people want new house where his parents collect points by preventing the chance to have a lucrative players in sports like basketball pation in our country,” he added. 08 SPORT WEDNESDAY 18 SEPTEMBER 2019

All Blacks appreciate Boks expect the unexpected tough but talkative Boks from ‘evolving’ All Blacks AFP TOKYO AFP “It’s not ideal to start a URAYASU, JAPAN competition on the back South Africa are New Zealand’s South Africa’s lock Rg Snyman foot,” admitted Proudfoot. toughest opponents, but always (left) and flanker Duane Vermeulen South Africa are bracing “Both teams understand good for a chat after the game, take part in a training session themselves for “new tricks” They’re an that. Our mindset in 2019 according to assistant All Blacks in Chiba Prefecture in Tokyo from defending champions intelligent bunch has been to generate a lot coach Ian Foster. yesterday ahead of the Japan New Zealand when the of momentum which we The rivalry between the two 2019 Rugby World Cup. fierce rivals lock horns in and there will be have attained and it will be teams goes back to 1921, when their heavyweight Rugby something new good to keep that New Zealand beat the visiting World Cup opener this that they bring to momentum going,” added Boks 13-5 in Dunedin in their weekend. the party. They the forwards coach. inaugural Test match. Assistant coach Matt With the All Blacks Hiatuses during the Proudfoot said yesrerday have been working sweating over the fitness of apartheid era notwithstanding, that the Springboks expect on various aspects lock Brodie Retallick, the two sides have faced off 98 the All Blacks to come out of their attack: Proudfoot accused New times, the All Blacks winning 58 firing in the Pool B clash in Proudfoot Zealand head coach Steve times to the Boks’ 36, with four Yokohama after the Hansen of indulging in draws. southern hemisphere titans mind games in the build-up “We’ve always had a huge battled to a 16-16 draw over of evolution in that area of to the game. regard for South Africans as a the summer during the their game. And they’re too “Mr Hansen said he had rugby team,” said Foster ahead Rugby Championship. good a side not to continue a full squad to pick from,” of the two teams’ blockbuster South Africa won that their evolution.” he smiled. Pool B match at Yokohama on competition for the first South Africa famously “I wouldn’t be surprised Saturday. time since 2009 to beat New Zealand on home if he doesn’t have a trick up “They’re a team which underline their World Cup soil to capture the first of his sleeve.” we’ve probably had our most credentials, but Proudfoot their two World Cups in South Africa, who physical contests with and suspects New Zealand are 1995, when Nelson Mandela reached the World Cup probably have the best chat in planning a surprise or two presented the trophy to semi-finals in 2015 despite the shed afterwards with. this Saturday. Springbok captain Francois a stunning loss to Japan in “There’s always been a “We’re expecting a new Pienaar in an iconic their opening game, have deep respect based on the level arrow to their quiver,” he moment that helped heal a just returned from a heat of commitment that both teams said before a training nation divided by decades camp in Kagoshima, put into it.” Foster, who was session in the shadow of of apartheid. southern Japan, where also assistant to Steve Hansen Tokyo Disneyland. Though less politically several players shed kilos when New Zealand defended “They’re an intelligent charged than that spine- in weight. their World Cup title four years bunch and there will be tingling Johannesburg final, While tighthead prop ago, added that the All Blacks something new that they victory in this weekend’s Frans Malherbe joked that were always at a “heightened bring to the party. blockbuster could have some of the forwards could state” when they played South “They have been huge psychological impor- do with shedding a few Africa. working on various aspects tance for the rest of the pounds, centre Damian de “I know it’s the World Cup of their attack,” added tournament before further Allende can’t wait to go at and the World Cup’s big, but our Proudfoot. pool games against , it with opposite number focus has been on this game for “There’s been quite a bit Namibia and Canada. Sonny Bill Williams. some time,” he said.

   Aerial battle key to France         !"  # $%&'( ) $  clash, says Pumas’ Sanchez     '   02)/3&2( ( AFP Heavy rain is currently (    /  NARAHA, JAPAN forecast to pass through     Tokyo on the first weekend ."4    0 Argentina’s fly-half says the of the competition, leading ."5      "   aerial battle will be a key some teams to train with '  !     1  factor in their crunch Pool C slippery balls.  (  encounter with France, Argentina bombarded  hoping that his experience France with high balls   0 in French rugby will give him during their past two World &    (  (  an edge. Cup matches, beating Les   Nicolas Sanchez was the Bleus twice in 2007 -- once 0  top scorer at the 2015 World in the pool phase and then & $ (  1$ Cup in England, his 97 points winning the third-place  (  putting him ahead of the play-off. *   ,$ $  likes of All Black Dan Carter Sanchez said that while (  -$   ) $  and the Wallabies’ Bernard Argentina are “100 percent” (  Argentina’s Los Pumas flyhalf Nicolas Sanchez (right)  Foley. focused on the clash with  And the Stade Francais passes the ball infront of New Zealand’s All Blacks prop France, “we also know we playmaker, who had also Karl Tu’inukuafe during their Rugby Championship match at have a very high-level (+ $ enjoyed spells at Bordeaux- Jose Amalfitani Stadium in Buenos Aires in this September match (against England on (  Begles and Toulon, said his 30, 2018 file picture. October 5) where we will ,$  knowledge of the oppo- also have to be at 100 - $  sition will be invaluable as the players in the French “We have to put them percent”. -+  Los Pumas seek to get out team. I know their qualities under pressure. I also think And he said he was rel- .(  (  of a ‘group of death’ that and I can sort of predict how the kicking and aerial game ishing competition for the    also contains England. the match will go,” he said will play an essential part. A number 10 shirt from Ben- 0  (   “My experience last at the team camp in Naraha, lot will go through there,” jamin Urdapilleta, also  season was useful because near Fukushima in eastern said the 30-year-old with 77 plying his trade in France for it allowed me to get to know Japan. Puma caps. Top 14 outfit Castres.    ' # $%&'( )*  World Rugby chief ‘concerned’ by £300m Six Nations deal AFP talks for almost two years over but also the autumn Tests -- TOKYO pooling their commercial when the southern hemisphere interests. The Six Nations would powerhouses tour Europe -- and World Rugby chief executive not confirm the sale to private summer tours when the likes of Brett Gosper said yesterday he equity firm CVC had been England and Ireland go south. had concerns that a reported agreed, saying only it had All sides expect the deal to deal to sell a share of the Six entered into “an exclusive be completed after the Nations’ commercial arm to period of negotiation with an November 2 World Cup final in Formula One’s former owners external investor partner”. Japan. Asked about the deal at a CVC for £300m might be detri- It added it believed new Tokyo press conference, Gosper mental to players’ welfare. investment “is vital for the long- said: “I’d have to say we don’t The Times newspaper term future of our game”. know enough about the ins and reported yesterday that CVC CVC, who last December outs of that deal, it’s been Capital Partners had agreed in acquired a reported 27 percent shrouded, so we can’t say too principle to buy a 15 percent stake worth more than £200m much at this stage and we don’t share in the commercial oper- in the English Premiership, had know if it will be good or bad. ations of the six unions in been reported in March to have “Certainly as big an investor rugby’s annual northern hemi- bid for a 30 percent share for in the sport as a private equity sphere championship -- the Six Nations. firm like CVC will create New Zealand’s Richie Mo’unga (centre) and team-mates England, Scotland, Ireland, According to The Times, CVC influence, and that’s something take part in a training session at the Tatsuminomori Wales, France and Italy. would own a share not only of that in some areas could concern Seaside Park in Koto, Tokyo prefecture yesterday, The unions have been in the Six Nations Championship, us.” ahead of the Japan 2019 Rugby World Cup. WEDNESDAY 18 SEPTEMBER 2019 SPORT 09 TDK, QNB to offer big prize money to record breakers

THE PENINSULA DOHA TDK and Qatar National Bank who broke the decathlon world QNB, which joined the IAAF PRIZE MONEY FOR DOHA WINNERS (QNB). record in in 2015 and will as a partner last year, will offer The performance must be be one of the IAAF’s Ambas- the same generous sponsorship A galaxy of stars will descend on an improvement on the existing sadors in Doha, are two of the package for women’s events at Aside from the world record Sixth place: $6000 Khalifa International Stadium IAAF world record and per- most recent recipients of a world the IAAF World programme, a total of $ 7,530,000 Seventh place: $5000 from 27 September for 10 days formances which equal the record award. Championships. in prize money will be paid by the Eighth place: $4000 of scintillating action at the IAAF existing IAAF world record will TDK’s involvement with the Meanwhile, eight world IAAF in Doha as follows: Individual Championships not be eligible for a world IAAF World Championships goes champions and 13 Olympic events Relays (per team) Gold: $80,000, Doha 2019, where the IAAF will record award. far beyond the world record pro- champions feature on USA’s once again run its world record Portugal’s Ines Henriques, gramme as the Japanese elec- team. Tori Bowie, Kori Carter, Gold: $60,000 Silver: $40,000 Bronze:$20,000, programme. who set a world record of tronics company has been the Emma Coburn, Phyllis Francis, Silver: $30,000 fourth place:$16,000, fifth place: The athletes who set a world 4:05:56 in the women’s 50km main bib sponsor for men’s events Justin Gatlin, Sam Kendricks, Bronze: $20,000 $12,000 sixth place: $8000, record at the Championships race walk at the World Cham- for all 16 previous editions and Brittney Reese and Christian Fourth place: $15,000 seventh place: $6000 eighth will be eligible* for a special pionships in London two years will maintain that involvement in Taylor will defend their world Fifth place: $10,000 place: $4000 award of $100,000 offered by ago, and USA’s Ashton Eaton, Doha. titles.

Germany Samba under no ‘pressure’ heading to Qatar with THE PENINSULA the federation were all DOHA present. 71 athletes But these people are Qatari 400m hurdler Mutaz (Barshim, the cornerstones that THE PENINSULA Abderrahman Samba the world high enabled me to come back DOHA (pictured) will be a jump champion) is stronger than before and relaxed man going into the with more motivation to The German Athletics Feder- 2019 IAAF World Athletics a great champion be the best,” Samba said ation (DLV) has named 71 Championships in Doha. and we have about his participation in athletes on its team for the IAAF “I don’t feel pressure learned a lot from the last World Champion- World Athletics Championships because it will be my him. I consider him ships in London. Doha 2019, which will be held home,” said Samba, while as a role model “I’ve had so much from 27 September until 6 speaking to IAAF Inside in athletics and I support since then, it has October. Athletics, who last year set given me a big boost in Johannes Vetter will defend an Asian 400m hurdles try to follow his morale,” he added. “I have his title in the javelin, while two record of 46.98. example. Hopefully to remember that the more of ’s medallists Samba is aiming to one day I will be a World Championships from 2017 – Carolin Schäfer follow in the footsteps of champion like him: was just a setback and I and Kai Kazmirek – will line up Qatari high jumper Mutaz Samba must learn from it. in the combined events. Barshim and attain “My time (46.98) is The team also includes ‘champion’ status in the very good but I don’t con- European champion Malaika coming years. has the World Champ[ion sider it enough, especially Mihambo, world ranked No.1 “Mutaz (Barshim, the time against his name. He at the moment because in the long jump. world is one the athletes who several athletes are getting champion) is a great will be taking part in the close to the world record. GERMAN TEAM champion and we have World Championship and My goal may be bigger MEN learned a lot from him. I medal hopeful for the host than the world record. 800m: Marc Reuther consider him as a role nation. 1500m: Amos Bartelsmeyer model in athletics and I try “Looking back to the CHAMPION STATUS 5000m: Sam Parsons, Richard Ringer to follow his example. 2017 World Champion- Samba is aiming to 3000m steeplechase: Karl Bebendorf, Hopefully one day I will be ships where I hit a hurdle follow in the footsteps Martin Grau of Qatari high jumper a champion like him. and tripped, I was very 400m hurdles: Luke Campbell, Constantin Barshim has won two disappointed after the Mutaz Barshim and medals in high jump at the race, especially because attain ‘champion’ status Preis last two Olympics in my coach, the managing in the coming years. Decathlon: Niklas Kaul, Kai Kazmirek, London and Rio besides staff and the president of Tim Nowak High jump: Mateusz Przybylko : Torben Blech, Raphael Holzdeppe, Bo Kanda Lita Baehre Discus: , Martin Wierig, David Wrobel Japan names team for Doha Worlds Javelin: Andreas Hofmann, Thomas Röhler, Julian Weber, Johannes Vetter THE PENINSULA 20km race walk: Nils Brembach, DOHA Twenty nine Christopher Linke, Hagen Pohle 50km race walk: Carl Dohmann, Jonathan Japan has selected 55 athletes for the IAAF World Athletics Champi- Russians to Hilbert, Nathaniel Seiler onships Doha 2019, which will be held from 27 September until 6 4x100m: Patrick Domogala, Joshua October. compete as Hartmann, Michael Pohl, Julian Reus, Roy The team includes Yusuke Suzuki, the world record-holder in the 20km race walk who will be making his championship 50km Schmidt, Marvin Schulte debut in Doha, and Toshikazu Yamanishi, the world leader in the neutral athletes Mixed 4x400m: Tobias Lange, Manuel 20km race walk. Sanders, Marvin Schlegel Most members of the squad that earned bronze in the 4x100m AP WOMEN at the IAAF World Championships London 2017 will be back on relay 100m: Lisa-Marie Kwayie, Gina duty in Doha, including the country’s three sub-10-second 100m Lückenkemper, Tatjana Pinto sprinters: Hakim Sani Brown, Yoshihide Kiryu and Yuki Koike. The suspended Russian track federation is 200m: Lisa-Marie Kwayie, Tatjana Pinto, sending a team of 29 competitors to the Jessica-Bianca Wessolly world championships in Qatar, where they JAPANESE TEAM FOR DOHA WORLDS will compete as neutral athletes. 800m: Christina Hering, Katharina Trost MEN High jumper Mariya Lasitskene is the 1500m: Caterina Granz, Hanna Klein, 100m: Yoshihide Kiryu, Yuki Koike, Hakim Sani Brown only reigning world champion among the Konstanze Klosterhalfen 200m: Yuki Koike, Kirara Shiraishi, Jun Yamashita group announced by the federation yes- 5000m: Hanna Klein, Konstanze Julian Walsh 400m: terday. Lasitskene has jumped a world Klosterhalfen, Alina Reh 10,000m: Marathon: Yuki Kawauchi, Kohei Mutaoka, Hiroki Yamagishi leading 2.06 meters this season but has failed Alina Reh 110m hurdles: Shunsuke Izumiya, Taio Kanai, Shunno Takayama to clear 2 meters at four of her last five 3000m steeplechase: Gesa Felicitas 400m hurdles: Takatoshi Abe, Masaki Toyoda events. Krause High jump: Takashi Eto, Naoto Tobe Other medal contenders include Sergei Pole vault: Masaki Ejima, Daichi Sawano, Seito Yamamoto Shubenkov, the 2015 world champion in the 100m hurdles: Cindy Roleder Long jump: Yuki Hashioka, Shotaro Shiroyama, Hibiki Tsuha 110-meter hurdles, and high jumpers Mikhail 400m hurdles: Carolina Krafzik Heptathlon: 20km race walk: Koki Ikeda, Eiki Takahashi, Toshikazu Yamanishi Akimenko and Ilya Ivanyuk. Carolin Schäfer High jump: Imke Onnen 50km race walk: Hayato Katsuki, Tomohiro Noda, Yusuke Suzuki Many Russian athletes with past doping Pole vault: Katharina Bauer, Lisa Ryzih 4x100m: Aska Cambridge, Yoshihide Kiryu, Yuki Koike, Hakim bans were not cleared to compete, including Long jump: Malaika Mihambo Triple jump: Sani Brown, Kirara Shiraishi, Shuhei Tada, Jun Yamashita race walker Elena Lashmanova, the world Neele Eckhardt 4x400m and mixed 4x400m: Shota Iizuka, Yoshinobu Imoto, leader in the 20-kilometer event this year. Shot put: Sara Gambetta, Alina Kenzel, Rikuya Ito, Mitsuki Kawauchi, Kentaro Sato, Tomoya Tamura, Lashmanova is a former Olympic gold Christina Schwanitz Kota Wakabayashi, Julian Walsh medalist, as is Anna Chicherova, another athlete who was not allowed to go. Discus: Nadine Müller, Kristin Pudenz, WOMEN With 29 Russian neutral athletes, there Claudine Vita 5000m: , , will be 10 more than at the last world cham- Javelin: Annika Marie Fuchs, Christin 10,000m: Rina Nabeshima, , Minami Yamanouchi pionships two years ago. The squad includes Hussong Marathon: Ayano Ikemitsu, Madoka Nakano, Mizuki Tanimoto 16 women, compared to just seven in 2017. 20km race walk: Saskia Feige 100m hurdles: Ayako Kimura, Asuka Terada Javelin: Haruka Russia has been suspended from inter- 4x100m: Yasmin Kwadwo, Lisa-Marie Kitaguchi, Yuka Sato national track and field since 2015 over wide- Kwayie, Gina Lückenkemper, Jennifer Montag, Nanako Fujii, Kumiko Okada spread doping, but 131 athletes have since 20km race walk: Lisa Nippgen, Tatjana Pinto 50km race walk: Masumi Fuchise been cleared to compete as neutrals. They Mixed 4x400m: Luna Bulmahn, Karolina Mixed 4x400m: Seika Aoyama, Nanako Matsumoto, Saki must present evidence of thorough drug Takashima testing to a panel set up by track’s world gov- Pahlitzsch, Nelly Schmidt Hakim Sani Brown erning body, the IAAF. 10 SPORT WEDNESDAY 18 SEPTEMBER 2019

Al Duhail’s Ali sidelined for QSL signs co-operation agreement with SIGA three weeks THE PENINSULA signed by QSL CEO Hani establishing the concepts DOHA Taleb Ballan and his SIGA of integrity and trans- after injury counterpart Emmanuel parency in football. The Qatar Stars League Medeiros. Commenting on the THE PENINSULA (QSL) signed a co-oper- It may be noted that deal, Hani said, “We’re DOHA ation agreement with Qatar’s is the first profes- delighted to be partici- Sports Integrity Global sional league in Asia to pating in this summit and Al Duhail announced the Alliance (SIGA) on the sign such an agreement signing an agreement absence of Iraqi striker sidelines of its first Inter- with an international with SIGA, and we’ll work Mohanad Ali for three weeks Regional Summit for the organisation connected with them in future because of the injury he Middle East, Asia and with establishing the through some activities suffered during their QNB Stars Africa, hosted by the State foundations of integrity in that contribute towards League Week 3 match against of Qatar. sport. reiterating the principles Al Rayyan, which ended in a 1-1 The event, held under The agreement aims of integrity. With one draw on Sunday. the patronage of H E Salah QSL’s CEO Hani Taleb Ballan and SIGA’s CEO Emmanuel at exchanging expe- thought and one goal: The player underwent bin Ghanem Al Ali, Min- Medeiros signing the agreement. rience, joint tasks, pre- Integrity in football.” medical tests, which confirmed ister of Culture and senting the best prac- The QSL CEO also a muscle injury on his left foot. Sports, was organised by Centre for Sport Security prominent international decision-makers in the tices, exchanging infor- attended one of the ses- Mohanad, who missed the SIGA in co-operation with and Qatar Airways with figures as well as a world of sports. mation, methods, ideas sions ‘Integrity in Sports second half of the match against Doha-based International the participation of number of specialists and The agreement was and activities by on the Field’. Al Rayyan, will undergo an intensive treatment programme in the coming days. The 2019-20 season QNB Stars League’s Week 4 matches will start from tomorrow. ANOC World Beach Games Qatar 2019 The fixtures are Al Arabi vs Al Shahania (16:50, Al Janoub Stadium) and Al Gharafa vs Al Ahli (19:00, Al Sadd Stadium) tomorrow, Al Sadd vs Umm Salal (16:50, Al Janoub Stadium) Volleyball set to steal limelight and Al Sailiya vs Qatar SC (19:00, Al Sadd Stadium) on Friday, and Al Rayyan vs Al THE PENINSULA The sport, which gained an Olympic status at the Khor (16:50, Al Janoub Stadium) DOHA 1996 Atlanta Games, has a massive global following and Al Wakrah vs Al Duhail and it has continued to draw capacity crowds (19:00, Al Sadd Stadium) on Beach volleyball has always been wherever it is staged anywhere in the world. Saturday. one of the biggest crowd-pullers The game between in-form at any beach sports events and The beach volleyball games of the Rio Olympics also teams Al Gharafa and Al Ahli the narrative will doubtlessly recorded an impressive turnouts and it was one of the will be the highlight of remain the same when the most attended events of the competition. fixtures. maiden edition of the ANOC Al Gharafa are second in the World Beach Games Qatar 2019 standings and Al Ahli fourth. kicks off in Doha on October 12. recorded an impressive turnouts ground it on the opponent’s side They both had won in the last The sport, which gained an and it was one of the most of the court, and to prevent the round and sparks are expected Olympic status at the 1996 attended events of the same effort by the opponent. to fly when they face off. Atlanta Games, has a massive competition. Historically, there are reports global following and it has con- Played on a sand court meas- of men playing volleyball on the tinued to draw capacity crowds uring 8m by 8 m per side, beach beach in Hawaii as early as 1915 wherever it is staged anywhere volleyball is a team sport usually but the history of beach vol- in the world. played by two teams of two leyball really began and gained For example, the spectacular players each but for Qatar 2019, momentum in Santa Monica, beach volleyball stadium for the the competition will feature the California in the 1920’s. It was 2012 London Games had a 4X4 format which consists of then and there that the first vol- capacity of 15,000, the largest- four players from each side. leyball courts were put up on the ever Olympic beach volleyball The 4x4 beach volleyball beach and families came to play. venue, and a record 14,500 adapts the rules of the two-a- The first two men Beach Vol- turned out to watch Russia defeat side beach volleyball discipline leyball tournament was held in Brazil 3-2 to clinch the gold with changes in the scoring Santa Monica, California in 1948 medal of the men’s event at the system, team composition, while the first international Earls Court Exhibition Centre in service order, and the addition FIVB-sanctioned tournament London while the women’s event of substitution and coaching as was played on Ipanema beach witnessed a capacity-filled its general principles. in in 1987, with a stadium. As in indoor volleyball, the prize purse of US$22,000. It was The beach volleyball games objective of the game is to send won by Sinjin Smith and Randy Mohanad Ali of the Rio Olympics also the ball over the net and to Stoklos. ICC Challenge League: Qatar ‘Fearless’ Pant cannot be ‘careless’, warns down Singapore in opener batting coach Rathour

THE PENINSULA AFP DOHA DHARAMSALA

Pacer Gayan Munaweera India’s new batting coach Rishabh is a grabbed a five-wicket haul while Vikram Rathour warned Iqbal Hussain displayed an all- Rishabh Pant and other rising phenomenal player. round show as Qatar overcame stars yesterday not to turn But he needs to bring Singapore by 19 runs to register from “fearless” to “careless” a little discipline in their first victory at the ICC as the national team prepare to his cricket: Vikram Cricket World Cup Challenge for next year’s Twenty20 League Group A in Kuala World Cup. Rathour Lumpur, yesterday. The 21-year-old Pant, Munaweera conceded only who is being groomed to take a little discipline in to his 39 runs while picking five over from MS Dhoni as first- cricket. “All the young players wickets from 9.2 overs as Al choice wicketkeeper, has also should understand that there Annabi bowled out their oppo- made an impact as an is a fine line between fearless nents for 213 in 48.2 overs, while explosive batsman. and careless cricket.” defending their total of 232 runs. But the left-hander, who Virat Kohli’s India have Apart from Munaweera, Iqbal made his Test debut in focussed on T20s since their also played an important role, England last year and scored failure at the 50-over World claiming four wickets. his maiden century during the Cup this year where they lost Earlier, opening batsman series, has often been accused to New Zealand in the Qatar’s players and team officials pose for a group photo after victory over Singapore yesterday. Zaheer Ibrahim guided Qatar to of throwing away his wicket. semi-finals. a challenging total, scoring 63 “Of course we want him “In the past T20 was not runs. Khurram Shahzad (44), matches against Canada and The winner of the round advancing to a play-off event, to play all his shots,” Rathour, taken seriously. Now since Rizlan Iqbar (31) and Qalandar Denmark on September 22 and robin tournament will be which will take place in 2022. who took over from Sanjay you are preparing for the Khan (29) were the other notable 23 respectively. Bangar as batting coach, told World Cup all these games are scorers. They will meet Vanuatu in QATAR AND MALAYSIA SQUADS reporters ahead of the second going to be extremely Iqbal made a brisk 23 off 18 their last match on September T20 against South Africa in important,” said Rathour, a balls including a couple of 26. Malaysia: Ahmad Faiz Mohammad Noor (captain); Muhamad Syahadat Ramli; Abdul Rashid Ahad; Mohali today. former India opener. boundaries, and was later named All the matches of the event Mohd Nazril Abdul Rahman; Mohd Suharril Fetri Shuib; Mohd Shafiq Mohd Sharif; Muhammad An- “He needs to be fearless “And I think the next man-of-the-match for his all- will be played at Selangor Turf war Abdul Rahman; Mohamad Norwira Zazmie Abdul Halim; Pavandeep Singh Jagjit Singh; Syed because that is what makes 20-21 games we will be round performance. Club and Kinara Oval. Aziz Syed Mubarak; Muhammad Hafiz Khair; Virandeep Singh Jagjit Singh; Aminuddin Ramly; Dhiv- him special. He is an impact playing will be our prepa- Qatar will now meet hosts ICC Cricket World Cup Chal- endran Mogan player but at the same time he ration for the World Cup.” Malaysia in their second match lenge League A forms part of the Qatar: Kamran Khan; Saqlain Arshad; Muhammad Awais Malik; Zaheeruddeen Ibrahim; Iqbal Hus- cannot afford to be careless. The World Cup is to be

of the event on September 20. qualification pathway to the sain Chaudhry; Qalandar Khan; Muhammad Nadeem; Dharmang Hasmukh Patel; Mohammad Riz- “Rishabh is a phenomenal held in Australia in October- The team, led by Iqbal 2023 Cricket World Cup, which lan; Gayan Buddika; Musawar Shah; Syed Yousuf Tameem; Owais Ahmed; Khurram Shahzad player. (But) he needs to bring November next year. Chaudhary, will play their next will be held in India. WEDNESDAY 18 SEPTEMBER 2019 SPORT 11

Paris Saint-Germain’s players in action during a training session at the club’s training grounds in Saint-Germain-en-Laye, west of Paris yesterday, on the eve of their UEFA Champions League Group A match against Real Madrid. Neymar out, Icardi in as PSG set CL target

AFP UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE TODAY'S FIXTURES CAS reduces Neymar’s PARIS Mbappe, Cavani to miss Real clash Club Brugge vs Galatasaray European suspension The visit of Real Madrid to the French REUTERS since for PSG, while Cavani is out of Olympiakos FC vs Tottenham Hotspur capital today means a glamour tie for PARIS action with a hip problem. Atletico Madrid vs Juventus AFP Paris Saint-Germain to begin their Thomas Tuchel’s side will also be Bayer Leverkusen vs Lokomotiv Moscow LAUSANNE Champions League campaign but a Forwards Kylian Mbappe and Edinson without Neymar, with the Brazilian Bayern Munich vs Crvena Zvezda meeting with the Spanish side also Cavani have been ruled out for Paris St forward serving a three-match Cham- Dinamo Zagreb vs Atalanta Neymar’s Champions League ban for insulting match offi- brings back unhappy memories. Germain’s opening Champions League pions League ban. PSG vs Real Madrid cials on social media has been reduced from three games When the clubs last met in Europe group stage match against Real Madrid Mbappe, Neymar and Cavani netted Shakhtar Donetsk vs Manchester City to two following an appeal, the Court of Arbitration for Sport two seasons ago, a PSG side missing today, the French Ligue 1 champions 11 of PSG’s 20 goals in their Champions (CAS) ruled yesterday. an injured Neymar were dumped out said. League campaign last season, and the The world’s most expensive player will miss the fixtures in the last 16. Mbappe picked up a hamstring trio will be crucial again in 2019-20 as He signed on loan just before the against Real Madrid today and Galatasaray in two weeks’ That was one of three consecutive injury and was forced off against Tou- the club look to go deep in Europe’s transfer deadline. time due to the original ban from UEFA. However, he will exits in the first knockout round for louse last month and has not featured elite competition. It is elsewhere that Paris really now be free to face Belgian side Bruges on October 22. PSG, who have failed to make their needed to strengthen, though. The Brazilian criticised the referee and his assistants mark on the Champions League Tuchel was unable to settle on after PSG’s last-16 collapse against Manchester United in despite all the money spent by their if PSG failed to progress, even with I have missed a lot of matches. But a first-choice goalkeeper last season March which he watched from the stands due to injury. Qatari owners. Neymar suspended for the first three when I have played I have performed, between Alphonse Areola and Gian- United were awarded a penalty deep into injury time after So the inevitable question at the matches. and I think my statistics have been luigi Buffon. Both have since left and a protracted VAR decision, which Marcus Rashford scored start of another continental campaign The world’s most expensive among the best of my career.” Keylor Navas has signed from Real too knock the French side out in the last 16 of the Champions is can Thomas Tuchel’s team this time player has overshadowed everything There is no doubt the presence of Madrid to take over the gloves. League.League. at least reach a semi-final in Europe’s else at the club in recent months, with Neymar gives PSG a far greater Abdou Diallo has provided an elite club competition? the saga of his hoped-for move back chance of winning the biggest prize extra option in defence after Last season it was Manchester to and then his return to in European club football, as long as arriving from Borussia Dortmund. United who embarrassed PSG. Since action at the weekend, featuring a he stays fit. There has been major surgery in the 2012 the only teams PSG have beaten brilliant winner against Strasbourg As well as Neymar’s suspension midfield with the signings of Ander in a Champions League knockout tie in response to boos from angry against Real, Kylian Mbappe is still Herrera, Idrissa Gueye and Pablo are Valencia, Bayer Leverkusen and supporters. out with a hamstring injury, but the Sarabia. Chelsea. “My head is 100 percent focused arrival of Mauro Icardi has added Whether Marco Verratti can For now, PSG will just be eager on PSG. I will give everything, as I another explosive element to their blend with the newcomers to form a to make a statement in their opening have at every club I have played for,” attack. midfield as fearsome as it was in the match. But with Galatasaray and Club said Neymar. Icardi was prolific for Inter before days when he was flanked by Blaise Brugge the other teams in Group A, “Unfortunately in the last two being stripped of the club captaincy Matuidi and the peerless Thiago Neymar it would be a monumental surprise years I have had serious injuries and last season amid a contract dispute. Motta, remains to be seen. Stakes high as Juventus launch Guardiola on a mission Champions League campaign to seal Man City legacy

AFP Inter Milan are top of Serie A after AFP the tournament for the third time -- his MILAN three games with Juventus two points LONDON second triumph coming with Barca in behind. 2011. Maurizio Sarri’s first game on the As at Chelsea, Sarri will need time After a series of painful Champions City’s best Champions League run Juventus bench was an unremarkable for his methods to take hold among the League failures, Pep Guardiola is on a was under Guardiola’s predecessor affair -- a goalless draw against new squad of players. mission to seal his Manchester City Manuel Pellegrini, who made the semi- Fiorentina at the weekend failing to set “We are at a stage where rotating legacy by finally getting his hands on finals in the last season before the the tone before the Italian giants launch is difficult, because we are finding our the trophy again. Spaniard took over. their do-or-die Champions League identity and our structure,” said Sarri. City start their latest bid to win the And Guardiola’s inability to win the campaign in . Apart from Gianluigi Buffon’s return club’s first European Cup with a trip to Champions League without Barcelona The 60-year-old Sarri arrived this after a season at Paris Saint-Germain, Shakhtar Donetsk in the Group C superstar Lionel Messi in his team is a season as part of a major overhaul of most of Juventus’s signings are young. opener today. black mark his critics use to question the 35-time Italian champions who Dutch defender de Ligt, 19, The long flight to the Ukraine will the 48-year-old’s right to be ranked as are looking for another style of arrived for €75m ($82m), along with give Guardiola plenty of time to ponder a managerial legend. football which will deliver a first fellow defenders Danilo and Merih his curious streak of Champions League While that assessment is harsh on European title in nearly a quarter Demiral. flops in recent years. the innovative and inspirational Guar- of a century. The midfield has been Guardiola has conquered English diola, his European campaigns with City The stakes are high for strengthened with PSG’s Adrien football spectacularly after winning the have undoubtedly been painful expe- Juventus who have spent big to Rabiot and former Arsenal star Aaron last two Premier League titles, the first riences that exposed the few flaws in bolster their supporting cast Ramsey. in record-breaking fashion and the his team. around five-time Ballon d’Or Last season had appeared to be second as part of an unprecedented VAR was the scapegoat for last sea- winner Cristiano Ronaldo. Juve’s best chance at ending their long domestic treble last season. son’s dramatic quarter-final defeat Ronaldo was poached last wait for European success. Yet the Champions League has against Tottenham, but the real reasons season from Real Madrid, while Ronaldo was hailed as the final proved impossible for Guardiola to for City’s failure to progress were a former Ajax captain Matthijs de piece in the jigsaw as he arrived on a master since he arrived at the Etihad subdued first leg performance in north Ligt signed this summer -- starts €100m ($115) deal, plus €30m a year. Stadium. London and a defensive meltdown in from the two teams that The Portuguese star has won five In fact, Europe’s elite club compe- the second leg. Juventus’ Paulo Dybala knocked the Italians out of Champions League trophies, and single tition has been a cruel mistress for The year before that Liverpool pun- (foreground) gestures as Europe the past two seasons. handedly lifted Juventus into the Guardiola for most of the last decade, ished City’s oddly timid display quarter- Sarri’s first weeks have Cristiano Ronaldo looks on quarter-finals with a hat-trick against with a series of frustrating exits during final display at Anfield, while Monaco been blighted by his bout of during a training session in Atletico Madrid. his spells in charge of Barcelona, Bayern shockingly elimieliminated Guardiola’s side pneumonia and his side still need to Turin, yesterday. But Juventus crashed out to De Ligt’s MunichMunich andand City.City. afterafter an error-proneerror-p last 16 tie in his click into gear with their European daring Dutch side Ajax in the last eight. GuardiolaGuardiola firstfirst wwonon firstfirst season.season. opener against Atletico Madrid looming trophy in a 30-year managerial career Juventus ended the season with less thethe CChampionshampions League WithWith ffiveive Champions League today. was with Chelsea in last season’s Europa than the previous year after losing the as a manager in 2009 semi-finalsemi-final dedefeats on his CV - two “It has taken time to get them into League. Coppa Italia. wwithith BarBarcelona.celona. withwith Barca aandn three with Bayern - the rhythm of the game,” conceded Sarri Allegri paid for failure in Europe Sarri also has to juggle with injuries ButBut hhee hhasas ffailedailed to GuardiolaGuardiola hahas become the compe- after the match against Fiorentina. leading the seven-time Champions with captain Giorgio Chiellini facing six- reachreach tthehe sesemi-finalsmi-finals in tition’s nearly-mannearly since 2011, when “We’re not at the top physically yet.” League finalists to runners-up places months out with cruciate ligament any ooff hhisis tthreehree seasons hishis Messi-inspiredMessi-insp team delivered a A tough Group D awaits with Bayer in 2015 and 2017. damage. as City boss,boss, extendingextending masterclassmasterclass iinn the Wembley final Leverkusen and Lokomotiv Moscow But club bosses want a more Winger Douglas Costa and mid- his lonlongg wait to win againstagainst MancManchesterh United. also lying in wait as Juventus attempt attractive fast-paced eye-catching style fielder Miralem Pjanic were injured in ThatThat memorable evening to lift the trophy for a third time after of football in an attempt to increase Florence to join Mattia De Sciglio and standsstans d as Guardiola’s last 1985 and 1996. their fan base outside of Italy. Marko Pjaca on the sidelines. fondfon memory of the tour- Sarri’s appointment in place of Mas- As they chase their European dream The coach also has to appease key namentna and the clock is similiano Allegri, who delivered Juven- the gamble could backfire at home. players like striker Mario Mandzukic tickingtic on his hopes of tus’s last five Serie A titles, had been a Antonio Conte’s Inter Milan have and midfielder Emre Can who are winningw it for the third surprising choice. served notice of their intentions to end furious at being left out of the Cham- time.tim Pep Guardiola The former Napoli coaches’ first Juventus’s eight-year reign in Italy. pions League squad. SPORT

PAGE | 07 PAGE | 11 Allyson Felix Pep Guardiola in US squad on a mission for IAAF Doha World to seal Manchester Championships City legacy

Wednesday 18 September 2019

Napoli’s Dries Mertens scores their first goal against Liverpool during their Champions League Group E match in Naples, Italy, yesterday. Napoli stun champions Liverpool AGENCIES Messi making his first appearance Barella scored a stoppage-time Stefan de Vrij and Danilo Meanwhile, Olympique MILAN of the season for the Spaniards. equaliser on his Champions D’Ambrosio both missed good Lyonnais started their group Barca’s in-form 16-year-old League debut to rescue a dra- chances for Inter in the opening stage campaign in disappointing Dries Mertens and Fernando Ansu Fati became the club’s matic 1-1 draw for Inter Milan at half hour before Slavia , fashion as they were held to a 1-1 Llorente scored late goals as youngest player to feature in a home to Slavia Prague in their Europa League quarter-finalists home draw by Zenit St Napoli defeated holders UEFA competition when he opening group game yesterday. last season, began to impose Petersburg. Liverpool 2-0 in yesterday’s started but failed to make any The Czech champions, beaten themselves. Memphis Depay’s penalty YESTERDAY’S RESULTS opening round of Champions real impact before being replaced on all six previous visits to Italy, They took a deserved lead as cancelled out Sardar Azmoun’s League group stage matches. by fit-again Messi just before the took a shock lead through Peter Olayinka cut the ball back to first-half opener as the French Olympique Lyonnais 1-1 Zenit Mertens converted a penalty hour mark. Olayinka in the 63rd minute to Jaroslav Zeleny whose shot was side, who have drawn six straight on 82 minutes and Llorente Even after the Argentine took stun the San Siro in the Group F saved by Samir Handanovic and home Champions League games, Inter Milan 1-1 Slavia Praha added a second in stoppage time the field it was the Germans who match. fell to the Nigerian, who turned dominated after the break Chelsea 0-1 Valencia as Napoli gained a measure of were more dangerous, with Inter, eliminated in the group in the rebound. without inflicting any serious revenge for last season’s 1-0 loss captain Marco Reus’ 57th minute stage last season, were struggling Nicolae Stanciu nearly added damage on their opponents. Ajax 3-0 Lille at Anfield that denied the Italians penalty saved by Marc Andre ter to find a reply until Barella fired a second from a free kick but it Elsewhere, Leipzig stunned a spot in the knockout rounds. Stegen and Julian Brandt rattling in the rebound in the second was Inter who levelled. Portuguese champion Benfica 2-1 Benfica 1-2 RB Leipzig Elsewhere, Borussia the crossbar with a thundering minute of stoppage time. Stefano Sensi curled a free in Group G after Timo Werner Dortmund hit the woodwork and shot in the 77th. Despite Inter’s relief, they kick against the crossbar and the scored twice in the second half. Borussia Dortmund 0-0 Barcelona had a penalty saved before In the group’s other game may still come to regret the loss rebound fell kindly to Barella, Ajax gave a pow- Napoli 2-0 Liverpool drawing 0-0 with Barcelona in Inter Milan were held to a 1-1 of two home points in a group who met it first time and scored erful reminder of their Cham- their Champions League Group home draw by Slavia Prague. which also includes Borussia with a shot which bounced into pions League potential with a Salzburg 6-2 Genk F opener yesterday with Lionel Earlier, substitute Nicolo Dortmund and Barcelona. the net. resounding 3-0 win over Lille. Away goals Xavi hails ‘unbelievable performance’ take Urawa THE PENINSULA goals in Monday’s clash. DOHA Speaking to the media after the into semis game, Al Haydos said: “This win did not REUTERS Al Sadd coach Xavi Hernandez come about easily. It required a lot of TOKYO expressed his delight at the ‘unbe- effort from the Al Sadd players. We got lievable performance’ of his side which a very important victory which took us Urawa Red Diamonds put their helped the Qatari club reach the semi- to the semi-finals.” domestic struggles behind them finals of the AFC Champions League Haydos said a pep talk during the to seal their place in the semi- with a 4-3 aggregate victory over Al halftime break brought out the best finals of the Asian Champions League Nassr. from the team members as the scores last evening as the two-time cham- Al Sadd lost the first leg 1-2 in were tied 1-1. pions secured a 1-1 draw with Riyadh but bounced back to win the “The coach spoke to us calmly. Xavi Shanghai SIPG to advance on the second leg 3-1 at the Jassim bin Hamad told us something very important which away goals rule. Stadium on Monday to go through to increased our desire to win: he said that The two goals scored by Urawa Xavi Hernandez the next stage for the second consec- he trusts us and that we should enjoy in a 2-2 draw in Shanghai last month utive year. our game. Without a doubt, those words proved decisive as the tie ended in a Speaking at the post-match press are one of the reasons for this win. They were a boost to the players. We 3-3 aggregate draw, allowing the Jap- conference, Xavi said: “Thanks to all were part of the game today. Their played excellently in the second anese side to secure their place in the those who congratulated us for the win. support had a clear effect on the half and we clinched victory,” Al last four for the fourth time since We are very happy with the result and players, and on me as well. We need Haydos said. 2007. the excellent performance. We gave an them not only in these matches but “The performance today Shinzo Koroki’s header gave unbelievable performance. In the first throughout the season. They are fans was better than the away leg Urawa the lead six minutes before the Hassan leg, we did not play well but we did who want to win titles and we will win and we are happy that we break. Although Wang Shenchao lev- Al Haydos what was required tonight and we titles with them. They were brilliant have won this game. I elled for Shanghai from close range deserve to go through. The players have today.” want to thank all those celebrates on the hour mark, the Chinese Super a winning mentality and they will con- Xavi also praised man-of-the- who came to support us; after scoring League champions were unable to tinue like this in the upcoming games.” match Hassan Al Haydos, saying: “Al it was an ideal atmos- Al Sadd’s find a way through for a second time. “I took up the Al Sadd coaching role Haydos is an example. I told him many phere. The fans were second goal The result stands in contrast to only a month and a half back. I am very times that he is an excellent role model. the biggest stars during the the club’s domestic form, with Urawa happy with what we have achieved,” He has leadership qualities. Gabi may behind this victory,” AFC Champions in 15th in the current J-League he added. wear the captain’s armband but Al he added. League quarter- standings and just one place above The coach also said: “We managed Haydos is a true leader. He is one of the final second leg the relegation playoff position. to control the game and so I was not best players in the Middle East, and match against They will face either defending too worried. It was one of the best not just Qatar.” Saudi’s Al Nassr, on champions Kashima Antlers or matches we have played this season.” Al Haydos was in the Monday. Chinese Super League side “I take this opportunity to salute the thick of all action and scored PICTURE: TWITTER/ Guangzhou Evergrande in the next fans whose support was excellent. They the second of Al Sadd’s three @THEAFCCL_AR round, with the pair due to meet in Japan today.