Oman Prevail Over Somalia to Make Main FIFA Arab Cup Draw Tribune News Network Ghassan in the Box in the Doha 33Rd Minute
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
QatarTribune Qatar_Tribune QatarTribuneChannel qatar_tribune Verstappen wins intense French F1 Grand Prix battle with Hamilton MONDAY, JUNE 21, 2021 PAGE 14 Jabeur wins her first WTA singles crown WTA BIRMINGHAM THE TUNISIAN TRAILBLAZER THE third time was the charm for Ons Jabeur, as the Tuni- Ons Jabeur is the sian notched the first WTA first Arab woman to: singles title of her career at the Viking Classic Birmingham ● Win a WTA singles title on Sunday, defeating Russian (2021 Birmingham) Daria Kasatkina 7-5, 6-4. ● No.2 seed Jabeur had lost Rank inside the Top 70 - Currently in her two previous singles highest-ranked ever at No.24. finals: one to Kasatkina her- ● Make a Grand Slam quarter-final self at 2018 Moscow, and the (2020 Australian Open) other earlier this season at the MUSC Health Women’s Open ● Make a Grand Slam 3rd Round in Charleston, to Astra Sharma. (2017 Roland Garros) But this time around, Jabeur entered the winner’s ● Win a junior Grand Slam circle with an hour-and-a-half (2011 French Open) victory over No.4 seed Kasat- kina to make history, becom- ing the firstA rab woman to claim a WTA singles title. “I knew I had to go for it, I had to win this title to at least Ons Jabeur of Tunisia (left) exults on winning the Viking Classic in Birmingham on Sunday. Above: Jabeur breathe, and give an exam- poses with the trophy after claiming her first WTA title defeating Russian Daria Kasatkina 7-5, 6-4. ple,” Jabeur said during the on-court trophy presentation. previous meetings. In both the error-forcing lob during that punctuating her one-set lead scoreboard, saving a break “There’s not a lot of Tunisian aforementioned 2018 Mos- There’s not a lot of Tunisian or Arabic players game. A crosscourt backhand with a backhand winner down point and holding for 4-1 with or Arabic players playing, so I cow final, as well as in their at 5-3 gave Jabeur triple set the line. an ace. The Russian made a hope this could inspire them, first-round clash at the 2016 playing, so I hope this could inspire them, and I point, but Kasatkina forced er- “You know Dasha, you late charge, breaking Jabeur and I want to see more Arabic Olympics, Jabeur won the first want to see more Arabic (players) and rors from Jabeur to eke out a have to win every point you once and clawing back to 4-3 (players) and Tunisians play- set each time, only to lose the hold and force the Tunisian to have,” Jabeur said. with some well-timed ground- ing with me on tour.” second set in a tiebreak before Tunisians playing with me on tour. serve for the set at 5-4. “I knew it was going to be stroke winners. The victory continues taking a three-set loss. Jabeur could not capitalise difficult, but then whenI lost But Jabeur came through a stellar season for Jabeur, But in Birmingham, World Ons Jabeur there, succumbing to errors to my serve again, I just thought in the end, drawing an errant whose 28 match-wins in 2021 No.24 Jabeur was not to be de- drop serve. However, Jabeur I’d continue focusing on return at 5-4 to set up her first is tied for the most on the nied, converting five of her ten in Moscow, she won, and I was WTA?’” broke once more at love for breaking her again, just play- match point. There, Jabeur WTA along with World No.1 break points as she eased to crying, it was a great battle,” The court craft of Jabeur a 6-5 lead, ending that game ing my game.” fired a forehand to force a Ashleigh Barty. the win over 35th-ranked Ka- said Jabeur. was in full effect at 3-3 in the with a deft dropshot return Spurred on by the momen- netted error from Kasatkina, Jabeur’s triumph also satkina, who has already won “I told her, ‘Can you please first set, where she broke Ka- winner. tum, Jabeur stormed ahead and the Tunisian sank to the avenged two whisker-thin two singles titles this season. share some titles with me, satkina for a second time with This time around, Jabeur 4-0 in the second set before ground in joy, a title winner on losses to Kasatkina in their two “Last time we played was at least, let me win my first a winning dropshot and an successfully served out the set, Kasatkina put herself on the the WTA at last. Oman prevail over Somalia to make main FIFA Arab Cup draw TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK Ghassan in the box in the DOHA 33rd minute. Salah Al Yahyaei, who SOMALIA tried hard and their stepped up to take the shot, best but didn’t seem to have easily sent Mustafa the wrong luck on their side as as Oman way with a powerful low drive. HE Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Thani, QFA President, is advanced to the main draw of Oman went into the break presented with a souvenir by Uzbekistan Football Association the FIFA Arab Cup with a 2-1 with a comfortable 2-0 cush- President Abdulsalom Aziziov in Tashkent on Sunday. win at the Jassim Bin Hamad ion but were in for a shock Stadium on Sunday. after the break which saw the The Omanis scored twice Somalis break through with a QFA-UFA extend MoU in the first half of the lively fine strike fromA bel Gigli. game at the Sheikh Jassim bin Following a free-kick, the QFA the agreement comes fittingly Hamad Stadium before Soma- Omani defence was under TASHKENT with the latest push by foot- lia pulled one pack nine min- pressure and when Gigli rose ball federations to tackle the utes after the break. above the defence to send in FOLLOWING the successful menace of match-fixing and Oman, who last week his header from a pass from implementation of the signed corruption in football. UFA qualified for the 12-team final the left flank, goalkeeper Faiyz Memorandum of Understand- has been actively involved in phase of Asian qualifying for Al Rushedi was found wanting. ing (MoU) between Qatar promoting football integrity next year’s FIFA World Cup in A few minutes later, sub- Football Associations (QFA) for the past few years. Qatar, will now join join Qa- stitute Issa Ahmed had a great and Uzbekistan Football As- HE Azizov pointed out the tar and Iraq in Group A of the chance to draw level for Soma- sociation (UFA), the two as- importance of football devel- FIFA Arab Cup to be played lia but al-Rushedi was equal to sociation presidents signed opment especially with re- later this year. the task on this occasion. an extension and addendum gards to player development A fourth team will be Oman could have added to the MoU to include matters which in turn will benefit na- added to the group later from one more but Al Ghassani related to football integrity tional teams. “I appreciate im- the qualifiers now underway Oman’s goalkeepers Faiz Al Rushaidi (L) and Ibrahim Al Mukhaini celebrate after winning the 2021 FIFA again saw his effort hit the and event security at a leading mensely what QFA has been in Doha. Arab Cup qualifier against Somalia 2-1 at the Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium on Sunday.( AFP) post, and Al Rushedi brought hotel here on Sunday. doing in the past few years Oman, the reigning Gulf off another good save off An- The MoU was signed to- with the MoU activation. I Cup champions, were expect- war Shakunda in the last min- day by HE Sheikh Hamad Bin look forward to working with ed to coast to a comfortable ute of play to ensure their pro- Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Thani, QFA in the near future to try victory over Somalia, ranked gress to the group stage. QFA President, and UFA’s to capitalize on opportunities 197th in the FIFA World rank- Meanwhile, a statement on counterpart Honorable Abdul- that this MoU offers both our ings, but things didn’t go en- Sunday said: FIFA can con- salom Aziziov. Both Presidents federations.” Azizov added tirely their way. firm that following the stand- stressed the importance of this “We are delighted to work Ranked more than 100 ard PCR tests applied ahead MoU and how it had been the closely together with QFA on places above Somalia at 80, of the FIFA Arab Cup 2021™ catalyst for many collaborations issues related to football integ- Oman should have coasted to qualification matches, some over the past four years. They rity and sports security.” a fluent win but struggled to members of the delegation also pledged to continue the suc- UFA President also praised put up a cohesive display as of the South Sudan national cessful collaboration to continue Qatar for hosting many inter- the hard-running Somalis kept team have tested positive for the development of football in national football events in the frustrating the time and again. COVID-19. Qatar and Uzbekistan. build-up to FIFA World Cup The crossbar came in In line with the medical Sheikh Hamad emphasized Qatar 2022. Noting that the Oman’s way as early as in procedures in place, they have the long-standing relationship expertise and experiences Qa- the sixth minute denying for- been placed in isolation and that connects both QFA and tar obtained can be a very good ward Muhsen Al Ghassani the activities planned for to- UFA.