TTENNISENNIS | Page 4 CCRICKETRICKET | Page 7 Federer out New Zealand of Australian take huge Open aft er lead against knee surgery Pakistan Tuesday, December 29, 2020 FOOTBALL Jumada I 14, 1442 AH Messi says Barca GULF TIMES ‘my life’ but stays tight-lipped on future SPORT Page 2 SPOTLIGHT India’s foreign minister visits 2022 World Cup venue ndia’s Union Minister for External Aff airs, Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, alongside Dr Deepak Mittal, the In- dian ambassador in Qatar, yester- Iday visited the Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium which is a 2022 FIFA World Cup venue built by an Indian fi rm. Hassan al-Tha- wadi and Nasser al-Khater, Chairman and CEO respectively of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 LLC met the minis- terial delegation at the stadium and conducted a full tour of the facilities including the pitch, competition areas and VVIP seating areas. The senior offi cials explained in de- tail about the sustainability features of the stadium and the working of the Advanced Cooling System, a high-pro- fi le accessory which is a legacy project arising out of 2022 World Cup host- ing plans. Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium was inaugurated recently on December 18, 2020, when it hosted the Amir Cup fi nal between Al Sadd and Al Arabi in a high profi le event on Qatar National Day at- tended by several dignitaries including Chairman of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 LLC and Secretary-General of the FIFA President Gianni Infantino and All Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy Hassan al-Thawadi presents a India Football Federation (AIFF) Presi- memento to India’s Union Minister for External Aff airs Subrahmanyam Jaishankar. dent Praful Patel. The 40,000-capacity stadium will It must also be noted that SC, the or- “Qatar and India have shared a close host seven matches till the Round of ganisation responsible for the delivery relationship for centuries, through 16 stage during the 2022 World Cup India’s Union Minister for External Aff airs Subrahmanyam Jaishankar (third right), Indian ambassador in Qatar Dr Deepak of the World Cup, had entrusted the trade, culture, and people-to-people and will function as the home of Qatar Mittal (second left), Chairman of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 LLC Hassan al-Thawadi (second right), FIFA World Cup Qatar task of building the Ahmad Bin Ali sta- ties, and the Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium, Stars League (QSL) outfi t Al Rayyan. 2022 LLC CEO Nasser al-Khater (third left) and other off icials at the Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium in Al Rayyan yesterday. dium to a Qatari-Indian Joint Venture built by Larsen & Toubro, is a symbol The stadium’s facade is glowing and is between Qatar’s Al Balagh Trading & of this relationship and our shared his- composed of patterns that symbolise 25 per cent of the Middle East nation’s tary-General of the Supreme Commit- deliver our vision for the tournament, Contracting, and India’s biggest con- tory,” al-Thawadi further stated. diff erent aspects of Qatar — the im- population being Indians. “We were tee for Delivery and Legacy (SC), said through sustainability, health and struction fi rm — Larsen & Toubro Lim- “The stadium is also a representa- portance of family, the beauty of the extremely pleased to host the Minister after Jaishankar’s visit. safety, creating new economic oppor- ited (L&T). This was the fi rst time ever tion of modern, cosmopolitan Qatar, desert, native fl ora and fauna, and local for External Aff airs of the Government “As with all FIFA World Cup Qatar tunities for Qatari companies by forg- that an Indian fi rm has been involved in where the Indian community is the and international trade. of India, Subrahmanyam Jaishanker at 2022 stadium projects, the launch of ing global partnerships, and ultimately any capacity whatsoever when it comes single largest resident expatriate group Interestingly, Qatar has a signifi cant Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium in Al Rayyan,” the Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium is a shining uniting Asia around the second FIFA to building infrastructure for a FIFA and is an important contributor toward Indian expatriate presence with almost Hassan al-Thawadi, who is also Secre- example of how we are continuing to World Cup hosted on the continent.” World Cup. Qatar’s rapid economic development.” QNB STARS LEAGUE Al Sadd held by Qatar Sports Club in a pulsating match Okpotu put Qatar SC ahead in the 31st minute, but Cazorla drew parity for Al Sadd in the 42nd minute with a penalty By Sports Reporter Doha atar Sports Club delivered on what they promised, after holding QNB Stars League leaders Al Sadd to a 1-1 draw Qat the Suheim bin Hamad Stadium yes- terday. On the eve of the match, Qatar SC coach Younis Ali had said it was not an impossible feat to beat Al Sadd. While they fell short of their main objective yesterday, the Kings’ showed enough resilience to hold Al Sadd, by no means a small achievement. De- spite dropping two points though, the unbeaten Sadd lead the table with 29 points, seven ahead of Al Gharafa. Qa- tar SC, who came into the match with fi ve consecutive wins, are fourth with 19 points as the league reached the halfway stage. Anthony Okpotu put Qatar SC ahead in the 31st minute, but Santi Cazorla Al Gharafa were held to a 1-1 draw by Umm Salal but it was enough for the drew parity for Al Sadd in the 42nd Cheetah’s to reclaim the second spot. minute with a penalty. Both teams went into the match in Qatar SC’s Anthony Okpotu (right) celebrates after scoring against Al Sadd in the QNB Stars League at the Suheim bin Salal keeper Malick stepped out and On the resultant free-kick, Homam great form, having won their last few Hamad Stadium yesterday. produced a sliding tackle that brought curled in a long-range shot that got matches in succession. Qatar SC had down Alaaeldin. The referee pointed to a thin defl ection from Kodjia, who completed their fi fth consecutive vic- mistake committed by Tareq Salman. Soon, Bounedjah shot wide of the target Umm Salal stay 10th with 10 points. the spot and Hanni converted the pen- jumped high inside the Umm Salal box. tory, whereas Al Sadd were fresh from Okpotu tested goalkeeper Meshaal Bar- and Cazorla too hit wide, in the 90th Jonathan Kodjia, who dominated alty. Pat came Umm Salal’s reply. Adel The defl ection slipped past the goal- their Qatar Clasico victory over Al sham again in the 37th minute. minute, as the deadlock continued. throughout the match, fi red a bullet Alawi clipped in a neat cross for Rod- post to the left of keeper Malick. Rayyan. Al Sadd equalised when Cazorla Earlier, Al Gharafa drew 1-1 with from close range in the sixth minute, rigues who arrived with perfect timing In another match, Al Wakrah beat Al Sadd attacked from the beginning, converted a penalty awarded after Umm Salal but it was enough for the but his shot was blocked by keeper Baba to defl ect the ball on the volley from Al Kharaitiyat 2-1 to climb to seventh with the likes of Baghdad Bounedjah, Qatar SC’s Ali Karimi brought down Cheetah’s to reclaim the second spot. Malick. Kodjia managed a repeat attack close range as Umm Salal fans celebrat- in the table. Ousmane Coulibaly (43rd Nam Tae-Hee and Abdelkarim Hassan Bounedjah. Al Sadd had much more of They are now on 22 points, one ahead of in the ninth minute and this time his ed the equaliser. minute) and Jassim Ali al-Hashimi raiding the rival citadel time and again, the ball, but the teams took the half- reigning champions Al Duhail. shot went to the left of keeper Malick. In the 80th minute, Umm Salal were (90th minute) scored the goals for Al giving Qatar SC goalkeeper Jassim al- time break with a 1-1 scoreline. Sofi ane Hanni opened the scoring Al Gharafa opened the scoring off a reduced to 10 men when Ismail Eb- Wakrah as The Blue Wave now have 13 Hail a harrowing time. Qatar SC’s substitute Eisa Ahmed for Al Gharafa by converting a penalty penalty. Ahmed Alaaeldin charged to- rahim brought down Homam with a points. Al Kharaitiyat’s only goal was However, it was Qatar SC who took had a chance to give his side the lead a in the 12th minute, while Kayke Rod- wards the Umm Salal box despite being rough tackle. It was Ismail’s second scored by Mahmoud Saad in the 21st the lead against the run of play when second time, but his shot was blocked rigues equalised for Umm Salal in the under pressure from Aymen Abden- yellow of the match – he had received minute. The Thunders are at the bot- Okpotu took advantage of a defensive by the goalkeeper in the 80th minute. next minute of the hard-fought match. nour. Just as he entered the box, Umm his fi rst in the 58th minute. tom with six points. Gulf Times 2 Tuesday, December 29, 2020 SPORT SPOTLIGHT Messi says Barca ‘my life’ but stays tight-lipped on future Messi’s contract expires at the end of the season and from next month he will be free to negotiate with other clubs AFP attack to win.” Madrid Messi also hinted that he could end up seeing out his playing days in Ma- jor League Soccer. “I don’t know what ionel Messi remained coy on his I’m going to do yet, I’m going to wait future at Barcelona in a long in- until the season ends,” Messi said.