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WEDNESDAY 8 SEPTEMBER 2021 WorldW number two Daniil Medvedev reachesr third straight US Open semi-final JustJ want to do a little bit better than last two times anda get this last step, which is the toughest one aactually.

Daniil Medvedev Sport | 15

QATAR 2022: ASIAN QUALIFIERS Syria 1-1 UAE, Oman 0-1 Saudi Arabia, China 0-1 Japan, Vietnam 0-1 Australia, S. Korea 1-0 Lebanon Paralympic medallist Abdulqadir receives rousing welcome Secretary-General of the Qatar Olympic Committee, Jassim bin Rashid Al Buenain welcoming Abdulrahman Abdulqadir upon the para-athlete's arrival at Doha's Hamad International Airport, yesterday. Abdulqadir won a bronze medal for Qatar in the men’s shot put F34 class at the 2020 Paralympic Games with a season's best of 11.36m in the final. It was his second Paralympic medal following his silver at Rio 2016 Games. RIGHT: Abdulqadir posing for a photograph with his team members and officials.

FIFA opens investigation Homam earns draw for Qatar into abandoned Brazil-Argentina match in thriller against Luxembourg REUTERS – LONDON World soccer’s governing body FIFA has opened disci- THE PENINSULA – DOHA plinary proceedings into Sunday’s Brazil v Argentina qualifier which was abandoned after five Homam Ahmed cancelled out an minutes amid farcical scenes. early goal scored by Luxembourg Brazilian health authorities invaded the pitch to teenage debutant Yvandro Borges stop the game after accusing four of Argentina’s English Sanches as Qatar signed off from Premier League players of violating the country’s the second stage of the European COVID-19 quarantine rules. World Cup Qualifiers with a Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez and Tot- one-all draw yesterday. tenham Hotspur duo Cristian Romero and Giovani Lo The draw means Felix Celso were on the Neo Quimica Arena field as part of Sanchez-coached Asian cham- Argentina’s team when officials from Brazil’s health pions now have a record of two regulator Anvisa halted the match. wins, two draws and two losses “Following the analysis of the official match reports after playing six matches in Europe related to the FIFA World Cup qualifier match between this year. Brazil and Argentina, FIFA can confirm that disciplinary In the European Qualifiers, proceedings have been opened involving both member Qatar had beaten Luxembourg in associations,” FIFA said yesterday. their ‘home’ match at the Nagyerdei Stadion in Debrecen, Hungary, earlier in March before overcoming Azerbaijan 2-1 and English clubs led the way drawing 1-1 against Ireland. However, in the second leg of in spending on players the qualifiers, the luck was not on Qatar’s side as they lost to Serbia this year, says FIFA 0-4 and former European cham- pions Portugal 3-1. REUTERS – LONDON Following two defeats inside Qatar's Homam Ahmed (right) celebrates with team-mates after scoring a goal against Luxembourg in their a week, Qatar team took a stronger English clubs spent the most money on players among European Qualifying match played at Stade de Luxembourg, yesterday. approach to yesterday's match, FIFA’s member associations in the transfer window looking to get back to winning which ran from June to August, world soccer’s ways before completing the trip At the newly built Stade de The second half saw both cruised to a 3-0 victory over hosts governing body said yesterday. to Europe. Luxembourg, playing in his first teams trying to grab the lead, but Azerbaijan in World Cup quali- FIFA’s International Transfer Snapshot report said They almost scored through match for the country, the Borussia none succeeded. fying to move top of Group A. English clubs shelled out $1,146.6m on players in the skipper Hassan Al Haydos who Mönchengladbach U-19 player Afif and Ali Asad shot at the Portugal were without Cris- window, which was more than the next two countries received a clever pass from Akram shot from the centre of the box to goal in the 88th and 90th minutes, tiano Ronaldo, who was sus- -- Spain ($473.8m) and France ($428.9m)-- put Afif in the 10th minute, but the the high centre of the goal after but Qatar had to settle for the draw pended after picking up a yellow together. attempt was blocked. receiving the ball from Edvin at the end. card while celebrating his second English clubs also topped the table for incoming Thereafter, the hosts tried to Muratovic. Qatar are ranked 42 in the goal in their last-gasp 2-1 victory transfers, down from 485 last year to 380, while out- open scoring on several occasions, However, Qatar did not let world, whereas Luxembourg – over Ireland last week, but his going transfers fell from 524 to 494. with Mica Pinto, Olivier Thill, Luxembourg go into the half time coached by Luc Holtz – are ranked absence was not felt as first-half German and French clubs -- $462.7m and $457.3m Maurice Deville and Laurent Jans break with a 1-0 advantage. 96th. strikes from Bernardo Silva and respectively -- were ahead of ($409.8m) in all looking to beat the Qatari cus- Homam struck in the 43rd Al Annabi players will now Andre Silva plus a Diogo Jota terms of income from transfer fees, with the top five todian Yousef Hassan, but failed minute. He shot from a difficult return to Doha where they will join header secured victory. rounded off by Italy ($408.2m) and Spain ($260.2m). to beat the Al Gharafa player. angle on the left to the centre of their respective clubs ahead of the The victory takes Fernando The report added that total fees in the international However, the 17-year-old the goal following an assist by kick off of the new Qatar Stars Santos’ side to the top of Group A transfers of players amounted to $3.72 billion, a decline Sanches succeeded in the 31st Bassam Al Rawi as Sanchez' men League (QSL) season. with 13 points - three ahead of of 7.5% from last year and just over 60% of the record minute. levelled the scores. Earlier, in Baku, Portugal their qualification rivals Serbia. set in 2019. Asian Qualifiers: Japan bounce back with win over China in Doha; Australia, South Korea grab full points

AFC – DOHA disappointing performance on with a low effort after his neat responsibility of keeping the home soil against Branko Ivank- give-and-go with Osako Chinese guessing, Japan con- Yuya Osako scored the only goal ovic’s side tomorrow. unlocked the defence. tinued to carry a threat. as Japan bounced back from their The Chinese were unfor- The Mallorca man was Kubo’s turn left substitute Luo surprise loss to Oman in Group B tunate to lose key defender Zhang involved once more seven Guofu in his wake before the of the AFC Asian Qualifiers for Linpeng to a hip injury in the sixth minutes from the break when the playmaker surged into the area FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 with minute and Li’s team were con- Japanese hit the woodwork again, and cut the ball back for Wataru a 1-0 win over China at Doha’s stantly on the back foot. Osako’s this time starting the move that Endo to side-foot his attempt Khalifa International Stadium early shot on the turn was ultimately saw Osako hit the post across Yan Junling’s goal. yesterday. deflected wide for a corner by Ai when he should have scored from looked set to ’s team had Kesen and Kyogo Furuhashi’s close range. add a second for Japan five few concerns on their way to a curled effort was off target. The man, though, minutes from time with a victory over a Chinese side that Japan, though, stroked the redeemed himself two minutes swerving effort from distance but, offered little threat despite an ball around and through the later with an accomplished finish. while Yan Junling tipped the ball improved performance in the Chinese midfield, with Yuto Junya Ito seared past Wang over the bar, Moriyasu’s team second half, and Li Tie’s side Nagatomo and Sei Muyora Shenchao before sending over the held on to take the win. remain without a point having pushing forward to keep the waist-high cross that Osako In other Asian qualifiers also lost their opener against Aus- defence penned in and allow little expertly volleyed home. played yesterday, Australia beat tralia last week. respite. China PR improved after the Viet Nam 1-0 in Group B at My Japan pick up their first points Midway through the half interval, with Wu Xi heading wide Dinh Stadium while South China’s Jin Jingdao and Japan’s Gaku Shibasaki vie for the and the win will have lifted some Takefusa Kubo showed the added as less of the game was being Korea defeated Lebanon 1-0 at ball at the Khalifa International Stadium in Doha, yesterday. of the pressure that was growing dimension his creativity brings played inside their own half, but a saturated Suwon World Cup on head coach Moriyasu after the to Japan’s attack, striking the post with Kubo taking on the Stadium. WEDNESDAY 8 SEPTEMBER 2021 SPORT 15 Qatar set to host West Asia Rugby Championship

QNA – DOHA October 7 to 10. Five men's teams have of the West Asian Rugby Championship confirmed their participation in the for men and women. Qatar has been officially selected to host tournament, namely Qatar, Iran, UAE, He noted that the preparations to the next edition of the West Asian Rugby Lebanon and Palestine, in addition to host the event is on track and looked Championship for men and women, six women teams - Qatar, Iran, UAE, forward to host a best edition of this which will be organised next October, Iraq, Lebanon and Syria. tournament. Qatars Rugby, Hockey and Qatar’s women team won the titles The QRHCF President stressed the George Russell Federation (QRHCF) announced on the at the previous two editions. importance of the event said, expressing sidelines meetings of the Asian Rugby The organising committee is chaired his hope that the new generation will Union Executive Office. by Abdullah Aman Al Khater, and its benefit from this historic hosting which Qatar is the first Arab and Gulf membership includes Issa Yaqoub Al will provide the Qatar players with Russell joins country to win the honour of hosting Yaqoub as Vice-Chairman, Hamad opportunity to meet with the best ranked the Asian Championship, which con- Anbar Al Abdullah as Director of the players from the world champions in firms the great position that Doha enjoys Tournament, and Iman Ahmed recent years. rise of the QRHCF President Youssef Jaham Al Kuwari within the expanded family of global Muhammad as the official in charge of He stressed that organising such an sport. the medical bubble. important event at this time will enhance young guns This edition is the first tournament The committee underlined that it the Ministry of Public Health, in order Qatar's organisational capabilities, which to be held in Asia due to the COVID-19 will continue to meet regularly in the to ensure the highest standards of has become well known for its state-of- to top of F1 crisis and Qatar is the only country that coming days to secure health require- success. the-art sports facilities, stadiums and was able to host a Rugby tournament ments in accordance with a number of QRHCF President Youssef Jaham Al sports halls equipped with the latest REUTERS – LONDON after a two-year hiatus. strict measures during Qatar’s hosting Kuwari expressed his happiness with sports equipment in accordance with the The tournament will be held from of the tournament, in coordination with choosing Qatar to host the next edition highest international standards. George Russell’s move to Mercedes as Lewis Hamilton’s team-mate next year, announced A cueist in action during a tournament yesterday, means every one of held in Doha in this file photo. Formula One’s top teams will Medvedev reaches third have a bright young star in its driver lineup. Russell is only 23, the same age as Red Bull’s championship leader Max Verstappen and Fer- straight US Open semi rari’s Charles Leclerc, and with a similar talent that ultimately Mer- REUTERS – NEW YORK Daniil Medvedev of Russia serves to Botic cedes could put on hold no van de Zandschulp of the Netherlands longer. World number two Daniil during their US Open quarter-final In 50 races for Williams, he Medvedev dropped his match played at USTA Billie has out-qualified his team mate first set at this year’s US Jean King National 50 times. He has put the eighth- Open but eventually Tennis Center ranked team on the front row of overcame Dutchman yesterday. the grid and onto the podium, Botic van de Zandschulp albeit with second place in a 6-3, 6-0, 4-6, 7-5 to reach “race” without overtaking in his third straight semi- Belgium. final at Flushing Meadows “The past three seasons with yesterday. Williams have given us a taste of Van de Zandschulp what the future could hold for outlasted the Russian in a Doha to host three him in F1,” said Mercedes team 20-shot rally and then boss Toto Wolff of a driver 13 converted on break point major billiards and years younger than seven-times in the fifth game before world champion Hamilton. taking the third set on snooker meets Fellow Briton Lando Norris, Arthur Ashe Stadium, the pushing hard in his third full first sign of weakness THE PENINSULA – DOHA season at McLaren, is 21 while Medvedev has shown Alpine’s French driver Esteban since arriving in New Doha will host three major billiards and Ocon is 24. York. back in the fourth set, winning all but Medvedev, who lost in the semi- snooker events (the Asian Snooker Cham- Verstappen, Leclerc and Ocon The Dutch qualifier had enjoyed two of his first-serve points and never finals a year ago to eventual winner pionship, the Six-red World Championship are grand prix winners -- 17 times a remarkable run, taking down 11th facing a break point. Dominic Thiem, is one of the main and the GCC Billiards and Snooker), in the case of the Red Bull driver’s seed Diego Schwartzman to reach his Van de Zandschulp fended off candidates aiming to thwart world organised by the Qatar Billiards and Snooker meteoric rise -- and it surely will first Grand Slam quarter-final, where match point in the 10th game, holding number one Novak Djokovic’s bid for Federation from September 11 to 28. It will not be long before Russell steps he fired off 20 forehand winners and his serve to wild applause from a a calendar Grand Slam. be the first time a country hosts these three up to join them. was the first player here to take rowdy New York crowd, but “(I) just want to do a little better major championships in succession, sepa- “It’s certainly very positive,” Medvedev past the two-hour mark. Medvedev responded with a quick than the last two times and get this rated by only a few days. said Ferrari boss Mattia Binotto But the 2019 runner-up, who had hold and a break, helped by a double last step, which is the toughest one, The competitions will start with the Asian of what looks like a golden period 13 aces in the match, came roaring fault from the Dutchman. actually,” he said. championship from Sept. 12 to 16, then the ahead as the sport enters a new Six-red World Championship from Sept. 17 era with rule changes aimed at to 21, followed by the GCC Billiards and making racing closer. Snooker Championship from Sept. 22 to 28, McLaren Racing’s chief exec- Djokovic extends Grand Slam bid, amid strict precautionary measures in line utive Zak Brown, speaking at last with the recommendations of the Ministry weekend’s Dutch Grand Prix, said of Public Health to limit the spread of the the sport was in a “mega exciting” overcomes flat start to reach quarters coronavirus. place. The general assemblies of the two Asian Formula One still has three federations will be held on the sidelines of multiple world champions in REUTERS – NEW YORK Chasing a 21st major that would Djokovic sprayed shots helter-skelter, the competitions. Hamilton, Fernando Alonso and seal a calendar year Grand Slam, committing 11 unforced errors to just Eight Qatari players will take part in the Sebastian Vettel but the future is An outout-of-sorts of sorts Novak Djokovic DjokovicDjoko had difficulty getting into one by the young American. That was Asian Championship competitions - here and hungry. (pictured)(pictured) scrascrapedped geargear against the 99th ranked the wake-up call Djokovic needed and Muhanna Al Obaidly, Ahmed Seif, The rise has been long- hishis wayway to a 1-6, Brooksby,Brook who for a moment looked he broke Brooksby at the first oppor- Mohammad Al Binali, Khamis Al Obaidly, awaited, with Russell and Norris 6-3,6-3, 6-6-2,2, 6-6-22 win capablecapabl of derailing the Serb. For the tunity in the second set, letting out a Mohammad Al Sharshani, Bashar Hussein, rivals in Formula Two in 2018 overover AmericanAmerican seconds consecutive match the mighty roar. Djokovic would win the Ali Al Obaidly, and Mansour Al Obaidly. after Leclerc won the title in 2017, wildcardw i ldcard world number one came out second but the 20-year-old American President of the International Snooker while Verstappen and Ocon com- JJensonenson flat and dropped the opening made him work for every bit of it, par- Federation and Executive Director of the peted against each other in BBrooksbyrooksby on set, something he will not want ticularly in a grinding fifth game that Qatar Federation, Mubarak Al Khayarin, European Formula Three. Monday to move tot do in his quarter-final when lasted close to 20 minutes before described Qatar’s hosting of the World and into the US OpenOpen heh faces Italian Matteo Berrettini Brooksby would get the break. Asian Championships as a great challenge, GEORGE RUSSELL quarter-finalsquarter-finals and ini a rematch of the Wimbledon The last American man standing especially after stopping nearly two years of threethree wiwinsns ffromrom finalf which he won in four. and coming off his first ever five- activity due to the repercussions of the con- * Born in King's Lynn, England, on tennistennis iimmor-mmor- The match got off to an setter, Brooksby began to fade in the tinuing outbreak of the coronavirus Feb 15, 1998, Russell took up karting tality.tality. extraordinarye start as Brooksby third, going down a double break as pandemic. at the age of seven. tookto the first set with shocking Djokovic finally began to dial in his He noting that the Supreme Organising * Russell won the 2014 Brit- ease.e game. Leading 2-1, Djokovic continued Committee is making great efforts in coor- ish Formula Four title and in 2017 the Playing for the first time on to improve in the fourth and moved dination with the Ministry of Public Health GP3 championship with French team ArthurAr Ashe Stadium against one clear with a double break and offering in order to secure the successful hosting of ART. He then moved up to Formula ofof theth all-time greats, Brooksby was zero break point opportunities to his these international sporting events in the Two in 2018, also winning that title unfazedunfaz while three-times champion opponent before sealing the win. State of Qatar. at the first attempt with seven race Al Khayarin noted 57 players repre- victories. senting 28 countries have confirmed their His closest F2 rivals that year Sri Lanka's Wanindu Hasaranga de Silva is congratulated participation in the Asian Men’s Champi- were now-McLaren driver Lando Norris Theekshana stars as by team-mates during the third ODI against South onship so far, noting at the same time that and Red Bull-backed Alexander Albon. Africa in Colombo, yesterday. Pic: SLC the door for participation is still open before * The Briton was named Mer- the final list of participants is approved in cedes F1 reserve driver in 2018. He Sri Lanka thrash South the draw conference scheduled for Sep- also tested and took part in Friday tember 11. practice sessions with Force India (now Africa to take ODI series Al Khayarin thanked the Qatar Billiards Aston Martin). and Snooker Federation which made great * Russell made his F1 debut with REUTERS – COLOMBO efforts to host these continental and inter- Williams in 2019, partnering Polish vet- national sporting events, noting continuous eran Robert Kubica. He was the only Rookie off-spinner Maheesh Theekshana ripped through South cooperation with the Qatar Olympic Com- driver unable to score a point that year. Africa as Sri Lanka won the third one-day international by 78 mittee, the Ministry of Culture and Sports, * Williams struggled again in runs to clinch the three-match series 2-1 in Colombo yesterday. the Ministry of Public Health and the Min- 2020 with an uncompetitive car but The Proteas lost four within the first 10 overs while istry of Interior to bring these events out in Russell scored his first points as a chasing a modest 204 victory target, eventually getting bowled the best way possible. stand-in at Mercedes for Hamilton in out for 125 in 30 overs. For his part, Board Member of the Qatar Bahrain after his compatriot tested The early damage was done by Lankan seamer Dushmantha Billiards and Snooker Federation and positive for COVID-19. Chameera, who accounted for Reeza Hendricks (1) and Rassie Director of the Asian Championship, * He scored his first points for van der Dussen (5) before spinners Theekshana (4-37) and Mohsen Bukshaisha, affirmed Qatar’s read- Williams in Hungary last month with Wanindu Hasaranga (2-32) brought a swift end to the South iness to host these important events, eighth place after starting 17th. In African reply. pointing to Qatar’s human capabilities and Belgium he secured the team's first Earlier, Sri Lanka chose to bat and were reduced to 93-4 great organisational experience to host podium finish since 2017 with sec- at one stage before being rescued by gritty knocks from such sporting events and produce them in ond place in a 'race' of a couple of laps (31 off 44) and (47 off the best way. behind the safety car. 71). Chameera’s late flourish of 29 helped them get pass 200. Bukshaisha added that preparations are * Russell was appointed a director Proteas skipper Keshav Maharaj picked up 3-38, while going in full swing and in the best way in all of the Grand Prix Drivers' Association fellow left-arm spinner Tabraiz Shamsi (2-31) was also among organisational and administrative aspects. in March 2021 as a replacement for the wickets. The two sides now face off in a three-match He noted that Qatar has become the heart departed Frenchman Romain Grosjean. series that starts in Colombo on Friday. of billiards and snooker at the Asian and the * Named on Sept. 7 as Hamilton's BRIEF SCORES: Sri Lanka 203 for 9 (Asalanka 47, de Silva global levels with the two headquarters team mate for 2022, replacing Valt- 31, Maharaj 3-38) beat South Africa 125 (Klaasen 22, Theek- based in Doha, which is a major international teri Bottas. shana 4-37) by 78 runs sporting achievement for Qatar. Sport WEDNESDAY 8 SEPTEMBER 2021 14 Europe hold off late US charge to retain Solheim Cup

REUTERS – TOLEDO, OHIO and won a further four matches with earn four or more points in a single halved after 18 holes to take Europe and Brittany Altomare revived two halves ensuring the all-important competition. even closer, but then began a gripping American hopes to reduce Europe’s Team Europe held off a late American 14-point tally to retain the trophy won It was quickly followed by U.S. fightback. lead to 13-11. Khang, who was six up at charge to retain the Solheim Cup on at Gleneagles two years ago. Madelene Sagstrom bagging another The first full point of the day for the one stage, completed a three & two win the final day at the Inverness Club on “It was an amazing team effort after point with a three & two win over Ally Americans came from World No. 1 over Sophia Popov while Altomare Monday. we got off to a great start this morning,” Ewing and then Celine Boutier com- Nelly Korda, who beat Georgia Hall on ended Carlota Ciganda’s unbeaten The 26-year-old Finn Matilda said winning Catriona pleted a resounding five & four victory the last hole at the end of a close singles record in the Solheim Cup with Castren sank a put on the last hole to Matthew. over Mina Harigae in a blemish free contest that finally gave the partisan a two & one victory. edge her match against Lizette Salas Rookie Leona Maguire beat Jen- performance. crowd reason to cheer. However, Castren then steered in and take Europe to their target of 14 nifer Kupcho five & four to pick up the The much-anticipated contest Home momentum faltered as a right to left par putt on the 18th to points with three matches still to first point of the day and extend between Anna Nordqvist and Lexi Austin Ernst missed a short birdie put edge Salas and ensure Europe retained complete. Europe’s lead as she became only the Thompson, who were the first singles on the last and halved with Nanna the trophy with three matches still to They had started the day 9-7 ahead third player in Solheim Cup history to pairing to tee off on the final day, was Koerstz Madsen but then Megan Khang complete.