SPORT 16 SATURDAY 23 SEPTEMBER 2017

QSL RESULTS Al Rayyan beat Al Kharaitiyat 3-1 Soria strikes twice in Al Rayyan’s win; Al Sadd beat Al Sailiya 3-2 Qatar SC beat Al Markhiya 1-0 TODAY’S FIXTURES Al Duhail vs Al Arabi At Al Duhail Stadium (5.50pm) Al Sadd and Qatar SC grab full points Al Khor vs Al Ahli At Al Khor Stadium (8.00pm)

The Peninsula

ebastian Soria struck twice as Al Rayyan’s perfect start to the QNB Stars League season continued at the Al Khor Sstadium with a 3-1 win against Al Kharaitiyat yesterday. With an energetic looking forward line, Michael Laudrup’s side was straight into action with shots from Mohsine Moutaouali and Gonzalo Viera both saved before another attack saw Abderrazak Hamdallah bring the ball down inside the area and fail to beat the keeper whilst in on goal. Hamdallah was again denied in the 11th minute after turning two Kharaitiyat players inside before a smart save from Kharaitiyat’s No.1, Saeid Monfared. The deadlock was finally broken in the 21st minute after Al Rayyan won a free kick 30 yards out. Captain Rodrigo Tabata stepped up and drilled a free kick that was deflected in off the wall past an outstretched goalkeeper, for the Rayyan captain’s third goal of the season. The Lions were quickly able to double their advantage when Al Sadd’s Jugurtha Hamroun scores their second goal against Al Sailiya during Hamdallah won the ball in the their QNB Stars League match at Al Ahli Stadium yesterday. Al Sadd won centre of the park before spread- 3-2. INSET: Al Sadd players celebrate after scoring a goal during yesterday’s ing it out wide to Moutaouali match against Al Sailiya. Pictures: Kamutty VP / The Peninsula who played a superbly weighted ball into the area, which was met by Sebastian Soria to poke home. tapped in from close range to kill Abdulkareem Salem Al Ali in the Temurkhja Abdukholikov added eighteenth minute of the game The deadlock was finally Al Kharaitiyat started the the game off. 13th minute. Xavi struck just one more goal to their account to see the first real chance when broken in the 23rd minute with second half with renewed vig- Al Sadd picked up second four minutes later to level the as the scores read 3-2 in favour the Kings striker Habib Habibou a great effort from the Kings our and, after a couple of early successive full points when a col- score and Al Sadd snatched the of Jesualdo Ferreira’s men at the seen his header go wide from a midfielder Michael Babatunde. chances, they were awarded a lective effort propelled them to lead in the 32nd minute when final whistle. corner. The Nigerian cut in from the penalty on 62 as Tiberkanine was a 3-2 win against Al Sailiya at Al Jugurtha Hamroun directed the In the final match of the day, Gabriel Calderón side con- wing and managed to beat Al impeded. Moroccan Midfielder Ahli Stadium yesterday. ball to the back of the net. Qatar SC registered their first tinued the pressure on their Markhiyas goalkeeper with Diba stepped up and confidently Despite the fact that Al Sadd Boualem Ahmad Khoukhi win in the QNB Stars League search for the first goal of the powerful low shot from 23 scored to bring the game back to are regarded as one of the scored Al Sadd’s third goal in the when they outplayed Al game and came close to doing yards. life but Al Rayyan soon restored favourites to win the Falcon tro- 65th minute to take the game Markhiya 1-0 at Al Duhail so when the ball dropped to Cen- The results leaves Al their advantage. Following some phy this year, Al Sailiya SC put completely away from Al Sailiya. Stadium. tral African Republic Markhiya bottom of the QNB neat play in the area Hamdallah up a good fight to trouble Xavi However, there was some strong The game started with both international Habib Habibou in Starts League and still searching was able to play the ball across Hernandez’s team and took the resistance from Al Sailya in the teams sharing the possession of the box, only to see his shot go for their first win of the the goalkeeper to Soria who lead through a brilliant kick from final minutes of play and the ball, but had to wait until the wide of the goal. 2017/2018 campaign Ronaldo, Messi, Neymar on FIFA best player shortlist

LondonLondon Madrid and the European Champion-ampion- AAFPFP ship with Portugal. Ronaldo previously won tthehe FIFA eymareymar was nanamedmem alongside World Player of the Year awardd in 2008 CristianoCristiano RonaldoRonaldod and Lionel and is a four-time winner of thehe BBallonallon NMessi on thethe three-man d’Or. shshortlistortlist forfor thethe Best FIFAF Men’s Messi, 30, scored 54 goals llastast sea- PlayerPlayer AwarAward,d, wwhichhich wwasasa announced son as Barcelona won the Copa deldel Rey in LondonLondon yesterday.yesterd and Spanish Super Cup. BrazilBrazil superstarsup Ney- The Argentina great, a recordecord mar, 25, wwon the Copa five-time winner of the Ballon d’Or, deldel ReReyy wwith Barce- has made a superb start to the cur- lonalona lastl season rent campaign, scoring 12 goalsls in beforebefoor joining his first eight appearances inn allall ParisParis Saint-Ger- competitions. mainmai n in a Ronaldo won the inauguralral blockbusterblockbustet €222m Best FIFA Men’s Player Award lastast ($266m)($266m) mmove that year after a six-year mergerer smashedsmashed the world between the FIFA honour andd transfertransfer rerrecord. the Ballon d’Or. Ronaldo,Ronan 32, is The shortlist for the Bestt thethe overwhelmingovev FIFA Women’s Player awardd favouritefavouru to win comprises Venezeula’s Deynana thethe awaaward, having Castellanos, Carli Lloyd of tthehe ledled RealR Madrid United States and Dutch playerayer to thetht La Liga Lieke Martens. titletitlee and a third Real Madrid’s Zinedine Zidaneane goes ChampionsC hah head to head with Chelsea’s Antonio LeLeaguee suc- Conte and Juventus boss Massimilianoimiliano cesscec in four Allegri for the top coach award.d. yearsy last Veteran Italian goalkeeper GianluigiGianluigi season.s Buffon is shortlisted for the Bestest FIFA He won Goalkeeper prize alongsidee Keylor lalast year’s Navas of Real Madrid and Bayern awarda after Munich’s Manuel Neuer. winningw the The winner of the 2017 awardsards willwill ChampionsChC be announced during a ceremonymony at LeagueLea with the London Palladium on Octobertober 2323.. Lionel Messi Neymar Cristiano Ronaldo SATURDAY 23 SEPTEMBER 2017 SPORT 17 League Cup is a waste of energy - Guardiola

Manchester English teams playing in Euro- following Saturday. Mourinho in those conditions, then you Hodgson guided them to a mid- AFP pean competition to be exempt guided United to win the com- spend three or four hours on the week League Cup win over until the third round since 1996, petition last season, but bus. “Then three days later, it’s Huddersfield Town, and Guar- ep Guardiola (pictured) has while replays were scrapped in Guardiola does not believe it Crystal Palace, three days later, diola has warned his players to called the League Cup “a 1997. Yet Manchester United was worth the effort. Shakhtar Donetsk, three or four be wary. Pwaste of energy” as the manager Mourinho suggested The Spaniard has suggested days later, Stamford Bridge. “The team are not pulled by Manchester City manager joined on Wednesday that English that it was victory in the Europa “So for the managers, there’s strings. One little detail down old rival Jose Mourinho in ques- clubs in the Champions League League, rather than the domes- a lot of wasted energy. But we and everything is down. You tioning the worth of the and Europa League should be tic cup, that made Mourinho’s knew that before, so it’s not a have to be careful,” he said. competition. allowed to opt out of the first season at Old Trafford a complaint in those terms. If we “They have to go to sleep The League Cup was created tournament. success. have to play, we have to play.” tonight and know that tomor- in 1960 to take advantage of the Guardiola has supported “We have a lot of games. If City and United go into the row, we can lose that game. If fact that floodlights had those comments as City bid to you have to play in a competi- weekend joint-top of the Pre- that happens, we will be closer increased the possibility for navigate a frantic run of games. tion you have to play in it,” mier League, each with 13 points to actually winning.” midweek football. The City manager made Guardiola said on Friday. from five matches and an iden- Former England manager However, the tournament eight changes for Wednesday’s “It’s good for the players you tical goals record. Hodgson, at 70, is the oldest has always been seen as sec- 2-1 win at West Bromwich don’t use a lot. It’s a prize where, Guardiola’s team are on a man ever to be appointed to ondary to the FA Cup in England, Albion in the League Cup third when you win, it’s OK, but after run of five successive wins, and take charge of a Premier League and its importance has gradu- round, allowing him to keep that the people don’t give too have defeated Liverpool 5-0 club. Guardiola, at 46, admires ally diminished over the last two players fresh before Saturday’s much credit. and Watford 6-0 in recent the new Palace boss for his long decades as the top sides started Premier League home game “I think the prize is good weeks. career, but insists that he has no to rest their key players until the against Crystal Palace. when you win another one. But That has made them favour- intention of still being a coach latter stages. City host Shakhtar Donetsk you waste a lot of energy. ites to beat Palace, who are in his seventies. In an attempt to keep the in the Champions League on “You can imagine going bottom of the Premier League “Definitely not. I promise bigger clubs interested, the Tuesday before travelling to against a Tony Pulis team (West without a point or a goal. you. I love golf. But I admire Football League has allowed Chelsea for a league game the Brom) and playing 90 minutes But their new manager Roy him,” he said. Man United strikers sparked fast start, says Mourinho

London ENGLILSH PREMIER LEAGUE Given Palace’s dismal form -- to engineer a transfer, sparking a AFP they have made the worst ever deluge of negative publicity about Fixtures (1400 GMT unless stated) start to an English top-flight sea- Chelsea’s handling of the ose Mourinho says Manches- Today son with five defeats and no goals problem. ter United’s dynamic start to Burnley vs Huddersfield, Everton v Bournemouth, -- it would be little surprise if Liverpool return to Leicester their Premier League title Leicester vs Liverpool (1630 GMT), Manchester City Aguero reaches Brook’s haul on just days after being dumped out challenge has been fuelled by vs Crystal Palace, Southampton vs Manchester Saturday. of the League Cup by the Foxes. Jthe feel-good factor among his But Guardiola doesn’t need to Jurgen Klopp’s side have gone United, Stoke vs Chelsea, Swansea vs Watford, forwards. West Ham vs Tottenham (1130 GMT) rely solely on Aguero as he also four games without a win in all Mourinho’s side head to South- has Gabriel Jesus and Leroy Sane competitions and the Reds boss ampton today in confident mood Tomorrow in fine form. admits there are problems to after reeling off four wins from Brighton vs Newcastle (1400 GMT) Sane scored twice in the mid- resolve.

their first five league games. Monday week League Cup win at West “Yes we have problems. We United have already scored 16 Arsenal vs West Brom (1900 GMT) Bromwich Albion, prompting can make it more serious than it times in the league, netting a fur- glowing praise from Guardiola. is or we can take it like it is,” he ther seven in the Champions “He played so well, not just in said. League and League Cup. want,” he said. “They all want to terms of goals, his second was fan- Arsene Wenger insists there is It is a goal spree that must play, they are all ready to play, tastic, but how he kept the ball,” no ulterior motive to starting have seemed unimaginable last they all want to use the minutes he said. Alexis Sanchez only in Arsenal’s season when United’s strikers they have on the pitch to try and “He made a really good per- less significant fixtures. were repeatedly held in check in improve and have the pleasure of formance, not just the goals but in Sanchez was a surprise starter a series of drab draws at Old playing. other issues he was in Arsenal’s League Cup win over Trafford. “I enjoy very much that com- outstanding.” Doncaster and also featured in last With Romelu Lukaku scoring mitment, that pleasure in the Chelsea head to Stoke on Sat- week’s Europa League opener seven since his close-season move game.” urday aiming to keep pace with against Cologne. from Everton and Marcus Rash- Only Manchester City have City and United. Yet the Chile forward still ford and Anthony Martial also been able to match United’s goal Last weekend’s goalless draw hasn’t started a Premier League among the goals, United look blitz, with Pep Guardiola’s side sit- against Arsenal left the third- game this term. capable of winning the title for the ting above Mourinho’s men on placed champions three points Given Sanchez was close to first time since 2013. alphabetical order after compil- adrift of the early pace-setters. leaving last month and is out of Mourinho believes the key to ing an identical record. Even so, it’s been a good week contract at the end of the season, United’s success has been his for- City host bottom-of-the-table for Blues boss Antonio Conte, with it had been claimed Wenger was wards playing with a more positive Crystal Palace on Saturday as a League Cup thrashing of Notting- making a point by using him with attitude this season. Argentine striker Sergio Aguero ham Forest followed by news that the reserves. “I think everybody in attack- tries to become the club’s record Atletico Madrid have agreed a deal “There is no disguised attitude Manchester United midfielder Jesse Lingard (right) ing areas gave a good dynamic to goalscorer. to sign Diego Costa. on my side. I just try to give him celebrates scoring his team’s third goal during the English the team and especially happiness. Aguero’s tally of 175 City goals Conte cast Costa into exile at competition and to get him back League Cup third round match against Burton Albion at We look happy playing football in is just two behind the 78-year-old the end of last season after the pair to his best,” said Wenger, whose Old Trafford in Manchester on Wednesday. this moment and that’s what I record of 177 set by Eric Brook. fell out over the striker’s attempts side host West Brom on Monday. Injured Neymar to miss first PSG game: Reports

Paris Montpellier with Wednesday’s The Argentinian coach AFP Champions League clash against abruptly resigned as Marseille Bayern Munich in mind. coach after their first game of the eymar will miss Paris Monaco kick off the week- season in 2015, but vehemently Saint-Germain’s Ligue 1 end action with a trip to Marcelo insisted there would be no repeat Ngame at Montpellier today Bielsa’s struggling Lille. at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy. after the world’s most expensive Leonardo Jardim’s principal- “I will not resign, I will not player injured his right foot, ity outfit bounced back from a give up for any reason,” the enig- French media report. shock 4-0 thrashing at Nice by matic Bielsa said. The Brazilian striker has seeing off Strasbourg 3-0 last “The only way for me to stop made an immediate impact at his week, with Radamel Falcao’s working here is for me to be dis- new club with four goals and brace taking him to nine league missed from office, which does four assists from his first five out- goals for the season already. not depend on me.” ings since moving to the French Monaco welcome Porto to On Sunday, Marseille host capital from Barcelona. the Stade Louis II in the Cham- Toulouse hoping to build on According to Radio RMC yes- pions League on Tuesday, but back-to-back wins over Amiens terday, the injury does not throw Jardim ruled out making whole- last weekend and against Kon- into doubt Neymar’s participa- sale changes. yaspor in the Europa League. tion in Wednesday’s Champions “My message doesn’t change: OM though have been League clash against Bayern the next match is the most charged by UEFA for crowd trou- Munich. important,” he said. ble during the 1-0 victory in their Neymar posted a photo of his “It’s not possible for a player group-stage opener, after objects injured right foot on Snapchat. to save himself for the Champi- were thrown on the pitch and PSG have been in irresistible ons League. If he does, he could fireworks were let off in the form and lead reigning champi- also miss out on that match.” stands.B ordeaux, one of only ons Monaco by three points at But Lille have had a terrible two remaining unbeaten sides the top of the early table. start to the season after Bielsa’s along with PSG, play a home However, Spaniard Unai arrival and are on a five-match match against Guingamp, while PSG players Neymar, Giovani Lo Celso, Angel Di Maria and Lucas Moura during a training session Emery may opt to make some winless run since beating Nantes third-placed Saint-Etienne face at Ooredoo Camp, Saint Germain-En-Laye, France on Thursday. changes for the trip to in their opening game. Rennes. 18 SPORT SATURDAY 23 SEPTEMBER 2017

Trio threaten marathon Qatar Classic: Amjad leads record in Berlin

Berlin home challenge at qualifiers AFP he current top long-dis- : QATAR CLASSIC tance runners will clash Armstrong Vas Tin Germany’s capital The Peninsula First Round Draw tomorrow with a trio, spear- [1] Gregory Gaultier (FRA) vs Cesar Salazar (MEX) headed by Olympic champion ix players including the Zahed Mohamed (EGY) vs Gregoire Marche (FRA) Eliud Kipchoge, threatening highly talented Syed Daryl Selby (ENG) vs [Qualifier] the world record at the Ber- Azlan Amjad will be Diego Elias (PER) vs [7] James Willstrop (ENG) lin Marathon. seen in action in the [5] (EGY) vs [Qualifier] Kenya’s Kipchoge, 32, and qualifying rounds of Ryan Cuskelly (AUS) vs [Qualifier] Wilson Kipsang, 35, take on Sthe Qatar Classic squash cham- (EGY) vs [WC] Abdulla Mohd Al Ethiopia’s Kenenisa Bekele, 35, pionship at the Khalifa Tamimi (QAT) in an elite line-up with former [Qualifier] vs [3] Mohamed ElShorbagy (EGY) International Tennis and record-holder Patrick Makau [4] (ENG) vs [Qualifier] Squash Complex, organizers of and 2007 world champ Luke (EGY) vs [Qualifier] the event informed her Kibet also in the mix. Cameron Pilley (AUS) vs [Qualifier] yesterday. Kipchoge is the man to (EGY) vs [8] According to the draw, (EGY) beat in Berlin, where the cur- Ajmad will be joined by Abdul- [6] Marwan ElShorbagy (EGY) vs Paul Coll (NZL) rent world record of two rahman Al Malki, Ahmad Miguel Angel Rodriguez (COL) vs hours, two minutes 57 sec- Mohammed Al Tamimi, Abdul- (EGY) onds was set by compatriot wahab Al Ishaq, Umair Zaman Simon Rösner (GER) vs [Qualifier] Dennis Kimetto in 2014.

and Hamad Al Amri at the Kipchoge has won seven event. of the last eight marathons he Qatar’s Rashid Al Harib and has entered, including the Mohammad Salim Saadi Al players get $ 3,206. Players in Olympic title in Rio de Janeiro Yaafei have been listed in the the third round get $ 5,415 and when he finished a minute reserves for the event to be the ones who lose the semifi- ahead of the field. Kipsang, of Egypt in action at the Qatar Classic Squash Championship Khalifa hosted by Qatar Tennis, Squash nals get $ 9,120. who ran a then-world record and Badminton Federation A record $165,000 will be International Tennis and Squash Complex in this 2016 file photo. Gawad will defend the title 2:03.23 in 2013 in Berlin, has (QTSBF). up for grabs as the likes of he won last year at this year’s championship which begins on October 29. announced that he plans to The preliminary rounds will World No.1 Gregory Gaultier, go under 2:02:20 in this year’s be held for two days on Octo- defending champion Karim race, but Kipchoge is just as ber 27 and 28 while the main Abdel Gawad, two-time win- Defending champion Gawad determined to claim a new event draw starts the following ner Mohamed ElShorbagy and record. day and finishes with the final 2009 champion Nick Matthew “I won’t decide until the on Friday November 3. battle it out for the second last moment how fast I will Qatar’s top player Abdulla World Series title of the 2017/18 handed tough draw in Doha start out, but I can say this: I Mohd Al Tamimi - ranked 42 in season. want the world record,” he the world - is part of the main Egyptian maverick Ramy said. draw that has attracted the Ashour will appear at the Qatar The Peninsula reigning World Champion in draw, alongside World No.1 Gre- “Winning is not an option, world’s top players for the Classic for the first time since February’s Windy City Open. gory Gaultier, who he is seeded it’s a necessity,” Kipchoge week-long event. the 2011 edition as he returns he Khalifa International Gawad is seeded to meet to meet in the semi-finals. added. Al Tamimi takes the tour- to the scene of his second and Tennis and Squash Com- 2009 winner Nick Matthew in Elsewhere, 2005 winner “I have grown mentally nament wildcard spot for the third PSA Men’s World Cham- Tplex will play host to a the semi-finals but the English- James Willstrop has a difficult since I won in Berlin in 2015.” fifth successive time as he aims pionship triumphs in 2012 and series of blistering first round man’s route to the last four is first round clash with Diego The world marathon to progress beyond the open- 2014, respectively, with ElShor- fixtures at the 2017 Qatar Clas- filled with peril. Elias to negotiate, while tourna- record has fallen seven times ing round for the first time in bagy losing out in both finals. sic after the main draw for the The 37-year-old will be ment wildcard and local hero in Berlin over the last 20 his career. In addition to the lucrative World Series tournament was competing at his last ever Qatar Abdulla Mohd Al Tamimi is in years. The early autumn Tournament Director Tareq prize fund, players will also released yesterday. Classic after announcing his action against World No.9 Fares weather normally means lit- Zainal (pictured) said: “This is earn points for the World Series The Qatar Classic, which retirement earlier this week but Dessouky. tle wind and ideal a great opportunity for Qatar Standings, where only the top takes place between October 29 will have to be at his best to The 2017 Qatar Classic has temperatures on a flat, fast players to learn and improve eight players will qualify for a to November 3, is the second make sure his final appearance $165,000 up for grabs in prize course. as they play in the qualifying coveted berth at the PSA World World Series tournament of the in Doha isn’t cut short at the sec- money - the most in the tour- Alongside Kipchoge and stage. Some of the world’s ris- Series Finals in June. 2017/18 season and will see ond round stage - with Egyptian nament’s history - while players Kipsang, who won the Tokyo ing players will appear in the Egypt’s World No.6 Marwan three-time World Champion will also compete for points for marathon in February, is the qualifying stage of the event.” ElShorbagy take on New Zea- Ramy Ashour seeded to meet the World Series Standings as Berlin marathon’s defending Tareq added: “We are hop- land’s World No.10 Paul Coll in him there. they bid to finish in the top eight champion Bekele, who came ing that the Qatari players the pick of the first round Ashour, who takes on a at the end of the season, which within six seconds of the produce good results on their fixtures. qualifier in round one, will will enable them to qualify for world record in Berlin last home territory. They have been Defending champion Karim return to the scene of his sec- the lucrative PSA World Series year. Bekele did so despite working hard and getting the Abdel Gawad joins Coll and ond and third World Finals next June. muscle cramps during the right coaching. It’s a matter of ElShorbagy in the bottom half Championship triumphs, while The qualifying stages will be second half of the race to hold time before they play the main of the draw and has a first round the man he beat in both finals, held between October 27-28, off Kipsang and this year draw in the future.” clash with Spain’s former World two-time Qatar Classic cham- while the main draw takes place promises a rematch alongside The first-round loser gets No.5 in store, with Golan mem- pion Mohamed ElShorbagy, is between October 29 - Novem- Kipchoge’s considerable $1,888 while the round two orably getting the better of the seeded on the top half of the ber 3. challenge. Ashgabat Games: Qatar snooker Captain Smith lashes ‘panicking’ batsmen

team advance to quarter-finals Melbourne Reuters Ashgabat QNA ustralia captain Steve Smith has accused his batsmen of “panicking” under pressure and demanded they show more atari snooker team Astarch after another collapse against India saw the side advanced to the quarter- thrashed by 50 runs in the second one-day international in Qfinals after beating hosts Kolkata. Turkmenistan in the Asian India set Australia 252 to chase at Eden Gardens and defended Indoor and Martial Arts Games, it with ease on Thursday as the tourists lost openers David Warner currently being held in the cap- and Hilton Cartwright for one run apiece and crumbled with a ital of Turkmenistan, hat-trick to left-arm spinner Kuldeep Yadav. Ashgabat. The world champions trail the hosts 2-0 in the five-match In the first game, Ahmad Saif series and have now notched up their 10th ODI loss in succession beat Turkmenistan’s Aziz on foreign pitches. Dordiev and while in the second Clearly fed up, Smith, who scored 59, said his batsmen were Khamis Al Obaidli beat Ibrahim making “silly errors” and had to change their approach Sedanzov. “It’s happening a bit too often for my liking, to be honest with In the doubles match, Qatar’s you, in all forms of cricket,” Smith told reporters. Ahmed Saif and Khamis Al- “We’ve had a lot of collapses and we need to stop. Obaidli defeated their “The guys have trained really well and it’s now about getting Turkmenistan counterparts. out in the middle and executing your skills when you’re under The Qatar snooker team will pressure and not panicking. meet Thai counterparts today in “I think we panicked last game a little bit and in this game, we the quarter-finals. Qatar’s Ahmad Saif in action in this file picture. The Qatar snooker team advanced to the just couldn’t get the partnerships. We’re making silly errors when In the swimming competi- we’re under pressure.” Australia’s last five batsmen managed a quarter-finals after beating the hosts Turkmenistan team in the Asian Indoor and Martial Arts tion, Abdullah Abu Ghazaleh total of 10 runs between them in Kolkata, while the top order Games, currently being held in the capital of Turkmenistan, Ashgabat. finished in the 24th place and his rarely looked comfortable playing the spin of Kuldeep and Yuz- teammate Firas Saidi completed vendra Chahal. the race three places below in In the another pool race, Al Fahad, Chairman of the Games where the delegation “It’s easy to just sit here and say ‘it needs to stop’, but when the 50m freestyle competition. Abdulrahman Hisham, came Asian Olympic Council, met included Deputy Secretary you get out in the middle you have to change what you’re doing In the other swimming 13th in the qualifiers and was fol- with the Qatari delegation dur- General of the Qatar Olympic because it’s not working,” added Smith, whose 100th ODI was events, Nasser Nasser and lowed by Abdulaziz Al Obaidli ing the ceremony which was Committee Jassim Al Buainain, spoilt by the result. “Watching the ball closer or maybe the guys Abdulrahman Hisham finished in the 15th place. held on the sidelines of the and Director of Sports Affairs are trying to watch it too closely and forgetting about just playing 22 and 23 respectively. Meanwhile, Sheikh Ahmed Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Khalil Al Jaber. the game. SATURDAY 23 SEPTEMBER 2017 SPORT 19 Qatari riders eye more honours

Chinthana Wasala Qatari rider Hamad Ali Al The Peninsula Attiyah competes in the show jumping competition of Rio 2016 atari riders will be look- Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, There are many ing to grab more My horse jumped Brazil in this file photo. honours in what prom- amazing. I am very people who ises to be a thrilling happy how he did. consider us Qclimax to the individ- favourites. I ual event in the Equestrian Hopefully I will Jumping in the 2017 Asian Indoor have a chance at believe that we and Martial Arts Games in Ash- have the best team the gold as long gabat, Turkmenistan today. here, but we have Qatar’s star rider Hamad Ali as there is no Al Attiyah is expected to lead a to prove it in three strong line-up in today’s final speed class. more games until rounds, following an excellent I will certainly try, run so far at the Ashgabat Games, the end of the having already clinched the sil- says Hamad Ali tournament, says ver medal in the team event on Al Attiyah Nedim Muslic Thursday. Al Attiyah, riding Clinton, Al Ajami Faleh (Armstrong van de Kapel), Al Suwaidi Salmen Sul- tan A M (Cantaro 32) and Al Emadi Salman Mohammed A S chance at the gold as long as there produced two clear rounds with- Ahmad Saber Hamcho who will In 3x3 basketball, Qatar over- that we have the best team here, (Zorro Z) participated in the team is no speed class. I will certainly out any time penalties as part of also be in contention for the whelmed Afghanistan 22-8 in a but we have to prove it in three event final and displayed an try.” the Team event in which Saudi medal placings following their Pool C game at the 3x3 Basket- more games until the end of the overall impressive performance His team-mate and 2014 Arabia struck gold on form in the Team event in which ball Arena in Ashgabat tournament.” to claim second position on the Asian Games Team gold medal- Thursday. Syria took the bronze medal. yesterday. “We have been together for podium. list, Salman Mohammed Al Emadi The 2012 Olympic team Amre, who rides Al Murata- Later, the ‘unstoppable’ long time and know each other Qatar were stealing the show also has two clear rounds ahead bronze medallist Al Sharmatly jiz, said: “I had two clear rounds Qatari cagers went on to trounce and of course we know how to and were ahead before a one- of today’s round and another and his mount, Woulon L, is one and I think I have a good chance Jordan by a margin of 21-9 to seal play the game.” time fault cost them the gold impressive Qatari performance of three riders from Saudi Arabia to get a medal. their dominance on the Milad Ibrahimi, a member of medal on Thursday. is likely to be on the cards. who have been faultless so far at “The horse is really good and half-court. the Afghan team admitted that “My horse jumped amazing. However, Saudi Arabia’s the Equestrian Centre. He also has been jumping really well. I am Qatar’s Nedim Muslic said Qatar was too good for them. I am very happy how he did,” said Abdullah Waleed Al Sharbatly is earned silver in the Akhal Teke sure I have a really good chance.” that his team is the best in the “We tried to be competitive, the 2016 Olympian Al Attiyah likely to be their toughest Cup on Thursday. Riders face two more rounds competiton in Ashgabat. but it was impossible against such after winning the silver. opponent. Then there are the Syrians, at the Equestrian Centre to decide “There are many people who an opponent. They are good. They “Hopefully I will have a He is one of seven riders who Amre Hamcho and his brother the medals. consider us favourites. I believe are very good.” Fit-again Rossi completes Aragon free practice NZ calls 2023 Rugby World Cup

Alcañiz, Spain timesheets, the 2012 win- AFP ner in Aragon posting a bids ‘compelling’ fastest lap of 1min otorcycling legend 59.858sec, the only rider to Wellington Valentino Rossi duck under the two-minute AP Mcompleted two mark. practice sessions yesterday Ducati’s Jorge Lorenzo ew Zealand Rugby chief executive Steve for the Aragon Grand Prix, was second on the day at Tew says all three bids to host the 2023 a mere 21 days after surgery 0.214sec with Yamaha NRugby World Cup are “compelling” and on a double leg fracture. Tech’s Johann Zarco and New Zealand will be guided by independent The 38-year-old Italian Honda’s Marc Marquez next advice in deciding which to prefer. was back on his Yamaha in best. France, Ireland, and South Africa will half the forecast time nor- Rossi, who had com- present their bids to World Rugby in London mally needed to recover pleted 20 training laps in next week and have already visited New Zea- from such an operation. Misano on Tuesday, came land to make their pitches to the NZR board. The nine-time world in 20th, more than two sec- Tew said after seeing the bid presentations, champion, given the all- onds back. New Zealand has “a good feel for what they clear to take part after Rossi underwent sur- have.” passing a mandatory med- gery on September 1, a day World Rugby has enlisted two companies ical examination at the after a crash in training, to evaluate the bids on behalf of Rugby World MotorLand Aragon circuit, discharging himself from Cup Ltd. which will then make a recommen- took it easy in the opening hospital the following day. dation to the World Rugby council. Voting session staged in wet He is returning to among member nations of the council will take conditions. action after missing the place in November. He completed seven San Marino Grand Prix Tew said New Zealand would be “heavily laps to test his fitness, because of the leg break, influenced by the recommendation” of Rugby returning for the second but remains fourth in the World Cup Ltd. session in which he man- world championship stand- “It seems odd to have an independent eval- aged another 13 laps as he ings, 42 points behind world uation process done and then ignore the Movistar Yamaha MotoGP’s Italian rider bids to line up in tomor- champion Marquez of Spain recommendation,” Tew said. Valentino Rossi leaves the box during the row’s race. and Italy’s Andrea Tew said the standard of the bids was high Moto GP first free practice during the Moto Honda rival Dani Ped- Dovizioso with five rounds and all three had been able to meet World Rug- Grand Prix of Aragon at the Motorland Circuit rosa topped the combined to go. by’s requirement of a $220m hosting fee. France in Alcaniz yesterday. is reported to have offered an additional $53m on top of that amount. F1 working on exhaust microphone to pump up TV volume

London reputation in sports television and Hill, a former boss of the Rupert Reuters broadcast innovation, was involved Murdoch-owned Fox Sports, has in that. attended several races and is a long- ormula One is working on a “He’s working with a German time associate of Formula One microphone that can be attached concern to develop a ceramic micro- chairman and former Fox Broadcast- Fto a car’s exhaust system to phone that we can actually adhere to ing chief executive Chase Carey. make the sport louder and more ‘vis- the exhaust pipe to get the true ampli- Formula One insiders said the ceral’ for television viewers. fication of sound for fans,” he said, as Australian had been working with F1 Engine noise has been a talking one example. broadcast operations at Biggin Hill point since the quieter, more fuel-effi- Older generations of Formula One airfield in southern England. cient 1.6 litre V6 turbo hybrid power fans still mourn the passing of the ear- A trumpet-like ‘megaphone’ units were introduced in 2014 in place splitting V10 and V12s, although the exhaust was tested by teams in 2014 of the raspier and less sophisticated V10 wail has returned to the racetrack to try to boost noise levels but the V8 engines. through the introduction of a two- experiment was deemed a failure. Formula One’s commercial man- seater programme run by former Formula One faces a decision on aging director Sean Bratches said Minardi team boss Paul Stoddart. what kind of engines to use from 2021, more needed to be done for the Formula One has witnessed a with some calling for a return to sim- worldwide audience. quiet revolution following the take- pler, cheaper and louder ones that “One of the things that we want over of U.S.-owned Liberty Media in would allow new manufacturers to to amplify going forward are the January with fresh camera angles, come in. Others want to develop the sounds of the sport, because they are apertures and positioning to create greener technology. viscerally moving to fans and criti- more of a sense of speed. Jean Todt, president of the gov- cally important in all the research that Previously, there was as much of erning FIA, said in March that any we do,” he told Reuters. a focus on ensuring track advertising attempt by Formula One to turn back Bratches said Australian producer was prominent as on getting the most the clock would be unacceptable to David Hill, a man with a stellar exciting angles. society.