Thiem Beats Zverev to Set up Djokovic Showdown

SATURDAY 1 FEBRUARY 2020 SPORTSPORT 17

QSL PREMIER LEAGUE I had a lot of chances. I had 14 breakpoints. That should be plenty. Al Sadd vs Al Sailiya at Leicester City vs Chelsea Just got to execute better next time. But credit to him. He's Al Sadd Stadium: 16:35 Liverpool vs Southampton playing unbelievable Tennis right now: Alexander Zverev rues a Al Rayyan vs Al Duhail at Man United vs Al Sadd Stadium: 18:45 Wolverhampton Wanderers series of missed opportunities in his Australian Open semi-ﬁnal ACTION TODAY’S TODAY’S

Tireless Austrian marches into maiden Slam final Down Under Thiem beats Zverev to set up Djokovic showdown

AFP – MELBOURNE 42 mins to give himself Marathon world Tireless Dominic Thiem came from a another record holder set down to outlast German Alexander chance to Eliud Kipchoge Zverev and make his first Australian break the Open final yesterday, booking a stranglehold of showdown with seven-time champion the Big Three and Record holders Novak Djokovic. win his first Grand The 26-year-old fifth seed, the first Slam. A jittery Thiem was Kipchoge, player from Austria ever to reach the broken in the opening game, Melbourne decider, battled past saving two break points before Kosgei in seventh-ranked Zverev 3-6, 6-4, 7-6 sending a backhand wide to imme- (7/3), 7-6 (7/4) on a sweltering evening. diately be on the back foot. Kenyan team Defending champion Djokovic Both players were nervous and awaits him after the second seed ended the German failed to consolidate, for Tokyo 2020 Roger Federer's dreams in straight sets broken straight back. Thursday to make his eighth Mel- Their momentum was interrupted REUTERS – NAIROBI bourne Park final. when rain began falling and the roof Thiem has his work cut out against needed closing, but it was only a brief Kenya’s world record the Serb who is on a 12-match intermission and Zverev resumed to holders Eliud Kipchoge and unbeaten streak this season and has hold for 2-2. Brigid Kosgei will lead a won all seven of the Australian Open Thiem was still struggling with his winner as star-studded marathon deciders he has contested. first serve and a double fault handed Zverev again team to the Tokyo Olympic And if Djokovic needs extra moti- the German a chance to go 4-3 in front lost concen- Games this year, Kenya’s vation, winning on Sunday will see him and he grabbed it. tration and the athletics chiefs said reclaim the world number one ranking Zverev took command, putting 90 momentum yesterday. after Rafael Nadal crashed to Thiem percent of his booming first serves in, appeared to shift. Multiple world in the last eight. and broke again to seal the set as the Thiem is one of the best champion and 2016 Rio de "It was an unreal match, two tie- Austrian error-count mounted. returners in the game and was Janeiro Olympic 5,000m breakers, so tough and so close. It was But the 22-year-old lost focus and getting almost every ball back. He gold medallist and 10,000m almost impossible to break him," said two double faults in game three of the looked to be on his way, but Zverev silver medallist, Vivian Thiem. second set handed Thiem a 2-1 lead. refused to surrender and broke Austria’s Cheruiyot and reigning "Being in the Australian Open final Zverev managed to break back but again to even it up. It went to a Dominic Thiem world marathon champion is unreal. What a start to the season he was too erratic as Thiem broke tiebreak where Thiem turned on in action during Ruth Chemngetich will also for me." again and clung on, firing an ace to the style to take a stranglehold his Australian represent the east African Thiem had dealt with semi-final take set two. on the match. Open semi-ﬁnal nation. pressure before, although always on Bizarrely, play was halted for nine There was little between match against Valary Ayabei and Sally the slower red clay at Roland Garros, minutes one game into the third set them in the crucial fourth set Germany’s Chepyego are reserves, Ath- where he reached the past two finals when a light went out above the as they traded blows. It went Alexander Zverev letics Kenya (AK) said at a only to be beaten by Nadal. baseline and it bothered Zverev. When to serve and another tie- in Melbourne, news conference in the That experience paid dividends as they resumed, Thiem held serve and breaker when Thiem's experience Australia, capital. he coolly closed out the match after 3hrs then broke with an epic backhand helped him over the line. yesterday. Kenya is renowned for its middle and long distance running prowess, but has been beset by a spate of doping cases for the past six Confident Kenin ready to face Muguruza in title clash years. The other top names in REUTERS – MELBOURNE the men’s team are last Sofia Kenin vs Garbine Muguruzag year’s Boston Marathon Sofia Kenin will be making her winner Lawrence Cherono, debut in a Grand Slam final SOFIA KENIN GARBINE MUGURUZA world marathon medallist when she faces Garbine Age: 21 Age: 26 Amos Kipruto, with Titus Muguruza for the Australian Nation: United States Nation: Spain Ekiru and Bedan Karoki as open title today but what she World ranking: 15 Seeding: Unseeded reserves. lacks in experience the Seeding: 14 World ranking: 32 AK will name the rest of American more than makes up Grand Slam titles: 0 Grand Slam titles: 2 (French the team after trials in June for in courage and confidence. WTA titles: 3 Open 2016, Wimbledon 2017) in Eldoret, Kenya’s distance Muguruza has been in three ROAD TO FINAL: WTA titles: 7 running heartland some previous Grand Slam finals, First round: beat Martina ROAD TO FINAL (prefix denotes 350km north west of capital winning two of them at Roland Trevisan (Italy) 6-2, 6-4 seeding): Nairobi. Garros (2016) and Wimbledon Second round: beat Li First round: beat Shelby Rogers Olympic champion Kip- (2017), while the 21-year-old Ann (US) 6-1, 6-3 (US) 0-6, 6-1, 6-0 choge, 35, holds the official American had been beyond the Third round: beat Second round: beat Ajla Toml- world marathon record of third round only once -- beating Zhang Shuai (China) 7-5, janovic (Australia) 6-3, 3-6, 6-3 2:01:39, which he set in Serena Williams at last year’s 7-6(7) Third round: beat 5-Elina Svi- Berlin on Sept. 16, 2018. French Open before losing to Fourth round: beat Coco tolina (Ukraine) 6-1 6-2 Kosgei won Chicago Ash Barty in the next round. Gauff (US) 6-7(5), 6-3, 6-0 Fourth round: beat Kiki Bertens Marathon in 2018 and 2019, But Kenin has shown at Quarter-final: beat Ons (Netherlands) 6-3, 6-3 where she ran a world Melbourne Park she has the Jabeur (Tunisia) 6-4, 6-4 Quarter-final: beat 30-Anastasia record time of 2:14:04 last game to beat the biggest names, Semi-final: beat 1-Ash Pavlyuchenkova (Russia) 7-5, 6-3 year. She also won the building on a stellar 2019 when Barty (Australia) 7-6(6), Semi-final: beat 4-Simona Halep London Marathon in 2019. she won all three of her singles 7-5 (Romania) 7-6(8) 7-5 Cheruiyot, 36, has par- titles to reach a career-high ticipated in four previous world ranking of 12. HEAD-TO-HEAD: Kenin leads Muguruza 1-0 Olympics, making her “No matter who I’m playing, 2019 Kenin d Muguruza 6-0 2-6 6-2 (Beijing, hard) Games debut in 2000 in where I’m playing, I’m going to Sydney where she reached fight for it. It doesn’t matter,” the final of the 5,000 she said. “Of course, I have a lot The world number one was and knows the American will be While 14th seed Kenin has Australian Open and had to metres. of respect for my opponents on the front foot for most of their no pushover. been the form player coming withdraw from the quarter- At the London 2012 when I’m playing. match but Kenin dug her heels “I think she’s playing great. I into Melbourne, Muguruza was finals of the Hobart warm-up. Games, she won silver in “When I’m going on court, in and fought back to defeat the think since a while she’s just pro- unseeded as a result of a largely But she recovered to take 5,000m and bronze in the I’m there to win, I’m there to do Australian in front of her home gressing up in the rankings and dismal 2019 season. her place at Melbourne Park 10,000m, before reaching my job. I’m doing my best.” fans. in the results,” said Muguruza. “So The Spaniard, who reached and has gone from strength to the top of the podium in Rio Barty learned the hard way Spaniard Muguruza lost her I think she deserves to be in the the top of the WTA rankings in strength, downing world four years ago, winning about Kenin’s fighting spirit in only prior meeting with Moscow- final with the tennis she has been 2017, also suffered from a viral number three Simona Halep in gold in the 5,000m. their semi-final. born Kenin, in Beijing last year, showing.” illness before the start of the a scorching semi-final. Kings win 1st game at Staples since Kobe’s death AP – LOS ANGELES were killed in Sunday’s Los Angeles by 22 to take The All-Star forward was Clippers to 42-40 before helicopter crash in a 64-47 advantage at scratched after pregame the Kings went on a 22-4 De’Aaron Fox scored 34 Calabasas. halftime. Joseph led the warmups due to a lower run to put it out of reach. points, Buddy Hield Paul George narrated way with 12 points in the back strain. George Joseph had nine points added 19 and Cory Joseph a 2-minute video tribute period as he went 4 of 6 returned after missing the and Fox scored eight 16 as the Sacramento shown before the game on 3-pointers. Nine of the past nine games due to a during the spurt as Sac- Kings used a strong while Bryant’s retired No. Kings’ 13 field goals in the left hamstring strain and ramento was 8 of 12 from second quarter to defeat 8 and No. 24 Lakers quarter were from scored eight points in 19 the field compared to the the Los Angeles Clippers jerseys were left beyond the arc and they minutes. Clippers making only two 124-103 on Thursday uncovered in the upper made a season-high 21 The Kings scored of 14. night. left corner of the arena. 3-pointers in the game. eight straight points to Los Angeles got It was the first bas- The Clippers led Lou Williams scored start the second and within 13 in the fourth ketball game at Staples 33-28 at the end of the 22 points and Montrezl never trailed after that. quarter before the Kings Players and fans watch a video tribute to Kobe Bryant and the Center since Kobe Bryant, first quarter but Sacra- Harrell had 21 for the JaMychal Green’s pulled away again. Their others before the start of the game between the LA Clippers his 13-year-old daughter mento seized control in Clippers, who were 3-pointer with 7:54 largest lead was 23 later and Sacramento Kings game at Staples Center, on Thursday. Gianna and seven others the second, outscoring without Kawhi Leonard. remaining drew the in the period. 18 SPORT SATURDAY 1 FEBRUARY 2020 India complete T20 sweep against NZ WELLINGTON AFP — SCOREBOARD Williamson a late scratching India’s captain having not fully recovered from India New zealand Virat Kohli India snatched the fourth a shoulder injury suffered while K Rahul c Santner b Sodhi ...... 39 M Guptill c Rahul b Bumrah ...... 4 celebrates their Twenty20 against New Zealand fielding in game three. win during the S Samson c Santner b Kuggeleijn ...... 8 C Munro run out (Thakur/Kohli) ...... 64 yesterday after yet another It was left to lusty hitting by fourth Twenty20 super over was needed to V Kohli c Santner b Bennett ...... 11 T Seifert run out (Rahul) ...... 57 Colin Munro and Seifert to match against separate the two sides after the S Iyer c Seifert b Sodhi ...... 1 T Bruce b Chahal ...... 0 provide the backbone of their New Zealand scores were tied following the S Dube c Bruce b Sodhi ...... 12 R Taylor c Iyer b Thakur ...... 24 innings with Munro making 64 at Sky Stadium regulation 20 overs. M Pandey (not out) ...... 50 D Mitchell c Dube b Thakur ...... 4 and Seifert out in the final over in Wellington, New Zealand, batting first for 57. India, sent into bat first, W Sundar b Santner ...... 0 M Santner run out (Samson/Rahul) ....2 yesterday. in the decider, made 13 with made 165 for eight on a flat Tim Seifert dropped twice S Thakur c Southee b Bennett ...... 20 S Kuggeleijn (not out) ...... 0 track at Wellington stadium before he was eventually Y Chahal c Seifert b Southee ...... 1 Extras: (LB7, W3) ...... 10 with the innings anchored by dismissed. N Saini (not out) ...... 11 Total: (seven wickets; 20 overs) 165 an unbeaten 50 from Manish In reply, Indian captain Extras: (B2, LB3, W6, NB1) ...... 12 Fall of wickets: 1-22, 2-96, 3-97, 4-159, Pandey and his partnerships Virat Kohli hit the winning runs Total: (eight wickets; 20 overs) .165 5-163, 6-164, 7-165 with Thakur and Navdeep Saini. with a ball to spare. India were six for 88 in the Fall of wickets: 1-14, 2-48, 3-52, 4-75, Bowling: Thakur 4-0-33-2 (1w), Saini The third match also ended 12th over before Pandey and in a super over with Rohit 5-84, 6-88, 7-131, 8-143 4-0-29-0 1w), Bumrah 4-0-20-1, Chahal Thakur arrested the slide in a Sharma hitting sixes off the last Did not bat: Jasprit Bumrah 4-0-38-1 (1w), Sundar 2-0-24-0, Dube 43-run stand with Thakur con- two balls to get India home. Bowling: Southee 4-0-28-1 (2w), Kugge- 2-0-14-0 tributing 20. “What’s happened in the leijn 4-0-39-1 (3w, 1nb), Santner 4-0-26- Result: Match tied, India won super over Saini, who was not out 11 in last two games is unbelievable,” 1, Bennett 4-0-41-2 (1w), Sodhi 4-0-26-3 decider his first appearance on tour, put Kohli said. on 22 with Pandey off the last “It feels good when you are 13 deliveries. out of the game and then up in the 20 overs. “It’s very seven runs to win and with In a slow start to their reply, somehow find a way to come tough, especially in the position seven wickets in hand. New Zealand were 23 for one back and that shows the char- we got ourselves into and then However, they were after five overs. acter of the team.” to give them a chance at the restricted to six runs and lost But in the sixth over, when The win puts India 4-0 up end, they’re going to grab it with four wickets to finish 165 for Thakur wound back the pace in the five match series with both hands,” he said. seven and set up the super over. to under 140 kilometres per New Zealand stand-in captain New Zealand, chasing New Zealand had already hour (87mph), Munro found his Tim Southee not happy that his India’s 165 for eight, went into suffered an earlier setback with timing with a six and two fours side could not wrap the game their last over only needing talismanic captain Kane to get the scoreboard moving. Gayle takes his big hitting Mendis century defies Zimbabwe to Nepal’s T20 league

AFP — KATHMANDU, as Sri Lanka win Test series 1-0

AFP — HARARE West Indies batting hero Chris Sri Lanka’s Kusal Mendis (right) plays a shot during the Gayle (pictured) has become ﬁfth day of the second Test match against Zimbabwe at the biggest international star to Sri Lanka batsman Kusal the Harare Sports Club in Harare, yesterday. sign up for Nepal’s Twenty20 Mendis frustrated Zimbabwe’s league. hopes of a series-levelling win The self-proclaimed king of at the Harare Sports Club T20 announced late Thursday Ground with a stubborn 116 not that he will join Pokhara Rhinos out as the second Test petered in the Everest Premier League out to a draw yesterday. (EPL) that is preparing for its Sri Lanka’s 10-wicket win fourth season. in the first Test last week at the “Nepal get ready for the same venue meant they won Gayle storm. It is gonna be the series 1-0. dashing. See you soon Nepal,” Zimbabwe faced just one ball he said in a video message on in the morning which captain his Twitter account. Sean Williams hit for six to bring Gayle is leading a new up his half-century. He immedi- crop of foreign imports ately declared setting Sri Lanka including Aghanistan’s a challenging target of 361. They Mohammad Shahzad and Sri lost the wickets of Dimuth Kar- Lankan batsman Upul Tha- unaratne, Oshada Fernando for ranga who will also play in the 47 and Angelo Mathews but six-team tournament starting Mendis’ seventh Test century March 14. Indies since August last year, guided them through to the EPL managing director recently said he wanted to safety of a draw. His 116 came Aamir Akhtar said it had taken “carry on as long as possible in off 233 balls and included 13 he declared. Williams, who the other end when Karu- Zimbabwe vs Sri Lanka months of negotiations to per- T20 and franchise cricket as fours a six as Sri Lanka finished made a fine 107 in the first naratne nibbled at a Carl Brief scores from the second suade Gayle to play in the well”. on 205 for three, still 156 runs innings and spent much of the Mumba delivery outside off- Test at the Harare Sports Club Himalayan nation. Sandeep Lamichhane has short of victory. time off the field sick, finished stump and edged through to Ground yesterday. “The league had to mature become Nepal’s biggest cricket “Zimbabwe showed a lot of 53 not out. wicketkeeper Donald Zimbabwe 406 and 247-7 (B. and earn a certain reputation name since joining the Indian character,” said Sri Lanka He then chose to open the Chakabva. Taylor 67, S. Williams 53 not in the international market so Premier League (IPL) in 2018 captain Karunaratne. bowling with spinner Sikandar Fernando had only added a out, P. Masvaure 35, Sikander someone like Chris Gayle and has since appeared at other “It is hard to come back Raza whose seven for 113 in the single to his lunchtime 46 when Raza 34; V. Fernando 2-43, L. would be ready to play,” Akhtar global tournaments including after losing the first Test but first innings and scores of 72 he fell leg before to Raza and Embuldeniya 2-81) said. Australia’s Big Bash. they played good cricket. We and 34 earned him the player Zimbabwe regained some hope Sri Lanka 293 and 204-3 (K. “All the hard work from the Nepal gained one-day had to stay positive and bat the of the match award. just before tea when Mathews Mendis 116 not out, O. Fernando last three years has actually international status at the 2018 whole day.” - “Raza bowled exceptionally slapped a delivery from Victor 47) convinced him that this is a World Cup qualifying tour- Rain and bad light had cut well,” said Williams. “He gave Nyauchi straight to Craig Ervine Result: Match drawn clean, reputable league, fol- nament in Zimbabwe, despite short Thursday’s play but Zim- us a chance. I am very proud of at silly mid-on. Man of the match: Sikandar lowed by passionate cricket the suspension of their national babwe captain Sean Williams the way we played.” The pitch, Mendis, however, dropped Raza; Series: Sri Lanka win lovers. governing body in 2016 over chose not to declare on their however, looked a lot more anchor and moved serenely to the two-Test series 1-0; “This signifies that Nepal is political interference. overnight 241 for seven. benign and Raza failed to his seventh Test ton when he Man of the series: Angelo gearing up for the next level.” The International Cricket Instead they batted on for trouble the openers in his first charged down the pitch to Raza Mathews The 40-year-old Gayle, who Council lifted the ban in one ball which Williams hit for seven-over spell. The only and hit him back over his head has not appeared for the West October last year. six to reach 247 for seven before wicket of the morning came at for six. Birdie barrage boosts Clark to Phoenix Open lead Wales captain Jones AFP — LOS ANGELES Horschel rolled in two Wyndham Clark reacts after sinking his putt on the ninth green birdie putts from outside 25 feet during the ﬁrst round of the Waste Management Phoenix Open focuses on future as Wyndham Clark fired 10 birdies and one from 41 feet, along with at TPC Scottsdale in Scottsdale, Arizona on Thursday. in a 10-under par 61 on a par-saving 45 footer. Thursday to grab a two-shot His eagle at the par-five lead over fellow American Billy third hole didn’t need that kind Pivac era dawns Horschel in the US PGA Tour’s of putting aplomb after he Phoenix Open. landed his second shot five feet AFP — CARDIFF, UNITED KINGDOM Amid the always raucous from the hole. crowds at TPC Scottsdale, Clark Wales captain Alun Wyn Jones has urged his team to put their teed off on 10 and rolled in a US PGA Tour Phoenix past achievements to one side ahead of their first competitive 20-foot birdie putt at the 12th. Open match under new coach Wayne Pivac. After another birdie at 13 he Leading first-round scores Today’s Six Nations opener against Italy in Cardiff will signal picked up three in a row at 15, on Thursday in the US PGA the start of a new era for Wales after the former Scarlets boss 16 and 17. Tour Phoenix Open at TPC succeeded Warren Gatland. He strung another three Scottsdale in Arizona (USA Wales won three Grand Slams and reached two World Cup together at the first, second and unless noted, par-71): semi-finals in 12 years under New Zealander Gatland, who stepped third -- where he blasted out of down after guiding the Welsh to the last four of the 2019 global a greenside bunker to five feet 61 - Wyndham Clark showpiece in Japan. and made the putt -- and 63 - Billy Horschel Fellow Kiwi Pivac was at the helm for a win over the Bar- birdied seven and eight for good 64 - J.B. Holmes barians in a non-cap match in November but this weekend is a measure. 65 - Tom Hoge, Harris English, different matter as the reigning Grand Slam champions begin Clark seized the solo lead An Byeong-hun (KOR), Bud their Six Nations title defence. with a birdie at the par-three Cauley “Obviously, it was a long period that ‘Gats’ was here, and with seventh, where he stuck his tee 66 - Nate Lashley, K.J. Choi the success he had,” veteran lock Jones said yesterday. shot three feet from the pin, and (KOR), Im Sung-jae (KOR), “But it’s the first one for Wayne, and I am conscious, and the made it a two-shot advantage Adam Long, Hudson Swafford group is conscious, that we are not going to look back. The new with an 11-foot birdie putt at 67 - Branden Grace (RSA), management is in situ, and the focus is on tomorrow and what is Kang Sung (KOR), Xander eight. to come.” Schauffele, Jon Rahm “I hit a lot of fairways and I He said Wales were raring to get out on the pitch after a few (ESP), Hideki Matsuyama just gave myself a lot of looks (JPN), Scott Piercy, Brandon weeks together. and the putter was hot,” Clark Hagy, Keegan Bradley, Zach “We had an influx of young players about 18 months to two said. A red-hot putter fueled Johnson, Patrick Rodgers years ago, and the experience and success is something we want Horschel, who had six birdies and to build on as a group with the new faces in the management as an eagle in his eight-under 63. well,” he added. SATURDAY 1 FEBRUARY 2020 SPORT 19 Wenger launches FIFA talent development programme in Doha

FIFA.COM — DOHA

FIFA’s Chief of Global Football Development Arsène Wenger has announced the launch of a We are launching groundbreaking talent development programme that will the FIFA Talent enable member associations to Development optimise their technical struc- tures, establish sustainable and Programme to ensure long-term scouting schemes that every talent gets Real Madrid’s Gareth Bale, Eden Hazard and Sergio Ramos during and, ultimately, reduce the gap a chance. That goal the warm up before the match against Sevilla in this September at the top of the game. 22, 2019 ﬁle picture. “We are launching the FIFA is very ambitious Talent Development Pro- but we are highly gramme to ensure that every talent gets a chance. That goal motivated and is very ambitious but we are focused: Wenger Hazard, Bale out highly motivated and focused. Nowadays, information can be made available and used all implement tailor-made tech- of Madrid derby over the world within seconds. nical programmes in cooper- It’s a huge chance,” said Wenger Arsene Wenger ation with the member associ- REUTERS — MADRID during a five-day FIFA Tech- ations from 2021. nical Development Workshop “Sustainable development Real Madrid will still be without that concluded yesterday in football development across the in both men’s and women’s is a long-term approach and their two most expensive Doha with the participation of country. We need more youth football, including all national requires dedication, confidence players Gareth Bale and Eden I said recently that over 100 experts from confed- competitions to identify talent, teams, domestic leagues, and patience. Within the next Hazard for today’s derby at Pep Guardiola is the erations and member offer them a pathway and scouting projects and six to eight months, we will home to Atletico Madrid as associations. develop coaching,” added academies. have a good overview of what Zinedine Zidane’s side look to best coach around “The difference in the level Wenger. Following the assessment is needed everywhere in both cement their new-found status and Simeone is of play between Europe and the Through FIFA’s new Talent performed by FIFA’s experts, a men’s and women’s football, as La Liga title favourites. rest of the world has become Development Programme, from report will be produced for each and then we will respond both Hazard has returned to among the best. bigger. In many countries, the this year, all 211 member asso- of the member associations online and offline with a team training this week for the first Atletico’s recent focus of the association is ciations will be entitled to involved, thus benchmarking of experts to help develop time since hurting his ankle results have not mainly on the senior national benefit from a FIFA assessment their technical ecosystem football to the highest level and against Paris St Germain on team, but this national team is of the various areas of their against global standards. Based to have a lasting impact,” con- Nov. 26 but was left out of the changed my opinion always the consequence of high-performance ecosystem on the reports, FIFA will cluded Wenger. squad for the derby after of him: Zidane Zidane said he would take no risks with the Belgium FOOTBALL FIXTURES international. transformed the club’s fortunes Boost for Setien as Messi leads Bale has trained all week but finds himself in the most PREMIER LEAGUE after recovering from a slight difficult stage of his eight-year Leicester City vs Chelsea ankle injury and his absence tenure. Barcelona rout over Leganes AFC Bournemouth vs Aston seems to be another sign he is “I don’t understand the crit- Villa no longer a first-choice player icism, I know how he is as a Crystal Palace vs Sheffield for Zidane, despite the coach, he is one of the best,” AFP — MADRID Barcelona United Frenchman insisting earlier said Zidane. forward Lionel Liverpool vs Southampton that the Wales forward was in “I said recently that Pep Lionel Messi scored twice as Messi celebrates Newcastle United vs Norwich his plans. Guardiola is the best coach Barcelona hammered Leganes with team-mate City The absence of Bale and around and Simeone is among 5-0 on Thursday to advance to Arthur after Watford vs Everton Hazard has barely affected the best. Atletico’s recent the quarter-finals of the Copa scoring his team’s West Ham United vs Brighton Real’s form, however: they are results have not changed my del Rey and deliver a much- unbeaten since October and opinion of him.” fourth goal & Hove Albion needed boost for new coach have won six of their last seven Atletico are without a win during the Copa Manchester United vs Quique Setien. games, their only draw being in their last four games in all del Rey (King’s Wolverhampton Wanderers Messi’s double, as well as Cup) match in the Super Cup final against competitions and last week the goals from Antoine Griezmann, Atletico which they won on club’s CEO Miguel Angel Gil at the Camp SPANISH LA LIGA Clement Lenglet and Arthur Nou stadium in penalties. Marin felt the need to show his Melo rounded off an emphatic Granada vs Espanyol “There are many reasons support for Simeone after the Barcelona on Real Madrid vs Atlético Madrid win at Camp Nou, where Barca Thursday. behind it but I would highlight embarrassing Copa del Rey exit successfully bounced back from Mallorca vs Real Valladolid how hard we have worked and to Cultural Leonesa. Saturday’s surprise La Liga loss Valencia vs Celta Vigo the belief we have in what we Simeone thanked Zidane away at Valencia. are doing,” Zidane said. for his words of encouragement “We did a lot of things well FRENCH LIGUE 1 “Tomorrow we have and praised the Frenchman for but I am not completely happy judged on performances in the Sociedad, Granada, Villarreal, Ath- Paris Saint Germain vs another game and we’re going overseeing Real’s resurgence because we also lost control of league and Champions League letic Bilbao are already through. Montpellier to have to prove ourselves once after last season’s nightmare the game in the latter stages of this season but Barca have a A home tie in the last 16 Amiens vs Toulouse again.” Real are top of La Liga campaign. the first half,” said Setien. rich recent history in the Copa against La Liga’s bottom club Angers vs Reims with 46 points from 21 games, “It’s nice when a colleague Defeat at Mestalla allowed del Rey, which they have won always looked a kind route Dijon vs Brest three ahead of Barcelona, while of Zidane’s calibre says some- Real Madrid to pull three points in four of the last five years. back to winning ways for Set- Nîmes vs Monaco Atletico are fifth on 36 points. thing like that and I’ll return the clear at the top of the league and They will be in Friday’s draw ien’s side, whose next four Strasbourg vs Lille Real’s resurgence is in stark compliment,” he said. put early pressure on Setien, for the last eight where, despite league fixtures now include contrast to Atletico’s fall from “He is the ideal coach for who replaced Ernesto Valverde a number of upsets, they join a Levante, Getafe and Eibar, all grace and Zidane gave his Real Madrid, he has got them INTERNATIONAL FRIENDLIES as coach earlier this month. familiar looking field. at home, as well as a trip to Real backing to his opposite number back into the same state which His appointment will be Real Madrid, Valencia, Real Betis. USA vs Costa Rica Diego Simeone, who has he left them in. Longines Hathab Round 7: Al Qadi, Al Ghazali shine on opening day

CHINTHANA WASALA Hamad Nasser Al Qadi guiding Gibria-B over LONGINES QATAR EQUESTRIAN TOUR - HATHAB: ROUND 7 THE PENINSULA an obstacle during the Medium Tour event at COMP. (1) SMALL TOUR, 110/115CM: PRIZE MONEY the Longines Arena at Al Shaqab yesterday. QR10,000 Popular Qatari riders Hamad 1: Mohammed Al Ghazali (Alegro 84) 54.98 secs - QR2,500 Nasser Al Qadi (Gibria-B) and Mohammed Al Ghazali (Alegro 2: Abdulaziz Ghanim Al Nuaimi (Birddyz) 57.03 secs 84) yesterday clinched victories - QR2,000 after scintillating displays of top 3: Abdushukur Sobirjonov (Kapitel) 57.94 secs - QR1,500 class equestrian action as the COMP. (2) MEDIUM TOUR, 120/130CM: PRIZE MONEY seventh round of Longines QR20,000 Hathab. At the Longines Arena at Al 1: Hamad Nasser Al Qadi (Gibria-B) 32.82 secs - QR5,000 Shaqab, Al Qadi topped an 2: Kamil Sabitov (Carmen) 35.05 secs - QR4,000 impressive field of 49 entries 3: Awad Alqahtani (Bellini D'argonne) 35.42 secs with a flawless routine to win - QR3,000 the Medium Tour event in 32.82 secs as he walked away with a COMP. (2) MEDIUM TOUR, 120/130CM: PRIZE MONEY prize of QR5,000. Al Qadi’s QR20,000 nine-year-old mare was much 1: Team ExxonMobil (Saeed Nasser Al Qadi/Best Of Des faster than Kamil Sabitov’s Forets), Khalid Mohammed Al Emadi (Fiji), Jaber Rashid Al Carmen who finished in the Amri (Canavaro De Muze - E.T.) - 74.07 secs - QR10,000 second spot. Kyrgyz show- 2: Al Kass jumper Sabitov who won the 3: The Top fifth round of the popular tour earlier in January, clocked a a time of 74.07 secs as Al Kass time of 35.05 secs as he got spent 74.09 secs to complete richer by QR4,000. the same task. Awad Alqahtani, astride Al Ghazali’s win in the Bellini D'argonne, completed QR10,000 Small Tour came in the podium after a ride that 54.98 secs. He won QR2,500 for lasted 35.42 secs. He bagged his victory. QR3,000 as prize money. Abdulaziz Ghanim Al In the Medium Tour team Nuaimi came second on Birddyz event, Team ExxonMobil which who completed the same task consisted of Saeed Nasser Al in 57.03 secs. Qadi (Best Of Des Forets), Uzbekistan’s Abdushukur Khalid Mohammed Al Emadi Sobirjonov guided Kapitel to (Fiji) and Jaber Rashid Al Amri finish the routine in 57.94 secs (Canavaro De Muze - E.T.), and booked the remaining spot clinched the top prize of on the podium. QR10,000 ahead of second As all three podium fin- placed team Al Kass and The ishers managed to complete The podium winners of the Medium Tour, Hamad Nasser Al Qadi, Kamil Al Shaqab Commercial Manager Omar Al Mannai and an official Top who finished third. their respective rounds with no Sabitov and Awad Alqahtani posing for a photograph with Badr Al posing for a photograph with Small Tour winners Mohammed Al Team ExxonMobil clocked faults. Darwesh, Secretary General of Qatar Equestrian Federation (QEF). Ghazali, Abdulaziz Ghanim Al Nuaimi and Abdushukur Sobirjonov. SPORT SPORT | 17 SPORT | 18 ThiemT beats India complete ZvZverev to set T20 sweep upu Djokovic against showdown New Zealand

SATURDAY 1 FEBRUARY 2020 A ‘difficult task’ awaits Al Sadd against Al Sailiya: Xavi

THE PENINSULA “We had a difficult time before in strong contention for the title. a good level. We have a problem DOHA we won our first-leg game against We are motivated for the 2020 with ball possession and we will try Al Sailiya by a 3-1 margin. This AFC Champions League as well, to resolve it. This is football and this Al Sadd will face Al Sailiya in their time too, I expect a tough game but we are focused on the QNB may be a bad time for us, like any QNB Stars League Round 14 match against them,” he added. Stars League,” said Xavi. other team,” he added. today as the defending champions Xavi said his team is sailing Meanwhile, Al Sailiya will be Trabelsi said his team, which aim to narrow the gap between through a good phase and he hoping to overcome the disap- is currently in the fifth place with them and League leaders Al Duhail. wants to maintain the winning pointment of not making it to the 17 points from 13 matches, behind However, coach Xavi Hern- streak. AFC Champions League main fourth place Al Arabi, 19 points andez sounded cautious at the “We are now going through a draw. from 14 matches, is targeting a pre-match press conference, good stage, but the task is still dif- “Al Sadd are a very strong place among the top four. saying that they will face a ‘difficult, especially because the dif- team that has recorded victories “Our ambition is still great, we ficult task’ in today's match. ference between us and Al Duhail by big margins over big teams. At hope to reach the top four and also “Al Sailiya are a strong side led is six points. We are waiting for the same time, they have also lost compete in the Amir Cup. by a coach with great experience the result of the match between by big margins. So that proves they “Regarding our exit from the in the QSL, so facing them will be Al Duhail and Al Rayyan in this are inconsistent in their perform- AFC Champions League, frankly, difficult. They are also one of the round.” ances. They beat stronger teams, I saw the players’ tears in the teams that provide good matches Al Sadd have 27 points from but either drew or lost against less dressing room after the match as and good levels, as they did against 13 matches and are in the third strong teams, “ coach Sami we were hoping to qualify for the Iranian team Shahr Khodro, position while Al Duhail are with Trabelsi said. group stage. There is no doubt that Al Sadd's defender Tareq Salman holds a team jersey with regardless of their loss in penalty 33 points from 13 matches. “We have tried to correct some the exit affected the team, but we coach Xavi Hernandez at the Al Sadd Club yesterday after shoot-out, in the AFC Champions “There is no other choice than mistakes. God willing, we will be at must forget that match and focus the club announced that the Qatari international's contract League play-off,” Xavi said. beating Al Sailiya if we have to be the high level of focus and provide on the next one,” said Trabelsi. has been extended until the 2024 season. Al Rayyan aim to bounce back against Al Duhail

ARMSTRONG VAS THE PENINSULA

Al Rayyan will be looking to put aside their AFC Champions League play-off exit when they take on QNB Stars League (QSL) leaders Al Duhail in Round 14 match today. Six points separate the top An action during the QNB Stars League Round 14 match between two teams. Al Duhail have 33 Al Wakrah and Al Shahania at Al Wakrah Stadium, yesterday. from 13 matches while Al Rayyan have 28 from the same number of matches. Al Sadd are close on the heels of the top two in the third place with 27 points Qatar SC hold from 13 matches. Al Rayyan coach Diego Aguirre said his team is going Al Gharafa as through a lean phase but assured that they will fight back. “We have to fight if we want to compete for the title. Losing Al Wakrah win the last few games pushes us to work to be better. We are going Al Rayyan's players in action during a training session ARMSTRONG VAS opposition territory and set up through a rough patch, but it is ahead of their QNB Stars League match against leaders THE PENINSULA Benyettou from distance and the same team that was com- Al Duhail yesterday. PICTURE: TWITTER / @ALRAYYANSC the latter fired past goalkeeper peting for the lead in the QNB Ten-man Al Gharafa played Ebrahim Mordou inside the far Stars League standings three out a goalless draw against post. weeks ago,” Aguirre said. “All players have their roles play with great focus,” he Qatar SC while Al Wakrah A reinvigorated Al Sha- Last week, Al Rayyan lost to and we will try to motivate added. trounced Al Shahania 4-1 in hania came roaring out for the Iran’s Esteghlal 5-0 in the AFC them to give their best,” said Regragui said Al Duhail will Round 14 matches of the QNB second half and were nearly Champions League play-off at Aguirre. put every effort to retain their Stars League here yesterday. on level terms within a minute home, with the win fetching the Meanwhile, Walid Regragui, top spot. We have to ﬁght if we At Al Gharafa Stadium, the when Ali Fereydoon cushioned Iranians a place in the pres- who recently replaced Rui Faria “We respect Al Rayyan, but want to compete for home team were down by a a headed pass into the path of tigious Asian club as Al Duhail coach said his team my focus is on my team and its the title. Losing the last men in the third minute of the Saad Hussain and his volley championship. is brimming with confidence performance against the team few games pushes us match when Mostafa Esam forced a good save from “It happens to all teams. The ahead of the crucial tie. which is in the second place. I Kadira got the marching Hassan Idriss. solution, in my opinion, is to “We have made good prep- expect the game to be exciting to work to be better. orders from referee Nayef It did not take long to make work to restore our level, our arations during the week, the and strong. Despite the difficulty We are going through Mohamed Al Kadiri for a dan- the pressure count and they position, and our chances of players have made great efforts of the game, we will fight with a rough patch, but it is gerous challenge on Sardor found the breakthrough competing for the title,” he to realise that the coming the desire to win so that we can the same team that was Rashidov. minutes later as Akaichi’s cross added. period will be busy at the local remain at the top of the table.” However, Al Gharafa did was diverted into the path of “We feel sad after the big- and continental levels” said “I need some time to competing for the lead not allow the numeric disad- Ramin who struck the ball into margin loss to Esteghlal. That Regragui. implement my philosophy and in the QNB Stars League vantage to affect them as they the far corner with little feeling will make the players “The game will be difficult know more about the players. standings three weeks finished on level terms at the chance for the goalkeeper as come back strongly and we have despite Al Rayyan’s recent set- They have great potential and ago: Aguirre end of the 90 minutes of play. it squirmed in off the post. to believe in our capabilities and backs. They will certainly want strong determination,” said With yesterday’s draw, Al Al Wakrah soon came back return to our normal level. to make a reaction. We must Regragui. Gharafa moved their points into the game and nearly got tally to 24 points and remained their lead back when Sanchez in fourth place, while Qatar SC Isaias shaped a lovely cross South African now have 16points and are from the left which Ismail rugby legend Bryan lying in the ninth place in the Mardanli rose to meet, but his Habana during his 12-team league. fierce header went fractionally visit to the SC’s Earlier, Al Wakrah , helped over the cross bar. They did Legacy Pavilion in by goals from Mohamed Beny- not have to wait long to get Doha yesterday. ettou (21, 90+1), Iliass Hassani back in front when Benyettou The leading try- (63) and Khalid Muneer (88), fed Muneer and his square scorer at the 2007 coasted to an easy win over Al pass from inside the box found Rugby World Shahania at home. Hassani, who tapped home Cup in which the Al Shahania had earlier from close range. Springboks emerged equalised in the 51st minute The Blue Wave scored two champions, found through Ramin Rezaein. goals in quick succession to out about the latest Al Shanania found them- seal the tie. preparations for selves on the wrong end of an First, Benyettou muscled FIFA World Cup entertaining must-win game his way into the box before Qatar 2022 and against their rivals in which delaying the pass until the was impressed by they let slip an opportunity to onrushing Muneer broke the state-of-the- enhance their perilous league through, took one touch and art technology and position. slotted home, before Beny- infrastructure of Al Wakrah put in a ettou this time latched onto a the stadiums which relentless first-half per- throw-in, drove into the are being prepared formance in which they were penalty area before turning his for the tournament. able subdue their opponents man and firing inside the near PICTURE: TWITTER / @ and even get on the scoresheet. post to further increase the SCCORPORATE Omar Ali muscled his way into margin of victory.