CCRICKETRICKET | Page 4 BASKETBALL | Page 6 Malan, Buttler Australia’s power England NBA trailblazer to T20 clean Andrew Bogut sweep retires Wednesday, December 2, 2020 FOOTBALL Rabia II 17, 1442 AH Yokohama dump GULF TIMES out Jeonbuk to cruise into last 16 SPORT Page 2 FORMULA 1 Vandoorne and Gutierrez are the Hamilton ‘gutted’ aft er team’s reserve drivers, while Russell is also on their books for positive Covid-19 test replacement Reuters course. Manama Belgian Stoff el Vandoorne, who races for the Mercedes Formula E team and had been scheduled to fl y to Bahrain even-times Formula One world even before Hamilton’s positive result, champion Lewis Hamilton said and Mexican Esteban Gutierrez are the he was devastated after testing team’s reserve drivers. positive for Covid-19 and being Briton George Russell, who races for Sruled out of Sunday’s penultimate race Mercedes-powered Williams, is also on of the season in Bahrain. their books. It will be the fi rst time the 35-year- Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff said old Mercedes driver has missed a race in in October that every precaution was an F1 career that started with McLaren being taken to shield Hamilton and in 2007. teammate Valtteri Bottas from the pan- The sport’s most successful driver demic, with internal debriefs and engi- of all time, with a record 95 wins and neering meetings taking place via video 98 pole positions, said on social media call. that he had tested negative three times Hamilton has stayed in his mo- in the past week but woke up on Mon- torhome at most circuits, with races day with mild symptoms. confi ned to Europe before the fi nal The Briton said he then requested Middle Eastern triple-header, and re- another test which came back positive turning to Monaco afterwards where and he immediately started a 10-day physio Angela Cullen forms part of his self-isolation, ruling out the Sakhir protective ‘bubble’. Grand Prix and raising doubts about He posted video on Instagram on the Abu Dhabi fi nale on the following November 22, a week after winning the weekend. title, of himself playing tennis with fa- “I’m gutted not to be able to race this ther Anthony, however. weekend but my priority is to follow the Formula One has seen a clutch of protocols and advice to protect others,” high-profile Covid-19 cases, with he said. Red Bull sporting director Jonathan “I’m really lucky that I feel OK with Wheatley testing positive last week only mild symptoms and will do my and Williams acting team principal best to stay fi t and healthy.” Simon Roberts missing the Turkish Hamilton said he and his team had Grand Prix. taken all possible precautions and fol- Both Racing Point drivers, Sergio Pe- lowed all regulations to stay safe since rez and Lance Stroll, and team owner the season started. Lawrence Stroll tested positive earlier Mercedes said he tested negative at in the year. the circuit on Sunday afternoon but he Formula One started a shortened 17- had been informed on Monday that “a race season in July after the Australian contact prior to arrival in Bahrain had opener in March was cancelled when a subsequently tested positive”. McLaren employee tested positive. The Briton wrapped up his record- The sport has strict rules in place equalling seventh title in Turkey last Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton is pictured in his car after winning the Bahrain Grand Prix on Sunday. (AFP) to try to keep the novel coronavirus at month and picked up his 11th win of the bay. Personnel cannot access the pad- season in Bahrain on Sunday. seventh year in a row. a single season. Michael Schumacher Hamilton was also on a record run of REPLACEMENT DRIVER dock without a negative result and are Mercedes have already won the con- Hamilton will not now be able to and Sebastian Vettel share that mark 48 successive points fi nishes and has Mercedes said they would announce tested every five days. Teams also do structors’ title for an unprecedented match the record for the most wins in with 13. started 265 races in a row. a replacement driver for Sakhir in due their own tests. FOCUS QEF to organise SC and QFA help to launch fi rst South horseback African supporters’ club in the region archery event By Sports Reporter incredible, modern stadiums in a Doha beautiful football-loving country.” QFA general secretary Mansoor The Qatar Equestrian Fed- al-Ansari added: “Offi cial recog- eration will be organising ith under two years nition for the Bafana Bafana and the country’s first horse- to go before the FIFA Banyana Banyana Supporters’ back archery competition World Cup Qatar Club Qatar from the South Afri- on December 28, it was 2022 kicks off , the can Football Association is sym- announced yesterday. WSupreme Committee for Deliv- bolic of the strong football fan Called the Al Nashaab ery & Legacy (SC) and the Qa- culture among residents in Qa- Championship, it’s being tar Football Association (QFA) tar. There are many supporters’ held in co-operation with recently partnered with South groups in Qatar and they will all the Horseback Archery Africans in Qatar (SAIQ) to help help to enhance the fan and cul- Society. launch a supporters’ group for the tural experience during the FIFA Participants need to have Rainbow Nation’s national foot- World Cup in 2022.” a passport for their horses ball teams. The SC’s Community En- who must be vaccinated The establishment of the re- gagement programme provides and will be required to clear gion’s fi rst Bafana Bafana and Ban- a channel for people in Qatar to a test before the event. Par- yana Banyana Supporters’ Club South Africa’s ambassador to Qatar Faizel Moosa (centre) and Qatar learn about the opportunities ticipants must also obtain a was formalised through a Memo- Football Association general secretary Mansoor al-Ansari (right) at the and benefi ts that come from the rider’s ID from the technical randum of Understanding be- launch of the supporters’ group. country’s hosting of the World off ice of the QEF, organis- tween SAIQ and the South African Cup. It connects local people to ers said. Football Association (SAFA). The the atmosphere and spirit of cel- Banyana Supporters Club in the the social, economic and physical The QEF said that junior rid- initiative forms part of the vision ebration that will ensure lasting Middle East by the South Afri- regeneration taking place as a re- ers must be in the 12-18 age of the SC’s Community Engage- memories for everyone who visits can community in Qatar is a very sult of Qatar 2022 and enables the category, while male riders ment programme – to encourage Qatar in 2022.” positive development, which we community to contribute to the intending to take part in the communities within Qatar to be Run by community representa- welcome,” said SAFA president delivery – and ultimate success – senior event should be 18 part of their home country’s jour- tives and football enthusiasts – Dr Danny Jordaan. “We are do- of the tournament. or above. ney during Qatar 2022. Samantha Abrahams, Brad Haba- ing all we can to ensure Bafana Community Engagement de- Rules and regulations will “Supporters’ groups like this na, Xolani Holomisa and Bernard takes its place among the world’s livers its objectives through a be explained in detail by the one provide an opportunity for Lodge – the new South African football elite in Qatar in 2022. As range of initiatives, including the organising committee after fans around the world to connect supporters’ group is inclusive and the fi rst African hosts of the FIFA Youth Panel, Accessibility Forum, the qualifying round which with people in Qatar,” said the open to all South African expatri- World Cup, we are fully behind Community Partnerships, Volun- will be held on December 16. SC’s Communications Executive ates living and working in Qatar Qatar’s eff orts to host the Middle teer Programme, Tamreen, Cul- Those interested should Director, Fatma al-Nuaimi. “It’s and the Middle East. East’s fi rst FIFA World Cup. We tural Experience Programme, a call 55830282 for further vital we mobilise our many lo- “The establishment of the have no doubt it will be an excel- lecture series and various football details. cal communities to contribute to fi rst Bafana Bafana and Banyana lent, world-class event played in tournaments. Gulf Times 2 Wednesday, December 2, 2020 FOOTBALL ASIAN CHAMPIONS LEAGUE PREMIER LEAGUE Newcastle game with Villa postponed due Yokohama dump to Covid outbreak AFP training on Sunday after four London players and a member of the backroom staff tested positive for the virus last week. Bruce was ewcastle’s visit to As- already without fi ve fi rst-team out Jeonbuk to ton Villa, scheduled for players for last Friday’s 2-0 win Friday, became the fi rst over Crystal Palace. Premier League match In a statement, Newcastle Nto be postponed due to a corona- said: “Several Newcastle United virus outbreak since play resumed players and staff members are in June, the league confi rmed yes- now self-isolating at home after terday. Several Newcastle players returning positive test results in and staff have tested positive for recent days and the club’s train- cruise into last 16 coronavirus, leading the club to ing centre site has been tempo- shut their training ground. rarily closed in order to contain “Newcastle lodged a request the spread of the virus.” Sydney FC register a morale-boosting 4-0 thrashing of Shanghai SIPG with the Premier League to re- No Premier League match had arrange the game following a previously been called off since AFP signifi cant increase in Covid-19 football resumed after a three- Doha cases at the club, which resulted month stoppage between March in Public Health England North and June, but the decision was East advising that their training backed by Villa.