Sport

WEDNESDAY 23 JUNE 2021 Vaccine offer, 'architecturally fascinating' venues create fan buzz ahead of 2022 It’s a great gesture by Qatar to provide free vaccines to fans. It will no doubt provide safe and healthy environment for fans to enjoy the World Cup matches while ensuring fans fill stadiums to support their teams and the World Cup itself.

Mohammed Naeem Saleem Sport |18

EURO 2020: Croatia 3, Scotland 1; England 1, Czech Republic 0 (Group D) -COPA AMERICA: Uruguay 1, Chile 1; Argentina 1 Paraguay 0 Mauritania see off Yemen to seal Arab Cup spot

FAWAD HUSSAIN will utilise all this experience in THE PENINSULA the match against Djibouti,” he said. The coach added The ongoing FIFA Arab Cup that Arab Cup will be a huge Qualifiers produced another tournament for his side. fascinating match last night “The Arab Cup will be like a with Mauritania sealing their mini-World Cup. A competition berth in the group stage after a involving all Arab teams is 2-0 victory over spirited Yemen important, especially since this at the Jassim Bin Hamad has not happened since a long Stadium. time,” he said. Ismael Diakite gave Mauri- A victory against Lebanon tania the lead in the first half today will also be a huge with Hemeya Tanjy sealing the morale-booster for Djibouti, victory as Mauritania joined who will continue their World Tunisia, the United Arab Cup journey in the second Emirates and in Group B round group stage versus for the inaugural edition of the Algeria, Burkina Faso and Niger FIFA Arab Cup to take place in later this year. Qatar from November 30 to But coach Julien Mette, who December 18. is missing several key players Backed by a good number in the match, said it is going to of fans last night, Mauritania be a big challenge. started as hot favourites but “We are determined to well Ismael Diakite scores Mauritania's first goal against Yemen, yesterday. and book a place in the Arab Cup,” Djibouti coach told Ismael Diakite gave Mauritania reporters yesterday. Yemen were also impressive equaliser in the second half but 2022 qualifying, Lebanon are will be a proud moment for his “We have watched five the lead in the first half with before a red card to Mudir Al they were resisted well by a eyeing another achievement side, which is eyeing a strong matches involving the Lebanese Hemeya Tanjy sealing the Radaei, seven minutes before solid attack from the opposition. this month as they meet Dji- show against their African side and we are well aware of victory as Mauritania joined half-time, cost them dearly. While the Asian side was bouti in a play-off for the first opponents. their strengths and weaknesses. Tunisia, the United Arab The match swung both ends looking for a leveller, Tanjy FIFA Arab Cup. “We are ready to face Dji- They are good team and the Emirates and Syria in Group B in the start with Mauritania cre- sneaked in to double the Action will return to the bouti and our goal is to win this match will definitely be dif- ating good opportunities to advantage for Mauritania, five iconic Khalifa International match and qualify for the Arab ficult,” he added reposing con- for the inaugural edition of the score early. The Africans finally minutes before time as Corentin Stadium tonight in the inter- Cup,” Taha told reporters at a fidence in his side. FIFA Arab Cup to take place in took the lead in the 18th minute Martins-coached side advanced. continental clash that will see virtual news conference “We have a young team, Qatar from November 30 to when Adam Ba assisted Diakite, Lebanon eye coveted Arab the winners joining Algeria, yesterday. having an average age of 25 December 18. who put the ball back of the net Cup berth today Egypt and Sudan in Group D. “The recent Asian Qualifiers years who have the desire to in style. After qualifying for the next Lebanon coach Jamal Taha were the best preparations for prove themselves,” he said. Yemen, attempted for an round of FIFA World Cup Qatar said qualifying for the Arab Cup us ahead of this match and we The match will begin at 8pm. Sport WEDNESDAY 23 JUNE 2021 18 Football fans in the country and region welcome PM’s announcement Vaccine offer, 'architecturally fascinating' venues create fan buzz ahead of Qatar 2022

RIZWAN REHMAT THE PENINSULA

Qatar’s ‘generous’ offer to provide one million COVID-19 vaccines to visitors keen to watch the 2022 FIFA World Cup matches will ensure a safe event in Nov-Dec next year, football fans in the country and the region have said. Reacting to the Prime Min- ister’s assurance that Qatar’s World Cup preparations are ahead of schedule, residents and visitors have applauded the host country for building ‘archi- tecturally fascinating’ infra- structure in rapid fashion. On Sunday, the Prime Min- ister and Interior Minister H E Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa bin Abdulaziz Al Thani said Qatar remains on course to deliver a A computer generated picture of Lusail Stadium. World Cup edition to remember BELOW: A view of Education City Stadium. despite COVID-19 challenges. “Throughout the global pan- demic, Qatar’s COVID-19 strategy and initiatives, its focus on health and safety and the for fans to enjoy the World Cup country’s ability to innovate, matches while ensuring fans fill have significantly helped and up stadiums to support their supported the country’s tourism teams and the World Cup itself. and hospitality industry. With The only challenge I see is how the Prime Minister’s this would be executed in the announcement to provide one respective countries of fans. I million free vaccine for fans am sure Qatar will deliver on attending the FIFA World Cup, that front as well,” Saleem said. this initiative will reassure fans “I believe the infrastructure that attending the event will be development is well on track. a safe experience with their While COVID-19 situation might well-being at the heart of have delayed a few projects in Qatar’s concerns,” Andrew general, but the government, Humphries, Acting Chief Exec- however, is determined to make utive Officer for Katara Hospi- sure all the infrastructure is tality, told The Peninsula. ready and tested well before the “There is no doubt that the World Cup. One can witness the new stadiums built for the FIFA completion of many state-of- World Cup 2022 have been bril- the-art stadiums and metro liantly designed with a wealth network is well-linked to of experience behind them to control the World Cup traffic. give all stakeholders a fantastic The new road networks are experience. All stadiums are almost reaching their located in close proximity to completion. development work done till received first dose of vacci- is based in Canada, added. each other, allowing fans to “I see that Qatar has amazed now to make this event possible nation. Qatar’s noble gesture of “Given that Qatar is the first easily go to more than one the world with its brilliant new is indeed phenomenal as many providing one million fans with There is no doubt that the country in the GCC to host a match per day. As for me, I will stadiums in which we see the unexpected challenges were free vaccine shows the great new stadiums built for the mega event like the FIFA World certainly attend as many blend of local heritage and faced like blockade, global pan- hospitality it represents as a Cup, I anticipate an over- matches as I possibly can,” modern innovation. There is no demic etc and despite all of this, nation which is progressive and FIFA World Cup 2022 have whelming response from neigh- Humphries added when asked doubt Qatar will stage one of the Qatar’s government has suc- welcoming,” Hassan added. been brilliantly designed boring countries where football to comment about Qatar’s new best World Cup editions in the cessfully managed to tackle “Every football fan is anx- with a wealth of experience is as popular as it is in Europe stadiums. history and FIFA. I would love these problems. Qatar is on iously waiting to attend this his- behind them to give all and the Americas. Mohammed Naeem Saleem, to attend the matches and be track to completing the planned toric event. Qatar has built tre- stakeholders a fantastic “Having said that, Qatar Chief Operations Officer; Nasser part of this glory,” Saleem infrastructure well within the mendously elegant stadiums PM’s gesture of providing one Bin Nawaf & Partners Holdings added. deadlines,” Hassan, 33, told The which would definitely become experience. All stadiums are million free vaccines to fans, (NBN), said Qatar should be Hamood Hassan, Assistant Peninsula. centre of attraction and to make located in close proximity to despite the fact that the event applauded for offering free Vice President - Finance, “Talking about Qatar’s quick this even easier to access, trans- each other, allowing fans to is still more than a year away, COVID-19 vaccine to interna- QInvest LLC, said Qatar has action on getting it’s citizens portation system has been intel- easily go to more than one demonstrates that Qatar is tional fans. braved the toughest of chal- and residents vaccinated makes ligently developed which would match per day. As for me, I strongly committed to pulling “I think it’s a great gesture lenges in preparing to host the Qatar as one of the top coun- enable fans to enjoy one of the off a successful and historical by Qatar to provide free vaccine 2022 FIFA World Cup. tries to overcome this pandemic most memorable events of their will certainly attend as many event,” he said. to fans. It will no doubt provide “Qatar’s journey from the in a short span of time with lifetime,” he said. matches as I possibly can. “When I visited in safe and healthy environment time of winning the bid and almost 85% of population has Dr Arshad Ali, a frequent 2017, I discovered it to have one visitor to Qatar from Oman, said Andrew Humphries of the world’s largest airports. the designs of the new World Acting Chief Executive Officer for Later, I saw the construction of Cup stadiums were ‘architec- Katara Hospitality two stadiums that drew my turally fascinating’. attention with their cutting- “The seven new stadiums edge architecture. Qatar added built for the World Cup are seven brand new stadiums to architecturally fascinating and bought him a souvenir - a mug the tally of eight for this event, massive. I’d say seating with a logo of the Qatar 2022 indicating that the country is 40-60,000 people to watch a World Cup on it. At the same fully committed to the historic live football match - wow, the time, I promised him that we mega event. My host also mere thought of that excites me would celebrate his university informed me about the network a great deal,” Ali, a researcher graduation in Qatar during the of new roads and other modes at Earth Sciences Research World Cup in 2022. In addition, of transportation, such as the Centre, Sultan Qaboos Uni- as an Omani resident, I want brand new metro. I believe versity, Oman, said from Oman to qualify for this event Qatar planned and built the Muscat. so that I have a chance to travel infrastructure to host FIFA “During my family’s trip to to Qatar wearing an Omani World Cup every 16-20 years Dubai in 2018 to celebrate my jersey. I am hoping that my wish as well as other major events Mohammed Naeem Saleem Hamood Hassan Arshad Ali son’s high school graduation, I comes true,” Ali, whose family such as the Olympics,” he said. Final chance to book Olympic berths as Doha World Cup begins

THE PENINSULA — DOHA Games. The event will conclude qualification spot for Women’s And for athletes not aiming on June 26. Floor Exercise. to land berths, Doha presents Olympic champion Eleftherios The pressure is on for “The Doha World Cup is another opportunity to Petrounias (GRE) and three-time Petrounias, who did not qualify upon us - this will be a very compete internationally Olympian Vanessa Ferrari (ITA) for Tokyo 2020 at the 2019 important month,” Ferrari ahead of the other big event are among those aiming to clinch World Championships, leaving commented on Instagram on 1 in Japan this year: October’s tickets to this summer’s Tokyo the Apparatus World Cup series June, accompanied by a photo Artistic Gymnastics World Games at the Artistic Gymnastics as his only viable path to the of herself in a dramatic pose Championships in Apparatus World Cup, which Games. on Floor. Olympic qualifiers Kitakyushu. gets underway at Aspire Dome, “I have to do the fight of my will be finalised following the A total 26 countries have today. life,” the 30-year-old wrote on event in Doha. registered for this year's event The final major event in Instagram this week. To those already qualified that was postponed last year Artistic Gymnastics before the “I have mixed emotions to the Games, including 2019 due to the pandemic. Olympic Games, Doha is the about it; there’s a lot of stress World Still Rings champion For the first time ever in its eighth and final stop on the and scary pressure, but mainly Ibrahim Colak (TUR) and history since 2008, the high- 2018-2021 FIG Apparatus anticipation for the fight.” seven-time Olympian Oksana profile competition will be held World Cup series, where top- 2006 World All-Around Chusovitina (UZB), the compe- without fans due to the strict ranked specialists on each champion Ferrari is in a similar tition offers one last chance for COVID-19 protocols in place. Gymnasts during a training session apparatus have one last chance position, battling team-mate routine refinement before The event was earlier at Aspire Dome yesterday. to lock down their places at the Lara Mori (ITA) for the Olympic Tokyo. scheduled from March 10-13. WEDNESDAY 23 JUNE 2021 SPORT 19 Modric, Perisic help Croatia enter last 16

REUTERS — GLASGOW Republic finished third in the group, but still advance with Second-half goals from Luka their four point haul. Modric and Ivan Perisic helped Meanwhile, Germany's Croatia book their spot in the attacking midfielder Thomas last 16 of the European Cham- Mueller will have to wait until pionships in a 3-1 win over this morning to find out if he can Scotland yesterday. play in their final Euro 2020 It was winner takes all in Group F game later in the day, Glasgow with three points with the player nursing a knee meaning certain qualification injury, coach Joachim Loew for the knockout stages, and a said. tense match was settled by Mueller was injured during Modric’s stunning curler in the their 4-2 win over Portugal at the weekend and has not trained with the team. "For Mueller, we will have to wait until tomorrow," Loew told a news conference yesterday. "He will undergo a final test and then we will see and decide if he is capable of playing or not." Loew said Mats Hummels, Ilkay Gundogan and Robin Gosens had been ruled fit after Croatia’s Luka Modric scores their second goal, yesterday. overcoming minor injuries picked up in the Portugal game. 62nd minute and Perisic’s Perisic’s third means Croatia Early England goal ensures Wembley in the last 16 next The trio trained with the team Today's Fixtures flicked header late on. now finish second in Group D, win and top spot in Group D week when England will take earlier yesterday at their base Callum McGregor’s pow- and will play the runner-up of Raheem Sterling scored on the runners-up in Group F, north of Munich. 7pm: Slovakia vs Spain erful strike three minutes before Group E in Copenhagen on June early as England beat the Czech to be decided today. "We were all happy with the 7pm: Sweden vs Poland half time had cancelled out 28 in the last 16 knockout stage. Republic 1-0 at Wembley yes- Unbeaten England finished way we beat Portugal but there Nikola Vlasic’s opener, but England’s 1-0 win over Czech terday to take top spot in Group with seven points, comfortably was also an analysis we can 10pm: Germany vs Steve Clarke’s Scotland were Republic means they top the D at the European ahead of Croatia, who were improve some things. The team Hungary second best, and are still to group, with the Czechs through Championship. second with four after beating is focused and concentrated and 10pm: Portugal vs France reach the knockout stages of a as one of four best third-placed The 12th minute headed Scotland 3-1 in Glasgow. knows that we have taken just major tournament. teams. goal also means a return to A tired-looking Czech one step," Loew said. Copa America: Argentina qualify for quarter-finals

REUTERS — BRASILIA from three games and leaves have very many chances at tricky games against Chile and them top of Group A, two points goal.” Paraguay had never Uruguay. For Argentina, Sergio Argentina ensured their place ahead of Chile, four ahead of beaten Argentina over 90 Aguero made his first interna- in the quarter-finals of the Paraguay and six ahead of minutes in the Copa America, tional start since November Copa America on Monday Uruguay. a run that covers 25 matches, 2019 but was anonymous up when they beat Paraguay 1-0 in Bolivia are bottom with no and they were up against it as front and it was Di Maria and a game notable for Lionel Messi’s points from two matches so early as the 10th minute when Lionel Messi who stood out. record-equalling 147th with four of the five teams Argentina went ahead. On the night he equalled appearance for the national side. qualifying for the last eight, Paraguay came out more Javier Mascherano’s record of The victory in Brasilia was Argentina are sure of positive in a changed second 147 games in the blue and white Argentina’s Argentina’s second 1-0 win progressing. half, with Newcastle United’s shirt, Messi was a busy Lionel Messi in in a row in this tournament “We’re through but we Miguel Almiron always dan- presence in the Paraguayan action against and their 16th match without have to keep improving,” said gerous on the left wing. half. Paraguay. defeat since losing in the defender German Pezzella. However, although they Both he and Di Maria drew Copa America semi-final in “We had a great first half, enjoyed the bulk of the pos- fouls from their opponents who 2019. our intensity wasn’t the same session they could not turn it ended up committing 23 fouls It gives them seven points in the second but they didn’t into chances and now face two to Argentina’s 11.

GM Alexander Grischuk Bowlers leave WTC final on knife edge

REUTERS — SOUTHAMPTON India’s Mohammad Shami (second left) celebrates with team-mates after taking the of New Zealand’s New Zealand claimed a handy Colin de Grandhomme. first-innings lead of 32 and restricted India to 64-2 on an absorbing fifth day’s play in the final of the inaugural World Test Championship (WTC) yesterday. Mohammed Shami inspired India’s lion-hearted effort with the ball on day five to deny New Zealand a bigger lead in the low- scoring match. India are 32 runs ahead with eight in hand heading into the reserve day today, which has been activated to make up for lost time in the weather-hit match. Qualifiers advance to Virat Kohli, batting on eight, and Cheteshwar Pujara, on face Carlsen at Katara 12, will hope to avoid any dra- matic collapse which could gift New Zealand a shot at the title. International Chess Earlier, resuming on 101-2, New Zealand were all out for 249 THE PENINSULA — DOHA Final. The star power in for a 32-run first innings lead at both events was off the the Ageas Bowl. A total of 15 qualifiers, chart with GM Alexander compiled a spectacularly by a diving put New Zealand ahead but fell India lost opener Gill before including wildcard entrant Grischuk, GM Andrew painstaking 49, while Shubman Gill at cover before the agonisingly short of what could they could wipe out the first-innings GM Alexander Grischuk of Tang, GM Ray Robson, GM (30) and Kyle Jamieson (21) pro- seamer sent BJ Watling’s bails have been only the second indi- deficit and Rohit Sharma made 30 Russia, have advanced to Nihal Sarin, GM Praggnan- vided cameos to push New Zealand flying with a fuller . vidual fifty of the match. before Southee trapped him lbw to face 7-time world andhaa, GM Dimitry past India’s first-innings total of 217. The seamer, who got the ball Ishant Sharma (3-48) ended deny India the upper hand. champion and defending Andreikin, GM Vladislav Shami (4-76) led India’s to swing and bounce alarmingly, the New Zealand skipper’s five- The one-off match lost two champion Magnus Carlsen Artemiev, and many others fightback after skipper Virat Kohli returned after the lunch break to hour vigil, inducing him into full days to rain on England’s of Norway in the 2nd battling keen contests. made three inspired bowling claim the wickets of Colin de feebly poking at a delivery and south coast, diminishing hopes of edition of the Katara Inter- After the dust settled, changes in the morning session. Grandhomme and Jamieson. Kohli grabbed the edge standing a result in the inaugural World national Chess Tour- the 14 qualifiers to make Shami had caught Williamson hit a boundary to wide at second slip. Test Championship final. nament 2021 which began the list are: GM Vladislav on Sunday. Artemiev (RUS), IM The qualifiers emerged Thomas Beerdsen (NED), WTC FINAL: SCOREBOARD from among 5143 partici- IM Yoseph Taher (INA), GM India 1st Innings 217 Jadeja 7.2-2-20-1 (2nb) Zalmi to meet Sultans in PSL final pants worldwide. Grischuk Rasmus Svane (GER), GM New Zealand 1st Innings India 2nd Innings was extended the wild card Gyula Pap (HUN), GM T. Latham c Kohli b Ashwin ...... 30 R. Sharma lbw b Southee ...... 30 Peshawar Zalmi batsmen by the organizers – the Olexandr Bortnyk (UKR), D. Conway c Shami b Ishant ...... 54 S. Gill lbw b Southee ...... 8 Hazratullah Zazai and Jonathan Qatar Chess Federation GM SL Narayanan (IND), K. Williamson c Kohli b Ishant ...... 49 C. Pujara ...... 12 Wells in action against Islamabad R. Taylor c Gill b Shami ...... 11 V. Kohli not out ...... 8 (QCF) in cooperation with GM Sergei Zhigalko (BLR), United in Abu Dhabi yesterday. H. Nicholls c Rohit b Ishant ...... 7 Extras (lb4, nb1, w1) ...... 6 the Cultural Village Foun- GM Ray Robson (USA), IM BJ Watling b Shami ...... 1 Total (2 wkts, 30 overs, 140 mins) ...... 64 Zalmi won the play-off game dation – Katara – given his Artyom Zubritskiy (RUS), C. de Grandhomme lbw b Shami ...... 13 To bat: A Rahane, R Pant, R Jadeja, R Ashwin, J by eights wickets to reach the stature as World No.7 and GM Andrew Tang (USA), K. Jamieson c Bumrah b Shami ...... 21 Bumrah, I Sharma, M Shami final of the 2021 Pakistan Super FIDE Rating (2776). GM Vugar Rasulov (AZE), T. Southee b Jadeja ...... 30 Fall of wickets: 1-24 (Gill), 2-51 (Rohit) League where they will play With $12,800 in prizes GM Dmitry Andreikin N. Wagner c Rahane b Ashwin ...... 0 Bowling: Southee 9-3-17-2; Boult 8-1-20-0; Jamie- against Multan Sultans. The six- up for grabs, the action will (RUS), FM Jose Gabriel T. Boult not out ...... 7 son 10-4-15-0 (1nb, 1w); Wagner 3-0-8-0 team T20 league ends tomorrow. continue today with the Cardoso (COL). Extras (b4, lb16, nb6) ...... 26 Match position: India lead by 32 runs with eight PIC: @PESHAWARZALMI Knockout Final of Online The final will be played Total (all out, 99.2 overs, 475 mins) 249 wickets standing Fall of wickets: 1-70 (Latham), 2-101 (Conway), Note: No play at all on first and fourth days (rain), Bullet Chess on lichess.org. today from 6pm Doha 3-117 (Taylor), 4-134 (Nicholls), 5-135 (Watling), additional sixth day will be used The top seven finishers Time and is expected to 6-162 (De Grandhomme), 7-192 (Jamieson), 8-221 Toss: New Zealand in two arena qualifiers (#1, attract a large worldwide (Williamson), 9-234 (Rahane), 10-249 (Southee) Umpires: Michael Gough (ENG), Richard Illingworth #2) battled for the right to audience virtually live on Bowling: Ishant 25-9-48-3; Bumrah 26-9-57-0 (ENG) join Carlsen and Grischuk YouTube and other social (3nb); Shami 26-8-76-4; Ashwin 15-5-28-2 (1nb); TV umpire: Richard Kettleborough (ENG) in the 16-player Knockout media channels.