SUNDAY 9 FEBRUARY 2020 SPORTSPORT 22

CRICKET FOOTBALL A lot of people think it’s about one-off runs, but it’s rounds Y’S First Test, Third EPL: Sheffield United that really show who you are and the amount of work you A Day: Pakistan vs vs AFC Bournemouth; do: Usain Bolt tells speedy Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver D Bangladesh in Manchester City vs O

Tyreek Hill to forget trying for the US team for the Olympics. ACTION

TODAY’S TODAY’S T Rawalpindi West Ham United Babar, Masood tons help Pakistan dominate Bangladesh in first Test

AFP — RAWALPINDI Pakistan’s Babar Azam (right) shakes hands with his third Test century -- second team-mate Shan Masood as he celebrates his half in successive Tests. Sparkling hundreds from Babar century, yesterday. Masood -- who was finally Dale Steyn Azam and Shan Masood put bowled out by Islam -- reached Pakistan in command against his hundred by hooking pacer Bangladesh on the second day Rubel Hossain for his 12th of the first Test at Rawalpindi boundary. He reached three yesterday. figures off 157 balls in 226 Steyn returns Azam scored a career best minutes of batting. unbeaten 143 for his third suc- Islam (1-111) toiled hard as to South Africa cessive hundred in as many he bowled 27 overs on the trot Tests -- fifth of a burgeoning since start. The only other suc- career -- while opener Shan cessful bowler was paceman Twenty20 Masood made 100 as they pul- Abu Jayed whose figure read verised a hapless Bangladesh 2-66. squad for attack at Rawalpindi stadium. When Pakistan started their At close, Azam was still innings in the morning all focus England series batting with Asad Shafiq on 60, was on Abid, who scored two piling agony on the visitors hundreds in his first two Tests during their unbroken 137-run against Sri Lanka in December REUTERS — CAPE TOWN stand for the fourth . last year. Masood said he and Azam Another hundred would Dale Steyn has received a have done their jobs. have equalled Indian player recall to South Africa’s “We have batted our way to Mohammad Azharuddin’s squad take the team in a strong unique record -- three suc- for the three-match series position and hope that the cessive centuries in his first against England next week, a remaining batsmen come and three Tests -- but Abid fell far sign he is in the selectors’ short when he was dismissed thoughts for the World Cup in SCOREBOARD score so that we can build a and 100 against Sri score was 127 against New without scoring. Australia later in the year. Bangladesh (I innings) ...... 233 good lead,” said Masood, who Lanka in two Tests -- making Zealand in Dubai in November He edged a short and wide The experienced Steyn has Pakistan (I innings) hailed Azam as world class. this his fourth hundred in five 2018. delivery from Jayed into the not played for South Africa Shan Masood b Islam ...... 100 “When Babar was coming Tests. Shafiq also batted with con- hands of wicketkeeper Liton since March 2019, but has fully Abid Ali c Das b Jayed ...... 0 out to bat the crowd chanted In between he missed a fidence, having so far hit eight Das and trudged off to the recovered from a shoulder Azhar Ali c Shanto b Jayed ...... 34 ‘Babar, Babar’ and that is the hundred at Adelaide by a mere boundaries in his 111-ball knock. pavilion heartbroken. injury and recently featured Babar Azam (not out) ...... 143 sign of a great batsman who is three runs. But it could have been an Captain Azhar added 91 for the Melbourne Stars in Asad Shafiq (not out) ...... 60 so popular.” Azam steered spinner Taijul early exit for Azam had Ebadot runs for the second wicket Australia’s domestic Big Bash Extras: (B 1, LB 3, NB 1) ...... 5 Pakistan lead Bangladesh’s Islam to short third man Hossain not dropped him off with Masood and looked set league. Total: (for three wkts) ...... 342 Fall of : 1-2 (Abid), 2-93 (Azhar), first innings total of 233 by 109 boundary for his 15th four to Islam at long-off when his score for a big score until he miscued South Africa have rested 3-205 (Masood) runs with six wickets intact. complete three-figure mark off was only two. a drive off Jayed and was batsman Faf du Plessis and fast Bowling: Ebadat 14.5-2-78-0, Jayed 20-2- Since his fighting century just 134 balls. That lapse cost Bangladesh caught by Najmul Hossain bowler Kagiso Rabada for the 66-2, Rubel 17-3-77-0 (1nb), Islam 34-5-111-1, against Australia at Brisbane He has so far batted for 276 dearly as Azam added an inval- Shanto in the slip. Azhar’s series, while there is no return Mahmudullah 2-0-6-0 (104) in November last year, minutes, smashing 18 bound- uable 112 for the third wicket attractive 34 included four yet for AB de Villiers, who has Azam has notched 102 not out aries and a six. His previous best with Masood, who also knocked boundaries. made himself available for the World Cup that runs from October 18 to November 15. After strong domestic In-form Taylor leads New Zealand form, there are maiden call- ups for batsman, Pite van Biljon, 33, and seamer Sisanda Magala, 29, though the bowler to one-day series win over India must pass a fitness test first. “We have once again taken AFP — AUCKLAND SCOREBOARD Park with its short bound- the opportunity to reward New Zealand India aries and when Prithvi some of the hard workers of M Guptill run out (Thakur/Rahul) ...... 79 P Shaw b Jamieson ...... 24 New Zealand wrapped up H Nicholls lbw Chahal ...... 41 M Agarwal c Taylor b Bennett ...... 3 Shaw smacked the first our domestic franchise system the one-day series against T Blundell v Saini b Thakur ...... 22 V Kohli b Southee ...... 15 two deliveries of the while some of our key senior India with veteran Ross R Taylor not out ...... 73 S Iyer c Latham b Bennett ...... 52 innings to the boundary it players continue with their Taylor and debutant Kyle T Latham lbw Jadeja ...... 7 K Rahul b de Grandhomme ...... 4 seemed the tourists would much-needed rest period,” J Neesham run out (Jadeja) ...... 3 K Jadhav c Nicholls b Southee ...... 9 Jamieson combining to set C de Grandhomme c Iyer b Thakur ...... 5 R Jadeja c de Grandhomme b Neesham ...... 55 wrap the match up quickly. South Africa’s director of up a 22-run win in game M Chapman c&b Chahal ...... 1 S Thakur b de Grandhomme ...... 18 But after Mayank , Graeme Smith, said in two in Auckland yesterday. T Southee c Saini b Chahal ...... 3 N Saini b Jamieson ...... 45 Agarwal was dismissed in a statement yesterday. K Jamieson (not out) ...... 25 Y Chahal run out (Neesham/Latham) ...... 10 The pair put on an Extras: (B4, LB4, W6) ...... 14 J Bumrah (not out) ...... 0 the third over India “We have again put our unbeaten 76-run part- Total: (eight wickets; 50 overs) ...... 273 Extras: (LB4, W12) ...... 16 struggled to regain faith in Quinton de Kock to nership following a middle- Fall of wickets: 1-93,, 2-142, 3-157,4-171, 5-175, Total (all out; 48.3 overs) ...... 251 momentum. lead this group of exciting 6-185, 7-187, 8-197 Fall of wickets: 1-21, 2-34, 3-57, 4-71, 5-96, order collapse to get New Did not bat: Hamish Bennett. 6-129, 7-153, 8-229, 9-251, 10-251 New Zealand pace cricketers, picking up where Zealand through to 273. Bowling: Thakur 10-1-60-2 (3w), Bumrah 10-0- Bowling: Bennett 9-0-58-2 (3w), Southee 10-1- bowler Tim Southee who he left off in India, where he India were dismissed for 251 64-0 , Saini 10-0-48-0 (2w), Chahal 10-0-58-3 41-2 (1w), Jamieson 10-1-42-2, de Grandhomme was unwell and only showed exemplary with nine balls remaining (1w), Jadeja 10-0-35-1 10-1-54-2 (2w), Neesham 9.3-0-52-1 played because his team leadership.” in their innings. had no other bowlers to The first T20 against New Zealand, who trouble negotiating the dominance over the New call on, made history when England will be staged in East won the first match by four spin of Yuzendra Chahal Zealand attack. he dismissed India’s tal- London on Wednesday, before wickets on Wednesday, (three for 53) and Ravindra Ravindra Jadeja and isman Virat Kohli for 15. matches in Durban (Feb. 14) made a strong start in Jadeja while Guptill was Navdeep Saini put on 76 It was a record ninth and Pretoria (Feb. 16). Auckland with Martin run out looking for a quick for the eighth wicket but time he has dismissed Guptill (69) and Henry single. In a comparison while Saini in only his Kohli across all formats SQUAD Nicholls (41) putting on 93 after 41.3 overs, New fourth ODI contributed 45 and moved him past for the first wicket. Zealand were 197 for eight off 49 deliveries, Jadeja England pair James Squad: Quinton de Kock (captain), Reeza Following Nicholl’s and India 202 for seven. was unable to maintain the Anderson and Graeme Hendricks, Temba Bavuma, Rassie van der dismissal, Tom Blundell But while the same pace and his 55 off Swann who have claimed Dussen, David Miller, Pite van Biljon, Dwaine joined Guptill to get the homeside were rescued by 73 balls only included two the Indian captain’s scalp Pretorius, Andile Phehlukwayo, Jon-Jon Smuts, Beuran Hendricks, Tabraiz Shamsi, total to 142 before seven a flurry of boundaries from fours and one six. eight times. The third and New Zealand’s Ross Taylor bats during the second

wickets fell for 55 runs in Taylor and Jamieson, the The 274-run target set final match in the series is one-day international against India at Eden Park Lungi Ngidi, Sisanda Magala, Bjorn Fortuin, 15 overs. tourists were unable to for India was not a in Mount Maunganui on in Auckland yesterday. Dale Steyn, Heinrich Klaasen. New Zealand had assert the same daunting prospect on Eden Tuesday. PEBBLE BEACH PRO-AM SCORES Day and Mickelson chasing Taylor at Pebble Beach 14-under 129 - Nick Taylor (CAN) 63-66 AFP — SAN FRANCISCO Beach for a 12-under total of 131, made all the putts,” said Taylor, Former world number one “I would like to win,” said 12-under while Mickelson, a five-time whose seven birdies included Day fires an eight-under Day, who has been a consistent 131 - Jason Day (AUS) 67-64 Australian Jason Day and winner of the event, carded a four in his last five holes. par 64 at Pebble Beach top-10 finisher at Pebble Beach 11-under defending champion Phil Mick- seven-under 64 a t “It was nice to gget off to a for a 12-under total of for the last six years. 132 - Phil Mickelson 68-64 elson (pictured) were onn tthehe Monterey reallreallyy ggoodood start -- I was tthree-h 131, while Mickelson, a “That’s the main goal is to 10-under heels of Nick Taylor ass the PeninsulaPeninsula for under through six,” Taylor said. five-time winner of the try and win one. But I’ve played Canadian maintainedd a anan 11-under11-under “I“I made some ggoodood pparsa in very well here. I love everything 133 - Chris Baker 69-64, Charl event, cards a Schwartzel (RSA) 67-66 two-shot lead in the USS PPGAGA totaltotal ooff 1132.32. tthehe mimiddleddle ooff tthehe rroundoun -- about Pebble and the landscape Tour Pebble Beach Pro-Am.Am. “I“I hihitt aactuallyctually mamadede a googoodd bobogey seven-under 64 at that all three golf courses that 9-under Monterey Peninsula for an 134 - Scott Piercy 68-66, Dustin Taylor, chasing his secondecond some ssaveave at the 12th hole -- and are on.” US tour title, fired a six-underunder rreallyeally mmadeade some really nice pputts 11-under total of 132. Mickelson had an eagle, Johnson 69-65 par 66 at Pebble Beachh GolfGolf goodgood shots ccomingoming in the last five holholes.”e seven birdies and two bogeys at 8-under Links -- one of three coursesses in comingcoming in After his lone bogey ofo the Monterey Peninsula, falling back 135 - Kevin Chappell 68-67, Bran- use for the tournament aalonglong anandd day at 12, TaylorTa 16-footer at 18 to cap his round. with a bogey at his final hole, don Wu 69-66, Lanto Griffin 67-68, with the par-72 Spyglasss HillHill ddrainedrained an 18-foot18- Day climbed the leader- the ninth. Harry Higgs 66-69, Patrick Cantlay and par-71 Monterey Peninsulainsula birdiebirdie at thethe 14th board with a bogey-free effort He’ll play Pebble Beach on 66-69 Shore Course. andand a four-fo at Pebble Beach, where the final Saturday while Taylor and Day 136 - Matt Every 70-66 After his 63 at Montereyerey ffooterooter aatt the round will be played today. move to the hardest course in 7-under Peninsula on Thursday,ay, 115th.5th. He Along with an eagle at the the rotation, Spyglass Hill. 136 - Chez Reavie 67-69, Alex Taylor had a 14-under par rrolledolled in a par-five 14th -- where he “I think the forecast is for a Noren (SWE) 69-67, Max Homa 67- total of 129. nnine-i n chipped in from 40 yards out -- bit of wind so, Spyglass, there

69, Keith Mitchell 69-67, Paul Casey Former world numberr ffooteroo Day notched six birdies, will be some challenging holes (ENG) 71-65, Kevin Streelman 69-67 one Day fired an eight- aat 17 including a 23-foot birdie at the up by the water,” Taylor said under par 64 at Pebble anda a 18th. after day's play. SUNDAY 9 FEBRUARY 2020 SPORT 23

Al Sahouti crowned QSTK 300 champion at Losail International Circuit 4th Round: Al Sulaiti claims QSTK 600 double THE PENINSULA — DOHA

Saeed Al Sulaiti won both the races during the fourth round of the Qatar Superstock 600 to take a five-point lead over Abdulla Al Qubaisi at Losail International Circuit. In the first race, Al Sulaiti, who got the Superpole, pushed from the second lap and lead the race until the checkered flag with a total time of 25:07.473. Podium was completed by Mishal Al Naimi and Al Qubaisi. Bulgarian rider, Mihail Florov, finished in fourth place fol- lowed by Soud Al Thani. In the second race, Al Sulaiti followed the same strategy to win the race, with Al Qubaisi and Al Naimi finishing second and third respectively. “I am very happy with my results this weekend. The double was a must for me in this round to have a hope to win the championship again," said Al Sulaiti. Saeed Al Sulaiti (centre), Abdulla Al Qubaisi (left) and Mishal Al Naimi at the presentation ceremony during the 4th Round of Qatar Superstock 600 at Losail International Al Naimi, after crash in the Circuit. RIGHT: Hamad Al Sahouti (centre), Yousef Al Darwish (left) and Alexian Macary pose for a picture on the QSTK 300 Supersport podium. Superpole, had some problems with the bike during the races. previous round, Al Qubaisi, was very difficult,” said Al Qubaisi. place was for Hassan Al In the second race, there champion. “I am very happy for “I started the weekend with not happy with the weekend's In the QSTK Trophy, the first Mansoori. was again a close fight between winning this championship,” the same set up and I didn’t outcome . place was for Jeremy Parola fol- In the QSTK 300 Supersport Al Sahouti and Al Darwish, who said Al Sahouti. have any problem with the front “I was not really prepared lowed by Rayad Al Emadi and championship, two races were finally took the victory. Macary “All the races were amazing tyre but when I crashed in the for this round but Saeed was Alexander Qabazard in the first held in this last round. finished in third place against. and it has been a great expe- Superpole, I changed the bike very fast and very well pre- race. In the first race, the win was As this round was the last rience. I want to thank QMA, and it was not perfect at all,” he pared," he said. In the second race, Parola for Hamad Al Sahouti, followed one of the QSTK 300 Supersport Losail Circuit and QMMF for this said. "Hopefully, I can be stronger and Emadi repeated the same by Yousef Al Darwish and season, Al Sahouti, leading the great opportunity and champi- The double winner of the in the last round as it will be results but this time the third Alexian Macary. points table, was crowned onship,” he added. Federer and Nadal play to Fed Cup: Spain seal Finals record crowd in Cape Town spot with unassailable 3-0 lead over Japan AFP — CAPE TOWN since playing in the country as The five-time a junior. REUTERS — LONDON Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal “It’s an unforgettable champions are the attracted what organisers said evening. We will probably Spain raced into the Fed Cup first nation to join was a world record crowd for To have 51,954 never play again in an atmos- Finals as they raced into an exempted France, a tennis match when they people in phere such as this one,” said unassailable 3-0 lead over Australia, Czech played an exhibition event in attendance at a Nadal. “I can’t thank enough the Japan, with Carla Suarez Republic and hosts the Cape Town Stadium. people here in Cape Town. They Navarro claiming the Hungary in the The organisers said an tennis match, I came here and created an winning point at the La revamped Finals taking audited attendance of 51,954 never thought unforgettable atmosphere.” Manga Club yesterday. beat the 42,517 who watched Earlier in the day, Federer The five-time champions place in April. Federer play Alexander Zverev I’d be apart of and his doubles partner bil- are the first nation to join of Germany in Mexico City last something like lionaire Bill Gates beat Nadal exempted France, Australia, are 2-0 ahead of Brazil and November. that: Roger Federer and South-African born Czech Republic and hosts the United States, featuring They also announced that comedian Trevor Noah in a Hungary in the revamped Australian Open champion the ‘Match in Africa’ raised match with more flexible rules. Finals taking place in April. Sofia Kenin and Serena Wil- $3.5m for the Roger Federer The ceremonial coin toss Seven other qualifying liams, lead Latvia 2-0. Foundation, which supports was performed by World Cup- ties were to be resolved later Romania and Russia educational and athletic pro- winning Springbok rugby yesterday to complete the were level going into Sat- grammes for children in Africa. captain Siya Kolisi, who pre- line-up. urday, as were Belgium and “To have 51,954 people in sented Federer with a Canada trailed 2-0 to Kazakhstan. attendance at a tennis match, I Springbok jersey. The coin used Switzerland overnight but a The Fed Cup has followed never thought I’d be apart of was a commemorative 20 Swiss stunning win for 17-year-old the men’s Davis Cup compe- something like that,” said Francs piece minted with Fed- world number 185 Leylah tition by adopting a multi- Federer. erer’s face. He gave it to Kolisi. Annie Fernandez over world nation finals in one city, with “It’s not something you Other high-profile South number five Belinda Bencic 12 team set to assemble at the dream about. African sports stars in yesterday gave them hope. Laszlo Papp Budapest Sports Federer, who was accom- attendance included former Spain led 2-0 overnight Arena in April. panied by his South African Springbok captains John Smit and the 31-year-old Suarez They will be split into mother, Lynette, said his first and Jean de Villiers as well as Navarro wasted little time four groups of three with the appearance in South Africa was Olympic swimmer Ryk finishing off Japan as she winners of each group a special occasion. Neethling. swept past Kurumi Nara 6-1, moving into the semi-finals “The first time here in Cape The match is the sixth 6-3 on the outdoor before a final to decide the Town, in South Africa, means edition of the event organised claycourt. 2020 champions. so much more than just tennis,” by the Roger Federer Foun- Nara, 137 on the WTA As well as trying to he said. dation and is the first to take rankings, was a late stand-in increase the exposure of the Federer won 6-4, 3-6, 6-3 place in Africa. as Japan’s number one women’s team event run by in a match in which the players Roger Federer (right) of Switzerland and Rafael Nadal of Spain “There’s so much antici- Naomi Osaka did not take to the International Tennis Fed- had to contend with cool, windy play a tennis match at Cape Town Stadium as part of an exhibition pation that goes into it that the the court after her dismal eration, the extra TV revenue conditions in the stadium that game in Cape Town, South Africa. match itself almost gets for- defeat by Sara Sorribes means an $18m prize fund of was built for the 2010 football gotten,” said Federer before the Tormo on Friday. which $12m goes to the World Cup. and did the wave throughout amazing stadium,” said Nadal, match. In the other ties, Slovakia players and the other $6m to The arena was packed with the match. who was making his first He said he spent childhood lead Britain 2-0, Germany the federations. eager fans who sang, clapped “It’s an amazing crowd, an appearance in South Africa holidays in South Africa. Neymar to miss PSG's Richarlison sparks Everton win over Palace REUTERS — LIVERPOOL went ahead after 18 minutes game against Lyon due when Theo Walcott created Everton’s Everton scored twice in the space to deliver a perfect Brazilian striker to rib injury second half thanks to a cross for Bernard’s con- Richarlison (third piece of brilliance from trolled volley. left) celebrates AP — PARIS Richarlison and late oppor- That was Walcott’s last after scoring tunism from Dominic meaningful contribution as their second goal, Neymar will miss Paris Saint-Germain’s home Calvert-Lewin to claim a 3-1 he soon departed with a yesterday. game against Lyon in the French League today win over Crystal Palace at jarred knee to be replaced by as he continues to recover from a rib injury. Goodison Park yesterday Djibril Sidibe but only after a The Brazil star hurt his ribs in a physical and move up to seventh in curious episode saw the encounter against Montpellier last weekend the Premier League. Frenchman briefly disappear and missed league leader PSG’s trip to play After Christian Benteke down the tunnel, apparently Nantes on Tuesday night. cancelled out Bernard’s in search of a second sock. PSG coach Thomas Tuchel said Neymar opener with his first Palace The visitors, who have trained normally on Saturday morning but goal since April, Brazilian not won since Boxing Day, “it’s too early for him to play” against Lyon. Richarlison picked up the struggled to deal with Rich- Tuchel did not say whether Neymar would ball on the halfway line, arlison’s movement and be ready for the French Cup quarterfinal away drove into the area and power but forced their way to Dijon on Wednesday. struck an unstoppable shot back into contention when PSG has a league game at Amiens next for his ninth league goal of Everton keeper Jordan Saturday before traveling to face Borussia the season. Pickford somehow allowed Dortmund three days later in the first leg of Although Palace began Benteke’s shot to roll under their Champions League last-16 game on promisingly, with Patrick his body in the 51st to end a 36 points from 26 games, a currently occupy the Europa in fourth, which brings Feb. 18. van Aanholt’s scruffy shot goal drought that had lasted point behind fifth-placed League qualifying spot, and Champions League football hitting the post, Everton 1,476 minutes. Everton have Tottenham Hotspur who five points behind Chelsea next season. SPORT SPORT | 22 SPORT | 23 Day, Mickelson 4th Round: chasing Taylor Al Sulaiti at Pebble claims QSTK Beach 600 double

SUNDAY 9 FEBRUARY 2020 ACL: Al Sadd Qatar's Attiyah wins Oman Rally to depart for

THE PENINSULA — MUSCAT, OMAN 2020 Oman International third of the Ford Fiesta R5s. The Riyadh today Rally – positions after SS13: Qatari said: “The rally was Nasser Saleh Al Attiyah began good, the stages, the parc ferme THE PENINSULA — DOHA the defence of his FIA Middle 1. Nasser Saleh Al-Attiyah and the service area. East Rally Championship in (QAT)/Matthieu Baumel (FRA) “We really enjoyed the The Al Sadd first team dele- emphatic style with a Volkswagen Polo GTI R5 2hr stages. Some of them are a bit gation will leave by a private convincing start-to-finish 04min 32.3sec tough. After 28 years, coming plane today evening for victory in the Oman Interna- 2. Abdullah Al-Rawahi (OMN)/Ata back to Oman to do the rally, I Riyadh, Saudi Arabia to take tional Rally yesterday. Hmoud (JOR) Ford Fiesta R5 2hr keep my pace and I take third on Al Nassr in the AFC Cham- The Qatari and French co- 09min 36.4sec position. I am glad to start the pions League (ACL) Group D driver Matthieu Baumel won 3. Nasser Khalifa Al-Attiyah (QAT)/ season with a good result. We clash on Tuesday evening at each of the 12 special stages Giovanni Bernacchini (ITA) Ford have time now to plan for the the Prince Faisal bin Fahd (SS9 was cancelled) in their Fiesta R5 2hr 18min 47.6sec next round in Qatar.” Stadium in Riyadh. Volkswagen Polo GTI R5 and 4. Zakariya Al-Ofi (OMN)/Ammar The Omani pairing of The Al Sadd delegation romped to a winning margin of Al-Balooshi (OMN) Mitsubishi Zakariya Al Ofi and Ammar Al includes members of the 5min 04.1sec on the Sultanate Lancer Evo IX 2hr 20min 33.8sec Balooshi held the advantage in coaching and administrative of Oman’s return to the regional 5. Meshari Al-Thefiri (KWT)/Derek the MERC 2 category at the start staff, along with 20 players, series for the first time since O’Brien (IRL) Mitsubishi Lancer of the day, but were overhauled and is headed by Turki Al Ali, 2015. Evo X 2hr 22min 55.2sec by Abdullah Al Zubair and the club’s general manager. The success was Al Attiyah’s 6. Khalid Al-Manji (OMN)/Rony Emad Juma on the first stage of The 20-member squad is sixth in Oman as he tries to Bou Abdo (LEB) Subaru Impreza the opening loop – the 21.57km as follows: Saad Al Dosari, break Mohammed Ben STi 2hr 30min 02.4sec of the Khoud Old Village , Youssef Sulayem’s record of seven wins special. Al Zubair slipping to Abdullah Al Balushi, Khoukhi 7. Jassim Al-Muqahwi (KWT)/ in the Sultanate. Baumel has third behind Kuwait’s defending Boualem, Yasir Abu Bakr, Thamer Al-Mutairi (KWT) now won the eent twice (2015 regional champion Meshari Al Hassan Al Haydos, Faisal Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X 2hr and 2020). Thefiri and his Irish navigator Abdullah, , 32min 56.1sec Al Attiyah said: “Thanks to Derek O’Brien after dropping Mohamed Waad, Pedro 8. Henry Kahy (LEB)/Rony Maroun the Oman Automobile Associ- 1min 40sec on the special. Miguel, , (LEB) Škoda Fabia 3hr 27min ation for organising the first Al-Ofi moved ahead again and , Hamed 46.1sec 2020 round of the Middle East Cham- continued to lead from Al- Ismail, Abdulaziz Al Ansari, pionship. Now I win six times Thefiri through SS11, despite the Gabi, Ali Asad, Jung Woo- here. I always like what I see Kuwaiti setting the fastest time young, Hashem Ali, Nam Tae- here. I love the stages and the finished, despite a power in the category. hee, Hossam Kamal. people.” steering problem on the last Both Al-Zubair and Jarah The Wolves will go Oman’s Abdullah Al Rawahi two stages. I would like to thank Al-Tauqi retired on the second through their final practice delivered a solid performance the team and everyone at the loop with technical issues and session in Doha from 12 PM on his R5 debut to secure Oman Automobile Association that paved the way for fourth- onwards today, before second position with Jordanian for bringing this rally back.” placed Al Ofi to pip Al Thefiri, departing for Riyadh. co-driver Ata Al Hmoud in a Qatar’s Nasser Khalifa Al fifth, to MERC 2 honours. Omani The squad list sees Salem Ford Fiesta. Attiyah and Italian co-driver drivers Khalid Al Manji and Qatar’s Nasser Saleh Al Attiyah (right) and co-driver Matthieu Baumel Al Hajri miss out due to injury, Al Rawahi said: “It was a Giovanni Bernacchini rounded Jassim Al Muqahwi reached the celebrate after winning the first place in the Oman International while will really good result for us and we off the podium places in the finish sixth and seventh overall. Rally in Muscat, yesterday. not play due to suspension. New Mexican player Marco Fabian is also not in the list, as he was not registered as part of the AFC Champions League Amir Cup: Al Markhiya stun Al Gharafa as Al squad. Al Sadd continued training on Friday at the main pitch of Arabi survive Al Khor scare to reach quarters Jassim bin Hamad Stadium, in preparation for the upcoming ARMSTRONG VAS Al Arabi SC players celebrate their win over wait till the 73rd minute to get clash against Al Nassr. THE PENINSULA Al Khor in the Amir Cup Round of 16 match their first goal and they fol- In their last game, Al Sadd at Al Gharafa Stadium yesterday. lowed it up by adding a second qualified for the quarter-finals Al Markhiya SC stunned Al one a minute later. of the Amir Cup 2020, by Gharafa 1-0 while Al Arabi SC First, Michelle scored from defeating Al Kharaitiyat in the made a splendid turnaround to the penalty given after a VAR round of 16, on Thursday at down Al Khor 4-3 in penalties review to make it 2-1 Abdullah Bin Khalifa Stadium. to advance to the quarter-finals And then, the second goal Yesterday’s training of the Amir Cup. arrived just a minute later - session witnessed the partic- In the Al Markhiya-Al second half substitute Harbaoui ipation of all the available Gharafa clash at Al Gharafa taking advantage of a defensive players, in addition to the first Stadium, Aden Ali put Al slip to fire in a thunderbolt to appearance of Fabian, who Markhiya SC in the lead in the make it 2-2. joined the Wolves until the end 63rd minute of a defensive Al Arabi goaded by two of the current season. lapse, quick goals were all over the Al The striker latched on to a Khor territory but were not able loose ball which came off goal- to add more goals. Brazier eyes keeper Qasem Burhan to put his With the teams locked at team ahead. two-all the tie breaker system NFL future after Thereafter, Al Markhiya was applied. warded off the late challenge In the penalty shoot out, Al Olympics and kept the marauding Al Arabi substitute keeper Gharafa strikers at bay to move Abunada did a remarkable job into the next stage of the of saving two kicks in the REUTERS — NEW YORK tournament. penalty shoot out and although Yesterday in the first match Michelle missed Al Arabi’s third Not satisfied with being an of the day at Al Gharafa SC, Al kick, Mohamed Salah Elneel 800m world champion, Arabi and Al Khor were locked and Aron Einar Malmquist con- Donavan Brazier is looking at 2-2 all at the end of full time verted the subsequent ones to life beyond the track - perhaps play. take Al Arabi into the even the NFL. At one point of time Al Arabi quarter-finals. In the short term, Brazier, were trailing by two goals but On Friday, Al Ahli overcame who set an American record covered a lot of ground to draw the challenge of Qatar SC 2-1 while grabbing the 800m gold level and take the match into while Al Wakrah edged Al Sha- at last year’s world champion- the penalty shoot-out, winning hania 10-9 in sudden death to ships in Doha, has only one the shootout at 4-3. qualify for the next stage of the objective - to grab gold at the Two second half substitu- tournament, while on Thursday Tokyo Olympics later this year. tions proved crucial for Heimir defending champions Al Duhail However, that has not Halgrimmsson's side - striker and Al Sadd marched into the stopped him from dreaming Hamdi Harbaoui and keeper quarter-finals. about a potential career Mahmoud Abunada Al Duhail gave new coach change. Harbaoui scored the Walid Regragui his first victory “When I’m in practice and equaliser, while Abunada made 14th minute when Tiago Kane. Thereafter, Al Arabi Gomis rose to the occasion to in Qatar with a 4-0 thumping I’m going through a lot of pain the decisive saves in the Queiroz Bezerra who was Under-23 player Yusuf deny Michelle. over second division side and training, I start thinking shootout brought down by Al Khor goal- Abdurisag Yusuf fumbled at the Al Khor celebrated the Muaither SC, while Al Sadd about anything else I’m good at Both the teams took time to keeper converted the resulting finish twice first shooting escape with a second goal. thrashed Al Kharaitiyat 3-1 to so that I don’t have to do track,” settle down and Al Khor spot kick to give Al Khor the tamely into the waiting hands Naif Mubarak Al Buriki scored advance to the next stage. Brazier told reporters yesterday appeared more pronounced in lead. of the keeper and on the second from a dead ball situation On Wednesday, a brace ahead of the NYRR Millrose their attacks in the first quarter Down by a goal Al Arabi occasion shooting wide. placing himself well in an ideal from Yohan Boli and goals from Games. of the match. pressed hard for the equaliser Al Khor almost made it 2-0 situation to head home a flag Khaled Muftah and Rodrigo “The first thing I think of is Their efforts bore fruit in the and during this period they in the 26th minute but a second kick. Tabata helped Al Rayyan coast NFL wide receiver.” Brazier came up with several threat- spot kick decision in favour of Al Khor thus went into the to an emphatic 4-0 win over said he would consider trying Amir Cup ening moves. Al Khor was changed after a half time break leading 2-0. second division side Mesaimeer out for the NFL in the next year The Quarter-final line-up Thrice they came to VAR review as it was found that In the second half, Al Arabi and advance to the or two. The switch is not Al Sadd, Al Duhail, Al Rayyan, breaking open the Al Khor one of the Al Khor received the showed more urgency in their quarter-finals. unheard of as in 2013 long Al Sailiya, Al Markhiya, Al Arabi, defense, on the first occasion ball in an off side position. attacks and came up with Also making their way into jumper Marquise Goodwin Al Ahli and Al Wakrah Lasogga Pierre Michelle shot Al Arabi again came close varied attacks to keep al Khor the last eight stage were Al was drafted by the Buffalo Bills from close range was deflected to drawing level at the stroke of defense guessing. Sailiya who defeated Umm Salal after competing in the 2012 by Al Khor keeper Baba Djibril halftime but Al Khor keeper Al Arabi however had to 2-1. Games.