Qatar Steamroll Korea 6-0, Storm Into Knockout Stage Awesome Almoez Slams Four, Khoukhi and Hassan One Each for Al Annabi to Top Group AFC AL AIN
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Confident Nadal sounds Australian Open warning PAGE 18 MONDAY, JANUARY 14, 2019 Ace rallyist Nasser al Attiyah and Mathieu Baumel ASIAN CUP 2019 PAGE 19 top Stage Six of Dakar Rally in Peru INDIA VS BAHRAIN (7 PM) Qatar steamroll Korea 6-0, storm into knockout stage Awesome Almoez slams four, Khoukhi and Hassan one each for Al Annabi to top group AFC AL AIN ALMOEZ ALI was the star of the show on Sunday afternoon as he scored four and set up a fifth in Qatar’s 6-0 defeat of DPR (North) Korea as Felix Sanchez’s side moved to the top of the Group E standings and into the knockout stage of the AFC Asian Cup 2019. The Al Duhail striker, now the tournament’s leading scorer with five goals in two games, shone as his partner- ship with Akram Afif down the left destroyed the DPR Ko- rean defence repeatedly while Boualem Khoukhi and Ab- delkarim Hassan also put their names on the scoresheet. Victory means Sanchez’s side have secured themselves a top two finish in the group and their win also ensures Saudi Arabia will progress to the last 16. The teams face off on Thursday to determine who will top the group, with Qatar’s huge win meaning a draw in Abu Dhabi will be enough to take pole position. Qatar’s Abdelkarim Hassan (No. 3) is swarmed by teammates after he scored in the 2019 AFC Asian Cup Group E match against North Korea After labouring in the at the Khalifa Bin Zayed Stadium in Al Ain, UAE, on Sunday. (AFP) opening hour of their 2-0 win over Lebanon, Qatar were tak- themselves further behind ing no chances against DPR when Afif lifted the ball high Almoez Ali of Qatar celebrates one of his four goals against North Korea, with Sanchez restoring over the advancing Ri Myung Korea in their 2019 AFC Asian Cup Group E preliminary match in the influential Hassan to the Guk and Khoukhi headed in Al Ain, UAE, on Sunday. (EPA-EFE) starting line-up and the West from close range. Asian side possessed a greater Qatar refused to relent as level of urgency as a result. they sought to boost their goal Defying odds, sound of silence Within nine minutes the difference ahead of their cru- AL-AIN: Almoez Ali scored a record-equalling four goals but Qataris were in front as Afif cial meeting with Saudi Ara- barely raised a cheer on Sunday as Qatar hammered North glided past Sim Hyon Jin be- bia, with Ali completing his Korea 6-0 at a stadium that was virtually empty due to the fore delivering a low cross to hat trick 10 minutes into the Gulf blockade. Ali that he controlled with his second half with an easy finish Almoez became only the fourth player to score four goals in a right before stroking past Ri after Afif’s perfectly weighted single game at the tournament. But there was little excitement Myong Guk with his left. through ball. in Al Ain’s 16,000-seat Khalifa Bin Zayed Stadium. Two minutes later and Qa- The 22-year-old added fur- With the North Korean public also forbidden to travel, the tar doubled their lead, with the At the Whistle ther misery for DPR Korea five crowd was always going to be small. An estimated 300 people threat this time coming down Qatar 6 (Almoez Ali 9’, minutes later when he linked watched the game, including two groups of North Korean fans the right. Hassan’s sweeping 11’, 55’, 60’; Boualem up again with Afif, who led a equipped with flags and occasionally cheering in unison. ball found Hassan al Haydos, rapid-fire counterattack for the Qatar coach Felix Sanchez said his team had steeled them- the Qatar captain, and his low Khoukhi 43’; Qataris before rolling the ball selves to play without their supporters, which could be a prob- centre gave Ali the perfect op- Abdelkarim Hassan through to Ali and he smashed lem in tighter games as the tournament wears on. portunity to strike from close 68’) North Korea 0 his shot across Ri Myung Guk “We don’t have our supporters here but we know that they’re sup- range. Once again he was clini- and inside the far post. porting from Qatar, they’re following us,” he said after the game. cal, netting for the third time Ali turned provider in the The players know this is the scenario and they deal with it.” in the tournament. 68th minute when his pass al- German Mark Slonek, one of the small number of neutrals in the A string of yellow cards for lowed Hassan to storm through oval, all-seater ground, said it was a pity that more fans were not Ri Un Chol, Jong Il Gwan and Qatar’s midfielder Boualem Khoukhi (No. 16) fights for the ball with North Korea’s Chol Bom Kim to the DPR Korea defence and slot there to watch. “It’s a real shame,” said the 43-year-old IT admin- Ri Il Jin suggested DPR Korea score the third goal of the match for his side on Sunday. (AFP) home Qatar’s sixth and the east istrator from Stuttgart. It was a far cry from the nearly 34,000 were about to lose control, but Asian side’s misery was com- fans at the tournament’s curtain-raiser in Abu Dhabi, while more eventually Kim Yong Jun’s Ri Un Chol tried his luck from to find the top corner. erwise disappointing half for pounded in injury time when than 76,000 attended the 2015 final in Sydney. (AFP) side settled and almost pulled outside the area and his right That, though, was to prove DPR Korea. With just two Joang Il Gwan was sent off for themselves back into the game. foot drive only narrowly failed a brief bright spot in an oth- minutes remaining, they found second bookable offence. Benali’s nine goals fire Qatar to crucial win over Egypt Maroons hold rivals scoreless for 10 minutes before racing to a six-goal lead in the 2nd half TNN/IHF DOHA Scoreline Qatar (Youssef Benali 9, GETTING their campaign Fankis Marzo 6, Rafael back on track, a rejuvenated Qatar shook off Egypt in the Capote 5, Allaedine Berrached second half of their IHF World 2, Ahmad Madadi 2, Anis Handball Championship Pool Zouaoui 2) beat Egypt D match with pivot Youssef (Ahmed Alahmar 6, Mohamed Benali slamming in nine goals Shebib 5, Eslam Eissa 4, to boost them to a 28-23 win at the Royal Arena in Copen- Yahia Omar 3, Yehia Elderaa hagen on Sunday. 3) 28-23 (Half Time 15-12). Benali did the star turn for the former silver medallists as Qatar’s Youssef Benali shapes up to score past Egypt goalkeeper Karim Hendawy during their IHF Men’s World Championship 2019 Group D match at the Royal Arena in Copenhagen, Denmark, on Sunday. (Right) the strapping pivot converted Benali celebrates with teammates after scoring. Qatar won the match 28-23. 9 of his 12 attempts to lead the charge. Frankis Marzo netted ter the first game. I want to first game. It was important Valero. I have a great respect to get back in the reckoning. Towards the close, Wajdi minutes, while they went on to half a dozen and Rafael Capote thank my team mates for for us to show that we are able for what you (Valero) have But Egypt fought hard and on Sinen fired from the centre to hammer six of their goals dur- added five, while Alladine Ber- playing so well. We showed to play this way. We had an ex- achieved in the sport of hand- eight occasions both teams make it 15-12. However, Egypt ing this time, racing to a com- rached, Ahmad Madadi and that we deserve more in this cellent concentration through- ball. I take the result on my were locked on par. kept coming back and cutting manding 23-17 advantage. Anis Zouaoui shared six. competition.” out the game.” shoulders. I didn’t prepare the Berrached and Capote the margin after the match re- Egypt made four attempts Speaking of his top show, Qatar coach Valero Rive- Rivera was also compli- team good enough.” cracked a goal each to put sumed in the second session. during this stage and three Benali later said, “Today was ra, said, “It was an important mented by his counterpart, Having suffered an open- Qatar two goals ahead (13-11) Qatar then swung the of them were blocked by a very good match for us. We match for us as we didn’t play David Davis, coach of Egypt, ing match heartbreak against with less than five minutes left game after 36 minutes. They Qatar’s veteran goalkeeper tried to change our level af- the way we intended in the who said, “Congratulation to Angola, Qatar were desperate in the first half. held the rivals scoreless for 10 Danijel Saric. Sports Monday, January 14, 2019 17 PSG STARS ARRIVE IN DOHA FOR WINTER TOUR Paris Saint-Germain players and coaches have arrived in Doha for their annual Winter Tour of Qatar. Over four days, the team will make use of the outstanding training facilities at the Aspire Zone and benefit from the country’s ideal weather con- ditions. This trip will be an opportunity for the Club to meet its local supporters. All of the players will be present and plenty of entertainment will be organised to treat the Paris Saint-Germain supporters in Qatar to some memorable experiences.