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SATURDAY 28 NOVEMBER 2020 Finch, Smith score tons, Hazlewood strikes as Aussies crush India in first one-dayer I've been searching for something for a couple of months now, but a couple of days ago I started to hit the ball where I wanted it, and everything came back, the rhythm came back.

Steve Smith Australian batsman Sport | 15 VOLLEYBALL: SENIOR MEN'S LEAGUE Al Wakrah bt Al Gharafa 3-0 (25-21, 25-18, 25-11) - Al Rayyan bt Al Ahli 3-0 (25-17, 25-22, 25-22)

Al Sadd maintain fine run as Al Duhail, Al Gharafa win

THE PENINSULA — defence failed to clear the ball following a free-kick delivery Al Sadd, yesterday moved three into the box, and Roozbeh points clear at top of the QNB Cheshmi bundled it in from Stars League (QSL) table, close range to level the score. defeating Umm Salal 3-1 in their The first half thus ended Round 7 game at the Thani bin YESTERDAY’S RESULTS with a 1-1 stalemate, but Al Sadd Jassim Stadium. got back in front after the break. Also yesterday, two goals Al Sadd bt Umm Salal 3-1 In the 50th minute, Santi from feared striker Al Duhail bt Al Kharaitiyat 4-1 Cazorla dispatched a penalty and a goal each from Ramin that was awarded for Omar Rezaeian and Khaled Al Gharafa bt Al Khor 6-3 Yahya’s foul on Afif in the box. Mohammed handed reigning made his first two sub- champions Al Duhail a 4-1 points). (35’), Santi stitutions in the 61st minute, victory over Al Kharaitiyat at Cazorla (50’), and Hassan Al sending on their home turf. Haydos (90+1’) scored for Al and Hassan Al-Haydos in place In other game yesterday, Al Sadd, while Roozbeh Cheshmi of Mohammed Waad and Gharafa crushed Al Khor 6-3 at (40’) netted the lone goal for . their own backyard after goals Umm Salal. Qatar star Al Haydos scored Al Sadd's Akram Afif (right) celebrates a goal with team-mates from Koo Ja-Cheol (16th In the 35th minute, Al Sadd third goal, dribbling into the box during QSL match against Umm Salal, yesterday. minute), Homam Elamin (42nd scored as ’s aerial from the right and finishing past and 50th minutes), Ahmed ball was controlled by Baghdad Malick. Alaaeldin (59th minute) and Bounedjah before it fell in front At Al Duhail Stadium yes- first half. Khaldoun Moussa The defending champions Al Khor suffered their third substitute Ahmed Al Janehi of Akram Afif, who made no terday, Almoez took the hosts reduced the lead for Al moved to fourth spot with 12 defeat to be on four points. They (75th and 90th minutes). mistake with his finish past ahead in the 13th minute, while Kharaitiyat and when Al Duhail points after the victory. got their goals from Rafael Dos A win over Umm Salal Baba Malick. Rezaeian doubled the lead with were cruising towards win Al Gharafa, meanwhile, Santos (fourth minute), captain ensured that Al Sadd remain on Five minutes later, Umm a strike in 37th minute. Khaled Mohammed made it 4-1 took their tally to 15 points and Naif Al Breiki (74th minute) and top of points standings with 19 Salal replied through a rare Almoez scored his second in the first minute of the stayed third with their fifth Leonardo De Souza (79th points, ahead of Al Ahli (16 foray up front. The Al Sadd goal with five minutes left in the stoppage time. victory. minute), yesterday. ACL: Beijing FC defeat Looking forward to visit Qatar for 2022 World Cup, Victory to seal Round of 16 berth says Barca legend Iniesta

AFC/THE PENINSULA — DOHA Also yesterday, a dominant THE PENINSULA — DOHA Ulsan Hyundai display was Beijing FC yesterday became rewarded by two late goals as Give Andres Iniesta (pictured) the first team from Group E to they defeated Perth Glory 2-0 a football at his feet and he qualify for the 2020 AFC Cham- at Education City Stadium in becomes a quintessential pions League (East) Round of Group F. magician as was witnessed on 16, stretching their winning The Australian side went that July evening of 2010 in streak in the competition to four into the game knowing any- Johannesburg when he netted with a 2-0 win over Melbourne thing less than their first-ever the match-winner in extra- Victory at Jassim bin Hamad AFC Champions League win time to give his nation Spain Stadium. would mean early elimination their maiden FIFA World Cup Goals from Jonathan Viera on their debut, while Ulsan win. and Zhang Yuning gave Bruno Hyundai needed the three If the first African FIFA Génésio’s side a third win in the points to stay clear off FC Tokyo World Cup was blessed to seven days, taking them beyond in the race for round-of-16 witness the Barcelona legend the group stage of the compe- places. at his peak, the first West Asian tition for the first time since It took them 87 minutes, but one might well get the privilege impressive. Though not as a 2015, and doing so with two Ulsan Hyundai and Kim In-sung of hosting the man, now retired player, I am looking forward to games to spare. finally got their goal. Júnior from international football, as come to Qatar for the 2022 While Beijing can look Negrao showed quick feet to a guest in Qatar in 2022. World Cup. It may be one of the forward to the knockout stage, turn his marker inside out The 36-year-old playmaker best ever,” said the four-time where they will join Japan’s before laying off a through ball expressed his desire to visit the UEFA Champions winner. Vissel Kobe, a third successive to the number seven to slot host nation of the 2022 FIFA That could well be the time defeat in the competition leaves home the opener. World Cup, while addressing when Iniesta gets Xavi Hern- Melbourne Victory’s hopes of The Western- media at 2022 FIFA World Cup andez - his friend and progression hanging by a based side seemed to collapse venue Education City Stadium comrade-in-arms during many thread, with the Australian club Beijing’s Jonathan Viera (centre) is marked by Melbourne’s midfielder after the goal and soon after after producing a midfield mas- major tournaments for club and now relying on circumstances Leigh Broxham (right) during their AFC Champions League group Ulsan Hyundai added a second. terclass to enable his side Vissel country to show him around beyond their control if they are E match yesterday. This time Negrao turned from Kobe claim all three points Qatar. to extend their stay in Doha. creator to scorer. Lee Chung- against Chinese superclub Iniesta admitted that At the Education City earlier beaten Perth Glory 2-0. thanks to their Brazilian striker, yong delivered a low cross from Guangzhou Evergrande in COVID protocols would not Stadium, three second-half- Meanwhile, a dramatic who opened the scoring late in the right that was controlled by Group G of the ongoing 2020 enable him to catch up with the goals saw FC Tokyo record a brace from Bill secured Chi- the first half, then poked home Johnsen and passed on to the AFC Champions League. Al Sadd coach during the 2020 valuable 2-1 victory against angrai United’s first ever AFC an 89th minute winner to keep Brazilian who converted for 2-0. His man-of-the-match AFC Champions League. Shanghai Shenhua in Group F, Champions League win, and Thailand’s only representative winning effort helped his side “I know Xavi for a long yesterday. dealt a blow to FC Seoul’s alive in the competition. RESULTS to keep its perfect all-win time. He is a very good friend Both sides got the second knockout stage hopes as the The result blows Group E record intact – the J.League and we were in contact before M' Victory 0-2 Beijing Guoan half of their group stage cam- Thai club prevailed 2-1 at Jassim wide open. Seoul remain in side now have nine points from I travelled to Qatar. Of course paign underway with their Bin Hamad Stadium. second place on six points, with Ulsan 2-0 Perth Glory three matches and have qual- I will not be able to meet him

eyes firmly focused on moving Just three days after losing Melbourne Victory and Chi- Chiangrai United 2 -1 FC Seoul ified for the knockout stages of in Qatar this time because of closer to runaway leaders 5-0 to the same opposition, Chi- angrai both three points adrift Shanghai Shenhua 1 FC Tokyo 2 the tournament. the circumstances,” said Ulsan Hyundai who had angrai stunned the Koreans with two matches remaining. “It (the stadium) looks Iniesta. Qatar ready to take on Syria in FIBA Asia Cup qualifier

THE PENINSULA — DOHA coach and a former Qatar basketball Iran will take on Saudi Arabia at Al legend, Hachim Zaidan had said that Gharafa Indoor hall. Qatar national basketball team will the team completed 44 practice ses- Last month, Doha was confirmed resume their quest to qualify for the sions, while strictly following the as one of the three cities which will FIBA Asia Cup 2021 when they take health protocol ahead of the host the qualifiers during the on Syria at Al Gharafa Sports Club encounters. November window, along with today. Qatar had lost both of their Group Manama (Bahrain) and Amman The Group E fixture, Qatar’s third E matches going down to Saudi (Jordan). match in the qualifying tournament, Arabia 57-68 and Olympic-bound Apart from the Group E fixtures, tips off at 7.00pm. Iran 52-95. Doha will also host games in Group Under the guidance of new head With four more matches to go in B which include China, Japan, coach Miodrag Perisic, Qatar will be the Group stage, Qatar are currently Chinese Taipei, and Malaysia. Qatar players during a training looking to get to winning ways in placed at the bottom of the table with Following the November window, session at Al Gharafa Indoor today’s match, before taking on Saudi 2 points. qualifiers will be heading for a three- Hall yesterday. Arabia at the same venue on Monday. In other games which will take month pause before returning on Assistant to the Serbian head place in Doha today, Asia's No.1 side February 18 next year. Sport SATURDAY 28 NOVEMBER 2020 15

Torches are lit on Piazza del Plebiscito in Naples as people gather ‘Adios Diego Maradona’ to mourn the death of late Argentinian World bids farewell to football legend football legend Diego Maradona. REUTERS – BUENOS AIRES

Argentina’s Diego Maradona, one of the world’s greatest ever soccer players, was buried on Thursday amid a global outpouring of grief from the streets of Buenos Aires to Naples in Italy. The death of Maradona at the age of 60 on Wednesday, following a heart attack, has sparked both mourning and celebrations of a true sporting star, who was a genius on the soccer field but lived a life marred by struggles with addiction. In a day of high emotion, the World Cup winner was taken by hearse late on Thursday took to the streets, not all wearing masks, Buenos Aires near the plaza, after a night of who rose from the tough streets of Buenos Aires to the Bella Vista cemetery on the outskirts of despite fears over the COVID-19 pandemic. mourning and reminiscing. to reach the pinnacle of his sport. Buenos Aires - where his parents are also Some left flowers and messages at his As authorities started to close down access The 1986 World Cup included a quarter- interred - for an small private ceremony of his childhood home. to the central square on Thursday afternoon, final game against England where Maradona family and close friends. During the day, Maradona’s body lay in scuffles broke out, with police using rubber scored two of the tournament’s best-known Thousands of Argentines lined the roads state in a closed casket at the Casa Rosada pres- bullets and water cannon to disperse the unruly goals ever - an illicit goal and one that followed as the procession passed on the hour-long idential palace on the central Plaza de Mayo. crowds. The tensions eased after Maradona’s an incredible swerving, dribble. journey from the presidential palace in central It was covered with the blue and white national body was transferred to the cemetery, sur- Maradona also battled various health Buenos Aires, where Maradona had lain in state flag and an Argentina soccer jersey with the rounded by a huge procession of police and problems over the years as a result of his addic- during the day. number 10 that had been part of his nickname others on motorbikes and cars. tions. Earlier this month, he was hospitalized In Argentina, three days of national “D10S” - a play on “dios”, the Spanish word for Beloved in his homeland after leading for symptoms including anemia and dehy- mourning were called for the player who led God. Starting at dawn on Thursday, thousands Argentina to World Cup glory in 1986 and dration and underwent emergency surgery for the country to a 1986 World Cup win and is of fans had formed a snaking line estimated at adored in Italy for taking Napoli to two Serie a subdural hematoma - a blood clot in the revered with cult-like status. Tens of thousands over a mile (1.6 km) long through the streets of A titles, Maradona was a uniquely gifted player brain.

Smith, Finch hit centuries as Black Caps beat Windies Australia beat India in 1st ODI in T20 thriller

REUTERS – SYDNEY AFP – WELLINGTON

Steve Smith and Aaron Finch New Zealand greeted international led the way with centuries as cricket back in the country with a Australia opened their home thrilling five-wicket victory in the summer with a one-day first Twenty20 against West Indies victory over India by 66 runs yesterday. Bairstow blitz yesterday in the first men’s Kieron Pollard's blistering 75 not international played in front out powered West Indies to a com- takes England of a crowd since March. manding 180-7 in the Auckland The capacity of the contest which was reduced to Sydney Cricket Ground was 16-overs-a-side following rain to win over reduced by 50% because of interruptions. social distancing rules but a New Zealand's top order let them South Africa crowd of 17,821, mostly down but Jimmy Neesham forged backing the tourists, were important partnerships with deb- REUTERS – CAPE TOWN treated to some fireworks utant Devon Conway and Mitchell from the home batsmen in the Australia’s Steven Smith Santner to seal victory with four balls England's Jonny Bairstow bludg- afternoon sun. celebrates after scoring his to spare. eoned a brilliant unbeaten 86 from Finch scored 114 in an century against India yesterday. This was the first international 48 balls as the tourists chased down opening stand of 156 with match in New Zealand since the 180 to beat South Africa by five David Warner (69) to lay a Christchurch test against India that wickets with four balls to spare on platform before his prede- Australians before the match SCOREBOARD ended on Mar 2. a slow wicket in the first Twenty20 cessor as captain Smith and moments of silence AUSTRALIA INDIA The first five overs of the match International at Newlands smashed 105 off 66 balls to remembered Dean Jones, D. Warner c Rahul b Shami ...... 69 S. Dhawan c Starc b Zampa ...... 74 contained plenty of the drama, yesterday. drive Australia to 374 for six who died last month, and A. Finch c Rahul b Bumrah ...... 114 M. Agarwal c Maxwell b Hazlewood ...... 22 including a couple of rain Sent into bat, South Africa - their highest total against Phillip Hughes, who suffered S. Smith b Shami ...... 105 V. Kohli c Finch b Hazlewood ...... 21 interruptions. posted a respectable 179 for six in India. a fatal injury at the ground M. Stoinis c Rahul b Chahal ...... 0 S. Iyer c Carey b Hazlewood ...... 2 Put into bat, West Indies plun- their 20 overs, before claiming early India, who were forced to exactly six years ago. G. Maxwell c Jadeja b Shami ...... 45 K.L. Rahul c Smith b Zampa ...... 12 dered 55 runs off the first three overs wickets to have England in trouble spend two weeks in quar- There was another short M. Labuschagne c Dhawan b Saini ...... 2 H. Pandya c Starc b Zampa ...... 90 before the hosts staged a remarkable R. Jadeja c Starc b Zampa ...... 25 in their reply. antine on arrival in Australia, pause early in the Australia A. Carey not out ...... 17 comeback. N. Saini not out ...... 29 But Bairstow, batting in an unfa- always looked like struggling innings when two environ- P. Cummins not out ...... 1 Lockie Ferguson's (5-21) double M. Shami b Starc ...... 13 miliar number four position, led the to chase down the third mental protesters ran on the Extras: (b1 lb6 nb2 w12) ...... 21 strikes triggered a spectacular col- fightback as he sat deep in his highest tally they had con- field but Finch and Warner J. Bumrah not out ...... 0 lapse as West Indies slumped from Total: (50 overs; for six wkts) ...... 374 Extras (lb2, nb3, w15) ...... 20 crease and smashed nine fours and ceded in any one-dayer. were soon back pillaging runs 58 for no loss to 59-5 in the space of Did not bat: M. Starc, A. Zampa, J. Hazle- Total (50 0vers; for eight wickets) 308 four sixes with the kind of exquisite Hardik Pandya thumped again. 12 deliveries. wood Fall of wickets: 1-53, 2-78, 3-80, 4-101, timing few other batsmen found on four sixes in a bright 90 to Smith survived an early Fall of wickets: 1-156, 2-264, 3-271, 4-328, 5-229, 6-247, 7-281, 8-308 Pollard not only arrested the the day. give them hope but the scare on 15 when he was 5-331, 6-372 Did not bat: Y. Chahal slide but also launched a blistering The win will be pleasing for innings petered out after his given out lbw but he imme- Bowling: Shami 10-0-59-3 (1w), Bumrah Bowling: Starc 9-0-65-1 (6w, 1nb), Hazle- counter-attack, smashing eight sixes captain Eoin Morgan, who said this fifth-wicket partnership of diately reviewed and the 10-0-73-1 (2w, 1nb), Saini 10-0-83-1 (3w), wood 10-0-55-3 (1w, 1nb), Cummins 8-0- in his 37-ball blitz. New Zealand's week he did not know his best XI in 128 with opener Shikhar tracker showed the ball was Chahal 10-0-89-1 (3w, 1nb), Jadeja 10-0-63- 52-0 (3w, 1nb), Zampa 10-0-54-4 (1w), top order wilted early but Neesham, the shortest format but could Dhawan (74) was broken and going a whisker above the 0 (1w) Stoinis 6.2-0-25-0, Maxwell 6.4-0-55-0 who remained not out on 48, part- already have had some questions India limped to 308-8 in their stumps. nered Conway to revive their chase answered ahead of the second 50 overs. Thereafter, Smith looked before pulling it off in company of fixture in the three-match series in “I’ve been searching for at his very best as he raced to Maxwell cameo of 45 runs off Mayank Agarwal and then Santner (31 not out). Paarl tomorrow. something for a couple of the third fastest one-day 19 balls. dismissed Virat Kohli (21) and Brief scores South Africa: 179/6 (Quinton de months but a few days ago century by an Australian in 62 Paceman Mohammed Shreyas Iyer in the 10th over. West Indies: 180 for 7 in 16 overs Kock 30, Faf du Plessis 58, Rassie something just clicked,” Smith balls, clubbing 10 fours and Shami was the pick of India’s Spinner Adam Zampa (A. Fletcher 34, K. Pollard 75 n.o., F. van der Dussen 37; Sam Curran 3 said of his batting. four sixes. bowlers (3-59) and skittled (4-54) redeemed himself with Allen 30; Southee 2 for 22, Ferguson for 28) “It was nice to contribute Finch had already secured Smith with a full toss in the ball in hand after dropping 5 for 21) England: 183/5 in 19.2 overs to a good win.” his 17th century in the format final over of the innings. Kohli in the deep when the New Zealand (target 176): 179 for (Jonny Bairstow 86 n.o., Ben Stokes The teams lined up in a from a more pedestrian 117 Josh Hazlewood (3-55) India captain was on one, but 5 in 15.2 overs (D. Conway 41, G. 37; George Linde 2 for 20, Lungi “Barefoot Circle” in recog- deliveries before departing to stalled a blistering start to his was only one of a string of Phillips 22, J. Neesham 48 n.o., M. Ngidi 2 for 31) nition of indigenous make way for a vintage Glenn India’s innings by removing misfields from both sides. Santner 31 n.o.; Thomas 2 for 23) Hamilton fastest in Bahrain GP practice Al Wakrah, Al Rayyan victorious

Al Gharafa players REUTERS – MANAMA in Turkey, stormed around the 5.4-km Sakhir desert track in one minute, 28.971 seconds yes- trying to block a Seven-time Formula One champion Lewis terday evening, having also set the pace in shot hit by an Al Hamilton set the pace on the opening day of afternoon practice. Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, Wakrah player practice for the Bahrain Grand Prix with the sixth in the first of the day’s two 90-minute during their fastest lap in a floodlit session that was inter- sessions, emerged as his closest challenger with Senior Volleyball rupted by a stray dog and a crash for Red Bull’s a time that was 0.347 seconds adrift. Valtteri League match Alexander Albon. Bottas, who completed a Mercedes one-two played at the The Briton, who equalled Michael Schu- behind Hamilton in the first session, slipped Qatar Volleyball macher’s record world title haul at the last race back to end the day third. Association Indoor Stadium yesterday. Al Wakrah beat Al Gharafa 3-0 (25- 21, 25-18, 25-11). In the second match of the day, Al Rayyan beat Al Ahli 3-0 with a 25-17, 25-22, Mercedes’ British driver Lewis Hamilton drives during the second practice session ahead of the 25-22 scoreline. Bahrain Formula One Grand Prix, yesterday.