GULF CUP | Page 2 CRICKET | Page 4 backs Root’s epic ’s Afi f 226 sets up to build on England fi nal success day push

Tuesday, December 3, 2019 Rabia II 6, 1441 AH GULF TIMES SPORT

Asian Cup champions Qatar reach Gulf Cup last-four

Qatar’s Akram Afif (left) celebrates his goal with teammates Abdulkarim Hassan (second from left), Tarek Qatar’s coach Felix Sanchez reacts during Abdulkarim Hassan goes around the Khalifa International Stadium with a Qatari flag to Salman and Hassan al-Haydos (right) against the UAE yesterday. PICTURES: Ram Chand, Noushad Thekkayil the match against UAE. celebrate the victory over the UAE in the 24th yesterday.

REPORT Bahrain keep maiden title hopes alive with 4-2 win A win over Kuwait saw Bahrain seal their place in the last-four stage; Sousa’s side will play Group A toppers Iraq in semis

By Sahan Bidappa

ahrain’s dream of land- ing their fi rst Arabian Gulf Cup title is alive af- ter their thrilling 4-2 win overB Kuwait at the Khalifa Inter- national Stadium yesterday. Bahrain had gone into the contest in fourth place in Group B, with just one point from two matches. But they leapfrogged Oman and Kuwait with a stun- ning display in their fi nal group game. With defending champi- ons Oman losing to 1-3 at the Abdullah Bin Khalifa Stadium around the same time, Bahrain players erupted in joy at the fi nal whistle. While Saudi qualifi ed as Group B toppers with six pints, Bahrain fi nished on four points, the same as Oman. But a better goal diff er- ence to Oman sealed their place in the semis. On Thursday, Bahrain will take on Group A winners Iraq, while hosts Qatar play Saudi in a mouth-watering second semi- fi nal. In a see-saw contest, Bahrain got on to the scoreboard fi rst when Ali Madan gave them the lead in the stoppage time of the fi rst half. Kuwait levelled after Bahrain’s Ali Madan (left) in action with Kuwait’s Amer al-Fadhel during the Arabian Gulf Cup match yesterday. PICTURES: Jayan Orma Bahrain players celebrate their victory over Kuwait yesterday. converted a penal- ty in the 59th minute, before Jas- with Zanki replacing the forward foul. had put in in the last few months. sim al-Shaikh restored Bahrain’s in the 43rd minute. Four minutes later, al-Shaikh I have 23 players here and they are lead in the 69th minute. Al-Mutawa’s injury seemed to piled on Kuwait’s misery after ready to give it their all. Most of Thiago Augusto made it 3-1 have an eff ect on his teammates he scored from outside the box. them played a key role in our tri- for Bahrain in the 83rd minute. as they conceded two minutes With Bahrain needing another umph at the West Asian Champi- Ahmed Zanki, however, kept after his substitution. With al- goal to get past Oman on goal onship,” he said. Kuwait’s chances alive by the re- Fadhel bringing down Madan, diff erence, they continued to at- “We have a very impressive ducing the defi cit with an 85th the referee pointed to the spot tack. And it was Augusto, who team and what they are showing minute strike. With Kuwait run- which the latter converted duly came in as substitute in the 77th in this tournament is proof that ning out of time for an equaliser, to give Bahrain the lead. minute, who found the net after we are one of the best teams in Augusto sealed the deal for Bah- Kuwait started the second half receiving a cross from Sayed Dhi- Asia,” Sousa added. rain with a stoppage time goal. in earnest and equalised after ya. Zanki kept Kuwait in the game Kuwait coach Thamer Enad Both the teams went all out in they were awarded a penalty for a with a goal in the 89th minute, was disappointed after his side’s attack in search for the opening foul on Zanki. Nasser stepped in but Augusto’s goal in the dying defeat and lamented the loss of goal, but lacked the accuracy in to convert the penalty. seconds ensured Bahrain’s place key players due to injuries. “We the fi nal third. Kuwait were dealt In the 65th minute, Kuwait in the semis. were not in a top condition today. a double blow in the fi rst half af- thought they had taken the lead Bahrain’s Portuguese coach Three back-to-back matches in ter midfi elder Talal al-Fadhel had after Nasser slammed it past Helio Sousa said his side de- short time had an eff ect on our to make way for Fahad al-Ansari goalkeeper Sayed Jaff er. But upon served to go through to the semis. players. We had to make changes in the 34th minute, while captain a VAR review the goal was over- “We played a very good game, due to injuries and we suff ered on Bader al-Mutawa too got injured ruled as Nasser had committed a which showed the hard work we the pitch due to that,” he said. Bahrain’s Thiago Augusto (centre) scored a brace yesterday. Gulf Times Tuesday, December 3, 2019 2

COMMENT SPOTLIGHT Xavi backs Qatar’s Afi f to build on success Vodafone Reuters strong start to life in the profes- number of standout perform- Hong Kong sional ranks. ers from Qatar and is the second “I have to say congratulations player in succession — following to Akram Afi f. (The award is) on from Al Sadd club mate Ab- gives fans fi rst orld Cup win- well deserved because his per- dulkarim Hassan — to be named ner Xavi Hern- formance was amazing in both the continent’s leading player by andez expects big sides,” said Xavi, referring to the the confederation. things from newly national team lifting the Asian That growing production line Wcrowned Asian Player of the Cup and Al Sadd’s run in the has Xavi believing the 2022 FIFA in-stadium Year Akram Afi f after the Qa- Champions League. World Cup hosts will be more tari striker was named the con- “It was a big regret we than capable of making an im- tinent’s leading player by the couldn’t reach the fi nal, but he pact at the fi nals on home soil in Asian Football Confederation was making a diff erence in the three years’ time. digital yesterday. national team and for the club, “I think they are working re- Former Barcelona midfi eld- so I think it’s well deserved.” ally well,” the Spaniard said. er Xavi, a four-times UEFA Afi f has long been touted as “They have a very good team, Champions League winner as one of the most promising tal- also a very good coach and they well as a 2010 world champion ents in the region and has had are very well organised on the experience with Spain, works daily with spells in Belgium with Eupen pitch. 23-year-old Afi f after making and in Spain with Sporting Gijon “They have a very, very good the long-awaited start to his before joining Al Sadd last year. generation of young players, coaching career in the summer “With this kind of talent, he not only Akram — he’s one of with Qatar’s Al Sadd club. has many ambitions,” Xavi said. the best — but also , And Xavi, who led Al Sadd “He’s still young and I think he Boualem Khouki. Japan’s Saki Kumagai (left), winner of AFC Women’s Player of the Year, to the semi-fi nals of this year’s can do many things in his ca- “I think they’re working really and Al Sadd manager Xavi, who received the AFC Men’s player of the Asian Champions League, be- reer.” well and can compete in 2022 for Year award on behalf of Qatar’s Akram Afif, pose with the trophies lieves Afi f can build on his Afi f is one of a growing sure.” during the annual awards ceremony in Hong Kong yesterday. (AFP)

FOCUS Saudi pick up 3-1 win to reach semis

Herve Renard’s side play hosts Qatar in the semi-final on Thursday By Sports Reporter platform www.fans.vf.qa, open Doha to everyone in Qatar, off ers inter- By Sports Reporter active games that allows players Doha to predict match results and an- odafone Qatar, the Of- swer a series of quizzes and trivia fi cial Telecommunica- on a daily basis. audi Arabia defeated tions Sponsor of the defending champions , Our Fan Zone Oman 3-1 to enter the Vcontinues to introduce innova- demonstrates that we semi-fi nals of the 24th tive fan experiences with its lat- have our sights set ArabianS Gulf Cup yesterday. est ‘Fan of the Match’ in-stadi- fi rmly on delivering With the win at the Abdullah um competition. ‘ outstanding digital Bin Khalifa Stadium, Saudi Ara- ‘Fan of the Match’ — a fi rst for experiences for Qatar’s bia fi nished with six points from Qatar sports events — gives all major sporting events. Most three matches and qualifi ed for fans the opportunity to take part importantly, Vodafone the last-four stage along with in the digital quiz that runs dur- Qatar will continue being Bahrain from Group B. ing the half-time of each match a partner in the country’s Oman fi nished with a tally of in a test of their knowledge on vision for delivering four points from a win, a loss Arabian Gulf Cup history. the most outstanding and a draw and did not make it Fans simply need to access FIFA World Cup in 2022 to the knockouts. Oman lost the www.vf.qa/AGC from their mo- with unmatched fan qualifi cation race, after Bahrain bile phone to start the quiz and experiences. too earned four points from the answer the timed fi ve questions. — Mahday Saad al-Hebabi, group stages and went through The player that answers the most Vodafone Qatar Business on better goal diff erence. questions correctly in the fastest Services director Herve Renard’s side play time wins and gets a prize from Group A runners-up Qatar in Vodafone. The competition en- the semi-fi nal on Thursday gages not only those playing the Vodafone Qatar Business while Group A winners Iraq will quiz but all fans in the stadium as Services director Mahday Saad meet Bahrain. everyone can see the questions, al-Hebabi said, “Our Fan Zone Saudis, who took to the fi eld in answers and names of those in demonstrates that we have our the fi rst match of the group with- the lead on the stadium screen. sights set firmly on deliver- out seven of the AFC Champions Fan of the Match will feature ing outstanding digital experi- League-winning Al Hilal players, in each match until the fi nal is ences for Qatar’s major sport- were a transformed side in their played on December 8. Scores of ing events. Most importantly, next two matches. match goers have already partic- Vodafone Qatar will continue Needing a win to qualify for ipated in Vodafone’s in-stadium being a partner in the country’s the semi-fi nals, Saudi Arabia side experience. vision for delivering the most dominated the fi rst half. They ‘Fan of the Match’ comes on outstanding FIFA World Cup in only needed a minute to have their top of other digital fan experi- 2022 with unmatched fan expe- fi rst look at the Oman goal, with Saudi Arabia’s Feras Albrikan (second from left) in action during the 24th Arabian Gulf Cup match against Oman at Abdullah Bin Khalifa ences that Vodafone Qatar has riences.” captain Salman al-Faraj testing Stadium yesterday. PICTURE: Shemeer Rasheed actively delivered since the be- Excitement among fans is at its Oman goalkeeper Fayez al-Rush- ginning of the Arabian Gulf Cup. peak with only three of the thrill- eidi with a thunderous drive. Saudi Arabia, who are the last Oman defender Mohamed al- only two minutes as Saudi Ara- short as the full time whistle blew The Vodafone Fan Zone has given ing fi nal tournament matches Saudi Arabia continued press- team to win back-to-back Gulf Musalami. bia scored their third goal when with Saudi Arabia winning the thousands of visitors the chance remaining. Vodafone Qatar is ing and al-Rusheidi was beaten in Cup titles, doubled their lead Oman pulled a goal back in the Feras Albrikan sent a pass inside game 3-1, leaving their only hope to experience a customised Aug- covering the two venues — Kha- the 26th minute when Salem al- three minutes before the break. 55th minute with Al Mandhar al- the area to Bahabri, who curled a of qualifi cation dependent on the mented Reality (AR) game pow- lifa International Stadium and Dawsari sent a neat pass to Feras Hatan Bahabri had plenty of Alawi fi nishing a solo eff ort with left-foot shot from the right side results of the simultaneous fi x- ered by Vodafone’s 5G GigaNet Abdulla Bin Khalifa Stadium — Albrikan, whose shot grazed the time and space inside the area to a powerful drive past Saudi Ara- past the goalkeeper. ture between Kuwait and Bahrain network as well as a Virtual Real- with its GigaNet network to keep underside of the crossbar before score with a powerful shot, with bia goalkeeper Fawaz al-Qarni. Oman fought to fi nd a way to which eventually went against the ity (VR) football game. Moreover, thousands of fans connected settling in the net. the ball taking a defl ection off However, Oman’s joy lasted equalise in the fi xture, but fell defending champions. Vodafone’s specially designed during the games.

BOTTOMLINE Ten-man Iraq and play out goalless draw

By Sports Reporter Mustafa Mohamed was sent off Yemen, who were looking for against Lions of Mesopotamia. Doha for a foul on Yemen’s Ayman al- their fi rst win in the Gulf Cup, “Though Iraq was one man Hagri. improved their show in the sec- down early, but I am happy with Referee Ahmed Alali did not ond period and they almost my team’s improved perform- en-man Iraq earned a punish the Iraqi defender ini- opened the scoring in the 58th ance in the match. They have gritty goalless draw with tially but after a long VAR delay, minute through Abdulwasea al- raised their game and I am happy Yemen to maintain the he opted to send Mohamed off for Matari but the referee, assisted with their show today,” he said. top spot in Group A of the high boot challenge on Yem- by VAR, ruled out the goal for a “The Gulf Cup matches have Tthe 24th Arabian Gulf Cup at the en’s al-Hagri. foul on one of the Iraqi players in their own fl avour. The strong Abdullah Bin Khalifa Stadium The red card disrupted Iraq’s the build-up. competition in this regional yesterday. momentum, especially in the Iraq had opportunities towards event has contributed in improv- Iraq have seven points from fi rst half which was a scrappy af- the end, with Mhawi denied by ing our players’ level and it will three games, while hosts and fair, with plenty of tackles from Ayash in the 88th minute, who help us in the coming Asian Cup Asian Cup champions Qatar, both sides and no clear chances then stopped Ali Faez’s header in qualifi ers games,” he said. who defeated the UAE 4-2 at the or shots on goal. stoppage time. Iraq coach Srecko Katanec Khalifa International Stadium, Despite the disadvantage, Iraq It was a creditable perform- said he was satisfied with the fi nished second with six points. created the better chances and ance from Yemen, who were un- draw. “Though it was an unim- Qatar had defeated Yemen and Alaa Mhawi shot just wide in the able to qualify for the semi-fi nals portant game for us, it was not lost 2-1 to Iraq in their opener. 22nd minute. There was another after losing their fi rst match to an easy game as we lost Mustafa The Iraqi side had no pressure chance for Iraq at the half-hour the UAE 3-0 and later to Qatar to the red card early in the game going into the match yesterday be- mark but Ali Faez’s free-kick was 6-0, as they held Iraq to a draw and that disturbed our plans.” ing the only side to have already stopped by Yemen goalkeeper for the fi rst time in their Gulf Cup he said. qualifi ed for the semi-fi nals. Mohamed Ayash while Ahmed history. The Slovenian also praised The former champions earned Sadeq’s shot went wide at the Yemen coach Sami Hasan al- Yemen for their gritty show. “We a point despite going down to 10 other end four minutes before Nash also praised his side’s im- were challenged by Yemeni play- Action from the 24th Arabian Gulf Cup match between Iraq (in white) and Yemen (in red and white) men in the eighth minute after the break. proved performance in the match ers who performed well,” he said. yesterday. PICTURE: Anas Khalid Gulf Times Tuesday, December 3, 2019 3

Sights from the 24th Arabian Gulf Cup PICTURES: Noushad Thekkayil, Ram Chand, Anas Khalid, Shemeer Rasheed Gulf Times 4 Tuesday, December 3, 2019 CRICKET

FOCUS SPOTLIGHT Smith confi rms ongoing discussions Root’s epic 226 sets over South Africa role

Reuters trating process”, without di- Cape Town vulging his concerns. Smith announced in a state- ment on Nov. 14 that he was raeme Smith has withdrawing his application up England fi nal confi rmed he is again having “not developed the in discussions with necessary confi dence that I Cricket South Africa would be given the level of ‘I found a really good rhythm out G(CSA) to be their new Director freedom and support to initi- of Cricket, but said a Sunday ate the required changes”. there, felt pretty comfortable and I newspaper report that he had Moroe has come under fi re already been appointed was for the length of time it has just wanted to keep going’ premature. taken to fi ll the role vacated by day push Smith, the most success- Gibson in August, especially ful test captain in cricket his- with a looming, high-profi le tory with 53 wins, had been four-test home series against encouraged to apply by em- England that starts on Boxing battled CSA chief executive Day. offi cer Thabang Moroe as the Little-known Enoch Nkwe organisation seeks a long- took up the job on an interim term replacement for Ottis basis for a disastrous test tour Gibson, whose contract was of India in October that saw not renewed after a dismal the side slip to three heavy de- World Cup in England. feats, and will continue for the Smith turned down the job England series unless a per- in November, but a report in manent appointment is made. South Africa’s Sunday Times Moroe has also been criti- said that he had now been per- cised for an authoritarian style suaded to accept it. However, of leadership that saw CSA he said that was not true, at briefl y revoke the media ac- least not yet. creditation of fi ve journalists “Contrary to media reports on Sunday, before restoring I have not been appointed Di- their access hours later after rector of Cricket by CSA. As an outcry over press freedom. previously advised, I withdrew “Their access was revoked my application for the role. I because we’ve been trying on am, however, in ongoing dis- numerous occasions to sit with cussions with CSA, but I still them so that we can say guys have real concerns, which I we are not happy with the way have reiterated to them,” he you are representing us in the said via Twitter. public. We are not silencing Smith called his previous journalists,” Moroe told Eye discussions with CSA a “frus- Witness News yesterday.

England’s Joe Root celebrates reaching his double century during the day four of the second Test match against New Zealand at Seddon Park in Hamilton yesterday. (AFP)

AFP 31. Hamilton, New Zealand Scorecard If Raval was feeling the pressure of his slump with an away series against Australia NEW ZEALAND 1st innings 375 (T. Latham 3-201 (Burns), 4-245 (Stokes), 5-262 looming, he need only look Root’s timely oe Root could not hide his delight after 105, D. Mitchell 73, B. Watling 55, R. Taylor 53; (Crawley), 6-455 (Pope), 7-458 (Root), double century to see fortunes can change. a masterful 226 ended his run drought Broad 4-73, Woakes 3-83) 8-460 (Woakes), 9-476 (Archer), 10-476 England were 24 for two in their fi rst in- and gave England a much-needed ENGLAND 1st innings (overnight 269-5) (Broad) nings when he went to the middle where he boost in the second Test against New R. Burns run out (Raval/Watling) 101 Bowling: Southee 37-4-90-2, Henry 33- controlled proceedings in a marathon knock ZealandJ yesterday as they ended day four 6-87-1, Wagner 35.5-3-124-5 1w), Mitchell during which he faced 441 deliveries in near- believing they can square the series. D. Sibley lbw Southee 4 22-5-69-0 (1nb), Santner 35-4-88-1 ly 11 hours. It was Root’s third double-cen- It took a fi ve-wicket haul for the tireless J. Denly c Watling b Henry 4 NEW ZEALAND 2nd innings tury, his longest innings in terms of time and Neil Wagner to bring England’s fi rst innings J. Root c Nicholls b Santner 226 balls faced and it ended just 28 runs short of to an end at 476, a lead of 101. T. Latham c Root b Woakes 18 his Test best 254 against Pakistan three years B. Stokes c Taylor b Southee 26 At stumps, New Zealand were 96 for two J. Raval lbw 0 ago. and needing to bat late into the fi nal day al- Z. Crawley c Watling b Wagner 1 K. Williamson not out 37 He had partnerships of 177 with Rory though rain may yet have the last word with Burns for the third wicket and 193 for the File photo of Graeme Smith. (Twitter) O. Pope c Raval b Wagner 75 R. Taylor not out 31 further showers forecast for today. sixth-wicket with Ollie Pope. S. Curran not out 11 “It felt good,” a beaming Root said as he Extras: (b1, lb2, w2, p5) 10 On a placid wicket, Root and Pope slowly put a stream of low scores behind him. C. Woakes c Watling b Wagner 0 Total: (two wickets; 34 overs) 96 accumulated runs eary on the fourth day to “Once I got in and had the bit between my ensure a fi rst-innings lead and then picked J. Archer b Wagner 8 Fall of wickets: 1-2 (Raval), 2-28 Nepal claims T20 cricket bowling record teeth I wanted to make it a real big one and up the pace to build on the advantage. C. Broad b Wagner 0 (Latham) try and get us in a position where we can The 21-year-old Pope, in only his fourth Nepal’s Anjali Chand claimed passed the eff orts of Malay- force a result in this game. Extras (b4, lb14, w1, nb1) 20 Bowling: Broad 5-0-18-0, Curran 8-1-26-1 Test, progressed to 75 before his valuable the best-ever bowling figures sian Mas Elysa who claimed “I know there’s a bit of weather around Total (all out; 162.5 overs) 476 (2w), Archer 7-0-19-0, Woakes 7-3-8-1, contribution ended with an edge to yet an- of six for nought in a wom- six wickets for three runs Stokes 6-1-17-0, J. Denly 1-1-0-0 but you just never know. It’ll be one big last Fall of wickets: 1-11 (Sibley), 2-24 (Denly), other Wagner bouncer. en’s Twenty20 international from her four overs against push from everyone to try and come away Four balls later, it was all over for Root at the South Asian Games China’s women in January. with a levelled-up series.” whose exquisite timing deserted him when yesterday. Nepal needed five balls to Root said it had been a frustration more “I found a really good rhythm out there, second innings, and for Raval it continued a an attempt to hit Mitchell Santner out of the Chand, making her interna- achieve their target to win by than a worry that he had gone 14 Test innings felt pretty comfortable and I just wanted to disappointing run in which he has failed to ground turned into a soft catch to Henry Ni- tional debut, bowled 2.1 overs 10 wickets. without a century but his return to form gave keep going. reach double fi gures in six of his last 10 in- cholls at deep cover. without conceding a single India paceman Deepak Cha- him confi dence. “It’s been a while since I’ve had that nings. He left the fi eld to a deserved standing run as Nepal bowled out har set the best T20 bowling amount of time out in the middle and you But after being 28 for two, New Zealand’s ovation but barely had time to take his seat Maldives women for 16 in 10.1 figures for men — six for ‘IT’S BEEN A WHILE’ get really hungry for it.” most skilled batsmen Kane Williamson and when Wagner mopped up the England tail overs in Pokhara. seven — against Bangladesh “It’s nice to get back to scoring some big New Zealand openers Jeet Raval (nought) Ross Taylor prevented further damage with to fi nish with fi ve for 124, his second fi ve- The 24-year-old Chand sur- last month. AFP runs,” he said. and Tom Latham (18) were out early in their Williamson on 37 at stumps and Taylor on wicket haul in the series.

DAY-NIGHT TEST Lyon spins Australia to victory over Pakistan AFP Scorecard pitch that off ered little for the Adelaide, Australia home side’s fast bowlers, who AUSTRALIA 1st innings 589-3 dec S. Afridi c Hazlewood b Lyon 1 were made to toil. (D. Warner 335 n.o, M. Labuschagne M. Abbas run out (Cummins) 1 It was his 16th fi ve-wicket haul pin king Nathan Lyon 162) and his fi rst against Pakistan, who M. Musa not out 4 snared fi ve wickets, in- PAKISTAN 1st innings 302 (Y. Shah have lost all four Tests they have cluding dangerous half- 113, B. Azam 97; Starc 6-66, Cummins Extras (lb6) 6 played this year after two defeats century makers Shan 3-83) Total (all out; 82 overs) 239 to South Africa in January. Defeat MasoodS and Asad Shafi q, as Aus- continued Pakistan’s appalling tralia wore down a stubborn Paki- PAKISTAN 2nd innings (overnight Fall of wickets: 1-2 (Imam-ul- record in Australia, where they stan to clinch the second Test and 39-3) Haq), 2-11 (Azhar), 3-20 (Azam), have now crashed in 14 consecu- wrap up the series 2-0 yesterday. S. Masood c Starc b Lyon 68 4-123 (Masood), 5-154 (Shafiq), tive Tests. 6-201 (Ahmed), 7-221 (Yasir), Pakistan resumed day four of Imam-ul-Haq lbw Hazlewood 0 At least they off ered some re- the day-night match on a precari- 8-229 (Afridi), 9-235 (Rizwan), sistance yesterday, with Masood, ous 39 for three with Masood not A. Ali c Smith b Starc 9 10-239 (Abbas) who models himself on England’s out 14 and Shafi q on eight after B. Azam c Paine b Hazlewood 8 Bowling: Starc 16-3-47-1, Alastair Cook, playing some glo- being bowled out for 302 in their A. Shafiq c Warner b Lyon 57 Hazlewood 23-4-63-3, Cum- rious strokes as he assumed a fi rst innings and forced to follow mins 15-4-45-0, Lyon 25-7-69-5, leadership role after Babar Azam I. Ahmed c Labuschagne b Lyon 27 on. Labuschagne 3-0-9-0 and captain Azhar Ali fell cheaply It followed Australia’s mam- M. Rizwan b Hazlewood 45 Result: Australia won by an in- on Sunday evening. moth 589 for three declared, Y. Shah lbw Lyon 13 nings and 48 runs. His sixth Test 50, in his 17th built around David Warner’s ex- Test, arrived with a boundary ceptional 335 not out — the 10th the home team claiming victory producing a result. “Really happy. off Lyon, his sixth four, before he highest Test score of all time. by an innings and 48 runs. It was Barring few slip-ups in the fi eld chipped the spinner to mid-off on Needing another 248 to force Australia’s sixth consecutive win yesterday, we played excellent 68 where Mitchell Starc collected The Australian team celebrate with the trophy after defeating Pakistan on the fourth day of the second Australia to bat again and avoid a in a pink ball Test — four of them cricket in the last two matches,” an easy catch. Test in Adelaide yesterday. (AFP) second successive innings defeat, at Adelaide — with every day- said Australia captain Tim Paine. Shafi q, who has 12 Test hun- they had a decent crack but were night Test played so far since the Lyon was Australia’s saviour, dreds to his name, proved to be his 25th half-century with a sin- But Lyon struck again, with fl ighted ball that carried to Warn- eventually all out for 239 with concept was introduced in 2015 fi nishing with 5-69 on a lifeless Masood’s equal and brought up gle off Josh Hazlewood. Shafi q getting a thin edge to a er at slip and he was gone for 57. Gulf Times Tuesday, December 3, 2019 5 SPORT

NFL CRICKET Faisal leads Galfar to another win in Texans topple QCA T20 tourney

By Sports Reporter Doha

aisal produced a sec- Patriots; Ravens ond back-to-back man of the match per- formance to fashion a ‘It is special for me. Before he hangs 29-runF victory for Galfar Al Misnad against Tusker Club it up I had to at least get one (win) in the Premier Division of the QCA Twenty20 Cricket Tour- on him. I had to get this one’ nament. edge 49ers At the West Bay Grounds, Faisal smashed three sixes BRIEF SCORES and seven fours in his 24-ball Premier Division 55, which lifted Galfar Al Mi- Galfar Al Misnad beat Tusker snad to a challenging 150 for Club by 29 runs seven. Mujeeb contributed 23 Galfar Al Misnad: 150 for seven with two fours in his 20-ball (Faisal 55 in 24 balls, Mujeeb 23 knock,while Prem (three for in 20 balls; Prem 3/21, Niaz 2/14) 21) and Niaz took fi ve wickets Tusker Club: 121 all out in 19.1 between them. overs (Zainu 48 in 20 balls; Zainu hit a fl urry of six sixes Gayan 2/25, Nauman 3/9) in his 48 but Nauman and Man of the match: Faisal (Galfar Gayan cut short Tusker Club’s Al Misnad) chase, shooting them out for 121 in 19.1 overs. Nauman Royal Stars beat CBQ by six bowled brilliantly and picked wickets three for nine, while he took CBQ: 178 for three in (Zaheer 72 two for 25. Faisal pulled off in 52 balls, Qamar 49 in 30 balls; two catches as well. Danish 2/19) In another Premier Divi- Royal Stars: 183 for four in 19.3 sion match, Asif steered Royal overs (Asif 54 in 26 balls; Faisal Stars to an exciting six-wicket 2/32) triumph against Commercial Man of the match: Asif (Royal Bank Qatar. Batting fi rst, CBQ Stars) piled up 178 for three with Za- heer hammering 72, including A Division a six and half a dozen fours. Shah XI beat Redco by 30 runs Royal Stars came home with Shah XI: 170 for four (Saleem 98 three balls to spare as Asif in 58 balls, Hamad 27 in 34 balls; fi red fi ve sixes and two fours Abdul Sattar 2/46) in his 26-ball 54. Besides his Redco: 141 for seven (T Singh 39 knock, Asif got a wicket to be in 37 balls, Janaka 22 in 18 balls; aptly adjudged the man of the Said Mohamed 3/29, Hamad match. 2/15) Saleem missed out on a glo- Man of the match: Saleem rious triple-fi gure score but (Shah XI) sparked Shah Eleven to a 30- run victory over Redco in an A Qatar Super Kings beat Gulf Col- Division match. His 98 off just ours Lagaan by seven wickets 58 balls with fi ve sixes and 11 GC Lagaan: 125 for eight boundaries provided the base (Mohamed Imran 39 in 34 balls; for his team’s 170 for four. Dinesh 4/11) Redco failed to lift the pace Qatar Super Kings: 127 for three needed to beat the rivals and in 13.1 overs (Tony 64 in 27 balls, could reply with 141 for seven. Kannan DK 33 not out in 21 Said Mohamed (three for 29) balls; Johar 1/21) and Hamad (two for 15) re- Man of the match: Tony (Qatar Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) dives for a touchdown against the New England Patriots in the second half at NRG Stadium. PICTURE: USA TODAY Sports stricted them with their fi ne Super Kings) bowling. Saleem was declared AFP NFL victory on Sunday, 20-17 over the San nati Bengals grabbed their fi rst win of 2019 the man of the match. Firox beat Doha Falcons by RESULTS Los Angeles Francisco 49ers. with a 22-6 victory over the New York Jets. Tony, with four sixes and three wickets In a clash of Super Bowl contenders, Quarterback Andy Dalton, benched a seven fours in 64, set up a sev- Doha Falcons: 159 for nine Cleveland 13-20 Pittsburgh Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson com- month ago, returned to lead the Bengals, en-wicket triumph for Qatar (Anas 44 in 39 balls, Iftikhar 37 eshaun Watson passed for three Green Bay 31-13 NY Giants pleted just 14 of 23 passes for 105 yards in who snapped an 11-game losing streak. Super Kings against Gulf Col- in 24 balls; Irfan 2/27, Waqas touchdowns and caught another NY Jets 6-22 Cincinnati rainy weather that he admitted “messed Dalton completed 22 of 37 passes for 243 ours Lagaan and Firox were Alvi 2/31) as the Houston Texans beat the Philadelphia 31-37 Miami with me a lot.” yards and a touchdown and the Bengals steered to an exciting three- Firox: 164 for seven in 19.1 overs New England Patriots for the But he ran for 101 yards and a touchdown defense held the Jets — who had scored 34 wicket win by Abrar (52 with (Abrar 52 in 41 balls, Tall 32 fiD rst time in a decade with a 28-22 win on San Francisco 17-20 Baltimore to help the Ravens improve to 10-2 for the points in each of their last three games — to one six and six fours) against not out in 15 balls; Adnan 3/31, Sunday. Tampa Bay 28-11 Jacksonville fi rst time in franchise history. two fi eld goals. Doha Falcons in other two Di- Mughis 2/23) The Texans last win over New England Tennessee 31-17 Indianapolis Tucker’s game-winner was his 38th The Jets became the fi rst team in NFL vision A matches. Man of the match: Abrar (Firox). came in January 2010 as they maintained straight fourth-quarter fi eld goal, the history to lose twice in one season to teams their one-game lead atop the AFC South Washington 29-21 Carolina longest active streak in the league. with records of 0-7 or worse. Division. LA Rams 34-7 Arizona “I was glad I made the kick man,” said “It is a big one,” said Watson. “We can LA Chargers 20-23 Denver Tucker, who was promptly hoisted onto the STEELERS BEAT BROWNS Federer to have Swiss coin play with the top teams in the NFL.” shoulders of his celebrating teammates. Elsewhere, Green Bay’s Aaron Rodgers minted in his honour Watson also welcomed the opportunity Oakland 9-40 Kansas City “These are as tough of conditions as threw for 243 yards and four touchdowns to go head to head with Patriots quarter- New England 22-28 Houstan we’ve had to make kicks in before... be- without an interception in the Packers’ 31- Tennis great Roger Federer Federer delivering a back- back Tom Brady and come out on top. ing able to come through when it’s really 13 win over the New York Giants. is to become the first living hand, will be produced and “That’s the (greatest of all time),” he said “We been practising that play for the last tough, it’s extra satisfying.” The Giants’ NFC East rivals Philadel- Swiss to have a coin minted will be available for pre-order of Brady. “It is special for me. Before he four weeks,” he said. “It was the perfect The Ravens had taken over at their 35- phia also lost, falling 37-31 to the lowly Mi- in their honour, with a com- from today until Dec 19. hangs it up I had to at least get one (win) on time. I saw him look and I wanted to check yard line with 6:28 to play and advanced ami Dolphins in a result that left the Dallas memorative 20 franc ($20.06) “Roger Federer’s sporting him. I had to get this one.” out of it, but I thought, no we are going to just nine yards on their fi rst three plays. Cowboys alone atop the division. silver piece bearing his image achievements, his charitable Watson, who fi nished 18 of 25 for 234 make this work.” Going for it on fourth down, Jackson got The Cleveland Browns’ playoff hopes being issued in January. The commitments, his easy-going yards, is just the third player since 1970 to His 14-yard touchdown pass to Duke the fi rst down on a quarterback sneak as dwindled with a 20-13 loss to NFC North 38-year-old 20-time Grand nature and his accessibility to have three touchdown passes and a touch- Johnson with 38 seconds left in the fi rst the Ravens put Tucker in range. division rivals the Pittsburgh Steelers. Slam champion is regarded by his fans have prompted Swiss- down catch in the same game. quarter gave the Texans the lead for good. “That golden leg. I got all the faith in Their clash came 18 days after a brawl many as the greatest tennis mint to dedicate this 20-franc Watson scored the fi rst receiving touch- Brady completed 42 of 47 passes for 326 him,” Jackson said. “I’m on the sideline erupted in a Cleveland win over Pittsburgh player ever and is a national silver coin to him — the first down of his career when he snared a fl ip yards. praying, but at the same time I know Tuck- — a melee that saw Cleveland defensive hero in Switzerland. time it has done so with a pass from teammate DeAndre Hopkins as Elsewhere, Justin Tucker booted a 49- er can do it.” end Myles Garrett suspended indefi nitely Swissmint confirmed that living person,” a Swissmint the Texans trick play worked in the fourth yard fi eld goal as time expired to lift the As playoff contenders wrestled for posi- for his helmet swinging attack on Steelers 55,000 of the coins, featuring spokesperson told Reuters. quarter. Baltimore Ravens to an eighth straight tion in week 13 of the season, the Cincin- quarterback Mason Rudolph.

NBA Doncic, Mavericks end Lakers’ winning streak AFP RESULTS “He hit a couple of hellacious shots,” Dallas Los Angeles coach Rick Carlisle said. “There’s just a small Miami 109-106 BROOKLYN handful of guys in the whole world that can hit Boston 113-104 NEW YORK them. LeBron James is one of them. He’s one of uka Doncic fi nished just shy of a triple them. “Those step-back 30-footers, it’s hard to Memphis 115-107 MINNESOTA double as the Dallas Mavericks gave describe how diffi cult the shot is, and how easy the Los Angeles Lakers a reality check Dallas 114-100 LA LAKERS he makes it look.” on Sunday by snapping their 10-game DETROIT 132-98 San Antonio The Mavericks had 35 points to just 17 in the Lwin streak with a 114-100 win. third for the Lakers, who equaled their worst Oklahoma City 107-104 N. ORLEANS Doncic was just one rebound short of the tri- total in a quarter this season. ple double fi nishing with 27 points, 10 assists ORLANDO 100-96 Golden State In the fourth, Dallas increased the lead to 20 and nine rebounds, as the visiting Mavericks TORONTO 130-110 Utah and led by double digits the rest of the way. avenged a 119-110 overtime loss to Los Angeles LA CLIPPERS 150-125 Washington Davis blamed the loss on the Lakers poor re- one month ago. bounding. “It’s a great win that means a lot to us,” Don- “We beat ourselves with the rebounding, so cic, 20, said. “It shows that we can play against nine rebounds and eight assists for Los Angeles. we know what we’ve got to do better,” he said. big teams, too. We just need to keep it rolling.” James also had six of the Lakers 17 turnovers. In Toronto, Pascal Siakam scored 35 points The fi rst-place Mavericks improved to 13-6 The Lakers’ next two games are against Den- and the Toronto Raptors turned a 40 point on the season and were too much to handle for ver and Utah, who are one and two atop the halftime lead into a 130-110 win over the Utah the Lakers, whose win streak came against 10 Northwest Division standings. Jazz. Fred VanVleet added 21 points and 11 as- teams, all with losing records. Kyle Kuzma shot just one of 13 from the fl oor sists for the Raptors, who are a club record 9-0 The last time Los Angeles played a team with while Dwight Howard and Rajon Rondo each at home to open the season. They also are on a a better than.500 record, which was the Toron- scored just four points as the Mavericks’ bench season-best seven-game winning streak over- to Raptors on November 10, they lost 113-104. outscored the Lakers’ reserve 43-29. all. Mike Conley had 20 points for the Jazz, Delon Wright came off the bench to tally 17 Dallas used a brilliant third quarter to seize who have lost three of their past four games on points and nine assists while Dwight Powell, command of the game. a fi ve-game road trip. Kristaps Porzingis and Justin Jackson contrib- Doncic, who was bloodied and muscled off Elsewhere, Chris Paul scored seven of his 16 uted 15 points apiece in the win. the ball several times in the November loss to points late in the fourth quarter of the Okla- Anthony Davis had 27 points and 10 re- the Lakers, held his ground on Sunday, scoring homa City Thunder’s 107-104 victory over the Dallas Mavericks forward Luka Doncic (left) moves to the basket against Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron bounds and LeBron James tallied 25 points, 16 of his points in the third quarter. New Orleans Pelicans. James (middle) and forward Anthony Davis during the first half at Staples Center. PICTURE: USA TODAY Sports Gulf Times 6 Tuesday, December 3, 2019 SPORT

FOOTBALL SKIING Shiff rin wins slalom to tie for second on Leicester revival all-time World Cup list

Reuters another cold day in New Eng- Killington, Vermont land. List of all-time overall career merican Mikaela World Cup victories under Rodgers has Shiff rin moved into Ingemar Stenmark (Sweden) joint second on the 86 all-time list of wom- Lindsey Vonn (United States) en’sA World Cup victories when 82 she dominated the slalom Marcel Hirscher (Austria) 67 event in Killington, Vermont, Mikaela Shiff rin (U.S.) 62 on Sunday. Annemarie Moser-Proell Shiff rin posted her fourth (Austria) 62. fans dreaming again consecutive Killington slalom victory, triumphing by more MAYER WINS SUPER-G ‘My main focus is very much with Leicester. They’ve been first class with me’ than two seconds for her 62nd IN ALBERTA career victory, matching the Olympic champion Matthias total of Austrian Annemarie Mayer continued a family love Moser-Proell who retired from aff air with the Canadian Rock- racing in 1980. ies when he won the men’s The 24-year-old Shiff rin World Cup super-G in Alberta still has a long road to sur- on Sunday. pass fellow American Lindsey Competing a couple of hun- Vonn’s record of 82 victories dred kilometres from where but the speed with which she is his father Helmut claimed piling up wins suggests it will Olympic silver in Calgary in not take her long. 1988, Mayer charged down the Shiff rin’s 42nd slalom Lake Louise mountain to tri- victory also increased her umph by nearly half a second. record in her specialist event, The 29-year-old Austrian putting her two wins ahead of skied fl awlessly, hitting speeds Swedish great Ingemar Sten- of 120kph to end his run of four mark. second-place fi nishes on the Across both sexes, Stenmark mountain. leads the overall list with 86 For his sixth World Cup ca- victories - 46 in giant slalom reer victory - three in super-G and 40 in slalom. Shiff rin is and three in downhill - Mayer equal fourth. beat Italian Dominik Paris by On Sunday, treacherous, 0.40 seconds, while Austrian icy conditions contributed to Vincent Kriechmayr and nearly half the fi eld failing to Swiss Mauro Caviezel tied fi nish. for third, 0.49 seconds off the Leading by more than a sec- pace. ond after the fi rst run, Shiff rin Paris, the lead singer in a safely negotiated her second heavy metal band, had to set- run, beating Slovakian Petra tle for runner-up for the sec- Vlhova by 2.29 seconds. Swede ond successive day after being Anna Swenn Larsson was pipped in the downhill on Sat- third, 2.73 seconds back. urday. “That was a big fi ght. I was Mayer is a double Olympic on the limit every single turn,” gold medallist, winning super- Shiff rin said after soaking up G in Pyeongchang in 2018 and cheers from the large crowd on downhill in Sochi in 2014.

Leicester City’s Kelechi Iheanacho (second right) celebrates scoring their second goal against Everton with manager Brendan Rodgers (right) in Leicester, Britain. (Reuters)

Reuters Leicester have won 10 of their “I left a club (Celtic) eight a possible return to the England too, but the man holding it all London 14 league games this season and months ago and now there’s a set-up. Leicester also have the together has been Wilfred Ndidi have 32 points - three points huge challenge for us which is best defence in the league, con- sitting behind creators Youri more than they had at this stage fi nishing in the top six. We have ceding nine goals and enjoying Tielemans and James Maddison eicester City’s rebirth of their remarkable 2015-16 ti- more work to do and I am excited six clean sheets with a centre in central midfi eld. since Brendan Rodgers tle-winning season. about that.” back pairing of the veteran Jonny Time will tell if the industri- took charge in February With the Foxes winning their Leciester’s former manager Evans and 23-year-old Caglar ous Ndidi is the next N’Golo has turned the tables in last six matches in a row after a Claudio Ranieri used a high Soyuncu - the latter proving to Kante but the 22-year-old al- Lthe Premier League, with the in- last-gasp 2-1 success at home tempo, counter-attacking style be the biggest surprise. ready leads Europe’s major form Foxes sitting second in the to Everton on Sunday, it is no to beat title odds of 5,000-1 and Having lost defensive lynch- leagues in tackles and intercep- standings. wonder Rodgers has been linked Rodgers has tweaked the out-of- pin Harry Maguire for around tions, giving the defence more Tasked with breaking the some top jobs but, by his own fashion 4-4-2 formation into a 80 million pounds ($102.64 mil- room to breathe and prepare for dominance of the ‘Big Six’, Rodg- admission, he has unfi nished 4-1-4-1 with Jamie Vardy con- lion) to Manchester United, his dangerous situations. ers has not only taken advantage business at Leicester. tinuing to spearhead the attack. understudy Soyuncu has seam- Talk of a title challenge this of Arsenal, Manchester United “My main focus is very much With 13 goals and three assists, lessly slotted into the back line season may be premature, with and Tottenham Hotspur losing with Leicester. They’ve been 32-year-old Vardy’s renaissance and has played every minute in leaders Liverpool eight points their way but his side are three fi rst class with me,” he said after under Rodgers after he stagnated the league this season. clear of the Foxes, but Rodg- points ahead of Manchester City Sunday’s game when he con- under Claude Puel is the biggest Full backs Ben Chilwell and ers’ miserly defence has laid Mikaela Shiff rin of the United States celebrates on the podium with the league’s best goal dif- fi rmed he has a release clause in contributing factor to their run, Ricardo Pereira have contribut- the foundations for a top-four after winning the Women’s Slalom during the Audi FIS Ski World ference. his contract. even leading to questions about ed to seven goals between them fi nish. Cup - Killington Cup in Killington, Vermont. (Getty Images/AFP)

RUGBY Former All Blacks coach Hansen confi rms Japan move Reuters family time that I want to have and to grow,” said Australian director of Wellington I’m really looking forward to it.” rugby Scott Johnson. New Zealand media had reported “We’re really proud of the re- earlier this year that Hansen was lationship we have with the JRFU ormer All Blacks coach Ste- headed to Japan after the World and we’ve been looking at new ve Hansen yesterday con- Cup but he said yesterday he had ways in how we can collaborate to fi rmed his long-expected not signed anything until after the achieve our respective goals across move to Japan where he will tournament had ended. He will link the business but specifi cally in high takeF up a role as coaching consult- up with former All Blacks captain performance.” ant with Top League side Toyota Kieran Read, who signed a one- Super Rugby’s governing body Verblitz. year contract with Toyota earlier SANZAAR announced this year it The 60-year-old stepped down this year. New Zealand Rugby are in would be axing the underperform- from the All Blacks following their the process of appointing Hansen’s ing Sunwolves following the 2020 third-place fi nish at the Rugby successor with his former assistant season as the competition reverts World Cup. He spent 16 years with Ian Foster and Canterbury Crusad- from a 15-team conference system the team, the last eight as head ers head coach Scott Robertson the back to a 14-team round-robin coach, and was a part of two suc- leading candidates. format. But Japan’s success at the cessful World Cup campaigns. World Cup on home soil, where “I’ve got a new job which in- WALLABIES ASSISTANT COACH they made the quarter-fi nals, has volves me mentoring, consulting TO HELP JAPAN’S SUNWOLVES seen some suggestions that they and advising at Toyota Verblitz,” Wallabies assistant coach Nathan may get a reprieve. he said in a video on the All Blacks Grey will also serve as technical “The Sunwolves have an incred- website. “It’s not as a head coach, director to Super Rugby side Sun- ibly talented group of players that it’s more as an adviser, a mentor, wolves next season to help Japan are keen to learn, and the same can and it requires me to be up there for build on a successful World Cup, it be said of the coaching staff in To- fi ve to 17 weeks a year.” was announced yesterday. kyo too,” said Grey. Toyota are coached by fellow The highly-regarded 35-Test “We all saw from the recent New Zealander Simon Cron, who Wallaby was working as Australia’s World Cup just how much ability was an assistant at the New South defence coach under the now-de- and potential there is in Japan, and I Wales Waratahs for two years until parted Michael Cheika, but will as- will be doing all I can to help in their the end of the 2019 Super Rugby sume the role of national high-per- development.” season. formance coach adviser next year. Under his new Australian rugby “The key thing is to go in and In an unprecedented move, Grey role, Grey will work with the men’s work with the people in the envi- will also work with the Sunwolves and women’s Sevens program as ronment,” Hansen added. “The op- to support their new head coach well as the Wallaroos and junior portunity to help him (Cron) grow Naoya Okubo under an agreement Wallabies. is something that really excites me. with the Japan Rugby Football Un- Former Queensland Reds’ Matt “While it’s not a full-time ion. “Nathan’s role with the Sun- Taylor is tipped to replace him as coaching role, it’s a role that still al- wolves came out of discussions Wallabies defence coach as new lows me to stay in the game. It’s also with the JRFU and the support head coach Dave Rennie builds his In this file photo taken on October 26, 2019 New Zealand’s head coach Steve Hansen looks on before the Japan 2019 Rugby World Cup a role that will allow me to have the they felt they needed to continue own team of assistants. semi-final match between England and New Zealand at the International Stadium Yokohama in Yokohama. (AFP) Gulf Times Tuesday, December 3, 2019 7 FOOTBALL

LA LIGA FOCUS Pochettino ready to recharge with Magical Messi sinks return to Europe on his mind

Reuters Sports in Argentina. London “At my age I don’t need Atletico as Barcelona a lot of time to recover. I’m open to listen to projects put ormer Tottenham before me... but, for the time Hotspur coach Mau- being, the most important thing ricio Pochettino is is for me to clear my head targeting a quick re- after fi ve and a half incredible turnF to management in Eu- seasons with Tottenham. rope with several “attractive “My aim is to seek the abil- return to the top projects” on the horizon, the ity to rebuild myself and get 47-year-old has said. my self-motivation back.” ‘We played superbly and Barcelona had hardly any chances but when Messi appears The Argentine, who led Pochettino, who visited Spurs to the Champions former club Newell’s Old Boys he is capable of doing anything and he made it look so easy, that’s why he is the best’ League fi nal last season, was over the weekend, refused to dismissed after a poor run of rule out the possibility of a job results across all competitions in his homeland. this season and replaced by “It’s my intention to return Jose Mourinho who has since to manage in Europe. It’s hard guided the team to three wins for me to imagine a project in in as many games. Argentina. However, for the Pochettino has since been sake of my family, I wouldn’t linked by the British media refuse to work over here,” he with the vacant job at Spurs’ added. bitter north London rivals Ar- “Now I need to be calm for senal, as well as Manchester a few days and see what hap- United, Real Madrid and Bay- pens. I haven’t had a lot of ern Munich. time to digest what has hap- “There are a lot of clubs and pened. My best decision was attractive projects for me to to come to Argentina to switch take on,” Pochettino told Fox off for 10 days.”

Ancelotti orders struggling Napoli’s players into training camp Napoli coach Carlo Ancelotti among the players earlier ordered his players yesterday this month when he imposed into a training camp after a week-long training camp their latest dismal defeat, after a 2-1 league defeat at risking further unrest at the rivals Roma. Barcelona’s Lionel Messi celebrates after scoring a goal against Atletico Madrid in Madrid. (Reuters) troubled Serie A club. Ancelotti openly disagreed Ancelotti’s side fell 2-1 at with the decision while the Reuters defeat on Diego Simeone’s side late tackle on Alvaro Morata. ter one win in their previous six Atletico looked more likely to home to Bologna on Sunday, players broke the lockdown Madrid since they were beaten by Real “We feel very hard done by,” games and they made a fl ying snatch a winner but yet again stretching their winless run in and returned home after a Madrid at the Wanda Metro- said Atletico midfi elder Saul start, nearly going ahead when Messi proved the diff erence. all competitions to eight and 1-1 draw against Salzburg in politano in February. “Whenever Niguez. “We played superbly Barca’s Junior Firpo defl ected a The Argentine clinched the leaving them 17 points behind the Champions League three ionel Messi underlined you have a game like this which and Barcelona had hardly any cross against the far post. 2015 title for Barca with Inter Milan, and the 60-year- days later. his ability to make the is really tight and really tough, chances but when Messi appears Soon after Ter Stegen pulled a strike against Atletico and also old has decided to crack The film mogul then report- diff erence on big occa- being able to count on Messi is he is capable of doing anything off a marvellous save by using his hit winning goals against them down on his players. edly imposed a combined sions by hitting a sensa- always an advantage,” said Barca and he made it look so easy, body to thwart Mario Hermoso in pivotal games in the 2016/17 “Carlo Ancelotti has decided fine of 2.5 million euros ($2.7 Ltional late goal to give Barcelona coach Ernesto Valverde. that’s why he is the best.” from point-blank range. and 2017/18 seasons. that the team will stay to- million) on the players, with a 1-0 win at title rivals Atletico Messi’s strike saw Barca re- Atleti were also fortunate not His goal here could also prove gether as part of a training Italian media also reporting Madrid on Sunday as the cham- turn to the top of the standings to have a player sent off when OUTSTANDING REFLEXES crucial in what looks set to be camp between Wednesday that he was trying to sell a pions reclaimed top spot in La with 31 points after 14 games, Vitolo slammed into Pique’s The German then demonstrated a thrilling two-horse race be- and Saturday’s match away host of first teamers in anger Liga from Real Madrid. ahead of Real Madrid on goal dif- knee with a fi erce challenge a few outstanding refl exes by swoop- tween Barca and Real, who meet at Udinese,” Napoli said in a at their insubordination. The Argentine, playing his ference, while Atletico were left minutes later after picking up an ing to the ground to beat away on Dec. 18 in the ‘Clasico’ at the statement. FIFPRO condemned the 701st game for Barca, settled a in sixth spot on 25 points, having earlier booking. a header from Morata, while Camp Nou. On Saturday, players’ union move, saying that “profes- pulsating and tense encounter in played one match more than the Antoine Griezmann got a hos- he watched a shot from Hector “We suff ered a little but games FIFPRO came out in support sional football players have the 86th minute, galloping down two pacesetters. tile reception from the home Herrera fl y past the post. like these are the ones which can of Napoli’s players after a the right to ensure that their the right wing and cutting inside Atleti and Barca hit the wood- fans in his fi rst game against his Barca were cagey in their ap- win you the title,” added Barca’s row broke out between the private life is respected”. before playing a one-two with work and visiting keeper Marc- old side since a bitter 120 million proach for large chunks of the Sergi Roberto, who also credited squad and owner Aurelio De They added that they would Luis Suarez and guiding the ball Andre ter Stegen made two euro ($132.26 million) transfer game although Pique hit the bar his side’s goalkeeper for the win. Laurentiis amid a run that work with the Italian football- into the bottom corner. stunning saves, while the home to Barca in the close season and with a header before the break “Marc saved two clear goals also has them eight points ers’ association (AIC) to It was Messi’s 30th goal in side felt Gerard Pique should had a poor game, fi ring his one and Ivan Rakitic scuff ed a shot and Messi decided the game, but away from the Champions “ensure the players are not 39 competitive games against have been shown a second yel- chance over the bar. straight at keeper Jan Oblak. this was a triumph for the entire League places. subjected to further abuse Atletico and infl icted a fi rst home low card in the second half for a Atleti were under pressure af- Roared on by 67,000 fans, team,” he added. De Laurentiis caused anger and intimidation”.

EPL City are in the right frame of mind: Guardiola AFP focused on Tuesday’s away trip draw against Sheffi eld United London to Burnley beforehand. “I’m not after storming back from 2-0 thinking about how many games down to lead 3-2. we have to win,” he said. “It’s “We got ourselves in a great ep Guardiola says he is just try to win the next one. position in the second half satisfi ed with the state “Last season when we were (against Villa) and again conced- of mind of his Manches- here, we were not talking about ed a sloppy goal really,” Maguire ter City players even the Premier League, how many told MUTV. Pthough they twice lost the lead to games you have to win. “As a defender especially, draw 2-2 with Newcastle and slip “It’s not about that. It’s just it’s frustrating,” he added. “We further behind Premier League now recover, prepare and try to haven’t really conceded many leaders Liverpool. win against Burnley, that is what chances or goals prior to the last Guardiola, whose defending you have to do, and after that the two games and then we’ve con- champions are 11 points adrift of derby and make these steps.” ceded fi ve.” Jurgen Klopp’s team with more Jose Mourinho returns to Old than a third of the season gone, MAGUIRE FRUSTRATED OVER Traff ord for the fi rst time since is adamant the City players have MAN UTD DEFENSIVE LAPSES he was sacked a year ago with not been aff ected by a poor run Harry Maguire is frustrated a resurgent Tottenham side on of just one victory in fi ve games that defensive lapses are cost- Wednesday before United make in all competitions. ing Manchester United crucial the short trip to neighbours “You have to see how the play- points after they let slip a win- Manchester City at the weekend. ers run and how they fi ght and ning position for the second Solskjaer has to fi nd a way to how they try to do it, the body consecutive match against As- turn draws into wins, having language – we never give up, so ton Villa. managed just six victories in 22 the team is always there, that’s Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s league matches since being ap- my feeling,” he said. side were leading 2-1 midway pointed permanent manager “The game is what it is. In my through the second half at Old in March. Maguire believes the opinion, it was good. We played Traff ord on Sunday before a quick turnaround from Sunday well with the ball, we were solid, Tyrone Mings equaliser forced to Wednesday could help United we conceded few counter-at- them to share the points. after their recent disappoint- tacks, but football is how many The 2-2 draw left United ments. goals you score and how you in ninth place in the Premier “It’s perfect. When you don’t don’t concede. League with 18 points from 14 win any football match you want “You accept that. Sometimes matches, their worst return at a a game as soon as possible to it happens.” similar stage since 1988/89. put things right,” he said. “And City have the Manchester der- United also conceded a late there’s no better way than to play by on Saturday but Guardiola is goal in the previous week in a 3-3 Tottenham here at Old Traff ord.” Manchester City’s Spanish manager Pep Guardiola reacts during the EPL match against Newcastle United on Saturday. (AFP)

Tuesday, December 3, 2019 GULF TIMES SPORT

Rhan Al Shahania is Champion Yearling Colt at World Arabian Horse Championship

Al Jassimya Farm’s Mona Lisa Aljassimya won silver in the championship round for Yearling Fillies with 19 His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Khalifa al-Thani with Al Shahania Stud’s Rhan Al Shahania after the horse was adjudged as the Champion points. Another winner for Qatar was Al Nasser Stud’s Maisa Al Nasser that won bronze among the senior Yearling Colt with 34 points at the World Arabian Horse Championship near Paris, France, on Sunday. (Instagram/AlShahaniaStud) mares. (Instagram/aljassimyafarm)

FOCUS Qatar proud of progress as hosts gear up for 2022 WC ‘I hope part of the World Cup legacy is having successful football teams on a national and regional level’

xactly nine years have encouraged everyone to focus passed since Qatar won on completing projects so they the right to host the FIFA are ready before the tournament World Cup 2022 and – not just in terms of the infra- preparationsE are in full swing for structure and facilities, but in all the tournament’s fi rst visit to the aspects, whether it be political, Middle East and Arab world. social or economic.” Two stadiums have been Al-Khater said the stadium launched, while the remaining launches in 2017 and 2019 were six are in the fi nal stages of con- major moments on the road to struction. Currently, the country 2022. is hosting the 24th Arabian Gulf Al-Khater said: “Launching Cup, before the FIFA Club World Khalifa International Stadium Cup kicks off on December 11. was very important to us because Hosting two events back-to- it was the fi rst World Cup sta- back is seen as perfect preparation dium to open. We also opened for Qatar 2022, according to Has- earlier this san al-Thawadi, secretary-general year – which was the fi rst venue of the Supreme Committee for De- to be built from scratch. There livery & Legacy (SC). are many milestones that make “We’ve come a long way us feel we are drawing closer and since 2010,” said al-Thawadi, closer to the World Cup. If you who led Qatar’s bid to host the had told me in the early 2000s 22nd edition of world football’s that Khalifa Stadium would one showpiece event. “Tremendous day host World Cup matches, I progress has been made when would never have imagined it.” it comes to infrastructure – in- Al-Khater also praised the cluding the launch of two stadi- progress of Qatar’s national team ums, new roads, the Doha Metro and expressed immense pride that and various other projects.” Al Annabi will enter the next FIFA Al-Thawadi continued: “At the World Cup as champions of Asia. moment we’re proud to be hosting “Now that Qatar are the the Arabian Gulf Cup while simul- Asian champions, other teams taneously preparing for the 16th pay more attention to us. I hope edition of the FIFA Club World the progress the national team Cup. Both tournaments will test is making – as well as the great our readiness for 2022 while giv- work the Qatar Football Asso- ing fans a taste of what to expect ciation and are in three years’ time. We’re deter- doing – continues well after the mined to take the lessons learned World Cup. I hope part of the from these events and apply them World Cup legacy is having suc- to the World Cup.” cessful football teams on a na- Al-Thawadi went on to say the tional and regional level.” legacy of Qatar 2022 was already Al-Khater went on to say that benefi ting people’s lives – in Qa- everyone would be welcome to tar and around the world. visit Qatar in 2022 and enjoy the “We’ve worked tirelessly to en- most prestigious international sure this World Cup leaves a last- Al Janoub Stadium in , which was inaugurated on May 16, was the first World Cup venue to be built from scratch. tournament in the world. ing legacy for Qatar and the region. “To all football fans, I say this: We’re leading the way on workers’ through our Challenge 22 pro- wadi and the Qatari delegation, had a short period of time and a in Zurich, Qatar and across the years before the tournament we welcome you to Doha, we wel- welfare, including various health, gramme. The benefi ts of our tour- al-Khater was in Zurich when huge challenge as we were bidding Middle East. kicks off on November 21, 2022. come you to Qatar. As His High- safety and well-being initiatives. nament are already being felt years Qatar was announced as the host against the USA, Australia, Japan “That feeling of winning was “Every day, as I drive around, I ness the Grandfather Amir, the Our football for development pro- before the big kick-off .” country for 2022. and South Korea. Until the very indescribable,” said al-Khater. see the progress in Qatar and it’s late Sheikh Khalifa bin Hamad gramme, Generation Amazing, is Meanwhile, for Nasser al- Al-Khater said: “It’s not just last moment we were far from cer- “It’s a moment in history that I something that makes me proud. al-Thani, said at the opening of changing lives in underprivileged Khater, the SC’s Chief of Experi- the day of the bid win I remember, tain that we’d won.” will never forget.” Of course, it’s not entirely due the Gulf Cup ‘Everyone, welcome communities around the world. ence and Tournament Readiness, it’s the 18 months before when we In the end, Qatar won by 14 Like al-Thawadi, al-Khater is to the World Cup but undoubt- to Doha; everyone’s Doha’. We al- And we’re inspiring young entre- December 2, 2010 holds special were working on the bid book. It votes to eight in a run-off against immensely proud of the progress edly the World Cup has played a ways use this quote to welcome preneurs in Qatar and the region memories. Along with al-Tha- was a diffi cult phase because we the US to spark wild celebrations made to-date – less than three role in speeding things up. It has people to our country.” (SC.qa)

Qatar-based The Look Company joins line-up of National Supporters of FIFA Club World Cup 2019

IFA and the Local Organis- years of experience in the as well as wayfinding signage increasing importance of sport added: “The Look is an expert porter for the FIFA Club World ing Committee welcomed region and boasts a state-of- in the vicinity of the FIFA Club for the country. We are very at producing innovative brand- Cup.” FThe Look Company as the the-art 3,000sq m large-format World Cup 2019 stadiums. proud of being able to show ing solutions that enrich the The FIFA Club World Cup 2019 newest National Supporter of print production facility in The Look Company presi- our support for the sports overall appearance of stadium will be played from December the FIFA Club World Cup Qatar Doha, from which it produces dent Jacob Burke said, “The industry in Qatar and to leave environments. The visual 11-21 at three venues in Qatar. 2019. an array of branding materials FIFA Club World Cup 2019 is behind a memorable experi- identity of our events is an im- The full match schedule can The Look Company is an for the sports and events indus- an amazing opportunity to ence for spectators from all portant part of our marketing be found here. Fans wishing to award-winning visual engage- try. As part of the agreement, showcase our ability to deliver around the world.” strategy and we’re delighted see the action live can apply ment and branding firm based The Look Company will provide high-impact branding for global Jean-Francois Pathy, FIFA’s to have The Look joining the for tickets exclusively via FIFA. in Doha. It has more than 15 stadium signage and branding, events and also marks the Director of Marketing Services, programme as a National Sup- com/tickets. (FIFA)