SPORT 21 No, No, There Is Clarity, but Certain Things Cannot Be Said BCCI President S Ganguly FOOTBALL FOOTBALL Tries to Clear the Air on the on Public Platform

SUNDAY 1 DECEMBER 2019 SPORT 21 No, no, there is clarity, but certain things cannot be said BCCI President S Ganguly FOOTBALL FOOTBALL tries to clear the air on the on public platform. There is Premier League Premier League future of MS Dhoni. absolute clarity on MS Dhoni Norvich vs Arsenal Leicester vs Everton and you’ll ﬁnd out in time. ACTION Wolves vs Sheffield Utd Man United vs Aston Villa TODAY’S

Test cricket’s highest run scorers Australia’s batsman David Warner All-time high Test cricket scores by batsmen after Australia’s David Warner en- celebrates reaching his triple century tered the top 10 with an unbeaten 335 against Pakistan in Adelaide yesterday. (300 runs) during day two of the second Test match between Australia 400* - Brian Lara (WIS), and Pakistan in Adelaide yesterday. West Indies v England, St John’s, 2004 380 - Matthew Hayden (AUS), Australia v Zimbabwe, Perth, 2003 375 - Brian Lara (WIS), West Indies v England, St John’s, 1994 374 - DPMD Jayawardene (SRI), Sri Lanka v South Africa, Colombo, 2006 365* - Gary Sobers (WIS), West Indies v Pakistan, Kingston, 1958 364 - Len Hutton (ENG), England v Australia, The Oval, 1938 340 - Sanath Jayasuriya (SRI), Sri Lanka v India, Colombo, 1997 337 - Hanif Mohammad (PAK), Pakistan v West Indies, Bridgetown, 1958 NOT OUT 336 - Wally Hammond (ENG), 335 England v New Zealand, Auckland, 1933 335* - David Warner (AUS), Australia v Pakistan, Adelaide, 2019 * Signiﬁes not out Warner shatters record as SCOREBOARD New Zealand (I innings) 5-191, 6-315, 7-330, 8-357, 9-375, 10-375 J Raval c Root b Broad ...... 5 Bowling: Broad 28-7-73-4, Archer 28-8- T Latham b Broad ...... 105 75-1, Woakes 31-6-83-3, Curran 23 1-7- Pakistan suffer in Adelaide K Williamson c Root b Woakes ...... 4 63-2, Root 3-0-14-0, Stokes 13-5-36-0, R Taylor c Root b Woakes ...... 53 Denly 3-0-13-0 AFP SCOREBOARD his 81st Test, he reached 200 H Nicholls c Broad b Curran ...... 16 England (I innings) ADELAIDE with a single from Afridi, having B Watling c Burns b Broad ...... 55 R Burns (batting) ...... 24 Australia (I innings) Pakistan (I innings) clattered 23 fours along the way. D Mitchell c Archer b Broad ...... 73 D Sibley lbw Southee ...... 4 An irrepressible David Warner J Burns c Rizwan b Afridi ...... 4 S Masood c Paine b Hazlewood ...... 19 Pakistan thought they finally smashed an unbeaten 335 D Warner (batting) ...... 335 Imam-ul-Haq c Warner b Starc ...... 2 had him out on 226 when he was M Santner c Woakes b Archer ...... 23 J Denly c Watling b Henry ...... 4 yesterday while Steve Smith M Labuschagne b Afridi ...... 162 A Ali c Smith b Cummins ...... 9 caught in the gully off debutant T Southee c Pope b Woakes ...... 18 J Root (batting) ...... 6 became the fastest man to 7,000 S Smith c Rizwan b Afridi ...... 36 A Shafiq c Paine b Starc ...... 9 Musa, only for their heads to M Henry (not out) ...... 5 Extras: (LB1)...... 1 Test runs as Australia took M Wade (batting) ...... 38 B Azam (not out) ...... 43 drop when it was called a N Wagner c Sibley b Curran...... 0 Total: (two wkts) ...... 39 control of the day-night second no-ball. Extras: (B15, LB3) ...... 18 Fall of wickets: 1-11, 2-24 Test against Pakistan. Extras (LB6, NB7, W1) ...... 14 I Ahmed c Paine b Starc ...... 10 Warner made them pay, Total: (all out; 129 1 overs) ...... 375 Bowling: Southee, 8-1-24-1, Henry 7-3- Skipper Tim Paine waved his Total (3 wkts dec;) ...... 589 M Rizwan c Paine b Starc ...... 0 passing his previous highest Test players back into the pavilion at Fall of wickets: 1-8 , 2-369, 3-490 Y Shah (not out) ...... 4 score of 253, set in Perth in 2015, Fall of wickets: 1-16, 2-39, 3-155, 4-182, 10-1, Wagner 2-0-3-0,Mitchell 1-0-1-0 589 for three ahead of the second Did not bat: Travis Head, Tim Paine, Pat Extras ...... 0 before reaching a triple century day’s dinner break with Warner Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Total (six wickets; 35 overs) ...... 96 off 389 balls to join an elite club. on the 10th highest Test score Josh Hazlewood Fall of wickets: 1-3, 2-22, 3-38, 4-69, He raced to 335, one more ever, also a personal best. than former captain Mark Tay- The decision to declare Bowling: Abbas 29-7-100-0, Afridi 30-5- 5-89, 6-89 lor’s epic 334 against Pakistan in deprived him of a crack at Brian 88-3, Musa 20-1-114-0, Yasir 32-1-197-0, Bowling: Starc 13-5-22-4, Hazlewood 1998 and Donald Bradman’s 334 Lara’s all-time high 400 not out, Ahmed 15-0-75-0, Azhar 1-0-9-0 8-2-29-1, Cummins 14-1-45-1 against England in 1930, before but it proved to be the right one Paine decided to unleash his with the Australian bowlers -- who had a rare failure in the got a breakthrough. bowlers, conscious that periodic England’s quickly tearing through Paki- first Test at Brisbane -- shattered Skipper Azhar Ali took the rain is forecast for the next two batsman Joe stan’s hapless top order under a record that had stood since new ball and Afridi clean- days. Root fails to the Adelaide Oval lights. 1946. bowled Labuschagne as he Exhausted, Warner was play a shot on They finished in deep trouble He took a single off attempted a drive, just as he and given a standing ovation with his day two of the at 96 for six with Mitchell Starc Muhammad Musa to reach 7,000 Warner appeared set for another knock the second best score ever second cricket grabbing four of them. runs in his 126th innings, taking long day at the crease. by an Australian after Matthew Test match Babar Azam was not out 43 possession of a mark held for 73 The 25-year-old, who has Hayden’s 380 against Zimbabwe between and Yasir Shah was on four. years by English great Wally come of age during the series, in 2003. Matthew Wade England and The visitors, who have lost Hammond who reached the trudged back to the pavilion to remained unbeaten on 38. New Zealand 13 consecutive Tests in Australia, milestone in his 131st innings. a standing ovation after a classy Facing a tough last session at Seddon Park enjoyed little success in a long Smith also moved past leg- 162, his second century in a row. under lights, Pakistan’s batsmen in Hamilton day in the field as they look to endary countryman Donald Their marathon 361-run quickly caved in. Starc removed yesterday. avoid a 2-0 series defeat. Bradman’s 6,996 Test runs to partnership was a record Imam-ul-Haq, who got a thick But they did remove Marnus become Australia’s 11th highest second-wicket stand for Aus- edge to Warner on two, before Labuschagne for 162 in the scorer. tralia against Pakistan and the Pat Cummins had Azhar caught opening session and also bagged The home team resumed the highest ever in a pink-ball Test. for nine. Smith, caught behind by day at 302 for one with Warner Just minutes later, the Josh Hazlewood accounted Mohammad Rizwan off Shaheen on 166 and Labuschagne 126, explosive Warner completed for Shan Masood before Starc Afridi for 36. with the pair putting on another only the second Test double nabbed Asad Shafiq, Iftikhar In making his runs, Smith 67 runs before Pakistan finally century of his career. Playing in Ahmed and Rizwan cheaply.

If the boundaries were a little bit shorter, I might have taken them on a bit more. Wade kept on saying to me at England in early trouble after NZ post 375 the other end, let’s not run too hard and run ourselves AFP four, not long after he ducked into a Tim in the fourth over after play resumed. out. (There was) poor form in England. But to come back HAMILTON Southee delivery and was hit on the helmet. New Zealand’s last four wickets added here in Australia, put some back-to-back performances on the board, Joe Denly was also out for four, caught off a further 60 runs, with Broad finishing with have that consistency and start the summer well for our team, that’s England lost two early wickets in reply to Matt Henry while Rory Burns made it to figures of four for 73 and Chris Woakes what I was more proud of myself for.” David Warner says he was New Zealand’s 375 as their hopes of saving stumps unbeaten on 24 after being dropped three for 83. thinking about Brian Lara’s record of 400 as he went past 300. the series faded after another Black Caps twice. Joe Root, who has been out of form All-rounder Mitchell, the son of former defining partnership involving BJ Watling in the series, was not out six. All Blacks coach and now England assistant HIGHEST TEST SCORES FOR AUSTRALIA in Hamilton yesterday. While Southee and Henry had England rugby coach John Mitchell, was unruffled When New Zealand had the wobbles, under pressure the tourists had struggled in his maiden Test performance. He brought 380 Matthew Hayden their first-Test hero partnered debutant to exert the same dominance while in the up his 50 pulling Ben Stokes through mid- vs Zimbabwe at WACA Ground, Perth, Australia. 9 October 2003 Daryl Mitchell in a 124-run stand for the field for nearly two full days. wicket for four in a 159-ball innings which 335* David Warner sixth-wicket to get them up to a respectable They removed both overnight batsmen included eight boundaries and one six. vs Pakistan at Adelaide Oval, Adelaide, Australia, 30 November 2019 total. early on day two and then lost the initi- An even more cautious Watling, who England were then in immediate ative as Watling and Mitchell staged their reached his 18th half century with an 334* Mark Taylor trouble with Dom Sibley and Joe Denly repair mission before Stuart Broad elegant cut to the cover boundary off Sam vs Pakistan at Arbab Niaz Stadium, Peshawar, Pakistan, 15 October 1998 removed as they reached stumps at 39 for removed both batsmen either side of the Curran, faced 192 deliveries for his 55. It 334 Sir Don Bradman two. tea break. was slow going by the pair, but from New vs England at Headingley, Leeds, England , 11 July 1930 With only three days remaining Watling, whose double century set New Zealand’s viewpoint their innings lasted 329* Michael Clarke England appeared to have little chance of Zealand up for a comprehensive victory in almost two days which left England with building a big enough total to win the Test the first Test, was out for 55 on the last ball only a remote chance of winning the Test vs India at Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney, Australia, 3 January 2012 and square the series. Sibley was out for before the interval while Mitchell departed to square the series. 22 SPORT SUNDAY 1 DECEMBER 2019

Salmeen Sultan Al Suwaidi wins the Big Tour at Al Shaqab Arena

Qatar Equestrian Federation (QEF) President Hamad bin Abdulrahman Al Attiyah handing over the top prize to Salmeen Sultan Al Suwaidi who won the Big Tour class on day two of the third round of the Longines Qatar Equestrian Tour Hathab series at Al Shaqab Arena in Al Rayyan yesterday. Al Suwaidi won the 130/145 cm class event with Cantaro 32. Omar Al Mannai, Vice-Chairman, Organizing Committee Longines Hathab, is seen during the prize distribution ceremony. F1: Hamilton storms to final pole of the season

REUTERS career and fifth of the season. It third place with team mate ABU DHABI was also his fifth in Abu Dhabi Sebastian Vettel fourth. but first since the German Grand The pair collided in Brazil World champion Lewis Prix in July -- a run of nine races two weeks ago, ending their Hamilton stormed to the final out of the top slot. races and leading to a meeting pole position of the Formula One “It’s been such a long slog at the Maranello factory to clear season with a dazzling display trying to get this pole position,” the air. There was more frus- under the floodlights in quali- explained the 34-year-old, who tration yesterday, however, fying for the Abu Dhabi Grand was fastest after the first flying when Leclerc missed out on a Prix yesterday. lap and then improved on his final flying lap with Vettel The Briton, who wrapped up time in the second. slowing in front of him. his sixth Formula One title two “Yesterday was quite wobbly “We’re not going to make it, races ago at the U.S. Grand Prix so I really had to re-compose Seb is slowing down,” Leclerc in Austin, Texas, lapped the Yas myself last night and come back said over the radio. Marina circuit in one minute today focused. I managed to “It is life sometimes it 34.779 seconds, beating Mer- really dial in the car with great happens, I don’t know if the sit- cedes team mate Valtteri Bottas work from the engineers, uation was unlucky or we by 0.194. mechanics,” he added. could’ve done something better,” “Yes, guys, that’s what I’ve “It’s been a special car and the Monegasque, who is fighting been looking for,” Hamilton said this is the last time I get to qualify Verstappen for third in the on the team radio on the cool with it so I’m glad I did it proud championship, said. down lap. today.” British-born Thai rookie Bottas will line up at the back Hamilton has won four times Alexander Albon was sixth for due to a raft of engine-related previously at the Yas Marina Red Bull ahead of McLaren’s penalties, meaning that Red circuit and is chasing his 11th Lando Norris and Renault’s Three-time Grand Slam winner Stan Wawrinka of Switzerland is seen during a gym session in Bull’s Max Verstappen will start victory of the season today to Daniel Ricciardo. preparation for the new tennis season. The 34-year-old will open the new season at the 2020 Qatar today’s race on the front row. end the campaign just seven off Carlos Sainz was ninth for “I’m going to start last with Michael Schumacher’s all-time McLaren while Nico Hulkenberg, ExxonMobil Open, the Qatar Tennis Federation (QTF) announced yesterday. Pic:@stanwawrinka my 40-place grid penalty or record of 91. without a drive next season after whatever,” said Bottas. “We’ll With five of the 10 races to losing his seat to Frenchman find the fighting spirit for date in Abu Dhabi having been Esteban Ocon, rounded out the Tennis: Wawrinka to launch tomorrow.” won from pole, and Mercedes top 10 for Renault. Verstappen said his lap was winners of the last five, the British rookies Norris and the best he could do against a omens look good. George Russell, with Williams, new season at Qatar Open Mercedes team who looked “We have had a clean record both end the season having out- dominant in the desert. here in Abu Dhabi, it’s a track qualified their team mates over “I think there are still a lot of that suits us and suits him,” said the course of the campaign. THE PENINSULA 2019 season was the chances for tomorrow,” added Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff. Norris has qualified ahead DOHA Qatar ExxonMobil upset he scripted the 22-year-old. Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, of Sainz in 11 of the 21 races while against defending The pole was a record- who ends the season with the Russell has a 21-0 record against Three-time Grand Slam Open Main Draw champion Novak extending 88th of Hamilton’s most poles (seven), will start in Poland’s Robert Kubica. champion Stan Wawrinka of Djokovic in the Round Switzerland and 2012 champion Andujar, Pablo (ESP) of 16 of the US Open Jo-Wilfried Tsonga are among Kukushkin, Mikhail (KAZ) where he eventually the stars set to kick start their Bedene, Aljaz (SLO) went on to lose the Football Results season on the courts of the Mannarino, Adrian (FRA) quarterfinal to Daniil Khalifa International Tennis & Berankis, Ricardas (LTU) Medvedev. ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE Squash Complex at the Qatar Raonic, Milos (CAN) For 2008 Aus- Newcastle 2 (Willems 25, Shelvey 88) Manchester City 2 (Sterling 22, De Bruyne 82) ExxonMobil Open 2020 to be Bublik, Alexander (KAZ) tralian Open finalist Chelsea 0 West Ham 1 (Cresswell 48) held from January 6 to 11 in Rublev, Andrey (RUS) Tsonga, Doha is a Liverpool 2 (van Dijk 18, 24) Brighton 1 (Dunk 79) Doha. Chardy, Jeremy (FRA) familiar territory Tottenham 3 (Alli 21, 50, Sissoko 69) Bournemouth 2 (H. Wilson 73, 90+6) In all, 21 players made the Sonego, Lorenzo (ITA) having won here seven Burnley 0 Crystal Palace 2 (Zaha 45+1, Schlupp 78) entry list for the singles event of Djere, Laslo (SRB) years ago. Playing today (GMT) the annual ATP World Tour 250 Thompson, Jordan (AUS) The Frenchman, Norwich v Arsenal (1400), Wolverhampton Wanderers v Sheffield United (1400), series tournament with three Dolgopolov, Alexandr (UKR) who has had to battle Leicester v Everton (1630), Manchester United v Asotn Villa (1630) slots allotted for wild card Tiafoe, Frances (USA) with a string of injuries entrants and four for qualifiers Gasquet, Richard (FRA) in recent years, has SPANISH LA LIGA: while 16 teams are taking part Tsonga, Jo-Wilfried (FRA) seen his form in Alaves 1 (Perez 65-pen) Real Madrid 2 (Ramos 52, Carvajal 69) in the doubles event. Herbert, Pierre-Hugues (FRA) upward swing at the Real Sociedad 4 (Le Normand 25, Oiarzabal 47, Willian Jose 57, Odegaard 80) Eibar 1 (Diop 35) Other key players expected Verdasco, Fernando (ESP) moment. Playing today: to feature at the event include Kecmanovic, Miomir (SRB) He won titles at Sevilla v Leganes (1100), Athletic Bilbao v Granada (1300), Espanyol v Osasuna (1500), 2013 champion Richard Gasquet, Wawrinka, Stan (SUI) Montpellier Open as Getafe v Levante (1730), Atletico Madrid v Barcelona (2000) 2018 finalist Andrey Rublev, Krajinovic, Filip (SRB) 210th-ranked wildcard Played Friday: 2016 Wimbledon finalist Milos entrant where he Celta Vigo 0 Real Valladolid 0 Raonic and Doha-resident defeated Pierre- Fernando Verdasco, the 2009 Open. Hugues Herbert, and SCOTTISH PREMIERSHIP: Australian Open semi-finalist At the Rotterdam Open, the Metz Open. Aberdeen 2 (Cosgrove 6, McGinn 56) St Mirren 1 (Obika 23) and finalist at the 2010 Monte- Wawrinka reached his first tour- He was also a semi-finalist Hibernian 2 (Doidge 19, Naismith 47) Kilmarnock 2 (Bruce 66, Del Fabro 90+3) Carlo Rolex Masters. nament final in over 20 months, at Brisbane and he reached the Livingston 0 Hamilton 0 The former World No. 3 where he fell to Gaël Monfils in quarters at Rotterdam where he Motherwell 4 (Cole 29, Hartley 49, Carroll 72, Manzinga 89) St Johnstone 0 Wawrinka, who had a slow three sets, and this was followed lost to Daniil Medvedev. Playing today (all times GMT) season in 2019, is one of the by a three set defeat to Nick Tournament Director Karim Ross County v Celtic (1200), Rangers v Hearts (1500) favourites to lift the golden Kyrgios in the quarter-finals of Alami said: “In line with our tra- falcon trophy this time around the Mexico Open. dition, Qatar ExxonMobil Open GERMAN BUNDESLIGA: and a good outing in Doha will At the 2019 French Open, is once again attracting some of Hoffenheim 1 (Kramaric 6) Fortuna Duesseldorf 1 (Hennings 88) definitely go a long way in Wawrinka, the 2008 Beijing the best players to Doha for a Hertha Berlin 1 (Darida 34) Borussia Dortmund 2 (Sancho 16, Hazard 17) boosting his confidence ahead Olympics doubles champion, week-long feast of tennis. We Cologne 1 (Cordoba 86) Augsburg 1 (Niederlechner 43) of the first Grand Slam event of defeated Stefanos Tsitsipas in the are happy to welcome the Paderborn 2 (Mamba 62, Gjasula 73) RB Leipzig 3 (Schick 3, Sabitzer 4, Werner 26) the year, the Australian Open fourth in an ‘epic’ five setter that players to this sport-loving Playing today: scheduled for next month. lasted 5 hours and 9 minutes (the country again and we believe Bor. Moenchengladbach v Freiburg (1430), VfL Wolfsburg v Werder Bremen (1700) The last time the 34-year-old final scoreline was 7–68–6, 5–7, that this year’s tournament will Playing tomorrow: Monaco-resident was here, at 6–4, 3–6, 8–6) to advance to his record another great success, as Mainz v Eintracht Frankfurt (1930) the last edition, he lost in the first Grand Slam quarterfinal in all arrangements are on track to Played Friday: quarter-finals to eventual two years. ensure the fans and players have Schalke 2 (Raman 23, Serdar 86) Union Berlin 1 (Ingvartsen 36-pen) champion Roberto Bautista Agut. However, he was eliminated the best of time. We look forward He thereafter suffered defeat in by Roger Federer, the third seed, to hosting everyone at the the hands of Raonic in the in four close sets. Khalifa International Tennis & second round of the Australian The major highlight of his Squash Complex.” SUNDAY 1 DECEMBER 2019 SPORT 23

Sanchez seeks team effort in winner-takes-all clash Qatar to go all out for win against UAE

RIZWAN REHMAT THE PENINSULA

Coach Felix Sanchez is seeking It’s like playing the a team effort for Qatar’s virtual quarter-final against arch-rivals final so winning this UAE when the two sides meet game is the only way tomorrow in their third and last we are thinking of preliminary round match of the right now. We want to 24th Arabian Gulf Cup at Khalifa International Stadium. reach the semi-finals: Sanchez, who saw his side Qatar coach Sanchez lose to Iraq 1-2 in the opening clash last Tuesday, on Friday saw his players returning to form winning this game is the only with a crushing 6-0 victory over way we are thinking of right Yemen in their second Group A now. We want to reach the semi- match at the iconic FIFA World finals,” the Spaniard added. Cup 2022 venue. On Friday key defender Qatar will take on the UAE in Abdelkarim Hassan struck a hat- Qatar coach Felix Sanchez (left) and defender Musab Khader during a press conference yesterday. RIGHT: UAE coach Bert van Marwijk what will be a repeat clash from trick while team-mates Almoez during a separate pre-match press conference. this year’s Asian Cup semi-final, Ali (58), midfielder Abdullah which Sanchez’s side won 4-1 Alahrak (85) and feared striker players on account of injuries. He admitted it was a relief to and we hope to win the match performance in the first half before clinching the title. Akram Afif (89) also got their “I also have to see some see his players find the net get three points.” Musab added: against Iraq was bad, but the per- “We need all players to do names on the scorers’ list against medical reports of the injured against Yemen. ‘The game will be difficult. But I formance improved in the well,” Sanchez said at a pre- Yemen. players and depending on the “The players did the work feel it is important to listen to the second half. If we play the same match press conference “We need to be ready for readiness of the players, we will well and now we are in a more coach’s advice. For us, every pattern against Qatar we will yesterday. our next match,” coach Sanchez decide on the playing XI,” comfortable position,” Sanchez match now is a like a final.” win.” “It’s like playing the final so said indicating he may miss Sanchez added. said. Bert van Marwijk, the UAE As for the performance of the “Before our match (against coach, sounded wary of Qatar’s players in the eight-team tour- Yemen) I knew we had to score strength. nament, Van Marwijk said: Qatari players during big to win the match,” he added. “Qatar has players who have “Abdullah Ramadan played well a training session. “We are playing to win been playing for years with each against Iraq and he is still young. because playing for a draw is other, and this is evident in their Mohammed Al Attas is starting dangerous and it will be dif- performance against Yemen,” to recover and he is ready for the ficult because it is important to Van Marwijk said at a pre-match game. Mental preparation is very look for the three points,” press conference yesterday. important and it is the basis of a Sanchez said when asked if his “Our project started months good preparation. team would be satisfied with a ago with new players, but there “We are here for good play draw. is a positive development despite and good results. We have to win “I hope the stadium will be the short preparation period,” all the games, but that is the full of football,” Sanchez said the Dutchman added. beginning of a young team,” Van yesterday. “We have to have the “We know what we have to Marwijk said. support of the fans. We have seen do,” he said confidently. When asked if he considered every time the field is full and we “Preparation for this game quitting his job, the Dutchman have to show sportsmanship in began yesterday after the match said: “I am here to talk about the next game,” he added. with Iraq. But would not train facing Qatar and not to talk about Qatari defender Musab enough because there was not my future.” Khader said yesterday: “We are enough time to prepare even UAE player Mohammed Al ready for this game because at before the start of the tour- Attas said: “It is the most every moment we are working nament,” the 66-year-old said. important game for both teams to implement the coach’s plan, The UAE coach added: “Our but we will be playing to win.” GSMF to Iraq cautious in final group game against Yemen hold Gulf FAWAD HUSSAIN eight-nation tournament. Cup media THE PENINSULA Tomorrow’s other game between Qatar and the UAE at the Khalifa Iraq may have progressed to the International Stadium will decide awards semi-finals of the 24th Arabian second place in Group A, with the Gulf Cup, coach Srecko Katanec home side just needing a draw QNA has warned his ranks to be on to advance. DOHA the mark when they will meet Yemen went out of con- Yemen in their last Group A tention after being outclassed by The Gulf Sports Media Feder- match at Abdullah Bin Khalifa UAE (3-0) and Qatar (6-0) in ation (GSMF) yesterday Stadium. their first two games. announced its events and While tomorrow’s match will Despite their failure in early awards, which will be held on have no affect in determining the matches, Iraq coach Katanec the sidelines of the Arabian Gulf second semi-finalists from the sees Yemen – who are yet to Cup of Nations, which is taking group, Katanec did not downplay record their first ever victory in place in Doha until December the importance of the fixture. the regional competition – as a 8. The ‘Lions of Mesopotamia’ tough side. President of the Gulf Sports after their 2-0 win over the UAE “Yemen team doesn’t look Media Federation, Salem Al on Friday – their second suc- easy,” Katanec told a pre-match Habsi expressed his thanks to cessive victory following the press conference yesterday. Yemen coach Sami Hasan Al Nash Iraq coach Srecko Katanec the Qatari Sports Media Com- stunning 2-1 triumph against “They have good players and mittee for its support of the fed- hosts Qatar in the opener – are in the rebuilding process. warned the Slovenian. “I want Katanec, meanwhile, con- Hasan Al Nash did not complain eration’s events. became the first side to reach the They can punish us if we will not my players to go into the game firmed defender Saad Al Natiq, much about Yemen’s per- He added that the winners last-four stage in the be ready and will not play well,” well prepared,” he added. who suffered a broken nose in formance and hoped his side to of the awards will be game against UAE on Friday, will achieve a positive result. announced on the penultimate Iraq’s officials speak to defender miss the rest of the tournament “The score-lines of our day of the competition. Mean- Saad Al Natiq, who underwent a after surgery. defeats are clear but our per- while, member of the award’s nose surgery at the Hamad Medical “Some of my players need formance was not very bad. We jury Bassem Al Rawas said that Corporation. Al Natiq, who suffered rest but I am not sure about the are in a tough group,” Al Nash there will be five categories for injury during the UAE match will miss starting team,” he said while said yesterday while hinting to the award. He said that the first the rest of 24th Arabian Gulf Cup. hinting at changes in tomorrow’s replace goalkeeper Mohamed category will be for photog- match. Ebrahim with Salim Saeed. raphy and consists of two Midfielder Mohammed “Football is what unites our awards. The first is related to Qasem, who scored a brace in country and we will give our best capturing the achievement, Iraq’s win over Qatar, said his to get good results in this yet while the second is for por- team will go all out for a victory another tough match against traying emotions outside the against Yemen. Iraq,” he added. pitch. Every award will have a “Our aim is to win in every Yemen striker Abdul Wasi gold, silver, and bronze prize. game we play. We are happy to Al-Matari also vowed that his The second and third cate- reach to the semi-finals and now side will go all out against group gories will be for Op-eds and we look to maintain our perfect leaders Iraq. articles respectively. The fourth run before we play the semi- “Iraq is a tough team but we award will be for the best com- final,” said Qasem. want to shown an improved result. mentator and the fifth is for For Yemen, it will be the last Our moral is high despite the two outstanding contribution to opportunity in this edition for defeats and we are looking sports journalism in the Gulf them to make history – winning forward to a good performance region. a Gulf Cup match. Coach Sami in our last game,” he said. SPORT PAGE | 21 PAGE | 22 Warner shatters Hamilton storms record as to final pole of Pakistan suffer in the Formula One Adelaide Test season

Sunday 1 December 2019

Oman down Kuwait to boost semis hopes

ARMSTRONG VAS THE PENINSULA Saudi Arabia blank Two first half penalty goals from Abdulaziz Al Maqbali yesterday Bahrain for first win helped defending champions Oman defeat Kuwait 2-1 to boost ARMSTRONG VAS against Oman on December 2, their chances of qualifying for the THE PENINSULA the same day Kuwait play 24th Arabian Gulf Cup semi- Bahrain. finals. Saudi Arabia struck once in each Saudi Arabia, which missed In a tense and nervy half to register a 2-0 win over seven Al Hilal players during the encounter at the Abdullah Bin Bahrain to keep their semi-final loss to Kuwait, were at full Khalifa Stadium, Yousuf Sulaiman qualifying hopes alive at the 24th strength with the return of AFC pulled one back for Kuwait in the Arabian Gulf Cup. Champions League winning second half. The winners opened the members. Oman went into the half time scoring in the first half through Coach Herve Renard side break leading 2-0. Abdullah Al Hamdan (29th which dominated the game from Kuwait, who shocked Saudi minute) and Mohammed Al the kick off had 64 percent ball Arabia in their first match, did Khabrani consolidated the lead possession. everything right on the football in the 58th minute at Abdullah It did not take long for Saudi field yesterday in the Group B Bin Khalifa Stadium. to take the lead with Hamdan match but managed to get just Saudi Arabia with yester- long ranger doing the trick. one goal but more goals eluded day’s win opened their win The Bahrainis were at the them. Omani players celebrate their victory over Kuwait yesterday. account having suffered a receiving end and did try to They forced eight flag kicks shocking opening game loss to bodily check the advance of the as compared to Oman’s two. once. In football goals count and from the penalty spot in the 32 In the second half, Kuwait Kuwait. rampaging Saudi strikers. Two Seven out of the 17 shots were the Kuwaitis discovered the hard minute. Kuwait did though have came all guns blazing, striker Oman, which defeated Kuwait of the Bahrain players were cau- on target but they could not find way that holding sway over the a couple of chances of their own. Yousuf Sulaiman was the danger in the first match yesterday, lead tioned by the referee to keep the their way past the last line of proceeding do not matter in the Ahmed Al Dhafery made his way man creating lot of chances for the group with four points. proceedings under check. Oman defense goalkeeper Faiz Al end result. the Oman defence but his shot his team. Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, In the second half, Khabrani Rushaidi only once. With yesterday’s win, Oman was directed straight at Al In the 75th minute, he blazed which have won a match each, netted the second goal for Saudi When it came to possession now have four points while Rushaidi. over when put through, and was have three points from two Arabia to maintain their stran- they had the lion share of it 59 Kuwait remained on three points In the 41st minute, Dhafery instrumental in winning his side matches. Bahrain, which drew glehold over the proceedings. percent in all, they made 468 having defeated Saudi Arabia in shot wide and five minutes later a couple of consecutive corners, their opening match against In the last ten minutes, passes and the passing accuracy the opening Group B match. his shot went to goalkeeper Al which Faiz Al Rushaidi did well Oman, have one point from two Bahrain pressed hard for goals was 79 percent but they could not Oman opened the scoring in Rushaidi who parried it. to tip over. matches. but a tough Saudi defence get past the Oman defense only the 16th minute. Mohsen Al With Kuwait down by two Kuwait finally struck with Saudi Arabia’s next game is nipped the moves in the bud. Ghassani was brought down in goals at half time, coach Tamer Sulaiman was at the centre of the Two first half penalty the box in the 16th minute and Enad made a double change at goal scoring move. goals from Abdulaziz Al the referee after taking half time, taking of Abdullah Al He was put through, and Maqbali help defending assistance from the video Buraiki and Fahad Al Ansari for made no mistake in planting a assistant referee (VAR) pointed Faisal Al Harbi and Mubarak Al shot that rolled past Al Rushaidi champions Oman defeat to the penalty spot. Faneni. and into the bottom right corner. Kuwait 2-1 to boost their Al Maqbali made no mistake However, the latter’s time on The goal gave Kuwait a much chances of qualifying for in firing the ball low to the the pitch would last for less than needed shot in the arm, but the the 24th Arabian Gulf Cup keeper’s right and into the net to 15 minutes. Oman defence survived some semi-finals. open the scoring. Al Faneni suffered an injury anxious moments including a free While the referee needed VAR near the Oman box and Enad was kick in the first of five minutes of Kuwait did everything to make sure of the foul that led forced to substitute the substitute, second half stoppage time, but right on the football field to the first goal, he did not need replacing him with Shabib Al captain Badr Al Muttaawa hit the Saudi Arabia’s forward Abdullah Al yesterday in the Group it for the second. Khaldi. ball into the wall. Goalkeeper Yousef charged The changes seemed to make Oman’s next game is against Hamdan celebrates B match but managed to into Al Maqbali when he ran into a difference. Kuwait seemed more Saudi Arabia on December 2, the his goal against get just one goal but more the box and another spot kick was aggressive in the second half and same day Kuwait play Bahrain. Bahrain yesterday. goals eluded them. awarded. Al Maqbali once again Oman were defending most of the Today, will be a rest day at the made no mistake to make it two time. eight-nation tournament. Hienghene Sport arrive in Doha for FIFA Club World Cup

THE PENINSULA the tournament to get started Hienghene Sport players and officials pose for DOHA and to represent New Caledonia a group photo upon their arrival in Doha. with the world watching. Koi Hienghene Sport, winners of this Theen!”, said Bertrand Kaï, year’s Oceania Football Confed- Hienghene Sport’s captain, eration (OFC) Champions League, referring to the team’s slogan that touched down in Doha ahead of means “go forward!”. the start of the FIFA Club World Nasser Al Khater, FIFA World Cup Qatar 2019. Cup Qatar 2022 LLC and FIFA Hienghene Sport will open Club World Cup 2019 Local the tournament on December 11 Organising Committee CEO, said: at Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium “Hienghene Sport’s journey to when they face the Qatari cham- Doha is testament to football’s pions and FIFA Club World Cup power to inspire and bring people host nation representatives, Al together. We are thrilled to be Sadd SC. welcoming Felix Tagawa and his Hienghene Sport’s FIFA Club team to our country and hope World Cup journey began in May they enjoy our world-class this year when manager Felix training facilities, stadiums, tour- Tagawa, one of Tahiti’s most dec- nament atmosphere and Qatar’s orated footballers, led the club to renowned hospitality.” a tense 1-0 win over Noumea- Al Khater continued: “We based AS Magenta in an all-New are incredibly excited to be Caledonian final. hosting the FIFA Club World Tagawa’s team became the Cup this year. The tournament first New Caledonian side to win will give travelling fans – and the OFC Champions League and It is the first time a senior New team is based in Hienghene, a country’s capital, Noumea. “This club to set foot on a global stage. those tuning in around the qualify for the FIFA Club World Caledonian side – club or remote part of New Caledonia is a moment of real pride. Having We are delighted to be in Doha world – a glimpse of what Cup, and only the second country – has competed in a with a population of just 2,500, grown up in Hienghene, I never and thank everyone for their awaits them in Qatar at the FIFA non-New Zealand side to do so. global football tournament. The five hours away from the expected my small hometown hospitality – we can’t wait for World Cup in 2022.”