Sepp Blatter

P 8 | FOOTBALL P 14 | BASKETBALL SoLID FoUNDATIoN GUARDED oPTImISm Construction of Al Bayt Stadium-Al Khor City, Traditional powerhouse Al Rayyan start as a proposed venue of the 2022 World Cup favourites to retain the Qatar League title, semifinal, progresses at a steady pace. but their task is easier said than done.

WEDNESDAY, NovEmbER 18, 2015 | Vol X | No.42 | QR 2.00 www.dohastadiumplusqatar.com Follow us on

Qatar become the first team to reach the final round of World Cup Asian Zone qualification as an easy victory over Bhutan ensures Daniel Carreno’s confident wards top spot in Group C. PAGES 6-7 DSP/Fadi Al Assaad DSP/Fadi

UK ...... £1 UAE ...... Dh 5 Europe ...... €2 Yemen...... 75 Riyals P 10 | FOOTBALL Oman ...... 200 Baisas Sudan ...... 1 Pound Bahrain ...... 200 Fils KSA ...... 2 Riyals P 20 | POSTER Egypt ...... LE 2 Jordan ...... 500 Fils Euro 2016 must Lebanon ...... 3,000 Livre Iraq ...... $1 SPECIAL Kuwait ...... 250 Fils Palestine ...... $1 IKER CASILLAS Morocco ...... Dh 6 Syria ...... LS 20 COLUMN go on as planned www.dohastadiumplusqatar.com www.dohastadiumplusqatar.com | WEDNESDAY, NovEmbEr 18, 2015 3 EXCITEMENT NOW OPINION

» The writer can be contacted at: JUST A TOUCH AWAY Editor-in-Chief Dr Ahmed Al Mohannadi [email protected] Managing Editor Kumar Ravi Senior Editor/Writer Aswin Abraham Senior Sports Writer N Ganesh Sports Writers Sajith B Warrier Aju George Chris Mohammad Amin-ul Islam Sarath Pookkat Positive developments for Photographers Mohan Vinod Divakaran Fadi Al Assaad Mohammed Dabboos Qatar on and off the field A K BijuRaj Graphic Designers Abhilash Chacko ATAr’S approach on the face of all the unfair higher authorities has helped us become a sporting Gopakumar K criticism hurled at it ever since winning the center par excellence. Joice Michael Qright to host the 2022 FIFA World Cup has been The QoC, headed by HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Technical support Shaheen Mohammed “work hard in silence, let success make the noise”. Thani, is continuing its good work, emphasising the Abdul Naser M Slowly but steadily, perceptions are changing. The country’s leadership role in the region. Doha hosted Qatar olympic Committee’s (QoC) vision is to make the the 85th Executive meeting of Heads of olympic country a leading nation in bringing the world together Committees in the Gulf Co-operation Council last week through sustainable sports development. When the and discussed several important topics, including P.o. box: 24598, Doha, Qatar Tel: +974 44138065, Fax: +974 44138597 Global Sports Nation Index for 2015 was released last establishing a GCC Sports Day and a sports arbitration www.dohastadiumplusqatar.com week, Qatar found itself among the world’s top 20 committee besides taking more steps to enhance joint Editorial: Tel: +974 44138522, Fax: +974 44138593 ‘sporting nations’ and Doha was placed sixth among action by its member nations. e-mail: [email protected] the cities, with only London, rio de Janeiro, moscow, meanwhile, Qatar has set an example by deciding Marketing & advertising: Tel: +974 44138566 Tokyo and Paris ahead of it. to constitute a court of arbitration that would settle e-mail: [email protected] Distribution: Tel: +974 44138535/36, Fax: +974 44138597 The Nation Index was based on the number of disputes relating to sportspersons, clubs and national e-mail: [email protected] high-profile events organised and to be held during a federations within the country. period of 14 years between 2009 and ’22, and it said With such positive developments, the week that Qatar was set to move into the 19th spot. passed by has given us a lot to cheer about. The www.twitter.com/dohastadiumplus obviously, Qatar’s success on the global stage has national team’s rout of bhutan on Tuesday en route www.facebook.com/dohastadiumplusqatar started making the right noises, with one british to the final round of Asian Zone qualification for weekly already commenting “FIFA’s decision to allot the the ’18 FIFA World Cup in russia was indeed the icing www.flickr.com/photos/dohastadiumplusqatar ’22 World Cup to Qatar was not that wide of the mark on the cake. after all”. It goes without saying that sports plays a major role Publishers: ASPIrE Printing, Publishing and Distribution in Qatar. We’ve come a long way and achieved much Printed at ASPIrE Printing Press success through the positive vision and wise guidance of our leaders and, as expected, we’re now taking it Dr Ahmed Al Mohannadi

© Stories and photographs appearing in this publication may not be reproduced to the next level. The determination of our country’s Editor-in-Chief without the permission of ASPIrE Printing, Publishing and Distribution.

INSIDE P 10 | FOOTBALL P 18 | BEACH VOLLEYBALL P 26 | HANDBALL Hungary for more! The sand tunes! Qatar start in style Hungary get the better of Doha successfully hosts the Second Qatar open their campaign in Norway and qualify for the World Tour Qatar open to stake the Asian olympic Qualification European Championship claim for more high-profile events Tournament with back-to-back finals, their first major such as Grand Slam. wins over Uzbekistan and Japan. tournament in three decades.

P 22 | EQUESTRIANISM P 24 | MOTORSPORT

Publishers: ASPIRE Printing, Publishing and Distribution P O Box: 24598, Doha, Qatar. Fit For Glory! Mission 2016 Marketing & advertising: Tel: +974 44138566 Portuguese rider Luciana Diniz, Ace Qatari rider Nasser Saleh e-mail: [email protected] astride Fit For Fun, puts up a Al Attiyah does not want to Distribution: Tel: +974 44138535/36, Fax: +974 44138597 flawless performance at the rest on his laurels as he is eager e-mail: [email protected] Global Champions Tour Final in to extend the all-conquering www.twitter.com/dohastadiumplus www.facebook.com/dohastadiumplusqatar www.flickr.com/photos/dohastadiumplusqatar Doha to emerge as champion. form to next season. www.dohastadiumplusqatar.com | WEDNESDAY, NovEmbEr 18, 2015 3

OPINION

» The writer can be contacted at: Editor-in-Chief Dr Ahmed Al Mohannadi [email protected] Managing Editor Kumar Ravi Senior Editor/Writer Aswin Abraham Senior Sports Writer N Ganesh Sports Writers Sajith B Warrier Aju George Chris Mohammad Amin-ul Islam Sarath Pookkat Positive developments for Photographers Mohan Vinod Divakaran Fadi Al Assaad Mohammed Dabboos Qatar on and off the field A K BijuRaj Graphic Designers Abhilash Chacko ATAr’S approach on the face of all the unfair higher authorities has helped us become a sporting Gopakumar K criticism hurled at it ever since winning the center par excellence. Joice Michael Qright to host the 2022 FIFA World Cup has been The QoC, headed by HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Technical support Shaheen Mohammed “work hard in silence, let success make the noise”. Thani, is continuing its good work, emphasising the Abdul Naser M Slowly but steadily, perceptions are changing. The country’s leadership role in the region. Doha hosted Qatar olympic Committee’s (QoC) vision is to make the the 85th Executive meeting of Heads of olympic country a leading nation in bringing the world together Committees in the Gulf Co-operation Council last week through sustainable sports development. When the and discussed several important topics, including P.o. box: 24598, Doha, Qatar Tel: +974 44138065, Fax: +974 44138597 Global Sports Nation Index for 2015 was released last establishing a GCC Sports Day and a sports arbitration www.dohastadiumplusqatar.com week, Qatar found itself among the world’s top 20 committee besides taking more steps to enhance joint Editorial: Tel: +974 44138522, Fax: +974 44138593 ‘sporting nations’ and Doha was placed sixth among action by its member nations. e-mail: [email protected] the cities, with only London, rio de Janeiro, moscow, meanwhile, Qatar has set an example by deciding Marketing & advertising: Tel: +974 44138566 Tokyo and Paris ahead of it. to constitute a court of arbitration that would settle e-mail: [email protected] Distribution: Tel: +974 44138535/36, Fax: +974 44138597 The Nation Index was based on the number of disputes relating to sportspersons, clubs and national e-mail: [email protected] high-profile events organised and to be held during a federations within the country. period of 14 years between 2009 and ’22, and it said With such positive developments, the week that Qatar was set to move into the 19th spot. passed by has given us a lot to cheer about. The www.twitter.com/dohastadiumplus obviously, Qatar’s success on the global stage has national team’s rout of bhutan on Tuesday en route www.facebook.com/dohastadiumplusqatar started making the right noises, with one british to the final round of Asian Zone qualification for weekly already commenting “FIFA’s decision to allot the the ’18 FIFA World Cup in russia was indeed the icing www.flickr.com/photos/dohastadiumplusqatar ’22 World Cup to Qatar was not that wide of the mark on the cake. after all”. It goes without saying that sports plays a major role Publishers: ASPIrE Printing, Publishing and Distribution in Qatar. We’ve come a long way and achieved much Printed at ASPIrE Printing Press success through the positive vision and wise guidance of our leaders and, as expected, we’re now taking it Dr Ahmed Al Mohannadi

P 22 | EQUESTRIANISM P 24 | MOTORSPORT Fit For Glory! Mission 2016 Portuguese rider Luciana Diniz, Ace Qatari rider Nasser Saleh astride Fit For Fun, puts up a Al Attiyah does not want to flawless performance at the rest on his laurels as he is eager Global Champions Tour Final in to extend the all-conquering Doha to emerge as champion. form to next season. 4 WEDNESDAY, NovEMBEr 18, 2015 | www.dohastadiumplusqatar.com www.dohastadiumplusqatar.com | WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2015 5

Former Trinidad and Tobago international David Nakhid has appealed to Swiss-based Nakhid appeals Court of Arbitration for Sport over a decision to bar him from the race for the presidency of football’s scandal-plagued governing body FIFA. Under its electoral rules, ban to CAS Nakhid needed written backing from five national football associations. He was barred MIXEDPICK OF ZONE THE WEEK | QATAR | FOOTBALL from registering by FIFA’s electoral committee last month because one association had signed letters of support for both Nakhid and a rival candidate.

against the candidates carefully, including those against Shaikh Blatter discharged Kidney transplant Nepal, Laos chiefs Salman concerning his alleged involvement in the events in from hospital for Hayatou are suspended Bahrain in ’11”. It said no evidence of “any USPENDED FIFA President Sepp Blatter CTING FIFA president Issa Hayatou HE FIFA Ethics Committee has banned personal and direct involvement” has been discharged from hospital, his has undergone a successful kidney two officials from Nepal and Laos for by Shaikh Salman in rights abuses Sconfidant and former publicist Klaus Atransplant and will continue leading Ttaking cash during elections. had been found, so the committee Stoehlker said last week. the world governing body for the foreseeable Ganesh Thapa, president of the All-Nepal had upheld his candidacy. “He had to stay a few days in hospital, but future, the Confederation of African Football Football Association, was banned for 10 years There are no clear favourites to now he’s out, he’s at home (CAF) said last week. and fined 20,000 Swiss francs, win the election, in which each of in (the canton of) Valais. CAF President Hayatou, while Viphet Sihachakr, the 209 national associations (FAs) He’s very happy and he’s who has suffered kidney president of the Laotian who are affiliated with FIFA holds relaxing a few days until problems for some time, Football Federation, got a MEN one vote. the beginning of next plans to rest for few days. two-year ban and a 40,000 Critics say they are heavily week and then he’ll be “I’m pleased with the Swiss francs fine. influenced by the continental back,” Stoehlker said. “He’s positive news given by It said Thapa, in the confederations, such as Europe’s recovering very fast.” the medical personnel,” CAF context of the 2009 and ’11 STANDING! UEFA or Africa’s CAF, which Blatter, who last month was suspended for Secretary General Hicham El Amrani said. “In elections for the FIFA Executive Committee sometimes ask their members to 90 days by FIFA’s Ethics Committee pending a the coming days, I’ll be in regular contact with at the Asian Football Confederation congress, vote as a bloc for one candidate. full investigation into his conduct, had been him and he’ll be back on our side”. “committed various acts of misconduct... FIFA LEAVES OUT MUSA BILITY, WHO FAILED THE INTEGRITY But as voting is secret, FAs can in hospital since November 6, when he was Hayatou, 69, became FIFA’s interim including the solicitation and acceptance of easily disobey their confederations admitted for experiencing what has been president when Sepp Blatter was suspended cash payments from another football official, CHECK, AND SUSPENDED UEFA CHIEF MICHEL PLATINI AS IT without being detected, which described as a “small emotional breakdown”. last month. for both personal and family gain.” APPROVES THE REMAINING FIVE CANDIDATES FOR PRESIDENTIAL makes voting unpredictable. Infantino announced his ELECTION IN FEBRUARY, WRITES JOSHUA FRANKLIN. intention to stand only one day before the registration deadline Colombia FA president quits in October and is expected to IFA has approved five Buffeted by a series of scandals week said the five approved withdraw if Platini is allowed back OUTH America has only one candidates for its February over the last few years, FIFA was presidential candidates were Prince into the race. effective delegate left on FIFA Fpresidential election amid thrown into turmoil in May by Ali bin Al Hussein of Jordan, Asian Last month, Sheikh Ahmad Al SExecutive Committee after the worst crisis in its history, after the US indictments of 14 football Football Confederation President Fahad Al Sabah, one of the top Luis Bedoya quit as head of the barring Liberia’s Musa Bility on Shaikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al powerbrokers in global sports Colombian football federation. integrity grounds and leaving out Khalifa of Bahrain, former FIFA and a member of FIFA’s Executive CONMEBOL, the South American UEFA chief Michel Platini while he PLATINI’S CANDIDATURE official Jerome Champagne of Committee, said he hoped there confederation, is allocated three remains under suspension. WAS NOT ADMITTED AS France, UEFA General Secretary would be “co-ordination” between places in FIFA— one vice-president Platini, the original favourite to HE HAS BEEN SUSPENDED Gianni Infantino of Switzerland and Infantino and Shaikh Salman if and two ordinary members. Ethics Committee succeed Sepp Blatter as head of FOR 90 DAYS. South African businessman Tokyo Platini was unable to run. Paraguayan Juan Angel Napout due to consider Del Nero’s position at the game’s governing body, was Sexwale. Champagne has alleged that is the vice-president while the two a meeting in Rio de Janeiro later this fines Spain’s Villar not admitted because he has been Shaikh Salman has dismissed as already in this election “there’s a appointed delegates are Bedoya and month; replacing Bedoya will now suspended for 90 days pending a officials for alleged corruption. “false, nasty lies” allegations that pre-campaign of arrangements Brazilian confederation chief Marco also be on the agenda. full Ethics Committee investigation. Blatter, also suspended for he was involved in human rights in five-star hotels behind closed Polo Del Nero. However, Del Nero Bedoya headed the Colombian Keir Radnedge FIFA had already announced that 90 days, is facing criminal abuses against pro-democracy doors”. does not attend meetings because federation since 2006 and was it would not process the former investigation in Switzerland over activists during a 2011 uprising in He was alluding to alleged he fears arrest in the FIFAGate also one of the 11 members of the THE CANDIDATES French international football star a $2.1m payment from FIFA to Bahrain when he was head of the back-room deals in which certain investigation should he leave Brazil. CONMEBOL Executive Committee. PAIN’S Angel Maria Villar, a vice-president Here is a look at how the five candidates for the while he was suspended, but could Platini. Both men have denied country’s football association. candidates do not run against each Bedoya’s exit means he is also no He also resigned as a vice-president of both FIFA and UEFA, has been rapped over FIFA presidential election, plus a potential sixth review its position if he wins an wrongdoing. The electoral committee said other and one then drops out to longer on board. of CONMEBOL, a role he had held the knuckles for failing to co-operate with the in Michel Platini, are shaping up. S appeal against the ban. FIFA’s electoral committee last it had “assessed any allegations clear the way for the other to win. The CONMEBOL executive was since ’13. World Cup bid investigation. The FIFA Ethics Committee imposed 25,000 Swiss francs fine on the veteran lawyer who has been THE MICHEL PLATINI Platini criticises president of the Spanish football federation for the CONUNDRUM past 25 years. He has also been formally cautioned. FIFA’s sluggishness The former Spain and Bilbao midfielder had led The UEFA president and FIFA the Spain-Portugal co-hosting bid, which lost out to UEFA President Michel Platini has vice-president is a veritable Russia for 2018. legend of the game with his criticised FIFA’s sluggishness in responding Villar has come under increasing pressure over the three Ballon d’Or from his time to his appeal against the Ethics leading Juventus and France to Committee’s decision to suspend him for past years, notably from La Liga President Javier Tebas spectacular success. He enjoyed 90 days that prevented him from who forced the 65-year-old federation leader into a widespread support until a 90- being named a candidate for humiliating climb-down over the issue of centralised day ban and an investigation its presidential elections. sale of league TV rights. into a $2.1m payment made Platini was excluded Villar has long been regarded as a conservative on GIANNI INFANTINO (SUI) SHAIKH SALMAN BIN IBRAHIM AL TOKYO SEXWALE (RSA) PRINCE ALI BIN AL HUSSEIN (JOR) JEROME CHAMPAGNE (FRA) last week from the list by the FIFA chief to the the FIFA ExCom and a loyal supporter of outgoing The UEFA No.2 was previously best known to the KHALIFA (BRN) Former anti-apartheid campaigner jailed Last May, he took Sepp Blatter to the second The former deputy general secretary of Frenchman in 2011. The of candidates accepted for the FIFA presidential president Sepp Blatter. He was among leaders of a wider public as the shaven-headed overseer of President of the powerful Asian Confederation, alongside Nelson Mandela, this 62-year-old round of the last FIFA presidential election FIFA and former French diplomat was damage done not only by election, but he insisted group of ExCom members who tried to block reform UEFA’s Champions League draw. Suddenly found already a FIFA insider as vice-president. His politician and millionaire businessman says before pulling out. The 39-year-old half- also a special advisor to Sepp Blatter, the allegations, but also that his candidacy was proposals from governance guru Mark Pieth and himself with a golden opportunity when Michel chief obstacle are accusations he took an he will “follow the money” to clean up the brother of Jordan’s King Abdullah was at that which may cost him dearly. The 57-year- by his inability to campaign still valid, said an Efe news Platini became embroiled in a FIFA payment active role in a crackdown on a 2011 uprising mess FIFA is in. As a complete outsider many time, however, supported by UEFA, who are old is running his campaign on a ticket is hard to guage. While he also tried to halt American lawyer Michael Garcia’s agency report. scandal. If the Frenchman can work his way clear in Bahrain at the time of the Arab Spring and people believe he is exactly the type of new now fully behind Infantino while awaiting of ‘redistribution of funds’, which may go enjoys support from Infantino investigation into the World Cup bid scandal. Platini’s lawyers said that according of his problems, then the multilingual lawyer when he was at the head of the local federation. broom which is needed. His problem lies in the developments with Platini. Nor does Prince down well in the developing world. and Shaikh Salman, things can The committee also handed six-month bans to to previous statements by the Electoral with impeccable connections in Europe claims A London-based human rights group have difficulty in galvanising support among the 209 Ali enjoy the support of the Asian federation, change from one day to the next Committee, Platini’s bid will be reviewed Congolese FA Vice-President Jean Guy Blaise Mayolas he will throw his support behind his long-time provided a dossier of allegations concerning federations, given he has little experience in this currently backing Shaikh Salman. in politics. His ban by FIFA’s ethics after the end of his suspension period, and General Secretary Badji Mombo Wantete. boss. Meanwhile, he has been on a relentless the imprisonment of 150 athletes and coaches. field. committee ends on January so his candidacy cannot be considered to They were deemed to have breached ethics code and whirlwind tour of Latin America and Asia to Should he withdraw it is felt he would throw 5, 2016, when his case will be have been rejected. galvanise support for his own campaign, based his influence behind Michel Platini. reconsidered by the FIFA electoral regulations concerning the offering and accepting of on a programme of rigorous democratic reform. commission. gifts and other benefits. www.dohastadiumplusqatar.com | WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2015 5

Former Trinidad and Tobago international David Nakhid has appealed to Swiss-based Nakhid appeals Court of Arbitration for Sport over a decision to bar him from the race for the presidency of football’s scandal-plagued governing body FIFA. Under its electoral rules, ban to CAS Nakhid needed written backing from five national football associations. He was barred from registering by FIFA’s electoral committee last month because one association had signed letters of support for both Nakhid and a rival candidate.

“I congratulate our players and administrative staff on our progress to the next round. We’ll keep producing our best in the remaining FOOTBALL | QATAR/ASIA matches against Hong Kong and China. Daniel Carreno, Qatar coach.

COVER STORY Turkish officials ‘I’m happy Qatar is visit Aspire A high-profile delegation from the Turkish Football Federation (TFF) visited the ASPIrE Academy hosting World Cup’ last week. ASPIrE Academy Director UrKEY and barcelona possession. They can get better of Performance and Science valter Di Salvo welcomed the midfielder Arda Turan said if they’re a bit more composed delegation comprising TFF The was pleased Qatar would in attack,” said the 28-year-old vice-President and Executive host the 2022 FIFA World Cup. forward. board member Ali Durust, “I’m happy the ’22 World Cup Turan had signed for barcelona Secretary General Kadir Kardas is being staged in Qatar,” said last July, but has to wait until and national coach Fatih Terim. FIRST During a tour of the facilities, Turan. “The atmosphere inside the stadium for our friendly against they were briefed on the academy’s educational and Qatar was great and I must thank QATAR ARE A GOOD TEAM. PAST THE POST training programmes. the people of this country for their WE HAD A LOT OF RESPECT meanwhile, the Qatar Football hospitality. I’m sure it’ll be even FOR THEM. THEY’VE A Association and Supreme QATAR BECOME THE FIRST TEAM TO REACH THE FINAL ROUND OF better in ’22.” GOOD COACH. Committee for Delivery and WORLD CUP ASIAN ZONE QUALIFICATION AS DANIEL CARRENO’S Turan, the first-ever Turkish Legacy hosted the Turkish media player to have won the Spanish contingent. CONFIDENT WARDS ROUT BHUTAN IN GROUP C, WRITES N GANESH. League title, with Atletico madrid January owing to the Catalan club’s in the season before last, also transfer ban. praised the Qatar national team. Asked how tough it was to miss EComING first is something round will also qualify for the ’19 centre-back, partnering a fit-again “Qatar are a good team,” said Saturday’s El Classico against real special and Qatar are relishing Asian Cup in the UAE. Ibrahim majed. Luiz martin and Turan. “We had a lot of respect for madrid, Turan said, “It’s tough to that feeling. Qatar, who beat bhutan 15-0 for Abdulrahman mohammed replaced them after watching their last six miss not just El Clasico, but every B Qatar Football Association President Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Qatar defeated bhutan 3-0 in a their biggest win in an official game injured Karim boudiaf and Ahmed or seven matches.” game. because I want to be on Thani receives a memento from his Turkish counterpart Demiroren Yildirim. They Group C match of the 2018 World Cup when the teams met last time in maksoud as defensive midfielders. “They’ve a good coach and were the pitch with barcelona every discussed ways of co-operation. Asian Zone qualification in Thimphu September, had reached Thimphu Akram Afif, who made his first start very dangerous when they had week.”

on Tuesday to become the first following a strong performance in a in national colours, showed plenty of DSP/Mohan country to progress to the third and friendly against higher-ranked Turkey promise before being substituted in ššQatar’s Ali Asad, final round. in Doha. the 74th. He penetrated the bhutan left, challenges While the win helped Qatar extend on Tuesday, they played at a high defence in the very first minute Turkey’s Arda Turan. Qatar’s character, Hong Kong dent China’s hopes their unbeaten run to six matches in altitude, on an artificial pitch and in only to hit wayward. but Afif had Qatar go down the competition, the goalless draw cold conditions, but that did not stop a hand in the first goal as he set quality on show oNG KoNG dented China’s best-performing second-placed STANDINGS between immediate challengers Carreno’s men from dominating the muntari inside the box. Though the World Cup qualifying hopes teams as they lie third, and also trail GROUP A to Ivory Coast China and Hong Kong ensured the lanky striker’s header was blocked ATAr showed character and quality even Hwith a 0-0 draw in front of rivals among the other seven groups Saudi Arabia 6 5 1 0 25 3 16 Gulf nation’s progress. by the last defender, the Lekhwiya though they went down 1-2 to Turkey in home fans who again booed their on points. UAE 6 4 1 1 22 3 13 ATAr olympic team went down to Ivory Palestine 6 2 3 1 15 4 9 Qatar went in front in the 22nd player, lying down, tapped home the an international friendly at the Lekhwiya shared anthem on Tuesday. Failure to reach the World Cup in Coast 0-1 in a friendly at the Lekhwiya QATAR ALSO BECAME THE Q malaysia 7 1 1 5 3 28 4 minute through mohammed muntari FIRST TEAM TO QUALIFY rebound with his left foot. Stadium last week. Australia thumped bangladesh 4-0 russia would be a big blow to China, Timor Leste 7 0 2 5 2 29 2 QStadium on Tuesday. while a twin strike by Hassan Al FOR THE 2019 ASIAN CUP. muntari then turned the provider The hosts were the better side in the first half and and Saudi Arabia put 10 past East who have successfully reformed their GROUP B Abdel Diarra headed home the winner in the Haidous (36th and 89th) sealed the for both of Al Haidous goals. meshaal deservedly took the lead through Al Sadd midfielder Timor, but Japan were less convincing corruption-plagued domestic league Australia 6 5 0 1 17 3 15 38th minute to hand Qatar their first defeat in Jordan 6 4 1 1 12 2 13 victory. Abdullah could have increased the Ali Asad in the 26th, but they ran out of steam in the in a 2-0 win over Cambodia. and are tipped to be planning a bid to Kyrgyzstan 7 3 2 2 9 8 11 three matches. The Felix Sanchez-coached side had Eight group winners and best four South-East Asians. margin, but he skied two shots from second. Hong Kong were not one of the host the competition. Tajikistan 6 1 2 3 9 12 5 beaten Australia 3-1 and the UAE 5-2 recently. runners-up will make it to the next Carreno made some marked close. mousa too wasted a sitter. barcelona winger Arda Turan slotted home from an day’s winners, but they celebrated Their fate will not generate much bangladesh 7 0 1 6 2 24 1 Qatar, preparing for the AFC Under-23 GROUP C stage, where they will be drawn into changes to his playing eleven bhutan never looked compact in ŢšQatar’s olcay Sahan pass in the 70th for the equaliser and set as if they were after holding China sympathy among fans in Hong Kong, Qatar 6 6 0 0 27 2 18 Championship to be held in Doha from January 12 two groups of six teams each. The compared to the one he fielded in defence and need to thank Qatar’s mohammed up besiktas forward Cenk Tusan for the second two which kept them ahead of their rivals which was gripped by “Umbrella Hong Kong 7 4 2 1 13 3 14 to 30, gave a good account of themselves against a top two sides from each will progress five previous matches. While muntari wayward finishing for escaping muntari, left, tries minutes later to swing the momentum in Turkey’s in Group C while putting leaders movement” democracy rallies last China 6 3 2 1 21 1 11 technically-superior Ivory Coast. to control the ball directly to the russia finals, with the started as the spearhead in place of another embarrassing score line. favour. Qatar through. year in defiance of beijing’s rule. maldives 6 1 0 5 4 14 3 Against Australia, Akram Afif opened the scoring in front of bhutan’s bhutan 7 0 0 7 3 48 0 Jigme Tshering two third-placed nations going into Sebastian Soria, boulam Khoukhi, Tougher tests await Carreno & Qatar’s performance was a fitting reply to the critics Fans jeered the “march of the Elsewhere, Tim Cahill hit a hat-trick GROUP D for Qatar in the 21st minute while Ahmed Alaa Dorjee as man Iran 6 4 2 0 20 3 14 play-offs. who had been playing as winger Co but, as of now, they look bahadur Gurung of Daniel Carreno, who argued they had easy games volunteers” anthem, which the semi- as Australia fired all four of their goals (35th) and Ahmed mohammed (53rd) also found oman 6 3 2 1 10 5 11 The 12 teams to reach the final under Carreno, moved as a confident. looks on. so far in the 2018 World Cup qualification and were autonomous territory shares with its past bangladesh in the first half in a the target. Turkmenistan 7 3 1 3 8 10 10 not really tested. neighbour while some turned their match played under heavy security Guam 7 2 1 4 3 15 7 Qatar, pitted in Group A in the continental Tukey, ranked 18th in the world, posed a tough backs and held up signs saying “bo o”. following safety warnings in Dhaka. India 6 1 0 5 4 12 3 championship, open their campaign against China challenge. To add to Carreno’s worries, he missed With two games to go, China Captain mile Jedinak also got GROUP E on January 12. Syria and Iran are the other teams Japan 6 5 1 0 17 0 16 several key players like Karim boudiaf and Ahmed are now scrambling to reach the on the scoresheet for the Asian Syria 6 5 0 1 20 6 15 in the group. A total of 16 teams, divided into four Yasser to injuries, but their replacements Luiz martin third round as one of the four champions. Singapore 7 3 1 3 8 7 10 groups, compete in the tournament, from which the and Abdulaziz Hatem did a fine job. overall, Qatar Afghanistan 6 2 0 4 6 18 6 top three sides will qualify for did not allow Turkey to play their natural game. Even Cambodia 7 0 0 7 1 21 0 the 2016 olympic Games in rio. COLLATED RESULTS GROUP F Turan found the going tough in the first session. THURSDAY TUESDAY Thailand 5 4 1 0 12 4 13 The most impressive player in Qatar’s line-up was Palestine bt malaysia 6-0 Guam lost to Iran 0-6 Iraq 4 2 2 0 10 4 8 Ali Asad. The youngster has cemented his place as UAE bt East Timor 8-0 North Korea bt bharain 2-0 vietnam 4 1 1 2 3 6 4 Australia bt Kyrgyzstan 3-0 Chinese Taipei 5 0 0 5 4 15 0 the playmaker in Carreno’s system and he surprised Timor Leste lost to Saudi Arabia 0-10 Tajikistan bt bangladesh 5-0 Chinese Taipei lost to Iraq 0-2 GROUP G the rivals with his delicate touches and wily passing. maldives lost to Hong Kong 0-1 bangladesh lost to Australia 0-4 South Korea 6 6 0 0 23 0 18 China bt bhutan 12-0 Kuwait 5 3 1 1 12 1 10 Carreno felt his boys showed character against Singapore lost to Syria 1-2 Iran bt Turkmenistan 3-1 Lebanon 6 3 1 2 11 4 10 stronger opponents. Hong Kong drew China 0-0 India bt Guam 1-0 myanmar 6 1 1 4 5 20 4 bhutan lost to Qatar 0-3 “We faced a strong Turkey side, yet we managed to Singapore lost to Japan 0-3 Laos 7 0 1 6 3 29 1 Laos lost to South Korea 0-5 show character,” said Carreno. Afghanistan bt Cambodia 3-0 GROUP H Cambodia lost to Japan 0-2 “our target from the Turkey clash was to assess Thailand bt Taiwan 4-2 North Korea 7 5 1 1 12 5 16 malaysia lost to UAE 1-2 Uzbekistan 6 5 0 1 18 7 15 South Korea bt myanmar 4-0 ŠŠQatar’s Assim ourselves in front of a top-class team. I believe we Turkmenistan bt oman 2-1 Philippines 6 2 1 3 5 9 7 Lebanon bt Laos 7-0 madibo gets past matched them in terms of competitiveness” said the Philippines lost to Yemen 0-1 Kyrgyzstan bt Jordan 1-0 bahrain 6 2 0 4 7 9 6 Ivory Coast’s Franck Uzbekistan bt North Korea 3-1 Yemen lost to Uzbekistan 1-3 Yemen 7 1 0 6 2 14 3 DSP/Fadi Al Assaad DSP/Fadi Uruguayan. Kessie. Dabboos DSP/Mohammed www.dohastadiumplusqatar.com | WEDNESDAY, NovEmbEr 18, 2015 7

“I congratulate our players and administrative staff on our progress to the next round. We’ll keep producing our best in the remaining matches against Hong Kong and China.

Daniel Carreno, Qatar coach.

Turkish officials ‘I’m happy Qatar is visit Aspire A high-profile delegation from the Turkish Football Federation (TFF) visited the ASPIrE Academy hosting World Cup’ last week. ASPIrE Academy Director UrKEY and barcelona possession. They can get better of Performance and Science valter Di Salvo welcomed the midfielder Arda Turan said if they’re a bit more composed delegation comprising TFF The was pleased Qatar would in attack,” said the 28-year-old vice-President and Executive host the 2022 FIFA World Cup. forward. board member Ali Durust, “I’m happy the ’22 World Cup Turan had signed for barcelona Secretary General Kadir Kardas is being staged in Qatar,” said last July, but has to wait until and national coach Fatih Terim. Turan. “The atmosphere inside the During a tour of the facilities, stadium for our friendly against they were briefed on the academy’s educational and Qatar was great and I must thank QATAR ARE A GOOD TEAM. training programmes. the people of this country for their WE HAD A LOT OF RESPECT meanwhile, the Qatar Football hospitality. I’m sure it’ll be even FOR THEM. THEY’VE A Association and Supreme better in ’22.” GOOD COACH. Committee for Delivery and Turan, the first-ever Turkish Legacy hosted the Turkish media player to have won the Spanish contingent. League title, with Atletico madrid January owing to the Catalan club’s in the season before last, also transfer ban. praised the Qatar national team. Asked how tough it was to miss “Qatar are a good team,” said Saturday’s El Classico against real Turan. “We had a lot of respect for madrid, Turan said, “It’s tough to them after watching their last six miss not just El Clasico, but every Qatar Football Association President Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa bin Ahmed Al or seven matches.” game. because I want to be on Thani receives a memento from his Turkish counterpart Demiroren Yildirim. They “They’ve a good coach and were the pitch with barcelona every discussed ways of co-operation. very dangerous when they had week.”

Hong Kong dent China’s hopes Qatar go down oNG KoNG dented China’s best-performing second-placed STANDINGS World Cup qualifying hopes teams as they lie third, and also trail GROUP A to Ivory Coast Hwith a 0-0 draw in front of rivals among the other seven groups Saudi Arabia 6 5 1 0 25 3 16 home fans who again booed their on points. UAE 6 4 1 1 22 3 13 ATAr olympic team went down to Ivory Palestine 6 2 3 1 15 4 9 shared anthem on Tuesday. Failure to reach the World Cup in malaysia 7 1 1 5 3 28 4 Coast 0-1 in a friendly at the Lekhwiya Australia thumped bangladesh 4-0 russia would be a big blow to China, Timor Leste 7 0 2 5 2 29 2 QStadium on Tuesday. and Saudi Arabia put 10 past East who have successfully reformed their GROUP B Abdel Diarra headed home the winner in the Timor, but Japan were less convincing corruption-plagued domestic league Australia 6 5 0 1 17 3 15 38th minute to hand Qatar their first defeat in Jordan 6 4 1 1 12 2 13 in a 2-0 win over Cambodia. and are tipped to be planning a bid to Kyrgyzstan 7 3 2 2 9 8 11 three matches. The Felix Sanchez-coached side had Hong Kong were not one of the host the competition. Tajikistan 6 1 2 3 9 12 5 beaten Australia 3-1 and the UAE 5-2 recently. day’s winners, but they celebrated Their fate will not generate much bangladesh 7 0 1 6 2 24 1 Qatar, preparing for the AFC Under-23 GROUP C as if they were after holding China sympathy among fans in Hong Kong, Qatar 6 6 0 0 27 2 18 Championship to be held in Doha from January 12 which kept them ahead of their rivals which was gripped by “Umbrella Hong Kong 7 4 2 1 13 3 14 to 30, gave a good account of themselves against a in Group C while putting leaders movement” democracy rallies last China 6 3 2 1 21 1 11 technically-superior Ivory Coast. Qatar through. year in defiance of beijing’s rule. maldives 6 1 0 5 4 14 3 Against Australia, Akram Afif opened the scoring bhutan 7 0 0 7 3 48 0 Fans jeered the “march of the Elsewhere, Tim Cahill hit a hat-trick GROUP D for Qatar in the 21st minute while Ahmed Alaa volunteers” anthem, which the semi- as Australia fired all four of their goals Iran 6 4 2 0 20 3 14 (35th) and Ahmed mohammed (53rd) also found autonomous territory shares with its past bangladesh in the first half in a oman 6 3 2 1 10 5 11 the target. Turkmenistan 7 3 1 3 8 10 10 neighbour while some turned their match played under heavy security Guam 7 2 1 4 3 15 7 Qatar, pitted in Group A in the continental backs and held up signs saying “bo o”. following safety warnings in Dhaka. India 6 1 0 5 4 12 3 championship, open their campaign against China With two games to go, China Captain mile Jedinak also got GROUP E on January 12. Syria and Iran are the other teams Japan 6 5 1 0 17 0 16 are now scrambling to reach the on the scoresheet for the Asian Syria 6 5 0 1 20 6 15 in the group. A total of 16 teams, divided into four third round as one of the four champions. Singapore 7 3 1 3 8 7 10 groups, compete in the tournament, from which the Afghanistan 6 2 0 4 6 18 6 top three sides will qualify for Cambodia 7 0 0 7 1 21 0 the 2016 olympic Games in rio. COLLATED RESULTS GROUP F THURSDAY TUESDAY Thailand 5 4 1 0 12 4 13 Palestine bt malaysia 6-0 Guam lost to Iran 0-6 Iraq 4 2 2 0 10 4 8 UAE bt East Timor 8-0 North Korea bt bharain 2-0 vietnam 4 1 1 2 3 6 4 Australia bt Kyrgyzstan 3-0 Timor Leste lost to Saudi Arabia 0-10 Chinese Taipei 5 0 0 5 4 15 0 Tajikistan bt bangladesh 5-0 Chinese Taipei lost to Iraq 0-2 GROUP G maldives lost to Hong Kong 0-1 bangladesh lost to Australia 0-4 South Korea 6 6 0 0 23 0 18 China bt bhutan 12-0 Kuwait 5 3 1 1 12 1 10 Singapore lost to Syria 1-2 Iran bt Turkmenistan 3-1 Lebanon 6 3 1 2 11 4 10 Hong Kong drew China 0-0 India bt Guam 1-0 myanmar 6 1 1 4 5 20 4 bhutan lost to Qatar 0-3 Singapore lost to Japan 0-3 Laos 7 0 1 6 3 29 1 Laos lost to South Korea 0-5 Afghanistan bt Cambodia 3-0 GROUP H Thailand bt Taiwan 4-2 Cambodia lost to Japan 0-2 North Korea 7 5 1 1 12 5 16 malaysia lost to UAE 1-2 Uzbekistan 6 5 0 1 18 7 15 South Korea bt myanmar 4-0 ŠŠQatar’s Assim Turkmenistan bt oman 2-1 Philippines 6 2 1 3 5 9 7 Lebanon bt Laos 7-0 madibo gets past Philippines lost to Yemen 0-1 Kyrgyzstan bt Jordan 1-0 bahrain 6 2 0 4 7 9 6 Ivory Coast’s Franck Uzbekistan bt North Korea 3-1 Yemen lost to Uzbekistan 1-3 Yemen 7 1 0 6 2 14 3 Kessie. Dabboos DSP/Mohammed 8 WEDNESDAY, NovEmbEr 18, 2015 | www.dohastadiumplusqatar.com www.dohastadiumplusqatar.com | WEDNESDAY, NovEmbEr 18, 2015 9 FOOTBALL | QATAR

şşSupreme Committee for Delivery and INTERVIEW Legacy Community Engagement manager Khalid Al Jumaily presents ‘Brazil will win a memento to Lee byong-Hwa. Qatar will be spectacular! rENCHmAN marcel Desailly won almost everything in football Fand the ultimate was the World ’22 World Cup’ Cup triumph at home in 1998. ENoWNED coach Sebastiao ronaldo when they were at a ’90 World Cup. Nicknamed ‘The rock’ for his Game in the country Lazaroni said the 2022 similar age. He’ll be at the peak of “one of Dunga’s biggest mistakes strong defensive skills, the 47-year- RWorld Cup in Qatar would his technical prowess in russia ’18. has been the attitude towards old knows precisely about dealing to get massive boost mark Neymar’s crowning glory in Players normally start reaching full Thiago Silva,” said Lazaroni, with pressure in front of a demanding international career both as the maturity when they’re between referring to the Paris Saint-Germain and expectant home crowd. In an HE 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar will unite the leader of a talented group and as 26 and 28. In ’22, Neymar will be defender’s exclusion from qualifiers interview with www.sc.qa, Desailly, middle East, according to Lee byong-Hwa, the head an individual. 30 and the complete package as a against Argentina and Peru. who ended his playing career with of a South Korean youth delegation which visited “Another golden brazilian player. While he would be a force to “Thiago and miranda are the best Qatar’s Al Gharafa, spoke about hosts T šЂFrom left, Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy Assistant Secretary General Nasser Al the Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy last generation is emerging, with reckon with technically, he would centre-backs in the world today France’s chances at the 2016 Euro Khater with marcel Desailly and Al Arabi coach Gianfranco Zola. week. Neymar, oscar, Lucas moura, be more mature than in russia.” and it’s in brazil’s best interests for Championship, the importance of South Korea and Japan had co-hosted Asia’s Philippe Coutinho, Willian, roberto Lazaroni, whose side fell to a russia ’18 that they play together in Qatar organising the World Cup and stadium works and transportation together, be it the ’98 World Cup, Euro first-ever World Cup in ’02. Firmino and Douglas Costa. They’ll 0-1 defeat against Argentina in the the qualifiers.” much more. plans, and I’m sure it’ll be a 2000 or the Confederations Cup. He The 11 members of the delegation were briefed at achieve full maturity as a group, round of 16 of the 1990 World Cup Lazaroni travelled down memory spectacular package. I encourage has all the qualities to lead France to length on the progress of ongoing preparations for the with Neymar as leader, by Qatar ’22 in Italy, said the real test for current lane to yet another Super Clasico ЂЂIt’s said the World Cup triumph people to come along and witness it. success in next year’s Euro. He has first FIFA World Cup in the middle East. The visit was and could win the country’s sixth coach Dunga was to harness contest, the ’90 World Cup at home in ’98 united France. Having You just have to imagine a scenario the skills, experience and legitimacy part of the youth-exchange programmes between the World Cup. I think russia might individual brilliance of talented round-of-16 encounter against seen the preparations and progress in which all World Cup matches are to turn this talented team into a governments of South Korea and Qatar. come a bit too soon for them,” youngsters at his disposal for the Argentina. Qatar is making, what advice do you played in one city. Fans can see up harmonious group. Individually, the “I vividly remember how the event promoted unity Lazaroni, who managed brazil at “We had dominated the game, give to this country’s players? to two games a day and feel the players have consistency and skill along among the people when it was co-hosted in our the 1990 World Cup in Italy and is but lost to a Claudio Caniggia goal ЃЂI often think back to ’98 and the atmosphere across the entire city. level. Now they all have to come country,” said Lee. currently in charge of Qatar Sports THE WEATHER IN QATAR off a brilliant maradona assist,” he triumph at home. I hope the Qatari together and lift their performance to “of course, we had a wonderful coach in Guus Hiddink, Club, told www.sc.qa. DURING THE WORLD CUP reminisced ruefully. “We had so team can also benefit from that ЂЂYou ended your playing career achieve what everyone hopes for. This but without public support we wouldn’t have progressed “They’re all in their early 20s IS GOING TO BE AMAZING many chances and our forwards special motivation just as we did. in Qatar. How have you seen the is the role of Didier. to the semifinal. and can follow in the footsteps of FOR FOOTBALL. (Careca and muller) just couldn’t Those were absolutely extraordinary development of football in the “The World Cup is an enormous event and should Qatar ronaldo, rivaldo, ronaldinho and find the back of the net. As they say emotions and something country since then? ЂЂWhich teams do you see as progress to the round of 16, it’ll become even bigger from Kaka, who won their fifth title in in brazil, the ball will punish you inexplicable. France, through the ЃЂQatar has become a country of the main contenders to lift the the legacy point of view. Football in Qatar is going to get ’02. With the World Cup returning team’s overall benefit. if you make mistakes. Argentina diversity of the team of ’98, showed silverware in France next summer? a massive boost if this happens on the lines of the sport’s to Asia in ’22, it’s the perfect timing “Dunga’s role will be to foster were happy defending and relying an example. ЃЂGermany will remain candidates surge in popularity in Korea after the World Cup,” Lee for the next golden generation to the golden generation into a team on maradona to produce a moment The idea of discovering new THE QATARI TEAM CAN together with France while England added. bring home the sixth title. It would unit,” said Lazaroni. “For example, of magic. This is exactly what regions is very important. Qatar is in ALSO BENEFIT FROM THAT can really surprise us. England have be a fantastic occasion to win, with I feel Liverpool’s Coutinho wasn’t happened,” said Lazaroni, who has Asia and the diversity of the region SPECIAL MOTIVATION an upcoming generation of players, the middle East hosting the region’s used well enough during the Copa had coaching stints with clubs in will lead to a new comprehension JUST AS WE DID. not so experienced but with quality Qatar, which will host the World Cup in first-ever World Cup. The weather America in Chile and now he hasn’t brazil, Italy, France, Turkey, Japan, of different cultures. I’m very and dynamics which could mean it’s Qatar ranked 2022, has been named in the top 20 ranking is going to be amazing for football been picked for the qualifiers Saudi Arabia and Qatar. happy the ’22 World Cup is held in their cycle now just as it was during among top by the Sportcal Global Sports Nation Index and the passion of the people in against Argentina and Peru.” He concluded by saying Dunga Qatar, which’ll allow us to see new sport, especially football. I think the the time of David beckham. for ’15. the region will lift brazil just as it Lazaroni had coached Dunga and needed to improve the side things and experience this nation’s quality of the Qatar Stars League has Qatar, which has already hosted and is set 20 nations did in South Korea and Japan in his current deputy Jorginho at the defensively. impeccable organisational abilities. improved greatly since I came in ’06. Ђ You won the UEFA Champions to organise many high-profile events in a Ђ 14-year period between ’09 and ’22, moved ’02.” I’ve seen the progress made in Players are no longer coming at the League with Olympic Marseille to 19th. Lazaroni added that Neymar, end of their careers. I think Qatar can in 1992-93. How do you rate the Qatar will host the World Championships who has scored 46 goals in only Dunga’s role will be to foster the golden make it to World Cup finals inr ussia. chances of a French club winning it in cycling (’16), artistic gymnastics (’18) and 67 appearances for the Selecao generation into a team unit. For example, I again this year? athletics (’19). including four in his maiden World feel Liverpool’s Coutinho wasn’t used well ЂЂYou grew up alongside Didier ЃЂHaving won it twice, the Qatari capital Doha already hosted the Cup finals in ’14 at home, will be Deschamps. How do you see his Champions League is very special men’s Handball Worlds and World boxing enough during the Copa America in Chile Championships this year. The Index does at the height of his maturity as an and now he hasn’t been picked for the side’s chances of repeating your for me. marseille are still close to my not recognise the IPC Athletics World individual in ’22. qualifiers against Argentina and Peru. triumph at Euro 2000? heart, but at the moment, they’re Championships which took place last “According to statistics, Neymar ЃЂDeschamps and I started at going through some difficulties. I month. is better than messi and Cristiano Sebastiao Lazaroni, Qatar Sports Club coach. the academy together when believe in the strong dynamics of we were 14. I played by his side Paris Saint-Germain. They’re one of and we won all the major titles the title contenders.

ЂЂFinally, your other former side Qatar’s Al Bayt Stadium to wear an iconic look Chelsea aren’t doing well this season to the surprise of many. Based on HE Al bayt Stadium-Al Khor the Khalifa International Stadium management team have been immediately surrounding the your own experience, do you see it as City, whose design draws and Al bayt Stadium-Al Khor built while KEo International stadium bowl. This will bring the a defensive crisis? Tinspiration from the bedouin City mohamed Ahmed said, “A Consultants has been selected car park to the outer perimeter, ЃЂChelsea have lost their defensive tent, has started rising from the lot of preparation work has been for construction supervision. providing more spatial areas for stability and are putting themselves ground on a specially-designed Galfar Al misnad, Salini Impregilo the local community. in difficulty. In addition, Nemanja hill that resembles traditional Group and Cimolai will be in Dr Nasser Hamad Al Hajri, Al matic, Cesc Fabregas and Diego Costa areas chosen to make these types THE 60,000-SEAT STADIUM charge of main construction, bayt Stadium-Al Khor City Project aren’t making an impact. So you’ve a of tents more visible for visitors. IS A PROPOSED VENUE OF planned to be completed by the Director at the Aspire Zone real problem with the main axis of the The 60,000-seat stadium is THE 2022 FIFA WORLD CUP end of ’18. Foundation, said, “Achieving team. I think it has to be resolved by a proposed venue of the 2022 SEMIFINAL. The precinct master plan more than one million man Jose mourinho. It’s good they’ve FIFA World Cup semifinal. bright has been modified to fit more hours without suffering a kept him in charge even though colouring elements have been green areas including walking lost-time accident is a major he has committed communication added to the facade. completed. The stadium is really and jogging track, horse track, achievement towards the safe errors. but we’ve to believe he’ll Supreme Committee for Delivery starting to take shape.” cycling track and playing areas and timely delivery of this Marcel rediscover the form of players like and Legacy Project manager for The site offices for the project for families in the inner circle stadium.” Desailly Eden Hazard. 8 WEDNESDAY, NovEmbEr 18, 2015 | www.dohastadiumplusqatar.com www.dohastadiumplusqatar.com | WEDNESDAY, NovEmbEr 18, 2015 9 FOOTBALL | QATAR

ЂЂFinally, your other former side Qatar’s Al Bayt Stadium to wear an iconic look Chelsea aren’t doing well this season to the surprise of many. Based on HE Al bayt Stadium-Al Khor the Khalifa International Stadium management team have been immediately surrounding the your own experience, do you see it as City, whose design draws and Al bayt Stadium-Al Khor built while KEo International stadium bowl. This will bring the a defensive crisis? Tinspiration from the bedouin City mohamed Ahmed said, “A Consultants has been selected car park to the outer perimeter, ЃЂChelsea have lost their defensive tent, has started rising from the lot of preparation work has been for construction supervision. providing more spatial areas for stability and are putting themselves ground on a specially-designed Galfar Al misnad, Salini Impregilo the local community. in difficulty. In addition, Nemanja hill that resembles traditional Group and Cimolai will be in Dr Nasser Hamad Al Hajri, Al matic, Cesc Fabregas and Diego Costa areas chosen to make these types THE 60,000-SEAT STADIUM charge of main construction, bayt Stadium-Al Khor City Project aren’t making an impact. So you’ve a of tents more visible for visitors. IS A PROPOSED VENUE OF planned to be completed by the Director at the Aspire Zone real problem with the main axis of the The 60,000-seat stadium is THE 2022 FIFA WORLD CUP end of ’18. Foundation, said, “Achieving team. I think it has to be resolved by a proposed venue of the 2022 SEMIFINAL. The precinct master plan more than one million man Jose mourinho. It’s good they’ve FIFA World Cup semifinal. bright has been modified to fit more hours without suffering a kept him in charge even though colouring elements have been green areas including walking lost-time accident is a major he has committed communication added to the facade. completed. The stadium is really and jogging track, horse track, achievement towards the safe errors. but we’ve to believe he’ll Supreme Committee for Delivery starting to take shape.” cycling track and playing areas and timely delivery of this Marcel rediscover the form of players like and Legacy Project manager for The site offices for the project for families in the inner circle stadium.” Desailly Eden Hazard. 10 WEDNESDAY, NovEmbEr 18, 2015 | www.dohastadiumplusqatar.com www.dohastadiumplusqatar.com | WEDNESDAY, NovEmbEr 18, 2015 11 FOOTBALL | INTERNATIONAL

ŠşEl Salvador’s roberto Dominguez, left, challenges mexico’s oribe Brazil escape with draw Peralta.

FIrST-HALF goal from şşbrazil’s Willian, Ezequiel Lavezzi was left, and Argentina’s cancelled out by Lucas Lima Ezequiel Lavezzi vie A for possession. in the second period as brazil escaped with a 1-1 draw against Argentina in the South American World Cup qualification last week. Argentina dominated the first half, but although brazil perked up when Douglas Costa replaced ricardo oliveira in the second half, they would consider themselves lucky to secure a point. Top teams off to The home side were without strikers Lionel messi, Sergio Aguero winning starts and Carlos Tevez, but still had the ššHungary players celebrate their victory over Norway. depth to start the game with Angel oNCACAF big guns mexico, the US and Costa Di maria, Gonzalo Higuain and rica all got off to winning starts last week in Lavezzi up front. to sidefoot home from six yards COLLATED RESULTS Ctheir qualifying campaign for the 2018 World following a Higuain cross. Cup in russia. 2018 WORLD CUP QUALIFICATION brazil struck with 58 minutes SOUTH AMERICA The fourth round of qualifying in North and LUIZ WAS SENT OFF gone when substitute Douglas Argentina drew brazil 1-1 Central America and the Caribbean region saw few WITH TWO MINUTES Costa’s header came back off the bar Peru bt Paraguay 1-0 surprises, with the US crushing Saint vincent and REMAINING FOR A BRUTAL and Lucas Lima hammered home bolivia bt venezuela 4-2 the Grenadines 6-1, mexico defeating El Salvador TACKLE ON BIGLIA. the rebound. Ecuador bt Uruguay 2-1 3-0 and Costa rica enjoying a 1-0 win over a for more! brazil had Neymar back after Chile drew Colombia 1-1 determined Haiti. NORTH, CENTRAL AMERICA & CARIBBEAN Hungary a four-game suspension, but The trio all qualified for the last World Cup in USA bt St vincent & Grenadines 6-1 Their first chance came in the the barcelona striker was largely Guatemala lost to Trinidad & Tobago 1-2 brazil in 2014, with Costa rica reaching the last HUNGARY GET THE BETTER OF NORWAY AND QUALIFY FOR THE EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP FINALS, THEIR second minute, but Higuain could anonymous. Jamaica lost to Panama 0-2 eight, and mexico and the United States going out not turn quickly enough to get a David Luiz was sent off with two Costa rica bt Haiti 1-0 in the second round. FIRST MAJOR TOURNAMENT IN THREE DECADES, WRITES ZOLTAN FAZEKAS. shot in after goalkeeper Alisson minutes remaining for a brutal mexico bt El Salvador 3-0 Jurgen Klinsmann’s American team suffered a flapped at a cross. tackle on Lucas biglia with his foot Canada bt Honduras 1-0 shock early goal from their Caribbean opponents, Two minutes later brazil were up. AFRICA with St vincent striker oalex Anderson opening the Uganda bt Togo 3-0 UNGArY’S 30-year goal, but it was scant consolation passing move from the visitors and fortunate that no one was on hand The result leaves Argentina in scoring in the fifth minute when he cut in from the RESULTS As of Sunday Uganda win 4-0 on aggregate. wait to play in a major for the Norwegians as the home EURO 2016 PLAY-OFFS Norway came even closer when to get a touch on Di maria’s shot eighth place in the 10-team South Zambia bt Sudan 2-0 left and curled a right foot effort past keeper brad championship stage will side celebrated qualifying for the Hungary bt Norway 2-1 Even Hovland’s header from a that flashed across the face of the American group with just two Zambia win 3-0 on aggregate. Guzan. H Hungary won 3-1 on aggregate. Dr Congo drew burundi 2-2 end in France next year after they European Championship finals for corner hit the post in the 45th. goal. points after having failed to win any but goals from bobby Wood (11th) and Fabian Sweden bt Denmark 2-1 Dr Congo win 5-4 on aggregate. beat Norway 2-1 which will ensure the first time since 1972. Ukraine bt Slovenia 2-0 balazs Dzsudzsak’s deflected Argentina continued to cause of their first three games. Equatorial Guinea bt morocco 1-0 Johnson (29th) put the US on their way to a one of football’s most storied The toast of budapest was bosnia drew Ireland 1-1 shot struck the crossbar in the brazil trouble on both flanks and brazil rise to fifth with one win, morocco win 2-1 on aggregate. comfortable Group C victory in St Louis. nations qualified for the Euro 2016 58th after a rare counter-attack by they finally got the goal they draw and loss each. Guinea bt Namibia 2-0 Two goals from Jozy Altidore (31st, 74th), a Geoff QUALIFIERS Guinea win 3-0 on aggregate. finals. the hosts, who dropped deeper deserved in the 34th minute The top four teams qualify Cameron header (51st) and a Gyasi Zardes (58th) KIRALY HAD TO MAKE A France (hosts) Switzerland Gabon bt mozambique 1-0 The 3-1 victory on aggregate to defend their overall two-goal when Lavezzi stole in between a automatically and the fifth-placed Gabon win 4-3 on penalties after tie strike made sure of a winning start for the US, who Czech republic Northern Ireland FINE SAVE FROM HAITAM ended 1-1 on aggregate in front of an ecstatic crowd in Iceland romania advantage. “I’ve to congratulate my hesitant David Luiz and Dani Alves side go into a play-off. have not missed out on the World Cup since 1986. ALEESAMI’S LOW SHOT IN the Groupama Arena, guaranteed Turkey Austria Kiraly made another excellent team, the association mexico’s new Colombian coach Juan Carlos osorio Hungary’s first appearance in any THE 27TH MINUTE. belgium russia save in the 76th when he parried made a winning start to his stint in charge of El Tri Wales Italy president Sandor Csanyi and Arjen robben struck twice as the championship finals since the ’86 marcus Pedersen’s close-range at the Azteca Stadium. Spain Croatia also Pal Dardai, who I took Robben Netherlands beat Wales 3-2 in a friendly World Cup in mexico. Slovakia Portugal shot before the tie was effectively over from and left this team last week. robben twice re-established the Andres Guardado calmed early nerves with a Germany Albania shines for The Hungarians built on their Hungary’s 39-year-old Gabor Kiraly, sealed seven minutes from time for me. The players’ approach visitors’ lead in the second half. beautiful, curling free-kick into the top corner in the first-leg win in oslo when Tamas who made a series of superb saves Poland Hungary as Dzsudzsak’s corner was bundled bas Dost headed the Dutch in front after 32 seventh minute of the Group A clash. England was fantastic during those Netherlands Priskin curled in a delightful over the two legs. under pressure into his own minutes before Joe Ledley equalised and Hector Herrera was credited with the second goal two games, they fought şşThe Netherlands’ 14th-minute opener and markus Ferencvaros’s home ground to put Hungary ahead. net by Henriksen. Wales’ Emyr Huws then pulled the hosts Arjen robben, left, in the 42nd when he floated in a dangerous ball Henriksen’s own goal on 83 erupted almost like never before Kiraly had to make a fine save The AZ Alkmaar man then pulled well and deserved to level again after robben had danced into celebrates with which made its way into the far corner with Javier the area before netting the winner in the Daley blind after minutes made the tie safe. when Priskin curled in a fabulous from Haitam Aleesami’s low shot one back for Norway in the 87th, qualify for France. Hernandez’s attempt to flick it home distracting El 81st. scoring his second Henriksen atoned with a late strike after a quick counter-attack in the 27th minute after a flowing but it was too little, too late. Bernd Storck, Hungary coach. goal against Wales. Salvador keeper Henry Hernandez.

SPECIAL COLUMN multi-location onslaught last week biggest sports event of the year in finals take place across no fewer and horrified. It’s completely for terror groups who, worryingly, authorities between now and Andrew Warshaw which shocked the world and Europe. than 10 venues and is being understandable that anyone so often seem to be one step ahead the tournament is to step up the caused so much pain and anguish. Sports, and football in particular, expanded for the first time from 16 would be anxious right now about of the intelligence forces. intelligence mechanism to ensure What would’ve been an eagerly- is one of the few unifying forces to 24 teams, with all the additional travelling anywhere in France. The fact that the Euro ’16 final that radical groups are stopped o SooNEr had the deadliest awaited occasion on December in our society. Cultures may differ baggage that brings. If Lambert and The Charlie Hebdo massacre is scheduled to be played at the before they even get remotely close. The show peacetime terrorist attack 12 has now been overshadowed across the globe, but football binds his staff already had a tough task Stade de France, close to which one The best way to beat them, of Non French soil taken place by heightened safety concerns for us all, no matter what colour or on their hands trying to persuade of last week’s deadly assaults took course, is for people to go about last week than intense debate those planning to attend. but that’s creed. thousands of fans from all corners SPORTS, AND FOOTBALL place just as France were playing a their normal business as best as immediately and understandably nothing compared to the level of Cancelling Euro ’16 would of the continent that the month- IN PARTICULAR, IS ONE friendly against Germany, won’t be they can. Sports, perhaps more must go on focused, from a sports standpoint security France will need to put in therefore be a backward step, but long event will pass off peacefully, OF THE FEW UNIFYING lost on the football fraternity. but than any other walk of life, can at least, on whether to go ahead place when the month-long event that’s not to say there won’t be that undertaking has suddenly got a FORCES IN OUR SOCIETY. let’s not lose sight either of a more and should be at the forefront of with next summer’s European itself takes place next summer. risks. whole lot tougher. important factor. There’re no recent this approach. right now, given Championship. Euro 2016 President Jacques The fact that the tournament Will the fans now still want to examples of atrocities at major the brutal bloodbath in Paris and The draw for the finals is due to Lambert is adamant the showpiece takes place in the country now go? Nobody with any sense of in January and a near-disaster in global sporting events, meaning it’s the emotional fallout among take place next month in Paris, the summer festival will go ahead as acknowledged as the main western humanity and compassion who August, when a gun attack on a highly unlikely that Euro ’16 will be despairing relatives and friends, the same city where so many innocent planned. He’s determined not to target for Islamic State and other witnessed the scenes of brutal train to Paris was narrowly foiled, reallocated as some are suggesting. temptation must be to bolt all the people lost their lives as they were play into the hands of the terrorists groups speaks for itself. carnage in the French capital demonstrated the extent to which It’s a fair point, but nevertheless doors, batten down all the hatches Jacques gunned down in that murderous by calling off what will be the Then there’s the fact that the can fail to have been sickened France has become a prime target the challenge for the French and empty all the streets. Lambert www.dohastadiumplusqatar.com | WEDNESDAY, NovEmbEr 18, 2015 11

ŠşEl Salvador’s roberto Dominguez, left, challenges mexico’s oribe Brazil escape with draw Peralta.

finals take place across no fewer and horrified. It’s completely for terror groups who, worryingly, authorities between now and than 10 venues and is being understandable that anyone so often seem to be one step ahead the tournament is to step up the expanded for the first time from 16 would be anxious right now about of the intelligence forces. intelligence mechanism to ensure to 24 teams, with all the additional travelling anywhere in France. The fact that the Euro ’16 final that radical groups are stopped baggage that brings. If Lambert and The Charlie Hebdo massacre is scheduled to be played at the before they even get remotely close. his staff already had a tough task Stade de France, close to which one The best way to beat them, of on their hands trying to persuade of last week’s deadly assaults took course, is for people to go about thousands of fans from all corners SPORTS, AND FOOTBALL place just as France were playing a their normal business as best as of the continent that the month- IN PARTICULAR, IS ONE friendly against Germany, won’t be they can. Sports, perhaps more long event will pass off peacefully, OF THE FEW UNIFYING lost on the football fraternity. but than any other walk of life, can that undertaking has suddenly got a FORCES IN OUR SOCIETY. let’s not lose sight either of a more and should be at the forefront of whole lot tougher. important factor. There’re no recent this approach. right now, given Will the fans now still want to examples of atrocities at major the brutal bloodbath in Paris and go? Nobody with any sense of in January and a near-disaster in global sporting events, meaning it’s the emotional fallout among humanity and compassion who August, when a gun attack on a highly unlikely that Euro ’16 will be despairing relatives and friends, the witnessed the scenes of brutal train to Paris was narrowly foiled, reallocated as some are suggesting. temptation must be to bolt all the carnage in the French capital demonstrated the extent to which It’s a fair point, but nevertheless doors, batten down all the hatches Jacques can fail to have been sickened France has become a prime target the challenge for the French and empty all the streets. Lambert 12 WEDNESDAY, NovEmbEr 18, 2015 | www.dohastadiumplusqatar.com www.dohastadiumplusqatar.com | WEDNESDAY, NovEmbEr 18, 2015 13 FOOTBALL | INTERNATIONAL

Lewandowski brace helps French club Lille, Superlative Spain Poland get past Iceland Renard part ways

AYErN munich striker Robert scoring from just inside the area. FrICA Cup of Nations-winning coach Lewandowski scored twice Poland went 2-1 up 14 minutes Herve Renard has been sacked as manager outplay England Bas Poland overcame fellow later when 18-year-old midfielder Aof French Ligue 1 club Lille, less than six Euro 2016 qualifiers Iceland 4-2 in bartosz Kapustka scored his months after being appointed. a friendly in Warsaw last week. second international goal. The 47-year-old Frenchman, PAIN’S 2-0 win over England became the first goalkeeper to keep heading into the European The visitors, cheered on by a Iceland struck back immediately who led the Ivory Coast to Cup last week suggested their 100 clean sheets in internationals Championship,” added the small contingent of 200 Iceland as Alfred Finnbogason beat of Nations glory in February, Srecovery from last year’s in his 165th appearance, said the 34-year-old Porto keeper. fans, took the lead after three Szczesny but Lewandowski was only appointed in may World Cup flop is on track and signs were positive ahead of the one frustrating aspect of Spain’s minutes when Gylfi Sigurdsson restored Poland’s lead when following the departure of confirmed they will be among continental tournament in France performance for coach vicente del beat keeper Wojciech Szczesny he took advantage of chaos rene Girard, but leaves with the favourites when they bid for next year. bosque was that Diego Costa again from the penalty spot to notch his in the visiting defence 2011 double winners Lille in 16th an unprecedented third straight Casillas was one of those singled failed to score before being replaced 12th international goal. following a corner. place in Ligue 1 after 13 games. continental title at Euro ’16. out for criticism after the reigning by Juan mata after just over an Poland were roared on by a He then made sure They have won just twice, and scored a paltry La roja’s slick passing and hour. sellout crowd of 58,000 at the of victory in the 76th seven goals, in the league this season and sit only clinical finishing were ultimately The brazil-born Chelsea forward, National Stadium, but they lacked with an accurate one point clear of the relegation zone. the difference between the sides ONE FRUSTRATING ASPECT who has netted only once — punch up front. drive from a His last game at the helm was a 1-1 draw with in the friendly in Alicante and the FOR COACH VICENTE DEL the third goal in a 4-0 win over The home team’s best first- narrow bastia. European champions stretched BOSQUE WAS THAT DIEGO minnows Luxembourg — in his half opportunity came in the angle. His assistant Patrick Collot will take charge while their winning run to seven matches, COSTA FAILED TO SCORE. 10 outings for Spain, said his 31st minute when winger Kamil Lille search for a permanent replacement. thanks to a superb mario Gaspar performance has improved. Grosicki’s shot went just wide. volley and a goal from substitute “It doesn’t matter I didn’t score. Grosicki made amends eight Santi Cazorla. champions failed to get past the The important thing is that Spain minutes into the second half, England were depleted by group stage at the 2014 World Cup performed well,” said Costa. “I’m Nolito Gastric bypass op injuries and manager roy Hodgson finals in brazil. feeling better all the time and started with captain Wayne rooney “Two good national teams with participating more in the game,” he for Maradona on the bench, but they were still good players met and in the end, in added. outplayed all too easily and their the second half, we managed to get Asked about Del bosque’s France score emotional win rGENTINIAN great Diego Maradona 15-match unbeaten run came to a the goals and win the match,” said criticism, he said, “It’s normal Nolito can become underwent a gastric bypass surgery in the ŢŢmario Gaspar disappointing end. Casillas. because sometimes my father and scores the first goal LIvIEr Giroud and Gignac headed the second goal some pride with their FA locked in a Awestern venezuelan city of maracaibo and Spain captain Iker Casillas, who “That’s very positive for us mother don’t like what I do.” for Spain. La Roja’s trump card Andre-Pierre Gignac scored in the 86th minute to seal victory 2006 World Cup scandal. is recovering well, doctors said. Oas Euro 2016 hosts France in a game during which several Forward mario Gomez, making The 55-year-old former World Cup winner oLITo is unlikely to be the first name on beat world champions Germany his comeback after an absence of went through a similar operation vicente del bosque’s team sheet, but the 2-0 in a friendly overshadowed by more than 14 months and having around a decade ago and has NCelta vigo forward could be the kind of blasts in Paris. ANDRE-PIERRE GIGNAC missed the 2014 World Cup through battled ill health since his impact player off the bench the Spain coach will The French, missing the injured HEADED THE SECOND injury, had a good first- half chance heyday in the 1980s. need at Euro 2016. Karim benzema and mathieu GOAL IN THE 86TH MINUTE but was kept quiet after the break. “He is walking and in good The 29-year-old is something of a late bloomer, valbuena following a sex-tape TO SEAL VICTORY. Giroud, on a hot scoring run spirits,” said Carlos Felipe graduating from valencia’s youth academy before scandal, had to wait until the stroke having also hit six goals in the Chaux, one of the surgeons who unremarkable stints at barcelona, where he mostly of half-time to make an impact, English Premier League with treated him. played in the reserves, benfica and Granada. with Giroud continuing his fine explosions were heard in the first Arsenal, might have scored his maradona will remain in venezuela to recover, His performances since joining Celta in ’13 earned scoring run this season by slotting half and the crowd briefly panicked second goal, but his diving header he added. him his first Spain cap in November last year and the ball in from an Anthony martial at the end. early in the second half sailed maradona captained Argentina in their 1986 after coming on as a substitute he set up Santi cut-back. Germany were looking to restore wide. World Cup win in mexico, though he was Cazorla to score excluded from the US World Cup in ’94 for doping. COLLATED RESULTS against England. As of Sunday. Nolito is most belgium bt Italy 3-1 dangerous Northern Ireland bt Latvia 1-0 darting in off the Cruyff snaps his Czech republic bt Serbia 4-1 Poland bt Iceland 4-2 left wing as real Spain bt England 2-0 madrid learned ties with Ajax Wales lost to Netherlands 2-3 to their cost France bt Germany 2-0 in La Liga last EGENDArY club figureJohan Cruyff is to stop month when he working as an advisor to Ajax Amsterdam as scored a stunning goal against them. La power struggle over the approach to the He was also the main architect of Celta’s 4-1 game continues to rumble at the club. thrashing of champions barca in September and Cruyff says his vision to improve Ajax’s youth could be just the tool Del bosque needs to unlock structure is no longer being stubborn defences at Euro ’16. implemented and wants his Spain, who will be chasing an unprecedented name and any connection third straight continental triumph, typically face removed from a playing and ultra-defensive opponents and Nolito has the skills development philosophy he to counter such tactics. has led for years. Former real madrid great Raul title, to go with the one they captured reports in Spain have suggested barca, who It follows the recent removal Fitting Gonzalez went into retirement in in 2013. signed Nolito in ’08, only to let him go in ’11, will of former Dutch international Wim farewell style as his New York Cosmos beat the “I’m proud for everything I did and attempt to lure him back in the January transfer Jonk as head of youth development at Ajax. ottawa Fury 3-2 to win the NASL title thank you to the club, my team-mates window. renovating the club’s academy had been at to Raul in his final match. and the fans for this amazing year. Nolito, who once earned €30 a week as a the heart of plans Cruyff laid out for the former The 38-year-old, a multiple La Liga For me now, I’ll start a new life with butcher’s apprentice, said he was happy to operate European champions, with the Dutchman using and Champions League winner with another project,” said raul, who has real, played the full game, setting up represented Qatar’s Al Sadd. in whichever position Del bosque wanted. şşFrance’s Laurent his weekly newspaper column to announce “I’ll play wherever the boss says,” he said. “Every Koscielny, left, fights his decision to step down and to criticise Ajax third goal of Gaston Cellerino’s hat-trick Cellerino was the man of the match, for the ball with with a delicate flick. which also sent Spain’s marcos Senna time I play, I feel more comfortable. I’m at his Germany’s mario directors. Cosmos claimed their second league into retirement as a winner. disposal.” Gomez. www.dohastadiumplusqatar.com | WEDNESDAY, NovEmbEr 18, 2015 13

Lewandowski brace helps French club Lille, Poland get past Iceland Renard part ways

EGENDArY club figureJohan Cruyff is to stop working as an advisor to Ajax Amsterdam as La power struggle over the approach to the game continues to rumble at the club. Cruyff says his vision to improve Ajax’s youth structure is no longer being implemented and wants his name and any connection removed from a playing and development philosophy he has led for years. It follows the recent removal of former Dutch international Wim Jonk as head of youth development at Ajax. renovating the club’s academy had been at the heart of plans Cruyff laid out for the former European champions, with the Dutchman using şşFrance’s Laurent his weekly newspaper column to announce Koscielny, left, fights his decision to step down and to criticise Ajax for the ball with Germany’s mario directors. Gomez. 14 WEDNESDAY, NovEmbEr 18, 2015 | www.dohastadiumplusqatar.com www.dohastadiumplusqatar.com | WEDNESDAY, NovEmbEr 18, 2015 15

“In this season’s Qatar League, the number of foreign players allowed per side has been reduced from three to two. It’ll give more chances to Qatari players and bodes well for the national team. We’ve also BASKETBALL decided to market the tournament in a better way. Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, Qatar basketball Federation President. Guarded TEAM-BY-TEAM ANALYSIS AL ARABI AL SADD Seven-time Qatar League champions Al Arabi have fallen Sadd, who won their maiden league title in 2012-13 on hard times recently and their fortunes are unlikely to have retained 56-year-old Serb Zoran Krekovic as coach. improve this season. Though they do not lack fighting However, most of their players were away on short spirit, they are unlikely to hold out against bigger teams. term contracts with rayyan and Jaish for the Arab Club but the reds are capable of creating upsets on their day. event in Dubai, throwing their preparations into disarray. It will be difficult for the club to make up for the lost time. CoACH: HATEM MAMLOUK

DSP/Mohan/Vinod Divakaran DSP/Mohan/Vinod CoACH: ZORAN KREKOVIC ACHIEVEMENTS optimism QATAR LEAGUE 1981-82, 1982-83, 1983-84, 1984-85, 1985-86, 1991-92, ACHIEVEMENTS AL RAYYAN 1993-94 QATAR CUP 2007, ’12. EMIR’S CUP runners-up in 2000, ’05 and ’06. QATAR LEAGUE 2012-13. runners-up in 2013-14. QATAR CUP runners-up in FIBA ASIA CHAMPIONS CUP Fourth in 2009. GCC CLUBS CHAMPIONSHIP 2008. Al rayyan added a 16th Qatar League shield to their 2001, ’05, ’07, ’11 and ’13. EMIR’S CUP 2004, ’12. runners-up in ’07 and ’15. TRADITIONAL POWERHOUSE AL RAYYAN START AS FAVOURITES glittering trophy cabinet last season. They have kept GCC CLUBS CHAMPIONSHIP 2013. faith in Greek coach Koufos Stergios, who also helped TO RETAIN THE QATAR LEAGUE TITLE, BUT THEIR TASK IS EASIER them become the first Qatari side to win the Arab club title last season. The Lions are the team to beat this year. SAID THAN DONE THIS TIME, WRITES AJU GEORGE CHRIS. CoACH: KOUFOS STERGIOS ACHIEVEMENTS QATAR LEAGUE 1995-96, 1996-97, 1997-98, 1998-99, 1999-2000, 2001-02, L rAYYAN, who won a who has been their key player for spelt out his priorities. 2002-03, 2003-04, 2004-05, 2005-06, 2006-07, 2008-09, 2009-10, 2010-11, record-extending 16th Qatar more than two decades, are in the “rayyan and Jaish will begin as 2011-12 and 2014-15. QATAR CUP 2002, ’04, ’05, ’06, ’08, ’09 and ’13. runners- up in 2000, ’03 and ’14. EMIR’S CUP 2000, ’01, ’03, ’05, ’06, ’08, ’09 and ’13. ALeague last season, are once twilight of their careers, but the favourites. but as always, I’ll focus runners-up in ’02, ’04, ’10, ’11 and ’12. FIBA ASIA CHAMPIONS CUP 2002 again favourites in the 2015-16 Lions will not greatly feel it, as they on my players and what they can do and ’05. runners-up in ’03, ’08 and ’10. Third in ’04, ’06 and ’07. ARAB CLUBS CHAMPIONSHIP 2014 GCC CLUBS CHAMPIONSHIP 2004, ’07 and ’10. runners- edition, which starts on Wednesday have been able to refresh the squad as a unit. The season is quite long. up in ’06. Third in ’05. AL GHARAFA QATAR SC at the Al Gharafa Indoor Hall, but over the last few seasons with some our primary target is to reach the Al Gharafa have kept faith in coach Kosay Hatem for the Qatar Sports Club have not done much in terms of their journey will be far from easy. talented youngsters. semifinal,” Hatem toldDoha Stadium ninth straight season. The Iraqi had helped them to a trophies and their situation is not likely to get any better domestic treble three seasons ago. Known as a gentle this season. The club’s primary problem is an acute lack In the lung opener, Al Wakrah will Furthermore, the management Plus. person, yet tough taskmaster, he extracts the best out of of bench strength. However, they do have several junior take on Al Shamal. has retained Greek Koufos Stergios Gharafa have signed American his players. He has also instilled a strong sense of team players in their ranks and it will be a good opportunity for spirit in them. They will be keen to improve. them to prove their worth. El Jaish, Al Sadd, Al Gharafa, Al as coach and Dominic James as point pointguard Kevin Galloway, but CoACH: KOSAI HATEM CoACH: AHMAD FAWZI Arabi, Qatar SC, Al Ahli and Al Khor guard. Kwame Alexander, another Hatem is expected to give a bigger are the other teams in the 10-team American, is the only fresh face in attacking role to young Qatar ACHIEVEMENTS ACHIEVEMENTS competition. the squad. international Saad Abdulrahman QATAR LEAGUE 2013-14 QATAR CUP 2011, ’14 and ’15. runners-up in ’06 and QATAR LEAGUE 1986-87, 1987-88, 1988-89, 1989-90, 1990-91, 1992-93, ’10 EMIR’S CUP 2010, ’11 and ’14. 1994-95 QATAR CUP 2003. runners up in ’02 EMIR’S CUP 2001-02, 2006-07. The Qatar basketball Federation Alexander, signed from Japanese mohammed. runners-up in 2003, ’08 and ’09. has cut down on the meanwhile, 2013-14 foreign flavour this time, winners Sadd are thoroughly reducing the number of THE PROSPECTS OF underprepared. rayyan and Jaish overseas recruits per team 2013-14 WINNERS SADD had taken most of their key players from three to two. The move is LOOK BLEAK AS THEY ARE on loan to the recent Arab Clubs aimed at strengthening the national UNDERPREPARED. Championship in Dubai and that team. upset Sadd’s plans. EL JAISH The league’s first phase will end Though Sadd signed American The Armymen pushed Al rayyan all the way in the on December 29 while dates for side Aomori Watts, is a prize catch. brandon Provost, their prospects Qatar League last season. Having signed some quality players and retained experienced Serb Dragoslav the second have not been decided The 25-year-old centre’s rich look bleak. And Serbian coach Zoran milovanovic as coach, they will be more confident this yet. The top four sides experience in the Philippines, Greece Krekovic admitted as much. time around. They also have strength in depth. Stopping AL SHAMAL them will not be easy. A relatively new team, Shamal finished at the bottom AL AHLI will then make it to and South Korea should stand him “It’s a peculiar situation and we Al Ahli, having added a few good players this season, CoACH: DRAGOSLAV MILOVANOVIC in 2012-13 and 2013-14, but came back strongly last the best-of-three in good stead. aren’t happy about it. We’ll have season to end fifth. Though they are not yet good look capable of plotting a few upsets. They have retained semifinal (first vs Last season’s runners-up and to somehow manage. We held enough for a top-four finish, they could still give a good Egyptian coach Sherif Elattar. Despite being one of the ACHIEVEMENTS account of themselves. oldest clubs in Qatar, a top-five finish still looks way third and second Emir’s Cup champions El Jaish will be our first training session only on QATAR LEAGUE 2007-08 QATAR CUP 2010. runners-up in ’12, ’13 and ’15 beyond their reach. CoACH: MOHAMED HACCAD vs fourth), with the rayyan’s main rivals. Their Serbian Tuesday. It’s going to be tough,” said EMIR’S CUP 2015. runners-up in ’14. CoACH: SHERIF ELATTAR ACHIEVEMENTS Nil winners progressing coach Dragoslav milovanovic, who former Kuwait national team coach ACHIEVEMENTS to the title clash, also a helped the Armymen win their only Krekovic. QATAR LEAGUE 2000-01 QATAR CUP 2000, ‘01. best-of-three affair. league title in 2007-08, will be keen Al Wakrah have retained 27-year- El Jaish finish third at Arab rayyan should reap to prove a point. old American small forward Amu rewards for their Jaish have kept faith in 29-year- Saaka. They also signed point guard Clubs Championship stability and the old American power forward vernon majic Dorsey, who is expected to add El Jaish defeated Tunisia’s US monastir 95-86 to finish third fine work they macklin, who can turn games on his teeth to their attack. at the Arab Clubs Championship in Dubai last week. In the have been doing own. Al Ahli went for two new semifinal, Jaish had lost to Algeria’s Groupe Sportif Petrolier on their youth Al Gharafa clinched a domestic Americans, point guard Jimmy 74-75. front. treble two seasons ago, but had to Williams and forward Lamar The Armymen began their group-stage campaign with a Players be satisfied with the Qatar Cup last roberson. bottom-placed Al Khor 97-90 win over the UAE’s Al Sharjah before beating Yemen’s AL WAKRAH like Yasseen year. Iraqi coach Kosai Hatem, who roped in 26-year old American point Al Tilal 104-75. They then lost 81-84 to Petrolier before Wakrah, always considered as underdogs, improved their powering back with a 105-69 win over Iraq’s Al Shorta. AL KHOR moussa, will lead them for the ninth season, guard Patrick rembert. standings by one place to sixth last season. They have Khor stunned one and all by notching up incredible wins Jaish defeated Qatar League champions Al rayyan retained Egyptian coach Ehab Jaleel and also made some in their debut season in 2013-14 as they were allowed 83-79 in the quarterfinal. good signings. However, it will be too much to expect to field four foreigners. but last year, with only three miracles from them. Their lack of bench strength is likely to overseas recruits, they came crashing down and finished The Lions had lost their opener against Tunisia’s Sahel limit any real progress. CoACH: EHAB JALEEL 53-60 before posting wins over Egypt’s Sporting Club (87- last. Probably, a similar fate awaits them this season too. ROLL OF HONOUR CoACH: AHMED KAMEL 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 81) and Lebanon’s Al riyadi (73-63). ACHIEVEMENTS Last 10 champions. Al rayyan Al Gharafa Al Sadd Al rayyan Al rayyan Al rayyan Al rayyan El Jaish Al rayyan Al rayyan Sahel won the title, defeating Petrolier 74-62. EMIR’S CUP runners-up in 2001. ACHIEVEMENTS Nil www.dohastadiumplusqatar.com | WEDNESDAY, NovEmbEr 18, 2015 15

TEAM-BY-TEAM ANALYSIS

AL ARABI AL SADD Seven-time Qatar League champions Al Arabi have fallen Sadd, who won their maiden league title in 2012-13 on hard times recently and their fortunes are unlikely to have retained 56-year-old Serb Zoran Krekovic as coach. improve this season. Though they do not lack fighting However, most of their players were away on short spirit, they are unlikely to hold out against bigger teams. term contracts with rayyan and Jaish for the Arab Club but the reds are capable of creating upsets on their day. event in Dubai, throwing their preparations into disarray. It will be difficult for the club to make up for the lost time. CoACH: HATEM MAMLOUK

DSP/Mohan/Vinod Divakaran DSP/Mohan/Vinod CoACH: ZORAN KREKOVIC ACHIEVEMENTS ACHIEVEMENTS QATAR LEAGUE 1981-82, 1982-83, 1983-84, 1984-85, 1985-86, 1991-92, AL RAYYAN 1993-94 QATAR CUP 2007, ’12. EMIR’S CUP runners-up in 2000, ’05 and ’06. QATAR LEAGUE 2012-13. runners-up in 2013-14. QATAR CUP runners-up in FIBA ASIA CHAMPIONS CUP Fourth in 2009. GCC CLUBS CHAMPIONSHIP 2008. Al rayyan added a 16th Qatar League shield to their 2001, ’05, ’07, ’11 and ’13. EMIR’S CUP 2004, ’12. runners-up in ’07 and ’15. glittering trophy cabinet last season. They have kept GCC CLUBS CHAMPIONSHIP 2013. faith in Greek coach Koufos Stergios, who also helped them become the first Qatari side to win the Arab club title last season. The Lions are the team to beat this year. CoACH: KOUFOS STERGIOS ACHIEVEMENTS QATAR LEAGUE 1995-96, 1996-97, 1997-98, 1998-99, 1999-2000, 2001-02, 2002-03, 2003-04, 2004-05, 2005-06, 2006-07, 2008-09, 2009-10, 2010-11, 2011-12 and 2014-15. QATAR CUP 2002, ’04, ’05, ’06, ’08, ’09 and ’13. runners- up in 2000, ’03 and ’14. EMIR’S CUP 2000, ’01, ’03, ’05, ’06, ’08, ’09 and ’13. runners-up in ’02, ’04, ’10, ’11 and ’12. FIBA ASIA CHAMPIONS CUP 2002 and ’05. runners-up in ’03, ’08 and ’10. Third in ’04, ’06 and ’07. ARAB CLUBS CHAMPIONSHIP 2014 GCC CLUBS CHAMPIONSHIP 2004, ’07 and ’10. runners- up in ’06. Third in ’05. AL GHARAFA QATAR SC Al Gharafa have kept faith in coach Kosay Hatem for the Qatar Sports Club have not done much in terms of ninth straight season. The Iraqi had helped them to a trophies and their situation is not likely to get any better domestic treble three seasons ago. Known as a gentle this season. The club’s primary problem is an acute lack person, yet tough taskmaster, he extracts the best out of of bench strength. However, they do have several junior his players. He has also instilled a strong sense of team players in their ranks and it will be a good opportunity for spirit in them. They will be keen to improve. them to prove their worth. CoACH: KOSAI HATEM CoACH: AHMAD FAWZI ACHIEVEMENTS ACHIEVEMENTS QATAR LEAGUE 2013-14 QATAR CUP 2011, ’14 and ’15. runners-up in ’06 and QATAR LEAGUE 1986-87, 1987-88, 1988-89, 1989-90, 1990-91, 1992-93, ’10 EMIR’S CUP 2010, ’11 and ’14. 1994-95 QATAR CUP 2003. runners up in ’02 EMIR’S CUP 2001-02, 2006-07. runners-up in 2003, ’08 and ’09.

EL JAISH The Armymen pushed Al rayyan all the way in the Qatar League last season. Having signed some quality players and retained experienced Serb Dragoslav milovanovic as coach, they will be more confident this time around. They also have strength in depth. Stopping AL SHAMAL them will not be easy. A relatively new team, Shamal finished at the bottom AL AHLI Al Ahli, having added a few good players this season, CoACH: DRAGOSLAV MILOVANOVIC in 2012-13 and 2013-14, but came back strongly last season to end fifth. Though they are not yet good look capable of plotting a few upsets. They have retained enough for a top-four finish, they could still give a good Egyptian coach Sherif Elattar. Despite being one of the ACHIEVEMENTS account of themselves. oldest clubs in Qatar, a top-five finish still looks way QATAR LEAGUE 2007-08 QATAR CUP 2010. runners-up in ’12, ’13 and ’15 beyond their reach. CoACH: MOHAMED HACCAD EMIR’S CUP 2015. runners-up in ’14. CoACH: SHERIF ELATTAR ACHIEVEMENTS Nil ACHIEVEMENTS El Jaish finish third at Arab QATAR LEAGUE 2000-01 QATAR CUP 2000, ‘01. Clubs Championship El Jaish defeated Tunisia’s US monastir 95-86 to finish third at the Arab Clubs Championship in Dubai last week. In the semifinal, Jaish had lost to Algeria’s Groupe Sportif Petrolier 74-75. The Armymen began their group-stage campaign with a 97-90 win over the UAE’s Al Sharjah before beating Yemen’s AL WAKRAH Al Tilal 104-75. They then lost 81-84 to Petrolier before Wakrah, always considered as underdogs, improved their powering back with a 105-69 win over Iraq’s Al Shorta. AL KHOR standings by one place to sixth last season. They have Khor stunned one and all by notching up incredible wins Jaish defeated Qatar League champions Al rayyan retained Egyptian coach Ehab Jaleel and also made some in their debut season in 2013-14 as they were allowed 83-79 in the quarterfinal. good signings. However, it will be too much to expect to field four foreigners. but last year, with only three miracles from them. Their lack of bench strength is likely to overseas recruits, they came crashing down and finished The Lions had lost their opener against Tunisia’s Sahel limit any real progress. CoACH: EHAB JALEEL 53-60 before posting wins over Egypt’s Sporting Club (87- last. Probably, a similar fate awaits them this season too. CoACH: AHMED KAMEL 81) and Lebanon’s Al riyadi (73-63). ACHIEVEMENTS Sahel won the title, defeating Petrolier 74-62. EMIR’S CUP runners-up in 2001. ACHIEVEMENTS Nil 16 WEDNESDAY, NovEmbEr 18, 2015 | www.dohastadiumplusqatar.com www.dohastadiumplusqatar.com | WEDNESDAY, NovEmbEr 18, 2015 17

“Children are prone to injuries and we’re trying “Gymnastics is becoming popular in Qatar, WHAT to ensure coaches have the best knowledge to so we were keen on developing our coaches. THEY deal with that. They should know the correct We were happy to have hosted the programme. GYMNASTICS SAID ways to manage if there’s a problem. Ali Ahmed Al Hitmi, Qatar Gymnastics Federation President. Chris Evans, FIG expert. COACHING HOSTING OF THE WEEK-LONG FIG ACADEMY, A WORLDWIDE EDUCATION PROGRAMME FOR COACHES, BOOSTS THE SPORT’S PROFILE IN QATAR, WRITES MOHAMMAD AMIN-UL ISLAM. COACHES

S mANY as 21 aspiring all FIG disciplines. A total of 2,978 The curriculum for each of the results of each participating coach Divakaran DSP/Vinod coaches from Indonesia, coaches from 119 federations have FIG Academy programme includes and then the federation must decide AYemen, Palestine, Egypt, participated in the programmes. lectures in biomechanics, anatomy, what status those results will confer ššFrom left, Chris South Africa, India, the Philippines, Approximately, 20 to 25 academies psychology, planning, training on its coaches. Evans, Ali Ahmed Asian body to hold Al Hitmi, rick Lebanon and Qatar took part in the are held every year around the theory, physiology and sport theory. “I thank the Qatar Gymnastics Challenge ahead of Worlds! mcCharles and Lilia Doha edition of the international world. Each of these has been prepared Federation (QGF) for hosting the ortiz at the FIG meeting in Doha Academy opening gymnastics federation (FIG) Since the FIG cannot hope to to meet the specific needs of programme. It’ll help coaches from ATAr is preparing to host also chairman of the organising “We organise the World session. Academy last week. teach all coaches in all countries, coaches. In addition, there are the region learn the basics on how the Ninth FIG Artistic World committee, told Doha Stadium Challenge Cup every year to boost HE Asian Gymnastics Union (AGU) will meet The FIG Academy is a worldwide the programme and all curriculum extensive in-gym technical sessions to handle young athletes. QChallenge Cup series’ Doha Plus. the sport’s profile and attract in Doha next January to discuss the sport’s education programme started materials are licensed to larger for all pieces of apparatus or “I was in Doha seven years leg from march 24 to 26. Gymnasts from as many as 33 youngsters to it,” he said. Tdevelopment on the continent and technical in 2002 to provide coaches in federations which have plenty technical requirements for each ago. I’m delighted that the sport The Qatar Gymnastics Federation countries are expected to feature Asked if hosting such events regulations for its competitions. all countries with a common of coaches. In this way, the FIG discipline and also for music, has developed in the country. (QGF) officials met last week to will really help promote the sport “We’re happy to host this meeting. Several knowledge base for the Academy content can become a choreography as well as artistic and Gymnastics is a great fitness sport assess the preparations. in the country, Al Hitmi said, “It’ll important topics including the sport’s development development of high-performance physical preparations. particularly for youngsters. I’ve “The tournament was one of WE ORGANISE THE definitely boost the sport’s profile on the continent will be discussed,” Qatar gymnasts. “Children are prone to injuries and noticed a keen interest among the the cornerstones of Qatar’s WORLD CHALLENGE CUP since gymnastics is gaining in Gymnastics Federation President Ali Ahmed Al FIG experts Chris Evans and rick EACH OF THESE HAS BEEN we’re trying to ensure the coaches children. That’s a positive sign for successful bid to host the 2018 EVERY YEAR TO BOOST popularity and our teams are Hitmi, who is also an AGU Executive Committee mcCharles (both Great britain), and PREPARED TO MEET THE have the best knowledge to deal any sport to attain popularity. Qatar FIG Artistic World Championships. THE SPORT’S PROFILE. doing well in the regional events. member and the head of West Asia region, told Lilia ortiz (mexico) conducted the SPECIFIC NEEDS with that. They should know the will be hosting the 2018 Artistic We want to use its next three The women’s participation is fully Doha Stadium Plus. week-long programme. OF COACHES. correct ways to manage if there’s a World Championships and that’s editions as dress rehearsals for encouraged and that shows our “Asia has several top gymnasts. We need to “The coaches were taught the problem,” said Evans. great news for the sport in the the high-profile competition. in the Doha leg, second in the seriousness. see how we can expand and promote the sport scientific aspects of the growth of a The course has also been region,” added Evans. We’ve great infrastructure and, seven-stop tour. The other legs “more schools are now showing beyond traditional powerhouses like China, Japan young gymnast. If they follow the significant part of their coaches’ supplemented with a QGF chief Ali Ahmed like every year, we’re sure the are Cottbus (Germany), Ljubljana interests to groom youngsters. and others. Even in the Arab region, there’re good information and processes provided education programme and can pre-academy ‘Foundations of Al Hitmi, who is also next edition too will be a big (Slovenia), Sao Paulo (brazil), varna We’ve extended them full support. performers. All they need are clear roadmaps and through the programme, they won’t be taught by the federations’ own Gymnastics’ curriculum developed an FIG board member, success,” QGF President Ali (bulgaria), Anadia (Portugal) and I’m sure the sport will grow guidelines,” he added. be making any big errors in training,” experts. as a replacement for the FIG general said, “Gymnastics is Ahmed Al Hitmi, who is osijek (Croatia). further.” Al Hitmi congratulated Japan’s Kohei Evans told Doha Stadium Plus. “It’s very much focused on the instructor programmes. becoming popular Uchimura, who won his sixth world The course in Doha had an protection of youngsters because The international federation in Qatar, so we were title in the men’s all-around event in equal share of theory and practical in gymnastics, we’re working does not certify or license coaches keen on developing Glasgow recently. The 26-year-old sessions. with younger boys and girls. It’s because it is the responsibility of our coaches. We were also won in team and high bar in the So far, 199 academies have imperative we look after their future,” each hosting federation. The FIG happy to have hosted the Scottish city. been held in 63 countries across said Evans. provides only the examination programme.” “Uchimura is considered as one of the greatest gymnasts of all time. The AGU congratulates him on his superb show at the tournament,” said Al Hitmi.

International gymnastics ‘Doha will federation (FIG) President Bruno Grandi said the 48th Artistic be exciting’ World Championships, to be held in Doha in 2018, was a great chance to develop the sport in the region. “The tournament will offer a new opportunity to promote gymnastics to a wider audience in the Gulf region,” said Grandi. “Gymnastics must consider going beyond its traditional setting in order to secure an even stronger future.” ššCoaches attend Doha won the bid at the FIG the FIG Academy Council’s meeting in Kuwait in clinic in Doha. may last year. www.dohastadiumplusqatar.com | WEDNESDAY, NovEmbEr 18, 2015 17

“Children are prone to injuries and we’re trying “Gymnastics is becoming popular in Qatar, WHAT to ensure coaches have the best knowledge to so we were keen on developing our coaches. THEY deal with that. They should know the correct We were happy to have hosted the programme. SAID ways to manage if there’s a problem. Ali Ahmed Al Hitmi, Qatar Gymnastics Federation President. Chris Evans, FIG expert. DSP/Vinod Divakaran DSP/Vinod

ššFrom left, Chris Evans, Ali Ahmed Asian body to hold Al Hitmi, rick Challenge ahead of Worlds! mcCharles and Lilia ortiz at the FIG meeting in Doha Academy opening ATAr is preparing to host also chairman of the organising “We organise the World session. the Ninth FIG Artistic World committee, told Doha Stadium Challenge Cup every year to boost HE Asian Gymnastics Union (AGU) will meet QChallenge Cup series’ Doha Plus. the sport’s profile and attract in Doha next January to discuss the sport’s leg from march 24 to 26. Gymnasts from as many as 33 youngsters to it,” he said. Tdevelopment on the continent and technical The Qatar Gymnastics Federation countries are expected to feature Asked if hosting such events regulations for its competitions. (QGF) officials met last week to will really help promote the sport “We’re happy to host this meeting. Several assess the preparations. in the country, Al Hitmi said, “It’ll important topics including the sport’s development “The tournament was one of WE ORGANISE THE definitely boost the sport’s profile on the continent will be discussed,” Qatar the cornerstones of Qatar’s WORLD CHALLENGE CUP since gymnastics is gaining in Gymnastics Federation President Ali Ahmed Al successful bid to host the 2018 EVERY YEAR TO BOOST popularity and our teams are Hitmi, who is also an AGU Executive Committee FIG Artistic World Championships. THE SPORT’S PROFILE. doing well in the regional events. member and the head of West Asia region, told We want to use its next three The women’s participation is fully Doha Stadium Plus. editions as dress rehearsals for encouraged and that shows our “Asia has several top gymnasts. We need to the high-profile competition. in the Doha leg, second in the seriousness. see how we can expand and promote the sport We’ve great infrastructure and, seven-stop tour. The other legs “more schools are now showing beyond traditional powerhouses like China, Japan like every year, we’re sure the are Cottbus (Germany), Ljubljana interests to groom youngsters. and others. Even in the Arab region, there’re good next edition too will be a big (Slovenia), Sao Paulo (brazil), varna We’ve extended them full support. performers. All they need are clear roadmaps and success,” QGF President Ali (bulgaria), Anadia (Portugal) and I’m sure the sport will grow guidelines,” he added. Ahmed Al Hitmi, who is osijek (Croatia). further.” Al Hitmi congratulated Japan’s Kohei Uchimura, who won his sixth world title in the men’s all-around event in Glasgow recently. The 26-year-old also won in team and high bar in the Scottish city. “Uchimura is considered as one of the greatest gymnasts of all time. The AGU congratulates him on his superb show at the tournament,” said Al Hitmi.

International gymnastics ‘Doha will federation (FIG) President Bruno Grandi said the 48th Artistic be exciting’ World Championships, to be held in Doha in 2018, was a great chance to develop the sport in the region. “The tournament will offer a new opportunity to promote gymnastics to a wider audience in the Gulf region,” said Grandi. “Gymnastics must consider going beyond its traditional setting in order to secure an even stronger future.” Doha won the bid at the FIG Council’s meeting in Kuwait in may last year. 18 WEDNESDAY, NovEmbEr 18, 2015 | www.dohastadiumplusqatar.com www.dohastadiumplusqatar.com | WEDNESDAY, NovEmbEr 18, 2015 19

BEACH VOLLEYBALL

şşGermany’s Qatar volleyball Association (QvA) event special. We got a positive feedback Lars Fluggen Al Mawlawi President Khalid Ali Al Mawlawi hopes from the FIvb while the participants’ smashes past the successful conduct of the World Tour testimonials spoke highly about the USA’s Philip upbeat open augurs well for the sport’s future. sport’s growth in our country,” he added. Dalhausser in the final. about “The FIvb officials rated our inaugural The QvA chief, however, remained coy edition high last year, but we didn’t find about the prospect of hosting a Grand future it perfect. We took it to a higher level Slam. this time,” said Al mawlawi. “We’ve to think seriously whether Though Qatar’s both teams failed to we want to go for the Grand Slam or SAND make it to the last eight, the QvA chief not. right now, all options are open. looked at the positives. We’ll choose the best one,” Al mawlawi “The presence of olympians made the added. TUNES! Doha happy hunting ground for Germany DOHA SUCCESSFULLY HOSTS THE SECOND oHA continued to be a happy are the best team in the world right WORLD TOUR QATAR OPEN TO STAKE CLAIM hunting ground for Germany now. They won three of the last Das their players triumphed for five tournaments and it just feels FOR MORE HIGH-PROFILE EVENTS SUCH AS the second straight year. awesome to beat them.” Lars Fluggen and markus bockermann said, “We had lost GRAND SLAM, WRITES SAJITH B WARRIER. bockermann defeated Nick Lucena two matches to the Americans and Philip Dalhausser 21-18, 16- before. It was really hard again this 21, 15-13 in 70 minutes in the final time and there was a big fight. It was ATAr has again proved the way the Qatar volleyball to secure their first victory over the awesome.” its organisational ability Association (QvA) has organised US pair in three attempts this year. Earlier, another US pair John Qby flawlessly hosting yet the Qatar open in the last two Germany’s Tim Holler and Jonas Hyden and Tri bourne defeated another international event. The years. It looks quite professional Schroder had won the inaugural sport’s world governing body and is capable of hosting bigger Qatar open last year. (FIvb) too has endorsed it. And events,” FIvb Technical Supervisor The Americans had won the IT WAS REALLY HARD the general feeling is that creamy miguel Quintana told Doha World Tour Finals semifinal at home AGAIN THIS TIME AND events are bound for Doha. Stadium Plus. in Fort Lauderdale in September THERE WAS A BIG FIGHT. As the Second World Tour Qatar Asked if the QvA should bid for a and Xiamen open final in China last IT WAS AWESOME. open, featuring 67 teams from 30 more glamorous Grand Slam event, month. countries, came to an end at the Quintana said he was all for it. Fluggen and bockermann thus Jefferson Al Gharafa courts last week, FIvb “I believe the QvA is ready to clinched the second title of the French challengers Youssef Krou and Pereira believes it is time the country eyed host a Grand Slam. The process for season, following last month’s Edouard rowlandson 21-15, 20-22, major events. allotting it begins with an official Fuzhou open, also in China. They 15-12 in 50 minutes to finish third. “FIvb is quite impressed with expression of interest. We’ll take a had finished runners-up in rio de “I thought it was easily one of our Janeiro. best performances this year,” said Qatar’s duo goes “It was very, very tough against Hyden. Nick and Phil ,” said Fluggen after “It was really fun and both teams down fighting collecting the winners’ purse of were making great play. I’m just glad $11,000. “I think these two guys we came out on top,” he added. ATAr’S Jefferson Pereira and Cherif Younousse went down fighting 17-21, 17-21 DSP/Vinod Divakaran DSP/Vinod Qto Austria’s Peter Eglseer and Daniel mullner in the second round. The Qatari pair had progressed to the knockout stage as Group H runners-up. call on getting that,” Quintana said. operational at Al Gharafa. also contributes to the annual “It was a high-level event. We did our best, but A serious issue Qatar might In ’13, the QvA entered into a ranking. it wasn’t enough,” rued Pereira, who partnered encounter while going for one of tie-up with FIvb to host World Tour Unlike other disciplines, beach Younousse for the first time since their fifth- the five double-gender Grands open event for three years, from volleyball mixes sport with place finish at the World Championship in the Slam of the year is about the ’14. As a trial, it organised the Arab entertainment. between serves, Netherlands last July. dress code, but Quintana offered a Championship in ’13 where the music is played, often accompanied Prior to that, Pereira was partnering Tiago Santos, solution. hosts’ Jefferson Pereira and Tiago by loud cheering from the crowd. but he was sidelined with a knee injury. “We, at FIvb, understand this Santos emerged as champions. Quintana believes the sport is About the new pair’s on-and-off presence on region’s cultural sensitivities very increasingly becoming a way of life. the World Tour, Pereira said, “We started playing well. We’ll help Qatar as much as “The World Tour Qatar open was together again as a team only recently. So we didn’t possible in this regard,” said the THE SPORT FOUND ITS FIvb’s 332nd men’s event since its have enough points. It’s difficult to feature on the Spaniard, who also commended FOOTING IN QATAR AFTER inception in 1987. The presence of şşLars Fluggen, World Tour without points. That’s the reason we the initiatives the QvA has been THE 2006 DOHA ASIAN many olympians has increased its left, and markus weren’t seen much this year,” he said. bockermann taking in developing beach GAMES. profile. Entertainment is an integral celebrate with The Qatar open was a rio olympic qualifier. volleyball. part of beach volleyball. Lots of the medals. However, all is not lost for the pair as they can The sport found its footing in fun activities take place during still make it by winning the Asian volleyball Qatar after the 2006 Doha Asian one of the 10 events on the FIvb the event. The families, especially RESULTS Confederation’s (AvC) Continental Cup, to be held in Lars Fluggen/markus bockermann (GEr) bt Nicholas 21-18, 16-21, 15-13 FINAL Miguel Games and it got a real fillip when calendar, the open, running from kids, enjoy this sport. For them Lucena/Philip Dalhausser (USA) Australia from June 15 to 21, 2016. The brazil-born Quintana the country hosted the Arab Games April to December every year, also it’s something more than a sport, THIRD-PLACE John Hyden/Tri bourne (USA) bt Youssef Krou/Edouard Pereira said he was looking forward to it. 21-15, 20-22, 15-12 in ’11. A year later, the Qatar beach serves as the olympic qualification. a social gathering I would say,” PLAY-OFF rowlandson (FrA) “I’m really looking forward to of the AvC Nicholas Lucena/Philip Dalhausser (USA) bt Youssef 15-21, 21-16, 15-7 volleyball Academy became partly The points from the tournament Quintana signed off. Krou/Edouard rowlandson (FrA) Continental Cup, which is the last chance for us to SEMIFINALS Lars Fluggen/markus bockermann (GEr) bt John Hyden/ go to rio. We’ll go all out to make the rio dream a 21-14, 16-21, 15-12 Tri bourne (USA) reality,” he added. www.dohastadiumplusqatar.com | WEDNESDAY, NovEmbEr 18, 2015 19

oHA continued to be a happy are the best team in the world right hunting ground for Germany now. They won three of the last Das their players triumphed for five tournaments and it just feels the second straight year. awesome to beat them.” Lars Fluggen and markus bockermann said, “We had lost bockermann defeated Nick Lucena two matches to the Americans and Philip Dalhausser 21-18, 16- before. It was really hard again this 21, 15-13 in 70 minutes in the final time and there was a big fight. It was to secure their first victory over the awesome.” US pair in three attempts this year. Earlier, another US pair John Germany’s Tim Holler and Jonas Hyden and Tri bourne defeated Schroder had won the inaugural Qatar open last year. The Americans had won the IT WAS REALLY HARD World Tour Finals semifinal at home AGAIN THIS TIME AND in Fort Lauderdale in September THERE WAS A BIG FIGHT. and Xiamen open final in China last IT WAS AWESOME. month. Fluggen and bockermann thus Jefferson clinched the second title of the French challengers Youssef Krou and Pereira season, following last month’s Edouard rowlandson 21-15, 20-22, Fuzhou open, also in China. They 15-12 in 50 minutes to finish third. had finished runners-up in rio de “I thought it was easily one of our Janeiro. best performances this year,” said Qatar’s duo goes “It was very, very tough against Hyden. Nick and Phil ,” said Fluggen after “It was really fun and both teams down fighting collecting the winners’ purse of were making great play. I’m just glad $11,000. “I think these two guys we came out on top,” he added. ATAr’S Jefferson Pereira and Cherif Younousse went down fighting 17-21, 17-21 Qto Austria’s Peter Eglseer and Daniel mullner in the second round. The Qatari pair had progressed to the knockout stage as Group H runners-up. also contributes to the annual “It was a high-level event. We did our best, but ranking. it wasn’t enough,” rued Pereira, who partnered Unlike other disciplines, beach Younousse for the first time since their fifth- volleyball mixes sport with place finish at the World Championship in the entertainment. between serves, Netherlands last July. music is played, often accompanied Prior to that, Pereira was partnering Tiago Santos, by loud cheering from the crowd. but he was sidelined with a knee injury. Quintana believes the sport is About the new pair’s on-and-off presence on increasingly becoming a way of life. the World Tour, Pereira said, “We started playing “The World Tour Qatar open was together again as a team only recently. So we didn’t FIvb’s 332nd men’s event since its have enough points. It’s difficult to feature on the inception in 1987. The presence of şşLars Fluggen, World Tour without points. That’s the reason we many olympians has increased its left, and markus weren’t seen much this year,” he said. bockermann profile. Entertainment is an integral celebrate with The Qatar open was a rio olympic qualifier. part of beach volleyball. Lots of the medals. However, all is not lost for the pair as they can fun activities take place during still make it by winning the Asian volleyball the event. The families, especially RESULTS Confederation’s (AvC) Continental Cup, to be held in Lars Fluggen/markus bockermann (GEr) bt Nicholas 21-18, 16-21, 15-13 FINAL kids, enjoy this sport. For them Lucena/Philip Dalhausser (USA) Australia from June 15 to 21, 2016. The brazil-born it’s something more than a sport, THIRD-PLACE John Hyden/Tri bourne (USA) bt Youssef Krou/Edouard Pereira said he was looking forward to it. 21-15, 20-22, 15-12 a social gathering I would say,” PLAY-OFF rowlandson (FrA) “I’m really looking forward to of the AvC Nicholas Lucena/Philip Dalhausser (USA) bt Youssef 15-21, 21-16, 15-7 Quintana signed off. Krou/Edouard rowlandson (FrA) Continental Cup, which is the last chance for us to SEMIFINALS Lars Fluggen/markus bockermann (GEr) bt John Hyden/ go to rio. We’ll go all out to make the rio dream a 21-14, 16-21, 15-12 Tri bourne (USA) reality,” he added. www.dohastadiumplusqatar.com

IKER CASILLAS

22 WEDNESDAY, NovEmbEr 18, 2015 | www.dohastadiumplusqatar.com www.dohastadiumplusqatar.com | WEDNESDAY, NovEmbEr 18, 2015 23

EQUESTRIANISM

of britain’s Scott brash (279) and bengtsson (277). A fifth place in ’11 was her previous best effort. Sheikh Ali optimistic Diniz sounded humble. “Doha is one of my favourite venues. When I’m here, I feel at despite heartbreak home. It’s only natural one does Fit For well at a venue one love being at. HEIKH Ali bin Khalid Al Thani said Sheikh Ali, the son of Qatar If you ride with love and believe in suffered a heartbreaking loss in Cycling Federation President Sheikh what you do, it makes life easier. Sfront of home fans in the 2015 Khalid bin Ali Al Thani. my horse was brilliant and she’s fit Global Champions Tour (GCT) Final Sheikh Ali recalled his introduction for love,” Diniz told Doha Stadium at the Al Shaqab Arena last week. to the world of equestrian sports. Plus, playing around with her The 33-year-old, astride First “It was my cousin who first mare’s name. Devision, had qualified for the introduced me to horses. I rode one Asked how she had prepared for final jump-off which also featured and was smitten. Later when my probably the biggest round of her Portugal’s Luciana Diniz, Germany’s career, she quipped. meredith michaels-beerbaum and Glory! “brash and bengtsson are two Sweden’s rolf-Goranbengtsson. THE PRESSURE GOT TO of the world’s best riders. I knew but Sheikh Ali’s horse stumbled ME AND I MISSED A I would only make things difficult on the first hurdle, which threw CHANCE TO STAND ON THE PORTUGUESE RIDER LUCIANA DINIZ PUTS for myself if I concentrated on their entire rhythm in disarray. PODIUM AT HOME. them. So I decided to focus on me, He eventually finished fourth, UP A FLAWLESS PERFORMANCE AT THE my horse and my jump. In the end, in 37.29sec, with eight penalties GLOBAL CHAMPIONS TOUR FINAL IN DOHA it all came down to how intensely against his name. school and the Qatar Equestrian The soft-spoken rider, who began Federation started offering riding TO EMERGE AS CHAMPION FOR THE FIRST competing as a seven-year-old, said, classes, I signed up for it. TIME, WRITES AJU GEORGE CHRIS. DINIZ STARTED IN “The pressure got to me and I missed “The instructors felt I had the DRESSAGE BEFORE a golden opportunity to stand on the potential and asked me to attend SWITCHING podium in front of my countrymen. lessons. I went to two summer DISCIPLINES AT 12. but I’m not too unhappy because camps in Ireland and tried out HE fans who thronged the Al pushed off with a yell. I ended the season in sixth place, different disciplines — cross-country, Shaqab Arena for the 2015 Just 36.10 seconds later, when the highest I’ve ever been in the dressage and show jumping. Though TGlobal Champions Tour (GCT) she leaned down to plant a kiss focused I was on myself,” she said. GCT. I was overall 21st in ’14 and many people felt I would excel Final waited with bated breath as on the neck of her horse, slick and Diniz and her family share a Sheikh Ali 31st a year earlier. With that kind of in dressage, thanks to my height, Portugal’s Luciana Diniz rode into glistening with perspiration, she special bond with horses, with her bin Khalid improvement, who knows, I may jumping was always more exciting the well-lit facility. had become the Doha leg winner father, mother and two brothers Al Thani end up in the top three next year,” for me. And I chose that,” he said. With more than €443,000 cash as well as overall champion. all excelling in various equestrian prize at stake, Diniz slowly The Father Emir HH Sheikh sports. She herself started in arrived, astride her light Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, dressage before switching The programme, which teaches “Even people who aren’t related brown mare Fit For Fun. The HH Sheikha mozah bint Nasser disciplines at 12. There has been no children how to become better to equestrian industry had an Show jumping team 45-year-old then walked Al misned and Qatar olympic looking back since then. individuals and improve society, amazing time. So we the horse to the centre Committee President HE Sheikh “I’ve been around horses my has been a huge hit. She has achieved what we event from next year of the course, stopped Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani entire life. That has helped me expanded it by including horses, wanted. It was a great there for a moment were among the dignitaries build a special bond with them, who she trains. HoW jumping is sure to get even more evening and we couldn’t to soak up the who watched the perfect end which’s very important when it “I’ve had many great interesting next year with the launch of the have done any better. atmosphere and to a perfect night of high-class comes to winning competitions. If I experiences as a rider and wanted SGlobal Champions League for teams. jumping. hadn’t taken up equestrian sports, to pass them on to the people The riders handled the Five riders, two of them ranked in top 30 in the Germany’s meredith michaels- I’ve no idea what else I would’ve around me. I encourage children pressure well. The support world and one under 25 years mandatory, can beerbaum (36.55) and Sweden’s done,” she said. to grow in five areas — physical, we’ve had from everybody was compete in the multi-leg event. overall points will rolf-Goran bengtsson (37.01) Diniz, who speaks five spiritual, emotional, ethical outstanding. decide the winner. finished second and third while languages, is so serious about her and social — in three essential Fahad Saad Al Qahtani, Al Shaqab Director. The tournament is expected to throw up fascinating Qatar’s Sheikh Ali bin Khalid Al twin passions — equestrianism environments, family, work and tactical battles and further energise the sport by Thani came fourth (37.29, eight and education — that she has society,” she said. creating new rivalries and alliances. penalties). created an ‘informal education ŠŠback row, from Top riders were quick to get behind it. Diniz won her maiden GCT philosophy’ called Goal.reality. » The writer can be contacted at: left, Scott brash, “As an individual rider, I’ve never had a Luciana Diniz overall title with 288 points, ahead option.Work (G.r.o.W). [email protected] and rolf-Goran team before. So that’s going to be a totally bengtsson on new experience. The variety will also the podium with certainly help our sport,” said Portuguese Qatar Equestrian Federation rider Luciana Diniz, who won the ’15 THE VERY TRAGEDY QUEEN OF President Hamad Global Champions Tour (GCT) title. bin Abdulrahman London olympic gold medallist BEGINNING FORCES CHANGE ALL TRADES Al Attiyah, his GCT counterpart Jan and GCT runner-up Scott brazil-born Diniz, who is competing Diniz followed her mother and A multi-linguist who speaks five Tops, right, and brash also praised the for Portugal since 2006, comes from a started her career in dressage, languages, Diniz keeps herself Longines chief initiative. family of equestrian enthusiasts. Her sharing a horse named marko. The fit by jogging, Zumba dancing, Walter von Kanel. “It’s very interesting father Arnaldo was an enthusiastic horse’s unexpected death, when boxing and also practising archery. polo player while her two brothers Diniz was just 11, shocked her so A passionate follower of mental and the next — Andre (2014 brazilian champion) much that she gave up on riding training, she has created her own step forward and Fabio (highest handicap 8 and altogether. but a month later, she coaching system and has written for our sport.

DSP/Mohan 9) — followed in his footsteps. Her had a change of heart and started books on it as well. She is a huge I’m thrilled to ABOUT DINIZABOUT third brother Arnaldo Filho is a keen pursuing showjumping. by 12, advocate of meditation, breathing be a part of motorsport enthusiast.Her mother she was the Children’s Jumping exercises and spiritual coaching. this innovative Lica, an eight-time brazilian National Champion in brazil and became event,” brash ššLuciana Diniz Dressage winner, entered the the junior champion twice, at 14 competes in the said. final in Doha. Guinness book of World records for and 18. the feat. www.dohastadiumplusqatar.com | WEDNESDAY, NovEmbEr 18, 2015 23

of britain’s Scott brash (279) and bengtsson (277). A fifth place in ’11 was her previous best effort. Sheikh Ali optimistic Diniz sounded humble. “Doha is one of my favourite venues. When I’m here, I feel at despite heartbreak home. It’s only natural one does well at a venue one love being at. HEIKH Ali bin Khalid Al Thani said Sheikh Ali, the son of Qatar If you ride with love and believe in suffered a heartbreaking loss in Cycling Federation President Sheikh what you do, it makes life easier. Sfront of home fans in the 2015 Khalid bin Ali Al Thani. my horse was brilliant and she’s fit Global Champions Tour (GCT) Final Sheikh Ali recalled his introduction for love,” Diniz told Doha Stadium at the Al Shaqab Arena last week. to the world of equestrian sports. Plus, playing around with her The 33-year-old, astride First “It was my cousin who first mare’s name. Devision, had qualified for the introduced me to horses. I rode one Asked how she had prepared for final jump-off which also featured and was smitten. Later when my probably the biggest round of her Portugal’s Luciana Diniz, Germany’s career, she quipped. meredith michaels-beerbaum and “brash and bengtsson are two Sweden’s rolf-Goranbengtsson. THE PRESSURE GOT TO of the world’s best riders. I knew but Sheikh Ali’s horse stumbled ME AND I MISSED A I would only make things difficult on the first hurdle, which threw CHANCE TO STAND ON THE for myself if I concentrated on their entire rhythm in disarray. PODIUM AT HOME. them. So I decided to focus on me, He eventually finished fourth, my horse and my jump. In the end, in 37.29sec, with eight penalties it all came down to how intensely against his name. school and the Qatar Equestrian The soft-spoken rider, who began Federation started offering riding competing as a seven-year-old, said, classes, I signed up for it. DINIZ STARTED IN “The pressure got to me and I missed “The instructors felt I had the DRESSAGE BEFORE a golden opportunity to stand on the potential and asked me to attend SWITCHING podium in front of my countrymen. lessons. I went to two summer DISCIPLINES AT 12. but I’m not too unhappy because camps in Ireland and tried out I ended the season in sixth place, different disciplines — cross-country, the highest I’ve ever been in the dressage and show jumping. Though focused I was on myself,” she said. GCT. I was overall 21st in ’14 and many people felt I would excel Diniz and her family share a Sheikh Ali 31st a year earlier. With that kind of in dressage, thanks to my height, special bond with horses, with her bin Khalid improvement, who knows, I may jumping was always more exciting father, mother and two brothers Al Thani end up in the top three next year,” for me. And I chose that,” he said. all excelling in various equestrian sports. She herself started in dressage before switching The programme, which teaches “Even people who aren’t related disciplines at 12. There has been no children how to become better to equestrian industry had an Show jumping team looking back since then. individuals and improve society, amazing time. So we “I’ve been around horses my has been a huge hit. She has achieved what we event from next year entire life. That has helped me expanded it by including horses, wanted. It was a great build a special bond with them, who she trains. HoW jumping is sure to get even more evening and we couldn’t which’s very important when it “I’ve had many great interesting next year with the launch of the have done any better. comes to winning competitions. If I experiences as a rider and wanted SGlobal Champions League for teams. hadn’t taken up equestrian sports, to pass them on to the people The riders handled the Five riders, two of them ranked in top 30 in the I’ve no idea what else I would’ve around me. I encourage children pressure well. The support world and one under 25 years mandatory, can done,” she said. to grow in five areas — physical, we’ve had from everybody was compete in the multi-leg event. overall points will Diniz, who speaks five spiritual, emotional, ethical outstanding. decide the winner. languages, is so serious about her and social — in three essential Fahad Saad Al Qahtani, Al Shaqab Director. The tournament is expected to throw up fascinating twin passions — equestrianism environments, family, work and tactical battles and further energise the sport by and education — that she has society,” she said. creating new rivalries and alliances. created an ‘informal education ŠŠback row, from Top riders were quick to get behind it. philosophy’ called Goal.reality. » The writer can be contacted at: left, Scott brash, “As an individual rider, I’ve never had a Luciana Diniz option.Work (G.r.o.W). [email protected] and rolf-Goran team before. So that’s going to be a totally bengtsson on new experience. The variety will also the podium with certainly help our sport,” said Portuguese Qatar Equestrian Federation rider Luciana Diniz, who won the ’15 TRAGEDY QUEEN OF President Hamad Global Champions Tour (GCT) title. bin Abdulrahman London olympic gold medallist FORCES CHANGE ALL TRADES Al Attiyah, his GCT counterpart Jan and GCT runner-up Scott Diniz followed her mother and A multi-linguist who speaks five Tops, right, and brash also praised the started her career in dressage, languages, Diniz keeps herself Longines chief initiative. sharing a horse named marko. The fit by jogging, Zumba dancing, Walter von Kanel. “It’s very interesting horse’s unexpected death, when boxing and also practising archery. Diniz was just 11, shocked her so A passionate follower of mental and the next much that she gave up on riding training, she has created her own step forward altogether. but a month later, she coaching system and has written for our sport. had a change of heart and started books on it as well. She is a huge I’m thrilled to pursuing showjumping. by 12, advocate of meditation, breathing be a part of she was the Children’s Jumping exercises and spiritual coaching. this innovative Champion in brazil and became event,” brash the junior champion twice, at 14 and 18. said. 24 WEDNESDAY, NovEmbEr 18, 2015 | www.dohastadiumplusqatar.com www.dohastadiumplusqatar.com | WEDNESDAY, NovEmbEr 18, 2015 25

MOTORSPORT

Losail to stay as season opener The Losail motocross Track will host the 2016 FIm motocross World Championship’s opening race on February 27. Saeed and Mishal Losail had created history by hosting the FIm Mission 2016 event under lights for the impress in Europe first time in 2013. After its success, HE Qatar motor and said Saeed. ACE QATARI DRIVER NASSER SALEH AL ATTIYAH DOES NOT WANT TO REST ON HIS LAURELS AS HE IS EAGER Youthstream, which holds motorcycle Federation At valencia, mishal had some the commercial rights TO EXTEND THE ALL-CONQUERING FORM TO NEXT SEASON, WRITES SAJITH B WARRIER. Abdulaziz finishes fourth (QmmF) riders Saeed Al mechanical problems during of the event, decided to T extend its contract with Sulaiti and mishal Al Naimi qualifying, but quickly made up ATAr’S Abdulaziz Al Kuwari in Argentina. It was followed by the Qatar motor and capped a fine European for it in the race. wound up his World rally fifth and fourth-place finishes in motorcycle Federation. Superbike season by finishing “I had a broken gearbox and FTEr a dream season where clear of Toyota’s Giniel de villiers on January 2 in buenos Aires. Immediately after Dakar, Nasser QChampionship support Portugal and Italy respectively before Qatar is the only sixth and 12th respectively the team worked very hard he won a record four titles, and Dirk von Zitzewitz. Nasser South America will be staging the will switch to a Skoda Fabia r5 for category (WrC 2) campaign with sponsorship issues forced a night race on the 19- in the final round at to fix it in time. I could leg calendar, which ends Nasser Saleh Al Attiyah is in had achieved his maiden Dakar event for the eighth straight year. his WrC 2 title defence. a fourth-place finish in the three-month break from July. valencia, Spain, last keep pace with rest of A in maggiora, Italy, on no mood to relax and has already triumph in a volkswagen Frenchman Stephane Though he will not compete in season-ending race in The 2013 WrC 2 September 25. week. the pack, which was the started planning his onward in ’11. Peterhansel is the only other driver its opening round in monte Carlo Wales. runner-up, who got both Saeed and most important thing,” journey. Nasser and baumel also went on to have won the Dakar twice on (January 22 to 24) as it is likely to Despite a broken the ministry of Youth mishal battled against said mishal. The ace Qatari driver put to rest to win the FIA World Cup for that continent. clash with his middle East rally I’ve been driving front-drive shaft and Sports’ backing, some of the best European “In each race, I improved all speculations about his Dakar Cross-Country rallies in the same “I’m really proud to have won Championship engagements, for the X-raid team putting paid to returned to competitive riders. my speed and reduced gap with rally title defence by confirming car last season. two editions of Dakar in South Nasser will be in action at the for three years now. their victory hopes, action in october with For Saeed, who made his the frontrunners. I’m happy to his participation for the X-raid As Nasser heads back to America. It’s something only mexican (march 4 to 6) and During this time, Abdulaziz and his british a third-place finish in debut in the series, it was a steep end the season on a positive note. team in a mINI All4 racing again. Argentina eyeing his third Dakar Argentinian legs (April 22 to 24). I’ve had a lot of co-driver marshall Clarke Australia. He then battled learning curve. This championship is considered The two-time World rally crown, his priorities are clear. “I’ll stick with Skoda Fabia r5 fought hard for a respectable his way to eighth in the “The conditions at valencia as a stepping stone to motoGP. experience in testing Championship support category “I’ve been driving for the IT HAD BEEN A FANTASTIC in WrC 2. It’s a good car. As of finish, which helped them end up penultimate leg in Spain. circuit were very difficult, as there There were a lot of quality riders (WrC 2) winner also revealed he X-raid team for three years now. YEAR FOR ME WITH FOUR now, I’ve lined up mexico and and rallying. I’ve been third overall in the championship . The 36-year-old will now head were strong winds that almost on the grid and competing with would vie for a hat-trick. During this time, I’ve had a lot of TITLES. I COULDN’T HAVE Argentina,” he added. able to win the Dakar “It was tough rally. The broken to Dubai to for the final round of blew me to the ground several them has given me a lot of “It had been a fantastic year for experience in testing and rallying. DONE ANY BETTER. Nasser said he was not keen and FIA World Cup for shaft dashed our hopes. but fourth middle East rally Championship times. I was able to gain confidence,” added mishal, a me with four titles. I couldn’t have I’ve been able to win the Dakar to step up to the WrC premium Cross-Country rallies in Wales and third overall in WrC 2 starting on November 27. With positions as the race progressed five-time Qatar Superbike done any better. but I don’t want and FIA World Cup for Cross- category. with the mINI All4 is a good result,” said Abdulaziz. compatriot Nasser Saleh Al Attiyah and that was a major positive,” champion. to rest on my laurels. It’s time for Country rallies with the mINI Stephane (Peterhansel) and myself “In the WrC, you’ll have to racing. The Ford Fiesta driver had started having clinched the title, Abdulaziz, me to think about the next year. All4 racing. results like this help have done so far. commit to at least 11 rallies, which the season with a fourth-place who is second in the standings is Nasser Saleh Al Attiyah I’m ready to defend my Dakar and build momentum and bring the “Now the plan is to go back and isn’t possible for me as it’ll clash finish in mexico before winning eyeing the runner-up spot. WrC 2 titles,” said Nasser. team closer together. We all are in win again. It would be something with my mErC and Cross-Country ŠŠNasser bin Nasser and his French co-driver buoyant mood ahead of our next really special to become the first fixtures. I’ll continue in WrC 2,” he Khalifa Al Attiyah mathieu baumel won the 2014 Dakar adventure,” said Nasser. driver to win three Dakars in South concluded. with, from left, Dakar, finishing a staggering 35min It’s 37th edition will commence America,” he said. benjamin menzies, mohammed Jaffar and Sultan Al balooshi on the podium.

Jaffar cruises to Motocross win

UWAIT’S mohammed Jaffar The UAE’s Sultan Al balooshi said Jaffar. won the Losail motocross brought up the last spot on the british rider ryan blair won the KChampionship’s second podium. support category while the UAE’s round last week. “It was a good outing for me. Ali Al Kubaisi reigned supreme in The red bull rider, who was I was racing against time to be the veterans’ event. engaged in a close battle with ready after coming straight from There was more joy for the UAE England’s benjamin menzies at an event in Dubai. I crashed twice when Ahmed Al Nuaimi triumphed the start of the race, gathered in the qualifiers, but managed to in the junior section. momentum towards the middle get my bike ready in time. I thank QmmF President Nasser bin before winning it by 4.197sec. the Qatar motor and motorcycle Khalifa Al Attiyah awarded the He had a best lap time of Federation (QmmF) for giving winners. ššNasser Saleh Al Attiyah will be back behind the wheels of mINI All4 racing for his 2:03.044, in the sixth, at the Losail me a chance to compete in this The next round will be held on Dakar rally title defence. motocross Track. professionally-run championship,” December 4. www.dohastadiumplusqatar.com | WEDNESDAY, NovEmbEr 18, 2015 25

ŠŠNasser bin Khalifa Al Attiyah with, from left, benjamin menzies, mohammed Jaffar and Sultan Al balooshi on the podium.

Jaffar cruises to Motocross win

UWAIT’S mohammed Jaffar The UAE’s Sultan Al balooshi said Jaffar. won the Losail motocross brought up the last spot on the british rider ryan blair won the KChampionship’s second podium. support category while the UAE’s round last week. “It was a good outing for me. Ali Al Kubaisi reigned supreme in The red bull rider, who was I was racing against time to be the veterans’ event. engaged in a close battle with ready after coming straight from There was more joy for the UAE England’s benjamin menzies at an event in Dubai. I crashed twice when Ahmed Al Nuaimi triumphed the start of the race, gathered in the qualifiers, but managed to in the junior section. momentum towards the middle get my bike ready in time. I thank QmmF President Nasser bin before winning it by 4.197sec. the Qatar motor and motorcycle Khalifa Al Attiyah awarded the He had a best lap time of Federation (QmmF) for giving winners. 2:03.044, in the sixth, at the Losail me a chance to compete in this The next round will be held on motocross Track. professionally-run championship,” December 4. 26 WEDNESDAY, NovEmbEr 18, 2015 | www.dohastadiumplusqatar.com www.dohastadiumplusqatar.com | WEDNESDAY, NovEmbEr 18, 2015 27

The Aspire Zone Foundation, in collaboration Futsal tourney with Qatar’s ministry of Foreign Affairs, for embassies will organise the Aspire Embassies Futsal MIXED ZONE | QATAR Tournament from Friday. Teams representing 18 embassies will be seen in action.

FOCUS ON QOC HORSERACING ֫ HANDBALL ֫ ֫ Exciting victory for GCC Sports Day could soon become a reality Qatar off to a flyer Umm Qarn’s Raedah ATAr emphasised the joint action by the six member importance of launching a nations in several areas. Qatar won Qsports day for the region as it a lot of praise internationally when Aju George Chris Turflight hosted the 85th Executive meeting it became the first country in the of Heads of olympic Committees in Gulf to launch the National Sports the Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC) Day in 2012. Further discussion ATAr opened their campaign mm Qarn’s raedah was brilliantly ridden by last week. on it will be held at the next in the Asian olympic Gaetan Faucon to an exciting victory over It was held under the meeting in the UAE next

QQualification Tournament Urassan in the Al rayyan owners Cup, a chairmanship of Qatar January. DSP/Mohan with back-to-back wins over Local-bred Pure Arabian race, at the Qatar racing olympic Committee (QoC) The meeting discussed ššDr Thani Abdulrahman Al Kuwari, third left, with other delegates. Uzbekistan and Japan at the Qatar and Equestrian Club last week. Secretary General Dr Thani the establishment of a Handball Association Complex last Alban de mieulle-schooled raedah hit the front Abdulrahman Al Kuwari. GCC sports arbitration International olympic Committee meanwhile, Sheikh Joaan qualify for next year’s olympic week. from the word go to win by a neck. Though rassan The GCC Sports Day committee and offered for governmental interference lifted. chaired the QoC’s 31st Extraordinary Games in rio de Janeiro. The hosts, placed in Group b, raced finished strongly, the former dug deep into its was one of the wholehearted QoC President HE Sheikh Joaan General Assembly meeting, Qatar’s shooter Nasser Saleh Al to a blazing start as they demolished reserves to ward off a spirited challenge. Taraf and several topics support to the bin Hamad Al Thani met with attended by Dr Al Kuwari and Attiyah and high jumper mutaz the Uzbeks 49-9 for one of their mekhbatt completed frame. discussed at Kuwait olympic the GCC olympic Committees’ presidents of all sports federations. barshim had both bagged bronze at most comprehensive wins in recent A thrilling finish was witnessed in the Local the meeting, Committee in secretary generals and discussed Sheikh Joaan urged the the 2012 London Games. times. but the World Championship Thoroughbred maiden Plate as well. Jassim Al which called its efforts to ways to enhance co-operation. GCC federations to extend their best It has also been decided that a silver medallists found the going Ghazali-trained Al Jamaaheer (Alberto Sanna up) for more get the ban Human and Environmental Affairs support to the country’s athletes court of arbitration would be set up a bit tougher against the nimble- staved off the challenge of Katara Iv to win by a short steps to imposed President Dr Adel bin Khalifa Al to help them perform at their to settle matters relating to athletes footed Japanese, who put up some şşQatar’s Youssef head. Tiryaq was third. enhance by the Zayani too was present. optimum level as they strive to and their employers. benali jumps resistance before surrendering to score against mohammed Kazim Al Ansari & Sons-owned Words 19-36. Uzbekistan. of A Prophet was brilliantly ridden by Seb Sanders SQUASH Qatar’s coach valero rivera, who to victory in the Thoroughbred maiden Plate. The ֫ recently had his contract extended President Ahmed mohammed Armymen start Ahmed Kobeissi trainee was in fourth position as the until the 2020 Tokyo olympics, Abdulrab Al Shaabi was happy with field straightened out for the home stretch. but once sounded guarded. the team’s strong start. with a bang put into top gear, Words of A Prophet powerfully It’s all about never “We’ve made a good start and the “Uzbekistan may not have been Qatar Cup and Emir’s Cup winners stretched away and won by one-and-a-half length important thing now is to maintain our strongest opponents, but the El Jaish made a strong start to from blazers rock. giving up, says Reda the momentum until the end. Saudi big win certainly gave us the perfect their Qatar League campaign by Earlier, HH Sheikh mohammed bin Khalifa Al Arabia, Iran and oman are also start to the competition. but we defeating Al Wakrah 34-21 at Thani’s Qassy (mared Al Sahra-The Write Stuff) GYPT’S mohamed reda stunned Germany’s there in our group. We won’t take shouldn’t be overjoyed and lose the Qatar Handball Association registered a start-to-finish victory in the Al Daayein top seed Jan Schoor 11-8, 8-11, 11-3 12-10 to Complex last week. any team lightly. our aim is to win Cup, a Pure Arabian race. clinch the inaugural Qatar Circuit Tournament The Armymen, who are looking E and qualify for the ’16 rio olympic to put the disappointment of Hassan Ali Hassan Al matwi-owned and trained last week. Games,” said rivera. WINNERS OF THE ASIAN finishing fourth in the 2014-15 Falot Del Falot (marco monteriso astride) powered The second seed, who survived a pulsating five- “I’m more motivated than ever EVENT WILL DIRECTLY league behind them, led 17-10 at his way to an emphatic victory in the Pure Arabian game semifinal thriller against Qatar’s Abdullah Al before because Qatar have never QUALIFY FOR THE 2016 RIO half-time. maiden Plate. The four-year-old colt won by eight Tamimi, was in blistering form in the final at the played at the quadrennial event. OLYMPIC GAMES. meanwhile, Al Gharafa started lengths from makk’hool. Khalifa International Complex, which lasted a little I want to help the national team their title defence with a hard- Abdullah Hassan Ali Abdulmalik-owned mister less than an hour. fought 21-19 win over Al Shamal. make more history,” said the ryan was ridden to victory by Darren Williams in the It was sweet revenge for reda, who had lost to The defending champions seemed şšEl Jaish players 64-year-old Spaniard. focus of the final goal. I’m confident to be out of depth against last Thoroughbred Graduation Plate race. Lighting Launch and officials with Schoor in the madison open quarterfinal last year.

Qatar had prepared for the we can reach rio,” he said. season’s bottom side, and were was three lengths behind in second, while red Divakaran DSP/Vinod the spoils. “In squash, it’s all about never giving up. We had tournament well, with extensive Group A constitutes bahrain, tied 11-11 at half-time. Connect finished third. played a tight quarterfinal tie last year which I lost VOLLEYBALL in four games. So this time, I wanted to win. He has training camps in Andorra, Turkey, South Korea, Iraq, China and Al Sadd, the 2014-15 runners- ֫ and barcelona, Spain. They also Australia. The final will be played on up, had it easy against Al Khor (36- RESULTS Super Cup a good attacking game, so I tried to keep the ball remained undefeated in the November 27. 17) while third-placed Al rayyan WEDNESDAY THURSDAY away from him,” said reda, who is 64th in the latest suffered some anxious moments Falot Del Falot (marco monteiso) 1, Al Jamaaheer (Alberto Sanna) 1, Katara Iv on Friday Four-Nation Friendly Tournament at While the winners of the Asian makk’hool 2, Al mundher 3, Ankor Class 2, Tiryaq 3, Sky metro 4. Won by: Shd, 1 ¾, Jaish reign supreme Professional Squash Association (PSA) rankings. before beating Qatar SC 37-33. Race 1 home, also featuring Saudi Arabia, event will directly qualify for rio, the 4. Won by: 8, 5, 8. owned and Trained by: 11. Trained by: Jassim Al Ghazali. owned by: Holders Al Arabi will take reda thus won his third title of the year following Lekhwiya too started off with a Hassan Ali Hasan Al matwi. Injaaz Stud. bahrain and China. runners-up will feature in another win, against Al Arabi (37-26) while Arabi looked weak after setter Saif on arch-rivals Al rayyan in the Norwegian open and Indian Circuit crown. Al Wasmiya (Almotasem Al balushi) 1, AJS Anfowan (Adrie De vries) 1, Wahhaaj 2, Sajith B Warrier Qatar Handball Association qualification tournament. Al Ahli drew El Quiyada 25-25. Daleem 2, Al moheeb 3. besha 4. Won by: Fer’ha 3, Chanson Du Soleil 4. Won by: Nk, Lemjid pulled out injured following the Second Super Cup on National Team Director Yousef Al malki and Qatar Race 2 Shd, 1 ¼, Nk . Trained by: mohammed Al ½, 1 ¼. Trained by: mohammed Al Yaqout. the first set. Friday. Squash Federation Technical Secretary Gamal rasmi Attiyah. owned by: Al Wasmiyah Farm. owned by: Al Jeryan Stud. The one-off tie features .FOCUS ON ASPIRE The absence of Qatar awarded the winners ֫ mister ryan (Darren Williams) 1,Lighting Words of A Prophet (Seb Sanders) 1, blazers the previous season’s Qatar Ţšmohamed reda, Launch 2, red Connect 3, Jazz 4. Won by: rock 2, Atlantic Sea 3, Wahshi 4. Won by: L JAISH sent an early warning internationals Ibrahim Saeed and League champions and right, returns to Jan The win fetched reda 265 PSA points Race 3 3, Hd, 1 ¼. Trained by: Debbie mountain. 1½, 2, Nk. Trained by: Ahmed Kobeissi. to rivals by winning the Juma Faraj, who were rested after Schoor. and Schoor 175. owned by: Abdullah Hassan Ali Abdulmalik. owned by: mohammed Kazim Al Ansari & Emir’s Cup winners. Arabi Nurturing tomorrow’s stars Sons. Eseason-opening Association the GCC Championship in riyadh, beat rayyan 22-25, 25- Haraz Al Naif (marvin Suerland) 1, Safwan Wahchey (richard mullen) 1, Saab 2, Cup at the Al Arabi Stadium last also cost them. 16, 25-23, 25-23 in the 2, Al marboush 3, Haashed 4. Won by: 1, 5, Naamah 3, raghed 4. Won by: 1, 1 ¼, ½. inaugural edition to set the ToTAL of 120 aspirants, in athletes’ performances and shares Aspire regularly hosts training Race 4 3 ½. Trained by: Yousef bentaher. owned Trained by: Jullian Smart. owned by: HH monday. “It’s good to start the season with the 14-17 age group from 45 it with them and their coaches. camps and competitions to support by: Shiekh Nasser bin Abdullah bin Nasser Sheikh mohammed bin Khalifa Al Thani. The Armymen beat Arabi 23-25, a triumph. but too much shouldn’t tone for the season, where they went on to annex the countries are benefiting from based on the data, the camp will the development of aspiring Al Thani. 25-23, 25-16, 25-18 to exact revenge be read into it as Arabi weren’t at A Count Curlin (richard mullen) 1, Protect 2, botanica (Alberto Sanna) 1, Leafcutter 2, Qatar Cup and Emir’s Cup the fortnight-long camp for rising help identify specific areas of athletes. In the last few years, the Cappucinno Delight 3, Napinda 4. Won by: Sejalaat 3, Qatar Light 4. Won by: 1, Hd, for last year’s defeat, also in the final. their full strength. but the good as well. stars in athletics (high jump) and development for each athlete. academy has brought together some Race 5 ¾, Nk, 6. Trained by: mohammed Jassim Shd. Trained by: Jassim Al Ghazali. owned When the teams had met in the thing is that our new players have Contests between Arabi Ghazali. owned by: Jassim mohamed Al by: Khalifa bin Sheail Al Kuwari. table tennis, jointly organised by ASPIrE Academy Director of Sport of the world’s finest young talents Gazali & Sons. group stage this time, Arabi had the gelled well quickly,” said Jaish coach and rayyan have always the ASPIrE Academy and olympic markus Egger said, “The number of to train and compete alongside its Qassy (Gulliambert) 1, meghwaar 2, Ashkal Jumaira Tower (Adrie De vries) 1, mudhish last laugh. Ljumobir Travica. been close affairs and 3, Aziz Al Shahania 4. Won by: Shd, 5, Hd. 2, Ningara 3, Elkhart 4. Won by: ¾, ¾, 1 ½. Council of Asia (oCA). It will end on participants reflects overall success student-athletes. It provides the Race 6 For the record, Jaish have now the latest face-off at the Trained by: Jassim Al Ghazali. owned by: HH owned and Trained by: Ibrahim Saeed Al RESULTS former’s backyard too November 29. of the camp’s contribution to the ideal opportunity for both groups to won all but one of the tournament’s FINAL Sheikh mohammed bin Khalifa Al Thani. malki. promises to be an exciting Participants are undergoing development of future generation of benefit from each other’s experience, Lesha (Pier Convertino) 1, Damascene 2, raedah (Gaetan Faucon) 1, rassan 2, Taraf four editions so far. El Jaish bt Al Arbai 23-25, 25-23, 25-16, 25-18 Tashiriyan 3, man Amongst men 4. Won 3, mekhbatt 4. Won by: Nk, 1¾, 2. Trained match-up. extensive training at the academy’s elite athletes from the region.” as well as important learning and Seasoned campaigner Christian SEMIFINALS Race 7 by: ½, 3, Hd. Trained by: majid Seifeddine. by: Alban De mieulle. owned by: Umm Al Arabi bt Al Ahli 20-25, 25-23, 25-21, 25-22 The winners will be advanced facilities. Aspire’s sport The participants will also test their development opportunities for owned by: rashid mubarak Aljafali Al Qarn. Pampel and new recruit Pape El Jaish bt Al richer by Qr100,000 and 25-19, 25-20, 23-25, 25-18 science team collects data on the mettle against each other. Qatar’s future stars. Naimi. magath impressed for them while rayyan runners-up Qr50,000. www.dohastadiumplusqatar.com | WEDNESDAY, NovEmbEr 18, 2015 27

The Aspire Zone Foundation, in collaboration Futsal tourney with Qatar’s ministry of Foreign Affairs, for embassies will organise the Aspire Embassies Futsal Tournament from Friday. Teams representing 18 embassies will be seen in action.

FOCUS ON QOC ֫ GCC Sports Day could soon become a reality ATAr emphasised the joint action by the six member importance of launching a nations in several areas. Qatar won Qsports day for the region as it a lot of praise internationally when hosted the 85th Executive meeting it became the first country in the of Heads of olympic Committees in Gulf to launch the National Sports the Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC) Day in 2012. Further discussion last week. on it will be held at the next It was held under the meeting in the UAE next

chairmanship of Qatar January. DSP/Mohan olympic Committee (QoC) The meeting discussed ššDr Thani Abdulrahman Al Kuwari, third left, with other delegates. Secretary General Dr Thani the establishment of a Abdulrahman Al Kuwari. GCC sports arbitration International olympic Committee meanwhile, Sheikh Joaan qualify for next year’s olympic The GCC Sports Day committee and offered for governmental interference lifted. chaired the QoC’s 31st Extraordinary Games in rio de Janeiro. was one of the wholehearted QoC President HE Sheikh Joaan General Assembly meeting, Qatar’s shooter Nasser Saleh Al several topics support to the bin Hamad Al Thani met with attended by Dr Al Kuwari and Attiyah and high jumper mutaz discussed at Kuwait olympic the GCC olympic Committees’ presidents of all sports federations. barshim had both bagged bronze at the meeting, Committee in secretary generals and discussed Sheikh Joaan urged the the 2012 London Games. which called its efforts to ways to enhance co-operation. GCC federations to extend their best It has also been decided that a for more get the ban Human and Environmental Affairs support to the country’s athletes court of arbitration would be set up steps to imposed President Dr Adel bin Khalifa Al to help them perform at their to settle matters relating to athletes enhance by the Zayani too was present. optimum level as they strive to and their employers.

SQUASH ֫ It’s all about never giving up, says Reda

GYPT’S mohamed reda stunned Germany’s top seed Jan Schoor 11-8, 8-11, 11-3 12-10 to Eclinch the inaugural Qatar Circuit Tournament last week. The second seed, who survived a pulsating five- game semifinal thriller against Qatar’s Abdullah Al Tamimi, was in blistering form in the final at the Khalifa International Complex, which lasted a little less than an hour. It was sweet revenge for reda, who had lost to şšEl Jaish players and officials with Schoor in the madison open quarterfinal last year.

DSP/Vinod Divakaran DSP/Vinod the spoils. “In squash, it’s all about never giving up. We had played a tight quarterfinal tie last year which I lost VOLLEYBALL in four games. So this time, I wanted to win. He has ֫ Super Cup a good attacking game, so I tried to keep the ball on Friday away from him,” said reda, who is 64th in the latest Jaish reign supreme Professional Squash Association (PSA) rankings. Holders Al Arabi will take reda thus won his third title of the year following Arabi looked weak after setter Saif on arch-rivals Al rayyan in the Norwegian open and Indian Circuit crown. Sajith B Warrier Lemjid pulled out injured following the Second Super Cup on National Team Director Yousef Al malki and Qatar the first set. Friday. Squash Federation Technical Secretary Gamal rasmi The one-off tie features The absence of Qatar awarded the winners. the previous season’s Qatar Ţšmohamed reda, L JAISH sent an early warning internationals Ibrahim Saeed and League champions and right, returns to Jan The win fetched reda 265 PSA points to rivals by winning the Juma Faraj, who were rested after Emir’s Cup winners. Arabi Schoor. and Schoor 175. Eseason-opening Association the GCC Championship in riyadh, beat rayyan 22-25, 25- Cup at the Al Arabi Stadium last also cost them. 16, 25-23, 25-23 in the monday. “It’s good to start the season with inaugural edition to set the The Armymen beat Arabi 23-25, a triumph. but too much shouldn’t tone for the season, where they went on to annex the 25-23, 25-16, 25-18 to exact revenge be read into it as Arabi weren’t at Qatar Cup and Emir’s Cup for last year’s defeat, also in the final. their full strength. but the good as well. When the teams had met in the thing is that our new players have Contests between Arabi group stage this time, Arabi had the gelled well quickly,” said Jaish coach and rayyan have always last laugh. Ljumobir Travica. been close affairs and For the record, Jaish have now the latest face-off at the RESULTS former’s backyard too won all but one of the tournament’s FINAL promises to be an exciting El Jaish bt Al Arbai 23-25, 25-23, 25-16, 25-18 four editions so far. match-up. Seasoned campaigner Christian SEMIFINALS Al Arabi bt Al Ahli 20-25, 25-23, 25-21, 25-22 The winners will be Pampel and new recruit Pape El Jaish bt Al richer by Qr100,000 and 25-19, 25-20, 23-25, 25-18 magath impressed for them while rayyan runners-up Qr50,000. 28 WEDNESDAY, NovEmbEr 18, 2015 | www.dohastadiumplusqatar.com www.dohastadiumplusqatar.com | WEDNESDAY, NovEmbEr 18, 2015 29

ATHLETICS

WHAT THEY SAID

“The decision is positive IAAF faces Olympic suspension news for clean athletes HE International The IAAF is reeling from the relating to the international worldwide. Association of Athletics aftermath of a major doping athletics federation because of the Ben Nichols, World Anti-Doping TFederations (IAAF) could scandal that has led to russia’s possibility that if we disclosed it, it INTROSPECTION Agency Spokesman. face recommendations that provisional suspension from all would jeopardise ongoing criminal include suspension from the competition following a WADA enquiries that’re being conducted HE International Association is to be unflinching in our “That’s probably the toughest olympics when the second report that uncovered evidence by the French police. “We send a clear message of Athletics Federations commitment to them and not just truth to face, but the sport must if part of the World Anti-Doping of state-controlled doping in the “We really haven’t reported on INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF ATHLETICS (IAAF) should have been in words. we’re to start our recovery. And the to clean athletes in a dirty Agency’s (WADA) report is country. the IAAF so we haven’t made the T system to report any doping FEDERATIONS CHIEF SEBASTIAN COE “more alert” during events that “We’ve to create structures search for the answer will be my released, according to one of IAAF President Sebastian Coe recommendations, we haven’t eventually saw world athletics’ that’re always in their corner and North Star,” he said. or cheating that they see or the doping body’s independent has conceded there are “unlikely to even revealed our findings in ADMITS THEY SHOULD HAVE BEEN MORE governing body suspend russia here none of us comes out very The IAAF Council suspended hear about. We are 100 commissioners. be many tomorrows for athletics” relation to the IAAF because of the ALERT TO THE THREATS OF CORRUPTION over state-sponsored doping, well, including my federation. The russia last week following the per cent in support of President Any decision to suspend the and WADA Commissioner richard ongoing sensitivities of the criminal AND DOPING, WRITES LUKE PHILLIPS. according to its president architecture of anti-doping has publication of a damning report Coe and believe that he’s the leader that IAAF from the Games would need investigation, but we’ll be doing Sebastian Coe. failed them,” he said. by an independent commission our sport needs to instigate the necessary to be made by the International that in the next report. Coe, writing in the Sunday In August, Coe had referred to set up by the World Anti-Doping actions swiftly and strongly. olympic Committee. WE’VE ALREADY BEGUN “I think I need to leave it at that.” Telegraph newspaper, was claims about suspicious blood Agency on mass doping in russian Frankie Fredericks, IoC member, IAAF Council A ROOT-AND-BRANCH In response to mcLaren’s elected to the post in August after athletics. member and IAAF Athletics’ Commission Chairman. REFORM PROGRAMME comments, the IAAF said focus was spending eight years as deputy Although the suspension is WITHIN THE IAAF. on making the All-russia Athletic to Lamine Diack, who is being THE BEST WAY TO provisional, without a time limit Federation “compliant for re-entry investigated by French police on PROTECT ATHLETES IS TO and with immediate effect, “Council examined this matter into international competition”. suspicion of having taken more BE UNFLINCHING IN OUR eight months ahead of the 2016 very thoughtfully, fully mcLaren did not rule out a “our job right now is to focus than €1m in payments to cover up COMMITMENT TO THEM. olympics, questions remain aware of the extraordinary provisional suspension for the on the work that needs to be positive drugs tests. whether a russian team will be on action we ultimately decided world governing body of track and done to make the ArAF compliant Citing 18th-century political the road to rio. to take. From Council’s field. with the IAAF and, together with thinker and philosopher Edmund profiles involving some athletes as The length of russia’s exile perspective, in light of the “That might well be some WADA, compliant for re-entry into burke’s quote which says “All that’s “a declaration of war on my sport”. depends on the country evidence, suspension was the only recommendations that come international competition,” an IAAF necessary for evil to triumph is but in his column, he recognised implementing adequate proper course of action. forward when we do the second statement read. for good men to do nothing”, the role of a German television anti-doping measures, and can phase of our report,” “We’ll continue to work Stephanie Hightower, USA Track & Field President Coe wrote, “It’s an observation documentary in leading to the only be lifted by a new vote of the and IAAF Council member. mcLaren said when alongside WADA with whom we that stabs between the ribs, three investigations which exposed IAAF Council whose next meeting asked if the IAAF developed the Athlete biological and something that I’ve russia’s wrongdoing. is scheduled for November 26 and could face a possible Passport to review its processes thought about restlessly “Could I, should I’ve inserted 27 in monaco. “The right decision, time for suspension from next and, if any failings are found, and incessantly over myself into the three independent In the worst-case scenario the serious reform and proud to year’s rio Games. redress them and we’ve already the past awful week for investigations?” Coe asked. All-russia Athletic Federation stand behind our Athlete “We had to begun a root-and-branch reform athletics. “Possibly. Should we all have been has four months to propose Commission statement. withhold some programme within the IAAF,” it “The best way to more alert and in tune with our solutions before going before Paula Radcliffe, britain’s marathon information continued. protect clean athletes natural instincts? Almost certainly. the council again. world record holder.

RUSSIA’S BAN SUSPENSION WHAT WILL We’re ready for reforms, says Russia

MEANS DOES NOT… HAPPEN scandal in several decades and working with the WADA and IAAF. Kenya sets up Athletes, and athlete support Prevent athletes in russia Unless the ArAF voluntarily Jack Stubbs could cost it a place at next year’s “The roC is firmly convinced that anti-doping personnel from russia may from participating in domestic accepts a full suspension, the olympics in rio. honest athletes must participate not compete in international competitions. International Association of agency competitions including Athletics Federations (IAAF) russian Sports minister vitaly in the olympic Games in rio de the World Athletic Series remove or waive the is entitled to proceed to a USSIA has set out a mutko said he had agreed a road Janeiro,” said its head Alexander Kenya, under scrutiny amid competitions and olympic obligations on international- full hearing on whether the three-month road map to map with IAAF head Sebastian Coe Zhukov. allegations of widespread Games. level athletes in russia to provisional suspension should clean up its act, with the and that his nation would soon be “At the same time, everyone who doping in world athletics, comply with the IAAF be made into a full suspension. R russia will not be entitled to Anti-Doping rules, including nation’s olympic Committee compliant with the association’s was involved in the use of illicit last week announced the host next year’s World race continuing to be subject to To regain membership to the spearheading efforts to ensure a rules. drugs and contributed to it, should immediate establishment of an Walking Cup (Cheboksary) and out-of-competition testing. IAAF, the new federation will doping scandal does not prevent “In three months, we’ll once take full responsibility.” anti-doping agency. Coming just a day after the World Junior Championships have to fulfil a list of criteria. honest athletes from competing again go to the international mutko said elections to replace (Kazan). An inspection team led by world athletics governing body Independent Chair rune at the 2016 Games. almost the entire ArAF leadership (IAAF), banned russia over The All-russia Athletic Andersen, an independent The International would be held in the next two “state-sponsored” doping, the Federation (ArAF) must international anti-doping Association of Athletics THE ALLEGATIONS COULD months. Kenyan government released delegate all outstanding doping expert, and three members details of the new initiative cases to the Court of Arbitration of the IAAF Council, will be Federations (IAAF) had voted COST RUSSIA A PLACE AT Acting Head vadim Zelichenok for Sport. appointed in the next few days. overwhelmingly last week NEXT YEAR’S OLYMPICS IN was quick to announce he would with the aim of assuaging to suspend the All-russia RIO DE JANEIRO. not be standing, having earlier said concerns over the east African country’s internal anti-doping Athletic Federation (ArAF) he was prepared to step down to Vitaly policy. following allegations of help his country recover from the Mutko many in Kenya fear doping We’ve to create widespread and federation to present ourselves doping scandal. is rife among their top-class structures that’re state-sponsored doping. as compliant with its standards,” International olympic Committee athletes — runners who have always in their corner The allegations, mutko said. President Thomas bach said he was been the source of enormous and here none of made by a special “We hope our team will be sure clean russian athletes would national pride. us comes out very commission of the reinstated.” compete at the 2016 Games. more than 30 Kenyan athletes have been suspended well, including my World Anti-Doping The russian olympic Committee “We’re confident the initiatives and five more banned since federation. Agency (WADA), have (roC) said it would take charge of being proposed... will ensure 2012 after testing positive Sebastian Sebastian Coe caused the country’s a programme to reform the ArAF compliance as soon as possible,” he for banned performance- Coe biggest sporting and russian Anti-Doping Agency, added. enhancing drugs. www.dohastadiumplusqatar.com | WEDNESDAY, NovEmbEr 18, 2015 29

WHAT THEY SAID

scandal in several decades and working with the WADA and IAAF. Kenya sets up Jack Stubbs could cost it a place at next year’s “The roC is firmly convinced that anti-doping olympics in rio. honest athletes must participate russian Sports minister vitaly in the olympic Games in rio de agency USSIA has set out a mutko said he had agreed a road Janeiro,” said its head Alexander Kenya, under scrutiny amid three-month road map to map with IAAF head Sebastian Coe Zhukov. allegations of widespread Rclean up its act, with the and that his nation would soon be “At the same time, everyone who doping in world athletics, nation’s olympic Committee compliant with the association’s was involved in the use of illicit last week announced the spearheading efforts to ensure a rules. drugs and contributed to it, should immediate establishment of an doping scandal does not prevent “In three months, we’ll once take full responsibility.” anti-doping agency. Coming just a day after the honest athletes from competing again go to the international mutko said elections to replace world athletics governing body at the 2016 Games. almost the entire ArAF leadership (IAAF), banned russia over The International would be held in the next two “state-sponsored” doping, the Association of Athletics THE ALLEGATIONS COULD months. Kenyan government released Federations (IAAF) had voted COST RUSSIA A PLACE AT Acting Head vadim Zelichenok details of the new initiative overwhelmingly last week NEXT YEAR’S OLYMPICS IN was quick to announce he would with the aim of assuaging to suspend the All-russia RIO DE JANEIRO. not be standing, having earlier said concerns over the east African country’s internal anti-doping Athletic Federation (ArAF) he was prepared to step down to Vitaly policy. following allegations of help his country recover from the Mutko many in Kenya fear doping widespread and federation to present ourselves doping scandal. is rife among their top-class state-sponsored doping. as compliant with its standards,” International olympic Committee athletes — runners who have The allegations, mutko said. President Thomas bach said he was been the source of enormous made by a special “We hope our team will be sure clean russian athletes would national pride. commission of the reinstated.” compete at the 2016 Games. more than 30 Kenyan athletes have been suspended World Anti-Doping The russian olympic Committee “We’re confident the initiatives and five more banned since Agency (WADA), have (roC) said it would take charge of being proposed... will ensure 2012 after testing positive caused the country’s a programme to reform the ArAF compliance as soon as possible,” he for banned performance- biggest sporting and russian Anti-Doping Agency, added. enhancing drugs. 30 WEDNESDAY, NovEmbEr 18, 2015 | www.dohastadiumplusqatar.com www.dohastadiumplusqatar.com | WEDNESDAY, NovEmbEr 18, 2015 31

Denmark will apply to host the opening stage of Denmark target the 2018 Tour de France. bjarne riis is the only Dane to have won the Tour De France when he Tour de France triumphed in 1996, but the cycling-mad nation has MIXED ZONE | INTERNATIONAL previously hosted the road World Championships in 2011 and the start of the Giro d’Italia in ’12.

֫ ŠŠCzech republic ֫ GOLF team members MOTORSPORT RESULTS are ecstatic after FORMULA ONE winning the Fed 1. Nico rosberg (GEr) mercedes 1:31:09 McDowell snaps Cup by defeating 2. Lewis Hamilton (Gbr) mercedes at 7.7 russia in the final. Rosberg smashes 3. Sebastian vettel (GEr) Ferrari 14.2 4. Kimi raikkonen (FIN) Ferrari 47.5 title drought 5. valtteri bottas (FIN) Williams 1 lap WORLD RALLY CHAMPIONSHIP orTHErN Ireland’s Graeme mcDowell ended 1. Sebastien ogier (FrA) volkswagen 3:03:02 Hamilton’s dream 2. Kris meeke (Gbr) Citroen at 26.01 a title drought of more than two years on the 3. A mikkelsen (Nor) volkswagen 36.2 NPGA Tour with a spectacular play-off victory ErCEDES’ Nico Rosberg fifth of the year, second in a row 4. Daniel Sordo (ESP) Hyundai 2:51.3 in the weather-delayed oHL Classic at mayakoba in won the brazilian and 13th of his career, and secured 5. Hayden Paddon (NZ) Hyundai 3:00.5 mexico. MFormula one Grand Prix the German second place in a STANDINGS mcDowell sealed the win after very nearly holing for the second year in a row and championship already won by his FORMULA ONE out with a five-iron on the first extra hole at the denied team-mate Lewis Hamilton british rival. DRIVERS El Camaleon Golf Club in Playa del Carmen, his a first success in the homeland of “I had good pace, it’s just you 1. Lewis Hamilton (Gbr) 363 2. Nico rosberg (GEr) 297 approach shot grazing the rim of the cup before his late hero Ayrton Senna. can’t overtake here,” said Hamilton, ֫ Sebastian vettel (GEr) 266 ššmalaysia’s Lee .3 finishing just three feet away. Triple champion Hamilton, who started on the front row 4. valtteri bottas (FIN) 136 Chong Wei returns BADMINTON The 36-year-old tapped in for birdie to edge out who has now failed in alongside rosberg, but 5. Kimi raikkonen (FIN) 135 against China’s Chen Scotland’s russell Knox and American Jason bohn, nine attempts to win in could not find a way past CONSTRUCTORS Long during their singles final. the trio having finished the regulation 72 holes at brazil, finished 7.75sec his team-mate into the 1. mercedes 660 China Open goes 2. Ferrari 401 18-under-par 266. behind for mercedes’s opening corner despite 3. Williams 253 mcDowell, who had not won on the PGA Tour 11th 1-2 in 18 races so trying hard. 4. red bull 178 Lee Chong’s Wei! since the rbC Heritage in April, 2013, closed with a far this season. The briton, who 5. Force India 120 five-under 66, Knox with a matching 66 and bohn Ferrari’s Sebastian vettel clinched his third WORLD RALLY CHAMPIONSHIP ormEr world No.1 Lee Chong Wei beat current with a 68. finished third for his 79th championship in Texas last DRIVERS top-ranked player Chen Long 21-15, 21-11 to 1. Sebastien ogier (FrA) 263 meanwhile, Sweden’s Kristoffer broberg prevailed podium finish. month, has spoken much of his win the China open. 2. Jari-matti Latvala (FIN) 183 F TENNIS “Yeah guys, awesome. It was wish to win in brazil, but he will 3. Andreas mikkelsen (Nor) 171 Lee dismissed China’s Chen in 50 minutes at the in a play-off with American Patrick reed to clinch ֫ the BMW Masters title in Shanghai. a good challenge from Lewis have to wait another year. 4. mads ostberg (Nor) 116 Haixia olympic Sports Centre in Fuzhou, denying the American reed (67) and broberg (68) had earlier (Hamilton), but I was able to Ferrari’s Kimi raikkonen 5. Kris meeke (Gbr) 112 top seed his sixth Super Series title of the year. finished with identical 72-hole totals of 17-under control the pace,” said rosberg finished fourth with compatriot CONSTRUCTORS Lee, currently unseeded after an eight-month 1. volkswagen 414 271 at the Lake malaren Golf Club. after controlling the race from pole valtteri bottas fifth for Williams 2. Citroen 230 doping ban, has had a patchy year that saw him but broberg made a birdie three at the first extra to chequered flag. and securing that team’s third 3. Hyundai 224 make early exits in Japan, South Korea and Denmark, hole to win his maiden European Tour title. The victory in the season’s place overall for the second year 4. m-Sport 181 and had lost to Chen in their last four meetings. Elsewhere, Thai teenager Danthai boonma won Czech power! penultimate race was rosberg’s in a row. 5. volkswagen 2 131 The malaysian beat longtime rival and five-time his first Asian Tour title by claiming theWorld HE Czech republic defended punishing forehand that world champion Lin Dan to reach the final, in a hard- Classic Championship by one shot following a their Fed Cup title last Sunday RESULTS overpowered the russian. fought three games that may silence critics who have CZECH REPUBLIC BT RUSSIA 3-2 final-round two-under-par 69 at Laguna National. as Karolina Pliskova became maria Sharapova (rUS) bt The 23-year-old was then forced questioned Lee’s fitness since he returned to the T 6-3, 6-4 the home team’s star in their K a r o l i n a Pl i s ko va ( C Z E ) to return to the court and partner court. Petra Kvitova (CZE) bt Anastasia thrilling 3-2 come-from-behind 2-6, 6-1, 6-1 barbora Strycova in the decisive “I’m really happy to have won the China open on Pavlyuchenkova (rUS) victory over russia. doubles after world No. 4 Lucie the home court of Lin Dan and Chen Long,” said Lee. maria Sharapova (rUS) bt Petra 3-6, 6-4, 6-2 Pliskova not only won her singles Kvitova (Czech republic) Safarova was unable to play due to meanwhile, in the women’s final, China’s world Karolina Pliskova (CZE) bt rubber to tie the match at 2-2, but 6-3, 6-4 an injury. No.6 Li Xuerui beat top seed and defending then returned to the court after Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova (rUS) Though the pair lost the first set champion India’s Saina Nehwal 21-12, 21-15. Karolina Pliskova/barbora just a 30-minute break to help Strycova (CZE) bt Anastasia and looked in deep trouble, they Former world No.1 and olympic champion Li 4-6, 6-3, 6-2 secure another comeback victory Pavlyuchenkova/Elena vesnina rebounded to earn a 4-6, 6-3, 6-2 continued a solid run in Fuzhou after scooping the in the final set of the deciding (rUS) victory over russians Elena vesnina title in Denmark last month. doubles. and Pavlkyuchenkova. CRICKET It enabled the Czechs to celebrate Pliskova, who reckoned she was ֫ their fourth Fed Cup triumph in five KAROLINA PLISKOVA not worried about fatigue after being years in the event regarded as the WAS THE ARCHITECT OF thrust into the key doubles, said, World Cup of women’s game — and CZECH REPUBLIC’S FOURTH “Even though we lost the first set, we şšGermany’s Starc breaks Test şGraeme Š they succeeded despite russian star TRIUMPH IN FIVE YEARS. believed we could win.” mercedes driver mcDowell poses Nico rosberg drives with the trophy. maria Sharapova winning both her The russians had also made a during the mexican speed barrier last-minute change in the doubles Grand Prix. singles matches. by electing to match vesnina USTrALIA’S Mitchell Starc bowled the South Korea’s Park In-Bee Having started the final day level with Pavlyuchenkova rather than fastest delivery ever measured at a Test It’s a walk powered to her fifth LPGA victory of the season after at 1-1, the home side fell behind her Grand Slam-winning partner Ogier ends season on a high Amatch when the fourth ball of his 21st over in the Park firing an eight-under-par 64 in the best-of-five series after Ekaterina makarova, who had not against New Zealand at Perth was clocked at 160.4 for In-Bee to capture the Lorena ochoa Sharapova defeated their top player, played since the US open. oLKSWAGEN’S world rally to make it better,” said ogier. ogier had already won his third kilometres per hour. Invitational in mexico by three two-time Wimbledon champion It looked to be paying dividends champion Sebastien Ogier ogier’s team mate Jari-matti consecutive title in Australia in The left-arm paceman fell just strokes. Petra Kvitova 3-6, 6-4, 6-2. as the visitors got off to a quick Vsecured his eighth victory Latvala won the final power stage, September while volkswagen short of joining the “100 miles It was a dominant Pliskova, playing in her first Fed start, grabbing the first set against of the season in the final round in worth three bonus points, to finish have retained their manufacturers’ per hour” club as the speed of performance by Park, who Cup final, tied the score opponents who were playing Wales. crown. the yorker, which was blocked finished at 18-under-par in her first appearance since after cruising to a doubles together for the first time. The Frenchman beat Citroen’s by ross Taylor, translates into withdrawing in China recently 6-3, 6-4 victory Yet Pliskova and Strycova quickly Northern Irish driver Kris meeke by THE FRENCHMAN HAD the imperial scale at 99.67 mph. ago because of a cyst on a over Anastasia recovered, storming back to take 26sec on a wet race in South Wales. ALREADY WON HIS THIRD The recording of the speed finger. Spain’s Carlota Ciganda Pavlyuchenkova the next two Norway’s Andreas mikkelsen was CONSECUTIVE WORLD of deliveries is a relatively recent shot a nine-under-par 63 to with a service sets in front of third in a volkswagen. TITLE IN SEPTEMBER. development in the long history of the game and an finish second at 15-under, game and a boisterous “We finished the best way we inexact science given the lack of uniformity in the while Kim Sei-young was third home crowd could. It’s been a fantastic season, speed gun technology utilised. at 13-under. Park began the day with a three-stroke lead over at the o2 arena with only a small mistake in Spain second overall in the championship. A delivery from Pakistan paceman Shoaib Akhtar compatriot Kim, but saw her as the russians otherwise it could have been nine mikkelsen and Poland’s former in a one-Day International against England in South edge trimmed to just one after Karolina committed 28 victories. our level of performance Formula one driver robert Kubica Africa in 2003, which was measured at 161.3kph, is the second hole. Pliskova unforced errors. was very high and it will be difficult took the other bonus points. the fastest on record. www.dohastadiumplusqatar.com | WEDNESDAY, NovEmbEr 18, 2015 31

Denmark will apply to host the opening stage of Denmark target the 2018 Tour de France. bjarne riis is the only Dane to have won the Tour De France when he Tour de France triumphed in 1996, but the cycling-mad nation has previously hosted the road World Championships in 2011 and the start of the Giro d’Italia in ’12.

MOTORSPORT RESULTS ֫ FORMULA ONE 1. Nico rosberg (GEr) mercedes 1:31:09 2. Lewis Hamilton (Gbr) mercedes at 7.7 Rosberg smashes 3. Sebastian vettel (GEr) Ferrari 14.2 4. Kimi raikkonen (FIN) Ferrari 47.5 5. valtteri bottas (FIN) Williams 1 lap WORLD RALLY CHAMPIONSHIP 1. Sebastien ogier (FrA) volkswagen 3:03:02 Hamilton’s dream 2. Kris meeke (Gbr) Citroen at 26.01 3. A mikkelsen (Nor) volkswagen 36.2 ErCEDES’ Nico Rosberg fifth of the year, second in a row 4. Daniel Sordo (ESP) Hyundai 2:51.3 won the brazilian and 13th of his career, and secured 5. Hayden Paddon (NZ) Hyundai 3:00.5 MFormula one Grand Prix the German second place in a STANDINGS for the second year in a row and championship already won by his FORMULA ONE denied team-mate Lewis Hamilton british rival. DRIVERS a first success in the homeland of “I had good pace, it’s just you 1. Lewis Hamilton (Gbr) 363 2. Nico rosberg (GEr) 297 his late hero Ayrton Senna. can’t overtake here,” said Hamilton, ֫ Sebastian vettel (GEr) 266 ššmalaysia’s Lee .3 Triple champion Hamilton, who started on the front row 4. valtteri bottas (FIN) 136 Chong Wei returns BADMINTON who has now failed in alongside rosberg, but 5. Kimi raikkonen (FIN) 135 against China’s Chen nine attempts to win in could not find a way past CONSTRUCTORS Long during their singles final. brazil, finished 7.75sec his team-mate into the 1. mercedes 660 China Open goes 2. Ferrari 401 behind for mercedes’s opening corner despite 3. Williams 253 11th 1-2 in 18 races so trying hard. 4. red bull 178 Lee Chong’s Wei! far this season. The briton, who 5. Force India 120 Ferrari’s Sebastian vettel clinched his third WORLD RALLY CHAMPIONSHIP ormEr world No.1 Lee Chong Wei beat current finished third for his 79th championship in Texas last DRIVERS top-ranked player Chen Long 21-15, 21-11 to 1. Sebastien ogier (FrA) 263 podium finish. month, has spoken much of his win the China open. 2. Jari-matti Latvala (FIN) 183 F “Yeah guys, awesome. It was wish to win in brazil, but he will 3. Andreas mikkelsen (Nor) 171 Lee dismissed China’s Chen in 50 minutes at the a good challenge from Lewis have to wait another year. 4. mads ostberg (Nor) 116 Haixia olympic Sports Centre in Fuzhou, denying the (Hamilton), but I was able to Ferrari’s Kimi raikkonen 5. Kris meeke (Gbr) 112 top seed his sixth Super Series title of the year. control the pace,” said rosberg finished fourth with compatriot CONSTRUCTORS Lee, currently unseeded after an eight-month 1. volkswagen 414 after controlling the race from pole valtteri bottas fifth for Williams 2. Citroen 230 doping ban, has had a patchy year that saw him to chequered flag. and securing that team’s third 3. Hyundai 224 make early exits in Japan, South Korea and Denmark, The victory in the season’s place overall for the second year 4. m-Sport 181 and had lost to Chen in their last four meetings. penultimate race was rosberg’s in a row. 5. volkswagen 2 131 The malaysian beat longtime rival and five-time world champion Lin Dan to reach the final, in a hard- fought three games that may silence critics who have questioned Lee’s fitness since he returned to the court. “I’m really happy to have won the China open on the home court of Lin Dan and Chen Long,” said Lee. meanwhile, in the women’s final, China’s world No.6 Li Xuerui beat top seed and defending champion India’s Saina Nehwal 21-12, 21-15. Former world No.1 and olympic champion Li continued a solid run in Fuzhou after scooping the title in Denmark last month. CRICKET ֫

şšGermany’s Starc breaks Test mercedes driver Nico rosberg drives during the mexican speed barrier Grand Prix. USTrALIA’S Mitchell Starc bowled the fastest delivery ever measured at a Test Ogier ends season on a high Amatch when the fourth ball of his 21st over against New Zealand at Perth was clocked at 160.4 oLKSWAGEN’S world rally to make it better,” said ogier. ogier had already won his third kilometres per hour. champion Sebastien Ogier ogier’s team mate Jari-matti consecutive title in Australia in The left-arm paceman fell just Vsecured his eighth victory Latvala won the final power stage, September while volkswagen short of joining the “100 miles of the season in the final round in worth three bonus points, to finish have retained their manufacturers’ per hour” club as the speed of Wales. crown. the yorker, which was blocked The Frenchman beat Citroen’s by ross Taylor, translates into Northern Irish driver Kris meeke by THE FRENCHMAN HAD the imperial scale at 99.67 mph. 26sec on a wet race in South Wales. ALREADY WON HIS THIRD The recording of the speed Norway’s Andreas mikkelsen was CONSECUTIVE WORLD of deliveries is a relatively recent third in a volkswagen. TITLE IN SEPTEMBER. development in the long history of the game and an “We finished the best way we inexact science given the lack of uniformity in the could. It’s been a fantastic season, speed gun technology utilised. with only a small mistake in Spain second overall in the championship. A delivery from Pakistan paceman Shoaib Akhtar otherwise it could have been nine mikkelsen and Poland’s former in a one-Day International against England in South victories. our level of performance Formula one driver robert Kubica Africa in 2003, which was measured at 161.3kph, is was very high and it will be difficult took the other bonus points. the fastest on record. 32 WEDNESDAY, NovEmbEr 18, 2015 | www.dohastadiumplusqatar.com www.dohastadiumplusqatar.com | WEDNESDAY, NovEmbEr 18, 2015 33

PEOPLE SPORT THIS WEEK

West Indies have reinstated Italian Serie A side Sampdoria Former Pakistan captain Heather Richardson-Bergsma Phil Simmons as head coach named former Fiorentina boss Inzamam-ul Haq agreed clocked a world record of QATAR of their senior squads after Vincenzo Montella as their to extend his contract as 1:12.51sec to win the women’s WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 18 he apologised for criticising new coach to replace Walter Afghanistan cricket team’s 1,000m at the speed skating BASKETBALL team selection. Simmons was Zenga, who was fired after head coach for one year. The World Cup stop in Calgary, Canada. Qatar League, Al Wakrah vs Al suspended in September for only 14 games in charge. swashbuckling batsman, The American’s effort on the 1988 Shamal, 5pm at Al Gharafa Indoor questioning the continued The 41-year-old former Italy who played 120 Tests and olympic oval came shortly after Hall. omissions of all-rounders forward returns to the club 388 one-Day Internationals, compatriot brittany bowe had set HANDBALL Dwayne bravo and Kieron he represented as a player, took the job last month a world record of 1:12.54sec. Asian olympic Qualification Pollard, saying he was with Sampdoria currently for Afghanistan’s tour to Tournament, Iran vs Japan, 3pm, not getting “the best being 10th in the table. Zimbabwe only. Qatar vs Saudi Arabia, 5pm and Uzbekistan vs oman, 7pm at Qatar 50-over oDI squad”. Handball Association Complex. HORSERACING Former world and olympic Australian batsman Stuart Lancaster paid the AC milan striker Mario Balotelli will Weekly races, 5pm onwards at Qatar time trial champion Fabian Usman Khawaja has price for host nation England’s undergo surgery in munich for his racing and Equestrian Club. Cancellara indicated he would been ruled out of the World Cup failure when troublesome groin injury. reports TENNIS retire from cycling in next two Tests due to he resigned as head coach in Italy suggest the striker could Junior GCC Championship, 5pm onwards at Khalifa International 2016 and said he would not a hamstring strain he following a rugby Football miss anywhere between six weeks Complex (till Saturday). compete in the rio olympics. sustained against New Union (rFU) review. An rFU and three months, harming his HANDBALL MONDAY, NOVEMBER 23 THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 19 Cancellara has been world Zealand at Perth last week. statement said Lancaster, in hopes of a recall to the Italy squad Asian olympic Qualification HANDBALL HANDBALL Tournament, oman vs Japan, 3pm, time-trial champion four Khawaja, who scored centuries charge since April, 2012, and ahead of next year’s European Asian olympic Qualification Saudi Arabia vs Uzbekistan, 5pm and times and has won the Tour in the first two matches against under contract until ’20, had Championship. The 25-year-old Asian olympic Qualification Tournament, Iraq vs China, 5pm and Iran vs Qatar, 7pm at Qatar Handball Tournament, bahrain vs Iraq, 5pm bahrain vs South Korea, 7pm at Qatar of Flanders and the black Caps, pulled up while “stepped down by mutual has made only four appearances and Australia vs South Korea, 7pm at Association Complex. chasing a ball to the boundary. consent”. Handball Association Complex; Qatar Paris-roubaix on three since re-joining milan on loan Qatar Handball Association Complex; VOLLEYBALL League, Al Ahli vs Qatar SC, 4pm, Al separate occasions each. from Liverpool earlier this season. Qatar League, Al Arabi vs Al rayyan, Wakrah vs El Quiyada, 5.30pm and Al 4pm, El Jaish vs El Quiyada, 5.30pm Super Cup, Al Arabi vs Al rayyan, 6pm at Al Arabi Sports Club. Arabi vs Al Gharafa, 7pm at Al Sadd and Al Ahli vs Lekhwiya, 7pm at Al Indoor Hall. Sadd Indoor Hall. SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 21 TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 24 BASKETBALL Qatar League, Al Gharafa vs Qatar SC, 5pm and Al Sadd vs Al Arabi, 7pm at STAR OF THE WEEK ROSS TAYLOR MOVERS&SHAKERS Al Gharafa Indoor Hall. FOOTBALL Qatar Stars League, Al Sailiya vs Al Gharafa, 4pm at Al Wakrah Stadium, El Jaish vs Al Arabi, 6.30pm at Al Johnson calls time on Arabi Stadium. HANDBALL Asian olympic Qualification HEY say a week is a long has racked up more runs against international career HORSERACING Tournament, China vs South Korea, time in politics but you Australia in 138 years of Test Weekly races, 5pm onwards at Qatar 5pm and bahrain vs Australia, 7pm at racing and Equestrian Club. Qatar Handball Association Complex. need only ask ross Taylor cricket. USTrALIA’S Mitchell Cricket Association ground and T FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 20 SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 22 how much can change over a “I was pretty rusty and all Johnson, the most took two wickets to finish with 313 FOOTBALL similar period in cricket after over the show up there,” Taylor devastating fast bowler of victims at an average of 28.40. BASKETBALL A Qatar Stars League, Umm Salal vs Al Qatar League, El Jaish vs Al Ahli, 5pm he hit a magnificent 290 in admitted. “It played a little bit on his era, retired from international That tally puts him fourth on the Ahli, 4pm at Al Gharafa Stadium, Al and Al rayyan vs Al Khor, 7pm at Al the second cricket Test against my mind, you start questioning cricket at the conclusion of list of Australian Test mesaimeer vs Al Wakrah, 6.30pm at Gharafa Indoor Hall. Al Gharafa Stadium. Australia in Perth. yourself, little doubts start the drawn second Test wicket-takers behind FOOTBALL Just days before his epic creeping into your mind. It was against New Zealand only Shane Warne, Qatar Stars League, Lekhwiya vs Al Khor, 4pm at Qatar SC Stadium, Al knock lit up the Western nice to get rid of those.” in Perth on Tuesday, Glenn mcGrath and Kharaitiyat vs Al Sadd, 4pm at Al BASKETBALL Australian Cricket Association Although the second Test was saying he had lost his Dennis Lillee, who Sadd Stadium, Qatar SC vs Al rayyan, Qatar League, Al Sadd vs Al Wakrah, Al Sadd Stadium, 6.30pm. 5pm and Al Shamal vs Al Gharafa, (WACA) ground, Taylor had been something of a run fest, with hunger for a challenge. discovered Johnson as HANDBALL 7pm at Al Gharafa Indoor Hall. among New Zealand’s more Australian opener David Warner The 34-year-old a raw 17-year-old and Asian olympic Qualification HANDBALL disappointing performers in the also scoring a mammoth 253 left-armer, who was described him as a “once Tournament, oman vs Qatar, 3pm, Qatar League, Al Khor vs Lekhwiya, opening Test in brisbane. in their first innings, there were named the International in a lifetime prospect”. Japan vs Uzbekistan, 5pm and Iran vs 4pm, Al Shamal vs El Jaish, 5.30pm Saudi Arabia, 7pm at Qatar Handball and Al rayyan vs Al Sadd, 7pm at Al Looking sluggish with no more than a few challenges to Cricket Council Player of the He also took 239 wickets in 153 Association Complex. Sadd Indoor Hall. sign of the aggression that once overcome in such a long innings, Year in 2009 and ’14, made the one-Day Internationals at the typified his batting, the 31-year- not least the searing Perth heat. announcement before the final cost of 25.26 apiece and 38 in 30 old managed to contribute only There was also Australia’s day’s play at the Western Australian Twenty20 matches. a seven-ball duck and a 26 to his mitchell Starc, who fired a yorker INTERNATIONAL team’s paltry tallies. that was clocked at 160.4kmph at WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 18 Championship (Naples, Florida); but at Perth, Taylor did more Taylor on the third day of the Test. Younis quits one-dayers USPGA at Sea Island, Georgia (till than banish the demons after It was one of the fastest balls ever Sunday). spending nine hours at the crease recorded in Tests, but he dug it AKISTAN batsman Younis He fell caught at mid-on by Adil FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 20 and hitting 43 boundaries in his out and resumed his innings. Khan ended his one-day rashid off seamer reece Topley. CRICKET 374-ball knock. Taylor had managed only one career after the first day-night It was his 265th oDI, nearly England vs Pakistan, 4th oDI at P Dubai. The right hander did a fair bit half-century in eight innings this international against England in 16 years after making his debut FIGURE SKATING of damage to a few records too, year before he began his mighty Abu Dhabi last week, scoring against Sri Lanka in Karachi in Cup of russia, moscow (till Sunday). most notably ending Englishman WACA innings. He admitted it just nine in his last match. February, 2000. SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 21 Tip Foster’s 112-year reign as the was more a change in approach The 37-year-old Younis scored 7,249 RUGBY UNION highest-scoring visiting batsman that sparked the turnaround in his right-handed batsman runs with seven CRICKET European Champions Cup. in Australia. fortunes last week. had wanted to leave hundreds and 48 India vs South Africa, 2nd Test at SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 22 only Len Hutton, who scored “I felt I just needed to get back the format on a high half-centuries in bangalore. SKI JUMPING 364 for England at Lord’s in 1938, in the groove,” Taylor added. after he was selected oDIs, but managed just TENNIS World Cup at Klingenthal. in the 16-man squad 72 runs in his last six ATP at World Tour Finals in London MONDAY, NOVEMBER 23 (till Sunday); WTA at Taipei (till for the four-match one- games this year. Sunday). TENNIS Day International (oDI) series Younis had retired from WTA at Carlsbad (till November 29). THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 19 against England despite patchy Twenty20 Internationals after TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 24 GOLF recent form, but his wish remained leading Pakistan to the World Cup EPGA at World Tour Championship, FOOTBALL unfulfilled. triumph in England in ’09. Dubai; LPGA at CmE Group Tour Champions League group games. www.dohastadiumplusqatar.com | WEDNESDAY, NovEmbEr 18, 2015 33

SPORT THIS WEEK

Heather Richardson-Bergsma clocked a world record of QATAR 1:12.51sec to win the women’s WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 18 1,000m at the speed skating BASKETBALL World Cup stop in Calgary, Canada. Qatar League, Al Wakrah vs Al The American’s effort on the 1988 Shamal, 5pm at Al Gharafa Indoor olympic oval came shortly after Hall. compatriot brittany bowe had set HANDBALL a world record of 1:12.54sec. Asian olympic Qualification Tournament, Iran vs Japan, 3pm, Qatar vs Saudi Arabia, 5pm and Uzbekistan vs oman, 7pm at Qatar Handball Association Complex. HORSERACING AC milan striker Mario Balotelli will Weekly races, 5pm onwards at Qatar undergo surgery in munich for his racing and Equestrian Club. troublesome groin injury. reports TENNIS in Italy suggest the striker could Junior GCC Championship, 5pm onwards at Khalifa International miss anywhere between six weeks Complex (till Saturday). and three months, harming his HANDBALL MONDAY, NOVEMBER 23 THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 19 hopes of a recall to the Italy squad Asian olympic Qualification HANDBALL HANDBALL Tournament, oman vs Japan, 3pm, ahead of next year’s European Asian olympic Qualification Saudi Arabia vs Uzbekistan, 5pm and Championship. The 25-year-old Asian olympic Qualification Tournament, Iraq vs China, 5pm and Iran vs Qatar, 7pm at Qatar Handball Tournament, bahrain vs Iraq, 5pm bahrain vs South Korea, 7pm at Qatar has made only four appearances Association Complex. and Australia vs South Korea, 7pm at Handball Association Complex; Qatar since re-joining milan on loan Qatar Handball Association Complex; VOLLEYBALL League, Al Ahli vs Qatar SC, 4pm, Al from Liverpool earlier this season. Qatar League, Al Arabi vs Al rayyan, Wakrah vs El Quiyada, 5.30pm and Al 4pm, El Jaish vs El Quiyada, 5.30pm Super Cup, Al Arabi vs Al rayyan, 6pm at Al Arabi Sports Club. Arabi vs Al Gharafa, 7pm at Al Sadd and Al Ahli vs Lekhwiya, 7pm at Al Indoor Hall. Sadd Indoor Hall. SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 21 TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 24 BASKETBALL Qatar League, Al Gharafa vs Qatar SC, 5pm and Al Sadd vs Al Arabi, 7pm at MOVERS&SHAKERS Al Gharafa Indoor Hall. FOOTBALL Qatar Stars League, Al Sailiya vs Al Gharafa, 4pm at Al Wakrah Stadium, El Jaish vs Al Arabi, 6.30pm at Al Johnson calls time on Arabi Stadium. HANDBALL Asian olympic Qualification international career HORSERACING Tournament, China vs South Korea, Weekly races, 5pm onwards at Qatar 5pm and bahrain vs Australia, 7pm at racing and Equestrian Club. Qatar Handball Association Complex. USTrALIA’S Mitchell Cricket Association ground and FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 20 SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 22 Johnson, the most took two wickets to finish with 313 FOOTBALL devastating fast bowler of victims at an average of 28.40. BASKETBALL A Qatar Stars League, Umm Salal vs Al Qatar League, El Jaish vs Al Ahli, 5pm his era, retired from international That tally puts him fourth on the Ahli, 4pm at Al Gharafa Stadium, Al and Al rayyan vs Al Khor, 7pm at Al cricket at the conclusion of list of Australian Test mesaimeer vs Al Wakrah, 6.30pm at Gharafa Indoor Hall. Al Gharafa Stadium. the drawn second Test wicket-takers behind FOOTBALL against New Zealand only Shane Warne, Qatar Stars League, Lekhwiya vs Al Khor, 4pm at Qatar SC Stadium, Al in Perth on Tuesday, Glenn mcGrath and Kharaitiyat vs Al Sadd, 4pm at Al BASKETBALL saying he had lost his Dennis Lillee, who Sadd Stadium, Qatar SC vs Al rayyan, Qatar League, Al Sadd vs Al Wakrah, Al Sadd Stadium, 6.30pm. 5pm and Al Shamal vs Al Gharafa, hunger for a challenge. discovered Johnson as HANDBALL 7pm at Al Gharafa Indoor Hall. The 34-year-old a raw 17-year-old and Asian olympic Qualification HANDBALL left-armer, who was described him as a “once Tournament, oman vs Qatar, 3pm, Qatar League, Al Khor vs Lekhwiya, named the International in a lifetime prospect”. Japan vs Uzbekistan, 5pm and Iran vs 4pm, Al Shamal vs El Jaish, 5.30pm Saudi Arabia, 7pm at Qatar Handball and Al rayyan vs Al Sadd, 7pm at Al Cricket Council Player of the He also took 239 wickets in 153 Association Complex. Sadd Indoor Hall. Year in 2009 and ’14, made the one-Day Internationals at the announcement before the final cost of 25.26 apiece and 38 in 30 day’s play at the Western Australian Twenty20 matches. INTERNATIONAL WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 18 Championship (Naples, Florida); Younis quits one-dayers USPGA at Sea Island, Georgia (till Sunday). AKISTAN batsman Younis He fell caught at mid-on by Adil FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 20 Khan ended his one-day rashid off seamer reece Topley. CRICKET career after the first day-night It was his 265th oDI, nearly England vs Pakistan, 4th oDI at P Dubai. international against England in 16 years after making his debut FIGURE SKATING Abu Dhabi last week, scoring against Sri Lanka in Karachi in Cup of russia, moscow (till Sunday). just nine in his last match. February, 2000. SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 21 The 37-year-old Younis scored 7,249 RUGBY UNION right-handed batsman runs with seven CRICKET European Champions Cup. had wanted to leave hundreds and 48 India vs South Africa, 2nd Test at SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 22 the format on a high half-centuries in bangalore. SKI JUMPING after he was selected oDIs, but managed just TENNIS World Cup at Klingenthal. in the 16-man squad 72 runs in his last six ATP at World Tour Finals in London MONDAY, NOVEMBER 23 (till Sunday); WTA at Taipei (till for the four-match one- games this year. Sunday). TENNIS Day International (oDI) series Younis had retired from WTA at Carlsbad (till November 29). THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 19 against England despite patchy Twenty20 Internationals after TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 24 GOLF recent form, but his wish remained leading Pakistan to the World Cup EPGA at World Tour Championship, FOOTBALL unfulfilled. triumph in England in ’09. Dubai; LPGA at CmE Group Tour Champions League group games. 34 WEDNESDAY, NovEmbEr 18, 2015 | www.dohastadiumplusqatar.com www.dohastadiumplusqatar.com | WEDNESDAY, NovEmbEr 18, 2015 35

MOSAIC

şşWayne rooney, Customised physical right, and Wade barrett. TECHNOLOGY therapy counts a lot Tag Heuer gets smarter! USTomISED physical therapy may provide more relief for lower back pain than general AG HEUEr last week became the first Cadvice on the best ways to remain active, an Swiss watchmaker to offer a smartwatch to Australian study suggests. Tcustomers that combines Swiss design with researchers offered 300 patients with lower back US technology, seeking to tap a growing market for pain two advice sessions explaining the source wearable devices amid flagging sales of traditional of their discomfort and providing instruction on watches. proper lifting techniques. roughly half of them also Co-developed with Google and Intel, the ‘Tag got 10 treatment sessions of personalised physical Heuer Connected’ will cost $1,500. one thousand therapy over 10 weeks. units are immediately available in 15 stores across Facebook unveils The physical therapy group had significantly the US, with britain, Germany and Japan following greater reductions in activity limitations at 10, 26 OFFBEAT in the coming days. news app Notify and 52 weeks than the advice group, and they With its titanium casing, black rubber strap and ACEbooK Inc last week also had less back pain at five, 10 and 26 weeks. digital watch hands, it is designed to look like a launched its news app “our findings suggest that advice works for classical watch. FNotify for iPhone users in many people, but that individualised physical Nobody messes but Connected houses an Intel Atom processor the US, featuring content from therapy achieves more rapid reduction in pain beneath its touchscreen that lets wearers connect media partners such as Fox and in the long term superior improvements in to the Internet, stream music and run applications News, Washington Post and function/disability,” said lead study author Jon via Google’s Android Wear platform, from existing CBS. up with Rooney! The app allows user to share Ford of the La Trobe University in bundoora, favourites such as Google Fit and Google maps to notifications directly from the Australia. ANCHESTEr United at me, Wayne. You’re looking at customised lifestyle and sports apps. lock screen and includes a broad captain Wayne rooney me like you’ve got some kind of The watch, which electronically tethers to a selection of ‘stations’ across Mstole the show at a World problem with me.” phone, responds to voice commands and finger different categories such as Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) After threatening to knock swipes. It can give the weather, set up a calendar sports, fashion and breaking HEALTH event by ‘slapping’ a wrestler who rooney out, barrett prodded him reminder or tell the wearer how many steps he or news. goaded him at ringside. in the chest, only for the England she has walked that day, for instance. The company’s app competes with Twitter Inc’s recently rooney has come under fire over skipper to react with a right-hand launched service called a shortage of goals this season, but slap that sent the giant wrestler moments, which aims to he showed that he could still find tumbling theatrically to the floor. provide a better way of curating the target after being challenged barrett sparked a feud with and aggregating news content by Wade barrett during the ‘raw’ rooney by accusing the striker of for users and help them follow show at manchester Arena last diving to win a penalty against live events. week. Preston North End, the team he Facebook had earlier tied up with nine news publishers to Spotting rooney in the front supports, in last season’s FA Cup. launch ‘Instant Articles’, which row with his six-year-old son Kai, but, as in all WWE fights, the publishes their content directly Englishman barrett told him, “I pair’s coming-together was not to to the social network’s mobile don’t like the way you’re looking be taken seriously. news feeds. SPORTMART CAMEO oNSTANT stress, whether from a traffic-choked daily Criminal Have a look at New footwear for EPL side Manchester United commute, unhappy marriage C Top-flight English football club manchester United announced a multi-year global partnership or heavy workload can have real waist! the Beau Jeu! with luxury designer footwear brand Heroes SrL. As part of the agreement, Heroes will physical effects on the body. It exclusively produce a collection of high-quality lifestyle manchester United shoes, aimed at the has been linked to a wide range EoPLE with “normal” weight, but extra EAU JEU, the official match ball of the UEFA EUro club’s 659 million global followers. of health issues, including mood, pounds around the middle may have lower 2016 group stage, was launched last week. Former sleep, appetite problems and even increase good cholesterol. your blood pressure, strengthening long-term survival odds than individuals who France playmaker Zinedine Zidane took to his P B rugby Champions Cup and heart disease. your heart muscle and helping you are obese, a US study suggests. Instagram page to reveal beau Jeu, which literally means Challenge Cup. The final of Doctors do not know exactly MEDITATE maintain a healthy weight. What is considered a normal weight for adults the beautiful game. Champions Cup is on may 14 and how chronic stress affects the is often based on a measurement known as body beau Jeu incorporates the blue, white and red of Challenge Cup on may 13. heart. most likely, stress triggers This practice of inward-focused mass index (bmI), which assesses weight relative to host nation France’s tricolour flag. It also integrates Coffee time at new deal sees it stays as the official inflammation, a known instigator thought and deep breathing UNPLUG height. silver highlights in reference to the UEFA European Airline of Cricket Australia for another five years. Accordingly, the of heart disease, but that has not has been shown to reduce heart It is impossible to escape stress For the current study, researchers focused on Championship trophy, with EUro and 2016 visible Australian Open airline will be the official overseas been proven. Stress does not have disease risk factors such as high when it follows you everywhere. people’s waist-to-hip ratio, which measures through the block design. Italian coffee brand Lavazza recently Tour Partner of Cricket Australia and to ruin your life or health. blood pressure. meditation’s close Cut the cord. Avoid e-mails and Tv whether they are storing excess fat around the Developed by adidas for more than 18 months, announced a sponsorship deal Australian cricket team. The problem may contribute to relatives, yoga and prayer, can also news. Take time each day, even if middle. beau Jeu includes the best elements of with Tennis Australia to become or exacerbate various health issues. relax the mind and body. it is for just 10 or 15 minutes, to The study found that men with a normal bmI, the brazuca World Cup match ball from the premium coffee partner of Pirelli tyre brand the Australian open. The brand but it’s possible to dismantle escape from the world. but central obesity, the clinical term for belly fat, 2014 as well as improvements made is already a sponsor of the French backs Rio Open negative stress cycles. had twice the mortality risk of men who were to the grip and in-flight visibility. open, Wimbledon and US open. These five simple tips can help EXERCISE overweight or obese. beau Jeu will be officially handed Italian tyre brand Pirelli announced you do just that. Every time you are physically FIND NEW WAYS Normal weight women with belly fat, meanwhile, over to all competing federations a major sponsorship of the rio open in brazil. The week-long tennis active, whether you take a walk Simple things, like a warm bath, had a 32 per cent higher mortality risk than obese by the end of November in order Cricket Australia Tissot lands Rugby tournament, for both men and or play tennis, your body releases listening to music or spending time women without excess pounds around the middle. to give their players a six-month women, starts on February 15. STAY POSITIVE mood-boosting chemicals called on a favourite hobby can give you “Waist size matters, particularly in people who window to train with the ball ahead flies with Qantas Union deal Laughter has been found to lower endorphins. Exercising not only a much-needed break from the are a normal weight,” said senior study author of the finals beginning on June 10. Australia’s national airline Qantas Swiss watch brand Tissot — Courtesy CSM Sport & Entertainment levels of stress hormones, reduce melts away stress, it also protects stressors in your life. Dr Francisco Lopez-Jimenez of the mayo Clinic in There will be a separate ball for the announced an extension to its announced a five-year deal to www.csm.com inflammation in the arteries and against heart disease by lowering — Harvard Medical School rochester, minnesota. knockout rounds. sponsorship of Cricket Australia. The sponsor the ongoing European @FastTrack_ME www.dohastadiumplusqatar.com | WEDNESDAY, NovEmbEr 18, 2015 35

şşWayne rooney, right, and Wade barrett. TECHNOLOGY Tag Heuer gets smarter! AG HEUEr last week became the first Swiss watchmaker to offer a smartwatch to Tcustomers that combines Swiss design with US technology, seeking to tap a growing market for wearable devices amid flagging sales of traditional watches. Co-developed with Google and Intel, the ‘Tag Heuer Connected’ will cost $1,500. one thousand units are immediately available in 15 stores across Facebook unveils the US, with britain, Germany and Japan following OFFBEAT in the coming days. news app Notify With its titanium casing, black rubber strap and ACEbooK Inc last week digital watch hands, it is designed to look like a launched its news app classical watch. FNotify for iPhone users in Nobody messes but Connected houses an Intel Atom processor the US, featuring content from beneath its touchscreen that lets wearers connect media partners such as Fox to the Internet, stream music and run applications News, Washington Post and via Google’s Android Wear platform, from existing CBS. up with Rooney! The app allows user to share favourites such as Google Fit and Google maps to notifications directly from the ANCHESTEr United at me, Wayne. You’re looking at customised lifestyle and sports apps. lock screen and includes a broad captain Wayne rooney me like you’ve got some kind of The watch, which electronically tethers to a selection of ‘stations’ across Mstole the show at a World problem with me.” phone, responds to voice commands and finger different categories such as Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) After threatening to knock swipes. It can give the weather, set up a calendar sports, fashion and breaking event by ‘slapping’ a wrestler who rooney out, barrett prodded him reminder or tell the wearer how many steps he or news. goaded him at ringside. in the chest, only for the England she has walked that day, for instance. The company’s app competes with Twitter Inc’s recently rooney has come under fire over skipper to react with a right-hand launched service called a shortage of goals this season, but slap that sent the giant wrestler moments, which aims to he showed that he could still find tumbling theatrically to the floor. provide a better way of curating the target after being challenged barrett sparked a feud with and aggregating news content by Wade barrett during the ‘raw’ rooney by accusing the striker of for users and help them follow show at manchester Arena last diving to win a penalty against live events. week. Preston North End, the team he Facebook had earlier tied up with nine news publishers to Spotting rooney in the front supports, in last season’s FA Cup. launch ‘Instant Articles’, which row with his six-year-old son Kai, but, as in all WWE fights, the publishes their content directly Englishman barrett told him, “I pair’s coming-together was not to to the social network’s mobile don’t like the way you’re looking be taken seriously. news feeds. SPORTMART CAMEO Have a look at New footwear for EPL side Manchester United Top-flight English football club manchester United announced a multi-year global partnership the Beau Jeu! with luxury designer footwear brand Heroes SrL. As part of the agreement, Heroes will exclusively produce a collection of high-quality lifestyle manchester United shoes, aimed at the EAU JEU, the official match ball of the UEFA EUro club’s 659 million global followers. 2016 group stage, was launched last week. Former France playmaker Zinedine Zidane took to his B rugby Champions Cup and Instagram page to reveal beau Jeu, which literally means Challenge Cup. The final of the beautiful game. Champions Cup is on may 14 and beau Jeu incorporates the blue, white and red of Challenge Cup on may 13. host nation France’s tricolour flag. It also integrates Coffee time at new deal sees it stays as the official silver highlights in reference to the UEFA European Airline of Cricket Australia for another five years. Accordingly, the Championship trophy, with EUro and 2016 visible Australian Open airline will be the official overseas through the block design. Italian coffee brand Lavazza recently Tour Partner of Cricket Australia and Developed by adidas for more than 18 months, announced a sponsorship deal Australian cricket team. beau Jeu includes the best elements of with Tennis Australia to become the brazuca World Cup match ball from the premium coffee partner of Pirelli tyre brand the Australian open. The brand 2014 as well as improvements made is already a sponsor of the French backs Rio Open to the grip and in-flight visibility. open, Wimbledon and US open. beau Jeu will be officially handed Italian tyre brand Pirelli announced over to all competing federations a major sponsorship of the rio open in brazil. The week-long tennis by the end of November in order Cricket Australia Tissot lands Rugby tournament, for both men and to give their players a six-month women, starts on February 15. window to train with the ball ahead flies with Qantas Union deal of the finals beginning on June 10. Australia’s national airline Qantas Swiss watch brand Tissot — Courtesy CSM Sport & Entertainment There will be a separate ball for the announced an extension to its announced a five-year deal to www.csm.com knockout rounds. sponsorship of Cricket Australia. The sponsor the ongoing European @FastTrack_ME 36 WEDNESDAY, NovEmbEr 18, 2015 | www.dohastadiumplusqatar.com www.dohastadiumplusqatar.com | WEDNESDAY, NovEmbEr 18, 2015 37

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7 4 6 5 2 6 It is your turn now. Tell us about sports events in your neighbourhood, send us photographs too and get them published in DSP. 7 MIND 1 8SQUARE our e-mail is [email protected] YOUR PAGE 1 2 8 3 2 5 1 6

P 8 | FOOTBALL P 22 | HANDBALL 2 7 4 ARmY ON THE mOvE TASK CUT OUT FOR HOLDERS El Jaish continue their unbeaten run Champions Al Gharafa have their task cut out and look the best bet to challenge as El Jaish and Lekhwiya also look strong SUDOKU-499 2 9 6 Al Rayyan for the Qatar Stars League title. favourites to win the Qatar League. Bikers take a pit 5 udoku7 is a number-placing3 puzzle based on a 7 4 6 9x9 grid with several given numbers. WEDNESDAY, NOvEmbER 11, 2015 | Vol X | No.41 | QR 2.00 www.dohastadiumplusqatar.com Follow us on stop at Losail The object is to place the numbers 1 to 9 in S 5 2 6 Members of the Bikers Network, a conglomeration of 36 the empty squares so that each row, each column and bike clubs from the GCC countries, organised a fun-filled each 3x3 box contains the same number only once. rally with the support of the Qatar Motor and Motorcycle 7 1 8 Federation (QMMF) at the Losail International Circuit. The World Anti-Doping Agency’s report on widespread corruption, collusion and a state-sponsored drugs culture in Russian athletics suggests Solution-498 doping has the potential to destroy the sport itself. PAGES 4-5 Similar rallies were also conducted in Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Abu Dhabi. The final destination will 1 2 8 be Oman. 8 4 3 2 9 5 7 1 6 “We welcome Bikers Network to Losail. We had a similar 5 6 1 7 4 8 3 9 2 gathering last month on the sidelines of the World 3 2 Superbike Championship with Soul Riders and we

UK ...... £1 UAE ...... Dh 5 Europe ...... €2 Yemen...... 75 Riyals P 24 | MOTORSPORT P 20 | POSTER Oman ...... 200 Baisas Sudan ...... 1 Pound Bahrain ...... 200 Fils KSA ...... 2 Riyals Egypt ...... LE 2 Jordan ...... 500 Fils know this is a group which is committed to holding fun Lebanon ...... 3,000 Livre Iraq ...... $1 Mouton, world body’s JORGE Kuwait ...... 250 Fils Palestine ...... $1 EXCLUSIVE 7 2 9 6 1 3 5 8 4 Morocco ...... Dh 6 Syria ...... LS 20 INTERVIEW female driving force! LORENZO activities,” said QMMF President Nasser bin Khalifa Al 2 3 8 1 7 6 9 4 5 5 1 6 Attiyah. Neus Ramos sent the details and photograph. 9 1 5 3 2 4 6 7 8 2 7 4 Time athletics was freed 4 7 6 5 8 9 1 2 3 from unwanted elements 3 8 4 9 6 7 2 5 1 2 9 6 The World Anti-Doping Agency’s report, which 6 9 2 4 5 1 8 3 7 recommended that russia be suspended from all 1 5 7 8 3 2 4 6 9 5 7 3 international athletics competitions, was a real Ali and Amna shocker (Doha Stadium Plus, November 11). right from the time ben Johnson was stripped of reign supreme his 100m gold medal at the 1988 Seoul olympics, the Ali Al Mahmoud and Amna Hamoud clinched the boys’ sport has often been dogged by doping scandals. and girls’ title respectively at the Qatar ExxonMobil junior Athletics now has little credibility and the tournament. authorities should make sure that the sport is freed Ali beat Ibrahim Al Sulaiti 6-2, 6-1 in the boys’ final while from unwanted elements, which have seriously Amna breezed past Dana Al Modakha 6-1, 6-0 for the girls’ TOP TWEETS damaged its reputation. crown in the Qatar Tennis Federation (QTF)-sanctioned event. Alan David, Doha. Competitions were held in five categories in the tournament. “Most of the players use this as a preparatory event for bigger competitions. It also reflects the strong partnership between Dioko’s struggles the QTF and ExxonMobil Qatar,” said QTF Executive Director Saad Al Mohannadi. Australian fast bowler Mitchell Johnson made a surprise It’s really disappointing to see Alain Dioko struggle Redab Masoud sent the details and photograph. retirement announcement on the final day of their second in Al Gharafa colours (Doha Stadium Plus, November 8Test against4 New3 Zealand 2 in Perth9 on Tuesday.5 And7 the 1 6 11). I was expecting him to fire on all cylinders having 34-year-old made the occasion memorable by taking two seen his unstoppable form for Al Ahli in the Qatar wickets in the last session of the drawn game. Johnson, 5Australia’s 6 fourth-highest1 7 Test wicket-taker4 8 with 3133 scalps,9 2 Stars League’s last two editions. has also claimed 239 wickets in one-dayers. The handlebar- but he’s yet to gel with Gharafa and that’s a cause moustachioed player, who felt he was unable to motivate for big concern for coach Pericles Chamusca. The 7himself 2 enough 9 to consistently6 perform1 at3 the top5 level, was8 4 Congolese striker needs to find his form soon if ASPIRE Academy hosts given a rousing send-off by New Zealand batsmen. Former they’re to finish among the top four. and present stars, as well as common fans, took to Twitter to Nasser Yazidi, Doha. 2eulogise 3 him. 8 1 7 6 9 4 5 career fair for its students The ASPIRE Academy organised a career build a successful career,” said ASPIRE Breathtaking goal fair for its students at the Aspire Dome Academy’s Student Affairs Manager 9 1 5 3 2 4 6 7 8 last week. The idea was to educate them Abdul Aziz Al Jedaia. Neymar’s goal against villarreal really took the breath ICC man @mitchJohnson398 fast bowlers that were again in Australia.... Great about the professional opportunities Leading employers like Qatar Petroleum, away (Doha Stadium Plus, November 11). It was @ICC retiring. What an absolute 4absolutely 7 captivating6 to5 8career 9 & a Great1 man.. 2 3 available in Qatar. Maersk Oil, Qatargas, Qatar Airways, 590 wickets and 3,125 runs - legend. Changed the game. watch. @mitchJohnson398 just stunning the way he controlled the ball and The programme also reflected the Civil Aviation Authority, Ministry of congratulations on a fantastic Nightmare to face. Stoked to was one of those! VVS Laxman flicked it over his head in effortless fashion before academy’s overarching goal of guiding Administrative Development, Hamad international career mitchell have played with him. Well 3 8 4 9 6@ vvSLaxman2817 2 5 1 nonchalantly striking it home. and supporting its students in choosing Medical Corporation, Supreme a career path that is rewarding and Education Council, Commercial Bank, Johnson! done! Vince Rugari Congrats @ Neymar has been showing glimpses of his special @vincerugari mitchJohnson398 on a fulfilling. Hamad bin Khalifa University, Aspire ability in a regular fashion. And when strike partner “Our role focuses not only on nurturing Zone Foundation and Qatar Olympic sachin tendulkar Alyssa Healy 6A mustachioed9 2 m itchell4 5remarkable 1 career.8 Always3 7 Lionel messi was out injured, the brazilian shouldered @sachin_rt @ahealy77 Johnson steaming into bowl enjoyed the onfield tussle and developing sporting talent, but Committee participated in the fair. the responsibility of scoring. The only worry for Good luck to @ What a legend @ against a petrified pom = with you mate.Good luck also equipping our students with Karim Jabseh sent the details and mitchJohnson398 who has mitchJohnson398 is. Will 1iconic Australian5 7 sporting 8 3with your2 retirement.4 6 9 barca is that Neymar wouldn’t want to be in messi’s the tools and resources required to photograph. always been a special bowler. miss you steaming in for image. shadow for long and may opt for some other club, Got to know him well at @ Aus. Congratulations on all Sanjay Manjrekar where he’s certain to lead the line. mipaltan and enjoyed his you’ve achieved!! Jacques Kallis @sanjaymanjrekar Mubarak Anwar, Doha. aggressive approach! @jacqueskallis75 Will miss mitchell Johnson. Faf Du Plessis Congrats on a wonderful They don’t make many like Ryan Harris @faf1307 career @mitchJohnson398 him anymore. The fast, scary Sour end to MotoGP @r_harris413 Well done @ .Was always a tough kind. massive congrats to great mitchJohnson398 on opponent. Enjoy your Jorge Lorenzo might’ve won the motoGP mate @mitchJohnson398 a fantastic career.Great retirement and you can look Aakash Chopra championship, but his triumph was overshadowed on a fantastic career. Will be competitor and a incredible back with pride. @cricketaakash by Italian valentino rossi’s accusations of collusion by Al Shawaheef boat race all set to start a few batsmen in the world athlete.You can be very proud Johnson says that it has his Spanish rivals (Doha Stadium Plus, November 11). The Qatar Olympic Committee, held on January 29 and February 12, The third, fourth, fifth and six-place breathing easier! Congrats of what you achieved #gas. Michael Vaughan been an incredible ride.. It was unfortunate that the season, which under its Active Qatar Campaign, will coinciding with the National Sports finishers will be richer by QR600,000, mate! @michaelvaughan batsmen who faced him witnessed thrilling racing throughout, had such a Mike Haysman All the England lads will be would say it was one helluva organise the first of the three-leg Day. QR500,000, QR400,000 and QR300,000 sour ending. rossi, meanwhile, has proved he still can Trent Copeland @mikeHaysman celebrating they won’t have scary ride. Happy 2nd annual boat race, Al Shawaheef, at the The winners and runners-up will in that order. @copes9 There have been very few to face @mitchJohnson398 innings! #retires. beat the very best. Katara Cultural Village on Friday. collect QR1m and QR700,000 Mohammed Hassan sent the details Chris Stanley, Doha. The second and third legs will be respectively. and photograph. www.dohastadiumplusqatar.com | WEDNESDAY, NovEmbEr 18, 2015 39

It is your turn now. Tell us about sports events in your neighbourhood, send us photographs too and get them published in DSP. our e-mail is [email protected] YOUR PAGE

Bikers take a pit stop at Losail Members of the Bikers Network, a conglomeration of 36 bike clubs from the GCC countries, organised a fun-filled rally with the support of the Qatar Motor and Motorcycle Federation (QMMF) at the Losail International Circuit. Similar rallies were also conducted in Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Abu Dhabi. The final destination will be Oman. “We welcome Bikers Network to Losail. We had a similar gathering last month on the sidelines of the World Superbike Championship with Soul Riders and we know this is a group which is committed to holding fun activities,” said QMMF President Nasser bin Khalifa Al Attiyah. Neus Ramos sent the details and photograph.

Ali and Amna reign supreme Ali Al Mahmoud and Amna Hamoud clinched the boys’ and girls’ title respectively at the Qatar ExxonMobil junior tournament. Ali beat Ibrahim Al Sulaiti 6-2, 6-1 in the boys’ final while Amna breezed past Dana Al Modakha 6-1, 6-0 for the girls’ crown in the Qatar Tennis Federation (QTF)-sanctioned event. Competitions were held in five categories in the tournament. “Most of the players use this as a preparatory event for bigger competitions. It also reflects the strong partnership between the QTF and ExxonMobil Qatar,” said QTF Executive Director Saad Al Mohannadi. Redab Masoud sent the details and photograph.

ASPIRE Academy hosts career fair for its students The ASPIRE Academy organised a career build a successful career,” said ASPIRE fair for its students at the Aspire Dome Academy’s Student Affairs Manager last week. The idea was to educate them Abdul Aziz Al Jedaia. about the professional opportunities Leading employers like Qatar Petroleum, available in Qatar. Maersk Oil, Qatargas, Qatar Airways, The programme also reflected the Civil Aviation Authority, Ministry of academy’s overarching goal of guiding Administrative Development, Hamad and supporting its students in choosing Medical Corporation, Supreme a career path that is rewarding and Education Council, Commercial Bank, fulfilling. Hamad bin Khalifa University, Aspire “Our role focuses not only on nurturing Zone Foundation and Qatar Olympic and developing sporting talent, but Committee participated in the fair. also equipping our students with Karim Jabseh sent the details and the tools and resources required to photograph.

Al Shawaheef boat race all set to start The Qatar Olympic Committee, held on January 29 and February 12, The third, fourth, fifth and six-place under its Active Qatar Campaign, will coinciding with the National Sports finishers will be richer by QR600,000, organise the first of the three-leg Day. QR500,000, QR400,000 and QR300,000 annual boat race, Al Shawaheef, at the The winners and runners-up will in that order. Katara Cultural Village on Friday. collect QR1m and QR700,000 Mohammed Hassan sent the details The second and third legs will be respectively. and photograph. WE WON’T LET YOU GET AWAY FROM THE GAME Catch every pulse of action... Stay tuned www.dohastadiumplusqatar.com

Publishers: ASPIRE Printing, Publishing and Distribution P O Box: 24598, Doha, Qatar. Marketing & advertising: Tel: +974 44138566 e-mail: [email protected] Distribution: Tel: +974 44138535/36, Fax: +974 44138597 e-mail: [email protected]

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