QatarTribune Qatar_Tribune QatarTribuneChannel qatar_tribune Punctures slow down Attiyah on Dakar Rally’s opening day page 15

MONday, JANUARY 6, 2020

QTF seeks to raise Big guns eye flourishing Qatar ExxonMobil Open profile to start as lesser knowns that of Masters

Tribune News Network brace up for Doha show Doha Last year, the Qatar Exx- onMobil Open 2019 won the Vinay Nayudu ATP Best Tournament Trophy Doha for a third time in five years. The other two interna- Three of the top four seeds tional tennis meets to be at the Qatar ExxonMobil Open named as 2019 Tourna- 2020 are eagerly seeking a ments of The Year were the telling start to their new sea- BNP Paribas Open (Indian son’s campaign. As such their Wells) and Abierto Mexi- quest is sure to provide the cano Telcel presentado por Raising standards Doha tournament the spark HSBC (Acapulco). Qatar ExxonMobil Open is and keen competition at the The Qatar ExxonMobil Khalifa International Tennis & Open, a 250 category ATP not less than any ATP 500 Squash Complex. Tour event held in the open- tournament. We hope to Three-time Grand Slam ing week of the season in raise the Qatar champion Stanislas Wawrin- Doha has set high standards championship to that of a ka, 2018 runner-up in Doha since its inception in 1993 Masters. The problem is Andrey Rublev, 2008 Austral- and continues to build its in the crowding of the ian Open finalist Jo-Wilfried reputation for its superb fa- Tsonga, and 2016 Wimble- cility, world-class hospitality calendar; there are nine don finalist Milos Raonic are and welcoming fans. Masters category among the top guns vying to The tournament venue – tournaments with 1000 be crowned the first singles Khalifa International Tennis points. We are in talks with champion of the 2020 season. & Squash Complex – and the the ATP and hopefully soon Out of these, top-seeded organization has improved Wawrinka, 2nd seed Rublev and to new world standards since we can expect something. 3rd placed Tsonga – have all Boris Becker first won the tro- – Tariq Zainal, Secretary- been nominated for 2019 Come- phy in Doha way back in 1993. General, Qatar Tennis back Player of the Year. They are It is natural then that the also all former finalists in Doha. Qatar Tennis Federation is Federation Wawrinka finished run- looking to raise the tourna- ner-up to Andy Murray in ment’s category profile seek- Tennis Federation (ITF) 2008 and Rublev to Gael ing to have participation of because they created a new Monfils in 2018, while Tsonga more top-ranked players. team championship (the ATP won the title in 2008 with vic- The Khalifa International Tennis & Squash Complex in Doha is all set for Qatar ExxonMobil Open 2020 which begins on Monday. Explaining their efforts, Cup) that is being held in the tory over Monfils in the final. Tariq Zainal, Secretary-Gen- same week of the Qatar Open. Swissman Wawrinka has eral, Qatar Tennis Federa- “The ITF tournament already made his serious in- Monday Schedule tion, said, “Qatar ExxonMo- has the participation of the tentions known ahead of the bil Open is not less than any best 24 countries partici- tournament tweeting about Centre Court ATP 500 tournament. pate, and the ITF only or- 3.30pm: Alexan der Bublik (KAZ) vs 7-Adrian Mannarino (FRA) his fitness and eagerness. 5.30pm: Fernando Verdasco (ESP) vs Pablo Andujar (ESP) “It’s the best in financial ganises this tournament an- The 34-year-old’s 2019 Followed by: Q-Gregoire Barrere (FRA) vs Jeremy Chardy (FRA) prize. While some tourna- nually and insists that it be resurrection has had a fasci- Followed by: Kyle Edmund (GBR) vs Filip Krajinovic (SRB) ments from the 250 category held at the beginning of the nating sub-plot that provided offer $400,000 in prize, Qa- calendar. The ITF gave us Court 1 an insight into how he halved 3.30pm: Q-Corentin Moutet (FRA) vs Tennys Sandgren (USA) tar ExxonMobil Open offers various options to establish his ATP Ranking and then Followed by: Q-Mikael Ymer (SWE) vs Aljaz Bedene (SLO) prizes of up to $1.3mn. our tournament, however, it halved it again this season. Followed by: Miomir Kecmanovic (SRB) vs Jordan Thompson “We won the ATP award was not appropriate to us.” The Swiss was No. 68 in (AUS) in 250 category last year for Zeinal pointed out, February last year, and fin- Court 2 the third time in the last five “There is an agreement be- ished the season by storming 3.30pm: Ricardas Berankis (LTU) & Milos Raonic (CAN) vs Stanislas Wawrinka tweeted years and we are very proud. tween QTF and ITF that northward all the way back up Luke Bambridge (GBR) & Santiago Gonzalez (MEX) this picture of his following a Our secret is our teamwork. the tournament will be held to No. 16. Followed by: WC-Malek Jaziri (TUN) & Rashed Nawaf (QAT) vs sand duning session in Doha We always learn from our during the next versions on 2-Henri Kontinen (FIN) & Franko Skugor (CRO) Wawrinka held a career- Followed by: Alexander Bublik (KAZ) & Andrey Rublev (RUS) vs on Saturday. The Swiss will mistakes and make it better January 21 or 22 and it was high ranking of No. 3 as re- Frances Tiafoe (USA) & Stanislas Wawrinka (SUI) be seen in doubles action on the next time. We make sure agreed that this edition will cently as July 2017, but two Monday partnering Frances that we always improve.” be held from January 6 to knee operations later in 2017 Court 3 Tiafoe of the US against Andrey Talking about the raising 11 and next season’s tourna- 3.30pm: Marco cecchinato (ITA) & Lorenzo Sonego (ITA) vs knocked his ranking all the Rohan Bopanna (IND) & Wesley Koolhof (NED) Rublev of Russia and Alexan- the tier of the tournament, ment date will change due to way down to No. 263. der Bublik of Kazakhstan. he said, “We hope to raise the the organisation of the To- His last outdoor hard court Qatar championship to that kyo 2020 Olympics.” trophy was in 2016 when he of a Masters. The problem is Zainal was hopeful that captured his third and most in the crowding of the calen- a way would be worked out recent Grand Slam at the US he’s reckoned as a big challeng- ident Fernando Verdasco, Britain’s Kyle Edmund. Also on the scene will dar; there are nine Masters soon and possibly by 2022 Open. er against anyone in the world. who will be involved in an American Tennys Sand- be India’s well known Da- category tournaments with for Qatar to have a more Frenchman Tsonga, mean- While these players have a all-Spanish clash with Pablo gren meets qualifier Corentin vis Cupper Rohan Bopanna 1000 points. If we find any vibrant and more action- while, has already held aloft dominant presence in the draw Andujar. Similarly, French- Moutet of France, Slovakian along with Dutch Wesley city that organises a Masters packed tournament possibly the Falcon trophy once in 2012 and their appointed places, man Jeremy Chardy will take Aljaz Bedene plays qualifier Koolhof against Italian pair tournament and wants to sell as an ATP500 or 1000 event. and knows what it takes to there are some dangerous float- on compatriot and qualifier Mikael Ymer of Sweden, and of Marco Cecchinato and Lor- (the rights to host), we will “In all our work, we seek reach there again in this part ers too, and in sport no player Gregoire Barrere. Australian Jordan Thompson enzo Sonego. buy it immediately.” to promote the name of Qa- of the world. can be ignored as no threat. A win for Chardy will see will play Miomir Kecmanovic Overcast conditions on The 2020 edition kicks tar by improving the organi- Russian Rublev is young Among the lesser knowns him play Wawrinka in the sec- of Serbia. Sunday followed by light off on Monday which is a zation, which makes players and fearless at 22 and aim for and who would be beginning ond round. In the doubles action, there showers saw the mercury drop week ahead of the usual De- (though there is more than another shot at the title after the proceedings on Monday is Serbian Laslo Djere, seed- will be Qatar’s Rashed Nawaf by quite a few degrees. cember 31st start. one championship held at Monfils killed his dream in the 7th seeded Adrian Mannarino ed five, plays Italian Lorenzo teaming up with Tunisian wild Exciting tennis from “A year and a half ago we the same time) prefer to final two years ago. of France, who plays Kazakh Sonego, while 6th seed Filip card Malek Jaziri against Fin- Monday would provide for were in permanent discus- participate in Qatar Exxon Canadian Raonic, mean- Alexander Bublik. Krajinovic (Serbia) will have land’s Henri Kontinen and fans for just the right mix in sion with the International Mobil Open.” while, will look to show why Then there is Doha-res- a late evening meeting with Croatian Franko Skugor. the week ahead. Tsitsipas whips Zverev as top names crash at ATP Cup AFP now ranked six, was in a dif- and played clever again. I Belgium’s Goffin saved five Stefano Travaglia won Sydney ferent league to Zverev, who managed to stay calm and match points against Dan Ev- the other singles and Fognini only began hitting balls a week positive in my head.” ans, but it was too little, too bounced back alongside Si- Stefanos Tsitsipas whipped ago after an off-season cur- The Boris Becker-cap- late as he crashed 6-4, 6-4 in mone Bolelli to take the decid- an error-strewn Alexander tailed by a lucrative exhibition tained Germans have now won Sydney for one of the biggest ing doubles rubber. Zverev to win the battle of the tour. one of their opening ties, while wins of the Briton’s career. “Coming out here and big guns at the ATP Cup on The lacklustre German Greece has lost both of theirs. Jamie Murray and Joe beating two top 20 players at Sunday, inflicting a second world number seven sent The 24 countries are split Salisbury won the deciding the beginning of the year is successive defeat on the Ger- down 10 double faults and into six groups, with the top doubles to secure the tie for great for my confidence,” said man in his warm-up for the made just 45 percent of his eight from the round-robin go- Britain 2-1. world number 54 Ruud. Australian Open. first serves, a worrying sign ing onto the knockout phase be- Fognini was beaten in Mercurial Australian Nick On day three of the inau- ahead of the opening Grand fore one is crowned the winner. Perth by emerging Norwegian Kyrgios pulled out of his coun- gural 24-nation team event in Slam of the year. The Grigor Dimitrov-led 21-year-old Casper Ruud, who try’s tie against Canada just Sydney, Brisbane and Perth, He lost to Australia’s Alex Bulgaria won their second tie claimed his second big scalp af- hours before it started with world number 11 David Goffin de Minaur in his opening in a row, beating Moldova 2-1, ter upsetting American John Is- back soreness. was another loser, along with match on Friday, throwing to be in a commanding posi- ner in his first match on Friday. But John Millman seam- Italy’s Fabio Fognini, ranked away a one-set lead. Stefanos Tsitsipas of Greece against Alexander Zverev of Germany dur- tion in Group C, while Austral- Ruud, whose father Chris- lessly stepped in to stun Felix one place below him. “I worked very hard for ing their men’s singles match of ATP Cup in Brisbane on Sunday. (AFP) ia also made it two-out-of-two tian is Norway’s captain, won Auger-Aliassime in straight Greek star Tsitsipas, who this win, I found solutions, in Group F with De Minaur 6-2, 6-2, although it wasn’t sets before De Minaur again won the 2019 season-ending found my rhythm and my ing on court,” said impressive 6-1, 6-4 walloping in Brisbane. again on fire in their 3-0 sweep enough to prevent Norway los- showed the fighting qualities ATP Finals in London and is pace and knew what I was do- 21-year-old Tsitsipas after his “I was serving pretty okay of Canada. ing 2-1 to Italy. for which he is renowned. 14 Monday, January 6, 2020 Sports Qatar U-23 prepare for Thailand 2020 opener Al Duhail close to sealing move for Juve’s North Korean striker Tribune News Network Doha

Al Duhail are close to secur- ing North Korean striker Han Kwang-song from Juventus according to reports in the Italian media. The 21-year-old became the first North Korean to play in the Italian Serie A in 2017 when he played for Cagliari against Torino. Han secured a two-year loan move to Juven- tus last summer and has been playing for the Old Lady’s North Korea and Juventus striker Han Kwang-Song Qatar Olympic football team during a training session in preparation for the U-23 Asian Cup to be held in Thailand from January 8 to 26. It is youth team in Serie C. also a qualifying tournament for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. Qatar are in Group B alongside Japan, Saudi Arabia and Syria. Qatar begin their If the moves goes through, from Juventus. Al Duhail are is rumoured to be on his way campaign on Thursday against Syria at the Thammasat Stadium in the city of Rangsit, Pathum Thani. he will join Mario Mandzukic expected to be without Qatar to a Euripean club this Janu- who recently joined Al Duhail international Almoez Ali who ary. Al Sadd look to Liverpool sink Everton, find winning touch Lucas rescues Spurs in ‘Doha Derby’ Tribune News Network to win and we have the ability to Doha win which is very important to Jones’ superb us.” With just two wins from their The former Barcelona leg- strike seals win last five QNB Stars League end said that The Wolves need matches, Al Sadd will hope a to keep improving, while de- for Klopp kids; change of fortune happens soon claring his full confidence in his as the reigning champions take players. Chelsea cruise on Al Arabi in a rescheduled “Through my experience league match on Monday. as a former player and now past Forest as After an impressive start a coach, there’s no other way to the season, The Wolves to develop players other than Palace crash out have endured some inconsist- work, especially as we have a of FA Cup ent run of form which has put very good team participating Xavi Hernandez in the hot in several championships. I am AFP seat. The Spaniard who be- proud to train this team and we London came coach of the club after must keep improving to get bet- calling time on his playing ca- ter results. Liverpool inflicted fresh reer last year, has led his team “We started the season well, misery on Merseyside rivals to fifthin the QSL – 12 points but we could not continue. The Everton as a superb strike from behind leaders Al Duhail. league has evolved a lot, which teenager Curtis Jones sealed A shock 2-1 loss to Al Wak- means we must also develop,” a 1-0 win in the FA Cup third rah on Thursday further high- he added. round on Sunday. lighted the club’s struggles For Al Arabi, five points Jones’ second half curler in a season where they were from a possible 15 in the has sent Anfield in ecstasy as the knocked out of the AFC Cham- seen The Dream Team drop to club’s youth academy graduates pions League, and currently fourth, though level on points handed Everton an embarrass- battling to qualify for the knock- with Al Sadd. Heimir Hall- ing derby defeat. out stages of the Ooredoo Cup. grimsson has been without the The 18-year-old Liverpool- However, ahead of Mon- influential Aaron Gunnarsson born midfielder was making day’s game at Al Arabi in the due to injury. only his fifth appearance and ‘Doha Derby’, Xavi said his The former Iceland coach his memorable match winner Liverpool’s Curtis Jones (left) celebrates after scoring the winner against Everton during their English FA Cup third round match at Anfield in team must show their capability has also seen his side drop was his first senior goal. Liverpool on Sunday. (AFP) to overcome this difficult run. points in matches they should Jones is the youngest goals- “It will be a difficult match have won. A 3-0 thrashing of corer for Liverpool in a Mersey- ager Yasser Larouci. top corner. “When we were losing 1-0, for Callum, he has had a bad and Al Arabi have improved Al Ahli though, marked a good side derby since Robbie Fowler. Ancelotti’s side threatened Elsewhere on Sunday, Lu- at that moment I had the feeling injury, is getting himself fit and a lot this season. It is a great start to the second half of the Without a win over their early on when Dominic Calvert- cas Moura kept Tottenham’s FA of ‘we are in trouble’,” Totten- getting sharper. His goal was an derby that puts pressure on season and Hallgrimsson will rivals in any competition since Lewin’s strike was pushed away Cup hopes alive with the equal- ham boss Jose Mourinho said. early settler for us,” Lampard both teams and Arabi’s attack hope his team keeps the mo- 2010 and thrashed 5-2 at An- from Adrian, who then repelled iser in their 1-1 draw at second “We could be out like a few said. have been potent lately so we mentum against Al Sadd. field in the Premier League ear- Mason Holgate’s header and tier Middlesbrough, while Cal- other Premier League teams. Crystal Palace became the have to be careful,” Xavi said on “Being the ‘Doha Derby’ lier this season, Everton will feel Richarlison’s shot. lum Hudson-Odoi got back in But then everyone reacted. I re- third Premier League club to Sunday. should be a great incentive for the pain from this defeat against Liverpool’s youngsters had the groove as Chelsea cruised acted. The boys reacted.” be knocked out this weekend “We do not want to suffer in us to win and advance in the ta- their under-strength neigh- been thrashed by Aston Villa to a 2-0 win over Nottingham At Stamford Bridge, there as second tier Derby won 1-0 at tomorrow’s game, we must play ble,” Hallgrimsson said. bours for some while. while the senior stars were away Forest. were signs that Hudson-Odoi Selhurst Park. Hit by injuries that left him at the Club World Cup in De- Tottenham haven’t lifted a might be emerging from his Jayden Bogle fizzed a cross with 12 fit senior outfield play- cember. major trophy since 2008 when sophomore slump. to the far post and Chris Martin ers, Liverpool boss Jurgen But they acquitted them- current Middlesbrough manag- He opened the scoring tapped into the net in the 32nd Klopp had made nine changes, selves much better this time er Jonathan Woodgate scored against the second tier side in minute. selecting Nat Phillips, 22, and and Japan striker Takumi Mi- the League Cup winner against the sixth minute, just his second In a VAR first inE ngland, teenage trio Neco Williams, namino, making his debut after Chelsea. goal of the season and his first referee Michael Oliver used the Harvey Elliott and Jones. joining from Salzburg, glanced Woodgate was on course since September. pitch-side monitor to change a In contrast, Everton manag- a header narrowly off-target to dent Tottenham’s bid to end Blues boss Frank Lampard decision, sending off Luka Mili- er Carlo Ancelotti made just two before Divock Origi’s low drive that wretched run when Ashley had made nine changes, but vojevic after initially booking changes, fielding a strong team was brilliantly saved by Jordan Fletcher put Middlesbrough Chelsea doubled their lead in the Palace midfielder for kick- as the visitors chased a first win Pickford. ahead in the second half at the the 33rd minute when Hudson- ing out at Tom Huddlestone in at Anfield since 1999. Jones’ moment of magic Riverside Stadium. Odoi’s shot was parried straight the 63rd minute. Liverpool’s injury problems came in the 71st minute when But Brazilian winger Lucas to Ross Barkley and the mid- Sheffield United avoided a mounted within 10 minutes he played a chipped pass to headed the equaliser to send the fielder poked home at the back non-league upset with a 2-1 win when James Milner limped off Origi, took the return ball and tie to a replay in north London post. against AFC Fylde at Bramall Al Sadd coach Xavi Hernadez (left) and defender Pedro Miguel during to be replaced by another teen- curled a stunning effort into the later in January. “I was particularly pleased Lane. a press conference on Sunday. ‘Shame on you’: Balotelli lashes Bayern coach says Bundesliga more balanced out in new Italy racism storm RB Leipzid in the Bundesliga. goalkeeper to Munich. That is AFP at Italy international Balotelli. The Germans are However, it is not the first time very far-sighted,” Flick said. Milan The former Manchester City they have found themselves Forward Serge Gnabry was and Liverpool player was tar- in Doha for their in such position. Last season, unable to train Sunday after Mario Balotelli lashed out geted every time he got the ball. annual winter The Bavarians were six points suffering an Achilles tendon on Sunday after again being “It’s already the second behind Borussia Dortmund problem during a running ses- targeted by racist insults, this time,” Balotelli was heard tell- training camp but a remarkable run of form sion. “We will have to see how time from Lazio fans after he ing referee Gianluca Mangan- and Dortmund’s own failures, quickly the problem is dealt scored for Brescia in a 2-1 Serie iello after half an hour, with the Tribune News Network helped Niko Kovac to the title. with and when he can train A defeat, telling his tormentors: latter replying: “Now I’ll take Doha “Leipzig is a strong team again,” Flick said. “Shame on you”. care of it”. and this season the Bundes- Defender Lucas Hernandez “A defeat that hurts but we Lazio coach Simone Inzaghi Bayern Munich will be ready liga is different. It is more bal- meanwhile took part in partial will come back stronger and gestured wildly in front of the for the second half of the sea- anced in my opinion and it’s team training for the first time we are on the right track,” the visiting fans to stop the chant- son according to coach Hansi something we have not seen in following ankle surgery at the 29-year-old wrote on Insta- ing. Brescia fans tried to drown Flick. Bayern Munich coach Hansi Flick (right) attends a press conference a while. But we have a strong end of October. gram. out the insults with whistles The 54-year-old, who suc- on Sunday during the club’s annual winter training camp in Doha. team and we will be ready go- Hernandez did some “Lazio fans that were today and cheering which Balotelli ceeded Niko Kovac at the ing into the second half of the warm-up and fitness work with at the stadium SHAME ON applauded. beginning of November and “Our team is focused and focus was on developing the fit- season,” Flick said. the squad but did not join in a YOU! #saynotoracism.” Italian stadiums are the will be coach at least until the the players are working really ness of the side. The former Bayern mid- playing session but worked out Balotelli struck the first goal scene of recurrent racist in- end of the season, told report- hard to be successful and in “We want to focus on our fielder also hailed the club’s with fitness coaches on an indi- after 18 minutes at Brescia’s cidents, including monkey ers during the team’s training the coming days we are going training sessions and want our move in signing Schalke goal- vidual programme. Stadio Mario Rigamonti before chants, and this season Inter camp at the Aspire Zone in to keep working to improve the young players to train with the keeper Alexander Nuebel, who Bayern will be in Doha title-chasers Lazio hit back with Milan’s Romelu Lukaku, AC Doha that the Bavarians have a team,” Flick said. first squad.” will join in the summer on a until January 10 and will be- a Ciro Immobile double. Milan’s Franck Kessie and strong group of players despite He also added that the The record German cham- five-year contract. gin their Bundesliga defence But the game was overshad- Fiorentina’s Dalbert have all a groin injury to goal machine team will not play any friendly pions are currently third and “Bayern Munich took the against Hertha Berlin on Jan- owed by insulting chants aimed been victims. Robert Lewandowski. while in Doha, adding that his four points behind leaders chance to bring a very talented uary 19. Sports Monday, January 6, 2020 15 Defiant Sibley puts England Punctures slow in control with gritty knock AFP England record - and Stokes Cape Town caught last man Anrich Nortje to set an England Test record A gritty 85 not out from open- of five catches by a fielder. er Dom Sibley ground down Zak Crawley made a down Attiyah in South Africa’s bowlers as Eng- streaky 25 when England land took control on the third started their second innings, day of the second Test against with Sibley making only three South Africa at Newlands. in an opening stand of 28, be- Sibley, playing in only fore the day settled into a bat- his fourth Test, came in dur- tle of attrition. Dakar opener ing the morning session after Sibley and Joe Denly (31) James Anderson had picked used up 33 overs in adding 73 up the last two South African for the second wicket before wickets to finish with 5-40 and Denly hooked Nortje to fine give England a first innings leg. lead of 46. England’s Dom Sibley celebrates England captain Joe Root By the close, Sibley was his half-century. was more aggressive as he and still there and England had Sibley added 116 for the third reached 218 for four, stretch- Brief Scores wicket. ing their overall lead to 264. Root made 61 off 98 balls Sibley’s 85, his first Test England 218 for 4 (Sibley 85*, Root 61) before being caught at slip off half-century, came off a pains- and 269 all out lead South Africa 223 Dwaine Pretorius shortly be- taking 222 balls in just under all out (Anderson 5-40) by 264 runs fore the close. six hours and included 13 Earlier, Anderson took boundaries. Stokes combined to secure an both South Africa’s remain- It was slow going but it important first innings lead. ing wickets as the hosts added consolidated England’s advan- Anderson completed his only eight runs to their over- tage after Anderson and Ben 28th Test five-wicket haul - an night total. Toyota’s Gazoo Racing driver Nasser bin Saleh al Attiyah of Qatar and his co-driver Mathieu Baumel of France compete during Stage 1 of the Dakar 2020 between Jeddah and Al Wajh in Saudi Arabia on Sunday. (AFP) AFP Results to win the event, completed Al Wajh (Saudi Arabia) the drive in his Toyota in 11th Aussies dominant: Lyon Dakar Rally after Sunday’s stage 1 (752 kilometres) from Djeddah to Al Wajh. place. Three punctures inside 10 Cars: The 38-year-old Spaniard, kms slowed down defending 1. Vaidotas Zala-Saulius Jurgelenas (LTU-LTU/Mini) 3h19:04, 2. Stephane Peterhansel-Paulo Fiuza with five-time Dakar bike champion Nasser bin Saleh al (FRA-POR/Mini) at 2mins 14secs, 3. Carlos Sainz-Lucas Cruz (ESP-ESP/Mini) 2:50, 4. Nasser champion Marc Coma navi- takes five-wicket haul Attiyah of Qatar in the inau- Al-Attiyah-Matthieu Baumel (QAT-FRA/Toyota) 5:33, 5. Bernhard Ten Brinke-Tom Colsoul (NED-BEL/ gating, was over quarter of an Toyota) 6:30, 6. Mathieu Serradori-Fabian Lurquin (FRA-BEL/Century) 6:55, 7. Orlando Terranova- AFP gural stage of the Dakar Rally Bernardo Graue (ARG-ARG/Mini) 7:15, 8. Yazeed Al Rajhi-Konstantin Zhiltsov (KSA-RUS/Toyota) hour behind surprise stage crowd, in front of your family from Jeddah to Al Wajh in 11:46, 9. Vladimir Vasilyev-Vitaliy Yevtyekhov (RUS-UKR/Mini) 13:25, 10. Erik Van Loon-Sebastien winner Vaidotas Zala. Sydney and friends. Nice to go up on Saudi Arabia on Sunday. Delaunay (NED-FRA/Toyota) 13:58 One driver facing an early the honours board.” The Toyota Hilux driver set flight home was France’s two- Australia took a com- Phillips, who only flew in a hot pace and was ahead dur- Motorcycles: time Le Mans 24 Hour winner manding 243-run lead over on the eve of the Test as cover ing the opening 200 kms into 1. Toby Price (AUS/KTM) 3h21:33 (penalty: 2:00), 2. Ricky Brabec (USA/Honda) at 5secs, 3. Matthias Romain Dumas, who could plucky New Zealand in the for a team weakened by a virus the stage but punctures blunt- Walkner (AUT/KTM) 40, 4. Kevin Benavides (ARG/Honda) 2:31, 5. Sam Sunderland (GBR/Ktm) 3:15, only watch from a safe distance third Test in Sydney on Sun- outbreak, was dropped twice ed his charge and the Qatari 6. Pablo Quintanilla (CHI/Husqvarna) 3:36, 7. Joan Barreda Bort (ESP/Honda) 5:51, 8. Luciano as flames engulfed his car after day, looking set for a clean and given a reprieve when Benavides (ARG/Ktm) 6:56, 9. Andrew Short (USA/Husqvarna) 7:03, 10. Adrien Van Beveren (FRA/ dropped behind a Mini trio, Yamaha) 7:52 only 65km. sweep of the series. caught off a no-ball. led by a surprise stage winner Defending motorbike The Australians dismissed Lyon put down the two and debutant Vaidotas Zala of champion Toby Price won the Black Caps for 251 to lead caught-and-bowled chances Lithuaian. rally world champion. At the “In 21 editions of the Da- Sunday’s first bike stage, de- by 203 runs on the first in- when Phillips was on two and “It was a hard day and wheel of an X-Raid Mini, the kar, I’ve never had a co-driver spite losing his roadbook. nings before batting a second 17. The Kiwi batsman dodged we had three punctures in 32-year-old added his name talk to me in English, so I need “Once the road book time in a bid to build an over- Australia’s Nathan Lyon another bullet on 28 when he 10 kilometres. I have no clue to the list of Dakar stage win- to get used to it,” he said. is gone, then you’re pretty whelming total with two days acknowledges the crowd after was caught by Travis Head what went wrong. It’s rather ners and proved that his auspi- Reflecting on a solid first much driving blind,” said the remaining. taking a five wicket haul. at deep midwicket only to be strange,” reported the Qatari, cious 12th place in 2019 was no day’s drive Peterhansel added: 32-year-old Australian. At stumps on day three, recalled when James Pattin- over five minutes adrift. fluke. “There were dunes, sandy pla- The KTM rider completed the hosts were 40 without loss charmed knock of 52. son was found to have over- Zala’s debut in Saudi Ara- He is 2mins 14sec clear teaus and rocky sectors where the 752km route over two min- with David Warner on 23 and “We’re in a very good posi- stepped for a no-ball. bia was not just a tour de force, of teammates Stephane Pe- we had to walk on eggshells. utes clear of American Ricky Joe Burns not out 16, and were tion here,” said Lyon, who has it was a performance for the terhansel, the 13-time Dakar We’re good at adapting to these Brabec on a Honda with Aus- expected to bat on for some now taken a career 385 Test ages. The varied terrain and champion, and Carlos Sainz. conditions, we’re nimble!” trian Matthias Walkner on an- time on the fourth day. wickets. “A lot of work to do Brief Scores fiendish navigation of the in- ‘Mr Dakar’, as France’s Dakar Rally debutant Fer- other KTM in third. Off-spinner Nathan Lyon in the morning and we have to Australia 454 and 0 for 40 (Warner 23*, augural stage appeared to rule Peterhansel is affectionately nando Alonso avoided any first Monday’s second stage is captured five for 68 to lead see what lead we the batsmen Burns 16*) lead New Zealand 251 (Phillips out any surprises, but instead known, struggled with a lan- stage pitfalls. The Spaniard, 401km to Neom, a planned fu- the Australian bowling attack, want to get to. 52, Latham 49, Lyon 5-68, Cummins 3-44) by it witnessed the rise to fame of guage barrier with his new co- trying to make history as the turistic city being built on the with Kiwi Test debutant Glenn “It is pretty special to play 243 runs the newly crowned Lithuanian driver Paulo Fiuza. first Formula One champion Red Sea. Phillips top-scoring with a here in front of your home

First phase of the league comes to an end Abdi leads Al Arabi to top in QBF League first phase

Tribune News Network as the match progressed and pulled Results placed outfits. Both had suffered seven DOHA themselves 31 points clear at one stage defeats in a row and it was Al Khor who (72-41) before scripting their sixth vic- A l Khor Club beat Al Sadd Club 88-63 (HT 44-30) ended their losing streak, using their Forward Khalid Suliman Abdi led tory in eight matches – their second Main performers – Al Khor: Malcolm Bernard 28 pts & 10 12-point run in the second quarter to Al Arabi Club’s aggressive display in in a row. The third loss snapped the rebounds, Aladji Magassa 19 pts, Khobi Williams 17 pts & pull 14 points clear at the interval. the last match of the first phase in the three-match winning run for Al Sha- 14 rebounds, Madrious Gibbs 13 pts & 11 assists Al Khor continued to push hard QBF League and sparked them to a mal, who are among three teams with Al Sadd: Justin Baker 31 pts & 14 rebounds, Babacar Dieng managed to stretch their advantage to dominant 95-79 victory against Al Sha- 13 points each. 13 pts maximum 26 points in the third quar- mal Club at the Al Gharafa Club Indoor Besides Abdi, centre Moham- ter (65-39). They sealed the win by 25 Al Arabi Club beat Al Shamal Club 95-79 (HT 53-33) Hall on Sunday. med Harat gathered 22 points and 14 Main performers – Al Arabi: Khalid Suliman Abdi 30 pts & points with a dunk by forward Aladji The former Qatar national team rebounds, Todic contributed 21 and 9 assists, Mohammed Harat 22 pts & 14 rebounds, Miroslav Magassa, who collected 19 points – player produced 30 points and provid- guard Kevin Galloway added 14 points Todic 21 pts, Kevin Galloway 14 pts the second highest behind swingman ed nine assists to end as the top-scorer for Al Arabi. Al Shamal: Mikheil Berishvili 26 pts & 15 rebounds, Lenny Malcolm Bernard’s 28 points and 10 of the crucial match. Both teams were For Al Shamal, small forward Daniel 18 pts, George Tsintsadze 12 pts rebounds. locked at 12 points each from seven Mikheil Berishvili was the chief scor- QBF League Standings Two other players to get a double- games and the winner was to join Al er with 26 points and 15 rebounds, Position P W L PF PA PD Pts double for Al Khor were centre Khobi Wakrah at the top. while forward Lenny Daniel earned 1.Al Arabi 8 6 2 720 618 102 14 Williams and guard Madrius Gibbs. 2.Al Wakrah 8 6 2 668 610 58 14 Al Arabi were wary of the rivals 18 points and point guard George 3.Al Gharafa 8 5 3 688 616 72 13 Williams collected 17 points and 14 re- and started to build up early pressure Tsintsadze got 12. 4.Al Shamal 8 5 3 674 615 60 13 bounds and Gibbs had 13 points and on them. At 6-6, centre Miroslav To- 5.Al Rayyan 8 5 3 647 590 57 13 11 assists. dic initiated a 13-2 run for them and Khor win finally 6.Al Ahli 8 4 4 638 606 32 12 For Al Sadd, swingman Justin 7.Qatar SC 8 4 4 653 655 -2 12 it was good enough to boost them to a Al Khor tasted the first success of 8.Al Khor 8 1 7 572 690 -118 9 Baker was the top scorer with 31 points Khalid Suliman Abdi of Al Arabi goes for a layup against Al Shamal 15-point lead after the first 10 minutes. the League as they outclassed Al Sadd 9.Al Sadd 8 0 8 535 795 -260 8 and 14 rebounds and forward forward during a QBF League match in Al Gharafa on Sunday. Al Arabi won Al Arabi proved unchallenged Club 88-63 in a match-up of bottom- Babacar Dieng secured 13. 95-79 and topped the table after the first phase. NVBS Qatar players shine in India tourney Hair dryer, steam iron fail to save

Tribune News Network port of their parents. The tour- Doha nament in India was a tough India-Sri Lanka T20 clash one as several talented shut- Mashal Manoj Sahibjan of tlers participated,” said NVBS AFP New Vision Badminton Sport chief coach Manoj Sahibjan. Guwahati (India) (NVBS), Doha, won a gold and silver at the Junior All-Kerala Damp patches on the pitch due to rain forced Badminton Prize Money Tour- Mashal, a 3rd standard the abandonment of the first Twenty20 inter- nament organised by Kerala student at Kings College national between India and Sri Lanka without Badminton Shuttle Association Doha, and his partner a ball being bowled in Guwahati on Sunday de- in India from December 27-30. Abhiram Sajith defeated spite groundsmen even turning to a hair dryer Mashal, a 3rd stand- and steam iron in a desperate attempt to save ard student at Kings College Gautham Sumesh and the game. Doha, and his partner Abhi- NVBS Qatar players with medals and trophies Keshav Krishna 15-11, The pitch and the square at the start of ram Sajith defeated Gautham 13-15 and 15-12 in the the three-match series were covered after rain Sumesh and Keshav Krishna Adlyn Mary Sojan of Ideal Adlyn was second runner- Under-9 Boys doubles final. started falling just after the toss won by India 15-11, 13-15 and 15-12 in the Indian School and a NVBS up in U-9 girls singles after she skipper Virat Kohli who elected to bowl first. A ground staff member uses an electric blower to Under-9 Boys doubles final. trainee and Shivani Shivaku- lost to Shreya Maria Mathew in But once the rain stopped, wet patches on dry the pitch in the first T20 international cricket But Mashal finished sec- mar emerged the winners of three thrilling games by 17-15, “NVBS hopes to build a the pitch were discovered, leaving umpires and match between India and Sri Lanka on Sunday. ond in the U-9 boys singles the U-9 Girls doubles, beating 12-15, 13-15 in the semi-finals. talented team which can par- players unhappy. final after he lost to Gautham Johina Mary and Shreya Ma- “The players did well due ticipate in the future tourna- Even a hair drier and a steam iron were used strip but commentators criticised the ground Sumesh (13-15, 15-9, 5-15). ria 15-6, 15-5. to their hard work and the sup- ments,” he added. to try and dry the dampness on the 22-yard staff for letting water seep through the covers.