CRICKET | Page 4 GOLF | Page 6 Labuschagne Els elated aft er ton powers ‘unbelievable’ Aussies to Day 4-1 start 1 advantage against US Friday, December 13, 2019 Rabia II 16, 1441 AH GULF TIMES SPORT FOCUS We didn’t doubt our ability to win: Sadd striker Bounedjah ‘They got their goal from their only chance. We fought back and scored the second after missing more than five chances’ By Sports Reporter Doha aghdad Bounedjah was a livewire on Wednes- day night as the Al Sadd forward caused havoc in BHienghene Sport’s back line. The Algerian put in a Man-of-the- Match performance and scored the opening goal as the hosts beat the New Caledonian team 3-1 in their opening match of the FIFA Club World Cup Qatar at the Jas- sim Bin Hamad Stadium. Bounedjah fi red his side ahead in the 25th minute when he tucked home a cross from Ab- delkarim Hassan, and should have had more on the night. Hienghene made it diffi cult for Sadd after Amy Roine struck af- ter half time to draw level. But Hassan’s powerfully con- verted indirect free-kick set them on the way to victory in extra time, with Pedro Miguel adding an insurance goal with six minutes remaining. Bounedjah said the victory was hard-fought but added his team had no doubt they would win the encounter. “We could’ve scored three in the fi rst half and then it would’ve been a diff erent story, but luck wasn’t on our side. We also missed some very easy chances due to lack of focus in front of goal,” Bounedjah told FIFA.com. “We didn’t doubt our abil- ity to win today as we controlled the game from beginning to end. They got their goal from their only chance. We fought back and scored the second after miss- ing more than fi ve chances. We were able to kill the game in extra Al Sadd’s Baghdad Bounedjah (second from right, also inset) in action against Hienghene Sport during the FIFA Club World Cup Qatar 2019 play-off in Doha on Wednesday. PICTURES: Noushad Thekkayil, AFP time,” he added. Al Sadd now turn their atten- Having gotten close to two fi rst of more to come in the FIFA When asked about Al Sadd’s match will improve for us to Al-Ansari sustained injury dur- set light running exercises as re- tion to tomorrow’s encounter goals per game on the way to win- Club World Cup Qatar 2019. aims in a tournament that is be- qualify for the semi-finals. ing the fi rst half against Hiengh- covery for the group of players against Mexican side Monter- ning the title in April, Bounedjah Having found the net twice re- ing played at home in Qatar, All the players need to work ene Sport and had to be replaced who had appeared in Wednesday’s rey, a side that on paper at least gave his take on why he has been cently on international duty for Bounedjah concluded: “We will hard to help the team to win. by al-Haydos in the 25th minute. game, while the rest of the team arrive with a greater pedigree less prolifi c than usual in front Algeria, Bounedjah is hoping for do all we can to win the title and The game against Monterrey Tests revealed the extent of underwent physical and techni- than the debutants from New of goal so far this season. “After a strong end to a year that has if we do that will be great. If not, will be more difficult than the the injury in al-Ansari’s left foot, cal training drills. There was also Caledonia. “We focused on our the Africa Cup of Nations, I went been full of highs. we know that’s football.” Hienghene game,” he said. with the team’s medical staff de- a practice mini-game between the fi rst match against Hienghene,” back to training right away and “I won the Africa Cup of Na- Midfielder Hassan al-Hay- termining a three-week period of players. Another round of training said Bounedjah. “Now it’s over didn’t rest well,” he said. tions,” he said. “I reached the dos, who had a goal disal- MUSCLE INJURY RULES rest, treatment and recuperation will be held today. and we are through to the second “That’s why I haven’t scored as AFC Champions League’s semi- lowed for off side, felt Sadd AL-ANSARI OUT FOR THREE before he can rejoin the team for Meanwhile, former Al Sadd round we will think about the many goals as last year, but I am fi nal too, but we couldn’t make to has to put in a much better WEEKS training. star Felipe Jorge visited the team Monterrey game. We will need to working hard to regain my best the fi nal. I am now taking part in show against Monterrey. “We Meanwhile, Al Sadd forward Ab- Sadd resumed training yes- at their training session. The be more switched-on if we want form.” the FIFA Club World Cup so I can are glad to have qualified for dulaziz al-Ansari has been ruled terday ahead of the game against Brazilian maestro was given a to beat them and progress to the Bounedjah’s strike against say that 2019 has been an excep- the second round. I hope that out of action for three week with Mexican side Monterrey in the cordial reception by the players semi-fi nal.” Hienghene Sport could be the tional year for me.” the performance in the next a muscle injury in his left foot. second round. The coaching staff and staff . SPOTLIGHT Saudi club Al Hilal arrive in Doha for Club WCup QNA at Al Sadd’s home will face Bra- We will be among the best in the Doha zil’s Flamengo, the champion world and compete with the six of Copa Libertadores for South continental champions. We will American Clubs. do our best in this important l Hilal Saudi Football Nawaf al-Abed joined Al Hilal international tournament. We Club, the Asian Cham- as a substitute for Salman al- have prepared well to achieve pions, have arrived in Faraj, who sustained an injury our desired goal,” Al Hilal coach Doha for FIFA Club after his participation with the Razvan Lucescu said upon his AWorld Cup 2019. Saudi national team in the 24th team’s arrival in Doha. The club will begin their cam- Arabian Gulf Cup. paign against Tunisia’s Esper- Al Hilal qualifi ed for the Club Saudi Arabian club Al Hilal arrives ance Sportive de Tunis, the Af- World Cup 2019 after winning for the FIFA Club World Cup 2019 rican Champions, tomorrow in the AFC Champions League last in Doha yesterday. The AFC the quarter-fi nal round at Jas- month, beating Japan’s Urawa. Champions League winners will sim bin Hamad Stadium. The “I am proud to be here with play Brazil’s Flamengo tomorrow. winners of tomorrow’s match my team in the Club World Cup. (Twitter/FIFAcom) Gulf Times Friday, December 13, 2019 FIFA Club World Cup 2 Qatar 2019 FOCUS SPOTLIGHT Exceptional Club WC veteran 2019 whets Afi f’s appetite for Basanta aims to more success AFC said the AFC Player of the Year Doha award was won with the support of his teammates, dedicating it to his parents and the national team s Akram Afi f caps a and Al Sadd coaches for helping phenomenal 12 months him improve. save best for last by appearing in the “This award goes to my par- FIFA Club World Qatar, ents and I want to thank eve- Athe 2019 AFC Player of the Year is ryone who supported me,” said Monterrey captain will be taking part in the competition for the fourth time already targeting more success. Afi f. “I won the award with the Al Sadd’s left winger started help of the offi cials, managers ew players know the the year by playing an integral and teammates at Al Sadd and FIFA Club World Cup part in Qatar’s AFC Asian Cup the national team, along with the as well as Jose Basanta. UAE 2019 triumph, as his one offi cials at Aspire Academy. When the whistle blows goal and 10 assists helped power “The coaches who trained me Fto start the match between Felix Sanchez’s squad to conti- at Al Sadd helped me win this Monterrey and Al Sadd tomor- nental glory with Afi f’s partner- award – whether it was (current row, the Rayado central de- ship with Almoez Ali a major head coach) Xavi or Jesualdo fender will be taking part in the highlight. Ferreira (former head coach),” competition for the fourth time. Afi f, 23 carried that form into he said. “Also, the head coach of “I’m happy and very pleased the Qatar Stars League, scoring the national team Felix Sanchez to be able to return to a Club 26 goals and making 15 assists, who is like a father to me as we World Cup, a tournament at as Al Sadd won the title for a have been working together for which the organization is com- record-extending 14th time with 15 years.” parable at an international level the player named Best Player of Afi f became the third Qatari to a World Cup. I was at Bra- the Season. The Super Cup was player to win the AFC Player zil 2014, and everything is very also added to the Al Sadd trophy of the Year award after Khalfan similar,” he said.