Bottas bounces back to edge Russell for pole position at Sakhir GP page 14

SUNday, DECEMBER 6, 2020 Qatar’s young players impress coach Sanchez with B’desh win

Qatar coach Bangladesh’s Day Felix Sanchez. positive despite defeat AFC Doha

Head coach Felix Sanchez praised the performance of the younger players after Qatar cruised to a 5-0 win over Bang- ladesh in Group E of the Asian Qualifiers on Friday. The 2022 FIFA World Cup hosts sealed the three points thanks to a brace each from 2019 AFC Player of the Year Akram Afif and 2019 AFC Asian Bangladesh head coach Cup top scorer Almoez Ali, after Jamie Day. Abdulaziz Hatem had scored the opener. “I’m happy with the return of official matches along with the big win and the perfor- mance of the young players,” said Sanchez. “They had a good match physically and mentally. “All I wanted today (Fri- day) from the players was to give their best and have a good performance. However, we for eight months.” of Group E of the Asian Quali- could have scored more than “We were expecting to con- fiers, which serve as the quali- five goals.” cede more goals because of the fication path for both the IF FA The 44-year-old Spaniard difference in experience be- World Cup Qatar 2022 and AFC said he was happy that the young tween the two teams. We learnt Asian Cup 2023. players performed well and Bangladesh players walk across in disdain as Qatar players celebrate one of their five goals during the AFC Asian Cup China 2023 qualification a lesson from this defeat but As FIFA World Cup hosts, showed great concentration. match played at the Abdullah Bin Khalifa Stadium on Friday. despite this heavy result, there Qatar are automatic qualifiers “The players had high con- were some positives for us as we for the global showpiece, but centration in the training ses- “We controlled the match build-up, thanks to the defen- formed well despite the big conceding many goals,” he gave the chance to some young- they will confirm their place at sions and the match,” he said. right from the beginning until sive style of our opponents.” defeat. said. “I’m happy with what we sters in our team,” added Day. China 2023 as group winners, “This will give them a lot of con- whistle. We had good Bangladesh head coach “I’m proud with the perfor- showed despite the defeat as we The win means Qatar are or as one of the four highest- fidence for the future. concentration in our attacking Jamie Day said his side per- mance of the players, despite didn’t play any official matches now well-placed to finish on top ranked runners-up.

AFC CHAMPIONS LEAGUE ROUND OF 16 , looking to Ulsan Hyundai aiming to stay on break new ground track against Victory AFC AFC will concentrate on the how we play we’re a good team too. Doha Doha the game instead of thinking only “I think we all know it’s going to about the result. be a very different match (from the Fit, focused and fresh from a scorch- One of Beijing FC or FC Tokyo will “I believe if our players perform group stage), because this is like a ing group stage campaign, Ulsan become AFC Champions League very well, we have a good chance of new competition. One team stays, Hyundai FC will be chasing more quarter-finalists for the first time getting the result, and the chance one team goes. of the same when they face Austral- when they clash in the Round of 16 to qualify for the next round will be “ I think my players will be ready ia’s Melbourne Victory in the AFC at Education City Stadium at 1pm on an extra kind of motivation for our and I have confidence in the team. Champions League Round of 16 at Sunday. players. We’re not thinking about I think the team who succeeds in Education City Stadium at 5pm on Unbeaten Group E winners with anything negative like pressure, terms of the small details will win Sunday. a club record 16 points, Beijing were we’re motivated by this.” this game,” concluded Génésio. Frustrated to have narrowly one of the standout sides in the Génésio’s charges certainly ap- Alternatively, FC Tokyo’s place missed out on domestic league and group stage, but they’ll need to buck pear to be made of sterner stuff in in the last 16 wasn’t secure until the cup honours, Kim Do-hoon’s side a historical trend if they are to go any 2020 and are a side side bursting final Matchday on Thursday, with have been untouchable in Doha, win- further in the competition. with attacking options with the likes the 2019 J League runners-up secur- ning all five matches since arriving in The Chinese outfit have reached of Spanish midfielder Jonathan Vi- ing their progression with a 1-0 win the Qatari capital to register a total 16 Ulsan Hyundai FC meet ’s Melbourne Victory at Education City Stadium the knockout stage on three separate era playing a key role in their group over Perth Glory. points from six matches. at 5pm on Sunday. occasions - the most recent coming stage dominance. Like Beijing, FC Tokyo have nev- Such was their dominance of in 2015 - but fell at the first hurdle They also had the luxury of qual- er advanced beyond the Round of 16, Group F that an Ulsan outfit featur- That impressive array of attack- to the tournament, they have pro- each time, with all three defeats ifying for the knockout stage with falling to a 1-0 defeat against Guang- ing just one of the 11 players from ing weapons gives the Korean side gressed to be the last Australian team coming against Korean opposition. two matches to spare, allowing the zhou Evergrande in their maiden ap- their previous outing eased to a confidence they can end a run of standing in the competition. Head coach Bruno Génésio said Frenchman to use some of his star pearance in 2012, before suffering 4-1 win over Shanghai Shenhua on Round of 16 defeats which has seen Assistant coach Steve Kean Beijing FC were determined to break names sparingly in their final group an away goals exit against Shanghai Thursday, in a match where the Chi- them exit the competition in the past said, despite the knockout nature of new ground in the AFC Champions stage matches against FC Seoul and SIPG four years later. nese side were fighting to stay alive in two seasons. Melbourne Victory’s previous out- League. Chiangrai United plus having also Both of those defeats came the tournament. The history that is in Ulsan’s ing against FC Seoul, they would be “It’s a very good opportunity done their homework on FC Tokyo. against Chinese opposition, and Head coach Kim Do-hoon be- favour comes from their previous mentally ready to do it all again on for myself and for the club to make “During the group stage our both in Olympic years, but as the lieves Ulsan Hyundai FC will advance meetings with Melbourne, with the Sunday. a new record in the club’s history. coaching staff already observed FC people of Tokyo know better than despite the challenge Melbourne Vic- Koreans winning 6-2 and drawing “I think if (we face) a difficulty, We’ve got a very good opportunity,” Tokyo and they have good attacking almost anyone, 2020 has rarely fol- tory will pose. 3-3 in the group stage in 2018. it won’t be through effort or applica- said Génésio. “I hope all my players abilities; they can score goals, but lowed the script. “I think the fact that Melbourne “I think all of the players are do- tion. I think the biggest challenge is Victory qualifiedfor the Round of 16 ing well. They’ve tried to show their going to be physically. I think we’ve means they are strong enough and quality on the pitch and deliver a shown that, step by step, the players that they have the quality to be here. great performance in every single have done amazingly well to keep on I noticed that they are very organised game. We’re missing one player producing and keep on getting bet- and rather than relying on individu- (goalkeeper Jo Hyeon-woo) but we’re ter, and I don’t think that’s going to als, they benefit from a strong organ- fighting together, trying to show our change,” said Kean. isation as a team,” said Kim. quality and 100 percent of our condi- “We just hope that our levels can “They’re offensive situation is tion – that was the main positive of stay at a level where we can continue very impressive, and they are very qualifying early,” said Kim. to produce and stay concentrated. aggressive when they attack, but “The players have done well to The game that was set out was ex- we’re also ready to fight as a team adapt to playing in Qatar, so I hope ecuted perfectly well in the last game, and if we show our quality as a team, they can maintain this energy.” and the only danger – I don’t think we believe we can beat this type of While some of Ulsan’s key per- it will be any other thing – will be team.” sonnel remain at the club, including size of the physical ask against a very While Junior Negrao stood out head coach Kim and starting striker good, in-form team.” by scoring 26 times in the K League Junior, it is a new-look Melbourne Thursday’s 2-1 win against FC this season, the goals have been com- Victory which has defied all expecta- Seoul was the crucial result in driv- ing from everywhere in Asia. Ulsan tions to reach the knockout stage. ing Victory to the knockout stage, have netted a tournament-high 14, In pre-season following a dismal with early goals from Marco Ro- with four-goal midfielder Yoon Bit- 2019-20 league campaign, and with jas and Jake Brimmer paving the garam one of four players in the a string of new signings who had way before the four-time A-League Unbeaten Group E winners with a club record 16 points, Beijing FC (left) were one of the standout sides in the group stage, squad to have found the back of the barely met let alone played top level champions had to weather a sec- but they’ll need to buck a historical trend against FC Tokyo if they are to go any further in the competition. net multiple times in the group stage. competitive football together prior ond-half storm. Sports Sunday, December 6, 2020 13 Cannavaro on brink of sack again at China’s AFP ergrande to the title. Shanghai If Cannavaro is sacked this time, it will be his second Fabio Cannavaro’s reign at dismissal following a failed Guangzhou Evergrande ap- spell at the club in 2014-2015. pears to be all but over after Cannavaro’s team, led by the eight-time Chinese Super the Brazilian midfielders An- League champions ended a derson Talisca and Paulinho, disappointing season under surrendered their CSL crown the Italian without silverware. last month with defeat over The most successful team two legs to Jiangsu Suning. in recent Chinese football his- A weakened team went tory were dumped out of the out in the second round of Asian Champions League in the Chinese FA Cup and their the group stage on Friday, Asian Champions League title compounding a poor cam- assault ended when Suwon paign by their standards. Bluewings beat Vissel Kobe in Soon after, Evergrande the final group-stage game on said that they were changing Friday. Guangzhou won the Real Madrid’s French coach Zinedine Zidane (right) and Sevilla’s their structure so that a gen- continent’s top club compe- Spanish coach Julen Lopetegui during their Spanish League match eral manager will have “main tition in 2013 under Canna- at the Sanchez Pizjuan Stadium in Seville on Saturday. (AFP) responsibility” instead of the varo’s mentor Marcello Lippi. head coach. They replicated that suc- In a subsequent an- cess two years later when Bra- Zidane gets breathing nouncement, also on the Guangzhou’s coach Fabio Cannavaro throws away his jacket during the AFC Champions League match zilian Luiz Felipe Scolari was club’s website, it said that vet- against Korea’s Suwon Samsung Bluewings at the Khalifa International Stadium on December 1. (AFP) coach. But Cannavaro has eran international midfielder failed to hit those heights and space after Sevilla win Zheng Zhi will be general World Cup-winning captain training, even the transfers,” lowing a poor run of results, always struggled to win over manager. reportedly has two years left the source reportedly said. the former Real Madrid Chinese football fans. AFP have linked former Tottenham There was no mention of on his 12-million-euro-a-year Now in his second stint as and Juventus defender was He was put in charge of Madrid boss Mauricio Pochettino and the 47-year-old Cannavaro, deal. Evergrande coach, Cannavaro similarly moved aside for the national team for two ex-Madrid forward Raul to Zi- who guided Evergrande to However, the state Xin- has been in charge since No- the 40-year-old Zheng, friendly games last year Under-pressure Zinedine dane’s job. the CSL title last year, but his hua news agency on Saturday vember 2017. who is a player/assistant to in what was widely seen Zidane said Real Madrid’s 1-0 Zidane made two changes head coach post appears to quoted a source close to the Despite taking the club to Cannavaro. as an audition for the top win at Sevilla on Saturday, from the debacle in Ukraine now have no power. club saying: “Cannavaro will an eighth CSL crown last year On that occasion, Canna- post. But China lost 1-0 to their first in La Liga since Oc- with Casemiro and Vinicius Chinese media speculat- leave, it is only a matter of some fans have never been varo was ordered to attend Uzbekistan and Thailand and tober, was significant after a replacing Martin Odegaard ed that a stumbling block to time for him and the club.” convinced by the Italian as a “corporate culture training” the Italian did not continue, testing recent period for the and Marco Asensio. sacking Cannavaro outright “Zheng will take the re- manager. but he surprisingly returned saying two jobs at once was Frenchman. Ex-Madrid boss Julen Lo- is compensation. The 2006 sponsibility of the team’s In October last year, fol- after a stint away to lead Ev- too much. Sevilla goalkeeper Bono petegui brought back Bono guided Vinicius Junior’s effort into the starting lineup after into his own net in the second he missed four games with half, allowing Zidane’s side to coronavirus which included move up to third in the table Wednesday’s heavy European N American qualifying slate set for 2022 World Cup following two defeats in their defeat to Chelsea. past three games. Morocco’s Bono made a AFP ed key international match claim anoth- qualify for the North Ameri- two qualifiers and visit Hon- “These are three very im- shaky start as his attempted Miami windows to allow for three er berth. can last eight in matches duras in next September’s portant points for us. It’s a clearance inside his own box matches. A re- next March and June. first qualifying window. well-deserved win, against a was blocked by Vinicius. Mexico and the United A revamped qualifying vamped Five teams advanced The Americans will very good opponent, who can He made up for the error States will meet next No- plan due to COVID-19 is- US squad directly to the final round host Jamaica and Costa Rica put you in trouble at any time. on his own line despite Karim vember and in March 2022 sues will see the final round will try to based upon FIFA world and visit the other quali- We got through this,” Zidane Benzema’s efforts. in North American regional of eight clubs play three return to rankings points, including fier in the October window said. The former Girona keeper qualifying matches for the matches each in September the global arch rivals Mexico and the before hosting Mexico and “It has been a bit difficult kept the sides equal at the 2022 Qatar World Cup un- and October of next year football United States, Jamaica, Cos- visiting Jamaica next No- lately, today we have to en- break with a tidy save from der a schedule released on and the usual two matches showdown ta Rica and Honduras. vember. joy it, be happy, but nothing Benzema’s 38th-minute shot, Friday. in November. after fail- The 14-match final quali- Mexico will host the US more,” he added. but his crucial mistake came The Confederation of Three matches each in ing to qualify fying slate will see each club men in March before the US Since Madrid crashed 10 minutes into the second North, Central America January and March of 2022 for the 2018 face each rival once at home entertains a qualifier and to a 2-0 defeat to Shakhtar half. and Caribbean Association will decide CONCACAF’s World Cup in and again away in a round- finishes the final round at Donetsk in midweek to leave Ferland Mendy played a Football (CONCACAF) an- three spots in Qatar and Russia. robin format. Costa Rica. The Mexicans their Champions League low cross into the area before nounced the basic schedul- send a fourth team into Three US coach Gregg Brhal- host a qualifier in their final qualification hopes in the bal- Vinicius slid in to guide it to- ing plan after FIFA extend- a playoff in June 2022 to teams will ter’s squad will open against match. ance, press reports in Spain wards the goal.

Premier League Manchester Utd into top four, City stroll as fans welcomed back AFP everyone. In this month it was im- portant to get qualification for the Champions League, now we focus Manchester United roared back on the Premier League. It will be a to beat West Ham 3-1 on Saturday long season.” and climb into the top four of the Earlier, Dominic Calvert-Lewin Premier League as fans returned to scored his 11th Premier League goal the English top-flight for the first of the season to rescue a point for time in nine months. Everton in a 1-1 draw against strug- Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men fell gling Burnley, who took an early behind at the London Stadium but lead through Robbie Brady. a three-goal blitz from Paul Pogba, Premier League chiefs issued Mason Greenwood and Marcus advice to supporters on coronavirus Rashford turned the tables. safety measures, including a warn- United, who have won nine suc- ing for fans not to get carried away cessive league games on the road, when their team scores a goal. are now fourth in the table, one “Fans can celebrate but should point ahead of Manchester City, who remain socially distanced from peo- earlier cruised past Fulham 2-0. ple outside their social bubble,” said United, who started with Bruno the advice. Fernandes and Rashford on the “Hugging of other fans and high- bench, were second best in the first A general view showing football fans waiting for the game to start during the fives should be avoided and fans half and fell behind to a Tomas English Premier League match between Chelsea and United at Stamford are asked to be respectful to those Soucek goal seven minutes before Bridge in London on Saturday. (AFP) around them, including avoiding ex- half-time. cessive shouting or singing.” West Ham, cheered on by 2,000 have won them all. returning to their best form after London and Liverpool are fans in their cavernous 60,000-seat “Of course you are very, very building on their 5-0 mauling of among the areas to have been placed stadium, should have been further happy with the away form,” Sol- Burnley last week. into the Tier-2 category based on ahead but squandered their chances. skjaer told Sky Sports. “I think They made a superb start at the Covid-19 rates, meaning up to 2,000 Solskjaer threw on Rashford and the home form is decent, we are Etihad, with Raheem Sterling put- fans will be able to attend matches. Fernandes for the start of the second becoming more and more consist- ting them ahead inside five minutes But clubs based in Tier-3 areas, half and United made the Hammers ent and we are coping better with to end his recent goal drought after such as Manchester and Birming- pay for their profligacy. games like this. a delightfully weighted Kevin De ham, are still not allowed to open Pogba equalised in the 65th “When you are 1-0, 2-0 down Bruyne through-ball. their gates. minute with a superb strike from the boys still believe and that char- De Bruyne, in Guardiola’s Chelsea boss Frank Lampard distance and minutes later United acter is important. At the end of 700th game as a manager, doubled goes toe to toe with Marcelo Bielsa were ahead, Greenwood turning and the season you don’t care about the the lead from the penalty spot af- in the late Saturday kick-off in the firing home in the area. performance.” ter Sterling was brought down by first league meeting between the bit- Rashford struck a post as United Joachim Andersen. ter rivals for 16 years. looked to extend their lead, and it City cruise Guardiola bemoaned his side’s Results: Burnley 1 (Brady 3) Everton was the striker who made it The drama at the London Sta- wastefulness in front of goal but 1 (Calvert-Lewin 45+3) 3-1 12 minutes from time. dium was in sharp contrast to City’s was pleased to notch up another Manchester City 2 (Sterling 5, De United, now just two points be- cruise against Fulham. clean sheet. Bruyne 26-pen) Fulham 0 Manchester United’s French midfielder Paul Pogba (left) celebrates with hind leaders Tottenham, have fallen City, who had won just four of “This season looks like there will West Ham 1 (Soucek 38) Manchester Brazilian defender Alex Telles after scoring against West Ham United at behind in all five of their Premier their opening nine matches, are be a lot of teams in contention,” he United 3 (Pogba 65, Greenwood 68, The London Stadium, in London on Saturday. (AFP) League away games this season and showing ominous signs they are told the BBC. “Everyone can beat Rashford 78). 14 Sunday, December 6, 2020 Sports Bottas bounces back to edge Russell for Sakhir pole position Finnish driver outpaces his Mercedes teammate in intense qualifying battle in Bahrain AFP tions under the floodlights, Manama the grandson of double world champion Emerson Fittipaldi Valtteri Bottas bounced focused on learning as Bot- Mondo Duplantis of Sweden (left) and Venezuela’s Yulimar Rojas. back from a dismal Friday to tas topped the times for Mer- claim his fifth pole position of cedes ahead of Verstappen the season on Saturday when and Russell. Duplantis, Rojas he outpaced his stand-in Mer- His Haas team-mate Kevin cedes team-mate George Rus- Magnussen, who was 16th, sell in an intense qualifying for Nicholas Latifi and his debu- named World Sunday’s Sakhir Grand Prix. tant Williams team-mate Jack After being beaten in both Aitken, and Kimi Raikkonen of opening practice sessions by Alfa Romeo all also missed out Athletes of the Year Russell, who was released on Q2. by Williams to substitute for It was the first time that AFP but I was able to put it togeth- Lewis Hamilton after the Canadian rookie Latifi had Paris er and get some pretty good world champion tested posi- out-qualified a team-mate, results,” said Duplantis. tive for coronavirus, the Finn having been beaten all season World record-breakers “When everything got shut responded in familiar stoical by Russell. Russell was also Mondo Duplantis of Sweden down and things were pushed fashion. into new territory as he bat- and Venezuela’s Yulimar Ro- back to the end of the season, His late best lap in 53.377 tled Bottas in Q2, not only to jas were on Saturday named I was able to find some good seconds at the short, high- reach his first Q3, but also to the male and female World form there as well which, for speed outer loop of the Bah- avoid being defeated in quali- Athletes of the Year. me, was more impressive than rain International Circuit was fying for the first time. In a season to remember, my indoor season because I’d just enough to pip Russell’s In the second mini-session, not least for the coronavirus- had two months off.” best effort, clocked on his Mercedes’ Finnish driver Valtteri Bottas removes his helmet after the qualifying session ahead of the Sainz set the pace only for Gasly hit scheduling, Duplantis Rojas also hit form in the team’s unexpected third Q3 Sakhir Formula One Grand Prix at the Bahrain International Circuit in the city of Sakhir on Saturday. (AFP) and then Bottas to beat him, the broke the world record in the shortened season, breaking run, by 0.026. Finn outpacing his Mercedes men’s pole vault twice. the South American indoor “It was a different situa- learn how to drive this car. I out. Max Verstappen was third “I need to take advan- team-mate Russell by 0.010 in The 21-year-old cleared triple jump record in her tion today,” said Bottas. “I just would have been happy with for Red Bull ahead of Fer- tage, but we’ll find out.I t’ll 53.809 seconds. 6.17m and 6.18m on back-to- first competition of the year, wanted to focus on my own making Q3 after final prac- rari’s Charles Leclerc, Sergio be tough. It’s not going to be On their final runs, the two back weekends in February, reaching 15.03m in Metz, doing and I managed to do tice... I am pleased, but I’m Perez of Racing Point and Da- easy,” he said. Mercedes remained on medi- just weeks before the Covid-19 France. that. We’re in a great place as gutted to miss out on pole! So, niil Kvyat of Alpha Tauri with ums while the rest took softs. pandemic brought track and She then went on to leap a team and it’s good to be on let’s see what we can do to- Daniel Ricciardo taking sev- Fittipaldi first out Verstappen improved to go field to a grounding halt. 15.43m at the World Athletics pole. I am happy with that.” morrow.” enth for Renault. Pietro Fittipaldi was the top while Red Bull team-mate When competition finally Indoor Tour meeting in Ma- Russell said: “It’s been in- It was Bottas’ 16th career Carlos Sainz took eighth first man out in Q1, the young Alexander Albon was elimi- resumed, Duplantis capped drid to break the world indoor credibly intense. There has pole position -- three years af- for McLaren ahead of Pierre Brazilian knowing he will start nated in 12th place, along with his season by producing the record by seven centimetres. been so much to learn and to ter scoring his maiden pole at Gasly in the second Alpha his maiden race from the back Esteban Ocon, four-time world highest outdoor vault of all “This victory means a lot get used to. The car felt alien the same venue in 2017 -- and Tauri and Lance Stroll in the of the grid as substitute for champion Sebastian Vettel of time (6.15m) and finished the to me and to all of those who to begin with -- it’s a different inflicted Russell’s first quali- second Racing Point. Romain Grosjean, having tak- Ferrari, Antonio Giovinazzi year undefeated in 16 compe- work with me every day, eve- way of driving. fying defeat by a team-mate, Verstappen said he expect- en two grid penalties for new and McLaren’s Lando Norris. titions. ryone who gives me strength “I had to un-learn what I albeit in helping Mercedes ed Russell to be a tough oppo- electronic power unit parts. For Norris, 15th, it was his “It was a really strange and motivation every day,” learned at Williams and re- clinch another front-row lock- nent in the race. In dry and mild condi- worst qualifying of the season. season, for me and everybody, said Rojas. Concussed Jadeja ruled out of Oz T20 series South Africa-England ODI series

AFP was added to the squad as After the game, Australia to go ahead after negative tests cover. captain Aaron Finch said he The substitution was con- accepted the decision, al- AFP after an unnamed South Af- “This (positive) test has Ravindra Jadeja was on troversial as Jadeja had ear- though allrounder Moises Johannesburg rican player tested positive surprised us because we had Saturday ruled of the final two lier suffered a leg strain and Henriques questioned wheth- Thursday despite staying in a confidence in the bio-secure games of India’s Twenty20 received extensive treatment, er Chahal was a suitable re- The entire South African “bio bubble”. environment,” South African series against Australia with casting doubt over whether he placement. cricket squad has tested nega- Originally, the series was team doctor Shuaib Manjra concussion after controversy would be able to bowl, before “I think the only real issue tive for coronavirus, allowing due to begin in Cape Town Fri- said. marred the opening clash in being withdrawn for concus- is you’ve got to ask yourself three one-day international day, but the match was called “There has been some Canberra. sion. was it a like-for-like replace- matches against England to off just one hour before the kind of breach which we have The allrounder was hit on Australia coach Justin ment? Is he (Jadeja) an out- start on Sunday in Paarl near scheduled start after the rev- investigated in great detail to the helmet by a rising delivery Langer was furious, remon- and-out spinner?” Henriques Cape Town. elation of the positive test. try and determine where this from Mitchell Starc during his strating with match referee told cricket.com.au. A Cricket South Africa Two other South African happened, by speaking to the match-turning 44 not out on David Boon, apparently un- “That’s something they statement released on Satur- players tested positive before player and looking at security Friday evening. Ravindra Jadeja during the T20 happy that Chahal, a special- may need to look into, but day said the latest round of the Twenty20 series between camera footage.” He did not get immediate match in Canberra on Friday. (AFP) ist bowler, was allowed to take those things are going to hap- tests were done Friday and South Africa and England, Manjra dismissed rumours medical treatment but was ex- the place of an allrounder. pen.” Australia, meanwhile, they were “pleased to an- which finished this week with that at least one South African amined at the innings break during the innings break by Concussion substitutes were sweating on the fitness nounce that the entire Proteas the tourists winning 3-0. cricketer had left the hotel and replaced by substitute the BCCI medical team,” the were introduced to interna- of Finch who hurt his right leg team has returned negative The decision to go ahead without authorisation. Yuzvendra Chahal, who then Indian cricket board said in a tional cricket last year in a while batting. results”. with the ODI series was a relief “I can categorically state took three crucial wickets as statement. bid to improve player wel- “A bit of a hip or a glute There had been concerns to South African officials, who that no player would be able to India won by 11 runs. “He will not take any fur- fare. It allows teams to replace (buttock injury), I’m not sure that the matches, resched- have been puzzled as to how leave the hotel environment,” “The diagnosis was con- ther part in the ongoing T20 someone with a “like for like” at the moment,” he told re- uled for Sunday, and Mon- a player became infected with he said, adding that security firmed based on a clinical as- series.” player, approved by the match porters, with a scan scheduled day and Wednesday in Cape the potentially deadly virus in was being controlled by a po- sessment in the dressing room Seamer Shardul Thakur referee. for Saturday. Town, might be cancelled the “bubble”. lice colonel. Securing Sport 2020 concludes with resounding support of global leaders Tribune News Network the discussions held during the confer- Doha ence into actions in the course of 2021. Securing Sport 2020 saw its Securing Sport 2020, the virtual conclusion on day 4 focusing on the conference, under the theme ‘Building youth matters in sport. Day 4 of the Resilience in an Ever-Changing World’ programme provided a platform for saw leaders from international organi- young people to share their insights on sations, government, international sport and discuss the main topics ad- and continental sport bodies, academ- dressed by ‘Securing Sport’ from the ia, and business come together to ana- youth leaders’ perspective. lyse both the current and future chal- Mohammed Hanzab, Chairman, lenges facing the world of sport while ICSS, said, “I was very proud and de- addressing international approaches Mohammed Hanzab, Chairman, ICSS Massimiliano Mantanari lighted that most of our allies were and ways to further strengthen mul- able to join us in this event. I can just tisectoral cooperation to enhance the Centre (IOTC) cation Officer thank them for their support towards safeguard of sport. • Juliette Kayyem Belfer, Senior • Marcia L. Dyson Founder, Wom- our mission and for standing with us Among the main topics discussed Lecturer International Security at Har- en’s Global Institute, Member of the in this journey in safeguarding sport. during ‘Securing Sport’, were the fu- Securing Sport 2020 Speakers vard’s Kennedy School of Government Save the Dream High-Level Council I don’t know if we will ever bring the ture of sport in the context of COV- and Faculty Chair of the Homeland • Michael Hershman Co-Founder, state of sport that is completely free of ID-19, the security legacy of major • Miguel Ángel Moratinos, High ister of Sport of the Russian Federation Security and Security & Global Health Transparency International, ICSS violence, corruption, or discrimination sporting events, the plague of corrup- Representative of the United Nations • Franco Frattini, President of the Projects Board Member but, I know that we will never give up tion, the use of big data to counter the Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) High Court of Sport Justice of Italy, • Filomena Fortes, President of While day one focused on govern- and will continue to ensure that there infiltration of organized crime into • Staffan De Mistura, Former Un- former Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Cape Verdean Olympic Commit- ance and policy reforms, day two and are no safe havens for those who try to sports, the rise of eSports and tech- der-Secretary-General and United Na- Chairman of the Sport Integrity Global tee, International Olympic Committee three brought experts from a range of transform and jeopardise its safety, se- nology, child protection, the issue of tions Special Envoy for Syria, Afghani- Alliance (SIGA) (IOC) Member institutions such as the International curity, and integrity.” racism, the role of sport in regions in stan, Iraq, and Lebanon • Thomas Stelzer Dean, Inter- • Abdulmounaim Bah General Labour Organization (ILO), INTER- Massimiliano Montanari, CEO, turmoil and the need to develop an in- • Raffaele Chiulli, President of national Anti-Corruption Academy Secretary, Confederation of African POL, UNESCO, UNITAR, the Italian ICSS, said, “The success of a confer- ternational framework to regulate the Sport Accord and of the Global Asso- (IACA), ICSS Honorary Board Mem- Football (CAF) Antimafia, andA nti-Terrorism Direc- ence is defined by its follow-up and use of private security in the context of ciation of International Sports Federa- ber • Dora Bakoyannis, Member of the torate, the US Department of States’ by actions undertaken thanks to the major sporting events. tions (GAISF) • Cláudia Pereira, Secretary of Parliament for New Democracy, Hel- Overseas Security Advisory Council ideas generated by the event. This also The event kicked off by Master of • Graham Stoker, Deputy Presi- State for Integration and Migration, lenic Parliament – Council of Europe, (OSAC), FIFA, Geneva Center of Se- applies to ‘Securing Sport’ and our ca- Ceremonies, Reena Ninan, Journalist dent for Sport, Fédération Interna- Portugal former Minister of Foreign Affairs of curity Policy (GCSP), Confederation pacity to realize the views and recom- and Founder of Good Trouble Produc- tionale de l’Automobile (FIA) •Antonia Marie De Meo, Director Greece of African Football (CAF), Hamad mendations we have received from tions and the high-level speaker lineup • Marcos Diaz, Chairperson of the of the United Nations Interregional • Douglas E. Lute, former US Bin Khalifa University, eSport Integ- our allies, including policy-makers, included, among others: Bureau of the seventh session of the Crime and Justice Research Institute Permanent Representative to NATO, rity Commission and business sector experts, and youth leaders, and our • Vladimir Voronkov, Under-Sec- Conference of the Parties to the Anti- (UNICRI) ICSS Board Member stakeholders including ADIDAS, Visa, ability to effectively engage them into retary-General, United Nations Coun- Doping Convention - UNESCO • Constantinos Filis, Director- • Joyce Cook, CBE, OBE FIFA Inc., and Telemundo to discuss and collective action. This is what we aim ter-Terrorism Office U( NOCT) • Azat Kadyrov, First Deputy Min- General, International Olympic Truce Chief of Social Responsibility and Edu- design different roadmaps to translate to report at ‘Securing Sport 2021.” Sports Sunday, December 6, 2020 15

Longines Qatar Equestrian Tour Hathab Round 5 Hamad Nasser Al Qadi excels on Gibria-B to top Big Tour

Tribune News Network Doha

Reigning champion Ham- ad Nasser Al Qadi topped the Big Tour class in the fifth round of the Longines Qatar The winning team of Mubarak Abdulaziz Al Khulaifi after he Equestrian Tour Hathab sup- completed the gruelling ‘Run Around Qatar’ on Friday. ported by The Social & Sport Contribution Fund at Qatar Equestrian Federation’s in- Mubarak Al Khulaifi door arena on Saturday. Hamad Nasser Al Qadi excelled on his mount, nine- sets fastest time for year-old mare Gibria-B, showjumping flawlessly with ‘Run Around Qatar’ the fastest time of 62.74 sec- onds in the 140cm class. Al Qadi and Gibria-B had Trailblazer Qatari finished third in the Small Tour on Friday, but they rose to oc- needed 155hours, casion for the feature event as they flewround the course. Al 30mins and Qadi took home QR11,250 in 1sec for 484km prize money for his efforts. Mohammed Saeed Haid- circumnavigation an riding Miss Chili put in a tremendous effort to finish The Big Tour class podium finishers with Badr Al Darwish, Organizing Committee Member, Longines Hathab, at the Qatar Equestrian Federation’s of Qatar second in 63.65secs, while indoor arena on Saturday. Salmeen Sultan Al Suwaidi Tribune News Network on Aslan 69 came third after Doha stopping the clock in 64.60. Results Meanwhile, Faris Saad Al Big Tour | Table A, One round against the clock, Art. Late Friday afternoon Qahtani emerged as the sur- 238.2.1 | 130/140cm |Prize-Money QR45,000 Mubarak Abdulaziz Al Khu- 1. Rider: Hamad Nasser Al Qadi; Horse: Gibria-B; prise winner in the Open Class. Faults: 0; Time: 62.74secs; Prize: QR11,250 laifi arrived at the finish line Al Qahtani went out all guns 2. Mohammed Saeed Haidan; Miss Chili; 0; at the Corniche (next to the blazing to pull off a clear round 63.65secs; QR9,000 Sheraton), after a grueling with 10-year-old mare Veren- 3. Salmeen Sultan Al Suwaidi; Aslan 69; 0; run of 155 hours 30 minutes 64.60secs; QR6,750 ince in 55.46secs. He was well Open Class | Ride & Drive | 115/120cm | Prize- and 1 second having set off Qataris to push their limits ahead of runner-up Salmeen, Money QR25,000 on last Saturday (Nov 28) to whether it be in sport, art, who took 64.40 seconds with 1. Rider: Faris Saad Al Qahtani; Horse: Verenince; Two set the Fastest Known Time culture, business or serving Guilder’s Empire of the Sun. Phases-Faults: 0; Time: 49.65secs; Faults: 0; Time: (FKT) for ‘Run around Qatar’. their community, and to live 55.46secs; Prize: QR6,250 Claiming the third spot was 2. Salmeen Sultan Al Suwaidi; Guilder’s Empire of Mubarak ran 484km in the fullest lives they can. the combination of Nasser Al the Sun; 0; 49.23secs; 0; 64.40secs; QR5,000 this time, which also included “I would like to specially Ghazali and What A Pleasure, 3. Nasser Al Ghazali; What A Pleasure; 0; 49.66secs; all breaks and short sleeps, of thank my support crew. Their who came home in 67.01secs. 0; 67.01secs; QR3,750 which he slept less than 25 assistance was truly inspira- Future Riders | Table A, Two Phases, Art. 274.1.5.3 The Future Riders 90cm | Max. 90cm hours in total. tional and the moments we class was won by Saoud Abdul- 1. Rider: Saoud Abdulla Al Kubaisi; Horse: Selest; Mubarak set his record in shared will be memories I la Al Kubaisi astride Selest. Fa- Faults; 0; Time: 26.19secs; Faults: 0; Time: a supported mode (with aid shall treasure,” he added. had Abdulkarim Abed (Wadi 19.70secs from support crew), bettering His team included Ad- 2. Fahad Abdulkarim Abed; Wadi Rum DDH; 0; Rum DDH) was second, while 24.02secs; 0; 19.92secs the previous best overall time ulaziz Alabdulla, Fahad Al Kian Monti (CJ Baba Van De 3. Kian Monti; CJ Baba Van De Roshoeve; 0; by 12 and half hours, which Buenain, Fahad Al Hadfa, Roshoeve) finished third. 25.95secs; 0; 20.12secs was set in an unsupported Faisal Al Zaman, Talal Al Future Riders | Table A, Two Phases, Art. 274.1.5.3 Hadi Mansour Al | Max. 80cm manner (without outside as- Emadi, Ali Al Mansouri, Ali Shahwani won the Future Rid- 1. Hadi Mansour Al Shahwani; Kashmir; 0; sistance) by Qatari resident, Al Khulaifi ,Rashid Al Hajri, ers 80cm class with Kashmir. 24.53secs; 0; 18.74secs Frenchman, Pierre Daniel. John Nuttall (Physiothera- Jassim Adel al-Saegh (Joly’s 2. Jassim Adel Al Saegh; Joly’s Arno; 0; 24.89secs; Both athletes will now pist), Noel Cuaton (photogra- 0; 18.90secs Arno) and Mohammed Faisal 3. Mohammed Faisal Al Marri; Ilse; 0; 26.08secs; 0; hold their respective FKT’s pher) and coach Ryan Sosna- Al Marri (Ilse) finished second 21.79secs. (supported/unsupported) Bowd. and third respectively. Hamad Nasser Al Qadi astride Gibria-B during the Big Tour class action at QEF’s indoor arena on Saturday. until they are bettered. Mubarak’s accomplish- On setting the new fastest ment also captured the imag- overall time Mubarak, said, ination of people outside Qa- “The run was without a doubt tar, with supporters following the hardest physical and his route daily in Europe and mental challenge of my life, a the UK. Lusail City hosts world class triathlon true test of my spirit and de- termination. It was also one The following was Mubarak’s in a time which put them five of the most memorable and route each day Qatar National minutes clear of the individual wonderful experiences of my Saturday: Doha Corniche to winner. life, seeing our beautiful na- Madinat al Ka`ban Triathlon Series The Qatar National Triath- tion in complete and being Sunday: Madinat al Ka`ban to 2020-21 lon Series is sponsored by Qa- joined each day by friends, Al Zubara tar Olympic Committee (Sport family and supporters just Monday: Al Zubara to Al- Tribune News Network for Life), Sports Corner, Rasen coming out to encourage. Jumayliyah Doha Adventure Shop, Rayyan Natu- “I am very proud to have Tuesday: Al-Jumayliyah to ral Water, Al Dar Marine, Yalla established the record as the Umm Bab Lusail City hosted by Qatari Toys. first Qatari to do break the Wednesday: Umm Bab to Diar played host to the elite previous best overall time, Salwa Road /Sawda Natheel of triathlon’s Asian Cup on Results that said it has also demon- intersection Saturday despite that being Junior Men: Patricio Guierrez (Team strated to me the huge ac- Thursday: Salwa Road / Doha Cycling) 1:04:23; Men 18-39: Sawda Natheel intersection to the latest event to fall to the Bernard McCullagh 58:33; Erik Solberg complishment of Pierre who coronavirus pandemic. (TriClub Doha) 1:02:19; Ebrahim did it without aid of a sup- Sealine The massive growth in Alromaihi (QTRI) 1:03:22; Men 40+: Steve port crew. I hope that my ac- Friday: Sealine to Doha popularity of this sport en- Macklin (TriClub Doha) 59:48; complishment inspires more Corniche. Barry Shillabeer (TriClub Doha) 1:03:44; sured huge local interest filling Simon Mortimer 1:04:12; Junior Women; all slots within days of entries Ailsa Cameron (TriClub Doha) 1:16:39; opening and organisers – Qatar Anvitha Erini (TriClub Doha) 1:27:06; Triathlon Federation put on a Rasha Kalandan (TriClub Doha) 1:36:19; Women 18-39; Toni Snoxell (TriClub show worthy of the absent pros. Qatari winners on the podium with Qatar National Triathlon officials at Lusail City on Saturday. Doha) 1:07:03; Carla Pregigueiro Qatar National Team mem- (TriClub Doha) 1:07:33; Adeline Cormary ber Ebrahim Alromaihi (Q- (TriClub Doha) and the Irish transition to the bike but a pre- dead - a time only beaten by (TriClub Doha) 1:11:42; TRI) was first out of the ma- pair were the only athletes dictably strong leg here put her Ebrahim Alromaihi. Women 40+: Julie Melville (Rasen Adventure Shop) 1:06:42; Andrea Stadler rina’s waters after completing to go under the hour for the back in a strong lead; too much Competition in the relay (TriClub Doha) 1:08:08; Daniela Sposi 750 meters swim in 12:53. He three disciplines. Julie Mel- for Toni Snoxell (TriClub Doha) competition was more intense; (TriClub Doha) 1:11:13; Relay: Rasen carried most of that 15 second ville (Rasen Adventure Shop), to catch despite being the only the top ten teams recruiting Adventure Shop 53:50; QTRI 1 54:25 advantage out onto the 20km a familiar name on Qatar’s woman to run under 20 min- members capable of topping (best all Qatari team); Ghariya Triathlon Club 56:32. bike course but was quickly bike racing scene, made a re- utes with a 19:09 5Km. the leader board for each of the Qatari Category: Qatari Men 18-39: overhauled by ’s Ber- turn to triathlon this season Other notable performanc- swim, bike and run disciplines. Ebrahim Alromaihi (QTRI) 1:03:22; Saad nard McCullagh who went on claiming the fastest woman ti- es came from swim specialist Teams containing national Almejali (QTRI) 1:03:26; Mohammed Ajlan to seal the victory with a blister- tle in both National Triathlon Sarah Nicholls (Triclub Doha) cycling team members battled Alkuwari (GTC) 1:05:03; Qatari Men 40+; Abdulaziz Almohannadi ing 16:32 5km run. Series races so far. in the masters women category for the top spot but it was Ra- (Lusail Team) 1:15:31; Soliman Aladawi Mubarak Abdulaziz Al Khulaifi during his seven-day run. His pace was only bettered Julie sacrificed her swim and Patricio Gutierrez (Team sen Adventure shop (Stuart (QTRI) 1:17:30; Abdulhadi Alshawi 1:19:32; by Aspire Academy’s Endur- advantage to Andrea Stadler Doha Cycling) in junior men; Bloor/Marwan Aljalham / Ra- Qatari Women: Noor Aljaber (Titanium) ance Coach Steve Macklin (Triclub Doha) with a slow both swimming 13 minutes chid Boudalla), finishing first, 1:33:27.

Mubarak Abdulaziz Al Khulaifi (left) with his assistants during the run. Participants take off for sea swimming during the triathlon. Athletes take to cycling during the triathlon.