Man City keep title hopes alive with comeback 3-1 win over Leicester page 14

Sunday, DECEMBER 22, 2019

Liverpool’s Egyptian midfielder receives the Golden Ball award and Flamengo’s forward Bruno Henrique gets the Silver Ball award following the 2019 FIFA Club World Cup final football match in on Saturday. Roll of Honour Recent Club World Cup winners after Liverpool beat Flamengo 1-0 after extra time in Saturday’s final in Doha: 2019: Liverpool (ENG) 2018: Real Madrid (ESP) 2017: Real Madrid (ESP) 2016: Real Madrid (ESP) 2015: Barcelona (ESP) 2014: Real Madrid (ESP) 2013: Bayern Munich (GER) 2012: Corinthians (BRA) 2011: Barcelona (ESP) Liverpool’s 2010: (ITA) Liverpool’s players lift the trophy following the 2019 FIFA Club World Cup final football match against Brazil’s Flamengo at the Khalifa International Stadium in Doha on Saturday. celebrates after scoring the goal. Liverpool take home FIFA Club World Cup there was no contact on the Firmino’s extra-time golden edge of the area. Both sides looked jaded at times with extra time not do- strike seals fate of Flamengo ing either side any favours. But Liverpool finally scored DPA Henderson said. on 99 minutes after a quick Doha “We have found a way for breakaway, Firmino keeping a long time now. Some late his cool to slot home and dev- Liverpool won their first goals, we just want to keep astate his countrymen. Club World Cup title after going, keep improving. Keep Flamengo’s Lincoln blazed Roberto Firmino scored in ex- working hard and putting in over with a great chance to tra-time to seal a 1-0 win over performances like that.” The level late on. Flamengo at the Khalifa Inter- Brazilians edged the first half Liverpool had never previ- national Stadium in Doha on with more possession and ously won the Club World Cup Saturday. more chances although Liv- or its forerunner the Intercon- The European champi- erpool arguably had the best tinental Cup. They even lost ons prevailed over the South opportunity in the very first to Rio-based Flamengo in the American titleholders to minute but Firmino fired over. Flamengo’s players pose for a group picture after the 2019 FIFA Club World Cup final football match against England’s Liverpool at the Khalifa final in 1981. crown a magical year for the Liverpool’s Brazilian later International Stadium in Doha on Saturday. In the third-place match, Reds, who won their sixth rattled the post early in the Monterrey’s goalkeeper continental title in June and second half as Juergen Klopp’s The one time the former ed over at the other end. frustration and was visibly up- dogged Flamengo defence. scored the winning spotkick sit 10 points clear at the top of side began to dominate. did get round the back, Mo- Liverpool midfielder Alex set. He was replaced by Adam There was drama in stop- as the Mexicans prevailed on the English . Flamengo manager Jorge hamed Salah could not finish Oxlade-Chamberlain, out for Lallana. page time in normal time penalties after a 2-2 draw with “We could have scored a Jesus got his tactics spot on off his cross on 49 minutes. over a year after a knee injury Salah soon had a goal ruled when the referee initially gave Asian champions Al-Hilal. couple more. Overall delight- and Liverpool’s rampaging Gabriel Barbosa then in 2018, suffered what looked out for offside and Henderson a penalty for a foul by Rafinha Luis Cardenas denied Ed- ed with the result and perfor- full backs Trent Alexander- forced Liverpool’s Brazil- like a knee or ankle problem went close with a rasping shot on Liverpool’s Sadio Mane. uardo and mance in difficult conditions,” Arnold and Andy Robertson ian goalkeeper into a midway through the second as the English side became in- But the video assistant in- in the shoot-out before sealing Liverpool captain Jordan struggled to overlap. smart save before Salah blast- half. He beat the ground in creasingly frustrated against a tervened and it was decided victory with his own penalty. Glimpses of FIFA Club World Cup 2019 FINAL Infantino lauds ’s organisation of FIFA Club World Cup 2019

QNA & Agencies in the position to deliver every “I want the Club World Cup Doha single infrastructure work two to be the best in terms of quality years prior to the event, which is on the pitch but also in terms of FIFA President Gianni Infanti- what Qatar is on track to doing.” revenues,” Infantino said, add- no has praised the organisation He added: “I am sure that ing: “Whatever FIFA is doing of the FIFA Club World Cup it will be a fantastic event and I has to be the best, that’s clear.” 2019 by Qatar. believe that a World Cup in Qa- While the existing Club Speaking to reporters, In- tar, in the Middle East, will have World Cup features only the six fantino said: “I am very happy the ability to change the percep- continental champions as well with what I have seen during Delighted tion of the rest of the world to- as the champions of the host Flamengo’s team coach Paulo the Club World Cup so far and wards the region.” nation, the new event will see Liverpool’s manager Jurgen Klopp Cesar Carpegiani with the preparations for FIFA “I am very happy with Infantino expressed his many of the biggest sides in the World Cup 2022.” what I have seen during intention to make the new ver- world -- including eight from He added that the Club the Club World Cup so far sion of the FIFA Club World Europe -- descend on China for World Cup is an important test and with the preparations Cup the best competition in the first edition. ahead of the World Cup, adding the world, pointing out that he The FIFA chief previously that the progress of the works in for FIFA World Cup 2022.” wants an outstanding tourna- claimed that the expanded com- Qatar is unparalleled. FIFA President Infantino ment in terms of performance petition could generate as much He continued by saying: on the field and also in terms of as $50 billion in revenue. “The Club World Cup is an im- revenue. He believes the added portant test for a few of the el- ing big football tournaments It will return here next year, depth, combined with the fact ements that will be place at the for 20 years and I must say that before a new, 24-team tourna- the competition will now be World Cup, but the truth is that the state of advancement of the ment begins in June and July played at the end of the Euro- the level of readiness is there for works in Qatar is unparalleled - 2021, with China having already pean club season, makes it an all to see. I have been organis- I have never seen a host country been awarded hosting rights. irresistible prospect for bidders. 14 Sunday, December 22, 2019 Sports Klopp honoured in Doha Custodian Cardenas stars as Monterrey finish third

FIFA.Com DOHA

Goalkeeper Luis Cardenas was the hero for Monterrey as he saved two and then scored the winning shootout spot- kick to clinch bronze for Mon- terrey at the FIFA Club World Cup Qatar 2019, following a 2-2 draw against Al Hilal. Carlos Eduardo and Bafetimbi Gomis scored ei- ther side of a quick-fire dou- ble from Monterrey, with the 4-3 win on penalties seeing the Mexicans equal their best- ever performance at the Club World Cup. A stagnant affair in the opening stages, Al Hilal Liverpool coach Jurgen Klopp was honoured with the ‘German kicked things into gear on 35 Football Ambassador 2019’ award at the FIFA Club World Cup in minutes when captain Eduar- Doha on Saturday. Roland Bischof, who launched the award, met do powered home their first the coach and presented him the award at St Regis Hotel. Klopp attempt on goal from Yasser commented later: “Thank you for the award. I will continue to try to represent Germany in the best possible way”. result Monterrey’s goalkeeper Luis Cardenas saves a penalty during the 2019 FIFA Club World Cup third place playoff football match against Saudi’s Third-place play-off Al Hilal Club at the Khalifa International Stadium in Doha on Saturday. (AFP) Al Hilal 2 (Carlos Eduardo 35, Gomis 66) Monterrey 2 (Gonzalez 55, Meza 60) The Asian Champions Everton sign up Ancelotti Monterrey win 4-3 on penalties League MVP almost snatched bronze in normal time, seeing AFP trophy-laden CV from spells at his swept shot deflected onto London a clutch of Europe’s top clubs, Alshahrani’s measured cross. the post. The game went to including Juventus, AC Milan, Monterrey shook things penalties and saw Cardenas Everton appointed Carlo Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain, up after the break though, step up for Monterrey’s fifth Ancelotti as the Toffees’ new Real Madrid and Bayern Mu- having rediscovered some and final penalty, sealing a 4-3 manager on a four-and-a-half nich. of their drive. First, an awk- triumph on spot-kicks. year deal on Saturday in a ma- Ancelotti has won league ti- ward cross and some head The match went straight jor coup for a club mired in tles in four different countries. tennis saw Arturo Gonzalez to penalties, where Monter- the bottom half of the Premier However, his immediate head into an open goal past a rey prevailed after goalkeeper League table. task will be just to steer Ever- stranded Abdullah Almuaiouf. Luis Cardenas denied Ed- Ancelotti, 60, watched Sat- ton away from the relegation Maxi Meza had them uardo and Mohamed Kanno urday’s 0-0 draw with Arsenal zone as they sit just four points briefly ahead, slotting home before converting the winning from the stands at Goodison above the drop zone in 15th coolly after a swift coun- penalty himself. Park. He will take charge for and could drop closer to the ter, but, for the second time Monterrey, denied a place the first time on Boxing Day foot of the table by the end of in the tournament, Gomis in the final by Premier League for visit of Burnley. the weekend. performed some super-sub leaders Liverpool, had goal- The three-time Champi- “This is a great club with a heroics. Eduardo’s superb keeper Cardenas to thank as ons League winning coach rich history and a very passion- cross from the left found the he prevented Omar Khribin was sacked by Napoli earlier ate fan base,” Ancelotti said in Frenchman to see him con- extending Al Hilal’s advantage Monterrey players congratulate goalkeeper Luis Cardenas (centre) after he scored the winning goal in the this month but comes with a a club statement. vert with a diving header. at the end of a tight first half. shootout against Al Hilal in Doha on Saturday. (AFP) Man City keep title hopes alive with 3-1 win Messi shines in

DPA ing with his league-best 17th Everton and Arsenal did lit- London goal in the 22nd minute but tle to impress their new bosses sparkling Barca Mahrez equalized eight min- with a dreary goalless draw. Manchester City kept their utes later with a deflected shot. Everton announced Carlo outside Premier League title Guendogan then put City Ancelotti as their new coach hopes alive by coming back to on top before half-time with a earlier on Saturday, a day af- Christmas stroll beat Leicester City 3-1 on Sat- penalty after Raheem Sterling ter Arsenal hired Mikel Arteta, urday. was tripped by Ricardo Pereira and both were in attendance at AFP Leicester’s Jamie Vardy and Jesus clinched the win in Goodison Park ahead of taking Madrid Seville are assured third opened the scoring at the Eti- the 69th minute. charge. place over Christmas on had Staidum before Riyad “Against that level of op- Arsenal had the only two Barcelona go into the brief 34 points after their 2-0 Mahrez, Ilkay Guendogan and ponent it was a good lesson for shots on target as misplaced Spanish winter break on top of win in Mallorca. Gabriel Jesus responded for the us,” Leicester manager Brendan passes far outnumbered scor- La Liga after a glittering show defending league champions. Rodgers said. “No complaints ing chances in a match devoid from Lionel Messi helped the The win pulls City within about the result from me.” of quality. defending champions beat stopped with his feet. one point of second-placed Sheffield United and Wol- Danny Ings scored twice Alaves 4-1 on Saturday. Vidal bagged a second just Leicester, who remain 10 points verhampton Wanderers won Manchester City’s Gabriel Jesus celebrates with teammates after scor- as Southampton climbed out Real Madrid, who drew before half-time when put into behind leaders Liverpool. away to move up to fifth and ing their third goal during the English Premier League football match of the relegation places with 0-0 in Barcelona in the mid- open space on the right as “I am delighted with the sixth, respectively. against Leicester City in Manchester on Saturday. (AFP) a convincing 3-1 win at Aston week Clasico, can draw level Barcelona overwhelmed the way we played,” City manager Promoted United used Villa, who replace them in the top on 39 points but behind visitors, but they should have told Sky Sports. Oliver McBurnie’s goal to beat and Raul Jimenez won it with followed by Sheffield United drop zone. on goal difference if they win gone into the break more than “We kept going forward Brighton 1-0 and Wolves came a late header. (28), Wolves (27), Tottenham Newcastle United are ninth at home to Atletico Bilbao on 2-0 ahead. and played balls so simply. from behind to win 2-1 at Nor- “It is part of us, we are re- Hotspur (26) and Manchester after beating Crystal Palace 1-0 Sunday. Pere Pons pulled one back “We didn’t want to make wich. Wolves fell behind at Nor- lentless and go to the end.” United (25). on Miguel Almiron’s goal with Seville are assured third on 56 minute for Alaves with every action incredible, playing wich through Todd Cantwell’s Fourth-placed Chelsea (29 Tottenham host Chelsea Burnley right behind them af- place over Christmas on 34 neither Gerard Pique nor the simple is why the team played early goal before Romain Saiss’ points) hold the final Cham- and Manchester United visit ter Jay Rodriguez’s late header points after their 2-0 win in returning Samuel Umtiti on good.” Vardy opened the scor- pulled them level on the hour pions League qualifying spot Watford in Sunday’s matches. beat Bournemouth 1-0. Mallorca. hand as his header flew home French star Antoine from close range. Griezzman put Barca ahead Even with four defenders with a lovely snap-shot from around him, Messi was un- outside the area after a slick stopabble on 69 minutes as exchange with Messi on 14 he unleashed a trademark left Abid, Masood create history for Pakistan minutes. foot strike from outside the Messi had already had a box. AFP on a National Stadium pitch Dubai earlier this year. better strike ruled out by a The goal illustrated why Karachi which dried up to help batting. Abid said team manage- harsh VAR decision, while the diminutive attacker re- Masood blasted 135 for his ment calling him “legend” Mohican-haired Chilean for- cently won a sixth Ballon d’Or. Abid Ali and Shan Masood second century in his 19th Test adds to his responsibility. ward Arturo Vidal had tried a A sweetly-struck Luis Su- became only the third opening as the duo put on 278 for the “The management calls dramatic overhead effort that arez penalty made it 4-1 on 75 pair for Pakistan to hit centu- opening wicket, just 20 short me legend, thanks to them,” the Alaves ‘keeper just about minutes. ries in the same innings as Pa- of equalling the highest open- said Abid. “But it adds to my kistan turned the tables on Sri ing stand for Pakistan of 298. responsibility to perform Lanka in the second and final Amir Sohail and Ijaz well. This time we were un- Test in Karachi on Saturday. Ahmed had set that record der pressure because of the Abid, nicknamed “legend” against the West Indies at the lead we conceded, but I am in Pakistan’s dressing room, same venue in 1997. happy that we are now in a hit 174 for his second hundred Masood batted for nearly good position.” in as many Tests -- becoming five hours for his 135, which the first Pakistani and ninth included three sixes and seven Scoreboard batsmen overall to score two fours. Abid struck 21 bounda- centuries in his first twoT ests. ries and a six in his 398-min- Pakistan (1st innings): ...... 191 When the third day’s play ute stay at the crease. Sri Lanka (1st innings): ...... 271 Pakistan (2nd innings): ended Pakistan were in a - Abid’s feat -Abid, 32, Shan Masood c Oshada b Kumara ...... 135 strong position with 395-2, completed his century with a Abid Ali lbw b Kumara ...... 174 having an overall lead of 315 sweep off spinner Lasith Em- Azhar Ali not out ...... 57 after conceding an 80-run buldeniya for two to follow his Babar Azam not out ...... 22 Extras: (lb 5, w2) ...... 7 lead in the first innings. 109 in the drawn firstT est in Total: (for two wkts, 103 overs) ...... 395 Skipper Azhar Ali was un- Rawalpindi -- his debut. Still to bat: Haris Sohail, Asad Shafiq, Mohammad beaten on 57 -- his first fifty in The Rawalpindi century Rizwan, Yasir Shah, Mohammad Abbas, Naseem 14 innings -- and Babar Azam made Abid the first batsman Shah, Shaheen Shah Afridi Fall of wickets: 1-278 (Masood), 2-355 (Abid) on 22 not out. ever to score hundreds in both Bowling: Fernando 21-2-84-0, Kumara 22-5-88-2, It was a day for the bats- Pakistan’s centurians Abid Ali (left) and Shan Masood during the Test and one-day debuts. Embuldeniya 36-2-136-0 (1w), Perera 17-1-63-0 Barcelona’s Argentine forward Lionel Messi celebrates after scoring men as Pakistan added 338 third day of the second Test cricket match against Sri Lanka at the He had scored 112 in his (1w), De Silva 7-0-19-0. during the Spanish league football match against Deportivo Alaves at runs after resuming at 57-0 National Cricket Stadium in Karachi on Saturday. (AFP) first ODI, against Australia in the Camp Nou Stadium in Barcelona on Saturday. (AFP) Sports Sunday, December 22, 2019 15 Pedro Cara nails Qatar Derby (Gr 2)

Rider Tony Piccone pilots Pedro Cara to victory in the Qatar Derby (Gr2) race during the Qatar International HE Salah bin Ghanem al Ali, the Minister of Culture and Sports, with winning connections of Black Pearl after the prize distribution of the Qatar Derby Festival at the QREC Racecourse in New Al Rayyan on Sunday. Derby 1,850m race at the QREC Racecourse in New Al Rayyan on Saturday.

three wards won races – Al Shalaa, Jabalah & Black Pearl clinch other big races in 18th Race meeting results Jeryan Stud’s Sarat Abha beat Qatar International Derby Festival (Luca Maniezzi) Vries), 4.Methgal (Tomas Lukasek), 5.Minstrel Khoud by over five lengths the Qatar International Derby Festival LOCAL PUREBRED ARABIAN NOVICE PLATE Won by short head, 2. Time 1:22.00 (Ryan Curatolo) in the Local Thoroughbred 1,850m Owner: Nasser al Hajri. Trainer: Hadi al Ramzani Won by short head, 1.5, neck, short head. Time Handicap 1,600m, On The Tribune News Network length. Venedegar, a three- in the Qatar Derby (Group 1 Prize Money: QR45,000 (1st 25,650 2nd 1:45.98 Front Line, owned by Nasser 9,900 3rd 4,950) LOCAL PUREBRED ARABIAN PLATE (3 Year Olds) Owner: Umm Qarn. Trainer: Alban de Mieulle DOHA year-old bay gelding under the PA) over 1,600m, Fourcy’s 1.Naima (Ryan Curatolo), 2.Al Junood (Harry 1,600m al Hajri, edged Feleix Leiter ownership of Mohammed bin ward Shalaa in Al Shaqab Bentley), 3.Murihk (Tomas Lukasek) Prize Money: $20,000 (1st 11,400 2nd 4,400 QATAR DERBY (Gr2 PA) (Far Bend) 2,000m in the Thoroughbred Handi- HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad Khalifa al Attiyah was Racing silks outran a treble of Won by 0.25, 3.25. Time 2:04.30 3rd 2,200) Conditions: PUREBRED ARABIANS 4 Year Olds cap (Class 3) 1,400m and Al Khalifa al Thani-owned Pe- fourth by nose, while Alwaab de Mieulle’s trainees to claim Owner: Jassim bin Ali al Attiyah. Trainer: Ahmed 1.AJS Soghan (Alexander Reznikov), 2.Dalilak ONLY Colts & Geldings to carry 58kg, Fillies 56kg Jeryan Stud’s AJS Soghan dro Cara made a memorable of Khalifa bin Sheail al Kuwari the Qatar Derby Group 2 PA Kobeissi (Marco Casamento), 3. Maladh (Ronan Thomas) Prize Money: $150,000 (1st 85,500 2nd clinched the Local Purebred debut at the Qatar Racing & secured the fifth spot by a short over 2,000m. Won by neck, 0.25. Time 1:46.05. 33,000 3rd 16,500 4th 9,000 5th 6,000) Arabian Plate 1,600m for Equestrian Club Racecourse head in his debut race. Last year, Fourcy had a THOROUGHBRED MAIDEN PLATE (Class 6) Owner: Al Jeryan Stud. Trainer: Hadi al Ramzani 1.Shalaa (Julien Augé), 2. Bin General (Olivier three years olds, beating Dali- as the three-year-old bay geld- His Excellency Salah bin sweet double in these two rac- 1,850m Peslier), 3. Marid (Ronan Thomas), 4. Meblish lak by a neck. ing, ridden by Tony Piccone, Ghanem al Ali, the Minister es but de Mieulle prevented Prize Money: $15,000 (1st 8,550 2nd 3,300 QATAR DERBY (Far Bend) 1,850m (Faleh Bughanaim), 5. Akmar (Harry Bentley) Ridden by Tomas Lu- 3rd 1,650) Conditions: LOCAL THOROUGHBREDS 3 Year Won by 1.5, 0.25, 1, 0.5. Time 2:14.48 pulled off the Qatar Derby of Culture and Sports, was the him from repeating the feat. 1.Braemar (Theo Bachelot), 2.Forneus Olds ONLY Colts & Geldings to carry 58kg, Fillies Owner: Al Shaqab Racing. Trainer: Thomas kasek, Sarat Abha posted the (Group 2) on Saturday. chief guest at the festival and Shalaa, with Julien Auge (Pierantonio Convertino), 3.Ghizlan (Ronan 56kg Fourcy. third win in six starts in the The Qatar International gave away the trophies. Also on the back, was one and a Thomas) Prize Money: $70,000 (1st 39,900 2nd 15,400 season after going winless Derby Festival came to a present on the occasion were half lengths ahead of Bin Gen- Won by 2.5, head. Time 1:54.03 3rd 7,700 4th 4,200 5th 2,800) QATAR DERBY (Gr 2) (Far Bend) 2,000m in 12 races last term. Ronan heady climax when the Mauri- QREC Chairman Issa bin Mo- eral, ridden by Olivier Pes- Owner: Mansoor al Mahmoud. Trainer: Jassim 1.Black Pearl (Eduardo Pedroza), 2.Ifreet (Luca Conditions: THOROUGHBREDS (Class 1) 3 Thomas led On The Front cio Delcher Sanchez’s trainee hammed al Mohannadi and lier, in Ghazali Maniezzi), 3.Al Khor Surprise (Tomas Lukasek), Year Olds ONLY Colts & Geldings to carry Line to a second win in five faced a tight battle for the fin- QREC CEO Nasser bin Sheri- 4.Sea The Light (Anas al Seyabi), 5. 58kg, Fillies 56kg SH 3 Year Olds Less races this season, while Alex- ish line against King Power da al Kaabi. LOCAL THOROUGHBRED HANDICAP 1,600m Alexanderthegreat (Alexander Reznikov) 4.5kg Local Bred Allowance will NOT be ander Reznikov guided AJS Prize Money: $20,000 (1st 11,400 2nd 4,400 Won by 1.25, 0.25, 6, 2.75. Time 2:01.89 applicable Racing’s Bangkok, trained by Earlier, trainers Alban 3rd 2,200) Owner: Abdulatif al Emadi. Trainer: Ibrahim al Prize Money: $500,000 (1st 285,000 2nd Soghan to his first victory in Andrew Balding (UK). But de Mieulle and Thomas 1.Sarat Abha (Tomas Lukasek), 2.Khoud Malki 110,000 3rd 55,000 4th 30,000 5th 20,000) four runs this season. Pedro Cara used his charge Fourcy were involved in (Pierantonio Convertino), 3.Attaf (Theo Bachelot) 1.Pedro Cara (Tony Piccone), 2.Bangkok Abdulatif al Emadi’s three- brilliantly and had enough an engrossing fight for Won by 5.5, 0.25. Time 1:36.72 QATAR DERBY (Gr1 PA) (Far Bend) 1,600m (Silvestre De Sousa), 3.Al Gazi (Anas al Seyabi), year-old bay gelding Black vigour to upstage his higher- the top honours in Owner: Al Jeryan Stud. Trainer: Hadi al Ramzani Conditions: PUREBRED ARABIANS 3 Year 4.Venedegar (Alexander Reznikov), 5.Alwaab Pearl, with Eduardo Pedroza rated rival by one length and a the races for Purebred Olds Only Colts & Geldings to carry 58kg, (Theo Bachelot) astride, continued his im- quarter for his second victory Arabian horses. While THOROUGHBRED HANDICAP (Class 3) 1,400m Fillies 56kg Won by 1.25, 1.25, nose, short head. Time pressive run to bag the Qatar in four starts. de Mieulle’s Ja- Prize Money: $20,000 (1st 11,400 2nd 4,400 Prize Money: $100,000 (1st 57,000 2nd 2:04.66 Derby 1,850m, beating Ifreet 3rd 2,200) 22,000 3rd 11,000 4th 6,000 5th 4,000) Owner: HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa al The pair had won the Prix balah, owned 1.On The Front Line (Ronan Thomas), 2.Felix 1.Jabalah (Soufiane Saadi), 2.Lady Princess Thani. Trainer: Mauricio Delcher Sanchez by over a length. This was the Frederiec De Lagrange over by Umm Qarn, Leiter (Pierantonio Convertino), 3.Pettifogger (Julien Augé), 3.Battash De Faust (Adrie De (France) third win in a row, including 2,400m in July this year. got the better two this season. Sheikh Faisal bin Hamad of Al Shaqab Naima, ridden by Ryan al Thani’s Al Gazi, unbeaten Racing’s Lady his first run in Doha, completed the top five in the successive victory. Battas De Curatolo, and Braemar, in the past two races in the Princess by a which was also the first $150,000 race. Faust was third by one and ridden by Theo Bachelot, season, was third by over a short head race of the season for the For Jabalah, this was the a half lengths. Methgal was emerged the winner in the Lo- four-year-old grey colt. second win in a row in three fourth by a neck and Minstrel cal Purebred Arabian Novice Pedro Cara jockey Tony Piccone kisses the Qatar Marid was third by a quar- starts, while Khalifa bin got the fifth spot. Plate 1,850m and Thorough- Derby (Gr 2) race winner’s trophy at the QREC ter of length with Ronan Sheail al Kuwari’s Lady Prin- Hadi al Ramzani had his bred Maiden Plate (Class 6), Racecourse on Saturday. Thomas astride and Akmar cess was looking for a fourth moments to celebrate as his respectively.

HE Salah bin Ghanem al Ali, the Minister of Culture and Sports, pre- HE Salah bin Ghanem al Ali, the Minister of Culture and Sports, with Al Sabiq Trophy winner for Maseela sents the owner’s trophy to Al Shaqab Racing CEO Khalifa Mohamed Jabalah’s trainer Alban de Mieulle receives the trophy from HE Salah bin Ghanem al racing and QREC Chairman Issa bin Mohammed al Mohannadi on Saturday. al after Shalaa won the Qatar Derby (Gr2 PA) race on Saturday. Ali after his ward emerged the winner in the Qatar Derby (Gr1 PA) race on Saturday. We’re ready for difficult task against Sadd: Al Gharafa coach Jakanovic Tribune News Network DOHA “We had good prepara- Standings tions despite the absence Al Gharafa Club coach Slavisa Latest QNB Stars League Standings of internationals and pro- Team P W L d gF GA gd Pts Jokanovic sounded confident fessional players. We had 1 Al Duhail 10 8 0 2 21 10 11 26 and ready ahead of his team’s the opportunity to analyse 2 Al Rayyan 10 6 0 4 23 9 14 22 tough match against Al Sadd 3 Al Gharafa 10 6 2 2 20 11 9 20 in the QNB Stars League Week our level and performance, 4 Al Sadd 8 5 3 0 21 16 5 15 11 on Monday. and worked towards reach- 5 Al Arabi 9 4 3 2 18 12 6 14 “We had good prepara- ing our best level.” 6 Al Sailiya 10 4 4 2 12 14 -2 14 tions despite the absence of 7 Al Ahli 10 4 5 1 16 17 -1 13 internationals and profes- 8 Al Wakrah 10 3 4 3 16 19 -3 12 Fixtures 9 Qatar SC 10 4 6 0 13 16 -3 12 sional players. We had the 10 Al Khor 9 1 6 2 9 17 -8 5 opportunity to analyse our QNB Stars League fixtures 11 Umm Salal 10 1 7 2 7 21 -14 5 level and performance, and Sunday 12 Al Shahania 10 0 6 4 7 21 -14 4 At 17:10 - Umm Salal vs Al Sailiya (At Qatar SC worked towards reaching our Stadium) best level. At 19:20 - Qatar SC vs Al Arabi (Qatar SC Stadium) “We know the match will At 19:20 - Al Rayyan vs Al Wakrah (Al Gharafa “Al Wakrah are a good ers responded to the training be difficult, but our players Al Gharafa Club coach Slavisa Jokanovic (right) during a press conference in Doha ahead of his team’s Stadium) team that plays in a distinct sessions. We tried to take ad- Monday will be ready. We are heading QNB Stars League match against Al Sadd. At 17:10 - Al Shahania vs Al Khor (Al Ahli Stadium) way. They have achieved some vantage of the Ooredoo Cup for an important game and At 19:20 - Al Ahli vs Al Duhail (Al Ahli Stadium) good results. I respect them matches. I am optimistic that we face a team that have play- “Al Sadd players may be Rayyan focused Al Wakrah on Sunday. At 19:20 - Al Gharafa vs Al Sadd (Al Gharafa and also the great efforts that my team will appear well in this ers who often played, be it for suffering from fatigue. They Al Rayyan coach Diego “The league stopped for a Stadium) they are making. We have to be match after good preparations. the Qatar national team in the played good games and their Aguirre said his team is fo- long time. It was the job of the highly focused against them. “I think the absences will Gulf Cup or FIFA Club World fitness rate is high. Their cused and would put up a coach to find the appropriate did the same. We prepared well “We had special sessions not make much of a difference. Cup. That is a big positive for squad is complete,” said Jo- good show in the QNB Stars ways to prepare his team for the for Al Wakrah besides playing during the break and I am It always happens to all teams. Al Sadd. kanovic. League Week 11 match against matches during that time and I in the Ooredoo Cup.” happy with the way our play- We have suffered from them.”